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Chapter 26: Dot Matrix Gym!

(Author's Note: See if you can guess all the inside jokes inside this chapter!)

      I looked at all my Orange League Badges. The Water Shell Badge. The Sea Shell Badge. The Spike Shell Badge. The Jade Star Badge. These were my keys to the Orange Crew. As we rode towards the island of Pummelo, where the head of the Orange Crew was located at, I began getting more and more excited. We reached the dock in about 15 minutes, and Zach tied down the boat. We went to the local Pokémon Center, where Nurse Joy told us where we could register: in a building about a mile down the road. We walked down there for about 20 minutes. Once we were inside, a man with a brown moustache welcomed us.
      "What can I do for you?" the man asked.
      "I'd like to fight the Pummelo Gym Leader!" I said excited.
      "Fine then. Let me scan your badges." the man said.
      He scanned all four of my badges, then asked for my Pokédex to check my ID. When that was all taken care of, he led us to a large dome. Inside was a bunch of pictures & statues. In front of every picture was a stone plate with footprints on it. One of the pictures looked exactly like Ash Ketchum, but much younger, another was of a man in his 30s with a large Dragonite.
      "This is the Orange League Hall of Fame. All champions are reconized here. Our Gym Leader used to be Drake, but he quit ever since his Dragonite died due to illness. Now we have a new Gym Leader. He's only our 2nd champion in ten years. Our first was about 5 years ago, by a young man named Ash Ketchum." the man explained.
      "Whoa. I didn't know the leader here was so tough. I'll have my work cut out for me." I said.
      "Follow me to meet the Gym Leader," he said.
      We followed him to a large building near the shore. It looked like a huge TV station and on the front was a huge logo, covered in sky blue. It said DMG ICE with "ICE" covered by icicles and under it "Dot Matrix Gaming" On top of the sign were three little balls of some sort. One was blue with yellow hands & feet, big, blue eyebrows and large eyes & mouth. The middle one looked a bit pudgy, was yellow, had spikes on the top of his head, and had light blue arms & feet. The final one was a dark red & looked like the devil. He had yellow teeth, yellow tougne & yellow hands & feet.
      "THIS is where DMG Ice is made? Oh man, it's my favorite TV channel!" Josh yelled out.
      "This way" Our guide said to us, as we walked in.
      Inside the place was huge. There were tons of strange creatures and people there. There was a storeroom with a young girl with spiky red hair, black jumpsuit & a cube pendant. Next to her was what looked like a mutated yak person who was wearing a beret-like hat & a shirt, but no pants. He was fidgeting with some sort of mechanical gizmo.
      "The young woman is Techni and he is Infinity Yak. They're trying to built a giant robot, for what reason I am not sure of," the man said.
      Infinity Yak tried to move the arm of the robot, but it grabbed him instead and shook him up & down.
      "Damn. Still doesn't work huh?" Techni asked.
      "No-o-o-o i-t-t do-es-n-n't!" Yak screamed.
      We left to look in another room, coming into what looked like a talk show.
      "And next on B&W's World, we'll have another crappy music star that no one likes!" The host said. He looked like a giant watch with arms & legs. Next to him was what looked like two socks put together with a giant hat & feet.
      "The host is Watchman. He's our unofficial mascot and one of our oldest stars. Next to him is his sidekick Bat-thing"
      Watchman looked generally annoyed, then perked up when he managed to take a break to play some "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask" on the Nintendo 64. Bat-thing was just sitting there playing Game Boy. We moved to the next room.
      On the next floor, a room that looked like a radio studio was being occupied by a giant Charizard who could barely fit inside the studio, then smashed through the ceiling. A young boy with green hair split in the middle, wearing a light blue sweatshirt let out a big sigh.
      "The boy is Philip Wesley. He runs Radio DMG & a weekly chat session called Viral Speak. The Charizard is his Pokémon called Charizard 2000. Oh, hear comes Boinkier to help out."
      My mouth dropped when I saw him. The Boinkier looked basically like a blue ball with hands & an antennae on his head. He had no arms or legs to speak of. He went into the studio and helped out Philip.
      We headed into another room. In there, two girls were dressed up in what looked like black bodysuits with white balls on them. One girl had green hair in a fancy hairdo & a ponytail and also wore glasses. The other one had a very serious look on her face and had short hair, with spikes on the end. Both were running around a green area. The girl with glasses suddenly started flying. Our mouths dropped again.
