Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter twelve: Galactic Grapple
Dawn had a lot on her mind as she prepared to leave Veilstone City, mainly how terribly Maylene is doing because of Paul, and how Paul has surprised Dawn by being arguably worse than how she remembered him being in the anime in her previous life. She thought about how well this will go to hammering in the nails to seal Paul's metaphorical coffin shut, making sure he couldn't harass the many good natured trainers out there.
Dawn, before setting out to leave Veilstone City, rotated her party around so that she had Chi-Chi, Cyrus, Akiza, Germany, Lynn, and Coupins in her party. She figured that it would be realistic to get both Chi-Chi and Cyrus to their final forms before the Pastoria City gym, although she was planning to use Pokémon other than Chi-Chi for obvious reasons. With her party set up, the reborn trainer took off from the Veilstone City Pokémon Center.
"...Hmm..." Dawn hummed aloud as she considered the Pastoria City gym that laid ahead of her; if she recalled correctly from the anime, Crasher Wake used a Gyarados, a Quagsire, and a Floatzel. "...Akiza will be needed to handle Quagsire," Dawn muttered to herself, "And Luna can make quick work of Gyarados. Floatzel will be harder to deal with because it's pure water so it has no times four weakness I can exploit, but I bet that I-"
"Hey Dawn! Is that you?" the familiar voice of Kenny called out. Dawn looked up and saw her friend Kenny come running up to her. Like Dawn, Kenny was isekai'd into this world, being reborn as Kenny the contest rival. However, both Kenny and Dawn here were aiming for the Pokémon league, so they left contests alone completely.
Dawn looked a bit surprised to see Kenny here. "I thought you'd be half way to Pastoria City by this point, given how you took off earlier."
Shrugging, Kenny said, "Yeah, but some losers dressed like Team Galactic grunts kept me from leaving, citing 'safety reasons that won't be addressed until the meteors are collected and taken away for study'."
Dawn went wide eyed with alarm, holding a hand up towards Kenny in a gesture for him to stop. "...Kenny, I need you to come with me."
Kenny's eyes lit up a bit in amusement. "Oh ho ho! Are we going to knock some heads?"
"Potentially, yes," Dawn replied as she and Kenny took off, the latter following the former. As the two of them ran, Dawn and Kenny saw strange beams of light from over a ways away.
"Looks like there's a rave being set up," Kenny commented, "If they play dance club music, then Zarbon is going to want to have a little fun."
"Those aren't rave lights," Dawn said, "This is an act by Team Galactic!"
"How foolish," Saturn said as he and his posse of Team Galactic grunts confronted Team Rocket, Ash, and Brock, "That you all think you stand a chance against Team Galactic." Saturn called out his Toxicroak, and ordered the grunts to send out their Golbats. "We'll deal with this quickly. Toxicroak, use Slu-"
*CRASH*
Saturn was cut off when the ground beneath Toxicroak broke up from under it and sent it flying as a Gabite burst out from the ground beneath Toxicroak. Everyone was surprised as they turned to see Dawn and Kenny come running in, followed by Chi-Chi, Cyrus, Cell, Kermit, and Shallot. "Ash! Brock! You guys need help?!" Dawn called out.
"Yeah! These jokers are trying to steal the meteors around Veilstone City!" Ash said while pointing at Team Galactic, "We're really outnumbered here!"
The mass melee that ensued was nothing short of chaotic. Ash had Pikachu launch Thunderbolts at the Golbats while all of the Pokémon the heroes currently had out aside from Brock's Croagunk and Germany picked the Golbats off one by one. Meanwhile, Brock's Croagunk was eyeing Saturn's Toxicroak, as the Toxicroak eyed Croagunk in return. Germany, at Dawn's command, used Dig to go back underground to strike Toxicroak from below again.
Croagunk and Toxicroak rushed at one another with their attacks, and Germany burst out from the ground at that moment. However, Team Rocket got in the way and were hit by all three Pokémon, getting sent blasting off again for their troubles. While all of that went on, the heroes saw cables attaching themselves to the meteors as Team Galactic tried to make off with them.
