(Title: Battle of the Badge, New Feelings, and Wanted Man.)
Ash had woken up, snuggled up to his new Riolu. After waking her up, he started to make breakfast for the four. When finished, he released Arbok and Absol, but when released them two, they tackled him into a hug and into the ground. Ash could've swore he saw Absol and Arbok blush, while Riolu looked irritated. With the help of Riolu, she and Ash were able to pry the two off of him. After the four ate breakfast, Ash returned the three into his Pokeball and started to make his way to Pewter City.
After walking through the forest, he made it to his destination. Now Ash stood on a small boulder, overlooking Pewter City. He remembered that the rock he stood on, was the same one he and Misty met Flint, Brock's father. Flint left to go on a journey, leaving his family behind, but only to fail and not have the guts to face his family again. Ash was able to give Flint the confidence he needed to face his family once more. After that Flint took over the gym, allowing Brock to travel with Ash and Misty. This was also the start of sadly, but many loses, where Ash learned weaknesses of Pokémon, and where he learned there were numerous amount of Nurse Joys and Officer Jenny's. Sadly all of that was just a dream, which meant no one knew who he was. Ash shook his head at the thoughts, started his way into the city.
After a few minutes of walking into the city, and looking around, Ash made it to the Pokémon Center. He walked in, like the city, had not changed much or at all from his coma dream. His attention was then brought to the counter, and more importantly to female nurse with blue hair.
"Hello, and welcome to the welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I help you?" She greeted and asked.
"Yes ma'am, you can. Could you heal my Pokémon please?" Ash questioned, while grabbing his pokeballs and handing them to her. She nodded, while accepting them.
"Yes I can. It may take a few minutes though." the nurse informed him, while walking through a pair of double doors. Ash stood there at the counter, taking in the usual look of the Center, until three opened video phones caught his eye. He walked towards them, figuring he should give his new family a update. He sat at the middle one, picked up the phone, and started dialing. After a few minutes of ringing, the phone was picked up, and Ash sat the familiar back of a old friend.
"Hello. Anybody there?" Professor Oak asked, while facing the wrong way.
"Wrong camera Professor Oak." Ash informed him with a chuckle. Professor Oak stood up from the camera, and turned to look at the active camera.
"Ah, Ash my boy, there you are. Nice to see you. Everything ok?" Professor Oak greeted and questioned with a smile.
"Nice to see you too Professor Oak, and yes everything is ok. I just wanted to call to inform you I'm in Pewter City right now." Ash informed him, returning the smile.
"Pewter already? That's very impressive my boy. You started your journey not even four days ago, and you're already at your first gym. It took me and Gary at least a week to reach Pewter."
"Thanks Professor Oak, it's all about looking at the map." Ash stated with a small chuckle.
"Cocky as usual I see. Anyway it's good to see you again. Just a quick question though. Does the name 'Aiolos' mean anything to you?" Professor Oak asked.
"Uh no. Why? Should it?" Ash question, confused at the question.
"No, no, it's just Lance, The Champion of Kanto and Johto, is looking for a trainer by that name. So I figured I should ask you, since you're out there you might of have heard something." Oak explained to him.
"Sorry Professor, I haven't heard anything yet. But I'll keep a look out." Ash told him.
"Good to hear my boy. Anyway I have to go now, gotta go feed the Pokémon. Good luck on your gym battle." Oak said with a smile.
"Thanks Professor. I'll call you later." Ash replied, before the two hung up. Then Ash's attention was turned to a dinging sound, and turned towards the counter, only to see blue hair nurse there with his pokeballs.
"Excuse me sir, but your Pokémon are healed and ready to go." the nurse informed him with her usual warm smile. Ash nodded before walking up to the counter and retrieving his pokeballs. "Anything else sir?"
"Actually there is. May I get a room for tonight?" Ash asked.
"Of course sir. All I need is your name, and I'll put it into the system." Joy informed him.
"Great, the name is A-Jaken." Ash answered, finding himself lying due to an unknown power. He shook his head, and was about to tell the truth.
It was too late.
