“Sheesh, Theo, I know it’s important and all but shouldn't you consider, y’know, taking a break?” Alvin asked as he trudged through the tall grass, pushing it aside before it could thwack him on the nose again. “Tortle, Waaar…” Splash added on, his arms crossed over his chest.
Ahead of them, Theodore continued on undeterred. “Alvin, I thought you of all people would be excited about this! That’s why I asked you to come. Mr. Fuji said our partners could evolve even further than what we thought, so I want Matchstick to be more than ready for that.” He said, looking down at the pokeball in his paw.
The two chipmunks were on their way to the old power plant on Route 10 for some extra training. Earlier that morning, Theodore practically dragged Alvin from their room, as he couldn't pry Simon from whatever his research was. “I completely passed it up on my way to Lavender! I wanna see it!” He had said.
Alvin rolled his eyes. “It’s not that I’m not excited. I mean, I cooould have been busy in bed with my whole team. But, more importantly… it’s just you’ve been hogging all the battles. Match has to be close to evolving by now, doesn't he?”
“Well, I don't know. He’ll just… evolve when it’s time.” Theodore said, coming to a stop as he heard the grass begin to rustle. “Hold on… something’s coming.”
“Yeah, I noticed.” Alvin said with a scoff. Regardless, Splash stood at the ready, crouched down on all fours as water started to leak from his shell.
Hopping out the grass was a little Spearow, pecking idly at the ground. Both Theodore and Alvin groaned at the sight. “First one we see in ten minutes… you know what? How about we actually go in the plant, huh? Then we’ll definitely be able to find something stronger!”
Theodore tilted his head. “But Alvin… isn't it mostly Electric types in there?” He asked. “Splash wouldn't like it.”
“Well Splash isn't my only pokemon, Theo.” Alvin replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. “And even if he was, Splash isn't afraid of any type match up! We’ll just hit em as hard as we can and not get hit!”
“Well… I do want Match to evolve…” Theodore said. He nodded his head, tucking his free paw away in his sweater’s pocket. “Okay Alvin. Into the power plant!”
“Great! Oh, and don't forget. Abandoned places are perfect for Ghost types to show up~” Alvin teased, laughing to himself as he broke out into a run, Splash running close after him as they bolted down the grassy path.
“Hmph! N-Nice try, Alvin! But my Jack’s a Ghost type when he’s out the fridge! They don’t scare me!” Theodore called after his brother. With that, he tossed the pokeball up into the air. The bursting light quickly took the shape of his Charmeleon; the Fire type landing down at his side with a grunt as the light faded. “C’mon Match! Let's show him we aren't scared!”
“Meleon!” Match grinned, his flame blazing bright and crackling. The two of them took off after Alvin and Splash, embers flinging off of Match’s tail the whole time.
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“Whoa… so this is what it looks like…” Theodore said in awe, eyes wide as he looked around the power plant. The interior of the building was completely run down. The metallic gray walls were rusted slightly, the lights flickered between bright and dim almost constantly, emitting a steady electrical buzz that sounded through the whole place.
Alvin was behind him, still lingering around the entrance with Splash. The Water type, of course, was hesitant to move around somewhere with so many Electric types, and Alvin had to comfort him.
“Meh. I expected something a bit more, ya know, haunted looking.” Alvin scoffed as he shrugged his shoulders. “If I knew this was all it’d be, I woulda stayed and- WHOA!” Alvin suddenly let out a scream as he dodged a bolt of lightning that was aimed at his feet. “Hey! Who’s got the balls?!” Alvin growled, looking up to where the attack had come from.
Three Magnemite were floating midair, circling one another and glaring at the two chipmunks. Theodore acted first, looking back at Match. “We’ve got this! Use Overhe-”
“Theo wait!” Alvin interrupted, dusting his large sweater off. “Using that cuts his power a lot, remember? We might have to save it. Just in case.” He pushed Theodore aside right as another blast of electricity nearly hit the both of them. “Now let’s get rid of em the right way. The cool way! Splash, let’s go! Water Pulse!”
The Wartortle came from his spot at the door, glaring at the Magnemite as he dropped to all fours, firing several rings of water out of his mouth. Each one crashed into a Magnemite, sending them sprawling backwards. Match jumped in right after, blasting off a Dragon Rage straight for the middlemost Magnemite, catching it off guard. The pokemon fell to the ground, already knocked out.
“I’ll have the one on the right.” Alvin said with a smile, looking over at his target. Theodore nodded, turning his attention to the Magnemite at the left.
The two magnet pokemon emitted a loud sound as they floated higher, glaring at the other two pokemon. The sound was like a mix between a constant ringing and metal grinding. Whatever it was, both Splash and Match had to cover their heads, reeling backwards.
