Here's the third chapter. It was originally part of the second chapter, but it got too long. So I decided to split it into two chapters. Hope you enjoy.
Djinn - Thank you, glad that you enjoy it. Also thank you for the suggestions. I was thinking of Charles getting a magikarp and an eevee, because I like the idea of Charles pampering a gyrados while everybody looks nervous and, frankly, who wouldn't want an eevee? However, I've never thought of a zubat and I think that will be interesting.
Chapter 3: A Birthday To Remember
After a large breakfast consisting of pancakes and maple syrup, the two brothers (with Benny riding on his shoulder) ran into the corral to say hello to all their Pokemon friends.
Since the lived at the lab, Charles and Benny were familiar with the variety of different Pokemon either owned by trainers or used for Oak's research. They visited the lake filled with water Pokemon like magikarp, goldeen and krabby. Then they visited the fields where the tauros stampeded before greeting all the rattata and pidgey who lived in the forest.
The final stop was to an elderly dragonite, an orange dragon-like Pokemon with blue wings and a large tail. She used to travel with Oak when he was a young researcher, but now she spends most of her days napping or making sure the other Pokemon don't fight each other. She was like an honorary aunt to the two boys and she would often tell tales from when she and Oak were young.
"Aunty!" Charles called out to the napping dragon Pokemon as they ran up to her.
The dragonite opened her eyes and smiled as her favourite nephews came up to her.
("Guess whose birthday it is today,") Benny asked his aunt hoping she say the right answer.
("Hmmm,") the dragonite pretended to think whilst tapping her claw against her chin, ("oh I know, is it the one of the magikarp?") she guess playfully.
"Nope," the brothers said together
("The oddish?") she guessed again trying to hide her smirk.
"No," the brothers said, saddened by the fact that she forgotten.
Seeing their disheartened faces she decided to give them what they wanted.
("Oh I guess, it's your birthdays then,") she answered with a smile.
"Yes," they smiled back hugging the much taller Pokemon.
The dragonite chuckled and hugged them back.
("Happy Birthday, you two")
"Thanks aunty, can you tell another story, please," Charles pleaded, they always enjoyed her storytelling.
("I could, but weren't you going to meet your friends by the forest, Charles?") the elderly Pokemon asked her human nephew.
Charles gasped, he forgot that he was supposed to meet Flo and the others.
"We have to go aunty, come on Benny," Charles said breaking the hug.
Benny jumped on his shoulder and they both took off towards their meeting spot.
"Bye aunty," they quickly said.
The dragonite waved as they ran away, before closing her eyes and taking another nap.
Charles, with Benny on his shoulder ran towards the edge of the forest where they were supposed to meet their friends. They could see four figures in the distance and recognised them immediately.
The first was pink haired girl wearing a blue dress summer dress and a white hat. This was Charles oldest friend Florence Joy or Flo for short. Other then being taller and slightly more mature she wasn't much different from when she was three years old. Ever since he moved to Pallet Town, they had been very close friends. She even wanted to join Charles on his journey to become a Pokemon Trainer. He was more than happy for them to travel together, but he couldn't but help but ask why. She said she wanted to gain experience curing sick Pokemon so she can set up her own Pokemon Centre like her mother. That made sense to Charles, considering she always wanted to become a Pokemon nurse. However, he didn't know why Flo answered his question while blushing and playing with one of her hair loops. Something she does when she gets nervous.
The second figure was a boy around their age with black hair and tan skin. This was Ash Ketchum. They met at pre-school and bonded over their love of battling. They would often watch televised Pokemon battles at Ash's house. What is strange about them being friends is that they have two very different personalities. While Charles was patient and laidback, Ash was more excitable and would often get into arguments with their next friend.
He was another boy with brown spiky hair and a resting smug face. This was Gary Oak the grandson of Professor Oak. Out of the four, Charles was the least friendliest with Gary. It's not like they were not friends, but Gary had a superior attitude because of his relation to Professor Oak. He was always competing over who knew more about Pokemon and battles, but despite his superior attitude, Gary is slightly jealous of Charles' ability to communicate with other Pokemon. Charles would never rise to Gary's competitions, of course, but Ash would always fall for it. Many a time did he have pull their ears to stop them from fighting. Gary's smugness and Ash's competitiveness create the perfect storm.
