"Ladies and gentleman!" Freddy O'Martian, the announcer shouted over the screaming of the assembled crowd inside the 50,000 seated stadium known as the RageCandyBar Arena due to sponsorship purposes. "Welcome to the first semi final of the fifty-second Indigo Plateau Conference here at the Indigo Plateau! If you are one of the lucky ones to be here in the RageCandyBar Arena today, then hello! If you're watching at home on television, listening on radio, or at one of the many cinemas around the globe where these matches will be streamed live, we welcome you too!"
Freddy was stood in the middle of the stadium, dressed in a grey suit jacket, with a white shirt and matching trousers. On top of his neatly arranged black coiffure, he had placed a Pokémon League baseball cap. Although this may appear as a show of support, it had a second purpose; to hide the grey hairs that seemed to be cropping up more often than not when he woke in the morning.
"This afternoon, you will be treated to not one, but both of our semi-finals here! Before and in between the two, for your enjoyment, we will be staging a number of exhibition matches, showcasing Pokémon talent from around the world. From former and current Gym Leaders, to Champions and Elite Four members, this will be undoubtedly the best semi-final day this tournament has ever seen! But let's start by looking at the trainers who will be competing in today's first semi-final!"
The crowd turned to the central screen that was embedded in the tier of the main stand, just behind the judging and committee panel. The heads of the Pokémon League all turned in their seats to study the giant screen behind them. Everyone knew of course who would be competing, but it was best to show a certain degree of interest; it would garner a negative reaction from the fans if they did not. Up on the board, a black star specked background appeared as four cards faded into existence. Each one then flipped over to reveal a picture of each trainer stood in an impressive pose.
"Our first semi-final will be competed between Jason from Kanto's very own Pewter City, and Max from Petalburg in Hoenn!" Freddy shouted as the two respective trainer cards enlarged whilst the others faded away into the screen. One showed a young trainer of about twelve who was dressed in a red shirt and black shorts, with bright green sneakers that stood out against his dark skin. It was an eccentric mix of clothing, but the crowd cheered wildly. It was to be expected; he was the home trainer and had had the crowd cheering him through the screening, preliminaries and finals to this point.
"Jason started his Pokémon journey nearly two years ago, and is competing in his second league, his first Indigo Plateau!" Freddy spoke as looked up at the screen; he had rehearsed the facts beforehand, the sign of a talented commentator. "He spent time training with a close friend of his, the Pewter City gym leader Forrest, and is known to have a preference for using Pokémon from his native region. His starter was a Bulbasaur, which is yet to evolve, and his Pokémon hero is former champion of the Unova region, Alder!"
The other card showed an older boy, of around fifteen , dressed in a green shirt and beige trousers, with a black close fitting jacket and what appeared to be walking boots on his feet. He wore thin wiry glasses and was short for his age, but still seemed to show an air of confidence. There was an effortless smile on his face. The crowd still cheered wildly, although there seemed to be less noise than there had been for Jason.
"Max started his Pokémon journey over five years ago and is competing is his ninth league, his third Indigo Plateau! He previously reached the round of 32 and the quarter finals in his previous appearances, although his personal best is a final appearance in his native Ever Grande Conference." Freddy paused for effect, knowing what he would say next would send the crowd into a frenzy. "He trained under someone you all know and love; the current Kanto Champion, Ash!"
The crowd went mental. Ash Ketchum, known as just Ash nowadays, was a special Pokémon trainer. From humble beginnings in Pallet Town, he had grown into an internationally recognized trainer. Those lucky enough to have trained under him, or be a rival to him, were treated with almost equal respect; it was like saying you had met a president, or a famous film star if you had met a companion of Ash.
"His starter Pokémon was a Mudkip, and his Pokémon hero is his father Norman, who is the former Gym Leader of Petalburg!" Freddy called out, but the crowd weren't listening; most of them were still buzzing off the mention of the Champion. Freddy looked to the committee and lowered his microphone as he spoke into his earpiece.
"Are we ready?" he whispered.
A female voice replied . "He's been waiting for you to finish harping on."
Freddy grinned. "And the other?"
