Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.

Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai

Chapter forty-eight: The Pokémon League, part three

"Team Rocket did what?!"

It was evening, a few hours after Dawn had a conversation with Bertha of the Sinnoh elite four following Dawn defeating her. In said conversation, Bertha had revealed to Dawn why she had been so distracted during their battle, which was part of why Dawn won as easily as she did; said reason was that Bertha had ultimately failed to stop Team Rocket from stealing at least a dozen Pokémon from various trainers, with one of said trainers being the young child of Bertha's cousin, with some phony day care scheme that they were running.

Given that those stolen Pokémon had by now long since been shipped out of Sinnoh, the matter was now in the hands of inter-regional law enforcement in order to recover the stolen Pokémon. But the odds that any of them would be recovered were already looking slim. Following that story, Dawn told the boys that she had told Bertha about what all Maylene had gone through due to Paul's rather poor attitude at the time, as Dawn initially thought Bertha had heard about it already and that was why her performance in the battle today was lackluster at best.

"Wait, why is Bertha's cousin's family not on speaking terms with Bertha right now?" Brock asked, "I mean, with all due respect, it's sort of the kid's fault that his Magby got stolen by Team Rocket. Also, Bertha did save the kid from getting attacked by one of Team Rocket's robots."

"I think it's more due to how they're hurting over the fact that Magby was still stolen," Kenny pointed out, "And bare in mind that the kid is fairly young, and Team Rocket wore disguises when running that day care scheme of theirs. It's not like the kid is as perceptive as me and my main man Dawn, so some slack ought to be permitted."

Ash scowled bitterly as he thought about what he and the others had just learned. "I can't believe that Team Rocket actually got away with stealing a lot of Pokémon from unknowing trainers. That's not fair at all. And here I thought that they had some good in them."

"They're still criminals, Ash," Dawn pointed out, "And they did raise that ruckus over in Arrowroot Town a while ago. We shouldn't be expecting them to drop their criminal ways just because they had helped out against Team Galactic, which bare in mind they helped out there partly for revenge and because Team Galactic's goals ran counter intuitive to what Team Rocket wants."

Ash pounded a fist into his hand. "The next time I see Team Rocket, I'll make them regret having ever touched even one hair on the heads of any of those Pokémon they successfully stole from the trainers they had duped." Pikachu, his cheeks sparking with electricity, cried out in agreement with Ash, with Pikachu's tone sounding vengeful.

Dawn nodded in agreement with Ash's feelings on the matter. "I'm sure that, given Team Rocket's history, we'll run into them again at some point. It's especially likely due to how they actually had a scam succeed in letting them steal Pokémon from their trainers, because said success is bound to make Team Rocket feel emboldened."

Turning to look at Dawn, Kenny said, "We can discuss that business when it crops up next. But on to the main point here, Dawn. Are you ready for the battle that you'll be having tomorrow against elite four member number three?"

Dawn nodded once in the affirmative. "My opponent tomorrow will be Flint. You guys all remember him from Sunyshore City?"

"Oh! You're battling Flint tomorrow!" Ash exclaimed, "Yeah, he's an awesome trainer! Hey, I wonder how Volkner and their Proprietor friend will react when they see you battle Flint."

"Oh, they'll probably go bug-eyed when they see my main man here douse Flint's fire," Kenny replied in an amused tone.

As the boys talked with one another about how Dawn would be battling Flint tomorrow, Dawn herself was thinking about the battle that she had ahead of her. Flint, as the third member of the Sinnoh elite four, was bound to be tougher than Bertha and, unlike her, had nothing that Dawn at the time was aware of distracting him. He was bound to be a step up from Dawn's previous two battles against members of Sinnoh's elite four.

There was also how Flint was a fire Pokémon user. Knowing that, Dawn figured that some of the water Pokémon she had when she faced Bertha would be a wise choice, but she had already taken the time to rotate her grass Pokémon out to rotate some choice ground Pokémon in, as ground is also super effective against fire. Tsukune would be an especially huge boon against Flint, not only due to its partial water typing, but also because its other partial typing of dragon, giving Tsukune a times four resistance to Flint's type of choice.

Even so, Tsukune was still Dawn's last resort option, and she was planning to make the most of her other Pokémon before and if her others against Flint all go down first. The reborn trainer intended to give her battle against Flint tomorrow her all, to make him sweat so much that even he wouldn't be burning as brightly as her by comparison. Dawn expected the battle against Flint tomorrow to be the toughest battle that she has had against the Sinnoh elite four yet, partly to make up for how she had overcome Bertha as easily as she did.

Although the older woman did have a good excuse for being so distracted.

