The Path to the Pokémon League
Having gotten their second badge from the Cerulean Gym, Ash and Jake along with their friends are on their way to their next destination.
"So where are we going?" Ash asked dumbly
"I believe we're heading to Vermillion City next, Ash. Misty did insist that we go there instead of Cerulean City" said Jake as he glared at Misty. Misty chuckled nervously
"Jake is right about that. I also forgot to mention it has a luxury cruise ship and I'm dying to see it" she responded
"A cruise ship? I've never been on one before" said Green
"But we won't have time for sight-seeing!" protested Ash
"I've heard that there's a really great gym in Vermillion" Brock said
"A gym? Alright! Me and Jake will win our third badge! Let's go!" Ash said as he ran off
"Don't get your hopes up! They're a lot of tough trainers here!" warned Misty
"Aw, bring 'em on! I bet none of them have even one Pokémon badge" Ash called back
"He's got a point there. Wait for me, buddy!" said Jake as he and Bulbasaur follow after him
"Bulbasaur" said his Bulbasaur
"Those two have a lot of energy" said Green in amusement
"You have no idea" sighed Misty
We now see Ash and Jake in a battle against two trainers. They have Pidgeotto and Vaporeon battling against a Rattata and a Geodude
"Pidgeotto, finish it!" Ash yelled
"Vaporeon, Water Gun attack!" ordered Jake
Pidgeotto dives in the air and strikes Rattata defeating it. Vaporeon shoots Water Gun at Geodude which causes major damage. Geodude then faints.
"Ah, Rattata!" yelled the first trainer
"Geodude, no!" yelled the second trainer
"And I win! That's number ten!" declared Ash who is happy at his winning streak
"Good job, Vaporeon. You battle very hard out there." Jake said to Vaporeon
"Vaporeon" Vaporeon said with a blush
With their battle finished, the two trainers shook hands with Ash and Jake
"You two are really great Pokémon trainers!" said the first trainer
"Yeah, we hardly stood a chance" added the second trainer
"Well, I guess I was pretty good there" said Ash as he revealed his badges on his vest much to the trainers' surprise
"Wow! You've got badges!" the first trainer said
"And he's not the only one. I got them too" replied Jake as he showed them his badges
"No wonder you two are good" the second trainer said
Misty and Brock both frowned as Ash showed off his badges. Green sweat drops nervously
"I think giving him those badges was a mistake" grumbled Misty
"Uh huh" said Brock
"At least Jake was able to battle hard for them" said Green
Pikachu shrugged his shoulders while Bulbasaur just shook it's head while smiling
"Say, I bet you two can beat AJ" said the first trainer
"AJ? Who's that?" asked Jake
"He lives over there. AJ is known to train savage Pokémon" answered the second trainer as point behind
"Not to mention he built his own gym. He's never lost a single match" said the first trainer
"Never lost a single match, huh? That's hard to believe" said Jake
"Well whether we believe it or not, he hasn't come up against somebody like me or Jake" bragged Ash
"He's getting a big head" said Misty
"Yeah, but his brain is still the same size" added Brock
Green giggled at this. While Pikachu nods his head. Bulbasaur just shook it's head
After parting ways with the two trainers, the group find themselves standing in front of AJ's gym.
"I guess this is the gym" said Jake
"Saur" said Bulbasaur as it looked up
"Yeah" said Green
"Look at that. This gym isn't even licensed by the Pokémon League. Undefeated. Big deal! I can beat him!" said Ash confidently
Green looks up at the wins and losses on the sign of the gym
"I don't know, Ash. The score says that he has 98 wins" she said
"Green's right, Ash. You may have won ten battles along with Jake, but he's won almost ten times more matches than you have" taunted Misty
"I go for quality! Not quantity!" snapped Ash
Jake placed his hands on his shoulders and pull him back. Just then, a boy with green hair comes up to them
"Are you my next victim?" he asked
"You AJ?" Jake asked
The boy nods his head
"You must be the wild Pokémon trainer" said Ash
"Huh. That's my job. But beating chumps like you is my hobby! Ready to lose?!" AJ asked
"He sure is confident" said Green
"Yeah" said Jake agreeing with her
The gates to the unofficial gym opens and the group head inside. Inside, they were in awe at how the battlefield was laid out.
