Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
Author's Note: I'm back, finally! The league championship promises to be exciting and definitely not normal :P As an answer to mdc and anyone else who was wondering, no, Ash and Gary will not be catching any new Pokemon. That's completely a mistake on my part plot-wise, since I focused solely on the gyms and didn't remember the line way back around the second chapter where Professor Oak gave them extra Pokeballs. O.o Just assume that Ikimono has the same varieties of Pokemon as Kanto and Johto.
Not sure if I already mentioned it, but Inu means dog.
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Chapter 19 – Inu, the Master Quest
Ash admired the four gems shining against his palm: the interconnected bronze, silver, and gold circles of Medal; the Mind Badge, a square network of black and white squares; a leaf camouflaged against his glove, the Nature Badge; and finally, the multicoloured sun-shaped Elemental Badge, whose rays shifted colors around a black-and-white centre. Ash clenched his fist around his prizes, grinning.
"Inu, here I come!"
Ash was looking forward to his upcoming battle in Inu's Winner's Stadium; there, Ash would have to compete against other trainers who had earned these same badges for the master title. The Canine Cup lay in the future of the best trainer; Ash smiled, picturing himself hoisting the trophy above the heads of all his competitors, especially his rival Gary.
Misty's voice shattered his reverie. "There it is!"
Ash turned, excited; the broad landmass of Inu stretched before them. A welcoming white beach led into the inland forest; this time, Ash noted happily, there was a path winding through the jungle.
He was the first to hop down from Lapras's back in his vigour; he sauntered to the road and waited for his friends.
"Come on! I can't wait to sign up!"
Brock sighed, slipping their trusty map back in his bag. "Not so fast, Ash. We have to find Turquoise City first."
"Right," said Ash. He remembered Brock telling them their destination: the Winner's Stadium, located on the edge of Turquoise City. "Well, we'll just follow the path there!"
Brock and Misty sighed; obviously, with Ash so pumped, there was no way to slow him.
*
Four badges. Compared to Kanto or Johto, that was simple enough. Not in Ikimono, though; each gym tested trainers' skills to a level unheard of in the other leagues.
Gary, seated on Blastoise's back with his left leg stretched gingerly in front of him, contemplated the badges one-by-one.
On Uma, he'd faced Laura and won in a race of Pokémon's speed for the Medal Badge. Victor of Karasu had tested a trainer's wisdom and battle strategy, awarding the Mind Badge. Kame's gym, however, was where Charlie tested a trainer's durability and survival skills – with no help from Pokémon – for the Nature Badge. Last but not least – and perhaps hardest of all – was the test of teamwork presented by Rachel and Alex of Kitsune. Two trainers capable of defeating them in battle earned the Elemental Badge.
Gary tucked the badges back into his pocket, glancing at the horizon to check his and Blastoise's position. The mainland, a giant mass larger than all four islands combined, lay dead ahead. Inu: there he would compete in the ultimate challenge for the Canine Cup.
Gary had already been to league championships in Indigo; he understood the one-on-one playoff format that led to a final showdown. Nevertheless, he reminded himself that this was Ikimono: there was surely some hidden test ahead, a different style of battle.
Gary leaned back on his arms, thinking. Whatever lay ahead, it would be a test greater than anything he'd faced before in Ikimono.
*
Turquoise City appeared out of the forest like a vision. Like Copper, it was a modern mass of chrome and metal, the streets lined with brightly lit shop windows. The route was crowded with people out doing their shopping. Ash chose a store at random, making a beeline for the sales counter. Misty and Brock shadowed him, glancing around at the Pokémon trinkets surrounding them.
"Excuse me," Ash addressed the lady at the cash register, "I was wondering where I can sign up for the Canine Cup tournament."
The woman glanced over him, noticing Pikachu perched on his hat. "Oh! Are you a trainer? Wow, your Pikachu is so cute!"
"Er, thanks," mumbled Ash. "But I was really asking-"
"The entrance to the stadium is just down the road," the lady explained brightly. "They're accepting sign-ups at the main office until tomorrow." She leaned in confidentially. "You know, you'll be the first to sign up this month," she whispered.
Ash blinked, surprised. "Oh. Well, thanks." He hurried out of the store, eager to get his application accepted immediately.
