Here's the next chapter.
I'm sorry to say that I can no longer accept any more Pokemon recommendations as I'm starting to lose track of them all and it would be unfair to those who have submitted Pokemon if I start forgetting them.
Once the 'Potential Pokemon List' is shorter I will start accepting them again. Thanks you so much those who have submitted requests. You have been a great help in the development of this story. Thank you for understanding.
All of Charles', Flo's, and Alice's Pokemon and their names can be found on my profile.
SkullGreymonX - Thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the references and the gym battle. I always pictured Sabrina as the Kuudere type of person, although I think I've been watching too much anime. Hope you had a lovely holiday and enjoy the next chapter.
Kunoichi69 - The battle was definitely interesting, but, as you said, Marina doesn't have a great opinion of it and you will see the effects of it in the future. I never really played the games before so up to now I have been kind of cheating about what moves can be learned or have to be taught by TM machine. However, I felt it was essential to include it for Abra and his one move. It'll probably come in handy in other battles. Thanks for reading.
Guest - I was having a little bit of trouble of fitting this chapter into the original series. Whether it should be Charles' who helps Sabrina or the Haunter, when should he have the gym battle, etc. So I had to make some compromises. Haunter gets to help Sabrina, but the team's presence prevents Misty and Brock turning into dolls. It felt more natural. In this story, Sabrina will be a little bit creepy, but she doesn't do it on purpose. Like she will suddenly appear out of nowhere and make everybody jump and she'll be stoically apologetic afterwards. I think that could be a running gag with her.
And yes, the mystery continues. You didn't think it was going to be as simple as Charles' being psychic did you? Ha ha.
Thanks for reading.
TurboDriver07 - It's a shame that Marina isn't thrilled with the concept of battles and I think Charles blames himself for letting her watch one. It will take a lot of convincing to change her mind, but meanwhile she will be quite a hinderance during battles. Thanks for reading.
P.s: Spiderman No Way Home was awesome. Made all the more spectacular with the many flops Disney Marvel had brought out.
Sonic07 - Thanks so much. I feel a little bad for Ash always having his battle after Charles' but I suppose (like his character throughout the series) it will develop. The return of the doll as a Pokemon would be interesting, I think I'll note that one down thanks. Hope you had a lovely Christmas and hope you enjoy the next chapter.
pokemonking0924 - Sabrina is quite creepy, but I picture her as kind of Kuudere character now that she a better hold on her powers. I think this is the first time I mentioned a TM in this story as I have been rather...liberal with what Pokemon can and can't do.
I have always thought how Pokemon like slowbro or ones with multiple heads communicate with each other and it's going to be a running theme that different Pokemon are different in some way by how they see the world. Like the reason why Echo is considered boring is because he doesn't have eyes so he hasn't seen anything. And it can also be shown in the way they speak like how porygon speaks in binary code and I'm planning to have sharkpedo speak like pirates and have spinda 'speak. they words mix up their as' (ahem) I mean 'mix up their words as they speak'.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Djinn - Thank you so much. I never considered them doing contest that would be an interesting concept. Glad you agreed about Jynx's design. I've watched a few videos about it and I can tell that it was a case of western ignorance on Japanese customs and history. It's a shame, but can't really do anything about it now. Thanks for reading.
MBS41 - Thanks so much.
demissedwaifu - Thanks so much for reading. I dropped the Pokemon saying their moves early on since they became quite a bother. In regards to the battle against Flint, I didn't realise how small ekans was at the time of writing. I thought they were much longer then that. I should really put an author's note.
I'm glad you liked the battle against Misty. Thanks for telling me about the name switches. You can see how I got Misty and Mystic mixed up. Thanks for all the reviews and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Guest - I'm happy that you liked the chapter. Sabrina was a difficult opponent to write for as I need Charles to win, but it also can't be easy for him. But I guess, you're right, Haunter did in fact win after all.
I've haven't seen Demon Slayer, but I definitely look into it. From what I can tell it is set in around the 1920s so it'll be interesting to write a character from that time. Thanks for the recommendation,
Guest2 - Wobbufett I choose you!
Pokeball pops open and the Pokemon appears
Please use Safeguard to remove the hypnosis
A pulse of energy emits from the Pokemon neutralising Hypno's effect.
Sorry, I've have other stories to work on, but I've finally got a new chapter out. I'll see if I can put a Simpson's reference in it. Thanks for reading.
Guest - Yes, I believe Charles had only burrowed the Thunder Stone from Nurse Joy, but he gave it back so she can give it to Ash. In regards to the shiny grimer err...I look over the previous chapters, you might be right. Thanks for pointing it out.
Lovely - Thanks so much, you are too kind. There may be a reference to them in the future, thanks for the idea.
Eavise- I will be mainly following the anime, yes. I did plan on Charles going to the Orange Islands, but things can change if I decide to go against it. Thanks for reading.
Thank you all for reviewing :)
Chapter 27: Float Like A Beautifly, Sting Like A Beedrill
Pokemon Centre
It was the next morning and the sound of excited cries echoed through the Centre, much to Nurse Joy's and chansey's ire. Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder, came running down the stairs and jogged to the front door.
"Are you ready, Pikachu!"
("Let's go!") Pikachu shouted
"Alright!" he cried, "Marsh Badge here we com-urk!"
But before either of them could leave, a hand grabbed Ash by the scruff of his shirt, stopping him in his tracks.
"Oh no you don't," Charles sternly said as he held Ash up, Benny sitting on his head, "You're not going anywhere until after breakfast."
"And can you please not shout in the Pokecentre," Flo scolded as she and the others came down the stairs.
"Especially, since we just woke up," Misty added with small yawn.
Ash pouted in disappointment, "But I want to have my battle now," he complained, as Charles dragged him to the dining area.
"You can have it after," Brock told him.
"Yeah, we haven't seen each other since Porta Vista. Let's catch up," Alice said as they all sat down at the table.
The kids and the pikachu talked to each other about their recent adventures over breakfast that Nurse Joy brought out. Ash, Misty and Brock had told them run in with Brutella's cousin Nastina and a giant tentacruel (the evolved form of tentacool), met a ghastly posing as the ghost of a maiden, and saw the butterfree egg-laying season. While Charles, Flo and Alice told them about they met up with Leaf and went to the Grass Pokemon Exhibition, stayed at a Pokemon nursery, the mystery of the disappearing food because of Mahad, meeting Porygon and finally Titania evolving into an unknown eeveelution type.
Misty cooed over the miserable-looking sylveon in her lap, petting her pink fur and scratching her behind the ears, "She's so pretty," she happily said.
"I know and she hasn't bitten anybody since she evolved," Flo chirped as she too petted Titania.
("Don't tempt fate, pinky,") Titania growled.
Miko giggled over from Brock's lap, the Pokemon breeder combing one of her tails gently with a brush, ("Just admit it, Titania. You actually like being pampered.")
The slyveon glared at her, ("I don't do pampering, kid.")
("Then why are you purring?")
Titania snapped her head away in embarrassment, ("I'm...just suppressing a growl,") she excused, causing the vulpix to roll her eyes.
Charles chuckled at what she said as he fed another piece of pokefood to Marina who was wrapped around his neck. Sat on the table by the window, Benny and Pikachu were having their own conversation between eating.
("So it looks like things have improved between you two,") Benny said, earning a confused look from Pikachu.
("W-what do you mean?")
("Between you and Ash. When we began the journey, you were electrocuting him left, right and centre and now you're riding on his shoulder. That's improvement.")
