AN: Welcome to a chapter you've all been waiting for! Here is the next gym battle and you finally get to step into the world of the messed up realm. Sorry about any delays as I'm busy with school, but I have somewhat of a free weekend so writing is my goal. Well, here is it!

Warning: I tend to use language more in this one like one word or a little more. Maybe…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Pokémon.

Chapter 14: Exploding the Dreamer

Vermillion City almost seemed like a ghost town. No one was out and around when the three arrived in the city. However, it was like ten at night and most people probably had gone home, but there had to be someone out. Instead of mulling about they just went to the Pokémon Center.

"Hi and welcome to the Pokémon Center. What can I do for you?" the chipper nurse asked.

"Hi, can you take care of our Pokémon and set us up with a room?" Keygan asked.

"Certainly, with just tonight or more?" the nurse asked.

"Two please. I'm challenging the gym tomorrow." Keygan explained.

The nurse's face dropped from the bright smile to a frown. All three trainers were confused about why she would have such a dramatic reaction to that Keygan was challenging the gym. Trainer challenge the gym all the time. Why was this so different?

What the poor nurse didn't tell the young trainers that she had seen many trainers and their Pokémon come into town looking the battle the gym leader. Never did it turn out so well. Most, if not all, she never saw again or their Pokémon were severely beaten to the point where they couldn't battle anymore. And if it wasn't the Pokémon that didn't survive then it was the trainer. She felt sorrow thinking about the Pokémon that lived outside the city that mourns for the loss of its trainer. She never told trainers because she didn't want to scare them off. She wanted one to finally win or survive to move forward.

"Keygan, are you nervous?" Catelin asked her friend.

"Not really. We've been training since the last one so I think we'll be ready." Keygan said.

Keygan looked toward the window and sighed. She didn't want to tell her friends that she was extremely nervous and worried. She was told to be careful about this gym. She knew that this journey was getting more dangerous as she continued on. Not all the gym leaders were on board with attempting to change their world. She hadn't encountered one, but it would be a matter of time. Keygan sat down on her bed and decided it was best to just sleep.

Vulpix woke up the next morning with the sun in her eyes. That normally wasn't how she woke up. She remembered falling asleep behind Keygan's legs where the sun wouldn't be in her eyes in the morning. She opened her eyes and saw that Keygan was up and moving. She looked to her trainer and noticed she seemed off. Something was on her mind. Vulpix wanted to ask her trainer what was wrong, but she sighed because Keygan probably wouldn't understand her. Even if she did understand, knowing Keygan, she wouldn't tell her. Nor would be dumb friends notice and make her talk about it.

"Ready to go?" Keygan asked. She wanted to get to the gym as soon as possible. She wanted to go then because at that moment she had the strength to walk in and demand a battle. Not turn around and go home out of fear.

"Yup!" her friends replied as the gathered what they needed.

The gym was off the pier. Seemed like a strange area to put an electric type gym. However, it seemed perfect because any Pokémon caught in the area who be mainly water types. However, Keygan knew types didn't matter, but how the Pokémon was raised. As she walked inside the gym she saw the tall muscular man had to have raised some brutal Pokémon.

"Well what do we have here?" A loud, booming voice echoes through the gym. It was obviously said by the mad standing in the center of gym. There was no one else but him. "A little challenger I'm guessing."

"I am." Keygan said after she swallowed her nervousness.

"Been a while since I've had one. No one really challenges me anymore. They can't win against Lt. Surge. What makes you think that you can?" the man asked as he also introduced himself as Lt. Surge.

Keygan figured in this case actions spoke louder than words. Keygan took a deep breath and step up inside the trainer's box. She wanted him to see that it would their determination that put them over everyone else. Vulpix followed her trainer's actions and stepped up next to her ready to be called if needed.

"This is why." Keygan bluntly said.

"That's what I like to see despite you're a little girl with a little girl Pokémon." Lt. Surge said.

"Vuuull…" Vulpix growled at being called a little girl's Pokémon. She much more than that.

"Oh. Listen to that little growl…" Lt. Surge teased which only made Vulpix growl more. "Well, why don't we go ahead and get started? A trainer like you needs to be taught her place. Raichu let's go!"

"Raichu!" a large electric rodent cried being released from a ball. The Pokémon looked powerful and could blast away any opponent with a sneeze.

Keygan didn't know who to use. Beedrill would be a flying target. With Raichu as strong as the mouse looked Beedrill wouldn't last a minute. Clefairy might put up some challenge, but Clefairy was still training. She felt that Clefairy would be a wild card, but Keygan took chances. She only had one other possible choice. Keygan's thoughts were interrupted upon feeling a tap on her leg.

"Huh?" Keygan questioned as she looked down to see it was Vulpix with her paw on her calf staring up at her.

"Vulpix!" Vulpix cried and nodded. She wanted to battle. The fire type fox wanted to defend her pride and protect her trainer.

