Chapter 20:

Abra Evolves

Phillip got up early to train as he usually did. As he walked out the door into the cool breeze of the morning Kathy followed him.

"Good morning, Phillip."

"Oh, what's up Kathy. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't. I wanted to catch you before you started training."

"What's going on?"

"I was wondering if you could train with me to help my Abra evolve. I've had him for awhile, but all he seems to do is freeze up and teleport."

"You know a lot about training Pokemon. I was hoping you could help."

"Sure thing. There was an open field about a mile away. Let's go there."

After walking for a few minutes Kathy broke the silence.

"Remember when you asked if anyone else had a unique experience in Ilex Forest?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I didn't say anything at the time, but I did have a flashback of when I got my first Pokemon. I remember the air smelled like the bread my mom was baking. It was a little gloomy. My dad was supposed to be going on a work trip that he had to cancel. So early in the morning, while it was raining, he caught an Exeggcute. He did a lot of things to attract it, but eventually he caught one. He wanted me to have it. That was my first Pokemon. It was then that I knew I wanted to be the greatest grass and psychic Pokemon in the world."

"That's a really cool memory Kathy. Thanks for sharing it with me."

"I've managed to catch some really great Pokemon, but for whatever reason I can't seem to get them past a certain point. You're so good with so many Pokemon, and you know so much about weaknesses, strengths, fighting techniques and moves. You are far beyond your years."

Phillip blushed and giggled. He ran his hand through his hair.

"Thanks… I… just… Professor Elm has been a great mentor."

Kathy could tell he was hiding something. She didn't want to force it, especially since he was doing a huge favor for her. After another couple of minutes Phillip stopped her.

"This is a good spot. We can start."

They took battle positions opposite from each other. Phillip sent out Tyrogue, and Kathy sent out Abra. Once Abra landed he took a seat.

"So a few things you have to know about Abra. They sleep for like 18 hours a day. If it doesn't it's psychic power weakens. Most of the time you see an Abra it's probably asleep. It has so much psychic power flowing through it that it needs to sleep. While it is sleeping it still has a psychic radar, if it senses danger, gets scared, or feels lost it will teleport and run away. The big thing is teaching it to not be afraid. It needs to learn to trust you, and you need to learn to control your thoughts. If it doesn't like the thoughts that you are thinking it will likely teleport away or go back in its ball. Any questions?"

"How am I supposed to get to know Abra if he runs away every time, I call upon him? How do I clear my thoughts?"

"Well, observe right now. You called upon him and he hasn't run away. Why do you think that is?"

"He doesn't feel threatened?"

"I'm sure that's one big thing, but he's also your Pokemon, he's been joined to you. He is reading your mind right now. What are you thinking about?"

"I'm trying to figure out how I can help him."

"Exactly. He can sense that this is meant for his best."

Phillip began teaching Kathy several different moves he could use for a battle. Abra ran away a lot. He teleported into his Pokeball every time he felt Kathy getting frustrated. Kathy had to call him back out often and try again. Eventually Nathan joined the group. As he was watching Phillip and Kathy he began training his own Pokemon. Phillip often had to stop helping Kathy so he could also help Nathan. After a while Phillip got into a rhythm of helping Kathy until Abra would go back into his ball, then he would give her a few minutes to calm down and turn his attention to Nathan.

A couple hours passed when Phillip started to get frustrated. He could tell his frustration was affecting Abra's progress. He asked everyone if they could take a break. He walked to a nearby pond and started a fire to begin cooking lunch. As they were finishing Nathan ran into the woods to go to the bathroom, leaving Kathy and Phillip to clean up their camp site.

As they were finishing up when two brown haired children with the same green eyes approached them.

"Are you two Pokemon trainers?"

Phillip stopped what he was doing and stood between them and Kathy.

"Why do you ask?"

The boy took a step forward.

"We just saw the smoke and was wondering if you would be interested in a partner battle?"

Nathan heard them and emerged out of the woods causing everyone to jump back.

"What's a partner battle?"

The girl smiled and began answering his question in a very matter of fact way.

"Well, both trainers on a team will have one Pokemon on the battlefield at the same time. Both Pokemon will be able to move and attack at the same time. The two trainers have to work together. If both Pokemon on one team are unable to battle anymore then the other team wins."

Phillip looked at Nathan.

"It's not common in Johto or Kanto, but there are some regions where that is the dominant way to battle."

Phillip looked at Kathy.

"What do you think?"

"Sure… I'll try it."

