AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 25 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu, as they continue their journey through Kanto. Once again, Koga and his daughter, Janine from the games appear in this chapter, as well as Koga's sister, Aya, from the anime. And also, once again, I have Shinji Miyazaki's music cues and arrangements, plus references to episodes in which they are heard. Just a reminder that I DO NOT own Pokémon; Pokémon, Pikachu, and all other characters from the franchise are trademarks of Nintendo. As always, please feel free to read and review, and remember, feedback of any kind is welcome.

TEASER: Tristan's ready to face off against the Fuschia City Gym Leader, Koga, but are his ninja techniques too much for Tristan to handle?

Chapter 25: THE ART OF THE NINJA BATTLE

(Music Cue: Opening 1997-1998 M01B)

Today, we find Tristan and his friends up with the sun. And of course, Tristan's first order of business is exercise.

"That's it, guys," said Tristan to his Pokémon as he stretched with them. "Koga's Pokémon will be tricky, so we have to make sure we're ready for them."

Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Ivysaur, Charmeleon, and Wartortle agreed with him as they stretched along.

"Don't forget that the Gym has lots of Poison Pokémon," added Hillary. "You've seen how hard Janine's Weezing and Koga's Golbat battled yesterday. I'm pretty sure that Koga has some techniques of his own to use against you."

"That's what today's training is all about," replied Tristan. "We're going to be ready for those techniques."

"Pika, Pikachu!" agreed Pikachu.


A little bit later, after Tristan, his Pokémon, and Hillary enjoyed a good breakfast, Koga, Aya, and Janine all came by to pick them up.

"Good morning, kids," said Aya. "It looks like you're ready for today's battle."

"We are, Aya," replied Tristan. "And we're ready to go."

"Well, my father's going to be tough to beat," said Janine. "He's been the Fuschia Gym Leader for as long as I can remember. And I'm sure that he won't just give away badges."

"I wouldn't want him to," replied Tristan. "After all, I did a lot of hard work with my Pokémon to earn my first four badges, right? I wouldn't expect any less of Koga."

"I appreciate the kind words, young man," smiled Koga.

"I can't wait to see another battle," said Hillary excitedly.

"Well, our Gym is just a few minutes' walk from here, so let's go," suggested Koga.

And off they all went to the Fuschia Gym through the deep forest to the Fuschia Gym.


When everyone got there, Koga led them to the battlefield out back so they could start the battle.

Tristan took a few deep breaths to keep himself composed.

"It looks like Tristan may be a little nervous," remarked Hillary. "Do you think he'll be okay, Aya?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine," replied Aya. "If he stays focused, he might just be a winner in today's battle."

"Janine, would you kindly judge the battle for us, please?" asked Koga.

"It'd be an honor, Daddy!" smiled Janine as she made her way to the battlefield.

Tristan was surprised. "Janine can do that?" he asked.

"Of course," smiled Koga. "Current Gym Leaders or people that will become Gym Leaders can officially judge a Gym Battle, too," replied Koga.

"I didn't know that," said Tristan. He looked a bit confused, but was ready to move on.

"All right, if everyone's ready, this official Gym Battle between my father, Koga, the Fuschia City Gym Leader, and soon-to-be member of the Elite Four and the challenger, Tristan, from New Bark Town, will now begin!" announced Janine. "Each side will use two Pokémon. The Gym Battle will be over when both Pokémon on either side are unable to battle. In addition, only the challenger will be allowed to substitute Pokémon if necessary."

"Go, Golbat!" shouted Koga as he threw his first Pokéball.

Golbat materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball. It looked like a larger version of Zubat except it had eyes and four large fangs.

"I knew he'd be starting with Golbat," said Tristan confidently. "All right, Koga, I choose Pikachu!"

"Pika!" said Pikachu as it jumped onto the field, ready to face Golbat.

"A smart choice," said Koga. "You may have the type advantage, but that won't stop my Golbat."

"Pikachu versus Golbat!" announced Janine as she raised her red and green flags. "Good luck and let the battle begin!"

(Music Cue: Raid!)

"Let's get in there right away, Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" ordered Tristan.

"Pikachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" shouted Pikachu as a yellow bolt of electricity shot out from its cheeks.