"You want to battle?" Keygan asked her partner.

"Vul." Vulpix nodded with the same fire burning in her eyes.

"Alright. I choose Vulpix!" Keygan chose and Vulpix ran out to the battle field and got into a battle position.

"Hn. Well, this won't take very long." Lt. Surge said. "Raichu use Thunder Bolt!"

"Dodge it!"

Vulpix jumped and the electrical attack hit where she once stood. With Vulpix in the air Lt. Surge took the moment to attack.

"Raichu Mega Punch!"

Raichu leaped into the air and his fist glowed. He swung at Vulpix punching her in face. Vulpix was pushed back toward the ground. Her smaller body hit the ground and dust blew out from where she struck. Vulpix then got up and glared at him.

"Feint Attack!" Keygan attacked.

Vulpix took a couple steps toward Raichu and Raichu backed away, but then he noticed that the fire type was gone. Raichu looked around and not seeing anyone. He looked to his side and Vulpix struck him with her body and paws with the dark type move.

"Raichu grab the prissy Pokémon and use Body Slam!" Lt. Surge shouted.

Raichu grabbed Vulpix's tails, held her, before he slammed his body down.

"Vuul!" Vulpix cried as she was being squished.

Keygan panicked for a moment before she was struck with an idea. Vulpix's mouth where seventy-five percent of her attacks came from was still available.

"Fire Spin!" Keygan called.

Vulpix heard the command and gathered her strength. She opened her mouth and a flurry of flames appeared surrounding her and Raichu. Raichu squealed as the flames seared his fur. He got off the fox and searched for his way out. Vulpix took the chance and escaped her attack. She turned and watched as Raichu kept taking damage.

"Get out of there Raichu!"

Raichu jumped out of the flames even though the still caused damage as they brushed his fur.

"Will-O-Wisp!" Keygan said.

Vulpix, like Raichu did, took advantage of the in air moment of attack and fired a blue flame that struck Raichu. Raichu went toward the ground in the blues flames. He stood up and a blaze engulfed him as Vulpix's attack did the job in causing a burn. Keygan knew that would part of her plan, to wear him down.

"Raichu use Thunder Punch!"

"Rai!" Raichu cried as he charged Vulpix.

"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" Keygan called with more confidence in her voice as she finally felt she had a handle on this battle.

Raichu's attack missed as Vulpix dashed out of the way. Raichu winced as his body was dealt burn damage again. He then whipped around and saw Vulpix dashing around. Raichu jumped for her and missed. The burn damage inflicted again.

"Raichu Thunder Bolt!" Lt. Surge shouted.

Raichu stopped in his place and unleashed a wide spread Thunder Bolt. Vulpix didn't have time to move and was electrocuted by the attack. Vulpix fell to the field floor and slowly rose back to her feet. She had to admit that shock packed a punch, but Raichu didn't look so hot either. It would be any trainer's match.

"You okay Vulpix?" Keygan asked.

"Pix." Vulpix nodded.

"Surprised you're still up. Tough little shit." Lt. Surge smirked.

"Hey!" a chorus of voices shouted being of Keygan, Javan, and Catelin.

"Vulpix!"

"Whatever, gonna be fainted soon. Raichu use Mega Punch!"

Raichu charged Vulpix again who was looked to worn out to move even using Quick Attack. She wouldn't be able to speed her way out of this attack like she did with last. Vulpix looked to have enough for a few steps and one final attack. Few steps…that was all she needed.

"Vulpix dodge it with Feint Attack!"

Vulpix moved her legs and took a few steps toward Raichu who now almost too close for comfort and moved her body on her front paws to swing herself out of the way. Raichu missed and tripped in the shock that Vulpix actually moved out the way.

"Rai!"

"What?!"

"Fire Spin!"

At close range Vulpix opened her mouth and out again came a flurry of flames in the shape of a spiral. The Fire Spin hit Raichu and the electric mouse took both Fire Spin and burn damage. The flames stopped after what seemed to be a few seconds leaving Raichu charred and fainted.

"She did it!" Javan cried.

"Yay!" Catelin cheered.

"We won…" Keygan said letting it sink in before running and picking up her starter. "Vulpix! We won!"

"Pix!" She voiced.

Keygan then turned to larger man and glared at him. She then walked up to him keeping her stern glare. She had lost the nerves after she realized she got her grip on this battle. She gained nerves as she knew she had really won.

"Give me my badge."

"Yeah, you won. Be happy kid." Lt. Surge said as he flipped a badge at her.

Keygan caught the badge and looked at the badge that seemed to resemble a sun. The Vermilion City Gym Badge. She was proud and didn't know what she was nervous about. She turned away and began to walk back toward her friends. She smiled at them proudly and they did back. As she touched the trainer's box the world fell. The ground went underneath her feet and Keygan and Vulpix fell down the black hole that was created by a trap door. They both screamed until their voices were echoes then nothing.

