Chapter 14
Amber and Pichu were power riding down the long cycle road on their way to Fuchsia City. It was once again a beautiful sunny day and the views of the sunlight reflecting off the vast ocean below were stunning. The wild pokémon were in abundance, goldeen jumping in and out of the water, spearow flying over head and ponyta grazing on the lush side grass. Amber and Pichu looked on at them all in their natural habitat with wonder.
The journey down the cycle road seemed endless, but it wasn't long before they arrived at their destination.
Fuchsia City was nothing like Celadon or Saffron, the buildings were low and wide, not a skyscraper in sight. The architecture was old and traditional, lined with beautiful gardens and greenery. Cherry trees in full bloom adorned the streets, earning the city it's apt name.
Indulging in the city sights, the duo had a leisurely stroll around Kanto's famous pokémon zoo, taking in the rare and exotic species. However, it was sadly underwhelming for the teenager, as she had grown up on one of the best, if not the best pokémon collections in the world, courtesy of her parents.
"Our Lapras enclosure is way better than this one…" Amber commented to Pichu with a long sigh, she lowered her chin to rest atop her hands on the wooden fencing, watching the domestic Lapras swim the lengths of her enclosure.
Amber envisioned the large lake back home and began to reminisce.
***Flashback***
"Mommy, Daddy look at me!" Amber called out. The young child was sitting atop Lapras's back as the pokémon obliged ferrying her around the large open water, as her own little "boat" ride. The little girl waved at her parents as they passed them.
"Looking good Kiddo!" Ash called out to his daughter.
Ash, Misty and Pikachu were perched on the lakes edge, indulging in some quality family time. It was a gorgeous summer day, so the family decided to picnic by the lake with their pokémon. With the children playing in the water with the pokémon residing there, Misty relaxed against her husband's strong frame, keeping a vigil eye on her brood whilst basking in the midday sun. The pair feasted on a selection of fresh fruits. Pikachu sat as his trainers' side, also joining in on the munching.
"Oh Ash, what a perfect way to spend the afternoon." Misty leaned further into her man, taking a bite out of a watermelon slice. Ash smiled and rested his cheek on top of his wife's head, also watching his kids in the water. Travelling the world was fun, but this was living. A feeling of content washed over him. This was his family.
"Hey! It's my turn on Lapras!" Ambers elder brother had swum over and began to climb up onto the transport pokémon.
"No! You already had your turn! We haven't even made it over the other side!" Amber pleaded, trying desperately not to let him get up onto the beloved ice type pokémon.
"There is room enough for both of you!" Misty called out, trying to keep the peace.
"But it's my time with Lapras!" Amber protested in vain.
"Yeah, hear that? Room for both of us, so budge over!" Cole barged his baby sister over, pushing her to the rear of the shell as he took prime place near the pokémon's slender neck.
"Cole!" Amber wailed at losing her place and two began to squabble.
Ash and Misty sweat dropped and looked at each other.
"Why must they always end up arguing?" Misty sighed.
"They get that from you." Ash absently commented.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Misty snapped back.
And with that the parents started to bicker, each trying to get their words over each other. The once tranquil moment lost.
Pikachu looked at his family, from the children to the parents and put his paw to his head.
"Pi pikachu…"
*** End ***
Amber chuckled to herself at the memory. The Ketchum's really were a breed of their own, I wonder why we haven't got a reality TV show …
Continuing to look around the quaint city, their eyes fell upon a big building leading to a mass of land.
"Oh! I know this place!" Amber lit up. "This used to be the Safari Zone! This is what Dad based his pokémon ranch on, because of the Tauros he caught here! It's a Pal Park now. I've heard they import Pokémon from other regions here for trainers to catch and study. I bet they have tons of cool electric type pokémon in there! Let's check it out Pichu!"
The duo ran into the building, thundering up to the reception counter.
"Hi! Admission for the park please!" Amber beamed at the receptionist.
The woman behind the desk smiled. "Hi, may I see your pokédex please?"
"Pokédex? I don't have one…. I have this." Amber pulled out her prototype pokégear from Oak Laboratories.
"Hm. Never seen anything like that before." The receptionist commented looking over the device. "Strange you don't have a pokédex, are you not a pokémon trainer?"
