Hope you guys enjoy this part. It’s full of Pokémon battles! Let the games continue on... Disclaimer: Cassie, TJ, and any other characters used in battle scenes are my property. All others are property of their respective owners, so don’t sue me! ************************************************************************ Narrator: Our last episode brought a few surprises to Ash and the gang. First off, Ash was surprised to see not only Duplica and Ditto, but also Gary! Even more shocking, Cassie reveals herself as the third contestant from Pallet Town. The group begins their preliminary round matches, but tragedy strikes on the Ice Field, as Charizard falls into the water, and is now in the emergency room hanging on for dear life. And two more events unravel without Ash or the others’ knowledge. There’s trouble in Saffron City, as a weird stranger has overthrown Sabrina, the gym leader. And Jessie, James, and Meowth are at the Seafoam Islands, trying to capture the first of the three legendary birds, Articuno. Now, our story continues... ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Episode 10: “The Pokémon League Novice Tournament,” Chapter 2: “A Close Call” Story Writeen by Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ Jessie, James, and Meowth barely avoid an ice blast from Articuno, one of the three legendary birds. Suddenly, Jessie remembers something and pulls out the three Pokéballs that Giovanni had given them for the mission. James: Oh, I forgot about these three! What a great Christmas gift! Meowth: Why wait for Christmas? Let’s open our presents now! They throw the three Pokéballs and out comes Hitmonchan, Gyarados, and Aerodactyl. James: Great! Let’s use them all! Jessie smacks James in the back of the head with a paper fan. Jessie: You fool! Haven’t you noticed that there isn’t a Pokémon Center for miles? If all three are injured, then we’ll never be able to capture all three of the legendary birds. Meowth: Yeah! But the only question is, which one should we use against Articuno? James: How about Gyarados? I can finally be able to train the Pokémon that I messed up with the first time. (Author’s Note: Remember the “Pokémon Shipwreck” episode?) Jessie: (recalling Hitmonchan and Aerodactyl) All right, but be careful! Meowth: And this time, don’t kick it! Jessie: How can he kick it? It’s humongous! James: All right, Gyarados, um... wait, what attacks does Gyarados have? Jessie and Meowth facefault to the ground. They then both get up, Jessie whacks James again with the fan, and Meowth scratches James’ face with his claws. James: (through all the pain) Ouch! Now I remember! Gyarados, dragon rage! Jessie: (scared all of a sudden) Dragon rage? Meowth: Meowth! That’s it! I’m finding a place to hide! Jessie and Meowth take off running, away from the battlefield. James: (shrugging his shoulders) What’s with them? Articuno tries to freeze Gyarados with its Ice Beam attack, and succeeds. Unfortunately, Gyarados is so mad that it breaks through the ice. Articuno keeps firing, but the water dragon continues to fight off the ice. Suddenly, Articuno pulls out its Blizzard attack, and the whole landscape is instantly blanketed with snow and ice. James struggles to keep warm, as Articuno gains the advantage, as Gyarados begins to slow in the ice. James: (holding his arms against his chest to try and keep warm) Gyarados, start charging up your hyper beam and hang in there. Gyarados starts charging, while trying to keep away from Articuno as much as possible. The ice bird becomes really peeved. She performs the Blizzard attack once again, burying Gyarados and James in five feet of snow... well, burying James at least. James digs himself out, as Articuno begins to peck at Gyarados, while dodging the water Pokémon’s attacks. Finally, James notices the glint in Gyarados’ eyes, signifying that... James: The hyper beam is now at full power! Gyarados, hyper beam! Gyarados fires the hyper beam, and it hits Articuno straight in the center of its