AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 7 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Orange Islands. Danny, the Navel Gym Leader, from the anime, makes an appearance in this chapter. But there's one other twist. Officer Jenny is there, too.
TEASER: After four Trainers are sent to the hospital, Officer Jenny demands that the challenge of climbing a high mountain on Navel Island ends, but Tristan, never one to back down from a challenge, insists on trying it anyway. Of course, when he and Gym Leader Danny race down to the bottom, it's...a draw?! What happens then?
Chapter 7: THE SUDDEN DEATH CHALLENGE
(Music Cue: Taking a Break (as heard in the beginning of "Shell Shock!"))
Our heroes have finally made it to Navel Island. After doing some island hopping, Tristan is ready to work hard and earn his second Orange League Gym Badge.
"Navel Island sure has a big mountain," remarked Hillary as she, Tristan, and Pikachu looked on.
"No matter how big it is, I plan to get a badge there," replied Tristan. "And I'm the Trainer who's gonna win it!"
Pikachu agreed excitedly.
"Lapras, full speed ahead to Navel Island!" commanded Tristan.
Lapras squealed happily and picked up speed toward Navel Island.
On the beach, Tristan had returned Lapras to its Pokéball, and he, Hillary, and Pikachu were looking to see if they could find the Gym.
"Maybe somebody who lives here knows where the Gym is," said Tristan.
"Let's ask around," suggested Hillary.
They didn't have far to go when suddenly, an ambulance suddenly was heard in the distance with lights and sirens blaring in the distance. It was racing away from the mountain as fast as it could.
"That sounds like trouble, sis, let's go!" said Tristan. And he raced off to find out what the commotion was.
"Hey, wait for us!" called Hillary as she and Pikachu raced off after him.
A moment later, they came to the gate with a giant Pokéball on it. Officer Jenny and a tall person with a heavy backpack were speaking.
(Music Cue: You Have to Earn Respect)
"Danny, that's the fourth Trainer that was sent to the hospital this week!" said Officer Jenny sternly. I'm beginning to think that this challenge is a bad idea."
"It's all part of the rules, Officer Jenny," replied Danny. "The Trainer failed the challenge and got eliminated. Besides, I checked that Trainer's injuries, and they didn't appear to be too serious."
"But how many of your challengers actually succeeded in climbing that huge snowy mountain without falling?" asked Officer Jenny suspiciously.
"At least one," smiled Danny.
"But that may be the only one in your entire career!" protested Officer Jenny. "What if another Trainer got seriously hurt?"
Just then, Tristan, Hillary and Pikachu approached.
"What's going on?" asked Tristan.
"Another Trainer was just sent to the hospital in that ambulance," answered Officer Jenny. "The rules state that no Trainer who takes the challenge can be helped by any Pokémon!"
"No Pokémon?!" exclaimed Hillary. "That almost seems impossible! How is Tristan supposed to defend himself if he's in danger of falling?"
Presently, the gates slowly opened, and Tristan walked to a sign at the bottom of the hill. He ran toward the sign, which said: "Welcome all Pokémon Trainers. All Navel Gym challengers must climb to the top of the mountain. Trainers must reach the top on their own. Pokémon may not provide help. Anyone using a Pokémon will be disqualified. Those accompanying the Trainer may use the cable car."
"I don't think you'd better do it, Tristan," advised Hillary. "You've never climbed a steep mountain like that before."
Sure enough, the mountain was very steep, and very high, and it had dark clouds near the top.
Tristan was starting to have second thoughts about climbing the steep mountain. He wasn't sure if he would make it or end up with the same fate as the last Trainer. At last, he said, "I have to go."
Danny smiled while Hillary and Officer Jenny gasped in shock.
"You can't be serious!" exclaimed Hillary.
"More serious than I've ever been in my life," said Tristan in his most serious tone. "To deny this challenge is to deny my destiny. That mountain may be high, but it's not insurmountable. And I'll climb up to the top and prove that this challenge is one worth doing!"
"That's the spirit, young man!" smiled Danny. "By the way, my name's Danny."
"I'm Tristan, and this is my sister, Hillary, and my partner, Pikachu," said Tristan as he shook Danny's hand.
Pikachu greeted Danny warmly.
"Well, shall we get started?" asked Danny.
"Let's go," replied Tristan.
"Please be careful, okay?" said Hillary.
"Don't worry, sis, I'll manage somehow," replied Tristan. And he, Pikachu, and Danny started the long climb up the mountain.
Officer Jenny watched them go as she and Hillary got into the cable car.
