Chapter 5:  Rivalries

 

Kenta recalled Quilava to its pokeball; he had just beaten Bugsy for a Hive Badge.  Bugsy wasn’t surprise that Kenta won, he had a good team against his bug team.  There were still a lot of things Bugsy needed to learn about being a gym leader.  This month was the anniversary when he became a gym leader three years ago and he still needed to refine his battling skills to test opponents who wish a Hive Badge.

 

Bugsy:  You have earned yourself a Hive Badge.  You battle pretty nicely; I had no advantage what so ever.

 

Kenta:  Is that good?

 

Bugsy:  Ofcourse, tactics is everything!  Know your opponent well and you can make it all the way to the pokemon league.

 

Kenta:  Thanks; well I’m going to the next gym, do you know where that is?

 

Bugsy walked over to a giant map of the land and looked around to find Goldenrod City.  He found it quickly since Goldenrod is a huge city; now to plot out a path to get there.

 

Bugsy:  What you might have to do is go through the Ilex Forest and Goldenrod would be a stones throw away.

 

From the way the path looked Kenta assumed it may take another month to travel.  All the traveling he’s done made him feel home sick but the adventure of collecting gym badges made him feel free like a bird.  Things were looking very bright, this was his second badge in his eight-badge journey and also he defeated Team Rocket in the slowpoke well; quiet an impressive accomplishment so far.

 

Kenta:  By the way Bugsy, do you know anything about Ash?

 

Bugsy smiled and looked around his gym, it was because of Ash’s win in the pokemon league that gave him inspiration to open his gym.

 

Bugsy:  Ash is like a hero to me.  When I was younger I tried in the Pokemon League but didn’t do too well against people who were twice my age.  I soon quit and wanted to hang up my days as being a pokemon trainer.  I was easily discouraged back then, if I failed I didn’t want to try again.  During the final night tournament when a new champion is crowned I saw Ash battle hard to win.  Someone his age defeated everyone even those who were three or four times older, it was amazing.  I probably couldn’t make it in the pokemon league but I got a new goal and that was to be a gym leader and here I am today.

 

Kenta:  Ash influenced you too?  So far Ash had influenced everyone in a way.

 

Bugsy:  Yup.  Too bad he disappeared from the scene.

 

Kenta stored away his newly earned badge in a case and packed it away.  He waved good-bye to Bugsy as he left the gym.  Just as he exited out there was someone waiting for him and he didn’t look happy.

 

Hiro walked towards Kenta and held out a pokeball.  Kenta looked back at Hiro still angered that he stole a pokemon from his teacher.  It’s been awhile since that day but the aggression was still there.  Reaching for a pokeball, Kenta selected his Quilava and got ready to summon it.

 

Hiro:  I’ve been waiting awhile till you showed up.  I’m here to settle the score between you and I.

 

Kenta:  What score?

 

Hiro:  You bested me when we battled that first time, now I will best you!

 

Kenta:  You trying to be my rival or something?

 

Hiro:  You could say that.  But now its time to begin!  Choose your best pokemon and battle!

 

*****

 

Gary wrote a few more notes before leaving the classroom, Midori waited for him outside.  Once done Gary walked out and Midori walked beside him.  She was amazed how much work and dedication Gary was putting into this career in being a Gym Leader, she wished she had the same zeal.

 

Midori:  Your sure putting a lot of effort into this.

 

Gary:  Why should I have it any other way?  Even in my earlier youthful days as a traveling pokemon trainer I put everything I had into becoming the best.  I was cocky and full of confidence but I always did my best.

 

Midori:  Well you are the best.

 

Gary:  Nah, there’s someone else that’s better than me.  I can never be like him.

 

Midori:  You mean Ash right?

 

Gary:  Yeah.  My former rival.

 

A voice called out to Gary to the side of him.  He looked and there stood Ash standing next to Misty.  Gary smiled and approached Ash.

 

Gary:  Well if it isn’t the worlds biggest Rash.

 

Ash:  Nice to see you too Gay-Re.

 

They exchanged hugs and laughed, it’s been a few months since they saw each other.  Ash and Misty traveled to Viridian City to visit a one-day sell at one of the local malls and as they headed there they spotted Gary walking around.  Gary introduced Midori who Ash recognized as one of Pallet Town’s pokemon trainers.  They conversed with all type of small details since their last meeting.  Midori talked about the start of her being a pokemon trainer but was unable to collect all eight-gym badges.  It was a long and difficult road that soon became to rough for her to take.  She wished she were more like Gary or Ash who actually made it as far as Pokemon League and even defeated the elite four.  Ash remembered those earlier days when competition was hot and heavy, giving him so full of life and purpose.

