Disclaimer: Don't blame me! I'm just a cute little fanfic writer!
: Thoughts
* *: Pokédex responses
^^ ^^: Pokémon language
: Lyrics
Ranma-Chan: Ranma as a girl
The Johto Journeys Logo is shown as we begin Ranma's Johto Journey
It's a whole new world we live in!
Pokémon Johto!
We now see Ranma riding racing across the landscape on his Rapidash.
Everybody wants to be a Master!
Flash to Raiden, who is riding on Ranma's shoulder.
Everybody wants to show their skill!
Cut to Jeanette who is riding her own Rapidash as she winks.
Everybody wants to get there faster!
Cut to Sam and Ia who are riding her Fearow from above.
Make their way to the top of the hill!
We now see Wildfire leaping across a canyon while Wind Rider soars above.
Each time you try, gonna get a little bit faster!
Razor goes into a spinning attack as Sea Storm lets loose with his Water Cannon.
Each step you climb, one more step up the ladder!
The scene now changes to Ranma as he gets splashed and changes into Ranma-chan as Raiden giggles slightly at his master's irritation.
It's a whole new world we live in!
Bruiser pops up and winks as he gives a thumbs up.
It's a whole new way to see!
We now see a close up of the three girls with Brock in the background looking at them with his usual lovesick expression.
It's a whole new world, with a brand-new attitude!
We now see Ranma and Ash facing each other off as Raiden and Pikachu prepare to battle.
But you still gotta catch 'em all, to be the best that you can be!
It's a whole new world we live in!
Ranma-chan is now stomping on a lovesick Brock and telling him to get lost.
But you still gotta catch 'em all, to be the best that you can be!
Raiden and Pikachu leap at each other, preparing to let loose with Thundershocks.
Pokémon Johto!
Part 1
Ranma, Is That You?
"Ranma! Wait up!" Jeanette called as she urged her Rapidash to go faster. Though her own flame-horse could do better than 150mph, that was considered less than cruising speed for Wildfire. Most Rapidashes were good for the short fast sprint, but Ranma's could maintain a velocity of 250mph over two hours before tiring appreciably. If he really wanted to, Wildfire could kick it up to 310mph for a few minutes and outstrip Jeanette's Rapidash. However, the evolved form of the Ponyta that the martial artist had rescued was just zipping along at 175 for a while, as they were on their way to the Johto League.
High above them, Sam's Fearow was winging along with its two passengers; its trainer and Koga's sister Ia. It had been a relatively quiet week since the four of them had set off. Quiet in the sense that no major fights had broken out between the three attractive girls since they had visited New Barq Town to register.
Flashback, a week ago...
"Yes Nurse Joy. I'm here to register for the Johto League." Ranma said as he handed her his Pokédex.
"Good." The Pokémon caregiver said as she took the device, along with the other Pokédexes, which belonged to Ranma's traveling companions, Ia and Jeanette. Sam was already a Gym Leader and was qualified to enter without needing eight Johto badges. One by one, their Pokédexes were inserted into a computer console with Ranma's being the last. When the screen flashed his picture on the monitor, it read out loud that Ranma's registration was complete.
Nurse Joy handed back the group their Pokédexes and told them that the first Gym badge was in Violet City. The gang then sat down and waited for their Pokémon to return from their checkups.
"So Ranma, tell me more about yourself." Ia asked.
Ranma took a deep breath as he absently stroked his Pikachu's ears. "Well, there isn't much more I can tell you." Ia had been asking questions nonstop since she had joined him on his Pokémon journey. Of course, this diverted his attention from the other girls, which didn't set well with them.
"Oh come on now, a talented trainer like you with nothing else to say?" Ia teased as she continued to prod Ranma with more questions. Ranma became even more nervous as Raiden sighed.
"Pika, pi...chu.." ^^My trainer still needs to be trained about girls.^^
End of flashback...
As of now, the four were on their way to defeat the Gym Leader of Violet City. Unlike most trainers, who have to walk on foot; with their modes of transportation, Ranma and his companions made good time and reached the outskirts of the city in less than a week. During that time, they continued on with their training. As a proficient ninja, Ia took to the Anything Goes like a fish to water, though training WITH Pokémon was something to get used to...
Flashback...
WHUMP!
"OW!" Ia winced as she rubbed her sore bottom. She sat up and glanced at her sparring partner, who apologized by bowing to her.
"Pikachu."
"I thought a Pikachu won by either electric or speed attacks. First time I ever went up against an electric rodent that used Aikido." Ia stood up and returned the bow to her partner.
Ranma shrugged. "Well, I did warn you that training with me is a bit different from what you're used to. Training Pokémon is one thing, but training WITH the Pokémon not only strengthens the Pokémon, but also the trainer. And I think that if you're willing to go through the same training as your Pokémon go through, then there will be more trust between them and you."
"Not a bad idea." Ia admitted as she gave Raiden a smile.
Jeanette nodded as Sam also agreed. "That's right. Ranma has not only been training us in his fighting style, but he's also taken on our Pokémon as well. We've even sparred with Raiden there."
"Don't remind me." Jeanette winced. "I've still got the bruises to prove it. And I thought teaching my Bellsprout how to use Aikido was hard. Raiden showed me a few tricks that even I never knew."
"Well, in any case, we should be in Violet City by tomorrow." Ranma said to change the subject. "Do any of you know about the gym leader there?"
"Well, I've heard that he's big lover of Bird Pokémon." Sam said. "I've also heard that he's made some up some interesting attacks to compensate for his Pokémon's weaknesses. In a way, he's kind of like you. He's always making up new kinds of tactics to catch his opponents off guard."
