Chapter Eleven: You've been Thunderstruck!
Crash and friends have finally made their way to Vermilion City. But as the traveling trio tries to retrieve their Pokémon from Nurse Joy, a trainer runs up the pink-haired Nurse cradling their unconscious Pokémon.
"Nurse Joy! Help me!" a trainer called from behind as he carried a Rattata and Pidgey in his arms.
"Oh dear, what happened?" Nurse Joy gasped as she gently took the Rattata.
"I challenged the Vermilion City Gym Leader, and he did this to my Rattata!" the young Trainer said with tears forming in his eyes. "Please, you have to save him!"
They then rushed to the emergency room, carrying the greatly injured Rattata on a stretcher, which Chansey pushed away. The boy continued to sob as he eyed the doors to the ER in worry.
"What happened to your Rattata?" Crash asked. "It looks like it took quite a beating.""I-I was challenging Vermilion City's Gym Leader, and his Raichu brutalized my Rattata!" The boy said between sobs.
"Bruti-what?" Crash raised a brow at the word.
"It means to attack someone or something in a violent way." Brock answered.
"The Gym Leader did that to your Pokémon, and didn't care about it being ok or not? Crash asked angrily. "That's not cool!"
"How can a Gym Leader be so cruel?!" Misty agreed, getting furious. "As a Gym Leader, that shouldn't be allowed!"
"Well, seeing as there's been no intervention by the Pokémon League, it's safe to assume no rules have been broken by the Gym Leader," Brock intervened. "But, seeing this from a Pokémon Trainer's point of view, I agree that what Lt. Surge does is a little extreme."
"I'd like to give him a piece of my mind about harming others Pokémon for fun!" Misty said as she threw her fist in the air.
"Then I guess our next stop is the Vermilion Gym!" Crash said with a resolute gleam in his eyes.
Before Crash walks out the door, he turns back to the troubled trainer.
"Where's the Gym?" Crash asked.
Misty and Brock give an embarrassed sigh, facepalming themselves.
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After getting directions from the trainer, the trio make their way to the Gym, but as they get closer, they notice numerous other trainers cradling their Pokémon, attempting to shield them from further then reached the doors of the Gym. As they entered the building, a yellow blur flew towards the wall closest to the entrance. They felt the air hit them as the yellow blur made contact with the wall, as it lay fixed to the wall.
"Sandshrew!" The trainer cried, as the Pokémon lay in the wall, appearing to be unconscious.
"Bring your baby Pokémon back here for a rematch when it can put up a fight." An extremely masculine voice boomed in a cocky manner.
"Sandshrew!" The Pokémon's trainer cried, pulling the ground type from the wall. "Are you ok?"
The ground type slightly opened its eyes, its voice barely audible. The trainer cradled his Pokémon in his arms and rushed out the door, excusing himself as he ran past the trainers in front of him.
Crash blinked in utter shock.
Sandshrew is a ground type Pokémon, so it was supposed to be super effective against electric-type Pokémon. How strong was Lt. Surge's Pokémon? Crash thought.
"Good work as always, Raichu!" The voice chortled with delight.
"Lt. Surge defeated a ground-type Pokémon…?" Brock mumbled in disbelief.
"A Sandshrew, too." Crash murmured. He turned to Mark, who stayed perched on his shoulder, feeling scared. Crash walked in first, Brock and Misty following from behind. "Hello? I'm here to battle Lt. Surge!" The boy from Pallet called.
A big man stepped out of the shadows and entered a spotlight. He was a muscular man with a tall stature. He had spiked blonde hair and had somewhat tanned skin and was dressed in a military jacket, cargo pants, and black combat boots. An orange Pokémon that was similar in appearance to Mark was standing by his side.
"Welcome to my battleground, cadets," the man chuckled. "I'm the Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. Now, which one of you has come to challenge me?" He looked in Misty's direction. "Maybe the pretty girl with the ponytail?"
Misty became red in the face, both embarrassed at the compliment and her being scared of the large man.
"N-No, it's not me, sir." She said as she waved her hands frantically.
