Here's the next chapter. I don't own Pokemon except my own characters, enjoy! :-D
Chapter 51: Down In The Fifth
Last time, Ash and Ritchie quickly became friends while they stopped Team Rocket's latest scheme. Both are now pinned against each other in the fifth round battle of the Pokemon League competition. Meanwhile, Angelina and Jeremy had just arrived at their cabin and found Marcus in one of the bedrooms on the computer.
"Marcus, I found out who I'm fighting tomorrow." Angelina said. She didn't want to let him know about Hiroki, too much in fear of him getting too protective.
"Me too," Marcus smiled as Angelina and Jeremy walked up to him, on the computer he had a screen displaying Hiroki's picture as well as his registered Pokemon and Hiroki had plenty of rare and powerful Pokemon. "I've seen him somewhere," Marcus said to himself.
"Uhm!" Angelina waved her hands. "He has that familiar face!" she got worried. "Uh," she tried to change the subject and looked at her step-aunt whom was passing by, "Aunt Vicky, what's for dinner?"
"Hmm," Aunt Vicky replied, "Stir-fried noodles and veggies," she smiled and pulled out a Pokeball from the pocket of her apron, enlarging it, "Come on out, Jynx!" she said.
The light from the Pokeball died down as the human-shape ice/psychic type formed, "Jynx!" she smiled and winked.
"Let's cook!" Aunt Vicky ordered. "To the kitchen!"
The next day after everyone got a good nights' sleep, Angelina and her relatives hung onto their seats as they watched Jeremy battle his way through his fifth round opponent at Indigo Stadium. So far Jeremy's Machamp and Scyther were knocked out while all of his enemy's Pokemon were out except for one.
"Come on Jeremy," Angelina replied quietly.
"Use Tackle, Nidoking!" the other trainer commanded, a boy with light purple hair, tall and skinny and dressed in pants and a red shirt.
"Espeon, sent it flying!" Jeremy sharply countered, "Psychic!"
The huge purple tyrant known as Nidoking came charging at the elegant purple psychic Pokemon, who glew a violent shade of purples and lifted up the huge beast. Nidoking grunted as it was lifted into the air. Espeon waved it's tail and slung Nidoking with it's mind, on the ground and crossed out eyes.
"Nidoking is unable to battle! The winner of this match is Jeremy Cretonne from Goldenrod City!" the judge responded as the crowd went wild.
Angelina, Marcus, and April met Jeremy at the Pokemon Center while Aunt Vicky had gone back to the cabin to cook lunch, taking Christina with her.
"Great job," April said.
"Thanks," Jeremy took the complement. "I've got a lot of strategies to plan out before the rest of my other matches." he smiled, then his stomache started growling and he laughed. "Guess I worked up an appetite too."
"I'll help you out," Marcus said, then looked over at Angelina whom was looking over at Ritchie getting his Pokemon from Nurse Joy. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah, I just need to grab my Pokemon. Don't wait up."
"Okay," Marcus said, leaving with April and Jeremy.
Angelina walked over to Ritchie and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and smiled. "Hey, you're Angelina, right?"
Angelina nodded. "Yes, I just wanted to wish you good luck."
"Oh thanks, the same with yours too." Ritchie said, turning to leave but noticed Ash and his friends walk towards him. "Hi Ash."
"Hi Ritchie."
"Listen, because we're friends let's promise each other to make this will be the best battle we've ever had." Richie suggested.
Ash nodded. "Ok, it's a promise, Ritchie!" he said, then his friend leaves and he approached the front desk to retrieve his Pokemon.
Nurse Joy told the trainer that he was very lucky to be battling a friend, because even if he lost, he can still be happy because his friend won. Ash agrees with her, then he takes his Pokemon from her and he leaves the Pokemon Center with his friends.
Meanwhile, Angelina walked onto the battlefield of the Indigo Stadium as the announcer introduced her and Hiroki for their fifth round. The crowd was clapping as she looked for her best friend and family; finding them quickly, they waved at her and she smiled, taking her place in her trainer's box.