"Hmmm..." Ranma thought about it for a moment. He was always on the lookout for new challenges and this next gym leader may be just the one to give him a good battle.
----------
Later that night, the three girls were eating their dinners and preparing for sleep as Ranma was training nearby with his Pokémon, getting set to go up against the gym leader. As they sat and ate, they discussed about the only male in their little group.
"So that's how I met Ranma." Sam said as she finished telling the others about her first encounter with Ranma. Jeanette and Ia had already told each other of their meetings with him.
"He really made an impression, eh?" Jeanette said while giving her traveling companions a teasing smile.
"I'll say! Though, despite being with him all this time, I still don't know much about him." Sam admitted.
"He doesn't really talk much about himself, does he?" Ia commented. Like the other girls, she only knew of the basics of Ranma's training and life. He had purposely left out certain details, such as the fact that he was from another world and of course his little problem with Jusenkyo. Ia was quite skeptical when the girls had told her about the Neko Ken training, but since he no longer suffered from the fear of felines, it didn't really matter if she believed it or not.
"He says that there's not much more that he can tell us about his life, but I get the feeling that he's still hiding something from us, something really big."
It was at that moment that they heard a very loud scream, which they recognized as Ranma's, followed by a splashing noise. They immediately got to their feet and rushed to the area where they last saw him. They stopped dead in their tracks when they came to the clearing.
Ranma-chan was on her rear, soaking wet and leaning against a tree. Her Golduck was beside her, apologizing for splashing his master... er, mistress with his Water Gun. Nearby, the Water Stone Pendant was in pieces on the ground.
The transformed Ranma sighed as she looked up and saw the shocked expressions on the girls' faces. She could just imagine what they were about to say.
"W-W-Who are you? Where's Ranma?" Jeanette stuttered.
The martial artist and Pokémon trainer took a deep breath and stood up. "I'm... Ranma Saotome. Sorry about this."
----------
"So that's the whole story." Ranma finished as he and the others sat around he campfire. In his mind, he still replayed the events that had just occurred. He had been sparring with his Golduck, when the Pokémon accidentally knocked off his Water Stone Pendant with a Water Gun attack. The fragile shard had knocked off and broken apart when it smacked against a tree. With it gone, Ranma's curse once again activated itself.
SPLASH!
Ranma-chan frowned a bit after Sam dumped a bucket of cold water on her.
"That's absolutely incredible!" Ia remarked. "It's like watching a Pokémon evolve!"
FSSSSSSHHHH!
Jeanette poured some hot water on Ranma-chan from the kettle that had been heating on the fire. Ranma became a boy again.
"And I find your story of being from another world also amazing!" Ia stated.
SPLASH!
Sam dumped some more cold water on Ranma.
"Then again, that does explain why I've never heard of the Anything Goes Martial Arts."
FSSSSSSSSSHHHH!
More hot water from Jeanette.
"And I always thought curses were just silly superstitions."
SPLASH!
Ranma is male again.
"Yeah, well I didn't believe it either until AFTER I fell into that cursed spring. Stupid oyaji. He just had to find that place, even though he couldn't speak or read a word of Chinese." Ranma snorted at the memory of his idiotic father.
----------
On Ranma's birth world...
"ACHOO!"
Guess who just sneezed again?
----------
FSSSSSSSHHHHH!
"This is fun, no matter how many times we do this." Jeanette remarked.
SPLASH!
"Are you sure those things are real?" Sam asked as she poked one of Ranma-chan's breasts. She was slightly jealous that Ranma's cursed form had a more fuller bosom than her own. She stared down at her own chest.
FSSSSSSSHHHH!
"WILL YOU TWO CUT THAT OUT?!" Ranma shouted after being doused for the umpteenth time. At the same time, Raiden came to his master's side and his cheek pouches crackled, warning the girls that tormenting Ranma was not something to be tolerated.
"Pikachu!"
Sam and Jeanette slowly put down the bucket and teakettle and nodded while backing away a bit.
"Sorry about that Ranma, but it's just so... weird." Sam said.
"Yeah, it's really something that you don't see every day." Jeanette said. "I mean, we've all seen Pokémon evolve, but this is the first time we've ever seen a human change like that."
"Hey, it's no big deal." Ranma stated. "No matter which form I'm in, I'm still Ranma. Though I prefer to keep my other side a secret, okay? It's really embarrassing, and if anyone else were to find out it or the fact that I'm from another dimension, then every scientist in this world would be after me. I ain't going to be nobody's guinea pig, got that?"
"I can understand that." Ia said. "Though it is something to get used to."
Both Sam and Jeanette both nodded, not wanting to be outdone by Koga's sister.
Ranma waved it off. "Ah, once I get another Water Stone, then you won't have to worry about getting used to my curse."
"Well, that might be a bit of a problem." Sam said.
"What do you mean? All I need is a small chip to keep my curse in check and..."
"I think what Sam is trying to say is that Water Stones, even small fragments, are really expensive!" Jeanette replied.
"Yes, and you have to make certain that you get a good quality stone." Ia added. "Cheap Water Stones have been known to cause very poor evolutions for Pokémon and who knows what a bad stone could do to you."
"But.."
"I'm sorry Ranma, but that's how it goes. Although, you're problem isn't so bad." The ninja girl said with some sympathy.
"Yeah, I think it's kind of cool that you can change into a girl." Sam said.
