With the majority of a week left before the Wallace Cup commenced, Coordinators all across Cinnabar were left to their devices, and trained for the upcoming event in whatever way they saw fit. Each undoubtedly had their own methods and style to present their Pokémon's true charm!
Just a bit earlier in the day, Dawn had stumbled upon what could definitely be her avenue to preparations, before everything had gone awry. Back in the center of town, a plain booth was set up, with a shelf full of colorful disc cases lined up behind the vendor. A lone man watching the stand, talking to a number of trainers at a time. Some younger trainers turned away, meekly looking down at their wallets.
"You usually see these in Poké Marts," Dawn remarked, while she and Ash waited in line.
"Yeah, but they usually only have a handful, y'know? It's rare you see so many in one place. That's one dedicated guy." He peered around Dawn, and frowned. "I hope we didn't miss all the good ones, taking our sweet time getting here."
"Not with the way everyone's walking off over the prices," Dawn said, blinking at the repeated sight. At least a fraction of the Coordinators here looked like trainers who were only starting age. It was no wonder they weren't carrying around loads of cash. "Any idea of what you'll get, Ash?"
"Who, me?" Ash blinked, looked at Pikachu, who looked equally clueless, and shrugged. "Nothing in particular, I guess. I think I'll just browse for anything that stands out. What about you?"
"I've… got a few ideas," she hummed. "Everything that's come to mind for Pachirisu is already in my reach, and I'd say the same for Prinplup. But Absol had the Celadon Contest not too long ago, and needs a new twist. I'd really like to broaden my horizons with Togekiss, too… I'm not sure what Princess Salvia and the kingdom had in mind with her, but her moves have been stuck in the mud since she joined us… Not that that's her fault-!"
"It's the trainer's job to help," Ash cut in, before Dawn made anymore excuses for her words. I like her moves, too, but if she's going to be in more contest battles, I think she could use something with more… Oomph, y'know?" He explained, throwing his hands outward.
"I was thinking the same thing," Dawn nodded. She smiled, a twinkle appearing in her eye. "In fact, Lance's performance the other day made me think about that. I have to check what she's compatible with for sure, but-"
An intentionally loud clearing of the throat drew the duo's attention. They were next in line, and apparently hadn't noticed. The merchant looked vaguely annoyed, but plastered on a salesman's smile. "It seems you two are here as a group! How can I help you both?"
"Yeah! We were hoping to buy a few TMs," Dawn chimed.
"Yeah," Ash added. "But, uh… I've always wanted to ask. How do you use TMs? I've never actually gone and bothered."
"...Kid, how does a trainer get to your age, and… Er, I mean, astounding! Coming this far in your career without so much as a boost from technical machines. You're bound to be an exceptional trainer! Both of you, in fact. But, y'know what would push you even further?"
Dawn blinked. "...Buying TM-"
"Buying TMs!" He interrupted to echo Dawn, with all the charisma of a snake oil salesman. If he weren't talking to two of the most gullible trainers around, he might have raised a few red flags. "In fact, I'll throw in a complimentary Technical Machine case for each one of you, with your purchase!" The man paused, peering around Ash and Dawn. "But, uh… You're both holding up the line. Here," he leaned over, passing the two trainers a pamphlet each. "Take a minute to read up on how they work, and browse, while I get to the next customer. But, you better act quick, before the good ones go!"
"Right!" Dawn nodded, as she and Ash scooted beside the booth, and opened the pamphlets.
"It says there are two different ways to use TMs," Ash narrated, squinting at the text, which luckily came with accompanying pictures and diagrams. "You can put the disc into your Pokédex, or a dedicated TM console, and let your Pokémon watch a video!"
"...Or, if you're in a hurry, you can just load it and scan your Poké Ball when it's already inside. That sounds a lot easier… but it says, here, that there's no guarantee they'll have it perfectly polished without practice. While demonstration videos take longer, but are more reliable. Well, considering this is a Contest, I'll be going for perfection! It's a good thing we have a few days."
"Here, the catalog is on the back." Ash flipped the pamphlet over. "Let's see what they've got…"
Rosa leaned over Ash's shoulder, scanning the page, with Pikachu on the opposite side. ~Hey, what's this move? And that one? And…~ She pointed to multiple, while Pikachu explained what he knew, in his own language.
Ash huffed. He appreciated her enthusiasm, but reading with all that noise was very distracting.
"Hm… Oh! I see them! Just what I was…" Dawn trailed off, as the color drained from her face.
"Dawn…?" Ash frowned, poking her shoulder. "What's with you?"
"It's the price on these two." She frowned, pointing two different moves out. "I think I can afford one of them safely, but both?"
Ash recoiled at the prices, nodding in understanding. "Hm," he hummed. "That is a bit of a problem…"
~Pa!~ Rosa tugged on Ash's collar, and pointed. ~Whaddya think of that one?~
"That one…?" Ash blinked at the choice. "You know that has a major downside. Why?"
~Prankster would make it easy to use! And did you see my Reversal, back in Fuchsia? Just think about it!~
Ash whistled. "You're really getting bright for battles. I never would've thought of that. But…" He frowned. "...This is Dawn's Wallace Cup. I'm gonna help her chip in. Sorry, girl."
Rosa opened her mouth to protest, but decided against it, verbally grumbling her protests, instead. She couldn't quite argue with that logic, as much as she wanted to.
"Hey, hey." Ash cradled her chin with his hand. "While we're training for the cup, what do you say we go and win a few trainer battles, so we can afford it!"
"Wh-what!?" Dawn balked. "Ash, you can't…!"
"Can, and I am." He smiled cheekily, clapping a hand on her shoulder. "Would I be a good boyfriend, if I hurt your chances at winning?"
"Yeah… but…!" Dawn bunched up her fists, cheek puffed as she tried to think of a counter-argument. Ultimately finding none, she calmed, and pinched his cheek. "Fine. But next time something like this comes around, I'm treating you! Got it?"
"Aha, hey! Heyh!" Ash laughed, holding up his hands, even as Dawn still had his cheek in a grip. "Ish a deal."
With their business settled, Ash and Dawn reintegrated into line, and picked out a red and hot pink Technical Machine case, respectively. Holding their noses on it, they both chipped in for two particularly prized TMs.
"Ho! I was right about you two. You're ambitious." The salesman embellished, handing over the cases for TM38, and TM75. "I take it I'll see one of you in the Wallace Cup? Both?"
