(A/N: Okay, to avoid confusion, I'll just say it now. The song I had you play last chapter will be repeated again since the battle isn't over yet.)

Chapter 13: It All Comes Down To This

"Alright Chimchar, it's your turn now," Ash said. "You ready to go?" Chimchar nodded. "Let's start off with Fury Swipes then." Chimchar went straight for Glaceon.

"Dodge it Glaceon!" Candice said. Glaceon was able to dodge all the attacks except one at the end. Glaceon jumped back in pain. "Now use Blizzard!"

"Chimchar use Flame Wheel to counter!" Ash said. Just as Glaceon used it's Blizzard attack, Chimchar spun into a wheel of fire, knocking right through the attack and hitting it's target. Glaceon was knocked down and was unconscious.

"Glaceon no!" Candice said. She seemed rather surprised at what just happened. "Looks like Ash is a stronger opponent than I thought, but I've saved the best for last," she thought. "I'm definitely impressed with your battling Ash, but this isn't over yet!" she said, calling back Glaceon. "Now Abomasnow, let's go!" And out came a Pokemon even larger than Mamoswine.

"Whoa, what Pokemon is that?" Ash said, taking out his Pokedex.

"Abomasnow, the Frost Tree Pokémon. Abomasnow has the ability to sense snow from miles away and can create high and low pressure in the air resulting in small snow storms," the Pokedex said.

"Whoa, I've never seen that Pokemon before," Dawn said.

"Ash! Whatever you do, don't take this Pokemon lightly!" Brock yelled to Ash.

"Right!" Ash said. "Alright Chimchar, use Flame Wheel once more!" Chimchar once again spun into a wheel of fire, heading right towards Abomasnow.

"Use Ice Punch," Candice said. Abomasnow threw it's fist back, glowing, and hit Chimchar square on, knocking him back. "Now use Sheer Cold!" The attack hit Chimchar, completely covering him in ice.

"Chimchar is unable to battle, the winner is Abomasnow!" the referee said.

"No Chimchar!" Ash said.

"That... was in one hit," Dawn said, shocked.

"That was Sheer Cold, Abomasnow's most powerful move," I said. "The attack will hit and knock you out no matter what." I noticed that Dawn and Brock were both staring at me. "What?" I said, "I know a lot about Pokemon myself."

"That Abomasnow is tougher than I thought," Ash said as he called back Chimchar. He then looked to Pikachu. "Alright Pikachu, it's all up to you now, you ready for this?"

"Pika!" Pikachu said, nodding.

"Alright Pikachu use Quick Attack!" Ash said. Pikachu used the attack, charging straight for Abomasnow.

"Use Icy Wind!" Candice said. Abomasnow used the attack, sending out ice particles. While it should've hit Pikachu, somehow he was able to dodge them and hit Abomasnow direct on. He then returned back to his side of the field. "That Pikachu sure is fast. But it's going to need more to take Abomasnow down," Candice thought. "Well Ash, I hate to do this but I think this battle is just about over. Abomasnow, use Sheer Cold!" Abomasnow charged up the attack and used it once more.

"Dodge it Pikachu!" Ash said, hoping for a miracle. And a miracle he got, as Pikachu was able to dodge it right before being hit. "Alright Pikachu!" Ash then said.

"But how?" Candice said, completely shocked.

"Alright, now it's our turn to end it using a new technique. Pikachu, use Volt Tail!"

Pikachu then charged right towards Abomasnow surrounded by electricty. He then jumped into the air and used his Iron Tail attack, doubling the power and hitting Abomasnow square on. Abomasnow then hit the ground and was knocked out.

"Abomasnow is unable to battle, the winner is Pikachu. Our winner is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"

"Way to go Pikachu!" Ash said, giving Pikachu a hug.

"How did that just happen?" Dawn asked.

"Somehow Pikachu was quick enough to miss that attack," Brock said.

It seemed rather indeed, still you couldn't really complain.

"Ash, I must say your Pikachu is probably one of the strongest Pokemon I've ever seen," Candice said. "I now give you the Icicle Badge, you earned it."

"Alright! I got the Icicle Badge!" Ash said, while Chimchar, Buizel, and Pikachu cheered for him.

"Well done, Ash," Brock said. "That was an amazing battle."

"Yeah, who knew Pikachu had it in him?" Dawn said, smiling.

I looked at Pikachu, while looking back at me and both smiled. I had no idea what did it, maybe all that fast food.

"So Candice, where's the closest city from here?" Ash asked.

"Well, if you go south on the road and then go west on the crossroad, you should hit Sunnyshore City."

"Thanks," Ash said. We then said goodbye to Candice and left Snowpoint City, and I couldn't be anymore happier.

We then started down the south road which we had went through before. "So Pikette, would you still be interested in being part of a contest?" Dawn asked her.

"I don't know," Pikette said. "I am a good fighter, but when it comes to appealing people, that's a little tougher."

