Hello everyone! Hope your summer vacation is good as mine! Sorry if I kept you all waiting, but I appreciate you've been very patient too. Here's the next chapter, based on the episode 267 "Pop Goes The Sneasel"! I don't own Pokemon, only the characters that I made up; and also, what the Pokemon say in their language will be translated to straight English! Enjoy!

Chapter 29: Practice Beforehand

After Angelina Murakami defeated the Elite Four and became the new champion, her newest task was to travel the Hoenn Region and conquer the gyms, it's league, and their Elite Four. In the meantime and still in the Johto Region, she has yet to compete in the Silver League Conference. She wore a purple mid-length sleeved top, a black pleited mini skirt, black-board knee-high boots in purple lacing, black fingerless grip-gloves, a silver chain holding a small circular bell made of crystal, and lastly (but new) her platinum Master's badge. Also carrying her lilac backpack, she made her way toward Mount Silver; walking through forest until she came to a huge clearing that viewed the famous and amazing mountain.

"We're almost there, Chocolate!" Angelina said to her Pikachu. "Silver Town holds the League Conference, and my next concert!"

"Pi-pika!" (Can't wait!) Chocolate squeaked, calmly perched on her trainer's shoulder.

"Yo, Angelina!"

Angelina was met by her longtime blonde-haired friend, Jeremy Cretonne, and following him was Angelina's other friend, the blonde-brunette Amber Trainum.

"Hey, what brings you around?"

"The Silver League Conference, duh," Amber said, smirking. "I competed last year already, so I'm watching you and Jeremy participate."

Angelina was shocked, but she smiled, "Thanks, let's get going then!" she turned to walk away.

"How bout a practice battle first?" Jeremy suggested. "Unless you're afraid to lose." He grinned when Angelina swiftly turned with a small grin.

"All right, but I know for sure you won't win."

"We'll see about that," Jeremy chuckled, he sends out his Espeon while Angelina revealed her Typhlosion.

Typhlosion runs around Espeon and rams into it. Espeon fires a Psybeam, but Typhlosion dodges and jumps behind the psychic Pokemon; knocks it out with Flame Wheel. Jeremy calls back Espeon just as Angelina runs up to Typhlosion and hugs him; he then sends out Blastoise while Angelina sends out Azumarill.

Blastoise ran at Azumarill and tried to punch her, but Azumarill dodged quickly and shot a Water Gun at Blastoise, which unfortunately didn't affect. Blastoise fired Hydro Pump and sent Azumarill flying; Angelina recalled her Pokemon while in mid-air. Jeremy ran up and high-fived Blastoise and then called it back as Angelina sent out Ivysaur; he sends out Machamp. Ivysaur ran at Machamp and used Razor Leaf, but the four-armed muscle-Pokemon dodged the attack and, using its lower two arms, grabbed Ivysaur and started beating it with its upper two arms before throwing it toward Angelina.

Angelina recalled Ivysaur and sends out Noctowl while Jeremy sent out Venusaur. The huge plant-Pokemon tried using Sleep Powder, but Noctowl used its wings to blow the attack away and then used Confusion to knock out Venusaur.

Jeremy jumped in the air and sends out Raichu (Sparkette, actually), then Angelina sends in her Pikachu (Chocolate). The two electric mouse Pokemon raced around each other, then rammed into each other. They both stopped and unleashed Thundershock Attacks, the electricity collided and exploded in mid-air; both Pokemon were sent back.

Sparkette tried again, releasing a Thunderbolt, but Chocolate used its tail to spring board herself over the attack and flying high into the air and crash headfirst into Sparkette. Both Pokemon wobble on their feet hurt, dazed, confused and then they fall; Sparkette falls first, concluding Chocolate the winner.

"Nice job, Sparkette," Jeremy moves toward the Pokemon and recalls her.

"Yay, we won!" Angelina cheered, hugging her Pikachu.

"All thanks to me!" Chocolate smiled happily.

"Man, that was intense!" said a new voice.

"Yeah, you can say that again," Amber agreed, then she blinked in confusion, "Huh? Who said-" she turned to her right and jumped in surprise. "Aah! Where'd you come from?"

Jeremy and Angelina look up, staring at a new person standing next to Amber. He was no older than Angelina's age with blonde-brown hair and blue-green eyes, wore tan pants with a purple-and-pink shirt.

"I'm from Littleroot Town in the Hoenn Region," the guy replied. "My names' Harrison, who're you?"

Angelina gawked, 'Whoa, he's handsome!' she ran over to Harrison, still holding Chocolate in her arms. "Hi, I'm Angelina Murakami from Pallet Town! You sure are cute!"

(Is she crazy? Help me!) Chocolate was shocked, struggling in her trainer's arms. Jeremy and Amber couldn't believe it, too.

Jeremy sighed, walking over to Angelina and pulling her away by the ear.