"Ok, Mr. Jaken, here is your room key, and you'll be staying in room number five." Joy informed, while handing him his room key. Ash nodded, before making his way out of the Pokémon Center. When outside, Ash was trying to wrap his head around what just happened. Why did he lie? He didn't know. All Ash knew was that he felt some higher power over him, forcing him lie and use a fake name. But who would want him to lie? Arceus maybe. Just thinking about the name made Ash scowl in anger. The young trainer shook his head, trying to rid the thoughts of the betrayer god. No, he didn't have time for that, he needed to focus on the battle he was about to partake. While thinking about the lie, power, and Arceus, Ash had absentmindedly walked to the front doors of the Pewter City Gym. It still looked the same, a giant boulder with a few doors and windows. Which meant the same look, the same Pokémon type was used. Which meant whoever was the gym leader, but probably Brock, still used rock and/or ground type Pokémon. Luckily Ash had just the two Pokémon that could handle this fight.
Ash took a breath to calm and settle his nerves, before he opened the doors that lead to the gym. He walked in, only to be met with the sight of darkness, just like in his dream. He took a few more steps in, before the doors behind him closed, and a voice rang through the darkness.
"I see I have a challenger." A voice said, which was all too familiar to Ash, although a little older. Then lights, leading to a flat rock turned on, revealing a older but familiar figure. Brock was now a 21 year old man wearing a plain black T-Shirt, black jeans, and brown boots. He was taller than Ash's coma dream version of him, and he appeared to be much more serious. He got up from his lotus position on the rock, and stood up. "What is your name?"
"Jaken, of Viridian City." Ash answered, only to find himself shaking his head once again. Why was he lying? Was it impulse, or was it some kind of higher power forcing him to lie.
"Well, Jaken of Viridian City, I assume you're here for a gym battle." Brock said, while moving to one side of the battlefield.
"That I am." Ash/Jaken replied, before moving to the opposite side of the battlefield.
"Interesting. How long have you been on your journey?"
"About a week, maybe less." Ash answered
"Well since you're a rookie, I guess I'll have to take it easy on you. This will be a two on two battle with no substations. First side to lose both their Pokémon will lose.. Understand?" Brock informed. Ash/Jaken nodded, kind of irritated at the 'rookie' part. With that, Brock grabbed a Pokeball, and got ready to release.
"I'll start first." Brock informed, before throwing the Pokeball up. "Geodude, I choose you!" Out came a rock with two arms, two eyes, and a mouth.
"Geeoo duude."
"That brings me back." Ash/Jaken whispered under his breath, while pulling out his Pokedex and scanning Geodude.
Geodude, The Rock Pokémon, and the pre-evolved form of Graveler, which is also the pro-evolved form of Golem. Geodude evolves into Graveler at level 25, and evolves into Golem when traded. Geodude is often found on mountain roads with half of its body buried in the ground so it can observe mountain travelers.
Gender: Male.
Ability: Sturdy. Hidden Ability: Sand Veil.
Region: Kanto.
Level: 15.
Attacks: Magnitude, Rollout, Defense Curl, and Mud Sport.
Ash/Jaken nodded at the information, before closing and putting back the Pokedex. Geodude wasn't strong, yet could pack with decent sized punch with Magnitude. Ash/Jaken smirked, before pulling out a pokeball.
"Riolu, I choose you!" Ash/Jaken announced, while throwing the Pokeball out. It opened, and a figure of white light appeared on the battlefield. After a few seconds the light died down, showing a small black and silver jackal in a kneeling position. Riolu opened her eyes, before taking in the scene. She was in a battle. She needed to win this, for her master.
Brock was shocked at seeing Riolu, yet did not let it show. As a gym leader and breeder, he knew how rare a Riolu was to find. Finding a shiny Riolu was almost impossible enough. Yet this Riolu was black and silver, instead of its usual blue or yellow. The gym leader shook his head, remembering where he was.
"I shall have the first move." Brock announced, to which Ash nodded. "Geodude, use Rollout." Brock commanded. Geodude, without a seconds thought, tucked his arms in, before he started to roll at fast speeds towards Riolu.
"Riolu, dodge by using Quick Attack." Ash/Jaken told.
