Hello everyone, this is Mgunnels3, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Thank you to all the new readers for joining us. After this chapter, I have more things to discuss, but let's dive into the story now.
Chapter 30: Bayleef vs. Bayleef Battle of the Siblings
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
The following day of the grass-type tournament, the top 64 trainers gathered to compete. However, Ash was feeling uneasy as he was set to face James and his strong Bayleef. He wondered if James would also use Victribel or solely rely on Bayleef.
Ash and James went out to the battlefield. James pulled out one finger, indicating that he used one Pokemon in this battle. Ash knew that something was up, given that he knew that James had two grass-types on his team until James spoke up.
"But it wouldn't be a fair fight given from what I heard he has two grass-types, so let's make this a two-on-one battle," James suggested to this which. This took Ash aback, as did the ref, and the crowd was surprised by this suggestion.
"What is going on? This is a first, ladies and gentlemen, request from one of the contestants asking for a two-on-one battle. Yes, he won without taking damage in the last battle. And yes, Ash has two Pokemon, but we can't accept this," The announcer said.
"I mean, come on, you wanted this tournament to be one of the best ones today, and I must admit that it wouldn't be fair for it to be one-on-one battles," James, in disguise, said to the ref.
"That is true, but will Ash agree to this suggestion," The announcer said to Ash as the crowd was now wondering what Ash would have in response to this suggestion.
"Ugh, while I admit he has a point there, I can't risk Bulbasaur and Bayleef getting what happened to Jeannette's Victribel," Ash thought. "But, if something does happen, I have one just in case," Ash thought as he looked around to see everyone hoping Ash would do the right thing. Ash shook his head at this, which caught James off guard. "I'm not stuping down to cheating to win like that. You may be right. This would make things more interesting," Ash said before pulling out a Pokeball.
"But, I would rather win fair and square than under dirty tactics like that and not what I signed up for in this type of tournament," Ash said.
"Well said, Mr. Ketchem; I don't know why James wanted to battle like that, but we don't tolerate this type of rule-breaking unless it's a gym battle suggestion," the ref said as James wasn't showing signs of anger at this. "But any more tactics like that or during the battle will result in disqualification? Do I make myself clear to both of you?" the ref warns both Ash and Jams Ash nods as he knows that the ref has to tell both of them to make it fair. Usually, Ash would take offense to this, but that part of him is what James was banking on. James sighed and nodded at this as they let out their Bayleef.
It was apparent who was whose given that one James's Bayleef was male and was taller than Ash. But something was different about him. He was more menacing looking, especially at his little sister. But Ash noticed that his eyes were redder than before as if he was under deep hypnosis by Noctowl. But Ash knew that was the least he had to worry about.
"Bayleef vs. Bayleef, let the best one win and begin the battle," the ref announced. Ash didn't know what moves he knew other than a Vine whip, so Ash had to approach this battle carefully. His Bayleef noticed this and agreed with this.
"Well, if you don't start this battle, we shall do so?" James said as his Bayleef smirked at this. "Use Frustration," James commanded his Pokemon, who charged into Bayleef, hitting her, damaging her, and sending her back.
"That move was much stronger than usual as if the distrust between trainer and Pokemon were a thing, ladies and gentlemen? Given that its Power comes from when a trainer and Pokemon were not trusting each other," the announcer said as James Bayleef walked over to James as Ash Bayleef got up.
"Where do you think you are going, bro? It will take more than that to take down your baby sister?" Ash's Bayleef said to her brother, who was wide-eyed by this.
"Bayleef? You going to be okay?" Ash asked Bayleef, who nodded at this and glared at her brother.
"It will take more than some cheap tactic to take me down. Will you fight me fair and square, or will you cheat with whatever you use to beat me?" Bayleef said to her brother, who growled at this.
"Bayleef, she noticed something was off with her brother, but what?" Ash thought but nodded at this. "Bayleef, use Earthquake," Ash commanded her, who slammed her paws on the ground, shaking James's Bayleef, who stood his ground.
"Use Vine whip Bayleef," James commanded his Pokemon, who grabbed Ash's Bayleef and sent her back to him. "Show her why you are better off using Furry Cutter," James commanded his Pokemon, who was slashing right at Ash's Bayleef, who couldn't get out of her brother's Vine whip attack, which caused lacerations on her as her brother tossed her back to Ash like a ragdoll.
"Your just as weak as I left you, sister, to think you would put up a fight," her brother said to Bayleef, who was injured but managed to stand up.
"Ash calls the match now. This isn't worth her safety," Misty said to Ash, who was ready to throw in the towel or wished that he had offered James's suggestion for a two-on-one but was interrupted by his Bayleef.
