A/N:Sorry for the month long wait guys. I got hit with a major case of writers block
Friday 10th July 2007. Professor Oak's Lab. 10:45am
"Hey Professor! You here?" I called out as the three of us walked into Oak's lab, surrounded by the various machines and computers that lined the three walls, the fourth on the other side of the lab and had a brown door that led to the ranch outside where the Pokémon not in a trainers party stayed.
"Ah, Ross, Brooklyn. How are you two? Are your journeys going well?" Oak asked as he stepped in from the ranch, wearing the lab coat, red polo shirt and brown khakis that he was wearing when he sent Brooklyn, Paul and I on our journeys around Kanto.
"Yeah, I've got three badges now, but I'm not sure where to go for my fourth." I said, Pikachu giving a happy cry from my shoulder as I pet him absent-mindedly.
"May I suggest going to Cinnabar Island? The gym leader there has just retired so his grandson has taken over, I'll give him a call if you want." Oak said as he took Pikachu from my shoulder and pet him in the right places, making the rat coo under the affection.
"Sure, sounds good to me." I said, making a mental note to research the gym on the way there.
"If your going to go to Cinnabar, then you'll need these." The professor said, rummaging in his desk drawer before pulling out three pieces of paper, all having a gold 1st written on them, along with St Anne along the bottom in bold red text. "Three first class tickets for the St Anne, sailing a week on Monday from Vermilion City. These'll get you into a first class suite on the ship, with enough room for you all to stay in together. The ship will travel for three days before stopping at Cinnabar Island for five days and then make the two day sail to Fuchsia city where the ship then sails over to Unova after two days." Oak said as he handed me the tickets. "Consider it an early birthday present." Oak said, smiling as I put the tickets in a side pocket on my bag, zipping the pocket up.
"Thanks Professor. This is great." I said as I slung by bag over my shoulder again. "Plus it means we can take another break once we get to Vermilion City." I remarked, already envisioning the relaxation that awaited us.
"Yeah, bibut t don't fall too far behind. Otherwise you'll be easy to beat at the Kanto League." A voice said, Ariel coming through the lab door a second later, Combusken by her side.
"Ariel!" I said, running up and hugging my sister.
"Jeez, miss me much." Ariel remarked sarcastically, smiling and hugging me nonetheless as Combusken greeted Pikachu, both sharing a fist bump.
"It's been lonely without someone demeaning me everyday." I said as I pulled back, aniking as Ariel rolled her eyes and then had a thoughtful look.
"You know, there's an induction day going on for the Pallet Summer camp today and they need someone else to have a battle with one of the counselors. Interested?" Ariel asked as I exchanged a look with Pikachu and we both grinned, Pikachu's cheeks sparking as he did.
"Definitely!" I shouted, pumping a fist in front of me. "We'll mow down anyone in our way, right buddy?" I asked Pikachu, the mouse nodding in agreement as he punched the air in front of him.
"Ah, here's the counselor now." Oak said as a teen with dark red dyed hair walked through the back door, a small,blue crocodile with red spines on its back and a yellow stomach and a black fox with yellow eyes and a multitude of blue rings by his side walked towards the professor, wearing a blue polo shirt and brown khaki shorts.
"Hey Prof, just finished talking with the kids, my opponent here yet?" The boy said before he locked eyes with me and we both smiled at each other in a challenging way.
"Hey Liam." I said as I smirked at the teen.
"Ross. How you doing?" Liam said as the fox and alligator waved to me or nodded stoicly.
"Who's that?" Misty asked as Liam and I shook hands, smiling at each other the whole time.
"That's Liam Korens." Brooklyn said, standing off to one side due to not knowing Liam that well. "He and Ross had an even more fierce rivalry than him and Paul, countless competitions and neither could break the tie." Brooklyn explained, remembering all the eating contests, races and even school contests that Liam and I went through, tying in every single one.
"And those Pokémon with Liam? I've never seen them before." Misty said, pointing to the fox and alligator, both now taking with Pikachu and Combusken.
"The blue one is a Totodile, a water type from Johto, where Liam was born. And the fox is called an Umbreon, apparently he's a shiny Pokémon." Brooklyn explained, not bothering to explain Liams other Job to Pokémon.
"So, shall we get to the battle? I'm looking forward to breaking our tie." Liam said, Totodile and Umbreon both now looking pumped up.
"Sure, I've been waiting to beat you for four years." I said jokingly, ready to give my all against my school rival.
Friday 10th July 2007. Professor Oak's Lab. 11:30am
"Alright you two, this'll be a one on one battle. Got it?" Ariel asked as she took a position as the referee of the battle, Liam having withdrawn Umbreon and Totodile, already palming a Pokéball.