"Quick, Golbat, get away!" yelled Koga.

Golbat swerved to its left, dodging Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

Tristan was very surprised at Golbat's amazing speed. "That's fast!" he grunted. "Pikachu, repeated Thunderbolt attack!"

Pikachu shot multiple Thunderbolts from its cheeks at Golbat, but every time the attack got close, Golbat swerved from side to side, avoiding every one of them, much to Tristan's frustration.

"This isn't good," said Hillary. "That Golbat's flying way too fast for Thunderbolt to connect!"

"Golbat, Haze attack!" ordered Koga.

Golbat shot a thick black cloud of smoke from its mouth, enveloping the battlefield. Tristan and Pikachu couldn't see a thing.

"Where is that Golbat?" asked Tristan as he frantically searched for Golbat. He wasn't sure what Golbat's next attack was going to be, nor did he know where it would come from.

"Now, Golbat!" shouted Koga.

Out of nowhere, Golbat appeared in the smoke and tackled a surprised Pikachu.

"Pikachu!" cried Tristan.

"Now Wing Attack!" commanded Koga.

Golbat furiously struck Pikachu with its wings, scoring multiple direct hits on it.

Pikachu collapsed on the ground.

"Poor Pikachu!" gasped Hillary.

"That Golbat is pretty strong," remarked Aya. "Let's see if Tristan can get out of this mess."

"Come on, Pikachu, you can do it, buddy!" encouraged Tristan.

Pikachu struggled and eventually got back up on its feet.

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" said Tristan.

"Your Pikachu has taken two of Golbat's attacks and is still ready to battle," commended Koga. "You've certainly raised it well, young man."

"Okay, Pikachu, let's battle with speed," suggested Tristan. "Use your Quick Attack now!"

(Music Cue: Rocket-Powered Disaster (as heard in "Riddle Me This"))

Pikachu charged at Golbat with a white line trailing behind it. Sure enough, Quick Attack was fast enough to score a hit on Golbat.

"Your Pikachu's pretty fast, too," said Koga. "Golbat, try another Wing Attack!"

Golbat charged at Pikachu with its wings as the driving force.

"Quick, Pikachu, use your Double Team!" commanded Tristan.

Pikachu quickly made copies of itself. One by one, the copies appeared. Golbat frantically looked around for the real Pikachu.

"Golbat, use your Supersonic attack!" ordered Koga.

Golbat stopped looking around and emitted thin blue rings from its mouth. Everyone except Koga covered their ears.

"Not again!" bellowed Hillary.

"That's just as powerful as Golbat's Screech attack!" added Aya.

"Pikachu, try another Thunderbolt!" commanded Tristan.

"Pikachuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" yelled Pikachu as a yellow bolt of electricity shot out of its cheeks at Golbat.

"Golbat, Wing Attack!" shouted Koga.

Golbat dodged the Thunderbolt and sped toward Pikachu and rammed it with its large wings, scoring a powerful blow on Pikachu.

"No, Pikachu!" exclaimed Tristan.

Pikachu had fallen on the ground. It struggled to get up again, but collapsed and fainted.

"Pikachu is unable to battle! Golbat wins!" called Janine as she raised her red flag in Koga's direction.

"Very well done, Golbat," said Koga.

Golbat replied happily.

Tristan quickly ran to Pikachu and cradled it in his arms. "Pikachu, how do you feel, buddy?" he asked.

Pikachu gave a weak reply.

"You did a fine job, pal," commended Tristan. "Just take it easy for now."

"Tristan's in a tight spot," said Hillary nervously. "He's only got one Pokémon left to use against Golbat and whatever Koga's second Pokémon is going to be."

"Koga may be ahead now, but I wouldn't count Tristan out of the match just yet, Hillary," advised Aya.

"What do you mean?" asked Hillary.

"I'm sure Tristan has another way of battling a Golbat if he focuses," replied Aya. "Besides, he didn't get his other four badges for nothing, as he's pointed out. So, if he remembers to try his hardest, no matter what the outcome, he will always pull out on top."

"Well, young man," said Koga, "it appears that your Pikachu battled well, but not well enough to defeat my Golbat. If I win one more time, then the match is over."

Tristan thought for a moment. "I know that Golbat is strong, but there's no way I'm going to give up. My Pokémon aren't quitters and neither am I." He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Wartortle, go!"

