Kanto Chapter 4 - The Kanto Journey
Amber continued to serve the gym as acting leader. She had only given away 2 badges in her 2-month tenure and was just walking away from her 23rd victory, Jolteon, fresh from the battle, trotting proudly by her side.
She made her way over to Surge who had now graduated to crutches. "Another convincing win kid, well done".
"Thank You Sensei, teaching Signal Beam to Jolteon really paid off going up against that Ivysaur."
"Nice. Follow me out da back would ya?"
Amber recalled Jolteon to her pokéball and passed it over to Tucker for some TLC, she then followed Surge into the back room. Man, I can never get used to how tall this guy is she thought to herself as she tried to keep up with his long strides.
He guided her into a back room and closed the door behind them.
"I got somethin' for ya, ya been doin' so well here. It seems only proper you finally have ya own. Here this is now yours." Surge moved to the side, a lone pokéball was on the table behind him. "Call it a late birthday present."
Ambers eyes widened and she walked forwards to the table; this was so surreal. She picked up the ball and looked again to Surge. "Is this… has this pokéball got a pokémon inside?"
"Eh, Yeah." Surge raised his eyebrow.
Ambers mouth opened, was she dreaming? Was this really happening?
"…. and … and it's really mine? My very own Pokémon?"
"Sure, a trainer has gotta have a Pokémon right? Can't keeps letting ya have mine. Open it up."
Amber took in the sight of it in her hand for a moment longer and then released the contents. A red light swarmed out and started to form a shape.
"Pichuuuu!"
A Pichu! Amber was close to tears of joy. She scooped up the little guy and hugged him to her chest.
"He's just a baby dis guy, hatched recently from da egg from my latest trip ta Goldenrod. It's da baby of a Viridian pikachu I left there from my trip before.
"Pichu!" The little yellow Pokémon looked at his new trainer with curious eyes.
Oh this was too amazing for words! A Pichu that she would raise from scratch, her very own Pokémon. It was all she had ever dreamed and more. Amber smiled adoringly at the little guy, placing him on her shoulder like how her Dad did with Pikachu. She looked back to Surge. "He's perfect, I love him. Thank you Sensei I'll raise him right, I promise."
"I know ya will. Kid this is hard for me ta say, but I don't think ya should be here no more. At da Gym."
Amber was instantly floored. Her mouth dropped open, chin to the floor. What? Why? How? But Pichu? She went from cloud nine to room 101 within seconds. She tried to respond but no words could form, just a strangled sound.
"I think it's time ya went out on ya own, got some real battling experience. It's a big wide world out der and it's the only way ya gonna grow as a trainer. I've registered ya for da Indigo League."
Her head spun; did she hear that right? This was all she had ever wanted, her dream come true but … "But what about the gym?"
"Don'tcha worry about dat, I'm pretty much fully healed and ready to get back on my feet, besides if I need to take it a lil' easy my men can cover it. But hey if ya wanna have a little time thinkin' it over, dats OK. You can continue ta stay here at the gym if ya want instead, I mean we loves havin' ya and…"
"I'LL TAKE THE LEAGUE CHALLENGE!" The small red head pounced on the gym leader hugging around his torso with all she had, almost knocking the man off his crutches.
"Oofffff" Surge adjusted the pain and smiled down at his protégé. "Well didn't need to think it over huh? Ok first things first, phones over there. Go call ya parents."
"Oh right … parents …" Amber went a little pale hearing this, it was only a year ago that they had forbidden her going out on a pokémon journey. What were they going to say?
Sensing the teenager's trepidation Surge did what he did best. He gave an order. "Call 'em."
Amber slowly walked over to the video phone, Pichu still perched on her shoulder. The slower she walked the longer this dream could last. She breathed in deep and slowly exhaled as she dialled. A few rings and a familiar face appeared on the screen "Hi Mom."
"Oh my Baby! How are you sweetie? I feel like we haven't talked in ages! How is it going at the gym? Given any more badges out? Oh we should definitely discuss your birthday, sweet 16! Oh and guess what your Brother is doing!"
"Um sure, but Mom, is Dad there? I want to talk to you both. It's real important."
"Hm? Yes he is, let me get him … ASH … ASH! Our daughter is on the phone … … NO YOU COME AND SPEAK TO HER RIGHT NOW!"
Amber winced at her mother's shouting, but at least it wasn't aimed at her … yet. Turning back to the screen Misty smiled sweetly at her daughter "He's coming right now sweetie."
Soon the face of her father appeared on the screen with a very familiar looking yellow mouse on top of his head.
"Oh hi Pikachu!" Amber beamed at the screen, seeing her family all squished up a monitor trying to fit in, she felt a little bit homesick. Only a very little bit.
"Hey Kiddo! How you doing?" Ash smiled and gave a small wave. "Pi-kaa" Pikachu chimed in as well
"Dad! Mom! I have someone I'd like you to meet! This is my very own Pokémon – say Hi" and with that she leaned to the side and showed off Pichu.
"Pichu!" the little mouse squeaked out.
"Oh he'sooooooooooooo cute!" Her mother cooed
"Pika!" Pikachu also seemed delighted and her father had the widest toothy grin imaginable. "Oh a Pichu! How cool, reminds me of when I first got Pikachu from Professor Oak. Yep, takes me back alright, you're a real chip off the ol' block."
"Yeah" Ok here goes "… and umm … well … speaking of following in your footsteps …" Amber looked down twiddling her thumbs they are going to flip, what if they stop me going? Can they stop me going?
"Your setting off on your Pokémon journey and competing in the Indigo League." Ash stated flatly.
Amber nearly fell over. What?
Ash continued "We've been speaking with Lt Surge, A LOT, over the past few weeks and we've realised we can't keep you wrapped in cotton spores forever. You're growing up and well, we always knew you were a natural with Pokémon and Surge has told us how well you've been doing. We don't want to be the reason you don't live up to your potential." His voice dropped and a slight frown appeared on his face in his last sentence.
*** Flashback ***
"Ther's only so much she can learn here now. Gym battles are great n all, but they have rules, boundaries and trainers gotta abide by 'em. She's gotta get out ther, she's gotta experience da world."
"But Surge you know first hand who and what is waiting for her out there. You know what I'm up against here."
"'Yep and I know first hand what she is capable of! Ash how can she protect herself from da world if she never experiences it? She's a real natural, she could be a Pokémon League Champion Ash, she's got the potential, it's in her, just like you. But she can only do that if you let her. You gotta let her do this."
Ash sighed down the phone. he was torn.
He didn't want to hold his only daughter back, especially after all what Surge had said about how talented and passionate she was. On the flip side he also didn't want to throw his only daughter out to the wolves.
"Ash. The kid's a sitting duck here, she'll be much safer out der learnin how to look afta herself. You have to get her go."
He knew that Team Rocket would go to any lengths to get revenge on him, it never worried him until he had kids. He'd never be able to live with himself if anything happened, well he wouldn't, Misty would kill him.
Misty.
His mind wandered to the love of his life. She'd been so happy thinking her daughter was going to be a Gym Leader just like her, give up on the idea of travelling around and settle down in Vermillion City. He remembered how Misty would talk about the city in there own early travelling days and had a flashback of a memory of how she tried to manipulate him into going there instead of to her home town Cerulean to hide her real identity. The thought made him smile and just like that Ash knew the right thing to do, and also how to sell it to his wife.
"I guess she is 16 now ... and already taken on the role of Gym Leader … and you're sure she's ready?"
"Your kids been with me a year now, we wouldn't be havin dis conversation if I didn't believe it. She's got this."
"She'll need a Pokémon."
"I got just the one."
*** End ***
"But that doesn't mean this arrangement comes without conditions" Her Mother chimed in. "You need to get in contact with Oak Laboratories, they have a new pokégear ready to send over to you. The pokégear has a tracker installed so we can see where you are at all times and built in communication systems so we expect you to stay in regular contact with us, do not switch those features off. Understood?"
Amber nodded, she didn't even care about the conditions, she was about to start off on the greatest adventure of her life with Pichu. She was going to see the world, catch her own pokémon and battle in the Pokémon league championship. She started to tremble in anticipation and excitement.
"Also you're to go straight to the Cerulean Gym for your first Gym Challenge. Your Aunties are of course dying to see you and Pichu, but please call before you arrive." Misty winked.
"I also have a condition." A voice boomed behind her; Amber turned around. Surge?
"You may not challenge the Vermillion City Gym for da Thunder Badge until you have acquired 7 badges. Understood? I want to be the ultimate test in how far you come in Kanto and if ya ready for the championship tournament."
Amber nodded in agreement "I wouldn't want it any other way." She smiled confidently at her mentor.
"Oh … my … little *snifffff* baby … is all growing up so fast … and *sniffff* going out into that big wide … world …" tears had formed in the former Cerulean Gym leaders eyes and were starting to run down her face thinking of her little girl growing up and travelling without her, then a big flash appeared on the screen and another yellow Pokémon appeared.
"Psyyyyyy duck"
"Ugh you really know how to ruin the moment!" Misty yelled at her pokémon clearly unimpressed whilst trying to push him out the way of the camera. Ash, Pikachu, Surge and Amber looked on embarrassed. Pichu was utterly confused.
"Hey Amber" Ash's voice came out over the commotion. Father and daughter made eye contact through the monitor. "Show 'em what you're made of."
The very next day Amber phoned up Oak Laboratories, she was surprised to find out Gary Oak himself was there, and he personally took the call when finding out who was on the other line.
"So, they've finally let you off the leash 'eh Squirt?" He commented down the phone, Amber cringing at the nickname. He'd called her that since she was a baby.
"Yes Uncle Gary, Lt Surge has given me a Pichu of my very own and we're going to be competing in the Indigo League!"
"Ha a Pichu huh? Applin doesn't fall far from the tree … well get in touch when you are near Viridian City yeah? I'll make sure the gym is open for you." Usually Amber hated the special treatment that came with being a Ketchum, but she had to admit having contacts was useful for somethings. The Viridian Gym was notorious for being hard to get into, partially due to it being closed for long periods of time as Gary had taken on a lot of the responsibilities of his late Grandfather Samuel Oak.
Battling the famous Gary Oak from Pallet Town was a real achievement in Kanto, making the Earth Badge hard, yet prestigious to acquire.
"Thanks Uncle Gary." Amber smiled to herself.
"I'm sending you over the new pokégear via the transporter now, you'll have to keep me updated on this baby, it's my latest prototype so I'd love some feedback on how it performs in the field. It's up-to-date with the latest generation of internet connection, GPS tracker, front and back mega pixel cameras, HD screen with the toughest glass and latest intel on registered trainers."
Gary uploaded the device and within moments was in the teenager's hands. "Got it!" The red head beamed.
"That's great, it's already uploaded with all your contact details, so you are good to go Squirt!"
"Thanks again Uncle Gary. I'll be seeing you."
"That you will. Give my love to your mother, oh and tell Ashy-Boy … he owes me. Again. Smell you later." and with that Gary Oak signed off.
Amber beamed at new device. This was really happening!
Now Amber had her Pichu, Pokégear and was all signed up to the Indio League. She had her commission money from winning gym battles and some camping gear donated to her from the Vermillion Gym.
She was ready.
Her bright orange hair had grown and was now past her shoulders. She wore it in two low hanging pigtails, her bangs still sticking out like crazy around her face. She donned a pair of short black denim shorts, a white baseball tee with capped yellow sleeves, black fingerless gloves with a yellow streak, bright yellow and black sneakers with a rucksack to match.
Baily, Tucker and Dwayne were all lined up by the gym entrance, standing to attention and saluting their leaving comrade, the gym Pokémon by their sides. They all said their goodbyes as Amber made her way down the line.
"Bye Amber, we're really going to miss ya around here ya know?" Baily and Amber shared a high five.
"Goodbye Miss Amber, please know you will always have friends here." Tucker took the girls hand and gave it a friendly gentle kiss on the top. Amber slightly gushed at the action. Tucker really was a class act.
"I ... I ..." Dwyane couldn't get his words out. The big hearty sailor covered his face with his forearm and began sobbing into it. Amber and the others sweat dropped. The red headed teenager patted him on the arm and smiled.
It was harder to leave than she thought it'd be.
Surge stood by the door with Raichu, a mixture of sadness and pride. He really had grown fond of the teen; she had become like a surrogate daughter to him over the year.
Amber looked at Surge and smiled and bowed.
"Thank you, Sensei, for everything. I would never be here if it wasn't for all you've done for me, you too Raichu" she knelt down to pat the pokémon's head.
"One last thing before ya go kid" Surge enveloped the young girl in his giant signature bone crushing hug, like the one on her first arrival. After squeezing the life out of her, Surge handed over a few pokéballs. "Here take these, they should help ya get started." Amber took them gratefully. "Next time I see you, you'll be challenging me for da Thunder Badge. Remember, not before 7 badges." He said locking eye contact.
Amber smiled and gave an affirming nod, she would miss her mentor and friends at the gym, but she would come back, stronger than ever. Giving Jolteon one last fuss and one last wave goodbye to the troops, Amber headed out the giant gym doors and into the City. She was a little sad to leave her friends at the gym, but this was the start of something very special.
With so much going on she failed to noticed two ominous shadowy figures watching her from the side bushes of the Vermillion Gym Building.