The Year of Rocket's Revenge
Session August, Part 4 (08.29.05/08.08.06)
The Pokémon League is known for representing the best Pokémon trainers in the world. To qualify for membership, one must simply compete in a standard novice-level tournament and finish in a high position. Once a member of the League, one can compete in new tournaments every few months to increase the standing and skill level. Those who manage to make it all the way to the top will become Elite, and the best of the Elite becomes a Pokémon Master.
For many trainers, that is their one goal in life. To become the one and only Master of Pokémon. Ash Ketchum is one of those very individuals, and he hopes to get there by not only showing off great training techniques, but also by being friends with all of his Pokémon.
Today, Ash hopes to take one step closer to his dream, by taking part in a tournament unlike any which anyone has ever seen before...
Pallet Town, August 30th
Ash and Pikachu were in the midst of training on the outskirts of Pallet Town, running up and down the grassy hills. It was as if they were preparing for something important. Which, technically, they really were.
"It's just me and you again, huh Pikachu?" Ash asked his loyal companion.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu chirped.
"Misty's back in Cerulean, getting her final lessons in being a good gym leader. Duplica returned to her tour, but she promised to keep in touch with both Misty and I... surprisingly, she hasn't been too good keeping it, with her spending much of her down time trekking between towns. As for Brock, well, he just said he has something to take care of, but to let him know when we were heading back to Johto so he can come along.
"That's right, Pikachu... just one more day of training and we'll hit the road again!"
"Pi pikachu! Cha!"
Suddenly, they both begin hearing ringing noises. Ash started to look around him, as he tried to discern where it was coming from. Pikachu, though, had already figured it out, as he pointed at Ash's right pants pocket.
"Pika?"
"Oh, you mean my Pokédex?" Ash thought, pulling it out. Sure enough, it was ringing... ringing like a telephone. He opened it up and saw that the words 'Poké-Com 4.1' were on the bottom of the screen and in the center were two words... 'Answer' and 'Ignore.' To be honest, he was thinking about pressing 'Ignore' so he and Pikachu could get back to training. But curiosity got the better of him, and he selected 'Answer.'
After doing so, an image of Professor Oak appeared holographically before Ash.
"Wha!" Ash freaked out. "Professor Oak... I mean, dad?"
"Hello, Ash? Good... looks like the new holographic projector chip for the Poké-Com is working perfectly!"
"Is that what this thing is?"
"Anyway, I need you to come to my lab at once! There's something very important I have to tell you!"
"Well, okay. I'm on my way!"
Pikachu huffed, hating to be ignored. "Pikachu!"
Ash laughed. "Sorry... Pikachu and I are on our way!"
"Pi-ka!"
A few minutes later, Ash and Pikachu were sitting in the reading room of Professor Oak's laboratory. The professor and Tracey, who had since become a full-time assistant, were sitting right across. The foursome were drinking a cup of hot tea as they conversed about the professor's 'important news.'
"A Pokémon Junior Master Tournament?" Ash gasped, shocked.
"Yes," Professor Oak confirmed. "The Pokémon League is in search of new ways to infuse fun and excitement in today's youth, so they're throwing this tournament in order to test some new rules."
"There are rumors going around that the League is getting so large that they are trying to see if they can split it in half by age. The current League will retain all active trainers that are 18 years or older, while the new, proposed sister League will be for everyone under 18."
"I don't see the point," Ash thought out aloud. "After all, age isn't that much of a factor in Pokémon battles."
"True, Ash, but it's also the easiest way to split everyone up without complications."
"Anyway," the professor cut back in, "For now, they're just rumors. As I said, the League wants to test the waters to see if it can work. And no matter what, it doesn't mean the level of competition will go down. They are making sure to invite only the best and brightest."
Ash laughed heartily. "Well, if that's the case, then I'm up for it! My goal's to become a Pokémon Master, and this will show how close I am!"
"Very well... you leave for Evergrande City in twenty minutes."
"Wait... TWENTY MINUTES? But, I'm not even packed yet! Or what Pokémon I want to bring with me!"
Professor Oak laughed. "No worries... your mom's taking care of your packing for you. As for what Pokémon, you'll have plenty of time to decide that on your way there, as I can send you anyone you need or want. Remember?"
