STILL ALIVE!

"The next chapter is fairly straightforward" I said "Hopefully I'll get it out quicker." I added. You'll excuse me if I take those words, burn them over a fire, and eat the resulting ashes. This chapter fought with me so much, especially the last part of the Brock battle. I eventually figured out that since I knew what was going on I couldn't do Brock's reaction fairly and had to run my beta through the scenario blindly to get through it. Shout out to them for being a good sport about it.

Reviews:

Anonymous reviewer on FF: Ash x Leaf pairing? It's an interesting thought but to be honest I hadn't really thought about who I would pair Ash with or if I would pair him with anyone as of yet. That is food for thought though.

Team Limits I

When a Pokemon Trainer begins their career they are allowed to carry a maximum of 3 Pokemon. Upon earning their first Badge, that limit increases to 6 Pokemon, the number that early on was considered the minimum number of companions one would need to traverse from settlement to settlement during the time when Pokemon first emerged. Back when Pokemon League Challenge was established, many Trainers started it with their local Gyms and as such Gym Leaders treated a first Badge challenge at the same level of a second Badge challenge to ensure those Trainers were ready for life outside the settlements. But as Routes were established and Pokemon proved themselves willing to work with humans and only attacking those who provoked them, first year Trainers became more willing to travel further from home for their first Gym challenge. Many Gym Leaders began making their first Badge challenges easier as protecting oneself in the wild became less of an issue. Thus the first Badge limit increase became less about protection and more a rite of passage for first year Trainers.

"Vice Grip into Bind" Ash's armor-clad opponent called out to his Pinsir, the at Aris.

"Dodge with String Shot and use Poison Sting!" Ash ordered. The Weedle shot a string at a tree then used it to pull herself out of her charging opponent's path. She followed up by firing poisonous barbs from her mouth at the Pinsir.

"Harden" their opponent countered. A white sheen passed over his Pokemon,partially deflecting the attack.

"Quick Attack!" Pinsir glowed white as it charged straight at Aris. Ash's Pokemon used String Shot to pull itself out of the way before turning and peppering her opponent with another Poison Sting, a purple light enveloping the Pinsir briefly.

"Quick Attack into Seismic Toss!" Pinsir's trainer called out in a panic, realizing the battle had a hard time limit now.

"You're doing great! Keep it up!" Ash called out to Aris as she continued to dodge her opponent with String Shot and then pelt it with Poison Sting. This pattern continued for another minute before Aris used her latest dodge to get directly behind her opponent. She then used another String Shot directly on her opponent before pulling herself to it and using Bug Bite on its back. The Pinsir dropped to the ground with a groan.

"Pinsir is unable to battle! The winner is Ash Ketchum!" Misty, who was the referee for the battle, called out. Aris began shooting String Shot into the air and was enveloped in a bright light as it fell back onto her. When the glow subsided, a Kakuna sat where the Weedle once was.

"Good Work, Aris!" Ash exclaimed as he pulled out his Pokedex.

"Kakuna: The Cocoon Pokemon: Kakuna is able to move only slightly. However, on the inside, it is extremely busy as it prepares for its coming evolution. This is evident from how hot the shell becomes to the touch. While awaiting evolution, it hides from predators under leaves and in nooks of branches. When endangered, it may stick out its stinger and poison its enemy."

"Congratulations on your Pokemon's evolution." their recent opponent said as Ash cleared the notifications for Aris' new move and changed ability.

"It was only possible because you and your Pokemon were able to push her to her limits. Thank you for that." Ash replied.

"At least you are not arrogant about your victory like the last Pallet Town trainer I battled with." the samurai clad boy said as he shook Ash's hand.

"Gary has an overinflated ego unfortunately." Leaf explained ruefully, "I'm convinced the only thing that will deflate it permanently at this point is beating him at the Indigo Conference Tournament."

"Or several close battles that push him and his team to their limits." Ash added, "Hopefully every battle he has at the tournament is like that."

"It sounds as if this worthy endeavor will require all the help you can get. My Pokemon and I will be ready when the time comes. I will see you at the tournament a few days from now. Farewell." the armored trainer said as he left the training field.

