Chapter 7: An Argument To Settle!

The next day, Ash, Dawn, Brock, and Hikaru left Sandgem Town to continue on their quests. Along the way, Dawn and Piplup encounters a Buneary she was looking forward to catch!

She thought it was a perfect time to catch it. "This time for sure, Dawn! Go for it!" Ash cheered. "I'm so psyched! Here I go!" Dawn called, preparing to throw a Pokéball that wasn't LARGE enough to catch!

Ash saw it, and warned Dawn! "Hold on! You've got to make your Pokéball bigger first!" Ash cried out. Dawn first grew confused, then shrieked as she struggled to nake the red-white ball bigger!

"You'd better hurry! It'll get away!" Ash called. Dawn nodded as she finally made the ball bigger. "Let's go... Pokéball!" Dawn called. Unfortunately, she threw it accidently towards Ash! The ball knocked him cold on the ground!

"Oy... Why did this have to happen?" Hikaru thought, face-palming as he sighed. Chimchar scratched his chin, sweatdropping. "Oops! Sorry!" Dawn gasped, apologizing.

Ash, however, didn't seem to be convinced. "Watch where you throw that thing!" Ash shouted. Dawn started to get annoyed as she said that it was an accident. "If you hadn't been yelling at me, my hand wouldn't have slipped!" Dawn argued.

"G-Guys? This is not the time to-" Hikaru started, but was interrupted. "You weren't doing it right!" Ash retorted. As Ash and Dawn argued while Hikaru tried to explain, Piplup turned to see Buneary escape! "Piplup Piplup Pip!" Piplup shrieked as it pointed to where Buneary had gone.

"No! Buneary!" Ash and Dawn said it together. Dawn glared at Ash. "I hope you're happy now!" Dawn snapped. "Don't look at me!" Ash retorted. "Why not? It's your fault!" Dawn claimed.

"Your yapping scared Buneary away, you know!" Ash exclaimed. Brock and Pikachu just sighed to see a fight going on between the two trainers. "Ash! Dawn! Could you two stop this nonsense!?" Hikaru asked.

"Stay out of this!" both of them yelled, catching Hikaru off balance! He fell on his back, starting to get annoyed. "Why should I stay out of it? You two are the reason it ran away at the same time!" Hikaru shouted. Chimchar sighed, groaning. HIS trainer was being part of the fight, now.

[Opening]: (Pokémon DP: Together Opening (English Subbed)

(Ash and Pikachu are watching the sunrise, seeing a new dawn appearing)

With your Last Resort, a Steadfast heart
Let's go cross the tall
Mt. Coronet

(Japanese opening title appears)

Who will we get? Where will we meet them?

(Ash, Hikaru, Dawn, Brock, Pikachu, and Chimchar watch the bird Pokémon fly as they watch from a tall tree)

I'm excited, as if it's a Secret Base

(A group of Cherrims, a Budew, Pachirisu, Burmy, and a Kricketot dance with happy faces)

A new town

(A Glameow leaps in the alley as the group sees the Glameow)

We'll proceed there

(Ash, Hikaru, Dawn, Brock, Pikachu, and Chimchar all cross the Bidoof's dam)

During shining times

(The group walks in a cave, meeting a Drapion in front of them!)

(Ash's Pokémon; Pikachu, Aipom, Starly, and Turtwig appears with their trainer)

(Hikaru's Pokémon; Chimchar, Shinx, and Eevee appears with their trainer)

(Dawn's Pokémon; Piplup and Buneary appears with their trainer)

(Brock's Pokémon; Bonsly appears with his trainer)

Yay yay yay yeah!

(The Contest staff, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, Hinata, Johanna, Prof. Rowan, Delia, Tracey, Prof. Oak, and Mr. Mime following each other image at a time)

Battles are never Sweet

(Paul and a boy appears in the background)

Spicy? Bitter? Dry? Sour, right?

(Ash and Hikaru order their Pokémon to attack)

(Ash's Starly uses Aerial Ace, Turtwig uses Razor Leaf, Pikachu uses Volt Tackle, Aipom uses Swift)

(Hikaru's Shinx uses Spark, Eevee uses Iron Tail, Chimchar uses Flame Wheel)

(Paul and the boy face Ash and Hikaru with all of their Pokémon)

We are alive, so feel

(Dawn calls out Piplup and Buneary like in a Contest performance)

Together

(Zoey, Dawn, and a girl appears together)

Yay yay yay yeah!