"But why do I have to leave so soon?"
"Well, Ash..." Tracey replied. "The registration deadline is 5 pm tomorrow, but since the League is providing transportation, this is the only window of opportunity they could give us. Besides, Evergrande City is quite a ways from here, in the Hoenn Region."
"I've never been to Evergrande City before," the professor said, "but I hear the place is beautiful this time of year. You should have a great time there!"
"I guess... but I feel down that Misty and Brock won't be coming along. Ever since the Orange Islands, I don't feel complete without them."
"Well," smiled Tracey, "have we got a surprise for you!"
Ash and Pikachu blinked in confusion.
The foursome were walking back to the Ketchum house when Pikachu was the first to spot a white limousine parked out front. Ash's jaw dropped when he saw it. Even more so when he saw who was standing next to it, chatting with his mom.
Misty, who was wearing a sparkling, strapless, cerulean blue dress. Her hair was also down, out of its usual side ponytail arrangement. Ash was simply stunned at how beautiful she looked. So, apparently, were both Pikachu and Tracey.
"Chaaaa!" gleamed the electric rodent.
"Wow, Mist..." Ash drooled, "you look... good."
Misty nearly doubled over in disgust. "Only... good?"
"Don't mind Ash," Tracey said, who was busy doodling in his sketchbook. "He doesn't appreciate the finer things in life."
Ash and Misty both peered in and saw that Tracey, predictably, was drawing a picture of the Cerulean gym leader in her stunning dress.
Also predictably, Tracey found himself stunned for a different reason, as he received a beating from Misty by his own sketchbook.
"Keep your secret fantasies to yourself!" she yelled.
"Ow!" Tracey uttered, rubbing the bump on his head as he turned to Ash. "I'm glad she's not my girlfriend. You must be pretty tolerant to stand her constant beatings, huh Ash?"
"Uh..." Ash hesitated, already aware of what was coming next.
"You never learn, DO YOU?" Misty shouted angrily, grabbing Tracey's sketchbook and beating him with it once again.
"What a joy it is to be young," chirped Mrs. Ketchum, with Professor Oak standing beside her.
"You two have a great time in Evergrande City!" he exclaimed. "Don't worry... we'll be watching and cheering you on!"
"Don't worry," Misty said. "With me by his side, I'll make sure Ash wins the tournament this time around! No more settling for anything but first for my man!"
Ash clenched his fist with jubilation, inspired by his girl's declaration. "That's right... this time, Ash Ketchum's going all the way!"
Misty, Tracey, and Pikachu sweatdropped in embarrassment.
"Ugh! You are such a boy, Ash Ketchum!"
Tracey shook his head, despite being in pain over the two bumps now on his head. "Bad choice of words."
"Pika pika," Pikachu solemnly agreed.
"What?" Ash asked, not getting it. "What did I say?"
"You're just lucky I took out all of my anger on Tracey," Misty said.
The limousine driver hopped out from the front and walked back to open the back door for them. As he did, Mrs. Ketchum presented Ash with a new backpack. As well as a new change of clothes.
"It's not as fancy as Misty's new outfit," she admitted sheepishly, "but I think you're overdue for a makeover as well. Call it a belated bonus birthday present."
Ash reveled in delight as his new cap, sleeveless sweater, and pair of blue jeans as he took it in his hands. Without delay, he ran into the house and, only a minute later, came back out with his new threads on.
"Oh, my boy is growing up before our very eyes," Mrs. Ketchum cried.
"He certainly is, dear," agreed Professor Oak.
"You look great!" exclaimed Misty. "Like a Pokémon Junior Master!"
That disappointed Ash a little. "Only a Junior Master?"
"Well, you are going to a tournament to find the first Junior Master after all."
Ash grinned from ear to ear. "I guess you've got a point."
"I think you guys better get going," Tracey said, pointing at the limo. "They won't hold that plane in Viridian forever."
"For once, the 'leech' has got a point," smirked Misty.
"Hey!"
Misty then let out a chuckle. "I'm just kidding... I'm sure Professor Oak wouldn't have let you be his assistant if he didn't trust you. If he approves of you, well, then so do I!" She then reached a hand out towards him. "Friends?"
"Okay... friends!"
