Chapter 4 Vermilion City
Waking up the next morning, Ash went out to the training ground behind the Pokémon Center. He quickly released his whole team.
"Alright guys, were going to head out to Vermilion City today, but after we have a training session. New moves today for each of you. Inferno and Zeus, I want you two to teach one another fire and thunder punch, Sky, today you're going to start working on aqua tail, Luna, like we said before, you're going to start working on dark pulse. While you guy's work on that, I'm going to take Atlas around to get some battle experience." said Ash towards his Pokémon.
Each Pokémon went to go do their training with Atlas going to Ash's side.
"Alright buddy, well work a bit on battling and then well come back when were half ways through training and try to work on two new moves. I've got TMs for Rock Tomb and Scald that I'll give to you later on, okay?" asked Ash getting a determined nod from Atlas.
Ash saw a kid around his age with red hair and walked up to him.
"Hey, want to have a battle, 1 on 1?" Asked Ash
"Sure, the name is Dan." said the Trainer
"Ash" he replied back making space between them.
Atlas walked in front of Ash with Dan releasing a Houndour.
"Atlas, use water gun." said Ash.
"Avoid it and charge with Bite." replied Dan
Atlas shot out a stream of water towards the fire type, who avoided the attack before rushing towards Atlas, with its teeth glowing and biting down hard on the water type.
Atlas grit its teeth before being thrown by the hound.
"Now Houndour, thunder fang." called out Dan.
Houndour, now with his teeth covered in electricity, charged towards Atlas lunging at him.
"Atlas, use mud slap quick!"
Atlas regained his composure before sending a shot of mud towards Houndour impacting him in the face. He quickly followed up with a water gun on Ash's order, the stream of water hit Houndour knocking him off his feet.
"Houndour, use ember." said Dan.
"Atlas, use bide." countered Ash.
Atlas stood his ground and got impacted by the ember attack.
"Houndour use thunder fang quick." said Dan.
Houndour lunged at Atlas quickly biting down onto him with his electric fangs. Atlas cried in pain but kept his focus. Houndour quickly threw Atlas across the field.
"Once more, ember Houndour." said Dan.
"A little more Atlas, you can do it!" called out Ash who god a slow nod from Atlas.
The ember impacted on Atlas causing his legs to shake from keeping him up.
"Now Houndour, finish it thunder fang once more."
Houndour once again showed his teeth covered in electricity before rushing and jumping towards Atlas with the intention to finish the battle.
"Now Atlas, release it." said Ash.
Atlas quickly released a beam of white and red power straight into Houndour quickly knocking it out.
Ash beamed, Atlas took a beating and doubled it back. He did make a note that he shouldn't use bide so carelessly. Bide was a last-ditch effort. He would remember that for the future.
"Good battle, it was fun." said Dan offering his hand, which Ash took.
"Yea, thanks for it." replied Ash.
Going back to his team he saw them hard at work, Zeus looked annoyed with Inferno, he guessed Inferno was struggling with thunder punch. He saw Sky working on aqua tail, a bit of water dropping from the end of her snake like body. Luna was trying to push the aura of darkness out. Ash could see a little come out, but he knew I would take a while before she completely got it down.
"Alright Atlas, I'll give you a little break before we start working on your moves, okay?" asked Ash who got a nod from Atlas.
"Before you sit down, let me apply the moves first." said Ash as he pulled out both TMs before pressing them onto Atlas head one by one glowing and eventually losing the coloring of brown and blue, they had respectively.
After a short break, Ash sent Atlas to work on his two new moves.
"Hey Inferno, and Zeus, come over here." he called out to his fire and lightning types who both walked over waiting for his command.
"You guys want to have a spar?" he asked as he got 2 grins in return.
"Alright then, seeing the grins on your face go ahead, try to focus more on close range." said Ash with a chuckle.
Zeus and Inferno made room between each other before charging at Ash's go.
Inferno quickly covered his hand in fire before throwing it at Zeus, who in turn charged his with electricity, both meeting in the middle. Inferno was quick to overpower him, having more strength.
Zeus blew back a little bit before charging with brick break. Inferno countered with it as well blocked his before charging his other hand with another fire punch and catching Zeus off guard. Zeus was slammed in the face being put into the ground.
