Last chapter saw Ross win his gym battle against Tom after Charmeleon evolved into Charizard, earning him the Volcano Badge. The group is now headed to Saffron City so Ross can earn his sixth badge.


Friday 29th July 2007. Fuchsia City. 9:30am

"So, this really happened." I said as Misty and I watched Brooklyn and Fennekin staring down a Sandshrew who challenged them to a battle after seeing Fennekin training against Pikachu.

"Yeah. But in fairness we usually leave time in training and even travelling for wild Pokémon." Misty said, thinking back to all the times we stopped to battle wild Pokémon without trying to capture them. "Besides, your just mad that Psyduck beat you and Krabby when we first started training." Misty said as she giggled, still happy that a Psyduck managed to best Krabby and I.

"Shut up!" I said, my cheeks tinged red in embarrassment. "It caught us off guard and had a grass type Hidden Power. How were we supposed to counter that and it's Confusion attack?" I asked rhetorically as the battle started, Fennekin shooting a Flamethrower towards Sandshrew but the mouse spun around using Rapid Spin, making the flames deflect off him before he shot towards Fennekin, still spinning as the fox leapt to avoid him.

"Now Hidden Power from up there, then come down with Flame Charge!" Brooklyn shouted as Sandshrew looked up, seeing a blue orb flying towards him courtesy of Fennekin and opened his mouth, shooting a volley of glowing purple needles at it, causing an explosion of smoke that Fennekin shot out of, cloaked in flames and grinning at Sandshrew until he leapt up and wound back his left arm as it glowed white, punching forward and hitting Fennekin with an uppercut, snuffing out the flames as Fennekin landed on the ground, Sandshrew now sprinting towards her with his left set of claws elongated and glowing a light blue. "Use Scratch and counter him!" Brooklyn called as Sandshrew got closer, both sides slashing each other with their extended claws, sliding back as Sandshrew opened his mouth again, this time firing a volley of glowing yellow stars that homed in on Fennekin and hit her before she could react, making her growl as the stars exploded around her, Sandshrew then coming in for another Rapid Spin.

"Use Psychic and push him back, then Flamethrower!" Brooklyn shouted, secretly impressed this Sandshrew was keeping up so effortlessly. Fennekin complied, her eyes lighting up blue as the same colour surrounded Sandshrew and he uncurled, looking confused before he was pushed back by an unseen force, skidding along the ground and stopping just as a jet of flames engulfed him, leaving his body smoking as Fennekin stood looking smug as her body lot up with flames again, Fennekin sprinting along the ground towards Sandshrew, who curled up again as a dome of turquoise energy erupted around him and Fennekin slammed into it, growling at the pain before Sandshrew uncurled and smirked at Fennekin, shooting a stream of sand from his mouth towards the fox, hitting her and exploding in a burst of sand, sending Fennekin flying back as Sandshrew shot forwards with another Rapid Spin.

"Use Hidden Power! Then Flamethrower!" Brooklyn shouted, Fennekin charging up another orb of blue energy, firing it at Sandshrew, who took it head on but slowed enough due to the explosion for the follow-up jet of flames to push him back, coated in various soot marks. "Now Flame Charge!" Brooklyn called, Fennekin blitzing forward due to her enhanced speed as Sandshrew shot forward with another Metal Claw, slashing forward as Fennekin reached him, both sides struggling before the colliding forces pushed them apart and they skidded back, glaring at each other as Sandshrew seemed to debate something in his head before turning around and leaping into the bushes, disappearing before any of us could react.

"Guess he had enough." I said as Misty and I shared a bemused look as Fennekin howled in victory, making Brooklyn smile before her mouth dropped as Fennekin lit up with a blueish-white glow, changing shape to stand on her hind legs as the light burst off her, revealing her new form. While most of her fur was yellow, she had black legs, white arms and face, and a dark orange tail tip. The fur on her cheeks was longer, and a small mane of white fur covered her shoulders and chest. Long, wavy tufts of dark orange fur grew out of her large ears, and her eyes and small nose matched this fur in colour. Above her legs, her fur swept out to either side, resembling a skirt or shorts. Each new paw had three small digits. As we all took in her new form, Fennekin wandered over to a nearby tree, stumbling slightly due to her new form, and inspected it, tearing off a medium sized branch that she smiled at as she placed it in her tail.

"Wonder what Fennekin evolved into?" I thought aloud as Fennekin came back over and smiled at Brooklyn, who snapped out of her daze and smiled back, pulling out her Pokédex and pointing it at her partner, the entry coming up since Fennekin was registered as her Pokémon.

"Braixen, the fox Pokémon and the evolved form of Fennekin. Braixen carries a branch in its tail which it ignites using friction to send signals to its allies." The Pokédex chimed as Braixen pulled out her branch and spun it as it caught alight at the end and she looked ecstatic and pointed her branch upwards, shooting a vastly more powerful Flamethrower into the air making the rest of us look on in awe, Brooklyn snapping out of it when she saw Braixen stumble and caught her starter before she could fall, the bipedal fox yipping gratefully.