"Three Pokemon each," the judge announced, "Both trainers may switch whenever they feel right, green will pick first! Begin!"
Hiroki smiled with confidence and he threw the Pokeball as a black wolf-like creature appeared. It resembled a hyena with bright red eyes.
"Whoa, what is that Pokemon?" Angelina asked, quickly taking out her Pokedex.
"Mightyena, the Bite Pokemon." Dexette replied. "Mightyena travel and act as a pack in the wild. The memory of its life in the wild compels the Pokemon to obey only those trainers that it recognizes to possess superior skill."
"He looks so familiar," Marcus said to April. "I know I've seen him somewhere.…"
"Go Angelina!" Aunt Vicky and Jeremy cheered her on from the full crowd.
Angelina smiled nervously and enlarged a Pokeball, "Go Shadow!" she threw the pokeball and her dark Pokemon formed from the light, glaring coldly at Mightyena. "Use Quick Attack!"
"Bite it!" Hiroki countered.
Both Dark Pokemon took off in a blur, Mightyena opened it's mouth and bite down on what it thought was Absol, missing and hurting it's self as Absol appeared behind it. Absol leaped into the air and slammed into Mightyena's back, the Bite Pokemon howled in pain.
"And an amazing battle with the first command!" the announcer said over the loud speaker.
"Mightyena, use Iron Tail!"
"Shadow, dodge with Quick Attack!"
Mightyena laided on the ground with Absol on it as it's tail glowed silver, it brought it down on Absol who jumped up, the wolf howled once more in pain as it's Iron Tail slammed into it's back messing up and hurting it in the process.
"And Mightyena hurts it's self with it's own Steel-type attack," the announcer responded as the crowd continued to clap and gasp, full of emotion.
"Confuse Ray!" Angelina ordered, still a little antsy.
"Ab-sol!" Absol said as it's body light up in a flash, blinding Mightyena. The wolf started to walk around in a circle without command.
"Now use Night Slash!" Angelina smiled for the first time in this match.
The sickle-like growth on Absol's head glows crimson and slashes Mightyena, knocking the wolf over, it howled as it's eyes became crossed out.
"Mightyena is unable to battle!" the judge declared as a light went out under Hiroki's picture.
Angelina sighed with relief as Hiroki enlarged another Pokeball and threw it, a Sandslash formed on the field.
"One down," Jeremy replied. "Keep it up, Angelina!"
"I know I've seen him before.…" Marcus said out loud again to April.
"And now Hiroki calls on Sandslash!" the announcer provided the information as the crowd coninuted to go wild.
"Sandslash, use Sand-Attack!"
"Shadow, use Quick Attack!"
Absol went to move but was stopped when Sandslash kicked up some sand with it's claws, temporarily blinded Absol.
"Now use Slash!" Hiroki smiled.
"Slash!" the shrew cried as it's body came clear to Absol, too late as the ground type slashed Absol in the face. The dark Pokemon fell over with swirly eyes and a red slash on it's face.
"Absol is unable to continue!" the judge said as Absol's picture went away.
"Sweet revenge," Hiroki said to himself softly.
"Nice job, Shadow," Angelina said as she withdrew Absol and shrunk down the Pokeball, latching it to her belt as she enlarged another one, "Go IceWing!" she sent out the penguin-like Pokemon with a sack-like tail.
"And so Angelina calls on Delibird," the announcer replied as the crowd continued to go wild.
"I hope Angelina remembers how to use Delibird," Jeremy thought to himself.
"Can't break a good team," Angelina said to Delibird who chirped in triumph. "Use Slash!"
"Counter with Slash!" Hiroki countered.
Delibird flapped quickly and made it's way to Sandslash, slashing with it's right hand but missing as Sandslash jumped up, the Delivery Pokemon replied by swinging it's left hand, cutting Sandslash and knocking it on it's back.
"And Delibird does a powerful Slash!" the annoucer's voice grew in excitement along with the anxious crowd.
"Awesome combo," April said to Marcus, who was busy figuring out the mystery of Hiroki.
"Sandslash, get up and use Fury Swipes!"
