Kanto Chapter 8 - Power Plant
After a begrudgingly long walk back to where she had come from, Amber was back at the river on route 10. Placing her hand in the water to test the current, she released her newest addition into the water. "Hey Chinchou!" The little blue and yellow pokémon looked up at her new trainer "Chin!"
"Ready to go for a swim with me?"
"Chinchou chin!"
Amber looked around, not a soul in sight. She proceeded to take off her backpack, gloves, socks, trainers and stripped off her denim shorts, leaving her utility belt on. Folding and placing the clothing articles neatly on the riverbank Amber dove into the river and came up clutching onto Chinchou for support against the strong current. Hugging onto her pokémon as they started to swim, Amber couldn't help the grin appearing on her face. This really was a dream come true, free swimming in the wilds with her very own pokémon down to an electric pokémon haven. This was living!
The duo made their way downstream, Chinchou acting as a buoyancy agent against the swirling current, it wasn't long before they reached their destination.
Pulling herself up onto the riverbank, Amber recalled her pokémon and thanked her for the swim. She looked at the large abandoned power plant set against a beautiful evening sky surrounded by tall unkempt grass. Taking in the sight for a few minutes, she waded through the wilds, the blades tickling her wet bare legs, her t-shirt - wet through - clung to her body like a second skin. Glad there's no one around to see me like this, she thought with a slight blush.
Encountering a few venonats and spearows, Amber trudged towards to her destination I can't wait to see what pokémon are inside. The thought made her giddy. Nearing the entrance to the large building, the teenager heard a rustling noise behind her. Turning around quickly, she saw a yellow and black striped tail slowly disappear into the wild green. Amber's eyes went wide and starry, her entire face lighting up. Electabuzz!
Pulling a pokèball from her belt in anticipation, Amber ducked down and slowly and silently made her way back into the jungle of weeds following the tail trail.
After a few minutes of aimless searching Amber stood straight up and surveyed the area looking for any signs of her yellow and black prize. Doing a couple of 360 turns she spots the furry appendage again poking up out the long grass. Ducking back down she makes her way to the area.
Hearing a little rustle just behind the wall of weeds, the teen pulled out her pokéball ready to go in. Ok Electabuzz … "you're mine!" Amber pounced out of hiding place ready to catch the unsuspecting pokémon.
"Venonat!" the bug pokémon screeched as a red headed girl face planted on the floor right in front of it. It then proceeded to scamper off into the greenery surrounding them. Ugggggggh reallllly glad there no one's around to see me like this … Amber rose to her feet and dusted herself down. Again, she heard rustling behind her, turning quickly she saw that tail again! Wiggling around as if teasing her before disappearing into the long grass.
Amber dove straight into the area, to be greeted with … nothing!
This charade went on for a few more minutes. A tail sighting here, a frustrated diving girl there, but no matter how quick Amber though she was, Electabuzz was certainly quicker. Tiring of the game Amber looked up the sky, the sun was starting to get low and she wouldn't have daylight for much longer. Sighing, she knew she had to carry on into the power plant and give up on her little hunt. Till next time Electabuzz … Standing fully up she made her way to the front door of the old power plant and pulled with all her might at the stiff door. It jarred open with a creak and our heroine went inside.
Electabuzz popped his head up out the grass. "Buzz?" His playmate had given up and gone already? No fun. He saw the figure disappear into the building. "Buzz!" He smiled gleefully and promptly followed her inside.
Amber looked around in awe, it was dimly lit from the feint overhead lighting and glow from the evening sun coming in through dirty windows. Looking around at all the unused machinery and low whirring of faulty computer towers she felt a little sad that this place had been decommissioned from running the magnet train all those years ago. I bet the pokémon were sad losing their jobs too … I wonder why they've just left this place to rot out here? Letting out Pichu and Magnemite, the trio made their way down the corridor.