"Oh? So it's this little baby that wants to fight me?" Lt. Surge gave a naughty twitched his eye at the insult but held himself back and let out a low growl.
"Yeah!" Crash thumbed to himself. "I'm Crash Betchum and this," He allowed his starter to climb down to the ground. "Is my Pikachu, Mark! We're here to battle you and earn a badge and stop you from hurting those Pokémon so badly!"
Crash faltered a bit. "And I'm not a baby!"
Lt. Surge laughed loudly before roughly patting the boy's head. "I call all losers a baby!" He looks at Mark. "I see you have a liking for electric-type Pokémon too! My first Pokémon was a Pikachu, which is now my loyal Raichu!"
Raichu stepped in front of its trainer, smirking at Mark. Although the smaller mouse Pokémon got intimidated by his evolved form, he tried showing he wasn't going to back down by growling at Raichu. But Raichu just laughed at Mark's attempts at dominance and patted the top of his head.
"Let me give you a piece of advice, baby," Lt. Surge said as he stared down his challenger. "You better evolve your Pikachu as soon as you can so it can become a powerful Pokémon. That's what I did when I caught Raichu as Pikachu."
"I'm not going to force Mark to evolve just because he'll become a more powerful Pokémon!" Crash shouted at the older man. "I like him just the way he is!"
"Look baby, I'll give you a chance because you have an electric type. You can turn around, leave, so you won't have to embarrass yourself against me." Surge pointed at the door. "Or you can face me and Raichu in a battle and embarrass yourself."
"I'm not backing down!" Crash growled, . Surge chuckled softly. "Well, I tried. Don't come crying when it turns out I was right, bitty baby Betchum.
"Crash snarled at the nickname.
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"Unlike other Gym Leaders, I often have 1-on-1 battles," Lt. Surge explained before he got down on one knee and patted Raichu's head. "Raichu is my most powerful Pokémon. Are you sure you don't wanna butt out?"
"You don't scare me or my Pikachu!" Crashh said, shaking his fist at the Gym Leader. "Bring it on, Lt. Surge!"
Lt. Surge gave a hearty laugh as he stood up. "You've got some spunk for a little baby. But let's see if you'll still be confident once you see how powerful Raichu is!"
Lt. Surge turned to a neon blue haired girl who was leaning against a wall, calling someone on her Poryphone. "Hey, Joules!"
The girl, whether she ignored him on purpose or not, continued her call.
"Julia Stevens!" Lt Surge roared in a voice that seemed to shake everyone to their girl named Julia stood at attention and saluted her serperior officer. "Sir!"
"Get your blue haired, prepubescent keister over here right now so you can referee my match! Lt. Surge ordered.
"Sir, yes, sir!" Julia saluted and ran to the center of the and friends stood confused and a bit more scared of the large man.
"The battle between Lt. Surge of the Vermilion City Gym and…" Julia paused as she stared at the boy with nervous curiosity."
Crash Betchum from Pallet Town." The boy gave an annoyed sigh.
"Crash Betchum from Pallet Town." Julia parroted. "Both trainers will use one Pokémon each, and the battle is decided when the Pokémon on either side are unable to continue battling! Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
"Okay Raichu. You know the drill!" Lt Surge said. His Raichu stepped onto the battlefield looked to his partner Pokémon. "Mark. You've got this!" Mark stepped onto the battlefield, slightly shaking in fear.
"I'll let bitty baby Betchum have the first move." Lt Surge shrugged in a cocky manner.
"I'll show you! Mark, Quick Attack!" Crash Pikachu charged at his evolved form at lightning speed, slamming into its stomach. But the evolved electric-type Pokémon flexed its stomach, bouncing Mark off its stomach.
"What?" Crash gasped."A baby move like that has no effect." Lt Surge laughed.
"Mark! Double Kick!"
Mark charges at Raichu, attempting to kick the evolved electric mouse in the face.
"Raichu, grab Pikachu!"
Raichu wraps its tail around Mark's ankle.
"Mark! Get outta there!"Mark thrashed about, attempting to free himself, but couldn't do anything due to being held upside down.
