AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 14 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Johto region. Falkner from the anime makes an appearance in this chapter. I hope you like it.
TEASER: After a slight mishap with Team Rocket, Tristan challenges Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader to a Gym Battle. When Tristan's Pidgeot goes up against Falkner's Pidgeot, the outcome may very well be up in the air!
Chapter 14: A HIGH-FLYING BATTLE
(Music Cue: Title Screen 1999-2001 (as heard in "Fighting Flyer with Fire"))
Today, we find our young hero, Tristan, up bright and early. He and Pikachu are getting some exercise to warm up for their first Johto League Gym match. That part alone has made them very excited. And after getting a good night's sleep, who wouldn't be?
Tristan and Pikachu were jogging just outside the Pokémon Center early the next morning as the sun rose up over the horizon.
"I can't wait for today's battle," said Tristan excitedly.
Pikachu eagerly agreed with him as it ran beside him.
"I know Falkner's a strong Gym Leader," added Tristan. "So he must raise some awesome Flying Pokémon at his Gym. We'll need to be ready for anything."
Pikachu nodded in agreement.
"But I know we can do it together, Pikachu. We just have to believe in ourselves."
"Pikachu!" agreed Pikachu excitedly. It really liked Tristan's can-do attitude.
"So let's do our best today, and that badge will be as good as ours!"
"Pi-Pikachu!"
Hillary and Togepi watched from the Pokémon Center's entrance as Tristan and Pikachu continued to jog. "Yup, he's gonna win today," she said. "I can feel it."
Togepi happily chirped in agreement.
After Tristan and Pikachu finished their jog, they came back inside the Pokémon Center to have breakfast with Hillary.
"So what's your strategy for defeating Falkner?" asked Hillary.
"I really haven't decided yet," answered Tristan. "But I know Pikachu will be able to help me with no problem."
"It sounds like you're on the right track already," said Hillary. "But don't forget that Falkner's not going to be easy to beat. What other Pokémon are you thinking about using?"
Tristan gave the matter a lot of thought. "Charizard can fly just like Falkner's Pokémon can. Plus, it can use Fire attacks like Flamethrower, so we can strike from far away if we can. It's too bad my Grass-type Pokémon won't be able to help me very much."
"What do you mean, Tristan?" asked Hillary.
"I know Chikorita's been gaining experience, but I don't think Falkner would like that choice. Venusaur may be strong physically, but I don't know...I really don't know." Tristan then sighed. "It's too bad Pidgeot isn't here to help me out."
"But it can help you out!" said Hillary excitedly.
"It can?"
"Yeah! Don't you remember, Tristan? Pidgeot's at Professor Oak's laboratory! You can just ask him to send it to you, and it can help you out if you need it to!"
"It does sound like a good idea," said Tristan. "But I know that I don't want to rely on my more experienced Pokémon all the time. Sure, they're all strong and all, but any new Pokémon I catch will need experience, too."
"Well, it's up to you, Tristan," said Hillary. "It's not my Gym Battle to fight."
"You're right, sis," replied Tristan. "I think I'll have Pidgeot come over and help me with this one Gym Battle."
"That's the spirit!" said Hillary. "And Chikorita can watch and see what a Gym Battle is like!"
"What's that? You want me to send your Pidgeot over right away?" asked Professor Oak on the video phone a few moments later.
"Yes, Professor," replied Tristan. "I'm about to face Falkner in my Gym Battle today, and I've heard he's really strong."
"Hmm, I think you're right about that," agreed Professor Oak. "I know Ash had some difficulty against Falkner when he went up against his Pidgeot with Charizard, so it may be a smart move to use Pidgeot in your Gym Battle."
"I thought as much," said Tristan.
"Now I know that your Pokémon have a lot of firepower," said Professor Oak, "but most of the Pokémon you have now can't fly. Now it may present a problem, but it sounds like you have a strategy in mind." He took Pidgeot's Poké Ball and placed it on the transporter on his end. "Plus, your Pidgeot gets a little restless just flying around the lab all day, and misses you a bit."
"I know what you mean, Professor Oak," said Tristan.
Professor Oak then pushed the button on the transporter.
An instant later, Pidgeot's Poké Ball appeared on Tristan's end.
Tristan picked up the Poké Ball. "Pidgeot, come on out."
The Poké Ball opened and Pidgeot emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
Pidgeot was overjoyed to see Tristan again and embraced him in its wings.
"That's a happy reunion," remarked Hillary.
