After another half hour Ashley, Amelia, Mikki and Whitney came in sight of Goldenrod City. When they were there, Whitney said, "See, I told you I knew my way here," to Ashley.

Ashley said, "It would appear that I owe you an apology Whitney."

"That's fine. If I were you I'd probably have done the same thing myself."

"Good, then let's get to Ameli…" then the four girls heard a stomach growling. The two Ketchum's scratched the back of their heads before simultaneously saying, "Uhh…guess it's time for lunch."

Whitney, shocked at the twin reactions, looked to Mikki and said, "Is it in their DNA?"

Mikki sighed and shrugged before saying, "Who knows. Do you know anywhere we can get something to eat?"

"Yeah, sure there's this place that sells the best hotdogs that I know a shortcut to."

"Really?" Mikki asked, eager to hear about a place that sold her favourite food.

"Yeah," Whitney said, "I'll take you there through the Goldenrod City Undergr…"

"Oh no you don't," Ashley said, remembering the last time Whitney tried to take her and her friends through the Goldenrod City Underground. "You are taking us there the normal way, no matter how long it takes us to get there."

"What? But your stomachs are…"

"I don't care," Amelia said, having heard what happened last time Whitney took her brother anywhere via her shortcut and not wanting to experience it herself. "Just get us there."

Whitney sighed as she lost all tension in her upper body. She said, "Fine, let's go," and kept walking, this time not going via the Goldenrod City Underground, which all four girls ended up thankful for as they were all hungry by the time they reached the Goldenrod City Galleria.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, on a train heading to Goldenrod City there were a red haired woman and a blue haired man sitting in an almost empty carriage. The man was reading a newspaper. He said, "Oh, there's a Pokémon Contest being held in Goldenrod City in two days' time," reading the article out loud for the benefit of his partner.

"Really?" the woman asked.

"Yes. Are you going to compete?"

"Hmm…" The woman said. "I'm not sure I should."

"Really?" the man said, "that's not like you Jessie."

"We've had a very important mission assigned to us James, as much as I want to, Contests may get in the way of that mission."

"Hmm…I don't know about that Jess." Jessie raised an eyebrow. James' voice lowered as he talked, "We need to find a trainer with a… … …The best place to find one is either in the Grand Festival or the Pokémon League."

Jessie said, "Hmm…you could be right. In that case…"

XXXXX

After the four girls had had their lunch Amelia said, "So, can I have my rematch now or is there anything else that needs to be done first?"

Whitney said, "Well, Ashley needs to get her new outfit and there are enough stores here to…"

Ashley interjected, "I can get them anytime. Amelia's battle is more important."

Whitney shrugged and said, "Well, if you say so," and lead the group out of the Goldenrod Galleria to the gym.

When they were at the Gym Amelia knocked on the door and said, "I've come to re-challenge this Gym for a Plain Badge."

A voice came out of a speaker saying, "You are not allowed to challenge this Gym."

"Huh?" Amelia blurted, "What do you mean you…"

"You have already been defeated, as such you are inel…"

Whitney stepped in front of the camera used to identify challengers. She said, "Since when has my Gym been allowed to refuse access to Official Gym Battles?"

The voice squeaked as it said, "Sis?! Uhh…you see…I…uhh…"

Whitney opened the door and entered the Gym, followed by Amelia and Mikki before Ashley entered in last. Whitney led them to the security room that had the cameras and identification software. When they got there she found that her brother was no longer there. She turned to her friends and said, "Would you mind waiting in the Gym battlefield while I go and find my stupid younger brother?"

"Sure," Ashley said as she thought, 'Though I'd like to be there myself.'

Amelia said, "But I…"

"You can give him a piece of your mind when you battle him Amelia. This bit has to be settled between the two of them."

"Well, alright," Amelia said before heading back down to the battlefield.

After her friends had left Whitney started looking for her brother. She found him in the spot that he had always used when they played hide and seek as kids. When she found him she grabbed him by the ear and pulled him up. She angrily said, "Now, Wallace, we need to talk."

"Yes sis'," Wallace said, looking at the ground.

In a somewhat calmer voice, barely, Whitney said, "Care to tell me what in the world you were thinking, not letting Amelia re-challenge the Gym?"

"Well, I already beat her anyway, so…"

Whitney said, "With Girafarig," a cold look on her face.

"Uhh…" Wallace said, unable to come up with an excuse for disobeying his sister's one absolute rule. After half a minute he said, "It was to protect the reputation of the Gym."

"Well in doing so, you might have managed to ruin the Gym's reputation."

"Wait. What do you mean?"

Whitney sighed and said, "You're lucky that it was a Ketchum that you cheated on."

"Wait…what?"

"If a Gym Leader uses a Pokémon not of the type that the gym specialises in, then the challenger that that Pokémon was used against has the right to file a complaint against the Gym. There will then be an investigation by the Pokémon Investigation Agency, which has the ability to close down a Gym found violating the Pokémon Gym regulations. It just so happens that both Ketchum siblings are rather stubborn."

"Huh?"

"It would seem that Amelia would like to challenge you again, with you using the same Pokémon as last time."

