A Different Path
Viridian Forest and Pewter Gym
Dragonsrule18 and CharmedMilliE are back with our next chapter! Hope you enjoy it and please remember to review!
"A Different Path." -Normal Speech
"A Different Path." -Ash/Pikachu mental bond
"A Different Path." -Pokémon Speech(that Ash cannot understand)
A Different Path- Pokédex entries
Ash, Misty, and Pikachu spent the night at the Pokémon Center, and bright and early the next morning, entered Viridian Forest. Ash noticed that Misty seemed rather nervous, jumping and looking around every time there was a strange sound.
"What's the matter, Misty?" Ash asked.
"Nothing. I'm fine." she replied quickly. Ash didn't believe her, but decided not to press her on it.
After a few hours of walking, they stopped for lunch at a small clearing. As Misty munched on her cheese sandwich, she felt something nuzzling up against her. "Aww, it looks like Pikachu wants a bite of my sandwich." she said with a smile.
"Pikachu's over here." Ash replied, gesturing towards Pikachu, who was sitting beside Ash and digging into a bowl of Poké Chow.
"Huh? If Pikachu's with you, then what's…." Misty looked down, seeing a little Caterpie rubbing against her arm and looking up at her adoringly. "AHHHHHH!" she screamed, jumping about five feet in the air and landing in Ash's lap. "Get it away! Get it away!"
"I can't if you're sitting on me!" Ash protested, and Misty jumped off his lap and hid behind him. Ash got up and gently picked up the Caterpie, placing it safely on a tree branch. "Sheesh, Misty, it was just a little Caterpie. It can't hurt you."
Misty glared at him. "It was a creepy, disgusting Bug! They're one of the three most disgusting things out there!"
"What are the other disgusting things?" Ash asked.
"Carrots, peppers, and BUGS! Everyone has something they don't like, AND I DON'T LIKE BUGS!" Misty yelled.
Ash hid a laugh. "C'mon, Misty, Bugs aren't so bad."
"Well, I think they're disgusting." Misty grumbled. Ash and Pikachu looked at each other and shrugged.
After cleaning up, they headed off again, Misty still jumping at every small sound. Suddenly, Misty let out another ear-piercing shriek. Pikachu jumped a foot in the air, nearly falling off Ash's shoulder before Ash steadied him. "I wish she would quit doing that." Pikachu grumbled.
Somehow Misty managed to jump several feet in the air and cling tightly to a low tree branch. "What's wrong now, Misty?" Ash asked.
"I think I see another Bug! Gross!" Misty screamed. The tree branch suddenly snapped and she landed hard on her bottom.
Ash helped her to her feet. "Where is it?"
Misty pointed. "Right over there!" Ash turned to see a Weedle coming towards them. Ash picked up his Pokédex and scanned it.
"Weedle. The stinger on this Pokémon's head guarantees that any attacker will get the point right where it hurts." the Pokédex droned.
"Well, that information is helpful." Pikachu said sarcastically.
"A stinger, huh?" Ash mused. "Now there's a challenge."
"Why are you so excited about a Bug with a stinger?! Make it go away!" Misty yelled, hiding behind Ash.
"Actually, I think I'm going to capture it. If I want to be a great Pokémon trainer, I need to capture some more Pokémon." Ash said.
Misty backed away. "All right, fine, but keep it as far away from me as possible!"
Ash looked at his starter. "Hey, Pikachu, you up for a battle?"
"Sure." Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and went to face the Weedle, but it wasn't there.
"Where'd it go?" Ash wondered. A shrill scream answered his question. The Weedle had made a beeline for Misty and began rubbing against her leg.
Misty took off running, making the poor Weedle land on its face. "What are you waiting for? Catch it!" she yelled as she ran off into the distance.
"All right. Pikachu, Thundershock!" Ash ordered. Pikachu shot off a small bolt of electricity, but the Weedle dodged, then rushed towards Pikachu in a Poison Sting attack.
"Pikachu, dodge using Quick Attack, then use another Thundershock!" Ash commanded. Pikachu dodged the attack by inches, then shot off another Thundershock, hitting its target. The Weedle was knocked senseless.
"Great job, Pikachu!" Ash told his starter, taking out a Poké Ball.
…...
