Please enjoy,

POV Misty

Giovanni didn't take much time to think before tapping on the keys teleporting a few Pokeballs to himself. Andel seemed to be taking longer to look through his Pokemon. Misty guessed he was looking at which Pokemon would be best against Ground types, Giovanni's specialty. After Andel made his choices and switched his Pokemon out he took his place on the far end of the room Giovanni said something to Delia before calmly walking to his own designated place. Misty walked with Delia to sit in the stands with the rest of the party goers.

"Do you think he'll win," Misty whispered to Delia without looking away from the two who were about to begin.

"Trust me he'll be fine," Delia replied in a pleased tone, Misty could tell there wasn't an ounce of doubt in her so she decided to trust Giovanni as well.

"Nidoking, let's teach him a lesson," Giovanni said releasing the large Pokemon who landed with a roar. Andel threw his Pokeball releasing an exeggutor with a smirk apparently assuming he was going to win.

"Exegutor use energy ball," Andel started the match as quickly as possible it seemed he was going to try striking before Giovanni had time to prepare. Giovanni didn't so much as blink at the move.

"Block it with sludge bomb and follow up with shadow ball," Giovanni commanded in an easy tone. Exegutor's first attack hit sludge bomb leaving a bit of smoke in between the Pokemon, but before the dust had settled a shadow ball slammed into Exegutor knocking it backwards.

"Giga drain," Andel yelled at the recovering pokemon.

"Nidoking is part poison type, grass isn't super effective. Run through it Nidoking get close," Giovanni commanded and Nidoking followed orders taking damage from the attack, but not enough to slow it as it approached. "You should focus on the psychic attacks you have, they'll be stronger," Giovanni suggested.

"Psychic," Andel took the advice simply because he didn't seem to have ant other plan of action. Taking someone else's advice mid-battle didn't bode well for Andel who didn't seem to know much about his Pokemon.

"Just because I gave you advice doesn't mean I won't counter it," Giovanni half laughed, "Use protect then destroy it with poison jab. The psycich attack struck his barrier, but all it resulted in was Nidoking sliding backwards a few feet. Immediatly after Nidoking continued its charge and smashed into the other Pokemon. Executor was hit in its stomach and lifted off the ground and flew back a bit before landing hard. The Pokemon didn't rise and was declared unable to battle. Nidoking returned to his original position and Andel threw out another Pokemon.

"That can't possibly be all you've got, is it?" Giovanni smirked while waiting for Andel's next Pokemon.

"Poliwrath let's go," Andel growled thrown off by losing and Giovanni's casual tone.

"Good choice your water advantage isn't countered by Nidoking's poison type and Poliwrath isn't weak to poison or ground," Giovanni complemented Andel, but the mocking tone only served to further anger the younger male.

"Don't make fun of me," Andel yelled turning red, his hands were clenched as he glared at the gym leader.

"I wasn't, but I will defeat you," Giovanni made a point of smiling haughtily.

Misty could tell Giovanni was used to being in a position of power over other's, he was toying with the angered trainer. Misty couldn't exactly fault him because Andel deserved it, but somehow it served to convince her that Giovanni was a dangerous individual.

"Poliwrath use hydropump," Andel continued yelling.

"Before he has a chance use Earth power," Giovanni's measured tone was a complete contrast to Andel's lack of control.

Nidoking slammed the ground sending energy crashing upwards from just below Poliwrath's feet throwing his attack off target allowing Nidoking to escape relatively undamaged. The water struck its shoulder and though it flinched momentarily there was no indication that it was truly injured.

"Use takedown to get close," Giovanni yelled and Nidoking started sprinting towards Poliwrath ducking its head to gain more speed, using a similar tactic as before. Each step crushed the ground beneath its feet as it charged at the water type.

Poliwrath had recovered by this point enough to comply when its trainer yelled, "Dynamic punch."

"Don't stop Nidoking," Giovanni didn't attempt to dodge the attack instead the Pokemon collided. Poliwrath was launched backwards and hit the wall behind Andel. Nidoking stumbled back and fell to the ground. For a few moments neither Pokemon moved, but Nidoking slowly struggled back to its feet. "Nidoking return, you've done enough."

"Do you want to keep going or have you learned a lesson?" Giovanni asked Andel who had gripped another Pokeball. "Don't be so cocky next time and leave women alone until you learn manners."

