'As we traveled south, me and Akira went back through Cerulean City and then through Saffron City. I would have challenged the gym leader, but she wasn't there for some reason. With no better options, me and Akira went towards Vermillion City instead. There I figured out the gym was an electric type gym. Also, ever since Gladion gave me a Z-ring and Z-stone, me and Charmeleon were able to perform the Z-move Inferno Overdrive! It's super powerful and we've knocked out numerous opponents with it. Oh yeah, did I mention I also caught an Oddish! It's very friendly to the others, I think it especially likes Butterfree. So anyways... we're in Vermillion City's Pokemon Center.'
Lillie was on the phone again, Akira had a feeling it was the same person.
"I've got two badges so far, I'm going for my third later today."
"Oh? Really? You should!"
"Well, it's really a standard battle, not really different from a normal battle. It's kinda different compared to trials so I guess it's a little more pressure. Oh, and did I mention this, I got a Z-ring from Gladion!"
"I know! He says it used to belong to my grandfather! Charmeleon and I can now perform our Z-move!"
"Oh really? So, how's Nebby doing?"
"Wow! It sounds so powerful! I can't wait to face it in battle!"
"Of course I won't hold back! Nebby is someone I have to go full out on!"
"By the way... have you heard of something called Mega Evolution?"
"From a guy named Dexio huh... So that's what it is... So it's kinda like a Z-move, only with evolution..."
"Akira was using it in a battle with my brother! Her Salamence changed completely and it became much faster and stronger!"
"So Akira has something that you actually don't have... that actually says a lot about her..."
"Thanks! And, don't let your guard down! I just might use it on you!"
"We'll see! Okay, talk to you later." Lillie hangs up and the phone.
Lillie nods to Nurse Joy after her Pokemon were healed. "Thank you." Lillie bows to Joy and she and Akira make their way out of the Pokemon Center. The two then head towards the gym, whose gym leader is Lt. Surge as they've heard from the locals. The rumors say he's really strong, but then again, so was Lillie.
Lillie and Akira now stood in front of the gym. Lillie nods and then makes her way into the gym. Inside it seemed to be a large room, not a rock battlefield or a water battlefield like at the previous two gyms. Just a plain field, but there were two people on the field as well.
"Come on! Stand!" A very large man was towering above the others. Next to him was a Raichu. Then in front of that man was a young girl. That girl wore bright yellow clothes consisting of a light yellow jacket with a hood and pants, she had blue eyes, bright blonde hair and a ponytail that was oddly shaped in a zigzag, but now that Lillie took a closer look, it was just like the tail of the Pokemon beside the girl, a Pikachu that looked worn out was beside the girl and they both looked exhausted. "Stand!" The young girl quaked in fear a little bit and then stood up with narrowed eyes. "Right..."
"Um?" Lillie began to say, but the large man cut her off.
"Huh? Hey! We have another challenger!" Lt. Surge walks over to Lillie and gives her a big grin. "Huh, I have a cute challenger this time. So? Shall we?" The lights of the room light up revealing the giant battlefield. "So? Are you ready?" Lt. Surge gestures to Raichu below him. "Rai!" Raichu nods in agreement, it was ready to fight.
"So? Who'll you be using? This match will be one-on-one." Lt. Surge's Raichu goes out to the field.
"One-on-one." Lillie mumbled to herself, she takes out a Pokeball. "Charmeleon, trial start!" Lillie throws out Charmeleon. "CHAR!"
"Charmeleon, not a bad choice! Let's go!" Lt. Surge narrows his eyes on his opponent. It was fierce and might even scare off someone, but Lillie wasn't going to run.
"The Vermillion City Gym battle is about to begin! Each side will use one pokemon and the battle is over when either side is unable to continue. The challenger has the first move. No substitutions or time limit! Battle begin!" The referee lowered his hand to indicate the battle has begun.
"Charmeleon, flamethrower!" Lillie called out without hesitation. "CHAR! MELEON!" Charmeleon unleashes a powerful flame from its mouth.
"Give it Thunderbolt!" Raichu charges up and unleashes Thunderbolt right at the flamethrower, the two collide mid-field and cancel each other out.
