by Tracey West
The dust cleared. Ash watched anxiously. Is Charizard all right? he wondered.
Both Pokémon were still standing. They looked dirty and exhausted.
But Charizard had taken too much damage. The lizard Pokémon fell backward with a thud.
“Charizard is unable to battle,” declared the judge.
“Drake has just taken out one of Ash’s strongest Pokémon!” the announcer exclaimed. “Ash’s remaining Pokémon are still weak from battle. Do they have what it takes to down this Dragonite?”
Ash looked at the scoreboard nervously.
Ash threw a Poké Ball. “Squirtle, I’m counting on you!”
Squirtle popped out, ready to battle.
“Hydro Pump!” Ash cried.
Squirtle pulled its head, legs, and arms into its shell. The shell spun around, shooting water from every opening.
Dragonite countered with Water Gun. The Dragon Pokémon blasted Squirtle’s shell with a powerful stream of water. The shell skidded across the sand.
Squirtle popped back out. It was too weak to withstand the assault.
Ash couldn’t believe it. So far he had seen Dragonite use Dragon-type attacks, plus powerful Water attacks. And it could fly. What else could this Pokémon do?
Drake chose Thunderbolt for Dragonite’s next move. Dragonite hurled a mighty jolt of electricity at Squirtle. Squirtle ducked back inside its shell just in time.
“An electrifying attack from Dragonite!” shouted the announcer. “Squirtle’s lucky it has that shell. But it can’t hide forever.”
Squirtle came back out of its shell, ready for action. At Drake’s command, Dragonite flew into the air, ready to Body Slam the turtle Pokémon.
“Squirtle, Bubble Attack!” Ash ordered.
Strong bubbles shot from Squirtle’s mouth. They crashed into Dragonite, causing it to fall to the ground. But they didn’t stop Dragonite from slamming into Squirtle. The turtle Pokémon crashed to the ground.
“Squirtle is unable to battle,” said the judge.
“A good show from Squirtle, but not good enough,” said the announcer.
Ash tried to ignore the announcer. “Thanks, Squirtle,” Ash said. He recalled his Pokémon. Squirtle had weakened Dragonite. And that was important.
Ash only had two Pokémon left, Tauros and Pikachu. Who would he use next?
Before he could make a decision, a hot air balloon dropped down into the open stadium. It was decorated with a Meowth face.
Ash couldn’t believe it. Team Rocket!
A net dropped down from the balloon and covered Dragonite.
“Prepare for trouble …” Jessie said.
“… and make it double!” finished James.
They started to recite their motto, but Drake interrupted them.
“How dare you interrupt this competition?” he shouted angrily.
“You won’t be so hot once we take your Dragonite,” Jessie said. She turned to Ash. “Thanks for fighting so hard for us, twerp. Now taking Dragonite will be a piece of cake.”
“Don’t be so sure!” Drake said. “Dragonite, Skull Bash!”
Dragonite jumped up, easily breaking the net. It banged its head into Team Rocket’s balloon. The balloon burst, ejecting a stream of hot air. Then it careened across the sky.
“Looks like we’re blasting off again!” Team Rocket cried as they disappeared over the horizon.
“What just happened here?” the announcer asked. “Let’s get this show back in gear.”
Ash decided to save Pikachu for last. Tauros might be stronger, but Pikachu always came through for Ash when things looked hopeless.
Ash called on Tauros. The wild bull Pokémon jumped up and then ran across the field.
Dragonite flew down from the sky and crashed into Tauros. The force drove the Pokémon’s legs deep into the sand. Tauros was stuck.
“It’s like quicksand out there,” said the announcer.
That didn’t stop Tauros from charging ahead. It grabbed Dragonite with its horns and slammed it onto the field.
“That’s a good strategy,” Tracey remarked. “Usually Tauros takes damage when it uses its ground attacks. But the sand is cushioning the backlash.”
“Don’t give in,” Drake told Dragonite. “Use Thunder attack!”
Dragonite shocked Tauros with a sizzling jolt of electricity. The weakened Pokémon succumbed to the attack. Tauros’s knees buckled, and it collapsed in the sand.
“Tauros is unable to battle!” said the judge.
“Ash is now down to his last Pokémon,” said the announcer. “The pride of Pummelo Stadium is unstoppable!”
Ash looked down by his side. Sparks sizzled on Pikachu’s red cheeks. It was eager to take the challenge.
“You’re all I have left, Pikachu,” Ash said. “It’s up to you!”
“Ash’s final Pokémon is Pikachu,” said the announcer. “Pikachu is still weak from its battle with Ditto. Will the lightning mouse prevail over this devastating dragon?”
Ash was betting it would.
“Go, Pikachu!” Ash cried.
Pikachu jumped toward Dragonite. The Dragon-type Pokémon smacked Pikachu with its long, strong tail. Pikachu flew backward across the field and landed on its back.
“Hang in there, Pikachu!” Tracey and Misty cheered from the stands.