Andel cursed under his breath, but didn't move to stop Giovanni as he walked away.

"You weren't even the one I was arguing with, maybe you should stop butting into people's business," Andel shot back before Giovanni had completely left the battle ground.

Delia walked out of the viewing area and stepped next to Giovanni before challenging Andel, "Fine I'll take you down myself. I might not be a gym leader, but I can tell you don't have a bond with your Pokemon. I'm not afraid of you." Misty was surprised at her confidence, but very impressed.

"I expected no less from you, but if you plan on running into battle perhaps it's time I return an old friend to you," Giovanni pulled a pokeball off his belt and tossed it to her.

Delia lit up apparently she knew what it was far before anyone else she threw the ball up and a Nidoqueen stood in front of her. Immediately Delia threw herself into a hug with the drill Pokemon, "Queenie, I've missed you." Misty noticed two things first the obvious bond between Delia and the Nidoqueen and it's large size. She was fairly sure Nidoqueen on average were only a bit over four feet tall, but this one seemed almost six feet tall. In most cases she would have found it intimidating if it wasn't hugging a woman and seemed remarkably emotional.

"Alright Queenie let's take him down," Delia turned to look at Andel who was looking remarkably less cocky looking at the Nidoqueen staring him down.

"You can't borrow Pokemon," Andel quickly tried to point out, not wanting to face the Nidoqueen.

"First, I was merely returning her Pokemon she asked me to take care of and those aren't your Pokemon to start with. I know you didn't catch them, your father is a league official, correct? You're just taking them to use, pathetic," Giovanni looked at him with a healthy amount of contempt.

"Fine I'll destroy your girlfriend," Andel grabbed a pokeball off his belt and flung it out releasing a Machamp.

It was surprising how quickly the battle ended Machamp only managed to attempt a single attack before Delia launched a counter attack. Misty attributed it to how quickly Delia and her Pokemon fell into a rhythm and Nidoqueen's apparent battle experience.

"Nidoqueen, side step, turn parallel, grab it and smash Machamp right into the ground," Delia commanded. Misty watched as Nidoqueen perfectly timed the movement rotating around and grabbing one of Machamp's upper arms before it moved past. She lifted the other Pokemon into the air and smashed it into the ground without releasing it. "Throw it away," Delia said pointing towards the wall. Nidoqueen complied swinging her arm back before launching the other Pokemon away. Her fighting style was unforgiving and calculated even in that short time Misty could see Delia was skilled. It helped that Andel probably only beat the gyms by borrowing powerful Pokemon and taking down the gym leaders without much skill.

Machamp landed hard and didn't move again shortly after the referee announced in a slightly surprised tone, "Machamp is unable to battle, Delia is the winner.

Rather than actually speak Andel stomped away and after a quick apology from his father he was escorted off the island for creating trouble and harassing guests. Things got back into swing fairly quickly, but Misty decided to take a break and sit at her table rather than dance. It was while resting that she saw a flash of magenta and when she looked closer she saw someone that she was positive was Jessie. She was sporting a different hairstyle and dressed up, but despite not having seen her in a few years she knew it was her.

Rather than make a scene are start yelling she carefully approached the older woman trying to be inconspicuous. She managed to get behind Jessie and tapped her shoulder causing the older woman to turn around. Misty saw the recognition in her eyes and a flash of worry before she managed to bury it. "Jessie what are you doing here?" Misty kept her low.

"It's actually Jessilina, but I'm always happy to run into a fan," she plasted a smile on and quickly dragged Misty away from the crowd to a secluded section of the room. Once they were out of earshot Jessie gave up on pretenses and angrily whispered, "What do you want twerp?"

"What are you doing here?" Misty shot back in an equally venomous voice, doubting she could be there for any decent reason.

"For your information I was invited by the Pokemon league," Jessie smirked haughtily.

"Why on earth would you be invited here?" Misty failed to see any reason anyone would want her here, "And why are you going by Jessilina?"

"As Jessilina I'm a Pokemon coordinator at the top of my game, I'm quite well known in that circle," Jessie frowned at Misty lack of knowledge, "I was invited here because the league is thinking about making me the announcer and host for the Indigo Conference this year."