"Ah, not bad. You managed to counter my attack." Lt. Surge complimented. "Not many challengers can do that! Raichu! Iron Tail!" Raichu jumps into the air and then comes down on Charmeleon with its tail glowing white.
"Dodge and use Flame Burst!" Charmeleon jumps above Raichu and creates a stream of fire that spreads into several streams. The Flames crash into Raichu sending it backwards.
"Wow, not bad. Use Thunderbolt again!" Lt. Surge called out. Raichu charged up and unleashes another blast of electricity at Charmeleon.
"Metal Claw!" Lillie called out quick. She had actually discussed this with Charmeleon before since they knew they were going to face electric types. Charmeleon sticks its claws into the ground and as the thunderbolt hits it, the electricity is redirected.
'It used Metal Claw as a ground wire.' Akira thought, she looked towards Lillie again. 'You're improving every day Lillie.'
"Flamethrower!" Charmeleon unleashes a direct flamethrower at Raichu and hits it dead on almost making it fall over.
"Now Charmeleon, it's time for us to use it." Lillie touches her Z-ring and waves her arms up as if she was a flickering flame. Charmeleon mimics Lillie's movements.
"Huh? What's she up to?" Lt. Surge wondered.
"Charmeleon! Inferno Overdrive!" Charmeleon pulses with Z-power all around its body and it generates an enormous fireball in its mouth and sends that fireball towards Raichu. Raichu was too stunned to realize it and it was too late when it realized that it was a massive explosion of flames and nothing more was said after that as Raichu falls in defeat.
"CHAR!" Charmeleon roars out in superiority.
"We did it!" Lillie cheered. Charmeleon nods towards its trainer with a happy smile. Lillie does the same thing back.
"Good job Raichu, you deserve a good rest." Lt. Surge returns Raichu to its Pokeball and then walks over to Lillie. "Congratulations, you fought with spunk and bravery. Here's your Thunder Badge." Lillie happily accepts the badge. "Trial Complete! I got the Thunder Badge!" Lillie holds up the badge shining it on the lights in the gym. Charmeleon gazed in gladness. Lillie takes out her badge case and puts the new badge in, she now had three of them. "Thank you for the battle."
Lillie walks out of the gym with Akira, but what she didn't notice with the sparkle in the other girl's eyes. "Wow..." She had her eyes on Lillie the whole time and never missed a moment. The other girl walks out of the gym.
A little later...
Lillie and Akira had their Pokemon out for a little fresh air in a large field while they had some lunch nearby.
"Char!" Charmeleon and Blaziken trained on their flamethrowers, which made Lillie and Akira smile to see their Pokemon were already trying to help each other get stronger.
"They're really getting along, aren't they?" Lillie said happily to Akira with a smile.
"Yes, they are." Akira replied bluntly, but she catches something out of the corner of her eyes.
"Druddigon use Dragon Rage!" Akira pointed sharply towards one of the trees southwest of her. Druddigon reacts quickly, even though it didn't see its target, Druddigon trusted Akira enough to attack without that. Druddigon unleashes Dragon Rage and blasts the bushes.
"YAH!" A shriek was heard inside the bush. Out jumped the girl from before, and Pikachu was perched on her shoulder.
"Huh?" Lillie stands up and walks towards the girl with a curious and worried look. "You're that girl from before." Lillie stated.
"Hehe... I-I'm sorry... I-I didn't mean to intrude..." The girl said shyly.
"No! It's okay." Lillie replied trying not to make her seem uncomfortable.
Akira walks over to the two. "Who are you?"
"Me? My name's Yuki." Yuki responded. "This is my best friend Pikachu." Yuki gestures to Pikachu who waves. "Pika!"
"Emo!" Emolga lands on Akira's shoulder and waves to Pikachu. Pikachu and Emolga land in front of each other. "Chu, Emo." The two exchange electricity to communicate as if they shared a brain.
"Hello Yuki." Lillie says with a smile.
"H-Hi..." Yuki said quietly, she mumbled again.
"Is something wrong?" Lillie asked, Yuki was actually starting to act like her some time ago. So shy and timid, but then again at the least Yuki was a trainer.
"I'm just shy..." Yuki mumbled. "I-I have stuttering issues..."
