Here's the next chapter. If you like to recommend any Pokemon (Kanto region for now) to join Charles' team or Flo or Alice, please leave a review. All of Charles' Pokemon and their names can be found on my profile.
pokemonking0924 – Thank you so much for reviewing and thank you also for reassuring me about the bikini scene. I was reading the chapter over before I published, and I was thinking to myself…that it may not be appropriate. I was honestly worried people will start sending me hate reviews. I had literally no idea where I came up with the idea about the Pokemon games. I do remember a scene in the anime where Team Rocket do something similar. I wanted to do the same but have backfire on Charles.
The fantasy scene with Flo and Alice I did like. Also, Monster Musume, yeah, I've heard of it…somewhere *laughs nervously* but I don't think I've ever watched it…or read all the manga…or any fanfiction…or wish they made a second season, yeah *Sweats intensly* weird.
Anyway, moving swiftly along, I'm not quite sure when to have the egg hatch. Maybe sometime after the St Anne incident, but good guesses for what it is. I didn't think of a Lapras.
Kani is definitely a chill Pokemon. I kind of imagined him like Korg from Thor: Ragnarok, but Sebastian is also good.
Thank you so much for reviewing.
djinn – Thank you so much as always. I think this gym would be quite interesting, especially for Benny.
danielsnow – Thank you so much. I don't think of myself as a funny person, so it's nice to see that somebody likes my weird sense of humour. As I said before I was very worried about the bikini scene, but thank you reassuring me.
Your right, Mew is adorable, and I can imagine the trouble she would cause. Hmmm… alright, alright I'll think about.
SkullGreymonX – Thank you. Yeah, the Pokemon game references were a little weird, but other people seemed to like it.
I can't wait to see what hatches as well (by which I mean I can't wait to write it). Thank you for telling me about the dratini, I did not know that. I had some plans involving a dratini in the future so I may need to replan some stuff.
Guest – I quite agree. Not many fanfictions delve into Pokemon interactions which is why I thought Charles should communicate with them. I've read some fanfictions with OCs that don't interact with their Pokemon which I always find a bit rubbish.
And yes, the tentacool will be following Alice for a bit. I honestly forgot about jigglypuff, I definitely need to involve her in this story
MBS41 – Thank you so much. I appreciate the support.
Kunoichi69 - I'm glad you've enjoyed this chapter. It was definitely fun to write. I suppose they do have quite large crushes on Charles. I mean one of them is his childhood friend and the other helped her reconnect with her family.
Benny and his views of evolution will be the main subject of this chapter. It would be something like what Dawn's piplup went through.
I may need to do some research on Joey Wheeler, because I never watched Yu Gi Oh before (Yeah, I know, my childhood was incomplete) but I make sure to do my best.
zanex141 – Hello new reviewer. I'm so glad you are enjoying it so far.
I would also like to assure that this story will be a very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, slow burn romance. I do not plan to exceed the rating of this story. Thank you for still reading despite it.
Thank you for your support.
TurboDriver07 – Thank you so much. I'm glad you are enjoying it so far. Yes, Flo, Alice and Leaf are in the harem as well as Misty. I think she would like somebody as mature as Charles.
I did plan for them to reunite with Leaf sometime after the cruise, but it could change. It's quite an interesting concept.
Your recommendations are very interesting. I like the first idea you proposed for Aerodactyl, because I don't think it was mentioned ever again. Also, I like the shiny grimer idea. Maybe it could be a germaphobe or something. Actually that sounds kind of cruel. I'll think of something.
Thanks for all the reviews :)
("Pokespeech")
Chapter 16: The Problem with Raichu
Vermillion City Pokemon Centre
The team had arrived at Vermillion City, famous for its harbour and the electric type gym where Charles will battle for his next badge.
Currently, Charles and Benny were calling the mother to tell her the news of the newest adopted member. Charles held the phone receiver in a way that Benny can communicate as well and waited for their mother to pick up.
Eventually, the image of blissey filled the screen and squeal of delight echoed down the phone.
("My precious children! I'm so glad to see you!") Blissey cried excitedly.
"Hi mum," Charles and Benny chorused, happy to her as well.
("So, have you been eating? Keeping warm? Keeping cool? Keepi-")
"Mum, we'll answer your questions later, but we have something important to tell you," Charles interrupted before she could bombard them with anymore questions.
("Important?") she asked.
"Yes," Charles smiled, "you're going to be a grandmother," he announced happily and lifted the egg so she could see it.
The blissey gasped in delight, ("Oh Charles that's won-")
CRASH!
A loud noise sounded from the other end, making their mother turn around in confusion. Suddenly Flo's mother appeared on the screen almost knocking the blissey over. She had a look of panic and horror on her face. Charles and Benny had never seen her like this.
"WHAT!?" she screeched and was going to continue before she saw the egg in Charles' hand.
Nurse Joy blinked as she looked on the egg. Her face relaxing slightly.
"Oh…you meant a Pokemon egg," she sighed as she propped herself on a table, "I thought you and Flo…" she stopped herself and decided to take a few deep breaths.
Charles and Benny shared a look.
"What do you mean by me and Flo?" Charles asked with a confused frown.
Nurse Joy shook her head rapidly, "Nothing. Nothing at all. Forget I said anything…I'm going to have a lie down for a few…hours. Nice to see you, Charles. Congratulations on the new Pokemon egg," she said through deep breaths as she dragged her way out of view.
