Chapter 12; spoils of growth

Sonic and his pokemon were training at the beach as hard as they could. The time to continue their journey was upon them.

Wartortle had now mastered water pulse while it had started working together with Kadabra to make a shield and sword duo with each acting as either the shield or the sword depending on the circumstances. As for Raichu, now that it had evolved it had become much more patient and willing to try. Its speed was off the charts and the amount of electricity it released with every thunderbolt was unbelievably strong. And to Sonic's surprise, Tails' cousin whom he had hung out with twice in the days they took to rest after their adventure at the power plant and get back in shape, was also a trainer specializing in steel types. Him and Sonic had a battle which Sonic won with ease, though discovering Raichu had lost the ability to strike ground types. Tails theorized that this unique ability was a result of their bond and had now taken the form of Raichu's greater power compared to others of its kind. After his defeat, Tails' cousin offered to teach Raichu how to use iron tail to which Sonic immediately agreed. After all they would now need to reinvent themselves for when they encountered team Rocket again.

And the results were finally starting to show. Raichu had become faster and stronger than it could ever become as a Pikachu in Sonic's eyes. Iron tail would prove very useful if used consecutively while moving fast with a move like quick attack.

"Amazing work team" Sonic said as they wrapped up their training "nothing will stop us tomorrow".

They returned to Tails' cousin's home who had offered to let them stay while he stayed at his girlfriend's until Sonic would continue his journey and Tails would return to their hometown. Sonic entered the house followed by Raichu just as Tails was about to watch a movie with some chips.

"Oh there you are. How'd the training go?"

"We're ready" Sonic declared confidently "the gym leader won't know what hit them".

"You seem more than ready" Tails agreed as Sonic and Raichu joined him watching the movie.

"So what comes after defeating this gym leader?" Tails asked him while chewing a chip.

"Well" Sonic said reaching for his map "the 4th gym, in the row I'm supposed to battle them at least, is in Celadon City. Problem is, it's west of Saffron City. I don't know how safe it would be to go through Saffron city now. Team Rocket will be on high alert for me or Mike. Wonder how he's doing" he said to himself.

"Hm…" Tails said as he browsed through his phone "there is another way to Celadon but it's a long way. You see while the city was being developed long ago, wild pokemon would attack the travelers on all corners of the city for their homes had been taken to develop the city. So the people built tunnels under the city to get to or from it as well as to either lavender town at the east of Saffron or Celadon at the west. Same goes for north and south with Cerulean City and Vermillion City respectively. The parts of the tunnels that connect them to Saffron became inaccessible after an earthquake so I doubt team Rocket would be in control of them. Furthermore there is a slight issue. The tunnels don't cross. So to get to Celadon safely you will need to go to Lavender town first and go west from there through the tunnel and reach Celadon".

"I see. Well at least it's a simple walk to Lavender town. East of Vermillion then once I reach the seaside go north. How hard could it be? Anyway let's watch the movie now" Sonic said putting the chips in the middle so they could all eat. Raichu tasted one and spit it out in disgust due to the salt.

"Yeah sorry buddy should have warned you they're salty" Sonic said laughing.

"Rai" Raichu let out a cry of disgust and rolled over to rest.

The next day Sonic, Raichu and the rest of their team woke up very early, eager to go to the gym. After they had breakfast with Tails, he informed them he would come to watch their battle and bid them goodbye as he had to leave in the afternoon. Sonic felt sad at their separating as despite having a blast already on this journey missed him and Knuckles. However it was what it was.

They made their way to the gym. Sonic entered and came face to face with the gym leader.

"Well, well. Are you a challenger?" he said. Sonic thought he looked familiar.

"Are you the gym leader?"

"Yes. I'm lt surge".

"Wait really? I saw you battle the other day with someone you called Visquez".

"Ah yes the kid that walked past us. I noticed you. Finally ready to challenge me?"

"Yes I am!" Sonic declared.

"Very well. We use one pokemon each! Go Raichu!"

Raichu came out of its pokeball looking ready for battle.

"Yes" Sonic said smiling "I remember this Raichu. You used it to beat that voltorb. Very well! Come on out partner!"

Sonic's Raichu came out of its pokeball as well and stared down the other pokemon of its kind. The two stood opposite each other crying out their names, eager to attack.

"A mirror match huh? Well then. The lesson begins now!"