"That's the third trainer you two have pointed at this Gary guy." Misty dead-panned.

"It's necessary. We can't be there to keep his ego in check all the time." Ash answered her unasked question.

"You say 'we' like you're not the only one who can consistently beat him." Leaf stated flatly.

"The more he battles the stronger he and his team will be, and the more effective it will be when somebody beats him." Ash said, ignoring what Leaf said, "At least that's what I hope will happen. Besides, if it does come down to me beating him, I want it to be challenging."

"Wouldn't it be better if this Gary guy was a weaker trainer?" Misty asked.

"He needs to feel like he and his team did everything they could to beat me and still lost. Crushing him will either destroy his confidence entirely or make him a bigger asshole then he already is." Ash explained. "And that would be the only result that could happen if Gary stayed weak. I'll be pushing my team as hard as I can to win and it would be an insult to both my rival and my team if I had them hold back against him."

Ash's Pokemon loudly voiced their agreement with that sentiment. Nora's sparking cheek and glare at Misty showed how insulting she thought the mere suggestion of holding back was.

"Alright I get it! No need to shock me." Misty said with a drop of sweat falling down her face.

"Calm down, Nora. We're not going to do that." Ash placated his Pichu as he returned Artemis and Aris to their Pokeballs, "Come on. Aris needs a check-up after her evolution and I'm sure Misty's Pokemon are done with their post Gym battle check-up by now."

That evening Ash and his team were finishing their training for their Gym battle. Nora was using Iron Tail to knock leaves loose from trees for Artemis and Aris to use as target practice.

"Artemis was able to learn Synthesis and Feather Dance since we got to Pewter last week. I only expected her to get Synthesis down in that time so she really exceeded my expectations. She's also been paying attention to the visualization training I've been putting Aris through so she might have an idea. I'll need to ask her about it after our Gym battle. Nora was able to learn Iron Tail and she was able to fine tune her control of electricity enough that she may be able to pull that off. It's still iffy though so hopefully we won't have to roll that die." Ash thought.

"Alright everyone, we're done for today. Tomorrow will be a rest day before our first Gym battle the day after. Artemis, you'll be starting the battle. Nora will be the second. Aris, since you just evolved and the leader uses Rock types, you're at a complete disadvantage here. You won't be in this Gym battle but barring an injury you should be fully evolved and ready for the next one." he said to his team.

"Tomorrow the only training I want you to do is visualization training. Aris, continue the visualization you've been doing. It should help you learn a couple of moves quickly once you evolve." Ash ordered his Bug type, then turned to his Starter.

"Artemis, You look like you have an idea you want to try. Visualize it and we'll see about making it a reality after our Gym battle." he told her before turning to his Pichu.

"Nora, since you've successfully used that, I want you to focus on the feeling you got then. Visualize everything you did to achieve that should help you achieve it more consistently." Ash explained to her.

"I mean seriously what the hell is your luck!?" Misty ranted as the three of them entered the Pewter City Gym for Ash's Gym battle. "The odds of finding a native fossil in Pewter Quarry are one in a million. But you somehow found a non-native one!"

"Not to mention a Thunder Stone and a Dawn Stone. And that's just the stuff you kept." Leaf flatly added.

"Hey you guys benefited-" Ash started before he was interrupted.

"Everything okay?" the Gym receptionist asked them

"We're good" Ash told her as Misty grumbled in the background about the odds of finding a Water Stone in a rock quarry. "My name is Ash Ketchum. I'm here for my Gym Battle."

"Okay" the receptionist said as she checked the schedule, keeping a wary eye on the trio, "You're checked in Challenger Ketchum. If you head into the arena, Gym Leader Jikami will be with you shortly."

Ash went ahead while Leaf and Misty bought tickets to watch the battle. He took note of the boulder-filled terrain of the arena's battlefield (Despite half of it being darkened) as he made his way to the challenger's position. Nora climbed down from her usual perch on Ash's shoulder to stand by his side.

"Welcome challenger!" a voice called out from the darkened side. The lights came on to reveal the Gym Leader Brock standing in the Leader's box with his arms crossed.

