Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Telepathy"
A/N: Chapter 10! Hope you all like it!
Today, we find our heroes walking to the forests around Mt. Silver, ready to start training for the upcoming Silver Conference. Ash was eager to participate in his second Pokemon League. They weren't using the special training fields outside the Pokemon Center because they were supposed to keep Latios a secret for as long as possible. If even a few trainers saw him, the word would spread like wildfire, so they decided to train in a secluded spot in the nearby forest.
"So Brock, you said that you and Misty had planned the best moves for my Johto Team to learn, right?" Ash asked, glad that he was receiving support from his friends.
"Yes Ash. Our goal is to have each of your Pokemon learn one attack as that could be very helpful for the tournament," Brock answered. He noted that Ash seemed to have returned to his normal mood. Whatever problem had bothered him yesterday after the poacher fight seemed to have vanished.
"Which moves did you choose?" Ash asked curiously. Pikachu listened in as well, he was eager to learn something new.
"Well," Misty started. "Bayleef lacks a strong Grass-type attack, so let's try and teach her Solar Beam. Cyndaquil lacks a strong close range Fire-type attack, so we'll work on Flame Wheel. Phanpy should learn Hidden Power as a surprise move. Tododile can learn Hydro Pump to boost his attack power. Pikachu should learn Iron Tail to help him against Rock and Ground-Types. And for Latios, we'll teach him Steel Wing. That attack will be useful against Ice-Types, and he needs a close range attack anyway."
Ash' eyes were sparkling with joy at the prospect of his team receiving such attacks. Latias giggled at his expression. She was currently flying behind them along with Latios. "As long as I'm not attacked over and over again, I'm fine," Latios muttered, shivering at the memory of how he had learned Recover.
Pikachu laughed. "I loved helping you learn Recover."
Latios glared at the electric mouse. "I'll get you back for all those shocks someday."
"In your dreams!" Pikachu replied.
Ash hid a small chuckle at their conversation. Misty and Brock ignored them, mainly because they couldn't understand a thing. 'Stupid language barrier,' Brock thought in annoyance.
Once the group had reached a small forest clearing, they decided it was a good place to start training. The clearing had a small river going through it and a few rocky areas. "Everyone, come on out!" Ash shouted, releasing all his Pokemon. He sidestepped quickly, skillfully dodging Bayleef's Body Slam. She pouted. "Sorry, you need to be faster than that." Ash said.
Bayleef smirked mischievously. "We'll see next time." Ash shivered at her tone.
"Okay, let's start," Brock said while walking closer to Ash's team. "Misty, you help Totodile learn Hydro Pump." She nodded and walked to the river. At Ash's nod, Totodile followed her.
"Larvitar knows Hidden Power, right Ash?" Brock asked. Ash nodded. Larvitar knew the attack, he just hadn't used it.
"Then Larvitar will help Phanpy learn Hidden Power," Brock said, looking at the small Rock and Ground-Type. Larvitar didn't even move an inch. Brock sighed.
"Larvitar," Ash started kindly, crouching down to face the small Rock Skin Pokemon. "Could you please help Phanpy learn Hidden Power?" Larvitar nodded and began walking away. The little blue elephant followed. "Good luck!" Ash called to the retreating Ground-Types as they walked to the edge of the clearing.
"Thanks daddy! I'll do my best," Phanpy chirped happily.
Larvitar looked at him quizzically. "Why did you call him 'daddy' if he's not your real father?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion.
Phanpy smiled and nudged Larvitar playfully. Larvitar, still not used to contact in general, backed away nervously. "I call him daddy because he hatched me and he always takes care of me even when he doesn't have to. That's why I love him as a father," Phanpy explained happily.
Larvitar looked at the little blue elephant oddly. Larvitar realized that they were pretty much the same, Both were hatched by Ash, even if Phanpy treated Ash like his father and Larvitar was searching for his mother. Larvitar wondered if it would be alright to refer to Ash as Phanpy did. Usually Larvitars never knew their fathers as it was always the mothers that took care of the offspring, so maybe Ash could play that role for him like he did with Phanpy.
