Chapter 12:  Challenges

 

The next morning the advancing contenders were gathered together at the registration lobby at pokemon stadium.  Only a few battlers remained and only two nearly qualified for the special elite four challenges, this would be Kenta and Hiro.  Officials setup the selection computers for the contenders.  Once set up each contender pushed a large button on their console to randomly select their next opponent.  Kenta received 20.

 

Kenta:  I guess that means I battle in the evening time.  Doesn’t matter, gives me more time to watch everyone else.

 

Hiro took his time pushing the button.  After a few seconds he pushed to select his number, 21.  On the tournament chart Kenta and Hiro’s name appeared side by side, they’re scheduled to battle each other on their 15th match.  There was a brief moment of silence, by some chance occurrence the two undefeated battlers would be going against each other, not only that the winner will be the only one qualified to do the elite four challenges.  Whitney felt uneasy the way things worked out, Kenta has to win the next match.  Jasmine worried about what Hiro was thinking about at that moment.  Though Hiro may have improved slightly with expressing his emotions would was about to happen may affect him.  Hiro walked over to Kenta then smiled but walked on, Kenta didn’t smile back, all he thought about was if it was possible to beat Hiro one more time.

 

Kenta:  This time it will count.

 

Whitney:  Lets get going Kenta, your battle isn’t till this evening.

 

Kenta:  That gives me enough time to form up my team and make some type of tactic to win.  But that also gives the same amount of time for Hiro.

 

Talk spread through out Pokemon Stadium about the evening match between Kenta and Hiro.  There was great anticipation to see the two titan battlers go one on one to see who is the better of the two.  Everyone started to make bets to who would win in that match, it would be power and strength against speed and tactics.

 

*****

 

In Cerulean City Ash immediately programmed the VCR to record the match.  There was a lot of advertising focusing on the two, Kenta and Hiro.  Ash started to wonder if it was exactly like this a few years ago when he was heading towards the championships.  He and Gary had managed to defeat the elite four and then had to face each other to decide who rightfully is the champion, but in this years Pokemon Stadium the situation is a bit different yet similar in a sense.  The two titan trainers would face each other but it would be for the chance to take the elite four challenges, not for the championships.  Looking at the two, Ash wondered if the two knew each other from before.  The look and determination in both their eyes when they battled showed a slight hint that they did know each other; it was a safe bet that they are rivals trying to reach a goal.  Ash knew how powerful a rivalry can be, it’s a great motivator.  Tonight’s match promises to be a grand match between two powerful rivals.

 

The program then switched over to an interview with Prof. Oak, one of the sponsors of the Pokemon League.

 

Reporter:  Prof. Oak, what are your thoughts on tonight’s match of the two undefeated pokemon battlers now named by the fans as Titan Trainers?

 

Prof. Oak:  They show great promise as pokemon trainers and battle hard to have made it this far.  As we may remember it was around five years ago that a similar event had occurred between Ash and my grandson Gary.

 

Reporter:  Yes your grandson nearly became the champion but was defeated by his friend who later abandoned the championship now currently known as the Vanishing Champion Ash.

 

Prof. Oak:  Uh yes, whoever came up with that nickname for Ash should be hung, its sound stupid.

 

Reporter:  Back to the interview Professor.

 

Prof. Oak:  Oh yeah!  It was around two year ago that I gave Kenta a pokedex while I met him at a friend’s house.  Call it a gut feeling but I felt that he has a strong potential to become one of the best pokemon trainers in the world.

 

Reporter:  Getting a pokedex from you Prof. Oak is quiet an honor.

 

Prof. Oak:  Yes it is!

 

Reporter:  Um you didn’t have to answer that.

 

Prof. Oak:  Oh.  Well in conclusion what we’re about to witness this evening is something we have not seen in five years.  Kenta is in great shape from the reading I’m getting from his pokedex but his opponent I’m not too sure since I didn’t give him a pokedex or never met him before but he must be equally good.  Tonight we’ll see who is the better.

 

Reporter:  Yeah, I’m sure everyone is looking forward to it.  Any last words Prof. Oak?

 

Prof. Oak:  Huh?  Oh um . . . be sure to watch this great event on this station . . . I can’t read the rest of the words on that card your holding up, bring it a bit closer I’m near sighted.

 

Reporter:  UGH!!!

 

The scene was cut off to a commercial break, Ash laughed at Prof. Oak’s bumbling interview.  After a good chuckle he calmed down then thought about what his former teacher has said.  Kenta actually received a pokedex from Prof. Oak; this means he is a “golden child.”  The term “golden child” is what people refer to a natural born pokemon trainer and battler.  Though the term is used freely, Ash refers to Kenta as being a true “golden child.”

 

Ash:  As rare as a shinny pokemon is as rare as a “golden child.”  I wonder if he found the way to increase the DV.

