Chapter 11: School of Hard Knocks
A/N: Enjoy! I do not own Pokemon but I own my OC and this story. Reminder: Whenever Arcus battles, he telepathically talks to them. Names of characters:
Arcus, Meowth(Ace), Snivy(Lily), Torchic(Torch), Mudkip(Kippy), Kabuto(Shelly), Spearow(Spear), Ekans(Venom).
Arcus and Torch had just arrived at a foggy area after they had teleported away from A.J's gym.
"This feels kinda creepy huh Torch?" Asked Arcus. Torch nodded and quickly hid behind Arcus. He chuckled as he said,"There's no need to worry Torch, dad said that you'll be evolving soon and you will be out of your ball till you evolve. Today is also Kippy's turn to be with me but you're an exception." Arcus took out his Universal ball and said,"Kippy, come on out!"
Kippy soon emerged from the ball and Arcus said,"Kippy, Torch will be with us for today since she will be evolving soon." Kippy smiled and chanted,"Mudkip Mud!" Arcus nodded and said,"I think it's time for us to move on. Maybe Ash and the others may have already reached Vermilion City."
Just then, they heard a familiar voice coming from behind them.
"I'm not letting you out of my sight Ash Ketchum! Until you pay for my broken bike!" Arcus smirked and thought If I hear Misty, it means the boys are with her. His guess was right as he heard Ash yelled,"My bike! My bike! That's all I ever hear from you!" Arcus looked at his Pokemons and said,"Let's surprise them. What do you think?" Both the Pokemons nodded as they quickly hid behind a bush.
They then heard Brock said,"Maybe if you two spent less time arguing and pay more attention to where we're going, we'd already be in Vermilion City to meet up with Arcus."
Brock put his back down and he began to rummage through it, tossing out a table, three chairs and many more. Arcus stared at the scene with wide eyes and thought How in the world did Brock fit all those into his backpack?! Brock then took out a bottle of water and gave it to Misty and then when Ash and Misty started arguing all over again, he said,"Can you two stop arguing and go get me some firewood?! I can't cook anything and I can't boil water if I don't have a fire! One of you is going to go into the forest and carry back some firewood."
Arcus looked at his Pokemons and said,"Luckily we can do that. Kippy, Torch, let's go get some firewood..." Arcus then realized that Kippy and Torch were standing next to a pile of firewood and he exclaimed,"How did those get here?!" Kippy chanted,"Kip!" Arcus said,"Oh, I see. Both of you went to get some firewood when you saw Brock taking out those things. You two are really surprising." His Pokemons smiled and when he looked back, he saw that Ash wasn't in sight at all and he said,"We can't go to them without Ash being there. Looks like we got to wait."
After a while of waiting, Arcus saw that Misty and Brock had packed up and had gone looking for Ash. Arcus said,"Kippy, Torch, time for us to follow them." The three of them were soon up and were quietly following Misty and Brock.
Minutes have gone by and Arcus and his Pokemons were doing a great job not making a noise as they were following Misty and Brock. He gotten up on a tree with Kippy and Torch on his back.
As they looked down, they saw that Ash, Misty, Brock and a boy in a suit were standing over a treadmill with Pikachu running on it while Brock was reading some kind of paper that was actually a brochure to a school called the Pokemon Technical Institute.
Later, as Arcus saw Brock lean on the treadmill, he accidentally increased the speed of it and Pikachu was launched out of it.
After that, Ash babbled about something that Arcus couldn't hear since he was at a distance where he could see them but he couldn't hear them.
The fog soon cleared and a school appeared on the horizon as a voice announced,"Today's special class: fog battle techniques has now ended. Tomorrow's lesson will be snow competition secrets."
Arcus said,"What kind of school is this? Kippy, Torch, it looks like we're going to have to get closer." Kippy and Torch both nodded as they got on Arcus's back and he jumped down the tree. Arcus then turned into his human form and he walked up to the group and said,"Well, this is an unexpected surprise."
