Part X: The Battle About Ash

Ash just blinked in utter surprise at his girlfriend's sudden announcement. He had no idea what had caused Misty to issue her second Gym challenge and against Dawn of all people. It was totally out of character and Ash was still trying to process it.

In fact, Ash had no idea what was going on. Dawn was angry about something, he usually toned her out when she got like that as it was easier to just let her tire herself out than to actually deal with her. in addition, for some reason Misty had not taken to Dawn and the situation had deteriorated to this point. Still, Ash was not going to pass up the chance to watch a gym battle, especially one between his girlfriend and his oldest friend.

Dawn also blinked in surprise, her anger momentarily gone at the sudden and unexpected challenge from the Sinnoh native who had managed to unlock Ash's heart. Dawn had to admit, it was a bold move for a coordinator, she had figured that out from Ash's explanation, to challenge a Gym Leader from a different region to an official battle in her gym after just meeting her. It showed that Misty at least didn't lack courage.

The fact that Misty had done it to assert her dominance over Dawn in regard to Ash, something not lost on the dark haired girl, only added to the challenge. Dawn saw Misty as rival, anyone who liked Ash was in some way a rival to her, but she respected the red-haidark haired girl girl for her willingness to defend her claim.

Dawn met Misty's steely gaze and looked into her blue eyes. All she saw was determination in them and a desire to take down Dawn, coupled with a love for Ash that she knew all too well. The challenge was as Dawn expected, a serious one. Dawn felt her lips twist in a smirk at Misty. This was going to be fun.

"I accept." Dawn said still smirking. "Not a usual challenge but it's a challenge. This will be different."

"Oh, it will be." Misty agreed. "So, when shall we have out match?"

"Oh, I think now works." Dawn said and Misty blinked in surprise at that giving Dawn a wave of pleasure at the fact that Misty was now on the backfoot. "What do you say?"

"Now?" Misty asked.

"Yeah no better time." Dawn said simply. "There are no challengers at the moment because the Indigo League just ended so few are challenging at the moment and Ash knows my Pokémon and battle style from our time together. I can't let him give you pointers on how to beat me now can I? My Pokémon are all rested so they can fight, can yours?"

"You bet." Misty said her confidence returning as the fire of battle set in. "You're on."

Dawn just kept smiling. Then she surprised herself and Misty by grabbing the girl's hand and setting off at a run for the gym, dragging the startled coordination behind her, Piplup running as fast as he could after them after he noticed Misty was gone.

"What the hell just happened?" Ash said blinking in the dust as he was left alone outside.

"Pikachu." Pikachu said equally confused, the mating habits of human females were really odd to him.

"Well come on buddy, let's go watch this." Ash said as he picked up Pikachu and headed to the gym. "I have a feeling that this is going to be good."

Pikachu just nodded in agreement as they made their way to the gym. Ash was about to watch Misty's second gym challenge, this time it was against Dawn! It was going to be really hard to support one side in this one. Whatever the case, Ash wasn't going to miss this for the world.


"The gym battle between the leader Dawn and the challenger Misty is about to begin." The referee said from a box of to the side of the battlefield. "This is an official gym battle and as such will be a 3 on 3 battle. This battle is over when all of one side's Pokémon can no longer battle. Furthermore, only the challenger can substitute."

Dawn stood at the far end of the Gym in her box, facing Misty in the challenger's box nearer the door. Both women were staring each other down as they prepared while Ash, Oshawott, Scraggy and Pikachu all sat in the stands watching and trying to be neutral. At least it was for Ash and Pikachu as all the Unova Pokémon were fully on Misty's side.

The battlefield was a little different to how Ash remembered it from his own challenge. It was still a pool, that was to be expected in a water type gym, but it had been changed over the years. Instead of just a standard pool, Dawn had added several floats at random throughout the pool and 2 larger structures that were anchored to the floor so that non water type Pokémon could fight there as well. Ash had a feeling that the field changed every so often to keep it fresh.

Dawn was fully focused on the red-haired girl opposite her. Usually she would just call out her Pokémon and get this battle started but she didn't feel like that today. It was because this wasn't a usual challenge however and Dawn knew it.

This was as much about Ash as it was about anything else. She needed to test this girl, the wannabee who claimed Ash, and see if she was truly good enough for Ash. She respected Misty for challenging her as a way to prove herself, it was a good start but that didn't mean Dawn would go easy on her. A little trash talking would help.

"I'll give it to you." Dawn called across the battlefield. "Challenging me was a brave move, that took guts. Then again, showing up as Ash's girlfriend was as well. Not the wisest move for one's health."

"Yeah well I wasn't exactly expecting to run into the human personification of jealousy." Misty called back. "You were really getting on my nerves so I figured that this was the best way to shut you up and show you that I am serious about Ash. What better way to do that then by taking down the first girl who liked him in her own gym?"

"As a female and one of many who have liked Ash over the years I understand your desire to assert yourself over a rival." Dawn said with a nod. "I've done it many times myself, though not with a battle before. I'm not going to be easy though, we both know what this is about."

"I expect no less." Misty countered. "This is about Ash and our love for him, I am not holding back. I'm coming after you Dawn."

"Neither am I." Dawn agreed. "Though if you are going to continue this streak, know this; I may be the first but I am far from the last girl who will feel threatened by you. You're going to have your work cut out taking down both the known and unknown girls out there who want what you have."

"Good, I want you to feel that." Misty said back much to Dawn's annoyance. "You should be threatened by me. I am Ash's girlfriend, no one else is, and I will make it clear to anyone even if I have to beat it into you."

"Getting through his thick skull is something I am envious of." Dawn admitted trying to throw Misty off a little, the girl was truly serious about her threats and Dawn was struggling not to respect it. "I tried many a time and failed every time. I may be letting my jealousy take over but I do fight well when it comes to dealing with Ash's love interests and this time I have added incentive."

"This is my first, I expect I will be the same in time." Misty said as she pulled out a Poke Ball. "Now are we going to do this or are we going to chit chat about how much we both like Ash but how I was the one who landed him or are we going to do this."

Dawn growled at that. This girl was good, she was quick on her feet and sharp. It grated Dawn but it was also a good sign. Perhaps, if Misty could beat her, Dawn could concede that someone out there other than her was good for Ash. Perhaps. Misty would have to prove herself first though.

"Staryu, I choose you." Dawn said throwing her Poke Ball and calling out her usual first Pokémon. "This will be like old times my friend."

Misty blinked at the new Pokémon that appeared on the float in front of Dawn. She had never seen anything quite like it. It was a brown, 5-point star with a yellow center and glowing red crystal that Misty assumed was its eye, or at least how it sensed thing. it stood on its lower two prongs so that its top prong pointed to the ceiling and waited for her.

"What is that Pokémon?" Misty asked pulling out her Pokedex to check it out as Dawn smirked, having an unknown Pokémon would give her an edge.

"Staryu, the Star Shape Pokémon." The pink device chimed happily. "If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight."

"Huh, well it has to be a water type." Misty muttered as she threw her first Poke Ball, she had already decided who was going first regardless, it was time to show Dawn what she was made of. "Pachirisu, spotlight!"

Now it was Dawn's turn to be confused as the new Pokémon burst forth its ball and landed on the float in front of Misty with an excited chitter. Dawn had to admit, the small, white and blue squirrel looking Pokémon with a gorgeous tail and yellow cheek sacks was very cute. It continued to chitter happily on the float, ready for battle.

Dawn theorized that it had to be a Sinnoh region Pokémon as she had never seen one before and that was where Misty was from. That wasn't the issue. The issue was that because of its color and lack of other signs, she couldn't tell its type other than it was definitely not a water type. This was going to be interesting, already Misty had surprised her. Dawn couldn't let that stand.

Ash had been watching the back and forth between the girls with confusion as soon as he had sat down. It wasn't like either of them to get into it like that and about him of all people was even more surprising. At least Misty was looking much more confident and sure of herself then the last time she had challenged a gym, that was good. Ash had to admit, Misty was very sexy when she got like this.

