Chapter 43: Skirmish in Pokémon Centre

The memory of the fierce clash between Primeape and Ampharos lingered vividly in Monika's mind. The sheer power of their attacks had been like nothing she had ever seen, with the ground trembling beneath their feet and sparks of electricity and shockwaves radiating through the air. Watching the two titans fight was both exhilarating and terrifying, and Monika couldn't help but wonder how her mom planned to handle such powerful Pokémon.

Now, she was back at the Pokémon Center, standing beside her mother, who was hard at work preparing treatments. Rachel, dressed in her familiar white coat, moved quickly and efficiently, her focus unwavering as she organized supplies and checked the vitals of the resting Primeape and Ampharos through a monitor.

Monika adjusted the berries on a tray she'd been tasked with sorting, her brow furrowed in thought. Rachel glanced over her shoulder, catching the look on her daughter's face. "You're thinking about their fight, aren't you?"

Monika nodded, her eyes lighting up as the memory replayed in her mind. "Yeah! It was... scary. They were so strong, Mom. Primeape was punching so fast, and Ampharos fired this huge beam of electricity. They just kept going, like they didn't even care about getting hurt."

Rachel picked up her clipboard and began jotting down notes as she listened. "Hmm... interesting. So it sounds like they were equally matched, trading blows and attacks?"

Monika nodded again, her hands animated as she described the battle. "Exactly! Primeape charged in with these huge punches, but Ampharos wasn't scared. It stood its ground and fired Thunderbolt after Thunderbolt. Or was it Thunder? Doesn't matter... And when Primeape hit it, Ampharos just shook it off like it wasn't a big deal. At the end they just shot some energy balls at each other. They both looked too tired to do anything else..."

Rachel hummed thoughtfully, her pen scratching against the paper. "That tells me a lot. Thanks, sweetheart. Knowing how they fought might help me figure out how to treat them."

Monika tilted her head, curious. "How does that help?"

"Well," Rachel winked at her, "if I know how much energy they used during the fight and how hard they pushed themselves, I can guess what kind of damage they might have. For example, if Ampharos fired a lot of Thunderbolts, it could have strained its energy reserves, which means it'll need special vitamins. And if Primeape was throwing punches like you said, it could have injured its arms or shoulders."

Monika's eyes widened. "Oh! That makes sense." She paused, then looked toward the treatment room where the two bosses rested. "Do you think Chimecho can keep them asleep? They're... really strong."

Rachel paused, setting her clipboard down. "Chimecho's doing its best, sweetheart," she said gently. "But honestly, it might be a bit of a stretch. Chimecho's only around level thirty, and by the looks of these two..." She motioned toward the treatment room, where the two bosses lay on separate platforms. "They're easily over level eighty. That's a whole different league of power."

Monika's eyes widened, and she clutched the tray a little tighter. "But... what if Chimecho can't keep them asleep?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Rachel turned to face her, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. "Then I have other options," she said with a wink, her tone light and teasing. "Don't worry, I've got more than just Chimecho up my sleeve."

Monika blinked, her fear giving way to curiosity. "Like what?"

Rachel chuckled as she stood back up, grabbing a few vials of medicine. "Let's just say I've got a few tricks, and I know how to handle feisty Pokémon. For now, let's keep everything running smoothly. Deal?"

Monika smiled, her earlier tension easing. "Deal."

Rachel moved confidently between the two unconscious Pokémon, her hands steady as she prepared a series of injections. Monika watched intently from the corner of the room, standing on a small stool to get a better view. Rachel glanced back at her daughter and explained, "These shots are tailored to help them recover. This one"—she held up a vial of pale yellow liquid—"is an energy booster. It restores the reserves they burned up during their fight."

Monika leaned closer, fascinated. "And that one?" she asked, pointing to a syringe filled with a bright blue solution.

"This one helps repair muscle damage," Rachel said as she carefully administered it to Ampharos. "Both of these Pokémon pushed themselves to their limits, and their muscles will be sore and strained. This will speed up the healing process."

Monika nodded, absorbing every word like a sponge. "So, it's like giving them a nap and a healthy meal at the same time?"

Rachel chuckled. "Exactly. And this last one—" she held up a vial filled with clear fluid, "—is a mild sedative. It'll keep them calm while they rest."

She injected the final dose into Primeape, her movements quick and precise. As Rachel finished, she patted Monika on the shoulder. "Let's step out and let them rest for a bit."

They had barely stepped into the hallway when a loud crash echoed from the treatment room. Rachel froze, her eyes darting toward the door. A guttural growl followed, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of something heavy smashing against the walls.

Primeape was waking up.

Rachel pushed Monika gently toward the wall. "Stay here," she instructed firmly, then slipped back into the room. Primeape was sitting up now, its eyes wild and unfocused, its breaths heavy and erratic. It snarled, punching the air with movements that grew more erratic by the second.

"Chimecho, get in here!" Rachel called, her voice calm but urgent.

The small Psychic-type floated into the room, its chime-like body swaying as it hummed softly.

===

Chimecho

Level: 31 to 34

Name: N/A

Gender: Female

Type: Psychic

Affinity: Psychic (Full)

Moves: Heal Pulse (30 to 33), Astonish (17 to 18), Stored Power (16), Yawn (24 to 27), Heal Bell (29 to 32), Charm (12 to 16), Swift (11 to 14), Zen Headbutt (13), Psychic (10 to 12), Calm Mind (20), Gravity (23 to 27)

Abilities:

Levitate – Chimeko has full immunity to all Ground-type moves

Cute Charm – Chimeko may infatuate attackers that make direct contact with it

Weak to: Bug, Ghost, Dark

Immune to: Ground (Levitate ability)

Resistant to: Fighting, Psychic

===

Rachel pointed toward Primeape. "Yawn, now!"

Chimecho's eyes glowed pink, and large, shimmering bubbles began to float toward Primeape. The Fighting-type blinked at the bubbles, momentarily distracted, but instead of calming down, it bared its teeth and swiped through them with a growl.

"It's not working," Rachel muttered, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Gravity, Chimecho! Slow it down!"

Chimecho's body pulsed with psychic energy, and a heavy pressure filled the room. Primeape staggered slightly, its movements slowed as it tried to adjust to the increased weight. But instead of calming the Pokémon, the sensation seemed to fuel its frustration. Primeape roared, slamming its fists into the floor with enough force to crack the tiles.

Rachel turned her head slightly, her voice sharp but controlled. "Monika, go to the computer in my office. Hit the big red button that says 'Danger.' Then wait at the teleport machine for the Pokéball to arrive. And bring it to me. Quickly."

Monika hesitated for only a moment before nodding and darting toward the hallway.

Rachel stepped forward, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "It's okay, Primeape. You're safe. Just lie back down—"

But her soothing voice only seemed to aggravate the Pokémon further. It let out a deafening roar and began punching the air in wild, uncontrolled movements. One of its fists collided with a stray Yawn bubble, bursting it into harmless mist, and then struck Chimecho directly. The Psychic-type let out a soft cry and fell to the ground, its body limp.

Rachel frowned but didn't flinch. "You've done enough, Chimecho. Rest now." She recalled the fainted Pokémon back to its Pokéball.

Primeape's eyes narrowed as it watched Chimecho vanish. With a furious roar, it pounded the floor again, then lunged forward, its fist raised high, aiming directly at Rachel.

Rachel remained calm, her fingers snapping sharply. "Patrick, now!"

In a flash of light, her shiny pink Starmie, Patrick, materialized in front of her, its gem core glowing brilliantly. The air around them seemed to hum with energy as the Water/Psychic-type locked its many arms into place, ready to intercept the enraged Primeape.

===

Starmie

Level: 44 to 45

Name: Patrick

Gender: Male

Type: Water / Psychic

Affinity: Water (Full), Psychic (Full)

Moves: Water Gun (43 to 45), Quick Attack (31 to 33), Rapid Spin (35), Light Screen (32), Teleport (40 to 42), Hydro Pump (35), Ice Beam (36), Power Gem (37), Psychic (31), Thunder (30), Rain Dance (41), Psybeam (24), Surf (42), Harden (40), Confuse Ray (32), Scald (25), Dazzling Gleam (21 to 25)

Abilities:

Illuminate – By illuminating his surroundings, Starmie raises likelihood to attract wild Pokémon and also prevents its accuracy to be lowered

Natural Cure – Heal all status conditions when Starmie is switched out of battle

Weak to: Bug, Ghost, Grass, Electric, Dark

Immune to: Ground

Resistant to: Fighting, Steel, Fire, Water, Psychic, Ice

===

Patrick, Rachel's pink Starmie, floated through the air with an effortless grace, its central gem pulsating with light as it circled the raging Primeape. The heavily drugged Fighting-type tracked its movements with narrowed eyes, its chest heaving with each angry breath.

"Patrick, Teleport it away from the Pokémon Center," Rachel commanded firmly, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Patrick's gem began to glow with an intense psychic energy, its arms radiating a soft blue light as it prepared the Teleport. A shimmering aura started to form around Primeape, but before the move could take effect, the enraged Pokémon let out a guttural growl. It sprang forward with alarming speed, its fists shrouded in a dark-type energy.

"Shit! That's a Lash Out!" Rachel muttered under her breath as she realized what was happening.

Primeape's Dark-type attack collided with the Teleport's psychic field, shattering the psychic energy like fragile glass. The backlash sent Patrick reeling slightly, and before it could recover, Primeape closed the distance and struck the floating Starmie with a powerful blow.

"Dodge it! Get back!" Rachel called, her sharp tone cutting through the noise. Patrick swiftly floated backward, regaining its composure as its gem flared brightly again. Rachel's expression was calm but focused. "We need to hold it back until Monika returns."

Patrick resumed circling Primeape, staying just out of the Fighting-type's reach. The monkey Pokémon snarled, bouncing from foot to foot with an almost feral energy, its eyes locked onto its target. Despite Patrick's agility, Primeape's movements were too quick and erratic to predict.

"Patrick, use Psychic to slow it down!" Rachel commanded.

The gem at Patrick's core glowed once more, sending a wave of shimmering psychic energy toward Primeape. The air seemed to thicken around the Fighting-type, its movements visibly slowing as it struggled against the oppressive force.

"Good. Now Ice Beam!"

Patrick fired a concentrated beam of icy energy at Primeape, the freezing blast heading straight for the Pokémon's legs to immobilize it. But Primeape roared again, its fists igniting with the dark energy of another Lash Out. With a ferocious swipe, it broke free of the psychic grip and shattered the incoming Ice Beam into harmless shards that scattered across the room.

Patrick hovered in place, its gem flickering slightly as it paused to assess the situation. Primeape, now free from the psychic restraint, began bouncing up and down once more, its growls reverberating through the room.

Rachel frowned deeply, her eyes narrowing as she evaluated the situation. The Primeape's power and relentless energy were far beyond what she had anticipated, and even Patrick's versatile abilities seemed to barely keep it at bay.

"We cannot wait for Monika, Patrick. We need help right now. Try to slow it down with Psychic again. And use Teleport to bring Venom over!"

As Starmie struggled to maintain focus, trying to execute both Psychic and Teleport simultaneously, Primeape took advantage of the distraction. The fighting Pokémon unleashed another Lash Out with a brutal sweep of its fists, landing a direct blow to Starmie. The force of the punch sent the starfish-like Pokémon skidding across the floor, its glowing, psychic energy flickering faintly as it tries to recover. Starmie was clearly dazed, barely holding onto its concentration.

"Patrick, no!" Rachel called, her voice tight with concern as she watched her Pokémon reel from the hit.

In a split second, Rachel grabbed a lab coat from a nearby counter and threw it directly toward the charging Primeape.

"Catch!"

The cloth billowed through the air, landing just on Primeape's face. Starmie, now regaining some focus, used its Psychic move to wrap the coat around Primeape's head. The coat became an instant shield, blocking Primeape's line of sight.

Primeape thrashed violently, trying to rip the fabric off its face. In the chaos, Rachel seized the moment. "Patrick, now!" she commanded quickly.

Starmie, using its Psychic to fasten the coat, managed to activate Teleport and brought a Pokéball into Rachel's hand. As the Pokéball materialized in her hand, she quickly pressed the button, releasing her Toxtricity into the fray.

A sharp burst of energy filled the room as Toxtricity materialized, its body crackling with an electric charge. The Pokémon stood tall, its sleek form radiating a punk rock energy. The Amped Form of Toxtricity was unmistakable: its body was adorned with violet and yellow markings, and its electric-type energy surged visibly through the large tubes on its neck, each one pulsing with power.

===

Toxtricity (Amped Form)

Level: 61

Name: Venom

Gender: Male

Type: Electric / Poison

Affinity: Electric (Full), Poison (Full)

Moves: Belch (58), Growl (51), Flail (46), Thunder (55), Noble Roar (44), Shock Wave (50), Taunt (46), Toxic (49), Poison Jab (53), Overdrive (61), Boomburst (57), Venoshock (52), Volt Switch (41), Brick Break (35), Hyper Voice (60), Electric Terrain (36), Metal Sound (57), Psychic Noise (58), Electroweb (49), Disarmind Voice (43)

Abilities:

Punk Rock – Boosts the power of sound-based moves, also Toxtricity takes half the damage from these kinds of moves

Technician – Powers up Toxtricity's weaker moves

Weak to: Ground (2x), Psychic

Immune to: None

Resistant to: Fighting, Flying, Poison, Bug, Steel, Grass, Electric, Fairy

===

Toxtricity's sharp, almost wild eyes scanned the room, locking onto Primeape with a predatory glare. Its spiky body hummed with the vibrant energy, emitting electric waves that made the air itself feel charged with tension. From its back, the unmistakable crackling sound of electricity surged through its form.

Rachel wasted no time. "Venom, use Overdrive!"

In an instant, Toxtricity made a powerful shriek, the air sizzling as it released a rapid burst of electric energy in all directions. The powerful loud shockwave filled the room with a blinding light, temporarily deafening the sounds of battle. Primeape, still trying to claw at the lab coat obscuring its face, howled in pain as the electricity courses through its body. The intensity of the shockwave hit Primeape like a tidal wave, forcing it back, but not before it managed to tear the coat free, eyes burning with fury.

Rachel stood firm, watching her Toxtricity with intensity. "That's it, Venom! Keep pushing it back!" she commanded, her eyes narrowing as she prepared for the next phase of the battle.

Toxtricity, clearly in its element, grinned wildly and crackled with more energy, anticipating the next attack. With each movement, the Pokémon's electric tubes pulsed, surging with a dangerous rhythm.

As Primeape continued to struggle, its rage undeterred by the earlier attacks, Rachel knew time was running out. She needed to stop it before it could do any more damage. Quickly assessing the situation, she had barked another command.

"Venom, Electroweb—now! Patrick, get ready to use Psychic as soon as it's paralyzed!"

Toxtricity, brimming with power, had responded immediately. With a wild, almost electric snarl, Venom had spun on the spot, its tall body crackling with energy. In an instant, a shimmering web of electric energy had burst from its core, enveloping the air around Primeape in a rapid arc. The Electroweb had spun towards the enraged monkey, forming a thick, crackling mesh of electric threads that had wrapped around its body. Primeape had thrashed, but the web had tightened, lacing itself into its fur and sending electric pulses through its body.

Primeape's movements had slowed as the electricity coursed through it, paralyzing the Pokémon and stunning it momentarily. The electrical mesh had disrupted its frantic energy, reducing its ability to react with the same fury it had before. Its muscles had twitched and its limbs had seized as the Electroweb began to bind it in place.

"Now, Patrick!" Rachel had urged, her voice tinged with panic.

Starmie, who had been observing closely, had seized the opportunity. The familiar psychic glow had surrounded it as it had prepared the Psychic move. Patrick, eyes narrowed in focus, had directed the mental energy toward Primeape. The psychic aura had engulfed Primeape as it had struggled against the electric web. Primeape's rage had only fueled its effort to break free, but the combined forces of Psychic and the Electroweb had now held it in place, a perfect entrapment.

Primeape had let out a frustrated cry, struggling against the web and the psychic force that had pinned it down. Its movements had grown sluggish, its energy depleted by the double assault. Still, it had struggled, throwing weak punches at the air, its power not quite enough to break free from the combined attacks of Toxtricity and Starmie.

Rachel's expression had been resolute as she had watched the battle unfold. "Just a little longer..." she had muttered to herself, knowing the next move would have to be decisive. The tension in the air had been palpable, and the faint hum of electricity had lingered as the two Pokémon had fought to keep Primeape subdued.

Toxtricity and Starmie were pushing their limits. Both Pokémon had been holding their positions for what felt like an eternity, maintaining their attacks with every ounce of energy they had. The air was charged with electricity, and the psychic aura surrounding Primeape shimmered as it pulsed with the force of their combined efforts.

Venom's body crackled with energy, its Electroweb still crackling around Primeape. Toxtricity was straining, its muscles tense and vibrating as it poured more and more of its power into the web. Patrick, floating nearby, had intensified his Psychic grip, holding Primeape in place with sheer mental will. Both of them were sweating with the effort, but still, Primeape's thrashing continued.

The Monkey Pokémon, now thoroughly enraged, let out a primal roar. Then, with a sudden surge of power, Primeape had struck. The force of its Lash Out attack had been enough to break through the electric web, snapping the threads with its furious punches. The Lash Out had not only destroyed the web, but it had also shattered the psychic force Patrick had been maintaining. Primeape's will had been too strong.

With a final, furious punch, Primeape had freed itself entirely, a burst of dark energy from Lash Out overwhelming the weakened psychic hold. Primeape's eyes had narrowed as it sprinted toward Rachel and her Pokémon, fists raised and ready to strike.

Rachel had gritted her teeth. "Venom, Overdrive—NOW!"

Without hesitation, Venom had released another powerful Overdrive, a wave of intense electricity filled sound flooding the area. The sound-based move had struck Primeape head-on, reverberating through its body with a sickening thud. Primeape had slowed, its movements faltering slightly, but it had not been stopped. The effects of the move were temporary, the fury and force in Primeape's eyes too strong to be fully subdued.

Rachel had noticed the slight hesitation in her Pokémon's movements. "Quick, try Alluring Voice. It should be super-effective!"

Venom had hesitated, its body still crackling with electricity as it prepared the new move. But before it could unleash the fairy-type sound, Patrick had shifted his attention to another tactic. In a blur of motion, the Starmie had fired an Ice Beam at Primeape, hoping to freeze the enraged Pokémon in its tracks.

The beam of ice had rushed towards Primeape, but it had been swiftly shattered. Primeape, eyes alight with fury, had summoned its energy and released a devastating Focus Blast that had obliterated the freezing blast before it could make contact.

"Not good enough!" Rachel had sworn under her breath. But just as Primeape surged forward again, she had caught a glimmer of hope. Venom had begun to release the Alluring Voice. A soft, ethereal sound had filled the air, one that was designed to calm even the most aggressive of Pokémon.

As the sweet melody began to reverberate through the space, Primeape had faltered, its steps slowing. But Rachel had barely been able to focus on the effects of the move when, out of the corner of her eye, Monika had appeared.

Monika had burst into the room, her feet pounding against the floor as she sprinted towards Rachel. A Pokéball was clutched tightly in her hand. "Here, mom!" she had called out, breathless.

Rachel had turned, her heart leaping in her chest. She had reached out quickly, taking the Pokéball from her daughter's hand without missing a beat.

"Let's finish this!" Rachel had said with relief, releasing the Pokémon inside.

The air around them had seemed to hold its breath.

As the Pokéball clicked open, a wave of psychic energy swept through the room, and a Pokémon materialized in front of Rachel. It was Gardevoir, its elegant, flowing form glowing with a soft, serene light. The Pokémon stood tall, its body sleek and graceful, with a white, gown-like structure that seemed to shimmer in the light. The long, flowing extensions from its chest and hips gave it an ethereal presence, almost like it was floating slightly above the ground. Its slender arms were outstretched, and its long, green-tipped head leaned forward slightly as if it was attuned to the environment around it.

The aura around Gardevoir was so intense that both Starmie and Toxtricity, already exhausted from their continuous attacks, stumbled back, as if overwhelmed by the sheer power radiating from the Pokémon. Its eyes glowed with a soft, calming light that contrasted with the chaos surrounding them, and its expression was serene, yet resolute. The room seemed to grow quieter, as though even the space around them had taken a moment to acknowledge Gardevoir's presence.

The tranquil, almost regal aura stood in stark contrast to the chaos of the battle.

But Primeape, still reeling from the effects of the previous attacks, was not affected by Gardevoir's peaceful energy. The enraged monkey, fueled by its fury and desire to fight, charged forward again, fists raised, clearly determined to continue its rampage.

Gardevoir, however, remained calm, its eyes glowing with quiet intensity. Without a word, it raised one graceful arm and pointed it directly at Primeape, its fingers glowing with psychic energy.

Before Primeape could even reach the Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon, it was as if an invisible force had seized control of its body. The charging monkey suddenly faltered, its legs buckling beneath it, and with a heavy thud, Primeape collapsed onto the floor in front of Gardevoir, fast asleep. Its previously wild energy had been completely neutralized in a single, effortless motion.

Monika's eyes widened in awe as she watched the scene unfold. "Wow, that was something!" she exclaimed, still standing at the edge of the room, her voice filled with wonder.

Rachel, who had been holding her breath throughout the entire ordeal, let out a long exhale of relief. "Thanks," she said softly, her voice thick with gratitude, as she looked at Gardevoir. The battle, which had been so chaotic and dangerous just moments ago, had come to a sudden and peaceful end, and Rachel could finally breathe again.

Gardevoir's eyes flickered once toward Rachel, as if acknowledging her thanks, before it settled into a calm stance, its aura still radiating around them like a protective shield.

Rachel took a moment to gather herself, her eyes focused on Gardevoir as she silently appreciated the Pokémon's incredible power. "Can you stay with us for a while?" she asked gently. "We need to make sure both Primeape and Ampharos recover before anything else happens."

Gardevoir nodded gracefully, its expression calm and composed. It seemed to understand the weight of the request, and with a small, reassuring tilt of its head, the psychic energy around it intensified just slightly, as though confirming its willingness to help.

"Thank you," Rachel said, relieved.

The peaceful silence that followed was soon interrupted by a sudden rush of activity. Primeape's earlier rampage had left the Pokémon center in disarray—chairs overturned, equipment scattered, and the ground covered in debris from the fighting. However, with a simple motion from Gardevoir, the aura around it pulsed, and Starmie's Psychic immediately went to work. Patrick used the Psychic energy to gently move the overturned items back into place, disposing of shattered vials and broken glass, and pulling together anything out of place. The Psychic abilities were precise and effective, clearing the area in mere minutes, leaving everything spotless and restored to order.

Rachel gave a small smile of approval before turning to Monika. "Let's check on the other Pokémon," she said, leading her daughter through the center. They moved from bed to bed, making sure that every Pokémon in recovery was properly settled. Rachel gently checked on each one, her expert eyes assessing their conditions. Most were simply tired or asleep and nothing seemed critical.

After ensuring all the Pokémon were comfortable, Rachel approached the reception desk, where a nurse for the night shift was now attending to the area. "Hello Anette. We've got the situation under control for now," Rachel said, her voice steady but still carrying a hint of the tension from earlier. "Primeape and Ampharos are both safe and a Gardevoir from the League is with them. Let me know if you'll need some extra help when they wake up."

The nurse nodded, taking in the information with a professional calmness. "Got it. I'll keep an eye on them, and we'll keep everything ready for when they're stable enough to leave."

Rachel thanked her and motioned for Monika to follow her. "All right, let's go home," she said. Turning to Starmie, she added, "Patrick, please take us away."

The moment the words left her lips, Starmie began to glow faintly, the familiar pull of psychic energy enveloping them both. With a soft hum, the Teleport took effect, and in an instant, Rachel, Monika, and Starmie disappeared in a flash of a white light.