Ambition Part 3 By Icelord *Reviews Please!* I don’t own Pokemon. There, I said it…. * * * * The morning light gently bounced off of Brendan and Dan as they continued up the path towards Petalburg City. Even though neither of them had any chance of beating Norman, the two boys had to cut through Petalburg to get to Rustboro City, home of the Rustboro Rock Pokemon Gym. Dan knew he could count on his Treecko to cut down any chance of the Leader’s victory, and Brendan had Mudkip to wash any Rock Pokemon away. The only problem was the fact that each gym battle was a three-on-three match. “We each need to catch another Pokemon if we’re going to enter the Hoenn League,” said Dan cheerfully as the two proceeded up the dirt path, “Not only that, but I think we should catch Pokemon that would be strong against Rock Pokemon. We can worry about the other gyms as we approach each city.” “Alright,” said Brendan, “But I think we should start catching more Pokemon now. If we each have a team of six, we’ll be set to challenge the other gyms.” “You’ve got a good point, Brendan. It’d be much easier to challenge gyms with a lot of Pokemon. Let’s get to it!” After that, the two friends bean to drift from the path and search various areas for wild Pokemon. Brendan would gently part the tall grass to the left of the path in search of a new ally while Dan poked his head into every knothole in every large tree. So far they had seen nothing. It was as if the entire portion of foliage had been abandoned. “I don’t know what’s wrong,” declared Brendan, looking at a small guidebook he had brought along, “There’s supposed to be a lot of wild Pokemon here, including the rare psychic type Ralts.” “Ralts? You mean the little white thing with the green helmet?” Dan asked mockingly, “That’s a weak Pokemon. Why would it be so rare?” “It is weak, Dan,” Brendan said, “But think it through like this, what do most Pokemon do that make them stronger over time?” “Uh…train?” “Wrong! The answer is evolution! Ralts is a well known psychic type because it can evolve into a Gardevoir!” Brendan sounded as if he were Professor Oak. “Gardevoir?!” Dan exclaimed in awe. He knew about the Pokemon called Gardevoir, but never had he heard anything about it being the evolved form of Ralts. “Wait a minute; I thought Kirlia was the evolved form of Ralts. But then that would mean Gardevoir is actually the evolved form of Kirlia.” “Wow, Dan. For a second there I thought that whatever was in your head had shut off permanently,” Brendan laughed. “SHUT UP!!!” Dan screamed as he ran off into the woods, “Just you wait and see; I’ll catch a Ralts!” * * * * Soon morning gave way into day, and day slowly turned over to night. Dan had been searching for a Ralts all day, and he hadn’t found anything. It seemed as if every Pokemon in the entire forest had been cleared out. However, the forest still had a few surprises in store for Dan. “What’s that?” Dan whispered as he heard something move in the bush behind him. Suddenly, a small bird Pokemon came forth. “Wingull!” it yelled happily. “Alright!” yelled Dan, “It may not be a Ralts, but at least it’s a Pokemon. I challenge you to a battle, Wingull!” “Wingull!” The little Pokemon became fierce and its eyes flared up. The bird was now staring at Dan menacingly, just daring him to make a move. “Go, Treecko!” Dan exclaimed as he threw a Pokeball into the air. A loud “BANG” could be heard throughout the vicinity of the forest. The white light had caused Wingull to put a tiny white wing over its eyes; it was not used to such bright light in the middle of the night. “Treecko!” the little grass Pokemon said as its big yellow eyes were fixated on Wingull. With a scream it charged at the small seagull-like Pokemon. “Treecko, use Pound!” Treecko bounded into the air and threw its tail towards Wingull. It opened its wings, and darted up into the foliage. It was fast; and very powerful. Wingull soon came crashing into the open with its wings glowing white. Before Dan could react, it slammed its left wing into Treecko’s midsection. It was stunned for a minute, and then the little grass Pokemon fell to its knees and fainted. “Treecko, return!” Dan yelled as he drew forth Treecko’s Pokeball and brought him back within the confines. “I’ve got one more chance; I’ll have to go with Pineco!” Dan threw the Pokeball into the air. It exploded with a loud clap of sound, and soon Pineco was staring into the eyes of the Wingull it had to confront. Pineco took one step back on its hind leg, and soon charged at Wingull with an amazing speed. “Wingull!” the Pokemon screamed as it took flight. Its tiny white wings were cutting through the late night gale like a hot knife through butter. Up into the stars it soared, not once looking back at the now glowing form of Pineco. “Pineco, what in god’s name are you doing?” Dan asked childishly. Dan could tell that Pineco wasn’t about to evolve; it would’ve changed form a few minutes ago. “Wait, you’re not gonna--” It was too late; Wingull was now plummeting toward Pineco