Rise of a Champion Chapter Two:
"Come on Larvitar!" A boy shouted as he raced through Pallet Town's few roads. The boy running through the streets was none other than Ash Ketchum, who was currently late for one of last remaining days at the Pallet Town Pokémon Summer Camp.
"Lar-Vitar!" his close companion shouted as he followed closely at the boy's feet. Ever since the incident where Ash had encountered Larvitar by the waterfall the small Pokémon had decided to stay with Ash. The two of them had grown extremely close over the past three years and they could be seen almost everywhere with each other.
Running down the road the two of them managed to make it in time to Professor Oak's corral for the camp. Today they were supposed to be trying Pokémon battling along with many other activities.
Ash rushed round a corner only to almost bounce into the ageing Professor. Professor Oak hadn't changed a bit since the day Ash had encountered him when he rushed to save Larvitar. His hair was still greying slightly and his eyes still gave off the intelligent but caring glow they always had.
"Ash my boy slow down," Oak chuckled as he turned around and started to walk towards the group of children, who were also at the camp, playing with the Pokémon in the corral. As Ash walked over to the rest of the group Larvitar clambered its way into the raven-haired boy's arms. Ash smiled at the rock type as he stroked its head. The reptile-like Pokémon smiled as he pushed his head further into Ash's hand. Around him some of the other children stared in shock at the two of them. To most of them they would've never seen this Pokémon before, due to Larvitar not being native to Kanto.
"Hey Ashy-Boy," a familiar voice shouted. Ignoring the sniggers at the nickname he was given, Ash turned around to be greeted with the familiar face of his best friend.
"Hey Gary," Ash smiled as he watched his brown-haired rival lazily put hands behind his head. Ash for a second caught a glimpse of a shrunken Pokéball which was attached to a chain around Gary's neck as he stretched. With a small smirk Gary tucked the ball away again as he focused once again on Ash.
"I heard you and Larvitar have gotten a lot stronger according to Gramps," Gary commented with his smirk still on his face. Ash gave him a small grin and simply nodded. Since Larvitar had decided to stay in Pallet Town he and Ash had decided to start training to become stronger. Larvitar had grown immensely over the past 3 years, training in both the forests around Pallet and also at Professor Oak's corral with any willing battlers.
"We need a rematch," Ash stated confidently. Gary gave an excited grin as he yanked the Pokéball off of its chain. However, before he could throw it a voice made itself heard above everyone else.
"Could I get your attention please everybody," Professor Oak shouted above all of the children, who had now gathered around him. To each of his sides were some of the helpers at the camp, people who were just about to start their journey's as Pokémon trainers.
"Today we're going to be allowing you to partake in small scale Pokémon battles," Professor Oak began, followed by shouts of excitement from the children.
"You will each get a partner to battle against and also, if you do not have your own, a Pokémon to battle with," the Professor stated before coughing slightly into his hand. "After you have received your Pokémon please try to find a partner that you would like to battle."
Soon after he had finished talking the old man was swarmed with children, each of them begging for a Pokémon.
Ash and Gary merely stood to a side, they already had their Pokémon and already they'd chosen to battle each other. Ash noticed another boy wearing a blue tracksuit with purple hair not care to move either, a calculating look visible on his face as he stared at all the others. Ash noticed a single red Pokéball clipped to the boy's belt.
"Larvitar?" The rock type queried in Ash's arms. Ash simply petted the Pokémon in comfort, getting a small sigh of happiness in return, whilst still staring at the boy who had seemingly found his opponent.
Pulling his gaze away from the buy Ash noticed Gary staring quizzically at him. With a small shake of his head Ash turned away and Larvitar jumped out of his arms. Marked out throughout the corral were small battlefields. So far only a few of the battlefields were taken so Ash and Gary rushed over to the nearest field.
Slightly to the right of them, Ash could make out the same purple haired boy standing nearby on another battlefield, clearly watching them much to the disdain of his opponent.
"Ready Ashy-Boy?" Gary shouted from the other side of the battlefield, getting ready to throw the now full-sized Pokéball. Ash simply nodded as Larvitar walked onto the field, its small eyes narrowing in anticipation.
"Squirtle, go!" Gary shouted as he lobbed the Pokéball at the battlefield. In an eruption of light aa small bipedal turtle appeared with a smikr on its face. Larvitar growled as it faced its opponent.