As the conversation continued and Ash heard everything the girls were saying, something finally clicked in Ash's head. He was amazed he hadn't seen it before. it was so preposterous that he had to ask Pikachu who was sitting next to him to confirm it.

"Pikachu, does Dawn like me?" Ash asked his friend. "As in like, like me. You know, the way Misty likes me."

"Pikachu." The electric mouse said with a dull nod confirming Ash's question.

"Huh, and I never noticed?" Ash asked still reeling from the sudden revelation.

"Pikachu." Pikachu confirmed again with the same nod and lack of emotion as if the whole thing was obvious.

"Has she liked for a long time?"

"Pikachu."

"Since our first journey?"

"Pikachu."

"And Misty, she liked me back in Sinnoh?"

"Pikachu."

"And there have been others?"

"Pikachu."

"A fair few?"

"Pikachu."

"And I never noticed?"

"Pikachu."

"Any of them?"

"Pikachu."

"Am I really that dense?"

"Pikachu." Pikachu confirmed again and Ash just collapsed to the floor.

"Thanks buddy." Ash grumbled as he got up. "Well that is the past. I figured it out for Misty in time and that is all that matters, though I do feel bad for Dawn cos I probably felt the same way about her back then. Oh well, let's watch this, I feel like this could be good."

As if on cue, the ref dropped the flags signaling the start of the battle. Dawn wasted no time in launching an attack.

"Staryu, Swift!" Dawn ordered and her faithful Pokémon instantly sent out a series of stars at Pachirisu.

"Pachirisu, we know how to handle this." Misty called back. "Jump and spin through them like you did when practicing against Ambipom. Then use Super Fang."

"What?" Dawn asked confused at the order before she realized what was happening. "Is that even possible?"

Pachirisu chittered happily and used its bushy tail to leap forward and towards the Swift attack. It spun, easily dodging the stars as if it had practiced against them like Misty claimed. It also did so in a graceful way that was not what Dawn was used to facing as a gym leader. Before she knew it, Pachirisu had gotten past the Swift, opened its mouth and its buck tooth glowed and extended into a large fang.

It then sank the fang into Staryu who was still on the float and as surprised that the odd rodent had gotten through its attack as Dawn was. It let out a howl of pain as the attack it had never seen before made contact.

"Staryu, throw it off with Tackle!" Dawn ordered and Staryu did that, throwing the other Pokémon into the air but doing minimal damage. "Now, into the water, it can't follow you there."

"That is just what I was hoping for." Misty said with a wide grin that took Dawn by surprise. "Time to show you what I learned from constantly cheering Ash on in his many battles. You should have remembered how amazing he can be when in a gym battle, I sure have. Pachirisu, now, use Discharge on the water!"

"Discharge?" Dawn asked a sense of fear at the word creeping in. "What the hell is that?"

The answer was not what Dawn wanted but everything she feared. Her eyes went wide in horror as the cute Pokémon bunched up and sent a wave of electricity out of its body and into the water. The thing was an electric type and she had not seen it coming, though it did explain the yellow cheek pouches. There was no way that Dawn could win this round.

The electricity coursed through the pool, dancing and sparkling as it crackled and affected anything there. It was super effective and Staryu had no choice but to leap out of the water and away from the pain, taking plenty of damage in the process, and right into Pachirisu's line of sight.

"Now finish it!" Misty yelled pointing at the Star Shaped Pokémon. "Spark!"

Pachirisu chittered and surrounded its body in electric energy. Then it dove at Staryu faster than Dawn could react. Even if she could, she doubted that Staryu had the chance to dodge the attack as it was still sparking from the Discharge hitting it.

The electrified squirrel Pokémon slammed right into Staryu's red crystal and shocked the water type with a large amount of electricity at point blank range. Staryu wailed for a moment before it was blown back and into the wall behind Dawn, sticking to it for a moment before sliding down to the floor and the red light of its crystal going out signaling that it had fainted.

"Staryu is unable to battle, the winner is Pachirisu." The Ref said as Pachirisu flipped back to its platform happily.

"You were great Staryu." Dawn said as she returned her Pokémon and whispered to it. "I was taken by surprise that's all. It's not your fault."

"Weren't expecting that now were you." Misty taunted as Pachirisu chittered away, taking pride in its victory. "She may be cute but she can pack a charge when she wants too."

"Not bad." Dawn conceded. "I didn't realize it was an electric type, you got me there. However, you forget, I did travel with Ash for 3 years. I know how to handle adorable electric rodents in battle. I am not a gym leader for nothing, type advantages won't work again against me. Now that I know what your Pokémon is, you won't surprise me again. Starmie, I choose you."

Dawn threw out her second Pokémon and like Staryu one of her oldest and closest Pokémon burst forth. The evolved, purple and many pointed Pokémon burst out and landed on the float in front of Dawn, its red crystal glowing.

"Pachirisu, think you can handle this?" Misty asked and her Pokémon chittered affirmatively, she had the type advantage, she could deal with this new Pokémon as well. "Great now what is this Pokémon? It has to be the evolved form of that Staryu."

"Starmie, the Mysterious Pokémon and the evolved form of Staryu." The Pokedex chimed. "At the center of its body is a red core, which sends mysterious radio signals into the night sky."

"Interesting." Misty said confirming her suspicions. "Alright Pachirisu, use Sweet Kiss."

Pachirisu chittered and blew a kiss and sent a series of hearts at Starmie. The purple Pokémon just stood there and Dawn did nothing, she just stood there with a poker face as the hearts closed in on Starmie. That unnerved Misty as she had no idea what Dawn had planned.

"Now in the air Starmie and leapt towards Pachirisu." Dawn ordered just as the hearts reached it, avoiding the attack with ease. "Starmie, use Rapid Spin! Let's turn the tide of this battle"

The Mysterious Pokémon obeyed and while still in the air, turning parallel to the pool and spinning its body at a high speed. It was heading straight for Pachirisu as ordered.

"Pachirisu use your tail to jump up!" Misty ordered and Pachirisu did as instructed, Starmie sailing harmlessly underneath her. "And use Discharge again."

"Dodge and use psychic!" Dawn yelled.

Using the speed of its rapid spin, Starmie spun away from the Discharge attack. It then stopped, landed on a float, and unleashed the powerful psychic type move. The wave hit the still airborne Pachirisu in the chest and sent her flying high in the air, flailing in pain.

"Now, Rapid Spin again!" Dawn yelled and Starmie obeyed. "Knock it out!"

"Pachirisu!" Misty yelled but he had no hope, Psychic had thrown Pachirisu for a loop and she couldn't react it in time.

The Rapid Spin hit the EleSquirrel Pokémon from beneath at full speed. Starmie spun away to land in front of Dawn, bowing its top points in pride and completely undamaged. Pachirisu was thrown in an arch and fell down hard onto the top of one of the solid, anchored structures, swirls for eyes.

"Pachirisu is unable to battle, the winner is Starmie." The ref said as Misty returned her Pokémon with a small smile.

"You did well Pachirisu, taking out one Pokémon first was a big boost to us." Misty muttered to the Poke Ball. "Take a good long rest, we will avenge you."

Misty then turned to her started who like Pikachu did when Ash was fighting was standing by her side in the box. He met her eyes and gave a nod and Misty smiled at him.

"Alright Piplup, get in there." Misty said pointing to the float and Piplup dove into the water, swam to the float and leapt onto it with a flip. "Let's show Dawn our water moves."

"Ah Piplup, I was hoping you would use him." Dawn said with a genuine smile. "I enjoy facing a tough water type. No advantages here, just skill. Let's see what you can do with my type."

"That is what I intend to display." Misty said with a grin. "My Piplup is as powerful as an Empoleon, his final evolutionary form."

"Piplup." Piplup said proudly, puffing out his chest to show that he agreed with Misty's assessment.

"Really." Dawn said quirking an eyebrow at the claim. "We shall see. Now! Starmie, Swift!"

"In the water Piplup." Misty ordered and Piplup dove into the water, easily avoiding the Swift. "Hide and wait for my command."

"Follow him." Dawn ordered. "Find him!"

