Episode 20: Electric Showdown at Vermilion Gym
After weeks of being lost, the group of friends happily smile to see they're in front of a sign that reads, 'Vermilion City.' Hana and her friends have finally reached their destination.
They all happily cheer, "Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!
"I can't wait to take a bubble bath!" Diana happily says.
"I gotta hit the laundromat!" Akira says.
"I can't wait to go to the Vermilion City Gym to earn my badge," Hana happily says.
"True, but there let's go to the Pokemon Center to get something to eat," Chase says.
"Yeah," Hana says.
She then looks down to notice Pikachu and Alistair looks faint.
"Pikachu?" Hana asks.
Pikachu and Alistair look tired, and weak, and their stomachs begin to growl.
"Pikachu!" Hana worriedly says and picks Pikachu up.
Akira does the same for Alistair, "Hey little guy, you're okay?"
"They must be hungry," Diana worriedly says.
"We haven't eaten anything decent in three days now," Chase says.
"Hey, Pikachu. You feeling hungry, little buddy?" Hana asks.
Then her stomach begins to growl, making her blush, "I guess we're all a little hungry. Eh, Pikachu?"
"Pika. (Uh huh)" Pikachu weakly replies with a nod.
Not long, everyone arrives at the Pokemon Center and has their Pokeball placed on a tray. Latios and Latias are on the table next to Pikahchu
"I think my Pokemons hungry," Hana says, worried.
"We'll fix your Pokemon right up," Nurse Joy says.
"Thank you," The group replies.
The doors to the Center open behind them and they hear shouting, "Hurry! You'll be okay Ratata! Hurry!"
The group look to see a boy running next to a stretch that has a Ratata on it, and Chansey helps bring it to the emergency room.
"That Ratata's in rough shape. I wonder what happened," Akira says.
"Must have been an accident or something," Hana says.
Nurse Joy stands up, "Oh, it's the 15th Pokemon brought this month."
"What?" Hana says, confused.
Nurse Joy brings the four trainers to the emergency room. Looks like many Pokemon are injured and are laying in a medical bed. They also have bandages wrapped and stick on. Hana and her friends are shocked.
"This is terrible," Chase says.
"How awful," Diana adds, shocked.
"They all lost to Lieutenant Surge, the Vermilion gym leader," Nurse Joy says.
"Whoa! He must be a great trainer! And uh, pretty brutal," Hana says.
"What Pokemon does he use, a Primeape?" Akira asks.
The Oddish's answers, "No, he has a powerful Raichu."
"A Raichu?" Hana says, confused.
"It must have been a tough Raichu, if it was able to defeat a Sandshrew. Ground Pokemon usually have the advantage," Chase says.
"True, but remember A.J's Sandshrew, he was able to withstand water," Hana says.
"That's true," Akira says.
"Raichu must have been a powerful one to beat 15 Pokemon," Diana says.
Chase then says, "From the looks of things here, you will have to be tough to battle with this Lt. Surge."
"Do you think Lt. Surge is going to be tough?" Hana asks.
"Possibly," Akira says.
Diana then asks, "Does he use any other Pokemon?"
The trainers with their injured Pokemon shake their heads.
Sandshrew's trainer says, "No. Not at all."
"He mostly uses Raichu, and it's a very powerful one, especially it's electrical attacks," The Oddish's trainer says.
"It uses Thunderbolt, Take down, and Body Slam.," The Sahdshrew Trainer says.
"It also uses Mega Punch, Mega Kick, and Thunder Shock," The Oddish trainer adds.
"We didn't even have a chance to call that many attacks," The Ratata Trainer says.
"So that's the moves it has," Hana says.
She rubs her hand against her chin and thinks, "I wonder…"
Suddenly, the group hears beeping sounds.
Nurse Joy informs, "That signal means your Pokemon has recovered."
Soon, Pikachu and Alistar are eating apples while Latios and Latias are being fed by the Chansey.
"Pikachu!" Hana happily calls out.
Pikachu and the other Pokemon turn to see Hana and the others.
Hana sits next to Pikachu, "Glad you're feeling better. Because we have a strategy method to work on, and well, it seems we're going to need a good plan for this battle.."
"Pi?" (Why?) Pikachu asks.
Just then, another Chansey pushing a stretcher comes inside with a trainer. This time the injured Pokemon is a Pidgey.
The trainer panics, "Please hurry! Just hold on, Pidgey!"
"I guess they must have come from that gym," Diana says.
"I'm guessing that that's the 16th Pokemon brought in this month," Akira says.