"Lets give this all we've got Larvitar!" Ash shouted.
"Larvitar!" Larvitar shouted at got into a battle stance. The small blue turtle opposite to them mirrored Larvitar's stance, a small grin etched across its face.
"Let's start this off with a Tackle Squirtle!" Gary shouted as the water type shouted it's name in agreement. Almost instantly the Tiny Turtle Pokémon broke into a sprint towards Larvitar, a small white glow surrounding the turtle, indicating an attack.
"Dodge it Larvitar!" Ash shouted, watching as the small lizard looking Pokémon jumped out of the way. Ash watched his opponent calmly as he shouted another command.
"Use Aqua Jet to change direction Squirtle!" Gary shouted, still smirking as he watched a small amount of panic show on Ash's face. Almost instantly the panic was insantly replaced as he coolly shouted a command.
"Sandstorm," as Larvitar narrowed its eyes. Almost instantly the small holes in its body started to release large amounts of sand, blinding the two trainers from what was going on.
"Squirtle get out of there!" Gary shouted as his voice filled with alarm. Over the top of the sandstorm Gary could just about make out Ash shouting.
"Iron Head!" Ash shouted. Faintly in the midst of the Sandstorm attack you could see the rock type bash into the Tiny Turtle Pokémon with its steel type attack. A small cry of pain could be heard as Squirtle tumbled out of the Sandstorm.
Almost instantly afterwards Larvitar appeared out the the Sandstorm with a small grin on his face.
"Come on Squirtle!" Gary shouted as he watched the water type struggle to its feet with a glare on its face. After a few seconds the turtle shook its head to clear its head and stood by ready to battle again. Quickly checking over the water type, Gary started to shout out commands.
"Use Rapid Spin and power it up with Water Gun!" Gary shouted. Almost instantly the small turtle shot off towards Larvitar. As it tucked into its shell streams of water came gushing out of the turtle's shell, propelling it faster and faster towards the Rock Skin Pokémon.
"Larvitar sandstorm once again and meet him head on with bite!" Ash shouted rapidly, feeling his heart beat in his chest in anticipation at the outcome of the battle. Meanwhile the small rock-type had begun to release more sand, further blocking their view of the battlefield. Inside the sand Ash could just about make out a flash of black energy, indicating a dark type move.
A large crash could be heard from somewhere inside the sand as the two collided and they shouted out in pain. Squirtle shot out of the Sandstorm, clearly knocked out, as it crashed into the ground.
"Squirtle!" Gary shouted as he ran over to the Tiny Turtle and cradled it in his arms. With a frown he checked over the water-type's injuries, before realising they were fairly minor and could heal quickly.
Larvitar, meanwhile, was barely standing, his body covered in scratches and his eyes were closed in pain. Ash ran over to the small Rock Skin Pokémon and gathered the rock type in his arms.
"You ok Larvitar?" Ash asked as he smiled down at the Pokémon. Larvitar managed a weak smile as he replied, "Lar-Larvitar!"
"Alright, I think we need to take you too the Professor," Ash began as he started to walk away.
"There's no need Ash we saw the whole battle," a voice replied. Ash jumped up in shock as he looked around, spotting the regional Professor nearby, covered in sand. Looking around a bit more Ash noticed that most of the marked out battlefields were covered in sand from Larvitar's attack. A few of the other kids had their mouths hanging open in shock whilst overs simply tried to get the sand out of their clothes. Ash noticed the small camcorder in the man's hand, showing that he had been filiming the battle.
"Hehe, sorry Professor," Ash muttered as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. The old man simply shook his head with a small smile across his face.
"Just like your father Ash," the region Professor said with a small smile to which the boy went a bright red in embarassment.
The Professor noticed the two of them studying the camcorder he had in his hand. With a small smile the old man started to tuck away the the device.
"Your parents wanted to see one of your first battles," he simply stated. Both boys simply nodded in acceptance. Gary's father wasn't around much as he researching the mythical Pokémon Articuno in the Seafoam Islands. Red on the other hand hadn't been back in Pallet Town since Ash's seventh birthday…
"I'll send it to their Pokégear later today, for now let's get on with the rest of the battles," the Professor finished as the remaining people started to battle on their sand covered battlefields.
