''And Fern's Catamaro goes down after a good fight! And that means Ash and his Ornack wins!'' the announcer says. Fans watching the battle cheer when they hear the news. Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, all the way in Kanto, had won against the 8th Gym Leader in Palmo, earning him allowance in the Pokemon League, Elite Four Challenge, and Palmo Battle Frontier.
''We won! Great job, Ornack!'' Ash yelled, running up to hug his elated Zombie Pokemon.
''Or-nack!'' it said happily, returning the hug to its Trainer. It was seven feet tall, sickly purplish green, had bloodshot, mis-sized eyes, a sideways mouth that ran down the middle of its hideous face, half-rotten flesh, and a fifty-foot chain that it usually held in a similar fashion to Ghost Rider.
''Great job, Ash. Here's the Power Badge.'' Fern said, walking up to the Trainer. Ash gladly accepted the Badge, which looked like a snake wrapped in a spiral on a platelike background. Ash recognized the design, clutching the necklace he always wore. It was Xyrule's very own Power Plate.
''Thanks, Fern! Ooh, I can't wait! I hope the Pokemon League Champion is ready to lose this year!'' Ash said, closing his eyes and raising his hand with the Badge in it. ''I got the Power Badge!''
''Pika!'' Pikachu said, jumping up to get in the camera filming the battle.
''Ash, don't be so rash. The Palmo Pokemon League is well known for only the toughest Trainers to enter. Palmo's Pokemon are exceptionally powerful, so they're much more formidable than any other region's.'' Cilan said when Ash walked out of the Darra City Gym.
''Wow, Cilan. A whole three sentences without a connoiseur reference. I'm impressed.'' Iris said, walking up to the two. Or rather, jumping off the planks that held the roof to the Gym up. ''Nice battle, Ash! How did you know Deltran would evolve when he did?''
''Oh, he and I had decided a while ago to hold his evolution until we really needed it. We didn't really then, but he decided to evolve anyways.'' Ash bragged, holding his head on the back with his arms.
Cilan decided to tease Iris by making her wish she had never commented on how he talked. ''The battle recipe was amazing. Such finesse, coupled with your Pokemon's sheer strategy, made for a very interesting and delicious mix.'' Iris groaned inwardly, facepalming herself.
''So, you're planning on taking the Pokemon League Challenge?'' Iris asked, as Ash added the Power Badge to his box of Palmo Badges. Ash also had three Pokemon Ribbons, saying he got 'bored', and so he entered a few, winning them, including the Grand Festival. Only Ash could complete both that and get his last Gym Badge in the space of an hour.
An odd little Pokemon walked slowly past them, clearly wild. It was red, and had the appearance of a foxlike cat. it had large, thick antenna on the back of its head, and large, purple, innocent-looking eyes. It's small paws made very little noise as it walked.
''Who's that Pokemon?'' Ash asked, taking out his Palmo Pokedex, aptly named Dexter 2.0.
''Flarett, the Flare Cat Pokemon. A Baby Pokemon, Flarett almost never leave their parent Ashelph until they evolve. They are Fire-Psychic Types, and use their antenna to emit either Psychic energy or loud, unbearable screeching, which they cover their large, sensitive ears to protect themselves from.'' Dexter 2.0 said robotically, making the little red foxcat jump. It let out a strangely powerful attack, fire appearing in a ball between its raised antenna. The ball launched, hitting Ash in the stomach.
''Oof!'' he said, falling back. He was covered in soot. ''Hey, sorry for scaring you, Flarett. It was a Pokedex. Hey, come back!'' Flarett had run towards the woods.
''Aww...It was so cute!'' Iris said, tears appearing in her eyes. ''Ash, you scared it away!''
''Hey, it's not my fault. And besides, that Flame Bomb was really powerful.'' Ash said, wiping the soot off his body. He looked a little dizzy from the sudden powerful attack. One of his Pokeballs popped open.