"Wow" said Ash
"Now this is not too shabby at all" said Misty
"You got that right" said Jake impressed
A Butterfree flew in and picked up the backpack that AJ was carrying earlier.
"What's in that backpack?" asked Green
"The Wild Pokémon I just caught. There's a bunch more in the tent and then some" answered AJ
"Hey! Can I see them after the match?" Ash asked excitedly as AJ went up the stadium
"If you want. So, which Pokémon are you gonna choose for my 99th win?" AJ asked
Both Ash and Jake blinked at his statement
"99th?" Ash asked, but he glared and gets up on the stadium
"I'm afraid you're gonna have to change your sign after this match. You'll be formerly undefeated" he said
"You may think you're hot stuff, kid. But you're not playing in the Pokémon Little League anymore!" AJ said as he took out a whip and cracked it. This startled Ash. Even Green yelped at this and grabbed Jake's arm
"What's with the whip?" she asked
"I don't know. But I hope AJ doesn't try to hurt his Pokémon with it. That would be abusive" Jake said with a glare. He then notices Green holding his arm and blushes. "Um, Green?"
Green notices that she was holding Jake's arm. She let's go and looks away shyly
"After I win a hundred matches in a row, I'll start competing for badges" AJ declared
"That means he's only two wins away" said Brock
"And he'll be extra psyched to win" added Misty
"98 wins and you still don't have a badge. That's tough luck, AJ. I have ten wins and I won two Pokémon badges! Even my friend Jake won two badges" Ash said as he showed his badges on his vest
"Did you buy those badges or did you just steal them? Either that or you competed in some loser gyms. Where were they? Failure city or Wimpsville?" AJ asked
AJ's insults struck a nerve on both Misty and Brock
"What do you mean loser gym?!" asked Misty angrily
"Hey Ash! Pulverize this guy!" snapped Brock
Both Jake and Green went over to calm them down. Ash just laughs nervously at this
"Let's get this started then. Sandshrew go!" yelled AJ as he threw his Poké Ball. Out comes Sandshrew
Jake takes out his Pokédex and scans it
Jake's Pokédex: Sandshrew the Mouse Pokémon. Its body is dry. When it gets cold at night, its hide is said to become coated with a fine dew.
"A Sandshrew huh? This should be interesting" Ash said with a smirk
"Let's be careful now, Ash" Brock warned
"Remember, Sandshrew's a Ground type. So Pikachu's electricity's no good against it" Misty said much to Ash's irritation
"I know exactly what I'm doing! I don't need your help!" he yelled. Ash twists his cap and takes out a Poké Ball.
"Pidgeotto, I choose you!"
He throws the Poké Ball and Pidgeotto comes out
"Sandshrew, go!" AJ ordered as he cracked his whip
Sanshrew jumps in
"Pidgeotto, dive at it!" Ash called
Pidgeotto did so and charges down at Sandshrew
"Ash is lucky. The Flying Pokémon should have the advantage here" said Brock
AJ cracked his whip. Sandshrew heard it and jumped into the air and curled into a ball and rolled
"Too bad Sandshrew can't fly" Ash said
But Sandshrew jumped up and hits Pidgeotto directly much to Ash's surprise
"Whoa! That was a direct hit!" said Green in surprise
"AJ's Pokémon are a lot stronger than we thought" said Jake
Pidgeotto then fell to the ground
"Pidgeotto!" shouted Ash
"Finish it!" AJ commanded as he cracked his whip. Sandshrew jumps in
"Uh oh! Pidgeotto return!" yelled Ash as he recalls Pidgeotto.
Ash takes out another Poké Ball and let's out his Butterfee
"Butterfree, I choose you!"
"You can do it! Flying versus Ground should be no problem!" he yelled
"That's what you think, kid! Now watch and weep!" AJ said
"Go Stun Spore!" Ash yelled
AJ cracked his whip to have Sandshrew dig underground to avoid Butterfree's Stun Spore
"That Sandshrew is well trained" said Brock
"He controls it with a crack of his whip. Like a lion tamer" said Misty
"At least he's not using it to hurt his Pokémon" Jake said
"Saur saur" Bulbasaur said agreeing with his trainer
As AJ cracked his whip, Sandshrew comes out of the ground and knocks Butterfree out of the air. Butterfree fell to the ground with Sandshrew pinning it down.