Blissey giggled at her reaction before she picked up the phone again.
"What was that all about?" Charles asked in confusion.
Blissey giggled again, ("You find out when your older, sweetie. Do you know what Pokemon it is yet?")
Charles shook his head, "No, not yet. But whatever it is, I know it's going to be adorable," he said as he stroked the shell lightly, "We're now in Vermillion City and going for badge number three," he told her.
Blissey frowned slightly when he said that.
("Vermillion City. Oh, dear I believe that Lt. Surge's gym. I hear from the chansey there that he's pretty brutal. Especially with that raichu of his,") Blissey said in a worried tone.
('Raichu,') Benny repeated mentally, frowning at the thought of his next evolved stage.
Charles smiled, "I'm sure we can handle him. Right Benny?"
Benny snapped out of his thoughts at being addressed, ("Oh yeah, definitely,") he agreed.
("That's good to hear,") Blissey happily said, ("Now Benny have you been checked up by Nurse Joy?") she asked.
("Not yet,") he told her.
("I think it might be best if you go now. That Pokemon Centre is quite a busy one,") Blissey informed.
("Oh okay. Bye mum,") he said before jumping off from Charles shoulder.
("Bye sweetheart,") Blissy said.
She waited for her youngest son to leave before she turned to Charles with a serious look.
("Charles don't let your brother fight that raichu,") she ordered much to his surprise.
"But mum-"
("I'm not saying he isn't capable,") Blissey interrupted, ("I'm saying that he shouldn't. You know how competitive he gets when he battles, and I can't imagine what would happen if he fought this raichu. He never liked them and I'm afraid he would hurt himself in the process,") she explained.
"I see," Charles uttered in disappointment, "alright I won't let him fight."
("Well, he can be in the battle, but just not fighting that raichu, okay?")
"Okay?" Charles agreed reluctantly.
("Good, now have you thought any names for my grandchi-,") she stopped in realisation, ("Wait a minute, I'm too young to be a grandmother! And your too young to be a parent! STOP GROWING UP!") she wailed in despair.
Charles chuckled and waited for his mother to stop freaking out about how she was losing her sons.
Outside the Pokemon Centre
Later on, Charles had lined up his Pokemon outside the centre while Flo and Alice stood nearby. The Pokemon with him at the moment were: Benny, Fleur, Lilly, Titania, Sneak, Pyro and Cleo.
"Alright team," Charles started, "we are going against an electric type gym tomorrow."
Sneak raised his claw.
"Yes Sneak," Charles said.
The sandslash scrunched up his face in concentration, ("Electric types are strong against…water and flying, but weak…against…ground and rock and…and… grass types,") he said before looking up for approval.
Charles smiled happily, "That's correct Sneak."
("I got it right?") he asked excitedly.
Charles nodded causing the sandslash to squeak in joy.
("I got it right! Thanks, Cleo for teaching me,") he said, causing Cleo to stiffen.
Everybody turned to her as she glared at Sneak.
("I thought I told you not to mention that") she hissed.
Sneak rubbed his head guiltily, ("Sorry Cleo. I forgot.")
"You've been helping Sneak. Without me telling you to do so?" Charles asked a grin forming on his face.
("Just a few things. I don't always nap, you know,") Cleo admitted as her cheeks flushed slightly.
Titania and Fleur chuckled teasingly at her, causing Cleo to hiss at them.
"Anyway, I wanted to know who would like to compete in this battle," Charles continued.
("Pass,") Titania muttered, earning a sigh from Charles.
("I'm afraid we can't either,") Lilly politely declined.
("Yeah, we're not really fighting types,") Fleur agreed lazily.
("Of course not, your grass types,") Sneak said, earning a scathing look from Fleur.
Pyro put his claw up in the air, ("I quite like to battle,") he requested, much to Charles' happiness. He was hoping for Pyro to battle this time.
Sneak raised his claw eagerly, ("I'll go, I'll go,") he chanted.
"Excellent, who else," Charles said.
Benny waited for Charles to ask him but was disappointed when his brother turned to Cleo instead.
"Cleo, would you like to battle?"
Cleo thought for a moment. She actually wanted to have a battle, especially against a strong opponent. However, when she glanced at Benny and saw how disappointed he looked, she sighed.
("No thanks,") she told him with a shrug.
"Alright then, it looks like Benny is competing as well," Charles said, making Benny perk up.
He was about to continue when a kid ran by carrying an injured pidgey.
"Nurse Joy! Nurse Joy!" he cried as he ran inside.
Charles, Benny, Flo, Alice went inside to investigate what was going on. They saw the kid present the pidgey to Nurse Joy. The nurse sighed sadly and placed the Pokemon on the gurney and pushed it to the operating room.
"Oh dear, he must have faced that Lt. Surge," Flo said with a concerned frown.
Alice shook her head, "That raichu of his is really strong," she commented sadly.
Benny heard this and sighed. He then looked up with determination and leaped off Charles' shoulder.
Charles watched him leave in confusion, "Benny, where are you going?"
Benny looked back, (I'm going to do some independent training. I'll be back by dinner,") he said before he left the Centre.
Charles raised an eyebrow as he left. He had never done independent training before. Charles was always with him training alongside him. This was very unusual.
"Where's Benny going?" Alice asked as he noticed the shiny pikachu's departure.
"He said training," Charles answered with a concerned look.
