*Hey everyone, time for part two of 'Showdown in the Whirl Islands'. And first off, I'd like to admit to a slight oversight on my part. I said in the previous one that I would try to keep this battle so it could have happened in the anime, but I watched a chronicle episode last night where Ritchie still had his Charmeleon, not Charizard... And the episode was obviously set after Johto since Ritchie has a Taillow and Tracy mentions Ash has one too. So yeah, kinda dropped the ball a bit. But instead of crying like a little girl, I thought I'd just keep it as is and save myself the hassle of going back and changing everything. However that means this story is now pure alternate AU (author's universe), so if you think I made the wrong choice then please tell me. (Then again, most fanfics will eventually be proven wrong as the anime continues anyway.) To be honest I'm quite happy with it, because it gave me an new idea about how to end the battle. Okay, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own pokemon. Or Weetabix. It's a disgusting cereal and I can't stand the sight of it. Seriously. (I'm not even joking.)*


(Flashback of previous episode)

Deep in the Whirl Islands, we find out hero engaged in a fierce battle! After meeting up with his old friend Ritchie from the Indigo League, the pair decided to have a pokemon re-match before parting ways once again. Eager to make up for his previous defeat, Ash starts strong with Totodile, blasting away Ritchie's butterfree. But's it's out of the frying pan and into the fire as Ritchie then sends out his Charmeleon, blowing away Ash's Cyndaquil, and his Noctowl! And with Zippo now fully evolved into a Charizard, is there anyway Ash can pull this battle back-around? Or will our hero see history repeat itself once again?

(Master Quest theme music)

Fire and Lightning

Ash gritted his teeth, watching the Charizard to his front as it stretched it's wings out wide and shot a powerful flamethrower into the sky directly above.

'Yes Zippo, that's awesome!'

Behind the fire pokemon, a boy wearing a green t-shirt and combat bottoms cheered loudly, his face lit up as he stared at his new pokemon.


'Wow, I can't believe Zippo evolved...' Misty murmured as she watched the scene, sat to one side with a young boy next to her.

'Togepiiiii!' The baby pokemon, held in her arms, cried shrilly in response.

'Oh don't worry Togepi!' Misty replied, a concerned look on her face as she glanced down. 'Don't be scared, Ritchie's pokemon won't hurt you.'

'That... was... so... awesome!' Oliver jumped up back on to his feet, both his small fists clenched in excitement, a look of awe quickly replacing the previous look of shock. 'I've never seen a pokemon evolve before, that was great!'

'You didn't see it when Lanturn evolved?' Misty asked, curious.

'No no, he was already evolved when I met him...'


Man, I wish I had my Charizard right now...or even Squirtle, Ash thought as he stared at the fire pokemon. Below at his feet, Pikachu gulped slightly at the sight of another flamethrower shooting off into the sky.

'Pikachu...'

The electric mouse gulped again.

'Zippo's tough, but I know you can do it buddy! You're the only one left who stands a chance!'

'Pika?' Pikachu sweatdropped as it stared up at it's trainer with disbelief, then shook his head frantically.

'No Pikachu, it's not Bulbasaur's turn!' Ash exclaimed as the electric mouse jumped up and tapped one of the pokeballs on his waist. 'This is your battle!'

'Chu chu chuu...' Pikachu waved it's small paws in front of his face with a pleading look in it's eyes.

'C'on buddy! You can do it!' Ash shouted with a wide grin on his face as he knelt down and pushed the electric mouse forward with both hands.

'Chaaaa,' Pikachu wined feebly it as slid forward towards the fire type.

Zippo glanced down, huffing smoke out of it's nostrils in derision.


'Pikachu versus Zippo!' Brock held his arms up wide, shouting out in an attempt to bring a bit of order to the slightly stunned atmosphere to their front. 'Let the battle begin!'

'You got this Pikachu! Don't worry, I'll take care of everything!' Ash yelled out to his friend.

'Chuu chu pika chu,' Pikachu muttered under it's breath as it dropped to all fours, bracing itself for the following battle.


'I hope Ash knows what he's doing out there,' Misty murmured as she watched the electric type with wide worried eyes. 'If he's not careful, he's gonna end up with a Pikachu barbecue...'

'Togepiiiii, topepriiii...'

'Don't worry Togepi, Pikachu can win this!' Oliver exclaimed, still on his feet and staring forward with barely suppressed glee.


'Zippo flamethrower!'

'Dodge it Pikachu!'

'Pika!' Pikachu leapt to the right, barely dodging the jet of fire as it hit the beach, leaving a small scorch mark. Zippo immediately repeated the attack however, the new flamethrower now chasing the mouse type right and left as Pikachu darted frantically around, barely keeping ahead of the fire.

'That's it Pikachu, use agility!'

'Pika chu chu chu!' Pikachu cried as continued to zip left and right, it's small paws kicking up sand each time it changed direction.

'Zippo, keep up that flamethrower, you almost got it!' Ritchie yelled out to his pokemon. The charizard gave a dull roar in response as the flames coming from it's mouth suddenly intensiflied.

'Pikkkaaaaa!'

Pikachu squealed as a flamethrower suddenly caught it on it's flank before it could change direction again, sending the mouse pokemon rolling away.

'Pikachu!' Ash yelled.

Pikachu slowly rose back to it's feet in response to it's trainer's call, wincing. Ash gritted his teeth.

Zippo's giving Pikachu no time to attack!

Pikachu hugged the sandy floor as another fire attack raged overheard, this one slightly burning the top of it's fur.

I gotta get Pikachu in closer somehow...

'Alright Zippo, this is it!' Ritchie shouted over to his charizard as he spotted the electric mouse sprawled out on the floor. 'One last flamethrower!'

I've got it!

'Pikachu, don't move!'

'Pika!?'

'What?!'

Both Misty and Pikachu shouted their question at the same time, even Brock looked surprised at the unusual command. Ash grinned in response as he watched the fire pokemon draw breath.

'Trust me buddy, I know what I'm doing!'

