Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 81: Cream of the Croagunk Crop!
Ash and his friends arrived at Pastoria City.
"Alright!"Ash remarked with a smirk. "Guys, we made it!"
"Pika!"Pikachu cheered.
Ash goes up to the door of the gym, but something hits him making him drop on the floor.
"Ash!"Brock said.
"Hey, are you alright?"Dawn asked.
The four trainers looked up and sees Crasher Wake.
"Hey, who are you?"Ash asked nervously.
"I will tell you!"Crasher Wake responded. "The Pastoria City Gym Leader! I am Crasher Wake!"
"Whoa, really?"Denise asked in surprise as she helped Ash up.
"Have you ever seen a leader like that?"Dawn asked.
"No."Brock responded. "But my experience showed me that are all kinds of gym leaders in this world."
"Well, my name is Ash and I come from Pallet Town!"Ash stated. "Me and my friend Denise would like to challenge you to a gym battle, please!"
"Pika!"Pikachu agreed.
"I have an urgent business to do today."Crasher Wake replied. "So I regret to tell you sorry."
"Wha?"Ash asked sadly.
"Though, if you would like, you can come with me!"Crasher Wake said and went forward to the four trainers. "What do you say?"
"Come where?"Ash asked.
"Come there!"Crasher Wake laughed. "You'll soon understand!"
He ran forward as a bell was heard ringing.
"Hurry or we won't make it!"Crasher Wake admitted.
"Come on!"Ash stated.
"Let's step on it!"Dawn commented.
The Gym Leader and the four trainers hurry to catch the tram that takes them through the Great Marsh.
"Ah...the majesty of wide open spaces."Crasher Wake said. "Of course, it's the Pastoria Great Marsh!"
"Your right, Wake."Brock agreed. "It's very impressive."
"Wonder what kind of pokemon live there."Ash said.
"I assume water types.""Denise suggested.
"I just wonder where we're going."Dawn said.
"Piplup."Piplup replied with a shrug.
Afterwards...
The four heroes arrived at an open field at sunset.
"A few more steps and you will find out."Crasher Wake stated. "Okay folks, just follow me!"
He rushed ahead causing the four heroes to run after him.
"Hey, wait for us!"Ash protested.
"Seriously what is he on the run for?!"Denise asked.
Not long after, the four trainers lost track of Crasher Wake.
"Now where did he go?"Ash said. "For someone that big, he sure can move."
"Please Piplup, stop making all those noises."Dawn commented.
"Piplup piplup."Piplup answered while shaking his head.
"What?"Dawn responded. "Then who is it."
"It looks like it's coming from the tall grass."Ash admitted.
The four heroes got startled by glowing eyes in the bushes.
Then Croagunk walked passed the group.
"Oh it's just Croagunk."Denise said.
"Geez, you scared us."Dawn stated.
"That's not my Croagunk."Brock complemented holding his pokeball.
"Then who is it?"Ash asked.
Suddenly a bunch of wild Croagunk walked by.
"Wow, look at all of them."Dawn admitted.
"I guess they are wild Croagunks."Ash suggested.
"Hey, look at that."Denise commented.
Then a bunch of trainers with Croagunks walked past the four heroes.
"What is going?"Ash asked.
"I was wondering the same thing."Dawn answered.
"Let's find out."Ash stated.
Later that Night...
The four heroes followed the people to a giant Croagunk Temple.
"Whoa..."Denise said in astonishment.
"Hey!"Crasher Wake called out. "What took you so long? I was getting worried."
"It's a Croagunk statue."Ash said.
"Here at Pastoria City, our Croagunk here is honoured as Guardians of the Pastoria Great Marsh and the people here treat them with massive respect."Crasher Wake explained. "So each and every household in our city is responsible for raising one's Croagunk with great reference and care. Then once every year, everyone gathers here to hold the year's Croagunk Festival, where they choose of who would be the Croagunk Champion and further there is to be one tonight."
"Croagunk festival?!"Ash, Dawn and Denise said in unison.
"Precisely and the in the end, the winning Croagunk receives a crown, encrusted with a beautiful diamond and pearl."Crasher Wake admitted.
"Whoa, a crown."Ash remarked.
"I want it!"Dawn complemented happily.
"Sounds exciting."Denise chuckled.