"Raichu! Body Slam!"
Raichu throws its pre evolution to the ground and leaps into the air. It straightens itself out, preparing to belly flop. Mark let out a sharp cry as Raichu landed on him.
"Mark!" Crash called out to his starter, worriedly. I heard that Lt Surge was strong, but this is ridiculous…
"Raichu! Thunder attack!"
Raichu shoots a brutal lightning bolt at the downed Pikachu.
"Mark, look out!" Crash rolls out of the way of the attack, and the lightning bolt leaves the spot where he once was blackened.
"Mark, use Quick Attack again!"
Mark dashes towards his opponent at an incredible speed, leaving a white trail behind.
"Switch to Double Kick!" Crash leaps at Raichu, attempting to kick the electric type. It was interrupted as Raichu grabbed Mark's foot.
"Raichu, Use-"
"Mark, use Tail Whip on Raichu's face!"Lt. Surge raised a brow. "Huh?"
Mark pivoted, using Raichu's arm as a foothold, and repeatedly slapped Raichu in the face. Raichu let go of Mark's foot to clutch its face in pain.
"Nice going, Mark." Crash sighed in relief."Grrr. Raichu, use Thunder!"
Raichu's body crackles with electricity as it prepares to fire the wickedly powerful thunder bolt.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!"
Mark becomes a blur, seemingly disappearing and reappearing due to his speed. He avoids the strong bolt of electricity and slams into Raichu again.
"Alright! Nice one, Mark!" Crash cheered as the move made contact.
"Raichu! Don't let him get away!"
Crash's celebration came to a swift end as Raichu began to strangle Mark with its tail.
"Now Raichu! Use Submission!"
Raichu grabs Mark and recklessly dives for the ground, rolling on the floor to deal extra damage. Misty and Brock looked on in horror.
"Mark! You have to break free!" Crash shouted in desperation.
Surge laughed at the boy's terror. "Raichu, use Mega Punch!"
Still holding Mark with its tail, it drops him, only for Mark to hit the gym wall as Raichu's fist makes contact with Mark's stomach. Mark dents the wall, falling face forward.
"Mark!" Crash cried.
"This is too cruel!" Misty gasped, hand on her mouth as Mark made contact with the wall.
"So this is how Lt Surge battles…" Brock said as he crossed his arms disapprovingly. "Brutal doesn't even begin to describe it…"
"Guess that's that, huh?" Lt Surge laughed. "Your baby Pikachu can't stand up to my Raichu in terms of power."
Julia began to call the match. "Pikachu is unable to battle. Which means that-"
A weak but determined "Pika" was heard by the entrance. Mark came to his feet, heavily bruised and winded from the Mega Punch and Submission.
"Still up, are ya? Raichu!" Raichu stood tall at the sound of its trainer's voice. "Finish this with Thunder!"
Raichu nods and fires the brutal lightning attack. Crash was too scared to give Mark orders, but the mouse Pokémon took matters into his own paws, firing a Thundershock to counter the electric type the attack is instantly and easily torn through and makes contact.
Mark's shrieks of pain reverberate in the Gym. As the Thunder subsides, Mark's cries of pain stop, and he silently drops to the stares at the seemingly lifeless body of his starter Pokémon.
"Mark?" Tears fill Crash's eyes as he rushes to the mouse Pokémon's side, cradling him. "Mark? MARK!?"
Misty and Brock stare in shocked blinks in shock. She knew that the Lieutenant was rough on challengers, but this went beyond that…
"Julia!" She stood at attention, hearing Lt Surge's voice. "Hurry up and call the match." She quickly nodded.
"Pikachu is unable to battle." She stammered. "Which means that the winner is Lt. Surge of the Vermilion City Gym…"
"Count yourself lucky bitty baby Betchum." Lt. Surge took off for the Pokémon Center, not staying in the gym to hear the Gym leader gloat about his victory. Everything was a blur as he ran by.
Whether his tears or from his panic, he didn't know, nor did he care. He soon made it to the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy recognized him and immediately called for his Pikachu to be sent to the E.R. by Chansey.