"Yeah" Sonic smiled in confidence "your lesson" he thought.

"Raichu mega kick!"

Surge's raichu jumped towards Sonic's raichu preparing a devastating kick.

"Quick attack" Sonic said calmly smiling.

Raichu disappeared in a blur as started running around the field to the confusion of Surge's raichu.

"Wha… how is it so fast?"

"Iron tail back to back!"

Sonic's raichu run towards Surge's raichu and used its move lowering its defense despite the low effectiveness. It then kept using quick attack and repeated the process with Surge's raichu being unable to react fast enough.

"How is this possible?"

"What's wrong surge?" Sonic said confidently and to Tails' surprise in an almost mocking way "did you evolve your raichu too fast?"

"Raichu shut that fool down! Thunderbolt!"

Surge's raichu unleashed the thunderbolt causing Sonic's Raichu to stop in its tracks as it was struck by the move. However to both surge and his raichu's shock it remained undeterred.

"Raichu!" Sonic said deciding playtime was over "show them what a real thunderbolt is!"

Raichu unleashed its full power on surge's raichu which was a stranger to being on the back pedal. That combined with Sonic's raichu's higher voltage sent surge's raichu flying out of the arena and crashing into the wall, getting knocked out in the process. Surge was at a loss for words.

"YEAH!" Sonic screamed in joy "who's the best? We're the best!"

"Rai!" Raichu cried out in symphony with its trainer.

Surge recalled Raichu and approached his opponents.

"I have lost. Congratulations. The thunder badge is yours".

"Thanks" Sonic said with a huge smile on his face.

"How did your Raichu get so strong?" Surge asked him.

Sonic and Raichu looked at its other and smiled.

"Our bond is strong".

"A riddle huh? As you wish. I don't fear tests. Good luck on your challenge" Surge said as Sonic, raichu and Tails walked out of the gym.

"Ha. A riddle. Can you believe that guy?" Sonic said "he thinks I was being cryptic".

"I mean… that is all anyone would assume" Tails said not as joyful as his friend.

"Something wrong pal?"

"No. It's just…"

"Hey cheer up. Everything's going perfectly!" Sonic said without letting Tails finish his phrase.

While taking a walk through the city before splitting up for Tails to go to the airport and Sonic to go east, they came across a guy wearing a purple shirt, spiky brown hair and girls following him around. He radiated with a sense of arrogance.

"Wow" Sonic said barely holding a laugh "look at this guy. All high and mighty".

"Not the only one" Tails murmured.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing. Was just making a note to self, Sonic".

"Sonic?" the boy that walked past them said loudly turning around.

"You're the one my grandpa was talking to the day I got my first pokemon".

Sonic looked at him confused for a moment before remembering a talk he had with professor Oak the day after he had caught abra.

"You're Gary right?"

"Yes I am. The one and only. Future best trainer in the whole world".

Sonic was disgusted by his overconfidence thinking of his enemy back home. He managed to stay calm and smiling.

"I see. Well nice meeting you. See you around" Sonic said to Tails' surprise and turned to leave.

"Hey don't turn your back on me!"

"I'm not turning my back on anyone. We were just hanging out me and I stopped because you called out to me" Sonic answered calmly angering Gary.

"Heh, You're not fooling me. You're a trainer as well. You're afraid of battling with me".

"Me? Afraid of you? Please" Sonic answered back causing Gary's fans to gasp.

"All right spikehead! You have it coming now! Go growlithe!"

Growlithe emerged from Gary's pokeball and roared a small cry.

"Oh how cute. My turn. Go Wartortle!"

Wartortle emerged and stood opposite growlithe.

"Growlithe use bite!"

Growlithe jumped towards Wartortle.

"Wait" Sonic said apparently to himself "wait… now! Water pulse!"

Wartortle's move launched right before growlithe's fangs sank into Wartortle's skin. It was blasted back and knocked out.

"Had enough?" Sonic asked in a now mocking tone.

"Why you! Go eevee!"

"Fine by me. Rock tomb!"

"Eevee! Use swift!"

Eevee released a barrage of stars that countered the rock tomb.

"Now quick attack!"

Eevee dashed at Wartortle and headbutted it causing minimal damage.

"Predictable" Sonic said "bite!"

Wartortle bit eevee and caused it to cry out in pain before throwing it back at Gary's side knocked out as well.

