An Electrifying Encounter

"Puberty forgot about my height." - Unknown

Pikachu

There's a dampness in the air, the sky is slowly being covered by dark gray clouds, and the scent of coming rain tickles my nose. As we trek through the forest, I feel the slightest bite of static skitter along my raised tail. I inform my friends of the coming thunderstorm, and our pace quickens. Luckily, there is a large, gray building up ahead. Its walls are littered with holes and plantlife, so it could be the abandoned power plant Sarge told us about. If so, hopefully the hoard she mentioned is welcoming. If it's not the power plant, it will provide shelter if nothing else. Assuming the roof is intact.

"Alright, here's what we're gonna do," Absol says as the clouds continue to roll in, darkening the area around us. "If this is the power plant, then the Voltorb and Electrode horde will be there. Sarge said they like fellow electric-types, so Pikachu, I want you to act as leader. If they think you're in charge, they might be more hospitable. Do you mind?"

The prickle in my tail is getting stronger. I try not to let it worry me. "Not at all. That makes a lot of sense." And, it's not like I've never had to take on the leader role before.

Absol falls back, allowing me to take the lead. Behind me, I hear Eevee ask, "What's the big deal? That other Voltorb was really nice. Even if these ones only like electric-types, how bad can they be?"

"Most Voltorb aren't like that, Eevee," Sprout says.

"The one in Lavender Town was an exception," Wobbles adds. "In my experience, most Voltorb - and, by extension, Electrode - aren't nearly as," she fights for the right word before settling on, "bubbly." She clears her throat. "Electrode: the ball pokemon and the evolved form of Voltorb. An electric-type. It tends to store up more electricity than it needs, so it releases the excess energy by exploding. Unlike its pre-evolution, Electrode has total control over its explosions. Basically, if they blow up in your face, they're just being jerks."

Apprehension makes me tune out the rest of their conversation. Any pokemon can tell you when it's going to rain, but as an electric-type, I can tell you when it's going to storm. The subtle static in my tail is slowly turning into a pins-and-needles sensation, as though I've sat on it for too long. I'm really hoping that it's simply because there is a horde of fellow electric-types up ahead. The alternative is dangerous. Very dangerous, by the feel of it.

As we approach the building, I see an Electrode standing guard at a big, gaping opening. "Halt!" they call with a sharp glare. "We don't take kindly to trespassers. Move along!"

Well, we're off to a great start. "We just need shelter," I say, copying Absol's leader-voice. "You're an electric-type. Surely, you can feel how bad the storm's going to be."

"I wasn't talking to you. Electric-types are more than welcome here." Electrode turns to my friends with a hard look. "The rest of you, scram!" Sparks fizzle over their skin.

Sprout and Eevee yelp, Absol growls, and Wobbles huffs indignantly. I jump in front of them, forcing my fur to lie flat. "They're my horde, and I'm not leaving them out in this weather."

Electrode stares at me with a deep frown. "Eh, let me ask the alpha. Don't move."

They roll inside, and almost instantly something drips on my head. Then, there's a loud boom of thunder.

"We don't have time for this," Absol says. "Let's just come back when the storm passes."

Everyone else is agreeing with him, but I'm willing to wait it out. If there's even a chance that someone in this hoard knows how to get to Vermilion City, I don't care how drenched I get. On the other hand, I won't be able to sleep if I abandon the PokeSquad in the middle of a storm. The rain is coming down faster now. Maybe Absol's right.

But, just as we're about to leave, another Electrode rolls through the entrance. Now I see why the opening is so big; this pokemon is massive. The average Electrode is roughly Absol's height. This one, definitely the alpha, is twice that size. And, alpha pokemon aren't just bigger than average; they're stronger, too.

I stand a little taller (not saying much, since I'm still on all-fours) and remember what my mother told me about interacting with alpha pokemon: be respectful, but don't let them push you around. "Remember, Pichu," Mama would add with a wink and little spark in her cheeks, "you're my son."