"Butterfree!" Ash yelled
"Heh. It's not so free anymore" said AJ
Ash then attempts to get his Pikachu to battle. He was pulling him by the tail. But Pikachu refuses as he saw how strong Sandshrew is
"Come on Pikachu! You got to help your friend!" said Ash
His friends saw this and backs up
"Um, Ash. I wouldn't pull Pikachu like that if I were you" warned Jake
As Ash continues to pull Pikachu's tail, Pikachu zaps Ash with Thundershock. He then falls down with a groan
"Looks like you've lost, Ash" said Green
This caused Ash to feel down as his losing streak was over. Jake frowned at his friend. AJ smiled at his victory
"And that makes it victory number 99" said AJ
"It's not fair! I'm the one with the badges! How about 2 out of 3?" Ash asked as he grabbed AJ's arm.
"Stop whining, kid! Nobody wants to compete against a crybaby!" scolded AJ as he frees his arm
"Hey! There's something fishy here! I didn't have any problem winning until I battled in your ring! How do I know this match wasn't rigged?!" Ash snapped
Jake shook his head at his friend's behavior. It seems that Ash wasn't taking his lost so well and now he's accusing AJ of cheating
"That's it! You cheated! How else can Sandshrew defeat Butterfree?! Flying Pokémon always have the advantage over Ground Pokémon!" Ash said as he accused AJ
"Chill out" said AJ uncomfortably
"What do you say we go replay the match someplace else, huh?" Ash pleaded
"Ash doesn't know when to quit does he?" asked Misty
"Unfortunately, that's Ash for ya." said Jake with a sweat drop
"He really needs to learn to accept his loss" added Green with a frown
"That AJ sure is strong. I don't get it. How is he so good?" Brock asked
"One more chance?" Ash asked weakly
"Come back when you grow up" AJ responded as he and Sandshrew walked into the tent
"Mmmm. It's not fair" whined Ash
His friends walked up to him
"Come on Ash. It was just one lost. It's not the end of the world" said Jake
"Saur" said Bulbasaur
"Yeah. I lost to Jake in our battle and you don't see me whining about it" said Green
"I guess I was a little upset about my lost" admitted Ash
"Everybody loses at some point, Ash. All you can do is learn from it" said Jake
Ash smiled at the advice his best friend gave him
"Jake and Green are right. You'll have to rethink the way you train" Brock said
"What do you mean?" Ash asked
"YOU CALL THAT LAST MATCH A FIGHT!?"
AJ's voice caught the friend's attention as they turn to the tent
"It's time for some serious training!"
Ash, Jake, along with Bulbasaur, and Pikachu peek inside the tent. They gasped as they see several Pokémon training. A Beedrill and Butterfree were sparring against each other. Some Rattata were balancing on a ball and leaping through a fiery hoop. All of them have some equipment on them. The friends even sees AJ having Sandshrew leap into a pool of water. Sandshrew then leaps out while flinching.
"Get back in the water!" AJ ordered
Seeing this, Ash begins to run up to them
"Knock it off!" he snapped
"Ash, wait!" Jake cried
But it was too late, Ash tackled AJ and they both fell into the pool. Everyone else runs in and sees Ash and AJ come up.