"Slash!" the mouse bounced up and slashed Delibird in the stomach three of five times, Delibird flew from the attempt, as if it was unharmed which wasn't too far from the truth.
"Now use Ice Punch!" Angelina smiled knowing he had type advantage.
"Deli!" Delibird raised it's right claw as it froze over, swinging it down and knocking Sandslash back about a foot, frozen solid.
"AMAZING!" the announcer roared, "An Ice Punch froze Sandslash!"
"Sandslash is unable to battle," the judge informed everyone as another light died out under Hiroki's picture.
"Return," Hiroki said as he withdrew Sandslash, shrinking down it's Pokeball and whispering kind words to it. He enlarged another one and held it tight, "It's all up to you Aggron," he finished and threw it; a monstrous armor-covered Pokemon appeared.
"An Aggron!" the announcer gasped. "Another Pokemon native to the Hoenn Region!"
Angelina whipped out her Pokedex once more. "Aggron. The Iron Armor Pokemon. It claims a large mountain as its sole territory and mercilessly thrashes those that violate its space."
"Aggron, use Take Down!"
"Dodge it!" Angelina countered.
Aggron charged with all it's might at Delibird, who flew out of the way as the attack was missed.
'Better be careful,' Angelina said to herself and held out the Pokeball, "Return!" she withdrew Delibird and thanked it, keeping it for backup.
"So Angelina holds back with Delibird for now!" the announcer said, the crowd continued to go wild.
"I know!" Marcus gasped, "I remember Hiroki! I beat him in the Evergrande Championships!"
"You just figured that now?" April asked, her eyes widened incredulously then sighed. "I could've told you that sooner."
"Well how was I to know he'd travel here to compete in the tournament?!" Marcus argued and then whispered, "Come on, Angel.…"
Angelina smiled and threw her enlarged Pokeball, her Charmeleon came out as it took the final spot on the board. "Charcoal, use Flamethrower!"
"Iron Defense!" Hiroki came back.
"Char!" the lizard exhaled a quick moving jet of fire, hitting the shinny Aggron as it used it's defense move, hurting it as the flame died down but not too bad.
"And Hiroki countered with an Iron Defense!" the announcer gasped.
"Now use Stomp!" Hiroki directed.
"Gron!" the huge metal beast took off running, sand kicked up behind it, lifting up it's right leg and slamming into Charmeleon's mid-back. The fire lizard cried in pain and moved over, dodging the second stomp from the left foot.
"Try Slash!" Angelina nervously replied.
"Char!" Charmeleon jumped up and repeatedly slashed Aggron's stomach with its claws, but Aggron was completely fine and didn't feel anything.
"Now Aggron use Horn Attack!"
"Agg!" the beast replied as it got on all four and lifted Charmeleon into the air with it's horns, Charmeleon's flames had died down as it was lifted into the air.
"Charcoal!" Angelina gasped, "Huh?!" she watched her Charmeleon glowing white in mid-air.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" the announcer gasped as the crowd mimicked, "Angelina's Charmeleon is evolving!"
Charmeleon's light died down as a new creature landed on the ground. It was more dragon-like with teal and orange wings and a long tail with fire burning on the tip.
"Charizard, the Flame Pokemon. It uses its wings to fly around the sky in search of powerful opponents. It breathes fire of such great heat that it melts anything. However, it never turns its fiery breath on any opponent weaker than itself."
"Oh wow, you evolved into a Charizard!" Angelina exclaimed, taken by surprise and smiling as she put away her Pokedex. "You did it, Charcoal!" she praised with joy.
"Aggron shut them up!" Hiroki ordered, "Use Iron Tail!"
"Gron!" Aggron stomped as it ran for Charizard, it's tail gathered more energy and became harder, if that was possible.
"Counter!" Angelina ordered.
The final form of Charmander grabbed Aggron's hard tail with both hands, grunting and lifting Aggron in the air, then it slammed Aggron in the air and used its wings to jump back into the air.
"Flamethrower!" Angelina smiled.
