Part XXXVI: Returning to the Circuit
One week had passed since they had been at the roadside diner and Ash was still processing the conversation he had had with the man they'd run into there. Misty had realized that they needed privacy as soon as he had confirmed that he knew Ash and had left them to it which Ash had been glad for.
Ash trusted his girlfriend implicitly but as soon as he had learned what the man wanted ash had known that it was right to deal with it alone. He would tell Misty when the time was right but now wasn't it. He hated keeping things from her but he had to process it plus they had something more important to focus on, the HopHopHop Town Contest.
It had been a whirlwind of a week as they made their way to HopHopHop Town, set up camp in a small wooded area just outside of the town, and began training for the Contest. Misty was fully ready and knew what she was going to do, Ash was just there for practice but he was still eager for the competition. He had to advance to the battle round so that his planned practice could actually happen. Dratini and Gengar were ready for it, Ash just hoped that he was as well.
At that moment the young couple were together in the coordinators' waiting room as the audience took their seats and the Contest officially got underway. They had gotten to the Contest Hall early so that Ash could register and get a Kanto Contest Pass before heading to the waiting room. As it was Kanto they didn't have to dress up so it was just getting in the zone and going over last minute things for the appeals round.
Fortunately most of the coordinators gave them a wide berth as they also got mentally prepared for the Contest though that wasn't the only reason, they also gave them a birth because of Misty. It was a mix of respect, fear, and envy that caused the avoidance while waiting. Misty tried to avoid it but in the Contest world, and with the developments in technology making news reports easier not helping, she had become a notable figure on the circuit. A figure that many looked at in various ways whenever she competed.
The worst part of it, at least for Misty, was that they weren't wrong in their thinking, her reputation spoke for itself. She wasn't known as the Prodigy of Sinnoh for no reason, it was a moniker she had earned even if she hated it. She was the daughter of a Top Coordinator who had become a talented Coordinator in her own right. It wasn't often that a circuit had a two-time Grand Festival runner-up on it competing for ribbons with everyone else.
It also didn't hurt that she had won 9 straight regular Contests, two them being Wallace Cups, and had only just lost her two Grand Festival finals, her only loses during the streak. Misty was clearly one of the favorites on the circuit and Ash felt that she had earned it despite Misty's reluctance to accept it.
Of course being the favorite came with the usual problems of being at the top. She was the one to beat, the one to look up to and the one to catch up to for almost all coordinators on the circuit. They all wanted a piece of her and Misty's humble approach and good sportsmanship at Contests only added to her favorable image.
Thankfully she wasn't the only experience coordinator on the circuit this year that the Committee was clearly propping up as a one of the favorites to reach and then win the Grand Festival. By this point in the circuit there were 3 other coordinators who had distinguished themselves enough to reach that level and they knew two of them; Nando and Kenny.
Misty had known that Kenny would compete on the Kanto circuit as soon as he learned that she was on it so she wasn't surprised he had stayed in the region after Ash's party. Thankfully he hadn't tried to contact her or compete in a contest with her yet but that was only a matter of time before they faced off this year. Misty wasn't looking forward to it but fate made things like this all but inevitable.
Currently Kenny was on the other side of Kanto and had already secured 3 ribbon in 4 Contests and was well on track to reach the Grand Festival by the tine Misty returned from her trip to Hoenn for the Wallace Cup. That was good, that meant that she might get lucky and not see Kenny until the Grand Festival.
As for Nando, he was doing, well, Nando things. He had continued his duel career pursuit and was wandering by himself wherever the winds took him. His personality, kindness, and quiet charm had made him popular with many coordinators and fans to the point that he was the only one who matched Misty's level of support. He too had 3 ribbons out of 4 Contests, as well as 3 gym badges that he had earned along the way. Rumer had it that he was taking a break from the Contests to earn 3 more gym badges but Misty knew that Nando would qualify by the end of the season.
That left the last coordinator who was seen as a legitimate contender for the Kanto Ribbon Cup this year. She was the one that Ash and Misty knew little about as she appeared to be shy and not into interviews like other coordinators. Little was known about her but the word was that she was the dark horse for the cup and the one expected to be the surprise of the season.
She was noted for one thing and that one thing was the reason why she was the 4th favorite. Despite going 2 for 4 on the circuit so far, those two wins had come over Nando and Kenny in wild finals that had gone down to the wire. In addition to this she was also the only Kanto native amongst the favorites so had the home region's support. Ash had a feeling that she would face off with Misty during the season and that was something he couldn't wait to see.
However, for now it was time to focus on the current Contest and see if Misty could earn her third ribbon of the season. Taking over a month off had put her technically behind but the season was long so there was plenty of time to catch up and this was the place to start.
Misty may have been given a wide berth by the other coordinators for various reasons but there was one who had just entered the room and made a beeline for her with a wide grin on her face. Misty smiled as this time she saw the bubbly brunette rookie making her way over to them not caring that Misty was one of the best coordinators present.
"Hey Emily, I was hoping you would make this Contest." Misty said meeting Emily halfway with a smile as she gave the rookie a little bow, one Emily returned in a deeper fashion out of respect for Misty's superior skill and experience, the setting was a little too formal for a more friendly greeting. "You seem happier than before."