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Misty's POV
That had to be the worst Gym battle I had ever witnessed. Mark didn't stand a chance against Raichu's sheer power. I could still hear Mark screaming in pain…
"Misty? Misty? Hey, Misty!"
I shook myself out of my head and looked to my left.
"Brock?" I wondered.
"Are you okay?" He asked with noticeable concern. "You're shaking."
I just witnessed a Pokémon scream in pain for five whole seconds. WOULD I BE OK AFTER THAT?!
"Yeah," I said, biting my tongue. "Just shocked." I faked a chuckle, but by Brock's look, he didn't fall for it.
I could tell that Brock knew how awkward the silence was, so he decided to break it. "Let's just go find Crash… no doubt he'll be at the Pokémon Center.
"I just nodded, choosing not to say anything. Thank you, Brock!
We entered the Pokémon Center in the afternoon and… saw Crash in a seat. He didn't notice us coming in, but I don't think he was ignoring me and Brock. He sat hunched over, with his hand together, as he stared forward.
"Hey Crash." I decided to say, sitting next to him. "Are you ok?"
He wasn't listening to me. I waved my hand in his face, trying to get his attention, but he continued to stare forward.
"Crash? Hey. It's us." Brock said. But Crash didn't budge an inch.
I stepped in front of him to get his attention, but when I looked into his eyes, it was like looking at Daisy before she had her morning cup of coffee. His eyes looked lifeless.I'd seen him this way before back after he lost to Brock, back in Pewter City, but this seemed worse than that.
"Crash?" I said, slightly shaking him. "Snap out of it."
As if he just woke up from a deep sleep, Crash shook himself awake before turning to me.
"Misty? Brock? What're you guys doing here?" Crash asked, seeming genuinely confused.
"We saw you run out the Gym like a mad Rhyhorn." Brock looked at Brock for a few seconds before looking at his hands. "I was just worried about Mark…"
"We all are." I said, seeing how worried he was. No. Worried, didn't begin to describe how he felt about how hurt Mark was. I wanted to hold his hand, pull him close to me, caress him, and tell him that everything would be alright.
"Crash Betchum, please report to the check-in desk. I repeat, may Crash Betchum, please report to the check-in desk." Said an intercom. Well, that moment is gone.
"Oh, it's probably about Mark." Crash said, standing up to walk away. After a few steps, he turned back. "Do you guys wanna come with me?"
Misty's POV ends.
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Mark's POV
I woke up staring at a white light. As I sat up, I looked around, seeing nothing but what looked like complicated machines and a white room.
I recognized this as a treatment area due to having been rushed to the E.R. before.
"Right this way." Said a voice I recognized as Nurse Joy. She led in three faces I definitely recognized. Brock, Misty, and Crash came into the room and looked happy to see me, and I, them.
"Mark, you're ok!" Misty said, wrapping me in her arms. I nuzzled her face, happy to see her too.
"We're so glad you're okay." Brock said as he gave one of his signature crossed arm smiles. I shot him a smile back.
I looked at Crash as he silently gave me a head pat. He gave me a sadder looking smile than everyone else, but I didn't mind it. What I did mind was him being so quiet.
"Now that we know Mark's ok," Misty said as she set me down on my hospital bed. "We address the Rhyhorn in the room."
"Rhyhorn in the room?" I thought. Brock nodded, Crash looked away, looking nervous. I tilted my head, confused as to what that meant. I hadn't seen a Rhyhorn in any room. But judging by my trainer's expression, though, he probably had something to do with it.
"How is Crash going to beat Lt Surge?" Misty asked, putting a hand to her chin. "Could he use a different Pokémon?" She eventually suggested.
"No." Crash answered. "Half of the Pokémon I have are weak to electric types. And Briar and Agni don't have enough battle experience to fight a Pokémon like Raichu yet."
"Maybe I can help?" Nurse Joy offered as she stepped forward. I was just as surprised as my friends were when she spoke up.
"When did you get here?" Misty asked, quite rattled.
