Well here it is, the eleventh part of the fourth installment in my 'Heart' series, released when I expected it to be. Alas I haven't had the time I usually would have to draft recently so for the moment I am regressing to weekly uploads until I have caught up with the drafts I need to catch up with (2 Parts and 3 Supplements) but I expect that to only take three weeks at most so I should be back to twice weekly uploads by April. Also, for those interested, 'Problems of the Heart' is now out and the second chapter in that will be coming Monday so if you like this series and want to see what else is going on with Dawn's love rivals then check it out. That is all the administrative stuff to mention here, there was a question in a guest review to answer which I will now do and it will serve as a response tp the review as well.
Do I have any plans to make Dawn lose one of these battles? The simple answer is yes there was a plan for Dawn to lose one, she was supposed to lose to Anabel. However, due to my snap decision to give Dawn a Spiritomb combined with the realization that Anabel's Alakazam couldn't battle a Spiritomb made me change my story to reflect that and show that if all factors lined up and luck was on your side someone like Dawn could beat someone like Anabel in a straight battle. As for this coming battle or potential future ones, y'all will just have to wait and see what happens in those battles.
That is all for this pre Part note, there will be more in the post Part note, so it's time to sit back and enjoy the latest installment in Winning Takes Heart. Part XC: Espeon v. Sylveon.
Part XC: Espeon v. Sylveon
"Alright we are here today for the mock Contest battle between Dawn, a Top Coordinator and winner of the recent Kanto Grand Festival from Twinleaf Town out in Sinnoh." May said from the ref's spot on the battlefield in the Pokémon Center in Santalune City. "And Serena, a rookie coordinator and highly decorated Performer who won the Master Class but lost to Aria for the title of Kalos Queen from Vaniville Town here in Kalos."
"Did you need such a fancy introduction?" Serena asked a little confused.
"Unfortunately, yes she did." Dawn grumbled. "It's part of the training."
"It is?" Serena asked getting even more confused.
"I'm not sure how the Kalos MC will be, I wasn't in the side stadium in Kanto, so I didn't see much of her brief work but if she's anything like her sisters then yes, it is training." Dawn said. "Contest MCs have to get the crowd into it, so they tend to really hype up coordinators, especially those with strong records. Expect your Performance history to be brought up."
"Oh ok." Serena said with a sigh. "I'll just have to get used to it then."
"That's the spirit." May said. "Now if you're done, we shall continue."
"Go on May, start this battle." Dawn said grinning at Serena. "I've been waiting for this for a while."
"Come at me Dawn." Serena said grinning back. "I won't make this easy on you. If you want that 5th win then you will have to earn it."
"Just what I love to hear." May said, she knew full well what the subtext of this battle was about even if Ash was clueless. "And to makes sure that Serena learns as much as possible this will be a proper Contest battle so the rules of one apply. You will have 5 minutes to show off your Pokémon in a graceful battle and the winner is the one who has more points remaining at the end or knocks out the other's Pokémon before the time expires. I will be the final judge. Is that clear ladies?"
"Yup." Dawn said grinning wider at Serena as she pulled out her Poke Ball. "Ready to bring your all Serena?"
"Of course, Dawn, I need this practice." Serena said as she pulled out a Poke Ball. "Besides, I am going to do what the others couldn't and actually beat you."
"Good luck with that." Dawn taunted. "None have managed that yet, not even Anabel. I am coming at you with everything I got."
"Your win over Anabel proves that I can beat you." Serena said. "So, I will respond in kind to you Dawn."
"Come on Serena, redeem us." May said.
"May you have to be neutral." Dawn pointed out.
"I will be, but we all know what this is actually about, so I have to at least cheer for the latest one to try and beat you." May said with a grin at Dawn. "One of us will beat you one day and you know it."
Dawn just sighed and nodded, they all knew what this was about, well all except Ash who was as clueless as ever about what was going on. Ash was just on the sidelines with Pikachu, Riolu, Froakie, Fletchling, Piplup and Vulpix cheering and a little confused at the exchange.
