"We'll be up in the stands rooting for you both." Brock assured us as Ash and I were waiting to go out for the opening ceremony.
"I'll be sure to wave my arms like this so you can see where I am." Ash said, spreading out his arms and waving them madly, making me take a step back to avoid being hit by his goofing.
"I'm sure we'll be able to find you Ash, you don't need to flap." Misty assured him, lifting my camera then took a photo as I quickly slung my arm around Ash's neck and winked with a victory sign as Ash laughed, Pikachu jumping up to join the picture as Misty snapped it up quickly. "And I'll be sure to take lots of photos for you Ruby."
"Thanks Misty, it's got a full battery and I've emptied the memory store onto the computer, so you shouldn't have any problems." I told her then looked up as a voice came on the loudspeaker, telling us to form a line ready for the ceremony. "Come on Ash, let's go!" I beamed as I grabbed his wrist then dragged him away, Pikachu bounding after us as I laughed excitedly.
After thinking things over last night, I decided to simply not let Gary or Sophia bother me. I need to focus on doing my best here, and that's exactly what I'm going to do! Now that Ash and I were waiting in line, I couldn't help but feel tingly all over with anticipation.
"Is this how you felt for your first champion league?" I asked Ash who gave me a smile.
"I still do. You might feel nervous, but it's exciting as well. The opening ceremony is great and everyone will be watching! So make sure you don't trip over, because everyone will see." I smacked him playfully on the back of the head.
"I'm not the one likely to fall over, genius." I answered then lifted my head as everyone began to move. The stadium was huge! It totally took my breath away. The crowds all cheered and clapped loudly as everyone walked out, waving and smiling and I gulped nervously, wishing I could hug one of my Pokémon but then when I saw Ash and how happy he and Pikachu looked, I relaxed and began to smile too, lifting my hand to wave.
We all made our way to the stage and stood before it as the torch was carried to the top and the flame was lit, signifying the official beginning of the competition. "Skillfull and excited trainers, now that the Ho-oh sacred flame is watching over you, battle with honesty, integrity and honour!" Mr Goodshow spoke to us all with a smile. "So that you may never regret a single moment of your time here!" I'll salute to that! I can't wait to get started!
With my opponents all selected, I set to work on mentally preparing myself and my Pokémon for the battle. I found a quiet little grove and let everyone out for a meditation session, though Latias sat in my lap and simply relaxed, a little too young to be thinking about deep inner control and peace.
After about fifteen minutes, I began to play for them all, knowing it was a great way to relax my Pokémon and they all loved my tunes. Jigglypuff and Dragonair even sang along with me, creating a perfect blend of melody and harmony which could calm even the temper of a Gyarados.
"My, what a freak show." Sophia noted and I stopped playing, clenching the flute tightly then took a deep breath, not opening my eyes. Just ignore her. She doesn't exist. Imagine her being sucked into a large black hole…along with that stupid dress and big ribbons…never to be seen again. "What are you even doing? This isn't training, this is just lazing around being pathetic." She said as she walked closer and as Charizard began to growl I reached out and told him to stay calm, so he huffed and closed his eyes, blocking Sophia out as we all returned to meditating.
"Though I suppose freak suits you. Gary told me all about your little aura thing and how Latias is a legendary Pokémon. Now I want it all the more, so you might as well give it up, though my daddy promises he'll buy it for me." She said and Latias lifted her head with a soft whine but I merely rested my hand on her body and she was once again calm. "Hello? Anyone in there?"
She racked her knuckles on my forehead but I didn't give any response. "Gary also told me all about your special little plan to save Pokémon. I think my daddy will make you an offer you can't refuse. He'll fund all of your little dreams in exchange for your Latias. That way you can set up that pathetic little shack you've always wanted and everyone's happy."
It took a lot not to retaliate, but remain quiet and calm I did. Somehow. "You're being very rude. Pay attention to me!" Sophia whined, stamping her foot and I smirked ever so slightly. "Fine. Be that way. I'll just tell you all about what happened with Gary and our moonlit walks." She decided, sitting in front of me. "Well, you see, we talked a lot about each other, so I guess I now know him better than his own mother, seeing as he told me things not even his dear mother knows, like things that happened on his journey and stuff like that. We also held hands. He has such soft skin, and I love running my fingers through his hair."
The mental images were not welcome and were impending on my meditation session. Maybe I should just tell Jigglypuff to use Pound and then Charizard to give her a warm send off. Or a hot one. His choice. "We watched the moon and snuggled close together to keep warm and he told me I was the most beautiful girl he'd ever met. He may have mentioned how irritating and whiny you are at some point but I can't remember. Oh and we kissed, but I don't think that detail is important." Okay, that does it!
"You'd better leave me alone or I'll tell all of my Pokémon to pound your miserable butt right now." I warned her and she smirked in satisfaction, knowing she'd broken through my hard exterior.
"Yeah whatever. I'll just get all of my Pokémon to beat all of yours as easy as if they were babies." She answered, tossing back her hair dramatically. "But I didn't come here to tell you about all those amazing moments I've spent with Gary, I'm here to tell you to give up, because you're not going anywhere here. You might as well just go home to your mommy and cry."
"Wow." I answered, my eyes still closed as I remained in my meditative position. "Gary must have really hated your company if it was only a few moments." That set Sophia off, making her growl angrily.
"I'm saying that you're just a pathetic peasant and there's no chance of you beating me! My Pokémon are all trained to be ruthless, merciless and powerful battlers. Your Pokémon had better hope we decide to go easy on you, otherwise your pathetic little wimps won't even last a second against us. There'll be some serious injuries for sure." That got my attention. What was she planning?
