Chapter 25 - Anko

After what had felt like a week on the road, the trio had finally arrived in Cerulean City. They immediately went to the Pokémon Center and got a room so they could sleep in the comfort of beds.

The next morning Logan was awake early. He showered and got ready. The night prior he was able to put his black dress shirt and grey jeans into the washer, so they were nice and fresh for him. But his brown hair was beginning to get too long and unmanageable. It stuck out from his hat, and no matter what he did with it, it bothered him.

Once his stomach was full, he went out to the Pokémon Center courtyard to give his Pokémon the usual pep talk. "As you all can see, we're down a team member," Logan said. His Pokémon surrounded him, and for the first time, Snorlax actually seemed interested in the group meeting. "Mightyena is off helping someone else right now. I'm not sure when he'll be back."

"Nido…" the Poison-type muttered silently. He was upset that he didn't get to say goodbye to his rival.

"But!" Logan exclaimed. "This means that we're going to have to keep trying harder. We have to make up for Mightyena's absence. I'm sure we'll be okay, but promise me that you'll do your best."

"Char!"

"Grotle!"

"Nido."

Logan smiled and then looked towards his last two Pokémon. Snorlax, while more interested than usual, still looked away from the group, and Electabuzz had his arms folded. He didn't seem to buy into Logan's pep talk, but he shrugged anyways.

"Eleboo."

Once Yurie and Seshiru were awake and fed, they made their way through Cerulean City. It was smaller than Saffron and Celadon, but considerably more packed than Lavender Town was. A lot of the residents appeared to be fishermen, and on their way to the gym, they passed by multitudes of small markets that sold the fruits and vegetables of the land alongside freshly caught fish.

"Oh my…" Yurie said as she approached one of the small outdoor marketplaces. "Anko."

"Anko?" Logan wondered.

"It's one of the specialty foods from Cerulean City," Seshiru explained.

Logan didn't like looking at meat before it was cooked, but he got a quick peek of the large and flat fish that Yurie was fawning over.

"Dinner?" Yurie said, not able to find the proper words to form a full sentence.

Logan nodded. "After my battle, I'll be starving!"

They continued through Cerulean until they finally reached the gym. It was another massive building, and the walls were made of tanks that contained countless water Pokémon. Logan tried to look inside through the tanks, but the water obscured his vision.

Instead, he opted for the sliding doors, which opened before he could even get to them. A boy came from the other side. He had white hair, a deadpan expression on his face, light blue eyes, and a camera in his hand. He was dressed in tan and white clothes, and the only thing that stuck out was his red headband that weaved through his hair.

"Hey, we know you!" Yurie said. She pointed at the boy, but then she couldn't think of his name suddenly, and she shot a look at Logan.

"You're…"

"Sora," the boy said.

"Sora! That's right! We met when I caught Snorlax! Do you remember?"

He nodded and said calmly, "Logan and Yurie. I never forget a face."

Now Logan was slightly embarrassed, but he tried to push the conversation along. "You said you were taking on the gyms! Did you just battle? How was it? Did you win?"

Sora smiled as he opened his white jacket and revealed six badges. "Yeah. It's his rookie year, so he was prone to mistakes."

"He?" Seshiru wondered. "What do you mean he?"

Sora appeared as though he wasn't sure how to respond. He took a small step back. "He, as in, him?"

"Where's Kasumi?" Seshiru asked. She pushed herself past Sora and into the gym, leaving the three trainers to themselves.

They were silent for a moment before Sora decided to break up the awkwardness of the situation. "You're going into battle?"

"Yeah!" Logan exclaimed. "It'll be my fifth badge!"

"Would you mind if I watched?" Sora asked. "It's not because I want to scout you, but because I think we should show off the new gym leader. I'd like to take pictures."

"I have no problem with it," Logan said. "It is weird that you said you're not scouting me though."

"Sorry."

"She's gone!" Seshiru screamed as she came back through the doors. "She apparently went off to travel with her boyfriend!"

"You're a bit moody," Yurie muttered quietly.

"Let's go," Logan said before Seshiru could scream anymore.

The Cerulean Gym wasn't too different from a regular aquarium, and some of the people who were visiting were actually just there to look at the water Pokémon. Logan went to the receptionist, told them of his intention to battle, and then he was put on a small waiting list.

