Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
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Chapter 4 – Brock's Brainpower
"They say Rapidash is the fastest Pokémon in the world. You can't use just any Pokémon against it," Brock explained later that day.
He, Ash, and Misty were seated in the Gold City Pokémon Centre's cafeteria, conversing over lunch. Ash was staring into his salad glumly, twirling his fork through the lettuce. Pikachu nudged his arm warmly, trying in vain to cheer up its trainer.
"He's not saying it's impossible," Misty added gently, "just that you need to work a bit before facing Laura."
"I hate her," Ash muttered.
Misty and Brock exchanged defeated glances. Ash just wouldn't listen to anything they said.
"I bet Gary's on to the next island by now," Ash mumbled, "and laughing at me."
Misty took a breath. "Ash, if he's gone through here already, he'll assume you did, too."
Brock caught on to her idea. "Yeah, you don't want to prove him wrong, and that you're stuck."
Ash's fork clattered onto his plate; the trainer shoved back from the table abruptly.
"Wh-where are you going, Ash?" Misty inquired nervously.
Ash tugged his cap backward, a renewed spark in his eyes. "I'm going to catch up to Gary. First, I'll get my winning team set."
Ash marched back into the hospital part of the building, oblivious to the high-fives his friends were exchanging behind his back. Then Misty and Brock hurried to catch up. In the other room, Ash quickly found what he was looking for: a telephone.
"Hey, Professor," he grinned after ringing him up.
"Hello, Ash," greeted Professor Oak's onscreen image. "I take it you arrived on Uma safely?"
"Yes, sir! And to challenge the gym leader here I need to switch some Pokémon."
"I take it you already have a good idea what's going on."
Ash reddened, deciding not to tell the Professor of his failing. "Uh, yeah."
"The gyms are very different here." Brock took up the conversation. "Instead of a specific type, this leader focuses on speed. Her Pokémon and Ash's must compete in three different races."
"So I've heard," nodded Oak.
"So Gary's already got his badge." It was a statement, not a question. Ash narrowed his eyes.
"Earlier today, yes. He called me and gave me the details of the races."
Ash's mind formulated a plan. "So, from what he told you…any tips for me?"
Oak laughed. "Sorry, Ash, by league regulations you have to do this on your own."
Ash pouted, deflating.
"Ash, we'll help you," Misty offered. Brock nodded.
"First, we should think about what each race requires: one on land, one in the sky, one on water," Brock began smartly. "Rapidash and Fearow – Laura's Pokémon that we know of so far – are both built for speed. Thus, you need something to match them. What are your options?"
Ash listed off on his fingers. "With me I've got Pikachu, Noctowl, Bayleef, Charizard, Lapras, and Cyndaquil. And then there's Totodile, Snorlax, Tauros, Kingler, Muk, and Heracross."
Brock tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, the only one to match Rapidash would be Tauros. With its competitive spirit, you've got a chance there. For flying Pokémon, you've got Noctowl, Heracross, and Charizard."
"Noctowl's out. It's too small," put in Misty.
"And Heracross hasn't let you ride it before," frowned Brock. "I'd say stay with what you know with Charizard."
"'Kay." Ash turned to Professor Oak. "I guess I'll swap Cyndaquil for Tauros."
He placed the Poké ball on the teleportation device; the red-and-white ball flickered, and in a moment another took its place.
"Thanks, Professor."
"But for the water race…Misty, what do you think?"
Misty, the water Pokémon expert, thought it over. "Well…between Lapras and Kingler, I'd say Lapras. You already won an Orange badge with its help."
Ash looked relieved. "Thanks a lot, you guys. Now I'll win that badge for sure."
"Wait!" cautioned Brock. "First, you should talk it over with your Pokémon. Prepare them for it. They're used to fighting, remember."
"Good idea."
Ash threw three Poké balls in the air; Tauros, Charizard, and Lapras flashed into being.
"All right, guys!" Ash called. "We're going to win the Medal Badge together. Are you with me?" Tauros tossed its head; Charizard roared; Lapras nuzzled Ash's head.
Ash grinned. "All right! Now, this time we have to race the leader's Pokémon. So do your best, and we'll make it!"