The girls knew better though. This was more than just a simple practice match to get Serena some experience in Contest battles in preparation for her upcoming Contest debut. No, this was Dawn's 5th battle with a love rival.
The day before, and the day after Ash's win over Viola to earn his first Kalos gym badge, Dawn and Serena had had a heart to heart over lunch about Serena's crush on Ash. The conversation had been civil and helped ensure that there would be no problems between them going forward but after it Dawn still had one thing to do. She had to battle Serena.
This wasn't like Dawn's battle with Misty over a year before that kicked off this habit of battling love rivals. This time there was no need for dominance in this match, it was just a tradition for Dawn to have these battles at this point.
It was also a way to prove herself to her rivals and to test them herself in a battle. Plus, Serena actually needed the help anyway as she'd never had a Contest battle before so she would need the experience heading into her first Contest. It was something that neither May nor Dawn had had before their first Contests so a good practice for Serena.
"Alright then begin!" May said as she hit a button on Dawn's Poketch that she held in her hand to start the 5-minute countdown.
"Espeon, spotlight!" Dawn said throwing her Poke Ball high into the air.
"Sylveon, lets go!" Serena said tossing out her own ball and starting the battle.
The balls burst open but as Kalos had apparently opted to not use ball seals for their Contest the girls weren't using them. The only interesting thing was the stars that burst from Dawn's Poke Ball when it opened, an odd side effect that shiny Pokémon caused when they emerged from their balls. Said shiny Espeon appeared a second later in front of Dawn mewling her challenge as the sun glinted off her spectacularly groom green coat.
A second later Sylveon appeared before Serena and Dawn couldn't deny that the recently reclassified fairy type Pokémon was adorable. The white and pink style of Sylveon, complete with wide blue eyes, flowing ribbons and a bowtie really suited it. It's whole look screamed fairy type even if that was new as it had originally been a normal type.
Serena's Sylveon had an equally gorgeous coat but Dawn could see a subtle difference in the way the fur sheened between the two Pokémon. It was due to how they'd cared for them and the treats they used to bring out their Pokémon's beauty. It really showed how different the Sinnoh and Kalos approaches were. It also ensured that this match would be one to watch as it was two differently presented Pokémon that had evolved from an Eevee.
"As the challenger I will give you the first move." Dawn said with a grin. "In a real Contest there won't be a first, you will just get down to it."
"How kind Dawn, I'll make sure you'll regret that." Serena said. "Sylveon, Swift."
"Dodge that and counter with Attract." Dawn said going with her go to strategy with Espeon that would at least confirm her opponent's gender.
Sylveon opened her mouth and sent the series of stars right at her evolutionary cousin. Espeon just leapt into the air and over the stars as they approached her with a simple grace that came from months of training. Well that and Espeon knew the attack well, it had been one of hers before she learned Psybeam when she evolved, so she could easily avoid it.
As soon as she was clear, and as she'd made sure her jump took her forward, she was closer to her cousin so she was sure she wouldn't miss, Espeon gave Sylveon a seductive wink while still in the air. The hearts shot out of her eye and sped at Sylveon before the latter could react. The sped up as they encircled the Intertwining Pokémon and then hit it.
Dawn grinned at the success of the attack. She had started strong against Serena and was already taking the upper hand on the battle. Thanks to having a female Espeon and the information from multiple sources, Dawn knew that even if Espeon wasn't shiny she'd be really rare as only about 12-15% of Eevees and their evolutions were female according to the sources on the subject. That gave Dawn a huge advantage against any Eevee or its many evolutions.
At least that was her plan until the hearts burst and did nothing shocking Dawn. All Sylveon did was blink in confusion at what had happened while Espeon landed in front of Sylveon just as surprised as Dawn was at what had just happened. Serena didn't know what had happened, but she wasn't going to pass up this opportunity.
