Chapter 24
Princess Day, Todd and Pokemon Admission Exam
Today Ash and her friends were in the city, but Tomo and Brock were not having a good time. Today was Astrid's favorite day of the year; Princess Day. Princess Day was a day for girls with shopping sales and discounts. Brock and Tomo were feeling depressed; they had to carry all Astrid's shopping bags. They were happy Ash and Clara weren't shopping like crazy.
Astrid went on a real shopping spree dragging Ash and Clara along everywhere she goes. She bought clothes and shoes, hair clips, necklaces and bracelets, and Pokemon toys. Clara bought a few outfits, more film equipment and jewelry.
Ash bought fabric in many patterns and colors, anklets with bells, bracelets with simple charms and bells, three bandanas in red, light blue and purple, chokers, she got Growlithe, Kangaskhan, Poliwags and Pikachu soft toys for Tomo, rock Pokemon and Chansey soft toys for Brock and his family. She got her mother and aunt a handbag, perfumes and jewelry while she got her father bandanas and charms. Ash saw a Pokemon wind chime and bought 10; a Growlithe and Poliwag for Tomo, Butterfree for mom, Staryu for her aunt, Charizard for her dad, Geodude and Chansey for Brock and Pikachu, Eevee and Vulpix for herself.
Right now they were at a cafe. Astrid and Clara ate anything sweet like cream cakes and ice cream. Ash ordered some for Brock and Tomo, they had to eat as well; they needed more energy for the day. "Big sister, I don't like this," Tomo complains "Astrid buys too much stuff." "I know Tomo," said Ash, rubbing Tomo's hair, "but it's only for today so try and be patient." "At least you and Clara are not like that," said Tomo, happily "thanks for buying some things for me." "Yeah thanks for the Pokemon toys and wind chimes," said Brock "my family is going to love them." Ash giggled. "You're both welcome."
Jessie was having a good time on Princess Day too. She had bought a ton of beautiful clothes and makeup. She even bought a lot of food and jewelry. Poor James and Meowth had a hard time carrying all the bags. As they were taking a breather in the park, Jessie saw a pink Pokemon. "Hey, what's that?" she asked. "That's a Lickitung," said James, looking through his Pokemon book, "it says here that its long tongue can leave its opponent paralyzed." Hearing that gave Jessie a good idea. "I'm going to catch it," she said "it may become useful to us." She threw one of her Pokeballs at Lickitung and caught it with no struggle at all.
Back with the gang, Astrid was checking out another clothing store. Then suddenly an announcement was heard. The announcement was about the Queen of the Princess Festival contest. And the grand prize was a Pokemon Princess doll set. Of course Jessie and Astrid entered the contest while Ash and Clara were trying to avoid it. Soon there was a long line of beautiful girls, wearing kimonos, on stage. Astrid and Jessie were on stage too, wearing kimonos. The announcer showed off the prize. The Pokemon Princess doll set was beautiful. It held ten Pokemon wearing kimonos. 'I'm going to win that doll set' Astrid and Jessie thought together. The announcer then said that the contest wasn't just a beauty contest, but a Pokemon battle contest. "You will need four Pokemon to battle."
Astrid decided to use Slowpoke, Abra, Beedrill and Staryu. "I take it you want that Princess doll set correct?" asked Ash. "Yes, I do," said Astrid "to tell you the truth, before my parents became successful we couldn't afford such things." The others felt sorry for her. "Hey Ash, Clara, how come you two aren't entering the contest?" asked Astrid. "I have my own Pokemon Princess doll set" said Ash. "What? How?" asked Astrid. "I enjoyed sewing," said Ash "so dad bought me a bunch of kimono pattern fabrics and stuff, the stuffed toys that I bought I made my own clothes for them and the Princess doll set I handed made with the Pokemon I wanted on it." "Yeah and she made one for me too" said Clara. Astrid, Tomo and Brock were dumbfounded. Tomo was the first to snap out of it. "That's amazing big sis," he said, happily "can you make me one too? A Prince doll set." Of course I can, when we get back to Pallet Town I'll make it" Ash said with a smile. Tomo hugged her and said thank you over and over again. The gang wished Astrid good luck and Astrid gave Togepi to Clara.
