Chapter 3

The pikachu was an absolute beast.

Alfie was having a hard time landing hits to it. Despite being a young pokemon, it's command over its speed attacks was simply incredible.

But, Alfie was no pushover. If the Pikachu was an arrow, then Alfie was a rocket.

"Piiikaa-chuuu!!!"

A thunderbolt attack.

"Dodge and get closer to it! Then use crunch!"

The Pikachu was slippery and expertly dodged Alfie's attacks even at such close range. It was even using quick attacks to dodge!

'This seems more like a league battle.'

"Alfie, use Close Combat!"

Pikachu did not see that coming and was hit hard.

Close Combat.. One of the benefits of having a father who is a ranger is that his pokemons knew many kinds of moves. They were really helpful too.

"Finish it with Iron tail!"

As Tommy was about to rejoice, Pikachu surprised him yet again with an iron tail of its own.

The tails collided and sparks flew that threatened to burn the surrounding grass and shrubs. In the end, Alfie won due to his higher strength and experience.

The mouse was sent crashing into a tree.

Tommy immediately threw a pokeball at the Pikachu and boy was it a struggle. The pokeball rocked back and forth numerous times before finally coming to rest.

Tommy sighed in relief as he gently patted Alfie over his head.

"What a tough son of a gun."

He picked the pokeball up and said, "You truly deserve to be called a 'monster'. That was a tough one, huh? Alfie?"

Alfie barked, scoffed and then glared at the boy. 'It was easy. If you weren't holding me back we could've ended it with a single move.'

"Yeah, yeah.. And the Pikachu would have needed serious medical attention. What do I keep telling you, huh? Not everyone can tank attacks like flare blitz. Don't think everyone is built like you. Now, Rufflet here wants to learn steel wing. Teach him about your iron tail. It'll help him."

Amongst the barks and chirps of his pokemons, Alfie took a look at his pokedex.

[Pikachu: Mouse pokemon

Gender: Male

Type: Electric

The pokemon has electricity storing pouches on its cheeks. They appear to become electrically charged at night when the pokemon sleeps. It usually discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up.

Moves:

Quick attack

Nasty Plot

Spark

Agility

Iron tail

Thundershock

Thunderbolt

Egg move: Bide

Ability: Lightning rod]

'Bide?! Damn.. he's a born masochist. He knows spark and quick attack. He's already on his way to learn volt tackle.'

They leisurely walked through the Viridian forest. None of the bug pokemons came near them because of Alfie and Rufflet. Tommy didn't want to put them back in their pokeballs as the two were having a lot of fun. His mind immediately went to the other two who were resting in their pokeballs.

"Pikachu, Nidoran, come out."

"Pi-pikachu!"

"Nidoran!"

Pikachu shook his head vigorously and looked around until his eyes landed on Alfie.

'Are those stars in his eyes?!'

"Ahem, welcome to the family. I'm Thomas Shelby, Tommy for short. I caught the two of you because you have potential and grit to become stronger. And I can make you the strongest among your species."

"Pika!"

"Nido!"

The serious expressions on their faces was enough for Tommy.

He nodded and said, "We may aim for the top, but, that doesn't mean we don't have fun! Alfie, Rufflet, come here for a moment."

Tommy gave Pikachu and Nidoran two berries to let them regain their health.

"Pikachu and Nidoran are part of the team now. Make them feel at home."

"Ruff!"

"Arf!"

'That's that.. I need to look around to find strong pokemons. No Beedrills or Butterfrees though. Scyther.. I don't think I'll find one too easily.'

They spent two days in the forest and didn't encounter any pokemon that interested Tommy. But, he got to spend time with Pikachu and Nidoran and got closer to them. It was incredibly fruitful for his team.

With Alfie's and Pikachu's help, Rufflet had managed to perform steel wing. But, he wasn't always successful.

Meanwhile, Nidoran somehow managed to learn thunderbolt with Pikachu's help. They developed a brotherly bond that involved drinking the juice of berries squeezed out by Pikachu. How the mouse got the idea, Tommy never knew.

The Shelby was about to quit his search for a Scyther when he heard a commotion not far away from him.

Him and his team ran towards the noise and were greeted by an incredible site. A Pinsir was beating the living hell out of a bunch of Beedrills. It was incredibly strong but the Beedrills had numbers on their side.

