Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon If I did Ash would win everything, and not lose everything.
A/N: Okay everyone chapter nine here we come. This first part will be Ash entering Vermillion City and seeing just what Tucker has up his sleeve. The next chapter will be the battle between Ash and Tucker. I also intend to add the movie chapters in this arc. That being the Tree of Beginning so look out for that.
Vermillion City
Ash and the girls were sitting in the large arena, surrounded by screaming fans, most of them were female. They had arrived at the Pokemon center in Vermillion City, where three tickets had been reserved for them to attend this show being put on by Heath Tucker who was more commonly known as the Dome Ace. The tickets had been left by Scott and had been handed over to them by the Nurse Joy once she had confirmed their identities.
Where ever you looked Billboards and posters were filled with Tuckers face, he even had his own line of aftershave, which Ash had tried in one of the shops, but had immediately left because it was awful, not to mention the price tag. It was clear this Tucker was some type of idol to the residences of Vermillion City, and tonight's show was a battle between Tucker and Surge the Vermillion gym leader.
Ash recalled his first time meeting Surge he wasn't a nice person, and only cared about winning. He also made fun of his challengers when he should have been supporting and giving them confidence that they could beat him. After his battle, Ash had reported Surge to the Pokemon league, but it seems he was still the gym leader.
The lights suddenly went down and everyone screamed and cheered as a spotlight appeared showing Tucker in the center of it. He was dressed in a purple v-neck vest and skin-tight white trousers. On his feet, he wore a pair of purple boots and to complete the costume he had a pair of fairy wings on his back. To accessorize the costumes he wore a gold tiara, and gold bracelets on each wrist. Ash thought the guy looked ridiculous, but it seems the fans didn't share his opinion as they were all still screaming and cheering.
"Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, welcome to the Battle Dome! Tonight I will be battling the Vermillion Gym Leader Surge who challenged me a few days ago. For those who are visiting our fair city, Surge is in charge of the official Pokemon League Gym in this City, however, he feels that I am taking away his spotlight, can you believe that. Little old me taking away his spotlight. So I agreed to the challenge. Also, we have a very special guest in the audience who I will reveal after the conclusion of the battle. So as I always say Let the show begin!"
Ash shifted nervously in his seat, he had a funny feeling that he was the special guest that Tucker had been referring to. The stage suddenly split open and a large battlefield rose up. Tucker had already vanished off stage as the lights went down again. Suddenly a Voice over the PA system could be heard all around the arena.
"Ladies and Gentleman, boy and girls of all ages, please put your hands together in welcoming the challenger our very own City Gym leader Lt Surge!"
A spotlight shone on one of the entrances and from the entrance Surge entered the arena. He still had his spiky blonde hair and was dressed in his military attire. Surge marched towards the trainers' box and stood ready. This chump Tucker had really caused his reputation to take a pounding, and now he was here for revenge. He would soon be this show off pretty boy back in his place.
Meanwhile, anspotlight light flashed to a large Platform which Tucker was now standing on. Waiting to make his grand entrance.
"And now, the moment you have all been waiting for. A Pokemon battle is a thing of rare beauty and such beauty means a creator. A Master who cares as much about is fans, as he does about his craft, so feast your eyes on the greatest talent the Battle Dome has to offer, the one, the only The Battle Dome Ace Tucker!"
Tucker leapt from the platform and with the help of wires and stage hands began to fly around the arena smiling and winking at all his adoring fans. Eventually he landed on the battle field and bowed to screams and cheers from the crowd.
"Thank you, thank you my adoring fans, I love each and everyone of you." Tucker then made his way over to the other trainers box and faced off against Surge who looked like he was ready to burst a blood vessel. "Best of luck to you Surge and may the best trainer win."
Surge gritted his teeth and then shouted. "That's Lt Surge you show off pretty boy, and I will soon put you in your place. You're going down you little punk!"
Tucker just smiled and swished his hair around getting more cheers from the crowd. "Your words have no effect on me Surge, you wanted this battle, and so here I come. Swampert, Arcanine time to shine!" Tucker threw two balls onto the field which opened up to reveal Swampert and Arcanine ready to battle.