Pikachu glanced at his trainer, ("I guess so. We have spent a lot of time together and been through a lot. I suppose he's not too bad. He does make stupid mistakes ever so often.")
("Like Pokemon, like trainer, I guess") Benny joked.
("Hey!")
("I'm joking,") Benny reassured, ("Can't help but notice that you seemed hesitant to answer.")
("Well...) Pikachu uttered, ("I think he depends on me too much during battles. Like with our first gym battle, I had to go up against an onix with hardly any training. It was the same the raichu and I bet he's going to use me again against Sabrina. I feel like he doesn't respect about my strengths and weaknesses and just brings me out to battle just because he can,") he admitted with a sigh.
Benny nodded in understanding, ("Look, I've known as ever since I hatched and he really cares about Pokemon. But you have to remember that he is still an inexperienced trainer. Maybe the reason he bring you out to battle is because he trusts you the most. I mean you are his starter Pokemon,") Benny said, brightening up Pikachu's spirits slightly, ("He just needs to find his...battling style. Chares and I have one. Maybe you can use this opportunity to come together and figure out one.")
Pikachu frowned slightly thoughtfully before he nodded with a smile, ("Yeah, I guess so. I think it'll be fun to come up with a style. Thanks Benny.")
("No problem,) the shiny Pikachu said, ("So are Team Rocket still trying to capture you?")
Pikachu sighed, ("Yeah. They just won't give up.")
("Do you think we'll see them today?")
If either Pikachu or Benny were to look out the window and up into the sky, they would have seen a meowth shaped balloon drifting towards the Centre. Meowth was aiming some sort of grappling gun devise at the Centre's window while Jessie and James cackled manically beside him.
"Prepare for trouble..."
"...and make it doub-"
Suddenly, a fearow, who wasn't looking at where it was flying, ran into the hot air balloon and pierced the side with its sharp beak, making it burst and sent the team zooming through the air.
"Ah come on!" James cried as they held onto the balloon's basket for dear life, "We haven't been in this story for at least seven chapters!"
"Technically it's six, because the last one was just to wish the readers a happy new year," Meowth corrected through gritted teeth.
"Who cares!" Jessie screamed, "Right now we're-
"-BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"
They shouted as they flew off into the distance.
The fearow watched them go away as he hovered in mid-air, ("Whoops! Sorry!") he called out to them before he continued flying, ("Honestly, that was the forth time this week. I really need to pay more attention.")
Benny and Pikachu turned to look at the sky after they heard something strange, however all they could see was a fearow.
("What was that?") Benny asked.
Pikachu shrugged, ("I don't know. Anyway what was your question again?")
("Do you think we'll see Team Rocket today?")
("Oh...probably not,") he said before they continued eating.
Flo nudged Charles and nodded at Ash. He looked at his friend and saw him unenthusiastically eating his bowel of cereal. They shared a look before Charles decided he should inquire.
"Is there something wrong Ash?" he asked, getting everyone's attention.
Ash snapped his head up and scratched the back of his head, "Oh sorry. Talking about the butterfree egg-laying season kinda reminded me of...my Butterfree," he admitted sadly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," Flo said sympathetically, "You said that Butterfree took part in it. It must have been hard on you."
"Yeah," Ash sighed.
"But Butterfree is happy with its mate," Brock told him, "and you should be happy for him."
"I know, I know. But he was the first Pokemon I ever caught," he said before he immediately brightened up with an eager smirk, "and he and his mate would want us to win our next badge!"
The other sweat dropped, "That didn't take much," Misty said.
"He really does have a one track mind," Flo added.
("Mama,") Marina cooed, ("What's a mate?") she asked innocently, causing Charles to almost choke on his own saliva.
"Ask you're big sister Cleo," he instantly told her before turning to Alice, "So what do you have planned for us for today," he said, changing the subject.
Alice grinned, "So much. Look, I've made a list," she said, pulling out a notebook filled with an assortment of attractions to the group, "I've planned our route so we will get to everything before the end of the day."
Flo read the list before she raised an eyebrow, "Alice, at least half of these are restaurants or cafes."
"What's your point?"
"Do you mind if I tag along?" Misty asked as she finished her glass of orange juice, "It'll be nice to do some sightseeing for once."
Ash frowned and stood up from his chair, "But I'm having my battle today," he complained.
Misty huffed in annoyance, "Go on without me. I want to see more of Saffron City."
Brock laid a hand on Ash's shoulder, "Hey, I'm come with you," he reassured, "let Misty do something else for today."
"Oh alright," Ash grumbled.
"Are you sure, you're not just going so you can flirt with Sabrina," Flo accused, making Brock flinch slightly.
"And lend my support to Ash," he nervously said.
Streets of Saffron City
As Ash, Brock and Pikachu went to the Pokemon gym, the others explored the great city of Saffron City.
So, far they had visited the Silph Co. Head Office's observation deck, went to a small museum at the Magnet Train Station and now they were on their way to visit the Fighting Dojo. Between the tourist attractions, Alice insisted they go to every patisserie and café on her list, much to the astonishment of the others.
"It's amazing," Misty whispered to Charles, Flo and Benny as Alice happily lead them from a few feet in front of them, "We visited like twenty cafés and she hasn't slowed down."
("What I really want to know is how she can spend so much money on pastries,") Benny muttered.
"Maybe we should do something to cut back the amount she eats," Flo commented.
"Hey now," Charles said, "Food is her thing and we should respect that. Besides look how happy she looks," he told them nodding to their friend humming merrily as she walked, "Her eyes light up every time we go to a patisserie."
Flo and Misty hummed, "I guess," Misty murmured, "I'm just surprised that she can eat so much for somebody so short-"
"What was that?" Alice darkly questioned, suddenly appearing in Misty's face.
"Err...I mean-" Misty stammered as she glared fiercely at her.
Charles, sensing that Misty could be in danger, looked around and pointed down the road, "Oh look. There's the dojo," he called out, causing Alice to be distracted and Misty sigh in relief.
They turned to see an large Japanese-style estate up ahead with tall white walls surrounding it. The sounds of fighting can be heard as they approached the estate and once they pushed open the giant red wooden doors to see a courtyard filled with humans and Fighting type Pokemon doing various of activities. Some of them were sparring with each other, others were practicing the punches and kicks while others were just jogging around the courtyard.
The team plus Misty were so amazed to see everybody exercising and performing different marital arts that they didn't notice the person coming up to them.
"Ah!" the large man cried, making them all jump in fright, "I see we have visitors!"
The muscular man towered over them with a wide smirk on his face. He had spiky brown hair, slightly tanned skin and large bushy eyebrows. He wore a short sleeved karate gi, a white headband, and a black belt around his waist. He flexed his arm above his head, almost as if he was welcoming them with his posing.
"Welcome to the Fighting Dojo!" he roared, "where we train the best fighters in the whole of Kanto-"
He was cut off as somebody behind him karate chopped in the neck, causing him fall down to the ground at their feet.
"What did I say about scaring visitors, Koichi," scolded the person who knocked him out.
She looked to be in her late teens with blond hair tied in a ponytail, fair skin and blue eyes. She was dressed in training gear and had a sweatband on her head. She stepped over the unconscious body of Koichi and greeted them with a friendly smile.
"Hi, sorry about that," she said as she rubbed the back of her head like she didn't just take down a hulking man with a single blow.
'He's totally knocked out!' they thought in shock as they stared at the slumped figure.
The teenager cleared her throat, "I'm Aikido. Me and Koichi, here, are the head trainers of the dojo while our master is away. Would you like a tour?"
