Disclaimer-I do not own Pokemon.

(A/N The Path to the Pokemon League will be my best yet.)

Chapter 8-Path to the Pokemon League

I want to be the very best, that no one ever was. To catch them is my real test. To train them is my cause. I'll travel across the land, Searching far and wide. Each Pokemon, to understand The power that's inside. Pokemon, Gotta catch 'em all! It's you and me I know it's my destiny Pokemon Oh, you're my best friend In a world we must defend Pokemon A heart so true Our courage will pull us through You teach me and I'll teach you Pokemon Gotta catch 'em all! Gotta catch 'em all! Pokemon

"Vermilion City is so far away" Matt said, "I want to have a Pokemon Battle!" "Stop complaining" Misty said, "I'm dying to see the beautiful sights." "I heard there's a Gym there" Brock said. "Gym" said Matt, "We have to hurry. The number 1 can't keep waiting like this. I want to test Abra's power!" Ash ran ahead. "Wait up" Matt said.

"Go Pikachu" Ash said. "My Rattata" a boy said, "You're pretty good. You could even beat AJ." "AJ" Matt said. "Yeah, he made his own Gym. He trains vicious Pokemon. He's never been beaten" the boy said. "That's before he met me" Matt said, "I'll be the judge of how good he is."

They made it to the Gym. "Hmph" Matt said, "Easy pickings." "I wanna battle him too" Ash said. "Too bad" Matt said. "Are you my next victim" a boy said. "I think you mean the other way around" Matt remarked. "I'll beat you chump" AJ said.

They went to the place of battle. "You won't be so cocky once you face me" Matt said. AJ swung a whip at Matt. "Once I get 100 wins, I'll win me some badges" AJ said, "Which means I need one more wins." "Too bad, you'll lose" Matt said, "I've already got two badges with four wins." "What lame-o Gym Leaders did ya face to beat them" AJ said. "Make sure you kick his butt" Misty said. "That's right" said Brock. They were furious. "I will" Matt said. "Let's get started" AJ said, "Go Sandshrew!" "Go, Sandshrew" Matt said. "It's Sandshrew against Sandshrew" Ash said. "You have one too" AJ said, "Let's get started. Only the best shall win. Go Sandshrew." Sandshrew knocked back Matt's Sandshrew. "Use, Defense Curl" he said. Matt's Sandshrew was in a ball. "You can't touch my Sandshrew" Matt said. "You can't win staying like that all day" AJ said. "He's right" Misty said. "Stay out of it" Matt snapped, "Use Sand Attack!" Matt's Sandshrew hurled the sand. "Oh no" AJ said. "Use Slash" Matt said. Matt's Sandshrew knocked the opposing Sandshrew out. "I won" Matt said.

"The Sandshrew that the boy has is also tempting" Meowth said. "Yes, we'll grab it" Jessie said. "We'll have them both" James said.

"I win" Matt said. "Hmph" AJ said, walking off. He went into the tent. "Hey, what about me" Ash said. They ran into the tent of AJ. They saw him with his whip. "He has a Sandslash" Matt said, "No fair!" AJ hit Sandslash. It went into the water and jumped back out. "Get back in the water" AJ said, whipping Sandslash. "Stop it" Ash said, knocking them both into the water, "Stop hurting Sandslash" Ash said. "Things seem to be getting interesting" Matt said, "Tell me what happens." "Okay" said Misty. Matt ran off to train his Pokemon. "Mind your own business" AJ said. "What is that on Sandshrew" Ash asked. "It's a strength intensifier, built by me" AJ said, "Back in the pool Sandslash. Dive." "You'll hurt it" Ash said. The Sandslash dived in and came right back out. "Good work" AJ said. "The water doesn't weaken your Sandslash" asked Brock. "You're looking at the only Sandslash that's strong enough to withstand water" boasted AJ. "Why are you so tough on Sandslash" asked Ash. "Cause I have to be" replied AJ.

Then, Meowth, while Ash and AJ were argueing, grabbed Sandslash and ran off. "Pika" screamed the Pikachu. "Pikachu" Ash said, "Not now. Here me Pokemon. If you are tired of being mistreated, leave this Trainer!" The Pokemon ignored Ash. "See what happens when you try a mutiny in my Gym" AJ said. "Ash is making a fool of himself" Misty said. "That's right" replied Brock. "If your Pokemon are so loyal, where's your Sandslash" asked Ash. Just then, Sandslash popped out of the ground with Meowth holding its tail. Meowth hit Ash, and they both fell to the ground. "Sandslash" AJ said. Ash looked at the Sandslash hugging AJ. "Why would they choose him over me" Ash said. "AJ may be tough, but he cares deeply for his Pokemon" Brock said. Ash lookedat the Sandslash, who was licking his Trainer. AJ only laughed. "He really does care" Ash said. "Meowth" Ash said, "So it was Team Rocket that kidnapped Sandslash. Wake up!" Meowth scratched Ash's face. "Where am I" asked Meowth. All of the Trainers surrounded Meowth.

"Prepare for trouble." Jessie said. "Make it double" James said. "To protect the world from devastation" Jessie said. "To unite all peoples within our nation" James said. "To denounce the evils of truth and love" Jessie said. "To extend our reach to the stars above" James said. "Jessie" she said. "James" he said. "Team Rocket Blast of at the speed of light" she said. "Surrender now, or prepare to fight" he said. Meowth, that's right" Meowth said. "Amazing" James said. "So you're the creeps that kidnapped my Sandslash" AJ said. "We didn't want that useless Pokemon" Jessie said, "We wanted Pikachu." "I'll take care of this" AJ said, "No one insults our Pokemon." "Good luck" Ash said. "Go Koffing" James said. "Go Ekans" Jessie said. Sandslash rolled into a ball and knocked everyone into the air. "Looks like we're blasting off again" Team Rocket said. "We did it. 100 wins. Now, we can win Gym Badges" AJ said, "I'm gonna be the Number 1. Tell Matt I won't lose next time."

They parted ways. "Where's Matt" asked Ash. "I'm right here" Matt yelled. "Where were you" asked Ash. Matt grinned. "I was training" he said. "What" Ash said, "How you always get to train!" "My Sandshrew evolved to Sandslash" he said. "Amazing" Misty said. With that, they continued on their journey. "We have to battle" Matt said. "You're on" said Ash.

(A/N How was it?)