@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 88a: Machoke, Machoke Man! (part 1)

"All right, here's the medicine...the Ginger Storm." the pharmacist smiled as he gave Jasmine a bag full of medicine. "Brew this as a tea, and have Amphy drink it--it should slow down her overloaded electric glands, and ease her pain. This way, her body can fight the infection easier."

"Fascinating!" Ash smiled.

"Ginger has long been used as a pain remedy since ancient times." the pharmacist went on. "It's especially good for Electric and Fire Pokemon, but humans have also used it to ease upset stomachs."

"That explains why Mom always gave me ginger ale when I had a stomach ache when I was little..." Ash mused as the group departed the pharmacy.

"If you don't mind, I'm taking the express ferry home, so I can give this to Amphy." Jasmine told the others as she started for the docks.

"We have a Lapras, so we'll return to Olivine that way." Misty explained before waving to Jasmine. "Be safe!"

"Safe travels, okay?" Brock agreed as he embraced Jasmine. "Thanks for your phone number as well."

"If you need to call me, I'll be happy to talk--caring for Amphy is often a lonely job." Jasmine replied as she left for the docks.

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As the group rounded a bend to explore the outskirts of the city some time later, Ash noticed a muscular brown haired man and a large gray humanoid he knew as Machoke training together on one of the beaches. "Nicely done, Kyodo...let's practice offense now." Ash heard the man say. "Come at me with all you've got!"

"That guy's pretty strong to defend against all those attacks!" Misty gasped as the man skillfully defended all the Machoke's moves.

"I'll say..." Brock was equally impressed.

Ash, meanwhile, decided to read up on Machoke:

"Machoke, the superpower Pokemon. The muscles covering its body teem with power. Even when still, it exudes an amazing sense of strength.

"Oh my..." Misty gasped, amazed at the large gray Pokemon's skill and trust in its master.

Finally, the group winced as a Karate Chop connected across the man's chest. "That had to hurt..." Brock noted, even though the man didn't look like he was in any pain.

"Okay, Kyodo--Submission!" the man called.

The Machoke playfully giggled as it wrapped its giggling master up, rolled him around the dirt field, and tossed him for what looked like thousands of feet. "I don't know if I should be scared for that guy, or impressed he loves and trusts his Machoke that much..." Ash mused.

Misty was first to arrive on the field. "Are you okay, sir?"

The man collected himself, then smiled at his Machoke. "That Submission was perfect."

"If you don't mind my asking, why would take a Submission attack from a powerful Machoke?" Brock asked.

Tears welled up in the man's eyes. "Oh Kyodo! I'm so proud of you for your perfect Submission!" he cried as his giggling Machoke embraced him in a powerful, but loving hug.

[Aw...] Tintri smiled.

"I guess if you love and trust your Pokemon that much, you can take anything." Misty mused.

About then, the man noticed the group. "Oh, hello there, visitors! Might I know the names of my audience members?"

"I'm Ash, and these are my companions, Misty and Brock." Ash replied.

"Hi!" Misty smiled.

"Nice to meet you." Brock smiled. "Can I just say I love how close you and your Machoke are?"

"Nice to meet you three." the man smiled. "What brings you here to Cianwood? Are you maybe looking for the Cianwood Gym?" he smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

"We were here to help a friend with an errand, but if there's a Gym here, and you're the leader, then I'll be happy to battle you!" Ash replied.

"Okay! Follow me to the Gym!" the man called "Forward, march! Hup, two, three four! Hup, two, three four! Hup, two, three four!..."

"Wait!" The group scrambled to catch up to the man and his Machoke as they marched up to a forested path...

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"We...made...it..." Misty wheezed as the group emerged from the underbrush before a dojo-like building.

"Finally..." Brock sputtered, just as the man arrived.

Ash balked as the man dropped on his hands and knees to do push ups. "First we came through that thick forest, and he still has the energy for push ups????"

"I'm wondering if he's all there or not..." Brock mused. "Maybe training this hard's an obsession."

"How much further do we have to go?" Ash asked.

"You're standing right before it, Kanto League hero!" the man smiled as he made a grand gesture to the building.

Misty smiled as hundred of boys and girls streamed from the dojo to greet their master. "Aw...strong and a sweetheart!"

The man grinned after hugging a girl. "I'm the Cianwood Gym Leader-- the leanest, meanest, toughest, roughest, fighting Pokémon Master in all the land...but you can call me Chuck."

Just then, a dark haired woman emerged from the dojo. "Okay, who's hungry?"

"MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!" the children replied as they and the group crowded around a large table piled high with a variety of meats and vegetables.

"Nice, honey Combusken!" Ash wasted no time digging in.

"This beef and broccoli's great!" Misty raved.

"Pass the fish sauce, please!" Brock requested as he admired the stirfry he had built on his plate.

"Are you here to battle for a Storm Badge?" the woman asked as she ladled some miso soup into a bowl for a child.

"Course!" Ash replied in between bites.

"Good--I had no problem beating that flabby husband of mine." the woman smiled.

"I resent that remark!" Chuck retorted, making everyone howl with laughter.

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Misty pushed away her plate some time later. "That was delicious!"

"This was no ordinary food...we just consumed a whole lot of Pokémon Power Food." Brock explained. "What it may look like any old food, it is known to strengthen Trainers and Pokémon alike."

He watched the children easily running hundreds of laps around the dojo. "I have to hand it to these kids--they are truly dedicated to their training."

A clap made Ash jump. "Come on, Kanto League hero! If you want a Storm Badge, you're gonna have to battle me!" Chuck announced.

"Coming!" Ash followed Chuck inside the Gym...

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A whistle pierced the air of the cavernous dojo, signaling the match between Ash and Chuck was underway. "Uzu, let's go!" Chuck called as he summoned a Poliwrath.

"Tintri, use Thunderbolt!" Ash called.

[What the?] Tintri gasped as Uzu rolled out of the way of his Thunderbolt.

"Okay, Tintri, new plan! If one Thunderbolt won't do it, try a lot of them!" Ash called.

[HAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!] Tintri cried as he unleashed a rain of Thunderbolts.

Ash winced as the first two Thunderbolts to strike missed Uzu, but smiled as the third one hit, dazing the Poliwrath. "Okay, now ram him with a Quick Attack!"

"Focus, Uzu!" Chuck called.

Brock watched with Misty from the stands as Tintri bounced off Uzu and back on the ground. "It's possible that Chuck's Poliwrath may be trying to do something like Focus Punch--the more likely scenario is Mind Reader, which guarantees the next attack to hit."

"Okay, Uzu! Doubleslap!" Chuck called.

[WAUUUUUUUUUGH!!!] Tintri cried as he went flying across the arena, landing at Ash's feet in a daze. [I'm...sorry...]

"Tintri!" Ash cried.

"Tintri is unable to battle--the match goes to Gold." the referee announced, making tears of rage well up in Ash's eyes.

Chuck brushed away a tear of pride. "I see..you and your Pikachu have a close bond, like I do my Pokemon. Even though we're both men here, it's okay to cry, especially if you love your friends and your Pokemon! Even tough guys shed real tears every so often!"

"Thanks, Tintri..." Ash sniffled as he delivered the dazed Tintri to Brock. "You did great out there--now, get some rest."

To Be Continued...