The following day, everyone was gathered back in the main arena of the Lily of the Valley stadium, as Dawn and Flint stood in their respective spots as they waited for the battle to start. To the surprise of Ash, Brock, and Kenny, Volkner and the Proprietor had come out to Lily of the Valley Island, having actually arrived with Flint, in order to watch him battle against Dawn to see if she'd be able to get over him, her third hurdle in getting through the elite four of Sinnoh to have a showdown against Cynthia herself.

"The young lady actually won the Lily of the Valley Conference," began the Proprietor in an amazed tone, "And made it through Aaron and Bertha. Now she's staring down at Flint."

Ash nodded confidently. "Dawn will do well. I can already tell."

"If she uses her legendary Pokémon that she used in her battle against the Darkrai user, then she's bound to be set," Volkner said, his arms folded over his chest, as he spoke while sounding like he had been cheated out of something, "To think that Dawn not only has a legendary Pokémon, but she had it since before she challenged me at my gym. She could of made our battle even more exciting."

"It's not like Dawn is Tobias," Brock pointed out, "Who uses legendary Pokémon first thing. Dawn likes to save her Palkia either as a last resort option or busting it out early against opponents who she feels warrants the excuse, such as Tobias himself."

The Proprietor nodded in understanding of how Dawn works like that. "...Which is sort of how Kenny worked when he challenged Volkner in their proper match." Turning to look at Kenny, the Proprietor said, "If Volkner's Luxray had endured the match against your shiny Sandslash, you would have sent your Giratina out afterwards, wouldn't you?"

Kenny nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, Black is more or less my Pokémon who I consider to be my nuclear option. I would of sent Black out had Volkner's Luxray endured its match with Elay."

"Now I feel even more cheated," Volkner muttered in bemusement.

As the guys there in the audience were all watching, down in the arena the battle between Dawn and Flint was about to get under way. Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "This official challenge to the Sinnoh Pokémon League's elite four will see Dawn Berlitz of Twinleaf Town, Sinnoh, face off against Flint of the elite four! Each trainer may use their respective entire parties of Pokémon, and the battle is over when all of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to battle! Also, both trainers may substitute Pokémon out at any time! Let this battle..." Throwing both hands up, the referee yelled, "...BEGIN!"

"Rapidash, I choose you!" Flint said as he tossed up the pokéball that held his first Pokémon for the battle.

Tossing up a pokéball herself, Dawn called out, "Alright, Albedo! Let's get goin'!"

Both of the competing trainers' respective first Pokémon came out, Flint's Rapidash and Dawn's named Gliscor. Wanting to get an early lead, Flint pointed forward as he called out, "Rapidash, use Flame Charge!"

"Albedo," Dawn began as she gestured forward, "Use Earthquake!"

Both Pokémon got their attacks off, with Albedo triggering an earthquake that slammed Rapidash with seismic waves as it ran at Albedo with its hooves cloaked in flames. Rapidash slammed into Albedo like that and dealt some damage, but the named Gliscor was able to take it. Also, Rapidash was able to boost its speed due to having used Flame Charge. Seeing that he didn't take Dawn's Gliscor down yet, he decided to go on the defensive.

Gesturing forward, Flint called out, "Rapidash, use Hypnosis!" Rapidash cried out as it focused some mild psychic power to its fiery mane, making the flames sway hypnotically from side to side in the hopes of lulling Albedo to sleep. After the attack was done, Flint was confident that he had made Albedo fall asleep, allowing him to get some more damage in. However, to Flint's surprise, not only had Albedo not fallen asleep, but he saw that she had somehow been poisoned.

"How did your Gliscor get poisoned?" Flint asked, looking surprised.

"Albedo is holding a Toxic Orb held item," Dawn explained, "It toxic poisons the Pokémon holding it after a while."

"You'd poison your own Pokémon?" Flint asked, looking confused.

Clenching a fist, Dawn replied, "Since it'll trigger Albedo's Poison Heal ability, yes!" Gesturing forward, Dawn called out, "Albedo, use Night Slash!"

"Rapidash return!" Flint said as he called his Rapidash back, "Steelix, I choose you!" Coming out in Rapidash's place was Steelix, Flint's second Pokémon. Seeing Flint use Steelix made Dawn think that Flint's team here will be his initial challenge team from the games in her previous life, which had only two fire Pokémon despite how Flint is the FIRE user of the Sinnoh elite four. Since Flint has a full party here, Dawn hoped his sixth Pokémon will be a fire type.

After Steelix came out, Albedo struck it with Night Slash, which did regular damage to Steelix and didn't score a critical hit. The regular damage was respectable though, especially considering that Steelix has good physical defense. As Albedo's toxic poisoning was mending her wounds, Dawn called out, "Albedo, use Earthquake!"

