I will be working on finishing this fanfiction so I can get started on the Orange Islands Arc, also Zack will be leaving the gang once the Indigo League is over. Oh, and by the way nekoboy13 if you don't like my story then don't read it, No one is forcing you to. And those little reviews of yours don't hurt my feelings one bit if that's what you were going for. Besides your stories probably aren't all that great either, so that makes you the pot calling the kettle black. My final words...you are the weakest link, goodbye. ^_^
Now enjoy the chapter.
I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!
"Hello": Normal Speech
"Hello": Telepathy
'Hello': Thoughts
("Hello"): Poke-Speech/Poke-Speech to Ash
Today Ash and the gang are simply relaxing along with their new friend Todd, who tells Ash of an exam he knows will benefit the raven-haired teen.
The gang was currently enjoying their lunch that Ash helped make this time at his insistence, he felt bad that Brock always handles the food by himself and wanted to help. Brock was thankful for the help and allowed him to help, turns out Ash is a pretty good cook but he insists his mom is much better than him.
Ritchie sighed, "That was good…"
"Pika (Sure was…)." Sparky smiled with satisfaction.
"Hey I just realized something." Misty spoke up.
"What's that?" Zack wondered.
"Both Ash and Ritchie haven't won a Gym Badge in a while." She pointed out.
Ritchie squawked at what she said while Ash looked thoughtful, "That's…true, but then again Cinnabar Island is pretty far."
"That's right!" Ritchie said.
"Speaking of which, how are you guys feeling about going to the Cinnabar Gym? I mean this will be your seventh badge." Brock reminded.
Ash sported a serious look at the question, the gym leader there uses Fire-types, so he would need to head to the Pokemon Center there first before he even thinks about battling the man.
"Ash?" Misty called out to the zoned out boy.
"As soon as we get there I'm going to transfer some pokemon to go up against the gym leader since he uses Fire-types." Ash told them.
"Who were you planning on using?" Brock questioned.
"Wartortle, Vaporeon, and Gyarados." Ash said.
"Using all water types, huh?" Zack said.
"What about you Ritchie? You don't have any water-types now that I think about it, but you do have Zippo who can still cause some damage since he's a fire-type. Fire-types are also weak against Ground and Rock-types." Ash told his cousin.
Ritchie closed his eyes in thought before speaking, "Can I use Happy against one of his Fire-types?"
Ash nodded, "Bug-types only do ½ worth of damage but Happy is a safe choice, just make sure you don't rush into things."
Ritchie nodded, "Who else?"
"You can try using Shadow, too." Ash suggested.
"Oh yeah, I can use Shadow!" Ritchie smiled.
"Then there you go, you have your team ready. You've been training them, right?" Ash asked.
Ritchie nodded, "Yeah, Zippo and Happy have learned some new moves too."
"Then we have a plan." Ash said.
"So Ash is using all Water-types while Ritchie sticks with Zippo, Happy, and Shadow." Brock thought, "It could work."
Misty nodded in agreement.
"Should be interesting." Zack commented.
"Seeing them battle is always so much fun, isn't it?" Molly said to Tomo.
"It is." Tomo agreed.
Todd then thought of something, "Hey Ash I just thought of something! You should take the Pokemon League Admissions Exam."
"Admissions Exam? What's that?" Misty questioned.
"Its an exam where people are allowed to access into the pokemon League without having to earn Gym Badges." Todd explained.
Ash didn't look so sure about taking the exam, he liked traveling with his friends and family, "I don't know…"
"I say go for it, besides its not like you'll get a bad score." Zack said.
"But…" Ash tried protesting again.
"Yeah Ash you should do it!" Ritchie encouraged.
"I'll think you'll do well." Brock said.
"I think so, too." Misty agreed.
"Big brother's the smartest person we know." Molly said.
Tomo nodded, "He's the smartest person in the whole world."
Ash sweat-dropped at this, 'Technically the smartest person in the world is Prof. Oak.' He thought.
"So what do you say Ash, will you take the exam?" Todd asked.
Looking at all of their eager faces made him finally give in, "Fine you win, I'll take the exam. Happy now?"
Judging by their eager faces the answer was obvious.
With that in mind the group headed off to where the Pokemon League Admissions Exam building was. Ash had to admit that he was actually very curious as to how the exam was organized, and who knows? He might get something out of it.
He walked up to the registration desk and was instantly greeted by a kind woman, "Hello, are you here to take the Admissions Exam?"
"Yes ma'am." Ash said politely.
She registered him in the computer database before giving him a number which he took, it read "7" on it meaning it was his testing number.
"How come the twerp got number 7 and not me!" a female voice complained.
Ash instantly turned his head towards her making her turn away. He rolled his eyes, that was obviously Jessie disguised a schoolgirl. Doesn't she have any shame? He had no idea why they were here and honestly he couldn't care less.
"Please follow me to the examination room." The woman said leading the group to where the exam was. Looking around they saw there were other people here, too.
"Look at all of the people here." Misty said looking around.
"I'm not worried, Ash can do this." Ritchie said confidently.
"He'll probably get the highest score too, I actually feel sorry for these guys." Zack smirked.
Nurse Joy then came into the room and Brock spotted her immediately, "Nurse Joy~!" but before he could follow her Misty yanked him by the ear.
"Don't even think about it." Misty growled still holding his ear.
"Togi Togi (Don't think about it)!" Togepi repeated with a smile.
As they walked into the room the group was greeted by the head instructor, he was a tall man wearing a blue jacket that had the letter "P" on it, "Welcome, before you take the test please place your pokeballs on the counter."
Ash nodded and did just that, but he gave Pikachu over to Molly who held the electric type in her arms, "Take care of Pikachu, okay Molly?"
"Okay." Molly smiled.
"Pika Pika (Good luck)." Pikachu said.
Ash smiled at his friends support before turning to Nurse Joy, "I have to ask though, why are you taking the exam Nurse Joy?"
She smiled, "Well you see, I'm here to take the exam so I can be a Pokemon Master."
"I-I see." He smiled nervously before he looked over by the door to see James had walked in pretending to be a schoolboy, but he knew it was him.
'First Jessie, now James? Just what are they up to?' he thought.
As soon as the head instructor read James's registration number he was pulled out of the room by Jessie making Ash shake his head as he took a seat waiting for the test to begin, while everyone else left giving him their support. Jessie and James soon came back and that was the time for the test to begin.
"For the first part of the test it will be a written exam, we will test your knowledge on Pokemon. All you have to do for this part is answer "True" or "False."
Ash was reminded of the time he took Prof. Oak's pokemon exam to become his personal assistant and closed his eyes to relax, 'Just remain calm and answer the best way you can.'
"Begin!"
He flipped his test over eyeing question one.
1. (T or F) The final evolved form of the Fire-type Charmander is a Fire/Dragon type pokemon.
'Easy answer.' Ash thought putting down False.
2. (T or F) Rock-type pokemon are weak against these types: Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel.
Ash wrote down True for this one, 'I know the purpose of this exam is test our knowledge on pokemon, but these questions are pretty easy.'
3. (T or F) Ditto can breed with any pokemon other than the Pokemon in the undiscovered group and itself, including Genderless pokemon to produce eggs of the other species.
He put down True.
'This question will be tricky for anyone if they don't know about Ditto.' Ash thought.
4. (T or F) Eevee can evolve using these methods: Jolteon-Thunder Stone, Vaporeon-Water Stone, Flareon-Fire Stone, Espeon-when leveled up with the high friendship during the daytime or leveled up with high friendship with a Sun Shard in the bag. Umbreon-when leveled up with high friendship during the nighttime or when leveled up with high friendship with a Moon Stone in the bag. Leafeon-Moss Rock, Glaceon-Ice Rock, Sylveon-when leveled up with a Fairy-type move and two levels of affection.
Ash wrote down True for this one.
'These questions are starting to get more interesting.' He thought.
James meanwhile was fuming at a question involving Magikarp having remembered the time he had one when he was swindled, as he looked over by Jessie he sweat-dropped when he noticed she put "True" for every question.
"Pencils down!"
Everyone put their pencils down an Ash stretched his arms above his head feeling pretty good about the written portion.