Wartortle materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball. It flexed its muscles as it prepared to battle against Golbat.

"I'm counting on you, Wartortle!" called Tristan. "Let's show Koga and Golbat what you can do!"

"Wartortle!" replied Wartortle happily.

"Wartortle versus Golbat!" announced Janine as she raised both flags. "Begin!"

(Music Cue: Kanto Wild Pokémon Battle (as heard in "Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?"))

"Golbat, Haze attack!" commanded Koga.

Once again, Golbat shot a thick black cloud of smoke from its big mouth, covering everything in sight.

"I'm not falling for the same trick twice," said Tristan. "Wartortle, blow the Haze away with your Bubble!"

Powerful blue bubbles shot out from Wartortle's mouth at the Haze. Sure enough, it cleared up and Golbat came into view.

"Now blast it with your Water Gun, Wartortle!" commanded Tristan.

Wartortle shot a powerful stream of water from its mouth at Golbat, but Golbat was just as evasive as when it avoided Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

"Golbat, Wing Attack!" ordered Koga.

Golbat charged toward Wartortle with its wings lighting up.

"Quick, Wartortle, use Withdraw to protect yourself!" shouted Tristan.

Wartortle's head and limbs disappeared into its shell as it braced for the assault. Golbat's powerful wings struck its shell again and again.

"What next, Tristan?" asked Koga. "You've been on the defensive this entire time. I suggest you think of something before it's too late."

"Koga's right," thought Tristan. "What can I do? Wartortle can't last much longer at this rate."

"Tristan's really stuck this time," said Hillary nervously. "There's got to be something he can do!" Then, she shouted, "You can do it, Tristan! Don't forget that you've got friends who battle for you, and you've got what it takes to win!"

Golbat continued to strike Wartortle's shell repeatedly with its Wing Attack.

"There's got to be a way to knock Golbat off balance, but what?" thought Tristan. He saw that Golbat's feet were on top of Wartortle's shell. Then he got an idea. " Quick, Wartortle, spin as fast as you can now!" commanded Tristan.

(Music Cue: Kanto Gym Leader Battle (as heard in "Navel Maneuvers"))

Wartortle's shell began to spin, and as it did, Golbat started to lose its balance.

"It's working!" said Hillary. "Wartortle's spinning shell is causing Golbat to get dizzy! If Wartortle keeps it up, they might just beat it!"

"Looks like Golbat might just be damp dry after Wartortle's spin cycle gets done," remarked Aya.

Wartortle continued to spin faster and faster.

"Golbat, get out of there!" shouted Koga.

"But Wartortle was spinning so hard and so fast that Golbat couldn't see where it was. Eventually, Golbat was sent flying from Wartortle's spinning shell.

"Wartortle, jump and aim a spinning Tackle attack at Golbat!" shouted Tristan.

Wartortle jumped as high as it could and, still spinning rapidly, rammed into Golbat with such force that it was falling through the sky.

But Tristan wasn't finished yet. "Wartortle, Water Gun now!" commanded Tristan.

Wartortle's head and limbs emerged from its shell, and it quickly squirted a powerful stream of water from its mouth and struck Golbat, accelerating its fall.

"Golbat!" exclaimed Koga.

Golbat crashed into the ground, and as it did, a cloud of dust loomed. When the dust cleared, Golbat had a dazed expression in its eyes. It had fainted.

"Golbat is unable to battle! Wartortle is the winner!" declared Janine as she raised her green flag in Tristan's direction.

"That's the way, Wartortle!" commended Tristan.

Wartortle nodded approvingly at its happy Trainer.

"That was great!" said Hillary excitedly. "Tristan definitely took Wartortle's skills for a spin!"

"Yes, that was impressive," remarked Aya. "And now, I know why."

"How come, Aya?" asked Hillary.

"While Golbat's Wing Attack kept striking Wartortle's shell, Tristan must have noticed that Golbat's feet were still on it," explained Aya. "He picked that exact moment for Wartortle to spin around and around like a top, causing Golbat to lose its balance and get sent flying. Finally, he had Wartortle do a combination of Tackle and Water Gun attacks to make sure that Golbat didn't recover."