Misty looked behind her to make sure the Weedle wasn't following her. Thankfully it wasn't and her run slowed to a walk. "This whole forest is crawling with creepy, disgusting Pokémon." she muttered. "I wish they'd just bug off." Suddenly she heard a twig snap, and turned to see a boy in a samurai outfit leaping out of the bushes and a sword coming straight at her face. Thankfully, the boy stopped his swing when the sword was about an inch away.
"Greetings, o' shrieking maiden!" The kid said. "Are you by chance the Pokémon trainer that comes from Pallet?"
"N-No, that's not me!" Misty replied shakily.
"Alas, my search continues." the boy said, walking away. Then he turned back to her. "I advise you to refrain from further shrieking while you're in this forest, unless your goal is to attract a horde of Beedrill."
Misty sighed with relief as he left. "What a weird kid." she muttered, sitting down. "I wonder why he was looking for a trainer from…" Then her eyes widened and she jumped to her feet. "That's Ash!" She rushed to warn her unsuspecting friend.
…...
As Ash prepared to throw the Poké Ball, he heard a voice behind him. "Greetings. Am I addressing the Pokémon trainer that comes from Pallet?"
"I come from Pallet, but I'm a little busy right now." Ash muttered, his eyes focused on the Weedle.
"I have found you at last!" the boy in the samurai outfit cried, drawing his sword. Ash heard Misty scream his name and turned to see the boy swinging his sword at him. But Pikachu was faster. Jumping between his trainer and the attacker, he gave the boy a Thundershock, making him drop to the ground, groaning.
"That will teach you to attack my trainer." Pikachu growled, his cheeks sparking.
"Who are you and why did you attack us?" Ash yelled. "I will not let you steal my Pokémon!"
The boy got up, groaning. "I am no Pokémon thief!"
"Who are you then?" Misty asked nervously.
"I am Samurai. I am also shrewd, fearless, and completely invincible in combat." the kid replied. Pikachu rolled his eyes. "I have been searching the forest for you, meaning to challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"
Ash stared at him in disbelief. "So instead of just asking me, you decided to swing a sword at my face?"
"It's called a katana!"
"I don't care what it's called! You can't just run around swinging sharp objects at people!" Ash exclaimed. Then he remembered what he had been doing before Samurai interrupted. He looked for the Weedle, but it was gone. "And now you made me lose Weedle!"
"Don't blame your failure on me." Samurai replied. 'Your Pokémon handling is dimwitted and clumsy!"
"No, that's your sword-handling you're talking about." Pikachu muttered sarcastically.
"What do you know about Pokémon?" Ash asked angrily. "We could beat you in a Pokémon match blindfolded!"
"There's one way to find out." Samurai retorted, pulling out a Poké Ball.
Ash reached for Shellder's Poké Ball and Pikachu, who wanted to kick Samurai's butt, looked disappointed. "Sorry buddy, but I need to make sure Shellder gets more battle experience before we go to Pewter Gym." he thought to Pikachu. If he could hear Pikachu's thoughts, it should work the other way around as well. Pikachu nodded, understanding, and Ash threw Shellder's Poké Ball. "Go, Shellder!"
"Pinsir! Assume battle mode!" Samurai called releasing an armor-plated Bug Pokémon with a squat body, clawed hands, sharp fangs, and large, wickedly pointed pincers on its head.
None of them noticed a set of eyes in the bushes that were curiously watching Ash as he prepared for battle.
…...
"Pinsir! Tackle it!" Samurai ordered, and the Bug Pokémon charged forward, pincers ready to crush its opponent.
"Shellder, withdraw!" Ash called. Shellder shut her shell tightly right before Pinsir struck and the Tackle did barely any damage to Shellder, but knocked the wind out of Pinsir.
"Now use Water Gun!" Ash commanded, and Shellder hit Pinsir with a blast of water, knocking it down.
"Get up and use Tackle!" Samurai ordered. Pinsir managed to get up, running towards Shellder.
"Hit it with another Water Gun before it can reach you!" Ash called. Shellder knocked Pinsir back with Water Gun. The attack was too much for the exhausted Bug, and it fell to the ground, swirls in its eyes.
"Good job, Shellder!" Ash cheered. Shellder looked up at her trainer and gave a happy coo.
"Grr… Very clever." Samurai growled, returning his fainted Pokémon. "But no one beats my next Pokémon! Go! Metapod!"