"He says he's ready. Also, both of them have got Pokémon out of the Poké Balls. Just to let you know."
"I've got it."
"They're coming up from below, thirty seconds."
Freddy turned back to the crowd. "And now, assembled Pokéfans, it is time for the first of our exhibition matches. Today, we are bringing you a David-v-Goliath full six-on-six match. One trainer with no tournaments to their name, one with everything to lose. Please, put your hands together for our David, Wallace from the region on Britannia, and our very own champion, Ash Ketchum!"
Right on time, the two trainer patches retracted as two figures were lifted up from opposite ends of the stadium. Ash Ketchum blinked as the harsh sunlight of the afternoon hit him full in the face; he adjusted his cap somewhat to cast a shadow over his eyes then turned to survey the stadium. Around him were screaming masses, all going wild. Regardless of having seen the sight hundreds of times before, Ash still felt nervous when he stepped out in front of any crowd. It wasn't quite stage fright, but it was still scary to an extent. Now he was champion, he had even more to play for; his reputation.
He got the first good look at his opponent. It was a man, of around fifty, who was broad shouldered and pale. He was dressed in a white long sleeved shirt, with a green knitted sleeveless jumper and a red bow tie. He wore brown trousers and what appeared to be brown shoes, tailored leather with a buckle that glinted in the sun. He was smiling benignly at the crowd, and seemed almost dazed to be out here. Ash was surprised at his age, wondering if he was a veteran, but he knew his opposition was a wild card. That didn't mean he wouldn't be powerful though, and Ash had selected a strong team for the battle.
To the man's right, there was a Pokémon. It looked like a dog, and was a light tan colour, with large eyes, brown ears and a black nose. It sat on its hind legs with its arms folded and an expression of concentration on its face as it regarded Ash. Ash looked down at Pikachu who was also regarding the dog-like Pokémon with apprehension; other trainers rarely kept a Pokémon out of a Poke Ball in a battle.
"This match will be capped with a thirty minute time limit and will be a full six-on-six battle!" shouted Freddy, over the deafening roar of the crowd at the appearance of Ash. He raised a hand to acknowledge them and they screamed even more. Freddy raised his voice again. "The field will be Grass and the winner will be determined when one trainer has no more available Pokémon. Trainers, are you ready?"
"Ready when you are, young lad," the man called Wallace called from across the field as it switched into grassy terrain. The dog balled one of its paws into a fist and placed it in the other. Ash was surprised at the corresponding actions from both of his opponents. The trainer seemed more at ease, whilst the Pokémon seemed tense. He reached to his belt and took hold of a Poké Ball, which he enlarged.
"Let's go!" he shouted over the crowd. "Muk, I choose you!"
He threw the ball and Muk emerged, falling to the ground and forming a purple shape of liquid. The eyes narrowed and the mouth widened in a leer as Wallace surveyed it.
"A Muk, eh?" he said, smiling. He turned to Gromit. "Shouldn't be too much trouble for us, lad, should it? Now, Shaun, it's time to fight!"
Ash did a double-take. Shaun?
Out of the Poké Ball came a small lamb-like Pokémon. It had a black head with what appeared to be a white fleece over its main body, short tail and the top of its head. It looked excitable, fidgeting quickly and smiling in the sort of way a Rhydon did before it punched a Geodude.
It may have been the most terrifying thing Ash had ever seen.
"Muk, don't underestimate its size!" he called out. Muk grunted in recognition and faced Shaun across the battlefield.
"Now," called out Freddy who had moved to a podium on one side of the arena, where he was sat behind a large microphone. "Let battle... begin!"
The match referee dropped both of his flags and immediately Ash seized the initiative.
"Muk, Sludge Bomb, let's go!"
Muk seemed to concentrate, before suddenly regurgitating a large shapeless blob of purple sludge. Even from a distance, Ash could smell it; the stench of raw sewage.
Wonder how Muk does that, he thought to himself.
Muk let the blob hang in the air, before firing it across the field. It flew through the air, heading closer to the small Pokémon.