"Steelix, use Fire Fang!" Flint called out. Albedo triggered another earthquake, slamming Steelix with seismic waves that did far more than what the Night Slash it took did. Steelix, due mainly to how tanky it is with physical defense, was able to take it and then bite down on Albedo with fire cloaked teeth, doing some damage but Albedo was still hanging in there. As for Steelix, it was obviously getting worn down, and two more good strikes, one if it's another Earthquake, would be enough to take it out of the battle.

But Dawn didn't want to take a gamble, and decided to play it safe. "Albedo, use Night Slash!"

"Steelix return! Drifblim, I choose you!" Flint said as he swapped his Pokémon out, replacing Steelix with Drifblim who took the Night Slash. "Aww geez!" Flint said as he saw his Pokémon take a super effective hit, "I was banking on you calling for another Earthquake, so I swapped my Drifblim in before I could have heard you call for something else!"

Dawn nodded once. "So I was smart to avoid the gamble. Good to know." Pointing forward, Dawn called out, "Albedo, use Night Slash!"

"Drifblim, use Strength Sap!" Flint ordered.

Drifblim moved to take aim at Albedo in order to drain her strength to recover, but the named Gliscor was quicker, slashing at Drifblim before it had a chance to take action. Drifblim cried out in pain as it looked to have easily taken a critical hit from Night Slash. Drifblim ended up falling down out of the air and hit the ground, kicking up a bit of a dust cloud as it did so. When the dust settled, everyone saw that Drifblim had been defeated.

Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Drifblim is unable to battle! The winner is Gliscor!"

As Albedo healed due to her toxic poisoning, Dawn considered Flint as he recalled his fainted Drifblim. He has used half of his party thus far, but kept swapping them in and out because of how Albedo had been keeping him on his toes. She figured that Flint had allowed his Drifblim to go down so that he'd have a clean spot to swap into. Sure enough, Flint tossed up a pokéball as he called out, "Lopunny, I choose you!"

"Albedo that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she swapped her Pokémon in and out, "Alright, Germany! Let's get goin'!" After the swap, Dawn had her named Garchomp, still wearing the Assault Vest held item, take to the battlefield. Dawn pointed towards Lopunny as she called out, "Germany, use Earthquake!"

"Lopunny, use Quick Attack!" Flint ordered. Lopunny rushed in and rammed into Germany quickly, scoring a moderate hit, although it did put Lopunny at ground zero of Germany's Earthquake attack, slamming Lopunny with the brunt of the seismic waves. Lopunny was able to endure, however, and that's when Flint cracked an amused smirk. Pointing forward dramatically, Flint called out, "Lopunny, use High Jump Kick!"

"Germany, use Iron Head!" Dawn ordered. As Lopunny tried to jump up, Germany slammed his head, shining like polished metal, right down and smacked it hard into Lopunny's face, scoring a hit that sent Lopunny reeling before it fell over backwards onto the ground, clearly out of it.

Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Lopunny is unable to battle! The winner is Garchomp!"

Recalling his fainted Lopunny, Flint sighed, "Oh man, I was hoping having Lopunny get in close and quick would let me deal some heavy damage, but I guess you scuttled that plan before it could get off. Them's the breaks, I suppose." Smirking, Flint went on, "But you're sure making this a battle that burns brightly! No wonder you had helped to reignite Volkner's spark!" Holding up a pokpokéball, the fire user of the Sinnoh elite four said, "Let's see how much of a fire you have in your belly! Steelix, I choose you!"

"Germany that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she swapped her Pokémon, "Alright, Shadow! Let's get goin'!" After Flint sent out his exhausted Steelix, Dawn swapped her named Gastrodon into the battle after recalling Germany. Pointing forward, Dawn called out, "Shadow, use Scald!"

"Steelix, use Crunch!" Flint commanded.

Shadow spewed a violently forceful blast of scalding hot water from his mouth right at the incoming Steelix, doing super effective damage that Steelix was just barely able to edge out against by the skin of its teeth although it was burned in the process. Steelix then went on to bite right down onto Shadow, although it didn't do all that much damage. After Steelix got off of Shadow, it was hurt by the burn inflicted by Scald, and the pain from that made Steelix fall over onto the ground of the battlefield with a ground shaking thud that kicked up some dust. When the dust had settled, it was clear that Steelix was out of it.

Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Steelix is unable to battle! The winner is Gastrodon!"