The group turned back and smiled as Ash said,"Arcus! We thought you would be in Vermilion City just like what you wrote in the note!" Arcus said,"And miss out the adventures you have? Not in my life! So what's the problem now?"
Brock said,"The problem is that Ash has a bone to pick with this school." Ash grumbled and said,"Yeah! Who's the student in charge here?!" The boy handed him a picture and said,"Here's a picture of her."
As soon as the group took a look, both Ash and Brock were madly blushing and Misty exclaimed,"It's a girl?!" Ash said,"Oh yeah. You're right about that." Brock said,"She can violate my rights if..." Misty interrupted,"Hey! If she's making your life miserable, why are you carrying a picture of her?" Arcus said,"That's right and Ash, you and Brock can stop falling for her now." Ash and Brock ignored Arcus as they were still gazing at the girl's photo. The boy replied,"I hate the way she treats us, but I like the way she looks." Ash said,"Yeah. Not like some other girls who treat you bad and look even worse."
Upon hearing what Ash said, Misty grumbled and yelled,"While you two are slobbering away at the dumb old picture, I'm going to find this little witch strangle her up!" Misty then began to stomp her way to the entrance of the school with the boys carefully following her.
After they had entered the school, they all entered a room filled with electronic devices that gave Arcus a bad feeling.
As the door opened, the boy said,"Giselle always practices here all by herself. Even if you beat her in a fight, it won't matter to her. At the Tech, it's your skill as a Pokemon trainer that counts more than winning in any battle." Ash took out his badges and said,"That's what I'm hoping because I have to badges."
The boy shrugged and said,"But Giselle is the top beginner here at the Tech. That's better than even having three badges. Even though I'm at the bottom of my class, I'm still more powerful than someone with two badges."Arcus glared at the boy and said,"Listen up kid, cause I'm going to say this once! What matters in a battle is that you and your Pokemon battle with everything you got! Victory only comes to those who do that and by predicting your win is a foolish act to even do! You shouldn't even be in this school."
Misty nodded and said,"You're right Arcus. I learnt how to be a Pokemon trainer at the Cerulean City gym, are you saying you can beat me?" The boy sat down in front of one of the devices and said,"Oh! The Cerulean City! Water Pokemon." Misty asked,"How'd you know?" The boy said,"I always beat them on the simulator. See?" The screen on the device showed Starmie getting knocked out by a Weepinbell.
Misty exclaimed,"What is this?! A simulator is one thing but this is real life! Let's battle and see for ourselves!" The boy smirked and confidently said,"You'll be sorry!"
The group and the boy then walked over to a court that was conveniently there in the room and Misty and the boy got onto the part of their side of the court.
Ash asked,"What do you two have to battle for?" Misty replied,"Don't disturb me Ash! I have the Cerulean City gym's reputation to defend!" Misty tossed her Poke ball and her Starmie emerged from it. The boy smirked and called out his Weepinbell.
Arcus said,"Misty, show him how Starmie can beat his Weepinbell!" Misty smiled back and said,"Don't worry Arcus! I know what I'm doing. Starmie, use water gun!" Starmie flew across the room and squirted out water that sent Weepinbell across the room.
The boy said,"But Weepinbell is stronger than Water Pokemon! How did it lose?"
A girl soon entered the room with the group of boys from before and said,"There's one thing you didn't know. Your opponent from the Cerulean City gym has much more experience battling. You should have known that. You're an embarrassment to the whole school." The boy said,"But Giselle..."
As soon as Ash and Brock spotted Giselle, they both blushed and Ash said,"She's really pretty isn't she." Brock replied,"Yeah. She's just like a movie star." Meanwhile, in front of them, Misty grumbled once she heard what they said and she mumbled,"They like stars do they. I'll be glad to show them some stars."
Giselle said,"I'm the top student in the beginning class of the most exclusive prep school in the world, Pokemon Tech. It's said that others are blessed with my beauty, my talent, my humble attitude. People call me a star but I'm just Giselle."
