Today we found ourselves in a beautiful national park, filled with trees, wonderful smelling flowers and bright sunshine. A perfect day. We were following the main trail to go straight through on to Ecruteak City when we began to see a massive crowd gathering in front of a brightly decorated stage.

"Hey, let's go check it out!" Ash said and hurried ahead with me close behind. This looks interesting! Is it a concert or something? That's when I heard this guy dressed in a Venomoth costume start to call out to everyone.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! The bug catching contest is about to begin! Come one, come all and sign up at now at the registration tent!" He directed his hand towards a tent with a long line of people.

"Does the winner get some kind of prize?" Ash asked and the mascot nodded his head.

"Sure, the winner gets a Sun Stone and also gets to keep whatever bug Pokémon they catch." He told us but Misty instantly yelped and began to shake.

"Keep one? No thanks." Brock laughed.

"She's not big on bugs." He excused but Ash punched the air with excitement.

"I am!"

"Me too!" I agreed. I haven't seen a Sun Stone before and it would be great to add to my collection.

"You wait, I'm going to win this contest and a brand new Pokémon!" Ash said proudly but I just folded my arms and stuck out my tongue before answering.

"That'll be pretty hard seeing as I'm going to be the one to win." I told him. "My eye is on that Sun Stone for Professor Oak to study, so watch out genius, because you're about to find out how a real pro wins a contest just like this one!" With that I ran off to join the line.

"Oh no you're not! Get back here Ruby!" Ash yelled then chased after me but stopped at the back of the line.

"It looks pretty long." I smirked at him.

"Getting cold feet?"

"No!" He answered instantly. Suddenly we both heard a gasp and someone ran towards us.

"I can't believe it!" Was that Casey? "Hi guys!" Misty and I both smiled brightly upon seeing the enthusiastic and energetic young girl we had met practically on our first day here in Johto. It sure was great to see her again! And her Chikorita. "If I know you two, I bet you're both going to sign up and try to win a new bug Pokémon. So am I!"

"That's great Casey, it's good to see you!" I told her with a laugh before we all looked to see Chikorita and Pikachu greeting one another cheerfully.

"Your Chikorita is looking really strong." Brock noted and Casey turned a proud smile up at us.

"Since the last time we met, we've been on a winning streak, just like my favourite team! The good old Electabuzz!"

"Sounds like you're still a big fan." Misty said and Casey gave a fierce expression.

"Sure am! And I'm going to keep up my winning streak just like my favourite team to win this competition!" Ash jabbed a thumb at himself as he towered over Casey, a competitive look on his face.

"You're not beating me!"

"With that attitude we'll both work harder and I'll look even better when I win! And I'm going to do my best to win this contest for the Electabuzz!" Casey declared as she and Ash faced one another off, so as they started to argue over who was the best I joined the line and gradually made my way up to the front, signing my name and the name of my chosen Pokémon before joining the crowd to stand in front of the stage where Casey and Ash soon joined me.

"Here's the rules for the big bug catching competition. Trainers are only allowed to use one Pokémon each and to catch a Pokémon during the bug contest, you must use one of these special Park Balls." The director explained as he lifted up a special looking Park Ball. "Only one Park Ball is issued to each trainer, catch one bug Pokémon at a time and if you think you have a winner then keep it, at the end of the time the judging committee will decide a winner." He said as everyone was handed a Park Ball. "Now let the bug catching contest begin!"

With my arms secured around my egg I raced off into the trees with the other kids, gradually the thick throng spreading out until I was on my own. "Alright then Eevee, come on out! It's time to win a competition!" I called, letting her out of her Pokéball then giggled as she jumped into the tall grass then began to play.

Shaking my head with a laugh I began to walk ahead. "Come on Eevee, let's go bug hunting." I called over my shoulder so she leaped out of the grass then trotted at my side as we both kept our eyes open for bug Pokémon.

"Vee?" Eevee lifted her head and began to sniff the air. "Vee!" She leaped over to a tree then slammed into it, knocking a Metapod out of its branches. "Eevee Vee!"

"Nice one Eevee! Though I think we could do better than that, we want to win this thing, don't we?" I said to her, chuckling as I picked up the Metapod, giving my warmest of smiles before stroking it gently. "Here, how about I put you back in your tree?" I suggested then reached out and put it back in the tree. "Great find Eevee, let's keep going." I said, marching onwards with Eevee trotting happily at my side once more.