"Let's get you to the Pokémon center." Brooklyn said, recalling Braixen to her Pokéball as Misty and I volunteered to stay back and keep the space guarded, using the time to send out Charizard and Gyarados for a quick spar.


Friday 29th July 2007. Fuchsia City. 9:30am

"Ready to try again?" I asked, Charizard and Gyarados still out on the field, but now with Braixen and Pikachu, Brooklyn having come back from the center a few minutes ago.

"Sure, Gyarados, Ice Beam!" Misty called, Gyarados roaring as he charged up an orb of blue energy in his maw, firing a trio of crackling beams a second later.

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt! Charizard, Wing Attack!" I shouted in response, Pikachu using his electricity to block the icy rays as Charizard swooped in, his wings glowing white as he dove into the smoke cloud.

"Use Fire Spin and trap Pikachu!" Brooklyn called, Braixen calling out as she pointed her stick at the ground, an orange circle appearing around Pikachu before three columns of spiralling flames shot up and surrounded Pikachu, the mouse gritting his teeth as the flames singed his fur. 'Now Hidden Power, then Scratch!" Brooklyn shouted as Braixen put her hands together and formed a light blue ball of energy between them, the ball firing out towards Pikachu and knocking him out of the Fire Spin with a cry, righting himself in time to spin around and counter Braixen's Scratch with Iron Tail, the two moves creating sparks as the two Pokémon bounced away from each other. Meanwhile, Charizard burst out of the cloud with his wings spread out and then spun to the left, his wing slamming into Gyarados, who roared in pain and brought his head back in time to open his mouth wide and clamp down on Charizard's other wing with his glowing teeth, Charizard grunting as he aimed his head towards Gyarados and shot a stream of flames at his head, making the water type let out a horrible screech as he let go and Charizard flew back, landing beside Pikachu.

"Alright. Mind if we have a one vs one? I think Oddish is on the verge of a new move and we need one last push to get it." Brooklyn explained as she recalled Braixen and clasped Oddish's Pokéball in her other hand.

"You're on. I've been meaning to give Bulbasaur a bit more training anyways." I said, recalling Charizard as Pikachu scurried up to my shoulder and Misty moved over to the side, having recalled Gyarados as well. "Bulbasaur, come on out!" I shouted, tossing my Pokéball forward as Brooklyn tossed hers up, both devices snapping open and revealing Bulbasaur and Oddish in a stream of light, the two grass types staring each other down. "Alright, Razor Leaf!" I shouted, Bulbasaur shouting as she angled herself so her bulb pointed at Oddish and she fired a cloud of glowing green leaves that skimmed the ground, kicking up dust as they did, Oddish fixing them with a glare.

"Dodge and use Bullet Seed!" Brooklyn called, Oddish twirling as the Razor Leaf shot past him before he puffed his cheeks and fired a volley of glowing green seeds surrounded by a green aura at Bulbasaur, who tensed as she heard my voice.

"Use Vine Whip to get rid of those seeds, then Tackle!" I shouted, Bulbasaur letting her vine out before whipping them back and forth, knocking the seeds out of the air before rushing forwards as her vines withdrew once the seed barrage ended.

"Grass Knot!" Brooklyn shouted, Oddish's eyes lighting up green as two glowing blades of grass shot out of the ground and tied into a knot, threatening to trip Bulbasaur.

"Not gonna happen! Use Razor Leaf and cut those blades!" I shouted, Bulbasaur shouting as a cloud of glowing leaves shot out her bulb and sliced through the blades easily, allowing Bulbasaur to run past and slam into Oddish, the smaller grass type skidding back. "Now use Sludge!" I shouted, Bulbasaur firing a light purple glob from her bulb towards Oddish as he recovered.

"Use Acid to counter!" Brooklyn shouted as Oddish took a deep breath in and then spat a corrosive looking purple liquid towards the Sludge, the stream overtaking the glob and heading for Bulbasaur.

"Use Vine Whip to jump, then Solar Beam!" I shouted, Bulbasaur letting out her vines again and slapping them against the ground, using the impact to launch into the air and avoid the Acid, the liquid making the ground sizzle as Bulbasaur aimed her bulb towards the sun, absorbing light particles into it as she reached the apex of her launch.

"It may be sunny out, but a Solar Beam still takes a few seconds to charge up and that's all we need. Oddish, Petal Blizzard let's go!" Brooklyn called, Oddish calling out loudly as he formed a spiralling twister of pink petals and wind around his body, the petals twisting around so they were aimed at Bulbasaur, throwing the saurian further into the air with a pained cry, though also inadvertently helping her Solar Beam charge up faster, the white beam of solar energy ripping through the air towards Oddish. Oddish looked up at the powerful attack in alarm before adrenaline rushed through him and his head leaves glowed white, a ball of energy appearing at the base and firing a thin Solar Beam much to our astonishment. However, Oddish didn't seem to have Solar Beam mastered as Bulbasaur's easily sliced through, slamming into Oddish and throwing him into the air where he landed heavily, not unconscious but certainly dazed.

