Pikachu's Evolution; Trip to Unova

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

The next day Ash was training extensively with Volkner trying to improve the speed of Electrode and Manectric while teaching Volt Switch to Plusle, Minun and Rotom since they were the three smallest Pokémon he had and would work well in confusing his opponents.

Both Electavire's, Luxray's and Jolteon's were working by themselves while Magnezone, Ampharos and Zapdos were in the middle of a two on one match with Magnezone and Ampharos facing off against Zapdos. Pikachu and Raichu were attempting to train, but Pikachu was depressed and it visibly showed. Raichu tried to cheer up the Mouse Pokémon, but nothing worked.'

Volkner noticed "Ash" he said getting Ash's attention. Volkner pointed over to Pikachu and Ash got the hint.

Ash walked over to Pikachu "Hey buddy, what's wrong?" Pikachu gave a small 'chu' in response "Are you depressed about something?" Pikachu nodded giving a small 'chu' again "What are you depressed about?"

"I can hazard a guess" Volkner said walking up to them. He took one look at Pikachu "As I suspected; this is the exact same attitude Raichu showed the day I evolved him. Pikachu is depressed because it thinks it's not strong enough to win battles against tough Pokémon anymore."

"Don't think like that Pikachu" Ash said fiercely "I'll always like you the way you are no matter what." Pikachu gave a small "Pika" in response having cheered up a bit. Volkner looked at the two before nodding to Raichu. Raichu nodded back and scampered off and returned quickly "What's with Raichu Volkner" Ash asked.

Raichu handed something to Volkner "This" Volkner said holding up a sapphire stone with a lightning bolt in it "One of my many thunderstones that I've acquired over the years."

"Pikachu" Ash said "Is this really what you want?" Pikachu looked up with a determined face and gave a nod with a "Pika." "Okay then" Ash said taking the stone from Volkner before crouching down by Pikachu and gently touching the stone on Pikachu's face. The stone glowed brightly and so did Pikachu. The stone disappeared and Pikachu began morphing into a much larger version of himself. The light finally died down and revealed a Raichu.

"Raichu" the newly evolved Pokémon said. Ash smiled and hugged his first Pokémon tightly with a tear escaping his eye.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

"Raichu dodge the thunderbolt and use electro ball" Ash called. Ash's Raichu dodged the thunderbolt from Volkner's Raichu before launching an electro ball from his tail that struck Volkner's Raichu "Now finish it with hyper beam" Ash called. Raichu launched a large hyper beam that struck Volkner's Raichu sending it flying back to the wall unconscious.

The little robot ref raised the green flag "Volkner's Raichu is unable to battle; Ash's Raichu is the winner. All six of Volkner's Pokémon have been eliminated so Ash is the winner."

"Alright, excellent job Raichu" Ash cheered as Raichu ran back to Ash and jumped in his arms. Ash held Raichu tightly hugging his best friend.

"Raichu return" Volkner said recalling his Raichu "You battled most excellently." Volkner looked over to Ash 'I can't believe how fast he's progressed in four months. It took all six of my Pokémon just to defeat two of his and barely injure his Raichu.'

They were coming to the end of Ash's training so Volkner decided to have a full six on six battle with Ash to determine if Ash was ready. The first Pokémon Ash sent out was his Electavire and Volkner did the same, but Ash's Electavire proved too powerful this time and defeated Volkner's so Volkner next sent out his Jolteon that also put up a valiant fight, but wasn't able to stand up to Electavire and was taken out. The next Pokémon Volkner chose was his Lanturn since, over the four months Ash was there, he finally installed a pool in his gym for Lanturn to battle.

Lanturn put up a valiant fight, but in the end both Pokémon knocked each other out. After recalling his Electavire and congratulating it Ash next sent out his Luxray and Volkner countered with his own Luxray. It was like their last battle, but this time Ash's Luxray had a much higher defense coupled with increased speed and power put Volkner's Luxray down hard. Then Volkner sent out his Eelektross that was probably his strongest Pokémon. Eelektross took down Luxray with minimal damage so Ash sent out his Raichu to counter it with his increased powers.

That battle was hectic as both of them launched attacks one after the other at each other and in the end Eelektross fell to Raichu's power leaving Volkner with only his Raichu left. Both fought hard, but Ash's Raichu prevailed and Ash won the six on six battle.