Starmie dove in as well and began scanning for Piplup. It was face down, at least Misty assumed the side with the red crystal was its face as the odd Pokémon lived up to its class as a Mysterious Pokémon. Whatever the red crystal was, it was clearly scanning for the Penguin Pokémon. It was time to show Dawn what a coordinator could do.

"Now Piplup, trap it with Whirlpool!" Misty ordered.

Before Starmie or Dawn could react, Piplup darted out from behind the anchored structure that Pachirisu had hit and formed the attack underwater, right beneath Starmie. It wasn't very effective against the other water type but that was not the goal. The goal was to trap it in place long enough for Misty to launch a combination against it.

"Use Rapid Spin to escape!" Dawn yelled.

"Piplup, now, Drill Peck!" Misty ordered. "Don't let it get out. Use the whirlpool to boost your speed."

Piplup stopped the attack, the nature of the attack keeping the whirlpool going, and elongated his beak before he spun, going the same direction as the whirlpool to increase his speed. Piplup then shot upwards and before Starmie could even gain enough speed to break free from the attack, Piplup hit it in the center of its crystal and both Pokémon flew upwards and out of the pool.

Ash and Dawn were stunned at that move. Dawn because it was a combination she had never seen before or even expected could work. She had to remind herself that she was facing a coordinator and not a normal trainer which would explain the unorthodox style. It was a learning experience she would not soon forget

Ash meanwhile was surprised because he had never thought Drill Peck could be used like that, though he felt that being underwater helped with combination's effectiveness. It showed just how amazing Misty was and how far she had come as a coordinator that she could create this on the fly. Ash couldn't be prouder of his girlfriend.

Misty smiled. She had this round and she was not going to let up now. It was time to retake the lead.

"Piplup, flip it!" Misty ordered and Piplup, still in midair flipped his body, the spinning Starmie still on his beak like a basketball but now it was beneath him. "Stop and jump off it."

"What on earth is going on?" Dawn asked confused. Starmie was spinning too fast to do much and she had to trust her Pokémon to recover to counter.

Piplup followed Misty's orders without question. They were always practicing new styles and moves, it kept him in shape and agile, more so than any other Piplup out there. He stopped his spin, let Starmie fall a little so that he could pivot his own body. Then he planted his feet on Starmie and pushed off it, flipping gracefully higher as he pushed it down to the pool several feet below them now.

"Now Piplup, Hydro Pump Maximum Power!" Misty yelled. "Drive it into the pool!"

Piplup opened his beak and poured all of his considerable power into the most powerful move he knew. A torrent of water shot out and slammed into the still spinning Starmie, spraying everyone with water in the process.

The force blasted Starmie, still on the jet of water, straight down and into the surface of the pool. Between the speed of the attack, the force of the descent, and the fact that all of Starmie's back slammed into the water thus distributing its weight evenly, the effect was like hitting solid earth not water.

Starmie hit the surface of the pool with a loud splat and then kept going. The water lapped over the edges of the pool as Starmie was driven straight down to the tiled floor of the pool before hitting it and remaining still, the water returning to normal as Piplup ended the attack.

Piplup, ever the show off, flipped several times in the air on the way down and then dove into the water without a splash. He swam over and leapt onto the float in front of Misty. He spun as he leapt, showing off his feathers as the water flew around him, and faced Dawn. He puffed his chest out and slapped it with pride. No other Piplup could do what he just did.

Dawn was just staring open mouthed at power and skill of Misty's Piplup. She could respect a good water type Pokémon and Piplup was clearly one. She had thought that when she had met him. This just confirmed it.

Looking down Dawn grimaced slightly as she saw Starmie. Her Pokémon was lying on the floor of the pool, the tiles around it cracked, and the light of its crystal extinguished.

"Starmie is unable to battler, the winner is Piplup." The ref said.

"Piplup." Piplup said proudly. "Pip, Piplup."

"You did well Starmie, take a nice rest after that battle." Dawn said as she returned her Pokémon before looking at Misty and the very proud Piplup. "That is some Piplup you have their Misty, a truly great water Pokémon."

"Piplup." Piplup agreed with a nod, glad that this person he was facing saw him for what he was.

"He is one of a kind." Misty said with pride at her starter. "Piplup, you want to continue?"

"Piplup." Piplup confirmed, he was riding high, nothing could stop him from winning this for Misty. "Pip, Piplup."

"Good." Misty said with a grin, she was confident that this battle was hers. "Bring on your last Pokémon Dawn, whatever it is I will take it down. I have one more victory to show you that I am better than you for Ash."

"Oh really, well seeing as you have fought hard and impressed me, and that this is for Ash then you do deserve my best." Dawn said with a feral grin and Ash suddenly had a feeling of dread fall over him. "Against a normal challenger I would only bring him out if that person proved to be a true challenge. While you have done that on your own, this is really about Ash so there is no choice in my last Pokémon. If you want to prove yourself to me, you are going to have to beat him."

"Bring it, I will beat it like the others." Misty said confidently. "I will show you just how much Ash means to me."

"We shall see." Dawn said still grinning as she pulled out her 3rd Poke Ball. "You may reconsider that in a moment."

Ash realized who Dawn was going to use. He wanted to warn Misty, he wanted to yell who was coming but he didn't. It wouldn't be fair to the battle or the girls to do so. He just had to sit there with a look of worry on his face and fear in his stomach for what was about to happen. Pikachu too knew who was coming but his concerns were more for Piplup than anything else.

"Time for my best." Dawn said as she raised the Poke Ball to her lips and kissed it before hurling it high in the air. "I choose you…Gyarados."

"G, Gyarados." Misty blanched, her confidence gone in a second, that had not been the Pokémon she had expected. "You have a…"

Misty's words were cut off by a roar of pure rage as the massive, 21-foot-long, Atrocious Pokémon burst forth from its ball. It was so long that it towered over a now panicked Piplup from its side of the pool and was still resting its tail end on the floor of the pool.

"You asked for it." Dawn said with a shrug as she gave the order. "I'm sorry Piplup but you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gyarados, Hyper Beam!"

"Piplup!" Misty yelled but it was futile, Piplup had no hope and they all knew it.

The powerful normal type move shot forth from Gyarados's maw in a blast of orange energy and slammed into Piplup at full force. All the Penguin Pokémon could do was stare in horror at the attack before it hit him in the face. With an explosion that destroyed the float he was on, Piplup was thrown backwards and into the wall behind Misty as she just gazed in horror at the powerful move.

There was a thick cloud of dust from the impact as the wall shook. Misty turned and as it settled, revealing a large, pretty deep, crater on the wall. Stuck in the center, his limps spread out, his beak open and swirls for eyes was a very defeated, charred, Piplup.

"Piplup!" Misty wailed and rushed to pry her started from the wall. "Are you ok?"

"Piplup is unable to battle, the winner is Gyarados." The ref said after recovering from the sudden attack.

Dawn grimaced and looked away from the crater. She may have over done it with that move and she knew it. She was going to have to make it up to the proud Pokémon when this was over, he didn't deserve to pay for getting between Dawn and Misty.

Still, it had also been a sign of respect in way. That Piplup was good, probably better than any of her water Pokémon except Gyarados if Dawn as being honest. She also had a feeling that Misty had a more powerful Pokémon that could go toe to toe with Dawn's ace.

This battle wasn't over and she was sure Misty would now give it her all for more than just Ash's sake. If Misty could beat her Gyarados then that would really impress Dawn. It was time to truly see what Misty was truly made of.

"Pip. Lup." Piplup groaned in pain as he came too and Misty smiled down at him.

"You did great buddy." Misty said relieved that he was alright, though he wouldn't be able to fight for a while. "You pushed Dawn to the edge, she was truly scared of your skills or else she wouldn't have done that. I'm proud of you."

Misty hugged Piplup close to her before she hurried over to Ash in the stands and passed Piplup up to him. Ash gently took the still groggy Pokémon and help him gently in his arms.

"Take a nice rest with Ash." Misty said to him. "I have to put Dawn in her place. After that, I will not lose to her."