"I am a pokémon trainer!" Amber frowned and replied, proceeding to show her 3 league badges. "See?"
"Oh … little strange than you don't have a pokédex. How many different pokémon have you caught?"
"7." Amber beamed.
The receptionist raised her eyebrows "7 is that all?"
Amber fell to the floor.
"I'm sorry young lady, but this park is reserved for trainers that are serious collectors and have obtained a National Pokédex. You'll have to come back when you're a bit more *ahem* advanced." The woman raised her chin in the air, ending the conversation.
"I am a serious trainer." Amber grumbled under her breath and turned away from the foyer. This day was becoming disappointment after disappointment.
"Come on Pichu, let's head to the Fuchsia City Gym, where real trainers go!" Amber made her voice loud enough for the receptionist to hear as the fiery red head stomped out the park with her pichu in tow.
"What a jobs worth Pichu! Hmph! Bet she'd have soon let me in if I told her who my dad was! She definitely wouldn't have spoken to me like that!" Amber continued stomping down the road, still stewing.
"And how dare she snub my pokémon collection! I don't need to aimlessly catch every wild pokémon I see to be a strong trainer! Pokémon are our friends not objects to be hoarded! ... I bet I have more Voltorb than they'll ever have!"
Amber continued to grumble and moan to her pichu, who was running at the side of her desperately trying to keep up the pace.
From the roof of the park building, two familiar figures in black uniforms knelt, watching the teenager storming off in the direction of the pokémon gym.
Shane turned to his counterpart. "Follow her?"
Thea nodded. "Follow her."
Amber and Pichu had continued there tour of the city and now stood outside a beautiful old Kanto style mansion, the Fuchsia City Gym.
"Wow it's so traditional looking! Nothing like the Gyms I've seen so far. I know Koga and Aya used to run the Gym here before he became a member of the Elite Four and she moved to Johto. I wonder who took it over?" Amber pondered out loud as they entered the building, unaware of what lay in wait for them as they entered the Ninja Mansion.
The trainer and her pokémon stood still in astonishment. Judging from the exterior they expected lots of rooms, chambers and corridors, but it was just one big giant room. One big empty giant room…
"But if this is a pokémon gym where are all the trainers? Where's the Gym Leader?" Amber and Pichu looked in confusion and walked a little further forward. SMACK.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" Amber held her nose, small stinging tears formed in the corners of her eyes.
"Pi Chu!" Pichu called out in alarm, tapping his paw on his trainers' foot in concern.
The teenager took her hand from her nose and gingerly put it in front of her, contacting something solid. She had walked into an invisible wall.
Amber looked around and really concentrated on her surroundings. "The walls, their reflective! That's why the building looks like one large empty room, this is all an illusion!"
"Very perceptive of you trainer." A figure stepped out into view, he was dressed in sleek dark attire with a flowing cape, lightly juggling three pokéballs. "You are not merely in a Pokémon Gym, you are in a Ninja Temple. Nothing is as it appears to the none initiated."
"A Ninja Temple? I guess that makes sense." Amber put her hand to her chin. "I'm assuming you're a Gym Trainer here?"
"Mph, indeed. Now let's see how you battle." The trainer readied a pokéball.
Amber smirked.
Shane and Thea had followed closely behind their target and stood outside the historical building.
"So, here's what we'll do,""No." Thea began to speak only to be cut off by her usually placid partner.
"No?"
"I've been going along with all your whacky schemes and none of them have worked, this time we do it my way." Shane replied confidently. He pulled out a large tangled rope item.
"A net?" Thea replied flatly.
"No! Not just a net! It's a large fishing net! It's so simple and perfect and brilliant!"
"And stupid." Thea remarked.
"And we're doing it." Shane said bluntly. Ending the discussion, he walked into the mansion.
Thea shrugged and followed his lead. "To think he scoffed at digging a pit." She muttered under her breath.
Amber had now beaten one of the gym trainers and was gingerly making her way through the gym maze, keeping her focus on the walls ahead she didn't notice an odd-looking floor tile until her foot started to sink.
"Huh?" The teenager moved her foot as the tile went down and something came up.
