CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
The next morning, Daniel and Natalie exited their hotel room, their bags packed and their Pokemon behind them.
"What room is she in?" Daniel asked, as they walked along the hallway, their footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.
"107. Here we are," said Natalie, knocking on the door.
"In a moment!" replied a familiar voice. A few seconds passed, then the door opened and Amy emerged.
"Hi," Natalie beamed.
"Hello," Amy smiled, then nodded curtly to Daniel.
"Hello," replied Daniel, turning to Natalie. "Shall we go?"
They walked down the stairs together, turning and walking into the reception.
"Good morning!" said the receptionist, upon seeing the three of them. "Checking out, are we?"
"Yes!" Natalie said, retrieving the money from her backpack. "Thank you for a wonderful stay. It was lovely."
Amy saw the wad of cash in Natalie's palm as she handed it over.
They don't have enough to be rich, but they must be good Trainers, thought Amy.
"We'll meet you outside," Natalie said, taking Daniel's arm and leading him outside.
"But I have to pay my half - "
"Don't worry, I've covered it," Natalie smiled, as they opened the door and headed outside. "You can pay for the next one!"
As Daniel and Natalie exited the building, Amy walked up to the reception desk.
"Hello, dear," the receptionist said, as Amy retrieved the cash from her purse, hesitating a little.
"I broke the alarm clock in my room by mistake. How much will it cost to replace it?"
"Oh, that's no bother. Twenty dollars will be fine, dear."
Amy added a twenty dollar note to the wad of cash she handed over, asking, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, of course, dear. Accidents happen," smiled the lady. "You have a good day."
"You too," said Amy, turning and heading for the exit.
Bright, early morning sunlight greeted her. She saw Daniel and Natalie not too far away and joined them.
"Hi guys," Amy said, trying for a note of enthusiasm. Her nerves had been shaken all night by facing the ordeal of facing a Gym Leader again.
"Hi," replied Daniel. "So, we were talking, Natalie and I... we were wondering which of us will fight the Gym Leader first?"
Amy hesitated, thinking.
"How about you two battle for it?" Natalie asked. Daniel and Amy stared at her.
"Battle?" Daniel asked.
"Why not?" said Natalie. "It's still early. You've got the whole day to battle the Gym Leader."
"Well, it'll be good for the practise," said Amy, turning to Daniel.
"Do you want to battle?" Daniel asked hesitantly.
"Sure," Amy nodded. "Where shall we battle?"
"There's a route to the east of Vermilion which has more than enough room," said Daniel. "Shall we?"
Amy followed him and Natalie as they walked west out of Vermilion City.
The route had a few Trainers battling and catching Pokemon, with the fresh breeze of another new morning ruffling the treetops. As Daniel and Amy looked for a space to fight, they were interrupted by the appearance of two Trainers running up to them. One was an older man, the other a young boy.
"Hey! Do you two want to battle?" asked the young boy.
Daniel and Amy looked at each other, then Amy turned to the boy. "We're about to battle each other. Sorry."
"Aw, man," said the boy, looking up at the older man.. "I just got the Cascadebadge! I'm really good, aren't I, grandpa?"
The older man, in his seventies, nodded. "He's a good boy. Why don't you take us both on?"
"Both of you?" Daniel asked. "A double battle?"
"Sure!" beamed the young boy.
"Well..." Daniel turned to Amy, who shrugged and nodded. "OK, then."
"Oh, boy! Yippee!" said the young boy, making space for a battlefield as his grandpa followed him.
"This will be good practise, I suppose," said Daniel, as he and Amy stepped back to allocate a certain amount of room for the battlefield. "We are facing a Gym Leader, after all."
"Speak for yourself," said Amy, surprising Daniel with a smile. "Bring it on!"
Daniel and Amy retrieved their first Pokeball, as the youngster and his grandpa opposite them did the same.
"I'm Amy," Amy shouted.
"And I'm Daniel," Daniel added.