Inferno stood over him with a grin. Zeus quickly got up charging another thunder punch, but was once again met with a fiery punch in the face before he could fully get up.
Inferno backed up a bit grinning at Zeus, who was clearly pissed off.
Zeus got up and immediately charged after Inferno with another thunder punch, but Inferno moved out of the way, letting Zeus fly right past him, as he got hit by a metal claw right into the back. Zeus groaning in pain turned around only to be met with another fire punch.
"Okay, that's enough you two." said Ash who got a nod from Inferno but a growl from Zeus. Zeus quickly got up and started punching his hands together. Ash hesitated, but nodded.
"Alright a little longer." said Ash.
Zeus rushed forward with a thunder punch and was met by Inferno's fire punch. Inferno grinned as he fired up his second arm, before Zeus could start up his other fist, was out speed and smacked into the face once again sending him flying back into the ground.
Inferno rumbled something to Zeus, increasing his anger, causing him to rush Inferno once again causing Inferno to roll his eyes and started to charge up a fire punch once more, but this time being caught off guard with a flash of bright light that blinded him.
Ash grinned as he looked at Zeus with Sky, Luna, and Atlas turning their attention on him as he began to glow bright white. His form began to grow larger, antennas growing from his head on the side, with a long black and yellow tail growing from the back. The light glowing away, revealed a pissed off Electabuzz, who caught Inferno off a surprise with the evolution and slammed his face in with a thunder punch.
As Inferno got up, he was met with a foot from Zeus.
Zeus was about to rush Inferno once again, but stopped as Ash called out.
"Alright you two, that's enough today." he said getting an angered look from Zeus who stomped his foot on the ground.
"You'll get to battle again later Zeus, for now I want to take you to the Pokémon Center to make sure nothing went wrong with you Evolution, okay?" said Ash getting an annoyed look from Zeus who nodded in return.
"Alright, we will end for the day. After you guys get checked out by Nurse Joy, then well head out to Vermilion City." said Ash who got nods from his team.
Coming out of the Pokémon Center, Ash went to the Poke Mart to get supplies for the trip. Vermilion City was between a 3-week walk. Seeing as Vermilions Gym Leader was an electric type, he wanted to work with Atlas as much as possible. If Atlas could evolve before the gym, then he would gain his ground typing making him vulnerable to electric types.
Another Idea he had was iron tail. He would have to test it out with Zeus, but he thought that maybe if one of his Pokémon used iron tail on the ground before being hit by an electric attack, then maybe it would transfer the attack into the ground. 3 of 5 of his Pokémon new the move, and now that Zeus grew a tail with his evolution, he would be able to learn it. Along with Atlas, if who evolved, then all of his Pokémon would have a way to counter electric type moves.
Ash considered stopping by Saffron City and attempting the Gym there, but he instantly threw that thought away. Sabrina, the Gym Leader there, was one of three Gym Leaders in Kanto who didn't hold back along with Blaine and Giovanni. He doubts he could beat her as he is now, even with the advantage that Luna has. He would wait.
With those thoughts, Ash didn't exactly know what his plans were for after Vermilion. He could head to Celadon City to take on the Grass Gym Leader Ericka, and would allow him to visit the department store, he still has the TM voucher from the tournament, but he also wanted to head towards Lavender Town and attempt to catch a Ghost type Pokémon. He would cross that road after he was done with Vermilion.
Coming out of the Pokémon Center, he had all the necessary supplies that would last him around a month.
Walking to the south of Cerulean, he began his trek towards Vermilion.
Late at night walking down route 5, Ash with Luna by his side, who was glowing under the moon, found a nice spot to setup for the night. As they settled in, he released the rest of his team out. He walked over to Zeus.
"Alright Zeus, I'm going to check you out with the Pokedex alright." he said getting a nod from the newly evolved Pokémon.
Electabuzz the Electric Pokémon. Electricity permeates its body. It swings its arms round and round to charge up electricity before unleashing a punch.
This Electabuzz is Male and has the ability Static which may paralyze opponents when coming into contact.
Moves are Quick Attack, Charge, Thunder Shock, Swift, Thunder Wave, Shock Wave, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Brick Break, Fire Punch, and Low Kick.
