Chapter 90 – Time to Kick Some Ash!

(This chapter takes place immediately after the anime episode "A Farfetch'd Tale". Ash and his friends are in the Ilex Forest, right after they helped the charcoal maker's son, Sylvester, find his father's Farfetch'd. What the episode didn't tell you was that afterwards, Ash and his friends happened to cross the Ilex Forest/Brushfire Woods borderline, and ended up in Crimson Town for a few days.)

Ash and his friends aimlessly walked through the woods, until Misty yelled at Ash, "You got us lost again, didn't you?" He said, "I thought this was the way to Goldenrod City. Where are we, Brock?" Brock looked at his guidebook, scratching his head, and said, "I think we took a wrong turn about 5 miles back. If I'm right, we're closer to Crimson Town." Ash asked, "Crimson Town? Do they have a gym?" Brock answered, "Yeah, one of the toughest!" Ash said, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" His Pikachu exclaimed, "Pika!" and Misty's Togepi cooed, "Togeh!" Before they knew it, they'd reached the edge of Brushfire Woods and entered town. Simon just happened to be outside the gym, when Ash walked up and asked, "Is this the Crimson Town Gym?" Simon replied, "That's what the sign says." Ash continued, "I'm here to challenge the Crimson Town gym leader to a match!" Simon said, "Okay. Follow me." He led the three of them inside, and up to a doorway with a NIDO on either side. "Some Pokemon trainers to see you" Simon told me as I sat behind my desk in my office, with Flamefox on my desk, and Firestorm asleep next to it. I replied, "Good! Send them in! I've been hoping for a few battles today." I couldn't believe my eyes! It was Ash Ketchum, and he was with Misty, one of the Cerulean City gym leaders, and Brock, the former Pewter City gym leader. Ash said, "I've come to challenge you for a badge!" I exclaimed, "Ash?!? Is that you?" He almost fell backwards, nearly knocking the Pikachu off his shoulder. "You know who I am?" he asked, shocked. I answered, "Well, yeah! We met just before I entered the Johto Legaue Finals, nearly 5 years ago! And then I stayed at Professor Oak's while I was helping to take care of my friend's Vulpix, Amber, and her pups. We had dinner at your house quite a bit." Ash said, "Now I remember! You said you wanted to be a gym leader someday! Well, it looks like you got your wish!" Then I said, "Brock, Misty, good to see you again. I don't think I've seen you since I battled you for badges!" Brock said, "Yeah, that was a while ago! I remember you did really good!" Misty said, "You were one of the strongest trainers I ever battled." Ash said, "I remember telling you that once you were a gym leader, I wanted to battle you. Well, now that you are, let's battle!" I said, "There's lots of time for that! You guys should take a look at the place! It turned out even better than I'd hoped!" Pikachu had hopped off Ash's shoulder and approached Flamefox and Firestorm. "Pika pika!" he happily exclaimed to my fire foxes. Flamefox happily answered, "Vulpix!" and Firestorm answered, "Niiine!" Brock said, "Pikachu makes friends everywhere he goes!" Ash took out his Pokedex and said, "I'm gonna check this out!" The pokedex said, "Vulpix, the fire fox Pokemon. When it is born, it has only one tail, which splits into 6 as it grows. Ninetales, the evolved form of Vulpix. It is believed that if you grab one of it's tails, a 1,000 year curse will befall you." I said, "Come on, I'll take you outside to the sanctuary." Misty asked, "How has May been? Have you seen her lately?" I said, "She runs the breeding center on the other side of the gym. We'll go to see her first." Brock said, "Your Vulpix is looking great. I have a Vulpix now, too." I replied, "I know. Suzy's." He asked, "How did you know about that?" I answered, "She told us." We entered the breeding center section of the building, where May was busy at work with some pre-evolution Pokemon and Amber. She turned and said, "Ash, Brock, Misty! Haven't seen any of you guys in a long time! How have you been?" Brock's face turned red as he said, "I'm fine, now that I can see your beautiful face!" Just then, I said, "Back off, Romeo! Or I'll sic my Tauros on you!" Brock lowered his face, seemingly disillusioned, and May just giggled. Then May said, "Misty, that Togepi is so cute!" Misty said, "Thanks. I raised him from an egg." Ash angrily mumbled, "I found the egg." I interjected, "Oh, Brock, you said you have Suzy's Vulpix! He's Flamefox and Amber's son. I'm sure they'd love to visit with him." He said, "Okay" and released Vulpix. Flamefox and Amber ran over to him, and they licked each others faces. Misty said, "Oh, that's so sweet." Ash said, "They sure are happy to see each other again." Then May said, "Suzy's Vulpix looks a little pale. How often do you let him out of his Pokeball?" A sweatdrop appeared on the side of Brock's head as he answered, "Uh… whenever I can." May shot him a skeptical glance and said, "Hmmmm." Then to Misty she said, "I haven't seen you since our last battle, when I was just a trainer." Misty said, "We should have another match now!" I said, "Yeah, and Brock, we should have a match, too – gym leader to gym leader!" Brock said, "That sounds like a great idea!" Ash shouted, "Wait a minute! What about my battle?" I said, "You'll get one, too! Don't worry! Right now, let's go outside."