Looking to the swarm of Golbats that Team Galactic had and saw that it was getting thinned out, Dawn turned to where Team Galactic was trying to steal the meteors. "Chi-Chi! Break those cables using Flame Wheel!" Dawn ordered, "Cyrus, slash them with Aerial Ace!" The named Monferno and Staravia, Dawn's first two Pokémon, acted as ordered, and snapped many of the cables thus making sure Team Galactic kept their grubby mits off of them.
Ash and the others had their Pokémon go for the cables to save the meteors, although Croagunk ignored Brock due to staring down at Toxicroak, wanting to settle things with it; Croagunk even looked to Germany and seemingly told him to back off, although the named Gabite had ignored the unevolved Pokémon due to acting on his trainer's orders. Germany rushed in and rammed Saturn's Toxicroak with Iron Head, making Toxicroak flinch and giving Croagunk the opening he needed to knock Toxicroak out.
Seeing his Toxicroak defeated, Saturn recalled it and sighed. "...Everyone, fall back," Saturn said, "We're getting out of here." Most of Team Galactic recalled their Pokémon and took off, with some who did not recall their Pokémon firing off attacks to keep the heroes from pursuing them. They all got into their helicopters and took off. Ash had Pikachu fire a Thunderbolt at the helicopters, but by then they were too far out of range.
Team Galactic, though without anything to show for it, was able to get away.
...
"There's no need to apologize," Officer Jenny said to the heroes when Ash tried apologizing for how Team Galactic got away, "All of the meteors are safe, as is everyone who fought Team Galactic off. I say it's a job well done."
A male senior police officer came forward. "Indeed so, Jenny."
"Sir!" Jenny said, partly out of surprise, upon seeing the senior police officer, saluting him as she saw him.
The male senior officer laughed off. "At ease. I just came here to check if everyone involved was doing alright after those criminal Galactic thugs were chased off like the cowards they are."
"Oh yeah," Kenny said, "My cringe posse and I helped to give those Galactic idiots a hard pounding."
Suddenly, Kenny's Machamp Zarbon came out and loudly cried, "MAAAAAAACHAAAAAAAMP!" in aroused, sensual pleasure.
The senior officer chuckled in amusement. "Is that so?" Looking around, the senior officer said, "I also heard that one of you commanded a Croagunk and a Gabite against the Toxicroak used by who looked to be the leader of that raid."
"Actually sir," Brock spoke up, "It was my Croagunk and Dawn's Gabite. Neither of us owns both."
"Yeah," Dawn confirmed with a nod, then looked over to where Germany was arguing with Brock's Croagunk while Chi-Chi and Cyrus, both panting with exhaustion, watched on. Sighing in a resigned tone, Dawn called out, "Hey, Croagunk! I'm not sure why you're arguing with Germany, but he was doing as I told him to help fight off those Team Gal-"
Dawn stopped short suddenly when she, as well as everyone else, saw both Chi-Chi and Cyrus begin glowing brightly as they both turned white. Their forms shifted and grew larger as everyone, even Croagunk and Germany who stopped arguing to see what was happening, looked on. By the time the glowing faded and the colors returned to them, Chi-Chi and Cyrus had both evolved into Infernape and Staraptor respectively.
"Hot dang, Dawn!" Kenny said as he patted Dawn on the back, "You got your Monferno and Staravia to both evolve! It must have been due to taking out a whole lot of those Golbats earlier, plus how they took out the most cables trying to steal the meteors overall."
"I wouldn't mind getting to battle Pokémon like that," Ash remarked, looking eager for a good battle despite the late time and the fact everyone had literally just gotten off of fighting off a bunch of those Team Galactic grunts plus a Commander.