at a mind boggling speed. When Wingull was close enough, Pineco went up in flames with a loud boom! Both Pokemon keeled over and were instantly knocked out. “Cool, Pineco, you learned self-destruct! Oh wait, you can’t hear me. Well, there’s only one thing to do!” Dan took up Pineco’s Pokeball and withdrew the green pinecone Pokemon. Then, he took up one of the empty Pokeballs that Prof. Birch had given him. “Wingull, you’re mine!” Dan yelled as he tossed the sphere towards the small bird’s limp body. With a “thump” the Pokeball collided with Wingull and soon engulfed it in a bright red light. Wingull was pulled into the Pokeball, and the tiny projectile soon began shaking vigorously. Dan could only hope and pray as the little ball began to bounce off rocks and trees all throughout the forest; this Pokemon wasn’t giving up. After a good few minutes of fighting, the Wingull’s rage finally subsided. The Pokeball clicked and the red light flickered off. Cautiously, Dan approached the Pokeball. After a moment, Dan bent down and picked up his new Pokemon, Wingull. “Alright!” Dan yelled in sheer excitement, “I caught my third Pokemon!” However, Dan’s excitement was short lived. He realized that all three of his Pokemon had fainted, and that he had no Pokemon to protect him. Running as fast as he could, Dan tried to find the path that would lead him to Petalburg City, and the Pokemon Center. As he weaved through the various branches and bushes, Dan began to grow tired. The moon shone brilliantly in the night sky, and Dan wanted to get some sleep. However, he kept up his fast pace until he stumbled upon the dirt road that lead to his home town. After ten minutes of nonstop sprinting, Dan could see the brilliant lights of Petalburg City dancing through the night sky. Dan ran through past the forest and into the city. It was pretty late out, and only a few trainers and their Pokemon were out in the streets. Dan rushed through the gray door to the Pokemon Center and placed his three Pokeballs on the counter. Nurse Joy walked up to the counter, looked at the Pokeballs, and asked, “Can I help you?” “Yes, my Pokemon are all pretty weak from battling in the woods. Could you help them?” “No problem, just keep them here over night and come back in the morning,” said Nurse Joy, “Do you need a room here at the center?” “No thanks,” replied Dan, still out of breathe, “My house is just up the road. Well, see you in the morning.” “See you!” said Nurse Joy as the automatic door to the center slid open. Dan walked out into the street and made his way past the Gym. He remembered the first battle he had seen here in Petalburg, and wondered if he would ever be that skilled. “Oh well, only time will tell.” Dan continued down the street to his home. * * * * “Where on earth have you been?!” yelled Dan’s mom as he walked casually through the door, “Your friend, Brendan, has been here for the past two hours! He said you ran off into the forest screaming like a little baby. And where are your Pokemon, mister?” “At the Pokemon Center,” Dan replied. He yawned and began walking up the stairs mumbling, “I’m gonna get some shut ey--” “Not in your room, you’re not,” replied Dan’s mom, “I thought you’d be out all night, so I gave Brendan your room.” “Ugh…” Dan’s mouth hung wide open. He couldn’t believe that his own mom had given up his room for rent to some kid she met off the streets. “I guess I get the couch…” Dan’s mom nodded and he pulled a blue wool blanket off of the recliner positioned to the left of the couch. Although it was old, the couch was still as comfortable as it had ever been. However, Dan was still in a foul mood. “Take my bed why don’t cha,” he mumbled as he drifted into a soft slumber. “WINGULL!!!!” “AHHHHHHH!!!!” Dan yelled as the Pokemon’s cry rang in his ear. The morning air pierced the windows as Dan ran about screaming. Wingull was right after him, still squawking its name. “Glad to see you’re up, Dan,” said Brendan when Dan finally stopped in the kitchen, “I picked up your Pokemon for you earlier. Nice job catching the Wingull,” Brendan said as he pointed a fork at the little bird now perched on Dan’s shoulder. The table had been set for two people, and Dan assumed the position across from Brendan. He took up his fork and knife, and began eating the egg on his plate. “Your mom and dad left earlier today,” Brendan said, “They had to go on an errand to Oldale Town. They’ll be back tomorrow, but we should get going.” “Going where? To Rustboro City?” Dan asked. “No,” Brendan began, “Before you can even take the Gym Challenge, you have to pass a test at a Gym. You have to win a screening match against one of the Gym Leader’s top trainers. I think we should stop by the Petalburg Gym later and request our screening matches for later today. That way we can start out for Rustboro first thing tomorrow morning.” “Alright,” Dan yelled as he leapt up from his lean plate, “Let’s get going!” * * * * The Speaker outside the gym lay quiet for a few seconds, until booming, “Screening Match 