@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 118a: The Ties That Bind (part 1)

Ash fumed as he started down the hallway of the dorm towards the food court. I can't believe it...my first-round opponent in the Victory Tournament is none other than Gary, my eternal rival.

He met Gary emerging from a stairwell. "Well well...if you're gonna get some munchies, get some mints to wash out the sour taste my beating you's gonna leave in your mouth!" Gary smirked.

"Actually, I was gonna scope out dessert--cause my victory's gonna be sweet after all those years of losses and close calls!" Ash shot back.

"Oh yeah? Then why did you not let me have that rusted Poke Ball?" Gary countered as the two boys started back down the hall towards Ash's dorm.

"You still remember that?" Ash gasped. "If I recall correctly, we both got it at the same time!"

"Eat some more fish to boost that memory, Ash--I got it first, fair and square." Gary shot back. "Just like how I'm gonna sweep you in the match in a few days!"

"My team is not weak!" Ash roared back. "You'll find I'm more than a match for you!"

"We'll see in a few days...until then, smell ya later!" With that, Gary continued down the hall and around a corner, leaving Ash to stew by the entrance to his room.

Misty opened the door a few moments later, snapping him from his angry thoughts. "Ash? Is everything okay? Brock heard you and Gary yelling outside, and asked me to break it up, but it looks like the party's over..."

"Gary brought up the incident that set our rivalry into motion..." Ash explained as he came inside to the room, aware of Brock practicing his guitar in the main room. "Before I can properly tell you the story, there's something I have to show you guys..."

After rummaging through his bag and finding a dusty white half of an old Poke Ball in a pocket. he explained to Misty and Brock. "Okay...Brock, some appropriate music, please."

Brock started a wistful melody in A minor filled with ornamentation as Ash began "This event took place a few days before I left to start my Pokemon journey..."

---------

In Ash's memory, a younger Ash and a younger Gary were fishing by a stream. "Gary and me were fishing by a little stream that ran by Pallet." Ash explains via voiceover as Young Ash casts his line into the water. "At first, things were a little slow, but late in the morning I managed to catch a Magikarp." Just then, Young Ash's line begins jerking in time to Brock trilling a note. "I did my best to reel it in, but it proceeded to slap me in the face before falling back in the water." Ash explains as this happens in the flashback.

Young Gary proceeds to say some mocking gibberish as Ash continues "Gary, on the other side of the stream, saw the whole thing, and proceeded to taunt me in both my skills and knowledge of Pokémon, or perceived lack thereof. In my embarrassment and humiliation, I was unable to name any of Magikarp's attacks, including the Flail that was used on me."

Time passes in the flashback to the next day, as Young Ash and Young Gary settle in on opposite sides of the stream. "We had always liked the stream as a fishing and a swimming spot, and after that, the rivalry escalated to the point that both of us were fishing in the same spot, but from opposite banks.

"Wow..." Misty comments via voiceover as both Young Ash and Young Gary's lines begin jerking in time to another trilled note. "One day, we both managed to catch something at the same time." Ash went on. "It turned out that we both had caught onto the same rusted Poké Ball." Young Ash and young Gary balk in surprise over what they actually caught. "After a brief tug-of-war, the Poké Ball broke in half." Ash explains as Young Ash and Young Gary pull the Poke Ball back and forth for a few moments, until it snaps apart in time to a hard chord from Brock.

"Though I was willing to accept that the 'fishing battle' was a draw, Gary took it a loss, as, in his words, 'tying with me was just as bad as losing' - a position that he held to this very day." Young Gary sticks out his tongue at Young Ash as the song and the flashback end.

---------

"I kept my half of the Poké Ball as a good luck charm." Ash concluded his story some time later. "I guess losing to Gary and Eevee taught me that I wasn't ready to take him on at the time, but I've come a long way since then--and I am more then prepared for the match!"

"I love that you are raring to show Gary just how far you've come, but tomorrow is a rest day, with the Victory Tournament starting the day after." Misty reminded Ash.

"I would recommend that you use tomorrow to prepare your strategy, much like I will be doing for the Grand Lore Stage." Brock agreed. "You've said it yourself many times--the first rule of battle is 'know thy enemy'."

