Pokémon: Masters
Chapter Nine – Let the Match Begin
Giovanni leaned back in the chair he acquired for his cell. His 'cell' had been moved to a more isolated section of the prison where he was watched by easily persuaded guards. He had almost as much luxury here as he did at TRHQ.
He turned on the television to the Pokémon League Competition.
"This had been a major upset within the novice competition," the first reporter said. "Four rather unknown trainers have made into the semifinals."
"I wouldn't say they were unknown," the second reporter replied. "Richie Sparks and Gary Oak are third time returning challengers, and Ash Ketchum is the Orange League Champion. The fourth competitor, Rob Rocket, is the wild card in mix."
"Isn't he the son of the former Viridian Gym Leader?"
Giovanni switched off the television. He was proud that one of his sons was a true pokémon trainer even though he preferred to remain out of Team Rocket business.
"Better get an update from Shane," he noted to himself as he laid down on his king size bed.
"I can't believe we made it this far," Ash told Richie over lunch.
"Me neither," his friend replied as he took a bite out of his cheeseburger. "I thought that the last round would be the end."
"Hey, losers," a voice called from across the diner.
"Great," Ash rolled his eyes. "Hi, Gary."
Gary joined the two trainers at their table. "I thought I should come and meet the competition," he smirked.
"Then how about I join in," a new voice added.
The three turned to the newcomer. He, at the age of fifteen, was a little older than the other trainers were. He kept his black hair cut short unlike Ash.
"My name is Rob," he greeted the three trainers.
"Nice to meet you," Richie said as he shook Rob's hand.
Gary also greet Rob but in a less friendly way. Ash, however, remained silent.
"What's with you?" Richie whispered to Ash while Gary and Rob began to talk about their pokémon journeys.
"I don't like that guy," Ash replied. "I especially don't like his family."
"So Ash," Rob cut in, "I see we are the next match tomorrow."
"I guess," Ash shrugged.
Ash looked down at his watch looking for a reason to leave.
"Five o'clock," he sighed thankfully. "I have to meet a friend at 5:30, so I better leave."
"Smell ya later, loser," Gary called as Ash left.
"Meowth, it's good to be back in civilization," Meowth sighed as the trio walked to the Pokémon Center.
"Quit gripping," Jessie hissed at the pokémon. "It's been less than three months, and we already have four badges."
"Oo," James said as he looked at the crowd. "There's Brock."
They walked over the boy as he was being rejected once again.
"Tough break," Meowth laughed. "You almost had that one."
"Yeah," Brock sighed.
"Cut it out!" Jessie yelled as she whacked the two with her fan.
"Um, Jess," James said to the red-head, "I think they're out cold."
"We'll see about that," Jessie replied as she pulled out a loudspeaker.
"GET UP!" she yelled with it set to its highest volume.
Brock and Meowth jumped up screaming in pain.
"Now come on," she told the others.
"I see time has not improved her," Brock sighed.
"No," Meowth agreed, "but at least she's a better cook now."
"May I help you," Nurse Joy asked James.
"Are there any rooms available?" he asked.
"Sorry," she replied, "but all the rooms and couches are already taken."
He turned to Brock.
"I don't think Ash and Misty would mind you three staying with us," he told them.
"Thanks," James replied. "We'll just leave our pokémon here for the night."
"Why happened?" Shane demanded from the two cowering Rockets before him.
"Fifteen Officer Jennies threw us out," Butch replied.
Shane sighed. "You are becoming just like Team Loser."
Cassidy was offended by being compared to Jessie and James but was too frightened by Shane to respond.
"Too bad Scott and his team are still out of commission," Shane added. "You two are all we have available."
"What about your brother?" Butch asked.
"He said he wanted to win the tournament without cheating," Shane replied. "Such absurd notations."
"Yeah," the two agreed.
"But that is his choice," Shane continued. "I guess I should let him deal with Ketchum."
"Move over," Misty said as she pushed Brock off the couch.
"Hey," he replied as he landed on the floor. "When did this become couple's night?"
Both of the couples blushed while their pokémon laughed.
"Maybe we should stay at the Pokémon Center," Meowth suggested to Pikachu and Togepi."
"Pikachu," Ash called to his pokémon. "Dinner time."
"Pikapi!"