"Go and win this Misty." Ash whispered quiet enough that Dawn wouldn't here. "Remember, I love you."

"I will." Misty said before getting up on her toes and planting a chaste kiss on Ash's lips, making sure that Dawn saw it. "I love you too."

Misty then turned and ran back to the challenger's box. Dawn had tried to intimidate her with that but she was not going to rise to it. Well not too much at least, she still needed to get revenge. She also may have deliberately kissed Ash in front of Dawn to get a reaction. She could feel it washing off Dawn in waves as she looked at the dark haired girl and smiled sweetly at her.

Ash laid Piplup down on a chair where he was slowly coming too. He looked over to Pikachu and his started nodded, he would take care of his friend after that hit. Ash then turned back to the amazing battle unfolding before him. The ending was coming and Ash knew it would be spectacular.


"Wha, what hit me?" Piplup grumbled as he full came too, pain wracking his body in ways he had never felt before. "Last thing I remember was a flash of orange light and then nothing but pain."

"Bro, you got hit by a monster!" Oshawott said incredulous. "I've never seen a Pokémon like it. It terrifies me."

"Gyarados." Pikachu said with a sigh. "Not a pleasant Pokémon to face at the best of times."

"I faced a Gyarados!" Piplup said amazed. He knew he was good but he was not that good, yet. "I guess I should be honored that I merited such a foe."

"Yeah I think Dawn isn't happy." Pikachu said glancing at the raging dark haired girl. "She only uses her Gyarados when she is really pissed."

"How can it be beaten?" Oshawott said in awe.

"I can and have beaten one before." Pikachu admitted remembering Crasher Wake's. "But I have multiple advantages over it that make me a good matchup, Piplup does not. Shame, he did so well against Starmie."

"That he did." Oshawott said with a nod. "These new Pokémon are interesting. I can't wait to meet more. Just not that thing. I never want to meet that thing"

"No one really wants to meet a Gyarados." Pikachu said. "Piplup, you ok?"

"In a bit." Piplup moaned, still a little out of it. "Just keep telling me how great I am, that will help."

"He'll be fine." Pikachu said shaking his head as he turned back to the battle. "This is getting good though, I can't wait to see how it ends."

"Never get between waring females fighting over a mate." Piplup grumbled from behind Pikachu. "That is the last time, I swear."

Pikachu just chuckled as he turned back to watch Dawn and Misty finish their battle. Somehow he doubted that, Pikachu had a feeling that this wouldn't be the last time Piplup was called upon to aid Misty against a rival mate for his trainer.


Dawn was fuming and glaring at Misty with pure rage after that little display of affection. If Misty wasn't trying to rile the other girl she would have taken a step back. Looking at Dawn and her Gyarados, Misty was certain that the Gyarados was the less scary opponent at that moment.

"Well come on." Dawn ground out, her rage at its busting after Misty's little display had worked so well to get her mad and flip the momentum she had just gained. "Send out your last Pokémon."

Misty set her jaw and thought about it. Gyarados was powerful and strong, he would be tough to beat. Plus, he was in the water so had the edge. It was going to be a tough battle and Misty had to choose wisely for it.

She could use Buneary who could use an electric attack that would be great because of Gyarados's duel water/flying type and she had better agility but she was at a disadvantage with the water. Typhlosion was out of the question as the fire type had no hope against a water type. Mamoswine could match Gyarados for power and with both being duel types that cancelled each other out there wasn't an advantage for either side but again the water was against Misty in that matchup.

Misty needed to neutralize the advantage. Dawn had with the water and give herself an edge. She also needed power to stand up to Gyarados. That left only one Pokémon for this job and one who Misty had known was going to be her last if she was being honest.

"Togekiss, spotlight!" Misty yelled throwing her ball into the air. "It's all on you!"

"Toge!" The Jubilee Pokémon sang as she burst into the air and gracefully flew around Misty before hovering above her, looking calmly at the angry Gyarados that was opposite her.

"Togekiss!" Dawn said her anger gone in an instant. She had never heard of it but there was no way it couldn't be connected.

When she saw the graceful white avian Pokémon with red and blue markings that were very familiar to Dawn, she knew her suspensions were right. Togekiss had to be the evolved form of Togetic. She didn't know that Togetic could evolve but that didn't matter, what mattered was that Misty had a Togekiss and it reminded Dawn of her old Togetic.

The thought of her old companion almost brought a tear to Dawn's eye, she missed the Pokémon terribly even if releasing it had been the right move. Ash saw this and grimaced, he should have told Misty about Togetic but it had slipped his mind as he had not expected the two girls to battle. Dawn was not going to handle this well.

Quickly Dawn's sadness was replaced by a rage that her Gyarados would have been proud of. Not only had Misty had the audacity to kiss Ash in front of her, in her gym and in the middle of their Gym battle no less, but she had the nerve to use a Pokémon that was tied to her released friend. This bitch was going to pay for it, all of it. Even if Dawn had to bring the gym down around them, she was going to take Misty down.

However, as soon as she saw Misty's face and the confident stare Dawn felt some of her anger abate at the look in Misty's eyes. There was no maliciousness in Misty's eyes, no gleeful joy at using Togekiss or pleasure that she had gotten to Dawn. She was simply using the Pokémon she thought was best to against Dawn's best and gain some advantage. She wasn't trying to get mess with Dawn at all, at least not with Togekiss.

"You, you don't know do you?" Dawn said quietly and Misty looked at her confused.

"Know what?" Misty asked confused, confirming Dawn's question.

"Never mind, I will tell you later." Dawn said shaking her head and getting back into the battle. "For now, we end this. Last Pokémon each. It is a shame to beat such a beautiful Pokémon but beat it I will."

"Bring it." Misty taunted. "Togekiss, Air Slash."

"Hydro Pump." Dawn countered.

The powerful jet of water hit the curve of air and they exploded. The water attack was stronger though and it came straight for Togekiss.

"Dodge!" Misty ordered and Togekiss elegantly glided up and out of the way. "Now, use Aura Sphere!"

A ball of blue aura shot out from Togekiss as she flipped and was sent right at Gyarados. There was no way that he could avoid it and just turned and took it off the side of his head. The fighting type move did minimal damage against the part flying type but it had been a distraction more than anything else.

"Air Slash again." Misty ordered.

"Dive under it and then use Crunch." Dawn ordered and Gyarados reacted instantly.

The large water type easily ducked under it and came up, snapping its powerful jaws onto the graceful flyer. Togekiss let out a yell of pain as the attack his and Gyarados latched onto her and didn't let go. With his weight and strength, she couldn't fly away.

"Escape with Safeguard." Misty yelled and Togekiss instantly activated the protective barrier, sending it out from her.

"How is that…" Dawn began before gaping what happened and muttering. "Ash."

It worked as the force of the barrier pushed Gyarados and he had to release Togekiss. She flew away trying to find a safe distance. Dawn had to admit, that was creative and could only come from studying Ash's battle style but it wouldn't stop her, Gyarados had Togekiss in its sights and it was hurt.

"Now Gyarados, Dragon Pulse!" Dawn ordered. "Finish it!"

"Dodge it!" Misty yelled frantically but to no avail, the powerful blast of dragon type power hit Togekiss in the back, right between her wings, and explode.

What happened next surprised everyone. Togekiss sang joyfully and flew out of the cloud the explosion had cause, completely unscathed. She wasn't even marked. It was as if she hadn't been hit at all.

"What?" Dawn yelled; her eyes wide. "That was a direct hit! It should have ended this."

"How?" Misty questioned amazed, clearly she too had not been expecting it.

All Ash could do was gasp, his jaw on the floor at the sight. The same was for Pikachu and the other Pokémon watching as they all knew how powerful a dragon type attack was. That should have taken Togekiss down but it didn't do a thing and no one knew why.

Misty was the first to recover. She had no idea what had just happened but she was not going to pass up on the sudden shift in her favor. She had the momentum and she was going to seize it.