We walked out back to the Pokemon sanctuary. Ash said, "Wow!" I replied, "Yep, one of the biggest Pokemon sanctuaries next to Professor Oak's!" Just then, we saw Trevor come riding up on Rapidash, and with him was Martin, on his Arcanine! I said, "Martin! This is a surprise! What are you doing here?" He answered, "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." I said, "No. You must know Brock and Misty already, and this is Ash." He said, "Hi guys. It's been a while. And Ash, nice to meet you." Ash said, "Same here." I said, "Martin is the son of Pryce, the Mahogany Town Gym Leader." Ash said, "Really? I don't suppose you could give me some tips for when I battle your father." He replied, "I can do better than that. If you want, we can have a gym match right here. Being the son of a gym leader gives me the privilege of battling trainers for the sake of a Glacier Badge." Ash exclaimed, "No way! I have a shot at 2 badges in one day?" Just then, we all heard sinister laughter from above. "Too bad you won't get a chance to, kid" I heard a very familiar female voice say. "I couldn't be…" Ash and I said simultaneously. It was. A huge, Meowth shaped balloon hovered overhead and the following, tired old motto ensued:

Jessie: "Prepare for trouble."

James: "Make it double."

Jessie: "To protect the world from devastation."

James: "To unite all peoples with our nation."

Jessie: "To denounce the evils of truth and love."

James: "To extend our reach to the stars above."

Jessie: "Jessie."

James: "James."

Jessie: "Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light."

James: "Surrender now or prepare to fight."

Meowth: "Meowth, that's right!"

