Ike Ketchum:  A New Journey Begins
Part 4
It had been almost two days since Ike left Oak’s lab.  He was making good progress, and he figured 
that he would be in Viridian City within a few hours.  It had been rainy after he left, and he was afraid 
that Sasha would be unwilling to go forward with him in bad weather, but she seemed to be raring to 
go.  Ike had completed little training, but he had managed to teach Spearow to use Pursuit.
“Well, Sasha, we’re getting close,” Ike said.  “Are you pumped up and ready?”
“Pikachu!” Sasha growled.
“That’s right, of course you are! We both are.” Ike agreed.  He didn’t know what Pokémon Amelia 
used, so he didn’t know exactly how to plan a real strategy.  He figured Amelia would use Pokémon a 
girl would like.  In Ike’s mind, this would include Pokémon like Jigglypuff and Meowth.  She’d probably 
be a pushover.  It made him angry to think he was being forced to battle someone weak to earn an 
official badge.  What would that prove?
Sasha’s ear twitched.  “Pika?”
“What is it, Sasha?” Ike said, coming out of his reverie.   Sasha didn’t answer.  Instead, she jumped 
down from Ike’s shoulder and ran into some bushes.  Ike remembered what happened the last time 
he sent his Pokémon into some bushes, and he got worried.  “Sasha, you get out of there this 
minute!”
Sasha did, and there was a little purple Pokémon behind her.  It had large ears, a spiky back, and a horn 
on its head.  It also had mean little buck teeth.  “Nii-nii!” it complained.
“Sasha, what are you doing?” Ike demanded.  Ike knew this Pokémon.  It was a Nidoran male.  He 
knew it was a poison type, and that kids who tried to pet it got stung.  “Come here,” he ordered Sasha.  
When she obeyed, he held out his Pokedex to find out more about this little poison Pokémon.
In a robotic voice, the Pokedex said:
Nidoran Male.  The Poison Pin Pokémon.  Its large ears sense danger.  It extends its toxic spikes when 
angry.  The size of its body thorns indicates its toxicity.  –End entry-
Ike looked up at the feisty looking Pokémon.  Its body thorns were definitely extended.  “Sasha,” he 
said, “this is your doing.  You have to help me catch him now.”
Sasha nodded agreement, and readied herself for battle.  “Sasha, use quick attack!” he ordered.
“Pikachu!,” she agreed, and she immediately dove into a quick attack.  The Nidoran cried out, and it 
countered by shooting poisonous needles toward Sasha.  Sasha was too fast for Nidoran; she dodged 
and Ike ordered her to use a Thundershock attack.  Sasha obliged, and the jolt landed.  Nidoran looked 
stunned, and it didn’t move.
“Good Sasha, I think we’ve paralyzed it!” Ike said.  “I think maybe I can catch it.”  Saying this, he pulled 
a Pokeball from his belt. “Alright you, you’re going to be mine!”  Ike tossed the Pokeball, and with a 
red flare, Nidoran entered.  Ike watched as the Pokeball wiggled.  Then the movement slowed, and 
Ike thought it was over.  Then , the ball popped open and Nidoran was standing before Ike and Sasha 
again.
“He escaped?” Ike said, surprised.  “Sasha, use thundershock again!”
Sasha did, but this time, Nidoran dodged it and rammed its horn into Sasha’s belly before she had time 
to react.  Out of surprise, Sasha let out another electric shock, and Nidoran screamed.  “That’s what 
you get, you little brat!” Ike said, throwing another Pokeball.  This time, Nidoran failed to escape.  He 
was now Ike’s newest Pokémon.
“Are you okay, Sasha?  I think that it only Pecked you. You shouldn’t be poisoned.”
“Pika…” Sasha answered.  She looked okay; maybe a little tired. 
“Come on, you can ride on my shoulder again,” Ike said.  Looking relieved, Sasha climbed up, and they 
once again set off for Viridian City.

The party reached Viridian that night.  Ike left his three Pokémon, excluding Sasha, in the hands of 
Nurse Joy.  He decided to call his mother, because he hadn’t contacted her since he left.  When she 
picked up the phone, she looked very annoyed.
“So finally you call me,” she said.
“What, no hello?” Ike replied.
“I was afraid you were dead somewhere,” Ima complained.  “What have you been doing anyway?”
“Haven’t you talked to Professor Oak?” Ike wondered.
“No.  You know how forgetful that man is these days,” Ima reminded Ike.
