Pokémon Rewritten Memories: Kanto

"That's a building...isn't it?"

Ash and his friends were standing beneath what was supposed to be Vermillion City's Gym.

"So many lightning bolts." Misty pinched her nose. Not all dreams should be fulfilled, especially hideous ones like the one standing before them.

"It's got an electric personality...that's for sure." Sweat dropped from Brock's face.

Having made it this far, Ash decisively pushed the door open, revealing a rather dim corridor inside.

"Is he saving on electricity or something." Misty giggled.

"We'll charge up the batteries with our fight. You ready Pikachu?"

"Pika!" It responded with a firm gaze, currents brewing in its cheeks.

Following along the straight corridor the group eventually reached the battlefield. They could see a couple of people sitting at the other end of the stadium. Most of them looked like late teenagers, wearing clothes giving off street gang vibes. In the center of them all Ash could make out the silhouette of his next opponent, Lt. Surge. He was sporting military pants, a khaki tanktop and a rather unwelcoming smile on his face. The man noticed them.

"Look what the tide has washed up. A wanna Gym Leader and two kiddies...make that three." He scoffed as he saw Pikachu. "Did you lose your way to the Daycare?"

"Good one, boss." The lankiest of the teens sneered.

"Fresh meet to pound just got served." A rather small rotund young man snickered from behind his sunglasses.

"I'd be careful if I were you." Ash walked closer. "Otherwise you'll crash and burn."

"Oho, a feisty one." Lt. Surge stood up. "You seem to have a problem with me, brat."

"Can't say that I don't with how you've been treating trainers. Are you so scared of future competition that you need to nip them at the bud?"

"Trainers?" The man scoffed. "Bunch of kids, coming here with weak and unevolved pokémon."

"Is that how you justify your actions?" Brock's eyes narrowed. "Beating down on the weak?"

"Hmph. I don't need to explain my reasonings to you." Lt. Surge crossed his arms. "I'm doing them a favor by stomping out their misconceptions about this world. A battlefield has no place for weaklings."

"Is that so?" Ash pointed at the man. "Then let me see this so called strength of yours. I Ash Ketchum challenge you to a pokémon battle."

"Just don't go crying back to your mama, boy. Jack!" Surge snapped his fingers.

"I'm on it, sir!" The third teen of the bunch ran towards a control panel.

After pressing a few buttons rumbling filled out the enclosed space. The battlefield was slowly dividing to its sides, revealing a metallic stage. As the new field snapped into place with a sharp hiss Ash could see a couple of protruding rods rising out from the floor.

"Electric batons." Lt. Surge watched the shocked faces of Brock and Misty in indifference. "Judging by your snappy attitude you must have some badges under your wing."

"Two to be exact." Ash replied back.

"Two, eh?" The Gym Leader reached towards the belt with pokéballs on his chest. "Then we'll each use two pokémon; standard league rules."

"I Bartholomew will be the judge." The chubby teen with glasses took out two baton looking flags from his back pocket.

"That's... surprising." Misty's shoulder dropped in shock. "Is this going to be fair?"

"They wouldn't do anything underhanded with me here." Brock sat down at the nearby bench for visiting parties of the challenger. "He's quite shrewd."

"How come?"

"Surge got rid of his biggest weakness with a touch of a button. No ground moves or places to dodge incoming electric attacks." Brock nodded approvingly. "This should be fun."

"Yeah, he needed a challenge." Misty smiled, feeling a little better that someone else is going to have to deal with Ash for a change.

Ash Ketchum was caught in thought, analyzing the disadvantages and what to expect.

"I suppose not everything can stay the same. I choose you." Charmander appeared from the thrown pokéball.

"Char?" It looked confused at the unfamiliar surroundings.

"This will be our first gym battle together, Charmander. Let's give it our all."

The fire pokémon nodded, strengthening the flames on its tail.

"Another baby, eh." Lt. Surge smirked. "Let me show you how a true pokémon looks like. Go Magneton!"

"Bzzyt!" Magneton had three heads. They looked like iron bearings placed in a triangle formation, each with one eye. Pairs of magnets seemed to be coming out from the sides.

"You didn't just make the whole Charicific Valley your enemy?" Ash blinked.

"Oh please. As if I'd be scared of Flying pokémon."