Alpha Electrode's gaze is unreadable as they stare us down. We must look pathetic, standing in the cold rain. Sprout is whimpering. Grass-types like rain, but they do not like the cold. It doesn't help that it's pouring now and lightning is illuminating the sky above us. Despite my own shivering, I meet Electrode's gaze head-on, prepared to fight for my friends' safety.

Then, Alpha surprises me. "Why are you still standing there? Get in, all of you."

We all breathe out at once and make a break for the entrance as Alpha moves aside.

"But-but, they're not all electric-types," the guard stammers.

"We ain't savages," Alpha snaps at them.

As the guard mumbles and squirms under their leader's gaze, my friends and I practically throw ourselves inside. Those of us with fur give our pelts a firm shake. Those without cry out their discomfort at being peppered by the spray. I'm too relieved to care.

We all thank Alpha, who chuckles. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. This weather ain't even fit for water-types." Coincidentally, thunder roars outside and lightning flashes. Wind blasts at us through the gaping hole in the wall.

The room we're in now must have been an office at some point. There is a desk that smells like it's now used to store food. An old, box-shaped computer with a cracked screen rests on top. On the floor beneath it, a hatchling Voltorb is giggling as they roll back and forth across the keyboard.

Alpha smiles fondly when they see us looking. "Yeah, the little ones like to play on those clicky-things."

"Keyboards," I correct.

Alpha blinks at me. "Is that what they're called? Heh. You learn something new every day."

Nearby, two younglings are playing with a charred swivel chair, one positioned in the seat as the other jumps up and knocks the seat in circles. This sends the chair rolling around the room, though I notice they're careful to avoid us and the hatchling. The Voltorb in the seat is shrieking with delight as they explode periodically. That explains the charring.

"That looks fun!" Eevee says. He turns to Absol. "Can I play too? Pikachu?" he adds, remembering that I'm the acting leader.

Personally, I'd rather he not get blown up, but it seems that the Voltorb only do that when they're the ones spinning. "I don't see why not. Alpha?"

I know that this hoard only likes electric-types, so I'm not surprised when Alpha says, "The answer's no." Eevee's ears droop, but Alpha either doesn't notice or doesn't care. "This way."

We follow Alpha out of the office and down the hall, passing curious and/or suspicious Voltorb and Electrode, plantlife poking out of the cracks in the walls and floor, and a variety of broken human things. I peek into the rooms we pass and find mostly more of the same, though there are a handful of other electric-types as well: mostly Magnemite and Magneton, though there are also two Electabuzz playing with two Elekid, who I can only assume are their sons.

I'm on high alert as the storm continues to rage outside. My tail is almost itchy now, and I don't think it's from the presence of so many electric-types. I've never felt a storm this severe before. I glance behind me at Absol, who is his usual calm but cautious self. I take some comfort in the lack of change in his demeanor. Absol are capable of predicting natural disasters. Though I don't know what it looks like when they do this, I'm certain that our Absol would have said something.

"Um, Alpha?" Eevee peeps nervously. "Can I please say something?"

"Yeah, what?" Alpha replies.

A pause, then it sounds like Eevee has planted his feet to the ground just to scream, "You're so big!"

We all stop moving. "Eevee," Absol scolds, "no screaming."

Eevee lowers his voice but keeps gawking at Alpha. "I've never seen an Alpha before. You're so big! You're the size of an Onix!"

"Have you ever…seen an Onix?" Because I have, and Alpha is nowhere near that size.

"No, but I know they're really big."

Alpha huffs a laugh. "Cute kid. Let's keep moving. We're almost to the main room. Once we're there, we'll go over some ground rules."

I don't like the way he said that. My friends and I exchange apprehensive looks, but the rapid-fire sounds of thunder and lightning make our decision for us.

The main room must have been a lobby at some point. There is a desk with a computer that looks like it's been split in half, and I can hear giggling and rapid clicking coming from behind the desk; someone must be playing with that keyboard too. There are broken and/or overturned chairs and some smashed things that I think used to be tables. Pokemon are scattered throughout the room: mostly Voltorb and Electrode, with some more Magnemite and a handful of other species mixed in. Most of the pokemon don't pay us any mind, though I hear a few comments on how odd it is that non-electric-types were allowed in here. I know they're talking about the PokeSquad, and I feel self-conscious on my friends' behalf.