"Do you think his worried about competing against raichu?" Flo questioned.
"Maybe," Charles said, thinking back on his mother's warning.
Charles was obviously concerned for his brother since he had never been like this before. He began to think about the raichu he was going to compete against and looked towards where Nurse Joy had gone.
He had an idea.
Charles turned to Flo, "Can we requested items to the Pokemon Centre?"
Benny returned later that evening feeling exhuasted. He had been training all day as he perfected every move and routine they had come up with. He had felt bad for leaving Charles in the dark, but if he was going to defeat that reichu he needed to be on his game.
Benny went through the automatic doors of the Centre and spotted Charles at the front desk. Giving a small, tired smile, Benny was about to make his presence known when Nurse Joy entered the room again.
"Your order has been placed, Charles," Nurse Joy told Charles cheerily.
"Thanks Nurse Joy. Did they say when it would get here?" he asked.
"Sometime tomorrow. They said they couldn't be specific when its going to get here. However, you were lucky that had that stone in stock."
('Stone?') Benny thought in confusion.
"Thanks Nurse Joy. I'm sure Benny would love it," Charles said before he walked back to the dining area.
Benny was shocked and devastated by what he said. He decided to run back outside before Charles saw him. Once outside, Benny sat on a rock and held his head in his paws.
("A stone. Does he mean a Thunder Stone? He wants me to evolve,") Benny said to himself, ("Am I not strong enough? Why wouldn't he tell me?") he muttered as tears formed in his eyes.
Benny sniffed and wiped the tears from his eyes, ("No, this is stupid. He probably thinks that this is what I want. No way would he go behind my back.)
The pikachu looked up into the sky with determination in his eyes.
("I'll just have to prove to him that I don't need to evolve. I need to beat that reichu,") he declared.
Benny stomach growled with hunger. He hadn't eaten all day. He turned towards where the dining area would be, contemplating whether he should eat first. Benny shook away that thought and scampered to the Pokemon Centre's exercise yard.
He could eat later.
Vermillion City Gym
Morning had come and the team walked to the gym in silence. Charles had gotten worried when Benny didn't return that night and set out to look for him. He eventually found him practising in the exercise yard.
They had gotten into an argument over the instance. Charles was shouting at him for worrying him while Benny defended themselves by saying that he could take care of himself. They were still bitter about it this morning. Flo and Alice could only share a worried glance as the brothers barely spoke a word to each other.
Although did it find it sweet that, despite having an argument, Benny still insisted on riding on Charles' shoulder and Charles allowing it.
The gym was tall and intimidating. Above the entrance were two lightning strike arches that towered over the team.
"Another weird position of the Pokemon gym sign," Flo observed wearily as she saw that word gym was written in the top left corner of the front building, "at least it's an improvement from the Pewter City gym."
Charles was about to knock when the large doors swung open to reveal a dark room. Once they stepped inside, they saw two people waiting for them with smirks on their faces.
One of the was a woman with long red hair, fair skin, and green eyes. She wore a head sweat band, a red tank top and a dog tag around her neck.
The other is a muscular man with slightly tanned skin and black hair. He wore a leather jacket and a hooped earring in his left ear.
"Hello," Charles greeted not at all intimidated by these people, "I came here for a gym battle."
The man chuckled and looked over his shoulder, "Hey boss, another victim for the emergency room," he called out.
"Bit unnecessary," Flo commented in annoyance.
From out of the dark, a figure rose and approached them. He was tall. Very tall. With blond spiky hair and a chiselled face. He wore a military jacket opened to reveal his muscular chest and a dog tag around his neck. This must be the gym leader, Lt Surge.
He chuckled menacingly as he stepped into the light and looked down at them.
"Welcome to Vermillion gym," he greeted before he pulled Flo and Alice into a hug.
He pulled away from the horrified girls and gave them a smirk.
"My next challenges are cute ones. Don't think I will go easy on you two," he told them.
Flo, Alice, and Charles shared a look.
Five minutes later
"W-w-well, you see Officer Jenny, my intentions were not at all inappropriate," Lt Surge nervously explained to an angry Officer Jenny. His two hench people nodded sheepishly in agreement from behind him.
"Oh really," Officer Jenny deadpanned.
"Y-yes it's what we do to intimidate wannabe trainers," Lt Surge continued.
"According to the report," Officer Jenny said looking over her notepad, "you hugged two underaged girls without their consent, one of them being my cousin's daughter, called them 'cute' and how you 'won't go easy on them'. And you're telling me there is nothing at all inappropriate about it. Is that right, sir."
"It's actually Lieutenant," Surge tried to correct.
Officer Jenny gave him a glare, "Sir, is fine," he yelped.
"And now you're telling me that you do this with every trainer," Officer Jenny continued.
"W-well no."
"You do realise that most trainers are children ten years and older."
"Yes."
"And even if that wasn't the case you cannot hug random women you do not know and call them cute."
Surge stayed silent, too afraid to speak.
"Sir, I am going to give you a warning this time, but if I hear one more complaint about your 'intimidation initiation' you're going to be coming with me down to the station. Do you understand?" Officer Jenny warned.
Lt Surge and his cronies nodded frantically.
"Good. You won't mind if I sit in on Charles' Pokemon battle, would you?" she asked, but by the tone of her voice it was clear that it wasn't a question.
"No not all," Surge answered quickly.
