Kanto Chapter 32 - Return to Vermillion, a match with Surge

"Cascade Badge, Marsh Badge, Rainbow Badge, Soul Badge, Volcano Badge, Boulder Badge and Earth Badge. One badge left."

Amber had made her way through the Diglett tunnel that connected route 2 to the outskirts of Vermillion City. She sat outside the mouth of tunnel, dirty and tired from the long and winding trek of the seemingly endless dirt cave. Taking a rest, she studied her badge collection.

Taking her eyes off her badges she looked up to the inviting arched sign hanging above the city.

"Vermillion City"

"This is it … back to where it all began … and back to the Thunder Badge."

She dusted herself down and headed into the city.

Whilst waiting for her pokémon to be fully healed and battle ready at the pokémon centre, Amber played around with her new Rotom Phone, checking out different features and settings and getting acquainted to the pokémon possessing her new device.

It's so coooooooooooooooool. Amber squeezed her eyes shut and grinned, Rotom phone was awesome.

"Hey Rotom, how many electric pokémon are there?"

"Currently discovered there are over 70 pokémon of the electric variety, not including varied forms."

"Wow, over 70 … and how many have I caught?"

"So far, you have logged 11 pokémon. 12 including myself."

Ambers caught pokémon highlighted up on a screen lined with blank spaces. "Your national pokédex is 1.147% complete." Rotom continued to dissect the teenager's progress. "Would you like to me to run through your pokédex entries?"

"… Okayyy that's enough of that …" Amber sweat dropped and swiped off the dex screen. "Guess I may as well call home whilst I'm waiting. Hey Rotom call home."

The little red phone vibrated and replied. "Phoning Home."

The phone rang three times before the screen clicked and a very familiar yellow pokémon with red cheeks appeared.

"Pikachu!" Amber called out happily. "How you doing?"

"Pi Kaaa!" The mouse pokémon cried out happily seeing his friend. "Pi?" "Pika!" Suddenly he was pushed up out the way of the screen, and a man appeared.

"Hiya Kiddo!" Ash appeared in the screen and grinned.

"Dad!"

"How are you? And where are you?" The pokémon master asked, not so much out of concern for his daughters where-abouts, more general interest.

"I'm in Vermillion City. I'm waiting to challenge Surge."

"Ooooh. Well, well, a battle at the Vermillion City Gym against your Sensei. This will be quite the reunion for you. I bet your looking forward to an all-out electric battle."

"I am!" Amber nodded eagerly.

"I'm excited for you. Man, I kinda wish I was there battling too." Ash's eyes glazed over.

"Pi ka pika chuuu" Pikachu pushed against Ash desperate for some more screen time.

Ash gently pushed back. "Pikachu! Quit it! So, are you ready for the match?"

"I guess so, I'm just waiting for Nurse Joy to come out with my pokémon." Amber looked over at the treatment room light to see if there was any sign of it lighting up to signal her pokemon were coming.

"Pika pika pika pika!" Pikachu began to desperately push against Ash.

"Hey Pikachu! I'm tryin' to talk here! So … what strategy are you going … with?" Ash struggled to get his words out, pushing against his pokémon pal.

"Strategy? Hmm well I'm definitely including Geodude in my team."

"Umm well yeah that's a good start. Anything else?"

"Go in all offensive like Surge does?" Amber shrugged.

"Hm. Not sure that's going to cut it, his Raichu is awesome. But he does have one weakness." Ash beckoned his daughter to come in closer.

Amber leaned in closer to the screen.

Ash lowered his voice. "Surge evolved his Raichu as soon as he caught him. He never developed his speed. Raichu is slow, you can expose that using your pikachu's speed attacks against him. That's how I beat him."

Amber rolled her eyes internally. She had heard the story a million times how Dad and Pikachu beat Surge and Raichu.

"Dad, I watched Surge battle for months, he personally trained me, heck, I lived at the gym! I think I know what I'm doing."

Ash frowned. "Hey now, don't act so sure of yourself. Surge is tough. One of the toughest Gym leaders we've ever faced. Right Pikachu?"

"Pika pikachu" Ash's Pikachu nodded in agreement.

"I know, I know. I'll be ready. Hey where's Mom?" Amber decided to change the subject before she got more irritated at her father's patronising.

"Your mother? Oh, she had to go to the Cerulean Gym urgently, something about a break in? It's strange though apparently only gym badges were taken. No pokémon, no money, no valuables, weird huh?"

"Just gym badges? That's pretty crazy!"

"Meh, it's likely some idiot wanting to get into the league tournament or running some badge scam. We sadly see it a lot in the build up to the competition, maybe not on this scale, but it only ever gets them so far. Nothing prepares you for a tournament than actually putting the work in." The Pokémon Master held up his finger and winked.

