Chapter 28:The Grass Tournament
Kathy and Nathan were almost off of Route 36 when they were stopped by someone advertising a Grass Pokemon Tournament. Kathy screamed at the top of her lungs with excitement. Nathan jumped back, frightened by Kathy's shrill scream.
"My Chikorita will decimate all!"
Nathan crossed his arms and looked at Kathy.
"I've never even seen you battle alone. I bet I can beat you with my brand new Hoppip."
Nathan turned his back towards her.
"You don't stand a chance without Phillip telling you what to do!" Kathy snapped back.
"Let's make a deal then. When I beat you Kathy… and I will beat you, you will forget all about that stupid bike!"
Kathy put her hands on her hips.
"Absolutely not!"
"If I were you, I'd be scared too!"
"Shut up Nathan! Fine you're on! But if I win, you give me that Sun Stone you have."
Nathan leaned back covering his bag pocket that held the Sun Stone.
"How is that fair? I earned this stone!"
"And when I beat you in this tournament, I will have earned the stone. My bike for your stone Nathan."
"Fine. I'll beat you anyway."
Nathan and Kathy ran to the registration desk and received their entry numbers. Their tournament positions were determined at random. Kathy received number 8, and Nathan received number 4. That meant the only way they would face off against each other would be if they made it to the finals. As they realized this Kathy turned to Nathan.
"Don't get eliminated before I beat you."
Just then two individuals with trench coats, funny hats and sunglasses approached the registration desk. The two individuals were walking a bit funny. They stepped next to Nathan and had funny voices that sounded like they were from a faraway land. Nathan tried to be friendly.
"Hello… where are you guys from?"
The two seemed to stumble over their words when the female voice spoke on their behalf.
"We-cha hail from the lonely-cha region of Unova. It's a beautiful land-cha. We heard of this wonderful-cha tournament of grasses Pokemon that we won't-cha have to worry about fire Pokemon."
Nathan raised his left eyebrow, confused by both their funny accents and their reference to a fire Pokemon. He looked over to Kathy and whispered to her, covering his mouth.
"Where's Unova?"
Kathy shrugged and pulled Nathan away from the odd pair.
"Let's just go. I'll see you in the finals."
Kathy had the first battle of the tournament. She chose to use her Chikorita against her opponent, Sharon, a girl who drew number 1's Paras. Paras started out strong. Paras was jumping around scratching at Chikorita. Chikorita spent much her time on the defense. Dodging the many scratch attacks and avoiding contact. After a couple of Paras' Scratch attacks connected Kathy called out to Chikorita to use a move she hadn't used before.
"Reflect attack Chikorita!"
A psychic field surrounded Chikorita. Suddenly every attack that Paras would unleash ended up injuring it. Kathy could see that Paras was completely winded when she called out for the final attack.
"Give it all that you have Chikorita! Tackle attack!"
Chikorita jumped back. She ran in a circle. Chikorita leapt in the air. Paras was breathing heavily and just a step too slow. Chikorita slammed full force into Paras causing it to faint.
"The winner of our first battle! Kathy and Chikorita!"
"In our next battle of the first round we Brittanio and his Spinarak versus Kevin and his Weedle."
The rest of the competitors and less than 20 onlookers sat in the small stands watching the battle play out. Nathan was sitting next to Kathy. Kathy leaned over to Nathan.
"Doesn't that Spinarak look familiar to you?"
"Don't all Spinarak look the same?"
Kathy was doubtful, but hesitantly agreed and left it alone. During the battle the Spinarak was clearly the stronger of the two Pokemon. In the middle of an attack Weedle froze, as if paralyzed. Brittanio called for a delayed Scary Face, that typically would paralyze an opponent, but the timing seemed off to Kathy. Spinarak finished Weedle off with a Fury Swipes attack. The whole match seemed off to Kathy. She would often ask Nathan, but he was so captivated by the battle that he didn't seem to notice anything. She longed for Phillip, he always noticed little things like that.
"Winner of our second battle! Brittanio and Spinarak!"
"Now we are pleased to present to you the final match of the first round! Ashley and her Ledyba versus Nathan and his Hoppip!"