Dragonite clearly had the advantage. “Use Hyper Beam!” Drake commanded.
Dragonite gathered energy. A ball of golden light formed in its mouth.
“I can’t look!” said the announcer. “Hyper Beam is Dragonite’s strongest attack. It looks like Pikachu has met its match!”
“Pikachu, use Agility!” Ash called out. He watched helplessly as the Hyper Beam spun from Dragonite’s mouth. Blinding golden light exploded across the field.
“Pikachu!” Ash cried out.
The light faded. Ash expected to see that Pikachu had fainted from the attack.
But it hadn’t.
Pikachu soared high above the field, looking strong and confident.
The announcer figured out what had happened. “Incredible! Pikachu jumped, using its tail as a springboard. It escaped the Hyper Beam!”
Pikachu landed on top of Dragonite’s head. The larger Pokémon panted heavily.
“Dragonite used up all its energy in that last attack!” said the announcer. “It can’t move!”
Dragonite tried to shake off Pikachu. But it just couldn’t do it. It was too weak. The Dragon Pokémon even tried to bury its head in the sand. But Pikachu held fast.
“Pikachu’s speed and agility are coming in handy right now,” said the announcer. “But just wait until Dragonite gets its energy back!”
“Pikachu’s got to do something soon, or it’ll be in real trouble!” Misty remarked.
Ash knew just what to do. “Pikachu, Thunder!” Ash yelled.
“Pikachuuuuuu!” Pikachu unleashed a ferocious electric charge at Dragonite. The Dragon-type Pokémon’s whole body lit up.
Dragonite cried out. It finally shook off Pikachu, tossing the Electric-type Pokémon a few feet away.
Pikachu quickly jumped to its feet. Dragonite stomped toward Pikachu.
The two Pokémon faced off.
Ash wondered what his next move should be. Pikachu looked just as exhausted as Dragonite.
Ash didn’t have to decide. Dragonite’s eyes fluttered. It rocked back and forth. Finally, the powerful Pokémon toppled back, crashing onto the field.
The judge made his final ruling. “Dragonite is unable to battle,” he said. “Victory goes to Ash!”
“He did it!” the announcer shouted. “Ash is the first challenger to defeat Drake!”
Pikachu jumped into Ash’s arms. Tracey and Misty ran onto the field. Ash released his other Pokémon, too. They all cheered and hugged one another.
Ash was proud of his team. They had all worked together, using their skills to wear down Dragonite.
Ash broke away from his friends and walked toward Drake.
“C
ongratulations, Ash,” Drake said. “That was an awesome match. It’s an honor to lose to a challenger like you.”
“Thanks,” Ash said. “That’s some Dragonite you have there. It was an honor to battle you, too.”
Drake smiled. “Now it’s time to take your place in the Palace of Victory!”
By the next day, a picture of Ash and his Pokémon had a permanent place in the hall. The Pokémon had all put their footprints on a cement slab, and the footprints were now displayed there, too.
Ash stared at the picture. He couldn’t believe it. He had actually won the Winner’s Cup. It seemed like ages ago that he had made the decision to try for it.
“You did a great job in that battle, Ash,” Tracey told him.
Usually Misty hated to admit when Ash did anything right, but even she had to agree. “I’m really proud of you,” she said.
Turn the page for a sneak peek at another Pokémon adventure, Go West, Young Ash!
“Ash! It’s good to see you,” Professor Oak said.
Ash Ketchum walked into Professor Oak’s lab and smiled. Professor Oak hadn’t changed a bit since the last time Ash had seen him. He still wore a white lab coat. Ash figured Professor Oak was too busy studying Pokémon to worry about how he looked.
“It’s good to see you, too, Professor,” Ash said.
Professor Oak knelt down and patted the little yellow Pokémon at Ash’s side. “You’re certainly looking well, Pikachu,” Professor Oak said.
“Pika!” Pikachu replied happily.
Ash’s three friends walked into the lab behind him.
Misty, a Pokémon Trainer, had an energetic personality that matched her bright orange hair. She carried Togepi, a tiny Pokémon, in her arms.
Brock was studying to become a Pokémon breeder. His eyes glanced around the lab from under his mop of spiky dark hair. Brock had just met up with Ash and Misty after taking time off to study with a famous Pokémon breeder, Professor Ivy.
Tracey was a new friend Ash and Misty had met on their journey to the Orange Islands. He was a Pokémon watcher who studied Pokémon behavior and drew pictures of them. Professor Oak was Tracey’s hero.
“It’s such an honor to finally meet you,” Tracey said, pumping Professor Oak’s hand. “I have some reports of my studies that I’d love to show you. It would mean so much to me.”
“I’d be happy to—later,” Professor Oak said. “Right now, I’m anxious to get the GS Ball from Ash.”