"Well of course I am, I finally won my first ribbon!" Emily exclaimed clearly unable to hold it in anymore and pulling out her ribbon case to show Misty a single light purple ribbon in the center in the standard Kanto style. "I got it a few days ago at the Contest I entered before this one. I've entered 3 since Saffron and finally won one."
"That's great." Misty said with a wide smile at the younger girl happy she had finally won a Contest. "The first is always the hardest and I feel like I had to do it twice because of my own mistakes. How did the other Contests go?"
"Mixed." Emily admitted with a shrug. "I failed in the appeals again at the first Contest I entered after Saffron though it wasn't like last time, Clefairy and I messed up a new appeal combination that tanked it. After that we got it down pat at the next Contest where I reached another final but lost. Then finally won one."
"It's a relief when it happens." Misty said as Emily nodded in agreement. "Still this makes your 4th Contest since Saffron, that is a fair amount in such a short period of time. Don't overdo yourself."
"I know I shouldn't but I need the experience so I enter as many as I can reach." Emily admitted. "So I will keep it up but probably every other week from now on as the last month has been way too hectic for me. I still have to find more Pokémon and soon I will be in Celadon City and need to deal with the memories of it. I haven't been back to my birthplace since we left several years ago so I won't be able to compete while there."
"I can't understand as I've never been through anything like that but I can see the reason for it." Misty said sympathetically. "When are you going there? Ash and I are heading there right after this so he can face Erika in a full battle."
"Not for a week or so." Emily said with a sad tone in her voice that Misty thought was regret at not being able to join her and Ash in Celadon. "There is something I need to find first and the best place is actual back home so I am going there first. Then I will head back to my journey."
"I see alas we will have left for Hoenn by then so we won't be able to meet up." Misty said regretfully as she would have liked to see how much the brunette had improved. "I will have to see you at the next Contest we are in together then."
"You're going for the Wallace Cup right?" Emily asked and Misty nodded.
"Yeah its being held in Petalburg City where our friend May is from this year." Misty confirmed. "She's flying from Kalos for it as well despite being a Top Coordinator as it is her hometown and I think my friend Zoey was invited to it as well so it will be a fun little reunion for all of use. Ash and I are entering it so I am going for my third straight Aqua Ribbon there."
"As well as at least your fourth overall." Emily said. "Or maybe your 5th as I haven't seen you since Saffron so you could have won a third between then and now."
"Only if I win today." Misty said shaking her head. "I haven't been in a Contest since Saffron so it is still just 2 ribbons for me. I wasn't kidding about the need for a break. Ash recently got a fever in Lavender Town and we had to take a month off for him to recover. Now we are back and competing again."
"I see, makes sense." Emily said. "And you are the Wallace Cup Queen so it should be good for you though I thought your boyfriend didn't compete in Contests. Why would he compete in the Wallace Cup?"
"Normally he doesn't." Misty admitted looking back at Ash who was going over a last-minute plan with a very attentive Pikachu and wildly gesturing his ideas with his arms as Pikachu nodded along. "But he was in the Wallace Cup a few years ago and enjoyed it so he is entering again with his new Pokémon. I think he plans on using Buizel in the appeals there so I will hopefully get my Ambipom back briefly for it as well, I know she wants to compete again when her schedule permits it. He's also entering for practice."
"Practice?" Emily asked confusion in her voice. "What could a standard trainer learn from a Contest?"
"A lot, limiting yourself to one path can stifle development." Misty explained. "Ash is special in the sense that he does whatever he can to improve but it is more than just that, it is also about learning teamwork with Pokémon. He recently caught two new Pokémon and a double Contest battle is a great place to practice teamwork given how it is even more important in a Contest battle than a regular battle. His style isn't conduce to winning on points but he is a challenge regardless."
"I see." Emily said clearly trying to understand what Misty had told her but probably not fully getting it yet, Misty knew in time she would though. "So what did he catch?"
"You will have to wait and see." Misty said with a grin. "If Ash gets past the appeals they will be his battle pair today."
"Wait he's competing here?" Emily asked really confused now. "In this Contest?"
"Correct." Misty confirmed. "Ash wants the experience for his new Pokémon and this is a great place to get it before he uses both in his upcoming full battle against Erika after we reach Celadon City."
"I see." Emily said still looking confused at Ash's decision but accepting it. "Well that would mean that you might face him in the battle stage."
"I know and if I do I will show him why when it comes to Contests I am the better half." Misty said with a wide smile. "But enough about me and Ash, you said you tried to catch some new Pokémon, which ones?"
"Oh not yet." Emily said pointing at Misty's chest. "You aren't changing the subject until you explain that necklace, it is clearly new."
"Huh oh this, a birthday gift from Ash." Misty said looking down at the locket. "He found it in Saffron while we were training the day after the Contest and gave it to me at dinner. It is a locket with the Sinnoh Lake Guardians engraved in it."
"Lake Guardians?" Emily asked as Misty decided to refrain from telling Emily about the cute pink ribbon that she was now wearing as a garter belt to surprise Ash with that he'd gotten her as well. "What are they?"
"They are a trio of legendary Pokémon each guarding one of the 3 major lakes of Sinnoh." Misty explained. "Each allegedly brought something to this world; knowledge, emotion and willpower. I saw Mesprit, who is the bringer of emotion, on my first day as a trainer in the lake near where I live. Ash would see Azelf who is willpower during the Wallace Cup which was on another of the lakes. Our friend Brock saw Uxie later on as well. They appeared to us because in the end they needed our help to save the world."