"My name's Dillon. This is my grandpa." said the boy, Dillon.
"Heh, but my name is Jasper," chuckled the grandpa, Jasper.
Daniel and Amy nodded. "Ready?"
"Can we make this a two Pokemon max battle?" asked Dillon.
"Sure," said Amy. "We have no problem with that."
"OK!" Dillon said brightly, throwing his Pokeball into the fray. "Go, Sandshrew!"
"Oddish, go!" shouted Jasper.
Sandshrew and Oddish burst forth from their Pokeballs in a flash of red light. Sandshrew waved its claws in the air and Oddish hopped from one foot to the other, the leaves upon its head waving in the breeze.
"Go, Growlithe!" Amy threw her Pokeball into the battlefield, revealing Growlithe in a burst of red light. Growlithe pawed the ground, watching Sandshrew carefully.
"Bellsprout, go!" Daniel shouted, as Bellsprout burst forth from its Pokeball. Bellsprout waved its leaf arms at Sandshrew.
"Sandshrew, Sand-Attack on Growlithe!" shouted Jasper.
"Oddish, use Poisonpowder on Growlithe!" shouted Dillon.
"Growlithe, Leer on Oddish!" Amy cried.
"Bellsprout, use Vine Whip on Sandshrew!" Daniel shouted.
Growlithe fixed Oddish with a gleaming stare which halted its attack, while Sandshrew kicked up a mound of dirt at Growlithe. Growlithe stumbled, yelping as sand got in its eyes, while Bellsprout unleashed its Vine Whip attack at Sandshrew. Sandshrew was painfully whipped by the vines, falling to the ground.
"Oddish, use Sleep Powder!" shouted Jasper.
"Bellsprout, Wrap on Sandshrew!" Daniel cried.
"Growlithe, Ember on Oddish!" Amy shouted.
"Sandshrew, Slash Attack on Bellsprout!" Dillon yelled.
As Oddish released a cloud of shining dust into the air, Growlithe was unable to remove the sand from its eyes, whimpering as Bellsprout released vines at Sandshrew, stopping it in its tracks and wrapping firmly around Sandshrew's body. As the shining dust settled and dispersed, both Bellsprout and Growlithe were asleep, but Sandshrew was unconscious.
"Bellsprout!" Daniel cried, reaching for an Awakening. He saw that Amy was shame-faced, not having one in her possession and threw his Awakening to her.
"Me?" Amy asked, dumbfounded.
"Yes!" Daniel said, as Dillon returned the unconscious Sandshrew to its Pokeball. "Quick - "
"Oddish, use Absorb on Growlithe!" Jasper shouted.
Oddish glowed with a green light, blasting Growlithe with a concentrated beam of energy. As Growlithe slept peacefully, its energy was drained by Oddish's attack.
"Here, Growlithe," said Amy, spraying the Awakening on Growlithe. Growlithe began to rouse.
"Go, Zubat!" said Dillon, throwing his second Pokeball into the battlefield. Zubat burst forth, flying above the chaos in random directions. "Zubat, Supersonic on Growlithe!"
Zubat released a supersonic wave at Growlithe as it woke up, causing Growlithe to become confused. Growlithe stumbled about, unsure who to attack, then opening its mouth and aiming a volley of flames at Zubat, which narrowly missed.
"Return, Bellsprout!" Daniel said, holding out his Pokeball. He selected his second Pokeball and threw it into the fray. "Go, Meowth!"
Meowth appeared in a flash of red light, unsheathing its claws and glaring at its opponents.
"Zubat, finish Growlithe! Bite Attack!" shouted Dillon.
"Oddish, use Stun Spore!" Jasper cried.
"Growlithe, Ember Attack on Oddish!" Amy squealed.
"Meowth, use Pay Day on Zubat!" Daniel shouted.