We stand uncomfortably in the doorway as Alpha's serious gaze rakes over us. "Alright, here's how this is gonna work. Pikachu- That is your name, right?" I nod. Though most pokemon simply go by their species name, some do have nicknames they prefer, so it's polite to ask if you don't know already. "Pikachu, you're free to roam around. If you get hungry, you can probably smell out the food or you can ask someone. Help yourself. If you wanna battle, take it outside. This place is messy enough as it is," they add with a chuckle.

That would be great, except that they were addressing me specifically.

"As for the rest of you, you're to stay in this room. If you get hungry, someone will bring you something. Mingle if you want, but don't expect to get chummy with Electrode Horde; that's all the Voltorb and Electrode. I can't speak for anyone else. The battle rule is the same, but if you piss off one of my horde," they smirk, a threatening gleam in their eyes, "I'll look the other way."

"Seriously?" I snap, though I'm not sure what I was expecting.

"Throw us a bone, man!" Wobbles says, throwing her arms in the air.

"I wanna go play with the chair," Eevee whines.

Electrode huffs superiorly. "My territory, my rules."

I'm about to argue further, but Absol says calmly, "It's fine." I open my mouth to argue with him instead, but he cuts me off. "Look, I'd be lying if I said I approved, but the fact is it's safer in here than it is outside. Yes, we're confined to one room, but it's not as if we're isolated or going to starve. All things considered, I didn't think we'd be treated this well."

Sprout is staring anxiously up at Alpha. "Plus, I'm not prepared to argue. Eevee's right; you're so big!"

Alpha rolls their eyes and mutters, "It was only cute when the kid said it."

I ignore them. "So, you guys are all okay with this?"

Most of them reluctantly confirm, but Wobbles snaps, "No!" As if the weather could hear her, the thunder crashes even louder. "Yes!"

Absol does have a point; as long we follow the rules, none of us are in danger. Staying here is certainly better than the alternative. Besides, if we want Alpha to point us in the right direction, we're better off not picking fights.

Eevee spots something behind me, and his eyes get big. "There's a Jolteon! Can I go say hi, Alpha?"

"Whatever," Alpha says. "Just behave yourself. That goes for all of you." That, at least, was directed at me as well as my friends.

Alpha rolls off somewhere, Eevee bolts - no pun intended - after the Jolteon across the room, and Absol says to me, "Well? You wanted directions, didn't you?"

Anyone not part of Electrode Horde is ignoring us, but I don't like the way those in the horde are staring at my friends. I shuffle my feet. "I don't wanna leave you guys alone."

Sprout huddles closer to Absol and hugs his leg as her eyes dart around. "I-I don't wanna be left alone." Absol gives her head a comforting lick.

Wobbles just shrugs. "Eevee seems fine."

I follow her gaze and find Eevee bouncing around and wagging his tail, Jolteon smiling patiently at the rambunctious hatchling. The sight brings me some peace of mind; not everyone here is a jerk. I spot Alpha in another end of the room with some Electrode and tell my friends, "Just stay together."

I ignore Wobbles's retort of, "Don't tell me what to do," and head in Alpha's direction.

The Electrode see me approaching. Alpha Electrode turns around, and I ask, "Am I interrupting?"

"Nah," Alpha Electrode says and shoos the others away. Alpha smirks at me. "Let me guess; you're gonna argue about your horde again."

My fur bristles. "That depends on how your horde behaves." Alpha blinks in surprise - not used to being talked back to, I assume - but doesn't retort. "But, one thing at a time. Now, I'm told that you're well-traveled."

"I've been around. Why?"

"My friends and I are looking for a place called Vermi-"

"Hold that thought."