"Sky Attack!" Misty yelled and Togekiss gracefully turned, powered up and before anyone else had recovered, least of all the stunned and pride wounded Gyarados, who was confused as to how his attack had failed, attacked him.

The powerful flying move slammed into Gyarados's head at full speed. The Atrocious Pokémon roared back in pain and Togekiss flew away, avoiding its snapping jaws with her usual grace. That was it! Gyarados was not going to let this pesky pigeon beat him.

"Crunch!" Dawn ordered and Gyarados lashed out.

"Show off your aerial elegance Togekiss." Misty called out. "Dodge and keep dodging."

"Crunch again! Don't let up Gyarados." Dawn yelled, caution thrown to the wind in the wake of her expected victory not materializing and allowing her own anger to control her. "Grab it Gyarados! Don't let it avoid you!"

Gyarados didn't need any encouragement, he was as pissed as his trainer at the avian creature who dared defy him. He attacked, repeatedly. His powerful, dangerous jaws crunching at Togekiss over and over again as he tried to latch onto her.

However, they kept hitting nothing but air as Togekiss easily flew away, sometimes barely, but always dodging and showing off her contest pedigree. She was just gliding in the air and rarely flapping her wings. As such, she was using less energy than the giant, very angry, snake thing and it was showing. Gyarados was becoming exhausted and lot madder as each attack missed.

So was Dawn. She was going to end this now. She was not going to lose, not in front of Ash and not to the girl who had managed to do what she couldn't and capture his heart. She would not let her rival win.

"Gyarados, Hyper Beam, maximum power." Dawn yelled as Togekiss flew up and near the glass ceiling. "Take it down!"

Misty just smiled, that was exactly what she had been waiting for. Ash may like to be quick and fast when he battled but Misty was a coordinator, she preferred grace and style. None of her Pokémon personified that more than Togekiss did.

The Jubilee Pokémon was able to easily dodge Gyarados as if it was nothing using all the grace she had been trained to use. She had exhausted the powerful Pokémon and made Dawn angry in the process. It had forced the gym leader to use her most powerful move, a move that left Gyarados vulnerable if it missed.

"Dodge and fly under it!" Misty yelled. "Don't let it tough you!"

Togekiss didn't need any encouragement. She may have shrugged off the Dragon Pulse attack somehow, even she didn't know how she had been unharmed by it, but there was no way that she would do the same for a Hyper Beam from a Pokémon as strong as Gyarados. With a twist and a spin, Togekiss flew down, just as the orange beam of pure power flew from Gyarados's maw.

The blast missed her, barely but it missed her and that was what matter. It shot up and punched a hole through the glass ceiling, destroying a good portion of it in the process and flew into the sky. Misty wasn't focused on that. She had worn down Gyarados. It was time to end this.

"Now, come up from below and use Sky Attack." Misty yelled triumphantly. "Full power!"

Togekiss sang as she attacked. She dove down, skimming the surface of the pool as she gained power, and then shot upwards at full power. She caught the recovering and defenseless Atrocious Pokémon under his jaw with her strongest Sky Attack.

The force and power was enough to lift Gyarados up and clean out of the water and into the air as Togekiss carried it upwards with her attack. Misty saw this and knew what to do while Dawn just gaped at the attack.

"Finish it, Aura Sphere!" Misty yelled. "Hit the same spot and launch it!"

Togekiss pushed up with the last of Sky Attack to send the larger Pokémon higher and then fell back a bit to give herself room as she powered up her attack. She then launched a powerful Aura Sphere at near point-blank range, right into the spot she had hit with her Sky Attack.

The force of the second attack pushed the still rising Gyarados up even further until he hit the glass ceiling hard enough to shake the gym and crack several panes of glass. He stuck there for a moment, a look of shock on his face, before gravity took over. Gyarados fell, Togekiss diving out of the way to avoid him, back to the pool.

All everyone could do was stare in shock as 21 feet of roiling, pissed off, Pokémon hit the water from a higher taller than itself. The result of that much Pokémon hitting a body of water was as expected.

A massive tidal wave of water shot up as it was displaced by a large Gyarados. Dawn and Misty both turned, crouched down, and covered their faces as they were hit by the wave, bracing themselves while all the floats were ejected from the pool.

It was not same was for Ash who was now on his feet and hadn't reacted in time. The force of the water pushed back and over his seat into the second row of chairs, drenching him and all of his Pokémon in the process.

The ref had been the unluckiest. He was nearest the epicenter and was blasted off of his podium and into the wall a few feet behind him. He crumbled to the floor in a daze, regretting agreeing to referee this particular gym battle.

As quickly as it had begun, it ended. Misty and Dawn, both soaked through, slowly got up and looked at the pool. Floating in the now slightly shallower pool was Gyarados, his tongue lolling out and his eyes swirls. A damp, ruffled, but still conscious and proud Togekiss stood on her defeated foes side, crooning in joy at her win. She was the personification of peace while Gyarados was the personification of rage. This time, peace had prevailed.

"Gyarados is unable to battle." The ref said as he slowly got up and looked at the pool, his flags nowhere to be seen. "Togekiss is the winner. That means that Dawn is now out of Pokémon and therefore the victor is the challenger, Misty."

Misty just stared at the scene blankly for a moment, blinking in utter amazement. She had won. She had defeated a gym leader and in a way that would have made Ash proud. More importantly, she had beaten Dawn, a rival for Ash's heart and she couldn't be happier.

"Gyarados return." Dawn said with a smile as the loss set, her anger waning as reality hit. "You were great. That was some battle. Take a long rest, we will win next time."

Togekiss just turned and flew back to Misty as the red light recalled Gyarados. She landed in front of Misty and ruffled her feathers at her trainer. Misty pattered her and smiled.

"I know, you don't look your best." Misty admitted sheepishly. "Sorry, wasn't exactly expecting that. Tonight, you and I will have a thorough grooming. You deserve it after beating Gyarados."

"Toge." Togekiss said happily nuzzling Misty before flying over to check on the other Pokémon.

The water had hit all of them as all but Piplup had been on the railing when Gyarados hit the water. While Oshawott was happy and back up celebrating as he didn't mind water, the others weren't as they lay in chairs a few rows back, grumbling and dripping. Togekiss joined them to look them over and see if a still dazed Piplup was feeling better. She was their mother and they needed her aid now.

Ash was soaked and needed to actually go and clean up but he was still grinning at Misty's victory unable to speak after what he had just witnessed. It had been one hell of a battle. One that he would remember for years to come.

"Ash, the men's changers are through there." Dawn called up to him, pointing to a door off to the side while Ash just kept standing there, smiling and dripping. "Go dry up and take your time, I need a moment with Misty."

Misty just looked confused but Ash didn't hesitate. As soon as he heard get dry he was off. He was soaked and clean up so he squelched his way to the changers, grumbling for the sake of it, while Scraggy and Pikachu joined him as they also didn't like being wet at the moment.

As soon as Ash was gone, Dawn walked around the pool and approached Misty with a smile on her face. The jealousy she felt towards the red-haired coordinator was still there and Dawn knew it wouldn't ever leave her but it was now manageable. Her anger was gone, Dawn could see clearly now and she could see that Misty was worthy of Ash. After a battle like that, how could she not be.

Misty had taken a step back and was now away from the box, still amazed she had beaten Dawn and had defeated a Gyarados in the process. Misty finally noticed Dawn approaching and watched the other girl a little nervously but detected no anger in her smile or her eyes.

"Well done Misty." Dawn said genuinely extending her hand and Misty shook it, feeling a weight lift from her as they shook. "You did really well, I was impressed the entire time. The woman's changers are on the other side, there is a steam dryer there that will get you dry. Then we can talk. I have a feeling that Ash will be a while."

"Probably but I am good actually." Misty said as she pulled a Poke Ball off her belt. "You may want to take a step back while I dry off."

Dawn did so and Misty opened the ball revealing Typhlosion. The Volcano Pokémon looked at her confused as to why he was out but smiled nonetheless and nuzzled its trainer affectionately, avoiding as much water as possible.

"I need your help dry off." Misty said to him a little sheepish as she showed off how wet she was. "Can you manage a Flamethrower, lower power and don't hit me. After Charizard I have had enough of fire hitting me for a while."

Typhlosion nodded and opened his mouth. The fire streamed out and circled Misty for a few seconds. When it was done she was dry, if a little stiff and her hair was ruined for the day. For once Misty could live with the bad hair day, she was too happy to care.

"Thanks, Typhlosion." Misty said with a smile and a pat of her fire type's head before returning him. "Take a rest, it is a little too wet for your liking right now."

Misty turned and saw that while she had been drying, Dawn had gone to the side and taken off her shorts that the odd top thing to reveal that she was wearing a red one-piece swimsuit under it that showed off her athletic physic. Misty quirked and eyebrow at her as she approached the gym leader on the side of the pool.

"Fighting with water can get wet." Dawn said with a shrug as she grabbed a towel from a cabinet near her and began drying herself. "After a few soakings I realized this was easier than always having to dry my clothes. Course I never expected what happened today to happen. I am going to need to fix this place up."

Misty looked around and nodded. There was a large hole in the ceiling that seemed to take up a good portion of the roof and several other panes of glass were at least cracked from when Gyarados had hit them. The tiles in the pool were cracked as well where Starmie had been defeated. That wasn't the worst though. No that was the deep crater in the wall with a very Piplup shaped imprint in the center of it.

"Sorry about that." Dawn said sheepishly, rubbing her neck as she saw Misty staring at the result of Piplup's run in with her Gyarados. "I, er, am known for my temper. Dark haired girls have a stereotype for a reason and I really live up to it. It often gets worse when coupled with my jealousy. Throw in Ash and well the concept of self-control doesn't exactly exist."

"It's ok." Misty said knowing that Dawn meant no ill will with the attack. "Though I think Piplup will not be thrilled with me for a while. It is going to be some painful wake ups while he milks this for all its worth. I am going to have to spoil him for a bit."

"Yeah his pride is hurt and it wasn't his fault." Dawn said still looking at the impressive hole, it was almost clean through the wall. "I will tell him I am sorry and make it up to him later. You two are staying right?"

"We can." Misty said nervously. "If that is ok with you that is. I can see it being tough for you."

"It is fine with me." Dawn said before shuffling awkwardly. "Misty, I, I am sorry for how I acted before and during the battle. I let my jealousy and feelings get the better of me, again. I need to accept the reality of the situation. Having you two stay will help with that, no matter how much it hurts."

"I understand." Misty agreed, glad that things were starting to clear up between them. "I let my own insecurities and jealousy control me more that I should have. I wouldn't have challenged you had you not gotten to me."

"Oh yeah, you won." Dawn said turning and running off to the far end of the pool. "Wait right there."

Misty just looked confused for a moment. A few seconds later Dawn returned with a small silver tray in her hands. In the center of it was a small square of dark blue velvet and on that. Misty gasped at the sight. It was a bright blue gym badge in the shape of a drop of water. She had forgotten that this was an official gym battle, there had been other things on her mind at the time.

"Congratulations Misty." Dawn said with a smile as she held the tray up to her. "You beat me and her is your reward, the Cascade Badge."

Misty just stared at it for a moment before gently picking it up. She smiled at the badge in her hand. It was her first and likely only gym badge and she would keep it safe as it signified a lot more to her then just being a gym badge. Still, she knew what she had to do. She wanted Ash to be there but at the same time, she couldn't wait. She would have to repeat it later for him.

"Alright!" Misty yelled as she struck the same pose Ash made whenever he got a badge or caught a Pokémon. "I got … the Cascade Badge!"

"Toge!" Togekiss yelled jumping up to join her before returning to her motherly duties as Piplup was still dazed.

"So much like Ash." Dawn said with a sad smile and a shake of her head. "He is just the same."

"Yeah, I guess he kinda rubs off on you after a while." Misty said blushing a little as she looked at the badge in her hands. "But that is just who he is and why I love him."

"You really do love him, don't you?" Dawn said and Misty turned to the taller girl and looked at her, she saw the tears and pain in Dawn's eyes but also her own deep feelings for Ash.

"I do." Misty said softly. "I didn't realize until it was too late, at least temporarily, but yeah I love him. At first he was annoying and a little bossy when it came to training and Pokémon. He comes off as a bit arrogant but for good reasons. I was just a naïve new coordinator who thought she knew everything but in reality didn't. We butted heads a bit but calmed down quickly after a friend told us we were being pointless. After that, he became a mentor to me. Over time, and a few lifesaving situations, I fell for him and it just got deeper from there."

"Yeah that is how Ash gets you." Dawn admitted sadly remembering her own fall for Ash Ketchum. "He starts out infuriating and a little immature but over time you see who he really is. His loyalty, his kindness, the way he cares for all Pokémon, it is amazing. The lengths he will go to in order to save someone is unreal. Of course, he is clueless to what he is doing or the effects he has on women but that is also just part of who Ash is. At first I was just with him cos Pikachu destroyed my bike."

"Yeah Pikachu did the same to mine." Misty said and Dawn laughed. "Fried it, and Piplup, to a crisp in one move."

"Well some things certainly don't change." Dawn said shaking her head. "Ash seems to have an issue with girls bikes."

"It was an accident." Misty admitted. "He wasn't there when it happened and I didn't tell him for a while because I never blamed him for it. It was my first day as a trainer and I ran into Pikachu who had been separated from him. Pikachu was hurt and was just defending himself against me. I thought he was wild and tried to battle him. Even injured, Pikachu was better than a fresh Piplup."

"Well you are better than me in that regard." Dawn said with a small smile. "I never let Ash forget about it. Even after it was fixed and we went our separate ways I never let him forget how we met. That was when I really knew he cared for me; in his own way I guess and after he upset me with his cluelessness. That was the hardest moment of my life but knowing I would see him again helped. I knew that no matter what, Ash would always be in my life."

"You still love him, don't you?" Misty said as Dawn's words sunk. There was no jealousy or resentment in her voice, it was just a statement. "You never stopped loving him even after life took you two in separate directions."

"Yeah I do, I think, I think I always will." Dawn said with a sigh, looking to the sky as she remembered the old days. "Ash will always have a special place in my heart. I know it won't work out, our lives are just too different, but he will always be there."

"I know." Misty said with a smile, feeling no ill will to Dawn despite her confession. "If I hadn't been able to be with him it would be the same. No matter what, I will always love him."

"I am glad he has finally found someone who actually got through to him and who he loves back." Dawn said and Misty saw a tear roll down Dawn's cheek as she finally let go of her anger and accept Misty for what she was, Ash's girlfriend. "I never thought I would see the day, and I hoped that if I did it would be me, but it has happened. Ash has a girlfriend."

"That means a lot Dawn." Misty admitted and Dawn looked at her, her eyes still swimming. "Coming from you and after what we went through. For you to accept it, I can't even describe how it makes me feel. You are Ash's oldest friend and I want you to be happy for us, even if it hurts. I don't know if I could be the same way."

"You should know how lucky and special you are Misty." Dawn said with a sad smile as another tear fell. "There are a lot of girls, me most of all, who wish that they could have been the one to unlock Ash Ketchum's heart. You accomplished the impossible and that shows how special you are to him. I am just upset that it wasn't me who managed it."

"Th, thanks." Misty said nervously, blushing in pride at that. She really was special if Ash had chosen her. "It, it means a lot coming from you. I will remember it and cherish it. Ash is special and I am happy he chose me, despite it coming at the cost of others."

"I may understand but others won't." Dawn said causing Misty to look at her as Dawn wiped away the few tears that had fallen. "In the war of love, there will always be losers and today I know I am one of them. You beat it into me and I have to swallow my pride and accept it, even if I doubt I will ever move on from Ash."

"I may have won but that doesn't mean I don't feel bad for those who lost." Misty said. "It is always hard to lose; I know that there will be guys out there who lost me to Ash the way you lost Ash to me. I just hope others can be understanding."

"I doubt it." Dawn said shaking her head. "I wasn't joking when I said there are others. I am just the first you have met, and the oldest. I know of at least 3 others and that is just from my travels with Ash. I bet there are a fair few more."

"I don't doubt it." Misty said as her resolve set in. "After seeing your reaction, I am going to have to prepare for others to challenge me. Whenever it comes though, I will be there to assert my dominance over my rivals the way I just did with you. If it comes to it, I will beat it into them who Ash belongs to."

"That you did." Dawn admitted with a nod. "I respected that you even challenged me, a coordinator challenging a gym leader is not a usual thing. You surprised me a lot, I may have to study contest styles more to see how to combat them, or even include them in my own style. But you won and I lost, you showed me today that you were the dominant female. It sapped my anger and allowed me to accept the truth. That being said, the jealousy will always be there so don't expect that to change."

"Well this wasn't my first gym challenge." Misty said with a chuckle. "But I don't expect any less from you. Jealousy is natural and I know it will never leave. Even I will get jealous, I just have to control it."

"You challenged a gym before?" Dawn asked confused. "Did she hit on Ash as well?"

"No back then I was only just realizing my crush for him." Misty said shaking her head. "And even then I was still in denial myself. No, that challenge was more for the leader of the gym."

"Why would you challenge a gym for the leader's sake?" Dawn asked still confused. "I don't get it."

"It was in Veilstone City in Sinnoh." Misty said recalling her first challenge. "Ash's rival in Sinnoh, a cruel bastard called Paul, was from the city and we learned he had humiliated the gym leader just before we arrived. She was devastated and as a recently appointed leader she lost her confidence."

"Yeah those early days are always the hardest." Dawn admitted. "I never truly understood Brock's past until I became a leader. I can see how an arrogant challenger can cause problems. Go on, I am interested in this."

"Paul is more than just arrogant, he's a borderline sadist in my opinion." Misty said, still angry at how he acted. "But that's beside the point. At that time, I had recently lost 3 straight contests after winning my first one, 2 of them were really bad contest losses as I failed to get past the appeals stage so I was pretty down on myself. I was actually thinking of quitting contests that's how bad it was."

"Wow, I know little about contests but that doesn't sound good." Dawn said, struggling to imagine someone as confident as Misty being down.

"It wasn't good." Misty admitted. "I told everyone I was taking a break but it was a lot worse. When I saw the doubt in Mylene, the gym leader there, after her own losses I saw myself in her. We chatted alone for a bit and I felt that it was best for both of us if we had a battle. When Ash tried to challenge Mylene after our talk, and a little Team Rocket beating for confidence boosts, I formally declared my challenge to everyone's shock."

"Team Rocket can help anyone's confidence." Dawn said with a chuckle. "That trio redefines incompetence."

"So true and it helped get Mylene in the mood for a battle." Misty said with a nod. "The battle itself was more for her confidence than mine but it also helped get me out of my funk as it was different and fun at the same time. Ash supported us there and helped a lot during it. I lost, comfortably, but I reignited Mylene's spark, much to her Lucario's happiness, and she was much better against Ash the next day."

"What about you?" Mist asked. "Did it help you?"

"It cleared my head and allowed me to get back into training." Misty said. "But I was still nervous and hesitant. It wasn't until I beat May and won the Wallace Cup a few weeks later that I truly returned. After that, I won 3 of my next 4 contests to qualify for the Grand Festival where I was the runner up to my friend and rival Zoey. In the long run, it helped a lot as it was a turning point for me."

"Ah I can see why Ash likes you so much." Dawn said as she processed what Misty had told her. "You were selfless in that challenge. You did it to help the gym leader and were thinking about her as much as about yourself. I know how draining it can be and how something like that can help. it was a nice thing you did and I am sure Ash appreciated it."

"Yeah course this time it was different." Misty said, knowing that Dawn meant what she said about Ash. "I didn't come here to challenge you but well, we both have jealousy issues and you pushed me too it. This time I was going to do everything I could to win. I had to beat you, I had incentive to do so."

"Same." Dawn agreed. "I wanted to win so badly. I mean it when I say I don't use Gyarados often but I knew that if you pushed me in battle then I would. I had to go all out."

"I admit, I wasn't expecting it." Misty said. "I had expected something smaller given your first two Pokémon but I probably should have expected it. When he came out I had to use Togekiss, she was the only Pokémon I have who could stand a chance against a Gyarados. Mamoswine might have had a chance but the field was against him."

"I usually use Corsola or Goldeen as my third, or if the challenger is particularly arrogant, and pool is filled with sand for the battle, Psyduck." Dawn said before pausing and finally broaching a sensitive topic that had nothing to do with Ash. "Can I ask, how did you get a Togekiss? It is Togetic's evolved form right?"

"It is." Misty said a little confused. "I think there is a special stone found in Sinnoh that will evolve one but I am no expert on Pokémon evolution."

"That explains why I haven't heard of it before." Dawn said with a nod. "I know too little about Sinnoh. I always thought it was a single evolution."

"It is one of those odd ones that appeared in Sinnoh first." Misty said. "There are a few others like my Mamoswine who's evolutions were discovered in Sinnoh but their pre-evolved forms weren't. As for how I got her, she was a gift. Towards the end of my journey, after I had qualified for the Sinnoh Grand Festival, we came across a contest in a place called Arrowroot Town. There we were approached by an attractive, prim and proper woman and invited to a fancy mansion before the contest started."

"That honestly doesn't surprise me." Dawn said without any surprise in her voice. "Ash and his friends always seem to end up in odd situations like that, it always made traveling with him interesting. I assume that Brock fell for her at once? He could never resist a pretty face, except mine but I was only ever for Ash so it didn't bother me."

"Of course, Brock did." Misty said with a sigh of exacerbation that Dawn knew could only come from traveling with Brock, the world's most rejected lover boy. "His Croagunk poison jabbed him for it and dragged his twitching body away as always."

"Wow I wish I had thought of that." Dawn said with a laugh. "I used to just haul him off by his ear to protect the many women he made moves on, and because it annoyed him. That is new and better, I respect the infliction of pain when dealing with Brock's affections. I will have to pay Brock a visit one day and meet this Croagunk, a much better cockblock than anything I could think of."

"Croagunk is a character for sure." Misty agreed. "But yeah the amount of adventures I had with Ash were staggering. This time, it turned out that the women's charge, a Princess, was a huge fan of mine and a contest lover but because of her duties she could never compete in them."

"I don't doubt that." Dawn said with a nod. "She may have money and luxury but her duties more than make up for it."

"Well that's the thing." Misty said. "Princess Salvia also happened to look so much like me that she could pass as my identical twin. So, we swapped places and I spent a day learning that being a royal is an absolute pain in the ass, though the dress and tiara were amazing. I almost causing several diplomatic incidents while she lived her dream and competed in the contest with her Togekiss, pretending to be me."

"At least it was you and not Ash or Brock." Dawn pointed. "They would have defiantly caused several incidents, Brock especially given how many attractive women would have been present. Ash it would be his utter cluelessness and lack of graces that would do it."

"Too true." Misty nodded in agreement. "Princess Salvia won the contest as me, though I had to encourage her as me during the final and had the best day of her life. Afterwards, because I already had 5 ribbons and the Princess didn't need it herself, she gave it to the runner up, a rival called Jessilina. It was really kind of Salvia to do that as Jessilina needed one more to qualify for the Grand Festival."

"That was really kind of her." Dawn said. "It was also the right thing to do."

"It was and Salvia will treasure her memories of the contest forever." Misty said. "Then she stunned me when we swapped placed again because she gave me Togekiss as thanks and because I could show Togekiss the world and contests in ways she couldn't. Of course, if she ever asks for her back I will return her in a second. Until then, Togekiss is my Pokémon."

"That is always hard to do." Dawn said and Misty saw a tear in her eye at that and for once it didn't concern Ash. "Releasing, returning, or giving away Pokémon, especially close ones, is not easy."

"You, you asked if I knew earlier when I called out Togekiss." Misty began hesitantly knowing that it was likely a sensitive topic but deciding to plough on as Dawn had been the one to ask about Togekiss. "What was that about?"