"Dodge it, and use Stun Spore!" called Wallace, throwing a hand forward in a dramatic gesture. At the last minute, Shaun rolled to one side to avoid the Sludge Bomb which promptly crashed into the ground and left a wilted patch of grass. The sheep didn't stop though; it continued to roll until it came up on its legs and bleated loudly. Small yellow flecks seemed to detach themselves from the wool on its back and flew quickly at Muk. Ash didn't have time to give the command before the sheep had managed to score a direct hit.
"Muk!" he shouted as the Poison-type struggled to move, caught by the static crackle of paralysis. It shifted forward and winced as its movements were restricted.
"Now Shaun, Quick Attack!" Wallace commanded pleasantly; it was as if he was speaking over tea rather than conducting a battle. Shaun leapt forward and burst towards Muk.
"Muk, counter with Sludge Wave!" Ash breathed a sigh of relief as Muk fought through the paralysis and launched a devastating wave of poison waste at Shaun. The small Pokémon failed to leap over and was instead washed backwards by the sludge as it crashed forward. It came to rest just in front of Wallace's feet. The dog wrinkled its nose in disgust at the smell as Shaun gingerly got back to its feet, its legs trembling.
"Muk, Sludge Bomb again!" Ash ordered. Muk began the process of another Sludge Bomb, only to buckle under the paralysis. Wallace sensed his chance.
"Shaun, try Quick Attack again!" The Pokémon moved forward, albeit slower this time with the sustained damage. It still managed to make it to Muk though, and launched itself from the ground, smashing into the Pokémon. Muk reeled and slid backwards, closer to Ash; the putrid stench odour filled his nostrils.
"Muk, hit it close with Sludge Bomb!"
As Shaun came back down and looked prepared to launch a second identical attack, Muk finally broke out of its paralysed state and hit it full in the face with the contents of its stomach. Shaun was sent sprawling backwards, skidding over tainted grass until it finally came to a rest in front of its trainer. It attempted to stand, but after a second it fell back to earth, its eyes rolling back into its head as it hit with a loud thud.
"Shaun is unable to battle," called the referee. "The first win goes to Ash!"
The crowd screamed again as Freddy attempted to shout over them to give some statistic or fact concerning Muk. Wallace leant down and rubbed Shaun's head, oblivious to the gunk covering it or the smell and returned it quickly.
"Well, that went as well as could be expected," he said as he pulled a second Poké Ball. "Now, Cooker, let's pull this one back."
If Ash had been surprised by the name and subsequent appearance of Shaun, this was nothing compared to the Pokémon that followed. Cooker was exactly what it said on the tin; a cooker. It was about five foot tall, a rectangular box shape with numerous dials and – a coin meter built in? To further his shock, it also appeared to be on skis and had two arms at the side, complete with white gloves and ski sticks.
I don't recall having anything different for breakfast this morning, Ash thought to himself. He looked at Pikachu whose mouth was wide open in astonishment.
"Pika," it said simply, adding no further comment.
"Now, Cooker," Wallace called out. "Metal Sound!"
At once, an ear-splitting sound of scraping metal emitted from the strange Pokémon. Muk writhed in pain, as Pikachu and the Pokémon known as Gromit both clamped their hands over their ears. Ash couldn't hear the high grating sound, but he knew that its effects were detrimental to the Poison-type Pokémon.
"Muk, Sludge Bomb!"
"Cooker, Bullet Punch!"
As Muk began to regurgitate again, Cooker shot forward like a rocket, its right arm pulled back, the glove glowing brightly, the ski stick still clenched. Before Muk could attack, it found a fist embedded into its face, sending it tumbling backwards.
"Finish it, Cooker," Wallace commanded, sticking out his hand, as Muk slowly shifted its form again. "Earth Power!"
The Pokémon raised its arms, then smashed the ski sticks down into the ground. At once, there was an eruption of rock from a newly formed fissure and bright hot energy spilled out, bursting through Muk. It did not even make a sound as the chunks of rock smashed into it. Instead, it simply keeled over, its eyes unfocused.
"Muk is unable to battle," called out the referee as Cooker returned to its side of the field. "The victory goes to Wallace!"