I'm annoyed but then I see sparks covering Alpha's body. Small, soft sparks, not the harsher ones that signal an attack. Electric-types can speak to one another by sending waves of electricity through the atmosphere. Someone is sending Alpha a message, and the fierce, focused look on their face tells me it's important. The sparks fade just as quickly. New ones take their place as Alpha responds. Or, so I thought, but I hear a faint buzz and discover that Alpha is signaling their hoard. Every Voltorb and Electrode in the room has stopped what they're doing and is listening intently. I check on my friends. Eevee is close enough that I can hear Jolteon explaining what's happening. Farther away, Wobbles is speaking to Absol and Sprout, likely describing the scene herself.

Suddenly, all the members of Electrode Horde roll out of the room, talking excitedly. I try to make out what they're saying, but it's impossible with everyone speaking at once. It doesn't help that some of the Voltorb are exploding on their way out. Sprout is panicking, Absol is holding her in place with his teeth, Wobbles is standing in front of them and shielding them with Mirror Coat, and Eevee and Jolteon are taking it all in with a cautious interest. The remaining electric-types seem as confused as I am.

Alpha chuckles at our reactions. "Pikachu, you came at a good time." They send out another message, and my fur stands up and my cheeks prickle. It looks like this message is for electric-types who aren't part of the hoard. 'This is Alpha Electrode. I've just received word that Zapdos is on his way.' My stomach flips. Zapdos, the Legendary Pokemon, the Lord of Lightning, one of the most powerful pokemon in the world. That explains why the weather is so bad. Zapdos doesn't create storms, though his presence would certainly amplify them. 'When he gets here, he'll be resting from his journey, so don't bother him. My horde is preparing the Lord's Room right now for his arrival. Stay out of their way.'

There's a nervous energy in the air as the other electric-types start talking amongst themselves. Some of them head straight for Alpha, looking for information. I am rooted in place, remembering the last time I saw Zapdos.

It was years ago. Zapdos - along with Moltres and Articuno, the other two Elemental Birds - had been captured by a pokemon collector. This ended up sending the world in chaos, as tampering with the three Elemental Birds results in tampering with the balance of nature itself. The gist is that Ash turned out to be a part of a prophecy - "the Chosen One," it called him - to save them and the world. Pride swells in my chest. That was only one of the many times Ash saved the planet from destruction. We seem to attract that stuff, I think with a grin.

Absol calls my name, bringing me back to the here and now. Sprout and Wobbles are on his heels. "What's going on?" he asks me.

I start to answer, but Eevee comes running up to me, his dark brown eyes wide and his tail lashing. "Pikachu! Jolteon says that Zapdos is coming! Is it true? Also, who's Zapdos?"

My friends' eyes are all on me now, especially Wobbles's. I clear my throat and set my nerves aside. "Zapdos is a Legendary Pokemon. The Lord of Lightning, they call him. And, yeah, Alpha says he's coming."

"Oh my goodness!" Sprout shouts. "He's coming here? Please tell me he's friendly!"

"I'm not sure how friendly he is," I say honestly. "He wasn't last time I saw him, but the circumstances weren't great, so-"

Wobbles bends over, her intent gaze practically touching my face. "You've met Zapdos?"

I have to start watching what I say around her. "Y-Yeah." I take a few steps back. "It's a long story, and I'll tell you all about it later," I add when she leans in closer, "but yeah, I've met him before. I didn't really get a chance to talk to him, though."

Wobbles straightens, grins manically, and claps her hands together, and I immediately feel sorry for Zapdos. "Well, I'm getting my chance!"

She starts for the hallway, but Absol jabs his horn into her head. "No, you're not. You, of all pokemon, should know how powerful Legendaries are. The last thing we need is to annoy Zapdos."

"Absol's right," I agree. "Zapdos is incredibly strong. I've seen him battle, and he's no pushover. No Legendary is."

"Plus," Sprout adds, "Alpha wants us to stay in here, and I don't wanna make them mad."

"They're the size of an Onix," Eevee says seriously.

I stare at the hallway's entrance, wondering if Zapdos remembers me. Ash was The Chosen One; I was right by his side, but he did all the important stuff. Ash is always doing the important stuff while I just sit on his shoulder and cheer him on. The only time I ever actually do anything is when he gives me a command. Pikachu, use Thunderbolt. Pikachu, knock it down with Iron Tail. Depending on the situation, I'm either a weapon or an accessory. I push the thought away and move with a purpose.

