Disclaimer: I don't even want to own Pokemon, too much stress.
Chapter 1
The Challenge
Ash had just gotten home from his conquest of eight gyms in the Johto region. Brock had left to go check in at Pewter City, and Misty had gone to rechallenge her sisters in an all-out water tournament. Ash was sitting on the couch, eating popcorn with Pikachu, when there was a knock at the door. Ash got up to answer the door, and there stood his long time rival, Gary.
"Hey Ketchum!" Gary said with his usual arrogant attitude. "How's it hangin'?"
"Hi, Gary," Ash said. "I'm just relaxing at being home once again. I haven't seen mom in a while so I thought I'd stop by for a little while."
"Oh really? I thought you'd be trying to get on the first boat out of here," Gary said, flopping down where Ash was sitting and helping himself to popcorn.
"What are you talking about?" Ash asked, getting slightly annoyed.
"You mean you don't know?" Gary said, leaning forward with a huge grin on his face. "Well, I shouldn't tell you but I will. There's this scientist who just discovered a collection of islands further south than Cianwood, and there's these eight gyms there that are supposed to have killer Pokemon. And the eight badge is rumored to never before been given to anyone. But, the catch is that you have to beat the other seven first. And, the coolest thing about it is that whoever owns the eighth badge gets some kind of special gift from the gym leader." Gary paused here to allow Ash to absorb all the information, then he went on. "Of course, I'm gonna win."
"Not if I can beat them first!" Ash said, Pikachu yelling in support.
"Fine, it's a challenge then. Whoever beats them first gets the other one for a slave for a week," Gary said finally.
"Done!" Ash yelled, grasping Gary's hand in a firm grip.
A/N: Little short, but I hope to make the others longer.