"Looks like you got your Pidgeot," said Professor Oak.
"I did," replied Tristan. "Thanks, Professor."
"Anytime," smiled Professor Oak. "Good luck with your Gym Battle today!"
The video screen turned off.
Just then, an alarm rang.
(Music Cue: Team Rocket Appears)
Tristan and Hillary saw Nurse Joy burst over to the front desk and check the security cameras. She gasped in shock as she saw an empty shelf. "The Poké Balls are gone!"
Presently, a man in black was seen nonchalantly carrying a bag of PokéBalls.
Tristan and Hillary spotted him immediately.
"And there's the thief who took them!" said Hillary.
It was then that Tristan saw a letter R on the man. "It's Team Rocket!"
Knowing that he'd been caught red-handed, the Rocket Grunt started making a run for it.
Nurse Joy started after the man as fast as she could. "Stop! Thief! Give back those PokéBalls!" Unfortunately, the shoes she was wearing had high heels, and she tripped and fell to the floor.
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu quickly rushed to her aid.
"Are you okay, Nurse Joy?" asked Hillary.
"Not really," groaned Nurse Joy. "Please save the Poké Balls!"
"Don't worry, Nurse Joy," Tristan assured her. "We'll get the Poké Balls back for you."
Pikachu agreed.
"Come on, let's go after him!" said Tristan as he and his friends ran out of the Pokémon Center, climbed on Pidgeot, and took off into the sky after the Rocket Grunt.
Meanwhile, in the skies over Violet City, a young man was flying on a hang glider with a Hoothoot on his shoulder. He had blue eyes and blue hair that covered his right eye, and was wearing a light blue jacket. He saw the Rocket Grunt scurrying away with the bag of Poké Balls and flew after him.
The Rocket Grunt was still running away with his ill-gotten gains when the hang glider approached.
"Hold it!" said the blue-haired man as he landed in front of him.
"Now who in the name of evil are you?!" demanded the Rocket Grunt.
"I'm Falkner, the Leader of the Violet Gym," answered the man. "Drop that bag this instant."
"You'll have to take it from me first," smirked the Rocket Grunt as he threw a Poké Ball. "Arbok, Poison Sting!"
A cobra-like Pokémon emerged from the white light that shot out of the Poké Ball and unleashed a barrage of poisonous needles at Falkner.
Falkner quickly jumped out of the way of Arbok's Poison Sting and took out a Poké Ball of his own. "Pidgeot, go!"
Falkner's Pidgeot emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
Tristan and his Pidgeot, plus Hillary and Pikachu arrived in time to see everything.
"Look, that guy has a Pidgeot, too!" said Tristan.
"Pidgeot, Whirlwind attack!" commanded Falkner.
Pidgeot furiously flapped its wings, creating a wind so strong that it knocked the Rocket Grunt off his feet, causing him to drop the bag of PokéBalls.
"Now, Pidgeot, finish him off with your best Quick Attack!" ordered Falkner.
Wasting no time, Falkner's Pidgeot sped toward the Rocket Grunt with a line trailing behind him.
The Rocket Grunt cringed in fear just before Pidgeot struck him head on, sending him blasting off into the sky, screaming as he went.
DING!
Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu were amazed with Falkner's Pidgeot's speedy Quick Attack.
"That was awesome," said Tristan in awe.
"That guy took care of Team Rocket like it was nothing!" added Hillary.
Tristan's Pidgeot landed on the ground and he and his friends dismounted.
Falkner walked up to them. "Hi. I assume this bag of PokéBalls belongs to you, right?"
"Actually, this bag of Poké Balls belongs to the Pokémon Center," answered Hillary.
"We saw that the Poké Balls had been stolen, so Nurse Joy asked us to stop that thief and get them back," added Tristan. "We just couldn't help but notice how powerful that Pidgeot of yours was."
"Well, I'm glad I was able to help," replied Falkner. "I'm always willing to help fellow Pokémon Trainers in need."
Just then, Nurse Joy approached. "Oh, good. The Poké Balls are safe. Thank you very much."
"Anytime, ma'am," replied Falkner.
Nurse Joy took the bag of Poké Balls and departed.
Falkner noticed Tristan's Pidgeot next to him and was intrigued. "So you have a Pidgeot, too?"
"Yeah," replied Tristan. "Pidgeot and I have known each other for a long time. I remember catching it as a gutsy little Pidgey. It used to disobey me and never did what I asked it to. But after saving it in my Gym Battle in Cerulean City, we became real good friends. It's been that way ever since."