Suddenly a familiar voice was heard, alarming Brock.
"Only one beautiful voice can make those bell-like tones Nurse Joy!"Brock admitted. "Over there!"
A boy named Hamilton was arguing with Nurse Joy.
"You said there would be a marriage this year and this year's here!"Hamilton argued.
"I don't remember making a promise like that!"Nurse Joy replied.
"Stop it now!"Brock ordered with a frown. "I refuse to let you force Nurse Joy into a marriage that she doesn't want!"
"What are you talking about?"Hamilton questioned.
"But didn't you propose?"Brock asked.
"No no...Hamilton doesn't want to marry me."Nurse Joy responded. "He wants my Croagunk to marry his Croagunk!"
Brock, Dawn and Denise looked down seeing a female Croagunk with a pink bow on the back of her head.
Brock sweat dropped while Dawn and Denise laughed softly.
"Alright then, buddy!"Brock said with a frown. "Where is your Croagunk?"
"Want to see my Croagunk?"Hamilton asked. "Ha! Here he is! Meet Craig!"
A Croagunk was clenching onto Hamilton and was wearing a crown.
"Wow, look at that!"Dawn gasped. "Craig has a crown!"
"Craig must've won the festival last year."Brock guessed.
"Well, that's cool, but why is Craig hanging onto your shirt like that?"Ash asked in confusion.
"Pokemon and trainer needs to hang with each other and we're no exception!"Hamilton bragged. "Alright! Wouldn't it be a privilege to marry King Craig?"
"Please."Brock muttered.
"You're just jealous cause you don't have a Champion!"Hamilton responded with a smirk. "Later Nurse Joy! After the festival! Ha!"
He walked away leaving Nurse Joy with the four heroes.
"What a creep."Denise scoffed.
"It's like Hamilton doesn't hear a word that I say."Nurse Joy said sadly. "I've told him my Chrissy doesn't like his Craig, but he won't listen."
"Well, Nurse Joy. I'm Brock and I'll listen."Brock flirted and held Nurse Joy's hand. "Nurse Joy don't worry, your pretty head."
"H-Huh?"Nurse Joy asked in confusion.
"Once my Croagunk becomes the Champion, Hamilton will see the light and your Croagunk and mine will join together when it blisses and when that happens, we may follow their footsteps as well!"Brock complemented happily. "Arm in arm! Hand in ha-"
The breeder then got Poison Jabbed by his own Croagunk.
"Of course, I would need a nurse anyway."Brock muttered in pain and dropped on the floor.
Croagunk dragged Brock away from Nurse Joy.
"That's some Croagunk."Nurse Joy said softly.
A While Later...
Ash brought a sack of Croagunk cookies to eat.
"I get it."Dawn said. "No wonder Wake told us there wasn't a moment to have a gym battle right now..."
"Oh well since it's a festival, we might as well have a little fun."Ash chuckled while munching and took out a Croagunk cookie. "Want one, Dennie?"
"Oh thanks."Denise answered kindly and took the cookie before eating it.
"Yuck."Dawn mumbled.
Then Croagunk-shaped fireworks were fired in the sky.
"Hey, Croagunk fans!"Crasher Wake greeted. "It seems we've got some spirited crowd for this year's Croagunk Festival! So, do your MC a king-sized favor! Let me hear you scream!"
The crowd let out a loud cheer.
"All Croagunk entrants who makes it past the first and second round, will face off the defending Champion in a final battle for the crown!"Crasher Wake stated. "So if Hamilton would be so kind at this point, we need that coveted crown back from Craig."
"Right!"Hamilton responded.
He stood up and placed the crown on the holder.
"Then as you know, the winner of this year's pokemon battle will be crowned this year's Great Marsh Croagunk Festival Diamond and Pearl Champion!"Crasher Wake announced.
The Gym leader went over to the judge's table.
"Our judges include your host, the Gym Leader, Wake, of course, along with yours truly, Nurse Joy and last but certainly not least, Carny, our beloved station chief!"Nurse Joy remarked.
"Thank you!"Carny answered. "Pleasure to be here!"
"You know the drill, give it all you've got and your Croagunk might wear the crown!" Crasher Wake called out.
The crowd cheered followed by Ash, Dawn, Denise, Pikachu and Piplup.
