Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: I still don't own Pokemon.
Author's Note: Thanks for the awesome reviews! I'm so glad you all like this story! ^.^
--
Chapter 16 – Misty's Plan
Ash was glum that night as he, Misty, and Brock ate dinner at Copper City's Pokémon Centre. Brock apologized repeatedly for the loss; finally, Ash told him it wasn't his fault and resumed his miserable thoughts of how Gary must surely be at the championships by now.
"Hey, Ash," said Misty abruptly, breaking him from his depression, "I was just thinking…if you need to team up with another trainer to win the badge, what if Gary's still around here waiting for someone to come?"
Ash blinked, surprised; that hadn't occurred to him. "Then I'll just have to work harder," he muttered, "to beat Rachel and Alex before him!"
Misty sighed. Boys were such idiots! "I mean, if we were to team up with him, you guys could win together."
Ash stared at her, disgusted. "Work with Gary? Are you kidding? No way!"
Misty sighed. "Face it, Ash. How else are you going to win the Elemental Badge?"
Ash said nothing.
*
The next morning, Ash checked in at the Pokémon Centre to see if Bayleef, Charizard, and Pikachu were healed yet. Nurse Joy headed into the back room to find his Pokémon; in the meantime, Ash glanced around the waiting room. Unlike Karasu's volunteer Pokémon Centre, this place was crowded with trainers and their Pokémon. As Ash took in everything from a Pidgeot holding out a broken wing to a bandaged Nidoran, Misty suddenly jabbed an elbow into his side.
Ash doubled over, clutching his chest. He whirled to glare at her. "What was that-?"
"Shh!" hissed Misty. "Look who it is!"
Ash unexpectedly heard his name; he turned reluctantly, already knowing who it was.
"Gary," he growled.
The trainer in question held his glare evenly before striding over. "I've been waiting for you," he said crossly. "I hate to say it, but I'm gonna need your help to get past this gym. Not that you'll be much help."
Ash was so shocked by this proposition he almost forgot to glare. Wavering between surprise and anger, he said, "You know about the gym?"
Gary rolled his eyes. "Duh. They wouldn't let me in without another trainer. I've been waiting for someone to come along, and then you losers showed up."
Ash glowered. "Just for that, I'm not gonna help you!"
Brock added, "Yeah, if you want his help you shouldn't start insulting him."
Gary shrugged, "Whatever." He turned. "If you want to win the badge this time, meet me at the gym in fifteen minutes."
Ash reddened; so Gary had heard about his and Brock's merciless defeat at the twins' hands.
With that, Gary walked back out the door. Misty noted he seemed to lean heavily on the door a moment before stepping outside. Ash was still staring after his rival, fists clenched; she turned to Brock questioningly.
"Brock, did you see-?"
"That he's limping? Yeah," Brock said, quietly so as not to alert Ash.
Misty's eyes widened slightly, but she had no time to puzzle over this new information as Nurse Joy returned at that moment with a tray.
"Sorry about the delay," she said, harried, "but we're extremely busy today!"
"That's all right," Brock consoled, lost in her eyes. Ash collected his two Poké balls, smiling as Pikachu bounded from Nurse Joy's arms onto his shoulder.
Misty growled under her breath, dragging Brock away. "Come on. Ash, what do you think? Are you going to meet Gary?"
Ash's eyes narrowed; Pikachu glanced at him, confused, as it had not overheard their previous discussion.
"I suppose I have to," he said finally, "if I want that badge. I really wish I didn't have to give him the badge at the same time, though!"
Misty sighed, muttering, "I'm sure he feels the same way."
The three friends stopped by the park on their way over to the gym; Ash looked around, but neither of the twins – nor their friend Cole – was present today.
"Ash," Brock began cautiously, "remember, the twins' Pokémon work together in this gym. You and Gary'll have to work together, not just fight at the same time."
"Yeah, I know," grumbled Ash.
"It's one big battle they fight," observed Misty. "Rachel and Alex never were only fighting just one Pokémon – and their Pokémon effortlessly switched from side to side."
Ash nodded, "I know. I just wish there was a way to counter."