"Okay, so you learned a new move. Once you got fire punch down then we will work on a stronger long range electric type attack, probably discharge and also iron tail most likely." said Ash getting a nod from Zeus.
"With that being said, we will wake up early in the morning for you and everyone else to work on your current moves. The next gym is an electric type and I think I have a way to counter it, but I'll need your help to figure it out." said Ash.
With that being said, Ash laid his back on the ground with Luna curling up next to him, his other Pokémon gathering around him and laying down as well. He stared up at the moon and closed his eyes as he listened to the sound of the night sky.
1 week into the walk towards Vermilion, Zeus and Inferno had both got their punching moves down, with Sky getting aqua tail set up as well. Atlas was quick to get the hand on rock tomb and scald, so Ash had him start working on water pulse with Sky helping him out. Luna was still struggling with dark pulse, but she was close.
"Alright, Inferno, Sky, and Zeus come with me, Luna and Atlas keep working on your moves." said Ash as he walked a bit away from his training area with the Pokémon in tow.
"So, I already talked to Zeus about it, but the next gym is an electric type and I think if we use iron tail into the ground before being hit by an electric type, then it will transfer it into the ground. So, I want you two to try it out and Zeus will shock both of you, is that okay?" Sky nodded with a hesitant Inferno as he looked at the huge grin on Zeus's face.
After trying a couple of times, Ash smiled knowing it worked while Zeus looked pissed that he couldn't injure them, Inferno and Sky didn't feel anything when they had used the method. Now the main thing would be for them to time it while moving around. They would still have a couple of weeks to get quick with it.
2 weeks into the walk towards Vermilion, Luna had finally gotten down dark pulse and had joined Sky and Inferno in working on the iron tail method.
Ash had mainly focused on battling with Atlas, he had gotten water pulse down quickly and was working on dig, Ash wanted him to get use to ground type moves as soon as possible, so when he evolved it would be easier to tap into his ground typing that he would gain. Although his blue skin was becoming lighter, and his belly was turning orange. He was getting closer to evolution, but Ash didn't know if it would be before or after their next Gym battle.
"Alright Zeus keep working on Luna to get the speed and timing down, Sky and Inferno, I want both of you to try and start working on flamethrower. Atlas keep working on dig." said Ash towards his Pokémon who all nodded.
Only a few days away from Vermilion, Ash was very happy with the progress his team had made. Luna had gotten down the iron tail method and had started to work on confuse ray with Zeus beginning to work on Discharge, Inferno almost had flamethrower mastered, he would have it down by the time they reached Vermilion, but Sky was struggling a bit with it, but he believed she would get it down soon. Atlas just like Inferno almost had dig down, and would also most likely have it down by the time they reached Vermilion.
Right now, they had set up camp for the day and Ash was watching a spar between Inferno and Zeus. Zeus was definitely fighting better against Inferno then he did as a Elekid, but despite that, Inferno still showed to be more powerful, as he overpowered Zeus's thunder punch with his own fire punch. He then pushed Zeus back a little causing him to stumble before using a brick break on his head bringing him down to the ground.
"Alright that's good for now you two." said Ash as Inferno puffed his chest up and Zeus grumbling with his arms crossed.
"Alright everyone, go ahead on and start working on your moves for a little longer than we will wrap up for the night." said Ash towards his Pokémon getting nods in return.
Reaching Vermilion City, Ash had a nice view of the ocean. He quickly went straight to the Pokémon Center, which looked to be overfilled. He made his way to Nurse Joy and handed her his Poke Balls.
"Hey Nurse Joy, what's going on?" asked Ash.
"Oh, you see the League is having a special event with the S.S Anne, if your able to beat Lt. Surge then you'll be given a ticket to go on the ship which will have many types of events with a tournament and rewards, but due to this Lt. Surge has been battling ruthlessly, and this is the outcome." said Nurse Joy with a frown.
"When does the S.S Anne leave?"
"It doesn't set sail for another 3 months from now, but it'll take anyone who won a ticket all the way to Cinnabar Island." replied Nurse Joy.
"Okay, thank you for the information." said Ash with a smile who got one in return.