"Now, it's time for the beauty contest!"Nurse Joy admitted. "For our premiere round! So, let's bring out our first Croagunk contestant!"
The first Croagunk walked by, looking at the crowd as it croaked.
"Now, there's a real looker!"Carny said.
"And how!"Crasher Wake commented.
"Thank you!"Nurse Joy answered. "And now, it's time for our next contestant!"
The first Croagunk left as another Croagunk went on the stage.
"Dashing with good looks!"Carny chuckled.
"Agreed and handsome!"Nurse Joy agreed. "And now, it's time for our third Croagunk!"
The third Croagunk went on stage and croaked.
"Now, that's one of a kind!"Carny complemented.
"Indeed!"Crasher Wake agreed.
"Wow!"Nurse Joy agreed. Now, both Ash and Dawn looked a bit confused.
"Well, the crowd seems to love it."Ash said.
"But they all look exactly the same."Dawn admitted.
"I guess they see what we don't see."Denise responded with a sheepish smile.
Next it was Brock's Croagunk's turn.
"I'm counting on you, Croagunk."Brock commented proudly.
Croagunk went on the stage and croaked causing the three judges to gasp in surprise.
Brock became startled at their reaction.
"What happened?"Brock asked with a hint of worry. "What's wrong?"
"Wow that shine and glimmer, it's incredible!"Crasher Wake stated. "Especially those sparkling and adorable eyes."
"Those are eyes are startling."Nurse Joy stated.
"Nothing I ever seen."Carny agreed.
"Well, they sure love Brock's Croagunk."Ash said.
"I still think they look the same."Dawn admitted.
"The same with me, sis."Denise answered.
Brock walked away with Croagunk.
"Well done, Croagunk!"Brock laughed. "They really loved you!"
Meowth walked to the stage wearing a Croagunk costume, amazing the judges and the crowd.
"Sparkly eyes, burly whites, and a belly that looks so soft!"Crasher Wallace said in disbelief. "I've never seen a Croagunk quite like it!"
"You know it's prettier than a Persian."Carny remarked.
"One of a kind."Nurse Joy added while blushing a little.
"Well, that is a Croagunk with a different colour."Ash replied with a smile.
"Pikachu."Pikachu agreed.
"It sure looks pretty thin than the others."Denise commented.
"I guess you could put it that way."Dawn responded.
"Piplup."Piplup said softly.
An unimpressed look was on Hamilton's face.
"Come on."Hamilton mumbled. "No Croagunk is awesome than my Craig."
Then Crasher Wake announced the brick-breaking contest.
"And now folks! All the Croagunk that made it past the first round, will head onto the Brick Breaking Competition!"Crasher Wake announced. "The Croagunk who breaks the most number of bricks from this ten brick stack will be the winner!"
The first Croagunk stepped forward, looking up at the ten brick stack.
It jumped into the air and smashed two bricks, using Brick Break.
"Breaking two bricks is a very good start!"Nurse Joy remarked.
"Yeah!"Carny agreed. "Now we're cooking with gas!"
The other Croagunks came next and destroyed some bricks.
"Four bricks!"Nurse Joy counted. "Seven bricks!"
Another Croagunk destroyed a few more bricks.
"Wow."Crasher Wake, Carny and Nurse Joy said in unison.
Next it was Brock's Croagunk to destroy the bricks.
"I know that you can break all ten bricks, Croagunk."Brock encouraged. "So get in there!"
Croagunk croaked as it moved to his ten brick stack and leapt up.
Croagunk uses Brick Break and breaks all of the bricks, amazing everyone.
"Like that!"Brock remarked.
"Ten bricks!?"Nurse Joy said in amazement while standing up. "That was an amazing performance!"
"Boy, now we're really cooking with gas!"Carny added.
"Brick Breaking perfection!"Crasher Wake complemented.
The crowd cheered while Hamilton frowned.
"Well, here comes that one..."Hamilton muttered in annoyance.
After Brock's Croagunk, it was Meowth's turn.
"Alright! You're our last contestant!"Crasher Wake announced. "Keep in mind, Brock's Croagunk broke through all ten bricks! If you don't match that, this is as far as you're going, right?"
Meowth takes the stage next, to high anticipation.