"Voltorb!" a Voltorb appeared from under the floor and started sparking.
!
Amber dived to floor, clutching and shielding Pichu from the small explosion.
"That was close." Amber commented to Pichu.
"Piiiiiiiiiiiii"
"Good reflexes Trainer. But you do not compare to the level of a Ninja." A new Gym Trainer revealed herself.
"Maybe not in Ninja, but I'm more than match in a battle! Let's go!" Amber retorted readying a pokéball, Pichu at her side sparking.
Thea and Shane had now entered the mansion only to view the large empty hall.
"Uh? Where is she?" The duo looked around, there wasn't a soul to be seen.
As they walked some of the room's perimeter for some time, they spotted their target looking lost in the large empty room.
"There she is!" Thea pointed.
"Weird we didn't spot her a few minutes ago…?" Shane pondered.
"Whatever, she's right there now. Let's go!"
The pair leapt into action.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love."
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
They released a smoke bomb.
"Thea." Thea revealed herself from the smoke in a form fitting black Ninja outfit, with the signature red "R" on the chest. Only her eyes visible.
"Shane." Shane appeared next from the vanishing vapours, dressed the same with the addition of holding a large net.
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
… … …
Amber continued looking around innocently, not reacting the announcement from the villainous Team Rocket.
"That bitch! She's totally ignoring us!" Thea growled and stomped her foot.
"We'll teach her! Let's move in." Shane clenched his fist and nodded at his partner. Both livid at not being taken seriously or taken in at all for that matter.
The pair furiously stormed forwards towards the clueless teenager, net ready to tangle up and snare their target. SMACK they ran full pelt into a reflection wall.
"So … that's … why … we didn't … see … her before." Shane started to sink down to the floor.
"Or ... why ... she didn't ... react ... to the ... motto." Thea followed on from his sentence.
"It was just an … illusion." They coursed together, as they sunk to the floor, eyes glazed over concussed from the impact, the net in their hands landing on top of them.
Amber cautiously continuing her journey around the cryptic gym, felt the wall behind her wobble.
"Pichu! These booby traps could go off at any minute, better be on your guard!"
They ducked out the way of the sliding door and followed where it lead. Taking a sidestep, round an invisible corner the duo came into a darkened area.
"What is this?" Amber called out.
A voice called out from the shadows. "So, you have made it through my traps and beaten my disciples. That's no mean feat trainer."
"I'm here to challenge the Gym Leader for a Soul Badge! This is my fourth Gym Challenge!" Amber called out into the darkness.
"I accept your challenge, daughter of Kanto's Champion."
"You know who I am?" Amber found herself immediately guard.
"Of course."
A light came on illuminating the Gym battle area.
A pretty, young woman in her early twenties appeared from the shadows. Purple hair tied up into a trendy scruffy bun. Tendrils of hair framing her face and bold purple eyes. She was dressed in a traditional shinobi shozoku, consisting of a charcoal grey kimono with a fishnet shirt underneath it, charcoal grey hakama, pink sash and cape, a pair of white tabi socks, and a pair of straw waraji sandals, with purple wrist and ankle bands to complete the look.
The female ninja smirked. "You're not the only one with a famous Father, Amber Ketchum. For I am the daughter of the former Gym Leader, Master Koga of the Elite Four. My name is Janine, the Poison Ninja."
Amber opened her mouth in surprise. "Oh! Your Koga's Daughter. Ah yeah, I see it." Amber looked the woman up and down "You two are a lot alike, you take after him." Amber grinned.
Janine's face faltered slightly.
"Thank you, as do you." Janine nodded to Pichu perched on Ambers shoulder. The trademark of Ash Ketchum.
Janine walked over the to the battle area. Amber followed, wincing slightly. The irony of what had just transpired dawning on her.
"Father is an extremely talented and successful pokémon trainer, he's built quite the legacy for Fuchsia City and our family name. Sure, I have been brought up in the ways of Ninjutsu. Yes, I study and train poison pokémon, as is the tradition of the Fuchsia Gym, but Fathers style is unique, I simply cannot battle the way he does. If I am honest, I do not live simply to follow in the path he has carved for me. My goal is to train all pokémon types, surpass my Father and break out of this pidovehole I find myself in."