There you have it folks, and Tuckers starts off with Swampert and Arcanine, I would like to remind everyone that this is a double battle, only when both Pokemon are knocked out will a winner be decided."
Surge looked onto the field and grinned. "That the best you have, Okay say your prayers, come on out, Raichu and Electivire!" The two Pokemon appeared on the field and faced down their opponants.
Meanwhile in the crowd, Ash was assessing both teams, from where he was sitting Tucker clearly had the advantage. Swampert being part ground had access to a number of devestation ground type moves, that would do a real number of Raichu and Electivire which were both just Eletric types.
Back on the field, Tucker had launched his first attacks, he had used Arcanine Extreme speed and Swamparts had use Mud shot on Raichu.
Surge laughed. "Really that is the best you have, Raichu use Protect, Electivire use Earth quake!"
Raichu used protect and so the mud shot never reached it, Electivire had been dazed by the extreme speed but followed the command he was ordered. He slammed his large foot on the floor uprooting the battle field.
Tucker looked unimpressed. "Like I haven't seen that strategy before. Swampert use Stone Edge, Arcanine you know what to do, use Flare Blitzs!"
Swampert caused large rocks to erupt along the battle field which were heading towards Raichu and Electivire. Arcanine then leapt avoiding the earth quake and used the erupted Stones as stepping stones. Covered in flames it slammed hard into Raichu. The electric type cried out as it rolled back with swirl for eyes.
Surge was speechless, how could one Flare Blitz do that to his Raichu, Electivire use Thunder wave on Arcanine!"
Tucker yawned. "How boring I expected more from a gym leader. "Swampert blocked that Thunder wave, Arcanine use Fire Blast on Electivire.
Swampert took the electric attack head on, as it was part ground it had no effect, Arcanine meanwhile had charged up and launched a powerful fire blast that hit Electivire for some major damage.
Electivire began to sway it could still battle, but only just, however Tucker next attack would finish it off.
"Swampert finish this battle off with Rock slide!" Swampart roared and large rocks appeared above Electivire, they fell straight on top of the electric type causing it to cry out and fall with swirl for eyes.
"And there you have it, everyone, in typical Tucker fashion, he makes quick work of his opponent. Too bad Lt Surge, maybe you could try again, once you train up your Pokemon some more."
Surge looked down at his fainted Raichu and Electivire, he had lost, not only had he lost, but it had been a complete white wash. Surge gritted his teeth and recalled his Pokemon, he refused the offered handshake from Tucker, which caused the entire arena to boo him as he left the field.
Tucker adjusted his microphone. "Well everyone, there you have it, it is shame that Surge refused my handshake, but not everyone can take losing to me. Now as you remembered I said I had special surprise for you all, we have a Celebrity in this arena, and he is almost as popular as I am. He is also in the middle of taking on the Battle Frontier, and has already obtained three symbols. So if the spot light would like to find him.
Ash groaned as he was suddenly lit up and his face appeared on the large screen, soon as it did, gasp and cheers went up.
"That's right everyone, challenging me for the Tactic Symbol next is the three times Pokemon League champion, Ash Ketchum. So Ash are you ready to put on a show for all these lovely people?"
Ash stood up from his seat. "Sure, name the time and place."
Tucker grinned. "Well how about tomorrow night, that will give you time to prepare. I want you to bring everything at me Ash, all your strategies and tactics, after all unless you can demonstrate these vital qualities then you have no chance in beating me."
Ash narrowed his eyes. Tucker certainly enjoyed the sound of his own voice. "That fine, I will battle you tomorrow night, and the may the best trainer win."
Tucker smiled. "You heard it everyone, Ash Ketchum has accepted my challenge, and so tomorrow night it will be Tucker Dome Ace vs Three time Pokemon League champion Ash Ketchum."
The crowd erupted in excitement, cheers and whistles surrounded the entire arena. Those near Ash were trying to get his autograph, or shake his hand. Luckily Sabrina and Cynthia were doing their best to keep them at bay. Eventually several Security personel intervened and escorted Ash and the girls out of the arena, where a two Officer Jennies were waiting to escort them back to the Pokemon Centre.