I said, "Wow, I haven't seen these guys since a few years ago, and they still say the same motto." Ash said, "Consider yourself lucky – we have to hear it just about every day." Jessie yelled, "How dare you insult our motto!" James said, "We'll teach you!" and Meowth said, "And we'll take all these rare and valuable Pokemon for the boss!" Then Jessie shouted, "Go, Arbok and Lickitung!" and James shouted, "Weezing, Victreebell, go!" Victreebel stuck intself onto James' head, and he said, "Not me! Them!" Ash shouted, "I don't think so! Pikachu…" I interrupted, "I'll handle them!" Martin said, "And so will I!" I shouted, "Flamefox, Firestorm, go!" and Martin shouted, "Kat and Slash, go!" releasing his Sneasels. Flamefox fire spun Lickitung and Firestorm fire blasted Victreebell! Meanwhile, Kat and Slash took on Arbok and Weezing with shadow balls! Jessie shouted, "We can't let them win! Too many Pokemon are at stake!" James said, "We'll have everyone attack at once!" Meowth said, "That'll show'em not to mess with Team Rocket!" Then Jessie and James shouted, "Everyone, attack!" I replied, "Flamefox, Firestorm, use fire blast!" and Martin shouted, "Kat and Slash, shadow ball!" All 4 Pokemon launched their attacks at once, and when they met, there was a huge explosion! Jessie, James, Meowth, and their Pokemon went flying off to the stratosphere, shouting "Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaiiinnn…" I high fived Martin and said, "Good teamwork!" Ash whipped out his Pokedex and aimed it at Sneasel. "Sneasel, the sharp claw Pokemon. Vicious in nature, it drives Pidgey from their nests and feasts on the eggs left behind" it explained. Ash said, "I've never seen that Pokemon before!" Martin said, "I discovered them." I interjected, "That's right. Martin is the authority on the subject of Sneasels." Ash then said, "This is all great and everything, but I really want my battle!" I said, "First, I want to battle Brock! What do you say? Two on two for old time's sake?" Brock said, "Sounds good!" Then he shouted, "Zubat, go!" and released the bat-like Pokemon from it's pokeball. I said, "Firestorm, you're up!" My Ninetales walked up, ready to battle. He said, "Zubat, use confuse ray!" I responded, "Firestorm, use dig!" Zubat's attack missed my golden-white fire fox as he burrowed underground, but his attack also missed, since Zubat is a flying type. Then Brock ordered, "Zubat, use supersonic!" It emitted a high-pitched sound which confused Firestorm, and I said, "Try to shake it off, boy, and use flamethrower!" He tried, but his attacks kept missing Zubat. Brock ordered, "Zubat, use wing attack!" Zubat sent several powerrful g-forces at Firestorm, which knocked him back, but also shook off his confusion. "Try flamethrower again, Firestorm!" I ordered. He did so, and it was a direct hit! Zubat was down. Brock recalled him and said, "Very impressive! Next, I choose Pineco!" and he tossed out the pokeball. The giant, bouncing pinecone materialized and said, "Pineco!" I replied, "In that case, I choose Flamefox!" and my Vulpix walked up to battle. Brock shouted, "Pineco, tackle!" I responded, "Flamefox, use your agility!" Pineco thrust itself at Flamefox, but my fire fox moved too quickly, evading the attack! Then I ordered, "Use fire spin!" As Pineco came at Flamefox a second time, Flamefox's entire body glowed brightly and his eyes glowed bright white, as he released a tornado of flames from his mouth. The flames wrapped up Pineco and stopped it in it's tracks! When the flames dispersed, Pineco fell over! Brock ran over to Pineco and picked it up, asking, "Are you alright?" Pineco replied, "Pineco", then exploded in Brock's face! Brock, face all blackened, said, "Oh, yeah. Just fine…" and they both fell over. I said, "It looks like we won! Good job, guys!" Flamefox replied, "Vulpix!" and Firestorm replied, "Ninetales!" May said, "That was a great battle, Joe. Now it's our turn, Misty! Two on two?" Misty replied, "You're on!" May said, "For my first Pokemon, I choose Clefairy!" and called up her fairy-like Pokemon. Misty replied, "I choose Poliwag!" and released it from it's pokeball." Misty ordered, "Poliwag, use water gun!" It shot a stream of water at Clefairy, hitting her, but not knocking her out. May responded, "Clefairy, use pound!" Clefairy hit Poliwag and knocked it back! Misty then commanded, "Poliwag, try bubble!" Poliwag shot a series of bubbles in Clefairy's direction, each of which exploded on impact, but Clefairy still stood, and May ordered, "Clefairy, use dynamic punch!" Clefairy punched in Poliwag's direction, and hit it hard, knocking it out! Misty recalled Poliwag and said, "Staryu, I choose you!" and released her starfish–like Pokemon. May responded, "Then I choose Raichu!" and released her evolved form of Pikachu. Ash whipped out his pokedex. "Raichu, the evolved form of Pikachu. It's long tail serves as a ground for it's high voltage of electricity" Dexter said. Misty angrily yelled, "Ash, do you have to check every Pokemon out on your pokedex, even the ones you've seen before?" He said, "Sorry." Then May commanded, "Raichu, use thunderbolt!" Misty replied, "Staryu, use rapid spin!" Staryu quickly spun, causing the electric attack to bounce right off! Then Misty ordered, "Staryu, use water gun!" Staryu shot a stream of water at Raichu, but May ordered, "Raichu, evade it with your agility!" The attack missed Raichu, and May ordered, "Now use thunder!" Raichu took in lightning from the sky and directed it at Staryu, who felt the attack at full force! Staryu fell over, defeated. Misty recalled Staryu, and May shouted, "Great work, Clefairy and Raichu!" and hugged both of her Pokemon. Misty said, "You're still a strong opponent, May! You raised your Pokemon well." May said, "Thanks, Misty. Yours are pretty powerful, too." Ash said, "Now that you guys have had your battles, can I have mine?" "I said, "Very well, Ash! We will battle in the gym, though, so it's official."

