Pokemon Center
Ash with Pikachu, James, and Serena walked into the center. They couldn't immediately see Brock, so Ash gave over his Pidgeotto to Nurse Joy. The trio then wandered into the attached restaurant only to find Brock and Lucy happily chatting at a table.
"Wow, Brock really is on a date." James commented shocked.
It's not that they believed their friend would never get a date. They just didn't think they'd be around to see it. Still, they knew Brock was a good guy with a lot of skills any girl would be lucky to have. Judging by his smile, being around Lucy made him genuinely happy.
"Well, I don't think we should stand around watching them." Ash stated. "Let's go over there."
The others agreed and they walked into the cafeteria.
As soon as Brock spotted them, he waved them over. "Hey guy! Over here!"
With his invitation, the group came to sit at their table with Brock and Lucy.
"Ah, you must be Ash, James, and Serena." Lucy stated. "Brock has told me about you."
"He also told us about you." Serena stated.
Admittedly, none of them really believed Brock at the time.
"Still, proper introductions should be in order." Lucy nodded. "I am Lucy."
"My name is Ash, and this is my partner, Pikachu." Ash replied. "This is my girlfriend, Serena."
"That's me." Serena nodded happily. "It's very nice to meet you."
"I am James." James stated.
"Lucy is the most amazing girl on this planet." Brock stated with a dreamy expression.
Lucy blushed. "That is very kind of your Brock, but truthfully I'm not as amazing as my fellow Frontier Brain, Salon Maiden Anabel." She smiled. "Still, I am quite flattered all the same as Brock's compliments always feel genuine."
"You may underplay your abilities, but I was recently informed that the Frontier Brains are at least on the level of the Elite Four." Ash stated. "Once I heard that, I just knew I had to take this chance to ask if you would battle me."
"Battle you, huh?" Lucy questioned. "I'm not…"
"Hold it right there, kid!" Barbara had entered the building and heard everything. "Someone like you wants to battle my big sister?"
"Yeah." Ash stated firmly. "Is there a problem with that?"
"I'll say there's a problem." Barbara walked over and slammed her hand on the table. "I've heard about you from my sister who heard it all from Brock. You just started on your journey. If you ask me, you haven't earned the right to challenge the Pike Queen."
"Oh yeah!" Ash stood up and got in close with a determined expression. "Unless you're the owner of the Battle Frontier, I don't think you have the right to say I have no right."
"I think that's quite enough." Lucy had stood up. "Barbara, stop antagonizing Brock's friends."
"Yes, Queen Lucy!" Barbara replied faithfully.
The little sister was only firm when it came to her big sister's love life. Anything else, she backed down on.
"Well Ash, I will give that you certainly have guts." Lucy declared. "That said, I believe a test is in order. As there is still the tournament today, you shall battle my sister in a one-on-one, tomorrow, here at the pokemon center. If you don't lose to her, we shall have our own one-one one battle. Would those be acceptable terms to you?"
"You bet!" Ash smiled. "If fighting another trainer is how I prove myself, I'll gladly do it."
"Then, it is settled." Lucy stated.
"Better get ready kid because I won't be holding back tomorrow." Barbara declared.
"Bring it on." Ash retorted.
They glared at each other for a good moment before Barbara turned on her heels and walked off. With that settled, Ash rejoined the table, and the group went about eating a decent lunch. After all, Brock and Ash were still in this tournament.
Fuchsia Streets
Ash stepped out only to see Gary leaning against the center. "Hello, Ashy-Boy."
"Gary." Ash stated firmly. "What do you want?"
The guy may have helped Ash out in Vermillion City, but that didn't mean their rivalry was done. No matter what, Ash intended to give his all. As for Gary, that day certainly gave him more sympathy for others, but that meant nothing right now.
"Just wanted to make sure you wouldn't skip out on our upcoming battle." Gary stepped away with his hands in his pockets. "After all, I have every intention of defeating you and wouldn't want to win by forfeit."
