Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of the characters. Just the random plot bunnies that my mind creates.

Chapter Warnings: Language, blood, violence

Chapter 15 - Delivery

The duo land in Vermilion City with plenty of time to spare. Gary follows behind his partner as he is once more being led around town sightseeing, when they come across the Vermilion Gym. Brown eyes widen at the name of the current Gym Leader on the plaque outside. Gary frowns. It just HAD to be him. The raven quickly turns to him with a hopeful look on his face.

"Gary! Can we go say hi?!" Excitement clearly overflowing in Ash's voice.

Crossing his arms over his chest in defiance, he glares at the giddy man next to him. "Absolutely not."

The raven pouts at the negative response. Looking over the gym once more, his partner tries again to change his mind by unleashing a full powered grin at him.

"Come onnnn! He was our favorite instructor." Ash begs.

"No Ash. He was your favorite instructor even though I kept telling you the man is crazy." Gary shivers at the horrible memories the man seared into his brain. Ash keeps his grin at full strength in order to break down the grimace that had appeared on his.

He breaks down once he sees that they only have an hour left before they have to be at the docks.

Might as well get this over with. Ash won't budge otherwise. We can't stay long anyway. Thankfully.

Ash rushes into the Gym looking everywhere for the familiar shock of blonde hair. Gary scans the various trainers battling each other with their electric pokemon. Noticing a familiar looking collared Raichu by some weights in the back corner, he taps his partner's shoulder and points out the electric type.

"Lieutenant Surge!" Ash calls out in greeting as they walk toward the back of the large room.

The weights freeze and drop back on the bench press rack. The spiky blonde haired man sits up with a smirk plastered on his face. Gary takes in the olive tank top, camo pants and combat boots. Hasn't changed at all in 3 years.

"Well well, if it isn't my two favorite students. The pipsqueak and the asshole. What brings you to my fine establishment? Need hints for a test mission?"

Gary throws a glare at the man but is steadily ignored. How the hell does Ash put up with him? His Battle Simulation and Mission Tactics classes were pure torture. He almost killed us multiple times! And that was just in one class!

"No sir! We graduated a little over two weeks ago. Gary and I both made it into the Four actually. Pikachu here choose me as his partner and Squirtle choose Gary." The raven explains, completely ignoring the jibe the older soldier threw at them.

Lt. Surge stands up and gives a quick pat to the mouse on Ash's shoulder.

"That doesn't surprise me at all pipsqueak. You always did battle best with him in my class. I'm surprised you haven't evolved him yet though. Did you learn nothing from my lessons? You know evolved forms are stronger and more reliable."

That's true. We haven't found any stones yet though. I could use a Fire Stone for Growlithe…

Gary is pulled from his thoughts by a quiet growl from the small electric mouse. What is it growling for? Does it not like Lt. Surge? Honestly won't blame the mouse for that one. Such a dick.

Ash hurries to calm down the angered pokemon as their former instructor releases a hearty chuckle.

"Well that thing has guts I can tell ya that. How about a quick battle pipsqueak? I'll even throw in a Thunderstone when you lose so you will have a chance next time."

Ugh. We don't have time for this.

The brunet turns towards his partner to pull him out of the Gym but freezes at the fire burning in the dark brown eyes. Fan-fucking-tastic.

"You're on!" Ash calls out confidently. Small sparks fly out of Pikachu's cheeks in excitement for battle.

The duo follow the blonde toward the center of the Gym where a large area is clear of any objects. Two trainers who were dueling against each other when they walked in quickly skirt out of the way. Gary calls out Eevee to watch the battle with him in his arms and hopefully gain some experience while doing so.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

Ash turns to face his opponent on the other side of the field. He stands up straighter as the battle is announced over the speakers.

"The pokemon battle will now begin. Only one pokemon may be used. The gym leader, Lt. Surge, has chosen Raichu. The challenger, Ash, has chosen Pikachu. No time limit. Let the battle begin."

An official League Gym Battle huh? Interesting.

"Go Raichu!" Lt. Surge calls out confidently. The large mouse sparking dangerously in a show of its tremendous strength.

"Go Pikachu!" The small rodent bends low to the ground as Ash calls its name. Dark eyes locked on its opponent across the battleground.

The two electric pokemon bound forward towards the center of the field. Lt. Surge waves his hand forward, content at giving Ash the first chance to attack.

Ash hesitates. This isn't how the Lieutenant normally battles. What happened to strike first and hit hard? "Pikachu, let's do a Thundershock for warm-up." He calls out cautiously.

A spark of electricity is sent flying towards the advancing Raichu. It doesn't even blink at the attack. The older soldier laughs from across the field.

"I taught you better than that pipsqueak. Raichu, show them a real Thundershock." The blond demands, smirk in place.