Ranma shook his head sadly. Things were going to get were going to get complicated.
----------
The next day...
"I'm here to challenge the gym leader." Ranma said as he and the girls stood at the front gate of the Violet City Gym. Perched on his shoulder was Raiden.
"Oh, then you want Faulkner." One of the gym's aides remarked as he led the group toward an elevator. "You're in luck. He's on the top floor with his Pokémon. So all of you want to challenge him?"
"Well, I'm Sam Ryker, the Gym Leader from the Indigo League at Veridian City." Sam said as she showed him her Earth Badge.
"I'm from the Crimson City Gym and Dojo. My name is Jeanette Fisher." Jeanette said as held up her mother's Rising Sun Badge. "My mother is the Gym Leader and she told me that her badge is good for one Johto League badge."
"And I'm from the Fuchsia Gym. My brother Koga is the Gym Leader." Ia held up her Soul Badge.
The aide nodded as he checked records on a hand-held computer. "Yes, it all works out. The Gym Leader from Veridian doesn't have to collect eight Johto badges, and the other two girls only have to collect seven more." He then turned to Ranma. "What about you, friend?"
"Sorry, I'm just a ordinary trainer. Guess I'm going to have to earn all eight badges."
"It's just as well." The aide said as the elevator stopped at the top floor. "Faulker would had his hands full if he had to take you all on. Unless you all WANT to challenge him for a Zephyr Badge. Uh, do you?"
The three girls looked at one another in consideration, then back at Ranma and the aide.
"Well..." Ia said slowly, then shook her head. "No, it wouldn't be fair if we all challenged him. His Pokémon are probably going to be too tired to battle if we went one after another."
"Yes, and we are in a bit of a hurry." Jeanette added. "It would be best if Ranma was the only one to challenge the Gym Leader. Ia and me already have the equivalent to one Johto badge."
"By the way. Does this Gym Leader have good insurance on his gym?" Sam asked.
The aide looked at Sam with puzzlement. "Huh? Why do you ask?"
Sam gave him a slight grin while glancing at Ranma. "Oh... no reason."
The group then waked out of the elevator and came onto an open area which was at the top of the tower of the Violet City Gym. There they saw a young man giving his instructions to a Hoot Hoot.
Ranma smiled as he took out his Pokédex.
Faulker nodded as he saw the group approach. "Welcome to the Violet City Gym people. I'm Faulker, the Gym Leader. So who's here to challenge me for a Zephyr Badge?"
"I am." Ranma replied as he stepped forward. Raiden lightly hopped off his shoulder and stepped forward as well.
"All right friend, let's battle!"
Ranma nodded as he went over to the other side of the battle field. Faulkner nodded as he addressed his opponent. "So what's your name, friend?"
Ranma shrugged as he replied. "Well, I'm nobody special. I'll tell you later after I win that Zephyr Badge."
Faulkner took a long look at the challenger and something told him to really watch out for this guy. "You sound pretty sure about yourself. Okay... we'll have a three on three Pokémon battle. I suppose you'll be using that Pikachu up first?" The trainer of Bird Pokémon was quite aware of how vulnerable flying type Pokémon were against electric attacks and had been working on countering such measures.
Ranma looked over his side at Raiden. The electric mouse shrugged and gave him a signal that he wouldn't mind letting one of the others go first. He then addressed his opponent again. "Actually, I'm going to be starting off with someone else."
On the sidelines, Ia glanced to over to Sam and Jeanette. "Why didn't Ranma tell Faulkner his name?"
Sam answered. "Well, Ranma has been getting more and more publicity and that's been working against him. Remember his battle with you and your brother? Both of you prepared for him and that made things even harder for him to win. I think he's working on a new kind of strategy. Let's see what he's got planned."
On the battle field, Ranma held out a Pokéball. "I've heard that you specialize in Bird Pokémon and that you train them to overcome their weaknesses. Well let's see just how well your Pokémon can stand up to mine! Razor, I choose you!"
The Pokéball opened up to reveal Ranma's Sandslash.
"Slash!" Razor took a ready stance. He had fully recovered from his bout with Koga's Golbat and had been training to improve his midair combat techniques.
Faulker looked down at the Sandslash and snorted. "Not a bad choice. But that won't mean squat against this! Go Fearow!"
The Pokéball opened to reveal the evolved form of a Spearow. Ranma nodded as he assessed the Fearow's overall power. It was certainly well- trained and probably at a very high level.
"Let start things off with a Mud Slap, Fearow!" Faulkner called out.
The large bird cawed as it swooped down and flapped its wings together, letting loose with a clods of dirt and soil. Razor dived to the side to avoid a direct hit, but some of that dirt and mud got into his eyes.
Ranma frowned as he checked his Pokédex.
Sure enough, as Razor was trying to wipe his eyes clear, the Fearow dived down to finish him off.
"Okay Fearow, let's take it down! Drill Peck Attack!"
As Ranma saw the bird hurtle down at his Sandslash while making its beak spin like a drill, he smiled as he waited for the Pokémon to be committed to the move. When the attack was about to hit home, he called out to Razor.
"RAZOR! MANEUVER TWELVE!"
After being defeated by Koga's Goldbat, Ranma had been giving Razor special training to improve on his agility and evasion skills. They had worked out twelve new moves, each coded with a number to keep the opponent guessing. As soon as the Sandslash heard the command, he ignored the irritation in his eyes and automatically executed a backward flip. He leaped over the Drill Peck and landed on the neck of the Fearow near its head. With his lower legs gripped tightly to keep him from falling, the armored mouse had a chokehold on his opponent.
