Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. If I did Ash would Bloody Ash, and actually gain experience instead of lose it.
A/N: Okay rant time. A Surskit! Pikachu got beat by a Surskit! That is worse then when it was defeated by Snivy in Unova. However this time Pikachu had the type advantage and his electrical attacks to call on and yet it still lost. I have heard the argument that every gym is different and sometimes you might come across a strong gym leader, but this gym is the first in Kalos. It is designed to test new trainers and their new Pokemon. A veteran like Ash should have wiped the floor with the competition. Also he has a perfectly good Swellow sitting at Professor Oak lab, would it have hurt for him not to use one of his more seasoned Pokemon, instead of sending out a Pokemon he only caught a day before. Again it looks like Ash has lost all battling knowledge from the last five regions. What is the point of him going to all these different places if he doesn't carry over his experience. Okay now I have had my little rant, on with the story. I have combined one random event in this chapter. A cookie for the person who can tell me what episode the event is from.
Valencia Island
Ash, Brock and Sabrina left the Pokemon Centre. The Nurse Joy had informed them that Professor Ivy lab was located just a few miles down on the beach road. As they walked along the beach road they came across something that sickened all of them. There on the beach a group of thugs were attacking a beached Lapras. Ash immediately saw red and jumped down onto the beach, Poke ball in hand.
"Hey leave that Pokemon alone! Charizard I need your help." Ash opened his Poke ball and Charizard roared as it appeared. When it saw the thugs hurting another Pokemon, It too saw red. By this time Ash's little entrance had been noted and now one of the thugs stood in front of him, why the others continued to attack Lapras.
"Beat it Kid, this is my Lapras, and I will treat it anyway I want. So why don't you run back to the Kiddie sand pit and let the big boys do what needs to be done." The thug immediately jumped back as a flamethrower scorched the sand just in front of him. "Hey kid instead of worrying about stuff that doesn't concern you, maybe you should spend more time training your Charizard."
Ash just smiled. "Oh don't you worry, he is trained, however when he sees Pokemon getting hurt by their so called trainers, he reacts just as I would. So unless you and your pals want me to turn up the heat, then I suggest you stop hitting that Pokemon now!
The thug just stared at Ash and then the Charizard. "Tell you what kid, you beat me in a Pokemon Battle and I will release this Lapras. However if I win I get your Charizard deal!"
Ash narrowed his eyes. He could see hear the Lapras cry out as it was assaulted again and again by the other thugs. Ash wasn't sure what to do, just then Charizard roared and stomped it's foot. This seemed to bring Ash out of his thoughts.
"Do it boss. I can beat all of them. That Lapras need helps, and if this is the only way to help it then lets give him a battle he will never forget."
Ash looked up at Charizard, he could tell this meant more to the fire type then it was letting on. Maybe this had something to with Damian. After all Ash had never actually asked Charizard how his former trainers treated him, before it was abandoned. Ash could see the fire in Charizard eyes, this was not up for discussion. Charizard wanted to teach this guy a lesson. Ash turned his attention back to the thug who was still smiling.
"Fine! We battle. I win you release Lapras, you win then you get Charizard. However until the battle is concluded then your friends are to leave Lapras alone. Not only that but to make sure there is no cheating, Brock will act as judge.
The thug just laughed. Did this kid think he had chance, He would make this brat ever regret interfering in his business. "Fine kid, let's make it two on two." The thug then turned to his crew who were now standing by the Lapras. "Okay guys leave it alone for now. Besides after I beat this kid then we can use his Charizard to get to the other islands. This Lapras is useless anyway."
Ash walked over to one side and watched as Brock stood in the in between him and the thug. Ash was going to make this guy pay for harming Lapras. "I choose you Charizard!" Charizard stomped onto the make shift field and roared to the sky.
The thug just looked over and grinned. "I choose you Poliwrath!" The thugs ball opened up and out of it appeared a strong looking Poliwrath. It flexed it's muscles ready for battle.