"Hey, lemme go!" Angelina yelled.

"And you say Brock's bad," Jeremy said annoyedly.

Amber stepped toward Harrison, laughing embarrassingly, "Sorry bout that. I'm from Pallet Town too, the names' Amber Trainum."

"And I'm Jeremy Cretonne from Goldenrod City," Jeremy added. "You've already met Angelina," he scowled at the young girl whom glared back.

"Yeah, that's cool," Harrison smiled. "I guess you're heading to the Silver League Conference, right? Wouldn't mind traveling with others, but I've got my Houndoom as well." he referred to the black dog-like Pokemon at his side.

"Wow, a Houndoom!" Angelina admired, she whipped out her Pokedex.

"Houndoom, the Dark Pokemon," Dexette informed. "If you are burned by the flames it shoots from its mouth, the pain will never go away."

"Come with us, the more the merrier," Angelina giggled, now walking with Harrison down the dirt path; Jeremy and Amber followed behind them.

They arrived at the large gate leading into Mt. Silver; noticing other people have gathered and the gate was closed also.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the delay, but, uh…. Duh to some unforeseen circumstances, it will be just a bit longer before the torch actually arrives," said an attendant from the opened gate.

"Torch? What's wrong?" Angelina asked curiously.

"I'm not entirely sure," Jeremy pondered, "But we're standing in front of the Ho-oh Shrine, it holds a Sacred Flame to light the torch for the Johto League Silver Conference."

"Sweet!" Angelina smiled, then turned to Harrison, "Don't you- huh? Where'd he go?" the new trainer and his Houndoom had disappeared.

(Hold on, I'll help) Chocolate hopped down from Angelina's shoulder, sniffing the air. (That way) she pointed her paw to the right, a glimpse of Houndoom walking inside the gate.

"Chocolate, come back!" Angelina said. She followed her Pikachu through the crowd and right up to the gate. She halted, staring at Harrison and hearing three other familiar voices. "Is that who I think it is?" she asked, her friends approached behind her.

"I'd take a guess, but its too obvious," Amber smirked. "Ash is competing, and I wouldn't be surprised if Gary was, too."

"Hey guys, nice to meet ya!" Harrison said. "I came up with other people; I'd introduce, but-"

(Found ya!) Chocolate stepped forward.

"Another Pikachu!" Ash yelled. "Is that one wild?" his Pikachu hopped down cautiously towards the other Pokemon.

(Hey there, trained or wild?)

(My owner is your trainer's sister)

(Chocolate? Wow, you look.... great!)

(Thanks, it's been awhile) the female Pikachu smiled and winked.

"Sorry Ash, that Pikachu is mine," Angelina replied, appearing beside Harrison; Chocolate hopped onto her trainer's shoulder. "Long time no see, ready for the conference?"

"Yep, can't wait!" Ash said, then sweatdropped when his oldest friend rushed over to Angelina.

"Oh sweet Angelina, your arrival had brought us together!" Brock proclaimed, blushing goofishly and holding Angelina's hands in his.

"Uhm?" Angelina stared confusedly, her hands released when Misty pulled Brock away by the ear.

"So you already know each other?" Harrison asked, looking curiously from Angelina's dazed expression to the other trainers he just met.

"Y-yeah, we're close friends," Angelina said. "Ash is my brother; long story though, I'll explain later." she waved with a small sigh.

Everyone joined the attendant inside the building that held the torch and where the runners sat waiting patiently.

"We've got the torch that'll light the Sacred Flame, and our runners are all ready to run with it once its lit, but there's one little problem, we can't get to the actual flame to light it," the attendant replied.

"But how come?" Harrison asked. Angelina stood beside him with Chocolate on her shoulder while Ash and friends stood to their left.

"Well you see, this shrine is named after the ancient legend of Ho-oh," the attendant informed.

"A legend?" Ash asked.

"Yes! Long ago, there was a fierce battle fought in this land; many Pokemon fought bravely in this battle as well, and a great many were injured. And when it was over, the lake dried up, all life disappeared, and the earth was layed to waste," the attendant began, "It is said that's when Ho-oh, the legendary Pokemon appeared. Ho-oh unleashed a rose-colored flame that burned all human weapons to a crisp, putting an end to the battle. All that remained afterwards was a great wasteland on which no other life could exist. But from the ashes of Ho-oh's flame, the earth was rejuvenated, and the lake a all plant-life were restored. People put aside their differences and instead worked together for peace. One flame remained, which was preserved and called the Sacred Flame. It had been preserved for generation after generation, and it is that very flame that we use to light the torch that lights the Sacred Fire of the Silver Conference. You see?"

"Whoa," Ash was amazed. "I've never heard that legend before."

"I get it, and that why they call this place the Ho-oh Shrine," Brock understood.

