The Battle Club

Chapter 2

-Stranger Than Ever-

3:00 P.M

Pewter City

"So when are you going to start training me?"

"It's pretty low on my priority list. Considering I never agreed to."

The boy paused for a moment, looking around at the interior of the house. He glanced over at Zicks. "Like, how low?"

"Low. Reeeaaally low."

He sighed. "What's above it?"

"Well, there might be hope. It's right below taking a shit this time next year," Zicks chuckled. "Oh, that must hurt. I'm gonna use that waaay more often."

"So you'll start training me next year?"

"NO."

She refreshed the 'Find a Connection' window for the hundredth time, sighing as it brought up the same message.

"What-cha doin?" The boy asked, peeking over her shoulder.

"Nothing. Which is a problem," She got up, grabbing her Poke Balls and returning the occupants to the capsules in several successive flashes of light.

"What-cha doin' now, Zicks?"

"Wait. How the hell do you know my name?"

"I saw it on your start menu."

"Forget my name. Now. And you better be gone when I get ba-"

As she attempted to leave her house, she ran into a man dressed in a suit that stood on her front doorstep. Curses flew out of her mouth as she stumbled backwards and fell, knocking the inward-swinging door all the way back against the wall.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING STANDING DIRECTLY ON MY FRONT DOOR STEP?"

"I am most sincerely sorry for your troubles, ma'am. However, I would like to request a battle at your Battle Club."

"How did you…" Zicks clenched her fists, turning on Chester. "Did you tell people I was starting a Battle Club? DID YOU?"

"Nope," He frowned. "I haven't had time to."

She whirled back around to the man. "I just want to be left…. Alone…" Zicks sighed as she remembered the promise she made to her Pokemon. "Fine. You know what? Fine. Let's battle. But not here. Somewhere else. We can't battle in here."

"Understood." He moved out of the way of the doorway. "Right this way," He gave her a warm smile, and adjusted his square-framed glasses.

"What are you doing?"

"I do believe it is customary to allow the ladies first passage to the next destination."

"This is my house. I'm leaving last." She grabbed the boy, shoved him out the door, and then motioned for the man to follow suit. He sighed reluctantly, walking out, and she followed him, locking the door behind her.

The trio walked down the road, taking a right, and heading toward the southern exit to Pewter City. The trip didn't last long, and they were soon standing in a small open field, the sun sitting at a slanted angle.

"Standard league rules?" He queried.

"Of course," Zicks replied. "Can I ask your name?"

"Arthur."

"Alright. Arthur. Good luck."

"Likewise, Zicks," He replied, giving her another warm smile.

"Okay, how do you know my na-"

"I heard it when I was waiting for you to exit your place of residence."

She shook her head. "Right…"

"Shall we?"

"Yeah… Go, Golbat!"

The large purple bat popped out, flying in a circle and crying out in excitement.

"If you'd please, Growlithe!"

A Growlithe appeared in a red flash, barking proudly as it prepared itself.

"Golbat! Confuse Ray!"

"Growlithe! Wild Charge!"

What the heck? Zicks thought. Where'd he get that move? Golbat fired a blast of purple sound waves at the Growlithe, smacking it in the face. An odd look on its face signified the induced confusion. However, it still charged, electricity surrounding its body, and it slammed into Golbat, sending Zicks' Pokemon shooting down to the ground.

"Golbat! Quick Attack!"

"Growlithe, Flame Burst!"

Golbat streaked toward the small dog, only to be intercepted by a small ball of fire, that, when it made impact, exploded harshly, knocking Golbat out of the air once again.

Zicks sighed. "This is going well. Golbat, you still there?"

The bat responded, weakly flying up into the air.

"Alright, good. Wing Attack!"

"Wild Charge!"

Golbat soared down to the Growlithe, both of its wings tucked in and glowing a bright white. Growlithe was surrounded once again by pulsing electricity as it leaped at the bat. The collided mid air, Growlithe landing elegantly, while Golbat crashed to the ground in an unconscious heap. A small crackle of electricity made Growlithe flinch as the recoil damage wracked his body.

"Alright, that was bullshit! Your Growlithe wasn't even affected by the confusion ONCE."

"My Pokemon have been trained to withstand such underhanded tactics."

"Underhanded! Really!" She reached into the pouch on her side and pulled out another Poke Ball. "Kingler, Go!"

The giant crab appeared on the field, snapping its claw together menacingly.

"Kingler! Bubblebeam!"

"Growlithe, Wild Charge!"

Kingler loosed a harsh stream of bubbles from her mouth, speeding toward Growlithe. The dog, however, had yet again surrounded its own body with electricity and was dashing toward the Kingler. The bubbles slowed him down a little, but not enough so that he couldn't ram the crab.