“These days? I don’t remember a time when he wasn’t!”
“Even so, you need to call your mother from time to time.  Just because you’re a big trainer now, it 
doesn’t mean that you don’t need your mom!”
Ike stretched his eyes.  “Since when are you so sentimental, mother? It’s embarrassing!”
Ima scowled.  “I don’t care.  You better call me every time you reach a town or city.  If you don’t I’ll 
have the entire police force out searching for you.  Do you hear me?”
Ike heard.  “Yeah, yeah.  Aren’t you going to ask me about what I’ve done so far?”
“Gary called me this morning and told me all about it.  You better be more careful, mister.  I don’t like 
what you’ve gotten yourself into one bit,” Ima replied angrily.
“I’m sorry mother, okay? Sheesh!  I’m going to bed.  I’ll call you when I get to Pewter, okay?”  Ike did 
not want to be on the computer phone anymore now.
“Goodnight, Ike.  And you better!”  The picture then went away, and a female computer voice said, 
“Call over.”
“Sweet dreams, Ike,” Ike said to himself sarcastically.
The next morning, Ike marched over to Gary’s gym, eager for his match.  He had decided to treat this 
match like a real gym battle, rather than complain that it wasn’t fair.  If Gary was going to play games, 
Ike could play games too.  Amelia had to be weak;  she was only a girl, after all.  If Gary wanted to give 
away a gym badge, then as far as Ike was concerned, he’d just take it from him.  Now it was full steam 
ahead, and Ike wasn’t wasting any more time.
When Ike entered the gym though, he was confused.  Inside, it didn’t look like a gym at all.  It was full 
of people in lab coats…and it looked like…well, it looked very similar to Professor Oak’s lab!
“Can I help you?,” one of the men asked Ike.
“Yes, I came for a gym battle?” Ike said it like a question.
“Oh, I see.  You have to go to the back for gym battles.  We don’t get many trainers here,” the man 
said, pointing Ike in the right direction.
Befuddled, Ike headed in the direction that the man was pointing, and he came to a door with a sign 
that read, “Gym Battles”.  With a shrug, Ike pushed open the door, and saw a very basic room 
designed for regular battles.  The wood flooring had a plain white Pokeball shaped arena painted on it, 
and there were windows all around to let sunlight in. On the walls, there were lines of bleachers.  They 
were empty.
“Hello? Is there anybody in here?” Ike called.  Ike jumped as the door he just entered opened behind 
him.  He whirled around, and there he saw Gary and Amelia.  Smiling at his surprise, Amelia said, “I 
knew you were scared of me!”
“Whatever you say.  Quit trying to freak me out.  I’m ready for our battle.  Right now.” Ike grumbled.
“Right to the point, are we?” Gary said.  “Alright then.  I’ll be your referee today.  It’s going to be a 
three-on-three battle.  The challenged, that would be Amelia, will send out the first Pokémon.  Both 
trainers are allowed to switch Pokémon at any time.  Do you understand, Ike?”
“Sure do,” Ike said, getting into his position on the arena.  “Let’s go.”
Amelia went to her place eagerly.  “I think you’re going to have a lot of fun today, Ike!”
“Hmph.  Let’s just go,” Ike said impatiently.
“Okay, then.  My first Pokémon,” Amelia said, reaching for a Pokeball, “is one you’ve met before.”  
With that, she threw her Pokeball, and out came one of the pink Rattata that Ike had knocked out back 
in Viridian field.
Why would she use such a weak Pokémon? This is exactly as I expected, Ike thought.  He was feeling 
pretty good about himself.  I could use any Pokémon I want to for this match, and I would easily win, 
he told himself.  But I guess I’ll be safe, and use Mankey.
“Go, Mankey!” he shouted as hi s Pokémon was released onto the field.
“An obvious choice,” Amelia commented.  Then she commanded her Ratatta.  “Quick Attack!”
“Take the attack, Mankey.  Let it get in close,” Ike ordered.
Mankey obeyed, and Ratatta crashed into it.  Mankey skidded backward a bit, and then it stood up.  
“Okay, now use Low Kick!” Ike said.  Mankey went in to attack, but Ratatta jumped, and the attack 
missed.
“Great job! Now, use tackle!” Amelia.  The little pink Ratatta heard, and it promptly turned its little 
jump into a tackle.  It landed with full force and Mankey fell.