He charged up and attacks the bricks, but breaks his paw.
Afterwards...
Crasher Wake announced a championship battle between Brock's Croagunk and Craig.
"Now that we have the Brick Breaking Competition behind us, we know who's going onto the final round!"Crasher Wake announced. "It's the Croagunk belonging to Brock! So now it's time to decide our big winner!"
"I just knew Brock's Croagunk was able to do it."Ash remarked.
"Pika!"Pikachu answered.
"Now we will see who really wins the crown."Denise stated.
"I just hope that Brock's Croagunk win after all the hard work that they've been through."Dawn admitted.
"Piplup!"Piplup cheered.
"And Brock!"Nurse Joy called out with a wink. "Good luck to both of you!"
"Okay then! Let's do this then!"Hamilton laughed. "Courage, courage, strength with unlimited skill! Brock and his Croagunk won't win, but Craig and I will!"
Brock glared angrily at Hamilton.
The crowd cheered as Croagunk and Craig go to the boxing ring.
"Alright, folks!"Crasher Wake said. "The moment of you all been waiting for! Our championship battle!"
"Okay Croagunk, keep it clean!"Brock instructed.
Then the bell rang causing Croagunk and Craig to began their match.
"Yeah!"Ash remarked. "Show him how is it done, Croagunk!"
"You can do it!"Denise encouraged.
"I can't tell who them apart but good luck whoever you are!"Dawn commented.
"Alright, Craig!"Hamilton ordered. "Cross Chop, go!"
Craig attacks Croagunk with Cross Chop.
"Croagunk!"Brock shouted.
Croagunk dropped on the floor.
"Is this it for Brock's Croagunk?"Nurse Joy asked sadly.
"Finish it up with Dynamic Punch!"Hamilton ordered.
Craig aimed forward but Croagunk rolled out of the way.
"Now, use Poison Jab, and keep it up!"Brock ordered.
Croagunk jabbed multiple Poison Jabs at Craig on the face, sending him flying into the air.
Craig slammed on the ground but immediately stood up.
Brock and Hamilton glared at each other.
"It looks like an even match!"Ash said.
"Yeah...but who's who?"Dawn asked.
"Since they're both equal in attack and defense skills, I can't imagine one of the two giving a single inch."Crasher Wake admitted firmly.
Out of nowhere, Team Rocket stormed the festival in a giant Croagunk robot causing the crowd to run away in terror.
"What in the world?!"Denise said in shock.
"Where did that come from?!"Brock demanded.
"What is that thing?!"Ash questioned.
"Excuse me, twerp."Jessie greeted. "This is not the phase!"
"The lightest craze has a much better phase."James chuckled.
"Quit your quacking, blabbermouths!"Meowth snapped and pressed a button. "Instead of flapping your gums, let's cut to the chase and crop that crown! Get down!"
The giant Croagunk robot used its tongue to steal the prized crown.
"Wow!"Jessie and James laughed. "What a top lashing!"
"If we had done that, I would've saved my paw."Meowth reminded.
"Oh no, our crown is been stolen!"Crasher Wake shouted.
"Let's cut to the break and help out!"Brock admitted.
"Okay, fine with me!"Hamilton replied.
"Croagunk, get that crown back right now!"Brock ordered.
"Okay Craig, you too!"Hamilton stated.
Croagunk and Craig rushed toward the Croagunk robot.
"It's time to give a few more licks!"Meowth chuckled.
Craig and Croagunk attack the robot, but get trapped by the tongue.
"They've got Croagunk!"Brock said.
"Craig, too!"Hamilton panicked.
"Quick, Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"Ash ordered.
Pikachu went off his trainer's shoulder to charge up electricity.
"Wait, Pikachu! Don't do that!"Dawn protested. "If you launch a Thunderbolt now, you might harm those Croagunks!"
"Yeah, you're right."Ash responded.
"There has to be another way."Denise complemented.
"You just leave it to the old Crasher! It's my duty as the Pastoria...Huh? What, what the...my pokeballs!"Crasher Wake responded and freaked out. "Of all the absences, my mighty maneuvers! I can't believe I left my pokeballs back at the Gym!"
Ash, Dawn and Denise looked down in disappointment.
Crasher Wake rushed forward to look at the other Croagunks.
