THE BATTLE FOR THE EMBER BADGE "Are you sure were going the right way?" asked Misty "Well, no, not really, but I have an idea." answered Brock nervously. "Pika." Pikachu sighed and shook his head. They were lost, again. "I just want to know where the nearest gym to the Fire League is." said Ash. Ash had just started a new league. The Fire League. He was close to getting his first badge. Little did he know how tough the first trainer was. "Hey! Look! A Poke'mon Center! I was right all along." said Brock. "Great! Now we can rest and find the next gym." agreed Ash. They made there way towards the center. The Joy there greeting them and Brock went crazy. Misty hit him on the head to make him leave Joy alone. Joy healed Ash's Poke'mon and gave them back. "Nurse Joy, would you by any chance know where the first gym in the Fire League is?" asked Ash. Joy suddenly looked worried. "You want to challenge the gym leader?" she asked. "Yup. Then I can earn the Ember Badge!" Ash said. "It's not far from here. Just down the road. But I must warn you, the gym leader is no ordinary gym leader." Joy warned. "Don't worry, I can't lose." Ash bragged. "That's what you said to your last match." Misty sighed. "But I did win." Ash pointed out. "Because the kid gave up. His mom was calling." Misty said. "Well, if you say I'm a bad trainer then I guess your just jealous." "Jealous? Of you? Ha! Don't make me laugh!" Pikachu covered his ears and headed for the door. Suddenly, the door was opened hard and Pikachu was hit by the door. "Piiiiiii!!" Pikachu's high scream of pain stopped Ash and Misty from arguing to longer. "Pikachu!" Ash cried. He ran to his Poke'mon and picked him up. Misty and Brock were at his side. Quickly, Ash looked up to see who had opened the door. A young girl walked towards Nurse Joy's desk. The first thing to notice was she was very pretty. She had long, flowing brown hair with brown eyes. She had a orange and fiery red shirt. It had white streaks around the shirt. The shirt had a peace sign spry painted on the front with an S on the left and right side. She also wore blue jeans shorts, much like Misty's. She slammed her fist on Nurse Joy's desk. "Joy! I told you to have my Ninetales ready and dropped off by four! It's already five! You know I don't have time to pick it up!" the young girl yelled. She looked to be about twelve. "I'm sorry, Sky. Here." Joy said quickly. She handed Sky the Pokeball and Sky stuck it on her belt with four other's. She began to leave. "Hey! You should be more careful!" Ash yelled at her. She stopped and faced him. "What do you mean?" she asked. "You just slammed the door on Pikachu." Ash answered. She looked at him with a mean stare. "Oops." she said She turned and began to walk out the door. She let it close on its own behind her. "I don't think I like her attitude. But her attitude is like I've heard it before." Misty pondered out loud. "She definitely has a problem. But she is pretty." sighed Brock. Misty rolled her eyes. "Pika?" Pikachu opened his eyes. "Are you okay, Pikachu?" asked Ash. Pikachu nodded and got on his shoulder. "Now, on to find the gym." Ash said. They left before Joy could stop them. She watched them leave and shook her head. "Poor boy. Doesn't know who he's up against," she sighed. They walked down a long dirty road and found the gym at the end of it. The gym was red and had the roof shaped like fire. "This gym leader must use fire Poke'mon. I'll be cool with my Squirtle." Ash said. They entered the gym. The room was dark and only the sunlight lit inside. Suddenly, the door slammed behind them. It was now pitch black. "Hey! Who shut the doors?" cried Misty. "Don't be surprised? As a gym leader, Misty, you should know always to surprise your opponent" smirked a voice. "That voice! I knew she was familiar!" Misty suddenly cried Light's flashed on and a young girl leaped and landed in front of them. It was the same girl from the Poke'mon Center! "Sky." Misty whispered. "Sky?" asked Ash. "That's me! It's been awhile Misty." Sky sneered. "Do you know her?" asked Brock. "Yes. She's my rival." Misty answered. "And so glad to be one too." Sky said with a evil smile. "We were eight when I first battled her. She had fire and I water. But, she beet me