Volkner walked up to Ash "Ash, you've improved radically and your Pokémon are stronger and more well-rounded than ever."

"Thanks to you Volkner" Ash said "I don't know if I ever could've gotten this far without you."

"It wasn't just me Ash" Volkner said "You and your Pokémon matured and trained together and you've gotten stronger; you're definitely stronger than me and could probably give Flint a run for his money."

"Thanks a lot Volkner" Ash said.

"Now that you've defeated me I have nothing left to teach you" Volkner said. "As one last instruction from your Teacher I think you should travel to the Unova Region and get yourself registered there so you can capture the Electric Pokémon you have there and be able to bring them back to these Regions. Unova has some extremely powerful Electric Pokémon as you can tell by seeing my Eelektross."

"Right" Ash said "I'll head there right away. Thanks for everything Volkner." Ash exited the Gym with Raichu "Zapdos come out" Ash called. Ash's Legendary Pokémon made an appearance with a loud squawk.

"Good luck in the rest of your training Ash" Volkner said.

"Thanks Volkner" Ash called as he climbed on Zapdos. "Thanks for everything" Ash called as he, Raichu and Zapdos ascended into the air and took off in flight. As Ash flew away from Sunyshore City he turned to Raichu "Alright Raichu, we head to Unova, capture all the electric Pokémon we can find, train them and then it's off to Johto to take on the Elite Four."

"Rai Raichu" Raichu agreed.

"Hmm" Ash hummed "If I do end up winning and establishing the Kanto Elite Four, who would my Elite Four Members be. I mean they all have to specialize in one type so I really have to choose carefully. Eh I'll think about it later; I mean I have to win the challenge first."

Zapdos was a very fast flyer and was able to get Ash to the Unova Region very quickly "Alright, according to the map this is Nuvema Town and I have to register with Professor Juniper. Zapdos let's go in for a landing" Ash called. Zapdos squawked and flew downwards and all the citizens of Nuvema Town were attracted to the beautiful sight of Ash's Zapdos. "Right down there" Ash called.

Zapdos went down towards the ground. Ash landed and recalled his Zapdos to its Pokeball before walking up to the building that was in front of him. Once Ash walked in he saw a lab assistance there "Excuse me" Ash said "I want to see Professor Juniper."

"Are you a new starting trainer" the assistant asked.

"No I'm from the Kanto Region and I've come to Unova for a new journey" Ash said.

"Ah I see" the assistant said "Hold on I'll fetch Professor Juniper." The assistant walked off to the back room.

"Alright Raichu, now we just wait" Ash said taking a seat on the couch. Ash was waiting for about two minutes before four more kids about a year younger than Ash walked inside the room. One of them was wearing a blue jacket with a red and white hate that had a black Pokeball in the center. He had shoulder length brown hair and eyes along with black pants, and red shoes with black laces. He had a black shoulder bag over his chest. The second one looked ot be his sister, possible twin, since she bore a striking resemblance to him.

She had long brown hair in a high ponytail that poked through the back of her white and pink hat with a pink Pokeball in the center. She had brown eyes with black wristbands on her wrists with a sleeveless white shirt and black vest over it with a pink shoulder bag over it. She also had on daisy dukes that showed off her long and luscious legs with black shoes with red laces.

The third one was another girl with puffy blond hair under a green hat with a white stripe. She had a white blouse on with an orange vest over it with a green shoulder bag over it. On her lower body was a long white skirt that went down to her calves with orange stockings and light yellow shoes. She also had small white wristbands on her wrists.

The last one was a boy with midnight hair that had one strand sticking up slightly with blue eyes and glasses on his face. He wore a white shirt with red lines from the collar down the front along with a blue jacket with white cuffs over it. He wore black jeans with a belt and blue shoes; unlike the other three he doesn't have a shoulder bag on him.

Soon after they entered did another woman walk out from the back. She was very beautiful; she had brown hair done upwards in a slight bun with green eyes, red earrings, lab coat, white tank top and green skirt with red shoes on her feet. "Ah Hilbert, Hilda, Cheren and Bianca; you're all back" she said.