"Magnemite" "Magnemite" "Magnemite" suddenly a few little magnemites appeared and started to circle them. "Oh! How cute!" Amber clasped her hands together and they bobbed around surrounding them. The magnemite then zoned in on her own magnemite and floated around it. Magnemite seemed a little uncomfortable with the attention at first but then started to bounce up and down with them. Amber smiled it was so great to see her pokémon happy. She pondered what her mother had said about Magnemite during their battle.
"You're magnemite has no confidence in itself, it needs more battle experience."
Is it true what Mom said about it? No, no way ... I know it's super strong …
Amber watched the magnemite and her own, deep in thought. Pichu was on her shoulder also enjoying the little performance. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM a loud explosion noise ripped down the corridor and shook the machinery around them, Amber put her hands to her ears and Pichu did the same.
Disrupted, the wild magnemite scattered and fled in fear.
"What the hell was that?! Come on let's go check it out!" Amber ran towards the offending area, her Pokémon in tow. Running down the corridor a familiar looking red and white ball rolled into her path "voltorb!"
"A Voltorb! Ok Pichu you're up buddy! Quick attack!" The little mouse jumped off his trainers' shoulder and darted, smashing into the voltorb and rapid speed sending it flying back against the smooth floor.
"Vol torb!" It started to glow.
"Oh no! Now I know what that noise was! Self Destruct attack! Pichu run!"
Pichu ran back towards his trainer, as Amber dived on top of her pokémon, sending them all to the ground shielding them from the upcoming attack.
"VOLTORB!" BOOOM
Coughing, Amber lifted her head and watched the dust clear, the voltorb had somehow gotten away.
"Damn it, we were so close! Are you guys ok? You didn't get hurt right?" Getting up and checking her Pokémon over, they continued further into the abandoned power plant. A yellow and black figure following them from a distance.
Carrying on down the long corridor it wasn't long before Amber spotted a very familiar looking yellow pokémon. Straight ahead sat chewing on some wires a Pikachu!
Hearts filled her eyes at the sight. "Pikachu!" Amber quietly squealed, hands balled up to her face in excitement.
Pichu equally excited jumped down from Ambers shoulder and called over to its evolved form, waving his paw "Pi pi chu!". The Pikachu stopped what she was doing and looked up. "Pi? Pika!" she dropped the wire and ran off.
Pichu dropped his paw to his side and tilted his head sadly "pi pichu?"
Amber was also disappointed. But … Pikachu… BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM an even louder explosion ricocheted through the plant, shaking the corridor and sending light fixtures above crashing to the ground. Amber and her Pokémon dived behind a large tank to remove themselves from the immediate danger.
Crawling through the mass of dead parts and wires they came face to face with a raichu surrounded by a few pikachu and magemite. "Pi kachu!" The pikachu from earlier alerted the pokémon to the new presence and raichu although startled as well, bravely put herself in between the offending party crashers and her friends. Glaring and growling the raichu prepared for battle, sparking her cheeks.
Magnemite immediately cowered behind its trainer's shoulder. Amber put her hands up in surrender. No good comes from upsetting a raichu! I need to play this very carefully.
"Pichu" Pichu bravely ran in front of his trainer and started to communicate with Raichu. Picking up on a little bit of the conversation Amber got the gist. She looked the big electric rodent in the eye and pleaded.
"I'm not here to cause you any trouble, I won't take you, or your friends from this place. I promise. I want to help. What is causing all the explosions?"
The raichu continued to stare down the red headed human, Pichu still chirping away at her, convincing her of his trainers' good intentions.
Finally letting her guard down, Raichu signals the group to follow her, and leads the group through a network of narrow backways and points out to the main walkway, from their hiding place they see several voltorb rolling up and down, patrolling the area.
"Those voltorb? They are the problem?" Amber looked down to Raichu who nodded.
"rai rai raichu raichu chu chuuuu rai."
Amber looked to Pichu who translated in his own way. "Oh, Ok lets see if I've got this, you're previous guardian went away, so now those voltorb have taken over and are are blowing up around any pokémon that crosses their path, making it really hard to live here and making you guys feel really anxious? Almost like they are trying to drive you out your home?" "Raichu."
