Pokeringer 2

*One day...*

The gang walked through a mountain valley. Ash, Tomo and Dawn were in a good mood because they each caught a new Pokemon. Ash caught a shiny Metagross, Tomo caught a Stunky and Dawn caught a Chatot. They had heard about a shiny Metagross in a mountainous area and Ash wanted to catch it. He had to get his Houndoom from Prof. Oak's lab as it was the perfect Pokemon for battling Metagross. Metagross was very strong but Houndoom and Pikachu managed to defeat it together. As for Tomo and Dawn's captures, they encountered the two Pokemon fighting over some berries in a clearing. Of course Dawn and her Piplup stepped in by telling the two Pokemon to stop fighting and then she sorted the berries out into a fair share. During the excitement Chatot kept on copying Dawn's words, which the boys found very amusing. Dawn found Chatot to be really cute and decided right away to have it for herself. Tomo really liked Stunky and decided to catch it. So Ash, Tomo and Dawn were happy because of their new captures.

Just then the gang noticed a town and Brock explained from the guide book it was called Squallville Town. Suddenly a strong gust of wind picked up and Piplup went flying. But Dawn quickly caught him before he flew away.

"It says here you have to be careful of the gusts of wind here in Squallville." Brock said.

"Hey look at that over there." Tomo said, pointing to the sky.

There was a Yanmega and a Swablu flying towards some rings that were floating on some balloons in the sky.

"Hey, it's a Pokeringer." Ash said, recognizing the sport right away.

"You're right." Brock said.

The gang went to get a closer look and sure enough there was a man and boy practicing Pokeringer.

"So they hold Pokeringer competitions here in Sinnoh." Ash said.

"Excuse me but what's a Pokeringer?" Dawn asked.

"It's a competition where Pokemon flying through rings." The boys explained.

"I won the Pokeringer competition in Crossgate Town." Ash informed her.

"The Pokeringer sounds like fun." Dawn said.

Down on the ground a man who owned Yanmega was practicing with a boy who owned Swablu. Yanmega placed a ring on a book and won.

"You see, you need to pay attention and rely on the gusts of wind." The man said to the boy.

"I will beat you in the competition." The boy said before leaving.

The man petted his Yanmega.

"Keep this up Yanmega and we may win the competition." He said.

Just then the gang ran up to him.

"Hello, what are you kids doing here?" The man asked.

"Pardon us sir." Ash said. "But is a Pokeringer competition happening in this town?"

"Yes the Pokeringer tournament is being held here in Squallville Town today." The man informed them.

"Wow, so we got here just in time then." Brock said.

"Oh, are you kids interested in participating in the Pokeringer tournament?" The man asked.

"I definitely am." Ash said.

"Me too." Tomo added.

"Count me in as well." Dawn finished.

Of course Piplup wanted to be in it, but as he couldn't fly he was unable to participate.

"Sorry Piplup." Dawn said. "But this is a job for Chatot."

Piplup sulked.

"Well I'll be seeing you kids in the competition." The man said, before recalling something. "Oh, but you'll need to watch out for a trainer named Provo. He has won the Pokeringer four times in a row with his Dragonite."

"That's not going to stop me from winning." Ash said.

"Same here." Tomo carried on.

Later on, it was almost time for the Pokeringer to start. Rhonda was presenting the tournament. Ash, Dawn and Tomo stood in the waiting room for their turn and Brock took a seat in the stands with Piplup and Growlithe. Piplup was still sulking a bit because he couldn't participate in the competition. The first two contestants were Ash and a trainer named Taylor. Ash and Taylor took their places in two hot air balloons and the ring was soon released on a small balloon. Ash sent out his Staravia while Taylor sent out a Skarmory. Staravia got the ring first.

"Skarmory, Swift." Taylor ordered.

Staravia was hit by the stars. It dropped the ring and Skarmory caught it.

"Head for the goal." Taylor said.

Ash wasn't going to let Taylor win that easily.

"Get the ring back." He told Staravia.

"Skarmory, Fury Attack." Taylor ordered.

