I’d like to apologize for the lateness of the fanfic. If you’ve seen the message on my webpage, you know what I mean. For more details on the release schedule of the remaining chapters of this mini-series, also check the website. The address is below. On to the quarterfinals and Chapter 6... which includes a rematch from Chapter 3! Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters, Kids’ WB does and will unless some other network can somehow buy the rights and show the series the right way (hoping for Cartoon Network here!). Back Episode Reminder: http://users5.50megs.com/freefighter/p02.html - If you haven’t read Episodes 1 - 38 yet, I suggest you do so before moving on. Coming Soon: - “Adventures Series: Parting Ways” - Episodes 1 - 8 in one package, all revised since their first release in October and November of 1999. This is the quickest way to catch up on older episodes. Stay tuned for details on how to request your own copy! - “Adventures Series: The Lost Chronicles” - Book 1, “Love Affair in Pallet Town.” On October 14th, get the whole scoop on Giselle as she stays with Ash while she trains for this very tournament... and nearly falls in love with him! Three different versions will be made available, stay tuned for more details. *** Thursday, August 25th, Indigo Plateau Pokémon Center - Southern Branch

It’s the morning of the quarterfinal round of the Pokémon League Novice Tournament. Ash happened to be up rather early this morning, trying to find Jeanette Fisher. He wanted an explanation after she suddenly dropped in on their conversation early in the week. He wanted to know how she knew Duplica. He wanted to know how she knew him. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now. Ash and Pikachu had searched all over town, checking out all of the Pokémon Centers after finding out from one of the Joys that Jeanette worked at one. Only one, the Center at the southern end of town, was left to check. At the Pokémon Center in question, things aren’t very busy since most of the trainers are already out of the tournament. It is empty except for a very particular purple haired nurse behind the desk. That changes suddenly as Ash comes in, with Pikachu following behind him. Jeanette, alone behind the front desk, spots him coming. Jeanette: (smiling) Hi Ash! What can I do for you today? Ash: (with anger) I think you owe me an explanation! Pikachu: Pika pika! Jeanette: What are you talking about? Ash: Don’t give me that! You know exactly what I’m talking about! Jeanette: (sighs) I guess now’s a better time than ever. Follow me to my room and I’ll explain everything in full. She quickly pulls out a sign stating “will be back in 15 minutes,” puts it on the desk, and then ushers Ash and Pikachu down the hall and to her bedroom. ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Episode 39: “Misty’s Going for Gold,” Chapter Six: “A Farfetch’d Pokémon Battle” Story Written by Freedom Fighter, Pre-read by Matt Lenz ************************************************************************ Jeanette opens the door to her bedroom, only to look inside and remember that it looks like a cross between a car wreck and the aftermath of an earthquake. Jeanette: (to herself) Oops! (turns to Ash smiling like a school girl) Could you wait outside for a second while I clean my room? Ash: (shrugging his shoulders) Sure, I guess. Jeanette quickly goes inside, closing the door while simultaneously blocking it so that Ash can’t see inside. Ash stands outside and listens as an assortment of noises begin to fill the air. Ash hears a vacuum cleaner, what may have been a closet being stuffed and closed, a broom sweeping up the floor, and other things he couldn’t guess at. Ash and Pikachu look at each other, a little bit confused. Ash: Gee, how messy can her room be? Pikachu: (shrugs his shoulders) Pikachu. Pika pikachu. The noises from inside quickly come to an abrupt end, and Jeanette opens the door, sweating and panting heavily. Jeanette: Okay, you can come in now. Ash slowly walks past Jeanette and into her room. Ash gasps in awe as he sees the room completely spotless. The bed is completely made, the books are stacked neatly in their bookshelf, and all of her dirty laundry is piled up neatly in a basket at one end of the room next to six empty suitcases. On the dresser were a few pictures of Jeanette, some from her childhood, and some that were taken recently. A fifteen inch television also sits on the dresser, with the remote control on top. Otherwise, the room looked pretty empty. Ash: It looks like you haven’t lived here long. Jeanette: Actually I’m just staying to help my mom until the tournament is over. Ash: You mean you brought all of this stuff from home? Jeanette: Oh, you’re only looking at part of it. I’ve got a whole lot of other stuff too, but their my own private things. Ash: Oh... wait a minute! Your