'Pi.'

Trusting in it's trainer, the electric mouse pushed itself up onto it's hind legs, glaring at the fire pokemon as it unleashed it's attack.

'Use your tail to spring now!'


'Aaawwwwh!' Ritchie gasped in shock as Pikachu tucked it's long zigzag tail underneath it's body and suddenly bounced high into the air, moments before the flamethrower crashed into the ground.

'Yes! Now land on it's head!'

'Pika chu!'

With a cry of triumph, Pikachu fell out of the sun's glare and landed on it's opponent's large reptilian head, clinging on tightly. Zippo roared in response, shaking it's face furiously in an attempt to get it's enemy off, the electric pokemon holding on for dear life.

'No Zippo, get it off now!'

'Pikachu, Thunder!'

'Pika-chuuuuuuuuuuuu!'

Zippo roared in agony as the bright electric attack lit up it's entire body. Pikachu kept up the attack for good thirty seconds before cutting off the electric charge and jumping back to the ground behind it, panting heavily. The charizard gave a dull growl as it slowly turned to glare at the yellow mouse pokemon on the ground, residual electricity still dancing over it's scaly wings.

'Zippo! Are you ok?' Ritchie yelled out to his pokemon.

'Charrggg!' Zippo roared in response, then seemed to freeze, eyes widening.

'Zippo?'

'Charr...' Slowly, still frozen in it's position, Zippo toppled backwards, hitting the beach behind it with a resounding thud.

'Zippo!'

'Ritchie's charizard is unable to battle! Ash's pikachu wins!' Brock shouted, unable to help the grin that spread over his face.


'Yey!' Both Misty and Oliver cheered loudly as Pikachu down heavily, one paw rubbing the back of it's head in relief.

'Awesome Pikachu!' Ash shouted as he watched the large fire type disappear back into it's pokeball. 'You did it!'

'Yeah, that was great!'

Ash slowly turned around, unable to stop a smirk coming to his face. 'You wouldn't be cheering for me there, would you Misty?'

'What! Erm no, I... I was cheering for Pikachu!' Misty spluttered in response.

'But Pikachu would never have won if I didn't think up that last move. Pretty clever of me to remember how we beat Drake's Dragonite on the spot like that, don't you think?'

'I don't..I mean...' Misty stopped and sighed, resting her head in one hand. 'Okay then Ash, it was pretty smart...'

'Ha! I knew it!'

'Can we get back to the battle?' Brock interrupted quickly as he watched the water pokemon trainer's face begin to heat up in annoyance.

'Sure thing!' Ash replied happily to his friend, bouncing slightly on his heels before turning back to face Ritchie. 'So, what's the next one gonna be Ritchie?'

Ritchie laughed slightly as he pulled another pokeball out. 'Okay Ash, I'll admit that was pretty cool. But I've still got three pokemon to go and like Zippo, they're not going down without a fight! Go Cruise!'


Pikachu growled quietly as a pupitar appeared in a flash of light, a few stray sparks beginning to crackle across it's cheeks again as it pushed itself back to it's feet. The hard shell pokemon in front looked almost disinterested in it's opponent, it's small red eyes wandering over the beach in boredom, it's hard shell gleaming in the sunlight.

'Pupitar...' Ash murmured, watching Ritchie's pokemon carefully. 'Electric attacks won't work, Pikachu return!'

Pikachu's ears perked in response to the call, then turned and ran back to it's trainer's feet.

'You battled really hard Pikachu,' Ash praised, reaching down to give his pokemon a stroke. 'Now rest up buddy, cause I might need you later.'

'Chu chu pikapi,' Pikachu replied gratefully, looking up at it's master with a smile on it's face.

'Now.' Ash straightened back up, one hand reaching towards his belt again. 'Pupitar's a rock type, which means grass pokemon will have an advantage. Lucky I have just the pokemon for the job! You're back up Chikorita!'


'Looks like Ash is finally using his head again,' Misty murmured to herself and the pokemon in her arms, a slight smile on her face as she watched the grass pokemon appear again in a flash of light. 'Now if he can just keep his cool, then maybe he can win this...'

'Togepiiii,' The baby pokemon waved it's small arms happily in response.

'Man, I can't wait! I wish Lanturn were here to see this!' Oliver yelled in excitement.


'Chiko chiko!'

'Yeah, hey Chikorita,' Ash replied to his pokemon with smile. 'You ready to win another one for me?'

'Chiko!' Chikorita beamed back at it's trainer for a moment longer, then jumped around to face the rock type with narrowed eyes.

'You wanna make the first move or should I?' Ritchie asked, half-teasing his old friend.

Ash grinned. 'It's all yours!'

'You got it! Now Cruise, use Headbutt!'

'Puuu pitar!' The hard shell pokemon rushed through the sand at an alarming pace, the bottom point of it's body just scraping a shallow path in the sandy floor.

'Chikorita, jump out of the way and use razor leaf!' Ash shouted, pointing forward.

'Chiko!'

Chikorita leapt out of the way with a determined expression, then widened it's eyes in panic as Pupitar changed direction at full speed, chasing after it again and hitting it before the grass pokemon had even landed back on the ground.

'Chikorita no!' Ash yelled as the grass type flew several metres off to one side towards the sea, before landing heavily on the ground in a large puff of sand. 'Are you okay?'

'Chikkkooo,' Chikorita growled weakly in reply, briefly struggling to get back to it's feet before collapsing again with swirling eyes.

'Chikorita!'

'Chikorita is unable to battle!' Brock called out as he watched Ash and Pikachu run over to the fallen pokemon. 'Cruise is the winner!'


'Chikooo?'

The grass type looked up at it's trainer as he approached with an exhausted, wavering look in it's eyes. Ash smiled as he held up a pokeball.

'You did great. Now take a good rest, you earned it. Return.'


'You shouldn't underestimate Cruise's speed Ash!' Ritchie called out as soon as his friend re-took his position. 'Even for a rock type, it's pretty fast!'

