CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
While Amy took a nap in her hotel suite, Daniel walked around Vermilion City. He spotted Natalie sitting at a deck chair, sipping a water bottle as she watched the yachts in the Vermilion Harbor.
"Natalie!" he called out, running over to her as his Pokemon followed in his wake.
Natalie turned around, beaming. Her Pokemon were with her, too.
"Daniel, I'm sorry, I got a bit distracted," she said, her cheeks glowing as she turned back to the harbor. "Look at the view!"
The sunlight shimmered off the water in the bay. Several yachts were floating lazily on the water, their inhabitants looking up at the behemoth that was the S.S. Anne.
"What a big ship..." Daniel remarked, trying to count the multitude of windows and peering at those who were on the deck, their figures insubstantial from this distance.
"I'd love to go on it one day..." said Natalie dreamily.
"We will," Daniel said firmly, sitting down beside her. Natalie turned to him. "One day, when we have enough money, we will book rooms for us and our Pokemon and we will tour Kanto!"
"Sounds fun!" Natalie exclaimed, giggling.
They sat and watched the pier in silence, their Pokemon gazing in awe at the splendour laid out before them. People walked past them, wheeling their suitcases or triple-checking their carry-ons, careful not to let their tickets slip out of their sight.
"I had a look around before you arrived and the Vermilion Gym is over there," Natalie pointed to a large building overlooking the pier. "Do you want to battle first or should I go?"
"What type of Pokemon does the Gym Leader use?" asked Daniel.
"I don't know," said Natalie. "You head to the Pokemon Center and heal your Pokemon. I'll meet you at the Gym, OK?"
"Sure," Daniel nodded, getting up and walking off. "Don't wander too far!"
"I won't!" Natalie laughed, picking up Horsea in her arms and walking in the direction of the Vermilion Gym.
Glancing down at her Pokemon, Natalie asked, "Are you guys ready to take on a Gym Leader?"
Squirtle nodded with determination. Poliwag jumped up and down. Butterfree let out a chirrup of affirmation. Horsea made a small, nearly inaudible sound.
"It's OK, Horsea," Natalie reassured. "You haven't had much practice yet, I know. I'll let you battle the next Gym Leader when you're ready, once we've had time to train."
Horsea nodded, settling back into Natalie's arms with a sigh of relief. Smiling to herself, Natalie approached the entrance of the Gym; an imposing set of double doors before her.
"Horsea, did you know? My first Gym battle was against a Rock-type Gym Leader. Squirtle beat him to a pulp, didn't you?"
Squirtle nodded enthusiastically.
"Then my second Gym battle was against a Water-type Gym Leader. That was a little harder, because we were up against Pokemon who were just as proficient in the water as Squirtle and Poliwag were. Butterfree was able to fly, though, so that gave us an advantage."
Butterfree chirped merrily from above, settling down to rest on Natalie's shoulder. Natalie hugged Horsea as Squirtle and Poliwag played with each other. Natalie was lost in her memories.
"Natalie!" said Daniel, appearing from nowhere all of a sudden. Natalie jerked back to reality.
"Hi!" she smiled. "Everything alright?"
"Yep, everything went well," Daniel said. Meowth and Bellsprout emerged from behind him, as well as Ekans, who slithered beside Daniel. "So, which of us should go first?"
"Let's play rock-paper-scissors to decide!" said Natalie, forming her hand into a fist. Daniel copied her.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" said Natalie and Daniel in unison. Daniel kept his fist balled, for 'rock', while Natalie lay her palm flat, for 'paper'.
"Aha! I go first!" Natalie said in triumph. "Let's show this Gym Leader who's boss!"
Natalie pushed open the double doors and entered, with Daniel following behind. The Gym had a battlefield in the centre, with elevated podiums on both sides of the field. Spotlights shone to provide illumination.
"What gives?" Daniel asked, looking around the place. "There's nobody here."
"Brock's Gym was filled with boulders and Misty's was a swimming pool. This Gym doesn't have anything other than a battlefield! Maybe this Gym doesn't have a specialised type?"
"WELCOME!" called a voice, echoing around the room.
