What Tomo Did

After Ash headed to Rota to train his aura, Tomo had to think about what to do for himself. With Ash gone, he wasn't sure what to do, especially since they were traveling until Ash returned from Rota. But that evening, while he and his mom were having dinner, he decided what to do.

"Hey mom, have you heard of the Pokemon rangers?" He asked Delia.

"Yes I have." Delia answered. "I've read them in the papers and seen them on TV lots of times. It's great that there are people like them who protect Pokemon from all sorts of dangers and other bad things like that. I heard from Ash that you met two Pokemon rangers Solana and Jack while you were in Kanto."

"Meeting them has helped me decide what I want to be and that is to become a Pokemon ranger." Tomo said.

Delia was surprised with his decision, but she agreed.

"I had the feeling you would grow up to be someone who would protect Pokemon like a police officer or Pokemon ranger Tomo." She said. "I mean you did grow up with Ranger Jenny at the Pokemon reserve before you joined our family. So I think becoming a Pokemon ranger is perfect for you."

So it was settled; Tomo's quest was to become a Pokemon ranger.

*The next day...*

Tomo went over to Prof. Oak's lab. Delia decided that Tomo should go and see Prof. Oak to find out how he could become a Pokemon ranger. Tomo told Prof. Oak and Tracey his wish was to become a Pokemon ranger.

"So you have found out what you want to do Tomo." Tracey said. "And I think becoming a Pokemon ranger would be great for you."

Prof. Oak agreed as well.

"Prof. Oak how do people become a Pokemon ranger?" Tomo asked.

"Well I've read that those who wish to become a Pokemon ranger go to a special school called the Ranger School." Prof. Oak said. "There they teach you how to become Pokemon rangers and how to become operators and mechanics. Let me check out on the computer."

He looked the Ranger School up on the computer.

"Why then even go on small quests to see if they have what it takes to become Pokemon rangers."

"It looks tough to me." Tracey said. "I think you should train yourself and your Pokemon Tomo before you start attending this school."

"I agree with Tracey." Prof. Oak said.

Tomo agreed as well. He and Ash heard how hard and dangerous it can be sometimes when you're a Pokemon ranger from Solana before. Then Tracey came up with an idea; he thought that Tomo should battle gyms and enter a Pokemon League.

"I think that's a great idea." Prof. Oak said. "Taking on the gyms and the Pokemon League would make you stronger Tomo just like it makes Ash strong."

Tomo had a thoughtful expression on his face; Prof. Oak was right about Ash getting stronger after challenging gyms and entering Pokemon leagues and other competitions.

"That's what I'll do." Tomo said. "I'll battle the gym leaders when I go to Sinnoh with Ash and I'll enter the Sinnoh League too."

So it was decided that Tomo will enter the Sinnoh League to get stronger before he goes to the ranger school.

Tomo went out to the ranch and rounded up all his Pokemon; Growlithe, Tauros, Poliwhirl, male and female Nidoran, Venonat, Marowak, Pikachu, Kabuto, Omanyte, Farfetch'd. Charmeleon, Croconaw, Magcargo, Houndour, Electabuzz, Magmar, Jynx, Ledian, Sunflora, Octillery, Wynaut, Teddiursa, Snubbull, Grovyle, Shedinja, Ninjask, Poochyena, Camerupt, Castform, Spinda, Pelipper, Plusle, Minun, Electrike, Dusclops, Beldum, Lileep, Anorith, Sealeo, Natu, Pidgey and Ponyta. He told everyone about his decision to become a Pokemon ranger and then he told everyone that he was going to participate in the Sinnoh League when they got to Sinnoh.

"If we participate in the gym battles there we will get stronger like my brother and his Pokemon." His Pokemon nodded and they couldn't wait to participate in gym battles.

Then a gust of wind interrupted Tomo; it was Mewtwo who had just returned from his travels through Kanto. Mewtwo knew that Ash had gone to train his aura power; he had told Mewtwo about his aura after what happened at Rota before and about his decision to train it before his journey in Kanto ended.

"Is everything alright Mewtwo?" Tomo asked.

"So far all of Kanto is at peace." Mewtwo said. "But I fear Team Rocket is still roaming free."

"Yes. It would be nice if we could get rid of them like we did Team Aqua and Team Magma in the Hoenn Region." Tomo said.

He didn't like Team Rocket either and only a miracle would be able to take them and Giovanni down. Since Mewtwo was home again he decided to rest until Ash returned from Rota.

Tomo went back to his house.

"Hey mom, what do you think I should do?" He asked.

He did plan to do some training but he wasn't sure what else he could do. Delia thought about it for a moment.