Raichu then carried on a little further, the group following her till she stopped and pointed in the direction of a darkened area behind a massive electromagnet contraption.
"Through there?" Amber looked to the Pokémon. Raichu nodded "rai rai." Amber went to get up and walk out of their hiding place, but her t-shirt was pulled back.
"Raichu! Rai rai raichu!"
"Pi pi pi pichu pi pichu pi!"
"We can't let the voltorb see us? Or they'll attack and self destruct? Ok then follow my lead."
Back to climbing through the semi-secret narrow passageways, taking care not to draw any attention to themselves, Amber and her team made their way closer to the darkened area. Upon nearing Raichu and the pokémon hung back. Amber looked back at them and nodded. Waiting for the right moment, Amber slipped past the patrolling voltorb undetected and entered the area. The rest of the pokémon followed shortly after, emulating her timing of the voltorbs turned backs.
Amber looked around. It was a small square darkened area, no natural light and littered with what looked like former important machinery, damaged with dents and scorch marks. Wires, pipes and tubing all connecting the different, long dead apparatus and barrels lining the wall ways. There was something oddly familiar about this place ... That's it! This room, the electric pokémon enclosure back home! Dad must have designed it off this place back when it was used.
She walked over to the platform in the middle and touched a very large and tall - what looked to be - main server. Her handspan widened as she moved her hand across it. She couldn't describe it. She felt a connection somehow, like power was still coursing through this obviously dead machine. Looking up, she carried her stare to the top of the structure … wait … were those twigs up there? Focusing on the strange foreign object, a vision started to invade her mind, she was high up looking down on a room.
Hey it's this room, but not this room? Everything looks brighter, newer, clean. Machinery is on and it's working. There's sounds. They are unclear, raised muffled voices and thudding footsteps. A big group of people have just rushed in! Those black uniforms they're wearing … they are so familiar.
"We got it on lockdown Boss, the place is secured and awaiting your instruction."
They're releasing their Pokémon. More inaudible voices, "There it is!" Oh heard that alright. Hey that man is pointing at me! The Pokémon they've turned to me, they are … attacking me? They are smashing through the room everything is getting damaged!
A large bright flash of lightning then flames consumed the vision. In the pure white a new loud noise echoed through Ambers mind. Roaring? No, squawking … no, squealing? No squeaking! Pichu! Ripped her from her thoughts Amber looked down to her panicked compadre. "Huh?"
"Electrode!"
Behind her rolled up a giant and very mean looking Electrode surrounded by Voltorb.
"Oh … ohhhhhhhhhhhh." Amber turned slowly around to face the onslaught. Raichu and Pichu jumped her side, the pikachu and magemite gathered behind them, hanging back.
"So, you are the ones causing all the trouble for the pokémon here? Ok we're going to settle this. Are you ready Pichu? Magemite? Raichu?"
The pokémon nodded, magnemite bobbed up and down nervously.
The voltorb all came to the front of the massive electrode, battle ready to defend their turf.
"Raichu light screen. Pichu agility, Magnemite supersonic!"
The supersonic attack hit but did very little to the mob of offending voltorb, they all launched sonic boom attacks, luckily the light screen came into effect in time so the damage to the party was minimal. Hmm there's too many …
Amber turned to the other pokémon "magnemite, please help my magnemite and use your super sonic attacks against the voltorb to confuse them. Pikachu run with my Pichu. Disorientate them. Let's get your home back!"
Pichu and the pikachu used their speed to run around the voltorb, whilst the magnemite penetrated them with their supersonic blast. In all the confusion the voltob started to hit each other with their sonic boom blasts, knocking each other out.
"Alright!" Amber exclaimed, the good fortune was not to last however as a massive yellow beam cut right through all the commotion knocking out all the pokémon in its path.