Cheers erupted again as Wallace and Cooker waved to the crowd. Ash walked forward to Muk who gave him an upset look.
"Nothing you could do about it," he told it, pulling out his Poké Ball. "Now, take a good rest."
He returned Muk and slowly moved back to where the platform was. He reached for his second Poké Ball.
"It looks like a Steel-type," he murmured. "And if so, I have just the Pokémon to do it. Torkoal, I choose you!"
He hurled the Poké Ball forward into the air and released the large, tortoise-like Pokémon. Smoke billowed from its nostrils, and it shifted slightly to face its opponent.
"Now, Torkoal, use Flamethrower!" Ash commanded. Torkoal opened its mouth and unleashed a stream of fire towards its opponent.
"Cooker, use Protect!" shouted Wallace. The robot raised its arms and crossed them, forming a green energy shield to which the fire simply bounced off.
"Try again, Torkoal! Flamethrower!"
"Cooker! Earth Power, quickly!"
As the flames burst forward, they were engulfed by the new fissure that rocked underneath Torkoal and hit it with a burst of energy. It reeled back in pain, allowing its opponent to move in on it.
"Bullet Punch!" called Wallace. Again, the gloved fist glowed and the Pokémon sped towards Torkoal, spearing it directly on its underbelly. It crumpled under the attack, and Cooker hit it again, and again, repeatedly driving its fists into it.
"Torkoal, no!" Ash cried out as it continued to stumble through the attack. "Try and deflect it with your shell!"
As another Bullet Punch flew towards it, Torkoal managed to turn on the spot; the first connected with the shell and bounced backwards. Cooker recoiled slightly, giving Ash the window of opportunity he needed.
"Torkoal, turn and use Overheat!"
As its opponent wheeled backwards in preparation for another attack, Torkoal spun on the spot and glowed red as it unleashed a massive surge of flame at Cooker. Wallace did not have enough time to call out a move or a command before it was engulfed by the fire, roasting; the audible sound of crackling metal could be heard above the roar of the crowd. When the flames cleared, Cooker was still standing, but heavily damaged. It spontaneously sparked and was again set on fire.
"Cooker has got the Burn!" called out Freddy. "That status condition is eating away at what health it has left after that super effective attack by Torkoal!"
"Don't let it stop you, Cooker!" shouted Wallace. "Use Earth Power as a long range attack!"
"Torkoal, dodge it and use Overheat once more!" Ash shouted in response. As the fissures began to form, Torkoal rolled onto its shell to the left and back onto its feet, before firing its attack upon Cooker. It did not have enough time to shield with Protect before it was hit with Overheat; this time, it fell backwards under the attack, knocked out, unable to move.
"Cooker is unable to battle," the referee called out. "The victory goes to Ash!"
The deafening roar grew more intense as Ash raised a fist in acknowledgement of his win. Wallace silently returned his Pokémon and pocketed it again, moving to another ball.
"I like your style, young man," he called out across the arena. "You remind me of the gutsiness I had thirty years ago when I was a trainer in your position."
Ash looked at the man intently and smiled. "You're a former Champion too?"
Wallace returned the smile. "Three times, my dear boy. And whilst it's been a while since I last battled, don't underestimate me or my team." He picked the Poké Ball he had been touching in his pocket and enlarged it. "Let's see what you make of this one. Preston, let's go!"
He threw the ball into the air; it opened and emerging from it came a large, hulking brown dog-like Pokémon. Compared to the one out of the ball, who was regular sized, this one was considerably larger, a deep brown shade, with a fierce look in its eyes. Ash studied it carefully and turned back to Torkoal.
"You deserve a good rest after that hard work. Torkoal, return!"
He pushed the Poké Ball back into his belt and selected another one. If he was going to fight against something big, he needed to trump it in the size stakes.
"Snorlax, I choose you!"
The huge Pokémon landed on the grass and looked sleepily around taking in its surroundings. It seemed to suddenly become more alert with the presence of an opponent on the field.
"I see that size does matter," Wallace said dryly; Ash laughed at his remark.
"Well, let's see if biggest is best. Now Snorlax, show them what you're made of!"