Ash and Nessa

Chapter Three -- Emily Battles Ash

Viridian City was a pleasant place to visit, Ash thought, with its interesting modern architecture and open grassy squares. It wasn't a bustly city at all, but Ash nevertheless preferred the homlier atmosphere of smaller places like Pallet, his home town.

Ash arrived at the Viridian Gym and entered through the large double doors that formed the entrance to the recently renovated structure. Inside was a roomy porch half-filled with people. Hallways stretched out to the left and right leading to the various chambers. The Viridian Gym had expanded to include stadiums relating to various Pokémon elements.

A few metres from the entrance was a registration desk. Ash approached and introduced himself.

"Mr Ketchum, your match is at nine o'clock in the Water Gym," a pleasantly mannered receptionist informed him. All matches today are with three Pokémon, and with six tomorrow. If you win your first match, your next will be, let's see..., at three o'clock this afternoon in the Rock Stadium.

"Thanks," replied Ash politely.

"The noticeboard over there will give you more information."

Ash looked around. There were some unfamiliar faces and some familiar ones, including a few gym leaders he had fought in the past. Ash nodded at a few people that caught his glance as he walked over to the noticeboard.

Ash looked to see if the noticeboard named his competitor.

     9:00 am Water Gym
     A. Ketchum (Cerulean) vs E. Carter (Tangelo)

Hmm, thought Ash, that must be Tangelo Island. So there's a Pokémon Gym there now. He looked around, wondering who Carter might be. Apprehension started setting in. He was glad that he didn't have to wait long before the match. He didn't want to get too anxious before it even started.

How strange, he realized. Before Pikachu left, the reason he wouldn't want to wait, was so he could get stuck into the battle. Why had he changed so much?

When it was time, Ash entered the Water Gym. It was basically an indoor swimming pool, with semi-circular stands at each end for the contestants and a circle in each half where the competing Pokémon could stand, unless, of course, they were water Pokémon that swam in the water itself. There was seating on the left and right, filled with a good-sized audience. The event must have been better publicized than he thought. That didn't help his anxiety very much.

Ash looked straight ahead and saw his opponent enter. She was perhaps a little older than him, with flowing dark brown hair, dressed in an elegant blouse and skirt. At least his first competitor was not likely to have more experience than him. Still, he mustn't let his guard down--appearances were often deceiving when it came to Pokémon and their trainers.

A voice came over the loudspeaker. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first session of the inaugural Viridian City Pokémon Gym Leaders' Championship. In the Water Gym we have our two youngest contenders, Emily Carter from Tangelo Island and Ash Ketchum from Cerulean City.

An adjudicator standing at one side of the pool initiated the battle. "This is a three-on-three Pokémon match. Begin now!"

Both contestants released their first Pokémon, Emily a Goldeen and Ash his Bellsprout. Bellsprout was Ash's most recently acquired Pokémon and had never been in a championship battle of any sort. However, they had trained very hard and Ash felt that it was ready.

The two contestants have sent out their first Pokémon, said the announcer. Carter's choice is better suited to the environment, but Ketchum's Bellsprout has the type advantage.

Goldeen was a white and gold fish-shaped Pokémon and as such was an excellent swimmer. "Tackle," called Emily.

"Stun spore," called Ash.

Goldeen dived into the water and raced towards its target. Bellsprout braced itself and primed itself for its own attack.

As Goldeen burst out of the water, Bellsprout bent back its flexible body and dodged the attack. While Goldeen was still in the air, Bellsprout spurt out a cloud of stun spore.

"Wash it off and do a horn attack," called out Emily. Goldeen dived back into the water and swam about, removing the stun spore before it could take effect.

And it's a stalemate, commented the announcer. Both Pokémon have evaded each other's first attack.

"Try a razor leaf," called Ash. He was feeling unsure of himself. If only he had Pikachu, he'd win this round in seconds.

By the time Goldeen jumped out of the water to try its second attack, Bellsprout was ready and shot out a flurry of spinning leaves. They struck Goldeen and knocked it off course. It fell back, flailing, into the water.

It looks like Bellsprout's type advantage has come through, came the commentary. Has Ketchum won the first round?

"Hurry, do a stun spore now," shouted Ash. Bellsprout immediately obeyed. Still dazed by the razor leaf attack, this time Goldeen was unable to get rid of the stun spore in time.

"Goldeen, are you OK?" called Emily. It didn't respond.

"Goldeen is unable to battle," pronounced the adjudicator.

This is one well-trained Bellsprout, commented the announcer as Emily recalled her fallen fish into its Poké ball. One strike and Goldeen is out.

So maybe all the training has paid off, thought Ash. His fickle spirits lifted with the first victory, but he knew not to become complacent.

