Of Flame and Ash
Chapter 6: Squirts of H2O
Ash and Blaine walked out of the Cerulean Pokemon Center, their Pokemon fully healed. "Which way is the Gym?" asked Ash.
"Hmmm," Blaine said thoughtfully. "My instincts tell me it's this way." He pointed past a sign that read, CERULEAN CITY GYM, STRAIGHT AHEAD. They proceeded past the sign and quickly found a large colorful building with a picture of a Dewgong above the door.
They approached the door and stopped. "You first," Ash said, motioning to the door.
Blaine stepped towards the door and pulled it open. It was dark inside, so he stopped to let his eyes adjust. Lights suddenly flashed on, and the sight made Blaine extremely unpleasant. The gym had a large pool with floating platforms. "NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I HATE WATER!"
Ash, not bothering to try and calm him down, said, "I told you there was a Gym Leader that trained water-types."
Blaine wasn't listening. He was huddled in a corner, saying over and over, "I don't like water. I don't like water. I don't like water."
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
Ash turned around and saw a young redheaded girl in a blue bathing suit standing next to the pool. She had obviously been swimming, because she was dripping water on the floor. A Horsea, still in the pool, was watching these humans with fascination. Or, to be more precise, Blaine. So was its trainer.
"Is there something wrong with your friend?" the swimmer asked.
Ash shook his head. "No. At least not physically." He looked back at the girl. "Is the Gym Leader here? My name is Ash, and I was looking for a battle."
"Well, then you've found one," the girl said. " I, Misty, Gym Leader of the Cerulean City Gym, accept your challenge." She dove back into the water and climbed out of it at the other end. "We'll have a 2-on-2 match, okay?"
Ash nodded. "Sure."
"Bad move Ash." Blaine had gotten up and was in control again, save for a slight twitching every now and then. "Pikachu may have a type advantage, but you can't use Diglett on this terrain. It's going to be a 2-on-1."
Misty, not hearing any of this, threw a Poke Ball onto a floating platform. "Misty calls Staryu!" The ball opened and an orange star with a bright red jewel in the center of it.
"Staryu," Dexter said. "The starshape Pokemon. At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat."
"Alright Pikachu, you're up." Pikachu lumped onto another floating platform. "Remember, Pikachu, it's all up to you."
Misty launched the first attack. "Staryu, spinning Tackle!" Staryu hopped into the air and started spinning rapidly. It then flew at Pikachu, creating a wind trail in the water as it flew. Right before it hit, Pikachu jumped into the air over the spinning star and turned around in the air.
"Pikachu, Thundershock attack!" Ash shouted. Pikachu fired an electric shock at the star as it came around again. The bolt raced towards Staryu, but it flew upwards and avoided it. Pikachu fired another shot, but Staryu dodged again. "It's too fast!" Ash complained.
"Ash," Blaine said from behind him. "Pikachu knows other moves besides electric ones."
Ash thought about that for a minute, then exclaimed, "I got it! Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Pikachu jumped from platform to platform slowly gaining speed as Staryu flew around trying to knock him into the crystalline water. As Staryu flew straight towards Pikachu, attempting to hit him head-on, Pikachu leapt into the air and slammed down onto Staryu.
"Grab it and hold on!" Pikachu wrapped his small arms around the star as best as he could. "Give it your strongest Thundershock!" There was a flash of light, and Staryu fell from the air and landed in the water. Pikachu hopped off Staryu at the last second and landed safely on a platform.
Staryu sank under the water for a few seconds, and everyone thought he was finished. But Staryu floated back to the surface, barely harmed. Misty grinned. "Good job Staryu," she said. "Now fight back with Water Gun!" Staryu faced its opponent and a jet of water shot out of the top point of the star. Pikachu was hit in the face and knocked into the water.
Staryu immediately vanished underwater and a second later Pikachu was flying through the air. He hit the wall and fell down, but landed on four feet. He took off towards the pool immediately and pounced over the water, clearing half of the large pool. He fell at an arc onto Staryu and bit down hard.
"Now Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash cried. Pikachu charged up, gathering power with a small humming sound. With a loud cry, he transferred all of the saved power to the starshape Pokemon. With a combination of being weak to electric attacks, being wet, and already being weakened, the star was blasted out of the water and collided with the wall opposite of the one Pikachu crashed into.
"Oh, Staryu!" Misty ran over to her fallen Pokemon and picked it up. "You did great, Staryu. Let your brother finish off your opponent." She pulled it back into the Poke Ball and pulled out another one. "You don't stand a chance now. Misty calls Starmie!" The ten-pointed purple star cooed angrily. "And he doesn't like his brother getting hurt."
