Note: I do not own Pokemon. Let me know how you like it. This is my first story, so please be nice.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared as Team Rocket agents Shark and Nel ran through the streets of New Bark Town.
"Certainly is quiet around at this time of night," said Shark.
"Well, it is a small city. Perfect for thieving," laughed Nel.
"Halt!"
"Who could that be?" asked Nel.
They both turned to see Officer Jenny standing behind them.
"Go, Growlithe!" she called as she through a pokeball. In a brilliant display of light that matched the lightning overhead, the pokeball popped open and out came a Growlithe.
Both Shark and Nel began laughing hysterically. "Oh this is too rich," laughed Nel, "you're really going to try to stop us with that?"
"I will stop you!" shouted Officer Jenny.
"Oh well," sighed Nel, "I hate to hurt a such a small Pokemon, but if I must, then so be it. Go, Persian!"
With yet another brilliant flash of light, a relaxed Persian appeared between Team Rocket and Officer Jenny's Growlithe.
"Growlithe, use Take Down!" shouted Jenny.
"Persian, dodge it!" called Nel.
Growlithe rushed toward Persian, but was unable to land a hit as Persian jumped out of the way, landing perfectly on its feet.
"Now Persian," said Nel, "Slash!"
Persian lunged toward Growlithe, sharp claws extended.
"Dodge it, Growlithe!" yelled Jenny, but it was too little, too late. Persian's slash was too fast, and the impact sent Growlithe careening for the nearest building. Growlithe hit and made a huge dent in the stone wall.
"Growlithe!" cried Jenny.
"Thank you, Persian," said Nel, "Now let's go."
Team Rocket took off, running hard to their waiting plane. When they boarded, they noticed the Boss was already waiting for them.
"Did you get what we came for?" he asked.
"Yes, sir!" both operatives said simultaneously.
"Good. Soon that hopeless fool Giovanni and all the world will bow before me! Bwahahahahahah!"
Meanwhile...
"Oh! That had to hurt! Pikachu's Volt Tackle scores a direct hit on Melanie's Staraptor."
"Staraptor is unable to battle. Pikachu wins the battle and Ash wins the match!"
The crowd cheered as sixteen-year-old Ash Ketchum walked out into the middle of the battlefield and lifted Pikachu up into the sky.
"You did amazing, buddy," he said as he gave Pikachu a tight hug.
"Pikapi," replied Pikachu.
"There you have it, folks. Just like that, Ash Ketchum works his way into the semifinal matches of the Pokemon World Championships!"
After he stepped off the battlefield, he was swarmed by a sea of reporters. His bodyguard helped him fight to the Pokemon Center to have his Pokemon looked at.
"Looks like you did it again. You managed to make it into the semifinals for a second year here at the World Championships," said Brock as Ash walked into the Pokemon Center.
"Yeah, and this time, I'm gonna win!"
"There's that fighting spirit. Good luck. You want me to look at your Pokemon?"
"Sure."
As Brock checked over Ash's Pokemon, Ash looked back on his previous attempt at the title.
Flashback
Pikachu goes flying into the wall after a powerful strike from Swampert's Muddy Water.
"The battle is over. Swampert wins!"
"Oh! I can't believe it's over. Just like that, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town has lost the Championship match. The new World Champion is Sig M. of Solaceon. Congratulations, Sig."
End Flashback
Ash had been completely demolished by Sig and his Pokemon. He hadn't stood a chance, but now, Ash was better, and Sig had lost in the fourth round to some newcomer. It was as if everything were going perfectly for Ash.
"Okay, Ash. Your Pokemon are ready."
Ash was really glad he had hired Brock to be his personal Pokemon Doctor. After his winning 2nd place last year, he had enough to pay Brock a decent salary, and he had more than enough for himself. Not only did he have plenty of money from that tournament, but with the new tournament setup, he had plenty of money.
Under the new setup, each competitor in the World Championships had to have placed in the top sixteen in at least five of the hundreds of minor tournaments. Ash had won seven titles this season, more than anyone else who had entered, and he was ready to top it all off with the World Championship trophy.
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I'll try to get more out soon. Until then, please review.