Chapter 11: Qualifiers

Kenta and Hiro defeated all their opponents nearly reaching the requirements to take the elite four challenges. Fans had begun to cheer their name since the first day of the pokemon league games. Battles involving Kenta and Hiro were exciting ones filled with great intensity. Kenta displayed remarkable talent, resourcefulness, and tactics. Hiro displayed a strong offense with overwhelming strength. Their popularity increased at each passing day of the league games, so far the only two holding an undefeated streak. The elite four watched these two young trainers; it wouldn’t be long till they were ready to take the elite four on. A great anticipation filled the elite four; having two contenders in their first league games to qualify for their challenge showed how good these two are.

The sun had already set; the moon shinned down at pokemon stadium as the final battles were taking place. Kenta switched up his strategy with the moon taking over the sun’s position. On the sidelines Whitney and Jasmine watched on cheering for their friends.

Whitney: Kenta is really doing well! He may just be able to qualify for the elite four challenges.

Jasmine: Hiro too, they both are doing well. They will have to battle each other soon; I do hope Hiro remains calm.

Whitney: So what did happen that time of the cave incident?

Jasmine: Hiro just needed to let out some emotions. I’m sure he’s a better person now. It will take some time till he’s really open with his feelings but right now, as long as I can feel them, that’s all that’s needed. His Silver Tears lets me know how he feels.

Whitney: Silver tears huh, does this mean you two are . . .

Jasmine: Could I ask the same question to you about you and Kenta?

Whitney cleared her throat as she changed the subject.

Whitney: Do you think they stand a chance against the elite four?

Jasmine: I have full faith that they’ll do their best and possible win.

The two girls looked back at the battlefield to see Kenta doing his victory pose, the thumbs up, as he is declared the winner. He jumped off the hovering battler platform to celebrate his 14^th victory with Whitney.

Kenta: Hey I did it! I won the 14^th battle, one more and I’ll get to face the elite four!

Kenta grabbed onto Whitney’s hands and danced happily with her. Having accomplished a lot in his first pokemon league games, Kenta felt very proud of himself, all the hard work in pokemon training and battles has paid off.

Jasmine smiled as he watched Kenta and Whitney danced and jumped around like two children merrily celebrating a win. Hiro walked onto the field then towards Jasmine. He smiled at her, he also felt proud of his accomplishments. The next battle was his on to earn him his 14^th victory. The field terrain was quickly cleaned up, the battler platform computers have been updated, and the announcers and referee got ready.

Announcer: The next match is trainer Hiro against trainer Hotori.

Hiro’s eyes widened with a shock. He glanced over to the other side of the field to see Hotori walking towards the battler platform. This is the same Hotori that tried to kidnap Jasmine a few months ago. Aggression took a hold over Hiro as he slowly walked towards his battler platform ready to beat this opponent.

Jasmine: Hiro, not too rough okay?

Hotori looked around at the massive audience, they cheered on for a great pokemon battle. There was some chanting, Hotori thought it was his name being called out but it was actually Hiro. Hotori looked over to his side to see Jasmine sitting by the sidelines, he felt excited to see her. In his mind he started to plan to steal Jasmine away and have her all to himself right after the battle. Before a definite plan was made the announcer called out the battlers.

Announcer: Trainers are you ready?

Hotori looked away at Jasmine and towards his opponent. His devious smile soon faded seeing whom he was up against. This was the same person that had chased him with a Feraligator when he kidnapped Jasmine. A slight fright swept over him when he saw Hiro devilish smile then the thumbs down gesture. Hotori swallowed the lump in his throat, what was going to happen now?

Hotori: You!

Hiro: Yeah it’s me. So are you ready to battle? Hit the ready button so we can get this started!

Hotori: I uh . . .

Hotori didn’t know what to think. Hiro seemed intimidating not just in pokemon but also as a person. With bright long red hair that resembled the color of blood and sharp piercing red eyes, Hotori started to imagine Hiro getting a hold of him then beating him to death for trying to kidnap Jasmine.

Hotori: Um judge, I’d like to um forfeit the match, I just remembered I have to go somewhere!

Hotori jumped off his platform and dashed towards the exit. Everyone stood in place wondering what just happened. Sweat drops filled every head through out the stadium, what was the result?

Announcer: Um well um, Hiro is the winner!!

A wave of spectators fell in their seat; a loud thud could be heard echoing through out pokemon stadium. Hiro fell, Jasmine, Whitney, and Kenta fell, and even the announcer fell.

*****

Ash sat back up but Misty remained fallen with her head on Ash’s lap.

Ash: That had to be the quickest pokemon match I have ever seen.

Misty: What match! I didn’t even start.

Ash chuckled, placing his fingers on Misty’s hair as he started to stroke it.

Ash: Remember back during the fourth year pokemon league games for the championships.

