Pokémon Rewritten Memories: Kanto

'This is going nowhere.' Ash clicked his tongue, gauging the situation before him. 'We should've taken him by surprise.'

What made the matter worse was Raichu's undisturbed attitude, as if it wasn't threatened by its unevolved counterpart. Pikachu on the other hand was completly focused, attempting from time to time to shorten the distance between the two. However, everytime its plan of engangement with the foe was foiled by a sharp snap of Raichu's tail which left dents in the reinforced steel floor.

"Where's your moxie now, kid?" Lt. Surge jeered, visibly pleased with himself. "If ya don't think of something quick you'll win by boring us both to death, unless your Pikachu croaks first from exhaustion."

"Boss is in the zone."

"Kick that ignorant newbie to the curb, lieutenant!"

Surge's motley crew of punks and wanna be teenage gangsters broke out in laughter, sending nasty glares at the other side of the stadium.

"Ugh, I want to punch them so badly." Misty would have done just that if a hand placed on her shoulder had not stopped her.

"Easy now." Although Brock smiled, anyone could see how much it was forced. "As long as the last whistle hasn't blown Ash can still come on top."

"Hmph." Slightly abated by this she leaned back against the back of the chair, however worry was still firmly showing in her eyes as she looked at her friend standing alone at the battlefield and whispered. "You can do this, Ash."

While all of this was going on, Ash was frowning as he couldn't find a safe play.

"Okay Pikachu, its time to gamble. Are you with me?"

"Pika, pika!" It sent a cry of aknowledgement as it continued sprinting around its foe.

"Good, then approach the target now!"

Having faith in its trainer Pikachu shot towards the unexpecting Raichu from the side.

"Evasive maneuver and Body Slam!" Surge countered with an order of his own.

"Rai, Rai!" It jumped to the back, taking foothold on a nearby rod. After stabilizing its footing it quickly sprang into action, almost flying towards Pikachu.

"Slide now, Pikachu!"

"Pika pika pika!" It found itself almost weightless as it skided foward. The incoming Raichu was just a foot away from colliding with it head on. Pikachu lowered its head even further, trying to become as aerodynamic as possible. Its ears and limbs clung tightly to its body, tensing as it could feel the enemy's presence slowly gaining on it.

"Will Pikachu make it!?" Misty rocked Brock forcefully back and forth by his collar.

"You're choking me, Misty."

Ash clenched his fists. "Pull through, Pikachu! Just a little bit more!"

"Pika!" It could feel Raichu's fur, brushing against its back. The traction between both of their skins released small sparks of electricity. Startled by the static Pikachu lost its focus and unconsciously bit into the closest thing that was next to it, Raichu's left leg.

"Rai!" Raichu cried in pain as its body retracted a little, making its weight veer more to the side, allowing Pikachu to escape most of the attack.

"Chu!" It teared up as its tail was smashed underneath the bigger foe, making it dig deeper to the limb of Raichu with its teeth.

"That's foul play-!" The grunt stopped, because he felt something with murderous intentions locked on to him. He turned to the right and saw Misty clutching a Pokéball. "You have something to say, shorty!?"

"Only that you'll become bait if you don't stop yapping!" Misty grinned victoriously as the older teen backed down in sweat. 'I should take Fearow for safekeeping more often.'

'Women are scary.' Brock wrote down in his small notebook dutifully, occasionally patting his sore neck.

"Raichu stop whining, swat that rodent off of you, now!" Lt. Surge tsked as his pokémon struggled.

"Scratch its other ankle, Pikachu!" Ash shouted, trying to reach the confused pokémon.

"Pi!" Hearing Ash's shout it struck its claws at Raichu's other leg, before taking cover behind a rod, dodging Raichu's swipe of its tail.

The two electric pokémon stopped at their tracks, both feeling exhausted from the brief yet intense exchange of moves. Raichu's expression tensed, it's hind legs were hurting and it had difficultly standing up, forcing it to stand on its fours. Pikachu on the other hand had mostly gotten unscathed. However with its tail out of commission it's only effective way of attacking was cut short, leading to a conundrum as to how to approach hitting the larger formidable enemy.

"It seems I have the edge, kid." Lt. Surge crossed his arms. "Remember that as the challenger you must attack. Otherwise you forfeit the match."

"Yeah, yeah." Ash waved the man's sarcastic concern off. "At least my pokémon isn't a sitting Ducklett like yours."

"The clock is ticking." Lt. Surge wiggled his index finger, goading Ash to attack.

"Are you okay, Pikachu?"

"Pika." It replied.

"Great. Use Quick Attack from the left, it shouldn't be able to react in time as quickly as it did before."

Pikachu ran to it's right, avoiding the protuding rods on its way.

"Use Slam, Raichu!"

"Rai!" With a thud Raichu's tail hit against the floor, stopping Pikachu from engaging further.

"Why can't it miss for a change." Ash gritted his teeth. "Make it waste its energy, Pikachu. Quick Attack once more."

