Chapter 22, everybody! In which we start referencing game mechanics and a few other pertinent world-building points—or at least, my version. I'm going with the whole there was a big war before the first Pokémon game theory (I actually wrote up a paper on the matter—I ought to finish it and post it on DeviantArt), so there's going to be mention of that. I use that particular theory in more than one of my Pokémon stories too, which is why there's mention of a guy named Klendaniel from Hoenn (who gets a bigger role in a different story I'm working on, Tales of Midway Jewel). To round it off, Level 100 medals and retirement medals, which are more for humans than they are Pokémon, so trainers can tell at a glance whether or not that one is participating (again, personal world-building, which has Level 100s not participate in day-to-day battles due to the sheer power backing them).
Is that it? That's it. Moving on!
Thank you first handful of reviewers for pointing out that I had made an editing error last chapter—that'll teach me to just post without double-checking the preview. ^^;
Zum1UDontNo, thanks for the review! And thanks for that—I fixed it shortly after seeing your review, but a few other people saw it due to that thirty-minute delay to editing. Oops. ^^;
KitsuneShin0bi, thanks for the review, and for pinpointing my editing error. Thanks again! ;)
ChangelingRin, thanks for the review! Yes, I know—I had fixed it before you reviewed, but FanFiction's editing delay meant it still showed up for some people. Moving on! Yes! A Nidorino and a Pikachu that really packs a punch! :D Good question—we shall see. Actually, I am—whenever I write up a battle, I open up Serebii (since my computer likes it better) and scroll through the move list so I have an idea of what the Pokémon can be expected to do at the level they're at (fun fact: even with the Gen 1 move list, Charmander knew the highest-tier moves a Charmander could learn, which would put him at Level 45+ before he evolved—no wonder Ash had problems with him). You would think, and I do explain it more in this chapter, but reading up on how Pikachu learns Volt Tackle, there are two options: firstly, from a move tutor, like Ash is doing; secondly, through breeding, which Lt. Surge touches on. Through breeding, the move can be learned at Level 1, and through a move tutor, the move can be learned at any level. So, technically, Pikachu could know the move this early (I'm not going with that whole 'this move is not yet unlocked' thing because I could never make sense of that, so it's game logic we're using here). I do too—I blame Dragonsrule18 and their story When One Door Closes, Two More Open, since they did something similar; I just took notes. :)
Dunkaccino, thanks for the review! Yes, I noticed—don't worry, it's fixed now.
Luktopius, thanks for the review! No, not at all. Unless, of course, Darkrai wasn't fibbing….
Wings of an Eternal Blaze, thanks for the review! Maybe. :)
Beautiful-Liar13, thanks for the review! Me too….I guarantee the Muk will show up, and I'll take that into account.
Yami-chan and Unrealistic, thanks for the review! Thank you, glad you like it! And yes, he does. :D Ah, thank you—I figured it would work, since that's how it popped up when writing it, so I'm glad it's being received well. Thank you—it should be. :)
Illythir, thanks for the review! Thank you, glad you like! Yes…good question—we shall find out this chapter….
Dragonkeeper10, thanks for the review! Yes…and yes, and yes. Thank you, I did too. :D
XT3100, thanks for the review! Thank you, I'm glad you like him! I have a lot of fun writing for him. :D
Thor94, thanks for the review! Thanks, I'm glad you liked it, and the talk as well. Hopefully. Yes….
IceDragonGirl36, thanks for the review! Good question…and possibly. Maybe. Well, here it is! *hands over some tissues*
Johnny Spectre, thanks for the review! I'm not sure…we'd have to see….
Thanks for the review(s), guest(s)! Glad you're liking the story! :D
Thanks for the review, Gust! Eh, that could work too….Hopefully this continues to please! *tips hat*
IAmUmbreon11, thanks for the review! I know, right? Although that's probably true….Aha, according to game logic, if Ash ended the battle with Charmander still in the red and not fainted (and he did return him before he fainted), then Ash could still conceivably win even with two double knockouts. Every day! :D
Ardtornismyname, thanks for the review! Not for a while—it took Togepi a handful of episodes to hatch, and comparing the egg step counter, Riolu requires three times as many steps (you know, if it's even a Riolu—a few people brought up some good points about it being a different egg the Lucario were guarding…).