 

Gary:  I wanted to become the best but Ash had to prove he was the better.

 

Ash:  One of my goals was to beat your ass and then be pokemon master.

 

They all chuckled.  Gary wished that they were at that age again where they could compete against each other, Ash wanted that too but since Ash had accomplished his goal and Gary needed to discover more about Pokemon, their rivalry ended.

 

Ash:  It’s a shame we’re no longer rivals, I really want to compete against someone who can beat me.

 

Gary:  I’m sure there’ll be someone who will.

 

Ash:  Those days of competition where someone could actually beat us are long gone.  I really wish I could be given strong competition again.

 

Gary:  Don’t worry Ash, you will.  You maybe a champ but there’s always someone else out there.

 

Misty smiled at the two, they were always talking about their pasts and never seem to get bored of the topic.  She got their attention by waving at their faces and then pointed towards the mall.

 

Misty:  Why are we standing around here, let’s go!

 

They all shrugged and headed towards the mall.  Misty then whispered to Gary, thanking him

 

Misty:  Thanks for bringing Ash back the other day.

 

Gary:  No problem.

 

*****

 

Hiro recalled his pokemon and grinned with satisfaction.  He had beaten Kenta on a one on one battle between his Croconaw and his Quilava.  Now having beaten Kenta, Hiro wanted to continue his journey to beat everyone and gain absolute power.

 

Kenta:  Your strong Hiro, I can’t wait to go against you in a competition even if you did steal that pokemon.

 

Hiro’s grin faded as he turned back towards Kenta and glared right at him.

 

Hiro:  Competition?  What are you talking about?

 

Kenta:  I see how strong you are as a trainer and I’d like to battle you in the pokemon league when we get there.  Then we can see which one of us is better.  I have to admit, your very good even though your dishonest.

 

Hiro narrowed his eyes at Kenta, apparently this wasn’t over or atleast not to Kenta.  Having beaten him only once has proved nothing, but in a real competition Hiro can officially claim that he is better and stronger.  Grinning again Hiro walked away from Kenta going to find a way to get better.

 

Hiro:  We’ll see who can make it there, Kenta.

 

Hiro vanished out of sight.  Kenta felt a burning determination within him, though he may have lost to Hiro this time he wanted to get better so he could beat him the next time he sees him.  It would take a lot of training but Kenta was up to the task.

 

Kenta:  Hiro is much stronger than I thought he would be.  If I can’t even beat him then I’m probably not as good as I should be.

 

Dusting himself off, Kenta headed towards the Ilex forest, this would be a good time to start improving.

 

*****

 

In an underground meeting place, Team Rocket loyalists all gathered together to report their recent defeat against a powerful pokemon trainer.  A monitor turned on revealing two of the higher ranted Team Rocket Executives.  The loyalists saluted and awaited their executive leader’s command.  Executive1 looked serious as well as beautiful.  Her shoulder length red hair shimmered where as the rest of her face appeared to be clouded in the shadows.  Executive2 appeared to be a handsome man with long blue shoulder length hair; he also remained in the shadows.

 

Executive1:  What is your report?

 

One of the Team Rocket grunts explained how they were defeated so their slowpoke plan failed.  The two executives acted surprised that a single trainer could do all this yet they’ve known what a single trainer could do.  Three years ago a boy defeated the entire Team Rocket organization, now history was repeating itself.

 

Executive2:  No matter.  Concentrate with the next plan and hope for the success.

 

Executive1:  The outcome of our plans will result in the boss coming back or not so do your best.

 

Executive2:  We want our original boss back to lead Team Rocket, that is the main goal, and don’t forget that.

 

The monitor turned off.  The remaining Team Rocket loyalists headed towards the briefing room, it was time to move on.

 

In the office of the main two executives, the male executive turned towards the statue of Giovanni and looked right at it.  He wished for the return of his boss.  A Meowth walked into the office and presented some reports.

 

Meowth:  Here’s our latest budget report, not something you’d really want to look at since that slowpoke well plan didn’t do to well.  Ha, I made funny!

 

The female executive walked over and threatened Meowth.  She wasn’t in the mood for bad puns and jokes.

 

Executive1:  That wasn’t funny Meowth.  At this rate history will repeat itself and our boss will not return.  After all the hard work we put into keeping Team Rocket alive we are threatened by another twerp who will ruin us again.

 

Executive2:  I hope our boss comes back at the speed of light.  We really need him.

 

Meowth:  That’s right.

 

End of Chapter 5