Chapter 34 – A Pokemon Switch, a Birthday, and a Battle
As we headed for Blackthorn City, May said, "It just occurred to me – I still have to go back to Cianwood Island to battle Chuck for a Storm Badge!" I slapped myself on the forehead and said, "That's right! I'm so sorry, May! It's all my fault! I got you sidetracked back in Olivine City, when we went to see the Lake of Rage!" May said, "It's okay, Joe! It's been more fun travelling with you than by myself! Besides, this way, Amber has Flamefox!" We both looked at the 2 of them, walking side by side. But then May said, "I really should fly back to Cianwood before we get too far along!" I said, "I'll go with you!" She said, "Thanks, but you can go on ahead! I'll be back in a day or 2." I said, "No, it's no problem. Please, let me come with you. I don't want to be alone on…" May looked at me and asked, "On what?" I answered, "It's nothing. It's just that… well, with all the travelling, I lost all track of time. Professor Elm said I started my Pokemon journey 10 months ago. Well, I started my journey 2 months after I turned 10, which means today is… my birthday." May exclaimed, "Well, Happy Birthday! Why didn't you say something?" I answered, "I didn't want to seem rude. After all, I don't know when your birthday is or anything." She said, "You already missed it – but it was before we met! Now don't feel bad. I know it's your first birthday away from your family, but you have your Pokemon – and you have me." I turned a little red, and replied, "Thanks, May!" Then she said, "I have an idea! Let's go back to Olivine Beach and have a picnic!" I replied, "That's a pretty far distance behind us now!" She said, "Not if we fly! In fact, why don't you switch out for your Fearow so I can help you teach him to fly better with passengers, like I said I would a while back?" I said, "Sounds like an idea! I want to switch out for Lapras, too, while I'm at it." She asked, "Have you decided who you're switching out yet?" I replied, "I think so." Then I released Scyther and Jolteon from their pokeballs. I said to them, "I want you both to know how much you mean to my team, but how would you both like to take a little vacation at Professor Oak's Pokemon Sanctuary? I promise I'll battle with you guys again soon!" They looked at each other, then back at me – they understood. I grasped Scyther's scythe with my right hand, took his arm with my left hand, and we "shook hands" as I said, "You've been a great friend to me, Scyther! I look forward to your help again in the future!" and then I hugged him. I know Scyther was always the most independent and least affectionate of my Pokemon, but he didn't seem to mind. Then I petted Jolteon and told him, "I know we had a rocky start, but once you learned to trust me, we were unbeatable! I'm counting on your help in the future, too!" and I hugged him, as well. Then I told both of them, "Someday, when I open my own gym, I'll also have a Pokemon Sanctuary, and I'll never have to switch any of you out again. You can all stay with me!" At that, I recalled them to their pokeballs. May smiled at me, knowing how hard it was for me to do that.
We rode into a local town, and went into a Pokemon Center so I could use the video phone and transport system. I called up Professor Oak. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" he asked me. I told him, "I need to switch out Scyther and Jolteon for Fearow and Lapras." He replied, "Very well. By the way, good job catching that Lapras! She is one of a kind, the first Lapras I've ever studied that knows thunderbolt!" With that, I put Scyther's and Jolteon's pokeballs on the transport pad and said, "Thanks again for all your help, guys! I'll miss you! Enjoy your vacation!" The pokeballs dematerialized, and soon, my lure ball and Fearow's pokeball materialized in their place! "Received on this end, Joe!" Professor Oak said. I replied, "Same here, Professor! Thanks!" I replied. "Anytime!" he said.