"You have nothing to worry about because you will be losing to me." Ash declared.
"Good to see you're still a dreamer." Garry walked on. "I'll see you across from me when it's time to battle."
Ash's journey had taught him a hard lesson. There is always someone stronger than you, so you can't stop training if you want to be the best. Even if he did lose to Gary, he knew there'd always be a next time. Still, Ash would give this coming battle his all.
Center of Fuchsia City
"Koga and I would like to welcome you all back the Fuchsia Tournament." Surge declared causing the people to cheer.
"We saw four battles prior and narrowed it down to our semifinalist who will now battle it out for a place in the finals." Koga declared. "Our first battle will be Ash vs Gary."
Ash and Gary came to stand across from each other ready to have their battle.
"This is a one-on-one battle between Ash and Gary." The ref declared. "Each trainer may use one of their two registered pokemon, and the battle is over when one side's pokemon is unable to continue. Now, chose your pokemon."
"You ready to do this Pikachu?" Ash asked.
Pikachu nodded. "Pika!"
"Alright, I choose you, Pikachu!" Ash declared.
"Predictable Ashy-Boy." Gary smirked. "I choose Ivysaur."
"An electric type vs a grass type." Koga commented. "Looks like Ash will be at a rather large disadvantage since grass is resistant to electric and Pikachu can't learn any super effective moves for this battle."
"Normally, that may very well be the case." Surge smiled as he recalled his gym battle with Ash. "Personally, I feel being at a disadvantage only slows down those who can't work around it."
"Begin!" The ref declared.
Ash vs Gary
"Pikachu, use agility." Ash commanded.
"We know how to deal with speedier mons." Gary declared. "Follow with your eyes and use vine whip. Then, keep ahold of him."
Pikachu started running as Ivysaur's eyes followed him. The starter then unleashed his vines. The electric mouse's speed may have gone up a stage, but he was immediately grabbed by Ivysaur before being slammed into the ground.
"Use poison powder." Gary commanded. "Hold your ground no matter what Pikachu tries."
Ash grit his teeth. "Pikachu, use a full power thunderbolt and get out of there!"
"Pika!" Pikachu declared as he sparked with electricity. "Chu!"
The electricity coursed through Ivysaur, but the mid stage held his ground long enough to coat Pikachu with poison powder which poisoned him. The starter still let go immediately after freeing the mouse pokemon. Pikachu then took poison damage.
"Pikachu, time to give it our all and show Gary the strategy that won us the Vermillion Badge." Ash would feel bad about messing up the battlefield, but it was a good strategy. "Use dig!"
Pikachu burrowed into the earth.
"Stay vigilant." Gary commanded. "The moment he pops out, hit that mouse with a leech seed."
"Iron tail when you surface and back under the ground!" Ash quickly commanded.
Pikachu surfaced behind Ivysaur figuring it would be the safer option, but the grass starter glanced back at him before shooting a leech seed. Now, the poison and chip damage worked through Pikachu who still managed to land an iron tail before burrowing.
As Ivysaur healed a bit from that, Gary crossed his arms. "Sorry Ashy-Boy, but I knew my starter would become slower with each evolution; however, that's never been the only speed. We worked on his reactionary timing while he stands firm."
Ash grunted as he felt like Gary was pushing him further and further. Thunder wave was a viable option, but with the way they fought, it'd only be effective in potentially stopping occasional moves.
Iron tail and dig were effective, but given how bulky Ivysaur was, that could only get him so far. Ash had to come up with something before his Pikachu ran out of time thanks to the poison and leech seed.
"Do Pikachu and I really not have a counter to this?" Ash shook his head. "Pikachu, get under Ivysaur and put your all into striking him!"
"When we need to move, we have our ways." Gary smirked. "Ivysaur, vine whip the ground and ascend. Let the sun empower you!"
