I do not own Pokémon. Credit goes to Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak.
Also, credit goes to Laurleen aka Emi-Xstitch on DeviantArt for co-writing the first four chapters and then RubyDaSquirlz on DeviantArt for the successor chapters starting at chapter 5.
Red, Leaf and Gary returned to the reception hall to rest for an hour. Leaf held her Sandshrew as he cuddled in her lap, Bulbasaur relaxed next to Gary while he munched on a Lava Cookie. Red held a water bottle in his hand while his Charmander and Pikachu chattered among each other. Mewtwo knelt by the girl's side and with a Potion in his hand, he tended to her scraped knees.
"Well, this is tricky," Gary muttered to himself.
Red tilted his head sideways.
"What is?" Red paused, "the triple battle?"
Gary chuckled with a shrug. Mewtwo tried his best to handle the girl's legs gently, examining her for any other injuries.
"I hope I'm not hurting you further," Mewtwo spoke into her head, "are you injured anywhere else?"
Mewtwo glanced to the side and double-checked the course to identify the surface Leaf landed on rather badly.
"I'll be fine," Leaf insisted, "it's nothing compared to that incident on Route Three."
"True," Mewtwo agreed, "but I'd like to keep you as healthy as I can. I promised to look after you and I wish to uphold that."
He thought back to his reaction and seemed surprised at himself for wanting to fly straight to her side and deal with her injuries there and then, before they possibly got infected. By the time he finished applying the Potion, Mewtwo carefully bandaged her knees. Leaf tilted her head towards Gary.
"You guys have any ideas on…how to make a triple battle work?" she asked.
Red sighed before he took another sip of water.
"Well, your Sandshrew has a better advantage than the rest of us," Red reminded.
Mewtwo subtly moved the potion bottle to his bag, only using telekinesis when it was under the cloak as he listened to the conversation.
"Whatever three Pokémon he has," Gary replied, gesturing to the brunette trainer, "I'm sure they'd have a team based strategy. For our triple team strategy, I guess we can leave that to Leaf here."
Leaf blinked twice as she swung her legs back and forth.
"Ok, thanks!" Leaf chirped.
The silence broke when the referee stepped into the lobby before he shifted his gaze towards the three trainers.
"The stadium is ready," he announced, "you coming?"
They snapped out of their thoughts and stood back to their feet.
"We're on our way," Red told him.
The referee nodded before he stepped back through the door. Just then, Squirtle popped out of his Poké Ball before he waved his paw at Leaf with a happy chirp. After Mewtwo gathered their bags, Red, Leaf and Gary stepped through the sliding door and made their way to the stadium court with Sandshrew, Charmander and Bulbasaur following close behind. Mewtwo settled into the bleachers while Pikachu and Squirtle sat down next to him on both sides. Lt. Surge stood upright with his arms folded on one platform overlooking the arena while the three trainers stepped onto the opposing platform.
"Well, we took the time we needed and we're ready," Gary called out, "you?"
Lt. Surge nodded with a grin before he reached for his utility belt and sent out his Voltorb, Magnemite and Raichu out onto the arena. Leaf clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her head downwards while she swung one leg back and forth.
"You kids got brass nerves to take me on with your puny power," Lt. Surge said, "let me warn you a Pokémon battle is war! I'll show you civilians while I shock you three into surrender!"
Just then, a referee approached the railing from the bleachers with a pair of flags in his hands.
"The battle between the Vermilion Gym Leader, Lt. Surge," the referee announced, "and the challengers Leaf, Red and Gary from Pallet Town will begin shortly! Today, this challenge will be a triple battle! The Gym Leader may send out his three Pokémon while each of the challengers may send out only one Pokémon. Is everyone ready?"
"I choose Charmander!" Red declared.
Charmander charged onto the arena and took the middle space.
"Char!"
"Of course," Leaf muttered to herself, "Magnemite is part steel."
Leaf tilted her head towards her Sandshrew and nodded at him, encouraging the shrew to jump into the arena.
"Sand!"
Gary extended his arm, pointing at Lt. Surge.
"And I choose Bulbasaur!" he added.
Bulbasaur jumped into the arena.
"Bulba!"
Leaf, Red and Gary took a battle stance in unison while Sandshrew scratched at the ground with his front paws. The referee raised two flags in the air.
"Let the battle begin!"
Lt. Surge nodded at Voltorb, prompting it to roll forward.
"Bulbasaur," Gary ordered, "use Vine Whip!"
Bulbasaur brought out his vines and started flailing them at Voltorb while Charmander stared down the Magnemite.