chest. The beam hits Articuno so hard, that not only does the ice bird fall unconscious to the ground with a loud thump, but a very large black spot lies right where the beam hit. Gyarados roars over its devastating victory. James manages to get warm enough to walk over to Articuno, now down on the ground. James: Well, it looks like Articuno’s down. But what do I use to store it in? James fiddles through his pockets, and pulls out three very huge golden Pokéballs. A note is attached to one of them. James: It’s from Giovanni. Maybe it’s how to use these things. James begins to read the note, Giovanni’s voice is heard in the background dictating it. Giovanni: (voice-over) Jessie, James, and Meowth. I’ve taken the liberty of supplying you with three Master Balls. These are made exclusive from Silph Company, which we stole them from. These Pokéballs are 100% effective. Once thrown at a Pokémon, capture is guaranteed. Use these three to capture the legendary birds. But be warned, the Pokéballs can be used only once, so make sure the birds are very weak. And if you three mess up this time, you’ll be out on the street... if you’re lucky! James gulps at the sound of this. He then throws one of the Master Balls at Articuno, and captures it instantly. James walks up to the Pokéball, picks it up, and begins to dance around. James: Wow! I caught Articuno! I caught Articuno! Now I know how that kid feels when he captures a new Pokémon! Jessie and Meowth, convinced that the battle has ended, return to where James and Gyarados are standing. Jessie pulls out a Pokéball and recalls Gyarados, then joins Meowth, who’s already made it to James’s side, despite the heavy snow. The trio stares at the Master Ball, then at each other, then at the Master Ball again. Then they begin to celebrate. Jessie, James, and Meowth: (dancing and prancing in the snow) We got Articuno! We got Articuno! We got Articuno! Back at the Indigo Plateau Pokémon Center, the two Nurse Joys and a dozen Chansey are running all over the emergency room, trying to revive a dying Charizard. Indigo Joy: Quick, wheel over the electrostatic recharger before it’s too late! Crimson Joy: (monitoring Charizard’s heartbeat) Flat line! Come on! We’ve only got twenty seconds at the most to get this Charizard’s heart beating again! A group of Chanseys wheel the electrostatic recharger to the side of the bed. The Indigo Nurse Joy presses a few buttons on the machine, then inserts two small plugs up Charizard’s nostrils. Seven seconds have already passed. Indigo Joy: Setting number six, everybody clear! She pushes a button, and a yellow aura gathers over Charizard, and disappears just as quickly. Crimson Joy: Still flat! Hurry! Five more seconds have passed. Indigo Joy increases to setting number ten! Crimson Joy: Joy, that’s too high! Indigo Joy: There’s no time to argue! It’s now or never! Setting number ten! Clear! She pushes the button and the same yellow aura appears and disappears around Charizard. After a few seconds, a steady stream of beeps comes from the heartbeat monitor. Crimson Joy: (shocked) I can’t believe it! Charizard is alive! Indigo Joy: That’s why I was born first. I was born with most of the brains! (to the Chanseys) Watch over Charizard while I go check on some of the other Pokémon. She leaves the emergency room, the Crimson City Nurse Joy following her out, still a little puzzled over her sister’s comment. But before she can question her, the main door opens. A young girl, probably in her late teens, enters in a pink and green kimono, with her purple hair being held up by a yellow bow tie. She is also wearing green slippers and white socks on her feet. Two individuals on either side of her are throwing carnation flower petals in front of her. Crimson Joy: Well, if it isn’t my very own daughter, Jeanette Fisher! Jeanette: Hi, mom! How are things in the Pokémon Center? Gosh, you’re sweating! Crimson Joy: I know. The Indigo Joy and I just saved a Charizard’s life. Jeanette: Wow! What happened