Dexter gave Ash some info on his new opponent, although it wasn't very useful - to him. "Starmie. The mysterious Pokemon. The center section of its body is called the core. It glows a different color each time it is seen."
"That didn't help much." Ash put his Pokedex away and concentrated on the battle. He didn't realize Blaine was watching him.
He doesn't realize that if he takes out the core, Starmie will fall, Blaine mused silently. I'll need to let him figure that out on his own though.
"Pikachu, Thundershock!"
"Starmie, Bubblebeam!"
The yellow mouse launched into the air to avoid the stream of explosive bubbles, then fired an electric bolt at the purple star. It caused the Pokemon to shake a bit, but it seemed unfazed.
"Follow it up with a Quick Attack!" Ash shouted. Instead of spending time jumping on the platforms, Pikachu dove into the water and swam towards Starmie. He picked up speed and rammed into the back of his opponent with his head. He focused all the electricity in his body into his tail, then delivered an electric Tail Whip to Starmie. The star flew out of the water and landed on a platform.
"Starmie, don't give up! Use Recover!" A wavering light washed over Starmie, and when it disappeared, all Starmie's injuries were gone.
"What?!" Ash cried. "How did it do that?"
Even Blaine was amazed. "With an ability like that, the only way to beat it is to take it out in one hit."
Misty smiled and nodded. "Correct. Few people have ever gotten past my Starmie." Her face turned serious. "Now Starmie, use your Bubblebeam! Fill the whole Gym!"
Starmie started to spin around rapidly while shooting bubbles from each of its ten points. Pikachu did his best to dodge, but he kept getting hit, and it was easy to see he was tiring quickly.
Ash came up with a strategy quickly. "Pikachu! Make an electric shield around yourself!" Pikachu fired a Thundershock attack around himself, creating a crude shield. The plan worked. The bubbles harmlessly exploded upon contact with the barrier.
"Starmie, spinning Tackle!" Misty didn't look so confident anymore. Her Pokemon, however, still was. It crashed through Pikachu's shield and sent the mouse flying. He landed in the water again, but Misty had a plan this time. "Get under it and start spinning Starmie!"
It disappeared just as Staryu had, and just like last time, Pikachu soared through the air. This time, though, Pikachu went straight up and came back down - right onto Starmie's spinning appendages. He went right back up and fell down in the same spot, only to be smashed back up.
Ash was biting his lip, so hard that it started to bleed. "I have to think of something," he muttered.
"Ash!" He turned at the sound of his name. Blaine was cupping his hands and yelling to him. "Use the Pokedex info! There's a clue in it!"
Ash turned back and thought about it. He looked back at his helpless Pokemon and at the attacker. As Starmie spun around, a gleam of light came from the center of it. "Of course!" he exclaimed. "The core! Just like an apple. Without the core, the apple falls apart!" He quickly considered some possibilities and picked the only one that would work.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Wave!" Pikachu shot an electric attack at the spinning star, but rather than glowing with electricity, this one seemed more like static. It hit Starmie, and the Pokemon stopped spinning abruptly.
"Now, kick it away!" Pikachu dropped onto Starmie, kicking out with his foot as he did so. The kick sent Starmie flying to the other edge of the pool.
"You can't hope to win." Misty said smugly. "Starmie, Recover!"
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Not this time. Pikachu, Quick Attack the center!" Pikachu was an underwater blur as he sped towards Starmie. Before Starmie could heal itself, Pikachu rammed into the red jewel. The sudden slam caused the Pokemon to lose its concentration and the jewel started blinking.
"Quick Ash, finish it off!" Blaine shouted.
Ash looked at the playing field carefully. "Wait... Water conducts electricity! Pikachu! Full-power Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!" There was that familiar charging sound, and a brilliant flash of yellow light. As the light faded, everyone quickly saw what had happened.
Starmie was lying on the floor next to Misty, unconscious. Misty was kneeling next to it, stroking its points gently. "You were great Starmie. I'll take you to the Pokemon Center as soon as possible."
She got up and walked over to Ash after putting her Pokemon back in its ball. "Congratulations, Ash. I present you with the Cascadebadge. That was a great battle. I look forward to battling you again."
"Thanks Misty," Ash said with a smile. "Now I've got to get to the Pokemon Center."
Ash stepped back and Blaine stepped forward. "Now I would like to challenge you to a battle."
"But that's not fair!" Misty pouted. "You already know my strategy!"
Blaine sighed. "I don't think that will help me any."
Misty considered it for a moment. "Well, alright. Would you like a 1-on-1 or a 2-on-2?"