We found several Weedle, Kakuna and a Caterpie, but nothing really outstanding Pokémon, no real contest winners. That was until I saw a Scyther racing towards us. "Wow! Get ready Eevee, this one is a winner for sure!" I told her and she leaped out in front of me as the Scyther stopped, glaring at us. It looked to me as if this Scyther has already had been a bit of a pinch, however it looked pretty determined to fight. "Okay Eevee, let's kick things off with a Quick Attack!"

"Eevee!" She called before darting forwards. Scyther moved quickly, slashing at the air as it darted forwards but Eevee darted out the way, dodging its first Slash attack before powering into it with all her might.

"Yeah! Alright Eevee, now use Swift!" Eevee bounded off a tree then directed her Swift attack at the Scyther, who neatly began slashing away at the stars with Fury Cutter, slicing them in half so I clenched my fist determinedly. "Don't give up Eevee, use Dig!" Smiling with encouragement as Scyther sped at Eevee who dove underground.

The Scyther stopped and started in confusion, looking left and right in search of its opponent until finally Eevee leaped up from the ground, tackling Scyther directly from beneath it with a direct hit. "Alright, Pokéball go!" I called, flinging the Pokéball expertly forwards until it struck the Scyther as it knelt down on the ground, panting for breath.

It was sucked into the Park Ball, glowing bright red before it landed on the ground and Eevee stood poised, still ready to spring back into battle as the Park Ball quivered, the centre flashed red as I held my breath.

Finally it clicked and the Scyther was caught, making me beam with success. "Yeah! You were great Eevee, we just caught a Scyther!" I cheered, picking her up and hugging her with the egg before collecting my new Pokémon. "Come on! Let's get back."

"Vee!" Eevee nodded her head and began to spring ahead but she then stopped, lifting her nose into the air before taking a sniff. "Eevee! Eevee Vee!" She suddenly called with worry, spinning back around to face me with concerned eyes.

"What is it Eevee? Is something wrong?" In answer she shot between my legs and raced away so I quickly spun around and chased after her. "Wait for me!" I chased after her, diving through some bushes before coming up short when I almost ran into her. "Eevee what's wrong?"

"Eevee!" She said, looking upwards so I turned my head to look into the sky.

"Oh! Ash! Hang on Ash!" I yelled up to him as he was carried away with Pikachu in a cage by Team Rocket. "We're coming! Let's go Eevee."

"Vee." She nodded her head and together we sprang forwards, running to get closer but then I heard Casey, Misty and Brock calling as well.

"Ash! Pikachu!"

"Hey guys!" I waved to them and teamed up as we stopped to face Team Rocket.

"Let them go Team Rocket! They're out of your league!" Casey yelled with her Chikorita standing on her shoulder and I took her side, ready to defend her if necessary.

"Hey, it's that pep squad pipsqueak from the Electabuzz losers!" Team Rocket all chorused as they pointed down at Casey, who only grew angrier.

"Who are you calling losers?" She demanded hotly as I lifted my head too.

"Yeah! The Electabuzz never quit! If anyone's the losers then it's you three! Let Ash and Pikachu go then we won't hurt you!" They threw back their heads in laughter, their balloon carrying them higher up into the sky. We have to act fast before they get away.

"Not on your life. We may usually be losers, but today we're going to be winners." Meowth declared right before a giant net swooped down towards us, aiming straight for our Pokémon.

"Get out of there guys!" Ash called but Casey stood her ground.

"No way, you helped us and now we're helping you. Right Chikorita?"

"Chika!" Chikorita agreed with Casey, eyes narrowed in stubborn determination.

"Okay Chikorita, Razor Leaf attack now!" Chikorita leaped up into the air and spun her leaf around, sending several leaf blades shooting out towards the cage but the net dropped down and shielded it, the leaves bouncing off harmlessly.

"Ha-ha! We made the catch!" James cheered as Jessie held her face in shame.

"Now I guess we'll all have to start using baseball terms."

"You've already got two strikes against you kid, and this flaming fast ball is going to end the game." Meowth declared before pressing a button to reveal a giant baseball that dropped down from underneath the neat and ignited with rocket power. This is not good.

"It's a missile!" Misty gasped, staring as it burned brightly but Casey wasn't backing down.

"Chikorita, we may be down to our last strike, but that doesn't mean we can't still win this game." She said to her Chikorita, speaking warmly and with confidence in both herself and her Chikorita. "But to do it, we have to hit a grand slam home run!"