The wild magnemite, Amber's magnemite and the wild pikachu all fell to the ground, feinted. Amber gasped, this Electrode was something. Recalling her own magnemite, Amber looked down at its pokéball.
"Thank You Magnemite, you were great, have a good rest." Attaching the ball to her belt only Raichu and Pichu were standing, the latter barely.
"Ok Pichu quick attack, Raichu mega kick!"
The Electrode then started to roll out, connecting with both Pichu and Raichu's attacks head on.
Taking on little damage the ball pokémon continued to roll at its opponents picking up speed and momentum. Bash! The next roll connected and took out Pichu, leaving Raichu alone to fight but barely standing. Amber recalled Pichu "Thank you Pichu, you gave it your all." she put his pokéball back on her belt.
"Ok Raichu let's avoid this rollout, use dig!"
Raichu just looked at the girl confused.
"Oh no! You don't know that move!" Amber looked at the oncoming giant pokémon "Raichu look out! Dodge it!"
The speeding ball came hurtling back towards the electric rodent who was not able to dodge in time. "RAIIIIIIIIIIII" Raichu thudded to the floor.
"No Raichu!" She ran over to Raichu and knelt at her side "Raichu I'm so sorry..." Amber looked over the hurt pokémon and back up at the electrode who had now stopped rolling and was glared back at her at her with smug menacing eyes.
What am I going to do? Guess I can still call out Chinchou … but she's part water. Amber despaired, putting her arms over Raichu to offer what little defence she could. Just when all seemed lost a blur of yellow and black fur landed in between her and the offending ball pokémon. "E .. Electabuzz?!" Amber was shocked, was she really seeing this?
"Electabuzz!" He growled at the electrode, who in turn glared back. Both Pokémon ready to go at it.
The electabuzz launched at the electrode smashing into it with his foot, Electrode reeled back but came right back at him with a rollout. Amber called out, "Electabuzz quick! Before it gains momentum, hit it with low kick again!"
Electabuzz hit the rolling pokémon, stopping it in its tracks. "Now Electabuzz grab it and use a seismic toss!" "buzzzz!" Electabuzz grabbed the big hulking ball and launched it into the air, smashing it down to the ground with an earth-shattering thud.
"Electrode!" The pokémon was not happy and started to glow. "Electabuzz put it down before it can use Self Destruct!"
Electabuzz screeched as loudly as he could at the glowing electrode, putting it completely off guard and rocking wildly to the offending noise.
Amber seizing the opportunity, took a pokéball from her belt and threw it at the disorientated wild electrode.
"You won't be bullying these pokémon ever again! Pokéball go!" It hit and encased the giant ball pokémon into a soft red light before sucking it into the tiny contraption. The pokéball hit the ground and wobbled. 1 … 2 … 3 … Ping!
"Alright! Electrode!" Amber walked over and picked the pokéball up "you won't cause the pokémon here trouble anymore. You're sticking with me now."
She attached the ball to her belt and looked to Electabuzz who came bounding over to her, she smiled at him and petted his head.
"you're really something aren't you, thank you, you saved us."
"Electabuzz" the electric pokémon proceeded to pound on his chest with pride.
Amber smiled back at him, then looked to the mass of passed out voltorb. Smirking she reached to her utility belt "I know just where you guys can go to learn some manners." She took out a bunch of pokéballs and proceeded to catch the wild unruly pokémon, smiling as the pokéballs teleported away. "Have fun at your new home." She beamed as the last one vanished.
Amber proceeded over to Raichu. She knelt down at the pokémon's side and gently stroked her soft fur. "Raichu are you OK? Here this will help." Amber reached into her utility belt and pulled out a small spray bottle. Covering her in an even spray, Amber stepped back as Raichu came to and opened her eyes. "Raiiii chuuuuuu?"
"Raichu!"
"Rai!"
The two hugged, Amber taking care not to squeeze too hard, as she knew the spray wasn't enough for the pokémon to be fully healed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Chu chu."