Thanks to her Pokemon, she defeated her opponents one by one, until she was at the finals. Astrid was grateful she started training with Ash. Her last opponent was Jessie. Jessie had never received her own Princess doll set either. So this was also her chance to obtain her own Princess doll set. Jessie's team was Arbok, Weezing and Meowth. Abra defeated those three Pokemon one by one. Jessie felt like giving up, but Meowth reminded her of Lickitung. "Oh yeah," Jessie said "go Lickitung." Astrid was surprised that Jessie had a new Pokemon.
Ash scans it; Lickitung, the licking Pokemon. A Normal Type. Its tongue, twice its body length, moves around freely to catch prey. Its licks cause a tingling sensation.
"This may be tricky" said Ash. Lickitung's lick attack defeated Abra, Beedrill and Staryu. Astrid grew frustrated and sent out Slowpoke. When Lickitung tried to lick Astrid told Slowpoke to use psychic, making Lickitung lick itself. "Now use hydro pump" said Astrid. The hydro pump blasted Lickitung into Team Rocket and sent them blasting off.
Astrid was squealing for joy that she won the contest and the Princess doll set. She claimed her prize and hugged Slowpoke. Then she sent her things she got home, Clara sent her things home, and Ash sent the things she got for Brock to the Pewter Gym and the rest to Pallet Town.
So everyone was happy in the end. Astrid had won her own Princess doll set and Brock and Tomo were happy that Princess day was finished.
A week after Princess Day the gang were now in a forest. Ash was training her water Pokemon; she knew her next gym uses fire type Pokemon, but she hadn't decided who she was going to use. Brock was making lunch, Tomo was playing Growlithe and Astrid and Clara were interacting with their Pokemon.
Ash scans Omastar and Kabutops; Omastar is female. Attacks: Hydro pump, Spike cannon, Withdraw, Rock throw, Water gun, Rollout, Mud shot, Brine, Protect, Ancient power, Tickle, Rock blast, Shell smash, Rock slide and Muddy water.
Kabutops is male. Attacks; Night slash, Harden, Absorb, Feint, Rock throw, Mud shot, Endure, Aqua jet, Metal sound, Ancient power, Swords dance, Water gun, Hydro pump and Slash.
Ash smiles and continues to train. "Lunchtime!" Brock called out. Everyone began eating and talking among themselves. Just then Eevee heard some rustling from the bushes. "Something is in there," said Ash "hey whoever you are, you better come out." There was no reply, but a lot of rustling. "Squirtle use water gun" said Ash. Squirtle sent a stream of water towards the bush. When the water gun hit the bush, a teenager jumped out. "Hey! What are you trying to do?! Drown me?!" The boy shouted. "Drown you? Highly impossible," said Ash "if you want us to drown you, we could push in the stream or you could talk to my Gyarados." Astrid, Clara and Tomo laughed while Brock snorted. "Why were you spying on us?" asked Astrid. "I wasn't spying on you," the boy protested "my name is Todd Snap and I love taking pictures. I was trying to take pictures of your Pokemon." "And…" Astrid said, feeling there was more to his introduction. "And I'm the number I Photo Master!" Todd said proudly.
"Impressive," said Ash "but it would be better if you asked us instead of spying on us." "Ahh but I like taking pictures while hiding. It makes my photos more exciting" Todd said happily. The gang sweatdropped. "We see" said Brock. "Makes sense as well," said Ash "you know how painting pictures capture the emotions of anyone painted? That's what Todd is doing, but in a different way." "Now that you mention it" said Clara. "I don't get it" said Tomo. "When Todd takes pictures of the Pokemon he captures, his pictures, display a memory of the past, something you'll always remember" Ash explained. "Oh" said Tomo, understanding. Todd nodded, agreeing with Ash's words. "That's right. Taking pictures of Pokemon that are in their natural state is what I do," he said "like your shiny Eevee. I rarely come across shiny Pokemon." "How about we explain our Pokemon while we have lunch, you can join us" said Brock. "That'll be great!" said Todd.
