Chapter Three: Teammates Unite: Round 1
"But I don't want to! It's too gross."
"Stop whining and just do it, you big baby," said long distant voice.
The young boy looked around for an adult to help him get out of the situation, but since there was none, he had no choice.
"It'll be okay," he heard a small voice say next to him.
He looked over and seated next to him on the grass was a small girl in cut off shorts and a yellow t-shirt. Her short brown hair waved in the summer breeze as the sun filled her green eyes full of light.
"Well, since he's making us..." the boy said to the girl.
"Just get on with it already," said the other boy, the one doing the forcing.
The resistant boy sat for a moment and then leaned over planting a small peck on the girl's lips. She turned her head in disgust.
"There Gary, are you happy now?" she said the forceful boy.
"Yup, sure am," said young Gary and walked away.
"What a jerk," said the girl to the boy, "I can't believe he made us do that, Ash."
"Well, it's done and over with now, Lucy," said the boy.
"I kinda always thought my first kiss would be, I dunno... romantic," said Lucy, "But hey, I have a brilliant idea. Next summer let's get him back. Let's make him do something so completely embarassing that it gives him nightmares."
"I like how you think," said the young Ash, "But what?"
"Give me a year to think on it and you just follow my lead," she told him.
He nodded. Oh how good it would be to get Gary back for what he made them do.
"Come on, race you to the tree," Lucy said taking off in a mad sprint.
"Hey Lucy, wait up," Ash cried and chased after her, only to trip over a rock and land flat on his back.
Lucy quickly ran over and stood over him.
"Ash... Ash," she poked his face, "Ash..."
The name was becomming more and more distant, but he could still feel her poke.
"Ash..."
He opened his eyes and found himself in bed. Pikachu was on his chest, poking his face again.
"Pikachu," he said in a low voice.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted at him.
About that time Brock came in.
"Good morning, sunshine," he said to Ash, "Better get ready. They're assigning our partners in twenty minutes."
"What?"
Ash sprung out of bed and grabbed his clothes.
"Why didn't you wake me?" he yelled at Brock.
"I tried, but you wouldn't wake up," Brock said turning to walk out of the room, "When you get finished come down to the entrance hallway. Dawn's already waiting."
After quickly dressing, making sure his Pokemon was set, and scarfing down two rice cakes, he ran down to the Entrance Hall to meet up with Dawn and Brock.
"Finally," said Dawn as he approached.
"Sorry about that," Ash apologized.
"You should be. You missed an all you can eat breakfast buffett," Dawn said, her hands on her hips.
"Dawn, you promised you wouldn't say anything," said Brock.
"Sorry I forgot," replied Dawn.
"Forget it," said Ash, "Let's just get out to the stadium."
They walked across campus and down to the stadium. PokeTech had a very interesting set up. It reminded Ash of the Pokemon League, since it could change to accomidate any type of Pokemon. Right now the ground was dirt and filled with all the trainers participating in the contest. He looked around and saw Paul standing off to the side with his arms crossed. Near the middle of the line, appearing to make his way through the crowd was a slightly older looking Gary Oak. He was dressed a bit differently than the last time Ash met up with him. For this occasion Gary chose a black and white stripped shirt and jeans with tennis shoes. Turning his head to avoid eye contact, his gaze landed at the front of the line on Lucille and Rafe. Lucille was wearing a black and white stripped dress shirt with a black shrug over it. Black capris embriodered with flowers and black tennis shoes. Rafe's battle attire consisted of a red, grey, and white low cut shirt, light jeans, green shoes, and a black bracelet on his right wrist.
'Welcome everyone to the PokeTech Double Battle Challenge," the MC said.
The crowd of spectators uproared with applause.
"Right now we will be randomly pairing up our group of trainers here, and afterwards round one begins," the MC went on to say, "Before we begin the pairing process, I'd like to thank all the trainers that showed up to participate, all the students and professors that joined, and for all of you out there that came to watch. At the end of the six day tournament, a lucky pair will be the winners of a special badge, a cash prize, and an assortment of TMs. If a student is paired with a trainer, the student recieves free tuition for the next semester. And now let the pairing process begin!"
Little by little everyone got paired up. Ash watched as Dawn was paired with a blue haired, sunglasses wearing, man in a blue and maroon shirt and jeans. Ash thought he heard that his name was Jim. Brock was paired with Rafe, and a little bummed that it wasn't a woman. There was a red headed woman there in a schoolgirl outfit that was delighted to be paired with a blond wearing a black shirt and red jacket, jeans and tennis shoes. Ash was a little concerned because he had yet to her Lucille's name be called, or Gary's or Paul's for that matter. He was just hoping he wasn't teamed up with one of his rivals.
