Will Goodwin sat in his chair at the other
end of the Torian City Pokemon Gym and just stared. "Let me
get this straight," he began, looking at 11 year old Ash
Ketchum from across the room, "you wish to challenge me in
a Pokemon Match?"
"Yes sir," Ash said with the bill of his Pokemon
League Cap tilted to the side, "for a Battle Badge." Now
the challenge was issued, it was Will's obligation to
accept. But, could Ash beat this mysterious
trainer?
Will did a complete flip off his chair and
landed in front of the ring, "Very well," he began, "I
expect you to fight honorably." Will removed a poke' ball
from his belt and threw it, "Hitmonlee, prepare for
combat."
Ash glared down towards the small electric mouse on
the floor, "Pikachu, Go!" The little yellow creature only
shouted, "Pi!" and ran into the ring.
The battle was on and both pokemon stared into each
other's eyes. "The first voice to shout was Will's,
"Hitmonlee, comet kick!" With that the tall fighting
Pokemon began to rapidly kick Pikachu until it hit the
ground.
Pikachu stood back up, weary from the hit it awaited
Ash's order. Ash spoke with a little bit of fear in his
voice, "Pikachu, thunderbolt now!" With that Pikachu
launched a grueling thunderbolt directly at Hitmonlee.

Just as the bolt was about to hit the pokemon Will
shouted, "Agility!" Hitmonlee moved like lightning dodging
bolt after bolt and then
unleashing a flying side kick right in Pikachu's face.
The battle was almost over, Will stared Ash directly
in the eye and said, "You have fought honorably." Then Will
spoke again, "Hitmonlee return." the kicking pokemon
returned to the poke' ball. Returning the ball to his belt
he chose another one and said, "Machamp, finish it." As
those words were given Pikachu fell to the ground again
and the battle was over. Machamp returned to the poke' ball
and Will just peered out at Ash and said, "Amazingly your
pokemon lasted longer than I thought, I have never seen
such determination in an electric pokemon before. I wish to
join you.
Ash looked really surprised for a moment and then
said, "Well......sure if you want. But, you won, w.....why
would you want to join me."
Will looked out into the sky for a moment and then
said, "Because in spirit, you have proven to be better than
me." With that Will threw a small badge to Ash, "You have
earned the Battle Badge." So begins a new journey for four
young heroes.

Ash fell down on his knees and gasped, "I can't go
any farther, this forest is too thick." He set his backpack
down and looked up at Will to find the teenage Shadow
Master that was dressed all in black staring
back at him.
"Perhaps you are right," he began as he set down his
backpack and looked around, "this place is as good as any
to make camp. We have been traveling for a few hours now
and I as well am getting tired."
Misty and Brock set down their bags right next to
Ash's and Will's and each found a place to sit down. "I
think your right.....my toes are killing me," said Misty.
Brock looked around to check to see if there was any
danger nearby. "I don't see anything, but I have a strange
feeling something's wrong." Brock turned around quickly and
said, "It's probably nothing."
Will began to became curious, "You are probably
right, but just in case," Will stopped and pulled out a
couple of pokeballs. "Hitmonchan, Primeape, scout out the
area and report back to me," he shouted as he threw them
and 2 medium sized pokemon came out and scurried into the
woods.
With that, Will, Ash, Misty, and Brock began to set
up camp when a loud voice shouted, "Team Rocket, blast off
at the speed of light, surrender now or prepare to fight."
Suddenly, a tall dark figure appeared. "Well William, it
seems you have found other weak trainers to work with,"
he snorted, "I will soon crush you all."
Will jumped up and stared the figure in the face,
"Giovanni! I should have known you were hear. You will not
harm these people"
"If that is a challenge, Shadow Master, I accept,"
Giovanni began, "but, you will lose."
Will began to get really angry, "Victory without
honor is fleeting, Giovanni, in the end you and your Team
Rocket cronies will lose." With that, Will picked up one of
his other pokeballs and shouted, "Machamp, engage the
enemy." Will threw the pokeball and a large pokemon
composed completely of muscle came out in a fighting
stance.
Giovanni looked over the pokemon and shouted,
"Dragonite, attack." With that, Giovanni threw out a
pokeball of his own and a large dragon type pokemon came
out. "Dragonite, flame thrower," shouted Giovanni as he
watched his pokemon breathe fire toward Will's pokemon.
Will stared as Machamp dodged every shot till it was
right in front of Dragonite, and then Will spoke. "Machamp,
seismic toss." With those words, Machamp grabbed hold of
Dragonite and threw him directly out of the forest.
Giovanni began to get angry, you could tell because
his face became bright red and he just stared as if looking
at a wall. "You did it again," he snorted, "I will be back,
but for now, I'm outta here." Giovanni ran into the woods
in search of his Dragonite.
Soon after, Hitmonchan and Primeape returned with
nothing to report. Will just looked at them and smiled,
"Alright get back in the pokeballs," Will held out 2
pokeballs and Primeape and Hitmonchan went inside to rest.
Just before they all went to bed, Ash went up to
Will, "Who was that character, Giovanni," he inquired.
"The leader of Team Rocket, and my rival ever since I
became a trainer," he answered.
Ash's heart almost skipped a beat, "WOW, he's the
leader of Team Rocket? Man if he's that bad no wonder all
the other members can't battle very well."
Ash's remark made Will smile a bit, "We best get to
bed, we have a long day ahead of us."
With that our heroes go to sleep for the night. A new
enemy has been revealed to Ash and his friends, and still
little is known about the mysterious Shadow Master who is
with them. Only time will tell....