Zubat flew towards Growlithe, its fangs bared, as Oddish released a cloud of shimmering, golden powder. The coin on Meowth's forehead glowed and Meowth released its Pay Day attack at Zubat, while Growlithe shook off its confusion, turned to Oddish and released a volley of flames from its mouth.
Zubat was blasted by Meowth's Pay Day attack, veered off course and landed on the ground in pain; Growlithe's flames incinerated Oddish and gave it a harsh burn; and as the golden dust settled, Meowth was paralysed, but by chance Growlithe was unaffected.
"Meowth!" cried Daniel, reaching in his bag for a Paralyz Heal.
"Growlithe, Roar at Zubat!" cried Amy.
"Zubat, Leech Life on Meowth!"
As Zubat headed towards Meowth, Growlithe let loose a fierce growl which stopped Zubat in its tracks. This gave Daniel leeway to spray a Paralyz Heal on Meowth, freeing him from paralysis.
Oddish had fainted, giving into its burns. Jasper returned it to its Pokeball, throwing his second Pokeball into the fray.
"Go, Bellsprout!" he shouted.
Bellsprout appeared, giving Growlithe a cautious look as it turned to Meowth.
"Bellsprout, Poisonpowder!"
"Zubat, Supersonic on Growlithe!"
"Meowth, Scratch Attack on Bellsprout!"
"Growlithe, Ember on Bellsprout!"
Bellsprout released a cloud of poisonous dust into the air, as Growlithe opened its mouth and released a volley of flames at Bellsprout in return. Meowth ran towards Bellsprout, its claws sharp, while Zubat released a supersonic wave at Growlithe, snaring it in its trap and causing Growlithe to become confused.
"Not again!" cried Amy.
Bellsprout was pelted by the flames, injured heavily and finished off by Meowth, who attacked Bellsprout wildly with its claws. As Bellsprout fell to the ground, fainted, Dillon shouted,
"That's my grandpa's Pokemon! You'll pay! Zubat, Leech Life!"
As Zubat flew towards Meowth, its fangs bared, Growlithe opened its mouth and aimed an Ember attack at Zubat. The flames missed, but created an expanse between Zubat and Meowth, allowing both of them to hold their ground.
"Growlithe, return!" Amy said, holding out her Pokeball for Growlithe to return into it. The flash of red light returned Growlithe into its Pokeball.
"Zubat, Supersonic!"
"Meowth, Pay Day!"
Meowth's coin glowed as Zubat sent a Supersonic attack at Meowth, causing Meowth to become confused. Meowth spun on its feet, its Pay Day Attack blasting in a random direction, causing Jasper to duck for cover.
"Zubat, Leech Life!" shouted Dillon, as Amy threw her next Pokeball into the fray.
"Go, Nidorina!"
Nidorina appeared in a flash of red light, running towards Zubat without instruction as Zubat bit Meowth, draining its energy and regaining some of its health back. Nidorina leapt at Zubat, tackling it and sending both Zubat and Meowth sprawled to the ground from the hit.
"Zubat!" Dillon shouted, as Zubat flew back into the air. Meowth stirred with difficulty.
"Nidorina, Poison Sting!" Amy shouted.
"Meowth, are you alright?" Daniel asked. Meowth stood on its feet, hurt, but fell back down again.
"Zubat, Supersonic!" cried Dillon.
Before Zubat could release its Supersonic attack, Nidorina pelted Zubat with a volley of poison barbs. Although resistant to the attack, Zubat's attack was halted for the moment.
"Zubat, Bite Attack!"
"Nidorina, Tail Whip!"
Zubat flew at Nidorina, who stood poised, ready to attack. Zubat struck before Nidorina had a chance, biting Nidorina's neck and causing her to squeal in pain. A sudden bright light out of nowhere blasted Zubat off Nidorina and sent it rolling across the grass, where it lay unconscious.
Everyone turned to see Meowth, standing dazedly, having aimed a Pay Day attack at Zubat to ward it off Nidorina.
