Chapter 13: Changes
…Pallet Town…
"Did you guys see that?!" Ash shouted as he jumped out of his seat at the dinner table.
"I felt that!" Misty responded. "Whatever it is, it unleashed a massive amount of energy!"
"It sounds like it came from Route 1!" Brock stated. "Maybe we should investigate."
"Oh…but I just made this dinner." Delilah sighed, resigned to the fact that the trio would be heading out, regardless of what she said.
"I'm sure it's great mom, but we have to check this out!" Ash replied. "I promise we won't be gone long!" And with that, Ash, Misty and Brock took off towards Route 1
…Route 1…
Katoshi began to stir. The effects of the time travel were devastating to the human body. He began to look around, and noticed the Pokeballs by his side. Katoshi only ever had one Pokemon, his Dragonite, so the appearance of the second Pokeball, with a lightning bolt on it no less, was very puzzling. Before he could consider things further, he heard several people approaching. Quickly, he hid the Pokeballs and struggled to his feet. He was barely able to stand when Ash and the gang arrived.
"Hey, are you alright?" Ash asked.
Katoshi couldn't reply. He just stood, awe-struck, at the teenagers before him. His father, his mother, and his Uncle Brock were all there, but so much younger. The shock, combined with the effects of time travel, were too much as he collapsed to the ground.
"H-hey, kid! Kid!" Ash shouted as he tried to shake Katoshi awake. "It's no use. Brock, help me bring him back to my house!"
"Right!" Brock replied, as he and Ash carried Katoshi into Pallet Town.
…Pallet Town…
"Where did you find him?" Delilah asked as she placed a warm wet cloth over Katoshi's forehead.
"He was in Route 1, barely able to stand." Misty replied. "There was a large crater surrounding him, so he was definitely the source of the energy."
"I wonder where he came from…" Ash pondered. Suddenly, Katoshi's eyes began to stir as he slowly began to regain consciousness.
"Hey, you're awake!" Ash exclaimed. Katoshi's eyes grew wide. Seeing his father as a boy just a few years older than him was a surreal experience. He hadn't anticipated the first encounter to be so difficult.
"My name's Ash!" Ash said cheerfully. "What's your name?"
Katoshi slowly stood up out of the bed.
"What do you think you're doing?" Delilah yelled. "You're not in any state to be walking about."
"My name is Katoshi, and hurt or not, I don't have time to rest up. I'm here because I need your help to prevent the end of the world."
"What?! Ash yelled. "What are you talking about?"
"You want to know more?" Katoshi asked. "Step outside. You and I are going to battle. If you can prove yourself, I'll tell you everything I know. I just hope my dad was right about you."
"You've got some nerve challenging the Unova League Champion!" Ash remarked. "You're on!"
…Route 1…
The crater left from Katoshi's arrival still smoldered, and served as the centre of the battlefield. The two trainers stood across from one another, never losing the other's gaze.
"So, how many Pokemon are we using?" Ash asked.
"Two Pokemon each, competing in 2 one-on-one battles" Katoshi replied.
"Sounds good to me!" Ash shouted. "Charizard, I choose you!" The large winged beast burst from the Pokeball with a loud roar and a look of battle-hardened determination.
"My turn!" Katoshi replied. "Dragonite, I choose you!" The large dragon burst from the ball in a glow of white light, gently landing on the ground before letting out a bellowing roar. The two beasts stared each other down, with Charizard looking particularly intent; his multiple run-ins with Dragonites left him eager to battle on any chance he could get.
"Charizard, use Flamethrower!" Ash yelled as Charizard fired a massive flame at Dragonite.
"Dragonite, use Aqua Tail!" Katoshi countered. A cyclone of water formed around Dragonites tail which, as Dragonite swung around, collided with the Flamethrower, shrouding the area in mist.
"Charizard, quick! Use the mist as cover and use Seismic Toss!" Ash yelled. Charizard took advantage of the disoriented Dragonite, grabbing him from behind and carrying him high into the air.
"Dragonite, use Thunder!" Katoshi replied as Ash's eyes grew wide with fear. Suddenly, a massive lightning bolt pierced through both Dragonite and Charizard as they were making their descent from the Seismic Toss. Since Dragonite was part Dragon-type, the damage was much less severe than that of Charizard. However, the resulting paralysis trapped Dragonite in the embrace of Seismic Toss. Suddenly, with a massive THUD, the two behemoths hit the ground, both head first. Neither Pokemon was able to continue.
"Round 1 is a draw!" Brock declared, as both trainers recalled their Pokemon.
"Alright Pikachu! I'm counting on you!" Ash said as he turned to his long-time companion beside him.
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu replied as he walked into the battlefield.
"So, what's your Pokemon going to be?" Ash asked.
"Ha, that's a pretty good question." Katoshi replied, as he pulled out the lightning bolt encrusted Pokeball. Ash immediately recognized the insignia.
"Hey, where did you get that?! Ash shouted.
"It was a goodbye present." Katoshi replied. And I have a feeling I know what's inside! "Go!"
A white light burst from the Pokeball. It had a large, brown body and a long tail with a lightning bolt at the end. Katoshi was in disbelief at the Pokemon that stood before him. The Pokemon turned towards Katoshi, looking him square in the eyes before giving a knowing nod and turning back towards the battle. With that, Katoshi knew there was no doubt. That Pokemon was his father's Pikachu. Except, it wasn't Pikachu anymore. It was…
"Raichu!" The Pokemon bellowed as Round 2 was set to begin.
To Be Continued in Chapter 14: Testing Potential
(To be Released – Spring 2013)