The last figure was another girl with long brown hair covered by a white hat. This was Leaf Green, who he met through Flo. Leaf was rather mischievous and was always pranking unsuspecting Pallet Town residents, much to their annoyance. Despite that, Leaf and Charles bonded over her love of grass Pokemon. Her favourite being the Kanto starter bulbasaur.
These are all of Charles' human friends. Most of the other children his age thought he was weird for talking to Pokemon and teased him behind his back. There was also a couple of bullys who picked on him and Benny because of his odd colour. They didn't mind their insults, of course, because they have all the friends he and Benny needed.
Charles approached the group of friends and sighed when he heard Ash and Gary arguing again.
This was pretty much routine.
"So, you think you're better then me," Ash shouted at Gary with a snarl.
"I don't think so, I know so, Ashy-boy," Gary retorted with a smirk.
Flo and Leaf were observing the fight from the side, with deadpan faces, waiting for Charles to stop them.
"Oh yea- ow ow ow," before Ash could retort, Charles grabbed the two boys by the ears making them cry out in pain.
"What did I say about arguing on our birthday," Charles calmly asked the previously fighting boys.
("Why did we even bother asking,") Benny sighed out, also used to their arguments.
"Ow ow, sorry Charles," Gary groaned in pain as he fruitlessly tried to pry Charles' grip on his ear.
"Yea, ow I'm sorry too, please let me go," Ash pleaded.
Charles released the boys' ears and they both fell on the ground.
Charles then smiled at his female friends "Hey girls," he greeted cheerfully.
"Happy birthday, Charles," Flo said briefly hugging him before scratching Benny under the chin, "and happy birthday to you Benny."
Benny squeaked in delight, happy to be getting some attention.
"You ready to go, birthday boys," Leaf asked enthusiastically, "were going to go further than last time."
Ash jumped to his feet immediately, "Yeah, bet I'm going to see the first Pokemon," he boldly declared.
"Please," Gary snorted, "with my knowledge I'm going to see the first Pokemon."
"No, I will!" Ash retorted.
"No, I will!" Gary argued back.
"I will!"
"I will!"
Meanwhile, Charles, Benny, Flo and Leaf headed into the forest.
"Think they're going to notice?" Leaf asked
("Hope not, I'm getting a headache just listening to them,") Benny dryly remarked.
The group chucked after Charles translated what Benny said.
An hour later and when Ash and Gary caught up to the group, the kids were deep into the forest. They spotted rattata, caterpie, and some pidgey, but nothing they haven't seen before.
They were about to head back to town when they heard a loud roar nearby.
The children ran excitedly towards the noise until they spotted a Pokemon in a forest clearing. It was a large grey quadrupedal Pokemon with thick armour over its body and a large horn on its nose.
Charles instantly recognised it.
Before he could say anything, however, Gary spoke up.
"I know that Pokemon, that's a rhydon," Gary proudly declared.
"Actually, it's rhyhorn. Rhydon stand on their hind legs," Charles corrected.
Gary seemed to falter a bit when Charles corrected him before straightening himself up again.
"I-I know I was just testing you," Gary confessed with a stutter, turning his head away.
The others sweat dropped at his recovery.
The rhyhorn seemed to be agitated as it was charging into trees and stamping the ground.
"Why is he angry, Charles?" Leaf asked confused with the Pokemon's behaviour.
Suddenly, the rhyhorn turned towards the children and started to charge at them.
"Look out!" Charles cried as the kids jumped out of the rhyhorn's path.
The rhyhorn turned back, and wildly charged towards Leaf.
Leaf screamed as the rhyhorn was about to hit her.
Charles saw this and jumped at the rhyhorn's head pushing it into a different direction.
("Charles!") Benny screamed as he ran towards him lying on the ground.