mom... but wouldn’t that make her- Jeanette: (finishing Ash’s sentence) The Nurse Joy here. Ash: (in a low voice) Woah. Pikachu jumps up on to the dresser, and spots a picture of Jeanette and Ash looking at each other. He grabs the picture, and runs over to Ash, who is now sitting on Jeanette’s twin sized bed. Ash takes the picture from his friend, and examines it while Jeanette closes the door and takes a seat next to him. Ash: How come I don’t remember this picture? Jeanette: (glancing at the picture over Ash’s shoulder) This was taken at the Novice Tournament last November. You do remember, don’t you? Ash: Not really. Jeanette: It probably doesn’t matter. You’ve never seen this picture before, anyway. My mom spotted us while we were conversing in the Pokémon Center, and took a picture of us. I didn’t even know she took it until I got back from my match that day. She came up with the idea that we made a great couple. Pikachu begins to remember the meeting in question... (Flashback # 1 <1>) 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. (End flashback) Pikachu’s memories of the tournament slowly begin to come back to him after he remembered the first meeting between Ash and Jeanette. Now recognizing Jeanette, he jumps over and gives her a hug. Pikachu: Pika! Pika pika, pikachu! Jeanette: Wow, that was fast! Nice to have you back, Pikachu! Ash: Pikachu? Jeanette: See Ash? Pikachu remembers. Why don’t you? Ash continues to shake his head in puzzlement. He still can’t figure out why Pikachu remembers her. Jeanette suddenly gets an idea. Jeanette: I know! This’ll help. She unties her purple hair from its special ring design that all Nurse Joy are required to use for their Pokémon Center duties. Her hair falls to waist length. Jeanette then accents her hair by pulling out a yellow bow and clipping it to her hair. Jeanette: How about now? Ash examines Jeanette closely. It slowly comes back to him as he looks at Jeanette’s smiling face. (Flashback # 2 <2>) 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. (End flashback) It finally comes to Ash. He finally remembers everything from the tournament. His loss to Ricky Langley in the second round. The war between Team Rocket and the Pokémon Trainers’ Association. The picture that originally robbed him and the others of their memories. The battle that nearly cost Charizard his life. All of it was coming back to him. Ash: I... I... I can remember everything now! Jeanette: You can? Ash: Yeah! Now I know how I got into the Pokémon League! (looks at Jeanette, and begins to blush) Do you know that you look cute in a nurse’s uniform? Pikachu shocks Ash, stopping him from flirting with Jeanette. Pikachu: Pikachu! Pika pika pika pika pika! Jeanette: (blushing a little herself) I’m flattered, but hopefully you still remember that you got a girlfriend already! Ash: You mean Misty? Jeanette: Yes, unless you’ve forgotten her too. I know Pikachu here hasn’t. Pikachu: (charging up to shock Ash again) Pika! Ash: Misty isn’t my girlfriend. Just ask her. Pikachu gives Ash a strong warning shock. Ash: Okay, I get the idea! Jeanette: (relaxing a little bit) Good. Ash: One thing still bothers me, though. Why did Cassie’s friend erase our memories, anyway? Jeanette: Isn’t it obvious? Cassie and Patti were members of the Pokémon Trainers’ Association, and they didn’t want to risk anyone finding out more about them. Ash: That must be some organization if they wanted to keep it a secret so badly. Jeanette: (looking at her watch) Oh my! It’s been fifteen minutes already. I’d better get back to work. Ash: (getting up) And I’d better go and find Misty and Brock. Jeanette: (getting up) Good idea. As Ash makes his way to the door, Jeanette stops him. She pulls something out of her pocket. It’s a Pokéball. Jeanette: Ash, wait! (hands the Pokéball) One of the other Joys gave this to me this morning. She says its perfect for your friend Misty. Ash: Perfect... for Misty? Jeanette: Trust me on this. Ash: Okay... if you say so. Jeanette: Tell her I said good luck, okay? Ash: (running out the door and towards the exit) I will! Don’t worry! Pikachu follows him out. Jeanette just watches the duo depart. Jeanette: (to herself) He sure is handsome. What am I saying? He’s got a girlfriend already! He’s much too young for me, anyway. As Jeanette returns to her duties, Ash runs off to explain to his friends where he’s been all morning. Suddenly, one last memory surfaces, and it hits him with more force than any thunder bolt that Pikachu could muster. Ash: (slowly) Oh no... He suddenly remembered who Duplica’s boyfriend was. He should, because he spent a lot of time traveling with him through the Miners’ Archipelago. <3> Ash: (in a breaking tone) TJ... Ash would’ve hit the concrete right there and then, had there not have been a bench right under him. Pikachu hops on Ash’s shoulder, doing his best to