"That's a great story," said Falkner. "Pidgeot are known to be very brave, trustworthy, and reliable Pokémon. Your Pidgeot looks like it's been well-trained."
"We like to fly in the sky with it to different places," added Tristan.
"I know what you mean," replied Falkner. "I've always wanted to fly in the sky. There's only one thing better than seeing a Pidgeot fly in the sky...and that's flying in the sky with it."
"I sure wish I had a Pidgeot like Tristan does," said Hillary, who was feeling rather sad.
"I'm sure you'll have a Pidgeot one of these days," Falkner assured her. "There are plenty of Pidgey in the wild. If Tristan could evolve his into a Pidgeot, I'm sure you can."
"Thanks," replied Hillary. "By the way, my name's Hillary, and this is Tristan, my older brother."
"Hi there," added Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi greeted Falkner warmly.
"And I'm Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader," said Falkner.
Tristan and Hillary were a little surprised in one way, but not another. They never knew that they'd be running into Falkner, but they knew that he was the Gym Leader, and a strong one at that.
The revelation made Tristan very excited. "Hey, Falkner, I'd like to challenge you to a Gym Battle."
"I accept your challenge, my friend," replied Falkner.
They came to a tall building and went inside an elevator a few moments later.
"It's always a little weird battling friends I just met," said Falkner. "I don't usually make friends before I have to battle with them. But we have to battle hard, friends or not."
"I agree," replied Tristan.
The elevator ascended to the roof.
"Well, this is it," said Falkner as the doors opened. "Welcome to the Violet Gym!"
An open battlefield could be seen. The bleachers were shaped into a circle, and there was no roof. There were several people who were dressed almost exactly the same way Falkner was.
"I wonder if those are Falkner's cheerleaders," said Hillary.
"I don't care if they are," replied Tristan. "We came to win a badge, right Pikachu?"
Pikachu agreed.
Tristan took out a Poké Ball and opened it.
His Chikorita emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Chikorita, this is what a Gym Battle is like," explained Tristan. "Pretty soon, you'll be competing in one yourself."
Chikorita somewhat felt sad that it wouldn't be competing in this one.
"Come on, Chikorita, you can help me and Togepi cheer Tristan on!" said Hillary.
Chikorita smiled at the idea.
One of Falkner's assistants came to referee the match. "The official Johto League battle between Tristan, the challenger from New Bark Town, and Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader will now begin. Each will use three Pokémon. A Zephyr Badge is at stake. Begin the match when ready."
"It's time for me to send out my first Pokémon," said Falkner as he threw a PokéBall.
(Music Cue: Johto Wild Pokémon Battle (as heard in "Wobbu-Palooza"))
A small owl-like Pokémon, Hoothoot, emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"So, he's starting off with Hoothoot," said Hillary. "I have a feeling it'll be strong."
"Pikachu, I'm gonna start off with you, okay?" said Tristan.
Pikachu eagerly nodded and got into position for battle.
"A smart choice," said Falkner. "I wouldn't expect any less from a Trainer of your caliber. Using an Electric Pokémon against a Flying Pokémon does give you an edge, but don't expect it to be so easy."
"We'll see about that, Falkner," replied Tristan.
"Begin!" said the referee as another assistant banged a drum.
"Get that Pikachu with your Tackle attack, Hoothoot!" ordered Falkner.
Hoothoot flew towards Pikachu at remarkable speed.
"Look out, Pikachu!" commanded Tristan. "Use your Quick Attack to dodge it!"
Pikachu sped out of the way from Hoothoot's attack.
"That Pikachu's fast," remarked Falkner. "It certainly has been raised well. Hoothoot, climb up and then dive!"
Hoothoot climbed higher into the air at Falkner's command, then it rapidly descended down on Pikachu.
"Hoothoot, go into a Tackle attack at top speed!" shouted Falkner.
"Pikachu, use your Quick Attack so Hoothoot can't Tackle you!" instructed Tristan.
Pikachu sped away from Hoothoot as a white line trailed behind it.
"All right, Pikachu, time for a Thunderbolt!" commanded Tristan.
Pikachu unleashed a yellow bolt of electricity at Hoothoot.
"Hoothoot, fly away, quick!" shouted Falkner.
But it was too late, for Pikachu's Thunderbolt struck it like lightning as it tried to climb, and Hoothoot fell to the ground.
"Pikachu, finish it off with Quick Attack now!" ordered Tristan.