Daniel and Natalie glanced around, but couldn't see anybody.
"Where are you?" called Natalie, to which the room plunged into darkness. "Ah!"
There was an odd whirring sound and a spotlight shone in the middle of the battlefield, illuminating both podiums. Upon the podium opposite the entrance, was a muscular man wearing combat fatigues and a tank top. His blonde hair was spiky and he looked rugged, Daniel noted.
"I AM LT. SURGE. WHICH OF YOU WILL BATTLE ME?" he boomed.
"I will!" Natalie called out, approaching the podium. "Is it absolutely necessary to yell? I can hear you just fine - "
"YOU?" Lt. Surge laughed. "YOU WITH THE WATER POKEMON?"
"Yes! I challenge you, Lt. Surge!" Natalie stepped up to the podium, which was elevated just enough to allow her to step onto it. Daniel stood spectator from nearby, barely illuminated by the spotlight that hung from above.
"I'VE SERVED IN THE ARMY, MISSY. DO YOU KNOW WHAT MY ENEMIES CALLED ME IN BATTLE?"
"I have no idea!" Natalie yelled, trying to match his volume, but to no avail.
Lt. Surge grinned, retrieving a Pokeball from his pocket. He threw it in the air, caught it, then tossed it into the battlefield. "THEY CALL ME - THE LIGHTNING AMERICAN!"
With a flash of red light, Voltorb appeared on Lt. Surge's side of the field. It looked not unlike the Pokeball that it was contained it only moments before.
"Lightning?" Natalie repeated in disbelief. "You - you use Electric-type Pokemon?"
"THAT'S RIGHT, MISSY! I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE! BRING IT ON!"
"Oh, no..." Natalie whispered, looking down at Horsea. Horsea looked back at Natalie, frail and with fear in its eyes.
"You can do it, Natalie!" called Daniel, almost a shadow from where he stood. "I believe in you!"
Natalie nodded, turning back to the battle. "You want a fight, Surge; I'll give you one. I choose you, Squirtle!"
Squirtle ran onto the battlefield, pumping its fists as it faced Voltorb.
"YOU'VE GOT GUTS, KID." Lt. Surge said. "VOLTORB, SCREECH!"
"Squirtle, Withdraw!" Natalie called out.
Squirtle withdrew into its shell as Voltorb let out a screech which bounced off Squirtle's shell, not harming it. Squirtle emerged from its shell and ran towards Voltorb.
"VOLTORB, TACKLE!" Lt. Surge shouted.
"Squirtle, Bite!" Natalie cried.
Voltorb began rolling towards Squirtle at a fast pace; Squirtle was smart enough not to attempt the attack and dodged instead, avoiding the spherical blur that was Voltorb.
"Water Gun!" cried Natalie.
Squirtle landed on its feet and released a jet of water from its mouth directed at Voltorb. The jet of water was deflected by the speed at which Voltorb was spinning and Voltorb headed towards Squirtle.
"Squirtle, watch out!" Natalie shouted, as Squirtle dodged Voltorb's attack again. An idea occurred to her. "Squirtle, use Water Gun as it turns around!"
Squirtle landed on its feet, facing Voltorb as it released another jet of water from its mouth. True enough, as Voltorb turned around, Squirtle's jet of water blasted Voltorb on its side, toppling its trajectory and confusing it.
"Squirtle, Bite Attack!" shouted Natalie.
"VOLTORB, USE SONICBOOM!"
Voltorb shuddered as Squirtle ran towards it, releasing a shockwave headed for Squirtle. Squirtle only just avoided it, heading to Voltorb at a smart pace and launching upon it, sinking his teeth in. Voltorb let out a shriek of pain, releasing a Screech attack which sent Squirtle staggering backwards.
"VOLTORB, TACKLE!"
"Squirtle, Water Gun!" cried Natalie.
Squirtle inhaled and released a jet of water as Voltorb launched itself at Squirtle. The jet of water blasted Voltorb into the podium again, knocking it unconscious.
"Nice going, Squirtle!" Natalie cheered, as Squirtle ran back to its side of the field.