Doing the same, Theodore took a step back to try and get away from it. “Match! Fire Fang, quick!” He ordered.
“We aren't scared of some noise! You use Brick Break, Splash!”
Splash was the first to recover, shaking his head as his right arm took on a solid white glow. With a grunt of effort, the Wartortle launched himself off of the ground, hurtling straight at the Magnemite. Before it could get away, Splash swung his arm down, striking it right on the top and sending it straight to the ground with the other.
After, Match ran up to the last remaining Magnemite, chomping down on it with burning fangs, the flames pouring out nonstop as he shook his head about, flinging the magnet pokemon off to the side.
“Huh… That was easy.” Alvin pointed out. “Kinda expected to be dodging more lightning…” he shrugged his shoulders, giving Splash a few pats on the head. “Guess that means we’re just too strong for em, huh~?”
Theodore, however, stared down the hallway. “I know wild pokemon attack randomly… but we barely stepped foot in here and they were after us! What’s up with that?” He asked. Not getting an answer from his brother, Theodore started walking to the end of the hall. Match huffed through his nose, his tail flame burning bright as it swished side to side, staying close to Theodore’s side.
“Hey, what’s the rush?” Alvin asked as he hurried after Theodore, with Splash following close behind.
“I just wanna see the whole place, is all…” Theodore replied. “If Match is gonna evolve soon, then I-”
“Yeah yeah, I know.” Alvin interrupted. “If it really, reeeeally means that much to you, then let's go in real deep, okay?”
Smiling, Theodore nodded his head, continuing to lead the way further in the power plant’s hall.
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As they traveled deeper into the power plant, more and more pokemon made their attack. Theodore and matched covered them for the most part, taking out more Magnemite and even a Magneton. Splash was the one attacking when the ambushing pokemon was a Grimer or Voltorb.
The end of the place was in sight, and Alvin took the lead instead, running ahead into the last room. He looked around, pouting. “What? No big prize or anything? I know it’s abandoned, but they coulda left behind some cool stuff!”
“Well… we did find those TMs back in those detour rooms…” Theodore pointed out as he caught up to his brother.
“Yeah, and they BOTH were for a move I already have. Dunno why you’d want two.” Alvin huffed, turning around to look at Splash. “Would be cool if you could learn it, though.” He said, patting the Wartortle right between the ears.
Theodore rolled his eyes. “Well… if we’re done here, I suppose we can head back now.” As he said it, though, there was a loud growl from behind that made him tense up. Soon after, the sound of building electricity got Theodore to turn around, just in time to see an Electabuzz spinning its arms around. There was whitish blue electricity leaping off of its horns, and it was staring down Theodore.
“Buuuuuzzz!!” It growled out, thrusting both arms forward, the electricity launching from its body and spreading out fast.
“What the- Theo get out the way!” Alvin shouted, making a dive for his little brother. Before he could get there, though, Match jumped in front of his trainer, standing with his arms crossed as the attack landed. The Charmeleon roared out in pain, his whole body stiffening up for a split second, jerking around for a few seconds.
“W-Wha… what the heck? What is that?” Theodore quickly fished out his dex, holding it up to scan the electric type.
“Theo, I dunno if we can take it out at this rate. Match took a big hit, and I only have Splash with me.” Alvin said as he got back to his feet, staring down the Electabuzz as it started to swing its arms again.
Matchstick, however, just growled in defiance, fighting through the spasms to glare down the Electabuzz. His tail flame burned brightly, crackling loud enough to get an echo from the room. “Leon!” He roared, rushing forward without command, Fire Fang already built up in his maw. He latched onto the Electabuzz’s right arm, flames spreading along it before forcefully flinging it back into the hall.
Seeing that snapped Theodore out of the shock. He turned to Alvin, giving him a determined stare. “If we don’t take it out… we won’t make it back home. The dex didn’t say anything about them being violent, but this one’s clearly got a problem with us being here.”
“Well… I guess we just have to do what we can.” Alvin then looked to Splash again. “And we don’t care about a type advantage, right? All we gotta do is make sure we don’t get hit. Let’s go Splash!”
“War!” The water type nodded, rushing to Match’s side and getting down on all fours. He and Match traded glances, then turned their attention to the Electabuzz.
“Smokescreen!”
“Water Pulse!”
As the dark smoke filled the corridor from Match’s mouth, Splash jumped above it all, taking careful aim before launching the attack into it. The first ring missed, but the other two made a big enough impact to part the smoke enough to see Electabuzz rearing back.
It only staggered for a moment, slamming its arms down and releasing another Discharge attack. As the electricity surged forward, Splash landed right in front of Matchstick.