"We will now begin the second portion of the exam, this portion will test your ability to recognize pokemon. The screen behind me will show you an image of a pokemon and you have to guess what it is." the instructor told them.
The screen lit up showing an image of a pokemon in the shape of a ball. Ash looked hard at the image thinking very carefully about what it could be.
'Its not a Voltorb or Electrode, and I know its not an Azurill.' He thought before giving it a guess, "Jigglypuff."
"A Pokeball." James answered.
"Its an Electrode." Jessie answered.
Ash mentally sighed, 'So James thinks it's a Pokeball while Jessie thinks its an Electrode. While Jessie's answer is acceptable James's answer is just ridiculous.'
"The correct answer is…Jigglypuff!" The Head instructor revealed showing the image, which was indeed Jigglypuff.
Ash blinked, 'I actually got it right? Maybe its because I have one of my own, but I didn't really pay close attention to Jigglypuff's body size. Guess I have a good memory.'
"Here's the next image."
The next image revealed a swirl that looked familiar to Ash; there were many water-types back at Prof. Oak's lab and the most common he saw were Poliwhirl and Poliwag. Looking closer at the image he noticed that it looked slightly small, meaning it couldn't be a Poliwhirl or Poliwrath the evolved form of Poliwhirl when evolved from a Water Stone. Confident in his answer he said it out loud.
"Poliwag." Ash answered.
"Omanyte." James answered having remembered seeing them back at Grampa Canyon.
"An Arbok when it's all coiled up." Jessie answered.
Ash resisted the urge to face palm, 'In what way does that look like an Arbok when it's coiled up?'
"The correct answer is…Poliwag!"
Ash smiled slightly, 'Another right answer, so far so good.'
James slumped as he got another one wrong, but Jessie was fuming as she found the questions to be too hard to answer.
"Next Image."
Another image showed a fiery tail making Ash almost blurt out Charmander but he looked closer and very carefully and came to another answer instead.
"Ponyta." Ash said.
"Charmeleon." James answered.
"Arbok with its tail on fire." Jessie answered.
Ash sweat-dropped, 'That could not be more wrong.'
"The correct answer is…Ponyta!" The Head Instructor said.
'I'm doing better than I thought I would.' Ash smiled.
Jessie stood up all of a sudden, "These questions are ridiculous! I demand to be asked easier questions!"
The Head Instructor pointed in her direction, "You are expelled! Leave immediately!"
Jessie's face became bright red as she stomped out of the room slamming the door right behind her making everyone in the room wince.
'I'm not surprised in the least.' Ash thought.
James meanwhile had a different reaction, 'Don't worry Jessie! I swear I'll pass for the both of us!'
Who's That Pokemon?
Its…Vulpix!
"Vulpix!"
Ash stepped out of the testing room with a sigh, "That was exhausting."
"Was it that bad?" Misty asked as she came up to him.
"The questions were really interesting, but in my opinion the hardest part of the exam was the visual part but I managed to do pretty good on it." Ash smiled as Pikachu took his spot on his shoulder.
"So there was a visual part of the test, huh? Interesting." Brock said.
"I wonder what my final score is?" Ash wondered.
"Ash, come check out the scoreboards!" Todd brought their attention over to him standing in front of a scoreboard. Curiosity getting the better of them they went over and saw the results of who got the highest and lowest scores. Not to anyone's surprise Ash got the highest score out of everybody.
Ash blinked a few times before tilting his head, "Huh, well I'll be…"
Todd snapped a picture, "You got the highest score out of everybody, Ash! That's amazing!"
"I'm surprised actually, I didn't think I'd get the top score but then again the second portion of the exam was pretty easy to understand once you get the hang of it." Ash said to himself.
Zack snorted looking around at some nerds as they glared at Ash, "These guys are pathetic, jealous cause he got the highest score."
"That's my cousin for you." Ritchie grinned.
"So now what?" Brock wondered.
"There's a third portion of the exam and that's the battle portion." Ash told them.
"I feel bad for the poor guy that has to go up against Ash." Misty whispered to Brock.
"Mm-hm." Brock nodded his head in agreement.
"Do your best big brother." Tomo encouraged.
"You can do it." Molly smiled.
"Thank you." Ash rubbed their heads.
After seeing the scoreboard results with Ash getting the highest and James scoring the lowest everyone went outside for the battle portion of the exam. There was a field outside and the examinees were getting ready to take the third portion of the exam. Ash was there along with Nurse Joy and James from Team Rocket. He still didn't understand what the man was doing here but he didn't wonder about it for long as the instructor came.
"This is the Third portion of the exam, which you know is the battle portion. You will be facing off against the instructors here in a three-on-three battle. If you win said three battles you will pass the third exam! You will receive three random pokeballs with random pokemon inside them!" The Head instructor explained.
While the man was explaining the rules Ash's friends were sitting on the stands watching.
Todd was snapping pictures of Ash's calm face, "This portion of the exam is going to be interesting, I can feel it!"
"So they have to battle the instructors instead of each other," Misty comments, "I wonder what pokemon they'll use?"
"Who knows? This part of the exam is not only to test their battling skills, but how well they connect with the pokemon they battle with." Brock explained.
"Well since its Ash I'm not all that worried." Ritchie said.
"Big brothers gonna blow them all away." Tomo smiled.
"You can do it!" Molly cheered.
After the ones taking the third portion of the exam got their pokeballs, the first one to challenge an instructor was Nurse Joy. She had a Squirtle and was doing pretty well. Ash was really impressed. James and Ash were tasked in battling the Head Instructor, James went first.
"Let the battle...begin!" The Head instructor declared before sending out his pokemon first.
"Graveler!" The pokemon declared. Graveler is a living, bipedal boulder. It has a rocky crest about its small eyes. It has four arms, each with a three-fingered hand.
"A Graveler, so he's sending out a rock type." Brock said.
Ritchie scanned the pokemon:
[Graveler, often seen rolling down mountain trails. Obstacles are just things to roll straight over, not avoid.]
Todd snapped a picture, "This should be good!"
James sent out his Pokémon this time and out came a Pikachu.
"Pikachu!" It said.
"A Pikachu!" Misty said.
"Electric type moves don't have any effect on rock types. Wonder what this examinee will do?" Brock wondered.
James smirked, 'This is perfect. I know everything there is about Pikachu, having been electrocuted many times than I could count.'
"Use Thunderbolt!" James made the first move.
Pikachu sent a Thunderbolt attack at Graveler, but since it was a rock type it had no effect.
Misty face palmed, "Did he really just use a Thunderbolt attack on a rock type pokemon?"
"That's...what it looks like." Brock said slowly.
"Graveler, use Tackle!"
Graveler tackled Pikachu, sending it flying and knocking it out.
"Saw that coming." Ritchie commented.
Todd snapped a picture.
James got angry at the instructor, "Why you...the rest of you come out!" He sent out two more pokeballs and out came Charizard and Ivysaur.
"Hey, that's cheating!" Misty yelled.
A loud buzz was heard and everyone blinked as they heard it.
"You! You have violated the rules and are therefore expelled!" The man told James.
Ash shook his head. What did James think he was going to accomplish by doing what he did? He shouldn't even be surprised anymore. Without any sort of hesitation he stepped up next and got ready.
"Look, its Ash's turn now." Misty said.
Todd got his camera ready, "I've been waiting for this!"
The Head Instructor sent out another pokemon, "Flareon, lets go!" Out came Flareon.
"Flareon!"
Ash sent out a random pokeball he got from the Head Instructor and was surprised when out came a Weezing.
"Ash got a Weezing?" Misty blinked.
"That's surprising." Brock said.
"Yeah, but Ash doesn't look like he minds though." Ritchie said.
Todd snapped a picture of Ash's calm demeanor.
"Flareon, use Flamethrower!"
Flareon fired a stream of flames at Weezing.
"Dodge it!" Ash ordered.
Weezing moved out of the way of flames and Ash got an idea, "Use Smog!"
Weezing expelled smoke from its mouth at the flames, which explode and send Flareon flying backwards.
The Head instructor smiled, "Excellent attack! Now, use Leer!"
"Use Smokescreen to hide!"