"Yes please, that would be great. My name is Charles and these are my friends Flo, Alice and Misty and, of course my brother Benny," Charles said before glancing at Koichi, "Is he going to be alright?"
"Yeah, he's fine," she said, waving dismissively, "he should wake up right about-"
Suddenly Koichi gasped and jumped to his feet, "I'm awake! he yelled into the sky.
"-now. Follow me," she told them as she began to walk away, Koichi following behind her.
They began to follow them towards the main dojo building, observing the many Pokemon and people training together. Before they entered the large wooden building, the two martial artists insisted that they take off their shoes in respect of the dojo...and also it's a bother clearing mud strains on polished floorboards.
"Here we teach all kinds of martial arts that people can either pick or choose or specialise," Aikido explained as she led them across the dojo, "you can do Taekwondo, karate, Kung fu, Jiu-jitsu, you name, we do it."
Koichi nodded in agreement, "That's right! Not only that but we do other training, like training the body," he pointed to the area of the room where a group of people were lifting weights, "training the soul," he pointed to a group of people meditating, "and tracing the mind," he pointed to a group of people sitting before a whiteboard as another person, dressed in brown corduroy suit gave a lecture.
"...and so in conclusion," the lecturer said, "with the avoidance of materialism and the embrace of Epicureanism, our modern society will benefit greatly for not only the next generation, but for the other generations to come."
Somebody in the audience raised their hand, "But this implies that you must have trust in everyone to do the right thing all the time and it is in the humans' and Pokemon's nature to make mistakes. If our modern government can take a soft authoritarian approach to rulership then there will be less chance of terrible things occurring and the innocent will have protection. I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you."
"TRY AND DISAGREE MY FISTS!" the lecturer roared before they both teared their suits off, revealing training clothes underneath, and jumped into a wrestling ring.
They watched the two men sparred in the fighting ring in slight bemusement. They gave their tour guides odd looks.
"Believe or not, this is a common occurrence," Aikido said.
"Yeah, discussing political theory is a martial art on its own," Koichi agreed, leading them away from it.
"So where's your master?" Flo asked, "you said that they were away."
Koichi nodded firmly, "Master Kiyo is currently training on Mount Mortar in Johto. He didn't tell us when he would be back though, but we've been here long enough to know how to run the place. It also gives us the opportunity to do new things like welcoming visitors."
"Speaking of which. Did you just arrive at Saffron City?" Aikido asked.
"We got here two days ago," Alice answered, "well, accept for Misty."
"I came with another group a few days ago and then we left to Lavender Town before coming back yesterday," Misty piped up.
That caught the two trainers' attention, "Oh really. What for?" Koichi asked.
"My friend needed a Ghost type Pokemon for his battle against Sabrina. He's having his battle right now," she told them, causing them to shiver in fear.
Flo raised an eyebrow curiously, "Not a fan of her. I'm guessing."
"No way," Koichi said, "a true fighter knows to never back down when facing a stronger opponent, but with her I'm not even getting in the ring."
"I agree. There's something really wrong with her," Aikido added, "I feel bad for your friend."
Benny hummed in interest, ("I guess that specialising in Fighting types means you don't like Psychic types. Seems a little cruel to have the dojo and the gym in the same city.")
"I know," Charles muttered in reply before turning back to their tour guides, "Actually, Sabrina is much-"
CRASH!
Suddenly a loud noise came from the outside, interrupting everyone's training. Aikido and Koichi groaned in annoyance at the sound and instantly ran outside.
"Not again," Aikido muttered in despair.
They followed the trainers out of the main building to see two Pokemon in midst of vicious fight. One was a hitmonlee, the same Pokemon that Charles and Sneak had to battle back at the Poke Tech school. While the other was tan humanoid Pokemon with five prongs on top of its head, sharp eyes and thin mouth. It wears a purple tunic, kilt and shoes and its hands resembled red boxing gloves. The Pokemon were punching, blocking, dodging, and kicking at each other, each trying to knock out the other. All the while they were causing destruction to almost everything in their paths, much to the dismay of the other trainers.
As Koichi and Aikido ran to break it up between them, Charles took out his pokedex to scan them both:
Hitmonlee: When in a hurry, its legs lengthen progressively. It runs smoothly with extra long, loping strides.
Hitmonchan: While apparently doing nothing, it fires punches in lightning fast volleys that are impossible to see.
"This doesn't look like sparring," Misty observed, "It looks like the trying to hurt each other."
"They're causing so much damage," Flo added.
Eventually Koichi had wrapped his arms around the hitmonlee, while Aikido grabbed onto the hitmonchan's arm. They pulled them away from each other, the two Fighting type Pokemon trying to break free to continue the battle.
"Lee, Chan, stop it!" Aikido yelled at them.
"We can't keep doing this!" Koichi roared, "so calm down!"
Lee growled as he glared at his opponent, ("That fool should be the one to calm down. He lacks patience and discipline.")
("I am calm,") Chan snarled, ("I'm the best at being calm. I'm the greatest at calmness. It's that idiot who should give up and lose to me.")
("I will never surrender!")
("Nor will I!")
Alice turned to Charles in confusion, "Translation?"
"They're are currently arguing about who is more calm...or something like that. They're not making a lot of sense," Charles answered.
Eventually Koichi and Aikido were able to calm the two Pokemon down and had the kneeling before them, once in a while they glared competitively at each other.
"Are you serious!?" Aikido shouted at them, "What is wrong with you two!? Can't you go one day without acting like children!? Not only are you disrespecting our dojo, but you're fighting in front of guests!"
The Pokemon grumbled under their breaths.
"I don't care who started it! Just knock it off!" she scolded them.
As she continued to tell them off, Koichi sighed and turned back to the team, "Sorry about them. Ever since they evolved, they have been at each other's throats. If master was here, then I bet he would have sorted them out. But when we try, it's goes in one ear and then out the other."
"Why are they fighting in the first place?" Charles asked.
The trainer rubbed the back of his head, "I don't think there's any particular reason. Before they evolved they were quite close, but as one became a hitmonlee and the other hitmonchan, they just grew apart and became rivals. It has put a lot of stress on the other people and Pokemon who want to train."
"Charles," Alice whispered, "maybe we should help. It'll be much easier to know what's wrong if we know what they are saying."
"I don't think communication is the problem," Charles mused, "I think that their competitiveness is getting in everybody's way."
"You were able to help Sabrina out. I'm sure this is no different," Misty said.
Charles chuckled shyly, "I just beat her in a gym battle, I hardly did anything."
"You beat Sabrina in a gym battle!" Koichi exclaimed in shock, catching Aikido's and the two Pokemon's attention.
Charles nodded and showed him his badge case with the Marsh Badge inside, "Yeah, she was really tough."
("Sensei!")
Charles stood back in surprise as hitmonlee and hitmonchan kneeled deeply in front of him. He raised a confused eyebrow, "Um...what are you doing?"
Lee sat up, his eyes filled with eagerness, ("You defeated the Psychic gym leader. You must be a strong trainer and therefore able to take my skills to greater heights!") he declared.
Chan glared at him, ("Hey, I was going to say that!")
("Well, you just stole my idea.")
("Did not,") Chan denied before turning back to Charles, ("Please, sensei. Choose me as your apprentice. I will not disappoint you.")
("He is nothing but a disappointment,") Lee insulted, ("If you want to a capable fighter then you should choose me.")
The Fighting Pokemon stared daggers at each other, neither one backing down from their stair off much to the Koichi's and Aikido's annoyance. The team stared at Charles waiting for a translation.
