Start of the Battle Frontier

Ash, Tomo, Brock, May and Max were now on their way to Ash's first Battle Frontier battle. Misty left the group just after Mt. Moon to get back to her gym in Cerulean City. But the gang said they would come to Cerulean City after the first Frontier challenge, because they found out Cerulean City is holding a Pokemon contest in a couple days.

"So Ash, do you know where the first battle facility is?" May asked.

"I don't." Ash answered. "This will be my first time going to the facilities. And Scott said only the strongest trainers can go there and I was nowhere near that strong for the Battle Frontier when I first traveled through Kanto."

"You're right Ash; a rookie would never be accepted to challenge the Battle Frontier." Brock agreed.

By now it was getting dark and the gang needed to find shelter for the night.

Suddenly there was a cold breeze in the air and there was a screech. Ash looked up to the sky.

"That's from a Articuno." He commented.

The gang was surprised to see an Articuno. Just then they saw a biplane flying beside it.

"Is someone trying to catch Articuno?" Tomo asked.

"I don't think so." Brock said. "Because Articuno is flying by that biplane with ease and normally Articuno always attack planes and other things if someone is trying to catch it."

"So that Articuno must belong to the owner of that plane." Max said.

The gang watched Articuno and the biplane until they were out of sight.

"Can we please continue looking for shelter?" A tired May asked.

It wasn't long before the gang found a Pokemon Center.

"That's good." Ash said. "We can ask Nurse Joy for directions to the battle facility in the morning."

So the gang had a good night's sleep at the Pokemon Center and when the next day came Ash asked Nurse Joy for directions to the battle facility.

"Ah a challenger for the Battle Frontier." Nurse Joy said.

She was about to give the gang directions, but then she was stopped. Scott was at the Pokemon Center.

"I will take them there." He said.

Ash couldn't believe he was seeing Scott again and he introduced the others to him.

"Pleased to meet you all." Scott said. "And I will take you to the battle facility myself."

The truth was Scott wanted to Ash challenge the Battle Frontier.

Scott had a red sports car and he gave the gang a lift, but he was a reckless driver and drove very fast. The gang didn't like his driving one bit and when Scott finally came to a stop the gang felt like throwing up. Scott brought the gang to what appeared to be a metal factory.

"This is the first battle facility called the Battle Factory." Scott said.

Ash was excited to take on his first facility.

But then a machine on wheels was driving out of control and the driver couldn't stop it.

"Quick kids use your Pokemon." Scott said.

Ash called out Grovyle, May called out Combusken and Brock called out his Mudkip. Together their attacks stopped the machine. A man dressed like a mechanic came out of the machine.

"Thanks for that kids." He said. "This thing doesn't listen to what I say."

"Still working on your machines Noland?" Scott asked.

"Yes and this one is the best." Noland said.

Noland loved to create machines and drive them. A young man named Sergio, who was Noland's apprentice, ran up.

"Still playing with that thing again?" He asked Noland.

"It's my work Sergio." Noland said.

Noland introduced himself to the gang and also called himself the Factory Head. That meant he was the Frontier Brain of the Battle Factory and he was the one Ash had to challenge. Ash introduced himself to Noland and asked for a battle.

"Ah a challenger." Noland said. "I accept your challenge Ash."

Noland had an unusual rule for the Battle Factory; the challenger got to choose which one of Noland's Pokemon to battle. Noland had many Pokemon; he had a Venusaur, Machamp, Pinsir, Rhyhorn, Breloom, Rhydon, Lairon, Camerupt, Sandslash, Golduck, Manectric and Trapinch. But he had one more Pokemon that was a surprise to the gang; he also had an Articuno.

"Wow you have an Articuno?" Max gasped.

"Well I didn't catch it, so it's wild." Noland informed them.

He explained that one night he was test flying his biplane; he loved to fly in biplanes. But then he came across an Articuno flying beside him with an injured wing.

"I had Articuno land on my biplane, and then after bringing it to land I helped Articuno recover. After Articuno was all healed up it came to visit me regularly."

"It is true." Ash noted. "Even Legendary Pokemon can accept a human's kindness, regardless if they feel anxious around humans. I know because I've helped legendary Pokemon before."

Since Ash had to choose one Pokemon to battle deciding which one would not be easy for him.

Max and Tomo asked Noland if they could fly in his biplane because they had never flown in a biplane before. Noland saw nothing wrong with that and soon he, Max and Tomo were flying in the sky in the biplane and Articuno flew with them.

"Wow Articuno looks so magnificent." May said.

She had never seen Articuno before so she was happy to see one up close. Ash couldn't take his eyes off Articuno.

*'I've made up my mind.'* He thought.

After riding in the biplane came to a end, Noland asked Ash if he had made up his mind regarding what Pokemon to battle.

"I wish to have a one on one battle with Articuno." Ash said. "I've never faced a Articuno before, so I wish to take this chance."

Noland and Articuno agreed with his decision.

"What Pokemon will you use Ash?" Scott asked.

"This one." Ash said, taking out a Poke Ball.

He released his Lugia; he decided to have Lugia battle Articuno. Scott, Noland and Sergio were surprised Ash had a Lugia.

"My word Ash." Scott said. "I can't wait to see what other Pokemon you've got."

"A battle between two legendary Pokemon will be a blast." Noland said. "So brace yourself Ash."

This was truly the start of Ash's challenge in the Battle Frontier.