She walked up to the boy and said,"I want to continue to help my classmates be the very best they can be. To teach each other, to respect each other and ensure the Pokemons of tomorrow. But you're a weakling! You better get stronger fast before you know it, your fellow students will turn their backs on you for good!"
Just as she turned, Arcus snapped and exclaimed,"You're not going anywhere! Kippy, water gun on her now!" Kippy nodded and shot out water from his mouth, drenching Giselle. She turned around, furious, and demanded,"Why did you do that for?!" Arcus huffed and said,"You said that you want to help your classmates to be best. I highly doubt that! What you just did was the opposite of what you said before. A true friend would not walk away from someone who needs their help! I also doubt about your 'humble' attitude. I rather say you are a complete jerk!"
Giselle glared at Arcus and said,"Well look what we have. A mister know-it-all. Stay out of this! This isn't your business at all! Tell me, how strong are you when you're battling? I bet you don't even have a badge." Arcus huffed and said,"I may not have any badge but I have something you don't!" Giselle asked,"And pray tell what could it be?" Arcus said,"I have a kind soul unlike you. You only help those who are already good but never the weak ones." Giselle grumbled and said,"How 'bout we settle this in a battle!" Arcus nodded and said,"Sounds good to me. I'll teach you what being a friend means."
Both Arcus and Giselle got over to the court and Ash said,"Arcus, I think this is a bad idea. Maybe you should back out!" Arcus said,"A real Pokemon trainer or breeder would never back out!"
Giselle tossed her Poke ball and said,"Graveler, out you go!" The Poke ball split opened and a Graveler emerged from it. Brock said,"Rock Pokemon? Arcus has a Water Pokemon. Aren't they weak against water?" Giselle replied,"My Graveler are at such an advance level, they can beat Water Pokemon." Arcus said,"Water is more effective against rock but I'm doing this differently. Torch, you're up!" Torch nodded and ran up to the court.
She smirked and said,"This is going to be a piece of cake. Graveler, use rock throw!" Graveler smashed the ground and he picked up the debris before he tossed it at Torch. Arcus telepathically said,"Torch, don't panic. Dodge the attack and keep on using ember." Torch nodded and Giselle said,"So, are you going to attack?" Arcus smirked and said,"Oh my Pokemon knows when to attack without me even saying anything."
As the rock was approaching near Torch, she dodged it and opened her mouth as fireballs were shot out from her mouth. Upon hitting Graveler, Arcus said,"Torch, peck attack!" Torch nodded and ran up to Graveler before she pecked his face and Giselle said,"I don't know how your Pokemon is fighting without you telling it what to do but I'll still beat you! Graveler, use tackle!"
Graveler nodded and dashed straight for Torch.
Arcus said,"Torch, get closer to the wall and dodge when Graveler is near." Torch nodded and ran towards the wall behind her. Not knowing what to do next, Giselle said,"Graveler, keep going! You're almost near that Pokemon!" Arcus smirked and said,"Now Torch, jump on Graveler's head!" Torch jumped onto Graveler's head and she quickly got off immediately as Graveler slammed into the wall.
Giselle sighed and said,"Graveler, return." Graveler returned to the Poke ball and she said,"This battle isn't over yet! Cubone, get out here!" As soon as her next Poke ball was up in the air, a Cubone emerged from it.
Before Arcus could say anything else, Torch fell onto the ground and Arcus quickly ran to her side and asked,"What's wrong Torch?" Torch chanted,"Torchic!" Arcus repeated,"You're evolving. I can't believe it's happening now."
Torch was then glowing bright white as everyone covered their eyes. Despite the light, Arcus could still see that Torch was getting taller and arms were sprouting out from her sides. Once the glow died down, everyone saw that Torch had evolved as she chanted,"Combusken!" Arcus said,"Alright! You're a Combusken now!" He took out his Pokedex and it said,"Combusken, the Young Fowl Pokemon. Combusken is the evolved form of Torchic. As a Fighting Pokemon, it has the ability to breathe raging fire from its beak and to unleash high-powered kicks."