While the group waited, they looked at the water Pokémon. Seshiru was able to point out each individual creature and teach a little bit about them. It had taken her a few minutes, but after explaining all of the different Pokémon, she had finally calmed down.

Then finally, Logan's name was called.

The gym leader was not someone that Seshiru knew. He appeared to be no older than Logan. He wore dark blue swimming trunks, and his mid-length blonde hair was wet from swimming before the battle.

"The name's Umiza," he said. He looked into the crowd and winked at Seshiru. "I'm the Cerulean City Gym Leader!"

"The following battle between Gym Leader, Umiza, and challenger, Logan, will be a three on three bout! Only the challenger can make substitutions! The battle will conclude when all Pokémon on one's side have been knocked out," the referee declared as he held up his two flags.

"If anyone should have been the next gym leader, it should have been me," Seshiru said under her breath. "This guy is a dork."

"Go, Golduck!" Umiza yelled while he threw his first Poké Ball into the water. It exploded, and his Pokémon emerged. It landed on one of the platforms and let out a battle cry while it flexed its muscles.

"Golduck?" Logan wondered as he scanned the Pokémon with his Pokédex.

"Golduck, the Duck Pokémon. When it swims at full speed using its long, webbed limbs, its forehead somehow begins to glow," it chimed.

Logan tucked the Pokédex into his back pocket. "Thanks for nothing." He thought for a moment before drawing out his Poké Ball and then tossing it forward. Electabuzz emerged, taking his position on the platform.

"An Electric-type?" Umiza questioned. "It's gonna take more than good type match-ups to defeat me!"

It's a good start at least, Logan thought.

"Begin!"

"Electabuzz, use Electro Ball!" Logan ordered.

"Eleboo!"

"Golduck, block it with Psybeam!"

"Gold-duck!"

Electabuzz leapt into the air and twisted his body around while he focused his energy. The tip of his tail began to crackle with electric sparks before forming a ball. With one flip, he tossed it downwards, but Golduck's maneuver was quick. The Water-type raised his hands into the air and the red stone on his forehead began to glow. Seconds before the ball of electricity could hit, Golduck unleashed a beam of psychic energy. The beam connected directly with the ball, causing an explosion that filled the arena with smoke.

"Ah, man," Logan muttered. "We can't see."

Logan waited patiently as the smoke slowly dissipated, and when it was all gone, only Electabuzz remained standing on the field. Golduck had disappeared, but the pool lightly shook.

"It's in the water!" Logan warned.

"Disable!"

"What?!"

Before Logan or Electabuzz could do anything, Golduck exploded from the water. His eyes glowed blue, and Electabuzz froze in his tracks. He held at his head and then wobbled back a few feet.

With Disable, Electabuzz won't be able to use Electro Ball for a while. That means we gotta fight up close, Logan thought.

"Golduck, use Fury Swipes!" Umiza commanded.

Golduck emerged from the water once more, and he held out his arms wide as his claws started to glow with a white energy.

"Low Kick!"

Before Golduck could get any closer, Electabuzz ducked his head and then stuck out his leg. He swung wide, kicking Golduck's legs out from under him. The attack didn't do a lot of damage, but now the Water-type had been knocked off balance.

"Thunder Punch!" Logan yelled.

With one swift movement, Electabuzz moved his body around before punching downwards at Golduck. The Water-type fell too fast though, disappearing into the water before he could be hit. Electabuzz didn't care, and he continued his jab, electrifying the entire pool momentarily. Golduck emerged once more, but now on the other side where he was out of harm's way.

"So, you can strike from up close too?" Umiza said. "Looks like we gotta take a different approach. Allow me to introduce you to my special attack!"

"Special attack?"

"Golduck, use Scald!"

"Gold-duck!" the Water-type cried out as he puffed out his belly before unleashing a thick stream of water from his mouth. The water traced over the pool, making some of the field begin to steam.

"Oh no! Light Screen!"

Electabuzz quickly raised his arms in front of his body, creating a thin wall of light. Golduck's attack crashed into it, immediately destroying it upon impact, and then knocking Electabuzz off balance.

"Electabuzz!" Logan shouted.

