Journey Towards Greatness

As Darumaka's belly got stuffed with all those berries he closed his eyes and decided to take a quick nap but before it could, he felt something crash into his belly which made his breath more fire.

He tried to get up but something kept bouncing on his round belly making him unable to get up, Darumaka felt helpless and looked at Julian for help but saw Julian just smiling, he felt that Julian is very cruel, leaving him in such a situation and smiling. ​​

The bouncing suddenly stopped and Darumaka finally saw the culprit, it is Crystal who just found itself a new friend, Crystal still sat on top of Darumaka's belly and waved its tiny hands over his face introducing itself.

Julian "You both now get along ok"

Darumaka finally got back to his feet after struggling a few times, his round body made it harder for him to get back to his feet, Julian noticed this, his new Darumaka has trouble moving around, he could tell that this Darumaka is quite a young one, it still doesn't know how to move properly with his round body.

Julian knew he had to work on that but it was not much of a problem, he has faced harder challenges than this.

Julian "Ok, everyone let's go"

Julian said and sent everyone back to their Pokeball and put everything away, Crystal went back inside Julian's pocket and Gengar inside his shadow while the rest of them back to their Pokeball, since he has finally caught his first pokemon in Unova, he decides to head back and get ready to leave, he was glad that he stayed for a few days and looked around, his Darumaka is a great catch and will be one of the strongest pokemons in Julian's team.

With Infernape by his side, Darumaka will be able to learn how to control his fire more efficiently and bring out his destructive powers.

As he made his way towards the front of the lab he noticed something, he saw Ash with his Pikachu standing across a kid with dirty blond hair wearing an orange over a black hooded vest.

Julian "Oh a battle"

Julian got excited and walked forward to get a good view but before he got any further, his pouch shook and his new Darumaka came out and stood in front of him, Julian sighed and picked him up in his arms and walked towards Ash and the kid he is battling, he didn't disturb them and just watched from a distance.

The kid sent out a Snivy, seeing the Snivy Julian is impressed, it looked strong for a beginner pokemon while Ash sent out Pikachu.

Julian looked at Pikachu and frowned again, he could still tell that something was wrong with Pikachu, he decided to watch the battle and see if he was right.

The battle started and the kid called out a Vine Whip as his first move to which Pikachu dodged it easily, there is no question that Pikachu's speed is unrivaled and he is facing against a beginner level pokemon.

Ash "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt"

As Ash called out his move, Pikachu charged up to unleash a powerful lightning bolt at his opponent but for some reason, nothing happened.

Julian 'Looks like I was right'

Julian thought as he saw Pikachu unable to use Thunderbolt.

Ash "Pikachu, use Electro Ball"

The same thing happened again which is nothing, Pikachu isn't able to strike with Electric attacks.

Kid "What are you even doing, why are you blabbering moves that your pokemon can't even use"

The kid mocked Ash.

Julian looked at the kid and saw how he looked at Ash, to which Julian just sighed, he has seen these kinds of kids before, Paul was one of them but during their journey, they change so it didn't matter how they are at the beginning of their journey.

Kid "Let's end this, Snivy use, Vine Whip"

Ash "Pikachu dodge then use Iron Tail"

Pikachu jumped away and dodged the Vine Whips and charged at Snivy and used Iron Tail, the attack activated and Ash was relieved.

Ash "Good, it looks like only Electric-type moves are not working"

Pikachu descended on the Snivy with his Iron Tail but the Snivy moved away and dodged the attack as Pikachu destroyed the ground with his Iron Tail.

Kid "Now let's get this over with, use Leaf Tornado"

When Julian heard this he got surprised, then he saw the Snivy create a Leaf Storm in front of his eyes.

Julian 'This is bullshit, how can a beginner level pokemon use Leaf Storm?'

He questioned and looked at Pikachu, Pikachu got pulled into the Leaf Storm and then got slammed on the ground.

Kid "It's over"

He said with confidence as he saw Ash's Pikachu on the ground down but he got surprised as he saw Pikachu get back to his feet and shake off that hit with some dirt over his body, well Pikachu might have lost his Electric powers but he is still a pokemon that went head to head with Julian's pokemon in the finals of the Sinnoh League, how could that Leaf Storm from a beginner level pokemon hurt him.

Well, Julian is still impressed by the Snivy.

Ash "Pikachu, are you ok?"

Ash asked to which Pikachu nodded with a yes.

Ash "Good, let's show him, use Quick Attack"

Pikachu suddenly disappeared from his stop and suddenly appeared right in front of Snivy shocking both Snivy and the Kid, the Snivy got hit and went flying backward and crashed into the ground.

Ash "Finish it will Iron Tail"

Pikachu continued and appeared right in front of the fallen Snivy who got back to its feet after struggling but before it could do anything, it got hit by Pikachu's Iron Tail and was once again sent crashing into the ground and this time it was over.

The kids Snivy got knocked out, seeing the result Julian was not surprised, the Kid was good but he didn't have much experience as Ash and his Pikachu is way above Snivy's level.

The Kid picked up his Snivy that is when he noticed a man in black with his face covered with a cloth mask approach Ash with a Darumaka in his hand.

Ash got excited with his win but suddenly stopped as he noticed Pikachu suddenly collapsing on the ground from dizziness.

Ash "Pikachu"

He rushed towards Pikachu and picked him up.

Julian "Ash"

He called him out. Ash turned around and noticed Julian.

Julian "Go to Professor Juniper, just like I said something is wrong with Pikachu, let him rest for a few days and don't get into any battles"

Ash nodded and rushed into the lab with his Pikachu who seemed very weak, just as Julian expected, Pikachu is not well, it might be an electric overload as he heard Ash saying Pikachu got struck by Zekrom's lightning before.

He then turned around and looked at the Kid who is just standing there.

Julian "What is your name kid?"

He asked.

Kid "Trip"

He answered. He doesn't know why but he felt that this man in black was very strong.

Julian "Trip huh? Take care of that Snivy well, it's a special one, if you train it well you will have a very strong partner by your side"

He said and walked away, Julian noticed his Darumaka also got excited seeing the battle as it moved his hands to do some punches.

Julian "You also want to battle huh?"

He asked with a smile to which Darumaka nodded.

Julian "Haha, you will, but first, let's learn how to walk properly".

Saying so he walked into the lab as well leaving Trip behind.