"I thought that you had used her in part to get to me the way you kissed Ash in front of me." Dawn admitted, not meeting Misty's gaze. "I almost strangled the last girl who did that in front of me by the way so you have been warned."

"Bring it, I will not stop showing my affection for Ash." Misty said and Dawn winced slightly at that, this was still a war between them and Misty had the upper hand.

"I don't expect you to stop." Dawn relented. "I just won't stop being jealous. Anyway, I thought Ash had told you about, about my Togatic and you were rubbing it in. I was on the brink of probably destroying the whole gym until I realized from your face that you had no idea and that helped me refocus on the battle."

"Yeah that kiss was to piss you off after you hit Piplup with a Hyper Beam." Misty admitted with a slight smirk before getting serious again. "But Togekiss was purely because she was the only one I felt could beat your Gyarados. I needed a flying type to counter your water advantage and I needed power and Togekiss is fully evolved so she has it. It was purely tactics."

"Well you certainly pissed me off with the kiss." Dawn admitted. "I think even Gyarados was a bit afraid of me in that moment and that is hard to do/"

"So, you once had a Togetic." Misty said getting back on topic. "That is a rare Pokémon. How did you get one?"

"Actually, it was almost always a Togepi." Dawn said and Misty winced at the memory of the evil one she had met but Dawn was too deep-down memory lane to notice. "Ash found him as an egg at an archeologist dig site here in Kanto during our first journey of all places and cared for it. He wanted to hatch it and see his new Pokémon. Course, I accidentally got in the way and Togepi saw me first and thought I was his mother. He became mine and I carried him with me through the next two years and a bit years."

"What, what happened to him?" Misty asked quietly.

"About 3 years ago, a few months after I become a full-time gym leader here, I got an invite to Hoenn." Dawn said remembering the invite and how excited she was to see Ash again. "It was for a Togepi Festival and seeing as Ash was there I could see him and it would be like old times. Turns out it was an elaborate ruse by Team Rocket to steal Togepi and use her to usurp a throne in some isolated kingdom in that region."

"Of course, because that is what happens when you travel with Ash." Misty said and Dawn laughed at that. "It is so normal now that I doubt anything can surprise me."

"Yeah that stuff just happens around him." Dawn agreed. "We ended up in a place called the Mirage Kingdom. A lot happened there but we ended up in an odd pocket dimension of sorts that was known as the Togepi Paradise. Team Rocket and the corrupt official who had hired them attacked and in order to protect the others, mine evolved into Togetic. I had to leave him behind to protect them."

"That must have been hard." Misty said knowing how hard it could be to part with a Pokémon. "After all that time to part ways like that. It was for the best but it is still not easy."

"Yeah I know it was the right choice but I still miss him." Dawn said sadly. "A while back friend Tracy, he joined Ash and me in the Orange Islands, gave me an Azurill egg and now I have one of those who is my companion. It's sleeping now though and doesn't come out when I am in the gym."

"That is cute." Misty said with a smile. "I am sorry about Togetic. I couldn't imagine having to do that. I temporarily released Pachirisu after catching her thinking that I couldn't handle her but I was wrong and I caught again a little whole later so it isn't the same. I am sorry for causing you pain with Togekiss."

"It is ok, I know you meant no harm." Dawn said with a wave of her hand. "And that was some battle Togekiss and Gyarados had, best I have had in a long time. How did she shrug off that Dragon Pulse?"

"I have absolutely no idea." Misty admitted. "We are heading to Pallet Town to see Ash's mom so I can ask Professor Oak when we get there. He will want to learn about it."

"If anyone would know he would." Dawn agreed. "Or at least if he doesn't he will find out; it is too juicy a question for him not to want to answer. Have you decided what are you going to do after seeing Delia?"

"We honestly don't know." Misty said thinking about it for the first time. "We are hoping to see Brock in Pewter City and then going to Pallet Town. After that we will have to discuss our plans more. It has been such a whirlwind few weeks that I haven't really had the chance to think what next, you know? Everything has happened so quickly that I haven't had the time to think."

"There have been a lot of changes." Dawn said. "Not that I personally like them mind you but changes, nonetheless. It can be hard to think for a while after that."

"Yeah this is really the first time I have thought about what next." Misty said. "I know that I would like to see more of Kanto and compete in contests here as I haven't challenged this circuit but Ash may want to go to a new region so we will address it together."

"That will be a fun conversation." Dawn said with a smile. "For once Ash will have to think about more than just his own desires, it will be a good test of his maturity. Just keep that badge safe, I don't want to learn you lost it."

"I will." Misty said looking at it again, it was still in her hands. "I will put it in my ribbon case for now and decide where to put it later but I know I want to keep it on me. Given what it symbolizes, it is really special to me."

"That is good to here." Dawn said with a smile. "Give what you went through to win it, and who you won it off, it should be special."

"Oh, that is why it is so special." Misty said before added with a laugh. "My mom is going to freak when she learns of this. She never thought I would win a gym badge given my passion for contests, which comes from her as she's a former Top Coordinator."

"I suggest you trying to keep the large amount of jealousy out of it." Dawn said. "And property damage."

"I'll try but my mom is pretty astute." Misty said before looking around. "Er, where is Ash? We have been talking for a while now and he's still not back."

"That is a good point." Dawn said looking around, her gaze lingering on the water Pokémon that was completely foreign to her that was in the stands trying to talk to Piplup, she had to look at it but not right away, there was something else she needed to do. "You may want to go find him in a moment."

"Yeah I will." Misty said getting a little worried. "What will you do?"

"Is that Pokémon over there with Pikachu and Piplup Ash's?" Dawn asked pointing at Oshawott, this time confirming who it belonged too ahead of time. "I was so focused on the battle I didn't notice it until now."

"Yeah that is his Oshawott." Misty said and Dawn blinked at her so Misty continued. "The water type starter option in Unova. He took a shine to Ash when they met at that region's Professor's lab and ran away from the lab to be with him. He and Piplup are kinda rivals after they both fell for the same mythical Pokémon but they are also good friends because of their rivalry."

"Ah well then I am going to go and introduce myself to him in a moment." Dawn said before turning back to Misty and looking at her. "I just have one more thing to say to you before you go find Ash, he is probably lost or asleep by now knowing Ash."

"What?" Misty asked as the taller girl took a step closer to her, getting a little too close for comfort.

"Take care of him and don't hurt him." Dawn said with a kind smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Because if you do, I will make a rampaging Gyarados look like the weakest Magikarp when I come after you. I will go full scorched earth when if that happens. Trust me, you don't want to see that."

"No, no need to worry." Misty said with a slight gulp. "I wouldn't even think about it."

"Good." Dawn said with a smile as she stepped forward again and right up to Misty. "And Misty."

"Yes." Misty said a little nervously at how close Dawn was.

"Know this." Dawn said as she raised a hand a cupped Misty's cheek tenderly. "If you ever want to treat Ash to something special or you two are looking for something extra on the side whenever you are in Kanto, I am a switch hitter."

Misty blinked in confusion at Dawn's words, not know what she was talking about. Her confusion was answered when Dawn lent down and planted a chaste kiss, just like the one Misty had given Ash earlier, on Misty's lips.

Dawn backed away with a smile at Misty's startled look and winked at her. Then she turned and walked towards Oshawott to meet the new water type and coo over how cute he was, shaking her hips a little so that Misty would get a good look as she left. Dawn had to keep Misty on her toes after all.

Misty just stood there, mouth open, unable to speak at what had just happened. Somehow Dawn had managed to score a victory in their little war and completely shocked Misty in the process. Misty was also, if she was honest with herself, slightly sexually confused at what had just happened.

Blinking, Misty recovered and after getting a good view of Dawn's clearly well-defined rear end that only added to the oddity of what had just happened, she turned and left to find her boyfriend. She wanted to show him the badge and talk about the battle, but not the kiss, and to hold him close.

It had been a long and exciting day. All Misty wanted now was to be in her love's arms and celebrate her victory over Dawn. Misty had faced her first rival and won; it was time to claim her reward.