      "The girl flying is Bridget. She has extraordinary psychic powers. Her friend is Akemi, an ex-secret agent. They star in an action show, sort of like a new V.I.P. but with actual plot. They're now preparing to make a video game on the Nintendo Game Cube & Game Boy Advance."
      "Wow. They're cute. Betcha that show gets a lot of ratings." Josh said.
      Megan, obviously irritated, pushed us all to the next room, "Let's go lover boy."
      Another room had what looked like a very deformed human & green alien-thing. The boy's mouth looked almost freakish, not to mention his red hair. The alien was very weird to say the least.
      "That's Paul and Ivan. They host a comedy show called 'Ambidextrous Paul & Ivan'"
      "Uhhh, OK, next room." I said, walking fastly away, not even wanting to know what it was about.
      We went to the next floor where a big black dot with arms, legs & an orange mohawk ran past, and hurried into another room. Inside was a living Ice Blue Game Boy, a small blue mouse that looked like a cross between Pikachu & Marril. They were putting on tricks by what looked like a huge @.
      "This is AT's Freak Show. He is like a circus trainer, but we make sure he treats the performers right. AT's not exactly the easiest trainer to get along with."
      In another room was a woman with brown hair (with red highlights) and big eyes. She was doing battle with some sort of ninja-like guy, using wires and stuff.
      "The ninja-like guy is Nikushimi. The woman with the red highlights in her hair is Emily Laine."
      "Emily Lain? Never heard of her." I said.
      "It's Laine! Be glad she didn't hear you. She hates it when people mis-pronounce her last name." the guide said, "Anyway, this is a new show we're going to air called 'Weak Link'"
      "Hey cool! You are---" I started to say.
      "You say that and I will hurt you." the director said, glaring at us.
      "Next room!" I said, running down the hall.
      "Here we have our video game review crew, the Average Gamers!"
      In there were two guys, one in a crewcut, who were playing a new video game. The one in the crewcut thought the game was awesome until he lost. Now he never wants to play it again.
      "In the room across the hall is Imakuni?Neo and his comedy show: World Domination!"
      We looked inside to see a weird looking guy with many, many arms floating around, telling weird jokes then hitting people with things. He said he wanted to take over the world.
      "That's why it's called World Domination." the guide said.
      "Yea...next room." Zach said, moving along.
      The next floor had more TV shows going on. There was the daytime talk show "Spawn of Robin's Mind," where the lead character showed off various things that seem obvious but are very funny at their core. Next to that studio was another one where a mouse with shades was making fun of some TV shows and comics. This was the "Mean Squirrel Theater." Across the hall was a mini-series being produced called "Squishy Tales" that follows a stuffed toy as he tries to find his friends. Next to that was a sitcom about a bunch of weird looking aliens and a moose with flames on his head. The guide said this show was called "The Life and Times of Alces Flagrare." The next floor had a few more studios. The staple comedy/action series called "Hero Wanted" was being filmed in the first studio, while a movie called "C3." The movie had just been greenlighted, so we couldn't tell what it was about just yet. Down the hall was the late night comedy show of DMG Ice that starred a big, round guy with a tophat and a big H on his stomach. He was named "Hatman." The next two rooms held two very large studios. One was a TV magazine called "The Oddish" where an Oddish babbled about various things related to everything. Across the hall from it was a studio waiting impatiently for someone. Suddenly, Infinity Yak ran past us and into the studio. He caught his breath, then decided to start his show called "Hardwhere?" It was an information show that talked about various gaming systems, mainly the Game Boy. Our guide led us to the next floor of the building.
      "No offense, but is this the last hall?" I asked.
      "Don't worry, this is the last floor." the guide said.
      Relieved, the guide showed us to a computer room, where a light blue Game Boy, who the guide said was named Ice Blue, was moderating various message boards called DaMaGed Ice and Team Elite. The guide said he was the best moderator. In the next room, a giant 151 and a...thing were busy making comics and reviews for DMG's website. The guide said Morethan151 was sorting out all the comics he has gotten while the Avardancer maintains the website. I asked him what the Avardancer was, but he said he didn't know. Some crazy creation by Philip. As we proceeded to the end of the hall, I began to wonder if the Gym Leader was really in here.
