Hey, everyone! We're very sorry about the delay, but a faulty laptop kept us from posting the new chapter on Tuesday. Anyway, now that Ash and Dawn have resolved their issues, their journey's set to continue! We hope you enjoy the chapter, and feedback is always appreciated!
The morning sun glistened on the churning seas on either side of the ferry. Dawn brushed Quilava's fur while Ash played monkey in the middle to Pachirisu and Primeape while the two tossed a peach Ash had originally intended on eating. Pikachu, meanwhile, watched all of this while sitting between Dawn and Gliscor. The big purple pokemon had already been groomed and was admiring how shiny his claws were presently.
That left Buneary, hesitantly watching Pikachu. Last night, after the fiasco of the first half of Dawn and Ash's dinner date, Buneary had spoken with Dawn alone while the girl was changing out of her wet dress and back into her regular clothes. Her trainer's epiphany was startlingly simple, but it felt daunting to Buneary all the same.
"Sometimes you need to step back and remember that the person you like is just a person," she'd been told. "Ash tried to put on an act to impress me, and so did I. It was a disaster… What matters most is having fun with that person for who they are!"
Could she really just seem Pikachu plainly? He was so magnificent, though! With his strength, cool air, and ability to handle just about any situation thrown at him… If he wasn't the prince type, then Buneary didn't know what was!
All the same, she did recall Empoleon telling her that Dawn had gotten a kiss for her troubles while Buneary had to try her hardest to even get dances or the occasional sympathy hand holding.
So, she approached the bench where Pikachu sat with the others, intent on having a normal conversation with him.
"Bun!" she greeted, waving at her crush. It took all her strength not to curl up into a woolly, blushing ball.
Pikachu looked down, hesitant. "Pika," he greeted her in return, still kind as ever.
"Bun… Buneary neary!" Buneary continued, asking about Cinnabar Island.
Pikachu nodded. "Pikapi Pikachu Pi!" he explained. The place was rather lively. He looked up. "Pi…" But… Last time he'd been there, well, things had gotten rather chaotic. The memories of nearly being toasted made the mouse shudder.
Buneary shook her head. "Buneary!" It didn't matter what troubles had happened last time, if he was facing them now, he was sure to defeat any of his enemies!
The two were finally interrupted by Gliscor, the Fang Scor pokemon unable to resist chiming in on the conversation. "Glis Gliscor~?" he teased, sticking his tongue out teasingly with a wink.
That was it. The implication that something might happen again and that Pikachu might protect Buneary was too much for the normal type. She covered her face with her wool and bounced away…!
And, directly into Primeape, knocking the startled pokemon over.
"Thank you!" Ash cheered, snatching the peach back from the fighting type while he and Buneary were in a heap on the floor. The trainer held the peach up proudly, ignoring Pachirisu's sulking as she stood by him. "Ha! You two sure have a lot of talents, but keeping food from me isn't one of them!" The boy closely inspected the fruit. "... Aw! It's bruised!"
Dawn looked over. "Can't you just go back to the refreshment bar and get another?"
Just as she said that, a voice came over the ferry's intercoms: "Passengers, we will be docking in Dark City harbor shortly. All services will now cease to prepare for restocking before heading to Cinnabar Island. Please gather your belongings as we cannot assure their safety. Thank you for riding with us."
Dramatically, Ash dropped to his knees on the wooden deck. "Nooooo!"
The coordinator rolled her eyes. "Hey, it's a city we're stopping at. They've got to have a grocery store or something."
Just as quickly as he'd fallen, Ash was standing back up, excited. "You're right! Besides, while the ferry's docked, it's not like we can do anything here! So, let's explore Dark City! I'll be good to see the place again… I hope."
"Again? You hope?" Dawn put Quilava down as she stood up, narrowing her eyes a bit. "What did you do?" she asked in an accusatory tone.
Ash scoffed. "When do I ever cause problems?!"
"Gary, Paul, Angie, Zo -"
"Hey, they're mean, too, sometimes!" He crossed his arms. "Not like you don't try to fight anyone, either."
The coordinator flicked her hair. "I don't know what you mean."
Ash tilted his head. "Remember when we met Paul in the Oreburgh Gym?"
Point proven, Dawn let the subject drop with all the grace and dignity that someone with the personality she had could. "Fine."
Satisfied with his little victory, Ash smirked before returning his pokemon just as Dawn did.
It was at that point that Empoleon came waddling over, looking a little guilty and even more sick.
Dawn only looked at him. "Did you take all the poffins off the refreshment table?"
He nodded.
"You need to get off the ship?"
He nodded again.
She sighed. "Alright… Let's get you going, buddy." She put one hand to the big penguin before she, Ash, and Pikachu all began making their way off the ferry.
"...Hey, hold on. Since when has Dark City been a big deal, anyway? Wasn't it pretty much a ghost town last time we were there?" Ash scratched his cheek as he swerved between other ferry-goers, making his way down the ramp.
"Pikachu…" The mouse nodded. It'd been so dusty and dingy… Maybe they finally got their bearings after those two gangs topped terrorizing the place?
"You haven't been there in a long time, right? Something must've changed while you were gone if ships dock around there… I wonder what could've changed." Then again, Dawn hadn't the faintest idea what the city was like aside from Ash's commentary.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Hopefully things have calmed down since then…" He wasn't loving the idea of having to run around with a fake alias again.
Speaking of running around, the crowd was already beginning to scatter at some commotion nearby.
Errant Water Guns sprayed past the scattering sea of faces, fortunately spraying well out of the range of bystanders… At least for now. The occasional explosion followed, creating quite the scene near the docks.
"How'm I supposed to get a hit if you just keep attacking like that!" A young trainer snarled, sporting a black hoodie, matching shorts, and pale purple hair that spiked up every which way. He was fuming, fists clenched tight. "Haunter, Shadow Punch!"
"Hau-hau!" The floating ghoul shouted in return, zipping in towards its opponent: a Poliwhirl, who spit out another powerful jet towards the ghost.
An eerie, glowing fist was halted by the Water Gun attack, its owner forced to duck out of harm's way. "Haunter…!" The pokemon grimaced. This was getting really annoying!
"If you wanna hit me, you should learn to use your pokemon's abilities better!" Another voice bit back, the latter far less bitter. The latter came from a familiar face, a green-haired boy who adjusted the rim of his glasses. "You're using a ghost type, you know. Don't tell me you're just gonna waste what they can do by just attacking." Demonstrating his point, the boy threw a finger forward. "Keep them away, Poliwhirl! Bubblebeam!"