"Gary Oak," he heard the MC say.
Ash looked up as Gary stepped forward and was paired with--Paul.
His heart sunk. Two people he despised most on the planet were now partners. He was a little relieved though that the MC hadn't called Lucille's name.
But then he did...
As she stepped forward he heard the MC say, "And your partner is... Ash Ketchum."
He was Ash Ketchum, wasn't he?
Ash went forward and joined Lucille. They were showned off to the other side of the stadium before either of them spoke.
"Kind of weird, huh?" she asked him.
"Actually, kinda thankful," he admitted.
Pikachu just hung it's head. It was obvious that the Pokemon was not happy with having Ash paired with this girl.
The Challenge was seperated into two leagues, the Diamond league and Pearl league. Ash and Lucille were in the Pearl league along with Brock and Rafe, and Dawn and her partner Jim. It also meant that Pearl league wouldn't fight Pearl league, only Diamond. Which also meant that Gary and Paul were on the Diamond league and unless they were elimanted early, they would probably have to face them somewhere over the six day span.
The Pearl league was assigned to the left side of the stadium, and it was there Ash found a surprise visitor.
"Ash, hey Ash," the voice called out to him.
"Mom," he yelled as he walked up to the wall blocking off the stadium from the stands.
"Hi honey," said Delia Ketchum, big smiles on her face.
"What're you doing here?" he asked her.
"Sam called and ended up flying me out here to see you," she explained, as Lucille walked up behind Ash, "Lucille! My how you've grown."
"Hello Mrs. Ketchum, nice to see you again," said Lucille with a smile.
"Kinda funny, isn't it, Robbie?" said Delia to Lucille's father.
"What is, Dee?" he asked her.
"They're together, just like we were back in the day," Delia said.
"Not like we were. They're just battling, not dating, Dee," Rob said shaking his head.
"Dating?" cried Ash and Lucille in unison.
"Don't worry about it, sweetie. It was like a millennium ago. Now go out there and have a great time. Good luck," Delia said to the both of them.
The team of Ash and Lucille walked away from the stands both with equally shocked looks on their faces. Good thing round one was about to begin. It would be a great joy to get that image out of their heads.
Sadly though, they drew the fifth seat on the Pearl league, so it would be awhile before they would be battling.
Drawing the first seat on their side though was Jessie and her partner Neil. After meeting at the party the night before she was extremely thankful she was paired with someone other than James for once. She was growing to like the guy.
The MC came on.
"Our first match will be Jessie and Neil representing the Diamond league against Sonny and Hugo representing the Pearl league. Trainers to your respective sides. The rules are simple. Two trainers, two Pokemon each, no healing items allowed accept those your Pokemon might already know. There is no time limit. The first pair unable to battle is eliminated from the contest. At the sound of my whistle, release your pokemon."
Jessie stepped forward and sized up her competition. Sonny was a man about Jessie's age wearing white pants, tennis shoes, and a very bright green vest over a blue shirt. Hugo was a PokeTech student. He was tanned and heavyset wearing his grey shorts, sandles and top with a red jacket over it. His black hair was trimmed into a bowel cut. Jessie was sure of herself that this kid got beat up A LOT.
The whistle sounded and out came their Pokemon.
"Go Beedrill," shouted Sonny.
"Go Poliwhirl," shouted Hugo.
"Go Swellow," Jessie heard her partner yell.
"Go Serviper," she shouted throwing out her Pokeball.
Four lights appeared on the field and the match was on.
"Beedrill," Sonny said to his Pokemon, "Use your Fury attack on Serviper."
"Swellow," Neil said to his bird, "Cover Serviper and use Air slash on Beedrill."
As the Beedrill sped towards Jessie's Serviper, Neil's Swellow zipped out of nowhere, slashing the Beedrill with it's sharp beak. It shriked in pain and fell from the sky, forcing Sonny to call him back.
Jessie, trying to show she wasn't completely terrfied of Neil's choice of Pokemon shouted out to Serviper to use Poison fang on the enemy Poliwhirl.
Hugo caught wind of Jessie's attack and told Poliwhirl to use his Body slam on the snake.
Poliwhirl did as he was told and slammed Serviper so hard he went flying into Jessie, knocking her down.