Blaine stroked his chin, trying to look like he was thinking carefully. "A 1-on-1 is good. I might as well put everything on this one Pokemon." He pulled a ball from his belt and threw it. "Go, Charmander!"
Misty nodded. "Very well. Then Misty calls Bluescale!" A large blue dragon emerged and dropped into the pool. It let out a loud shriek, causing Charmander to cower slightly.
"What is that thing?" Blaine cried frantically.
Misty grinned. "Oh, her? This is my Gyarados, Bluescale."
Blaine had no response. He was paralyzed with fear, as was his Pokemon. Growlithe, the only one on that side who had kept his senses, blew a blast of fire at Blaine's head. The flames cleared his mind and he focused on the enormous dragon. That is, until Ash walked back in. He spotted Charmander and flipped out immediately.
"What do you think you are doing?!" Ash screamed. "Don't you know that Charmander's tail is its life source? If that flame gets put out, Charmander will die!"
Blaine froze. He had forgotten about that, so he had a choice to make now. He could battle and risk Charmander's life, or he could forfeit. Either wasn't a pleasant thought, but he knew what he had to do. "I forfeit this match. Return, Charmander."
The lizard had other plans, though. When the red beam shot at him, he jumped to avoid it. Blaine tried again, but the Pokemon leaned to the side and the beam hit the water behind him. "Charmander, I'm not going to risk your life for a battle. Now get in your Poke-" He was cut short as another blast of fire hit him, this one from Charmander.
The fire-type started talking to Blaine in his own language, waving his small arms around, trying to get the point across. Blaine crossed his arms and said, "So you want to battle even though you might...die?" Charmander nodded, and Blaine sighed. "You won't give up, will you?" Charmander shook his head, and Blaine sighed again.
"Hellooooo! Are you battling or not?" Misty called out impatiently.
After another nod from his Pokemon, Blaine said, reluctantly, "Yes, we are."
"Then let us begin."
Ash suddenly noticed Bluescale. "What is that?!" He pulled out his Pokedex to find out if this thing would eat him, or just crush him in one blow.
"Gyarados. The atrocious Pokemon. It has been said that during past wars, this Pokemon would appear and leave blazing ruins in its wake."
Ash turned green. "That doesn't sound good for Charmander." But Blaine wasn't listening.
"Charmander, Flamethrower attack!" The flame hit the dragon directly between the eyes, but she didn't even feel it.
"Show that pathetic excuse for a reptile what real fire is! Dragon Rage attack, now!" From Bluescale's mouth, which was already open, flew a blast of blue-green fire. It smashed into the platform underneath Charmander, sending the small Pokemon soaring into the wall. He fell down, and a small indentation, one barely visible to the naked eye, was left in the wall.
Charmander got back up, his eyes glowing. But unlike Blaine and Growlithe, his eyes were glowing white, not red. Soon his whole body was glowing white, and was changing shape. From the back of his head sprouted a single horn, not very large, and the claws on his feet and hands grew to twice the size they were previously. The light faded, and a red lizard stood there, about a foot-and-a-half larger than Charmander.
"What is that?" Ash and Blaine, now very wide-eyed, murmured at the same time.
"Charmeleon. The flame Pokemon. It is very hot-headed by nature, so it constantly seeks opponents, only calming down once it wins."
"How did it evolve so quickly?" asked Ash. "You just got it today."
"I said that it was a high level, didn't I?" Ash shook his head, causing Blaine to shrug. "Doesn't matter. Now we can show that overgrown lizard who's boss! Use your Flamethrower attack again!" Charmeleon launched his fiery breath again, this time forcing Bluescale to back up to avoid getting burned. He fired shot after shot of flame, and the blue dragon backed up until her back hit the pool wall.
An enraged Misty shouted, "Use a Surf attack!" Bluescale's large tail flew up and smashed down on the water, causing a giant wave to form. The wave crashed towards Charmeleon, who had his eyes closed slightly, and began picking up speed.
"Charmeleon, look out!" Blaine screamed. Charmeleon kept his focus and unleashed his energy, bounding high into the air, over the wave and onto Bluescale's head.
The dragon started shaking his head ferociously, trying to send the other Pokemon flying. Charmeleon used the claws on his hands and feet and hooked them into Bluescale's blue scales, latching himself in place. Try as she might, the blue Pokemon just couldn't send the lizard flying.
"Bluescale, use Tail Whip!"
Blaine shook his head. "She's not thinking anymore. She's being driven by her desire to win, and she's lost all logic." Bluescale's tail came smashing down on her own head, but Charmeleon wasn't there anymore. He then came crashing back down on her head. The Gyarados, lost in blind rage, kept attacking herself, while Charmeleon kept avoiding it.
