Pokemon: Radical Redux

"Hello there, everyone! Welcome back to Pokémon Talk! It's DJ Mary here, and with me is my best co-host!" Mary spoke into the mic.

Then Whitney spoke into her mic. "It's me! My name's Whitney, and I'm a Gym Leader! Ain't I a cutie?! You just can't help being infatuated with me, huh? Don't blame me, it's not my fault!" she said, even though it was a radio show.

Mary didn't say anything since this was pretty normal—it was kind of like a brand at this point. "Welcome back! This time, we have three extra special guests. I'd like to welcome the top three contestants from the Indigo League! We have Ash Ketchum, Gary Oak, and Green Leaf!"

"Yo."

"Pika!"

"Sup."

"I'm here too."

"Great to have you here! The pleasure is all ours, isn't that right, Whitney?"

Whitney nodded. "Yep! And I gotta say, Green, that outfit is super cute! I don't suppose you can tell me where you got it~"

"Maybe after we get done here," Green said helplessly.

"Alright! So, let's start. I think the first question should be: What are you three doing here in Johto? Don't tell me you're planning on taking on the Silver Conference, because I can tell they'll be no match for you."

"Yeah, but I'm training up a new team. It would be pretty boring if we just used the same Pokémon," Ash said.

"Same here. I already have my new team set up. I'm just looking for the last member, but I'll deal with that when I get there," Gary nodded.

"As for me, I'm not competing. I'm here for support," Green lied—well, technically not completely, just not for Ash or Gary.

"Aww, really?" Whitney said. "You were my favorite out of you three! You had the cutest Pokémon, like that Wigglytuff or your Clefable!"

"Gee, what a confidence boost," Gary said dryly.

"Sorry about her, she just likes cute Pokémon," Mary apologized. "Well, I think the next question is: What's your secret? All three of you started the same year, and all of you got to the League together and made it into the top three. That's not exactly normal, even if you're all from Pallet Town and students of Professor Oak."

Gary shrugged. "I don't really know what to tell you. We didn't do anything special—we just went our own paths. Like, I'd say I'm the best in strategy between us, Green is the best at training, and Ash here is probably the best of both worlds."

"Aww, is that a compliment? Never thought I'd get one from you," Ash teased.

Gary rolled his eyes. "Shut it, or I swear I'll kick you."

"Oh? Well, if you want to play it like that—since we're live—how would you like to hear about the Picnic Incident~?"

"We swore to never talk about that!" Gary looked at Ash with a betrayed expression.

Green, who was in the center, split Ash and Gary apart. "Look, as much as I'd love to see you guys rip each other apart, can we get back to it?"

Mary giggled. "Well, I can see you three are very good friends. But you seriously didn't train together? I would have thought since you're all so strong, you would have trained with each other."

Ash sat back in his chair. "I mean, we did and we didn't. We went on our own paths for the journey, but when all of us had all eight badges, we went back to Pallet, and we just battled each other over and over. Again, I don't really think we did anything special to make us super strong or anything. It's mostly talent and hard work."

"I see. Well, I suppose everyone is different, and even if you did have something special, I'm not sure you would notice what it is. But still, the fact that all three of you made it in less than a year is impressive."

"Yeah! And don't worry, I plan to get back to the Gym tomorrow, and I'll gladly take your challenge!" Whitney said excitedly as she smiled. "Just try not to become too infatuated with me. If you do, it's not my fault~"

"Right…" Gary and Ash said as they looked at each other and thought the same thing.

After about 30 more minutes of back-and-forth banter that made this feel more like a podcast than a radio show, Mary clapped her hands.

"Alright! Well, it's time for some questions from the audience," she announced, pressing a button. "Caller one, you're on the air!"

A feminine voice came through the mic. [Yeah, question for Gary and Ash—do you guys have a girlfriend? And also, what's your type~?]

Ash and Gary both gave dry looks and sighed.

"Technically, the answer is no," Gary said.

"Really? I thought you and... her were official," Ash said, genuinely confused.

"That's none of your concern. Also, I'm not saying my type," Gary said flatly.

Ash sighed as well but smirked. "I like a girl who can beat me," he said, knowing full well how much fire that would spark.

Green squinted playfully and added, "Noted~," just to stir the pot. But judging by the look on her face, that wasn't the only reason.

Mary chuckled before putting on the next call. [Uh, so… if you three weren't Pokémon trainers, what would you be?]

"Easy, doctor. Surgeon, specifically," Ash answered without hesitation.

"Yeah, I figured," Gary said. "Well, I guess probably a professor if I had to choose something."

Green actually had to think about it for a bit longer. "Uh, honestly, I dunno. Never thought about it. I guess maybe a field assistant… or if that doesn't count, maybe a ranger."

"Nooo! Why wouldn't you be a coordinator? You could be the cutest pair!" Whitney said, shaking her head like a mother trying to get her daughter to take dance classes.

"Heh, sorry, but I'm not really into that kinda stuff," Green said helplessly.

"I'll say," Ash and Gary chimed in unison, earning themselves a light push from Green.

"Okay, next question!" Mary said. "Caller three—oh, all the way from Galar! You're on."

From the speaker came the voice of what sounded like a little girl. [Um, hey, I-I… well, I want to be a trainer, but, y'know, my friends don't think I can do it. My parents used to be Pokémon trainers, but my mom doesn't really think I should…]

"Yikes, that's pretty rough," Green said, crossing her arms. "Yeah, my dad also wasn't very supportive of me being a Pokémon trainer. It was probably just fear that I'd get hurt. Just do what I did—run away and go prove yourself until you can show them they're wrong!"

Both Ash and Gary immediately knocked on Green's head.

"Don't listen to her," Ash cut in. "She didn't run away. But her dad did disapprove of her becoming a trainer, she just worked hard to prove she could handle herself. She's not dumb, she's just an idiot."

"Aww, is that a complim—Ow!" Green yelped as Gary knocked her head again. "Okay, okay, I get it! But what about you guys? Can you give her better advice?"

Gary sighed and shook his head. "Obviously not. Ever since I was little, everyone expected me to be a trainer. I can't really give her advice on this one. How about you, Ash? You're the one who used to have all those inspiring speeches, you got one for her?"

Ash thought for a bit. The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He shook his head and leaned in.

"Well, I guess I can say one thing. Are you frustrated because you can't have the easy way? Don't give up just because some people say no. What right do they have to tell you what you can and can't do? Your story doesn't end here. Enjoy your life and fulfill your dreams. You want to know why?"

Ash smiled and slammed his hand on the table.

"People's dreams never end! It isn't easy to be great. Let them laugh! If you're aiming for the top, you'll meet people who try to take you down. But just remember this—if people don't think you're crazy, you're not dreaming big enough."

"You think it's easy? I worked twice as hard as everyone else just to keep up. But I'm here now, aren't I? I was told to give up, that I would never be as good as these two goobers I call friends. Well, look at me now! I beat both of them, and I'm the champion, not them. So if it's your dream, then dream on. Don't hesitate, it's your dream, isn't it?"

[Y-yeah, I think I get it, it is my dream, thank you, I'm definitely going to do it! I'm going to start preparing for when I'm finally old enough] the girl's voice said as the call ended

After that speech from Ash, Mary cleared her throat. "Well, that's very nice. Thank you! I hope that helped," she said as she pulled up the next caller. "Next question! Caller four, you're on."

A voice came through the speaker, the kind of voice you'd expect from someone who still lived in their mother's basement.

[Yeah, great to see you all! I have to say, it's really cool that you guys made it… well, at least for Green and Ash.]

Gary looked annoyed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

[Well, I'm just saying, it must be nice to be destined for greatness and have everything handed to you on a silver platter. You're an Oak, after all.]

"Hey, I'm more than just my name!" Gary snapped.

[Sure. I mean, you probably got the best trainers to train your Pokémon and asked your grandpa to give you all your Pokémon. And you know what? You still lost and only got second place. That's kinda embarrassing!]

Gary looked furious, so Ash quickly interrupted.

"Hey, cut it out! Gary is just as good a trainer as me or Green. He caught his own Pokémon, and he trained his own Pokémon."

Green joined in, crossing her arms. "Yeah, and he isn't some loser either. He has more talent in his foot than you'll ever have, so keep your thoughts to yourself,"

Just as the argument was about to escalate, Mary quickly cut the call. She then turned to Gary with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry about that. Are you okay to keep going?"