"Fury Swipes!"

Once again, Golduck emerged from the pool. He widened out his body in preparation to strike, but the Pokémon might have been a bit too early, leaving Logan enough time to make his command.

"Give 'em a midsection Thunder Punch!"

"Ele-boo!" Electabuzz called out. He reeled backwards and as soon as Golduck came close enough, he lunged out with both of his arms, straightening them out as far as he could. He connected directly with Golduck's stomach, sending the Water-type soaring into the air. He crashed down hard on one of the platforms, sending ripples throughout the pool, but Golduck remained still.

The referee raised his flag. "Golduck is unable to battle! Electabuzz is the winner!"

Umiza lifted his Poké Ball and returned Golduck. He glared out onto the field and watched as Logan withdrew Electabuzz. "What are you doing?"

Logan smiled. "Well, I don't want to fight while is disabled. I'm allowed to substitute, correct?"

Umiza gritted his teeth. "You're correct. Go, Octillery!"

In front of Umiza appeared a small and round Pokémon. It had a few tentacles coming from its body, and its head was massive and red. It glared at Logan angrily.

"I'm originally from Johto, and I've been around the eastern part of the world with my partner Octillery. Don't think you're gonna get too far in a battle with him!"

"Kasumi chose someone from outside of Kanto to be the next gym leader?!" Seshiru yelled. "She couldn't have picked me?!"

Sora snapped a picture. "Yeah. You seem very level-headed."

Logan pulled his Pokédex out and scanned the red Pokémon. "Octillery, the Jet Pokémon. It traps enemies with its suction-cupped tentacles, then smashes them with its rock-hard head."

"That's information I need," Logan muttered. He pulled his next Poké Ball out before tossing it onto the platform. Grotle materialized, and she let out a battle cry, but once she noticed that her platform was limited and she was surrounded by water, she began to look slightly panicked.

"Can't swim?" Umiza laughed.

"Grotle, use Razor Leaf!"

"Fight back with Rock Blast!"

Grotle howled as she unleashed the leaves from the bushes on her back. They swirled through the air, but once they met with the massive rock that Octillery shot from his snout, they were knocked away. However, the leaves did enough to make the rock falter, and it crashed into the water before Grotle, making her sway back and forth on the platform.

Umiza laughed. "Scald! Knock it off that platform!"

Logan looked around the battlefield and then down to Grotle. She was clearly nervous about being so close to the water, but he had to make his next call. "Double Team! Be careful where you go!"

Grotle opened her eyes and then focused her energy. Moments before Scald connected with her platform, she multiplied, finding a way to spread her clones across the field on every other spot. Octillery looked around, unsure of where to blast his attack.

"Mega Drain! Take back some of your energy!"

Octillery started to wave his head back and forth as he looked for the real Grotle. They all jumped into the air, charging up green energy in front of their faces. Then, the real one unleashed the energy forward, and it surrounded Octillery, sapping his energy. The real Grotle found her footing on a nearby platform, and she soaked in the stamina that was drained from Octillery.

"Get it in the water!" Umiza barked. "Use Octazooka!"

Octillery raised his head and then sucked in air before blasting water from his snout. It was much faster than either of his two previous attacks, and it made the water around it go into the air. It quickly crashed into the platform that Grotle was on, sending her into the pool.

"Grotle, no!" Logan yelled.

Grotle emerged from the water and began to panic, waving her arms around in a desperate attempt to get close to any of the nearby platforms.

"Keep her still! Gunk Shot!"

Octillery raced forward while sucking in energy. He emerged from the pool and spit out a thick, purple colored gunk from his snout. It collided with the struggling Grotle, forcing her to stop moving.

"Trapped!" Umiza exclaimed.

"Grotle!" the Grass-type cried out.

"Finish it with Octazooka!" Umiza commanded.

"Grotle, get out of there with Superpower!"

As Octillery prepared to use his attack, Grotle started to howl. Red energy surrounded her body, and she quickly exploded from the water, breaking from the goop. She continued across the field, tracing over the water at a high speed, and then, she crashed into Octillery, sending him flying to the pool walls. His body went limp as it sunk into the water.

"Octillery is unable to battle! Grotle is the winner!"