Hearing this, makes Pikachu scream in fright, "Pi!"
"What's wrong Pikachu?" Hana asks.
Pikachu rapidly shakes his head, "Pikachu Pikachu!" (I don't want to fight in that gym!)
"I know how you feel. I don't want you to end up like Pidge and the other Pokemon, he and Raichu took out. Which is why, we need to come up with a really good plan," Hana says.
"Pika," (I guess.) Pikachu replies.
Hana begins to think, "Alright, we know that Lt. Surge seems to only use Raichu at that gym."
"Chu?" (Raichu?) Pikachu replies, sounding serious.
Akira suggests, "Maybe you can check up on Raichu on your Pokedex."
"Sure," Hana says.
She takes out her Pokedex and Dexter says, "Raichu, a Mouse Pokémon of the Electric element. Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu. It can shock with more than 100,000 volts, enough to render a Dragonite unconscious."
Diana says, worried, "That sounds scary."
"Yeah. Still, it seems that the Raichu Lt. Surge seems to use powerful attacks. Like Thunderbolt and Thunder Shock," Hana says.
"It also used Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Body Slam, and Take Down," Chase says.
"Sounds like Lt. Surge seems to use a lot of powerful attacks," Diana says.
"Enough to make a Pokemon end up in the Pokemon Center," Akira says.
"Pika," Pikachu says.
Pikachu stands out the window and looks at it with a serious look on his face.
Hana stands behind him and asks, "What's wrong Pikachu? Are you still feeling nervous?"
"Pika Pikachu, Pika Pi," (A little now, but I feel that I can't lose to Raichu.) Pikachu says.
"What do you mean, feel that you can't lose to Raichu?" Hana asks.
"Pika pika pika pikachu. Pika pika pika pika. Pikachu pi pika pika pikachu pika pika pi," (Because of what we've been through so far. I wanted to become stronger, and I want us to be strong together. Hearing about Raichu, I'm not sure if I can be strong enough to beat it.) Pikachu says.
"You really want to be strong and beat Raichu, but you worried that you might not be able to," Hana replies.
"Pika," (I do.) Pikachu says.
Suddenly, someone says, "There is one way you might win."
Everyone turns their heads to see Nurse Joy.
Nurse Joy walks in and says, "I'm sorry. I overheard your conversation and I just thought that maybe…"
"Maybe what?" Hana asks.
"A while ago, I just happened to come across this," Nurse says, opening a box.
Inside the box it shows a greenish blue color stone with a lighting bolt inside.
"I can't believe it!" Akira says, surprised.
"Wow! It's a Thunder Stone!" Chase says.
"A Thunder Stone? I have never seen one in real life before, and I can use it to evolve Pikachu into Raichu," Hana replies.
She then picks up the stone from the box, "Then Pikachu might be strong enough to win."
"You've got to think hard before using the Thunder Stone," Nurse Joy says.
Hana looks at the stone with sadness.
"If you make Pikachu evolve, Hana, you can't change it back," Daina says worried.
"Exactly, evolution is permanent," Chase says.
"Pikachu will never be the same," Akira says.
"If Pikachu becomes a Raichu, I might be able to win that badge. On the other hand, to make it evolve just to fight… and just to win… I would be just like Damian," Hana sadly says, remember how Damian only cared about winning and having strong Pokemon.
Diana and the boys understand it well.
Hana turns to Pikachu, "Pikachu, what do you want to do?"
Then shows Pikachu the stone. Pikachu looks at the stone.
"I really want to beat that Surge, but I also don't want to force you to evolve if you'd be happier staying the way you are," Hana says.
Piikachu looks and thinks carefully about using the stone. He then looks at Hana to see that she is worried about Pikachu and doesn't want to force him. Hana receives Pikachu's answer when he uses his tail to slap the thunder stone off of Hana's hand, and it falls to the floor.
Hana gasps, "Pikachu!"
Pikachu then says with determination, "Pika Pikachu Pika Pi Pi Pi Pikachu chu Pika Pikachu (I don't want to change, if I want to beat Raichu, I'm going to do it just as I am!)
"Pikachu," Hana replies.
Pikachu continues, "Pika Pi Pika Pi Pika Pikachu (I'm going to fight in the name of all Pikachu!)"
Hana smiles and takes Pikachu's paws, "Pikachu, together, you and I will beat Lt. Surge and his Raichu!"
"Pika Pika!" (Yes, we will!) Pikachu says.
"You're both crazy!" Diana says.
Then Chase says, "You should change your strategy, Hana. Maybe use your other Pokemon.