Misty calmed down and closed her eyes. The water near her grew calm also, and she seemed to emit a light blue aura. Bluescale calmed also, and she held her tail still, letting Charmeleon jump while realizing he fell into a trap. He landed back on the dragon's head and the tail came. It smashed the lizard from the side, sending him to the same spot on the wall he hit when he was still Charmander.
"How'd she do that?!" Blaine yelled.
Misty opened her eyes slowly. "Bluescale has a nasty temper, and is often blinded by her rage. I recently discovered that I have the ability to calm her down." She smirked as she said this. "She was, after all, my first Pokemon."
Ash nodded. "That sounds right. I've heard that some trainers develop an ability with their first Pokemon. You have one too, Blaine."
Blaine said, puzzled, "I do?"
"Yeah. Remember when you battled Brock? Yours and Growlithe's eyes turned red. That's when he used his Flamethrower attack."
"Hmm, we'll talk about this later. I have a badge to win now! Charmeleon, Slash attack!" Charmeleon, who had been recovering his energy, leapt at Bluescale, bringing his claws across her face. He landed back on a floating platform as Bluescale whipped her tail where he had been a split-second ago.
"Bluescale, finish this! Hyper Beam! Blast the whole pool!" The blue dragon opened her mouth even wider than it was. Small white particles converged in the center, forming a large, white ball.
"No!" Blaine gasped. "Hyper Beam is one of the most powerful attacks ever known!" He then smiled. "Charmeleon, jump high and to your left when I say!"
Bluescale was almost finished charging, as the ball all but filled her mouth. The attack finished charging, and an eerie silence permeated through the Gym. Then all heck was released. The searing white beam shot forward, rippling the air around it.
"NOW!"
At Blaine's command, Charmeleon jumped high and to the side, avoiding the glowing beam. The laser crashed into the water and Bluescale swept her head around, directing the beam all around the pool. The blinding white light allowed no one to see, including the dragon. She blindly aimed her attack, hoping it would hit home.
It never did. When the attack stopped and the light subsided, Charmeleon was standing on the side of the pool, unharmed, while his opponent was recharging her energy. She was having a difficult time doing it, however, as there was little water left in the pool.
"What?" Misty screeched. "Where is all the water?"
Blaine, on the other end of the pool, spit out a stream of water. He did not look cheerful, and most people in his position wouldn't. Drenched head to toe in water, he shivered at the slight breeze in the Gym. He was extremely happy though, because he now had the chance to win. "Charmeleon, get it there and hit that Gyarados with everything you got!"
The Pokemon jumped into the empty pool and ran to the dragon. He then slashed, kicked, and blasted her for everything he was worth. It was only a few seconds before Bluescale dropped over, exhausted.
"Waaaaaahhhhhh!" Misty was wailing at the top of her lungs as she recalled her Pokemon. "How could you beat Bluescale with a Charmeleon? Fire-types are weak against water-types!"
Blaine grumbled, "How many times will I have to say that it is not just the type that matters?"
Misty slowly admitted defeat to herself and walked over to Blaine. She held out her hand and a small teardrop was in it. She handed it to Blaine while saying, "I concede defeat and hand over the Cascadebadge."
Blaine took it and then twitched. Misty looked at him funny and he twitched again. As she was about to ask what the matter was, he screamed, "MUST GET DRY!" and ran out the door.
Ash started to run after him, but Misty stopped him. "Wait Ash." She pulled out a Poke Ball. "I have a request to make. I have a Squirtle here, but since Squirtle don't like to stay in one place for very long, I want you or Blaine to take it with you. If you don't mind, of course."
Ash looked at the Poke Ball, then back at Misty and smiled. "I'd be glad to help."
Misty looked very relieved. "Thanks. I didn't want to keep it here, but I also didn't want to give it to just anyone. Who will take it, you or Blaine?"
This was one of those few times when Ash didn't have to think, but did anyway. "Well, seeing as how Blaine only trains fire-types, I guess I'll take it." Misty handed the Poke Ball over to him and he held it out in front of him. "I'd better do this right. I caught a Squirtle!"
"Caught? I gave it to you."
Ash grinned sheepishly and said, "Oh, yeah."
Misty shook her head. "Anyway, tell Blaine that I want a rematch someday. Same goes for you."
Ash nodded. "Sure thing," he said, and ran out of the Gym to find his friend.
~~~~~
AN: Okay, just another week and a half and chapters will be coming out much quicker. Evil school... Anyway, the disclaimer is now in my bio, so you won't see it here anymore.