"Chika!" Chikorita agreed, turning to face the Team Rocket missile before beginning to glow. Everyone stared in shock as Chikorita began to grow in size, the leaf buds around its neck extending and the one on its head growing larger too. Wow…

"Bayleef, the leaf Pokémon, the evolved form of Chikorita. Bayleef emits a spicy aroma from the leaves around its neck and its Razor Leaf is extremely powerful." Thank you Dexter. Have to say, Bayleef looks like an awesome Pokémon.

"This is great! You evolved!" Casey said happily, grinning from ear to ear. "You're just the power hitter we need Bayleef!"

"Bay! Bay Bayleef!" Suddenly the missile was launched towards us, soaring through the air but Casey and Bayleef teamed together.

"Okay Bayleef, just keep your eye on the ball and give it your best swing!"

"Bay Bay!" Bayleef nodded its head.

"Razor Leaf attack now!" The leaves shot forwards with awesome power, slicing through the missile and cut through the rope that held the cage so that Ash and Pikachu began to crash towards the ground, yelling as they went. Oh I don't think so!

"Scyther! I choose you! Catch that cage!" I called, twirling around as Eevee danced around my feet, cheering happily as Bayleef's attack made the baseball missile explode. Scyther appeared from within its Pokéball, looking upwards.

"Scyther!" With that it darted with intense speed towards Ash, spreading its blades and caught the cage on its back as I cheered.

"Yeah! Go Scyther! Okay, now use Fury Cutter to let Ash out. I think it's time he took his place on the plate!"

"Scyther!" Scyther slashed at the bars, slicing them to pieces easily and Ash laughed as he and Pikachu ran out of there.

"Thanks Scyther!" He called as he joined our sides. "Pikachu, lets help 'em clinch this game!" Ash said as we all glared up at Team Rocket. "Pikachu, knock them out of the park with a Thunderbolt."

"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded his head before springing from Ash's shoulder, flying into the air to curl up before spreading out. "Pika…CHUUUUUUU!" The balloon took a direct hit and in an instant exploded with a bright flash of light, sending Team Rocket out of the match!

"We're blasting off again!" They wailed and I punched the air.

"Yeah! Strike three and they're out! Great work guys, you were all totally awesome!" I cheered, reaching out to rub Scyther's head as it walked over to me and it smiled and closed its eyes at my petting, sighing softly. "Welcome to the team Scyther, it's good to have you with us." I said and Eevee sprang up onto Scyther's shoulder, beaming proudly.

"Vee Vee Eevee!" She squealed before licking Scyther's face, making it blush slightly before lifting its bladed arms up to celebrate with her.

"Scyther! Scyther! Scyther!" Eevee jumped back onto my shoulder and I smiled to Scyther.

"Okay Scyther, time to return for a nice, well deserved rest." I said and returned it to the Pokéball with a smile. "Now let's hurry up before we miss the judging! Come on! Let's hustle everyone!" We all laughed and raced back to the meeting point where I handed over my Scyther to be judged, waiting with the crowd as Ash and Casey stood either side of me.

It surprisingly didn't take very long for them to decide a winner, despite there being so many kids here. The announcer walked on stage and waited until everyone had finished clapping before speaking as loud as his voice would go so people could hear him at the back.

"And now, the judges have reached a final decision. Would Ash Ketchum, Olivia Johnson and Ruby Bates all step up to the stage please!" No way! Ash and I were in the final three!

"Go on guys, get up there!" Casey said with a laugh, pushing us both forwards so we hurried up onto the stage.

"This is great, it's you against me now." Ash said quietly as the announcer gave a dramatic pause before revealing the winner. "No hard feelings when I win, right?" I laughed.

"No way, but the same goes for me."

"And the winner is…Ruby Bates with a spectacular Scyther!" Huh? Wait a minute, I actually won? But…you know for all my talk I didn't actually think I would win. But this is totally awesome! The crowd cheered and I heard Ash laugh before he playfully punched me on the shoulder.

"Way to go Ruby! Guess you did beat me after all, but this'll be the last time, I promise you that!"

"Don't count on it Ketchum, I'm just as stubborn and determined as you are." I said to him with a wide smile as I stepped up onto the first place block and received both my Scyther and the Sun Stone.

"Congratulations miss, use it well." The announcer said to me as he handed them both to me.

"I will sir, don't worry about that." I assured him before lifting my Sun Stone high in the air as everyone cheered, celebrating the awesome feeling of winning something so precious. Well, until I next see Professor Oak I'll keep a hold of it. Right now I think I need a very long night's sleep.