"Wait…then…"

"I'll allow you to use Girafarig this one time, but that's it. Understand?"

Wallace said, "Yes sis'."

Whitney said, "Good," in a tone that said that there would be lots of pain involved if he ever tried to use Girafarig in an Official Gym Battle again. "Now. You have a gym challenge to attend to."

XXXXX

When Whitney and her brother got to the battlefield Ashley was saying, "And that's how I…" then she heard the door open and said, "Looks like your opponent is here," nodding towards the door.

Amelia looked to where her sister indicated and said, "Looks like."

"Do you mind if I watch?"

"No!" Amelia said, aghast at the thought that the first time her brother would miss out on her battle.

"Well, alright then," Ashley said, misconstruing her sister's statement. "If you don't want me here then…"

"Don't you dare leave," Amelia almost threatened.

"Wait…then…" Ashley said, reinterpreting her sister's answer, this time the right way. "Alright," Ashley said, smiling as she walked over to the benches that were set up on the side of the battlefield. Mikki was by her side the entire time.

Whitney said, "Alright, this rematch is between Amelia Ketchum of Pallet Town and the acting Gym Leader, Wallace. Wallace shall be using the same Pokémon as last time and the rules shall be the same. The first trainer to have all three Pokémon unable to battle will lose. I will be the referee for this match." Whitney glared at her brother as she said, "I hope there are no complaints."

"None here," Amelia said.

Wallace "No," knowing from past experience that there was no good gained from crossing his sister when she was in a mood like the one she was currently in.

Whitney said, "Good. In that case the Acting Gym Leader will send out their Pokémon first."

Wallace said, "Go, Raticate," sending out the Mouse Pokémon.

When Wallace released it, on the sidelines, Ashley commented, "It's darker than normal."

Mikki said, "Yeah. Apparently there is a rare phenomenon that causes a Pokémon to be born with a different colour to normal."

"Yeah. If I remember right, the different coloured Pokémon are referred to as 'Shiny'."

Mikki looked at Ashley askance and said, "You seem to know a lot about it."

"My Noctowl is like that."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Next time you're in Pallet Town ask Professor Oak to show you."

"Alright," Mikki said and frowned, thinking, 'Damn. If she uses that in a contest then I'm through.'

Ashley glanced at Mikki from the corner of her eyes and, guessing correctly, said, "Don't worry too much Mikki."

"Huh?" Mikki asked, unaware that she was frowning.

"I'm not going to be using any of my previously caught Pokémon in Official Contests."

Mikki said, "Oh thank Arceus," letting out a sigh of relief.

"Well, if I can help it that is."

"Don't say that!" Mikki said before she saw the grin on Ashley's face. She thought, 'They're just the same,' as she rested her head on her right hand, propping it up on her thigh, turning her attention to the match.

Amelia said, "Alright, come on out, Hitmonchan!" throwing a green and white Pokéball over the field.

Ashley said, "Isn't that a Safari Ball?"

Mikki said, "Yeah. We were in Fuchsia City…about six months ago now."

"Hm, I didn't know that they had Hitmonchan in the Safari Zone."

"Well, they are only recent additions."

Ashley thought, 'Maybe I should pay a visit to Fuchsia City when I'm done here.'

Ashley's attention turned back to the battle when she heard Wallace call out, "Raticate, use Shadow Ball."

Amelia thought, 'Shadow Ball? So he's taught it a new trick since our last battle. Too bad it's not going to be enough.' Amelia said, "Hitmonchan, duck under it," as the Shadow Ball flew at Hitmonchan's face. Once it was past Hitmonchan's head, Amelia said, "Now use Mach Punch."

Hitmonchan's fist glowed white as it ran at Raticate at an insane speed. When it was closer, as Hitmonchan's fist neared Raticate, Wallace said, "Use Quick Attack to dodge." Raticate jumped to the side of Hitmonchan, a white streak streaming behind it. "Now, use Hyper Fang." Raticate changed direction and bit into Hitmonchan's leg, causing it to flinch in pain. "Now, hit it away with Iron Tail." Raticate jumped up, off the ground and spun around to hit Hitmonchan with its tail, which now had a metallic sheen to it.

As Raticate jumped Hitmonchan regained control of itself. Seeing that Amelia said, "Use Sky Uppercut." Hitmonchan tapped the ground with its fist, causing it to duck under Raticate's scything tail and hit Raticate on its underbelly with a glowing fist, causing it to hit the ceiling before falling to the ground. Wallace looked at Raticate, helpless as it fell. Amelia said, "Hitmonchan, catch Raticate."

Hitmonchan caught Raticate before it hit the ground, but it was still unconscious. Whitney said, "Raticate is unable to battle." Once Wallace had returned Raticate to its Pokéball, Whitney said, "The Gym Leader will now call their next Pokémon."

Wallace gritted his teeth and said, "Go, Girafarig," calling out his not-so-secret weapon earlier than he had in their previous battle, this time knowing how strong her Hitmonchan truly was.

Whitney said, "Battle, commence."

