The Four-Star Challenge Read online

  Meowth pushed a button on a remote control it held in its paw. Suddenly, the snow beneath Ash, Dan, and their Pokémon gave way. The whole crew fell twenty feet and crashed to the bottom of a snowy pit.

  “I hate those guys,” Ash muttered as he tried to pick himself up. Before he could even steady himself, a metal arm came shooting down from above. Its claw snatched Pikachu from behind.

  “Pikachu!” Ash grabbed for his Pokémon, but it was too late. Pikachu was flying backward, up out of the hole. Team Rocket’s giant hot air balloon sailed overhead. The metal arm was pulling Pikachu up to the balloon. Ash watched as Jessie reached out and grabbed Pikachu from the metal claw.

  Ash could hear Jessie laughing. “Now we’ve got you!” she said. “But better than that — we’ve got your Pikachu!”

  “Nice friends you’ve got,” Dan said sarcastically. He climbed up the side of the hole behind Ash, who was using Bulbasaur’s vines to pull himself out.

  “They’re not my friends. And they’re not nice!” Ash shot back.

  Once out, he scanned the skies. Team Rocket’s balloon was floating farther and farther away. And Pikachu was on board.

  “What am I gonna do?” Ash wailed, helpless.

  He looked to Dan for help. Dan was silent as he stared at the balloon. Suddenly, his face brightened.

  “Geodude!” Dan shouted. “I choose you!”

  Dan’s Rock-type Pokémon appeared. Geodude looked like a big round rock with long arms.

  Dan was already making a pile of snowballs.

  “Rock Throw, Geodude!” Dan yelled.

  Ash suddenly understood. “Squirtle, Bulbasaur,” Ash cried, “start making snowballs!”

  In no time at all, Geodude was hurling dozens of snowballs up at the balloon. Its long arms looked like a windmill moving around and around, firing off an endless assault of snowball fire. Geodude never missed its mark! Ash could see the balloon sagging under the weight of the basket, now filled with snow.

  Then Geodude fired off a huge ball that slammed into the middle of the balloon. It turned the basket nearly upside down. Pikachu came flying over the side. Ash swooped in and caught Pikachu as Team Rocket’s balloon exploded, sending the evil trio blasting off toward the horizon.

  “Wow, Dan! That was great! Thank you,” Ash said. He hugged Pikachu.

  “Pika!” Pikachu smiled, happy to be back with Ash.

  “No problem,” Dan said. “Are you ready to finish the race?”

  “Ready when you are!” Ash exclaimed. He and his Pokémon jumped back onto their ice sled. “I have to win this and get the badge!”

  “Ready … set … go!” Dan shouted.

  Almost immediately, the course felt different. Ash looked down. The snow was disappearing, giving way to rock. Ash looked ahead just in time to see Dan expertly swerve to avoid a huge boulder right in the middle of the course.

  “Bulbasaur,” Ash screeched, “we’re headed right for that rock!”

  Bulbasaur used its vines, grabbing for anything it could that might help pull their sled in another direction. Bulbasaur finally got hold of a tree trunk and pulled the sled just to the left of the boulder. But the adjustment sent the sled careening off the cleared path and into the forest. They narrowly missed hitting trees and tree branches as the sled raced ever faster, out of control. The sled banged up and down as it sped over bumps in the terrain.

  “Aaaaaaahhhhhh!” Ash shouted.

  Suddenly there were no bumps. It was like the ground disappeared beneath them. Ash uncovered his eyes and looked down. The ground had disappeared! The last bump they’d hit had sent them flying up into the air. They were sailing through the sky!

  Down on the beach, Tracey and Misty were watching Dan race toward the finish line with Ash nowhere in sight. Then the flying sled appeared.

  “What is that?!” Misty cried, pointing up at the sky.

  Ash was flying directly over Dan. Then the sled began to arc back down toward land. They were nearly to the beach. Bam! They landed just in front of Dan.

  “Wow!” shouted Tracey, sketching quickly to capture Ash’s amazing flight.

  Ash sailed across the finish line and kept going at full speed.

  “Hang on!” he cried. The sled sped straight into the water.

  “He won!” Misty stuttered in disbelief.

  “He beat me.” Dan was amazed. He walked up to Ash who was sitting in the water, still dazed from the ride.

