Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
Author's Note: So here's where the real story starts in Ikimono! First up is Uma (horse) Island, as you'll see in this chapter. I know I made Gary act like a complete jerk last chapter; Ash has that effect on him. It works both ways, actually. Anyway, read on!
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Chapter 2 – Here I Come!!
"Are you sure we have to go this fast?" Misty shouted across Lapras's back to Ash.
"Yeah, we have to beat Gary!" Ash's determined face was turned into the spray.
He, Misty, and Brock were traveling on the water Pokémon across the ocean to the Ikimono islands. They had hurried the journey to scrunch it into a one-day timeframe; now, they were already halfway across the water (judging by Brock's photocopied map).
Misty stifled a yawn. Ash, spurred by his competition with Gary, was determined to reach the islands first. Thus, they had been woken at dawn to leave Pallet Town. Boys, she thought with a roll of her eyes.
Professor Oak had given them three extra Poké balls (in hopes of them catching some new Pokémon) and updated their Pokédex with direct communication to his lab, just in case. Then Ash had swapped Totodile for Lapras at the lab, needing the bigger Pokémon for the water crossing.
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Meanwhile, Gary was flying across the ocean on his trusty Pidgeot. On his own, Gary was determined to reach the first island and get his badge before nightfall. In the lab, Professor Oak had shown him and Ash a confidential map-in-progress of Kanto with the new region included; Gary had memorized the paw print shape of the isles, with the toes extended to the west. Four islands made up the toes, while one larger island marked the mainland. Gary was guessing that each island had its own gym; he would make his way from north to south. With Pidgeot's speed, he was confident that he could beat Ash, hands down.
Pidgeot cawed suddenly; Gary squinted downward and saw why. The islands had appeared below from under a shroud of clouds, like the paw print left behind by some gigantic doglike Pokémon.
"Good work. Head for the north-most one," ordered Gary, holding on as Pidgeot banked left.
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"Hey, Ash! Look there!"
Misty awoke from her doze and glanced up to see Brock pointing into the distance. She turned, squinting. A shadow was appearing ahead out of the mist. She recognized it immediately as an island.
Ash scrambled to Lapras's neck and grabbed on, peering out. A grin split his face. "Ikimono, here we come! Faster, Lapras, we're almost there!"
Lapras called to show it had heard, paddling faster. Its eyes shone with the chance to aid its master again; Ash had not required its service since his venture to the Orange Islands.
Misty let out a sigh, stretching her cramped legs. She cuddled Togepi closer to her. "Finally. It's almost night." It was a good thing they had been traveling eastward and away from the blazing sunset.
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Though he had arrived before schedule, Gary still had to sort through several matters before staking out the gym. After scouting out a reasonably priced hotel, he booked a night and managed to orient himself with help from the check-in lady (and a bit of charm).
He was in Gold City, one of three settlements on the island and the most industrialised. It was also home to Uma Island's gym. Here, Gary found out, he could battle for rights to the Medal Badge.
"Excellent," he said. "Do you have directions to the gym?"
The lady nodded, "I can tell you where to find it, but I'm afraid it's closed by now. You'll have to wait until tomorrow morning."
Gary cursed inwardly. He couldn't afford to waste time. Still, he memorized her directions. Smiling and thanking the woman, he went to find his room.
It won't hurt to find out about the gym leader, Gary mused on his way upstairs. He could do that tonight.
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Ash finally set foot on the first island in the Ikimono league late that night. Uma Island, it was supposedly called. Exhausted but still strong, he wandered halfway around town searching for a gym before Brock was able to convince him to turn in. The three friends checked in to a hotel for the night.
Bright and early the next morning, Ash asked around and finished by finding Uma Island's gym.
"This is it?" Misty asked dubiously, staring up at what seemed to be the grandstands for a racetrack. They were standing on the elliptical dirt track, awed by their surroundings.
"It has to be," Ash confirmed. He glanced around and caught sight of the stables nestled against the side of the stands. "Let's look over there."
He strode purposely for the stable, leaving Misty and Brock to catch up.
Ash pushed open the door and peered down the row of stalls, all but one filled with Ponyta. "Hello? Anyone here?" Several Ponyta tossed their fiery manes anxiously.
"Ash!" Misty exclaimed suddenly, staring behind them. Ash wheeled around; clomping hoof steps neared. In a moment, a bridled Rapidash came into view in the doorway, snorting at the sight of them. It was led by a tall girl in full riding gear, her long brown ponytail bobbing as she walked. The pair froze, staring at them; Ash and his friends stared back.
"What are you doing here?" the girl blurted, moving in front of her Rapidash.
Ash recovered quickly, rushing up to her. "I'm Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. I'm here to challenge the gym leader."
"Oh." The girl relaxed, leading the Rapidash to the vacant stall. She slipped off its bridle with care, rubbing the Pokémon's forehead. Then she closed the door.
"That would be me," she said with a smile, turning to face them.
Ash was thunderstruck. "Wh-what?"
The girl removed her hat, shook back her hair, and held out a hand to Ash. "I'm Laura. So you want the Medal Badge, huh?"
Ash nodded eagerly, shaking her hand.
The girl put a hand to her chin. "That's funny. Another Pallet trainer just came to fight me. I was just cooling Rapidash down after that, and then you show up."
Gary, Ash thought, his insides burning. "Did he beat you?"
"That's confidential," Laura smirked. Ash noted abruptly that she looked very much like his rival when she did that. "So, you wanna fight or not?"
Ash already had a Poké ball ready. "Bring it on!"
Laura laughed. "Not in here, silly. Out on the track." She gestured them out.
The gym leader guided them to the starting gate; here, Ponyta and Rapidash would wait for the starting signal before bursting from their boxes. Today, the track was deserted.
Laura stood before them, hands on hips. "In my gym, the battle takes three parts," she explained brusquely. She held up three fingers. "These tests are designed to test you and your Pokémon's physical abilities."
"Uh-oh," said Brock. Ash glanced at him quizzically, but he didn't continue.
"First," Laura barked, "You must choose a Pokémon to ride in a race against mine. Then, we'll both take a flying Pokémon to the lake, where we'll ride across on a water Pokémon. If you can beat me in at least two of these competitions, I'll give you this." Laura opened her vest pocket and raised the Medal Badge into the air. Three interconnected circles of gold, silver and bronze glittered at him.
Ash clenched his fist. "You're on!"
To be continued...
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Next chapter will be longer, I promise. Please click to review!