"That's right" the brown haired boy named Hilbert said.

"It was a very tough journey, but all of us did it" the blond haired one named Bianca said.

"And here's our proof" the brown haired girl named Hilda said. Each one of them pulled out badge cases and presented Professor Juniper with a grand total of eight badges each.

"Very impressive" Professor Juniper said. She looked over and saw Ash "Oh right my assistant said you wanted to speak with me." The others turned to see Ash walk up with Raichu walking beside him.

"Yes I did" Ash said "My names Ash and I'd like to officially register myself."

"You're a little late" Cheren said "The Unova League begins in one month's time."

"I didn't come here to participate in the Unova League" Ash replied. "I just came to get myself registered so I could capture new Pokémon."

"A perfectly reasonable excuse" Professor Juniper said "So Ash where are you from?"

"Pallet Town in the Kanto Region" Ash replied.

"Wow all the way from Pallet" Bianca asked. Ash nodded and then Bianca noticed Ash's Raichu "Oh my gosh that Pokémon is so cute."

"What is that Pokémon" Hilda wondered taking out her Pokedex.

"Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Pikachu; Raichu can let lose 100,000-volt bursts of electricity, instantly downing several foes its own size" Dexter said.

"Sounds like Raichu is a very powerful Pokémon" Hilbert said excited at the prospect of meeting powerful Pokémon.

Professor Juniper was scanning Ash's Pokedex "Wow Ash you have some amazing stats for a trainer your age."

Ash blushed from the compliment "Thanks Professor Juniper."

"Stats" Hilda questioned.

"Do you mind Ash" Professor Juniper asked. Ash shook his head "Okay Ash has been on a journey for almost six years now and has already gone to the four main Regions and competed in each League competition getting Top 16 in Kanto, Top 8 in both Johto and Hoenn and Top 4 in Sinnoh."

"Wow those are impressive stats" Cheren said.

"This'll be our first major League Competition" Hilbert said "Do you have any tips to pass onto rookies?"

Ash thought over it for a second "Never underestimate your opponents and don't get cocky. If you do that even once then odds are you will not make it very far in a League Competition."

"Wise advice Ash" Professor Juniper said. "Alright you're all registered. Good luck in your training."

"Thank you" Ash said taking his Pokedex "Alright Raichu, let's go." Ash and Raichu walked pass the others and went outside the door.

Before Ash got on path he heard someone call out to him "Hey Ash, wait up" Ash stopped and turned to see Hilbert running up to him. "Since you've been to all the Regions that means you've faced many powerful trainers' right?"

"Yep" Ash said "Trainers who have definitely proven themselves."

Hilbert gave a smirk "Let's battle Ash" he said surprising Ash. "I want to prepare myself for the Unova League and the best way is to battle an experienced trainer. If I can beat you I can beat anybody at the competition."

Ash gave an almost unnoticeable frown 'He's a little cocky; guess I have to deflate his ego.' Putting up a smile Ash said "Sure why not; it's been a while since I've battled a trainer. What are the rules?"

"A full six on six battle, substitutions aloud" Hilbert said.

"Sure I accept" Ash said.

SCENE CHANGE

"Where did Hilbert run off to all of a sudden" Bianca said.

"You know my brother" Hilda sighed "He's always running off without telling anyone."

"Uh guys" Cheren said looking out the window. "I think Hilbert's about to battle Ash." That got both girls attention and all three of them ran outside to see Hilbert and Ash on opposite sides of each other.

"Escavalier I choose you" Hilbert called sending out the cavalry Pokémon.

"Well at least we get to see how good Ash is compared to Hilbert since he is the strongest battler of all four of us" Cheren said.

"Magnezone battle time" Ash called sending out his Magnet Area Pokémon.

"Magnezone" Bianca said amazed at the large Pokémon.

Hilda pulled out her Pokedex "Magnezone, the Magnet Area Pokémon; Magnezone evolves from Magneton in certain magnetic areas, and emits energy from each of its three magnets."

"Well Magnezone is an electric and steel type while Escavalier is a bug and steel type" Hilda said "In terms of type Ash has a slight advantage."

"Let's begin" Ash said "Flash cannon." Magnezone built up a silver orb of energy in front of it before launching it at Escavalier.