"I never left." She answered with a sigh. "I heard that you needed help beating Lt. Surge?"
"Yeah?" Crash nodded. "Can you help?"Nurse Joy nodded and walked over to a desk strewn with papers. She opened a desk drawer and pulled out a green colored rock, and held it out for everyone to see.
"This is a Thunderstone." She began to explain. "If certain Pokémon are exposed to this stone, they'll evolve." I flinched. "This might give you the edge you need.
"Crash grabbed the stone and looked at me. Then back at the stone. His grip on it tightened. "I stand by what I said earlier and don't want Mark to evolve." I sighed in relief.
"Hey Mark, what do you think?" He turned to me, holding the stone out. "Do you want to evolve?"
I thought back to my fight against Raichu. I haven't been hurt that hard since Pinsir squeezed me back in Viridian Forest. I wouldn't have to lose like that ever again if I did Lt. Surge had said to "evolve your Pikachu as soon as you can so it can become a powerful Pokémon. That's what I did when my Raichu was a Pikachu."
I slapped the stone out of my best friend's hand with my tail.
"Look Crash! I wanna beat that Raichu, too, but if I evolve to do it, I'd just be proving Lt. Surge right!" I tried to explain. "So if I'm gonna beat Raichu, I'll do it as I am!"
Crash stopped to think. He looked back to Brock, Misty, and Nurse Joy. He then grabs the stone… and pockets it.
"You're right, buddy!" He exclaimed. "If you do evolve, you'd just be proving him right!"I nodded.
"But how will you defeat Raichu?" Misty asked. "Raichu's way too powerful for Mark to handle in a one vs. one."
"And Lt. Surge is brutal in how he commands it." Brock added.
Crash gave a dopey smile. "I don't know," Brock and Misty facepalmed. "But I found a way to beat Brock with a flying and electric type. And I beat Misty with a Pokémon that I had only a week of training with. If I can do that, this shouldn't be so hard!"
I gave a resolute smile, hopping onto my partner's shoulder as he got ready to leave.
"Actually, your Pikachu needs to stay overnight." Nurse Joy said from behind gasped in shock again.
"When did you get here?" Crash asked."I never left." She sighed
Mark's POV ends.
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After a day of rest, Crash begins to plan for his upcoming rematch against the Lightning Lieutenant. Coming up with nothing, he looks at the move sets of his other Pokémon for ideas.
He then spies Ekho's move set of Bite, Leech Life, Supersonic, and Double Team. He looks at the last move and smiles.
"I think I've got an idea!" Crash pumped his fist in sends out the Bat Pokémon, the Pokémon himself happily greeting his trainer and Mark.
"Hey Ekho, could you help us with something?" The trainer asked. The flying type eagerly nodded.
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Lt. Surge gave a long, bored yawn as he sent another trainer's Pokémon to the infirmary.
"These babies don't stand a chance against me." Lt. Surge yawned again. "If only one of them could cure my boredom…"
"Maybe we could help with that!" Crash said as he stormed through the Gym doors.
"Heh! Bitty baby Betchum is back for a second beating?" The electric type specialist laughed."If by beating, you mean you boring me to death, then sure." Crash retorted. "You'll beat me all right."
The military man chuckled. "Oh? Looks like the baby has teeth. But does baby know how to use them?"
"You bet this "baby" does sir." Crash answered.
"Heh!" Surge laughed. "Joules! Get off that phone and referee this match!"
Julia continued to text on her phone.
"Julia Stevens," He roared in a commanding tone. "Get your dyed hair, phone obsessed behind here right now so you can referee my match, or that phone will be disassembled immediately!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" Julia saluted and ran to the center of the battlefield.
"The battle between Lt. Surge of the Vermilion City Gym and…" Julia paused as she appeared to be deep in thought.
"Crash Betchum from Pallet Town!" The boy shouted before he gave an annoyed sigh. "It's only been a week since I've been here!"
Julia ignored the boy's remark. "Crash Betchum from Pallet Town. Both trainers will use one Pokémon each, and the battle is decided when the Pokémon on either side is unable to continue battling! Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
"Raichu!" Lt. Surge called. The evolution of Pikachu jumps out from seemingly nowhere, standing by for battle.