"Fairy Wind." Serena called to capitalize on the moment. "Yes, I know the name is odd, but it's a normal type move various Pokémon in Kalos have used for years, it's just called that because of the color. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a fairy type move now though."
Dawn was still recovering as Sylveon sent a pink mist out of her mouth and right at Espeon. Neither Dawn nor her Pokémon recovered in time before the move hit and sent Espeon reeling back a few paces, but it didn't do more than average damage to her. The attack did stun Dawn out of her surprise.
"Your Sylveon is female." Dawn said bluntly as she kicked herself, she was sure that Serena had used female pronouns for Sylveon when talking about her but in the heat of battle Dawn had forgotten and defaulted to her usual strategy with Espeon. "That's rare and annoying for me but we can adapt as I have faced females with Espeon before. Espeon, let's kick this up a notch and hit her with Quick Attack."
"Protect." Serena called out as Espeon sped at Sylveon. "And yes, she's female. I thought I'd mentioned that, as did you about yours but in battle I kinda forgot."
"Understandable given the fact that at most 15% of Eevees or their evolutions are female." Dawn retorted as Espeon showed off her speed by slamming into Sylveon before the Protect activated. "Which makes this battle extremely rare between Eevee evolutions."
"Yours is female and shiny?" Serena asked amazed as Sylveon was thrown back but her Protect triggered meaning that Dawn wasn't going to get a second hit in.
"Yeah she's as close to one of a kind as you could get." Dawn said with pride at her Espeon. "Now Espeon, rapid fire Shadow Ball. Break that Protect and land a hit."
"Keep that Protect up and counter with Swift." Serena said as Espeon opened her mouth and sent out a ball of purple/black ghost type power.
A protective barrier formed in front of Sylveon long before the first Shadow Ball hit it. The ghost type attack shattered it but Sylveon was unharmed however when she tried to use it again to protect herself from the second Shadow Ball Espeon had fired at her it failed as the move rarely worked twice in a row.
The second Shadow Ball slammed into Sylveon's chest and she wailed in pain as she was thrown back from the impact. The hit and subsequent hard landing distracted her, and she couldn't use Swift in response and a third Shadow Ball hit her in the side as she rolled across the ground. Serena realized she was on the backfoot again and needed to quickly get back into the battle and avoid Espeon's rapid attack. Fortunately, she had the right move for this.
"Sylveon, dodge and use Double Team." Serena called out. "Surround Espeon and keep moving."
Sylveon mewled as she managed to roll out of the way of the 4th Shadow Ball and activated her Double Team in the process. Almost instantly a half dozen identical Sylveons were surrounding Espeon and standing, moving to the left in unison so that Espeon couldn't guess which was the right one. Out of reflex Espeon stopped her Shadow Balls to await orders from Dawn.
"Not bad." Dawn said with a nod as she assessed the situation. "Shame I have used this tactic before. Espeon, spin and use a continuous Psybeam. Find the real one and hit her."
"Swift Sylveon." Serena countered surprised by Dawn's move.
Dawn just gave a grim smile as Espeon mewled and sent the strange beam of psychic type power out of her orb. Double Team was a useful move in a Contest Battle as it ensured that the only way to counter it, unless the user attacked, was to miss several times to find the right one while the user of Double Team could choreograph an attractive attack with it. Dawn knew that she would lose points for missing but the earlier hits were on her side and she had a plan for when she found the real Sylveon that would further reduce Serena's points.
As Espeon swept her attack, they Sylveons opened their mouths and sent out the stars of Swift. It was an interesting attack option that looked really good in a Contest battle and one Dawn had used before with Ambipom though it wasn't Swift but Double Hit. It had been used to defend against a Sing attack that also hit and inspired Ash's counter shield technique at the same time. The Double Team followed by a damage attack combo was a useful one for landing a hit and causing chaos and that is exactly what happened.
Espeon's Psybeam cut down 4 of the doubles as the swarm of fake and real stars surrounded her, the fake ones vanishing on impact while the real ones did damage to Espeon. However, there were also real ones that missed Espeon and eliminated the fake Sylveons that they hit. As the last fake Sylveon vanished, Espeon's Psybeam hit the side of the real one and sent her skidding to the sideways ending the Swift attack and giving Dawn her opening.
"Shadow Ball." Dawn called out.
"Dodge it." Serena yelled starting to get a bit desperate as she saw how much damage Sylveon had taken. "And counter with Fairy Wind."
"In the air after you attack." Dawn said. "And wait for my order."
What happened next was an interesting series of events. Espeon fired a Shadow Ball at the still downed Sylveon before instinctively following Dawn's orders rather than watching and making sure her attack hit.
However, Sylveon had instinctively rolled out of the way of the attack at Serena's order so that the ball sailed harmlessly past her and out the side of the battlefield. Unfortunately, there was a Pokémon behind Sylveon, and the Shadow Ball slammed into a shocked Piplup's face blasting him back and into a wall, but no one noticed this. Sylveon was focused on the battle and opened her mouth to send out a blast of pink mist at where Espeon had been a second earlier.
The problem for Sylveon was that that Espeon was no longer there. The roll had avoided the attack, but she'd lost sight of the Sun Pokémon and Espeon had already leapt high into the air to avoid it. This gave Dawn just the moment she wanted against Sylveon and gave her order as the Fairy Wind was happening.
"Psybeam!" Dawn called out and she knew that Espeon wasn't going to miss.
Before either Serena or Sylveon could react Espeon fired the peculiar beam from her orb and right into Sylveon's back as the fairy type was getting up. The force of the blow drove her into the ground and bounced her off it and into the sky as Espeon was falling back from her leap. Dawn grinned as she delivered the final attack while both Pokémon were in the air to add a certain flair to her coup de grace.
"Finish this with Shadow Ball." Dawn ordered.
"Protect!" Serena said trying to avoid the attack but alas Sylveon didn't have the strength for it.
Espeon opened her mouth, timed the attack as she fell past Sylveon while Sylveon was still ascending in the air and fired the ball of ghost type power. It slammed into the airborne Sylveon's gut as she tried to activate a Protect and pushed her past her limit as she was hurled higher due to the angle being slightly off with the hit.
It was clear that the match was over as Sylveon didn't move after the attack landed. She just flew up, slowed down, hung in the air for a moment, and then fell limply to the ground with a thump and a cloud of dust upon landing. As the dust settled it was clear that her eyes were swirls meaning a Battle Off.
"And Dawn has won by Battle Off." May declared stopping the Poketch and looking at it "With about a minute or so left."
"Well down Espeon." Dawn said with a smile as Espeon trotted over to her smiling at her victory as Dawn got down on a knee and stroked her head affectionately as Espeon nuzzled into her trainer's hand. "I knew you could do it and that was an amazing ending. In a real contest that would have looked spectacular."
"Sylveon return." Serena said with a sigh as she recalled her Pokémon and looked at the Poke Ball in her hand. "You did well girl, we almost made it to the end against a Top Coordinator with a lot on the line in our first ever attempt at a Contest battle so we should be proud. You were amazing in that but I know that your real beauty will be in the appeals so we will work on both but with that battle experience you will be battling in the upcoming Contest."
"Well done Serena." Dawn said getting up and recalling Espeon before walking out onto the battlefield. "That was a good battle and you really challenged me in it. That Double Team/Swift combo is a good one and Protect is a useful move to have if applied correctly."
"Thanks Dawn that means a lot." Serena said coming out and onto the battlefield as well. "It was not what I was expecting but I am glad I made it most of the way through it and the experience was needed as I now have some idea what to expect from the Contest battles. I can see how to improve though I think Braixen and Rhyhorn will be my focus in battles going forward as they're better suited for them."
"Train all in both to begin with." Dawn said as she reached the middle and held her hand out to Serena who shook it as any two combatants should after a good battle. "I did with most of mine though a few are more appeals orientated and a few more battle orientated these days."