"Now what do you want? A swimming match!?" AJ demanded as he glared at Ash
"You're hurting Sandshrew!" yelled Ash
"Mind your own business! I don't need any amateurs teach me how to train Pokémon!" AJ yelled back
"You call that training?! What's that? It looks like a straightjacket" Ash asked as he notices the gear on Sandshrew
"That's no straightjacket. It's a strength intensifier" corrected AJ as he got himself out of the pool while Jake helps Ash out
"Who invented that thing?" asked Brock
"I did. It's my own secret weapon for unleashing a Pokémon's power" answered AJ
"Impressive" said Green
"Sandshrew, back in the pool!" AJ snapped at Sandshrew
Sandshrew quickly nods it's head and went off to get ready to jump
"You do realize that Ground Types like Sandshrew are weak against water, right?" asked Jake in worry
"I know that" said AJ
"But you'll hurt it!" Ash yelled
"Sandshrew, dive!" AJ commanded
Sandshrew dived into the pool
"Nice dive" said Misty
Sandshrew then leaps out of the pool and spins around to get the water off
"Good work" AJ said
"The water doesn't weaken your Sandshrew?" Brock asked
"You're looking at the only Sandshrew in the world that's strong enough to withstand water" AJ said
"Wow. I'm impressed" Jake said which earns him a nod from AJ
"Bulbasaur" said Bulbasaur also impressed
"Sandshrew, pick up your pacing!" AJ ordered
Sandshrew curls into a ball and three Rattata begins to pass it among themselves
"Hey wait! I thought you said pacing not passing" Ash said
This caused Misty and Brock to fall over while Jake face palms at how clueless Ash is. Green just shook her head. Pikachu then holds up a pillow to catch his trainer's attention
"Huh? I said padding. I mean I said pacing!" snapped Ash. Pikachu flinched at this and walks off with the pillow over his head. Ash then turns to AJ. "Why are you so tough on Sandshrew!?"
"I have to be tough. But I ask no more of Sandshrew then I do of myself. The very best" answered AJ
"Could it be that Sandshrew is your first Pokémon?" asked Jake
"You guessed right. Sandshrew was the first Pokémon I have ever caught. I will never forget that moment," AJ said as he recalled making a promise with Sandshrew and all the training they did. "We promised to do whatever it took to become the greater Pokémon trainer of all time. Nothing would stop us from reaching our dream. No matter how difficult our path, enduring fierce storms and raging winds. We sacrificed everything to achieve our dream and it was worth it! We're an unbeatable team!"
Both Jake and Green smiled at AJ's story. He and Sandshrew really have been through a lot in their training. But Ash didn't see it that way
"What your doing is wrong! A great trainer should make friends with his Pokémon!" he snapped
"Why should I listen to you!?" AJ yelled back
"Hey Brock! Don't you have anything to say about this?!" Ash asked Brock
"I do. Your Pokémon are all in great shape. What kind of Pokémon food do you give them?" Brock asked
This caused Ash to fall over
"My own recipe. Come on. I'll show ya" said AJ
AJ led the friends over to a cabinet and opens it. It has a jar full of Pokémon food. One for each species
"To get the results I want, I have to carefully monitor the Pokémon diet. Of course, the recipe's secret" explained AJ
"Uh yeah. Of course you know I make my own food too." Brock said
As Brock, Misty, and Green were directing their attention on the subject of Pokémon food. Ash was looking at AJ's Sandshrew and his Pikachu working out. Jake and his Bulbasaur notices this and walks over
"What's wrong buddy?" he asked
"It's the way AJ trains his Pokémon. He still beat me with those harsh methods he has his Pokémon do. It still stings. And AJ doesn't seem to view his Pokémon as friends" answered Ash
"Well, it's like I told you: all you can do is learn from your lost. True AJ's methods of training is harsh, but I'm sure he still cares for them, especially Sandshrew" Jake said.
"Bulba bulba" said his Bulbasaur
"You think so?" asked Ash
"Oh yeah" said Jake
They watch to see Pikachu attempt to lift a weight. But the heaviness of it caused Pikachu to fall over much to Bulbasaur's surprise
Back in the tent, the bell rings
"Okay you wimps! You get a 15 minute break!" AJ called to his Pokémon. All of them were on the ground feeling exhausted. Ash, Jake and Bulbasaur both looked at this with a frown on their faces.
"Hey!" Ash called to AJ
"Now what do you want?" asked AJ
"You're Pokémon are totally wiped out!" yelled Ash
"You better believe it. In this gym, we live by the rule: 'No Pain, No Game'. But judging by your stuffed Pikachu and stuffed Bulbasaur, you don't follow any rules" AJ said
Jake glared at AJ for insulting his Bulbasaur while his Bulbasaur growled at this
"My Pikachu and Jake's Bulbasaur are not stuffed Pokémon! Take it back!" demanded Ash, but AJ ignored him
"Did you hear me!? I said take it back!"