"Shouldn't you be there with her?"

"Stolen gym badges are a little below my paygrade. Officer Jenny and her team have got it covered." Ash dismissed.

"Below your paygrade? You're Pokémon League Champion. This is your paygrade!" Amber raised her voice in disapproval.

"Hey! I've been super swamped lately! What, with the fallout from Team Rocket and the clean-up of Cinnabar Island …" Her father yawned and stretched lazily. "I've been non-stop."

"Yeah, you're really burning the litwick at both ends." Amber deadpanned.

"I really am." The sarcasm of his daughter's words going completely over the pokemon master's head. "Besides all that I've got a championship to prepare for."

"Pikachu! Pika pikachuuuuu pikaaa" Pikachu pushed in once more on dominating the screen time. "Pikachu quit it!" Ash gently pushed Pikachu to the side again.

"You're battling in the tournament?!" Amber squeaked out in surprise.

"No, no, nothing like that. But someone is going to win it. And that person will have the right to challenge the Elite Four, and if they beat the Elite Four, then they go up against me. I have to be ready to defend my title."

"Dad, no one's come close to that in years." Amber shook her head and flicked her wrist, waving her hand, dismissing his concerns.

"Maybe so, but I dunno, I have a feeling. I think this year could be different." Ash smiled warmly at his daughter.

"Pikachu pika! Pi pi pi pikachu piiiiii!" Pikachu once more forcefully pushed his way into the centre of the screen.

Ash frowned "Pikachu! Seriously! Cut. It. Out! Waaaagggghhhhhhhhhhhh"

The pokémon let off a thunder shock attack in frustration; Ash fell to the floor fried. Pikachu smushed his face into the screen. "Pi ka Chu."

Amber sweat dropped. "I think I better let you go. Later Dad. Bye Pikachu!"

"P pika chu, Pi Kaaaa." The mouse smiled brightly.

"Bbbb byeeeeee kidddd. O. … gooood luck. I'll be rooting for yaaaa." A very shaky thumbs up appeared on the screen then with that the screen went blank.

"I can't believe I missed my chance of catching the legendary birds … again!"

"Huh?" Amber spun, seeing two people enter the pokémon centre. One was a tall man with dark hair, flecked with grey, tanned skin and beautiful blazing blue eyes, the other an auburn-haired lady wearing a lab coat. Her posture perfect and oozing grace for formality, not a hair out of place.

"You were the one who had to stop and catch every water pokémon in the ocean." The lady sighed back. Clearly exasperated with her companion.

"How could I not?!" The man argued back. "It's not every day you see a migration like that."

The two stopped in their tracks as they made eye contact with Amber. The man's eyes widened in surprise then narrowed slightly.

"Hey isn't that?" The woman began, pointing at Amber.

"Don't know, don't care! Come on we need to get back to the lab." The man clasped his partners arm and dragged her out the pokémon centre.

Amber tilted her head to the side.

"But Goh, we need to heal the pokémon!" The woman protested as her companion lead her out the door of the centre.

"Not here we don't!" The man made eye contact with a clueless Amber one more time, before he grumbled and walked out.

And with that the pair were gone.

What was that all about? Amber stood perplexed. The light above the treatment door pinged red and the bell dinged.

"Oh well, whatever. It's game time!" The teen grinned with excitment.

"Goh! Seriously what has gotten into you?!" The woman smacked the hand off her partner and glared, not appreciating being dragged around against her will.

"I'm sorry Chlo … it's just seeing that girl … ugh, she looks just like him. Just like him and … her." Goh raised his hands in exasperation.

"Well yeah, she is their kid." The woman, Chloe, reasoned.

"I guess … honestly … I'm just still not over it." The man looked at his friend sadly.

"Oh Goh." Chloe looked at her friend sympathetically. "It's been 20 years. I mean, does Ash even know?"

"Ash doesn't care. And that's the issue."

With that the two walked off into Viridian City.

Amber looked up at the large intimidating doors of the Vermillion City Gym.

Home away from home. Amber smiled, she took a deep breath and entered the building.

Thump!

Amber face planted against the doors as they didn't budge on her attempted entry.

"Hwewyy whut givshes?" She peeled herself off the metal. "Why are the doors locked? They're never locked?"

A voice boomed out from a doorbell speaker. "What reason brings you here at da Vermillion city gym?! State ya business!"

Amber gulped; her eyes wide. She'd forgot how intimidating Surge could be.

"Um … it's me?" Amber squeaked out unsure what to say.

"AMBER!" Lt Surges voice boomed even louder, something Amber didn't think was possible. Her eyes bulged at the volume. "Hey it's Amber! Hey guys, the kids back! Whatcha standing around outside for? Come on in! Come in!"