      "The Gym Leader is in this room, designing his new comic strip. He used to be a Gym Leader in a small town called Pallet, but his landlord couldn't afford to keep him there and kicked him out, although he didn't want to do it, so he moved back here. Now he spends much of his time drawing comics. May I present to you, the Pummelo Gym Leader: Josh Nickerson!"
      A kid was lying in a chair, in a red shirt & jeans, with a bunch of his hair pointed down in front of his forehead. The thing is, he was fast asleep, with a huge sleep bubble coming out of his nose. A sweat drop appeared on all our heads.
      "Eh-hem. Mr. Nickerson?" the man said. Josh was still asleep.
      "This is the Gym Leader?" Zach asked.
      The man had to shake Josh in order to wake him.
      "Huh? Wha? What's up?" Josh asked.
      "Sir, this Pokémon Trainer wishes to challenge you," the man said.
      "Huh? Oh yea!" Josh said as he spun around and sat up, stretched & put on a brown vest, then saw Megan.
      "Oh. Hi there," he said, his eyes focused on Megan, "What's your name?"
      Our Josh couldn't believe it, "Hey Mister, hands off OK? Besides, he's the one who wants to challenge you," Our Josh said, pointing to me.
      "Eh, maybe a bit later. Man I'm starved! Let's get something to eat in the cafeteria." Nickerson said.
      In the cafeteria were three people. One looked like a she-cat, and she was wearing a tanktop & khakis. Another was a robot that looked straight out of "The Jetsons". The final one looked like a green dragon with robot legs, short arms & really big eyes.
      "Hey Releena, Elliot, Argo. How ya doin'?" Josh asked.
      "Sure. Swell. Couldn't be better." Elliot said sarcastically looking at Argo.
      "We'll have some French Vanilla coffee..." Josh started to say.
      "Uh, can we get Hot Cocoa?" I asked.
      "Sure. Hot Cocoa, made with H-Bomb Milk of course, some Monkey Popsicles, a few Oglops, well done, and some Sock Bananas for desert." Josh said.
      "Sock Bananas?" we all asked at the same time.
      "Right. Yo! Plymouth! Order up!" Elliot said.
      A small beetle wearing a large helmet walked up with a tray with all our food on it.
      "Cool. Thanks." Josh said taking the tray.
      Just then the blue mouse from before ran up and grabbed the Sock Bananas and ate them all up.
      "Ack! Chu Chu! Bad mouse!" Josh yelled.
      Chu Chu Mouse ran away looking for something to eat. Josh then asked for some Aipom Cookies for desert. We sat down on one of the tables when three viruses, one red, one blue & yellow, started marching everywhere, then was chased by a giant hand.
      "Those are our mascots, the virii. They always cause mischief." Josh said.
      After eating up, Josh led us to the stadium at the top of the island. It looked like one of the coliseums of old.
      "This is where we'll battle. We'll use 6 Pokémon. Think you can handle it?" Josh asked.
      "Heh. Of course I can. Anything you dish out I can take." I said.
      Josh was about to reply when a large shadow covered us. A large balloon shaped like a Meowth blocked the sun.
      "Prepare for trouble!"
      "Make it double!"
      "To protect the world from devastation!"
      "To unite all peoples within our nation!"
      "I thought you two got fired from Team Rocket!" I yelled at the bumbling trio, Jesse, James & Meowth.
      "Meowth. We were thanks to you! But we'll get your revenge and get in good graces with the boss!" Meowth yelled.
      Our Josh just sighed, "Do you three actually think you'll take our Pokémon?"
      "Of course. This is our chance to shine!" James said.
      "Yea right. I choose Bellossom!" Josh Nickerson said, throwing a Poké Ball. A small flower Pokémon with two flowers on its head appeared.
      "Now use Petal Dance!" Josh shouted.
      Bellossom understood and shot a wave of petals at the balloon, exploding it. The basket fell down to the ground.
      "Return Bellossom! Come out Meowthar!" Josh shouted.
      A small, female Meowth came out, grooming itself.
      "I was sleeping Josh." Meowthar said.
      "Another talking Meowth! It's a dream!" Meowth yelled.
      "Who's this guy?" Meowthar asked.
      "That's Meowth. He's trying to steal our Pokémon. Think you can 'cut' his plans down to size?" Josh winked.
      Meowthar nodded and ran up to the basket, and sheathing its claws, slashed all their faces, making them go into a frenzy. All of us just stood there, except for Josh, stunned.