Pikachu, with a white line trailing behind it, rammed into Hoothoot at high speed, causing it to fall into Falkner's hands. It had been knocked out.
"Hoothoot, are you okay?" asked Falkner.
"Hoothoot is unable to battle...Pikachu is the winner!" declared the referee.
"Great job, buddy!" commended Tristan. "You really showed them what you can do!"
Pikachu gave a happy reply.
"Pikachu definitely had the type advantage that time," remarked Hillary.
Togepi and Chikorita agreed.
"It's no big deal," said Falkner to Hoothoot. "You deserve a good rest." And he returned Hoothoot to its Poké Ball. He turned to Tristan. "Not bad, Tristan. You made this battle intense right from the start. But it's time for a surprise. Go, Dodrio!" And he threw his second Poké Ball.
A large, wingless avian Pokémon with three heads emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"What's that?" asked Tristan as he scanned it with his Pokédex.
"Dodrio: The Triple Bird Pokémon," identified Dexter. "This Pokémon's three heads allow it to think three times as wisely. It can run close to 40 miles an hour."
"Didn't my brother, Braden, face Dodrio before?" wondered Tristan.
"Nope," answered Falkner. "Back when I faced your brother, I never had it. You should know we do things a little differently in the Johto League."
"What do you mean?" asked Tristan.
"Some Gym Leaders don't train their Pokémon as often as they should," explained Falkner. "I'm not saying any names, but after my defeat against your brother, I've learned that I should train hard with my Pokémon so we can all be stronger together. And so I decided to become the world's number one Flying Pokémon Trainer by catching and training Flying Pokémon of all kinds. Ash was the very first person to face my Dodrio in battle and win, but let's see if you can do as well as he did."
"You're on, Falkner," said Tristan.
"I've learned that most Dodrio can't fly," said Hillary. "Maybe this one will be different."
"Begin!" declared the referee as another assistant banged the drum.
(Music Cue: Raid!)
"We'll let you make the first move this time," said Falkner to Tristan.
"Okay, Pikachu, your Thunderbolt attack worked before, so let's try it again," instructed Tristan.
Pikachu shot another powerful yellow bolt of electricity at Dodrio.
"Don't try to run, Dodrio, fly away instead!" said Falkner.
Dodrio jumped high into the air and dodged Pikachu's Thunderbolt, much to Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu's surprise.
"I thought this one could fly!" said Hillary.
"Now, Dodrio, flatten it!" ordered Falkner.
"Pikachu, use your Quick Attack so Dodrio doesn't run you over!" commanded Tristan.
Just as Dodrio's huge feet were about to trample Pikachu, Pikachu's lightning fast Quick Attack allowed it to escape.
"Dodrio, use your Tri Attack!" shouted Falkner.
"Tri Attack?" repeated Tristan.
"This attack has the power of three attacks from three different elements: Ice, Electric, and Fire," explained Falkner. "Just watch."
As he spoke, Dodrio opened its three beaks, which formed a different orb; the left beak had a blue orb, the center beak had a yellow orb, and the right beak had a red orb. The orbs formed a triangle, and it was soon launched at Pikachu. Sure enough, it had the power of three attacks from three different types; Ice, Electric, and Fire.
"Wow, no way!" cried Hillary. "Dodrio's Tri Attack could do some serious damage to Pikachu! Hurry, Tristan! Don't let Tri Attack connect!"
"Quick, Pikachu, use Thunder attack!" ordered Tristan.
Pikachu concentrated all the electricity in its body, then it launched it at Dodrio's Tri Attack in an attempt to block it.
BOOM!
The force of both attacks was so powerful that it caused a tremendous explosion, sending both Pokémon flying backward and causing a huge cloud of smoke to form.
Tristan and Falkner shielded their eyes as the smoke got to them.
When the smoke cleared, both Pikachu and Dodrio were seen lying on the ground. They were both knocked out, much to Tristan and Falkner's shock.
"Pikachu and Dodrio are both unable to battle!" declared the referee.
Tristan quickly rushed to Pikachu. "Are you okay?"
Pikachu opened its eyes and nodded weakly.
Tristan smiled. "You were great, Pikachu," he said. "You just take it easy for awhile."
Falkner returned Dodrio to his Poké Ball. "Well, I have to admit it, Tristan. You may not have won that round, but your Pikachu is very strong."
"Your Dodrio was pretty good, too, Falkner," replied Tristan.
"Well, are you ready for my final Pokémon?" asked Falkner as he threw his third Poké Ball.