"Are you okay to continue?" Ash asked Shellder, who cooed again. Ash interpreted it as "Yes."
"Metapod, Harden!" Samurai ordered.
"Use Water Gun before it can!" Ash commanded. Shellder shot off a Water Gun, striking Metapod before it could finish its Harden, but due to its high Defense, it wasn't out yet.
"Use Harden again, Metapod!" Samurai called. The Metapod glowed, its shell becoming stronger.
"Give it another Water Gun! Full power!" Ash called. Shellder released a very strong blast of water, but then suddenly the water stopped and very sharp icicles came out of her shell. Metapod was struck three times and quickly fainted.
"What was that?" Ash wondered, taking out his Pokédex.
"Icicle Spear, one of Shellder's signature moves. This attack fires sharp icicles at the opponent, normally striking between two and five times."
"Congratulations, Shellder." Ash said warmly. "You learned Icicle Spear." Shellder happily jumped into her trainer's arms, nearly bowling him over.
Suddenly, the group heard a loud buzzing noise. "What was that?" Misty asked shakily.
"A Beedrill swarm approaches!" Samurai cried as a horde of Beedrill, their arm needles glistening in the sun, appeared overhead. "Metapod, return!" His Metapod was sucked back into its Poké Ball. "The Weedle that got away from you must have informed the rest of its kind! Good day!" Samurai ran off, leaving them behind.
Ash hurriedly returned Shellder, scooped up Pikachu, grabbed Misty's arm, and they ran, the Beedrill swarm gaining on them.
The eyes that had been watching from the bushes widened in horror, and their owner, a large male Scyther, leapt out. He rushed after them, praying he wouldn't be too late.
Ash and Misty ran as quick as they could, but the swarm was gaining on them. Pikachu leapt off of Ash's shoulders, sending out a Thunderbolt in hopes of stopping them. It managed to slow them down a little and knock out some of the closest members, but the swarm still came at them.
"Pikachu!" Ash screamed, seeing that his starter was in the midst of the swarm. He ran to rescue Pikachu.
"Ash, run! I'll hold them off!" Pikachu cried. But Ash either hadn't heard his mental message or wasn't listening and continued to run towards him. Pikachu desperately shot Thundershock after Thundershock at the Beedrill. Suddenly, he let off a strong wave of electricity, paralyzing the Beedrill, who fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, Misty, who was still running, noticed that Ash was no longer beside her. He must have gotten left behind! she realized in horror. Without hesitation, she ran back, praying that Ash was okay. She turned a corner to see Pikachu had somehow paralyzed the swarm.
But one had managed to get past him and was headed straight for Ash, Twineedle attack at the ready. "ASH!" both Pikachu and Misty screamed, rushing towards their friend. But there was no way either of them could make it in time…
…...
The huge Beedrill was coming straight for Ash and unable to get out of the way in time, he braced himself for the attack. Suddenly, a green blur shoved him out of the way, knocking him to the ground. He looked up to see a huge Scyther standing in front of him protectively. The Beedrill charged at them, but the Scyther struck it with a claw, knocking it to the ground. Pikachu, who had finally reached them, gave the Beedrill a Thundershock as it tried to get up again. "Thanks." Ash murmured to the Scyther as he helped Ash up. The Scyther nodded.
"Ash, are you all right?" Misty asked, running up to him.
Ash nodded. "Thanks to Scyther and Pikachu."
Some of the swarm members began breaking free of the paralysis, and Misty gasped. "We've got to go!" She grabbed Ash's arm, who grabbed Scyther's arm and called for Pikachu, who sent another wave of electricity after the swarm before leaping onto Ash's shoulders. They ran, some Beedrill that managed to recover chasing after them.
Misty pulled Ash into a side path and the swarm thankfully zoomed right past. Misty, watching to make sure the swarm was gone, bumped right into Samurai.
"Thanks for leaving us to die back there." Misty growled at Samurai, who took an involuntary step backward, but then glared back at her.
Ash noticed Scyther staring at something, a scared expression on his face. He turned to see what Scyther was staring at and let out an involuntary gasp at what he saw.
There were dozens of Kakuna staring at them. They must have wandered into the Beedrill's nesting area! This was bad. Very bad. "Um, guys…" Ash started.