"FEAROW! LOOK OUT!"
"RAZOR! FURY SWIPES!"
"SANDSLASH!"
The Fearow had no way of defending against the attack as Razor began delivering a barrage of slashes with his front claws to the bird's head. In ten seconds, the mouse delivered more than sixty swipes which caused the Fearow to lose consciousness. It plummeted down to the ground and landed hard. Razor got off his perch before it crashed and did a tuck-and-roll to avoid injury. After wiping his eyes clear, he then stood up with both his front paws raised in victory.
"SLASH!"
On the sidelines, Faulkner's cheering section began chanting, urging Fearow to get back up.
"Let's go Fearow! Let's go Fearow! Let's go Fearow!"
However, Fearow was not going to get up any time soon. Faulkner nodded as he recalled his Pokémon. "You did good, Fearow. There's no shame in losing to something like that." He looked back up to his opponent. "That was quite an attack. I'm impressed. I thought for sure that a Ground-type Pokémon wouldn't be able to bring down a Flying-type. But let's see if your Sandslash can hold up against this! Go, Dotrio!"
The second Pokéball opened up and the three-headed, evolved form of a Doduo appeared.
"Ranma's got this one in the bag!" Ia commented. "Doduo and Dotrio can't fly. Razor shouldn't have any problems taking down Dotrio."
"I don't know..." Sam said. "Faulkner is an experienced Gym Leader. He wouldn't have brought out Dotrio if he didn't have some kind of strategy against Ranma's Sandslash."
On the battlefield, Razor and Dotrio faced each other off. Faulkner addressed Ranma. "Now if you think you've got the advantage against my Dotrio because it can't fly, then think again!"
"You mean it can fly?" Ranma asked.
"You'll find out! Dotrio!"
The three-headed bird cawed and took off, literally!
The girls gasped as they saw the wingless wonder take to the air.
"Look at that! Faulkner trained his Dotrio to jump really high!" Sam exclaimed. "It's almost as if it can fly!"
Ranma gave a low whistle. "Not bad!" He then gave Razor his next command. "RAZOR! NUMBER NINE!"
"Slash!"
In an instant, the Sandslash also leapt high, astounding Faulkner and his followers.
"You're not the only who taught his Pokémon how to jump!"
Razor and Dotrio met in the air and began delivering strikes at each other. With three beaks, Dotrio could peck at three times as much as Fearow could. However, Razor held his own by blocking and slashing with the long claws on his front legs. He was also more experienced with midair, close-combat than Dotrio. When he saw his opening, he got inside of Dotrio's defense, lashed out with a lower leg and the kick connected with the bird's midsection, driving the breath out of it. Dotrio landed hard on its side as Razor dived down after it.
"DOTRIO! TRI-ATTACK!"
"RAZOR! BUZZSAW BARRAGE!"
Razor curled up into a ball and started spinning rapidly. At the same time, the three heads of the Dotrio began screeching as they formed their energy attack. They launched the blast which hit Razor hard as he came spinning down. Ranma winced as he realized that Faulkner's Dotrio was at a much higher level than he expected. However, Razor's attack still hit home, knocking Dotrio down for the count. However, just as he stopped spinning, one of Dotrio's heads went and got in one last Peck Attack, jamming its beak into the Sandslash's unprotected underbelly.
"Slash!"
"Razor!"
"Dotrio!"
Both Pokémon stared at each other, both exhausted from their attacks. There was a long moment of silence as everyone waited. Then, at the same time, Razor collapsed to the floor as The third head of Dotrio lost consciousness.
"A double KO!" Ia exclaimed.
Faulkner took a deep breath and nodded as he recalled his Pokémon. "Good work, Dotrio. You didn't win that match, but you didn't lose either."
Ranma ran up to his Sandslash and cradled him in his arms. "Are you okay?"
The Sandslash opened his eyes and gave his trainer a weak response. "Sand slash."
"Good work, Razor. You did all right. The Gym Leader's down to one Pokémon now, thanks to you. You deserve a good rest."
----------
After recalling his Pokémon into its Pokéball, Ranma once again faced off against Faulkner. "Let's get this over with!"
"I like your attitude friend. You trained your Pokémon well! But the game's over now! I'm choosing my strongest Pokémon! Go... PIDGEOT!"
Ranma frowned as he took out his Pokédex.
Oh boy! He could probably give Wind Rider a run for his money! Ranma then gestured to his Pikachu.
Raiden nodded as he stepped up and powered up his electric sacs. A well-placed Thunderbolt would be all that was needed to win this match.
However, Faulkner smiled as his Pidgeot spread its wings. "I had a feeling that you'd use that electric rodent sooner or later. Well if you think you've got me beat, then think again! I taught my Pidgeot a new little trick! PIDGEOT, SECRET ATTACK!"
"Pidgot." The bird suddenly took off like a rocket, breaking the sound barrier and causing a sonic boom. This caught everyone off guard as the detonation of sound rang through their eardrums. Raiden cleared his head and looked up. He saw the bird coming down on him from out of the sun, making it difficult to take aim. Just as Raiden was about to let loose with a Thunderbolt, the Pidgeot suddenly lit up like a camera's flashbulb. Since it was already diving from out of the sun's light, the added brightness was staggering.
"Pika!" Raiden was effectively blinded by the unexpected maneuver, which left him vulnerable for about two seconds.
Two seconds was all that Pidgeot needed as it sped down with its Quick Attack. At its already high level, the attack hit home with devastating results. Raiden went flying and fell back on the tarmac hard. The Pidgeot wasted no time in finishing the job as it then swept up a huge Gust Attack.
This sent Raiden flying back up. The Pikachu knew that he was in trouble, but still refused to give up. As he was airborne, he let loose with a sizzling bolt of electricity, but with his eyes still seeing spots, his shot went wide. He came crashing back down on the tarmac as Pidgeot delivered another Quick Attack. Ranma ran up to him as the bird pulled up and then flew back to its master.
"Raiden! Are you okay?" He cradled the injured Pokémon in his arms.
"Pika... pika!" The electric mouse shook his head, indicating that he was still raring to go. He was all set to give that bird a taste of ki. That was when he cried out in pain as he put some weight on his right hind leg.
Ranma however, knew when his Pokémon had reached his limits. He saw that Raiden had injured his leg when he landed on the tarmac. A large bruise was now forming, which would hamper Raiden's movements. The fight was over for him. "Shhhh.... it's all right Raiden. It's okay."
"Pika!" Raiden refused to accept defeat.
However, winning a battle was not as important as the safety of his Pokémon. Besides Jeanette, Sam and Ia, his Pokémon were the only friends that he had. "Shhhh... it's okay, Raiden. You did all you could. We both lost. We underestimated that Pidgeot. Please Raiden... it's over."
Raiden winced as he felt the pain creeping up his leg. He sighed and nodded as his master picked him up and carried him off the battle area.
On the sidelines, Ia, Sam and Jeanette were in a state of shock.
"I... don't believe it! Raiden lost on the first try!" Sam exclaimed. She had never seen that Pokémon ever lose so badly.
"It happens, even to the best of us." Ranma commented off-handedly as he walked toward them and gently handed his Pikachu to Jeanette. "Take care of him until we get to a Pokémon Center. I've got a Zephyr Badge to win!"
He walked back to the battle arena and nodded to Faulkner. "Not a bad trick. You taught your Pidgeot how to do a Flash Attack. Having him dive out of the sun while doing it caught Raiden off guard."
"Thanks. I call that attack the Solar Flash. I got inspired to make up new versions of normal attacks after hearing about a trainer named Ranma Saotome. Maybe you've heard of him?"
Ranma gave his opponent a whimsical smile. "I've... heard of him."
"Well friend, looks like we're BOTH down to our last Pokémon! And unless you've got a flying type, my Pidgeot is going to win!"
The martial artist and Pokémon trainer weighed his options carefully. Faulkner had a point. Despite the fact that midair combat was the specialty of the Saotome School of the Anything Goes, most of Ranma's Pokémon were non-flying types. The Pidgeot had the advantage of aerial supremacy and overall speed. Ranma had only one flying type. He could only hope that Wind Rider's experience and power levels were high enough to beat his evolved form, which happened to be very well-trained and may have a few surprises that he didn't know yet. With his special ki abilities and a little luck, Wind Rider MIGHT be able to win.
Ranma nodded as he took out Wind Rider's Pokéball. "WIND RIDER! I CHOOSE YOU!"
The Pokéball popped open to release Ranma's bird.
"Pidgooo!"
Faulkner chuckled a bit. "So you DO have a flying type. Not bad! But if you think your Pidgeotto can stand up to its evolved form, then you're mistaken!"
"We'll just see about that!"
"PIDGEOT! GO!"
"WIND RIDER! GO!"
At that moment, a sudden explosion was heard above as a large object suddenly appeared above every one. Every one gasped as they saw the object split into two and instantly homed in on Pidgeot and Ranma's Pidgeotto.
Both birds squawked as they found themselves ensnared inside two large nets. They were then hauled up as their trainers watched in shock.
"AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! LOOK AT US!"
"WE GOT TWO BIRDS WITH ONE SHOT! THE BOSS IS GOING TO BE PLEASED!"
"Hey! Come back here with my Pidgeot!" Faulkner cried out as he and Ranma began running after their Pokémon. Above the captive birds, a helicopter clattered in the air as two figures stepped out to stand in triumph in the open side door. One was a female with long red hair and the other was a short, blonde-haired male. Both were dressed in the Team Rocket uniforms.
"Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
Ranma groaned. Don't these guys EVER take a vacation?!"
"To bring the world down with devastation!"
"To put fright in people in every nation!"
"YEAH, YEAH, I KNOW! TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Ranma shouted with annoyance as he took out Sea Storm's Pokéball.
"Uh?" The male half of Team Rocket said.
"No we're not!" The other replied.
"YES YOU ARE! SEA STORM! HYPER BEAM!"
The Golduck appeared and focused his power at the helicopter. From the jewel on his forehead, the Water Pokémon shot out a massive, yellow beam of energy at them.
KABOOM!
Both Team Rocket members were sent flying as the craft exploded.
"He didn't even let us finish." The male Rocket member said.
"Well, he was right though... " The girl replied.
Both crooks then shouted as they soared off into the distance. "LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"
(For those of you who were wondering, these particular Team Rocket members will have to remain anonymous. But if you want you can call them John and Doe)
Both birds were set free as the nets loosened. However, Ranma's strategy to free the Pokémon had some mixed results. The wreckage of the helicopter began falling... toward the tower.
Ranma had a really big sweatdrop as he said. "Okay... so that wasn't exactly the smartest thing. TAKE COVER!"
The falling helicopter slammed into one side of the tower some eighty feet above the ground. Several of the main support pylons were smashed with the impact, causing the entire tower to tremble. Then, the structure began to list to one side, causing the entire gym floor to tremble and tilt. Ranma and the others were knocked off their feet and began sliding toward the edge.