The Pokémon cried out in agreement.
Ash called them back with a broad, confident smile. He said goodbye to Professor Oak, promising to return with a Medal Badge like Gary. Then he set off with Misty and Brock following behind him.
Misty crossed her fingers and hoped for the best.
*
"You again?" Laura scoffed in greeting.
Ash strode up to the track fence confidently. "This time, I'm ready for you!"
She shook her head. "If you say so."
Again the two trainers angled toward the starting gate. Ash unhooked Tauros's ball. "Let's go, Tauros!"
He flung the Poké ball, and Tauros appeared, pawing the dirt in anticipation. Rapidash tossed its head at the sight of its competitor.
"Trainers, on your mark!"
Ash mounted Tauros, gripping its neck nervously. He'd never ridden this Pokémon before.
"Get set! Go!"
Both Pokémon burst from their boxes, tearing down the field. Ash clung on as he bounced painfully all over Tauros's back. The Pokémon paid him no heed, determined to match Rapidash's stride. They neared the first turn; Ash braced himself.
Hooves flashed around the corner and Tauros and Rapidash muscled against each other for the lead. Still they struggled as the second corner approached. This time Ash nearly lost his grip as he bumped around to the next part of the track. Tauros lowered its head and charged.
Rapidash and Laura thundered beside them, but Ash was too busy clinging on to spare the other trainer a glance. They cleared the last turn; the home stretch loomed ahead. Ash's heart swelled. Almost there. Come on, Tauros!
Ash's fingers, slick with sweat, suddenly slipped on Tauros's horns. With a startled yell Ash tumbled backward off his mount.
The ground reached up to embrace him; Ash fell hard and rolled in the dust. Coughing, he struggled to his knees to see the Pokémon already far ahead, Tauros still fighting obliviously.
Gingerly he got to his feet and wandered to the finish, heart sinking further with every step. He had been so close.
"You call yourself a trainer!" Laura laughed when he finally reached them. Tauros stood by the fence, sides heaving. Ash calmed it with a pat before returning it. He turned to glare at Laura, but said nothing.
For the next match Ash chose Charizard. After mounting, he settled into a much more comfortable position and waited for the Pokémon to kick off.
"On your mark, get set, go!"
Again both Pokémon took swiftly to the sky. Charizard kept even with Fearow, eyes on the lake far below. Then Fearow, to Ash's surprise, started rising higher. He spared this no thought, focused on Charizard's path. They were lower, closer; they would win!
Suddenly Fearow plummeted by in a steep dive. It clicked: Fearow was faster in a dive than Charizard. With more height, the dive was steeper and thus even faster.
Charizard moved to go after Fearow; Ash grabbed hold around Charizard's neck, mind racing. He needed a plan! Following it hadn't worked last time…how could they go even faster?
A light bulb went off in his head.
"Charizard! Seismic toss! Now!" he shouted.
Charizard barely hesitated, twisting and grabbing Ash in its hands. Then it flew in circles…faster, faster until the world blurred around them. Ash swallowed hard, closing his eyes and forcing down the bile rising in his throat. He considered calling Charizard off for the briefest moment.
Biting his lip, Ash endured. They had to win!
Abruptly Charizard went into a super-speed dive, aiming for the lakeshore. They passed Fearow – only a split-second brown blur – and still dropped. The blue mass below bloomed bigger until it was all Ash could see.
FWOOSH!
At the last second Charizard flared its wings to land hard on its feet. It stumbled a moment, dropping Ash. The dizzied trainer fell like a sack of potatoes and lay on the ground, unmoving. Charizard steadied itself just as Fearow landed beside them.
Ash, suddenly re-energized, bounded to his feet. "Ha! Beat you!" He tapered off, staggering and falling back against Charizard.
Laura shook her head, admitting defeat nonetheless. She returned Fearow before stepping to the water's edge. "Ready?" she asked.
Ash stood and walked slowly toward her, falling only once. Maybe that was a mistake, Ash thought, grimacing, but it was the only way… He shook his head, clearing it, and came up with a smile.
"Ready as I'll ever be! Lapras, I choose you!" He lobbed the ball into the air and Lapras appeared among the waves.
