Chapter 16: Ash's Plan
Ash and company began walking into the stadium right behind Mr. Thundertrap. The stadium was bare to the bones, only due to the fact that the other trainers had yet to arrive because they had to walk to the stadium.
If you remember last time there was a horrible attack and all twenty-five busses that were going to bring the trainers in had all exploded just as Ash and company had gotten to their surprise limo that had been prepared for them. Thankfully no one was hurt in the attack, but since the only transportation for the trainers had vanished they would not arrive at the stadium for at least another hour and a half.
Mr. Thundertrap led them to a party room that was completely filled with snacks for trainers and for their Pokémon.
"A…all ri…right ev…everyone ju…just wa…wait here for me un…until the ot…other tra…trainers ar…arrive", stuttered the vice-president.
"Yes!", everyone replied at once just before stuffing their faces with the food that lay before them.
About 1:00pm the first few athletes had begun to trickle into the stadium and take their seats and snack on the mini feast provided for them.
About an hour later and the stadium was practically filled to the brim except for a few trainers walking in. The stadium was filled with laughter, talking and munching of snacks. As the last few were brought in Ash and company were brought to the stage in the center of the field where all could see. Next to them was Alex, president Goodshow and the trap brothers.
"Alright everyone settle down we've got a lot to go over and get you in the road a.s.a.p. Now to start first I'd like to apologize about what happened at the dock, it wasn't expected, but we were partially prepared for it so that's a plus. And I'm sure you enjoyed the scenic walk up here and what you'll be facing in the next…what was it…five months to come", said Mr. Goodshow over the mic.
"For those of you who where in the last competition we welcome you back, as for the newcomers welcome!", he continued.
"Now here's our delightful champion as he steps up to give you guys a little speech and a few words of advice", he finished.
The champ steps up out of his chair and Mr. Goodshow takes a seat and wipes his head dripping with sweat.
Five minutes later…
"Alright everyone with that little speech to please the higher ups, I'd like to introduce you to a recent addition to our championship family. He's 17 years old, the recent champion of the Sinnoh region, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town! Now I'm sure you all remember what happened on the ship last night, and Mr. Ketchum did give you a proper apology am I right?", Alex said.
The crowd cheers out loud.
"Well now as Rilou's previous trainer, since I was unable to quell that anger I sincerely apologize to you as well", he continued.
Alex steps away from the podium and bows deeply.
The crowd cheers again spitting out forgiveness remarks.
Alex gets up with a tear in his eye waving to the crowd as he returns to the podium.
"Thanks everyone, well to show you we really are sorry for failing you as we have this year we are making a few changes to the rules; one…we are increasing your amount of time to complete the gym challenge from five months to seven months, two… each trainer will be given the option to swap Pokémon out at any point and time in the competition at any Pokémon center and finally the amount of badges required to compete in the final tournament has been decreased for twelve to ten, but you can still face them for extra training ."
"So don't slack off even for a minute, everyone do you best, fight hard, sleep well and we'll see you in seven months. Your race begins in one hour. All of your belongings that you brought onto the ship have been placed into your hotel rooms. You may pick up your key to said hotel room at the front desk of that hotel. You can figure out which hotel you are in by last name designation on the charts on your way out."
"Oh and before I forget be sure to check in after each gym battle with a battle representative via your pokégear to check your ranking, remember the higher your rank the earlier you will get to battle in the competition."
"And we shall see you in one hour…", he finished.
"Alright guys what say we make a run like we usually do, so we can hit the last two gyms with time to spare and probably set a new record", Ash stood up and said to his friends.
"Yeah!", they replied.
"And don't worry we'll be careful, wouldn't want you or the kids getting hurt here, and hopefully we will be done in about five months", Ash continued.
"Five months?", Mr. Goodshow asked.
"Yeah…", replied Ash.
Mr. Goodshow stood there shocked.
"Son… the best time for our gym challenge was set by the champ here at five months, thirty days, four hours, and twenty minutes. And that was when he did it before he won the championship."
"Well Alex, not only am I going to beat your record but I'm going to beat you", Ash replied confidently.
Alex stood there confidently, "Alright Ash we shall see if you can handle it."
And Alex and Mr. Goodshow step off the stage to attend to the rest of the trainers.
"Alright guys lets go get our supplies and check into our hotel", Ash commented.
Everyone starred at Ash surprised.
"Um…Ash what's gotten into you all of a sudden?", May asked.