Tristan, Pikachu, and Danny were making good progress on the path.
"So, you've come from New Bark Town in the Johto region, right?" said Danny.
"Yeah," answered Tristan. "I had participated in the Indigo Pokémon League, but it got cancelled, and so I decided to continue my challenge here."
"That's interesting," smiled Danny. "So how many badges have you accumulated in the Orange Islands so far?"
"So far, one," replied Tristan.
They came to the edge of the steep mountain a few minutes later.
"Well, this is where the challenge really begins," said Danny. "So let's start climbing." And he began the long climb up the mountain.
(Music Cue: A Devious Plot)
Tristan took a peek at the peak. Sure enough, it was really steep. But he knew he had to keep going. "Let's do this, Pikachu." And he and Pikachu began following Danny up the mountain.
It was a much tougher and steeper climb than Tristan thought, but he was very careful not to take any missteps. Eventually, he and Danny reached the top of the cliff.
"Well, how did you like the long climb?" asked Danny.
"Well, it could have been worse," answered Tristan. "Right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu agreed. They were both stiff and sore. They weren't used to climbing steep mountains without any help.
However, Danny was used to it, since he climbed the mountain a number of times before.
(Music Cue: A Future Hope)
A few moments later, the temperature dropped at the top as Tristan, Pikachu, and Danny walked through the snow. Tristan and Pikachu were shivering, but Danny was used to it.
"Brrr!" shivered Tristan. "I never thought this mountain would be so cold. I should have packed a winter coat for this challenge."
Pikachu agreed.
Tristan turned to Danny. "Aren't you cold?" he asked.
"Nah," replied Danny. "I'm used to this brisk weather."
Brisk was a gross understatement, for just then, Pikachu collapsed in the snow.
"Pikachu!" gasped Tristan. "Are you okay?"
Pikachu shivered. It was feeling very cold from the brisk air at such a high altitude.
"Hey, I know!" said Tristan. "Pikachu, why don't you come here? I'll hold you close, and we'll both be warm."
Pikachu shivered and nodded. So it jumped into Tristan's arms and he held it real close. Sure enough, thanks to their shared body heat, they kept each other warm.
Danny was smiling. He was proud of the compassion that Tristan had for his Pokémon.
Eventually, they reached their destination. Hillary and Officer Jenny were waiting for them, and they were wearing heavy winter coats.
"Look! There they are!" said Hillary excitedly as she waved to them.
"Hey! We're here!" called Tristan as he raced to them.
"So he made it after all," said Officer Jenny.
Danny and Tristan caught up with the rest of the group.
"Tristan, I'm pleased to announce that you've passed the first test with flying colors," said Danny.
"I did?" asked Tristan. "That's awesome! Right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu agreed. Shivering in the cold together made the challenge all worthwhile for the both of them.
Danny nodded. "Now it's time for the real challenge to begin," said Danny.
"What's the next step?" asked Tristan.
"The next step is the first part of the challenge," answered Danny. "See those two holes? Those are where geysers will be shooting up from. This challenge is to see who can freeze the geysers with the fastest Ice attacks."
"I've got a Pokémon who can handle that with no problem," said Tristan as he took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Lapras, I choose you!"
Lapras emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball. It looked like it was ready for any challenge.
"All right, Lapras, listen up," instructed Tristan. "This isn't like a regular battle. We'll need to freeze the geyser in a race against whatever Danny's Pokémon is."
Lapras squealed with agreement.
"Go, Nidoqueen!" yelled Danny as he tossed a Pokéball.
Nidoqueen emerged from the white light that shot out of it. It looked really strong.
"This is gonna be good," remarked Officer Jenny. "Nidoqueen and Lapras are both really strong competitors."
"Yeah, but Lapras can do it, no problem!" replied Hillary. She was very confident in Lapras's abilities.
(Music Cue: Get Pokémon!)
Presently, there was a rumble, a roar, and two bursts of water shot up out of the ground into the sky.
"Look!" said Hillary. "Those must be the geysers!"
"Then it's time for the challenge to begin, right, Tristan?" said Danny.
"Right!" agreed Tristan. "Lapras, use your Ice Beam attack to freeze the geyser!"
"You, too, Nidoqueen! Ice Beam!" commanded Danny.
Both Lapras and Nidoqueen shot powerful cold beams of energy from their mouths at the geysers.
Lapras's Ice Beam started freezing the bottom of the geyser first, then Nidoqueen's did the same. Sure enough, it was neck and neck.
"Come on, Lapras!" cheered Hillary. "You can do it!"
Pikachu cheered loudly, too.