“Right,” Ash said. The reason Ash had traveled to the Orange Islands was to bring the mysterious Poké Ball to Professor Oak. It couldn’t be transported from one lab to another like most regular Poké Balls. Most Poké Balls were red and white and held captured Pokémon. The GS Ball was gold and silver. No one could figure out how to open it or what was inside.
Ash reached into his backpack and retrieved the shiny ball. He handed it to the professor.
Professor Oak studied the ball, a pleased smile on his face. “Marvelous! Good work, Ash.”
Ash beamed. Professor Oak had started Ash on his Pokémon journey by giving him Pikachu, his very first Pokémon. Ash wanted to make Professor Oak proud. He had made many mistakes on his journey. He had a lot to learn if he was ever going to become a Pokémon Master.
Bringing the GS Ball to Professor Oak felt good.
“Well, if it isn’t that loser, Ash Ketchum,” a nasal voice twanged.
Ash knew that voice. It was Gary, Professor Oak’s grandson, and Ash’s biggest rival.
“Who are you calling a loser?” Ash asked. He and Gary faced each other, nose to nose. Gary reached for a Poké Ball.
“Not in the lab!” Professor Oak said, stepping between them to stop the battle. “Let’s all go outside.”
“Gary stopped by for a visit,” Professor Oak said as the others followed him to the green lawn outside the lab. “He wanted to surprise you.”
“Some surprise,” Ash said under his breath. He turned to Gary. “I’m no loser. I won the Orange Islands Winner’s Cup, you know.”
“Big deal,” Gary said. “I’m still better than you.”
“Oh, yeah?” Ash asked.
“These guys argue more than Ash and Misty,” Tracey remarked.
Ash looked Gary in the eye. “Let’s settle this once and for all.”
“You’re on!” Gary said. “Let’s battle with our best Pokémon. One-on-one.”
A cool spring breeze kicked up, blowing strands of dark hair into Ash’s face. He pulled down his red-and-white cap and stared at Gary. He had to concentrate. He had to win.
Pikachu stood next to Ash. The lightning mouse wore a look of determination on its face.
“My Pokémon will be Pikachu,” Ash said.
“Pika!” said Pikachu.
“I see,” Gary said. “In that case, I choose Eevee!”
Gary threw out a red-and-white Poké Ball. A cute, furry Pokémon appeared. Eevee had a bushy tail, pointy ears, and big, dark eyes.
“How adorable,” Misty cooed.
“That’s not all it is,” Brock said. “That Eevee is in great shape. I’ll bet its powers are tough to beat.”
“I’ve heard most Trainers use special stones to evolve Eevee into Flareon, Jolteon, or Vaporeon,” Tracey added.
Brock stepped onto the grass, halfway between Ash and Gary.
“You two need a judge for this match,” Brock said. He cleared his throat, then yelled, “Pikachu versus Eevee. This will be a one-on-one battle, with no time limit!”
Ash didn’t waste any time. “Pikachu, Quick Attack!”
Pikachu ran across the field so fast it looked like a yellow blur.
Gary acted quickly, too. “Eevee, Reflect!”
At Gary’s command, a clear, protective bubble formed around Eevee. Pikachu slammed into the bubble. The bubble burst, and Pikachu bounced backward. Eevee was thrown into the air, but the Pokémon landed safely on its feet.
“That Reflect attack was a lot stronger than usual,” Tracey remarked, impressed.
“What do you mean?” asked Misty.
“Usually Reflect can only keep a Pokémon safe from about half of the damage in an attack,” Tracey explained. “But Eevee didn’t seem to suffer any damage at all.”
“Wow,” Misty said. “Gary’s Eevee must be strong!”
Ash knew he had to choose another attack.
“Pikachu, Thunderbolt!” Ash cried.
Pikachu prepared for the move. Its red cheeks sizzled with electric sparks.
“Eevee, Double Team!” Gary called out.
Ash watched, curious to see what the attack was about. Eevee glowed with white light.
Then, in a flash, six more Eevee appeared on the field!
“Hit them all, Pikachu,” Ash said.
Pikachu hurled an electric blast at the first Eevee in line. The Eevee vanished in a blaze of light.
The next Eevee was hit. Zap! That Eevee disappeared into thin air, too.
Suddenly, Ash realized what the attack was about.
“They’re illusions, Pikachu!” Ash yelled. “We’ve got to find the real Eevee!”
Journey to the Orange Islands
Secret of the Pink Pokémon
The Four-Star Challenge
Scyther, Heart of a Champion
Race to Danger
Talent Showdown
Psyduck Ducks Out
Thundershock in Pummelo Stadium
Tracey West has been writing books for more than twenty years. She enjoys reading comic books, watching cartoons, and taking long walks in the woods (looking for wild Pokémon). She lives in a small town in New York with her family and pets.
©2021 Pokémon. ©1997–1998 Nintendo, Creatures, GAME FREAK, TV Tokyo, ShoPro, JR Kikaku. TM, ® Nintendo.
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First printing 2017
e-ISBN 978-1-338-80083-8
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