"Oh." Lillie smiles at Yuki. "Don't worry, we're not going to harm you. We just want to be friends." Lillie looked Yuki in the eye with a smile.
"Thanks!" Yuki suddenly changed to a happy mood and face.
"Why were you in the bushes?" Akira asked, seeing how everyone seemed to forget about that.
"I... I watched your battle with father... Y-you were amazing!" Yuki managed to blurt out.
"Father? You mean Lt. Surge?" Lillie remembered that Lt. Surge and Yuki were oddly doing something before she arrived.
"Yeah... my father is kinda rough with me. He wants me to become strong so he trains me a little harshly, he gave me my buddy too." Yuki looks towards Pikachu with a smile.
"Oh... so you were saying something about my battle?" Lillie asked.
"Yes, I-I... I loved it! Please, can you be my mentor?!" Yuki asked with eyes that made Lillie know she wasn't joking around.
"M-mentor?!" Lillie was surprised at why Yuki would ask that. "W-why?!" Lillie shivered a bit to snap herself out of stuttering.
"P-please? I really need a powerful trainer to help me become strong... Please?" Yuki said, but it was obvious she still wasn't completely comfortable with it.
Lillie nods with a smile. "Sure, I'll do it."
Yuki smiles back with her hopes restored. "Thank you!"
"I'm Lillie by the way." Lillie holds out her hand and shakes Yuki's.
"Akira." Akira does the same with Yuki.
"But, to be honest Akira's..." Lillie was about to say 'stronger than her' when Akira cuts her off.
"Weaker." Akira finished the sentence. "Excuse us." Akira pulls Lillie away from Yuki for a brief moment.
"Why'd you do that? You're the stronger of us, so shouldn't you train Yuki?" Lillie wondered why Akira said she was the weaker one when it was clear she wasn't.
"Pretend I'm the weaker of us. This is an opportunity for you to become stronger." Akira suggested, but Lillie raised her eyebrow confused of what Akira meant.
Akira explains further. "The student becomes the teacher. We've trained together, and they say if you can teach someone else how to do something, you're going to be able to do it yourself with no problem." Akira gestures to Yuki. "Yuki is like you a few weeks earlier. She's still new to battling and training, I want you to teach her so you can gain proficiency in those things even more."
Lillie pondered it for a moment. She then nodded. "Okay, I'll do it." Lillie nods to Akira and she approaches Yuki while Akira tended to the Pokemon.
"Okay, let's get started." Lillie nods to Yuki and Yuki nods right back.
Truth to be told, Lillie was much smarter than most trainers. Her knowledge came from studying Pokemon with Professor Kukui for quite some time. She knew the types, abilities, and all other sorts of things, it was really battling that she had a lack of knowledge in at first, but Akira helped her with that since the beginning. Lillie went over with Yuki the things she knew about Pokemon. The basic types, the matchups, the moves, the status conditions, abilities and so on and so forth.
'She's growing.' Akira thought as she watched the two converse.
"Okay, got that?" Lillie asked, she had finished explaining most of the basics to Yuki.
"Yup." Yuki nodded she felt a bit better now that she knew the things Lillie taught her. It would take some time to remember all those things, but Yuki was certain she would eventually. "Um... can you tell me what that move you used in the gym was? That amazing fire type move!"
"Inferno Overdrive." Lillie responded instantly. "It's a Z-move."
"Z... move?" Yuki was curious as to what exactly that was.
"Let me explain, a Z-move is a special type of move in which a trainer and their Pokemon's wishes combine to unleash an attack comprising the full power of both. These moves are very powerful, but they can only be used once per battle. The Z-Move that a Pokemon can perform depends on the Z-crystal it holds. There are 18 different Z-Crystals that correspond to each of the 18 types, and several others that correspond to specific Pokemon. Z-Moves work by powering up one of the Pokemon's normal moves, so the Pokemon must also know an appropriate move. For the type-related Z-Crystals, the Pokémon must know a move of the same type as the Z-Crystal it is holding. For the Pokémon-specific Z-Crystals, the move required differs for each Pokemon. A Z-ring is also required in order to perform Z-Moves. A Pokemon can only use a Z-Move if its Trainer is wearing a Z-Ring and has the same Z-Crystal the Pokemon is holding. When in battle, the Pokemon and the trainer have to make a certain pose together in order to build up Z-power, and then finally the Z-move is unleashed, and its effects are devastating."
