Chapter 30: Amber vs Articuno (I)

Don't forget to use those power stones!

*****

"This will be a one-on-one Pokemon Battle. The trainer who knocks out the opposing Pokemon will be declared the winner.", A voice of a familiar man said.

The scenery had completely changed. The big city life of Viridian City was nowhere to be seen. Instead, it was replaced by a wide and open ranch. In the immediate vicinity was a grassy field, and a river that crossed through it on the other side. Beyond that were various habitats that stretched onward for miles and miles without end. This was one of the largest Pokemon Ranches in not only Kanto, but in the entire Pokemon World!

And at the front of this place was none other than Professor Oak, one of the most famous Pokemon Professors throughout the Pokemon World. He was the inventor of the Pokemon Index, or Pokedex for short. It was a device that allowed its users to document and store data of all kinds of Pokemon and their quirks! Trainers especially used the Pokedex to help them assist with their battling and bonding with their Pokemon they catch as they journey throughout different regions. And it was Professor Oak's dream to be able to catalog all Pokemon that are known to exist.

Now that number has grown over the years, as new regions keep being discovered. The total count of known Pokemon was over one thousand now! Professor Oak was quick to realize that he had to leave it up to the younger generations to accomplish his dream, meaning that he would have to leave it up to individuals like Ricky to complete the entire Pokedex.

But presently, Professor Oak seemed to be here at his ranch that rested in the outskirts of Pallet Town for a different reason. Not to talk about the Pokedex, but for something else entirely. He wasn't alone! He saw two individuals standing a ways ahead of him on the grassy field. One was a middle-aged woman with a stern look and had violet-colored hair, while the other one was a man who had short and spiky black hair. His eyes were sharp, and he sported a light tan across his body, as a result of being outside a lot during his studying abroad in the Alola Region. This was Ricky of course. And the woman was his mother, Violet!

It would seem these two were about to initiate a Pokemon Battle!

It wasn't just them either. Ricky's friends were presently standing with Professor Oak, who he had gotten rather close to over the years, before he turned ten and left to go abroad. They were Gary, Ash and Green. Serena and Lillie were also present of course. They had their anime looks, except for Green, which she was only present in the video games. She wasn't as gloomy as she was in the games, though. She had a bright and cheerful look in her eyes as she watched on with interest.

But unlike the anime, everyone here was much older. Time worked differently here in this version of the Pokemon World Ricky was brought to. Ash didn't have his forever-age-10 look either. He too had grown taller and more defined with everyone else. There was just one difference between him and the rest of his friends, and that was that he hadn't become an adult like everyone else. Not quite yet. He's going to be turning fifteen later this year in three months' time or so, and that's when he'll begin his own journey.

People couldn't set off on an adventure until they turned fifteen. Ricky found this amusing that it was set to when a person became an adult. Younger folks couldn't set off on adventures here. They could still play around with Pokemon, but they all had to focus on studies and attend school, before one could set off on a journey. And this didn't happen when one turned eighteen or twenty like how his past life was. This weird growth pattern likely was the fact that Ricky was brought to the Pokemon World. It was abundant with life energy. Not only did it had regular humans and animals, it also contained lots of Pokemon! Just being in the Pokemon World alone played a big factor into that. Ricky could only assume this form of energy was what caused people to grow differently here. Or maybe it was because of God's meddling.

Ricky wasn't sure, but he liked this change. He didn't have to worry about any goofy things happening later on when he set off.

Seeing his friends again was nice and all, but Ricky was quick to do business, which brought them here to Professor Oak's Lab, to his ranch behind it, to be specific. Violet just stared at the man before her, standing a ways away. This wasn't an official battle field one would come across at a battle institute or a Pokemon Gym, as there were no markers or anything. It was just a grassy field. But It was wide enough to start a Pokemon Battle.

A single red Pokeball was currently being cradled in Violet's hand, taking a moment to observe Ricky.

"Are you sure you're up for this, Ricky? You know I won't go easy on you, even if you're my son.", Violet said, her expression remaining unchanged. Ricky could see the air of an elite trainer swirling about her, making him feel a hidden pressure creep along the backside of his back. But Ricky didn't back down. He stood his ground, unwavering as he observed his mother.

"I'd expect no less from you, Mom. You had opportunities to clash against Kanto's Elite Four before. Only the elite of the elite trainers can make that far. I want to see that strength for myself. It'll prove good study material for when we start our journey after this.", Ricky said, with a confident smile.

"That's the attitude to have. You displayed the guts to challenge an elite trainer like me. Granted, it has been a while since I last battled, but I think this will serve a good warm-up. You are in a running line of Champions, my dear.", Violet replied with a playful smile. Her previous seriousness was entirely swept away.

"Champions? You are referring to more than one?", Ricky mused, raising his eyes.

"Of course. While I might have not taken that seat myself, my husband has. So has Dad. That was forever ago, though. As far as I'm aware, no one has ever succeeded the Champion's position ever since my husband left it to continue his own adventure. Right now, it should be vacant.", Violet explained.

Ricky couldn't help but glance back at Professor Oak. He didn't recall such a thing happening to him, at least in the video games.