Dawn, however, was more reserved. "Chi-Chi and Cyrus are still exhausted," Dawn pointed out, showing that her Infernape and Staraptor were still panting with exhaustion, "And it's late." Seeing that Croagunk started things back up with Germany, Dawn turned to Brock and said, "Also, Brock, can you please make your Croagunk back off?"
"Come on, Croagunk," Brock said, "Dawn's Gabite was following her orders when he helped you with fighting that Toxicroak." Everyone recalled their Pokémon before all turning in for the night. Dawn was especially eager to rest her Pokémon, mostly because Chi-Chi and Cyrus were both very clearly winded. They had given a lot of effort in the fight against Team Galactic, and although it paid off as they are now an Infernape and Staraptor respectively, they were still tired.
Dawn wanted to see to it that they both got plenty of rest.
The following morning at the Pokémon Center in Veilstone City, Dawn was having a small breakfast with Kenny after their Pokémon were rested. Dawn scanned the balls holding Chi-Chi and Cyrus respectively to see how they were looking. "Hmm..." Dawn remarked, "They both have the same movesets that I taught to the ones I raised in the games in our previous life," Dawn said.
"Oh?" Kenny said, "Are they good?"
"That's a matter of opinion," Dawn replied, "But said movesets did serve me well." As Dawn and Kenny continued to eat breakfast, they saw the doors leading into the Pokémon Center open, and in walked Maylene, the gym leader who was taking a hiatus due to unfortunate circumstances that gave Dawn all the more reason to want to throw the book at Paul. To Dawn's curiosity, Maylene was carrying a duffle bag full of stuff.
"Ah, there you are, Dawn," Maylene said, walking up to where Dawn sat. Taking off the duffle bag, Maylene said, "I was helping to clean up a warehouse used by the local fashion store here in Veilstone City. I..." Maylene paused, sniffled a little. "...Need something to take my mind off of how Lucario still hasn't woken up."
Pointing to the bag, Kenny said, "And that all is..."
"Oh, the warehouse used to be a storage facility for items given as prizes at a casino that used to be in Veilstone a long time ago," Maylene said, "Where one would save up coins to get the prizes. Anyway, given what you're doing for me, as well as how you gave a lot of effort to stop those Team Galactic guys last night, I figured you could best make use of them." Maylene sat the duffle bag on the table Dawn and Kenny were using and opened the bag up.
They were mostly evolutionary items used to help one evolve certain Pokémon into members of the Sinnoh pokédex. Dawn even spotted an Electirizer and a Magmarizer in the bag; Otohime could be evolved into Electivire with the Electirizer. With these items, Dawn would be able to get a good number of Sinnoh Pokémon. Graciously accepting the items, Dawn said, "Thanks, Maylene." A look of mild confusion entered the reborn trainer's expression. "...But what are you talking about when you say 'what I'm doing for you'?"
Maylene wiped a tear from her eye. "...You're working to get the book thrown at that cruel boy who crippled Roark's Rampardos and beat my Lucario into a coma.'
"Ah yes, the emo bully," Kenny said, arms folded over his chest, "Hmm, yes yes yes, he's clearly hankering for a hurting coming his way." Maylene giggled a bit at Kenny's comment before she took off, leaving the reborn trainers be. In that time, Dawn got Kenny to help her with a trade evolution in order to evolve Otohime into an Electivire, using up the Electirizer in the process.
Looking at the pokéball that held her now Electivire, Dawn remarked, "Well now I have a solid line up of three Pokémon to use against Crasher Wake."
"That reminds me," Kenny said, "I need to think about what Pokémon to use when I go after badge number four. I mean Roshi is good, but I'll need more than just him to stand up to Crasher Wake." The two reborn trainers, their business in Veilstone now complete, took off on the road ahead so they could make their way to Pastoria City, and thus their fourth Sinnoh gym badge each.
About a few days later on the road, Dawn and Kenny were talking. "...The Trophy Garden?" Kenny said to Dawn, looking confused.