''Bloomanther!'' a Pokemon said as it came out. It had a Rafflesia flower (with a good smell) on its face, amber eyes that sparkled whenever it looked at anything, a small mouth that was always smiling, and its body was a pale lime green, and looked humanoid, except for it was thinner at the neck and gradually thickened out as it ended at the hips. Its feet were flower roots. It had another, smaller Pokemon next to it (the Pokeball was one of Ash's Dual Balls, explained in Between Two Worlds). The second was much smaller, with a Celebi-esque head and little to no boy, only having tiny arms and stubby legs coming out of the mossy green head.
''Petim Petim!'' it said happily, jumping up and down, settling itself in one of Bloomanther's head petals.
''Why do you two always come out when I miss a Pokemon?'' Ash asked, returning the Pokemon duo. ''When Bloom comes out, Seedling does as well. I really wish they weren't family. At least then I would only have one to worry about.'' Ash had nicknamed the two because their names were so long.
A huge, catlike Pokemon pounced out of the forest. It was pure red, including its angry eyes. Its back and tail were completely on fire. It landed on Ash, its trajectory, momentum, and weight knocking the Trainer over.
''A-shelph.'' it growled in a low, deep voice. Ash had to close his eyes from the heat radiating from the huge flaming cat. The Pokemon raised a paw. It was holding a huge flaming sword. It brought the deadly blade down, but instead of hitting fles, it hit scales. Ash looked up. There, protecting him with his own body, was Dragor, valiantly taking the brunt of the flaming attack. Dragor bit the sword with his oversized mouth, his needlelike fangs aautomatically curving to dig into the move.
''Dra-gor!'' he said, flicking his head back. He removed the sword with that tiny movement easily. The wild Ashelph didn't seem to care. It appeared to have foam flickering dripping off its mouth. ''Gaah!'' Ashelph had bit Dragor on his thin neck, firey hatred evident in the collossal attack. Everyone there heard a snap as the Night Cat Pokemon broke Dragor's neck.
''Ashelph!'' a voice said. Ashelph suddenly stopped the attack, looking at the source, all anger gone from its eyes. What was left was a natural innocent look. A Trainer walked up. He looked familiar, but Ash couldn't put his finger on it. The guy looked about 16, had crazy brown hair, a sneer on his face, and he was a little taller than Ash. He took out a Pokeball, returning the rabid fire cat. ''You alright, Ash?'' he asked, holding out a hand. He noticed Dragor's broken neck. His sneer fell. ''Your Pokemon needs treatment immediately. Here, I have bandages.'' he said, taking out a few yards of gauze. Ash waved a hand.
''Don't worry about Dragor. He can heal himself. This has happened a few times before today.'' Ash said, and Dragor automatically snapped the joint back into place. His eyes still showed the fiery defiance of Kharkoul.
''I'm fine. Who is this, Ash? A friend of yours?'' Dragor said, looking at the new Trainer with a mixture of suspicion and curiousity.
''I remember you from somewhere.'' Ash said, looking at the Trainer.
''That's because I was your first rival, Ash. It's me, Gary Oak.'' the Trainer said, holding out a hand, ''Long time no see, Ash!''
''You seem almost friendly to me now, Gary. What happened?'' Ash asked, unsure of what else to say. He hadn't seen Gary Oak in over five years. And most of the year he did see him, they were either battling or Gary was teasing Ash.
''Palmo is a place to throw off old rivalries. It's a place to restart.'' Gary said, shrugging. He had a six-foot-long green snakelike Pokemon next to him. It had Rayquaza-esque claws and large scales. It had four large fangs in its wide mouth.
''Sorn Sorn Sorn!'' it said, wapping itself around Gary's body. It snapped at the air, its fangs making a sharp clicking sound.
''Who's that Pokemon?'' Ash asked, taking out his Pokedex.
''Sorn, the Oddity Pokemon, and the evolved form of Stark. It is a Grass Type. Sorn live in pairs or alone in the wild, wrapping their prey until the prey runs out of air. Their fangs hold very little venom.'' the Pokedex said robotically.
''Sorn Sorn!'' it said, as if answering the machine.
''Isn't that a Starter Pokemon?'' Iris asked, backing away slightly from the viperlike Pokemon.
''I got it as well, Iris.'' Cilan said, releasing a powerful-looking Sarn. it was much larger than Sorn, at nearly fifteen feet long, and its underbelly was a dark onyx color. Its head also had an onyx plating. Its arms were larger, capable of carrying the huge snake a short distance, and its body was both thicker and more streamlined than Sorn's.