"It's hard, but it's not impossible! Pikachu and I will find a way to win!" Hana says.
Pikachu says, "Pika Pikachu Pika! (I'll prove I can beat Raichu! I'll defend myself and Hana's honor!)
"Oh Pikachu," Hana happily says.
She then hugs Pikachu with tears coming out of her eyes. Just then, All of Hana's Pokemon come out and it appears they have heard the conversation. It's like they are all cheering for Hana and Pikachu to defeat Lt. Surge.
Hana smiles and says, "Thank you everyone."
"Pika!" (Thank you!) Pikachu says.
Chase says, "That's one brave Pikachu."
"Yeah. Now all we need to do is come up with a plan to defeat them," Akira says.
A little time later, Hana and her friends are having lunch themselves. Hana is eating such small bites that she isn't able to eat
Diana says in concern, "This whole thing has me nervous."
"Same here," Chase says.
"Me too. I'm concerned about Pikachu," Hana says.
Just then, Akira remembers, "Hey, Hana!"
"Yeah?" Hana says, looking at Akira.
"I was talking to some of the trainers and Nurse Joy, and I've learned something strange. Apparently, Surge made his Raichu evolve as soon as he got it, didn't he?"
"He did?" Hana says, confused.
"Maybe that can give you a clue," Diana says.
"But how does Lt. Surge made his Raichu evolve the moment he got it, is anything important?" Diana asks.
Hana begins to think, "They way he uses his electricity and strength. The way the trainers describe it. And that Lt. Surge has made his Raichu evolve as soon as he got it."
Hana eyes wide open in shock, "That's it!"
Hana then says out loud, "That's it, I know how Pikachu and I can beat Raichu!"
"What is it?" Diana asks.
Hana grins, "You'll just have to wait until you get to the gym."
Soon enough, the group arrives at the Vermilion Gym. The building has lighting bolts on the front."
"So this is the Vermilion City gym," Hana says.
"Are you sure about this Hana? Maybe you should use one of your other Pokemon," Diana asks.
"I know, but Pikachu and I agreed to do this. And Pikachu also decided that he wants to battle," Hana says.
"You and Pikachu got spirit," Akira says.
Hana says, "Alright, let's go in."
The doors open and they all enter. Soon, they see two people dressed in black. A man with a buzz cut hairstyle, and a girl with long burgundy hair.
"Hello, I've come for a Pokemon battle to earn a Thunder badge," Hana says.
The young man turns his head back and says," Hey, boss! Another victim for the emergency room.
Just then, someone steps forward, "Which ones?"
Hana and her friends are surprised to see the Gymleader is tall, muscular, and large. He is wearing black shoes, dark brown pants with a vest open. He also wears finger-less gloves with silver studs, and a chain around his neck attaching a tag. He has light tan skin and blonde spiky hair.
"Whoa! He's huge!" Akira says, shocked.
"Is he the gym leader you two have to beat?" Diana asks.
"I… I think so," Chase says.
Hana raises her hand, "Um I'm Hana of Pallet Town and I come here to challenge you to earn a Thunder Badge."
"Well then, welcome to the Vermilion Gym, baby," The man, Lt. Surge says.
Then ruffles Hana's hair.
"I'm not a baby!" Hana says, annoyed and puffs her cheeks.
"'Heh,' I call everyone who loses to me, baby," Lt. Surge says.
Suddenly, Pikachu angrily says, "Pika Pikachu! Pika Pika Pi Pikachu!" (Hana is no baby! She's a great trainer!)
Lt Surge and his colleagues look down to see Pikachu making an electric spark from his cheeks and look angry.
"Well well, a Pikachu, a baby Pokemon. And one that has got some guts," Lt. Surge says.
"Hey! We're not babies!" Hana angrily says.
"Pi Pikachu!" (That's right!" Pikachu angrily says.
Lt. Surge holds out his Pokeball, "Looks like we're going to have an interesting opponent, but you're still going to lose."
"Go Raichu!" Surge says, throwing his Pokeball.
Then a large mouse Pokemon comes out, "Raichu!"
This Pokemon is covered in dark orange fur with a white belly. Its bifurcated ears are brown on the outside, yellow on the insides, and end in a distinctive curl. There is a circular yellow marking on each cheek where its electric sacs are, and it has a triangular, dark brown nose. Its arms and feet have patches of brown fur at the end, and the soles of its long feet are tan with a circular orange pad in the center. On its back are two horizontal brown stripes. Its long, thin tail has a lightning bolt-shaped end.
Pikachu and Raichu glare at each other as they growl.