even with my water Poke'mon. She then teased me and bugged me and I finally left my home." Misty explained. "And your taste in friends has gotten no better." Sky sneered again. "Hey! I came for a match with the gym leader? Where is he?" asked Ash. "You mean she. Your looking at her." Sky said. "YOU!!" they all yelled. "Pika?!" "That's right. I always said I would be a gym leader." Sky said. "So did I. And we both did." Misty answered. "Well then, I challenge you Sky! For the Ember Badge!" Ash challenged. Sky suddenly burst out into laugher. "Huh?" asked Ash. Sky finally stopped after a moment. "You really think you can beat me? I have never been beaten in my entire life! Ever since I became a gym leader, I was unbeatable. I still am." Sky bragged. "What!? You mean you've never lost a battle!?" cried Brock. "That's what I just said. Aren't you even listening?" asked Sky. Ash was know hesitant. Should he battle her? "Well, let's make this one on one. Shall we?" asked Sky. With out a response, she went over to the end of the battle field. Ash stepped up. "Good luck Ash." Misty called out. "You'll need it." Sky added. Sky grabbed a Pokeball and threw it hard. It opened in a burst of light. I very strange creature appeared. They had never seen it before. It looked like a small white cat. It was the size of a large kitten but a foot bigger. It had normal back feet and paws like a kitten. Its front legs were normal but its front paws weren't. They were green with black strips on them. They had very long claws on them. They almost looked like gloves. The ears of this Poke'mon were big and pointy. It had whiskers that came out a little past its face but not by much. It had a long tail that was light purple with dark purpled strips. It had a green ring like thing on the near end of its tail. The end of its tail was sort of parted in the fur. It growled. Ash pointed his Pokedex at it. "Gato the kitten type Poke'mon. It can often fool enemies into thinking it is harmless because of its cute looks. It is one of the newly discovered Poke'mon." the Pokedex said. "We can beat it. Go, Pikachu!" Ash ordered. Pikachu jumped in front of it. "It's a she. Don't call her an it." Sky snapped. "Like I care?" asked Ash. "Gato, Tail Lash!" ordered Sky. Gato leaped at Pikachu and lashed her tail at him. Pikachu dodged and the attack missed. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered. "Pika-CCCCCHHHHHHUUUUUU!!" Bolts of lightning shot every where. They all missed. "Phantom Claw!" "What?" asked Misty. Gato's claws grew long and glowed purple. She slashed Pikachu hard and he fell to the ground, lifeless and with bloody scratches on his face. Gato stepped back and her claws returned to normal size and were not glowing purple. Ash ran to Pikachu and Sky returned Gato. "I win. Now leave." Sky said simply. She turned and disappeared in the darkness. Ash picked up Pikachu. "This isn't over yet, Sky." he whispered. He stood up and left. Misty and Brock exchanged worried looks and ran after him. At the Poke'mon Center, Ash sat waiting while Nurse Joy healed Pikachu. Misty and Brock sat on either side. "She has gotten better. Even as a kid, she knew exactly how to battle and what attacks to use." Misty said, trying to make Ash feel better. "She was so pretty." sighed Brock in his own dream land. Misty sighed. "Brock, have you noticed that ever girl you meet and like, turns you down?" asked Misty. Brock burst into tears and Ash tried not to laugh. Joy finally came out of the room with Pikachu. Pikachu ran into Ash's arms. "He should be fine." Nurse Joy said with a smile. "Thanks. Now, we'll try even harder to beat Sky." Ash said. Joy's smile faded. "I tried to warn you early, you shouldn't challenge her right away. You need to work up a plan. She has about ten different ones of her own that she dose by memory." Joy explained. "So, I need a plan. Well, what are her Poke'mon types?" asked Ash. "One of hers is electric and ice. And all her others are fire. Gato is a normal." Misty answered. "Electric and ice? I've never herd of a Poke'mon like that." said Brock. "A lot of Sky's Poke'mon are newly discovered Poke'mon. I have a list of all of them here somewhere." Joy said. She dug threw her pockets and brought out a sheet