The pair looked across to the flat out pikachu and magnemite. Amber deflated "All my other healing potions are in my backpack … it's going to take a while to get them and come back …"
"Rai Chu" Raichu pulled at the teen girl's hand "Rai, Rai."
"Follow you this way?" Amber stood up and followed Raichu, Electabuzz also tagging along.
They stopped by a large generator "rai rai raichu." Amber walked slowly around it.
"We can use it to help heal the pokémon?"
"Raichu chu chu chu rai raichu"
"So this thing works? Just needs a jump start?"
"Raichu."
"Electabuzz, will you help me and Raichu kick start the generator?"
"Electabuzz!" The pokémon puffed out his chest and beat it with his fists.
"Alright" Amber extended her arm out and pointed to generator "Raichu, Electabuzz Thunderbolt!"
The two pokémon charged up and blasted out at the generator, the buttons almost instantly lighting up and a whirring noise followed. Lights came on all around them and noises of beeps and loud whirring began. The trio looked up and around and high fived in victory.
Patching the passed-out pokémon up to the power supplies around them, electricity flowed into their bodies, bringing each electric pokémon around to consciousness. Amber released Pichu and Magnemite for a little electric juice too.
"Feeling better guys?"
"Pichu." "Magnemite."
"Great" Amber turned to Raichu and the other electric pokémon. "Well with a little rest and some food you guys should be fully healed in no time, the electrode and voltorb shouldn't be a problem for you anymore."
"Rai rai" "Pi pikachu" "Magneton"
Looking out of a window, it was pitch black outside.
"Wow it's really dark out there. I guess we should camp out here tonight" Then it dawned on her. "Oh no! All our camping gear is upstream!" Amber sank to her knees and groaned she really didn't fancy a midnight swim in the pitch black.
"Raichu raichu raichu"
"Stay in here the night? With you? Are you sure?"
"Rai rai!"
"Sure we will! Thank you!" Amber smiled and allowed the pokémon to show them to their "sleeping quarters," bundles of wires curled up to make nests. Amber sweat dropped maybe it's not too late to reconsider that swim … Raichu proceeded to dig out some berries and portion out to all the pokémon and Amber, who gratefully accepted.
The atmosphere between the parties was joyous, the wild Pokémon more happy and carefree than they had been in a long time. Electabuzz kept them all entertained with his antics, fully showing off to the small crowd around him and enjoying being the centre of attention.
But with all the adventure it wasn't long before they all proceeded to fall asleep. Amber widened up her makeshift bed for the night and settled, it wasn't as uncomfortable as she'd imaged, but damn she was cold! All her clothes were again left with the rest of her belongings leaving the teenager shivering in a t-shirt and her underwear in an old abandoned building.
Sensing his trainer's discomfort, Pichu came over and snuggled into her torso for body warmth, shortly joined by magnemite. Electabuzz was soon to join as well, huddling up against the teenagers back. Within minutes the pikachu came over and found cosy places in the crevices of Ambers curled-up legs and lap, Raichu curled up round Ambers head almost acting like a pillow. Electabuzz started to snore behind her. Amber smiled and snuggled up with the pokémon. More content that she ever could be in her own bed.
Her mind wandered back to what transpired in that beaten up room before the voltorb and electrode attacked. That vision, it was so real ... what was that? Closing her eyes the teen drifted off into a deep sleep.
High above in the dark rafters of the ceiling two piercing white eyes watched the red head and the pokémon intently.
It was morning. Amber and the pokémon awoke from their sleep, all well rested. Amber stretched and looked around noticing something or rather someone was missing. "Hey where's Electabuzz gone? … Electabuzz? ELECTABUZZ?" Amber called out for him and then sighed. "Guess he's gone" she said sadly. After munching on a few more berries and bidding their farewells to the wild pokémon, Amber, Pichu and Magnemite exited the building. It was another gorgeous sunny day.
"Ok guys, we'll get our stuff back and then get back to the pokémon centre at Cerulean City where you guys can all have a proper rest. How does that sound?"