"Charmander," Red instructed, "Fire Fang!"
"Char!"
Charmander charged after the Magnemite as his teeth started to ignite in flames.
"Voltorb, use Thunderbolt!" Lt. Surge pointed his finger forth, "Magnemite, use Sonic Boom!"
While electric sparks enveloped Voltorb, Magnemite's arms started glowing. The magnet Pokémon unleashed crescent-like shockwaves at Charmander, which knocked him back briefly. The fire lizard quickly jumped to his feet before he continued charging at Magnemite. Bulbasaur slammed one of his vines onto Voltorb, but a split second later, the electric sphere discharged its electric charge, zapping Bulbasaur through the vine. While Bulbasaur recoiled, Charmander pounced onto Magmemite and bit down hard, the scorching flames emitting from its teeth burning the magnet Pokémon. Moments later, the Magnemite reeled back just as Charmander released his grip. All the while, Sandshrew and Raichu exchanged glances. Raichu crouched down and scratched on the ground with its front claws while it sparked its cheeks.
"Sandshrew," Leaf commanded, "Dig!"
Sandshrew didn't hesitate as he quickly dug into the ground. Raichu stared in disbelief before it dissipated the electric sparks dancing on its cheeks. The evolved electric mouse attempted to feel the ground with its feet. Without warning, Sandshrew popped out from the ground from behind.
"Raichu," Lt. Surge warned, "Double Kick!"
Before Sandshrew could charge at Raichu, the electric Pokémon spun around. It kicked the shrew hard in the gut, sending him crashing onto the floor. Leaf winced and fluttered her left hand nervously. While Sandshrew staggered back to his feet, Magnemite shook its body before returning its focus on Charmander.
"Magnemite, Thunderbolt!"
Sandshrew glanced over his shoulder and locked eyes onto Leaf. Electric sparks began to envelop Magnemite. Seconds later, the magnet Pokémon unleashed a powerful electric attack which struck Charmander. Seconds later, the electricity dissipated. The fire lizard staggered on his feet yet refused to collapse to the ground.
"Fire Fang again!" Red ordered.
Charmander charged at the Magnemite while his fangs ignited before biting down on the magnet Pokémon. It let out a screech until Charmander released it from its grip. Magnemite dropped to the ground.
"Magnemite is unable to battle," the referee announced, "Charmander wins the battle!"
Red grinned and winked at Gary and Leaf while Lt. Surge recalled his Magnemite. Pikachu chirped and waved his paw at his trainer while Charmander locked eyes onto Raichu. Voltorb rolled after Bulbasaur, only for the seed Pokémon to jump out of the way before it could collide into him.
"Bulbasaur, Take Down!" Gary instructed.
Bulbasaur scratched the ground with one paw for a brief second. After that, it charged towards the Voltorb.
"Voltorb, Self Destruct!" Lt. Surge commanded.
Bulbasaur rammed into Voltorb. Seconds later, the spherical Pokémon blew itself up, the sound of the explosion echoing across the stadium which forced Leaf to cover her ears as she winced. Once the dust dissipated, both Voltorb and Bulbasaur splayed on the ground.
"Voltorb and Bulbasaur are unable to battle," the referee raised both flags, "this round's a draw!"
Gary let out an exhausted sigh as he recalled his Bulbasaur.
"Take a good rest, bud," Gary murmured, "you did great."
Lt. Surge recalled his Voltorb as his eyes locked onto Raichu. Mewtwo stared at the Raichu intently and his muscles tensed while his tail curled slightly.
"Raichu, Thunderbolt!"
Raichu's cheeks emitted electric sparks while it glared at the Charmander. The fire lizard widened his stance and tensed up in anticipation of the incoming blow. Leaf scanned her surroundings nervously before returning her gaze to her Sandshrew, who simply gave her a reassuring nod.
"C-Careful, Sandshrew," Leaf whispered.
The instant Raichu unleashed its electric attack, Sandshrew leapt forward and landed in front of Charmander. Leaf, Mewtwo, Red and Gary stared in awe as Sandshrew took the electric attack without flinching.
"No way!" Red gasped.
"Char?"
"Pika?"
While the electric shockwave continued on, Lt. Surge stared in interest while Mewtwo couldn't help but give a soft smile. Squirtle happily jumped up and down as Sandshrew stood his ground. After the electric waves dissipated, Raichu bowed its head briefly while it gasped for air.