"Just the future winner!" Ash boasted, gesturing both of his hands to Dawn.
"That's right!" Dawn chirped, tilting up her chin. "And, I-"
"Now, now, that's great. Move along now, winners! I've got more customers than just you." He hurried Ash and Dawn, who along with their Pokémon, left the slick vendor a deadpan stare.
But, their business was done. It was time to train.
"It's best to strike when the iron is hot… but, sometimes it's best left cold."
Those words passed Ash's lips again, but he still had no idea what they meant. And, as things were… So far, he'd just been sitting on a boulder, arms folded. Staring. Brows furrowed in concentration.
Opposite of him was Torkoal, who blankly gazed back at his trainer. "Tor…?" He trailed off, unsure if he should feel puzzled or nervous. It wasn't as if he had the answer to that riddle!
Off to the side of a clearing in the middle of the forest, Ash and Torkoal sat, with that darned hint from Blaine bouncing around in their heads. As if continuing to stare would somehow unravel it.
"...This is a little ridiculous." Dawn walked over, frowning. She pressed down on Ash's cap with her index finger, pushing the bill down over his face. "What are you guys trying to accomplish?"
Ash promptly set his cap black into place. "I'm trying to figure out what Blaine said. I have no idea what he means, and it's driving me crazy! How am I supposed to train for him, if I don't know how to start?"
"Well, I know that's not the Ash I know," Dawn replied. "You've never been one to sit around and wait to know exactly what you're doing before you start doing it."
"I'm gonna pretend that didn't sound like an insult," Ash deadpanned, "'Cause you're right. But, hey. You're the poetry girl, here. What do you think of the whole thing?"
"Sometimes it's best left cold…" Dawn hummed. "Maybe he means that it's just… best not to use Shell Smash in situations that don't suit it? If heat is powering up, then cold would be leaving him as is."
"I thought about that," Ash replied. "But that doesn't make sense… When I asked if I shouldn't use it, he made it sound like that's the wrong answer. I'm completely stumped."
"...Me, too, then." Dawn scrunched her nose. "But, hey! No need to worry! We've got all week to train and think about it, and a lot of your best ideas come on the spot! So, why don't you get to training, and we'll keep it in mind?" Dawn gestured with a thumb over her shoulder. "Absol and Togekiss are already watching their instructional discs, and getting to work."
A short distance away, clear of any action or commotion, the Jubilee and Disaster Pokémon sat beside each other, crouched before Ash and Dawn's Pokédexes. Watching the instructional demos play out on the screens.
" Thanks for lending your Pokédex, by the way," Dawn smiled.
"Oh, sure! We're a team, aren't we?" Ash grinned, and looked off to the remaining commotion. Prinplup was conjuring Whirlpools and weaving them with the greatest precision possible; weaving its currents as if he were threading a needle. Pachirisu was practicing swift, coordinated somersaults. Meanwhile, Pikachu was sparring with Buneary, while Quilava and Rosa exchanged blows.
"Even Buneary and Quilava are in on the action," Dawn explained, "even though they won't be competing in this cup. C'mon!"
"Yeah! You're right!" Ash stood up, and tossed three Poké Balls into the air. "C'mon out, guys!"
Floatzel, Primeape, and Charizard appeared in flashes of light consecutively, and they were prime for competition, blood boiling among all three aspiring fighters. Charizard eyed Primeape, remembering his tenacity well. Hopping on his shackled feet, Primeape returned the same glare, feeling just the same about their first meeting. It looked as if a fight was about to brew.
"Float! Floatzel!" Floatzel barked out, interrupting the staredown. Fangs bared, he insisted on grabbing the large dragon's attention. Story after story had been told on Oak's ranch, while Ash was busy with other pokemon up at … He was more or less known as the strongest among Ash's pokemon, even if some were quicker to admit it than others. That kind of raw strength had Floatzel intrigued. Getting to see how he stacked up against the best of the best was just too tempting an idea.
But, he didn't admit that much. He simply raised a paw and demanded a fight.
"...It got awfully tense in here, all of the sudden." Dawn said, blinking. "Is it just me, or is it getting hotter?"
"Aha ha… Yeah, probably." Ash chuckled, stationing a hand on his hip. "Floatzel looks really serious… And if they don't reach a decision soon, things might get nasty. Hey, guys!"
Between three titans exchanging glares, they found the time to listen to Ash, turning their heads toward him.
"Charizard, you fought Primeape when we first caught 'im. What do you say you give Floatzel a turn? Besides… We're going to need to be prepared for all that white-hot Fire-type intensity that Blaine's going to throw at us!" Ash emphasized balling up his fists.
"Floatzel!" Floatzel eagerly agreed.
Charizard huffed. It made no difference to him, one way or the other.
"Pri…" Primeape snorted. He looked mildly disappointed, but his time with Anthony had to have mellowed out his sense of reason. Or, maybe he just respected the idea behind the training regiment. Ash couldn't tell which.
"Primeape… How about you train with Torkoal? You're a hard hitter. Torkoal, you could work on dodging attacks with Shell Smash! How does that sound?"
"Tor… Torkoal!" Torkoal agreed, nodding his head.
"Pri!" Primeape snorted.
"Great. Now, you two, show me what you can do! I wanna see some real power."
Charizard let out a bellowing roar, eager to put his power on display. Particularly after the day before, he was determined to get stronger. Someday, he'd be stronger than that Dragonite… Today, he'd be stronger than Floatzel. A scathing jet of flames jettisoned from his mouth.
Floatzel's eyes widened. Even as the Flamethrower left Charizard's mouth, the heat bristled the water type's fur from several yards away. Ash's pokemon hadn't been kidding around.
"Float!" The water type cried, raising both arms above his head. A glowing, pulsating orb of water charged between Floatzel's paw, radiating with latent power. "...Zel!" He grunted, lobbing the attack in front of him.
Water Pulse collided with the ground below, erupting into a crashing wave that would probably put a Wailord's splash to shame. Ripe with power and vigor, the explosion of water stood right in the way of Flamethrower, taking the full brunt of the heated attack.
Even so, the water expelled evaporated into steam in seconds.
Floatzel gawked, frozen stiff in the moment that his defense was completely distilled. One would think it was pointless, if it weren't for the Flamethrower that could've scalded him otherwise. Scoffing, Floatzel launched off surrounded by a potent Aqua Jet, springing him towards Charizard with ease.
