Pokemon - The New Journey
Episode #5
Our heroine of the story, Casey Kapcha has been on her journey for a week or so and is nearing Ivory City, the place where she is hoping to earn her first pokemon league gym badge.
Casey: Tracey…my feet really hurt…
Tracey: Well, according to this map, we're not too far away from Ivory City. You can finally get your first badge!
Casey: But it's been over a week! Didn't you say we were gonna get there in about two or three days?
Tracey: Well we would have if we hadn't got lost! Hey, there's a spring! Why don't we let our pokemon have a drink?
Casey: Sure! That's a great idea!
Casey and Tracey both throw all their pokeballs into the air and let out their pokemon. All the pokemon take a drink from the fountain while Casey sits on a rock and takes her shoes off.
Voice: Hey, loser! Your feet stink just like you do at battling!
Casey and Tracey: It's Ross?!
Casey introducing title: The Ivory Rivalry!
Ross: I guess you guys are going to Ivory city too, huh?
Casey: Yeah, we're gonna take on Amy of the Ivory City gym.
Ross: Well I bet you won't be able to beat her! I doubt you've even been training your pokemon!
Casey: Well…yes I have!
Tracey: Yeah that's right! She's already battled me and a notorious thief named Keith!
Keith is resting nearby. After hearing his name he pops his head out from behind the bushes.
Keith: Ooh, I've never seen that kid before…Maybe he has some good pokemon to steal…
Ross: You mean Keith the Thief?! That guy's a loser!
Keith: What did you say?!
Keith steps out of the bushes and holds a pokeball out in front of him.
Tracey: Look, it's Keith!
Keith: I beg to differ with you little boy…let's have a battle to see which of us is the bigger loser!
Ross: No problem! Geodude I choose you!
Ross releases his starting pokemon from its pokeball. Keith sends out his strongest pokemon, Dragonair.
Ross: A Dragonair? H…How did a loser like you manage to get a Dragonair?
Keith: Never mind that…Shall we begin our match? Dragonair! Dragon Rage attack!
Ross: What?!
Dragonair lets out a mind-blowing cry and a mini tornado forms around Dragonair. It rushes towards Geodude, knocking it straight back at its trainer.
Casey: Nice work Keith!
Ross: Err…Geodude return!
Ross recalls his pokemon and runs off into the forest.
Keith: Hah! As my mother always said "Don't say anything offensive to people who can beat you up!" And now for you guys!
Casey: Huh?
Keith: Maybe I'm not making this clear for you…I…WANT…YOUR…PO-KE-MON!
Tracey: No way! Scyther, Slash attack!
Tracey's Scyther steps away from the fountain where it was resting and slashes away at Dragonair.
Tracey: Ok Marill, Water Gun!
Marill jumps out of the fountain and sprays a powerful jet of water at Dragonair and Keith, causing them to slam backwards into a nearby tree trunk. Keith recalls Dragonair and also runs off into the forest where Ross went.
Tracey: Nice work guys!
Casey: Well, now that's over can we get a move on? I really want to get to Ivory City!
Tracey: Sure! According to this map, Ross and Keith both ran off in the direction of Ivory City! Come on let's go!
Both trainers recall all of their pokemon and run as fast as they can. They reach the edge of the forest and are on top of a cliff. They can see Ivory City.
Casey: Wow…it's pretty big…and I think I can see the gym!
Tracey: Ivory City is well known for its various attractions, which is what makes it so popular. I think we should head for a pokemon centre before anything else.
Casey: Right. Let's go.
Casey and Tracey run down a nearby flight of stairs that takes them straight into Ivory City. After walking through various busy streets they finally reach the pokemon centre. They hand in their pokemon to Nurse Joy and sit down for a nice meal.
Casey: Hey, Tracey thanks for beating Keith's Dragonair earlier. I don't think any of my pokemon are strong enough to beat it…
Tracey: Hey, no problem! It sounds like you could really do with me around!
Casey: Well you said you were gonna escort me to Ivory City, so I guess you'll be heading back to Pallet Town to help Professor Oak, right?
Tracey: Well that was the plan…
Casey: I guess that's ok…I can always make new friends along the way…I suppose we should call Professor Oak and tell him you're on your way back then.
Casey walks over to the phone and dials Professor Oak's number. He soon picks up.
Prof. Oak: Oh, hello there Casey! I was just thinking about you!
Casey: Hi Professor…We're in Ivory City…
Prof. Oak: What's with the sad face?
Casey: I think Tracey has something he wants to say to you…
Tracey: I sure do Professor Oak! I've decided to stay with Casey all the way!
Casey: What? You are? Really?
