(Opening Song: Pokémon World)
So you wanna be the Master of
Pokémon!
Do you have the skills to be
Number one!?
I wanna take the ultimate step
Find the courage to be bold (Pokémon)
To risk it all and not forget
The lessons that I hold
I wanna go where no one's been
Far beyond the crowd (Pokémon) Yeah!
Learn the way to take command
Use the power that's in my hand
Oh hey!
We all live in a Pokémon world
(Po-ké-mon)
I wanna be the greatest Master of them all!
(Greatest Master)
We all live in a Pokémon world
(Po-ké-mon)
Put myself to the test
To be better than all the rest
Ungh!
So you wanna be the Master of
Pokémon!
Do you have the skills to be
Number one!?
We all live in a Pokémon world
(Po-ké-mon)
I wanna be the greatest Master of them all!
Got the power right in your hands
Po-ké-mon!
I forgot to share with you all, but I went to ComicCon and got to meet Veronica Taylor in person! She was just so sweet and kind, and even signed an Ash Ketchum poster for me!
Our heroes arrive on another Island to relax and ask Professor Oak about the unique pokémon Ash caught. But those plans have been put on hold.
"Iron Tail!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu's tail turned metallic before slamming it into the opposing trainer's Butterfree. It went down with one attack.
"And that's it. Ash wins again." Ritchie smiled.
"That's three wins in a row." Serena couldn't believe he won three straight battles in a row. Actually, she can believe it. He did win the Indigo League.
The trainer who challenged Ash in the first place returned his defeated Butterfree and ran away. Ash sighed, feeling a little bit bad for being so rough but he really wanted to relax and have some time to think.
Ever since they got here and he'd been recognized as the trainer who won the Indigo League, he was challenged to a pokémon battle. Honestly, why aren't they asking Ritchie for a battle? He participated in the Indigo League, too!
"I can't believe how many battles Ash has won since we got here." Tracey was astounded.
"I can't believe these trainer's keep asking for a battle." Misty thought some would give it a rest by now.
"Big brother looks tired." Molly observed.
"I think it's because he keeps getting asked for a pokémon battle." Tomo guessed.
Ash walked over towards them, "This is getting ridiculous. We haven't even had time to get something to eat because of all these trainers." Then again he could just say "no" and walk away. Next time he'll do that.
"You look exhausted. Do you want to get some rest instead?" Tracey suggested.
"No, we came all this way to relax, so let's do just that. Anyway, let's head to the Pokémon Center first then get something to eat." Ash wasn't going to let these random trainers ruin their relaxation time. He was in no mood to battle anyone right now because he has too much on his mind.
They first headed over to the Pokémon Center so they could use the phones. Ash needed to tell Professor Oak about the new pokémon he ended up catching.
["You caught an unknown pokémon?"] Professor Oak leaned a little closer to the screen.
"Yeah, it looked like a bug Pokémon but moved its body like a fighting type. I think maybe it's a dual type." Ash told him.
["Hmmm, Ash, why don't you send me it's pokeball so I can get a good look at it myself. It might be a Pokémon that's from a different region and somehow ended up here."] Professor Oak suggested.
'That's actually a good idea.' He still doesn't understand why it suddenly changed targets and came at him, but it's better to leave it in the hands of Professor Oak. Maybe he can figure out what kind of pokémon it is. Hopefully.
Ash wasted no time sending the pokeball to Professor Oak's lab, but he was worried about one thing though.
"That pokémon acted really aggressive, so be careful." Ash knows the professor can't help but to try to get up close and personal with any pokemon he's researching. Most of the time the one's he interacts with are patient with the man…but they know next to nothing about this pokémon. There's no telling how it will react to the professor.
As if hearing the boy's worried thoughts, the elder professor smiled.
["Don't worry about me, Ash. Your Pokémon act as my bodyguards when you get a new friend. They do it to see if the Pokémon is a friend or foe."] Professor Oak chuckled.
"Oh, really? That's good." Looks like he has nothing to worry about. He can leave everything up to Professor Oak.