Officer Jenny hummed in annoyance before she turned to the team with a smile.
"Alright you can go ahead," she told them.
"Thank you," the team chorused.
They had been watching Lt Surge being down a peg from afar and were enjoying every last moment of it.
They all entered the gym and Lt Surge gave his introduction once more. The gym was plain with blue walls and dirt pitch. Flo, Alice, and Officer Jenny sat on the bleaches next to the pitch waiting for the match to begin. Charles had taken out the team he wasn't going to use so they could watch the match and observe how a battle is fought.
"Are the challengers ready?" the male henchman asked as he stood on his podium.
Surge chuckled from his side when he noticed Benny on his shoulder.
"Are you really going to fight with that pikachu, Bab-" he started before Officer Jenny gave him a glare, "-Charles. Sorry I was supposed to say Charles," he anxiously corrected himself.
"Eventually," Charles answered simply as he put his goggles over his eyes.
"This is a three vs three battle. Can the gym leader and challenger bring out their Pokemon," the referee said.
Surge and Charles brought their first pokeball and released their Pokemon. Charles released Pyro from his ball who looked nervously around. Meanwhile, Surge released a Pokemon with a ball-like body. It was red on the top and white at the bottom and it had two eyes that glared at its opponent.
"Hmm a voltorb," Charles hummed as he brought out his Pokedex.
Voltorb: Usually found in power plants. Easily mistaken for a pokeball, they have zapped many people.
("Target locked. Opponent identified as Charmander. Type: Fire. Type Advantage: Neutral,") Voltorb said in a robotic-like voice.
Pyro seemed a little freaked out about the way he spoke and backed away a little.
"Pyro," Charles called out, making him turn to him, "I know you can do this. You have been training hard and I trust you to do your best."
Pyro smiled and nodded at Charles' words. He turned back to his opponent with a determined look.
"Let the battle begin," the referee announced.
(Battle Start)
"Voltorb, use Tackle," Surge ordered.
("Affirmative,") Voltorb agreed and rushed towards Pyro.
"Keep strong, Pyro," Charles called out calmly as he waited for the perfect moment, "Now use Smokescreen," he ordered.
Pyro spewed a thick smoke from his mouth stopping the voltorb. Voltorb didn't have a mouth so it couldn't choke, but they could still get lost in the smoke.
Surge try to see through the smoke as he tried to find Pyro.
"Now use Scratch as we practised," Charles instructed.
Voltorb felt pain rip through its back. It tried to look around, but he was hit again and again.
Benny had taught Pyro this way of attacking. It keeps your opponent guessing where you are whilst also annoying them.
Surge growled as heard Voltorb cry out in pain.
"Use Sonic Boom," he ordered.
Pyro was sent hurtling back as Voltorb sent out a shock wave from its body. Pyro skidded on the floor as the smoke disappeared. Charles hummed in concern but was relieved when he saw Pyro stand up.
"Voltorb use Thunder Shock," Surge told it.
"Jump into the air and use Ember," Charles instructed.
Pyro leaped above Voltorb and dodged the Thunder Shock that Voltorb fired at him. Pyro fired small flames out of his mouth towards the electric Pokemon.
"Use Light Screen," Surge requested.
The air in front of Voltorb started to glow and the Ember bounced of the screen, preventing the voltorb from behind harmed.
Surge started to laugh when he realised that Pyro was coming towards Voltorb fast.
"Use Fire Fang," Charles ordered.
Because the Light Screen was hit by Ember, smoke had blocked Voltorb's view of Pyro. By the time it realised what was happening it was too late.
Pyro's teeth were encased in fire, and it bit the Voltrob right between the eyes. The Voltorb cried out in a robotic voice as it was burned by the move.
"Finish it off with Flame Thrower," Charles instructed.
Pyro leaped off Voltorb and sent a jet of flames at his opponent. Once he was done, everybody could see that Voltorb had fainted.
"Voltorb has fainted," the ref announced, "the winner is charmander."
Everybody on the bleachers celebrated Pyro's first gym victory. The Fleur des Lis sisters jumped up and down in joy while Cleo gave Pyro a proud subtle smile. Titania, who was on the last row of seat away from everyone, glanced down as Pyro hugged Charles'. She gave a small smile, happy for the kid.
"Well done, Pyro. You were great," Charles told the charmander as he rubbed his head.
("Thanks Charles,") he said with a big smile.
"Now have a rest," Charles said as he put Pyro back into his pokeball.
"Well, looks like you not half bad," Surge remarked with a smirk as he returned the knocked out voltorb.
"Can the gym leader and the challenger bring out their next Pokemon," the referee called out.
Surge laughed and released his second Pokemon. This Pokemon had a round metal body with three metal screws coming out of it. On either side of its body there are two magnets and a large eye in the middle of its body.
"Magnemite. I should have known," Charles muttered as he took out his pokedex.
Magnemite: Uses anti-gravity to stay suspended. Appears without warning and uses Thunder Wave and similar moves.
Charles put away his pokedex and released his second Pokemon. Sneak was looking the right way this time as he got out of his pokedex. He looked around for a moment before he spotted his opponent.
("Hello,") he greeted cheerily.
("Greetings opponent. Opponent identified as Sandslash. Type: Ground. Type Advantage: Affirmative,") Magnemite greeted back in a robotic voice.
Sneak turned back to Charles in confusion, ("What does affirmative mean?")