"Poli-whirl!" The pokemon complied, firing a myriad of bubbles towards Haunter.
The latter swirled and evaded the attack… Leaving it to claim another victim.
Shuffling through the last of the bystanders, Ash was late to witness the scene. "What the heck's going on over here… It sounds like someone's having a… Hey, Dawn! Look out!"
Ash's warning had come too little too late. The coordinator shrieked, failing to defend herself from an onslaught of explosive bubbles that caught her off-guard, knocking her on her bottom.
"Ahhh… My hair's soaked." The coordinator lamented, still in something of a daze. "...Hey, you should really watch where you're having your battles!"
"Oh, sorry…!" The boy in glasses stammered, raising his hands in apology. "I didn't know there was anyone else… Huh? Ash? Dawn?" He gawked, his focus on the match lost.
"Uh, Max? Is that you?" Ash offered Dawn a hand, pulling her up before approaching the boy.
"In the flesh!" He boasted, putting on a smug smile. "...Sorry about the Bubblebeam, Dawn. I didn't see you guys coming."
"You really shouldn't battle around crowds like that," Dawn scolded, wringing out her pink jacket. "But, it's nice to see you again! I guess you've been keeping busy with your training."
"Well, of course! I've got to pick up lots of experience before-"
"Hey! What'm I, chopped liver!?" The paler boy blurted, making his way across the pavement that had just been their battlefield. "Who are these guys, anyway?"
"Don't ya remember? I told you about that guy I traveled with. The one who got top eight in his last conference?"
"Top four," Ash corrected.
"Still not first place." Max toyed with his glasses, earning an irritated growl from Ash.
"Oh, yeah! yer name's Ash, right? Pretty impressive! But, who're you?" He pointed to Dawn.
"I'm Dawn! I'm training to be Top Coordinator, and I'm Ash's… Girlfriend," she trailed off. As true as it was, it was an odd saying to roll off the tongue.
"Gross," the child stuck his tongue out, feigning nausea. "Cool, though! I'm Koda! And this is my Haunter! I'm a pokemon trainer from Sinnoh." Following its introduction, Haunter hovered beside Koda.
Biting her tongue, Dawn furrowed her brows before moving on. He was just a kid, after all. "Well, nice to meet you, Koda! I'm actually from Sinnoh, too!" It was nice to meet another trainer from the same region here. It made her a bit less homesick, in a way. "I'm guessing you and Max know each other, then?"
"Unfortunately," the boy spat. "We're travelin' together right now… Which'd be fine if he'd stop being such a jerk!"
"I wouldn't have to be one if you'd learn to be a better battle partner!" Max crossed his arms.
"Alright, that does it!" Koda seethed, grabbing Max by the collar with a fist ready.
Max flinched… Only to find himself untouched.
Ash had caught the other boy's fist, keeping it well away from hurting anyone. "Alright, break it up, you two." Managing to split the two apart, the older trainer took a step back. "It's good to see you and all, Max, but we can't really catch up if you guys are at each other's throats."
"Yeah… Sorry." Max shrank, poking his fingers together. "Oh, Dawn! May said she wishes you luck in the Wallace Cup this year! It is taking place here in Kanto, you know."
Pardoning a twitching brow from Max's attitude, Dawn nodded along. "I know. That's where we're headed now! Once the ferry leaves tonight, Ash and I are heading to Cinnabar Island." She tilted her head, then. "Wait, if she knows, then shouldn't she be competing again, too?"
"Not this time! Sis already has five ribbons over in the Sinnoh Circuit!" Max proudly proclaimed.
"Wow… that fast? Talk about being prepared." Ash scratched his cheek.
"Well, in the Johto Circuit, she only barely made it with enough ribbons in time, so I guess she learned her lesson. This time, she collected her ribbons real quick! I bet she's working hard to be ready for the Grand Festival."
"...Oh, yeah! She got runner-up, didn't she?" Ash chimed in. "I talked to 'er a while ago… That's the same as Dawn during her own run in Sinnoh!"
"That's right! Pretty impressive… But, still not a full victory." Max dismissed.
Ash was quick to back up, knowing just what was coming.
Much like Koda, only far more terrifying, Dawn was the next to be in Max's face, eyes ablaze. "Getting that far is a lot harder than you think, you know! Why don't you see how easy it is?"
"Man… I thought you were happy with second place." Wiping sweat from his brow, Ash blinked. He could only imagine how terrified Max felt.
"I am, but I'm not a fan of people running their mouths about it."
"Okay, okay… Jeez, don't have a Miltank." Max frowned, adjusting his glasses that'd been knocked out of place. "Besides, I will! Because I'm winning this year's Indigo Conference! That is, if we ever get that far," he corrected himself, sending a look Koda's way.
"Oh, right," Ash chimed in, before things could get ugly, he hoped. "What even happened with you guys? Somethin' had you pretty ticked off, right?"
"Well, we were trying to beat the Dark City Gym… But we just can't win there!" Koda complained.
"Maybe if we could work together. And, if you knew a little more about battling."
"Woah, woah! Hold on!" Ash waved his hands, trying to simmer things down for the third time. "What do you mean 'work together?' That's great and all, but how does that win you a gym battle?"
"The Yas-Kaz Gym is weird. You have to battle two different gym leaders there, and two trainers can even take them on at once!" Koda explained. "If they win, both get a badge."
"Is that even legal?" Dawn blinked. "I've never heard of a gym like that."
"I'm more surprised they even have a gym…I guess they finally fixed things up, huh, buddy?"
"Pika-Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
"What're you talking about, Ash? Do you know those guys?" Dawn raised a brow.
"Uh… Nevermind that! Ahaha… That's not really important, right!?" Ash guffawed, rubbing the back of his head. "So, what's the problem, anyway? I know tag battles can be tough, but do you have a strategy?"
"I wish," Max scoffed. "Those guys are too good to beat without help, but Koda just goes in with brute force."
"What other way is there!?" The child snapped back.
"Well, for starters, learn to work with your teammate, and actually make openings for them once in awhile!"
"Hey, hold on, Koda. Max actually has a point. Teamwork's a big deal."
"Well, he doesn't have to be such a jerk about it," Koda pouted.
Ash, Dawn, and Pikachu averted their eyes, declining to comment.
