บท 15: Cora Joy vs. The Lightning Lieutenant
The gang looked up at the sign right above them that read:
Vermilion City
"After two weeks of traveling." Alain started.
"We're finally here!" Mairin cheered, pumping her fists in the air.
During those two weeks, Cora had trained with her Pokémon and three of them had evolved. One of her female Eevee's finally evolved into Sylveon, which she named Stella, her shiny male Eevee into an Umbreon, which she named Zunair and Digger evolved into Sandslash. Oddly enough, they lost Ash and his friends, again. Cora could swear that Ash believes that he's going in the right direction when he clearly has the lack of the sense of direction.
Right now, they've finally arrived in Vermilion City.
"Now I can finally take a nice hot bath and sleep in a real bed!" Mairin smiled.
"And we can finally do some laundry." Alain said.
"Let's also get some food and rest for our Pokémon and us." Cora decided when she noticed how exhausted Kilala and Chespie were.
So the group headed to the Pokémon Center.
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"We'll fix them right up," Nurse Deidra Joy said kindly as she took the tray that contained Cora's Pokéballs, Mairin staring at Deidra blankly while Cora and Alain sighed and leaned on the counter.
"I know why you're surprised," Nurse Deidra Joy smiled when noticing Mairin's stare. "I look like all the other nurses, don't I? My first cousin works at Pewter City and my second cousin works in Viridian City. I think I'm the prettiest one, don't you?" She said with that same kind, gentle smile and giggle all Nurse Joys wore and used. Cora, Alain and Mairin just blinked at her. Whatever else Mairin was planning to say, interrupted by the center doors opening and a boy's shout.
"Hurry!" The boy cried, calling attention to the rolling cot with a severely hurt Rattata on it. "You'll be okay, Rattata," the boy murmured, sounding on the verge of tears as Chansey rushed the cart through the lobby. "Hurry!"
"That Rattata is in rough shape," Alain noted, face serious. "I wonder what happened."
Nurse Deidra Joy stood then, hands on hips in disapproval. "Oh! It's the fifteenth one brought in this month!" She frowned.
"This month?!" Cora repeated, deep seated disapproval of her own settling in her chest as Deidra Joy wordlessly led them to a room full of occupied beds holding various injured Pokémon.
"This is terrible." Alain muttered as he took them all in.
"They all lost to Lt. Surge, the Vermilion City gym leader." Nurse Deidra Joy informed, upset.
Cora looked at all of the trainers with their injured Pokémon with pity. She couldn't understand why Lt. Surge had to be so brutal to all these Pokémon. She knew that you didn't need to so badly hurt the opponent's weaker Pokémon if you were experienced and knew your Pokémon well, two things a gym leader of all things should be. Cora did not like how this Lt. Surge was so readily destroying his weaker opponents, especially considering most of them are so young and inexperienced. To her point of view, Lt. Surge is a huge bully to all inexperienced trainers.
A ding sound was heard nearby which meant that her Pokémon were healed.
"Oh? That signal means your other Pokémon have recovered." Nurse Deidra Joy happily led the trio out into the lobby where Cora's Pokéballs were waiting on a tray with a content Kilala sitting by them, finishing a small apple.
"Hey Kilala!" Cora cried, getting an enthusiastic reply back as Kilala leapt into her waiting arms and nuzzled her soft cheeks against hers. "Glad you're back to one hundred percent!" Cora cooed.
"So what Pokémon are you going to use against Surge?" Alain asked.
"I think I know the perfect one." Cora said.
She took her Pokéballs and placed them back on her belt. Then she transferred Tama onto her team. She released her Pikachu from her Pokéball.
"Pickachu (Hi Cora!)" Tama greeted when she appeared in front of Cora.
"Hey Tama. It's great to see you." Cora greeted back, "Tama, I need a favor from you."
"Pika? (What kind of favor?)" Tama asked.
"Would you mind doing another gym battle with me?" Cora asked.
Before Tama could answer, she was interrupted as a hospital cot wheeled past them.
"Please hurry!" The boy trainer cried as he ran along the cot holding his injured Pidgey. "Just hold on, Pidgey!"