"So sounds like a standard adventure for you." Emily said and Misty laughed.
"Yeah it wasn't as surprising after the other shit we had been through by that point." Misty admitted. "Even when Dialga and Palkia were summoned and restrained during the incident it was still nothing compared to Alamos Town."
"You have a wild life." Emily said amazement in her voice. "I can't even comprehend the idea of seeing a trio of legendary Pokémon. I know of the Legendary Birds of Kanto but I haven't seen them."
"Oh I only had a taste compared to Ash." Misty said shaking her head. "He has seen a whole lot more, including the Legendary Birds. He even beat an Articuno with his Charizard once, I heard that story recently."
"I don't believe it." Emily said clearly meaning it. "Ash once beat an Articuno?"
"It was at the Battle Factory when he was challenging the Kanto Battle Frontier." Misty said. "The first legendary he beat. I don't doubt it as there were plenty of witnesses to the battle."
"Wild." Emily said still unbelieving but apparently trusting Misty on it.
"That is one way of looking at it." Misty said with a nod. "Ash has seen it all it seems. That was why he was able to recognize the Lake Guardians on this locket. Given the fact that they are from my home region and significant to us it was an amazing gift."
"Clearly." Emily said. "So if it is a locket you must have something inside it."
"I do, my Cascade Badge." Misty said with a smile as she touched her locket. "It represents so much to me that I couldn't put anything else in it."
"You explained it back in Cerulean City when we first met." Emily said. "It fits you and your relationship with him."
"That it does." Misty agreed before shaking her head and getting back to their earlier conversation. "Anyway back to you, what Pokémon did you try to catch?"
"Oh yeah those, well I came across a Jigglypuff and a Togepi at different times the last month and tried to catch both." Emily said before sighing. "But I failed to catch them both times. Jigglypuff put us all to sleep before running away after drawing on us for some reason while the Togepi just ran away before I could weaken it. However I do have one surprise for the battle stage if I make it."
"I look forward to seeing it." Misty said deciding not to ask and let Emily have her surprise. "Good try with the Pokémon, sometimes it just doesn't go our way, though you should think of branching out a little. You seem to be after small, cute, almost exclusively pink, normal types which are good for Contests for both appeal and general versatility but you need to diversify especially if you end up facing a fighting type Pokémon."
"I know and after I am done with my business at home I intend on trying to catch Pokémon that aren't normal types." Emily said with a firm nod. "I have already decided to try and find a steel type Pokémon, preferably one with a secondary type as well, to balance my team out. I seem to struggle against the type as my recent loss was against a Skarmory that wiped the floor with Snubbull so having one will help. Other than that I am thinking of trying to catch a grass or water type as well."
"All good choices." Misty began before they were interrupted by Lilian's voice coming out of the TV.
"Alright folks it is time for the HopHopHop Town Contest." Lilian said in her mic, quieting the crowd as the whole room focused on the screen, Misty silently sidling up to Ash to be with him as Emily followed her. "With us today are our panel of esteemed judges starting with our esteemed Chief of the Contest Committee, Mr. Contesta."
"A pleasure to be here." Mr. Contesta said with a smile at the camera.
"Sukizo, president of the Pokémon Fan Club."
"Remarkable." The small man said.
"And to complete the panel, HopHopHop Town's own Nurse Joy."
"I can't wait to see all the Pokémon you have." Nurse Joy said in her cheerful tone.
"So without further ado, let us begin." Lilian said enthusiastically. "The first coordinator is a Kanto native…"
Misty and Ash zoned out Lilian and her commentary while they focused on watching the other coordinators and their appeals. They were all pretty good but none really stood out which helped boost their confidence. Ash and Misty knew what they were doing for their appeals so they should be fine if everything went well during them which was always a big if because anything could go wrong after all.
After 6 coordinators an attendant came in and announced that Ash was set to be the 8th one up so he had to head to the backstage area. With a quick kiss from Misty, Ash left and headed to the stage with Pikachu on his shoulder. It was almost time for his appeal, all Ash had to do was pass it so that his true reason for being here could happen.
"Thank you for another great appeal." Lillian said as Ash reached the waiting area backstage indication that the 7th coordinator was done and about to get feedback. "What do our judges have to say?"
Ash politely listened to the remarks to get a sense of how the coordinator had done. Given their praise it seemed like he had done a good job and might advance based on the remarks. It may be a tough act to follow but Ash was ready for the challenge.
"Next up we have a trainer who is making his season debut here in Kanto." Lilian began. "Now I am told that he is not a coordinator by profession but occasionally competes for fun and practice with his Pokémon, last doing so when the Wallace Cup was held in Sinnoh a few years back. So join me in giving a warm welcome to Ash from Pallet Town right here in Kanto."
Ash walked out and waved to the crowd with a smile on his face completely calm. He had been in larger crowds before, this was nothing to him, if anything it helped him. Focusing on what he had to do, Ash got into the zone to begin his appeal. Time to show them exactly what Pikachu could do.
