AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 43 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through Johto. Tuscany from the Gold, Silver, and Crystal version games makes an appearance in this chapter, and so does the Sudowoodo from the games. I hope you enjoy this. It's a shorter chapter, but there have been longer ones.

TEASER: Tristan and Hillary meet Tuscany of Tuesday, one of the Week Siblings, after seeing a Sudowoodo block their way. How will our heroes handle Sudowoodo when it has a few tricks up its sleeve?

Chapter 43: THE SUDOWOODO PROBLEM

(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (as heard in the beginning of "The Chikorita Rescue"))

Our heroes are continuing their journey to Ecruteak City, where Tristan hopes to earn his fourth Johto League badge. But today, they're about to encounter an obstacle that looks like a...big tree?

Tristan and Hillary, along with Pikachu and Togepi, were walking through the woods on a beautiful day. Tristan was excited about his upcoming Gym Battle in Ecruteak City while Hillary was excited for the upcoming Water Pokémon tournament taking place not too far from where they were right now. But just then, they saw a strange-looking tree blocking the roadway. It had yellow spots on it and a fork-like branch on top.

"That sure is a strange place for a tree," said Tristan.

"Really strange," agreed Hillary. "Let's try and go around it."

(Music Cue: Today's Johto Pokémon Curiosity (as heard in "Charizard's Burning Ambitions"))

They tried going around the tree, but it just stretched to the right, preventing them from getting around it.

"Hey, what's that tree doing?" asked Tristan.

"I don't know, but let's try going around on the other side," replied Hillary.

And so they did, but the tree just stretched to the other side. No matter which way they tried to go, the tree kept blocking them. It was then that they noticed a mouth and a pair of eyes on the tree.

"Hey, that's no tree!" said Hillary suspiciously.

The tree danced and gave a good laugh.

"You're right, Hillary," agreed Tristan. "No tree would laugh and dance like that one."

"Do you think it's a Pokémon, Tristan?" asked Hillary.

"Let's find out." And he scanned it with his Pokédex.

"Sudowoodo, the Imitation Pokémon. This Pokémon hides in trees to avoid capture."

"Well, that Sudowoodo sure had us fooled," said Hillary. "Now what?"

"I guess we'll have to find a different way around," replied Tristan.

"But we can't do that!" protested Hillary. "We're gonna miss the Water Pokémon Tournament! And besides, this is the only way to Ecruteak City!"

The wild Sudowoodo was enjoying toying with Tristan and Hillary as they tried to figure out which way to go.

Presently, they saw a young woman approaching them. "Excuse me, but what are you two doing here?"

"We're sorry, ma'am," replied Hillary. "But we just found a Sudowoodo, and it's blocking our way."

"Let me see if I can find my watering can," said Hillary as she dug into her backpack. However, she had a hard time finding it. "Oh, dear, now what did I do with it?"

Sudowoodo was dancing and laughing as the woman kept digging into her backpack for her watering can with no success.

"Sorry you couldn't find your watering can," said Tristan as he, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi followed the woman through the woods.

"That's all right," replied the woman. "By the way, I'm Tuscany. I'm one of the seven Week Siblings. That's because I was born on a Tuesday."

"It's nice to meet you, Tuscany," replied Hillary. "I'm Hillary, and this is my big brother, Tristan."

"Hello there," added Tristan.

Pikachu and Togepi greeted Tuscany warmly.

"It's nice to meet you all," smiled Tuscany. "Monica, my older sister, told me that you would be coming to meet me. Why don't you stay at my place for awhile before we deal with that Sudowoodo. I can also make something for you."

A few minutes later, Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were enjoying the meal that Tuscany cooked for them.

"Yum!" said Tristan. "Did you use all natural ingredients for this, Tuscany?"

Tuscany nodded. "I think it's important to use as many natural ingredients to bring out the freshness in everything I make. Not only do Pokémon enjoy this, but people do, too."

"I agree," said Hillary. "Natural stuff goes a long way."

"When we met Monica, she had great food just like you did," added Tristan. "We even worked together to outwit those Beedrill, who were being territorial at the time because they were taking care of their eggs."

"That makes sense," said Tuscany. "I'm glad you safely made it out of that mess."

"So are we," replied Tristan and Hillary.

"Now we just need to figure out how to take care of that Sudowoodo," said Tuscany. Presently, she spotted something on a high shelf. "Ah! There's my watering can!" And she reached for the can, which looked like a little Squirtle.

"What's that?" asked Hillary.

"This is a Squirtbottle," answered Tuscany. "It acts like a watering can."