"Where are you going, Pikachu?" Eevee asks.

I stop and turn around. "I'm going to see if Zapdos remembers me."

Sprout makes a strangled sound and shakes her leaves. "You're going to see the Lord of Lightning?"

"Can I come?" Wobbles asks.

I shake my head. "I can move around freely, but you guys can't. I don't want you getting in trouble with Alpha Electrode."

"Can I come?" Wobbles repeats.

"Can I also come?" Eevee asks, crouched down as though ready to pounce. "I've never seen a Legendary Pokemon before!"

Absol's furrowed brow shoots them both down. "Too risky. There are too many members of Electrode Horde. Even if we all charged in at once, I don't like the odds."

"I can assess the situation and report back," I suggest.

"Fine by me," Absol says.

"Oh my goodness," Sprout says, "please be careful!"

I nod at her and walk away, Wobbles's cry of, "Give me all the juicy details. I want the juice!" following me.

"The Lord's Room" is easy enough to find; just see which door has the most Voltorb and Electrode streaming in and out of it, leaving trails of rainwater in their wake. The room must not have a ceiling, which I suppose makes sense if Zapdos comes regularly. As I head that way, I'm stopped by a harsh wave of electricity, a sign that a very powerful electric-type is nearby. My stomach swims, but I press on. One of the passing horde members warns me not to disturb Zapdos's roost. I nod in acknowledgment but otherwise ignore them. I can't make out any words, but I hear two voices coming from the Lord's Room. One is Alpha's, and the other, much deeper voice must be Zapdos's. The horde members have cleared away by the time I reach the door. I stare up at it, willing myself to open it. The hinges look rusted, and I've seen the limbless horde members push it open on both sides. It's easy, I tell myself. You don't have to worry about reaching the doorknob. Just push the door open.

But, what would I even say to Zapdos? Hi, it's me. The Chosen One's friend. I know you remember him. He was the guy who prevented the apocalypse. What about me, you ask? Well, I was there, so surely you remember me.

Maybe this isn't a good idea.

The door opens, and a soaking-wet Alpha rolls out and gives me a hard look. "I hope you're not here to see Zapdos. The Lord is resting from his travels. You'll have to come back later."

"So, he is here," I confirm. "Out of curiosity, Alpha, why does Zapdos choose to roost here?"

Alpha's eyes shine with pride. "Well, you see, the Lord's Room has a big honkin' human thing in it. According to my parents, that room used to be used for training. The human thing soaked up a lot of electricity and seemed to start creating its own because of that."

"Could it be a generator?" I suggest. "If this place was abandoned by humans, it's possible that you guys restarted it from training around it so much."

Alpha hums thoughtfully. "Maybe. You seem to know a lot of human terms."

Unsure of how they would react to my history with humankind, I just say, "A lot of my friends have trainers." It isn't a lie.

Alpha accepts my vague response. "Anywho, Zapdos likes to perch on that, uh, gen…"

"Generator."

"Yeah, that. He sits there, and the electricity restores his strength, lets him rest up after a long journey. Not sure where he goes, but this is where he relaxes."

So, Zapdos really does come here a lot. "Wow. You guys are so lucky."

"Yeah," Alpha says, staring reverently at the dilapidated door. "He's been coming here since way before I was born. It's a real honor, you know?" Then, they narrow their black eyes at me. "Like I said, he's tired and needs his rest. He'll call us in when he's good and ready. Only then will anyone get to talk to him."

I understand, of course, but that doesn't mean I'm not a little disappointed. How often does one get to meet a Legendary Pokemon face to face? Well, Ash and I have met them more often that most, but even so, it doesn't happen every day.

My doubts spring back up. If Ash were here, there's no doubt that the Lord of Lightning would recognize the Chosen One. Would Zapdos really recognize one little Pikachu?

Suddenly, my skin prickles. Alpha watches me with interest as energy skitters over me. It feels like receiving a message, but there are no words. It's almost like someone is trying to get a feel for me, for lack of a better term. Then, there are words.

'I thought so.'