"Alright Pikachu you're up." Ash said as Pikachu cheered and leapt off his shoulder and flipped onto the stage with a flourish that he would only use in a Contest setting. "Start with Electro Ball and send it into the air. Give me 5 of them just as we practiced."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he formed the first of the balls of electricity on the tip of his tail and launched it upwards.
They had practiced this in preparation for the Contest. Appeals weren't Ash's forte as he preferred using moves to attack rather than for show but he knew how to maximize a Pokémon's potential with creative solutions and applied that logic to the appeal. That was why Pikachu was now making 5 Electro Balls and sending them up into the air at even intervals in a staggered pattern. As the 5th one was launch Ash moved to the next part of their appeal.
"Now Pikachu, use Quick Attack to jump onto the balls." Ash ordered pointing up. "Then destroy the last one with an Iron Tail!"
"Pikachu." Pikachu said as he activated his Quick Attack and began his climb the Electro Balls.
It wasn't hard for him to do it. They had practiced this move and there was minimal damage to Pikachu from the Electro Balls because they were the same type. In addition the sparking that occurred whenever Pikachu landed on one of the balls made his fur fizz and spark in ways that Poffins couldn't and only added to Pikachu's appeal. As soon as he reached the last ball Pikachu flipped and turned his tail to steel and destroyed it beneath him in a shower of sparks that looked great.
"Finish this with a Thunderbolt!" Ash ordered with a grin.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelled as he sent out a Thunderbolt keeping himself at the epicenter so that he was always visible as he unleashed his power upwards for all to see.
As the move ended gravity took over and Pikachu flipped a few times before landing safely on his feet. He then bowed to the judges as the crowd began to clap loudly before running over to Ash and leaping into his trainers arms with a smile, he had done a good job and he knew it.
"What an electrifying performance!" Lilian exclaimed as the crowd began to die down. "I don't think anyone expected such an appeal by a relative novice and his sparking Pikachu. What do the judges think?"
"A seamless blend of power and grace, just what I would expect from a trainer who has bonded with his Pokémon." Mr. Contesta said with a nod.
"Simply remarkable." Sukizo added.
"Pikachu was too cute and still showed his power." Nurse Joy added.
Ash bowed before he hurried off to get back and rejoin Misty, or at least see her appeal. He had a good feeling about his appeal but he had to see how the other did before he started thinking of the next round. The Contest was young, a lot could still happen.
Meanwhile Misty had been with Emily watching Ash's appeal grinning as Emily's jaw fell open at what Ash and Pikachu were doing. It was something else for sure. Ash may not be a coordinator but he certainly knew how to put on a show with his Pokémon. If he wasn't a gym trainer and could understand how Contest battles truly worked Misty was certain that Ash could have made a great coordinator in his own right but that wasn't him and never would be.
"How, how many times has he competed in a Contest?" Emily asked clearly still shocked. "Because that was way too good for a novice."
"This is his third official Contest and fourth in total." Misty said. "His first Contest was an unofficial one in Terracotta Town around the end of his Battle Frontier journey in which he tied in the final battle with our friend May but that's a story for another day and one he should tell. He still has his half of the ribbon from it, that much I know."
"Wow I wouldn't have guessed." Emily said shaking her head. "That was amazing."
"That was also with Pikachu who is Ash's starter and best friend." Misty pointed out. "They are in sync on a level me and Piplup are still years away from but one day we will be there as well. Ash only used Pikachu to secure advancement past the appeals. This is about the battles for him so he had to use his best to ensure that."
"After that I don't doubt he will advance." Emily said. "His appeal will be tough to follow."
"True Ash has raised the bar." Misty said with a grin. "Just as I expected he would which is right where I want it because it is time to clear it. Ash knows how to make others around him better even indirectly and he's done it again today. It is one of the many reasons why I fell for him, I am sure of it. I now have an appeal target to beat."
"Misty, you're up next." An attendant said as if on cue and Misty nodded.
"Good luck." Emily said with a wide smile that made her already rosy cheeks rosier.
"Thanks." Misty replied as she left.
As Misty reached the corridor to the backstage area she saw Ash walking quickly back to the waiting room to watch the rest of the appeals. Their eyes met and he smiled and raised a hand wordlessly as he walked. Misty knew exactly what he wanted and raised her own hand for the high five as they passed each other in the hallway.
They didn't say anything, they didn't need to. Sure their relationship had advanced to a new, much more intimate, level but this was old school from their earliest days as friends. It comforted Misty and put her in the mindset for her own appeal. She had to do better than Ash after all, she couldn't let him upstage her in her own element after all.
Misty reached the area just as the coordinator before her was getting her feedback from the judges. Their tones were polite but measured which indicated that it had been good but not great. Misty knew that tone and she had a feeling that the other coordinator likely wouldn't advance. Shame but it was at least something to follow if Misty did well.
"Time for our next coordinator and she is one to really watch folks." Lilian said bringing Misty back to the moment as she set her face and ignored the hyping up that Lilian was doing. "Already with 2 ribbons under her belt and currently the only multi ribbon winner left unbeaten on the circuit this season, it is the one and only Prodigy of Sinnoh herself! Give it up for Misty!"
With a smile Misty ran out to the cheers of the crowd and threw her Poke Ball as soon as she stopped to get her appeal underway. It was time to show them something shiny.
