Chapter 7: The Battle Club and Umbreon?

It was a new day, as Ash, Takeru, and Iris were making their way to a new town. Takeru's back had healed up completely, so he's feeling fine at the current time. As they were walking, they spotted a new town up ahead. Thinking that it was Striaton City, Ash grew pumped.

"Yes! We've finally reached Striaton City! Time for a Gym battle!" Ash exclaimed. "Pika!" Pikachu agreed. Takeru and Riolu blinked in confusion as they walked besides the Kanto trainer. "Uh, Ash. Not to make you feel bad, but this isn't Striaton City. This is Accumula Town." Takeru explained.

Ash widened his eyes in surprise. "Wait, what!?" Ash yelped. Iris chuckled as she passed the two boys. "But, of course you wouldn't know that! You're a kid!" Iris giggled. Takeru sweat dropped at that. "Actually, Iris. Ash has never been to Unova, so of course he wouldn't know much about it." Takeru corrected.

Iris sweat dropped, realizing the true answer as well. "W-Well, that as well!" Iris laughed nervously. For Ash, he sighed in disappointment. "Wow. Bummer. I was so psyched to have a Gym Battle!" Ash sighed, feeling down. Iris smiled as she turned to the two boys.

"Then, why don't you and Takeru go to the Pokémon Battle Club? That's where I'm going right now!" Iris suggested. Ash perked his head up of hearing Battle Club. "Pokémon Battle Club, huh? So, what's that?" Ash asked. Iris grinned at Ash's lack of knowledge. "Of course you wouldn't either!" Iris chuckled.

Iris turned to Takeru as he began to explain. "Ash, a Pokémon Battle Club is like a place where trainers can have many battles with. If you want to battle someone, you can contact that trainer to make a schedule for a battle." Takeru explained. Ash grew amazed with that.

"How do you know that, Takeru?" Ash asked. Takeru smiled as he looked at Accumula Town. "I know the owner of the Battle Club here. He trained me and Riolu several times, allowing us to have many battles with other trainers." Takeru explained. Both Iris and Ash grew amazed.

"Wow... No wonder you and Riolu were so strong!" Iris commented. Riolu blushed at that, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. "That's how I learned those new moves..." Riolu muttered, fidgeting with his paws.

With that, Takeru and Iris led Ash to the Battle Club, where they gave him a little tour there. "Here! This is the Pokémon Battle Club!" Iris explained. The three trainers went inside, to see several machines nearby. Iris clicked on the screen panel, which showed some of the trainers' profile.

"That's the Bulletin Board. You can check any trainer's profile to see who you want to battle against." Takeru explained. He scrolled down the page to show Ash some of the trainers that can be battled. "It's an awesome place where trainers can sharpen their skills by battling as they see fit!" Iris stated.

Ash smiled, feeling excited about the Battle Club already. Just then, the three trainers heard a crash coming by. "What was that?" Ash asked, surprised. "Pika?" Pikachu asked, startled as well. "Looks like a battle is going on, right now." Takeru guessed. "I want to see the battle, brother!" Riolu chirped.

Takeru chuckled at Riolu's excitement as he began to walk in the corridor. "Hey! Wait up!" Ash called. He and Iris went after Takeru, who arrived at the next room. But, it wasn't really a room. It was actually a giant indoor battle arena. Ash and Iris caught up to see a battle going on.

"Perfect timing! Looks like they're about to start battling!" Iris exclaimed. "Wow! All right!" Ash exclaimed. Both Takeru and Ash took out their Pokédexes, scanning the two Pokémon battling each other. They both looked like Snivy and Oshawott, but bigger, and the appearance was different.

"Servine, the Grass Snake Pokémon, and the evolved form of Snivy. Servine whips its opponents with vines and dodges their attacks by hiding in a thick shadows of foliage." Takeru's Pokédex buzzed. "I thought that was Servine." Takeur whispered, looking at the evolved Grass Snake Pokémon.

"Dewott, the Discipline Pokémon, and the evolved form of Oshawott. Through rigid training, Dewott uses the double scalchop technique to accomplish its fluid swordsmanship." Ash's Pokédex buzzed. "Whoa..." Ash said in amazement, amazed by seeing two evolved Pokémon.

"Servine! Use Leaf Blade!" Servine's trainer called. Servine ran and aimed its Leaf Blade Attack on Dewott. "Dewott! Water Gun!" Dewott's trainer called. Dewott rapidly splashed Water Gun at Servine, who flinched in pain. Servine tumbled across the battlefield, groaning in pain.

"Okay! That's enough! Take your Servine to be healed!" A man called out. He looked like a master of some martial arts. Servine's trainer ran over, checking on his Grass Type. "Servine!? Are you okay!?" The boy asked. "Servine!" Servine whimpered. With that, the boy took Servine out of the Battle Club.