Reaching a clear area, Ash released his team.
"Alright guys, so were going to challenge the Gym tomorrow, if we win then we get a ticket for the S.S Anne, it's a big luxury boat and will also hold another tournament for us to compete in if we can get a ticket." said Ash towards his team who got eager looks.
"With that being said, we've got today to train, Inferno you seemed to have flamethrower down, but still work on it a bit just to get the kinks and try to help Sky with it as well. Luna, go ahead and keep working on confuse ray, Zeus, same with Discharge. Atlas start working on icy wind. " said Ash towards his Pokémon.
With his team working hard Ash sat down and looked up at the Sky. His mind raced with thoughts of what to do next. After he beat Lt. Surge, he would have 3 months before he needed to return, and from Vermilion he had two choices, to the left was Celadon City, having the Grass Gym, Department Store, and even the Game Corner, which would be about a 2 week walk. Then to the right was Lavender Town, home of the Pokémon Tower, a grave for Pokémon where Ghost types were found, which would be around a 1-2 week walk.
If he went to Lavender, he would get a Ghost type, and then go to Celadon, which would take around 5-6 weeks overall. From Celadon he would head to Fuchsia City, which would be a 2 week walk. There he would take on the Poison Type Gym Leader Koga, who many considered to be a potential Elite Four Member. Heading back from Vermilion would be around 1-2 weeks again leaving him between 2-3 weeks to wait for the S.S Anne to arrive, that's not including how many days he spends in each city too.
He would go to each place eventually, but hadn't decided if he wanted to go to Lavender before or after Fuchsia. He was thinking of going to Lavender Town first, and then Celadon, that would take around a month in a half, and then another 2 weeks to get to Fuchsia, which would give him 2 months to prepare for Koga, if he stayed in each place for a few days then when he came back to Vermilion, he would have around 1-2 weeks to wait and train for the S.S Anne.
Overall, he liked that plan, it would give him plenty of time to train his team, take on the Gyms, and come back around for the S.S Anne. If everything went right with the schedule, then he would have 5 of the 8 badges needed within around 5 months of the full 12 he had before the Indigo Conference, giving him 7 months to get the hardest 3 of the main 8. Throughout Kanto, there were many Gyms which people referred to as "minor" Gyms, there were 8 "main" Gyms being Pewter, Cerulean, Vermilion, Celadon, Fuchsia, Saffron, Cinnabar, and Viridian. Most people would take on a few of them and then head for the minor gyms to qualify for the Indigo Conference, but Ash get the badges from all of the main 8.
Looking around the field, mind wondering away from his plans, he looked at his team working hard. He didn't know if the battle would be 3 on 3 or 4 on 4, but for the most part, he had decided to use Inferno and Sky definitely, with Zeus or Luna being the third match depending if it was 3s or 4s. He wouldn't use Atlas if he didn't need too, he didn't think Atlas would be able to last long in the electric gym when only being a water type. If he had evolved and gained his ground type it would have been another story, but for now he was out.
With that being planned out, Ash decided to get up and go around giving his team tips he got from the Pokedex.
Line
Waking up the next day, Ash walked over to the Vermilion City, it was a little past noon and there was a large line outside the gym. Getting in line, he started to rummage through his Pokedex.
Ash wasn't someone who really wanted a huge team, he thought maybe 12 would be good enough so he could have 2 full teams. As of right now he already has 5, meaning the next Pokémon he got would make his team full and he would have to begin rotating them around and leave some of them at the Lab with Professor Oak.
He didn't particular like the idea of leaving some of his Pokémon at the Lab, but he knew since he was a Rookie it wouldn't be changed soon. Trainers could have their limit increased or straight removed, but that was mostly for the higher ranked Trainers such as ACE or Elite Trainers.
To gain those titles, sometimes people were recommended or were offered a position with the league depending on actions performed, but for the most part, it was by showing potential in your regions conference.
Getting him out of his thoughts was another trainer running out of the Gym. As he got closer, he noticed two larger men in the front of doors by the front of the line. He recognized them as Gym Trainees. They were people who trained under a Gym Leader and would sometimes be chosen as the person to uptake the mantle as Gym Leader if the previous one decided to step down. Sometimes Gyms would even be challenged. Usually, only 1 Gym was allowed per City. If someone got the right requirements, then they could challenge a Gym for the rights to overtake and that would usually mean a change in primary typing's too.