  “That sure was a rough ride!” Ash said.

  “You were great, Ash,” Dan said. “You chose your Pokémon well and you won two out of three.” Dan held out his hand and in it sat the Sea Ruby Badge. “It’s yours, Ash.”

  Ash reached up and took the badge. He stared at it for a second and then sprang out of the water.

  “I did it! I earned the Sea Ruby Badge!”

  “That was great!” Tracey announced.

  “Pika!” Pikachu jumped up into Ash’s arms.

  “Good luck with the rest of your journey,” Dan said after the crew had quieted down. “I’m guessing you’ll hit Trovita Island next. It’s a tough challenge.”

  Ash looked at his new badge. “It may be tough,” he said. “But after this, I can handle anything!”

  Ash and his friends headed for Trovita Island and the next Orange Islands badge. After a few days, they decided they needed to stop for a short rest.

  “Mandarin Island might not have a badge, but it sure does have great food,” said Ash between huge bites of sandwich. “Not to mention tons of Trainers looking for battles!”

  As usual, Ash hadn’t rested for long. He’d had lots of practice battling Trainers since arriving on the island. And he’d won every challenge! Ash felt great.

  “I wonder what Tracey’s up to?” Misty said, looking over at the beach from their table at the outdoor restaurant.

  “Mmm-mmmm-mmm,” Ash said, his mouth stuffed with food. Then he swallowed. “Anyway, I just want to finish lunch so I can go beat some more Trainers!”

  “I’m sure,” Misty said, rolling her eyes.

  “I’m unstoppable!” he exclaimed.

  “You guys!” Tracey yelled, running up to them. “You’ll never guess who’s here!”

  He held up a flyer.

  Misty’s eyes grew wide. “Prima! She’s here? I’m her biggest fan! Not only is she one of the best Trainers but she uses Water-type Pokémon!”

  “Wow!” said Ash. “Let’s go! I want to challenge her myself!”

  “You can’t just challenge Prima,” Misty said. “She’s one of the greatest Pokémon Trainers in the world.”

  “Is someone talking about me?” A soft, peaceful voice came from behind them. They swung around. Standing before them was Prima herself! Tall and elegant, she looked at them sweetly.

  “P-P-Prima,” Misty was tongue-tied.

  “Is it really you?” Tracey wasn’t much better.

  Then they started firing off questions. “Can I have your autograph?” “Do you come here every year?” “How can I train my Pokémon better?” But it seemed like Prima didn’t hear them. She walked up to Togepi and tickled it under the chin. Then, she stared out at the ocean and closed her eyes.

  “The sun feels wonderful, doesn’t it? Open your ears, listen to the wind,” Prima said.

  “Are you listening to us?” Ash asked, annoyed. “How about a Pokémon battle?”

  Misty glared at him.

  “Hey!” said Ash, “I’ve won every battle on this island. I might have a chance! So? How about it?”

  “There’s nothing like being in nature,” was Prima’s reply.

  Ash stormed away. He’d prove how good he was. Just below the deck of the restaurant was a Trainer ready for a battle.

  “Hey, mister!” Ash shouted, flashing his badges, “how about a Pokémon battle?”

  “I accept,” the older boy replied. “How about two Pokémon each?”

  “Deal! Squirtle, I choose you!” Ash cried as Squirtle flew out of its Poké Ball.
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  “Go, Persian!” shouted the boy. He sneered at Ash. “You can go first with your cute little Squirtle.”

  “I’ll show you,” Ash bragged. “Squirtle! Water Gun!”

  Squirtle shot a blast of water through the air straight at the Persian, but the Classy Cat Pokémon was fast. Squirtle’s shot missed.

  “Persian! Thunderbolt!”

  Ash couldn’t believe his ears. A Persian with Electric attacks? Before he could react, Squirtle was thrown backward by the force of the electrical jolt.

  “Keep going, Squirtle! Skull Bash!”

  Squirtle pulled itself up and slammed into the Persian, knocking it unconscious.

  “All right!” Ash cried.

  “Tauros! I choose you!” The other Trainer was already calling up a huge Pokémon that looked like a bull. It pawed at the ground.

  “Tackle!” the Trainer commanded.