("Affirmative,") Magnemite answered, ("adjective. 1. agreeing with or consenting to a statement or request. 2. supportive, hopeful, or encouraging.")
Sneak turned back to Charles questioningly.
"It's a fancy way of saying yes," Charles replied to his look.
Sneak nodded in understanding.
"Sneak, remember," Charles called out, "just because you have a type advantage doesn't mean your invincible. Be careful, okay."
Sneak gave one more nod before he turned back to the battle.
"Let the second battle begin," the referee announced, starting the match.
"Magnemite use Supersonic," Surge ordered without a second of hesitation.
"Use Dig," Charles ordered as he saw the sound waves emit from Magnemite.
Sneak instantly dug into the ground and avoided the attack. Since soundwaves can't go through the ground, Sneak was safe.
"Magnemite, be prepared. It could jump out anywhere," Surge told his Pokemon.
("Affirmative,") Magnemite agreed and searched the ground.
Charles waited for the right moment before he tapped his foot on the ground. At the signal Sneak jumped out of the ground behind Magnemite and struck it with a power Rollout. Magnemite grunted at the force and almost crashed to the ground.
Surge growled and pointed at the sandslash.
"Use Gryo Ball," he instructed, making Magnemite spin rapidly in the air and throw itself at Sneak.
"Sneak, use Sand Attack," Charles ordered.
Sneak dug his claws in the ground and hurled sand at the incoming Pokemon. Since it was an electric and a steel type, the move was very effective. Magnemite stopped in its tracks and try to shake the sand from its eyes.
"Quick, now use Rollout," Charles called out.
Sneak rolled into a ball and threw himself at the magnemite. However, Surge grinned in amusement.
"I've got you know," he muttered before he called out, "use Metal Sound," he ordered, much to Charles shock.
Magnemite began to emit a horrible screeching sound that made everyone cover their ears. Sneak stopped mid-roll since he was hit with the full force of the attack.
"Now Lock On," Surge instructed while everybody was distracted.
Magnemite's body glowed for a second and then Sneak's body glowed for a moment.
"Damn it," Charles muttered, "Sneak get out of there and use Dig," he ordered.
Surge chuckled as Sneak dug into the ground once more and gave his final command.
"Use Flash Cannon," he ordered.
Magnemite began to glow brightly and shot a beam of light at the hole Sneak had made. Charles was unable to do anything as the Flash Cannon followed Sneak through the tunnels. The sandslash was hit with full brunt of the attack and burst out of the ground. Charles caught him in time, but it was clear that Sneak was knocked out.
"Sandslash has feinted. The winner for this round is magnemite," the referee announced
The team gasped in despair as they saw Sneak being knocked out.
"I can't believe it," Flo muttered in disbelief.
"I guess Charles was right about the type advantages not mattering," Alice remarked glumly as she watched Charles return Sneak.
The Fleur des Lis sisters frowned sadly at Sneak's lost.
("Poor Sneak,") Lilly whimpered as she was comforted by her sister.
Cleo shook her head sadly, ("I guess he needs a little more practise,") she commented before she turned to the upset oddish, ("Hey, don't be like that. Sneak needs encouragement, not tears.")
Fleur instantly perked up, her leaves standing up straight.
("That's it. I've got an idea,") Fleur told them and grabbed her sister.
She led Lilly through a door and out of the battle room.
("Hey, don't go wondering by yourselves,") Cleo shouted out to them.
Back to the pitch, the referee had told Charles to present his next Pokemon.
"Alright, Benny. You're up. I think you should-"
("Wait, Charles,") Benny interrupted, ("Why can't Pyro do this one,") he suggested looking up hopefully. If he fought this one, then he wouldn't be able to fight that raichu.
Charles shook his head, "Pyro's still recovering from the last battle. Benny please," Charles said.
Benny sighed, ("Fine, but I'm doing Routine Echo II,") he told him, much to Charles surprise.
"Really?" Charles asked, "That's a finisher routine."
("I'm sure. Trust me,") Charles reassured as he got into position.
"I see you've finally let that pikachu fight. You must be desperate," Surge mocked, making Benny's cheeks spark in anger.
Charles didn't respond and just waited for the referee to begin.
"Let the third battle begin," the ref announced.
Surge outstretched his hand and gave his first command, "Use Thunder Shock," he commanded.
Magnemite shot out a bolt of electricity towards Benny. The pikachu only waited for the right moment before he dug into the ground and avoided the attack.
Surge growled once more as he saw the Pokemon disappear into the ground. Charles waited for the right moment before he tapped his foot on the ground.
Benny broke from the ground behind Magnemite, his fist starting to glow as he aimed at the magnemite.
"Whoa!" Alice exclaimed, "Benny knows Brick Break."
Flo nodded, "These two have worked hard for the past three years to cover as many moves as possible. Brick Break is one of them since its effective against steel types," she explained.
Benny slammed his fist into the magnemite sending it hurtling back. Surge growled in surprise, but before he could order another attack, Benny's tail lit up and he swung it down of magnemite's head. With a combination of Brick Break and Iron Tail, and the fact that magnemite had already exhausted its battery using Flash Cannon and Thunder Shock, the electric and steel Pokemon fell to the ground, knocked out.
"Magnemite has feinted. Pikachu is the winner," the referee announced, making the team celebrate.
"That's probably the fastest Pokemon battle I've seen," Officer Jenny remarked.
