Chapter 25: The Abandon Beldum

After Hilda's rematch against Sabrina, which was a tough battle, though, coming up with different strategies, she was able to pull out a victory and earn her Marsh Badge.

The next day early in the morning.

Paul decided to have a chat with Reggie, which was rare for him.

"So, I take you're doing well?" Reggie asked.

"Yeah, I just won two Symbols, so, I'll be battling Tucker next," Paul replied.

"Tucker, he's probably gotten stronger since the last time I battled him, he'll probably use that Fusion strategy he used against me," Reggie said with a chuckle. "That battle against him was tough, I almost lost, but, I was able to make a comeback and win."

Paul didn't say a word, until, Reggie cleared his throat. "Anyway, I must remind you that he's unpredictable, no telling what is going on in his head, or what strategy he'll dish out."

"I got ya, I'll be in a Double Battle too, so, I'll have to do some thinking about what Pokemon I want to use," Paul said with an emotionless expression. "Anyway, I have to get going."

"Right..." Reggie said with a nod. "Oh, and Paul...good luck."

"Sure, but, I don't believe in luck," Paul said despite not smiling and hung up the receiver.

Reggie chuckled in amusement. "Acting tough as usual, but, I'm glad he's traveling with people, if this keeps up, perhaps he will surpass me and the Battle Frontier Brains..." An image of Ash appeared in his mind. "Ash, I hope you and him can battle someday."

Paul and his group were going through Route 12.

"So, Paul, how did your talk with your brother go?" Hilda asked.

Paul continued without looking back. "It was okay, he gave me some reminder of Tucker's tactics, he's unpredictable, so, I'll need to come up with a good strategy and the right choice of the two Pokemon I will need to choose and...I'll have to choose carefully."

"Agreed," Daisy Oak spoke. "I heard of Tucker's skills in a Double Battle and it's quite intense, once Tucker decides to unleash his full power, he'll use his fusion strategy, and Pokemon that tried to endure it eventually fell."

Paul knew she was right, Reggie barely held up the time he battled him, despite he needed to decide which Pokemon he should use, though, he won't use the Pokemon he caught, they'd be outclassed easily.

Grrrrrrrr

Paul's stomach growled.

Hilda giggled. "Sounds like someone is hungry."

"Shut up!" Paul retorted with a flustered yet annoyed look on his face.

Grrrrrrrr

Hilda's stomach was now rumbling. "What was that about me being hungry?" Paul questioned sarcastically.

Hilda grumbled quietly though she was embarrassed.

"Now, now, let's take a short break, and have a snack," Daisy said holding a picnic basket.

"Where'd you get that?" Paul asked pointing to the basket.

"I thought this would happen, so, yesterday, I bought this sometime after Hilda's battle, and bought some good snacks along with water," Daisy replied. "It's also got some Pokemon Food, so, they can eat as well."

The three went to the grass and placed a huge sheet on the grass.

"Let's eat up!" Hilda declared throwing her Pokeballs.

"Eevee!"

"Vulpix!"

"Bulbasaur!"

"Stand by!" Paul tossed his Pokeballs.

"Scyther!"

"Charmander!"

"Sawk!"

Daisy smiled at her Pokeball. "Throh, come on out and eat!"

"Throh!" The Judo Pokemon said.

The three started to feast on some meat sandwiches and energy drinks with cold water.

Each of their Pokemon began to feast.

A shadow silhouette of a Pokemon was slowly flying through some nearby trees.

Hilda was almost stuffed. "Man, that felt good, but, what's for dessert?"

Daisy giggled. "This...jelly donuts, with cold milk, our bones will strong if we want to continue on long walks."

Paul then felt something approaching as he glanced at the trees that were nearby. "Who's there?"

This got Hilda and Daisy to be on alert including their Pokemon.

A Pokemon came out of the tree and went through a big bush and passed out. "Beldum...Beldum..."

"What's that Pokemon?" Hilda asked quickly taking out her Pokedex.

"Beldum, the Iron Ball Pokemon. Beldum floats by emitting magnetic waves from its body to repel the Earth's magnetic field. They launch their claws into cliffs where they sleep."

Daisy was surprised. "Something is wrong about this Beldum." She approached the Pokemon and checked it out. "Oh no, it appears injured and it looks like it hasn't eaten anything, I'm not a mind reader, but, it may be an abandoned Pokemon."

Hilda was shocked at that detail. "Who would leave this Pokemon in such a state?"

Paul didn't say anything. "Enough, give it some food right away."

Beldum was given a bowl of leftover Pokemon Food and chowed on some. "Beldum...Beldum..." Its one eye opened and began to wolf down the food that was in the bowl.

The Iron Ball Pokemon was soon full of energy but, the moment it realized it was saved by humans, it suddenly flew toward Paul.

However, Paul was surprisingly able to move his head out of the way. "What the..." He wondered.