Gary sighed and rubbed his eyes. "It's FINE. I'm FINE," he said, though it was obvious he was anything but fine, he was pissed.

Mary looked a little nervous but nodded. "Uhh, alright… then I guess we can continue if we—"

Suddenly, they heard the sound of rustling and a commotion outside the door. In the next moment, a Smeargle burst into the room, darting behind Mary for cover. A familiar boy came crashing in right behind it—Ethan.

As Smeargle hid, Ethan forced himself up, revealing that his face was covered in markings. "You're gonna regret ever drawing on my face!" he shouted—then froze the moment he saw everyone else, particularly Mary.

Whitney stood up, looking slightly annoyed. "What are you doing here? Do you know this goof, Mary?"

"Never met him," Mary said nonchalantly as she petted Smeargle.

Ethan looked shocked. "NO! NO! That face-painting pest can't belong to DJ Mary!"

Ash, Green, and Gary exchanged glances. Gary, who had no idea who Ethan was, leaned toward his friends. "Why do you two have that face? The one you make when you're embarrassed to know someone."

Green sighed. "Yeah… we do…"

Ethan pointed accusingly at Whitney. "No, it's gotta be this chick's!! Tell me it's hers!!"

Whitney's expression darkened. She was the definition of sweet to people she liked and sour to those she didn't. And right now? She really didn't like Ethan.

"Listen, you moron—"

But Ethan interrupted, "My name happens to be Ethan, lady!"

Whitney gritted her teeth. "Why, you—! I'll have you know I have a name! I'm Whitney, and I don't like you! You aren't allowed to be infatuated with me!"

"Ha! As if!" Ethan said with a completely straight face. "Just because you're a hot girl doesn't mean anything! I don't like you either! Just because I can appreciate a pretty face doesn't mean I like your ugly attitude!"

"Why, I oughta—listen here, you meanie!" Whitney snapped in a sour tone.

Suddenly, the studio director stormed into the room and slammed off the broadcast. "ARE YOU TRYING TO DESTROY THIS SHOW?!"

Ethan and Whitney instantly turned on each other.

"YOU started it!" they both yelled, pointing at each other.

"I DON'T CARE!" the director shouted, his face turning red.

Just then, an assistant rushed in, looking panicked. "S-Sir! Listeners are calling by the hundreds!"

The director threw his hands up. "YOU SEE?! COMPLAINTS!"

"Actually…" The assistant hesitated. "Most of them are saying things like, 'This lineup is hot' and 'Why don't you let them battle for real?'"

The director froze, then promptly collapsed onto the floor from shock.

Whitney and Ethan grabbed each other by the shirts, locked in a heated glare. Then, Whitney smirked.

"Well, if that's what they want, I'm more than happy to give it to them," she said, grabbing a Pokéball from her waist.

"Wait, no!" Mary interrupted. "You can't have a Pokémon battle!"

The director quickly cut in as well. "She's right! It's not good for radio. We'll have a different kind of battle!"

"Nooo!" Mary tried to protest, but she was completely ignored.

Ethan grinned. "Alright! Any contest is fine by me—I'll beat you all the same."

Mary desperately tried one last time. "Director, please don't. Think about this!"

"You're right," the director said, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

Mary sighed in relief, only for the director to suddenly look up. "We'll have to make this a three-hour special!"

Mary almost fell over. She turned to Green, Ash, and Gary with a pleading look. "Can't you do something…?"

"Why? This has nothing to do with us," Green said, completely unfazed.

"Yeah, I'm out," Gary added, standing up and heading toward the door. He was still pissed off from the earlier caller. "I'm going to Ecruteak. I'll come back to Goldenrod later. I just can't be here for a while." He stormed out without another word.

Green and Ash didn't stop him. They were his friends, but they knew Gary well enough when he was mad, it was best to let him cool off on his own.

Meanwhile, the tension between Ethan and Whitney only thickened.

—

About 30 minutes later, one thing led to another, and now Green and Ash were sitting next to Mary on a mobile station, which was literally just a truck.