"Mark!" The electric mouse hops off his trainer's shoulder and prepares to rematch his evolved form.
"Let the battle begin!" Julia said, signaling for them to begin.Brock and Misty began to walk into the gym, having expected their friend to challenge the Gym. But not this soon. When they heard someone with a Pikachu was challenging Lt. Surge, they rushed over as soon as they could to cheer their friend on.
"Mark, Quick Attack!"
Mark charges at his evolved form at lightning speed, slamming into its stomach. The Raichu is pushed back slightly but continues to stand tall.
"Raichu, knock 'em back with a Mega Punch!"
Raichu slams its fist into Mark's side, knocking him to Raichu's left side. Mark reels from the attack, struggling to stand up.
"Mark!" Crash cried worriedly.
"Raichu! Body Slam!" Lt. Surge leaps into the air, preparing to belly flop onto Mark.
"Mark, get out of the way!" Crash called out. Mark recovers and back steps the move, avoiding it completely.
"Okay Mark, use Quick Attack again!"
Mark dashes towards his opponent at an incredible, leaving a white trail behind.
"Raichu! Grab 'em and use Submission!"
Raichu runs towards Mark, ready to grapple its pre evolution.
Just as I planned!
"Mark, dodge with a Double Team!"
"Double Team?" Misty gasped. Mark creates afterimages due to his speed. Which is enough to cause Raichu to stop charging and look around itself."
"Grr. Raichu, use Mega Punch!"
Raichu strikes Mark with the power-filled punch, but the attack hits an afterimage.
"Mark, use Double Kick!"
Mark charges at Raichu, delivering a backflip kick to Raichu's chin, then another to its left cheek, sending it flying.
"Raichu, show them your Thunder!" Lt. Surge commanded, slowly getting nods and fires the brutal lightning attack. Once again, the attack only hits an afterimage. The Lightning Lieutenant growls in frustration.
"Mark! Quick Attack, again!"
The Pikachu charges at his evolved form at lightning speed, slamming into it from multiple angles.
"Raichu, Mega Punch!"
Raichu throws punches in multiple directions, trying to hit Mark, but its fists either hit air or create a small hole in the two Pokémon move around the arena. Raichu angrily chases down and attempts to strike at its pre evolution, but Mark dodges expertly and lands Double Kick's to Raichu temple and face.
"Crash is making good use of the speed Mark gains with Quick Attack," Brock gasped in awe. "With the evasive nature of Double Team, and Raichu having evolved too quickly to learn any other moves, it's too slow to land a direct hit on Mark." He smiled. "This match is his if he can keep this up!"
"Hmph! I like the sound of that!" Misty looked on in wonder.
This random kid barely did anything in his first battle but was dominating this match. What had changed in a week? Julia thought.
"Raichu!" Surge roared. "Knock 'em away with your tail!"
Raichu is able to slap Mark away with its tail, finally getting room to breathe.
"Now Raichu," Lt. Surge gave a sinister grin. "THUNDER WITH EVERYTHING YOU GOT!"
Raichu roars, firing the brutal lightning attack. The attack causes everyone present to shield their eyes from the electricity.
"Mark, just as we practiced!" Crash warned. Mark nods and executes Crash's wickedly powerful thunder bolt strikes Mark, kicking up a large dust cloud. Everyone gasped as the move made contact. Everyone but Crash. The residual electricity crackled dust cleared, revealing that Mark was laying on the ground, stomach down with his tail upright.Lt. Surge gave a victorious laugh. "I admit you've gotten stronger, bitty baby Betchum. But you're still not strong enough to handle Raichu." Mark began to slowly stand up, shaking off the dizziness he felt. Crash began to smile as Lt. Surge's quickly faded. Mark seemingly had taken very little damage from the Thunder.
"What?!" The military man stammered. "But how?"
Crash smiled even wider. "If you have a Pokémon with a certain type, you'll learn to understand how their moves work too!"
