Johto League Torch

The next day, the gang was now in Silver Town. Ash was looking through the guidebook with Brock.

"Is it like the Indigo League?" Ash asked. "You know with me having to compete in four preliminary rounds with three Pokemon and then normal matches with three Pokemon?"

"Actually Ash, it's different and the challenge looks a lot harsher than the Indigo League." Brock said.

"Oh really?" Ash asked. "What are the rules for the Silver Conference?"

Before Ash's question could be answered, they came across Gary.

"Hey Gary." Ash said. "I take it you have all eight badges for the Silver Conference?"

"That I do Ashy-boy." Gary said. "And I will be aiming for the top."

"You will have to beat me first Gary." Ash said.

Obviously Ash and Gary still had their rivalry.

"I'll have you know Ash, I trained a lot harder since the Indigo League." Gary said. "So you better watch out for me."

"Same with me Gary." Ash replied.

After speaking with Gary, the gang walked up to where the participants of the Silver Conference were staying. They were going to stay in a giant Pokemon Center in Athlete's Village. On the way there they met up with Mr. Goodshow, who was handing out balloons to kids. He explained that he liked to greet guests who come to watch the Silver Conference as well as other Pokemon Leagues.

"I take it you're here to enter the Silver Conference Ash?" Mr. Goodshow asked.

"Yes I am." Ash answered. "And I intend to go higher than I did in the Indigo League."

"Well Ash, I wish you luck." Mr. Goodshow smiled.

The gang soon came to the luxury suite in the Pokemon Center they were going to stay in while at the Silver Conference.

"This room is huge." Tomo said.

"You're right." Misty agreed with Tomo. "And it can't get any better than this. We also have a beautiful view of the lake."

Ash tried out the couches and they were very comfy and Tomo tried out the beds which were also very comfy. There was also a computer Ash could use to look up his opponents.

"Come on all of you." Brock said. "We have to get to the screen rounds now."

The screen rounds were mini battle rounds before the Silver Conference. All 200 trainers who entered had to battle three times in the screen rounds, using only one Pokemon.

"It says that you have to defeat all three challengers to enter the Silver Conference." Brock explained. "And only the top 48 trainers move onto the preliminary rounds."

"Wow Brock." Misty said. "You were right about the rules of the Silver Conference being a lot harsher than the Indigo League."

"Are you all right Ash?" Tomo asked, feeling slightly nervous.

"Don't worry Tomo, it will be all right." Ash said.

Soon it was Ash's turn to battle in the screen rounds. His first opponent was a trainer named Salvador. Ash sent out Flaffy and Salvador sent out Furret.

"Flaffy, Thunderbolt." Ash said.

Flaaffy released a bolt of lightning, but Salvador ordered his Furret to use Double so Thunderbolt missed it. Flaffy became confused after seeing the multiple copies of Furret.

"Flaaffy, use Swift." Ash ordered.

Flaffy fired a series of white stars from his body. The Furret copies and the real Furret were hit by the attack.

"Use Dig Furret." Salvador said.

Furret tunneled underground to avoid any additional stars. Ash knew this was trouble since neither he or Flaaffy knew where Furret would emerge. But then he got a idea.

"Flaaffy remain still. Allow Furret to hit you." Ash instructed.

"Hit Flaaffy with Headbutt." Salvador said.

Furret came out of the ground and headbutted Flaaffy, but then it was paralyzed. This was thanks to Flaaffy's ability Static.

"Ash must have figured out that Furret would be somewhat tricky due to it's speed." Brock guessed. "So he decided to let Static slow Furret down."

"It's a good thing Static paralyzes the opponent." Misty smiled.

"Alright Flaaffy use Thunderbolt." Ash said.

Flaaffy shocked Furret with a bolt of lightning, then used Slam and that caused Furret to faint, winning Ash his first screen battle.

Ash defeated his next two opponents as well. His Misdreavus defeated his second opponent's Machoke easily with Psychic and Murkrow easily defeated his third opponent's Exeggutor with Drill Peck and Icy Wind. After the screen rounds were over, everyone went to the Pokemon Center to see the results. The gang saw that Ash, Gary and Harrison were in the preliminary rounds.

"I can't wait for the preliminary rounds." Ash said. "What are the rules for the preliminary rounds Brock?"

Before Brock could answer Ash's question, Mr. Goodshow appeared in front of the gang.

"I'll explain what happens in the preliminary rounds Ash." He said.

