All right to begin the Indigo League, now I'm sure you're expecting to see Ash vs Mandi this chapter but sadly you'll have to wait till next chapter. What do we have instore for this chapter you'll have to wait and see.
Reader: Glad you enjoyed the last chapter. And I plan to give Brock more development.
Hayane234: Thank you for the heads up.
RKF22: Dam Right he is.
Guest: Will do.
Midnightscar17: Ash will get a Riolu at some point.
It had a week since they left Pewter City, and with the help of Charizard, Pidgeot and Dragonite they managed to cut down the travel time, and now here they are at the Indigo Plateau. As they walked through a small village where people would stay at, during the league they noticed a group of people who seemed to waiting for something.
"Excuse me, but what are you people waiting on?" Ash asked approaching the crowd.
"The torch." One person answered, still not taking their eyes off the road.
"Are you taking the Indigo League Conference Torch?" Brock asked joining in.
"Yes, the torch runner is suppose passing through here soon." Another person answered.
"Oh." The trio responded.
"There he is." One person in the crowd shouted out pointing up ahead.
Up a head was a person jogging towards them and in his right hand the torch was held up for everyone to see. Behind him were an Officer Jenny and a truck most likely keeping an eye out for anyone hoping to steal the torch.
"I heard the flame they use to light the torch comes for the legendary Moltres." Brock said.
"A Moltres?" Ash question taking out his Pokédex.
Moltres, a legendary Pokémon. Its virtues symbolize the Pokémon League competitions.
"Pretty cool, right Pikachu?" Ash asked his partner.
"Pika Pika." Pikachu agreed.
Ash and the others watch on as the torch runner passed on, however the scenery stopped when a crack could be heard and hole opened beneath the runner, causing to fall in. Concern over the person's safety Ash and others ran to check on him. He had landed on his butt, but still has the torch in the air.
"What happened?" He asked, as the sounds of laughing could be heard from above.
"Team Rocket!" Ash exclaimed as the trio descended from above.
"That's right you should feel lucky for once where not after you're Pikachu. Instead, we're after that torch." James explained.
"Hold look the twerp has an egg." Meowth noted seeing the egg in Ash's arms.
"Excellent I saw we grab that egg as a bonus." Jessie exclaimed.
"Fine with me." Meowth said, as he pressed a button on a remote, causing two arms to head straight down.
"Oh no you don't Pikachu Electro Ball." Ash defended.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted, as it launched the yellow ball destroying one of the arms.
However, the other arm headed towards the torch when another voice was heard.
"Marowak Bonemerang!" The other voice said, as a strong looking Marowak appeared.
Hearing its order, it threw its bone like a boomerang destroying the mechanical hand.
"Hey no fair!" Jessie shouted annoyed.
"Who dares interfered with out plains." James complained.
From the truck emerged a beautiful girl with long brown hair, dressed in a school uniform.
"Giselle?" Ash said surprised to see her after so long.
"Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock it's nice to see you again." Giselle replied.
"Oh, are these your friends?" Another voice asked, as an old man exited the truck.
He was shorter than the group and had a long white beard that went down to his to his chest.
"Yes grandfather." Giselle replied as the group returned their attention to the rocket trio who landed.
"Go Arbok, Lickitung." Jessie called out.
"Weezing, Victreebel come on out." James called out his own Pokémon.
"Pikachu you ready?" Ash asked getting a thumbs up from his partner.
"Marowak are you ready?" Giselle asked her partner, receiving a nod.
"Go Staryu." Misty said releasing her Pokémon.
"Go Geodude." Brock added his teammate.
"Victreebel use Razor Leaf." James started off with.
"Pikachu block that with Electro Ball." Ash countered.
VIctreebel fired a barrage of sharp leaves as Pikachu fired back with another yellow ball. The Electro Ball destroyed the leaves before slamming in Victreebel shocking it.
"Lickitung use Lick." Jessie this called out.
"Marowak use Bone Rush." Giselle defended.
"Marowak!" Marowak grunted as it rushed forward before striking Lickitung with its bone club.
"Tung!" Lickitung grounded in pain as it tumbled back.
"Weezing Sludge." James ordered.
"Staryu Psybeam!" Misty protected next.
"Hya!" Staryu grunted as it fired the multicolor beam.
The attack tore through the sludge as its struck Weezing.
"Ah Weezing!" James cried out in worry.
"Arbok Poison Sting!" Jessie made the next attempt.