"I understand." Amber spoke out. "I, I hate it. Always being compared to my father. I sometimes get compared to Mom too, but it's all the same. I know I should be flattered; I should be honoured, they are both such strong and highly respected trainers, but all it feels like is pressure. Like this giant shadow over me that I'm never supposed fill, yet the whole world will be disappointed when I don't. You know?"
"I understand exactly" The young Gym Leader nodded and offered a smile.
"When are they going to stop seeing them." Amber commented quietly.
"And finally start seeing me." They spoke together.
…
There was a moment of silence, the two progeny looked each other in the eye. Both offering each other a small expression of understanding. The moment passed and the two trainers walked over to opposite sides of the battle area.
"This will be a 3 on 3 battle." Janine called out.
Amber nodded and readjusted her belt ready for battle.
"I choose Koffing" Janine threw out a pokéball and out formed the purple poison gas pokémon.
Amber smirked "We've had experience battling this pokémon!"
Pichu clenched his paws, cheeks sparking ready to go.
"Eevee I chose you."
"Pi?" Pichu froze and fell flat on his face.
Amber released her pokéball and a familiar brown furry pokémon emerged.
"Veee" Eevee bowed to floor, hind legs and tail sticking up, ready to battle.
Amber wasted no time. "Eevee use Sand Attack!"
"Eeeeee" The little fox kicked up and blasted sand at the Koffing.
"Koffing counter the sand with smoke screen! Make yourself unseen."
The battlefield became a haze of sand and smoke. It became hard to see anything.
"Eevee, Swift attack!" Amber commanded. The fox let out a flurry of stars into the abyss of smoke, still managing to hit their target head on.
"Hm. Koffing use Toxic! Spray it!" Janine commanded. The Koffing let out of array of poisonous sludge in all directions.
"Eevee! Dodge it! Use Dig Attack!"
"Ve!" Eevee burrowed into the battlefield but wasn't quick enough to avoid the Toxic attack, as some sludge sapped into her soft fur.
"Ah! The Eevee has gone underground!" Janine called out in alarm. The Gym Leader's mind went blank, unsure of her next move. Koffing looked around the arena unsure, waiting for direction from her trainer.
"Now Eevee!" Amber called out and on her trainer's command Eevee burst up from the ground delivering a devastating blow to the Koffing.
Koffing fell to the floor, unable to continue the battle.
"Pi Pi!" Pichu cheered for his friend.
Eevee stood her ground but had started panting. The effect of the poisoning from the earlier attack now evident.
"Koffing return!" Janine called her pokémon back and pulled out another ball.
"I choose you Golbat!"
A Golbat appeared, flapping his wings wildly.
Heh, Golbat this should be easy. Amber thought to herself, smirking with confidence.
"Eevee, you were amazing, take a rest now." Amber recalled the little fox and looked at her ball. "The poison won't affect you in there."
Amber pulled out her next pokémon. "Electrode I choose you."
The flash of red light from the pokéball formed into a giant ball. "Electrode!" It started to rock on the spot.
"Electrode use Light Screen."
The pokémon put immediately up a light barrier.
Eeeeee! I'm so happy! Electrode is finally listening to me! Amber clenched her fists with joy, her eyes glistening at her beautiful Bomber Ball pokémon.
"Golbat Screech attack!" Janine commanded.
The big mouthed bat let off a piercing screech attack. Electrode rocked back and forth in response.
"Ok Electrode, use Thunderbolt!" Amber commanded.
"Electrode!" The pokémon was getting annoyed with the offending screeching.
The big round ball started to glow.
"NO DON'T DO THAT!" Amber cried out, but it was too late. Pichu widened his mouth in horror.
"Troooooooooooooooooooooode!" BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
The pokémon used self-destruct, smoke and debris filled the area. As the effects of the explosion died down, the smoke cleared to reveal two feinted pokémon.
"Oww. Guess it's still not listening to me." Amber sighed and recalled her pokémon.
"I think maybe your Electrode could do with a little more training ..." Janine commented dryly as she recalled her feinted Golbat.
