Hey everyone, I'm back with a new addition to 50,000 Volts! Please enjoy, take care!
…
Chapter fifty-eight: Saffron City
After our…interesting experience…in Lavender Town, we were more than happy to see blue skies overhead, tall grasses, and strangers blocking our path again.
We trekked along Route 8 before stopping at a Rest Stop. Rigel used a telephone booth to call his parents, letting them know how everything is going so far. Jennifer and I had to hide our faces when he explained what we went through in the previous town. If only they knew how serious he was when describing the events.
Anyway, the same stuff we've been through we did the same on Route 8: we ran into some wild Pokémon, fought several trainers who wanted to challenge us.
In the end, we reached the checkpoint that led into Saffron City. The officers checked our bags, our Pokéballs…essentially anything worth looking for.
"Why so much security here?" Jennifer inquired, tilting her head quizzically. The female police officer, who is vaguely familiar, explained the situation, "we have reports of Team Rocket Members in the vicinity. Everyone must go through a background check just to be safe."
We all look to one another. For Jennifer, she figured that the extra security shouldn't make us worried and in fact is a good thing. For Rigel and Orion, they are uncertain, and as for me: inside I felt a tinge of worry…what if TR is planning something? What is even the point anymore? I can't keep worrying about these things! I can't keep living my life looking over my shoulder!
The woman, meanwhile, can read our faces and smiled back in response, "not to worry, we have the situation under control. Welcome to Saffron City!" The officer said after giving the trainers their stuff back. They gave Orion and me our medallions back as well, I guess they just wanted to make sure they weren't contraband…now this is just bringing back memories of Jennifer's shop…isn't it?
"Thank you" both say, bowing slightly. Once we walk out of the gate, we catch a glimpse of the city skyline. We all turn to face one another, our eyes shining with excitement…concern vanishing from our thoughts, and we start making our way through the urban jungle!
We're finally here, we're in Saffron City!
Rigel and Jen get so excited that they release Charmeleon and Eev respectively. My first thought about the city is just how busy it actually is compared to Viridian City…and I thought VC was huge now…Saffron is just…massive! It's so congested! I've only been to this city once in my life and it was when I was very young, so a lot of things here I don't recognize at all. I find myself joining Orion by his side on the sidewalk as we both look around the cityscape.
People of all different backgrounds were milling about…people from the world of finance to people, with their Pokémon, who are visiting from other regions. A mega train is here that takes people to Johto but it appears to be out of service at the moment.
We explore more of the city, finding historic monuments, points of interest, landmarks, etc. Jennifer, being Jennifer of course, dragged us all into a mall in the center of the city. She and her Eevee went crazy with purchases: going to a dozen shops to buy perfume (for people and Pokémon…go figure), accessories, anything you can think of. Of course, Rigel, Orion, Charmeleon and I tagged along or were rather forced to…anyways. Too late I remember how Jen liked to spend her days off doing this stuff. Now I get to do it as a Pikachu…a little sarcasm from Lucas Bright never hurt anyone!
"Oh, come on boys…lighten up!" She laughed as Eev covered her mouth in amusement. Rigel grunted, finally having enough of this, "we're going to an electronic store…maybe to look for something ACTUALLY useful for our adventure…like a TM!"
"Now you're thinking like a Pokémon Trainer! Alright, we'll meet you guys at the Pokémon Center on the second floor. Don't get lost now, you hear! Don't make me find you!" She said half-jokingly, half-serious.
Rigel rolled his eyes and nodded, "okay."
In this three-story supermall, we find the electronic store that Orion's trainer was looking for. There, we didn't really find anything except for a TM for Body Slam that Rigel decided to buy for a few thousand dollars.
Other than that, we browsed the mall and all its glory…finding luxury designer brands, top-of-the-line stores, etc…most of which are too expensive for any typical teenager his age. Hell…even at my age I couldn't afford most of the stuff on display…and that's the truth!
Eventually, we come across the Pokémon Center on the second level: one that actually sold merchandise unlike the others we had been in. Jennifer was, surprisingly, there before us! We, as in me and the other Pokémon in our party, get checked by nurses and are declared 'fighting fit' before we finally leave the mall.