Dawn nodded in confirmation. "It's located along Route 212, between Pastoria and Hearthome City. It's located behind the Pokémon Mansion." Dawn took her map out and used it to point out where the Pokémon Mansion, thus the Trophy Garden, was located. "It's a good place to find certain wild Pokémon," Dawn went on, "Up to and including-"
"I said that I don't want to trade my Pikachu!"
"Oh come on! How come none of the Pokémon I'm offering appeal to you?"
Dawn held a hand up to stop Kenny from moving. "...I think I remember the episode that this all happened in. Follow my lead." With Kenny following her, Dawn made her way over and saw that Ash and Brock were being bothered by Sho, a character of the day that Dawn remembered from the anime in her and Kenny's previous life. Sho was in the middle of trying to get Ash to trade Pikachu to him. But Ash, clearly in a more sour mood than what Dawn remembered from the anime, was staunchly refusing trade offers.
Holding up a pokéball, Sho said to Ash, "Then how about if I beat you in a Pokémon battle, you'll-"
"What's going on here?" Dawn called out, getting everyone to turn to face her as she and Kenny walked into the scene.
Pointing at Ash, Sho said, "This guy is refusing to trade his Pikachu to me, even though I need it to complete my power trio with Pichu and Raichu. I was about to challenge him to a battle where if I won, he would have to give me his Pikachu."
"One, I refuse to give you my Pikachu," Ash scowled, "Either through trade or otherwise. Two, I refuse to battle arrogant, stuck up jerks such as you who always have to have their way and throw temper tantrums at the slightest provocation!"
"Hold it, hold it, hold it," Dawn said, getting everyone to settle down. With all eyes on her, Dawn turned to look at Sho. "Ash here by all rights has no obligation to hand his Pikachu over to you under any circumstances. Forcing him to trade or give Pikachu to you is wrong."
Sho's expression relented a bit, looked a bit desperate. "But I really need a Pikachu."
Giving Sho a wry look, Dawn asked, "Does it absolutely have to be Ash's Pikachu, or will any Pikachu suffice?" Dawn then took her map out, then pointed out where the Pokémon Mansion, and thus the Trophy Garden, was located. "From what I heard," Dawn said, "The owner of the Pokémon Mansion is cool with folks catching the wild Pokémon that wander into his garden. One of the more common Pokémon seen wandering wild into the Trophy Garden is Pikachu."
Sho's expression lit up at that. "For real? So I can just go there, find a wild Pikachu, and catch it?"
"You may have to ask the owner first," Dawn said dryly, "And you'll probably have to listen to whatever story he tells while you butter him up, but yeah."
Nodding once in thanks as he wrote down the directions, Sho replied, "Thanks for the tip." Turning to face Ash, Sho said with a somewhat sheepish look on his face, "Umm... sorry if I was being a jerk just now. I'm just hurting for a Pikachu right now, ya know?"
Ash still looked a bit untrusting of Sho, but seeing as how he was being sincerely apologetic and that he wasn't trying to push things anymore, he relented. "...Just remember to not try to force other people into trades they don't wanna do."
Sho nodded in agreement, said his thanks and apologies again, then took off right for the Trophy Garden. After Sho was gone, Brock said, "Huh, I guess he wasn't too bad of a guy after all. He was just really desperate to catch a Pikachu is all."
Ash nodded in agreement before turning to face Dawn and Kenny. "Thanks for the save there. Say, how did you know about that place where wild Pikachu can be found?"
Holding up her map which was folded up, Dawn explained, "Kenny had mentioned to me that he's looking to catch some new Pokémon as well, so I brought up the topic of the Trophy Garden." Kenny nodded in confirmation to what Dawn said. Putting her map away, Dawn asked, "So are you guys heading straight to Pastoria City as well?"
"We're going to look around a bit first, but we'll be there soon enough," Brock replied with a nod. Dawn and Kenny nodded back in response, then waved Ash and Brock goodbye before they headed off together in the direction of Pastoria City.