So, this Floatzel wanted to fight head-to-head? That was fine with Charizard. It wasn't as if he'd ever let a type disadvantage scare him before. No, both of his clawed hands were held outward, waiting for impact.
A roaring crash between the projectile-turned weasel and Charizard's physical might erupted, the latter digging his talons into the ground below. Floatzel's torrent pushed hard against its target, held only inches away from Charizard's hide by a sustained effort on the fire type's part. The latter grit his teeth, putting a strained effort into holding the latter off.
With a roar, he succeeded. For the second time in a row, Floatzel's water-charged attack dissipated, leaving only a nearby Floatzel, still in mid-air, in its wake.
Irritated, but far from giving up, Floatzel sneered. Raising a glowing cyan fist, he struck with Ice Punch.
Charizard recoiled, slammed by a chilly fist to the jaw. He could feel ice creeping through his veins before his boiling body temperature chased it away with a hiss. This occurred in little more than the blink of an eye.
Charizard sneered. Swinging an arm around, Charizard struck with all of his terrible, battle-honed fury. Three slashes of razor-sharp apparitions slashed in an uppercut; Shadow Claw struck Floatzel. Deep purple, ghoulish energy leaked and dissipated into the air.
Tumbling back, Floatzel grounded his feet frantically in an attempt to slow his momentum and regain balance. The cutting, stinging pain was nearly dulled out by the harsh, concussive impact behind Charizard's strike. Were he any less brave, Floatzel would be discouraged.
Instead, he grinned, egging Charizard on with a gesture of his paw.
He was rewarded with a snarl and a vibrant violet stream of energy that rattled its surroundings, charging Buizel with a draconian head heading the attack. Charizard had used Dragon Pulse.
Staring into the multicolored stream, Floatzel spit out a punishing jet to meet the other projectile head-on. He'd countered with Hydro Pump.
The two attacks collided center-stage, pummeling the clearing with bristling winds and stray bursts of energy and mist. The collective group surrounding Charizard and Floatzel were forced to brace themselves, Ash included.
The teen held onto his cap, one eye reflexively shut to keep out the overwhelmingly bright flashes of Dragon Pulse. "Check that out… You guys are really giving it your all, huh?" Beaming with pride, he kept his headgear secure to keep it from flying off.
"Sol…!?" Absol braced herself for the coming winds. She gasped, as the Pokédex she'd been watching went flying off.
Luckily, it only hit the plush white of Togekiss' wings. "Kiss~!" Togekiss cooed, having rescued both Ash's borrowed device and Dawn's own. She placed Absol's down in front of her, and returned to viewing her own recording. "Toge."
"...Sol." Absol curtly thanked her.
A wide sweep of the Flame pokemon's tail conjured up an orange trail of fire that circled towards Floatzel. Moving on with all of Charizard's momentum, it quickly surrounded the Sea Weasel in a tornado of heat.
"Float" The water type hissed, fending off the licking flames that closed in on his needed a way out of this… Well, it was like his trainer said.
'The best defense is a good offense!'
"Floatzel!" He cried, his body quickly consuming itself with a jet of water. Twisting into a spin, the water type unleashed a furious Aqua Jet Counter Shield.
And with that, the typhoon blasted Fire Spin to bits. Charizard was next to suffer, blasted by a succession of powerful jets of water. Letting out a roar, the Flame pokemon swatted the remainder of the attack away with his tail.
Floatzel soon emerged from the smoke with a grin. Having repelled Charizard's attack, he felt confident enough to keep up his assault, swinging his dual tails in a pair of twists that unleashed a Sonic Boom.
Charizard was quickly confronted with the waves, crushing them with a duet of two brutal Shadow Claw attacks.
He put those attacks to rest… But he wasn't expecting the next assault.
"Float!" Floatzel screeched, slamming into the unaware Charizard's chest with a swift Aqua Jet.
Charizard grit his teeth, attempting to dig his talons into the ground and hold the water type back.
Floatzel persisted, though, pushing through to turn the attack into an uppercut. "Float… Zel!"
Charizard was knocked skyward, tumbling before flapping his wings, letting out a scalding, frustrated huff. Eyeing his grounded foe with laser focus, he gave himself more and more altitude. Perhaps now was the time to reach greater heights.
"Charizard…?" Ash lifted the brim of his cap, watching Charizard's climb with a puzzled expression. A worrying thought struck him, eyes widening with it. "Hey! You better not be planning to throw down Flamethrowers from there! We can't afford to get all toasty like you can!"
He was only answered with a loud, bellowing roar. Charizard then shot down, tucking in his wings to make a quick approach. It was only mere seconds before he was within Floatzel's range, and he was showing no signs of slowing down.
"Charizard!? ... Floatzel, watch out!"
"Float!" Floatzel stood his ground, inflating the large, yellow tube around his body, inhaling just as he took the blow.
His eyes nearly lost color, quite literally having the wind knocked out of him.
"Ah! Floatzel!" Ash panicked, sprinting and leaping in the Sea Weasel's path.
Ash and Floatzel were sent tumbling under the latter's momentum, skidding and turning across the clearing in a thick cloud of dust and dirt.
"Ash! Floatzel!" Dawn cried out in worry, sprinting over to the downed duo.
"Ah…!" Ash hissed, finding himself pinned underneath the water type's weight. But that was the last thing on his mind. "Floatzel… Floatzel, are you okay?" He forced himself to sit up, an arm supporting the water type.
"Float…" The pokemon coughed. That had been a devastating blow if he'd ever felt one. Pushing himself to his feet with shaking paws, he turned to assure his trainer. "Float…!" He raised a paw, insisting that he was fine. He couldn't have his trainer forgetting that he was plenty tough!
"Good to hear," Ash exhaled in relief. He turned to the Flame pokemon then. "Charizard, what's the big idea? I know you like showing off, but you've gotta be more careful."
Charizard averted his gaze, letting out a breath of flames.
"Hah!" The laugh of an older teenage boy rang, and Ash could see a hand with bright orange fingerless gloves being offered to him, upside-down… Or perhaps, he was the one who was still upside-down. He saw a grinning face, and took the hand, pulling himself up.
"You okay down there, dude? That Charizard of yours really knocked you flat." The stranger hoisted Ash to his feet. A young man with pale, emerald eyes, a white spiked cap with an emerald headband, and a backpack to match. The rest of his outfit, frankly, reminded Ash of Dawn's 'cyber style' outfit back at the boutique; a zip-up orange and gray jacket, with dark gray shorts over… pants of the same color. It was something Dawn might question, but Ash didn't.