Chapter 6: Squirts of H2O
Ash and Blaine walked out of the Cerulean Pokemon Center, their Pokemon fully healed. "Which way is the Gym?" asked Ash.
"Hmmm," Blaine said thoughtfully. "My instincts tell me it's this way." He pointed past a sign that read, CERULEAN CITY GYM, STRAIGHT AHEAD. They proceeded past the sign and quickly found a large colorful building with a picture of a Dewgong above the door.
They approached the door and stopped. "You first," Ash said, motioning to the door.
Blaine stepped towards the door and pulled it open. It was dark inside, so he stopped to let his eyes adjust. Lights suddenly flashed on, and the sight made Blaine extremely unpleasant. The gym had a large pool with floating platforms. "NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I HATE WATER!"
Ash, not bothering to try and calm him down, said, "I told you there was a Gym Leader that trained water-types."
Blaine wasn't listening. He was huddled in a corner, saying over and over, "I don't like water. I don't like water. I don't like water."
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
Ash turned around and saw a young redheaded girl in a blue bathing suit standing next to the pool. She had obviously been swimming, because she was dripping water on the floor. A Horsea, still in the pool, was watching these humans with fascination. Or, to be more precise, Blaine. So was its trainer.
"Is there something wrong with your friend?" the swimmer asked.
Ash shook his head. "No. At least not physically." He looked back at the girl. "Is the Gym Leader here? My name is Ash, and I was looking for a battle."
"Well, then you've found one," the girl said. " I, Misty, Gym Leader of the Cerulean City Gym, accept your challenge." She dove back into the water and climbed out of it at the other end. "We'll have a 2-on-2 match, okay?"
Ash nodded. "Sure."
"Bad move Ash." Blaine had gotten up and was in control again, save for a slight twitching every now and then. "Pikachu may have a type advantage, but you can't use Diglett on this terrain. It's going to be a 2-on-1."
Misty, not hearing any of this, threw a Poke Ball onto a floating platform. "Misty calls Staryu!" The ball opened and an orange star with a bright red jewel in the center of it.
"Staryu," Dexter said. "The starshape Pokemon. At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat."
"Alright Pikachu, you're up." Pikachu lumped onto another floating platform. "Remember, Pikachu, it's all up to you."
Misty launched the first attack. "Staryu, spinning Tackle!" Staryu hopped into the air and started spinning rapidly. It then flew at Pikachu, creating a wind trail in the water as it flew. Right before it hit, Pikachu jumped into the air over the spinning star and turned around in the air.
"Pikachu, Thundershock attack!" Ash shouted. Pikachu fired an electric shock at the star as it came around again. The bolt raced towards Staryu, but it flew upwards and avoided it. Pikachu fired another shot, but Staryu dodged again. "It's too fast!" Ash complained.
"Ash," Blaine said from behind him. "Pikachu knows other moves besides electric ones."
Ash thought about that for a minute, then exclaimed, "I got it! Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Pikachu jumped from platform to platform slowly gaining speed as Staryu flew around trying to knock him into the crystalline water. As Staryu flew straight towards Pikachu, attempting to hit him head-on, Pikachu leapt into the air and slammed down onto Staryu.
"Grab it and hold on!" Pikachu wrapped his small arms around the star as best as he could. "Give it your strongest Thundershock!" There was a flash of light, and Staryu fell from the air and landed in the water. Pikachu hopped off Staryu at the last second and landed safely on a platform.
Staryu sank under the water for a few seconds, and everyone thought he was finished. But Staryu floated back to the surface, barely harmed. Misty grinned. "Good job Staryu," she said. "Now fight back with Water Gun!" Staryu faced its opponent and a jet of water shot out of the top point of the star. Pikachu was hit in the face and knocked into the water.
Staryu immediately vanished underwater and a second later Pikachu was flying through the air. He hit the wall and fell down, but landed on four feet. He took off towards the pool immediately and pounced over the water, clearing half of the large pool. He fell at an arc onto Staryu and bit down hard.
"Now Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash cried. Pikachu charged up, gathering power with a small humming sound. With a loud cry, he transferred all of the saved power to the starshape Pokemon. With a combination of being weak to electric attacks, being wet, and already being weakened, the star was blasted out of the water and collided with the wall opposite of the one Pikachu crashed into.
"Oh, Staryu!" Misty ran over to her fallen Pokemon and picked it up. "You did great, Staryu. Let your brother finish off your opponent." She pulled it back into the Poke Ball and pulled out another one. "You don't stand a chance now. Misty calls Starmie!" The ten-pointed purple star cooed angrily. "And he doesn't like his brother getting hurt."