"What did you do with them?!" Catelin cried.

The military man laughed that echoed through the gym sending shivers down the other trainer's spines. "Trainers who interfere with order get that. The League won't have to worry about her anymore."

"Where is she?" Javan asked.

"About to be everywhere."

Vulpix tapped her trainer urgently. Keygan had smacked into what Vulpix assumed to be the floor pretty hard; it had knocked her out. Keygan needed to wake up so they could get out there and keep moving. The place was dark and quiet. Well, not quite quiet. There was this ticking noise that Vulpix couldn't ignore anymore. At first she thought it was just her until it just wouldn't go away. She looked at Keygan before going to find the noise.

8:00

7:58

Vulpix knew timers. Vulpix knew what timers were attached to. That was a bomb that was made to exploded and take out everything in the tunnel. But no one would know.

"Vulpix!" Vulpix heard a voice. Keygan!"

"Pix!"

Keygan came out of the darkness and Vulpix was relieved to see her trainer wasn't seriously injured from the fall. However, the look of wondering turned into panic.

"Vulpix…" Keygan said carefully. "We need to get out of here."

"Pix." Vulpix nodded and followed her trainer who beckoned her to come.

6:30

The others left the gym as soon as possible. They didn't want cross the man who was apparently going to blow up Keygan. They had to find her before it was too late. Everything they were working toward would be for nothing. Not after all the following and aiding.

"Where would that lead?" Catelin asked.

"It was a trap door so down…under the gym?" Javan guessed.

"We can't get there!" Catelin shouted. "Sorry…"

"It's fine." Javan said accepting her apology. He knew she was concerned about Keygan. It made sense. "Come on we look near the gym by the pier. Perhaps we might find something."

"Okay…"

5:00

Keygan found the end of the tunnel; it was a steel wall. Keygan hit her fist against it in frustration. The steel made a sound the triggered Vulpix's ears. She couldn't do anything. The bomb was going to explode and she was going to in the blast. Keygan didn't want to cry. Not in front of Vulpix. She was the trainer and needed to be strong for her Pokémon.

"Pix…" Vulpix said seeing if she was alright. She wasn't experiences a dizzy spell was she?

"I'm fine." Keygan said as she kneeled down and scratched behind Vulpix's ears.

Vulpix could see in Keygan's eyes what was wrong. They were trapped with no way out. Vulpix accepted the attention from her trainer as it seemed like the last she going to get. Vulpix then looked around for anyway to get out. At least get Keygan out. It was her that needed to keep going. Pokémon are sometimes lost for a greater cause…good. The sound. Vulpix knew that sound. Bars were made out of steel and so was this place. Vulpix knew fire eventually melts steel. Vulpix smiled and decided now or never.

4:00

Vulpix knocked Keygan back on her butt and stood in front of her trainer. Keygan shouted at her about what was she doing. Vulpix ignored her and stared at the wall. She took a breath and fired a Fire Spin at the wall. The flames struck the wall and the metal began to slowly heat up.

Keygan's eyes widen at what Vulpix was trying to do. She was trying to melt through the steel walls to save her. It was…brave. Keygan could feel tears welling up in her eyes at the action. Then Keygan thought about where they were. The gym was located off the pier. This structure had to made under the gym…there wasn't much ground under the gym meaning the only exit left was underwater.

"Vulpix stop!" Keygan screamed.

3:00

If Vulpix kept going like she was she would break through and water could come through. Vulpix being a fire type and already weaken wouldn't survive. Keygan was sure that her starter would die. Doesn't Vulpix know this?

"Pix!" Vulpix cried as she increased the heat of her attack. The metal began to melt and Keygan could see the water starting to drip through. Eventually the pressure would burst through and might drown them or just…Vulpix. Keygan wouldn't let her. She could save her starter's life. She reached behind and grabbed something she never thought she would.

2:00

Vulpix's Fire Spin broke through the steel and the water pressure busted through. Vulpix smiled knowing Keygan could now escape. It made her smile. Not that she would ever tell her trainer at the moment, but she felt that she cared…love for her. Vulpix could see why Pokémon liked their trainers; risked their lives for them. She was okay with that. She was perfectly fine dying so that her trainer could live on and make the new world.

1:30

"Vulpix return!" A voice cut through Vulpix's train of thought. Vulpix turned to see Keygan with her Poké Ball in her hand and a red light coming at her. The light touched her and she felt herself being pulled back in to her capsule. She felt herself being pulled back in a dark place she never wanted to go back to.

Keygan had no time to admire what she had done. She had saved her starter's life, Vulpix's life in return. She wanted to smile, apologize for doing that without warning, but she couldn't let her die. She quickly held her breath before she the entire tunnel filled with water. As the tunnel was completely underwater Keygan swam out the hole and made her way to the surface.