''Ssarrn.'' it hissed, slithering serpentine fashion. It slithered up to Sorn, its long black tongue flickering. Cilan returned it before it lunged at Sorn. He knew that Sarn will eat its preevolved forms.
''What city is the Pokemon League in?'' Ash asked, effectively changing the subject.
''It's in Corrinth. It's the capital of Palmo. It's all the way across the region.'' Gary said, ''You're entering too?''
''I'm going to beat it easily!'' Ash said enthusiastically, going over to the Pokemon Center to switch out his team. When he finished, he went out.
''Should I use this one?'' he asked, holding up an Ultra Ball.
''It's not against the rules, so I suppose you can.'' Cilan said, knowing exactly what was in the Ultra Ball.
''What's in the Ultra Ball, Ash?'' Gary asked, confused.
''You'll just have to wait and see, Gary.'' Ash answered, putting the Ultra Ball on his belt. ''When does the next train for Corrinth leave?''
''It leaves in half an hour.'' Gary said, checking the watch function on his Poketch.
''Then let's go!'' Ash exclaimed, grabbing Iris and Cilan by the arms and racing toward the train station. Gary shrugged, following the overzealous Trainer who used to be his rival. It looks like they would be rivals again in this competition. He chuckled inwardly when he saw a wild Flarett peeking its antenna out of Ash's backpack.
In Corrinth...
''We're here!'' Ash exclaimed, blasting out of the train. ''The future Pokemon League Champion has finally arrived!''
''Yes I have.'' a voice said. Ash and his friends looked to where the voice had come from. The man who had spoken was about thirty, had a large staff with a diamond on top, and had a powerful-looking Pteranodart next to him.
''I meant me.'' Ash said proudly.
''The Palmo Pokemon League isn't for kids, kid. And, even if you were serious about entering, I've been Champion for ten years. I could probably beat your whole team with just my Pteranodart. And are you really planning on using a Baby Pokemon to compete? That Flarett doesn't even look like it's captured, much less like it's strong. By the way, I'm Jason Solo. You've most likely heard of me.'' the man said.
''Pterano!'' the Pteranodart said in a gravelly, age-worn voice.
''First of all, I'm much stronger than I look. Second of all, I don't own a Flarett.'' Ash said, stubbornly crossing his arms.
''Then that's a very realistic illusion sitting in your backpack.'' Jason said, holding out an ID card with his name on it. It had five stars over his name.
Ash looked into his backpack. Staring back at him was the same Flarett he had accidentally scared away earlier that day.
'Flarett!'' it said happily, its ragged-looking ears perking up.
''Aah!'' Ash screamed, dropping the backpack. The Flarett hopped out, crawling next to Ash and nuzzling his leg. '' I thought you ran away, little guy.'' Ash said, tentatively reaching down to pet the Flame Cat Pokemon.
''No, I didn't.'' the Flarett said. Its voice was babyish and high-pitched. Wait, Pokemon don't talk! Ash shrieked, backing away, hand clutching his heart.
''D-did you j-just s-speak?'' he asked, almost ready to pass out.
''Yes, I did. And I didn't run away for good. I saw as soon as I saw you that you have a pure heart. I was exiled from my family unit because I'm so small. That's why I look worn.'' the Flarett said, helping Ash recover from shock with its Psychic powers.
''You're luckier than you think, Ash. Flarett only choose to be captured if the Trainer is pure of heart. Now, I have to go train for the Preliminary rounds tomorrow.'' Jason said. He had unknowingly set off something that he wished he hadn't. Ash jumped back up, his shock gone.
''Tomorrow!? I need to train!'' Ash said, racing into a field, followed by the tiny Flarett. Jason went the other way. He may have been a little mean, but he battled fair and square. He would never cheat to win. That was why he never lost.
'Let's go watch Ash battle.'' Iris said.
''Sure. I wonder what flavor he'll choose to make his battle recipe perfect.'' Cilan said. The two walked calmly over to the field, as opposed to Ash's mad dash.
In the field...