"Yeah, Benny is awesome in battles," Flo said as she smiled happily.
However, the only person who was not happy was Charles. He was glad that his brother won, but the look of determination and eagerness made him feel weary. He was too ruthless.
Benny approached him with a grin, ("How's that?")
"Err yeah…that was great," he told him hesitantly.
("Look Charles,") Benny said, ("I know there's the whole rule about not fighting two battles in a row, but I think I shou-")
"No," Charles suddenly interrupted.
("You don't know what I was going to say,") Benny complained.
"You were going to say that you want to fight two battles in a row so you can fight that raichu," Charles accurately predicted, "to which the answer will be no. There's a reason why we don't allow that. Remember what happened to Hurricane against Misty."
("But Charles…") Benny tried to say.
"No," Charles interrupted once more, "we agreed to this years ago. If Pyro gets knocked out- and you better not hope that will happen- then you can fight, alright."
The two brothers glared at each other, neither one wanting to back down. The team looked at this exchange with worried looks. It felt unnatural for them to fight like this.
Benny tsked, ("Fine,") he muttered as walked miserably back behind Charles.
His brother gave him a concerned look before he turned back to the pitch.
"Can the gym leader and the challenger bring out the final Pokemon," the referee asked.
Surge laughed boastfully as he brought his last pokeball.
"You're in trouble now," Surge announced as he released his Pokemon.
It looked like a larger version of pikachu, but with an orange body and a white belly. It had a long tail with its end looking like a large thunderbolt and had yellow cheeks.
"Here it is," Charles muttered as he brought out his pokedex once more.
Raichu: Its long tail serves as a ground to protect itself from its own high voltage power.
The raichu gave a boastful grin at Charles, ("So, what are you waiting for,") the raichu snarked in a feminine voice.
"Wow, that raichu does look powerful," Alice muttered in worry.
("Bring out my next vict-") She stopped as the raichu's eyes landed on Benny. She gasped in delight and her eyes turned into hearts as she smiled brightly.
("Oh my, such a handsome pikachu,") she cried lovingly as stared at Benny.
Benny ears lowered, slightly creeped out.
("What is she doing?") he muttered.
Charles chuckled, "Oh Benny, so oblivious."
Charles had to suddenly duck as a stone was thrown at him. He looked towards the bleachers to an unhappy Flo who heard what he said. Charles gulped as he saw the glare that she was giving him.
"Can the challenger bring out their next pokemon," the referee reminded.
Charles released Pyro from his pokeball and kneel in front of the charmander.
"Alright, Pyro. This raichu is a powerful opponent," he said as they glanced at the raichu who was waving cutely at Benny.
("She is?") Pyro asked with a sweat drop.
"Apparently," Charles answered with his own sweat drop, "but I have in faith in you, Pyro. I know you are strong enough to defeat her."
Pyro smiled and nodded, ("I will do my best,") he promised.
Charles smiled as he stroked his head. Pyro had come a long way since he first choose him. At the lab he was frightened easily and reluctant to fight. But with his training and his friendship with the rest of the team, he was now a strong charmander who is willing to fight for his friends.
"Good," Charles said before he sat up, "we're ready," he told the referee.
"Let the fourth battle begin," the ref announced.
"Raichu, show that pesky Charmander what your made of and use Electro Ball," Surge commanded.
The racihu's savage grin returned to her face as she leaped into the air and shot a ball of electricity at Pyro from her tail.
"Pyro dodge to the right and use Smokescreen," Charles instructed.
Pyro obeyed and managed to avoid the attack. He then spewed a smoke from his mouth that covered the field.
"Not this time," Surge said with a smirk, "use Thunder Wave," he ordered.
Raichu chuckled as she shot a wave of electricity at Pyro. The charmander was not expecting the attack and was knocked back, the Smokescreen disappearing.
Charles frowned in annoyance, "Pyro use Growl."
Pyro got back onto his feet and growled at the raichu. Raichu flinched but managed to shake it off.
"Use Thunder Shock," Surge ordered.
Raichu's body started to spark as she fired a bolt of electricity at the charmander.
"Pyro use Dig," Charles quickly instructed.
Pyro used his claws to dig under the ground safe from the attack.
("Pretty impressive Thunder Shock, huh,") Raichu called out to Benny, ("I'm kinda famous for it,") she told him, trying to impress him.
("Concentrate. You're in a middle of a battle,") Benny muttered as he rolled his eyes.
Charles tapped his foot on the ground to signal Pyro to break out. Pyro leaped in front of Raichu shocking her from her boasting.
"Use Mega Punch," Charles ordered.
Benny's eyes opened in surprise, ("No don't d-")
But it was too late. Pyro's fist started to glow, and it connected to Raichu's chin. The raichu was sent flying back and landed roughly on the ground.
Pyro grinned in pride as he sent his opponent flying back with a powerful hit. However, electricity shot through his body making him fall to his claws and knees.
("You idiot,") Benny shouted as he brother, ("Raichu has the special ability Static. Pyro is now paralysed.")
"Oh no," Charles muttered in fear as Surge and Raichu chuckled victoriously.
"You fell right into our trap," Surge said with a grin, "Raichu, finish it off with Nuzzle," he ordered.
("Gladly,") Raichu grinned before she looked up to Benny, ("and maybe we can nuzzle after the battle,") she told him with a grin.
("Stop flirting with me when you about to attack my friend!") Benny shouted at her.