Our group ends up in a park adjacent to the mall: we sit on a bench across a big statue commemorating the city's first Mayor. The sun is out, and the few clouds in the sky are spaced out. People and Pokémon pass by us: most of them mingling, playing, or just resting on the soft grass.
Charmeleon is sunbathing while Orion and I talk amongst each other. Rigel and Jen went to get food and drinks from a food truck nearby. The native Pikachu and I rest alongside the reptile. The mouse turns to me with one eye open, smiling softly.
"It's nice to see you smile, Lucas" Orion said quietly, "after so long on the run…not finding answers…at least we can enjoy all the traveling we're doing."
My ear just had to flop at this, much at the consternation of the Pikachu in front of me, "Orion…" I sighed softly, "…I'm worried…Team Rocket…"
"I hear 'ya, if we somehow run into them again, we'll beat them!" The Yellow Pokémon reassured with his usual confidence.
"Maybe…" I turn away. Already I felt my fur burning under the light of the unobscured sun, so I felt the need to stand up and shake myself, "I don't think Rigel is ready for the gym…" I stammered a bit.
"W-what…this gym?" He raised an eyebrow at me in response, lifting his body towards me, "why not?" Finally standing up, he rolled his head to the side in a perplexed manner.
"If I remember right…it's a psychic-type gym…his Pokémon are probably too low leveled…Charmeleon here should at least evolve into a Charizard first before attempting such a task" I pointed down toward the lizard with a stubby paw. The latter opens an eye, arms still behind his head.
"Hmm, you think you're ready to sprout wings and grow a belly, Charm?" Orion snickered. The red creature just gave a mental shrug at the thought, barely responding with body language and I roll my eyes in response.
"You know, he might be more of a maverick if he evolves again" Orion said.
"You better be ready, I might accidentally squish you, Lucas" Charmeleon smugly pointed out.
"It's okay, I'll just make sure we get him some human armor he can wear to protect himself" the Pikachu added.
"Won't do good against Flamethrower."
"Gosh, you know what you're right…why didn't I think of that" Orion said, he wasn't even hiding his sarcasm…there wasn't the slightest hint of subtlety in what he just said. I smacked my forehead in response…gosh…these two sometimes…I swear…heh.
As we talk, Rigel and Jen make their way back to us with a tray of food and drinks for us. Suddenly, a pedestrian bumped into Rigel who was carrying two bottles. Having dropped them, he goes to pick them up: apologizing to the man. The stranger says nothing, especially when the adult got a good look at Rigel's face. The teen becomes fixated on the man for a moment just before Jennifer steps in, "we're so sorry, sir…come on" she said, ushering the younger trainer away before the man gives one last long look at the duo. Ultimately, the young adult in the trench coat walks away finally.
"Rigel? What's wrong?" She asked softly, confused about why he is suddenly lost in thought. The teenager is speechless, "I-I could swear I know that guy from somewhere."
Eev and her trainer look at one another, quite worried but soon Jennifer smiles back, "I'm sure it's nothing, people are just rude sometimes. Come on!" The girl in the red jacket said before they finally joined us by the bench.
…
Our adventure in the city continued with our group visiting some more shops, checking out a museum, and other stuff to occupy the day with.
By the time the sun is just above the horizon…destined to sink below to welcome the night, our group stopped by yet another park to rest. Right across from us is one of the tallest, and most imposing, skyscraper in the city: Silph Co.
The corporation is known to manufacture many of the things that have aided Pokémon Trainers for years. There's a visitor center on the first level that Rigel wants to check out…but first.
"Where are we staying for the night?" The boy asked.
"It's obvious…a hotel." The girl retorted.
"But…aren't they expensive here?"
Jen shrugged, "where else do you suggest?"
The teen checked the Pokédex and tried searching for any place nearby to stay in. It isn't long before one place is recommended for them, "there's one that's around 958,000."
"Not bad, for one night?"
Rigel nodded back. Soon, he raises an eyebrow at her, "so…who's going to pay?" Suddenly, that wide, smug, grin I know Jennifer makes when she's about to make a crazy bet…shows itself.
"I'll tell you what, if you beat me in a Pokémon battle, I'll pay for the night" she smirked.