Ash gave little laugh in response as he placed Chikorita's pokeball back on his belt and picked another. 'Yeah, I can see, you trained it well!'

'And now I'm back in the lead!'

'Not for long! Not with my next pokemon, Bulbasaur, I choose you!'

The thrown pokeball broke open in mid-air, sending a river of bright light down onto the beach.


'Bulba bulbasaur!' Bulbasaur planted all four of it's thick legs into the ground as it stared forward at Cruise with an serious expression. The pupitar glared back, paying more attention this time as it eyed up the new pokemon to it's front.

Ritchie crossed his arms. 'Another grass type huh?'

'Yeah, that's right! Me and Bulbasaur have been together for a long time now, isn't that right Bulbasaur?'

'Bulba,' Bulbasaur replied simply, still watching the pokemon opposite intently.

'Alright then, Cruise, let's see how strong this one is! Start off with a Headbutt!

Pupitar rocketed forward, following almost the exact same route as before as it raced towards the grass type.

'Bulbasaur, it moves too fast to dodge, you'll have to take it head on!' Ash shouted out to his pokemon.

'Bulba.'

Bulbasaur lowered it's head slightly as it braced itself for the inevitable impact.


Who's that pokemon?

...

...

It's Spinarak!

'Spinnaaaaak'


'Are you sure this is gonna work Meowth?' Jessie asked as she laid down beside the feline pokemon.

'Sure I'm sure! Those twerps will be all tired out from battling, dey won't stand a chance...'

'Yeah, but don't you think this is a little extreme,' James replied from the other side. 'I mean, I know I thought it was good before, but now I think about it, I know I wouldn't want to be the one to do it...'

'It's lucky you got me then isn't it. And don't worry about it, I've been waiting for a chance to dig my claws into some payback...'

The three turned as one as they laid on the grassy floor and stared through the long reeds again. Down below they could just make out several kids on the beach, as well as two pokemon, one shaped like a silver half moon and the other green with a large bulb on it's back, both pushing against each other hard. James sighed again.

'They haven't even used their Pikachus yet, how much longer do we have to wait here?'

'As long as it takes!' Jessie replied angrily, propping herself up on one elbow and scowling at her male counter-part.

'But I'm hungry...' James whined back, this stomach giving a low grumble.

'Stop thinking about your stomach, this is...urgh!' Jessie stopped with a groan as her own stomach suddenly emitted an angry growl.

'Will you two pipe down!' Meowth exclaimed. 'Pay attention or we might miss our chance!'

The sound of a pokeball opening suddenly filled the air.

'Woobbbbbuuuuu-fetttt!'

'And you can pipe down too!'


'Keep going Cruise, don't back down!'

'Go for it Bulbasaur, let's see some of that willpower!'

Bulbasaur growled intently as it stained against the rock type, both pokemon pushed against each other fiercely, neither-side willing to give any ground.

'Bulba...SAUR!' With a huge effort, the grass type won and threw Cruise high into the air.

'Yes!' Ash yelled, clenching his fists as he stared upwards. 'Now use Solarbeam!'

'Bulba!' Specks of glowing energy began to gather on the bulb on it's back.

'Hit it while it's charging! Take Down Cruise!' Ritchie shouted.

'Pupit!'

Spinning round to face the ground while still in mid-air, the pupitar came crashing down, sending the grass type flying.

'Stay strong Bulbasaur!' Ash called out to his pokemon as it tumbled away in the sand.

'Sauuuurrrrr!' Bulbasaur righted itself on the ground, digging it's feet in as it brought it's slide to an abrupt halt.

'Cruise, finish it with another Take Down quickly!'

'Solarbeam now!' Ash shouted in reply as he saw the bulb on the back of his pokemon suddenly turn bright white.

'Bulba saur!'

'PUUUU PITAR!'

Ritchie cried out in shock as the powerful beam of light slammed into his pokemon, sending it spinning away overhead. 'No Cruise!'

'Pupitar is unable to battle! Ash's Bulbasaur wins!' Brock shouted out after the rock type made no effort to get back up, a good ten seconds after hitting the floor.


'Yes Bulbasaur!' Ash cheered as he leapt into the air.

'Pika pikachu!'

'Bulba bulba,' Bulbasaur replied happily, glancing back at it's trainer with a pleased expression.


'Alright Ash...' Ritchie began as he replaced Cruise's pokeball back on his belt and pulled out his next. 'You have gotten a lot better since the Indigo League. But it's not gonna be enough!'

'Aw yeah?' Ash shouted back confidently.

'Yeah! Go Gail!'

Ritchie's newest pokeball sprang open, revealing a red winged, brown headed bird pokemon with a sharp beak and a cruel look in it's eyes.

'Speeeaaaroooow!'

'A spearow,' Ash muttered. 'That sure brings back memories, okay Bulbasaur, you up for this one?'

'Bulba.' The grass type remained motionless as it tracked the bird pokemon's every movement from it's position on the ground.

'But Spearow's a flying type, you know it has an advantage over Bulbasaur,' a voice ventured out from the sidelines.

Ash gritted his teeth. 'I know what I'm doing Misty...'

'That's what you said the last time,' Misty replied meaningfully.

'Well this time I mean it, kay?'

'Right,' Misty said sceptically. 'As long as you mean it this time...'


'Spearow versus Bulbasaur!' Brock yelled out, purposely cutting off their argument again. 'Begin!'

'Razor Leaf Bulbasaur!' Ash yelled without hesitation. His pokemon grunted, then rapidly fired razor sharp leaves out at the flying type from the point where the bulb met it's body.

'Gust them away Gail!' The spearow flapped it's wings hard, blowing the approaching vegetation away. 'Now use Wing Attack!'

'Jump over it Bulbasaur!'

The grass type leapt high, twisting round in mid-air to maintain it's sight on the flying type as it swooped harmlessly underneath with glowing wings.

'Gail, stop and use Peck!'

'Spee row!' The flying pokemon twisted around mid-flight and began to bombard the grass type with viscous Peck attacks as it landed back on the beach.