"You should call him daddy too, he hatched you and cares for you too," Phanpy suggested happily. Larvitar wondered if Phanpy had somehow read his mind.
"I'll think about it," Larvitar muttered.
"That means you'd be my brother!" Phanpy squealed childishly and nuzzled Larvitar happily. The Rock skin pokemon laughed nervously.
"Can we get to teaching you the attack please," Larvitar said quickly, prying Phanpy off of him. The little blue elephant nodded eagerly. In the distance Latias smiled happily, glad that Larvitar was opening up a little more.
"Well," Brock started. "I'll help Bayleef learn Solar Beam, and you Ash will help Cyndaquil learn Flame Wheel."
"How do I do that?" Ash asked.
"I'll explain shortly," Brock started. He turned to Latias. "Latias, you'll help Latios and Pikachu learn their attacks. According to my Breeder's Guide, for a Pokemon to learn a Steel-type physical attack, the Pokemon first needs to strengthen the muscles in the appendage used for the attack. Basically, Pikachu and Latios are doing exercises for that, Pikachu to make his tail stronger and Latios to make his wings harder." Both Latios and Pikachu got a sick feeling. Something told them that they weren't going to like this one bit.
"Okay Ash, for Cyndaquil to learn Flame Wheel, he needs to make his back flames as strong as possible so they cover him completely. Then he should keep the fire up for a while," Brock instructed. "Latios and Pikachu, follow me," he said, walking to the rocky area, leaving Ash to handle Cyndaquil's training. Latias followed him too.
Once he reached the rocks, Brock took out three ropes, one small and two long and sturdy. Both Latios and Pikachu got an idea of what Brock was planning and turned green in the face. "Okay Pikachu, I'm going to tie a small rock to your tail. You have to lift it consecutively until your tail muscles get stronger. It might take a few days." Brock explained. Pikachu almost fainted. "Latios, I'm going to tie one large rock to each wing. You have to move your wings up and down a little. That will make them stronger and also help you build up endurance. Since you fly by levitation, the rocks won't hinder you since your wing shape tells me you use them just to stabilize yourself. Am I right?" Latios nodded. Brock then turned to Latias. "Latias, you make sure they don't slack off." Latias grinned devilishly. Latios and Pikachu gulped in terror.
Brock proceeded to tie the rocks to both Pokemon. First he tied a fist-sized rock to Pikachu's tail, and then he tied one mid-sized rock, about double Pikachu's size, to each of Latios' wings. Latios started hovering about a foot lower. "Jeez, these are heavy," Latios complained. He exerted a bit more power and regained his normal height. Pikachu started moving his tail up and down and Latios did the same with his wings. Latias watched them as they exercised. She was going to enjoy this.
"I'm off to train Bayleef," Brock said as he turned around, leaving Latias to take care of them. He walked over to Bayleef. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Now, how to teach you Solar Beam?" He glanced at his Pokemon Breeder's guide. He flipped through the pages until he found the desired attack. He read through the summary a few times and nodded. "Okay, Bayleef, to learn Solar Beam, you have to first learn to concentrate the sun's energy into your neck leaves. Once you manage to keep the energy focused for a while, you unleash it. Try it."
Bayleef nodded and took a glance at the sun. It was shinning brightly, as usual. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She felt the sun's rays caressing her soft skin. She slowly began taking the sun's rays into her leaves, almost like photosynthesis. As a Grass-type pokemon, Bayleef usually enjoying sunbathing every once in a while, but she had never tried anything like this. Bayleef opened her eyes and glanced at her neck leaves. They were glowing very faintly, but still lacked the full charge necessary for Solar Beam. She frowned. This was hard.
Brock chuckled at Bayleef's frown. "Don't worry, no one was expecting you to get it on your first try. You need to absorb the sun's energy faster."
Bayleef nodded and tried again, but she still didn't gather enough energy. The leaves didn't shine that much, they were still as dim as the last time. Bayleef turned to Brock. "Does that book have any useful tips or something?" she questioned.