Amber put her hand behind her head and sweat dropped, embarrassed. She then looked down at her belt. One pokémon left. I could use Electabuzz but his fighting attacks won't really do much against these poison types. Amber pulled out a pokéball. Magnemite wouldn't be affected by the poison attacks at all, but it's so timid in battle...but I know it can win … I know it can.
"I know it's risky, but I know we can do this! Go Magnemite!"
"Piiiiiiiiiiiiiii" Pichu looked on, hoping his trainer had made the right call.
Amber released her pokémon who once again bobbed around nervously.
"I choose you!" Janine let out her last pokémon.
A red light formed into a large flapping Venomoth.
Janine started the last round off. "Venomoth use Stun Spore!"
Venomoth opened her wings and paralysing powder snowed down from them.
"Maggggg" The magnet pokémon trembled amongst the spores, even though they did nothing to alter it's physical state.
"Magnemite! The spores aren't effecting you!" Amber called out.
"Mag?" His trainer was right there was no hurting … yet.
"Magnemite, remember all the pokémon you've beaten in the past! This is just one more." Amber called out.
Magnemite paused and thought back, it remembered battling Staryu, Electrode, Mime Junior, Weepinbell … it remembered getting hurt… every single time.
"Magnemitemagnemitemagnemitemagnemite!" The little pokémon freaked out and bobbed frantically around the battle arena.
"Magnemite …" Amber was at a loss. How can I get through to it?
"Ah! I forgot Electric types aren't prone to paralysis. Switch it up to Poison Powder!" Janine called out to her Venomoth who once again unleashed a tirade of powder from her wings.
Magnemite squeezed it's eye shut and hovered on the spot, frozen in fear surrounded by the poisonous spores.
Amber once again called out to her pokémon. "Magnemite, you're OK! Look! The Poison Powder doesn't affect you either! This pokémon can't hurt you!"
"Mag?" Magnemite slowly opened its eye.
"We can win this! Believe in me Magnemite! Believe in your trainer that believes in YOU!"
"Pichu pichu pichu" Pichu cried out supporting his team.
Magnemite slowly bobbed around in the spores. It's trainer was right! Nothing was hurting it. There was no ouch.
A newfound confidence swelled up inside the electric steel pokémon. It's eye narrowed at the offending Venomoth. It was going to win this battle for it's trainer.
Both Janine and Venomoth momentarily froze in panic, the same pained look in their eyes. How could I forget Magnemite is also a steel type … of course poison powder would be ineffective!
"Now Magnemite use Thunderwave." Amber now felt back in full control of the battle.
A jolt of static hit Venomoth and she struggled to move her wings to stay airbourne, slowing her down.
"Magnemite. Thunderbolt!" Amber commanded, taking full advantage of the opportunity.
Magnemite charged up and unleashed a solid electric attack, striking up the Venomoth and leaving her sparking on the floor.
"Venomoth!" Janine cried out in vain, her pokémon had feinted.
The match was over.
Janine recalled her pokémon sadly and spoke to the pokéball. "I'm sorry Venomoth. I clearly still have a lot to learn. But I'll keep improving. You have my word."
Amber meanwhile had run over to her beloved Magnemite with joy and was hugging it lovingly, nuzzling it against her cheek. "You did it! You did it!"
"Mag … ne …. Mite" The little pokémon was a feeling a little smothered but enjoying the moment with its trainer all the same.
Pichu jumped onto Ambers shoulder patted magnemite, proud of his friend. "Pi Chu Pichu."
"Oh Magnemite. I knew it, I knew you were strong! No matter what they all said, I always believed in you! Even when you don't believe in yourself, know I believe in you. I always will."
"Magggggg!" The magnet closed it's eye shut with joy and nuzzled into it's trainer happily.
Janine walked over. "You're a really strong pokémon trainer Amber. Real strong. After our battle today I know I still have a long way to go to catch up to my father's level. But now I'm even more determined than ever to prove myself. To him, to the League and to myself. Here as proof of your victory take the Soul Badge."
Amber graciously accepted. "Look Magnemite. You won a Soul Badge!"
"Magnemite magnemite!"
"I'd also like you to have this. It's the TM for Toxic, the signature move of the Fuchsia City Gym."
"Oh thank you, this will be great! … If I can get Electrode to go more than 10 seconds without blowing itself up …" Amber deadpanned.