"Well done Oddish, you held your own and even learned Solar Beam." Brooklyn said as she held Oddish in her arms, the grass type munching on an oran berry to help with his pain. "And don't worry. We'll work on mastering it together." Brooklyn said with a final squeeze, recalling Oddish into his Pokéball after he finished with the berry.

"Great work Bulbasaur. Take a rest." I said as I patted Bulbasaur on the bulb, recalling her once she finished checking herself for any substantial injuries, finding none except a few cuts from the Petal Blizzard. "Guess Oddish is getting stronger and stronger huh?" I said, coming over and shaking Brooklyn's hand as a sign of sportsmanship.

"Yeah, maybe he'll even evolve soon." Brooklyn said, placing Oddish's Pokéball back on her belt as an explosion came from the clearing past the trees and a voice called out. "What in the world?" Brooklyn cried, the blast making her stumble slightly.

"Someone might need help. Let's go!" I shouted, taking off towards the smoke as Misty and Brooklyn followed, sighing as they pulled a Pokéball off their belts. When we got to the clearing we saw a teenager about 5 and half feet tall with dark red hair, blue eyes and a slim body standing between a Zubat and a Pikachu with a heart shape at the end of its tail. The teen wore a red T-shirt with a black collar and a grey open short sleeved button up shirt over it. He also wore black jeans with a red band around the ankles, black, sturdy looking shoes on his feet. When he saw us burst into the clearing, he put up a hand, making Pikachu and Zubat stop and he then recalled them into Pokéballs.

"So, it was just that guy training?" I said, seeing the Pokémon disappear in a flash of red light. "And what was up with that Pikachu's tail?" I asked, looking to Misty.

"It means that Pikachu was female instead of male like yours." The older girl replied as the teen came over.

"Hello. My name is Adam Weston." The teen said in a soft voice. "Why did you burst into my training session?" He asked, not sounding mad about it.

"Sorry. We heard the explosion and thought someone might be in trouble." I said as Pikachu called out in agreement.

"Is that your Pikachu." Adam asked, pointing at the electric type sat on my shoulder. "He looks to be quite strong." Adam said, petting Pikachu under his chin, making the mouse squeak at the contact.

"Guess your Pikachu helps you know where to pet mine huh?" I asked, Adam nodding as he looked to the five Pokéballs on his belt.

"Yeah. Chupi and the others helped me get this far, so I'll help them in return by knowing all I can." Adam said as he palmed his Pokéballs, smiling as he felt them wiggle under his hand. "So, if it's not too much trouble I'd like to challenge the three of you to separate one vs one battles. I'd like for my team and I to get stronger together so we can meet new Pokémon and study them." Adam explained, walking away slightly as the three of us looked at each other.

"Alright Adam, we'll take you up on your challenge." I said as I moved to the referee spot and Misty moved to stand opposite Adam. "This will be a one vs one battle between Misty Waterflower and Adam Weston. There is no time limit and the battle will be over when one Pokémon is unable to continue battling." I said as Misty and Adam both prepared a Pokéball.

"Staryu, help me out!" Misty called, her starter appearing and flexing its arms as Adam looked at the starfish with a calculating gaze.

"Ninetales, please assist me!" He called, letting out a fox-like quadruped Pokémon covered in golden-white fur. It had a small mane of thicker fur around its neck and a long fluffy crest on its head. It had slender legs with three-toed paws and nine, long tails with orange tips. It had red eyes, pointed ears and a triangular black nose.

"Ninetales, the fox Pokémon and the evolved form of Vulpix. With its nine tails and thick golden coat, Ninetales is said to live for a thousand years." The Pokédex chimed as Ninetales gave an elegant cry and stretched, as if waking up from a nap, staring down Staryu with curiosity.

"Battle, begin!" I shouted as Ninetales stood up and held a royal air around her.

"Use Water Gun!" Misty called, Staryu immediately firing a jet of water from his top appendage towards Ninetales.

"Use Flamethrower, then Quick Attack!" Adam shouted as Ninetales swung her head around, flames bursting from her mouth and colliding with the Water Gun, creating a cloud of steam that concealed Ninetales as she shot forwards, a blue aura surrounding her as white energy trailed behind. When Ninetales got close she leapt out of the cloud and slammed into Staryu, making the water type skid back as he grunted.

"Use Power Gem!" Misty shouted, throwing her arm forward, Staryu's gem flashing a brighter red before unleashing a powerful beam of red energy at Ninetales, who calmly split into several copies at her trainers call and stood all over the field, Staryu looking around wildly for the real Ninetales.

