Chapter 14

Kurer began screaming in pain as she channeled the electricity through her arms in between her palms. While Electric-types were mostly immune to other electric attacks, she knew it was entirely possible for a Pokemon to damage their bodies by overloading themselves with their inherent element. Trying to use Zap Cannon was doing that to her as the amount of energy needed to perform it was literally killing her.

Just attempting to concentrate the necessary quantity of power to perform the move had fried the surrounding grass and stone around her black. There were dozens of patches of blackened plants and ground that still steamed as Kurer lost control of the move as she wasn't used to spending so much electricity in one instance. Usually when attempting this attack she just ended up firing Thunderbolts in random directions as it was too difficult to mold the power into a concrete shape.

But that wasn't what the Electabuzz was thinking about. No, she was thinking about something far more important, something much more personal than overloading herself with pain. All she could think of was the brief glimpse she caught of the Water-type trainer Kurer had seen as the humans invaded her native grasslands. While she had never seen her Pokemon in action, she knew that very trainer was feared by the Pokemon of the surrounding area. She was given the name the red haired witch for her impressive cruelty.

No. Kurer thought. I will not allow you to destroy any more of the happiness I was denied. And when I find you, Misty, I will kill you. I don't care what hypocritical courtesies humans extend to trainers in battle. When I find you I will make sure your Pokemon are killed and then I will kill you.

The hatred coursing through her mind allowed her to concentrate. She finally managed to gather that amount of electric energy in between her palms. As she pressed her palms together, a perfect sphere of greenish-blue electricity began to expand into a large ball.

"Now fire it at the target!" her trainer ordered.

The Electabuzz stretched her arms forward to launch the ball of electricity forward. The target were some branches held together with rocks and string that Red had found and fashioned to look vaguely human. When the ball of electricity neared the scarecrow-like construct it landed nearly ten feet from the pile of sticks. A crater was formed as a result that was ash black from the heat. Kurer, upon seeing her attack had not found its mark, let her arms slouch as she did her body before wavering from side to side. She was tired from the extensive workout that performing the Zap Cannon had been. While she'd definitely grown stronger, at the end of each day that Kurer had used it she felt as though part of her was dying.

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Not good enough to kill the red headed witch. The Electabuzz thought.

"Kurer, are you okay?" Cinder yelled.

She turned to the side to see him and his trainer appear at her side. The Charmeleon's eyes were full of worry and concern while Red's were of disappointment and frustration. She shook her head.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I thought I would have gotten it right this time."

"Don't worry," Red said. "Zap Cannon is notoriously one of the most difficult Electric-moves to use effectively. Not only is the sheer amount of electrical power strenuous to muster but how heavy the resulting sphere is with electricity makes it unwieldy."

Kurer sighed in disappointment.

"Two weeks isn't enough to give up on something," Red said. "You've progressed further than I originally thought you would. You're a strong Pokemon so just keep it up."

"I just hope that you don't get yourself killed," Cinder said. "Please...tell us when you've had enough. And don't let Red make you feel guilty for not driving yourself suicidal."

She smiled. From the time she spent with Red and Cinder, she knew that the human was the more ambitious and hard thinking type. The commander and strong leader who willing to take chances while his Fire-type companion was his moral compass, always trying to keep Red on the most moral path.

Kurer could tell Cinder had been a captive Pokemon most of his life as Red's mindset was actually more in line with someone who had to keep themselves alive in the wilderness. All he was concerned with was power and the application thereof. And that's what she liked about him. Red wasn't soft like Cinder, he was very rigid and disciplined. The strength of will he possessed was something she didn't see in most anyone.

"Now…" Cinder said. "It's time for you to rest. Now we need to-"

"No," Kurer interrupted.

Cinder looked up at her, shocked.

"Wha-what?" he asked.

"Give me one of those potions," Kurer said. "Renew my energy and I'll get back up."

Red looked surprised at first, shaking his head.

"No-no," he said. "You need to rest. If you don't-"

"Stop feeling guilt tripped by Cinder," she said. "You know you want to push me. And I want you to push me."

The trainer smiled while Cinder looked on in horror. After reaching into his bag Red produced a potion which he applied to the Electabuzz's tired body. Now with her strength renewed she sighed and locked her eyes on the makeshift scarecrow.

"Don't ever let me slow down," she said. "I owe it to too many dead and broken Pokemon to back down from the challenge that is Misty."

"I understand," Red admitted. "I know all too well what it's like to feel the wind of your own ambition pushing you to move forward."

Kurer then put her hands together and began forming another Zap Cannon. She was beginning to understand how to allow it to flow like a river than just burn herself out with a gush of dangerously hot energy. Every time she thought of that one memory she had of Misty riding her Lapras into grasslands to flood it, Kurer was able to perform better.

Better watch out, Misty. She thought. Because one of your own has given me the gateway to destroying you.