to it? Jeanette waves off the two petal throwers, who go and stand at the door. Her mother tells the exact details, as described by Ash earlier. Jeanette: Well, as long as the Charizard is okay. Crimson Joy: So, how did you’re first match go? Jeanette: It was too easy! Beedrill defeated all three of my opponent’s Pokémon! Crimson Joy: Well, that’s great! I never thought that my only daughter could be such a great Pokémon trainer! By the way, does Beedrill need to be healed? Jeanette: Actually, I guess Beedrill is a little weak... The two walk off to get Beedrill recharged. The next morning, at 11:30, on the Grass Field, Gary Oak and TJ Smith are about to battle, the second match for each of them. Gary won the coin toss, and selected the red podium, and TJ took the green podium. The podiums raised up from the ground as the crowd, already treated to three great matches earlier that day, were ready for a fourth match. Stadium Announcer: And now, today’s fourth match here at the Grass Field. The red trainer, Gary Oak, with 1 win and 0 losses, faces off with the green trainer, TJ Smith, also with 1 win and 0 losses. Remember, there’s a twenty minute time limit. Let the battle begin! Both of their pictures appear on the scoreboard, with three lights under each of their pictures. Line Judge: Trainers, choose your first Pokémon now! Gary: (kisses a Pokéball and throws it) Nidoking, go! TJ: (throws a Pokéball) Sandshrew, go! The two Pokémon materialize onto the field. A split screen with each of the trainer’s faces appears, as they yell out their initial attacks. Gary: Nidoking, leer! TJ: Sandshrew, slash! Nidoking leers at Sandshrew, but Sandshrew responds with a fistful of claws into Nidoking’s face. Unfortunately, the claws have no effect on Nidoking’s hard rock skin. Gary: Nidoking, horn attack! TJ: Sandshrew, watch out. Nidoking knocks Sandshrew to the ground, but it gets back up. TJ: Sandshrew, show ‘em your poison sting attack! Gary: Nidoking, do your poison sting attack as well! The two poke at each other, trying to inject their poison into the other before they’re stuck. As luck would have it, the two poisons are injected at the same time, and both Pokémon drop to the ground, unconscious. Line Judge: (raising both flags) It’s a double knockout! Nidoking and Sandshrew are both out of the match! The crowd cheers as the combatants recall their Pokémon and throw two new Pokéballs onto the field. Gary: Blastoise, go! TJ: Kangaskhan, go! Gary: Blastoise, skull bash! Blastoise: (ramming into Kangaskhan) Blast-toise! TJ: Kangaskhan, comet punch! Kangaskhan: (connecting with Blastoise’s jaw) Kanga! Gary: (fuming mad) That’s it! Blastoise, hydro pump! TJ: Kangaskhan, watch out! Blastoise: Blastoise blast! The hydro pump hits Kangaskhan with so much force that it gets rammed into TJ’s platform before promptly fainting. Line Judge: (sticking up the red flag) Kangaskhan has fainted! Blastoise wins! The second light disappears under TJ’s picture. The crowd’s nonstop cheering doesn’t seem to stop. Stadium Announcer: And young TJ Smith is down to one Pokémon. Who will he choose to battle Blastoise? TJ: I say fight water with water! (pulling out a Pokéball) Krabby, go! Gary: A Krabby? Pathetic. Let me show you a real Pokémon, kid! Blastoise, return! Go, Kingler! The two Pokémon switch places. Gary’s huge Kingler towers over TJ’s small Krabby. TJ: Krabby, bubble! Gary: Kingler, crab hammer! The little Krabby didn’t stand a chance. One blow from the crab hammer and Krabby was out like a light. Line Judge: (raises the red flag) Krabby is unable to battle! The victory goes to red trainer, Gary Oak! Stadium Announcer: (as the last light goes out under TJ) In a mismatch, Gary wins and remains undefeated for two days. And too bad for TJ, he didn’t know what hit him. But things are still tough for Gary, as he’s scheduled for two matches tomorrow and two more on Thursday! He’s not going to rest after this; it’s back to the practice arena to prepare for tomorrow! Anyway, we’ll