---------

"I'm back!" Misty called as she returned the next day. "We did very well in the Lamp Jump this time, and--!"

She stopped in her tracks to find the boys had buried themselves in books--Brock to find a story for the next round of the Grand Lore Stage, and Ash preparing his strategy. "Ash is taking this match for the ages very seriously--he hasn't slept since last night." Brock reported as he copied down the bones of a story he liked from a book. "I took a break to sleep after ten, but left Ash some Verde Power to keep awake."

A smile formed on Brock's face. "Although, with enough caffeine, Ash is quite the computer guru."

"And...it's done!" Ash smiled as he motioned for Misty to join him by the PC. "I did a little digging on the League Web site, and Gary has ten Pokemon on his profile, so I've made a little video explaining how I plan to counter them all."

Just as he clicked the ReelView icon, he balked at an error message. "What do you mean, there was an error retrieving 'GaryStrat.avi' from the cloud, please try again later?"

"Maybe ReelView's servers are under maintenance right now." Misty assured Ash. "You can tell us your strategy over breakfast, okay?"

---------

"Okay...Gary has no particular type preference, just like his grandad Prof. Oak, and he keeps rotating his Pokémon." Brock began as he studied Gary's profile in the Victory Tournament bracket on his PokeNav.

"You'd be right--he has been that way for as long as I have known him." Ash replied before biting into a sausage egg and cheese biscuit.

"I will reiterate that your team-building strategy will be crucial, so I got you a little extra help." Brock grinned.

Just then, Ash saw a shadow flying overhead. "What in the..."

His confused look turned to joy as a familiar Charizard heaved a Flamethrower into the sky to greet him. "Blaze! What a surprise!"

[Brock told Liza about your impending match last night, so I made the trip here to lend you a hand.] Blaze purred as Ash hugged him.

Ash noticed Gary approaching out of the corner of his eye. There you are...

The village plaza was silent as Ash and Gary stared each other down, each boy not wanting to move a muscle or say anything to the other. Not even the bird Pokemon wanted to sing--the world seemed to be holding its breath to see what the two rivals would do.

"There you are!" a voice called, startling both Ash and Gary.

"Gramps?" Gary balked at Professor Oak arriving.

"Mom?" Ash was equally surprised at the brown haired woman coming to meet him.

"Surprise." Delia smiled as she embraced Ash. "Professor Oak and I decided to come watch the Silver Conference live instead of on TV. Don't worry, your dad's looking after the house with Mimey."

"I don't know what the occasion for the staring contest was, but I have a gift for each of you." Prof. Oak began before showing Ash and Gary two upgrade chips. "I've received a lot of new Pokémon data from a colleague, so let me update your Pokedexes for you--it won't take very long."

"Thanks!" Ash smiled as he eagerly handed Prof. Oak his Pokedex.

"Yeah, thanks, Gramps!" Gary smiled.

After waiting a moment for the upgrade to complete Professor Oak returned the Pokedexes "There we are...your Pokedexes are now up to date to the Houen region."

"Nice!" Misty smiled. "I wonder what else we can learn about the Houen Pokemon we've seen so far."

"Or what lore those Pokemon have." Brock agreed as he watched Gary pocket his Pokedex and depart.

"Ash..." Delia began. "Remember that a little preparation goes a long way--Gary's not going to hold anything back tomorrow, so you need to bring your A game."

"I'll bring more than that--I'm bringing my S game!" Ash smiled.

"Well, no matter what happens tomorrow, your dad and I will always be proud of you." Delia assured Ash. "Even if you just improve on how you did at home, that's a reason enough to celebrate. You've worked hard to get this far, but remember to stay calm and focused, even though there likely will be some high emotions out there."

She looked over at Misty and Brock nodding in agreement. "Above all, the Pokemon League is not about winning and losing--it's about doing your very best."

"Thanks..." Ash smiled as he hugged Delia again, a tear of pride rolling down his cheek. With everyone rooting for me, I'm more determined than ever to beat Gary!

To Be Continued...