As the three trainers watched the boy disappear, the man came up to the three. "Well well! If it isn't one of my pupil, Takeru!" The man chuckled. Ash, Iris, and Takeru turned to see the man patting on Takeru's shoulder with his big hands. "Hi, Don George. It's been a while." Takeru chuckled.

"Hi, Mr. Don George!" Riolu chirped with a wave. "I see that Riolu looks pretty healthy as well!" Don George chuckled. Ash and Iris grew surprised. "Takeru? You know this man?" Ash asked. Don George stood straight as he faced Ash and Iris. "We'll take care of all your battle needs! I welcome you to the Pokémon Battle Club!" Don George called.

Takeru explained the matter to his two friends. "This is Don George. He's the Club manager for this Battle Club." Takeru explained. Both Ash and Iris grew amazed, before introducing themselves. "My name is Iris! I'd like to introduce you to Ash!" Iris explained, presenting the Kanto trainer.

"Iris was just telling me that anyone could have a battle here if they want to!" Ash explained. Don George chuckled as he smiled. "Right! That's correct!" Don George chuckled. "I'm going to challenge the Striaton Gym, and I want to get ready!" Ash explained. "Pika!" Pikachu agreed.

Pikachu leapt onto Ash's shoulder, much to Don George's surprise. "Ah! A Pikachu? How unusual to see one in the Unova region!" Don George chuckled. Just then, the Dewott's trainer came over to the group. "Excuse me! Is that Pikachu yours?" The trainer asked. Ash nodded with a grin.

"Yeah!" Ash exclaimed. But then, the boy noticed Takeru, and let out a yelp. "Ah! It's you!" The boy snapped. Takeru flinched, with Riolu doing the same. "Me?" Takeru asked. "Yeah! You! You're that guy who beat me when we battled!" The boy snapped.

Takeru sweat dropped as he sighed. "Here we go..." Takeru muttered. "I want a rematch! So I could get you back!" The boy snapped. Ash and Iris both sweat dropped, growing bewildered. "Hold on! Weren't you going to battle with me?" Ash asked. But, to his dismay, Ash was ignored.

"Come on! My Dewott against your Riolu!" The boy demanded. Both Takeru and Riolu sweat dropped as they slowly nodded. "Um... Sure?" Takeru replied. Don Geprge chuckled with that. "But first! Takeru! I'm going to need you to change!" Don George reminded.

Takeru, Ash, and Iris all looked at Don George in confusion. "Why do I need to change?" Takeru asked. Don George then blazed in determination, shocking everyone. "It's because you're the top Trainer in our Battle Club! You're one of my elite pupil, becoming one of us!" Don George exclaimed.

Takeru twitched in surprise as he was dragged by his mentor. "Up this way!" Don Geprge called. Riolu stayed with Iris as everyone waited for Takeru to change.

Later, Takeru was pushed out, wearing clothes that looked similar to Don George. He had black armbands, sky-blue collar on his black sleeveless shirt, a sky-blue sash, with black shoes, that looked like disciple shoes. "Looking good, Takeru!" Ash exclaimed. Riolu grew amazed as well.

"Big bro, you look like a martial artist!" Riolu barked. Takeru blushed with the statement as Dewott's trainer got impatient. "Come on! Are we going to have a battle or not?" The boy snapped. Takeru gave a sigh and walked to his side. "Fine, fine. You're going to have your battle." Takeru sighed annoyingly.

Dewott's trainer went on the other side as Don George started the battle. "Knock him dead, Takeru!" Ash called. "Pika Pi!" Pikachu cheered. Takeru turned to Riolu, who was next to him. "Ready to go, Riolu?" Takeru asked. "Yes! I want a battle!" Riolu barked happily.

He ran to face the boy. "Dewott! Let's go!" The boy called. The Discipline Pokémon appeared, ready for battle. "Wott!" Dewott called. "And begin!" Don George called.

Trainer: Dewott VS Takeru: Riolu

"Dewott! Water Gun, let's go!" The trainer called. Dewott shot the Water Type move at Riolu, who swiftly dodged. "Whoa! That's fast!" The trainer called. "Riolu, start with Blaze Kick!" Takeru called. Riolu leapt into the air, kicking Dewott to the ground. Dewott grunted in pain as he took the hit.

"Nice hit, Riolu!" Ash complimented. "Pikachu!" Pikachu called in agreement. "Dewott! Try Razor Shell!" The trainer called. Dewott took his two scalchops, before unleashing them at Riolu. "Dodge with Dig, Riolu!" Takeru called. Riolu quickly evaded it by digging underground.

Dewott looked around, looking for Riolu, until Riolu bashed Dewott into the air from underground. "Dewott, no!" The trainer called. "Wrap this up with ThunderPunch!" Takeru shouted. Riolu ran after Dewott, punching him to the ground. Dewott was smashed to the ground, groaning.

