AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is Chapter 24 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through Kanto. Koga and his daughter, Janine, make an appearance in this chapter, as well as Aya from the anime. You'll get a chance to find out why Janine becomes the Gym Leader in this chapter and why Koga is in the Elite Four three years between the Generation One games (Red, Blue, and Yellow) and the Generation Two games (Gold, Silver, and Crystal). Shinji Miyazaki's music cues and arrangements from the games are in this chapter, also. As always, please feel free to read and review, plus feedback of any kind is welcome.
TEASER: Tristan is eager to challenge Koga, but he and Hillary will have to get through some obstacles to find him and the Fuschia Gym. Plus, Koga's daughter,Janine, will also need some training in the form of ninja arts. Can she succeed and follow in her father's footsteps?
Chapter 24: PASSING THE NINJA TORCH
(Music Cue: Route 1 The Road to Viridian City (M20A (as heard in "The School of Hard Knocks")))
Tristan and his friends are now in Fuschia City, eager to take on the next Gym, but for now, they're at a loss for words as to where the Gym actually is!
"Are you sure the Gym is somewhere in this city, Tristan?" asked Hillary impatiently as she walked along.
"I'm sure it was here someplace," replied Tristan. "Pokémon Gyms don't just disappear."
"Maybe this one does?" asked Hillary. She seemed uncertain.
"Why don't we turn around?" suggested Tristan. "We can retrace our steps and see if we can find the Gym."
"It's worth a shot," replied Hillary. "Let's go."
Pikachu, riding on Tristan's shoulder, agreed with them as they walked back outside the city limits, hoping to find the Gym.
(Music Cue: Sneaking From the Shadows)
A little while later, Tristan and Hillary found themselves in a forest outside the main city.
"This doesn't look right, Tristan," said Hillary, uneasily. "Are you sure turning around was the right idea?"
"I thought it was," answered Tristan, "but I'm not sure now."
"Does that mean what I think it means?" trembled Hillary anxiously.
"Yep. We're lost," replied Tristan calmly.
"Oh, no!" cringed Hillary. "We may have to eat bugs and worms for the rest of our pathetic lives!"
"Hillary, take it easy, will ya?" implored Tristan. "We'll find the Gym, okay? All we have to do is look around and listen."
They continued walking for what seemed like forever until they came across a huge old house in the middle of the woods.
"I wonder who would live here?" wondered Hillary.
"Maybe someone inside can help us find the Gym," said Tristan. "Let's go see."
"I hope you're right this time," said Hillary as she followed him inside the mansion.
Tristan slowly opened the creaking door to an empty hallway. "Hello?" he called. "Is anyone there?"
"Can you help us?" added Hillary. "We're trying to find the Fuschia Gym."
But there was no answer.
"Well, the lights are on..." said Tristan.
"But there's no one home," added Hillary.
"Let's just take a look around, anyway," suggested Tristan.
He and Hillary walked through the hallway, hardly making a sound. They didn't know that someone or something was lying in wait for them.
"I haven't heard anything since we got inside," remarked Hillary. "It seems a little too quiet for my taste."
"Maybe," replied Tristan as he leaned against a wall. "But maybe there's someone who can...WHAAAAAAAH!" A wall had opened up where Tristan was leaning and he fell right through it. The wall, then, closed behind him to Hillary and Pikachu's surprise.
"Tristan!" gasped Hillary. "Where are you? Can you hear me?"
"I can hear you, but I can't see you!" answered Tristan on the other side of the wall.
"It must be one of those...WHOOOAAAAGH!" Hillary leaned against the wall, and sure enough, the wall opened up and she fell right through to the other side where Tristan was.
"Oh, there you are," said Tristan.
"Where else would I be?" replied Hillary.
"Come on, let's keep searching," suggested Tristan.
He and Hillary commenced looking around for someone who could help them find the Fuschia City Gym, little realizing that they were already there. And if that weren't challenging enough, they were being watched by a pair of big red eyes.
"Why did we fall through that wall, anyway?" complained Hillary. "That was one of the silliest things we've ever done. I like being silly sometimes, but that was way too silly.
"I know, but it's an adventure," replied Tristan. "What could possibly happen?"
Just as he said that, Tristan banged his face hard on something he didn't see coming. He held his face and moaned in pain.
Hillary quickly ran to him. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Ow, my face!" groaned Tristan. "What happened here?"
Hillary carefully inched forward and gently touched that same thing that hit Tristan's face. She saw that it was made of glass. "It looks like an invisible wall," she said.
"An invisible wall?" repeated Tristan.
"Let's try going another way," suggested Hillary.
Tristan agreed with the idea, but didn't see another invisible wall hit him in the face again. He held it as he groaned in pain again.
"It's another invisible wall!" gasped Hillary. She saw that both directions were blocked. "We're boxed in!"
"It looks like we fell into someone's booby trap!" grunted Tristan.
"But who would do that?" asked Hillary.
Presently, a purple furry round Pokémon with red eyes and two white antennae appeared from around the corner, and stopped in front of them.
"Who's that Pokémon?" wondered Tristan as he scanned it with his Pokédex.
"Venonat: The Insect Pokémon," identified Dexter. "Its large eyes act as radar. In a bright place, its eyes can be seen as clusters of tiny eyes."
Hillary went closer to Venonat and took a better look. "How about that!" she said. "Several eyes in a pair of eyes! No wonder Venonat can see so well."
"Do you think this Venonat was responsible for these booby traps?" asked Tristan.
"I don't think it's smart enough to pull off something like this," answered Hillary.
Suddenly, Venonat scampered off.
(Music Cue: Wreakin' Havoc! (as heard in "The Song of Jigglypuff"))
"Wait, Venonat, come back!" called Tristan as he dashed after it.
"Tristan, wait for us!" called Hillary as she and Pikachu raced after him.
Venonat raced around corner after corner to try and outrun Tristan and Hillary, but they kept on its tail.
"I wonder where that Venonat is taking us?" asked Hillary.
"Let's just hope it'll take us to someone who can help us find the Fuschia City Gym," replied Tristan.
Tristan and Hillary raced on and on, hoping to catch it, but suddenly, found themselves surrounded by flying shurikens. They stopped dead in their tracks.
"What's going on, here?" demanded Tristan.
Just then, laughter was heard in the distance. A green-haired woman in a pink ninja robe appeared in front of them. "It looks like you fell for it big time. How did you like my 'star' treatment?"
"What's the big idea of throwing these things at us?" asked Hillary.
"You could have hurt somebody with those!" added Tristan.
"Venonat told me that two kids and a Pikachu entered this building, so it alerted me and I set up those traps," explained the woman.
"So it was you who set up the invisible walls and the revolving door, too!" said Hillary. "I really didn't like getting dizzy, you know."
"Sorry about that," said the woman. "I was teaching someone how to use these traps effectively."
"Aunt Aya!" shouted a voice from the distance.
"Who's that?" wondered Tristan.
A purple spike-haired lady showed up from around the corner.
"That's Janine, my niece," explained the woman. "And I'm Aya."
"Hi, my name's Tristan," said Tristan, introducing himself. "This is my sister, Hillary, and my best friend, Pikachu."
"Pikachu!" greeted Pikachu.
"It's nice to meet you all," replied Aya.
"Did you get those two guests, Aunt Aya? Huh? Huh? Huh?" asked Janine.
"Yes, Janine, they fell for it, hook, line, and sinker," laughed Aya.
"We were wondering if you could tell us where the Fuschia City Gym is," said Hillary.
"I want to compete for a Gym Badge there so that I'll be one step closer to entering the Pokémon League," explained Tristan as he showed his first four Badges to Aya.
"Wow, Tristan, that's impressive," smiled Aya. "Well, it just so happens that you're in the Fuschia Gym right now."
Tristan and Hillary were shocked. "This place is the Fuschia Gym?!"
"That's right," replied Aya. "And my older brother, Koga, is the Gym Leader...but there's a chance he won't be for long."
"Why not?" asked Hillary. "Without a Gym Leader to run the Gym, who's going to take over?"
"I'll tell you what's going on," said Aya. "It all started a few weeks ago..."
(Music Cue: Reunion)
"Koga was looking in the Help Wanted section of his daily newspaper when he saw that there was a possible opening for a spot in the Elite Four," she explained.
"The Elite Four?" asked Tristan. "Who are they?"
"They're a group of four powerful Trainers who are much tougher than Gym Leaders," answered Aya. "And they are always pushing the abilities of Trainers way beyond the limit. Anyway, he applied for the position and stopped by the Indigo Plateau to show off his skills against other members of the Elite Four, including Lorelei, who uses Ice Pokémon; Bruno, who uses Fighting Pokémon; and Agatha, who uses a combination of Ghost and Poison Pokémon. Lance is the Champion of the Elite Four, and he uses rare and powerful Dragon Pokémon."
"Wow," said Tristan. "I sure would like to face them in battle someday.
"Well, you just may get that chance," replied Aya, "IF you defeat the Gym Leaders and win the regional Pokémon League Tournament first."
"And is that also held at the Indigo Plateau?" asked Tristan.
"Yes, it is," answered Aya. "Koga's been using his spare time to teach Janine the tips and tricks of being an effective ninja while he moves his supplies out of here."
Just then, mutliple Pokémon shaped like Pokéballs rolled in, and electricity was sizzling in their bodies.
"Those look like Voltorb!" exclaimed Hillary.
"And they look mad!" added Tristan.
In the distance, Janine snickered from around the corner.
"What do we do, sis?" asked Tristan.
"I don't know. You think of something!" replied Hillary, who was in a panic.
"Janine!" said Aya warningly.
"Yes, Aunt Aya?" replied Janine innocently as she stepped out of her hiding place.
"Did you use the Voltorb to sneak up on us again?" asked Aya.
"Again?" asked Hillary. "Does this happen often?"
"Unfortunately, yes," answered Aya. She turned to the Voltorb and said, "You can stop now, Voltorb."
The Voltorb's electricity stopped sizzling, and they rolled away.
"Janine always likes to play with the Voltorb," explained Aya. "She even goes as far as to tell them to play practical jokes on other people."
"And they get scared out of their wits!" laughed Janine. "That's the best part!"
"You know you shouldn't be playing with your father's Voltorb like that," scolded Aya. "If the Voltorb Self-Destruct in your vicinity, you could lose your status as Gym Leader before you even start!"
Janine, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu all gasped at the revelation.
"You mean Janine could soon be the next Gym Leader?!" exclaimed Tristan.
Aya smiled and said, "You got it."
"But what about Koga?" asked Hillary.
"Oh, Koga's still the Gym Leader," replied Aya. "You'll get a chance to face him. He'll be home soon."
"I'm home!" announced a voice. It was Koga, the Fuschia City Gym Leader. He wore a blue ninja robe with a red kerchief around his neck. He had short, spiky blue-green hair. "And I see we've got company."
"Hi, there. You must be Koga. I'm Tristan, and I'm from New Bark Town in the Johto region," said Tristan. "I want to challenge you for a Gym Badge here at the Fuschia Gym.
"Interesting," said Koga. "Very well, then. I accept your challenge, young man."
"Where did you go this time, honored brother?" asked Aya curiously.
"I went to do some special training near the Indigo Plateau, Aya," answered Koga. He turned to Janine, who was acting kind of guilty. "Did you play with the Voltorb again, young lady?"
Janine sheepishly turned to his father and replied, "Yes, I did."
Koga sighed. "Those Voltorb are very dangerous, young lady. You could have gotten seriously hurt if you weren't careful."
"But I was careful, Daddy!" protested Janine. "The Voltorb didn't explode near me at all!"
Koga paused for a minute. "It's obvious to me that you need training in order to be an effective Gym Leader." He turned to Tristan. "Young man, would you care to demonstrate some of your techniques in a Pokémon battle against my daughter?"
"Count me in," replied Tristan happily. He always looked forward to a new challenge, especially when it came to battling, and he thought this battle would be a great warm-up for his Gym battle against Koga.
"If you like, master Koga, I can judge the match," suggested Aya.
Koga nodded. "That's an excellent idea. Everyone, follow me out to the courtyard out back."
It didn't take long for everyone to get situated outside. Tristan and Hillary took their places on opposite sides of the battlefield.
"This Pokémon battle between Tristan from New Bark Town and Janine, the possible future Gym Leader, is about to begin!" announced Aya. "This will be a one-on-one battle with no substitutions."
"Weezing, go!" shouted Janine as she threw her Pokéball.
A purple Poison Pokémon with two spheres connected together emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"So, Weezing is the Pokémon that's up now, huh?" said Hillary. "It could be trouble, seeing as how this Weezing looks much stronger than James's Weezing from Team Rocket.
"That's just fine with me," replied Tristan. He turned to Pikachu, who was standing by. "Are you ready, Pikachu?"
"Pikachu!" answered Pikachu as it jumped in front of Tristan, ready to battle Weezing.
"Begin!" called Aya as she raised both arms in the air.
(Music Cue: Chaos)
"Pikachu, use your Quick Attack!" shouted Tristan.
Pikachu charged toward Weezing with a white line trailing behind it.
"Quick, Weezing, Smog attack!" commanded Janine.
Weezing unleashed a green cloud of smoke from its two mouths.
Pikachu covered its eyes, leaving it at a standstill.
"Weezing, use your Tackle attack while it's blinded!" ordered Janine.
Weezing charged toward Pikachu through the Smog. It successfully scored a hit on it, sending it flying.
"Pikachu!" cried Tristan.
Pikachu crashed on the ground, but got back up on its feet.
"That Weezing's been raised well," remarked Hillary.
"Yes, but as impressive as she is, Janine still has a long way to go," replied Koga. "We'll see what Tristan has up his sleeve next."
"Ha!" laughed Janine. "If this attack easily caught you by surprise, you'll never be ready to face my father in battle."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Janine," said Tristan. "This battle's not over yet." Then, he thought to himself, If Janine and Weezing release another cloud of smoke, then I may use it to my advantage, and then I'll show her some ninja techniques of my own.
"Weezing, use your Toxic attack!" commanded Janine.
Weezing released another cloud of green smoke from its mouth at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, use your Double Team!" ordered Tristan.
Pikachu quickly moved around and made illusory copies of itself, confusing Weezing and Janine as it disappeared.
"Oh, no," she said as she frantically looked around. "Now I can't tell which one's the real Pikachu!"
"Quick Attack now!" ordered Tristan, much to Janine's surprise.
Pikachu and the copies rushed toward Weezing at an incredible rate of speed with white lines trailing behind them.
Weezing was trying to see where Pikachu's attack would come from so it could dodge, but its reaction time was too slow, for Pikachu slammed into it from a different angle, scoring a clean hit in the process.
"Quick, Pikachu, Thunderbolt attack!" shouted Tristan.
"Pikachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" yelled Pikachu as it shot a yellow bolt of electricity at Weezing.
Weezing got struck by Thunderbolt, causing it to collapse.
"Weezing, are you okay?" asked Janine.
Weezing struggled to levitate back up, but the damage that it took was too much to take as it fainted, much to Janine's shock.
"Weezing is unable to battle...Pikachu wins and the victor is Tristan!" declared Aya as she raised her left arm.
"Way to go, buddy!" said Tristan to Pikachu.
Pikachu thanked Tristan for the kind words.
Koga walked to Janine and said, "You did well battling Tristan and Pikachu, but as far as I'm concerned, they did even better."
"Why, Daddy?" asked Janine.
"Because, Janine," answered Koga, "a ninja needs to be quick on their feet and disappear like one. Foes need to be confused in order for the best ninja techniques to work. Then, they will need to strike hard and fast without warning. Perhaps, if you hadn't been overconfident in your abilities, you would have done the same thing. But instead, when you used your Toxic attack, Tristan took advantage of the situation by using Pikachu's Double Team to confuse you. Then he struck hard and fast without letting up."
"But why, Daddy?" asked Janine.
"Because Tristan thought like a ninja while you did not," replied Koga sternly.
Janine gasped at the reply.
"And if you don't start thinking like a ninja, you'll never be a good Leader at this Gym!" he continued.
Janine was so stunned by those words that she almost felt like crying. But she knew that her father was right. "I think I know what you're talking about, Daddy," she said at last. "I was so excited at how frustrated my foes were that I had forgotten what it means to be a true ninja." She slowly walked over to her Weezing and said, "Oh, Weezing, I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking as well as Tristan was, let alone a real ninja. Would you be willing to give me another chance?"
Weezing nodded happily.
"Oh, thank you, Weezing!" said Janine as she hugged it tight. "I won't let you down again."
"Well, it sounds like Janine gets it now, right, master Koga?" said Aya.
"I'd say so, Aya," replied Koga. He then turned to Tristan. "Would you mind helping Janine with her training, young man?"
"I'd be happy to help her," smiled Tristan, "but I'm not sure if I'm as much of an expert on being a ninja as you say I am."
"Just demonstrate how you won your battle using the same techniques Janine experienced," explained Koga, "and you will teach Janine everything in no time."
"I'll help, too, Tristan," added Aya.
"So will I," finished Hillary.
Pikachu agreed with all of them.
"I have spare ninja uniforms for you kids to try," said Koga.
A little while later, Tristan and Hillary changed into ninja uniforms. They both fit perfectly.
"Wow," said Tristan. "I never thought I'd be able to experience what a ninja can do in this thing."
"Nor did I," added Hillary.
"You both look like real ninjas now," remarked Koga.
"Thanks, Koga," replied Tristan.
"Are you all ready to get started?" asked Aya.
"I'm ready, Aunt Aya!" answered Janine.
"We are, too," added Tristan and Hillary.
"All right, then let's do it," said Koga. "Who wants to be my first volunteer?"
"I'll go first, Koga," said Tristan.
"Very well, young man," said Koga. "For the first exercise, I need you to start by having your Pikachu's Double Team attack in action."
(Music Cue: Get Pokémon)
"Right," replied Tristan. He turned to Pikachu. "Pikachu, try your Double Team."
Pikachu instantly made illusory copies of itself at incredible speed.
"Are you paying attention, Janine?" asked Koga.
"Yes, Daddy," answered Janine. She was awestruck at how fast Pikachu was going.
"Now let's make it more interesting by having Quick Attack in action," suggested Koga.
"All right, Pikachu, speed it up with Quick Attack!" instructed Tristan.
All the Pikachu copies ran in different directions, each with a white line trailing behind it.
"Now, let's see if you can find the real Pikachu," said Koga. "Close your eyes and focus as hard as you can."
Tristan closed his eyes and listened hard for the real Pikachu. It certainly wasn't easy, especially with many Pikachu voices going in and out of his head.
"You'll need to be quick when you find it," advised Koga.
Tristan kept very still and continued to concentrate. Just then, he heard the voice of the real Pikachu coming at him from behind. He quickly turned around and blocked it using its hands, but soon after, he was sent flying backward into the ground.
Hillary was worried. "Are you all right?" she asked.
Tristan got to his feet. "I'm fine," he answered.
"Exemplary work, young man," remarked Koga.
"Thanks a lot, Koga," replied Tristan. "I guess that's what they mean by taking a challenge head on."
Everyone laughed, including Janine.
Koga turned to Hillary. "It's your turn, miss," he said.
"I'm ready, Koga," replied Hillary.
"This time, we'll use a log, a net, and another spare uniform for 'capture the ninja,'" said Koga. "And Janine, I will need your help, too."
"I'm ready, Daddy," replied Janine as she threw a Pokéball. "Go, Zubat!"
A blue bat-like Pokémon materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball.
"Miss, I need you to stand over there," Koga said to Hillary.
"What for?" wondered Hillary.
"Janine will have her Zubat use a Haze attack," explained Koga. "You will then disappear and put the log in the exact same spot you were at. Janine will use the net to try and catch you."
"Understood, Koga," replied Hillary.
"Is everyone ready?" asked Koga.
"Ready!" replied Hillary and Janine together.
"Begin!" called Koga.
(Music Cue: Kanto Wild Pokémon Battle (as heard in "Good Quil Hunting"))
"Zubat, Haze attack!" commanded Janine.
A thick cloud of black smoke shot out of Zubat's mouth, covering everything in it.
Janine focused her concentration on where Hillary would be. When she was ready, she took aim, and dashed in the cloud with net in hand to try and catch Hillary in it.
When the cloud cleared up, Janine stood proudly as she held the net over Hillary's head, or so she thought. "I did it, Daddy!" called Janine. "I caught Hillary, and she didn't see me coming!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Janine," said a voice.
Behind Janine stood another Hillary.
"WHAT?!" gasped Janine. "Where did she come from?!" Then, she saw that she had captured the log where Hillary was standing before.
"Excellent work, miss," Koga said to Hillary.
"Thank you very much, Koga," replied Hillary.
"Now, let's try another technique," suggested Koga. "Who'd like to volunteer?"
"Wait!" called Janine. "I want to try a technique next."
Everyone was shocked, including Koga. "Are you sure you're ready, Janine?" he asked.
"I'm sure," answered Janine. "I've been paying attention to the exercises we just did. I realize that the movements of a ninja have to be swift and precise. And I also know that I can't underestimate my opponents while staying on guard. So, Daddy, may I please try one with you?"
Koga thought long and hard. Then he said, "You seem ready enough. Do you think you can handle a ninja style Pokémon battle? This will be a test to see if you are actually ready to take over the duties as Gym Leader when I leave."
Now it was Janine's turn to think long and hard. At last, she said, "It's a deal, Daddy."
It didn't take long for Janine and Koga to get situated on opposite sides of the battlefield out back. Everyone else watched from the bench.
"Do you think Janine will be okay, Aya?" asked Tristan.
"If she battles hard and remembers the techniques she saw you perform, I'm sure she'll be fine," replied Aya.
"I choose Golbat!" shouted Koga as he threw a Pokéball.
(Music Cue: Kanto Gym Leader Battle)
A bat-like Pokémon emerged from the white light that shot out of the ball. It looked just like Zubat, but it had a gaping mouth, four fangs, larger wings, and a pair of eyes.
"I wonder what that is?" said Tristan as he scanned Golbat with his Pokédex.
"Golbat: The Bat Pokémon: The evoloved form of Zubat," identified Dexter. "Golbat attacks in a stealthy manner without warning. Its sharp fangs can drain 400 cubic centimeters of blood per bite."
"Wow, that's almost too scary to think about," said Hillary.
"I'll go with Weezing!" called Janine as she threw her Pokéball.
Weezing materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball.
"Let's begin right way," said Koga. "Golbat, use your Screech attack!"
Golbat opened its mouth wider and it emitted a piercing noise from its mouth as thin circles shot out of it.
Everyone had to cover that ears in pain, even Janine.
"What is that sound?!" bellowed Hillary.
"That Screech is very powerful!" added Aya.
"I know that Koga's Golbat is strong, but I never realized how strong!" finished Tristan.
Koga just stood there as if nothing was happening.
Janine had to think of something. "Quick, Weezing, use your Smog attack!" ordered Janine.
Weezing shot a green cloud of smoke from its mouth.
Golbat was enveloped inside it, making it unable to see.
"Quick, Golbat, blow the Smog away!" ordered Koga.
Golbat furiously flapped its wings, instantly blowing the Smog away.
However, Koga and Golbat noticed that Weezing had disappeared.
"That's weird," said Koga. "Now where did Weezing go?"
"Tackle attack!" ordered Janine.
Weezing descended down from the sky towards Golbat at high speed, and it scored a clean hit, much to its surprise.
"Hmmmm," smiled Koga. "Not bad at all, Janine. Not bad at all."
"Don't let up, Weezing! Use back to back Tackle attacks!" yelled Janine.
Weezing bounced up and down on top of Golbat, scoring clean hits.
"Weezing's doing very well!" Hillary remarked.
"Janine's learned a lot over the past few hours," replied Aya. "She's taking this battle very seriously just like Koga has...just like a true ninja."
"Golbat, use your Wing Attack!" commanded Koga.
Golbat quickly charged toward Weezing with its powerful wings as the driving force.
"Quick, Weezing, Smog attack!" ordered Janine.
But it was too late, for Golbat scored a direct hit on Weezing, sending it skyward.
"Weezing!" cried Janine.
Weezing crashed into the ground after falling from the sky. It had been knocked out.
Tristan and Hillary felt bad for Janine's loss.
"Janine and Weezing put up a great battle," said Tristan.
"They were doing so well, too," added Hillary.
Janine gently held Weezing in her arms. "You did a great job, Weezing," she commended. "You deserve a good rest."
Koga walked up to Janine. "You've battled admirably yourself, Janine," he said. "You battled like a real ninja out there."
Janine was surprised. "You mean that, Daddy?" she said. "Does that mean..."
"Yes, dear," smiled Koga. "I think you are ready to take on challengers as a strong Gym Leader."
"Oh, thank you, Daddy!" she said excitedly. "I will keep the ninja tradition alive. I promise."
(Music Cue: To Be Continued...)
Tristan and Hillary walked up to Janine.
"Janine, that's so great!" said Hillary.
"Congratulations," added Tristan.
"Thanks, guys," replied Janine. "You guys made it happen. But what about Daddy?"
"I plan to carry on the ninja tradition at the Indigo Plateau starting next week," said Koga.
Everyone was surprised, even Aya.
"However," he continued, "I will be in training until one of the members of the Elite Four steps down."
"I'll help in any way I can, honored brother," said Aya.
"Thank you, Aya," said Koga. He turned to Tristan and Hillary. "It's getting late. We'll take you to the Pokémon Center and then take you to the Gym tomorrow morning for our Gym match."
"That'd be awesome. Thanks," said Tristan.
Pikachu thanked Koga, too.
"I can't wait for tomorrow!" said Tristan excitedly. "I'm eager to battle for my fifth badge!"
"Pi-Pikachu!" added Pikachu.
"All right, let's get going, everyone," said Koga.
"We're coming, Daddy!" called Janine as she and Aya raced after him, Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu.
With the ninja tradition going strong, Janine is honored with the status as the next Leader of the Fuschia Gym. Now, with Tristan's fifth Gym battle just one good night's sleep away, he looks forward to honing his skills. Who knows? Maybe he could do a good job of acting like a ninja, too!
► TO BE CONTINUED
