The Ketchum Family

Hitting the Wall: Part 1

This chapter picks up immediately after the previous one. I hope you enjoy this battle filled chapter.

At long last, the time for the Indigo League has arrived. Our heroes traveled to Indigo Plateau with Ash and Serena to register for the Pokémon League. While there, Paul and his students registered as well, setting the stage for a tense competition. After several tough battles, the first day of the Pokémon League is nearly complete. Gwyn and Cyril advanced to the round of sixty-four, but Terence had one battle remaining. To his shock, he found himself facing off against his bitter rival, Vernon, in a winner-take-all battle. Only one of them will be able to move on to the round of sixty-four. Which one of them will succeed? Will Ash or Paul's instructions prove superior?

"GO!!!" Terence and Vernon shouted, hurling their Pokéballs forward. The devices snapped open and white light flashed out. Bulbasaur and Machoke emerged, and promptly growled while casting vicious glares at each other.

"Guess I have to beat you one more time," Vernon said nastily.

"I don't think so!" Terence retorted.

"Battle begin!" the referee shouted.

Vernon gritted his teeth and barked a command. "Mach Punch!"

Terence swept an arm to the side and spoke quickly. "Use your vines to dodge it!"

Machoke lunged forward, rapidly accelerating while aiming a streaking punch at Bulbasaur. Before the fighting type could land the blow, Bulbasaur slammed its vines into the ground, launching itself straight up into the air. Machoke's punch whiffed and the muscular Pokémon stumbled.

"Aawahh!" Vernon stammered in surprise.

Terence chuckled grimly and grinned. "Now, use Razor Leaf!"

Bulbasaur flipped over and fired a pair of spinning leaves, down at Machoke. The attack slammed into the fighting type's back, eliciting a cry of pain.

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"All right, Terence!!" Gwyn shouted, bouncing excitedly in her seat.

"That's a good first hit," Cyril said.

Ash slowly nodded but didn't say anything. He stared at the battle, taking in every detail.

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Vernon growled in annoyance. "Fine, hit back with Rock Slide!"

Machoke shook off the damage and leapt into the air. It plummeted down to the ground and slammed its fists into the earth. Cracks radiated out to below where Bulbasaur still floating in mid-air before suddenly boulders exploded upward.

"Aaagghhh!" Terence exclaimed as his grass type was suddenly pummeled by flying rocks. Bulbasaur took hit after hit before finally falling back to earth.

The two combatants faced each other, teeth bared and bodies tense. Bulbasaur winced at the several abrasions covering its body. Machoke slowly rolled its right arm, grimacing against the pain in its back. Both Pokémon were hurt, but still had plenty of fight.

"Okay, let's get in close!" Terence said.

Bulbasaur obeyed and immediately started running toward Machoke. Vernon grinned and clenched an eager fist.

"Bad move! Charge in and use Close Combat!"

Machoke bellowed a reply and dashed to meet Bulbasaur. Both Pokémon were at full sprint, heading right for each other. Machoke reared back and prepared to throw a powerful punch.