0:10

As Javan and Catelin ran toward the pier their running was stopped by a tremor that rocked the earth. If you asked anyone who lived in Vermilion than they would say it was natural. Living next to the sea thus concluded the plates moved causing said earthquakes. Everyone knew it was false, but they couldn't say their gym leader was a murderer. However, that didn't stop Javan and Catelin from knowing what that was.

"No!" Catelin screamed as she feel to her knees and tears came out of her eyes. Keygan couldn't be dead, could she? There was just no way it was possible. Keygan was supposed to save them, not die before she make a dent. Catelin felt her dreams of teaching others about the world and Pokémon being ripped away. She was supposed to help Keygan make sure that happened.

Javan stood there trying not to show emotion. He hadn't been with the girls very long, but Keygan was still his friend and Vulpix had helped him. He couldn't deny that. He wondered what he would do now that she was gone. No longer would he find out about Pokémon. He wouldn't be able to watch her and study her interactions with Pokémon and report on them as she was the trainer in his research that wasn't himself. He guessed he might have to find another one, but something about Keygan stood out to him. He didn't know what and he wanted to find out.

"Cauh…caugh…"

"What was that?" Javan asked as Catelin whipped her tears.

"Help!"

"Someone's needs help!"

They two rushed to the side of the pier and looked down. There was a brown haired girl who was still attempting to get the water out her lungs. The familiar brown haired girl looked up.

"Keygan!"

"Slowpoke come out and use Confusion!" Javan said calling out his partner.

It might have took a moment for the order to register, but Slowpoke's eyes flashed and Keygan was then seen being lifted out of the water and onto the pier. As soon as her feet touched down Keygan's cold body was enveloped in warmth as Catelin hugged her. Keygan accepted the hug because she was happy she cared, to be alive, and she was freezing. The water wasn't really warm.

"Are you okay?" Catelin asked switching into her overbearing mode.

"I'm fine. Tired and some water stuck some places, but fine." Keygan answered.

"That's good." Catelin said in relief.

"Keygan?" Javan said to get her attention. "Where Vulpix?"

"Oh no…Vulpix isn't…" Catelin said scared to finish her statement as she noticed that Vulpix wasn't with Keygan anymore.

"No!" Keygan shouted and remembered that Vulpix was safe. Keygan then pulled a Poké Ball and finally got her chance to smile. Vulpix was safe and sound right there in her hand. Keygan wanted to see her partner and thank her for her life so she finally tossed the ball into the air. "Go Vulpix!"

Like before a flash of light appeared and formed into a fox like figure. The figure had many tails and curls on the head. However, the ears were twitching the face from when first released had returned. The 'go to hell' face. Vulpix was pissed. She glared at Keygan and Keygan felt any wanting to thank her partner go overboard. Keygan guessed she needed to start with an apology and explain herself.

"Vulpix, I'm…" Keygan started.

"Vulpix!" Vulpix shouted at her 'trainer'. How could she? After all they have been though. After all she knew. After all she did for her.

Despite no longer knowing the move Roar, Vulpix shouted like she still knew it. Keygan backed away from the fire type knowing this time if the fire type attacked than she would be in much more pain than last time. Vulpix wouldn't use Ember. The two simply looked into one another's eyes as one showed flowed apologetically while other burned with betrayal.

Lt. Surge grinned as he felt the bomb go off. He was proud he kept some souvenirs after the war. They came in handy and he got to have some fun. He was already making plans for the next trainer. Maybe, he'd electrocute or drown the next. He sat down in his chair and looked at the cameras that were around the gym. He wanted to know if anyone was coming. It was rare they did. Cowards or more like spineless pigs. He had to admit that last challenger had some guts. Some respect, but this was a dog eat dog world or a power battle world. No need for the weak and he liked having his control. Trainer…a figure in the pier camera caught his eye. Brown hair. Same clothes. No. She was dead. He looked at the time. The bomb went off ten minutes ago. She should be dead. This was a mistake. She was alive!

"Damnit!" Surge shouted as he saw trainers help the girl that he should have killed in the blast out of the ocean with a Slowpoke. He saw her release her Vulpix and knew this wasn't a joke. It was horrible nightmare. They should be dead. He slammed the controls again and cried out furiously. However, a thought came to mind. She survived thus was going to continue on collecting badges. He then calmed down and sat down smirking. he let out another echoing laugh as he might have lost the battle, but she wasn't going to win the war. So what if she got passed him, there were others that had been successful as him in making sure no trainer won the war.

AN: Well that's chapter 14! I hope you liked and will come back to find out what happens! I feel so much happened in one chapter. Anyway, Please Review! Favorite! Follow! Sorry it took so long to get up as I'm super busy, but I'll work on getting these up. With that I'm going to bed. Night Friends!