"Eevee spotlight!" Misty yelled as the ball burst open with a series of sparks and Eevee materialized before the crowd drawing gasps at her appearance.
"Oh my that is a shiny Eevee!" Lilian called out as Eevee appeared and spun happily in the air before gracefully landing on the stage. "That is rare, what will Misty do with it?"
"Eevee, Attract!" Misty yelled beginning her own appeal.
Eevee just smiled and then winked seductively sending out a stream of hearts across the stage that began to spread out as the crowd made it known how cute they found Eevee's move. They hadn't seen anything yet.
"Corral that Attract Eevee." Misty said with a gesture. "Use Quick Attack to run around it and Shadow Ball to contain it."
"Eevee." Eevee said with a nod before she ran forward and to the side beginning the main part of their appeal, one that they had spent hours working on.
Eevee used the Quick Attack to dash around the spreading hearts. At key moments she stopped and sent a Shadow Ball out of her mouth making sure that they were at different heights and locations around the hearts. The large ghost type attack helped contain the hearts in a rough sphere. It wasn't even or particularly pretty but it worked and that was what mattered. It was time to unveil a new move Eevee had learned over the last month that would complete the appeal.
"Now hit those Shadow Balls with Swift." Misty ordered. "Dissipate them one by one to finish this!"
Eevee barked as she ran around the now contained moves but this time she didn't use Quick Attack. Instead she was using Swift the entire time in a display of control and precision that Misty knew would look good. Swift didn't miss and the stars hit the Shadow Balls and exploded them in a series of dark purple sparks that contrasted well with the pink hearts.
As the explosions happened they caused the hearts from the Attract to also explode and soon the chain reaction happened and the makeshift pink, yellow, purple and black fireworks went off wowing the crowd, Eevee still running around happily the entire time making sure that she was always visible to the crowd and judges until it ended. The she ran over and jumpe into Misty's waiting arms to finish her appeal.
"Well that was something else, just what we have come to expect from the Prodigy of Sinnoh." Lilian said when it was over. "Unique, fun, and showing off control, power, grace, and beauty all in one small package. Do the judges agree?"
"I must say that really showed the versatility and adaptability of Eevee and in a very appealing way." Mr. Contesta said with a nod.
"Simply remarkable." Sukizo added helpfully.
"That Eevee is adorable and so cute." Nurse Joy said with a typical Nurse Joy smile. "I've never seen a shiny one before, it is really something else."
Misty just bowed before walking off still holding a smiling Eevee in her arms. She would hold onto her Pokémon until after the appeals so that Eevee could enjoy the full experience of her first ever Contest. Misty felt that she had done enough but anything could happen and she intended to watch all the remaining appeals to get a sense on if she had advanced.
She got back to the room and quickly found Ash who was with Pikachu as they intently watched the appeal of a coordinator that was going well. Misty quickly made her way to him and he smiled at her as she approached.
"That was as amazing as ever." Ash said giving her a chaste kiss but not holding her as she was still holding Eevee. "Just like you."
"Well you set a high bar, I had to jump over it." Misty said with a blush before looking around. "Where's Emily?"
"About to go." Ash said pointing to the TV and Misty began to focus as Lilian spoke. "You got back just in time for her appeal."
"Now we have one of the many contenders for Rookie of the Year this year and winner of her first Ribbon in the recent Rifure Village Contest, from Mt. Moon; Emily." Lilian said hyping up Emily. "Can she continue that form today?"
Misty watch as Emily walked out confidently and took her place at the edge of the stage. She was happy that the younger coordinator was finding her footing and confidence after winning her first ribbon. It would help her going forward.
"Clefairy, fairy lights!" Emily said as she sent out her Clefairy who burst onto the stage with a twisting spin to begin the appeal. "Start this off with Sing."
Clefairy closed her eyes as she began to sing an enchanting and soft song that relaxed everyone as the notes filled the stage showing off the attack. Misty saw Emily smirk as she prepared the next part of her appeal.
"Now end it with Wake-Up Slap!" Emily ordered.
Clefairy suddenly stopped singing and launched herself at the notes her stubby arms glowing with power. She then proceeded to end the Sing attack by literally slapping the notes out, each making a different sound as they exploded creating a whole new song in the process. Misty had to give it to the girl, it was a creative way to end the attack and showed the juxtaposition of the two attacks that Emily was using. Clearly she had learned from Saffron and was making sure that Clefairy could be easily seen while showing off her power.
"Now finish this was a dazzling Metronome!" Emily ordered and Clefairy suddenly stopped and began to waggle her still glowing arms in in a clear rhythm while speaking her name. "Aim the attack upwards."
"Metronome seems a bit risky." Misty whispered to Ash as the random attack built. "Emily has no idea what could come out."
"True it is a gamble but it is one that I've seen pay off in the past so it can work really well." Ash said causing Misty to raise an eyebrow at him.
"You have?"
"Yeah back when I was traveling with May." Ash said as Misty felt a pang of irrational jealousy towards May and blamed Dawn for it as Ash continued not noticing her inner conflict. "Her Munchlax knows it. In fact it was when we were in Kanto near Mt. Moon when it showed us that it knew the move by doing it with a Cleffa, Clefairy and Clefable that were doing using it at the time."
"That is amusing." Misty said with a smile. "So you've seen it work then?"