"Beldum, what's wrong, we're friends here!" Hilda declared trying to calm the steel/psychic Pokemon down.

"Beldum...Beldum...Beldum!" It said loudly in an aggressive tone.

Beldum charged towards Hilda at high speed, however, Paul's hand reached out just in time, but, he accidentally pulled too hard and caused them both to fall on the ground.

Daisy was in awe of what she was seeing as well as Thorh and the other Pokemon.

"Ow...what did I fall on?" Hilda questioned as she opened her eyes and realized she was on top of Paul, who was just as flustered.

"What the heck Paul!?" Hilda exclaimed crawling backward comically.

"Hey, Beldum almost slammed itself into you!" Paul defended while glaring at the other girl.

Beldum then wasn't able to grasp what was going on, however, his injuries started to kick in again. "Bel...dum..." It groaned.

"Beldom still hasn't healed completely," Daisy spoke. "Let's get to Lavender Town and once we arrive, we'll go straight to the Pokemon center."

"Sure, but, should we carry it in a Pokeball or something?" Hilda questioned.

Paul approached Beldum and looked down at it. "I see your Take Down is strong, though, if I have to guess, you were pushed hard and your trainer gave up on you, am I right?"

Beldum nodded slowly.

"I see..." Paul then searched through his pockets and took out an empty Pokeball. "Then, come with me, I'll be sure to help you surpass your expectations."

Beldum was silent for a moment and pressed its head against the Pokeball and was eventually captured.

The Pokeball began to shake for a few seconds and then it stopped. "Beldum...you're mine now."

Hilda giggled. "Alright, you caught a Beldum!" She cheered excitedly.

Daisy shared the same reaction. "Yes, congrats, maybe in due time, it'll evolve into Metang."

Paul wasn't sure about that, but, he secretly hoped that would be the case. "We'll see..." He began to walk ahead. "Let's go."

The three eventually made it to Lavender Town's Pokemon Center.

"Hello, Nurse Joy," Hilda greeted with a kind smile.

"Oh you guys returned, how are you three?" Nurse Joy replied returning with a smile.

"We just got back from Paul's battle against Greta," Daisy informed.

Nurse Joy was intrigued. "Really, how did go?" She was looking at Paul with eagerness. "Uhh...it went fine, here have a look."

Paul showed his two symbol badges, which had the Guts Symbol.

Nurse Joy was deeply astonished at this. "Well congratulations, Paul, though, I presume that you're going to battle Tucker, am I right?"

Paul nodded confirming the famous Pokemon Nurse's question. "I see, well, I'm sure you know that he's unpredictable and uses strong combinations to throw off his opponents' focus. To win, you'll have to remain calm and keep a cool head in battle."

Paul didn't even flinch. "I'm aware, I've been thinking about the battle combinations I could probably use, so, I'll come up with a plan, but, first I need you to take a look at my Pokemon as well as these guys."

Nurse Joy nodded. "It would be my pleasure."

Eventually, the famous Pokemon nurse took the three trainer's Pokemon for a check-up.

Hilda and Daisy had a little snack time.

Hilda was drinking an energy drink while Daisy had some herbal tea.

"This is a good break,"

"I agree, the next weeks were crazy," Daisy then noticed that someone was missing. "Hey, where's Paul?"

"He went to make a phone call," Hilda answered. "I think he's calling professor Oak for something."

At Oak's lab.

Professor Oak was taking care of some paperwork "Signing these bills is harder than it looks." He then heard a ringing tone. "Oh, wonder who's calling." He took the receiver. "Hello there."

"It's me, Paul," The cold-hearted trainer responded.

"Oh Paul, what a surprise, how was your battle against Greta?" The old professor asked.

Despite not smiling, Paul showed the Guts Symbol. "You tell me."

Professor Oak chuckled a bit. "You won your battle, congrats on that." He then a had question. "Anyway, what do you need?"

"I need some advice on combinations that can suit my Pokemon, as you probably figured out, I'm going to battle Tucker and he's quite unpredictable and uses combinations too."

Professor Oak chuckled. "That's correct, combinations are quite helpful in a Double Battle plus using a calm mind and focus is the key to victory. Other than that, what combinations are you thinking could be helpful to you?"

Paul closed his eyes. "I do have some ideas, but, I'd prefer to use my old Pokemon, but, I can only use two. So, have my Torterra, Electivire, Drapion, Ursaring, Gastrodon, Ursaring, Weavile, Hariyama, and Houchkrow on the screen,"

Oak was a bit puzzled, but, he then laughed. "My, you're becoming unpredictable yourself!" He joked.

Paul was a little annoyed, but the famous professor pulled himself together. "Anyway, okay, I'll take your word for it," Oak called over some of Paul's old Pokemon. "Here they are, so, choose which two Pokemon you'll want to use for your upcoming Double Battle."