"Yes Master." Riolu replied. Ash understood, while Brock only head a 'Rio'. Riolu waited for the last second, before sidestepping Geodude's attack. Geodude stooped its attack, confused at the lack connection with his target.
"Now follow it up with Force Palm."
Riolu nodded, before charging at her confused opponent. She raised her right paw, which started to glow blue. Right before the paw connected Geodude turned around, allowing his eyes to widen, as the attack connected. The power and effectiveness caused Geodude to fly in the air, before crashing down into the ground. Geodude rolled up from his back, before shaking his entire form. He used Rollout once again, only for Riolu to sidestep it. He continued the Rollout, until he was a few feet in front of Brock. Brock gritted his teeth in anger. Even though this trainer was practically a rookie, he was better than he thought. Of course, Brock had a contingency plan for an occasion like this.
"Geodude, use Magnitude." Brock ordered with a small smirk. He knew he had this won.
Geodude nodded, before using his arms to throw himself into the air. He then used the momentum of the fall, to slam into the ground. The slam resulted in causing shock waves to spread through the gym. Ash/Jaken had to think fast. A attack like this would cause serious damage to Riolu. Then, Ash's/Jaken's eyes widen in realization.
"Riolu, use Force Palm on the ground." Ash/Jaken ordered with a small, almost miss able smirk.
"WHAT!?" Brock shouted, shocked at the command.
Riolu nodded, before charging and hitting the ground with a Force Palm. The result, was that Riolu was pushed from the ground, and into the air, allowing her to miss the Magnitude attack, and for medium size rocks to surrounded her and made a path towards Geodude.
"Now use Quick Attack on the rocks." Ash/Jaken ordered. Riolu nodded, before channeling power into a Quick Attack. She proceeded to disappear and reappear at each rock, getting closer and closer to Geodude. "Now finish it with Force Palm!" Ash/Jaken commanded with a smirk, knowing he had this in the bag. Riolu nodded once more, and started to charge power into her right paw. Closer and closer she got, until she got too the last rock. She used her left leg to launch herself off the rock, and towards Geodude. Within a flash of a second, she was in front of a shocked Geodude, that was until her paw reached the middle of his face. That was a flash, that resulted in Geodude in letting out a weak and pained filled 'Geeooo'. He was sent flying through the air, before crashing into the ground. Geodude tried to push himself up, only to find himself to weak to. He fell down fully, until black swirls replaced his eyes.
It was over.
Ash/Jaken had won. It took him a few seconds for the realization to fully hit him, and when it did, he couldn't help but let a huge smile. "Alright!" Ash shouted, while a fist in the air.
Riolu nodded at her work, before closing her eyes with a smile. That was until her eyes widen in shock, as she felt herself lifted into the air by a pair of strong arms, and brought into Ash's chest, making her blush.
"You did a great job Riolu. I'm proud of you." Ash told her honestly, with a smile on his face. Riolu blushed even more at his honest words. Not wanting the hug to end too soon, she wrapped, or at least attempted to wrap her paws around his neck, while burying her face into the crook of his neck. She breathed in his scent, causing a shudder to run her spine, and for her body temperature to increase. She couldn't tell what it was, but it felt as if she wanted to get closer to him. But all great things must come to an end. Because she felt him let go and place her on the ground, much to her disappointment.
Brock knew he was not dealing with an ordinary trainer. He had to win this d his last Pokémon would do the job.
"Impressive. However, the fight isn't over." Brock stated
Ash nodded. As he returned his Pokémon, he was ready for more. "Alright Brock, I'm ready!"
A cocky smirk appeared in his face "Good, let's go Onix" He threw another Pokeball out and out came a large snake boulder Pokémon that was glaring down. Even after seeing one in his coma, it was still an awe to stare. Ash had to win this round. He took out his Pokedex for details
Onix, the Rock Snake Pokémon. As it grows, the stone portions of its body harden to become similar to black-colored diamonds
Gender: Male
Ability: Rock Head Hidden Ability: Weak Armor
Region: Kanto
Level: 17
Attacks: Bide, Dig, Rock Tomb, and Bind
Ash knew what to do. He took out his Pokeball and threw it.