"Kingler! It's close to you! Stomp!"

"Growlithe, Flame Burst!"

Kingler raised one of her crustacean legs and brought it down harshly on the small dog, causing it to cry out. However, Arthur's Growlithe still pulled through, raising its maw and firing the burst of fire into Kingler's unprotected underside.

Kingler flew backwards, landing awkwardly a good distance away.

"Growlithe! Wild Charge!"

"Kingler, Protect!"

Growlithe quickly closed the distance, pulsing with electricity. Kingler raised its pincers, and a green bubble surrounded it. The Growlithe slammed into the bubble, bouncing backwards, the recoil damage still affecting it.

"Kingler, it's weakened! Finish it off with a Bubblebeam!"

"Growlithe! Wild Charge!"

Kingler loosed another stream of bubbles, which Growlithe pushed through once again. He slammed into the crab, knocking Kingler back again, unconscious. However, the recoil caught up to the dog, and it collapsed as well.

Both trainers recalled their Pokemon.

"What is with that Growlithe?"

Arthur frowned. "What precisely do you mean?"

"How come my Kingler couldn't beat it?"

"Maybe your Kingler needs more training."

She sneered at him.

He smiled politely back, grabbing another Poke Ball. "Gallade! Now is your time!"

"Go, Victreebel!"

The grass type popped out of her Poke Ball with a loud shriek, facing Arthur's Pokemon, which was exotic in Zicks' eyes.

"Where'd you find that? It's freakin' awesome!"

"During my travels."

She nodded. "Not going to let it stop us! Victreebel, Razor Leaf!"

"Gallade, Teleport away!"

Victreebel unleashed a flurry of sharp-edged leaves, but Gallade disappeared in a flash.

"Now! End it with Psycho Cut!" From behind Victreebel, a psychic blade whirled out from the nearby trees, catching the Pokemon off guard. Victreebel quickly crumpled, unconscious.

"What the heck?" Zicks yelled. She glared at Arthur, mumbling incoherently while she put Victreebel back in its ball. "This isn't over. Primeape, go!"

The ape appeared in the field in a flash of red light, and began hopping around, already raring to go. "Primeape!" Zicks called. "Screech!" Primeape turned toward the trees and let loose a stream of focused sound, blasting away at the undergrowth. Gallade appeared, bracing itself against the sound.

"Gallade, Low Sweep!"

"Primeape, Assurance!"

Primeape dashed forward with a dark power on its hand, and slammed it into Gallade. The Pokemon took the hit, and responded by ducking down and knocking Primeape to the ground with a circling kick.

"Now! Finish it with Psycho Cut!"

At close range, Primeape stood no chance. The psychic blade sliced into her, knocking Zicks' last Pokemon out.

"Oh come on!" She returned Primeape to her Pokeball, and stomped over to Arthur. "I don't have very much prize money, so this'll have to do." She looked over at Chester. "PRIZE MONEY. PEOPLE GIVE IT TO OTHER PEOPLE WHEN THEY LOSE. YOU OWE ME."

"I didn't come here to take your money. I came here to pay you."

Zicks stared at him in horror. "Okay, Arthur, I don't do that… I'm only fifteen!"

Arthur furrowed his brow in consternation. "I don't entirely follow the mean…." Realization dawned upon his face, and he blushed madly. "Oh dear, no! I would never! I… That is not… I was…." He swallowed. "I'm very sorry you took my offer to mean something such as that! Because it did not! Please do not phone the authorities!"

"Well, what are you paying me for?" She asked as he hastily handed her an envelope.

"Just please take the money and do not ever delve into that business!" He grabbed Gallade's arm, and in a flash of pink light, disappeared.

The boy walked up. "Weird guy. So when do we start training?"

"We don't. Ever. I wish you would just go away becau OH HOLY FUCK!"

The boy stumbled back in surprise. "What? Is it a bomb?"

Zicks bobbed her head in a diagonal direction, unable to form words.

"What is it? Are we playing charades? Okay! How many letters?"

She fell back onto the ground.

"Seven? Alright. Is it an object?"

She gasped for air and started laughing.

"You're a clown!"

"Shut up! We're ri… I mean, I'm rich!" She waved the envelope in the air. "IF THIS IS A DREAM THAT WOULD REALLY SUCK!"

"So how much money did we get?"

"I got it! It's mine! HOLY CRAP YES! I CAN BUY INTERNET! I CAN BUY PEWTER CITY! HOLY FUCK! YES!"

She ran back into town, the boy trailing behind her.

7:00 P.M

Pewter City

After raiding the grocery store, Zicks bought electricity. They said it would take a week, but she paid them to prioritize it. She bought furniture. She bought a bed. She bought television. She bought an internet connection. She bought windows. She bought a new lock. She bought a beanbag. She bought carpet. She bought wallpaper. She paid to have a basement built. And she paid them to prioritize that too.