Pokémon © Game Freak; Nintendo
Flushed Away © 2006 Aardman Studios/DreamWorks
And now, for something completely different:
In other news, the Unovan sentient cloud has been spotted above Hoenn. This has caused a mass exodus to Hoenn by the cult following of the sentient cloud. Thus far, no one has made it to Hoenn proper, as they have been detained upon arrival at the midway point of Midway Jewel. Chief Inspector Neilson Klendaniel is unavailable for comment at this time. This is in no small part due to all reporters arriving on the island also being detained.
Ash ran to pick Pikachu, Patches and Charmander up bright and early the next morning—having Vee curled up next to him was comforting, but he missed his starter.
"Hi, Pikachu," Ash said, running up to the counter where Pikachu was sitting and eating apples. "Did you miss me?"
"Cha," Pikachu said around a mouthful.
"I give your Pokémon a clean bill of health," the nurse declared.
"So nothing bad from the battle yesterday?" Ash asked.
"No. If I thought they weren't healthy, they wouldn't be out here."
Ash resisted scowling at her in favor of peeking in on Charmander and Patches—still in their Pokéballs—and returning them to their place on his belt. That done, he couldn't help but pet Pikachu, mostly to assure himself that he was all right.
"You okay, little buddy?" Ash asked, making especially sure to scratch between Pikachu's ears.
"Cha," Pikachu said, taking another bite of apple.
"Listen, I talked with the guys, and…if you don't want to keep at this battling business, I won't blame you."
Ash very nearly had to give Pikachu the Heimlich—the little electric mouse did a sort of held-in spit take.
"Don't make me come back over there," the nurse chided.
This time Ash did scowl at the nurse. "Are you okay?" Ash asked, thumping Pikachu lightly on the back.
Pikachu swallowed, nodded, and then electrocuted him.
"Chansey, we have another trainer case," the nurse sighed.
A pink egg-shaped Pokémon toddled over, applied what Ash could only guess was Heal Pulse, handed him a Cheri Berry, and then went on its way.
Before Ash could comment on the odd occurrence, an apple core bounced off his head.
"Pika pika pi-KA!" Pikachu scolded, looking very angry. Ash wouldn't have been surprised if he learned Mega Punch on the spot.
"Yeah, that's what the others said too," Ash said, trying to scratch the back of his neck but finding it hard to do with his hat on backwards. "Well, if we're going to go on being stupid idiots, we might as well train for it. Ready for Lt. Surge?"
"Pika!"
And with that, Pikachu jumped on his shoulder, and they headed out.
Ash and Pikachu ran right into Misty and Brock as soon as they left.
"Oh, good, Pikachu's all right," Misty observed, scratching Pikachu behind the ears.
"Was there ever a doubt?" Ash asked.
"And I quote her yesterday: tell me when it's over," Brock said, prompting Misty to glare at him.
"So what are you guys' plans for the day?" Ash asked as they headed for the gym.
"We're coming with you to the gym, silly," Misty pointed out.
Brock nodded. "Lt. Surge mentioned that Pikachu learn Volt Tackle only through certain breeding. As a future Pokémon breeder, that interests me."
Ash nodded. Okay, that made sense….
"I checked the billboard this morning," Misty continued. "And the S.S. Anne doesn't leave until next week. So for once, we can tool around a bit without having to worry too much. I want to get a disposable camera or two for the trip. And maybe a swimsuit."
Ash pictured her in a swimsuit only to remind himself that—despite her roughing it without much complaint, Misty was a girl. He quickly edited the mental picture to have her in a girl's one-piece.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked, noticing Ash's color change.
"N-nothing," Ash stuttered, pulling his hat brim low on his face.
"I figure I'll stock up on supplies again," Brock mentioned. "Hey, Ash, maybe you ought to come with me when you're done with Lt. Surge—trainers with certain numbers of badges get access to better supplies."
"Really?" Ash asked, pushing his hat brim back up.
"Yep—I think you can get access to Full Heal and Full Restore with six badges, but don't quote me; I'll have to read up on it again."
