Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to A Promise Kept Ash's Johto Journey. Let's get this chapter going, shall we?
Chapter 55: The Poke Ringers Finals
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
The final day of the Poke Ringers is about, and Ash and Brock are ready to get things going Pidgeot and Skarmory are watching from the sidelines as they are curious about who will win this. No matter who wins, the entire team wins regardless.
"Best of luck to you, Brock, and let's have a fun match," Ash said to Brock, who nodded.
"I'm looking forward to this, Ash, and no matter who wins the prize will be of the supply of food will help our Pokemon during our journey," Brock said to Ash, who nodded.
"Will our two finalists make their way to the skies? Please, start the last match of the Poke Ringers," the announcer said as Ash and Brock shared a handshake before heading to their balloons and taking to the skies.
"Now, for the last match of the Poke Ringers. These two have proven that they are good at raising their flying types and why they made it this far," the announcer said. "Give it up for Ash and Brock." The crowd cheered as Ash and Brock got into place. The balloon with the ring for this last competition match was now in place. "Now let out your Pokemon," the announcer said.
"Murkrow comes on out," Ash sent out his Pokemon.
"Crobat comes on out," Brock sent out his Pokemon. It turns out that Golbat evolved. Ash was surprised by this.
"You're full of surprises, Brock. Murkrow, you ready?" Ash asked Murkrow, who looked at Crobat and smiled, and nodded.
"You bet, Ash. Let's get this last match going, friend," Murkrow said to Crobat, who nodded.
"Yeah, let's, and we're still friends no matter who wins or loses," Crobat said. "Let the last match of the Poke Ringers begin," the announcer said.
"Crobat uses Air Cutter," Brock commanded his Pokemon, who launched its attack at the ring, knocking it off the balloon string. "Now use Wing attack," Brock commanded his Pokemon, who used the speed he is known for to gain the advantage and catch the ring.
"Murkrow, use Faint attack," Ash commanded her, who used the said move and caught up with Crobat quickly. "Now, Shadow Ball," Ash commanded her, who fired the attack at Crobat.
"Counter with Sludge Bomb Crobat," Brock commanded his Pokemon, who fired the ball of Sludge at the Shadow Ball as the two moves caused an explosion.
"Aerial Ace now," Brock and Ash commanded their Pokemon, who clashed right at each other Murkrow was showing that she had gotten better at using the move, but it was a close range than at the long range.
"Now use Psychic Murkrow," Ash commanded her, who managed to hit the ring, grabbed it after using the move, and flew off.
"Steel wing now," Brock commanded his Pokemon, whose wing glowed and charged right at Murkrow and hit her right in the back, losing the ring, and Crobat caught it.
"Murkrow, you alright," Ash asked as Murkrow shook it off, nodded, and went after the other hand, Crobat was already in a massive lead and was heading to the goal at an alarming rate. "Aerial Ace and Faint Attack," Ash commanded her as Murkrow used said moves. As she gained speed with Aerial Ace and used Faint Attack.
However, Murkrow struggled with the Aerial Ace attack as she only had a few days to master it. Murkrow managed to catch up with Crobat somehow, just as Crobat was halfway to the goal. "Use Drill Peck Murkrow," Ash commanded her, who used the attack and wailed on Crobat, who bore the brunt of the attacks.
"Air Cutter now," Brock commanded his Pokemon, who used the attack to launch a flurry of air at Murkrow. Murkrow dodged as quickly as possible, recovering from the Steel Wing attack.
"Aerial Ace now, Murkrow," Ash commanded, who launched the attack at close range.
"Crobat uses Hyper Beam to get that ring to the goal," Brock commanded his Pokemon, who tossed the ring and fired the attack launching it just as Murkrow connected the Aerial Ace at Crobat. However, the Aerial Ace was all for not, as the ring landed right at the goal, and instantly the match was over.
"Goal, winner Crobat and the winner of the Poke Ringers is Brock," the announcer said Murkrow was sad a little as she tried her best Crobat was surprised it worked.
"Hey, don't worry about it, Murkrow. You did great, and don't worry about it. You've made it pretty far and did your best," Ash said to Murkrow, who looked at Ash and smiled as Skarmory and Pidgeot flew over to her and patted her head.
"Ash is right, Murkrow. As I said the other day, losing isn't the end of things, and in the end, even though you didn't win, you did your best, and that is what matters," Pidgeot said to Murkrow. Murkrow smiled.
"Thank you, teacher, and while I didn't make a name for myself, I will get another chance one day," Murkrow said to Pidgeot, who smiled like Skamory.
"I agree with Pidgeot that you did great while I did take part in most of these. You did great on your own, and you'll get Aerial Ace down pat one day, Murkrow; that much I can give you," Skamory said to Murkrow, who smiled and nodded.
"I agree as well. Like you, Crobat was too struggling to master Aerial Ace and got lucky with most of it being close combat with each other, and I know that there is one that will take place in Kanto as well," Brock said Murkrow, whose eyes light up upon hearing this.
The Poke Ringers closing ceremony was happening as Brock was rewarded with the Sharp beak item and a whole year's supply of Pokemon food for the team. Ash got a medal, a trophy for his participation, and another chance at this one day. As the Poke Ringer ends, everyone is headed back home or on their Journey elsewhere.
"Man, these last few Tournaments were fun, and I can't believe we managed to come out like that," Ash said to Misty and Brock as their Pokemon, who was at the Pokemon center, were enjoying their dinner.
"Agreed, it's fitting that this was one that both Brock and I can take part in," Misty said to Ash. Brock nodded in agreement to this.
"Given that all three of us had flying types, this was a fun adventure," Brock said.
"Well, Misty, there is one more Tournament that you and I can take part in before I take on the league, and it's on the way," Ash said to Misty, who was intrigued.
"I think we should take some time from these tournaments, Ash, if it's that close by," Brock interjects, and Ash shakes his head.
"I'm not referring to close by, as Olivine City is only a day away now. I'm referring to the Whirl Islands. From what I know, my Uncle visits there for another reason," Ash told Misty and Brock, who were curious. "It's called the Whirl Cup. A water-type Tournament that will take place four months from now. I've seen it once growing up, and it's made for water-type battles," Ash said to Misty and Brock, who checked it in the guidebook and confirmed Ash's comment.
"According to the guidebook, it's between Olivine and Cianwood City, and Cianwood City is home to a Johto League gym," Brock said to Misty and Ash, who were ready for this.
The next day comes, and Ash, Misty, and Brock take off for Olivine City and the site of the next gym. Ash was ready to face off against Jasmine, given that she promised him a gym battle whenever Ash arrived in the city.
With the Poke Ringers finished, Ash and Misty set their sights on the Whirl Islands and the Whirl Cup; however, it's off to Olivine City first for Ash's following gym badge. What else is in store for our heroes as the Journey continues?
Stay Tuned.
Done and done. Another Tournament is done, with two more to go. Yes, Ash lost this one. As I said before, just because Ash is brilliant doesn't mean he will always win. I know many people would love more in this story, but five is enough for my first story in this trilogy. Yes, Unova has only two big ones, but that is different. We are taking a break from these for the following two chapters. The Fight for the Light episode is next, and sadly we won't be getting a gym battle in that chapter. See you next time.