Cora frowned as the kid was younger and obviously far more inexperienced if he went to an electric-type gym with a flying-type Pokémon. That did not, however, excuse the gym leader so brutally defeating his opponents.
Kilala and Tama stared at the Pidgey trainer with sadness and horror. Both didn't think that a gym leader would be so cruel to such a small Pokémon. Tama made a decision at that moment. Cora noticed Tama's expression: determination.
"I think it's past time someone took this Surge down a peg or two, don't you think, Tama?" Cora asked calmly as she watched the cot disappear around the corner.
"Pika-chu. (He's going down.)" Tama growled lowly in agreement, cheeks crackling with a bit of electricity.
"Espe espeon (His brutal ways end now)." Kilala declared.
Then Cora and her friends headed towards the Vermilion gym.
======================
The group stood outside the building that was the Vermilion City gym. It looked like a warehouse with yellow lightning bolts all over it.
"So, this is the Vermilion City gym." Cora muttered, tapping her lips in thought as she eyed the building.
"Kind of gaudy, isn't it?" Mairin commented, making Cora sweat-dropped as she thought of Misty's own gym.
Then the doors creaked open ominously to greet darkness and two adults dressed in punk rock and exercise clothes, male and female respectively.
"Yo, I'm here for a Pokémon battle," Cora greeted casually with a half-raised hand, "You know, to earn a Thunder Badge?"
The leather jacket wearing punk only smirked and looked behind him, arms crossed. "Hey, boss! Another victim for the emergency room," he announced in his nasally voice.
A shadowed figure walked up between the two in a deeper, more gravelly tone. "Which one?" He asked as his heavy footfalls thundered against the floor.
Cora thought that such an entrance would unnerve a lot of kids, especially when they got a good look at how large and muscled the man was. They were probably only used to dealing with kids their own age or a bit older and none as intimidating looking as this guy. Of course, Cora herself didn't react beyond simply blinking half in boredom and half in expectancy as she waited for the moment they could actually start to battle.
"Whoa! He's huge! Is he the gym leader you have to beat?" Mairin whispered.
Both Alain and Mairin leaned back when the man spread his arms out wide, towering over the three of them.
"Welcome to Vermilion gym!" He greeted them jovially.
Cora scoffed, "You're the gym leader, right?"
"That's right. Lt. Surge is who I am!" Lt. Surge announced.
Tama growled as sparks came off her cheeks as she and Kilala glared at St. Surge.
"Wait, are you the challenger?" He blinked at Cora's figure before giving another grin. "Oh! My next challenger is a cute one! Don't think I'll go easy on ya'! Okay, baby!" He chuckled in agreement.
Cora scoffed, "I'm no baby of yours," She retorted. "The name's Cora Joy, meathead."
"Ha! Relax, I call everyone who loses to me baby!" He announced with fists on hips as if it was something to be proud of.
Cora only sweat-dropped. What was he, five? Of course, that was when the man noticed Kilala and Tama standing protectively in front of her, glaring up at him and Tama's cheeks still sparking threateningly.
"Heh! A Pikachu! Hey, look at this! Baby brought along a baby Pokémon," Surge joked to his two stooges who began laughing with him. Both Tama and Cora growled at the blatant insults.
"There's nothing baby about my Pikachu!" Cora growled.
"Pika, pika!" Tama bit out in agreement.
"Well, I'll show you why," Surge said ominously as he took out a Pokéball and enlarged it. "Go, Pokéball!" He threw it so the Pokémon was released right in front of them, the fading light revealing an arrogant but tough looking Raichu.
"Rai!" The evolved mouse type called out, a dark smirk on his face.
"A Raichu, huh?" Cora muttered as she took out her phone:
[Raichu, a mouse Pokémon of the electric element. Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu. It can shock with more than one hundred thousand volts, enough to render a Dragonite unconscious.]
"I don't like going against baby Pokémon. Too weak to fight my Raichu here." Lt. Surge retorted.
"You do know that your Pikachu was a baby from the start, right?" Cora questioned.
"True, but I turned mine into a Raichu as soon as I caught him." Lt. Surge stated.
The gangs' eyes widened slightly at Lt. Surge's words.
