Part XLI: A Bundle of Surprises
The next day Misty and May were in the living room chatting about the upcoming week while Misty was trying not to look envious at May's Ribbon Cup that was on a pedestal by the TV when the doorbell rang. It was just after breakfast and that was a sign that the first of the collection of guests who were arriving throughout the day had arrived. Max and Ash were out training in the greenhouse having gone there right after breakfast at Max's request and before the girls were done eating so it was just them to greet the guests.
Typical Ash, always training for his next challenge but Misty couldn't blame him. Max idolized Ash and saw him a mentor so now that he was a trainer and had Ash around for a whole week he wanted as much help as possible and Ash was only more than happy to help his friend out. Misty didn't mind though, it allowed her more time to catch up and hang out with May.
They had talked a little before bed about their outfits, what they wanted to wear and where they could find them until they had fallen asleep. That hadn't talked about the Wallace Cup and what to expect from it so this had been that moment. Despite her realization the night before, Misty had no ill feelings towards her friend. She understood all too well the effect Ash had on the people he met and she really should have seen May's feelings coming but she hadn't beyond a nagging feeling in her gut that she'd ignored.
Maybe it was her close friendship with the girl blinding her or May's own self-control around Ash, something Dawn had lacked when they met, but whatever the reason it had taken Misty longer than she had expected to realize the truth. Now that she had, she was waiting for the right moment to talk to May about it. She could have done it the night before or after breakfast but Misty had a feeling that moment would present itself later this week. For now though, they had a door to answer.
May opened it and Misty instantly smiled at who was standing there. On the other side were two redhead girls and neither were the one that Misty always dreaded seeing. One wore a long-sleeved red top, orange vest, blue shorts that went past her knees, brown boots, and shades on her short, spikey, near orange hair.
The other, taller, girl had equally short red hair though it wasn't spikey, almost pink in color, and she had a set of bangs that framed her face with a strand between her teal eyes. She wore a yellow cap, and gloves, a dark green dress with patching stockings, light green boots topped with a yellow band and a light green waistcoat with yellow buttons.
"Zoey!" Misty almost squealed as she pulled her best friend in for a tight hug that Zoey reciprocated in kind hugging Misty close to her. "I'm so glad you that could make it!"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Zoey said back with a smile as they broke apart. "Knowing you were in it again was more than enough of a reason for me. Getting invited by the Contest Committee as the other Top Coordinator to compete with May who had to be here given the location was just a bonus. I think that was tied to you as well given our final in the Sinnoh Grand Festival and your history with the Wallace Cup."
"That hurt." Georgia said bluntly with a slightly sour look on her face, both traits Misty remembered from their brief meeting in the past. "Hello Misty, nice to see you again."
"Georgia." Misty said a little more formally as she shook the Unova girl's hand, she had met her at the Junior Cup but that had really been it though as they hadn't interacted at Ash's party but she knew about the girl from Ash. "Same to you."
"May, how are you." Zoey said hugging May as well as Georgia and Misty were exchanging pleasantries. "Thanks so much for having us."
"Wouldn't have it any other way." May said smiling at Zoey. "It will be like Sinnoh again only with more girls this time."
"Thank you for having me, I know we haven't really met though I remember seeing you at Ash's party a few months back." Georgia said bowing respectfully to May before offering May her hand which May shock a little taken aback by how formal Georgia had been. "I'm Georgia and I'm a Dragon Buster from Unova who's been training for the last few months in Snowpoint City."
"May, it's my pleasure." May said as she led them into the living room so that they could all sit down, the new comers drop their bags, and chat some more. "When Zoey asked if you could come I was more than happy to have more company around for the week. Ash also spoke of you and your, er, mission in life when I told him and Misty that you would be arriving."
"Ah good so you know about my hatred of dragon types and desire to beat all who specialize in their type, especially everyone in the Village of Dragons" Georgia said with a grin that was way more feral than it needed to be. "I am very grateful to Zoey for taking me to her home and introducing me to her friend Candice. As odd as she is, and she is certainly a character though one that grows on you, she really is a talented ice type master and a great gym leader that I was honored to learn under."
"Was?" Misty asked confused. "Are you not going back to Snowpoint after this and continuing with Candice?"
"No, as much as I love it there and all the ice Pokémon I have caught and met I must move on." Georgia said. "Candice has taught me a lot that I wouldn't have learned on my own. I will always keep in touch with her and hopefully see her again but I need to explore the other regions around here. Zoey spoke with me on the way to Snowpoint from Pallet Town about the Wallace Cup so I decided that, if I was ready, it would make a good reason to travel to Hoenn. I was so this way I can see the region and compete in a Contest."