Todd and the gang had pancakes for lunch and during lunch, Todd showed off all the Pokemon he had ever taken so far. "Wow, these are very good pictures Todd" said Ash. "Thanks, but this is one of my best ones" Todd said, showing them a picture of an Aerodactyl, Ash's Areodactyl. Ash winced at the memory of that day. Her bruises were gone from that incident. She had forgiven her Aerodactyl for hurting her. "Isn't that your Aerodactyl big sister?" asked Tomo. "Yep that's mine" said Ash. "Seriously? Explain please" said Todd. Ash explained to him the incident at Grandpa Canyon. "That must've been terrifying" said Todd. "It was" said Ash.
After finishing their lunch, the gang continued on their way. Todd was with them; he was fascinated by their Pokemon and wanted to take pictures of them. What they didn't know was that they were heading for trouble. Team Rocket was on their trail and set up a pitfall trap for them. Todd and the gang fell into it. Team Rocket laughed. "You guys get more annoying every time I see you. What do you want?!" said Ash. Team Rocket was a bit taken back by that, but quickly came back to their senses. "We want Todd's Pokemon" said Jessie. "You have Pokemon on you?" Clara asked Todd. "No, I don't" replied Todd. "What?!" Jessie and James exclaimed "Meowth!" Meowth had an article about Todd. "It says here that you have captured hundreds of Pokemon," he explained "so hand them over." "I don't own Pokemon," said Todd "I do capture Pokemon, but on camera." "Meowth give me that article" said James. Meowth handed the article to James. James took a good look at it. "He's right," he said "it says that Todd is a Pokemon Photographer and he captures Pokemon on film." "I must have that part" said Meowth, sheepishly "Idiots" said Ash. The gang and Todd laughed because it was true. Jessie wacked Meowth on the head because of his stupidity. "No matter, we can grab the twerps Pokemon instead" she said. "Squirtle use water gun!" said Ash. Squirtle launches a stream of water at them. Then one by one they climbed out of the hole. "That ting turtle is going to get it," said Jessie Arbok tackle." "Weezing you use tackle too" said James. "Use protect" said Ash. Squirtle protect himself. "Now use skull bash." Squirtle jumps in the air, becomes surrounded by a silver aura and slams his head into Arbok. "Way to go" said Ash. Before anyone could say anything Squirtle began glowing, taking everyone by surprise. When the light died down a Wartortle was in place.
Ash scans her new Pokemon; Wartortle, the turtle Pokemon. A Water Type and the evolved form of Squirtle. A highly sought-after Pokémon because its long fur-covered tail is said to bring good luck. New moves: Aqua tail, Bubble beam, Water pulse, Rain dance, Water pledge and Ice punch.
"Awesome," said Ash "now use aqua tail." A stream of water spirals around Wartortle's tail and he slams his tail into Weezing. "Oh my poor Weezing" said James. "Time to finish this," said Ash "Dragonair come out." Dragonair appeared. "Wartortle use water gun and Dragonair use twister." Both attacks hit Team Rocket and sent them blasting off again. Todd took a picture of Wartortle and Dragonair. Then he took a photo of himself with the gang.
The gang were enjoying a nice relaxation in the park. Todd wanted to stay with them a bit more to see more of their Pokemon, mostly Ash's because some of them are shiny and unique. Ash was training her Eevee, Arbok, Scyther, Ninetails, Cubone, Magby, Venonat and Magnemite. Todd was amazed that she was allowed to carry eight Pokemon on her; he and Tomo were watching her train. "Hey Ash," said Todd "I think you should take the Pokemon League Admissions Exam." "What's that?" asked Ash. It's an exam you take," explained Todd "if you pass it you will be admitted into the Pokemon League." "That sounds like the Pokemon Teach we visited" said Astrid. Ash wasn't so sure about that; she liked traveling and collecting gym badges. But she thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to check it out. "Okay, I'll try."
After signing herself in, she was ready. The instructor said that she had to leave her Pokeballs on the counter. So Ash did just that and left Eevee in Tomo's care. She saw Nurse Joy in the building, and Nurse Joy explained that she wanted to become a Pokemon Master. Team Rocket was in the building too; they decided they could enter the Pokemon League and become champions.
Soon the exams had begun. The first test was about a person's knowledge of Pokemon; they had to answer true or false. Ash found this easy because she learned a lot from her father and traveling with Pokemon had helped her out so much as well. The next test was tricky. It was a person's ability to recognize Pokemon. Ash had a fun time trying to recognize the Pokemon she remembered from her journey and passed on. Jessie got into a rampage and called the test a joke. The head instructor expelled her immediately. James felt sorry for Jessie and declared he would try hard for her too.