"You're quite annoying, you know that? Just like a certain someone I really dislike." Cora smirked.
"Well then, let's just see which one is the strongest, my Raichu or your baby Pikachu." Lt. Surge taunted.
"You're on." Cora narrowed her eyes at him.
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The lights flickered on to illuminate the field, the referee's voice echoing in the metallic, high ceiling room.
"The Pokémon battle will now begin. Only one Pokémon may be used. The gym leader, Lt. Surge, has chosen Raichu. The challenger, Cora Joy, has chosen Pikachu. No time limit. Let the battle begin."
"Go Raichu!" Lt. Surge shouted.
"Quick Attack, Tama!" Cora called.
"Give it a Mega Punch, Raichu!" Surge smirked.
"Agility then Tackle!" Tama easily dodged the punch with a smirk, attacking at Raichu's now vulnerable back.
"What the-" Surge stammered in shock.
"The problem with evolving a Pokémon too early...is losing basic support moves that enhance things like speed." Cora informed, still smirking.
"Grr, it don't matter! Raichu, Body Slam!" Surge growled.
"Double Team around him, Tama." Cora said calmly.
Then Raichu hit the dirt, dispelling one illusion, only to get dizzy, whipping his head to see all the Tama's surrounding him.
"Argh, that's it! Raichu, give 'em a Thunderbolt! Shut it down!" Surge shouted.
Raichu angrily complied, frustrated at the moving target, going full power and breaking the glass windows and ground beneath him.
"The end of da' match!" He boasted.
Cora only raised a hand to shield her eyes, blinking once and grinning victoriously at seeing Tama who was perfectly fine with her tail glowing a metallic color with small sparks on electricity coming off it.
"Huh...what." Surge gawked.
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"Tama used her Iron Tail attack as a lightning rod and absorbed the electric attack." Alain helpfully informed.
"Great thinking, Tama!" Mairin cheered.
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"Raichu, give it another Thunderbolt!" Surge directed, now nervous. Raichu attempted to comply, once then again, only to come up with nothing but some weak static from his cheeks, confusing both Pokémon and trainer. "Do somethin'!" He urged in shock.
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"It's over," Alain smiled. "Raichu ran out of electricity."
"Alright! Go for it, Cora!" Mairin cheered.
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"Quick Attack, Tama!" Cora grinned.
"Raichu, Take Down, now!" Surge ordered hastily, still too slow as Tama landed a solid hit straight to Raichu's middle followed by an electric charged tail whip to the face that guaranteed a knockout.
Surge gripped his head, shocked. "Unbelievable!"
"You did it, Tama!" Cora enthused.
"Espeon! (Well done!)" Kilala cheered.
Alain nodded with proudness.
"Good job, Tama!" Mairin jumped up in joy.
"Pika-chu!" Tama smiled and held up a peace sign with one paw, the other on her waist: a victory pose.
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"Congratulations," Surge amiably shook Cora's hand. "Nice job Cora, Tama! As proof of your victory, a Thunder Badge!" He presented her a yellow and orange sunflower badge, placing it in her open palm.
"You should be proud! You and your Pikachu really fight good together." Surge complimented.
"Thank you very much!" Cora beamed, grinning widely at the glittering pin, "Awesome, Tama! We've got a Thunder Badge!" Cora pumped her fist in the air, Kilala jumping to her shoulder and joining her celebration. Tama held onto her other shoulder and gave another peace sign on her paw.
"Pika-pikachu!" She cheered, the gym members all clapping in congrats and smiling sincerely.
"Nice victory, Cora! You're no baby!" Surge declared.
"Congratulations, Cora." Alain clapped.
"Already three badges! Way to go, Cora!" Mairin enthused.
"Rai-rai-rai~!" Even Raichu clapped sincerely for his opponent, making Tama bashfully scratch the back of her head.
"Pika~!"
"It's all thanks to you, Tama!" Cora gushed, nuzzling her cheek with Tama's, cuddling her in her arms.
Kilala smiled, joining the nuzzling, "Espeon espe, espeon. (You're a very strong Pikachu, Tama.)"
"Pikachu~(Thanks you guys)!" Tama cooed approvingly, nuzzling between Cora and Kilala's cheeks happily.