Ash joined the others after his business was done. Since the weather was nice they decided to eat outside. Misty was feeding Togepi, Tracey went off somewhere, Ritchie was stuffing his face, Molly, Tomo, Serena, and Ash took their time eating along with their pokémon.
"Finally some peace and quiet. We can just relax for the rest of our stay here." Ash smiled. He appreciated the quiet more than anyone. Constantly being challenged by pushy, random trainers was annoying.
"I wonder why there are so many trainers on this Island? Do you think there's some event going on?" Serena asked.
"Who knows?" Ritchie swallowed another sandwich, "What I want to know is why I haven't been challenged to a battle. I was in the Indigo League, too."
"Yeah, but you only made it to the Top 16." Misty pointed out.
Ritchie didn't understand what she was getting at, "What's your point?" He questioned.
Misty groaned.
Tracey ran over to them with an excited expression, "Hey, guys. I've solved the mystery."
"What mystery?" Misty asked.
"The mystery of why everybody we meet here wants to battle," Tracey brought up a flyer, "The answer's right on this flyer."
"What's it say?" Ritchie asked.
"Attention trainers, pokémon lecture and battle demonstration by the one and only Lorelei." Tracey read off the paper.
Ash looked a little surprised, "Lorelei's here?"
Misty had stars in her eyes, "Lorelei is really here?!" She beamed.
Ritchie thought of something, "Lorelei…that name sounds familiar."
"I heard she has a house on the Island and trains here on the off season." Tracey said, sitting down, "Once a week she shows off her different battle techniques."
"I'd sure like to see that." Ritchie looked excited.
"Yeah, who would have thought we'd actually get to meet Lorelei of all people. Talk about coincidence." Ash commented.
"I never dreamed I'd get the chance to see Lorelei in person!" Misty sounded really happy by the news.
"Sounds like you're a big Lorelei fan, Misty." Tracey noticed.
"Who wouldn't be?! She's one of the very best and uses water type pokémon, too. She's my hero." Misty gushed.
"I'm a hero, am I?"
They all blinked and turned to see who was addressing them, only to be shocked by who the lesson was.
Standing before them was a lithe and curvy woman, whose red hair has two pigtails and a ponytail. She wears a pair of glasses, with her eyes being hazel-colored. She also sports a black sleeveless shirt, a purple pencil mini skirt, black high heels and a golden bracelet around her right arm.
This was her! Lorelei!
Ritchie almost choked on his sandwich.
Ash also couldn't help staring at her. He saw her make TV appearances from time to time, but to actually see her in person felt different.
"Oh, wow. She's beautiful…" Serena commented on her beauty. And who could blame her? The woman was beautiful to look at and easy on the eyes.
Ash spilled his drink, "It's a good thing Brock isn't here with us." He spoke.
"Really? Why?" Serena questioned.
Setting his drink down he looked back at Lorelei, and really looked at her. Smooth skin, beautiful face, and choice of clothing aside—the woman was a knockout.
"She's exactly his type of woman." He had a dry expression.
Serena sweatdropped as she realized he was right, "That's true…"
"L-Lorelei—!" Misty stared in awe at her.
"It—it—it—it really is you—!" Tracey stuttered as he looked back and forth at her and the paper he was holding.
"Who exactly is she?" Serena asked.
Ash explained, "That's Lorelei Kanna. She's a powerful trainer and member of Kanto's Elite Four. Not only that, but she's also the leader. That should tell you just how strong she is."
The Elite Four is a title given to those who are regarded as the toughest in their regional Pokémon League. To become a Champion of a region, trainers must first collect all eight gym badges, then challenge the Elite Four. If a trainer beats all four members they can become champion. But if they fail, they have to start over from the beginning. Each member of the Elite is ranked from strongest to weakest.
Lorelei Kanna is ranked #1 which makes her the strongest of the Elite Four members of Kanto.
'I don't know how, but for some I can actually feel her aura. It's ice cold despite the fact that she's smiling.' At least he knows for sure she's strong.
"Wow, a member of the Elite Four…" Serena found herself in awe.
Ritchie also stared at Lorelei with a serious expression.-
"She kinda reminds me of mommy back home." Molly made a comment that made Ash blink.