"It is not my fault that you angered the Beedrill!" Samurai yelled at Misty.
"Guys…" Ash said again, backing away as a few of the Kakuna began glowing.
"You're the one that…" Misty stopped as Ash tapped her on the shoulder, pointing frantically at the Kakuna. "Uh-oh!"
Scyther grabbed both Misty and Ash's arm, getting a frightened squeak from Misty, and pulled them away from the tree as the Kakuna evolved. And once again they were running, yet another angry swarm after them. They saw a log cabin in the distance.
"My cabin! I think we can make it!" Samurai cried. They rushed into the cabin. Samurai slammed the door just in time as several Beedrill stingers lodged themselves in the wood.
Ash sighed with relief. "Phew. That was close."
Samurai glared at Ash. "I hope you learned your lesson, novice! You letting that Weedle escape almost cost us our lives!"
Pikachu and Scyther growled, and Ash was about to retort, but Misty beat them to it. Grabbing a mallet from out of nowhere, she whacked Samurai in the head.
"Now listen, you." she growled at Samurai, who looked like he was about to wet his pants. "It was your fault the Weedle escaped, not Ash's. The only reason he didn't catch it is that you swung a sword at his face! And not only that, you left us to the Beedrill! And now you're blaming my friend for your mistakes! You may call yourself a samurai, but you have no honor!" Samurai squeaked and nodded, getting as far away from the angry red-head as possible.
"I like that girl." Scyther muttered to Pikachu.
"Yeah, she's one of a kind." Pikachu replied.
"I…am sorry." Samurai said reluctantly. He looked out the window, seeing the Beedrill swarm flying around outside. "You can stay here until morning. By then, they should be gone." Placated, both Ash and Misty thanked him.
Ash and Misty set out their sleeping bags and Scyther lay down on the floor next to Ash. Just as Ash was about to drift off, he heard Pikachu's voice.
"Ash?"
"Yes?" he thought back, not wanting to wake the others.
"You shouldn't have gone back for me. If Scyther hadn't been there, that Beedrill might have seriously hurt or even killed you!" Ash could feel fear underlying the anger in Pikachu's voice.
"Pikachu, you're my Pokémon and my friend. I could never leave you behind." Ash replied.
Pikachu didn't know how to respond to that. He was touched that Ash cared that much for him, but it also scared him. Humans were a lot more fragile than Pokémon and Ash could have seriously gotten himself hurt today. Finally, he just curled up in Ash's arms and snuggled against his chest. After a few minutes, they both fell asleep.
…...
By the next morning, the Beedrill had lost interest and left, so Ash, Misty, and Pikachu decided it was safe to leave. They said goodbye to Samurai and headed out.
Once outside, Ash turned to Scyther. "Thank you. For everything." Scyther nodded, but didn't leave like Ash thought he was going to. Finally, it hit Ash what Scyther wanted. "Would you like to come with me?"
Scyther nodded, then took a battle stance. "He wants you to battle him first." Pikachu told Ash, not that it needed much translation.
Ash smiled, giving Scyther a nod before turning to Pikachu. "Ready for a battle, buddy?" he asked. Pikachu nodded. "Use Thundershock!" Pikachu shot off a small bolt of electricity at Scyther, but Scyther dodged, then hit Pikachu with a Quick Attack.
"Ow…" Pikachu groaned.
"Are you okay, Pikachu?" Ash called in concern.
Getting up, Pikachu nodded. "Yeah, but that Scyther is strong. And fast…"
"We have to figure out a way to slow him down." Ash thought to his starter. Then he remembered the wave of electricity Pikachu had sent out last night that had stopped the Beedrill in their attacks. He remembered the move from a battle he had seen on TV. "Pikachu, use Thunder Wave!"
Pikachu let out a Thunder Wave. Unable to get out of the way in time, Scyther was paralyzed by the electricity. He was still forcing himself to move, but was much slower than he had been.
"Okay, now use Thundershock!" Ash ordered. Pikachu shot off the Thundershock, and impeded by the paralysis, Scyther was unable to dodge. The Thundershock knocked Scyther to the ground and Ash tossed a Poké Ball at the exhausted Bug Type. It rattled three times, then clicked shut. "Yes! We caught Scyther!" Ash cheered, picking up Scyther's Poké Ball and striking a victory pose.
