Chapter 9: A confrontation

A few months have passed, Kenta’s pokemon journey has taken him all through out the land and he has achieved many goals. Many people that he met told him that he has the natural skill to become a great pokemon trainer and others recognize his potential and compared it with Ash. It was in Olivine where a corporate man named Gio told Kenta that he shows great promise and probably will become the next champion. What shocked Kenta about his battle with Gio was his clean sweep victory over him. Kenta had defeat three of Gio’s best pokemon with just one of his best. It was after the battle that Gio revealed that he once battled Ash and Ash had defeated him, however Ash did not defeat him like Kenta did. He saw more potential and power within Kenta, who could probably out do even Ash.

Kenta had also met up with Hiro a few times, during one occasion was to battle Jasmine for a gym badge. Hiro felt aggression take hold of him seeing how strong Kenta had become and also defeating Jasmine. Worried about Kenta surpassing him, after the gym match Hiro set off to become even stronger, Jasmine followed him. After a few months they had cross each other’s paths and Hiro proved to still be the stronger of the two, still Kenta was willing to battle him when they reached the Pokemon League.

At Blackthrone City, both Kenta and Whitney stayed at a hotel to rest before Kenta went to Dragon’s Den to prove he is worthy to battle Clair. In the hotel room Kenta looked over his things in his bag; he had collected a lot of souvenirs over the months, even some photos of him in cities, wilderness, and events. Half the photos taken had Whitney in them; she had begun to travel with him after she was inspired by Kenta’s adventure stories and currently travels with him wherever he goes. It took awhile but Kenta was glad to have Whitney around to help him in his journey. Together they learned a lot about pokemon and the land they live in, being a city girl Whitney learned to appreciate the land that makes all things possible. Her fondness of Kenta started to grow over the time, before it was a silly likeness for his handsome looks and charm but her feelings for him became more intimate. She realized this when they investigated the Lake of Rage where they saw a red Gyrados. Whitney nearly drowned if it wasn’t for Kenta saving her and also defeating the powerful red Gyrados. She had swallowed so much water that Kenta had to administer CPR, when she regain consciousness she felt Kenta’s lips on hers, she awakened like sleeping beauty. It was then she realized she did have feelings for him.

Team Rocket’s activity had sparked up a few times as well but Kenta played hero and defeat them. After defeating nearly every single team rocket member Kenta wondered if he had become like Ash. It was true that everyone was referring him to the next Ash, still he wondered if he was that good to be compared to a living legend. Feeling very proud of his accomplishments he one day wanted to find Ash and introduce himself to him, then battle him to see if he was truly as good as people think he is.

Kenta: I feel like I’m in a movie, what was it now, um Searching for Bobby Fischer? Except I’m in, Searching for Ash Ketchum.

Whitney: Who are you talking to?

Kenta fell off his chair with his things fall all over him and his bag on his head.

Kenta: How long were you there?

Whitney: Long enough you weirdo. So what are you doing, sorting out your things?

Kenta: Just looking over some stuff. Like these photos and trinkets we collected.

Whitney picked up the photo they took together with Kenta’s friend and his girlfriend the gym leader of Olivine.

Whitney: I remember this picture. It was when the gym leader of Olivine finally came back and you saw your old friend.

Kenta: Well he’s not exactly a friend friend but I guess you can call him a friend.

Kenta mumbled “pokemon thief” to himself.

Whitney: He also has a pretty girlfriend don’t ya think.

Kenta: Um yeah whatevers.

Whitney: It was kinda funny that you had to battle your friend’s girlfriend for a badge and then later I had to battle your friend for another badge. I think it was one our most memorable moments in our journey. When do you think is the next time you’ll see your friend.

Kenta: I don’t know. I hope to see him in the pokemon league and battle him there.

Whitney: But you haven’t won against him yet right, if you battle him there you may lose to him.

Kenta: I don’t know we’ll just have to see. The thought of competing against him to see who is the better, both of us giving it our all inspires me to train even harder now.

Whitney: I see. Well be sure not to get yourself too exhausted or you may fail the dragon’s den test.

Kenta: I think I’ll just go for a walk to get some fresh air and maybe clear up my mind.

Whitney: Alright, I’m gonna stay here then.

Kenta exited the hotel and walked around the city’s street thinking what will it be like in the pokemon league games. He’s seen it on TV before but to actually compete is a whole different perspective. He’s so close to getting there, just this last badge and he’s assured into the pokemon league. How long has it been since he started, a bit over a year now by rough estimate. Another thought that came to Kenta’s mind was how Ash went about his journey to become the most powerful pokemon trainer. It took him three years to become the champion, comparing with his own. During the first pokemon league games, Ash didn’t win but he did have a good rank. Failure must’ve been part of his training to gain so much strength; Kenta had Hiro to thank for his own failures. The adventures of Ash were an eventful one that took him places where normal people wouldn’t go; Kenta felt that his own adventures were similar. Later Ash triumphed over the Orange Islands where he defeated an undefeated trainer for the championship, however it wasn’t the biggest championship match that was later. Kenta has yet to prove himself in a tournament against other trainers who battled so hard to win. In total Ash took three years to achieve master status and become champion, half of the time he didn’t do so well and the other half he rapidly became successful. Kenta a little into his first year since the day he left was now nearing his first test. Whatever was going to happen, he hopes to do well and maybe one day he’d get to test himself against Ash.