"Yeah, she does. Do you think mom was a member of the Elite Four once?" Tomo innocently asked.
Ash thought about what they were saying and shook his head. No way. There is no way his mom was an Elite Four member once upon a time. That's just not possible.
"This is such an honor! Just to see you in person!" Misty gushed.
"I'm Tracey! This is Misty!" Tracey introduced himself and Misty.
"I could really use some pointers on training my water type pokémon!" Misty said.
"Maybe I can sketch you and your pokémon!" He offered.
"Your my hero!" Misty smiled.
Lorelei walked past them and smiled down at Togepi, "Hello there, cutie. Nice to meet you." She greeted.
"Togephree (Hi)!" Togepi greeted her back.
Ritchie looked at her like she was crazy, "Uh, I don't think she realizes we're here."
Ash blinked, "So she has this kind of side to her, too." Who knew the cold, calm Lorelei has a fondness for cute things.
Lorelei leans over the balcony and stares out at the water. Her smile doesn't fade.
"Um, miss Lorelei? Is everything okay?" Tracey asked.
Lorelei blissfully sighs at the warm rays of the sun hitting her face, " The sun feels like an old friend."
"It does?" He questioned.
"I'm so excited. We just saw the flyer about your lecture. I just can't wait to hear your talk." Misty said.
Lorelei gently shushed her, "Just listen." She puts a hand up next to her ear, "The wind is speaking."
Serena sat there dumbfounded. Are all members of the Elite Four like this? Or is it just her?
"Huh…?" Misty stood there confused.
"I think we need a translation." Tracey was equally confused.
Ritchie decided now was the time to make a declaration, "The wind can wait! Lorelei of the Elite Four—I challenge you to a battle!"
"Be polite. You can't just challenge Lorelei to a match that way." Misty chided him.
Ritchie frowned, "I can't just let this opportunity pass me by! If I want to become a Pokémon Champion I have to battle the best trainers of the Elite Four. If I let this go now then I won't get another chance."
"The ocean is beautiful, isn't it?" Lorelei asked.
Ritchie had no interest in that, "Forget about the ocean. Let's have a battle!"
"This must be one of the most beautiful places in the world." Lorelei dismissed his challenge, remaining calm the whole time.
"Who cares, let's battle!" Ritchie insisted.
Lorelei looked in another direction to admire the air, "Feel the saltwater on your face."
"C'mon, let's go!" Ritchie still wouldn't give up.
"The sea and the sky, one reflecting the other." Lorelei's responses to Ritchie's challenges made it clear she had no interest in battling right now. But she was calm and polite about it declining in her own unique way.
The frustration on Ritchie's face was starting to show. He just couldn't get her to accept his challenge.
"Is she doing this on purpose?" Serena had to wonder if maybe Lorelei likes messing with people.
Ash went to throw away his plate when he heard a voice, "Hey, you! Are you Ash Ketchum?" Another random trainer had spotted him when all he wanted was some peace and quiet.
A part of him wants to lie and say he's not Ash Ketchum but knows this trainer won't believe him. Especially since his face was broadcasted throughout the Kanto region while at the Indigo League. Might as well get this over it.
"Yes, that's me. Did you need something?" Ash decided to be polite even though this trainer seemed rather rude.
The trainer brought up a pokeball, "Battle me right here and now! I'm gonna show it was just a fluke you won the Indigo League!"
'Talk about being obnoxious.' Ash thinks. He could just refuse and walk away, but people like this tend to be persistent, so he might as well deal with it.
"Fine. I accept your challenge." Ash relented.
"Geez, another one?" Misty shook her head.
Serena stood up from her seat, "We might as well watch."
"Yeah." The two followed behind Ash as he went to confront the random trainer. Molly and Tomo were right behind them.
"Aren't you coming to watch, Ritchie?" Tracey asked.
Ritchie turned to Tracey, "Watch what?"
"Another trainer just challenged Ash to a battle." Tracey said.
"Seriously? These guys are persistent…" Ritchie's words trailed off when Lorelei walked past him to peer down below. Before he could say anything, Tracey was already down the stairs so he followed behind him.
"I'll let you set the rules." Ash said.
