The Year of Rocket's Revenge
Session: September, Part 6 (09.26.05/10.05.06)
After a long weekend with a variety of different Pokémon battles, only four young trainers remained vying for the title Pokémon Junior Master!
Following a dirty, yet legal tactic by Marco and his Girafarig earlier in the match, Ash, Gary, and Cassie formed a temporary truce in order to try and get Marco out first, preventing him from winning the title. But in a battle as wild and unpredictable as this one, it wasn't long before the trainers and their Pokémon butted heads.
Ash pushed forward with Charizard's power and strength, while Cassie tried to use her intelligence and the distractions from other Pokémon to corner Marco's Absol. As Gary seemed puzzled in reference to Ash's blatant disregard for keeping Charizard better controlled, Cassie went all for broke when she called out her Ivysaur to use Sunny Day, then Solar Beam!
But then something strange suddenly happened. Absol, to the surprise of the crowd, was starting to glow a bright red. In addition, Marco had fainted as well! Misty and Brock had instantly recognized what was happening as the same event that involved them and the collapse of the Viridian City Gym! With one unexpected blast, Ivysaur was knocked out, and Cassie's chances of winning the title were gone with it!
With no one really coming up with a valid explanation for what had just happened, the battle resumed anyway, with Marco awake once again and commanding Absol to move about the field. With Ash one Pokémon up, Gary quickly had Arcanine use Extremespeed to take Ash's Charizard out. But in doing so, he left Arcanine wide open to being attacked by Razor Wind from Absol! Arcanine had fainted, and now Gary was out of it as well, to his shock and dismay!
Now, we're down to just two... Marco Pereira and Ash Ketchum. One of them will be the first-ever Pokémon Junior Master! Do you know which one it'll be? Let's find out...
"At this point, we will be taking a five-minute break in order to change the field once more," the announce told the crowd. "We ask you to please be patient! In the meantime, the officials will examine each of the remaining Pokémon to ensure that they can continue."
"That's so unfair!" cried Cissy. "Having to make us wait to see how it all ends!"
"I bet Lance and the Elite Four are really enjoying this great battle," commented Morty. "Looks like everyone's going to get their money's worth. Their experiment surpassed all expectations. I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to have these every year!"
"I agree," Brock nodded, "and you couldn't have picked two tougher trainers than Ash and that Marco guy."
"Why does it have to be Ash and him?" wondered Misty. "Especially after that acts he's pulled. And him being one of the 'legendaries?'"
"Something tells me the League officials are gonna be all over him after this match, win or lose."
"Maybe you guys should come clean too," suggested Morty. "After all, don't you have the same powers?"
"Yeah, but it's not like we can call them out of the blue!" Misty shouted in defense. "We don't even know if we CAN do them again!"
"Regardless," Brock said, rubbing his chin. "Life's about to change... for all of us."
Down on the field, one of the officials was closely checking Pikachu's vital signs as Ash observed. But it seemed apparent that the short rest he had gotten had managed to get him to recover some energy. Not a lot... but maybe enough to survive one last fight.
"It's gonna come down to who has the strength left to stand up!" Ash said to Pikachu. "You've been resting for about 20 or 25 minutes now, Pikachu. That Absol's been fighting for almost that entire time!"
Ash then glanced across the field to the ailing Absol, who was also being checked out, and his trainer, Marco.
"Absol must be strong to be able to hang in there that long. But there's no way he can have much left, if anything! One shot might be all we need to win this thing!"
The official turned to Ash. "Pikachu's exhausted, but he may be able to hold up for a few minutes more. Are you still willing to continue?"
Ash nodded, clenching his fist. "As long as Pikachu's willing to, we have to! Especially since I don't expect Marco and Absol to just throw in the towel, either!"
The official gave a thumbs up signal to the crowd as he walked away from Ash and Pikachu. Moments later, the other official followed suit after having completed his check-up of Absol. Then, the Rock Field began to sink down into the ground, and everyone waited with baited breath to see what would replace it for the final one-on-one showdown.
On the sidelines, Gary and Cassie had their own commentary on the final match.
"Ash has got his work cut out for him, that's for sure," Gary said.
"I hope Ash wins just so I can see the look on Marco's face when he loses!" Cassie said, still bitter about how she had been taken out.
"The way the crowd's behind Ash, I bet they would all share the same sentiment."
With the trainers and their Pokémon ready, Ash and Pikachu engaged in a stare-down with Marco and Absol as the new field set in front of them.
