Adventures Series, Episode 13 (Version 1.1), “Mighty Misty, the Pokémon Trainer!” The fourth chapter... nothing else to say except to read on... Disclaimer: All the characters in the story aren’t mine, with the exception of a select few. ************************************************************************ Wednesday, November 11, 10:00 a.m., Indigo Stadium. Gary Oak steps into Indigo Stadium. The fans go wild as the second round is about to begin. Gary looks at his opponent, a young girl who looks like she got this far due to luck. He felt confident that he would win the match. More than three-fourths of the stadium was behind him, cheering him on. He prepared to throw his first Pokémon into the match... Exactly twenty-five minutes to the second later, Gary walks out of the stadium, disappointed that he had lost, and to a team that didn’t even seem to be strong. Gary: A Seel, an Eevee, and a Bulbasaur! I can’t believe it! Where did I go wrong? Gary thought about that as he walks away, hoping not to catch a glimpse of his cheerleading squad, who are probably crying their hearts out right now. ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Episode 13 “The Pokémon League Novice Tournament,” Chapter 4, “Mighty Misty, the Pokémon Trainer!” Story Written by Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ About an hour later, AJ and Sandshrew are on their way to the stadium for their second round match. Ash and Pikachu have decided to join them, along with Mrs. Ketchum, Professor Oak, Duplica (with Ditto on her shoulder), and TJ. Cassie was busy completing a task with her “organization,” while Jeanette wanted to spend some time with her mother before her match later that afternoon. AJ: Ready to win, Sandshrew? Sandshrew: Rrrrreeeeewwww! Ash: Don’t worry, AJ. You’re sure to win. AJ: Thanks Ash. Maybe you can pick up a few pointers for your match. Ash: We’ll see AJ, we’ll see. TJ: Duplica, can I talk with you for a second? Duplica: Sure. (to the others) Go ahead guys, we’ll catch up. Prof. Oak: Okay. Don’t be late! Duplica and TJ sit down at a nearby bench. Duplica: So, what’s on your mind, TJ? TJ: I’d like to thank you for getting me through that tough time the other day. Duplica: Oh, you don’t have to thank me. Anybody would have been glad to do the same. TJ: No, they wouldn’t. I was sitting in the park for hours and you were the only person that actually said something to me. Duplica: That’s because I’m a friendly person. I try to help whenever I came. TJ: Duplica, I don’t know how to say this, but this funny feeling’s come over me ever since I saw you at the Opening Ceremonies last week. Duplica: Funny feeling? TJ: Yeah, it’s kinda weird. I sort of... Duplica: (confused) Sort of? Sort of what? TJ: I sort of like you. Duplica: You... like me? TJ: Yeah, but as much more than a friend. Duplica: TJ, just what are you trying to say? She was still obviously blind to TJ’s attraction to her. TJ slowly bowed his head, then raised it slowly as he muttered three words... TJ: I love you. Duplica was stunned. She had never expected TJ to say that. Duplica: (deep in thought) Did he just say what I thought he just said? He’s in love with me? I can’t be in love with him. He’s at least two years younger than I am. I’m more attracted to Ash then I am to TJ. TJ: (waving his hand in front of Duplica’s face) Hello? Earth to Duplica? Ditto: (trying to snap its master out of her trance) Ditto, ditto? Duplica: (still in thought) What should I do? I didn’t know he had feelings for me. (Flashback, to “The Pokémon League Novice Tournament,” Chapter 1) Duplica: Well, I guess I’d better get going. I’d like to see some of the other matches. TJ: Hey, Duplica, right? Would you like to come with me? I heard there’s a good match out on the Grass Field right now. Duplica: Great, let’s go! (End flashback) Duplica: (thinking still) Or maybe he’s just over me because I helped comfort him... (Another flashback, this time “The Pokémon League Novice Tournament,” Chapter 3) Duplica: Say, you want to go with me, Cassie, and Jeanette to the movies tonight? TJ: I’ll think about it, Duplica. (they both get up) Thanks, Duplica. You’re a true friend. TJ hugs Duplica, which catches her by surprise. TJ lets go, then waves goodbye