"Fine. Well use two pokémon each." The random trainer said.
Ash threw a pokeball, "Blastoise, I choose you!"
"Blastoise "(Let's do this)!" Blastoise said.
"Persian, go!"
"Nya (I'm ready)!" Persian said.
Serena used her Pokédex:
[Persian, the Classy Cat Pokémon and the evolved form of Meowth. Persian can walk silently thanks to its nimble muscles. It pounces on its prey at lightning speed.]
Ash noticed Persian's tail is straight, and he's not the only one.
"Ash, that Persian—!" Tracey was about to warn him.
"—I know. It's been in a lot of battles." Ash already knew.
"Why don't you go first? I'll feel bad beating your Blastoise too quickly." The trainer said, arrogantly.
Serena frowned, "What a jerk." Really did this person have to be so rude?
"Fine with me. Blastoise, Tackle!" Ash made the first move.
Blastoise moved at lightning speed and slammed into Persian with a Tackle attack. This took the trainer by surprise as he was expecting Blastoise to be too slow.
"Lucky hit! Persian, Thunderbolt!" The trainer commanded.
Persian's eyes glowed yellow before sending a bolt of electricity at Blastoise, who didn't move. Thunderbolt did indeed hit Blastoise—making the trainer smirk—only to have it wiped off his face. Blastoise was still standing and looked to have taken no damage.
"Even after taking that Thunderbolt head on, Blastoise is still standing! It doesn't even appear to have taken any damage, either!" Tracey sketched.
"It's always amazing to see just how strong Ash's pokémon are!" Misty smiled.
Lorelei was watching Ash's battle with intensity.
"Blastoise, use Skull Bash!"
Blastoise's body becomes surrounded by a silver aura as he slammed his head right into Persian's stomach—knocking it out cold.
The trainer couldn't believe his Persian actually lost, "Persian, return." He returned his defeated pokémon.
"Not bad for a kid, but playtime's over!" The trainer sent out another pokémon, "Go, Tauros!"
"Tauros (Now you deal with me)!" Tauros declared.
Serena scanned Tauros:
[Tauros, the Wild Bull Pokémon. A Normal type. Tauros run in herds in the wild. The herd member with the longest, thickest, and most scarred horns is said to be the leader.]
"Tauros, Tackle attack!"
Tauros charged at Blastoise.
"Iron Defense." Ash said, calmly
Blastoise's body becomes outlined in light blue, raising its defense and letting stop Tauros's Tackle.
"Good move. Not only does Iron Defense harden Blastoise's body, but also raises its defense." Tracey commented, sketching.
"Ash knows what to do." Ritchie said.
"Mega Punch."
Blastoise's arm glows white before punching Tauros's out. That was another win for Ash.
"And just like that, Ash wins again." Misty stated the obvious.
"Like there was any doubt he'd win." Ritchie said, crossing his arms.
Ash returned Blastoise, "The battle's over." He turned and was about to walk away.
"This battle isn't over! I didn't lose!" The trainer denied.
"Actually it is, and you did lose." Ritchie pointed out.
"Don't be such a sore loser! You lost, so walk away!" Misty chided the trainer.
"Grrr, shut up!" He sent out another pokémon.
"Howl (How dare you make me battle)?!" Arcane growled.
Serena scanned the fire type:
[Arcanine, a Legendary Pokémon. The evolved form of Growlithe. Arcanine is known for its bravery and fierce loyalty. Growlithe evolves into Arcanine through its use of a Fire Stone.]
"Why does Arcanine look so angry?" Serena questioned.
Ritchie frowned, "It looks really ticked off, just what did that trainer do to it?"
The trainer pointed at Arcanine, "Hey, don't just stand there! Hurry up and battle!"
Arcanine glared at its trainer before sending a Flamethrower to his face. The trainer's face was covered in black soot and coughed, "You…stupid pokémon…I caught you do obey me and battle…!" He ordered.
There was a shift in Arcanine's eyes, which sent warning bells through Ash, "Not good!" Just as he was about to send out Charizard, Lorelei stepped up with a smirk.
"Go, Slowbro!" Lorelei sent out her Slobrow.