"Really?" Misty was slightly surprised, but it made sense as to how she got in. It was a fairly exclusive event and someone who wasn't on the guest list would be noticed rather quickly by security.

"Yes, so I'm not doing anything wrong. Don't screw this up for me, this is my big chance to move into the big leagues. I want to be a star and not just in Pokemon contests," Jessie practically had stars in her eyes as she imagined her possible fame.

"Alright, but I'm keeping my eyes on you," Misty spoke in a normal tone. She was happy that nothing was happening she really didn't want to deal with Team Rocket's antics.

"Keep your eyes wherever you want, just don't ruin my future," Jessie threw her straightened hair over her shoulder before stalking away. Misty belatedly realized Jessie actually looked quite beautiful in her dress.

Once she finally got Jessie out of her mind she decided to find Delia and talk to her about what happened earlier. It wasn't hard to find her, Delia stood next to Giovanni talking to a few people including the young girl they helped. When Delia caught sight of Misty she quickly left the crowd leaving them with a few goodbyes. She looked almost relieved to be away from the attention. "Thank you Misty, I was tired of all the attention. I'm glad I helped that girl out, but I didn't expect to have so many people approach me and Gio," Delia shrugged and Misty noted her use of a nickname for Giovanni.

"It's no problem, but that was a really impressive fight. I had no idea you had a Nidoqueen," Misty looked at Delia in a new light.

"Like I said I knew Gio a while back and when I stopped that lifestyle I gave him my Nidoqueen to take care of. She's a fighter by nature and I didn't want her to be stuck with me when I slowed my life down. I'm just happy she's been returned to me," Delia had a far off look in her eyes and Misty gave her a moment to reminisce before interrupting her.

Misty glanced around and saw Giovanni on the other side of the room and she thought he was talking to Jessie, but she wasn't entirely sure. She wanted to look into it, but she'd promised herself not to get involved with Jessie. She didn't need to create any stress for herself based on theories about Team Rocket.

"Anyway is there anything you needed sweetie?" Delia asked dragging herself back to reality.

"Not really I just wanted to check on you," Misty replied not having any actual reason to seek Delia out.

"Well go out and enjoy the party, you can talk to me anytime," Delia pointed back to the dance floor where things hadn't slowed down despite the night growing later. Misty followed her directions and after a few more dances the music finally stopped and an official stepped into the middle of the room.

"Hello everyone," he greeted everyone, "I hope you've all enjoyed catching up a bit," a few cheers accompanied his words, "Now I think it's about time to start winding down. We can officially start things tomorrow so please get s good night's sleep."

Misty knew the league was very particular and when they said something was over, it was over. Everyone started filing out saying a few goodnights before retreating back to their rooms. Once she finally sat on her bed Misty realized she was more tired that she had originally thought and after a quick change and shower she settled under the covers. Tomorrow they would be discussing the league's plans for the upcoming season and then they would have free time which was generally spent on the beach.

Misty was looking forward to it and Ash only briefly crossed her mind before she was able to banish the thought.

POV (Ash)

Ash still felt horrible for how he treated Misty and he was more than a little surprised to find that his mother had left to go to the same Gym Leader convention. She'd gone with her old friend that Ash had a bad feeling about. He wanted to apologize, but he couldn't contact Misty and he wasn't entirely sure what to say. He still didn't want to talk about his feelings which he was still trying to come to term with so he wasn't sure how to steer the conversation.

"Ugh, Pikachu why do things have to be so complicated?" He looked at the small Pokemon curled up next to him in bed. All he received was a "pika" and a shrug from his small friend.

A/N

Ok... So there really isn't a good reason I didn't update this for so long. It's basically because I've been busy and the time I have for writing has been used for other stories. So I apologize for that and hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Pokemon on hand-

Same as previous chapter

Same as previous chapter

Trivia

-Jessie performed as a coordinator in Kanto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh

-She was only actually successful in Sinnoh making it to the Grand festival top 4 before losing to Dawn

-Her alias was Jessilina in Sinnoh

-In Kalos she began competing in Pokemon Showcases

-Giovanni owns a Nidoqueen which he uses in most of his battles in the video games.

-Giovanni owns a Nidorino owns a which he uses in some of his battles in the video games. He later uses a Nidoking meaning he either owns both or it is implied that the Nidorino evolved.