Emily, unfazed, chose her second Pokémon. Throwing her next Poké ball, a cute-looking, sleek, grey and white creature appeared and slid gracefully into the water.

A Dratini! said the announcer. This rare dragon-type Pokémon is a good swimmer and strong fighter, without many weaknesses--an excellent choice for the situation.

"Tackle!" commanded Emily.

"Bellsprout, vine whip," ordered Ash.

Dratini darted through the water. It came out, flying at an awesome speed, directly towards Bellsprout. As Bellsprout arched to dodge the attack, Dratini bent its tail, slapping Bellsprout on its head. The audience roared in amazement at the success of this unusual tactic.

"Again," commanded Emily.

"Bellsprout, try and grab it with your vine whip," cried Ash. One unusual turn deserves another, he reckoned.

Bellsprout obediently released two strong but flexible vines and held them in mid-air, ready for its opponent's approach. As the sleek grey dragon emerged from the water, it was immediately encircled and ensnared by two strong vines. Dratini's momentum carried it forward, but Bellsprout held on firmly and stood its ground. The Dratini's fell onto the platform behind Bellsprout with a loud thud.

"Sleep powder," ordered Ash.

"Break free," cried out Emily, sounding worried.

Bellsprout deftly twisted around to face its bound opponent and aimed a jet of powder from its bruised head directly into its opponent's face. The trapped Pokémon tried to wriggle out of its prison. But before it could succeed, Bellsprout's sleep powder took effect, and Dratini went limp.

Ash's stomach was turning. He realized that he was now close to winning the second round without losing any Pokémon. His excitement took over--he had to do whatever it took to win.

"Slam it," cried Ash.

Still firmly holding its opponent entagled in its tendrils, Bellsprout raised it up over its head, then slammed it back down, hard against the platform.

"Throw it back!" Ash yelled.

Using every inch of flexibility in its sinuous body, Bellsprout immediately whirled the limp Dratini twice over its head in a circle then aimed it back to the other platform. Dratini flew gracelessly through the air and landed with an even louder thud than before. The poor creature didn't stand a chance of recovery.

This is one tough 'sprout! the announcer called out over the now loud muttering of the audience.

Ash's feelings were suddenly mixed. He was glad that he was winning, but his treatment of the Dratini was a bit brutal. The audience may be impressed with his Bellsprout, but would their feelings turn against him? Would the adjudicator object?

"Dratini is unable to battle," the adjudicator said coldly, and gave Ash a stern glance. Ash nodded back silently.

Emily released her third Pokémon. A Charmeleon appeared on the platform. The thing looked around at the watery environment, then turned back with a perplexed look at its trainer.

So with one Pokémon left, came the announcer's voice, Carter has abandoned matching her Pokémon to the field and is trying to counter her opponent's type. But Charmeleon appears to feel out of place in its watery surroundings.

"Flamethrower," commanded Emily.

"Bellsprout, return!" ordered Ash, recalling it. He had more sense than to allow a well-trained fire type attack his plant. "Go, Charizard!"

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ketchum is fighting fire with fire, said the announcer, and it looks like Carter might be outmatched.

Emily sighed, then shook her head with a half smile. She knew, as the announcer said, that her opponent had outmatched her. She was going to lose, but not without as good a fight as she could muster.

"Flamethrower," she repeated.

"Fight its flamethrower with yours," called Ash.

The two fire Pokémon shot out bursts of flame at each other. Charizard's stronger blast overcame Charmeleon's and engulfed the smaller opponent.

"Try harder!" called Emily, "Give it all you've got."

"Body slam," called Ash.

Charizard flew off its platform, beat its powerful wings once, twice, and dived straight for Charmeleon. Charmeleon issed forth a frightful blast of fire from its mouth, directly at the looming giant. But Charizard continued its approach, gaining speed. Charmeleon quickly looked left and right. It couldn't jump in the water without harming itself, unlike Charizard it couldn't fly away, and it was its master's last Pokémon. It braced itself as best it could. Then Charizard's huge bulk struck and knocked it over, breathless.

All eyes were on Charmeleon as Charizard flew back to its platform. Charmeleon tried to get back onto its feet, but it lost heart more than it lost its strength, and it fell down, motionless.

"Charmeleon is unable to battle," declared the adjudicator. "Ash Ketchum from Cerulean City Gym is the winner."

The audience applauded and the announcer said something, but Ash was lost in thought. He was happy he had won of course, but the competition so far had been easy. He only won the last round because his Pokémon was at a more advanced stage. If Emily had had another Charizard, victory would not have been so certain. Ash really missed Pikachu and the almost seamless relationship that had existed between them. Could he succeed without him as the opposition got tougher?