"Pikachu, after him with iron tail!" Ash declared.
Pikachu emerged from the ground and lept after the grass type who was now flipping as he fell.
"That doesn't matter since I expected you to come after him." Gary stated. "Solar beam!"
With Ivysaur closer to the sky, he took in the sun faster. As Pikachu reached him, the starter let the fast charged move rip straight into Pikachu.
"Pikaaaa!" Pikachu declared as he was sent hurtling to the ground.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted.
He ran out onto the field and jumped managing to catch his partner before they hit the ground. By managing to roll with it, Ash was left undamaged. As for Ivysaur, he landed on his feet only seeming a little worse for wear.
"Pikachu." Ash looked at his partner.
Pikachu could tell his trainer was saddened, so the electric mouse licked his chin before succumbing to the poison and leech seed. That lick had been enough to ease Ash's mind. He was happy his partner didn't blame him for their loss.
"Pikachu is unable to battle which means Ash is out of the tournament." The ref declared. "The one advancing to the finals will be Gary."
Center of Fuchsia
"Well, at least you put up a fight." Garry commented before walking away.
Ash grit his teeth as he looked at Gary's back. Ever since they first met, Gary was always ahead of him. Ash thought he might have come close with all that he's been through, but the fact remained that Gary hadn't been stagnant.
The young Oak had been growing just as much, or more than, Ash. Still, no matter how much this loss irked him, he would not give up. He'd keep chasing Gary's back until it was his rival chasing him.
"Gary!" Ash shouted.
Gary stopped and looked back at him. "Oh, did you want something?"
"Just you wait because I'm going to keep improving." Ash declared. "No matter how long it takes, or how many battles we must have, I will beat you."
Ash then took off running to the pokemon center while Gary started walking again with a simple, amused smile.
"Gary proves why he deserves a place in the finals." Koga stated. "He not only defeated his opponents, but effortlessly countered whatever they tried."
"He shows how one could get the most out of their pokemon." Surge stated. "Still, we have one more match to be fought before getting to the finals."
Pokemon Center
Ash had run to the pokemon center and gave Nurse Joy his Pikachu. Unlike a more malicious foe, Gary certainly hadn't hurt his pokemon that bad. Sure, the electric mouse needed healing, but Ash knew it could have been much worse. Still, he didn't like the loss.
After everything he and Pikachu had been through, Ash thought they were ready for anything. Okay, well maybe not Ariana. Still, this was just a reminder that he couldn't let himself be overconfident or let his desires overcome him.
"Maybe if I had tried to set up with Pikachu's agility and used tail whip, the battle could have gone a bit better." Ash nodded. "I'll just have to keep training to be ready for Gary next time."
Center of Fuchsia
Brock came out to face Janine. It's true that he accomplished what he set out to do by entering this tournament, getting Barbara to at least accept him, but he was still aspiring to be a Rock type Elite Four member. As such, what would be the point of stopping there?
He needed to keep pushing himself to reach those heights. Sure, he had an in with Wes now, but that shouldn't be the only reason he gets anywhere. As for Janine, she did want to become stronger to both protect her father and one day take over the gym.
"This is a one-on-one battle between Brock and Janine." The ref declared. "Each trainer may use one of their two registered pokemon, and the battle is over when one side's pokemon is unable to continue. Now, chose your pokemon."
"You're up, Onix!" Brock declared.
"Let's do this, Beedrill!" Janine declared.
"A rock/ground type vs a bug/poison." Surge commented. "Seems as though Janine will be put on the defensive from the start, but Beedrill can learn a couple of moves that may just even this fight out."
Koga nodded. "If either of them want that last place in the finals, they'll have to work for it."
"Begin!" The ref declared.
Brock vs Janine
"Beedrill, outrage!" Janine declared.
"Onix, use slam!" Brock ordered.
Beedrill was cloaked in a red energy as he charged dangerously at Onix who moved to meet it head on. The two pokemon were surprisingly dead even.