After lunch was over, Tuscany led Tristan and Hillary back to where Sudowoodo was standing. "For years, people have argued whether Sudowoodo is a Grass-type or a Rock-type."

"Why's that such a big deal?" asked Tristan.

"Because even though Sudowoodo looks like a tree, others have seen it afraid of water," answered Tuscany. "About a month or two ago, I've seen a few other Trainers try to combat the Sudowoodo, trying to settle that very argument."

"Speaking of which, there it is right there!" said Hillary as she pointed to something up ahead.

(Music Cue: Johto Trainer Battle (as heard in "A Goldenrod Opportunity"))

Sure enough, it was that very Sudowoodo that blocked their way earlier. It was dancing and laughing as usual.

"I wonder why that Sudowoodo is laughing," said Tristan.

"You don't suppose it wants to test our strength in a Pokémon battle, do you?" asked Tuscany.

"I think it does," replied Hillary. "And I bet it thinks it's gonna be funny beating us."

Sudowoodo continued to laugh and dance around as it motioned someone to challenge it.

"You think it's funny now, Sudowoodo, but you won't be laughing much longer," said Hillary as she took out a Poké Ball and threw it. "Let's go, Cyndaquil!"

Cyndaquil emerged from the white light that shot out of it.

Sudowoodo seemed to enjoy Hillary's choice.

Why did Hillary choose Cyndaquil? thought Tristan. Maybe she wants to see for herself if Sudowoodo is a Grass-type or a Rock-type. We'll just have to see. "Be careful, sis," he said out loud. "There's no telling what that Sudowoodo can do."

"Don't worry, just leave it to me," replied Hillary. "Cyndaquil, use your Flamethrower!"

Cyndaquil ignited the flame on its back and shot a stream of fire from its mouth at Sudowoodo.

However, Sudowoodo seemed to dance around as the flames licked it. Next, it jumped into the air and shot a powerful stream of fire right at Cyndaquil!

Everyone gasped in shock.

"No way!" exclaimed Tristan. "That Sudowoodo can use Flamethrower, too?"

"Quick, dodge it, Cyndaquil!" shouted Hillary.

Cyndaquil got out of the way of Sudowoodo's Flamethrower just in time.

"Let's show it how strong we are with a Flame Wheel attack, Cyndaquil!" commanded Hillary.

Cyndaquil rolled into a ball as flames ignited all around it.

But then Sudowoodo raised its right leg and tripped Cyndaquil, causing its Flame Wheel to stop dead in its tracks.

"Cyndaquil!" cried Hillary.

"That Sudowoodo just used a Low Kick attack!" gasped Tuscany.

Then Sudowoodo jumped up and shot another powerful stream of fire at Cyndaquil, scoring a direct hit on it.

Everyone gasped in shock as Cyndaquil took heavy damage from the attack.

"Cyndaquil's been hit!" exclaimed Tristan.

Cyndaquil tumbled on the ground and collapsed. It had been knocked out.

"Cyndaquil!" gasped Hillary as she ran to it. "Cyndaquil, are you okay?"

Cyndaquil gave a weak reply as she gently held it in her arms.

"Great job, Cyndaquil," said Hillary. "Take a good rest." And she returned Cyndaquil inside its Poké Ball.

Sudowoodo continued to laugh and dance as everyone watched.

"I can't understand why Sudowoodo was able to use a Flamethrower attack," said Hillary.

"It most likely used Mimic," answered Tuscany.

"What's Mimic?" asked Tristan.

"It's an attack that lets a Pokémon copy the last attack your opponent used," explained Tuscany. "That way, it'll work to its own advantage."

(Music Cue: Johto Rival Theme (in its entirety))

"So that's why Sudowoodo was able to use Flamethrower right after Cyndaquil used it," said Tristan. "That's pretty incredible."

Pikachu and Togepi nodded in agreement.

But Hillary refused to give up. "All right then, let's see how Sudowoodo likes this Pokémon," said Hillary as she took out another Poké Ball. "Squirtle, I choose you!"

Squirtle emerged from the white light that shot out of it and awaited Hillary's instructions.

"What are you gonna do, Hillary?" asked Tristan.

"There's only one thing TO do, Tristan," replied Hillary. "And that's to prove Sudowoodo's type once and for all." She then faced Sudowoodo. "All right, Sudowoodo, let's see what you can do now."

Sudowoodo eagerly motioned Hillary to come and get it.

"Squirtle, Water Gun!" commanded Hillary.

Squirtle shot a powerful blast of water from its mouth at Sudowoodo.

Sudowoodo didn't flinch until a stray drop of water hit it. It then backed away quickly.

"It dodged it!" gasped Tristan.

"Not quite," replied Tuscany.

