Chapter 40 – Entering Indigo
After one more night camping out in the wild, the 4 of us finally reached the Indigo Plateau the following day! We rode on our Pokemon on a road that overlooked a lake that had rolling hills on the opposite side. "I can't believe we're finally here!" I shouted, as I read a sign that read "Indigo Stadium Ahead". "Me neither!" May exclaimed. The 4 of us recalled our riding Pokemon and walked ahead down the road, accompanied only by Flamefox, Firestorm, Redfur, and Amber. Up ahead, there were crowds of people lined up along either side of the street. Martin said, "Uh oh! Um… look, guys, I think I'll take a different route." As he turned to walk to other way, May grabbed him by the shoulder and said, "Oh no you don't! You're getting past your fear of crowds if it's the last thing I do!" We walked ahead a bit further and I asked someone, "What's everyone waiting for?" He replied, "The motorcade with the torch bearer is coming through here!" I asked, "Torch bearer?" Trevor said to me, "The Pokemon League torch. It symbolizes the entire Pokemon League!" Martin added, "The torch is lit from the flames of the legendary Pokemon, Moltres, from Fire Island in the Orange Islands, and then it's transported here. Then the torch bearer carries it all the way to Indigo Stadium." I asked, "How do they decide who gets to carry the torch?" He answered, "They randomly choose torch bearers from the current years' competitors." Just then, we heard the sound of a motorcycle and another vehicle. We turned to see a man jogging, carrying a torch, and behind him was Officer Jenny on her motorcycle and a big RV. We moved over to the side of the road to get out of the way. Flamefox hopped up on my shoulders, and Amber climbed up on May's shoulders for a better view. As the motorcaed approached, the RV and Officer Jenny slowed down and stopped in front of us. A short man who was sitting on top of the RV stood up and waved to the crowd as they cheered. He had long white hair, a big white beard, and he wore a backwards cap. I asked, "Who's Santa Claus up there?" Martin answered, "'Santa Claus' is Mr. Charles Goodshow, president of the Pokemon League torch committee." May commented, "He DOES look like Santa Claus!" Then Mr. Goodshow climbed down from his RV and walked up to me and May. "Are you two competing in the Pokemon League Finals?" he asked us. We both replied, "Yes, sir!" He asked, "How would you like to have turns carrying the torch?" We both looked at each other in astonishment, and then I said, "We'd love to!" and May said, "It would be an honor!" So, May carried the torch first, accompanied by Amber and Redfur. Next, the torch was passed to Trevor, who rode Rapidash while he carried it. And for the last few miles, I carried the torch, as Flamefox and Firestorm ran to either side of me! Martin was offered a chance to carry the torch, but he graciously declined – actually, he hid behind Rapidash before they could ask him! Anyway, when we reached the Stadium, I handed it to Mr. Goodshow and said, "I present you with the Pokemon League torch, Mr. President!" He replied, "Thank you!" Then he asked all of us, "I trust you'll all be here tomorrow for the opening ceremonies?" We all told him that we'd be there!
Next we headed into the Pokemon Village to find a place to stay. Trevor decided to get his own room. May and I decided to share a room and invited Martin to stay with us. He agreed to and said, "Thanks, guys!" Our room was really nice. It had 2 bunkbeds, cable TV, a computer, and a beautful view of the village! May and I decided to go check out the Pokemon Village. Martin said, "You guys go ahead!" and he released Kat and Slash. Then he said, "We'll stay here and surf on the computer a little." May rolled her eyes at him, then said, "Let's go, Joe." We left the hotel, along with Flamefox, Firestorm, Amber, and Redfur and walked around in the Village. There were all kinds of Pokemon shops, restaurants, a Pokemon Center, and there were all kinds of Pokemon-themed events going on. As May and I walked, I heard a girl's voice say, "Joe! Long time no see!" May and I turned around to see Jane, the trainer I had battled just outside of Goldenrod City. "Jane! Hi, how are you?" She said, "I'm great! So, you made it here, too!" I said, "Yeah! I got my 8 badges!" Just then, May cleared her throat, loudly! I said, "Oh, Jane, this is May. May, this is Jane. Jane and I battled outside Goldenrod City." Jane said, "It's nice to meet you." May replied, "Yeah, a pleasure." I detected a hint of jealousy in her voice and her face. Jane said, "Well, maybe I'll get to battle you again in the Finals." I replied, "I sure hope so." With that, we parted ways. May asked, "What did you mean 'You hope you get to battle again'?" I said, "Nothing. It just might be fun to battle a trainer I've battled before! In fact, it might be even more of a challenge!" She said, "Oh, that's what I thought you meant!" with a sweatdrop on the side of her head. I laughed quietly. She asked, "What was that for?" I looked at her and asked, "You're not jealous or something, are you?" She looked at me, with a sweatdrop on the side of her head, and replied, "Me? Jealous? Why should I be jealous of her?" I said, "Don't worry! We're only acquaintances. We battled once! I've known you a lot longer!" She said, "I know. I told you, I'm not jealous!" I just smiled at her and we walked on.