take a short break, folks, before resuming our action here at the Grass Field. The platforms lower, and Gary is greeted by his excited group of cheerleaders. TJ walks off the field, and takes his Pokémon to the Pokémon Center to be healed. On to the Rock Field, Cassie is showing an impressive performance, as she leads her match two to zero against Keith Terry. Stadium Announcer: Keith has his third Pokéball in hand! Let’s see what he’s chosen. Keith: Voltorb, go! Voltorb: Vol-torb! Cassie: (sarcastically) Oh, great, an electric type! Gloom, return! Come out, Meowth! Meowth: Me-owth! Stadium Announcer: Keith has chosen a Voltorb, but Cassie makes a surprising move by pulling Gloom out and replacing it with Meowth! Keith: Voltorb, sonic boom! Cassie: Meowth, pay day! Voltorb whips past Meowth, then makes a return trip, only to run into a face full of coins! Keith: Voltorb, light screen, then tackle! Voltorb: Vol vol torb! Cassie: Be careful, Meowth! The light screen temporarily blinds Meowth, which gives Voltorb enough time to hit Meowth. Cassie: Quick, Meowth, use the fury swipes! Keith: Voltorb, self-destruct! A tie is better than a loss! Voltorb begins to glow. Meowth scratches at the ball, but is unable to injure it. Cassie: Meowth, get off of that thing, now! Meowth jumps just in time! Voltorb self-destructs, and Meowth is sent flying a few feet, but is otherwise fine. Line Judge: (observing the ashes left behind) Since Voltorb exploded, it forfeits the match. The winner is red trainer Cassie Banks! Cassie: (jumping up and down) Yes! Two down, five to go! Good work, Meowth! She and Meowth wave to the crowd before leaving for a much deserved rest. Back at the Pokémon Center, Ash has just returned from a match at the Water Field, and although spooked over the previous day’s events, he managed to win. Pikachu is alongside him. The Indigo Joy waits for him at the front desk. Indigo Joy: Back again, huh? Ash: Yeah! I’m here to recharge my Pokémon... and visit Charizard! Indigo Joy: Sure! She hands over Ash’s Pokéballs and Pikachu to a Chansey, then leads Ash to one of the rooms. Ash is unaware of what had happened after he left yesterday. Indigo Joy: Well, here’s Charizard. Charizard lies asleep on a bed, a little browner then usual, but otherwise okay. Ash: Charizard... it doesn’t look too good. Indigo Joy: (points to the flame on Charizard’s tail) We managed to get Charizard’s tale relit, but he was hurt so badly that he won’t be able to battle for at least three to four weeks. Ash: Three to four weeks! But I need Charizard for my battles! Indigo Joy: Trust me. My sister and I just barely saved it last night. It’s still very weak. There’s no way Charizard will be able to battle any sooner than that. I’m sorry. Ash: That’s okay. I was just hoping that Charizard would be right as rain. Indigo Joy: (grabbing the Pokéballs from Chansey) Well, here are your Pokéballs, um, say, I never did catch your name. Ash: It’s Ash. Indigo Joy: Well, Ash, good luck in the tournament... oh, wait a minute! I’d like you to meet someone. Ash: Who? Indigo Joy: Oh, Jeanette, come out here and meet this young man! Out of the back room comes Jeanette, still dressed in the same clothes as before. Indigo Joy: Ash, meet my sister’s daughter and my niece, Jeanette Fisher! Jeanette, say hello to Ash. Jeanette: Pleased to meet you, Ash. Ash: Pleased to meet you too, Jeanette! Are you a trainer too? Jeanette: Of course! I’m competing in the tournament! In fact, I’m on my way to compete in a match now. Do you want to join me? Ash: (blushing) I’d love to, Jeanette, but I promised a friend of mine that I’d watch his match. But thanks for the offer anyway. Jeanette: Well, maybe next time. See ya! Ash: Bye! Jeanette calls for her two petal throwers, and then heads out the front door. Ash blindly stares at her back as she leaves. Pikachu comes from the back, and suddenly realizing the obvious, he shocks Ash! Joy just barely gets out of the way to avoid getting shocked. Ash: Pikachu! I’m glad to see you too, but don’t do that! Pikachu: (sighs) Cha! Ash and Pikachu wave goodbye to the Indigo Joy, and head back to their room. Another night passes, and the village is as busy as ever. Trainers that weren’t in a match at the moment or weren’t practicing where busy cruising the town. But unknown to anyone, a man and his Pokémon were hiding in an alley, waiting for someone to come. The two, in reality, are Butch and Raticate! Butch: Well, Raticate, this is very strange! Raticate: Cate? Butch: Well, I’ve never worked a mission without Cassidy. She’s probably off having fun, beating the pants off one of those sissy trainers in battle, while I’m here trying to track down this girl who the boss says could be the next great Team Rocket member! Butch is holding a picture, but it’s so dark in the alley that only he sees the face in it. Butch: Wait a minute! There she is! That’s gotta be her! The camera switches to a close up of the girl, rising from the ground until we see her face. It’s Duplica, with Ditto on her left shoulder, and a few shopping bags being held in her hands. Raticate: Cate? Rat rati cate cate? Butch: Yes, I know she’s the only who performed at the Opening Ceremonies on Sunday Night. I thought she was only a Ditto trainer. She’s not even competing! I don’t see why the boss needs her! But, if the boss says to recruit her, then it’s my job to recruit her. Butch gets into a disguise of an old man in a trench coat, then gestures for Raticate to get on his right shoulder. He then walks out of the alley, and begins to follow Duplica. ************************************************************************ Duplica continues to walk down the street, not knowing that Butch is following her. He begins to finger around in his trench coat for something round. It’s a Pokéball. Butch: Once she turns that corner ahead, that’s when I’ll get her. Raticate: Rati... Butch: (smacking the rat) Be quiet, or she’ll hear you! Sure enough, when Duplica turns the corner, Butch runs towards Duplica. Raticate jumps and knocks Ditto off Duplica’s shoulder. She quickly turns around, just as Butch pulls off his costume, revealing his Team Rocket uniform. Raticate and Ditto begin to scuffle on the ground. Duplica: Who are you? Butch: I’m Butch, and I’m here to offer a proposition. Duplica: Wait a minute, that red R, you’re from Team Rocket! Butch: You’re pretty smart, for a girl who knows nothing about training a Pokémon! Duplica: What are you talking about? Butch: (points behind Duplica) See for yourself... Duplica turns around, and sure enough, Raticate was beating the stuffing out of Ditto, who was looking more gooey then usual. Duplica: Ditto! She runs towards Ditto, but Butch throws three Pokéballs in front of her to block her path. Out of the Pokéballs comes a Machamp, an Electabuzz, and an Arcanine. Duplica: Hey! What’s the big idea? Butch: Just like I said, I have a proposition for you. And if you don’t listen, both you and your Ditto are going to get it. Duplica: (frightened by the three giant Pokémon) Okay, but it had better be good. Butch: Well, Duplica... Duplica: How did you know my name? Butch: That’s not important. What is important is that Team Rocket is offering you an invitation. An invitation to join our team! Duplica: Join Team Rocket? You have got to be kidding. Butch: I thought that you wouldn’t agree. But I’m a caring man. You’ve got one week to make your decision. Otherwise, I won’t be so lenient. Raticate, Machamp, Electabuzz, Arcanine, return! Raticate runs away from Ditto and climbs back on Butch’s shoulder. The other three Pokémon return to their Pokéballs. Butch then takes off running, leaving Duplica to care for the injured Ditto. Duplica runs to the Pokémon Center to get Ditto healed, then she runs to the Police Station. Duplica: Officer Jenny, Officer Jenny! Jenny: Yes, may I help you, miss? Say, aren’t you the girl who performed with that Ditto? Duplica: Yes, that was me, but that’s not why I’m here. My