"What?!" Umiza shouted. As Grotle slowly made her way back to Logan's side of the field, he returned his Pokémon, and then glared at Logan. "You're a lot stronger than you look."

Sora snapped a picture. "Here we go."

"Here we go?" Seshiru wondered. "What do you mean by that?"

"Umiza is by no means a genius, but his final Pokémon is proof that he has a certain command over the ocean that other Water-type trainers lack," Sora explained. "Just watch."

"Logan, you were able to defeat my first two Pokémon with very little issue, and I commend you for that," Umiza said. He drew out his next Poké Ball. "But you have no idea what you're getting into. Go, Gyarados!"

Umiza's Poké Ball fell into the pool, and for a moment, there was nothing. Then suddenly, the pool lit up with a flash of light, and a large, blue Pokémon emerged. It roared, shaking the whole gym as Grotle held tightly onto her platform.

"Gyarados," Logan muttered. His hands shook as he grabbed his Pokédex to scan the Pokémon.

"Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokémon. They say that during the past wars, Gyarados would appear and leave blazing ruins in its wake."

"Great."

Seshiru sighed and then leaned forward. "Oh no."

"I'm able to control the dragon of the sea!" Umiza declared. "Be prepared to watch your remaining Pokémon fall! Gyarados, use Aqua Tail!"

Gyarados roared as it whipped around its entire body. It lifted its tail out of the pool, bringing along aquatic energy with it, and then he swung. The pool turned into a wave, and it set its course straight for Grotle.

"Double Team!" Logan ordered desperately.

But it was useless. The wave was too large, and Grotle was flung from her platform. She crashed into the water, but to everyone's surprise, she managed to resurface and then struggle over to another platform.

"I don't think so! Scald!"

The water around Gyarados started to boil for a moment before he unleashed a blast of water from his mouth. The blast connected directly with Grotle, sending her into the wall beneath Logan. She fell into the pool and then floated back to the top, unconscious.

"Grotle is unable to battle! Gyarados is the winner!" the referee declared.

Logan was quick to return Grotle, and then he looked at Gyarados' Pokédex entry once more before putting the device into his back pocket.

"You look calm for someone who is face to face with a Gyarados," Umiza taunted. "Is it false bravery?"

"I've been face to face with worse," Logan said. He drew out his Dark Ball and then threw it forward. Electabuzz reappeared on the field and pounded his chest with his fists wildly, but as Gyarados came into his sight, he began to slow down.

"Ele?"

"Show no fear!" Logan yelled.

"Eleboo!"

"Give them something to fear, Gyarados! Use Scald!"

"Fight back with Electro Ball!"

More steam filled the pool, and the water levels decreased slightly as Gyarados unleashed his attack, but now that Electabuzz was no longer disabled, he jumped into the air before swinging his body around. He unleashed a ball of electric energy from his tail, and the two attacks clashed in the middle of the field. An explosion followed, filling the entire field with smoke.

"Crunch!" Umiza's voice echoed throughout the gym.

Gyarados roared before diving into the water and quickly emerging from under Electabuzz. His jaws were engulfed with dark energy, and he slammed them down on the Electric-type before flinging him into the air.

"Scald one more time!"

Gyarados was unable to gather as much energy as before, but he released another strong blast of boiling water from his mouth. It connected with Electabuzz directly, sending him higher into the air. He eventually came falling back down, hitting the water hard. He managed to swim to a platform though, and when he got back to standing, he let out a battle cry. It didn't last long, as flames suddenly emitted from his body, and he let out a howl.

"No!" Logan yelled.

"What happened?" Yurie asked.

"Umiza's special technique is Scald," Sora said.

Seshiru nodded. "It's a Water-type attack, but it has a chance of inflicting a burn status on the opponent. It looks like Electabuzz was unfortunate."

"Finish it with Aqua Tail!" Umiza commanded.

The pool began to shift and move around as Gyarados started to use his next attack. Electabuzz wobbled around a little bit, but then he looked back to Logan, asking to get an order.

"Thunder Punch the pool!"

Gyarados finished charging all of his energy, and he sent the wave hurtling towards Electabuzz, but the Electric-type was fast. He howled and pounded his chest, building up electric energy in his fists before punching the water below him. The wave stopped, and Gyarados let out a shriek before leaping out of the water to escape the attack.