"The only way to do that," Brock revealed, "is to do the same yourselves."
*
Ash trod up the path to the gym, his friends lagging behind him. He noticed grimly that Gary was already leaning against the outside wall, waiting for him.
"About time," yawned Gary, once Ash approached. He glowered but didn't answer.
Ash shoved through the doors, not waiting to see if his rival followed. Gary pushed off from the wall, a grimace flickering on his face before he hastily masked it.
Misty wasn't fooled. Tentatively, she held the door open for him. Gary glanced sharply at her, taken aback; however, he gave a slight nod and stepped inside.
Misty knew Brock was staring at her, but carefully avoided his gaze as they, too, entered.
The twins had already made their appearance; today, neither of their Eevees accompanied them.
"Back again, huh?" Rachel commented upon seeing Ash. "Let's see if you've learned anything."
Alex dug into his pocket, flashing the Elemental Badge at them. Rachel held out her own gem.
"You'll both win these if you manage to beat us."
"Same rules apply," added Alex. His blue eyes flickered over both trainers. "You're both aware of them?"
Gary and Ash nodded.
Misty and Brock hastily took their seats as the trainers squared off; yet again, the twins took the first selection.
"I hope Ash knows what he has to do," Misty murmured, Togepi chirping assent.
"Hmm," Brock said. "I think he knows, but whether or not he'll do it is the question."
*
Rachel flung a Poké ball in the air. "I'll start things off with Eevee!"
Eevee, fully recovered from its bout with Vulpix, flashed to life before Ash. On the other side of the court, Alex made his choice.
"Then I'll choose Ninetales!"
That's the same combination from last time, noted Ash, before he realized it was his turn. Against a normal type like Eevee (and possibly a fire type), he chose: "Pikachu, go!"
Pikachu ran forward, sparks flying from its cheeks; Eevee stood its ground.
Gary observed the other trainers' choices before picking a Poké ball. "Blastoise!"
The giant shelled turtle appeared with a growl, squaring its shoulders.
Ash knew he had to act fast. "Okay, Pikachu! Quick attack!"
"Blastoise, water gun!" ordered Gary.
Pikachu darted forward as Blastoise lowered its head, water bursting from the cannons in its shell.
"Ninetales, use quick attack too!"
Ninetales charged, not at Blastoise, but straight for Pikachu! It easily knocked Pikachu aside as Blastoise turned to follow it with its attack.
"Eevee! Skull bash!"
Eevee ran at Blastoise; before it could dodge, however, Eevee rammed into it head-on. Blastoise stumbled back, stunned. Eevee stepped back, shaking its head.
"Pikachu, thundershock Eevee now!"
"Blastoise, hydro pump at Ninetales!"
Both Pokémon geared up for their strongest attacks. Pikachu closed its eyes, sending a wave of electricity surging toward Eevee.
"Quick, Eevee, reflect!" Rachel commanded.
Gary glanced toward Eevee, intrigued; Eevee could only learn such an attack at a high level! He watched as the lightning bounced harmlessly off Eevee's shield and straight toward… His eyes widened.
"Blastoise, look out!"
Blastoise paused its onslaught on Ninetales, turning just in time to see electricity coursing through its body. Bellowing, Blastoise crumpled.
"Blastoise, no!" gasped Gary, rushing to his Pokémon's side. He stumbled at a sharp pain in his ankle, landing on his knees by Blastoise's head.
He turned to glare at Ash. "Your Pikachu just took out my Pokémon!"
Ash glared at him. "Your Blastoise got in the way of Eevee's attack! It's not my fault!"
Gary sighed, placing a hand on Blastoise's head. "Good try, Blastoise." He returned the Pokémon before pushing himself off the ground with his hands.
"I choose Nidoking!"
The purple giant exploded from his ball, roaring; Alex silently observed his choice before selecting a Poké ball.
"In that case, Ninetales, come back!" He flicked the new ball into the air. "Tyranitar, your turn!"
Ash gasped as the dragon-like Pokémon took shape. He remembered last facing one in the dungeon of Karasu gym; even with three of his Pokémon in action he couldn't defeat it!