Jeanette immediately released her Scyther, which dug into the tarmac with its sword arms. Sam and Ia immediately grabbed onto Jeanette as she held onto her Pokémon for support. In Jeanetee's other arm, Raiden clung desperately.
Faulkner's staff immediately grabbed hold of railings and such to keep them from sliding. Faulkner however couldn't get a secure grip and slid down toward the edge. Luckily, Ranma had managed to get a hold of a pipe that was jutting out. With his other hand, he reached out and grabbed the Gym Leader by the back of his shirt.
Both Pidgeot and Wind Rider swooped down to assist as Sea Storm began focusing his power. The entire tower was surrounded with a thin blue light as the Golduck used all of his mental power to stop the tower from toppling. The structure began to slow, but it still would not stop.
"FORGET ABOUT US, WIND RIDER! STOP THE TOWER FROM FALLING OVER!" Ranma called out. Looking down, he saw that there were crowds of people below that were scrambling away. He also knew that any people inside the tower would also perish if the tower was not righted.
"YOU TOO, PIDGEOT!" Faulkner called out as he pointed to some cables that were dangling over the other side.
Each bird grabbed hold of a cable with its talons and began hauling in the opposite direction. Their wings flapped furiously as they began using their Gust Techniques to increase their lifting power.
"FEAROW! GIVE THEM A HAND!" Sam cried out as she tossed out one of her Pokéball's. Her own Bird Pokémon appeared and grabbed hold of another cable.
Ranma then called out to Faulkner. "We need to brace the foundation! Can you get a hold of my Pokéballs?"
"Huh?"
With one hand holding onto the pipe and the other on Faulkner's shirt, Ranma couldn't really do anything as the tower began tilting even further. His Golduck was being pressed to his limit to keep the tower from falling apart and slowing its descent.
"Get the third and fourth Pokéballs out and toss them to the ground! Hurry!"
Faulkner grabbed onto Ranma's belt and pulled out both Pokéballs. He then activated the release buttons as he hurled them to the ground. Before they hit, they both popped open and released the martial artist's Rapidash and Machoke. Both landed easily and looked back up at the falling structure.
"WILDFIRE! BRUISER! BRACE THE FOUNDATION!" Ranma called out.
The Fire Horse bowed down his head and began pushing with his horn, while the Machoke dug in his heels and put his back up against the wall. However, this was still not enough as the building tilted even more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Up on the other side, all three Bird Pokémon were flapping their wings furiously, but it was a losing battle. The cables strained and threatened to snap as the birds were being forced down. It looked as if this was the end.
"Our Pokémon can't hold it! There's not enough lifting power!" Faulkner gritted his teeth.
Ranma called back up to his Pidgeotto. "Wind Rider! I know you and the others can do it!"
Wind Rider continued to strain, but the tower began to get even heavier. The bird saw that Sea Storm was weakening and losing concentration. Below, Wildfire and Bruiser were losing ground and sliding. With Raiden and Razor too injured to help, there seemed to be no way to keep the tower from crashing into the streets below. More lifting power was needed and it was needed... NOW!
"PIDGOOOOOOOOO!!!"
At that moment, the bird Pokémon suddenly was engulfed in a bright light.
"What's going on?!" Ia shouted out in surprise.
Jeanette gasped as she looked up. "Wind Rider... he's evolving!"
Both Ranma and Faulkner gaped at the sight as Wind Rider suddenly became ten times larger and his wings were now about the size of a large hang glider's. His plumage became even more pronounced as an elaborate crest formed on the top of his head.
"PIDGOOOO!"
A stronger wind was swept up as Wind Rider... the Pidgeot began flapping with new intensity.
"HOLY! HE'S EVEN BIGGER THAN MY PIDGEOT!" Faulkner cried out as he assessed the size of Ranma's bird. He estimated that Wind Rider's wingspan to be about a foot-and-a-half wider and its body was about two feet longer from beak to tail.
The tower suddenly stiffened as it suddenly stopped in its descent. Then, slowly but surely, it began ascending. With the pressure of keeping it from falling eased off, Sea Storm was able to concentrate on keeping the entire structure intact. Below, Bruiser and Wildfire were able to regain their footing and continued to push.
The building was righted back onto its foundations and managed to stay in place as its weight pressed down. Everyone, including the Pokémon, breathed a sigh of relief. The Golduck nearly fainted from his effort, but gave his trainer a thumbs-up. It was over.
Ranma and Faulkner staggered to their feet and nodded as they staggered to their feet looked up into the sky.
Both Pidgeot and Sam's Fearow were soaring at an altitude of half a mile, and did a flyby in victory as the trainers waved to them. Ranma could only gaze in wonder as he walked toward the edge. He stopped a few feet and waved to his new Pidgeot. It seemed that everything was all right.
Unfortunately, it was not quite over yet as there was another explosion deep within the tower. A gas line had ruptured, causing the tower to shake again. This caused the section of the roof he was standing on to collapse beneath his feet. Ranma found himself plummeting toward the streets below.
"WHOAAAAA! ARGH!"
Normally, the martial artist would have controlled his fall, but a piece of exploding shrapnel impacted near his head, stunning him. Ranma was too dazed to right himself as he fell head-first toward the pavement.
"RANMA!" All three girls cried out as they saw him fall.
"Ranma?!" Faulkner said in surprise and shock.