(Team Rocket smiles as Seviper, Mime Jr., and Carnivine appears along)

Blast away with Aqua Jet

(The group were riding on speedboats as a Buizel, Manaphy, and Mantyke appears)

And Defog away our clouded spirits

(Palkia roars as Lucario turn behind him)

Rock Climb- look, if we can climb over

(Dialga roars along with the blizzard hitting him)

Good good smile!

(The group sits on or leans their back on a giant Pokéball)

(Brock and Dawn smiles at the viewers)

Everyone good good smile!

(Ash, Pikachu, Hikaru, and Chimchar smiles at the viewers)

[Opening ends]

Later, the four trainers were all walking to a Pokémon Center, with the argue continuing. "Just great. I could've had a Buneary! If it wasn't for a certain big mouth!" Dawn snorted.

"Oh yeah? Well, I can get me a Buneary too, without your big mouth." Ash retorted. "This couldn't have gone simpler, couldn't it, you two? Double big mouths, I should say." Hikaru huffed as he glared at the two trainers.

"Say what now!?" Ash yelled. Hikaru didn't answer, with Dawn switching the conversation! "Next time, butt out!" Dawn exclaimed. "That is, if there is a next time." Ash teased, looking away.

"I'm catching lots of Pokémon!" Dawn explained. "You won't, if you keep doing stupid stuff!" Ash retorted. "There's no point to this argument, you know?" Hikaru stated, but he was ignored.

"Are you calling ME stupid!?" Dawn shrieked. "No. But I'm thinking about it now!" Ash answered. "Cut it out! Both of you! Nothing good is gonna happen with your arguing!" Hikaru snapped.

But, to his dismay, he was ignored again. "How can you think without a brain!?" Dawn shrieked. "You tell jokes good as good as catching Pokémon!" Ash insulted. "Shut up, you two! This has gone far enough!" Hikaru yelled, glaring at the two.

"What, are you trying to pick a fight with me?" Ash asked, grabbing Hikaru's shirt. "Maybe I am, idiot!" Hikaru snorted. "You three are all hurting my ears!" Brock roared, angered by the issue.

Suddenly, a light glowed, getting their attentions! "What's that?" Ash asked, letting go of Hikaru. "It feels calm and warming now!" Hikaru stated, sighing. "It's called Sunny Day! It's a Fire Type move! Fire Types use it to temporarily raise their power!" Brock explained.

Suddenly, a little green Pokémon walked toward them! It looked like a bud that's about to grow flowers! "Who's this cute one?" Hikaru asked. "So cute!" Dawn squealed.

"Budew, the Bud Pokémon. In winter, it keeps its bud cold, to survive the cold. But, it opens again in the spring." Ash's Pokédex buzzed. "I wonder if this is where that Sunny Day came from!" Brock guessed.

"You think Budew made Sunny Day?" Hikaru asked. "It was. Heart in words. But reflect a heart, let the Sunny Day soften yours. For when your heart is light, your bud is happy and bright! Now, don't you feel better now?" a man asked.

As the four trainers saw, a man had long black hair, a golden Mew shape looking harp, a dark green hat and cape, with romance clothing.

Ash, Hikaru, and Dawn took a moment to look at each other and agreed. "Yeah! You're right!" The three of them answered. "Hi! I'm Ash!" Ash introduced. "My name is Dawn!" Dawn exclaimed.

"I'm Hikaru." Hikaru replied calmly. "My name's Brock." Brock replied. "And I'm the Pokémon Par, Nando. This is my Budew." Nando explains. "We travel the world, bringing joy to all." Nando replied.

"That's really soothing to hear, Nando." Hikaru sighed, relaxed. "You must've had a great time!" Brock grinned. "Hey! I've got it! Ash! Hikaru! Now I can show you two how strong I've gotten!" Dawn exclaimed, staring at her two friends. "How?" Ash asked. "Nando. Would you mind battling with me?" Dawn asked.

"If that pleases you, then yes." Nando answered. "Budew Budew!" Budew cried. "Don't forget that this is your first battle with a trainer!" Ash exclaimed to Dawn. "Don't worry about me! I'll be fine!" Dawn assured.

"Dawn. Are you by any chance on a quest to win the Sinnoh League?" Nando asked. Dawn then explains that she decided to enter Pokémon Contests. "I see. Then, in a Contest battle it is! There's a clearing up ahead that'll be perfect for our battle." Nando sighs, smiling.

"Great!" Dawn giggled. So, the five of them went their way for Dawn's first Pokémon battle. They all didn't notice Team Rocket sneaking up behind them, though.

Later, everyone headed towards the grass field where Dawn were to have her first trainer battle. "Okay! First things first! My Pokémon has to make a gorgeous entrance! Alright then, Piplup! Spotlight!" Dawn called, sending her Water Type starter out.

"Piplup Pip!" Piplup replied. "You may have the first attack." Nando offers. Dawn thanked Nando, and came up with a strategy. There was one move that Piplup was able to land a super effect on a Grass Type like Budew. That was Peck. "Alright, Piplup! Use Peck!" Dawn called.

Nando: Budew VS Dawn: Piplup

Piplup ran towards Budew to attack with a Flying Type move! "Please, dodge it." Nando replied calmly. Budew obeyed and dodged Peck! "What happened!?" Dawn gasped. "Budew dodged it, that's what!" Hikaru answered.

"Bullet Seed." Nando ordered. Glowing seeds began to appear out of Budew's mouth as it began to close on Piplup! "Bullet Seed is a Grass Type move, which means it could give a Water Type like Piplup a big problem!" Brock explained.

With that, Dawn told Piplup to dodge the move as well. The Penguin Pokémon moved out of the way, and out of range! "Alright, my turn! Piplup, use Bubblebeam!" Dawn cried. "Wait, that's not gonna work, Dawn!" Hikaru warned.

But, as he said that, the Bubblebeam attack made a direct hit. It caused an explosion! Dawn jumped with glee, but she stopped from Nando's chuckle and a slight grin! As the smoke cleared, Budew had no damage!

"But how? It was a direct hit!" Dawn gasped. "It wasn't strong! Water Types don't do that much to Grass Types!" Ash explained. "Budew absorbed the attack on purpose, and made a jump! Brilliant! Even using the smoke from the explosion!" Brock exclaimed.

"Solarbeam, please." Nando ordered. Budew began to charge up energy for the Solarbeam attack! Dawn smiled, thinking that Solarbeam takes long to charge and attack! "Piplup, use Peck, now!" Dawn ordered.

Piplup again ran to Budew, who suddenly knocked Piplup out with a direct hit from Solarbeam! "No, Piplup!" Dawn gasped. She ran to her Pokémon, and asked if Piplup was okay.

Winner: Nando

"It seems that the battle is over." Nando stated. "But, how were they able to fire Solarbeam so fast?" Dawn asked. "Because... it's Sunny Day! When like this, it's easier to follow Solarbeam by then." Hikaru answered, which Dawn understood then.

"I see. I'm so sorry, Piplup." Dawn said sadly. "Piplup Piplup..." Piplup replied. "Dawn... I wouldn't have guessed this is as your first battle. You seemed to be good." Nando complimented.

"Wow! That's a nice thing to say! Thank you!" Dawn exclaimed. "You can be sure it was good experience. Those two really know how to battle!" Brock replied. "Yeah, obviously!" Ash cried, excited.

"I'm off. Best of luck." Nando replied, walking away. Later, it was sunset as the four trainers walked on the forest pathway. "*sigh* I can't catch a Pokémon. I can't win a battle." Dawn sighed, feeling down.

"Hey, chill out! Have a nice dinner! Get a good night sleep! And you'll be fine tomorrow!" Ash chuckled. "Pika Pi!" Pikachu agreed. "Nice dinner? Where do you get that idea?" Hikaru asked.

"Chim?" Chimchar asked. "Good night sleep? How do you get that without a bed?" Dawn asked. "Hey, look. There's a Pokémon Center nearby!" Brock explained.

"Really? Hooray! A real bed with a real room! We can enjoy civilization again!" Dawn cheered raising her hands up. 'Well, that's a relief." Hikaru sighed.

"Alright then! Bonsly! Let's go!" Brock called, sending out a Pokémon that looked like a little guy with three green bumps on the thin part of the head. It had brown body with yellow eyes.

"Bonsly! We're going to the Pokémon Center! And you're going to be checked out by Nurse Joy!" Brock cried happily. "Bonsly!" Bonsly cried. "So, that's a Bonsly!" Dawn giggled as she checked her Pokédex.

"Bonsly, the Bonsai Pokémon. Being a Rock-Type, it can get weak if its body contains too much water, so it secretes water from both sides of its body to regulate it." Dawn's Pokédex buzzed.

"So, did you bring your other Pokémon, too?" Ash asked. "Other Pokémon?" Hikaru asked. "Nope. My brothers and sisters are all watching them back at the Pewter Gym!" Brock explained.

"What? Gym?" Dawn repeated. "Oh yeah! The Gym back in Pewter City! Brock's family lives there, while Brock's the Gym Leader!" Ash explained. "Well, that explains everything." Hikaru sighed. "Chim..." Chimchar agreed. "Wow! That's great!" Dawn exclaimed.

Soon, the four heroes were at the Pokémon Center, seeing Nurse Joy and her Chansey! "Good evening! Welcome to the Pokémon Center!" Nurse Joy welcomed. Dawn grew confused at the Nurse Joy.

"Hold on! Aren't you from Sandgem Town?" Dawn asked, curious. Nurse Joy giggled, explaining. "Not me... The Nurse Joy in Sandgem Town is my sister!" Nurse Joy explained, smiling.

"Sister? Really?" Dawn asked, surprised. Brock showed Dawn a photo of the Sinnoh Nurse Joys all around in each town and cities! "You mean, there's that many Nurse Joys!?" Dawn shrieked.

"Isn't it great!? All Nurse Joys are related! Every gorgeous one!" Brock chuckled, thinking of all the Nurse Joys in Sinnoh. "You didn't have to say that twice..." "Chimchar..." Hikaru and Chimchar muttered.

"My dear! Although all of you are beautiful, your beauty stands out!" Brock exclaimed, showing his love to Nurse Joy. Now, Hikaru was confused. "He's acting the same way he did to Officer Jenny in Route 202..." Hikaru muttered, sweat dropping.

"Yeah... There's a question, with no answer!" Ash chuckled nervously. "Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed with a nervous smile.

The four of them later called Johanna, Dawn's mother who is glad to see that Dawn made some new friends. "I certainly appreciate you looking after my Dawn. I realize of course that sometimes, she can be a headful!" Johanna joked.

"Oh no." Ash and Brock snickered. "That's Dawn, all right." Hikaru laughed a little, causing Dawn to blush again. "C'mon, Mom! You don't have to worry about me!" Dawn pleaded.

"When you say there is nothing to worry about, that's what worries me the most." Johanna explained, causing Dawn to sweat drop. "Don't forget that I'm counting on you three!" Johanna replied, looking at the three boys.

"We won't." the three of them pledged. "Then, you all have a good time! Ash, Hikaru! Many luck to your Gym battles!" Johanna complimented, waving good-bye. She shut down her phone, leaving Dawn to sigh.

"My Mom... What a Mom!" Dawn complained. "Oh, Ash! By the way, did you register for the Sinnoh League? You'll need to!" Nurse Joy reminded. Ash panicked and ran to where he was able to register.

"Is he always like this? Forgetting what's most important to him?" Hikaru thought, groaning. Ash was then registered for the League, with Nurse Joy saying that he is ready to roll.

"Can I register for Contests here, too? I'm a Pokémon Coordinator!" Dawn asked. Nurse Joy smiled, explaining of where she could register for Contests. "You need to do that in the Arena. You can get passes there as well!" Nurse Joy explained.

"Great! Thank you!" Dawn thanked with a smile. "Nurse Joy!" A boy called out. Everyone turned just as the sliding doors opened! Two boys and a girl arrived with a Turtwig, Chimchar, and a Prinplup!

"Hey! We're back! Could you take care of our Pokémon?" The boy asked. Dawn grew amazed with the three! "Wow! Chimchar! Turtwig! And would you look at that! A Prinplup! Doesn't it evolve from Piplup?" Dawn asked.

"Right! He just evolved yesterday!" the girl answered. "Prinplup, the Penguin Pokémon, and the evolved form of Piplup. A strike from its wings can be harmful, as it searches the ocean for its prey." Dawn's Pokédex buzzed.

"Well, if isn't Dawn and Hikaru!" a familar voice called out. Both the Twinleaf trainers turned to see Nando in front of them in the Pokémon Center entrance! "Nando!" Dawn gasped.

To be continued...

Hikaru's Team:

Chimchar: (M): (Ember, Scratch, Leer, Taunt)

Shinx: (F): (Spark, Tackle, Bite, Leer)

Next chapters:

Chapter 8: Nando VS Hikaru! Hikaru's First Battle!

Chapter 9: Turtwig To Bash On!

Chapter 10: The Grass and Normal Catch!

Chapter 11: Fire Against Grass!

Chapter 12: Bewilder in Ursaring!

Next chapter preview:

Ash: Oh man... We lost Nando! And I thought I could ask if he attended Gym battles with his Budew!

Dawn: No way, Ash! He does Contests! A beautiful Budew like his can always do that rather than some tough battles!

Nando: Keep that up, and we won't be able to hear the Pokémon singing in the night!

Ash: Wow... All the Pokémon in the forest here seem to be singing!

Hikaru: Nando, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to have my first trainer battle with you this time, like with Dawn!

Nando: It would be my pleasure to accept your challenge, Hikaru.