May and I left the Pokemon Center and I released Fearow from his pokeball. He let out his familiar caw! "It's good to see you, too! It's been a long time, buddy!" I said to him, and gave him a big hug. May released Pidgeot. "Now, Fearow, May is going to help you learn to fly better with me on your back, okay?" He nodded. May said, "First things first, I strongly recommend you take only Flamefox with you on your back, Joe. Firestorm will be too heavy for Fearow to carry!" I recalled Firestorm to his pokeball and said, "Don't worry, pal! It's only for a short time." She said, "Now get up on Fearow's back." I did so, with Flamefox up on my shoulders. May got onto Pidgeot, with Amber on her shoulders, and soon, our large bird Pokemon took flight! Fearow started lagging behind Pidgeot after a while, but May and I encouraged him on, and soon, he was flying side to side with Pidgeot! "You see? A little encouragement goes a long way! Believe in your Pokemon, Joe!" And to Fearow, she said, "Believe in yourself, Fearow, and trust your trainer, just like he trusts you!" I was once again impressed with May. We both flew on our Pokemon over the vast countryside of Johto. I hated to admit it, but flying on Fearow was faster than riding Tauros. Still, nothing compared to riding on Tauros' back and watching the landscape zip by!
We reached Olivine City in a few hours, and landed on the beach. We recalled our birds to let them rest, and I said, "Thanks, May!" She replied, "You're welcome!" Then she released Fierymane, hopped on, and they ran off, with Amber. I yelled, "Hey, where are you going?" She shouted, "Stay here! I'll be right back!" and I just heard Ponyta hooves clomping off in the distance as they gallopped into town. I looked at Flamefox and Firestorm, and I shrugged. I decided to see how Lapras was. I took out my lure ball and shouted, "Go, Lapras!" She materialized in the water. I walked up to her and said, "Hello. It's nice to finally have you on my team! I know we're going to get along just fine! I hope you're not mad at me for catching you." Then she looked at Firestorm and cowered in fear. I couldn't believe it! "It's okay! He won't hurt you!" I almost forgot it was Firestorm's hyper beam that finally did her in! I got her to open her eyes and said, "It's okay. Really. Please, don't be afraid." She looked down at the 3 of us – I couldn't believe something so big could also be so timid! Finally, she lowered her large head. As I petted her smooth skin, Flamefox and Firestorm cautiously approached her. They sniffed her, and she sniffed them, blowing their hair around with her large nostrils. I asked her, "Do you think it would be okay for us to ride on your back?" She just looked at me. I asked, "Please?" She moved her large body ashore just enough for the 3 of us to climb up onto the large, hard shell on her back. We all sat down, with plenty of room to spare! Lapras began to take us on a ride in the water. "Yee ha! This is so cool!" I shouted. I then released Vaporeon, who swam around next to Lapras, diving in and out of the water. While I was at it, I also released Tauros and Fearow, over on the beach. "This is fun, isn't it, guys?" I asked my fire foxes, who were enjoying the ride as much as I was. Lapras began her soothing song, and soon, we all fell asleep on her back.
"Wakey wakey!" I heard May's voice say. When I opened my eyes, I was face to face with Pidgeot! "Ahhh!" I yelled, and fell off Lapras' back and into the water! I raised my head out of the water, and there was May, flying on Pidgeot, laughing hysterically! "Very funny!" I said, walking out of the water and onto the beach. She still laughed and said, "Sorry, I couldn't resist! You should have seen the look on your face!" Then they landed on the beach, and she said, "I see you and Lapras are getting along famously." I took out a towel to dry myself and said, "Yeah, she's very sweet." Then I looked on the beach to see a picnic blanket set up with food, drinks, and a cake! "Happy Birthday, Joe!" May said. First, I was just speechless! Then I managed to say, "May, thank you so much! You didn't have to do this!" She said, "It was no big deal! You've been such a good friend that I had to do something special when I found out it was your birthday! Now come on, let's eat!" May had all of her Pokemon out, too, and we all ate. Then she said, "I got this for you, too!" and handed me a box. I opened it up, and inside, there was a Vulpix pendant! "May, thank you! I love it!" I replied, and I put it around my neck immediately. She said, "You're welcome! It seemed appropriate, Vulpix being your favorite Pokemon and all!" After we ate and had cake, we watched the sun set on the water, while Lapras, Vaporeon, and May's Blastoise swam around. Flamefox and Amber sat side by side. May said, "Tomorrow, I'll go to Cianwood Island, but I promise I won't be gone long." I said, "Hey, I have an idea! Let's both go, and ride there on Lapras! There's plenty of room!" She said, "Really? Okay, then! It'll be nice to have a cheering section again!" After sunset, we headed for the Pokemon Center to get some rest for the night.