"No, if you do that, this will continue. Ash, please, he's cheating. I can see it. I won't let this team down," Ash's Bayleef said to Ash. Who was shocked? as her brother was humphing, only for something to sparkle on the part of the leaf on his head that caught his attention.
"That's it, he isn't using his true strength but cheating," Ash said but knew it would be hard to prove."If you don't want to quit Bayleef, I won't either. I will take full responsibility if something does happen. But I won't let this battle end like this. You hear me?" Ash said to Bayleef and James, who was taken aback by hearing this and stared at Ash.
"You are willing to put your trainer's license on the line, huh, twerp? Suit yourself," Bayleef's brother said to Ash.
"I'm willing to win this for everyone here, so let's get this going. Use Ancient Power Bayleef," Ash commanded his Pokemon, who launched the attack at her brother.
"Use Razor leaf," James commanded his Bayleef. He launched the attack right at the rocks, only to do little to it as if whatever he was using wasn't meant to last this long in battle as Ancient Power hit him. "What the how did that happen?" James said to himself as Ash noticed this and knew that this was what Bayleef was after.
Ash's Bayleef was willing to harm herself to cause issues for whatever was used on her brother. Ash was about to command Bayleef for another attack when he noticed the buds around her neck started to glow and gather energy.
"Bayleef," Ash thought and had the face of determination and wanted to use that move when the time was right. "Use Vine whip," Ash commanded her, who launched vines right at her brother, who was slapped hard by both vines.
"Ash, end this now with my new move," Bayleef said to Ash, who nodded.
"End this Solar Beam, Bayleef," Ash commanded his Bayleef, who fired the built-up energy at her brother.
"Use Razor leaf," James commanded his Pokemon, not realizing he messed up by not using another move as Bayleef was hit right after launching his attack. Hitting Bayleef caused more damage to her but not enough to cause a permanent scar. However, whatever was on his head fell to the ground shattering as everyone saw this just as he was knocked out.
"James's Bayleef is unable to battle victory goes to Ash Ketchem from Pallet town," The ref said as everyone cheered at Ash and booed at James. James recalled his Bayleef as Ash's Bayleef was trying to stop him from doing that, but the damage she took was too much as she passed out. Ash ran over to Bayleef, worried as James took off and Jessie and Meowth shortly after. Ash returned her and took her to the Pokemon Center.
While Ash was at the Pokemon center, the rest of the tournament continued. "I must admit, Ash, you took a big risk out there," Ash heard Drew's voice, checking the situation on Ash's Bayleef.
"Drew? What are you doing here?" Ash asked him, who sighed at this.
"You haven't changed. You are still reckless even back when we were kids," Drew said to Ash, who looked down at this.
"But," Drew said as Ash looked at him. Drew smiled and held his arm out to calm Ash.
"This time, it was worth the risk but don't do that again. You are lucky they aren't taking your trainer's badge because of it, Ash?" Drew said. "If you hadn't revealed that cheating method during battle, you would've been out of the competition."
"Drew is right, Ash," Nurse Joy said, entering the room after treating Bayleef.
"Nurse Joy, how's Bayleef?" Ash asked her, who looked back at the room she came out of.
"Right now, she's out for a few days. In other words, on the day off tomorrow and the next round, she sustained cuts that aren't normal for a Furry cutter, let alone a Razor leaf. The last one caused trauma that caused her to be in intensive care," Joy said.
"Bayleef didn't want to lose this way. That's what she told me. She was badly injured during that moment," Ash said to Drew and Nurse Joy, who was taken aback by this. Ash explained his understanding of Pokemon because of his Slowbro, so he wasn't acting insane, which they believed.
"I'll tell the officials about this, Ash, but you can't let your Pokemon go through this situation unless forced to. You still have a grass-type for the next round. Until then, you should use that Pokemon and let Bayleef be. You can visit her tomorrow and after your match the day after that," Joy said to Ash before she left.
"Bayleef," Ash said to himself as Drew placed his hand on his shoulder, showing that he understood Ash's feelings about this. Ash knew there was nothing he could do about it but head back to the tournament.
As the tournament battles ended, Erika, Drew, Tyson, and Casey successfully advanced. Meanwhile, Ash was set to compete against a blond-haired young man named Jackson, who wore a blue and white shirt. After the battles, the group went out to enjoy dinner and have some fun. Ash explained to his friends the situation about Bayleef, who was surprised by this, and that it was her idea to stay in the fight, not Ash's.