"Meowth!" Daniel said. "You're great!"
"Thank you, Meowth!" Amy called, as Dillon returned Zubat to its Pokeball with a grumpy look on his face.
Daniel kneeled and held out his arms as Meowth ran into them. Amy walked into the field, patting Nidorina and cooing to it gently, applauding its success. Dillon and Jasper walked up to Amy and Daniel, wads of cash in their outstretched hands.
"You're good Trainers!" Jasper said, as Daniel and Amy accepted their equal portions of cash.
"It was tough," Daniel admitted, catching Amy's eye. "But we're pretty good, too."
"Yeah," Amy smiled, nodding in Dillon's direction. "Your Zubat is fast!"
"We need some more training before we take on the next Gym Leader, don't we, grandpa?"
"Yes, you're right, Dillon." Jasper said, clapping a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "Well, don't let us keep you! We'll see you again someday, I hope."
"You too," said Daniel, as he and Amy watched them walk off towards Vermilion City.
"What an amazing battle!" said Natalie, hugging Amy who stood, startled by the close contact.
"You guys rock as a team!" said Natalie, kneeling down to pat Meowth. "May I pat Nidorina?"
"Sure," smiled Amy, watching as Natalie lent a cautious hand to Nidorina. Nidorina sniffed Natalie's hand, then licked it, causing Natalie to giggle and Amy to laugh indulgently.
"She's really fierce in battle!" Natalie said. "Your Growlithe is strong, too!"
"We got quite a lot of money from that battle," said Daniel, counting his share. "Seven hundred and twenty dollars! Is that how much you have?"
Disconcerted, Amy counted her share and nodded. "Shall we head back to the Pokemon Center?"
"Sure," Daniel nodded, turning to Meowth. "I'm gonna put you in your Pokeball to rest, OK, Meowth?"
Meowth nodded and Daniel returned Meowth to his Pokeball. Nidorina walked beside Amy, proud to have helped won the battle with Meowth's help.
Daniel, Natalie and Amy walked into Vermilion City, its hub already bustling with activity as people grouped around the pier, watching as the S.S. Anne began to depart.
"Do you mind if I sit and watch it disembark?" asked Natalie, distractedly sitting down at a wooden deck table. "I'll wait here for you guys to come back from the Pokemon Center."
"Sure," said Daniel, casting a glance in the direction of the luxury liner. He turned to leave and Amy wished the luxury liner a silent farewell, following Daniel.
Natalie sat alone as the S.S. Anne released steam and began to depart. People waved from onboard the decks to the people who stood on the pier below, shouting goodbyes and waving to their loved ones.
Natalie released her Pokemon from her Pokeballs so they could watch the departure. Squirtle sidled up to Natalie, holding her leg; Poliwag and Horsea gathered into Natalie's arms; and Butterfree flew overhead, enjoying the breeze whip across the bay.
As the S.S. Anne began to pick up speed, Natalie found herself thinking back to her home in Viridian and asking herself when she would return. She was not looking forward to seeing her mother again. She was a harsh, difficult woman; a strict and contrary disciplinarian who sent her husband to his early grave through hard drinking and long debts. Unlike Daniel, whose father had perished in the mountains, Natalie's father had passed from a heart attack, leaving them an inheritance that had been slowly eroded by Natalie's mother's spending habits. The only reason Natalie had been allowed to leave home and escape from the tyranny of her mother was -
"Oh, it's gone!" said Daniel, who was flush from running. Meowth was fresh-faced beside him, joined by Bellsprout and Ekans. "Was it good?"
Natalie turned to him, her face a mask. She nodded quietly. "It was beautiful."
As Daniel sat down beside her, feeding his Pokemon some Poketreats, Natalie was inwardly glad for the silence. Amy returned a minute later, her healed Pokemon by their side.
"So, Daniel. We never decided who gets to face the Gym Leader first," said Amy.