of paper. The friends all looked at it. It read, New Poke'mon:(Subject to change) Cattric --> Cattren (Both electric) Both Talk: No Mixeon (Fire, Water, Electric) Talk: No Leafyeon (Grass) Talk: No Pinkachu (Psychic, Electric) Talk: No Inferno --> Metalferno (Fire) Talk: No Wolf Type Family Wolflithe (Electric, Ice) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Gray Wolf (Electric) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Pink Wolf (Electric, Psychic) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Scale (Electric, Poison) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Feather (Electric, Flying) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Tropical (Electric, Grass) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Fireburn (Electric, Fire) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Clear (Electric, Water) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Rocky (Electric, Rock) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Fairy (Electric, Dragon) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Ghost (Electric, Ghost) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) End of Family Phoenix (Fire) Talk: No Thunderclap (Electric) Talk: No Gato--> Magic --> Angel (Gato: Normal Magic and Angel: Psychic, Normal) Gato and Magic Talk: Only one of each can. (Not sure which) Angel Talk: Yes Pixie (Ice) Talk: Yes Wolf (Psychic) Talk: Yes Undine (Water) Talk: Yes Tigerlon (Fire) Talk: No Dragoon (Water, Dragon) Talk: No Jessy (Fire, Flying) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Berry (Psychic, Normal) Talk: Only one can. (Not sure which) Raptorex (Water, Psychic) Talk: No "The Wolf Type Family?" asked Ash. "Pixie?" asked Brock. "Talk?" asked Misty. "Pika?" Joy laughed. "You can have it if you want and check off the ones you have seen. All of these Poke'mon listed here are said to live here." Joy said. Ash took the list. "Thanks!" he said, Suddenly, the doors were slammed open. They all looked up and saw Gary. He went to the desk and gave Joy one of his Pokeballs. Joy took it to the back. "You think that she would at least not laugh in my face when I lose." Gary raged. "She beat you too?" asked Ash. Gary turned toward them, startled. "What are you losers doing here?" he asked. "Same as you. Ash is here to challenge Sky, the gym leader." Misty answered. "So, your joining the Fire League too? Ha! Don't expect to win. It's harder here than I though." Gary said. "Hey! Don't yell at me when you lost too." snapped Ash. "Its only my first lost. This is portably what, your one hundred and one loss." Gary snapped back, tapping his finger on Joy's desk. "What Poke'mon did she use?" asked Brock. "Like I would tell losers like you?" asked Gary. "I do remember something about one of her plans." Misty began. "What?" Ash an Gary yelled. Misty jumped back. "But I don't really remember it clearly." she said quickly. "Come on! Just tell me what you think you know." Gary pushed. Misty put her hands on her hips. "Why would I tell a loser like you?" she said. Gary was just about to explode when Joy came back and gave Gary his Pokeball Gary took it and started towards the door. He suddenly turned to them. "Fine then! Tell your boy friend! I don't care!" Gary yelled at Misty. He stormed out the door. "My, what an attitude." Joy sighed. Misty and Ash both looked very mad. "Where's all his cheerleaders?" asked Brock with a sad hint in it. Ash suddenly looked like he had an idea. "Misty, what's that plan?" asked Ash. "Huh? Oh! Sky sends out a fire Poke'mon, ice, electric Poke'mon, and then fire Poke'mon" Misty told him. "Then, I know what to do. Let's go challenge Sky!" Ash said. They left towards the gym. They entered and Ash had more confidence than ever. "Sky! I ask for a rematch!" Ash called out into the darkness. "So, you came back for another beating, did you? Well, this time, let's make it three on three." came Sky's reply. Light's flashed on to reveal the battle field. "Go to Misty, Pikachu." Ash whispered. "Pika?" "Go." Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and climbed on to Misty's. "I hope he knows what he's doing." Misty said with worry. "I think he has an idea." Brock answered. "Well, Ash, you are as stubborn as I thought." Sky taunted. "This time, I have a plan." Ash said. "A new way to lose. Now difference. Let this battle begin!" Sky cried out. A bell rung and Sky threw a Pokeball The light appeared and formed a strange creature. It was one of the new Poke'mon. It looked like a plan orange and black tiger. It had long, long claws and sharp, sharp fangs. Fire surrounded its wrist on all four legs. The bottom of its tail to the tip was fire and so was its back and stomach. Its ears are as well. Its strips were fire shape but were black. "This is Tigerlon. He is a very good battler." Sky introduced. "Tigerlon the tiger type Poke'mon. This Poke'mon fiery fur is too hot to touch. It has a bad temper and is a very tough Poke'mon to handle." Ash's Pokedex said. "A fire type. Perfect! Squirtle, go!" Ash yelled, throwing the Pokeball. The tiny blue turtle appeared from the Pokeball. Tigerlon growled. "A water type huh? Not going to work! Tigerlon, Fire Dart!" ordered Sky. Tigerlon leaped into the air and shot a red dart of fire out his mouth at Squirtle. Squirtle disappeared into his shell and the dart hit it and bounced off. It left a burn. Squirtle came out of his shell. "Water Gun!" Squirtle sprayed a powerful stream of water out his mouth at Tigerlon. Tigerlon was too fast. He leaped away and Squirtle followed him with the water. Tigerlon ran and leaped the water blasts. "Enough of this! Tigerlon, Flamethrower!" Tigerlon jumped and then landed. With that, he shot a powerful flame blast out his mouth. It collided with the water and sent the water disappearing into steam. The fire hit Squirtle and the Poke'mon fell on his back. "Finish it!" ordered Sky Tigerlon leaped at Squirtle. Suddenly, the Poke'mon was up. It was too late for Tigerlon. Squirtle shot another powerful blast of water and hit Tigerlon right on. Tigerlon hit the ground hard. His fire was going out and he fainted. "NO!" cried Sky. "Yes! Alright Squirtle!" Ash cheered. "Tigerlon, return." Tigerlon disappeared into Sky's Pokeball. Ash returned Squirtle. "Now the real battle begins." Sky said. She threw another Pokeball hard. But this one was different. It was blue and white instead of red and white. It opened and another new Poke'mon appeared. It looked like a wolf. It had sort of like a mane and that was dark blue. It's face was white. The blue streak zigzagged and meets another zigzag. This went down and zigzagged to leave white on its legs and belly. That streak was light blue. It's tail was white at the tip. A little ways down was light blue and it then zigzagged into dark blue which connected on the back. It's horns were gray and went back and then forward. They had little gray rings imprinted in them. It had paws like a wolf only that its claws are solid gray and big and sharp. The wolf like Poke'mon growled. "Meet Tiger Of The Wind. He is my best Poke'mon." Sky bragged. "Wolflithe the wolf type Poke'mon. This Poke'mon's body temperature is so cold, that you can see its breath when it breath's at times. It's teeth and claws are so sharp, they can tear through steel. Many have not survived from a Wolflithe's bite." the Pokedex charmed in. Ash noticed something different about this Wolflithe, who's nickname was Tiger, to the picture in his Pokedex. Tiger had a long scar that went from the right side of his forehead, zigzagged past his eye and stopped below the right corner of his mouth. "I can beat it. Bulbasaur, attack!" Ash yelled, throwing his Pokeball. Bulbasaur appeared. Tiger growled at him. Bulbasaur growled back. "Tiger, Ice Beam!" ordered Sky. Tiger shot a blue beam out his mouth. Bulbasaur ran from it and it hit the wall behind him. The wall exploded. "Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!" Bulbasaur unleashed his vines from the bulb on his back and went to go and hit Tiger. Tiger leaped out of its way and the vines went after him. He suddenly stopped. The vines came at him. Tiger suddenly grab the left one and bit. The vine snapped in half! Bulbasaur cried in pain and pulled his vines back. "Torpedo!" The two, little, blue glowing balls appeared at the tip of Tiger's horns. Tiger shot small blue lightning bolts out these horns and shocked Bulbasaur It hurt bad, but wasn't very effective. "Razor Leaf!" Bulbasaur shot out a bunch