Janine laughed "Well if anyone can train it, I have complete faith it will be you. Take care Amber Ketchum, I'm really glad to of met you. I hope to battle you again in the future."
"You too Janine. Let's make a promise, to create our own legacies." With that both trainers smiled and clasped hands firmly, sealing the deal.
"Agreed."
The victorious pokémon trainer turned and proceeded to leave the gym with her pokémon. Pausing, Amber started to feel around in front on her and gingerly made her way the exit, as if walking on literal eggshells. I am not falling for any traps again.
Janine looked on embarrassed. And I thought I had a lot more to learn!
Meanwhile Team Rocket had come around from their concussions and started to once again navigate the maze of the Ninja Gym in search of their prize.
"She can't be too far away, just walk with your arms out in front like this and we'll be OK." Shane called over his shoulder to Thea, he walked with his arms out at full length almost looking like a zombie. Thea was following directly behind him, allowing him to go first to avoid any more unnecessary injury for herself and to spare herself from looking ridiculous in the process.
Shane placed his foot on an unsuspecting floor tile, he immediately felt the surface drop and up came a pokéball?
"That's a large looking pokéball." Shane commented.
Thea peered over his shoulder and paled. "That's no pokéball!"
"OHH SHHHHHHHHHH" They clutched each other, knowing all too well what was coming up.
"VOLTORB!" The pokémon began to glow and exploded itself right underneath Team Rocket, sending them hurtling through the roof and into the air.
"EEEEEP! Look's like Team Rockets Blasting off again!" They cried out in union as they flew across the sky.
Amber, Pichu and Magnemite had exited the gym and looked up at the beautiful twilight sky, the sun was starting to set across the horizon, showing off the city's picturesque beauty. A hurtling object zoomed overhead.
"Oh look guys! A shooting star!" Amber pointed up at the whooshing entity. "Let's make a wish!"
"Pichu." "Magnemite." The pokémon closed their eyes.
"I wish to be the greatest ever Electric Pokémon Master." Amber spoke out loud to the sky.
The teenager paused and thought deeply for a moment, then turned to her pokémon.
"Actually … you know what guys? I don't need a wish for that. I don't need my families name, their influence, hordes of pokémon or illusions and wishes. You know why? Because I have you." Amber smiled warmly at her friends.
"Pi?"
"Mag?"
Pichu and Magnemite looked at their trainer, then at each other and back to Amber, they both beamed up at her with joyous expressions.
"Pichu pichu pi!" "Magnemite magnemite magnemite!"
"That's right! I have you and and Electabuzz, Eevee, Chinchou and Voltorb and yes even you Electrode." Amber spoke to her pokéballs. "So long as I have you guys, we'll be the greatest team this world has ever known!"
"Pichu" "Magnemite" The pokémon agreed with her.
Amber smiled joyfully at them. My own friends.
"Maybe I should have wished for the perfect boyfriend instead." Amber giggled to herself, then sighed a little, as she pictured Volker from the Sunnyshore Gym falling from the sky and landing in front of her, pulling off a flawless superhero landing. Rising up slowly to reveal a pristine romantic red rose from inside his jacket and offering it to her with an irresistible smile and wink. His eyes dazzling and dreamy.
"Ah who am I kidding, perfect boyfriends sure don't fall out of the sky." Amber sighed breaking out of her thoughts.
The trio continued to walk towards route 19, looking to set up camp for the night.
Behind them Team Rocket came thudding back to earth, Thea hitting a cherry tree and getting tangled in the branches, softening her unceremonious fall. Cherry blossoms dislodged from the impact and scattered from their branches. Shane was not so fortunate and landed smack on the dirt path, not far from where Amber had just stood.
He lifted his head slowly and as his eyes focused, seeing the object of his personal and professional desire walking away, the falling cherry blossoms dancing all around her. Teasing. He reached out his arm and hand, he knew she was out of his grasp, but he just had to feel closer to her, fruitlessly stretching his fingers as far as he could towards her as the distance between them grew wider and wider.
THUD
The large fishing net fell from the heavens and landed a top him.
"Ugh!" He dropped his head and hand into the dirt. "Next time..."