Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
---
Chapter 21 – Rivalry Unleashed!!
Ash, heart thumping, stepped out into the sunlight. He walked forward, legs feeling like jelly. Across the ring, he met Gary's cool stare.
Ash swallowed, head turning to take in the crowd. All the stands were full, a roar of cheers meeting his ears. He couldn't tell those egging him on from Gary's supporters. The sound gave him a sudden rush; Ash turned, grinning, and waved to the sea of people. They were screaming for him! It gave him a warm flush of pride he'd never before experienced.
"Trainers, come to the table, please," reported the announcer. Ash walked around the terrain's edge to the table he'd seen before; now, the gym leaders and the man stood in front of it.
In the front row Ash passed Misty, Brock, and Professor Oak; he gave them a thumbs-up before proceeding. He saw Gary coming toward him, unhurried, hands in pockets. The expression on his face was unreadable.
Ash reached the announcer first; he shook hands with the man, who then gestured for him to see the gym leaders. Ash walked back along the way he came, coming to Laura of Uma first.
The girl flashed a smirk. "Never thought you'd make it this far." Nevertheless, she held out her hand. Ash shook it with a mumble of thanks she probably lost in the roar of the crowd.
Victor from Karasu was next, and he gave Ash a nod as they shook hands. "This battle will test all you've learned," he remarked before letting go.
Ash greeted Charlie of Kame as well, the older man smiling. "Good luck, Ash."
Lastly came the Kitsune twins; Alex held out his hand first, grinning broadly. "Hey, I can't wait to see the outcome of this fight!"
Rachel grasped his other hand so he was shaking with both twins at once. "Good luck!"
Ash now stepped aside, listening to the screaming crowd as Gary neared.
*
He ignored the surrounding mob as he approached the centre line, every muscle tensed for the coming fight. He knew, whatever the result, that this would be the hardest test of all. Gary was focusing every sense on the battle. He didn't care much for pleasantries; he exchanged a nod with the announcer before moving on to the gym leaders.
He was rather surprised to see them here; never before had the gym leaders taken an interest in trainers after they had left their respective towns. This league, however, was different. He doubted this match would be typical, something their appearance seemed to prove.
Laura offered her hand. "I knew you'd be here," she smiled. "That kid's got some tough competition."
Gary raised an eyebrow. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Leaving her smirking, he ventured to Victor.
The gym master shook his hand calmly, eyes deep in thought. "All you've done so far will be tested in this fight," he predicted in his usual soft tone.
Inclining his head, Gary concurred, "I know."
Victor nodded before releasing him.
Charlie offered a friendly smile. "How's your ankle?"
Gary grimaced; he didn't need that brought up now. "It'd be better if I could stay off it."
Charlie nodded sympathetically before Gary moved on.
The twins came last; Gary shook hands with both of them, Alex offering him "Good luck."
Rachel smiled, winking, "I want to see Umbreon today, m'kay?"
Gary rolled his eyes at her before finally turning to his rival.
"Gary," Ash growled, glaring at him. Pikachu was perched on his shoulder, as always.
"Ash," Gary allowed quietly, keeping emotion out of his voice. As he suspected, this made Ash redden even more with anger; he refused to delight in this, however, knowing that he'd need a cool head to beat Ash.
The announcer stepped between them. "Trainers, shake hands."
Gary lazily held out a hand; Ash shook it stiffly, gripping harder than necessary. Gary tilted his head upward, smiling slightly.
"What did you say yesterday? Oh, yeah – we'll see who's the real master."
Ash broke off the handshake, glowering. "At least, you will!"
The announcer explained, "Today's final match will be a six-on-six combat between Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak. We have chosen six battlefields for use today in random order; each time a Pokémon is knocked out, both trainers have the option of switching Pokémon before the new terrain is revealed. The match will continue until all of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle! Any objections?"
"None," Gary said quietly, still smiling. Ash shook his head, eyes never leaving his rival.
"Let's see who will go first…" The announcer held out his palm, a silver coin glittering in the sunlight. "Ash, heads or tails for going first?"
The microphone held to his lips, Ash said, "Heads!"
The announcer flipped the coin; it twirled in the air a moment before landing in a puff of soil.
The announcer bent to retrieve it. "And it's…tails! Gary will have first choice of Pokémon!"
