Poke-Odyssey 2001 chapter 25 The Ryooku League Challenge Well, after traveling through the amazing Pokemon filled land of Ryooku, Cameron had challenged and defeated all eight of the Ryooku gym leaders and won eight badges which qualifies him to battle in the Ryooku League. Today we find Cameron and his friends entering Vinegar Town where the Ryooku League HQ is located. Along the way, they found a very pretty sight. "Look guys, it's a parade!" called out Misty. Sure enough, a parade was marching through a street with people dressed up like Squirtles, Venomoths, Gligars, and Pidgeottos. And above them were a bunch of huge Pokemon balloons floating around. They consisted of a Gyarados, a Xatu, a Golbat, and many more. "PIKA, PI!" called out Pikachu as he smiled at what he saw. "Hey, it's a Pikachu balloon!" smiled Ash. "And it looks almost like you too!" "Pikachu!" smiled an honored Pikachu. "I've heard rumors that they were going to make a Pikachu balloon for the Thanksgiving Day parades back in my world", said Cameron. "I wonder if they ever completed it?" "SHREW!" called out Sandy. Everyone looked up and saw a huge Sandshrew balloon floating right behind the Pikachu balloon. "Wow, they even have one of you Sandy!" smiled Cameron. "I think I know why", said Tracey. "Like I said, you and Ash were quite the celebrities when you freed Pallet Town from Team Rocket. So the people of Vinegar Town must've built some Pikachu and Sandshrew balloons to honor you." "What an honor to build icons for us, huh Cameron?" said Ash with pride. "Watch it Ash, or your head might blow up and we'll have another balloon to add to this parade", said Misty. "What do you think Sandy?" smiled Cameron as he held up his Shrew so he could get a closer look at the Sandshrew balloon. "SLAAAASH!" called out a voice. "Sandy?!" gasped Cameron. "I've never head you say that before. "Shrew! Shrew!" said Sandy shaking his head no, for the only time he would say slash was if he evolved into a Sandslash, which he did not wish to do. "Like the ventriloquist that lends his voice to a dummy, I do not think Sandy- san said that", said Reiko. "I believe that slash came from over there." And she pointed to a nearby townhouse. Everyone walked over to the front yard and found a young man in his early 20s. He had dark green spiky hair and was wearing a red shirt and blue sweatpants. He was busy drenching something brown and dusty with a hose. "SLAAAASH!" the something cried out in pain. "Aw! Don't be such a crybaby!" said the guy in a gruff southern-accented voice. "You received worse from spittle spitting little Goldeens!" "That guy looks so familiar", said Ash. "And that looks like a Sandslash he's getting wet", gasped Tracey. Sure enough, it was a quill covered Sandslash getting covered with strong wet water. "Is he insane?!" cried Cameron. "Doesn't he know water hurts ground Pokemon like Sandslashes and Sandshrews?!" "SHRRREEEWW!" growled Sandy for he hated seeing a fellow ground-type getting soaked to death. He jumped out of Cameron's arms and ran into the yard while the guy's back was turned. "Sandy, what are you doing?!" cried Cameron. Sandy just put his foot down on the hose causing all the water to stop. "What the...?!" asked the guy as he looked into the nozzle. Sandy smiled as he took his foot off the hose causing a huge force of water to squirt in the guy's face and get knocked into a thorn-bush. "Shrew?" asked Sandy as he ran over to the damp Sandslash asking if it was all right. "Just what do you think you're doing you little dustrag?!" growled the thorn covered guy as he grabbed Sandy by the back of the neck. "You've interrupted my Sandslash's serious training session!" "SHREW!!" growled Sandy as he tried to slash the guy's face, but couldn't for he had extended his arm out so Sandy couldn't touch him. "Put down my Sandy!" called out Cameron as he rushed over and swiped Sandy away from the guy. "So this little scamp is yours, eh?" scoffed the guy. "You must be some pathetic no-nothing trainer if you let your Pokemon run around and cause mischief like that!" "Why you...", grumbled Cameron. "At least I don't torture my Sandshrew by soaking him with water like you did with your poor Sandslash!" "Aw, he's used to it", said the guy. "It helps him get tougher so he can take on any water-type. Right Sandslash?" "Slash!" said Sandslash as it jumped up and shook all the water off like a wet dog. "I'll bet the tiniest eye-drop of water will have your Sandshrew come crying back to his mamma", laughed the guy. "So why aren't you wearing your hair curlers and frilly apron Mamma!" He said while looking meanly at Cameron. Reiko growled and was about to attack this guy for insulting her love, but Growlithe got in front of her not wanting her to cause any trouble. "My Sandy has gotten me through some really tough gym matches!" shouted Cameron as he took out his Dex and showed the guy all eight of his badges. "See, I just defeated all eight Ryooku gym leaders and I'm off to compete in the Ryooku League." "HA! How many nickels did you have to scrounge around to buy those things!" laughed the guy. "Something about this jerk's attitude is familiar", thought Cameron while Sandy growled at the guy. Then Cameron remembered. In the TV show, Ash challenged a boy who had the same obnoxious attitude and had a Sandshrew he was really tough on. "You're AJ!" said Cameron. "Yep, that's right", said AJ. "I guess my reputation strikes fear into tenderfoots like you!" "Still the same old AJ I remember", said Ash's voice as he and the others approached him. "Ash, is that you?!" smiled AJ. "And you too Pikachu?" "Pika, Pi!" smiled Pikachu as he jumped down from Ash's head and shook paws with the Sandslash he remembered when he was just a Sandshrew. "And don't forget me too!" smiled Misty as she made a sexy pose for him. "And who are you exactly?" asked AJ. "I'M MISTY!!!" growled Misty. "How could you forget such a beautiful face?!" "The only beautiful face I remember back then was Ash's Butterfree", said AJ while scratching his head. "GRRRRRR!" growled Misty as she yanked out her mallet until Reiko stopped her. "No Misty-chan", said Reiko in a calm voice. "This'll hurt him even better!" And she took out her katana and was about to poke AJ in the neck until Cameron stopped her. "No my Moonray!" cried Cameron. "Stabbing someone who gives you a hard time is never the answer!" "Who's this psycho