Wow never expected such an enthusiastic and booming reaction to the first chapter. Thanks guys! Just remember, bold is me, italics is the narrator.
After an exciting battle with his new rival, Sky, Ash and his newest companion Growlithe are ready to take on the Indigo League. To do so, Ash must battle without the help of any Pokemon he's caught previously for at least four gym battles, including Pikachu!
Ash woke up after a short, but fulfilling, night's sleep. Growlithe barked its name when its trainers eyes fluttered open.
"Hey Growlithe, how you doing?" Ash asked, looking around his room for Pikachu.
"Growl." Growlithe answered appreciatively.
"Do you know where Pikachu is?"
"Pika?" Pikachu responded, poking its head in the cracked door after a long morning pet session with Delia Ketchum.
"Oh there you are Pikachu. And how did you sleep buddy?"
"Pikachu!"
"Sounds good to me."
The three pals wolfed down their breakfast and took a morning run to test Growlithe's stamina. As the puppy Pokemon, Growlithe was more than capable to outlast Ash and Pikachu on endurance.
Ash and Pikachu stopped in front of a building just on the outskirts of town.
Ash frowned as he didn't recognize the building.
"Hey Growlithe, come back." Ash shouted, to the puppy Pokemon whom was beginning to loop around to its trainer. "When did this place get here?" He asked.
"You're referring to the Pokemon gym?"
"A gym in Pallet Town?" Ash asked.
"That's right." The female voice agreed.
"Who are you...?" Ash turned and saw a familiar face. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
The girl racked her brain. "I don't think so. My name's Neesha."
"Pika?" Pikachu wondered aloud.
Ash was certain that he'd met this trainer before... but when?
"I'm Ash. This is Growlithe and Pikachu."
"Growlithe."
"Pikachu."
"It's nice to meet you both." She said smiling. "So you're a Pokemon trainer?"
"That's right."
"I'm guessing you'd like to battle the gym leader here?" Neesha suggested with a cocky smile on her face.
"Well up until a few minutes ago we were going on a morning run to get in shape. I had no idea that there was Pokemon gym in Pallet Town. I've been gone for over a year now."
"Oh so you grew up in Pallet?"
"Yep."
"I grew up in Viridian City just through the forest. But I didn't like the idea of a competing gym. So I opened up this gym a couple months back."
"Cool! So I guess I should challenge you sometime soon."
"Soon? Why not now?"
Ash looked at his Growlithe, who was licking its paws. He had a lot of potential, but he'd barely had any training with it. Then again, he knew a lot about fire-types from raising Infernape, Quilava, and Charizard. He'd seen several Growlithe throughout his journeys... but could he win with it?
"I've only got the one Pokemon right now." Ash admitted.
"But you have Pikachu and a Growlithe?"
Ash laughed awkwardly. "Yeah... I'm not allowed to use Pikachu since this will be my second tour of the Kanto region."
"Makes sense to me." Neesha smiled. "A one-on-one will definitely be an interesting way to do it."
Neesha unlocked the door and revealed a beautiful gym with a field, an aquarium, and a nice hot sauna for fire-types to heal and rest.
Inside were several Pokemon Ash recognized, Wigglytuff, Dewgong, Vileplume, Ninetales, a baby Vulpix, and a Rapidash that was running around the field with a few Ponyta chasing it around.
"I've got more Pokemon than this, but these Pokemon are the first ones I got." She explained, patting Wigglytuff on the head. "I hatched her as a Igglybuff from an egg." She pointed to Ninetales, "I caught her as a Vulpix after she was attacked by a wild Fearow. And Rapidash was my mom's Ponyta before I was born. Then my mom gave her to me for my eleventh birthday. She evolved into Rapidash a few years ago, right before..." She drew a blank.
"Neesha? Is everything okay?"
"Sorry. I lost my train of thought... I swear there was something important that happened right before she evolved." She seemed to think on it for a while.
The blank reminded Ash of his own blind spot in his memory system. Like why she still looked so familiar?
"I caught Vileplume as an Oddish when I first started my Pokemon journey. She was the first Pokemon I ever caught wild."
"Wow that reminds me of the Caterpie I caught when I just started out." Ash exclaimed, thinking about the Butterfree he had released to mate with a rare pink Butterfree.
Neesha smiled. "I caught Dewgong while fishing in the ocean when I was twelve. It was one of my best catches because he helps me get around in the water."
"Wow you sure do have a lot of great Pokemon. Which one will you use in our battle?"
"Oh, none of these." Neesha admitted, fingering the Pokeball necklace around her neck. She pressed the button and the Pokeball fell into her waiting hand. "This was my very first Pokemon. I evolved it twice, and it's never let me down. Go Pokemon!" She yelled, throwing the sphere into the air.
"Blastoise!"
"Shellshocker." Ash whispered, suddenly remembering the battle between BlastoiseTwo and Shellshocker. Neesha had been one of the trainers at New Island when he first met MewTwo! Ash doubted she'd remember that encounter. Mewtwo had erased all of their memories with his psychic powers. Ash only remembered because he met Mewtwo again while he was in the Johto region.
Neesha frowned. "How did you know my Blastoise's nickname?"
"Blast." Blastoise agreed.
"Must be a common nickname." Ash countered, laughing nervously with his hand behind his head.
"So are you ready to battle then Ash?" Neesha asked.
"You're on!" Ash challenged.
...
"Here at the Pallet Town Gym, trainers battle for the Element Badge." Neesha explained, holding up a square badge with the four elements (air, water, eart, and fire) insignia. "Only by mastering the four elements on and off the battlefield allow trainers to beat me."
"Then that's what I'll do. Growlithe," Ash took a knee to talk to his fire friend. "I know you haven't had any training. But I believe in you." Ash promised. "Fight hard, stay strong, and we'll show that Blastoise what a fire type can do."
"Growllllllllithe." Growlithe howled.
"The battle between the Pallet Town Gym leader, Neesha, and the challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town will now begin. Only one Pokemon may be used, no time limit." The referee declared. "Go!"
"Growlithe, I choose you!" Ash commanded, letting Growlithe take the field.
"Go Shellshocker!"
"Blast."
"Growl."
"Use Hydropump!"
Blastoise sent out powerful streams of water.
"Dodge and use tackle!"
"A poor choice, Ash. Blastoise use Rapid Spin!"
As Growlithe got closer, Blastoise retreated into its shell and spun itself towards the fire puppy.
"Slide low on your back and use flamethrower!"
"Growlithe." The pup obeyed Ash's command, sending a blaze of firepower right under Blastoise's rapid spin.
"Shellshocker!" Blastoise fell to the ground with a loud crash. It got up, the two Pokemon were now on opposite sides of the field than their trainers. "You're an interesting trainer Ash. I'll give you that."
"The only thing I want you to give me is that Element badge." Ash stated confidently. "Growlithe use bite!"
"Headbutt Shellshocker!"
Headbutt landed strongly on Growlithe who landed on the ground, struggling to get up.
"Stomp on the ground!"
Blastoise stomped, shaking the entire field making it impossible for the ailing Growlithe to stand up.
"Now it's time for our special move Shellshocker! Use Hydro Pump Aerial Crush!"
"What?" Ash said, watching Blastoise use Hydro Pump on the ground directly below it. The water Pokemon flew into the sky and fell back down with incredible speed. "Growlithe roll out of the way!" Ash screamed, fearing for his Pokemon's health.
"Growl." Growlithe rolled away just in time. Still struggling to stand since the Aerial Crush shook the earth even more.
"Of course." Ash realized. 'Neesha said this battle would be against the four elements. Blastoise is a water type, with the weight and strength to shake the very Earth on which it fights, and with the Aerial Crush she even has command of the element of air!
"Figured it out have you?" Neesha said slyly, not commanding Blastoise to do anything just yet.
