Part 10 of Vision of Hope!

Disclaimer: What, do you think I own pokemon? Let me see… I’m not drowning in money, so I’d say no.

Notes: <> indicates telepathy, ** indicates thoughts, and italics indicates pokemon speech translated into ingles!

Dragi – …

Akiko Koishii – summer school sucks, doesn’t it? *Sighs*

Celia Wong – Ah, really? Well, I do try to update every few days. And I don’t write that much het anymore.

Houou Kazoku-Kaga – AP Euro? Wow, I never took that, only English, Government, Biology, Statistics, and Calculus… I don’t like Rudy either.

Part 10: Climbing the steps to victory

“Pichu, Sunny, use Double Team!” Ash was in the midst of a heated battle with Luanna, the last Orange Island gym leader.

“Alakazam, use Psychic! Marowak, use Bonemerang!” Luanna commanded. * Wow, he’s managed to evade my attacks so far, but can he keep this up? *

Pichu ducked behind Sunny, who deflected the Bonemerang with her Reflect, before launching Thunder (and Pichu) at Alakazam.

Alakazam blinked before Pichu flew into its face. “PICHU!” Pichu cried as she poured approximately all of her electricity into Alakazam. Marowak, seeing how its partner was faring badly, rushed over to help, but Sunny nailed it with Pin Missle.

< Almost done. > Ash said with a smile. < Finish them off with Thunderbolt! > Nods came from his pokemon, and they did as he said.

“Alakazam and Marowak are unable to battle! The badge goes to Ash!” The referee called.

“Not bad.” Luanna said, handing Ash his newest badge.

“Thank you.” Ash said, as he pinned it one his vest. “Cool. So now I can go to Pumello and challenge Drake for the title?”
“Yes. Good luck!”

‘Thank you!”

Ash and Delphinis surfed off. * Almost there… *

< Yes. > Sunny said. < Soon, it will all be over. >

< And the pokemon will rise again… >

Pumello Island, Stadium…

“Qualifying matches first?” Ash asked, feeling a bit annoyed. “Oh well.”
”And your name is?” The registrar asked.

“Satoshi.” Ash said, using his middle name. He handed over his badges to the girl, who checked them, and gave them back.

“Good. You only have two qualifying rounds to fight, since there aren’t very many challengers this year. I wonder why?”

Ash shrugged. * Probably because it was too hard to climb up Danny’s mountain or pass Cissy’s water tests or deal with Luanna’s double-teaming… *

“Well, I’m going!”

He was waved into the stadium.

“Only three pokemon…” Ash said. “Two qualifying matches. That means I need a good team.”

“Trickery’s always good.” A voice said next to his ear.

Ash blinked and saw a boy with spiky blonde hair. < Oh really, Zapdos? >

< I’m rooting for you! If you lose, I’ll shock you! >

< Thanks for your support. >

< I mean it! You have more than enough pokemon! >

Ash nodded. “Okay, I’ll take your advice. Three different pokemon, two matches. First one’s on sand, and the other one is in water.”

< You need something that knows ground moves for the first match, and a swimmer for the second. >

“Thanks, Zapdos.” Ash whispered in a soft tone. Zapdos stood up and left.

The next day…

“Sandshrew.” Ash said, picking up his first poke ball. “You’ll do fine.” The small rodent pokemon squeaked and nodded.

< Who else? > Sunny asked as she peered over his shoulder in slight interest. * One ground type, but he doesn’t use rock-types that much, or fighting types… *

“Vaporeon, because my opponent will probably be using a ground or rock type himself, and one more.”

< You have ground and water. > Sunny said. < What can balance them out? >

“An electric type.” Ash said. “Do you want to battle?”
Sunny shook her head. < I have to observe. >

“Um, I’m not too sure about Pichu, she’s still pretty young… and what if she evolves?”

Sunny thought hard. < A flying type or an ice type? >

< I’ll use pidgeot. >

< That’ll work. >

Ash picked out his three poke balls, put the rest in his belt, and headed off to the field of battle. However…

He didn’t count on Gary being there.

“Today’s match on the rock field sis between Satoshi Kenta and Gary Oak! Let the match now begin!” The commentator blared.

Ash winced. * Well, Gary’s still kind of my friend… but I can’t lose this battle. * He closed his eyes and gripped the railing.

“Ready, set, go!” Shouted the referee.

“Sandshrew, I choose you!”

“Nidoking, go!” Gary said, giving the poke ball a quick kiss before he threw it. Out popped a ferocious looking Nidoking. Sandshrew looked tiny compared to it.

“Let’s make this quick. Sandshrew, Fissure!”

“Nidoking, Toxic!” Gary commanded. The poisonous fluid spewed at Sandshrew, who scarcely managed to dodge out of the way.

< Now! > Ash said. Sandshrew nodded and broke the earth with Fissure, causing Nidoking to go flying.

Gary winced. * I didn’t expect a one-hit K.O. * “Nidoking, Return! Arcanine, go! Extreemespeed!”

Sandshrew was hit and toppled over.

“Return!” Ash said. < I know you’re not hurt badly, but it could get dangerous out there. * “Vaporeon, I choose you!”

I am so going to win this. Vaporeon commented as she landed next to Arcanine.

“Arcanine, use Flamethrower!”

“Vaporeon, counter with Water gun!” The two attacks cancelled each other out. Both pokemon landed on their feet.

“Hydro Pump!” Vaporeon nodded and soaked Arcanine. Arcanine was recalled. One of Gary’s lighted squares went out.

“In that case, I’ll use Umbreon!” Gary said.

“Oh, this is a heated match!” The announcer said. “Two different eevelutions! Who will win?”

“Acid Armor!” Vaporeon melted into molecular form and vanished from view.

“Umbreon, use Faint Attack!” The dark eevee slammed into Vaporeon, even though it couldn’t see it.

“Bubblebeam!” Vaporeon nodded and the bubbles shot towards Umbreon. Vaporeon staggered a little, the faint attack had done some damage.

“Bite!” Gary called.

“Okay, Vaporeon, use Hydro Pump!” The attack barreled into Umbreon, sending it flying.

“Umbreon is unable to battle! This round goes to Satoshi!”

Gary looked ashamed. * I can’t believe I lost in the first round to a novice! * He sighed.

“Good job.” Ash said as he left, hugging Vaporeon. Vaporeon grinned proudly.

< Great job! > Sunny said. < You did it! >

Ash nodded. “Now off to the pokemon center.”

Ash dropped off his three poke balls at the pokemon center. Then, he went and hid in his room to avoid interviews.

End part 10!

12/17/02 to 1/9/03