Kanto Chapter 10 - Saffron City
Amber pedalled down route 5 on her brand-new bike. Leaving Cerulean City she had popped into the bike shop on the edge of town, her mother had left her a gift there to pick up. Of course, the bike owner was more than insistent to provide a free bike for the famous Misty Waterflower.
"Of course, you have to have one of my bikes! Me and your mother couldn't have it any other way! No charge of course I insisted!" The shop salesman placed his hand on the saddle of a beautiful electric blue mountain bike. "When people see you riding this, they will know this is a Cerulean BikeShop Bike! Only the best for the family of Kanto, right? You know your mother had her first bike from here, did you know that? Yep, it was because of one of our bikes your mother and father met! You could even say you might not even be here right now if it was for a Cerulean Bikeshop bike! How about that hahaha! Now take it and cycle away on your pokémon journey!"
Once again, the perks of her family name came in handy. No kid could afford this bike...
Still she really couldn't complain, it was amazing she felt so free! The sun on her back and the wind in her air. Pichu sat upfront in a small wicker basket. The cool wind blew through his ears. All their problems seemed a million miles away as she approached Saffron City and her next Gym challenge.
Arriving in the city Amber headed straight to the pokécenter to get ready for her upcoming battle with the legendary Gym Leader Sabrina. Whilst waiting for her pokémon to be all rested up and battle ready, Amber called in on home.
After a few rings the video chat popped up with her Mother, Father's and Pikachu's smiling faces in view, subtly fighting for screen dominance.
"Hi sweetie!" Misty beamed through the monitor.
"Pi Kaaa!" Pikachu squeaked excitedly, balancing between both Ash and Misty's shoulders, so he could get into the screen.
Ash was beaming. "Hey Kiddo! How's it going? Hey, lets see that Cascade Badge you got from beating your Mom!"
Amber giggled "But Dad, you've already seen it!" Still she pulled it out and proudly showed it off again for him to see.
"I know, I just like to remind your Mom here…" Ash gave a cheeky grin to his wife who as always was quick to take the bait. Pikachu grimaced, he knew what was coming and he was literally stuck in the middle of it.
"Ahem! Our baby girl happens to be an exceptionally talented beginner trainer!" Misty turned her nose in the air, then slyly looked back at her husband, she now had to go for the jugular. "I happen to remember your first badge battle going very differently!" She smirked at Ash knowingly.
Ash didn't miss a beat with the counter argument "Yeah but that was against Brock, I beat you hands down in our first battle."
Misty's face instantly fell. "What?! No, you didn't it was a draw!"
"Oh yeah? Then why did I walk out with the badge?"
"Because Daisy felt sorry for you!"
"Oh? Really Mist?
"Yes, really Ash Ketchum!"
Pikachu's eyes went wide, as he looked from one to the other.
"So I'm in Saffron City!" Amber interjected, waving her arms changing the topic. She was used to seeing her parent's bicker, but she really did not have time for this one, especially as this little debate had not been resolved in over 20 years. Pikachu let out a sigh of relief.
"Ooooh Saffron City! The big city, so exciting there!" Misty commented, getting excited herself.
"Yeah! I haven't seen much of the city yet, I'm just at the Pokémon Centre about to go challenge Sabrina for a Marsh Badge."
Ash and Misty both looked a little uncomfortable, but really tried to hide it best they could.
Ash took on an unusually serious tone with his only daughter. "Sabrina huh, she's a tough one. Just promise me … that you will not make any deals with her before the match. Like being her friend. Or stay and play." Ash looked his daughter straight in the eye, his stare firm and unwavering. He was not kidding around.
"Wha … What?" The teenager could not help but look at him a little puzzled.
"Oh Ash!" Misty playfully slapped his arm. "Sabrina's not like that anymore, she has really mellowed out, besides, Amber has got the perfect pokémon to take on the Saffron City Gym." Misty gave her daughter a knowing wink. Amber could not help but smile back. Then, just like the sudden change of the ocean tide, Misty's demeanour also changed to a serious look. "But your Dad is right … promise to phone us as soon as you've got the Marsh Badge … maybe a quick message just before you challenge her too."