"What do you mean, Tuscany?" asked Tristan.

"Sudowoodo only backed away from the water because it was afraid of the water," explained Tuscany. "That proves the suspicion that it is, indeed, a Rock-type."

"Amazing," said Tristan. "I never knew that Sudowoodo would be afraid of water until Squirtle battled it, allowing us to see for ourselves what type Sudowoodo really is."

"It's time to put a whole new spin on things, Squirtle," said Hillary.

Squirtle agreed and then spun round and round toward Sudowoodo, surprising everyone.

"Hey, what was that?" asked Tristan.

"That's a Rapid Spin!" gasped Tuscany.

Squirtle spun and struck Sudowoodo, giving it some damage.

"That was great, Squirtle!" commended Hillary. "You've learned how to use Rapid Spin!"

Squirtle nodded happily.

"All right, Squirtle, use Rapid Spin again!" commanded Hillary.

Squirtle spun round and round, faster and faster straight toward Sudowoodo again.

But then, Sudowoodo began to spin round and round in the same way.

"That's Mimic again!" gasped Tuscany.

"Don't let it get to you, Squirtle, just keep spinning!" encouraged Hillary.

Both Pokémon collided and attempted to push each other back with neither giving an inch.

"It looks like a draw," said Tristan.

"Unless it does what I think it does next," said Tuscany.

Sudowoodo flapped its arms and legs and repeatedly hit Squirtle with them sending Squirtle flying.

"I knew it," said Tuscany. "Sudowoodo just used Flail."

"Hang on, Squirtle, don't give up!" encouraged Hillary.

Squirtle landed on the ground, then it emerged from its shell.

"I can't believe how strong that Sudowoodo is," remarked Tristan. "It knows how to use Mimic, Flail, and Low Kick. Now that's what I call impressive."

Sudowoodo charged straight towards Squirtle as it prepared to finish it off.

"This is it, Squirtle, hit it with your best Water Gun!" ordered Hillary.

Squirtle shot a powerful blast of water from its mouth just as Sudowoodo got within striking distance.

Sudowoodo got a blast of water directly in its face as it was sent flying. Then it turned tail and made a run for it.

"Sudowoodo, come back!" yelled Hillary.

"Forget about it, Hillary," said Tuscany.

"But why?" asked Hillary. "Squirtle and I were just getting warmed up."

"Just take a look," said Tuscany as she pointed to the pathway.

Sure enough, the pathway had been cleared, and Sudowoodo was no longer with them.

"I guess that battle really did something for us after all," said Hillary. She then picked up Squirtle and held it in her arms. "You were great, Squirtle. And you even learned how to use Rapid Spin."

Squirtle gave a happy reply.

"I can't wait until the Water Pokémon Tournament begins," said Hillary.

"And neither can I," added Tristan.

Pikachu and Togepi agreed excitedly.

(Music Cue: To the Hopeful Sky)

"Thanks for your help in helping us get through here, Tuscany," said Tristan as he and Hillary prepared to say their goodbyes to her.

"Actually, I should be thanking you guys," replied Tuscany. "If it hadn't been for you, we would never have been able to clear a path that goes through here. That explains why fewer people were visiting the Ruins of Alph these past few days."

"The Ruins of Alph?" wondered Hillary. "What's that?"

"It's a historical site where fossils have been dug up," explained Tuscany. "Not only that, it's a place where tourists can try and solve ancient puzzles."

"Hey, Tristan, would it be okay if we explored the Ruins of Alph?" asked Hillary. "I know the Ecruteak Gym won't be going anywhere, and the Water Pokémon Tournament isn't supposed to start for another few days yet. So can we?"

"Well, I don't see why not," smiled Tristan.

"Hooray!" said Hillary excitedly. "I can't wait to see it!"

"It sounds like you have big plans at the Ruins of Alph," chuckled Tuscany. "And I have something else for you." And she handed them some Super Potion bottles.

"Thanks so much, Tuscany," said Tristan and Hillary together.

"You're very welcome," replied Tuscany. "Be sure to say hi to my younger brothers and sisters when you see them."

"We will! Bye now!" called Tristan and Hillary as they waved to her.

"Bye, guys!" replied Tuscany. "Thanks for everything!" And she waved until Tristan, Hillary, Pikachu, and Togepi were out of sight.

And so, after encountering a Sudowoodo blocking the roadway, Squirtle learns Rapid Spin, causing Hillary's excitement for the Water Pokémon Tournament to grow. Now it's on to the Ruins of Alph for more new exciting mysteries in the world of Pokémon. Maybe Tristan and Hillary should become archaeologists.

► TO BE CONTINUED