"Have you ever competed in one before?" Misty asked curiously. "The Wallace Cup is a little different, though it does follow the same general format as a standard Contest, so it's an odd choice for a debut."
"One in Sinnoh near Snowpoint to get the feeling for it." Georgia said with a nod. "And Zoey came back last week to help train me a little and watch me in that Contest. I feel like I can do a good appeal as I got past that round. After that who knows what will happen but my more direct style isn't great for Contest battle, they're just good ways to train."
"That is how Ash sees Contests so I get that." Misty said. "Well you will have fun this week, I promise that."
"That explains why you two arrived together." May said before shifting the topic. "How is Unova Zoey? How's the circuit setup going over there?"
"Good, better than Galar and Alola but not as well as Kalos." Zoey admitted. "Of all the expansion regions that is the one that is both ahead of schedule and already has a strong fan base. So much so that the Wallace Cup will be there next year though they haven't announced the city yet. Unova will be ready for the season next year but we aren't expecting it to be as good as Kalos and haven't gotten many coordinators from other regions to commit yet. I am staying to judge for a year to help with the transition, I assume you are doing the same in Kalos."
"That's the plan." May said with a nod. "Can't wait for it as I have a friend there I know is competing next year so while I won't judge her Contests I do want to watch her development on the Circuit."
"That's good, I don't yet but I am sure I'll find a few new friends." Zoey said. "What about you Misty? How is the Kanto circuit going this year? You are still competing in Contests; you must be loving it. I can't wait to compete again."
"I am." Misty said and she meant it, while her friends had achieved their dreams before her Misty didn't mind that she hadn't yet as it had taken May 4 years and she really loved Contests so she liked that she could still compete in them. "I won my first two and then took a break when Ash got sick as I had to break out the nurse outfit and nurse him back to health. I then proceeded to lose my first Contest back so this will be my rebound, I hope."
"You lost?" Zoey asked amazed her eyes wide. "You haven't done that since Sinnoh in a regular Contest if I recall."
"Keeping an eye on me are you." Misty teased and Zoey blushed a little though Misty didn't notice that. "I'm touched, honest, it means a lot to know that you've been supporting me."
"How could I not, you are my friend and rival so I follow your Contest news as best I can." Zoey said as she tried to quell the butterflies in her chest at Misty's words because she knew they were meant as a friend and not how Zoey wanted them to mean. "I started with the last Wallace Cup and loved your near historic run in Johto. I cried when you lost the final again and in such a heartbreaking fashion to a brat like Ursa. You should have completely swept the circuit"
"Yeah that was a tough loss." Misty said with a sigh, she had long gotten over it but the memory of it still hurt. "I was so close but in then end worth it as that was when Ash showed up out of the blue. He'd come straight to Johto from Unova to see me in it. That was when I found the courage to tell him how I felt and he reciprocated my feelings and well the rest is history."
"Silver linings." Zoey said as Misty missed the flicker of pain in her friends eyes because she noticed May's instead, not that Misty would know why Zoey was upset at her and Ash getting together. "Though I thought you were a favorite in Kanto along with Nando and Kenny, not that you want to hear about the latter after what happened at Ash's party. I have to ask; how did you lose? I was traveling so much lately that I have been a bit out of the loop with the Kanto circuit and wanted the update from you personally."
"Well interestingly enough I lost to Ash." Misty said causing Zoey to gape in shock while Georgia looked indifferent as listened to the others catch up. "So it was a bit of an upset."
"You lost to Ash?" Zoey asked as she recovered. "As in your boyfriend Ash? A trainer who isn't exactly well versed in how a Contest battle works."
"Yup that Ash." Misty said with a nod and a chuckle at Zoey's amazement. "He beat me in the final of the HopHopHop Town Contest. It was a double battle and we were both using Pokémon we had caught this year while in Kanto. I probably would have won but his Dratini decided to evolve and then thrashed me. Course the swearing I did in that battle got me a nice warning but that was worth it."
"Dragon." Georgia spat while Zoey just stared in pure shock at Misty, losing to Ash and swearing in a Contest were two things that Zoey had not expect from her secret crush. "Can't stand them. You should have used your Mamoswine, that would have crushed a Dratini even after it evolved."
"I did in my first Contest but I like mixing it up and seeing who is best at what aspect." Misty said with a shrug before realizing something. "Wait, how do you remember I have a Mamoswine?"