Giselle grumbled and said,"Hey! We're battling here!" Arcus smirked and telepathically said,"Now that you've evolved, you can use new moves. Let's start off with a double kick on Cubone." Torch nodded and leaped up into the air and came down delivering two powerful kicks on Cubone's face.
As Cubone slammed right into the ground, it created a small crater from the impact of the kicks and Arcus said,"Torch, grab Cubone and use sky uppercut!" Torch nodded and picked up Cubone. Her claws started to glow as she tossed Cubone up and she gave Cubone an uppercut to its face.
Cubone was launched out of the building and it landed in the swimming pool outside the school. Giselle stared at Torch and Arcus in awe as she said,"That power...it was amazing." Arcus said,"Torch, go get Cubone out of the water." Torch nodded and jumped out of the building as she dived into the water and she came out again with Cubone in her arms.
Arcus looked over at Giselle and said,"That sky uppercut was not suppose to that powerful but it was since I've been treating my Pokemon with kindness, love and care. Her double kick was also stronger since a normal double kick wasn't able to create a crater. I hope you now understand what a friend is like. A true friend will always be there to help the weak."
Just before anyone could say anything else, they all heard a scream,"Combusken!" Arcus quickly looked out of the window and saw that Torch and Cubone were both caught in a trap. Next to the trap were Team Rocket. Arcus quickly said,"Kippy, tackle the window now! Torch is in trouble!" Kippy nodded and rammed the window, shattering it.
As everyone quickly gathered outside, Arcus said,"Team Rocket! Let them go now!" Team Rocket smirked as they said their motto with Meowth jumping out of the water at the end.
Giselle said,"Team Rocket. I heard about them. They were the ones who scored the lowest scores in the Tech." Arcus smirked and said,"Really? How 'bout we give them another test. A test of skills! Spear, use aerial ace to free them!" He tossed his Universal ball up and Spear emerged from it.
Spear quickly swooped down at Team Rocket and he disappeared in between the dive and reappeared in front of the trap at full speed. Spear sliced the trap in half and Arcus said,"Torch, double kick on Team Rocket!" Torch complied and leaped up before she came down with another double kick.
As the second kick slammed onto the ground, Team Rocket was launched and they exclaimed,"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
Arcus ran over to Torch and asked,"Are you alright Torch?" Torch replied by chanting,"Com!" Arcus smiled and said,"It's good to know that. I'm sure Absol will be surprise by you." As Arcus returned Torch, Kippy and Spear to their Universal balls, Giselle walked up to Arcus and said,"Listen, about before, I'm sorry about acting like a jerk." Arcus said,"It's not me you should be saying sorry to, it's that kid. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be heading off to Vermilion City."
Before anyone knew it, Arcus teleported away, leaving Giselle and the boys shocked and Ash said,"We can explain that..."
Back in Viridian City, Jack was in Giovanni's office.
"Sir, I got news from our agent at the Pokemon Technical Institute. Our agent said that a teen with two Pokemons from the Hoenn region and a Spearow had defeated the top beginner of the Tech and also three of Team Rocket's recruits, Jessie, James and a Meowth. He also said that the teen disappeared after the battle, as if he had teleported away. He sent me a picture of the teen and I can tell you that the teen was Aaron."
Giovanni rubbed his chin and said,"He must have a special device with him that allows him to teleport. Tell me, where is he headed?" Jack replied,"Our agent said that the Aaron said that he was heading for Vermilion City. If you want sir, I can quickly get there and get him to come back to headquarters." Giovanni smiled and said,"Do as you will. After hearing about his battle with you and about the battle with the top beginner of the Tech, I am quite curious about this Aaron." Jack nodded and left the room.
A/N: *Gasp* Will the truth about Arcus get discovered?! Find out in the next chapter. Please review and criticism is allowed.