“Splash, use Protect!” Alvin ordered. At that, Splash tucked down into his shell, bouncing up enough so the bright blue barrier would cover up Match as well, the attack crashing into the shield harmlessly. Alvin grinned, pleased with the results. “Knew that’d work. Splash, go through the smoke and use Aqua Tail!”
“And you use Overheat!” Theodore commanded. “Aim right for its chest!”
“Theo what if-” Alvin was interrupted as Matchstick let out a loud roar. The flames on his tail burned hotter and hotter, the orange bits going a stark white as the heat built up in the room. “Oookay, we’re doing this. Splash, get out the way, quick!”
“Tort?” The order made Splash stagger, only landing right in front of the Electabuzz. Before he could guard himself, he ended up taking a Thunder Punch right to the belly, getting knocked backwards and onto his back. Splash was flailing around, trying to get back to his feet.
The Electabuzz seemed to laugh, that is until it noticed the bright light coming from Match. The Charmeleon’s body was even taking on a bit of the same glow as the flames built up inside. It turned away to run, but seeing it retreat made Match release the attack then and there. Once his maw opened, a bright white flame burst out of Matchstick’s mouth, with deep orange fire spiraling around it. The attack crashed right into Electabuzz’s back, surrounding the whole hall in an intense heat before it turned to an explosion, one strong enough to shake the floor.
Match was panting away, slumping forward as he steadily cooled down, smoke pouring constantly from his mouth.
Surprised, Alvin took a few steps into the hall, trying to wave away the smoke. “Jeez… that’s what it does? I knew it was strong, but damn!”
Theodore rushed over to Match, throwing his arms around the Charmeleon in a tight hug. “Way to go Match! Are you okay? I know we never trained with that move but- Gah!” He squeaked, quickly covering his eyes as Match began to glow again. “Match, you’re…”
Through squinted eyes, Theodore watched as Match evolved, his body getting bigger and bigger as a pair of broad wings jutted out from his back, flapping a few times. Right as the light faded, Theodore’s dex began to beep incessantly. He checked it, watching a message display across the screen.
“Matchstick wants to learn the move Wing Attack. Delete a move?” it read. Theodore didn’t pay it any attention, busy staring down his new pokemon in awe.
“Wow…” was all he could bring himself to say. No longer a Charmeleon, the pokemon standing before him was a proud Charizard. Match was testing out his new wings, looking in between them and stretching them out. Now towering over his trainer, Match turned to look down at Theodore, tail swishing side to side before he let out a happy roar.
Theodore ran right into his new Charizard, doing his best to hug around his neck enough so he wouldn’t fall. “Match! You know what this means?? We can put those stones to use!” He said happily. Matchstick returned the hug, huffing in agreement as he nodded.
“Hey Theo, didn’t know if you wanted that Electabuzz so I just caught i- whoa… That’s what all the noise was about?!” Alvin was standing with his jaw dropped, a Great Ball falling down to his feet.
“Hehe, cool right? I knew he was close to it, I knew it!” Theodore said, wiggling free from Match’s hold. “Now I’ve gotta find a way for him to hold his stone and- and… Oh, I don’t know, I’m just happy he evolved! I’ll figure that out later!” He cheered, smiling wide as he looked up at Alvin. “So, uh, what was that about the Electabuzz?”
Alvin chuckled, patting Theodore’s head and messing around with his hair. “I was just saying that I caught it while you weren’t looking. Figured I could get it nice and tamed, y’know? Of course that doesn’t compare to you getting that big monster! Now, let’s get outta here, huh? I gotta get Splash healed up.”
“Wellll… Match needs to test out his wings, so how about a ride?” Theodore offered. Alvin went to retrieve the great ball, though as he bent over he let out a squeak. Down the hall, he saw an Electrode roll into view.
“U-Uhhh Theodore? We gotta get out of here. We gotta get outta here RIGHT NOW!” Alvin blurted, scooping up the ball and running to Match, hopping onto his back.
“What’s going on??” Theodore squeaked, only to hop up onto Match as well as he saw the Electrode enter the room. “Alright, hurry!”
Match growled in shock from everything happening so fast, wings flapping like mad as he lifted off the ground. The Electrode began to glow, and he flew out the room as fast as his new wings would carry him, zooming for the Power Plant’s exit. It was when they got to the halfway point when the three of them heard the explosion, only making it out of the place at the last second, the blast nearly tearing off the front doors while they hid around the side.
Once the shaking had died down, everything was quiet. Match was breathing heavily, and neither Alvin or Theodore said a single word. Then, Alvin began to laugh. He hopped off of Match’s back, still laughing as he watched the smoke billowing from the doors. “We’re alive… we’re alive! Let’s never, ever come back here again!”
While his brother laughed like a maniac, Theodore held on to Match tightly. There’d be a lot to do now, starting with those stones.