"Nidoking! Tackle!"
Nidoking charged at Tyranitar; the huge Pokémon tussled, neither gaining an advantage. Ash turned back to his own fight, realizing Pikachu was dodging a flurry of Eevee's swipes.
"Pikachu, finish this! Thunder!"
"Eevee! Take down!" As Pikachu charged up, Rachel's Eevee ran at it full-speed. Pikachu was sent flying as Eevee smashed into it.
"Pikachu, no!"
Airborne, Pikachu couldn't stop itself as it fell toward the second pair of Pokémon; it smacked into Nidoking's shoulder and tumbled to the ground. Irritated, Nidoking flicked the weakened Pokémon aside with his tail.
Ash ran to Pikachu's side as it rolled, facedown, to the centre of the arena. He picked up his prized Pokémon, cradling it gingerly to his chest. "Pikachu, please be okay," he pleaded.
"Pikaa," whispered Pikachu.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Challenger, choose your next Pokémon!"
Ash sent Gary a glare. "Thanks a lot!"
"Oh, so now it's my fault?" his rival shot back. Ash said nothing, struggling to concentrate on the battle ahead.
Eevee uses mainly physical attacks, and so does Dragonair, thought Ash. I'm sure Rachel will try to pull that trick again! And I have one Pokémon hardy enough to take those…
He selected his shelled Pokémon. "Lapras, go!"
With a cry Lapras emerged, landing before Eevee.
"Lapras! Ice beam now!" Lapras opened its mouth, striking out with a crystallized shower of ice. Eevee dodged the first attack; Lapras turned its head, aiming again, this time catching Eevee point-blank.
Eevee flew back in the ray of ice, wailing; Rachel quickly retrieved her Pokémon.
"Eevee is unable to battle!" announced the scoreboard.
"So you're serious this time, huh," she said, choosing her next warrior. "Bet you can't best this! Dragonair, I choose you!"
Dragonair appeared in a burst of light; quickly, Rachel directed it to attack Lapras. Dragonair wrapped its long body around Lapras, squeezing. Ash grinned.
"No way!" Rachel gasped.
Lapras, with its hard shell, was protected against such an attack.
Rachel recovered quickly. "Okay, let's try again! Hyper beam!"
"Ice beam!" Ash countered.
A ball of light formed in Dragonair's mouth; Lapras raised its head. Both attacks shot out in the same instant, colliding in midair in an explosion of ice shards.
Lapras cried out in pain, unable to dodge its own attack. The sharp bits cut into its rubbery skin; Dragonair, meanwhile, was thrown backward. The other Pokémon was now rising, recovered.
"Lapras!" gasped Ash. "Are you all right?"
Lapras bobbed its head.
However, there was a sudden commotion to Ash's right; he turned to see Tyranitar hoist Nidoking above its head. Though the other Pokémon struggled, Tyranitar threw him aside with all its might.
Ash's eyes widened as Nidoking collided with Lapras; both Pokémon tumbled to the ground, knocked out.
"Nidoking!"
"Lapras!"
Both trainers glared at the other, blaming him for the knockout.
Gary retrieved Nidoking, grimly realizing he and Ash both had one Pokémon left. They still somehow had to take out Alex's Tyranitar and Ninetales, Rachel's Dragonair, and whichever two Pokémon they threw at them next.
This is madness, he thought, shaking his head. There's no way we can win this!
Ash chose a Poké ball, determination creasing his face. "Charizard, it's down to you!" he yelled, flinging the ball. The fire lizard exploded from its container, roaring; Tyranitar and Dragonair took up positions.
Gary spun a ball between his fingers; it looked like he'd have to depend on… "Umbreon!"
Umbreon appeared beside Charizard with a cry, crouching into position.
"Dragonair, return!" commanded Rachel, holding out its ball. She lowered it, smiling slightly. "A dark type? Smart. I'll go with…my Umbreon!"
Across the field a second Umbreon burst to life; Gary considered it, remembering how powerful Rachel's Eevee had been. This one must be at an even higher level, he mused.