Amber was confused at the request but agreed all the same. Her parents really could be incredibly overprotective at times. After more "Good Luck's," "Go Gett'em's" and "I love you's" the conversation ended, and Amber hung up.
That was one weird conversation. Even for them. Why were they acting so strange? … Amber then reminisced of the stories her father would tell about his Kanto adventures. Her thoughts landed on one night in particular, when she was kid and her father was putting her bed with a story…
*** Flashback ***
"and so, there appeared this little girl, only it turned out she wasn't a little girl at all … she was a haunted doll possessed by Sabrina's mind!" Ash put a torch up to his face to cast scary shadows on it.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Amber squealed and pulled up the bed duvet to cover her face. Slowly peeking out from behind it again.
Ash took that as a queue to continue with his scary and wildly inappropriate bedtime story for his very young daughter. "She wanted us to be her friends, to stay and have us play with her if we lost the match, but that wasn't the scary part … do you know what would of happened if Daddy lost this match? Do you know what the Gym Leader Sabrina would do to me, Mommy, Pikachu and Uncle Brock?"
Amber shook her head nervously.
... "she would turn us all into living dolls! And keep us in her living doll house FOREVER!" Ash made a big gesture with his arms creating a huge intimidating show on the walls and ceiling over the girl's bed.
"MOMMMMMMMMY!" Amber screamed at the top of her lungs.
"AAAASSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!" Misty's yell could be heard all through the house; her footsteps thudded up the stairs.
Ash froze on the end of the bed, his face paled. Misty was scarier than any other Gym Leader …
*** End ***
Amber smiled to herself, she chuckled and shook her head lightly. That story gave her nightmares for days, though she thinks her Dad might have come off a lot worse! Mom really was the only thing her Dad ever seemed truly scared of. But seriously a Gym Leader couldn't really turn you into a doll if you lost a pokémon battle … could they? The ping of the waiting room made Amber jump but brought her out of her thoughts.
"Your pokémon are all rested and ready" A smiley Nurse Joy brought over a tray of 6 pokéballs. Amber thanked her and took her pokémon back.
Pausing for a moment Amber spoke. "Umm Nurse Joy, I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about Sabrina?"
"Oh of course. She is the mistress of psychic type pokémon. It's said she possesses psychic powers herself and can communicate with pokémon without even speaking."
"Ok, but do you know … what happens to the trainers … that … you know lose a gym challenge to her?"
Nurse Joy raised her eyebrows. She was a little surprised at the question "Erm well I guess they wind up here, try again or move onto the next gym?"
"Oh … so they don't … get … turned … umm" feeling stupid asking the question, Amber stopped herself. Seriously only a little kid would believe something like that! I'm 16 for crying out loud! Amber internally scolded herself.
"You're a novice trainer, aren't you?" Nurse Joy smiled and continued. "Don't worry, sure all gym battles can be tough and a little nerve wracking but so long as you are raising your pokémon properly and you do your best by them and yourself in battle, you'll be just fine." Nurse Joy closed her eyes and gave a big reassuring smile.
Thanking Nurse Joy once more Amber exited the building and made her way over to the gym on the other side of the city.
Amber whizzed through the streets on her bike making her way through the large City. Pichu once again taking pride of place in the front basket. How did I ever get around without this? She cycled past the Silph Co Building, the pair marvelled at the famous landmark, and admiring its architecture. Wow I knew it would be tall, but that building is huge! Well I suppose they are the global leading company in pokémon technology.
Turning a corner Amber could see the gym up ahead. This is it! The Marsh Badge … Sabrina …
"Hey there!"
Amber stopped in her tracks by an old dilapidated looking dojo. A middle aged woman with deep blue eyes, red hair, streaked with grey in a pink gi stood outside. "You looking to challenge the Saffron City Gym?"
Amber and Pichu both nodded.
"How about a warmup here at the Fighting Dojo Gym?" The woman pulled out a pokéball.
Amber pointed her finger at the building "um is this really a pokémon gym?"
"YES, IT IS! … well was … Ok so Sabrina's Psychic Gym has been the "official" pokémon gym in Saffron for the past few decades, but we're still a worthy challenge and the masters of fighting type pokémon." The woman winked.