comfort him. With remembering came hurting, and Ash let the pain out as he began to cry. TJ. So full of hope, so eager, so determined, so much like him. Now he was dead, like a flame whose wick had been snuffed out. It just wasn’t fair. Duplica had been robbed by the PTA! They took something worse than memories from Duplica. They took away her feelings for someone she had cared about. She had just begun to rediscover what she had lost, and it was taken away again. Ash promised himself then and there that he’d give Cassie and her friends a piece of his mind if he ever laid eyes on them again. Ash continues to cry his heart out over the loss of TJ. He was a very good friend that he would miss. Meanwhile, one of the quarterfinal matches is about to begin at Indigo Stadium. Richie and Marina meet at the middle of the field in front of a cheering crowd over thirteen thousand. Richie is dressed as he is normally, with Chuchino sitting on his left shoulder. Marina is dressed in a sleeveless form-fitting pink dress, which stops just below the waist, of course. The two shake hands and prepare to battle. Richie: May the best trainer win. Marina: Likewise. A minute later, the two trainers have taken their positions. Richie on the red podium, and Marina on the green one respectively. The two of them draw their first Pokémon. Richie: Let’s go Zippo! <4> Zippo: Char-meleon! Marina: I choose Tentacruel! Tentacruel: Tenta! Zippo and Tentacruel take their positions. The crowd patiently awaits for the flag official to begin the match. Flag Official: (raising both flags) Let the battle begin! Richie: Zippo, slash! Marina: Tentacruel, poison sting! Zippo strikes first, slashing Tentacruel right on his tentacles, but the move makes him an easy target. Charmeleon falls back, poisoned from the attack. Richie: Poisoned already? Better get on the offensive quick... (to Zippo) Zippo, fire spin! Zippo’s fire spin attack engulfs Tentacruel in flames. Although Tentacruel easily stands up to the flames, the fire traps him inside. Marina: Tentacruel! Hang in there! Richie: (as the fire spin wears off) Zippo, leer! Zippo leers at Tentacruel, lowering the jellyfish’s defense. Marina: Time to fight back! Tentacruel, hydro pump! Hydro pump does the trick easily, as Zippo goes down after being doused. Flag Official: (raises the green flag) Charmeleon is out! Tentacruel wins! The first light goes out under Richie’s picture. Some fans praise Marina for her impressive skill, while others yell at Richie for losing his first Pokémon so easily. Richie: (after recalling Zippo) No more playing around! It’s time to get focused! (throws out another Pokéball) Happy, go! Happy: Freeee! Happy, Richie’s Butterfree, stands poised and ready to fight Marina’s Tentacruel. Flag Official: (raising both flags again) Round two, begin! Marina: Tentacruel, wrap! Tentacruel fires his tentacles at Happy, but misses as Happy quickly flies out of harm’s reach. Richie: Happy, stun spore! Happy releases the spore, but it’s ineffective against Tentacruel. Marina: Let’s try something else. Tentacruel, supersonic! Happy suddenly droops to the ground. It then flies back up, but he starts acting weirdly. Richie: (in a worrisome voice) Shoot, Happy’s confused! (to Happy) Shake it off and use your confusion attack! Happy gets enough of his wits to attempt confusion. It’s good that he did, because Tentacruel is not only confused, but he’s also lost most of his energy. Marina: Tentacruel, acid! The acid hits Happy, but it doesn’t do much damage. Happy shakes off his confusion as he prepares to attack again. Richie: Happy, whirlwind! Happy begins fluttering his wings like crazy, and he eventually succeeds in lifting Tentacruel off the ground. The squid flies back a couple feet and then lands, fainting on the spot. Flag Official: (running over to check on Tentacruel) Let’s see. (to the crowd, as he raises the red flag) Tentacruel has been defeated! Butterfree is the winner! The first light goes out under Marina’s picture. Marina recalls Tentacruel. The crowd has now switched its views, i.e. Richie’s fans are now cheering, while Marina’s fans are angry. Marina quickly pulls out the Pokéball containing her prize Pokémon, Psyduck. Marina: (throws the Pokéball) Psyduck, go! Psyduck: Psy? Duck? Marina: Ready to battle, Psyduck? Psyduck nods his head in approval. Psyduck waddles up into position, with Happy looking on. The flag official resumes his position, and restarts the battle. Richie: Happy, sleep powder! Happy: (spreading the powder over Psyduck’s head) Freeeee! Psyduck quickly falls asleep. Marina gasps as Richie tells Happy to go to work. Richie: Happy, whirlwind attack! Happy blows the sleeping Psyduck off his feet and into the air. Psyduck lands just inches away from Marina’s podium, but it’s enough to wake Psyduck up. Marina: All right! Psyduck woke up! Richie: Happy, confusion! The