Wind Rider saw his master falling to his death and began a power dive to intercept him. However, he had been too high up when the explosion occurred. It would only be less than three seconds before Ranma impacted with the concrete. Even with his new body and speed, he wouldn't make it! But he had to try!
Wind Rider began glowing as the battle aura appeared, forcing his newly evolved body to its limits. Ranma was only fifty feet away from death and the Pidgeot still had more than a hundred yards before he could catch up to him.
"PIDGOOOO!!!"
The bird Pokémon was suddenly enveloped in a nimbus of brilliance as he shot forward in a beam of light. Everyone was shaken by the sonic boom as Wind Rider passed by and caught up to Ranma when he was a mere fifteen feet from the ground. The trainer was swept up into that light as it made a sharp, ninety-degree turn and sped out over the ground, causing everyone and everything in its wake to shudder. Using his ki to dampen the G-forces on his master, Wind Rider was able to prevent Ranma's body from being torn apart by the sudden change in momentum and inertia. The bird then began to slow down as he ascertained that Ranma was safe in his talons. He gently came to a stop and laid Ranma on the street before setting down.
Ranma groaned as he looked up and saw his Pidgeot standing before him, still glowing with its ki.
"T-Thanks... Wind Rider..."
"Pidgoo!" Wind Rider cawed and spread his wings. He had saved his trainer. However, it seemed that the intensity of the rescue had caused another unexpected consequence. Ranma's Pidgeot was again engulfed in a white light.
"Huh?! Wind Rider, what's happening to you?!"
Wind Rider was just as surprised as Ranma as it felt a new tingle that was like the sensation he had felt when he evolved to a Pidgeot. His wings became even broader and his plumage took on a darker sheen. The white light then changed to a pure blue color, which Ranma recognized as his Pokémon's ki energy. When the light faded away, the Jusenkyo-cursed Pokémon trainer could only stare in disbelief.
No way! I thought that the Pidgeot level was Wind Rider's final evolution!
Wind Rider was big! He was now about the size of a small transit bus with talons that could crush a compact car. His wingspan was now the length of a jet fighter's. His plumage was ebony, with silver highlights on the crest and tail feathers. His beak and talons were a deep amber color. However, what caught Ranma's attention the most was the bird's eyes, which was a deep blue with no apparent irises or pupils.
"PIDGOOO!!"
Ranma held up his Pokédex.
----------
At the Pokémon Center...
"WHAT?! You're saying that your Pidgeotto evolved into a new species?!" Prof. Oak gasped on the video phone.
"See for yourself..." Ranma had a bandage wrapped over his head injury as he stepped aside to allow the Pokémon researcher to see Nurse Joy giving Wind Rider a check-up. Faulkner and the three girls were staring up in amazement on the other side of the large room. His other Pokémon were also staring up at their newly evolved comrade. They had all been treated and were at full strength.
Since Wind Rider was now larger than even a Pidgeot, the Pokémon caretaker had to move him to a different area of the center. This was where Joy usually tended to Onix, Snorlax, Rhydon and other large Pokémon. Outside the center, reporters, trainers and researchers were pushing and shoving, trying to get into the center. However, Officer Jenny and her police forces were keeping them back.
"Amazing! Absolutely incredible!" Oak remarked as he looked at the new, evolved form of the Pidgeot. "This is an unbelievable discovery!"
"Yeah, well I'd rather NOT have those reporters after me right now."
"Why is that, Ranma?"
"Well, let's just say that I don't feel like answering questions right now." Especially since I don't have my Water Stone any more and water always seems to find me. "I don't even know how it happened."
"I understand Ranma, but I would LOVE to study your... oh my! I don't even know what to call this new form of Bird Pokémon."
"I guess since it evolved from a Pidgeot, then it's got to be Pidge... something."
Oak thought about it for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "I have it! Please place your Pokédex into that slot and I'll update it with a new entry!"
Ranma took out his Pokédex and inserted it into the computer outlet. A few minutes later, it came back out. Ranma opened it up and pointed it at Wind-Rider.
"Pidgeton, eh? Well, I guess that makes sense." Ranma shrugged as he put his Pokédex back into his pocket.
"Ranma, I certainly hope that you will be sending Wind Rider to me soon! Can you imagine the research I could do on him?" Oak looked as if he was a kid in a candy shop as he continued to gaze at Ranma's Pokémon.
Behind him, his new assistant Tracey Sketchit was busy with drawing a picture of the giant bird. "I'll say! I'm probably the first Pokémon Watcher to ever sketch a Pidgeton!"
Ranma became even more nervous as he said, "Well, maybe someday soon, but right now I think it would be best for Wind Rider if he was given some time to adjust to his new body."
Nurse Joy nodded as she approached the video phone. "I would have to agree, Professor Oak. With every new species of Pokémon, it must be given some time to adapt. I have completed the check-up and it seems to be fine, though I would recommend giving it a few weeks before trying any research tests on it."
The scientist sighed with a bit of disappointment, but nodded. "All right, Nurse Joy." He then addressed Ranma. "Ranma, I still want to study your Pidgeton, but for the time being, I'll just let you handle the research. I've added a new function to your Pokédex, which will record any new attacks or abilities that Wind Rider has gained. I hope to hear from you soon!"
"Sure thing Professor. Thanks!"
Just as Ranma hung up, Tracey cried out.
"Wait a minute! I'm not finished sketching...!"
Ranma turned to Faulkner and the others as he held up his Pokéball. "Wind Rider? You ready to go?"
The giant bird nodded.
"Return!"