"Okay, baby. If you wanna quit, now's your chance," Lt. Surge says.
"Raichu!" (Yeah!) Raichu says.
"There's no way we're going to quit now," Hana says.
But Lt. Surge says, "Hah! What could a baby like that do? If you want to become a Pokemon master, you should make your Pokemon evolve as soon as you catch it."
Then pats Raichu on the head.
Hana kneels to Pikachu, "There's more to raising a Pokemon than forcing it to evolve!"
"And Pikachu and I like it just the way it is," Hana says, pats Pikachu on his head.
Soon, two members begin to laugh at them, much to Diana, Akira, Chase, and Alistair's anger.
"Wrong, baby. Electric Pokemon are only useful once they learned all their different electrical attacks. You keep it puny like that, it's no more than a little pet," Lt. Surge says.
This makes Pikachu really steamed, and Hana feels the same way.
"That's not true. Just because Pikachu doesn't evolve, doesn't mean he can't do great attacks," Hana says.
"Pika Pika, (Yeah)" Pikachu says.
Hana stands up, "Ready Pikachu!"
"Pikachu," (I'm ready) Pikachu says.
Raichu shrugs his head.
Durge does the same, "Oh well. I guess you'll learn that playing with the big boys can be a shocking experience."
Just then, the lights turn on, and Hana and Pikachu stand on one side of the ring, while Surge and Raichu stand on the other. Diana and the others remain with Hana and Pikachu.
The announcer says, "The Pokemon battle will now begin. Only one Pokemon may be used. The gym leader, Lt. Surge has chosen Raichu. The challenger, Hana, has chosen Pikachu. No time limit! Let the battle begin!"
Then the bell rings.
Lt. Surge calls out, "Go Raichu!"
"Rai!" Raichu calls out going to the battle.
"Go Pikachu!" Han calls out.
Pikachu jumps in, "Pika!"
Hana calls out, "Pikachu, Thunder Shock!"
Pikachu cries out as it unleashes a thunderbolt, but it doesn't affect Raichu.
Lt. Surge then calls out, "Raichu! Give it a real Thunder Shock!"
Raichu then gives off a powerful Thunder Shock and strikes Pikachu. Pikachu falls, and yet, it's able to get up.
Hana calls out, "Pikachu, are you okay?"
"Pika," (I'm okay.) Pikachu answers, nodding his head.
Hana thinks, "So I was right, Lt. Surge is very powerful, and knows about power itself. However, I realized that Raichu may be strong and learned all of it's attack, there is something that Raichu lacks, and the reason why is because it evolves too quickly."
Hana calls out, "Alright Pikachu, time for that strategy you and I come up with."
"Pika!" (Right!) Pikachu says.
Pikachu runs to Raichu and tries to jump up, but Raichu counters with its tail. Hana and the others become shocked. Pikachu rolls over to the ground, but before he has the chance, Raichu uses its tail to keep it down.
Hana cries out, "Pikachu!
"Hang in there, Pikachu!" Diana calls out.
Akira calls out, "Pull to the side and break away!"
Then Chase shouts, "Try and get out of this, Pikachu!"
Lt. Surge then calls out, "Do it, Raichu! Give it the Body Slam!"
Then Raichu lands on top of Pikachu, making the heroes gasp in shock.
Then Lt. Surge says, "Finish it off, Raichu! Another Body Slam!"
Raichu leaps in the air and begins to dive down for a massive Body Slam.
Diana and the others scream, "Pikachu!"
"Watch out!" Hana calls out.
Suddenly, Pikachu quickly moves out of the way and lands on it's feed.
"Hey what?" Lt. Surge says, confused.
Hana then calls out, "Do it, Pikachu! Agility, now!"
Pikachu then begins to use his speed to run from one direction to another
Then Lt. Surge calls out, "Raichu! Use your Body Slam!"
Raichu then tries to Body Slam Pikachu, but Pikachu continues to dodge out of the way
Confused, Lt. Surge says, "Uh, Riachu?"
"You're doing great Pikachu!" Hana calls out.
Diana says to the boys, "Wow! Raichu can't get to Pikachu while he's moving quick."
"I think this is what Hana planned all along," Akira says.
"I agree," Chase says.
"How come?" Diana asks.
Chase says, "Raichu evolved too fast, and it never learned the speed attacks it could only learn in the Pikachu stage! Hana must have figured it out thanks to the trainers and from watching the match.
Hana then calls out, "Okay! Use all the Agility you got!"
Pikachu uses his speed even faster and runs around Raichu. Pikachu continues to circle around that surprises Raichu. Soon the evolved Mouse Pokemon is beginning to get dizzy.