"Block it" Hilbert called. Escavalier did and slashed the flash cannon away "You know steel type moves won't have much effect on Escavalier; is this a test?"

"You'll have to find out" Ash smirked.

"Escavalier use X-Scissor" Hilbert called. Escavalier put its arms together and launched an X-Blast at Magnezone who simply dodged to the side "Now use Twineedle attack." The twineedle attack hit Magnezone head on.

"Hold it down" Ash said. Magnezone grabbed Escavalier's lance shaped hands holding it down "Now use thunderbolt." Magnezone shocked Escavalier hard making the cavalry Pokémon grimace and crouch down in pain.

"Even after damage from Twineedle Magnezone has so much power" Bianca said amazed.

"Rock Smash" Hilbert called.

"Use Magnet Bomb" Ash countered. Escavalier's right lance glowed and tried to smash it into Magnezone, but Magnezone dodged to the side and hit Escavalier point blank range sending Escavalier flying back unconscious.

"It's unable to battle" Hilda said. Hilbert recalled his downed Escavalier.

"Archeops I choose you" Hilbert called sending out his rock and flying type fossil Pokémon. Ash looked confused as to why Hilbert would choose a Pokémon that Magnezone was resistant against.

"Why choose Archeops" Bianca wondered.

"Archeops use Earthquake" Hilbert called. Archeops screeched and flew down to the ground and slammed into the ground and slammed into it making the ground shake causing Magnezone some damage.

"Thunderbolt now" Ash called. Magnezone launched a large thunderbolt at Archeops.

"Protect now" Hilbert called. Archeops formed a protective barrier, but it was useless against Magnezone's powerful thunderbolt and it hit Archeops sending it down to the ground.

"Even Protect wasn't strong enough" Cheren said. Hilbert growled quietly.

"Now hyper beam" Ash called. Magnezone launched a large hyper beam that hit Archeops knocking out the fossil Pokémon.

"I can't believe Hilbert's Archeops was taken out so easily" Hilda said. Hilbert recalled his Archeops.

"Good Magnezone return" Ash called recalling his Pokémon.

"After hyper beam a Pokémon can't act right away so it's good that he's making an exchange now" Cheren said.

"Electavire battle time" Ash called sending out the thunderbolt Pokémon who appeared with a roar and slammed its fists together.

Hilda pulled out her Pokedex "Electavire, the Thunderbolt Pokémon; when Electavire attacks it pushes the tips of its two tails against its opponents and let's lose high voltage."

"An Electavire" Hilbert murmured. "Bisharp I choose you." Out came a humanoid Pokémon that had sharp blades on its hands and red armor. "Use Dark Pulse" Hilbert called. Bisharp launched a swirling beam of dark energy at Electavire that hit dead on, but Electavire just shrugged it off "But how" Hilbert said shocked.

"It had to have had an effect, but it's hanging in there" Cheren said.

"Use Zap Cannon" Ash said. Electavire formed a ball of electricity in its hands and launched it at Bisharp.

"Block it and then use night slash" Hilbert called. Bisharp put its two arms together as the zap cannon hit, but it broke through and hit Bisharp sending it flying back, but Bisharp grunted as electricity cackled off its body "Bisharp's paralyzed" Hilbert realized.

"Where's the night slash" Bianca asked.

"Zap Cannon always paralyzes the target if it hits" Cheren said. Hilbert recalled his Bisharp to its Pokeball.

"Emboar I choose you" Hilbert called sending out a large pig Pokémon with large tusks with flames licking its body.

"Hilbert's going with Emboar already" Hilda said surprised.

"Use thunderbolt" Ash called. Electavire launched a large thunderbolt at Emboar and it hit head on doing some damage to Emboar.

"Since he likes using electric attacks, let's go with ours, use wild charge" Hilbert called. Emboar surrounded itself with electrical energy and charged at Electavire. Ash just smirked and Electavire just stood there as Emboar charged directly into Electavire.

"Why didn't order his Electavire to move" Hilda wondered. The answer was made obvious when Emboar was launched back and the smoke cleared showing a smirking Electavire waving its arms about with electricity cackling off its body.

"Use Fire punch now" Hilbert called. Emboar charged at Electavire intent on punching its lights out, but Electavire disappeared in the blink of an eye and reappeared above Emboar.