Misty expected Tracey to reach out and shake hands... but instead, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug. She blushed a furious red as she quickly pushed him away.
"I said friends, FRIENDS!"
Ash and his family laughed hilariously as Tracey braced himself for another beating from Misty... though he felt this one was worth it as she began to pound him again.
"At least... ouch... no one can... ow... say that I... eep... never got to hug a... cute girl!"
"Be lucky I don't beat you to the point that it'll never happen again!"
Not too long afterwards, the limousine pulled away from the Ketchum house. Ash, Misty, and Pikachu waved farewell as they stuck their heads out the window. Professor Oak, Mrs. Ketchum, Tracey, and his too-numerous-to-count head protrusions waved back, wishing the two lovebirds luck in Evergrande.
"Next stop... Evergrande City!" Misty exclaimed, the first to pull herself back into the limo.
"Pikachu, pika pikachu!" gleamed Pikachu enthusiastically!
"So," Ash said, the last to get back in, "how come you're dressed up? I mean... aren't we going on a plane ride?"
"As the sponsoring representative of Cerulean City, I have to look my best! My sisters are counting on me to be the beacon of light for our beautiful gym!"
Ash was a little surprised. "You mean... you're not competing?"
"I thought about it, but I decided I would be better served supporting you rather than being a rival. Well, at least this one time, anyway."
Ash was surprised even more. "Wow. You sure have changed over the past year. Not wanting to compete anymore."
"I thought I told you, Ash! As the official gym leader in Cerulean, I'm no longer able to compete in League-related tournaments. They wouldn't even let me get an exemption for this one, since technically it's not even an official tournament."
"I... I didn't know."
Misty sighed. "It's alright. Like I said, I don't mind being by your side. You know, standing by my man and all that."
"Oh. Well... too bad Brock isn't coming with us."
Misty shot Ash a strange look. "Your dad didn't tell you anything, did he?"
Ash smiled. "You mean he is?"
"Yeah. But not with us. He's on a different flight by himself... he's going to meet us there."
"Well, alright then!" Ash pumped his fist with excitement. "The gang's back together again!"
Ash, Misty, and Pikachu were seen boarding a plane headed for Evergrande City, and were excited when they are given first-class seats. Traveling in the lap of luxury for once, they enjoyed the extra leg space, great meals, and in Misty and Pikachu's cases (Ash didn't understand the purpose of it), complimentary back massages. They were so relaxed that they were dismayed when the plane touched down in Evergrande several hours later.
Coming off the plane, Ash and Misty were greeted by a lot of paparazzi, all sorts of reporters who were there to take record on the first ever Pokémon Junior Master Tournament. Misty seemed to feed off the flashing lightbulbs as she was surrounded by journalists wanting to ask her questions. On the other hand, Ash and Pikachu motioned to want to stay out of the spotlight... though you couldn't blame Ash for being somewhat jealous for the lack of attention.
"I'm here with one of the youngest gym leaders in the entire league, Misty Waterflower of Cerulean City!" gabbed one of the reporters. "Misty, what's it like to be part of such a revolutionary event for the Pokémon League?"
"It's great, Luanne," Misty replied, sounding off the reporter's name. "There's so much talent... there's plenty of future Pokémon Masters and Gym Leaders here that it even makes me uneasy about my job security."
"And where is your gym's tournament entry tonight?"
"Right here," motioned Misty, pointing to Ash. "Ash Ketchum. Perhaps you've heard of him?"
Upon hearing his name, Ash lunged forward and immediately thrust himself into the crowd to shoot off his own praises.
"That's me! I'm Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, and one day I will become a Pokémon Master!"
"I assure you, though full of himself sometimes, Ash is a very competent trainer! If we were picking favorites, he'd be at the top of my list!"
"He's that good?" Luanne wondered.
Misty was about to answer with a modest response, but Ash beat her to it... with one not so quaint...
"I'm gonna prove I'm the best by winning this tournament! I won't back down to anyone! I will WIN!"
Ash shouted 'WIN' so loudly, he could be heard for miles and miles. Much to Misty's chagrin, who just buried her face with her hands in sheer embarrassment.
