Raichu and the Big One!

"Rai rai!" An Alola Raichu traversed across a massive wave as the wave moved towards the shore, standing on top of his tail and using it as a board. Raichu's ears flattened against his head as the wave started coming crashing down, he was almost through it just a bit further...

"Rai!" Raichu cried out as he wiped out, the electric type disappearing beneath the wave before winding up passed out along the shore line.


"Alright, Big Wave Island!" Ash leaped onto shore and quickly punched the air as excitement filled the air. "Now let's find that Raichu and see if we can teach you Surf, buddy!"

"Pika!" Pikachu pumped his fists with an eager expression, hoping that they'd be able to pull it off.

"Corvisquire take to the air and find that Raichu!" Corvisquire burst from his ball shortly after his trainer threw it, the raven Pokemon stretched out his wings and let out a cry before taking off into the air. "With him searching we shouldn't have to wait too lo-"

"Corvi!" Corvisquire already returned, flying in circles above them before flying off once more to show them the way.

"Well that was fast." Marnie remarked lightly.

"Alright, let's go!"

"Scor!" Zach and Scorbunny took off running after Corvisquire, sand kicking up behind them as they raced down the beach. The others looked at one another and sweated lightly as they'd never seen him go that fast before.

Raichu slowly began raising to his feet when he heard the sound of feet quickly rushing in his direction, the Electric type turned to see what it was and within a few seconds stood face to face with some strange looking rabbit Pokemon.

"Rai?!"

"Scor?!"

"That's a funny looking Raichu..." Zach stared at it for a moment before pulling out his Rotom Phone to look it up on his Pokedex. "Alolan form? What are you doing all the way out here?"

Raichu lowered his head for a brief moment before looking back up with a determined expression as he gazed towards the waves. "Rai..."

Zach glanced towards the waves and misinterpreted what Raichu meant. "You rode a wave all the way here? Well I've seen crazier things than that, Scorbunny use Flame Charge!"

"Scor!" Scorbunny's body ignited in a fiery blaze of red flames as she quickly closed the distance between her and Raichu, tackling the Electric type! Raichu let out a frustrated grunt as his eyes glowed blue, Scorbunny's body became encased in a similar color as she was hurled away. The Raichu then lifted up his arms as a big wave formed beneath him, the electrical mouse soon looking down at Scorbunny and Zach whose eyes had widened at the sight of the Water typed attack! A smirk crossed Raichu's face as he had the wave come crashing down on top of Scorbunny, the Fire type crying out as she was knocked off her feet and soon laid on the ground with swirls in her eyes.

"Car!" Lucario rushed forward with an irritated expression as Zach scooped up the unconscious Fire type, the jackal growled and narrowed his eyes at Raichu.

"Aura Sphere!" Lucario clamped his paws together and began forming a blue ball of energy between them, the jackal kept his gaze focused upon Raichu as he fired off the attack and knocked Raichu off balance as it struck, the Electric type fell onto his back but didn't appear to be unconscious as his breath was still looking normal.

A smirk formed across Zach's lips as he reached for an empty Pokeball and hard his arm ready to throw it when he noticed Raichu staring off into the sky with a look of self doubt, a look that he knew too well. He dropped the ball and began walking over to Raichu before getting down onto his knees.

"There's no need for you to give up like that, you're a great Pokemon! Not many Raichu can say that they learned Surf and you knocked out one of my strongest Pokemon without taking too much damage yourself!" Raichu looked towards him but seemed unmoved by his words, his eyes instead turning to the waves which seemed to have gotten bigger within the past ten minutes.

"Rai..."

"...you're having trouble riding actual waves, is that it?"

Raichu remained silent but his head twitched lightly. "Well I don't know much about riding waves, actually I know nothing." He admitted with a light laugh. "But I'll do my best to help you anyway I can, my whole day was planned around catching you so I'm basically free! Just one thing, can you help my friend's Pikachu learn Surf when we're done? You can remain free to surf the waves to your hearts content but they're wanting to try learning Surf and I don't wanna let them down."