Brock chuckled and scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, I don't speak pokemon."
Brock heard a small giggle in his mind. "She asked you if your book has a tip or something to help her," Latias translated telepathically. Brock whirled around and looked in Latias's direction. She was still near Latios and Pikachu.
Brock nodded. "Thanks."
"No Problem," she replied. She turned back to her brother and friend. "Pikachu! Keep moving that tail!" Pikachu groaned and resumed his training. It looked as though Latias's little distraction didn't provide that much of a rest.
Brock resumed reading his book. "According to this, you could try to block everything out and concentrate completely on absorbing the sun's rays, ignoring everything around you."
Bayleef frowned. "And how do I do that mid-battle?"
After a quick telepathic translation from Latias, Brock answered, "That's just for learning. Once you get used to the feeling, it will be easier to pull off the attack under the stress of a battle."
Bayleef nodded and concentrated again. This time she ignored everything. Every sound, every feeling, every thought, and focused just on the sunbeams that were hitting her. She slowly began to imagine herself as one with those beams. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself. After about thirty seconds, she opened her eyes and found that her neck leaves were shining a little more than before, but it still wasn't enough.
"That was good Bayleef, keep at it and you should master the attack quickly," Brock praised. "Now keep trying." Bayleef smiled and nodded. She took a few deep breaths and started again.
Meanwhile, a few yards away Ash was training Cyndaquil. "Okay Cyndaquil, again, make your flames really big!" Cyndaquil nodded and lit his back flames. He then tried to coat his entire body with them, but about midway the flames died and dissipated. "It seems you need a bit more strength in those flames so that they cover you completely."
"Yeah," Cyndaquil muttered. He panted. This was very tiring.
Ash smiled. "Come on, you can do it!" Cyndaquil nodded and tried again. He summoned as much of his fire as he could. Suddenly Ash had an idea. "Follow me!" he encouraged as he started sprinting. Cyndaquil nodded and started running after Ash. The added friction and wind were enough and Cyndaquil was covered in a bright coat of fire, but it still dissipated after a few seconds. Cyndaquil panted and came to a stop.
Ash smiled and crouched in front of Cyndaquil. He patted the small fire mouse pokemon. "Good job! You made it! Through you still need to maintain the attack, but it's still something."
Cyndaquil smiled brightly. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. Care to try again?" Ash asked. Cyndaquil nodded and resumed sprinting.
During their Flame Wheel attempts, Cyndaquil and Ash passed Misty, who was helping Totodile learn Hydro Pump with the help of her Politoed. She smiled at the boy's enthusiasm and eagerness, at least he seemed to be enjoying himself with Cyndaquil. She turned her attention back to Totodile. "Okay Totodile, use Hydro Pump!" she instructed, pointing at the small river that went through the clearing. Totodile nodded and took a deep breath before exhaling a powerful torrent of water.
Misty frowned. "No Totodile, that's still Water Gun. Hydro Pump uses a lot more power than that. Follow my example: Politoed use Hydro Pump!" Misty exclaimed.
The bright green toad-like Pokemon clapped his hand eagerly and took a quick breath, then spat a powerful torrent of water at the river. Totodile immediately noticed that Politoed's water attack was a lot stronger than his own.
Misty nodded approvingly. "Listen, Hydro Pump uses a lot more power than Water Gun, thus making the attack more damaging. You have to learn to concentrate that power faster." Totodile nodded and attacked again, still with Water Gun. Misty frowned. 'This is going to be a little harder than I thought.'
Unknown to Misty, someone was having even harder times than her. "No, you need to be patient!" Larvitar grumbled for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Phanpy gave him a blank look. "Could you explain the attack again please? It's very confusing." Larvitar groaned in frustration. He had already explained it seven times. He took a deep breath to calm himself. Phanpy gave him a pleading look. "Please, brother!"
"Alright, but listen carefully," Larvitar started. He eyed Phanpy and saw that he was paying full attention. He continued. "Hidden Power is a move that makes the user release a powerful blast of energy. However, to learn how to draw on that energy you must learn to calm yourself completely. Once you learn to tap into that power, you can use it at any time. Got it?" Phanpy nodded slowly. Larvitar smiled. "Okay, now close your eyes."
Phanpy was just about to close his eyes, but paused. "Why is it that when someone is about to tap into some power they must always close their eyes?" he asked curiously.
Larvitar paused. "Well… I don't know." Admittedly, Larvitar found himself wondering the same thing. Maybe he'd ask Latias later.
Phanpy pouted. "Aw, come on bro, tell me!"
Larvitar glanced around nervously. "Just do it!"
Phanpy closed his eyes. "My eyes are closed."
Larvitar smiled. "Okay, now take a deep breath. Feel the energy around you. Call on it, and then expel it."
Phanpy sat like that for a while, before whining, "I'm bored."
Larvitar sweatdropped. "Listen, here is what the attack should look like," Larvitar said, pointing to a rock. He began to glow faintly as several bright spheres of light formed around him. With a mighty push all the spheres were sent charging toward the boulder. They struck the boulder, causing it to crack and fall apart.
Phanpy grinned broadly. "I'm learning that!" He chirped excitedly. "I want to learn it now!"
Larvitar sweatdropped. 'I should have showed him the attack from the very beginning.'
Phanpy looked at him. "Bro, you used the attack but you didn't do any of that concentrate and close your eyes stuff."
"That's because I already know how to make the attack. Once you learn how to use it you can even do it while running," Larvitar explained.
"Okay!" Phanpy chorused happily and resumed concentrating. A few seconds passed. "I'm bored again." Larvitar's eye twitched. He started wondering if it'd be okay to use Hidden Power on Phanpy. Ash wouldn't like that, though, so he was going to have to tolerate this for now.
He glanced at the others. He noted that Pikachu and Latios were looking really tired and Latias was watching them intently. Misty was trying to get Totodile to use Hydro Pump but the small blue Pokemon used Water Gun every time. Ash and Cyndaquil were still sprinting around. Every once in a while flames covered Cyndaquil as he tried to use Flame Wheel, but he still couldn't maintain the attack for long. And Bayleef was just sunbathing. Her neck leaves glowed a few times, but it still didn't look like she was making much progress. He sighed. This was going to take a while.
The rest of the day was rather uneventful. Nobody managed to pull off their new attacks, but some came close to learning them. Latios and Pikachu spent the entire night complaining about their sore wings and tail. They hoped that they learned their attacks quickly before their limbs fell off.
As the days progressed, Ash's team gained more skill. Once all of Ash's Pokemon managed to learn and successfully use their moves, they proceeded to spar continually to gain a bit more battle experience, especially Latios as he was the one that needed to get more competitive faster. At least all that time carrying rocks made his endurance higher.
Ash usually sparred against Brock and Misty, or against his own Pokemon, and for some reason Pikachu enjoyed sparring with Latios, though Latios won most of the time. Latias also sparred once in a while and learned DragonBreath too, apparently Latios taught her that. Larvitar participated a few times, but he was still reluctant to be near too many people at once, and when that happened he would Screech. Brock and Misty still couldn't get close to Larvitar without receiving an earful.
Overall the team was developing nicely, which was certainly a good thing as the tournament was drawing near, and Ash was sure that the Silver Conference was going to be far more difficult than the Indigo League. He was sure his Johto team was in good shape now. With this team along with the Kanto team and the soon to arrive Charizard and Squirtle, he would truly be ready for the Silver Conference, and whoever he fought would have a very difficult battle ahead.
After ten days of hard training, finally the big day had arrived. Today was the opening ceremony for the Silver Conference!
Ash and his friends were walking to the Pokemon Center, in the early morning. The opening ceremony was in about one hour. "Nice Pokemon Center," Latias commented telepathically. She was as usual disguised as Bianca, though she was getting bored of using Bianca's look and was contemplating creating a new body for herself. Latios said that wasn't a bad idea.