An almighty stream of electrical power is hurled towards the smaller rodent. Brown orbs widen in surprise. That's roughly the same discharge that Pikachu exerts with a max powered Thunderbolt!

With a cry of pain, Pikachu is sent flying through the air and slides across the ground. Ash's starter struggles to regain control of its spasming muscles as it glares across at its evolved form.

"It's over pipsqueak. You didn't really have a chance with Pikachu against my powered up Raichu anyway. Finish it off with Thunder Punch Raichu." Surge calls out dismissively.

Dread forms in Ash's stomach. Pikachu won't last if he gets hit by that. He calls out frantically to his first pokemon. "Dodge it!"

Pikachu rolls out of the way just as a fist strikes the ground with destructive force. The small rodent staggers back up onto its feet, glaring fiercely. The current from Raichu's first attack finally dissipating.

Eyebrow twitching at the missed attack, Surge calls out again. "Mega Kick!"

Pikachu is sent sprawling once more by another devastating attack.

"Now give us a big finale Raichu. Thunderbolt!"

There is absolutely no way Pikachu can out power Raichu. He doesn't have enough raw power. But we can dodge.

If we can dodge, we can win.

"Come on buddy! We can't lose here. Dodge it!"

Lightning bursts down from the ceiling aiming straight at Pikachu's little heart. It jumps out of the way but not far enough. A horrendous squeal was ripped from him as its tail was struck.

"Pikachu! Are you okay?!" Ash's heart leaps into his throat as he stares at his downed pokemon with horror.

The little mouse nods stiffly to its trainer. Face wiped of any emotion, it slowly turns back to its opponent, cheeks sparking. The blonde gym leader laughs at the display, amused at the determination flashing in its dark orbs.

"About time the baby showed some of its training. Especially after all those hours I put in to help make it strong! However, it won't be enough. Squish that puny thing Raichu!"

The evolved pokemon once more barrels towards Pikachu.

"Get behind him Pikachu and use Quick Attack!" The dread inside of him builds at the smirk on the blonde's face as he calls out his next instruction.

Just as Pikachu is about to dodge around its larger counterpart, Raichu turns away from him and smacks the small rodent with its long spiky tail. How is it predicting our moves?!

Pikachu falls to the ground as he is bombarded over and over again. Blood begins to spread out from under him. Pikachu…

A blanket of electricity coats Pikachu's tail as the smaller mouse spins and slams its spiked tail into Raichu's side. Pushing the larger pokemon away just enough for him to slide out and jump away.

Red stains cover Pikachu's short fur. It's breaths come in out short labored pants. He can't take anymore.

"Pikachu. That's enough. Re-"

Ash is cut off by a vicious growl that emanates from the small pokemon. Its fur bristling while fire burns in small black eyes. Angry sparks burst out from the electric sacks in its cheeks.

"Raichu, end this once and for all with Body Slam!"

Well if you won't give up, I won't either buddy.

"Do it Pikachu. Agility now!"

The small yellow pokemon speeds across the field in a yellow blur. Raichu pounces but is met with dirt. Tail lashing out, it once again misses the small, quick rodent as it darts around the field.

I knew it. Lt. Surge's Raichu never concentrated on speed. Just power. But it has enough battle experience to not be caught off guard…

We need more speed.

"Pikachu, max Agility!"

Pikachu vanishes into thin air. A scream of air as the pokemon whizzes by is the only indication that it is still there. After images start to appear all around the field causing Raichu to spin in circles in confusion.

"Shut it down Raichu! Nothing can move faster than the speed of light. Full power - Thunderbolt!"

Even Pikachu won't be able to survive a full powered Thunderbolt from a Raichu! How can I get the electricity to dissipate? Various lectures flash through his mind. He glances quickly at Pikachu's tail. That might actually work.

"Ground it Pikachu!" Ash calls out quickly. Long yellow ears twitch in response to his command.

The air itself seems to thicken and crackle with power as electricity is gathered into Raichu's cheeks. A stream of lighting is released that is powerful enough to destroy the very field Ash is standing on. Strong enough that the resounding boom of thunder shakes the ground and destroys all of the windows sending a rain of glass into the gym.

The smoke clears to show a heaving Raichu, severely drained from releasing the powerful attack. Pikachu stands in the middle of the destruction, completely unharmed. Small arms and legs spread out in the air with its sharp spiky tail stuck in the ground.

He made it in time. The electricity was diverted to the ground. No way that thing has any electricity left now.

Smoke and sparks rise off of the small rodent's skin. Pikachu's collar begins to spark dangerously. His jaw tightens as Pikachu winces at the malfunctioning equipment. Fuck. This needs to end now. If the collar thinks Pikachu is trying to remove it, it will injure him further.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

"Take Down, Raichu!"