Before Leer could take effect Weezing hid within the Smokescreen, leaving Flareon looking around confused.
"Now Tackle!"
Weezing shot out from the Smokescreen and tackled Flareon, knocking it out cold and giving Ash the win.
Todd snapped a picture, "That was impressive."
"Ash uses Weezing a lot better than James from Team Rocket does." Ritchie comments.
"Team Rocket could win if they battled like that." Brock said.
Meanwhile James from Team Rocket was taking notes on Ash's battling strategy.
The Head Instructor nodded his head in approval, "I am very impressed with your battling strategy. Now call out your next pokemon!"
Ash returned Weezing and called out his next pokemon, which was an Arbok.
"Chabok!"
"First a Weezing and now Arbok. Isn't it strange that Ash is battling with two pokemon from Team Rocket?" Misty questioned.
"Maybe, but you've gotta admit that Ash probably knows more about Weezing and Arbok than James and Jessie do." Brock said.
"No kidding." Ritchie said.
The Head Instructor called out his next pokemon, which was a Jolteon.
"Jolteon!"
"So the instructors using a Jolteon this time." Brock said.
"Yeah." Misty nodded.
"Jolteon, use Agility!"
'Like I'll let that happen!' Ash thought, "Use Glare!"
Arbok glared at Jolteon, stopping it in its tracks and giving Ash the chance to attack.
"Use Iron Tail!"
Arbok's tail glowed white as it slammed its tail right at Jolteon, making it a direct hit.
"It hit!" Ritchie exclaimed.
"Pika (I saw it)!" Sparky was just as surprised.
"Finish this with Tackle!"
Arbok shot at Jolteon, slamming into it and ending the second battle and making the Ash the victor once again.
"Yeah, that's showing them Ash!" Misty cheered.
"Amazing! Jolteon didn't even get to attack once!" Todd snapped a picture.
Meowth was impressed, "Wow, that twerp battles with Arbok better than Jessie does." He received a whack to the head for that comment.
"Oh, be quiet! There's no way that twerp uses Arbok better than me!" Jessie growled.
"I don't know Jessie," James spoke up, "The twerp does battle with them better than us."
Jessie looked like she was about to rip her hair out, "Grrr, no he doesn't!"
The Head instructor sent out his last pokemon , which was a Vaporeon. Ash sent out his last pokemon too, which was...a Meowth.
"Meow!" Meowth said.
"A Meowth?!" Misty and Ritchie exclaimed.
"That makes three Pokémon of Team Rockets that Ash has used in the third exam so far." Brock commented.
"Three for three...who would've guessed?" Misty smiles nervously.
"Wha?! That twerp's battling with a Meowth!" Meowth exclaimed.
"Hmmm, maybe this Meowth will be more useful than you." Jessie said.
"Say what?!" Meowth growled.
Ash decided to make the first move, "Meowth, use Pay Day!"
The yellow gem on Meowth's head glowed as it sent yellow coins at the ground near Vaporeon, distracting and preventing it from doing anything.
"Wow, so that's what the gem on Meowth's head does." Misty stared.
"We've never seen Team Rocket's Meowth doing something like that before." Brock commented.
Meowth growled, "I can use Pay Day just as better as that Meowth!"
James and Jessie gave him disbelieving looks, but didn't comment on what he said.
"Use Night Slash!"
Meowth's claws glowed purple as it slashed Vaporeon, sending the water pokemon flying backwards. Ash then got another idea and wanted to try it out for a very long time now, and nows his chance.
"Now, use Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered.
"Thunderbolt?!" Misty, Brock, Ritchie, Todd, Jessie, James, and Meowth exclaimed.
Meowth did something everyone there will never forget. Its whole body cackled with electricity and it literally fired off a Thunderbolt attack straight at Vaporeon. Once the attack made contact the water type was doown for the count.
Meowth landed back on the ground before rubbing its face with its paw, "Meowth (That was fun)."
The Head Instructor blinked before smiling, "That's enough! The victor is examinee number 7! You pass!"
Ash smiled, bending down to scratch under Meowth's chin, "That was an amazing Thunderbolt."
Meowth purred as Ash scratched underneath its chin.
"Did...did you see that?" Misty blinked a few times.
"I had no idea a Meowth could learn Thunderbolt." Brock said.
"That was pretty cool." Ritchie grinned.
Todd was taking pictures franctically, "That was amazing! I've never seen anyone use Meowth in the way Ash did! He's incredible!"
"Our big brother's the greatest!" Molly smiled.
"Yeah!" Tomo said.
Jessie smacked Meowth upside the head, "Why didn't you tell us you could use Thunderbolt?!"
"Hey, easy on the head bashing! I didn't even know I could use Thunderbolt!" Meowth countered.
"It is surprising." James agreed with Meowth.
"Enough of this! Time for plan B!" Jessie said.
The Head Instructor shook Ash's hand, "You battled very well young man. How did you know Meowth could use Thunderbolt?"
Ash rubbed the back of his head, "I remember looking up Meowth's move pools back when I was little and noticed Thunderbolt was one of the moves it could learn."
The man nodded his head approval, "I say you utilized the move very well."
They then heard laughter and saw it was none other than Team Rocket, but Ash already knew they were here and wasn't surprised.
"Thanks for the little test but I think its time we do things our way." Jessie smirked.
"That's right!" Meowth grinned.
The Head instructor blinked, "A talking Meowth? Interesting."
"I wouldnt try to capture it if I were you," Ash told him, "It'll just give you a headache."
"I heard that twerp!" Meowth yelled.
"You were supposed to." Ash deadpanned.
James had three pokeballs in his arms and threw them, "Now let's go, Pikachu, Charizard, and Ivysaur!" Out came all three pokemon.
The Head instructor wasn't pleased, "Return those pokemon at once!"
Ash stood next to him as the Meowth next to the boy got ready to battle too.
"Sorry, but we'll be keeping these Pokémon! Ivysaur, use Vine Whip! Charizard, use Flamethrower! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" James ordered.
All of a sudden the Head Instructor smiled, "All of you, about-face!" And just like that all three pokemon turn their attacks at Team Rocket instead of the Head Instructor. Ash understood why.
"I get it, they listen to you because you raised them." Ash said.
"That's right." The man said.
Ash sent out both Arbok and Weezing, "Why don't I give you a hand? Arbok and Weezing, use Tackle on Jessie and James, Meowth, use Scratch on Meowth!" Arbok and Weezing Tackled Jessie and James while Meowth attacked their Moewth with Scratch sending them flying backwards.
"Now Weezing, use Explosion!" Ash ordered.
Weezing got closer to the three and glowed white, exploding and sending Team Rocket blasting off.
"Grrr, that was a stupid test anyway!" Jessie yelled.
"I didn't even get the chance to take the make-up exam." James said.
"I'll get ya next time ya twerp!" Meowth vowed.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!"
With Team Rocket out of the Ash had officially passed the the exams and then Head instructor even asked if he wanted to be inducted into the League but Ash refused. He enjoyed traveling with his friends and seeing the world, not to mention meeting new Pokémon. The gang bid farewell to the man and left the building.
"Well...I guess this is it." Ash said to Todd. Todd was heading someplace else than the rest of the gang. He was going off to some mountain to take pictures of some more Pokémon while they headed off towards Cinnabar Island.
"Yeah, I got some good pictures of you in the exam Ash. Once I get them developed I'll make sure to let people know about you." Todd smiled.
"There's no need for that." Ash smiled nervously.
The others laughed at his awkwardness and bid their farewells to Todd as they went their way.
Having passed the test with flying colors and bidding farewell to their friend Todd, our heroes are off on the road once again.
After saying farewell to their friend Todd, our heroes are on their way to Cinnabar Island where Ash and Ritchie will earn their seventh gym badge.
Ash was leaning forward on the railing of the cruise ship they were on as he gazed out at sea, with Pikachu right next to him. Everyone else was on the cruise ship too just lounging around and relaxing, while he was thinking about his upcoming gym battle with Blaine. Blaine and the Viridian City Gym leader will probably be his and Ritchie's toughest battle yet.
"Pikapi (Ash)?" Pikachu said his friends name to get his attention.