What? Ike thought.  Her Pokémon acts like it knows what I’m going to do! How could this be?  Did she 
plan for this battle?  If that’s true, then I’ve got problems!  She has a big advantage because she knows 
what Pokémon I use!  I have to do something unexpected quick…
“Alright Mankey, we have to get off the offensive.  Amelia has trained that Ratatta to anticipate all 
your physical attacks.  We have to focus.  So just stand still,” Ike said.  “And use focus energy!”
Amelia looked surprised.  She figured that Ike’s strategy would be to just attack over and over again 
until her Pokémon couldn’t fight back any more.  “It left itself open for attack, Ratatta!  Use Quick 
Attack!”
Rattata obliged.  As it headed toward Mankey, Mankey focused its eye on Ratatta.  Ike and Mankey 
waited for exactly the right moment, and then,
“Mankey, Karate Chop, NOW!”
With one fluid, lightning movement, Mankey struck.  The attack landed so hard that Ratatta went 
flying across the gym.  It was a critical hit, and a KO.
“Rattata is unable to battle!” Gary announced.  “Mankey is the winner!”
“That was very impressive,” Amelia said, returning her Pokémon.  “But now I’m going to get truly 
serious.”
With that, Amelia threw another Pokémon.  Out came a graceful Butterfree.  But instead of the 
purple-blue body of a normal Butterfree, this one had a very light pink body, and instead of black and 
white patterned wings, they were black with a tinge of pink.  Its eyes, usually a deep red color, were 
an eerie neon green color.
“Now we should have a type advantage, isn’t that right, Butterfree?” Amelia commented lightly.
“Incredibly creepy,” Ike said.  “Mankey, strike this bug down!” 
Mankey went in for the attack, but it didn’t do it any good.  Butterfree danced out of the way of every 
single one of its physical attacks.
“Butterfree, Mankey is jumping around too much.  Stop it in its tracks,” Amelia yawned.
“Freeee!” the butterfly Pokémon said.  A yellow powder floated from its large wings.  It floated into 
Mankey’s face, and the Pokémon froze.  Ike knew what just happened.  Stun Spore was a powder 
that, if breathed in, could cause paralysis.  Mankey would be completely immobile, making it practically 
useless in battle, unless it temporarily recovered.  Ike knew that if he left Mankey out on the field, it 
would be an incredible risk.  He would probably only succeed in getting his Pokémon injured.  He 
decided that now would be a good time to recall his Pokémon and send out a fresh one.
“Okay Mankey, get back!” he shouted, and his Pokémon was summoned into its Pokeball.  “Two can 
play at your little flying game, Amelia!” Ike declared, throwing his next Pokeball.  “Spearoooooow!” 
the bird Pokémon yelled.
“Head in with a Peck attack!” Ike yelled.
Spearow dove after Butterfree.  Then, Amelia did something that Ike expected.  “Use Stun Spore!”
Butterfree started letting lose that fine yellow powder, and Ike moved accordingly.  “Spearow, whip it 
back with your wings!”
Spearow changed position in the air, and it quickly beat its wigs at the powder.  The powder was blown 
back at Butterfree.  “Butterfree, use Gust!” Amelia shouted desperately.  Butterfree obeyed, and the 
wind attack dispersed the Stun Spore into finer particles.  
“That was close!” Amelia exclaimed.  “Butterfree, use Confusion!”
Butterfree’s weird eyes glowed, and Spearow screamed.  The unseen power was affecting the little 
bird’s mind.  Spearow’s body jerked, and it looked dangerously close to crashing to the ground.  Ike 
felt himself getting angry, and he shouted at Spearow.  “Don’t let that weakling take you down! Snap 
out of it right now!”
At first, Spearow didn’t respond.  It sailed toward the ground, and almost crashed.  Then, suddenly, it 
stretched out its wings.  It caught itself and sailed toward the pink Butterfree.  “That’s the way, 
Spearow.  Now, use Fury Attack!”
In a whirlwind of beak and talons, Spearow was on Butterfree.  Viciously it stabbed into Butterfree’s 
soft body.  It pecked, it stabbed, and it poked until Amelia yelled.
“Stop! Get  your freaky Pokémon off her! It looks like it’s trying to kill her!” she cried.
“Then Spearow wins,” Ike said.
“Fine!” Amelia shouted.
“…Butterfree is unable to battle” Gary said as Ike called off Spearow.