The two new trainers walked off, ready to get their Pokémon healed by one of the nearby helpers, who had large supplies of revives on hand to treat any injured Pokémon. Taking one of the small, gem-shaped items from the trainer, Ash carefully helped Larvitar chew on the medicine, making sure that he swallowed it. It seemed as if Larvitar had fainted due to exhaustion after the battle. Along with this the raven haired boy carefully applied a potion to any of the large scratches or marks the Rock Skin Pokémon had on its body.
"You ok now Larvitar?" Ash asked the rock type with a smile as Larvitar came around. The small reptile-like Pokémon gave a small grin as it hopped out of Ash's arms and onto the floor shoutng, "Lar-Vitar!"
With a grin of his own Ash started to walk back towards the battlefields with the rock type on his heels.
"In that case, lets get back to the battlefields and watch the rest of the battles!" Ash shouted as he started to run off.
"LAR-LARVITAR!" the small green Pokémon cried as it struggled to run after its trainer on his small legs.
- Line Break –
"We made it Larvitar! Now lets go find that trainer from earlier," Ash half-shouted, half-wheezed as he tried to catch his breath from running. After getting no response Ash turned around to see the small green Pokémon just catching up and collapsing behind him out of tiredness.
"Hehe sorry Larvitar…" Ash apologised as the rock type groaned.
"Lar…"
After looking around for a while Ash managed to find the battlefield with the trainer he wanted to watch.
Ash watched as the boy from earlier, with purple hair, pulled out his own Pokéball and revealed a small green turtle with a seedling growing on top of its head. His opponent simply used the Pokémon he had borrowed from the Professor, which seemed to be a small Rattata.
The raven haired trainer looked on in shock as he watched the green turtle mercilessly pummel the small mouse into submission in a matter of minutes.
"Wow…" Ash muttered as he watched the utter destruction infront of him. The sound of grass crunching beneath someone's feet.
"He got destroyed," Gary murmmured as he eyed the purple haired boy. Meanwhile the boy simply returned the green turtle Pokémon and started to walk away, briefly meeting the eyes on both Ash and Gary before turning away.
"Whoever he is, his Pokémon are really strong," Ash replied, not taking his eyes off the boy who had sat alone nearby to the Professor, his eyes occasionaly darting around. Once again Ash met his eyes and the boy stared straight back at him for the first time. Smirking.
"Larvitar…" Larvitar growled as he watched the purple haired trainer.
"It's ok Larvitar, we could take him," Ash said as he forced a smile onto his face. Larvitar merely huffed and went back to glaring at the mysterious boy. The boy had gotten up and had started to walk towards the two of them before Professor Oak started to call over the camp members.
"Ok people! Now that the battles have been finished I'd like to start off a scavenger hunt! The first pair to find all of the required items in the area surrounding the corral will win!" The Professor announced. As soon as the fact they'd have to be in pairs was annocuned people ahd started to scrable around looking for a partner. The old professor smirked as he utterred the next few words.
"I'll be choosing your partners."
A chorus of moans soon followed the Professor's words as he started divide the group into pairs. Ash watched as Gary started to groan when he was paired with a girl with honey-blonde hair. With a sigh Ash turned back towards the Professor to see him standing with a small girl with light, natural brown hair and dark sapphire eyes.
"Ash this is your partner, she's actually from the Hoenn region," Professor Oak spoke as he gestured to the small girl beside him. Said girl turned a bright red as she moved slightly behind the Professor.
With a small, reassuring smile from the old man, Ash stepped forward and held out his hand.
"Hi, my names Ash Ketchum!" Ash smiled at the girl as he waited paitiently for her to take his hand. The girl simply smiled shyly as she stepped out from behind the professor and shook his hand.
"May Maple," the girl reply whilst curtsying slightly. Ash managed to supress a smile at this. As soon as she stepped back the raven haired boy noticed a small orange bird crouching behind her feet.
Noticing his stare, May picked up the orange bird and started to stroke its head, eliciting soft coos from it. "And this is Torchic," May finished as she smiled at the Pokémon. In response Ash picked up his own Pokémon in his arms, obtaining a happy cheer in response.
"And this is Larvitar," Ash laughed as the rock type started to nuzzle him. May smiled at the interaction, not noticing the Professor walk off whilst smiling to himself.
"I've heard Larvitar can grow into really strong Pokémon," May replied, still smiling at the two of them. Ash got up and grinned at the rock type.