'No Bulbasaur! Knock it back with Vine Whip!' Ash yelled, panicking slightly.

'BULBAA!' One eye closed under the assault to it's face, Bulbasaur swung two vines straight down to it's front, slamming them into Gail, causing the spearow to tumble backwards.

'Gail, fly back into the air now!' Ritchie yelled. His spearow fluttered it's wings in response before taking off towards the sky.

'Leech Seed!'

Out of the bulb on top of it's back, Bulbasaur carefully fired a brown seed in the air, the attack successfully intercepting Gail as it flew upwards. The spearow shrieked in surprise as vines suddenly wrapped all around it, locking it's wings to it's body.

'Oh no, Gail!' Ritchie cried out in surprise as his pokemon, now unable to flap it's wings to keep itself airborne, fell back to the ground with a thud.

'Now finish with Tackle!'

With a cry, Bulbasaur charged across the beach, slamming it's large head into the flying pokemon before it had chance to recover. Gail, still entrapped in the vines, bounced twice across the sandy floor before coming to a rest near Ash, cawing feebly.


'Spearow is unable to battle, Bulbasaur wins!' Brock called out, pointing to the grass type for the second time in a row.

'Yey! Great work Bulbasaur!

Misty breathed a sigh of relief as the breeder's words, lowering her head to grin at the pokemon sat in her lap.

'Told ya...'

Misty gritted her teeth, grin disappearing as she looked back up.

'Told you I knew what I was doing...' Ash continued, elated to get one over on the water trainer.

Misty opened her mouth, then after struggling a few moments for a comeback, gave up and simply poked her tongue out.

Ash made a face back, which seemed was a little harder to do than usual as he couldn't seem to stop grinning.


'Gail return.'

Ritchie placed the pokeball back on his belt, watching the trainer opposite carefully. Ash had gotten a lot better since the Pokemon League, there was no doubt about that. Ritchie certainly wouldn't have wanted to face this trainer back then. But it didn't matter because his last pokemon was going to give Ash a big shock.

In more ways than one.

With a grin, Ritchie threw his final pokeball forward.

'Sparky, let's do it!'

Ritchie's final pokemon appeared in a flash of white light.


Ash's jaw, as well as all the others watching pokemon and human alike, fell open with a gasp.

Sparky stepped slowly forward, a confident look on it's face as it rose to it's hind legs, swinging it's long tail behind it.

'Raaiii-chu!'


'Woah!'

'Dig that!'

'The kid evolved his pikachu! I can't believe it!' Jessie exclaimed.

The trio stared at the scene below for a moment longer in shocked silence.

'Aww well that's just great!' James burst out noisily. 'I mean, we finally get the chance to nap a pair of perfectly primed pikachu and then the kid decides to give it an upgrade!'

'Hmm, I don't think I see a problem with this, do you Meowth?' Jessie asked, a wicked grin on her face.

'Naaaa, think about it Jimmy! What's the boss gonna do with two pikachu anyway? Now we have the chance to nab both the two pika evolutions!'

'Hey, maybe you're right...' James replied slowly, comprehension dawning as he returned his gaze back to the still stunned scene in front of them.

'And speaking of nabbing,' Meowth continued, rubbing his paws together. 'Since everybody is now out of their pokeball and since I can't wait any longer, I think it's time to go.'

'Right!' Jessie and James replied in unison. 'Let's do it!'


'Raichu?'

Ash finally raised a stunned gaze from the fully evolved electric pokemon to look at the trainer behind it. Ritchie grinned back fiercely.

'Yeah, Raichu. Sparky evolved this morning, we wanted to keep it as a surprise for ya.'

'B,b,but why?' Ash struggled for a response as he returned his disbelieving gaze on the raichu below. Ritchie looked down on his pokemon as well, the grin fading from his face as he chose his words carefully.

'Well the truth is Ash, while we're pretty similar trainers and the pokemon we choose are a lot alike, your pikachu isn't like mine. Sparky always wanted to evolve one day, it just never felt ready to until now. Trust me Ash,' Ritchie looked up and stared at his friend straight in the eye. 'I would never make Sparky evolve if it didn't want to. Not for anything. Certainly not for the sake of this battle. But after watching Team Rocket almost steal Lugia and after Sparky almost got beaten by those rage-powered pokemon, it decided it needed to get stronger. And it wanted to do it before this battle so it could test it's new strength against your pokemon.

'Wow,' Ash replied simply, still shell-shocked. Below him, Pikachu stared forward with a similar expression.

'Pika pikkkaaaa chu chu?'

Sparky nodded back sharply. 'Rai rai, rai chu.'

'Pika.'

Pikachu turned back to it's trainer, tugging sharply on his leg. 'Pika pika, pikachu, pika pikapi.'

Ash stared down at his starter for a few moments, before raising his head back up with a forced smile on his face. Whether he liked the idea of a pikachu evolving or not, he couldn't help but realise this put a serious dampener on his chances of winning the match.

'Well, if it's ok with Sparky, then I don't see a problem with it. But I'm here to tell you, there's more to strength than just evolving...'

'Oh, I know that Ash,' Ritchie replied quickly, a half grin on his face. 'This was Sparky's choice remember? Sparky was plenty strong before anyway.'

'Alright then,' Ash replied, his smile now genuine. 'Then let's finish this match! You ready Bulbasaur?'

'Bulba!'

'You ready to rock Sparky?'

'Rai rai!'

BOOOOOM!


What the...

In the tree line covering the edge of the beach, at the exact spot the group had eaten breakfast that morning, a gap suddenly exploded outwards, filling the air with smoke.

'Awwah!'

'What's going on!' Misty yelled, twisting around.

'Topepriiiiii!'

'Pika pika!'

'Rai!'

'Bulba...saur!'

All occupants of the beach turned to face inland, staring into the thick smoke billowing out into the air, hiding anything hidden within perfectly. The group jumped again as loud voices suddenly began to sing out from the centre.