"Alright, contestant Croagunks!"Crasher Wake called out. "Looks like we have no choice but to fight!"
Everyone else's Croagunk attacked the giant robot.
"Surrounded by sea of collectable Croagunks!"Jessie cheered.
"Let's collect them all, hang down!"Meowth suggested, opening the robot's stomach.
The Croagunks got scooped into the robot's belly.
"I won't allow them to steal our precious Croagunks, no way!"Nurse Joy vowed and looked at Chrissy. "Chrissy, shall we?"
Chrissy nodded as she and Nurse Joy ran to the Croagunk robot.
"Joy and the Croagunk get!"Jessie said angrily.
"Good runners, but useless!"James replied with a smirk.
The Croagunk robot moved to attack causing Nurse Joy and Chrissy to move out of the way.
"Use Vacuum Wave!"Nurse Joy ordered.
Chrissy jumped into the air and fired an attack shaped like a heart making Croagunk and Craig get released.
Team Rocket panicked as their robot began to break and fall.
"Talk about going off your tongue!"Jessie shouted.
"Looks like you jerks need to chill out!"Denise said with a frown. "Drifloon, come out and use Ominous Wind!"
Drifloon came out of her pokeball and fired a powerful wind, sending the Croagunk robot down causing all the Croagunks to get released.
"Awesome!"Dawn answered proudly.
"Incredible!"Brock added.
"Pikachu now, Thunderbolt!"Ash ordered.
Pikachu fired Thunderbolt causing the robot to explode and send Team Rocket flying.
"Our creative working edge Croagunk crumbled into a cash of Croa-junk."Jessie mumbled.
"And to think that I liked tongue twisters when I was young."James groaned.
"Wish I learned my karate lessons when I was young."Meowth admitted.
"THEN WE WOULDN'T BE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared into the night sky.
The crown flew into the air and Crasher Wake caught it.
"Good."Crasher Wake said. "Our crown, beautifully safe and sound."
"Your Chrissy was simply amazing, Nurse Joy!"Brock commented.
"I have to say, you outdid my Craig!"Hamilton remarked.
"We'll try not to go so hard on you next time."Nurse Joy giggled, sticking her tongue out.
"Alright, sports fans!"Crasher Wake responded. "In reminding that Nurse Joy's Croagunk saved all of our beloved Croagunk, what say we make Chrissy this year's winner?"
The crowd cheered in agreement as Crasher Wake turned to Brock and Hamilton.
"What do you say, Brock?"Crasher Wake asked.
"Oh, it's more than alright to me."Brock assured.
"Me too."Hamilton agreed. "Without Chrissy, there wouldn't even be a festival."
"Nurse Joy, I'm proud to crown your Croagunk as this year's Champion!"Crasher Wake complemented.
The crowd cheered at Nurse Joy and Chrissy while Brock and Hamilton smiled at each other.
A Moment After...
Everyone went back to enjoy the festival.
"Well, you two seemed to have raised Pikachu and Drifloon well, that I'd be happy to be accepting both of your gym challenges."Crasher Wake stated.
Ash and Denise became happy hearing that.
"Whoa, Wake!"Ash replied excitedly. "You mean it!?"
"Of course, Ash!"Crasher Wake chuckled. "But today, we've still got a festival to hold today! How about tomorrow?"
"Alright then."Ash agreed. "The two of us will be there."
"And neither of us won't hold back."Denise remarked with a confident smile.
Then Crasher Wake went up to a small tower with a drum.
"Now, everyone!"He announced. "It's time for a pokemon dance!"
The people started dancing to the music.
"Hey, Dawn, Dennie, that looks like fun."Ash commented. "How about we dance too?"
"No thanks, you can go on ahead."Dawn assured.
"I don't mind doing a little dance."Denise admitted.
"Then let's go!"Ash remarked and took Denise's hand.
"Okay."Denise replied while blushing a little.
Ash and Denise join the dance with the crowd as Dawn and Piplup watched in amusement.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
Denise's Team:
Grotle (Male): Solar Beam, Heavy Slam, Razor Leaf and Bite
Vaporeon (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Attract and Aurora Beam
Luxio (Male): Spark, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang
Kirlia (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Confusion
Hoothoot (Male): Silver Wind, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic
Drifloon (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish