The World Of Pokemon 2.0

Chapter 19

"What?!" Eric could only shout as he watched Raichu surround itself in electricity and charge straight for Pikachu.

*BOOM!*

The two collided again with even more power than before, causing a massive explosion that shattered the glass used for the gym.

However, no one was worried about that as they were more concerned with the outcome of the two.

Who won??

They patiently waited for the cloud of dust made from the explosion to disperse, and eventually, they could see two figures standing in the middle of the battleground.

"Pikachu!" Eric was the first to react as he noticed the terrible shape Pikachu was in. 'How could you do that?! You stupid idiot Eric!' He was ashamed to be called a Pokemon Trainer as his rash thinking put Pikachu in that state.

[Pi..ka..] Pikachu didn't want to give up, but unfortunately, it gave everything it had with that final attack. Pikachu then turned around and smiled at its trainer before it fainted onto the field.

[Rai!] Raichu pounded its c.h.e.s.t after its well-fought victory. The damage from the collision definitely injured it as it could be seen panting quite a bit. However, Raichu had more than enough power to defeat another Pokemon.

"...Pikachu return.." Eric recalled Pikachu into its Pokeball and stared it for a moment before placing it back on his belt. He couldn't stay sad at what happened as he can't change the past even if he wanted too. "...But still, I'm walking out of here with that badge!" He shouted as he grabbed his next Pokeball.

Lt.Surge was strong as he was the only Gym Leader to use one Pokemon. The person had to be insane or insanely strong to abide by the self-enforced rule.

'Pidgeotto could be finished in one shot with how strong Raichu is, and I haven't used Eevee in a real battle yet...So, it can only be you!' Eric gripped the Pokeball tightly before throwing it onto the field. "Go! Charmander!"

[Charr!! Char?!... Charmander!!] Charmander assumed its position on the battlefield. It was slightly afraid of its opponent, but it quickly calmed itself as it had something to prove. Pidgeotto and Pikachu were the ones that Eric used the most because they were more reliable.

But now...

It was time for Charmander to shine!

"Charmander? No offense, but don't you have any stronger Pokemon?" Lt.Surge asked after glancing at Eric's choice. He could tell right away that Charmander was still a baby, and didn't think it stood a chance.

"I do... But Charmander will be the one to defeat your Raichu!" Eric said with determination as he already had a plan to win.

"Hahaha! I like you kid, but that won't keep me from crushing you! Raichu, get that Charmander with Take Down!" Lt.Surge commanded.

[Rai!!] Raichu charged straight towards Charmander, readying itself to pounce at the last possible moment.

"Charmander, dodge it and use Flamethrower!"

[Chaarr!!] Charmander jumped backward to dodge Raichu's Take Down and immediately used Flamethrower on its face.

[Raai?!!] Raichu managed to cover its face with its arms before the fire made contact, and shielded its face from any significant damage. Its arms suffered from severe burns, but ultimately it was still able to battle!

"Seems like I'm still underestimating you... Raichu use ThunderBolt. Show no mercy!"

"No, you don't! Quick Charmander use Smokescreen!"

[Char!] Charmander quickly exhaled and created a massive cloud of black smoke that hid its figure.

[Raichuu!] Raichu was stunned by the cloud of smoke, but still, it would use ThunderBolt as it was commanded by its trainer. It charged its electricity, and it sent it flying through the smoke, but unfortunately, it didn't find its mark.

"Nice! Charmander, use Dig!"

[Char!] Charmander used its claws to dig a hole into the field and quickly disappeared underground just as the cloud of smoke dispersed.

"You think you can escape! Raichu dig your tail into the ground and use Discharge!"

[Rai..!!] Raichu struggled slightly to get up as it also took damage for missing the Take Down. It then jammed its tail into the ground and started to release large amounts of electricity using Discharge.

Lt.Surge wanted to get Charmander even when it was hiding underground, but Raichu was a second too slow!

[Char!] Charmander rapidly made a point of exit behind Raichu, dodging the Discharge as it jumped high into the air.

"Charmander, use Flamethrower one more time!"

"No! Dodge it, Raichu!"

[Rai?! Raaai!] Raichu couldn't move fast enough and received a full blast of Flamethrower on its back, knocking it over before it was engulfed in flames.

"Charmander finish this with-" Eric didn't finish his sentence because he saw that Raichu wasn't moving after Charmander landed on the ground.

[Rai..chu] Raichu couldn't go on anymore as the combined damage caused by Pikachu and Charmander finally got to it.

"The winner is Eric!" The lackey acting as referee shouted.

*Ding! 3000 exp gained for defeating Gym Leader Lt. Surge!*

*Pikachu's exp unable to rise due to it being fainted.*

*Charmander's exp raised by... Wow! So much! Ding! Charmander leveled up to 16!*

"Damn... Well, Congratulations kid, you won." Lt.Surge smiled, recalling Raichu into its Pokeball as he walked over to Eric to hand him the Thunder Badge.

"Heh... Look Charmander, this the badge you helped win." Eric chuckled lightly as he showed the badge to Charmander, who ran over to him.

[Chaar!~] Charmander happily clapped its hands together just as a blinding light surrounded its entire body.

It was evolving!

Eric watched the phenomenon with excitement as witnessing something like this was just what he needed after letting Pikachu lose horribly.

[Charmeleon! Char?] The light eventually disappeared, and from it was a lizard twice the size of a Charmander. Its skin was a shade of orange that almost looked red, and its unique markings could still be seen all over its body. Charmeleon was surprised by the change, but somehow it all felt natural.

"Nice, you evolved Charmeleon!" Eric was extremely happy for it as it meant he had another powerhouse on his side, and it wasn't even its final form.

[Charmeleon!] Charmeleon seemed to have a confidence boost since it evolved, and the flame on its tail burned even brighter.