"Huh? Yeah. I've lived through worse. Thanks." Ash dusted himself off. "Hey, aren't you…?"
"You're Wallace's student!" Dawn had shoved right past Ash to take the youth's gloved hand with both of her own. Stars sparkled in her eyes in a way that would give Clefairy envy. "What're you doing here, during the Wallace Cup? Oh! Are you a guest judge? Or the emcee, perhaps? Or-" Gasp! "Are you going to compete!?"
"Woah, hey! Easy on the merchandise, little lady." 'Wallace's Student,' as he'd been so politely called, gently pushed Dawn's hands back, and dusted off his jacket. "Yeah. I'm Wallace's up-and-coming protege, alright. But the name's Brendan." He flashed a toothy, showbiz-worthy grin. "I came over when I saw your Charizard soaring. After those sightings on the volcano, it all kind of clicked together, and I wanted to check out the commotion."
Brendan laughed, shaking his head. "Didn't expect to see a trainer getting flattened by his Floatzel."
"Oh, yeah. The volcano. That was… also us," Ash laughed bashfully. After another moment of looking at Brendan, though, Ash gasped. "Hey, I know you! You defeated Hoenn's Elite Four, and made it all the way to Wallace! You almost beat the Champion's League!" He'd read some trainer's magazine or another, while home for Christmas break.
"Guilty." Brendan smiled colly, adjusting his lopsided cap with the palm of his hand. "Though, you didn't have to bring up the 'almost' part."
"Hey, a Champion's a Champion," Ash responded immediately. Lance's flattening of Deidra, the other day, came to mind. They were just on another level, entirely. "But, forget about that! If you've gotten that far, then we should totally battle! I wanna see how I stack up!"
"What!? No way!" Dawn shoved her way into the scene, quite literally, pushing past Ash with her shoulder, coming short of actually hurting him. "He's a Coordinator, too. And if he's here for the Wallace Cup," she said, once again making assumptions, "then if anything, we should battle!"
"Hey, c'mon. You'll get to battle him…" Ash paused. 'Battle him later' was what he planned on saying, but looking into Dawn's star-struck eyes, he couldn't find the gumption to spit it out. He had decided, at the outset, that this trip was for Dawn's sake.
"Hold on, hold on!" Brendan raised his open hands in front of him, placating both of them. "I'm loving the popularity here, but forget all that. You're Dawn, right?" He smirked, turning his gaze on the Coordinator. "And this guy here with you, is Ash. You beat the Battle Frontier; I already know you're hot stuff." His eyes flicked Ash's way, before returning to Dawn. "I want to see what last year's Wallace Cup winner can do."
Dawn's lips pulled into an eager smile. She was eating this opportunity up; eyes on the prize, like a hungry Gorebyss, ready to strike. "If that's what you want, then no need to worry!"
The assortment of Pokémon, Ash and Dawn's alike, put their training aside momentarily to gather on the sidelines. Ash joined them, sitting cross-legged in the grass. Beside him, Pikachu and Buneary were cheering Dawn on, and Rosa sat atop the trainer's ahead. Pachirisu, as she oft did, ran in circles out of pure excitement.
"So, what do you say?" Brendan asked, standing opposite of Dawn in the clearing. He coolly juggled a Poké Ball in his palm. "One on one?"
"Fine with me!" Dawn agreed.
"Cool! I wouldn't want to see everything you have in store for the Cup, anyway. Just a taste!" Brendan raised the cool metallic capsule between his fingers, facing outward towards Dawn. With a stylish leap back, he slung the Poké Ball backhanded. "Swampert! It's showtime!"
His throw was sleek and stylish, but if anything, the Pokémon he'd called on was the opposite. Heavy fins stomped into the grassy turf, with no shyness or subtlety. Hunched over on all fours, the amphibian looked as sturdy as could be. He announced himself with a proud roar. "Swaaamp!"
"A Swampert…!" Dawn gasped, and reached for her Pokédex to scan.
"Swampert: the Mud Fish Pokémon. It can swim while towing a large ship. It bashes down foes with a swing of its thick arms."
"That's definitely a power type," Dawn concluded. And even in his appearance, she wasn't surprised. His muscles looked sturdy, his coat sleek and polished, and his eyes were battle hungry. She wasn't sure if the feeling bubbling up in her was fear or thrill.
"In that case…" Short of an occupied Poké Ball to throw, Dawn struck a pose with one hand out and the other held over her heart. "Prinplup! Spotlight!"
"Prinnn-plup!" A Hydro Pump tactically aimed at the ground launched him high into the air! Even as the jet dissipated, scattering waves and mist trailed the penguin, and highlighted his glossy feathers. He cawed, wings raised, as if he were having a ball. He tumbled down, and landed poised with his wings held readily at his sides. "Lup!"
"Not a bad entrance! Not bad at all." Brendan clapped his hands. "But let's see how it handles in a battle."
"You asked for it!" Dawn pointed forward. "Prinplup! Hydro Pump!"
"Prinnn-lup!" Prinplup tossed his head, targeting Swampert with all of his water-fueled might.
"Use Hammer Arm!" Brendan called, while Swampert held one of his arms in front of his body. A swift backhand met Hydro Pump; splashing water every which way in its attempt to advance. With a grunt, Swampert smacked Hydro Pump into nothing but a cloudy mist.
"They… barely even tried!" Dawn exclaimed. If even a Hydro Pump was too weak for them… "Use Ice Beam, Prinplup!"
Prinplup executed a horizontal spin, gallantly firing freezing rays.
"Muddy Water!" Brendan countered.
"Swamp!" Swampert raised both of his forelegs, and with them, summoned a rising tide of brown, mucky water in Ice Beam's path. As soon as the cold touched it, its icy influence spread across the entire move. As a testament to Prinplup's finesse, the result was an icy statue; a mucky wave, crystallized from top to bottom. Within the ice, even the nasty muck prospered with earthy tones that made it look more like a frozen cliff face.
"That… He turned that on us! Even a gross move like Muddy Water looks beautiful, frozen!" Dawn gasped. Brendan's reputation was well-earned; she could tell at a glance.
"I'll give credit where it's due, too!" Brendan added, smiling. "An Ice Beam from a less experienced opponent just wouldn't've done the trick. I was counting on your Prinplup to be powerful. Thanks for the assist!"
Prinplup huffed. He wasn't sure whether he should take pride, or feel patronized.
