Chapter 11: The Ultra Jungle Kingdom
(DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE MARIO FRANCHISE/SERIES OR POKÉMON. MARIO (FRANCHISE/SERIES) BELONGS TO NINTENDO/GAMEFREAK. POKÉMON BELONGS TO GAMEFREAK/NINTENDO).
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(Meanwhile, Ash, Princess Serena, Sylveon, and Floette approach the Ultra Jungle Kingdom gates, after getting through the leaves in their path).
Princess Serena: You ready? (Ash answers clearly sounding nervous and hesitant about what could be on the other side of the Massive Gates before them).
Ash: Eh...sure.
(Princess Serena walks up to knock on the door using the door knockers, then she steps back and for a couple of moments, nothing happens until the Doors Slam open as a Forest of Okoya Pokémon roars, causing Ash and Floette to scream in fear with Floette hiding behind Princess Serena, while Princess Serena, and Sylveon lean back. Before the Pokémon who opened calmed down but was clearly growling at the group before it. Princess Serena recognized the Pokémon as a Miraidon. Once things calmed down a bit, Floette (Eternal Flower) having recovered from the sudden Jump Scare, slowly peeked its head out from behind Princess Serena saying quietly).
Floette (Eternal Flower): What? (Still feeling cautious and nervous around the massively big Miraidon here, Ash tries greeting it sounding casual).
Ash: How are you doin'? (Then Princess Serena and Sylveon take charge of the situation being direct with Miraidon).
Princess Serena: We are here to see the king.
Sylveon: It is of the uppermost importance that you take us to him at once. (The Miraidon angry at ending up spoken to like that growls and Snorts angrily, even getting in Princess Serena and Sylveon's face, before relenting as it tells them).
Miraidon: Follow me. (Then Miraidon begins moving back into the Kingdom as Ash awkwardly notes aloud to himself and the others).
Ash: That Pokémon is clearly a Futuristic Iron Serpent with a Hadron Engine. (Then Floette (Eternal Flower) says in a joking and off handed manner).
Floette (Eternal Flower): Feel underequipped. (Floette (Eternal Flower) Chuckles to himself as they watch as Miraidon changes from its Ultimate Form to its Drive Mode, before Putting on a Pair of Sunglasses. Then the song "Take on Me" begins to play, as Miraidon prepares himself to give the group a ride to the Forest of Okoya Pokémon King. Then Miraidon addresses the group saying).
Miraidon: Hop On.
(Ash, Princess Serena, Sylveon, and Floette get on Miraidon's back to ride there, with each member holding onto Miraidon as tightly as they can. Then Miraidon begins zooming through the Ultra Jungle Kingdom with everyone holding on for dear life. Miraidon begins zooming through the Ultra Jungle Kingdom, riding along narrow platforms, making very sharp turns that make the riders scream in fear of falling off their riders back. Then Miraidon zooms up a ramp before jumping into the air, making everyone scream in panic and fear. Except for Floette (Eternal Flower) who was cheering excitedly, enjoying every moment of the ride that Miraidon was giving them like the Fearless Fool he was, clearly having the time of his life even though he could clearly end up nearly flung off of Miraidon's back, while Ash and the otherwise unflappable Princess Serena are screaming in terror going on here).
Floette (Eternal Flower): Whoo!
(Thankfully for the group, Miraidon lands safely on another platform on the other side of the ramp, and continues zooming through the Kingdom, jumping from platform to platform. At one point, Princess Serena went and began clinging on to Ash's face for a moment before stopping as they entered a tunnel. When they exited the tunnel, they were in a Village like area of the Ultra Jungle Kingdom. Despite the chaotic ride he was on, Ash did his best to take in every detail of the Ultra Jungle Kingdom before him. Ash was surprised to see that for being a kingdom populated by anthropomorphic Pokémon with a primitive aesthetic, they were able to develop and build countless roads and jumps, making him think that for them using vehicles is clearly the proper choice in a go Kart way is the norm, rather than a newsworthy event. Even when it looked to be based around a Wacky Racing game, where everyone Drives Like Crazy and spectacular crashes are normal. In fact, it made Ash wonder how the Forest of Okoya Pokémon could be capable of being such a "technologically advanced" race when he thought that Pokémon like them is mostly known for living in an unspoiled jungle. As they kept moving through the Kingdom on Miraidon's back, Floette (Eternal Flower) kept cheering in applause. The group passed by a Small Market like area, where a denizen of the Kingdom was selling Banana's. Miraidon zooms past the fruit-stand so quickly that the Seller does not notice when Miraidon takes one of the banana's, eats it, then tosses the peel away, throwing it onto the road behind him. Then another Pokemon who was driving a Kart on the road behind the group sees the Banana in his path making him yell in fear with an "Oh, Crop!" look on his face, but is too late for him to avoid it and goes