On the lower floor of the Pokemon Center was the administrative area for the Silver Conference. Behind a desk with a few assorted screens was a young lady with glasses and brown hair. Brock was just about to sprint over to her but suddenly his entire body froze in place. He managed to barely look at Latias and saw that her pupils were slightly glowing. Misty noticed it and smiled. "Latias, I'll admit that you have style." She held her hand out and she and Latias high-fived. Latias smirked happily. Brock tried to whine is despair but he couldn't even do that.
Ash walked up to the lady behind the desk. "Hello miss, I'd like to know the place and times for my preliminary matches," he said, looking excited.
"Could you please hand me your Pokedex for a minute?" She asked. Ash nodded and handed her the PokeDex. She inserted it into a slot on her computer. Ash's picture and registration information appeared on the screen. "Alright Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, the preliminaries consist of three matches against randomly assorted trainers, all one on one. You can only advance to the Second Round if you win all three matches. If you lose one, you are out. The preliminaries are designed to reduce the number of participants from over two hundred to just forty-eight," the receptionist informed him in a bored tone of voice, probably because she had to repeat this information over and over again to every trainer. She looked at the registry and read the times of Ash's battles. "The preliminary matches will be held during the next three days. All of your matches are today. The first of your battles will be at four o' clock on field six, the second at five o'clock on field one and the last at seven o' clock on field two." She then took out the PokeDex and handed it back to Ash. "Good Luck."
Ash nodded. "Thanks!"
Latias released Brock. He took a step away from her and knew that he couldn't get near a girl anytime soon. "Just don't lose any battles, Ash," Misty muttered. Ash fumed.
"Why does everyone say I'll lose!" Ash demanded.
"Maybe because it's obvious," a familiar voice spoke from behind Ash. The second Ash heard this voice his blood boiled. He turned around and came face to face with his life-long rival, Gary Oak.
Gary chuckled. "Hello there Ashy-boy, ready to lose?" he asked teasingly.
Telepathic laugher was projected in everyone's minds except Gary's, "Ashy-boy?" Latias questioned before resuming laughing. Ash ignored her.
"Nope," Ash answered confidently. "I'm sure you're going to get your ass kicked!"
"Says you," Gary muttered before turning around and walking towards the receptionist to also ask for his preliminary matches.
"Still as overconfident as ever," Pikachu muttered.
"I'm so going to shove that huge ego of his down his throat!" Ash snarled.
"Who's that Ashy-boy? A friend of yours?" Latias asked telepathically once she had finally stopped laughing.
"That's Gary, my rival, and I forbid you to call me that," Ash answered. Latias giggled.
Deciding that he didn't want to spend another second near Gary, Ash walked outside the Pokemon Center and resumed walking. He picked up and carried Larvitar in his arms, not wanting someone to accidentally walk too close and get Screeched at. Latias was using her Psychic powers to make Larvitar lighter so Ash could carry him comfortably. They started walking to the main stadium, where the opening ceremony would commence. "I'm so going to beat the crap out of him," Ash muttered. Larvitar looked up at him and wondered why Ash was so eager to fight that particular trainer.
Brock laughed. "Make sure it's not the other way around."
"Yeah, I'm so gonna devastate his team with Latios and Charizard," Ash said, trusting that his two greatest powerhouses could knock out Gary's team, or at least a good part of it.
"Remember that those two can't do the entire job alone," Brock lectured Ash.
"I know," Ash replied. After a few minutes of walking, Ash saw a familiar person. "Hey! Mr. Goodshow!" Ash called, remembering him from the Indigo League.
The small man turned to him, brushing his long white beard a little. "Ahh, hello Ash! I knew it wouldn't be too long before I saw you. Ready to compete?" Mr. Goodshow asked kindly.
"Yeah, so where are you going?" Ash asked.