I heard her walk away so I leaped up and glared after her, holding Latias in my arms as she too glared after Sophia, her pretty dress swaying with the movement of her attention seeking walk. But then I blinked. Hurt my Pokémon? Could I really ask them to battle against her when all she wants is to win, and isn't afraid to do whatever to get there?
Charizard growled then rubbed his head against me gently as everyone else all hugged my legs or nuzzled my face, trying to comfort me. "Guys? You're saying you'll battle no matter what?" I asked and they all nodded their heads, making me smile. "Alright then, let's win this!"
So after some quick special training, I went back into the Pokémon centre to meet with the gang before our first round matchups. I was in the B group, putting me against two boys, though one was a lot older than I was. I'd already looked up all their Pokémon and decided on my best three picks to match up again them.
I'd chosen Charizard for firepower, Jigglypuff for strategy and I'd even asked Professor Oak to transfer my Scyther for speed. With all that combined, there was no way anyone was beating me and it looked like all my careful planning worked.
Together we punched a hole through the first opponent and with the last one, finished him off with Scyther's Fury Cutter against the Exeggutor with a final knock out, the other guy losing all his Pokémon and mine were all still ready and fit to battle. A straight double win for me, which means I'm straight on through to the next round.
"Alright, you were amazing Scyther!" I cheered, laughing as I ran over and Scyther flew over to me.
"Scyther! Scyther!" He cheered also then lifted me up, making me squeal as I was tossed into the air and caught again repeatedly by Scyther, who had been quite clingy ever since Professor Oak transferred him over. Guess he'd missed me! Maybe I should ask for him to send over Ivysaur as well. I missed the big guy.
With my battles all done and out the way, that meant it was only Ash to go. He'd transferred his Kingler over for the battle, deciding that he'd need extra water types for his battle round against this girl called Macey who'd developed a crush on Ash, making Misty extra jealous.
Apparently she was a fire type specialist, so all Ash had to do was knock them all out with water type moves and he'll sail through to the next round. "Go Kingler!" He called, letting his Kingler out for some fresh air. "Hey there buddy, it's been a long time." Ah greeted, crouching down to Kingler's height. "What do you say we go warm up for the match, huh?" Kingler instantly began to hammer his large pincers onto the ground, signalling he was born ready.
"Oh no! Someone help me!" A voice yelled and we all spun around to see three Voltorb rolling uncontrollably down the hill without any intent of stopping, not that they could that is.
"Now Kingler, grab them!" Ash yelled.
"No Ash! Kingler is…a water type." I reminded him a little too late and as Kingler bravely caught the three Voltorb, he was zapped by a triple charge Thunderbolt, knocking him clean out. "Hurry! Get Kingler to the Pokémon Centre!"
We ran all the way and one of the many Nurse Joys' did a full check-up. "Nurse Joy, my Kingler is…"
"Your Kingler will be just fine, but I'm afraid there'll be no battling today." She ruled and Ash's face fell. This is bad. How is Ash meant to battle Macey now? He had been relying on Kingler's experience and power to help him win.
"That's just great." Ash said despondently as he left Kingler in Nurse Joy's care and sat down on a bench outside. "Now what am I supposed to do?"
"I guess you're going to have to make do with Totodile Ash, it's your only water Pokémon." Misty said to him gently, realising how put out Ash must have been feeling. Suddenly we heard the low rumble of a motorcycle and we looked up to see Officer Jenny riding towards us.
"Hello Ash! Hello Misty, Ruby! Hello Brock!" She called out and Ash stood up as we blinked in shock.
"Officer Jenny?" We all chorused. But wait, which one is she? We've met loads of Officer Jenny's! She came to a halt just in front of us then something leaped out of the sidecar, wearing cool looking shades.
"Squirtle!" Our favourite little dude greeted before taking off the glasses. "Squirtle, Squirtle."
"Is that Squirtle?" Ashe blinked in disbelief. "It is! I can't believe it!" He laughed then instantly knelt down and gripped Squirtle's hands. "Hey buddy, how've you been?"
"Squirtle Squirrtle!" He replied and we all smiled. Looks like Ash's luck pulled through!
"But how on earth did Ash's Squirtle get here?" Misty asked as Officer Jenny walked towards us, having stood up her motorcycle safely off the path.
"When Squirtle saw Ash at the opening ceremonies, there was just no stopping it." She explained but then Brock lunged forwards and grabbed her hands.
"Every time I see your face there's just no stopping me!" He declared, making Jenny recoil in shock but Misty came to the rescue once again, grabbing Brock by the ear then began to march him away.
"Enough. Love is blind but you're annoying." She said as she took Brock away to cool down a little.
"This is great but what about its fire fighting with the Squirtle Squad?" Ash asked Jenny, stilling holding onto his Squirtle by the hands.
"The Squirtle Squad is doing so great, they all agreed that your Squirtle could take a little time off Ash." Officer Jenny told him and we all beamed.
"This is perfect Ash! You could hurry and change your entry to put Squirtle into your team." Brock said and Ash laughed before turning to his Squirtle.
"That okay with you Squirtle?"
"Squirt. Squirtle Squirt." He gave the thumbs up and Ash instantly leaped up and punched the air in celebration.
"Yeah! Look out Macey, because Ash Ketchum is coming your way and he's not going easy on anybody!" And with that he was running off with Squirtle and Pikachu to change his entries before it was too late.