"Why don't you play paper-scissors-rock?" asked Natalie, watching them, putting on a smile that wobbled on its hinges.
Amy noticed Natalie's tremor of emotion but chose to ignore it, resolving to ask her about it later. Daniel, whose back had been to Natalie, was unaware and stood up to face Amy.
"Paper, scissors, rock!" said Daniel.
Amy chose scissors, while Daniel chose paper. Amy had won.
"Aw, man!" said Daniel, who typically did not register Natalie's somber mood. "Let's go. I'll see your Pokemon in battle again!"
As Daniel walked off, entirely unaware of the exchange between Amy and Natalie, his Pokemon followed him dutifully. Amy glanced at Natalie, who rose from the deck table and set Poliwag down to follow on foot, while carrying Horsea.
"Are you OK?" Amy asked, walking beside Natalie as the two of them followed Daniel.
"I-I'm fine," Natalie said, with a watery gaze. "I've been going through a bit of thinking about back home."
"Homesick?" Amy asked, to which Natalie replied with a shake of her head.
"Not exactly..." said Natalie, shrugging hopelessly. "I just get a bit emotional, that's all."
Warmed by her honesty, Amy gave her a hug. Together they rose and reached the Vermilion Gym to see Daniel waiting impatiently near the entrance.
"You took your sweet time!" said Daniel. "Come on, then!"
He pushed open the double doors and walked in, followed by Amy and Natalie. Amy was the only one of the three who hadn't seen the interior. It was pitch-black, save for a spotlight illuminating the battlefield and the battle podiums at either side.
"WHO DARES TO CHALLENGE ME?" roared a voice.
Amy jumped, noticing Lt. Surge step out of the shadows. He ascended the battle podium, staring down at the three of them.
"I-I will challenge you!" Amy said, stepping up to the podium and ascending it to face Lt. Surge. From what she could see of him across the dark room, she privately agreed with what Nancy had said - he was a little cute. A bit older, rough around the edges and way too loud, but he was kind of endearing.
"SEND OUT YOUR FIRST POKEMON, CHALLENGER!" Lt. Surge yelled.
Amy weighed her options. If Lt. Surge used Electric-type Pokemon, then her best bet would be with Cubone, who was unaffected by Electric-type moves.
"Go, Cubone!" Amy shouted, feeling the need to match his volume as she threw her Pokeball into the battlefield. It burst open with red light to reveal Cubone, who waved his bone club threateningly.
"A GROUND-TYPE? I CAN SEE YOU'VE THOUGHT THIS THROUGH. GO, VOLTORB!"
Lt. Surge threw his Pokeball into the battlefield to reveal Voltorb in a flash of red light, identical to the Pokeball it recently vacated. Voltorb fixed Cubone with a wary stare.
"Cubone, Bone Club!" Amy shouted.
"VOLTORB, SONICBOOM!" Lt. Surge shouted.
Cubone ran towards Voltorb, its bone club raised as Voltorb shuddered, releasing a sound wave which collided with Cubone and caused it to stumble on its feet, tripping over.
"VOLTORB, TACKLE ATTACK!"
Voltorb began rolling towards Cubone, picking up speed as it went.
"Cubone, Growl!"
Cubone growled at Voltorb as it rolled forward, but there was no stopping its pace now.
"Cubone, Bone Club!" shouted Amy.
Cubone raised its bone club, striking just as Voltorb came near. Voltorb was knocked off-balance, injured heavily and spinning on its axis.
"Cubone, use Headbutt!"
Cubone lowered its head and launched itself at Voltorb, tackling it and sending it rolling across the battlefield. As it slowed and stopped, Voltorb had fainted.
"Nice job, Cubone!" Amy cheered. Lt. Surge returned Voltorb to its Pokeball as Cubone raised its bone club in victory.
"YOU'RE NOT BAD, CHALLENGER. PREPARE TO MEET MY NEXT POKEMON!"