As it got closer to nightfall, we walked over to and inside the Stadium, and walked up to the top row of seats to overlook the arena. I asked her, "So, are you ready for this?" She replied, "I guess I'm as ready as I'm going to be. I mean, we both trained hard for this, right?" I answered, "Yeah, we did. We prepared for this as well as we possibly could. We'll both do fine! I know it!" We took one last look at the arena below, and then I said, "Come on. Let's get something to eat and then go to bed. We have a big day tomorrow!" She said, "Yeah. I AM hungry." We ate at a nearby restaurant. Food was free for all competitors. Flamefox, Amber, Redur, and Firestorm ate with us. When we were finished, we returned to our hotel room, where Martin was watching TV with Kat and Slash. "Have you been in here all day?" May asked. "That's right" Martin replied. I asked, "Didn't you even go out to eat?" He answered, "Uh-uh. Room service!" May said, "You're encouragable, Martin!" I asked, "Aren't you supposed to see the Elite Four or something?" He said, "Yeah. I'll see them tomorrow." Soon, we all went to bed. Tomorrow was an important day!
The next morning, we were all up early and ordered breakfast in before getting ready to walk to Indigo Stadium for the opening ceremony. Trevor met up with Martin, May, our fire foxes, Redfur and I in the lobby. The stadium had a nice fountain outside of it that we walked past as we entered. Trevor and Martin found seats near the battle field, but May and I had to stay in a room under the stadium, with our Pokemon, until it was time for all of the competitors to enter the stadium battle field for President Goodshow's commencement address. Soon, we heard the fireworks outside and the release of the Pidgeys. After that, all the trainers walked out to the field. Some of them looked so nervous, but not May and I. We were confident, and we let it show. I could hear the announcer say, "Here come all of this years competitors. Each of them has earned the privelege to battle at this year's finals by winning a minimum of 8 badges each!" Once all of the competitors were on the Stadium battle field, the torch bearer ran the torch up a long flight of stairs that led to the central torch! Soon, the central torch was lit, and the opening day ceremony was officially under way! The stadium was filled to capacity with a cheering crowd, and there were news cameras and Officer Jennys everywhere. Soon, President Goodshow gave his commencement address. He congratulated all of us on our victories past and wished all of us good luck in this year's League Finals. He ended his speech saying, "Battle valiantly, and keep the flame of Moltres alive in your heart and in your spirit!" The rest of the opening ceremony soon came to a close, and the next thing May and I had to do was officially register.
Trevor and Martin followed us into the dome shaped registration building. Inside, we walked up to the reception desk. A lady asked May and I, "Is this your first time in the Johto League League Finals?" We both replied, "Yes." She said, "Please give me your pokedexes." We handed them to her, and she inserted each of them into a slot in her computer. After she pulled them out, she said, "Okay, you're both registered! Next, I need each of you to press the button on the counter and the computer will randomly select which field you'll battle in first." I asked, "Field?" Martin said, "That's right, guys. There are 4 battle fields – water, grass, rock, and ice. You have to win on all 4 battle fields before you can enter Indigo Stadium!" I said, "Okay" and I pressed the button. Above the reception desk was a moniter that had a screen divided into 4 slots, one with a water symbol, one with a grass symbol, one with a rock symbol, and one with an ice symbol. Each one lit up, one at a time, going in circles, until only one slot was lit. For me, it stopped on rock. "Very well, your first battle will be on the rock field. Now the computer will randomly choose your first opponent." She pressed a button on her computer. The moniter was now split into 2 slots, one of which showed my picture, and the second one showed a male trainer who looked very familiar. I said, "I know that kid from somewhere!" I exclaimed. The receptionist said, "His name is Ryan." I said, "Hmmm. The name doesn't ring a bell. But I didn't catch the names of every trainer I battled." Then I remembered! "I know! That's the kid I battled between Ecruteak City and the Burned Tower!" May asked, "Did you beat him?" I replied, "I not only beat him – I humiliated him! My Pokemon all pretty much beat all of his Pokemon in one turn each!" Martin said, "I'm sure he's gonna be thrilled when he finds out he's battling you first!" May said, "It's my turn now." She pressed the button on the desk, and this time, the screen stopped on the water field. The receptionist pressed the button on her computer, and half the screen showed May, and the other half showed a male trainer. "The trainer you're battling is named Erik" the receptionist said. May said, "I never met him." The receptionist then said, "Each of you will be the fourth match at your respected fields. Be there by 1:30 tomorrow." I said to May, "Too bad we can't be at each other's battles to cheer each other on." She said, "Maybe the next one." Trevor said, "Don't worry, May. I'll cheer you on." May replied, "Thanks, Trevor." Martin said to me, "And I'll cheer you on. I'll even coach you if you want." I said, "Thanks, Martin!" Then Martin said, "Well, I have to go see the Elite Four now. I'll catch up with you guys at the hotel room later!" He left, heading for Indigo Stadium. May, Trevor, Redur, and our fire foxes walked out of the registration building, as well, and outside, I saw Ryan. I said, "Hi! It's been a while!" He looked at me and angrily exclaimed, "You!" I said, "Yeah. Listen, back at Ecruteak, we never really had a proper introduction. My name's Joe. I understand you're name is Ryan. We'll be battling each other tomorrow." I put out my hand to shake, and he just looked away. He said, "Don't expect an easy victory like last time! My Pokemon are much stronger now!" I said, "I don't ever expect an easy victory." Then he just turned and walked away. "That was rude" May said. Trevor said, "Don't let him faze you, Joe. He's just bitter!" I said, "Don't worry, I won't. But I have a feeling beating him this time will be much more of a challenge." We spent the rest of the day doing some last minute training with our Pokemon. We could only use 3 Pokemon per battle, so I did a minor Pokemon swap that I thought would better prepare me for a battle in the rock field. But this Pokemon would require a bit of training before I used him in battle. I made sure he got it, and after we were done training, I had some dinner with May, Trevor, our fire foxes and Redfur. Tomorrow, our first official League Final battles would begin!