"You were a Champion at one point, Gramps?", Ricky asked with surprise. Everyone else became surprised hearing that. Professor Oak nodded.

"I was, for a period of time. I even had a rival to call my own. That was ages ago. Long before I became a Pokemon Professor and developed the Pokedex. I can't even recall how far back that happened.", Professor Oak responded.

"You really are good at keeping a secret or two eh Gramps?", Gary mused. This was the first he had heard about his own grandfather being Champion!

"And here I was beginning to wonder why I couldn't find any trainer videos from you, Professor. It must have happened a very, very long time ago.", Green said, wondering what entirely went down.

"Haha, I've long since given up any fleeting dream to sit on that seat of the Champion. Thankfully that wasn't the only dream I was chasing! If it's anyone, you might have a good chance to reach that far, Ricky. I've seen how close you've grown with that partner of yours. I take it she's been in good care?", Professor Oak asked Ricky.

"Sure has. Amber's quite strong now. So I'm pretty excited to use her in this battle. So don't hold anything back alright, mom?", Ricky said, glancing back at the violet-haired woman before her.

"Oh good. It looks like I just made it in time!", A voice called out to the group from the lab behind them, belonging to a woman. They turned their heads toward the door that led back into the large building near them. A figure came running out, carrying a large amount of jackets. She looked aged, just like Violet.

"Mom? I didn't forget anything, did I?", Ash said, quick to assume he had forgotten something. He was always forgetful.

"Not this time sweety, your friend is about to have his first battle, right? All the merrier, as they say! That's what I'd say but Professor Oak tasked me to bring you all some jackets. You all best put them on and back away from the battle field okay?", The woman said. She went by the name Delia Oak--Cough cough. Delia Ketchum.

She was Ash's Mom. Ricky knew about Ash's dad, who was his father's rival, Red! Ash's dad wasn't a nobody here. And Delia was her husband. She frequently showed up in the anime whenever Ash returned home during each reprieve of his adventures. Ash's father was never known in the anime, but he was here. Ricky didn't have to keep guessing of who it would end up being!

"Jackets? It's the start of spring. Sure, there might be cool air early in the morning, but we don't need to wear these thick jackets.", Ash immediately retorted.

"Gramps doesn't say shit for no reason, Ashy-boy. If he's warning us to wear these, then we should. I think I know where he's getting at.", Gary retorted back. He just simply glanced at Ricky, who was now moving a single red Pokeball inside his hand as well, itching for a Pokemon Battle.

"Oh!", Ash quickly responded, seeing Gary's eyes land on Ricky's figure. In particular, the Pokeball that was nestled in his hand.

"You sure can be a scatterbrain sometimes, Ash. Did you forget about Ricky's Pokemon and what she can do? Quick thinking, Professor Oak.", Green replied with a smile.

"You all should quickly put them on. It's going to get cold quickly, Professor Oak said. "Their battle is about to start. You could very well catch a cold from this!", Professor Oak said, warning everyone.

After all, this was going to be a clash between two powerful ice-type Pokemon. The atmosphere around them is going to visibly drop before their eyes. Especially the Pokemon Ricky's carrying around with him. Amber has a trick up her sleeve the moment the battle starts!

"Ash, be a dear and pass these out, will you?", Delia urged her son. Ash quickly realized what was going on after it was explained to him. He nodded his head, and started passing out jackets.

Unfortunately, Delia was alone right now. She didn't have a certain Pokemon accompanying her. Mr. Mime. He wouldn't be caught until Ash starts his journey and acquires all of his badges. Mr. Mime was one of his last Pokemon of his team, but it was a shame he didn't actually get to use Mr. Mime. He was left to Ash's mother to take care of household chores, helping her around the house.

For now, only Ash could help his mom out, to which he gladly did. He passed around jackets swiftly, and everyone thanked him. They were all feeling warm now. even Professor Oak put one on over his lab coat. He glanced at Violet and Ricky. Determined looks appeared in both of their eyes.

"I take it there is no more doubt to start this battle. Then let this battle begin!", Professor Oak exclaimed, signaling the start of the battle.

"It's been a while, partner, but it's your turn to shine.", Violet said, returning to her cool demeanor. She tossed out her one Pokeball without hesitation. It opened up, revealing a red glow. This red glow started to stretch outward, appearing much bigger than a typical Pokemon.

"Schreee!", A domineering screech of a bird echoed around everyone's ears, causing them to flinch. Even the nearby Pokemon began to run away, scared. A majestic and graceful being soon appeared into view. Its appearance was much more graceful than Amber was. It immediately flapped its two giant, icy-blue wings the moment it popped out of its Pokeball...

Ricky's eyes turned serious seeing this Pokemon before him.

It was one of the three legendary birds, Articuno! His gaze couldn't ever be more serious than his present look in his eyes.

"You ready, Amber?", Ricky uttered to himself, calmly looking down at his one Pokeball in his hand...

And if one had a close look over one of Ricky's wrist, his upgraded Z-Ring could be seen equipped, with an icy-blue colorful and pretty crystal embedded in it...

*

Did someone say cliffhanger?