Ash runs in and tries to punch AJ causing them to fall into the pool again
"Not again" said Jake
"Saur" said Bulbasaur
Just then, Brock, Misty, and Green runs in
"Don't Ash!" Misty called
But she was ignored as Ash and AJ begins to fight in the pool
"You don't win badges by being buddy-buddy with Pokémon!" snapped AJ
"It's not a stuffed Pikachu or Bulbasaur!" snapped Ash
"Knock it off you two!" scolded Brock
"Yeah, break it up!" added Green
Jake can only face palm at the fight
While Ash and AJ were fighting, Bulbasaur looked to see Pikachu looking at a strength intensifier. He goes over to them. Curious, Pikachu touches the intensifier which gets on him much to Bulbasaur's shock. Pikachu struggles but the equipment caused him to curl into a ball. Sandshrew snickers at this, but Bulbasaur glares at it. Bulbasaur then used it's vines to pick up Pikachu and crawl away.
With the fighting over, Ash and AJ got out of the pool and were panting.
"Why do you keep hanging around here? There must be other trainers you can bother" AJ said while panting
"Yeah right" Ash retorted
Just then, the bell rings again
"Time's up. Back to work, all of ya!" AJ ordered
His Pokémon then resume their training
"Hey AJ. Do you consider all of your Pokémon friends?" asked Jake
"I wouldn't go so far to say friends. My Pokémon are more like my battling partners and we all work together. Why do you ask?" AJ asked
"Just wondering" said Jake
AJ then looks around for Sandshrew
"Hey, where's Sandshrew? Well that's weird" he said
AJ looks at Bulbasaur trying to use it's vines help Pikachu
"What's your Pikachu doing? And what's Bulbasaur trying to do?" AJ asked
"Oh man. Pikachu must've gotten your strength intensifier on him by mistake and Bulbasaur's trying to help him" said Jake
"Pikachu!" said Ash as he tries to get it off, but to no avail
"Let me try" offered Jake
Ash gave Pikachu to Jake. Jake tried his best to help Pikachu, but he got the same results.
"That equipment is pretty tough" Jake said
"Bulbasaur" said his Bulbasaur as it shook it's head.
"Here. Give it to me" AJ said
Jake gives Pikachu to AJ. AJ unlocked the equipment and releases Pikachu from the intensifier. Bulbasaur smiled at this
"Pikachu, you're okay!" Ash said in relief
"Hey Pikachu, Bulbasaur. Have any of you seen Sandshrew?" AJ asked
Both Pikachu and Bulbasaur both shook their heads
"You haven't?" AJ asked. He then stood up
"Sandshrew, where are you!?" he called
"Maybe it ran away" teased Ash
"What are you talking about?" retorted AJ
"I don't think that's the case, Ash" said Jake while his Bulbasaur frowned
"But Jake. You've seen the way he treats his Pokémon. I'm surprised that they all haven't run away" replied Ash as he continues teasing AJ
"Sandshrew and I have been together for a long time" AJ protested
"Yeah I know. But when Sandshrew saw how well Pikachu and I get along, it though I deserve better! 'I'll find a trainer who treats me like Ash treats Pikachu'" Ash teased further. This struck a nerve on AJ
"Sandshrew would not break the promise we made! Not after all we've been through! Not just before our 100th victory!" bellowed AJ which causes Ash and Pikachu to wince
"Nice going, Ash!" scolded Green as she was covering her ears. Ash chuckled nervously
AJ then turned to his Pokémon and ordered them to find Sandshrew
"Now move it. Go find Sandshrew"
All of AJ's Pokémon complied and they spread out to find Sandshrew. As they were doing that, Ash attempts to get them to leave AJ
"You've all had enough of AJ and the way he pushes you around, haven't you? Well, you don't have to put up with it anymore because now you can come with me. Anyone who's coming with me. Raise you hand!" said Ash as he puts his hand up
But none of AJ's Pokémon complied with Ash's suggestion as they continued searching for Sandshrew
"Just raise your hand! Get em up there!" Ash continued
Misty and Brock gives Ash disapproving looks while Green just sighed in disappointment. Jake on the other hand felt irritated that his friend was not getting it. He then walks up to Ash.