Rigel and Orion jumped back in surprise, both inhaling sharply, "w-what!?"
"Come on, it'll be good practice for the Saffron Gym!"
The duo just stood there before Jen and Eev decide to give them a playful glare back, "if you beat me, you can brag about it for days" she added, giggling before I roll my eyes to her, "c…come on…Jen…" I stammered in human speech.
"Fine" suddenly Rigel said before Orion below him copied his expression, "let's do this" the Pikachu growled.
A minute later, the two trainers stand across from each other as Jennifer lays down the rules, "we'll both use two Pokémon, no time limit…sound good?"
"Sure…" Rigel nodded in agreement.
Jen crouched down to me, "Lucas, you'll be my second" she said before I shook my head in surprise.
"N…now…hol-d…on…" I exclaimed.
"Come on…I saw you beat those three Team Rocket members easy…this will be a piece of cake for you" she whispered in my ear the last part. Orion couldn't help but snicker, grinning inwardly.
Finally, Lucas and I can have a real battle against each other, he thought.
I sighed in defeat, figuring we'd get some training done this way anyway. And so, Rigel picks his first Pokémon: Charmeleon. The reptile roars as it enters the ring. Jennifer sends her Eevee into battle right after, "you got this, girl!"
Not long after, the fight commenced!
"Charm, light them up!" Rigel ordered before the reptile unleashed a barrage of flames. Jennifer, unfortunately for him, was ready, "Quick-Attack!"
Eev starts dashing for the lizard, narrowly dodging his attack before Charmeleon quickly sidesteps, but the brown-like fox is already on top of him!
"Slash!" Rigel countered.
Charm used his talons to bring the Eevee down; however, she's way too fast for him! Charm, much to his muted frustration and almost unreadable expression, is knocked back. Rigel tries to retaliate by instructing his Pokémon to set the ground ablaze. When Eev went in for a follow-up attack, she is forced to jump over the wall of fire. Much to her surprise, however…the Charmeleon, on the other side, charged up an attack!
Her eyes widened, "eep!"
Jennifer does not have time to order a retreat or a change in strategy, for the brown foxlike creature is hit by the lizard's tail and she is thrown back. The flames finally die down to ashes as the two opposing Pokémon pant in exhaustion. Rigel and Jen eye each other carefully, each waiting for the other to make the next move. It isn't long before the fight resumes:
"Charm, use Slash again!"
"Counter!"
The reptile did a swipe downwards to meet the fox head-on, but she quickly jumped on his head to avoid damage!
"Finish it off!"
Rigel could only watch as Charmeleon is struck in the face by Eev's tail! The reddish Pokémon slams to the ground, finally rendered unconscious. The boy has no choice but to call back his Fire-Type. Jennifer sighed with relief, soon giving a puckish grin toward Rigel, "odds are you'll be paying for that room, pretty soon, buddy!"
Rigel huffed at this, giving a low growl, "fat chance! Get in there, Orion!"
"You got it!" I heard the Pikachu exclaim, happily obeying his trainer.
Sure enough, it's him versus the Eevee, who's down on a lot of health currently. Nevertheless, she prepared herself as Orion's red cheeks glowed: sparks soon come out of them. His face just had the look of utter confidence, but he better be careful…it could be his undoing….
In the blink of an eye, both animals pounced at one another: both using Quick-Attack. Rigel, Jennifer, and I watch in awe as both Pokémon sidestep one another to avoid contact.
"Come on, Orion…is that ALL you've got!?" Eev taunted the mouse before he growled back in response. Without any instructions from his "master" the Pikachu unleashes a powerful blast of electricity in all directions, catching the Eevee off guard! She shields her eyes in response, trying to find a way out of its path. Unfortunately, the hairs on her fur begin to stand and move in a certain direction…as if influenced by an electric charge in the air. Soon enough, she realizes too late that it's Orion right next to her. He gives a light, smug, grin before finally using his charge against her…in the form of a Thunderbolt! It was the end for Eevee: she fainted. Now, both trainers were on even ground.
Jennifer is more than shocked when she found her Eevee unconscious. Nevertheless, she called her partner back into her ball and soon looked down at me…
"Come on, Lucas…go get 'em!"