"They said that they want to be part of the team, because I beat Sabrina," he explained, "I mean I'll be happy to take both of them, but I don't think it would be a great idea with their relationship."
"I also don't think we can let two of our best fighters go," Aikido told them with a small sigh.
("You just going to not question how he knew what they said,") Benny commented in confusion.
("That's it!") Chan shouted, pointing his boxer-glove at Lee, ("I say that we have one more fight. The fight to end all fights. The winner gets to train under sensei!")
("I'll take you up on your challenge,") Lee agreed, ("prepare to be defeated under my feet.")
("You will have to prepare too...to be defeated instead of me...with my fists...you hear me!") he shot back lamely.
("Not exactly a wordsmith that one, is he?") Benny quipped.
Charles translated what they had said. Koichi and Aikido didn't seem to sure about their idea, but seeing there was no choice, reluctantly agreed.
"Alright fine," Koichi said, standing between the two, "However, this is going to be a proper Pokemon battle. Which means you two need to find proper trainers for it."
("Fine,") Chan grumbled before looking around and spotting the pokeballs in Misty's bag, ('she must be a trainer') he thought as he pointed his glove-like hand at her, ("I choose her.")
"M-me," Misty stammered, pointing to herself in surprise.
("Then I will choose the pink-haired one,") Lee decided, pointing at Flo, ("I sense her passion for combat.")
("My trainer has more passion then yours,") Chan muttered, causing Lee to roll his eyes.
("It is decided,") Lee said, ("We will fight...at noon!") he proclaimed dramatically.
...
...
...
("It's already past noon,") Benny told him, causing him to flinch.
("Then sunset!") he corrected himself.
"That's six hours from now," Charles said.
("That may be a bit too long, how about one o'clock?")
Chan made a face as if he that time didn't agree with him.
("Half past one?")
("Quarter to two?")
("I can make that,") Lee agreed, ("We will fight...at 1:45...PM!")
The Pokemon glared at each other one more time before, going to their respective trainer and pushed them to another part of the estate.
"Wait what's going on?" Flo questioned as the hitmonlee lead her away.
"Chan has chosen you to be his partner," Charles explained.
"But I never had an official Pokemon battle before," Flo said. But it was too late, she and Misty were already on either side of the main building and out of sight.
Aikido sighed and rubbed her brow, "I'm sorry about this. I really didn't want to get you guys involved. This could lead to disaster."
"I think it's good idea," Koichi said, "If it means that it will stop them from fighting then I'm all for it," he flexed his biceps over his head, "there's nothing better than a fight between two strong opponents, it will be a great fig-"
Aikido karate chopped him in the neck, knocking him instantly.
"You're being to loud," she scolded, grabbing his leg and dragging him away, "If they are going to fight then you are going to help me prepare for it,"
Alice, Charles and Benny watched them leave before sharing a look.
("So what now?") Benny asked.
"I guess we have to hang around until their ready," Charles replied, "Is there anywhere we haven't seen yet?"
"Hmm," Alice hummed in thought before a yell rang out through the courtyard.
They turned and saw a muscular humanoid Pokemon with grey skin, brown ridges on its head and a reptilian face. It also seemed to be wearing a pair of black briefs and a golden belt around its waist. It seemed to be in the middle of sparring with a wooden dummy when he shouted in pain and held his left hand out. They could clearly see a small splinter stuck into one of its fingers, causing him a great amount of pain.
("Ow!") he cried, glaring at the splinter, ("I will punish you for hurting my finger, fool,") he shouted at it before punching his finger, causing him to cry out in pain again.
Charles and Benny sighed. They had met machoke and their evolutionary line before at the corral and...well let's just say they're not the sharpest tools in the shed.
"Who's that Pokemon?" Alice asked curiously.
"That's a machoke," Charles told her, taking out his pokedex and passing it to her.
Machoke: Its muscular body is so powerful, it must wear a power save belt to be able to regulate its motions.
Alice hummed in interest, passed the pokedex back to Charles and approached the machoke, "Hey, do you need some help there?" she asked kindly,
The machoke looked up and sniffed sadly, before showing her the splinter in his finger, ("It won't get out of my finger no matter what I did. I tried shouting at it, punching it, I even flexed my muscles at it.")
Alice wasn't quite sure what he said, but Charles and Benny couldn't help but sweat drop at that.
("That was the only solutions he came up with?")
"In his defence, his fingers are too thick to pull it out himself" Charles said.
"Aww you poor thing," Alice said before she grabbed his hand gently and pulled the splinter out without any trouble, "There you are. It's gone now."
The machoke cried out in pain for a second as she pulled the splinter out, before looking down at his hand in amazement, ("No way. You made the pain go away,") he gasped his eyes sparkling as he looked up at Alice, ("You're my hero.")
Alice giggled, "Aww it's nothing!" she said before she began to walk away.
The machoke followed her.
She blinked in confusion and took another step away.
He took another step as well.
"Err...what are you doing?" she asked.
Suddenly the machoke kneeled on to the ground before her and bowed his head respectfully, ("I'm eternally grateful, master!") the Pokemon cried, ("I will dedicate my services to you for as long as I live.")
"Umm..."
"He said he will dedicate his services to you," Charles translated, causing Alice's eyes to widen.
"But I only just removed your splinter," she told the machoke, "You don't have to dedicate anything to me."
The machoke gasped, ("But I must master. I know, I prove myself to you!"), Alice squeaked as the machoke grabbed her shoulders and lifted her easily above his head, ("I prove myself strength to you master!")
"No! Stop it! Put me down!" Alice yelled, struggling in his arms, "Charles help me!"
"He just grateful for helping him," Charles called back, "Consider this a bonding lesson."
"I willing to bond when I have my feet on the ground," Alice yelled in anger, "tell him to put me down!"
But before he could do anything, the machoke had already carried her to another part of the estate, leaving him and Benny outside the main building.
("Well,") Benny said, ("and then there were two.")
Charles chuckled, but then he noticed another Pokemon in the distance. It was a pale purple bipedal Pokemon with brown hips and feet that resemble short pants and shoes. It has three blunt protrusions on top of its head, yellow eyes, and there are white bands resembling bandages on its torso and wrists.
They recognised it as a tyrogue, the pre-evolved version of both hitmonlee and hitmonchan, sweeping away with a broom that was too big for him. They watched him from afar as he made his way closer to a practising dummy, accidentally bumping into it as he wasn't paying attention. It stared up at the dummy, looked around to see if anybody was watching before putting down his broom and began sparring with it. Charles and Benny watched in interest at its strong punches and kicks, how it moved smoothly and elegantly between attacks, and how he began to pick up speed not at all missing a beat.
"He's pretty good," Charles commented as took out his pokedex:
Tyrogue: It is always bursting with energy. To make itself stronger, it keeps on fighting even if it loses.
"What do you make of him?" Charles asked his brother.
("I don't know,") Benny said unsurely, ("tyrogue have a reputation for being ruthless and quite violent. Why you ask?")
Charles shrugged as he watched the Pokemon, "Just curious, that's all."
("Let's talk to him. See what he's like,") Benny suggested, earning a nod in agreement from Charles.
The tyrogue continued to punch and kick the dummy until it reared back its fist and slammed it into the dummy, sending it flying back. Smiling it satisfaction it was about to go back to his duties when he noticed the shadow fall over him.
"Impressive," Charles complimented, making the tyrogue jump in surprise and look up at him and Benny.
The Pokemon then scrambled to pick up the broom and bowed deeply to them, ("Sorry, I didn't mean to get distracted from my duties. I'll do them now.")