"Last chance to spare yourself" Sonic taunted Gary.

"Grrr. You're pay for this! Eye for an eye! Go wartortle!"

Sonic, who was at first amused by Gary's overconfidence now had started getting bored.

"Wartortle return" he said returning it "go Raichu!"

"A raichu?! You coward! Bring that Wartortle back out and fight like a man!"

"I'm no coward. I'm simply saving my time".

"Saving your time?"

"Yeah. Cause you're a waste of it".

Tails gasped along with Gary's fans this time.

"What's gotten into him?" he wondered silently but already knew the answer.

"I had enough of you!" Gary yelled angry "wartortle use water gun!"

Wartortle fired water at Raichu which dodged.

"Iron tail" Sonic ordered.

Raichu attacked but Wartortle retreated into its shell rolling to the side causing the attack to miss. Sonic, not expecting this was unable to react fast enough as Gary ordered Wartortle to bite Raichu. Raichu cried out in pain angering Sonic.

"Raichu! Playtime is over! Use thunderbolt! Blow that piece of trash OUT OF THE FIGHT!"

Raichu's electricity discharged sending Wartortle flying into Gary, resulting in his defeat and making him feel embarrassed. Sonic walked past raichu and slowly approached him. Gary who was looking at his Wartortle in shock looked at Sonic in anger.

"Next time, think twice before picking a fight" Sonic said calmly yet in a somewhat menacing tone. He then turned around and walked back to Tails as raichu followed.

"Am I the best or am I the best?" he asked Tails with his hands behind his head as if he was stretching.

Tails however didn't respond.

"You ok?"

"Sonic what's wrong with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Look into my eyes and tell me you knew you were fighting a random kid you just met and not Shadow".

Sonic's eyes widened in anger.

"Why did you say that name?!" he asked in anger.

"Because you're becoming like him!"

"Me?!"

"Yes you! You trash-talked Gary like there was no tomorrow!"

"He brought this on himself".

Tails almost averted his gaze from his friend.

"Look Sonic. I know you started this journey as a way to grow as a person. But you're growing for the wrong reasons".

Sonic didn't answer.

"Look I have to go soon, my flight will leave soon and the airport is not close. Please promise me you will try to restrain yourself. Don't take Amy's words to heart. You don't need to assert your dominance. Shadow will never be as great as you are, even in a hundred years. Amy will realize it one day too".

Sonic's eyes were filled with a spark Tails had seen before.

"You mean…"

"No Sonic. I'm not saying you should grab the opportunity then. Regardless of whether she understands how much you're really worth, you shouldn't go for her. At least not as long as she is the person she is".

Sonic remained silent.

"Do you promise Sonic?"

"I… I will.. I will try".

Tails knew he didn't mean it yet but forced a smile.

"Try your hardest ok?"

The two then walked around town for a while longer until finally it was time for Tails to leave. As the duo hugged Tails asked his friend not to forget his promise. Sonic again didn't convince him but Tails pretended not to notice. After the two bid goodbye, Sonic headed east towards the shoreline so he would then turn north towards lavender town. However after turning to the north he saw a small crowd blocking the way forward. As the path was becoming narrower, Sonic passed through them trying to get to the front. When he got to the front he finally saw what was causing the problem; a Snorlax had fallen asleep on the path blocking it. An officer turned to the crowd and used a megaphone to address them.

"The road will remain closed until we can safely remove the Snorlax. Please go back to town. This will could take a long time".

"Damnit" Sonic thought "now what?"

"Rai?" raichu looked at him.

After going back to open space behind the crowd Sonic took out the map to see if there was another way.

"Hm… there is another path through the mountains. But we will have to go back to Cerulean city and then east from there. And there is also a tunnel" he said thinking.

"Rai?"

"I know. Not the best choice. But this Snorlax could take days to move. With the path being this narrow any wrong move could send it, the officers and anyone else close tumbling down into the ocean. Well not a lot to consider. Come on partner. Who knows. Maybe we will encounter that Moltres again".

"Rai rai!" Raichu cried out in excitement eager for a proper match with that bird.

After returning to Vermillion and buying resources for their journey they headed north and this time used the tunnel to go under Saffron city. After exiting the tunnel they reached Cerulean city and immediately headed east. As they approached the entry of the valley, they were oblivious to the sharp glare of something –was it a human or a pokemon? - watching them from afar.