"Because I have been admiring it for a while." Georgia said as if it was nothing. "I will always remember you because you used it against that wannabee's Dragonite in the Junior Cup. Then you used it again against that Luxio after Ash's party. It was one of the Pokémon I really wanted to get while in Sinnoh."
"And did you?" Misty asked. "Get one that is."
"Not yet." Georgia said shaking her head. "But I did catch a Swinub who I am training up to evolve so I do want your help with that, as well as to get to know your Mamoswine if it's here as I want to know what I'm in store for."
"Of course, I am more than willing to help." Misty said with a smile. "Of all my Pokémon, Mamoswine was the biggest challenge so I know how to raise one pretty well. He's on me now, he was one of three I kept for my Kanto journey while the others stayed at Professor Oak's ranch. He may have to be sent back briefly depending on how the matches go but he'll be around for the week for sure."
"Good, I will take any help I can get." Georgia said with a look of determination in her eyes. "After I evolve it, it should be only a matter of time before it learns Ancient Power and evolves again."
"That might be quicker than you expect." Misty said surprising Georgia into raising an eyebrow at that. "Mine learned it only days after evolving into a Piloswine so he proceeded to evolve again pretty quickly, way too quickly if I'm being honest. Caused me some problems and that wasn't just because he was already doing that as a Piloswine but now he and I are close."
"Well I want to avoid that for now." Georgia said. "Just training it and my other new Pokémon for the moment so that they get stronger and evolve when they're ready. Move evolution is a little odd and I don't understand it but the others are easier."
"What did you get?" May asked curious. "I've been to Snowpoint before for the purpose of evolving a Pokémon. There's a special rock near the city that I used to evolve my Eevee into a Glaceon so I know the city pretty well and am found of it."
"Now that is a Pokémon I really want but Eevees are hard to find as they are pretty rare." Georgia said. "When I do I will return to Snowpoint to evolve it when it's ready. I did catch a Swinub, Sneasel, Snowrunt, and Snover. My Sneasel has since evolved thanks to it finding a Razor Claw one night while we were out looking for a Delibird that was apparently there. As for the others, I haven't decided yet whether I want a Glalie or a Froslass with my Snowrunt so taking my time with it."
"Well make sure you know the gender then so as to plan accordingly." Ash said as he and Max entered surprising them. "Hey Zoey, Georgia, good to see you two again."
"Ash." Zoey said friendly nodding at him. "And you must be Max, good to meet you and thank you for having me. I don't think we were introduced at Ash's party but I remember you from it."
"Neither but May has told me about you and the pleasure is all mine." Max said adjusting his glasses. "I also know that you had a Kirlia at one point so I would like to pick you mind on some raising techniques with mine."
"I did and I'd be honored to help." Zoey said as a memory came back to her at Ash's party regarding her Gallade and someone wanting his Kirlia to evolve into a Gardevoir, in fact she recalled seeing a Kirlia there during the battles the next day so it must have been Max's. "I will help out as best I can but I think yours is different from mine if I recall."
"Mine is female where yours is male." Max said surprising Zoey that he knew. "You said that your is now a Gallade which means that it has to be male."
"What do you mean?" Georgia asked Ash bluntly ignoring the conversation going on between Max and Zoey. "Why does its gender matter?"
"I remember Gary saying at my birthday that only female Snowrunts can evolve into Froslass during a conversation about Zoey's Gallade like the one her and Max are currently having." Ash said as he joined them. "I have a Glalie and he's great but if you want a Froslass best to make sure its female before trying to use the right stone needed to evolve it."
"Huh I will have to find that out at some point." Georgia said thinking.
"Well we have all week and my Eevee knows Attract." Misty said helpfully. "And we know that it's a female so that will help us determine what gender your Snowrunt is as it is an attack that only works on the opposite gender."
"Yeah that would be nice actually." Georgia said with a smile at Misty that was genuine and not the one she got when talking about beating dragon types. "I have a Misty Stone that Candice gave me as a parting gift before I left but if it isn't good then I will have to find a female one here. I was planning on catching a second anyway to get both. I'll just have to figure out a way of determining the second's gender."
"Misty I didn't know you had an Eevee." Zoey said looking back at her friend as her and Max finished planning when to go over Kirlia care. "That's amazing, when did you get one?"
"She flew into my face while we were in Kanto but that isn't the half of it." Misty said with a smile. "My Eevee is special."
"So I have heard, I can't wait to see her." Came a new, older, female voice that startled the kids and Misty's eyes went wide when they turned and saw the newcomer. "Hello dear, I take it you didn't know I was coming to watch the Wallace Cup."
