CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Following Amy's victory over Lt. Surge, the three of them exited the Gym. The afternoon sunlight was bright, the pier still a hive of activity as sailors and porters cleaned up after the departure of the S.S. Anne.
Amy turned to Natalie. "I'm heading to the Pokemon Center to heal my Pokemon."
"Do you want to come back and watch Daniel battle?" Natalie asked.
Amy smoothed the linen of her skirt which was covered in Growlithe's fur. "I should be free."
As Amy walked off, Natalie turned to Daniel.
"So. Whaddaya think of Amy's fighting skills?"
"She's not bad," Daniel replied.
"Oh, come on! You have to admit, she has some skill!"
"She does," Daniel nodded, not caring to elaborate on the matter.
"Are you ready to face Lt. Surge?" Natalie asked, a concerned look in her eyes.
"Don't look at me that way!" said Daniel defensively. "I'm just as good a Trainer as Amy is!"
"Hey!" said Natalie, surprised to find someone nudging her aside. "Watch it!"
"Hey!" the guy replied back. "I'm here to fight the Gym Leader!"
Daniel saw that the guy was a teenager, with three Pokeballs at his belt.
"I'm taking on the Gym Leader next," said Daniel, stiffening.
"Yeah, right! I've been waiting all day! You've been here, what, five minutes?" said the stranger.
"OK, OK, don't fight," said Natalie, pushing the two of them apart. "You want to settle this? You can fight me."
"You?" the guy looked at Natalie in disbelief. "What do you know about Pokemon?"
Daniel stifled a chuckle as Natalie bristled, looking at the guy in irritation. Natalie reached into her backpack, retrieving her badge case and flipping it open.
"I have three Badges, including the one from Lt. Surge, " said Natalie, to the guy's amazement.
"What a joke!" said the guy.
Natalie drew her Pokeballs from her belt. "You and me - let's battle, now."
"Now?" scoffed the guy. "I don't have time for this - "
"If you win, you can take half my money and fight Lt. Surge before Daniel does," Natalie said, jerking her head in Daniel's direction.
"Sweet!" said the guy.
"But if you lose," said Natalie. "Not only do you have to let Daniel battle Lt. Surge first, but you have to give me an apology."
"No money?" asked the guy.
"Oh, you'll give me half of your money for good measure, too." smiled Natalie.
"You bet!" said the guy angrily, stepping back to make room for a battlefield.
Natalie stepped back, walking over to the expanse of land by the Gym which led out into the water. The shallows of the water nipped at their ankles, seeping into their shoes.
"How many Pokemon do you have?" asked the guy, as the salty air whipped around them.
"Four," said Natalie. "Not a problem, is it?"
"Nope," said the guy, retrieving a Pokeball from his belt. "I can beat you with three."
"What's your name?" asked Natalie, retrieving her first Pokeball and holding it ready.
"I'm Paul," he said, throwing his Pokeball into the water. "Go, Raticate!"
Raticate appeared in a burst of red light, snarling as it flexed its claws.
"I'm Natalie," she smiled, tossing her Pokeball into the water. "Poliwag, you're up!"
Poliwag appeared in a burst of red light, happily hopping from foot to foot in the shallow water.
"Raticate, Quick Attack!"
"Poliwag, Water Gun!"
Raticate disappeared into thin air as Poliwag expelled a jet of water, drenching Paul from head to toe from the missed attack.
"Better bring your bathing togs next time!" Natalie poked out her tongue at Paul.
Paul was wet, but a smirk covered his face as Raticate appeared out of nowhere, tackling Poliwag into the water where it disappeared with a splash.
"Your Poliwag's a weakling! My Raticate's speed will - "
Suddenly, a stream of bubbles burst from the water and sent Raticate toppling over its feet, swatting at the insubstantial attack but tripping over.
"Nice work, Poliwag!" said Natalie, as Poliwag surfaced, its feather tail waving in the breeze. "Hypnosis Attack!"
"Raticate, Hyper Fang!"
As Raticate leapt to its feet and ran at Poliwag, Poliwag released a hypnotic wave which blasted Raticate off its feet. It yawned and began snoring loudly, fallen asleep.
"Grr..." Paul reached in his backpack for an Awakening as quick as he could.
"Poliwag, finish Raticate! Use Water Gun!"
Poliwag released another jet of water at Raticate, drenching it from head to toe and sending it rolling across the ground.
"Raticate, return!" said Paul, holding out his Pokeball in which to safely return Raticate.