(Music Cue: Johto Champion Battle (as heard in "Dueling Heroes"))
His Pidgeot emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"I thought as much," said Hillary. "Come on, Tristan! You've got this!"
Chikorita and Togepi agreed as they cheered Tristan on.
"Pidgeot, I choose you!" shouted Tristan as he threw his Poké Ball.
His Pidgeot emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball.
"So, it's Pidgeot versus Pidgeot, huh?" smiled Falkner. "I've been looking forward to this battle for quite some time. Now we'll see whose Pidgeot is the stronger one."
Both Pidgeot stared in the eyes of the other, determined to go all out.
"Begin!" declared the referee as the assistant next to him banged the drum.
"Fly, Pidgeot, now!" commanded Falkner.
"You, too, Pidgeot!" replied Tristan.
Both Pidgeot flapped their wings and became airborne an instant later.
"Pidgeot, use your Quick Attack," instructed Falkner.
Falkner's Pidgeot charged at Tristan's at incredible speed with a white line trailing behind it.
"Pidgeot, use your Quick Attack, too!" commanded Tristan.
Tristan's Pidgeot charged at Falkner's Pidgeot the exact same way.
Both Pidgeot collided over and over again without giving an inch.
"Looks like we're evenly matched, aren't we?" smiled Tristan.
"Looks that way," replied Falkner. "But you know what they say. Looks can be deceiving. Pidgeot, use your Agility attack, quick!"
Falkner's Pidgeot quickly disappeared and reappeared right behind Tristan's Pidgeot.
"Now strike!" commanded Falkner.
Falkner's Pidgeot flew into Tristan's Pidgeot so fast that it was taken a little by surprise.
Tristan was surprised by this tactic, too. "That's fast."
"Using Agility, my Pidgeot reaches a speed of Mach 2," explained Falkner.
"That's twice the speed of sound, right?" gasped Hillary.
"Well, we've got something that can match that," said Tristan. "Pidgeot, use Mirror Move!"
Tristan's Pidgeot briefly disappeared and then reappeared behind Falkner's Pidgeot.
"So, a Mirror Move," smiled Falkner. "What a nice surprise. But I have a surprise for you. Pidgeot, Whirlwind attack!"
Falkner's Pidgeot furiously flapped its wings, causing a strong gust of wind to blow from them.
Tristan's Pidgeot was caught in the Whirlwind and it fell to the ground.
"Hang in there, Pidgeot! Don't give up!" encouraged Tristan.
"Now we've got 'em, Pidgeot," said Falkner. "Hit it with Quick Attack!"
Falkner's Pidgeot flew toward Tristan's Pidgeot with a white line trailing behind it as Tristan's Pidgeot struggled to its feet.
"Tristan's Pidgeot's in trouble!" cried Hillary.
"Hurry, Pidgeot, use your Quick Attack to fly out of the way!" commanded Tristan.
Instantly, Tristan's Pidgeot shot up into the sky as a white line trailed behind it.
Falkner was shocked. "How did it recover like that? Pidgeot, use your Agility attack!"
"Use Mirror Move, Pidgeot!" ordered Tristan.
Falkner's Pidgeot briefly disappeared and reappeared behind Tristan's Pidgeot, but just as it did, Tristan's Pidgeot did the exact same thing and reappeared behind it.
"Pidgeot, Quick Attack!" shouted Tristan and Falkner together.
Thanks to their increased speed from their Agility attacks, both Pidgeot flew at each other as white lines streaked behind them. They rammed into one another without giving an inch. They came at each other again and again, but neither could do the damage necessary to finish the other off.
Tristan and Falkner both watched as the battle grew more intense.
Hillary was on the edge of her seat as she watched the epic aerial battle.
Both Pidgeot, still flying in the sky were showing signs of exhaustion from their battle. They also had bruises all over their bodies.
"Well, it looks like we're winding into the home stretch now, doesn't it?" smiled Falkner.
"It sure looks like it," replied Tristan. Then he thought, Knowing Falkner, he's going to use a big attack. There's only one thing to do to end this: we're going to have to go for broke."
"Pidgeot, hit it with your best Quick Attack now! Finish it!" cried Falkner.
Falkner's Pidgeot used its full speed and flew in a straight line at Tristan's Pidgeot in an attempt to finish it off.
"Quick, Pidgeot, use Hyper Beam!" shouted Tristan.