Raichu turned his head to look at the strange trainer once more, blinking as he tried processing how strangely selfless he was behaving. He easily could have just captured him but was wanting to help him and his friend instead. He sure seemed to have a lot of faith in him too which helped restore Raichu's own faith in himself. Raichu levitated back onto his feet before climbing aboard his tail, levitating his entire body off of the ground as Zach and his Pokemon stared in amazement at the sight.

"Wow, that's actually pretty cool..."

"Car..."

"Scor..."

"Cor..."

Raichu began blushing as he rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes glowed blue as he yanked a surfboard off a nearby rack and dropped it before the trainer. "Rai rai!" Raichu began posing as he started instructing him how to ride.

"Okay..." Zach hopped above the board and copied Raichu's movements, the Electric type nodded and watched the trainer copying his motions as he began leaning forward and showing him how to move. Being around another trainer started making him flashback to his previous trainer.


"Pikachu!" He cried out, riding the waves alongside a blonde surfer dude trainer on a surfboard as they traversed across a wave together.

"This is gnarly dude!"

"Pika!" Pikachu cried out, a large grin across his face as they were brought into shore.

"That was one of the biggest waves yet, in a few years we'll be prepared to ride the big one on Big Wave Island! It comes in once every twenty years so we've got a good shot at making it within the time frame, if not then no worries dude we'll get it next time!"

"Pika!" Pikachu flashed his trainer a warm smile before rushing off to catch another wave.


A year had passed and Pikachu stood across from his trainer at a table in their dining room, his tail twitching in excitement as his trainer spoke.

"It's been two years since we first met and I think it's finally time that I give you this." He placed a thunder stone in front of Pikachu who quickly accepted it, touching it with his paw as his body was encased in a bright blue light! Alolan Raichu soon stood or rather levitated where Pikachu had once stood, looking up at his trainer with a loving smile before pulling him into a hug using his newly found psychic abilities!

"Rai!" He cried out as he thanked him.


Three more years and passed and they were within a year of approaching the date that the 'big one' was expected to arrive. Raichu was told to wait at home for his trainer to return but he got impatient and snuck out, levitating across the ground as he left the house and followed the sand tracks to town, eventually tracking his trainer to a doctor's office. Raichu peaked up through the window to spy and almost regretted it immediately as he heard the doctor deliver some rather serious news.

"You've got cancer son, I'm sorry."

"Y-You can't be real dude, h-how do I get rid of it?!" His trainer began freaking out.

"Rather expensive treatment I'm afraid." The trainer hung his head in response as the doctor continued. "And with how far into it you are, I'd say you've only got a few months left to live. I'm so sorry."

The surfer trainer punched his chair angrily before placing his head into his palms, he was so close to making his life long dream a reality only to be unfairly cut down!

Raichu had spent the remaining time they had together with him, never leaving his side and staying close throughout the attempted treatments. Unfortunately the date eventually arrived and the trainer gazed at Raichu for the last time before closing his eyes. Tears filled the Electric type's eyes as he wept over his trainer's body.

After a few weeks of grieving he eventually arrived on the island and started practicing, wanting to fulfill his trainer's dream and his own together! Though lately he had fears of letting him down, resulting in him wiping out due to his clouded thoughts.


Raichu smiled for the first time in months as he watched the new trainer practicing surfing on dry land, though he looked like he wouldn't be a great surfer there were a lot of traits that reminded Raichu of his own trainer which began reigniting Raichu's faith in himself!

"Alright Piplup, you wanna go surf with me?!"

"Pip Piplup!" Piplup tapped his chest before eagerly waddling towards the water.

Marnie and the others had arrived while Raichu was dozing off, her eyes drifted towards the ocean whose waves had gotten quite bigger during that time as the blue sky started growing cloudy.

"Ya sure ya should be doing this? What if ya drown?" Marnie's face was full of concern for her friend only for him to brush it off lightly.

"I'll be fine, I have Piplup! Besides Raichu needs me out there, I promised that I'd help him and I'm not going back on my word." Zach stated as he began walking into the water with Piplup, having also gotten changed into his swimming trunks while Raichu was dozing off.