Tracey: Sure…it beats going alone, plus I can always give you a few pointers when battling. I also wanna keep sketching pokemon, but it's kind of hard when I'm at Professor Oak's. I can't get around much, which is why I'd like to stay with Casey so I can see more of Kanto for myself. Is that ok with you Professor?
Prof. Oak: Well, it's going to be a lot more work for me, but it's certainly not my choice to stop you from what you want to do.
Tracey: Thanks Professor!
Prof. Oak: Ok! Well, I must be off now! Good luck at the Ivory gym, Casey! Bye!
He hangs up. A boy of the about ten years old walks up behind Casey.
Boy: Was that Professor Oak you were talking to?
Casey: Er, yeah. Why do you ask?
Boy: You mean you come from Pallet Town too?
Casey: Sure. Do you?
Boy: Yeah! My name's Nick. So which pokemon did you choose back home?
Casey: I picked the best pokemon, Abra!
Nick: I picked Machop. I LOVE fighting types! My buddy Machop can beat any pokemon!
Ross: I don't think so!
Nick: Oh no! Not you again!
Tracey: You two know each other?
Ross: Yeah, this guy lived next-door to me before I left on my journey. We always battled each other on pokemon gold and silver…
Nick: And after I found out how much a pain he was after he kept winning, I decided not to be friends with him anymore. But this time it's not a game! This is the real thing! Let's have a battle!
Nick and Ross step outside for a battle. Casey and Tracey follow them out. Crowds form around the pokemon centre as they watch the match commence. A boy of about the same age as Casey pushes to the front of the crowd and gets out a notebook and pen. He begins taking notes.
Ross: How many pokemon do you wanna use? Or haven't you caught any?
Nick: Sure I've caught some, but for now we'll battle one on one!
Ross: Agreed! Go Beedrill!
Nick: Beedrill? This early on in your adventure? Hmm…It's still no problem for Machop…
Two pokemon appear and face each other. Beedrill has a slight size advantage.
Ross: Beedrill, finish this match quickly with a Twineedle attack!
Nick: Watch out!
Beedrill dives towards Machop and prepares to hit it with the stingers on the ends of its arms. Machop jumps to the side, avoiding the attack.
Nick: Strike back with a Karate Chop!
Ross: Use Poison Sting!
Machop raises its arm getting ready to hit Beedrill, but Beedrill hits it from a distance with a shower of poison needles. Machop is weakened. Beedrill finishes it off by tackling it. Nick falls to his knees and returns his faithful pokemon. The audience applause's Ross's victory. The crowd begins to clear as the citizens go about their daily business.
Nick: I guess you win…
Ross: And that's how it should be!
The boy with the notebook rushes up to Ross and his eyes sparkle as he gazes at the powerful trainer.
Ross: What's your problem?
Boy: Wow! What a great trainer! Can I follow you on your journey? Please please please please?
Ross: Er, I don't think I can cope with a little creep like you around…I don't even know your name…
Boy: Oh, my name is Jaimie! I'd love to be a trainer but I don't think I know enough about pokemon to be a trainer…
Ross: Hah! You don't need to! This idiot doesn't know a thing about pokemon and she became a trainer! Not a very good trainer, but she's still a trainer!
Casey: Hey!
Jaimie: I just want to at least learn enough to beat an average trainer…I was hoping that you'd be my pokemon tutor…
Ross: A pokemon tutor…hey that doesn't sound too bad! All right, I'll give it a shot. You can come along with me if you like. I'll teach you how to beat wimps like her and how to become almost as good as me!
Jaimie: Wow, thanks! But…I don't have any pokemon…
Ross: Don't worry. When I think you're ready I'll catch you one to train. Then you can use it to catch and train others.
Jaimie and Ross take a walk down the road. Ross starts talking about type advantages while Jaimie takes notes.
Tracey: I almost feel sorry for that kid, having to hang around Ross…
Nick: Yeah, but he really looked like he needed help. So where are you guys headed first?
Casey: Isn't it obvious?! We're gonna battle Amy at the -
Tracey: (cutting in) Actually we're gonna go check out the sights! You wanna come with us?
Casey: But Tracey…I want a badge! I don't want to miss an opportunity like this!
Tracey: Relax! We've got plenty of time! Besides, Ross is obviously heading for the gym right now. If you show up I'll bet Amy will be busy battling Ross so let's take this chance to see the city!
Casey: Well…Ok…
Nick: What's the best place to go to first?
Tracey: Let's go on the monorail. That way we can see the whole city at once! Come on, it's this way!
Casey, Tracey and Nick walk towards the monorail station at the edge of Ivory City. Casey decides to strike up a conversation about Nick's pokemon.