"Rai…"
Without warning, Sandshrew started glowing. Leaf stared in awe as his body grew a foot in size and his claws grew larger and sharper. The brick pattern on his hide began to fade and quills grew out from his back. Once the glow dissipated, the newly evolved Pokémon stood tall and triumphantly raised his front paws into the air.
"Slash!"
"Whoa!" Gary exclaimed.
Red pulled out his Pokédex and held it before Leaf's newly evolved Pokémon.
{Sandslash, the Mouse Pokémon and the evolved version of Sandshrew. It is adept at attacking with the quills on its back and its sharp claws while quickly scurrying about. It curls up into a spiny ball when threatened and can roll while curled up to attack or escape.}
Leaf smiled at her Sandslash while Lt. Surge raised an eyebrow.
"Impressive," Lt Surge commented, "but don't let that get your guard down, kid! Raichu, Double Kick!"
"Rai!"
Raichu started sprinting towards Sandslash.
"Curl up!" Leaf called.
Sandslash curled himself into a ball, his quills protruding outwards. Raichu leapt into the air and descended upon Sandslash, but when his foot made contact with a quill, the electric mouse let out a high pitched shriek and pulled backwards. Still, Leaf flinched and clapped her hands over her ears to block out the loud noise. Seconds after the cry dissipated, Leaf watched as Sandslash uncurled himself and made a battle stance.
"O-Ok," Leaf blurted, removing her hands from her ears, "use Magnitude!"
Sandslash raised his foot into the air while Charmander scrambled for cover. The newly evolved Pokémon stomped down onto the ground hard. Red and Gary shuddered nervously as the ground vibrated violently, causing the Raichu to flop onto its back, flailing its limbs rapidly. Once the vibrations dissipated several seconds later, the Gym Leader's ace Pokémon panted heavily in exhaustion. Lt. Surge stared intently for a brief moment as the Raichu struggled to get back up. Not a second later, Raichu flopped onto its back.
"Raichu is unable to battle," the referee announced, "Sandslash wins the battle! Victory goes to Red, Leaf and Gary from Pallet Town!"
Red, Leaf and Gary took a moment to catch their breaths in the aftermath of the battle. Still, their faces lit up as the boys exchanged glances, their smiles beaming with excitement.
"We did it," Red exclaimed, "we…actually did it!"
Lt. Surge didn't say much as he withdrew his Raichu into its Poké Ball. He reached into a pocket of his cargo pants and pulled out three identical badges before he approached the three trainers.
"Well," he commented, "that was a shocker. You kids are the real deal."
Leaf smiled while she swayed her torso side to side, not bothering to gaze into the Gym Leader's eyes. The three trainers held out their hands, allowing Lt. Surge to place each badge onto their palms.
"Here," Lt. Surge said, "I bestow each of you the Thunder Badge. But of course, that's not the only thing you'll be getting from me!"
Lt. Surge reached into his other pocket and handed each of the three trainers the TM labeled Thunderbolt.
"This TM right here should be stronger than Thundershock," Lt. Surge clarified.
"Thanks!" Gary chirped.
The misfit trainers stashed their badges into their badge cases and their new TMs into their TM cases. Leaf glanced over her shoulder and waved her hand at Mewtwo. Squirtle grinned and waved his paws.
"Squirtle! Squirtle!" the Squirtle chirped.
Mewtwo nodded as he rose to his full height. Charmander crawled out from his makeshift cover, allowing his trainer to recall him into his Poké Ball. After Leaf recalled her Sandslash, she followed Red and Gary to the bleachers to grab their bags. They followed the psychic Legendary out of the stadium and across the reception lobby. Stopping near the front door, Leaf and Mewtwo exchanged glances.
"Mewtwo?"
Mewtwo smiled and placed his hand on her head.
"Leaf," Mewtwo spoke into her head, "I'm proud of you for your performance in the Gym battle today. You fought pretty well."
Leaf smiled softly and closed her eyes for a brief moment. In a matter of seconds, heartwarming thoughts flooded her mind to the point she fluttered her hands.
"Thanks, Helios!" Leaf chirped.
Mewtwo nodded at Leaf before they all turned for the door. Shortly after they stepped outside the Gym, Leaf removed her hair tie and stashed it into her messenger bag before she pulled out a hairbrush.
"Uhh, Leaf?" Red paused.
Leaf didn't bother to shift her gaze towards the boys as she started brushing her hair.
"Lemme get this taken care of," she said, "then we'll head out."
Anyways, feel free to drop a review, because Mewtwo and Leaf could use some emotional support!
Mewtwo and Leaf would also like to see any memes or fanart you can come up with related to this fanfic!
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