"Hot dang!" Flint remarked as he recalled his fainted Steelix, "My own Pokémon done in by pain from a burn! Dealing burns is kind of my deal, so the irony here is pretty surprising!" Holding up yet another pokéball, Flint said, "Let's see how your Pokémon like it when I turn up the heat! Infernape, I choose you!"

"Shadow that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she called her named Gastrodon back. She knew that this next part would be a little risky, but something in her compelled her to try this. Tossing up a pokéball, Dawn called out, "Alright, Chi-Chi! Let's get goin'!" To everyone's surprise, Dawn's choice of Pokémon to go against Flint's Infernape was her own Infernape. The fact that Chi-Chi came out wearing the Expert Belt held item tied securely around her waist made it easier to identify which of the Infernapes belonged to who.

Flint at the very least was clearly amused by this. "Woah ho ho! An Infernape mirror match! Now this is a heated battle!" Pointing forward, Flint said, "Infernape, use Mach Punch!"

"Chi-Chi, use Earthquake!" Dawn called out.

Flint's Infernape rushed in quickly and punched Chi-Chi in the gut with Mach Punch, but that just led to a repeat of what happened between Flint's Lopunny and Germany; Flint's Infernape was now in the ground zero range of Dawn's Infernape's Earthquake attack, causing him to get slammed by the seismic waves of the powerful super effective attack. As Flint's Infernape was thrown back by the powerful attack, he was barely able to reel himself back in.

Gesturing forward, Flint called out, "Quickly! Rush in and use Close Combat, Infernape!"

"Use Thunder Punch, Chi-Chi!" Dawn commanded.

Flint's Infernape rushed in, swinging his fists all over the place, and was within one foot of Chi-Chi before the female Infernape threw a straight, electrified punch forward that slugged her opponent right in the face. Chi-Chi pulled her fist back so as to let Flint's Infernape stumble backwards until he fell over backwards onto the ground of the battlefield, laying there passed out. "Flint's Infernape is unable to battle!" the referee announced as he raised a hand, "The winner is Dawn's Infernape!"

As Flint recalled his fainted Infernape, Dawn breathed a slight sigh of relief that it wasn't her own Infernape who went down. At this point, Flint had only two Pokémon left, and one of them is a worn out Rapidash. Dawn was on her guard for whatever Pokémon Flint could send out next, as she was highly doubting that Flint would risk his Rapidash who'd go down to one Earthquake from Chi-Chi from the looks of it.

Sure enough, Flint tossed up a pokéball as he called out, "Magmortar, I choose you!"

A gut instinct in Dawn went off, telling her that keeping Chi-Chi out right now was a poor idea. As such, she immediately moved to swap her Pokémon. "Chi-Chi that's enough, fall back!" After calling her named Infernape back, Dawn tossed up a pokéball as she called out, "Alright, Germany! Let's get goin'!" After the swap, Dawn's Garchomp came back out into the battle. Pointing forward, Dawn ordered, "Germany, use Earthquake!"

"Magmortar, use Psychic!" Flint commanded.

Dawn was glad to see why she didn't take the risk with Chi-Chi against Flint's Magmortar, as it apparently knew Psychic. Still, Germany was quicker, and he triggered a massive earthquake with his attack, shaking the entire battlefield and slamming Magmortar with seismic waves as it was trying to get off its Psychic attack. Magmortar was able to hang in there barely, and as such it was able to slam Germany with a telekinetic blast.

The attack did some damage to Germany, but he was able to take it quite well, especially since he's still wearing the Assault Vest. Dawn didn't want to take anymore risks, especially since she could tell that she was getting close. "Germany, use Earthquake!"

"Magmortar, use Focus Blast!" Flint ordered.

As Magmortar tried to conjure its Focus Blast to cast at Germany, the named Garchomp triggered another earthquake to shake the battlefield and slam Magmortar with seismic waves. The ground-shaking attack threw Magmortar back until he hit the ground and skidded for a bit until it came to a stop, showing that it had been knocked out. "Magmortar is unable to battle!" the referee announced as he raised a hand, "The winner is Garchomp!"

After he recalled his defeated Magmortar, Flint tossed up as he called out, "Rapidash, I choose you!"

"Germany that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she swapped her Pokémon, "Alright, Albedo! Let's get goin'!" After swapping her Pokémon out again, Dawn had her named Gliscor back out. She was still toxic poisoned due to her Toxic Orb triggering earlier, but she was fine with that due to how it was working with her Poison Heal ability. Gesturing forward, Dawn called out, "Albedo, use Cross Poison!"

"Rapidash, use Flame Charge!" Flint commanded.