"I'm so sorry about this…" Mary said apologetically, glancing at Green and Ash.

"Nah, don't worry about it," Green assured her. "I'm invested at this point, and I've got nothing better to do today."

Ash sighed. "And I have to go through all of this… even though I should be studying right now."

Green raised an eyebrow and shook her head. "Oh, please. It's not like you're about to take a test to get your medical license-"

She cut herself off when she noticed Ash's smug little smile.

Her own smile fell. "Oh, my Mew… you are… You are not human, I swear…"

"W-wait, is he being serious?" Mary asked in shock.

Ash: ಠﭛಠ

"He isn't saying anything…" Green muttered, narrowing her eyes. "If he said 'yes,' he'd be joking."

Ash remained silent, still grinning.

Green groaned. "Oh no."

Ash simply leaned back. "Let's get back to the competition, shall we~?"

Ethan still hadn't recognized them, even though they did know each other. He also hadn't realized that Whitney was the Gym Leader. In her confident—and very annoyed—state, Whitney had even said she'd give him the Gym Badge if he won. And yet, for some reason, it still didn't hit him that she was the Gym Leader.

As for the "battle," it was going to be a Pokémon Battle Race—essentially a race where they could use their Pokémon to assist them. For obvious reasons, Whitney was forced to use weaker Pokémon instead of her main team, otherwise, it would be a complete wash.

The director spoke into his mic.

"You demanded it, and now you've got it! Ethan, the Mystery Boy, versus our local Gym Leader, Whitney!

"They'll follow Pokémon Battle Race rules, starting from Goldenrod City, through the National Park, and all the way to the Route 37 road sign! And, of course, they'll be battling along the way!" he announced.

Then he leaned closer to the mic. "And I'd like to thank our sponsors, the Goldenrod Bike Shop, for providing the bikes that will be used."

"Wait!" Ethan shouted, quickly running over to grab a bike. Without hesitation, he ripped off the handlebars and attached them to his skateboard, turning it into a makeshift scooter.

"There! Much better! This is fine, right? It still keeps their name, and I use my board!"

The director stayed quiet as he quickly spoke into his communicator. After a moment, he cleared his throat.

"Uh… okay, they say it's fine, but they're taking your idea and are going to start making scooters as well."

"That's fine! Just as long as I win, that's all that matters!" Ethan said confidently.

"We'll see…" Whitney smirked.

"Alright then! On your mark… get set… GO!" the director shouted.

The moment the race began, Whitney threw out a Pokéball.

"Miltank, Quick [Rollout]!"

A Miltank burst out of the Pokéball and immediately slammed into Ethan, knocking him off his board. The pink Pokémon then rolled forward after Whitney as she raced ahead.

"I got you, loser!" Whitney yelled as she sped off into the distance.

Ethan gritted his teeth and scrambled back up. "You won't get away with that!" he growled before racing after her.

"Alright, Van 1, stay close and let Mary and our guests announce the action! Van 3, stay ahead of the road!" the director commanded.

Mary, Green, and Ash were riding on top of the van, now acting as commentators for the race.

As they continued, Ethan threw out a Pokéball.

"Aibo, let's go!"

Aibo the Ambipom leaped onto his shoulder as Ethan sped up. Meanwhile, Whitney commanded Miltank to use [Rollout] again, but this time, Aibo blocked it with his tails and jumped back onto Ethan's shoulder.

"You're not gonna get away!" Ethan shouted as he started closing the gap.

"Wait, has that line ever actually worked for you?" Whitney shot back, glancing behind her with a mocking smile.

But the moment she turned forward again, her expression completely changed. Her eyes widened.

"Wha-?!" She slammed the brakes on her bike, barely managing to stop in time.

Ethan finally caught up, panting. "Wait… why did we stop-" Then he looked up, his jaw dropped.

Whitney's eye twitched as she took a deep breath, "WHO PUT THIS RANDOM TREE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD?!"

Because, indeed, there was now a random tree blocking the entire path, and it definitely wasn't there yesterday.

----

Ok, so votes are in, we're going to skim the Breeding competition, also there was a secret vote in the Discord, so he will also be keeping Vulpix, if you want more votes that aren't here, then join the Discord to vote

The link is r98TmP92Ad