Either way, the match went on. "Waterfall!":
Shimmering tides wrapped around Swampert, like a fluid bubble of currents that launched him on a straight forward stampede. Climbing the slick ice of the ramp, he quickly built momentum, and shot skyward!
"Ah!" Dawn gasped, as the monstrous Pokémon dive bombed Prinplup. "Gain altitude, with Hydro Pump!"
For a second time, Prinplup jettisoned himself with a roaring, vertical burst. As he climbed, he felt a tinge of panic; Swampert's outer shell of water came close enough to splash against the feathers on his belly. If that had hit…!
"No need to worry, Prinplup!" Dawn encouraged him. If he lost his cool, then the match was as good as decided. That was the kind of opponent they were up against. "Use that momentum, and come down for a dazzling Drill Peck!"
"Luuup…!" Prinplup regained his cool, once the rubber band of gravity suspended his climb. Hovering awfully high above everything else, he turned his body around, and aimed his beak below.
What went up must come down, and Prinplup obeyed that rule with finesse. Turning into a wildly spinning drill, he whipped up rotating winds around his form that highlighted his rising power and speed. His golden beak gained a much sharper, glowing edge.
"Swampert!" Brendan called out in warning, as his Pokémon put an end to his Waterfall attack. Even he could see that there was little time to correct their trajectory.
Drill Peck bashed into Swampert's back; breaking the ground below him into a crater that he himself was submerged in. Bouncing off the point of impact, Prinplup twirled gracefully and landed outside his landing zone. "Lup!"
"Aha, nice technique!" Brendan praised. "I can see how you won the last cup, really. I do."
"Thanks," Dawn accepted, furrowing her brows. "But, I feel like there's about to be a 'but,' here."
"Just yours. It's about to be kicked," Brendan taunted.
"Hey, hold on!" Dawn fumed. "Butt my butt right out of this!
"Sorry," Brendan laughed. "Your 'but' just made itself the butt of my joke!"
"My butt's getting sore listening to all this," Ash complained.
"The point is," Brendan resumed, "that I hope you have more up your sleeve than that. Because one fancy Drill Peck isn't going to win a Wallace Cup that has me participating!" Brimming with confidence, Brendan snapped his fingers. "Swampert! Mud Bomb!"
The Mud Fish's vast, threatening jowls opened to conjure a rapidly expanding, densely packed mass of mud. With a thunderous cry, it shot towards Prinplup like cannonfire.
"Prinplup!" Dawn shouted urgently. Even from a distance, she could somehow feel the force behind the move. "Cut it down, with Metal Claw!"
The gallant penguin stood in the face of impending danger. Despite the jittering in his feet, he willed himself to stare the projectile down. Ocean blue hues looking bravely ahead, Prinplup charged, and crossed his wings over his chest. Rims of silver wrapped around their ends.
"Priiin…! Lup!"
Time seemed to slow, as a cross was cleaved in Mud Bomb. Silver streaks ran across it diagonally in two different directions, and globs and masses of muck split off appropriately.
"Yes! You did it, Prinplup!" Dawn cheered, triumphant.
"Did you?" Brendan asked.
All the warning Dawn needed to give the scene a better look, and despair. Each cut down mass was bubbling; volatile. She couldn't even force out Prinplup's name in time. "Prin-"
One deafening explosion after another battered him, flooding his end of the field in smoke and disgusting mud. Prinplup wailed, and tumbled back towards Dawn. to land on his belly.
"Lup…" He groaned. He felt disgusting. His finely groomed feathers were covered in mud and filth! To top it off, he felt sore basically everywhere, and his head suffered a dull, disorienting ache.
He couldn't be keeling to one attack, could he!?
"Prinplup! Are you okay!?" Dawn asked, having bundled up her fists in worry.
That was all the motivation he needed. Prinplup forced himself on his feet, shaking his head out. "Priinnn… lup! Prinplup!" Of course he was okay! As if the great Prinplup would go down like this!
"That was some serious power," Ash marveled from the sidelines. Brendan's performance, so far, had left him in slack-jawed awe, as much as he hated to admit it to himself.
"Pikapi! Pika Pika!" Pikachu scolded, waving his paws wildly.
"I know, I know!" Ash apologized. "Dawn's been amazing, too! Brendan's just incredibly tough." The boy's expression intensified. "...Which means we've just got to root for her that much harder! C'mon, everyone!"
Ash and Dawn's teams answered in a chorus of cheers.
"That's the kind of charisma I like to see!" Brendan shouted from across the field. "Now, give us all you've got! Swampert, Muddy Water!"
Swampert stomped his hands into the dirt, and another rising crest of swampy water came.
"Let's take that Muddy Water for ourselves, Prinplup!" Dawn ordered boldly, and extended both of her arms outward. "Catch it with a Whirlpool!"
"Priiiin…!" Prinplup, as well, extended both of his wings. Twisting waters whipped their way into a horizontal spin, rather than the usual vertical. The result was, functionally, a funnel. Muddy Water's approach was inhaled into turning currents, one and all. Though he recoiled from the move's force, Prinplup dug his feet into the grass. "Lup…!" He cried, willing his wings upward.
Miraculously, Prinplup hoisted up the Muddy Water Whirlpool over his head. Or perhaps, 'Muddy Whirlpool' was more appropriate?
"Check it out!" Ash gasped, leaning forward excitedly. "The way Prinplup stole that with Whirlpool… It's just like Croconaw using his Aqua Tail to catch Thunder, up against Misty!" Had Dawn borrowed his counter to use for herself? Ash preferred to believe so.
Even so, he frowned. That strategy had suffered its own weakness, and the seasoned trainer could see it in Prinplup's posture. He was buckling and shifting around; struggling with the weight and ferocity of the Muddy Whirlpool. Dirty waves and splashes were escaping it periodically; both dirtying him, and chipping away at the move's stability.
"...It's-"
"It's over!" Brendan declared triumphantly, throwing an arm in the air. "Use Hammer Arm!"
Swampert lunged at Prinplup with little time to prepare or respond; like a coming bullet train in both speed and ferocity. "Swaaam…!" He roared, rearing back a glowing arm.
"Prinplup!" Dawn gasped.
"Lup!?" Prinplup squawked. He readied his wings to bring the move down upon Swampert.
"Pert!" His arm swung mercilessly into Prinplup's abdomen. Doubling the penguin like origami, before he could do a thing to save himself. Swampert clotheslined the poor Water-type, bringing his arm up in a follow-through that launched Prinplup skyward.