Charles waved at him reassuringly, "Don't worry. We won't tell anyone."
The tyrogue's eyes widened in surprise, ("You can understand me?")
Benny shrugged in amusement, ("We don't know how either. My favourite theory, that somebody had proposed, was that he was a Pokemon in a former life,") he said earning a small glare from Charles, ("We were just watching you practise. You were really good.")
("Thanks,") the tyrogue said, ("but I'm not really that good,") he admitted surprising Charles and Benny.
"That doesn't sound like something a tyrogue would say," Charles commented as he kneeled down in front of the Pokemon, "I thought you would be boasting right about now."
The tyrogue hummed, ("That's what I used to think.")
("What do you mean?") Benny inquired.
("Well, I used to live on Mt Mortar and I basically fought anything that moved, but I always lost. No matter how small or weak my opponent was. When Master Kiyo came along and I challenged him to fight, I thought I would finally have my win. But I lost...again. That's when Master Kiyo said that if I have to improve then I have to start of small and eventually grow over time. You can't just be good at something, you have to work hard to achieve greatness. Even the smallest acorn can grow to be greatest oak tree, he told me. So, he took me here and I began doing menial jobs like cleaning and I feel much happier now. It felt like I finally achieved something, you know.")
Charles smiled when he said that, "That sounds-"
("Incredibly corny,") Benny interrupted before Charles flicked his nose, causing him to shout in pain.
"Don't mind him," Charles said as the pikachu rubbed his nose, "That sounds very wise. How long have you been here."
("Several months now.")
"Have you ever thought of taking it to the next step like leaving the dojo."
The tyrogue laughed and shook his head, ("I don't think I can...not yet anyway,") he admitted, ("besides where would I go. It's for the best that I stay here. You have to excuse me, I have my duties to do.")
Before Charles or Benny could stop him, the tyrogue had already began walking away, carrying the broom over his shoulder as he went. The brothers shared a look, pondering over what the Pokemon had said.
West Side Of The Dojo
Chan had dragged Misty to one side of the estate in order to train for the fight.
Misty was a bit nervous about the whole thing. She was a very capable trainer and have been in many Pokemon battles (she wouldn't be a gym leaders if she wasn't) but she had never battled with a Fighting type before. All her Pokemon (Staryu, Goldeen, Starmie, and the newest addition Horsea) are all Water types and she hasn't really battled with any other type before. This is uncharted territory for her.
'I guess they would at least give it a shot,' she pondered to herself, 'It's not like I can't learn in a short space of time,' she clenched her fist in determination, 'I can do this,' she encouraged herself before turning to Chan, "Alright, let's train."
The hitmonchan glanced at her uncaringly before turning away and practising his punches on a dummy.
Misty frowned in confusion, "Err...aren't we're going to train together?"
Chan looked at her over his shoulder, shook his head before continuing his punching.
"Hey!" Misty yelled angrily, "Isn't that why you dragged me all the way here."
Chan sighed, pointed with his hand at her before pointing to the ground.
"You just needed a trainer to fight?" Misty guessed.
Chan nodded.
"But you're not going to listen to me at all?"
Chan nodded again before continuing practising his punching.
Misty's face turned red in fury, 'How dare he just use me so he could just be in the battle. I'm a gym leader, I know what I'm doing. That stuck up, little-' she took a deep breath, calming herself down, 'Okay, okay relax. Charles would want me to be patient with him. Shouting at him, although he deserves it, will not be good for anything. I just need to find another way of supporting him.' she looked around and spotted a leather striking shield leaning against the side of the building. She went over to it and picked it up, 'Perfect,' she thought.
Misty went over to Chan and prepared the shield for him, "Hey Chan," she called out, catching the Pokemon's attention, "why don't we use this. You can practising punching a moving opponent," she told him before thinking, 'this is great. We can bond over training and maybe he will be more willing to listen to me. This is going to be-oof!" she cried suddenly.
While she was distracted, Chan had punched the shield with all his power. The wind was knocked out of her and Misty flew through the air and landed roughly on the cement ground. Chan gave an amused snort before he began practising once more.
Misty was still on the ground, the world seem to be spinning around her.
"Ow," she groaned.
East Side Of The Dojo
Flo has only been in four Pokemon battles in her life. One was against the hunter Leslie, two was against Charles and the last one was against a random kid at the summer camp she, Charles and Ash went to. Out of all of those battles she had only one once against that random kid. Flo was not at all dismayed by that fact as she lacks experience and even she did then she can't be good at everything, besides she was much better at healing Pokemon then battling with them.
So you can understand how worried she was when Lee chose her to be her trainer for the fight. It didn't help that the Hitmonlee seemed to be hanging on to her every word as if she was a master at this. Her inexperience and how she doesn't know any Fighting type moves were working against her, but she wasn't going to give up.
Lee waited patiently as she flicked through her book she burrowed of all the moves hitmonlee can use, she frowned in concertation trying to remember all of them.
"Let's see," she murmured to herself, "you can mostly use Fighting, obviously, and Normal type moves, but you can also use a Rock and Fire type moves. But it looks like you can only use Physical and Status moves...which I suppose makes sense," she sighed to herself before thinking, 'This would be much easier if you were a Fairy or Grass and Bug types like my Pokemon.'
Lee said something and pointed to a training dummy not to far away.
"Oh yeah, you should probably go and train," she told, "but don't strain yourself."
Lee stood to his feet bowed to her before beginning to act out on her orders. Flo sighed and lifted the book to her face once again as she tried to figure out the difference between Double Kick, Low Kick, Blaze Kick, Mega Kick and High Jump Kick was.
Charles and Benny sat on the steps leading up to the main building. It was almost time for the battle and Charles was mentally preparing himself for what is going to take place.
("How are you feeling?") Benny asked.
"I think I would be happier it if I wasn't the prize," Charles muttered, "Honestly, how did we get into this mess."
Benny shrugged, ("Well, Fighting types are not big fans of Psychic types. So if a trainer comes along who has beaten one of the greatest psychics in Kanto, then I'm guessing they would want to join them to become stronger. Still that tyrogue was interesting, I wonder if we'll see him at the battle.")
"Maybe," Charles answered, his mind also on the Fighting Pokemon.
"Ow ow ow," a voice moaned.
They looked around and saw Misty hobbling over to them, each step she took causing her to wince in pain.
"Misty, what happened to you?" he asked in concern as she sat next to him on the step.
"Chan's...training...very...strong...wouldn't...listen...to me," she told him, through gasps of pain.
Charles, not knowing what to do, stretched out his legs and patted his lap, "Rest you head here," she told her.
Misty's face turned red, "W-what!?"
"Come on. You're in pain and you need to rest," he told her as Benny rolled his eyes at his brother's naivety.
Misty hesitated for a moment before she slowly laid her head on Charles' lap, sighing softly as she did so. They sat together in silence for a few moments before Charles decided to strike up a conversation.
"So, how's training with Chan?"
"What do you think," she muttered crossly, "He's not listening to a word I say. I tried supporting him and showing that he should trust me, but nothing's working."
Benny nodded in agreement, ("Some Fighting types can be stubborn.")
"I guess he's not used to working with a trainer," Charles mused, "at least you did the right thing and supported him. A lot of trainers can be impatient."
Misty giggled, "Like Ash."
Charles chuckled as well, "I guess so, but he does has his moments and really does care about Pokemon. That's the important thing."
"Shame about that big head of his and how he destroyed my bike. Which he hasn't repaired yet."
"And if it was repaired would you stop following him?"
Misty hesitated slightly, "...Yeah. Of course."