Misty just shook her head slowly as she stared at her mother. Johanna was now in the living room with them with Caroline, which explained why May's mom hadn't been present after breakfast, smiling at her daughter. Before Misty could react she was up and hugging her mother tightly, something Johanna was doing in return.
"Sorry, I just wasn't expecting this." Misty said as she recovered and they broke apart before Johanna could whisper ask anything embarrassing to Misty about her private life with Ash. "Why are you here?"
"Well May reached out to me and told me where the Cup was this year so and invited me to come and watch as well as get updated about the expansion which I want to know all about." Johanna said with a smile. "And help all of you train for it and the other Contests this year of course. I couldn't resist seeing you again so I came."
"Thanks." Misty said with a smile to May. "I wasn't expecting this but I think I needed it."
"Don't mention it." May said dismissively as she smiled back. "My mom is here so I figured yours should as well. Plus now there are 3 Top Coordinators and one who should be present to help train the newbies."
"True." Misty agreed. "That will help Georgia, Iris, Cilan and Dawn a lot."
"So this Eevee of yours, how is it special?" Johanna asked bringing the conversation back to what they had been talking about when she arrived. "You said you had one but wouldn't show me it for some reason."
"Oh yeah well I wanted to surprise you with her and now I can." Misty said before an idea struck her. "Wait, mom, did you bring Glameow and Umbreon with you?"
"Of course, how can I teach you and your friends without my partners." Johanna said. "They are always with me when I travel."
"Would you like to battle now then?" Misty asked with a grin. "I know that you will have the advantage but I would like to use my Eevee against your Umbreon as that is one of the potential evolutions for Eevee."
"I'd be honored." Johanna said with a nod. "May is there a place where we can battle and will you ref please as you know how a Contest battle works?"
"It would be my pleasure and we can head out to the greenhouse." May said with a small nod of agreement. "It's got a practice field for dad which we can use and its where the girls are staying so Zoey and Georgia can drop their stuff off at the campsite I set up yesterday."
"Sounds fun." Zoey said with a smile. "Real ladies night then."
"Oh it will be, Dawn has promised to ensure it when she gets here later and she was the one who suggested we camp out." May said with a grin at Misty. "She's promised that this will be something we don't forget."
"Right now I am worried." Misty said to her mother's surprise, Misty rarely said she was worried. "I don't trust anything Dawn thinks will be memorable."
"That's not like you dear." Johanna said as May led them out of the house and to the greenhouse. "You usually get along with everyone."
"Dawn and I have turbulent history after we met in Cerulean City before getting to Pallet Town." Misty told her mother tapping her locket, her mom knew what was inside it as she'd shown her when Ash had given it to her. "We, er, didn't see eye to eye when we met."
"Oh so that's how you got it." Johanna said as they all entered the greenhouse. "You weren't clear when you told me that you'd won one. It was so out of character for you to do that."
"Yeah well Dawn didn't exactly take to me when we met." Misty admitted. "And I didn't take to her either. It wasn't the greatest first impression, for both of us."
"Ah she is in love with Ash and he didn't know about it." Johanna said with a nod of understanding. "So he took you to meet her because she's an old friend and it didn't go over well when she found out about you and you found out about her feelings."
"Um yes that's pretty close to what happened." Misty said surprised as they walked deeper into the greenhouse. "Just missing the fawning she did over Piplup and the fact that I made it clear who I was rather than her figuring it out. Otherwise that's basically how it went down. How'd you guess?"
"Woman's intuition." Johanna said as the girls first dropped their stuff off in a small clearing that had been set up for them before continuing to the nearby battlefield. "Well that and when I first met a rival to your father I put her and her Pokémon through a wall. Admittedly it was one of those flimsy wooden ones but that's how it went down. She got me back by knocking me into a stream so we were even."
"Mom!" Misty exclaimed shocked at her mother's candor.
"What, jealousy is a powerful factor for anyone." Johanna said with a shrug. "That's why it can be a fatal flaw in people. I'm sure you and Dawn weren't exactly gentle when you had your discussion."
"No she tried to put Piplup through a wall and I tried to send her Gyarados through a ceiling that was a good 30 feet above her pool." Misty admitted quietly so that only her mother could hear, she didn't want to remind Piplup of that incident again, it never ended well for her when she spoke of it. "We basically beat each other's Pokémon up until one, in this case Togekiss, was left standing."