while walking away. TJ: Thanks again, Duplica! Duplica: (still slightly stunned) Okay, then, TJ, see you later. (End flashback) Duplica: (yep, still in thought...) But maybe there is something about TJ... (Back to “The Pokémon League Novice Tournament,” Chapter 3) Ditto: Dit to to dit? Duplica: Oh, come on, Ditto. We’re just friends. It’s not like we’re that close. Ditto: (sighs, then changes back to its original form) Ditto. Duplica: (walking towards the stadium) Besides, if I did get into a relationship with TJ, then Ashy-boy might turn jealous and go after him. You know how crazy Ash sometimes gets. (End flashback) Duplica: (yes... you know she’s still thinking) Jjust go along with it, see how it flows, and then decide later on whether or not it’s worth it. TJ: Duplica? Are you in there or what? Duplica: I’m here, TJ. TJ: So, what’s your reaction? Are you gonna to hug me? Run off crying? Pull out a mallet and whack me with it? I want to know! Duplica: You really want to know, TJ? TJ: Yeah, stop killing me with the suspense. Duplica: All right, here’s your answer. (her conscious speaking) I hope I know what I’m doing. She closes her eyes, puckers her lips, and gives TJ a quick peck on his lips. Duplica: How’s that for an answer? The only way TJ can respond is by grabbing Duplica and giving her a long, wet kiss back. Ditto falls off and onto the ground. Ditto is then grabbed by a pair of hands. Footsteps came from behind the duo. TJ and Duplica finally let go of each other, only to find five figures staring at them. But not any ordinary figures... these five were members of Team Rocket. And two of them were familiar faces. Duplica: Not you again! And that girl that Ash went after at the banquet last Sunday! Cassidy: Sorry to break up this private moment of yours... Butch: ...But it’s time for us to say our motto. Cassidy and Butch: (simultaneously) Prepare for trouble and make it double! Cassidy: To infect the world with devastation! Butch: To blight all people in every nation! Cassidy: To denounce the goodness of truth and love! Butch: To extend our wrath to the stars above! Cassidy: Cassidy! Butch: Butch! Cassidy: (posing on one side) We’re Team Rocket circling Earth all day and night! Butch: (posing on the other) Surrender to us now or you will surely lose the fight! Cassidy: That’s right! Raticate: Cate! The other three Rockets just place themselves in the shot... in order to show that they’re much more inexperienced than the second daring duo of Team Rocket. TJ: Team Rocket! Why don’t you guys just curl up and dye? Cassidy: Don’t start with the hair jokes, kid! I forgot to put gel in my hair this morning. Butch: Anyway, we’ve got your Ditto, Duplica. Now join us or prepare for the most trouble you’ve ever had. Duplica: Ditto! Ditto is in a cage, in the hands of one of the minor rockets. Raticate is watching the cage. TJ: Don’t worry Duplica. My Pokémon will take care of them. Cassidy: I seriously doubt that, young boy. (to Duplica) Duplica Imite, join Team Rocket or we will kill you! Duplica: Kill me? Why would you want to kill me? Butch: Company policy. It’s nothing personal, but if we want to get paid, we have to follow the rules. You’ve got five seconds Duplica, and then the boys here start causing trouble! All Three Rockets: Yeah! Randy: Don’t touch her, Team Rocket, or you’ll have to answer to us! Cassidy: And who are you? Randy: I am Randy Vicardi, lieutenant of the Pokémon Trainers Association! And you five are going down. Butch: You and who’s army? Randy stepped out and into the daylight, followed by Jones, Patti, Cassie, and a fifth unknown member, another guy. They begin to introduce themselves. Jones: Jones McGray, ensign and operations specialist. Patti: Patti Masters, Pokémon strategist. Cassie: Cassie Banks, research specialist. Fifth Member: You may call me Two. That’s all you need to know. Cassidy: You five think that you can stop the great Team Rocket? Butch: Let’s rumble. All ten trainers reach for a Pokéball, when suddenly a strange individual runs up and stands right in the middle of the fray. It happens to be a Pokémon League official. League Official: Break it up, you guys. There are no Pokémon battles allowed here in the village. Cassidy: Fine. We’ll settle this