"Yeah!" Logan yelled. "We got 'em! Now, use Electro Ball!"

"Eleboo!" the Electric-type howled. He sent electricity to the tip of his tail before leaping into the air, but before he could spin to properly use his attack, the fire from before emitted from his body. He was caught off guard, and his body fell from the air, crashing into the water. When he came back to the surface, his body was limp.

The referee nodded. "Electabuzz is unable to battle! Gyarados is the winner!"

Logan returned Electabuzz, and he took a moment to observe the field. The pool had decreased by about half from all of the Scald attacks, so Gyarados was beginning to lose the ability to move around with ease.

"Got any more Grass or Electric-types for me to beat?" Umiza asked. "There's nothing you can throw at me that will survive my Gyarados."

Logan smiled. "We'll be okay. I have faith in my team! Snorlax, let's get it!" He ripped the Heavy Ball from his belt and then threw it forward. Snorlax materialized in the air before falling into the pool, causing the water to splash around everywhere. When it settled down, it went to her chest, and she looked angry by the field situation.

"Two titans from Kanto!" Umiza declared. "I love it! Let's see which titan is superior!"

"Bring it on! Snorlax, use Headbutt!"

Snorlax huffed, and instead of charging forward like what would have been required of her, she instead leapt into the air.

"Not Heavy Slam!"

Umiza smiled. "So, you don't have it under control? What a joke! Gyarados, put everything you got into Aqua Tail!"

Gyarados swung her body around, bringing the entirety of the pool with him, and before Snorlax could hit the ground, she was smashed with the wave that Gyarados created. Despite her heavy size, Snorlax was flung across the pool, landing hard on the ground.

"Snorlax, you gotta listen!" Logan yelled. "If you don't listen, then we're not going to win this!"

"Snorlax," she responded. She glared at Logan before turning back to Gyarados and then slowly nodding. She took in a deep breath and then bounded forward. With her head lowered, she collided into Gyarados, knocking the giant Pokémon backwards.

Gyarados swirled in the remaining water as he tried to recover.

"Hyper Beam!"

There was a sinister look in Gyarados' eyes as he straightened out his body. He reeled back his head before unleashing the sickening beam across the pool. It collided directly with Snorlax, once again sending her into the air. She crashed into the pool, splashing Logan with water.

"Snorlax, you okay?" Logan asked as he wiped the water from his eyes.

Snorlax emerged from the pool and then nodded. She never once took her death glare off of Gyarados.

"Okay. Trust me!" Logan ordered. "Use Rest!"

"Snor?"

"Please!"

"Snor!" the Pokémon called back. She breathed through her nose before falling straight back into the water. Her body came back to the top of the pool, but now she was fast asleep.

"What?" Umiza yelled. "I can't attack right now, and you choose to sleep?"

Logan nodded. "We still have moves! Sleep Talk!"

Snorlax scratched her belly, and then, as though she were possessed, she sat up in the water. She was still in her sleepy state, but she rushed forward with her head down. Although much slower, and with less power, she connected directly with Gyarados, sending him across the pool once again. Snorlax continued forward before falling face first in the water, still asleep.

"Gyarados!" Umiza yelled. His Pokémon responded with an angry roar. "Perfect. Scald!"

Gyarados took his time absorbing the energy, and the entirety of the pool slowly turned to steam. He then unleashed an insanely strong blast of water from his mouth, dragging Snorlax's body across the floor of the pool. She made it about halfway before Gyarados stopped his attack. He roared once more, and everyone waited to see if his attack had paid off.

Then, Snorlax began to stir. She pushed herself up with her front arms before standing up straight. She cracked her neck and then glared at Gyarados.

"Sweet. Snorlax, use Heavy Slam!"

"Snorlax!" she cried out before leaping into the air. Her feet started to glow with a metallic energy, and she came crashing down directly on the middle of Gyarados' body. Gyarados howled with pain, and he tried to escape as Umiza watched on in horror.

"Grab 'em!" Logan ordered.

Snorlax reached out and grabbed ahold of Gyarados' tail, preventing the large beast from getting any further.

"Now, Headbutt!"