chick, your bodyguard?" laughed AJ. "You must be a really weak little boy if you need a girl to protect you!" Cameron felt his spirit starting to shrink. "You just won't quit with that attitude, will you?" said Ash. "I remember battling a certain boy who had a big headed attitude", laughed AJ. "Then I clobbered him giving me my 99th win! That memory was priceless. Right Sandslash?" "SLASH!" laughed Sandslash. "You certainly did us all a favor back then", said Misty, "If Ash's head got any bigger, he'd float off into the wild blue yonder!" "Whose side are you on?" moaned Ash as he felt his spirit shrinking along with Cameron's. "Cheer up guys", said Tracey. "Remember Ash, you won first place in the Indigo League. And Cameron, you've won eight badges in the Ryooku League. Probably the toughest league in the world. And both of you freed Pallet Town from an entire horde of Rockets!" "I remember reading that in the paper a while back", said AJ. "You did pretty good for yourself Ash." And he extended a friendly hand to Ash while Ash shook it. "Uh, thank you AJ", said Ash now flattered. Then AJ shook Cameron's hand. "Yes, you're definitely Cameron Fusterman", smiled AJ. "I hope you didn't take my bashing too seriously. It is an honor to meet someone who took out the team that once called my Pokemon wimps." He said remembering how Team Rocket made fun of his Sandshrew and other Pokemon. "Thank you", said Cameron surprised at how this guy's attitude had suddenly changed. "I'm just surprised after beating an entire horde of Rockets and battling eight tough Ryooku gym leaders, your Sandshrew hasn't evolved into a Sandslash yet", Said AJ. "SHREW!" growled Sandy wanting to slash AJ, but Cameron still held onto him. "Sandy prefers being just a Sandshrew", said Cameron. "Besides, I learned the hard way about what would happen if I owned a Sandslash." And he tugged at his shirt collar and showed AJ the scars on his chest. "Yep, those are Sandslash scars all right", said AJ. "It's a miracle that you're still living since Sandslash quills are poisonous." "Luckily I had a good doctor", smiled Cameron as he looked compassionately at Reiko while she just shyly blushed. "And a cute one too", winked AJ while nudging Cameron. "Maybe I should get me a bodyguard too." "Don't you ever get poisoned by your Sandslash?" asked Misty. "Let me show you something", smiled AJ. "Sandslash, attention!" And Sandslash stood on its hind paws standing stiff at attention. Then AJ pulled off his shirt exposing a torso full off ugly red scars. AJ started rubbing his bare back against Sandslash's quills like a backscratcher. "What is he doing?!" gasped Ash. "Like the fool that wears bright red clothing while walking through a herd of Tauros, is he trying to kill himself?" gasped Reiko. Cameron closed his eyes and flinched for he remembered how painful it was to land on a Sandslash. "Amazing!" said Tracey. "He doesn't look like he's in pain at all." "And he's not fainting nor croaking either", said Misty. "What?!" gasped Cameron as he opened his eyes and saw AJ still standing there unharmed. "Why aren't you...?" "Just like how I got Sandslash to become tough against water, I trained myself to become tough against poison attacks", laughed AJ. "After years of rigorous training, surviving in harsh environments, and just putting myself through the most pain imaginable, I've learned to develop a really tough immune system." "Wow, you certainly have trained yourself and your Sandslash a whole lot", said Ash. "Have you ever defeated the members of the Ryooku League?" asked Cameron. "Yeah, you might say I've defeated them a few times", smiled AJ as he took out a remote control and his garage door opened. There were about 1000 Ryooku League trophies stacked in there. "A FEW?!" gasped Misty. "It looks like Fort Knox in there!" "It's not many", smiled AJ. "Just only 928 wins in there." "I sure hope I can win at least one of those today", said Cameron. "Once you handle the first 4 members of the Ryooku League, they're total cream puffs", laughed AJ. "But if I were you kid, I'd watch myself around the Ryooku League champion. I hear he eats kids like you dinner. He even carries around salt and pepper packets with him." "Gulp", whispered Cameron feeling a little insecure. "Where do we go to sign Cameron up?" asked Ash. "Right over there to that stadium", said AJ pointing south to a huge stadium that was on the other side of the parade filled street. "I wish you lots of luck Cameron Fusterman. Cause you're gonna need it BAD!!! HA HA HA! Smell you guys later. Let's go Sandslash!" And he pulled Sandslash back into its Pokeball, waved goodbye to everyone, walked into his garage, pushed his remote control, and the door slammed shut. "What a macho-brained dolt!" said Misty. "I hope he isn't as bad as that league champion I'm about to face", said Cameron. "Do not worry my love", smiled Reiko. "Like the tiny Clefairy that metronomes up a fissure attack to knock out a huge Onyx, I have faith that you will defeat this opponent." "Thank you Moonray", said Cameron feeling a little better. "So why are we hanging around here for?" said Ash. "We have a league to get to!" "And the parade just ended too", said Tracey as he saw the last feature which was three people dressed in a long Chinese looking Dragonair costume. "The street is cleared so we can cross over now." So they walked across the street getting closer and closer to the stadium. * * * * * * Cameron had arrived at the front desk of the stadium where a man with a white shirt and a red bow tie greeted him. "Hello young man", said the man. "How can I help you?" "I'm here to compete in the Ryooku League", said Cameron. "Do you have the required eight badges?" asked the man. "Right here", said Cameron as he handed his Dex to the man so he could count all his badges. "Wow, you really have defeated all eight of the Ryooku gym leaders", said the man in an extremely happy voice. He pushed a button on his desk and a bunch of explosions were heard. Out of some huge balloons above fell some confetti and streamers while flocks of Pidgeys flew out of them. Then some victory music started to play while a huge crowd gathered around our heroes applauding while holding banners that read, WE LOVE YOU CAMERON!!!! "What, what's going on?!" gasped Cameron. "Why we've been expecting you Mr. Cameron Fusterman", smiled the man. "Hero of Pallet Town and destroyer of