"Oh don't be silly," Dawn said, smiling. "I'm sure we can come up with something the crowd will like."

Pikette smiled. "I guess we could always try that."

"Those two sure have gotten along well," Ash said to Brock.

"Well, maybe it's just a female thing," Brock said.

"Oh that's right, Chris you'll actually get to see me in a Pokemon Contest," Dawn said to me, smiling.

"I'm sure it'll be quite a sight to see," I said, despite the fact I have seen her battle. I noticed then Pikachu had been rather quiet for awhile. "Hey Pikachu, you okay?"

Pikachu looked at me and smiled, "Pika pi," he said. While I looked away, his smile then disappeared. The match he had was going through his mind repeatedly. It just didn't seem possible that he could take down a large Pokemon like Abomasnow so easily.

He then thought of the dream he had had. Was it those nanomachines that had made him stronger and faster? He did notice his senses seemed to have been enhanced quite a bit. He could hear the quietest winds and some of the Pokemon in the distance.

He then realized what the nanomachines had done to his brother.

Flashback

"The nanomachines inside you were the same kind that I had," his brother said, "However, they acted differently in each of our bodies, but your's affected my body, shutting down the ones I had. Pikachu, if neither of us had them, neither of us would've survived that fight."

But if that was so, then how come he wasn't dead? Unless, he was given a different type of nanomachines, despite what his brother said. Nanomachines that surpassed the one's his brother had, and seeing them as a threat, destroying them. But how would he know? He was just a Pokemon. A now super-enhanced Pokemon.

After about another hour of walking, we then took a break and had lunch.

"You know Dawn, I was looking through one of the pamphlets from Sunnyshore City, and it looks like there's going to be a contest there in a couple of days," Brock said.

"Alright! Looks like we won't have to wait long then," Dawn said to Pikette.

"And it looks like there's a gym there as well, Ash," Brock added.

"Great! But I think I might take a small break before battling again," Ash said, making us all face-fault.

"Well, that definitely doesn't sound like the Ash we usually know," Brock said, laughing.

"Well Pikette, since we have the time we might as well practice for that contest," Dawn said.

And practice they did. But first, Dawn had to see what attacks Pikette could use, and surprisingly, she knew some good attacks.

Finally, Dawn was able to find a good combination. "Alright Pikette, use Light Screen!" All of a sudden, Pikette's eyes glowed yellow as a cube of light surrounded her. "Now use Hidden Power!" Pikette then produced small circles of energy which broke the cube, causing sparkles of light to fill the air mixed with the white circles. "Now finish it with thunder!" Pikette used thunder, which burst the circles adding more sparkles to fill the air.

"Wow, that was amazing Dawn," I said.

"I'm sure with that technique you'll make it through easily," Ash said.

"Thanks," Dawn said, blushing slightly. She then looked to Pikette. "You were amazing as well Pikette."

Pikette smiled. "Thanks Dawn."

We then got back on the road and started walking once more. After about another hour, we then got to the crossroads and headed west. It then started to get dark and we then made camp. After a couple of hours, Brock and Ash were asleep and to no surprise, Dawn and I were still awake.

"So Dawn, I was thinking," I said. "I realize that eventually I might have to meet your parents."

Dawn laughed. "Eventually. I'm sure I'm going to hear a lot from my mom once she finds out. She was a coordinator just like I am. And you know, I'm going to tell her you're a trainer as well."

I laughed, "You're going to lie to her?"

"Nope, it's no lie," Dawn said. "You can say what you want, but I see a trainer in your eyes."

"I guess you could be right," I said. I tried to change the subject. "So, what's your dad like?"

Dawn seemed hesitant at this. "Well... I haven't seen my dad in about four years. My mom thinks he may have been killed while he was away."

"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, wishing I hadn't asked that.

"Oh no it's fine!" Dawn said, "Truth is, it's been so long that I haven't really thought about him too much anymore. So you see, I know what you had gone through when you lost your parents, at least partly."

I then looked over to where Ash and Brock were sleeping. "I'm guessing you never told Ash or Brock that?"

"No," Dawn said. "I just haven't felt comfortable talking to them about it."

"Don't worry," I said, taking her hand. "I won't say anything."

"I know you won't," she said, laying her head on my shoulder. "Because if you did, you would be in a world of pain."

I pretended to make a face of worry, making her laugh. We sat there for a minute, saying nothing. "You know, maybe I might consider trying to become a trainer. Wouldn't hurt at least."

"Now that's what I like to hear," Dawn said, kissing me on the cheek.

I smiled. "I'll make sure to cheer for you at the contest. Just make sure to keep Pikette in line."

Dawn winked at me. "No need to worry," she said, saying her famous one-liner, and then kissing me on the lips.

(A/N: Yeah, I think that's the first time I got Dawn to say that. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter and the next one will be good, I think. Also, I was further thinking about the new story I was planning on writing and I have songs ready for it as well, no surprise there. But I won't say anymore about that ;).)

FoxMcCloud7921