"She's that stubborn and willing to battle her brother to prove a point to that situation. Man, I hope that won't be the situation with any of us?" Casey said to Ash as the group understood why Ash did what he did.
"Her self-confidence is as stubborn as you are, Ash? Rudy was right about that," Drew said to Ash, who nodded.
"But I'm not going to drag this situation further, and I'm glad to see you again, given that it's been eight years since we have last seen each other," Drew said to Ash, who nodded.
"Eight years, six months. You left before winter vacation, Drew, "Ash corrected Drew, who shrugged at this as he would admit that he's lost track of time during those years. "So you are here to take part in Pokemon contests? Not the league Drew?" Ash asked Drew, who put down his soda and nodded.
"I'll be taking part in the Hoenn League at another time, but yes, I am taking part in them," Drew said as he turned to Ash. "As I told Tyson before, contests, trainer battles, and tournaments are the same to me, and I did begin my journey with a starter as well, not like most Coordinators would. Trust me, Ash, I would love to battle you at the league, but right now, I'm taking a break from gym battles for this," Drew said to Ash Ash nodded at this as Casey spoke up.
"Ash mentioned that you two knew each other in school, right?" Casey said to Drew, and Ash Ash nodded at this as well as Drew.
"I'm originally from Kanto but moved to Hoenn because my family started a new job there. Ash was one of three friends I made back then," Drew said to Ash, who nodded at this, and it was his turn to explain this.
"Yeah, it was me, Drew, Gary, who is also here in Johto, and Silver, who we haven't spoken to since we started our journey as trainers," Ash explained. "We were technically friends because we had the same goals and were into Pokemon battles more than the rest of the class. Of course, Drew and I had as much rivalry as Gary and I or Gary and Silver did back then."
"Speaking of Silver? He's here in Johto. I ran into him lately, but he seemed like he was on a mission of sorts which I couldn't get out of him other than a hi or can't talk," Drew said to Ash, who was unsure what to say about that. "I guess we can move on right now and talk about something else."
"Yeah, like, say, your next opponent Ash? Jackson isn't the type of guy you should take lightly even though he too has a Bayleef," Casey said to Ash, who was now curious about this. Casey noticed that all eyes of her friends were on her as she sighed at this. "I know the guy because he became a trainer before me before I started. We, too, went to trainer's school," Casey said. "He might be an over-enthusiastic airhead. But he knows how to battle even if he is making a show. Don't overestimate him, Ash. As of right now, he has four badges and was in the area to participate in this tournament," Casey warned Ash, who took that to heart as Drew left.
As evening fell, Ash visited the hospital room where Bayleef rested, wrapped in bandages from her injuries. He recollected the advice given to him by Professor Oak.
"As a trainer, it's important to improve your Pokémon's moves and your strength. Don't allow others to intimidate or overpower you, but make sure to handle situations with respect and integrity, Ash.," Ash remembered as he clenched his fists at this.
"I'm doing my best to become stronger, but my efforts seem to fall short. As a result, I'm not sure what else I can do." Ash was on the verge of tears as he considered his options. He was tempted to sacrifice his trainer's license to achieve Bayleef's desired victory, but doing so would mean stooping to the unethical tactics of Team Rocket and Damien.
"I almost became what they are? Letting those get to me like that? Has this happened twice now? First back when I last saw Damien, and now this," Ash said to himself, realizing that he should've gone at this differently. Damien and James forced Ash's hand to the point that two Pokemon suffered because of it.
"I regret acting impulsively, and I have promised myself, Bayleef, and Growlithe that I will no longer rush into things. This promise is also made to Umbreon, as I am committed to treating all others fairly and carefully." Ash thought, now calmed down from all this.
The grass-type tournament's second round is almost over, and Ash has only one Pokemon left for the next match. Can he recover and advance to the next round of the tournament?
Stay tuned.
Done and done. Sorry about how that battle went, everyone. Don't worry. Bayleef be back in the chapter after next. While I didn't introduce Jackson directly, we all know who he is, so there is no need to beat around the bush. Before we go, I want to address something someone offered me in this part, not in a separate update. Someone suggested a collab story cross-over with Pokemon and Digimon. If this does get started, be on the lookout for that, not going into detail.
If someone suggests collaborating on a story idea, please clarify that this is what you want to do. If you are throwing out suggestions, it may be unclear if you are looking for my opinion or offering a new idea. For collaborations, please let me know if you have a specific title in mind, what content you want to include, and what type of collaboration you are proposing (editing, co-writing, etc.). Communication is also essential, so feel free to contact me via email or on platforms like Deviantart and Furraffinity. Let's wrap this up for now - next time, we'll watch Ash take on Jackson in the next round.