Brock looked to both trainers. He still wasn't sure about this, however one thing was clear, that Lapras needed help. "This is a two on two Pokemon battle. No Substitutes allowed. Trainers get ready begin!"
The thug wasted no time. "Poliwrath use Water Gun!" Poliwrath fired a torrent of water at Charizard."
Ash just smirked. "Charizard dodge then use Sunny day!" Charizard dodged the water gun, and then roared to the sky, causing the sun to intensify and the battle field to be bathed in hot sunlight."
The thug shielded his eyes as the heat and brightness was getting too much for him. "Poliwrath use Hydro Pump!" Poliwrath was also feeling the effect of the bright sunlight. However when he fired its Hydro Pump, its power dropped dramatically, and only a few drops hit Charizard who just shook it off like it was nothing.
Ash just smirked. Clearly this guy had no clue what he was doing. Any decent trainer would avoid using water type moves, especially when sunny day was in full effect. "Charizard take to the sky!" Charizard roared before flapping its huge wings and flew up into the sky. With the suns brightness it was hard to see where the fire type was.
The thug tried to look up but all he could see was the sun, where was that blasted Charizard. "Poliwrath shoot Ice beam towards the sky!" Poliwrath formed a sphere of blue in its hands, before beams of ice shot up into the sky, in different directions.
Ash watched as the Poliwrath continued to fire random Ice beams all over the sky, this was too easy. "Charizard dodge those Ice beams and then use Seismic Toss!" Charizard nose dived towards the field it spun from side to side dodging the ice beams. When it was close enough it cork screwed causing the water/fighting type to be launched into the air, where Charizard caught it and then shot straight up into the air. As it did Charizard cork screwed again causing the Poliwrath to become dizzy. When it was at the right height it then looped several times before nose diving back down towards the field. Just as it looked like it was going to crash, Charizard levelled out and slammed the Poliwrath into the sand and then flew low across the field. It looped once more before coming to land in front of Ash.
Brock waited for the sand cloud to vanish, he then spotted the Poliwrath, cross eyed on the field. "Poliwrath is unable to battle. Trainer send out your final Pokemon.
The thug was completely stunned. He was now beginning to regret challenging this kid. It was clear now that he was no rookie. "Useless Poliwrath, you wait till we get home. Now go Golem use Stone Edge!" The thugs ball opened up to reveal the fully evolved rock type. It roared before slamming both fist into the ground causing pointed stones to rise up around Charizard, who winced at the attack.
Ash growled. "Charizard use Solar beam!" Charizard roared and then absorbed sunlight. It then opened it's mouth and fired a bright white beam at the rock type. Who was engulfed by the light. When the light had died down it showed Golem rocking from side to side, suddenly it fell to the floor with swirl for eyes.
Brock smiled, it seems Ash did have this match in the bag. "The winner of this battle is The Indigo League Champion, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." Brock smirked as he noticed the shock on the thugs face."
Ash recalled Charizard. "Now I believe we had an agreement." Ash noticed the thug looked at him, and then quickly recalled Lapras. He then tried to make a run for it along with the rest of his crew. Ash didn't move and watched as Charizard flew off and then hovered above the group of thugs. It then spewed a flame that began to surround the group trapping them in a ring of fire.
"Hey lets us out. The battle wasn't a fair fight, how was I suppose to know I was challenging a champion. The deals off." However the thug noticed the ring of fire enclosing around them all and Ash just standing on the outside watching.
"Okay fine you win. Here take the stupid Lapras. "The thug then released the Lapras and then broke it's Poke ball and threw it to Ash so he could see that Lapras was now free.
Ash opened another Poke ball. "Blastoise dowse that ring of fire with your Hydro Pump!" Blastoise appeared next to Ash and than locked its two huge water cannons on the flames. It then fired a torrent of water extinguishing the flames. Ash then watched amused as the thugs ran off. However his attention was now on the injured Lapras, who looked to be in worse shape then before. Ash slammed his bag down and then rummaged through it. He pulled out a bottle of hyper potion and carefully walked towards the water/ice duel type.