"You said this was a battle of the four elements. Well there's one thing a water Pokemon can't do... and that's bend fire! Use flamethrower!" Ash yelled, pointing at Blastoise.
"Growwwwwl." Growlithe agreed, sending an inferno towards the grounded Blastoise.
"Blast..." Blastoise stumbled, falling to the ground on its shell.
"Use rapid spin and get back up!" Neesha urged.
"Don't let it! Use ember!" Ash commanded.
The ground around Blastoise lit up in flame, making it impossible for Blastoise to move without getting burned.
"HydroPump and Rapid Spin!"
The way a Squirtle would use Hydro Pump, Blastoise spun and spewed water at the fires surrounding it.
Blastoise stood up, weakened greatly by a tough battle.
Growlithe was also struggling to stand. Whoever got a good look in in the next couple of attacks would take home the victory.
"Water gun!"
Before Growlithe could dodge, it was doused in a sea of water.
Growlithe fell over, losing for the first time.
"Growlithe is unable to battle the victory goes to the gym leader Neesha!" The referee declared, pointing at the Gym leader who'd vacated her post to see to her unconscious Blastoise.
"Shellshocker, are you okay?"
"Growlithe." Ash cried, running to his companion's side. "You did so great buddy." He complimented the fainted Pokemon. "We're gonna get you some training, and we'll be ready for her next time."
"Actually, I don't think there needs to be a next time." Neesha admitted, withdrawing Blastoise into its Pokeball. "I don't think I won the battle."
"But your last move took Growlithe out." Ash recalled.
"Yeah. But..." She pulled out a miniature tablet and pressed the center button. Above it shone a hologram that replicated the gym battle. Right after Water Gun was used, Blastoise fell, hitting the ground at nearly the same time as Growlithe did. She turned to the referee. "Did you get that?"
"Indeed. Under scrutiny of challenge by the previously declared victor of the battle, I now declare this match a draw!"
"No one's beaten Shellshocker in this gym before. I normally only use it when I'm facing a trainer that knows how to overcome adversity, or just isn't ready to earn the badge. But you demonstrated thorough use of the terrain and understanding of the improvised moves I trained Shellshocker with. You even came up with a couple of your own on the spot." Neesha complimented Ash, petting Growlithe on the head. "As per my duty as this gym leader, I proudly present to you the Element badge."'
Ash took it in his hand and cheered.
"I got the Element badge!"
"Well that was quite a show?" Ash." Gary admitted from the door behind Neesha's post.
"Gary. You know this trainer?" Neesha asked.
"Of course sweetheart, Ash and I go way back." Gary explained, putting his hand in his pocket to touch the half of a Pokeball that he carried with him always.
"Sweetheart?" His eyes went wide. "You're Gary's girlfriend!?" Ash exclaimed, his eyes going wider than they previously were.
"The one and only." Gary and Neesha agreed.
Ash and Neesha brought their respective Pokemon to the treatment center inside the Pallet Town Gym.
"I built this mini Pokemon center here since the closest Pokemon Center is in Viridian City, I figure that it's probably not too safe to travel all the way there with fainted Pokemon."
Ash nodded.
Neesha took Growlithe's Pokeball and Pikachu and set them on a table.
"Chansey, Wigglytuff." She called.
The two Pokemon appeared shortly after and took the three Pokemon to the back for a full restoration of strength.
"So ya let Ashy beat ya." Gary stated, jibing at his girlfriend.
"Not quite." She shrugged. "Ash put up a good fight and managed to do some real damage to shell shocker with close quarter fire attacks."
"That's Ash all right. Always got something new up his sleeve." Gary admitted, laughing.
"So Ash, where will you go next?" Neesha asked.
"I was thinking I'd go back to Pewter City first." Ash admitted. "Maybe I'll see Brock there."
"Why not stop by the Viridian City gym first? It's on the way."
Gary and Ash gave each other a look.
"The Viridian Gym is controlled by Team Rocket. I don't want anything to do with those guys." Ash confessed.