"Slo (Shall we get started)?" Slowbro asked.
Ritchie raised a confused brow, "A Slowbro?"
"How can a Slowbro beat a Arcanine?" Tracey questioned.
Serena scanned it:
[Slowbro, the Hermit Crab Pokémon. Slowbro are able to use powerful Psychic Attacks, but generally prefers to avoid conflict]
Lorelei laid them no mind as he focused all her attention on Arcanine.
Arcanine opened its mouth to fire another Flamethrower attack, but Lorelei was ready.
"Disable."
Slowbro becomes surrounded by a light blue aura and Arcanine starts to glow light blue, making it completely motionless and rendering it Slowbro's control.
Ritchie's mouth was wide open.
"That's a strong Disable attack." Tracey smiled.
"Lorelei sure knew just what to do." Misty said.
'And just in time, too.' Ash thought it was a good thing Lorelei stepped in to handle the situation instead of him.
"Young man, use your pokeball." Lorelei said to the trainer.
The trainer flinched, "Uh…okay…" He returned Arcanine before running off. Hopefully to the Pokémon Center since Ash kind of did a number on his Persian and Tauros.
"Hey, you can at least thank her for helping you!" Serena yelled at him.
"Get back here!" Misty also yelled.
"What a jerk." Molly frowned.
"Maybe Miss Lorelei shouldn't have bothered helping him." Tomo said.
"Talk about being ungrateful." Ritchie scoffed.
Lorelei returned Slowbro with a smile, "There's no need to be upset. The most important thing is that no one was hurt."
"That's right. And thank you for your help, Lorelei." Ash thanked her.
"There's no need to thank me. I'm sure you could have handled that just as well." Lorelei replied.
"No, the way your Slowbro handled that Arcanine with its Disable attack was better than the method I was about to choose to calm it down." Ash was going to send out Charizard and knock it out through battling, but that would have just made the situation worse.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes the choices you don't want to make end up being the ones you have to make." Lorelei told him.
Ash smiled in understanding, "I guess you're right."
The sound of a bell caught their attention, including Lorelei's, "Well, I've got to be going." She turned and walked away then stopped to look back, "If your not busy, why don't you come to my demonstration this afternoon?" She offered.
Tracey and Misty became excited, "This is like a dream come true! Yay!" Misty squealed.
"I'd like it if you came along, too, Ash, Ritchie." Lorelei said to them.
"Of course we'll come. I've always been curious about your battling style." Ash admitted.
"Uh, okay. I'll come, too." Ritchie complied.
All of them were in a Pokémon Stadium along with other people on the island. Lorelei was kind enough to give them front row seats, too.
"[Welcome pokémon fans to Mandarin Island Stadium! Now it's my pleasure to introduce to you one of the Orange Islands best—the one and only Lorelei!]"
The crowd cheered for Lorelei.
"[Her pokémon battle demonstration is about to begin! Future Pokémon Masters watch closely, and you may learn something]!"
Standing amongst the eager crowd were Team Rocket, disguised as vendors.
"I knew she looked familiar. I must have seen her in the newspaper or on TV." James said.
"And of course the best trainers pokémon are in tip-top, fighting shape." Meowth smiled.
"There's an idea. Why don't we try to take hers?" Jessie suggested.
"I'm in/Let's do it." James and Meowth agreed.
The bell went off, signaling for the battle to begin. Lorelei sent out her first pokémon.
"All right, let's begin!" Lorelei declared.
Her Slowbrow defeated a Machamp in one hit. Same with her Dewgong, who defeated a Marowak, and finally, her Cloyster easily defeated an Alakazam. Lorelei not only displayed the strength of her Pokémon, but how ruthless she can be in battle.
"Awesome! That's three straight wins for Lorelei." Tracey was drawing all of her matches.
"Lorelei's totally cool!" Misty gushed.
"Togephree (Pretty lady did good)!" Together said.
"I knew she was a strong trainer, but seeing it in person feels amazing." Ash admired.
"Pika (I'd have a hard time going up against her pokémon)." Pikachu admitted.
"She's really cool!" Molly cheered.