'Haha ha haaaa, why don't you just prepare for trouble!'

'Don't forget, I'm making it double!'

'To protect the world from devastaion!'

'To unite all people's within our nation!'

'To denounce the evils of truth and love!'

'To extend our reach to the stars above!'

The cloud of smoke suddenly cleared, revealing two figures stood back to back, a man with short blue hair and a women with long red hair, both dressed in white outfits. A a small feline pokemon with a large shining oval coin on it's forehead stood to their front with it's paws raised.

'Jessie!' The women cried.

'And don't forget James, that's right!' The man shouted in return.

'Not to mention Meowth, now dat's a name!' The small pokemon to their front cackled evilly.

'Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!'

'Surrender now, because you surely can't fight!'

'Mewoth, thaaatttttt'ssss right!' The cat pokemon finished with a cry.


'No way!'

'Not you three!'

'Don't you ever give it a rest?'

'Apparently not!' Meowth cackled. 'Now it's payback time!'

'You're not getting Pikachu!' Ash yelled, his face furious.

'Oh but I think we are...' Jessie replied.

'You don't know what our latest toy is yet...' James smirked.

'Don't tell me you've got another giant robot?' Misty screamed back, one hand already searching her small red bag for the pokeball containing her Staryu.

'Ha, even better!' Jessie laughed. 'We've got our pokemon! Go Arbok!'

'That's right, go Weezing!' James yelled in reply, throwing a pokeball of his own after the pokeball thrown by his female team-mate.


Ash growled angrily as the two Team Rocket pokemon appeared in a flash of white. 'Fine! You want a battle? I'll give you one! Bulbasaur!'

'Bulba!'

'And I'll give you one too, go Staryu!' Misty shouted, tossing a red and white capsule after the grass type.

'Hya!' The starfish pokemon landed by the bulbasaur in a flash of white.

'Let's go Arbok, Poison Sting attack now!'

'Charrrbok!' The large purple cobra-like pokemon opened it's jaws, firing dozens of razor sharp needles out at the grass type.

'Bulbasaur dodge it!'

'Bulba!' The grass pokemon jumped high, dodging the needles as they broke on the floor.

'Now use Razor Leaf!'

'Bulba bulbasaur!' While still in the air, Bulbasaur unleashed dozens of leaves from the bulb on it's back, slamming them into the poison pokemon and sending it flipping back.

'Arbok!'

'It's not over yet, Weezing use Smog attack now!' James yelled after seeing his companion's Arbok collapse, motionless on the ground.

'Weeeezinggg!' A plume of toxic gas filled the air, originating from the poison gas pokemon's mouth.'

'Staryu, Rapid Spin now!' Misty shouted in response.

'Hya!'

The starfish pokemon took off, it's spinning body dispersing the thick gas as it hit the poison pokemon hard.

'Weezing!' James yelped as he watched his pokemon collapse on top of Jessie's, the arbok giving a small whimper of pain in response.

'Alright then!' Misty shouted, crossing her arms as she glared up at the trio. 'Now you've had your little battle, why don't you clear off and leave us alone!'


'James!' Jessie screamed.

'Whaaattttt?' The blue haired man whined, cowering slightly under his colleague's wrath.

'Why don't we have stronger pokemon?'

'It's because we don't win any battles that's why!' James replied, suddenly shouting back. 'I told you this before, we could have been relaxing in the sun right now!'

'Hey, aren't you forgetting something?' Meowth suddenly called out, interrupting Jessie as her face suddenly turned brighter than her hair. 'Our secret weapon?'

Jessie and James immediately straightened back up, looking over at the group on the beach again with confident smiles.

'Right!'

'Go get 'em Meowth! So them the true power of Team Rocket!'

'Will do Jimmy-boy!'

'What are you crooks planning this time?' Brock shouted.

'Why don't you just go back where you came from!' Oliver yelled, clenching his small fists, his whole body shaking with fury. 'There's no way you're Pikachu or Silver this time, you old hag!'

'You old hag?!'

James and Meowth covered their faces, cowering to one side as the red-haired women visibly exploded.

'Why don't you shut your mouth you little brat, don't you know how to respect your elders! Meowth, show him!'

'Aye aye captain!' Meowth fumbled behind for a moment, them drew out something small and metallic and held it into the air in a triumphant pose. 'Check it out, we got ourself our very own Rage Crown!'


'What the, is that what i think it is?' Ritchie shouted, staring at the small object held in the pokemon's paws.

'That's right! We swiped this from the good professor and those phonies, Cassidy and Ben. And I think it's time for a little power up, don't ya think?'

'I can't believe this, I suppose your going to put that on one of your pokemon to it all mad to so it becomes super-strong?' Brock yelled, his eyes widening as far as his eyelids would allow.

'That's so cruel!' Misty continued, her face bright red as she clutched Togepi top her chest tightly. 'How could you do that to your pokemon?'

'Hahahahaha!' Meowth laughed. 'What makes you think I'm going to waste little treasure on a weakling like Weezing..?'

'Hey!'

'...when I could do the job myself!'

'What!' Ash, Misty, Brock and Oliver shouted out at the same time is disbelief.

'Haha! Dat's right. Get ready for a taste of my Furious Swipes!' With that, the feline pokemon pressed the device onto his forehead.


The centre orange pearl glowed brightly as the device latched into the Meowth's head. For a moment, the beach fell silent, everyone just staring at the feline pokemon, waiting for a reaction.

'Er Meowth?' James asked hesitantly.

'Well? Is it working?' Jessie continued growing impatient.

Meowth slowly looked back up, dark shadows forming under his eyes.

'This feels...'

The red-headed women tapped her foot impatiently.'Well?'

'What does it feel like Meowth?' James asked, curious.

'Yes, out with it already!' Jessie snapped.

'This feels...great!' Meowth snarled, taking half a step forward, it's eyes turning a shade of red. 'Never in all my nine lives have I felt so angry! And it's all because of those twerps!'

'Woah, chill out Meowth!' James yelped, gulping as he took a step backwards.