in the stadium field. Cassie: We’ll see who’s the better trainer. Cassidy and Cassie stick their tongues at each other before leaving. Their teammates follow suit and leave. Duplica and TJ are left wondering what just happened... Back at Indigo Stadium, the third battle of the second round is already underway. AJ’s Sandshrew, as usual, is showing how dominant he is. His opponent is sweating profusely, due to the fact that Sandshrew had beaten his first two Pokémon with no sweat. He calls forth his third Pokémon. Trainer: Persian, go! Persian: Perrrr-sian! AJ: No sweat! Sandshrew, the usual routine! Sandshrew digs underground and comes out in front of Persian. Trainer: Persian, use the fury swipes! AJ: Sandshrew, swift! Sandshrew moves fast to avoid Persian’s attacks, then he turns around and tackles the cat to the ground. AJ: Sandshrew, slash attack! Trainer: Persian, pay day! Sandshrew tries to slash at the cat, but Persian knocks him away with a mass of fake coins. Sandshrew falls but gets back up. He then starts to glow. Ash: Look at that! Prof. Oak: Sandshrew is evolving into Sandslash! Pikachu: Pika pi! AJ: Good work, Sandshrew... I mean, Sandslash! Trainer: Persian, hit Sandslash with your, um, slash attack. AJ: Sandslash, poison sting attack! Persian is poisoned, and is getting pretty weak... AJ: All right, Sandslash, you know the drill! Sandslash charges up and performs the fissure attack, but only one strong enough to KO Persian. AJ didn’t want to have been stuck with paying for stadium damages. Stadium Announcer: And AJ Kamensky wins again convincingly. And now that his number one Pokémon has evolved to the next level, he’ll be tough to beat from here on out. Meanwhile, the search for Moltres continues, as Jessie, James, and Meowth have found their target... Jessie: There he is! The trainer that has Moltres. James: This should be easy. Moltres is already in a Pokéball... Meowth: So all we have to do is swipe it and make a run for it! Jessie: This time Team Rocket’s blasting off... James: ...To be the greatest thieves of Pokémon! As if you readers haven’t known, the trainer is John Ramsey, who had defeated TJ the day before and had already won his second round match earlier in the day. John: Another easy victory for me. Just three more wins and I claim the title! Jessie: Prepare for trouble! James: And make it double! John stares in fright at the Rockets, who pose and do their speech, per usual. Jessie: To protect the world from devastation! James: To unite all peoples within our nation! Jessie: To denounce the evils of truth and love! James: To extend our reach to the stars above! Jessie: Jessie! James: James! Jessie: Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light! James: Surrender now or prepare to fight! Meowth: Meowth! That’s right! John: Team Rocket! I’ve heard about you guys... Jessie: So our fame precedes us! James: Let’s cut straight to the point. Hand us your Moltres or else. John: Never! (throws a Pokéball) Cubone, take care of these twerps! Jessie: Only a Cubone? The three villains break out in laughter. James: Now let’s us show you a Pokémon! Meowth: (grabbing a Pokéball) Aerodactyl, you’re on! John: Cubone, bonemerang! Meowth: Aerodactyl, wing attack! The bonemerang hits Aerodactyl, but it succeeds only in making him madder. John: No! Meowth: Aerodactyl, take down that Cubone! Aerodactyl swoops in at nearly fifty miles an hour and sends Cubone flying. Cubone is knocked out. John: Cubone, return! Moltres, defend your honor! Moltres is released to take on Aerodactyl. Only one problem... John: Oh no! Moltres is still weak from the battle this morning! I haven’t had time to go to the Pokémon Center! James: That mistake will be your downfall. Jessie: Let’s wrap it up with Arbok! James: And provide our getaway with Weezing! Meowth: But first things first... Aerodactyl, hyper beam! The three Pokémon make their charge... Aerodactyl’s beam weakens Moltres even more. Meowth throws one of the remaining Master Balls and captures the fire bird. Arbok wraps around John and takes his Moltres Pokéball. Weezing provides a smoke screen. When the smoke finally clears, Team Rocket is already in the sky in their Meowth balloon, flying away. Jessie: So long, sucker! James: Team Rocket triumphs twice in two weeks! Meowth: That’s gotta be a record! Jessie, James, and Meowth: (simultaneously) Looks like Team Rocket’s gliding off again! ************************************************************************ Back at Indigo Stadium, a rivalry of a different kind is about to unfold in the round’s fourth match-up. Under the west side stands the five Team Rocket members from earlier, including Cassidy, who’s wearing a belt with the three Pokéballs that Giovanni had given to her and Butch for the mission. Butch: Whatever you do Cassidy, do not lose this match! Cassidy: Don’t worry, Butch. That little girl can’t be as tough as she looks. Under the east side stands, the five members of the Pokémon Trainers’ Association stood. Cassie was in front, her six Pokéballs on her own belt. Patti, her commanding officer and best friend, besides Arius, stood next to her, with the other three members slightly behind them. Patti: Ready, Cassie? Cassie: I’m ready, Patti. That Team Rocket girl doesn’t stand a chance against my team. The crowd was getting anxious for the match to start. As usual, Ash, Pikachu, AJ, Sandslash, Duplica, Ditto, TJ, Professor Oak, Mrs. Ketchum, Jeanette, and Nurse Joy were in the stands. Stadium Announcer: So far today we’ve had three pushover fights here in the second round, but the fourth promises to be quite a catfight! First up is the red trainer, Cassidy Patterson! Cassidy comes out in her Team Rocket uniform, which initiate a series of boos from the crowd. Butch and the others take a seat on the coaches’ bench. Stadium Announcer: It looks like the crowd doesn’t agree with Cassidy coming out in her true colors. At the other end is the green trainer, Cassie Banks! Cassie steps out in her usual attire, with her friends taking their place on the sidelines. Mrs. Ketchum: Oh dear, I hope those Team Rockets don’t try anything funny. Ash: Don’t worry, mom. If they want Cassidy to win, they won’t interfere with the match. AJ: Right. The last thing they want to do is have her disqualified. Duplica: (in thought) I can’t believe that this battle is over which organization I should join. But I don’t want to join either organization. Team Rocket is so evil, and the Pokémon Trainers’ Association... even though Cassie, my best friend is in it, there’s something about them that keeps me from supporting them. TJ: I hope those creeps pay for jumping us earlier! Joy: Did we miss something? Jeanette: Yeah, clue us in, guys. TJ and Duplica try to explain what happened earlier, as the match begins. Cassidy: Machamp, go! Cassie: Come out Eevee! The two materialize in front of their trainers. Cassidy: An Eevee? You’ve got to be joking? Machamp, karate chop! Cassie: Well, my Eevee’s not an ordinary Eevee. Tail whip, Eevee! Machamp’s karate chop knocks Eevee down to the ground. Cassidy: You’re right. It’s not an ordinary Eevee. It’s worse! Machamp, seismic toss! Cassie: Eevee, look out! Machamp slams Eevee into the ground, taking him out in the process. Line Judge: (raising Cassidy’s red flag) Eevee is out of the match! Machamp is the winner! Cassidy: (shouting) Team Rocket circling Earth all day and night! Butch and the others: (simultaneously) Surrender to us now or you will surely lose the fight! Their motto is met with more booing from the crowd. Ash: Come on, Cassie! TJ: Hang in there! Duplica: Beat them for me, Cassie! Cassie: Return, Eevee! Abra, come out! The unconscious Eevee is replaced by the similarly shrimpy Abra. Cassidy: First an Eevee, now an Abra? Who do you think you’re dealing with? Cassie: A Pokémon expert, that’s who. Abra, ready? Cassidy: Machamp, use submission! Cassie: Abra, teleport now! Machamp misses as Abra teleports to another part of the field. Cassidy: Machamp, get that Abra! Cassie: Abra, keep teleporting! Machamp charges at the small Pokémon, but every time he gets close, Abra teleports away. After about a minute of this... Cassie: All right, now that Abra’s warmed up, we’re ready to fight! Cassidy: So, you’ve finally decided to stop playing around. Cassie: Yeah, we’ve decided to focus on winning the match! She begins to concentrate, as she prepares to control Abra, who has just evolved into Kadabra! Kadabra: Kadabra! Patti: A Kadabra! It’s about time one of your Pokémon evolved, Cassie. Cassie looked slightly embarrassed from the comment, but then she focused her mind back on the match. Cassie: Kadabra, confusion! Cassidy: Abra Kadabra, what’s the difference? Destroy it, Machamp! Kadabra is confused. It doesn’t listen to Cassidy’s commands. Cassidy: Come on, you stupid Pokémon, attack! Stadium Announcer: And it looks like Machamp is confused, leaving it helpless on the battle field. Cassie: Kadabra, psybeam! The psybeam attack defeats Machamp. The crowd cheers as the match evens up at two Pokémon left for each trainer. Cassidy: Return, Machamp! You got lucky! Cassie: No, I just know my Pokémon well. Cassidy: Well, let’s see how you stand up this time! Electabuzz, go! Ash: Oh no, an Electabuzz! Prof. Oak: Cassie’s in big trouble now. Cassie: (thinking) An Electabuzz! I knew I should’ve brought Pikachu or Jolteon. Oh, well. Cassidy: Electabuzz, thunder punch! Cassie: Kadabra, use psybeam again! The psybeam hits Electabuzz head on, but it’s not enough to stop the electric Pokémon from delivering his thunder punch, as it connects. Both Pokémon are down, but not out just yet. They get up, ready to fight again. Cassidy: Electabuzz, thunder shock! Cassie: Kadabra, teleport! Kadabra begins to play the dodge game once again, avoiding Electabuzz’s attacks. Cassidy: I’m fed up with the teleporting already! Electabuzz, light screen! The light screen stops Kadabra’s game, as he falls to the ground. Cassidy: Now Electabuzz, thunder punch it! The thunder punch drills Kadabra out of the match. Cassie kneels over, her head hurt, since she’s not used to commanding a psychic Pokémon. Patti runs over to comfort her. Patti: Cassie, are you all right? Cassie: Yeah, just a little dazed after that hit Kadabra took. I never knew controlling one would be so hard on the mind. Line Judge: Kadabra has been defeated. (raises Cassidy’s flag) Electabuzz wins! Stadium Announcer: With only one Pokémon left, who will young Cassie Banks choose to win? Or will the match go to young Cassidy Patterson of Team Rocket? The crowd boos once again, angry that Cassidy had the upper hand and was winning fairly, which made everyone suspicious. Ash and the others only watched in silence, hoping Cassie could come back and win. Cassie: Return, Kadabra. Come out, Bulbasaur! Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! Cassie: (kneeling down) Okay Bulbasaur, this is very important. Promise me you’ll do your best to win the match for me! Bulbasaur: (nodding) Bulba bulba, saur! Cassie: Thanks, Bulbasaur! Stadium Announcer: And Cassie chooses her prize Pokémon, Bulbasaur! Does Bulbasaur have what it takes to win? Line Judge: (raising both flags) Begin! Cassidy: Electabuzz, quick attack! Cassie: Bulbasaur, razor leaf! Electabuzz gets a few hits in before feeling the full force of Bulbasaur’s attacks. Both Pokémon jump back, awaiting their next command from their trainers. Cassidy: Electabuzz, thunder shock! Cassie: Oh no you don’t! Bulbasaur, sleep powder! Bulbasaur puts Electabuzz to sleep before he gets a chance to direct the thunder shock attack, and is shocked in the process. Cassie: Now Bulbasaur, leech seed! Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! The leech seed fires from the flower bud on Bulbasaur’s back and plants itself on Electabuzz, draining him until he can no longer fight. Line Judge: (lifts the green flag) Electabuzz has lost. Bulbasaur is the victor! Stadium Announcer: And with that, the match has been evened up once again! Cassidy: Return, Electabuzz! Arcanine, go! Arcanine comes out and he looks ready for a fight. Cassidy: Arcanine, ember! Cassie: Bulbasaur, vine whip! Arcanine uses ember, but misses as Bulbasaur leaps to the side and takes a few hit points off of Arcanine with his vine whip. Cassie: Good work, Bulbasaur! Now use poison powder! Cassidy: Arcanine, take down! Cassie’s Bulbasaur is extremely fast, as he dodges Arcanine and then uses the powder to weaken the fire tiger. Cassie: Quick, Bulbasaur, tackle attack! Bulbasaur tackles the weakened Arcanine, who tries to get up and fight back. Cassie: Bulbasaur, charge up for the solar beam! Bulbasaur: Bulba bulba bulba bulba... Cassidy: Arcanine, bite its head off! Ash: She can’t be serious! Look