Amelia said, "Hitmonchan return," pointing Hitmonchan's Pokéball at it. Hitmonchan was consumed by a red light before returning to its Pokéball.

Wallace exclaimed, "What?"

"What do you mean what?" Amelia asked. "Our last battle proved that Hitmonchan was no match for Girafarig."

"Well…yeah but…"

Whitney said, "The challenger has chosen to recall her Pokémon, she will now call out her second Pokémon."

Wallace grunted and said, "Fine," huffing as Amelia made her move.

Amelia said, "Come on out, Umbreon."

Wallace thought, 'She has an Umbreon?'

Whitney said, "Begin."

"Girafarig, use Zen Headbutt," Wallace said, knowing that despite Zen Headbutt being a Psychic-Type move Umbreon would still take some damage from the force of it.

Amelia said, "Umbreon, use Shadow Ball and aim it at the ground.." Umbreon shot the orb of ghostly energy at the ground, causing a massive cloud of dust to rise up and cover the field, blocking off Girafarig's sight.

Wallace called out, "What good did that do? Now neither of us can see."

Amelia said, "It doesn't make a difference to Umbreon. Umbreon, use Feint Attack." While Girafarig looked around itself, trying to find out where Umbreon could be, Umbreon moved through the smoke undetected before it appeared mere seconds before crashing into Girafarig's side. Girafarig cried out in pain as it fell to its side. Through the smoke it heard the Umbreon's trainer call out, "Use Dark Pulse." As it wasn't even two meters away Umbreon could see Girafarig and the Dark Pulse hit, knocking it out. Umbreon took Girafarig's tail into its mouth and dragged it over to Wallace so that he could return it to its Pokéball.

Once Wallace had returned his Girafarig to its Pokéball he grabbed another Pokéball and said, "Sail through the skies, Togekiss. Togekiss, use Defog."

Once the dust cloud had disappeared and Whitney saw the flying time she sighed and covered her eyes with her right hand. She shook her head and said, "The Leader will recall Togekiss and send out Ursaring."

Wallace exclaimed, "What?! But I…"

Whitney said, "The rules of this battle state that you can only use Raticate, Ursaring and Girafarig. Even disregarding that, Togekiss fits under the same category as Girafarig. It doesn't know any normal type moves."

"Hmph," Wallace said, annoyed at being unable to call out a Pokémon that could win the match for him. "Fine then. Go, Ursaring," Wallace said, throwing Ursaring's Pokéball over the field.

"Begin."

Amelia recalled her Umbreon. Wallace said, "Why'd you…"

Amelia cut Wallace's question short, stating, "Hammer Arm." Wallace grunted. "Go, Hitmonchan," Amelia called out, resending Hitmonchan into battle.

Whitney said, "Commence."

Wallace said, "Ursaring, use Bulk Up." Ursaring was surrounded by a red glow, increasing both its attack and defence.

"Hitmonchan, use Mach Punch." Hitmonchan crossed the distance between it and Ursaring almost instantaneously. When Hitmonchan was about half the distance Amelia called out, "Change to Dynamic Punch." With the increased speed of Hitmonchan's Dynamic Punch it knocked Ursaring out in one blow, despite its increased defence.

Whitney said, "All three of the Gym Leader's Pokémon have been defeated. As such the match is over," moving to the centre of the field along with Amelia and her brother. When all three were in the centre Wallace handed Amelia a badge. Whitney said, "Congratulations. You beat the Goldenrod Gym."

Amelia said, "Thanks Whitney."

Whitney then rounded on her brother and said, "As for you. What the hell was that?"

"I'm sorry I los…"

"That's not what I'm talking about," Whitney said. "Why did you try to use Togekiss?"

"A Gym Leaders duty is to defeat their challenger otherwi…"

Whitney asked, "Where did you come up with that?"

"Uhh…isn't that what they do?"

Ashley said, "A Gym Leader's responsibility is to test the challenger's ability in battle," as she came over.

"What would you kno…"

"A friend of mine said once that a Gym Leader is shaped by their challengers."

Whitney cut off her brother when he tried to defend against Ashley's claim and said, "That Quick Attack that you had Raticate use to dodge Mach Punch was interesting."

"What do you…"

"I've never seen you use it that way before. As a matter of fact, it looked an awful lot like the way Amelia used Sky Uppercut."

"Uhh…I…" Wallace started to say before sighing and dropping his head. He said, "Sorry for using Girafarig," coming to realise that there was a lot of sense in what the three girls were saying. "Okay, here's your badge," Wallace said, handing over one of the Gym's badges that his sister had told him to keep on him at all times. He turned to look at Ashley before saying, "If you want to challenge me for a badge too, I'm afraid that you are going to have to wait a while."

Ashley said, "No no, it's fine. I'm looking to compete in the Contest in a couple of days so I'll be preparing for that. If I decide to challenge for this Gym's badge I'll come here after that."

"I see," Wallace said. He was secretly glad that he wouldn't have to face one who was clearly, somehow, related to the challenger that had just defeated him.

Ashley waited while her sister placed her badge in her badge case before saying, "So, do you want to take care of that transfer now?" as she walked away.