Neil, not liking how the little fat boy was beating up on his partner decided to take matters into his own hands. Brushing a piece of his blond hair out of his face he called out for Swellow to use it's Focus Energy power.
Jessie, throwing Serviper off of her commanded him once again to use Poison fang.
Hugo yelled and told his Poliwhirl to use hypnosis on Serviper, but wasn't expecting what Neil had in mind. His Swellow had used it's Focus Energy to build up his power and now Neil commaded it use it's Aerial Attack.
Swellow flew at full speed and just as Serviper bit into Poliwhirl's leg, it came streaming down and hit him with a full burst of energy sending the helpless Poliwhirl on it's back. A full fledged KO.
"Poliwhirl and Beedrill are unable to battle. The winners are Jessie and Neil," the MC said over the system.
The crowd went wild for them as they walked off the field. Even James, who was paired with Dawn clapped for them.
The second battle of round one pitted Brock and Rafe against trainers Nina and Franz. Brock was using his Croagunk and Rafe his Kadabra. Nina and Franz were using a Croconaw and Machamp.
Brock's Croagunk used a poison jab on the enemy Croconaw. But Nina ordered Croconaw to use Protect. Croagunk bounced off the opponent. Brock then ordered him to use his Mud Bomb attack. Croagunk shot a circle from it's being and watched as it landed on the enemy. Nina ordered Croconaw to use Rain dance, trying to power up the next move in it's arsenal. "Croagunk, sucker punch, now!" Brock shouted. Croagunk reared back and with it's fist KOed Croconaw.
Rafe ordered his Kadabra to use Physic on the Machamp. Franz quickly spat to Machamp to use dig. Machamp quickly disappeared underground forcing Kadabra's attack to miss. Kadabra was a bit dumbfounded, and then was knocked off it's feet by Machamp rising from the ground. Kadabra got up quickly. "Kadabra, quick," Rafe shouted, "Psycho cut NOW!" Kadabra raced forward, throwing his attack at the unsuspecting Machamp, knocking him out of the inner battle circle.
And with that, Brock and Rafe defeated Nina and Franz advancing to the next round.
Gary and Paul were up next and single-handedly defeated their opponents, as Ash figured they would. After them were Dawn and Jim. Dawn's partner really wasn't that much help, and they were forced to rely on Dawn's Piplup to defeat two Pokemon. It wasn't too hard and she and Jim advanced to the next round.
Finally it was time for Ash and Lucille to battle. They took the center stage and looked across at their opponents. They were fighting an older woman named Deliliah and a student named Roman. The whistle sounded and out came their Pokemon, Shuckle and Skarmory.
"Lumineon," Lucille said throwing out her pokeball, "it's showtime!"
"Gligar, I choose you," Ash said sending out his pokemon.
And it was on...
"Gligar, attack Shuckle with faint attack," Ash ordered.
"Shuckle, withdraw," screamed Deliliah.
As Gligar went in to attack, Shuckle withdrew inside it's shell.
"Lumineon," Lucille called out, "use Water Gun on Skarmory."
"Skarmory," shouted Roman, "Agility!"
Skarmory raced back and forth, but it wasn't enough for Lucille's Lumineon who doused it with water.
"Good Lumineon," said Lucille, "Now use water pulse!"
"Skarmory, SPIKES!"
Just as Skarmory was about to shoot out spikes out of it's body, it was hit with a ball of water. It let out a shriek and fell to the ground.
"Gligar, slash now!"
"Shuckle, gastro acid now!"
"Lumineon, protect Gligar with your Safeguard," Lucille ordered.
Lumineon lit up with a veil around it floating infront of Gligar just before the acid hit. Lumineon took the hit and Gligar went forward slashing at the Shuckle and doing critical damange to it. It fell back with X's in it's eyes.
"Shuckle and Skarmory are unable to battle. The winners are Ash and Lucille."
As they withdrew their Pokemon from the ring, they gave each other a smile. As they walked off the field they were cornered by Gary.
"Well cousin, for being paired for a loser you did pretty good out there," Gary said to Lucille.
"Oh we know that you don't really mean it," she replied, "So, you still ready to teach me a lesson?"
"How about I just force you to smooch again?" Gary laughed as he walked off.
Lucille tensed and then quickly turned to Ash, her green eyes were flashing with rage.
"Ash." she said in a cool voice, despite being angry, "Let's pay Gary back for what he did to us all those years ago. Let's beat him so badly that he can't show his face in public ever again."
"I said it before and I'll say it again," said Ash, "I like the way you think."