Chapter 33: A Friend in Deed/ Vs Ritchie
It was the day after Ash won his 4th match and he, Tomo, Misty and Brock were eager to celebrate.
"I say we all of us go out for a big meal to celebrate Ash finally getting into the Indigo Stadium." Brock said.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Ash smiles.
"Not to mention, it's all free." The little boy said feeling more excited.
"You just love that word don't you?" Misty asked.
"Always and forever." Tomo laughed.
"Ash, Tomo!" Looking at the hut, they saw Prof. Oak along with their mother waving to them with Ebon in her arms.
"Mom!" Ash smiles as he and Tomo ran over. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We came to cheer you one." Delia said when Ebon jumped into his arms.
"Ee!" He cries happily licking him.
"Ebon!" Ash laughs. "You've been watching me battle little guy?"
"VeeVee!" He nodded with a big smile on his face.
"We all have and we are very proud of you for making it this far." Prof. Oak said.
"And to make sure you keep winning I'm making you your favorite meal." Delia said causing them to smile.
"That's great mom but we don't have a kitchen. Where are you gonna cook?" Ash asks.
"Leave that to me." Delia smiles. They headed to a restaurant in the village, and in the kitchen, Delia was cooking. Leaving the chefs with blank faces.
"Our customers don't come here to cook.." The head chef sweatdropped.
"Well maybe they should try, Ash dinner's almost ready!" Delia called to them watching from the kitchen doors.
"Can't..wait.." Ash struggled to keep himself hidden of the embarrassment he had taken in.
"Oh mom." Tomo said hanging his head.
"This either gonna be really good or really bad." Misty sweatdrops.
Later a huge display of food appeared on the table in front of them. They were amazed.
"Amazing. It actually turned out well." Ash said dropping his jaw.
"And taste well too." Tomo said already having a mouth of food.
"No wonder the chef asked for the recipe." Misty smiles eating.
"You never lost your flare mom." Ash said eating while feeding Ebon.
"Vee Eevee." Ebon smiles enjoying it.
"You know Ash if you win your next battle you'll be able to compete in full 6 on 6 battles." Prof. Oak informs.
"Thankfully today is a day off for trainers, so tomorrow they'll decide on who everybody battles." Brock said.
"Well until then I'll wait to see who I'm up against first." Ash said.
"Don't forget, if you need anymore more Pokemon transferred from my laboratory, don't be afraid to ask." Prof. Oak said.
"But how if you're here right now?" Ash said.
"That's a new feature to the PokéDex. Remember back a couple of months ago when I gave you that PokéDex update?" He asked.
"Hmm, wow that was around the time Togepi hatched." Ash realized looking to the baby Pokémon. "Yes I do, what does that have to do with the situation here?"
"If you look inside, you will see a white button inside your PokéDex." Prof. Oak pointed out as Ash pulls it out.
"You mean this?" Ash points to it.
"That's it. Trainers like you can switch the Pokémon in their party by pressing that button and them along with their Pokéballs would be transported to you in a flash." The Professor explained.
"Boy that's handy." Ash said impressed.
"In case something is happening to the Pokémon Storage System and you won't be able to contact me to switch, you can thank Bill for this idea." Prof. Oak smiles.
"Now you don't have to wait until we reach the next Pokemon Center for you to switch your Pokemon." Brock said.
"I know, I think I'm gonna like this." Ash grins and ate some more. After lunch they all made their way to the elevator.
"Just remember Ash always try your best that way you're a winner even if you lose." Prof. Oak said.
"But even so I think Ash would rather win." Delia said.
"You know me well mom." Ash laughs lightly.
"Yeah he's not throwing in the towel that easily." Brock said.
"You said it." Misty said as they each boarded the elevator.
"Hold the door please!" A voice said down the hall, they saw a boy with brown hair having a large brown backpack on him. He wore a dark teal vest with blie and yellow pants, and a purple cap with a light yellow band and red buttons on his head running towards them. "I'm going downstairs too!"
"Sure." Prof. Oak said holding the door open for him as the boy ran in.
"Thank you very much." He said.
"No problem." Prof. Oak said when the kid noticed Ebon.
"Whoa, an Eevee. Who's is this?" He asks.
"He's mine, his name's Ebon." Ash said getting next to him.
"I've never seen an Eevee this color before." He said.
"Neither have I, they're called Shiny Pokémon and they could be more stronger than the orignal." Ash smiles, making the little Eevee feel happy and special.
"Wow, we'll you're really lucky then." The boy smiles, before finally coming face to face with Ash.
Ash was about to say something when suddenly the lights in the elevator turned off and they came to a stop.
"Hey what happened?" Tomo said.
"The power must've went out!" Brock said.
"Try using the emergency call button." Prof. Oak tells him.
"Hello? Can anyone hear me?" Brock asks but no one answered. "No luck."
"It's probably just a power outage." Prof. Oak said.
"What should we do?" Delia asked worried holding Tomo close to her, so he wouldn't get scared.
"Hmm, I guess we're stuck here until someone fixes the electricity." Prof. Oak crosses his arms.
"Aw what, no way." Misty whined, until they heard some tinkering and saw the boy near the control panels, working on some of the wires.
"Hey what are you doing?" Ash asked sitting next to him.
"I'm gonna try getting the elevator working again." He said taking out two wires. "Great, does anyone in here have an Electric Pokémon on them?"
"An Electric Pokémon?" Ash asks, before it hits him. "Oh I get it, you're gonna use it to boost the power of the elevator for it to work again."
"Exactly." He nods.
"Hmm.." Ash pondered. "Well I don't have an Electric Type now.." He then snapped his fingers getting an idea. "But I can get one in a flash!"
"Huh?" The boy asked as Ash quickly takes his PokéDex out and presses the white burron, on screen Ash sees his party of Pokémon on different rows.
"Woah.." Ash said astonished, but shakes it off, saying now wasn't the time to be amazed by technology. He goes into one and selects the Pokémon he wanted.
A Pokéball disappeared from his belt as it was replaced with a new one. Taking it off, Ash held it. "Let's see if it works." Opening it up, out came Sparks.
"Magneton."
"Whoa it actually works." Ash smiles widely.
"Good thinking Ash, using the update for our emergency." Prof. Oak smiles.
"And having a Magneton is perfect on this machinery." Brock agreed.
The boy puts the two wires around Spark's magnets. "OK, now we just one little Thundershock to get moving."
"You heard him Sparks, do your stuff." Ash said.
"Magneton." Sparks said sending sparks through the wires turning the power back on with ease.
"Yes, the power's back on!" Tomo cheered as they felt the elevator moving once again and gotten off.
"Thanks for the help back there." Ash said.
"Don't thank me thank your Magneton." He said.
"And I will. My name's Ash Ketchum. And you?" He asked.
"It's Ritchie. Ritchie Hiroshi, nice to meet you." Ritchie smiles. "Anyways, I gotta get going. See ya!" He runs off, but stopped for second and looks to Ash. "Oh cool scars by the way!" He said surprising Ash, before running off.
"Whoa, that's the first time someone ever said that." Ash said.
"He was actually pretty cool." Tomo said.
"Yes, and he quite mature and smart for his age." Prof. Oak agreed.
"Attention please. May I have your attention please."