"They're quite a team." Mairin smiled.
"Yes, indeed." Alain agreed easily, arms crossed and nodding.
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It was near evening time when the gang were sitting down to eat in the Pokémon center's cafeteria. Alain and Mairin were proud of Cora and Tama. They were having a small celebration for the obtaining the Thunder Badge.
"No offense Cora, but your aunt Deidra is quite scary." Mairin commented, slightly shivering.
"Yeah." Alain agreed with a blue forehead.
Earlier, they witnessed Deidra Joy's wraith against Lt. Surge. She was absolutely furious with Lt. Surge. Cora had always been told that Deidra had a temper which you don't want to be on the other end of. Cora could have sworn that Surge was shaking in his boots. After his Raichu was healed, he admitted to Deidra that Cora was a great opponent, and she should be proud of her. Deidra had said that she was already proud of her.
"Man am I starving!" A male voice shouted.
The gang turned to the voice and saw Ash and friends entering the cafeteria.
"Oh look, it's Ash, Brock and Misty." Mairin said.
Ash, Brock and Misty then catch sight of Cora, Alain, Mairin and their Pokémon.
"Hey Cora, Alain, Mairin!" Misty called out, waving at the three.
The three trainers waved back.
So Ash and his friends joined Cora and the others for dinner. As they talked, Ash was surprised that Cora had won against Lt. Surge.
"You beat Lt. Surge?!" Ash exclaimed.
Cora nodded, "Yup. I got the Thunder badge for beating him." She showed him her Thunder badge.
Ash quickly stood up from his seat and pumped his fist in the air, "Tomorrow, Pikachu and I will beat Lt. Surge!" He declared.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered.
"I wish you luck, Ash. He probably won't be easy to beat." Cora advised.
"Don't worry, I know we'll win for sure!" Ash assured her.
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Pokémon Obtained:
Cora: Shiny Espeon (Kilala)(F), Shiny Charizard (Nuri)(F), Altaria (Talia)(F), Shiny Lucario (Jackal)(M), Frogadier (Kenji)(M), Pidgeot (Gail)(F), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Cloyster (Matta)(M), Shiny Starmie (Pyxis)(Genderless), Butterfree (Papilio)(M), Beedrill (Stinger)(M), Nidoran (Juno)(F), Nidoran (Malik)(M), Pikachu (Tama)(F), Clefable (Shayla)(F), Sandslash (Digger)(M), Meloetta (Odele)(F), Chikorita (Kalmia)(F), Shiny Fennekin (Rogue)(F), Mienfoo (Mulan)(F), Glaceon (Nieva)(F), Leafeon (Panra)(F), Shiny Gengar (Sypro)(M), Shiny Chimchar (Pirro)(M), Galarian Ponyta (Althea)(F), Shiny Chespin (Cybele)(F), Alolan Raichu (Zuma)(M), Rockruff (Romulus)(M), Meowstic (Yuki)(F), Oshawott (Daisho)(M), Krabby (Kuka)(M), Shiny Umbreon (Zunair)(M) Sylveon (Stella)(F), Eevee (F), Eevee (F), Eevee (M)
Alain: Charizard (M), Metagross (Genderless), Tyranitar (M), Weavile (M), Bisharp (M), Unfezant (M), Leafeon (F), Umbreon (M), Chestnaught (M), Malamar (F), Steelix (M), Shiny Gyarados (F), Scyther (M), Zubat (M), Shiny Zorua (Unovan)(M), Frigibax (M), Piplup (M) Cufant (F), Lokix (M), Magby (M), Axew (M), Rockruff (M), Rhydon (F), Alakazam (M), Meowstic (M)
Mairin: Chespin (Chespie)(M), Flabébé (Bébé)(F), Gogoat (Grazer)(F), Butterfree (Bira)(F), Paras (Paxtin)(M), Clefairy (Pixie)(F), Petilil (Petunia)(F), Sewaddle (Evanthe)(F), Grookey (Biri)(F), Turtwig (Aspen)(M), Pansage (Sage)(F), Roserade (Rose)(F), Azumarill (Mary)(F), Skitty (Cathy)(F)
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