"We've seen how your friends fared. Now you'll face the rock hard determination of me and my Rock-type Pokemon." Brock spoke with authority.

"This will be a 2-on-2 match for the Boulder Badge." the referee declared, "Gym Leader Jikami may not switch Pokemon. The challenger may only switch Pokemon after the Gym Leader loses his first Pokemon. Gym Leader Jikami, release your first Pokemon!"

"Go Rockruff!" Brock called out, the tan form of the Puppy Pokemon appearing in front of a surprised Ash with a yip.

"Well this calls for an audible." Ash muttered before addressing his Pichu, "You're up first."

Nora took a moment to shake her surprise before jumping onto the field, her cheeks sparking in anticipation.

"First Match! Rockruff vs. Pichu!" The ref called out, "Begin!"

"Double Team"

"Electric Terrain"

Rockruff spawned multiple copies of itself as sparks began dancing throughout the field. Ash watched the Rockruff copies weave around each other as they charged towards Nora.

"Tackle"

"Play Rough on the left one! Make it count!" Ash ordered. Before the Gym Leader or his Pokemon could react to that order, Nora glowed pink and slammed into the left most Rockruff. The copies faded as the two battling Pokemon hit the ground, a dust cloud kicked up as they struggled for a moment before Rockruff was able to throw off the sparking Pichu.

"Did he use Electric Terrain to tell the difference?" Brock muttered to himself before calling out, "Rock Throw!"

"Deflect it with Thundershock!" Ash countered as Rockruff picked up a large stone with its jaws and chucked it at Nora by spinning its body. A blast of electricity from Nora managed to shift the rock's course enough that she barely had to move to dodge it fully.

"Get in close" Ash called out. Nora started charging toward her opponent with a loud battle cry.

"Trap it with Rock Tomb!" ordered Brock. Rockruff glowed dark brown as rock began popping up in Nora's path. While the attack managed to slow Nora it didn't stop her.

"Iron Tail!"

"Dig!" Brock called out urgently. Nora jumped in the air, her tail glowing silver as Rockruff's paws glowed a light brown as it began pawing at the ground. Before it could Dig itself out of the way, Rockruff seized up as sparks came off of its body, allowing Nora to front flip and hit her opponent head on with her glowing tail. Rockruff hit the ground with a hard thud.

"Rockruff is unable to battle! Gym Leader, release your second Pokemon! Challenger, you may switch out your Pokemon!" the ref's call rang out. Brock's look of confusion gave way to one of clarity.

"Make it count indeed." he chuckled as Ash called Nora back. "That Nuzzle trick won't work again! Now let's see how you handle this! Onix Go!"

"Artemis, You're up!" Ash brought out his Starter as the Gym Leader sent in his signature Pokemon. Everyone in the Gym arena could only stare in awe as the Rock Snake Pokemon emerged, not just because of its size but also its dark mustard yellow coloring.

"A benefit of being a Breeder as well as a Gym Leader." Brock told them, "Terra just became Gym ready this week."

"Second Match! Rowlet vs. Onix!" the ref announced, "Begin!"

"Confuse Ray!" Ash ordered immediately.

"Rock Polish, then dodge" Brock countered. The Onix seemingly shed sand from her body, sparkling for a brief second as she moved out of direct line of sight of Artemis' glowing red eyes.

"Rock Throw!"

"Dodge and use Feather Dance!"

"Dodge the feathers!"

Ethereal feathers began shooting from Artemis as she gracefully dodged the rocks thrown by her opponent. Despite the rock snake's best efforts, half of the feathers dispersed against her hide.

"Razor Leaf"

"Dodge then Tackle!"

Leaves flew from Artemis but her opponent's Rock Polish-boosted speed allowed her to dodge to the right then charge in quickly. Ash's Starter managed to dodge the Tackle, if only barely.

"Rock Polish then Bind!" Brock ordered while Artemis tried to re-group. The Shiny Onix quickly shed more sand and wound itself around Artemis, holding the Rowlet in her tail and all before Ash could shout out a warning.