The Pinsir was heavily injured but continued to spam the move superpower like it was no body's business. Tommy decided to stay on the sidelines and wait till the beetle was too injured to fight. A little cruel and underhanded but it was a very efficient way of catching a strong pokemon.

The fight continued for twenty more minutes. Pinsir had reduced the numbers of Beedrill to lower than a dozen. But, it was still too much. So, in a last ditch effort, Pinsir used an incredible move that left Tommy in awe at its strength.

'Stone edge..!'

Most of the Beedrills were down after being hit with Stone edge. The Pinsir was down on its one leg when Tommy decided to throw a pokeball at it and capture it. Meanwhile, he nodded at Pikachu who used a Thunderbolt to fry the Beedrill that were still awake.

Pinsir was too injured and resigned to its fate without much struggle. Tommy had caught a very powerful pokemon.

[Pinsir: Stag beetle pokemon

Gender: Female

Type: Bug

Description: Pinsir has a pair of massive horns. Protruding from the surface of these horns are thorns. These thorns are driven deeply into the foe's body, making it tough for the foe to escape.

Moves:

Vice grip

Double hit

Sword dance

Harden

Slash

Superpower

Rock slide

Stone edge

Egg move: Feint attack

Ability: Moxie]

'Horry shitto!'

'No wonder she could take on so many Beedrills. That ability makes the pokemon stronger with the number of enemies it knocks out!'

He looked at his pokemons and said, "Alright. We need to take Pinsir to a Pokemon center. She's clearly poisoned. Come back, Pikachu and Nidoran."

He put them back in their pokeballs as he only needed Alfie to accompany him on the ground and Rufflet to look out for danger. They took a leasure walk and reached Pewter city by night.

Tommy hadn't registered to the league so he could have as many pokemons on him as he wanted. On the downside, he couldn't challenge gyms.

'Do I even want to be a champion? I have no desire for fame. I used to be a man of biology and science. A doctor who helped people and saved lives. I was never an adrenaline junkie.'

He looked Alfie and Rufflet who were sleeping in his lap.

'I want to understand them. I want to know how and why they exist. I want to know their secrets.'

Tommy smiled and said, "I know what I want to be. I will become the greatest Pokemon researcher and discover the secrets this world holds. For that, I need opportunities to fund my research."

He sighed and continued, "It's all connected. I'll only get opportunities when the right people know of me. Recognition.. comes with fame. There is only one path to earn it. The league battles. I guess I'll have to register after all. Brock, I hope you are ready for a beatdown."

He placed them back in their pokemons and handed all five of them to Nurse Joy. Then, he registered in the league. He called Oak from the video phone in the center.

"Professor Oak!"

"Ooh? Hey, Tommy."

"I've reached Pewter city and have decided to participate in the league."

Oak laughed and said, "So, you finally realised it, huh?"

"Yes. I need fame and recognition to become a researcher and get funds. No one will invest in me if I am a nobody. Even if you vouch for me, I won't feel it's right. I want to stand on my own feet."

Oak nodded approvingly and said, "I can respect that. So, how many pokemon have you caught?"

Tommy smiled and replied, "I caught three amazing ones! A Pikachu, a male Nidoran and a Pinsir. They're all very strong. Pinsir and Pikachu have a rare ability too!"

"Oooh? A rare ability you say? I would like to study their abilities. Do send them over when you can."

"I'll surely do so, professor! See ya!"

Tommy spent his night at the pokemon center and woke up bright and early. He was excited for his first gym battle. Although, he had somewhat of an idea how the battle would progress and end.

Three of his five pokemons knew steel type moves and three knew fighting type moves. The gym battle was going to be a piece of cake.

He entered the gym and announced, "I'm here to challenge the gym leader for my first badge!"

Out of the darkness emerged Brock. His entrance was ruined when Tommy said, "Dude, why's this gym so dark? You're an edgelord chuunibyou or something?"

Brock coughed and said, "We've been trying to lower our electricity bills. The per unit rates are sky high these days."

"Dude, solar pannels."

*Cough* "Yeah, I'm just waiting for the month end sale. Anyway, our battle will be 2 vs 2. Only you, the trainer, will be allowed to switch pokemons mid battle. Are you ready?"