"Ok that is more than I was expecting." Johanna said as they reached the battlefield in the greenhouse. "We will have to go into town tomorrow just us and catch up. You will need a new dress for the Wallace Cup and I want to hear about everything and make sure that you are sticking to your schedule. Remember they only work if you adhere to it every day."
"Mom!" Misty exclaimed looking around frantically knowing precisely what she was getting at. "Yes, I am keeping up with that as instructed."
"Good just checking, I know your active now so I want to make sure." Johanna said. "So long as you're both safe it's all good, I'm too young to have a grandkid."
"How'd you know?" Misty said horrified hoping that no one was near enough to hear.
"Because you just confirmed it." Johanna said with a smile before she left her now mortified and bright red daughter to go and take her place while May took the ref spot at midfield and the others stood on the sidelines to cheer.
Misty took a deep breath to compose herself, she was expecting this as soon as she saw her mom so she could deal with it and went to take her spot. She reached there and pulled out Eevee's Poke Ball as her mother took out Umbreon's. They were just about to start when Georgia suddenly went stiff on the sidelines, her eyes wide and nostrils flaring.
"She's here!" Georgia exclaimed. "That wannabe excuse of a dragon master has arrived."
"I'm only a trainee, I'm not a master yet!" Iris's voice called out from nearby as she, Cilan and Caroline who had hung back to wait for the others to arrive and then left them again to wait for Dawn who was the only one missing. "You're still such a little kid Georgia."
"I'm a kid! You're the kid!" Georgia said and a second later the two girls slammed foreheads and sparks flew between their eyes as they growled at each other. "So it's true, you're here for this. I wasn't sure you would be here but I'm glad you are."
"Yes though I am actually surprised you are here." Iris growled as Axew sighed and hopped out of her hair with a sigh to make his way over to Ash to get away from his trainer and her rival. "I thought you were training in Sinnoh this year."
"Zoey suggested this after she left me there as something fun to do." Georgia growled. "And when she mentioned that she was coming back for it and that Misty's Unova friends might be here well I couldn't resist the chance to final settle things with you."
"I beat you in the Junior Cup." Iris stated angrily. "That was the decider."
"Dragonite beat me not you." Georgia countered. "You had no control over it and we both know that. We tied in Pallet Town so this will decide it if we face each other."
"Fine, you know that I have full control of Dragonite now." Iris said smugly. "So either in the Wallace Cup or after it we will finally settle this woman to woman."
"And you know that my Beartic has been trained up with the aid of a true ice master." Georgia said causing Iris to shiver at the weakness of dragons. "I will freeze you wannabe dragon master ass with my ice."
"Not if I destroy your first with my dragon types." Iris snapped back.
From that point it devolved into unintelligent growls as the bitter rivals continued their long-standing feud with one another picking up right where they had left off last time. Axew knew this was going to happen and was looking at Ash expectantly. Ash had known that Axew would be here and had brought in Scraggy as his 6th Pokémon just before they had left for Hoenn and brought him out so that the two close friends could play together nearby.
"Misty, I take it you know them." Johanna said coming over to her daughter as they all gathered around the still sparking girls, the mother/daughter match delayed for the moment. "Or at least of them."
"I know Iris from Unova, she was one of Ash's traveling companions there." Misty said. "And in all honesty the person I owe the most in the world after what she did. As for Georgia, I met her in Unova as well when I was at the Junior Cup but only briefly. She's a self-proclaimed Dragon Buster which is apparently a trainer who makes it her living to beat every single dragon master. She's Iris's main rival but friendly with Ash and Cilan so that is why she was invited to Ash's party as she was one of the recurring friends he made there. Zoey took her to Snowpoint City for some training afterwards and they seem to have become good friends in the process."
"Ah I see so typical Ash web." Johanna said with a nod that Misty agreed with, Ash did have a habit of creating rather complex webs. "Wait, why do you owe Iris?"
"She's the one who called Ash out." Misty said with a smile at the wild haired dragon master's in training who would also be in Misty's good books. "About his feelings for me."
"That's who got through to Ash?" Johanna said her eyes wide. "How? Ash is lovely and intelligent when it comes to Pokémon but he isn't exactly the brightest at this sort of thing. I was confused at how determined he was in Silver Town but didn't ask as I saw the results with my own eyes."
"Yeah I'm wondering that as well." A new, familiar, voice said and Misty groaned as soon as she recognized it; Dawn had arrived. "I still can't believe there is an Ash whisperer out there and I never got the chance to meet her at his party as I was too busy helping friends or cleaning up Psyduck related messes."