Next day
Ash was eating his breakfast in the Pokemon centre cafeteria with Sabrina and Cynthia, he was planning to get some serious training in before his match with Tucker tonight. Unfortunately someone else had other ideas. Just as Ash was eating a fork full of egg his Pokegear went off. Ash checked the display and saw Scott name. He quickly answered it.
"Yo Ash was just ringing to let you know that a press conference was taking place this morning. You see whenever anyone challeges or faces Tucker in a battle, the whole City wants to know. So I will be popping by the Pokemon Centre in an hour or so to pick you and your lovely ladies up. If that is okay with you?"
Ash was in a difficult position he couldn't say no as that would look bad, but he seriously wanted to prepare for his battle tonight. Just from the performance last night, Ash could tell that Tuckers Pokemon were at a high level, after all they had made quick work of Surges Raichu and Electivire. Finally Ash came to a decision.
"Okay Scott that's fine we will be ready. Looking forward to see you, bye." Ash hung up the pokegear and sighed. "Look like Scott has arranged for a press conference, something about all Tuckers challengers have one, so the local press can get to see the challenger and ask questions. Honestly being a celebrity sucks sometimes."
Sabrina felt sorry for Ash, it was clear he didn't like his fame, and since the Silver Conference, it had gotten worse. Ash couldn't even walk down a street without someone regonising him and asking for a photo or autograph. Sabrina sometimes wished that Ash wasn't so famous, but she believed and knew the quickest way for him to grow stronger was to battle and battle, if that meant winning championships then so be it. Although Ash's destiny was much bigger than being a Pokemon Champion and Pokemon master. In the future his choices and actions would decide the fate of the entire planet.
"I'm sure the press conference won't take that long, you can do your training afterwards, and remember Cynthia and I are with you all the way. Now finish your breakfast, you should also think about some of the questions the press might want to ask and prepare suitable answers."
Ash shoulders slumped, he finished his breakfast and then went towards the rooms, leaving Sabrina and Cynthia to talk.
"Sabrina you really think its a good idea for Ash to be doing all this, I mean battling one thing, but attending press conferences and stuff like that. I mean Ash isn't like that Tucker idiot, he doesn't want to be the center of attention. He certainly doesn't want his face plastered across the city, I mean look his pictures even posted up in here."
Sabrina agreed she had never met anyone so self-centered before, everything had to be about him, and he always had to make a big deal of the smallest things I mean did he really need to challenge Ash infront of all those people last night? It wasn't fair to put Ash in that position.
"Well hopefully Ash will knock him down a peg or two tonight, that guy seriously need to learn some humility. I wonder how he would react if Ash upstaged him. Maybe Ash should get serious and have Mewtwo wipe the floor with him, or maybe Mew, and few of the other legendaries."
Cynthia shook her head. "Surely that would just draw more attention to Ash, but I do agree Tucker needs taking down."
Meanwhile in the room Ash was looking through his bag while Pikachu was sitting on his bed.
"So boss, who are you planning to use tonight? The legends are getting restless again, maybe you should use some of them, think of the crowds reaction. I know its a double battle right, why not use Latias and Latios, you haven't used them in a while, and if its four on four, how about Suicune, and one of the other legendary Johto Pokemon."
Ash zipped up his bag, Latios and Latias was a good call, both now knew a number of moves that would help, but if Swampert knew blizzard or Ice beam then there could be trouble. Suicune was also a good call, but there was no knowing what other Pokemon Tucker had in reserve, after all he only saw Arcanine and Swampert. Ash removed his Pokegear and searched Tuckers battles, maybe one of his videos would have some of his other Pokemon on. Ash was surprised by the amount of footage online, finally he found a 4 on 4 double battle. Ash skipped half of the battle until Tucker sent out a Salamance and a Metagross. So they were the other two pokemon he had. Ash paid attention to the strategy Tucker was using, Metagross was his wall why Salamance did the damage with Dragon Dance and its other dragon attacks. After seeing the battle's conclusion Ash had come up with his strategy. Tuckers was in for a rude awakening.