      "Nice one Meowthar, now it's your turn Beefy_B!" Josh yelled.
      Out of the Pokéball came...a can of beef with wings.
      "Woohoo! Freedom finally!" Beefy_B said.
      "Beefy! Tackle them now!" Josh said.
      "Finally." Beefy_B said as it flew and belted each of the Rockets hard, "At least I actually get to have some action."
      "Grr. Let's get them! Arbok, Wobuffet! Let's---" Jesse started to say before a shadow enveloped them.
      "Hold it evil doers. I am here to stop you! Henchmen of the Ani-Menace, you shall be stopped!" a man from atop the stadium said.
      "Joe Lieberman!?" Zach said.
      "Wrong! I am Lieber Man! I am here to stop you from carrying out the deeds of the Ani-Menace!"
      "What's an Ani-Menace?" Our Josh asked.
      "Don't worry about it." Josh Nickerson said.
      Lieber Man flew down the stadium to Jesse, James & Meowth.
      "We're no followers of whatever the Ani-Menace is. Get in our way and you'll regret it!" Jesse said.
      "Feel the power of my Super Lieber Bitch Slap!" Lieber Man said as he wound up and back-handed Jesse across the cheek.
      Before Jesse could retaliate, Lieber Man saw a strange plane with thin wings, part white & part yellow, a red cockpit, a big laser for the nose, and what looked like 2 legs in back. (Author's Note: Just so you know, it's Wing Gundam's Bird mode.) Lieber Man saw this as a henchman of the Ani-Menace and flew off after it.
      "Uh OK. Back to the kids, time to clean your clock!" Jesse yelled.
      "Now Globe Flower, your up!" Josh yelled.
      A large Sunflora appeared, but its petals were rainbow colored.
      "Hi there everyone!" Globe Flower said.
      "OK GF! Time for your Razor Leaf!" Josh said.
      "OK! Razor Leaf attack! Got it!" Globe Flower said as it sent hundreds of razor sharp leaves at the Rockets, scraping them all over.
      "Now it's time to finish this! H-Bomb I choose you!" Josh yelled, throwing a Poké Ball inside the basket.
      Out of the ball popped a small little mini-bomb like thing with legs & eyes.
      "Heh. This thing's supposed to stop us?" Meowth said. All 3 Rockets laughed.
      Unfortunately, some of Meowth's cat hair fell out and onto H-Bomb's nose area. After sniffing a bit, he started to feel stuffy. The Rockets stopped laughing just in time to see H-Bomb sneeze. A few seconds later, the basket exploded and all three Rockets were sent blasting off again.
      "I hate allergies." H-Bomb said.
      "Thanks you guys, you did really well." Josh said. (Author's Note: The whole Rocket battle was just an excuse to shove more cameos into this chapter. ^_^')
      "Wow. That was...something" I said, still stunned.
      "We'll battle tomorrow morning OK? Be sure you're there." Josh said, walking off back to the studio, followed by all of the strange Pokémon.
      "Uh, OK." I said, still stunned.
      I could barely sleep that night. After all that I saw, how in the world could I beat Josh? I finally drifted off to sleep around 1AM. I dreamed about the battle, and how Josh had used a 200 foot Charizard named Charzilla against me. Needless to say, with that bunch, that wasn't far off. When I awoke the next morning, I looked on the clock to see the time: 11:45. ACK! I was late again! I quickly showered, got dressed, got my Poké Balls, and ran out to the stadium.
      "You know Zubat, I really need to get a new alarm clock." I said to my faithful pet. Zubat just shook its head and flew to the stadium. Sometimes I wish I had wings like Zubat. It would make traveling a lot easier.
      "About time. Thought you wouldn't show." Josh Nickerson said when I entered the battle arena. He held out his hand to shake.
      "::Wheeze:: Sorry. My alarm clock sucks." I said, feeling like I was about to collapse.
      "The rules are simple. The challenger may switch Pokémon at any time. The champion can only switch when one of his is unable to battle. After the champion has been beaten 3 times, the field will switch to a new area. Understood?" the ref said.
      "Sure." I said.
      "Gotcha" Josh said.
      While walking to my trainers box, I saw our Josh, Zach & Megan sitting on the bench. The announcer soon sounded the bell for the beginning of the battle.