Marnie let out a frustrated growl. "He better not get hurt again." She tossed a Pokeball up and down, preparing to go out and get him if necessary.

Zach, Piplup and Raichu soon made a significant distance out to sea. Piplup and his trainer stood above their surfboard as Raichu motioned for them to do so. A wave started forming behind them shortly afterwards, Zach and Piplup quickly began waving their arms frantically before quickly wiping out while Raichu had started traversing the wave, a smile across his face as he felt the wind passing across his face and between his ears. Letting out a happy cry as he flew through the other side before turning to see where Zach had gone, Raichu frantically looked around with a worried look before spotting him on the beach passed out as May and Marnie stood over him. Raichu shook his head but didn't appear to be annoyed, he was glad that the guy had even gone out with him in the first place!

The sky started getting darker as thunder could be heard in the distance, rain pouring down not long afterwards.

"Come on, we should get him back to the Pokemon Center for shelter." May spoke as Marnie nodded in response as she and May both grabbed ahold of his upper half while Lucario grabbed his trainer's lower half. Raichu watched the trainer and his friends go, he closed his eyes and sensed that everything would be okay as he was merely passed out and should be awake shortly. Raichu turned his head towards the horizon and smirked, tail twitching in anticipation as he sensed the big one approaching!


When they arrived at the Pokemon Center Ash was quick to notice something unusual as the building's windows had been closed off with a block of steel and the doors looked to be getting a similar treatment as people were being waved inside.

"What's going on?!" Ash shouted out to a local Officer Jenny, the wind getting very strong.

"It's the big one, a wave that comes here once every twenty years. It's massive at a height of fifty feet! The Pokemon Center and other buildings have been constructed for safety for tourists as the locals all have homes far enough away to worry about it.

"Fifty feet?!" Zach sprang out of the girls and Lucario's grasp before quickly darting around. "Where's Raichu?!"

"I-I think he's still out there..." Chloe softly spoke up. Zach turned his head to look towards the ocean before looking down at Piplup. "Let's go buddy!"

"Pip!"

"Hey, where do ya think you're going?!" Marnie shouted after them, her fists clutched out of frustration.

"Saving Raichu!"

"It's okay, I'll take Buizel and make sure he comes back." Ash promised, grasping Marnie's shoulder lightly and causing her to blush for a brief moment before he let go and darted after Zach! "Watch Pikachu for me!"

"Car!"

"Scor!"

"Snarl!" Grimmsnarl burst out and grabbed the two before they could chase after their trainer.

"Nu-uh, you two stay put! I promise nothing will come of him!" Marnie promised though her eyes looked unsure.


"Raichu?! Raichu?!" Zach called out through the rain. The Electric type soon appeared in his vision though he was too far out at sea to hear. Zach grabbed the surfboard and quickly pushed out with Piplup pushing along next to him. Raichu seemed unaware of their presence as they arrived, his eyes closed as he prepared for the wave.

"Raichu, come on it isn't safe out here! We need to get you back to shore!"

"Piplup pip!"

Raichu opened an eye and closed it, soon opening them once more as he let out a surprised cry. "Rai rai!" He waved his arms frantically as he told them to get out of here!

"We're not leaving without you, Raichu. Come on let's go-Sweet Arceus!" Zach gasped as he and Piplup stared up at a monstrous wave that had formed. "Q-Quick into position!"

"Pip!"

Raichu nervously glanced at them as he began traversing the wave, the two seemed to be doing better than their first attempt at riding which made him relax a bit. Pushing on ahead and gradually growing focused on his goal as he was so close, thoughts drifting back to his previous trainer once more and unaware of what was happening behind as Zach began losing his balance and wiped out!

"Pip!" Piplup formed an alarmed expression, diving on in after him with a blue light forming beneath the wave and causing the entire wave to glow brightly! People watching from atop a cliff at the far end of the island let out a loud 'oooh!' at the sight of the beauty!