Ditto and I were jumped by a member of Team Rocket! Jenny: Team Rocket? Here? Not on my shift! I’ll put every available officer on the job right away! We’ll get this Team Rocket fellow and make him talk. What did he do? Duplica: He hurt Ditto, then threatened to hurt us both if I didn’t join Team Rocket in a week. Jenny: Don’t worry. There’ll be officers patrolling the village day and night. You have nothing to worry about. Duplica: I hope so, Officer Jenny. I sure hope so. (Author’s Note: The remainder of this chapter will cover the remainder of the preliminaries over a four-day period. I will focus on three matches in particular.) Thursday, November 5, 1:00 p.m., Water Field, Kendra Whitmore vs. Jeanette Fisher. Stadium Announcer: Our next match features red trainer Kendra Whitmore, 3 wins and 1 loss so far in the tournament, against green trainer Jeanette Fisher, undefeated with 4 wins. The trainers are ready, so let’s get the match started. Kendra: Princess, go! Princess, a Vulpix, materializes on one of the platforms floating on the water. Jeanette: All right, Beedrill, go! Beedrill appears, hovering over the other platform. Kendra: Princess, ember! Jeanette: Beedrill, twin needle! Princess burns Beedrill slightly, but not enough to stop its attack, as Princess is hit several times and is now teetering at the edge of the platform. Kendra: Princess, fight back with your flame thrower! Jeanette: Beedrill, pin missile! Suddenly, Jeanette’s fan section comes alive, cheering louder than anyone else in the stadium. Fan Section: (shouting) Jeanette! Jeanette! Win for your favorite man! No one can represent like she can! Jeanette: (shouting back) I don’t even have a man! Princess’ flame thrower attack knocks the pin missile off course. It hits the side of the platform with enough force to push Princess’ side towards the air. The Vulpix is thrown into the air, and then comes back down straight into the pool. Kendra: Princess! Jeanette: Good work, Beedrill. Princess resurfaces and climbs onto a platform, and then promptly faints. Line Judge: (green flag in the air) Vulpix is unable to battle. Beedrill wins! The first light goes out under Kendra’s picture. Kendra: That’s okay, Princess, you did your best. Return! Now it’s time to fight air with air. Windy, go! A Pidgeot appears above one of the platforms. Jeanette’s Beedrill looks on in curiosity. Kendra: Windy, gust attack, blow that Beedrill away! Jeanette: Beedrill, fury attack! Windy pushes Beedrill away, down towards one of the platforms. Kendra: Windy, wing attack! Windy dives straight at Beedrill and connects, knocking the bee out. Line Judge: (red flag in the air) Beedrill is out of the match. The victory goes to Pidgeot! The crowd cheers, with the exception of Jeanette’s fan section, and the first light goes out under her picture. Stadium Announcer: It’s down to two each currently. What will young Fisher choose next? Jeanette: Let’s go, Scyther! Scyther: Scyther! Kendra: Windy, wing attack on that Scyther! Jeanette: Scyther, fight back with your own wing attack! The two head towards each other at an alarming rate. Scyther has the reach advantage, and manages to hit Windy and avoid an equalizing blow from it. They both land on their feet on the same platform. Jeanette: Quick attack, Scyther! Before Kendra can yell “mirror move,” Scyther knocks Windy into the water. The Pidgeot flies back out, with water on its wings, but otherwise okay. Jeanette: Scyther, swords attack! Stadium Announcer: And Jeanette is sure getting aggressive here in this battle between two flying Pokémon. Fan Section: Jeanette’s the best! She’ll trounce the rest! Yeah! Kendra: Windy, mirror move! Windy does its best to dodge Scyther’s attacks, and it hits Scyther head on, knocking the bug down and out. Line Judge: (red flag in the air) Scyther can no longer battle. Pidgeot is the winner! Jeanette’s fans begin to break out in tears that ring out all over the stadium. Stadium Announcer: Wow! It sounds like a giant Snorlax