A few years ago, the current Gym Leader of Saffron, Sabrina, gathered the right requirements, and went on to challenge the previous Gym, which had been a fighting type Gym, and won. The gym then became a Psychic type Gym afterwards with new trainees and leader.
Reaching the front of the line, both the trainees looked down on him and grunted. After a few minutes another person came running at the gym with tearful eyes.
"Next!" called out a loud voice from inside the gym.
Ash made his way into the Gym and towards the battle field before seeing a huge man who made the trainees look like kids with a Raichu standing by his side.
"Another baby huh, alright let's get this over with, how many badges you got little baby?" said the huge man across the field that Ash recognized as Lt. Surge.
Ash ignoring the baby comment simply said 2.
"Alright, it'll be a 3 on 3 with no substitution." said Surge.
Surge released a Magneton and Ash released Sky causing Surge to raise an eyebrow.
"Huh, that's a rare one you got there, but let's see if it's trained right." said Surge with a grin with Ash ignoring the comment.
"This will be a 3 on 3 between the Gym Leader Lt. Surge, and the Challenger with the Thunder Badge on the line, begin." said the ref to the side.
"Sky, use dragon rage."
"Counter with electro ball."
Both attacks collided in the middle of the battle field causing a small explosion. Sky quickly entered agility and rushed towards Magneton, who was quick to strike her with a gyro ball doing more damage due to the fact that she was using agility.
Sky quickly shook the attack off.
"Discharge." grunted Surge.
"Sky, you know what to do get closer."
Magneton began to charge up electricity as Sky starting charging towards it. Magneton released the flare of electricity towards sky who in turn crushed her tail covered in iron, into the ground converting the electricity from the attack into the ground. Sky quickly released a water pulse, instantly crushing into Magneton.
"What? Magneton use thunderbolt." said Surge.
Magneton once again powered up electricity before unleashing the bolt towards Sky with the same results as the electricity transferred into the ground, and was hit hard by a super effective ember from Sky.
"Magneton use tri attack."
"Sky, use agility to avoid it and then smack Magneton with iron tail."
Sky quickly entered agility and rushed towards Magneton before smacking it down with an iron tail.
"Magneton burst boom."
"Burst Boom?" Ash thought to himself questionably.
Magneton quickly let out burst of sonic booms towards Sky smacking into her harshly.
Ash shook his head at that, he shouldn't have thought that he was the only person who had their own combo moves, most higher-level trainers would have all sorts of them. He would need to think of new combo moves for himself.
"Now Magneton use thunderbolt again." ordered Surge looking directly at Sky.
Magneton once again unleashed a bolt towards Sky, who turned her tail into iron and sent the attack through the ground. Surges eyes widened at that.
"Now Sky, use iron tail again." called out Ash.
Sky rushed towards Magneton, quickly smacking it down before unleashing burst of ember.
Magneton quickly fell unconscious.
"Magneton is unable to battle, Dratini is the winner." shouted the ref.
"Using iron tail to convert electricity into the ground huh, not bad little baby." said Surge with a wide grin.
Ash sighed at that. He would have to be more careful now that Surge knew what he was doing.
Surge released an Electabuzz next.
"Alright Electabuzz charge with ice punch." replied Surge.
Electabuzz charged after Sky with his fist covered in ice, Sky was quick to rush forward and block the punch with an iron tail, before unleashing a dragon breath right in its face.
Electabuzz grunted in pain before grabbing Sky's tail and throwing her up.
"Now Electabuzz use thunder."
Sky not being near the ground was hit hard by the powerful lightning attack as she was not able to convert it into the ground.
"Electabuzz ice punch."
Sky slow to get up, was punched hard by the super effective attack.
Sky panting hard with her long body hurting tried to unleash one more dragon breath, but stopped by a protect from the Electabuzz who quickly rushed over once more and finished the battle with another ice punch.
"Dratini is unable to battle, Electabuzz is the winner, Challenger release your next Pokémon." said the ref.