"I errr, would, but the door's locked?" Amber sweat dropped.

"Oh yeah! Let me get dat for ya."

A buzzer went off and the door unlocked allowing entry.

"Hey everyone! I'm back!" The teenager called out happily as she entered the familiar and dimly lit army gym.

"AMBER!" The three gym trainers, Tucker, Dwayne, and Baily huddled over to greet her. "How have you been?" "Tell us everything about your travels!" "We want to hear all your stories!" "These guys have been no fun without you around!"

Amber sweat dropped not used to the attention.

Surge strolled over stealing the limelight with one of his famous bone-crushing bear hugs. "As you can see, we've all missed ya kid!"

"I've missed you all too!" Amber beamed. "Hey what was the deal with the door anyway?"

"Yeah, sorry about dat Amb's, we've had ta beef up security again. We hadda bit of trouble at the gym, someone broke in an' stole gym badges of all things."

"Gym badges?" Amber raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, weird huh, don't me wrong there's always some punk trying their luck when the pokémon league competition draws near. But this time we got wiped clean outta 'em! Officer Jenny is on da case but really there aint much clues ta go on … don't envy her job. This person really know what they was doin"

"No way, stolen Gym Badges … just like Cerulean … crazy. …." Amber eyes bolted wide open as a realisation dawned on her. "Wait does that mean I can't challenge you?!" Amber's voice oozed panic.

"Na, don't worry we can still battle. I'll let da League now da outcome of the battle an as soon as the Rifure Village send me some more, I'll get one ova to ya on the double."

"Oh, well ok then ..."

"But first who's hungry?" Surge beamed and Tucker, Baily and Dwayne emerged from behind the large man, their hands adorned with plates of food.

"Ta da!"

Amber beamed, coming "home" was great.

After a good catch up and some much needed fun and laughter over a delicious spread of food, it was finally time for the gym battle. All the previous joviality was gone and replaced with a tense and serious atmosphere.

Tucker stood on the side-line acting as referee. Baily and Dwayne flanked him either side, both nervous and excited at the up-coming battle between master and apprentice they were about to witness.

"This will be a full out 6 on 6 battle. No holds barred. Show me what you've learned." Surge stood tall and ridged, eyes keen and sharp ready to battle his protégé.

"I've been waiting forever for this." The teen pulled out a pokéball, she was also ready.

"Den wait no more." Surge threw out his first pokéball. "GO!"

The gym battle raged, with Surge not giving an inch. Amber was 3 pokémon down and Surge still had 5 pokémon left.

I'm really on the back foot here… The teen thought to herself with a grimace. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Her mind went blank, then back to her very first gym battle against her mother, Misty at the Cerulean Gym.

*** Flashback ***

Misty winked at her daughter. "Now my sweet daughter, time to prove to me you're ready to take on the League Gym Challenge. My adorable Pokémon are ready to take you on! The ultimate offense of Water-type Pokémon! We will have a two on two battle, no time limit. We begin now."

Seeing her mother approach in the swimming pool, Amber placed her Pichu on top of her head and met Misty halfway, both treading water.

"That was a brilliant match and a very well-deserved win for you sweetie. I've never seen Raindance used to my disadvantage like that before. Well done. You earned this." Misty clapped as Seel dove into the pool and swam over to them, sticking his tongue out and producing a Cascade badge.

Misty came over with a towel for her daughter. "Usually I'd give out a TM, but as I don't think teaching Bubblebeam is particularly high on your priority list I'm going to give you one better."

Misty took her hand hidden behind her back and revealed a red and blue pokéball.

"Chinchou!" The little water electric type pokémon looked up at her new trainer. "A Chinchou!" Amber exclaimed with excitement, she then lay down on the pool's edge and put her hand in the pool, gently fussing and playing with her new friend, who lapped up the attention.

"I've wanted you to have Chinchou for a while now, but I had to know you were ready for her, for all of this, and today you proved to me you are. You are a great trainer Amber Ketchum and I want you to follow your dreams, but never forget you're a Waterflower too." Misty winked.

Standing up, Amber gave her mother another big hug "she's perfect Mom. Thank you."

*** End ***

Amber pulled out the blue and red ball "With the power of the Waterflowers at my side. I choose you, Lanturn!"

"Lanturn? Hmm interesting. Alright. Show me what you can do." Surge stood tall and imposing, his Electrode ready.

"This isn't any Lanturn! This is a Cerulean Gym Lanturn!"

"Electrode, use Electro Ball."

Hmm Electrode … my Electrode feinted … at the Fuchsia City Gym … Amber began to recall her battle against Janine, the Fuchsia City Gym Leader ...

*** Flashback ***

"I'd also like you to have this. It's the TM for Toxic, the signature move of the Fuchsia City Gym." Janine placed the disc in the teenagers hand.