Amber smirked. "Well I guess I can't turn down a challenge. Ok you're on!"
Amber with Pichu followed the woman into the Dojo, it looked better on the inside. A simple square room with natural light pouring in, showing off a simple design battle floor area. Faded scrolls hung from the walls adorned with timeless philosophical quotes and phrases.
The woman stood on the opposite side of the battle area, pokéball ready. "We'll have a 1 on 1 battle, no time limit."
"Sounds good to me." Amber pulled out a pokéball.
The fighting trainer released her pokémon. Hitmontop.
Amber released Electabuzz.
"Oh! An Electabuzz! Cool. Not quite a fighting type but he'll do" the woman commented.
Hearing this, Electabuzz cast a glare at the woman and instantly cycled through a number of his poses. Flexing his biceps and puffing out his chest.
Amber grinned. "Electabuzz will more than "just do." Let's start this off, Thunder Punch!"
"Hitmontop use Dectect!"
Electabuzz winded his arm around creating a power Thunder Punch and launched it at his opponent, the Hitmontop detected the move with ease and evaded it.
"Electabuzz keep it up with that Thunder Punch!" Detect can't keep Hitmontop safe forever.
The Hitmontop continued to evade the oncoming onslaught but as Amber predicted he soon made a false move and ended up with a direct hit from a very charged up Electabuzz.
Hitmontop reeled back from the attack but soon rose back up, still willing to fight.
"Hitmontop! Hang in there, counter with Close Combat!"
Amber gritted her teeth; this move was going to hurt Electabuzz and could end the match. This will all be down to timing … and a pinch of luck. "Electabuzz, brace yourself! Block as much as you can"
Electabuzz widened his stance and crossed his arms in front of his face and body, bracing for the upcoming attack.
"He can't block it all Hitmontop. Go all out!" His trainer shouted from the side-lines encouraging her pokémon.
Hitmontop was soon upon him and there was no let-up in his onslaught.
Amber, Pichu and Electabuzz all grimaced. Electabuzz's back leg slid even further out, and his arms dropped allowing Hitmontop a few really hard hits.
Amber regained her composure. "Now Electabuzz, whilst Hitmontop is close and defenceless! Thunderbolt!"
Electabuzz growled and released a dazzling Thunderbolt, consuming his opponent.
The onslaught was over. Electabuzz hung back, head low panting hard. He had taken a fair amount of damage. Hitmontop came away sparking, paralysed from Electabuzz's static. His defence also dropping after the onslaught. Both pokémon looked each other in the eye and stood up, refusing to back down. The next hit would be the decider of this battle.
"Pi chu pi pi!" the little mouse pokémon cheered on his compadre.
"Hitmontop let's finish this now with your signature Triple Kick attack!"
"Electabuzz, charge up your Thunder Punch … wait for my command." The pokémon obeyed his trainer and stayed in one spot spinning his arm around, gathering electricity in his fist.
Hitmontop barrelled forwards spinning like a spinning top, ready to impact with his first kick. As he was making his move, little sparks of electricity ran through him, faltering his movement. Amber spied the opening. "Electabuzz connect with your Thunder Punch! End this!"
Hitmontop's attack failed and Electabuzz smashed through with a charged-up punch. Hitmontop skidded across the area.
"Hitmontop!" The woman called out to her pokémon. He slumped over eyes spinning.
"Alright!" Amber pumped her fist into the air, Pichu mimicking her action. Electabuzz grinned back at his trainer and flexed, wincing slightly after doing so. Amber walked over to him and patted him on the head. "You were awesome Electabuzz, here, let me fix you up a little." She pulled out a healing potion and sprayed it liberally over his fur. "There that feel a little better?"
"Electabuzz!" The pokémon bounced into a handstand and started to do push ups.
"Well done. That pokémon of yours really is something. You work well together." The red-haired woman approached the teen.
"Thank You. It was a great battle; you guys make a great team too. It was touch and go there for a while. I can tell you're an experienced fighting type trainer."
"My name is Terri, and I inherited this gym from my mentor Master Hamm."