Pyro tried to stand up, but pain racked through his body. He looked up and saw Raichu approach him with her cheeks sparkling.
There was nothing he can do.
("You can do it, Pyro!") two voices cried out from the bleaches.
Pyro looked to the side to see Fleur and Lilly doing a dance routine. They were flipping and somersaulting and chanting. It was like they were cheerleaders. The scene brought a smile to Pyro's face. He didn't have friends at the lab, but now he was surrounded by them, and they all love and support him. He can't disappoint them.
Pyro felt a something ignite in his stomach, waiting to break out. The thought of his friends, Flo, Alice, and most of all Charles, who has believed in him since the beginning, made that thing glow brighter and brighter.
('I must fight for my friends,') Pyro thought as he opened his mouth wide.
Raichu didn't expect Pyro to open his mouth as soon as shew was going to use Nuzzle, nor did she expect the beam of energy to shoot out of his mouth and collide with her stomach.
"What!" Surge cried out as he saw Raichu fly back.
Everybody on the bleaches gasped in shock.
("Was that…") Benny started in surprise.
"Yes," Charles smiled, "that was Dragon Breath."
Once Pyro had finished the power attack, his body started to glow brightly, shocking everybody even more.
Pyro silhouette began to grow and bulk up. His tail got longer, and he grew horns from his head. Eventually, the glowing stopped to reveal a bipedal reptilian with red scales and a pale underbelly. Its fire tail had grown much stronger, and his features were much fiercer.
Pyro had evolved into charmeleon.
For the last time, Charles took out his pokedex and scanned Pyro's new form.
Charmeleon: When it swings its burning tail, it elevates the temperature to unbearably high levels.
(Oh yeah!") Pyro shouted proudly, ("I feel so much stronger!")
Charles sighed, "One moment," he said before walking up to Pyro.
Pyro turned to Charles with a grin, ("What you think you've got control over me! Do your best! I'm stronger than you! I am fiercer than you! Nothing you can do wil-")
Charles karate chopped Pyro's head. The charmeleon held his head in pain as Charles towered over him.
"No!" Charles told him sternly.
Charmeleon looked up at him in fear.
Charles stared back crossly.
….
….
….
….
("Okay, I'm sorry Charles,") Pyro gave up, bowing his head sadly.
"It's okay," Charles kindly told him as he scratched his head, "well done for evolving."
("Thank you,") Pyro said happily, returning to kind nature.
"Good thing Charles knew you had to establish dominance once charmader evolves," Flo remarked happily.
"Yeah, can you imagine how annoying it would be if charmeleon or charizard didn't listen to Charles for ages," Alice said with a smile.
Flo laughed, "or worse during the Pokemon league. That would be disastrous."
Charles returned to his place as soon and the referee started the battle once more.
"Pyro use Scary Face," Charles ordered.
Pyro pulled back his smile into a terrifying expression. Raichu squeak in fright unable to move.
"Now leap into the air and use Fire Fang," Charles ordered.
Pyro jumped into the air above Raichu, his teeth engulfed with flames.
"Nice try, kid," Surge chuckled, "use Thunderbolt," he instructed.
Raichu turned to him with an unsure look, ("But…")
"Do it now," he commanded, causing her to sigh in frustration.
Raichu sent a bolt of electricity at Pyro. The charmeleon flinched in pain slightly but was not properly executed.
"What!" Surge cried out in shock as Pyro bit onto Raichu.
"You can't electrocute somebody in the air," Charles told him as Raichu cried out in pain, "a person needs to make contact with the ground so electricity can travel to it. The only damage it did was some burning which Pyro is immune to."
Surge glanced at his hench people who nodded in agreement, making him look sheepish.
"He's an electric type gym leader and he didn't know," Flo muttered in disbelief.
"Wait, so why are flying types vulnerable to electric attacks?" Alice asked.
Flo shrugged, "One of life's many mysteries, I suppose."
("That's what I was trying to tell you,") Raichu muttered, feeling the effects of Pyro's Fire Fang.
"Pyro finish Raichu off with Flamethrower," Charles ordered.
Pyro nodded and spewed a jet of flames at the raichu. Once the flames had cleared away, Raich had been knocked out.
"Raichu has fainted. The winner is Charmeleon and therefore the challenger wins," the referee announced.
(End Battle)
The team celebrated at Pyro's victory. Charles walked up and hugged the charmeleon for doing such a great job while the others approached.
"Well done, Pyro. I knew you could do it," Charles told him.
("Thanks. But what I think really helped was Fleur and Lilly's cheer routine,") Pyro admitted as he turned to the sisters.
"Oh really," Charles said as he gave the sisters a teasing smirk.
Lilly's expression brightened while Fleur turned away with annoyed pout.
("Indeed, it was quite enjoyable,") Lilly remarked happily.
("Yeah, I guess it was,") Fleur muttered.
"Well, why don't I make you two the official team cheerleaders," Charles suggested.
("Really?") Fleur eagerly asked before she caught herself, ("yeah, sure whatever.")
("You're such a poser,") Titania sighed which sparked another fight between the two.
Charles ignored the fight and let Lilly deal with it. He turned back to Surge who approached with a broad smile.
"I got to say, that's some impressive battling skills," Surge admitted happily.
"Thanks lieutenant," Charles told him with a wide smile.