Nathan readied himself. He hadn't fought with Hoppip yet, but he was studying her moveset and was prepared for this match. Ashley was the first to attack. As soon as the bell rang she called out for her Ledyba to do a Tackle attack. A light wind blew and Hoppip was moved out of the way. As soon Hoppip landed Nathan called for a Tackle attack. His connected. Ashley called for another Tackle attack. Kathy could see that young Ashley hadn't battled much, and didn't know much about strategy.
Hoppip bounced back up from the Tackle attack, proving to be tougher than she looked. Being as light as she was when bounced up she did a double bounce and flew towards Ledyba.
"Stun Spore Hoppip!"
Dust fell from the leaves of Hoppip. Ledyba was resistant to the Stun Spore, but it slowed her down enough.
"Bullet Seed Hoppip!"
Ledyba was pelted with an array of seeds, each one weakening her. Ashley began to fumble. Kathy could see her lack of experience coming to the forefront. She hesitated. Nathan capitalized.
"Tackle attack Hoppip!"
Ashley recalled Ledyba, afraid of getting her hurt. There was a slow clap in the audience, they could tell this was a bit of a novice battle, but Nathan won anyway.
"The winner of the final match of our first round! Nathan and his Hoppip!"
Nathan ran to Kathy to brag about his win.
"You just got lucky, Nathan. That girl hasn't battled much. She was hesitant with every move. You won't last against a real trainer."
The girl was nearby and heard Kathy. She began crying. Kathy heard her and turned around with her face as red as a tomato. She ran over to her and tried to encourage her.
"It's okay Ashley! We're all a little shy and scared in our first few battles!"
She was begging and pleading with her trying to apologize. Nathan crossed his arms and stuck his nose up in the air.
"See Kathy… you are mean! That's what you get!"
Kathy looked over her shoulder and glared at him. She couldn't deny what he was saying though. She was being a bit mean. She began thinking to herself. Ashley didn't deserve that. And why did she say it? Just to make Nathan feel bad? Why?
Kathy got down on one knee and looked Ashley in the eyes.
"I'm really sorry. I was mean and you didn't deserve it. Will you sit with me and I can make it up to you somehow?"
Little Ashley wiped her face and looked into Kathy's eyes. She could tell that she sincere and sorry. Ashley nodded. Kathy put her arm around Ashley's shoulder as they sat next to each other and prepared for the semi-finals.
The first match of the semi-finals was Kathy against a kid named Jay. They missed his match, but his Pokemon was a Sunkern.
As the two squared off Kathy could tell that Sunkern and Chikorita were very close in strength. Chikorita may be a little faster though, Kathy thought to herself. As soon as the bell rang Kathy went into defense mode, not sure how to prepare for Jay and his Sunkern. Sunkern rolled around and immediately fired a Razor Leaf attack. Chikorita's Reflect sent half the Razor Leafs back at Sunkern. Kathy ordered Chikorita to jump where the sun was hottest. She ordered a Synthesis move. Chikorita was strengthening some more. Kathy quickly called for a Magical Leaf attack that knocked Sunkern out.
"The winner and first one advancing to the finals is Kathy and her Chikorita!"
"Our last semi-finals match! Brittanio and his Spinarak versus Nathan and his Hoppip."
Nathan and Brittanio squared off. Before any attack was called out Hoppip seemed confused, and paralyzed by it's confusion. Hoppip took a step towards Spinarak and stumbled in confusion. Spinarak pounced on Hoppip. Just then Kathy called out from the stands.
"What's that over there!?"
The weird looking lady was with a Sableye casting confusion over Brittanio's opponents. The host of the tournament paused the action and disqualified Brittanio. As Officer Jessie arrived to escort Brittanio and his sister out they ran away, leading the Officer Jessie away. There was a small intercession so everyone could regather themselves and buy some snacks. Everyone came together for the Tournament Finals.
"I present to you, the final of this month's Grass Tournament, Nathan and his Hoppip versus Kathy and her Chikorita."
As the two stood opposite each other.
"Are you ready for this Nathan? I've been waiting a long time to show you that I am a better trainer than you."
"You don't have a chance!"
"Hoppip Tackle Attack!"
Chikorita jumped out of the way.
"Again! Tackle Attack!"
"Reflect!"
Hoppip bounced off of Chikorita's psychic shield, hurting itself.
"You still haven't learned anything about strategy Nathan! Drop your Leech Seed right there Chikorita!"