Charles sat up and turned towards the others "Get help, I'll try and get it to calm down," he shouted at them.
Gary picked up Leaf who was still in shock, while Ash grabbed Flo. The two boys pulled the girls towards town while Flo was screaming at Ash to let her go. She couldn't leave Charles alone.
Charles picked himself up and turned towards the rhyhorn. Benny was by his side sparking his cheeks in warning.
"Hey, why did you do that, you could have hurt someone!" Charles shouted at the angry Pokemon.
The rhyhorn pawed the ground in agitation, ("GET OUT OF MY WAY!") it shouted before charging.
"Benny, Tail Whip, now," Charles ordered.
("Right!") Benny said before charging at the charging rhyhorn.
("Tail Whip") he shouted as he whacked the Pokemon with his tail.
The move didn't do anything and Charles had to dive out of the rhyhorn's way.
The rhyhorn, having seen it missed the human turned around an pawed the ground, ready to tackle again.
Charles didn't know what to do.
Rhyhorn is a ground/rock type and resistant to any electric attacks Benny can do.
Benny does know moves to lower the rhyhorn's attack, but it will defeat Benny before he could any damage.
Charles looked towards his brother and notice his laboured breathing.
There was nothing he can do.
The rhyhorn charged once more.
Benny mustered one more Tail Whip to protect his brother from being hit, but it did nothing as Benny's attack failed to do any damage. He was thrown backwards and crashed into a nearby tree.
Charles could only stare in horror as Benny slumped against the tree, he turned toward the angry rhyhorn with tears in his eyes.
"You..." he started to say through gritted teeth, before a bright light caught his eyes.
He turned to see his brother enveloped in a glowing white light. His shape changed, the pichu grew taller and his tail extended.
Soon the light died down to reveal a large golden furred rodent which looked like a pichu, but bigger and stronger looking.
It was then that Charles realised.
His brother had evolved into a pikachu.
The moment was broken as the rhyhorn stomped the ground in anger.
Charles took action, pikachu can use more moves in this form. If he can subdue the rhyhorn for long enough, they can run away. He recalled all the moves pikachu's can do and turned to Benny who was still observing his newly evolved form.
"Benny, Quick Attack," he called down.
("Right,") Benny said as ran towards the rhyhorn picking up speed as went.
("Quick Attack") Benny called out as he crashed into the rock Pokemon.
The attack took it by surprise and it stumbled backwards a bit.
"Now growl," Charles ordered to lower the rhyhorn's defence.
Benny complied and the attack was effective.
The weakened rhyhorn tried to attack, but Benny was running circles around him.
"Keep doing Quick Attack and make sure you don't get hit," Charles ordered from the side.
After five consecutive attacks, the rhyhorn was on its knees. Charles was going to order one more attack, when he noticed something.
"Benny stop!" he called out to his brother.
Benny was confused, but obeyed.
Charles walked calmly up to the rhyhorn and kneeled by its feet.
("Charles be careful he can still attack,") Benny warned while approaching cautiously.
Charles reached by one of the rhyhorn's foot. The rhyhorn growled before giving a pained grunt as Charles pulled a large rock embedded in his foot.
"So this is why you attack us then," Charles muttered annoyed that this was the reason all along.
The rhyhorn turned its head towards the human before lowering his head in sadness.
("I can't believe that was the reason,") the rhyhorn muttered in male voice, ("I'm sorry, human. When I'm in pain I take my anger out on my surroundings. I feel so stupid.")
Sorry? Sorry? That's all he has to say? Charles was about to shout at him for almost severely hurting his brother and his friends.
However, he then remembered that it wasn't entirely the rhyhorn's fault. It was a large rock and it was causing him pain. Maybe if Charles realised what was wrong he would of talked him down instead of attacking him.
What's the point in being able to talk to Pokemon when he doesn't listen to them.
Charles calmed down to talk to the rhyhorn as Benny walked up beside him with a weary expression.
"It's quite alright, but I'm not the only one you have to apologise to," Charles sternly told him with a kind smile.