just broke down and cried its heart out! Jeanette: (palming her third Pokéball) All right, I know you can win. Bellsprout, go! Kendra: Bellsprout? Windy, knock this weed in the water so we can get out of here. Windy dives at Bellsprout, but Kendra has underestimated Jeanette’s Bellsprout. Bellsprout grabs Windy’s beak, and slams the bird down on the platform powerfully, knocking it out. Line Judge: (green flag in the air) Pidgeot has been knocked out. Bellsprout wins! Bellsprout waves its arms, or stems, if you wish, in the air. Without regret, Kendra recalls Windy and calls forth her final Pokémon. Kendra: Shelly, go! A Shellder comes out of the Pokéball. Stadium Announcer: This is unprecedented. Kendra chooses a Shellder to battle Jeanette’s Bellsprout. Kendra: Shelly, tackle that Bellsprout! Jeanette: Bellsprout, vine whip! Shelly misses as Bellsprout jumps in the air and uses its vines to grab the shell. Jeanette: Bellsprout, slam! Bellsprout slams Shelly into the platform, which weakens it, but Shelly is still up. Kendra: Shelly, get out of there! Jeanette: Bellsprout, slam it again! Bellsprout slams Shelly again, and this time, the water Pokémon does not get up. Line Judge: (raising the green flag) Shellder is unable to battle. Green trainer Jeanette Fisher and her Bellsprout win this match. The crowd cheers, as Jeanette’s fan section goes wild! She jumps onto the platforms to hug her Bellsprout for doing an outstanding job. Jeanette was two victories away from automatically qualifying for the next round. Friday, November 6, 6:30 p.m., Rock Field, AJ Kamensky vs. Adam Sand. Stadium Announcer: We’re here for the final match of the day here at the Rock Field. But the story here is red trainer AJ Kamensky, who’s Sandshrew has won four of its previous six matches single-handedly, and finished off victories in the two other matches. AJ could enter the first round as one of the favorites to win it all, but he’ll have to get past green trainer Adam Sand, who currently at 4 wins and 2 losses, must win to have a chance to qualify for the first round. The trainers are set and here we go! AJ: This should be easy. Sandshrew, go! Stadium Announcer: AJ wastes no time in getting out Sandshrew. He looks like he wants this match over quick. Adam: (laughs) You won’t get the best of me. Gastly, go! Sandshrew runs out to the field and Gastly appears from its Pokéball. Adam: Gastly, night shade! AJ: Sandshrew, earthquake! Sandshrew dodges Gastly’s night shade attack, then hits the ghost down quickly. Line Judge: (red flag up) Gastly’s out! Sandshrew is the winner! Stadium Announcer: Incredible! That only took twelve seconds! Adam: (angry) Gastly, return! Psyduck, go! AJ: Sandshrew, fury swipes, but avoid the head! Before Psyduck can do anything, Sandshrew attacks and knocks out the duck. Stadium Announcer: Even quicker! Eight seconds! This could challenge the record for the quickest match in Pokémon League Novice Tournament history! Adam: (enraged) Stop beating my Pokémon so badly! AJ: Well, you shoulda trained ‘em better. Adam: Psyduck, return! Farfetch’d, go! AJ: Sandshrew, fissure! Adam: Farfetch’d, fury attack, and hurry! Sandshrew jumps into the air. So does Farfetch’d. Sandshrew rolls into a ball and knocks Farfetch’d on the way down. Farfetch’d tries to get up from the ground, as Sandshrew connects his fist with the ground. A sudden pause, then the ground splits in two, knocking Farfetch’d out in style. Line Judge: (red flag up in the air) Farfetch’d is unable to battle. Sandshrew and red trainer AJ Kamensky win this match! Stadium Announcer: AJ Kamensky and Sandshrew win in a very quick one-sided battle. He’ll certainly be one of the ones to watch later in the tournament. Saturday, November 7, 10:00 a.m., Ice Field, Julius Brown vs. Ash Ketchum. Stadium Announcer: Welcome to the ice field, where we begin the final day of the preliminary round. And this match is one of the best ones to end the first week of competition on. Julius Brown, on the red