"Awesome," Ash noised—he didn't know what those things did, but the names implied that they'd be great to have handy.
"Yeah—once you get those, you don't have to carry around fifty different supplies."
"Wouldn't it be good to have the specialized stuff anyway?" Misty asked.
"Need I remind you who is carrying said supplies?"
"Point taken."
"Well, we're here," Ash announced, looking up at the gym. "Let's go."
And with that, he knocked on the door.
"The sign says they're closed," Misty observed.
"Huh," Ash noised before knocking again.
A young guy—probably a gym trainer—opened the door.
"Are you Ash?" the guy asked.
"Yeah," Ash said, confused.
"Lt. Surge is expecting you. Go around the building to the next door."
"'Nine-fifty-five'?" Ash queried.
"And you get something much better than a Happiny meal. Now get going before the Bug Pokémon get in."
They walked around the building. It wasn't as impressive as the front façade—from this angle, it looked like a warehouse.
"This must be the door," Brock observed as they approached a rust-red door. Ash knocked experimentally.
Within short order, Lt. Surge answered the door.
"So, you're here," he observed. "Ready for basic training?"
"As I'll ever be," Ash said.
"All right then—come in."
Upon doing so, Ash decided right away that the gym was a converted warehouse. This back area was still rough, metal and beams, not fixed up like the front was.
What held Ash's focus, however, was the number of Electric Pokémon scattered about.
"Awesome," Ash noised, instantly reaching for his Pokédex. Some he recognized—like Pikachu, Raichu, and Magnemite. But others, like the blue and yellow dog Pokémon in front of him, he didn't.
Unfortunately, neither did the Pokédex.
"I think this thing is junk," Ash declared, shaking it.
"If you're just starting out, then that thing won't recognize Manectric," Lt. Surge said. "He's from the Hoenn Region—a spoil of war, so to speak. Heheh, snitched him right out from under Klendaniel's nose…that was a good day."
"The Hoenn Region?" Ash asked.
"You stole that away from Klendaniel?" Brock asked.
"I'll tell you my war stories later," Lt. Surge said, waving them off. "First, let's get your Pikachu training."
And with that, he turned to the warehouse and whistled.
"Volt, come here!" he called. "Vine, go get Shocky."
"You nickname your Pokémon?" Misty asked.
"Most of them," Lt. Surge said. "I can't use the names in official battles though—something about professionalism."
"That stinks," Ash opined.
But his next statement was cut off by the arrival of the absolute biggest Raichu Ash had ever seen. Its head came up to his chest, and it had on a collar with gold and silver medallions on it—Level 100 and retirement medals. It was missing an eye, and had several scars marring its graying fur.
"Oh wow," Ash breathed, a sentiment echoed by Pikachu. This thing had presence.
"This is Volt," Lt. Surge said, petting the Raichu affectionately; it leaned into the touch. "He was my starter when I joined the army—saved my life on more than one occasion. Now he helps me train the new gym Pokémon."
The Raichu from the battle yesterday ran forward, dragging a Pichu along behind it.
"Thanks, Vine," Lt. Surge said.
"Vine?" Misty echoed.
"When he was little he wanted to learn Vine Whip. I have no idea why."
"So this is, what?" Brock asked, crouching in front of the Pichu. "Third-generation gym Pokémon?"
"Fourth, actually." When he noticed Ash's confused expression, he continued. "The more a Pokémon battles, the stronger they get. Eventually, the gyms have to retire them from normal battles, otherwise it'd be unfair. We have to adjust to the expected level of the challenger—League rules."
"So if I had had three badges?" Ash asked.
"I would have used Vine's parents," Lt. Surge affirmed, pointing at a Raichu and a Pikachu across the way. "And don't let your guard down around him," he added, looking at Brock. "There's a reason I call him Shocky."
"And why's—yeeoh!" Brock yelped, receiving a shock from the Pichu.
"Ouch," Misty noised, sounding like she was holding in a laugh.
"Enough of that, Shocky," Lt. Surge said. "You and Volt are going to demonstrate Volt Tackle, all right?"
"Pichu," Shocky noised, following Volt to a clear spot in the room.