      "OK! I think I'll start out with....Sebulba! Go!" Josh shouted out.
      A Bulbasaur came out onto the new field, which was covered with sand.
      "What a good sleep. I feel refreshed." Sebulba said as he yawned, then saw the situation, "Huh? Another battle. Man. I'm tired of battles. Why not use GF or Bellossom sometime, huh?"
      "Hmm. A Bulbasaur. Then I'll choose Flareon!" I said, throwing the Poké Ball.
      Flareon came out primed for battle. The match started after the ref lowered his flags. Sebulba was told to use Razor Leaf, but they were quickly burnt by Flareon's Embers. Next, Josh told Sebulba to use Leech Seed. Sebulba sent out a small seed out of its bulb right at Flareon. Using Agility, the seed was easily dodged. My turn. I called for a Quick Attack, and sent Sebulba flying across the field. I told Flareon to use Flamethrower, but Sebulba used its Vine Whip to throw itself up into the air, into the sun. I realized what Sebulba was doing.
      "Flareon! Look out!" I shouted.
      "Solar Beam Sebulba!" Josh shouted.
      Sebulba fired the beam right at Flareon. Flareon couldn't see the beam in the sunlight, and couldn't move out of the way in time as the beam hit its target. Flareon was out.
      "Return Flareon!" I shouted, "Go Graveler!" I said.
      "Why are you using a Rock/Ground type? It's got a double weakness." Josh asked.
      "You'll see." I said, "Graveler, Earthquake!"
      Graveler nodded and slammed the ground, but nothing happened. The sand absorbed the hit. Sebulba wasted no time and sent out Razor Leaves at Graveler. I told Graveler to harden, and sure enough, the leaves bounced right off. Sebulba tried to gather energy for another Solar Beam, but I wouldn't allow it. I told Graveler to use Mega Punch. With it charging, Sebulba couldn't see Graveler coming at it and couldn't prepare for the devistating hit the small Pokémon took. The one hit knocked out the Bulbasaur for the count.
      "Hmm. Return Sebulba." Josh said, "Go Pikamon!"
      A small Pikachu came out of the ball.
      "Hello everyone." Pikamon said as it gave a thumbs up.
      "Why are you using an Electric type against a Ground?" I asked.
      "You'll see." Josh said. The battle began.
      "OK Graveler! Seismic Toss that Pikachu out of here!" I yelled.
      "Pikamon! Thunder bolt now!" Josh yelled.
      Pikamon charged up and sent out a huge Thunderbolt attack. Normally, Graveler would resist this, but the electricity severly hurt Graveler.
      "Huh!?" I yelled out in surprise.
      "Pikamon's too powerful for that whole Ground-type resistency aspect. And since it can't use Ground attacks, your Graveler can't keep up with Pikamon. Pikamon! Swift attack!" Josh yelled.
      Pikamon sent out lots of small yellow stars, which hit Graveler hard. Pikamon ran up to Graveler and, charging electricity in its tail, Pikamon easily smacked Graveler with a super-charged electric bolt. Graveler yelped in pain. I was at a loss of what to do. Josh told Pikamon to charge up a Thunder to finish it off. I had to think quick, then I got it. I had to use the only attack that would severly hurt Pikamon.
      "Graveler! Use Rollout now!" I shouted.
      Graveler nodded and ran up to Pikamon, rolled into a ball, then charged towards the small Pikachu. It was hit right in the chest. Graveler came around and smacked Pikamon harder. Rounding the corner, Graveler hit Pikamon again. Another two times and Pikamon was out, completely exhausted.
      Stunned, Josh called back his Pokémon, "OK then...Charzilla! I choose you!"
      "Ack! I thought that was a dream!" I yelled out.
      The entire crowd, including me, Zach, Megan & both Joshs expected a 200 foot Charizard, but instead what came out was a large musical note with hands & eyes.
      "JAZZMAN! Damn! I forgot to switch before the battle!" Josh said, smacking his head.
      "Huh? Hey! Where am I?" Jazz said.
      "Uhh...OK....Graveler, Tackle it!" I said.
      Graveler was panting hard, it didn't have much left, but it wound up and tackled the living note hard. It sailed out of the ring & into the wall. It wasn't that hard a hit. Needless to say, Jazz was out.
      "You suck Jazz." Josh said, "I thought you wouldn't be as bad as Bridget said."