"All right, Nidoqueen, it's time to turn up the heat," said Danny.
Nidoqueen increased the power of its Ice Beam, causing the geyser to freeze faster. It was surging ahead of Lapras.
Tristan saw this and commanded, "Okay, Lapras, let's do what they do. Turn it up!"
Sure enough, Lapras increased the power of its Ice Beam as well, and soon it caught up with Nidoqueen. It was once again neck and neck.
Both geysers were almost completely frozen at this point.
"Full power now!" ordered Tristan and Danny together.
Both Lapras and Nidoqueen maximized the power of their Ice Beam attacks. It was a big struggle not to let up, but Lapras, being an Ice-type, was able to completely freeze the geyser first. That gave Tristan the first victory in his challenge.
Nidoqueen's Ice Beam completely froze its geyser just after Lapras's did.
"Yes! We did it!" said Tristan excitedly. "Lapras, you were awesome!"
Lapras panted wearily, but replied happily.
"That Lapras of yours is something," commended Danny. "Now, let's begin the second challenge."
"What's that?" asked Tristan.
"The second part of the challenge is to create bobsleds out of these frozen geysers using three Pokémon," explained Danny. "Whoever finishes that task first wins the round."
"All right, then I choose Venusaur and Charizard," said Tristan as he threw two Pokéballs. "Go!"
Venusaur and Charizard emerged from the white lights that shot out of them.
"And Pikachu will be my third Pokémon," added Tristan.
Pikachu stood next to Venusaur and Charizard, and was ready to help.
"All right, team, listen up," said Tristan to his Pokémon. "Lapras helped us win the first round. So if we win this round, we'll win this match. So let's show some teamwork out there and do our best!"
Everyone cheered in agreement.
"That may be, Tristan, but don't expect this challenge to be so easy," said Danny as he tossed out two more Pokéballs.
A Machoke and a Scyther made their appearances from the white lights that shot out of them.
"Wow, a powerful Scyther and Machoke!" said Hillary. "This'll be good, too!"
"And I'll be using my Nidoqueen to help them out," added Danny. "Are you ready?"
"Ready!" said Tristan.
"Ready...set...go!"
(Music Cue: Wreakin' Havoc!)
Sure enough, the race was on. Venusaur used its Vine Whip to cut the ice while Pikachu's Thunderbolt assisted it. Charizard used its Flamethrower to help shape the ice, being very careful not to melt it too fast.
"That's the way to do it, guys! Keep up the good work!" commended Tristan.
But Nidoqueen, Scyther, and Machoke were no slouches, for with well-coordinated cooperation, they were just as good as Venusaur, Charizard, and Pikachu. Scyther and Nidoqueen slashed the ice with relative ease while Machoke helped shape it with its well-placed fists.
"Way to keep up the pace, guys," commended Danny.
"Wow, this is a great way to watch them go head to head!" said Hillary. "It makes me wish I was participating in this myself!"
"I think the Pokémon just might set a record for the fastest time of building ice sleds," added Hillary.
Sure enough, that was what all six Pokémon were making, for since this was the perfect climate for sledding, they would be able to use them.
Venusaur, Charizard, and Pikachu worked well together and finished building their big sled.
Unfortunately, Danny's Pokémon were just a little bit too fast for them, and so they completed their big sled first.
"Well, it looks like that challenge is over," said Danny. "You were very close, Tristan."
"Aww, Tristan lost that one," said Hillary sadly.
"But he seemed to have fun coaching his Pokémon," added Officer Jenny.
Pikachu, Venusaur, and Charizard felt sad.
"It's okay, guys," Tristan assured them. "All three of you did an amazing job working as a team. We'll win the next challenge, no doubt!"
Tristan's Pokémon felt better after that.
"By the way, what is the next challenge?" asked Tristan to Danny.
"The next challenge is the final challenge," explained Danny. "This challenge is a sledding race down the bottom of the mountain and onto the beach. Whoever reaches the goal line at the bottom first will win this match."
"So it's a race down the mountain and onto the beach, huh?" said Tristan. "Well, we can handle that! Venusaur, return!" He took out Venusaur's Pokéball and returned it. Then he took out another Pokéball and tossed it into the air. "Pidgeot, I choose you!"
Pidgeot emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball.
"Charizard and Pidgeot, I'm going to have you two pull and steer the sled while Pikachu steers from inside," instructed Tristan.
All three Pokémon responded in agreement.