"Looks like we're wrapping it up with the treacherous Ice Field!" stated the announcer.
"This is gonna be tricky," Brock thought aloud.
"Come on Ash and Pikachu!" Misty said worriedly. "You've gotta win!"
Pikachu slowly made his way onto the field, while Absol did the same. Both treaded lightly, trying to get a feel for the slippery surface. But any learning time they had been given had already expired, as the officials raised their flags to start the final showdown.
"Pikachu versus Absol... begin!" they shouted in unison.
"Let's make the first and last move!" Marco shouted, pointing at Ash and Pikachu. "Absol, Future Sight!"
"Sol!" Absol cried, focusing on Pikachu straight ahead.
"I'll show you a first and last move!" Ash shot back. "Pikachu, Thunder!"
"CHUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"
Marco smirked. "Heh... not so fast there..."
The huge strike of thunder struck the spot just a few feet in front of Marco, blinding him. But luckily, Absol had already long dodged the blast. In fact... Absol was right behind Pikachu, leaping in with claws drawn.
"Pika?"
"Sol!"
"Wha?"
"Now Absol... finish it!"
Absol hit Pikachu head-on, knocking the electric mouse off of his feet and sliding all the way to the outer edge of the field.
"No way!" Gary shouted.
"Way," Cassie nodded as she analyzed the move. "Remember, Future Sight predicts an opponent's move before he uses it and counters it. Even if the predicted move is the first one called out!"
Absol made his way over to Pikachu, as to check on his condition. Ash had to be concerned... what if Marco was going to order Absol to beat up even more on Pikachu. The officials appeared to think likewise, as they both ran along the edge of the field in an attempt to assess the situation before things could get out of hand.
"C'mon Pikachu, get up!" Ash yelled as he tried to give his friend the strength to continue.
Absol and the officials got to Pikachu at the exact same time. Right away, both sides could already tell in what condition Pikachu was in.
The electric Pokémon was out cold, swirly eyes and all.
"Pikachu has been knocked out!" one of the officials proclaimed. "Therefore, the match is over! Your winners... Marco and Absol!"
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted, running onto the field and towards his unconscious best friend.
"Ash lost?" Misty and Brock exclaimed. "No way!"
Absol turned towards his master and started trotting over there slowly. Marco ran over to meet his exhausted Pokémon halfway.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Marco shouted enthusiastically, proud of what his Absol had endured. "I told you, we would win!"
"Absol!"
Marco knelt down and gave Absol a hug. While he did so, he drowned out the crowd around him, most of them displeased that he had won given his dishonesty at times during the match. Marco was instead focused on Ash, who had picked Pikachu off the ground and was cradling him like a baby.
"It's okay, Pikachu," consoled Ash. "You gave it your all."
"Pika," Pikachu muttered weakly, exhausted.
"As much as I hate that Absol," Cassie stated, "that bugger's sure got a lot of endurance. That, and it seemed that rest period did nothing for poor Pikachu."
"This Marco guy plays to win, that's for sure," Gary commented. "I'm not sure I want to know what kind of training regimen he keeps that Absol on."
Marco recalled Absol, then made his way over to his opponent. Ash growled as he noticed Marco approaching. Sensing a confrontation, Gary jumped up from the bench and ran towards the stairs leading up to the battlefield. A little surprised by Gary's actions, Cassie had no choice but to follow.
"I guess I accomplished my goal for this tournament," sneered Marco.
"So? What else do you want, anyway? You won!"
"Exactly. My goal here was to prove I wasn't just your 'equal,' Ash Ketchum. It was to prove I'm the best of the chosen ones!"
"Chosen ones?" Gary asked, running up beside Ash. "What's he blabbering on about?"
"What's with the stare-down?" wondered Cassie, also coming up behind them. "The match is over, you guys!"
"Looks like we're getting a couple of unwanted busybodies," Marco stated as he turned about and started walking away. "Now that I've determined your strength, be warned, Ash! Next time, I won't be holding back!"
"Holding back?"
Cassie gasped. "You mean that wasn't his full power?"
"Stop being melodramatic!" objected Gary. "He's just playing mind games. The guy thinks he's the toast of the town now that he's the first Pokémon Junior Master. The power's going all to his head, the nutcase."
As Marco left the battlefield, still ignoring the boos and jeers of the crowd, Ash shot a cold, icy glare at his back.
"This isn't over," Ash said to himself. "Not by a long shot..."
About thirty minutes later, Ash was sitting by himself at a table inside the Pokémon Center, deep in thought as he waited for Pikachu and the other Pokémon to be healed by Nurse Joy. On a television about him, the award ceremony had just gotten underway. President Goodshow was getting ready to officially announce Marco as the tournament winner.
"It is with great pleasure to award the title of Pokémon Junior Master to Marco Pereira, representing the Viridian City gym!"
President Goodshow seemed accepting of the declaration, even with the crowd at the stadium still showering boos and jeers. Marco was still ignoring them, though, as he waved almost jubilantly at the crowd, happy to have survived the most unique tournament in Pokémon League history.
"What did he mean by that?" Ash wondered out loud. "Why was he so focused on beating me? And that he won't hold back 'next time?'"
"Those types of questions are better left to be discussed with your friends..."
Ash turned around and saw Cassie standing a few feet away. She had been casually listening as she watched the ongoing events on the TV.
"Whom you should be with, you know. Even if the guy's a jerk, you've gotta take the high road. You should be there as a gesture of you being gracious in defeat."
"And why aren't you there?" Ash raised an eyebrow with suspicion.
"This isn't the type of tournament where you get recognized for being fourth, you know! And like I said... the guy's a jerk. He's not even worth booing at."
Cassie plopped down right next to Ash, breathing a deep sigh of relief as she could comfortably relax for the first time today. They sat there for some time, awkwardly silently as they watched the events unfold.
"So..." Cassie spoke up, "what are you going to do now?"
"Why? Are you going to follow me?"
"No, I... well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You're still a bit suspicious of me, aren't you?"
Ash didn't respond, but Cassie took that as an affirmative.
"I don't blame you for feeling the way you do, Ash. I'd probably feel the same way if I was in your shoes."
"I'm not sure I believe you."
Cassie sighed. "I guess it's going to take a lot more to earn your trust this time around compared to the last time."
"You and your organization have done a lot of things... some that have changed the lives of myself and all my friends. In ways none of us ever dreamed of... or wished upon us. You've made enemies out of people that trusted you."
"I know, and I'm really sorry! I never realized just how much what we were doing was wrong until it was too late. You have to understand... if I knew everything I did wasn't for the greater good of Pokémon and Pokémon trainers alike... I wouldn't have become part of the PTA in the first place."
Cassie fumbled around in her pocket for something. After a few seconds, she produced a notepad and a pen. Ash watched with interest as she scribbled something onto it.
"What are you..."
Cassie ripped the top piece off and handed it to Ash. Confused, the young trainer read the words on it aloud.
"10 East Perimeter Drive, Poli Town, Kanto Region."
Cassie nodded. "Yep! That's my home address!"
"Your home... why would you give me that?"
"Well, I kinda figured..." Cassie said, calmly brushing her hair. "If you got to meet my parents and see where I grew up, maybe then you would all realize what I'm really like. Maybe then you'll all understand that I really wanna get off to a fresh start."
"You want me to meet your parents?"
"I want all of you! You, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock! Gary too, if you can get that sourpuss to tag along."
"I don't know..."
"I understand. You guys don't have to drop by if you don't want to. It's totally up to you. But my offer still stands. I want you to come see my house. You can visit anytime of the day, any day of the week! We'll welcome you as if you're family!"
"Gee... that's very nice of you, Cassie."
Cassie then got up and started heading for the door.
"Hey... don't you wanna tell the others about your offer yourself?"
"I'll leave that up to you!" she said, stopping and glancing at Ash once more. "I don't want to be around to influence you guys to come. If you guys drop by my hometown, it's because you want to, not because I want you to. Besides... I bet it'll be more fun hearing about you trying to explain all of this to them."
Ash blinked his eyes, not exactly knowing what to make of what Cassie had just said.
"Tell them I said goodbye to them! And tell that schlub Gary that he still owes me a formal rematch!"
Cassie waved farewell as she walked out of the Pokémon Center. Ash was still a bit stumped about what had just transpired. All he knew is that he had a piece of notepad paper in his hand, and it had Cassie's address on it.
Elsewhere in Evergrande City, the Elite Four was secretly meeting in a hotel room. A meeting regarding the outcome of the tournament.
"So it turns out Erika wasn't making things up after all," stated Agatha.
"That means these 'legendaries' she was researching may actually exist," Lance concluded. "The problem is... we don't know how many of them actually exist. Or how to find them."
"Unless the trainers go all fainty and their Pokémon suddenly fight with renewed vigor," commented Bruno. "I mean, seriously, how are we gonna keep track of thousands and thousands of trainers? This is ridiculous! It's a wild goose chase!"