So while her housing renovations were being done, she headed to the nicest hotel in Pewter City.

"Zicks! Come on, please?"

"NO."

"Please?"

"NO."

"Pretty pl-"

"NO. I'm having the best day of my damn life. Don't ruin it."

He stopped as they reached the hotel. "Seriously?"

"Yes. Seriously." She opened the doors, and went inside.

"Hello!" The receptionist bubbled. "How may I help you?"

"I'd like a room for 3 nights please."

"That'll be-"

Zicks slapped a wad of cash down on the counter. "I already checked your rates. Keep the change."

The receptionist's eyes widened as she counted the cash. "R-really? You're not kidding?"

"Nope."

She was hastily handed a room key. Zicks walked up to the second floor, and opened up her room, number 210. She ran and jumped onto the bed, marveling at the nice T.V, the clean smell, and the soft blankets that the room held.

"Time to check how much mo-"

A small piece of folded paper slipped out of the envelope.

Dear Zicks,

I understand that you may be perplexed as to why this money was given to you. I assure you that there are no external intentions behind this endeavor, it was merely an act of kindness. It would please me greatly if you went about your promise to your Pokemon and created the Battle Club

"Wait, how did he…." She recalled her conversations with Arthur, trying to remember telling him about the promise.

so that they could enjoy life as much as I assume you will. Please do not waste this money on pointless amenities

She felt a surge of guilt.

but use it to help those around you. Now, if I may make a special request. The boy that is has been bothering you is not who you think he is. It would be your best interest to assist him in growing as a trainer. I assume you do not wish to have him in your life, so the sooner you get him on his way, the less trouble it will be for you. Do enjoy your newfound wealth.

With sincerity and best wishes for your future,

-Arthur

She set the note down and stared sullenly up at the ceiling. "No external intentions my ass."

10:31 A.M

Pewter City

Zicks awoke with a start.

She looked up at the clock. 10:31. She groaned, slumping out of bed and into the bathroom. Splashing water on her face, she headed out to the lobby and over to the park.

Sure enough, the boy was sleeping on a bench.

"Kid."

"NUH. I was. Checking the bench for Lapras. Just in case."

"What's your name?"

He rubbed his eyes. "Man. I was having the best dream ever. You have no idea."

She stared at him with a steely gaze. "Answer me."

He rubbed his eyes again. "Chester. I'm Chester."

"Chester. I've decided to train you. We start now."

He frowned, and then rolled his eyes. "Wow… This dream is even better than a trampoline!"

Zicks growled and punched him on the arm. "It's not a dream. Get up, we're heading to Route 3. Give me your Metapod."

His eyes lit up, and he happily obliged, handing over his Poke Ball.

The park wasn't far from the exit to the city. Zicks walked quickly, Chester stumbling groggily behind her.

She walked over to a trainer. "Janice! Long time no see! Have you been practicing?"

The lass smiled. "Hey Zicks! I sure have been! Ready for another battle?"

Chester stared on in confusion.

"Go, Pidgeotto!"

"Go, Metapod!" Metapod popped out next to the Pidgeotto, which let out a harsh clacking that could only be interpreted as laughing. "Metapod, return!"

"Wait, what?" Chester called.

"SHUT UP. Go, Golbat. Wing Attack."

"Pidgeotto, Gu-" The lass was cut short as her Pidgeotto crumpled to the ground.

"That's enough. Thanks, Janice. I forfeit. Here's your money." She tossed a small wad of cash onto the ground. "Knock yourself out."

She grabbed Chester and pulled him a distance away. "Send out your Metapod."

"But I don't ge-"

"Send out your Metapod."

Chester obliged, grabbing his Poke Ball and sending out his Pokemon. "I don't see wha-" He stopped mid-sentence as Metapod began to glow. The light grew brighter and brighter until it became unbearable to look at. Zicks and Chester glanced away, and when they looked back, a Butterfree hovered in midair.

"So, let me expla-"

"Quiet!" Chester hissed, a look of concentration upon his face. Zicks obliged, raising an eyebrow.

Chester cleared his throat. "NOW! FLOATING DELICATELY UPON WINGS OF BEAUTY! GO, BUTTERFREE!" He pointed up into the sky, and his new Butterfree posed with him.

"That's awesome. Now since you're all trained up why do-"

"Woah, woah, woah… All trained up? I'm still a beginner! I need more ti-"

"FINE." Zicks grabbed Chester by the arm once again, dragging him into the tall grass. "Find a Pokemon you want and start to battle it." She pulled a spare Poke Ball out of her pouch and handed it to him. "Once you've weakened it, capture it."

Chester looked around. "There's not really anything around here that I'd…"

"Doesn't matter. Find something. This is part of your training."