"Lapras, my name is Ash Ketchum. I am not going to hurt you, I just want to help you okay. This might sting a little." Ash noticed that Lapras stayed silent however it wasn't making any objections to his advances. Ash got to work and started to spray the worse area on the Pokemon. It noticed each time he sprayed the Lapras winced in pain. Ash turned to Brock. "I think our visit to Professor Ivy will have to to wait. We need to get this Lapras to the Pokemon centre now!" Ash then turned back to Lapras. "I will have to catch you so that I can transport you to the Pokemon centre. However once you are all better than I will give you the option of being set free. Is that okay with you?"
Lapras didn't say anything. She was stunned that a trainers would just try step in and protect her. She dreaded to think what might had happened had he not intervened. Her last trainer was always hurting her. So at first she was a little on edge about the battle, as she thought this boy would just keep her and maybe he would hurt her as well. However watching him battle had wiped those thoughts from her mind, it was clear his Pokemon cared for him deeply. Lapras looked at Ash, was she prepared to be someone else Pokemon once more. In the end she inclined her head and allowed the ball to touch her. She was then sucked into it, however she didn't struggle and just allowed the process to take it's course.
Ash picked up the ball and his bag and then started to run back to the Pokemon centre, with Brock and Sabrina hot on his heels. It didn't take him long to reach the centre. He burst through the door and quickly made his way to the counter.
"Nurse Joy, Please help. This Lapras is in real bad shape. I have tried to help it with some hyper potion, but I think it is better if you take a look for yourself. My friends I was on our way to professor Ivy lab, when we saw a group of thugs attacking it."
Nurse Joy took the ball from Ash. She then lead him through to the hospital part of the Pokemon centre. They approached a large room, with a see through glass. In the room was a huge pool filled with water. Ash waited with his friends outside and watched as the Nurse Joy opened the ball and released Lapras into the pool. The Nurse Joy immediately covered her mouth in shock at how badly this Pokemon had been treated. Ash watched as Nurse Joy gave her Blissey instructions, he then noticed she was coming out of the room. Her face was one of anger. Once she was outside Ash noticed she turned to him, are eyes in blazing.
"Mr Ketchum, I want descriptions of these thugs. This is a case for the law enforcement. By the looks of that poor Lapras this was not the only beating it had received. If you could stay here I need to contact officer Jenny."
Ash moved to the side and watched as Nurse Joy stormed down the ward and into an office. Ash decided that he would try to remember what the gang looked like. The leader was dressed in black pants, and a black leather jacket, with a bandana on his head. Ash couldn't remember what the rest look like there were five or six of them. He hoped if he told officer Jenny the description of the leader then maybe she would have his record on file. Ash waited with Brock and Sabrina, however he couldn't take his eyes off the room that Lapras was now resting in. he noticed that Blissey had attached a few wires and machines to the water/Ice duel type, and the only sound he could hear from the room was the small bleeps of the machines. Ash was still fuming about how anyone could treat their Pokemon like this. It was just in human. Ash carried on staring into the room, he wasn't sure how long he had stood their, until a polite cough caused him to look around and come face to face with officer Jenny and Nurse Joy. Sabrina had Brock by his shirt collar preventing him from trying to whoo both females.
"I understand that you are Ash Ketchum, and you and your friends rescued this Pokemon from its abusive trainer. Could you please give me a description of the people involved?" Officer Jenny spent a good hour jotting down everything the young trainer had said. She already had a good idea who was responsible. A local gang known to them through various other criminal acts. Once she had written everything down she left the young trainer with his friends and returned back to the station to work on everything she had been told.
Ash spoke to Nurse Joy who told them that Lapras would be under observation for several days, so If they still wanted to visit Professor Ivy lab, then they still had time to do it. She then took note of Ash Pokegear number, so that if there was any changes with Lapras then she could get in contact with him. Ash still wasn't sure about leaving Lapras, however some gentle persuasion from his Girlfriend had made him change his mind. The three teens once again left the Pokemon Centre, and made their way towards the coastal road which would lead them to professor Ivy's lab. However unknown to our heroes three figures had overheard the conversation regarding the injured Lapras.