"Nice job, Poliwag!" said Natalie, as Poliwag hopped up and down in victory.
Paul selected his next Pokeball, throwing it into the battlefield.
"You think you're tough? Try taking this one on for size!"
The Pokeball burst with red light, revealing Onix, the large, rocky serpent. It roared so loudly that it attracted the stares of some passersby and those far away, on the dock. Poliwag looked meekly up at Onix.
"Poliwag, let's show this Trainer who's boss! Water Gun!" Natalie shouted.
"Onix, dodge it and use Bind!" Paul yelled.
Onix dodged the jet of water sent from Poliwag, whipping its tail around and wrapping it around Poliwag tightly. Poliwag began to squeak and squirm as it failed to escape from Onix's grasp.
"Poliwag!" called Natalie in concern. "Use Hypnosis!"
Poliwag tried to release a hypnotic wave from its body, but it was too injured and squealed louder -
"Onix, finish it! Use Tackle!"
Onix tossed Poliwag with a flick of its tail across the ground and near Natalie's feet. It launched itself at Poliwag to finish it off.
"Oh, no you don't!" said Natalie, holding out her Pokeball. Poliwag returned to the Pokeball in a flash of red light just as Onix struck where Poliwag once lay.
"Hah!" said Paul. "Your puny Pokemon can't stand up to the might of my Onix!"
Natalie selected her next Pokemon. "You want a challenge? You've got one! Go, Squirtle!"
Squirtle appeared in a flash of red light, bursting forth from the Pokeball Natalie threw into the battlefield. Squirtle faced its challenge with its fists balled; angry for its fallen comrade Poliwag.
"Onix, Screech!"
"Squirtle, Withdraw!"
Squirtle withdrew into its shell as Onix released a sound wave which bounced off of Squirtle's shell and disappeared. Onix roared in fury and launched itself at Squirtle for a Tackle Attack.
"Squirtle, stay in your shell but use Water Gun!"
To keep safe, Squirtle continued to Withdraw but shot a jet of water at Onix, who flailed in agony upon the ground, heavily injured.
"Finish it, Squirtle!" cried Natalie. "Use Bubble Attack!"
"Onix! Bind Attack!" Paul shouted.
Onix groaned and tried to move, but was hit by a stream of bubbles from Squirtle. Onix groaned a final time, moving no more.
"Nice work, Squirtle!" said Natalie, jumping up and down. She retrieved her Pokeball. "I'm going to let someone else battle next, OK?"
Squirtle nodded as Natalie returned Squirtle to its Pokeball, as Paul did the same with Onix.
"You're pretty tough," said Paul warily. "But I've still got one Pokemon left! Go, Drowzee!"
Paul's Pokeball landed on the battlefield and erupted with red light, revealing a Pokemon not unlike a bipedal tapir. The upper half of its body was yellow, while the lower half of its body was brown. It had a snout above its mouth and a round belly.
"Careful, Natalie!" cried Daniel, watching from the sidelines. "Drowzee's a Psychic Pokemon!"
Natalie nodded, throwing a Pokeball into the battlefield. "I choose you, Horsea!"
Horsea appeared in a flash of red light, considering its new opponent and squealing in anticipation.
"You have no idea what you're up against! Drowzee, Disable!"
"Horsea, Smokescreen!"
Horsea took a deep breath, then froze as Drowzee glowed blue. Horsea was held in place by Drowzee's attack, unable to move.
"Horsea!" cried Natalie.
"Drowzee, Confusion!"
Drowzee released a telekinetic force which blasted Horsea and sent it rolling across the ground. Weak, Horsea tried to stand as Drowzee clapped its hands in victory.
"Finish it, Drowzee! Pound Attack!"
Drowzee ran towards Horsea, but Natalie aimed her Pokeball at Horsea, shouting, "Return, Horsea!"
Horsea returned inside the Pokeball in a flash of red light.
"Scared, are you?" taunted Paul. "This is my strongest Pokemon! You have no chance!"
Natalie selected another Pokeball and threw it into the fray. "Go, Butterfree!"
Butterfree burst forth from the Pokeball, flapping its wings and flying above Natalie's head.
"Drowzee, Disable!"
"Butterfree, Sleep Powder!"
Butterfree flapped its wings rapidly, releasing a cloud of shining dust as Drowzee glowed blue. Butterfree froze, falling to the ground as the dust settled upon Drowzee, causing it to fall asleep.
"Drowzee!" shouted Paul, reaching into his pocket for an Awakening.
"Butterfree, return!" said Natalie, holding out her Pokeball and returning Butterfree with a flash of red light. "Go, Squirtle!"
Squirtle jumped onto the battlefield, running towards Drowzee as Paul sprayed an Awakening on his Pokemon.
"Squirtle, Bite Attack!" shouted Natalie.
As Drowzee began to stir sleepily, Squirtle launched itself at Drowzee and sunk its teeth in. Drowzee let out a yelp of pain, shaking Squirtle off and sending it face first into the dust.
"Drowzee, Confusion!"
"Squirtle, dodge the attack and use Water Gun!"
Squirtle managed to avoid the telekinetic force projected by Drowzee and expelled a jet of water in Drowzee's face, causing it to groan as it tried to regain its view.
"Bite Attack, Squirtle!"
"Drowzee, use Disable!"
Squirtle launched itself on Drowzee before it could respond, sinking its teeth in hard. Drowzee flailed as Squirtle instinctively jumped off before Drowzee hit the ground, unconscious.
"Go Squirtle!" cheered Natalie, clapping her hands. Daniel joined in with the applause as Paul returned Drowzee to its Pokeball.
Paul walked over to Natalie, handing over a large wad of cash equal to half his money. Natalie failed to hide her astonishment - it was over a thousand dollars! As Paul turned to leave, Natalie said,
"Paul. You owe me something else."
Paul slowly turned to Natalie, flinching a little.
"Sorry," he said, meaning it and and heading for the Pokemon Center with a wistful gaze behind his shoulder.
"Nice work, Natalie!" said Daniel, as Natalie ran to Squirtle and swept him up in her arms.
"I've got to get to the Pokemon Center to heal my Pokemon." said Natalie. "Amy still isn't back yet..."
"Did you see her?" asked Daniel, waiting at the entrance to Vermilion Gym.
Natalie walked towards him, her fully healed Pokemon by her side, save for Horsea who she carried in her arms.
"She wasn't there," said Natalie, shaking her head in response. "I asked a few passersby outside if they'd seen a young girl with blonde hair, a Growlithe or Nidorina with her. One said he saw her walking in the direction of Saffron City."
Daniel was silent for a second. "Do you think she's gone to take the next Gym without us?"
Natalie nodded mutely. "I guess so."
Daniel turned to the Gym before him. "I better go fight, then."
"Daniel," Natalie grabbed his wrist as he turned away. "Don't let this get you down, OK?"
Daniel shrugged his arm off, not unkindly. "Well, I kind of expected -
"What?" Natalie challenged. "We're from a small town, OK. Everyone knows each other, we're all friendly. But out in the big cities, perhaps its more common not to make friends as instanteously."
"Yeah, yeah," said Daniel, who accepted her truth but refused to acknowledge it in his pride. "I know."
The Gym was dark as they entered. The spotlight illuminated the battle podiums in the center of the room, raised high above the action.
"WHO CHALLENGES LT. SURGE?" shouted a familiar voice.
"I do, Lt. Surge!" shouted Daniel, striding up to the podium. "I'm here to claim the Thunderbadge!"
"HAH!" Lt. Surge emerged out of the darkness, ascending the battle podium. "GOOD LUCK!"
Daniel ascended the podium, too. Trainer and Gym Leader faced each other across the room.
"CHOOSE YOUR FIRST POKEMON, CHALLENGER!" shouted Lt. Surge.
Daniel selected his first Pokeball, tossing it into the battlefield. "I choose Ekans!"
Ekans burst forth in a flash of red light, hissing as it poised its quivering tail.
"GO, VOLTORB!" Lt. Surge yelled, throwing his Pokeball onto the field. It burst open with red light, revealing the spherical Pokemon Voltorb.
"Ekans, Poison Sting!" shouted Daniel.
"VOLTORB, SONICBOOM!" Lt. Surge yelled.
As Ekans opened its mouth and released a volley of poison barbs, Voltorb shuddered and released a sound wave at Ekans. The poison barbs struck Voltorb, but Voltorb wasn't poisoned; while Ekans was blasted backwards from the Sonicboom attack.
"VOLTORB, TACKLE!"
"Ekans, are you OK?" Daniel shouted.
Ekans slithered back to its position, its eyes widening as Voltorb began rolling towards Ekans.
"Ekans, Leer!" shouted Daniel.
Ekans' eyes flashed at Voltorb in an attempt to slow it down, but Voltorb was rolling too fast to make eye contact and suffer the effects. Ekans leapt out of the way with a hiss as Voltorb's Tackle missed, spinning as it headed for Ekans again.
"Ekans, use Poison Sting!" shouted Daniel.
Ekans opened its mouth and released another volley of poison barbs, pelting Voltorb with them and causing Voltorb to stop mid-roll.
"VOLTORB!" shouted Lt. Surge, reaching for an Antidote. His Voltorb had developed a purple tinge; it was poisoned.
"Bite Attack, Ekans!"
Ekans leapt at Voltorb, sinking its teeth in and causing Voltorb to cry out in pain, an odd static sound.
"Finish it! Wrap Attack!"
Ekans managed to wrap itself around Voltorb, despite its spherical shape, giving it another Bite attack for good measure. Voltorb slumped unconscious in Ekans' embrace.
"Go, Ekans!" cheered Daniel, as Natalie clapped from the sidelines. "You rock!"
Lt. Surge returned Voltorb to its Pokeball in a flash of red light.
"NOT BAD, KID. HERE'S MY NEXT POKEMON - PIKACHU!"
Pikachu burst forth from Lt. Surge's Pokeball in a flash of red light, its cheeks crackling with electricity as it stared down Ekans, clenching its little fists.
"Ekans, Poison Sting!"
"PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK!"
As Ekans fired a volley of poison barbs at Pikachu, Pikachu disappeared into thin air, evading the attack. Pikachu reappeared a second later, tackling Ekans in the side and sending it sprawled to the ground.
"Ekans, Wrap!"
"PIKACHU, THUNDER WAVE!"
Pikachu released a charge of electricity from its cheeks, stunning Ekans as it attempted to wrap its body around Pikachu. Ekans was paralyzed, unable to move.
"FINISH IT, PIKACHU! THUNDERSHOCK!"
Pikachu released a bolt of lightning from its cheeks which electrified Ekans, sending it writhing to the ground where it lay quite still.
"Ekans, return!" Daniel ordered, holding out his Pokeball. Ekans returned into it with a flash of red light.
"HAH! I WARNED YOU, KID! ELECTRIC POKEMON ARE MY SPECIALITY!"
Daniel selected his next Pokeball and threw it onto the field. "Go, Meowth!"
Meowth burst forth in a flash of red light, drawing his claws and facing Pikachu.
"PIKACHU, QUICK ATTACK!"
"Meowth, Scratch Attack!"
Pikachu disappeared into thin air as Meowth readied himself to pounce. As Pikachu appeared by Meowth's side, Meowth was quick enough to avoid the attack, scratching Pikachu's face as he did so.
"PIKACHU!" roared Lt. Surge. "USE THUNDER WAVE!"
"Meowth, Pay Day!" called Daniel.
Meowth's forehead glowed as Pikachu released a charge of electricity from its cheeks. Meowth blasted Pikachu off its feet, sending coins scattering, as the charge of electricity paralysed Meowth.
"PIKACHU, GET UP!" Lt. Surge shouted, as Pikachu scrambled to its feet.
Daniel grabbed a Paralyz Heal from his pocket, aiming it at Meowth, who lay inert.
"PIKACHU, THUNDERSHOCK ATTACK!" shouted Lt. Surge.
Pikachu released a bolt of lightning at Meowth as Daniel sprayed the Paralyz Heal onto Meowth. Meowth stood, shaking itself to remedy its stiff joints, but was blasted by Pikachu's Thundershock attack. Meowth tumbled over, landing flat on its back.
"Meowth, look out!" cried Daniel.
"PIKACHU, FINISH MEOWTH OFF! QUICK ATTACK!"
Pikachu disappeared into thin air as Daniel shouted, "Meowth, Bite Attack!"
As Pikachu reappeared next to Meowth, Meowth leapt at Pikachu. The two tussled on the ground, rolling over as Meowth sunk its teeth into Pikachu. Pikachu gave a cry of pain, releasing a Thundershock attack which sent Meowth flying to the ground. Both Pokemon were heaving from the exhaustion.
"Meowth, return!" cried Daniel, holding out his Pokeball.
Meowth returned to its Pokeball in a flash of red light, as Pikachu staggered to its feet weakly.
Down in the stands, Natalie whispered to her Pokemon, "Why is Lt. Surge letting Pikachu fight? It's too hurt to battle!"
Squirtle nodded his assent as Daniel threw his final Pokeball into the fray.
"Go Bellsprout!" cried Daniel.