the evil Team Rocket organization." "You have?!" gasped Cameron blushing. "But of course", smiled the man. "We heard news that you were coming here to compete in the Ryooku League. That's why we held that parade today. You see son, hardly any trainer has ever made it here to the Ryooku League. They usually get beaten by either the sixth, seventh, or sometimes even the first gym leaders and they end up giving up and going home. Only a lucky few have ever made it this far. And we hoped that a hero like you would face the challenges and defeat every one of those tough gym leaders. And our hopes were right. Congratulations so far Mr. Hero." "Aw, I'm not really a hero", said Cameron blushing even redder. "I just did what I felt was right." "You truly are a hero to me Came-chan", said Reiko as she kissed Cameron on the cheek causing the entire crowd to go. "WHHOOOOOOO!" "What is this? Married With Children?" growled Reiko as she used her mean look attack to back everyone off. "Well Mr. Fusterman", said the man. "Are you prepared to come face to face with Ryooku's most powerful Pokemon trainers?" "I believe I am", said Cameron. "How about you Sandy?" "Shrew!" said Sandy while boxing with his shadow. "Excellent!" said the man. "All you have to do is go through this door right here and battle the Supreme 4!" "Supreme 4?" asked Cameron. "Is that like the Elite 4?" "Sort of", said the man. "Just like the Indigo League has its Elite 4, Ryooku has its four top trainers as well. We call them the Supreme 4. And once you've defeated all 4 members, you'll be able to enter the main arena and challenge our ultimate undefeated Ryooku League champion! How does all that sound to you?" "Okay, Sandy and I will do our bests", said Cameron. "Shrew!" said Sandy. "Don't worry Cameron", said Ash. "We'll all be by your side through your entire match." "I'm sorry", said the man. "Only the challenger and his Pokemon are allowed to go through that door. Coaches and friends aren't allowed in." "I guess you and your Pokemon are on your own for this round", said Ash. "Sorry." "But like the single outnumbered Scyther that uses a double team attack, I'm sure your valiant Pokemon will help you through this challenge", said Reiko. "And I'll pray that my ninja ancestors will give you the strength and endurance you'll need as well." "Thank you my Moonray", smiled Cameron. "You're always protecting me even when you're not by my side." And he gave her a quick kiss before Growlithe could protest. "Good luck Cameron", said Misty. "Same here", said Tracey. "Even though I don't have a camera, I'm gonna be sketching your victory if it happens." "What do you mean if?!" demanded Reiko as she looked mean-eyed at Tracey. "I mean when it happens!" said Tracey nervously. "Knock 'em dead slugger!" smiled Ash as he gave Cameron a gentle punch in the arm. "Thanks guys", said Cameron as the man pushed opened the door. Cameron and Sandy waved goodbye to his friends and the cheering crowd as the door closed. * * * * * * Three heads had popped out of some nearby trashcans and watched the wild cheering crowd. "This is so beneath me!" whined James as he pulled a sticky banana peel out of his hair. "I don't see how that green furry riff-raff on that kids' show can live in a trash can. I don't even want to think about what his toilet's like!" "Quit whining!" growled Jessie as she slammed the lid on James causing his head to rattle. "This is our last chance to destroy that miserable brat's dreams. And this is the most perfect time and place to do it!" "Just look at all those dummies out there cheering their brains out!" growled Meowth as he saw those countless banners and signs with Cameron's name and picture on them. There were even some teenage girls holding a picture of Cameron with red lip prints all over it. "Have you even such an eyesore in your life?! Especially if you only have one eye!" "Not as painful as those!" moaned James as he pointed to some other banners that read, DOWN WITH TEAM ROCKET, along with pictures of capital Rs crossed out and broken down rocketships. "They're demolishing Team Rocket's good name!" cried James. "Team Rocket was never supposed to have a good name!" said Jessie. "You certainly won't find me grieving over the opinions of lowly peasants like them!" Then Jessie saw something that made her silent and hurt. Some guys were holding a wooden post where a straw dummy was getting hung from it. It looked exactly like Jessie. It had Xs for eyes and a red tongue made of felt was sticking out its sewn up mouth. And little kids were whacking the dummy with a bunch of sticks. "Jessie, are you all right?" asked James as he saw his partner standing there silently while a tear formed in her eye. Then the tear dissolved into steam when Jessie's eyes started burning with rage. "How dare they mock the fearsome monarchy known as Team Rocket!" shouted Jessie as she took out a Pokeball and released her Granbull. Meowth quickly ducked back into his trashcan and shut the lid while Granbull sniffed around for her favorite chew toy. "I don't think one Granbull will be able to teach that crowd a lesson", said James. "I'm not gonna have her attack them!" growled Jessie. "I'm gonna have her attack their so-called hero! We'll see how cheerful those losers become when we mop the floor with Fusterman! Then they'll know the full terror of Team Rocket! Granbull, I need you to dig a tunnel right under that building." "GRRRR!" growled Granbull as she tore up the pavement with her jaws and started digging a tunnel. James undid a trashcan lid so the dirt Granbull was scooping out could fly into the can. "What's with that?" asked Jessie "The law says you have to clean up after you Pokemon", said James as he pointed to a sign. "It should just say you have to clean up your Pokemon!" moaned Meowth for he was in that can that was getting piled up with dirt. * * * * * * Cameron and Sandy found themselves walking through a hallway covered with beautiful flowers and vines. "Shrew!" trembled Sandy for he knew that plants loved to suck out the minerals from ground-types like him. "Don't worry Sandy", said Cameron. "These aren't Pokemon plants. They won't reach out and grab you. I hope!" Sandy frowned for those words didn't really sound too comforting. Then they came to the end of the hallway where they found a motherly woman with a green sundress and a beautiful flowery bonnet on her gray hair. She was busy watering flowers with a watering can while singing a happy song. "Mother Nature?" whispered Cameron. "No, not really", said the woman as she turned around and smiled. "But I think that is a wonderful name to be called since I just love nature." "How do you do?" said Cameron bowing to her. "I'm Cameron." "So the famous Cameron Fusterman has come to meet little old me", smiled the woman. "I'm Demeter. The first member of the Supreme 4." "Demeter?" asked Cameron. "Like the goddess of harvest?" "Yes, you might say that", smiled Demeter. "I do love raising all sorts of flora. And this here's my prize pick!" She took out a Pokeball and released a huge green brontosaurus with huge purple flower petals around its neck. "MEGANIUM!" it roared as Cameron took out his Dex. "MEGANIUM: the herb Pokemon. The evolved form of Bayleef", replied Dextra. "The spicy aroma that rises from Meganium's petals contains a substance that calms aggressive feelings." "My little Meg not only won me first prize in the garden show last year", smiled Demeter. "But she's also my champion fighter. Who are you going to send out to battle her? Your Sandshrew perhaps?" "Shrew!" cried Sandy as he hid behind Cameron's legs not wanting to go against this huge grass-type. "Don't worry Sandy", said Cameron. "I'm gonna save you for last. I'm gonna choose VP for this round." And he released his Vileplume right in front of Meg the Meganium. "What a pretty Vileplume you have", smiled Demeter. "And such big strong red petals too! Have it call out an attack. I want to see how good you've raised it." "All right", said Cameron. "VP, use your sleep powder." "Vile!" cooed VP as he released his blue powder. "Very impressive", said Demeter. "But now it's my turn. Meg, protect yourself with safeguard!" "Meg!" said Meg as she concentrated and created a glowing shield protecting herself from the approaching sleep powder. "That's good Meg", said Demeter. "Now use your body slam!" Meg then slammed her huge body at VP causing him to topple over and land on his petals. "VILE!" cried VP as he tried to stand right side up, but couldn't for his huge petals were too heavy. "Now give it a leech seed!" said Dememter. Meg then coughed out a seed that hit the upside down Vileplume causing vines to sprout out tying up poor VP while draining the energy from his body and into the Meganium's. "Oh no!" cried Cameron. "Shrew!" cried Sandy as they both saw the life getting sucked out of their flower friend. "Quick VP!" cried Cameron. "Try getting some of your energy back with a giga drain!" "VILE!" cried VP as he concentrated and started absorbing all the energy from Meg's body causing her to get very tired. Even the leech seed Meg injected onto VP didn't seem to restore her energy much. "Hurry Meg!" cried Demeter, "Use your razor leaf attack!" "Meg!" said Meg weakly as she tried to fling some razor leaves, but they just dissolved before they could hit VP. Then Meg sighed and collapsed onto the floor drained and defeated. "Poor Meg!" said Demeter as she pulled the Meganium back into her ball. "VP, are you all right?" asked Cameron as he pulled the leech seed vines from VP's body. "Vile!" said VP weakly, but happy that he won. "I'm proud of you VP", smiled Cameron. "And I bet Bellossom will be too once she hears about this." And he pulled the tired VP back into his ball while Demeter approached him. "Your Vileplume has defeated my Meganium fair and square", said Demeter. "Not only is your Vileplume pretty, but a pretty tough warrior as well. Congratulations for being a terrific gardener and trainer." "Thank you ma'am", said Cameron blushing. Then Demeter went over to a nearby lily and pushed a button on the wall. Suddenly a door opened that led to another hallway. "Go forth and meet your next opponent noble gardener", smiled Demeter. Cameron thanked Demeter again as he and Sandy walked through the hallway to meet the next member of the Supreme 4. "Is it me or has it gotten hot all of a sudden?" asked Cameron as he felt himself sweating while walking through the hallway that consisted of red steel walls. "Shrew!" said Sandy agreeing with Cameron while trying to shake off the sweat. Soon they found themselves in another room. But this one consisted of fiery torches and pools filled with boiling lava. "I bet you could have the greatest marshmallow roast in this room", thought a puffing Cameron while approaching an empty red throne. Soon a puff of fire appeared and when it cleared, there was a young man with a red Mohawk sitting in the throne. He was wearing a red leather jacket, with blue jeans and a white T-shirt with a sun on it. "Who dares disturb Apollo, the great master of fire?" asked the man in a threatening voice as he placed his hand over a nearby torch without showing the slightest bit of pain. "I do", said Cameron nervously. "My name is Cameron and I've come to challenge the second member of the Supreme 4." "HA HA HA!" laughed Apollo in a now jolly sounding voice. "That would be me. I'm sorry if the fire intimidated you. It's just that I prefer warm places better than cold ones." And he reached into his jacket pocket and threw something to Cameron. It was a small box of Red Hots. "Thank you", said Cameron puzzled but smiling. "Shrew!" replied Sandy for he just loves candy. Cameron took a Red Hot and handed it to Sandy who started nibbling it gratefully. "Your quite welcome", smiled Apollo as he got out of his throne and took out a Pokeball. "Now let's see how hot you really are once you come face to face with my Typhlosion!" Then he released a big vicious weasel with a collar made of flames. "TYYYY!" it hissed. Cameron quickly took out his Dex again. "TYPHLOSION: the evolved form of Quilava", replied Dextra. "If Typhlosion gets too angry, it becomes so hot that anything that touches it will instantly go up in flames." "Uh oh!" thought Cameron. "I'd better use a water Pokemon for this hothead. Go Slowie!" and he released his Slowking right in front of the sneering Typhlosion. "Hi!" said Slowie while waving. Typhlosion only replied by snorting smoke into poor Slowie's face. "Cough! Was it something I said? Cough!" asked Slowie. "Now that we got the polite protocol out of the way", said Apollo. "Give that king your flame wheel!" "TYYYY!" growled Typhlosion as it concentrated and created a ring of fire over its head getting ready to launch it at Slowie. "Quick Slowie, try using your