I hesitated, at first protesting fiercely at her decision to use me against Orion. Ultimately, however…I figured that I could get some practice down with the Pikachu. And so, I jumped in the "ring" as Jennifer cheered me on. Orion gave a light smug in my direction, "it's about time you and I battle for real, you might need a few potions before we get down to the nitty-gritty."
"Save it" I narrowed my eyes. Orion is higher in level than I am so I'm obviously not looking forward to what might go wrong in battle. I meet his glare with the same level of intensity
Just…breathe, I thought, sparks begin showing up on my cheeks, just…play cool, Orion is your friend…remember that.
"Try to go easy on Lucas, Orion…" Rigel whispered into his Pikachu's ear before the latter nodded softly. If anything…this is a test, Orion thought to himself, hopefully, he can prove to be more than a challenge after all the training I've given him.
Silence dominates the battlefield before Jen is first to proceed, extending an arm out, "use Quick-Attack, Lucas!"
I inhale sharply before beginning my run toward the smaller Pikachu.
"Double Team!" I heard Rigel shout as Orion smirks, running back and forth before he creates multiple bodies of himself!
I would have stopped then and there, but I already slammed into one of the copies with my move…making the fake one disappears.
"Body-Slam!" I hear the teen shout across from us. Wh-what!? Did he use the TM from the Mall on Orion?
"Dodge it, Luc!"
Orion's copies all jump toward me, all giving a battle cry as I stumbled back a bit. All the fake Pikachu disappear except for one: the real Orion. At the last minute, I manage to jump away, unleashing a ThunderShock at him.
"Keep at it, Orion!"
The mouse Pokémon side steps my bolt and quickly lunges at me! I instinctively use my tail to block his advance. Turned out, that he also used his tail as a weapon just like me. Both of our lightning-shaped appendages struck one another: creating a shockwave that rattles everyone and everything nearby!
As a follow-up, Jennifer behind me exclaims a command, "light 'em up!"
"Oh no you don't, Thunderbolt!" Rigel commands also.
Orion and I, with both our tails still against the other, both yell…we finally break apart: unleashing our lightning bolts! Our attacks meet in the middle, both moves struggling to overwhelm the other. We grimaced as we attempted to overpower the other. Unfortunately, his ThunderBolt is stronger than my ThunderShock. I am blasted by powerful electricity, which had me tumbling toward Jennifer.
"Lucas!"
Orion huffs in exhaustion. I stood up, my body shaking weakly. It's over…there's no way I can come back from this…that one attack knocked the wind right out of me…I'm spent.
"Come on, bud…let's just end this" I heard Jennifer stammer.
Orion, in response, softened his expression: giving me a proud smile to me, "you've made so much progress, Lucas. I'm so thrilled to have battled against you!"
I thought for a moment: even if I used to be human, it is true…I never thought I'd come this far. I'm still getting my butt kicked still…but at least I'm doing better against Orion than in the past.
"How you like Orion's Body-Slam?" Rigel crossed his arms, quite smug. Jennifer rolled her eyes at this, chuckling in retaliation, "personally, I would have saved that TM for another Pokémon…not the WORST idea using it on Orion…but still…"
"Yea, yea…whatever" Rigel scoffed playfully.
We could have ended there…but my stubbornness gets the better of me: I get down on all fours, despite my multiple injuries, and I nod to myself.
Orion realizes my intention…he knows I'm not done yet! We rush for one another again. Orion tries his Body-Slam again but at the last second Jen thinks up a plan, "Quick-Attack!"
I suddenly duck, missing Orion's attack by an inch. As soon as the Pikachu misses me, I move up and strike him in the belly with a kick. We pull away and the smaller mouse Pokémon clutches his abdomen, eyes widened in shock. I landed beside the girl trainer who smiled back at me.
W-wow! I was NOT expecting that, Orion thought, grimacing in pain. As the two of us pant from our brief skirmish. I just had to rub it in…
"Not what you were expecting?" I said smugly.
"I was just thinking that 'ya know?" Orion scoffed.
Rigel thought to himself, "Jen…h-how about we just…split the pay…what do you say?"