Dexter gave Ash some info on his new opponent, although it wasn't very useful - to him. "Starmie. The mysterious Pokemon. The center section of its body is called the core. It glows a different color each time it is seen."
"That didn't help much." Ash put his Pokedex away and concentrated on the battle. He didn't realize Blaine was watching him.
He doesn't realize that if he takes out the core, Starmie will fall, Blaine mused silently. I'll need to let him figure that out on his own though.
"Pikachu, Thundershock!"
"Starmie, Bubblebeam!"
The yellow mouse launched into the air to avoid the stream of explosive bubbles, then fired an electric bolt at the purple star. It caused the Pokemon to shake a bit, but it seemed unfazed.
"Follow it up with a Quick Attack!" Ash shouted. Instead of spending time jumping on the platforms, Pikachu dove into the water and swam towards Starmie. He picked up speed and rammed into the back of his opponent with his head. He focused all the electricity in his body into his tail, then delivered an electric Tail Whip to Starmie. The star flew out of the water and landed on a platform.
"Starmie, don't give up! Use Recover!" A wavering light washed over Starmie, and when it disappeared, all Starmie's injuries were gone.
"What?!" Ash cried. "How did it do that?"
Even Blaine was amazed. "With an ability like that, the only way to beat it is to take it out in one hit."
Misty smiled and nodded. "Correct. Few people have ever gotten past my Starmie." Her face turned serious. "Now Starmie, use your Bubblebeam! Fill the whole Gym!"
Starmie started to spin around rapidly while shooting bubbles from each of its ten points. Pikachu did his best to dodge, but he kept getting hit, and it was easy to see he was tiring quickly.
Ash came up with a strategy quickly. "Pikachu! Make an electric shield around yourself!" Pikachu fired a Thundershock attack around himself, creating a crude shield. The plan worked. The bubbles harmlessly exploded upon contact with the barrier.
"Starmie, spinning Tackle!" Misty didn't look so confident anymore. Her Pokemon, however, still was. It crashed through Pikachu's shield and sent the mouse flying. He landed in the water again, but Misty had a plan this time. "Get under it and start spinning Starmie!"
It disappeared just as Staryu had, and just like last time, Pikachu soared through the air. This time, though, Pikachu went straight up and came back down - right onto Starmie's spinning appendages. He went right back up and fell down in the same spot, only to be smashed back up.
Ash was biting his lip, so hard that it started to bleed. "I have to think of something," he muttered.
"Ash!" He turned at the sound of his name. Blaine was cupping his hands and yelling to him. "Use the Pokedex info! There's a clue in it!"
Ash turned back and thought about it. He looked back at his helpless Pokemon and at the attacker. As Starmie spun around, a gleam of light came from the center of it. "Of course!" he exclaimed. "The core! Just like an apple. Without the core, the apple falls apart!" He quickly considered some possibilities and picked the only one that would work.
"Pikachu, use Thunder Wave!" Pikachu shot an electric attack at the spinning star, but rather than glowing with electricity, this one seemed more like static. It hit Starmie, and the Pokemon stopped spinning abruptly.
"Now, kick it away!" Pikachu dropped onto Starmie, kicking out with his foot as he did so. The kick sent Starmie flying to the other edge of the pool.
"You can't hope to win." Misty said smugly. "Starmie, Recover!"
Ash narrowed his eyes. "Not this time. Pikachu, Quick Attack the center!" Pikachu was an underwater blur as he sped towards Starmie. Before Starmie could heal itself, Pikachu rammed into the red jewel. The sudden slam caused the Pokemon to lose its concentration and the jewel started blinking.
"Quick Ash, finish it off!" Blaine shouted.
Ash looked at the playing field carefully. "Wait... Water conducts electricity! Pikachu! Full-power Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!" There was that familiar charging sound, and a brilliant flash of yellow light. As the light faded, everyone quickly saw what had happened.
Starmie was lying on the floor next to Misty, unconscious. Misty was kneeling next to it, stroking its points gently. "You were great Starmie. I'll take you to the Pokemon Center as soon as possible."
She got up and walked over to Ash after putting her Pokemon back in its ball. "Congratulations, Ash. I present you with the Cascadebadge. That was a great battle. I look forward to battling you again."
"Thanks Misty," Ash said with a smile. "Now I've got to get to the Pokemon Center."
Ash stepped back and Blaine stepped forward. "Now I would like to challenge you to a battle."
"But that's not fair!" Misty pouted. "You already know my strategy!"
Blaine sighed. "I don't think that will help me any."
Misty considered it for a moment. "Well, alright. Would you like a 1-on-1 or a 2-on-2?"