After the test was finished the scoreboards came up. Ash managed to get the highest scoreboard. "I thought that the visual portion of the test was impossible" she said. James got the lowest score and hung his head in shame.
The last part of the test were Pokemon battles. They had to battle the head instructor with three Pokemon. They were belts that held three Pokemon and you weren't allowed to see what Pokemon you received until the battle. Ash and James picked up their belts and got ready.
James went up against the head instructor before Ash. The first Pokemon James sent out was a Pikachu and the head instructor sent out a Graveler. James had Pikachu use thunderbolt on Graveler. Of course that didn't work because electric types are weak to rock and ground types. James was frustrated and sent out his last two Pokemon; an Ivysaur and a Charizard. The head instructor got angry at James's cheating and expelled him.
Ash was up next, her first Pokemon was a Weezing and the head instructor was Flareon. The head instructor had Flareon use flamethrower, but Ash told Weezing to dodge the attack. Ash came up with an idea. "Smog attack" she said to Weezing. The smog exploded after being hit by the flamethrower and threw Flareon backwards. "Now use your smokescreen" Ash commanded. Weezing covered the field and itself in smoke. Flareon couldn't see at all. "Now use tackle." Weezing tackled Flareon, knocking it out. Ash sighed.'One down, two to go' she thought.
The gang were impressed by Ash's tactics. "Ash is amazing when she battles with Pokemon" said Todd in amazement. "I agree with that," said Astrid "even though we have been traveling for a while, she still surprises me." Tomo and Clara were cheering for her. Brock comments that Ash battled with Weezing a lot better than James ever did. Team Rocket was watching from the background and was taking notes of Ash's battling style.
Ash's next Pokemon was Arbok and the head instructor was Jolteon. Ash remembered her own Arbok and Jolteon and knew exactly what to do. The head instructor started first and told Jotleon to use agility. "Quick Arbok," said Ash "stop it with glare." Jolteon was paralyzed and couldn't move. "Now use position sting." Jolteon couldn't move so it got hit by the poison sting. "Finish with headbutt." Arbok headbutted Jotleon, knocking it out.
The head instructor was impressed by Ash's battling skills, knowing she is something special, so he sent out his last Pokemon; Vaporeon. Ash's last Pokemon was Meowth; she was surprised that she had the same three Pokemon as Team Rocket. "Okay use screech Meowth" she said. Meowth screeched really loud, so loud that Vaporeon had to cover its ears. "Now use payday." Meowth's charm glowed and a flurry of coins hit Vaporeon. While Vaporeon was distracted by the coins, Ash told Meowth to use scratch. Meowth scratches Vapreon's face really hard and makes it faint. Ash had won and passed the test.
Jessie and James were impressed by the Meowth. "Hey, I'm better than that Meowth" said Meowth, feeling insulted. "But you don't know screech or payday" argued Jessie. Meowth hung his head in shame and defeat. "It's true," he said, miserably. "I only know scratch, fury swipes and bite." "Come on," said Jessie, "it's time for payback."
The head instructor returned Vaporeon and congratulated Ash for her victory. He was just about to give an announcement to those who had passed the test when a thunderbolt flew at him. The thunderbolt was from the Pikachu James had borrowed for the exam. "Since we failed the test," said Jessie "we'll take revenge by swiping all the Pokemon here." They ordered Pikachu, Ivysaur and Charizard to attack, but the head instructor ordered them to attack Team Rocket and they did. Ash looked at the head instructor. "I take it it's because even though they are used for exams," she said "you're their real trainer, correct?" "That's correct," he said "you're very clever." Ash ordered Arbok, Weezing and Meowth to attack Team Rocket and then the head instructor ordered Ivysaur to send Team Rocket off with solar beam.
After Team Rocket left, the head instructor handed out badges to those who passed the test. "With this badge," he said "you can now participate in the Pokemon League." When Ash got hers, she spoke to the head instructor. "I really prefer traveling and collecting my gym badges from gyms," she said "but is it okay if I kept mine as a memento?" The head instructor agreed.
After saying goodbye to the head instructor everyone left the building. And Ash and the gang were on their way to Cinnabar Island again.