"That's a nice collection of Pokémon you have," smiled Danny. "But don't think you'll beat me so easily. Electrode and Geodude, go!" He threw his Pokéballs and Electrode and Geodude emerged from the white light that shot out of it. Then he returned Nidoqueen and Machoke to their Pokéballs for a well-deserved rest.
"So how are we supposed to get down?" asked Hillary.
"As soon as we start going again, use the cable car to get back down the mountain," answered Danny.
"Right," replied Hillary.
In no time, Charizard and Pidgeot were holding ropes that were secured to Tristan's sled while he and Pikachu got inside it.
Danny and his three Pokémon got inside their own sled.
"We'll start as soon as the green lights appear at the start line," explained Danny.
The red lights appeared one by one as they counted down. Then when they flashed green, both sleds started going.
(Music Cue: Boy Trainer Appears!)
They started going faster and faster. The race was on!
Tristan and his team gained an early lead, but Danny and his Pokémon didn't make it at all easy for them.
"Let's take the cable car," suggested Officer Jenny to Hillary.
"Right," replied Hillary.
And they immediately got into the cable car, and it started going down the line toward the bottom of the mountain.
On the slope, both sleds were sliding down the hill at a high rate of speed. Both Trainers were giving each other a run for their money.
At one point, Danny's team pulled away from Tristan; however, Tristan's team always managed to catch up.
As they got further down the mountain, the air got warmer.
"Hey, you're tougher than I thought," smiled Danny.
"And so are you," replied Tristan.
"Guess I'll see you at the finish line," said Danny.
"Not if I get there first!" replied Tristan.
At that moment, the goal line was seen just ahead.
Both Trainers were determined to cross the finish line first as they and their Pokémon traded the lead between one another.
Meanwhile, Hillary and Officer Jenny saw the two sleds approach the beach at a high rate of speed.
"Here they come!" said Hillary.
"And it looks like we're just in time to see the end of the race," added Officer Jenny.
Sure enough, both sleds were still neck and neck. In a matter of seconds, they slid onto the sandy beach followed by a tremendous splash in the water.
SPLASH!
To everyone's surprise, they both crossed the finish line at the same instant.
Everyone gasped in shock, even Danny, for a tie had never taken place at the Navel Island Gym before.
"It looked like both sleds crossed the finish line at the same time," said Danny.
"So now what happens?" asked Tristan.
"Let's have a sudden death Pokémon battle where each of us uses one Pokémon each," suggested Danny. "Whoever wins the battle wins the match."
"All right, let's do it!" replied Tristan. He was really excited about having a battle at a Gym again.
"So the two of them are going to battle it out, huh?" said Hillary. "This'll be awesome."
In a few moments, Tristan and Danny faced each other on the beach with Hillary, Pikachu, and Officer Jenny as spectators.
"I hope you're ready for a good battle, Tristan," said Danny. "I won't go easy on you just because we tied."
"I hope you're ready, too, Danny," replied Tristan. "Ready to hand over a badge, that is."
"Your brother sounds very confident," said Officer Jenny to Hillary.
"Well, he's made it this far, and he's done a lot of training up to this point," replied Hillary.
"Nidoqueen, let's go!" shouted Danny as he threw his Pokéball.
Nidoqueen materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball. It gave a mighty roar despite using Ice Beam to freeze the geyser earlier.
Nidoqueen's a Ground-type, but it looks very strong, thought Tristan. I'd use Lapras, but it needs a good rest after the geyser challenge. But I have another idea. He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Blastoise, I choose you!"
A white light shot out and Blastoise emerged from it.
"That's a very strong Blastoise, Tristan," Danny complemented. "But I hope you didn't choose it just because of a type advantage."
"Not a chance," replied Tristan. "Blastoise and I have been through many battles together. This'll be decided by our abilities."
"Then let's begin," said Danny. "Nidoqueen, let's start with an Ice Beam."
(Music Cue: Kanto Trainer Battle (as heard in "The Grass Route")
Nidoqueen fired an ice-cold beam of energy from its mouth at Blastoise.
"Blastoise, counterattack with your Ice Beam!" instructed Tristan.
Blastoise shot an ice-cold beam of energy from its mouth at Nidoqueen.
The two Ice Beam attacks collided with one another with neither Pokémon giving an inch. Soon after, both attacks created a huge explosion of energy, knocking both Blastoise and Nidoqueen backward, but were ready for more.
"Blastoise, use your Skull Bash!" ordered Tristan.
Blastoise lowered its head and charged at Nidoqueen as its head glowed in a silver aura.
"Nidoqueen, knock Blastoise off balance with your tail!" commanded Danny.