"Yeah," Harrison nodded. "I think my grandfather told me that story once."

"It's filled with such love and such mystery," Misty agreed, smiling.

Ash turned to the attendant, "You need the Sacred Flame to light the torch, so where is it?"

"The Sacred Flame is preserved inside a shrine at the top of these steps." the attendant leads everyone back outside, right in front of a set of stone steps.

"So why don't you go up there and get it?" Misty asked.

"Well, because there's a wild Sneasel up there that lives very close to the shrine," the attendant replied.

"Sneasel! Excellent!" Harrison awed.

"Huh?" Ash blinked confusedly, then looks up the Pokemon on his Pokedex.

"I've heard that there were wild Sneasel on Mount Silver, and I'd been waiting to catch one of those Pokemon in a long time." Harrison said eagerly.

"That Sneasel up there is quite a terror," the attendant added. "It must be very territorial because it attacks anyone who attempts to approach the shrine no matter what. We've tried many times to get the Sacred Flame, but it's no use, we just end up with more and more injuries. And the make matters worse, that Sneasel's been joined by Machoke and Machop."

"Wow, those three Pokemon will be tough to beat!" Misty said worriedly.

"Yes, and that's why I've been asking so many different Pokemon trainers to help us out," the attendant explained. "But sadly they've all returned here in defeat, empty-handed, and hurt."

"That sounds rough," Harrison said piteously.

"Don't worry, I'll bring ya back the Sacred Flame no matter what," Ash promised.

"Yeah, I'll help too," Misty added.

"And I'll go catch me that Sneasel," Harrison said determinedly.

"Don't worry," Brock assured. "Just leave everything to us."

"Wow, really? Thanks, that would help us out so much!" the attendant smiled graciously.

"Hey Angel!" a familiar voice called from behind; Ash and friends see Jeremy approach them, mostly Angelina, "I knew you'd still be here! C'mon, Mr. Nichols is waiting!" he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door.

"Oh geas, almost forgot," Angelina said embarrassingly; she turned back to her friends, "See ya later, and good luck!" she frowned when they waved disappointedly.

Back outside the gate, Angelina greeted her music agent, Mr. George Nichols and they talked about the concert that would take place during the Silver League Conference. That would be a day-off for all participating trainers but a special event at Silver Stadium in the evening with autograph-signing during the afternoon. Hours later and well after more people have gathered, it was announced that the Sacred Flame was at last rescued.

"That's great! I'm so proud of you guys!" Angelina praised her friends and brother when they explained what happened at the shrine.

The torch was finally lit and now being carried by a runner to Silver Stadium; Ash and friends congregated in front of the Ho-oh shrine gate and watch excitedly.

"Hey Ash, you're entering the conference, aren't ya?" Harrison asked.

"Yep!" Ash said.

"Great! I am, too!" Harrison said. Ash and friends stare at him in shock.

"You guys should've expected this since he's here," Jeremy sweatdropped, encouraging the young trainers. "Angel and I are competing too," he chuckled as that got more stares.

"But how though?" Ash said, he look at his sister in mere confusion. "You've followed me all this time, but have you earned any badges?"

"Yes, I did five years ago," Angelina said, pulling out a navy-colored box and opened it revealing the eight Johto badges in mint condition. "Not to mention I received this one last week," she referred to the platinum badge pinned onto her shirt.

"Whoa! That's really cool! Where'd you get that?" Ash asked. "Who's the gym- waaah!" he was pushed to the side as Brock stepped forward to inspect the badge.

Angelina was surprised, like everyone else, that Brock was standing very close to her. She was use to it tons of times before in the past when it was just for a hug or dancing, though now was quite different since the badge was pinned near her bust-area.

"Very nice," Brock said after he pulled away, he grinned wider as the blush on the girl's face. "I knew that badge looked familiar, it's the Master's seal! A trainer can earn that through defeating the Elite Four and the current Champion, which means you're the newest Pokemon Master!"

"Yeah, I am." Angelina smiled, aware of everyone now staring at her in shock.

"So you defeated the Elite Four? I bet that was tough." Ash said.

"It wasn't easy I'll tell you that," Angelina laughed. "But to challenge the Elite Four, you have to own eight badges or be the winner of the local region's tournament."

"Well I hope I can do that someday," Ash said.

"Looks like the next time we'll meet, it'll be over at the Silver Conference Stadium," Harrison announced; then walks away with his Houndoom.

"Even I can't wait," Angelina said, smiling as she walked down the road with her friends.

On the eve of the Johto League Silver Conference, we find Angelina and Ash exuberant and confident just waiting for their chance to compete, but who will they be competing against? Stay tuned!

§To Be Continued§

It took almost a week to plan out this chapter, but it was worth it! Hope it was entertaining, thanks for reading! All comments are welcomed! I shall return with the next chapter! L8er!