"Wow! Z-moves sound awesome!" Yuki exclaimed. "Can Pikachu learn one?"
"Of course! In fact Pikachu has a specific Z-move, it's called Catastropika!" Lillie exclaimed. She had only seen it once or twice, but she knew the move existed.
"Really?! That sounds amazing! Pikachu, what do you think?" Yuki asked looking towards Pikachu on her shoulder. "Pika!" Pikachu agreed with a nod.
"Well... you do need a Z-ring, and the Z-crystal for Pikachu too. Not just anyone can have one of those, but unfortunately, I really have no idea where to get one..." Lillie said half-sheepishly and half-ashamed.
"Too bad..." Yuki sighed. "Still, Pikachu's my buddy even without the Z-move!" Yuki presses her cheeks against Pikachu's. "Chuuu." Pikachu gently squeals.
"So, I think it's time for something else." Lillie suggests.
Yuki looks on curiosity of what that might be. "What?"
"A battle, we'll have a battle." Lillie said, she said it gently and calmly, but Yuki looked a little scared.
"I-I... don't know..." Yuki mumbled. "I don't know..."
"Okay..." Lillie was thinking of a way to make it a little more comfortable. "Okay! How about we have a double battle? You and me on a team."
"Double? Battle? O-Okay..." Yuki did feel a little better that Lillie was going to be with her during a battle. "W-who are we battling?"
"I think Akira will help, she'll battle us." Lillie responded, she looks towards Akira.
Yuki nods, but her face still showed she was unsure. "O-okay..."
A little later, Lillie had already discussed with Akira about the battle, but Akira also insisted she battle with certain Pokemon so Akira had quickly switched them with her Blaziken and Druddigon sending them back home and getting the two she was going to use. In another field, Lillie and Yuki stood next to each other with Akira on the other side.
"Charmeleon, trial start!" Lillie throws out Charmeleon and it appears with a roar. "CHAR!"
'So... you need a battle cry too?' Yuki thought to herself, she takes out a pokeball and hesitated a bit before throwing it with narrowed eyes. "Pikachu, bring the thunder!" Yuki throws out Pikachu and it has a little bit of electricity from its cheeks.
"Your techniques are key!" Akira throws out two pokeballs.
"Ari!"
"Drap!"
'Ariados and Drapion.' Lillie thought as she saw the two Pokemon.
"Charmeleon, Flamethrower on Ariados!" Charmeleon breathes in and blasts a flamethrower at Ariados, which was super-effective on a bug type.
"Drapion, Pin Missile." Drapion unleashes a barrage of green pin-like blasts from its three pairs of claws. The pin missile and the flamethrower cancel each other out and they explode in the center.
"Ariados, String Shot." Ariados shoots a sticky thread and binds Charmeleon up. "Toxic." Ariados unleashes a blast of poison at Charmeleon and its poisoned instantly. "Char...Char..." Charmeleon moans as it loses power quickly.
"Charmeleon!" Lillie gasped as Charmeleon who was binded was now losing energy thanks to the toxic.
"Venoshock." Ariados unleashes a blast of green energy and Charmeleon is completely engulfed by the poison and hurt badly. "If a Pokemon is poisoned, Venoshock's power is doubled." Akira stated calmly.
Yuki was immobilized, it was almost like she didn't even know she was in a battle. She was so worried about Charmeleon, she didn't notice. "Cross Poison." Drapion unleashes an X-shaped poison that hits Pikachu hard and flings it backwards. "Pikachu!" Yuki gasps as she didn't even notice.
"Yuki!" Lillie called out making Yuki turn her attention to Lillie. "You have to battle too! In a double battle we have to work together!"
"B-but..." Yuki mumbled, she was doubting she could continue to battle, she didn't want Pikachu to get hurt.
"Don't worry! If you don't take a risk, you'll never become strong!" Lillie said again. "Metal Claw!" Charmeleon uses Metal Claw and cuts the threads off. "Now use Flame Burst!" Charmeleon unleashes a bursting ball of fire at Ariados.
