Whee!

Chapter 25: Cheat? VS Kate

            It was down to semifinals, which pleased Ash very much. Less battling, only two more rounds to go.

            Right now, he watched Gary doing an excellent job himself.

            Ash was from group B, Gary from A.

            "Pidgeot, Whirlwind!" Gary called, successfully blowing away the grass-type Bellossem.

            The dancer released a Jumpluff, but it was nailed with Wing Attack before it could defend itself.

            "And Blue wins!" The ref blared.

            Blue waved to Red as he recalled his pokemon.

            "Looks like we both made it."

            Ash nodded. "Yes, we did."

            "So, how are you doing?" Gary asked. "You look fine to me."

            "Hai! I'm actually feeling pretty good about this.'

            "Cool."

            They watched the other two semi finalists.

            One was a girl with long purple hair, and the other was a man with greenish spiky hair and strange colored clothes.

            Who wore yellow and purple stripes?

            Nobody normal did.

            Ash and Gary sat in a café together, eating slices of pie and chatting.

            "So how have you been?"

            "Fine, worked some on the pokédex and trained. You?"

            Gary blushed. "I have a girlfriend."

            "You do? How cool!"

            "Yes." Gary said, smiling. "Her name's Green. She's really nice."

            "I'm very happy for you." Ash said, truthfully.

            Gary began describing the girl in detail, as Ash listened politely. He was happy for Gary, quite, but…

            He was a little jealous as well.

            I wish Lance liked me…

            Elsewhere…

            Jon checked up on his pokemon. The man was nearing his forties, but still an active trainer.

            Very active…

            He simply didn't follow all the regulations. He had ten poke balls sewn into his clothing, never mind the discomfort it caused the pokemon.

            It was all about power for this man.

            Power was all. Power was his god, his everything. If he had to sell his soul for it, so much the better.

            Truly, he was a vile specimen of the race.

            But then, who wasn't? Most trainers were to some degree evil.

            Ash met up with Lance half an hour later in the small park near the stadium.

            "I trust it all went well?"

            Ash nodded, smiling. "Thank you."

            "No problem. I like helping you."

            "Honto ni?"

            "Hai, I'm not lying."

            Ash smiled as he cuddled into Lance's chest. I'm so happy I found you…

            Lance stroked Ash's hair as he watched the leaves blowing in the gale. "So tomorrow are the semifinals."

            "Hai!"

            "I trust you." Lance said, as he wove invisible threads of chakra around Ash's body to protect him. "Shine like the star you are and catch that dream."

            "Should I?"

            "Of course." Lance reprimanded him gently. "We all have our dreams."

            Ash considered this tidbit of information. "What's your dream, Lance?"

            "Well… it's a long story."

            "Tell me?"

            "Later." Lance said. "After you win."
            "… All right."

            The next day…

            "Good luck for your match against Zack, Gary!" Ash called.

            "You too! I heard that Kate plays dirty!"

            "I'll remember that." Ash said, as they walked off to their own battles.

            Kate was waiting in the ring already.

            "Begin!" The ref shouted, and then jumped on his Pidgeot out of the way.

            'Beedrill, Twinneedle!" Kate shouted, as the bee buzzed, going straight for Ash's jugular.

            CLANG

            Ash smirked, Beedrill's pincers breaking against Skarmory's steel body. "Pathetic. Drill Peck!"

            And so, down went the first pokemon. Kate scowled and out came a Torkoal.

            It flamed, announcing its presence to the world.

            Skarmory was not impressed, immediately using Steel Wing and then flying himself and Ash out of the way of the heat beam that came their way.

            An audience member fainted.

            "Swift." Ash said, as the stars hit but did little damage. "No, aim for the trainer."

            Kate screamed as she was hit. "What?!"

            "You're attacking me, its only fair I return the favor.' Ash said. "A pretty face means nothing."

            Skarmory then used another Steel Wing on Torkoal while it was waiting for directions. Torkoal went down heavily.

            A Clefairy jumped out.

            Skarmory did not look the least bit worried, as he deflected its Pound and Doubleslap attacks and used Steel Wing again.

            Clefairy also fell.

            "Go! Gloom! Sweet Scent!"

            Before Skarmory was affected, Ash switched for Poliwrath. One good ice beam and it was finished.

            Golem? Same deal. Poliwrath was vaguely reminded of Brock's gym.

            Finally, the last pokemon. However, the sight of the Magikarp saddened Ash.

            He was also quite shocked. But a good vine whip from Venusaur ended the match.

            "And Red wins!"

            After the battle, Lance and Ash sat together outside, sharing a chocolate milkshake.

            "One left?"

            "Yes. I wonder if it's Gary."

End Chapter

Complete 3/26/04