We went back inside through the breeding center, and down the hallway to the gym. The two large doors opened up to the battle field. I stood on a platform on my side, while one of my referees prepared to speak, but then Martin asked, "Can I referee this battle?" I answered, "Sure" and told my referee to take a break. Martin held up one of my Crimson badges, the golden flame with a crystal red center, and announced, "Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town will battle Joe, the Crimson Town gym leader, for a Crimson badge! This will be a three on three battle, no time limit! Let the battle begin!" With that, the lights above brightened and the scoreboard lit up. Ash stood on his platform with his Pikachu, while Misty stood nearby, holding her Togepi, and Brock stood by her. Flamefox was with me, but Amber, Firestorm, Inferno, and Suzy's Vulpix stood to the sidelines, with May and Martin. I said, "For my first Pokemon, I choose Tauros!" and my tan and brown buffalo-like Pokemon entered the arena. Ash shouted, "I choose you, Bulbasaur!" His Bulbasaur materialized from the pokeball, onto the arena floor, and said, "Bulbasaur!" I ordered, "Tauros, use tackle!" Tauros charged at Bulbasaur and tackled it, knocking it to the floor! As Tauros came around for another pass, Ash shouted, "Bulbasaur, use your vine whip!" Bulbasaur shot out its 2 vines, each one grabbing one of Tauros' horns. Brock said, "Now that's what I call taking the bull by the horns!" Ash said, "Good job, Bulbasaur! Now use your vines to toss him!" I shouted, "Tauros, hold your ground!" He whipped his 3 tails around and resisted letting Bulbasaur pick him up, as hard as it tried, and I ordered, "Use thrash!" Tauros began to thrash around, taking Bulbasaur with him, and Ash shouted, "Bulbasaur, let go!" After getting knocked around for a bit, Bulbasaur finally released it's grip. Tauros became momentarily confused, a side effect of the thrash attack, and Ash shouted, "Use leech seed, Bulbasaur!" Bulbasaur shot a seed from its back, which landed on Tauros' back, and covered him in vines. I yelled, "Tauros, you can bust through it! I know you can!" With that, he leapt up and down, destroying the vines, until they were on the floor in shreds. At that, I ordered, "Tauros, use take down!" Tauros charged at Bulbasaur, and hit it hard, knocking it to the floor, defeated! Ash shouted, "Bulbasaur, return!" and it returned to its pokeball. My buffalo walked up to me and I petted his soft mane, saying, "Excellent job, Tauros!" He mooed loudly. Martin said, "Bulbasaur is out! The winner of round one is Joe!" Ash then shouted, "It's not over yet! Chikorita, I choose you!" and released the light green grass Pokemon. It materialized, but ran back over to Ash, and kept rubbing against his leg, saying, "Chiko." A sweatdrop appeared on the sides of all of our heads. Ash then said, "That's very nice, Chikorita, but I need you to battle!" Chikorita then approached the battle field. I replied, "I choose Vaporeon!" Misty said, "You might have an advantage this time, Ash! Water is weak to grass!" He said, "Yeah! Chikorita, use razor leaf!" Chikorita shot the leaves from the leaf on her head, and they hit Vaporeon, knocking her back. I ordered, "Vaporeon, use water gun!" She shot a powerful stream of water at Chikorita, which pinned her to the wall. She fell to the floor once the attack ceased, but she stood back up. Ash said, "Good, Chikorita! Now use vine whip!" Chikorita shot out 2 vines at Vaporeon, just as Bulbasaur had with Tauros, and whipped Vaporeon with them, but I ordered, "Vaporeon, use haze!" She created a fog around her, and Chikorita couldn't tell where she was. Then I commanded, "Use ice beam!" She shot the ice beam out from the haze, and it hit Chikorita, freezing her into a block of ice! "Ah, no, Chikorita!" Ash shouted. Martin announced, "Chikorita is unable to battle! Round 2 goes to Joe!" I said, "Good work, Vaporeon!" and she licked my face. May congratulated me, and the scoreboard showed "Joe 2, Ash 0". Brock said to Ash, "He's really tough! Maybe you should forfeit." Ash said, "I'm not giving up!" He looked at Pikachu and said, "I'm counting on you." Pikachu said, "Pika pikachu!" and stood battle ready. I said, "Flamefox, let's finish this!" He nodded, "Vulpix!" and entered the arena, battle ready. Flamefox and Pikachu stared each other down. Ash ordered, "Pikachu, use thundershock!" Pikachu shouted, "Pika!" as he launched the electric attack. I ordered, "Flamefox, use agility!" He said, "Vulpix" and shot back and forth in a blur, successfully evading Pikachu's attacks! Ash ordered, "Pikachu, try your quick attack!" Pikachu ran back and forth in a blur, in Flamefox's direction, and I commanded, "Flamefox, use your quick attack, too!" They kept hitting each other with quick attacks, but neither one was making much headway. Ash then ordered, "Pikachu, try a thunderbolt!" I ordered, "Flamefox, use dig!" Pikachu launched the electric attack, but it missed as Flamefox quickly burrowed underground. Then Flamefox shot up in a fury of dirt, directly under Pikachu, which sent him flying and crashing onto the ground, while Flamefox landed on all fours! "Pikachu!" Ash shouted. Pikachu weakly stood back up. Ash said, "Try a thunderbolt, one more time!" I ordered, "Flamefox, fire blast!" Before Pikachu could launch the attack, Flamefox shot out a t-shape of flames at Pikachu, which engulfed him! When the attack dispersed, Pikachu was knocked out! "Pikachu!" Ash again shouted, and ran to pick him up. "Are you alright?" he asked. Pikachu weakly replied, "Pika…" his face all blackened. Martin announced, "The battle is over! Joe is the winner!" The scoreboard showed "Joe 3, Ash 0". Ash said, "This can't be…" I held Flamefox in my arms and said, "Don't sweat it, kid. You can't win 'em all." Brock said, "He's right, Ash. Crimson Gym is one of the toughest gyms to win a badge from." Misty said, "There's lots of other gyms, Ash." He said, "No way! I want a rematch!" I said, "Ash, I'm sorry, but you're just not ready. I'm sure in time you will be, but from what I've seen, you are just not strong enough to win at a gym of this caliber. No offense. After all, you are a strong trainer." Ash got really mad but Misty said, "Calm down, Ash." May said, "I'll be happy to treat your Pokemon for you, Ash." Martin said, "This will make you feel better, Ash – tomorrow, we can have our battle! If you win, I'll give you a Glacier Badge!" He was still mad, but said, "Well, okay, I guess."