Misty looked as Dawn calmly strolled up to them Caroline with her and staying this time to watch the kids have fun. Dawn was dressed differently than before Misty noticed. She wore a simple yellow sleeveless top that showed off her toned stomach, teal short shorts held up by a pair of red suspenders showing off her long legs and white and red high-top sneakers. Her hair style remained the same though and she was carrying her Azurill in her arms with a drawstring bag slung over her shoulder.
"Another friend of Ash's?" Johanna asked Misty.
"Yup, that's Dawn." Misty said and Johanna's eyes went a little wide at the name of the gym leader her daughter had challenged and who she now learned had done so in a fit of jealousy. "Ash's oldest friend from his first journey as a trainer."
"Dawn I'm glad you could make it." Ash said smiling at her as Dawn ignored the still growling rivals that Cilan and Axew were now trying to separate and hugged Ash though for once, likely do to more than Misty around, she kept the hug friendly which only made the red haired coordinator more on edge. "You've gone back to you original look. I like it, reminds me of the early days."
"That I have, I thought it would be a nice throwback for the trip." Dawn said before hugging May who was looking a little shellshocked at what was going on around her, mainly the sudden war between Georgia and a girl she knew as Iris but hadn't really spoken to yet. "You know from when we first met."
"That was you outfit?" Misty asked as she and her mom approached them deciding it was best to delay their match while introductions were made.
"Yeah this is what I wore when I traveled with Ash." Dawn said hugging Misty friendly which only caused her to be even more on edge than she already was. "I thought he'd like it though I have something special for the Wallace Cup as I have to dress up for that but this is for everyday wear."
"Why am I not surprised." Misty said before her mother coughed. "Oh right sorry, Dawn this is my mother Johanna, a Top Coordinator from Sinnoh. Mom this is Dawn the Cerulean Gym Leader and Ash's friend."
"Pleasure to meet you." Johanna said extending her hand that Dawn shook. "My daughter told me about your first meeting."
"Nothing too bad I hope." Dawn said with a smile that didn't exactly meet her eyes as if she was regretting that incident. "Misty is a lovely girl and we had a spirited debate about a shared topic of ours. She is a passionate trainer for sure. We've met several times since and it's always fun. I even watched her win the Cerulean Contest so I know that she's good at what she loves."
"Not how'd I'd put it but yes it is always a memorable." Misty mutter but it seemed that Dawn was actually making an effort to be civil so she could do that as well. "But let us not dwell on that day. I am glad that you came Dawn, now all of the girls who have traveled with Ash are present. We just need Brock to complete the set of travel companions but alas he couldn't get the time off."
"Yeah am surprised that you got the time off." Ash said as he and May joined them while Cilan and Axew continued to try to separate the other girls. "I know you wanted to come but your sisters aren't known for their ability to be helpful."
"I basically told them that I have been doing my job for over 2 years with limited breaks so they owed me this." Dawn said. "Well that and the fact that Wallace personally invited all water type gym leaders to compete in the Cup a few weeks ago so I couldn't resist. I closed the gym for a few weeks to prevent them just giving badges away so hopefully it's still standing when I return."
"Must be a challenge being a gym leader." Johanna said. "It is an honor to be one but a lot of work from what I've gathered. Gyms were never my thing though so I don't really understand them."
"I was hesitant at first but embraced it after I got used to it and took over as the permanent leader and not just the acting one I initial was." Dawn said. "Now I love it and I meet many interesting and surprising people who challenge me in more ways than I could have ever imagined."
"Like my daughter." Johanna said and Dawn laughed.
"You have no idea; Misty's challenge will always be my most memorable one." Dawn said still laughing. "But enough about that, I am just glad to be here and competing even if Contests aren't really m thing, it is worth a try at least one. I had to practice appeals just to figure out how to get it and I am going to need someone to look after my Psyduck during the Cup so that he doesn't bother me during."
"Psyduck?" Johanna asked and as if on cue the Duck Pokémon burst out his ball in Dawn's bag and looked around confused as Dawn sighed at his antics. "Oh you have a Pokémon that does that, how unusual."
"Yup and he still doesn't know why even after doing it for years." Dawn said with another sigh returning him. "I don't intend on using him but for various reasons I can't leave him alone."
"Still haven't taught him to swim?" Misty asked.
"Nope and he refuses to learn." Dawn growled. "I think he gets his stubbornness from me and I'm not sure that's a good thing. One of these days he will learn though, I am sure of it even if I have to spend a month in the pool with him to accomplish it."
"Probably for the best as the Wallace Cup uses a water battlefield." May said and Dawn nodded.