Blaine stroked his chin, trying to look like he was thinking carefully. "A 1-on-1 is good. I might as well put everything on this one Pokemon." He pulled a ball from his belt and threw it. "Go, Charmander!"
Misty nodded. "Very well. Then Misty calls Bluescale!" A large blue dragon emerged and dropped into the pool. It let out a loud shriek, causing Charmander to cower slightly.
"What is that thing?" Blaine cried frantically.
Misty grinned. "Oh, her? This is my Gyarados, Bluescale."
Blaine had no response. He was paralyzed with fear, as was his Pokemon. Growlithe, the only one on that side who had kept his senses, blew a blast of fire at Blaine's head. The flames cleared his mind and he focused on the enormous dragon. That is, until Ash walked back in. He spotted Charmander and flipped out immediately.
"What do you think you are doing?!" Ash screamed. "Don't you know that Charmander's tail is its life source? If that flame gets put out, Charmander will die!"
Blaine froze. He had forgotten about that, so he had a choice to make now. He could battle and risk Charmander's life, or he could forfeit. Either wasn't a pleasant thought, but he knew what he had to do. "I forfeit this match. Return, Charmander."
The lizard had other plans, though. When the red beam shot at him, he jumped to avoid it. Blaine tried again, but the Pokemon leaned to the side and the beam hit the water behind him. "Charmander, I'm not going to risk your life for a battle. Now get in your Poke-" He was cut short as another blast of fire hit him, this one from Charmander.
The fire-type started talking to Blaine in his own language, waving his small arms around, trying to get the point across. Blaine crossed his arms and said, "So you want to battle even though you might...die?" Charmander nodded, and Blaine sighed. "You won't give up, will you?" Charmander shook his head, and Blaine sighed again.
"Hellooooo! Are you battling or not?" Misty called out impatiently.
After another nod from his Pokemon, Blaine said, reluctantly, "Yes, we are."
"Then let us begin."
Ash suddenly noticed Bluescale. "What is that?!" He pulled out his Pokedex to find out if this thing would eat him, or just crush him in one blow.
"Gyarados. The atrocious Pokemon. It has been said that during past wars, this Pokemon would appear and leave blazing ruins in its wake."
Ash turned green. "That doesn't sound good for Charmander." But Blaine wasn't listening.
"Charmander, Flamethrower attack!" The flame hit the dragon directly between the eyes, but she didn't even feel it.
"Show that pathetic excuse for a reptile what real fire is! Dragon Rage attack, now!" From Bluescale's mouth, which was already open, flew a blast of blue-green fire. It smashed into the platform underneath Charmander, sending the small Pokemon soaring into the wall. He fell down, and a small indentation, one barely visible to the naked eye, was left in the wall.
Charmander got back up, his eyes glowing. But unlike Blaine and Growlithe, his eyes were glowing white, not red. Soon his whole body was glowing white, and was changing shape. From the back of his head sprouted a single horn, not very large, and the claws on his feet and hands grew to twice the size they were previously. The light faded, and a red lizard stood there, about a foot-and-a-half larger than Charmander.
"What is that?" Ash and Blaine, now very wide-eyed, murmured at the same time.
"Charmeleon. The flame Pokemon. It is very hot-headed by nature, so it constantly seeks opponents, only calming down once it wins."
"How did it evolve so quickly?" asked Ash. "You just got it today."
"I said that it was a high level, didn't I?" Ash shook his head, causing Blaine to shrug. "Doesn't matter. Now we can show that overgrown lizard who's boss! Use your Flamethrower attack again!" Charmeleon launched his fiery breath again, this time forcing Bluescale to back up to avoid getting burned. He fired shot after shot of flame, and the blue dragon backed up until her back hit the pool wall.
An enraged Misty shouted, "Use a Surf attack!" Bluescale's large tail flew up and smashed down on the water, causing a giant wave to form. The wave crashed towards Charmeleon, who had his eyes closed slightly, and began picking up speed.
"Charmeleon, look out!" Blaine screamed. Charmeleon kept his focus and unleashed his energy, bounding high into the air, over the wave and onto Bluescale's head.
The dragon started shaking his head ferociously, trying to send the other Pokemon flying. Charmeleon used the claws on his hands and feet and hooked them into Bluescale's blue scales, latching himself in place. Try as she might, the blue Pokemon just couldn't send the lizard flying.
"Bluescale, use Tail Whip!"
Blaine shook his head. "She's not thinking anymore. She's being driven by her desire to win, and she's lost all logic." Bluescale's tail came smashing down on her own head, but Charmeleon wasn't there anymore. He then came crashing back down on her head. The Gyarados, lost in blind rage, kept attacking herself, while Charmeleon kept avoiding it.
