Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Before we begin, I wanted to get something out of the way. Some people asked for the Sumo episode to be a Tournament in this story. Sadly that won't be happening. It was an excellent episode, but I couldn't get much out of it. That and I have a lot of Tournaments in this story. Let's get this short Tournament going.

Chapter 50: The Poke Ringers

"Human Speech"

"Pokemon Speech"

We join our heroes as they arrive at the place where the next Tournament is.

There was a short line this time for this Tournament, and Ash, Misty, and Brock were surprised by this, given that the previous Tournament had a lot of trainers.

"Wow, this must've not been as big here in Johto as everywhere else?" Ash said, noticing Casey was in the crowd with a Pidgeotto her Pidgey had evolved.

"Say, Ash? Which of your flying types will you be using in this Tournament?" Brock asked Ash, who looked down.

Flashback to the previous day.

Ash was talking with his four flyers, Charizard, Pidgeot, Murkrow, and Skarmory, who were brought back from the ranch to participate in this Tournament, and explained what the Tournament is all about.

"Sorry, Ash, but I will sit this one out," Pidgeot said to Ash, curious about this, as Skarmory glared at her, annoyed.

"And why is that Ms. Flock's leader? Are you afraid you are too fast to participate in this Tournament?" Skarmory said as Ash sighed at this.

"Skarmory, that is enough, and I was going to ask that?" Ash told Skarmory, who humphed and sighed.

"Sorry, Ash? I normally don't participate in these things, but if you need a backup Pokemon for this, I will participate, but that's as much as I am giving you," Skarmory said.

"Because my father won the Tournament with his former trainer Skarmory," Pidgeot said to Skarmory and Ash, which caught Skarmory's attention though Pidgeot sighed. "I'd admit that what you said is another good excuse, but I feel it would be fair to Murkrow you and Charizard," Pidgeot said, noticing Skarmory seemed more distracted about something that happened during her time away from the group. Skarmory nodded as it seemed fair what she said.

"I'll take part of it if they allow it until then. I agree that Murkrow and Skarmory should participate in this," Charizard said. Murkrow was surprised that everyone was OK with her taking part in this Tournament but was OK with it as this was a big thing for her.

"Speaking of Skarmory, you OK? You seem like you've been in deep thought about something than listening to all this. Did something happen with your flock while you were gone from the team?" Pidgeot said to Skarmory, concerned, given that Skarmory did say she is a member of her Uncle's flock whenever she visits. Skarmory sighed and shook her head.

"I rather not talk about it right now, Pidgeot. But thank you for asking, but to answer your question, things are fine with my Uncle's flock. It's more about me, but I'll leave it at that. We can talk about it during the Tournament or after the first match. Please don't ask me until then," Skarmory said, not acting like her usual prideful self.

End Flashback.

Ash was explaining what had happened during his conversation with his flying types.

"So Murkrow will participate in this if Charizard isn't allowed, huh?" Misty said to Ash, who nodded as they got to the registration desk. Misty and Brock got Togetic and Golbat registered, but as Ash mentioned, Charizard, the registered lady, said the following.

"Sorry, for fairness' sake and fewer brunt wings, Charizard isn't allowed to participate in this," The registration lady explained to Ash.

"OK, then I'll register Murkrow in this, and Skarmory will be her backup Pokemon if something happens to her in the middle of the match," Ash said as the register lady nodded and gave Ash the OK to participate in the Poke Ringers.

Ash and the others arrived at the stadium. Everyone had their flying types there beside them. Ash looked around and saw some usual flying types like Spearow, Fearow, Pidgeotto, and Noctowl. Ash noticed another trainer with a weird-looking flying type that looked like a Dragon-type, whose wings were covered in cotton. Ash scanned it and saw it was a Pokemon known as an Altaria. The young lady who had it was wearing a blue pilot outfit with greyish-purple hair.

"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to the annual Poke Ringers," The announcer said. "This year is a bit smaller than usual, with only 64 trainers participating in this Tournament. Including a gym leader from Hoenn Winnona gracing us," the announcer said as the crowd had their eyes on her in surprise.

"The rules are simple you are allowed to use one Pokemon and a secondary Pokemon if one of your Pokemon is injured and you made it to the next round," the announcer said as everyone listened. "As for what is the goal for winning. Each contestant's Pokemon will fight over the ring to get to the goalpost. Any moves are allowed if it's not a fire type or flamethrower. The winner will not only receive a Sharp beak item but a massive supply of Pokemon food as well," the announcer said.

The first-round matches were revealed Misty was in the middle of the bracket, and Brock was at the end of the bracket. Ash also noticed Daniel was there as well. However, Ash was up against Casey right off the bat in the first round of the Tournament, and Ash and Casey sighed at this, hoping they would face each other later on.

"The first match between Ash and Casey will occur in an hour, so trainers can rest and think up ways to win their matches. You are dismissed," the announcer said as everyone left for the locker rooms. Ash had Murkrow, Pidgeot, and Skarmory out of their balls as Casey tended to her Pidgeotto, enjoying its brushing as Pidgeot noticed and smiled.

"You raised her pretty well, Casey. I can see her being a strong Pidgeot one day," Pidgeot said to Casey as her Pidgeotto smiled at this and nodded.

"Thanks, Pidgeot. Ever since our battle against Ash the day we met, I've ensured that she is well taken care of, and I'm surprised that you aren't taking part in this?" Casey said to Pidgeot, who shook her head.

"I'm just here to watch my young apprentice Murkrow participate in this, as my father won the tournament years ago," Pidgeot said before turning to Murkrow. "Just remember this is your tournament, and your winning for yourself, not for me, so no worries about what happens in the end," Pidgeot said to Murkrow.

Murkrow was about to say something only to see another Pidgeotto glaring at Pidgeot, which Ash and Pidgeot recognized was the Pidgeotto from when Pidgeot re-joined Ash's team. Ash noticed that he belonged to Daniel, who had no idea what was happening between them.

"What is your problem? You look like you have a problem with my mentor," Murkrow said, only for Pidgeot to hold her wing before her Pidgeotto smirked upon hearing this and was also impressed that Pidgeot had grown that much to earn one.

"Ah, an apprentice? Pidgeot, you've done well since we last saw each other? I can't wait to get back at you for taking the flock by getting at your young apprentice," Pidgeotto said, only to be called out by Skarmory.

"And ruin your trainer's license? I think you should rethink that given that you are taking part in this with one, given that there are rules for being a human-trained Pokemon, and using your trainer to get revenge is high up there in those rules not to do. You know that Pidgeotto," Skarmory said to Pidgeotto, who growled at her only to recognize her and shuts up and go to his trainer.

"What a stubborn idiot! He doesn't think I don't recognize him during my time with my Uncle's flock? Don't let him get to you, Murkrow. His beef is with Pidgeot, not you," Skarmory said to Murkrow, who nodded.

"Will our first two contestants come out to the battlefield and their balloons?" The announcer said to Ash and Casey, who returned Murkrow and Pidgeotto to their balls and headed to the location where the balloons were.

The Poke Ringers are underway as things get enjoyable as rivals of different means show themselves. As the Tournament begins.

Stay Tuned.

Done and done, that is it for the first chapter of this. Yeah, I wanted to have Murkrow spotlight in this Tournament, and Skarmory will have her moments, whether it be more on her backstory or taking part in this. Before anyone adds more to this story, the trainers have already been shown and mentioned and are focused on Ash's battles. The first official tournament match is next. See you all next time.