Lt. Surge returned Voltorb to its Pokeball, pocketing it.
"YOU'RE NOT BAD, KID. LET'S SEE YOU TAKE ON MY NEXT POKEMON!"
The Pokeball which Lt. Surge threw into the battlefield burst forth to reveal Pikachu, waving its spiky tail and emanating a distinct electrical charge.
"Squirtle, be careful!" warned Natalie. Squirtle nodded, facing Pikachu with grim determination.
"PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK!"
"Squirtle - "
But before Natalie could finish her sentence, Pikachu had tackled Squirtle, sending it flying across the battlefield and landing painfully in a heap in front of Natalie's podium.
"PIKACHU, THUNDERSHOCK!"
"Squirtle, Withdraw!"
Squirtle withdrew into its shell as Pikachu released a bolt of lightning which shot out at Squirtle, electrifying him inside his own shell.
"HIDING WON'T DO YOU ANY GOOD!" warned Lt. Surge, as Squirtle emerged from its shell, thoroughly beaten and bruised. "I TRACK DOWN ALL WHO OPPOSE ME! PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK!"
Natalie was too choked up with tears to cry out as Pikachu tackled Squirtle again, sending it flying into the shadows where it was unseen.
"I'll look after him, Natalie!" called Daniel, running over to the unlit area, assisted by Meowth who illuminated the area partially.
Natalie turned to Lt. Surge, her eyes wet. "I'll take you down, Surge!"
"THAT'S LIEUTENANT SURGE TO YOU!" he roared. "AND I'LL MAKE SURE YOU DON'T FORGET IT!"
In her sunny optimism, Natalie had tried to overlook the fact that all her Pokemon were susceptible to Electric-type attacks, including Butterfree, who was a dual Bug/Flying type. A pit of disappointment began to form as she realised she should've prepared better.
"CHOOSE YOUR NEXT POKEMON! IT WON'T DO YOU ANY GOOD TO DELAY!"
Natalie regarded Lt. Surge's Pikachu. It packed a hefty punch with its Electric-type attacks and its speed was amazing, especially when using Quick Attack.
"I choose my next Pokemon!" said Natalie. "Butterfree!"
Butterfree swooped into the battlefield, shimmering more than anybody in the spotlight.
"A FLYING-TYPE? MY PIKACHU WILL JOLT YOU BACK TO YOUR SENSES! PIKACHU, THUNDERSHOCK!"
"Butterfree, dodge the attack and head for Pikachu!" Natalie shouted.
Pikachu released a bolt of lightning from its cheeks, headed towards Butterfree. Butterfree swooped sideways to avoid it and the lightning bolt struck the wall of the Gym in the darkness.
"Butterfree, Confusion!" shouted Natalie.
Butterfree released a telekinetic wave which blasted Pikachu backwards, then Butterfree continued flying towards Pikachu and tackled it, sending it sprawled onto its back in front of Lt. Surge's podium. Butterfree flew back to Natalie's side of the field, flapping its wings furiously as Natalie applauded from her podium. Daniel emerged from the shadows, clutching injured Squirtle in his arms, who was quite unconscious.
"Is he OK?" asked Natalie.
"I'll take him to the Pokemon Center - "
"PIKACHU, THUNDER WAVE!"
Pikachu released a charge of electricity which struck Butterfree, entangling it in electricity and paralysing it.
"Butterfree, no!" Natalie screamed, as Butterfree slid to the ground, unable to move.
"THUNDERSHOCK, PIKACHU!"
Pikachu released another bolt of lightning which blasted Butterfree where it lay, sending it writhing in pain near Natalie's podium where it rolled over several times, twitching.
"Butterfree!" Natalie gasped, reaching for a Paralyz Heal from her backpack.
"FINISH IT! QUICK ATTACK!"
Pikachu disappeared and reappeared in a second, tackling Butterfree into Natalie's podium, where it slid down to the ground and lay immobile.
"Butterfree!" called Natalie in concern. She retrieved its Pokeball and returned Butterfree to it in a flash of red light.