"Besides, battles are straight-forward, right? Just wear your opponent down and knock 'em out!"
"Well, sometimes. But, there are types of battles that are more complex than that," Dawn interjected. "When you're in a tag battle, you have to make sure you're in sync with your partner, and you can cover each other's weaknesses. Ash and I have a knack for that. Right?"
A playful nudge from the bluenette earned a chuckle from Ash. "That's right! We're like two peas in a Metapod!" He draped an arm over the girl's shoulder, baring a grin.
"Ash is pretty good at that sort of thing," Max admitted. "Maybe you could learn a thing or two from him, Koda."
"You think so, huh!?"
"Sure, why not!" Ash chimed in, earning the confused gaze of both younger trainers. "You won't get anywhere just standing here talking about it. Why don't we show you guys what real teamwork's all about? Me and Dawn against you two. Whaddya say?"
"Hey, that's a pretty good idea!" Max agreed. Besides, I have to keep up with you for when we have a real battle!"
"That sounds kinda fun. Okay, I'm down!" Koda held a fist up.
"Then it's a deal! We'll show you how we did things back in Sinnoh," Dawn boasted, flicking one of her bangs with all the smugness of a seasoned battler. "Empoleon, Spotlight!"
"Well, if she's picking Empoleon, let's go classic, too! Pikachu, I choose you!"
Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder as Empoleon stepped forward. The two starters smirked at Koda and Max's still waiting Haunter and Poliwhirl.
Max adjusted his glasses before shaking his head. "Poliwhirl's tired… Let's try Scyther!" he enthused. The trainer then turned to look at Koda. "You should pick a different pokemon, too."
Koda bristled. "I was gonna… Haunter, take a break. Fearow, let's go!"
Scyther appeared in a defensive position, blades held high. Likewise, Fearow fluttered into the air, neck craned to show its dangerously hooked beak.
Ash took the opportunity to lean towards Dawn, holding a hand up to whisper. "Hey, maybe we should take it easy on 'em, so they can have a chance to learn from the match."
The coordinator nodded. "Good call. You got that, guys?" She addressed Pikachu and Empoleon.
Both pokemon nodded in agreement.
"If you guys won't start this battle, then I will." Max adjusted his glasses, pointing forward. "Scyther, use Quick Attack on Pikachu!" Without a doubt, he'd be the biggest threat.
The Mantis pokemon zipped in towards the mouse, his terribly sharp blades at the ready.
"Block it with Iron Tail, Pikachu!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu hopped off his hind legs, swinging a steel-coated tail to block the oncoming assault.
Watching as Scyther was quickly parried, Max continued. "Use Fury Cutter!"
"Agility, Pikachu!" Ash countered.
Landing on all fours, Pikachu quickly became a blur, cleanly avoiding a swipe of Scyther's blade.
"He's so fast…! Keep it up, Scyther!"
The bug type continued to strike at Pikachu, furor building with every consecutive miss. Every time he came close, the mouse just seemed to be one step ahead of him. Being outsped was new to Scyther.
"This'll go on forever if that keeps up… Hey, Pikachu! Try blocking with another Iron Tail!"
Finally putting an end to his dashing around, Pikachu turned to confront his less experienced opponent. "Chua…!" He started, leaping at the approaching Mantis.
Unfortunately for Pikachu, he was just a bit too late. A quick assault of Fury Cutters barraged his body, leaving the electric type unable to respond. Just as he readied an Iron Tail, another attack came. While it didn't hurt all that much, this was incredibly annoying!
"Oh, I see… No matter how strong Pikachu is, he doesn't have the kind of reach that Scyther has. He'll never be able to keep up at this angle!" Ash noted. "Hang in there, buddy. Hey, Dawn! You're not just gonna leave us hanging, are you?" He turned to the coordinator, goading her on.
"Oh, right!" Dawn snapped back into reality, eyes having been glued to the battle. Oddly enough, their other opponent hadn't attacked yet, either. "Alright, Empoleon! Get in there and help Pikachu, with Steel Wing!"
"Pol!" Eager to lend a hand, and take the spotlight, Empoleon complied. Launching himself towards Scyther with a glowing wing brandished, he was ready to take the bug type on.
"Hey, Scyther! Look out!" Max warned.
Out of the corner of its hawk-like eye, Scyther spotted the incoming water type, swiftly diverting his attention from Pikachu. Swinging a powered up Fury Cutter at Empoleon, he blocked Steel Wing just in the nick of time.
Baring his fangs, Scyther cried out as he struck again. "Scyther!" A furious succession bombarded Empoleon, who was just as quick to strike back with focused Steel Wings. Likely the closest a pokemon battle could get to a sword fight, the close quarter combat raged on.
This gave Pikachu the chance to dart away, allowing him a chance to recover from the assault. "Pika… Pikachu!" He thanked Empoleon, licking his wounds. That'd definitely stung… But, he was far from out! Now, to wait for another opening.
"Lucky for us, Fury Cutter gets stronger each time you use it!" Max boasted.
"Scyther's doing great," Dawn agreed. "It's a good thing for us that Empoleon's a steel type!"
"She's right…" As swift as he was, Scyther was failing to do any damage to Empoleon. Brow twitching, the Hoenn native barked at Koda. "Hey, Koda! It might help if you actually chipped in!"
"Oh, right! yeah… Alright, Fearow! Take down Empoleon with Drill Run!"
"Fear!" The bird shrieked, swooping on down from the sky to assault the sparring Penguin. Her beak took on a frightening shine, seemingly spinning in an assault that had Empoleon in its crosshairs.
"That could be trouble…" Ash adjusted his cap, throwing a hand out. "Pikachu, cover Empoleon with Quick Attack!"
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, springing off the ground with enough to speed to make the ground below him quiver. Crossing the field in the form of a silver streak, he crashed into Fearow's side.
The poor bird was sent reeling, flailing and sputtering for breath before managing to get a hold on her composure. By all accounts, that was the most fierce Quick Attack she'd had to endure.
"Fearow!" Koda called out in worry. "Hey, hold on! If you're using a Pikachu, why didn't you use an electric attack!?"
The query made Ash avert his eyes, his fingers lightly tugging at his collar. "Well… If you want me to be honest with you guys… You won't really learn anything if we end the match that fast."
"Trust me, he's got a point," Max agreed. "That Pikachu's not something you wanna mess with."