careening out of control and slams into a nearby hut with a random explosion occurring as a result of the car crash that the group minus Miraidon take notice of. As Miraidon's makes another turn going up a Road going upward in a Spiral pattern, Floette (Eternal Flower) goes flying off Miraidon's back with Ash managing to grab him in time, but also goes flying off Miraidon's back, but then Princess Serena grabs Ash's arm, saving him in time. While Sylveon wraps one of its feelers around Princess Serena's waist and the other around Miraidon to hold on. But despite the peril he was in, Floette (Eternal Flower) was still cheering in excitement and happiness. Miraidon kept zooming towards the group's destination, riding up another ramp, and beginning to increase its Speed to go even faster than he already was. When Miraidon zoomed off the ramp, launching them into the air, the entire group was screaming in peril and fear before they began falling downwards, but then Miraidon changed into its Glide Mode. Miraidon's antennae extend to spread an energy membrane, allowing it to glide and fly through the sky. Miraidon begins gliding towards a Mountain Palace/Castle Resembling a Temple with a Waterfall coming out of a small mouth-esque opening. As they draw closer to the Palace/Castle, it begins to open to them. Miraidon lands inside, but ends up landing harder than the group predicted, causing Floette (Eternal Flower) to fall out, landing on the floor, along with Ash wincing in pain from the crashlanding. But Princess Serena and Sylveon manage to land after jumping off Miraidon's back safely. Miraidon leaves without saying anything to the group, as they try to compose themselves before they take notice of a large group of Kingdom soldiers lining the hallway leading to the throne of the Kingdom's Ruler as the song "Take on Me" stops playing. The Kingdom's Ruler addresses the guests arriving in his throne room).
King: Oh, of course, come in. (Then the Kingdom Soldiers stomp their feet in perfect sync. The Gang begins to walk towards the throne, as do so, they can see the Kingdom's Ruler in all its Glory, seeing that the King was a Massively tall Pokémon ruled the Ultra Jungle Kingdom, this Pokémon was HUGE! It was a long-bodied Pokémon like a mongoose. While it moves on all fours, it can stand on its hind legs with its hands locked behind its back, like a human. Parts of its coat are brown with a yellow underside that extends over the top of its tail. It has an added yellow stripe that starts on its forehead and ends between its shoulders. There are tufts of fur near its shoulders, hips, and around the base of its tail. These tufts in combination with the yellow underside creating the impression of an open trench coat. Its ears are round with a small notch and are on the sides of its head. It has a short snout with a pink nose, a large mouth full of pointed teeth, eyes nearly hidden under its yellow stripe, and tufts of yellow fur on its chin. There are three black claws on each of its four short legs. It also has a wide, flat tail with longer fur on the tip. And he also was wearing a royal robe, a King's Crown, and had a Walking Stick due to looking incredibly old in age. Then Princess Serena and Sylveon said addressing the King).
Princess Serena: Great and Mighty, Gumshoos.
Sylveon: We need your help. (But before Princess Serena can say more, Gumshoos raises his hand to silence them, cutting to the chase).
Gumshoos: So, I heard you want my army. (Hearing that, Gumshoos was already aware of what they wanted from him Princess Serena and Sylveon were surprised as she replied saying).
Princess Serena: Yes, your Highness. Without your help, the Berry Kingdom would end up annihilated.
Sylveon: That is why we need you. (Gumshoos takes a moment to think about it before deciding that he does not feel like he should help them, asking the group).
Gumshoos: What makes you think you are worthy of fighting alongside the greatest army in the world? (Then, like it was on cue, the Kingdom soldiers Stomp their feet in perfect cue with each other. Gumshoos was perfectly certain that by declaring that his army being the greatest there is, he was in no way Tempting Fate. Princess Serena and Sylveon then answer Gumshoos' question telling him).
Princess Serena: Because we have heart. And with your strength... we can win.
Sylveon: And a Pokémon's True Strength comes from the Bonds on Friendship Pokémon Share with each other and their Trainers. (Seemingly convinced by this Gumshoos agrees to help telling them).
Gumshoos: Okay, fine. (Princess Serena and Sylveon were surprised by how easy it was to convince the King like that, asking him).
Princess Serena: That is, it?
Sylveon: Seriously? (Then Gumshoos said revealing he was being sarcastic when he told them, "Fine").
Gumshoos: No, that is not it. The answer is no. Goodbye. (Gumshoos makes the "Shoo" gesture, wanting them to leave. But Princess Serena and Sylveon refuse to leave, having come too far to give up, and try to convince Gumshoos to reconsider telling him).
Princess Serena: If the Berry Kingdom falls, the Ultra Jungle Kingdom is next!
Sylveon: Please Reconsider helping us.