"Ursa Ursa (I wanna fight one of her pokémon next)!" Teddiursa expressed.
"Seeing her like this makes you believe she's unbeatable." Tomo was impressed.
"No wonder she's considered the strongest of the Elite Four." Serena was amazed.
"Fenne (Yeah)." Fennekin agreed.
Ritchie stared down Lorelei, his mind was trying to comprehend that she was stronger than he originally thought.
"She's really good…" He murmured.
Would he even be able to beat her in a battle?
Who's That Pokémon?!
It's…Machop!
"Machop!"
"That was a really awesome demonstration, Lorelei." Tracey praised.
"You took out all your opponents with just one attack!" Misty complimented.
After the demonstration was over Lorelei invited all of them to her beach house for tea and snacks. Tracey and Misty both couldn't help but sing praises to Lorelei about how she easily dominated her opponents. Ash was just satisfied he got to see it in person.
Lorelei sipped her tea, smiling.
"I learned a lot about choosing Pokémon and attacks just from watching you." Tracey said.
"And it was really super nice of you to invite us to your house." Misty added.
Lorelei set her tea down, "I'm glad you could come. It's nice to have company."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but your a totally different person when your battling." Tracey told her.
Lorelei took no offense to his words, "Maybe so. But we all behave in different ways when we're in different situations, don't we Tracey?"
"That's true." Ash agreed.
Lorelei turned to him, "You also change when you battle, Ash." She pointed out.
"Huh? Me?" Ash didn't feel a difference at all.
She nodded, "Everyone has their own personal style. Their own…particular way of battling." She explained.
"What's yours?" Tracey asked.
"I try to behave like water." She answered.
Ritchie was confused by her answer, "What do you mean, Lorelei?"
"When I'm not battling, I try to go with the flow. But as soon as a battle begins, I become as unforgiving as ice. Then I melt right back and flow on." Lorelei explained the best she could.
Ash got it, "Go with the flow. Like water. Come to think of it, Misty you battle the same way she does." Misty's style flows only like water, while Lorelei's a combination of water and ice.
"I—I do! You really think so?!" Misty felt greatly complimented by his words.
Ritchie raised a brow, "How is she like water? She's always got an attitude like a Gyarados."
Misty glared at him.
Lorelei found their interaction amusing, "A trainer can be successful with any number of styles. But the most important thing, the most important thing is knowing—really knowing where your true strength lies." She said, walking over to the balcony.
"Good cause I'm strong. Real strong. I'm going to be a Pokémon Champion someday." Ritchie said. He hadn't forgotten wanting to challenge her.
She turned to him, leaning against the railing, "That's good, but to become a Pokémon Champion you need a different kind of strength."
"Yeah, what kind of strength is that?" Ritchie questioned.
Lorelei closed her eyes, "The strength that comes from inside. And with that strength, you can share your heart with your pokémon."
"I can almost…feel what you mean." Tracey smiled. As did the others. Ritchie was the only one who didn't seem to understand what she was saying.
"Miss Lorelei, let's have a pokémon battle now!" Ritchie demanded.
"Can you stop being so rude? That's not how you ask someone to battle." Misty chided him again.
"I'm not leaving till she battles me. I want the chance to show her just how good I really am!" Ritchie was determined.
Ash sighed. Ritchie wasn't going to let this go, was he? Oh, well. Ultimately the choice of whether or not to battle him rests with Lorelei.
Lorelei signed softly, "Okay, let's battle." She walked away after saying that.
"All right!" Ritchie grinned following behind.
Tracey looked at Misty, "This should be a good one."
"Yeah."
Ash was looking forward to this himself.
Lorelei and Ritchie were facing each other, ready to battle, "We'll battle with just one pokémon each." She set the rules.
"Fine." Ritchie smiled.
"It wouldn't be fair to go easy on you." Lorelei said.
"Don't worry, I've studied your style and know just how I'm going to beat you." Ritchie was confident. A little too confident.
"Let's do this, Sparky!" Ritchie said to his partner.
"Pika (I'm ready)!" Sparky stepped forward.
"Then I'll choose…" Lorelei sent out her Cloyster.