Ash then released Scyther, treating him with a Full Heal and one of the potions his mother had sent with them. He then scanned Scyther on his Pokédex.
Scyther, the Mantis Pokémon. Its claws are sharp as swords, and it is a powerful flyer. This Pokémon is rarely seen by humans and almost never captured. This Scyther is level twenty, male, and knows the moves Vacuum Wave, Quick Attack, Leer, Focus Energy, Pursuit, and Wing Attack. He also has the egg move Steel Wing, but it has not been unlocked yet.
"Those are some good moves, Scyther." Ash said. Scyther smiled proudly.
"Now that you're done admiring your Bug, can we please get out of here?" Misty complained. "I want to get out of the forest before those creepy Beedrill show up again!"
…...
They made it out of Viridian Forest an hour later and knowing his team wasn't quite ready for the first Gym, Ash asked if it was okay to stop and train for a few days. Misty agreed, wanting to train her team as well.
"Unless it's a one on one battle, which I don't think it is, I need more than just Shellder for this gym, but you and Scyther are at type disadvantages. Do you have any ideas, buddy?" Ash thought to Pikachu.
Pikachu thought for a few minutes, then his eyes lit up. "There was this old Pikachu in my colony that learned the move Iron Tail. He could easily take out Rock Types using it and his speed."
"So how should I teach it to you?" Ash wondered. Then he had an idea. Picking up his Pokédex, he went into the search feature and typed in 'How To Teach The Move Iron Tail'.
"To teach a Pokémon the move Iron Tail, have it visualize a metal coating around its tail. Once the tail begins to glow, strengthen the move by having your Pokémon strike rocks with its tail or by sparring with another Pokémon.
"Let's try it." Ash decided. "Okay, Pikachu, close your eyes and visualize a metal coating protecting your tail."
Pikachu nodded, closing his eyes and concentrating. After several tries, his tail began to glow.
"Good job, Pikachu." Ash praised him. He motioned to a nearby rock. "Now try to use Iron Tail on that rock."
Pikachu did, but the glow disappeared right as he hit the rock. "Ow!"
"You okay, Pikachu?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, but I think my Iron Tail needs some more work…"
…...
After a few hours, Pikachu got the glow on his tail to stay longer, and made some dust come off the rock, but he still couldn't crack it, and it was frustrating him. "Why can't I get this right?" he groaned.
Scyther, who was working on his Fury Cutter, heard him and walked over. "I think I see your problem."
"What is it?"
"Your stance is off. You can't use the full force of your Iron Tail with that type of posture. Plus, if your opponent dodges, it could knock you off balance. Here, do it like this." Scyther took a crouching position, and Pikachu tried to copy him. "Spread your feet a little more. Yeah, like that." Scyther instructed. "Okay, now center your weight a little bit. Okay, good. Now try it."
Pikachu swung his tail at the rock, and a huge crack appeared in it. Two more hits with Iron Tail, and the rock was cut in half. "I did it!" Pikachu cheered. "Thanks, Scyther!"
Scyther nodded. "Just keep doing what I told you and you'll beat that Rock Gym."
Pikachu gave him a playful salute. "Yes, Sarge!" Scyther rolled his eyes at his new friend and then both went back to training.
"Guys, dinner!" Ash called a few minutes later. Ash carried Shellder, who he had been working with, over to the picnic blanket Misty had set up. Tired and hungry from training, the Pokémon eagerly devoured their Poké Chow at record speed.
Pikachu suddenly thought of something and turned to Scyther. "Hey, Scyther, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, what?"
"Not that I'm not extremely grateful you did, but why did you risk yourself to save my trainer yesterday? It was like you came out of nowhere, right at the moment we needed you."
Scyther was quiet for a minute before replying. "I was actually nearby, watching you two battle that Weedle and Ash's battle with that weirdo with the sword. You see, I had been looking for a trainer for a while now, one that had a warrior's spirit. I was impressed by Ash's battle skills and was about to challenge him myself, but then the swarm attacked. I knew you guys were in serious trouble so I ran to help."
"Thank you." Pikachu told him.
"You're welcome. By the way, how long have you and Ash been together?"
"A few days." Pikachu replied.
"Really? I thought it was at least several months by how close you two seemed. It's almost like you and Ash could understand what the other was thinking."