  Tauros charged at Squirtle and sent it crashing into the ground. This time Squirtle couldn’t recover.

  “Return, Squirtle!” Ash cried. “Charizard, go!”

  Misty put her head in her hands.

  “Flamethrower, Charizard!” But the giant Pokémon just stood there, yawning, “What’s wrong with you? Battle, Charizard!”

  “Tauros, Take Down!” commanded the Trainer.

  The Tauros came charging full force at Charizard. Just as it was about to slam into the Fire-type Pokémon, Charizard let out an enormous burst of flame that completely engulfed Tauros. The wild bull was scorched. Tauros was out!

  Ash leaped into the air, cheering for his victory. But Charizard wasn’t through. It took to the sky and began swooping down over the other diners in the restaurant, throwing flames in all directions.

  Misty screamed, “Do something, Ash! Charizard is out of control!”

  “Return!” Ash cried but it wouldn’t listen. Tracey and Misty fell to the ground and covered their heads.

  “Go, Poké Ball!” Prima’s voice sailed up over the chaos as Slowbro, a big pink Pokémon appeared.

  Ash stared in disbelief. What could a slow, sleepy Pokémon like Slowbro do against a raging Charizard?

  “Disable!” Prima ordered. Slowbro shot a ray of light at the dive-bombing Charizard. Charizard froze in place.

  “Okay, Slowbro,” Prima said sweetly, “bring Charizard down just like that.”

  Slowbro floated the paralyzed Charizard gently to the ground. Ash called Charizard back to its Poké Ball.

  “I was sure I’d be able to handle it this time,” Ash said sheepishly.

  “A Pokémon Trainer is only as good as his Pokémon,” Prima said.

  Ash defended himself. “I know that much!”

  “I’m not sure you do,” she said. “Once your Pokémon feel you care about them, they’ll want to stand by you. But if you get too proud, they’ll disobey you. You have to listen to your heart and connect with your Pokémon.”

  Ash stared at Prima, suddenly feeling ashamed.

  “A Pokémon battle is never something for a Trainer to do alone.”

  “I’ve earned all these badges,” Ash sputtered. “Doesn’t that count for anything?”

  “Don’t treat them so lightly, Ash. Your Pokémon fought hard to earn those for you. They’re gifts that show how much your Pokémon care about you. And losing is a very important part of becoming a Pokémon Master.”

  “I don’t get it,” Ash said.

  “You need to experience the pain and disappointment of defeat. It’s easy to win — but when you lose you have to rely on your real strengths.” Prima continued. “The people and the Pokémon you love and who love you back. If you want to compete in the Orange League, you have to become closer to your Pokémon than ever by battling side by side. As time goes on, you’ll learn almost as much about your Pokémon as you do about yourself.”

  Ash stared at the ground. He knew Prima was right.

  “You must continue your journey now,” Prima said.

  Ash nodded.

  “Remember,” she said softly, “no matter what happens, you can learn from it.”

  Ash didn’t say a word for a long time after they left Prima. He rode silently next to his friends on Lapras’s back. He was halfway to his goal of competing in the Orange League. But after meeting Prima, he suddenly felt like he was just a beginner. He had a lot to think about. One thing was clear though. He still wanted to win the Orange League Trophy, but now he wanted to win it for his Pokémon!

  He was lost in thought when a scream snapped him out of it. He looked up and realized for the first time that they were approaching an island.

  “Help!” He heard the scream again.

  “Where’s it coming from?” he asked excitedly.

  “There!” Misty shouted.

  Misty pointed to the rough waters that surged around rock formations just offshore of the island. A little girl was caught in a whirlpool that was swirling around between the rocks. She was clinging to a snow-white Seel and it didn’t look like she’d be able to stay afloat much longer!

  “Staryu! Go!” Misty jumped into the water. Her star-shaped Pokémon whisked her away toward the little girl. Ash and Tracey gripped tightly to Lapras, following as fast as they could. Then the little girl disappeared beneath the water and so did Misty and Staryu.

  Ash’s eyes scanned the water. Nothing. Suddenly, three heads and the point of a star popped to the surface; Misty and Staryu, the little girl and her Seel. All of them were safe.

  Lapras swung around so Ash and Tracey could pull them out of the water.