"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."

*** End ***

"Electrode isn't immune to poison! Use Toxic, Lanturn!" Amber pointed outwards to her pokémon, who spurted out a thick purple goo all over Surge's Electrode. The sludge ran down it's shiny spherical body, seemingly having no effect.

"Hm, nice try. Electrode, Signal Beam." Surge commanded.

Electrode started to charge but within seconds the pokémon's eyes drooped and it's face flushed green before topping to it's side, badly poisoned.

"My Electrode out in one hit? Unbelievable!" Surge commented, recalling his sick pokémon.

"That move was courtesy of the Fuchsia City Gym." Amber smirked, a confident twinkle in her eye.

"Well if that's how you roll, go Magneton." Surge threw out his next pokéball. "Magneton start things off with a Thunderbolt!"

The move hit home, inflicting significant damage on Lanturn.

Ouch Lanturn ... if she didn't have resistance to electric attacks that would of been a knock out, she can't take another hit like that. Amber grimaced.

*** Flashback ***

"I have something else for you also." Brock reached into back pocket and pulled out a small pokéball, instantly enlarging it in his hand and handing it over to the young electric prodigy.

"For me?" Amber enquired wide eyed as she grasped the pokéball in her hands.

"Yes, from what I've witnessed, I know you are the perfect trainer to raise this pokémon for me. She'll be a great addition to your team and great new friend."

Amber released the contents of pokéball, the red beam of light forming into geodude. The pokémons rock hard skin taking on a silvery appearance adorned with dark thick eyebrows and strands of black "hair".

"Arw a geodude! Cool! … Wait? She looks … different?" Amber raised an eyebrow and put her hand to her chin, looking over the pokémon with confusion.

"This a geodude from the Alola region. She differs from the geodude you find in Kanto as instead of being a ground rock variant, she's part rock and part electric."

"An electric geodude?! Oh wow! Uncle Brock thank you! I promise I'll take good care of her!"

"I know you will." Brock smiled and nodded.

Amber knelt down and patted the head of her new pokémon. "Hi Geodude! We're going to be good friends."

*** End ***

Time to use my secret weapon from Uncle Brock. "Lanturn return. Now Geodude it's your turn! Go!" Amber recalled her dual water type and replaced with her dual rock type.

"A geodude?" Surge raised an eyebrow

"An Alolan Geodude! From the Pewter City Gym!"

"Interestin'. A solid choice. But shame it's got no grounding. Magneton use Flash Cannon."

Ah, a steel move … what beats steel …. I know this … Amber closed her eyes and thought hard.

*** Flashback ***

"So you've beaten the Gym Trainers here and now wish to challenge the Cinnabar Island Gym Leader? Sorry but to progress further you must answer these questions three."

Amber tilted her head at the strange set up but nodded to oblige the weird man blocking her entrance to the Cinnabar Island Gym.

"How many Badges certified by the Pokémon League are there?"

"Oh that's easy! 8." Amber answered confidently.

"Correct. Next question. "A Steel-type move used on a Fire-type Pokémon will be...?"

Amber put her finger to her chin and thought about her Magnemite. "Not very effective."

"Very good. Last Question. Challenger, tell me... who are you about to battle?!"

Amber paused. I have no idea … Dad battled Blaine, but Blaine left the pokémon league before I was even born …

The weird guard crossed his arms, a smile coming over his face at the stumped girl before him. He had her on the ropes.

Think Amber think. "The Cinnabar Island Gym … Leader?" The teenager grinned cheekily.

The man deadpanned at the girl before him. But soon burst into laughter.

"Ok good answer. You will be battling" The man pulled away his disguise of the hat, glasses and facial hair to reveal slicked back brown hair, brilliant fire red eyes and a big toothy smile.

"Me. Dusty the Cinnabar Island Gym Leader."

*** End ***

"Steel types can't handle fire moves, Geodude use Fire Punch! Just like we learned from Dusty at the Cinnabar Island Gym!"

"Geodude!" The electric rock lunged forwards, fist pulled back as a fireball formed around it. Magneton braced itself. Geodude connected with Magneton inflicting a great deal of damage with her fist of fire.

After a few rounds of fire fists, it was clear Magneton was unable to battle. The dual steel pokémon was called out and replaced with Jolteon.

"Arwww Jolteon." Amber's eyes went googly seeing her adorable old friend, but she soon snapped out of her cute poke-coma. There was a battle to win.

Geodude attacked head-on, adapting her trainers offensive battle style, relying on her solid rock form body as defence. But the spikey yellow fox pokémon was not going down easily, retaliating with some decent damage from her strong double kick attack.

"Here's something else we picked up from our time in Pewter City! Geodude Rock Smash!" Amber called out, confident the move would tip the scales in their favour.