"Hey I know, why don't you go to Pewter City and Cerulean City?" She suggested. "If you go to the gyms there, you could practice gym battles with Brock and Misty."

Tomo thought it was a great idea and so did Growlithe.

"I'll head out tomorrow to visit Brock and Misty and practice battling there."

So the next day Tomo packed some of his belongings in his backpack, got six of his Pokemon ready and left Pallet Town to visit Brock in Pewter City and Misty in Cerulean City.

The first destination was Pewter City. Right now Tomo had made it to Viridian City. He found out the Viridian Gym had a new leader and to his surprise it was Jones. Ash had battled him in the Ever Grande Conference. Jones had moved from Hoenn to Kanto to become the Viridian Gym leader. Battling his ground type Pokemon was perfect for obtaining the Earth Badge.

After leaving Viridian City, Tomo made his way through Viridian Forest. Traveling alone to different places felt weird to Tomo because he always traveled with Ash. But it was a good opportunity for him because when he had to go to the ranger school he would be there by himself without Ash and of course he could go on quests without Ash too. It was Tomo's first step to becoming independent.

Once Tomo made it to Pewter City and to the gym a few days later, Brock was surprised to see him. Tomo told Brock about his decision to challenge the gyms in the Sinnoh region to become stronger because of his wish to go to ranger school and about his mom's decision to see him and Misty and practice gym battles.

"I understand Tomo." Brock said. "And your mom was right to have you come to me and Misty to practice gym battles. I will help you and I know Misty will too."

Brock and Tomo went to see his family and told them that Tomo wanted to have a practice battle in the gym. Forrest agreed to practice with Tomo; he thought this would be good practice for him before he became the official Pewter gym leader. So everyone went into the gym. Forrest and Tomo took their places on the battlefield. Brock acted as the referee and Flint, Lola and the rest of their siblings went to the sidelines to watch. Brock explained the battle was two on two and announced it to begin.

Forrest sent his Larvitar out to battle and Tomo released his Octillery. Tomo started off by telling Octillery to use Bubble Beam.

"Quick dodge that Larvitar." Forrest said.

Larvitar avoided the bubbles.

"Now use Dark Pulse." Larvitar fired dark rings which hit Octillery.

"You alright Octillery." Tomo said. "Use Aurora Beam."

Octillery fired Aurora Beam at Larvitar. Forrest knew that ice type attacks were super-effective against rock type Pokemon so he decided to do something quick.

"Larvitar, Sandstorm." He ordered.

Larvitar whipped up a strong sandstorm. Tomo chuckled because he knew what to do in a situation like this.

"Octillery, Rain Dance." It started to rain dispersing the sandstorm.

"Sorry Forrest, but I learned about weather changing moves from my brother." Tomo said. "Now Octillery, Octazooka."

Octillery fired an orb of water from his mouth and it hit Larvitar. Thanks to Rain Dance, Octazooka was a lot more powerful and Larvitar fainted after being hit by the attack. So Tomo won the first battle.

"Wow Tomo, you're a great battler." Forrest said, returning Larvitar.

"It's thanks to Ash that my Pokemon and I have learned to be strong." Tomo said.

Forrest nodded because he learned to be strong too thanks to Brock and Flint. Forrest sent out his Rhyperior to battle next.

Tomo was amazed by the Pokemon and looked it up on the Pokedex.

"Rhyperior, the Drill Pokemon and the evolved form of Rhydon. It puts rocks in the holes on it's palms and uses it's muscles to shoot them. Geodude are shot at rare times."

Tomo decided to return Octillery and sent out his Poliwhirl to battle next.

"Poliwhirl, Hydro Pump." He said.

"Quick, use Dig to get away Rhyperior." Forrest said.

Rhyperior dug into the ground just before Hydro Pump could hit it.

"Watch out Poliwhirl." Tomo said.

Just then Rhyperior came out.

"Megahorn, Rhyperior." Forrest said.

Rhyperior tackled Poliwhirl really hard with it's horn. Forrest's family all agreed that he was doing well.

"Okay Poliwhirl, use Surf." Tomo said.

Poliwhirl created a tidal wave that headed towards Rhyperior. Rhyperior couldn't dodge the attack and it soaked him.

"Okay Poliwhirl, let's end this with Hydro Pump." Tomo said.

Poliwhirl fired Hydro Pump and this knocked Rhyperior out. Brock announced Tomo won the battle.

Tomo and Forrest returned their Pokemon and shook hands with each other.

"You did great despite this being your first gym battle." Forrest told him. "You'll do fine taking on the Sinnoh Region's gyms and the Sinnoh League."