attack is very weak, but it manages to confuse Psyduck a little bit. Marina: Time to fight back! Use your disable attack, Psyduck! Psyduck: Duck! Psyduck disables Butterfree’s whirlwind attack temporarily, buying the duck some time. Announcer: Wow! Both combatants are going at each other hard! Since both Pokémon have psychic attacks, it looks like half of this battle will be won mentally. Whichever Pokémon shows the most mental capability is surely to win this match. Richie/Marina: (at the same time) Happy/Psyduck, confusion! ************************************************************************ Adventures Series Trivia Question # 6: Exactly how much did Misty and Arius pay for their hotel room in Vermillion City? ************************************************************************ Adventures Series Trivia Question # 3: What Pokémon were Misty and Giselle planning to use in their battle against each other before Team Rocket interrupted them? Answer: Misty was planning to use Poliwrath to combat Giselle’s very talented Graveler, but of course Team Rocket spoiled their plans for a Pokémon Tech rematch! ************************************************************************ The two Pokémon perform confusion at the same time, causing the attacks to cancel each other out. The resulting psychic shockwave causes some of the spectators in the front row to fall out of their seats. Richie: Wow! Unbelievable! Marina: No way! Richie: (returning his attention to the battle) Happy, stun spore! Happy releases the spore into the air. Psyduck breathes some of it in, and becomes paralyzed on the spot. Marina: Psyduck! Richie: Happy, whirlwind! Happy doesn’t obey Richie. Instead he looks at his trainer and shakes his head. Richie: Rats! I guess that disable attack hasn’t worn off. Chuchino: (cheering Happy on) Pika pika pika! Marina: Psyduck, shake off that stun spore before that Butterfree of his recovers! Psyduck looks at his trainer, and then flashes a ‘V’ sign. Marina jumps for joy. Marina: Good work! Now, let’s try your hydro pump! Suddenly, Richie’s face brightens up as Happy starts to dance around. The disable has worn off! Richie: Are you ready this time? Happy: (nodding his head) Freee... Happy is interrupted in mid-speech, as the hydro pump attack hits him hard in the back. Happy hits the ground, and doesn’t get up. Richie: Happy! Marina: Yes! Nice work, Psyduck! Flag Official: (raising the green flag) Butterfree has been knocked out! Psyduck is the victor! The second light disappears under Richie’s picture, only leaving the third and final one lit. Once again, the crowd expresses their congratulations or their disbelief over the events so far. Richie recalls Happy to his Pokéball. Not wanting to risk his chance at winning the tournament, he sends out his trump card. Richie: (pointing towards Psyduck) Chuchino, go! Chuchino: (jumping down from the platform) Pika! Marina: (to herself) It’s that Pikachu that everyone’s been talking about. I’d better be careful. Flag Official: (raising both flags) Begin! Marina: Psyduck, fury swipes! Psyduck attacks first, striking Chuchino several times across the face. Chuchino puts his paws over his face as he tries to ease the pain. Richie: Chuchino, are you okay? Chuchino, hearing his trainer, tries his best to ignore the pain and refocus on the match. Chuchino: (charging up) Pika! Richie: That’s the spirit! Chuchino, thunder bolt! Chuchino: Pika-chuuuuuuuu! Chuchino’s thunder bolt hits Psyduck square in the beak. Psyduck faints on the spot. Marina: Psyduck! Flag Official: (raising the red flag) Psyduck is out! Pikachu wins, and the match is even at two points a piece! The next Pokémon who wins a round, wins the match! Marina: (to herself, over the boos that are plaguing her once again) Which of my Pokémon would be able to stand up against Pikachu’s electric attacks? Oh, I know! Marina pulls out her third Pokéball, and releases the Pokémon inside. Marina: Go, Cloyster! Cloyster: Cloyster! Chuchino: Pika? Richie: Come on Chuchino, you can beat that Cloyster without any trouble! Marina: Cloyster, let’s show them that we’re not a pushover! The official comes back to the center, and restarts the match for the last time. Richie: Chuchino, thunder! Marina: Cloyster, spike cannon! Both Pokémon fire their respective attacks, and they miss canceling each other out. Instead, they are both hit really hard. Richie: Chuchino! Marina: Cloyster! Announcer: The two Pokémon are certainly giving one hundred and ten percent today. Richie: Chuchino! Electric attacks are our only chance against Cloyster! Normal attacks won’t hurt that hard shell of his! Chuchino: (charging up for another electric attack) Pikachu! Marina: Cloyster, if we can get in close enough, then we’ll have the upper hand! Cloyster: Cloyster cloyster! The two trainers begin to stare each other down. Obviously, they’re waiting for the other to make a move. Their Pokémon are doing the exact same thing. Marina: What are you waiting for? Richie: Just waiting for the right moment to strike, that’s all. Marina: (attempting to hide a smile) Okay, that just makes winning that much easier! (turns to Cloyster) Cloyster, clamp! Cloyster dives for Chuchino. Richie watches as Chuchino just standing there, as if he wants his Pikachu to get clamped on. At the last moment... Richie: Chuchino, agility! Chuchino sprints out of the way just in time. Cloyster gets a little dazed after missing his target and landing face first in the ground. This gives Chuchino the opportunity he needs to attack. Richie: Chuchino, thunder! Chuchino charges up to his maximum level, then fires the huge bolt at Cloyster. Cloyster is fried on the spot. Marina gasps as her last Pokémon goes down for the count. Flag Official: (raising the red flag after checking on Cloyster) Cloyster has fainted! The match goes to Pikachu and his trainer, Richie! The crowd responds accordingly to the results as the two podiums lower to the ground. Marina runs across the field first, and she reaches Cloyster. Marina: How are you doing Cloyster? (smiling) You did great, Cloyster. You’ve done more than I ever expected of you. Thank you. Cloyster: (silently) Cloy... Marina then looks over at Richie, who is congratulating Chuchino. Richie: Good going, Chuchino! We’re going to the semi-finals! Chuchino: Pika pikachu! Pika! Richie then sees Marina walking towards him. He picks Chuchino up and places him in his arms, lying down on them. Marina stops in front of him, as she offers her thanks. Marina: Thanks for the great match! Richie: You were pretty good there. Marina: You have to admit though, I had you on the run. Richie: But then I have Chuchino here to thank for winning the match. Marina: (winking at Richie) Maybe some day our paths will cross again. Richie: Maybe. If they don’t though, I can look back and say that this was one of the toughest battles that I’ve ever fought. Marina: (turning towards Cloyster while pulling out his Pokéball) Cloyster, return! (turning back to Richie as she walks away) Good luck in the semi-finals! Richie: You too. (waving goodbye to her) You too. Marina then begins to wave to the crowd as she departs the field. Richie follows suit, leaving the stadium at the other end. Over at the practice field, Giselle and Joe have just finished a battle with each other. They both recall their Pokémon and meet each other at the center of the field. Giselle: I’m impressed. I would have never expected you to be that close to beating me. Joe: (scratching his head) Gee, I guess I’m a better trainer than I thought. Giselle: A little better? That was phenomenal! (starts eyeing Joe strangely) Don’t tell me you cut yourself from the field of thirty-two on purpose! Joe: What makes you say that? Giselle: (putting her hands on her hips) Well, if you’re that good, you probably would still be in the tournament right now. For all I know, you could have ended up being my quarterfinal opponent rather than Misty. Joe: I had tougher opponents than you did! Giselle: You think so? Joe: I know so. Giselle: There can’t be anyone that’s tough enough to beat than me. Joe: Oh, you just wait after you get past Misty today. Then you’ll see. Giselle: (smiles) Okay. But if I find out that all of my remaining opponents are pushovers... Joe: Trust me, they’re no pushovers! Giselle: If you say so. (changing the subject) Say, what time is it anyway? Joe: I don’t know. Giselle: Well, we’d better find out real quick. I don’t want to end up late to my quarterfinal match. (smirks) You know that Misty can’t wait to get beaten again. Joe: (a little surprised) You mean she wants to lose? Giselle: No. I’m just so confident that I’ll wipe her all over the stadium floor, that’s all. With that, Giselle grabs Joe’s hand and pulls him towards the exit, as they head over to the nearest Pokémon Center to recharge their Pokémon. About twenty minutes later, Ash and Pikachu spot Misty standing outside the Pokémon Center. She’s tapping her shoe impatiently as they approach her. Misty: Where were you? Ash: (huffing and puffing) I went down to the Pokémon Center on the southside of town. That’s where Jeanette works. I wanted to find out why she mentioned the novice tournament from last November. Misty: (with an eyebrow raised in curiousity) And why did she mention it? Ash: It seems that me, her, Duplica, Gary, and a group of other trainers were wiped off our memories by these two girls... Misty: (with a hint of jealousy) Two girls? What two girls? (suddenly regaining her composure) Um, I mean, why would they do something like that? Ash shrugs his shoulders. He and Pikachu know, but they feel that they shouldn’t get Misty involved in something that they thought they could finish on their own. Ash: Say... where’s Brock? Misty: I don’t know. I went to go find him at the tent that you guys are sharing with him, but he wasn’t there. Ash: That’s strange. Pikachu: Pika pika. Misty: Come on. I’ve got to get to the Pokémon Center so I can have my Pokémon healed. Ash: Good idea. I’ll come too. (turning to Pikachu) You probably need a little recharging, right? Pikachu: Pika! The trio heads to the Pokémon Center to get their Pokémon healed. While waiting in line, though... Misty: (turning to Ash) Ash, I need to use the restroom. Do you mind if you give my Pokémon to Nurse Joy for me? Ash: Sure thing, Misty. Misty runs off. Ash takes the opportunity to pull out the Pokéball that Jeanette gave him earlier. He picks one of Misty’s Pokéballs at random and replaces it with the new Pokéball. Pikachu: Pika? Ash: (turning to Pikachu) Don’t worry, Pikachu! I’m sure Misty wouldn’t mind if I switched her Pokémon ahead of time. Just don’t tell her that I did though, or she’ll have my head. Pikachu: (winks) Pika pi! Pika pi pikachu! Ash: I hope Misty appreciates what I’m doing for here. (curiously to himself) I wonder. What Pokémon is in here anyway? Joy: Next! Ash: That’s us! Let’s go Pikachu! Pikachu: Pika! Joy: How may I help you today? Ash: (placing Pikachu and his five Pokéballs on the desk) Could you heal my Pokémon please? (doing likewise with Misty’s six Pokéballs) Oh, and my friend Misty’s too. Joy: (with a smile) Sure. It’ll be a minute or so. With that, Joy walks to the back to heal the Pokémon. Ash walks over to the computer and access a link to a Pokémon storage system. Ash: Let’s see. I might want to put this Pokémon back in Misty’s storage system. (reads something off the screen) Insert trainer’s Pokédex. (sarcastically) That’s just great. Misty’s the only one that can actually put her own Pokémon back in storage. (begins to think) Maybe it’d be okay if I give it to her sisters at the match. Misty: Okay to give what to my sisters? Camera instantly switches views in order to show Misty with her hands on her hips and her head slightly tilted to one side with a curious expression on her face. Ash quickly hides the Pokéball and turns around to see Misty staring at him. Misty: What’re you doing? Switching Pokémon? Ash: (lying) Yeah. I wanted to take out Krabby so he can gain some more experience. Misty: Sure. (to herself) He’s lying. This time I know it. Squirtle and Lapras have enough battle experience between them to count as one high-level water Pokémon, so why would he try to add a third one to the fold? Ash: (deciding to throw her off the trail) Why are you so worried about me? You’ve got that match against Giselle in about fifteen minutes or so. Misty: You think I don’t know that? Giselle’s all I’ve been thinking about for the past day! Ash: Of course. Say, we’d better get our Pokémon back from Nurse Joy. Misty: Right. The two walk over and spot Joy handing six Pokéballs back to the guy that was in line before them. She quickly returns with two trays carrying their Pokémon. Joy: Here you go. Ash: Thanks. Misty: Finally. Now there’s nothing left to stop me from getting to the stadium and beating Giselle! Ash: Except if you get shot by Team Rocket, that is. But what are the chances of that happening, huh? Misty: (unimpressed with Ash’s joke) That was a joke? (sighs) Let’s go before I end up bashing your brains in before Giselle’s. Pikachu jumps up on to Ash’s shoulder as the two put away their Pokéballs and start walking over to the stadium. Fifteen minutes later, the stadium cheers as the announcer prepares to introduce Misty and Giselle. Announcer: Today’s third quarterfinal match is a rematch of what was unmistakably one of tournament’s best matches last week in the preliminaries. Once I introduce the trainers, you’ll know who I’m talking about. First up, fighting on the red podium, is a girl who had been under a lot of fire after a dismal start to the tournament. Amazingly, she’s survived nine matches to get to this point, only losing to her opponent today, but she’s determined to get the victory this time around. From Cerulean City, the youngest of the famous “Sensational Sisters” family, Misty Waterflower! Misty comes out and waves to the crowd. She then sees Ash sitting over in the front row near mid-field, and she blows a kiss his way (which he doesn’t see). She then heads for mid-field. Announcer: Now introducing the trainer who will be using the green podium. She won the first match-up between these two. She’s impressed everyone here with her very experienced Pokémon. Even in situations in which her Pokémon seem to be at a disadvantage, she has come back to win. Now, the young Waterflower sister is the only person standing in her way of making the final four. Introducing the Pokémon Tech graduate from Vermillion City... the lovely and talented Giselle Gravelpot! The crowd goes wild as Giselle comes out, dressed in her Tech uniform as a salute to her fellow graduates. She then spots Joe waving at her from nearby. Giselle waves back to him. Giselle then heads to the middle of the field, where the flag official and Misty are waiting for her. Flag Official: Okay ladies, your Pokémon have been cleared for battle. You both know the rules. Shake hands, and let’s have a good battle. Misty and Giselle shake hands, and then begin to stare each other down. Giselle: Get ready for the battle of your life, Misty! Misty: I’m ready for anything you can throw at me, Giselle! The two separate and head to their respective sides of the field. They get on their podiums as they begin to raise above the ground. With the crowd cheering them both on, Misty and Giselle prepare to start their long-awaited rematch. Misty decided to start off. Misty: Misty calls Golduck! Giselle: Graveler! The two trainers throw out their Pokéballs, and the aforementioned Pokémon coming out. The crowd’s cheers peak as the two Pokémon take their place. The flag official gives the signal, and the battle is underway. Misty: Golduck, confusion! Giselle: Graveler, rock throw! Golduck succeeds in confusing Graveler. As a result, Graveler’s rock throw misses. Misty: Golduck, hydro pump! Golduck fires the hydro pump, and Graveler gets drenched. Giselle: Graveler, earthquake! Graveler slams his hard rock body down on the ground, shaking Golduck completely off his feet. Golduck gets back up, slightly dazed. Misty: Hang in there! Use your hydro pump attack again! Golduck launches a hydro pump blast at Graveler. Again, the blast connects. Giselle: Two can play at that game! Graveler, another earthquake! Graveler makes another earthquake. This one does succeed in taking out Golduck. Misty: Golduck! Giselle: Yes! One down, two to go! Flag Official: (raising the green flag) Golduck is out! Graveler is the victor! Ash: (yelling from the stands) Come on Misty! Joe: (yelling from the stands) Go Giselle! The crowd continues to cheer. It seems that the crowd is split fifty-fifty. Half of them are supporting Misty, and the other half love Giselle. The two female trainers, though, are ignoring the crowd and keeping their concentration on the match. They both are determined to come out with a victory. After recalling Golduck, Misty takes a quick break. Wiping some sweat away, she pulls out another Pokéball and throws it onto the field. Misty: Misty calls Vaporeon! Vaporeon: Eon! Giselle: Well, well, it’s the Vaporeon. (yelling to Misty) Desperate already? Misty: (yelling back) We’ll see who’s desperate! I dare you to tell that Graveler of yours to self-destruct again! Giselle: You think I’m that stupid? I’m not giving this match to you, no way! Down on the field, Vaporeon and Graveler are ready to fight. Flag Official: (raising both flags) Begin! Giselle: Graveler, tackle! Misty: Vaporeon, aurora beam! Graveler never reaches Vaporeon, as the rock-ground Pokémon turns into a frozen statue. Misty: (pumping her fist in the air) Yes! Giselle: Graveler! Misty: Vaporeon, hydro pump! The hydro pump is the deciding factor, as Graveler unfreezes, and immediately faints. Flag Official: (raising the red flag) Graveler can no longer continue. Victory goes to Vaporeon! Giselle: Rats! Graveler, return! Graveler returns to his Pokéball. Not wasting any time, Giselle throws out another Pokémon. Giselle: Farfetch’d, go! Farfetch’d: (appearing on the field) Fetch’d far far! Misty: It’s that Farfetch’d! Giselle: Ready to meet my secret weapon, Misty? I’m sure it’ll quack you up! Giselle laughs at her own joke. Misty isn’t pleased, though. Misty: Go ahead and joke Giselle. I’m not paying any attention to you anyway. Giselle: (getting serious) In that case... prepare to lose! Misty: Not likely! Announcer: Woah! The two trainers are exchanging words out there! They’re really getting involved in this match! Flag Official: (raising the two flags once more) Go! Misty: Vaporeon, quick attack! Vaporeon strikes quickly, jumping at and knocking over Farfetch’d. Farfetch’d quickly gets back up, and begins to twirl his leek. Giselle: Farfetch’d, plan nine C! Farfetch’d throws his leek at Vaporeon. It taps the water Pokémon slightly on the head and then it falls to the ground. Misty: Huh? What was that? Giselle responds with a simple smirk. Misty: Vaporeon, bite! Vaporeon leaps at Farfetch’d. Giselle yells a command quickly in Farfetch’d’s direction. Giselle: Farfetch’d, plan two B! Farfetch’d quickly dives under the leaping Vaporeon, picks up the leek, and quickly turns around to face his opponent. He then makes his own dive at Vaporeon, and slaps her across the face using the leek. Misty: No way! Are these moves legal? Giselle: (as if she heard Misty’s question) If you’re wondering, I checked with the Pokémon League earlier this week, and all of these moves are legal. Misty: (gritting her teeth) What else can she come up with? It seems