Mr. Goodshow smiled. "I'm going to the Opening Ceremony to get everything ready. I had a little problem with a Sneasel messing with the torch to ignite the flame atop the stadium, but that problem's been taken care of."
"All right," Ash said, remembering that lighting a torch was the main event of the Silver Conference opening ceremony.
"What was the problem?" Misty asked curiously.
"The Sneasel wouldn't let anyone near the torch, but it was caught by a trainer named Harrison," Mr. Goodshow summarized. "Now we can light the Stadium's great flame with Ho-oh's power."
"Ho-oh?" Ash asked. He remembered that in the Indigo League it was Moltres's flames that were used, not Ho-oh's.
"Yes, Ho-oh is part of a very important legend here in Silver Town, so it's natural that its flames are used," Mr. Goodshow explained.
"What's the legend?" Brock asked.
Mr. Goodshow took a deep breath before beginning. "It is said that long ago there was a terrible war here. The war was so devastating that the entire landscape surrounding Mt. Silver was left as a barren wasteland. Ho-oh descended from the heavens and with its mighty flames engulfed the area in a colossal fire. From the ashes of that fire, new life blossomed, and turned this area into a beautiful forest. A single flame was left behind, and that flame was preserved in a shrine, the very same flame that will be used in the opening ceremony."
"Ahhhh," everyone muttered.
"All those events gave birth to the beautiful landscape Silver Town and the surrounding areas are blessed with," Mr. Goodshow said, looking at the great mountain.
After a few more minutes of walking they arrived at the colossal stadium that made up Silver Town's center. On the upper level of the stadium was the massive torch that would soon be lit, signaling the start of the Silver Conference. Mr. Goodshow smiled fondly. "The pride of Silver Town, the great Silver Stadium. All qualified trainers have to be in the arena. All relatives I must ask to go to the seats please," Mr. Goodshow informed them before entering a private door, probably leading to the main stage set in the arena for the opening events.
The stadium looked majestic, since all the final arrangements had been made for the grand opening. The stadium was a vague oval shape. The top part was painted blue, with silver colored ornaments. On the lower parts, several arches decorated the different entrances to the Stadium. These were painted in a bright silver color.
"Looks nice," Misty commented. "Well Ash, we're going to the stands, you go on in!"
Ash nodded. "Thanks!"
"See ya Ash," Misty and Brock said, walking to one of the access tunnels for the stadium stands.
"I'll take Larvitar, Ash," Latias told him telepathically, extending her arms.
Ash complied and handed him over. "Larvitar, be a good boy and please don't screech, okay?" Ash asked the little Rock and Ground type, gently scratching his head. Larvitar nodded. Latias smiled and started walking after Brock and Misty.
Ash grinned and rushed into the arena. Once inside, he was mesmerized by the stadium's interior. The stands were bursting with people. Thousands of people were seated in the numerous rows that filled the stands. The stadium's inside structure was also very nice. The support pillars were painted a bright silver color while the stands and doorways were blue, making a nice contrast. On the sides of the stadium two different things caught Ash's attention. On one side of the stadium was a huge screen probably used during the matches, and directly opposing the screen on the other side was the great torch. A stairway led from the base of the battlefield to the very top of the pedestal the torch was on.
At the very center of the arena was a stage with a microphone. Ash guessed it was for the opening speech. Numerous cameras and TV equipment were aligned along the stage. There were many news and TV programs transmitting the Silver Conference on worldwide television.
In the stands Latias, Brock and Misty had already seen him. Latias and Larvitar were now both nervous wrecks. Neither of them was used to being near so much people, not even Latias, but in her case it was more with strangers. Larvitar was resisting the urge to screech. He had told Ash he wouldn't screech and he was going to obey, but Ash owed him big time for this.
Ash glanced at the arena and saw most of the trainers that were there. He was stunned by the sheer number of them. Most of them looked older than Ash, but then again Ash was just eleven. Pikachu laughed at Ash's anxious look. "Don't worry! We're still going to beat the crap out of them."
"Still, they all look tough compared to me," Ash said, a nervous tone in his voice.