After recalling his Pidgeton, he then addressed Faulkner. "I'm really sorry about your Gym and..."
The Gym Leader shrugged as he waved it off. "Nah. It's okay. It wasn't your fault since you couldn't have known that helicopter would have crashed into the tower. Besides, I've got plenty of insurance, especially since I knew that the infamous Gym Destroyer would eventually come for a Zephyr Badge."
Ranma could only laugh nervously while scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, well... I really hate that name and...oh! I forgot! We still have a match and..."
Faulkner cut him off as he handed him a small, silvery object. "Here. You more than earned this Zephyr Badge."
"But I didn't beat you and..."
The Gym Leader cut him off again. "Anybody who could train his Pidgeotto to undergo two evolutions in one day, is more than worthy. Besides, I doubt my Pidgeot could stand up against ITS evolved form. So, do you think that mine could evolve into a Pidgeton too?"
Ranma smiled as he took the badge and shook his opponent's hand. "If you keep training it to overcome every obstacle, then I'm sure that it will."
"Until next time."
"Yeah."
----------
Ranma and his female companions evaded the reporters and trainers by sneaking out the back way. For once, Ranma found that his curse worked for him. After splashing himself with cold water, Ranma-chan, Ia, Jeanette and Sam made their way to the out city limits. After reheating some more water to change back, Ranma decided to give his new Pidgeton a test flight.. Wind Rider was released from his Pokéball.
"Where's the next gym?"
"Azalea Town. I hear that the Gym Leader there is a fan of Bug- Type Pokémon." Ia said.
"Pigeot can fly at Mach 2, right? I wonder how fast and high you can fly, eh Wind Rider?" Ranma smiled up to his Pokémon. "Let's find out!"
Ranma and Raiden leapt onto the Pidgeton's back. Ia, Sam and Jeanette joined him as there was more than enough room.
Wind Rider let off a whoop as he took off. In less than ten seconds, he was already breaking the sound barrier as he glowed with an aura of blue.
----------
A week later...
"Well, THAT was easy!" As Ranma and the others were now soaring their way toward Golden Rod City. The Gym Leader Bugsy was a good trainer, but his Bug-Type Pokémon were no match against Ranma's Rapidash.
----------
Flashback...
"Ha ha! With my Scyther doing its Sword Dance, your Rapidash's flames can't touch it! I know just how vulnerable Bug Pokémon are to Fire-Types!" Bugsy proclaimed. Since he knew that Ranma's horse can't leap up and shoot flames down on top of his Pokémon like Ash Ketchum's Cyndaquil, his Scyther was invincible as it spun about like a top.
"Not bad." Ranma admitted. "But, when your Scyther is spinning like that, it can't do anything else. And that makes it a sitting duck! BLAZING HORN CHARGE!"
"Blazing... Horn Charge?" Bugsy gulped as Wildfire suddenly accelerated forward with horn glowing.
WHABOOM!
Bugsy's Pokémon goes flying into the stratosphere as the Gym Leader looked up with one really big sweatdrop.
End of flashback...
----------
Bugsy had also faced off against Ia and Jeanette. With their own Bug Pokémon already experienced in martial arts, it was a clean sweep for the girls as well, and all three trainers had won a Hive Badge.
----------
A day later, the group decided to camp out for the night as they were just a day away from Golden Rod City. At that time, Ranma had sent out his Golduck to fetch some fresh water as he and the others set up their tents. It was at that moment that he heard some voices that came from a nearby stream.
"Hey look! It's a Golduck!"
"Ooh! A chance like this doesn't come very often! I'm going to catch that Water Pokémon!"
"Hey! I want to catch it, Misty!"
Ranma started running when he heard this. Unfortunately, in his haste, he tripped over a tree root and fell face first into a puddle of water that had been left over from a previous rainfall. The evening air was a bit chilly, and Ranma's curse activated itself. Seeing that she had no time to change back, Ranma-chan got up and kept on running. Behind him, Raiden also ran toward the commotion.
----------
"Tackle attack, Staryu!" Misty cried out as she threw her Pokéball. The giant starfish Pokémon came out and charged at Sea Storm.
However, Sea Storm was no easy catch. With a simple gaze, he focused his mental powers and stopped Staryu in midair, then caused it to fly backward, slamming it against a tree. Misty's Pokémon slumped down.
"Staryu!" Misty ran over to cradle her Pokémon in her arms. "Are you all right?"
"Wow. That Golduck has a powerful Confusion Attack. " Brock commented as his friend Ash stepped up.
"Now it's our turn, Pikachu! Water Pokémon are weak against Electric Types! Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!' Ash's Pikachu let loose with a sizzling bolt that would have shocked Sea Storm silly... if it had hit.
The evolved form of a Psyduck nimbly dodged the attack, then used his Confusion Attack to fling Pikachu away. He then stood and focused his power into the gem on his forehead.
"Look out! He's going to fire a Hyper Beam!" Brock shouted.
However, the Golduck stopped powering up when he heard a voice.
"Sea Storm! Stop!"
Ranma-chan came out from the forest and took a defensive stance. A moment later, Raiden came out and joined him as they faced off against Ash and his friends.
To be continued....
Author's Notes
Phew! I thought I'd never finish this part of Chapter 15! And now, we shall have the confrontation between Ranma Saotome and Ash! I don't want to give anything away, but it's going to be a doozy of an encounter. In any case, I hope you liked this part of chapter 15 and the brand new Pokémon that Ranma has now. There will be some more surprises next time as Ranma and company face off against Ash and his friends. See you there!