      "I keep trying to tell you guys, I AM NOT A POKÉMON!" Jazz yelled before being returned.
      While paying attention to that, I didn't notice that Graveler had fainted as well. Taking on three high-level Pokémon took its toll on the poor rock. I returned it and thanked it. I had failed to notice that Graveler had start to glow faintly. Because I had beaten three of Josh's Pokémon, the field had to be switched. Josh sat down figuring out which Pokémon to use, I was on the sideline trying to get my breath back. I had the advantage though. I had 4 Pokémon to his 3. After the short break, the field was revealed to be a rocky outcropping with a lake in the middle for water-types. Josh decided to send out his Pokémon first.
      "OK Adrock, you're up!" Josh yelled.
      A huge Onix came out. Not surpringly, it could talk too. Strangest thing was he had a waffle in his mouth, which he swallowed quickly.
      "Yum. I love Eggos. It just shows you can't beat me!" Adrock said, looking at a slightly annoyed Josh. Adrock had dried syrup on its face, as well as dried sweat.
      "Hmm. OK I'll choose Kingdra! Get out there!" I yelled. My Dragon Pokémon landed in the lake, ready to battle.
      "Adrock! Use Rock Throw!" Josh yelled.
      "Kingdra! Water Gun!" I yelled.
      The rocks & water collided, but the rocks fell down to the ground harmlessly, but stopped the water. Adrock next tried to shake Kingdra out using Earthquake, but Kingdra sent an Ice Beam that froze Adrock's horn. Kingdra then sent a Water Gun at Adrock, but it was able to move out of the way. Adrock then tackled near the pool, shaking Kingdra into the side, hitting it hard. Adrock then sent a Rock Slide into the pool. Kingdra had trouble deflecting all the rocks. It was in trouble.
      "Kingdra! Twister now!" I yelled.
      Kingdra nodded and sent a huge tornado of water at Adrock. The rock serpent tried to dodge, but it couldn't and was hit hard. The onslaught of water made Adrock faint. Josh recalled it and decided to send out another Pokémon.
      "OK, now you'll regret this battle once you face my #2 Pokémon....FOY!" Josh yelled out. (Author's Note: Oh come on, you knew it was gonna be Foy, in a chapter about DMG Ice...)
      Out of the Poké Ball came a small ladybug with six feet and two antennae on its head.
      "Foy! Foy!" The Ledyba...errr...Foy yelled out.
      "OK Kingdra, you can blast it away with Ice Beam!" I yelled.
      Kingdra fired off an Ice Beam, but all it froze was rock as Foy swam around & around the pool. I didn't know what it was doing. As Foy flew around even more, I realized it was Dragon Rage. I yelled for Kingdra to use Twister, but it was too late. The Dragon Rage started and sent Kingdra flying into the air, and landing hard on the ground, fainted. I recalled my Pokémon.
      "Hmm. OK Beedrill! You're up!" I yelled.
      My faithful bug came out and was ready to attack. I called for a Pin Missle, but Foy dodged it easily and tackled the bug. I told Beedrill to use a Fury Attack, but Josh told his bug to use a Comet Punch and rapidly knocked around my Beedrill. I told Beedrill to Poison it with Toxic, but Foy put up a Safeguard and blocked it. Frustrated, I called for a Rage attack. Beedrill charged to attack, but Foy used a Psybeam and hit Beedrill hard, knocking it out. I returned my Pokémon and Foy was tired.
      "Damn. This is harder than I thought. For unevolved Pokémon, these things are tough. Well, it's not going to last long against Raichu! Go!" I shouted.
      "Foy! Use Supersonic!" Josh yelled.
      Foy let out sonic waves, but Raichu Double-Teamed out of there. Foy tried a Psybeam, but Raichu's Light Screen deflected it. Raichu then jumped into the air and let out a huge Thunderbolt, which made Foy faint almost instantly.
      "Return Foy! You did well. Your Raichu is pretty powerful, but it can't match up to Farfetch'd, go!" Josh yelled.
      A small bird holding a green onion came out, saluting itself. It looked bigger than Randy's Farfetch'd. Still, it was a flying type, which was weak to Electric attacks.
      "Raichu! Thundershock!" I yelled.