"Are you sure. I think you like travelling with him and Brock. Bike or no bike."
Misty glared up at him for a moment before he expression soften, "I...guess I do. But don't you ever tell him that," she threatened. Charles made a zipping motion over his mouth as if to say that her secret's safe with him, "I was originally planning of just traveling on my own, but it is fun being with others. Even if those others are a bunch of idiots." Misty bit her lip and looked up at Charles shyly, "Do you think...maybe our groups can travel together some time. You know, if we're going the same way."
Charles smiled, "I don't see why not. It'll be fun."
"That's grea-"
"Ahem," an annoyed sound interrupted Misty, making them all look up to see Flo.
The young nurse had her arms crosses in front of her and a single eyebrow was raised critically, "What's going on here."
It wasn't a question. It was a demand.
"Oh Flo, didn't see you there," Charles said, "Misty was a bit beaten up and so I thought she would like a rest."
"I...see," Flo slowly said before she smiled, "I'm a little tired as well, so why don't I-"
Without warning, Flo sat on the other side of Charles and placed her head on Charles' lap, pushing Misty off in the process.
"Hey!" Misty shouted, "What do you think you're doing!?"
"It looked comfortable so I thought I give a try," Flo said with a small grin.
Misty growled and shoved her head against Flo's. The pink haired girl retaliated and they began to do a reverse tug-o-war over Charles' lap. The boy sweat dropped as the battled over his lap and was about to stop them when he felt something else place on his lap.
"Sorry girls," Alice said, making everybody look down at her lying her head on his lap as well, "But I also want a turn."
("Where did she come from?") Benny questioned on top of Charles' head, watching the carnage below unfurl, ("And how did she escape from that-")
He stopped when a large shadow fell over them. They all looked up to see the machoke looming over them all, causing them to gulp in fear.
("Oh cool, are you giving lap pillows?") he asked, ("Can I have one?")
He didn't wait for an answer as he leaned forwards and began to fall onto them all.
"NO!" they all cried at the same time.
But it was too late.
Battle Pitch
The clock struck 1:45 in the afternoon and the match was about to begin.
Koichi and Aikido had organised the main hall so that the centre was clear and everyone gathered around at the sides to watch the fight to end all fights. At one end there was Lee stretching his legs as Flo stood behind him, trying to remember as many moves as possible. While at the other end, Chan was punching the air in front of him as Misty stood behind looking rather miserable with the whole thing. Alice and her new follower sat in the crowd, waiting for the match to begin.
"Are you sure you don't want to go watch it with your friends?" she asked the machoke.
The Pokemon shook his head in response, causing Alice to sigh in annoyance.
Since he was the prize, Charles was given a chair looking over the centre of the pitch in which they dubbed 'the best seat in the dojo'. Benny couldn't help but snicker in amusement as he sat in his lap.
("You know in those movies where two knights joust to win the heart of the princess-")
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," Charles firmly said, causing the pikachu to chuckle.
He looked out over the audience and spotted the tyrogue sitting all by himself in the back and waved to him.
The tyrogue looked confused for a moment before jogging over to them, ("Hey, can I help you?")
Charles gave him a friendly smile, "I was wondering if you would like to sit with us," he said, "you'll be able to get a better view of what is happening."
The tyrogue gave a surprised look, but nodded in thanks and sat down next to his chair, ("Err...thanks. I guess. I didn't get your names, by the way.")
("I'm Benny and this is my brother Charles,") Benny answered, waving is paw from him to Charles.
("Brother?")
("Long story,") the Pikachu said.
The sound of a gong rang out across the hall as Koichi and Aikido stepped onto the pitch, "Ladies and gentlemen!" Koichi roared, "We have gathered to see the battle between the dojo's best fighters, Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan!"
"Standard gym rules apply," Aikido continued, "The winner is the Pokemon who successfully knocks out the other. That winner will be given the chance to join the trainer who had successfully won the Marsh Badge from Sabrina the Psychic gym leader. Are both sides ready?"
("I was born ready,") Chan shouted.
("I am ready to defeat my opponent,") Lee calmly said.
"Yeah, I guess," Misty muttered bitterly.
"Y-yes," Flo nervously called out to them.
The head trainers of the dojo stepped off the pitch, the gong poised in Koichi's hands, ready for him to strike.
"I'll shall begin the match," Koichi shouted, "In 3...2...1..."
CLASH!
And thus that battle had begun.
(Battle Start)
"Alright, Chan," Misty called out, "We have to wait for-"
But hitmonchan completely ignored her and ran towards his opponent, his fist poised to strike at Lee.
"Hey stop!" Misty cried.
Chan's fist glowed as he swung a Bullet Punch at Lee's head, but he and Flo were prepared for this.
"Dodge, and then use Low Sweep," Flo ordered as Lee moved out of the way of the punch and swung his leg at Chan's ankle.
Chan cried out twice. Once at the shock that Lee had dodged his attack and the second as he felt his feet taken out from underneath him. He fell on to the wooden floorboards painfully, gritting his teeth in anger and anguish. Ignoring Misty's shouts once again, he got himself up and aimed a Mega Punch at Lee.
"Dodge once more and then use Double Kick," Flo instructed.
Chan ducked under the Mega Punch before jumping in the air and kicking twice. One in the chest and the other in the face, making him stumble back a few feet.
"And that's another powerful Double Kick from hitmonlee," Alice announced into the microphone placed on the table she was sat at, "It would Chan's reluctance to listen to Misty is taking a toll on his performance. What do you think, machoke?" she asked the Pokemon sat next to her.
("It's super unmanly to ignore your trainer!") Machoke announced into his own microphone.
"For goodness' sake, there's commentators now," Charles uttered with a small sweat drop.
("How did they set it up so fast?") Benny questioned.
Over at Flo's side, the pink haired girl took a deep breath, "Okay, things are going well. Chan's legs are weak so we should aim for there," she told herself before calling out, "Lee, use Low Kick!"
The hitmonlee ran up to Chan, who had already got up, and tried to kick him in his stomach, but the hitmonchan had caught his leg between his fists, trapping him from doing his attack.
Flo gasped, "Damn, I meant Low Sweep."
Chan pushed his leg upwards, making Lee lose his balance and fall backwards onto the ground with a painful grunt. Instead of facing his opponent, Lee turned to Flo and glared angrily at her.
("How can you make that mistake! Are you completely incapable!") he shouted at her.
Flo was taken back by this before she snarled at him, "Hey, give me a break! I only learned those moves like ten minutes ago!"
Since he was distracted, Chan took the opportunity to attack him with Close Combat. He got in close and began to pummel Lee all over his torso, not letting him recover at all.
"What a turn of events," Alice commentated, "it now looks like Lee is forced on the ropes by Chan. It looks like the match has turned in favour of the hitmonchan."
("I pity the fool who is forced into a vulnerable position,") Machoke added.
Misty would have been happier with this turn around if it wasn't for the fact the she hasn't done anything, but stand and watch. Flo wasn't doing any better, she searched through her book, trying to find a way to get out of this situation.
"Err...Lee use...I don't know... Tackle," she called out desperately.
Lee broke out of the Close Combat and rammed his shoulder into Chan, pushing him back a few feet. However, Chan stuck his feet into floor and pushed back against him. Using his powerful arms, he wrapped them around Lee and lifted him off the ground. With his legs useless, Lee couldn't do anything but let Chan throw him across the pitch, landing roughly on the floor.
Lee glared up at Flo and shook his fist at her, ("Is that really the best idea you had!?")