"Use Abra."

"He's tired."

"Abra is always tired. You are gonna have to push past your comfort zone if you wanna see growth."

Kathy looked at Abra's Pokeball. She hesitantly responded.

"Okay."

Phillip looked at them and stuck his hand out.

"My name is Phillip. This is Kathy."

The boy grabbed his hand.

"My name is Peter. This is my sister Polly."

The four trainers lined up in battle positions while Nathan watched on the side. Peter and Polly threw out their Pokemon. One was a Shuckle, one was a Geodude. Kathy threw out Abra and Phillip chose Mareep. Kathy looked at Phillip.

"Why would you choose an electric Pokemon against two rock Pokemon?"

"Just wait and see." Phillip said with a smile.

Peter called out to Geodude.

"Geodude! Tackle attack!"

Abra transported behind Geodude and Mareep rolled out of the way.

"Rollout Shuckle!"

Shuckle rolled towards Abra, hitting him as he transported. Abra flew through the air.

"Mareep, catch Abra!"

Abra landed on Mareep's fluffy cotton.

"Now Charge."

Electricity crackled off of Mareep. It seemed to power him up. The electricity surged through Abra as well. Abra woke up and jumped up off of Mareep energized. As Abra fell through the air he was about to land on Shuckle, Kathy shouted out to him.

"Ally Switch."

That was a move that typically sent Abra into a Pokeball and another Pokemon out in it's place, but this time Mareep began falling on top Shuckle. Phillip gathered his thoughts quickly as he figured out what Kathy was trying to do.

"Drive your head into Shuckle's head!"

Mareep lowered his head and slammed into Shuckle's head.

"Thunder Wave attack."

The electricity surged through Shuckle's body paralyzing him. As Mareep landed Geodude began charging at him.

"Bulldoze attack!" Peter called out.

Geodude slammed into Mareep sending him across the field. Kathy gasped. Before she could call out an attack a robotic jet descended upon the battlefield dropping a net on all four Pokemon. Brett and Betty popped out of the jet and began chanting their rhyme about going up to highest heights.

As the net wrapped around the battlefield Abra teleported from under it. He appeared behind Kathy afraid.

"No Abra! You can do this!"

Suddenly Abra became wide awake. He stepped out in front of Kathy. Nathan called out Cyndaquil, but before he emerged from his Pokeball Kathy called out to Abra.

"Now Abra! Teleport! Over there!"

Kathy pointed to the jet. Abra disappeared and then reappeared in front of Brett and Betty. They tried to grab him, but then he teleported again behind them.

"We've been working on this! Come on Abra! Confusion attack!"

Abra's eyes turned purple and purple waves began to emit from his head. The jet began to shake violently. Cracks spread all over it. The engine blew up and the net snapped in half.

"TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"

Once the jet shot out of sight all the Pokemon on the battlefield circled around Abra. Kathy ran and gave Abra a huge hug.

"I knew you could do it!"

Seconds later Abra began vibrating. A purple wave encapsulated him. A purple wave exploded off Abra as he shot up in size. When the shadows and waves dissipated Abra was no more. He had evolved into a Kadabra. Kathy's jaw dropped and Nathan, Peter and Polly jumped up in excitement shouting in unison.

"That was the coolest thing I've ever seen!"

Phillip was hugging Mareep and smiling at Kathy. He returned Mareep to his Pokeball and walked over to Kathy.

"Good job."

Kathy tackled Phillip and gave him a big hug.

"Thank you so much for all your help! I never could have done it without you!"

The two were laughing together when their faces got really close to one another. Their eyes met. Phillip could feel her breath on his lips. Nathan exclaimed.

"Gross! Get off him Kathy!"

Kathy popped up and kicked Nathan in the shin.

"SHUT UP NATHAN!"

He clutched his leg and was jumping up and down screaming in pain. Peter and Polly laughed at him. Phillip tried to hold his laugh back. Once everything calmed down Peter and Polly approached Phillip and Kathy.

"Thanks for the battle! We didn't get to finish it, but don't you worry. We'll beat you next time!"

Phillip stuck his hand out.

"I look forward to the rematch."

Peter grabbed it as they shook hands.

"You're on!"

After they all bid their farewells, Phillip, Kathy, and Nathan circled up. Nathan asked.

"Where to now?"

Phillip stood up tall and tightened his backpack to his back.

"Forward."

Nathan's stomach grumbled.

"Hopefully to some food."

They all laughed together as they made their way north.

To be continued…