Casey: So how many pokemon have you caught so far?
Nick: Well of course there's my Machop, but apart from that I caught a Mankey and a Tyrogue.
Casey: What's a Tyrogue?
Nick: It's this cool little fighting pokemon. I LOVE fighting types! It's my dream to capture a Hitmonlee!
Casey: A Hitmonlee, huh? Well I've got my Abra, a Chikorita a Nidoran female and a Charmander! It's my dream to evolve my Charmander into a Charizard!
Casey goes off into a daze and dreams of flying around on a Charizard's back until Tracey punches her in the arm.
Casey: Ow! What did you do that for?
Tracey: We're here!
Nick/Casey: Woah…
Nick and Casey both stare up at the monorail station, which is enormous! The three young trainers prepare to board the next monorail. Keith pops his head out from around the corner of the station.
Keith: So that kid's got a Tyrogue? That's kind of rare…And they're on the monorail. This will be the perfect chance to catch them!
Meanwhile…
Ross: And that's how I transfer my pokemon to get the right team.
Jaimie: Wow…you're so cool!
Ross: Yeah, I know. Well, we're almost at the gym! This is where you can see me at my best! Any questions?
Jaimie: Yeah. Do you study the gym leader's pokemon before battling?
Ross: Well, I don't know anything about Amy the gym leader or her pokemon. One of the biggest rules of pokemon battling is that you've gotta be ready for anything and should be able to adapt to any situation. Got it?
Jaimie: I…I think so…
Ross: I have six pokemon with me. Not all six of them are really tough. Some are weak. If you don't train up your pokemon from the start, then they won't evolve and won't become more powerful, formidable opponents. If this Amy girl uses a fairly weak pokemon, then I can send out one of my weaker pokemon in the hope that it'll win and gain experience! For example, if she chooses a weak pokemon like Pidgey, then I could send out my Zubat. If I win, Zubat will gain more experience and will be closer to evolving into a Golbat!
Jaimie: You sure do know a lot about pokemon…
Ross: That's because I studied at Pokemon Tech for three years, so I know loads! Well, we're here! Take notes, coz this is gonna be impressive!
Ross throws open the doors of the gym. A cute sixteen year-old girl turns round and looks towards Ross' direction.
Girl: Can I help you two boys?
Ross: Yeah! Can the sweet talk and take me to Amy the gym leader! I wanna battle with a seasoned pokemon trainer, not some wannabe trainer like you!
Girl: Oh really?! Well it just so happens that I AM Amy! And for that remark, I'm gonna give you my all! Let's battle!
Jaimie: Woah…that's a twist…
Back to Casey…
Casey: Look! There's the gym again! And look, someone's battling! I bet it's Ross! Now let's try and make out which pokemon Amy uses.
Casey leans out the window of the monorail car to try and see the pokemon Amy is using so that she can get an advantage in her upcoming battle.
Casey: I can't see…It's too far away!
Tracey: Here, take my binoculars!
Tracey unzips the pocket of his bag and fetches out his binoculars. Casey snatches them out of his hand and peers through them.
Casey: It's a…Hey! Now there's a building in the way!
Nick: Guess you'll have to wait until your actual match!
Casey: Aww man…
Suddenly, the slow moving monorail car stops. The three trainers fall off of their seats.
Tracey: What was that?
Nick: I bet there's something wrong with the electricity back at the station!
At the station…
Worker: What the…? Who messed up all the circuits?
Back in the monorail car…
Casey peeks her head out of the window and looks towards the station. She can see a man walking down the tracks towards their car. It's not just any man…It's Keith!
Keith: Surprise!
Tracey: Not you again!
Nick: Who's this guy?
Casey: He's a nobody…Just a really bad thief!
Keith: Gimme your pokemon!
Casey: I don't think so! You'll have to battle me for them!
Keith: Then would you care to step outside?
Casey leaps out of the monorail car and onto the track. Keith sends out his Porygon and Casey uses her Abra.
Keith: Let's finish this quick Porygon! Use your Zap Cannon attack!
Porygon creates a ball of electricity, ready to fire. Abra uses its Teleport attack to teleport Abra and its trainer back into the monorail car.
Casey: Abra! What are you doing?
Keith: Porygon! NO!
Porygon releases its Zap Cannon attack towards the spot where Abra was. It hits the track, and the electricity from the attack surges around the track. Keith and Porygon both get shocked and fly off into the distance from the shock. The car starts moving again and the power is back on.
Casey: Yeah! Nice work, Abra! Now, let's finish this ride!
Casey, Tracey and Nick are nearing the end of their monorail trip. But how long will it take before Casey gets her badge? How well is Ross doing back at the gym? Find out next time…