"Let's go Arbok!"
The purple cobra Pokémon came out and glared at her opponent.
"Onix, Rock Tomb!" shouted Brock. Onix grabbed some of the rocks around his area and began to throw it at the cobra Pokémon.
"Arbok, Dig!" Ash commanded. She began to dig on the ground to avoid the attack. Brock smirked as he said "Follow her with Dig." The large snake Pokémon went under as well and it felt some rumbles on the way. Ash was calm as he trained her for this situation, as he felt a large rumble, he stomped his foot three times hard. Then the rumble stopped.
The gym leader raised his eyebrow, when the ground opened up and out came his Pokémon. His look of shock couldn't fathom of how his Pokémon was in pain, as Arbok used Ice Fang, latching on to the snake rock Pokémon. "Good work, now go for Dark Pulse!" She shot out a dark wave at Onix as it was damaged greatly.
"Roaaar!" as it was nearly out of the fight. "Onix, release your energy from Bide!" It went right at his opponent, and Ash knew he had to finish this fast.
"Hyper Beam full power!" Brock's eyes widen as Arbok released an energy beam at the incoming rock snake Pokemon and stopped it on its tracks. It fell on the side and swirls appeared in his fight. It was over.
Ash was in shock. He won. "Alright, we did it!" He went over and hugged his cobra Pokemon. She smilled and hissed happily. She felt this warmth feeling for his trainer. She didn't know what it was. She enjoyed holding him close and his kindness. Once they stopped hugging down, she hid her disappointment.
He returned Arbok and looked up, only to see Brock was making his way over to Ash. After a few seconds Brock raised a hand, which Ash/Jaken took.
"You did an amazing job. If I were to lose to anyone that badly, I'm glad it was you." Brock said with a smile. Ash/Jaken nodded, while returning the shake. After a few seconds they let go, allowing Brock to reach into his pocket, and grab something. He brought it back out, and raised it over Ash's. He opened it, allowing something to fall into Ash's hand, and removed his own hand. Ash/Jaken looked to see what it was, only to see the gray rock that was a badge. "The Boulder Badge. Proof of your victory at the Pewter Gym." Brock informed him. Ash/Jaken nodded, before pinning it on the inside of his jacket.
"It was a great battle. I hope our paths meet in the future." Ash/Jaken told him, and walking out of the gym, leaving Brock alone and to think about what had just occurred.
"Great and strong battler. Yet weird kid." Brock said to himself, before walking out of the gym. He had to get lunch ready.
(Pokémon Center. Ash's room, ten minutes later.)
"You did a fantastic job out there." Ash told Riolu, as she sat on his bed while he stood, petting and rubbing her head in happiness.
After returning to the Pokémon Center, and getting Riolu and Arbok healed, Ash returned to his room. He was happy. His first Gym Battle in real life, and he won without a hitch. After returning to his room and setting his belt and bag in a chair, with his hat on the table, he let Riolu out, in order to praise for such a great job. But, while speaking words of raise, he was oblivious to her growing blush.
'T-Thank you M-Master.' She thanked him, while stuttering and leaning into his touch. For an unknown reason, she felt her body temperature raise with each touch and kind word. But she felt the petting slow down.
"You ok Riolu? You feel hot?" Ash asked, before leaning to her eye level, before touching the back of his hand to her forehead, his face literally an inch or two away from hers. The young jackle felt her heart rate quicken, and her breath catch in her throat. These feelings were all new and strange to her. Was this love she asked herself? Everyone, Pokémon and human, knew that a relationship between Pokémon and human was taboo, and she didn't want to think about what Ash would do, if he found out about her feelings for him. Would he return them? Or, would he set her free, never to be seen again? She decided to play it cool, at least for now. She stretched her arm over her head, closed an eye, and gave a fake yawn.
'I-I'm fine Master. I'm j-just tired.' She answered him, trying to play it off the best she could. Now Ash knew she was lying, but figured she must've had a good reason for lying. She stood up from his leaning position and laid down.