"Then maybe I should help you remember that Magneton isn't just pure electric. Charmander use Fire Spin!"

A whirlpool of flames blasted out from Charmander's mouth, flying on a crash course with the opposing pokémon.

"Gyro Ball yourself out of it, Magneton." Surge ordered.

"Zzzz!" It started spinning along its axis, defending itself from the flames and ripping out of the fiery tornado completely unbothered by the heat.

"Flamethrower, now!"

A jet of flames struck against the spinning ball of steel, almost throwing Magneton out of bounds.

"Use Discharge on the batons." The Gym Leader clenched his raised fist.

A shock wave hit the rods, lines of currents flashed between them, encasing the whole field in a grid of electricity.

"Let's see how you'll deal with this, boy."

"Super easy." Ash grinned. "Charmander destroy the closest baton with your Flame Burst."

A ball of concentrated flames spiraled into existence in front of the fire pokémon. With a small cry the attack launched and exploded as it hit its target. As the dust of the explosion settled down a burnt stump was all what remained of the contraption.

"He can destroy the Gym property!?" The lanky teen cried foul.

"No infractions had been made, please continue the match." Bartholomew whistled back.

On the bench Brock and Misty were cheering on.

"You go, Ash. You too Charmander, you're doing great." The fire pokemon blushed and scratched its cheek, hearing Misty.

"Just don't overdo it." Brock was impressed by Ash's judgement so far.

Back at the battlefield Ash was carefully watching the opposite side. Although he circumvented the immediate threat of being trapped he couldn't deny it wouldn't become easier anytime soon.

"Gather your energy, Charmander. We have to decide this match in as few moves as possible."

"Char!" Roused by its trainer's confidence its eyes mirrored the raging flames on its tail.

"We have to destabilize the enemy, Magneton use Tri Attack."

"Magneton!" Three balls of light started charging before it.

"Quick before it finishes, Flamethrower!"

"Char!" Streaks of fire were racing towards the target.

"You're quick on your feet, kid. But your Charmander isn't strong enough. Now, release it!"

"Ton!" A beam of concentrated light clashed against the flames, ripping them straight through; the attack reached the small lizard pokémon.

"Char ar ar!" It grimaced in pain as the Tri Attack flung it against a nearby sparkling baton.

"Don't give up Charmander. Remember the training with Pikachu." Ash shouted.

Charmander opened its closed eyes and growled, its fangs showing.

"The pipsqueak got spunk, I'll give it that." Lt. Surge clapped. "But that's it. Take it out Magneton, Thunderbolt."

"Ton!" Flashing filled the room as a bolt of electric energy rushed through the field, hitting Charmander squarely on its head.

"Char, char, char." It fell on its fours under the constant barrage of electrical currents.

"Ash! You need to get Charmander out of there." Brock voiced his concern, remembering the poor pokémon at the PokéCenter.

"He's right, Ash. Look how it's in pain." Misty added.

"Is this what you want, Charmander?" Ash asked calmly. "Will you allow this man stop you?"

Charmander's small claws screeched sharply against the hard steel surface, indignation showing in its eyes as it tried to stand up.

"You should know when to lay down, soldier. Maximize the output." Magneton followed its trainer's orders, doubling the power.

Anger flashed on Charmander's face. It wouldn't be outdone. Not here, not before it could show the world its worth.

"Char!" It cried as it suddenly got enveloped in light.

"Unbelievable. It's evolving." The faces of Surge's squad gapped in disbelief.

The figure of Charmander started to grow. It's front claws elongated, cutting through the steel like butter. The tail twisted and turned like a serpent, branding a bigger flame then before. A small horn grew from its head. As the light died out the new pokémon roared, announcing its existence.

"Char!" A blast of heated flames broke out of its maw.

"It's Charmeleon." Misty exclaimed.

"Pika pika." Pikachu cheered, standing next to Ash.

"I think that's enough posturing, Charmeleon." Ash raised his voice. "We'll celebrate after the battle. That okay with you?"

The fire pokémon looked back defiantly at its trainer.

"I can make you obey, believe it." Ash narrowed his eyes, promising a world of hurt if it made a scene right now. "I have a Fearrow and I'm not afraid to use it."