(Music Cue: OK! Orchestra and Guitar (as heard in "Foul Weather Friends"))
Pidgeot opened its beak, aimed at Falkner's Pidgeot, and launched a yellow-orange beam of energy at it, also in a straight line, which was what Tristan had planned for, for at that moment, Hyper Beam scored a direct hit, causing Falkner's Pidgeot to take some serious damage.
"Pidgeot, no!" cried Falkner.
"Now that's what I call a bulls-eye!" said Hillary.
Falkner's Pidgeot plummeted toward the ground at high speed and crashed on the battlefield as Tristan's Pidgeot quickly flew above it.
"Pidgeot, get up! Pidgeot, get up! Pidgeot, get up!" chanted Falkner's cheerleaders.
Falkner's Pidgeot tried to get back on its feet, but the damage it took from Hyper Beam was enough for it to collapse back on the ground in a heap. It had been knocked out.
Falkner quickly rushed to his Pidgeot. "Are you okay?"
"And the challenger, Tristan from New Bark Town is the winner!" declared the referee.
"All right!" cried Tristan. "Pidgeot, we did it!"
Tristan's Pidgeot gave a squawk of triumph as it flew in the sky.
"Way to go, Tristan!" cheered Hillary as she, Chikorita, and Togepi all ran to Tristan and Pikachu on the battlefield. "You were awesome."
"Thanks, guys," replied Tristan as his Pidgeot landed beside him. "And you were awesome, too, Pidgeot."
Pidgeot gave a happy squawk as it and Tristan embraced one another.
Falkner returned his Pidgeot to his Poké Ball as he looked proudly at Tristan, Hillary, and their Pokémon. "I have to admit. He's pretty good. That was a battle I'll remember for quite awhile."
(Music Cue: Route 26)
That evening, Tristan and Hillary stood with Falkner and his assistants outside the Violet Gym.
"I never expected your Pidgeot to use Hyper Beam," said Falkner. "You gave me many surprises, one after another, in our battle today."
"Well, thanks, Falkner," replied Tristan. "Your Pokémon were good, too."
"Just a question out of curiosity," said Falkner. "If your Pidgeot had been defeated, who would you have chosen as your last Pokémon?"
"I would've gone with Charizard," answered Tristan. "I really couldn't use Chikorita because it would've been at a huge disadvantage against Flying Pokémon like Pidgeot. But I wanted it to see what a Gym Battle would be like, so I let it sit with Hillary and it helped her cheer me on to victory."
"Good choice," smiled Falkner. "And now, as promised, I have something for you." And he handed Tristan an object that was shaped like a pair of wings. "You earned this as proof of your victory here at the Violet Gym: the Zephyr Badge."
"Thank you so much, Falkner," replied Tristan. And he raised his newest badge in the air and proclaimed: "I got...a Zephyr Badge!"
"Pi-Pikachu!" added Pikachu.
"That's great, Tristan," said Hillary. "You got your first badge."
"Thanks, sis," replied Tristan.
"Battling with you has inspired me to become even stronger and go on my own path to becoming the world's number one Flying Pokémon Trainer," said Falkner.
"You'll make it for sure, Falkner," said Tristan.
"Thank you, Tristan," replied Falkner. "Your words are very kind."
But then, Hillary suddenly felt sad. "I just wish I could do some real battling."
"Well, maybe you can," smiled Falkner. "I've heard that a tournament will be taking place in a little town that's not too far from here, and it's called the Little Cup."
"What's the Little Cup?" wondered Hillary.
"The Little Cup is for Trainers who battle using Pokémon with very little experience," explained Falkner. "Pokémon like Hoothoot or Chikorita can enter, and so can Cyndaquil. But be sure that they aren't evolved yet, and that they haven't battled very much. And not only that, the Little Cup is going to take place just outside the city limits."
"All right, I can't wait!" said Hillary excitedly. "Race you to the Pokémon Center, Tristan!" And she raced off.
"Wait up, sis!" replied Tristan as he and Pikachu started to race after her. "I guess we'll be going now, Falkner."
"Well, Tristan, I wish you good luck in your next Gym Battle!" called Falkner. "And Hillary, good luck in the Little Cup!"
"Thank you, Falkner!" replied Tristan and Hillary as they raced away.
And so, after a hard-fought, hard-won battle, Tristan earns his first Johto League badge: the Zephyr Badge, even though the outcome was up in the air for awhile. Now it's on to the Pokémon Center where Tristan and Hillary look forward to many more adventures.
► TO BE CONTINUED