whirlpool!" called out Cameron. Slowie nodded and started creating a ring of water. Both Pokemon released their rings at the same time and Cameron and Apollo saw a surprising sight. Slowie was trapped in a swirling ring of fire and Typhlosion was trapped in a moving whirlpool both completely unharmed. They just stood their perfectly still not wanting to touch their unusual traps. "Typhlosion!" called out Apollo. "Don't worry about the water. Try knocking Slowking back into the flames with your swift attack!" Typhlosion smiled and started throwing swift stars at Slowie causing him to close his eyes and walk back into the flames. "Slowie! Open your eyes!" cried Cameron. "Your collar's on fire!" "Slow?" gasped Slowie as he saw a tiny spark appear on his precious red and white striped collar. He quickly squirted a drop of water putting out the fire. "Now what Mamma?" Slowie asked Cameron. "Mamma?" thought Apollo. "Let's see", said Cameron trying to think of something. "I know! Try shrinking that whirlpool with your psychic power!" Slowie smiled and concentrated on his psychic power. Typhlosion suddenly found the whirlpool getting smaller and smaller until it formed a watery collar around its neck. "TY!" roared Typhlosion as the water put out its flaming collar and it ran around the room in pain desperately trying to pull off its wet shackle. "TY! LOOK OUT!" cried Apollo. But it was too late. Typhlosion had crashed into a wall and fell backwards into one of the lava pools floating defeated. Apollo grumpily sucked his Pokemon back into his ball and stared at the happy Cameron. "You did it Slowie!" smiled Cameron as he was about to give him a hug until Slowie waved his hands shouting, WAIT!" Cameron stopped for he had almost forgotten that a flame wheel was still circling around Slowie. "Allow me Mamma", said Slowie as he squirted water on the flame wheel putting it out so Cameron could hug him. "You've done well Cameron", smiled Apollo as he pushed a button on his throne and another door slid open leading to another hallway. "Fire does burn bright inside of you. Let's hope it still burns when you face the last two of my associates." Cameron pulled Slowie back into his ball, thanked Apollo, and he and Sandy went through the door off to meet number 3. "SHREW!" coughed Sandy as he started coughing and waving and fanning his mouth with his claw. "I guess they don't call this stuff Red Hots for nothing", said Cameron as he looked at the box of candy Apollo had given him. Soon they found themselves in a room filled with beautiful white marble fountains. They consisted of marble Magikarps, Gyarados's, Goldeens, and Slowpokes, all squirting out water. "Aren't these fountains beautiful Sandy?" smiled Cameron. Sandy was too busy concentrating on his singed mouth to notice. "Why don't you take a quick sip from one of these fountains?" suggested Cameron. Sandy nodded and approached a fountain taking a quick drink. Then sped back to Cameron just before the rotating marble Squirtle could turn around and squirt him. "Feeling better?" asked Cameron. "Shrew!" replied Sandy giving him a claw's up. "I wonder where our next opponent is?" wondered Cameron. Suddenly, they heard something bubble. At the end of the room they found a huge hot tub with lots of Pokeballs floating in some bubbling water. Then out of the water came a chubby man with a bald head and a black beard. He was wearing a red and yellow striped swimsuit like the ones men wore back in the early 1900s. "Oh, sorry", said the man in a gargly sounding voice. "I must've fallen asleep in my precious waterbed. How do you do sonny? My name is Poseidon, the third member of the Supreme 4. Have you come to challenge me?" "Yes I have", said Cameron. "My name is Cameron and this here is Sandy." "Shrew!" said Sandy in a hoarse voice. "Judging by the sound of your Sandshrew", said Poseidon. "He must've eaten one of Apollo's Red Hots. I guess that's proof that you've beaten him because you're in my arena now. You may have tamed his flames, but are you ready to get whipped by my water?!" Then Poseidon started looking at all the Pokeballs floating in his tub and selected one. "Let's see how you do against my Feraligatr!" and he released a gigantic blue alligator with strong blue scales, red spiky hair, and huge scary jaws. "GRRRR!" growled the gator as it got on its hind legs and started waving its arms around while Cameron nervously took out his Dex yet again. "FERALIGATR: the evolved form of Croconaw", replied Dextra. "When Feraligatr bites with its massive and powerful jaws, it shakes its head and savagely tears its victim up." "Let's see", said Cameron looking down at his Pokebelt then at the nervous Sandshrew. "I can't send Sandy because a water-type like Feraligatr would finish him off and VP and Slowie already had their battles and need recovering. I shouldn't send Crobat or Scaleon, because that water-type might fire some ice attacks and finish them off. That leaves Elekid. He has the electricity that'll do major damage to a water-type. I just hope he's gotten stronger during our travels." Then he released the little electric kid. "Bri?" said Elekid looking at the huge hulking gator with wide eyes. "Quick Kid!" cried Cameron. "Release your most powerful thunderbolt before it has a chance to attack. Elekid complied and fired a huge thunderbolt at Feraligatr, but the beast just stood there unaffected while smiling a huge smile with numerous teeth. "Nothing can penetrate my Feraligatr's strong armor", scoffed Poseidon. "And besides, that Elekid of yours looks too puny to do any serious damage. Feraligatr, give 'em a water gun attack. But only your gentlest one though." "GRRR!" growled Feraligatr as it blasted a power water jet from its mouth causing Elekid to get blasted back screaming. "KID!" cried Cameron then looked at Feraligatr angrily. "That wasn't a water gun attack! That looked more like a hydro pump! I thought you ordered it to use a gentle attack?!" "That was Feraligatr's most gentle attack", protested Poseidon. "It ain't my fault that your kid's an electric cream puff. Where is he anyway?" "Uh, Kid?" asked Cameron as he looked around and found no trace of his Elekid. "Don't worry about it", smiled Poseidon. "Feraligatr will sniff him out for you and beat him too. Right my champion?" "GRRRR!" smiled Feraligatr as it got back on all fours and started sniffing around every fountain trying to find