Ash turned his head over to Pikachu and gave him a small smile, "I'm okay...just thinking."
"Pi Pikachu (About what)?" Pikachu asked.
"About my gym battle with Blaine. This one has me really nervous." Ash confessed.
Pikachu hopped on his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek, "Pikachu Pi Pika (You'll do great)."
Ash smiled and rubbed his best friends head, "Thanks, buddy."
"Well look who it is, little Ashy decided to take a cruise." A familiar voice said snidely. Ash didn't need to turn around to know the voice belonged to none other than Gary Oak. Pikachu frowned when the boy neared him and Ash simply kept his gaze on the water.
"Can't say I'm surprised to see you here." Ash said calmly.
"Heh, well I'm surprised to see you here. Thought you would've given up by now." Gary mocked, his cheerleaders in the background were cheering about how good Gary was.
Pikachu was just itching to electrocute Gary but knew Ash would never allow that so he simply frowned at the boy.
"So how many badges you've got Ashy-boy?" Gary asked.
"Six." Ash answered.
Gary started laughing, "Only six? Man, you really are a joke as a trainer Ash! Who only has six badges at this point? I have more than you do!"
"Prof. Oak already told me," Ash said, still remaining calm, "He also told me that Fearow of yours doesn't listen to you. Can't say I'm surprised."
Pikachu snickered at Gary's angered expression. Ash saw the island was in view and stood up straight, "Why don't we go see how the others are doing?" He suggested to Pikachu.
"Pika (Yeah)!" Pikachu agreed.
The two of them walked away from Gary without so much as sparing him a second glance and went over to the others who saw what happened.
Ash merely shook his head, "Don't even bother. For now let's focus on finding a Pokémon center so me and Ritchie can switch out our pokemon, and then we'll find the gym."
The others agreed and did just that. First they went to the Pokémon Center where Ash and Ritchie switched out their Pokémon, and wanted to rent room there too, but they were booked. With a sigh they began to wonder where they were going to stay when a stranger came up them. The man had long wavy blonde hair, wearing black shades, sporting a red long-sleeved shirt with green beads around his neck, blue pants, and black shoes.
"You are Ash Ketchum, correct?" The man asked.
"I am..." Ash confirmed looking at the stranger warily.
"Ah, Prof. Oak told me to expect you. You have two fossils you need to be ressurected, correct?" The man asked.
"Yeah, I do."
"I see, then follow me." He started walking away with the others following right behind him. He brought them to the Pokémon Lab, but they used the back entrance because there was a lot of people already inside the building. Once they were in the back he brought them to the lab where there was a machine ready to ressurect the two fossils Ash had with him.
"Put the two fossils here."
Ash placed the two fossils under where the beam was and waited to see what the man would do next. He got his answer when a red light beamed down on the the two fossils, making everyone stare in fascination. When the light died down two Pokémon were visible to everyone.
They were both quadruped, dinosaurian Pokémon with long necks and a short, stubby tails. Above their large, deep blue eyes are two sail structures, which are yellow at the bottom fading into pink towards the tips. They have light blue bodies with white bellies. A single dark blue crystal adorns each side of their bodies; while their forelegs lack claws or digits, the hind legs each have a single white nail.
Both of the pokemon opened their eyes and looked around with such innocent curiosity that it was absolutely adorable.
"Awww, they're soo cute." Misty smiled.
"Togi Togi (Really cute)." Togepi agreed.
Ritchie scanned one of the pokemon:
[Amaura. This ancient Pokémon was restored from part of its body that had been frozen in ice for over 100 million years.]
"They have pretty eyes." Molly said.
"Those things on their eyes look like rainbows." Tomo observed the two sails structures on the two Amaura's.
Ash rubbed both their heads making the two Amaura's lean into the touch with smiles on their faces.
"They look really healthy for being asleep for a very long time." Brock smiled.
Ash nodded in agreement, "Do you have any pokeballs?"
"As a matter of fact I do." The man said, taking out two pokeballs and giving them to Ash.
Ash took the pokeballs and tapped both heads of the Amaura's, sucking them both inside. Both pokeballs were instantly transferred to Prof. Oaks lab.
"Excuse me sir, but would you happen to know where the Cinnabar Gym is? Me and my cousin Ritchie want to battle Blaine the gym leader." Ash asked.
"I see, you two are here to challenge Blaine. I'm sorry to say that his gym is no longer active." The man told them.
"What?!" Ritchie exclaimed.
"You see, Cinnabar Island was once a hotspot for trainers and they would come from all over. But then tourism started to attract them alot more and Blaine was forced to close his gym down." The man explained.
"No way...what do we do now?" Ritchie looked down.
"Pika (Maybe we can go to another gym)?" Sparky suggested.
The man then grinned, "But...if you solve this riddle I'll tell you the location of his new gym."
"A riddle?" Misty questioned.
"We'll solve it!" Ritchie stated.
"Pika (Yeah)!" Sparky said.
"Very well, listen to this riddle very carefully. The gym is located in a place where firefighters couldn't win." He gave them the riddle.
"A place where firefighters couldn't win..." Misty thought about what the riddle could possibly mean.
Ash crossed his arms in thought, 'A place where a firefighter couldn't win. For that to happen the place would have to be somewhere where its really hot-wait!" He smiled, "A volcano."
"Volcano?" Everyone looked at him.
The man nodded, "That's correct young man."
"Of course! A volcano has lava, and water is useless against that." Brock said.
"Since you've solved the riddle allow me to bring you to the gym." the man said.
Ash smiled, "Thanks...Blaine."
The man stopped in his tracks and everyone looked back and forth between the two. This man...was Blaine?!
"So you know...but how?" He asked.
Ash never lost his smile, "Blaine's known to love riddles, so when you gave us a riddle as a clue to where the gym was I figured it had to be you."
"Pika (So its really him)?" Pikachu asked.
Blaine chuckled as he took off his disguise and revealed what he was really wearing. He was sporting a white hat, still wearing the black shades, a mustache on his face. He was wearing a red shirt, with a white no sleeved blazer on, brown pants, and black shoes.
"You're indeed an interesting young man just like Oak said you were. Come I'll lead you to the gym." Blaine said as they walked out from the back of the building.
This is it. Ash and Ritchie will battle Blaine and hopefully earn their seventh badge.
Who's That Pokemon?
Its...Magmar!
"Magmar!"
Blaine led them to his secret location where the gym was, and much to their surprise was being kept hidden and suspended over the Cinnabar Island volcano. That was convenient, but also impressive.
Blain and Ash stood on the other side of each other while the others were up in the stands and watched.
"This will be a three-on-three, only the challenger is allowed to substitute. Do you agree to these terms?" Blain announced.
"I do." Ash nodded.
Blaine took out a pokeball as did Ash, "Then let the battle...begin!"
"Wartortle, I need you!" Ash sent out Wartortle.
"Wartortle (Let's do this)!" Wartortle declared.
Blaine was giving Wartortle an approving glance. It looks healthy and strong too.
"Ninetails, come!" Blaine sent out Ninetails.
"Nine (Come)!" Ninetails said.
"So Blaine's starting off with a Ninetails." Brock said.
"Think Ash will be alright?" Misty asked.
Brock nodded, "He'll do great, I know it."
"Ninetails, use Fire Spin!" Blaine started things off first.
Ninetales opens its mouth and releases a stream of spinning red-orange flame spiraling around it at Wartortle.
"Jump, Wartortle!" Ash told him.
Wartortle jumped high in the air to avoid the Fire Spin attack, "Now, Hydro Pump!"
Wartortle releases a powerful stream of water from its mouth at Ninetailes, making it a direct hit as Ninetails skidded backwards.
"A direct hit!" Ritchie exclaimed.
"Pika (Yeah)!" Sparky said.
Blaine smiled, 'Excellent instincts.' He complimented inwardly, "Ninetails, use Flamethrower!"
Ninetails spewed fire from its mouth at Wartortle.
"Use Water Gun!" Ash countered.
Wartortle spewed water from his mouth at the Flamethrower, causing both attacks to collide and create steam that covered the field. Ash used that opportunity to attack, "Use Bubble!"