"WATER AND FLYING-TYPES ARE NO MATCH FOR MY POKEMON! HAVE YOU LEARNED YOUR LESSON YET?"
Natalie was aghast at her foolishness. If she hadn't been distracted, Butterfree could've finished Pikachu off... no! She had been concerned about Squirtle. The wellbeing of her Pokemon was more important than winning a battle. But this wasn't just any battle!
"CONTEMPLATING SURRENDER?" Lt. Surge taunted. "YOU KNOW HOW THEY TREAT COWARDICE IN THE ARMY?"
"No!" Natalie yelled back. "I will defeat you! I choose Poliwag!"
Poliwag stepped forward, waving its feather tail as it faced Pikachu.
"PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK!"
"Poliwag - "
As Pikachu appeared in front of Poliwag, it was blasted by an unseen force which sent it sprawled in front of Poliwag. Pikachu didn't move.
"WHAT?" Lt. Surge shouted. Upon closer inspection, Pikachu was asleep - Poliwag had used its Hypnosis attack pre emptively, just before Pikachu could land a hit.
"Poliwag, Water Gun!" Natalie screamed, not missing a beat.
Poliwag released a jet of water which blasted Pikachu, sending it across the field where it lay in front of Lt. Surge's podium. It struggled to stand -
"Quickly, Poliwag!" Natalie called from her podium. "Use Water Gun again!"
Pikachu leapt to avoid the jet, but Poliwag redirected the water blast and hit Pikachu full in the face, slamming flat onto the ground.
"PIKACHU!" roared Lt. Surge.
"Good work, Poliwag!" said Natalie. "You've won against an Electric-type Pokemon!"
With a twinge, Natalie remembered Squirtle and Butterfree, her first two Pokemon who were already out of the running. Natalie looked down, noticing Daniel had disappeared. He must've gone to the Pokemon Center to heal Squirtle.
"YOU THINK THAT'S ALL? I'VE GOT ONE FINAL POKEMON TO SHOW YOU WHAT THE REAL POWER OF ELECTRICITY CAN DO..."
Lt. Surge returned Pikachu to its Pokeball, then retrieved another from his pocket.
"GO, RAICHU!" he yelled, throwing the Pokeball into the battlefield where it erupted with a burst of red light and returned to Lt. Surge's hand.
"Raichu?" Natalie was tremulous. "You have a Raichu?"
Raichu was the evolved form of Pikachu. It was a bipedal rodent, with bifurcated ears and a long, thin tail which ended in the shape of a lightning bolt. An electrical charge emanated from its cheeks as Raichu balled its fists and stared down at Poliwag menacingly.
"RAICHU, THUNDERBOLT!" roared Lt. Surge.
"Poliwag, Hypnosis!" cried Natalie.
Poliwag released a hypnotic wave at Raichu as Raichu released a powerful bolt of lightning directed at Poliwag. Raichu was blasted by the hypnotic wave, keeling over. Raichu's Thunderbolt electrified Poliwag, causing it to emit a high-pitched wail before it fell over, unconscious.
"No..." Natalie whispered, as Poliwag lay still. She realised Raichu had been hit by Poliwag's Hypnosis attack, watching its chest heave in peaceful slumber. "Your Raichu's asleep! It's a draw!"
"YOU THINK A LIEUTENANT DOESN'T HAVE SUPPLIES?"
Oh, no... he has an Awakening. When Raichu wakes up, he'll be the only Pokemon left standing. Natalie concluded, horrified. I've lost...
Natalie was startled to see Horsea jump out of her arms and onto the podium's dashboard.
"Horsea?" Natalie blinked in disbelief. "B-but, you can't battle!"
Horsea made an impatient noise, then jumped off the dashboard and into the battlefield below.
"Horsea!" Natalie screamed, gripping the dashboard in horror as she glanced over to see Horsea, slightly injured, having landed on its tail. "I'm coming down to get you - "
"YOU MAY NOT ENTER THE BATTLEFIELD WHILE POKEMON ARE FIGHTING!"
"My Horsea is not going to get hurt! I'd rather - "
"No, Natalie!" shouted Daniel.