Looking to Dawn, Kenny said, "So Pikachu can be found at the Trophy Garden, huh? That reminds me that I'm aiming to catch a Pikachu for myself."
Realizing what Kenny was getting at, Dawn said, "Of course, you are."
After a few more days spent traveling and training, Dawn and Kenny eventually made their way to Pastoria City. Given the early time and the fact that their Pokémon were safely recovering at the local Pokémon Center, Kenny was able to convince Dawn to follow him to check out the Safari Zone, also known as the Great Marsh. "Crikey, mate!" Kenny said as he did a horrible impression, "We're going to head out on a wild Pokémon safari!'
Dawn rolled her eyes. "... Whatever you say, Kenny."
...
The two reborn trainers entered the Great Marsh to look around and potentially find wild Pokémon to catch. Dawn, to her surprise, was greeted by a friendly wild Yanma while Dawn took a break to feed some of her Pokémon in a designated picnic area. "Yanma were able to be caught in the Sinnoh safari zone in the games from my previous life," Dawn thought, "But they didn't come in until after the main story was completed. Is this an example of anime logic again?"
Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Dawn took a Safari Ball, one of thirty that she was provided with when she and Kenny entered the Safari Zone (Kenny got thirty as well), and threw it at the wild Yanma with the intent to catch it. To Dawn's surprise, the Yanma broke out after the Safari Ball shook twice. The Yanma looked at her in confusion, then looked to where Coupins, who Dawn had on hand, was eating from his food dish.
The Yanma looked at Dawn again, then made some noises while gesturing at Coupins's food dish. "...Yes, you'll be fed regularly if I catch you," Dawn said to the wild Yanma. Upon hearing the promise of free food regularly, the wild Yanma made happy noises as it nodded to Dawn. Seeing the cue, Dawn took out another Safari Ball and threw it at the wild Yanma. This time, the Safari Ball was successful, and Dawn had caught the Yanma.
Dawn took the chance to check her new Yanma; it was female, had a docile nature, and the Compound Eyes ability. "You shall be named Minato," Dawn said as she affirmed her new Yanma's nickname before it was sent to the lab. Looking around, Dawn called out, "Hey, Kenny! How are-"
"Run away!" Kenny yelled as he, with Kermit running alongside with him, ran past the picnic site, followed by a stampede of Quagsire that were all chasing Kenny and Kermit while crying out angrily.
"...Kenny's done weirder stuff back in our previous life," Dawn reasoned as she went back to looking after her Pokémon she was feeding.
After a few hours of fun in the Great Marsh, Dawn and Kenny left. "So how many Pokémon did you catch?" Dawn asked.
"Zilch," Kenny said bemused, "When you had found me shortly before we had to leave, those Quagsire had all chased me and Kermit up a tree. Also all of my Safari Balls fell out and were eaten by the Quagsires. Two Great Marsh park workers had to get me and Kermit down."
Dawn looked a bit surprised by that. "...So that explains those two guys who I found with you and your Politoed." Shaking her head, Dawn said, "Why were those Quagsires all chasing you?"
Holding up a Toxic Plate that he had, Kenny said, "I found this and thought it was cool so I took it. Those Quagsires must not of been happy about it."
Looking amazed, Dawn said, "Kenny, that's a Toxic Plate! It's actually a pretty good find!"
Surprised that he actually got something good, Kenny said, "Oh, well of course I got something good. I'm dripping with massive shmeat energy, and I'm a way more likable person than Paul."
Dawn chuckled a bit in amusement. "Yeah, I won't argue with how you're more likable than Paul."
"So how about you?" Kenny asked.
"I found and caught a Yanma, a Skorupi, and a Croagunk," Dawn explained. Those three evolved into Yanmega, Drapion, and Toxicroak respectively, all of them solid Sinnoh Pokémon. Dawn was looking forward to getting some work done on them. Looking around, Dawn said, "Anyway, we ought to prep ourselves. We each have our fourth gym badge each to earn here."