"Umbreon, be careful!" warned Gary. "Now, quick attack!"
"You too!" Rachel called from across the ring; both Umbreons charged.
Ash suddenly snapped out of his observation. He was still fighting, too! "Charizard! Flameth-" he remembered how Tyranitar's hard skin was resistant to elemental attacks. "Uh, tackle it!"
Charizard, snarling, lumbered toward Tyranitar; nearby, Rachel and Gary's Umbreons collided. Paws outstretched, one slashed at the other, and soon both were a struggling mass on the floor, neither gaining an advantage. Ash quickly lost track of which was which, turning instead to Charizard's battle.
As Charizard rammed Tyranitar, the dark Pokémon shoved back, grasping Charizard's arms. Ash remembered such a manoeuvre and panicked.
"Tail whip, quick!"
Growling in anger, Charizard smacked Tyranitar with its powerful tail; the Pokémon fell back, pulling Charizard with it. Charizard struggled to break out of Tyranitar's vice grip.
"Umbreon, no!" Rachel yelled, as one Umbreon finally succeeded in pushing the other off. The Umbreon – presumably Rachel's – slid away with a cry of pain.
"Briiii!"
Alex gestured. "Tyranitar, behind you!"
With little effort, Tyranitar shoved Charizard aside, turning and taking a booming step toward Gary's Umbreon.
"Umbreon, feint attack!" ordered Gary.
Umbreon flickered, suddenly flying at Tyranitar from behind. It rammed into the larger Pokémon, claws scrabbling against hard skin. Unable to find a handhold, Umbreon jumped back.
"Hit it!"
At the order Tyranitar whirled, tail whipping out behind it. Before Umbreon could react, it was sent flying from the blow.
"Charizard, take it out now!" yelled Ash; while Tyranitar fought off Umbreon, Charizard charged. This time it slammed into the Pokémon with its shoulder leading.
Stunned, Tyranitar stumbled for a moment.
"Yeah!" Ash cheered. "Now-"
"Hyper beam!" Alex cut in. Tyranitar, mouth open, twisted around.
A beam of light exploded from its maw, striking Umbreon as it struggled to its paws.
"Breeeeon!" it wailed, sent thumping back to the floor.
"Umbreon!" gasped Gary; his Pokémon lay still. He staggered to its side, lifting it gently into his arms. No…
"Ash!" He turned to the other trainer. "We have to forfeit; Charizard's the only one left!"
Ash clenched his fists. "We can still take 'em! Charizard, fire spin!"
Charizard roared in agreement, turning its glare on Rachel's Umbreon. It opened its mouth.
"Hidden power, now!" screamed Rachel.
Umbreon leaped into the air as the first blaze licked hungrily at the ground; its eyes began to glow sinisterly.
"Briiiiiii!"
Suddenly Charizard doubled over, howling in pain; slowly, it slumped to the ground.
Ash gaped. "No way! Charizard!" He ran to his Pokémon's side.
Gary shook his head, exasperated. He felt Umbreon shift against him, and glanced down.
"Umbreon, you're awake! Are you all right?"
"Reon," murmured Umbreon; its half-closed eyes showed exhaustion. Gary stroked its head gently.
Alex called across to them as his Tyranitar shambled to his side, "Nice try."
"Looks like we're still better, though," smirked Rachel. Her Umbreon rubbed against her leg, and she moved to pat it.
Ash glowered at the gym leaders before turning away abruptly. Pikachu swaying on his shoulder, he marched past Gary and Umbreon.
"Come on, Gary."
Gary glanced up, puzzled that Ash was addressing him. "What? Where're we going?"
Ash stared at him from under the shadowing brim of his hat; his eyes still blazed with purpose. "We're going to win an Elemental Badge together, that's what."
He hesitated a moment before holding out a hand; Gary stared at him a moment longer before breaking off with a nod. He grasped Ash's hand, allowing the other trainer to haul him to his feet. They set off for the gym exit, Umbreon, Misty, and Brock trailing behind.
To be continued...
--
They say third time's the charm... can Ash and Gary win against the twins? :) Please review!