Wartortle releases several clear bubbles from its mouth at an unsuspecting Ninetails, but Ash wasn't done yet, "Now Tackle!" Wartortle followed up with a Tackle, slamming into Ninetails, "Finish off with another Hydro Pump!" Wartortle fired off another Hydro Pump at Ninetails, sending it flying backwards and into unconsciousness.
Blaine called it, "My Ninetails is unable to battle! Wartortle wins!"
Misty breathed a sigh of relief, "He did it."
Brock nodded, "That's one of Blaine's pokemon down. Only two more to go, and who knows that kind of pokemon he'll choose next."
"I'm getting goosebumps." Tomo said.
"Me too." Molly said.
Blaine returned Ninetails with a smile, 'This feels familiar to me somehow...' he got another good look at the boy and imagined somebody else in his place that looked just like him, but younger.
'They look alike.' He thought as he brought another pokeball, "Rhydon, come!" Out came a Rhydon.
"Rhydon (A challenger)!" Rhydon said. Rhydon is a large, gray, bipedal Pokémon with features of both dinosaurs and rhinoceroses. It has a cream-colored, drill-like horn on its snout. There are other protrusions on the head as well, including a spike curving forward from the middle of its head, two triangular, points resembling ears to the sides, a wide, wavy crest under the ears, and spiky ridges on its cheeks. It has red eyes and two fangs protruding from its upper jaw. It has a cream-colored stomach and a row of spikes down its back. Rhydon has a long tail with skinny, black stripes.
"A Rhydon? But its not a fire type." Misty was confused as to why Blaine would send out a Rhydon.
"Hmmm, Blaine must have sent out Rhydon for a reason." Brock guessed.
Ritchie scanned the pokemon:
[Rhydon, the evolved form of Rhyhorn. It is known as the Drill Pokémon. Its large horn gives it formidable attack power.]
Ash was a little worried now. A Rhydon is considered a powerhouse pokemon and while Wartortle could probably evade some attacks, it was still too risky. Looking back at Wartortle he saw the look in the water pokemon's eyes and saw that Wartortle wanted to continue the battle no matter what. With a nod Ash decided to keep Wartortle in battle.
"Looks like Ash decided to keep battling with Wartortle instead of switching him out." Brock said.
"Wartortle's determined to keep battling and take down another one of Blaine's pokemon." Misty added.
"Rhyhorn, use Horn Drill!"
Rhydon's horn spins like a drill and charges at Wartortle. Ash waited until it got a little more closer, when it did he reacted.
"Jump!"
Wartortle jumped and Rhydon's horn just barely missed him as the rock/ground type was on the other side of the water type.
"Use Water Gun!"
Wartortle fired a a stream of water from his mouth that hit Rhydon in the chest, making it a direct hit as Rhydon skidded backwards but the attack looked like it barely fazed it.
"The attack looked like it barely did anything." Misty said, sounding worried.
"Rhydon is both a rock and ground type that's weak against water type attacks, but this one looks like it can withstand anything Wartortle throws at it." Brock explained.
Ritchie was tense and hoped his cousin would be able to think of something and soon.
"Rhydon, use Smack Down!"
Rhydon opens its mouth and a metallic gold orb of energy that is surrounded in orange energy appears in front of it, then fires the orb at Wartortle.
"Use Water Pulse to counter!" Ash called out quickly.
Wartortle created a blue sphere of water from his hands and sent it at the gold orb of energy. Both attacks collided with each other, causing an explosion and smoke to cover the field.
"Rhydon, use Hammer Arm!" Blaine commanded.
One of Rhydon's forearms glow white as it charges at Wartortle.
"Jump, Wartortle!" Ash commanded.
Wartortle jumped high in the air, avoiding the Hammer Arm attack.
"Use Aqua Tail!"
Wartortle's tail glows light blue and it spins it around. When it does, a spiral of water spiraling around it. It then flips around and hits Rhydon on the top of the head.
"That was an impressive move!" Misty complimented.
"Pika (It was)." Pikachu agreed.
"Use Fury Attack!" Blaine ordered Rhydon.
"Avoid it Wartortle!" Ash ordered.
Rhydon repeatedly thrusts the horn on its nose at the Wartortle, who avoided the attack by jumping back over and over again so he wouldn't get hit. When the last of the attack was done he got back to a safe distance to send his own attack.
"Rhydon, use another Smack Down!"
Ash narrowed his eyes, 'Another smack down, huh? Well...guess its time to try out another new move.'
"Wartortle, use Dragon Pulse!"
Rhydon once again opens its mouth and a metallic gold orb of energy that is surrounded in orange energy appears in front of it, then fires the orb at Wartortle.
Wartortle puts his hands together and a turquoise ball of energy appears between them, then fires the ball at Rhydon. Both attacks collided, but the Dragon Pulse overcame the Smack Down and slammed into Rhydon sending it skidding backwards and doing some damage but it was still up.
Ritchie clicked his teeth, 'I thought for sure that would knock it down!'
"That attack was amazing, but Rhydon's still standing." Misty said.
"It did do some damage, so that's good. But Wartortle looks exhausted." Brock observed, seeing the water type breathing a little heavy.
Ash knew that Dragon Pulse wouldn't knock Rhydon down, but it did at least do some damage. Wartortle was also looking pretty exhausted too. He had no choice.
"Wartortle, that's enough!" Ash called out.
Wartortle looked surprised but nodded and sat down while everyone else looked confused, so Ash had to explain.
"Wartortle looks like he's about to pass out, so I give this round to you." He explained.
Blaine understood with a smile, "I understand."
Wartortle gave Ash a grateful smile, that Dragon Pulse took a lot out of him and needed rest. Ash smiled and returned the turtle, "You did great, Wartortle," he took out another pokeball and threw it, "Vaporeon, I need you!" Out came Vaporeon.
"Vaporeon (I'm ready to battle)!" Vaporeon said.
Brock nodded, "Good thing Ash made the switch out when he did."
"What do you mean?" Misty questioned.
"After firing that Dragon Pulse Wartortle became exhausted, having to constantly avoid and send out attacks at Rhydon. Ash had no choice but to switch him out." He explained.
"So now they're tied." Misty realizes.
Brock nodded, "Blaine's Ninetails was defeated by Wartortle, and Ash was forced to return Wartortle."
"Let's hope Vaporeon's enough to defeat Rhydon." Misty said, looking on with worry.
"Use Muddy Water!" Ash ordered.
Vaporeon opened its mouth and releases a wave of muddy water from its mouth at Rhydon, getting it in the face and preventing it from seeing.
Blaine looked flabbergasted while everyone else was taken by surprise by the sudden attack.
"As the saying goes, 'first come, first served." Brock said.
"You got that right." Misty smiled nervously.
"Use Aqua Ring!"
Water droplets form around Vaporeon's body, and they combine together to create three rings of water that surround Vaporeon's body.
"What move was that?" Misty wondered.
"Aqua Ring," Brock answered, "Restores a pokemon's health, so if Vaporeon gets hit, Aqua Ring will activate and restore some of hits health."
"What a good move." She complimented.
"Now, use Aurora Beam!"
Vaporeon releases a multicolored beam from its mouth at Rhydon, getting it in the chest and sending it flying backwards but it regained its footing. There was still some muddy water around its eyes.
"Rhydon, use Drill Run!"
Rhydon runs towards Vaporeon, the drill on its horn spinning. Ash waited for the right moment, "Jump over Rhydon, Vaporeon!"
"Va (Right)!" Vaporeon jumped over Rhydon, facing its back.
"Use Icy Wind!"
Vaporeon opens its mouth and the inside of it starts to glow light blue. It then releases a powerful blizzard from its mouth at Rhydon's back, making it a direct hit and freezing the ground/rock type in place.
"It froze!" Molly said.
"Yeah." Tomo said.
"Use Iron Tail!"
Vaporeon's tail glowed white as it slammed its tail right into the frozen Rhydon. Once Rhydon was free it fell to the ground with swirls in its eyes.
"All right!" Ritchie cheered.
"He planned those attacks carefully and they worked out." Misty smiled.
"Togi Togi (Planned out)!" Togepi said.
