Here is the fifteenth Supplement for the Heart, as usual released in the correct chronological point in the Hearts Series. The events of this Supplement take place a little over a week after the events of Part LVI and a few days or so before Part LVII while Ash and Dawn are on their cruise. This Supplement came from a suggestion for Ash and Dawn to do a Contest jointly as a couple, which they can't do, but they can do a couples tag battle so here it is and as expected there are plenty of cute pearls in it. Expect the rapid uploads to the Hearts series to continue next week with at least 2-3 more Parts to finish out the Islands arc and begin the Cinnabar arc and if there are 3 Parts next week, there will be a Supplement on Cinnabar after the 3rd Part. That is all to say for this pre Part note as there were no questions or guest reviews to address here so please relax and enjoy the latest Supplement for the Heart: The Couples Tag Battle Challenge.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
The Couples Tag Battle Challenge
"Hey Ash, check this out." Dawn said dragging him by the hand to a flyer that was on the wall of the Pokémon Center. "We should enter!"
"Huh?" Ash asked confused as he looked at the flyer was now pointing at.
"Remember back when Team Rocket showed up." Dawn said excitedly. "After we beat them like old times, we said that if we ran into a tag battle on one of the islands we should do it and this flyer is even better than that. Plus it's for today so it's perfect."
"Yeah, it is." Ash said as he fully studied the flyer and realized what it was.
The flyer was for an afternoon event starting in a few hours with registration at the Pokémon Center that ended soon. The event was a tag battle challenge but there was a twist to it. It was advertised as a couples tag battle tournament, though non couples could enter. However, It did say that the winning team would get a romantic candlelit dinner for two in a special grotto in the nearby cave so it was clear who the event was marketed for.
Ash and Dawn were on one of their many island stops scheduled to occur during the cruise. They were almost at Cinnabar Island with only one more stop left, a place called Metallica Island that Ash knew he'd heard of, if not been to before, but couldn't quiet place why he knew it, with this current stop being their penultimate one of the cruise.
Right now they were on Seafoam Island, a place famous for its ice caves where ice types native to Kanto could be found but it also had a thriving town with tourist market that had sprung up in recent years. Due to this, the ship had stopped in the Island's port and would be there for a few days.
The tag battle was one of those events aimed at visiting tourists and trainers and was being held at the Pokémon Center as that was where the only battlefield was. It even claimed to have a small set of stands for fans and that a retired ref who lived on the island would officiate it. The flyer also stated that this was the latest in a battle series that the Island held, a twice monthly event with a different theme and award hosted by the Pokémon Center.
Naturally Ash and Dawn were going to enter the challenge. How could they not seeing as it was perfect for them. They were a couple that was in synch from years of battling and traveling together. It was also the perfect place for Dawn to practice with her two new Pokémon as each trainer had to register two Pokémon for the challenge just in case one fainted during the matches. Dawn would use Spiritomb, who'd recently been called in after the Gardenia Town Contest with Mamoswine going back in return, and Shuppet to get some experience with them.
"I'm going to use my two new ones but what about you Ash?" Dawn asked as they walked into the Pokémon Center to register for the challenge. "Who are you going to use?"
"I think I'll go with Gengar and Porygon2." Ash said thoughtfully. "They could do with some more battle experience as each only has one full battle with me and a few Contest battles so far so I want to ger them ready for the Indigo Conference as both will be on my full team rosters."
"True that does make sense." Dawn said with a nod as they reached the island's Nurse Joy who already had the registration form ready for them having easily been able to tell that they were a couple the moment they entered. "And I think pairing Gengar with Spiritomb will be an interesting one."
"That it will be." Ash said agreeing with that pair as Dawn reached for the form but gasped in pain as she moved her arm too quickly and twinged her still sore back causing concern to flash on Ash's face. "Here, let me get that for us."
"Thanks." Dawn said with a grimace as she pulled out some over the counter pain meds and a bottle of water from her bag and took them to dull the pain when they kicked in. "Damn bruise is taking forever to die down. The pain is mostly gone but it keeps coming back at the most annoying times."