  “Is everybody okay?” Ash asked.

  “I think so,” Misty said. She helped the little girl get settled. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” the little girl said, smiling at Misty, “thanks to you.”

  “Mahri!” A teenage boy was racing down to a dock, followed by a group of younger boys. Mahri waved to him.

  “That’s my brother, Rudy!” Mahri said excitedly. Lapras picked up speed, anxious to deliver the little girl safely back to land. She leaped into Rudy’s arms the moment her feet hit the dock.

  “Mahri! You had me so worried!” her brother cried.

  “I’m sorry,” said Mahri.

  “Thank you so much,” Rudy looked at Misty. “I can never repay you.”

  Misty blushed as Rudy kissed her hand. “I’m glad we were there,” said Misty.

  “So am I. I’m Rudy and this is Mahri,” he said.

  “I’m Misty, and these are my friends, Ash and Tracey,” Misty smiled.

  “Well, beautiful Misty and her friends, allow me to give you a tour of the island.”

  Ash didn’t quite understand what this Rudy character was doing. But he knew one thing: this mushy stuff had to stop.

  “We’d love to,” Ash interrupted, “but we’re on our way to Trovita Island. I’m challenging the Gym Leader there to get my Spikeshell Badge.”

  Rudy smiled and said, “This is Trovita Island, and I am the Gym Leader.”

  Ash’s jaw dropped. “Uhh—oh—then—I challenge you to a battle!”

  Rudy nodded. “I accept.”

  Rudy walked to a motorboat on the dock and jumped in. “Follow me!” he said.

  Lapras followed the motorboat along the shore. Soon they pulled up to a dock in front of a purplish stone building that had GYM carved above the door.

  “So? Are we going to battle?” Ash trailed Rudy and Misty into the gym.

  “Yes. Three rounds. One-on-one,” Rudy said. “But first I want to show you my Pokémon.”

  “What’s up with this guy?” Ash asked Tracey.

  “Beats me,” Tracey replied.

  “The days of simply teaching Pokémon attacks are over,” Rudy said as he held open the doors for everyone. “You can actually improve their abilities by training them in something completely unrelated.”

  Ash was stopped in his tracks by the unbelievable scene in the gym. Music was blasting and dozens of Pokémon were dancing! An Electabuzz in sweatpants was doing the twist. A Hitm
onchan bounced around in a little workout skirt. An Exeggutor jumped up and down doing a kind of jitterbug. In the corner, a group of Rattata were line dancing.

  “Dancing?” Misty sputtered.

  “We teach dance to all the Pokémon. It really improves their moves,” Rudy said.

  “That’s so smart,” Misty said, beaming at Rudy. “You’re amazing!”

  “All right!” Ash couldn’t stand it anymore. “Let’s get on with it. Let’s battle!”

  Ash and Rudy stood on either side of a playing field set atop the plateau of an enormous rock formation. There were hundred-foot drop-offs in every direction that fell directly to the water. The field sat so close to these edges, in fact, that spectators had to watch from a hot air balloon.

  “First, an Electric-type Pokémon battle!” Rudy announced.

  “Go for it, Pikachu!” Pikachu gave Ash a confident nod.

  “I can’t wait to see your Pokémon dance!” Misty shouted from the balloon.

  Rudy waved at her. Ash stared in disbelief. Whose side was she on anyway?

  “Electabuzz! I’m counting on you!” Rudy shouted. Electabuzz appeared, doing a little jig as a warmup.

  “Pikachu! Thunderbolt!” Pikachu summoned up its power and let out a blast of electricity that lit up the field. But Electabuzz had no reaction.

  “Electric attacks won’t work,” Tracey said, sketching the view from above.

  “It’s okay, Pikachu, we’ll use normal attacks,” Ash said. “Quick attack! Now!”

  Pikachu darted quickly down the field, showing off its agility. But Electabuzz was ready. It quickly blocked Pikachu’s path. Pikachu slammed into Electabuzz and was sent flying backward.

  “Pikachu!” Ash cried, hoping his little yellow friend would pull itself upright.

  “Electabuzz! Thunder Punch!” Rudy shouted.

  Pikachu had no time to recover. Electabuzz slammed into it with heavy force. Pikachu went spinning backward, almost to the edge of the plateau.