The rock move hit and KO'd Jolteon out the battle. Leaving the Vermillion Gym Leader another pokémon down. It was now challenger down to two pokémon and gym leader down to two pokémon.

"Good comeback kid, very good. But you know I've saved my strongest two pokémon for last. Go pokéball!" Surge threw out his penultimate ball.

Amber narrowed her eyes, no matter what her and Geodude would be ready.

The ball opened and the light formed into a large intimidating yellow and black pokémon. A pair of antennae with bulbous tips formed on the head and two long black tails with red ends emerged from the back.

"You're Electabuzz evolved into Electivire!" Amber gasped, her tone a mixture of excitement and nervous – she had never seen one in person, let alone battled against one. This wouldn't be easy. The teen took out her rotom phone and scanned the new pokémon.

"Electivire, the Thunderbolt Pokémon. The evolved form of Electabuzz and final form of Elekid. In terms of electrical-energy output, Electivire is one of the best among all Electric Pokémon. It discharges high-voltage currents from its tails."

This won't be easy … Geodude hasn't had a lot battling experience … "Geodude! Use Rock Smash again!" Amber commanded her pokémon, not missing a beat.

The little Alolan Geodude let off her powerful move, but Electivire took the attack head on without flinching. The fully evolved electric pokémon smirked, a hint of smugness and knowing in the expression. His trainer Surge matching the expression. "Attacking head on will only get you so far, especially when you're facing a stronger opponent. Like me." The old army vet commented. "Now Electivire, use Low Kick."

Electivire lurched forwards, sliding himself along the floor and smashed foot first into the weighty compact geodude.

"Geoooodudeeeeee." The rock pokémon went rolling across the floor, skidding to a stop. Her eyes were spinning.

"Geodude is unable to battle." Tucker raised in arm up in favour of Surge and Electivire.

"Geodude return." Amber pulled out her pokéball and recalled her fallen friend. "You were amazing Geodude, have a good rest." Amber pulled out her last pokéball. "It's all down to you, like always, I'm depending on you once more." Amber gently kissed the ball as she threw it out. "I choose you Pikachu!"

The red light spilled out and Pikachu formed. The little yellow mouse poised battle ready on all fours, dwarfed by the giant fully evolved electivire before him.

Amber frowned I can't go into this last round using Surge's offensive battle style against him, I'm out muscled, out powered … and he knows it …

*** Flashback ***

"Well done Amber Ketchum. I knew you would be a strong opponent. You have embraced your own technique and battle style. Now you must develop it and yourself." Sabrina the Saffron City Gym Leader smiled at the teenager "Remember, your destiny is your own and here is something to help you along the way."

The psychic gym leader handed over the Marsh Badge and the TM for Light Screen. "This psychic move is a must have for your battling style." The Gym Leader added.

*** End ***

"Time for us to battle, like US. Pikachu. Use Light Screen."

"Pi!" Pikachu but up a barrier, protecting him from special attacks.

"So you're fightin' smart now. Good, I was hopin' things would get interestin'. Electivire use Wild Charge."

"Pikachu, use dig!"

The yellow mouse pokémon dived underground avoiding the attack from the electric goliath. The giant stood on the battlefield looking around confused as to where his opponent had gone.

"Electivire, use your tails, feel out where Pikachu is!"

Electivire closed his eyes and used his long black tails to feel out the vibrations underground. Pikachu popped up but Electivire, expecting the attack, dodged easily and delivered a low kick to the mouse pokémon.

Pikachu took the attack, but recovered from the impact easily, diving back down under the ground unfazed.

Pikachu continued to dive down and pop his head up, Electivire avoiding attacks and lashing out, Pikachu fast enough to dodge his opponent's retaliations in a game of "Whack-a-diglett". The battlefield was becoming a sea of potholes. Electivire stepped back and got his foot caught in one of the holes immobilising him.

"Now Pikachu!" Amber shouted.

"Piii Kaaaaaa!" Pikachu burst out of the ground full force and headbutted up into Electivire as hard as he could, the impact sending the Thunderbolt pokémon reeling backwards, hitting the floor with a hard thud, eyes spinning.

"Electivire!" Surge cried out for his fallen comrade. Tucker raised his arm "Electivire is unable to battle."

Surge recalled his pokémon and nodded silently. He pulled out his last pokéball. "Somehow, I always knew it would come down to this …. Go Raichu"

"Raiiiiii" Raichu appeared from his pokémon and stood off against Pikachu. Both pokémon frowned, gritting their teeth and began to spark their cheeks in anticipation of the upcoming battle.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Amber commented, battle ready.

Surge looked at the battlefield, the craziest DeJa'Vu hit him, flashing back to the day Ash Ketchum, a 10 yearold rookie, with a dream and a Pikachu, stepped onto his gym battle floor.