"Yeah May has used it with Munchlax in the past in an appeal, I think." Ash said with thoughtful look on his face. "In addition her Skitty knows Assist and she's used it plenty of times in both appeals and battles but that is a little more predictable as the moves Assist produces are at least limited to the moves of the other Pokémon on May's Team. So long as Emily uses it wisely, and gets a little lucky, she will be fine."
As if on cue a plume of fire shot out of Clefairy and into the air surprising everyone before it quickly dissipated leaving a lingering heat mirage. Apparently Metronome had decided that Flamethrower was going to be the random attack and by aiming it upwards it looked great. With that done Clefairy ran back to Emily and they bowed to the judges awaiting their remarks.
"Well that was an interesting and unexpected appeal from one of the up and coming coordinators this year." Lilian complimented. "Do our judges agree?"
"The way you mixed a sleep-inducing attack with an attack that both does twice the damage and wakes up a sleeping opponent was a great combination." Mr. Contesta complimented. "And to finish it with the randomness of Metronome only added to the variety of the appeal."
"Remarkable." Sukizo said as always,
"Clefairy showed how cuteness can be powerful as well." Nurse Joy added.
Emily bowed one more time and left. Misty knew that she would come and find them when she got back to the room to get feedback from Misty and just waited for her with Ash while watching the rest of the appeals. Misty had a good feeling that they would all advance, from then on it was seeing what the bracket produced.
"And these 8 coordinators are advancing to the next stage." Lilian proclaimed loudly as 8 cards flipped over at the same time on the screen.
It was after the judging was done and time to reveal the coordinators who had advanced to the battle round. Emily had found them as Ash and Misty watch but none of them had spoken after Misty just nodded her approval at Emily for her appeal that seemed to put the younger girl at ease. Still, it was the nervous calm before the announcement and now it was here.
As soon as the cards flipped over they all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the coordinators who had made the cut. Ash's picture was second, Misty's third and Emily's 7th though that meant nothing other than that all 3 had advanced past the appeals. The battle stage was now upon them.
"Congratulations to our 8 advancing coordinators and to all who came out and competed today." Lilian said as the cards turned over and a bracket appeared with the cards being randomly assigned to them but still face down. "Now let's see who is facing who in the battle round."
The cards then flipped back over again and the 8 remaining trainers all looked for their pictures. Ash was the first to find his in the 3rd match. Misty then saw hers was in the first and noted that Emily was in the 4th so they wouldn't be facing each other in the quarters.
"Well looks like I am up first." Misty said with a smile as she studied the picture of her opponent.
"Yeah looks that." Emily said as Ash was still studying the bracket. "And I'm last so I have a moment to prepare."
"Misty, you may face one of us in the finals." Ash pointed out finally done with the bracket. "If we all win that is."
"What?" Misty asked as she looked at the bracket and noticed each of their paths. "Oh so it's true and you will face Emily if you both win in the semis. Well that is interesting but we are rivals now so it was to be expected that this might happen."
"Let's see if that is how it plays out." Ash said as Lilian called the first two coordinators to their places. "You're up though so no more distractions."
"This will be interesting for sure." Misty said with a smile before giving Ash a chaste kiss as she left. "Do your best babe, I would love to face you in the finals."
"Same." Ash said with a smile of his own."
"Well I want to face you as well so he will have to beat me first." Emily said with a challenging tone in her voice. "I still have to beat you Misty and if it means beating your boyfriend first then so be it."
"That is a battle I want to see." Misty called as she headed to the exit.
"Love you." Ash called as Misty neared the exit to give her some last-minute encouragement.
"Love you too." Misty replied before leaving the room still smiling, it was time for some battles.
As Misty had hoped, the matches went the way they wanted them to go. Gloom and Pinsir had their teamwork down to an art thanks to their friendship so Misty didn't have to worry about a thing. Her first opponent tried to overwhelm her with sheer power using a Rhyhorn and an Exploud to secure a Battle Off but skillful dodging combined with hit and run tactics by Misty left her with a considerably points advantage at the end of the time period.
Ash was next up and showed his skills as a trainer with Dratini and Gengar, a combo that took his opponent by surprise, and won with a Battle Off in 2 minutes. It didn't hurt that he was facing a Mantine and a Xatu so Ash had the advantage in the battle from the start though Misty was certain that he would have won on points if the battle had continued until the end.
Emily was the last one and she too won but unlike Ash and Misty her win was a lot closer. She revealed her surprise to Misty was that her Snubbull had evolved into a Granbull since the Saffron Contest. Emily also showed that she had been preparing for a double battle since her and Misty's practice battle. It showed as her Pokémon had great teamwork but her opponent, who was using a Dodrio and Zangoose, was just good.
It went down to the wire but in the end Emily won by a small, though noticeable, margin and would now face Ash in the semis. However Misty was up first and had to win her own semi to advance to the finals.
"Pinsir dodge throw Purugly in the air with Seismic Toss." Misty said as Pinsir charged forward and dodged an attack from the Tiger Cat Pokémon, picked it up and hurled it into the air. "Now Gloom, Solar Beam!"
Misty had been planning this for a good half minute so she had the combination it well in hand. Early on she had hit her opponent's charging Murkrow with a speed Sleep Powder and then knocked it out with two of Pinsir's X-Scissor attacks while Gloom kept Purugly busy with Razor Leaf.