Ash grabbed the Poke Ball that held Zeus and threw it.
Zeus came out and the sight of another Electabuzz caused him to grin and punch his hands together.
"Using an electric type against an electric type specialist, you've got some balls baby." roared out in laughter.
"Zeus, fire punch."
Zeus charged towards the other Electabuzz with his hand covered in fire and smacked into another fist which was also on fire. Surge's Electabuzz grinned at Zeus.
"Electabuzz thunder."
Even though Zeus was an Electric type, the powerful lightning attack did cause him some pain. Closing his eyes for a moment was all the other Electabuzz needed as when Zeus opened his eyes, he saw a fist covered in ice smacking into him.
Zeus stepped back from the attack before ducking another one. He quickly countered with a fire punch straight to the gut of the other Electabuzz.
Charging a thunder punch, Zeus attack was blocked by a protect and then hit with a mega punch. Zeus shock the attack off quickly before blocking a fire punch, he was once again shocked with a thunder and then hit with another ice punch.
"Zeus fall back." called out Ash who got a grunt from Zeus before withdrawing from the up-close fight.
"Electabuzz hit him with another thunder."
"Zeus quick attack to avoid it and then use swift."
Zeus speed increased with the quick attack, avoiding the blast of lightning before sending the small stars impacting into the Electabuzz.
"Electabuzz charge him, you win up close." smirked Surge.
"Zeus, use quick attack to your advantage." whispered Ash, just enough that only Zeus would hear.
Electabuzz charged up an ice punch, which Zeus ducked underneath before slamming a fire punch into Electabuzz gut. Electabuzz groaned before charging up a mega punch, which Zeus used a small burst of quick attack to avoid before slamming the Electabuzz with a fire punch. Electabuzz winced as the fire attack left a small burn.
"Electabuzz blow him away with thunder."
Zeus not reacting fast enough was blasted with the thunder attack sending him back a bit. Electabuzz quickly went for a mega punch which Zeus used quick attack to avoid once more, he then slammed another fire punch on the previous spots he had gotten, increasing the burn on there. Zeus raised his hand for another attack, which the other Electabuzz prepared for a protect. His attack bouncing off the shield. He was then hit by a mega punch sending him across the field.
Both Electabuzz were panting, clearly tired. They proceeded to charge after each other. Zeus gathered fiery energy with Electabuzz, with Electabuzz going for a mega punch. Zeus being too tired to use quick attack, was overpowered by the stronger Electabuzz, having his arm pushed back and then punched in the face with the attack.
Zeus fell onto the ground unable to push himself back up.
"The Challenger's Electabuzz is unable to battle, Lt. Surge's Electabuzz is the winner. Challenger send out your last Pokémon." called out the ref.
Ash recalled Zeus, offering his words of gratitude towards the ball. He placed it on his belt and grabbed Infernos.
Inferno announced his presence with a burst of flames.
"Alright Inferno, it's all up to you, he has one left after this, let's do it." called out Ash getting a firm nod from his starter.
"Electabuzz, mega punch."
Electabuzz slowly charged towards Inferno, who quickly side stepped before slamming Electabuzz with a fire punch in his wounds from his previous fight.
"Inferno, flamethrower."
Inferno quickly followed the order unleashing an explosion of fire from his mouth towards the Electabuzz who was too tired to move out the way and instantly engulfed in flames.
With the flames leaving the battlefield, they left a scorched, unconscious Electabuzz laid out on the ground.
"Electabuzz is unable to battle, Charmeleon is the winner." called out the ref.
"Haha, this has been fun little baby, but this ends now." smirked Surge as he gestured for the Raichu standing next to him to go.
"Raichu, show him some power, brick break."
"Inferno, counter with fire punch."
Raichu raced forward with his paw glowing as he brought it down against Inferno's fire punch easily overpowering him.
Inferno was sent backwards, but easily stabled himself.
"Raichu, Thunder."
"You know what to do Inferno." called out Ash.
Inferno quickly used iron tail to convert the thunder attack into the ground.
"So, your little lizard can do it too huh. Raichu see if he can stop this attack, volt tackle." replied Surge with a grin.