Right into his own Muddy Whirlpool. Shooting through its volume before exiting its peak; the concussive force provided by Swampert made the move widen and burst; looking as if it'd been a stylistic sonic boom executed by the Mud fish.
Dawn watched her starter soar, biting her knuckle. Before she knew it, he was plummeting. She took several steps backward, opening her arms. "I've got you!" She insisted, catching his full weight. Naturally, this took her back on her rear with a thud.
"Dawn!" Ash gasped, springing to his feet.
"Ugh.." Dawn groaned, shaking her head. In her lap, Prinplup sat. Muddy, bruised, and completely unconscious. A potent visual representation of how the match had gone. The two of them had been clobbered. "...We didn't stand a chance."
"Hey, hey. Don't say it like that!" Brendan made his way over, hopping over craters and mud puddles. He offered Dawn a hand.
She was about to take it, but she was still weighed down by the penguin in her lap.
"Here," Ash read the room, and scooped Prinplup effortlessly into his arms.
"Thanks," Dawn said, and took Brendan's hand. Like Ash, earlier, she pulled herself up by his weight. Hand already in hand, she gave Brendan's a fair shake. Although she felt sheepish, she found the dignity to look her opponent in the eye. It wasn't that she hated losing. Not that much, anyway.
But getting completely steamrolled was a different story.
"...Thank you for the match."
"Thank you!" Brendan grinned. "With that kind of creativity and determination, I can really see what got you that last Aqua Ribbon. Just so happens you were battling… well, me."
Some might have been deterred, or put off by Brendan's complete confidence. But, Dawn respected it. In fact, it sparked a gleam of clarity in her eyes. "And you certainly showed your Pokémon's appeal, all the way through." It hurt her pride, a little, but she had a ways to go before she could do so on the same level. "...I guess I should start thinking of you as Brendan, instead of Wallace's Student, now."
Brendan laughed. "Well, it'd be a good start!"
Dawn giggled. "Right… Well, Brendan. Don't rest on your laurels, anytime soon, because I'm going to reinvent myself, by the time you see me at the Wallace Cup!"
" That's exactly what I wanted to hear!" Brendan completed the handshake, pulling back to salute the two trainers. "Well, Ash and Dawn, I'll catch ya later. Don't go disappointing me!"
"See you!" Ash addressed him, as the boy left. "Man… You can see how he got where he got."
"No need to worry," Dawn muttered. "I'll pull ahead in my own way."
A familiar gloved hand clapped down on her shoulder. "Of course you will." Ash smiled fondly. His other arm hoisted Prinplup over his shoulder. "...But, maybe we should hit up the Pokémon Center, first."
"Yeah," Dawn agreed. "That'd be best."
Prinplup winced. Although he'd been treated with several healing items and ointments, his wing still felt a tad sore, while Chansey dabbed at it with a wet cloth to clean the mud from his plumage. At least he'd be out soon.
"There, there. You've done a great job so far, Prinplup!" Nurse Joy cooed. Back in one of the Pokémon Center's treatment rooms, she'd monitored Prinplup's condition. "You'll need just a bit more rest before you're fighting fit. But you've dealt with the pain very well, so far! Not a peep in complaint."
Okay, maybe he'd squawked once or twice, but it couldn't hurt his confidence to fib.
"Lup! Prinplup." Prinplup proudly squawked, turning his beak up towards the ceiling. He quickly regretted it, as his neck was still sore, but pride was more important than comfort. After a clobbering like that, the least he could do is walk it off with dignity and poise.
"Now, I have a few more patients to check up on. Not everyone here to compete can be as sturdy and strong-willed as you, Prinplup!" Nurse Joy said, playing to his ego some more. "I think Chansey's just about done with your coat, so just sit here for a few minutes, won't you?"
"Lup! Prin Prinplup!" Prinplup squawked adamantly, waving his wing as if to say 'Go. Treat your more vulnerable patients. I'll sit here, cool as a cucumber, without a need to fret.'
Nurse Joy giggled, and rounded the door with her clipboard. Chansey followed after her.
They were out of sight, now. Prinplup sighed, staring at the tiled floor. Even if the pain in his ribs had calmed into a dull ache, it was still a potent reminder of the battle, earlier. He and Dawn had challenged a seasoned expert, trained by Wallace, himself. It'd been the perfect chance to prove themselves..
The perfect chance, and he'd squandered it. Not because he'd made some awful mistake of hubris. Not for any lack of skill on Dawn's part; even their opponent had denied that. No. He was simply too weak. Too weak to stand up to Swampert's attacks, and turn the tides. It was that simple.
It was something Dawn would never tell him, even if it was the truth. But the evidence had been laid out in front of them. He felt like he was back on a treadmill; the same place he'd been in, earlier this year.
"You heard the man. Y'wanted to improve, didn't you? Where's that energy? Where's your resolve? Hell, where's your pride, even!?"
"I…!"
"Don't stammer on me! Half-baked efforts won't get ya anywhere."
Glenda had proved their superior, and he'd found himself in a rut. Charizard had demolished Dawn's team, with no hopes of retribution. Being that feeble, in the face of a strong foe. Prinplup found that unacceptable.
Dawn had said she was going to reinvent herself for the Wallace Cup…? He'd heard that in his sleepy daze, he was sure.
"What's really important is that this battle helped you and Prinplup grow together!"
"Yeah." Dawn nodded, and turned to take Prinplup's wings. "Thanks for giving your all tonight, Prinplup. From now on, we'll keep improving and moving ahead, together. No matter what stage you're in!"
"Yes! Yes! We absolutely will!" He declared through happy sobs. "We'll be the greatest contest duo the world's ever seen! And I'll stay by your side through everything, I swear!"
If she was going to reinvent herself… He couldn't just fall behind.
That belief alone, perhaps, encapsulated his entire form with a blinding glow. It fueled the odd, almost-foreign feeling of his body growing larger, and his wings spanning longer. His wishes culminated in sturdy steel plating, wrapping around his torso, neck, wings, and tail. Mighty, tempered metal that could protect Dawn, from harm or defeat.
His new shape made him sit upright; proud and tall. The trident crown mounted on his beak stood out among all, like his unending pride.
"...Pol!?" Prin—
No, Empoleon squawked in surprise, and landed on his taloned feet. He'd… evolved!?