The girl looks at me before I gaze into her eyes. I nodded in return before she does the same, "okay, I guess we can do that, so you want to end the battle in a draw, is that it?"
"I guess it would be fair for the both of us, yea" Rigel nodded.
"If you insist" she shrugged.
The match is officially over. Orion walks over and pats me on the back, "that was really awesome what you did back there, Lucas" the Pikachu complimented as I chuckled, "almost beat you" I said cockily.
"Okay, let's not cross that line" Orion grinned.
"The more I look back on what just happened, the more I think it's possible I can beat you someday" I retorted playfully.
"Oh yeah?" He put his arms on his hips, "when?"
"Right now!" I suddenly pounced on him, and we ended up playfighting on the ground. Jen and Rigel just can't help but laugh at this.
…
Later in the night, we stayed in a hotel in Saffron City. It felt good to be finally sleeping in a bed once again after all our travels.
Lemme tell you: just this once I let somebody wash me like a pet. Jennifer helps wash me and Rigel: his Pikachu. The boy couldn't help but grunt loudly, "h-hey, how come when I try to wash you, you won't let me!?"
I glance over to the teen, and I roll my eyes before Jennifer dumbs water on my head and sticks her tongue out to Rigel. Orion, in response, throws some water at the girl with his paw. Sure enough, everything degrades into a splash fight…heh.
Time passes by and everyone gets situated in our beds. I stare up at the ceiling, looking back on recent events.
"Lucas?" I heard the other Pikachu across from me. I turn my head to them, and I squeak softly back, "yea?"
"You look happier" he smiled. I break eye contact for a moment. I am…aren't I? These past few days have been quite exciting and fresh for me. I kind of feel…fulfilled? Is that even the right word? It ought to be. It's strange because I want to be human again, but I find traveling with Jennifer, Rigel, and Orion to be filling an empty void that I've felt for so long…
"Being with Jennifer…being with Rigel…and being with you…makes me happy" he turned away and smiled, pleased to see me so fulfilled.
Heck, more adventures are bound to await us over the horizon: I'm excited to see what'll happen next!
"It took me a while to realize this. Meeting you in the cage Bartoli made for us…you helping me survive…learn and thrive as a Pokémon…helping me stay in the light…when the darkness tried to pull you all away from me. I would have never thought that…a Pokémon…a Pikachu of all things…would bring purpose back into my life. I realized recently…Orion…you are my best friend" I wholeheartedly told him.
Orion came up to me and suddenly grabbed me, bringing me closer: our heads touched, and under his breath he said to me, "I'm glad you finally see that. We've come a long way."
We pull away before I grinned, "And we still got a long way to go, buddy."
"You bet!"
…
Not too far away from the hotel, on the opposite side of the street: two cloaked figures stand under a streetlamp.
"And you're sure it's them?"
"Positive. I recognized his face at the park."
"The two Pikachu from the Viridian base, the same ones Bartoli had?"
"That's right."
"Alright, I'll see what I can do."
"I'd be careful if I were you…the last time two agents went for the boy, one of them…"
"Believe me, I won't fail, Jeremy."
"For your sake, I hope not. My Uncle has little room for incompetence right now" the grunt known as Rk smiled devilishly before both Ex-Team Rocket members look back at the hotel.
"Why are we going for these rats, anyway?"
"Bartoli…she helped them escape Outpost 3C 273…she has a soft spot for one of them…think of them as…collateral." Rk smirked, "so…tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow."
Without saying anything else, both men broke away…both walking off in opposite directions into darkness.
…
I hope you all enjoyed this recent chapter!
Uh oh…it looks like Lucas and the others are in trouble now!
Honestly, Lucas finally calling Orion his BEST FRIEND is like the greatest feeling ever if you ask me. After so long with these two, it feels great that where their journey has taken them so far…so much has happened.
We are about 75-80% of the story done. I am still working on the finale, but I kind of wanted to reach out to you all on what should happen?
Should Lucas and the others run into Ansel (Cy) and Leila (Km) again? Should Lucas become human again? Should Rigel continue his Pokémon Journey after the story?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Take care and I'll see you all in the next chapter!