Dewott fainted! "Dewott is unable to battle! The winner is Riolu! Which means the victor goes to Takeru from Nuvema Town!" Don George declared. "We won, big bro! We won!" Riolu chirped happily, running to his human brother. Takeru laughed as he hugged his Emanation Pokémon.

Takeru: Winner!

Dewott was returned to his Pokéball as the trainer sighed. "I won't forget about this! See ya!" The trainer snapped, running out of the Battle Club. Takeru sweat dropped at the trainer. "Come back anytime... I guess I'll be waiting?" Takeru laughed nervously.

Ash and Pikachu ran over to Takeru, praising him for his battle. "That was amazing, Takeru! You and Riolu really are strong!" Ash exclaimed. "Pika!" Pikachu agreed. Both Takeru and Riolu laughed nervously, hearing those statements. "Well, it was thanks to the training here, I guess..." Takeru chuckled.

"That's how we keep winning battles!" Riolu chirped happily, punching his fist in the air. With the words, Ash grew more pumped. "Awesome! Can Pikachu and I have a battle with you and Riolu next?" Ash asked. "Pika Pika!" Pikachu agreed. Iris ran over, trying to calm the Kanto trainer down.

"Cool it, Ash! Takeru needs to take a break from his first battle right now!" Iris reminded. But, to her surprise, Takeru just waved his hand in reassurance. "I'll be fine, Iris. Riolu is ready for more, obviously." Takeru reassured. "Yep! I'd like another challenge!" Riolu chirped happily.

"Seriously?... Oh well, if that's what you want..." Iris sighed, heading back to the sidelines. This made Ash shout out an excited "Yes!", as he and Pikachu faced Takeru and Riolu. But, just before the battle could begin, an alarm went off! Everyone looked up in startle.

Just then, some other of Don George's pupils came by, explaining the news. "Battle manager, sir! It's the emergency alarm!" One student called. "Something's in the storage room!" The second student explained. "It's probably that mysterious Pokémon." The third student guessed.

Don George sighed and nodded. "Right. I'm going to have to suspend your battle for now." Don George sighed. He followed his pupils as Ash grew curious. "Oh man! A mystery Pokémon?" Ash asked. Iris ran over, feeling excited. "How cool is that!?" Iris asked. Riolu crept up to Takeru's shoulder as Takeru rubbed Riolu's head.

"We're just going to have to find out what caused this alarm first." Takeru explained. The two nodded as they all followed Don George and his pupils.


Later, Takeru, Ash, and Iris followed the pupils and Don George to the storage room, where the pupils investigated. "It doesn't look like much of a stolen." The first pupil stated. Don George nodded as he looked at the security camera at the building. "Hmm... The security camera must've recorded something. Let's review it!" Don George called.

"Sir!" The three pupils agreed.

So, everyone headed to the room where they were able to see with the security cameras. "So? What's going on?" Ash asked. One of the pupils began to find the recording, that had the reason for the alarm. "The food in the storage room has been stolen a lot lately, and an unidentified Pokémon sightings, too." Don George started.

"Which is why this Battle Club had security cameras all over the place." Takeru explained. "It's so that intruders wouldn't escape that easily!" Riolu added, getting on Takeru's head. When Ash heard about a new Pokémon, he grew excited. "Awesome! If it's a new kind of Pokémon, I want to catch it!" Ash exclaimed.

"Such a kid. You can't find a new Pokémon that easily." Iris giggled. Takeru twitched his eyes at that. "You're the one to talk. You were also excited about the new Pokémon as well, so you should be considering yourself a kid as well." Takeru muttered. Iris sweat dropped at that, slumping down.

Fo Ash, he grew disappointed. "Yeah... Guess you're right." Ash mumbled sadly. "But, at the same time, that's what makes it so exciting!" Don George chuckled. Ash smiled, before the pupil called to Don George. "Battle manager, sir! We're ready to go!" The pupil called.

"Good! Let's just see what went on!" Don George called. "Sir. Here it is." The pupil agreed, showing the video. The recording first showed a shadow, escaping form the storage room. At the same time, a couple of people got out, stumbling. It was Team Rocket! "What's that!?" Jessie shrieked.

That's when the alarm went off. "Not good." Jessie muttered. "Exit quick!" James called. The evil trio ran off, making their escape. "Two people?" The pupil asked, surprised. "I know them! Team Rocket!" Ash snapped. "Pika!" Pikachu growled, glaring at where Team Rocket was recorded.

"Who's Team Rocket?" Don George asked. "A group of criminals of the Kato region, who steals Pokémon from other citizens and trainers." Takeru answered, annoyed by their appearance again. "Not them again!" Iris complained. "Axew!" Axew snapped, popping out of Iris's hair.