("Yeah, your right, kid,") he said standing up, too tired to question how he can understand him, ("Where can I find...")
The rhyhorn was cut off when they heard a loud war cry nearby.
The brothers stiffened in fear as they instantly recognised the cry.
'Oh no, mum,' they both thought.
Suddenly a pink blur crashed into the rhyhorn and soon the two Pokemon were fighting, kicking up a dust cloud. Well the blissey was fighting, the rhyhorn was trying to escape.
("STAY AWAY FROM MY SONS!") she cried as the rhyhorn screamed in pain and fear.
It took the brothers ten minutes to get their mother to calm down.
After pulling their mother off the poor rhyhorn and taking him to the lab to get him healed, they met up with the others to celebrate their birthday.
As soon as she saw Charles, Flo wrapped him in a hug while crying. She was so scared that he was going to get hurt. She didn't let him leave until she made sure he was completely fine. The others also noticed that Benny evolved and after telling them what happened, congratulated them both on their (unofficial) Pokemon battle.
The mood seemed to lighten up after that.
The party took place on the Pokemon lab's garden and everyone and every Pokemon joined in on the celebration.
It was time to give the boys their presents.
Professor Oak gave them a large book about Pokemon and where to find them.
Ash and his mother Delia, a pretty brown haired woman in her late twenties, gave them a variety of baked treats.
Flo bought him a brown stetson hat and a red and blue knitted scarf which she thought suited him.
While Leaf gave him a pair of black goggles with black lenses to use during Pokemon battles. She also thanked him for saving her from the rhyhorn attack by giving him a small kiss on the cheek. This caused Charles to blush and the other boys to gag in disgust at being kissed by a girl. Flo just gave an annoyed look at Leaf.
After presents were given, the party continued late into the evening.
The brothers were in their room, exhausted after a long day. They both laid on their bed staring at their ceiling. Benny looked up at his brother to see his troubled face.
("What's up?") he asked concerned for his brother.
"I don't know, I guess it was the whole rhyhorn thing," he replied with a sigh.
The rhyhorn was currently healing downstairs in the lab from the beating he received today. Blissey may be nurse Pokemon, but that only means they know where it hurts.
("I doubt he's going to be bothering us for a while,") Benny assured with a sweat drop, thinking about their overly protective mother.
"It's not that," he said sitting up, "if only we knew what was wrong, we could of helped him not attack him."
Benny climbed on to his lap, wobbling slightly as he was still getting used to his newly evolved form.
("You know that wasn't your fault, Charles. He was acting out of control and by the way he ended up I reckon he won't be doing it again,") he reassured.
"I know, but the reason I want to be a trainer is to meet Pokemon around the world. How can I do that after what happened today?" Charles said flopping back on to his bed causing it and Benny to bounce slightly.
Benny looked at his brother, upset that he is feeling depressed.
"When you were knocked into that tree I thought- I thought-," Charles couldn't end his sentence.
Benny looked sad for a moment before it turned into a determined face.
He placed his paw on Charles' cheek and gave him a small electric shock causing him to yelp.
("You want to be sad, be sad, but I am not giving up our goal and I'm going to train harder until I become the best Pokemon battler. I've always wanted to learn Iron Tail.") Benny declared confidently with a grin.
Charles listened to his small speech before grinning as well.
"You're right, we will work harder, train harder, come up with better strategies and we will be the best team that has ever existed." Charles declared proudly.
Benny smiled at his now enthusiastic brother before yawning.
("Yeah, but maybe tomorrow, alright,") he said tiredly.
"I suppose," Charles also yawned.
With the events of today still fresh in their minds, the two brothers slept heavily, dreaming about their future and becoming the greatest Pokemon Trainer the world has ever seen.
And cut! Hope you enjoyed the chapter and Charles and Benny's first (unofficial) Pokemon battle. The next chapter will be the start of their journey. If anybody would like to recommend which starter Charles will choose or what Pokemon he would catch, please send a review. Thanks.