Misty turned to Brock. "What happened, Brock? That attack was what KO'ed Mark the first time around. Why not this time?"
"Pikachu tails act as lightning rods, so they typically are more resistant to electricity than other parts of their body." He explained. "Crash had Mark catch the bolt with his tail and neutralize the rest of the electricity by laying down."
"Which lessened the damage!" Misty nodded in understanding.
"You may have survived one Thunder, but can you survive another?" The Lightning Lieutenant nervously attempted to fire another electric attack, but the move failed.
"What the?" Lt Surge said, shook to his core. "Raichu, what's wrong?"
"Raichu doesn't have enough energy to use another move like Thunder." Brock answered. "This battle is over."
"Grrr! RAICHU, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DO, JUST HIT THAT DAMNED PIKACHU!" Lt. Surge roared in anger.
"Mark, use Double Team!"
Raichu charged at Mark with a Mega Punch, but Mark evaded with another afterimage. Raichu attempts a Body Slam, but it hits yet another afterimage, resulting in Raichu missing once again.
"Mark! Quick Attack!" Crash said with a smile. Mark charges at his evolved form at lightning speed, striking its back and stomach as Raichu attempts to stand.
"Double Kick!" Crash continued. Mark drop kicks Raichu, sending it on its back. Raichu reels from the constant attacks, struggling to stand up. Raichu gives a defiant shout and charges at another command from Crash, Mark leaps over Raichu and fires a strong electric blast at the Pokémon from above.
Raichu falls to the ground, its stamina completely exhausted. Everyone was completely still.
"Julia!" She stood at attention, hearing Lt Surge's voice. "Hurry up and call the match."
She quickly nodded. "Raichu is unable to battle." She stammered. "Which means that the winner is Crash Betchum!"
Crash began to whoop and cheer, running up to his starter Pokémon to hug him. "You did amazing, Mark!" Mark nuzzled his trainer's face. Crash set his starter down as he noticed something.
"What was that move you used?" Crash thought. "It was way too strong for a Thundershock."
Crash pulls out his Pokédex to see what move it was that Mark had used. "Thunderbolt?" He gasped. "You learned Thunderbolt!" Crash began to jump for joy.
Misty and Brock shared a look of pride as their friend happily cheered.
Surge approached the boy, handing him a sun looking badge. "Here Betchum, you've not only earned my respect as a trainer, but also this Thunder Badge!"
Crash looks to his partner Pokémon and nods as Mark nods back. Mark then jumps up, hi-fiving his trainer with his tail. Crash happily grabs the badge and places it on the inside of his vest.
"Thanks!" Crash nodded."And here!" The high voltage war veteran hands Crash a yellow colored disc.
"That TM is for Thunder! Normally, I hand out Thunderbolt, but you're a special case, Betchum!" Crash takes the disc and places it in his bag.
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Crash stares at his shiny new Thunder Badge and grins widely as the trio make their way back to the Pokémon Center.
"You're staring at it again." Misty said, poking at Crash's side.
"Can't help it." Crash said. "I'm just so happy!"
"Well Crash, we're proud of how well you and Mark did." Brock said as they entered the Pokémon Center.
"Right, so where's the next-" Crash paused mid speech as a young woman clad in green retrieved her Pokémon from Nurse Joy.
"Well Miss, I'm to report that your Pokémon are completely fighting fit." Nurse Joy gave a warm smile.
"We hope to see you again. "Thank you." The young woman bowed her head slightly as she grabbed her Pokémon. As she turned to leave, her eyes met Crash's.
The two stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Until Crash ran up and hugged her tightly.
"DAISY!" He said, tears welling up. "It's you!"The young woman, shocked at first, returns the hug and smiles. "It's good to see you too, Crash."
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Though Crash has secured his 3rd badge. A question runs through everyone's minds: Who is this young lady? And how does Crash know her? You'll see, as the journey continues.
I hope you enjoyed today's chapter. If you did, you can follow the forum made for this story called "About Pokémon Crash Version," where i can answer your questions and take suggestions. See you next chapter Pokéfans!