With one massive tug, Snorlax pulled Gyarados towards her. He flew through the air, and she lowered her head, smashing her skull against Gyarados'. Instantly, Gyarados became limp, and he slunk to the ground, balling into himself. Snorlax let go of his tail before raising her arms into the air and letting out her battle cry once again.

"Gyarados is unable to battle!" the referee declared. He raised his flag towards Logan. "Snorlax and Logan are the victors!"

"Yeah!" Logan said as he jumped up and down on his platform. Snorlax turned to him, and instead of a glare, there was a soft smile on her face. She raised her arm, giving Logan a thumbs up. He smiled back before returning her to her ball.

Logan met with Umiza by the edge of the pool, and his friends all came down the rafters to listen.

"Logan, you won today. I guess that I still have a lot to learn as a gym leader," Umiza said. He drew out a small box and reached out. "Here's your Cascade Badge."

Logan took the box and opened it up, revealing a small bue, raindrop shaped badge. He held it into the air. "I did it!"

Umiza smiled and then looked at Seshiru. "You're Seshiru, right?"

Seshiru pointed at herself. "Me? Yeah."

"I'm a big fan," Umiza said. "You're in luck actually, Kasumi will be back in town in a couple of days. I figured you'd want to meet her."

"Wait what?" Seshiru asked. She left the stands and got in front of Logan. "She's coming here?"

Umiza nodded. "There's an event coming up called the King of Kanto Tournament. She's coming to be the host. I recommend all of you enter, if you're interested."

"King of Kanto?" Yurie wondered. "Sounds like it could be fun. I got a while till my next contest anyways."

Seshiru nodded. "And my Battle Frontier challenge can be put on hold!"

"What about you, Sora?" Logan asked.

Sora shrugged. "I guess it could be fun. I think I'll stay to check it out."

"Why don't you eat with us tonight?" Logan asked. "We're having fish!"

"Anko, to be exact," Yurie corrected.

Sora's eyes remained deadpan, but then his lips curled into a smile. "That sounds really pleasant. I'd love some."

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Chose to change Misty's gym to someone new. I think it would have been the fourth gym in a row that would be a female gym leader, so I switched it up. I also wanted to show that Logan can no longer rely on Seshiru's info before he goes into gyms. He now has three more badges to go, and two out of the three will be new to Seshiru.

Next chapter, we're gonna get into the small tournament arc. So many battles to write (10)

Also, what do you guys think of my new profile picture? I got someone to draw Logan and Cyan. I'll be working on getting Yurie, Seshiru, and Skylar all designed in the future.

REVIEWS:

pokemonking0924 - "Somehow I know Mightyena would leave the team with that flashback at the beginning of the chapter. But at least its not forever just until Umbreon gains more confidence and Bill could always transfer the Hoenn dark type back to Logan or his aunt Juniper. Looking forward to seeing how Logans team will grow from here. The only questions now are what will Logans new sixth in Kanto will be and what will Yuries Eevee evolve into someday?" - I don't plan on having Yurie's Eevee evolve for a VERY long time. I'm still yet to decide on what she should evolve into.

CrescentApple - "Huuuuuh. This feels the equivalent of Ash letting Pikachu go. This puts a whole spin on this story. Now I'm curious how Logan will do without Mighyena. And that leaves him with an extra space to get another Pokemon. Whoop. Its a fun chapter, I find it a little humorous Logan feels out of place with Bill's discussions haha." - The conversation was kind of similar to ones that I had with one of my best friends who was a chemistry major. I didn't understand/care about anything he ever said.

wisdom-jewel - "I doubt Logan would be able to replace Mightyena but he might. And I do see Bill being Galarian and it would be funny if it shows. I would say he should use Electabuzz and Grotle in the next battle. I don't think Charmander should be used until later. It would be interesting to see how Logan would battle Misty." - He used Snorlax! I think either Snorlax or Nidorino would have done well.

SudiptoDam19 - "The plot for this chapter was totally unpredictable. Now Logan has to churn out a good team from a mixed bag of Pokémons which are all problematic in one way or the other ( which I like the thought of ). Besides, a great chapter once again. Continue the brilliant work." - Slowly, their problems may start to fix themselves! We saw a lot of progress with Snorlax in this chapter.