"Pikachu, dig again."

Pikachu once again dived down, repeating the strategy used against Electivire.

Surge recalled the memory of Ash's Pikachu, how the pokémon dived and weaved from Raichu's barrage of attacks, Ash using Pikachu's higher speed stat against his own Raichu.

We've learned a lot since then … history will not repeat itself today … Surge gritted his teeth before starting the battle. "Raichu use Electro Web!"

Raichu blasted out electric webs, covering the potholes littering the gym floor.

"Pi Kaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Pikachu popped up and found himself caught in the sticky electric web, ending his speedy game.

"Oh no Pikachu!" Amber gasped, hesitating on her next move.

"Now Raichu, give him a Thunder Attack. Shut him down." Surge belted out his command.

"Raiiii Chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu" Raichu charged up and unleashed the awesome electric attack, giving it all he had.

"PIKACHU!" Amber cried out feeling helpless to help her friend.

Pikachu eyes went wide and flattened his ears as the move hit. The little mouse jarred and shuddered as the attack volted through him. Fortunately, the light screen and his electric typing had given him a degree of resistance from the powerful move.

"Your speed ain't doing nothin' today." Surge commented, his strategy taking no chances.

Amber paled, feeling a little helpless. Oh no Pikachu is rooted to the spot …. Rooted … ROOTED!

*** Flashback ***

Erika the Celadon City Gym Leader walked over. "Congratulations to you and your pokémon, Amber. That was a win well deserved. Your Mother was right about you, you really do have a special gift. And as proof of that, I happily present to you this Rainbow Badge." The Gym Leader pulled out a pretty little flower emblem with petals arranged in a spectrum of colour and placed it into the teenager's hand.

"Here take this TM too, it's Grass Knot. I believe this could your battle style well and I trust you to come up with a great strategy for it." Erika smiled warmly.

*** End ***

"Pikachu use Grassknot!" Pikachu freed his leg from the electric webbing and stomped down hard into the ground, a large thick root up sprouted and smacked Raichu back, freeing Pikachu from his electric web confinement in the process. Pikachu bounced up and somersaulted out the rest of his sticky prision, landing on the solid ground. He was back in the battle.

Amber smiled confidently and pointed out. "Pikachu, now we know they are trying to stop us using your speed, it is their only weakness, just like Dad said. Use Volt Tackle!"

Raichu and Surge both growled, their strategy undone.

Pikachu ran towards Raichu, picking up speed and engulfing himself in electric energy. "Pika pika pikapika pikapikapikapika chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

The smaller yellow mouse bolted into his fully evolved form and hit him with everything he had. Raichu staggered back winded.

*** Flashback ***

"You guys should be proud. You've come a long way since our last battle, and you've trained and strengthened your team well. Here." Gary placed the green plant like badge in the palm of the teens hand.

"The Earth Badge … awesome …" Amber's eyes glistened as she admired her new token, holding it up against the gym floor flood lights to see it sparkle. It really was something special to behold.

"Also take this TM. I think it will suit your battle style well."

Amber took the disc and grinned. "Iron Tail, cool!"

"Don't you dare lose your next gym battle against Lt Surge. I'd never live it down." Gary placed a hand over his eyes and tilted his head back dramatically.

Amber broke into a laugh. "Deal."

"I'm serious!" Gary had a slight laugh in his voice. "I think I'd have to give up my position here as gym leader and go live on the top of Mount Silver in solitude or something. Now pinky swear!"

Amber giggled and the two latched their little fingers, shaking them down and sealing the promise.

*** End ***

I'm going to keep my promise Uncle Gary! "Now finish this Pikachu! Iron Tail!"

The move hit home and Raichu fell to floor, hard. Seconds past. The larger electric mouse didn't move.

Tucker raised his arm up. "Raichu is unable to battle. The winner. Pikachu."

"PIKACHUUUUUU!" Amber ran over and picked Pikachu up, she spun them around on the spot. "That's our 8th Gym Win. We're going to the pokémon league! WE'RE GOING TO THE POKÉMON LEAGUE!"

Rushing over, Tucker, Baily and Dwayne all rallied around the teenager and her pokémon. They hoisted them up in their arms in victory and gave them the bumps. Amber and Pikachu giggled and beamed as they were jostled up into the air over and over in a victory celebration.

Giving his Raichu a once over with Hyper Potion before his next trip to the pokémon centre, Surge petted his partner gently on the head. "You battled real well buddy."

"Rai Rai." The pokémon chirped as the potion took effect, taking the edge off his battle fatigue.

"She did it … the kid pulled it off." Surge mumbled to himself, although disappointed to lose, his chest swelled with pride. The Gym Leader and his Riachu watched his trainers and his gleeful protégé, as she was repeatedly thrown into the air with her pikachu, laughing with joy.