May treated Ash's Pokemon, and we allowed the 3 of them to stay in our guest quarters for the night. After dinner, I saw Ash sitting outside with his Pikachu and a Cyndaquil, watching the Pokemon roaming in the sanctuary. I walked over to him with Flamefox and Firestorm, and said, "How are you feeling?" He said, "I'm alright. I just can't believe I lost so badly." I said, "It happens. I didn't win every battle as a trainer, either. But you can either let that hold you back, or you can train harder for the next time." He said, "You're right. But I can't even get my Cyndaquil to keep its back flames lit." I asked, "How long ago did you catch it?" He said, "Not too long ago." I said, "It's still young. Give it time. It took a while for May's Cyndaquil to be able to keep his back flames lit, too, but she didn't give up on him." I picked up his Cyndaquil and it happily said, "Cynda cyndaquil!" I said, "It is a cute little guy. I have a Cyndaquil named Cyndi. You'll have to meet her while you're here." Ash said, "Thanks for your advice. Are you sure about the rematch?" I said, "Yes. I'm sure that in time, you'll grow much stronger as a trainer, but right now, you just aren't ready. Don't take it personally. Very few trainers win badges from me." He somewhat smiled, and said, "Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow, against Martin." I gave his Cyndaquil back to him and said, "Maybe." As I walked away I mumbled under my breath, "But I wouldn't bet on it."