After that it was Pinsir's turn to go defensive using Harden to protect Gloom from a few ranged attacks while she charged up a Solar Beam. In the process they managed to tired out the evolved form of the Pokémon Misty had faced more than any other thanks to both her mom and Zoey. It was all going according to plan.
Then, as soon as the opening arose, Misty had countered. Now Purugly was in the air and unable to do anything as the powerful Solar Beam slammed into it while in midair and sending it further into the air. The attack combo, part of a recently devised sequence that Misty was calling Harden Seismic Beam, was still going and the Seismic Toss made its presence known at the end when Purugly slammed into the ground hard enough to crack it. When the dust cleared its eyes were swirls and the judges unanimously marked a Battle Off with a minute remaining.
"And that is it!" Lilian declared as the sounds of the buzzers died down. "With one minute to go Misty has secured a Battle Off and her place in another final, her 12th in a row and that is including 2 Grand Festivals, a streak that is nearing the all-time record of 16."
The other trainer returned his Pokémon, nodded respectfully at Misty, and left without a word. Misty did the same, thanking Gloom and Pinsir for another win, and exited to wait for the final. As she did she passed Ash just before he headed and high fiving him again in the process as he walked out to his introduction for his own semis against Emily while the stage was quickly fixed. Misty used that moment to run as fast as possible back to the waiting room to watch the final as Ash got ready for his semi. It was a match that Misty knew she didn't want to miss a moment of.
"Well this is what Misty wanted to see so I say we give her a show." Emily called out as she took her position in the opposing box to Ash as Ash was getting ready. "Looks like our first real interaction is in battle."
"It will give me a good chance to see how good you really are." Ash called back with a smile speaking to Emily for the first time. "Misty has taken you under her wing and has spoken highly of your talents so I want to see what her potential protégé has to offer."
"I am nowhere near that level to deserve that honor yet but in time I will be there." Emily said her cheeks darkening for some reason at Ash's words that he couldn't understand the reason for. "Though this will be a chance for me to see how good her boyfriend really is. She gushes about you all the time. She's created a reputation that you now have to live up too."
"I will strive to live up to her admiration though I don't deserve it." Ash said with a grin as he crossed his arms at his hips. "I'm ready when you are. Let's do this."
"Show me how a trainer battles in a Contest." Emily said as Lilian announced the beginning of the match and the timer began and Emily immediately tossed her two Poke Balls into the air. "Clefairy, Granbull, fairy lights!"
"Dratini, Gengar, I choose you." Ash said uncrossing his arms as he tossed out his two newest Pokémon in a smooth motion that he knew would look good for a Contest battle. "Let's start this with a combo, Dratini use Dragon Rage, Gengar hit it with Night Shade just as we practiced. It is time for Dragon Shade!"
Gengar leapt into the air and hovered there as he sent out a pair of black and purple beams out of his eyes while Dratini opened his mouth and sent out the blue dragon that appeared to be on fire. The Night Shade and Dragon Rage combined at the midpoint of the stage as they sped towards Clefairy and Granbull with the Night Shade encircling the Dragon Rage as the attacks combined. With the infinite accuracy of Night Shade, the move would now hit. Of course only the Dragon Rage would affect the other Pokémon but the Night Shade was to ensure the hit and points for Ash.
"Split up and dodge!" Emily ordered clearly hoping that it at least one of her Pokémon would avoid the attack. "Night Shade won't work on you but it's there to make sure that the Dragon Rage."
However that plan failed when Ash's attack surprised both of them as it suddenly split in two and went for each of the Pokémon. It was now completely unavoidable and both Pokémon where hit by the attack at the same time as they tried to dodge with separate explosions that kicked up a lot of smoke as the Pokémon wailed in pain.
The smoke now obscured Emily's and all vision was lost so no one realized that it wasn't the Dragon Rush that had caused the damage to Clefairy and Granbull, it was the Night Shade. Regardless it was a direct hit and Emily's points decreased drastically.
"Don't give up." Emily yelled trying to regain control of the situation. "Clefairy use Sing, keep it low to hit Dratini before it can. Granbull, use your sense of smell to find Gengar and use Bite."
"Gengar fly up and clear the smoke as you dodge the attack." Ash ordered as he adapted his strategy for what he knew was coming. "Dratini brace yourself and wait for my order. Take the Sing."
Gengar shot up his and emerged from the dissipating smoke from the explosion to lord over the stage with a manic grin. As he did a clearly battered but still fighting and string Granbull leapt out of the smoke and passed underneath Gengar unable to gain enough height to hit the Shadow Pokémon. Had Gengar not gone so high then he would have been hit by the super effective attack.
Meanwhile Clefairy began to Sing at full volume and as Ash knew it hit Dratini. He was more than willing to sacrifice the points though; he had his own plan now to deal status attacks that he knew Erika would use so and this was a great time to see how well it worked in a proper battle. As the smoke cleared he heard his points ticking down slightly as it revealed a sleeping Dratini and Clefairy and Granbull now looking up at Gengar who was cackling at them from its position high above them.
"Clefairy leave Gengar to Granbull and hit Dratini with a Wake-Up Slap." Emily ordered. "Granbull hit it with Payback!"