''Come on out, everybody!'' Ash said, tossing five Pokeballs.
''Or-nack!''
''Querie Quer Quer Querie!'' screeched a happily jumping pale blue Pokemon that looked like a finned, bipedal cat.
''Coiler!'' a greenish, serpentine Pokemon whose tail had a large rattle at the end, small legs, and small arms said.
''Zephyr!'' a large, grey Pokemon said, swishing its huge, pincer like tail around, creting a miniature hurricane.
''Kamrough.'' a Ornithominus-esque Pokemon with a beak and supercharged leg muscles said. Its pale sandy tan scales looked exactly like dust in a desert.
An hour later...
''Alright, everybody. That's enough for now. We're ready for the Pokemon League!'' Ash said. His Pokemon cheered, each standing straight after their battle stances.
''Good job, Ash. How did you know that Coiler would learn Vibrant Tail when he did?'' Iris said after the training.
''I didn't. You know I never know what will happen until it does.'' Ash said, returning his Pokemon.
''LAST MINUTE REGISTRATION FOR THE POKEMON LEAGUE WILL BE HELD IN THE POKEMON CENTER!'' an intercom blared from the middle of the town.
''I forgot to register! Be right back!'' Ash said, running so fast a picture of him could still be seen in the air where he stood. True to his word, he was back in less than five seconds. ''I'm in!'' he exclaimed, ready for the newest major event he had ever been to. But there was far more than the Pokemon League that could result in ruin.
The next day...
''Today is the first half of the Preliminary rounds for the Palmo Pokemon League Challenge! There will be 128 battles today, with 64 going on at one time. Good luck battlers, and we are randomly pairing you now.'' the announcer said through the microphone, and gave a list of rules.
Ash looked carefully to see when his, Gary's, and that guy Jason's pairings would be. He saw Jason would be battling in Stage 1 against someone named Morty, Gary would be in Stage 14 against Henry, and he would be in Stage 56 against someone named Juliet.
At Ash's battle...
''In Stage 56, on the Red side of the Pokeball symbol, is Juliet Harrison of Faran Town! And in the white side, all the way from Pallet Town, is Ash Ketchum!'' the announcer said into the loudspeaker. The crowd cheered. ''This will be a one-on-one battle with only one Pokemon aside. Begin!'' A whistle blew and the two rivals threw their Pokeballs.
''Go, Jire!'' Juliet yelled.
''Go, Querie!'' Ash said.
''Jire Jire.'' Jire said mechanically, spinning his toplike body at high speeds.
''Querie Quer Quer Querie!'' Querie screeched, already lowering the Jire's Attack from the loud noise.
''Querie, use Screech!'' Ash said.
''Jire, rotate at top speed to shake off that noise! And then use Body Slam!'' Juliet said, sweat forming already.
''QUERIE!'' Querie shrieked, making all glass in the audience shatter.
''Jire Jire!'' Jire spun around, visibly shaking off the move. It started rotating even faster, launching itself at Querie.
''Wait for it, Querie.'' Ash said. Querie stood still, knowing her Trainer knew what he was doing. Just as soon as it looked sure the Body Slam would hit, Ash acted. ''Now, Querie! Hi Jump Kick!''
Querie's knee connected with Jire's vulnerable flashing head, adding damage from Jire's momentum. Jire flew straight into Juliet's stomach. When the smoke cleared, both Jire and Juliet were unconscious.
''And Ash with Querie wins the battle with a stunning display of raw power!'' the announcer said. The crowd went wild. ''And they have tied their time with the greatest battler Palmo has ever seen in the Preleminaries: Jason.''
Querie's body started to glow white. Its body grew larger and thinner. Its back fins turned into webbed crests, its arm and leg fins changed into muscle, and its watery head crest grew larger and sharper. The light faded. The new Pokemon was a dark teal blue.
''Querill!'' the Pokemon said, its voice deeper. It punched the ground with its fist. The ground cracked slightly.
''Ash's Querie has just evolved into a Querill! This is the first case of an evolution in the Preliminary rounds!'' the announcer said.
''Querill, return! Great job!'' Ash said. Querill was sucked into the red beam of the Pokeball.