The next day, Ash and Martin had their battle in my gym. May watched from the sidelines, with Flamefox, Firestorm, Amber, Inferno, and Suzy's Vulpix, and I took on referee duties. I held up a Glacier Badge and announced, "Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town, has challenged Martin, the son of Pryce of Mahogany Town, to a battle. A Glacier Badge is at stake! This will be a 3 on 3 battle, no time limit! Let the battle begin!" Again, the lights illuminated the arena, and the scoreboard lit up, as Ash stood on his platform and Martin stood on his, with Kat and Slash at his side. Martin said, "For my first Pokemon, I choose Piloswine!" and he released the ice pig from its pokeball. Ash replied, "I choose Cyndaquil!" and released the fire rodent. Misty asked, "Are you sure that's such a good idea, Ash? Cyndaquil can't even keep his flames lit yet." Ash said, "The only way he ever will is through experience!" Then Ash ordered, "Cyndaquil, use flamethrower!" It tried, but could not light up its flames. "Come on, Cyndaquil! You can do it!" Ash said. Martin, meanwhile, ordered, "Piloswine, use horn attack!" Poliswine ran at Cyndaquil, and hit it hard with its horns, knocking it to the ground. Ash said, "It just can't light its flames. Okay Cyndaquil, use tackle!" It charged at Piloswine, but its attack didn't do much damage. Piloswine responded with another tackle, sending Cyndaquil on its back. Cyndaquil turned over and actually lit up its flames! Ash said, "Good work, Cyndaquil! Now use flamethrower!" Martin ordered, "Piloswine, use endure!" Cyndaquil launched its fiery attack, but Piloswine withstood it. Then Martin ordered, "Piloswine, use take down!" Piloswine charged at Cyndaquil and hit it, hard, sending it flying across the arena and onto its belly. Its flames went out! "Cyndaquil, you did your best! Return!" Ash said, recalling it. I said, "Cyndaquil is no longer able to battle. Round one goes to Martin!" Martin petted his Piloswine, and Ash said, "You're tough, but now I choose Heracross!" and he released the large, beetle-like Pokemon. Martin said, "In that case, I choose Feraligatr!" and released his large, blue, white, and red alligator-like Pokemon. Misty exclaimed, "Oooh, a Feraligatr! Its soooo cute! I'm rooting for him!" Ash said, "Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!" and then he ordered, "Heracross, use horn attack!" It said "Heracross" as it charged at Feraligatr with its horn faced forward. "Feraligatr, grab the horn!" Martin shouted. Feraligatr grabbed Heracross's horn as it reached him and held it in place, as it tried to scratch at Feraligatr's arms with its claws. Ash shouted, "Hang in there, Heracross!" Martin then simply said, "Feraligatr, use headbutt!" Holding Heracross in place with his arms, he directly headbutted Heracross on the spot! Heracross stumbled backwards and fell over! "No way!" Ash shouted. I said, "Heracross is unable to battle! Round 2 goes to Martin!" Ash recalled Heracross and Martin said, "Not bad, Feraligatr! Not bad at all!" Ash again looked to Pikachu and said, "It's up to you now, pal!" Pikachu stood battle ready, and Martin said, "You're up, Slash!" His male Sneasel entered the arena. Ash ordered, "Pikachu, use thunderbolt!" Martin said, "You've got to be kidding! Slash, use agility!" Slash ran in a blur, completely evading Pikachu's attack. Ash said, "Argh, this one's fast, too!" Then Martin ordered, "Slash, use fury swipes!" Slash ran quickly at Pikachu, swiping at him and knocking him down! Ash shouted, "Pikachu, use your agility!" Pikachu ran back and forth in a blur, and Martin ordered, "Slash, use shadow ball!" His Sneasel lanched shadow balls as Pikachu ran back and forth, and one finally hit him, knocking him down! "Pikachu, no!" Ash shouted. Pikachu weakly stood back up. Ash said, "Pikachu, you can do it! Use thunderbolt!" Pikachu launched the attack, and it hit Slash, but he stood there, like it was nothing. Pikachu looked very frightened as Slash stared him down, and Martin ordered, "Slash, one more shadow ball!" As the ball of energy formed, Ash shouted, "Stop! I forfeit!" Slash immediately discontinued, and I announced, "Ash has forfeited the hatch! The winner is Martin!" The scoreboard showed "Martin 3, Ash 0". Ash ran to pick up Pikachu and said, "I'm sorry, Pikachu. I shouldn't have put you through all this." Martin petted his Sneasel and said, "Good job, Slash!" Ash then said, "Both of you are too tough for me to beat. But I'll train harder and one day, I'll challenge each of you to a rematch!" Martin looked at me, and we each said, "Fair enough."

After Ash's Pokemon had been treated, he and his friends headed back into the Brushfire Woods, so they could return to the Ilex Forest and then head for Goldenrod City. Before he left, he said, "I will come back one day for a rematch, when I know I'm ready." I said, "I look forward to it, Ash. I see you becoming a powerful Pokemon trainer, if you keep your head on straight." Misty said, "That's asking a lot." Martin said, "When you reach Mahogany, you can challenge my father for a Glacier Badge. Maybe you'll do better there." Ash said, "Thanks! I'll do my best!" Flamefox and Amber licked their son goodbye as he returned to Brock. Ash, Misty, and Brock waved goodbye as they walked off, Ash with Pikachu on his shoulders, Misty holding Togepi, and Brock walking with Vulpix at his side. I stood there with May, Martin, Flamefox, Firestorm, Amber, Inferno, Kat, and Slash, and we also waved to them, and I shouted, "Good luck!." I knew Ash would return someday in the future for a rematch. I was sure he'd be more experienced by then, but that didn't necessarily mean he would win. Still, that little kid from Pallet Town had come a long way. If he played his cards right, he could definitely become one of the greatest Pokemon trainers.