Gary nodded coolly as the crowd bellowed.
"Trainers, take your positions!"
Ash turned his back, marching toward his end of the field; Gary headed back to the other side. As both took up poses in their respective white rectangles, the announcer and the gym leaders took their seats. The officials stepped up.
So, Gary mused, they're going to change the field after we've made our choices. That means the only thing we know for sure is whom we're facing.
Gary selected a Poké ball, flinging it into the air. "I'll start with…Pidgeot!"
The bird Pokémon burst to life, flaring its wings and landing beside him. Gary smiled. Even if they change the battlefield, flying Pokémon won't be affected!
Ash nodded to his prize Pokémon. "Pikachu!!"
I'll knock him out of the air with pure electrical power! grinned Ash.
Side-by-side, Pokémon and trainers waited for the signal. The announcer held out the remote.
"And our first field today is…" He pressed a button; a low rumble shook the floor as the original court sank into the ground, replaced by a new one. Ash stared.
The first gym was covered in rickety structures made carelessly of wooden planks. Each was made bare, rising up on four pillars and with a layer of wood for floor. Seemingly placed at random, the frames rose up in different levels, crisscrossed with interconnecting planks and ramps.
"The Multi-Level Arena!" declared the announcer.
An official raised both his flags. "Let the match…begin!" With that he swung the flags down.
"Pidgeot! Fly!" ordered Gary. Pidgeot, cawing, spread its wings and took flight, circling over the gym floor.
Ash decided he'd best use the gym layout to his advantage. "Pikachu, climb up and use thundershock!"
"Pika!" With a firm nod, Pikachu scurried across the floor, darting up the nearest ramp. It leaped to the highest point of the structure; perching on the top of the post, it then charged up for a mighty attack.
"Pidgeot!" barked Gary, not about to lose that easily, "Quick attack now! Unbalance Pikachu!"
Pidgeot banked toward the electric mouse, swooping forward in a blur. It knocked Pikachu aside with ease, sending it flying.
"Pikachu!" gasped Ash.
Pikachu fell, at the last moment grabbing hold of the edge of a level. It struggled back up, determined. Now on firm ground, it watched as Pidgeot circled around for another attack.
"Now! While it's recovering, thundershock!"
Pikachu closed its eyes; Gary smirked, "Not so fast, Ash. Pidgeot! Wing attack below Pikachu!"
Pidgeot sliced forward. Ash gaped at its speed; Pikachu had the advantage of its type, but against a Pokémon this fast…
"Geot!" Pidgeot smashed its wing into the post holding Pikachu up; the wood splintering beneath it, Pikachu stumbled as the structure began to crumble.
Gary smiled to himself. So Ash had thought to earn a quick knockout? The terrain had changed to his advantage.
Pidgeot flapped its mighty wings, struggling for height after its attack.
"Pikachu, now! Jump on it!"
As Pikachu clambered desperately for a new vantage, it turned and jumped into the air…landing squarely on Pidgeot's back! The bird Pokémon squawked protest, twisting desperately to dislodge it.
"Now, thunder!" Ash raised a clenched fist, grinning; this battle was in the bag!
"Pidgeot, fly! Do everything you can!" Gary pleaded. Pidgeot took to the sky, whirling and arcing at super speed. However, Pikachu held tightly to its back.
Sparks flew suddenly from its cheeks; moments later, the whole sky brightened with the light of a powerful thunder blast.
Gary stared upward, shocked, as both Pokémon plummeted. Pidgeot fell like a stone, feathers sizzling from the electricity; Pikachu leaped safely aside onto a structure, beaming.
Pidgeot, however, crashed straight through the roof of one, thumping hard onto the second level. It slumped still, clearly unconscious.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!" declared the referee, raising his right flag. Pikachu charged back to its master, both laughing in happiness at their victory.
"Pidgeot, good work," murmured Gary, returning his Pokémon. He saw the first light blink out on his side of the scoreboard; across from it, Pikachu's image remained.
"And this match is off to a sizzling start, folks," grinned the announcer. "Pikachu blows away Pidgeot with a single thunder attack after being pushed around by the bigger Pokémon. Both trainers obviously have very strong Pokémon! Let's see if Gary can gain an advantage in this next round, on our second field."