"Impressive," noted Laura. "But how about…this!" She flung the Poké ball hard. "Gyarados, come out and play!"
Ash's eyes widened. She had indeed saved the best – or worst, in Ash's case – for last.
A huge blue sea dragon took shape, mouth agape with a roar. Ash shuddered slightly at the sound; the fearsome Pokémon looked about to tear him apart. Gyarados lowered its head, and Laura leaped onto its neck. She took position on its back, arms spread out, right foot in front of the left. She looked almost as if she was surfing.
Lapras called to Ash melodically; it did not seem bothered by their companion. Gulping, Ash ran into the surf to clamber upon its back.
"You'll have to race for both of us," Ash murmured, stroking its neck. Lapras hummed comfortingly, turning about to face into the waves.
"We'll head to the far coast, straight ahead," Laura shouted. "First one there wins!"
A loudspeaker built into a nearby rock announced, "The third and final match is about to begin! The score is tied 1-1, and the victor here takes the badge! Trainers, on your mark, get set, go!"
With a cry Lapras pushed off into the waves, paddling to gain speed. Gyarados rolled through the water almost effortlessly, pulling ahead.
"Faster!" Ash urged Lapras, seated on its back. Lapras strained its neck forward, keeping even.
Quickly the shoreline disappeared behind them; Ash could see the horizon looming ahead, marked with peaks. Ash briefly recalled someone mentioning the mountain range south of Gold City.
As they approached, the mountains rose up majestically before them. Ash was more concerned about the race at hand: neither Pokémon had gained an advantage thus far.
Ash gritted his teeth. "Come on, Lapras! Come on!"
The Pokémon was giving all it had; Ash could make out the visible signs of exhaustion in the droop of its head and the sheen of sweat on its neck. Ash could only hold on and hope for the best.
As the distance closed, Ash had only one choice: to try an old trick. "Lapras! Ice beam!"
Lapras opened its mouth and formed a trail of ice extending all the way to the far shore.
"Yeah! That's it! Now, slide!"
Lapras hastily clambered onto the ice floe and pushed off. Ash felt the wind whip his face as they glided even faster down their path. Ash found himself grinning as the shoreline neared; he could see a group of people awaiting them, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu cheering at the front.
"Gyarados! Stop them!" a voice shouted behind them. Ash chanced a glance back and his mouth fell open in horror; a beam of light was forming in Gyarados's mouth.
"Get off!" he screamed frantically, instants before the hyper beam slammed into the ice. Lapras slipped off unharmed into the water as the iceberg collapsed into the lake. Gyarados roared, the sound echoing in Ash's ears.
"Keep going!" Ash ordered.
Now Lapras was in front, having gained a few seconds' speed on the ice. It paddled desperately for shore, Gyarados inching up behind them.
But already Ash was close enough to see the fear on his friends' faces melting into joy; soon Lapras's fins hit bottom and it churned forward in a final effort, pushing itself up onto the sand. Gyarados slid up beside them only seconds later.
"Yes!" Brock cheered, and Misty clapped along with Togepi and Pikachu, whom she had been safekeeping. It was clear to see who was the victor. Ash staggered down, grinning broadly.
The man who had been announcer stepped up. "The final match goes to the challenger; the challenger wins!"
Laura hopped off Gyarados and approached, a small smile on her lips. She held out her hand. "Guess you weren't so bad, after all," she admitted.
Ash knew that was as high of a compliment that he would get. He took her hand, shaking it. "Thanks!"
Laura reached into her vest pocket. "This belongs to you, then." She opened her fist, and the Medal Badge glimmered up at him.
If possible, Ash's smile widened even more. Snatching the badge, he announced, "I did it! I won an Ikimono badge!" He held the badge up to the light, awed at the way the three circles of gold, silver, and bronze – forming a triangle – shone in the light.
He paused a moment, looking over at his friends. "And I couldn't have done it without you guys," he grinned.
Lapras ducked its head; Misty and Brock smiled. Pikachu wriggled free from Misty's embrace and leaped onto Ash's shoulder.
"Pika-chu!"
To be continued...
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