"Cloyster (I'll show you just how cold I can get)!" Cloyster said.
Serena scanned it:
[Cloyster, a Bivalve Pokémon. Its shell is incredibly strong and resistant to a bomb. Its shell only opens when it attacks.]
"She using Cloyster?" Serena questioned why.
"I see what she's doing." Ash had a feeling Lorelei was trying to teach Ritchie something very important. Otherwise why would she go easy on him? Slowbro and Cloyster aren't even her strongest, but they're strong enough to still do some damage.
"I knew she'd use a water type." Ritchie was ready to get this started.
"Careful, Ritchie. Lorelei knows what she's doing." Tracey reminded.
"And so do I." Ritchie replied.
"I'll let you have the first move, Ritchie." Lorelei said.
"Sparky, Thunderbolt attack!" Ritchie made the first move.
Sparky quickly charged up a Thunderbolt attack, but Lorelei was faster, "Cloyster, Withdraw!" Cloyster closed its shell, protecting itself from the Thunderbolt attack.
"Look at that. Thunderbolt didn't do anything!" Serena was shocked.
"That's because Cloyster has a high defense. Lorelei's had her pokémon for the longest time and trained them just as much. Ritchie will be lucky if he can even get a clean hit on Cloyster." Ash explained why Thunderbolt didn't do any kind of damage.
Ritchie grit his teeth, "Then let's try this. Sparky, use Agility!" Sparky runs forward on all fours, leaping from side to side.
"Cloyster, Reflect."
The largest horns on Closter's shell glows multicolored. Then, an orange wall is created in front of it. Sparky slammed right into it, being sent flying back towards Ritchie.
"You okay?" Ritchie asked Sparky.
"Pikachu (I'm not done yet)!" Sparky answered.
"That's the spirit! Sparky, Thunder attack!" Ritchie commanded.
Sparky sent a Thunder attack that hit Cloystet head on, "That should do it!" He said. But to his shock, Cloyater wasn't down for the count and instead glowed red.
"What's that?" Ritchie questioned.
"Cloyster's Rage attack. It's dangerous, whenever a pokémon uses Rage its attack power goes way up." Tracey explained.
Ritchie flashbacks to when Ash's Charmander did the same thing.
"Hurry, Sparky! Quick Attack!" Ritchie urged.
Sparky charged quickly at Cloyster, but Lorelei also made her move.
"Aurora Beam!"
Cloyster sent a multicolored beam at Sparky that hit him head on. But she wasn't done just yet, "Cloyster, use Take Down now!"
Cloyster slammed into Sparky, sending flying back and ending the match.
"Sparky, are you okay?!" Ritchie picked him up, "You did good."
"Pika (Thanks…)." Sparky said.
"The match is over." Tracey stated the obvious.
"It sure is." Misty said.
"Ritchie and Sparky both did their best." Molly said.
"Yeah, and hey he lasted longer than Miss Lorelei's other opponents." Tomo gave Ritchie credit for lasting long.
Lorelei returned Cloyster and walked over to Ritchie, "I'm sorry I had to do that, Ritchie." She helped Sparky, "Are you alright, Sparky?" She asked, softly.
"Pika (I'm okay…)." Sparky replied.
"You're very confident in your skills as a trainer. But you don't become a great Pokémon trainer just by using your skills." Lorelei said to Ritchie.
"But I already earned a lot of badges, right? So I must be a really good trainer, right?" Ritchie asked.
"I think you may be forgetting something, Ritchie. Didn't your pokémon do the battling to earn those badges as well?" She reminded.
Ritchie's eyes widened, "Those badges were gifts from your Pokémon that shows that they care for you." She said.
"They battle for me…because they care about me." Ritchie almost forgot about that.
"That's right," She handed him back Sparky, "And remember that losing is an important part of becoming a Pokémon Champion."
"But why?" He asked.
"You need to experience the pain and disappointment of defeat. It's easy to win, but when you lose you have to rely on your real strengths. The people and the Pokémon you love, and who love you back." She kept going.
"People and Pokémon." Ritchie felt Ash grab his shoulder, smiling. With everyone else by his side, "I'll remember that."