Nidoqueen used its thick, scaly tail and sent Blastoise flying.
"Blastoise has been hit!" exclaimed Hillary.
"Stay strong, Blastoise!" encouraged Tristan.
Blastoise heard Tristan's cry of encouragement and straightened itself so it could land neatly on its feet.
"Yeah! Way to go!" said Tristan excitedly.
"Nice recovery," commended Danny.
"Blastoise, Hydro Pump attack!" ordered Tristan.
Blastoise shot two powerful blasts of water from its cannons at Nidoqueen.
The blasts were so big and so powerful that Nidoqueen couldn't dodge them in time.
"Yeah! That sure hit the mark!" said Hillary.
Pikachu cheered in agreement.
"Nidoqueen, freeze that Hydro Pump with an Ice Beam blast!" instructed Danny.
Nidoqueen shot its Ice Beam directly at Blastoise's Hydro Pump, causing its cannons to freeze up.
"Oh, no!" gasped Tristan.
"Not good," said Hillary. "Blastoise's cannons are frozen. Now it can't use Hydro Pump anymore."
"Well, now what, Tristan?" asked Danny. "That should cool you down for awhile."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," replied Tristan. Except that he's right, he thought. Blastoise's Hydro Pump has been completely frozen, and if I try to use it again, its cannons might burst, and that could cost me the match. If only there was a way to slice and dice through the ice. Then he saw that the frozen blasts of water looked exactly like swords. Slice and dice through the ice! That's it! Then he shouted, "Blastoise, use those frozen blasts of water and attack Nidoqueen!"
(Music Cue: Gym 1997-1998 (as heard in "Navel Maneuvers"))
Blastoise, using great power and strength, managed to break the frozen blasts of water from its cannons. Then, with astounding speed, it charged at Nidoqueen with the makeshift swords to attack.
"Nidoqueen, don't let it get you!" commanded Danny.
Nidoqueen tried its best to block any attempts at getting hit by the frozen swords, but Blastoise's remarkable swordsmanship was pushing its way through with one hit after another. Then with one well-placed jab, Nidoqueen took a lot of damage.
"Now that's what I call getting the point," remarked Officer Jenny.
However, from the last attack, the swords broke, but that was when Tristan sprang into action. "Blastoise, Ice Beam attack!" shouted Tristan.
Blastoise shot an icy cold beam of energy from its mouth at Nidoqueen, causing it to take a direct hit.
"Nidoqueen!" gasped Danny.
Nidoqueen was frozen solid thanks to Blastoise's Ice Beam attack, even though it was still able to battle.
"Okay, Blastoise, finish it off with Hydro Pump!" commanded Tristan.
Blastoise's cannons, free once again, shot two powerful blasts of water at the frozen Nidoqueen, knocking it back past Danny and onto the ground just a few feet away. It had finally been knocked out.
Danny saw that his Nidoqueen had been knocked out. Then he smiled. "Well, I guess we lost that one. Congratulations, Tristan."
(Music Cue: I Got a Victory Badge! (as heard in "The Battle of the Badge"))
"Thanks, Danny," replied Tristan. "That was a great battle."
Danny agreed as he returned Nidoqueen to its Pokéball.
"Wow, Tristan, you really won!" said Hillary. Then she came to Blastoise. "And Blastoise, despite having no experience with a sword you were a master swordsman."
Blastoise smiled sheepishly. It had never won a battle like that before.
"It was a creative way to use Nidoqueen's Ice Beam to your advantage the way you did," added Danny to Tristan. "Not only that, you were a great competitor in making it up to the mountain, making a sled, and racing back down the mountain. You definitely earned this, my friend." And he took something out of his pocket to hand to Tristan. It looked like a shell, just like Tristan's Coral Eye Badge. "This is the Sea Ruby Badge. You earned it."
Officer Jenny and Hillary agreed.
"Thanks so much, Danny," replied Tristan. "I couldn't have done it without the efforts of all my Pokémon." Then he raised his new badge in the air and proclaimed, "Yes! I earned a Sea Ruby Badge!"
"Pi-Pikachu!" agreed Pikachu.
"Tristan, that makes two badges," said Hillary. "You're halfway there."
"Yeah," agreed Tristan. "Just two more and I can enter the Orange League."
Later, as Danny and Officer Jenny waved goodbye, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu, who were all waving back while on Lapras's back, looked at Tristan's new badge as they drifted into the sunset.
And so, with Tristan's second badge in hand, our heroes once again look forward to their next adventure. Whatever it is, it's bound to be action-packed. So stay tuned!
► TO BE CONTINUED