"Therefore, I deem you worthy of the Thunder Badge," Surge said as he took a yellow badge shaped like a flower.
Whilst Charles, Flo, and Alice admired the badge he won; Benny looked on from afar. His bowed his head sadly as he realised that he hadn't proven his strength.
Outside the Pokemon Centre
It was late into the night when Charles found Benny. He was outside sitting on a rock and stargazing, obviously deep in thought.
Charles sighed and walked up behind him. Benny's ears flicked, notifying that he heard his approach but made no effort to look around. Charles picked up Benny, sat on the rock and placed the pikachu on his lap.
"So, you want to tell me what that was all about earlier," Charles started as he stroked Benny's head.
Benny didn't respond.
"Benny, mum said you don't like raichu. Why is that?" Charles asked.
("It's not like I don't like them,") Benny admitted quietly, ("it's just that I don't want to be one.")
"Why?"
("It's stupid. You're going to laugh at me.")
"Benny," Charles said as he turned him around to face him, "I'm not going to laugh," he said seriously.
("I…I….") Benny hesitated, ("I wouldn't be able to ride on your shoulder anymore,") he replied softly.
"Oh," Charles uttered as he wasn't expecting that, "would that be…bad?"
(To me, yes,") Benny told him, ("Remember back in school and they didn't allow Pokemon in class. I was still a pichu then, so you would smuggle me in your pocket, and no one would notice. Well, when I evolved, we weren't able to do that anymore and…that was the first time we had been separated. Riding on your shoulder is the last thing that kept us together and if I lost that…I thought we would…drift apart.")
"I see," Charles quietly admitted, "so you have been trying to prove you don't need to evolve by battling raichu."
Benny nodded.
Charles sighed and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a simple box and sat it next to Benny.
"Open it," Charles encouraged, nodding to the box, "it arrived just in time."
Benny hummed uneasily. He knew that the Thunder Stone Charles ordered last night was in that box.
('Might as well get it over with,') Benny thought miserably as he took the lid of the box.
However, he was shocked to see that it was not the stone he was thinking of. It was a smooth, grey, round stone he had never seen before.
"It's an Everstone," Charles told him, "it stops Pokemon from evolving."
("I-I don't understand,") Benny muttered in confusion.
"Do you really think I would want to evolve you against your will?" Charles rhetorically asked, "Benny, I don't care if you are the strongest or the weakest or whatever. All I care about is you and for you to be happy. If you don't want to evolve then that's fine, but please never stop being my brother."
Benny listened to him, tears swelling up in his eyes. He hugged Charles and Charles hugged him back.
("Thank you, Charles,") Benny whispered.
Charles chuckled and broke the hug, "So, are you…" he trailed off and nodded at the Everstone.
Benny smiled, ("Yeah. I think I will.")
With one deep breath, Benny placed his paw on the Everstone.
The next morning
Charles had just finished telling Flo and Alice what happened last night at the Pokemon Centre's dining area. The girls were saddened to hear the turmoil Benny had been through but were relieved everything had been sorted out.
"I'm glad that Benny is happy now," Flo told Charles, "It was very sweet moment between you."
"Too sweet if you ask me," Alice pointed out.
Flo frowned, "What do you mean?"
Alice shrugged, "Sometimes its weird for siblings to get along that well. You need to do something that would set the equilibrium."
"What that's ridiculous," Flo said.
"No, Alice is right," Charles countered, "you're an only child so you wouldn't know this sort of stuff."
Flo hummed in annoyance while Alice nodded in agreement.
"Maybe…" Charles muttered before he saw Nurse Joy walk by.
He had an idea.
"Nurse Joy," Charles said catching her attention, "do you still have that Thunder Stone?"
Benny decided to sleep a little bit longer. He had been up all night training, so he really needed it.
As he climbed down the stairs and made his way to the dining area, he couldn't think of the weird feeling of always being a pikachu. It was definitely what he wanted, but it just seemed odd that he wouldn't be abl-
"BENNY, THINK FAST!" Charles shouted before he tossed something at Benny.
The shiny pikachu caught it and inspected it.
It was a Thunder Stone.
Benny screamed and threw the stone onto the floor. He looked at his paws to see if the evolution process had already begun. However, he saw no change.
That's when it dawned on him.
He growled as he heard the uncontrollable laughter from his brother.
"What's wrong Benny. You can't evolve, remember," Charles sputtered through his laughter, before taking off in a sprint.
("YOU ARE SO DEAD!") Benny screamed as he ran after his brother, his cheeks sparking in anger.
Alice and Flo watched the scene from their table. Alice had broken into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. Flo shook her head in exasperation.
She would never understand siblings.
So, it wasn't after much research that I realised that Everstones do not prevent a Pokemon from evolving if they use an evolution stone. However, I think that's rubbish and so ignored it.
Also has anybody realised how sketchy some of the first episodes of Pokemon were. I mean there was an episode where Misty entered a bikini contest and James had inflatable breasts.
1998 was a wild time for anime.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it and I see you next time :)
Potential Pokemon list:
Charles
Abra
Vulpix
Nidoran (Female)
Gastley
Bellsprout
Ponyta
Drowzee
Goldeen
Dratini
Aerodactyl
Grimer
Flo
· Chansey
· Psyduck
· Nidoran (Male)
· Kangaskhan
Alice
· Venonat
· Farfetch'd
· Tentacool
· Machop
Next Time: All abord the St Anne