podium, and Ash Ketchum, on the green podium, come into this, the final match for them both, undefeated with six wins each! Although they may both get into the first round, one of them will definitely be crying after this one. Cassie, TJ, AJ, and Sandshrew were in the stands, cheering Ash on. Ash and Julius throw their first choice onto the field. Julius: Cloyster, go! Ash: Squirtle, I choose you! Julius: Cloyster, aurora beam! Ash: Squirtle, water gun! Julius: Big mistake, kid! Cloyster’s aurora beam shoots straight through Squirtle’s water gun and freezes the turtle in place. Julius: Now Cloyster, clamp! Ash: Squirtle! Pikachu: Pika pi! Cloyster clamps down on Squirtle’s head, not a pretty sight. The Squritle is waved from left to right, then thrown down like a pillow. Stadium Announcer: Ouch! That’s one move Squirtle won’t be getting up from in a few hours. Line Judge: (raising the red flag) Squirtle is unable to battle. Cloyster wins! AJ: Come on Ash, I know you can beat him! Cassie: Ash, let’s go! Call out Pikachu! It’s unbeatable! Ash: Squirtle, return! Pidgeotto, I choose you! Pidgeotto comes flying out of its Pokéball, eager to battle. Ash: Pidgeotto, whirlwind! Pidgeotto: Pid-ge-ooo! Julius: You must be joking! Cloyster, super sonic! Cloyster admits radio waves that Pidgeotto can’t stand. It falls to the ice, making a huge dent in the ice. Ash: Pidgeotto! Pidgeotto gets up slowly, but not quick enough to avoid the slow-moving Cloyster, which spikes the bird and knocks it out. Ash: No! This can’t be happening! Line Judge: (holding the red flag up) Pidgeotto is unable to battle! Cloyster wins! Ash: Charizard would be just perfect for this situation... but he’s injured! (he begins to cry) Julius: Come on, baby, any other Pokémon you want me to humiliate? Ash: Sure! Pikachu, I choose you! Ash expected Pikachu to be scared after what happened to Squirtle and Pidgeotto. But Ash’s best friend holds its two fingers up in a victory sign, then runs onto the field. Julius: A Pikachu? This should be easy. Ash: Pikachu, thunder wave! Pikachu: Pikachuuuuuuu! Cloyster can’t close his shell fast enough, as he feels the full force of Pikachu’s attack. Cloyster becomes paralyzed. Julius: Cloyster, spike cannon! Ash: Quick, Pikachu, thunder bolt! Pikachu dodges Cloyster’s shots and plants a high charge into Cloyster’s midsection, rendering it unconscious. Line Judge: Cloyster is unable to battle. Pikachu is the winner! The first light goes out under Julius’ picture. Julius wastes no time in calling out another Pokémon. Julius: Magmar, go! Pikachu: (scared) Cha! Ash: Oh no! Pikachu couldn’t beat Magmar the last time it faced one. (“Volcanic Panic,” for those not enlightened about the anime.) Julius: Magmar, fire punch! Ash: Pikachu, agility! Pikachu dodges punch after punch from Magmar, as the fire Pokémon’s feet begin to melt the ice. Ash: Oh no! The ice is melting again! Pikachu, watch out! Julius: Magmar, flame thrower! Magmar’s attack hits home, and Pikachu is down, but not out. Ash: Pikachu! Julius: Magmar, another flame thrower! Magmar fires and Pikachu is burnt badly. Pikachu struggles to get up and after several tries, decides to lay down and rest, in no condition to battle any further. Ash: Pikachu! No! Line Judge: (holds up red flag) Pikachu can no longer battle. This match goes to Julius Brown and his Magmar! Magmar: Mag-mar! Julius: Yeah! Great work, Magmar! Julius celebrates without any concern. Ash walks away from the Ice Field once again with concern for one of his Pokémon. First it was Charizard, and now it was Pikachu. His friends watch Ash leave as the young trainer ponders how to change his strategy for the first round... To be continued... Can Ash recover from this loss and win his match in the first round. And how about AJ, TJ, Cassie, Jeanette, Gary, and Cassidy of Team Rocket? Did they make it in, and how will they fare if they do? Find out in “One Step Closer,” the third chapter of “The Pokémon League Novice Tournament,” coming soon!