"Pichu!"
"Great, return."
Putting the pokémon back in their balls, Amber made her way back to the river. She tested the current with her hand and was about to release Chinchou when she heard a rustling from the long grass behind her. Turning around a familiar looking black and yellow stripy tail stuck up from the grass and waved around, Amber giggled and was soon greeted by the big grinning face of Electabuzz peaking through the weeds at her.
"Hey Electabuzz! I didn't get a chance to thank you for everything, we have to go now but I hope we meet again soon." Amber waved at her new friend, who's face in return dropped in disappointment. She was leaving? No! He didn't want his new playmate to go. Amber turned back to the river again, ready to release her part water friend, but felt her t-shirt being pulled from behind.
"Hey!" She turned around, it was Electabuzz. "Oh I'm sorry Electabuzz, I can't stay and play any longer. I have to continue on my journey. Electabuzz's mouth turned downwards, a sad expression came on his face.
Amber smiled and playfully put her finger to her chin and looked at yellow stripy Pokémon in front of her. "You know I could sure use your help along the way, I mean you're so brave and strong. I've never seen a Pokémon like you."
The pokémon struck a pose and started beating on his chest. Amber again giggled at him and took out her last pokéball.
"Would you like to come with us? I really could use your help, I'm not sure I can make it through the Pokémon league with out you."
Electabuzz closed his eyes and nodded enthusiastically at his new friend. Amber smiled and threw the pokéball up in the air, Electabuzz jumped into it letting the ball encase him. The ball wobbled and soon pinged. "Welcome to the group." Amber couldn't help the wide grin spreading across her face. I got an Electabuzz!
Amber released Chinchou and jumped into the water. "Let's go back Chinchou, I have so many new friends to introduce you to when we get to shore! You won't believe it" The two made their way upstream.
Meanwhile back on route 10, two villains were finally making headway on getting out of their self-made temporary prison.
"Ok Thea, grab hold of my waist I'll pull us both up."
They had had numerous failed attempts at getting out of this trap and had resorted to digging into the sides using only their bare hands, pilling the soft earth up making a sort of higher floor/ramp. It had not been an easy task.
Shane after a few attempts had finally grabbed the edge of the pit and was pulling them up to freedom. Grabbing chunks of thick steady grass for support he started to pull up. His chin touched the soft grass, he was head above ground level and just needed one final push of strength. Finally freedom! He looked up and saw the most beautiful sight emerging from the river a few meters in front of him.
Long wet fire red hair being flicked off a pretty and fresh face, water droplets spraying off in every direction, with some cascading down onto a soaking wet white - now-see-through t-shirt, clinging to a soft yet slender toned body like a second skin. Her pale yellow bra showing through cupping modest breasts. A pair of thin wet pale yellow panties covering up her modesty and long smooth wet legs.
Shane was dumbstruck. It was as if time itself had slowed and she was moving in slow motion just to torture him. Oblivious to the audience, Amber turned around and bent over to recall her pokémon, showing off her pert, backside. Shane felt his face heat up and go an ungodly beetroot red, blood spurted from his nose and he fell back into the pit, crashing into his ally in the process and sending them both back to square one.
"WHAT THE HELL SHANE?! WE WERE OUT!" It didn't matter how much Thea ranted Shane couldn't hear, he was completely tuned out by the wonderful sight he had just witnessed.
Unaware of the commotion just meters away, Amber gathered her things and checked on her pokégear. Man, Mom and Dad would be livid if they knew I'd left this here, not mention Uncle Gary. She shivered at the through of the imaginary scolding's. "Better check in, but first" she said gleefully dialling a number.
Miles away in Vermillion City, a certain giant gym leader was currently being trampled over by a sea of unruly voltorb. Reaching blindly for his ringing phone, he was met with the sweet innocent voice that was responsible for this plague upon his gym.
"AMBER! WHAT THE HELL IS WITH ALL DA VOLTORB?"