"Dragon breath, Onix." Brock commanded.
Beedrill flew away and came back in for another attack while Onix fired off a beam of dragon energy. In his current state, Beedrill managed to push through the attack and strike the larger pokemon again.
"Use rockslide now." Brock ordered.
Beedrill moved away and came back in for the third strike before being bombarded by rocks which sent the pokemon crashing into the ground. This disrupted the outrage freeing Beedrill for other commands.
"Beedrill, mega drain!" Janine declared.
"Onix, strike with rollout!" Brock ordered.
Onix bit into his tail and rolled right into Beedrill who managed to sap a good chunk of his energy.
"Capitalize by using smack down." Brock ordered
"Beedrill, use brick break." Janine commanded.
Beedrill's right stinger glowed with fighting energy, and he smashed it into Brock's Onix dealing significant damage. Onix's tail then smashed down on the bug knocking him into the ground. Onix removed his tail revealing that Beedrill had fainted.
"Beedrill is unable to battle which means Janine is out of the tournament." The ref declared. "The one advancing to the finals will be Brock."
Center of Fuchsia
"Return Onix." Brock returned his pokemon. "You were great."
Janine returned her pokemon. "You performed well my friend, so rest up." She then approached Brock and held out a hand. "You were the better opponent."
"You were a worthy opponent." Brock smiled and shook her hand. "Thanks for the battle."
"Brock is another excellent competitor, but he now must go up against Gary who registered two options against rock/ground type pokemon." Surge declared.
"It will be an uphill battle on his part, but both his pokemon do seem well trained." Koga stated. "As for how good a finale this will be… it remains to be seen."
Janine cleared off the field while Gary came to stand across from Brock ready for battle.
"This is a one-on-one battle between Brock and Gary." The ref declared. "Each trainer may use one of their two registered pokemon, and the battle is over when one side's pokemon is unable to continue. Now, chose your pokemon."
"You're up, Rhyhorn!" Brock declared.
"I choose Ivysaur!" Gary declared.
"A rock/ground type vs a grass/poison type." Koga commented. "Ivysaur had an impressive win against a Pikachu, and he has moves designed to take on ground/rock types. Still, Brock surprised us all with the wide range of moves he's taught his Rhyhorn."
"Indeed. It's not hard to see why these two made it to the finals." Surge stated. "In the end, Gary is using his pokemon who fought just before Brock's last match. Is this a sign of confidence or arrogance? Only the battle will tell us."
"Begin!" The ref declared.
Brock vs Gary
"He travels around with Ash, so how tough could he be?" Gary thought. "Since Rhyhorn is much closer to Ivysaur in speed, we can utilize more than staying rooted to win."
"That Ivysaur tore threw Pikachu, so I'm going to need to battle well to have a chance." Brock thought.
"Ivysaur, use magical leaf!" Gary declared.
"Rhyhorn, incinerate them with flamethrower." Brock declared.
"Now, stun spore." Gary declared.
"Rhyhorn, hold your ground and get off our ice beam." Brock ordered.
Stun spore was throne up in the air before falling on Rhyhorn who shot off his ice into Ivysaur greatly hurting him.
"Use take down Rhyhorn." Brock commanded.
"Match him Ivysaur." Gary ordered.
Rhyhorn was afflicted by his paralysis, so Ivysaur slammed his opponent unimpeded. Still, the recoil hit Ivysaur.
"Since we're in close, use scorching sand." Brock ordered.
"Use vine whip to ascend and collect the sun for a solar beam!" Gary commanded.
Rhyhorn threw lots of sand Ivysaur's way, but all he hit were the vines as Ivysaur was already in the air. He was coming down charging his beam.
"Use endure Rhyhorn!" Brock ordered.