Scoffing, Charmeleon turned its head towards its new chew toy, Magneton.

"So you've just evolved and think you're worth something, maggot?" Lt. Surge smirked, tickled by the rebellious attitude. "Magneton, use Lock On."

"Zzz!" Its eyes flashed menacingly.

"Look out, Ash! That can't mean anything good." Brock warned.

"Zap Cannon? I don't think so. Charmeleon use Flame Burst."

After it evolved the energy needed to perform the attack gathered much quicker, hitting the opponent before it could completely charge its attack.

"Ton, zzz." It painfully buzzed, scorch marks riddling its exterior.

"Retreat to the back and prepare Thunder." Surge said calmly. "Don't hold back on this one."

Magneton encased itself in a ball of electricity, making the lights flicker within the stadium.

"Chu." Pikachu's cheeks were lit with sparks.

"Charmeleon, end this with Fire Blast."

The flames on Charmeleon's tail burst out, a grimace of pain surging on its face as it was gathering energy for the assault.

"This is going to be the last strike, kid. You better make it worth it." The Gym Leader remarked.

"I believe in my pokémon." Ash replied.

After a couple of seconds it seemed that both of the pokémon were going head to head with charging their respective attacks.

"Finish this, Magneton."

"Let the world feel your heat, Charmeleon."

With the final call both of the pokemon released their final attacks. As they connected an explosion rocked the entire stadium. Even the people outside could hear the rumbling within the Gym, almost mistaking it for an incoming storm.

Ash tried to open his eyes, still tearing up from the bright light and harsh heat. He could make out two silhouettes laying on the ground.

"Both of the pokémon are unable to battle." The referee shouted.

"Well, well. Color me surprised." Surge recalled his pokemon into its pokéball.

Seeing the fainted expression on Charmeleon's face, Ash chuckled. "You've done well. A healthy plate of salsa is waiting for you after we get back."

With the first round out of the way it was time for the final showdown.

"Pika." Pikachu jumped into the battlefield, brimming with readiness.

"I applaud you for your tenacity, kid." Lt. Surge took off his vest. "I choose you old friend."

The Gym Leader tossed his pokéball, revealing the pokémon kept inside.

"Rai, Raichu!" The dark orange pokémon swayed his tail menacingly. The tip of its tail looked like a small lightning bolt accosted on a long brown wire.

"Its a Raichu!" Isn't that bad for Ash? That's the evolved form of Pikachu." said Misty.

Brock nodded. "It's not going to be a pushover that's for sure. Ash should brace himself for what's coming next."

Said friend was currently looking at the Gym leader with some surprise.

'That doesn't look like a quickly evolved Raichu at all...' The boy thought to himself.

"With both trainers' pokémon on the field... let the second round begin!" The referee exclaimed, waving the flags.

"Agility, now."

"Pika, pika, pika!" Pikachu maxed out its speed, running around its target.

"Don't let this greenhorn fool ya, Raichu. Hit the ground with Mega Punch."

"Rai... Chu!" As it hit the metal surface, shocks revebrated along the field, impeding Pikachu's speed.

"Send some tremors its way with an Iron Tail of your own,Pikachu."

Using the leftover acceleration from before, Pikachu launched a spinning attack, hitting the ground with its shining tail.

"Jump over the wave and hit it with your tail."

Without a skip in its beat Raichu sprang into action. First, it dodged Pikachu's attack and next it tried to swat the ememy with a mighty swing of its tail.

"Use your tail as a shield, Pikachu." Ash ordered.

"Pi!" It skidded to the side as it got hit. Fortunately the attack didn't do much damage.

"This is why you evolve your pokémon." Surge jeered. "Even you must admit that after what you've pulled off not too long ago."

"Ha, even a Magicarp can crush rocks if trained." Ash replied. "Let's see if your Raichu can handle this. Pikachu, it's time for Plan B."

"Pikachu!" It once again ran around Raichu, this time much closer to it.

"Hmph, stay your ground, let the prey come to you!"

"Rai, rai." The orange pokémon stopped fidgeting, its ears standing in alert and waiting for the enemy's next move.

"If this continues, it'll become a battle of attrition for Ash." remarked Brock.

"Now we know why he's the Gym leader." Worry was spreading on Misty's face.