Pikachu sheepishly scratched his head. "Umm, about that…" He told Scyther about the strange mental bond that had developed between him and Ash.
Scyther looked stunned. "Wow, that's really….strange. I've never heard of that happening with a Pokémon that wasn't a psychic type before."
"I've never heard of it happening at all. Trust me, we're as confused as you are. I wonder why it hasn't happened with you or Shellder."
"Maybe it's just some kind of special bond thing between you and Ash. I like Ash, I really do, but I wouldn't want anyone in my personal head-space, reading my every thought, so I'm kind of glad it didn't happen to me."
"It is weird, but I kind of like it. It's nice to have a trainer who can understand me." PIkachu admitted. "And Ash is a nice kid. If I have to have a mental bond with anyone, I'm glad it's him."
"Pikachu, since Ash can understand you, can you ask him if I can have some more Leppa Berries?" Shellder asked suddenly.
Pikachu and Scyther jumped in surprise and stared at her. "Okay…" Pikachu replied. He sent a mental message to Ash, who took some Leppa Berries out of his bag and Shellder went over to Ash eagerly. Once she was out of earshot, Pikachu turned back to Scyther. "She can be so quiet, I sometimes forget she's there."
…...
Over the next week, Ash, Pikachu, Scyther, and Shellder trained very hard. Pikachu mastered Iron Tail, and with the help of Scyther, greatly improved his speed.
Scyther quickly picked up on Fury Cutter and Slash, and Shellder, who had worked hard with Ash, learned Icicle Shard, Razor Shell, and Clamp.
Misty too trained hard, getting her Water types ready for the gym. She was determined to prove to the world, and especially to her sisters, that she would be the best Water Pokémon Master in the world.
Finally, they decided they were ready and headed into Pewter City a week after their training began. After a two hour hike, they finally made it to Pewter City.
"Phew, we're finally here." Ash said, taking a seat on a large rock. Misty and Pikachu sat beside him.
"Pewter City is grey. The color of stone. Pewter City has always been famous for its stone." a gruff voice said, making everyone jump. They then looked down to see a middle aged man with a beard sitting below the rock.
"Huh? Who are you?" Ash asked.
"The name's Flint. And you and your friend are sitting on my merchandise, young man."
Ash, Misty, and Pikachu jumped off the rock. "Sorry." Ash said sheepishly. He saw that the man had a booth covered in rocks with price tags on them. "You're selling rocks?"
"They're Pewter City souvenirs. Would you like to buy some?" the man offered.
"No, thank you." Ash said politely. "Could you tell us where the Pokémon Center is, please?"
Flint pointed them in the right direction. "Just go down that street and to the left, and it will be the first building you see. And you owe me two dollars for resting on my rocks."
Deciding it wasn't worth arguing about, Ash paid him the two dollars, and he, Misty, and Pikachu went to the Pokémon Center. After Nurse Joy healed their teams, Ash and Misty headed to the Gym. Ash allowed Misty to go first, and went into the stands to watch.
…...
Ash cheered for Misty as her Staryu and Seel easily took out Brock's Geodude and Onix. Misty's hard work, as well as her Pokémon's type advantage, had paid off. After Brock congratulated her and handed her the Boulder Badge, Misty ran up to the stands to meet Ash, who gave her a high-five.
"Great job, Misty!" Ash told her. Brock had to take his Pokémon to the Pokémon Center, so he ushered Ash and Misty out of the Gym, scheduling Ash's battle for after lunch.
As they ate lunch, Misty looked at Pikachu thoughtfully. "Ash, I know you and Pikachu have trained really hard, but Pikachu might be in trouble at this gym because of his type disadvantage. I can loan you one of my Water Pokémon if you'd like."
Ash thought for a minute, then silently asked Pikachu what he thought through their mental bond. Pikachu's response was firm; he wanted to battle in the gym. Ash turned to Misty. "No thanks, Misty. I really appreciate it, but Pikachu and I have worked really hard for this. I know we can do it. And it will feel like cheating if I use your Pokémon." Misty nodded, and when the bill came, they split it and headed back to the Gym. Ash knocked on the door and Brock let him in.
"Are you ready to battle?" Brock asked. Ash nodded and Brock hit a button, lowering the Gym field.
"Is this your first Gym battle?" Brock questioned.