A small Jigglypuff wandered nearby, in search of some food. "Wow! Look, Zicks! A Jigglypuff! I should catch that!"

She slapped her forehead. "Are you sure you're a guy? Come on, Jigglypuff? That's such a weak Pokemon… And it looks stupid."

"What? What do you mean?"

Zicks pointed in another direction, where a male Nidoran was sitting. "Nidorans grow up to be big, strong, and intimidating. Why not catch one of them?"

"NOW! WITH THE CONFOUNDING FORCE HARNESSED BY THE SOULFUL BATTLER! BUTTERFREE, CONFUSION ON JIGGLYPUFF!"

"What are you doi-"

Zicks was cut off as a blast of telekinetic energy hurtled toward the Jigglypuff, knocking it on its back. "POKE BALL, GO!"

Chester threw the Poke Ball, and it soared through the air, smacking Jigglypuff in the face. It disappeared into the Poke Ball, which shook three times and clicked.

"YES! WE'VE DONE IT! WE CAUGHT A JIGGLYPUFF!"

"Are you serious? Jigglypuff?"

"Yeah. Do you have a Pokedex? I want to check the moves it has. I started in Pewter City, so Professor Oak didn't give me a starter or a Pokedex."

"I… Don't have one."

"Oh really? Where are you from?"

Zicks looked away. "Fuchsia."

"Cool! So you've been to the Safari Z-"

"Drop it. It doesn't matter. Now that you've got two Pokemon, you can go on a jou-"

"Woah, woah, woah! I'm still not as strong as you! I need to learn how to battle!" Chester stated.

"Okay. I helped you evolve your Metapod, and I gave you a Poke Ball so you could capture another Pokemon. Also, I refuse to help anyone who has a JIGGLYPUFF."

"Sheesh, Zicks, it's just a Pokemon."

"Well, fine! Go prove that it has some worth by beating a gym! And leave me alone!"

Chester groaned in frustration. "Okay, come on. I don't know what's making you so angr-"

"YOU."

"y, but I just want to get stronger. You're a strong trainer, and I just want your help."

"Damn it! I don't want to help you anymore! I already did! Just leave me ALONE!"

"WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY?"

"IT'S NONE OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS." Zicks shouted, and stormed off.

2:03 P.M

Pewter City

Zicks slumped back onto her hotel bed and turned on the T.V. After flipping through the channels, she turned it off, and walked back outside.

It only took her a few minutes to walk to her house, just to check on the construction. Even though it had been less than a day, it was already halfway complete. Smiling contently, she walked to the park.

She sat down on the bench and looked up at the sky. Drowsiness overtook her, and she fell deep asleep.

5:20 P.M.

Pewter City

A scream rang out, jolting Zicks out of her nap. It wasn't a happy scream, like surprise or excitement. It was fearful. She shook her head to relieve the drowsiness, and hopped up, running toward the sound. Her heart began to beat faster, and she grabbed her Poke Ball.

The sun hung in the sky, about to set, but still giving full daylight.

Another scream.

She sprinted harder, until she arrived at the scene.

A man in a black suit held a girl down, whispering something into her ear. She struggled and fought, trying to move away from the hand that covered her mouth to yell for help.

"HEY! GET OFF OF HER!" Zicks sent out Primeape. "KARATE CHOP THIS MOTHER F-"

He grabbed the girl and held her up as a meat shield. "Attack. I dare you. It won't end well for her…"

"Why would you try to rape someone in broad dayligh-"

"Oh, that's what you thought it was? No… I had much nobler intentions."

"Obviously. If you weren't trying to do that, then what was it?"

He glared at Zicks. "I was giving her an opportunity to become powerful. She wouldn't listen. So I had to force my intelligence upon her."

"Your intelligence being an innuendo for your dick?"

"Quiet! You scum! How dare you pollute this world!"

Zicks was taken aback. She shook her head. "Just let her go. She obviously doesn't want to listen to you."

The girl still struggled, gazing pleadingly at Zicks.

"This is a fight you can't win." He chuckled. "Look around you."

Zicks glanced to her right side. Three hooded figures stood there. She glanced to her left, where there were four. Behind her stood six people. All of whom had Poke Balls in hand.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"We're erasing you."

So yeah, I totally didn't procrastinate this. In my defense, I was kind of busy, but… I pretty much forgot about this story entirely, which is why it hasn't been updated. At least I didn't rush it!

Actually, I probably spent only an hour or two writing this.

At least I was working on another fiction that requires a lot of work and research. (I've spent about 6 hours working, and all of that was compiling data and such.) School is starting soon, so that'll be in the way of future updates, but I'll try to work hard and quick, so that the updates aren't miles apart.

I don't own Pokemon. Just fyi.