"You bet! Me and Larvitar are gonna become Champions!" Ash shouted, followed by a cry from his closest friend. May simply smiled.
"I know you'll get there."
- Line Break -
"I think we can find pecha berries this way!" Ash shouted as he ran through the forest, May trailing slightly behind panting.
"Lucky Torchic…" May muttered as she watched her fire type keep up with the two in front of her due to its ability; Speed Boost.
Notcing her struggling, Torchic started to slow down slightly, soon running beside its trainer. Offering him a weak smile May started to breathe more heavily as she talked to the orange bird.
"Thanks Torchic," she panted watching the fire type casually keep up her pace. The small bird flapped in happiness as it jumped… Right on his brunette trainer's head.
Unable to keep her balance May crashed straight into the floor, groaning softly as she lay there on the floor.
"May are you alright!?" Ash shouted as he came back running towards the two of them.
"Y-Yeah I'm fine. Just a little sore," she responded, grimacing a little as she shifted around on the ground.
"Chic…" Torchic cooed sadly looking ashamed at what it had done. With a wince May rubbed Torchic's head affectionately and replied.
"Don't worry Torchic it's not your fault."
The small bird continued to coo in sadness until May gathered him in her arms.
"It's ok you were only trying to keep me going right?" May added with a smile. This time the bird seemed to cheer up slightly as it started to rub its head affectionately against its trainer, who in return responded with a small laugh.
Turning to face Ash, May gave a weak smile as she pushed herself to her feet, grimacing as she did so. Ash shifted slightly, supporting her weight as she avoided leading off her ankle.
"Thanks," the brunette whispered as she shifted her weight around to get comfortable.
"You're welcome, the clearing is just up ahead," Ash murmmured as he focused on supporting his partner.
As the two walked they came to the centre of the clearing. Ash started to glare as the familiar purple-haired boy who was battling earlier was waiting for them. By his side was a small green turtle munching on a familiar pile of berries…
"Pecha berries!" Ash shouted as recognition spread across his face. The boy smirked as he threw a single pecha berry up and down in his hand.
"So you're Ash Ketchum…" the boy trailed off with his smirk still plastered across his face. Larvitar started to growl by Ash's side as the green turtle finished its last pecha berry.
"Easy Larvitar…" Ash murmmured, not once talking his eyes off the boy. With a small sigh the boy stopped throwing the pecha berry and closed his eyes.
When the purple haired trainer opened his eyes again they were cold and emotionless. Openeing his mouth the boy's voice took on a mocking tone.
"Since there's only one pecha berry left I suppose you will have to battle me for it," the boy mocked openly, casually ignoring his opponent's glare.
"Larvitar, you ready?" Ash asked, anger present in his voice. The rock type silently took his position in front of it's trainer, growling at the grass type.
"Turtwig, standby for battle," the purple haired trainer shouted. With a small smirk Ash's opponent added, "let's see how far the son of the Champion sits in his father's shadow."
May stifled a gasp at this whilst Ash simply gritted his teeth.
"Larvitar use Iron Head," Ash shouted, anger filling his voice as his partner launched itself at Turtwig.
"Seed Bomb," Paul stated as the Tiny Leaf pokémon spat shrapnel-like seeds out of its mouth at its opponent. Almost instantly as the move collided Ash could hear a distinct cracking sound as they pounded Larvitar's rock hard skin.
"TAR!" Larvitar cried in pain as it endured the attack, colliding with Turtwig, sending the turtle sprawling. Both Pokémon steadily got up, ignoring the pain they were experiencing. Ash gritted his teeth as he watched his partner struggle on his feet.
"Razor leaf," his opponent commanded ruthlessly. Turtwig released the razor sharp blades, launching them at the rock type who barely dodged the super effective attack.
"Larvitar, use Screech and follow up with Bite!" Ash shouted as Paul scowled in frustration. Turtwig shouted in pain as the combo or moves stopped him from moving and dealt him large amounts of damage.
"Turtwig up," Paul instructed emotionlessly. The tiny grass type growled as it got to its feet and shook its head to clear any headaches.
"Larvitar get ready to use Sandstorm!" Ash shouted as the Rock Skin Pokémon started to release sand from its body. Almost instantly a raging tornado of sand covered the battlefield, obscuring both trainer's views of the battlefield.
"Follow your sense Turtwig, and time to use our trump card. Earth Power," Paul calmly replied as he watched Ash stare at him in shock.