that she’s always one step ahead of me. Giselle: Farfetch’d, fury attack! Misty: Wait a minute, it’s my turn! (quickly to Vaporeon) Hydro pump! Vaporeon hydro pumps Farfetch’d, stopping the attack cold. While Misty and Giselle continue to yell commands at their Pokémon, Daisy and Violet join Ash and Pikachu in the stands. Daisy: Like, did we miss anything? Ash: (not taking his eye off the battle) Each of them has lost one Pokémon already. Violet: (yelling at Misty) Come on Misty, you’re part of a gym leader family! There’s no way you can lose twice to a snobby Tech student! Daisy: (sweatdrops) Who’s the enthusiastic one now? Ash: Oh, that reminds me. (turns his attention away temporarily to hand Misty’s Pokéball to Daisy) Here’s one of Misty’s Pokéballs. Violet: What? Daisy: Why do you have it? Ash whispers something into Daisy’s ear. Her eyes suddenly open wide in surprise. Daisy: (not sure if she should believe what Ash said) You’re serious? Ash: Dead serious. I had a hunch about it when Jeanette handed me the Pokéball this morning. Violet: (speaking very fast) What did he say? What did he say? I want to know! Daisy repeats to Violet what Ash just said to her. Violet reacts in the same way. Violet: No way. Daisy: (nods) Yes way. (to Ash) Does Misty know? Ash: (shakes his head) No. I switched Pokéballs when she wasn’t looking. Violet: Like, what will she do if she tries to pull out the Pokémon you have here and ends up with the Pokémon you gave her? Ash: I don’t know, but Jeanette said to trust her. Violet: (nervously) You’re not referring to that nurse-in-training we me the other day, are you? Ash: The very same. Daisy: (sighs) We’ll just have to see how Misty reacts. It’s too late to do anything now. If we’re lucky, she won’t even have to use a third Pokémon. Flag Official: (raising the green flag) Vaporeon is out! Farfetch’d is the winner! Ash and Daisy: (surprised) What? Violet: (sarcastically) Like, thanks a lot sis. Now Misty’s one step from losing again. Announcer: An unbelievable display of tactics from Giselle’s Farfetch’d were too much for Misty’s Vaporeon, but the win didn’t come without a price. It looks like Farfetch’d is really exhausted. At that exact moment, some of the crowd just begins to notice a Meowth balloon floating in the air. What they don’t see is the big shotgun that Jessie is pointing down on the field, right at Misty’s head. Persian is in the balloon with her. Team Rocket’s music begins to play, but then Jessie stops it by giving a swift kick to the boombox inside the balloon. Persian: Tell me why we left James behind one more time. Jessie: (turning towards Persian) Because he thinks that killing someone is morally wrong. What he doesn’t understand is that we’ll be the ones dead if the boss finds out about what happened. We’re just lucky he hasn’t sent someone down to kill us yet. (Persian looks at her weirdly) If you’re wondering, I didn’t harm him at all. Just put him in a position in which he can’t stop me. Outside the city, we see James bound to a tree and gagged, struggling to get free. Back on the balloon... Persian: Okay, how ‘bout another question. (in a loud voice) Where in tarnation did you get that giant shotgun from? Jessie: (a little nervous) Um, I bought it on the street. Persian: (not impressed) You bought it on the street? Jessie: (trying to change the subject) Long story. I’ll explain later. Right now, we’ve got to kill the twerps before someone notices us! Persian: (shouting) There’s a crowd of at least fifteen thousand watching this match and you’re expecting nobody to notice us? You’ve got to be crazy! Jessie isn’t paying any attention to Persian, or the crowd which has started to look at the balloon. She aims the shotgun at Misty’s head. Misty has just recalled Vaporeon and is searching for her third choice. Jessie: (as we see Misty through the cross hairs) Bye bye, twerpette! To be continued... Okay, the second time in three chances that a chapter ends with someone about to get shot. That’s original. ^^;; Anyway, e-mail me and tell me what you think of this chapter. You know the address by now, hopefully (jgg121@yahoo.com). Author’s Notes: <1> & <2> Look back in Episode 10, “A Close Call,” for the full scene in which Jeanette and Ash meet for the first time. <3> See the first three episodes of the “Dreams Do Come True” mini-series for details. <4> Unlike the manga, in which Richie had a Charizard, and the anime, in which Richie had a Charmander, I compromised and decided to make Zippo a Charmeleon here. Copyright Date: 9/19/00 Look out Misty! Jessie has you in her sights! Will a miracle come and save Misty’s life? Probably more importantly, will Misty get her mind off of beating Giselle to discover that her life’s in danger? What exactly did Jessie do to James? Where’s Brock? And where’s Misty secret weapon? Don’t miss Episode 40, “The Last Ditch Effort.”