"Oh that's so cool, my name is Amber. I interned at the Vermillion City Gym. I'm an Electric Type trainer." Amber beamed.
"That explains a lot." Terri smiled. "You know Electabuzz benefit from fighting types moves. Whilst you're here how about learning some new moves? I'm sure it will aid you on your league challenge." Terri suggested.
Amber nodded. "That sounds great! Thank You! What do you say Electabuzz? Pichu?"
"Pi chu pi" "Electabuzz!" they both agreed.
Amber, Pichu and Electabuzz got changed into gi's. Amber wore a yellow one with a white belt wrapped around, keeping here hair in her signature low pigtails. Pichu adorned a red one with white belt and a little white bandana around his head. Electabuzz was clad in a black gi with a yellow belt. Looking and feeling the part they all joined Terri and her pokémon doing katas on the training floor.
A good hour passed performing various stretches, stances, poses and punches, getting the new moves down. Terri leading the class, putting all the pokémon and her guests through their paces.
"Ok and that's it for today" Terri clapped her hands together. Everyone did a small bow and almost immediately Amber, Pichu and Electabuzz slumped to the floor, exhausted.
Terri giggled. "You all did very well! Here Amber I want you to take these." It was the TM's for Mega Punch and Focus Blast. "You guys earned them."
Amber sat up and smiled and gratefully accepted. "Thank you, Terri. These will definitely come in handy."
"Are you usually here all alone?" Amber asked looking around the room.
Terri sighed "Occasionally Master Hamm's son Kyle drops in to see how everything is going, he owns the famous noodle shop over the far side of the city." The fighting trainer looked around the walls, clearly a little sad. "We were both students here when we were younger… but his heart, it isn't here." Her voice slightly cracked on the last part. She sighed and then carried on. "Everyone in this city is obsessed with training psychic pokémon, I fear the Saffron City's proud fighting type heritage is dying out … I'm doing my best to recruit new members, but who wants to intern at a non-official pokémon gym?"
Amber looked at her sadly. She could tell Terri was broken hearted. Maybe not just about Gym…
"You know you were great at teaching Electabuzz, Pichu and me, maybe you should open this up as a Pokémon Training Dojo rather than a Fighting Dojo Gym?" Amber suggested.
"You think so?" Terri looked up, a little surprised.
"Sure, you said it yourself you're struggling for interns. Why not make something inclusive of all pokémon?" Terri looked at the teenager, her interest piqued. Amber continued "It's more than just fighting types that could benefit from your teachings and I'm sure even some psychic pokémon and their trainers would come. You are a natural instructor Terri and maybe it's a new approach needed to get trainers to stay and train with you."
Terri put her finger and thumb to her chin, clearly thinking hard about the new idea "… it does go a little against the rules … but then things clearly need to evolve … and I could still uphold the traditions of our teachings!" Terri's blue eyes lit up at the prospect.
"Of course! All we need to go is give this place a little face lift and it will back to life in no time!" Amber put her thumb up and gave a lopsided toothy grin.
"You'd help me do that?" Terri was a little surprised. This was no small feat. The gym's condition had deteriorated over time, it was no secret. Terri did feel guilt over this, but did not have the means for the renovations and it had spiralled out of her control over time.
"You helped us out, we'll return the favour. Come on out!" Amber released Chinchou, Eevee and Magnemite. "Hi everyone! Ready for a little DIY work?"
"Alright everyone let's do this!" Terri banged her first against her palm. More motivated than in a long time.
Terri, Amber and their combined pokémon got to work fixing up the dojo. Terri's fighting types and Electabuzz helped with the manual labour and heavy lifting; Terri was on tool duty. Chinchou provided much needed waterpower for cleaning off the dirt and dust, Amber and Pichu scrubbed the floors, windows and walls, Magnemite used its floating ability to reach up to high and hard to reach places and Eevee was on painting duty using her tail as a brush.
Eventually rotted wooden beams were replaced, all the windows, floors and walls cleaned and sparkling, and a fresh coat of paint applied. The building although far from brand new, looked rejuvenated and inviting.
The two women and their pokémon stood outside, admiring their handywork against the setting sun. "Amber the place looks amazing! I can't thank you enough!" Terri gushed. Amber put her hand behind her head and blushed a little.