"Did you hear that James, the twerp has an injured Lapras. That would make a great gift for the boss."
James looked nervously at his colleague. It seems Jessie was about to come up with one of her mad schemes. They never seemed to work, every single one has failed so far. Not to mention this Lapras was being held in a Pokemon centre, constantly monitored by Nurse Joy and her staff. There was no way they would get away with it. "Jessie, lets just do what the boss asked us to and follow the twerp. Besides that Lapras is well guarded we would never be able to get away with it."
Jessie growled, she was getting a little fed up of her colleague. There was a time when they would do anything, now he was always being cautious. Jessie blamed the twerp for that, before their encounter they had been a one of the top team in Team Rocket, now they were rock bottom due to the embarrassing defeats they had suffered at the twerps hands. "Pull yourself together James, we are going to steal the Lapras, and that is the end of it!"
Professor Ivy Lab
Ash, Brock and Sabrina could see a small modern building in the distance. It look like the whole building was actually built into the cliff face. As they got nearer they noticed the various fencing area for the different Pokemon. They even had a specialist water Pokemon pen down by the beach. Ash climbed the small steps leading up to the main door. He knocked once. Ash heard loud crash and someone yell something about cleaning dishes, when the door opened to reveal a tall lady dressed in a red dress with a white lab coat over it.
"Yes can I help you?" Ash was just about to introduce himself when he was pushed out of the way by a heart struck Brock. Who was now making a complete fool of himself, by kneeling on one knee and trying to serenade the professor. However a simple yank on the ear by Sabrina soon had Brock falling back in line.
"Forgive me friend, he has problem with anything in a skirt. He just can't resist. Oh sorry, I am Ash Ketchum and this is Brock who you have already met and my girlfriend Sabrina. We have come to pick up the GS ball for Professor Oak."
Professor Ivy took a quick look behind inside her lab. The place was a mess, apart from herself, she shared the facility with two of her assistants, and none of them were the house cleaning type. Clothes, dishes laid unwashed and the lab floor was littered with folders, and odds and ends, Professor Ivy felt like turning Ash away as she was so embarrassed by the state of her lab, however she knew that Professor Oak was looking forward to receiving the GS ball and so moved to the side, and allowed them in.
"Oh Please come in. Sorry about the mess, but we had a rather few hectic days." Ash walked in, first thing that came to his mind was pig sty. This was suppose to be a Pokemon lab. Ash knew if his mother saw this she would faint of shock. Ash and his friends tipped toed around the various items littered over the floor. However Ash noticed that Brock was giving everything a good look, he then noticed that Brock had started to tidy little bits and pieces. Was this guy being serious, first he tries to serenade the Professor, and now he was playing house keeper. Ash had not been the only one who had noticed. Professor Ivy just stood there in complete shock as Brock just carried on tidying her lab.
Brock whistled as he carried on tidying. This place reminded him ao much of home. There he had to look after all his brothers and sisters. His dad had walked out on them, and so had their mother. That left Brock playing both roles and he had got quite use to all the cleaning, cooking, sewing, and just being a genuine big brother. If he had to be honest he was rather surprised how tidy Ash and Misty had been, he wouldn't have minded having to clean up after them a few times, but they all shared the work, Brock did the cooking, Ash cleaned the dishes and Misty dried them, however this was a completely different story. The place needed a good shake down from top to bottom. Brock seeing all the mess had gone into auto- pilot, however he did noticed everyone was watching him. "What? The place could do with a tidy up, and seeing how it seems Professor Ivy is busy with other things, I have decided to help out a little."
Ash was speechless, What Brock was doing could be seen as insulting. He was basically telling their host that this place was a pig sty and that it needed to cleaning up. Fortunately it seems the Professor didn't mind Brock helping out and was smiling at him. Wait a woman was showing interest in Brock? This had to be some mistake right?