Koga returned Golbat to its Pokéball and held it close. "You did an excellent job, Golbat," he said. He put the Pokéball away and turned to Tristan. "Your Wartortle has been raised just as well as your Pikachu. Getting Golbat to lose its balance on Wartortle's shell while spinning at high speed was an excellent strategy."

"Thanks, Koga, but we're just getting warmed up," replied Tristan.

"Let's move on to the next battle as I select Venomoth!" shouted Koga as he threw another Pokéball.

A light purple moth-like Pokémon materialized from the white light that shot out of the ball. It had bulbous round eyes and its two pairs of wings were covered in dust-like purple scales.

"Let's see what Dexter has to say," said Tristan as he took out his Pokédex.

"Venomoth: The Poison Moth Pokémon: The evolved form of Venonat," identified Dexter. "The powdery scales on its wings are hard to remove. They also contain poison that leaks out on contact."

"That Venomoth looks strong," thought Tristan. "I'll have to be very careful with this one."

Wartortle breathed hard, but was still intent on winning.

"Wartortle looks tired," said Hillary. "I don't know how much longer it can keep this up, especially after its long battle with Golbat."

"Yes, it does seem very exhausted, doesn't it?" replied Aya. "We'll have to see how Tristan can handle it."

"Wartortle versus Venomoth!" announced Janine as she raised both flags. "Begin!"

(Music Cue: Kanto Trainer Battle (as heard in "The Fourth Round Rumble")

"Venomoth, Stun Spore," instructed Koga.

Venomoth flapped its wings, and a golden powder began to spread from them toward Wartortle.

"Wartortle, use your Water Gun to wash it away!" ordered Tristan.

Wartortle fired a powerful stream of water from its mouth. Sure enough, the Stun Spore was reduced to nothing.

"Wartortle, Bubble attack now!" commanded Tristan.

Wartortle shot a flurry of powerful bubbles from its mouth at Venomoth.

"Venomoth, Double Team!" instructed Koga.

Venomoth made copies of itself at blinding speed, causing Wartortle's Bubble attack to miss its target.

Tristan was getting a little frustrated. "That's no good," he grunted. "Now Venomoth will have an easier time avoiding my attacks."

"Venomoth, unleash your Sleep Powder!" ordered Koga.

Venomoth flapped its wings again, but this time, spread a silvery powder at Wartortle, who was instantly covered in it. It closed its eyes and fell fast asleep.

"Wartortle!" exclaimed Tristan. "Wartortle, please wake up! You've got to!"

"This is bad!" said Hillary. "If Wartortle doesn't wake up soon, this could all be over!"

"We'll see what happens now," replied Aya.

"Now, Venomoth, Psybeam!" ordered Koga.

Venomoth unleashed a mysterious colored beam from the crest on its head. It struck a sleeping Wartortle, pushing it backward. However, the force of the attack caused Wartortle to open its eyes and wake up.

Koga became surprised as Wartortle jumped back on its feet.

"Yes!" cried Tristan. "Way to go, Wartortle! All right, Koga, we're back, and we're ready for more!"

Wartortle agreed.

"Okay, young man, let's see how you handle our next Psybeam! Go, Venomoth!" shouted Koga.

Venomoth unleashed another mysterious colored beam from the crest on its head.

"Quick, Wartortle, protect yourself! Withdraw now!" ordered Tristan.

Wartortle's head and limbs shot back into its shell just before it got struck by Venomoth's Psybeam. The force of the attack created a cloud of smoke, causing Tristan to get worried.

"Wartortle, are you okay?" shouted Tristan.

Everyone in the stadium gasped, as they wondered about the outcome of Venomoth's attack. Koga smiled, thinking he'd won, but suddenly, a proud cry could be heard from the smoke.

"Wartortle!"

(Music Cue: Gym (Version 2) as heard in "Volcanic Panic")

It was Wartortle, and it had cleverly used enough of the force from Venomoth's Psybeam to jump into the air, even while in its shell.

Koga gasped in shock while Tristan smiled in relief.

"Incredible!" said Aya. "Wartortle jumped and got a boost from the force of Venomoth's attack to avoid any damage!"

"Yeah, go, Wartortle!" cheered Hillary.