"That's enough, Ash. These Pokémon won't leave AJ no matter what you say!" Jake said sternly
"But what about the way he treated them?" Ash asked
"Did you forget what I told you? AJ may train his Pokémon this way, but they all seem to enjoy it. Not one of them wanted to leave him after all of that. Even Sandshrew who has been with him since the very beginning." Jake lectured
Ash widens his eyes in surprise
"Good thing, Jake stopped him. Ash would've made a fool of himself if this continues" Misty said bluntly
"Hey!" yelled Ash
"You see what happens when you try to start a mutiny in my gym?! My Pokémon are all loyal!" AJ assured Ash
"Then where's Sandshrew?" Green asked
Just as she asked that, Sandshrew bursts out of the ground with Meowth in tow. Sandshrew then lands in AJ's arms as Meowth knocks Ash down
"Sandshrew" said AJ in relief as he hugs his Pokémon. His other Pokémon gather around happy that Sandshrew is back
"AJ and all his Pokémon sure are happy that Sandshrew is back" Misty said
"It's a joyful reunion" Green said
Jake then helps Ash up. He looks at AJ and all of his Pokémon
"How could they possibly pick him over me?" asked Ash
"It's like I told you before, Ash. AJ may put his Pokémon through these harsh training methods, but deep down he cares for all of them" said Jake as Ash looked again
"Wow. You were right, Jake. He does care about them" said Ash
Jake and Green smiled that their friend finally understands. Just then, Pikachu and Bulbasaur were dragging Meowth in. They both got their trainers' attention
"What is it you two?" asked Jake until he notices Meowth. "It's Meowth!"
"So then it must've been Team Rocket that kidnapped Sandshrew" Brock said
"Those crooks" said Green with a glare
Ash picks Meowth up by the tail
"Wake up!" he snapped
Meowth woke up. But when he saw Ash holding him by the tail, he scratched him in the face causing Ash to yelled in pain and let go of Meowth. Meowth then lands on the ground.
"Hey! Where am I!? What's going on!?" he asked
Ash and Jake's group along with AJ and his Pokémon surrounded him which startles Meowth
"How am I gonna get outta this mess?" he asked
Jessie and James appear
"Prepare for trouble!"
"Make that double!"
"Team Rocket!" said Ash and Jake in unison
"Not them again!" added Green
"Use the old motto" Meowth said
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"That felt great! We don't need a theme song!" Jessie said in tears
"It's a classic" James said who is also in tears
"So these are the creeps that kidnapped my Sandshrew?!" growled AJ. Jessie wagged her finger
"Mmm. That was an unfortunate mix-up" she said
"We have no interest in your second-rate Sandshrew" James added. What James said made AJ angry.
"Second-rate!?" he yelled
"The only Pokémon we want are Pikachu and Bulbasaur" Jessie said
"You can keep all those other wimps" added James as put salt in the wound. This made AJ even more angry
"Wimps, are they?!" he hissed
"That's it!" yelled Ash
"You guys are through!" said Jake as he and Ash are about to battle them. But AJ stops them
"I'll take care of this. No one insults my Pokémon and gets away with it! Let's step outside" AJ said
AJ and the Team Rocket trio then stepped out into the battlefield. Ash, Jake, and their friends were watching from behind AJ. AJ then takes out his whip and cracks it
"Team Rocket has insulted our gym! We'll answer them with our 100th win!" AJ declared
"You still have 99 wins. Beating those three, will get you your 100th win" Jake said as he recalled AJ's score
"You got that right, kid. As Sandshrew and I vowed" AJ assured
"Good luck!" Ash said with a smile
"Kick their butts, AJ!" Green added
"Your small talk will cost you big time! Ekans go!" yelled Jessie
"Your turn, Koffing!" said James
They both let out their Poison Pokémon.
"Sandshrew, go!" AJ ordered
Sandshrew runs in as Ekans and Koffing charges at it. Sandshrew dodges their attacks and then curls into a ball.
"Ekans, bind it now!" Jessie ordered
Ekans wrapped around Sandshrew, but it slipped out which causes Ekans to tie itself in a knot.
"It's so strong" Ash said
"Good work!" said Misty
"Excellent!" added Brock
"Koffing, Sludge attack!" yelled James
Koffing spewed Sludge at Sandshrew, but it curled into a ball again and spun around causing the sludge to deflect off of it
"Meowth, don't just stand there!" James snapped at Meowth
Meowth leaps in and and begins to play around with Sandshrew who is still in ball form much to his teammates' annoyance.