"Yes." Ash told him.
"Okay, a Gym battle is much different than a trainer battle. We will each use two Pokémon. There is no time limit and items are not allowed. Ready to begin?"
Ash nodded and stepped onto the training field, Pikachu beside him.
"Go! Onix!" Brock yelled, releasing his starter. The Rock Snake Pokémon let out a deafening battle cry.
"Pikachu, you're up." Ash told his starter. Pikachu nodded and stepped in front of Ash.
"I really hope Ash knows what he's doing." Misty said worriedly as she watched. Suddenly the back door opened and ten little kids walked in, sitting in the stands around Misty and cheering for Brock.
"A Pikachu?" Brock asked scornfully. "Using an electric type against a rock is a big mistake. Especially since your Pokémon is still in its cutest stage."
"Cute?! I'll show him cute!" Pikachu growled, his cheeks sparking.
"Easy buddy, he'll soon learn not to underestimate us." Ash thought to his partner.
"Onix, Tackle Attack!" Brock called.
"Pikachu, dodge using Quick Attack, then use Iron Tail!" Ash called. Pikachu got out of the way by inches, then swung his glowing tail at Onix, making it roar in pain.
"Onix, grab it and use Bind!" Brock ordered.
"Pikachu, dodge! Don't let it grab you!" Ash called. Pikachu managed to get out of the way, but the edge of Onix's tail flicked him and sent him flying. "Are you okay, Pikachu?" Ash asked in concern.
Pikachu got up quickly. "I'm fine."
"Tackle it, Onix, then use Bind!" Brock yelled.
Ash had an idea. "Jump on its head, Pikachu!" Pikachu leapt in the air, landing on Onix and quickly running up onto its head. "Now use Iron Tail!" Pikachu slammed his glowing tail into Onix's head, making it roar in pain and struggle to throw Pikachu off, but Pikachu hung on tight.
"Get it off your head, Onix!" Brock called, worried now.
"Pikachu, keep hitting it with Iron Tail!" Ash ordered. Pikachu kept hitting Onix with Iron Tail. Too in pain to think straight, Onix lifted his tail and was about to hit Pikachu with it, but Ash yelled out a warning. Pikachu got out of the way just in time, and Onix hit itself in the head with its own tail, knocking itself out.
Brock was stunned. "Very impressive. I definitely underestimated you." he told Ash. Brock recalled Onix to his Poké Ball. "Good job, buddy. Take a rest." he whispered. He then turned back to Ash. "Let's see how you do against my next Pokémon! "Go! Geodude!" The Rock Pokémon landed on the battlefield.
"Pikachu, return!" Ash called to his starter. Pikachu ran back to Ash and lay beside him, panting. "Go! Shellder!" he said, releasing his Bivalve Pokémon. Shellder gave a happy coo, ready for battle.
"Geodude, Rollout!" Brock called.
"Hit it with a Water Gun!" Ash commanded. A stream of water came out of Shellder's shell, hitting Geodude, but it powered through the attack and slammed into Shellder, knocking it backwards.
"Now Tackle it!" Brock ordered. Geodude threw itself at Shellder, but a green-colored, semitransparent shield suddenly appeared in front of Shellder, deflecting Geodude's attack.
Ash was stunned. "What was that?"
"That was Protect." Pikachu told him.
Ash smiled and nodded, then called to Shellder, "Use Razor Shell!" Shellder clamped her shell shut, and spinning rapidly, slammed into Geodude, who was sent back several feet. "Now use Water Gun! Full power!" Geodude couldn't get out of the way in time and was blasted by the Water Gun. The attack was too much and Geodude fainted.
Brock looked shocked for a minute, then walked up to Ash. "I was cocky and completely underestimated you, so I lost. In honor of your victory, I give to you, the official Pokémon League Boulder Badge."
Ash took it, staring at it almost reverently for a few minutes before it finally struck him that he had won. "We did it guys! We won!" he cheered, picking up Pikachu and hugging him, then petting Shellder. "You two were wonderful! Thank you!" Misty ran down, congratulating him, and he ran over and hugged her in his excitement, then pulled away, blushing.
Pikachu grinned. "You're welcome." Shellder just cooed happily.
The little kids in the stands ran up to Brock, hugging him and crying. "It's okay, guys. Losses happen." Brock said soothingly. "Run home. I'll meet you there."