"Charbok!" Arbok hissed as he fired several small needles towards everyone.
"Geodude Defense Curl then Rollout." Brock called out.
"Geodude, dude." Geodude grunted as it curled into a ball, blocking the stings, then rolling towards Arbok, slamming into it.
Arbok was thrown back crashing into the other Pokémon.
"Pikachu Volt Tackle!" Ash called out.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted as it was cloaked in electricity.
Pikachu then slammed into the four Pokémon, sending crashing into their trainers. Jessie, James and Meowth struggled to get the unconscious Pokémon off of them.
"Marowak finish them with Hyper Beam!" Giselle ordered.
Opening its mouth, Marowak fired an orange beam of pure energy that struck the groups sending them flying.
The trio mutter how they were blasting off again, the group on the ground celebrated getting the win.
"Well Giselle you're a lot stronger than last time." Ash complemented.
Smirking Giselle quickly responded, "Well of course, I am Giselle after all, but I see you've also gotten stronger."
Ash smirked back in response. The group them managed to help the runner of the hole, however they discovered the runner injured his foot and wouldn't be able to finish. Ash offered to take his place, to which Officer Jenny was apprehensive to, but Giselle's grandfather who introduced himself as Mr. Goodshow, allowed it. Ash asked Brock to watch over the egg, to which he accepted. Giselle surprisingly said she would join Ash on the run, declaring she would make sure no one else tried to take the torch. Both Misty and Brock went with Goodshow in his truck.
The group pressed onwards after making sure the runner was being looked after. Giselle gave Ash the directions on where to go, as the two ran they struck up a conversation. Ash found out Giselle did graduate, along with a few others. Ash talked about some of the things happen after they departed. Giselle was surprised at some of the things Ash had encountered. The talk went on to when to Cubone evolve, which Giselle informed him the Cubone had evolve the day after their battle. Ash then went on to talk about other things that had happen on his journey.
"Boy after hearing about your journey, I have to admit I'm kind of jealous." Giselle admitted.
"Really?" Ash responded.
"Ya, after hearing about the people and Pokémon you met it makes me want to see what you've been missing out." Giselle answered. "Speaking of which you never said what Pokémon you caught." She added.
"Well, I guess you'll have to find out." Ash said with a smirk.
Giselle smirked as she and Ash continue to run, Pikachu every now then would perk up his ears in an attempted to see if anyone one else was nearby. After an hour of running everyone saw the stadium where the opening ceremony would take place.
"Wow its incredible." Ash said in awe.
"Yes, it might be empty now, but tomorrow it will be fill to compacity." Goodshow replied.
Ash saw the finish line up ahead and made one last sprint, as the crowd cheered him on. Once he passes the line, he waited for everyone else. As Goodshow approached him, Ash handed the torch back.
"Thank you Mr. Goodshow, it was an honor." Ash stated.
"Thank you, Ash. Now I trust you'll all be at the opening day ceremony tomorrow?" Goodshow asked the group.
"Yes." They all responded.
Goodshow left bidding goodbye to his granddaughter for a bit, since she decided to catch up with the rest of her friends. The group decided to head to a restaurant to grab some food. Thanks to the Indigo League all the food would be free. As food a place to eat, two more friends showed up.
"A.J., Joe good to see you guys again." Ash greeted shaking their hands.
"Good to see you again." A.J. greeted.
"Nice to see you too." Joe replied. He then noticed who was also there.
"Giselle you're here too?" He asked.
"Of course, was there any doubt." Giselle responded with a smirk.
As the two joined the group for lunch they talked about what happen since they departed at the tournament. As they group traded stories their lunch arrived to which they all enjoyed. Once they were done, they then went explore the area. They saw gift stands being step up, game booths and other cool stuff. Eventually the sun began to go down, and Joe, A.J. and Giselle went their sperate ways. Ash, Brock, and Misty then went to find out what cabin they would stay in. After getting their keys they made their way to the cabin when they ran into someone.
"Looks like your late as usual, aren't you Ash." Ash's rival said.
"Gary?" Ash responded looking to the source of the sound.
"Gary, Gary, he's the best, he'll defeat you like the rest." Gary's cheerleaders recited.
"Ash, I hope tomorrow's your lucky day, cause luck is what you're going to need." Gary stated smugly.
"Me and my team are more than ready to face anyone in that tournament tomorrow. But you are right on one thing. I do need luck, to be the one to wipe that smirk off your face, and knock out of the tournament." Ash replied, getting an annoyed scowl from Gary.