"What's all the commotion in here…?" Nurse Joy asked tentatively, rounding the corner. She gasped, hands covering her mouth. "Goodness…!"
The ever-rising, but always gentle sound of paws tapping against tiled floors approached, and Rosa rounded the corner to the doorway, followed by Pikachu, and Buneary afterwards. All three of them slid to a halt, and gasped at the sight of their friend.
"Prinplup— I mean, Empoleon!" Pikachu shook his head. "You… evolved!?"
"When? How!?" Buneary balked.
"You look… soooo COOL!" Rosa exclaimed.
Which was all well and good, but it struck Empoleon with a crushing realization. "Wait just a fair minute… You just. Walked. Now. After I'd evolved. With no witnesses… No fanfare…!"
Losing all color, the proud penguin slumped over, looking like death. "My final stage ascension was completely anticlimactic…!"
Rosa tilted her head. "...So?"
"I'm… sorry." Pikachu said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess it was just the right time."
"This is real life," Buneary said. "Did you expect a carefully woven tale where you have a dramatic breakthrough?"
"Yes." Empoleon said, without any hesitation.
"What's going on in here…?" Dawn was next to stumble in the door. She gasped, holding her hands over her heart. "Prinplup…!? Empoleon!?"
"Say, what!?" Ash followed, nearly tripping over his feet before standing upright. "You evolved!?"
Their complete cluelessness to his grand change…! Empoleon grinded his teeth, about ready to explode in a tantrum…! But, no. He took a deep breath, and stood upright. He was too dignified for that. "...Worry not, friends. I've matured to my final stage. I need not indulge in the paltry approval of others." Even as he said so, he walked up to Ash and Dawn to display his new form.
"You're… so tall!" Dawn gasped, staring up at her starter in disbelief. "You're taller than me, now! And those sleek, cool feathers… The steel!" She cooed, examining his wings.
"You look so awesome!" Ash exclaimed, walking circles around the penguin to admire him. "I bet you're incredibly strong, now, too! Congratulations, big guy!"
It was all the invitation Empoleon needed to strike a variety of cool poses.
This left Pikachu, Buneary, and Rosa watching the scene; a bead of sweat rolling down each of their foreheads. They were less than impressed.
"'Need not indulge,' huh…?"
"Well, this is all well and good! Congratulations." Nurse Joy said happily. "I see that the boost of evolution has him back fighting fit, too! Now, Dawn, I recommend updating on his nutritional needs, now that he's reached his final stage. If you could just wait a minute, I can brief you…"
"Sure! Thanks, Nurse Joy." Dawn agreed.
"Once we're done with that, how about we get back to training?" Ash asked giddily.
"Right!" Dawn giggled. "...Though, there's just one more TM I wanted to pick up. I did some thinking about our battle with Brendan, and there was a move back at the shop that I think could help us! Only…"
"Only…?" Ash tilted his head.
"Is it going to be okay if we're short on money for a bit…? That's really going to be scraping the bottom of the barrel."
Ash took the opportunity to sling an arm over Dawn's shoulder, leaning into her. "Girl, if it's for your ribbon, I will boil convenience store ramen over a campfire. Hell, you want me to find spices, too?"
"Pffthaha!" Dawn giggled, nudging him with her elbow. The sentiment was awfully touching, but still…! "What's with you, all of the sudden? I thought we agreed to leave the chivalry behind."
"Huh? It's the middle of Spring," Ash frowned. "Why would I be talking about shivering…?"
Dawn smiled, shaking her head. Good boyfriend material or not, Ash was still Ash. Which meant she could rely on him to step towards her goal.
"Okay, everyone!" Dawn announced. Back in another forest clearing, Dawn spoke before her team, and Ash's alike. "Ash is going to continue preparing for Blaine, and we're aiming for that second Aqua Ribbon! So, let's all work together and do our part to bring out our best!"
A chorus of cheers erupted, all around! The Pokémon started to split off into groups, as they had before. But all wasn't the same as it'd been, this morning. One of their companions had taken on a new form.
Pardoning the initial round of congratulations, Charizard stepped forth. Cutting a smirk at the fully evolved Empoleon. "Well, whaddya know. All it took was a second ass-kicking to make you grow up."
"Humph! Well, I'd never." Empoleon placed his wings on his hips, indignant. "I prefer to think of it as shedding a more vulnerable version of myself, to fight properly in Dawn's stead!"
"Call it whatever th'hell you want." The Flame Pokémon managed the closest thing to a laugh his species could perform. "It worked. Good on ya… Still growing and evolving." He looked off, as if he had more to say, but couldn't muster the words.
A gloved hand slapped Charizard's shoulder. "Don't worry about a thing, big guy." Ash smiled up at his Pokémon; though he was only barely shorter than Charizard, now. "You want to keep getting stronger like Empoleon, too, right?"
Charizard grunted, and answered Ash's prodding with a full-blown Flamethrower to the face.
"Ash!?" Dawn exclaimed, holding a hand over her mouth in concern.
His entire half covered in soot, Ash coughed up a puff of smoke. "That's… a yes. And we've got a direction, now. I get it."
"Huh? Get what?" Dawn asked, discarding her worry for her boyfriend, since he clearly wasn't too bothered by the flames.
"What Charizard was trying to do, earlier. I figured it out, while we were waiting. He was trying to imitate Dragonite's Dragon Rush."
Lance dramatically swiped his open palm towards the ground. "Dragon Rush!"
Dragonite descended upon the climbing Metagross. In just a few, heart-stopping split seconds, the two powers converged. Winds and sparks cast down from the collision that lasted only a few brief moments. Auras pushed violently against each other for dominance, while Metagross shoved against Dragonite
From up-close, the dragon snorted. Narrowed eyes went wide, and he drew back one arm. "Raaagh!" He snarled, bringing down his fist for a devastating right hook.
Subsequently, the aura of Dragon Rush snapped down upon the Iron Leg, as if they'd been taken into its jowls. The resulting explosion sent Metagross plummeting.
"That attack was powerful enough to put even Deidra and her Metagross down for the count. I'm sure if Charizard learned it, he could contend with anybody." A certain air of seriousness had taken over Ash. The kind that told anyone watching that he was committed entirely to his goal. Still, he smiled up at his friend. "Am I right?"
Charizard answered with another roar, and spit flames into the air.
"Right! So, let's get back to it! Let's go, everyone!" Ash cheered, pumping in the fist in the air.