 

That afternoon Ash rested on the sofa lying down just thinking about several things.  One particular thing he thought about is his desire for a challenge.  He never felt the same since he won the championships five years ago, no one he faced could match him.  The quiet life in Cerulean City, now married to Misty, often showed the conclusion that his adventuring days were over.  The pokemon master can retire as the best and only one who has ever become champion by defeating the elite four.  Retirement was more of a state of mind for Ash, now that he is no longer challenged then he might as well hang up his pokehat and live the life of a married man with a lovely wife and maybe a father as well then passing down his knowledge.  This wasn’t something Ash wanted to do just yet but it seemed like it will happen soon.  Misty is already showing signs of pregnancy; soon he’ll be a father, then what else is there to do than just live a normal life. 

 

The Pokemon League games haven’t been this eventful since he was in it himself.  Another “golden child” has arrived in the midst and this one appeared to be even better than Ash.  Kenta has already proved to be someone extraordinary, maybe if he wins, Ash could find the lost feeling he wants when he meets Kenta.  But before then he’d have to train himself to be like he once was and to meditate.

 

Ash:  That would be like old times again.

 

Younger Ash:  Yes it would.

 

Ash turned to his side to see a ghostly transparent figure of himself when he was younger around twelve or fourteen wearing he’s old clothes.

 

Younger Ash:  Just to let you know your dreaming.

 

Ash:  I know.  So what’s up?  Why have you come?

 

Younger Ash:  You should know the reason, that’s why I’m here.  I think you really miss being me.

 

Ash:  I do.  What can I say, I lived your type of life for the most part, and that’s the only life I know of.

 

Younger Ash:  Well I think you’re too drawn to the past, maybe its time to look towards the future.

 

Ash:  I know, but I can’t help but want to be challenged again.

 

Younger Ash:  I think just one more time will finally quench your thirst for this challenge you’re always speculating about.  You want to battle Kenta if he wins don’t ya?

 

Ash:  You know me, that’s cause you are me.

 

Younger Ash:  You do have another challenge up ahead.  One that deals with a wife and child, being a father, and teaching your child everything you know.  Most people find that to be great challenge in life.

 

Ash:  From one challenge to another, life goes on.  Well, one last time if its possible then I accept the new challenge to the fullest.  And I think so far I’m doing alright.

 

Younger Ash:  Good for you.  I’ll always be here when ever you need me.  I’m a part of you that will always remember.  You can see me any time you want.

 

Ash:  Well duh, you are me.

 

Younger Ash:  One last thing before you wake up?

 

Ash:  What is it?

 

Younger Ash:  I didn’t expect Misty to be so beautiful when she grows up not to mention so well figured.  Who would have guessed she’d have some really nice . . .

 

Misty:  Hey Ashie?  Ashie?  Wakie wakie.

 

Ash woke up from his dream.  He saw his wife leaning over looking at him from the side of the sofa.  Ash smiled, his younger dreamed up self is right.

 

Misty:  Now why are you giving me that perverted smile so suddenly?  Probably getting some ideas huh.

 

Ash:  Oh um not really, lets just say you have that effect on me.

 

Misty:  Whatever, anyway we have some guests.

 

Ash sat up and saw some of his old friends visiting, Gary, Midori, Brock, Tracey, Todd, and Duplica.

 

Ash:  Hey!!  What are ya guys doing here?

 

Brock:  Misty invited us.

 

Tracey:  She wanted us to visit you.

 

Todd:  And have a party.

 

Duplica:  To also have fun like before.

 

Midori:  To talk about what’s new and about memories.

 

Gary:  And most importantly . . . you have that big screen TV over there so we can watch tonight’s match.

 

Ash:  Aye aye, I should have guessed.  But who cares!  Who’s up for a BAR-B-Q!

 

*****

 

The golden sun has finally set and the silver moon has risen, the evening match is about to begin.  Everyone awaited one of the most anticipated matches to have ever been made in Pokemon Stadium.  This is to decide who will be eligible to take on the elite four challenges thus having a chance to battle the current champion for the title to be champion.  Two undefeated battlers in their first year in the pokemon league are about to battle each other, their names, Kenta and Hiro.

 

Half of Pokemon Stadium cheered for Kenta while the other half cheered for Hiro.  The crowd cheered loudly wanting to have the match start soon.  For a special occasion a special announcer has been assigned to introduce the two trainers onto the field.  A man dressed in black walked in and raised his hand in the air to hush the crowd.  Then the announcer walked onto the microphone stand.  Many knew the announcer by his nickname, Buff.

 

Buff:  Welcome to the main event.  This match will decide who will be the battler to advance to the elite four challenges.  In the southeast corner of pokemon stadium arriving onto the field wearing the Official Pokemon G/S cap is the phenomenon from New Bark Town, the golden child of pokemon battling, he is the Titan Trainer, Kenta!!

 

Kenta walked towards his battler’s platform then waved to the crowd.

 

Buff:  In the northwest corner of pokemon stadium arriving onto the field with the long red hair is the powerhouse, hard hitting the Silver Son of pokemon battling, he is the Titan Trainer, Hiro!!

 

Hiro walked towards his platform and remained focused.

 

Buff:  Are you ready?  Ladies and gentlemen, LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

 

The scoreboard set, battlefield setup, both trainers hit the ready button, the judges confirm and give the go.  The battle begins!

 

End of Chapter 12