Hana calls out, "Your Raichu's way too slow, Surge! That's it's weakness!"
Lt. Surge calls out clutching his fist, "Okay, Raichu! Give it a Thunderbolt! Shut it down!"
Soon, Raichu uses his most powerful attack and spreads it across the gym. Soon, parts of the ground begin to break.
Hana screams, "Pikachu.
Some of the debris spread out and the electricity breaks all the windows around the gym. Soon, many of the smoke clears out.
"The end of the match!" Lt. Surge says with a smirk.
But I noticed something isn't right. What he sees is Pikachu standing on his tail.
"What?" Lt. Surge says, confused.
Hana happily cheers, "Pikachu!"
"Alright! Way to go!" Chase says.
"He's okay," Diana says.
Then Akira says, "Pikachu used his tail as a ground to dodge the electric shock."
"That was really cool," Diana says.
"You were great, Pikachu," Hana says.
"Pikachu, Pika Pik," (Thanks, but we still have a match to finish.) Pikachu says.
"Right," Hana says.
Raichu is still standing and is taking deep breaths.
Lt. Surge calls out, "Raichu, give it another Thunderbolt!"
Raichu then tries to use another Thunderbolt. So far nothing. It tries again, but nothing happens.
Confused, Lt. Surge calls out, "Do something!"
"It can't do another Thunderbolt?" Diana says, confused.
"Which means it's over! Raichu ran out of electricity," Chase says.
Seeing her chance, Hana calls out, "Alright! Quick Attack!"
Pikachu then uses Quick Attack
Lt. Surge then calls out, "Raichu! Take Down, now!"
Raichu tries to grab Pikachu, but Pikachu jumps and slams right into Raichu's stomach. Then charge up electricity on his tail, Pikachu swings it and smacks Raichu with it. Raichu falls to the ground with swirly eyes, and the results are in.
Lt. Surge exclaims, "Unbelievable!"
The Subordinate calls out, "Raichu is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! This battle goes to the challenger, Hana!"
Hana cheers, "We did it, Pikachu!"
Akira cheers, "Way to go!"
"Fantastic!" Diana happily says.
"That was incredible," Chase says.
Pikachu smiles and says, "Pikachu."
After the battle, Lt. Surge and Hana shake hands.
"Lt. Surge says, "Congratulations. Nice job, Hana, Pikachu."
"As proof of your victory, a Thunder badge," Lt. Surge says, bringing out the Thunder Badge
Hana takes the badge and says, "Thank you."
Hana looks at the palm of her hand to see the Thunder badge. The badge is an eight pointed gold stay with an orange octagon in the center.
Hana turns to Pikach and happily says, "We did it Pikachu, we got a thunder badge."
"Pika," (Yeah.) Pikachu says.
"You should be proud. You and your Pikachu fought good together," Lt. Surge says.
"Thank," Hana happily says.
"Pika Pikachu! (Alright!) Pikachu happily says.
Lt. Surge and his two colleges clap for Hana and Pikachu's victory.
"Nice victory, kid! You're no baby!" Lt. Surge says.
Diana and the boys, even Alistair clap for Hana and Pikachu.
"Congratulations, Hana," Akira says.
"You got your third badge," Diana says.
"You both were great," Chase adds.
"Rai rai rai!" (You did good, kid!) Raichu says.
"Pika!" (Thank you.) Pikachu says.
Hana picks up Pikachu and hugs him. Thanks Pikachu, this is your victory as well," Hana says.
She then hugs Pikachu with a smile. Soon, Pikachu unleashes a thunderbolt on Hana. Hanan isn't affected, in fact, she is very happy.
Diana giggles and says, "Those two make quite the team!"
"You can say that again," Chase says.
"I think those two are shocking and sparkling like stars," Akira says.
Soon Hana and Pikachu begin laughing with glee, and soon, everyone begins laughing with glee.
Later in the night, Hana, Pikachu, and the others are sleeping in the Pokemon Center at the Vermilion City for the night. Hana and Pikachu are happily sleeping with Latios, Latias, Little Brother, and Little Sister. They all sleep happily. Now that Hana and Pikachu have won their third badge, they are one step closer to participating in the Indigo Plateau. Hana hugs Pikachu and Pikachu snuggles his cheek against hers.
Unknown to them, someone or something is using a psychic ability to spy on Hana and her Pokemon. In fact, it's been spying on Hana for some time, and has seen many things she has done. Whatever it is, it has glowing blue color eyes.
As the journey continues.