its opponent and possibly prey. Cameron looked around nervously too hoping he'd find Elekid before Feraligatr did. "Shrew!" whispered Sandy as he pointed to a fountain with a bunch of marble Slowpokes sitting on a rock. Cameron approached the fountain and discovered that one of them was Elekid. He was standing perfectly still spitting out water trying to hide from Feraligatr. Cameron became relieved and was about to pick up Elekid, until Feraligatr jumped out from behind the rock knocking Cameron back. "ELEKID?" gasped Cameron as he picked up his glasses and put them back on and discovered that Elekid was now in Feraligatr's mouth. The gator tried to shut his mouth, but Elekid was trying his best to hold it open. "BRI!" it cried in a determined voice. "If only I had a huge stick I could jam in that mouth", thought Cameron. He tried to look for something and found a marble fang that fell off from a marble Gyarados. Cameron was about to jam the tooth into Feraligatr's jaws, but it was too late. Feraligatr snapped its jaws closed and Elekid was completely out of sight. "NOOOO!" cried Cameron as he dropped the tooth and fell down in tears. "SHREWWW!" cried Sandy dropping down as well. "He was only a kid!" cried Cameron as he shouted at Poseidon. "I thought Pokemon weren't allowed to get eaten in official Pokemon matches!" "Hey, Feraligatr used a bite attack", said Poseidon in a concerned, but conduct voice. "And bite is an official Pokemon attack." Cameron then looked at the proud Feraligatr with anger. Jus then, Feraligatr suddenly received a nasty shock causing an x-ray of Feraligatr bones to appear. "What's wrong Feraligatr?" gasped Poseidon. "Is that kid giving you heartburn?" "GRRRRR!" growled Feraligatr in pain for even though it had armor on the outside, its insides weren't protected at all. It coughed up a yellow and black striped hairball that was covered with slobber. "KID?" gasped Cameron as he slowly approached the ball, but then stopped. The hairball started to glow and grow. The little Elekid was now a medium sized Pokemon with small antennas, a bigger mouth, bigger arms and legs, and a long cat's tail. "Elekid?!" smiled Cameron. "You've evolved back into an Electabuzz!" "BUZZ EL BUZZ!" smiled Elekid, I mean Electabuzz, as he gave his old military salute to Cameron like it was an instinct. "I'm glad your Pokemon's okay", smiled Poseidon. "Cause now I won't feel guilty once Feraligatr clobbers him. Use your rage attack!" "GRRRRR!" growled Feraligatr as it charged at Cameron and Buzz while swatting its arms around and snapping its jaws. "Do you feel like using your thunderpunch against the creature that tried to eat you?" asked Cameron. "BUZZ!" smiled Buzz with a wicked smile as he made two electric fists and started punching Feraligatr in the gut. Now that Buzz was fully evolved, his electric attacks were more powerful. Powerful enough to penetrate through Feraligatr's so called armor. "GRRRR!" it cried out in pain. "Try backing him off with your scary face!" called out Poseidon. "GRRRRR!" Complied Feraligatr as it made an illusion of a huge scary face, causing Buzz to stop punching it and back away in surprise. "Will you be okay Buzz?" asked Cameron for that gator's scary face kind of frightened him too. "Buzz", said Buzz in a quiet voice as he dusted himself off, concentrated hard, and created a huge dark cloud over the ceiling. "What's that furball of yours doing?" gasped Poseidon. "I think he's starting his very first thunder attack", whispered Cameron. Sure enough, Buzz had learned thunder. The cloud started releasing huge lightning bolts trying to hit Feraligatr that was running around trying its best to avoid them. Poseidon quickly jumped out of his tub and landed on the floor flopping around like a huge fat Dewgong. When Poseidon got up, he saw it was over. A bolt had hit Feraligatr knocking it down unconscious. Poseidon waddled over to his defeated gator and pulled it back in its ball then waddled over to Cameron. "I'm sorry about the thunder and lightning", said Cameron. "I guess it probably would've hurt you if you hadn't jumped out of that tub in time." "That's all right", said Poseidon. "I guess I would've deserved it for letting my Feraligatr eat your Pokemon." Then he looked sternly at Feraligatr's ball. "I'm going to have a serious talk with you about when its time to battle and when its time to eat and not doing both at the same time!" "This is so great!" smiled Cameron as he turned to his Electabuzz. "I guess I can start calling you Buzz again!" He was about to hug his Pokemon until Buzz made a snide smirk and shocked Cameron back. "Yep, you're still the same old Buzz", sighed Cameron as he pulled the snickering Electabuzz back into his ball. "Congratulations Cameron", said Poseidon as he pushed a button near his hot tub and yet another door slid open. "Now you are ready to take on the fourth and final member of the Supreme 4. I wish you luck, because you're definitely gonna need it." Cameron thanked Poseidon and waved goodbye to him as he and Sandy walked through the final hallway and then into the final room. It looked like some kind of royal office with scrolls on the walls, shields with legendary Pokemon on them, and paintings of Demeter, Apollo, Poseidon, and an old man with white hair and a long white beard. "I guess this old man here will be my last opponent." Said Cameron. "I wouldn't say that I'm old", said a wise sounding voice. Cameron and Sandy gasped and turned around. There in front of an official desk was that old man. He was wearing a majestic robe of blue and gold. "I'd prefer the word vintage if you don't mind", said the man with a smile. "I'm sorry sir", said Cameron bowing. "Please forgive me." "No harm done", smiled the old man. "I have great faith that the famous Cameron Fusterman would never try to harm anyone on purpose." "You know me?" asked Cameron. "I've been expecting you", laughed the man. "I am Zeus. The final member of the Supreme 4, not to mention the founder and president of the Ryooku League." "You created the Ryooku League?" asked Cameron surprised. "Yes I did", said Zeus twiddling his beard. "So what did you think of my humble little league and my crew of gym leaders so far?" "Oh, it was exciting sir", smiled Cameron. "More challenging than I could've ever imagined." "Shrew!" said Sandy agreeing with him. "And I heard that you even changed Mr. Stench and Captain