"Yep/sounds good." Liam and I both replied at the same time, Liam hurling his Pokéball forward to reveal a large pink Pokémon with a even larger tongue, a cream stomach and rings on it's kness.
"What's that?" I said as I reached for my Pokédex.
"Lickitung, the licking Pokémon. Lickitung will unfailingly lick new things it comes across, memorizing it's texture and taste. It is somewhat put off by sour things." The Pokédex chimed as it showed a still picture of Lickitung on the screen.
"Alright then, Pikachu I choose you!" I shouted as I put my Pokédex away, Pikachu running onto the field and facing off against Lickitung, sparking his cheeks to intimidate the normal type.
"Kay then, Battle, begin!" Ariel announced as she threw her arms down.
"Lickitung, Power Whip!" Liam called. Lickitung gave a cry as she pulled her tongue back, the limb now glowing green as she slammed it down towards Pikachu.
"Dodge it and use Quick Attack!" I shouted as the green appendage closed in. Pikachu nodded and leapt to the side and then shot forward, a white trail of energy coming off his lower half as Licktung's tongue slammed into the ground, Lickitung herself being tossed back by Pikachu slamming into her stomach.
"Now Iron Tail!" I shouted, Pikachu flipping off Lickitung's body and falling back to her as his tail began glowing white.
"Grab Pikachu with Wrap!" Liam shouted, Likcitung already pulling her tongue back to squeeze Pikachu around his waist before tossing him into the air, a jet of orange flames following.
"Use Electro Ball and counter that!" I yelled as Pikachu fell towards the Flamethrower, a yellow and brown orb of electricity forming on his tail before he spun in the air, flinging the orb towards the flames, both moves collinding and exploding after a brief struggle, Pikachu landing safely on the ground after the smoke cleared from above only to feel a freezing wind batter him as several ice crystals and clumps of snow did the same, pushing him back as his teeth chartered, my own doing the same as Lickitung kept up her Blizzard attack, threatening to freeze Pikachu solid in a few seconds until an idea came to my head.
"Use Thunderbolt to distract Licktung!" I shouted over the howling winds. Pikachu nodded and stiffly rise onto his hind legs before firing a bolt of yellow lightning that hit Lickitung powerfully and zapped out of concentration, stopping the Blizzard. "Now Iron Tail!" I continued, seeing Lickitung was still reeling form the Thunderbolt. Pikachu leapt forward and spun in the air so his glowing white tail slammed into Lickitung's stomach and sent her tumbling back, rising to her feet a few seconds later and panting.
"Use Screech!" Lickitung took a deep breath before screaming at the top of her lungs, making everyone around clutch their ears, even Liam who had issued the command. "Now Wrap, then Slam it down!" The teen continued. Licktung shot her tongue out and grabbed the still reeling Pikachu, squeezing him tightly before lifting up her tongue and slamming it onto the ground, kicking up a dust cloud and revealing a knocked out Pikachu as Lickitung withdrew her tongue and smiled happily.
"Pikachu's unable to battle, so Liam and Lickitung win the battle." Ariel announced as Liam withdrew Lickitug and I picked up Pikachu, cradling him in my arms.
"Pikachu, you okay?" I asked as the mouse slowly regained consciousness and then looked at me with a tired smile, nodding as he closed his eyes, ready to sleep. "You get some rest bud, I'm proud of you." I said softly as I placed Pikachu in Professor Oak's arms as he took him into the lab to sleep peacefully.
"Okay kids, who has any questions for our battlers?" Ariel asked as Liam and I moved to stand next to each other, several kids raising their hands.
"Okay, you." I said, pointing to a kid with black hair who stood up before speaking.
"How hard is it to battle?" The kid asked before sitting back down.
"I don't think it's hard persay, but it can cause rifts between trainer and Pokémon if there's no trust." I said, Liam noddig as he heard what I said.
He's right, the two biggest things a trainer needs is passion and trust." Liam continued. "Meaning, you need to want to be a trainer and also have faith that your Pokémon will pull through when you need them." I took over, the kids looking at us with awe as Professor Oak and Ariel looked at us with pride.
"What's your dream?" The next kid asked as she stood up.
"Good question." Liam said as the girl sat down. "My dream is to see the world, and collect lots of fun memories along the way. Ross?" Liam said as he had a wistful smile on his facing before glancing at me, gesturing for me to answer.
"Well. I don't really have a dream at the moment. I'm just kinda taking things one step at a time." I said, smiling bashfully. "Right now, I'm planning on entering the Kanto League next March and I already have three badges." I said, showing off my badge case, the kids 'oohing' at the designs for the badges.