"Too true, I have my Pokémon that I want to use that." Dawn said. "Even one especially for Misty if we meet in the battle round, providing I advance."
"Piplup!" Piplup exclaimed in fear knowing exactly what the water loving dark haired girl meant and leaping off Misty's head, flapping his flippers in vain, faceplanting on the ground and running to go play with Pikachu, Scraggy and Axew, the latter of which giving up on separating his trainer from her rival and going back to play with the others.
"I think I'm going to have to ask Professor Oak to transfer one of my Pokémon in then." Misty said knowing which one Dawn meant. "I'd like her back for it anyway. It will only be if I face Dawn though and only for the Cup, afterwards she will have to go back to the Professor."
"Who?" May asked confused.
"Wait and see." Dawn said. "I think Misty wants to keep it a secret."
"Well it is just more fun that way." Misty said with a grin.
Just then Cilan finally managed to get the girls apart by frantically reminding them that their host was there and that they both had to grow up and stop eating from the kids menu when they were in someone else's house. The rivals were cordial with each other as they joined the group and intros were made though they kept giving each other angry glances.
"So Iris, Cilan, you two are staying in Hoenn after this?" Ash asked once introductions and catch ups were done, Dawn and Iris have plenty of playful banter about Ash's cluelessness in the process despite Dawn's irritation that the dragon trainer had helped Misty and not her with Ash. "What are you planning on doing here?"
"We are." Cilan said with a nod. "My menu has expanded greatly in Johto and Kanto but now it is time to sample what Hoenn has to offer. There is a unique and original flavor to this region and starting with the Wallace Cup I am looking forward to enjoying it."
"And I am traveling with him for the food he'll make us." Iris said happily. "I am here to catch a Bagon and Tapinch while also trying to evolve my Swablu and Gible and looking for a Dragon Scale for my Seadra. I sent my Emolga back to the Dragon Clan to be looked after as I had reached the max when I caught Gible."
"You have a Seadra?" Dawn asked. "I do as well, it is such a cute Pokémon but then again all water types are."
"It is and it can evolve into a water and dragon type." Iris said excitedly. "That is my goal one day. It will show that I am a dragon master if I can catch and evolve all the Pokémon who gain dragon typing upon evolution as well as all other dragon types."
"Same but not for a while." Dawn said. "I want to train my Seadra up before I evolve it."
"Wait Iris when did you get a Gible?" Ash asked confused. "I don't recall you having one at my party."
"I didn't because it had shown up in my absence from Blackthorn City." Iris explained. "He was biting things and causing a lot of damage to the city so with the help of Clair, the gym leader there, I relocated him to the Dragon Holy Land but he didn't want to stay. He came and watch me battle her and then followed me when I left to see more of Johto after Cilan came to Blackthorn to see if I wanted to come here. I realized that he wanted to come with me so I caught him and he's been with me ever since though he keeps biting things, mainly Axew. So we have a Pokémon in common now because I know that you have one as well."
"Well an evolutionary family in common." Ash said. "Mine evolved during my battle with Forrest in Pewter City. We actually have two families in common now."
"We do?" Iris asked confused.
"Yup." Ash said pulling out a Poke Ball and opening it so that his Dragonair popped out in front of him, coiled up so that he didn't take up too much room. "I caught him as a Dratini after helping him out with a slight problem. He evolved the other week in a match against Misty."
"He's so cute." Iris squealed while Georgia huffed and they lost Iris to playing with Dragonair who regarded her with confusion but let her cuddle him, nonetheless. "Just as I would expect from a dragon type."
"What about you Cilan?" Misty asked the green haired connoisseur. "How was Johto for you?"
"It was lovely thanks for asking." Cilan said with a smile at Misty. "I travel a lot and expanded my tastes greatly with the rich delicacies that Johto has to offer. I indulged in many of my passions though little success when it came to Pokémon. Iris and I have been in contact all the time and met up in Blackthorn City where I suggested we head to Ecruteak to fly here and travel together in Hoenn. I want to experience the region after competing in the Wallace Cup."
"Any new Pokémon?" Ash asked curiously.
"One but I am saving it for the cup." Cilan said cryptically. "And only if I reach the battle round and am against either you or Iris."
"Alright we will let you have your time." Ash said annoyed but chalking it up to Cilan's many eccentricities. "But if you don't face either of us you had better show us before you leave."
"I promise I will but did we interrupt something when we arrived?" Cilan asked switching the topic. "I get the smell of an incomplete dish that Iris and I may have unfortunately ruined."
"Not ruined just delayed." Misty said. "My mom and I were about to have a training Contest battle actually."
