After traveling for a while, Nils, Ren and Firenze arrived in Pinoma City which was on the path to Sacr City. Pinoma City was a regular city that had no Gym but, it was the workplace of Ketchum co.
"What's Ketchum co," asked Ren who didn't know the famous company due to being homeless for a long time.
"It's a company that is trying to improve the bond between humans and Pokemon which could make the world a better place," answered Ren who knew the company well since his parents were friends of the president of Ketchum co.
After the conversation, the trio continued to walk through the city until they were greeted by the vice president who just happened to walk by.
"Hello you three," said Wilda who remembered them fighting Team Bomb at the Pewter City Museum. "Are you here to go on the Ketchum tour by any chance?"
"The Ketchum tour," asked a curious Firenze, "What's that?"
"It's a tour of the building that happens once a year," explained the vice president, "And by the end of the tour, one of the tourists will battle the president." "The tour will begin in two hours."
"That sounds interesting," said Firenze, who seemed interested in going.
"I bet I'll see lots of cool things there," said an excited Ren.
"I'm in," said Nils who was looking forward to getting a chance to battle his fiance's father.
"Then you will have to go strait down that street to find it," said Wilda who then left.
The trio spent the next hour walking to Ketchum co Building and when they arrived, they entered only to find lots of people waiting for the tour to start.
A girl slightly older than Nils with a small pink ponytail and a yellow shirt walked over to the trio and decided to talk to them.
"I see you decided to follow my suggestion," the girl said to Ren.
"Yup sure did," said Ren to the girl.
"Are you the one that told Ren about Sacr City," asked Nils.
"Sure am," said the girl, "My name's Libby."
"You already know my name," said Ren, "And this is Nils and that's Firenze."
"Nice to meet you," said Libby.
"Nice to meet you too," said Nils and Firenze at the same time.
A few minutes later, a Ketchum co employee appeared which meant the tour was about to begin.
"Everyone please follow me," said the employee and everyone started to follow him. The tour was exciting to some tourists but others weren't as excited mainly because they only came hoping to have a battle with the president.
Three hours later, the tourists were guided to a special room at the top floor which turned out to be the president's office. Ash then looked at the tourists and then got out of his chair while holding a bunch of papers.
"I hope you are having a great time with the tour," said Ash "But it's not over yet, we will now have a battle on the roof between one of you and myself, "I want you all to each grab one of these papers and look carefully at them."
The tourists each grabbed a paper and looked closely at them.
"Earlier today, I had my Pikachu put a footprint on one of the papers so whoever has the paper with the footprint will be my opponent," said Ash.
"Eek," said Libby, "I got the footprint, that I means I'll get to battle you ."
Ash and the tourists then headed to the roof which had a battle field and Ash and Libby each got on either side of the field.
"The battle between President Ash and Libby will now commence," said an employee who was acting as referee. "Each trainer will use only one Pokemon and will lose if the Pokemon is unable to battle."
"Go Pikachu," said Ash as Pikachu jumped into the battlefield.
"Go Dratini," said Libby as she sent out a Dratini. "Use Twister," and Dratini launched the first attack only resulting in Pikachu dodging.
"Use Thunderbolt Pikachu," said Ash which lead to Pikachu hitting Dratini.
"Try this," said Libby, "Dragon Tail," and Dratini started using the selected move.
"Use Iron Tail," said Ash which made Pikachu use the move of choice which collided with Dratini's Dragon Tail.
The two Pokemon seemed evenly matched at first but then Dratini was sent flying.
"Now Electro Ball," said Ash and Pikachu used the chosen move which defeated Dratini.
"Dratini is unable to battle, Pikachu wins," said the employee, "The victor is President Ash."
Libby returned her Dratini to it's Pokeball and walked over to Ash.
"That was a good battle," said Ash as he shook Libby's hand, "With a bit more training, you'll be able to defeat lots of trainers that are stronger than me in no time."
The tourists then started to leave the building now that the tour was over, but Nils decided to have a brief talk with Ash before leaving.
"I'm sorry I didn't get to battle you Nils," apologized Ash.
"It's ok," said Nils, "It was just bad luck." "By the way, do you know how Tana is doing?"
"She's in Saffron City preparing for her Gym battle there last I checked," answered Ash.
"Ok," said Nils who then went back to Ren and Firenze.
"What was that about," asked Firenze.
"Not much," answered Nils, "I just wanted to talk to him since he's a friend of mine."
"How is the president of Ketchum co your friend," asked Ren.
"It's a long story," answered Nils. "Anyway, let's go to Sacr City."
The trio then left Pinoma City and continued their way to Sacr City.