"You were thrown into a wall pretty hard." Ash reminded her as he filled out the form. "It will take a while to heal but you have the time to do so and when we get to Cinnabar we can hit the hot springs there; they'll help a lot."
"Yeah that would be nice." Dawn said with a sigh at the thought. "I can't wait to relax in them, after you face Blaine that is."
It had been more than a week since the Gardenia Town Contest and while the bruise that had once covered most of Dawn's back had gone down some it was still noticeably there and a painful reminder her of her loss. In the last seconds of her final battle with another legit contender for the Ribbon Cup this year called Mollie, Dawn's Gloom had been frozen to the ground by a Blizzard attack and couldn't dodge Mollie's Absol's incoming Razor Wind.
Dawn had been too surprised by Gloom's immobility to react and when she was hit and then thrown right into Dawn. Naturally Dawn protected her Pokémon but in the process she had slammed hard into the wall behind her and that wall had been made of concrete. She'd been lucky not to hit her head or break something in the process but it had hurt like hell. She'd ended up being forced to spend the night in the Pokémon Center and still had to take pain killers every now and then though thankfully it wasn't bad to require prescription meds.
However the pain of her loss served as motivator Dawn to win her next Contest and qualify for the Grand Festival. She wasn't going to lose again and that included the Grand Festival. Winning this couples tag battle with Ash would be a good comeback for her while also battling with her new Pokémon for the first time.
"There all done." Ash said handing the form back to Nurse Joy with a smile. "We're all signed up."
"Thank you." Nurse Joy said with a nod. "If you head out back, the other couples are there and it should begin soon, you two are the last to register for it."
"Of course." Ash said with a nod of his head as he took Dawn's hand headed out and to the battlefield. "Thank you."
As they got there they quietly began discussing strategies, the pairings they were going with and the rounds in which they would use their Pokémon. They ultimately decided to go with an alternate round strategy to give the other some rest between rounds. As they were doing this the ground began to fill and soon the learned that 15 other couples had registered during the registration period were present and ready for the competition.
Ash looked around and took note of them. They were a decent range and all but 2, who just looked like trainers on their respective journeys and here to have some fun, appeared to be romantic couples.
The couples ranged from at least one couple that was younger than Ash and Dawn to a pair in their 70s at least who had likely been together for 50 years, something Dawn really wanted for her and Ash and knew that it would happen. Dawn did note that 2 of the couples were same sex, something she'd started to notice more of since Zoey's confessions to her and smiled at all the love in the room. Even the two non-couples, both mixed genders, had a clear air of unstated feelings for each other so an event like this might push them in the right direction.
"Alright folks so the rules of this tournament are simple." An old man in a refs outfit said bringing all their attention to him and the box he held in his hands. "One member of couple is to pull a number from this box, which are numbered 1 to 8. You will then find the couple with the same number as you and that is who you are facing. To keep this completely random, we will do a draw like this after each round so that you can't predict you will face. Is that clear?"
There were a series of murmurings and nods from the various couples in attendance. Dawn got the gist. Either the Pokémon Center didn't have the technology or didn't feel it necessary to employ it for a small competition like this. It was a simple set up and worked just as well as a computer and was probably a lot cheaper.
"Alright good." The ref said as he continued. "Now the rules are simple. It is a tag battle so each couple gets to use one Pokémon per person and the winning couple is the couple that knocks out both of the other couple's Pokémon or forces that couple to forfeit. Each participant has registered 2 Pokémon for this event and can decide which Pokémon to use in each battle. If both faint and you still reach the semifinals or finals, you are permitted to use another Pokémon but only if I have declared that your registered Pokémon are out, is that clear?"
Again there were murmurings of agreement from the people in attendance. It took Dawn a moment to figure out how what the ref had explained worked but with 4 matches, it was plausible that they won their first two but either both of hers or both of Ash's Pokémon fainted in the process. Fortunately they both had full, or near full, teams on them and Pikachu and Piplup were ready in their small fan corner to step in if needed with likely Espeon and Dragonair as the emergency reserves.
"Good, now will one person form each couple come forward and draw a lot." The ref said and Ash stepped forward instinctively to take a number. "We will start with the couples who draw 1s so whoever gets a one, grab your partner and head to the starting boxes, the others can sit in the stands and wait their turn."
Of course because Ash was that kinda person he drew number 1. Smiling sheepishly he returned to Dawn and showed her their number. She just rolled her eyes and they made their way to their starting spots as the other couples began taking their seats and chatting with each other.
Soon a second couple appeared opposite them and Dawn studied them. Like her and Ash, they were holding hands and looked really cute together. They were maybe a year or two younger than Ash and Dawn so the youngest couple present but clearly loved each other.
The girl had long blonde hair tied into two pigtail and wore a cute red dress, pick shirt with poufy shoulders, long white socks and red shoes. Her boyfriend had short brown hair was wearing a yellow polo shirt buttoned all the way to the top, a blue sweater vest, black shorts and black shoes.
"I think I've met them before." Ash said quietly to Dawn as he looked at the couple knowing it was true, they were really familiar.
"You've met everyone." Dawn pointed out. "So I wouldn't be surprised if you met these two as well."
"Alright couples let's start this by introducing yourselves to your opponents and the rest of us." The ref said as he took his spot. "Let us know where you're from and what you do as a profession if you have one."
"I'll start." Ash said naturally going first, eager to get the battle underway. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town here in Kanto and I'm a Pokémon trainer who's trying to become a Pokémon Master."
"And I'm his girlfriend, Dawn." Dawn said with a smile at the other couple who were now looking at Ash closely. "Sorry for his rudeness, I'm still teaching him some manners. As for me, I'm a coordinator from Twinleaf Town out in Sinnoh and yes that is where we met but we didn't start dating until after the most recent Johto Grand Festival and that's the simplest version, the long version will take time and involves a chance meeting in Unova."
"Wow you two have been all around the world." The girl said sounding amazed. "And don't apologize Dawn, I've been with Ralph here basically ever since an angry redhead water type specialist opened our eyes that we were in love and in a rivalry because of it. It helped that two of our Pokémon were also in love. That was several years ago and I'm still training him. it takes time and patience; you'll get there eventually."
"Hey I've gotten better." Ralph said indignantly. "But Emily is right, we've been together for a long time and it's been great, well other than our continued rivalry that is but no relationship is perfect."
"Emily I have a friend with that name, nice girl from Mt. Moon who I've been helping out on the Kanto Contest circuit this year." Dawn mused before something this Emily had said got her attention. "Wait did you say that an angry redhead water type specialist got you two together?"
"Well she was the one who made us realize we liked each other." Emily said confused. "She theorized we actually loved each other despite our bitter rivalry and constant arguing at the time and she was right. Course she was pining after this clueless trainer who wanted to be a Pokémon Master and was on an adventure out in the Orange Islands with him, which is where we are from by the way, Mandarin Island South to be precise, and I guess she saw us as some form of test for her own problem. I hope she got her guy; she was so in love with him."
"That angry redhead wouldn't happen to be from Cerulean City and be called Misty by any chance." Dawn said gritting her teeth, she and Misty may actually be friends now but that still didn't mean hearing about her huge crush on Ash and how obvious it was to everyone else was any easier. "And that clueless guy didn't happen to have a Pikachu with him, did he?"
"Both in fact." Ralph said really confused at Dawn's words. "How'd you know? You're from Sinnoh and we've never met. That's really freaky."
"Oh I don't know." Dawn said looking pointedly at Ash. "You said they were familiar Ash, right?"
"Yeah and now I'm starting to remember." Ash said as a memory of a pair of young rivals with similar Pokémon out on the Orange Islands came back to him. "You two wouldn't happen to have had a pair of Nidorans, one of each gender, that evolved after they kissed would you? Misty was harping on about kissing changing people I think but I can't really remember."
"Yeah we do and they're still a Nidorina and Nidorino." They said in unison before their eyes went wide.
Dawn meanwhile just glared at a completely clueless Ash knowing what Misty was referring to by kissing changing people and who she wanted to kiss. Dawn had a feeling there were several similar incidents regarding Misty that neither had told her about, likely because Ash didn't realize what they actually meant, and she was going to get them all one day.
"You're him!" Emily exclaimed happily looking at Ash bringing Dawn back to the other couple they were about to battle. "The clueless boy who helped us out all those years ago."
"Um yes I am." Ash said blinking as he finally remembered the other couple. "I knew I had seen you two, been a while since I thought of the Orange Islands so it took a while to remember you."
"Yeah we spent several years traveling through the islands out there." Ralph said. "This is our first year in Kanto and we're just exploring at the moment and having fun but we will challenge gyms next year."
"Yeah time to see if we still tie all the time when we go to head to head." Emily said with a laugh before looking at Dawn. "However, you are now the angry redhead we met."
"No I am not but I know her, she's a friend though and I will be discussing this kissing comment next time I see her." Dawn said causing the other couple to be surprised. "Ok the full friendship is a recent development; she wasn't happy when she found out I was dating Ash and that was our first meeting and I didn't exactly take too kindly to her either. Not my proudest moment."
"I bet." Emily said sympathetically. "I couldn't imagine what I would do if someone tried to hit on Ralph. Jealousy can be a powerful emotion."
"Don't throw her Gyarados into a ceiling and you'll be better than me." Dawn said with a grin as they gasped at shock. "What, it was an intense battle and as you said, jealousy is a powerful emotion. Misty almost put Piplup through a wall during it so we are even and now that I know what that feels like I am really sympathetic to how he feels."
"Piplup." Piplup yelled at her from the sidelines. "Pip, Piplup."
"Yes I know I am sorry for everything." Dawn yelled back, Piplup had been laughing at her injury the entire time while showing her absolutely no sympathy whatsoever. "Stop being smug about it."
"Why do I feel like there is more to this." Ralph said. "Both with Misty and what I am assuming is Dawn's starter over there."
"There is and I don't understand most of it." Ash said a little confused at what was going but remembering Dawn's gym battle with Misty well. "Though Dawn and Piplup do really love each other, they just have the typical relationship one has with their starter Pokémon."
"You don't need to understand it, you have me and that's all that matters." Dawn said giving Ash a quick kiss on the cheek as she returned her attention to the battle, she could deal with Piplup later. "Now shall we actually start this tag."
"That would be nice." The ref said reminding all of them that he was there and they were actually supposed to actually battle. "So begin!"
"Bellossom come on out." Ralph said throwing his Poke Ball.
"You two Vileplume." Emily said joining her boyfriend.
"Oh this is going to be fun." Ash said with a grin as the two potential evolutions of Gloom appeared before them, the markings on her flower showing that the Vileplume was female. "Gengar, I choose you. Looks like we get to enjoy this matchup again my friend."
"Yeah that's probably one of the worst combos against us and that's not including any type advantages Gengar may have." Dawn said with a grin as she tossed out her own Poke Ball. "Spiritomb, spotlight!"
"What is that?" The couple said in unison as theirs, their Pokémon's, and the crowd in general's eyes went wide at Dawn's Spiritomb that burst forth in front of her with a maniacal laugh that Gengar matched, apparently the latter had been giving lessons in laughing to Spiritomb it seemed.
"That would be my Spiritomb." Dawn said with a grin. "I caught it a few weeks back and this is its first official battle with me but I know that it loves this stuff."
"And my Gengar has a few wins over different Glooms." Ash said helpfully. "And I've recently faced Erika's Vileplume and Bellossom and beaten both so I know them. Dawn, I'll take Vileplume if that's ok."
"Very well, I will take Bellossom." Dawn said trusting Ash's judgment. "It will give me a chance to really see how good my Gloom's potential evolutions are."
"You have a Gloom?" Emily asked and Dawn nodded.
"Yup and both Stones that can evolve it but that's beside the point." Dawn said before pointing at the Bellossom. "Spiritomb, Phantom Force on Bellossom."
"What's that move?" Ralph asked before Spiritomb laughed and vanished into thin air so he had to focus on Gengar. "That's not good. Bellossom, Razor Leaf at Gengar."
"You two Vileplume." Emily said.
"Fly up to dodge it Gengar and await my order." Ash said as the two grass types sent a series of Razor Leaves at Gengar but he easily floated up and over the attacks. "Now it's our combo time for grass and/or poison types. Grab Vileplume with Psychic and pull her to you."
Gengar laughed as his right hand glowed with a blue light that then enveloped a surprised Vileplume in the same light and yanked it toward him. He knew what was coming, this was going to be fun.
"Bellossom, don't let whatever is supposed to happen to Vileplume happen." Ralph said. "Vine Whip…"
Ralph didn't finish the order before Spiritomb reappeared behind Bellossom and slammed into it from above and drove it into the ground with a wail of pain. The delayed move was just what Ash needed and why he'd gone with the combo as soon as Dawn had used Phantom Force playing off her move perfectly.
"Ice Punch." Ash called out as Vileplume sped towards Gengar. "Drive it back to the ground."
"Keep Bellossom occupied with Toxic." Dawn said to Spiritomb using one of the moves she'd found out that Spiritomb knew.
All the other couple could do was look in shock as Gengar's fist became encased in ice. He then punched Vileplume right in the face, hard. He send her back to the ground at full speed and with enough force to crack the battlefield just as he had done to that Gloom a few months back for the win in that match.
As this was happened Spiritomb had cackled again and turned the ground around Bellossom into a purple mess as he used Toxic on it. Bellossom screamed in pain as she was poisoned and it coursed through her doing a lot of damage thanks to being super effective against the grass type.
"Switch." Ash ordered pressing their advantage. "Gengar hit Bellossom with Venoshock."
"Dark Pulse on Vileplume." Dawn ordered instantly following Ash's directions.
The other two could only gape at the coordination as Gengar threw a ball of purple poison at Bellossom who was still on the ground from the recent poison affect while Spiritomb sent out a black pulse at Vileplume as it was trying to get up. The Venoshock exploded above Bellossom and drenched it just as the Dark Pulse hit Vileplume and sent the Flower Pokémon back to the ground.
Neither Pokémon made much noise after that. The attacks had been too much for them and they were out in seconds, laying on their backs with swirls for eyes for all to see.
"Spiritomb and Gengar are the winners." The ref declared raising a red flag that suddenly in his hand towards Ralph and Emily. "The couple of Ash and Dawn advance."
They all returned and thanked their Pokémon and quickly shook hands before getting off the battlefield so that the next couples could go and move the tournament along. It was time to watch a few matches and see how the others battled as Ash and Dawn, along with their new friends, began to enjoy the competition.
The rest of the competition went pretty standard. Ash and Dawn watched the other couples and their Pokémon intently as the afternoon went on, enjoying the day and the battles. It quickly became apparent that there was only one other couple that was as good as them, a fancily dressed couple from Hoenn called Oscar and Andi that again Ash had a feeling he'd met but couldn't quite place them as usual so he didn't really focus on it. Rather he and Dawn focused and showing everyone just how good and compatible they were.
Their quarterfinal match was against one of the two trainer pairs that weren't an actual couple, though it was clear they were into each other and oblivious to the other's feelings on a level that was near Ash's, an impressive achievement. It was a good match in which Ash and Dawn used Porygon2 and Shuppet, the former surprising everyone as soon as it appeared as always, against the pair's Volbeat and Illumise. Yeah they were definitely into each other and didn't know it yet.
It was a standard battle and a good win for Ash and Dawn thanks to a Tri-Attack causing a burn on Volbeat that put it down after a few seconds and a few ghost type attacks from Shuppet that took Illumise down moments later. There was one odd thing in the battle though. As always, Ash started with Conversion2 to get a boost for his Porygon2 during the battle. All was going as planned until Porygon2 dodged a Signal Beam attack from Volbeat.
Rather than turning a color that could be associated with fire, fighting, poison, flying, ghost or steel types, the types that were known to be resistant to bug type moves, Porygon2 instead turned a light pink of all colors. Even after Ash explained what Conversion2, no one could figure out what the color meant other than maybe psychic type but as the type was weak against bug type moves it couldn't be that type.
In the end it didn't matter but Ash had already decided to report the strange color to Professor Oak right after the match. The professor would want to study it when Porygon2 was next returned to the ranch as Professor Oak was fascinated by the Virtual Pokémon.
After that it was pretty smooth sailing for the young couple. They managed to avoid drawing Oscar and Andi in the semis, much to the remaining couples' delight as it was clear that the two couples were the best so that was what people wanted to see in the finals and faced off against one of the same sex couples.
The two men, who hailed from Johto, faced them with a Hitmonlee and a Hitmonchan against Ash's Gengar and Dawn's Spiritomb. Having ghost types against fighting types was a huge advantage, Spiritomb's lack of any type disadvantages showing as its ghost typing made fighting type moves ineffective thus preventing them from being super effective because of its dark type.
They gave Ash and Dawn a good run but it was clear both relied on fighting type moves and their advantage against multiple types in battle. It was a good strategy so long as you weren't facing a ghost, flying or psychic type, which they were facing two of the first one in the battle. Ash and Dawn easily handled them in the end with their ghost type attacks and a Psychic from Gengar to finish each Pokémon off.
After that Oscar and Andi won their match so the final was now upon them. Only a few couples were left to watch the match and the ref had already called ahead to have the dinner underway as the sun was setting so the wining couple would go straight to grotto for dinner. That meant that it was time for the finals.
"You two are clearly in love." Andi said with a kind smile at them, the entire time Dawn had noticed how her and Oscar had achieved a level of sweetness and unity between them that she could only dream about with Ash. "So in sync, this will be a great battle."
"Yes it will be but I must ask." Oscar said looking at Ash seriously. "Have we met before? I feel like I remember you name and that Pikachu looks familiar to me. Where you one of the many couples we battled in Hoenn a few years back?"
"I wasn't in Hoenn then." Dawn said as Ash thought on the man's words. "I met Ash in Sinnoh. We have only been to Hoenn once together and that was for the Wallace Cup this year."
"I was in Hoenn a few years ago though." Ash said and a memory came back to him, one involving a really cute, flashily dressed couple that used a Nidoking and a Nidoqueen, the very Pokémon Oscar and Andi had used all Dawn. "I wasn't with Dawn then though; it was before we met."
"Were you with a cute brunette in a red top and a bandana?" Andi said and instantly Dawn knew who she was referring too and tensed up, first Misty had come up today and now May. "I remember someone who looked like you arguing with a girl dressed like that. We challenged you two to a tag battle because it was clear you two were in love, only couples argue like that."
"Oh I remember now." Oscar said with a nod. "You two were totally out of synch but in love at the time. Shame you broke up."
"Yes Ash, shame." Dawn said looking at him with a tight grin. "Care to tell them exactly what May is to you, and me for that matter."
"Well the thing is." Ash said as it all came back to him and he glanced embarrassed at Dawn, he had another story to tell her now regarding a girl who he'd only recently learned liked him like that. "May and I were never a couple. She has feelings for me, that is trye, but we've never been an item."
"I see well it is clear that you two are in love." Andi said to them and Dawn calmed down a little knowing that her worries were irrational. "Now shall we begin?"
"Yes lets." Ash said quickly pulling out his Poke Ball eager to start the final as the others all followed suit.
"Alright let the finals of the Seafoam Couples Tag Battle Challenge, begin!" The ref said.
"Nidoking and Nidoqueen, show us your love." Oscar and Andi said together as they threw out their Poke Balls in unison.
"Porygon2, I choose you!" Ash said throwing out his ball.
"Shuppet, spotlight!" Dawn said sending her own ball out as the final began.
"Conversion2" Ash called out and instantly Porygon2 shimmered with the unique move.
"Destiny Bond." Dawn added. "Use it on Nidoqueen to take her with you if the worst happens."
"And we'll use a combined Dynamic Punch." Oscar and Andi called out together, their signature had been to use double attacks similar to how Dawn's mom fought in duel Contest battles as Shuppet formed a bond with Nidoqueen to take her with him if he fainted.
"Do they know anything that isn't normal or fighting?" Dawn asked confused, so far they'd only seen Oscar and Andi use those two types both of which did nothing on her Shuppet. "Shuppet stay there, that attack has no effect on you."
"Porygon2, dodge to the side and hit Nidoking with Tri-Attack as soon as his punch passes through Shuppet." Ash called out. "That's your window."
"Oh that's right, Shuppet is a ghost type." Oscar said realizing his mistake. "That's not good for us my love."
"No it's not." Andi agreed shaking her head.
As they were talking Poyrgon2 spun away avoiding the super effective attack while Shuppet just smiled as the two ground and poison types passed through him as if it was nothing, turning to face them and await Dawn's next order. As the move ended Porygon2 shimmered and turned a sickly purple color showing that it had just become a poison type before it fired three balls, one yellow, one blue and one red right at Nidoking.
Nidoking was too close to avoid it so he took the blast to his side sending him into Nidoqueen and the pair were sent tumbling away. Dawn wasn't going to pass up an opportunity like this, especially when she saw the sparking on Nidoking showing that one of the 3 potential side effects of Tri-Attack, in this case paralysis, had taken hold. The chance to land a hit without retaliation, not that it was likely to work against Shuppet unless they knew an attack that wasn't fighting or normal type.
"Hex." Dawn commanded Shuppet. "Use it on Nidoking."
"Psybeam on Nidoqueen." Ash ordered switching targets as he flowed with Dawn's attack.
"Nidoking dodge." Oscar said.
"You too Nidoqueen." Andi said.
"And both of you, Submission on Porygon2." The couple said in unison to finish their orders.
It could have be a good strategy but fate wasn't on their side today. As Nidoking tried to move the paralysis rocked his body and he roared in pain just before Shuppet slammed into him with the relentless attack that was Hex, throwing Nidoking away from Nidoqueen and to the ground doing more damage than Dawn realized due to the paralysis increasing Hex's power.
Meanwhile, the sudden separation from her constant partner that ended their joint move caused Nidoqueen to hesitate and not avoid the peculiar beam that shot out of Porygon2's forehead and slammed into her chest and threw her to the ground with a wail as the super effective attack hit her. They had the advantage; it was time for their area attack to end it as they had planned for such an outcome.
"Ash, now." Dawn yelled, he needed to be prepared for this.
"Right, Porygon2, Conversion2." Ash said and again Porygon shimmered in preparation. "And brace yourself because you're about to get hit."
"Shuppet, Dazzling Gleam!" Dawn ordered.
Before anyone could react Shuppet emitted a powerful flash from his body that temporarily blinded everyone present except Ash and Dawn who had closed their eyes before the attack. When the light faded and they could see again the sight that greeted them wasn't what they expected. Nidoking was on his back with swirls for eyes, that was what they expected after a few attacks, but Nidoqueen wasn't. She was damaged but was still in it and getting to her feat.
Likewise Porygon2, who had to take the attack as well because of the nature of Dazzling Gleam, didn't look as bad as it should have after taking the normal type attack. It was also now a bright red indicating that it had switched to being a fire type for some reason which made no sense, fire types weren't resistant to normal type attacks as far as Ash knew.
That was a question to address later as Porygon2 and Shuppet hovered on either side of a now really nervous and beat up looking Nidoqueen. Her partner was down, Porygon2 had a super effective attack it could use against her and she had nothing that would harm Shuppet and Andi knew it.
"I forfeit." Andi declared and she and Oscar returned their Pokémon together. "Without my love by my side I don't have the strength to battle and those two are too good to be beaten, their love is too strong."
"Well done." Oscar said with a smile at them before bowing to them. "Your love is better today so enjoy the date; we must be off to further challenge those in love on this charming island."
Before Ash or Dawn could do or say anything the couple had swept each other away. They were certainly a pair of characters but Dawn liked them. They were a little sappy for her tastes but they had been in love for ages and she wanted that longevity with Ash, she knew she'd have it.
"Well I guess that is it then." The ref said surprised by the sudden end of the match and as such the tournament. "Ash and Dawn are the winning couple. If you want to say goodbye to any knew friends do so now and then follow me, your dinner awaits."
Ash and Dawn said goodbye to Ralph and Emily who had stayed to watch them win the tournament before heading out to do their own thing on the island, exploring the caves and seeing if they could find a pair of Snowrunts to catch together. After that, Ash and Dawn followed the ref hand in hand as he led them to their prize, a romantic dinner in a grotto. Dawn couldn't wait for it.
"That was delicious." Ash said with a sigh as he finished the meal and belched happily.
"Yes it was." Dawn said wrinkling her nose a little at Ash's manners but letting it slide this time. "And in a bit we can have dessert."
Ash just nodded in agreement. They were in a cool grotto that was lit by candles with a table for two set up for the winners of the tag battle. It was a soft, romantic setting that Dawn loved and that Ash completely missed as soon as the smell of good food greeted them. Dawn knew that she would have to deal with it, it was one of the reasons why she loved Ash after all.
The chef had been waiting for them to explain the dinner, leave the dessert on a side table and then retreat to outside the grotto where he had prepared something separate for Pikachu and Piplup so that Ash and Dawn could be alone. They had as much time as they wanted and to let him know as soon as they were done so that he could clear up. Ash and Dawn had thanked him before tucking into the meal, holding hands the entire time, and enjoying their night together.
"We could have it now." Ash said his legendary appetite begging for more good food. "It will be as good as the main meal."
"We could but we could take a little break." Dawn said with a slightly mischievous smile. "For a slightly different kind of dessert."
Before Ash could react, Dawn had let go of his hand, gotten out of her seat and then moved around the table. Ash was still confused when she plopped herself down in his lap, something she realized she had never actually done before, and snaked her arms around her boyfriend's neck before she rested her forehead on his.
"I love you Ash Ketchum." Dawn said softly with a smile. "Always and forever."
"I love you too Dawn." Ash replied looking into her bright blue eyes.
Dawn just continued to smile as she lent in and captured his lips with hers in a slow, perfect, kiss. Today had been a great, just the day they needed, but as Dawn deepened the kiss, it was time to fully enjoy their love. It was the perfect way to end a perfect day.
Ah a nice, sweet, pearly Supplement for y'all to enjoy and make the cruise more romantic for Ash and Dawn. The only things to really note here is that the two couples, Ralph and Emily and Oscar and Andi, are canon and characters of the day from Orange Island and AG respectively. The former weren't a couple in their episode but I needed a canon couple and they worked, plus allowed for some Misty fun, while the latter were a couple and gave some May fun so they get a cameo here. All their Pokemon are either canon or evolved from canon Pokemon (Ralph and Emily had Oddishes). That is all for here, the next Part of Dreams will be out soon so stay tuned for that and the next Supplement is set for during the Cinnabar arc. As always please continue favorite and follow both me and this story to keep abreast with new releases and keep the reviews coming. Until next time.
Stringdog