"This is an announcement to all trainers in the Pokemon League."
Hearing this announcement outside, everyone sees a van passing by.
"All trainers must bring their Pokéballs to the Pokémon Pavilion for an official inspection immediantly."
"An inspection?" Misty said confused.
"A little late for that don't you think?" Tomo asks.
"It is important that you bring all Pokéballs to the Pavilion as quickly as possible."
"And make it snappy!"
"You might have a point Tomo, but I guess something must be up." Ash said as he made his way to the pavilion where tons of trainers were lined up.
"I wonder why we had to come here so quickly?" Ash said to himself before he saw familiar face in the crowd. "Ritchie?"
"Oh hey Ash." Ritchie said walking over.
"I should have known. You're in the Pokemon League too, huh?" Ash asks.
"Yup, and I guess I can say the same to you too." Ritchie nodded.
Walking out of the van were two people in suits.
"We must now collect all your Pokemon to perform the examination. Please place all your Pokémon in this bag held by this official looking man with the mustache." A woman said.
"You think this is kinda weird Ritchie?" Ash asks.
"Yeah there wasn't any kind of saying of a inspection in the handbook." Ritchie said confused.
"Any trainers who failed to turn in all of their Pokémon will be disqualified from the League." The official states again.l This confused them even more, so many were already out of the League.
The officials all went around as trainers who were competing put their Pokéballs in the burlap sack.
And finally made it up to Ash and Ritchie. "You two tw-I mean young man." The man putting the bag in front of them. The two boys didn't knew about this, but both decided to give in and put their balls in the bag.
"And I'll just take this little Eevee with me too." The female official said looking to Ebon.
"Uh I don't think you should pick him up ma'am." Ash warned her.
"Oh don't worry young man, I'm sure I can handle a little Eevee." She said reaching for Ebon, who in return smelled her hand and growled. Ebon leaps upwards and bites onto her hand.
"Aaah! Get off me you stupid furball!" Then woman said trying to shake him off but her glasses ended up flying off revealing her to be Jessie.
Ash gasped. "Jessie!"
"Jessie? You know the official?" Ritchie asked surprised.
"She's not an official, she's a member of Team Rocket!" Ash pointed out, making all of the trainers hear this.
"Team Rocket?!"
"They're not officials, they're thieves!"
"Give me back my Pokemon!"
The two were surrounded by the angry trainers. "We've been busted again Jessie, the cat's out of the bag."
"That cat's not out of the bag James..he's our get away driver!" Jessie said pulling a communicator out. "Meowth, now!"
"Eat our dust losers!" Meowth said starting the van.
"Go Weezing!" James opens his Pokéball to release it.
"WeezingWee!" Weezing releases a Smokescreen to blind the trainers.
"So long suckers!" Jessie and James said to them before hopping into the van and driving away.
Ash coughed. "They're getting away! Hold it!" He shouted running through the smoke and after the truck.
"Ash wait up!" Ash turns around to see Ritchie trying to catch up with him.
"Ritchie?" Ash asked.
"I'm coming with you! I'm getting my Pokémon back one way or another!" Ritchie stated. He was just as angry as Ash was.
"Alright but we gotta move! If we hurry we can cut them off!" Ash said.
The two run to see a cliffside in front of them. "We'll never catch them going this way." Ash cursed, he didn't want to run down a cliff at a time like this.
"We will if we can climb." Ritchie tells them.
Looking over, Ash saw Ritchie climbing down the cliffs and followed after.
Down the hill, Team Rocket was driving down the path happy at their successful theft.
"Ah success at last." James said driving with a smile on his face.
"If at first you don't succeed, lie lie again." Jessie grins.
"I bet we got a hundred Pokéballs in there!" Meowth laughs.
"A hundred Pokemon in the bag a hundred Pokemon!" They sang when Ash and Ritchie suddenly ran out in front of them.
"Stop!" They yelled.
"It's the twerp and his friend!" Jessie and her colleges flinched.
"Out of the way you road hogs!" James swerved and drove down a cliff.
As Ash and Ritchie ran after them Team Rocket drove down the hill and swerved into the river.
"Good thinking James." Jessie said as she and Meowth look over only to see the impact had knocked James unconscious.
"HE'S OUT COLD!" Meowth screamed as Jessie panicked and takes over driving.
Behind them Ash and Ritchie were running along the river trying to catch up.
Night soon crestfallen up below them 2 hours later.
"Now where are those three?" Ash asks looking around.
"Maybe we should break for the night Ash. It's so dark you can barely see what's in front of us." Ritchie suggests.
"Hmm, I guess your right." Ash looks to the sky and then heard Ebon yawning next to him. His eyes were getting droopy and his walking stumbled. Ash picked him him. "Alright young man, it's past your bedtime."
"Vee." Ebon sighs barely able to keep his eyes open.
So the two started a campfire and had their sleeping bags out. Ebon was sleeping on Ash's lap as he hummed him a lulaby.
"Wow Ash, who knew you were such a mother hen." Ritchie said.
"It's kinda of a small hobby of mine." Ash admitted. "I've gotten a habit of taking care of baby Pokémon."
"So you're a Breeder?" Ritchie asked interested.
"Pretty much, yeah." Ash smiles.
"I hope I can find my own Pokemon egg. My team is kinda small." Ritchie admits.
"Hey nothing's wrong with having a limit of Pokémon." Ash reassured him. "You just do what you need to do. Everyone's got their own priorities."
"I hope we catch Team Rocket. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to my Pokemon." Ritchie said.
"Take it from me, we will." Ash assured.
Once they finished chowing down, the two gotten into their sleeping bags to sleep.
Suddenly, Ash heard beeping.
"Huh? What's that?" Ritchie asks as Ash reached into his jacket and pulls out his PokeGear.
"My Pokégear?" He presses the answer button. "Hello?"
"Ash Ketchum where are you? I have been worried sick about you." Delia said on the other line.
"Oh mom.." Ash cringed rubbing his head. "Well long story short, Team Rocket appeared and stole all of the competing trainers Pokémon and me and Ritchie are out here going after them."
"Team Rocket?" Misty, Brock and Tomo gasp in the background.
"I know. We're in the woods camping and we're gonna find them tomorrow morning." Ash said.
"Yeah, so don't worry we'll be back before you know it." Ritchie said on the line too.
"You better. You know I don't like it when you run off like that." Delia said.
"I'm sorry." Ash sighed.
Hanging up Ash lays down.
"Your mom really worries about you." Ritchie said.
"Ugh you don't know the half of it Ritchie." Ash sighed looking at the starry sky. "I'm her only son and it's only been just the two of us for years to come. When it was time for me to become a Pokémon Trainer a year and a half ago, it was like she worried about me everyday."
"What about your dad?" Ritchie asks causing Ash to frown.
"I haven't heard from him in a long time." Ash said.
Ritchie frowned. "I-I'm sorry Ash. I shouldn't have said something as touchy as that."
"You didn't know. It's alright." Ash said. Silence filled the air, since neither of them were talking. Ritchie was tracing the sky with his finger.
"What are you up to?" Ash asks.
"Drawing things with the stars." Ritchie said showing him how to draw an Onix with the stars.
"Hey I see an Onix." Ash sees it.