He explained that in the preliminary rounds the 48 trainers were split into 16 groups of 3, and the three trainers in each block battled each other in a series of three on three matches. The trainers would get three points for every win, one point for every draw and zero points for every loss.

"So I have to win more than three points to pass the preliminary rounds?" Ash asked.

"Yes, and if you and any other trainer in your block are tied, you have to fight each other again to win." Mr. Goodshow said.

It was obvious; the Silver Conference was different than the Indigo League.

That night Ash couldn't sleep; he was excited about the Silver Conference beginning tomorrow. He then decided to take a walk outside the Pokemon Center for a bit.

"I can't believe I'm at the Silver Conference already." Ash said. "It feels like just yesterday I was collecting the gym badges here in Johto."

"And even if there are strong trainers, that won't prevent me from winning."

Just then he spotted Gary sitting next to the lake.

"Can't you sleep Ash?" Gary asked.

"No, you?" Ash asked back.

"Not really." Gary admitted.

Gary noticed that tonight's moon was a full moon.

"This is the same moon that was out on the night I left Pallet Town when I first became a Pokemon trainer." He said.

"I remember that night too." Ash said. "And we have gone through so much on our journeys since then."

"You're right." Gary said. "And it makes me think what else we will accomplish in the future."

"Well whatever happens, I'm sure it will make our lives more exciting than ever." Ash said.

"As for the present Ash." Gary said. "I will be earning first place in this Silver Conference tournament. And I won't anyone, including you get in my way of winning."

"Sorry Gary." Ash smiled. "But the one earning first place is me and you will be earning second place."

Ash and Gary smiled at each other.

The next day it was time for the opening ceremony of the Silver Conference. Everyone was waiting for the torch bearer to bring Ho-Oh's sacred flame to the stadium. Prof. Oak and Tracey were watching what was happening at the Silver Conference on a television in the lab back in Pallet Town. Delia and her Pokemon were watching it on television too. Prof. Elm was watching it on his computer back in New Bark Town. Brock, Misty and Tomo took their places in the stadium seats and Ash and Gary were waiting with the other participants to enter the stadium.

Unfortunately, there was a problem. Jessie, James and Meowth intended to steal the flame. They decided that the flame of the legendary Ho-Oh would make them a fortune. The runner of the torch was near the stadium but Jessie, James and Meowth were standing just at the entrance ready to pounce. As soon as the runner opened the door to the stadium, he was tackled by Jessie's Granbull. The runner was knocked into the wall and dropped the torch and Meowth caught it before it hit the ground.

"Now the flame is ours." Meowth said.

"Good work Granbull." Jessie praised Granbull before returning it.

Ash decided to investigate after receiving a troubling feeling. Gary saw Ash running off and asked him what was going on.

"I feel like there's trouble inside the stadium." Ash said.

"Let's hurry and see to this trouble." Gary replied.

Jessie, James and Meowth were getting ready to run with the torch when Ash and Gary entered the stadium.

"That flame is not yours Team Rocket!" Gary shouted.

"Ha, come and get it twerps." Jessie smirked.

"If you insist." Ash responded.

He used his psychic powers to get the torch away from Meowth.

"What was that?!" Meowth gasped.

Gary was impressed with Ash's psychic powers; he learned about them some time ago.

"Alright, time for you to leave." Team Rocket was sent flying after a tail swung into them.

Ash and Gary then checked to see if the runner was okay, but his ankle was twisted courtesy of Team Rocket.

"If I don't run, I can't bring the torch to the stadium." The runner said, worried.

This was a problem of course; the Silver Conference could not start without the sacred flame. Then Gary got a idea; he suggested Ash run with the torch to the stadium. Ash asked the runner if that was okay and the runner agreed, so Ash decided to finish the running of the torch.

Meanwhile everyone in the audience was getting anxious because the flame hadn't shown up yet. Just then the announcer informed everyone that the runner had an accident. Everyone was worried that the ceremony wouldn't start now. But there was no need for it because Ash entered the stadium carrying the torch. Tomo, Misty and Brock were surprised that Ash was carrying the torch as were Prof. Oak, Tracey, Delia and Prof. Elm. Everyone watched as Ash lit the big torch with Ho-Oh's sacred flame.

Mr. Goodshow gave one final speech to open the Silver Conference and wished the competitors good luck in the stadium. Ash was happy and excited that the Silver Conference was now beginning.