"Now use another Quick Attack, followed by Hidden Power." Adam said, as calm as Ninetales as she and all her doubles shot forward, the same blue aura around all of them as they slammed into Staryu, disappearing upon contact until Staryu skidded back from a hit via the Ninetales in front of him, the fox charging up green orbs of energy at the tips of her tails, the orbs launching out towards the recovering Staryu and exploding as they hit all around him, creating a cloud of dust.

"Use Rapid Spin!" Misty shouted as Staryu recovered and shook its body, flipping to be horizontal with the ground and began spinning like a frisbee towards Ninetales, who tensed as she heard her trainer call for a Flame Charge, the orange fire blazing around her body as she leapt forward and clashed with Staryu, both sides skidding back from the collision.

"Use Hidden Power again!" Adam commanded, Ninetales forming the balls of green energy on her tails again, firing the cluster towards Staryu.

"Not this time, Bubble Beam let's go!" Misty shouted as Staryu aimed its top appendage towards the Hidden Power balls, shooting a barrage of blue bubbles from its limb that collided in the middle of the field and left a smoke cloud hanging around the air. "Now Ice Beam, freeze Ninetales to the ground!" Misty continued as Staryu formed a light blue orb on its top limb, firing a trio of crackling beams from it towards Ninetales.

"Counter with Flamethrower!" Adam called, still using a relatively soft voice considering he was battling. Ninetales responded by shooting another stream of flames out her mouth, colliding with the Ice Beam and pushing through after a brief struggle, mist hanging over the middle of the field.

"Use a Water Gun and Rapid Spin combo!" Misty called, pointing forwards as Staryu spun level to the ground again, this time shooting water out its top appendage, creating a spiral of water that cut through the Flamethrower with little effort, dousing Ninetales and distracting her for long enough to allow Staryu to smash into her with Rapid Spin, making her skid back from the impact as Staryu landed, flexing happily at landing a hit. "Straight into Power Gem!" Misty shouted, feeling more confident now that Ninetales had taken damage. Staryu, sensing and sharing that courage, shot another blast of red energy towards the fox, who looked startled for the first time in the match before Adam spoke up.

"Use Double Team." Adam said calmly as Ninetales howled, splitting into several copies and letting the Power Gen hit one, the double vanishing as it was struck. "Follow up with Flamethrower!" Adam shouted, throwing an arm to the side as all the Ninetales swung their heads around, shooting a stream of flames each that converged on Staryu and slammed into it, a large cloud of smoke rising from Staryu as Ninetales waited patiently, letting the water type reveal itself. "Use Confuse Ray!" Adam shouted as Staryu was stood hunched over, only straightening as Ninetales formed yellow orbs on her tails, launching the cluster towards Staryu and smirking as they circled around it, bursting into particles as they converged on the starfish and it stumbled around, its core brightening and dulling as it tried to reorient itself.

"Come on Staryu snap out of it! Use Water Pulse!" Misty called to her trusty friend but to no avail as the starfish kept stumbling aimlessly.

"Let's wrap this up with Solar Beam!" Adam called, a sense of finality in his voice. Ninetales called out as she absorbed sunlight making her tails glow white and she formed an orb of white energy in front of her and fired a beam of energy from it, streaking across the field and exploding upon contact with Staryu, revealing the water type after a few seconds to be unconscious with its core blinking and smoke rising off its form.

"Staryu is unable to battle, Ninetales wins. So the victory goes to Adam." I said as Misty recalled Staryu, praising it as she placed the ball back in her side bag while Adam congratulated Ninetales and gave her an Oran Berry to eat before recalling her.

"Well fought Misty. I was worried when that Water Gun and Rapid Spin combination hit Ninetales." Adam said as he clipped the Pokémon's ball to his belt.

"Yeah. But Ninetales barely even reacted." Misty pouted as she moved off the field to stand where Brooklyn was as the blonde took her spot facing Adam.

"Don't worry about that. Ninetales has been a proud creature ever since I caught her. She took more damage than she let on." Adam explained. "Now who will you be using Brooklyn?" Adam asked, Brooklyn having pulled a Pokéball off her belt and held it up.

"I'll be using my starter, who evolved just today. Braixen, come on out!" Brooklyn called, tossing up the Pokéball and releasing Braixen from her Pokéball, the bipedal fox brandishing her stick as the end ignited.

"A Braixen. I didn't think I'd see one in Kanto." Adam observed as he took in the sight of Braixen. "In that case I shall respond with my own newly evolved Pokémon." Adam said, pulling out a Pokéball and tossing it upwards.

"Alakazam, please assist me!" He called as the stream of light flew out the Pokéball towards the ground and burst out to reveal a humanoid Pokémon with a large moustache. It had a long, thin snout, narrow eyes, ear-like spikes extending from the top of its head, and an additional spike protruding from each cheek. Covering its yellow, skeletal body were brown armour-like sections over its chest, shoulders, forearms and knees. There were three toes on each foot, each of which had a white claw. Two of the toes faced forward, while one faced backwards. It wielded a silver spoon in each hand, the air around it distorting as it hovered slightly above the ground before standing up straight.