of sharp leaves at Tiger. Tiger jumped away with easy and into the air. "Now see why I call him Tiger Of The Wind. Roar!" Sky yelled. Roar? I though all that did was scare away wild Poke'mon , Ash though. He was very wrong. Wind whipped around Tiger. He landed hard on the ground. The wind blew very hard and ruffled Tiger's fur and his mane blew all around. He opened his mouth to show sharp teeth and suddenly let out a burst of hard air. It was stronger than a hurricane that wind! It almost knocked Ash off his feet. The gust of wind hit Bulbasaur and sent him flying back. Bulbasaur smashed hard into the wall and fell to the gym floor, fainted. "Bulbasaur!" Ash cried and ran to him. "Great job Tiger!" Sky praised. Tiger let out a long howl. Both trainers returned there Poke'mon. "I must say, you put up a good fight, Ash. Better than Misty ever did." Sky sneered. Misty clinched her fist. "This battle isn't about Misty! The next battle will decide the winner!" Ash yelled at her. Sky smiled with and evil glint in her eyes. "Agreed." Sky said. She threw a Pokeball hard. It opened and a bird Poke'mon formed from the light. It opened its wings and screeched. It was yet, another new Poke'mon. It looked like Articuno but with some differences. Its feathers on its wings were fire. You could see the feathers but there on fire. It was all red with a yellow beak. It had the feathers on its head like Articuno but the feathers were red and had fire around them like the wings. It had the same tail as Articuno but it was red and was on fire. It's whole body was red and it had a red and yellow and a little bit of white on its chest. It also had gold talons and black claws. "Another of my best. He has never lost a battle." Sky smirked. "Phoenix the fire bird type Poke'mon. This Poke'mon is very pretty and is a peaceful creature. When seen, is disappears in a flash of flames. It's fiery feather can heal people." the Pokedex said. "Another new one!" Brock gasped. Now what? I have little to chose form. I could use Pikachu or Squirtle again. But, they would lose. Unless I used... Ash thought but was interrupted. "Well, hurry up." snapped Sky. "Charizard, go!" cried Ash and threw the Pokeball. "Oh-no! Now he's done it!" cried Misty. "Pika." Pikachu shook his head sadly. Charizard appeared and roared loudly. "A Charizard, huh? This will be easy." Sky said simply. "Okay Charizard, I'm really counting on you." Ash said. Charizard yawned and lied down. "No! Not now! Please Charizard!" begged Ash. Charizard snorted. "Your Charizard isn't even trained and you send it to do battle? What a sad thing to do. Phoenix, Sky Attack!" Sky said. Phoenix flapped it's wings and took to the air. Charizard was fast asleep. "This one's easy Phoenix! Use what you have!" Phoenix flew down and slammed hard into Charizard. The fire Poke'mon was sent flying back and slammed into the wall. He go up and roared. Flapping his wings, he took to the air and flew at Phoenix. The bird dodged and flew behind them. The two Poke'mon's eye's suddenly met. Fire raged in them. "Phoenix, use your Heat Beam! That will take it down!" They two didn't move. They continued to stare. "What?" asked Sky. "I had a feeling this would happen. There both fire Poke'mon and there both strong. There instincts have taken over and now there going to fight until one is killed. There going to ignore there trainers." explained Brock. "Phoenix! Come down here now!" Sky ordered. "Charizard! Stop!" Ash cried. Both Poke'mon suddenly charged at each other. Charizard slammed Phoenix hard in the stomach with his fist. Phoenix was thrown back and counter attacked with Flamethrower. Charizard shot flame as well and the two fire streams hit and exploded. "A tie!" gasped Misty. Charizard stopped with the flame and roared. Phoenix attacked again. He flapped his wings and a small fire twister came out and burned Charizard badly. Charizard attacked and slammed himself into Phoenix. He garbed Phoenix and pushed him up and into the roof. The roof wasn't strong enough to hold them back. CRACK!! A crack that sounded like thunder shook the whole gym and the roof broke. The four trainers ran away as the two fire Poke'mon broke the roof and flew to the sky. The gym collapsed into ruins. "My