Kenny nodded in agreement. "Well I'm totally going to have to use Roshi," Kenny said, "I'm also thinking Zarbon since he knows Stone Edge and also his ability is No Guard so that guarantees it'll hit Gyarados hard. As for the last Pokémon, I think my best bet will be to use Moista Fista, although it'll probably be a case by case basis."
Nodding along in understanding, Dawn said, "I plan to use Luna, Otohime, and Akiza."
"Cool, cool," Kenny said, "Well anyway, let's swing on by that gym to see if the gym leader can take on either of us." Dawn nodded in agreement as she allowed Kenny to lead the way right on over to the Pastoria City gym, where Crasher Wake and their fourth Sinnoh gym badges awaited.
To their surprise, Crasher Wake was the first person that the reborn trainers spotted upon making their way onto the gym. They got his attention, and he introduced himself as the gym leader. When Dawn and Kenny expressed interest in challenging him, Crasher Wake let out an amused laugh. "Well I'll be!" Crasher Wake barked in amusement, "I wasn't expecting any challengers since the Pastoria Croagunk Festival is coming up tomorrow!"
"Do you think you can take either challenge right now?" Kenny asked.
After giving the notion a bit of thought, Crasher Wake said, "Actually, I ought to have enough time today to face both of you once each." Giving the reborn trainers an amused smirk, Crasher Wake said, "That being said, you two both better win, because tomorrow's the Pastoria Croagunk Festival, so you won't get to try me again until after!"
Kenny smirked in amusement right back at Crasher Wake. "Oh, it's on." Crasher Wake laughed in amusement again before saying that he'll take Dawn's challenge first, as Dawn's a girl and Crasher Wake believes in the courtesy of letting girls go first before the boys.
...
"This official Pastoria City gym battle will be between Crasher Wake, the leader of the Pastoria City gym, and the challenger, Dawn Berlitz of Twinleaf Town!" the referee declared, "Each trainer may use three Pokémon for this battle, and the battle is over when all three of one trainer's Pokémon have been rendered unable to battle. Additionally, only the challenger Dawn may substitute her Pokémon out at any time. Let this gym battle... BEGIN!"
"Gyarados, I choose you!" Crasher Wake called out as he sent his first Pokémon out.
Giving the Gyarados a wry look, Dawn tossed up a pokéball as she said, "Alright, Luna! Let's get goin'!" Dawn's named Luxray came out and roared confidently as she hit the battlefield. "Luna, use Spark!" Dawn called out.
"Gyarados, use Bite!" Crasher Wake ordered. The two Pokémon rushed each other, but Luna was faster and, cloaked in electricity, rammed right into the dual water flying Gyarados, hitting it very hard. Enough so that it was pushed back forcefully where it fell down right onto the water with a slamming splash that kicked up a lot of water.
Kenny, where he was watching in the bleachers, got up and moved to a higher seat further away from the water. "Hey, I didn't know that I was in the splash zone!" Kenny exclaimed.
"Sorry, Kenny!" Dawn called back out, then turned her attention back to the battle. As Dawn expected, Crasher Wake's Gyarados didn't go down even though it took an electric attack from an electric Pokémon; Dawn attributed this to Gyarados's Intimidate ability lowering Luna's physical attack one stage. However, Dawn could tell Gyarados would go down in the next hit, also Spark was able to paralyze Gyarados, who couldn't use Bite due to paralysis.
Pointing forward, Dawn said, "Luna, use Bite!" The named Luxray ran forward, open mouth and teeth bared, before biting down on Gyarados's gut, making it cry out in pain before it fell over again and laid on the water defeated.
Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Gyarados is unable to battle! The winner is Luxray!"
Crasher Wake smiled a bit as he recalled his defeated Gyarados. "Not bad, little lady. Let's see how you deal with a different sort of water Pokémon!" Tossing up another pokéball, Crasher Wake said, "Quagsire, I choose you!"