"I want you both to understand something else, you have to become closer with your pokémon than ever before."
"How do we do that?" Ritchie asked.
"By battling side by side. And as time goes on, you'll come to understand about Pokémon and yourselves. And when you've conquered all the gyms in the league you'll both be presented with an honorable trainer trophy for your accomplishments." Lorelei said to them, "What happened in the past can also leave you with many scars, but the more you travel you'll come to realize that pain is no longer your own to shoulder. With your Pokémon and the people who care about you by your side, you will never be alone."
Ritchie and Ash smiled at that. That's right. They have their Pokémon, friends, and family who will share their pain and sadness with them.
"You're right!" Ritchie said.
"And remember that's only if you have the heart of a true pokémon trainer." Lorelei finished.
"I'll prove it, and I won't forget what you said. Thank you, Lorelei." Ritchie smiled.
Lorelei smiled back, happy her words got through to him.
"Bravo!"
"Very inspiring!"
"Is that lecture of yours available on CD?"
They look up to see a familiar balloon, along with three pests.
"Tape only!" Lorelei replied to Meowth's question.
"You don't have to be polite to them." Ash told her.
"It's also $18.95." She elaborated.
Everyone fell down, not expecting her to say the price. Well, at least she was nice enough to say how much it was.
Ash felt bad Lorelei had to listen to their idiotic motto, but she didn't seem all that bothered. It looked like she hadn't heard it at all.
"What do you want?" Ash already knew the answer.
Misty was the first to say it, "Bet they wanna try to steal Lorelei's pokémon."
"That was our original plan." James admitted.
"But we realized we'd never stand a chance against someone like you, Lorelei." Jessie also admitted
'Huh, so even Team Rocket can be honest about not standing a chance against someone.' Ash still wasn't impressed with them though.
"So we decided to grab Pikachu instead." Meowth said.
Ash was about to have Pikachu send them off with a Thunderbolt, but Lorelei stopped him.
"There's no reason to argue. Maybe I can cool them down. I choose, Jynx!" Lorelei sent out Jynx
"Jynx (I'll deal with them)!" Jynx declared.
Serena scanned it:
[Jynx, the Human Shape Pokémon. Jynx is known for expressing its many and varied feelings by dancing around in graceful and rhythmical motions.]
"Look, James! It's a Jynx!" Jessie's eyes gleamed.
"You don't see one of those everyday!" James smiled.
"Ice Beam attack!
Jynx'a fist glows blue and hits Team Rocket, freezing them in place.
"I can't move my Meowth…" Meowth said.
"I've got the cold shoulder, and everything else." James said.
"Use Blizzard and blow them away!"
Jynx sent a Blizzard attack that sent them flying, "Team Rocket's blasting off again!" Ice sparkles fell from the sky as she looked up and smiled.
"The ice is…nice…" She said.
"The next gym is Trovita." Lorelei said to Ash.
"Trovita."
"Go to the other side of the Island and straight across the bay." She instructed.
"Okay, that's where we'll go next." Ash said and everyone was on board with the idea.
"It's been a pleasure meeting you all, and I hope I helped you at least a little." She smiled.
"You have. I won't forget your encouraging words, Lorelei. None of us will." Ash assured her.
"Whenever I have a battle I won't get so worked up and listen to the wind just like you taught me." Ritchie said.
Lorelei waved them off, "Goodbye now, and good luck."
"Bye!" They all waved goodbye while also thanking her again.
So, with new insights into the world of pokémon, Ash and friends move closer to their dreams. Another gym and another new adventure is just around the bend
Pokémon On Hand:
Ash: Pikachu (Male), Charizard (Male), Young Lapras (Female), Blastoise (Male), Gyarados (Female), Snorlax (Male)
Ritchie: Sparky (Male)
Molly: Teddiursa (Male)
Tomo: Kangaskhan (Female)
Serena: Fennekin (Female), Rhyhorn (Male)
Misty: Togepi (Male), Goldeen (Female), Starmie, Staryu, Psyduck (Male)
Tracey: Marill (Male), Venonat (Male)
Next Time: Kind Hearted Bulbasaur & Trovita Gym!