"Alakazam, the Psi Pokémon and the evolved form of Abra. With an IQ of 5000,Alakazam can remember anything that has ever happened to it." Brooklyn's Pokédex chimed as I raised my arms again.

"This will be a one vs one battle between Adam Weston and Brooklyn Hennessey. The battle will be over when one sides Pokémon is unable to continue. Battle, begin!" I called, throwing my arms down as the two opposing trainers tensed up.

"Use Hidden Power!" Brooklyn called immediately, taking an offensive approach seeing how misty was overpowered. Braixen complied with her trainer, forming a ball of light blue energy between her paws and then launching it towards Alakazam.

"Use Teleport, then Psycho Cut!" Adam called as Alakazam disappeared in a flash of blue light and appeared as the Hidden Power crashed into where he previously was, his spoons glowing purple as he crossed his arms, thrusting them outwards to send a crescent of purple energy towards Braixen.

"Use Flamethrower and counter!" Brooklyn shouted as Braixen whipped her branch out of her tail, igniting it and sending a stream of flames towards the Psycho Cut, both moves exploding in a shower of embers. "Now Scratch!" Braixen howled as she raced forward, one arm held forward.

"Use Confusion, then Future Sight!" Adam shouted as Braixen closed in, only to be stopped as Alakazam's eyes glowed purple and an aura of the same colour surrounded Braixen's body, pushing her back after a second, the fox skidding along the ground while Alakazam's eyes changed to glow blue, fading after a second and the psychic type smirked. "Now Drain Punch!" Adam called, Alakazam hovering towards Braixen as his fist lit up green and he wound it back, ready to strike.

"Use Psychic and throw him off course!" Brooklyn shouted as Alakazam approached, slowing down as a blue aura surrounded him and diverting his path so he was aimed to soar past Braixen. "Now Scratch!" Braixen slashed her paw across Alakazam's torso as he shot past, leaving a white trail of energy and making the psychic type wince as he landed on his feet and faced off against Brooklyn.

"Trap Alakazam with Fire Spin!" Brooklyn called as Alakazam readied his spoons. Braixen shouted as she pointed her stick at the ground, an orange circle appearing around Alakazam before three columns of spiralling flames shot up and surrounded him, Alakazam wincing as the flames burned his skin.

"Use Confusion and break free." Adam said simply, Alakazam's eyes lighting up purple before the Fire Spin exploded in a shower of embers.

"That wasn't all. Hidden Power!" Brooklyn called, Braixen thrusting the ball of light blue energy towards Alakazam, hitting him before he could react. "Now Scratch!" Braixen rushed forward as Alakazam recovered, her paw wound back.

"Counter with Focus Punch!" Adam shouted as Braixen approached. Alakazam shot forward and wound his fist back, a light blue glow surrounding it as he punched forward, overpowering Braixen and sending her tumbling back. "Now Psycho Cut!" Adam shouted as Braixen pulled herself up. Alakazam complied with his trainer, firing a purple crescent of energy towards Braixen, who rushed forward at Brooklyn's command and slid under the crescent, flames building up around her as she leapt to her feet, rushing towards Alakazam with a determined look on her face.

"Use Teleport, then Focus Punch!" Adam called, Alakazam vanishing in a flash of blue light before reappearing as his fist was glowing blue again and slammed it into Braixen's side, throwing the fox back with a cry of pain.

"Flamethrower!" Brooklyn called as Braixen stood, the fox whipping out her branch as the end lit up with flames before a flash of light came from the sky and a beam of white light slammed down on Braixen, making her cry out in pain. "Braixen!" Brooklyn called out in worry as the light faded and Braixen was hunched over, her branch next to her and Adam smirked.

"Now's our chance. Use Hyper Beam!" Adam called, pointing at Braixen as Alakazam crossed his spoons in front of his head, an orange orb charging up at the focal point and firing towards Braixen as a beam of pure energy, Braixen only able to widen her eyes before the beam hit, exploding in a cloud of smoke.

"Braixen are you alright?" Brooklyn called as the smoke began clearing to show Braixen lying on the ground with swirls in her eyes, showing her unconsciousness.

"Braixen is unable to battle, Alakazam wins so Adam gets the victory." I announced as Brooklyn recalled Braixen, smiling at the Pokéball despite the loss.

"Good work Alakazam, get some rest." Adam said as he recalled Alakazam and put the Pokéball on his belt. "So, you're my last challenge then?" Adam asked as he plucked a Pokéball from his belt and held it as Brooklyn and I swapped places.

"Yeah. Though don't be surprised if I go down harder than the girls." I said confidently, Pikachu cheering from my shoulder. "Pikachu, I choose you!" I shouted, extending my arm so Pikachu could run down it, jumping off my hand to land on the field, cheeks sparking as Adam took in the mouse.