      Raichu sent out an electric bolt at Farfetch'd, but it disappeared. It reappeared in the air thanks to Agility. Farfetch'd then used Swords Dance & covered its stick in a sort of metal coating. Raichu sent another Thunderbolt, but Farfetch'd dodged that one and sent its stick at Raichu, hurting it.
      "OK Farfetch'd! Steel Wing now!" Josh called out.
      Farfetch'd nodded, as its wings became solid steel. It flew down at Raichu and smacked it hard, hurting it badly. Farfetch'ds wings became normal again, but its tail became steel this time. It was Iron Tail. Using that, Farfetch'd hit Raichu again, this time knocking it out for the count. Farfetch'd seemed just fine.
      "Return Raichu! You're up Zubat!" I yelled.
      My small blue bat flew out and was ready for battle. Farfetch'd tried using Iron Tail, but Zubat dodged it and blew a Gust at it. That didn't stop Farfetch'd as it smacked its wing in a Wing Attack. Zubat did the same and both crashed into some rocks. Zubat flew up and used Gust to blow back Farfetch'd, but the bird used Endure to withstand the attack. Zubat then flew down to try and bite it, but Farfetch'd dodged it and hit it with its stick. I needed to heal Zubat quickly, so I called for a Supersonic. However, it didn't work. Farfetch'd flew up to my bat and gave it a sharp Peck. The hit was too much and Zubat fell to the ground, almost exhausted.
      "Zubat!" I yelled to my friend, seeing it beaten.
      "Guess that's it. I win!" Josh said, giving a thumbs up and huge grin.
      "Hold on! Something's happening!" Zach yelled.
      Indeed, something was happening. Zubat began to glow white and got bigger. It's wings expanded, it's mouth became huge, and it finally got eyes.
      "Gol! Golbat!" the creature yelled.
      "It evolved into Golbat! I don't believe it!" Josh Nickerson said in disbelief.
      "All right Golbat! Let's show that Farfetch'd just how strong you are! Mega Drain now!" I yelled.
      Golbat nodded and flew over and bit Farfetch'd's wings. It begand to suck away the life energy in the bird. Farfetch'd knocked away Golbat in a few seconds, but Golbat got enough energy to seriously weaken the bird. Farfetch'd tried to blow it away with Gust, but I called for a Pursuit and Golbat quickly hit Farfetch'd hard. I couldn't let up, so I called for a Whirlwind. Golbat sent the Whirlwind into Farfetch'd, who slammed into the rocks. That was it. Farfetch'd was out.
      "Whew, that was close" I said, wiping my brow, "You did it Golbat! I'm proud of you!"
      "The winner is the challenger, Matthew from Vermillion City!" The ref yelled out.
      Josh & I met at the end of the arena, where he presented me with a large trophy that had my name engraved in it.
      "You deserved it. You're a pretty cool trainer. You should try out for the Johto League, you'll go far in there." Josh said.
      "Thanks. I will. But right now, I am gonna enjoy this trophy!" I said, hugging the trophy and turning to my Pokémon, "Thanks guys, you helped me a lot!"
      Later, my footprint as well as my Pokémon's footprints were set in stone, as well as a picture of all of us. It was put in the Hall of Fame. It was then I noticed how few trainers actually won here. After saying good-bye to Josh & the guys at DMG Ice, we headed back to the boat. I wanted to tell my folks about my victories in the League, as well as our adventures my new Pokémon, Kingdra, Beedrill and Golbat, and I wanted to get home fast.
      "OK, we'll head home. It should take about a day." Zach said.
      With that, we started out to go home to Vermillion.
      "Is it just me, or were we shunned in this chapter?" Megan asked Josh & Zach.
      "Yea, we're always shunned. The story's in first person, so of course Matt's got to be the central character. Whenever we get screen time, we get beaten up or something like that." Josh replied.
      "Maybe it won't be like that next chapter." Zach said.
      Hmm. Intresting. Having a chapter NOT dedicated to the star. Hmm....

      To be continued...

      To all loyal readers of Snowflake, The Nolans, and DMG Ice: Sorry about not keeping the people in character, but trying to convert comics into fanfics was hard. Anyway, to all those that unknowningly guest starred in the strip, I am SO sorry for probably embarrassing you right now. I tried to fit just about every character on DMG Ice in here. This chapter is sorta a tribute to Josh Nickerson, who helped me realize my Pokémon story, and DMG Ice, which, even though they take a long time to complete things, still kicks ass.

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