Rapidash and Albedo charged at one another, Rapidash with its hooves cloaked in flames, and Albedo with her pincers crossed in front of her while glowing purple. The two Pokémon had hit one another with their respective attacks, but while Rapidash saw its speed go up, Albedo wasn't finished off by the Flame Charge. Furthermore, Albedo's Cross Poison had managed to poison Rapidash, who was barely hanging in there.

After that exchange of attacks, poison affected both Pokémon. But while Albedo saw her case mend her injuries some, Rapidash was pained by its poisoning, and as a result of that it gave off a pained cry before falling over onto the battlefield, clearly out of it. Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Rapidash is unable to battle! The winner is Gliscor!" Gesturing to Dawn, the referee declared, "Victory of this battle goes to Dawn Berlitz!"

The audience erupted into cheers as Dawn had just made it past the third member of the Sinnoh elite four. Just one more to go and she'll be able to challenge Cynthia. As the audience cheered for Dawn, she was approached by Flint, who wore an amused smile on his face. "Yo Dawn, that battle was burning hot," Flint said, "I don't suppose that I could offer to take you and your crew out to dinner later tonight? My treat."

Dawn was surprised by the offer, but she figured that Flint wanted to talk to her about something important, so she agreed. She figured that the boys would like to eat out, and Dawn was also half expecting to see both Volkner and the Proprietor there as well. It'd be a full dinner party, and Dawn was betting that it'll be a rich, fulfilling experience. As such, she agreed to see Flint for the dinner later that evening. They even shook on it.

Later that evening, Dawn and the boys met with Flint who did indeed bring Volkner and the Proprietor along to have dinner at a restaurant located locally on Lily of the Valley Island. "Here's to Dawn!" Flint said as he held a glass up in a toast, "Who reignited Volkner's spark for battling and then kicked my butt!"

With a bit of an amused chuckle, Volkner turned to look at the Proprietor. "Maybe you ought to try battling Dawn."

"Yeah right," the Proprietor said, his arms crossed in front of him in an x pattern, "After what I saw her do to you and then Flint? No thanks. I choose life."

Everyone had a bit of a laugh at the joke cracked just now. After that, Flint got a little serious. "So Dawn, tomorrow you will be battling Lucian. He's the last, and strongest, member of the Sinnoh elite four. I hope that you're ready for your toughest battle yet."

The reborn trainer nodded in understanding. "I can see why he'd be the strongest."

"Here's the thing," the Proprietor said, "You know how it's said that fifty-five percent of those who win the Lily of the Valley Conference and decide to challenge the Sinnoh elite four fail to even get past Aaron? Well, those who were able to make it past Aaron, then Bertha after him, then Flint after her, end up seeing their trek through the Sinnoh elite four end at Lucian. No one who has challenged the Sinnoh elite four after winning the Lily of the Valley Conference has ever beaten Lucian."

The boys all looked at the Proprietor. "...So Lucian is really strong," Ash said.

"The only person to have beaten Lucian at all is Cynthia," Volkner remarked, "Even I wouldn't treat taking Lucian on in a battle lightly."

"No one has ever been able to clear the whole of the Sinnoh elite four and reach the match with the champion ever since Cynthia herself did and became the champion," Flint said, "So it will go down in history if you're able just to get past Lucian. That'll be bragging rights worthy in and of itself." As the dinner took on a bit of a serious air, Dawn wasn't too worked up. She of course figured that the last member of the Sinnoh elite four would be a serious threat to deal with.

That's yet another reason why Dawn was going into the battle tomorrow prepared for whatever Lucian may throw her way. She was not going to back down now, but neither would she just rush on into things here blindly. She knew every trick in the book, and had access to what all was at this point available to her. Dawn was going to give her battle against Lucian tomorrow her all, because she'll be damned if she doesn't.

END, CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Author's notes;

And here we see Dawn have her battle against Flint, who makes her work harder than either Aaron or Bertha did. Despite that, Dawn is still able to pull off a good win, and afterwards Flint treats Dawn, the boys, Volkner, and the Proprietor out to dinner to celebrate Dawn's win against him. Flint, however, does take the time to give Dawn words of warning and caution about Lucian, the last and the strongest of the Sinnoh elite four. Dawn will have to use what all she knows if she wants to net a win against Lucian and reach the champion title match against Cynthia herself. Take care.

Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Germany (male Garchomp), Albedo (female Gliscor), Shadow (male west sea Gastrodon), Lynn (female Floatzel), Tsukune (Palkia)

Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Kermit (male Politoed), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Shallot (male Glaceon), Zarbon (male Machamp), Black (Giratina)

Ash's Pokémon: Pikachu (male), Swellow (male), Heracross (male), Swampert (female), Sceptile (male), Charizard (male)