'Yeah, there's no need to go overboard...' Jessie added, a look of trepidation crossing her face.

'TOO LATE FOR THAT! TIME TO SHOW THESE TWERPS WHAT A MEOWTH-FIGHT REALLY IS!'


'Woah, Meowth's gone crazy!' Ash exclaimed, taking half a step back, a slightly stunned look on his face.

'Well don't just stand there! Staryu, stop Meowth with your Rapid Spin!'

'Hya!' The starfish pokemon span at the enraged meowth, only to get batted away with a single swing of it's paw.

'Awh Staryu!' Misty ran after her stunned pokemon as Ash stepped forward.

'Bulbasaur, use your Vine Whip attack!'

'Bulba!' Two green vines shot out from above it's head.

'NOT. GONNA. HAPPEN!'

Meowth snarled as it knocked aside both vines, then slashed the grass type hard across the face.

'Bulbaaaaa!'

'Bulbasaur!' Ash shouted after his pokemon in concern as it hit the beach hard. 'Return!'

Meowth stared after it, breathing heavily before slowly turning to face Ash and Pikachu again.

'PIKACHU! YOU'RE MINE!'

'Pika!'

The electric mouse cried out in shock as Meowth suddenly charged for it, claws out and ready.

'Rai rai!'

Pikachu jumped backward in surprise as Sparky suddenly landed in front of it with a loud thud. The raichu gave the approaching pokemon a fierce scowl as sparks started to dance from it's cheeks.

'YOU WANNA GO, THEN LET'S GO YOU OVERGROWN RODENT!'

'Ash!' Ritchie ran forward, stepping in front of his friend. 'Let me and Sparky handle this!'

With an angry snarl, Meowth leap forward, both paws reaching out to the evolved mouse pokemon.

'Sparky, hit the provoker with your Thunderpunch!'

'Rai rai!'

With a smirk on it's face, Sparky lent backwards, avoiding the two furious swipes at it's head, then leapt forward, powering it's crackling fist into the orange light in the centre of the device. The rage crown broke into a dozen different pieces, small fragments raining down onto the sandy floor.

Meowth froze, one paw still out stretched, eyes widening.

Both Jessie and James gulped, a bead of sweat running down their foreheads.

'Thunderbolt now!'

Meowth squealed at the electric charge threw it backwards, crashing into Arbok and Weezing, then the continuing momentum causing all three pokemon to collide with the two humans stood to their rear.

Ritchie grinned, mirroring the look on his pokemon down below as he clenched one fist.

'Blast them away with Thunder!'

'Raaaiiiiiii CHUUU!'

The group on the beach gasped as a huge bolt of lightning struck the pile up of bodies, causing an explosion of rocks and earth.


'Why does our plans never work?' James whimpered as he flew into the air.

'Maybe you just didn't get angry enough...' Jessie mumbled weakly, her face black and charred.

'Well I'm mad now!' Meowth cried as he flew after them. Beside him, Weezing and Arbok groaned feebly as they shot higher into the air. 'And I'm even madder now we have to say...'

'Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!' The three cried out in unison as they disappeared into the upper atmosphere, causing a brief twinkle in the sky.


'Wow, that was some Thunder...' Ash mumbled, looking after the disappeared Team Rocket.

'Pikaaa.'

'Great work Sparky!' Ritchie praised his pokemon.

'Rai chu!' Sparky nodded sharply with a pleased expression on it's face.

Behind them, Misty, Brock and Oliver all wore similar expressions of shock as they gazed at the evolved electric pokemon. 'I've never seen an electric attack that strong!' Brock exclaimed.

'Yeah, that was amazing Sparky!'

'Rai rai,' Sparky replied bashfully to their compliments with an awkward smile, rubbing the back of it's head with one paw. Ritchie laughed, then turned back to face Ash who was still staring at the raichu with shock.

'So Ash, you ready to finish off our battle?'

Ash stared at the raichu a moment longer before giving his head a quick shake, clearing his thoughts and staring back up at his friend with a determined grin. 'You bet! To ready to take on Raichu, Pikachu?'

'Pika!' Pikachu jumped forward with a half-grin, eager to test itself against it's new rival.

'Rai!' Sparky stared back with an excited expression.

'Alright, let's do this!'


The sun slowly crept back towards the horizon as the two trainers stood back in their old positions, mirroring each other with their tense expressions. Between them, standing a few feet in front of their respective trainers, two pokemon growled fiercely, one small and yellow with a zigzag shaped tail, the other larger, coloured brown with a white stomach and large yellow ears. Sparks jumped from both pokemon's cheeks. Off to one side, Brock acted as referee once again while Misty and Oliver sat back down on the sandy floor, ready to watch the final battle.

'Hey you guys!'

Misty twisted around.

'Luca!'

The red-haired, female boat captain ran up to the pair sat on the beach, waving one arm. 'Hey! I'm back, I just came to see if you guys were ready to go yet? Hey, is that a Raichu?' Luca added, startled as she noticed the impending battle ahead of her.

'Yeah,' Misty replied, smiling. 'It used to be Ritchie's Pikachu.'

'Oh wow!' Luca exclaimed, her eyes taking in the whole scene in front of her. 'And Ash is gonna battle it with his Pikachu? Is it even possible for him to win?'

'Believe it or not, Pikachu has actually beaten a raichu before,' Misty laughed. 'I guess we'll have to wait and find out...'

'This I've got to see,' Luca exclaimed in response, crossing her legs to sit the other side of Oliver.


'Sorry about your Bulbasaur!' Ritchie shouted across to Ash. 'Guess this isn't really a fair battle...'

Ash grinned. 'It's ok Ritchie! Pikachu doesn't need any help to beat your raichu anyway! Isn't that right Pikachu?'

'Pika pikachu!'

Ritchie laughed. 'That's exactly the kind of answer I expected from you Ash! Now, are you ready?'

'Rai rai?

'Ready when you are!' Ash called back.