*
Winner's Stadium rose up at the edge of town, a huge ring of wall. Ash tipped his head back to see the top. Judging by the outside, the battlefield inside must be huge! he thought, nervous butterflies in his stomach.
They chose one of the entrances lining the outside wall, stepping into a corridor stretching the length of the ring. At regular intervals, staircases led up into the stands. Misty pulled Ash toward one excitedly.
Ash climbed behind his friends out into the sunlight; blinking, he found himself standing above a long dirt field, the white lines of the gym glowing below. He was right; the field was gigantic, at least twice the size he was used to. He tore his gaze from it, glancing around instead at the stands. Rows upon rows of bleachers stretched to either side of him, surrounding the entire court. He suppressed a nervous shudder; so many people would be watching!
Directly across from his position, raised high so all could see, was a large electronic scoreboard. Currently black, it held slots for six Pokémon per trainer.
"Wow," whispered Misty, "this place is amazing."
Ash nodded, throat dry. He turned. "C'mon, let's find the office!"
Ash, Misty, and Brock circled around the ring through the hallway, passing concession stands and two doors facing inward marked 'Trainer Entrance Only'. Finally, they arrived at a desk with a sign hung over it: Trainer Check-In.
After a nudge from Brock, Ash stepped shyly to the desk. "Um, hi?"
A woman, who had been tapping away at her computer, glanced over and smiled warmly. "Hello. Are you here to enter the championship?" Ash nodded.
"One moment please." She reached for a clipboard and a pen, passing them to Ash. "Please fill this out."
Ash glanced over the form; it had all the usual identification requirements. He filled out everything from his name to the six Pokémon with him, checking Dexter for his trainer ID.
"Thank you," said the woman, taking back the completed form. "Now, I just need to see your badges."
Ash held out his four Ikimono badges with pride as she scanned them. Finally, she nodded.
"All right, you're all signed up for the Canine Cup," she said cheerfully. "The championship schedule will be posted tomorrow, and the matches will begin the following day. Any questions?"
Ash shook his head, but Brock spoke up.
"What's the format?"
She explained, "Everything but the finals are one-on-one matches in themed arenas. The championship is six-on-six, in a random selection of six arenas, with a trainer winning once all his or her opponent's Pokémon are knocked out."
Brock nodded in thanks; Ash walked away shakily, disbelieving. He was in the running to win Ikimono! Wouldn't this be something to tell Professor Oak, he thought, smiling.
*
That night, Ash could barely sit still through supper at the Pokémon Centre. Unable to eat and unnerving Misty, he instead went to phone Professor Oak.
"Hello, Professor!" he said brightly, seeing his idol onscreen.
"Ah, it's good to see you again, Ash. How are you faring in Ikimono?"
"I beat it, Professor!" he announced happily. At Professor Oak's surprised look, he recapped what had happened on Kitsune. Then he explained how he was entered in the Canine Cup championship.
"Well done, Ash." Professor Oak looked impressed. "I didn't expect you to come through so fast!"
"Well, I do like a challenge," admitted Ash. And I had to beat Gary, he added silently.
"Say, has my grandson arrived on Inu yet?" asked Oak. Ash deflated; he should have known the question was coming sooner or later.
"I don't know. Shouldn't he be calling you?"
Professor Oak nodded reluctantly. "I guess I shouldn't worry so much, but…"
"Don't worry, Professor. He told me he's coming, too." Ash spoke dully, not wanting to dwell on his rival with the one man he wanted to admire him, not Gary. "Professor," Ash began, "I've got to go now. See you tomorrow."
"Good luck, Ash," said the Professor, before logging off.
*
When Ash arrived the following morning at the stadium to check the schedule, he met a buzzing crowd of people. Ash squared his shoulders and made a way through the throng, muttering "Sorry" as he passed. Misty and Brock trailed in his wake.
Reaching the front desk, Ash saw a board was now propped upon it; the lady Ash had spoke to yesterday was answering shouted questions from the crowd.
Ash dodged to the side and found himself directly before the board. Heart pounding, he peered upward.
There were only two names listed, posted next to the match time (9:00 AM tomorrow).
Ash's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. So no one had gotten past Rachel and Alex's gym since his victory.
The sign read:
Ash Ketchum vs. Gary Oak
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