Utter destruction followed as their surroundings were torn apart. Larvitar jumped to the side only to get struck by a secondary strike. With a cry of pain Larvitar skidded to the side of the clearing, still on his feet; most likely due to the extra resistance gifted to it by the sandstorm.
"Torchic!" May's starter shouted as he watched the rock type struggle to stand up. Without hesitation its trainer grabbed onto the small bird to hold it back.
"They're way out of our league Torchic," May whispered in awe at the two trainers. Larvitar growled slightly as his eyes started to take on a red glow.
"Outrage," Ash whispered as his partner took off towards the grass type, swinging its fist and sending the turtle flying. Lunging after him, Larvitar started to swing punch after punch at his opponent, sending Turtwig instantly into unconsciousness.
"Tsk," the trainer hissed as he recalled his Pokémon, scowling as he did so.
"We were too weak Turtwig," he muttered as the purple haired trainer stashed his Pokéball away and started to walk away, tossing the Pecha Berry behind him.
"Hey wait, what's your name!" Ash shouted after his opponent. With a small sigh the boy turned around and met his eyes with a fierce glare.
"Paul, remember it," the boy uttered as he walked off, without looking back. With a sigh Ash grabbed his prize and walked back to May and her Torchic.
"We got the Pecha Berry let's go," Ash muttered and he walked away with his hair covering his face. May tilted her head in confusion at his complete change in attitude.
"Umm ok?" May answered as she watched the raven-haired boy walk off.
- Five Minutes Later –
"Congratulations on finding all of your items Ash and May!" Professor Oak exclaimed as he watched the two of them. Ash had barely said anything since coming back and May was simply staring at him with a frown.
"As a reward for completing the scavenger hunt first I'm going to gift to you this Pokémon Egg," Professor Oak exclaimed as he handed a small jar with an egg inside. Handing it to May the old man turned around to face Ash.
"For you Ash I've decided to give you something else," the Professor began; obtaining a questioning look from the boy.
"Ash, I'm offering you the chance to work as a junior assistant at my lab," the old man continued as Ash's mouth dropped in shock.
"P-Professor thank you!" Ash half stuttered, half shouted in happiness as he hugged the old man, who simply smiled at the trainer in front of him.
"Hey Ashy-Boy!" A familiar voice shouted. Ash turned around, only to be greeted by Gary rushing up to him.
"I'm guessing gramps told you the good news," the brown haired trainer smirked, not noticing the small tick-mark which had appeared on the Professor's head.
"You knew?" Ash asked in surprise at his closest friend. The boy simply nodded with his smirk still present on his face.
"Yup, you're gonna be working with me at the lab and the corral," Gary replied. Ash instantly developed a grin of his own at this.
"Lar-Larvitar!" Larvitar shouted as Ash started to stroke its head; nuzzling its head into Ash's hand.
"You can start next week Ash, I've already cleared this with your mother," the Professor finished as he started to walk away. Ash smiled to himself as he watched the professor retreat
"Ash…" May trailed off as she looked at her feet in sadness. Ash stared at the brunette girl in worry as she shuffled her feet around.
"What is it May…" Ash trailed off at the forming tears in her eyes.
The girl turned around and murmured something inaudible under her breath. Her Torchic stood by her side, quietly swaying on its feet.
"May?" Ash asked again. Without warning the sapphire-eyed girl launched herself at him and buried herself into his chest.
"Since it's the last day of the Summer Camp I'm leaving for Hoenn today," the brunette mumbled, Ash felt his shirt get slightly damp. Soon after that May pulled away and offered a watery grin.
"Thanks for being my partner today, I'm sure we're gonna meet again in the future," May spoke as she hugged the raven haired trainer. With a smile of his own Ash hugged the girl back.
After a couple of minutes, the two parted, leaving them bright red as they realised the close contact. With a small farewell the brunette girl started to walk away towards a tall, lean middle-aged man with short black hair and dark eyes. Ash watched the girl walk away for the last time and sighed desolately.
Turning to the small rock-type, Ash gave Larvitar a small smile as he picked him up is his arms.
"We're one step closer now Larvitar..." Ash began as he looked up to the sky. To his shock a large bird which was completely gold and had rainbows streaming out from behind it. The raven-haired boy smiled for a sec and watched the bird fly across the sky.
- End of Chapter -