The next morning, we headed for the beach, where I released Lapras once aain. May and I climbed up onto the large, hard shell on her back, along with Flamefox, Firestorm, and Amber. "Let's go, Lapras! Full speed ahead, to Cianwood Island!" I shouted. She started coasting ahead in the water, like a riverboat! We all sat down and enjoyed the ride! "This is so cool!" May exclaimed, with Amber on her lap. "I told you!" I replied, holding Flamefox in my lap, while Firestorm lay next to me. I laid back on Lapras' back and watched the sky. No offense to Vaporeon, but THIS was the way to travel across water!
It was smooth sailing, until we got near Cianwood. All of a sudden, a Gyarados leapt out from the water, over us, and splashed down back into the water! I quickly sat up, and May screamed. Suddenly, it shot up again, this time hitting Lapras from underneath, and we all got knocked into the water! May and I climbed back onto Lapras from the water, and our fire foxes "dog paddled" back over to Lapras. "Are you okay?" I asked May. She responded, "Yeah, I'm fine! But what are we going to do?" Then it hit me – as Gyarados leapt over us again, I shouted, "Lapras, use thunderbolt!" She did so, launching the electric attack from the small horn on her head! The Gyarados lit up like a Christmas tree as it took the attack, and fell into the water, unconscious! I threw an empty pokeball at it, and once it was collected, the pokeball dematerialized, transported directly to Professor Oak's Pokemon Sanctuary. "That was too close!" May said. "It's over now! We're almost there." I replied. I could see Cianwood Island on the horizon. Soon, May would be battling some tough fighting type Pokemon, but I knew she could win!
We arrived at Cianwood Island, and I recalled Lapras to her pokeball. May and Amber went to the Pokemon Center first so she could have her Pokemon examined once more before she battled Chuck, and I went to run a quick personal errand. We then went to Cianwood Gym and walked inside. Chuck recognized me from our battle a while back and asked me, "Well, what brings you back here?" I answered, "I'm just here for moral support this time – my friend, May, wants the battle!" She said, "That's right! I challenge you to an official gym battle!" He replied, "Okay. But don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're a girl!" May got angry and said, "Why do you men always assume girls are weaker trainers? You better watch out yourself, because I'm the one who's not going to go easy on you!" and she and Amber walked quickly into the arena. Chuck said to me, "She's very fiesty!" I replied, "You have no idea!", remembering how she was when we battled Team Rocket in Mahogany Town. I followed Chuck into the arena, accompanied by Flamefox and Firestorm, and May was already in there, giving Chuck the evil-eye. The announcer said, "This will be a 2 on 2 battle, for a Storm Badge, no time limit!" Chuck threw his first pokeball, shouting, "Go, Primeape!" May responded, "You're up, Amber!" Amber replied, "Vulpix!" and entered the battlefield. I asked her, "May, are you sure that's a good idea?" She answered, "Relax! I know what I'm doing." Chuck ordered, "Primeape, start things off with a low kick!" May commanded, "Amber, avoid it with your agility!" As Primeape came at Amber, she moved out of the way in a blur! "Good, Amber! Now use body slam!" Amber came at Primeape, thrusting her body at him, and she knocked him to the floor! Chuck shouted, "Primeape, use fury swipes!" As Primeape ran at Amber, May ordered, "Amber, use dig!" Amber burrowed under the ground quickly, before Primeape reached her. Then she shot up from the ground under him, and while both were airborne, May shouted, "Use fire spin!" Her little body glowed, and her eyes glowed bright white as she released the tornado of flames from her mouth, and they wrapped around Primeape! Amber landed on her feet, and