"You're not going to have that Raichu attack that Pichu, are you?" Misty asked, borderline appalled.
"Just watch," Lt. Surge ordered.
Volt planted himself on the floor as Shocky sprinted away. When he got far enough, he turned around and charged Volt, screaming a war cry—
And then he was enveloped in yellow electricity, and crashed square into Volt.
Volt sneezed, rubbed his nose, and then patted Shocky on the head.
"Volt's old enough and strong enough that he just absorbs electrical attacks," Lt. Surge explained. "And physical attacks don't do much anymore. Now then," he said, turning his attention to Pikachu. "Think you can manage?"
"Pika!" Pikachu said, jumping off of Ash's shoulder and running over to Volt and Shocky.
"So what do I do?" Ash asked, watching the complete Pikachu line have an animated conversation.
"You three," Lt. Surge said, indicating all of them. "Are going to be learning some self-defense."
"I took some at Cerulean City," Misty said.
"Why do we need that?" Ash asked.
In response, Lt. Surge rolled up a sleeve. There were huge scars lancing up and down his arm.
"Your Pokémon will do their level best to protect you, but sometimes, they get tied up in a battle," Lt. Surge explained. "You have to be sure that when that happens, you can protect yourself too. For example." He grabbed Ash and pinned him in a headlock against his chest. "Would your Pokémon risk attacking me when they could hit you?"
Ash gave that some thought. "Well…."
"You're not serious."
"Ash's training style is…eclectic," Brock supplied.
Lt. Surge sighed. "Right. Well, let's start with how to get out of a headlock…."
Pikachu and Ash flopped into the bed, exhausted.
"You look well," Darkrai observed.
Ash managed to get his face out of his pillow. "While Pikachu was learning Volt Tackle, Lt. Surge was training me."
"And how did the move session go?"
"I didn't get it," Pikachu moaned.
"We have to go back," Ash said. "We've got a week until the S.S. Anne leaves, and Lt. Surge thinks it'll take the whole week."
"What, did you think there'd be some beeping and then he'd just know it?" Darkrai asked.
"That would be nice," Pikachu muttered, not opening his eyes.
"I don't wanna learn this stuff," Ash said. "We have Pokémon battles, not trainer battles—I'd rather be helping Pikachu get Volt Tackle than learning how to get out of a headlock."
"Don't be stupid," Darkrai scolded. "What if you get caught without anyone around? You should learn to defend yourself."
"Aw, he does care," Pikachu said.
"Shut it, you yellow rat."
"Gnhs, stpffghn," Ash half-murmured, before completely falling asleep.
"Now that looks like a good idea," Pikachu said, curling up next to him. "Good night, scary dude."
Darkrai blinked, more than a little irritated that he had been basically brushed off.
And then he drifted to a lower roof to puzzle out just why it was bothering him.
It didn't take long to figure out.
It was simple, really—he, once again, was being ostracized. Not on purpose, but the way the boy was drifting away and making new friends pretty much left Darkrai by himself once more. Heaven help him, he had even tried buying his friendship back with that egg—
He hopped up and used Shadow Claw on a nearby brick wall. Why did he care? The kid was an aggravation! An annoyance! He had been trying to figure out how to get rid of him for ages! And lo and behold, it was happening without him having to lift a claw! So what was his beef with this gift falling into his lap?
And then the awful truth hit him with the force of a Body Slam.
He had liked having someone be happy to see him once again.
"Aw, Muk," he muttered, resting his head against the now-ravaged wall. He had gone and gotten attached to someone—great. Wonderful. Just throw a Pokéball at him and stick a fork in—he was done.
No.
He had moved on before; he would do it again. Up and leave the kid and go on living his own life before it was so rudely interrupted by clingy five-year-olds.
He drifted about, considering. He ought to check the rest of Kanto out, he figured, and find some nice out-of-the-way locations to torment. And avoid that one town with the Psychic trainer in it—not that he was weak to such moves, but she would notice the sudden blot on her radar and investigate, certainly. His peace had been preserved by avoiding such needless confrontation—no reason to go and ruin it now.
He set off with this new plan in mind, forcing himself not to look back. He never looked back.
Looking back hurt too much.