"Gengar dodge, Dratini use Thunderbolt as soon as you are awake." Ash countered. "Time to see if this really works because Erika will try something similar against us."
Granbull roared and launched himself, Ash remembered Misty saying that it was a male, at Gengar with all his power while Clefairy ran at Dratini her arm glowing with power in preparation for landing a devastating attack on Dratini. What happened next was a series of planned moves that worked as he had hoped and unexpected events that made no sense to Ash.
It started when Dratini began to glow with a light and emerge from its skin as its Shed Skin ability activated to wake it up. As soon as it was awake and able to attack it opened its mouth and hit the still charging but now surprised looking Clefairy in the chest with a Thunderbolt at near point-blank range. The only drawback was that it was too quick to be fully powered but it still launched Clefairy back and into the ground hard causing plenty of damage and taking away points from Emily. Ash didn't waste his advantage even if he knew there was a risk of activating Clefairy's ability.
"Now Dratini close the gap with Agility and then hit Clefairy with Slam!" Ash ordered as Clefairy was in the air. "Use your speed to get to Clefairy before she can attack."
Dratini charge forward his speed increasing at the same time as he used Agility to give him the boost. By the time Clefairy came to a stop she wasn't in any position to dodge or counter and Dratini leapt into the air and brought his full weight down on her almost as soon as she had come to a rest. That third direct hit was too much for Clefairy and she fainted then and there, swirls for eyes as Dratini rolled off her and turned to look at her with hearts for eyes and his tail wagging happily.
"Huh, I guess Dratini is male." Ash noted as Dratini became infatuated but he had taken out Clefairy so he didn't need to worry about Dratini for the moment, well that and the fact that Shed Skin would activate soon. "Good to know for the future."
No what got Ash's full attention in that moment was what happened between Gengar and Granbull, that was what confused everyone watching the battle. It wasn't what should have happened and it looked like Ash was going to have to report whatever it was to Professor Oak, which also reminded Ash that he had to report what had happened to Sabrina's Mr. Mime to his mentor as well when he did report in. There was a lot that the Professor would want to know about
The first oddity was that Granbull's Payback, which he had clearly timed perfectly despite Gengar's mobility advantage, hit with the full force of the attack. It should have only done that if the Night Shade had been what had hit it first not the Dragon Rage so it shouldn't have been as effective as it was. Ash knew that Payback dealt double damage if the Pokémon had been attacked first but he figured that the Dragon Rage being from Dratini and not Gengar wouldn't trigger it, though it was a dark type move so super effective on Gengar regardless.
Whatever the case Gengar was blasted upwards by the impact taking a lot of damage while Ash lost points but Gengar was just about still in the battle. Then Gengar countered without Ash's order, likely due to the pain and irritation at being hit, with a new move.
As Granbull fell to the ground, around the time Clefairy was being defeated by Dratini, Gengar threw a purple, viscous, attack at Granbull. The color and consistence indicated that it was a poison type move which meant that it had to be Venoshock as it was the only poison type move that Ash was aware Gengar could learn. The move exploded above Granbull and drenched him in it as he hit the ground in a crouch so he couldn't avoid it.
None of that was surprising as Ash lost points for Gengar's lack of obedience and Emily's continued loss of points happened due to losing Clefairy and taking a direct hit. No what surprising was the sudden and unexpected howl of sheer pain that Granbull gave as soon as the move made contact before he collapsed to the side and hit the ground hard with swirls for eyes.
Venoshock was a good move but unless Granbull was already poisoned, which Ash knew he wasn't as Venoshock had been the first chance of poisoning happening, it shouldn't have knocked him out. However it had acted as if it was super effective and everyone's eyes were wide and their mouths open as the battle abruptly ended.
Gengar, as surprised as everyone else with the effect of his attack but still smirking in victory, floated down and joined Dratini who had just activated Shed Skin again and ended his embarrassing infatuation. As Gengar and Dratini rushed Ash to celebrated their victory with him the spell was broken and the crowd began cheering. Three X appeared in front of the judges a second later declaring a Battle Off.
"And that is, er, it." Lilian said recovering from her shock as best she could while a still stunned Emily returned her Pokémon and thanked them for giving their all in the battle. "Ash has won by Battle Off in the third minute of the semifinal."
"Return guys." Ash said recalling his Pokémon before they could knock him flat with their celebration. "I am not exactly sure what just happened but we won and that is the important thing for now, we can figure this out later when there is time. Well done, one more battle left and it is going to be the toughest of them all."
"Well folks we will take a ten-minute break while our finalists compose themselves." Lilian said, her usual enthusiasm returning as the final approached. "When we return, intros and the final of the HopHopHop Town Contest."
Ash looked up to the screen and saw what he expected to see, the final bracket showing only his and Misty's pictures under the word FINAL. He honestly hadn't expected to get this far but he was going to try and win, he would not hold back not even for Misty. She wouldn't expect him too, she would want him to make her earn the ribbon and she was going to come after him with everything for sure so his Pokémon would get the practice he wanted them to get. It was time for them to have their first sole battle.
Ash left the stage to stand in the waiting area knowing that Misty was already on the other side by now and waiting to face him. They were expected to wait for their introductions before coming out for the finals. It was almost time. In a few minutes, Ash and Misty would go head to head for the HopHopHop Town ribbon.