"Yeah, I'm kind of tired too. I'm thinking about taking a small nap. You wanna stay out, or go in your pokeball?" Ash questioned.
'Out please, Master.' She answered. Ash nodded, before having Riolu move out of the way, so he could raise the blanket of the bed. He got under the blanket, and motioned her to follow. She did, and laid down on her side. Riolu felt the blanket lower onto herself, and as Ash wrapped his left arm around her. Riolu blushed brighter at the contact, and snuggled into it more, trying to get more. After a few seconds, they fell asleep, unaware of what was to come.
(Hours later. Time : 6:00 pm. Location: Brocks room.)
"How've you been rock head?" Lance asked with a small smile and chuckle. Currently, Lance and Brock were talking, via webcams connected to each of their computers. You see, one job of each champion was the daily, or at least weekly check ups on each elite four and gym leader. So Lance decided to check on Brock, for now.
"I've been find. Got my ass handed to me earlier by a trainer. Guy didn't even start with a water or grass type, and started not even a week ago." Brock answered with a chuckle, and rubbing the back of his head nervously and awkwardly.
"Really? What did he use?"
"Uh, a differently colored Riolu, and a overpowered Arbok." Brock answered.
"An Arbok." Lance whispered under his breath. "Not to be blunt, but what he look like?"
"Uh, a short sleeved tight black shirt, dark blue jeans, blue and red jacket, blue and white shoes, a black/blue back pack, and black fingerless gloves. Oh, and a weird purple and silver hat, with a Pokeball in the middle. But the strange thing was that the button on the middle had an eye on top of the pyramid." Brock answered, intrigued at how Lance was acting.
"There's no way in hell this is a coincidence." Lance said to himself, obvious to the fact that Brock heard.
"What's a coincidence?"
"Name?" Lance questioned.
"What?"
"The trainer you just described is wanted by me and the G-Men. For the love of Arceus. Did. You. Get. A Name?"
"Oh, I didn't know it was that serious. Yeah I got a name. Guy said his name was Jaken, and that he was Viridian City." Brock answered.
"Stay right there. I'm running the name now." Lance ordered, before moving a little bit to the side, and began typing at another computer. After a minute, he slammed his fists on the desk. "Dammit Brock!"
"What?"
"You got played." Lance answered with a sigh, while rubbing his hands over his face.
"Played?" Brock asked.
"Yes played. There's never been anyone person named 'Jaken' in Viridian City. Hell, there's never been anyone named Jaken in the history of existence." Lance informed with another sigh.
"Oh, sorry." Brock apologized.
"It's fine. I'm might still be able to get this bastard." Lance stated with a grin, before disconnecting the connection, leaving Brock alone. Brock sighed at this, before turning off the computer himself, wondering what the future had in store.
(Two hours later. Time: 8:00 pm at night. Location: Ash's room in the Pokémon Center.)
"Riolu, return!" Ash said, while returning the sleeping jackal. He hastily put the ball back onto his belt, before grabbing and putting on his backpack. Ash had just woken up a few minutes ago, and turned on the TV.
What he saw shocked him. A female reporter was informing that the G-Men, and police were looking for a trainer, calling himself Jaken. It didn't take a genius to figure out, that Ash was a wanted man. So he started getting ready, that was until a knock came to his door.
"Open up! This is the police!" A police officer stated, while now pounding on the door. Ash swore under his breath, before looking for a way out. He looked towards the window, and figured why not. He opened the window, before jumping out, landing on a few bushes below. He got, and ran away, while hearing the cops shouting 'He's gone!' Ash smirked, before running through the shadows, wondering what was to come, but was obvious to the watching eye of someone.
"HQ, this is 003, do you copy?"
"003 this is HQ, we copy. What is the current state of Target Alpha?"
"Target Alpha is currently running out of Pewter City, possibly on the run. He has acquired a differently colored Riolu, and has won the Boulder Badge. Should I keep in pursuit?" 003 informed and questioned.
"003 you are too keep in pursuit, at least until Cerulean City." HQ ordered.
"You got it HQ. 003 out." 003 replied, before keeping in pursuit, wondering what the future had in store.