Wartortle's head and limbs came back out of its shell as it landed perfectly on the ground and awaited Tristan's instructions.

"Okay, Wartortle, let's show Koga that it isn't over until it's over," said Tristan. He was filled with more courage and determination than ever.

"Venomoth, Double Team now!" yelled Koga.

Once again, Venomoth quickly created copies of itself. It was clear that Koga wanted to confuse Tristan before it was too late.

"Shoot 'em all down with Water Gun!" commanded Tristan.

Wartortle sprayed a powerful stream of water from its mouth at all the Venomoth copies. It continued to squirt away all the copies until it found the real one, and then it unleashed its Water Gun with such force that it pushed Venomoth backward to Koga's worry.

"Hurry, Venomoth, you've got to use another Psybeam attack!" cried Koga.

Venomoth unleashed a mysterious colored beam from the crest on its head.

"Okay, Wartortle, jump!" instructed Tristan.

Wartortle jumped as high as it could, and it successfully dodged Venomoth's Psybeam.

"Now, Wartortle, let's show Venomoth what we can do when we work together!" shouted Tristan.

Wartortle replied happily, and was filled with so much determination from battling hard that it opened its mouth, and to everyone's surprise, it unleashed a cold beam of energy from it. The beam struck Venomoth with so much power that its wings became frozen, making it fall to the ground.

"No, Venomoth!" cried Koga.

"Is that what I think it is?" gasped Hillary.

"That was an Ice Beam!" exclaimed Aya. "Wartortle must have wanted to win as much as Tristan does, so it learned Ice Beam in the process! If there is a moment where humans and Pokémon work as one, this is one of those moments!"

"That's awesome, Wartortle, now you can use Ice Beam!" said Tristan. "All right, use your Bubble attack!"

Wartortle unleashed another flurry of bubbles from its mouth at Venomoth. The ice broke free, but Venomoth took a lot of damage from the pieces that broke off.

"Now's our big chance, Wartortle!" shouted Tristan. "Give Venomoth a Tackle attack, and this time, give it every ounce of energy you've got!"

Wartortle ran forward at its full speed toward a faltering Venomoth. Wartortle rammed into it with such force that it was sent flying backward past Koga.

"Venomoth!" cried Koga.

Venomoth crashed into the ground and slid backward. It had been knocked out.

"Venomoth is unable to battle! Wartortle wins!" declared Janine. She raised her green flag in Tristan's direction. "The victory goes to Tristan the challenger!"

(Music Cue: I Got a Victory Badge!)

"Yes, we did it!" cried Tristan as he happily ran to Wartortle.

Wartortle, who was battered, weary, but unbeaten, happily ran to its happy Trainer.

"You were just wonderful, Wartortle!" commended Tristan.

"Wartortle!" replied Wartortle happily.

Hillary and Aya walked up to Tristan.

"That was the coolest battle ever!" smiled Hillary. "And that Ice Beam attack proved it!"

"Thanks, sis," replied Tristan.

Then, Koga approached Tristan. "You did an outstanding job, young man," he said. "And your sister is right. That Ice Beam really was something to watch. It froze my Venomoth's wings, causing it to lose its flying abilities. It was an excellent strategy, and one nobody saw coming."

"Thanks, Koga," replied Tristan. "But I think Wartortle deserves most of the credit for this victory."

Wartortle blushed in modesty.

"I have something for you," said Koga. "Janine, would you bring that here please?" He took a shiny object from a box that Janine had standing by and presented it to Tristan. It was shaped like a heart. "This Soul Badge is yours. It is proof of your victory here at the Fuschia Gym."

"Thanks so much, Koga," replied Tristan. "This badge means a lot to me." He gently took it, raised it in the air, and proclaimed, "The Soul Badge! Yes!"

"Pi-Pikachu!" added Pikachu.

"I have a friend in the Safari Zone you might be interested in meeting," suggested Koga. "Maybe you should stop by and say hi to him. Tell him I sent you."

"You bet," replied Tristan.

"And I'll make sure he does," added Hillary.

"Pikachu!" finished Pikachu.

And so, Tristan defeats Koga and earns a Soul Badge. Now, with three more badges to go, what adventures await him, Hillary, and Pikachu next? Stay tuned to find out!"

TO BE CONTINUED...