Lt. Surge threw his next Pokeball into the battlefield, revealing Pikachu in a flash of red light. Pikachu's cheeks crackled with electricity as it faced Cubone.
"Your Pikachu can't hurt my Cubone with its electric attacks!" said Amy. "Cubone, Bone Club!"
"PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK!"
Cubone ran towards Pikachu, its bone club raised as Pikachu disappeared into thin air. Cubone glanced around for Pikachu, but only a second later Pikachu reappeared, tackling Cubone in the side and sending him sprawled onto the ground.
"Cubone, are you alright?" Amy asked, hands gripped tight on the podium as she peered down at Cubone.
"PIKACHU, USE QUICK ATTACK AGAIN!" roared Lt. Surge.
Cubone stood up as Pikachu disappeared from view.
"Be careful, Cubone!" Amy shouted, her voice echoing.
Cubone raised its bone club, poised for attack, but Pikachu was too fast and tackled Cubone in the side again, sending him to the floor in pain.
"YOU THINK YOU'RE FASTER THAN MY PIKACHU?" Lt. Surge roared.
Amy looked down at her Cubone, lying in pain. Lt. Surge was right - when it came to speed, Pikachu was clearly the more skilled - but it gave her a thought...
"Cubone, return!" Amy said, holding out her Pokeball. Cubone returned to its Pokeball in a flash of red light.
Spectating from afar, Daniel whispered to Natalie,
"What's Amy doing? Cubone is her best shot against Pikachu!"
"She knows what she's doing," Natalie whispered back. "She's stronger than she looks."
Still moody, Daniel grudgingly conceded the point.
Amy selected her next Pokeball, throwing it into the battlefield. "Go, Growlithe!"
Growlithe appeared in a flash of red light, growling in anticipation of the battle and pawing the ground to get ready.
"NOW YOU'LL BE SHOCKED BY MY PIKACHU! THUNDERSHOCK ATTACK!"
"Growlithe, dodge the attack and use Roar!" shouted Amy.
Pikachu's cheeks crackled with electricity, releasing a bolt of lightning directed at Growlithe. Narrowly avoiding the bolt of lightning which struck the ground ineffectually, Growlithe let loose a roar which startled Pikachu and caused it to stare at Growlithe in fear.
"Growlithe, Ember!"
Growlithe opened its mouth and released a volley of flames, pelting Pikachu and causing it to fall on the ground from the attack.
"Finish Pikachu, Growlithe! Bite Attack!"
"PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK!"
Pikachu was too weakened to move as Growlithe leapt on Pikachu, biting hard. Pikachu writhed, trying to escape from Growlithe's grip.
"PIKACHU, RETURN!" shouted Lt. Surge, holding out his Pokeball. Pikachu disappeared inside the Pokeball with a flash of red light.
"You see what I'm capable of, Lt. Surge?" Amy shouted. "With Cubone on the field, your Pikachu couldn't rely on its powerful electric attacks and had to resort to speed to win! But when I switched Cubone out for Growlithe, you thought Electric-attacks were your trump card - but my Growlithe is fast enough to dodge them!"
Lt. Surge was silent. Natalie gasped, whooping for joy.
"She's a genius," said Daniel in disbelief. "How'd she work it out?"
"She didn't read his Pokemon, she read Lt. Surge," smiled Natalie. "She knew she was up against a show-off like Surge. All she had to do was manipulate it to her advantage."
"YOU'VE GOT SOME SKILL, KID!" Lt. Surge roared, throwing his third Pokeball into the battlefield. "LET'S SEE YOU TAKE ON MY STRONGEST POKEMON - RAICHU!"
Raichu appeared in a flash of red light, facing Growlithe as sparks of electricity bounced about its person. Amy tensed; Raichu looked much stronger than Pikachu.
"Growlithe, Roar!"
"RAICHU, THUNDER WAVE!"
Raichu released a charge of electricity at Growlithe as Growlithe let out a roar at Raichu. Raichu stood, startled, as the charge of electricity struck Growlithe, causing paralysis.