"Professor not to be rude or anything, but could we have the GS ball. Something happened this morning and I need to get back to the Pokemon centre. I had to rescue a injured Lapras and it is in intensive care right now back at the Pokemon centre."
Professor Ivy stopped blushing at Brock and turned back to Ash. "Oh sorry Ash, yes right the GS ball. It is just over here. Oh for goodness sake! Samantha what have I told you about leaving all your junk over my desk!"
Ash wondered who Samantha was, however he didn't have to wait long as running through the door appeared a blonde, green eyes girl dressed in a black dress and wearing a white lab coat. She grabbed her stuff and huffed.
"Hmm well Lisa has moved everything from her desk to mine, so I had nowhere to put it."
Ash could tell the girl was no doubt an apprentice of some kind, as she was a lot younger than Professor Ivy, If Ash had to guess then he would have said early twenty, late teens maybe. However it seems someone had noticed her, Brock was in his own little world again. Ash was beginning to worry just how were they going to get him out of this lab, with all these pretty ladies and girls running around. However he was bought out of his thoughts by Professor Ivy handing him a Poke ball it was a gold colour at the top and silver on the bottom. Engraved was G S. Ash placed the ball into his bag. He noticed that Professor Ivy was over by the video phone, no doubt informing Professor Oak that he had collected the ball and he would have it soon as Ash had finished the Orange League. Ash waited for Professor Ivy to finish on the video phone. Once she was he placed his bag back onto his back.
"Thank you Professor Ivy. Hopefully the Professor can find out what it does. I am sorry for the quick departure but I am worried about Lapras."
Professor Ivy smiled. She could understand how Ash was feeling. She herself loved Pokemon and hated to see any injured. "Not at all Ash, I would be doing the same thing if I was in your shoes. However it seems your friend has other ideas."
Ash turned to see what Professor Ivy was talking about his eyes then widened, there dressed in a pick frilly apron was Brock cleaning dishes. "Well I guess we could leave Brock here with you for a while. After all he seems happy. Hey Brock, Sabrina and I are heading back to the Pokemon centre. Do you want to meet us back there after you, well tidy up."
Brock was too busy staring out of the patio door to listen to Ash. There on the beach was Samantha and what Brock assumed was Lisa. Both were in their swimwear and looking after several water Pokemon. However a sharp pain on the back of his head soon woke him up from his trance. It seems Sabrina had taken things into her own hands had clouted him around the head to get his attention.
"Hey, Ash was talking to you. He said that we were heading back to the Pokemon centre, however if you want then you can stay here and then meet us back at the centre later."
Brock rubbed the back of his head, unknown to Ash and Sabrina, he was giving it serious thought to staying with Professor Ivy, It was clear she would need a house keeper, and who better to learn how to take care of Pokemon then the Professor. Plus he was hoping to score with Ivy or one of her assistant, heck if he was lucky then he could score with all three. Although Ash still needed guidance he was certain that he and Sabrina would be able to survive on their own for a little while. "Sounds Good Ash, once I finish here then I will meet you back at the Pokemon centre." Of course that was if he didn't decide to stay first.
Ash could sense there was something Brock wasn't telling them, however he was a big boy, and didn't need a baby sitter. He took hold of Sabrina hand and then followed Professor Ivy to the front door. He took one last look at Brock and could see he was really happy for once. Ash sighed. "Thanks again Professor. It was nice meeting you.." Just then Ash was interrupted by a huge explosion. He looked into the distance and good see that smoke was raising up from the small town. He also noticed that the explosion had happened near where the Pokemon centre. "Sorry Professor but we have to run, that explosion looks like it came from near the Pokemon centre." Ash and Sabrina ran hand in hand towards the smoke now raising in the distance. Ash only thought was "I hope Lapras is okay!"
A/N: There you go, a little cliff hanger. Well not really a cliff hanger, as it should be obvious who has caused the explosion. :). Till next time.