"Oh wow! What have you done to the place? It looks great! Like back in the day!" They both turned around at the male voice from behind them.
Terri's eyes went a little wide and glistened slightly at the sight of a tall, aged but still handsome middle-aged man with dark grey spikey hair. But her blue eyes soon turned cold, locked into an angry stare.
"Yes of course Kyle, you would show up after all the hard work has been done!" Putting emphasis on the word after, Terri snapped at the middle-aged man, who merely held his hands up in defence.
"Woah! Sorry, I had no idea you were fixing the old place up, things have been hectic at the noddle shop. But here I brought over leftovers." Kyle lifted a plastic bag containing multiple food containers and grinned.
Terri maintained her hardened look but then soon warmed and smiled at him. "It's a good job you're such a good cook. Come on everyone let's all go inside and eat. It is getting pretty late."
Hah they remind me of my Mom and Dad. Amber thought with a smile, but soon her smile dropped, and Amber's eyes widened in alarm. "OH NO! I forgot all about my gym challenge with Sabrina! Sorry but I gotta go!" Amber went to run off in the direction of the gym.
Kyle and Terri stood dumbstruck at the teenagers' sudden outburst.
"Wait Amber!" Terri called after her. "It's past time. The gym will be closed now."
Amber skidded and stopped in her tracks and looked back.
"Come. Stay, eat with us, we have plenty." Terri invited, Kyle holding up the bags of food.
Inside the dojo all 3 and there pokémon sat down to chow on Kyles delicious food.
"I'm sorry you were stuck here all day Amber. I feel so guilty hindering your gym challenge." Terri confessed holding her chopsticks.
Amber replied in-between mouthfuls of food. "It'sok, duh gym will still be der tomorrow … *gulp* besides the training was great and so is this food!" She grinned, sauce all around her mouth.
Kyle whispered to Terri "She realllly reminds me of someone ..." Terri nodded in agreement and continued her conversation with the teenager.
"How about you stay here the night? Then you'll be up and fresh to challenge Sabrina tomorrow. I feel it's the least we can do."
Ambers face lit up. "That sounds great! Thanks Terri."
"So Terri, tell me about the changes going on at the dojo, I'd love to hear about it." Kyle interjected.
Terri beamed at the man's enthusiasm. "Kyle! I didn't think you cared. Sure! Amber's come up with some really good ideas." The three then discussed new ideas and plans for the future of the fighting dojo.
Amber observed their interactions, bouncing from support, to bickering, back to support. It was clear there was more here than just an aged old friendship, there dynamic seeming oh so familiar.
Terri turned to Amber, "You better get some rest now, you have an important battle tomorrow. Better get yourself and your pokémon rested up."
Amber recalled her well-fed pokémon and bid the pair goodnight, heading into the spare room.
Kyle turned to Terri "She really does remind me of someone ... Her eyes seem so familiar to me."
Terri nodded in response. "I know what you mean…."
Amber settled into her makeshift futon … Terri and Kyle are definitely in love. I wonder if all the best romances start with a friendship? I've never really had any friends that are boys ... or any friends my own age really, or actually any friends for that matter ... just the pokémon and I guess the guys at the Vermillion Gym. Surge is really more like family than a friend ... I wonder if I'll meet my someone on this journey? Amber envisioned Volkner of the Sunyshore Gym. I wonder if I'll meet my someone soon? ***yawn*** Someone how Terri is with Kyle. I wonder if we'd bicker ... I wonder if we'd fight ... but ***yawn*** ... we'd love each other. Like no other. ***yawn*** Amber closed her eyes. Just like Mom and Dad. She smiled to herself. It was a comforting thought for her as a tiny bit of homesickness creped in.
Her eyes bolted open Shit! I didn't call them!
Authors Note: This wasn't ever intended to be a chapter, hence why it's kinda short(ish) and doesn't really offer anything. I was going to go straight into the Saffron City Gym battle, but I just couldn't ignore the fighting dojo and I kinda like how this chapter turned out :-)
Nice set up for the use of some very useful future move sets and some nice family interaction.