"Very well. Let's get started then." Adam said as Brooklyn ran through the rules, another one vs one and Adam wound his arm back. "Bellsprout, come on out!" Adam called, throwing his Pokéball upwards to release a Bellsprout, much to our surprise.

'He wouldn't have saved Bellsprout if he didn't think it could win, despite not being evolved like his other two.' I thought as I looked at the grass type waving back and forth slightly opposite Pikachu. "Watch out for any tricks buddy. Don't let your guard down because it isn't evolved." I said, Pikachu calling back in agreement as Brooklyn threw her arms down, signifying the start of the battle.

"Use Vine Whip!" Adam started, Bellsprout unleashing two thin, green vines from her body that whipped out towards Pikachu.

"Use Quick Attack and hit 'em hard!" I called, throwing an arm forward as Pikachu nodded, shooting forward as his body was enveloped in a blue outline and white energy trailed behind him, leaping past the vines as they came down to try and spike him into the ground, slamming into Bellsprout and forcing the grad type to skid back, face scrunched up as she stopped and glared at Pikachu.

"Impressive speed. You must've spent a long time with Pikachu." Adam noted as Pikachu darted back to my side of the field.

"Yeah. We've been together since my first day as a trainer. And we've got the power to show for it as well." I said, Pikachu picking up my meaning as his cheeks began to spark. "Use Thunderbolt!" I shouted, Pikachu leaping into the air and twirling as yellow electricity built up around his body and fired towards Bellsprout as a bolt of searing yellow lightning.

"Dig in your feet!" Adam shouted as the bolt got closer, Bellsprout jumping before slamming her feet into the ground, leaving her stuck as the bolt struck and dissipated, leaving Bellsprout standing and looking relatively unharmed. "We learned how to dispel electric type moves ages ago. Bellsprout was resilient when I caught her but now she practically wears a mask during battles." Adam explained as Bellsprout straightened up. "Now Razor Leaf!" Bellsprout twisted her body back and forth so her leaves swayed as they glowed green, sending a stream of glowing green arrow-shaped leaves towards Pikachu as he landed, already tensing back up again.

"Use Electro Ball, then Iron Tail!" I shouted as Pikachu leapt forward, a ball of yellow electricity forming on his tail and twirling to fling it at the incoming leaves and destroying them in an explosion, Pikachu coming down out the smoke and landing in front of Bellsprout, his tail glowing as he swiped upwards and into Bellsprout's chin, ripping her out of the ground and into the air. "Now Thunderbolt, while she's in the air!" I called to Pikachu as he charged up more electricity around his body, firing another searing bolt towards Bellsprout, the grass type squirming in pain as the lightning flowed over her body, stopping and letting her fall to the ground, smoking but still conscious as she regained her mobility and maneuvered to fall towards Pikachu.

"Use Slam, then Poison Jab!" Adam called as Bellsprout fell, aiming to axe kick Pikachu as she angled her fall.

"Dodge those and use Iron Tail when you get the chance!" I commanded, Pikachu looking up and jumping back from Bellsprout's kick, weaving back on his hind legs as Bellsprout kept the pressure up and advanced on him, thrusting her glowing purple hand leaves at him consistently. As Bellsprout swung again Pikachu saw his chance and swung his body around, his tail glowing white as the two struck each other, both skidding back and wincing, though Pikachu took the worst of it as a purple strip appeared between his eyes and purple bubbles rose from his body as he fell to one knee, panting as beads of sweat fell from his forehead.

"Let's keep up the pressure with Venoshock." Adam said, Bellsprout rising again as she shot dark purple globs of poison from her mouth towards Pikachu.

"Ross, don't let that move hit! It does a lot of damage when the target is poisoned!" Misty called out as Pikachu grimaced again from the poison, purple bubbles leaving his body.

"Right. Pikachu, Quick Attack!" I shouted, pointing forwards as Pikachu darted towards Bellsprout, a blue aura surrounding him as white energy trailed behind him, dashing past all the Venoshock globs as they exploded on the ground and slamming into Bellsprout and causing her to sail back a few feet, landing on the ground in front of Adam. "And straight into Thunderbolt!" Pikachu leapt into the air after jumping back from Bellsprout, electrocuting the grass type again, albeit weaker than normal due to the poison taking its toll.

"Use Giga Drain!" Adam shouted, aiming to end the battle. Bellsprout called to the heavens as tendrils of green energy cane out her leaves, arching out and curving towards Pikachu, ensnaring him in an aura of green energy, his body glowing red as he cried in pain, purple bubbles rising from his body as the poison kept affecting him. As Pikachu looked to be on the verge of passing out, he called out loudly as his cheeks sparked, unleashing several bolts of electrical energy that arched out and all converged on Bellsprout, the grass type calling out from the attack as the glow from Giga Drain faded.

"What move was that?" I asked as Pikachu regained his balance, still hurt but looking better now that the Giga Drain was gone.