Misty: Yup, that made headlines. Young teen pokemon trainers from Pallet reach elite four challenge! Undefeated streak continues!

Ash: Those were the days. I miss the adrenaline of nearly achieving master status. Gary was hyped up about that too.

Misty: And so was I. Though I was the only one of us who could sleep. In fact I remember that one special morning . . .

*****

In Indigo Plateau Ash walked the streets late at night way pass midnight. The city remained active with all sorts of activities. As Ash walked around he thought about the upcoming matches he will soon face. The pokemon stadium committee has never had to deal with two trainers that both qualify for the elite four challenges, so as a ruling he and Gary are allowed to a chance at the championship. In a way that would be fair to both he and Gary since they both have a chance to battle the honorable elite four, however what if they both conquer through, so who would be the rightful champion? The thought of what would happen bothered Ash. Was he even capable of achieving such a feat? For the past four years he had trained hard and battled hundreds of battles and now he has managed to nearly reach his goal. It was exciting that he was this close to becoming the master that he always wanted to be, but after he does so, what will happen next? Another problem he faced was if he failed somewhere and do not become champion, then that means he still needs to improve a lot more. Then there’s Gary, what if he wins and proves he was the better, what would happen to their rivalry? And if he won and Gary didn’t, would that also end their rivalry as well?

Ash: Confusing, I feel like I’m in an area between heaven and hell.

The sky started to light up slightly, the morning sun soon would appear. Ash walked back to the cabin that he stayed at. He got in and felt tired from walking nearly the whole night just contemplating his situation but with no result. All he hoped for was that he reaches his goal so not to feel disappointed being as close as he has ever been but not achieving it. He walked into the bedroom to see Misty sleeping in bed peacefully. He smiled; the thought of her always put his mind at rest. She comforted him always; her presence alone calmed his nervous. He walked to the bed and got in with her, he needed some feel some comfort.

Misty turned towards him then hugged him in bed. She whispered with her eyes closed.

Misty: I missed you in bed.

Ash: I’m sorry.

She opened her eyes slowly to see Ash’s gentle golden smile. Holding him closer to her, Misty kissed Ash on the lips lightly.

Misty: So where have you been?

Ash: I just needed some time to think.

Misty: Are you okay?

Ash: I’m okay now that I’m with you.

Misty: I think you’re still slightly troubled. Are you scared that you might lose?

Ash: Yeah and a lot of things too.

Misty: Win or lose, its okay, you’ve showed your best.

Ash: Yeah.

Misty: And you are the best.

Ash: Hee hee hee, yeah.

Misty: And Ash . . .

Ash: Yes?

Misty: Through out our time together you’ve always sacrificed a lot and accomplish a lot in your life. I think its time for me to sacrifice something for you.

Ash: Huh?

Misty: I’m going to take you on a little trip to heaven before this evening’s challenges.

Ash: Misty what . . .

Misty placed a finger on Ash’s lips. She blushed deeply then smiled at him.

Misty: Just say that you love me.

Ash: . . . I love you Misty.

Misty: I love you Ash.

Then Misty kissed him deeply then shifted herself so now that he was on top of her. Their kisses became hotter, her body became more inviting, and she then began to take a trip with Ash to a pleasurable trip to the heavens of their love.

*****

Misty: Then . . .

Ash blushed heavily, being told the very first time they actually spent an intimate time in bed together was embarrassing. Misty was blushing too but she maintained her composure.

Misty: Well I guess I’ll just stop at that.

Ash: Yeah, whew it’s hot in here.

Misty: Hee hee hee.

Ash: Oh man if my mom found out back then I would have been dead. We were both so young and yet . . . well I guess when love happens. You were so cute back then with such a scrawny figure and now look at you, these actually grew.

Ash placed his hand over Misty’s upper body area then got silly slapped for being a pervert.

Misty: Hey! I was at a delicate age back then and I gave you all that I can.

Ash: Haa haa haa, yeah, that’s what made you the cutest girl in the world.

Misty looked back at the TV, there was a brief summary and highlights of the two trainers who just managed to get their 14^th victory.

Misty: Who do you think will win the pokemon league?

Ash: Kenta. From what I can see he’s a whole lot like me.

Misty: Yah but better. He’s on his way to the elite four in his first year. You weren’t so lucky and took longer.

Ash: Yah . . . well, it takes time to be a master. But that Kenta . . . it does seem like he did do better than me. Hmmmmm.

Misty saw the grin on Ash’s face; the thought of someone better than him sparked his interest.

Misty: Think Kenta will be the next champion?

Ash: I hope so. He’s really good. Maybe one day I’ll meet him.

Misty: Ah.

Misty sensed Ash’s excitement, someone might actually become the next champion and even become better than him in the future. Ash may have found his lost spark that he always been trying to regain. For Ash’s sake, Misty hoped that Kenta would win.