"What a coincidence. I'm entering this years league as well." Liam said as he showed off a badge case with the Thunder, Boulder, Rainbow and a red flame designed badge all in a line.
"Four badges. Good for you." I said as I looked over the badges, recognizing one from my cousin's collection. "Though I'm sure Totodile made getting the Volcano Badge quite easy." I said with a teasing look as the alligator released himself and puffed out his chest.
"Yeah, he definitely put in some hard work. Though Umbreon and Haunter did great as well." Liam said, smiling as he remembered the intense battle he had.
"Could make that five if you want." A voice said as Liam and I spun around to see Brooklyn and Misty standing side by side, both holding a Pokéball in their hands."As the Cerulean Trainee Gym Leader, I challenge the two of you to a special gym match." Misty continued as Liam and I looked on with confusion.
Next Chapter:Splashing Smackdowns!
As the four-way Gym battle takes place between Ross and Liam vs Misty and Brooklyn, it quickly becomes clear that Brooklyn and Misty have become a well oiled machine after travelling together for several months. Can Ross and Liam overcome this teamwork or will they be swept away?
Important Events
The Group arrives back in Pallet Town
Professor Oak gives Ross tickets to Cinnabar Island, where he plans to have his next gym battle
Ross meets back up with his childhood rival, Liam Korens who is revealed to be entering the Kanto League as well
Ross and Liam have a battle, with Liam winning
Ross:Pikachu(m)(Static).Thunder Shock, Iron Tail, Brick Break, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt,Electro Ball*
Squirtle(m)(Torrent).Aqua Jet, Water Gun, Ice Beam, Skull Bash, Bubble Beam,Protect*
Bulbasaur(f)(Overgrow).Tackle, Sludge, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Solar Beam,Energy Ball*
Pidgeotto(f)(Keen Eye).Steel Wing, Quick Attack, Gust, Aerial Ace, Heat Wave,Twister*
Rauro(m)(Flash Fire).Snarl, Flamethrower, Flame Wheel, Bite, Hidden Power*
Dratini(f)(Shed Skin).Incinerate, Icy Wind, Thunderbolt, Dragon Rage, Dragon Tail,Safeguard*
In Lab:Charmeleon(m)(Blaze).Flamethrower, Slash, Flame Charge, Dragon Pulse, Flame Burst,Metal Claw*
Snorlax(m)(Immunity).Tackle, Focus Blast, Thunder, Ice Punch, Hyper Beam*
Eevee(f)(Adaptability).Quick Attack, Shadow Ball, Dig, Swift, Double Team,Iron Tail*
Krabby(m)(Hyper Cutter).Ice Beam, Vice Grip, X-Scissor, Water Pulse, Mud Shot,Crabhammer*
Primeape(m)(Anger Point).Overheat, Brick Break, Rock Slide, Thunder Punch, Mega Kick,Focus Energy*
Brooklyn:Fennekin(f)(Blaze).Scratch, Howl, Flamethrower, Hidden Power, Flame Charge*
Nidorina(f)(Rivalry).Poison Sting, Bite, Shadow Claw, Ice Beam, Double Kick,Poison Tail*
Venonat(m)(Conpund Eyes).Tackle, Stun Spore, Leech Life, Confusion, Struggle Bug,Psybeam*
Oddish(m)(Chlorophyll).Bullet Seed, Stun Spore, Grass Knot, Petal Blizzard, Acid*
Abra(m)(Inner Focus).Teleport, Hidden Power, Thunder Punch, Shadow Ball*
Poliwhirl(m)(Swift Swim).Bubble, Water Gun, Mud Shot, Water Pulse, Mega Punch,Secret Power*
In Lab:Beedrill(m)(Swarm).Agility, Pin Missile, Poison Sting, Poison Jab, Focus Energy,Protect*
Misty:Staryu(N/A)(Analytic).Rapid Spin, Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Water Pulse, Power Gem,Tackle*
Seadra(m)(sniper).Double Edge, Agility, Brine, Bubble Beam, Icy Wind, Dragon Pulse*
Gyarados(m)(Swift Swim).Tackle, Dragon Rage, Bite, Water Pulse, Flail,Twister*
Goldeen(f)(Lightning Rod).Horn Attack, Peck Water Gun, Agility
Vaporeon(f)(Hydration).Hydro Pump, Aqua Tail, Shadow Ball, Headbutt, Aurora Beam*
Tentacool(f)(Liquid Ooze).Water Pulse, Tickle, Knock Off, Double Team, Giga Drain,Poison Jab*
Psyduck(m)(Swift Swim).Slash, Hidden Power, Water Gun, Confusion, Protect,Icy Wind*