"Whoa that's really fast" Bianca said.

"Giga Impact now" Ash called. Electavire surrounded itself in purple energy and charged at Emboar hitting the Mega Fire Pig Pokémon. Emboar fell to the ground unconscious from the blow.

"Even Emboar fell as well" Hilda said shocked "It was a good plan though."

"Well what's wrong" Ash asked almost mockingly "And you say you're ready to enter the Unova League."

Hilbert recalled his Emboar with a growl "Beartic I choose you" he shouted. Out came a large bear shaped Pokémon with three icicles hanging from its bottom jaw.

"Electavire return" Ash called "Raichu battle time." Raichu jumped into the arena determined to win.

"Use Bulk up" Hilbert shouted. Beartic gained a red glow around its body.

"Raichu use thunderbolt" Ash said simply. Raichu roared and launched a large thunderbolt at Beartic and it hit causing Beartic to roar in pain. When the electric stopped Beartic groaned and fell to the ground unconscious. Hilbert gaped before growling loudly.

"Beartic didn't even get a chance to attack" Bianca said.

Hilbert recalled his Beartic before growling again "Bisharp I choose you." Out came Bisharp having recovered from its paralysis. "Bisharp use night slash" Hilbert called.

"Iron tail" Ash countered. Both Pokémon charged at each other and met in a clash that resulted in a small explosion before both Pokémon jumped apart from each other.

"Now use shadow ball" Hilbert called. Bisharp formed a shadow ball in its hands about to launch it at Raichu.

"Zap Cannon" Ash called. Raichu launched the zap cannon attack at Bisharp and it hit causing Bisharp to lose the shadow ball and become paralyzed again. Hilbert growled again, but didn't move or say anything.

"Why isn't Hilbert making a switch" Bianca wondered. Hilda and Cheren narrowed their eyes.

"Now Raichu return" Ash called. Raichu ran back to Ash as Ash pulled a Pokeball out "Magnezone battle time." Magnezone appeared again.

"Magnezone again" Hilbert grunted.

"Use thunderbolt" Ash called. Magnezone launched a large thunderbolt at Bisharp that hit and knocked the Sword Blade Pokémon back unconscious.

"Bisharp return" Hilbert said recalling his Pokémon.

"Hilbert had already given up on Bisharp" Cheren said "He just stopped giving it commands."

"That doesn't sound like Hilbert" Hilda said.

"Druddigon I choose you" Hilbert called sending out blue dragon with a red head and sharp teeth.

"Hilbert's last Pokémon" Bianca said quietly.

"Not only is it a bad matchup, but Magnezone is just too powerful" Hilda said softly "It's almost over."

"Druddigon use dragon claw" Hilbert called. Druddigon's claws glowed and Druddigon charged at Magnezone and hit it dead on, but because of steel's resistance to dragon moves it hardly did anything.

"Zap cannon let's go now" Ash called. Magnezone launched a zap cannon that hit Druddigon head on paralyzing the large dragon. "Now use Ice beam" Magnezone fired an ice beam that hit the paralyzed dragon making it cry out in pain. Everyone gaped in shock as Druddigon fell to the ground unconscious from the powerful ice attack. Hilbert gaped in shock as his last Pokémon fell from the attack.

"Hilbert lost after all that" Cheren said hardly believing it himself. Hilbert returned his Druddigon with a dejected look on his face.

"Hilbert" Ash called getting his attention. "Don't be discouraged; you've done an excellent job raising and training your Pokémon, but you let your overconfidence take over on the battlefield and your emotions run wild." Ash then smiled at him "We will battle again one day when you've learned to control them." Ash recalled his Magnezone as Hilbert bowed respectively to Ash acknowledging him as the stronger trainer.

Ash turned to the others "It was nice to meet you all; I wish you the best of luck in the Unova League." Ash pulled out a Pokeball and released his Zapdos and climbed on top "Take care everyone" he waved and took off into the sky with Raichu. The four kids waved back at Ash.

"Ash is a really powerful trainer" Cheren said.

"Yeah" Hilda agreed "And he's really handsome too."

"I agree" Bianca said and both girls giggled making the boys sweat drop.