"P-Prinplup!" The newly evolved Prinplup gasped as he struggled keeping his trainer afloat, finding himself starting to get dragged down before feeling something else pushing aside him, the penguin turned and spotted Ash's Oshawott as the otter let out a loud cry!

"Oshawott!"

"Prinp!"

"There he is!"

"Bui bui!"

Raichu narrowed his eyes as he neared the end of the wave, a large smile crossed his face as he landed upon shore, the wave crashing down on top of him seconds later but he didn't care, he'd down it! He successfully rode the big one!

"Rai Rai!" Raichu stood up moments later, jumping up with a cheerful expression. His tail twitched in excitement as the spirit of his former partner briefly appeared, the trainer grinning and giving Raichu a thumbs up before fading away. Raichu started tearing up as he accomplished their dream though one thought did cross his mind, one that hadn't crossed it since arriving here. What next?


"Prinplup the penguin Pokemon, it's wings deliver wicked blows that can snap even the thickest of trees!"

"Aw man, I can't wait to start training and see your new form in action!"

"Prinplup!" Prinplup tapped his chest with a smirk.

"I just wish that I got to see the evolution for myself." Zach let out a light sigh before turning to watch as Raichu trained with Pikachu. Water began appearing beneath Pikachu's feet as a small wave started to take form, Raichu nodded and gave Pikachu a thumbs up. Hours of practice had paid off and Pikachu had started learning the ropes of the move, it'd take a bit more practice before they fully mastered the move though but now that they knew how to do it, staying wasn't necessary anymore.

"We'll continue this on our own time, right now we've got to get to Glacier Island so I can beat Glacia!" Ash exclaimed as he and Pikachu pumped their fists with excited expressions. Raichu formed a light smirk and nodded while his gaze turned towards Zach, his head soon lowering after making eye contact.

The ship horn soon sounded off, signaling that it was leaving the island within the hour and any passengers needed to get onboard now!

Zach approached Raichu and leaned down on his knees to talk with him for the final time. "Well you did it Raichu, I have no idea why you wanted to but it seemed important so I'm glad you didn't give up on your goal! Thanks for your help with teaching my friend how to use Surf, I'm sure they'll have it mastered within a day or two knowing Ash. I need to get going though so I guess this is goodbye, hope you find even more impressive waves to ride, good luck wherever you go!" Zach petted Raichu before standing up and turning to leave, Lucario and Scorbunny following after him as Prinplup retreated to his ball.

Raichu looked down at his feet feeling sadness, he had hoped that Zach would have offered him a spot on his team and give him a new purpose in his life. His eyes then caught sight of something sparkling in the sand nearby, quickly digging it up and realizing that it was the Pokeball Zach had attempted to throw at him earlier! Raichu's eyes glowed blue as he sent the Pokeball flying after the trainer and nailing him in the back of the head!

"Ow! Who-?" Zach turned as he rubbed the back of his head, his annoyance quickly faded upon realizing who'd done it. The Pokeball laid between the two as Raichu smiled up at him.

"Rai rai!"

"Y-You want to come with me? I-I thought you'd want to stay here and surf to your hearts content! A-Are you sure...?" Raichu nodded as he levitated the ball to Zach's hand and flashed him a smirk.

"Rai!"

"Well okay then, welcome to the team Raichu!" He threw the Pokeball for a final time as Raichu was sucked into it in a beam of red light, the ball landed in the sand and began shaking before chiming to announce the capture complete!

"Take good care of each other dudes!"

"W-What was that?" Zach jumped up and turned around, spotting a surfer trainer's spirit waving at him. Zach wasn't sure what was going on and felt a bit creeped out but waved back out of politeness. Raichu burst from his ball and gave his former trainer a wave before a golden glow surrounded the spirit and he disappeared.

"Rai!" Raichu flew up and pulled his new trainer into a hug. Scorbunny and Lucario soon joining in as the electric mouse closed his eyes and let out a sigh of contentment, knowing that he had found the right place to be his new home!

A bit shorter in length than most chapters but this was mostly a break between Hugh and Glacia, next time the battles resume!