Surge and Raichu walked over to the party, the three Vermillion trainers gently let the girl down, leaving the master and student to it. Tucker giving Amber a firm congratulatory squeeze on her shoulder, Dwayne a proud filled salute and Baily ruffled her hair as they departed.

"Well ya did it. Ya beat me. Fair and square. Here take this, it's da TM for Volt Switch. I know it will come in handy during the league tournament."

Amber smiled. "Thank You Surge. This is great."

The large man placed his hand firmly on the young teens shoulder. "I'm so proud of ya kid, you've come a long way since you first left here with Pichu."

"Pika pika pika pikachu!" Pikachu bounced up and down next to Surges Raichu.

"What's up Pikachu?" Amber looked over to pokémon puzzled. Surge also looked on and smiled.

"Looks to me like Pikachu is ready for da next step."

"The next step?" Amber mused.

Pikachu sparked his cheeks in a blend of excitement and frustration, Raichu looked to his master and nodded.

"Here, take this." Surge pulled out a green stone with a Thunderbolt on it.

"A Thunderstone." Amber's eyes widened.

"You'll know when the time is right." Surge commented and took a step back with his Raichu. The man's old philosophy of forcing pokémon to evolve as soon as possible, long gone.

"Pika pika chu pika!" Pikachu held his arms up and continued to bounce.

"Pikachu. … Is this what you want?" Amber knelt down to her friend and held out the stone in view. Her friend who'd evolved to protect her, her friend who'd helped her in countless battles, saved her against team rocket, rode on the legendary Zapdos with her and sat on her shoulder through thick and thin. Was it time for him to grow? Was he ready to evolve? Was she ready for him to change?

"Pikachu." Pikachu smiled and nodded. In his heart he'd gone as far as he could as a Pikachu. He'd proven himself in battle and now to be the pokémon he wanted to be for his best friend, it was time for the next step in his life.

Pikachu jumped up and somersaulted forwards, his tail making solid contact against the stone. He began to glow and morph. His body became bigger, tail longer and slimmer, ears smaller, rounding in shape.

"Raichu!"

"Raichu!" Amber hugged her new pokémon tightly. "My Raichu. My very own Raichu." She nuzzled into his soft dark orange fur.

Surges Raichu looked on with a soft happy smile, eyes glistening at the new power duo.

"Looking good yous two." Surge raised his thumb up in approval. "I just really wish I hadda Thunder Badge ta give ya, ya know? Doesn't seem da same without giving one out." The large Gym Leader shook his head slightly in frustration.

"That's ok. I understand." Amber put on a fake smile whilst stroking her newly evolved Raichu, but anyone could see deep down she was disappointed.

Surge and his Raichu both frowned. This wasn't right. Their deserving protégé was going without, all because of some dishonest schmucks with no courage and no heart. "Wait a second!" The old man slapped the chest pocket of his vest jacket, before opening it up and routing around the tiny space with his massive fingers. "Ah ha!"

"I just remembered; I always keep one close to my heart." He slowly pulled his fingers out and wedged in between them, a little yellow sun like trinket. A Thunder Badge.

"And now I, Lt Surge of the Vermillion City Gym, have the pleasure of giving you, Amber Ketchum, dis Thunder Badge as a sign of your victory here today. Well done Kid. You've more than earned this." The old man beamed as he passed it over to the teenage girl before him. The rookie he'd personally trained into a champion in the making. The girl who left his gym to go out into the world with only a Pichu and a few pokéballs. The teenager who'd saved the world from Team Rocket and rode on the back of the electric legendary pokémon, Zapdos. The student who had now surpassed him. The daughter he'd never had.

His chest swelled with pride.

"Wow would you look at that. It's really a Thunder Badge." Amber's eyes glistened as she took her final badge. The most precious of all.

"Rai rai raichu!" Her newly evolved pokémon chirped with glee.

"You should be proud kid. You and your pokémon really fought good together. Now you can enter da Pokémon League Tournament."

Amber clenched her fist tightly around the badge and looked up at her sensei with determination in her eyes. "We did it. We got all eight badges."

"There's one other thing. Walk with me kid." The giant beckoned, and Amber followed. The two Raichu bounded after their masters as they walked out of the gym into the soft evening sunlight of the outside world.

Surge stepped forwards and looked out over the calm sea. The sunsetting casting glorious warm yellow and orange tones over the Vermillion harbour. He rested his arms on the railings. "Amber. You've grown and improved so much since you started here at the da gym. Seein' Pichu grow into a Pikachu, an' now a Raichu. Ya pokémon team growing, getting' stronger. I'm proud of ya. I really am. It's been an honour to be a witness to your journey. Your progression through da Kanto League, flying with tha Legendary Birds. It's been a wild ride. I'm grateful for it."