"Looked like Discharge to me." Misty said as Bellsprout stood up as well, sparks travelling over her body.

"Let's end this Bellsprout, use Venoshock, and add in a Razor Leaf for good measure!" Adam called with a sense of finality. Bellsprout shot more purple globs of poison from her mouth as her leaves glowed green and multiple arrow-shaped green leaves shot out and circled the Venoshock.

"Quick, use Counterbolt!" I shouted, Pikachu nodding as he dropped to the ground and began back spinning, his cheeks sparking as he let loose a Thunderbolt, the electricity coming out in several arcs as the combo from Bellsprout got closer, the tendrils of lightning colliding with the two moves and causing them to explode, an arc of electricity making its way to Bellsprout and shocking her thoroughly, leaving her unable to respond to Adam's command for Bullet Seed. "Now finish up with Electro Ball!" I shouted, happy to end the battle and tend to Pikachu. Pikachu leapt into the air, also happy to end this and get rid of the poison, a ball of electricity forming at the end of his tail, launching out towards Bellsprout with a flick, enveloping the grass type in an explosion as Pikachu landed, taking one last round of poison damage.

"Bellsprout is unable to battle, Pikachu wins. Therefore, the victory goes to Ross!" Brooklyn called as Pikachu fell to one knee, the poison still chipping away at him until a cold spray hit his body and he felt the poison being purged from his system, an oran berry held in front of him as I picked him up, smiling fondly as the mouse nibbled on the berry, chattering happily as his strength came back.

"That was a good battle Ross. I wasn't expecting you to use that last Thunderbolt as a defensive attack, or for Pikachu to learn Discharge." Adam said as Pikachu finished the berry, sleepily acknowledging Adam's praise as he nuzzles into my arms.

"Thanks. Do you want to come to the Pokémon center with us? Pikachu and the others could use some TLC." I said as Brooklyn and Misty came over to my side, Misty handing me my bag which I slung over my shoulder, using one arm to keep Pikachu held up.

"Sure. My Pokémon need some rest as well." Adam said as he picked up a black rucksack and swung it over his shoulder, following us to the Pokémon Center.


Friday 29th July 2007. Fuchsia City. 9:30am

"So, what is it you're travelling for?" I asked as the four of us sat at a booth in the cafeteria, cups of tea in front of us as we waited for our Pokémon to be healed, a few other tables occupied by trainers, some alone and some in pairs or groups.

"I'm travelling mostly to see Kanto and discover new things." Adam said as he took a sip of tea. "See my brother is a research named Bill Montgomery, our mother remarried before I was born, studying foreign Pokémon and how they adapt to Kanto's climate and environment. So I offered to help him by travelling and attempting to find Pokémon from other regions and catch them, so Bill can study them. In exchange he looks after my Pokémon for me whenever I go over my limit." Adam explained as he swirled his tea around his cup.

"Sounds like fun. Though I'm guessing it hasn't gone too well so far." I said in a careful tone, having only seen Pokémon from Kanto in Adam's roster so far.

"Unfortunately, no. But I'm planning to go to the Safari Zone tomorrow since Bill told me there'd be some Pokémon not from Kanto around there. And after that there's a water type tournament in three days. So hopefully there'll be some foreign Pokémon used in that." Adam said, catching our attention.

"A water tournament?" Misty asked, Adam responding with a nod. "That's great. I can get my second medal now." Misty exclaimed as she nearly knocked over her tea in her excitement.

"In that case would you mind if I stuck around with you until you left Fuchsia? It would be beneficial to train with people who are entering several events in the Kanto region." Adam asked as I took a drink, thinking to myself.

"How about you come with us around Kanto?" I asked, stunning the three sitting at the booth with me. "It'd make sense. You want to learn from us, and we could try and help you find foreign Pokémon while we travel." I explained, Misty and Brooklyn nodding as they saw my logic.

"Hmm. Very well then, but I'll at least try to help you along your journey." Adam said as he finished his tea. "So, shall we meet here tomorrow for breakfast and then go to the Safari Zone? It would benefit you three to try and find some new team members while here." Adam said as the three of us contemplated the benefits and nodded, excited to try and find some new friends.

"Alright then, it's decided. We go to the Safari Zone, and then help Misty train for the water tournament." I said as Adam began telling us what to expect in the Safari Zone.


Important Events

Fennekin evolves into Braixen and learns Fire Spin

Gyarados is revealed to have learned Ice Beam and Crunch

Oddish begins to learn Solar Beam

The group meets Adam, an aspiring Pokémon researcher

Misty and Brooklyn battle Adam and lose

Ross battles Adam and wins

Pikachu learns Discharge

Adam joins the group in order to conduct his research easier

Misty learns of a water tournament held in Fuchsia in three days


Next Chapter: Safari Expeditions!

As the group enter the Safari Zone to catch new Pokémon, they quickly get split up by a herd of Tauros, each ending up in different zones. While trying to meet back up, they all encounter Pokémon that engage them in battles. Can they catch these new Pokémon, or will they leave the Safari empty handed?