"In fact, I think you're going to need luck is you face me Gary, after all my team have so many surprises in store, I don't know which one to spring on you." Ash added, before walking away, getting a shocked look from Gary.
Brock and Misty were surprised seeing how Ash handled Gary, he managed to stay calm throughout their short conversation. After a while the group managed to find their cabin where they'll be staying at.
After unpacking Brock managed a fantastic dinner, and they finish eating they took turns using the shower. Once they went to bed, Ash tried to fall asleep were he tossed and turned. After an hour of not falling asleep Ash decided to get up. He placed on his jacket, and shoes before opening the door to the cabin. Just as he was about to head out, he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder.
"Pikachu?" Ash said, surprised to see his partner.
"Pika pika." Pikachu said, nuzzling Ash's cheek.
"Thanks buddy." Ash replied, as they closed the door, and took off, unaware their traveling companions were awake.
"He's scared." Misty stated.
"Yeah, looks like the pressure is starting to get to him." Brock added.
"Show we go after him?" Misty asked sitting up.
"No, Ash just needs to clear his head." Brock stated also sitting up.
"Where do you think he's going to?" Misty questioned.
"My guess he went to the stadium, after all Ash loves to battle." Brock answered.
(At the Indigo Stadium)
'The air is so refreshing here.' Giselle thought. She had joined her grandfather at the stadium, as he was looking the field on more time before the big day.
As Goodshow look over the stadium on last time, he nodded in satisfaction. When the sound of footsteps suddenly caught his and his granddaughter's attention. Looking down the saw Ash and his Pikachu emerge from the entrance as they went to the railing looking down to the field. Their eyes were narrowed with a determine look on their face.
'This is it; this is what we've been training for.' Ash thought, his mind thinking of tomorrow.
"Now that boy has spirit." Goodshow said with a grin, seeing the fire in his eyes. "Hmm?" He then added when he noticed Giselle walking towards him.
Ash was so focused on his thoughts he didn't appear next to jump.
"Hi Ash." She said softly, causing Ash to jump back in freight.
"Oh, Giselle what are you doing here?" He asked, with his heart still racing.
Giggling seeing spoked she answered, "I was about to ask you the same, but to answer your question, I'm here with my grandfather to making everything right with the stadium." She answered.
Seeing Goodshow waving at them, Ash gave a wave of him own. Looking back to Giselle, he answered her question, "I couldn't sleep, I thought I come down to the stadium to prepare myself for tomorrow." Ash said, while scratching Pikachu's ear, receiving a coo from him.
"Are you nervous?" She asked, having a feeling why he couldn't sleep.
"Yeah, I guess I'm wondering if I'm ready for this." Ash admitted.
"I guess I know how your feeling, after all I getting nervous too." Giselle added.
"Really?" He asked, receiving a nod.
Looking down on the field, the trainers could feel the desires flow through them, and their worries disappear.
"See the fire in your eyes." A voice said, startling the two trainers, and Pikachu.
"Bruno!" Ash said surprised.
"Yes, I good to see you again." Bruno replied.
"Bruno, you mean Bruno of the Elite Four!" Giselle responded.
"Oh, I don't think we met?" Bruno said, looking towards Giselle.
"I'm Giselle, I'm mister Goodshow's granddaughter, its and honor to meet you." Giselle replied, shocked to meet a member of the Elite Four.
"Ah yes, he did mention his granddaughter would complete this year, it's a pleasure to meet you." Bruno responded. "I look forward to seeing you two compete tomorrow, I'm sure the rest of the Elite Four, and the Champion will take an interest to the both of you." Bruno added before walking off.
"Wait!" Ash called out, getting Bruno attention.
"Are the rest of them going to be here?" Ash asked.
Bruno nodded, before walking out of sight, leaving Ash, Giselle and Pikachu in silence.
"So, when did you meet Bruno." Giselle demanded, waiting to know how Ash met a powerful trainer.
Ash then turned a explain the story on how he met Bruno, all the while Mr. Goodshow listen from above curious as well.
The next came and went as the opening flame was lit, and Goodshow welcomed everyone to the Indigo League. As Ash stood, he saw Gary, A.J., Joe, and Giselle all with determined looks on their face. Tomorrow round 1 would start, and he was going to win it.
Alright, I hope you enjoyed this chapter now well start round 1 in the next chapter.