"I get that." Serena said before Dawn surprised her as she was releasing Dawn's hand when Dawn tightened her grip and pulled her in for a hug, their first ever.
"And that makes 5 victories." Dawn whispered in her ear as they hugged so that only Serena could hear her. "This may be different from the others and no need for what happened with Misty but thank you for indulging me and giving me a fun battle. I do miss Contest battles so this was needed in another way for me."
"I think I needed this just as much as you did Dawn." Serena whispered back as she held the Sinnoh girl. "I didn't realize until the battle that this was just the closure I needed to know that you and Ash are meant for each other. Still, I won't deny that I will still be jealous of what you have and what I will never get but I will do my best to keep it under control. Treasure what you have Dawn, don't squander a man like Ash."
"I never will, you have my word Serena." Dawn replied quietly. "And I handled Misty at her worst, I can handle anything you might throw at me. Plus, you have May so you can vent with her."
"I may just do that, pun not intended." Serena said with a chuckle as they broke apart. "Now what tips can you give me based on that battle."
"Well first off you were a little rigid at times, let Sylveon flow with the battle rather than just commanding her." Dawn said as May joined them knowing what their moment had been about and giving them it. "A normal battle is like that, but a Contest battle is as much a performance as a battle. Grace and elegance are just as important as power and strength in one."
"Think of it like a dance Serena." May said as she reached them. "Remember how Eevee danced when you met her, work with that when you are in battle. Tailor your battles and appeals to your Pokémon's style rather than the other way around. We will go over this more over the week though."
"I see, I think I can get that." Serena said with a nod as she thought on May's advice. "I'll probably use Sylveon in a battle next week so we can work with her and the other 3 on how to incorporate their styles into their battles. Scatterbug will have to wait until it evolves before I use it."
"Between Dawn and me we can help you out." May said. "Otherwise, that was a good first attempt and you would have knocked off almost half of Dawn's points in an official battle, maybe more depending on the judges that day."
"Really?" Serena asked amazed. "That is good to hear."
"Dawn would have still won of course on points if it had gone to the end though." May said. "And by a large margin. She had more hits and while she missed a few times that final Psybeam and Shadow Ball combo was clean, elegant, and near perfect so you would have lost at least a quarter of your points from that alone. You will get the hand of it in time, don't worry about it. It took me a few Contest battles to truly get it."
"Same." Dawn said helpfully. "And I regressed in the appeals for a bit after my first Contest win so it's ok to be a little nervous right now. You will do great."
"Yeah, I remember how I lost my first Showcase in the theme round." Serena said absentmindedly touching her short hair something that Dawn didn't get but May seemed to understand. "I will go in and do my best and see what happens."
"That's the spirit." May said with a smile. "And welcome to the club Serena."
"Club?" Serena asked confused.
"The we lost to Dawn after her confronting us about our feelings for Ash club." May said. "At least Dawn doesn't have a trophy from this one to show off her win unlike her third Aqua Ribbon that I know means more than the other two she won off me. The only good thing about that one for me is that she doesn't wear it the way she wears her Cascade Badge and Ability Symbol."
"What can I say, we are destined to meet in that final for eternity it seems." Dawn said with a shrug. "Well maybe not this year as we may or may not be allowed to enter it but yeah the third one is my favorite for that reason. Well, that and I beat you in your own hometown which only added more to it."
"Oh, that, yeah I tried but I feel like even in a straight battle Dawn would have won." Serena said with a sigh as May just nodded at Dawn's words. "Still needed though."
"You aren't wrong I probably would have won in a straight battle as well." Dawn said with a note of pride in her voice. "But this was more productive for your Contest career and I personally prefer Contest battles."
"That it will be." Serena said before looking around them. "Wait, where is Ash?"
Dawn and May looked around as well until they saw him pulling something out of the wall behind where he'd been standing with all his Pokémon and Vulpix looking on. Dawn saw a flash of blue and realized who was missing from the gathered Pokémon causing her to she pale a little. It had happened again which meant that she would have to deal with the aftermath.