"Luna that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she switched her Pokémon out, "Alright, Akiza! Let's get goin'!" After her named Roserade appeared on the battlefield, Dawn said, "Akiza, use Giga Drain!"
"Quagsire, use Ice Beam!" Crasher Wake called out. Quagsire opened its mouth to conjure its Ice Beam attack, but Akiza with her Giga Drain was quicker, hitting Quagsire before it could even move to get out of the way. After Akiza's Giga Drain was finished, Quagsire fell over defeated.
Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Quagsire is unable to battle! The winner is Roserade!"
"Ha! And here I thought that I was prepped for grass type Pokémon!" Crasher Wake barked in amusement, "Shows that I still have a lot to learn!" The gym leader got his game face on as he said, "But this is where the show ends." After recalling his fainted Quagsire, Crasher Wake tossed up the pokéball that held his final Pokémon as he said, "Floatzel, I choose you!"
"Akiza that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she swapped her Pokémon out again, "Alright, Otohime! Let's get goin'!" Dawn's Electivire came landing out on the battlefield with a mighty stomp, crying out eagerly as she saw that she was in battle. "Otohime, use Thunder Punch!" Dawn ordered.
"Floatzel, use Bulk Up!" Crasher Wake commanded. Floatzel stood there using Bulk Up to get swol, while Otohime charged in and slugged Floatzel right in the face with Thunder Punch. Floatzel didn't go down and wasn't paralyzed, but even so Otohime's Thunder Punch did a lot of damage. "Now use Ice Fang!" Crasher Wake ordered.
"Otohime, use Thunder Punch again!" Dawn commanded. Still quicker, Otohime swung her electrified fist at Floatzel, striking it in the gut this time and making it skid back as it hacked up some spit, making Ice Fang fizzle out. "Finish this off with Brick Break!" Dawn called out.
"Floatzel, use Whirlpool!" Crasher Wake ordered. Floatzel conjured the beginning of its Whirlpool attack, but Otohime ran right in under it and chopped at Floatzel with her right hand, striking Floatzel on its right flank and knocking it aisde, where it hit the water and floated there defeated.
Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Floatzel is unable to battle! The winner is Electivire!" Gesturing to Dawn, the referee declared, "Victory of this battle goes to the challenger, Dawn Berlitz!"
As Kenny cheered for his friend's victory in the bleachers, Dawn gave a calm sigh of relief. There was no trouble prior to her challenging Crasher Wake, unlike how there was with Maylene. And the gym leader looked to be in good spirits despite his loss. Without any bad feelings, Crasher Wake, after he recalled his Floatzel, approached Dawn and presented to her the Fen Badge that she had rightfully earned.
Dawn's quest to get the eight Sinnoh gym badges was now halfway through.
END, CHAPTER TWELVE
Author's notes;
This chapter covers the episode where Team Galactic tries to steal the meteors in Veilstone City, sees Dawn resolve things with Sho without any of the conflict from his episode, skips a few of the episodes I feel weren't relevant, and sees Dawn and Kenny make it to Pastoria City where Dawn gets her fourth gym badge. Kenny will see his battle for his Fen Badge in the next chapter. I actually have a reason for why I left in the bit with Sho, who's seemingly just a random character of the day.
The thing is, I was originally planning for Sho to force a battle anyway, but after thinking about it and reading about his character more, I decided to instead have him come off as a jerk at first but then back down and sincerely apologize when offered an alternative that allowed for the conflict to be avoided altogether. This helps build a contrast against Paul, who still has a nasty surprise or two in store for later. But what that will be will have to be seen to be believed.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Cyrus (male Staraptor), Coupins (male Mothim), Akiza (female Roserade), Luna (female Luxray), Otohime (female Electivire)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Kermit (male Politoed), Zarbon (male Machamp), Shallot (male Glaceon), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Elay (male Sandslash; shiny)
Ash's Pokémon: Pikachu (male), Turtwig (male), Monferno (male), Staravia (male), Buizel (male), Buneary (female)