The next morning, Misty awoke to the sight of sunlight gleaming in her eyes. Immediately she turned to the accompanying bed beside her, expecting Ash to be under the covers, still fast asleep. But he wasn't.
"Ash?"
A quick ten minutes later, Misty emerged from the hotel. Her hair back in its normal fashion and she decked out in the new outfit Duplica had helped her pick out back on the Orange Islands, Misty began searching the grounds for Ash.
But her search was going to be like looking for a 'needle in a haystack,' as there were trainers all about getting in some last-minute prep. Misty wondered if Ash was doing the same, though she didn't see him or Pikachu or any of his other Pokémon about.
"Oh, where did he run off to now?"
Where indeed? Well, the Evergrande City Pokémon Center, of course. It, too, was also full of trainers and their sponsors, undergoing final preparations for the tournament by having all of their Pokémon checked out... and by going through the registration process too. Among them was Ash, already dressed in the new outfit his mom had gotten him.
"I hope Misty wakes up soon," Ash said, tapping his feet impatiently. "I wanna get registered so I know what my first challenge is."
He then spotted Pikachu leaping onto the counter, waving at him. Ash got up to meet him as Nurse Joy approached, holding a tray of Pokéballs with her hands.
"Your Pokémon are healthy and ready to go, Ash!" Joy announced.
"That's great, thanks!"
"Pika pi!" Pikachu greeted as Ash picked him up off the counter.
"Ready to win ourselves a tournament, Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
"Once your sponsor arrives," Joy said as Ash started to attach the other Pokéballs to his belt, "I can go ahead and register you."
"She should be here any..."
"ASH KETCHUM!"
Ash winced as he heard Misty call his name. Sure enough, he turned around and there she was, hands on her hips and stomping over to him, very irate.
"HOW DARE YOU DISAPPEAR LIKE THAT?" she exclaimed, before calming down a little. "You had me worried that something had happened to you."
"Sorry about that, Misty," apologized Ash. "I was just so excited that I could barely sleep last night! I had to make sure I was down here early so I could register."
"I see."
"Problem is, they need both of us here since you're my sponsor. I can't register without you."
Misty smiled. "Well... let's take care of that little snafu right now!"
"Very good then," Nurse Joy chimed in. "I need to see both of your Pokédexes, please."
The two trainers complied and handed them over to Joy. As she went through the process of authenticating them, she handed them in return a few pamphlets to look over.
"Here's some things that you'll need while here in Evergrande. A tourist's guide to the city and all the surrounding attractions, a list of some activities you can partake in during downtime, and of course, a rule book for the tournament."
"I thought this was an unofficial tournament," remarked Misty.
"Well, there still has to be some rules. After all, no rules just means a whole lot of chaos!"
"I suppose..."
"Hey..." Ash blurted out, as he had quickly skimmed through the rule book. "There doesn't seem to be much on the tournament itself. Like how matches are set up and stuff."
Nurse Joy giggled. "It's all part of the experimentation. All you need to know is that preliminaries start immediately after registration closes at five. You have to be here then for transportation to where that portion of the tournament will be held. You will need your Pokédex and one Pokémon."
"Well, we might as well start off on a high note... ready to shock the competition, Pikachu?"
"Pikachu!"
"Looks like somebody's ready to win," commented Misty.
"Just wait... we'll get through those preliminaries, no problem!"
Having finished informing Ash and Misty of everything they needed to know, Nurse Joy handed them their Pokédexes back.
"Good luck in the tournament!"
"Thanks!" Ash and Misty shouted as they walked off.
As the two headed out to explore the city, a tall guy with blue hair observed them from the far corner of the Center, grinning as they departed.
"Looks like I lucked out," he muttered. "I have two of my 'equals' here. Too bad that after tonight, I will have surpassed both of them."
After a day of seeing some of the sights of Evergrande and spending a little time aside for training, Ash and Misty returned to the Pokémon Center just shortly after five o'clock. They saw one large van and a small crowd of people gathered around it. There was an official outside of it, checking the trainers' IDs before letting them get in.
"Looks like we're just in time," Misty said to Ash.
Approaching the official, he prompted them for ID. Ash pulled out his Pokédex to show it to him.
"Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, representing Cerulean City," he verified out loud. "Okay... you can get on."
Ash started walking towards the van, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder. Misty went to follow him, but the official stopped her.