Bellsprout emerged from the Pokeball in a flash of bright light, waving its leaf arms and facing Pikachu.
"A GRASS-TYPE, HUH? YOU'VE FINALLY MADE IT A CHALLENGE! PIKACHU, THUNDER WAVE - "
Bellsprout released its long vines before Lt. Surge could speak and whipped Pikachu around the face. Crumpling to the ground with a cry, Pikachu's cheeks crackled with electricity for a final time, fainted.
"Your Pikachu was too injured to fight, Surge! You shouldn't push your Pokemon so hard!" warned Daniel.
Lt. Surge returned Pikachu to its Pokeball, silently fuming. He selected his final Pokemon.
"IF YOU THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT ME, YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER SHOCK COMING YOUR WAY! RAICHU, LET'S FINISH THIS!"
Raichu appeared in a flash of red light, bursting forth from the Pokeball Lt. Surge threw onto the field. Raichu stomped its feet on the ground, its cheeks crackling with electricity.
"RAICHU, THUNDER WAVE!"
"Bellsprout, Sleep Powder!"
Raichu released a charge of electricity as Bellsprout released shining powder into the air. Bellsprout was paralysed from Raichu's attack, while Raichu curled up on the ground and fell asleep.
Daniel reached for another Paralyz Heal while Lt. Surge searched for an Awakening in his pockets. Daniel found his first, spraying it on Bellsprout as Lt. Surge found an Awakening. As Lt. Surge sprayed his Awakening on Raichu, who began to stir, Bellsprout was up and ready.
"Bellsprout, Vine Whip!"
Bellsprout shot long vines from its body which whipped Raichu in the face. Injured, Raichu shook off the blow now that it was awake and released a Thunderbolt attack directed at Bellsprout.
"Bellsprout, watch out!"
Bellsprout waddled away to avoid the powerful bolt of lightning, which struck the ground harmlessly.
"Bellsprout, Wrap Attack!"
"RAICHU, GROWL!"
Raichu growled ominously as Bellsprout shot vines from its body, grasping Raichu and squeezing tightly. Raichu's attack had no effect.
"RAICHU! USE THUNDERBOLT!"
Raichu struggled for a moment, then released another Thunderbolt attack. Grasped by Bellsprout's vines, the electricity traveled through the vines and electrifying Bellsprout. The injury was minimal to Bellsprout, who wasn't susceptible to Electric-attacks, but Bellsprout was surprised enough to release Raichu from its grasp.
"Bellsprout, Poisonpowder!"
"RAICHU, THUNDER WAVE!"
Raichu released another charge of electricity as Bellsprout released poison dust into the air. The charge of electricity paralyzed Bellsprout, but the poison dust caused Raichu to become poisoned.
"Bellsprout!" Daniel cried. He had no more Paralyz Heals left.
Raichu was coughing from the poison, injured heavily. Lt. Surge reached for an Antidote but it was too late - having succumbed to the pain, Raichu keeled over, unconscious.
"WHAT!?" bellowed Lt. Surge, as Daniel descended the podium and rushed towards Bellsprout.
"Bellsprout!" Daniel held Bellsprout in his outstretched arms, holding it close. "I'm so proud of you - "
Bellsprout began to glow with a bright light and Daniel backed away in horror. "What's happening? Bellsprout?"
"Daniel!" cried Natalie. "Bellsprout's evolving!"
The glowing light faded to reveal the evolved form of Bellsprout. It had a yellow, bell shaped body with a gaping mouth and leafy appendages on either side.
"Weepinbell..." Daniel said, approaching the Pokemon carefully as Weepinbell blinked several times, glancing about in surprise.
Weepinbell turned to Daniel, leaping into his arms. Daniel caught Weepinbell, falling over from the impact and holding it close. "Bellsprout! I mean, Weepinbell! You've evolved!"
Weepinbell emitted a high-pitched sound, licking Daniel on the face. It was surprisingly gross, but Daniel patted Weepinbell anyway. Natalie walked up to him, holding Horsea, with Squirtle, Poliwag and Butterfree tagging along.
"You battled great - both of you!" exclaimed Natalie, bending down to give newly evolved Weepinbell a pat.
Lt. Surge approached Daniel, his arms folded over his barrel chest. Daniel slowly stood, allowing Weepinbell to bounce down from his clutch and onto the ground.
"You did good, kid. I was surprised that you won." said Lt. Surge, extending his hand. "Here's the Thunderbadge. You've earned it."