"Growlithe!" cried Amy, as Growlithe lay on the floor, unable to move.
"RAICHU, THUNDERBOLT!"
Raichu's cheeks crackled with electricity and it released a powerful bolt of lightning at Growlithe, electrifying him as he yelped and flailed on the floor.
"No!" screamed Amy, reaching into her bag for a Paralyz Heal, but there was none.
"RAICHU, FINISH GROWLITHE OFF! THUNDERBOLT!"
Amy pulled Growlithe's Pokeball from her purse as Raichu released another powerful bolt of lightning from its cheeks. Growlithe disappeared inside his Pokeball in a flash of red light just before Raichu's Thunderbolt attack struck the ground where Growlithe lay only moments before.
Amy selected her third Pokeball, holding it close.
"I WARNED YOU! MY RAICHU WILL FRY YOU WITH ITS ELECTRICITY!"
Amy refused to comment, throwing the Pokeball into the battlefield. "Go, Nidorina!"
Nidorina appeared in a flash of red light, pawing the ground and glaring at Raichu.
"RAICHU, TIME FOR ANOTHER THUNDER WAVE!" shouted Lt. Surge.
"Nidorina, Poison Sting!" shouted Amy.
Raichu released a charge of electricity which headed towards Nidorina as Nidorina opened its mouth and released a volley of poison barbs at Raichu.
"RAICHU, AVOID HER ATTACK!" Lt. Surge roared.
Raichu wasn't fast enough to evade the incoming poison barbs and doubled over as it was struck by the attack. Nidorina was hit by Raichu's Thunder wave, instantly paralysed.
"RAICHU!" yelled Lt. Surge, as Raichu tried to stand, poisoned. He reached into his pocket for an Antidote.
Down in the stands, Natalie yelled,
"Amy, don't let him win!"
Amy turned to Natalie, nodding. She held out her Pokeball to return Nidorina to its Pokeball in a flash of red light as Lt. Surge retrieved an Antidote from his pocket. Amy threw her chosen Pokeball into the field as Lt. Surge sprayed the Antidote onto a heaving Raichu.
"Go, Cubone!" Amy shrieked.
Cubone burst from the Pokeball in a burst of red light, running towards Raichu as fast as its little legs could carry it. As Raichu stood, its pallor returning, Cubone ran up to it and slammed its bone club right on Raichu's head.
"RAICHU!" yelled Lt. Surge.
Raichu let out a yowl of pain, clutching its head and stumbling about, tripping over.
"Cubone, let's finish Raichu off! Use Headbutt!" Amy shouted.
Cubone took a step back, lowering its head and launching itself at Raichu. Raichu rolled over several times, hitting the front of Lt. Surge's podium and slumping, unconscious.
"Well done!" shouted Natalie, clapping madly. Daniel joined in with the applause.
Sweat trickled down her forehead and Amy stepped off the podium, running up to a surprised Cubone and holding him in her arms.
"You were great, Cubone!" she said, twirling around with him in her arms like a merry-go round.
Lt. Surge stepped off his podium after returning Raichu to its Pokeball. He walked up to Amy as Daniel and Natalie watched silently from afar.
"You've earned my respect. You're a good Trainer!" he shook her hand, nearly yanking her forward in his strength.
Amy opened her palm and saw the Thunderbadge glinting there. Her third Gym Badge.
"Here's your prize money," Lt. Surge said, handing over a wad of cash. Amy didn't count it, but it looked like roughly two thousand dollars was in there. Two thousand dollars!
"You did it!" Natalie screeched, running up to Amy and hugging her.
"Lt. Surge!" Daniel called after him. "I'm your next challenger."
"YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT, KID!" Lt. Surge yelled, startling the three of them. "I'M OFF TO HEAL MY POKEMON!"
"I should go, too," Amy glanced down to her Cubone. "I still can't believe it."