"Well I figured we are going to be out for at least a week's time and away from civilization for I figured we are going to need food supplies and other essentials because I know Brock wouldn't carry all our food for the entire trip onto that ship and with us", Ash replied.
"No it's not that, but since when did you actually care about that?", Dawn asked.
"Well since I got Misty pregnant and the fact that everyone's here all at once so that food for at least five people not including the twins so it would be seven total", Ash replied.
"Wow he's really thought this through I would have never excepted this from him back in our early travels", Misty thought as she flashed back to the time staring their journey to the Johto League.
"Hey Misty you ok, you drifted off their for a second?", asked Ash.
"Yeah I'm fine just thinking about something", Misty replied.
"Well off we go", May said.
A sudden announcement came on…
"Attention all trainers, attention all trainers this is a message from Mr. Goodshow of the Pokémon league. All trainers at the sound of the alarm are to begin their challenge from their standing point, there will be no return to the stadium for the starting line only start from where you are, all trainers are to remain in the city and no exploring until that alarm goes off. Thank you that is all."
"Wow that must be there plan to get me riled up, ta think only a short time till it starts, I can't wait", Ash thought.
"Well I guess we should split up, since they wanna start it like this. Misty and I will get our rooms and Brock, May, and Dawn will start gathering supplies. I will call you when the rooms are set, and we'll meet up somewhere to finish gathering what we need", Ash suggested.
"Got it", Brock replied.
…
Ash and Misty head to the Pikachu & Raichu hotel to gather their keys and inspect the rooms.
"Wow, these are some huge suites. Especially ours, I can't wait till we get back", Misty commented.
"Don't you worry darling; we'll be back before you know it. Now let's go inspect the other rooms and meet back up with them", Ash replied.
"Yes!", Misty said.
Ash and Misty run over the other three rooms for May, Dawn, and Brock, just to ensure their belongings had been there waiting for them.
Ash and Misty walk out of the hotel and Ash gets to thinking.
"Hey Misty I need to make one more stop before we meet up with the others do you mind?", Ash asked at once.
"Of course not", Misty replied.
Ash and Misty head over to the nearest Pokémon center and Ash hops on the video phone.
"Professor", Ash said as professor oak appeared on the screen.
"Hi Ash, I see you've made it ok", replied oak.
"Yes, we have, I have a request to make", asked Ash.
"Sure anything", replied oak
"I need to swap Totodile with Staraptor and Bayleef for Torterra, can you do that for me?", Ash asked.
"Sure just place their Pokéballs in the teleporter and I'll grab Staraptor and Torterra for you", replied oak.
"Thanks professor", said Ash.
"Ash why do you need Staraptor and Torterra?", Misty asked.
"I don't know I just have a weird feeling in my gut that I'll need a flying type and a strong grass type, here shortly", replied Ash.
"Alright Ash I'm beginning the trade, standby…", said oak.
"Ok professor ready when you are", replied Ash.
Totodile's and Bayleef's Pokéballs' disappear and Staraptor's and Torterra's appear in their place.
"Thanks professor, I'll talk to you later",
"You to Ash", oak replied.
"Alright time to call up Brock", Ash said at once.
…
Moments later Ash and Misty where making a dart over to the local grocery store to meet up with May, Dawn and Brock to help finish gathering supplies. Ten minutes before the deadline they had all met back up in magna-square, the center of town to take a rest and to await the release alarm.
"Alright no matter where the gym's appear at we are smack dab in the center of town, so we can hit the furthest one's first and work our way in, that way the last gym we hit will be closets to town", Brock said.
"Attention all trainers the final preparations are complete the final countdown will begin shortly so we all suggest you make any last minute preparations and get ready", said the announcer over the P.A. system. "As our final countdown will be down by our own champion!"
…
"10…"
"9…"
"8…"
"7…"
"6…"
"5…"
"4…"
"3…"
"2…"
"1…"
"Pokémon challenge! The contest has begun all trainers good luck and remember have fun. You should be receiving the gym location data in your pokénav's in a few seconds", said Alex over the P.A. system.
"Alright, now that we have the data let get this planned out. First we'll hit this gym…", Brock begun.
About half an hour later…
"And last we'll stop here, at the 12th gym and hopefully won't have any problems. But as you know we usually do, so I'll have back up plans as we go", finished Brock.
"Yeah, thanks Brock you are the greatest pal a friend could have", Ash replied.
"Thanks Ash that means a lot", replied Brock.
"Well we better get started if we wanna make it back in time", Misty said.