gym!" cried Sky. "We have more better thing to worry about." Misty said. They all looked up to see the battle. Charizard shot a blast of flame from his mouth. Phoenix dodged and suddenly shot a huge, red beam. It came out of his mouth, wings and all. His whole body. It hit Charizard and the Poke'mon flew from the sky and landed in the ruins of the gym with a huge bang followed by dust. "That's Heat Beam!" said Sky. "Charizard!" cried Ash. The trainers all watched helpless as Charizard slowly got up. Phoenix dived at him again but missed. Instead, Charizard punched him away. Charizard flew back up into the air and hit Phoenix with his tail several times. Phoenix still never lost his balance. Charizard suddenly lunged forward and grabbed Phoenix be the neck with his teeth. Blood gushed out and dripped to the floor and over Charizard's mouth and Phoenixes neck. Phoenix screeched with pain and clawed Charizard in the belly. Both bled badly. Suddenly, both Poke'mon parted and flew in the air. Blood dripped from them. Flames suddenly surrounded both Poke'mon. "We need to hide! They're charging power!" Brock yelled. They all hid in some bushes. The flames grew brighter and bigger. Phoenix suddenly shot a burst of flame from his mouth at the same time Charizard did. Both stream's of fire hit and explode. BOOM!! Flames engulfed them and the trainers. * * * "Ash? Ash? Are you okay?" Misty asked. Ash opened his eyes and stare into Misty's face. She leaned back and he sat up. "Are you okay?" Misty asked again. "I guess. What happened?" Ash asked Misty. "Well, the fire and explosion knocked us all out. You were last to wake up." Misty explained. "Oh-no! Charizard!" cried Ash. He got to his feet and ran over to where the two Poke'mon lied. Sky was leaned over Phoenix's head and petting him while Brock looked at his wounds. Misty and Pikachu went over to Charizard with Ash. Ash petted Charizard on the head. "Charizard, are you okay?" Ash asked. Charizard was breathing heavily and had his eyes opened. Ash held out Charizard's Pokeball. "Return, Charizard." Charizard disappeared into the Pokeball. Suddenly, Sky's cried rung out. They went over. "What's wrong?" asked Misty. Brock stood up with a sad look. "Phoenix. He's ....he's .... dead." Sky sobbed. There was a silences. Pikachu lowered his ears. Flame suddenly surrounded Phoenix. They all stepped back. The fire disappeared and in Phoenix's place, was ash's. "Huh?" asked Sky. Suddenly, Ash knew. The ash's suddenly came together and formed a bird. The ash's were blown away and Phoenix stood. "Phoenix!" cried Sky. She ran and hugged the big bird around his neck. "His a Phoenix. Phoenix's die and become reborn." Ash said. "Pikachu!" Pikachu was happy. "But, I guess I lost the Ember Badge." Ash sighed. Sky returned Phoenix and looked at him. "Well, we had better go heal Charizard." Ash said. He and his friends began to walk away. "Ash?" They turned. "Here." Sky went to them and held out her hand. There was two Pokeballs. One blue and white and the other, regular. With them, was the Ember Badge. Shaped like Phoenix. "I want you to take the Ember Badge. You earned it. Also take Tiger and Phoenix. They need to see the world." Sky told him. "Sky. I can't take your Poke'mon or the badge. I didn't win." Ash protested. Sky took Ash's hand and put the three items in them. "But I can not keep the badge any more. Neither can I keep my two strongest Poke'mon, who need to battle in the Fire League. Take them Ash, and maybe, we'll cross paths again." Sky said. She then turned her back on them and walked away. Past the old gym and down a hill of sand. Ash smiled and waved to her. She then disappeared over the hill. Ash took the badge and put it in his pocket. then he took the two Pokeballs and put them with the rest. They then went to the Poke'mon Center and healed them all. With that done, they left. But Gary watched them. "So he has Phoenix and Tiger does he? Well, we'll just see about that." Gary said. Gary also left, to find another badge to earn. THE END Authors note: Like it? Only will lucky readers get this far. =) It was too long! Sorry! Great ending huh? My next one will be called, "Tiger Of The Wind". I made my name that and I guess I decided to put it in my story. ;)