"Well, the security system caught more than those guys!" Don George stated. Everyone looked back at the video. "I'd like you to play that part of the security tape once more!" Don George called. "Sir!" The pupil agreed, rewinding back to where everyone saw the shadow.

As they came to the shadow part, Ash, Iris, and Taker grew bewildered. "A shadow..." Ash whispered. "Dark and skinny... What kind of Pokémon is that?" Iris asked, thinking of a Pokémon. Ash took out his Pokédex, typing up the description. Ash smiled and showed it to Don George and the others.

"Looks to me like this Pokémon!" Ash chuckled. "Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon, and an evolved form of Eevee. The rings of Umbreon's body glow faintly when exposed to the moon's aura, and gains a mysterious power." Ash's Pokédex buzzed. Both Iris and Takeru looked closer to see the Pokémon.

"Wow! That's so cool!" Iris exclaimed. Takeru grew confused, though. "But it can't be. I don't remember meeting an Umbreon in Accumula Town before." Takeru replied in confusion. Don George also made a thought. "But Umbreon don't normally live in the Unova region." Don George replied.

Takeru blinked as a Riolu looked at his human brother curiously. "If we were to discover one, it would be a huge fine!" Don George smirked.

So, with that, everyone headed out to the front entrance, making a plan. "Alright! Let's keep our eyes open and find Umbreon!" Don George called. "Sir!" The thrree students agreed as they ran off into different directions. "Ash! Takeru! What do you say we go and help them out?" Iris suggested.

"Sure! Let's go!" Ash agreed. "I'd like to see whether if it is Umbreom or not, so sure." Takeru agreed. The three trainers nodded as they headed to the storage room to collect some Pokémon food.

As they were putting some Pokémon food on the bowls, they made a track of them in order to catch Umbreon. The bait was set and ready to go. "This should do it. What do you think, Iris? Riolu?" Takeru asked. Iris looked up and smiled. "I think so, too!" Iris agreed. "It's perfect!" Riolu chirped with a smile.

Ash and Pikachu walked out of the storage room, calling to the two trainers. "Hey, Iris! Takeru! I'm done setting up the Pokémon food! Now what?" Ash called. Both trainers made a shusing sound to Ash. "Shh... I think the best thing we can do is split up so we can keep a sharp eye on this place!" Iris suggested.

"Umbreon could be very hungry. So, there's a chance that Umbreon might fall for this." Takeru stated. Iris nodded and made a decision. "I'll be watching from over there! Now, if you two see Umbreon, let me know!" Iris called. She then ran off to find a place to make a stakeout. "I'm planning to catch it, if you don't mind." Iris added, before running back.

Takeru turned to Ash and made his decision. "I'll be over on that side! Let's hope we're successful!" Takeru called. Ash gave a thumbs up and a grin. Takeru smiled, giving it back as he ran to his side for the stakeout.

For Takeru, he ran to one side of the building, preparing for Umbreon to come. He looked down at his Battle Club clothings. "Ugh... Don George just had to make me dress this up with those two around..." Takeru grumbled. "Well, we are the top members of the Battle Club, aren't we?" Riolu asked.

Takeru rubbed Riolu's head with a smile. "Of course we are." Takeru chuckled. Just then, there was a crash noise. This startled Takeru as he and Riolu ran to see what it was. In the storage room, Oshawott was there, eating the bait! "What the... Oshawott!? You pesky Pokémon! These aren't for you! These are for Umbreon!" Takeru snapped angrily.

"Stop eating the food right now!" Riolu barked angrily. Oshawott responded with a blow raspberry, before eating again. Takeru and Riolu twitched with Oshawott's clumsiness as Takeru made the order. "Put him to sleep with Force Palm..." Takeru muttered. Riolu nodded, as he knocked Oshawott down.

Oshawott groaned in pain as he was stopped from eating the Pokémon food. The duo sighed in disappointment as they looked around. Takeru picked Oshawott up, placing him behind the boxes, to prevent him from being seen. "Alright. Now, that's done. I've got to meet up with the others." Takeru whispered.

With that, both Riolu and Takeru ran to find Ash and Iris to see how they're going.

Takeru, Ash, and Iris have arrived at Accumula Town, heading to the Battle Club. Ash and Iris discover Takeru is a top member of the Battle Club, which explains the reason for Riolu learning all the moves. But, when the Battle Club members, and the three trainers discover an unknown Pokémon, everyone sets out to find it.

Is it really Umbreon? Or a different Pokémon? Stay tuned for some more!

To be continued...

Takeru's Team:

Riolu: (M): (Force Palm, Blaze Kick, ThunderPunch, Dig)

Joltik: (M): (Electroweb, Electro Ball, String Shot, Signal Beam)

Pidove: (M): (Air Cutter, Aerial Ace, Gust, Quick Attack)