Gary's face hardened. "I hope you enjoyed that, Ash," he called across the field, "'cause your lead won't last long! Umbreon, go!"
He tossed the next ball, Umbreon appearing next to him in a flash of light. The crowd roared approvingly; Gary tuned them out, smirking at Ash.
So there's six battlefields, he mused. The first one's multi-level – it'll take at least six rounds to show them all, if they're in random order. Not knowing the layout is a challenge, but I'll just have to pull whatever advantage I can. In the meantime, I'll have to keep Ash off-guard; my strategy must be flawless!
He narrowed his eyes. I'm just getting started, Ash!
Across the field, Ash observed Gary's choice. Umbreon, huh? He's using that already…guess that's not his secret weapon. Ash sighed; he had been so sure he'd face Umbreon last, and would leave his strongest to face it… Well, he couldn't waste that strength so early on. It looked like he had to try something else.
"Pikachu, come back!" he called, selecting a Poké ball. "I choose…Noctowl!"
The small owl Pokémon appeared in a shower of sparkles; hooting cheerfully, Noctowl circled before perching on Ash's shoulder. Ash glared out from under the brim of his hat; just you wait, Gary, 'cause I'm just warming up…
"Ash has chosen Noctowl to face Gary's Umbreon! Now it's time for the field change." The announcer pressed the remote, causing the Multi-Level Arena to sink into the floor. A new gym slid into place, Ash gaping at it.
"Wh-what's that…?" he wondered to himself.
"The Mirror Arena!" exclaimed the announcer.
It was indeed so, the entire floor made of smooth glass. A maze of upright mirrors wound across the field, about the height of Ash so he couldn't see the path to the other side. Finally, a low wall of mirrors was on either side of the gym, enclosing it.
Ash soon recovered from his shock. Looks like this gym is to my advantage, too, he thought gleefully. Noctowl won't be affected by this arena's visual barriers!
"Noctowl! Fly!" he ordered, and the bird complied, flapping out to mid-field.
Gary saw the look on Ash's face. It's not that simple, Ash, he thought, before nodding to the Pokémon at his feet.
"Umbreon!"
Umbreon bounded into the maze, crouching low and growling at its airborne enemy.
"Now you have a clear shot!" encouraged Ash. "Confusion!"
Noctowl's horns began to glow mysteriously, gearing up for its attack.
"Umbreon, listen carefully!" ordered Gary, eyes on Noctowl. "Keep your eyes closed and dodge back when I tell you!"
Noctowl screeched, sending a beam of purplish light from its eyes.
"Now!"
Umbreon powered back, eyes tightly shut; Gary knew confusion could only affect a Pokémon if it met the other's eyes. But now came the trump…
Noctowl's attack hit the mirror, bouncing straight back at it!
"Noctowl, no!" gasped Ash as his Pokémon suddenly dropped from the sky.
"Take down, Umbreon!"
Noctowl regained control of itself, shaking its head and powering back for the air. Out of nowhere streaked a black blur; Noctowl's eyes widened, but already it was too late. Confusion had brought it low into Umbreon's range.
Umbreon slammed into it with its shoulder, sending Noctowl crashing back to earth. It flopped once before lying still on the floor, unconscious.
"Noctowl is unable to battle!" The second flag went up. "Umbreon is the winner!"
"No, Noctowl," moaned Ash, striding to his Pokémon's side. In his arms, Noctowl stirred weakly. Ash's face softened. "You did your best, Noctowl. Thanks."
He returned his Pokémon before taking up position again, glare back in place. Arms crossed, Gary returned the look with Umbreon at his side.
"Wow!" enthused the announcer. "Was that a comeback or what? Umbreon takes down Noctowl in no time! Looks like these trainers are pulling out all the stops!"
Pikachu growled low in its throat, staring Umbreon down. Ash patted its head. "Not yet, Pikachu. Next I choose…Bayleef!"
Gary held out a Poké ball. "In that case, Umbreon, return. Nidoqueen, your turn!"
The trainers faced off across the field, Pokémon beside them.
A smile played at Gary's lips. All right, we're all in now. It's time to wear him down.
Ash glowered at his rival. You'll see how strong my Pokémon are now, Gary!
---
Please review!