"Pi, Pi, Pi." The battlefield was filled with its cries as it continued its jab and duck strategy, avoiding the constant barrage of Slams from the opponent.

"Focus, Raichu! We've been through harder conditions." Surge urged from the side.

"Rai!" It's tail barely missed the target this time. A couple of hairs were cut from Pikachu's ear as the sharp tail whistled above its head.

"Phew, that was a close one. Pikachu to your right!"

"Pika!" A small cut was made on its left side.

"That's it, Raichu. Keep it dancing."

'Its getting too close for comfort.' Ash watched as Pikachu's timing was getting worse. "There has to be something I can do about that blasted tail... that's it! Pikachu hit it head on now!"

"Are ya stupid?" Surge scoffed. "That move will cost you dearly. Raichu finish it."

"Rai!" Raichu put all it had into the swing.

"Duck next to the rod now, Pikachu!"

Pikachu lowered its head to the ground, evading the horizontal swing. However what happened next shocked everyone. Raichu's tail hit against the rod, making it wind around it tightly.

"Oh no!" Surge shouted. "Move it, Raichu!"

"Here's your chance Pikachu. Pummel it without mercy!" Ash commanded.

"Pika!" Pikachu hit Raichu's chin with a Headbutt.

"Rai!" The attack made it flinch.

"Pii, Kaa, Chuu-!" It ruthlessly continued the onslaught of Headbutts until it plopped down from exhaustion right next to an unmoving Raichu.

An awkward silence filled the stadium. The referee used an emergency button to turn off the electricity before running up to check on the pokémon.

"Chuuu..." Pikachu's ears twitched hearing the approaching footsteps, making it look up at the pudgy teen.

"Unbelievable, since Pikachu is the only one not to faint we have a clear winner. The victory goes to the challenger!"

"Yes, they did it!" Misty brought out and waved a flag with Pikachu on it; it was proudly posing with an okay sign on it.

"They sure did." Brock clapped.

Ash rushed hurriedly and picked up his partner from the ground. "You're okay, Pikachu?"

"Kaa."

"Let's address your wounds before we renegotiate your monthly ketchup intake, you little misfit." Ash pulled out a small bottle of Potion, spraying its contents on the larger cuts.

"Chaa." It hissed.

"There, that should keep you good before we go to Nurse Joy. Have an Oran Berry."

While this was happening Lt. Surge came closer to his pokémon after he untangled its tail.

"How is it going old timer?" He flicked Raichu's ear.

"Rai..."

"Don't give me that attitude. You've been had as well."

Raichu let out a scoff, turning its back to its trainer.

"Get up, I know you better then you yourself."

"Rai." It sighed and stood up, scratching behind its ear with its left hind leg.

Seeing this Ash and Pikachu both had mirroring shocked faces.

"That's one sturdy mon, right Pikachu?"

"Pika Pi." It nodded.

Ash's friends approached them with gobsmacked expressions of their own. While Misty was trying to understand the situation a flash of understanding suddenly showed on Brock's face.

"You are... a good Gym Leader."

"Hmph, what makes you say that, private?" Surge ignored the cheeky look on Raichu's face.

"Yes, why did you say that, Brock?" Misty asked. "You've seen how he treated those pokémon from before."

"He matched his strength and strategy to me and Pikachu. Isn't that right, Sarge?" Ash fished for an answer.

"It is my job to evaluate future prospects." Lt. Surge gave Raichu some small pellets, probably food mixed with medicine. At least that's what Brock could tell from the smell.

"That I can understand, but you've gone overboard with the drilling." Misty wouldn't back out of this. "They're kids."

"And I should treat them differently, because they're young, full of hope and the future? I don't have time to parent them. I already have enough challengers badgering me on a regular basis." Surge replied. "This isn't a small backwater town, missy."

"That's...still not okay." She wished she could just smack the snarky attitude.

"I'm not going to continue this pointless discussion. Jimmy, get the crew together and spruce the stadium back to shape."

"Yes, sir!"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Ash blinked, seeing a couple of Machops and Machoke casually released by Surge's crew, ripping out the steel platings and taking them out of the main hall.

"Ah yes. It's been so long since I've given out a badge I just stopped taking them with me. Follow me to my office."

Not taking no for an answer the Gym leader, closely followed by his Raichu, headed towards the backdoor.

"Let's go, guys." Ash hurried his stumped friends.

------

Lt. Surge's office felt barren with the basic aluminum desk and a couple of folding chairs. The walls were light yellow, giving the room a warm feeling in spite of the minimalistic approach of decor. The western more industrial part of the city, with its docks and cranes, could be seen from the big window behind the table.

Next to the window a rather large safe caught Ash's eye when the trio entered the room.

"Quite a bold move, leaving the valuables out in the open." Ash made himself comfortable in the squeaky chair.

"If there is anyone stupid enough to steal from a former soldier," Lt. Surge opened the safe after disabling the lock, "then they deserve the hurt that comes their way."

The trio could see a Voltorb chilling with an Electrode within the confines of the metal slab, staring back at them menacingly.