Raichu quickly started charging towards Inferno as its body began to cover in electricity, slamming straight into Inferno causing immense pain.
Raichu grunted a bit from the drawbacks of volt tackle.
"Inferno, smoke dance." whispered Ash.
Inferno getting up to his feet, covered the field with smoke before starting the dance of dragons.
"Raichu standby, don't be lured in." called out Surge causing Ash to grin.
Once the dance was finished, Inferno came speeding out of the smoke slamming straight into Raichu with a fire punch.
Raichu quickly got to its feet and charged Inferno with a take down, with Inferno blasting him with a flamethrower. Raichu being in immense pain pushed through the attack slamming his body into Inferno once again.
"Raichu, body slam."
Raichu rushed towards Inferno who was still balancing himself from the previous attack and was once again put down into the ground with a Raichu's body.
"Raichu, mega punch.
Inferno slowly getting to his feet was instantly sent across the field by a mega punch.
"Inferno once more smoke dance." whispered Ash.
Inferno struggling to get to his feet unleashed the smoke and began his dance once more.
Raichu once again stayed out of it and moved around the smoke.
Inferno, feeling the double boost of attack and speed from his dances, rushed out the smoke once again catching Raichu by surprise with his increased speed and hit him with another fire punch sending him back.
Inferno quickly followed a command by Ash and sent a dragon's breath towards Raichu instantly engulfing him.
Raichu slowly got to its feet across the battlefield from Inferno.
Ash looked towards Inferno who was panting hard, but noticed something else from looking at his back. His tail flame was becoming larger fast, he grinned, his ability Blaze was activated.
Both Pokémon's panting hard followed their next orders from their trainers.
"Raichu, finish it volt tackle."
"Inferno, flamethrower."
Raichu quickly covered himself in electricity charging towards Inferno, who in turn spat a huge storm of fire towards the electric mouse, quickly overcoming him in it.
Slowly, and Slowly, as Raichu made his way towards Inferno, he got slower and slower, while being in excruciating pain.
"Inferno, fire punch."
With a slow Raichu getting closer, Inferno gathered the powered-up flames in his hand and punched the mouse covered in electricity, overpowering the volt tackle, and sending him across the field.
Inferno dropped to one of his knees instantly, breathing hard.
Looking at Raichu, he was on the ground still.
"Raichu is unable to battle, Charmeleon is the winner, meaning the Challenger is the victor." called out the ref.
Ash let out a big breath as he smiled. He was quick to walk to his starters side before putting him on the back and giving his words of thanks and pride.
"Haha, that was a fun battle, about time someone actually pushed me." said a grinning Surge as he made way to Ash.
"Well kid, this is yours." said Surge handing Ash his third badge, the thunder badge.
Looks like he was upgraded from baby to kid, thought Ash.
"Also, I was told that anyone who can beat me gets one of these too." he said pulling out a small ticket.
"That's a ticket for the S.S Anne that leaves in about 3 months, I'd take the ride if I were you, there's going to be a big tournament with a reward for the top performers, and would be a good way to test yourself out."
Ash nodded at that and offered his thanks for the battle.
"Well, I've got to get my team to the Pokémon Center, why don't we head over there right now." said Surge towards Ash who nodded as he returned Inferno to his Poke Ball.
They both made their way out of the gym and the huge line starting making noise towards Surge, who with one stern stare quickly shut them all up.
Line
"So, kid what other Pokémon you got?" asked Surge as he and Ash handed Nurse Joy there Pokémon.
"I've got an Umbreon, and Mudkip, the latter should evolve by the time I reach Lavander Town." replied Ash.
"Huh, you've got a good team, you said you only had 2 badges before right. When did you get your Electabuzz?" questioned Surge.
"I've had him for around a month, I got him in Cerulean City as an Elekid, he evolved just before I left there." commented Ash.
"Damn, that's impressive, that runt of yours is going to be a beast once he gets more experience, and your Dratini and Charmeleon too, the Pokémon I used in our battle would usually be for someone going for their 6th badge, you've got a good start on your team, maybe get a Psychic or Ghost type and that'll be a good lineup." said Surge with a nod.