Pikachu laughed. "Yeah, but tell me, out of all these losers, how many of them can understand Pokemon speech and happen to have two Legendary Pokemon on their team?"
"Good Point," Ash admitted. In that aspect he was far above the others.
A few minutes passed and more trainers kept pouring in, Ash also noted that the stadium was also almost filled up completely. The stands were literally bursting with people.
Soon Mr. Goodshow appeared on the stage in the center of the arena. All the cameras turned to him. "Greetings everyone! Today marks the day the Annual Silver Conference will begin!" Everyone cheered loudly. Once the noise had died down Mr. Goodshow continued. "I hereby congratulate all the trainers that qualified and will participate in the Silver Conference. It has been a long road to gain the eight badges needed to get this far and it all ends here, with all of you fighting for the Silver Conference trophy!" He frowned. "But the road is even harder now. There are more than two hundred trainers here, but only one can emerge victorious, who will that be?" he asked, waving his arms dramatically at the crowd of trainers.
All the trainers had the same thought in their minds. 'That's going to be me!'
"It sad to say that after the next three days, only forty-eight out of you will continue," Mr. Goodshow continued, a sad edge in his voice. "But that makes it even more interesting. I wish you all very good luck and that you give us a Silver Conference to remember!" Mr. Goodshow boomed. The entire stadium cheered loudly.
An athlete entered the arena running with a small torch. The torch was lit by a bright and almost magical flame. The runner sprinted up the stairs that led to the Torch high on the stadium walls, touching his own torch to it and causing it to ignite. The entire stadium was lit by a majestic flame rising several meters into the air. The crowd looked in awe at the inspiring fire.
Mr. Goodshow smiled. He had always loved the opening ceremonies of any Pokemon League. "I declare the Silver Conference begun!" Everyone cheered loudly again. Once the cheering had died down, Mr. Goodshow continued. "Now, the preliminaries will be held in the smaller fields surrounding this stadium. All spectators, please exit and watch any battle you choose to. All trainers that are battling today, please report to your designated fields." With that said Mr. Goodshow walked off the stage. Soon everyone left the stadium and started heading to the battlefields surrounding Silver Stadium.
Ash pondered what to do since none of his matches were until noon. Misty, Brock and Latias soon joined him. Larvitar fidgeted in Latias' arms, so she smiled and handed him to Ash. "Hello again, Ashy-boy," Gary said, walking up to Ash.
"What do you want now?" Ash asked in irritation.
"Just saying hello," Gary said off-handedly. "My first match is in a few minutes, then the other two are tomorrow, so I'm off." With that said, Gary walked to the fields.
Ash sighed. "Let's go to the gift shops and look four souvenirs until my first match is up," Ash suggested. The others nodded and followed him. Brock's eyes sparkled at the anticipation of running into lots of pretty girls. He paused and glanced at Latias, who was glancing at him from the corner of her eye. He groaned. Was she always watching him or something?
"Yes!" Jessie shouted as the cash kept coming in. They had decided to put James' bottle cap collection to good use and they were selling them as souvenir painted badges.
James wept. "What did my little collection do to deserve this?" At least he had managed to hide the more valuable ones before Jessie got this idea, so they were just selling the cheap and easy to get ones. Still, the experience was quite painful.
"Stop whining! Look at all da cash we're getting!" Meowth beamed, counting the money. James sighed and resumed painting the bottle caps.
Jessie smirked but soon paled. Just in front of her a familiar group passed by. "It's the twerps!" She hissed. At least their salesman costumes kept them from being recognized.
James and Meowth peeked over. "I'm too tired to bother them right now, let's save all the cash and order a powerful mecha to hunt down that Pikachu," James suggested.
"Yeah!" Both Jessie and Meowth cheered. With a new resolve, they painted and worked even harder to get the money to buy something to capture Pikachu. Soon, Ash's group disappeared as they turned around the next corner.
Next chapter, the Silver Conference Begins!
Until Next time… Please Review! I enjoy your reviews a lot!