Darting across the field, Pikachu darts right past the reaching paws and delivers a strong attack right into Raichu's abdomen. As it bends over in pain, the smaller rodent jumps in the air to deliver a strong electrically charged Tail Whip across its opponent's face.

The evolved pokemon is flung towards Lt. Surge's feet and doesn't rise. Victorious, Pikachu jumps into Ash's outstretched arms with a happy squeak.

"Pikachu! That was awesome! I'm so proud of you." Ash smiles proudly at his starter who battled so hard.

He rubs his pokemon fondly as he quickly administers first aid to the cuts littering the Pokemon's body. They have stopped bleeding already so he should be fine.

"Well, well. Who would have thought that the student could ever beat the teacher. As proof of your victory, take this Thunder Badge and Thunderstone. Congratulations Ketchum."

Ash accepted his winnings with a smile on his face and slides them into one of the many pant pockets. He looks at his commanding officer questionly.

"I'm a soldier, sir. What the hell am I going to do with a League Badge?" Ash asks, mind focused on the slight weight of the heavy metal pin in his pocket.

With a soft chuckle, the Lieutenant walks away to take care of his injured pokemon and repair his gym.

"You never know pipsqueak. It might just save your life someday." The blonde answers, his tone as mysterious as the strange twinkle in his olive orbs.

With those cryptic parting words, Ash turns to his partner with a triumphant smile. Brown eyebrows scrunch in confusion at the disapproving glare and worried tint to Gary's vivid green eyes.

"What's wrong with you? I figured you'd be happy that I beat your so-called tormentor."

He follows the brunette's gaze to the sparking collar around Pikachu's neck. Now that the adrenaline high from the battle is gone, he can smell burnt flesh and see some thin, reddish/clear liquid start to ooze out from underneath the tight device. Pikachu whimpers softly in pain.

"Ash let's hurry and get the egg and head back to Gramps' lab. He'll know what to do." Gary calls out to him softly. Shocking him from his horrified state of forgetting about the dangerous collar in his joy at winning in a pokemon battle.

With a worried glance at his starter, Ash nods in agreement.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

The duo quickly make their way down to the docks since they can see the boat pulling up to the main dock in the harbor.

Running towards the pier, Gary quickly pulls Ash to a halt before they run over a young woman with short, orange hair pushing a cart towards them. Seeing the two soldiers, she freezes and gives a clumsy salute.

"Um hi. Are you the two picking up the egg for Professor Oak?" She asks cautiously, shifting from one foot to the other as she eyes their large rifles and swords.

At a nod from the raven, she pulls out a piece of paper for them to sign. Gary quickly steps forward to write his name so his partner won't jostle his injured pokemon.

Taking off a string from around her neck, Gary is shocked to see a key at the end. A key which is inserted into a hidden panel on the side of the cart. A door pops open revealing an incubator with a large olive green egg inside.

Taking off his empty backpack, he reaches forward to grab the incubator but almost falls forward into the cart at the sheer weight of it.

"Fuck!" Gary yells out in surprise. Quickly adjusting his balance, he turns to glare at her. "This weighs a ton! What the hell kind of Egg is this?"

His eyes narrow further at her satisfied smirk. The woman rolls her shoulders and stretches her arms after having to push the heavy cart for so long. No wonder she pushed it in a cart. My shoulders are going to die.

He's pulled from her thoughts by her high voice. "We were hoping that you would be able to find out. Good luck."

The woman quickly departs, pushing her now severely lightened cart back on the boat. Gary stares at the contraption settled at his feet. How the fuck are we going to get this back? No way Fearow can carry this. It is basically another person it weighs so damn much.

Hearing a pokeball open, he turns to see Ash talking quietly to Pidgeot. His partner gives her a quick pat before walking back over to him.

"Pidgeot has agreed to take you. She is strong enough to carry you and the egg. I'll ride back on Fearow. I'm worried about this collar and we can't walk with something so heavy."

After a quick pause, Gary nods and calls out his flyer. He has to promise it a snack when they get home to even allow Ash near the prideful, and possibly vengeful, bird.

Gary groans as he slowly stands up with the monstrous pack on his shoulders. He slowly climbs aboard Pidgeot who staggers at the heavy weight and squawks at him.

"Hey don't blame me!" Gary grumbles. "I am clearly not the heavy one. Blame it on Gramps for making us get the damn thing in the first place."

With few powerful beats of massive wings, they are once more in the air.

xxx-War of the Dragon Riders-xxx

AN: The fight should seem familiar to you guys. I did tweak it a bit and added some more convo though. Butttt I have a feeling we will be seeing Surge again. Hehehe

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Next up: Chapter 16 - Explosion