187. Field #3. Brendan vs. Gym Trainer Clyde.” “Well,” Brendan began, “I’m off. Wish me luck!” “Wish you luck,” Dan mumbled, “I’d rather wish for my bed instead of a couch.” The Speaker once again gained life and boomed, “Screening Match 188. Field#8. Dan vs. Gym Trainer Ken.” “Here I go,” Dan whispered as he made his way across the grassy area behind the gym. He saw various fences containing dirt fields. Each cage had a battle going on, with some trainers wearing normal clothes and others in uniform. Dan realized that they were the Gym Trainers, and soon made his way to the empty cage entitled “8”. Dan pulled the cage door open and assumed his place in a white box just outside the ring. White lines of chalk defined the limits of the battlefield, and a lone score board was positioned at the top of the cage. The board had one slot for a trainer, and one Pokemon. “That means each trainer only gets one shot,” Dan whimpered nervously, “If you’ve got the disadvantage then you’re screwed.” Just then, the cage door on the opposite end of the field creaked open, and a man in one of the same uniforms Dan had seen in the other matches. Once the man had stepped into his square, the stereo over the score board began to rumble. “This will be a one on one Pokemon battle. The challenger will be competing for admittance into the Hoenn League. Each trainer gets to use one Pokemon. The Gym trainer must choose his Pokemon first. A draw goes to the Gym Trainer. “Damn!” Dan thought, “I can’t just send Pineco in and have him blow himself up. Now let’s just see what Pokemon that guy’s gonna use.” Ken, the Gym trainer, pulled a tiny Pokeball from his pocket and hit the button in the middle. Pulling back his arm, ken threw the Pokeball into the center of the field. With a “BOOM”, the Pokeball exploded to reveal a large purple head with a skull and cross bones on the bottom. “Koffing!” it yelled. The score board came to life as a picture of the Pokemon appeared under Ken’s name. Dan realized that both Pineco and Treecko would fall victim to Koffing’s poison element attacks, and that there was only one way to go. “Alright,” Dan began as he drew forth Wingull’s Pokeball, “It’s all or nothing. Let’s do it, Wingull!” Dan sent the Pokeball flying through the air and over the dirt battlefield. It exploded in a flash of white light, and a tiny white bird was now perched in the center of the field. It let out a squawk, and soon its picture was displayed on the score board. “BEGIN!!!” Ken assumed his own battle stance and pointed at Wingull saying, “Let’s go, Koffing, Acid attack that little bird!” Koffing blew up like a balloon and spat a hunk of purple ooze at Wingull. The bird took to the skies just as the acid smacked the ground. “Let’s go, Wingull, Water Gun!” Dan yelled. Wingull took in a deep breathe and shot a stream of water at Koffing, it floated just above the attack and sent a green gas from all of the holes in its body. Soon the entire battlefield was engulfed in a thick cloud of haze. “Look out, Wingull; this is Koffing’s Smokescreen attack! Use Gust to blow it away!” “Wingull!” it yelled as it conjured a large vortex that sucked in all of the smoke except for one small cloud. “That’s the Koffing, Wingull. Use your Water Gun on that cloud.” “Koffing, get out of there!” Ken yelled, but it was too late. Wingull’s stream hit Koffing hard and knocked him to the ground. “Looks like Koffing’s all washed up, Ken.” Dan chuckled, but the victory was short lived. Koffing soon stood up with the last bit of energy it had and lit up. It wasn’t evolving, but it was… “Gasp! Wingull, it’s gonna use explosion. If the match is a tie he wins! Get out of there!” Dan screamed. Wingull took to the skies above the fence as Koffing went up in flames. The attack totally missed Wingull, and it came back down to stand in front of its defeated adversary. The scoreboard dimmed Koffing’s screen, and soon only Dan was in the middle of the board. “The winner of this match is Dan from Petalburg City,” boomed the loudspeaker. Soon a small slip of paper came out of a box below the loud speaker. “This is your Hoenn League Pass. Please present it to the local Pokemon Center to be officially registered for the Hoenn League.” Dan took the receipt and ran all the way to field #3 just in time to catch the end of Brendan’s battle. The opposing trainer had called upon an Aron and Brendan had used Torchic. “Alright, Torchic, let’s finish this with a full powered Ember!” Brendan yelled. Torchic leapt up and shot hundreds of scorching pellets at the little Aron. The burns gradually began to melt the metal plating on the Pokemon’s head and back, and it soon collapsed. Aron’s screen went dim, and Brendan was announced the winner. He took his slip of paper, and met Dan outside. “Hey, how’d your battle go?” Brendan asked cheerfully. “Not so bad,” Dan replied waving his slip of paper. Both friends forgot any disputes they had had before as they marched down to the Pokemon center to officially become members of the prestigious Hoenn League.