Some seeds fell out of the leaf on Chikorita's head.
"Bullet Seed Hoppip!"
Chikorita was pelted by seeds and weakened.
"Poison Powder over the area Hoppip is at!"
Chikorita jumped, leaving powder in the area it jumped from.
"Fairy Wind Hoppip!"
A wind filled the battle area. It carried Hoppip away from danger, and forced Chikorita into it's own Leech Seed attack. As the leech leaves began grabbing at Chikorita she was steadily getting weakened. Kathy fumbled around for a second, as she closed her eyes and remembered what Phillip said. 'You have to push beyond your limits.'
Kathy yelled out.
"Not today Chikorita don't you dare give up!"
Within seconds Chikorita was empowered by Kathy's belief. She began glowing. Right in front of everyone's eyes Chikorita evolved into Bayleef. Bayleef pushed itself off the gorund breaking the leech leaves. She jumped up in the air.
"Magical Leaf Bayleef!"
The powerful attack knocked Hoppip out. The host screamed out.
"Your new champion! Kathy and Bayleef!"
Nathan approached Kathy and stuck his hand out.
"Good job Kathy."
"Thanks Nathan!"
As they were shaking hands he looked up and smiled at her.
"You know I would have had you if Chikorita didn't evolve."
They laughed. All the contestants were called up to the podium by order. Kathy earned a Bellsprout with her victory. As everyone was standing in a circle with their Pokemon a net descended on all of them. Standing on top of the net was Brittanio, Sabeleye and his sister. Brittanio and his sister revealed themselves to be Brett and Betty! They began their Team Rocket chant as they net raised up with all the captive Pokemon.
They rose up to fifty feet in air and began to sail off. Out of nowhere a large blue Pidgeotto darted through the net. Brett and Betty were jumping around the net trying to prevent the Pokemon from falling out. As they had the net barely secured two Dratini arrived. One was shocking Brett, Betty and Sableye, as the other one fired a Fire Spin attack burning them. All the Pokemon fell out of the net when a Tyrogue ran and did a double handspring towards Brett and Betty. He jumped up and did a Mach Punch. Brett, Sableye and Betty soared into the air.
"TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"
Phillip emerged out of the woods. He recalled Pidegeotto, Charlie and Delta after he told them how great of a job they did. Tyrogue shouted in agreement.
"Tyyy-Rogue!"
Nathan ran to Phillip and gave him a high five.
"Perfect timing!"
Kathy ran and gave Phillip a big hug. Their faces drew very close together. Phillip let Kathy go and stepped back. He cleared his throat.
"Congratulations on your win Kathy!"
Kathy was fixing her hair and blushing.
"Thanks Phillip."
Bellsprout walked up with Ashley.
"Bell-Sprout!"
Kathy laughed.
"Phillip, I'd like to introduce you to my newest Pokemon, Bellsprout, and my new friend-"
"-Ashley!" Phillip interrupted. "How's Ledyba doing?"
Ashley looked to the ground and ran her toe through the dirt and put her arms behind her back.
"We haven't won any battles yet." She said sadly.
Kathy was confused. Her eyes bounced between Phillip and Ashley.
"You two know each other?"
"Yeah, I met her in New Bark Town a few months ago when she got her first Pokemon. I knew right away Ledyba would be a good match for Ashley."
"We're very close, I'm just scared. I don't want to hurt her." Ashley said.
Phillip stood up and thought for a second.
"I'll tell you what. Why don't you hang out with us for a little bit? We can help you learn a few things, and then once you've won your first couple of battles, you can go off on your own again."
"You really mean it Mr. Phillip!?"
Phillip laughed.
"I'm not Mr. Phillip out here. I'm just Phillip. A fellow trainer like you."
Kathy looked over to Ashley and smiled.
"Yeah, it would be fun to have another girl around."
"Oh, great. Another one." Nathan murmured.
Kathy jumped up and punched Nathan knocking him to the ground.
Tyrogue stood next to Phillip and looked up.
"Ty-Ty-Rogue."
"I agree."
"What did he say?" Ashley looked at Phillip and asked.
"He said that was almost as good as his Mach Punch."
Nathan rolled on the ground in pain as the rest of the group laughed together.
Will our crew ever get to Ecruteak Town? What's next on our heroes' journey through Johto?
To be continued…