*****

Gary and Midori arrived at their apartment to see that the mail inbox has been stuffed full of letters. Sorting through them, most of them were bills, but there was one special letter that was addressed from Cerulean City.

Gary: Ah, I bet it’s our pictures.

Midori: Oh really? Let me see!

Gary opened up the letter and he was right, it was photographs from a week ago. The first picture was a nice one of all four of them standing together. Ash and Misty looked very happy together. The next photo was of that special dance the two had. Misty had her arms around Ash’s neck and Ash’s arms were right on Misty’s waist, it’s a lovely picture.

Midori: They really look good together.

The next photo was of them dancing as well. Gary laughed; he would never have pictured himself in such a photograph. He handed the rest of the photographs to Midori to look over while he changed from his school uniform to his normal clothes.

Gary: I see a long and peaceful prosperity for the two.

Midori: I do too.

Gary: On the other hand, knowing Ash they probably wouldn’t stay in one place very long. They probably would tour around and go to exotic places.

Midori: Hey look at this photo!

Midori chuckled as she handed it to Gary, Gary laughed as well. It was a picture of Ash stuffing Misty’s face with cake.

Gary: Always so playful. Todd is always knows the perfect photo opportunity.

*****

After about an hour walking around Kenta spotted a small pokemon tournament occurring one of the cities open arenas. Walking in Kenta saw the semi finals match between an adult trainer wearing a bandana and sweatshirt with shorts and a young adult trainer wearing glasses a blue jacket white shirt and black jeans. He watched as the duel started. It was rather quick; the guy in the glasses defeats his opponent using only one pokemon, a Charizard.

Kenta: Wow, he’s good. I’d have to beat people like him to even stand a chance in the pokemon league.

The final bout was setup, the announcer yelled out the match between Luther the titleholder and Tom the guy in the glasses. Kenta had wish he was able to enter in the tournament to really test his skills on these veteran trainers but the only thing he could do is watch and take notes. Expecting a good long match Kenta carefully watched but the suspense had soon passed when Tom defeated his opponent using his mighty Charizard. Tom was declared the winner of the tournament, just as the ceremony was about to take place for the winner there was a long intermission. The announcers argued with the stagehands, something had gone wrong. Not interested in seeing what was going to happen next, Kenta walked out of the arena to head back to his place of stay. As he walked on he noticed the Tom guy walking towards his car with a lady waiting for him, probably his girlfriend. Quickly Kenta approached him to congratulate him on his victory.

Kenta: Hey Tom, wait!

Tom turned around and saw Kenta approaching him.

Kenta: Hey you battled quiet a match back there. Congratulations on your victory.

Tom: Oh, why thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Kenta: Could I see your trophy?

Tom looked at his girlfriend then looked back at Kenta.

Tom: I didn’t accept the trophy. Right after I battled the last opponent I just left.

Kenta: Huh but why? Don’t you want the trophy?

Tom: Not really, the prize money isn’t all that great either. I just battle cause well that’s what I do. I didn’t feel challenged though; it feels like an empty victory, so that is why I didn’t accept the trophy.

Kenta: I see. You really must be a great pokemon trainer, do you compete in the pokemon league.

Tom: Oh I use to, long ago. That was back in the day when I was really challenged. But not anymore.

Kenta: Oh. Well I just wanted to congratulate you on your victory, I learned a few things by watching you battle. Maybe one day we’ll battle.

Tom smiled at Kenta; he hadn’t heard anyone say that for a very long time. Kenta smiled back at Tom, for a moment Tom thought he was looking at a mirror, this boy, he had the Golden Smile. Tom realized this boy probably has potential for becoming a great pokemon trainer. Tom nodded and agreed to battle with Kenta later in life.

Tom: Sure, one day.

Tom shook Kenta’s hand then started his car. He reversed and drove away, Kenta waved good-bye to him. Tom looked at his rear view mirror till he no longer saw Kenta waving at him. Tom looked at his girlfriend and smiled at her.

Tom: That Kenta boy, I felt an incredible potential within him. Did you see his expression?

Girlfriend: You mean the way he smiled? The Golden Smile.

Tom: You don’t see that everyday.

Girlfriend: Well I do.

He smiled to himself and drove on, his girlfriend laughed at him for some reason.

Tom: What are you laughing about now?

Girlfriend: Nothing really, just that how many people you fooled, Mr. Tom A. Dough.

Tom: Haa haa haa, anything is better than Ann Chovey. Besides, you’d be Mrs. Tom A Dough.

Girlfriend: What a way to spend a honeymoon, pokemon tournament battles with pseudo names. I kinda like it, a bit original. So where to now?

She looked at him and all he did was look back and gave her a familiar smile.

Tom: I think a nice picnic near Tojoh falls would be nice.

End of Chapter 9