Natalie turned around to see Daniel, clutching a wriggling Squirtle in his arms. Squirtle pointed at the battlefield with hand signals.
"Horsea wants to battle?" Natalie asked Squirtle, who nodded. "But - "
"RAICHU!" Lt. Surge shouted, pulling an Awakening from his pocket and aiming the spray bottle at Raichu.
Horsea emitted a high-pitched squeal as it released dark ink from its mouth, covering Raichu and much of the battlefield in the slippery substance. It became immediately unclear where Raichu was, for the ink had obscured Raichu's figure.
"Horsea!" Natalie called, the warmth coming back into her face, realising there was a chance to salvage this battle. "Bubble!"
Horsea took a deep intake of breath, then released a stream of bubbles at Raichu, all of which caused Raichu to irritably shake in its sleep.
"YOU THINK I CAN'T FIND MY POKEMON?" Lt. Surge yelled, aiming the spray bottle for where Raichu had shifted upon getting attacked. He held the trigger, spraying a misty blue liquid which encased Raichu. Raichu did not awaken.
"GAH! WHAT'S HAPPENING?"
"Horsea's Smokescreen attack has covered Raichu in ink! Your Awakening can't penetrate it!" said Daniel.
"Horsea, use Bubble attack on Raichu!" Natalie said triumphantly.
Horsea took a deep breath, expelling another stream of bubbles which popped on impact onto Raichu, causing more pain.
"RAICHU!" Lt. Surge's voice was agonised; there was nothing he could do. "GRR..."
"Surrender this battle, Lt. Surge!" Natalie called. "Your Raichu will only continue to get hurt if you don't stop!"
"I NEVER SURRENDER, LITTLE GIRL! I AM THE LIGHTNING AMERICAN!"
"Your Pokemon's wellbeing have to be your first priority!" Natalie said, facing Lt. Surge.
Lt. Surge was silent, looking down at Raichu, encased in ink. "I agree."
At a normal tone, Lt. Surge's voice was almost inaudible. Natalie gasped. "You mean it?"
"Natalie, you won!" Daniel's voice jolted her back to reality. "You won!"
Colour began rising in her cheeks, then, as Lt. Surge returned Raichu to its Pokeball, Natalie dismounted the podium, rushing to Horsea's side and embracing it into a tight hug.
"Don't you ever do something that crazy again!" Natalie warned. "I was so worried!"
Squirtle ran up to Natalie, his arms outstretched. Natalie gathered him up for a hug, too. "I'm so glad you're OK, Squirtle!"
Lt. Surge dismounted his podium and began walking towards Natalie. Natalie wiped her eyes, standing up to meet his gaze as Horsea stayed in Natalie's arms while Squirtle stayed near her side, guarding her determinedly.
"I underestimated you... of all the Trainers I've faced, I've never been defeated by someone who only uses Pokemon with a type disadvantage to Electric Pokemon." Lt. Surge offered his hand. "You've got guts, kid!"
Natalie shook his hand, surprised to find a hard object in his palm. She withdrew her arm and opened her palm - it was the Thunder Badge, an eight-pointed gold star with an orange octagon in the center.
"You deserve it." Lt. Surge said proudly.
"Thank you," Natalie said, smiling at him. "Lieutenant."
Lt. Surge withdrew a wad of cash and gave it to Natalie. It was roughly twenty two hundred dollars.
Startled, Daniel and Natalie jumped in surprise as Lt. Surge yelled, "DON'T SPEND IT ALL IN ONE PLACE!"
Trying to clear their ears, they laughed together as their Pokemon became irritable from the sudden shock.
"Ah! You must be my next challenger!" said Lt. Surge, rounding on Daniel.
"Yes, I'd like to challenge you - "
"My Gym's closing now. Come back in the morning and I'll battle you then," he said. "Besides, I've got all this ink on my floor to clean up..."
Daniel and Natalie laughed as they exited the Gym, waving a goodbye to Lt. Surge who nodded in return. As they exited, it struck them how late it was.
"We should book a hotel room," said Daniel, worried. "I hope there's a vacancy!"