Flo saw the aggressive motions he made to her and frowned angrily. She shut her book and took a step away, "If you're going to act like that then I quit! You're on your own, jerk!" she snapped at him, making his eyes widen in shock.
("You cannot quit! I haven't defeated him yet!")
Chan chuckled as he saw what just happened, ("Looks like I'm going to win now,") he declared.
"I quit as well," Misty proclaimed, much to Chan's shock, "There's really no point of me being here with such an annoying Pokemon."
Chan watched as his trainer stepped back as well. He snarled and turned back to Lee, ("I didn't need her anyway,") he muttered before he charged at his opponent.
The two Pokemon began trading blows, each hitting and kicking at other randomly. The audience became horrified as what used to be a Pokemon battle turned into absolute chaos. Aikido was about to put to stop to it, but Koichi grabbed her shoulder.
"What are you doing? We need to stop them."
"Look," Koichi said, pointing at how their fists and feet were glowing brightly at every attack, "they are using special moves. If we pull them away we might get hurt," he told her.
"Then what do we do?"
"I...I don't know."
Charles, Benny and the tyrogue watched in disbelief at what was happening. Charles was about to yell at them to stop when he saw Lee's jump in the air and aimed a downward kick onto Chan's head. The punching Pokemon dodged the attack, but they kick continued, smashing into the floor instead. The floorboards cracked and sent pieces of wood flying everywhere, causing people to move out of the way and for machoke to protect Alice with his body.
Charles and Benny were unable to move in time as jagged pieces of wood came hurtling towards them. Charles grabbed onto Benny and leaned over him to protect him from the projectiles and prepared for the worst.
However, tyrogue stepped before them with his broom in his hands and deflected every piece away from them with precision, saving them both from getting injured. Charles leaned up and looked down at the small Pokemon who had stopped them from being hurt.
"Thank you tyrogue, that was amazing," he told him.
The tyrogue looked back at him in slight surprise before shrugging, ("It was really nothing,") he said humbly.
Charles was about to say something else when he noticed that Lee and Chan were still fighting, despite one of them making a hole in the floor. He frowned angrily as he saw that they chose to fight instead of seeing the carnage and lifted Benny in front of him.
"Alright that's enough," Charles shouted, "Benny use Thundershock."
A bolt of electricity shot out of the pikachu right at the two Fighting Pokemon, causing them to cry out in pain and fall to the floor. Charles stood up from his seat and walked over to them, staring down at them with anger in his eyes.
("H- h- h- have you come to a decision, sensei?") Lee asked stuttering a little from the electrical attack.
("Yeah, who have you chosen to join your team?") Chan asked hopefully.
Charles paused for a moment before finally answering, "Neither of you,"
("What!") they cried out in shock.
"I don't want either of you on my team if you're going to act like you did during the battle," he turned to Chan, "You ignored your trainer throughout the whole match despite her being a gym leader. Stubbornness and ignorance are two things you can't be during a battle and I can guarantee that if this was a proper match, you would have been instantly defeated," he turned to Lee, "You put to much pressure on your trainer. Did you even consider if she wanted to battle or not. Not only that but when she got something wrong, you had the audacity at being angry at her. Respect between Pokemon and trainer is essential and neither should force the other do what they don't want to do," he glared at both of them, "Finally, you said you wanted to join my team, but you hardly know anything about me."
("Yes, we do,") Lee said, ("you were able to defeat Sabrina.")
"What's my name?"
...
...
...
The two shared a look before looking back at him, ("I'm sorry?")
"What's my name? If you wanted to join me then you have to show me respect as well. So, what's my name?"
...
...
...
("Sen-")
"It is not sensei," Charles interrupted Lee, "Did none of you bother to ask or did you two not think of anything else when making the decision. My team is built up by support. Every single Pokemon on my team helps the others grow and become better then they're already were. But you didn't care about any of that did you. You just wanted to use me to improve yourselves. Look around you, you're supposed to be proud Fighting Pokemon but you have disrespected everyone around you and destroyed the dojo."
Chan and Lee looked around the hall, their eyes widened as they saw the broken floor, the scattered pieces of wooden floorboards everywhere and the angry stares of the audience. It was only then did that they realised what they had done.
"If you want to improve," Charles continued, "then you have to start at somewhere small and work your way up. I can think of thing you can do to start you off," he said, pointing behind them at angry Koichi and Aikido.
The two Fighting Pokemon turned around to face the head trainers and bowed deeply to them.
("We apologise, masters. For our disrespect,") they said at the same time.
Koichi and Aikido shared a look before nodding in agreement. Koichi left the pitch for a moment before returning with two brooms and shoved them in their hands.
"You can apologise by cleaning everything up," Koichi said.
"And apologising to every single person and Pokemon who trains here," Aikido added.
Lee and Chan nodded sadly and got to work.
Outside The Dojo
The group were preparing to leave to go back to the Centre and Koichi, Aikido, Lee and Chan were saying their goodbyes. Lee and Chan bowed deeply to Misty and Flo, apologising for mistreating them during the battle.
("We are deeply sorry,") Lee said to Flo, ("I should not have shouted at you.")
("And I should have listened to you,") Chan told Misty.
The two girls shared a look before shrugging and petting the respected Pokemon on their heads.
"It's fine."
"We forgive you."
Both Pokemon seemed happy with their response, but winced as they saw the look on Aikido's face.
"Now that's over, you can start repairing the dojo," she ordered firmly.
The two Pokemon instantly nodded and took off through the gate to get to work. Aikido sighed and shook her head.
"At least their not fighting anymore," she said to herself before turning back to the team, "I'm really sorry about today. Everything just got out of hand."
"It's fine honestly," Alice told her, "besides I got a new Pokemon to join my team," showing everyone one of her pokeballs.
"You caught the machoke?" Misty asked.
Alice rubbed the back of her head shyly, "Yeah, he really wanted to come with me and also he protected from those wooden pieces, so I feel like I owe him," she explained as she put her pokeball away, "I told him he could come along as long as he doesn't pick me up again."
"Now that's something I like to see," Flo joked.
Alice gave her a light glare, "Good luck with that," she responded, making everyone chuckle in amusement.
That was when Charles spotted tyrogue looking at them through the slightly open gate door. Once he noticed Charles looking at him, he instantly turned away and pretended that he wasn't eavesdropping.
"Tyrogue," Charles called out.
The Pokemon flinched at being addressed before he shuffled his way out of the gate and to Charles.
("Yeah, how can I help?")
Charles leaned down to his height, "Thanks for saving us back there."
("You already said thanks.")
("We know but we wanted to say it again,") Benny told him, ("Are you sure you want to stay here. You look like you can handle yourself pretty well.")
Tyrogue shrugged, ("It was really nothing.")
"You don't always have to be humble," Charles told him.
("Master Kiyo said that humbleness is a weapon that the strongest fighters wield.")
Charles raised an eyebrow, "You miss him don't you?" he asked gently, earning a nod from the Pokemon, "Well, why don't you join my team? There's a better chance that we'll get to meet him."
Tyrouge was taken back by this, ("I...can't. I have my duties.")
"I know you want to do menial jobs to build up your strength and devotion," Charles said, "But you had already demonstrated today that you are more then capable. I know you said that the smallest acorn can grow into the strongest oak, but how the acorn grow if you keep it in a plant pot? If you come with us, you'll be able to experience things you won't see inside a dojo," he turned to Koichi and Aikido, "no offence."
"None taken," Koichi reassured.
Charles continued, "You will get stronger when you are with a team. So how about it?"
("Do you really think Master Kiyo would want you to stay in the dojo forever?") Benny questioned.