Charizard glared at Aggron who was laying on the ground hurt as it inhaled, then exhaling a more vibrant and powerful redish-orange flames, quickly making it's way to Aggron and burning it, small flames going other places on the battle field.
"Aggron!" Hiroki gasped, the flame died down and Charizard landed with triumph, all that laid was a black Aggron from the intense heat.
"Aggron is unable to continue, Charizard is the winner!" the judge replied as Hiroki's final light went out on the board. "The fifth round goes to Angelina of Pallet Town!"
"I won.…" Angelina slowly said, not knowing what she had done yet. After a second she smiled, "Yes, I won! Way to go, Charcoal!" she ran onto the field and embraced her Charizard happily as the crowd went wild. About twenty minutes later, Angelina was at the cabin with her relatives.
"Thanks everyone," Angelina replied to their congratulations.
"I know Hiroki!" Marcus said to Angelina, "I beat him once in Hoenn, did you know that?"
"Um.…" Angelina thought, "I think," she sighed as everyone laughed. "What time is it?"
"Ten till four, why?" Jeremy asked.
"Ash's match starts in ten minutes. We should head back down to Indigo Stadium." Angelina said urgently as she and Jeremy walked to the front door. They were about to leave when they were met by Brock and Misty. "Hey guys, where's Ash?"
"He disappeared with Pikachu right after Ritchie called him an hour ago," Brock said. "Thought maybe they came over here since you're home from your battle."
"And congratulations!" Misty added.
"Y-yeah, that too." Brock agreed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Angelina giggled. "Thanks, but I haven't seen Ash at all. We were about to leave for his match."
"Maybe he's at the stadium already?" Jeremy suggested.
"Yeah, let's check it out," Angelina said.
The four teenagers arrived at the stadium after a ten minute walk. All seats were filled with Pokemon fans awaiting to see another fifth round battle.
"Sweetheart, I'm so proud of you!" Delia cried happily and hugged her daughter. "Now let's hope Ash will win his battle too."
"Yeah I know," Angelina said, then began to feel a little antsy half an hour later. The match was about to start soon but Ash is no where to be seen and Ritchie was going to be declared the winner.
"Hey look down there!" Jeremy pointed, everyone saw Misty approach Ritchie on the field. She began arguing with him and went as far as stomping on his foot. They tried not to laugh when he hops around in pain.
"I don't think Ritchie would do something like this before their battle." Brock said.
"Unless it wasn't Ritchie." Angelina guessed.
Brock turned to Angelina and saw her suspicious expression. "Team Rocket?"
Angelina nodded. "Definitely, who else could it be?"
The sun was already setting, the stadium lights turn on, and Ash was still not there. The crowd grows very impatient and the referee walks up to Ritchie. Angelina watches, and sighs, "Ash blew his chance."
"I don't want to win the match this way! Please wait a little while longer!" Ritchie begs with the referee. "Ash and I promised each other that this would be the best battle ever, and I know he would never break his promise! So that's why I'm sure Ash will be here no matter what! So please wait. I know he'll come!"
Angelina smiled when she heard the referee say they would wait ten more minutes.
"Your son has excellent taste in friends," Professor Oak mused.
Delia smiled proudly, "He sure does."
"He's here!" Misty exclaimed about ten minutes later. Everyone watches a Meowth-shaped balloon being pulled by Pidgeotto. Ash was standing on a bike and waving to the crowd, appologizing to Ritchie and the crowd for being late.
"Angel, you were right!" Brock said and hugged her happily.
"Yeah I know." Angelina agreed, wiping tears of relief from her eyes.
"Ash Ketchum has just made the most dramatic last minute entrance in Pokemon League history! And this crowd is going absolutely wild!" the announcer yelled as Ash jumps onto the ground when the balloon is in jumping range. His Pidgeotto crashed to the ground in exhaustion, but Ash recalls it for a long rest, then takes his postition on the field to start his battle while Brock and Misty sat down on a bench along the side lines.
"Ash, you appologize to all these people for being late right this instant!" Delia demanded furiously.
"Mrs. Ketchum, take it easy." Professor Oak said.