(Princess Serena remembered during her meeting with the Floette how one of the Floette referred to Gumshoos as the Ultra Jungle Kingdom's "mad king" and suggested that diplomacy with him would be a fool's errand, but it turned out that Gumshoos was mostly just stubborn and a little hedonistic, so he was only a tyrant by Floette standards making him quite the Caligula. Ash seeing that the King surely was not going to budge on the matter, so he is choosing to step up and speak to the king himself taking a couple of steps to make himself clear to Gumshoos).
Ash: We are not leavin'... without YOUR Army! (Gumshoos frowns angrily at Ash, surprised by how Bold, and Arrogant, he was sounding right now, yet he was impressed by Ash's Bravado, going quiet for a couple of moments, before bursting into Laughter as he then asked them).
Gumshoos: Who is this guy? Oh, he makes me Laugh! (Ash just frowns at how King Gumshoos was laughing Uproariously at him like this due to him being in a social class lower than him. Gumshoos keeps laughing at him before finally stopping to humor him). All right, tough guy... Do you want my army so badly? Defeat my son, in the Great Ring of Forest of Okoya Pokémon! (Then the Kingdom Soldier's stomped their feet on the ground once more in perfect unison. Ash was surprised at the Offer this Jerk with a Heart of Gold just made him. Even though Ash had hardly ever been in a real fist fight in his life, he was hoping that if he did beat his son, he would do his part of being a fair and just ruler since he was expected to be a Reasonable Authority Figure. Princess Serena and Sylveon were also surprised by the Deal the King was making with Ash here, as she decided to pull him aside for a private conversation with him).
Princess Serena: Give us a second. (Princess Serena pulls Ash aside with Sylveon and whispers to him). This is a really, terribly bad idea! (Then Sylveon whispered to Ash wondering just what he was thinking by even entertaining the deal that Gumshoos was making with him here).
Sylveon: (Whispering). Are you crazy?
(From Ash's point of view, he did not see that Gumshoos' insistence on a Trial by Combat to decide whether to lend aid to the Berry Kingdom or not was not due to his eccentricity, isolationism, or Crankiness. But he was doing it to assess his martial abilities as well as those of the rest of the Berry Kingdom leadership. Because Ash understood that no just ruler would want to lend their army to a cause that had no chance of winning, and that had a high chance of getting a ton of troops killed or captured due to poor leadership. Things like this would be the mark of a good commander. Ash said responding to Princess Serena and Sylveon's questioning of his decision to fight Gumshoos' son and whether it is a mistake or not, whispering back to them).
Ash: Well, do you have another way to save my brother? (Ash was determined to save his brother, Ritchie no matter what, and if he had to fight this guy's son to do it, then he would do it, no questions asked. Princess Serena and Sylveon could not deny that Ash was wrong since currently they did not have any other ways to convince Gumshoos to help them. Then suddenly, Gumshoos steps in between them to ask).
Gumshoos: Are you two done Whispering? It is a little rude. (Then Gumshoos begins walking away, using his Walking Stick to help him. After taking another moment to think it over, Ash proudly says to the King, making it clear what he is going to do with the deal that Gumshoos made with him).
Ash: You, sir, have a deal. So, I will fight your son and WIN!
Gumshoos: Oh, I am sure you will. (Gumshoos has two of his Guards come to his side as he raises his arms and has them help him into a specialized Kart that a Third Guard bring over to him. Gumshoos keeps Laughing before he begins to cough before calming down as he drives off laughing again. Ash, despite feeling confident in his decision to fight Gumshoos' son to get the Kingdom's army to help them, a smart part of him was hoping that he did not make a mistake in agreeing to the deal made by this Reasonable Authority Figure who was Eccentric, aloof and unwilling to help at first. But hopefully that will change once Ash defeats his son in Combat... and survives that it).
[A/N #1: If it helps for the sake of Visualizing, Gumshoos here has the Same Size/Height that the Totem Pokémon Gumshoos does in the Pokémon Sun, and Ultra Sun, Games, and anime episodes. For those who need more clarification, a Normal Gumshoos is only 2'04" in terms of height. These Pokémon (except for Totem Wishiwashi) appear larger than normal and weigh close to two to four times as much as other Pokémon of the same species. And the Totem Gumshoos has a height of 4'07" and weighs 132.3 lbs. (60.0 kg). So, once again this Gumshoos Playing Cranky Kong is a 4'07" Totem Sized Gumshoos].
Replies to my reviewers:
Ashpoke55: Thank You. And your close, I am saving the Debut of the Pokémon I chose for Donkey Kong for the next chapter. :) But hey, now you I chose for Cranky Kong. And I am sure you will love (if not like) who I picked for Donkey Kong and what will happen in Chapter 12. :)
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-To Be Continued-
Next time on ... THE SUPER KETCHUM BROS.:
Ash's Coliseum Clash!