Rhyhorn glowed before the beam of solar energy hit him. The solar beam soon faded revealing Rhyhorn was still standing. As Ivysaur landed, Rhyhorn's glow wasn't fading. If anything, it only grew intense. Rhyhorn grew larger and became bipedal.
"Rhydon!" Rhydon declared.
"Rhyhorn, you just evolved into Rhydon!" Brock cheered. "That's the spirit." Rhydon's right arm glowed with fighting energy as he smashed it into the stunned Ivysaur knocking him back to his trainer. "You even learned hammer arm. Alright, let's finish this with flamethrower."
"Ivysaur, they may have evolved, but our opponent's weak and still paralyzed." Gary called out. "Let's rap this up. Dodge to the right and slam home a full powered energy ball!"
Rhydon let loose his flames, but it came to slow resulting in Ivysaur effortless moved to the right. He then fired a sphere of grass energy from his mouth. The attack slammed into Rhydon knocking him off his feet, and there were swirls in his eyes.
Everyone cheered at the end of this tournament. Gary returned his pokemon as Brock approached his newly evolved pokemon who didn't seem to down to have lost. Sure, he'd have enjoyed it, but finally evolving was good enough.
"I'm so proud of you Rhydon." Brock stated. "It's taken coming out here, but you've finally managed to evolve to your next stage."
Rhydon nodded happily. "Rhy. Rhydon."
Brock put an arm around his ace. "Once we have a protector, the next stop will be Rhyperior. Then, we'll be even closer to our goal."
Rhydon happily performed a horn attack on his trainer for two reasons. He kind of missed it from when his trainer would flirt with other girls, and it was his way of showing affection in the moment.
"Why Rhydon?" Brock questioned as he fell to the ground.
Everyone just sweat drop at the turn of events.
Evening…
Everyone had gathered for the ceremony where the prizes would be awarded. As such, Ash, Lucy, Barbara, Janine, Calem, Serena, and James stood amongst the gathered crowd. Gary and Brock stood side by side while Surge and Koga stood before them holding their prizes.
"Brock Harrison of Pewter City, you may not have come first, but second was good enough to earn you the Dome and Helix Fossil which can be restored into prehistoric pokemon on Cinnabar Island." Surge declared.
"Thank you." Brock smiled as he accepted the fossils. "I will be sure to bring them back."
Especially since he heard these two were part rock/water types which sounded perfect for a rock specialist.
Koga put the gold medal over Gary. "Gary Oak of Pallet Town, you are this year's Fuchsia Champion. You earn not only a medal denoting that, but this official Festival Badge which counts towards the eight you need to enter the Indigo League."
"There never was a doubt I'd earn this." Gary took the badge. "Hey Ashy-boy!" He addressed the crowd knowing his rival was out there. "With this, I got six badges, and I'm betting that's way more than you have. Have fun falling further behind!"
Ash grit his teeth. "Let me at him!"
Fortunately, James had seen Ash's intention and put him in a head lock. "Easy now. Save the aggression for training and your next battle."
Koga and Surge turned to the gathered people. "We would like to thank you all for attending this year's Fuchsia Festival, and we hope you had a great time!"
The crowd cheered as fireworks went off in a spectacular display.
Here are the results to the pool question's results from reviews, pm's, and the question itself:
Yes: 5 Votes
No: 3 Votes
Reader: Yep, a good tournament arc
Guest (Ch. 2): You do bring up a decent point, but I would like to counter it with this. In the beginning of the canon series, Gary tells Ash that it pays to have a relative like Professor Oak. In that case, wouldn't Oak have let Gary train the starter he wanted? In my mind, Oak don't play favorites to that extent, so he would have let Ash merely play and bond with Pikachu as a by product.
Aaron Skywalker & Grimtotem: Your reviews have been counted. Grim, I even sent you a private message further discussing yours, but I will also put it here.
If the people vote for Ash to catch legendary pokemon, he would catch no more that 5. 5 because Ash would not box Pikachu no matter what.