Staravia dodged the attack thanks to his speed. In the confusion Skarmory dropped the ring and Staravia caught it.

"Now go for the goal!" Ash commanded.

Taylor wasn't giving up.

"Get in front and use Sand Attack." He ordered.

Staravia was prevented from getting near the goal thanks to the sand and he was unable to do anything because of the sand.

"Now, let's use Air Cutter." Taylor said.

That was bad because if Air Cutter hit Staravia it would be game over for him and Ash. But then a gust of wind picked up and carried Staravia away before the Air Cutter attack could hit him.

"Phew that was close." Ash sighed.

By now Staravia perked up again.

"Head to the goal post." He ordered.

"Skarmory, Air Cutter again." Taylor ordered.

"Staravia, Aerial Ace." Ash told him.

Thanks to Aerial Ace, Staravia dodged Air Cutter and placed the ring on the goal hook, earning Ash the win.

"Good work Staravia!" Ash cheered.

Staravia cooed with happiness.

The next two contestants were the four time winner Provo and Paul. Paul was competing in the Pokeringer as well to the gang's surprise. Ash saw Paul coming towards the hot air balloon he was in.

"Didn't expect to see you here Paul." Ash said.

"So what?" Paul replied.

Ash didn't say anything, then he left.

"I bet Paul has entered this competition to make his Honchkrow stronger." Tomo said while in the waiting room.

"I believe you're right Tomo." Dawn said.

The match was on the way and Paul released his Honchkrow while Provo released a Dragonite. Ash, Tomo and Dawn watched the screen carefully in the waiting room. Honchkrow made it's way to the ring.

"Dragonite, Dragon Pulse." Provo ordered.

Honchkrow dodged the attack and grabbed the ring. Provo wasn't giving up though.

"Dragonite, Fire Punch."

"Dodge it!" Paul commanded.

Honchkrow dodged the attack.

"Dragonite, Dragon Rush." Provo ordered.

Honchkrow was hit by the attack. It dropped the ring and both Provo and Paul ordered their Pokemon to go after it. Honchkrow was faster than Dragonite and it grabbed the ring.

"Use Dragon Rush again." Provo ordered his Dragonite.

"Use Sky Attack." Paul ordered his Honchkrow.

Just as Dragonite was getting close to Honchkrow, Paul noticed a gust of wind picking up.

"Ride the wind and dodge it." He said to Honchkrow.

A gust of wind appeared and Honckrow glided with the wind then escaped from Dragonite.

Dragonite was blown around a bit; Provo has forgotten about the gusts of wind. Then Honchkrow tackled Dragonite hard with Sky Attack, which made it fall to the ground in defeat. So Paul won the round after Honchkrow placed the ring on the goal line.

Ash, Tomo and Dawn were surprised Dragonite was defeated by Honchkrow.

"It's clear Paul is good at this." Ash said.

"Yeah and his Honchkrow has grown stronger too." Tomo said.

Ash felt this wasn't going to be easy once he faced Paul.

Dawn was up next and she was facing the man the gang met earlier. His name was Thomas. Thomas sent out his Yanmega while Dawn sent out her Chatot.

"Grab the ring immediately." She ordered.

Unfortunately for Chatot, Yanmega was faster and grabbed the ring first.

"Quick Chatot go with Peck." Dawn said.

Chatot charged at Yanmega with Peck, but then there was a gust of wind and Chatot was blown towards the ground. Dawn forgot about the gusts of wind and panicking told her Chatot to try and get the ring from Yanmega. But it was too late. Yanmega got to the goal post and won the round for Thomas. Dawn wasn't happy with her loss; she has a lot to learn about this competition.

Tomo was up against a trainer named Steveland. Steveland used a Skiploom while Tomo used Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto proved to be faster than Skiploom and got the ring onto the hook before Skiploom had a chance to try and get the ring from him. The other rounds went on. During the competition Thomas was defeated by Paul and Tomo was defeated by Ash, and then Ash and Paul defeated their other opponents before reaching the final round. Dawn and Tomo were in the stands with Brock and Ash was up in the balloon with Pikachu. He was looking forward to showing Paul how strong his Staravia was now.