Cranston", smiled Zeus. "Those two never seemed to stop giving me trouble. I tried many times to turn them around, but with no success at all. But I'm glad you got Stench to stop his polluting ways and got the alcoholic Cranston the help he needs. And I believe his daughter, Christine, will be an excellent replacement for him." "It was my pleasure", smiled Cameron while blushing with pride. "You've traveled through dangerous jungles, hot deserts, treacherous waters, frozen tundras, tall mountains, and you even traveled through unknown space", smiled Zeus. "Now you're about to face the man who started all your adventures." And he took out a Pokeball, got out of his seat and faced Cameron. "Are you ready to challenge me?" "You bet I am", said Cameron as he tilted his cap back with determination like he was another Ash. "Then you shall feel the charge of Ampharos!" shouted Zeus as he released what looked like a cross between a sheep and a dragon. It had a sheep's head, a yellow dragon's body and a long tail with a sparking red ball on it. "PHAAAAA!" it said in a baaing voice as Cameron activated his Dex. "AMPHAROS: the light Pokemon. The evolved form of Flaaffy", replied Dextra. "The tip of Ampharos' tail shines brightly and can be seen from far away. It acts as a beacon for lost people." "Okay Sandy", said Cameron. "Do you want to take on this Ampharos?" "Shrew!" smiled Sandy as he jumped right in front of his light-producing opponent. "All right Sandy", said Cameron. "How about starting off with a swift attack?" "Ampharos, cotton spore!" said Zeus the minute Cameron called out his first attack. When Sandy had released his swift stars, Ampharos produced some tiny spores that covered each star turning them into harmless cotton balls not hurting Ampharos one bit. "Now use your zap cannon", commanded Zeus. "PHAAA!" baaed Ampharos as it bent down while the ball on its tail started to produce a huge electric cannonball. Sandy started to look nervously as the zap cannon started to get bigger and bigger. "Don't worry Sandy", said Cameron. "You're a ground-type. That electric attack might not harm you." But unfortunately, he was wrong. For instead of firing the cannon at Sandy, Ampharos fired it on the floor causing it to explode causing Sandy to get knocked back. "SHREEEEWWW!" cried Sandy. "What was that?!" gasped Cameron. "Just a strategy Ampharos and I came up with just in case ground-types get in here", smiled Zeus. "Give 'em some more juice Amhpy!" "PHAAAA!" baaed Ampharos as it kept firing more zap cannons on the floor causing Sandy to get knocked around badly. "Quick Sandy, escape by digging!" cried Cameron. "SHREW!" said Sandy as he approached a hole in the floor that had been blow open by a zap cannon, then dug himself into the dirt. As he kept digging, he saw something very unpleasant digging its way up. "SHREW!" cried Sandy as he jumped out of the hole and back into Cameron's arms. "What's wrong Sandy?" asked Cameron. "You'd be safer from Ampharos if you stayed underground." Just then, half the floor burst open and a huge cloud of dust and dirt came spouting out like a geyser. "Did you do that Amphy?" asked Zeus surprised. "PHAAA!" said Amphy as it shook its rattled head no. "We did that and we're proud of it!" said a woman figure that appeared through the dust. "It's called destruction and I love the sound of it!" said a man figure. Then the two figures started to say that familiar motto, hopefully for the last time, as the dust cleared. Jessie: "Team Rocket blasting off at the speed of light!" James: "Surrender now or prepare to fight!" Then Granbull jumped out of the hole while something was wriggling and crying in her cheeks. "Granbull honey, please spit your boyfriend out", said Jessie. "I need your mouth empty so you can battle." Granbull nodded and coughed out the chewed up Meowth. "For the last time I'm not her boyfriend!" cried Meowth as he managed to get up with gnawed hind legs. "So you're the infamous Team Rocket that made young Cameron here famous, eh?" said Zeus with an interested look on his face. "And we regretted every single day for making that twerp famous!" shouted Jessie angrily. "But now we're gonna make him even more famous once we kill him!" "Not if the head of the Ryooku League has anything to say about it!" said Zeus. "Be careful sir", said Cameron. "These guys own really dangerous Pokemon!" "You ain't just whistling Dixie kid", smiled James. "Go Girafarig!" and he released his giraffe that chomped its master's head once again. "No tail, why do you keep doing this to me?!" mumbled James as Girafarig's head released James from its hungry tail. "Team Rocket must own dangerous Pokemon if they keep attacking their owners like that." Said Zeus puzzled. "But no matter. Amphy, seize them all with your cotton spore!" Amphy complied by releasing more cotton spore at the Rockets. "Girafarig, send that spore back with confusion!" said James. "GIRAF!" said Girafarig's head at it blasted its psychic energy at the spore sending it back to Amphy and Zeus. Cameron became horrified as he saw the poor Ampharos and the President of the Ryooku League trapped in a huge cotton ball with only their eyes showing. "That's pretty good!" laughed Meowth. "Turning them into the world's biggest Q-Tip, cause I got loads of earwax to load on them!" and he stuck his paws in his ears, pulled out gobs of wax and was about to smear it all over Zeus and Amphy. "Don't you dare mess with them!" shouted Cameron. "Sandy, swift attack!" "SHREW!" growled Sandy as he threw his stars at Meowth causing him to yelp and run behind something to protect himself. Unfortunately, that something was Granbull and Meowth got earwax all over her just groomed fur. "GRRRR!" growled Granbull with anger. "Uh, remember Grannie! I'm your boyfriend!" said Meowth nervously trying to save his hide. Granbull only complied by not giving him her affectionate gnawing. "James", said Jessie. "I think it's time we use the, (STING OF CREEPY MUSIC), attack!" "You mean the, (STING OF CREEPY MUSIC), attack we've been developing these past months?" asked James with a smile. "Oh goody!" "I don't think I like the sound of that", said Cameron after hearing that creepy music sting. "Shrew!" agreed Sandy as Jessie and James released their Hakking and Bython. "Hakking, release a sludge bomb", commanded James. "Girafarig, use confusion to keep it up in the air." Hakking complied