"Use Hyper Beam." From its large horn, Ariados unleashes Hyper Beam countering the flames and canceling each other out.
"Now's our chance, Charmeleon, Dragon Rage!" Charmeleon unleashes Dragon Rage at Ariados, who couldn't attack again thanks to it already using Hyper Beam.
"Drapion." Drapion reaches over and grabs Ariados with its long tail and moving it out of the way of the attack.
Yuki narrows her eyes having calmed down. "Pikachu Thunderbolt!" Pikachu jumps in the air and then tucks itself in unleashing a bolt of thunder.
"Drapion." Drapion goes in front of the attack and sticks its tail into the ground sending the electricity into the ground.
'It used its tail as a ground wire... Just like Charmeleon did.' Lillie thought. Akira was even using her strategy against her.
"Aridos, String Shot." Ariados sprays string shot and ties Pikachu up with ease. Ariados being much more powerful in the first place, Pikachu was nearly helpless.
"Pikachu!" Yuki called out in worry and concern.
"Give it another command! Think deep!" Lillie called out. She narrows her eyes on Yuki.
Yuki felt like Lillie really thought she could do it. "Okay." Yuki narrows her eyes. "Discharge!" Pikachu charges up and sparks its electricity making the string shot blow right off with the multiple shots at once in the discharge.
"Drapion, Pin Missile." Drapion unleashes a powerful pin missile and it was quick at Pikachu.
"Pikachu!" Yuki wasn't quick enough to react, but Charmeleon was, it jumped in front of Pikachu at the last moment and shields Pikachu from the attack. "CHAR!" Charmeleon falls over defeated. It already lost a lot from Toxic earlier. Lillie returns Charmeleon to its Pokeball. "It's up to you."
Yuki narrowed her eyes. And then on Pikachu it was looking at her with a determined look. "Pika!" Yuki narrows her eyes once more. "Let's do this Pikachu, Thunderbolt again!"
"Drapion." Drapion goes in front shielding Ariados and conducting the electricity into ground once more.
Yuki groans and then looks at the ground. "Okay, Pikachu, Thunderbolt, into the ground!" Pikachu sticks its tail into the ground and charges the ground. It was a risk, but Yuki was going to take that risk anyways.
Suddenly the ground erupts beneath Drapion shocking it. "Drap!" Drapion groans at the electricity.
"Got it!" Yuki says, however Drapion momentarily was shocked when it shakes off the electricity without any damage in response. "It's fine?!" Yuki gasped.
"Drapion, Cross Poison. Ariados, Venoshock." Drapion and Ariados do as Akira ordered and both blast Pikachu backwards and into Yuki's arms making them both fall over. Pikachu was knocked out for a moment, but Yuki stayed on the ground.
"Yuki?" Lillie went over to her, she saw that Yuki was crying a little. "Yuki. There's no need to cry."
"But... we lost." Yuki cringes at admitting that.
"Yuki... no one's going to win forever. And to tell the truth, Akira lied earlier, she's actually really strong, much stronger than me and you. But.." At Lillie's but, Yuki looked at her again. "What's better is if you can stand again after a loss. I know that's one of the most important things about being a trainer." Lillie holds out her hand and Yuki takes it with a nod. They both stand. Yuki nods to Pikachu with a smile.
"Thanks, I'll become stronger! I'll become strong, and I'll come to fight you! I want to go on a journey too!" Yuki said happily. She had decided.
"That's the spirit, you'll be great!" Lillie said holding a hand up with a determined look.
Yuki nods to Lillie and the three of them with their pokemon head back to the pokemon center and heal up.
Later on...
Akira was taking a small walk while Lillie and Yuki asked Lt. Surge if Yuki could go on a journey.
"Hold it right there!" Akira looks up as Officer Jenny was right in front of her and she had five other officers with her.
"Hmm?" Akira gasps as ten officers were around her, she was completely surrounded.
"I'm placing you under arrest!" Officer Jenny announced, Akira's face barely showed emotion, but there was emotion this time.
So, now you've seen two more of Akira's Pokemon. Can you guess where I'm going with her? Also, can you guess where you've seen a similar person to Yuki? Read, Review, Follow, Favorite! I really encourage reviews because they're the main thing that get me pumped to write more!