With that, rigorous training resumed, all around. Pikachu sparred with Empoleon to help him adjust to his new form; meeting his initially clumsy strikes with his tried and true Iron Tail. Even with his new power, he found himself unwieldy. Pikachu knocked him down, but he was ever-stubborn, charging right back into action.
Togekiss and Absol returned to their Technical Machine programs. Diligently watching the motions through, and committing the steps to memory. Occasionally, they practiced their own demonstrations, but so far had little luck.
"And, you…" Dawn addressed Pachirisu. "Your move pool's a little limited," she said hesitantly, though Pachirisu didn't seem to be offended, or even care, idly pawing at and grooming her tail. "So, if we want to give you something fresh, we have to get creative… Luckily, I had an idea!" Beaming, she raised her index finger. "Do you think you could work your Sweet Kiss into a Super Fang? Let's try to be the cutest of the cute, and make mayhem doing it!"
"Chi… Chi-pahhh!" Pachirisu chittered, hopping in place. She would certainly do her best!
Charizard resumed his ferocious skydives, but this time, his training partner was prepared. Floatzel met his foe with Aqua Jet, clashing repeatedly in the skies. Even while Dragon Rush failed to be a reality, Charizard tested his endurance against Water-type moves, and Floatzel polished his aerial navigation evermore. Mist rained over the clearing, occasionally treating hardworking teammates with a refreshing breeze.
Primeape continued his exercise with Torkoal; chasing the swift and fragile tortoise who used Shell Smash to his heart's content. Hit and run had been the name of the game, and for a while, it'd worked. But a well-timed ambush and consecutive Cross Chop had tragically put Torkoal down in just one hit.
"Again, huh…?" Ash smiled sympathetically, walking over to pet Torkoal's shell while he offered him an Oran Berry. "You do an awesome job staying ahead, but just like with Blaine, that only lasts a little while. Once you're cornered…"
Torkoal's bottom lip quivered, before he erupted into a loud sob. Tears streamed down like fountains, and black smoke clouded the air; particularly around Ash.
"Hey, hey!" Ash coughed and hacked, raising his collar to protect himself from the smoke. "It's fine! It's fine. I'm the one who hasn't thought of a counter attack yet, not you. We'll keep thinking on it, alright?"
Torkoal sniffled and nodded.
The hours dragged on, and daylight turned to the changing hues of a coming sunset, complete with tilting shadows. Training, breaks, and time for play rotated, while Ash and Dawn pushed both their teams and their own creative minds, in achieving the results they sought.
Torkoal napped in the shade, having exhausted himself thoroughly. Primeape, instead, tutored Buneary and Rosa in two-on-one sparring.
Empoleon had taken over watching Dawn's Pokédex, to memorize the new move she'd picked out for him. He performed a variety of graceful swings of his wings, while watching the recording.
Togekiss, meanwhile, had taken to the skies to practice what she'd watched. Every so often, embers gathered in a loose pattern before her, before scattering to the wind. It was an arduous process, but she was known as the Jubilee Pokémon for a reason. She persisted coolly, and gave herself a breather, watching the latest spectacle unfold. "Toge…"
"Alright! Once more, Charizard! You too, Floatzel!" Ash shouted with vigor, egging on his companions. If they wanted to push themselves to the next level, they needed the enthusiasm to match!
"Zel!" Floatzel crouched, building up rolling currents around him.
Charizard ascended the orange skies; his matching body little more than a shadow silhouette against the setting sun. Feeling the winds rushing over his scales, he felt comfort in it; it was slightly soothing on his many bruises, and his waning stamina. Yet all the same, it was completely invigorating. All the more equipping him to take his next step forward, and conquer Dragon Rush.
He peaked, and spanned his wings. If he could just gather his Dragon-type energy in an armor about him, the way he utilized Dragon Pulse or Dragon Tail… He knew he had it within him. He just had to draw it out.
A thunderous roar may well have made Cinnabar, below him, tremble. Dazzling, red and orange flames gathered around his body and wings. Exploding about him in an almost shapeless pattern. He acted on the burst of power, and dove towards Floatzel.
Floatzel soared to meet him. Roaring flames reflected off the churning tide.
Still soaring, Togekiss watched Charizard's form with breathless awe. "Kiss…!" The way that his flames coated him… It certainly wasn't Dragon Rush, but they still made even the brutish Charizard look divine. Perhaps constructing her own image, Togekiss watched with sparkling eyes.
"What was that!?" Ash gasped, as furious flames and steady waters clashed. A brief back-and-forth of one element against another, before Floatzel was bucked plummeting towards the ground from the sheer difference in strength. Luckily, he was prepared; inflating his tube for a mostly harmless landing.
Even then, he felt awfully sore, reluctant to sit up, even if his pride didn't like it.
Luckily, Ash was nice enough to offer him a hand up. He smiled upon the weasel as a silent thanks, then looked to Charizard. "That was awesome, Charizard! It wasn't a Dragon Rush, I don't think… But your power was really roaring there, y'know?"
Charizard grunted. It was progress, but he wasn't satisfied.
"It was beautiful, either way!" Dawn cooed, having flocked over from the commotion. "I know that isn't Charizard's thing, though…"
"Kiss!" Togekiss cooed, landing beside Dawn.
"Togekiss?" She asked, turning to the Jubilee. "What is it? Is it something about your move?"
In response, Togekiss only gestured her wing to Charizard.
"Charizard… That thing he just did!" Dawn blinked, then gasped. "Are you saying that inspired you, somehow…!?"
"Toge, Toge!"
"It did look really nice while in flight… I wonder if there's a way for you to emulate that… Oh! Your new move!" The Coordinator was now nursing a spark of an idea. Not a full-fledged plan, but… something. "I don't know how we'll do it, Togekiss…" She smiled, crouching to stroke her head feathers. "But I think we've got something brewing here. Something to make you shine!"
"Toge-kiss~!" Togekiss sing-songed, leaning into Dawn's hand.
"Let's see.. There's you…" Dawn looked upon Togekiss. Angelic beauty, if it were a Pokémon. Then, Pachirisu, engaging with Pikachu, with artificial hearts abound. Cute as could be. Absol, striking the earth with her greatest efforts. A frightening, stubborn foreboding. Her starter, now Empoleon, gallantly polishing his skills. The bravest and proudest of them all.
Dawn smiled. Her ocean blue eyes shimmered with building excitement.
"Just wait, Wallace Cup. You're about to see what I see in all of them!"