Teams

Ross:Pikachu(m)(Static).Thunderbolt, Agility, Quick Attack, Electro Ball, Iron Tail*, Discharge*

Charizard(m)(Blaze).Flamethrower, Seismic Toss, Fire Fang, Dragon Rage, Inferno*, Slash*, Wing Attack*

Snorlax(m)(Immunity).Tackle, Focus Blast, Thunder, Ice Punch, Hyper Beam*

Hitmonchan(m)(Iron Fist).Comet Punch, Sky Uppercut, Vacuum Wave, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch*, Detect*

Dragonair(f)(Shed Skin).Flamethrower, Draco Meteor[Unmastered],Thunderbolt, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Tail*,Twister*, Dragon Rush*

Krabby(m)(Hyper Cutter).Ice Beam, Vice Grip, X-Scissor, Water Gun, Bubble*,Crabhammer*

In Lab: Rauro(m)(Flash Fire).Bite, Flamethrower, Flame Charge, Aerial Ace, Overheat*,Fire Fang[unmastered]*

Lapras(f)(Water Absorb).Water Gun, Ice Beam, Echoed Voice, Psychic, Ice Shard*, Avalanche*

Pidgeotto(f)(Keen Eye).Steel Wing, Quick Attack, Gust, Aerial Ace, Heat Wave*,Air Slash*

Bulbasaur(f)(Overgrow).Tackle, Sludge, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Solar Beam*,Energy Ball*

Eevee(f)(Adaptability).Quick Attack, Shadow Ball, Last Resort, Swift, Double Team*,Iron Tail*

Primeape(m)(Anger Point).Overheat, Brick Break, Rock Slide, Thunder Punch, Mega Kick*,Focus Energy*

Brooklyn: Braixen(f)(Blaze).Scratch, Fire Spin, Flamethrower, Hidden Power[Flying], Flame Charge*, Psychic*

Spearow(m)(Keen Eye).Steel Wing, Peck, Mirror Move, Razor Wind, Sky Attack*,Double Team*

Eevee(m)(Anticipation).Tackle, Quick Attack, Protect, Hidden Power[Steel], Attract*, Round*, Bite*

Oddish(m)(Chlorophyll).Bullet Seed, Stun Spore, Solar Beam[Unmastered], Petal Blizzard, Acid*, Mega Drain*

Omanyte(m)(Shell Armour).Water Gun, Protect, Mud Shot, Ancient Power, Constrict*, Tickle*

Nidorina(f)(Rivalry).Poison Sting, Bite, Fury Swipes, Ice Beam, Double Kick*,Poison Tail*

In Lab:Beedrill(m)(Swarm).Agility, Pin Missile, Poison Sting, Poison Jab, Focus Energy*,Protect*

Poliwhirl(m)(Swift Swim).Ice Beam, Water Gun, Mud Shot, Water Pulse, Mega Punch*,Secret Power*

Kadabra(m)(Inner Focus).Teleport, Hidden Power, Fire Punch, Shadow Ball, Psybeam*, Confusion*

Venonat(m)(Compound Eyes).Tackle, Stun Spore, Leech Life, Confusion, Struggle Bug*,Psybeam*

Chansey(f)(Natural Cure).Metronome, Strength, Dynamic Punch, Shock Wave, Soft-Boiled*, Egg Bomb*

Misty:Staryu(N/A)(Analytic).Rapid Spin, Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Water Pulse, Power Gem*, Ice Beam*, Double Edge*

Seadra(m)(Sniper).Double Edge, Agility, Brine, Bubble Beam, Icy Wind*, Dragon Pulse*

Gyarados(m)(Swift Swim).Tackle, Dragon Rage, Crunch, Water Pulse, Ice Beam*, Twister*

Goldeen(f)(Lightning Rod).Horn Attack, Peck Water Gun, Agility, Horn Drill*, Water Pulse*

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[Normal], Water Gun, Confusion, Protect*,Icy Wind*

Kabuto(f)(Battle Armour).Aqua Jet, Harden, Water Gun, Absorb, Scratch*, Rock Throw*

Adam: Pikachu(f)(Static).Quick Attack, Slam, Thunderbolt, Nuzzle, Sweet Kiss*, Double Team*

Zubat(m)(Inner Focus).Gust, Wing Attack, Supersonic, Mega Drain, Air Cutter*, Poison Fang*

Bellsprout(f)(Chlorophyll).Vine Whip, Bullet Seed, Giga Drain, Slam, Razor Leaf*, Venoshock*, Poison Jab*

Ninetales(f)(Flash Fire).Flamethrower, Solar Beam, Hidden Power, Confuse Ray, Double Team*, Quick Attack*, Flame Charge*

Alakazam(m)(Synchronize).Confusion, Teleport, Psycho Cut, Future Sight, Focus Punch*, Shock Wave*, Hyper Beam*