"They'll reveal themselves soon," Lorelei stated coolly.
"What are you, able to see the future now?" quipped Agatha. "That's my job, dearie!"
"Nevertheless, we need to keep an eye on the one we're sure of until we know what we're up against," Lance told his companions. "We have to put him in some kind of role that allows us to monitor him 24/7."
"Well, the duties of a Pokémon Junior Master weren't exactly set in stone. We could easily convince young Marco to partake of a job in the League that keeps him close to the Indigo Plateau."
"Then make it so. I don't know what kind of powers these 'legendaries' are said to have... or what they might come to have. We have to make sure they don't fall into the wrong hands."
That night, Evergrande City was alive with the sound of music, as trainers and spectators alike took part in an end-of-tournament festival. There was food and fun for all, and our heroes were taking the time to take in all the sights and sounds.
"This is awesome!" Misty exclaimed, holding onto a Teddiursa plush doll that she had won in a game.
"Leave it to the Pokémon League to spare no expense when it comes to throwing a big tournament," Brock stated matter-of-factly.
"Pi pikachu!" chirped Pikachu, who was enjoying some cotton candy.
The trio then turned to look at Ash, who seemed a little bit despondent, even with the hot dog he was holding with one hand.
"Ash, is something wrong?" Misty asked.
"Huh?" he replied. "Oh, sorry... I guess I have a lot on my mind."
"You're still sore about losing to Marco, aren't you?"
"Yeah... but it's more than that! Marco having similar powers like those we had in Viridian City. Gary suddenly bolting for the airport without so much as a goodbye. And then Cassie..."
Ash reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumbled piece of paper. The piece of paper that had Cassie's home address on it.
"It's an address!" gasped Misty.
"Is it her address?" wondered Brock.
Ash nodded. "Apparently, she's still trying to make amends for what she did, so she wants us to go to her hometown and meet her parents."
"She wants us to meet her family? Why would she want us to do that?"
"I don't know, Mist... but she seemed generally sincere about it all. Like she really wanted us to trust her again."
"Hmmm..." Brock hummed out loud. "And you're not sure if we should willingly accept her back into our 'fold,' so to speak?"
"Pretty much. I mean, she never proved that she left the PTA. She could honestly be lying to us."
"So why didn't you confront her about it? If you have doubts, why not make her prove that she's telling the truth? I mean... I've never trusted her all that much to begin with. After all, she did spend all that time with you, doing who-knows-what."
Ash raised an eyebrow angrily. "She never thought of me that way!"
"And how do you know that, Ash Ketchum?"
Brock quickly stepped in to break the two up. "Hey, hey, let's not be hasty! It's not like we know for sure what she thought of Ash. I mean, he never asked her, did he?"
"Well..." relented Misty. "Okay, fine. But still... Ash, how do you expect to know if a person's trustworthy if you don't ask them any questions!"
"Because I'm not used to it. I'm used to judging people on looks first, and then what they do."
Misty sighed and shook her head. "One of these days, you're really going to find yourself on the wrong side with that mantra."
"So... are you going to go to Poli Town?" Brock asked Ash.
"I don't know. I haven't decided yet. After all, she said we could drop in whenever we wanted."
"You'd better decide soon," chided Misty. "You know it's bad manners to keep a girl waiting!"
"Fine, fine... after I get home to Pallet Town, I'll plan a day trip to Poli Town. That is... if you guys want to come along with me."
Brock thought about it for a second, then replied. "Well, I don't mind taking a day off from the gym. I'm in!"
"In that case," Misty said, "I guess Daisy and the others could handle the gym for one day... okay, I'll come too!"
"And I know you're coming..." Ash smiled as he looked at Pikachu. "Right?"
"Pikachu!"
"So we'll go home in the morning, check our schedules, and pencil in a visit to Poli Town on a free day! Then I'll finally get to see what this Cassie girl is really like!"
"We'll all get to see, Misty. We all will. But for now... a little..."
Out of the blue, Ash grabbed the plush doll from a surprised Misty and started running away.
"Betcha can't catch me!"
Misty growled and stomped her foot. "Give me back my Teddiursa, Ash Ketchum!"
Misty then ran off after Ash, both of them screaming back and forth as they chased each other all around the festival grounds.
"No matter how much time we've spent apart recently," noted Brock, "it always seems that when we get back together, it's as if we pick up right where we left off."
"Pika pika," sighed Pikachu, sweatdropping.
To be continued next week in Part 7!