"I hope the badge isn't laced with explosives."

"The league didn't allow me." The man smirked. "Here's the Thunder Badge. Don't make me regret giving it, kid."

"Kid?" Ash placed the badge under the sunlight, enjoying the various shades of yellow and orange it gave off. "Don't I deserve some respect out here?"

"Hmph, maybe if you had defeated me as the eight Gym Leader. For now you should be happy with that trinket."

"Right..." Ash pinned the badge on the inside of his vest. "You said earlier that you haven't given a badge in a long time."

"What of it?"

"Have you perhaps had a Gary Oak visit you?"

"Any other distinctive features? I don't have the time to remember every one that came through these halls."

"Spiky hair with a shitty attitude... and probably an entourage of yelling fangirls."

"I have at least one bumbling idiot like that every month. Kiddies with their family's fortunes making a mess every time they visit. The mayor has to intervene when I discipline them." Surge cracked a smile. "Anyway, if you're done with the chit chat I have places to be. Cargo won't inspect itself."

"You also manage the freight ships?" Brock asked.

"You'll have to keep up to get answered, soldier." Surge slammed the safe's door before heading out of the office.

The trio trekked down the stairs, trying to keep up with the busy man.

"Listen up, cadets." Surge shouted as they exited the Gym. "I've spent many sleepless nights and stepped on many toes to make this city run as it should."

"Is this going to be a story about a local gang fighting for its people?" Ash said with stars in his eyes.

"Only those that lived through it can understand how truly bad it was." Surge continued. "Racketeering was just one mess to sweep up. But nothing can stand in the way of a healthy dose of explosions."

"You sound more like a gangster yourself." Misty cut in.

"Thank you for the compliment, girlie. Now where was I? Ah yes, after dealing with the meaningless drivel and street punks I've taken upon myself to keep it clean."

"And what about the police?"

"What about those jokers?" Surge scoffed at Brock. "Can't keep a criminal behind bars even if they tried. If it was left up to me I'd just sink them under the sea with the fishes."

Meanwhile somewhere within Vermillion City at one of its many construction sites.

"Achoo!"

"Look where you sneeze, ya bum."

"Shut it, both of you. We have ten more hours before our shift ends."

"Sorry Jessie." James blew his nose into a handkerchief. "Someone must've thought about me."

"Keep dreaming." Meowth wiped the sweat from its whiskers. "And take that wheelbarrow or we'll get chewed out again."

"Don't blame me, you furball. It was because of you we now have to do double shifts."

"And you'll get cut if ya keep on yapping." It showed its claws.

"If you have energy to spare then move those bricks." The supervisor yelled from the roofless car.

"Chop." A Machop flexed its muscles from the back seat.

"Of course, Mr. Hill!" Time Rocket saluted.

Returning back to Ash and friends, who were currently standing next to one of two freight ships which were going to be checked today.

"You're here, Surge. These are the folders." An middle-aged man, slighty on the more muscular side gave some files.

"Anything I should know, Mitch?" The gym leader shuffled through the list.

"Some unsightly fellows were seen at night. But we couldn't find anything out of place with the cargo itself. The boy's are still checking the ship."

"I'll get the squad to patrol more frequently. Tell Blake to contact me before sundown."

"Of course." The man looked at the unfamiliar faces that came with Surge. "And these children are?"

"Civilians, don't bother yourself with them." He gave back the folder. "Have the Magnemites finished searching?"

"They're finalizing the last freeze containers from Whiteplains."

"Good. I'll go check myself later."

"That's it for now. I'll be at the back, Surge." Mitch left.

"Any questions?" The gym leader turned around and asked the group.

"We're not getting a full recap of your adventures, are we?" Ash blinked.

"Well look at you kid, there's some smarts in you yet." The boy promised a rain of hurt upon his two chuckling friends behind him. "And you'll do better to not forget about your partner."

"Pika." It tried to disagree, however that's hard with all the bumps and lifeless tail.

"Sorry, Pikachu. I've got carried away." Ash wanted to slap himself for the obvious mistake. "But I'll come back to hear some more of your tales, Lt. Surge."

"Maybe if you defeat us at our best." Surge slapped Ash's shoulder, almost making him land on the floor. "I'm leaving, you know the way out."

Lt. Surge released two Magnetons from their pokéballs. "Take me up." The man left in style, riding the pokémon up towards the ship.

"We should check in with the PokéCenter." Brock coughed, dodging the stink eye Ash was sending him.

"Yeah, we have to prepare for tomorrow morning." Misty playfully slapped Ash's other shoulder. "And we have a victory to celebrate."

"Don't think you two are out of the waters. I'll get my revenge one way or another. Muahaha."

"We should get a phone, Brock."

"Great point. Let's see him jump around when his mother is on speed dial." Brock nodded.

"It's cute if you think she'll be on your side." Ash snickered. "Let's go, I'm feeling tired."

"Pikachu."

"Yeah, tomorrow we're cruising."