"And, now, he's stronger than ever, even!" Dawn added on. "So, let's keep this battle going, huh?"
"Pikachu…" Quickly becoming embarrassed, Pikachu scratched behind his head. Was all the praise really necessary?
Koda only growled. They were taking it easy on them, huh? Well, he'd show them! "Fearow, show that Pikachu how scary we can be, too! Use Growl!"
Swooping in close, Fearow stopped only to open her big beak, letting out an ear-ringing cry.
Bombarded by the unpleasant sound, Pikachu reached up to cover his ears.
"Awesome! Now, use Leer!"
Taking advantage of Pikachu's distraction, the flying type stalked closer still, staring down Pikachu from mere feet away with a gaze that would strike fear into the hearts of any mouse.
And, Pikachu was, really, no fan of Fearow to begin with.
Koda grinned. He had this in the bag, now! "Now, Drill Run!"
Pointing a beak that seemed more like a lancet at Pikachu, Fearow charged forward.
"This could get messy… Pikachu, Agility, now!"
Pikachu was quick to back off, sprinting his way out of Fearow's range.
Fearow's attentive eyes darted left and right, looking for any sign of her opponent. Soon enough, he was spotted, prompting another predator-like pursuit.
Keeping her eyes on the battle, as well as her own, Dawn spoke out next. "Hey, Empoleon! Help Pikachu out with a Hydro Pump!"
A Steel Wing was promptly raised to block both of Scyther's blades, allowing the penguin the time he needed to get a clear shot of the other duo. A torrent of water was fired from his beak.
"Heads up, Fearow!"
The warning came at the very last second, forcing a terrified Fearow to pull back, just barely dodging a jet that would've, without a doubt, put her out of commission.
Ash grinned. "Thanks a lot! Now, Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
Pikachu made a clean leap over the Hydro Pump, surprising Fearow with a surprise assault.
"Chua… Pika!"
With those syllables, Fearow was sent tumbling across the battlefield, knocked silly by Iron Tail.
With that, Ash shared a devious look with Dawn. Failing to hold back a smile, He threw a hand up. "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt! Just like when you battled Empoleon!"
With that, Max fretted. "Scyther, dodge that!"
On the contrary, though, Pikachu's attack wasn't directed at Scyther. The furious flash of yellow shot down towards none other than Empoleon!
"You know what to do, Empoleon! Steel Wing!" Dawn ordered, mimicking the coming action with a swipe of her arm.
The Emperor pokemon raised one of his silver, metal-clad wings, taking on the full purpose of a lightning rod. Struck down with the might of Thunderbolt, Empoleon held the unwieldly charge before crying out, swinging his limb forward. "Empol!"
"Say, what!?" Max gawked. He definitely hadn't seen this coming…
The redirected bolt was launched right towards Scyther, quickly consuming the Mantis.
By time the flash of light had faded, Scyther was unconscious.
"Ah… Scyther!" Max's shoulders slumped. "Hey, you did your best. Return." He reluctantly called his pokemon back. "Thanks a lot for the help. Why didn't you try to stop it!?"
"Hey, it's fine! I'll handle it on my own!" Koda barked back.
"Whatever. It's your funeral."
"I'll show you. And, you guys, too!" Koda pointed at Ash and Dawn. "Fearow, Aerial Ace!"
Having taken back to the air by now, Fearow quickly turned into a loop, diving down towards Empoleon.
"Empoleon, fight back with Headbutt!" Dawn called.
Still a little rattled from the electricity, Empoleon ducked, launching his crowned head at Fearow.
Experience triumphed over command of the air, the water type's head crashing into the Drill pokemon's stomach.
"Let's wrap this up! Pikachu, Iron Tail!" With that call, Ash punched forward.
Before the flying type knew it, she was greeted with an iron-coated limb, promptly knocking her out cold.
"And, that's a wrap!" Ash grinned, turning to his partner. A hand was raised high above his head.
Dawn was quick to slap her hand against his, winking at the trainer. "And, that's how you win a double battle!"
Returning his own pokemon, Koda fell to his knees, flabbergasted. "Man… Two losses in a row. We got creamed."
"I told ya he was good… But, I didn't know Dawn was so tough, too. Then again, she did beat my sister." As much as he jabbed at his older sibling, Max knew she was strong. Anyone who could beat her at her peak had to be the real deal. "Well, you guys got us. Your teamwork's as good as the Gym Leaders!"
"Well, we have been at it for a while," Ash boasted, brushing a finger over his nose. With that, he was greeted by Pikachu, who sprung onto his shoulder to receive a routine chin-scratch. "You were great, buddy! Thanks for helping us out with that battle."
"But, hey, you guys weren't bad, either! You just need to practice some more!" Dawn chimed in.
In her case, Empoleon waddled over, intent on receiving the same praise. Forming a knowing smile, she pet Empoleon on the head behind his crown. "No need to worry, Empoleon. I didn't forget you, either!"
"I wonder how they'd do against Yas and Kaz," Koda wondered.
"It'd be a great match to study, that's for sure!" Max agreed. "Why don't you guys give it a try?"
"The gym? That sounds like a lot of fun, but we do have a ferry to catch tonight…" Ash frowned.
"...Unless you're chicken of course," Max continued, a devious smile forming.
Just as he'd planned, that struck a nerve. "Are you kidding? We'll beat them fair and square, and have more than enough time to get back!" Dawn blabbed, falling for the bait. "C'mon, Ash. it can't be that far, right? We still have a few hours."
"Well, when ya put it like that… How can we refuse?" Ash grinned, toying with the brim of his cap. "Alright, it's a deal. Let's get to that gym!"
"Pika, Pikachu!"
"Empoleon!"
Much like the city, the combined Yas-Kaz Gym stood proudly in what had once been the outskirts of Dark City. However, much had changed. The building even boasted a subheader sign, clarifying that it was the official Dark City Gym.
"They kept the wooden look," Ash noted as he, Dawn, Koda, and Max walked in. "Guess some things don't change. Good on 'em for keeping this place together, though."
"You like our handiwork?" came one voice, standing tall and proud in a pair of overalls.
"Us and our crew built this together!" the other explained, decked in jumpsuit.
Ash's face lit up in recognition while Koda and Max quietly looked away in shame.
"Yas! Kaz!" Ash greeted, waving at the two.
The two men looked between each other and then back at Ash. Speaking in unison, they put together who they were looking at. "Tom Ato?"
With that, Dawn, Max, and Koda all looked to Ash, faces blank with suspicion. Tom Ato? What was that about?
However, unlike Max and Koda, Dawn recalled what happened at the Celadon Gym. Ash seemed to accept this name, not flinching from it. She supposed she could cover for him right now. She'd ask about it later.
"Oh, Tom!" she giddily chirped, putting a hand on Ash's shoulder. "You didn't tell me you were popular here!"
Gratefully, Ash looked back at her, further selling his old alias. "Sorry! I didn't think to say anything about it until now!"
Both the gym leaders laughed at Ash's absent mindedness before looking down at Pikachu.
"Hey there, little guy," Kaz greeted.
Yas shrugged. "We're out of ketchup here at the gym. We only have the spicy stuff, or we'd offer you some while you're here."
"Pika~" the mouse chimed from Ash's shoulder, remaining polite despite his disappointment.
"Well, we already know the pipsqueaks," Kaz started, ignoring the way Max and Koda both bristled at being dubbed such, "but who's your lady friend?"
Ash gestured to the bluenette. "This is Dawn! She's a coordinator from Sinnoh! We're actually here because we wanted to challenge you guys to a gym battle."
When the two youngsters made faces at the fact that Ash used Dawn's real name, she shot them both a look that put Fearow's to shame, warning them to stay quiet. Max blanched at her aggression, sweat dripping down his forehead. 'She must've picked that up from May… Scary.' Koda, on the other hand, figured that the scary look on her was rather cool. He liked it better than when she went on about romance, anyway.
"Well, you never did get a badge the last time you were here" Yas muttered. "What do you say, Kaz? I think we could take on Tom and Dawn."
"Tom'll be pretty strong… And, if Dawn's his running buddy, so will she! I think only Scizor and Electivire are a good match for 'em," Kaz commented.
"Right." Yas looked to Dawn and Ash. "If you two are ready to take us on in a double battle with one pokemon each, you can certainly challenge us!"
Ash nodded. "Sounds good!"
Dawn clapped her hands together. "This'll be my first gym battle in a while…! I'm excited!" she enthused. After all, she hadn't been trying to get a badge from Maylene. "Max! Koda! Watch us closely!"
With that, the four battlers got into position while Max and Koda slumped against the gym walls. A referee came out, quickly explaining how the match was to go.
"Gym Leaders Yas and Kaz will take on the challenging team Tom Ato and Dawn in a one and one against one and one double battle! Neither team may use healing items and the team with at least one pokemon remaining when both of the opposite team's pokemon have been knocked out will be declared the winner!"
"Gliscor, I choose you!" Ash announced, tossing out the appropriate pokeball. Pikachu hopped off his shoulder, watching from the sidelines.
Dawn considered who she could use to give Gliscor good coverage. "Quilava, spotlight!" She figured that would do. Their range, moves, and typing should be go well together.
Both of their pokemon appeared in a flash of light, quickly greeting one another. Empoleon walked to where Pikachu was, quietly watching the match thus far.
Yas nodded to Kaz. Together, they released their pokemon.
"Electivire, it's you I desire!"
"Scizor, make me a victor!"
Upon exiting their pokeballs, both of the gym's pokemon struck a pose, showing off how powerful they were.
"Hey!" Ash praised, "they really did evolve!" Not that he'd thought the two were liars anymore. They certainly had changed for the better.
"Yep!" Kaz agreed before growing serious. "Alright, Electivire, let's come out swinging! Hit 'em with an even and fair Dual Chop!"
"Eeeeelectivire!" the pokemon called, tensing his body before his two long, wiry tails whipped around, smacking into Quilava and Gliscor alike. Quilava was sent tumbling across the floor while Gliscor was momentarily struck down to it.
"I've got it!" Dawn assured before ordering her own return fire. "Swift!"
As soon as she stopped rolling, Quilava focused her sights on her opponent before spitting out a sea of stars at Electivire. The giant raised its hands, trying to block the attack in vain.
"Good cover," Ash praised. "Gliscor, you use Stone Edge on Electivire!"
"Glisc!" the flying type barked before summoning large stones. They were launched at Electivire just as Quilava was ending her Swift attack.
"Not so fast! Scizor, break those rocks up with Bullet Punch!" Yas ordered.
As quick as could be, Scizor sped over in front of Electivire, breaking every stone that flew its way. However, Scizor was smaller than Electivire, so even though it broke everyone within its reach, some still hit the larger pokemon.
"Another speedster, huh? Dawn, I'm gonna boost our speed, okay?" Ash explained. "Gliscor, use Tailwind!"
"You know wind and fire make a good combination," Dawn gratefully answered back. "Quilava, let's make use of the breeze. Flamethrower!"
While Gliscor stretched his body, calling upon a strong breeze to filter through the gym, Quilava spat out a jet of flame. Fed by the wind, it fanned out and blazed brighter, stretching out to engulf Electivire and Scizor.
"Geez, these kids are something!" Yas lamented. "Iron Defense!"
Though Scizor was partially spared by coating itself in a layer of iron, Electivire was forced to take the attack in full.
"It's alright, let out the pain with Screech," Kaz assured, not at all ready to take this lying down.
Flexing his arms inward after the attack, Electivire's booming voice rattled both Gliscor and Quilava.
"I think I know who we need to handle first," Dawn said to Ash as Scizor's metallic armor melted away. "Quilava, use Smokescreen on Scizor!"
As Scizor was obscured, Ash caught onto what Dawn meant. "Yeah, I know, too. Gliscor, use Fire Fang on Scizor!" he ordered.
Diving into the smoke, the trainers only knew that Gliscor was successful when the half-machine, half-insectoid yelp of Scizor reached their ears.
"We can play slick, too!" Kaz warned. "Electivire, use Thunderbolt on Quilava!"
A pillar of yellow lightning struck down on Quilava, momentarily stunning the fire type.
"Show 'em you aren't an easy target, Scizor!" Yas encouraged. "Fury Cutter!"
Just like that, Gliscor was knocked out of the Smokescreen cloud. As Scizor stepped forward out of it, it dissipated into the Tailwind.
"Great job!" Yas pumped a fist. "Let's try Swords Dance!"
As the bug type began its intimidating, intense dance, Ash and Dawn shared a look before nodding. They would keep to their previous plan.
"Use Flame Wheel on Scizor!" Dawn ordered.
Knocking into the steel type, Quilava interrupted Scizor's dance with a roaring cartwheel.
"Ain't no divide and conquer, here!" Kaz snarled. "Electivire, teach that Quilava some manners with a Thunder Punch!"
While Electivire knocked Quilava back and onto her side with the blow, both gym leaders were becoming very concerned. With Ash and Dawn's concentrated attacks, it was evident that Scizor would eventually fall. Electivire would have to take out one of the challengers' pokemon first, it seemed.
"If you wanted a taste, all you had to do was ask," Ash assured. "Gliscor, show Electivire your Poison Jab!"
Flying over, the poison type struck Electivire in the arm with his stinger. A feverish hue overtook what little exposed flesh there was on Electivire's face, marking him as poisoned. Gliscor took off after, putting space between himself and the giant.
"No use trying to hit a flying target yet," Kaz mumbled. "And, it's ground type so Thunderbolt won't work either. So, hit the Quilava with Dual Chop again!"
Quilava yelped as she took the two blows back to back from Electivire's tails, hunkering down into the floor.
"Stone Edge!" Ash ordered, making a sweeping motion with his arms.
From under Electivire, a barrage of rocks flew up, jabbing Electivire and forcing it to leave Quilava alone for now.
"Thanks," Dawn said. "Alright, let's try Flamethrower again!"
Quilava stood before spitting out another river of fire, once again swallowing Electivire and Scizor thanks to Gliscor's Tailwind. Said ground type safely flew above the danger.
"Scizor, use Iron Defense!" Yas ordered a little late.
Scizor obeyed all the same, enjoying a bit of relief that Electivire didn't.
As the fires died down, Ash spotted the silver sheen starting to retreat from the bug type. "Now! Gliscor, use Fire Fang!"
Diving down, the ground type sunk its fangs into Scizor, knocking the steel type over.
Dawn realized it was their chance. "Get Gliscor out of the way!" she warned. "Quilava, finish Scizor off with Flame Wheel!"
"You heard her!" Ash was smiling as wide as his battle partner.
As Gliscor took to the air, Quilava ripped over in a flaming circle. The fire type slammed into Scizor, still moving forward and skidding the steel type before her. She stopped just before the end of the field and sent Scizor flying from her momentum. Gliscor's Tailwind was just what they needed for this match!
The referee raised one flag. "Scizor is out of the match!" he announced.
Kaz looked back at Scizor before looking at Yas shrugging apologetically. Shaking his head, he clenched his fists in determination. "Electivire, use Dual Chop on them both!"
Once again, Electivire's tails whipped around, slamming Gliscor down into the ground while sending Quilava skidding into the middle of the battle field.
"We've got 'em on the ropes!" Dawn enthused. "Quilava, use Smokescreen!"
Ash nodded. "Now, Gliscor, get after Electivire with Stone Edge!"
While Electivire roared in pain from within the black smoke cloud as Gliscor's rocks flew in after it one by one, Kaz wasn't giving up.
"Thunderbolt on Quilava!" he ordered. "Then come out with Dual Chop on Gliscor!"
Just as he said it, another bolt of lightning struck down on Quilava, disorienting her for a moment. This gave Electivire the opening he needed to send his tails out of the cloud cover, blindly groping for Gliscor at first. Then, Tailwind carried away the cloud again. Electivire struck out at the ground type…
"Tailwind, just in front of you!" Ash ordered.
But, Gliscor stopped the two tails with just air pressure alone! Though Electivire's dangerous tails pressed against the powerful gail Gliscor summoned, the ground type wasn't giving up.
"Keep it busy!" Dawn commended. "We'll take it out! Quilava, don't let Gliscor down! Use Flame Wheel!"
While Electivire was still trying to hit Gliscor, Quilava raced forward, ramming into the giant in a fiery sphere. Electivire fell back with enough force to shake the gym just a bit.
The referee lifted a different flag. "Electivire has been defeated! The winners are Tom and Dawn!"
Ash and Dawn turned to each other and clapped a quick high five while Gliscor landed beside Quilava, embracing her in a hug. The fire type nuzzled against the ground type to celebrate their victory.
Kaz sighed while Yas scratched the back of his head.
"They're tough," Yas mumbled.
"I can't say I'm ashamed to lose to Tom, though," Kaz said. "Oh yeah! You did good out there, Yas!"
"You think?" Yas answered. "I'm sorry we couldn't do much about those fire type moves. That's what cost us the match."
Kaz waved it off. "It was a two on two match. If we had all been using our full teams, we could have countered the fire type moves, no problem!" He put a hand to his chin. "We should probably work on some of your water pokemon as far as strength goes, huh?"
"Once we have more time," Yas agreed. "Our regular gym teams are good for now. By the way, I think we'll have to try watching your offensive maneuvers during practice soon! They're intense!"
"Your quick thinking with Scizor is what inspired 'em, stupid!" Kaz barked with a clap on Yas's back.
Across the gym, Dawn and Ash were having a similar conversation.
"Sorry we didn't take the Thunderbolts for you," Ash said. "I know Quilava's pretty tough, so I thought it'd be better to use that time to get in attacks."
"I don't think Quilava minds," Dawn said, looking down at the fire type. Sure enough, she just chirped at Ash and Gliscor. "See? Besides, you can take all the hits you want! Her moves were so strong with that Tailwind!" Dawn put her hands on her cheeks, absolutely taken with the strength of it. There were even sparkles in her eyes! "That's not even covering how good Gliscor's Stone Edge is! I can appreciate it a lot more after having been on the receiving end of it!"
Ash laughed, scratching behind Gliscor's ear. "Thanks! We make a great team, huh?"
However, their mutual praise was interrupted by Yas and Kaz watching over.
On the wall, Koda and Max watched their friends get a Union Badge each.
"I bet some of our moves would work good together," Max muttered.
"Most of my pokemon know some status moves," Koda offered. "I guess if I focused on supporting you, we'd do alright, huh?"
"Yeah. We can talk about that over lunch, can't we?" Max said, looking to his traveling partner.
Koda, unable to be completely sincere with Max, merely cocked his head. "As long as you speak plain and not like an egghead, four eyes."
"At least my hair doesn't look like a Stunky's butt!" Max snapped.
Koda crossed his arms. "What's wrong with Stunky?!"
The two were interrupted by a spectacularly dramatic feat by Dawn and Ash. Together with their battling pokemon and their starters, they performed their respective badge getting and ribbon getting poses, smiling at perhaps an unseen audience… Until Max and Koda realized the teens were smiling at the two of them.
"... That's the corniest thing you've ever done!" Max shouted, suddenly embarrassed that he knew either of them.
Koda shook his head, in agreement with Max. "Very uncool."
Miffed, Dawn put her hands on her hips before sticking out her tongue. "At least we got our badges!"
Ash shrugged, cocky smile on his face. "Who's the winner now, Max?"
Before Max could lose his cool, Yas spoke up.
"We're about to head to lunch," he offered. "I know Pikachu likes the ketchup brand most of the restaurants use in Dark City, so let's head out together."
Speaking for the group, Pikachu jumped from Ash's shoulder to Yas's, rubbing cheeks with the gym leader. "Pikaaa!"
The little cafe was absolutely packed now. With all of the Dark City Gym crew seated inside of it as well as Ash and his friends, it almost felt cramped. The wait staff rushed back and forth, bringing out meals and refilling drinks as quick as they could. Yet, it felt happy. Between the barking laughter and the friendly teasing everyone expressed towards each other, the mood felt light.
But, even if it wasn't, one pokemon in particular wouldn't have cared. Lapping at his bowl of ketchup, the electric mouse was quiet and content. Though his trainer and the rest of the table were still waiting on their food, he was eating happily. "Pika!"
Ash crossed his arms. "What happened to waiting for everyone?" he sniffed, only slightly offended.
Max looked blankly at Ash. "That's funny coming from the lord of the gluttons."
Koda's chin was pressed against the table. "Nah, I'm with Ash. I'm hungry."
"Me, too," Dawn chimed in.
Thankfully, the staff seemed to hear their pleas. With a rush, four plates of hot lunch were placed before them. With only a brief thanks for the meal, the teens and kids began digging in. Well, three fourths of the table did. Max alone slowly ate.
"Ash," he said, speaking up.
"Hm?" the trainer answered, cheeks puffed out with his meal.
"I wanna battle."
Choking down the food, Ash gestured to his lunch. "I'm eating here right now, buddy. How about after?"
Max rolled his eyes. "That's what I meant."
Dawn put down her fork, already seeing the defensiveness brooding in Max's posture. "You've got to be clearer with your words," she said simply.
Koda spoke up, too. "Yeah, you kinda talk in circles. You either get real wordy or assume everyone knows what you mean."
Flustered, Max ignored the commentary outwardly, but he did mull it over. Was that why he and Koda were always having issues? With no offense towards his friend, Koda always seemed just a behind catching up on delicate matters. Max wondered if part of that reason was that the Hoenn native didn't speak plainly.
"Hey, if you don't hurry up and eat, we can't have our battle!" Ash pointed out, still shoveling his own chow into his face.
Max jerked out of his internal inquiry to quickly bite into his food. "Right!" Sometimes, he should just be straightforward and plain, then.
After a hearty and satisfying meal, just about everyone was full and ready to go.
"Well, we'd better get back to the gym," Yas remarked, standing outside the cafe.
"We wouldn't wanna miss any challengers! I bet we're on the top of our game after a match like ours." Kaz agreed, still smiling wide at the battle that had unfolded not long ago.
"Yeah, I bet!" Ash grinned, raising a hand to wave to the two leaders. "Thanks for the badges!"
"And, thanks for showing us this place!" Dawn added in.
"I'm guessin' we'll see ya back there soon, right, runts?"
"Oh yeah. We'll be back!" Koda challenged.
"And, we're not runts," Max added.
"Well, excuse the hell outta me!" Kaz let out a boisterous laugh. "You can prove that when ya come back and beat us!"
"Hey, you guys can worry about that later," Ash interjected as the two gym leaders turned to leave. "I promised you a battle, didn't I, Max?" He beamed, jerking a thumbs up towards himself.
"You sure did!" Max turned his attention back to Ash, already beaming at the chance for a second battle.
"Then, let's find an open space and get to it!" Dawn chimed in with a wink.
With a little bit of prodding around, a small dirt-filled clearing with enough untouched space for a battle was found, where the two trainers, one from Kanto and one from Hoenn, took their places.
"I guess I'll be the referee here," Dawn volunteered.
"Hey, Koda! Watch and learn! You're about to see a great battle."
No longer feeling the need to feud, the boy nodded. "I'll be waiting!"
"This'll be a one on one battle!" Dawn called out, raising two hands. "When one pokemon faints or their trainer gives up, the other trainer will be the winner! And… Go!"
"You're not the only one who's gotten stronger," Max boasted, tossing a pokeball. "Go, Electabuzz!"
The Electric pokemon appeared in a flash, raising its fist above its head. "Elebubu!"
"An Electabuzz… Not bad! You're bringing up one heck of a team, huh?" A smile picked up on Ash's lips. "If that's the pokemon we're facing, then I'll choose you… Rosa!"
"Rio!" The Emanation pokemon appeared, quickly adopting a defensive stance.
"Huh? Your Riolu still hasn't evolved?" Max raised a brow, a hand resting on his hip.
The remark caused the small pokemon to pout.
"Hey, she'll evolve when she's ready to evolve! Until then, she'll keep kicking butt as she is!" Ash barked back, quick to defend his pokemon. "Rosa, don't worry about that. Get out there and show them what you can do!"
"Riolu~!" Rosa cried, ready to throw fists… Or paws, rather.
Ash wasn't going to deny her that. "Alright, use Force Palm!"
Leaping off her tiny but powerful legs, she attempted her first move with an outstretched paw.
"Not gonna happen. Use Barrier, now!" Max ordered.
Electabuzz raised its burly hands, quickly raising a wall of light in Rosa's way.
The burst of energy crashed into the barrier, only marginally moving Electabuzz.
"Good call," Ash remarked. This battle was about to get a lot tougher.
"We're just getting started. Thunder Punch!"
Electabuzz cried, raising a crackling fist. With that, a punch was thrown at the small pup.
"Dodge it with Detect!"
The fighting type's hues lit up a sky-blue, her combat instincts reaching their peak as the fist dropped down in her direction. Anticipating Electabuzz's movements, she jumped clean out of range.
"Good, now Aura Sphere!" Ash praised, throwing an open hand forward.
Rosa pulled one paw behind her back, quickly pouring energy into a glowing orb. With a yip, she turned her body to throw that arm forward. The Aura Sphere was launched towards her opponent.
Before Max could utter any other command, Electabuzz was bombarded with the explosive attack, letting out a cry of pain. "That's gonna leave a mark… Use Screech!"
Fueled by fury, Electabuzz let out an ear-ringing screech, forcing Rosa to cover her ears.
And, it wasn't just her.
Ash grit his teeth, both of his hands trying to obstruct the sound. "Ah… I hate that attack!"
"Pika, Pika…!" Pikachu had pulled his ears down under his paws, wincing from the assault.
"It's a lot worse when you're actually close to the battle," Dawn complained. What a move!
But, Max had accomplished his goal. Rosa was defenseless. "Good, now use Low Kick!"
The electric type stomped over to the ailing Riolu, sending her reeling with a merciless kick.
"Hang in there!" Ash encouraged, raising a fist in the air. "Hit 'em with Reversal!"
Tumbling through the air, the fighting type neglected to dwell on her sore jaw, managing to land on her feet. Springing off the remarkable extremities, she made a quick return to the battle. Before Electabuzz could process her retaliation, she'd delivered a brutal uppercut.
Still under the relief of Barrier, Electabuzz stumbled back, rubbing his chin.
"Great! Now, keep up that momentum! Use Force Palm!"
Rosa landed once more, this time springing forward for on the offensive. A single paw was jabbed into Electabuzz's chest, followed by an explosive burst of aura.
"Hey, she's gotten a lot stronger!" Max praised. "Too bad she's not getting through Barrier."
"You sure about that?" Ash put on a smug smile, toying with his cap.
"Huh…? Electabuzz!" Max gawked at the hurting pokemon, who was brushing off a small burn mark on his torso. "What happened…? Electabuzz should hardly be taking any damage!"
"Even if it's buffed up, it's not invincible! You oughta be more careful," Ash warned.
"You're the ones who oughta be careful! Electabuzz, Thunderpunch!"
Charging through the remains of the smoke, Electabuzz struck back, hitting the Riolu with an electrified haymaker.
As the pup skidded back, Max pumped a fist. "Now, box her in with Barrier!"
Electabuzz lifted his hands, grunting with effort. "Electaaaabuzz!"
Across the field, Rosa stood, looking around herself with surprise as pink panels popped up, pressing around her.
Ash could already see what Max was up to. Maybe it was a technique known by Hoenn natives? That would explain why Paul used it, too. "Rosa, break through with Aura Sphere! Just focus on one of 'em!"
Steeling herself, the fighting type went through the pitcher wind-up before throwing a ball of spiritual energy at the Barrier that drew ever closer. The one before her shattered, and Rosa made a quick escape as the rest closed in on where she'd been.
"Keep going!" Ash encouraged. "Hit 'em with Force Palm!"
"She'll have to make it worth her while!" Max yelled back. "Electabuzz, Thunder Punch!"
The two met in a fury of force. Though she was smaller, Rosa was quicker and landed her paw solidly into Electabuzz's cheek. Not long after, Electabuzz's massive fist slammed into her side, pushing her off and to the side. While Rosa tumbled to the ground, Electabuzz was sent staggering. Electricity danced off their bodies. They gritted their teeth before locking eyes.
"A double paralysis," Dawn noted in awe.
Max clenched his fists, shoulders sagging. "She's still close, though… Electabuzz! Low Kick!"
Legs trembling, Electabuzz did as told, falling to his hands and kicking out at the nearby fighting type, aiming to knock her off her barely supportive legs.
"Rosa, catch it with Force Palm! Then use Aura Sphere!"
The pup did as told, but barely. Her arms shook, threatening to give way under the force of Electabuzz's kick. But, instead, her paws pulsed a bright blue, blasting Electabuzz away from her.
"Talk about endurance," Max finally whined, growing frustrated. "Electabuzz, Barrier again! Don't let her out!"
Ash nodded. As a multitude of Barriers began surrounding Rosa, he spoke: "She takes after me." Turning his cap around, Ash grew excited. "Rosa! Aura Sphere once more! Mix it with Reversal, this time!"
With her wrists still stinging from exchange of blows earlier, Rosa focused on making yet another Aura Sphere, ignoring the Barriers squeezing around her…
Aura fed into the vengeful attack, spirit fusing with wrath in an orb so intense that it burst. The bright teal flash rocked the battlefield, freeing the Riolu. She soon stood amongst the debris, huffing for breath.
"Force Palm!"
With Electabuzz still reeling a bit from having his grip on the Barriers snatched away with Rosa's escape, he was left wide open to her running up on him, jabbing him with her pulsating paw. Electabuzz slumped on her paw, knees going weak before he finally passed out.
And, as soon as he did, Rosa dropped down to her butt, pushing the electric type off her. ~I'm exhausted!~ she complained. She had certainly grown a lot in her opinions of battles. She just wanted a rest after them, now.
"That's the match!" Dawn announced. "The winner is Ash."
Max sighed. "Dang… Oh well… Electabuzz, you did really great out there! I guess we'll have watch more matches with moves like Barrier in them, huh?" Though his pokemon didn't answer, Max walked over to ruffle the electric type's fur slightly in praise before returning it.
"You know he can't hear you," Koda teased. "You're such a softie."
"Says the guy who carried his pokemon to the Pokemon Center after they were hurt until they were too big for that."
Koda blushed. "You ain't gotta go runnin' your yap over everything!"
"Goes double for you," Max quipped.
Dawn giggled, glad to see that, despite how confrontational the two boys were, they were actually pretty good friends and did really care about their pokemon.
"Hey, that's nothing to be ashamed of!" Ash interjected. "Your pokemon do a lot for you! It's okay to tell 'em how good they did and do extra stuff for them!"
"Right," Max agreed. "Well, anyway, thanks for the battle."
"Of course! Gotta keep you on your toes if I'm going to see you at the League!"
Empoleon looked over to the horizon before tapping Dawn on her shoulder. "Empo!" he noted.
"Oh, you're right! Ash, we've got to get going before the boat leaves us!"
Ash nodded. "Man, we don't want that! See you, Max, Koda!"
"Bye, guys!" Dawn said before jogging off, Empoleon waddling after her.
As Ash and Pikachu caught up with the Sinnoh natives, Max and Koda waved goodbye. Thankfully, the sun was setting on the bonds of friendship strengthened between Max and Koda.
The evening would perfect, if our heroes could just catch their boat in time!