by belching out a huge sludge ball while Girafarig used its psychic powers to make it float while absorbing the psychic energy. "Granbull, use thunderpunch! Bython, poison sting now!" commanded Jessie. Granbull launched a thunderpunch at the sludge ball while Bython spat out some poison needles all over it. Soon Cameron and Sandy were looking at a huge glowing ball of pollution loaded with electric and psychic energy, along with lots of poison needles sticking out of it. "Behold young twerp!" cackled Jessie. "May I present you the Rocket Blackball!" "With enough power to cause you and your sand-brained Sandshrew to black out forever!" laughed Meowth. "Just like how you blacked out my eye!" "Okay Girafarig!" smiled James. "Release the ball!" Cameron looked in fear as that huge ball of darkness started charging right at him. "SHREW!" cried Sandy as he blasted out his hugest sandstorm trying to push the ball back at Team Rocket. "Sandy!" gasped Cameron. "Are you sure you can handle this?" "SHREW!" cried Sandy as he kept producing more sand while Girafarig kept trying to push the ball back with more psychic energy. "We'll need more Poke-power here!" Jessie growled at Hakking, Bython, and Granbull. Hakking used its sludge, Bython used its poison sting, and Granbull used her roar attack to help Girafarig push the ball back at Sandy and Cameron. "Well guys, it's up to all of you!" said Cameron nervously as he released the rest of his Pokemon to help Sandy. Buzz blasted his thunderpunches at the ball, VP used his Solarbeam, Slowie used his blizzard, Scaleon used her dragonbreath, and Batty used her hyper beam while Sandy stuck with his sandstorm attack. "Amazing!" said Zeus who was still stuck in his cotton ball straitjacket as he watched the good Pokemon working together as a team to push away this ball of evil. A minute later, it was over. The ball had exploded and Cameron and five of his Pokemon got knocked back. But luckily, Scaleon managed to catch them all with her huge claws. Cameron adjusted his glasses and found a wonderful, yet gruesome sight. Team Rocket and their Pokemon got knocked into Zeus's trophy case while all those sharp edged trophies knocked each one of those Rockets on their evil-filled heads. "And I thought these were supposed to be loving cups!" whined Meowth as a cup bonked him unconscious. "We did it guys!" smiled Cameron as he hugged all six of his Pokemon while they hugged him back as well. "We beam Team Rocket again together!" "SHREW!" "VILE!" "BAT!" "SLOW!" "SCALE!" "BUZZ, EL BUZZ!" said all the Pokemon proudly. "Bravo!" called out Zeus's voice. "PHAAA!" called out Amphy's voice. Cameron turned around and found Zeus and Amphy still stuck in a huge cottonball. "Scaleon, can you set them free?" asked Cameron. "Scale", smiled Scaleon as she used her claws to tear apart the cottonball freeing its prisoners. "The stories were right about you Cameron", smiled Zeus. "You truly are a Rocket defeater! And what I just witnessed proved it! Congratulations, you've earned the right to go through this final door and take on our undefeated champion." "But what about the match between Sandy and Ampharos?" asked Cameron. "We've never finished it." "We don't need to", smiled Zeus. "The way Sandy and your other Pokemon took on Team Rocket's ball of doom proves that you would've beaten us hands down. Even Amphy submits to your valiant Sandshrew. "PHAAAA!" smiled Amphy as it bowed down at Sandy's cute feet. "Shrew!" smiled Sandy who was feeling honored and a little thankful that this sheep wouldn't be firing anymore zap cannons at him. "Go forth Cameron Fusterman and get set for you final challenge", smiled Zeus as he went over to his desk and pushed a button that made the last door open. "Thank you sir", smiled Cameron as he bowed to him. "I'll do my best", and he and his six Pokmeon walked through the huge doors. "I know you will son", smiled Zeus as he watched them leave then turned over to the Rockets who were still lying on the floor. "Amphy, let's make our so called guests a little more comfortable with some cotton blankets." "PHAAA!" said Amphy as it launched some cotton spore at the Rockets and their Pokemon trapping them in a huge cotton blanket. Then Zeus picked up his phone and started to call security. * * * * * * Cameron and his Pokemon suddenly found themselves in the center of the huge stadium along with millions of crowds cheering their voice boxes out. Cameron started to blush for this wasn't like battling in the Indigo League. For that time, he had marched in with Ash, Gary, and a bunch of other trainers. But here, he was the only trainer about to go face to face with the Ryooku League champion with millions of eyes watching him. "Shrew!" called out Sandy as he pointed somewhere. Cameron looked up at the huge jumbovision and saw Misty, Tracey, and Reiko on the screen sitting in seats. Cameron saw even more familiar faces. Brock, Stella, Bill, Gary, Prof. Oak, Mrs. Ketchum, and of course his foster parents Seymour and Pallet Jenny were also there. Reiko blew him a kiss on the screen while all his friends started to cheer for him. "My friends and family are all here!" smiled Cameron with tears in his eyes. "I sure hope I don't blow it for them. Say, I don't see Ash." "Here he is!" shouted an announcer who was wearing a wild checkered suit and a tie with a wiggling Jynx on it. "The famous hero of Pallet Town, Cameron Fusterman. Not only has he freed a once imprisoned Pallet Town from the evil Team Rocket and finished in the top 16 in the Indigo League. He has now beaten all eight of the Ryooku gym leaders along with the members of the Supreme 4. Now he is ready to face his ultimate challenge. And here he is, our undefeated Ryooku League champion!" Two huge doors started to open and out came fireworks and a lot of purple smoke. Then a red carpet rolled out and out came the champion. Cameron's mouth dropped when he saw who his opponent was. "I told you I was planning to eat you for dinner!" laughed the familiar guy as he was holding some salt and pepper packets in his hands. "AJ?!!!" gasped Cameron. TO BE CONTINUED! AUTHOR'S NOTE: Uh oh! It looks like Cameron's about to take on a guy with a hunger for winning and who can't seem to get harmed by Sandslash quills or possibly anything else. Will Cameron win or will his hero status go down to zero? To find out, stay tuned for the final chapter of Poke-Odyssey 2001.