'Pikachu versus Sparky!' Brock shouted, raising both arms high one final time. 'There will be no time limit. Begin the final match now!'

'Sparky Thunderbolt!'

'We know what to do here, don't we Pikachu? Agility, outta the way!'

'Pi!'

Bolts of electricity flew forward, Pikachu disappearing left and right as the electric attacks repeatedly struck the ground it had occupied only moments before.

'How'd ya like our speed Ritchie? Too bad Sparky can't keep up anymore!'

'Oh I wouldn't be too sure of that Ash! Sparky chase it down!'

'Pika!' Pikachu looked to one side mid-sprint in panic to see Sparky running along side with ease.

'Now use Thunderpunch!' Ritchie yelled, punching forward with one hand.

'Rai CHU!'

'Pikkkaaaaa!' Pikachu cried out in pain as the raichu delivered a powerful crackling punch to one of it's red cheeks.

'No Pikachu!' Ash cried out in shock as he watched his pokemon roll away in the sand. 'But how...'

'This isn't like Surge, Ash!' Misty yelled, unable to stop herself jumping to her feet. 'Ritchie didn't rush Pikachu into evolving, it already knew all the speed attacks long before that! That trick isn't going to work here!'

She's right... Ash realised as he watched his pokemon slowly climb back to it's feet. Sparky's just as fast as Pikachu, maybe even more so. But that means...

'Sparky, finish this with Thunderbolt!'

'Pikachu, show 'em your Thunderbolt!'

The two attacks collided dead centre, pushing against each other. Ash gritted his teeth as the epicentre of the collision began to move back towards his pokemon.

'Pikachu stop! Jump outta the way!'

'Pika!' Pikachu jumped to the left, barely dodging the thunderbolt as it crashed into the ground beside it.

'Sparky, after it! Use Thunderpunch again!'

'Rai!'

Pikachu cried out in pain again as Sparky leapt the distance between the two pokemon in a single bound, slamming another glowing fist into the side of it's head.

'Pikachu!' Ash cried frantically again, his brain working overtime.


'Pikapi...' Pikachu mumbled as it pushed itself back to it's feet again, looking up at the raichu standing above it.

Ritchie grinned as he brought his arm sweeping down. 'That's it Sparky! Now let's wrap this up, use Thunder now!'

'Raaaiiiiii...' Sparky growled as it began to draw power, it's yellow cheeks crackling loudly.

Wait...

'Pikachu stand on your tail now!

'CHUUUU!'

A powerful beam of electricity shot through the air, crashing into Pikachu's position. The small trio of spectator's covered their eyes with their hands, groaning at the bright light. Ash squinted forward, desperate to see his pokemon as the attack finished.

'No way!' Ritchie yelled.

Pikachu was still standing, although it wasn't on it's feet. The electric mouse stood tall, balancing on it's tail as it glared at it's evolved form with a defiant expression.

'Yes Pikachu!' Ash yelled, elated.

'PIKAA!'

Sparky's eyes widened in surprise it breathed hard, trying to catch it's breath after delivering the last attack.


Ritchie looked forward at the electric pokemon in stunned disbelief. 'You had Pikachu stand on it's tail?'

'Ha, yeah, Pikachu used it's tail as a ground so it could dodge the electric shock. Pretty clever huh?' Ash smirked, glancing over at the water trainer to one side.

Misty couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.

'You got that right!' Ritchie laughed. 'I never would have thought of that!'


'Is that even possible?' Luca murmured, unable to believe her eyes. Misty laughed, unable to stop herself.

'Ash and Pikachu have a habit of pulling off the impossible...'


'So, you ready to finish off this match?' Ash yelled.

'Let's do it! Sparky, give it a Thunderpunch!'

'Pikachu dodge it!'

Pikachu dropped down onto all fours again as the electrified paw swung overhead, then dove forward into it's evolved form's stomach, sending it staggering back.

'Yes! Now give Sparky a taste of your Thundershock!'

'Pik achuuuu!' Sparky winced in pain as the weak electric shock hit.

'Don't let it get you Sparky! Quick Attack now!' Ritchie yelled out.

'Rai!'

Sparky shook of the electricity crackling over it's body and dove forward in a blur.

'Pikachu, use your Quick Attack! Don't let it catch you!'

'Pika!' Pikachu sprinted off to one side with the raichu in hot pursuit, both pokemon kicking up a trail of dust.

'You got this Sparky, you can catch it!' Ritchie yelled.

'Rai rai!' Sparky doubled it's speed, determined to catch it's friend up ahead. Pikachu glanced behind it as it's evolved form rapidly approached, then without warning, leapt backwards into the air, letting the evolved electric pokemon sprint by underneath it.

Ash laughed as his opponent and the spectators gasped. 'That's it buddy, now hit it with a Thunderbolt!'

'Pika chuuuu!'

'Use their trick Sparky! Stand on your tail!'

'Rai rai raichuuu,' The electric pokemon cried frantically as it tried to balance on it's long tail, before Pikachu's attack hit it again, causing it to double over in pain.


'Hahaa that's brilliant!' Brock shouted, forgetting completely about his referee duties as he watched the match in front of him. 'Sparky's tail is too long and now it's evolved, Sparky can't balance on it in the same way Pikachu can!'


'Sparky, give him a Thunderbolt!'

'On your tail Pikachu!'

Ritchie gritted his teeth as the electric attack passed over his opponent's pokemon for no effect again.

'Fine, Sparky hit it with a Slam attack!'

'Keep your distance Pikachu! Use another Thundershock!'

'Pika!' Pikachu sprang back into the air as the raichu charged in, hitting it with another weak electric charge. Sparky winced as the attack hit it, causing it to trip up and face-plant into the ground.

'Yes! Keep it up Pikachu, Sparky's getting tired!' Ash yelled. 'Keep using Quick Attack!'

'Pika pika!'

The yellow electric mouse turned into a blur, sprinting left and right as it slammed into Sparky from all angles.

'Sparky, keep Pikachu away by using your tail!'