Misty calmed down and closed her eyes. The water near her grew calm also, and she seemed to emit a light blue aura. Bluescale calmed also, and she held her tail still, letting Charmeleon jump while realizing he fell into a trap. He landed back on the dragon's head and the tail came. It smashed the lizard from the side, sending him to the same spot on the wall he hit when he was still Charmander.
"How'd she do that?!" Blaine yelled.
Misty opened her eyes slowly. "Bluescale has a nasty temper, and is often blinded by her rage. I recently discovered that I have the ability to calm her down." She smirked as she said this. "She was, after all, my first Pokemon."
Ash nodded. "That sounds right. I've heard that some trainers develop an ability with their first Pokemon. You have one too, Blaine."
Blaine said, puzzled, "I do?"
"Yeah. Remember when you battled Brock? Yours and Growlithe's eyes turned red. That's when he used his Flamethrower attack."
"Hmm, we'll talk about this later. I have a badge to win now! Charmeleon, Slash attack!" Charmeleon, who had been recovering his energy, leapt at Bluescale, bringing his claws across her face. He landed back on a floating platform as Bluescale whipped her tail where he had been a split-second ago.
"Bluescale, finish this! Hyper Beam! Blast the whole pool!" The blue dragon opened her mouth even wider than it was. Small white particles converged in the center, forming a large, white ball.
"No!" Blaine gasped. "Hyper Beam is one of the most powerful attacks ever known!" He then smiled. "Charmeleon, jump high and to your left when I say!"
Bluescale was almost finished charging, as the ball all but filled her mouth. The attack finished charging, and an eerie silence permeated through the Gym. Then all heck was released. The searing white beam shot forward, rippling the air around it.
"NOW!"
At Blaine's command, Charmeleon jumped high and to the side, avoiding the glowing beam. The laser crashed into the water and Bluescale swept her head around, directing the beam all around the pool. The blinding white light allowed no one to see, including the dragon. She blindly aimed her attack, hoping it would hit home.
It never did. When the attack stopped and the light subsided, Charmeleon was standing on the side of the pool, unharmed, while his opponent was recharging her energy. She was having a difficult time doing it, however, as there was little water left in the pool.
"What?" Misty screeched. "Where is all the water?"
Blaine, on the other end of the pool, spit out a stream of water. He did not look cheerful, and most people in his position wouldn't. Drenched head to toe in water, he shivered at the slight breeze in the Gym. He was extremely happy though, because he now had the chance to win. "Charmeleon, get it there and hit that Gyarados with everything you got!"
The Pokemon jumped into the empty pool and ran to the dragon. He then slashed, kicked, and blasted her for everything he was worth. It was only a few seconds before Bluescale dropped over, exhausted.
"Waaaaaahhhhhh!" Misty was wailing at the top of her lungs as she recalled her Pokemon. "How could you beat Bluescale with a Charmeleon? Fire-types are weak against water-types!"
Blaine grumbled, "How many times will I have to say that it is not just the type that matters?"
Misty slowly admitted defeat to herself and walked over to Blaine. She held out her hand and a small teardrop was in it. She handed it to Blaine while saying, "I concede defeat and hand over the Cascadebadge."
Blaine took it and then twitched. Misty looked at him funny and he twitched again. As she was about to ask what the matter was, he screamed, "MUST GET DRY!" and ran out the door.
Ash started to run after him, but Misty stopped him. "Wait Ash." She pulled out a Poke Ball. "I have a request to make. I have a Squirtle here, but since Squirtle don't like to stay in one place for very long, I want you or Blaine to take it with you. If you don't mind, of course."
Ash looked at the Poke Ball, then back at Misty and smiled. "I'd be glad to help."
Misty looked very relieved. "Thanks. I didn't want to keep it here, but I also didn't want to give it to just anyone. Who will take it, you or Blaine?"
This was one of those few times when Ash didn't have to think, but did anyway. "Well, seeing as how Blaine only trains fire-types, I guess I'll take it." Misty handed the Poke Ball over to him and he held it out in front of him. "I'd better do this right. I caught a Squirtle!"
"Caught? I gave it to you."
Ash grinned sheepishly and said, "Oh, yeah."
Misty shook her head. "Anyway, tell Blaine that I want a rematch someday. Same goes for you."
Ash nodded. "Sure thing," he said, and ran out of the Gym to find his friend.
~~~~~
AN: Okay, just another week and a half and chapters will be coming out much quicker. Evil school... Anyway, the disclaimer is now in my bio, so you won't see it here anymore.