Tommy nodded and threw a pokeball and said, "Let's go, Pikachu."

"A Pikachu? You do know that I'll have the type advantage, right?"

Tommy shrugged but didn't reply. Brock chose Geodude to be his first pokemon for the battle.

The moment it was signaled for the battle to begin, Tommy commanded, "Pikachu, use agility followed by iron tail."

Brock immediately said, "Geodude! Use defence curl! Quick!"

Geodude was in the middle of using defence curl when a speeding Pikachu rammed his iron tail into it and hit a home run.

"And it's out of here!!" Tommy exclaimed.

Geodude had fainted from that attack. Brock was amazed by the strength behind Pikachu's attack and it took him a moment to recover and recall Geodude back.

"I really underestimated you. I'll be using my strongest pokemon now. I hope you're ready."

Tommy replied with a smirk, "No matter who you choose, we're ready to kick butts! Right, Pikachu?!"

"Pika!"

"That's the spirit!"

Brock smiled and threw a pokeball.

"Go, Onyx!"

*ROAR*

The gigantic snake pokemon roared in a show of might, its ability showing its work as Pikachu took a step back and crouched down in an attacking position.

"Don't worry, Pikachu! It may look strong but we are much faster! Let's show that big lunk some stars in the day!"

"Piika pi!"

Brock didn't react to my declaration and commanded, "Onyx, use rock throw."

"Pikachu! Dodge using quick attack. Then, hit its head with iron tail."

"Onyx! Dodge it!"

The pokemon susprisingly managed to avoid a direct hit and Pikachu's attack barely grazed its surface. Still, it was enough to make Onyx recoil.

Tommy, suspecting what was about to come, immediately said, "Pikachu! Get away from it!"

"Onyx, use bind!"

As expected, Pikachu avoided being bound by Onyx's tail.

"I must say, your instincts are very sharp for a new trainer."

Tommy replied, "Knowing Onyx's moveset and given that you haven't tried to use any ground type moves, I guessed you would go for quick retaliation. Pikachu was too close to Onyx. It was a perfect opportunity to use bind."

Brock chuckled and said, "It has been a while since I faced someone like you. You don't seem to be one to come unprepared. Yet, you chose Pikachu who clearly has a type disadvantage. It's not out of arrogance, is it? You wanted to test how Pikachu would fare against a pokemon that has a type advantage. And, I think you've found what you were looking for."

Tommy smiled and nodded.

"Pikachu, we'll be training even harder after this."

"Piiika pika!"

"Alright! We can't do much against a pokemon that has a type advantage against us. The only move you can use is iron tail. Use agility. Then, quick attack turned into a speeding iron tail attack. Go!"

"Pikachu!"

Brock smiled and commanded, "Onyx, let's show our opponent what a gym leader's pokemon is truly capable of! Now, use bulldoze!"

Tommy immediately reacted and said, "Dodge it and hit Onyx with a barrage of iron tail! It's either us or them!"

As Onyx's attack missed, Brock said, "Counter Pikachu's iron tail with yours."

Their tails clashed and sparks flew all over the battlefield. Onyx was way stronger than Pikachu in terms of raw strength. Overwhelmed, Pikachu was pushed back and sent crashing into the ground.

"Keep attacking, Pikachu! Even if they are stronger, it won't matter if they are unable to react. Use agility again. Follow that by a quick attack iron tail!"

With his agility boost maxed out, Pikachu was nothing more than a yellow blur on the battlefield. His attacks landed hard against Onyx who was not even able to see where the attacks were coming from.

Brock could simply watch as Onyx was getting pulverized by a yellow flash.

Before his pokemon got more hurt, Brock recalled Onyx back to its pokeball.

"I concede, Thomas Shelby. While I could continue to battle, it would be detrimental for Onyx's health."

Tommy nodded and said, "Had you not recalled it back, I would've been disappointed in you. A good trainer knows when to stop. Pokemons are companions, not tools to be used until they break. You have earned my respect."

Brock smiled and said, "Congratulations. You deserve the Boulder badge more than any other trainer I've faced."

Tommy had won his first gym badge and earned the respect of a gym leader.

It was the beginning of his legend.

(MonPoke)

A/N: 'All out of love' is not a good song when you want to focus anything but heartbreak and melancholy...