Since their arrival in Silver Town, our heroes have been spending time at the Pokémon Center, finishing up final details before Ash can begin competing in the Silver Conference.
[exiting the Pokémon Center] Glad that's out of the way. Are you ready for some battling, Pikachu?
Have you even looked at the Guide Book yet?
ABAsh, Brock and Misty
Huh? [They notice a rather familiar person in front of Ash, and who else would it be than his rival, Gary Oak?]
Old habits die hard, eh, Ashy Boy?
Yeah, long time no see, huh?
I know! So are you gonna battle in the Silver Conference too?
Yep! I dotted every I and crossed every T and figured out which Pokémon I'm using, so now I'm just chilling out!
Wow! You not only finished all your paperwork, but you picked out all your Pokémon as well?
Thanks, guys. This conference means a lot to me. It's Numero Uno or bust!
Then you better prepare for a bust, because I'm gonna battle you and I'm gonna beat you!
Heheheheh! Still got that naïve enthusiasm, I see! [obviously, this riles up Ash and Pikachu]
Just because you got lucky at the Indigo Plateau doesn't mean a hill of beans! [He starts to walk toward the Pokémon Center.]
I'm setting you straight this go-round, no doubt about it!
Wow. He's sure feeling pretty confident...
I don't care! I'm putting him in his place once and for all!
[As Ash and friends look for the Athlete's Village, they reunite with President Charles Goodshow, who also oversaw the Indigo League and is giving out balloons to children.]
GMr. Goodshow
Hm? It's Ash, Brock, and Misty!
Why are you here giving out balloons, Mr. Goodshow?
GMr. Goodshow
You see, as president of the Pokémon League Torch Committee, one of my jobs is to greet the fans! And what better way than with balloons, huh?!
[He scratches his beard.]
[laughing] Yes, very clever!
GMr. Goodshow
Say, Ash, it's been a long time since I've seen you! So, I'll bet you came here to compete in the Silver Conference, that right?
GMr. Goodshow
Great, great! Promise me you'll get out there and show 'em what a real battle is all about, 'kay, Ash?
You got it, Mr. Goodshow!
[After Ash handily defeated all three opponents in the preliminary Trainer Screening, he, Brock, and Misty are watching the monitor to see the 48 Trainers who advanced.]
[amidst the overlapping chatter] I look pretty good! Hahaha!
So these are the Trainers who can move on to the semifinals, huh?
[noticing their good friend Harrison's picture] Oh! There's Harrison! He got through the screening!
AMAsh and Misty
[noticing Gary's picture] Ohh!
Yeah, and what about me? [he sees himself on the screen.] Ah!
Misty You're right in there with Gary! That's great!
Yeah, for now, 'til I blow past him to the victory!
ABAsh, Brock and Misty
Huh?
GMr. Goodshow
I wonder, will it all go that easily?
What exactly do you mean by that?
GMr. Goodshow
I mean, just getting through the semifinals is a tall order in itself! The Silver Conference semifinals are fought between three members of each block, and the trainer who comes out with the most Victory Points from those battles can participate in the Victory Tournament in the finals! Only sixteen participants who make their way through the semifinals will be able to compete in that Victory Tournament!
Wow, I guess it is a pretty long road before you get to that final tournament, isn't it?
Yeah, and a pretty rough road, too.
GMr. Goodshow
That's what I'm telling ya! So! Good luck!!
But all that stuff you're sayin' just makes me wanna win it that much more! Wanna hear my plan? We win, and then we win... and then we win some more!
[A restless Ash and Pikachu are seen in his hotel room bed in the Athlete's Village, with the former appearing pretty anxious.]
Urgh... it's no use! I just can't get to sleep!
Uh, sorry Pikachu. Did I wake you?
[shaking his head] Pika, Pikachu. Pikachu!
[Ash and Pikachu then take a walk to clear his mind from the tension about the semifinals.]
You know, the semifinals start up tomorrow after the opening ceremonies, Pikachu, and there's gonna be a lot of really strong Trainers wanting to win, just like us! I'm sure glad that we're a team.
[As they walk, the silhouette of Gary can be seen staring across the lake, also seeming to clear his head and eliminate his worries.]
It'll just be us against a lot of really strong Trainers! Who's that?
Huh? Hey, Ash. Can't you sleep?
[nervously] Pikachu and I were just out for some... fresh air, that's all.
[The three sit together on a tree stump looking outward in a moment of reflection.]
So, Gary, guess you couldn't sleep either, right?
Okay. Mmm... you got me this time, buddy.
Well then, that makes two of us.
[Ash and Gary look up at the full moon illuminating their surroundings.]
Boy, talk about a full moon!
That same kind of moon was out the first night after I left Pallet Town. 'Member?
That was the same day you came to Professor Oak's laboratory, and you were acting weird 'cause you were late, 'member?
Do you have to bring that up?
And the only Pokémon left was a feisty little Pikachu that wouldn't do anything it was told to do!
And now, look what's happened! That Pikachu has become your best buddy and your best Pokémon!
Uhh... well, you're right about that one, Gary.
I wonder... if you hadn't come late that day, or if... say, I hadn't watching a big moon like this that night, we might've ended up in two different parts of the world tonight, doing completely different things, having completely different hopes and dreams, and who knows what dreams? And there's so many more dreams we haven't even thought of!
[taken about by this rather unexpected reflective side of his rival] Hey, Gary, you okay? I mean, why are you thinking about all this stuff?
[standing up] No reason. I was just thinking that there are all kinds of possibilities waiting for the two of us out there in the future. But that doesn't change the present, Ashy! I'm gonna beat anyone who gets in my way of first place, and that includes you!
Ah... [smiling] Okay, now you sound more like Gary, which can mean only one thing. [He grunts as he also stands up] Means you better get used to that number two spot, 'cause I'm gonna be Numero Uno, even if we are friends!
[The two just stand there looking at each other as the night turns into day.]
AAnnouncer
Ladies and gentlemen, I've just been informed that there seems to be a bit of confusion as to the exact whereabouts of our torch runner. [He gasps.] This just in: it appears that an unfortunate accident has left our torch runner unable to continue! [This, of course, was courtesy of Team Rocket, who, in another failed attempt to capture Pikachu, caused the runner to sprain his ankle.]
[The crowd can quietly be heard chattering in confusion.]
They've got to use the Sacred Flame!
[A silhouette of a boy and his Pikachu bearing the torch is revealed to be none other than Ash Ketchum, who was privileged with the role after he and Gary negotiated, seemingly with Mr. Goodshow or another official.]
Delia [who is watching from home with Mimey] Oh!
AAnnouncer
Carrying the torch is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!
My stars! Now, how did Ash get that torch?!
AAnnouncer
The Sacred Ho-Oh Flame, from the same Legendary Pokémon that was said to have quelled the battle...
AAnnouncer
...restoring life to the plains and forests, is now being carried onto the Silver Stadium platform!
[Mr. Goodshow chuckles to himself and stands up as Ash is positioned to light the Sacred Flame.]
[With Mr. Goodshow, Gary and the injured runner, the rest of the semifinals competitors watching, and the crowd watching, Ash turns to the cauldron and lights it with the torch, causing the Sacred Flame to burn brightly in the night sky. The crowd erupts.]
[Mr. Goodshow walks up to the podium and clears his throat as he prepares to address the Trainers.]
Mr. Goodshow: Skillful and excited participants! Now that the Ho-Oh Sacred Flame is watching over all of you, battle with honesty, integrity, and honor, so that you will never regret a single moment of your time here!
[The crowd cheers as the camera shows Gary and Harrison standing beside each other, and Ash and Pikachu looking at each other.]
With Ash and Gary's help, the Sacred Ho-Oh Flame burns proudly into the sky, marking the opening of the Johto League Silver Conference! Could this turn of events be a hint of great things to come? Stay tuned!
[The "TO BE CONTINUED" text appears in the bottom right corner.]