The long-awaited fifth round battle begins as Ritchie sends out his Butterfree, nicknamed Happy, and Ash called out his Squirtle. They order both their Pokemon to Tackle, and after quite a numerous amount of blows, Happy uses Sleep Powder on Squirtle and Ash was forced to recall him. Pikachu jumped in next, tackling Happy and they both landed on the ground, with Pikachu breathing in ragged breaths because it was exhausted and unwilling to lose. In a desperate attempt to free itself from Pikachu, Happy flew up into the air with Pikachu holding it tightly. The electric Pokemon let out a Thunderbolt and they both fell back down onto the ground, as Pikachu had knocked Happy unconscious. Richie recalled his Butterfree and he sends out his second Pokemon against Pikachu, his Charmander Zippo.
Richie commanded Zippo to use its Flamethrower against Pikachu, and the Electric-type narrowly avoided several shots. Ash wonders how long Pikachu will be able to withstand Zippos hot Flamethrower as Pikachu is getting tired and is suddenly hit by one of Zippo's attacks, and fell onto the ground. Pikachu stands up slowly, and then Richie calls out for Zippo to use its Tackle attack and Pikachu is flug backwards onto the ground unconscious. Ash calls back his Pikachu and only has one more Pokemon to choose.
"Oh no, not Charizard!" Angelina feared in worry.
"He's got no other choice," Jeremy grimaced. "Bulbasaur is weak against Fire-types, and Pidgeotto looked exhausted."
"I choose you, Charizard!" Ash yells from across the field, calling out his fire-dragon Pokemon.
Charizard roared and stares at Charmander, then blasts the unevolved form with a Flamethrower. Ritchie recalls back his Charmander rather than risking him getting burnt to a crisp, then summons his own Pikachu, Sparky.
"Let the battle begin!" the referee yelled.
Charizard stomps the ground and makes Sparky fly in the air and was blown back by Charizard's wings. The fire-dragon Pokemon sits and stares at Sparky, growls out and lays down on the ground for a nap.
"Charizard, no! Get up!" Ash begs. "You'll never have to listen to me again if you do now!"
"You pathetic lazy-excuse for a Pokemon! How dare you!" Angelina screamed at the unmoving Pokemon on the field. Jeremy had to hold her back from leaving the stands.
"Charizard refuses to battle! Pikachu is the winner! The winner of the match is the red trainer, Ritchie!" the referee yells and the crowd cheers.
Angelina watched Ash recall his Charizard; his face was hidden by his hat, she knew he was sad by his loss and thought he was going to cry. She jumped over the wall and ran onto the field, ignoring her friends' shouts and followed behind Ritchie.
Ash finally looks up and smiles, "I guess you won." there was sadness in his voice that Angelina sensed, but he held out his hand. "Congradulations, Ritchie!"
Ritchie laughed, shaking his opponent's hand. "Thanks, Ash."
"You two are awesome no matter what happens," Angelina said, encouraging the trainers.
"Thanks," Ash replied, smiling. "You two have to win the next battle for me."
"Of course I will," Angelina said.
"And I'll do my best too," Ritchie nodded, then leaves the stadium as Angelina and Ash walk over to their awaiting friends and family.
Not only has Ash learned alot from winning and losing, his journey to become a Pokemon Master continues and his passion for Pokemon burns brighter than ever. As for the rest of the remaining trainers: Angelina, Jeremy, and Ritchie; they promise to do their best in the upcoming finals of the tournament.
§To Be Continued§
*This chapter is based from the episode "Friend and Foe Alike"
*Angelina and Jeremy win their fifth round battles.
*Angelina's Charmeleon evolves into Charizard.
*Marcus recognizes Angelina's opponent from Hoenn's Championship Tournament.
*Hiroki's Pokemon Mightyena and Aggron are natives to Hoenn.
*Ash battles Ritchie in the fifth round and loses, finishing in the Top 16.
*Ash's Charizard is still disobedient.
*Ash's Pikachu is revealed to know Double-Edge.
Thanks for reading! Next chapter should be posted soon, and there are three chapters left for this whole story. So until then!