out Bulbasaur! Cassie: Bulbasaur, fire the solar beam! The beam fires and knocks Arcanine out. Cassie has won the match! The crowd is on their feet and cheering. Cassidy starts charging towards Cassie to hit her, but is stopped midway by a three-pack of Arcanine, Officer Jennys included. In fact, a giant police force of Officer Jennys has surrounded the five Rockets and are in the process of handcuffing them. Jenny: Team Rocket, you’re under arrest for attempted assault, attempted kidnapping, attempted homicide, and as well as assault and stealing a Pokémon! Cassidy: What? Butch: We’re not responsible for the last two! Cassidy: Shut up! The five Rockets are carried away by the giant Officer Jenny force, faintly yelling their “exit, stage left” catch phrase... All Five Rockets: (in sync) Looks like Team Rocket’s heading off for jail again! The group celebrates, as Patti treats the whole group (both members of the Pokémon Trainers’ Association as well as Ash and the others) to a well deserved lunch. A few hours later, Patti and the team left for some rest, while Cassie joins our heroes for the remaining matches. Jeanette fights valiantly in her second round match, and as usual, falls behind early in the match. And although Jeanette’s Bellsprout mounts another comeback, she can’t stand up against her opponent’s toughest Pokémon, Cloyster. Jeanette took the match as a learning experience, though, and doesn’t break down and cry afterwards. She congratulates her opponent and then walks off, knowing she had fought her best. It was nearly four o’clock and only one match remained in the second round... Ash Ketchum stood under the west stands, waiting for the signal to step onto the field. Pikachu and Squirtle, whom Ash had taken out temporarily, are discussing their strategy for the match. Ash watched them, then began to think about the match. Ash: This is going to be my toughest match yet. But I know I can win. Ash, for no reason at all, reached into his pocket and felt an envelope inside. He pulled it out. It looked very familiar... (Flashback (last one for this episode), to “The Pokémon League Challenge”) Professor Oak hands Ash an envelope that’s stapled shut. Ash: What’s this? Prof. Oak: It’s a letter from Misty. She told me to give it to you. Ash: All right, I’m gonna open it now! Prof. Oak: Wait, Ash! Misty said not to open it until you’ve won a battle in the Pokémon League Novice Tournament. Ash: But that’s still two months away... Prof. Oak: She said that if you and her are still friends, then you’ll honor her request. (End flashback) Ash rips open the envelope, which grabs the attention of Pikachu, who climbs onto Ash’s shoulder. The letter reads as follows, through Misty’s voice... Ash, I’m sure you wouldn’t have opened this letter until you had won at least one match in the Pokémon League Novice Tournament. If you had enough will power to do this, then I commend you. I’m probably still on my badge journey, so I’m sorry if I can’t get up to the Indigo Plateau in time to watch you compete. Now comes the hard part. Ash, the first time I met you, I thought you were an ignorant Pokémon trainer who didn’t know what he was doing. Now, you’re an ignorant Pokémon trainer who still doesn’t know what he’s doing, but also you’re a lot nicer. Yes, I’m still following you because I want you to pay me back for a new bike. But I’m also following you because I’m in love with you. The way you treat Pikachu and the others really touched me. I’ve never seen a trainer who does what you do. Sure, you’re methods may sometimes be orthodox, but that’s why I like you. More than just like you as a friend, but as someone even closer. Good luck, Ash. Hopefully, our paths will cross in the Pokémon League someday... Ash: Misty... she really likes me? Ash opens his Pokédex, since the blue light on it was blinking insanely for some reason. Ash: What’s with this thing? Wait a minute, that’s the Poké-Com device! He answers it and who should happen to be on the other end than Misty. Misty: Ash! Ash: Misty? Since when did you get a Poké-Com device? Misty: Long story. How are you doing? Pikachu: (coming into the screen) Pika! Misty: Pikachu! Nice to see you, too! Ash: Me and Pikachu are about to enter the stadium for our