"What are you doing? I'm his sponsor!"
"Sponsors are not accompanying the participants to the preliminaries. They are to remain here in Evergrande to take care of some obligations before tonight's Opening Ceremonies."
Misty sighed in defeat, then turned to Ash. "Looks like I won't be tagging along. Oh well... you just go and make me proud!"
Ash nodded, then jumped into the van. The official closed the door behind him, then motioned the driver to go. Misty watched as the van peeled off, taking Ash away from her for a few hours.
"I shouldn't be worried, right?" Misty asked herself. "Ash can make it through the preliminaries. After all, would Daisy and the others have let me pick him as our representative if they didn't think he could win it all?"
A short time later, the van carrying Ash and a number of his fellow competitors skidded to a stop at its destination. They gawked in confusion as they had stopped in a clearing just outside a small forest.
"Where are we?" one of the trainers asked as the group started to disembark from the van.
"That's what I want to know," uttered another.
"This is a strange place to have preliminaries," Ash commented.
"Gather around, please," the official who had made the trip with them beckoned.
The trainers did as they were told, curious for an explanation.
"As some of you may have realized, there was an abundance of entries for this tournament. In fact, there are 35 entrants in total. 12 of you are here in this group, the others are split among two other groups that are located nearby and are getting the exact same explanation I am about to give you.
"We are about to whittle the field down to just 16. Only those 16 will attend the Opening Ceremonies tonight and actually compete in the tournament. The rest of you will be going home. To determine who stays and goes, you will all be participating in the first-ever battle royale in Pokémon League history.
"In five minutes, you will be let loose onto the 'battlefield,' which has a radius of roughly a mile and a half. You'll be given the first 15 minutes to get used to the surroundings and separate from the other trainers, after which the battles will begin. Your objective... to survive.
"You should all each have only one Pokémon with you. Your job is to avoid having your Pokémon faint. If it does, you are out. The battles can be of any nature... in fact, you may team-up with others to take out a solitary opponent, if you so wish. The battles will continue until either we are left with 16 competitors, or the time limit expires in two hours. In case the latter shall come to pass, a judging panel will decide who stays and who goes based on the performance of all the remaining trainers."
"How will we know when there's only 16 trainers left?" another random trainer asked.
"Each of your Pokédexes has been programmed to go off thrice during the preliminaries. Once at the start, again after the first 15 minutes to signal the beginning of actual battles, and a third time to signify that the preliminaries have ended via one of the two exit conditions."
"How can we be sure that certain trainers won't abuse the system and try to cause extremely bodily harm to other trainers or Pokémon?"
"We have numerous officials strewn throughout the battlefield to keep track of everyone. If we feel a trainer or a Pokémon is operation outside the League's established basic rules, they will be disqualified, no questions asked. Safety remains our number one concern throughout all of the experimental battles we are using for this tournament."
The trainers all seemed to be somewhat apprehensive, but none so much as to want to give up right at that moment.
"If there are no more questions," the official stated as he pointed to a line of posts that were roped off, save for a fifty-foot entrance gap, "then proceed to the starting line with your selected Pokémon out. When your Pokédexes beep, the preliminaries begin and you may set out. Good luck to all of you!"
Ash's group of trainers started to let out their chosen Pokémon companion out, and before any battles had officially begun, he instantly noted that everyone was already checking out the competition. Ash decided to follow suit... after all, he and Pikachu might have to battle several of them to get through this qualifying round.
Some of the opposing Pokémon were ones he recognized since he had seen them many times during his travels. Others were completely new to him and he hadn't a clue as to what they were capable of. He didn't know how good his chances were of getting through to the next round. But he didn't care... he was sure going to do everything he could to make sure he did.
"Be ready for anything, Pikachu! We're going to have to battle smart if we're to stay in the tournament!"
"Pika, pika pikachu!"
"Besides... I just can't let Misty down. She'll never let me hear the end of it."
Suddenly, the air filled with the sound of Pokédexes ringing. All of the trainers instantly knew what that meant. But in case they had already forgotten, the League official was about to remind them.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," he announced, "the preliminary round of the first ever Pokémon Junior Master Tournament... has begun!"
To be continued next week in Part 5!