"Blaine's down to his last pokemon now." Brock pointed out.
"I wonder what kind of pokemon it is." Tomo wondered.
"Maybe its another fire type." Molly guessed.
Blaine returned Rhydon, "You battled well, Rhydon," he sent out his last pokemon, "Come out, my friend!" Out came a fire type pokemon.
"Magmar (Finally)!" Magmar said. Magmar is a bipedal Pokémon with a red body that has yellow flame designs on it. A row of red spikes runs down its back, and there are two lumps on its forehead with a flame on top of each one. It has a puckered, yellow beak and small eyes. Its thighs are yellow, and it has red feet with two, clawed toes each. Its arms are covered in rigid, red scales and it has red hands with five, clawed fingers. It has black, metal shackles on its neck and ankles. At the tips of its yellow tail is a flame.
"So his last pokemon's a Magmar." Brock said.
"It looks strong. Stronger than Rhydon." Misty observed.
Ritchie scanned it:
[Magmar, the Spitfire Pokémon. Its body is like a furnace, making Magmar a living inferno. It has been discovered only near active volcanoes.]
"Blaine's last pokemon..." Ritchie stared.
"Use Fire Punch!"
"Avoid it, Vaporeon!"
Both of Magmar's fists becomes surrounded in pale red fire as it repeadidly sends both flaming fists at Vaporeon, but all managed to miss every time.
"Vaporeon's avoiding all of Magmar's Fire Punch attacks." Misty said.
"Yeah, but Vaporeon won't be able to keep this up for much longer." Brock commented.
True to his word Magmar's Fire Punch connected with Vaporeon, sending him back a little. Water droplets form around Vaporeon's body and he got back up.
"Vaporeon got back up!" Misty said.
"Its because Aqua Rings still in effect." Brock reminded.
"Magmar, use Fire Blast!"
Magmar takes in a deep breath and releases a powerful 大-shaped blast of orange fire at Vaporeon.
"Avoid that with Quick Attack!"
Vaporeon used Quick Attack to just barely avoid the Fire Blast and from not falling from the edge.
"Use Aurora Beam!"
Vaporeon releases a multicolored beam from its mouth at Magmar, making it a direct hit, and sending Magmar back a little.
"Use Ember!"
"Use Bubble!"
Both attacks collided with each other, creating steam that covered the field once again.
"Magmar, use Flame Burst!"
Magmar fires an orange-yellow fireball from its mouth at Vaporeon.
"Counter with a Water Pulse!"
Vaporeon fires a blue sphere from its mouth at the orange-yellow fireball, both attacks collided but the Flame Burst overpowered the Water Pulse and slammed into Vaporeon, sending it flying backwards.
"Oh no!" Misty cried.
"Vaporeon got hit!" Ritchie exclaimed.
Vaporeon slowly got up from the ground but Ash knew when it was time to quit, and Aqua had lost its effect not to mention Vaporeon looked tired. He raised his hand, "I forfeit Vaporeon's right to battle! He's in too much pain!"
Blaine simply nodded, "Very well, call out your next pokemon."
Vaporeon looked down but Ash rubbed his head, "Don't look so sad, after all you managed to take down a Rhydon. You should feel proud about that."
Vaporeon smiled, "Va (Thank you)."
Ash returned Vaporeon and brought out his last pokemon, 'It's all up to you now.' He thought, "Gyarados, I need you!" Out came Gyarados.
Gyarados roared with the promise of victory for her trainer. Blaine blinked, having not expected the boy to send out a Gyarados.
"Ash's last pokemon." Misty stared down with worry.
"Gyarados is strong in its own right too, so this will be an interesting battle." Brock said.
"Use Rain Dance!" Ash started things off first.
Gyarados roars, summoning a dark cloud that spins around and then stops. Rain then pours from the cloud.
"What's going on? What's with all the rain?" Misty wondered.
"I see, Ash is using Rain Dance to increase Gyarados's water type moves while decreasing fire type moves." Brock explained.
"Really? Talk about a good move." Misty said.
"Fire Punch!"
Magmar charged at Gyarados with its flaming fists.
"Use Scary Face!"
Gyarados made a scary face that frightened Magmar and dropped its speed, "Now, use Hydro Pump!" Gyarados fired a hydro pump attack at Magmar, sending it flying. And since Rain Dance was still in effect it received a lot of damage.
"I'm getting nervous! I just want this battle to be over soon!" Misty said, almost gripping Togepi.
"It just might be." Brock said.
Blaine and Ash were about to use one last attack to finish this.
"Magmar, use Flame Burst!"
"Gyarados, use Dragon Rage!"
Just like before, Magmar fires an orange-yellow fireball from its mouth at Gyarados. Gyarados meanwhile fired a ball of fire from its mouth at Magmar, when it looked like both attacks would be even, Gyarados's Dragon Rage overpowered Magmar's Flame Burst and slammed into the fire type. There was smoke as the attack hit Magmar, when it cleared it showed a passed out Magmar with swirls in its eyes.
Blaine called it, "Magmar's unable to battle! Gyarados wins! Therefore, the victor is Ash Ketchum!"
"He did it!" Molly and Tomo cheered.
"That was intense." Zack said.
"I'll say, I feel like I just sweated from watching this battle." Misty said, fanning her face.
"Ash did great." Brock complimented.
Gyarados nuzzled her trainer making him laugh, "You were great out there Gyarados, I'm so proud of you." He chuckled when he heard her growl.
"The way you battled was very impressive, Ash." Blaine complimented, walking up to the boy.
Ash smiled, "Thanks, battling you helped me realize just how much I really care about my Pokémon. And I'll keep training too."
Blaine nodded, "There's no doubt in my mind you will do well when you battle the Viridian City gym leader," he dug in his pocket and gave Ash a red shaped like flame with a small pink diamond in the center, "I hereby present you with the Volcano Badge."
Ash took it gratefully, "My seventh badge..."
"You've more than earned it." Blaine told him, "Now I believe its your cousins turn."
Ritchie was giving him a determined look as he appeared next to Ash, "I'm ready!"
"So I see." He smiled.
Ash left the battlefield and wished Ritchie luck because Blaine was strong. He sat in between Molly and Tomo, "That was an intense battle."
"I'll say, but you did great out there Ash." Brock smiled.
"You really think so?"
"I was on the edge of my seat the whole time." Misty said.
Ash smiled, "I'm just glad my Pokémon came through for me. As soon as we're done here I wanna get Wartortle and Vaporeon to the Pokémon Center."
Misty and Brock nodded.
Blaine and Ritchie faced each other this time, "The same rules apply, do you except?"
"Yeah, I'm ready!" Ritchie said.
"Then lets begin!" Blaine tossed a pokeball, "Arcanine, come!"
Arcanine howled as it was released from its pokeball. Arcanine is a quadruped, canine Pokémon with an orange pelt marked by jagged black stripes. It has diamond-shaped ears with beige insides, black eyes, a round, black nose, and two pointed teeth protruding from its upper jaw. Its head, muzzle, and chest are covered in shaggy, beige fur, except for two oval sections around each eye and ear. Long tufts of fur grow behind its knees and around its ankles. Its underside is black, and it has a billowing, beige tail that is bent in the middle. Each paw has three toes and a round, pink pad.
Ritchie scanned it:
[Arcanine, the Legendary Pokémon. Arcanine runs so smoothly that it appears to be flying and is known for its majestic cry.]
"So Blaine's using an Arcanine." Ash said.
"Go, Zippo!" Ritchie called out his Charmeleon.
"Char (Ready to battle)!" Charmeleon declared.
"Here we go." Misty said.
"Ritchie's gonna have to be careful because Arcanine are strong fire type Pokémon." Ash said.
"Pika (It looks strong)." Pikachu said.
"Extreme Speed!" Blaine started out first.
Arcanine becomes surrounded by white and clear aura as it charges at Zippo.
Ash grit his teeth, 'That's not good! Think of something quick, Ritchie!'
"Zippo, use Scary Face!"
Zippo made a scary face that decreased Arcanine's speed a little, but the fire type was still coming at Zippo.
"Quick, use Protect!"
A green shield surrounded Zippo as it blocked Arcanine from hitting him with Extreme Speed.