"Right. OK try that one." Ritchie pointed to another drawing a new constellation.
"Hmm hey an Eevee." Ash said tracing one.
"Yeah good one." Ritchie smiles. "Picked that one just for you."
"You seem to think about Pokémon just as much as I do." Ash said.
"Yeah I love Pokemon. When I started my journey a while back I was so excited to get out and travel. I wanted to find the best ones I could. I even give all my Pokemon nicknames." Ritchie said.
"No way, me too." Ash smiles.
"Really? No way." Ritchie smiles.
"Way, why do you think I called Ebon, Ebon and my Magneton Sparks?" Ash said.
"I just thought those two were special cases." Ritchie said.
"Nope I nickname every single one of them." Ash said.
"Wow, it's so rare and nice to see someone who's like me." Ritchie said.
"Same. Most people tend to have difficulties looking past the scars." Ash said.
"The scars?" Ritchie asks.
"Believe it or not most people don't think these are very cool. They think I'm scary." Ash said.
"Scary?" Ritchie sat up. "But Ash I don't think you're scary."
"You don't?" Ash asks him.
"Alot of people have different thoughts on people of their looks. Don't let them get to you. It's what's behind the scars that matters." Ritchie said. "And like I said earlier, I think they're cool."
"I'll keep that in mind Ritchie, I really appreciate it." Ash said smiling. The boy gave Ash a thumbs up.
The next morning, Ash and Ritchie were up and searching for Team Rocket.
"See anything out of the ordinary?" Ash asked.
"Look over there." Ritchie said as they noticed tire tracks going out of the river towards the forest.
"Good eye Ritch. Come on!" Ash said as they run down that pathway, and luckily they found Team Rocket all camping out, sleeping.
"Looks it's them." Ritchie said finding them.
"But where are all of the Pokémon?" Ash wondered.
"Probably in their van." Ritchie figured.
Quietly sneaking in Ash, Ritchie and Ebon saw all the sacks of Pokeballs.
"Bingo." Ash smiles.
Picking it up, they see all of the Pokéballs stolen were all accounted for.
"Come on, let's grab them and go." Ritchie said.
"Well, well. Look what just creeped into our campsite." They heard behind them and saw Team Rocket awake.
"Out of our way losers, we're taking these Pokémon back!" Ash threatens.
"The only thing you're taking is a ride!" Meowth declares.
"Bye-bye." James said closing the door on them before starting the van up.
"They wouldn't think of driving this w-!" Ash and Ritchie exclaimed, falling down as the van was driving off.
"They would.." Ritchie groaned.
"We gotta get out of here fast." Ash tells Ritchie.
"Yeah if only we could just stop the van." Ritchie said feeling the trembles. Ash then looks to the sack.
"Our Pokémon, they could break us out!" He said getting an idea. Rummaging through the sack Ash tried to see which ones were his.
"Ash here's mine." Ritchie said grabbing 6.
"How'd you know?" Ash asks.
"I put these stickers on them to tell which are mine." Ritchie shows him.
"Oh man that's smart." Ash nodded before realizing he didn't. "But mines gotta be in here somewhere?" He groans, before a new idea clicks in his head. "I know!" He pulls his PokéDex out.
Clicking the button a light flashes from the sack revealing one was teleported back to Pallet Town as a new Pokeball appears in his hand.
"It still works!" He smiles.
"The Pokéball switch, good idea." Ritchie said impressed. "Just send the Pokémon you had earlier back home and then send them back here to you so you'll know who's missing."
"I am loving this new feature. And now bust us outta here Spike!" Ash said as his giant bug type appeared. He clicked his claws and teeth. "Use X-Scissor!" Ash said. Charging in Spike slashes the wall making a decent sized scratch mark. "Not enough." Ash cringed.
"Char!" It roared out.
"A Charmander!" Ash was surprised.
"Zippo use Slash on that wall!" Ritchie said. Zippo's claws glowed as it started scratching the wall, one by one. Making scratch marks, as the wall crumbled up to reveal the driver area along with Team Rocket.
"Hey this van's a rental!" They said.
"Too bad! Ride's over!" Ash said.
"For you maybe. Get them James!" Jessie said.
"Uh driving, remember?" James reminds.
"Oh.." She muttered, seeing she's all alone on this one. "Arbok, Go!"
"Ebon use Shadow Ball!" Ash said as Ebon was about to attack.
"Oh no you don't!" James said making a sharp turn causing Ebon to rattle allowing Arbok to attack.
He headbutts Ebon, flying him backwards.
"Nice driving!" Jessie smiling at James.
"I should get a license!" James laughs.
Ritchie, however pulls a new Pokémon out. "Sparky, you're on!" He throws out.
"Sparky?" Ash asked, wondering what Pokémon it was, it was probably an electric type.
"Pikachu!" Ash stopped dead on when he sees Sparky..was actually a Pikachu with a scruff of fur on the top of its head.
And almost instantly horrible memories of that nightmare came back to him all at once.
His teeth gritted slightly at this. 'Pikachu..' But then he remembers Small One. 'Alright just keep it together. Right now I gotta stop Team Rocket... that's not yours it's Ritchie's.' Ash thought thinking that last part over and over again.
"Sparky, confuse Arbok with your Agility!" Ritchie said as Sparky circles around Arbok with its speedy tactics.
"Is there one or ten?!" James gasps as Arbok started to get dizzy.
"Now Spike, Focus Punch! Ebon, Skull Bash" Ash said. Spike's fist glowed and Ebon lowered his head and the two land two serious blows onto Arbok, making him scream and fall on Jessie.
Flying backwards, they crash into Meowth and James blocking the view of the road.
"Now Sparky Thunderbolt!" Ritchie said as Sparky zapped Team Rocket making them scream in pain and the front part of the van exploded.
And Team Rocket were flung into the air. "We're Blasting off again!" They screamed before disappearing.
"Well Ritchie that was really good but how do we stop now?!" Ash points.
Looking ahead they saw a sharp turn but without a wheel they had no way to make it.
"I got it, Happy!" Ritchie said throws out a Butterfree. "We'll use our Flying Pokémon to help get us down!"
"Got it, Talon!" Ash throws out his Fearow.
As the van flies over the cliff, Ash, Spike and Ebon were clinging to Talon while Ritchie, Sparky and Zippo were clinging to Happy.
But they were coming in too fast to the ground.
"Ash quick use a Gust or Whirlwind!" Ritchie yells.
"The wind would cushion our fall!" Ash realized. "Talon!"
"Happy!" Ritchie said.
Both: "Whirlwind now!"
Both Talon and Happy started flapping their wings frequently to the ground.
As dust clouds fly the two trainers and their Pokémon land safely on the ground.
"Well it's official. I like you." Ash smiles.
"You don't say?" Ritchie laughs.
"I'm serious, you're a genius." Ash said still smiling.
"You had some pretty genius moments yourself." Ritchie smiles.
"If you hadn't thought of the Pokémon parachute, we'd be history." Ash laughs.
"Well if you hadn't done that quick transporting Team Rocket might have had us." Ritchie laughs.
"Great minds think alike." The two boys shared a laugh as well as their Pokémon before they heard honking from afar.
They saw a group of SUV's coming up towards them. "Ash!" "Ritchie!" They saw Ash's friends in one of them, calling to them. Along with them was all of the trainers who've lost their Pokémon.
"Hey! We got them all right here!" Ash said holding up the sack.
"All of your Pokémon are safe and sound!" Ritchie called out. Looking at each other Ash and Ritchie shake hands glad they managed to accomplish their task and helped all the trainers out.
Now that Team Rocket was gone, everyone was back at the Indigo Plateau's registration center.
"Next up is trainer Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town." The desk lady said as Ash walked up.
"Right here." Ash said.
"On each Magikarp here is a number. Whichever one you get will be your spot in the upcoming matches." She explains.
Ash nodded and places his hook in the water. A second later, he's gotten a bite. He reeled it in and a Magikarp was sprung out with the initials "A-3" on its side.
"A-3, that means your next opponent is..." Looking to the screen they gasp seeing Ash's next opponent was Ritchie.
The two looked at each other in disbelief.
Ash's newest opponent was his newest friend and to make matters worse there was also a chance Ash would come face to face with the worst Pokemon in the world for him, a Pikachu.
It was late at night as Ash was thinking about his upcoming battle with Tomo, Brock and Misty nearby.
"15 other trainers and I end up facing him...man my luck stinks sometimes." Ash sighs.
"What's so bad about facing a friend you've done that before?" Tomo asks.
"It's not just that Tomo. Ritchie...has a Pikachu on his team." Ash said.
That froze the other 3 in their tracks.
"Okay now I see why this is bad." Misty cringed.
"See?" Ash goes to lie down on his bed. "I dunno what to freaking do. Ritchie's a good guy and nice friend to have, but since he has one of those ungrateful things on his team, I don't wanna hurt our friendship over something stupid as that."
"Ash this is like with Small One. You have to remember it's not the same Pokemon." Brock reminds.
"I know, but it's not that easy." Ash said.
"Maybe he won't use it." Tomo said trying to make him feel better.
"Actually he might. I looked him up and Ritchie has won all his battles using the same Pokemon, Pikachu included." Misty said.
Ash turns to Tomo, who sweatdropped. "Uh..nevermind."
"Ugh.." Ash falls his head back on the pillow with an annoyed look.
"Ash I know this might be hard to hear but I think as Ritchie's friend you owe it to him to battle with everything you got. That means fighting to beat him." Brock said.
"Do you really think I can?" Ash eyed him.
"If you were in Ritchie's shoes and your opponent threw the match because of one of your Pokemon how would you feel?" Brock asks. Ash grimaced at the thought. "I would feel..cheated and angry of doing something so cowardly."
"Exactly. Like you Ritchie has come this far. No decent trainer would accept a win like that." Brock said.
"Yeah, and besides whoever wins won't ruin a friendship." Misty added.
"You're an awesome trainer Ash. Get out there and show everyone that." Tomo said.
Smiling Ash sat up. "I am so glad to have you three as my coaches."
That gotten him smiles from his friends.
The next day...
The group headed down to the Pokémon Center when they ran into Ritchie, picking up his Pokémon.
"Ritchie." Ash said getting his attention.
"Hey Ash." Ritchie said turning to him and there was a brief silence.
Ash takes a deep breath and breaks the silence. "Look Ritchie, I know this is a big shocker to the both of us, but that dosen't mean neither of us should throw in the match."
"I was hoping you would say that. Win or lose I hope you and I can still be friends." Ritchie said.
"Definetly." Ash held his fist out to him, who connected for the fist bump.
"Then I'll see you at the Stadium later today." Ritchie smiles as he walks out of the door.
"Well I guess that leaves one thing left to do." Ash said turning to his friends. "I gotta get my team picked out."
"You want us to meet you at the Stadium?" Misty asked.
"If that's not to much trouble." Ash nodded.
"See ya there bro." Tomo said.
"We'll be cheering for you." Brock said.
The 3 left, leaving Ash.
Making his way to a desk Ash sat down and sorted through his Pokemon on which to use.
"A Bug Type, a Fire Type and an Electric Type. What should I use to counter them?"
He could use a Water Pokemon to take out Charmander, but then it would be an easy win for his Pikachu. And if he used a Ground Type his Bug Type could beat it. Ritchie's team was so well balanced each one could cover for the other's weakness.
"I gotta think this smart." Ash closed his eyes. "Every trainer always has an opening to breaking through defenses like that, so I should too."
Pausing to think Ash wondered what would be the perfect Pokemon to handle no matter which one he chose and then it hit him.
"That's it." Ash smiles as he clicked his Pokedex and picked his first Pokemon. "And then I'll pick this one and finally this one." Ash grins having his team all picked out.
'Got it all set up for you Ritchie. Hope you're ready!'
Getting his Pokeballs Ash made his way out only to be spotted by Team Rocket.
"Look at him, making a fool out of us yesterday.." Jessie grumbles putting an ice pack on her head.
"Jessie he always makes a fool out of us.." James groaned putting ice on his shoulders.
"Can't we just take a day off? My paws are killing me." Meowth groans with an ice pack on his paws.
"Team Rocket don't take days off. Everyday is a work day, hurt or not." Jessie said taking the pack off for a minute.
"But how are we gonna get him before he reaches the stadium?" James asks.
"Leave that to me." Jessie said with an evil look in her eye.
Oh dear. What could she be thinking now?
Nearby Neesha was walking out of the store, eager for her first battle.
"Okay I think I've got everything I need." Neesha said when she noticed Ash in the distance. "Hey it's Ash." She smiled. "I heard he made it to the Stadium like me. I think I can go and congratulate him for a minute."
"Hey Ash there you are." A familiar voice said getting his attention.
Looking to the side he could see Ritchie waiting in the shadows by a tree and some bushes.
"Ritchie?" Ash asked confused. "What are you doing over there?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something before our match." Ritchie said.
"Really, like what?" Ash asked.
"Like you not making it!" Ritchie said as a net was shot out trapping him.
Neesha gasped, covering her mouth.
"What the?! Ritchie, what's going on here?!" Ash exclaims.
(Cue Team Rocket Theme)
Turns out Ritchie was actually a puppet motioned and voice controlled by Jessie.
"You guys again?!" Ash growled.
"Yes it's us! Consider this payback for yesterday!" Jessie snaps.
"I did it because you morons never leave me alone plus you deserved to be humiliated bitch!" Ash snapped back.
"Oh I'll show you humiliated! Imagine how humiliated you'll be when you miss your big match!" Jessie explodes
Ash then turned red with anger hearing this. "Like hell I'll let you make me miss my big battle!" Matching her anger.
Suddenly the hot air balloon rose out of the trees and Ash was lifted into the air.
"Let me go!" He shouted trashing his body in the net. "When I get out of this net, you three are gonna lose what makes you 3 you!"
"Tough talk when you can't even move!" James mocks.
"So just sit back and enjoy the ride and your inevitable loss by forfeit." Meowth mocks.
'No! I can't lose by forfeit! That's the worst kind of lost a trainer can feel! And I promised Ritchie..' Ash thought. 'I gotta get out of here!" He went to go for his Pokéball belt.
"Shellshocker Ice Beam!" Flying in a blue beam freezes the top of the net causing it to break freeing Ash.
"What the?!" Team Rocket gasped.
"Wahh!" Ash screamed falling down before suddnely being caught by a Blastoise in its arms. "B-Blastoise?"
"Don't worry Ash we got you." Neesha smiles.
"Neesha." Ash smiles happy to see her.
"Hey you!" They looked to see Team Rocket. "You're ruining our one chance of winning!" Jessie shouted.
"Not a chance grandma!" Neesha calls out.
"Grandma..." Jessie's ears perk, before exploding like the volcano on Cinnabar Island.
"James, Jessie's on fire!" Meowth panics.
"It's like these people love doing this over and over to her." James gulped.
"Looks like Granny needs to cool off. Ash do you mind?" Neesha asks.
Ash gave Team Rocket an evil smirk that gave chills down their spines. "Oh not at all Neesha.." He chuckles pulling out a Pokéball and unleashes Triton, who roared at them. "Triton, see your old buddy?" Ash points to James.
"Uh hey Triton...you're not still mad at the St. Anne...are you?" James whimpers.
That was answered by a heat seeking glare. Yes James, he was mad and will FOREVER be mad at your dumbass mistake.
Triton fired a Hyper Beam right at Team Rocket.
"Shellshocker Hydro Pump!" The two attacks fly towards Team Rocket creating a giant explosion.
"So much for the kidnap and stall plan.." Meowth said blaming Jessie.
"All of this wouldn't have happened if we'd just stayed away this time." James also blamed Jessie.
"Shut up! I'm the only member of this team that actually does what we're supposed to be doing!" Jessie whines.
"We're Blasting off again!" They screamed off in the distance before disappearing in the twinkle in the sky.
"If they know what's good for them they'll stay away." Neesha said.
"They never do. Thanks for the save by the way I owe you one." Ash said.
"Don't worry about it." Neesha winked. "I was actually on my way to congratulate you into making it into the Indigo Stadium."
"Thanks I saw you made it too." Ash smiles.
"Yup, after my next battle its the big ones for me and the other boys." Neesha said, saying Corey and Fergus have made it too.
"Well if we win our next matches we might meet up soon." Ash said liking the sound of that.
"You may have beaten Mewtwo but I've gotten much stronger since then." Neesha smirks.
"Same here, so you better watch out." Ash smirks, before Neesha ruffled his hair. "Hey!"
"Come on! Race you to the stadium!" Neesha said running ahead.
"Oh you!" Ash ran after her from behind.
At the arena..
It was time for the boy's to have their match.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2nd match in Indigo Stadium will now begin! Coming in is the Red Trainer, Ritchie Hiroshi!"
Ritchie entered the Stadium as the crowd was giving him cheers.
"And his opponent for the green, Ash Ketchum!" The announcer said but from the other side Ash didn't enter.
"Huh?" Ritchie raised an eyebrow.
"Uh Ash Ketchum? Hello? Are you there?"
"Uh guys where's Ash?" Tomo gulps.
"I hope he's not still at the Pokemon Center." Brock gulps.
"He wouldn't be late for a battle, so where is he?" Misty asked.
"Ash Ketchum this is your final call!"
"WAIT!" Ash calls out. "Wait, I'm here!" Ash pants running in.
"Well that was close." Misty breathes in relief.
"Ash Ketchum what are you doing being so late?" Delia calls out.
"Ash, what happened?" Ritchie asked as Ash finally caught his breath.
"I'm sorry Ritchie, Team Rocket tried to kidnap me to get me disqualified from the battle."
"Team Rocket?" Ritchie gasps.
"I can't believe those three would stoop so low." Delia said.
"I can." Misty said as Brock and Tomo sigh in agreement.
"Well at least they're gone and Ash made it on time." Prof. Oak said. "Though I hope throughout the rest of the competition they stay gone."
"Don't worry I think they will." Neesha said walking over and sitting down nearby.
"Hey, Neesha right?" Misty asked.
"That's me. I was the one helping Ash out when those losers came and got him." She nodded, saying she rescued him.
"You truly are an angel." Brock flirts.
"Well now that Green Trainer Ash Ketchum has arrived, we're back on schedule and the match will begin!" The announcer said.
"Well Ash, are you ready your greatest match ever?!" Ritchie said pumped up.
Ash tightened up his headband. "Sure am Ritch, let's do this!" Also feeling excited for this.
The bell rung and the Battle began!
"Go, Happy!" Ritchie throws out his Butterfree.
"I Choose You, Shades!" Ash throws out his Wartortle.
"And the battle begins with Ritchie using his Butterfree and Ash with his Wartortle!" The announcer said.
"Happy use Whirlwind!" Ritchie said as Happy flapped his wings, making strong winds blow into Shades.
"Stand your ground Shades!" Ash said as Shades growled, refusing to be returned so easily.
"Now Happy Confusion!" Ritchie said as Happy's eyes glowed blue.
Shades gotten trapped in the power and was thrown backwards.
"Shades Water Pulse!" Ash said as Shades fires a sphere of water that smashes into Happy.
"Happy use Gust!" Happy flapped his wings again and made an even stronger wind current come out.
"Shades Withdraw!" Shades went into his shell and his shell glows. He stayed still throughout the entire windy attack. "Now you use Gyro Ball!"
"Wartortle!" Shades spins while being in a glowing Aura and tackles into Happy into the face.
"Free!"
"Amazing! Butterfree's wind is strong but Wartortle's defense is stronger!" The announcer said.
"Happy use Sleep Powder!" Ritchie said as Happy releases a green dust out its wings.
"Avoid it Shades!" Ash said. Acting quickly, Shades fires Water Gun at the ground and shoots backwards dodging Sleep Powder.
The water then splashed onto Happy in the process.
"Happy stop him! String Shot!" Firing a silky string Happy tied up Shades.
"Now Tackle!" Happy flew in and tackles Shades in the chest, sending him backwards.
"Shades break free with Gyro Ball!" Ash said as Shades spun quickly breaking free.
"Happy use Safeguard!" A green sphere surrounded Happy from being hit by Gyro Ball.
"These two are matching each other move for move." Brock said amazed.
"While Ash is going for ways to overcome his opponent in a orignal way, Ritchie has attacks to back him up to block their advantages. I must say both boys have interesting strategies." Prof. Oak said.
"He can't block forever, sooner or later Butterfree is gonna get worn out." Tomo said.
"Same could be said for Shades." Misty said Shades use Hydro Cannon!" Ash said.
"What?" Ritchie gasps as Shades glows blue.
"War!" Shades roars releasing a powerful torrent of water.
"You're seeing this just like me ladies and gentlemen! Ash's Wartortle knows one of the world's most powerful water type attacks known to man!"
"Who knew Ash had an ace like this up his sleeve." Prof. Oak gasps.
Guess seeing that Move Tutor did him justice.
"Happy fly away!" Ritchie panicked.
"Free! Free!" Happy said flying up to avoid it.
"Oh no you don't!" Ash said as Shades aims high.
It reached Happy no matter how high he flew and sent him spiraling down to the ground.
"Happy!" Ritchie gasped seeing swirls in his eyes.
"Butterfree is unable to battle Wartortle is the winner!"
"Ash's Wartortle straight water tactics nullified and took Ritchie's Butterfree out!" The announcer said.
"Yes! You did it Shades." Ash grins pumping his fist.
"Watrortle." Shades grins before groaning in pain feeling the after effect of Hydro Cannon.
"What's wrong with Shades?" Misty asks.
"That's Hydro Cannon's after effect." Neesha answers. "Just like Hyper Beam, after it lands or misses the target the user can't move next round."
"So that means Ritchie has a free shot." Brock cringed.
Ritchie returns Happy and was down to two Pokémon.
"You did good Happy. Take a nice long rest. Gotta admit Ash never thought I'd have to deal with a high level attack like Hydro Cannon." Ritchie said.
"And I have more than just one new move." Ash declared.
"Well I have a few tricks of my own. Go Sparky!" Ritchie said calling out his Pikachu."Pikachu!"
"A Pikachu?" Prof. Oak gasps.
"Oh no." Delia said instantly worried.
"Ritchie's 2nd Pokémon is Pikachu, which puts Ketchum is a tough spot. Not only at a disadvantage, but Wartortle cannot move after that Hydro Cannon!"
"Sparky this is our chance! Thunderbolt!" Ritchie said as Sparky zaps Shades dealing super effective damage.
"Wartortle!" Shades cried in pain.
"Shades!" Ash gasps as Shades groans in pain trying to stay on his feet.
"Now Sparky use Quick Attack!" Ritchie said.
"Shades quick Gyro Ball!" Ash said as Shades spun towards Sparky and knocks him back.
"Use Agility!" Sparky recovered and circles around Shades, making his speed and evasivness go up.
"Shades Water Gun on the ground!" Shades fires Water Gun in Sparky's circles forcing him to weave out of the way to avoid slipping and falling.
"That's a first, breaking an Agility." Neesha said surprised.
"Take my advice slipping on a wet floor is not something you wanna experience." Brock said.
"Shades use Skull Bash on that Pikachu!" Ash said.
"Wartortle!" Shades lowers his head, aims and sprung like a torpedo as Sparky was distracted and crashes into him.
"Pika!" Sparky winces tumbling backwards.
"Hang in there Sparky!" Ritchie said as Sparky groaned up.
"Chu.." He growled sparking up.
"Now Shades Water Pulse!"
"Brick Break!" Ritchie said as Sparky punches through the sphere of water before moving in and punching Shades in the gut. It knocked the air out of Shades lungs. "Now Thunderpunch attack!" Sparky's right fist glowed with electricity as switched and gave Shades a right hook, to the face.
"War!" Shades screams before falling to the ground with swirly eyes.
"Wartortle is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!" The ref declared.
"What a knockout! Ritchie's Pikachu gave Wartortle a brutal combo attack with a Brick Break and Thunderpunch!"
"Such an impressive combination." Prof. Oak said.
"He really trained that Pikachu well." Neesha said impressed.
"You think Ash is OK with this?" Tomo asks.
"I hope so, we did all we could to help him look past this for this battle." Misty said.
Ash returns the former Squirtle Squad leader.
"You did great Shades." Ash said before looking at Sparky. "It took some thought on how to deal with you but I finally figured out how. I choose you Ebon!" Ash said calling out his Eevee.
"Vui!" He exclaimed landing on the field.
"And Ash's second Pokemon is an Eevee! But not just any Eevee a shiny Eevee!" The announcer said.
This was Ebon's very first official Pokémon Battle.
"Talk about a surprise." Brock said.
"But Ebon's never been in a battle." Misty said worried.
"Well what's stopping Ash from trying him out?" Tomo asks.
"Sparky use Thunderbolt!" Ritchie said as Sparky attacked.
"Dodge it!" Ash said as Ebon leaps out of the way.
"Use Quick Attack!" Sparky leaps at Ebon with a white streak behind it.
"We'll use Quick Attack too!" Ash said as Ebon charged in and collided with Sparky.
The two collided more and more to knock the other down.
"Don't let up Sparky! Thunder punch!" Charging in sparks emitted from Sparky's fist as he knocked Ebon back.
"Ebon, Swift!" Opening his mouth, Ebon releases a stream of stars out his mouth as they pelt into Sparky.
"Sparky Thunderbolt!" Unleashing a powerful electric attack Sparky destroys the remaining stars.
"Ebon, Double Team!" Ash said his Eevee created multiple copies of himself to avoid Thunderbolt.
"Zap them all!" Ritchie said as electricity flew towards the copies.
"Detect!" Ash said. A small barrier appears around Ebon blocking the attack while the clones were destroyed. "Now Use Shadow Ball!" Ebon opened his mouth and fired a black sphere. Flying across the field it smashes into Sparky knocking him back.
"Cha!" Sparkly clumsily gotten his footing to stand.
"Now use Skull Bash!" Ash said as Ebon takes off like a missle.
"Brick Break!" With a glowing fist Sparky punches Ebon causing both Pokemon to fly backwards.
"Well looks like Ebon is doing fine against Pikachu." Brock said.
"And Ash is doing even better." Delia said relieved.
"It's fine he's focusing on the match instead of letting hatred take in on the mind." Prof. Oak agreed.
"Sparky, what do you say we try using THAT move?" Ritchie said to his Pikachu.
"Pika." Sparky nods ready to win.
"Alright, use Volt Tackle!" Ritchie yelled out as Sparky runs towards Ebon. Its body then becomes surrounded by golden electricity in the process. While covered in electricity, Sparky's body looks black and white.
"Volt Tackle?!" Ash gasps.
"What is that?!" Misty gasped.
"Volt Tackle is the special move of a Pikachu! Not only strong but risky, because it can do major damage on both sides!" Brock said.
"Ash get Ebon out of the way!" Tomo calls out.
"Dodge it Ebon!" Ash yelled out. Doing the only thing he could think of Ebon slams his tail into the ground to launch him above Sparky just before impact.
"Look at that, Eevee managed to avoid Pikachu's Devastating Volt Tackle at the very last second!"
"Now Ebon Shadow Ball!" Ash said.
"Sparky look out!" Sparky was about to dodge when his flinches feeling the damage from using Volt Tackle allowing Shadow Ball to collide.
"Chu!"
"Sparky!" Ritchie exclaimed. His Pikachu was on the floor with swirls in his eyes.
"Pikachu is unable to battle, Eevee is the winner!"
"What a close match! It was push and pull for a while but in the end Ash and Eevee won the match bringing Ritchie down to his last Pokemon!" The announcer said.
And we all know what that is.
"Alright I'm counting on you. Zippo I choose you!" Ritchie said calling out his fire starter.
"Charmander!"
"And Ritchie's last Pokemon is Charmander, don't let the size fool you, folks, that little Charmander has won Ritchie many battles in the Pokemon League." The announcer said.
"Zippo, Flamethrower!" Ritchie said as Zippo breathes out a powerful stream of flames out his mouth.
"Look out Ebon!" Ash said as Ebon leaps over Flamethrower from being signed.
"Slash!" Charging in Zippo scratches Ebon making him scream in pain.
"Ebon, Swift!" Ash said.
"Burn it with Flamethrower Zippo!" Ritchie said. As Ebon fired stars, Zippo burned them with his flames.
"Ebon use Skull Bash!" Charging forward Ebon rams into Zippo sending him flying across the arena.
"Stand your ground Zippo!" Ritchie said. Cringing Zippo landed on his feet and stood strong.
"Shadow Ball!" Ash pointed.
"Vee!" Ebon fired another dark sphere at Zippo.
"Use Dragon Rage!" Zippo opened his mouth and released an orange fireball that collided with Shadow Ball as they two were trying to push back the other.
"Come on Ebon!" Ash said.
"Zippo don't give up!" Ritchie said.
Both attacks continue pushing but in the end Dragon Rage won and the attack knocked into Ebon.
"Vui!" Was the last thing he cried out, before being caught in the explosion.
"Ebon!" Ash gasped seeing him on the floor with swirls in his eyes.
"Eevee is unable to battle, Charmander is the winner!"
"Oh no! Eevee tried his best but Charmander was just too strong for the little guy to handle!" The announcer said.
It was all tied up. Ash runs over and picks up Ebon. "You OK boy?"
"Vui.." He opens his eyes and frowns.
"Hey you did amazing for your first battle don't be sad." Ash smiles.
He places the little guy next to him. "Now I want you to watch this last round, cuz we're about to turn it around OK?" He pets Ebon's head.
"Vee." Ebon said.
"Alright time to win this! Evlon I choose you!" Ash said.
Out appeared was Ash's Espeon. "Espe!"
"And Ash's Pokemon is another new one! I'm just now being informed this Pokemon is called an Espeon and it is another evolution from the Pokemon Eevee!"
"Espeon? Never seen that before." Ritchie muttered taking his PokéDex out.
"Espeon, the Sun Pokémon and the evolved form of Eevee. The gem on this Psychic Type's forehead boosts the psychic powers that it gained to protect its Trainer from harm."
"Whoa I didn't know Eevee could evolve without using a Stone." Ritchie said.
"Well you learn something new every day about Pokémon." Ash grins along with his Espeon.
"Zippo Flamethrower!"
"Evlon Psybeam!" Ash said as the multi-colored beam flew out and canceled out Flamethrower. It then struck Ritchie's Charmander.
"Don't let up Evlon! Use Iron Tail!" Ash said as Evlon's tail glowed.
"Zippo, Metal Claw!" Ritchie said as Zippo growled and his claws turned to steel and collided with Iron Tail.
Evlon growls as both Pokemon try to push the other back.
"Now Zippo Dragon Rage!" Ritchie said as Zippo blasts Evlon from close range.
"Vui!" Ebon cheered his mother.
"Hang in there Evlon!" Ash said as Evlon shook off the damage.
"Now Slash!" Ritchie said.
"Quick Attack!" Dashing in quickly Evlon rams into Zippo before Slash could hit.
"Now Psychic Fangs!" Ash said. Within close range, Evlon fangs glowed as she bites onto Zippo's sides, making him scream.
"Zippo!" Ritchie gasps as Evlon threw Zippo backwards.
"Ash's Espeon is proving to be a viscous challenger!"
"Evlon use Iron Tail!"
"Zippo Flamethrower!" Breathing a stream of flames Evlon tried to cut through them but Flamethrower knocked her back.
"Eon!" She yelped being sent backwards.
"Hang in there girl, Morning Sun!" Ash said. Evlon looks to the sun above her absorbs the sunlight's energy, healing its injuries and regaining its energy.
"Quick thinking on Ash's part! Now Espeon is up and ready for more!" The announcer said.
"Psybeam now!" Ash said. With her energy restored Evlon blasts Zippo.
"Zippo hang in there!" Ritchie said as Zippo growls not wanting to back down.
"Charmander.."
"Keep pushing Charmander till he's down and out Evlon!" Ash said.
As Evlon continued her attack Zippo growled trying to push back when suddenly he started to glow.
Ash and Ritchie gasped.
"No..."
"Way.." Growing in size Zippo had evolved into Charmeleon giving him the strength to cancel out Psybeam.
"Charmeleon!" Zippo declared.
"Holy heatballs! After being put through the ringer, Ritchie'e Charmander has reached the level it needed to be to evolve into Charmeleon!"
"This battle is having me on the edge of my seat." Prof. Oak gasps.
"And it's not even the final round, oh where did I put that camera?!" Delia was going through her purse.
"Yes! Zippo you did it!" Ritchie grins liking his chances of winning now.
"Dammit..our chances of winning just got even harder.." Ash growls to himself.
"Espeon.." So did Evlon.
"Zippo Flamethrower!" Ritchie said as Zippo released a much stronger fire attack.
Evlon tried avoiding it, but some of its flames happened to singed her tail.
"Now use Slash!" Ritchie said as Zippo charges in with glowing claws.
"Dodge it!" Ash said. Jumping back Evlon narrowly dodges it.
"Use Dragon Rage!" Zippo fires a Fire Ball that landed right where Evlon landed, making a critical hit.
"Esp!" Evlon screams in pain.
"Vee!" Ebon gasps.
"Now follow it up with a Metal Claw!" Ritchie said.
"Stop him with Psychic!" Ash said as Evlon's eyes glowed stopping Zippo in midair.
"Espeon!" She roared stamping Charmelon to the ground.
"We're not done yet! Use Quick Attack!" Charging in Evlon rams into Zippo making him fall to the ground.
(Pokémon Origins- Gym Leader's Last Pokémon Plays)
"Zippo Dragon Rage!"
"Evlon Psybeam!"
Both Pokémon unleash their attacks and meet in the middle. The two surged together to make a powerful orange and pinkish Explsion in the air.
"Metal Claw!"
"Iron Tail!" Leaping in Evlon slams her glowing tail down but Zippo blocks it with his claws.
"Ash's Espeon and Ritchie's Chameleon are both evenly matched competitors! How long until one of them must taste defeat?!" The announcer said.
'I gotta end this fast. Evlon's getting tired.' Ash thought.
'Zippo may have evolved, but that dosen't mean his health isn't all the way there.' Ritchie thought.
'One last attack gotta settle things!' Ash and Ritchie thought in unison.
"Zippo, Flamethrower!" Ritchie said as Zippo unleashed every last ounce of fire power he had left.
"Evlon, control the flames with your Psychic and give it all you got!" Ash said out loud.
Eyes sharpening while glowing, Evlon glares at the flames as right as they were about to swallow her, it stopped in mid air. Thus giving Evlon the control of them.
"Espe..." She made the flames circle around and around into a spiraling Ring of Fire.
"Char!" Zippo gasps.
"ON!" Evlon screamed as the psychic flames flew towards Zippo smashing into him knocking him to the ground with swirly eyes.
"Charmeleon is unable to battle! Espeon wins! The winner is Ash Ketchum!" The ref declared.
"And it's settled! Ash and his Espeon has defeated Ritchie and are moving on to the sixth round of the competition!"
"He did it!" Misty cheers.
"Toge!" Togepi smiles.
Finally it was over. Ash was moving on to the Top 8.
Hearing this, Evlon finally fell over exhausted. Her son runs to and nuzzled her cheek. "Vee?" He asked as she opened her eyes to see that adorable face.
"Espeon." She nodded smiling as she nuzzled her head. Ash bent down and strokes her fur.
"Evlon you were beyond incredible." Ash smiles hugging her.
Evlon licked his face with making Ash happy that they've won.
"Char." Zippo groans as Ritchie picks him up.
"You did everything you could Zippo. Take a nice long rest." Ritchie said returning him.
Ritchie was saddened he was eliminated, but...a hand showed in front of him. Looking up, Ritchie saw the smiling face of Ash.
"I really thought I had you." Ritchie said.
"Well Ritchie since you used the same Pokemon the whole league I was able to come up with a plan to beat them." Ash said.
"I guess I've been relying too much on a small team." Ritchie said.
"Like I said earlier, nothing's wrong that. You just needed a different approach." Ash advised.
"Well I'm gonna use this loss to get even stronger." Ritchie said.
"That's good to hear." Ash smiles as Ritchie took his hand and shakes it.
Soon everyone was in the main room watching the last match of the top 16 with both trainers down to their last Pokemon.
On one side was Corey and Bruteroot and on the other was Otoshi and Marowak.
"Bruteroot Razor Leaf!" Corey said as Bruteroot fired leaves at them.
"Marowak Bonemerang!" Otoshi said as Marowak threw his bone destroying the leaves and smashing into Bruteroot.
"Otoshi has to make it." Misty said. "That Marowak is not like any other that we've seen."
"Yeah but Corey and his Venasaur are pretty strong too." Brock said.
"Either one I'm fine with." Ash said looking at the two trainers giving their all on screen. "Cuz that'll make the League even more challenging than before."
"Marowak Focus Energy!" Otoshi said as Marowak started to glow.
"Bruteroot Energy Ball!" Corey said as Bruteroot created a glowing green sphere.
"Now Bone Club!" Marowak charges as Bruteroot fires Energy Ball.
"Wak!" Marowak holds his bone in front of him to knock it away.
"Attack!" Charging in Marowak sprints across the field whacking Bruteroot across the face.
Bruteroot bellowed in pain from the super effective attack.
"That's it Marowak one more time!" Otoshi said.
"Maro!" Marowak raised his club.
"Bruteroot, Light Screen!" Corey said. Creating a barrier Bruteroot deflects the attack making Marowak jump back.
"Now Vine Whip!" Corey said as Bruteroot whacks Marowak with two large vines.
Marowak cringed at the super effective move. "Don't give up Marowak, use Swords Dance!"
Growling, Marowak increased his attacks wanting to take them down.
"Bruteroot, Frenzy Plant!" Corey said, surprising Ash.
"Frenzy Plant? He didn't.." He gasped.
"Saur!" Bruteroot roars as he glowed green using the same ultimate grass move Corey saw Ash use to beat Mewtwo.
Giant roots with spikes on them come out of the ground and striked Marowak. "Maro!" Marowak screams before falling to the ground with swirly eyes.
"Marowak is unable to battle! Venasaur wins! The winner is Corey the red trainer!" The ref announced.
"What an incredible upset! Corey pulled out a powerful last second attack that knocked Marowak out and allowed him to move onto the next round in the tournament!"
"Marowak." Otoshi said concerned.
"Maro." Marowak frowns.
"We tried our best but it wasn't enough." Otoshi frowns when Corey walks up to him.
"Hey, making it to the Top 16 is nothing to be ashamed about. You guys were amazing." Corey said.
"Were we really?" Otoshi asks.
"Oh yeah, if I didn't use Frezny Plant when I did I don't think we would have won." Corey smiles.
Otoshi then picks up Marowak, and he slowly smiles.
"Our dream was to compete in the Pokemon League, for our next dream let's aim to win the whole thing." Otoshi suggests.
"Marowak." Marowak agreed while smiling too.
"And with that the last battle of the Top 16 is over. Now we will declare the matches for the next round." The front desk lady said.
"Hope I get someone good." Ash said looking to the screen.
In the top 8 he saw Neesha and Corey had their opponents in other areas while Ash's next opponent was...Fergus.
"Fergus." He gasped.
Looking across Ash saw Fergus looking at him with an equally surprised look.
Just like with Ritchie, past aquantices, now paired up to square off.
But unlike Ritchie, Fergus had a confident look on his face.
"At the Cerulean Cave I didn't get to show off my skills but this time I'm coming at you with everything I have." Fergus said.
Ash smiles confidently too. "Bring it on Fergus."
That night, Ash was sitting in front of the computer looking up data on Fergus.
"Wow look at all those amazing Water Pokemon." Misty said in awe.
"It's says here his Gyarados is his ace on taking opponents down." Ash said interested before grinning. "Well what do you know, we have good tastes."
"I bet Mystic and Triton would love the challenge." Tomo smirks.
"Yeah one of them would be a great Pokemon to add on your team." Brock said.
"If I were you I'd use Small One or Sparks as well." Misty suggests.
"But then again.." Ash saw Fergus has a Nidoqueen.
"A Ground type, the perfect Pokemon to fight against Electric types." Brock said.
"He's probably gonna use that if I come at him with an electric Type. Fergus didn't make it this far without planning to deal with Pokemon that had the advantage." Ash said.
"Well he didn't see your battles, so you can find a way to breach his defenses." Misty said.
"Not to mention you know plenty about Water Types from Misty." Tomo adds.
"Right, so if I were you Ash." Misty said before whispering in his ear.
"Woah Misty, giving away your secrets like that?" Ash asks surprised.
"Let's just say if you got beat by another Water Pokemon trainer it would make me and the Cerulean Gym look bad." Misty said.
"Well thanks." Ash smiles looking back on screen. 'The only people I know that are still in the tournament are Fergus, Neesha and Corey.'
Taking out his Pokedex, Ash clicked the buttons switching out his 6 Pokemon.
'If I try going at them with my tough hitters, I can try to win it.'
As two new Pokeballs appeared Ash continued.
'I should probably have a few fast ones and one with good defense too.'
Three Pokéballs disappeared and then three new ones appeared.
'And finally the big one.' Ash declares as his 6th Pokémon appeared.
He was finally ready. Ash knew who his opponent was tomorrow, what Pokémon he used and what Pokémon he was using against him. "Ready or not Fergus, cuz here I come." He grinned looking at the night.
To Be Continued...
Sorry for the delay. I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter.
How you all liked that I brought back the PokéDex switch mode? This was only mentioned once in Episode 13 of Season 1 before becoming scrapped. I thought it could come in handy.
And boy let me tell you. The last few episodes of the Indigo League really bugged me to this very day.
Team Rocket kidnapping Ash, holding him off from getting to his 5th battle against Ritchie, making him having tired Pokémon who weren't up to bat while facing Ritchie's. They just wouldn't go away.
And why didn't they had Ash use other Pokémon instead of Pikachu, Squirtle and Charizard. And don't get me started on Charizard. Acting like he dosen't care about Ash and believes he dosen't need training.
And another thing, those 7 filler episodes were so boring and had no place other or reason other than to make Ash goof off instead of training. Why would those "writers" do that anyway?!
And when Ash lost, instead of comforting him, he gets BERATED instead! What kind of friends and family do you have Ash?! He was kidnapped by Team Rocket for fucks sakes! He could've had his battle rescheduled?! I really wanted to smack Misty and even Prof. Oak for what he said. I like to see you try training a bratty Charizard who tried training, but will NOT listen to anything Ash says!
The entirety of the Red and Green arc was no longer my favorite as I grew up, because man oh man does it has ALOT of problems...