The tyrouge frowned thoughtfully for a few moments before he nodded, ("Thank you...I am honoured.")
"I'm glad to hear that," Charles said, taking out a spare pokeball and tapping it on the Pokemon's head.
In a red flash of light, tyrogue entered the pokeball when it shook for a moment before making the sound of a successful capture. Charles stood up as the pokeball disappeared back to the corral and turned to the head trainers, sweat dropping when he saw the tears streaming down Koichi's eyes.
"I love a happy ending!" he exclaimed into the air, before another swift chop to the neck made him fall to the ground.
"Way too loud," Aikido muttered as she grabbed his trouser leg and dragged him back through the gate, "bye kids. Hope you can come back another day," she happily said before the gates closed behind them.
They began to walk away back to the Centre, feeling tired from what happened today. Flo looked over to Misty and gave her a challenging smile.
"So, any chance of real battle in the future."
Misty giggled and nodded, "If you're feeling brave enough then sure."
"I am so going to beat you now," she joked, causing the others to laugh.
Battle Pitch
Lee and Chan were sweeping the empty hall, neither had spoken a word to each other since everyone had left. Lee had just pushed the last pieces of wooden planks into a pile before he glanced at his fellow Pokemon over his shoulder.
He cleared his throat and called out, ("You're punches are getting good,") he complimented.
Chan lifted his head and looked at him over his shoulder, ("Thanks...you were pretty quick. Have you been focusing on your speed lately.")
("Yeah...I came up with a new regime. I can show you if you want.")
("...I'll like that.")
They looked at each other, nodded respectfully before turning back to their cleaning.
Pokemon Centre
They had returned to the Centre and met Brock, Ash, Pikachu already there. As soon as they stepped through the door, Ash began to eagerly tell them about his latest victory and the new badge he had won. The haunter was apparently a great help during his battle against Sabrina and was able to lead his team to victory.
Now they were sat at a table in the Centre's cafeteria as Ash loudly told them about his battle.
"...and then Sabrina gave me this," he said, showing off his badge for the umpteenth time, "it's so cool."
"Ash, you have been talking about this for half an hour now," Misty sighed, "Can you give it a rest."
"Why don't we plan our next destination," Brock suggested as he sipped his tea.
Alice nodded in agreement and took out her map from her bag, "Let's see there's the Poison gym in Fuchsia City, Fire gym on Cinnabar Island, the Ground gym in Viridian City-"
"If I can make a recommendation," a cold voice said, making the scream in fear.
They turned and saw Sabrina standing by their table, looking down at them with expressionlessly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you," she cool apologised.
("She says that but she keeps on doing it,") Benny muttered, sending a glare at the psychic.
"It's fine," Charles told her as they recovered from the fright, "What was that you were saying."
Sabrina leaned over to Alice and pointed at her map, "I was wondering if I can recommend your next gym battle. The Grass gym in Celadon City is not too far away. I believe that Erika is the current gym leader, although I could be wrong. I have not been keeping up to date with my fellow gym leaders."
"Celadon City," Charles mused, looking at the map, "thank you Sabrina- and she's gone," he sighed, noticing that she had already disappeared, "she's still not a social person, is she?"
Ash stood to his feet, "Alright let's go right now!" he proclaimed before he noticed Pikachu give a small yawn, "or maybe we can go tomorrow."
Pikachu nodded tiredly, happy that he took the hint.
Flo looked over the map as well, a smile spreading over her face, "Hey, my grandmother's Centre in on the way there. Do you mind if we take a diversion to see her."
"I don't see why not," Charles told her, earning a happy squeal from Flo. He turned back to Ash, "I'm guessing you guys are going straight there."
Brock nodded, "I think it's for the best. We'll set off first thing in the morning."
"Yeah, we need to get there before Gary gets there," Ash said, pumping his fists into the air.
"Excuse me, Ash Ketchum," Nurse Joy said as she approached the table, "a letter arrived for you earlier," she said, handing him said latter.
Intrigued, Ash took the letter, opened it up and took out a photo from the envelope. His face fell in despair before it morphed in anger.
"No! I don't believe it!" he cried, dropping the photo onto the table.
The rest looked at the photo and saw the image of a smirking Gary with his cheerleaders outside, what they assumed to be, the Celadon City gym. As Ash laid his head on the table, a stream of tears flowing from his eyes, the others sweat dropped.
"The race was already won before we began," Misty said with a small giggle.
Sorry it took so long. I've been busy this month.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter. So honestly couldn't decided whether Charles should have a hitmonchan or a hitmonlee so I decided to go with a tyrogue for now. I'll put up a poll which Pokemon it should be after I published this chapter so I'll let democracy decided. Also if you would like to recommend some names for the tyrogue and the machoke, then please feel free.
I know somebody requested for machop, but I thought it would be better for Alice to get a machoke instead.
I know that they visit the dojo later on in the anime, but I decided to change some things. Koichi was based on somebody who worked at the dojo in games while Aikido was made up and I based her on Kendo from My Hero Academia. I've been doing that a lot lately.
Flo isn't necessarily bad at Pokemon battles (like when she was against Leslie), but she's defiantly not ready to go against a gym leader. I think it would be good to show her get better and better as the story progresses.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter and I hope you like the omake.
Omake
Charles, Alice and Flo entered Victor's office, looking around to see the whole room decorated with streamers and balloons. Victor himself was sat at his desk waiting for them. He blew a party blower as soon as they entered before giving them a friendly wave.
"Hi guys," Victor happily said, "happy birthday!"
Flo gasped, "Wow has it really been a whole year since this story started."
"Not to me. I came in much later," Alice reminded as they approached the writer's desk.
"Thank you for organising all of this Victor," Charles told him, "But aren't you a few days early?"
"I know but since Arceus Legends comes out on the same day, I didn't want it to be overshadowed."
"Thanks...I guess. It really has been a great year."
Victor chuckled, "It sure has," he told him before looking at his shoulder, "No Pokemon again."
"I told you, there are legal issues," Charles said, "Besides you're already pushing you're luck by having a Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny here," he said indicating to Flo and Alice.
"Ah well," Charles sighed, before he reached under his desk and bought out a large chocolate cake with a single candle in the middle. Victor lit the candle and presented the cake proudly to his OCs, "Make a wish before blowing out the candle."
"A wish, huh," Flo hummed, "Alright, I wish I'll get a chapter where I'm in the lead character," she said, sending a soft glare at Victor.
Victor chuckled nervously, "Next chapter, I promise. Alice, what do you wish for?"
"Hmm, well Flo's wish is also good for me," Victor sweat dropped when she said that, "but I would also like to do more in the story. Charles has his gym battles, Flo has her nursing career, I want to have something as well."
Victor nodded, "I know what you mean. I think I have something for you. Don't worry about it. Finally Charles, what do you wish for?"
Charles thought for a moment before he smiled happily, "I wish that we would have another year of writing and to thank everybody who had followed or favourited this story. They have been wonderful," he said, Flo and Alice nodded in agreement.
"That's a good one," Victor said, "all my readers are amazing people. Now go an blow out the candle," he encouraged.
Charles, Flo and Alice leaned in, counted down from three and blew out the candle with one single breath.
Potential Pokemon List:
Charles
Nidoran (Female)
Gastley
Ponyta
Drowzee
Goldeen
Tauros
Aerodactyl
Flo
Chansey
Psyduck
Nidoran (Male)
Kangaskhan
Cubone
Diglett
Alice
Venonat
Farfetch'd
Rattata
Poliwag
Tangela