"Yea, like I said, I'm going to head towards Lavander Town and try to capture a Ghost type before I head over to Celadon to take on Ericka, it'll also give me around 2 months to prepare for Koga, then I'll head back here and train for a week or two while I wait for the S.S Anne.
"Good plan, you should have no problem with Ericka, not that she's weak at all, she has a monster of a Venasuar, but for a 4th badge challenge, your lizard will roast her team, and for Koga, well he holds back compared to Sabrina, Blaine, and Giovanni, but not that much, getting as much training for him will be good." replied the giant man.
"Yea, I plan on challenging them 3 later, but for now I don't want to plan anything until the S.S Anne is over with."
"At least you're giving yourself a challenge, most trainers would get a few of the main badges before running off to the minor Gyms." said Surge with a scowl.
"Alright kid I've got to get back to the gym, but when you get back to Vermilion, head over to the Gym and we can have another battle, though I'll use my stronger members." said Surge with a grin as he offered his hand.
"Aright, I'll do that." replied Ash as he shook hands with Surge before watching him walk out of the Pokémon Center.
A few hours later Ash
Ash got his Pokémon from Nurse Joy and thanked her before releasing Luna and walking out of the gym.
"We won the badge." said Ash towards Luna with a smile who nodded with a smile back.
"So, I plan for us to head over to Lavander Town tomorrow. We'll head over to the Pokémon Tower and try to capture a Ghost type, so I'll be counting on you to keep us safe." said Ash towards Luna who gave him a firm nod.
Reaching a small hill overlooking the ocean of Vermilion, Ash released the rest of his team and he sat down with Luna sitting next to him.
"Alright guys, so now that we've won our third badge, we'll be heading to Lavander Town to try and capture a ghost type. It'll be around a 2 week walk, and then after we will head over to Celadon from there, which will take around 3-4 weeks. We will have around a month and a half to train before the next gym and we'll take advantage of that." said Ash.
His team nodded at the plan, although Zeus looked annoyed sitting to the side. Ash thought he was mad about losing to the other Electabuzz.
"Alright guys, so today we rest and tomorrow we'll hit the road and begin training again, so go ahead and relax." said Ash towards his team getting nods from them.
Ash got up and walked towards Zeus.
"You mad about losing to the other Electabuzz?" asked Ash
Zeus ignored him, but Ash took that as a yes.
"You know, that Electabuzz is usually used for trainers trying to win their 6th badge, we were trying to get out 3rd, that means you shouldn't have even been able to put up much of a fight, but you did. Inferno finished the battle in less than a minute. That Electabuzz was already too tired from his battle with you.
Zeus slowly nodded at that.
"Also, we'll be back in a couple of months to retake on Surge and maybe you can get a rematch against the Electabuzz." said Ash with a smirk as Zeus looked up with a wide grin.
"Enjoy the day, we'll begin training again tomorrow alright." said Ash who got a nod from Zeus who in turn laid his back on the grassy hill.
Ash smiled as he did the same and took in a breath of air before closing his eyes.
He would relax with his team now, tomorrow they would return to their journey.
Ash's Team
Charmeleon male (Inferno)
Moves- Scratch, Ember, Smokescreen, Bite, Dragon Dance, Metal Claw, Fire Fang, Iron Tail, Dragon Breath, Brick Break, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, and Flamethrower.
Dratini female shiny (Sky)
Moves- Wrap, Thunder wave, Twister, Dragon Rage, Water Pulse, Iron Tail, Ember, Dragon Breath, Agility, Shockwave, and Aqua Tail.
Umbreon female (Luna)
Moves- Tackle, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Quick Attack, Endure, Iron Tail, Shadow Ball, Bite, Moonlight, Crunch, and Dark Pulse.
Electabuzz male (Zeus)
Moves- Quick Attack, Charge, Thunder Shock, Swift, Thunder Wave, Shock Wave, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Brick Break, Fire Punch and Low Kick.
Mudkip male (Atlas)
Moves- Tackle, Water Gun, Bide, Mud-Slap, Rock Tomb, Scald, Water Pulse and Dig.
Combo Moves
Quick Tail- Quick Attack + Iron Tail
Quick Ball- Quick Attack + Shadow Ball
Smoke Dance- Smoke Screen + Dragon Dance
RnR