*Shadow enters and waves*

Disclaimer: Once upon a time, I owned pokemon. Then, Nintendo stole it and copyrighted it. They chained me to a computer and forced me to write fanfic, denying me my ownership.

*Ahem*

Oh fine. I don’t own pokemon. It belongs to Nintendo, Game FREAK, 4Kids, etcetera! Destiny, Charlotte, etc. belong to me.

Notes: In case you have been lazy and don’t read my authoress’s notes, thereby becoming very confused, I will now include the key. <>Indicates telepathy, **indicates thoughts, and italics indicates translated pokemon speech!

Lance is a girl. And Crystal is the alias she is using.

Episode 88: A shocking escapade

The next morning, a well-rested Ash, Lance, and Pika-chan headed down the river to the abandoned power plant.

They were surfing on Storm’s back. She didn’t mind. As they went along, they encountered numerous Goldeen and Slowpoke.

“Want to catch one?” Ash asked.

“I have a Charmander. And if you catch it for me, that would be cheating.” Lance said.

“I know. But with only one pokemon, it’s dangerous!” Ash said. * You could get hurt! Wait. She has Articuno. Oh yeah. *

“Look! There’s the power plant ahead!” Pika-chan said, and any other conversation was interrupted.

As they dismounted, they noticed that there was already someone there.

“I am Super nerd!” Said the man in the tattered purple cloak. “I go everywhere in search of rare pokemon. I heard there was a Zapdos here, so I came to look!”

Ash blinked. O_O

Pika-chan zapped him.

“Oh! It’s a rare pikachu!”

The Super Nerd ran after Pika-chan, who dashed off.

< I’ll provide a distraction! Go find Zapdos! >

< Yes ma’am! > Ash replied. “Come on, Crystal, let’s go!”
Lance nodded and followed.

They snuck into the power plant, expecting danger. The area was dark and foggy, and they could hear the hum of generators all around.

Just then, a Magnemite shocked Ash.

Ash freaked out and activated his key. When he realized that it was just a Magnemite, he blushed.

“A little jumpy, Ash?”

“I’m a bit scared.”
“I’m scared too. But we have to find Zapdos.”

Ash nodded and they continued in.

Soon, they were attacked by a swarm of voltorbs, pikachus, magnemites, and electabuzzes.

“Do you think that Zapdos is nearby?”

“I know he is.” Ash said, concentrating as he reached out with his chi. “But all these pokémon are in the way.

“It’s like they are protecting him, like the way Articuno was protected.” Lance said.

“Don’t use Articuno.” Ash said. “It’s a flying type. A couple of thundershocks would take it out.

“Okay.” Lance said.

“I can handle it.” Ash said, as he readied his staff. “Card created by Clow, please accept this new star power and take your new form! Your new master Ashura commands you, Release!”

He threw two cards into the air. “Dugtrio! Machamp!” The fighting and ground pokemon took their places and began using Earthquake and Seismic toss to try and dispel the waves of electric pokemon.

After twenty-four minutes, they were still fighting.

Ash felt himself getting a headache. * I can’t keep this up! I need something that can take them all out, at least for a while… *

“Articuno, go! Blizzard!” Lance said.

Ash groaned. * She’s not listening to me. But it might work… * Most of the pokemon were frozen. Ash and Lance quickly dashed into the room they had been protecting.

There, on a perch, sat Zapdos.

“Wow…” Ash and Lance breathed.

Zapdos yawned. Then, it saw them and prepared to attack.

“Oh no you don’t!” Ash said, as he threw a net of electric energy around it. Zapdos cawed angrily, but it was trapped.

Ash enlarged an Ultra Ball and threw it at Zapdos. The bird struggled, but was soon sucked in.

< Don’t worry. I will not hurt you. > Ash said in telepathy.

The Zapdos blinked, but then nodded.

< You are one of the main legendaries. >

< Yes. >
< You can take human form? >

< Yes. I am Destiny. >

< Oh. Very well then! I accept my position as one of your pokemon. > Zapdos said solemnly.

Ash nodded his thanks. “Come on Crystal, let’s go.”

Lance followed him out of a side entrance that Zapdos had kindly pointed out.

Meanwhile…

Pika-chan finally hid in a tree. Super Nerd scowled, but returned to the power plant and took up his guard position again.

Ash and Lance walked out.

“Did you get Zapdos?” Super Nerd asked.

Ash nodded. Super Nerd instantly became incensed.

“I WANTED IT!”

Ash jumped out of the way as Super Nerd aimed a punch at his jaw. “Hey, watch it! You could hurt someone!”

“HOW DARE YOU CATCH ZAPDOS?!”

“I didn’t see your name on it.” Ash shot back.

“IT TOOK ME THREE WEEKS TO GET HERE! YOU WILL PAY!” Super nerd yelled as he released his Lickitung and Rhydon.

“Charmander, go!” Lance said, sensing Ash’s exhaustion. The fire lizard popped out and chirped.

Lickitung and Rhydon charged.

Charmander jumped on Rhydon’s back and hit it with Fire Blast, while trapping Lickitung inside a fire spin. Slowly, the rings started to close in on the normal-type pokemon.

Super Nerd’s jaw dropped.

Ash sighed in relief. * That was close. I was afraid I’d have to battle again. *

Lance hugged Ash. “Don’t you dare hurt him!”
Super Nerd growled and threw out another pokemon. This one was a Golem. Ash released Oddish, who released a flurry of leaves, which cut it up nicely.

Pika-chan decided that it was time to interfere. She dived down from the tree and hit Super Nerd in the kneecaps. He went down in a hurry. Then, she paralyzed him and hopped over to Ash.

“Let’s go.”

Ash nodded. “Storm, I choose you!” They climbed on Storm’s back and flew to Lavender Town.

Super Nerd growled. * Just you wait! I will have my revenge! *

They healed their pokemon at the center there.

“Should we visit the tower?” Lance asked innocently.

Ash turned to Pika-chan.

“Well, we haven’t solved the mystery yet.” Pika-chan supplied.

“Sure. Let’s go tomorrow. It’s getting dark.” Ash said. * How much time did we spend in the power plant? *

They headed off to their beds, after collecting their pokemon from Nurse Joy.

“Have a good night’s sleep!” She called after them.

“Thanks, Nurse Joy.” Ash said.

< He still doesn’t know, Dragonair. >
< Not even after you captured Articuno? >

< Well… maybe he is kind of dense. >

< I’d think so. >

< Who knows? But we’re going to the tower tomorrow. >

< Make sure he doesn’t accidentally transport himself again. >

< I know. >
< And check out the master’s grave. >

< Okay. >

End Episode 88! Well, how was it? Reviews make shadow very, very happy! Even one-liners! Oh, hmm… flames will be used to call a Ninetails, who will then finish off all the flamers!

Pointless fact: Diego Rivera was a cannibal.