"Your Charmeleon looks like it is going to be really strong," Lt.Surge said as he observed Charmeleon before turning back to Eric. "Are you headed to Celadon City next?"

"Yeah, I am, but this battle gave me a lot to think about it... I need to train harder to make sure I don't make stupid decisions ever again." Eric sighed.

" That's good to hear. I know you'll become a splendid trainer in the future." Lt.Surge said as he patted Eric's shoulder.

"Thanks."

*Bam*

The door to the Vermillion Gym slams open, and in came an excited blonde-haired boy who immediately ran over to Lt.Surge.

It was Finn.

"Did he lose to you, uncle?!" Finn asked.

"No-"

Finn didn't even give enough time for his uncle to speak, and assumed that his uncle had won, "Hah! Of course, you lost to my uncle! There was no way you-Wait!... You said, no?!"

"Sorry, kid." Eric smirked as he flashed Finn with the bright yellow badge.

Finn couldn't believe what he was seeing, "H-how?! Uncle-"

"Enough! I'm not happy about losing, but this..." Lt.Surged turned to Finn and started to crack his knuckles. "This does put a smile on my face. I didn't have to come hunt you down to dish out your punishment!"

"W-wait! Uncle!"

"Clench your teeth!"

Eric didn't want to be around any longer and decided to leave after recalling Charmeleon. 'I'll go to the Pokemon Center first to get Pikachu healed and then make my way to Celadon City..." He thought as he hopped on his bike that he left near the gym's entrance and pedaled away down the street.

After several minutes,d Eric reached the Pokemon center and was immediately reprimanded by Nurse Joy for how badly Pikachu was injured. However, after hearing how it happened, it made her hate Lt.Surge even more. He could even hear her say words a Nurse Joy should never say as she healed his Pokemon.

---------

Eric found himself at a restaurant to eat and cheer Pikachu up after the loss. However, food wasn't helping at all as it was just moping on the table.

"Pikachu, it's not your fault that you lost... It was mine. I didn't think everything through, and my way of training isn't the best. So, before we go to the next gym, we are going to train." Eric said, stroking Pikachu's head.

[Pika..] Pikachu slowly nodded its head.

"We'll get even stronger than before, and you'll defeat even stronger Pokemon."

Suddenly a certain trio entered the restaurant, and one of them was being particularly loud.

"I'm so hungry! I can't believe how many times we got lost." A black-haired boy with a Pikachu on his shoulder said.

"Well, if we kept to the main road like I suggested, then we wouldn't be in this situation!" An orange hair girl shouted.

"You can't catch Pokemon if you stick to the roads! Besides, no one is asking you to follow us, Misty! Right, Brock?" Ash said, turning to a young brown-haired man.

"I rather stay out of this one Ash. Let's just find ourselves a table." Brock chuckled lightly as he looked for an empty table.

Eric smiled at seeing the trio as it reminded him of his childhood, but lately, he's been remembering less about himself. "Huh...Maybe-"

"Wait a minute...Eric?! It is him! Hahaha!" Misty could spot that signature red hair anywhere and instantly ran over to his table to sit next to him.

"Eric's here? Oh! Eric!" Ash was the next to notice and followed after Misty, sitting down on the opposite side of Eric.

"Eric? Is that the one that convinced my dad to take over the gym?" Brock thought out loud as he took a seat by Ash.

"I don't think I asked you guys to sit at my table," Eric said with a smile.

"Aw don't be like that~ " Misty giggled, nudging his side gently with her elbow.

"You look sort of depressed. Did you lose to the Gym Leader?" Ash asked with a smirk.

"Nope." Eric pulled out his gym badge case and showed him his new addition.

"Ah! Awesome. I was on the way to the gym, but we were too hungry...Speaking of that.." Ash called for a waiter and started to order food along with the other two.

"The Gym Leader of this city is Lt.Surge, right? How was he?" Brock asked as he was slightly curious.

Eric sighed and shook his head as he remembered the fight, "He's super strong as he is the only Gym Leader to use one Pokemon." He then seriously looked at Ash. "So, I wouldn't go in expecting an easy win, Ash."

Ash gulped, "I'll..remember that... What Pokemon does he use?"

"A Raichu."

"Raichu, huh? What do you think, Pikachu? Think you can defeat one?"

[Pika!] Ash's Pikachu shouted and nodded its head as it was ready to win.

[Pikaa...] Eric's Pikachu shook its head as it could see Ash's Pikachu losing way worse than it did.

"Let's forget about the battles for a second as I have a serious question. What did you do to my sister? She kept on talking about you when we were in Cerulean City." Mist asked.

"What did I do to your sister?! Absolutely nothing! She practically held me hostage! Did you know that she's insane?!"

Brock furiously nodded his head in agreement.

Finally, after minutes of talking, their food would arrive, and they instantly started to chow down. Eric was already finished with his food, so he just continued to talk with them all.

"So, You're headed to Celadon City next?" Misty asked.

"Yeah, but I think I'll do some training before I go as the battle with Lt.Surge taught me something."

"That's good. Almost all Gym Leaders try to teach the challengers so that they can become stronger." Brock said.

"I didn't learn anything from Misty, though?"

"Only because you're too stupid to actually learn anything!" Misty shouted, smacking Ash on the head.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Ash gripped his head as he glared at Misty.

"Hmph! I just felt like it."

"Oh yeah? Well, I feel like doing this!" Ash leaned over and pinched both of Misty's cheeks, pulling them quite hard.

"Ow! Ow! Let go, Ash!"

"Say you're sorry first!"

Eric immediately tuned them both out and picked up his Pikachu.

[Pika?] Eric's Pikachu looked up at its trainer and wondered what he wanted.