He observed his old Pokemon for a moment, which seemed like hours.

M

Katie and Lt. Surge were already battling. Both had one Pokemon remaining.

Surge had his Raichu and Katie had her new Pokemon Servine.

"Raichu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Raiichu!" The Electric Mouse cried as unleashed a strong bolt of electricity.

"Servine, counter with Leaf Tornado!"

The Grass Snake twirled around its tail and summoned a leaf-like tornado.

The two attacks collided for a moment and exploded creating strong shockwaves.

"Raichu use Quick Attack!"

Raichu began to dash with fast speed. Lt. Surge was hoping that his opponent would use a physical attack that would make it get paralyzed due to Raichu's Static ability.

Katie faintly smiled. "Servine use Gastro Acid!"

The Grass Snake spat out a large drop of fluorescent green acid at the Electric Mouse which drenched it causing it to stop in its tracks and wiping the green acid off its body.

Lt. Surge was perplexed at the unusual move. "What the...?"

"Servine use Leaf Blade!" Raichi was unable to avoid the move in time and was slashed by Servine's glowing light green tail.

"Got ya," Lt. Surge chuckled confidently, however, his confidence was replaced with confusion as he noticed that Servine wasn't feeling any paralysis.

"What the heck, why isn't Raichu's Static ability working!?"

Katie was happy to explain that."You didn't know, Gastro Acid is a status move that cancels out a Pokemon's ability meaning that Raichu's Static is unable to use it."

"Oh no!" Lt. Surge exclaimed in shock.

"Let's end this, Servine, use Leaf Tornado again!" Servine jumps and spins its head with its tail straight up in the air. Then it started to spin around its body and another large tornado filled with glowing green leaves. Servine then spins around on its side and caught Raichu in its tornado.

Raichi was moved upward and floated up into the air and the tornado crashed down onto the ground crushing the Electric Mouse against the floor.

Once the leaf tornado was gone, Raichu was seen on the floor on its back with dizzy eyes. "Unbelievable!" Lt. Surge exclaimed in disbelief.

His two companions were surprised. "She's tough."

Katie smiled. "Servine we did it!"

Servine turned around with a smile. "Servine..."

A short time later.

Lt. Surge and Katie shook hands.

"Katie, you were amazing, I never expected someone to use a move that cancels out abilities, I should study more," Surge said.

Katie was flattered. "Oh, you weren't bad yourself, I hope to collect the badges I need to compete in the Kanto League."

Lt. Surge and his followers began to clap along with Raichu. "You are no baby, either, I look forward to seeing you grow as a trainer." He then grinned. "How about we have a bite to eat later."

Bonk

"Now, Lt. Surge, she's too young," The female follower said with a playful glare.

"Right," Surge chuckled rubbing his head.

Katie sweatdropped, but, regardless, she was happy to win. "Anyway, I'll be heading out."

Lt. Surge almost forgets something. "Oh I forget, if you see the trainer Ash, tell him I said "hi"."

Katie didn't have any qualms about that. "I'll be happy to, see ya." She waved goodbye.

Meanwhile at the Pokemon Center.

Paul returned to Daisy and Hilda. "Hi..." He looked at the two with an emotionless stare.

"Oh, Paul, did you finish your call with Professor Oak?" Hilda asked.

Paul nodded without saying a word.

"Is that so, did you choose what two Pokemon you'll use against Tucker," Daisy inquired with interest.

Paul looked at them for a second. "You two will just have to see."

Hilda did the anime fall." Oh come on, do you have to keep us in suspense!?" She whined comically.

"Now, now, let's just take his word for it, you know Paul isn't the guy that doesn't reveal his strategies." Daisy chuckled nervously.

Paul looked at his pocket that had his two Pokemon. "Let's practice our upcoming battle." He walked towards the Pokemon Center's entrance door. "I'll be going out for a while, I'll be back in a few hours."

"Hey, can I come with you?" Hilda asked.

Paul didn't look back, but, he did stop. "Sorry, this is something I need to do on my own, I'll be sure to return."

Hilda's cheeks puffed up. "Geez, he's got to be so secretive."

Daisy thought otherwise. "That's how he is, let's just give him some time alone, after all, he can't get distracted,"

Hilda still wanted to tag with Paul, but, she knew that the famous Professor's daughter was right. "Alright, guess, I'll decide which gym we'll go to next, so, do you have the map?"

"You bet," Daisy said taking out the Kanto Map.

Hilda smiled. "Anyway, I'll decide what gym we should try out." She glanced once more at Paul, who was just went out the front entrance. "Paul, I wonder what is your plan...then again, it's like Daisy said, you don't reveal stragties, well, knowing you, your plan will surely bring you victory."

Paul's battle against Tucker will be two chapters away or so, as for his plan against Tucker, I'll need time to think about it, but, for now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Katie's Servine, how did she get one, that'll come in due time.

End of chapter.