"I'm the one who's grateful Sensei. I couldn't and wouldn't have done any of this without you and your support. I owe you everything." Amber beamed, she looked down her Raichu and smiled.

"Sensei? Heh … I think you're past callin' me that. The student has now become the master." Surge looked down and petted his Raichu, he then turned looked Amber in the eye. "Which is why. I'm offering you the position of Gym Leader here at the Vermillion City Gym."

"Wha…?!" Amber's eyes widened in shock. "Rai!" Amber's Raichu matched his trainer's expression.

"I'm getting on kid. Battling with you today, well it made me realise I can't go on doing this forever. I'm in my 60's ya know." Surge continued to pat his Raichu's head gently, soothing his fur from the intense battle earlier. "Now don't get me wrong, I'm not ready ta kick the bucket just yet and I know yous got ya pokémon league tournament coming up, and of course I want yous to participate and do the very best ya can, heck I'm rootin' for ya to become League Champion!"

Amber smiled; a feint blush appeared on her face.

"But well I don't have any offspring, your the closest thing I has to havin' a kid. I can't think of a single person I'd trust my Gym to more than you. So, when the time is right. The Vermillion Gym is yours."

"Surge … I … I'm flattered, no, honoured, I really am. The Vermillion Gym, You, Tucker, Baily, Dwayne, Raichu, Jolteon and all the pokémon. What you all mean to me, it's more than you'll ever know. This building of bricks and mortar, it's home. You guys are like family to me.

"But?"

Amber looked at her Raichu, who in turned looked up at his trainer. There eyes locked in an understanding.

"But my dream is to become the greatest Electric Pokémon Master of all time. And just like my father, I'm not sure I can achieve that staying in one place … not even here." Amber looked up the building she'd become so fond of with a slight sadness in her eyes.

Surge gave a soft smile. "I understand. An' for what it's worth I admire and respect your decision. I'd neva want to block you from your dreams kid. But know that if you're ever ready ta settle down, the Gym is ready for you."

"Thank you, Sensei." Amber put her arms around the giant elder man's waist and have him a warm embrace. "For everything."

Surge reciprocated placing a hand tenderly on top of the girl's head. "Hey, I thought we were past the Sensei talk?"

"Never. You'll always be my Sensei." Amber looked up and smiled warmly.

"And you'll always be my kid." Surge smiled and lightly ruffled the teens hair. The man sighed. "Guess I'll havta be the Gym Leader of dis old dump a little longer huh?"

Amber giggled. "Looks like it, but it really is the best "dump" in the whole world."

"Heh. Well now all dat's said an' done. Who's hungry? Battling like that sure worked up an appetite! And we both know Dwyane make's da best salty sea hot dwags this side ada the ocean!"

"Now that sounds like a plan!"

"Rai Rai!" "Raichu!" The two pokémon chirped at thought of food.

And with that Surge lead the teen back into the gym, their Raichu bounding in after them - leaving the sun to set over the Vermillion harbour - where delicious food, joyous celebrations and the nights frivolities awaited them.

"Sir we have collected all the Gym Badges from each of the certified gyms in Kanto. Operation "GRBY" is on schedule." Cassidy and Butch stood to attention before a cloaked figure.

"Good, now for phase 2. I trust you both capable of these menial tasks?" The cloaked figure remained sat in his large office chair, facing away from them.

"Yes Sir. We will not let you down." The duo chorused together. With that they turned and left the room.

The cloaked man turned on his chair and pulled up a history tab on his computer screen, scrolling through text and images till he stopped on the article he was looking for. Pressing enter on his keyboard the screen filled with images. He clicked and enlarged one, the picture filling the 36" screen.

"See you soon. Ketchum." His gravelly voice twisted into a snarl.

Authors note - Oh my god, this was hard to write. I had the craziest writers block and then it sorta gelled over these past 2 days. So the pokémon league is finalllllly in sight get ready for some comebacks, cameos and fresh new faces as we near the end of the story (don't worry the league will be a good few chapters long).

As requested by my favourite reviewer, I will be doing a Team Rocket side story. I've written some of it but not really got far with that. At all. Ah and the person who reviewed about the electric/bug pokémon - good shout. I love Joltik it's actually one of my favourite pokémon and I was going to write about it but I 100% forgot and then focused solely on Kanto pokémon. So my bad there! I'll cover my a$$ by saying it's a whole big world and maybe the trainers don't know all the pokémon that exist out there yet ;-)

Edit - I was going to explore Goh in a future story, however I've written a side story "Aim to be a Shipper" Chapter 5 covers Goh and his back story with Ash with if you want to read for some world building of my head canon