Misty breathed a sigh of relief, "That was close."
"Way too close." Ash said.
"Now Arcanine, use Heat Wave!"
Arcanine opens its mouth and a white flame is created in it, then releases a round orange flame at Zippo.
"Use Flamethrower to counter it!" Ritchie ordered.
Zippo spewed flames from his mouth at the Heat Wave attack, but Arcanine's flames proved to be stronger as it overpowered the Flamethrower and slammed into Zippo.
"Zippo!" Ritchie cried.
"Blaine's Arcanine is strong, it might be even stronger than Prof. Oaks." Ash said.
"Pika (That's a scary thought)." Pikachu said.
Zippo got back up still ready to battle, "You good, Zippo?"
"Char (I'm good)!" Zippo assured him.
"Good, now use Dragon Rage!" Ritchie ordered.
Zippo opens his mouth then forms a ball of fire in its mouth and releases a fiery inferno at Arcanine.
"Use Extreme Speed to dodge it, then attack!"
Arcanine used Extreme Speed to dodge the Dragon Rage before slamming into Zippo, sending it flying.
"That Extreme Speeds just too much for Zippo." Misty said with concern.
"Ritchie can still win, right?" Molly asked her brother.
"Let's hope so-wait, look at that!" Ash made them turn their attention to the field. Zippo's whole body was glowing bright as his form started to change.
"He's evolving." Ash stared.
Zippo was no longer a Charmeleon, but a towering Charizard.
"Zippo finally evolved!" Molly smiled.
"Now Ash and Zippo both have Charizards." Tomo said.
"Hopefully Zippo's evolution will turn things around in battle." Brock said.
"Guess we'll just have to wait and see." Ash said.
Zippo took to the skies so Arcanine couldn't get to it. Smart move, but what will happen next?
Before Ritchie could give Zippo a command, the newly evolved Charizard already made a move. Zippo's hands became surrounded in a light green, claw shaped energy. Then swooped down and struck Arcanine, sending it flying and crashing into the ground. Arcanine was unconscious when it hit the ground.
"That was amazing!" Misty said in awe.
"I think that was Dragon Claw." Ash said.
Brock nodded.
Blaine returned Arcanine and sent out his next pokemon, "Rapidash, come!" Out came Rapidash.
Rapidash neighed as it stared Zippo down.
"Get ready Zippo!" Ritchie told his Pokémon.
Zippo roared.
"Flame Charge!"
Rapidash repeatedly stomps on the ground until a cloud of dust covers its entire body. Its body then becomes surrounded in an orb of red and yellow flames and charged at Zippo.
"Counter with Wing Attack!" Ritchie commanded.
Both of Charizard's wings glow white and white energy shines off them at the wingtips. Zippo met Rapidash head on and slammed into it, making the flames around its body vanish and send it flying back. When Rapidash hit the ground it was unconscious.
"Rapidash is out!" Tomo said.
"That Wing Attack was pretty impressive." Ash complimented.
"It completely overpowered Rapidash's Flame Charge!" Misty said.
"Good job, Zippo!" Ritchie complimented.
Zippo roared before getting down on one knee, "Zippo, what's wrong?!" Ritchie called out in concern.
"What's wrong with Zippo all of a sudden?" Misty wondered.
"It must be tired from evolving," Brock guessed, "When a Pokémon evolves it has to get used to its new body and Zippo hasn't gotten used to his new form yet."
"But Ash's Charizard was okay." Misty protested.
Ash shook his head, "Charizard was going off on adrenaline at the time because I was in danger. He was tired afterwards."
"Oh..."
Ritchie returned Zippo with an understanding smile, "You were great, thanks Zippo."
Blaine brought out his last pokemon, "Magcargo, come!" Out came a Pokémon Ritchie had never seen before.
"Magcargo (Burn)!" Magcargo said. Magcargo is a limbless, snail-like Pokémon consisting almost entirely of bright red magma. Its oval eyes are large and yellow with small pupils, and extend upward from its head. It has a bulbous snout and a wide mouth, with two drops of magma dangling from each side of its upper jaw. Magcargo's back is protected by a gray, spherical shell composed of hardened, but brittle magma, forming irregular lumps and plates. A streak of fire leaks from the side of its shell. Magcargo's lower body is amorphous and covered in bubbles of magma.
"A Magcargo!" Ash and Brock said in unison.
Ritchie scanned it:
[Magcargo, the Lava Pokémon. Magcargo lives primarily in volcanic regions and occasionally emits the lava from its back that circles its body.]
He put his Pokédex away and sent out Happy, "Happy, lets go!"
"Free~ (Let's battle)!" Happy said.
"Happy, use Psybeam!"
Happy beamed a multicolored beam from its eyes at Magcargo.
"Withdraw!"
Magcargo hid in its shell as the Psybeam hit its shell and did no damage, "Use Incinerate!"
Magcargo exits its shell and shoots fireballs with a bright center and black highlights at Happy.
"Get out of the way, Happy!" Ritchie warned his Pokémon.
His warning came too late as Happy got hit with the fireballs and was sent out of the sky, landing on hard ground with swirls in its eyes.
"Happy's out with just one hit." Misty said.
"Now its even. Both of them are down to their last Pokémon." Ash stated.
Ritchie returned Happy and sent out Shadow, his last Pokémon, "Shadow, lets go!"
"Gengar (My turn to play)." Gengar smirked.
"Here we go." Brock said grimly.
"Magcargo, use Ancient Power!"
Magcargo's body glows white and it creates a silver energy ball from its mouth then fires it at Shadow.
"Counter with Shadow Ball!"
Shadow's hands spark with blue electricity. It then puts its hands together, forms a black ball, and shoots it at the white ball. Both attacks collided with each other, creating smoke.
"Use Shadow Punch!"
Shadow raises one of its arms and purple sparks travel up its arm and appear around its fist. Shadow then punches the air and sends a black fist with purple static electricity around it at Magcargo, making it a direct hit.
"Nice Shadow Punch." Ash smiled.
"Shadow, use Hypnosis!"
Shadow waves its arms in hypnotic patterns and Magcargo ended up falling asleep, giving Ritchie the change he needed.
"Finish this up with Night Shade!"
Shadow fires a black or dark crimson beam, outlined in red, blue, or purple from its eyes at the sleeping Magcargo, making it cry out in pain as it passed out woith swirls in its eyes.
"He won!" Molly and Tomo cheered.
Ash smiled, "I wasn't expecting Ritchie to use Hypnosis. That was a good move."
"Ritchie's gotten pretty good at battling, hasn't he?" Brock said.
"I think so." Zack said.
Ritchie hugged Shadow, "You were awesome Shadow!"
"Gengar (Thank you)." Shadow thanked.
Blaine returned Magcargo and walked over to Ritchie with a smile, "That was a good battle, you and your Pokémon work very well together."
"Thanks." Ritchie grinned.
Blaine presented him with the Volcano Badge, which Ritchie took eagerly, "I did it! I got my seventh gym badge!"
"Pika (Yeah)!" Sparky cheered.
Shadow snickered.
Ash and the others approached, "We should get our Pokémon to the Pokemon Center so they can rest up."
"Good idea, are you coking with us Blaine?" Ritchie asked.
"Why not? I'm sure Nurse Joy will be surprised to see me back in her center after all these years. The last time someone gave me a battle as intense as you two did had been one trainer from a long time ago." Blaine smiled.
Ash wondered who that trainer was but didn't press for more information as they walked to the Pokémon center to heal their Pokémon.
Inn
Once they got their Pokémon healed, Ash had transferred Kirlia, Vaporeon, and Gyarados for Dratini, Riolu and his male Ralts. He promised he train those three and besides they were probably missing him too. Prof. Oak told him the most interesting thing to, how the three of them were training back at the ranch and that he would be surprised. Speaking of Prof. Oak, he was excited when Ash told him that both he and Ritchie won a gym battle against Blaine. Ash asked him if he knew Blaine had created a secret gym somewhere on Cinnabar Island, Prof. Oak assured him he didn't know but had a hunch there was a gym there somewhere.
"Ash the rest of us are going to get something to eat, are you coming?" Brock asked.