"And they have a killer secret weapon. A psychic Pokemon that beat my Arcanine and Nidoking with the same move simultaneously."
"You mean Giovanni? He doesn't run that gym anymore. A nice man named Sud took it over... must be four or five years ago."
"Is it still a ground type gym?" Gary asked.
"Yep. Home of the Earth badge."
"Well I guess if that weird Pokemon is gone, it's no problem to go and check it out." Gary conceded.
"I think so too." Ash decided. "I'll go there on my way to Pewter City."
"I'll go with you." Gary offered. "I imagine you'll be making your way to Cerulean for the Cascade badge right?"
"Eventually."
"That's great because I've been meaning to take a look at some great find in the Unknown Cerulean Cave. Grandpa wanted to go, but it was too dangerous for him to go alone. So I'm meeting him there."
"That's great. It's always best to travel with friends." Ash said.
"Mhm." Gary agreed.
"I guess you'll be off on another adventure then." Neesha noted to Gary.
"Yeah. Sorry sweetheart, duty calls." Gary turned to Ash. "We'll leave tomorrow morning."
"Sounds good!"
Ash grabbed Growlithe and went home to pack. He grabbed his sleeping bag/other camping equipment. A dozen or so spare Pokeballs to keep in his bag and a few Greatballs.
Ash turned his eyes to his hat... his old hat. The official Pokemon league hat that he sent in a million post cards to get. Admittedly, he felt nostalgic. So he removed his hat from the Sinnoh region and placed it on the new hook Mr. Mime had put in for him. Then he withdrew the old hat and placed it on his head.
'Now I'm ready.' Ash thought to himself.
Ash took Growlithe and Pikachu to the backyard and had them battle while Ash called out various commands from the sidelines.
"Pikachu use thunderbolt! Growlithe dodge!"
They spent several hours training until Ash decided he'd need to step up the training to take on this Sud.
"Growlithe return." Ash summoned his companion back to the ball and went with Pikachu to Professor Oak's.
There he had Gliscor and several others battle Growlithe.
Growlithe was a hard worker and an obedient Pokemon. Granted, the Pokemon was far too stubborn to admit defeat or to forgive itself for making a mistake in battle. However, it was a quick learner, and with a variation of new techniques developed by Ash it could soon become one of the strongest members of Ash's team.
Ash retrieved a Tauros and Gliscor's Pokeball from Professor Oak for training purposes and placed them on his belt. Ash shortly considered leaving Pikachu with the Professor so he could give Growlithe as much battle time as he could muster. But he decided that in order for Growlithe to beat Lt. Surge's Raichu in Vermilion City, Pikachu better be right up there with him to help.
The next morning Ash and Gary set off to Viridian City.
"So do you really think you'll be able to win the Indigo League?" Gary asked as they made their way to Viridian.
"I know I can!" Ash said confidently. "I'm gonna catch new Pokemon, train them up, and use all of my Pokemon to win at the Indigo Plateau."
"As long as you get Charizard to listen to you this time around, you should be fine."
"Yeah." Ash laughed awkwardly. "Charizard and I patched things up wince then. You might remember."
Gary did. He remembered Charizard battling his Golem, even defeating his Blastoise despite the type advantage. Charizard, when cooperative, had the strength to battle just about any opponent. Gary reckoned that even a legendary Pokemon would struggle against Ash's Charizard.
With his first Pokemon gym badge, Ash departs to Viridian City, accompanied by the young researcher Gary Oak. There Ash seeks to challenge Sud, but will he able to triumph over ground type Pokemon? Will he be able to capture a Pokemon that would give him the advantage...? Stay tuned...
Nothing really for me to say, other than thanks for reading! The gym idea came from the fact that Ash competing in all the same gyms as last time sounds a little... unrealistic and repetitive even if the gym leaders change their Pokemon around. I figure a few minor gyms thrown in will help keep the story alive and add some creative elements as well.
Thanks again for reading!