"Stop pussyfooting around!" snapped Jessie causing Meowth to stop
"Just biting my time" said Meowth. He then bites Sandshrew, but ends up breaking his teeth due to Sandshrew's hard shell. "Ah! The moment of tooth!"
"Oooh, that's gotta hurt!" said Jake with a wince
"Tell me about it" added Green
"Saur" said Bulbasaur
"Finish it! Sandshrew, Fissure strike!" AJ ordered with a crack of his whip
Sandshrew jumps into the air and uncurls itself. Power surges through Sandshrew as it then dives down with it's fist out while spinning. It picked up speed as it does that
"Go Sandshrew! Drill it to the ground until it splits!" yelled AJ
Sandshrew slammed the ground. At first nothing happened, but then the ground begins to crack. Everyone yelled in surprised as this happens. Meowth fell in the crevice doned by the attack. Meowth then climbed back up. Seeing how powerful Sandshrew is, Meowth begins to hightail it.
"That's it! I forfeit the match!" he cried
Jessie, James, Koffing, and Ekans follow him out of the gym
"Come back here!" yelled Jessie
"Meowth, where are you going!?" James demanded
"To write us a theme song!" replied Meowth
"Not that again! Ugh!" said Jessie and James in annoyance
"Good riddance" Jake said
"Bulbasaur bulba" said his Bulbasaur
With Team Rocket's defeat, that makes it the 100th win for AJ and Sandshrew. They both celebrated their victory
"We did it Sandshrew! We finally reached victory number 100!" AJ yelled as the scoreboard on his gym labeled 100
"Today, all our sacrifices and hard work have finally paid off! Now we can start winning our badges!" exclaimed AJ
"Congratulations, AJ" said Jake
"What he said" said Ash
"Saur" said Bulbasaur
"Pikachu!" said Pikachu
"Now the only question is, what are we going to do with that big crack in the field" Green said
AJ and Sandshrew looked at the big crack. They both laughed nervously at how big they made it
It was now time for Ash and Jake's group to part ways with AJ and Sandshrew
"When I return here, I'm going to be... the number one Pokémon Master" declared AJ
"Why don't you come along with us?" asked Ash
"Thanks, but Sandshrew and I have our own path that we must follow" AJ said as he held out his hand
Ash grabs it and they shake
"Someday, we'll meet again at the big Pokémon League Competition" said Ash
"Okay, but next time you better be in shape. Cause I want to beat expert trainers" reminded AJ
"That's a deal" said Ash
"So long" said AJ as he and Sandshrew hit the trail and wave goodbye
"Later" said Jake as he and Ash waved goodbye
"He's tough, but pretty cool" said Misty
"Yeah, looks like you found another rival" Brock said
"AJ, I'm not gonna lose next time! I'll train hard to become the greatest Pokémon Master in the world following my own path!" Ash called out
"The same goes for me too. Someday I'm gonna be a Pokémon Master as well" Jake said
Ash turned and nods his head at his best friend. With that said, the group went down the path to their next destination.
"So, Ash. I hope you learned something from this" Jake said
"I sure did, Jake. If I lose a battle, then I have to accept it and learn from it so I can do better next time in the future. And also the fact that some Pokémon are loyal to their trainers no matter how harsh the training may be." replied Ash
"That's good Ash. But we both still have a long way to go if we want to become Pokémon Masters and we'll do it together" said Jake
"I couldn't agree more, buddy" replied Ash
Misty, Brock, and Green both smiled at the two boys bonding with each other as they continue their travels.
Jake's Pokémon
Bulbasaur: (Tackle, Growl, Leech Seed, Vine Whip)
Vaporeon: (Tackle, Quick Attack, Water Gun)
Pikachu (F): (Thundershock, Thunder Wave, Quick Attack, Slam)
Spearow: (Peck, Growl, Leer, Fury Attack)
Beedrill: (Fury Attack)
Green's Pokémon
Squirtle: (Water Gun, Bubble, Tackle)
Eevee: (Tackle, Quick Attack, Sand Attack)
Clefairy