Chapter 15 – Froakie's Challenge and The Electric Showdown
The air in Vermilion City buzzed with energy, and not just from the electric Pokémon. The morning sunlight filtered through the wide windows of the city's gym, casting long shadows across the polished battlefield. Kai stood on one side, adjusting his gloves, while Misty leaned against the side wall with Psyduck snacking on rice crackers beside her.
Lt. Surge towered on the other end, grinning with arms folded. "So, you're the one who beat Brock and Sabrina already. Let's see how you handle raw power."
Kai gave a confident smile, but his fingers lightly tapped the Pokéball at his side. "I don't believe in raw power alone."
Misty whispered under her breath, "He says that, but he always goes all in…"
Surge's Raichu stomped forward onto the battlefield, sparks dancing across its cheeks. "Let's see what your little team's got!"
Kai grabbed Froakie's Pokéball. "You ready for this, partner?"
Froakie popped out in a flash of white light, landing smoothly with his arms crossed and a calm, sharp expression.
"Froakie?" Surge raised an eyebrow. "Thought you'd use that Charmeleon first."
Kai smiled. "I like surprising people."
The Gym's judge raised a flag. "Official match: Kai versus Lt. Surge. One badge on the line. Begin!"
Raichu surged forward, electricity crackling behind it.
"Double Team!" Kai called.
In a flash, three copies of Froakie darted around the field. Raichu lunged—but passed right through a clone.
"Water Pulse, now!"
Froakie leapt, spinning mid-air as a glowing ring of water shot straight into Raichu's chest. The electric-type skidded back but roared in defiance.
"Thunderbolt!"
A bolt of lightning cracked through the air. The real Froakie twisted his body midair, barely dodging in time, though the shockwave singed the edge of his bubble mane.
"He's fast," Misty whispered. "Faster than when he hatched."
Kai watched Froakie closely. His partner didn't look scared. Just focused.
"Use Quick Attack, loop behind Raichu, then Water Pulse again!"
Froakie vanished in a blur. Raichu spun to catch him—but Froakie had already launched the second Water Pulse from behind. The blast hit Raichu in the back, making the electric mouse stumble forward.
Lt. Surge's grin widened. "Alright, kid. You're not bad."
"Neither is he," Kai said, pointing at Froakie, who now landed beside him with a small huff.
But Raichu shook it off, then slammed the ground with its tail.
"Electro Ball, full power!"
The orb of lightning charged toward Froakie like a comet.
"Jump! Use the ceiling!"
Froakie sprang straight up, bounced off a steel beam, and came crashing down with a spinning kick that knocked the Electro Ball off course—right into the wall.
A small explosion rattled the gym.
Misty ducked. "Do all your matches involve explosions now?"
Kai smirked. "I don't plan it that way."
Raichu narrowed its eyes. "Rai-chu…"
"Use Water Pulse again, and push forward!"
Froakie darted in, launching another pulse just as Raichu began charging up another Thunderbolt.
The Water Pulse connected.
Raichu's charge fizzled.
And Froakie took the chance to leap, launching a final downward strike that knocked Raichu flat on its back.
Dust settled.
The judge raised his flag. "Raichu is unable to battle. The victory goes to Kai!"
The gym roared in applause from onlookers who had gathered. Misty let out a whoop from the side.
"Woo! Way to go, Froakie!"
Froakie simply gave a small nod, turned, and walked back to Kai's side.
Kai knelt and ruffled the top of his head. "You were amazing."
Froakie closed his eyes as if absorbing the praise quietly, but a tiny grin tugged at his lip.
Lt. Surge approached, his arms crossed but smiling. "That Froakie's got steel nerves. Take this. You earned it."
He handed Kai the Thunder Badge.
Kai looked at it in his hand—shiny, shaped like a lightning bolt. Three badges now.
"Thanks," Kai said.
"Keep training like that," Surge added, "and you'll be the real deal someday."
---
After the match, they stepped outside into the warm breeze of early afternoon. Blaze walked beside Kai, his Charmeleon tail flicking sparks lazily.
Misty was still grinning. "I thought Raichu was going to squash Froakie in the first minute."
Kai stretched. "Froakie surprised me, too. He's only been with me a few days, but it feels like he's been here since the beginning."
Blaze nudged Froakie playfully.
Froakie offered a fist bump, which Blaze returned with his claw.
Misty watched with a small smile. "They're really getting along, huh?"
"They're brothers now," Kai said simply.
They reached a small hill just outside the city where they decided to take a break. Misty let Psyduck nap under a tree, while Blaze and Froakie sparred lightly nearby—careful not to burn or soak anything.
Ralts sat beside Kai on a rock, legs dangling, watching the battle with quiet fascination.
He handed her a juice box. "You feeling alright?"
She nodded silently.
Kai smiled. "I think Froakie likes you too, you know."
Her cheeks turned a light pink.
Misty joined them with a can of soda. "So, what's the next plan?"
"Celadon," Kai said. "That's where the next badge is."
"You gonna make Froakie fight a grass gym?"
Kai grinned. "Wouldn't be fun if it was easy."
---
Later that evening, back at their camp near a river bend, Kai was preparing dinner—roasting berries and vegetables over Blaze's tail flame while Misty helped organize supplies.
Psyduck sat in a pan. Misty screamed.
"PSYDUCK, THAT'S NOT A BATHTUB!"
Froakie tried to tug Psyduck out and got a slap from the tail.
Ralts giggled quietly.
Kai flipped a berry. "Dinner's almost ready."
Misty sat beside the fire and watched the stars slowly peek out overhead.
"You ever think we'll get used to all this?"
Kai leaned back, arms folded behind his head. "The weird? Probably not. But I kind of like it."
Froakie, Blaze, and Ralts sat around the fire, all munching quietly.
Ralts leaned slightly toward Froakie, eyes darting between him and the firelight.
Misty raised an eyebrow. "Is it me, or is your Ralts staring at Froakie?"
Kai looked over.
Froakie, as usual, sat calmly, focused on his meal.
But Ralts…
She wasn't eating. She was just watching him.
Kai tilted his head slightly.
"Hmm…"
---
As the crowd cheered after the Gym victory, Kai turned to high-five his team—only to catch a glimpse of Ralts quietly staring at—