second round match. Misty: Really? Ash: I’ve had some trouble, but I’m still here! Misty: Yeah, I heard about your match yesterday. Good job! Ash: Thanks! Where are you? Misty: I’ve just left Saffron City. I’ve got four badges now! Ash: Four? Wow, you’ll be competing for the Pokémon League in no time! Misty: Well, I don’t need any more badges, but I’m going to Celadon City to help Erika out. She’s been having some trouble lately. The line judge walks up to Ash and motions him that it’s time for the match. Ash: Misty, I’ve gotta go. It’s time for my match! Misty: Good luck, Ash, Pikachu! I know you two will win! Ash: And I hope we’ll see you in person again one day, Misty! I love you! Misty: I love you too, Ash! Ash closes his Pokédex, sighs, puts it back in his pocket, recalls Squirtle, then heads out to the field. Stadium Announcer: Seven spots have been filled for the quarterfinal round. Only one remains, and one of these two trainers will get that spot. The first competitor is the red trainer, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town! Mrs. Ketchum: Come on, Ash! Win the match for your mother! Prof. Oak: Come on, Ash! Make Pallet Town proud! Stadium Announcer: His opponent, the green trainer, Ricky Langley, the only competitor here from Valencia Island! Ricky steps out, dressed quite like an islander. Ash and Ricky pull out their first Pokémon and throw them onto the field. Ash: Squirtle, I choose you! Ricky: I thought so. Blastoise, go! Line Judge: Let the battle begin! Ash: Squirtle, water gun! Ricky: Blastoise, show Squirtle a real water gun! Blastoise washes Squirtle away, but the match isn’t over yet. Ash: Squirtle, withdraw! Squirtle hides in its shell. Ricky sees it as an advantage. Ricky: Blastoise, tackle! Blastoise tackles the shell, knocks it into Ash, who falls down in pain. He gets up with a turtle shell mark over his face. Squirtle’s head and feet pop out of the shell, as Squirtle has been knocked out. Stadium Announcer: Ricky shows his power early by using a Blastoise to take out Squirtle. Ash: Squirtle, return! Bulbasaur, I choose you! Bulbasaur: Bulbasaur! Ricky: Figures. Blastoise, return! Go, Venusaur! Ash: We won’t let that scare us! Bulbasaur, vine whip! Ricky: Venusaur, leech seed! Venusaur launches the seed and plants it on Bulbasaur, entrapping it. Bulbasaur is helpless to escape. Ash: Bulbasaur! Pikachu: Pika pika! Ricky: Venusaur, razor leaf! The razor leaf attack takes Bulbasaur out of the match. The second light goes out under Ash’s picture. Mrs. Ketchum: Hang in there, son! Prof. Oak: Ash, I know you can do it! Duplica: Ashy-boy, come on! Send Pikachu in! TJ: Pikachu’s gonna win it all! AJ: Come on, Ash, have faith in Pikachu! Jeanette and Joy: (together) Let’s go Ash! Let’s go Pikachu! Cassie: Show him what it means to be a Pokémon master! Ash took in all the comments and listened to his friends. He recalled Bulbasaur and sent Pikachu out to fight. Ash: All right Pikachu, thunder shock! Pikachu: Pika pi, pikachu! Pikachu was determined to win, so he uses up a lot of power to take Venusaur down... and in one blow, amazingly! Ricky: Venusaur, return! Well Ash, I knew you’d call out Pikachu sooner or later. Ash: How did you know... Ricky: I always do some research on my opponents before battling them. So I know of one Pokémon that Pikachu can’t beat. Ricky throws out his third Pokéball and out comes... Magmar: Mag mar! Ash: A Magmar? Pikachu: Pika? Cha? Narrator: Oh no! It’s a Magmar! Pikachu has already fallen to a Magmar once in his journey, but can he rise above it and defeat this Magmar? Hang on, the best is yet to come... To be continued... Author’s Note: <1> Ash and TJ are about the same age in years; TJ‘s roughly three and a half months older than Ash. Copyright Date: 11/29/99, Revised: 7/30/01 Revisions from the Original Release Include: - Dialogue and grammar revisions aplenty in this installment once again. In the next episode... Ash and Pikachu must attempt to pull the upset over Ricky and his Magmar! Will they do it? Or will they be forced to wait on the sidelines to see if they earned an at-large bid to the Pokémon League? Plus, Duplica announces her decision in Episode 14, “Seventy-two Hours.” The tournament comes to an end, next time!