He ran to his trainer who was waiting with a bottle of ketchup. Pikachu grabbed the bottle and began drinking the contents.
"Slow down," Ash told him.
"Here you go, Togepi," Misty said as she picked up the little egg.
"Ash," James said as he took a bite out of a sandwich, "we heard something about you battling with Togepi."
"Um, from where?" he asked.
"We ran into some guys from Team Rocket," Jessie replied. "They told us what you did to Scott's team."
"Well," Misty said as she handed Togepi some food, "he's not going to battle with her for a long time."
Ash sighed. For the past month, he tried to convince Misty that Togepi should start training. When Togepi started crying after being hurt by Squirtle, Misty called off training.
"You two sound like a married couple," James laughed.
"Well, they practically are," Jessie commented.
"Will everybody please cut out the married jokes," Ash blushed. "They're starting to get annoying."
"And welcome to the first of the semifinal matches," the announcer said over the speaker.
"The red trainer is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town," he continued. The crowd cheered wildly as he entered the stadium.
"And the green trainer is Rob Rocket from Viridian City." Rob, however, received several boos from the crowd since most knew that his father was the leader of Team Rocket.
Giovanni leaned closer to his television. After over 10 years, another Rocket-Ketchum fight was on the air. He hoped the outcome of this match would be better than the others.
"Red lost the coin toss," the field judge called. "His pokémon will enter first. This is a 6-on-6 match, no time limit."
Ash turned his hat around and chose a pokéball.
"Squirtle, I choose you," he cried.
Rob looked at the turtle standing in the arena.
"A water type," he smirked. "If I was my father, you might have beaten me."
He pulled a pokéball out of his coat pocket. "Voltorb, go!"
"Squirtle, stay away from that thing," Ash called as he thought up a strategy.
If Squirtle gets too close the Voltorb will self-destruct, he thought, but if he uses his water gun, it can electrocute him.
"We got to take him done in one swipe," Ash yelled at his pokémon. "Hydro pump!"
"Voltorb, thunderbolt," Rob replied.
As the stream of water from Squirtle hit the Voltorb, its electrical attack traveled to the turtle. The result was a double KO.
"Both pokémon are out," the judge called.
"Squirtle, return," Ash said as he recalled his fallen pokémon. "Go, Bulbasaur."
"You should really evolve your pokémon," Rob jeered at his opponent. "Arcanine, take care of that pest."
"Bulbasaur, use solar beam," Ash called hoping the advanced attack would take care of the fire pokémon.
"Arcanine, fire spin," Rob commanded his pokémon. Once again, the result of these attacks was another double KO.
"This is amazing folks," the announcer said over the speaker. "Never before has there been two double knock out in the same match. This match may be in the history books."
Ash gritted his teeth. He only had four pokémon left.
"The red trainer must throw in the next pokémon," the judge informed them.
Ash nodded. "Snorlax, I choose you."
"A Snorlax?" Rob question as the massive pokémon appeared. "This is going to be the most active fight in league history."
Rob called in a Gloom.
"Stun spore, now," he commanded.
When the clouded of dust covered the field, Snorlax twitched its ear. He was annoyed by the dust since it prevented him from napping, but it did not paralyze him.
"Snorlax, body slam," Ash called.
The crowd watched in amazement as the giant pokémon walked through the cloud of stun spores unaffected.
"Gloom, try…" Rob began as Snorlax collapsed on his Gloom.
When Snorlax sat up, the flatten Gloom remained still.
"Gloom is out," the judge called.
"Yeah, three down, three to go," Ash shouted.
Rob glared at the other trainer. "This isn't over yet, Ketchum."
He pulled out his fourth pokéball.
"Gengar, go!"
The ghost pokémon greeted his opponent with a hypnosis attack.
"Snorlax," Ash cried from the trainer's box, "wake up!"
"Dream eater," Rob called to his pokémon.
"Gen," it replied.
Snorlax began to toss and turn from the nightmares the ghost was creating.
"Snorlax is out," the judge called when Snorlax remained asleep for 10 minutes.
"Now, both trainers have only three pokémon left," the commentator announced over the speakers. "What will be Ash's next choice to go against that Gengar?"
"You can do it, Ash!" Misty shouted above the crowd.
To be continued…