Ash returned Shellder and placed Pikachu on his shoulder. "I'd better get these guys to the Pokémon Center." he said.
"Mind if I come with you?" Brock asked. "I need to get my Pokémon healed too."
"Not at all." Ash said with a smile. The three left the gym, heading to the Pokémon Center.
As Nurse Joy healed Pikachu and Shellder, Ash, Brock, and Misty chatted lightly about various subjects. Ash found himself liking Brock. Once Brock let down his tough Gym Leader persona, he was easygoing and friendly, as well as very knowledgable about Pokémon.
The time passed quickly, and soon Nurse Joy called Ash's name. Pikachu immediately leapt off the counter and onto Ash's shoulder as Ash replaced Shellder's Poké Ball on his belt.
"You and your Pikachu seem very close." Brock commented.
Ash smiled. "We are."
"Well, the way you battled today definitely proves it. You'll go far in the Pokémon League if you keep that up."
"Thanks." Ash told him.
As they walked out of the Pokémon Center, Brock confessed, "Personally, I get a lot more pleasure from raising Pokémon than from making them battle. I don't care about being a great Pokémon Trainer. What I really want is to become the world's greatest Pokémon Breeder."
"Then why don't you?" Ash asked.
"Yeah, you'd make an excellent Pokémon Breeder." Misty said.
"I have to stay here for my ten younger brothers and sisters." Brock said sadly. "I can't leave them. I'm all they have."
"I'm sorry." Ash said softly, not knowing what else to say. Misty nodded.
Brock gave them a small smile. "It's okay. But can you do me a favor?"
"Sure." Ash said.
"Continue my dream for me. You're a great trainer; I saw that today in your battle skills and your kindness to your Pokémon."
"I will." Ash said softly.
"Brock, you go follow your own dreams." a voice said from behind them. They turned to see Flint, the man from the rock shop. Flint pulled off his wig and beard, revealing an older version of Brock.
"My father." Brock growled. Ash, Misty, and Pikachu looked at each other in confusion and worry.
"I'm sorry, Brock." Flint murmured. "I couldn't become the great Pokémon trainer I wanted to be, and because I was such a failure, I was too embarrassed to come home to my family. But I'm stepping up now and taking responsibility like I should have done a long time ago. Go become the best Pokémon Breeder you can be. I am so sorry I held you back."
"First, there are a few things I need to tell you." Brock said.
"Go ahead." Flint replied. "After all these years, I know how you must feel about me. Get everything off your chest."
"Here." Brock told him, handing him a sewing needle and thread. "Susie always rips her dresses, so you better learn to sew. And Timmy only eats cold spaghetti for breakfast. Tommy likes cornflakes for dinner.."
"Slow down, I can't write that fast!" Flint exclaimed.
Ash pulled Misty and Pikachu aside. "Would you guys mind if I invited Brock to travel with us?" he asked.
"It's fine with me." Misty replied. "Brock's a really nice guy."
Pikachu nodded. "Just as long as he never calls me "cute," again, I'm good with it too." Ash hid a laugh, not wanting Misty to get suspicious.
Brock finished giving instructions to Flint and was walking away when Ash called him over. "Brock, I was wondering…."
…...
"Thanks for letting me tag along." Brock said happily as they left Pewter City.
"No problem." Misty said.
"It'll be nice to have a guy to talk to." Ash added. Brock grinned, and the group headed down the road and on their way to their next adventure.
Ash's Pokémon
Pikachu (M): Thunder Shock, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt, Iron Tail. Egg Move: Volt Tackle (locked)
Shellder (F): Tackle, Withdraw, Icicle Shard, Razor Shell, Clamp, Protect, Icicle Spear
Scyther (M): Vaccum Wave, Quick Attack, Leer, Focus Energy, Pursuit, False Swipe, Agility, Wing Attack, Slash. Egg Move: Steel Wing (Locked).
Misty's Pokémon:
Staryu: Harden, Tackle, Water Gun, Rapid Spin, Recover, Bubble Beam.
Seel (M): Headbutt, Growl, Water Sport, Icy Wind, Encore, Ice Shard. Egg Move: Signal Beam
Goldeen (F): Peck, Tail Whip, Water Sport, Supersonic, Horn Attack