A New Journey - Ash Ketchum {2}

Chapter 23 - Charizard Chills

Emma and her friends had stopped in an Island that seemed to be deserted. "What Island is this?" Emma asked. "It's called Cleopatra Island," Tracey said. Ash grinned, "Is there a Gym around? I got to get my fourth badge!"

"No, sorry," Tracey answered as he rubbed the back of his head. "Let's take a little break before heading back out," Misty said. Ash looked at Emma, "Hey, Em, want to have a battle?"

"A battle?" Emma repeated. "Yeah, come on, let's do it," Ash said, "It's been a while since we battled each other." Emma tilted her head before she smiled slightly, "Okay then. Let's do it."

They walked to the side where Misty and Tracey could sit on a few rocks. Misty had Emma's Togepi on her lap, and Emma and Ash faced each other.

"All right, a two against two match is okay?" Emma asked. "Okay," Ash agreed and looked at his male Pikachu, "Okay, Pikachu, let's go." The male Pikachu nodded and ran forward. "All right then," Emma said and pulled out a Poké ball, and threw it, "Go!"

To her friends' surprise, the Pokémon she released was Poliwrath. "Poliwrath?" Ash asked. "Pika?" the male mouse asked. "Why Emma is using a water element like Poliwrath, against an electric type like Pikachu?" Misty asked.

Ash smiled, "Don't think that just because we're friends--" he started. "And lovers!" Misty called teasingly. Ash ignored her and continued, "That I'm gonna be easy on you." Emma smiled, "Same. You first."

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt attack!" Pikachu released a powerful bolt of yellow electricity from his body at Poliwrath. "Double Team," Emma said. Poliwrath created multiple copies of himself to evade the attack and surrounded Pikachu.

"Pikachu, don't let 'em fool ya! Quick Attack now!" Pikachu got rid of the copies and found the real one, quickly using his tail to shock him, but when he stopped, Poliwrath didn't seem hurt. "Pika!" the male mouse said. "It didn't work," Ash said in surprise.

"Now, Hypnosis!" Emma said. Poliwrath's eyes glow light blue and the male mouse fell asleep right away. "Pikachu!" Ash called. "Now Poliwrath, Water Gun attack!" Emma called. Poliwrath released a spiral of water from the swirl on his stomach at Pikachu, throwing him backward.

"Wow," Misty said. "Togy, Togy," the Egg Pokémon said. Ash walked quickly to the male mouse's side, "Pikachu!" Tracey looked impressed, "She let Ash's Pikachu use his energy up, and then she hit."

"I wonder what the next Pokémon Ash is gonna use," Misty muttered, "I doubt Emma's gonna replace Poliwrath in the second match." Emma placed her hands on her hips, "Is Pikachu okay?"

"Yeah," Ash said as his male mouse stood up. "Take a rest pal." He stood up and faced Emma and her Poliwrath. "All right then..." He pulled out a Poke ball, and threw it, "Go, Charizard!"

Misty and Tracey were horrified, but Emma just stared. "Charizard?" Misty shouted. Poliwrath looked slightly surprised by the choice, but when he glanced at his trainer and she gave him a nod, he looked back at Flame Pokémon, ready for another battle, "Poliwrath."

Misty watched Emma, noticing she had a small smile on her lips as if she was hoping Ash will choose Charizard in the match. "Did she hope for it to happen?" she muttered. The female Pikachu, who was sitting between Misty and Tracey, seemed to have realized what her trainer was up to, and smiled, "Pika."

Tracey didn't noticed and looked at Ash, "Don't use Charizard, Ash," he said with a worried frown. "Why?" Ash asked with a smile, "Don't worry, Charizard isn't gonna do anything." Then, Charizard burned him with Flamethrower, and Emma sighed.

"It's getting worse, it's time to end this," she said quietly to her Pokémon. Poliwrath nodded, "Poliwrath." Charizard flew off on his own toward the ocean. "Charizard!" Ash called, "Charizard."