Today, we find our heroes passing through a lush forest. Ash has won all five of the Sakura League badges and is on his way to the finals in Evange City. He is in high spirits today, eager for the battles to come. His friends also support him.
"I don't know if you're ready," Brock commented, "The last matches were really tough and you barely got the badges."
Ash looked back at him, "Haha, I got them, didn't I? And how much tougher can the competition be. Sheila wouldn't even let me do the battling, I had to stay in that sound box while my pokemon battled by themselves. Lucky that Pikachu got them together, huh Pikachu?"
"Pi-Pi Kachuu," Pikachu crowed.
"You mean if your Charizard hadn't gotten mad at her Blastoise," Misty corrected, "Pikachu and Bulbasaur couldn't have beaten it alone."
"Pikachu did stun it," Brock said, "but it wasn't taking damage from Pikachu or Bulbasaur. If Charizard been there, you would have lost it for sure."
"Okay, okay, maybe I should train some," Ash answered looking down, "but I know what to expect now. It can only get easier, right?"
"I guess," Misty answered wistfully.
Elsewhere in the forest. . .
Jesse lay on the soft grass and looked up at the cloudless sky, "This is such a wonderful field, I could lay here all day."
James lounged not far away, "I know, this is so much better than losing a battle or working. Why don't we just stay here for today?"
"Hey, do you want to nab that Pikachu or not?" Meowth called from his watch in a tree.
James straightened up, "Sure but what can we do? Ours pits fell through and our disguises haven't fooled anyone."
"Well, are you just going to give up?" Meowth called as he scrambled down.
"Yes," James moaned, settling in the field.
"Give it a rest, Meowth," Jesse chirped, "Today will just be for us."
Meowth growled for a moment before he could piece the words, "All you ever do is rest. The twerps are headed for that town, I want to catch the Pikachu and get out of debt so move you two." He suddenly turned towards the forest and his verbal rampage cooled, "Hey, what was that?"
James yawned loudly, "I didn't see anything."
"Of course you didn't see anything," Meowth ranted, "you were laying down on the job. Now move, both of you, lets go." He rushed Jesse and James out of the field and the two disappeared into the tall grasses.
A hooded green face watched them go and turned to the shadow behind her. "They're in danger, aren't they?"
The pokemon shuffled his crown, "Yes. I'm afraid what would happen if Ruz won. The entire planet may be in danger."
"Then give me strength, my lord, and I will do my best."
"Here are three trusted pokeballs; you must battle him and win that tournament. These pokemon have helped us for ages, they will serve you now."