"Smack Down then finish it with Dragon Breath" Terra tossed Artemis into the air and batted the Rowlett away with her head, before spewing a blue-orange flame from her mouth.

"Artemis!" Ash yelled in fear. She flung leaves to the side before being engulfed by the flames. The faintly glowing leaves curved around the flames seemingly intent on hitting the Shiny Onix but she managed to mostly dodge the attack, only getting grazed. Artemis however laid in a blackened heap.

"Rowlet is unable to battle! Challenger, release your final Pokemon!" the referee returned his starter to her Pokeball.

"You did great Artemis." Ash whispered as he held her Pokeball to his forehead, "I saw what you were trying to do and we'll work on it after we win this."

"Let's do this Nora!" Ash told his Pichu before sending her back onto the field, "We'll have to go all out and we may only get one shot."

"Final Match! Pichu vs. Onix!" The ref called. "Begin!"

"Rock Polish!" the Gym Leader immediately called out.

"Dammit! A third one is gonna make this almost impossible!" Ash thought as more rock dust fell off the Rock Snake Pokemon.

"High Voltage!"Ash ordered. Static began gathering into Nora from the atmosphere.

"Charge? Why the weird order?" Brock thought as he called for a Rock Tomb. Rocks spring up around Nora as her opponent flings one to seal her in. Nora was able to dodge with a surprising amount of speed. "She's faster than I thought!"

"Box it in with Dragon Breath!" Brock ordered. Onix fired off blue-orange jets of flame, trying to corral Nora into a corner.

"Get in close" Ash called out, much to Brock's surprise. Nora charged in, dodging the Dragon Breaths that her opponent was firing out.

"Bind!"

"Dodge and jump on her back"

Nora managed to jump out of her opponent's Bind before she could lock the move in, landing on the Shiny's coiled back right by her head.

"Iron Tail!" Ash called excitedly.

"Head Smash!" Brock ordered confidently.

Terra the Onix roared, her head developing a brown glow before she brought it down onto Nora. The Pichu met it with the silvery glow extending from her tail, swinging it up to uppercut her opponent. The two Attacks clashed for a brief moment before the Onix's head was blown back, Nora's momentum flipping her fully but she managed to land on her feet on her opponent's coiled body.

"Jump up and hit it with Iron Tail again!"

Nora leapt up, touching down briefly on her opponent's snout(?) before jumping over her head with a front flip and striking the Onix in the back of her head with her glowing tail. She landed behind Terra with a roll, the Shiny groaning as it collapsed and unwound, her eyes rolled back as she fell.

"Onix is unable to battle! Challenger Ash Ketchum wins the match 2-1!" the referee calls, ending the match.

"You did it, Nora!" Ash exclaimed. The Pichu ran towards her trainer, cheering happily, before suddenly stopping as she began to glow brightly. The glow lasted a full minute before it dissipated, revealing the newly evolved Pikachu. Nora cheered loudly as she ran forward and jumped into her Trainer's arms.

"You did great, Nora!" Ash told her as she rubbed her cheek against his, "Now stay on my shoulder until we get you checked out by Nurse Joy."

"Congratulations on your victory and your evolution little one!" Brock said as he had walked over and scritching under Nora's chin as he said the last part, "As a result, your team carry limit has been increased to 6 Pokemon and you get a one time use TM for Rock Tomb. Take this badge as a symbol of your victory here today!"

Ash took the badge reverently. He held it up and thought, "The first major step of my journey is complete!"

"Now that the formalities are out of the way," Brock's voice brought Ash out of his thoughts, "What exactly is High Voltage?"

High Voltage is a (for now) Charge variant. Instead of the user drawing in electricity and adding it to their own electric power for devastating ranged attacks, they channel it through their body enhancing their physical abilities. In game terms, High Voltage would raise Attack and Speed by 1 stage. As seen in Viridian, if the user's control of their electricity isn't up to par it can damage them. Now to help mitigate any expectations for when the next chapter will be released, I (and I hope you) will be keeping the following image in mind (FF: just copy and paste it then remove the spaces) imgflip i/87mnhz

Next Time: Young Lion, A Fool, Mt. Moon - Start