"That missed Shadow Ball right before the end." Dawn said remembering it. "Sylveon had her back to the sidelines, didn't she?"
"Yup." May said. "I saw it all. Sailed right past her but I didn't see where it landed as I had to focus on that thrilling end."
"It hit Piplup." Dawn said with a sigh as Ash finally came over to them holding a dusty, bruised and very pissed off Piplup in his arms. "This is going to be annoying. Piplup, I'm sor…"
Dawn didn't get to finish before Piplup squawked at her and leapt out of Ash's, beak extending in an attack and slammed into Dawn's face. He brought her down as they began to fight on the floor, kicking up dust in the process.
"I am trying to say that I'm sorry Piplup." Dawn yelled. "I know this has happen each of the last 4 times, well May doesn't count because you won that match, but I promise this wasn't my fault. Ok it was my fault because I missed but I was focused on the battle, I couldn't predict you'd get hit."
"Piplup!" Piplup squawked indignantly, he had once again gotten hurt because his human's mate was apparently really attractive to human females, a trait Piplup had to learn for female Pokémon, and she had been forced to defend her claim to him again, something he understood but always got hurt during. "Piplup, pip, pip, Piplup, pip."
"Should we stop this?" Serena asked as she watched in amazement at the scene before them.
"Probably best to let them tire each other out." Ash said. "Dawn and Piplup have a rather complicated but loving relationship. This happens more often than you think."
"Alright that is it." Dawn said finally getting her grip on Piplup and standing up holding him at arm's length. "I am sorry ok. We are at a Pokémon Center so we can get you, Espeon and Sylveon all healed up really quickly and then I'll spoil you later with some Poffins. How does that sound?"
Piplup stopped at this as he seemed to think on it. Dawn sighed in relief that it was over. That was until Piplup opened his mouth and sent out an Ice Beam right into Dawn's face freezing her head and upper torso and causing her to fall back and drop him though the ice didn't shatter when she hit the ground. She deserved that final punishment, then she could spoil him like he deserved.
"Piplup." Piplup said satisfied as he landed on his feet, turned, and waddled over to the Pokémon Center for an evening of healing from the Nurse Joy there before Dawn pampered him tonight. "Pip, Piplup."
"That damned penguin." Dawn mumbled from within the ice as Vulpix came over and began to use Ember to free his trainer.
"Well I guess we should go in, get the Pokémon healed up and make sure we are ready to leave tomorrow." May said as Dawn began to thaw out. "Tomorrow we head out to the Odyssey Village Contest for the first ever Contest in Kalos."
The others nodded as Dawn grumbled from the ground. Once she was free and dry, she picked up Vulpix and they all followed Piplup into the Pokémon Center. It had been a productive day with a needed battle between Dawn and Serena that had also helped the latter prepare for her debut Contest. Soon that would happen, and they would get to see how Contests worked in Kalos as their adventure together continued.
Another win for Dawn over a rival, another indirect hit on Piplup as is tradition but this time he got some revenge, and Serena has finally experienced a Contest battle in preparation for her upcoming Contest. There isn't much more to say on this Part here but there is another vote to undertake that I will begin now due to being about 2-3 weeks away from drafting the Part in question, so I want to cover all my bases and yes this is the Part many have waited for; Ash v. Kenny. While the vote for full battle or mock Contest battle is still going on, there is one more vote I need to conduct now for if the full battle option wins. For the full battle I intend to use Ash's current team, which is 4 Pokémon, plus 2 brought in from Kanto. One of those two is set and will not change but I haven't decided who the other one will be. As such, I will leave that to y'all. Out of all of Ash's Pokémon at the ranch, which should be his 6th against Kenny should I go with a full battle? That is all I have for this post Part note so as always please favorite (both this story and me in general to be notified of any new content I post), review as I really like hearing what you think of my work and your suggestions that help complete this story (and respond as best I can) and just in general keep enjoying my work. Until next time.
Stringdog