Looking shaken, Amelia returned Butterfree.  “Okay, I’m down to the last Pokémon, and I haven’t 
managed to finish any of yours completely.  But I can still win this” Amelia said.  “I’ve saved my best 
Pokémon for last.  You won’t believe what Pokémon I’ll be using now!”
With that, Amelia threw another Pokeball, and out came a very rare Pokémon.  It was the fox 
Pokémon Eevee.  But it wasn’t brown and cream colored, like a normal Eevee.  Its fur was a rich velvet 
red color, and the tip of its bushy tail was pure white, as was the thick fur around its neck.
Where does she get these weird colored Pokémon? Ike thought to himself.
“Alright, Eevee, use Sand-Attack!”
Why is she doing this? Ike thought.  She knows I’ll just blow the sand away!
Which Ike ordered Spearow to do.  But when it did, and the sand cleared, there was no Eevee standing 
there.  At least, Spearow didn’t see it.  Ike did, but before he could warn his Pokémon, Amelia had 
already ordered Eevee to use a Tackle attack from behind.  Spearow and Eevee landed in a heap on 
the ground.  Spearow writhed in the fox Pokémon’s grip, but its efforts were in vain.  Eevee had 
Spearow pinned.
“Use Tail Whip!” Amelia said.
Eevee smacked Spearow in the face, over and over again.  It was humiliating.  Then, Eevee jumped up.  
Spearow stumbled to its feet, its wings ruffled.  It stumbled awkwardly on its feet, dizzy.  Then, Eevee 
pounced.  The Tackle landed hard, and Spearow fell.
“Spearow is unable to battle!  Eevee is the winner!” Gary yelled.
What is up with this? Ike thought.  I can’t get beat by a girl!  What am I gonna fight this freak with?  I 
can’t use Nidoran.  I haven’t trained him for this yet.  Sasha….maybe.  I wonder though…maybe 
Mankey can do this for me.  I know he’s paralyzed, but he’s really resilient.  Maybe I can risk using him 
now.
Ike sent Mankey out onto the field, hoping for a miracle.  He didn’t get it.  Mankey was still paralyzed, 
so when Ike ordered it to attack, it did him no good.  It stood frozen in place as Eevee tackled it to the 
ground.  The pig monkey fell in defeat.
“Alright, I guess I have no choice.  Sasha, it’s your turn now,” Ike said.
“Pika.” Sasha agreed, sounding annoyed.  She had been itching to go out this whole time.  She didn’t 
know why Ike always hesitated to send her into battle.  Now she jumped in, ears a-twitch, staring 
Eevee down.
“I’ve been waiting for this!” Amelia commented.  “This is going to be real fun!”
“For me,” Ike said confidently.  “Sasha, use Thundershock!”
“Eevee, dodge it,” Amelia said quickly.  “And use Tackle!”
Eevee plowed into Sasha at full force.  Ike could tell that Sasha had taken a lot of damage from the 
blow.  But the little electric rat pulled itself up, a glare in its beady little eyes.  “PIKA!” Sasha yelled 
defiantly.
“Wow, your Pikachu’s feisty!” Amelia giggled.  “Tackle that Pikachu again!”
Eevee did, and Sasha gasped for air.
“SASHA!” Ike screamed.  “Please, stay up!  You can beat this stupid little fox!”
Sasha was breathing heavily.  Pikachu weren’t known for having a good defense, and Sasha didn’t 
have as much training as Ike’s other Pokémon yet.  Ike was afraid she wouldn’t be able to win this 
match for him.  But he had to try.  “Sasha, do whatever you have to do!”
Sasha pulled herself up, looking ready to try another attack.  “Sasha, use your quick attack now!”
“Pika,” she replied, and she raced toward Eevee at a high rate of speed.
“Eevee, finish her off!  Use SHADOW BALL!” Amelia said.
Eevee concentrated, and a big black blob appeared in front of Eevee’s face.  Ike gasped, and the 
projectile flew straight into Sasha’s face.  Sasha screamed, and there was a small explosion as she 
went flying.  Ike wiped a tear away from his eye and screamed.
“Sasha!  Get up, please!  You have to be okay!” he wailed.
And, strangely, just as Gary started to say something, she did.  And when she got up, she looked 
angry.  She stared at Eevee like she was going to destroy it. “Pika” she said in a low growl.  Then, she 
went into what looked like a Quick Attack, but her whole body was engulfed in electricity.
Gary gasped.
So did Amelia.
And then the Volt Tackle hit.
Eevee was beaten.
Ike had won.