when the flames dispersed, Primeape still stood, charred all over, but angry and willing to battle! Amber and May both looked nervous! Chuck commanded, "Primeape, use rage!" Primeape was already angry, and came at Amber quickly! May responded, "Amber, use double team!" She did so, making it appear there were several of her! As Primeape attacked the illusions, May ordered the real Amber "Use attract!" Primeape stopped attacking, and fell under the spell of attract – he wouldn't attack Amber now! May commanded, "Amber, finish him off with one more body slam!" Amber charged quickly at the hypnotised Primeape, and thrust herself at his belly! She struck, and Primeape was sent flying backwards, and crashed against the wall behind him! He fell down, defeated! "Primeape, return!" Chuck said, recalling him to his pokeball. May shouted, "Good work, Amber! That's showing him!", and Amber leapt into her arms for a hug. Chuck said, "For my final Pokemon this match, I choose Poliwrath!" and released his fighting frog-like Pokemon. May replied, "Go, Raichu!" and threw his pokeball, releasing him for battle! "Poliwrath, use water gun!" Chuck ordered. "Raichu, watch out! Use agility!" May ordered. Raichu ran back and forth in a blur, but Poliwrath was also very quick with the water guns, and finally hit Raichu, knocking him down. He stood back up. "Raichu, use thunderbolt!" May commanded. Her large electric mouse launched the electric attack and hit Poliwrath, shocking him into paralysis! May was being very aggressive – I think she was still mad at Chuck for his remark earlier! Unable to move, even at Chuck's command, Poliwrath just stood there, a sitting duck! "Raichu, use mega kick!" May ordered. Raichu ran at Poliwrath, and jumped at him, legs out! The powerful kick hit him right in the chest, and he, too, went flying backwards and hit the wall! He fell, defeated, as well! "Good job, Raichu!" she exclaimed, giving her big electric mouse a hug! I couldn't believe it – May had defeated Chuck twice as quickly as I had, and her Pokemon hardly took any hits! The announcer made it official, saying, "The winner is May!" Chuck recalled Poliwrath, then walked up to May and said, "I'm sorry for my remark earlier. It was a little condescending on my part. You are one of the strongest trainers I've ever battled! You definitely deserve this Storm Badge!" and he handed her the badge. May replied, "Thanks! And I'm sorry I got so worked up over it. But don't underestimate your female challengers in the future!" Chuck laughed and said, "Don't worry! I won't!" We left the gym after that, and I said, "You were very impressive in there!" She said, "Thanks!" Then I said, "By the way – since I know I missed your birthday by a long time, I went to buy you something while you were at the Pokemon Center. Consider it a belated birthday present!" and I handed her a box. She said, "That's so sweet, Joe! You didn't have to." She opened up the box, and said, "It's a Vulpix pendant, like the one I got you!" I said, "Not exactly – look closer!" The coloration was slightly lighter than mine, and the curls of hair on the head had a little pink bow made of jewels. She said, "It looks like – Amber! Oh, thank you so much, Joe!" and she hugged me, then put it on! I said, "I'm glad you like it! I couldn't believe I found one like that!" She said, "I love it! What a great day – first I got my seventh badge, and now this!" As she admired it, the wind blew her hair, and she looked so radiant in the sunlight. Then she said, "Well, come on! Let's ride Lapras back to Olivine Beach." I asked, "Wouldn't it be faster to fly?" She asked, "What's the hurry?" I was a little surprised, then smiled and said, "Okay. Let's go." We walked with the fire foxes back to Cianwood Beach, where I released Lapras, and we rode her back to Olivine Beach, where we spent the rest of the day, relaxing from battle for a while.