The raichu began to spin around in erratic circles, whipping it's long tail left and right as it fended off the attacking pikachu.

'Pikaaaa!' Pikachu squealed as the lighting-ended tail caught it in a glancing blow, sending it rolling away.


'No Pikachu! Don't give in buddy, you can do it! Give them a full power Thunder attack!' Ash yelled, baring his teeth and clenching both hands.

'This is it Sparky! Move in close and use your Thunder too!' Ritchie immediately replied.

'Pika...'

'Raiiii...'

'CHUUUUU!'

The two pokemon collided with a final bright flash of electricity. Both trainer's looked forward, both desperately trying to force their eyes to work in the blinding light. At the side, Misty, Brock, Luca and Oliver watched on in complete silence, even Togepi stared forward with wide eyes.

The light finally faded, revealing the two electric pokemon close together, still upright in the centre. Pikachu was balanced on it's tail again, breathing heavily at it stared down at it's opponent. Sparky stared back up at it, wincing as it held itself up off the ground using one of it's front paws.

'Chuuu...'

Sparky collapsed face first onto the sandy floor underneath, it's nose just touching the bottem of the erect pikachu tail

'Chaaaa...'

Pikachu replied weakly, following suit a moment after as it fell forward onto it's evolved form's motionless back.

'Pikachu and Sparky are both unable to battle!' Brock shouted, breaking the shocked silence. 'Since either side has any pokemon remaining, this battle is a draw!'

'A draw?' Ash whispered, slowly looking up at his friend across the beach.

'Wow...' Ritchie murmured, looking up as well.

Both trainer's locked eyes for a moment before, as if by some hidden consent, both started to laugh...


'So I guess you're still heading to Olivine?' Ritchie said to the small group of people stood on the boat tied up near the rock outcrops at the far end of the beach. Below him, Sparky watched the group as well with a tired smile on it's face.

'Yeah,' Ash replied, grinning. 'There's a badge there that's got my name on it!' Behind the trainer, Misty shook her head in exasperation.

'Haha yeah, well if you battle there like you did today, then I have no doubt you'll win.' Ritchie grinned back at his old friend, flashing him a thumbs up with one hand.

'Yeah! That battle today was the coolest thing I've ever seen!' A small boy stood next to Ritchie exclaimed.

'Thanks Oliver, thanks Ritchie!'

'Pi pikachu!'

'Yeah, you show 'em too Pikachu!' Ritchie added to the small yellow mouse pokemon clinging onto Ash's shoulder.

'So Sparky, any regrets about evolving after your battle?' Brock asked, walking forward on the wooden decking to look at the large electric pokemon stood on the shore next to Ritchie's feet.

'Rai raichu!' Sparky replied, firmly shaking it's head. It's trainer smiled.

'Sparky's happy. Although I'm not gonna forget this match Ash. Next time we battle, Pikachu's not gonna be able to pull any more surprises!'

Ash laughed, winking at his friend. 'I wouldn't count on it Ritchie!'

'Pi pikachu!'

'Raichu rai!'

'You guy's all ready to go?' Luca called back from the small cabin in the middle of the boat.

'All ready,' Brock replied simply, pulling loose the rope tieing the boat to the shore.

'Then let's go.'

The boat slowly pulled away, leaving the two boys on the shore, an electric pokemon stood between them, all three waving frantically.

'Seeya later Ash!'

'Bye! Me and Lanturn are gonna miss ya!'

'Rai chu!'

Bye Ritchie!' Ash yelled back, leaning over the railing at the edge of the boat.

'Pika, pika!'

'Yeah seeya Ritchie!' Misty and Brock shouted together, both waving their arms as well before the trio turned to walk back into the cabin.


'So Misty?' Ash began, stretching both hands behind his head as he smirked at the water trainer. 'Pretty clever how we won that last match huh?'

Misty sighed, rubbing her face with her hand. 'You didn't win Ash, it was a draw remember?'

'Oh I don't know about that...' Ash continued almost casually. 'I mean, if Meowth hadn't hurt Bulbasaur, then maybe...'

'Well at least Ritchie's charizard didn't fall asleep in the middle of the match!' Misty shouted.

'Speaking of which, we should really get all your pokemon to a centre as soon as we can,' Brock interrupted quickly, spotting the warning signs on his female friend's face as Ash began to open his mouth again.

'Don't worry, you guys,' Luca called back from the boat's wooden steering wheel. 'We'll be at Olivine before nightfall.'

'That's great!' Ash replied, forgetting about his gloating as he glanced over at the ship's captain with a bright expression.

'Hey...Ash!'

'Huh?'

Ash span back around, looking back at the shore line slowly disappearing into the distance.

'Is that Ritchie?'

'Good...luck...in...the...Johto...League!'

'Haha!' Ash laughed happily, running back to the rear of the boat with a wide smile on his face.

'THANKS RITCHIE!'

The sun slowly reached down towards the horizon, bringing another day to a close.


And so our heroes adventures draw to a end in the Whirl Islands. They may have fought a firece battle, but they leave lifelong friends behing them. Where will the adventure take them next? Who knows, but one things for certain, Ash's determination to become a pokemon master has grown stronger than ever. Tune in next time as the adventure continues...


And done. As I said before, since I already ignored the anime by evolving Charmeleon, I couldn't help but evolve Sparky as well to make the final match more interesting. If it helps, just pretend to ignore the chronicles. For anyone who's confused, the Rage Crown Meowth was using was the same as what Butch and Cassidy were using on their pokemon and what Dr Namba used on Electabuzz the episode before, a device designed to make a pokemon more angry and therefore more powerful. I though Meowth would like the idea of getting hold of one for some payback. Sorry for the wait, this took longer than I expected it to, bizarrely because I couldn't think up a good nickname for his stupid Spearow. I mean, I could think of plenty of good nicknames, but none it seemed that sounded like something he'd call it. Still not convinced the one I came up with is any good, but whatever, it's done now. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Please drop me a review to let me know what you think. Till next time byyyee... :)