"Yeah, I'm coming." Ash said, getting up from the bed.
The two of them were in the lobby where the others were already eating. Ash sat in between his younger siblings as he stared at the food that was already there.
"Where did all of this food come from?" Ash asked.
Misty smiled, "We ordered it. It's to celebrate you and Ritchie getting your seventh gym badge."
"Togi Togi (Congratulations)!" Togepi congradulated.
Ash smiled, "Thanks guys, this looks really good."
"Sure does!" Ritchie grinned, taking a bite out of a burger.
Misty sighed, "Always thinking about food."
"I think we can put up with Ritchie's bottomless appetite for tonight." Brock said.
Ash chuckled as he ate some of the food too.
The next day came quickly as the gang packed up their things and ready to leave Cinnabar Island, but not before saying goodbye to Blaine.
"All set?" Ash asked everyone.
"Yep." Misty said.
"Are we going to say goodbye to Blaine before we leave?" Zack asked.
"Yeah, we can't leave without saying goodbye." Ritchie said.
An alarm suddenly went off as soon as they left the Inn:
ATTENTION: EVACUATE THE ISLAND IMMEDIATELY! I REPEAT EVACUATE THE ISLAND IMMEDIATLY!
"What's going on?!" Misty exclaimed, holding Togepi closer to her.
"Come on, lets go find Blaine!" Ash yelled.
They ran to where his secret gym location was and saw Team Rocket blasting off.
"Was that..." Brock trailed off.
"Doesn't matter right now Brock!" Ash reminded him.
"Right!"
Running into the secret cave they saw Blaine and Magmar, but they also saw ice everywhere and the battlefield was covered in lava!
"Blaine, are you okay?!" Ritchie ran up to him.
"You kids are still here?! You have to evacuate!" Blaine told them.
"We can have our Pokémon help! What happened here?!" Ash asked.
"Magmar Mar Mag Magmar Mar Mar (Two humans and a Meowth caused all of this ice after they tried to capture me)!" Magmar explained.
Ash rubbed his temples in annoyance, "Team Rocket tried to capture Magmar by freezing him, but failed. In other words they caused this."
Blaine's eyes widened, 'This boy...can understand Pokémon?!'
"Just tell us what you want us to do!" Ritchie said to Blaine.
"Right! We need to dam the volcano and prevent it from erupting, we're going to need your Pokémon." Blaine told them.
"Fine by me! Everyone come on out!" All of the pokemon Ash had on hand came out. Riolu, Dratini, Ralts, Eevee, Ivysaur, Charizard, Wartortle, and Pidgeotto.
"You guys help out too!" Ritchie called out his pokemon. Zippo, Happy, Shadow, Midnight, Jolteon, and Eve.
"We need your help too, everyone!" Molly called out her pokemon. Lilligant, Espeon, Ninetails, Alakazam, Clefable, and Omanyte.
"Let do this!" Zack called out his pokemon. Jynx, Electivire, Magmortor, Swampert, Gardevoir, and Gengar.
"Come out guys!" Tomo called out his pokemon. Kangaskhan, Growlithe, Poliwhirl, Geodude, Weepinbell.
"Help us out!" Misty called out her Pokémon. Starmie, Staryu, Psyduck, Goldeen, Vaporeon, Froakie, Shiny Vaporeon, Jynx, Shiny Glaceon, and Horsea.
"Out here on the double!" Brock called out his Pokémon. Geodude, Onix, Chespin, Shiny Flareon, Vulpix, Shiny Leafeon.
Ash turned to he Pokémon, "Okay guys, we need to prevent this volcano from erupting. Charizard, help Magmar dam the volcano! Ivysaur, use your Vine Whip to help Charizard!"
Charizard and Ivysaur nodded their heads in agreement.
Blaine then took charge, "Pokemon that are able to help dam this volcano, help out! Water type Pokémon, use your water attacks to help cool the rocks! Now go!"
The pokemon got to work. Onix, Magmar, Charizard, Zippo, Ivysaur, Tomo's Geodude help dam the rocks, while the water types help cool the rocks down, including Onix. Psyduck of course was being Psyduck making Misty angry.
"Psyduck, now is not the time for you to be acting like...you!" Misty yelled.
Psyduck tilted his head, "Psy (What do you mean)?"
"You little-!" Misty growled.
"Psyduck, we need your help!" Ash pleaded.
With the flip of a switch Psyduck started helping much to Misty's annoyance but she didn't voice it. They worked tirelessly, making sure this volcano didn't go off. Finally they managed to dam the volcano, preventing it from erupting. Everyone cheered and the announcement gave the all clear and informed those that were still on the Island it was safe.
Now the gang was facing Blaine as they were about to head off on the road again.
"So where will you go next?" Blaine asked.
"To Viridian City," Ash answered, "That's where the Viridian City Gym is."
"Ah, home of the Earth Badge. In that case, I wish you both luck." Blaine smiled.
"Thanks, see ya!" Ritchie waved goodbye as they left. Blaine meanwhile watched them leave and prayed that both Ash and Ritchie would do their very best to earn the Earth Badge.
Having won their seventh gym badge, out heroes are on the road again towards Viridian City. There Ash and Ritchie will hopefully earn their next and final gym badge. Stay tuned as the journey continues.
Pokemon Captured
On Hand:
Ash's Pokemon: Pikachu (Male), Shiny Eevee (Female), Ivysaur (Male), Dratini (Male), Riolu (Male), Ralts (Male), Charizard (Male), Wartortle (Male), and Pidgeotto (Female).
Molly's Pokemon: Teddiursa (Male), Lilligant (Female), Shiny Espeon (Female), Ninetails (Female) Alakazam (Male), Clefable (Female), and Omanyte (Gender Unknown).
Misty's Pokemon: Togepi (Male), Starmie, Staryu, Psyduck (Male), Goldeen (Female), Vaporeon (Male), Froakie (Male), and Jynx (Female), Shiny Vaporeon (Female), Shiny Glaceon (Female), and Horsea (Male).
Brock's Pokemon: Geodude (Male), Onix (Male), Chespin (Male), Shiny Flareon (Female), and Shiny Leafeon (Female).
Ritchie's Pokemon: Pikachu (Sparky) (Male), Charmeleon (Zippo) (Male), Butterfree (Happy) (Male), Shiny Umbreon (Midnight) (Male), Shiny Jolteon (Speedy) (Male), Gengar (Shadow), and Eevee (Eve) (Female).
Tomo's Pokemon: Kangaskhan (Female), Growlithe (Male), Poliwhirl (Male), Geodude (Male), Weepinbell (Male).
Zack's Pokemon: Jynx (Female), Electivire (Male), Magmortar (Male), Swampert (Male) Gardevoir (Shiny) (Female), Gengar (Male).
At the Ranch
Ash's Pokemon: Shiny Meowstic (Female), Shiny Cloyster (Male), Starmie, Braixen (Female), Luxray (Male), Scizor (Male), Slowpoke (Male), Rapidash (Female), Nidoqueen (Female), Nidoking (Male), Xatu (Male), Scizor (Male), Gyarados (Female), Krabby (Male), Glaceon (Female), Leafeon (Female), Umbreon (Male), Espeon (Female), Flareon (Male), Jolteon (Male) Vaporeon (Male), Primeape (Male), Charmander (Male), Squirtle (Male), Electabuzz (Male), Magmar (Male), Rhyhorn (Male), Taurosx25 (Male), Kadabra (Male), Butterfree (Male) Pink Butterfree (Female), Sandshrew (Male) Porygon (Genderless), Lapras (Female), Haunter (Male), Kirlia (Female), Jigglypuff (Female), Aerodactyl (Male).
Tomo's Pokemon: Voltorb (Male), Cubone (Male), Hitmonlee (Male), Hitmonchan (Male).
Molly's Pokemon: Exeggcute (Male), Raichu (Male), Tangrowth (Male), Machoke (Male), Beedrill (Male).
Ritchie's Pokemon: Venomoth (Male), Fearow (Male), Farfetch'd (Male), Dodrio (Male) Hoothoot (Male), Scyther (Male).
Next Time: Mermaid Misty & Battle for the Earth Badge!