Everyone else agreed as well.

"Can I give Tomo a Boulder Badge?" Forrest asked Brock.

"Hold on a second." Tomo interrupted. "I didn't come here to obtain a gym badge. I just wanted to practice gym battles."

"That may be true, but you should get the gym badge regardless." Brock said.

"I agree." Flint added. "Having that badge will be proof that you are ready to battle gyms and keep it as acknowledgment."

Tomo ultimately agreed, so he got the Boulder Badge.

After leaving Pewter City and traversing Mt. Moon, Tomo arrived in Cerulean City. He headed over to the gym and was greeted by Misty.

"Hi Tomo." Misty said. "Your mom just contacted me and told me you were coming here."

"I want to practice battling at the Cerulean Gym because I intend to compete in the Sinnoh League with Ash." Tomo explained.

"That's a good idea Tomo; it's always best to practice things before you do them for real." Misty said.

"I've already battled Forrest in the Pewter Gym and I got the badge from him too." Tomo said, showing her the badge. "I didn't intend to battle him for the badge though."

"I think that was a great idea because it will be the first start on your quest Tomo." Misty said. "And that's why I'll give you a badge if you defeat me."

Tomo was surprised but agreed.

Before Misty and Tomo could start their battle, she showed him around the gym and the Pokemon. Misty's Mudkip had grown up by now and was now into battles.

"Hey Misty." Tomo said. "Before I forget, do you by any chance have Water Stones? I want to evolve my Poliwhirl into Poliwrath."

"We have lots of Water Stones here." Misty smiled. "And I would like to see your Poliwhirl evolve."

There were Water Stones in a vault in the office of the Cerulean Gym, where they also kept the Cascade Badges. Tomo released his Poliwhirl from the Poke Ball and Misty touched him with a Water Stone. Then Poliwhirl glowed and evolved into Poliwrath.

"You have a very healthy and strong Poliwrath Tomo." Misty said.

Poliwrath was happy and so was Tomo.

After that, Misty and Tomo took their places on the swimming pool to battle. Misty declared the battle a one on one battle and Tomo agreed. Misty decided to send her Corsola out to battle and Tomo sent his Sealeo out to battle.

Tomo started the battle.

"Sealeo, Powder Snow." Tomo told him.

"Get into the water, Corsola." Misty said.

Corsola dived into the pool and dodged the attack. Sealeo dived into the water too.

"Spike Cannon, Corsola." Corsola fired Spike Cannon, but Sealeo dodged it.

This made Misty remember that Sealeo was faster in the water than on land.

"Ice Ball Sealeo." Tomo said.

Sealeo fired multiple balls of ice and Corsola was hit by all of them.

"Oh no, Corsola Recover." Misty said.

Corsola quickly recovered.

"Okay Sealeo, use Hail." Tomo said.

Sealeo came out of the water and made it snow and hail. The hail didn't hurt Sealeo because it was a water/ice type, but it did hurt Corsola because it was water/rock.

"Okay Corsola, use Tackle." Misty said.

Corsola charged forward to tackle Sealeo.

"Body Slam, Sealeo." Tomo said.

Corsola and Sealeo tackled each other and as Corsola was stronger than Sealeo, it took more damage.

"Blizzard Sealeo." Tomo said.

Sealeo blew a powerful blizzard and thanks to Hail, it was powered up. Corsola didn't like the blizzard attack and she was frozen in ice.

"Now Sealeo, use Body Slam." Sealeo tackled Corsola really hard and she fainted.

So Tomo won the gym battle.

"Well Tomo, you did wonderfully in our battle." Misty said.

She gave him the Cascade Badge and Tomo happily accepted it. Now that it was over, Tomo had to go back to Pallet Town again.

"Good luck participating in gym battles and the Pokemon League in the Sinnoh Region Tomo." Misty said. "And wish Ash lots of luck for me too when he comes back."

Tomo promised to do that, thanked Misty for the battle, said goodbye to her and headed off for home.

After having practice battles with Forrest and Misty, Tomo spent the rest of his free time helping out his mom with chores and errands, watched TV programs about Pokemon rangers, spent some time at Prof. Oak's lab and trained some of his Pokemon, mostly Ponyta, Pidgey and Natu. In the process Tomo's Pidgey evolved into Pidgeotto, his Venonat evolved into Venomoth, his Nidoran couple evolved into Nidorina and Nidorino and his Beldum evolved into Metang. Tomo felt more than ready for when he would challenge the gyms in the Sinnoh Region, but he still had to wait patiently until his brother came back. And he was fine with that.