"Well dear why don't we show them now." Johanna suggested. "Everyone has arrived and I will be good for those who don't know Contests well to see what a battle looks like as that is something we will have to train them for. May, if you would be a darling and get this started for us."
"Of course Johanna." May said with a nod before taking her place with while her own mother went off into the garden to make sure that the Vigoroth there didn't bother them.
"Alright pay close attention to this." Zoey said to Georgia and Cilan while Ash tried to get Iris to watch, something she reluctantly agreed to so long as she could drape Dragonair around her shoulders which he agreed to. "Johanna is a Top Coordinator and one of the best and Misty is well Misty, she should be one but for a few bad breaks in two Grand Festival Finals."
"I know about Misty; you talk about her a lot, like a lot a lot, and we have met though I am looking forward to seeing her in a Contest battle." Georgia pointed out though she didn't know why Zoey talked about the red haired coordinator so much. "But I understand, pay close attention to how it works so that I know what to do if I get past the appeal round. I will need to know what to do to beat Iris so I will study this."
"Alright this will be a standard Contest battle." May called out getting all of their attention. "While we don't have a proper scoring system for this battle. Both coordinators will battle for 5 minutes and at the end I will determine who has won unless there is a Battle Off, does this work?"
"Of course." Both Misty and her mother said as they locked eyes.
"Very well, begin." May declared.
"Umbreon spotlight!" Johanna yelled tossing a ball into the air.
"Eevee spotlight!" Misty said as she threw her own ball in the air.
Umbreon burst forth, flipped in the air, and howled a challenge when he landed. The jet-black dark type Pokémon with yellow markings circling its ears and tail midway with yellow circles on its head, and legs, was ready for battle. That readiness faltered at the sight of its opponent. That was not what it was expecting to face.
Eevee had materialized a moment later and everyone but Ash, Misty, and Dawn gasped in shock at her appearance. They had expected a standard Eevee but this one was a light grayish color and had sparkled when it had emerged from its Poke Ball. None of them had ever seen an Eevee like that.
"That's a shiny Eevee." Johanna said recovering the first. "Misty, you didn't tell me this was why your Eevee was special. That is a really, really, rare Pokémon you have there."
"Yeah I thought that this was a better reveal." Misty said with a grin at her surprised mother. "More shock value this way."
"How did you find one?" May asked amazed.
"I didn't." Misty admitted. "Eevee found me by hitting me in the face, I wasn't lying about that part she really did come from above and smack me in the face. I will tell you the story later but for now, Eevee, Shadow Ball!"
"Oh right we are still battling." Johanna said impressed her daughter had used the distraction to her advantage. "Umbreon counter it with your own Shadow Ball."
Both Pokémon opened their mouths and sent out the balls of ghost type power though Umbreon's wouldn't have affected Eevee, it was more to prevent Eevee's from hitting it. They shot towards each other and slammed into one another exploding in a series of dark sparks. Neither mother nor daughter let up for a moment.
"Eevee use Attract." Misty ordered trying to get her mother back for the move she'd pulled on Misty in the past.
"Umbreon counter with your own Attract." Johanna ordered.
Both Pokémon again mirrored each other, this time giving the other a seductive wink at their opponent and sending hearts at them. This time the result was different and unexpected. The hearts, rather than clash and explode like the Shadow Balls, slipped past each other and then circled the confused Pokémon before hitting. Instantly both were attracted and rushed to each other in the middle of the battlefield.
"Huh, Umbreon is a guy." Misty said idly. "I guess that means that Pachirisu and Glameow are girls."
"How do you know?" Johanna asked as they both just had to wait for the Attracts to end, watching carefully for that moment so as to attack.
"Well I know that Eevee is a girl from our training with her own Attract attack." Misty explained. "So that means that Umbreon has to be male for our attacks to work. I guess this is what happens when both Pokémon successfully use Attract attacks."
"That much I get but what about Glameow and Pachirisu, how do you know that they're girls?" Johanna asked.
"Well I know that Piplup is a guy because of an evil Togepi using attract on him, Pikachu, Meowth and Croagunk and that was when I learned that Meowth was a guy so Piplup had to be as well." Misty explained remembering the odd series of events that that adventure had led to including going into outer space and running into a Rayquaza. "That was an odd day for sure. It was shortly after the Twinleaf Festival I believe."
"Wait evil Togepi?" Dawn asked confused. "How is that possible?"
"Long story I will tell later." Misty said still focusing. "Anyway with Piplup and Umbreon both beign male, the only way for your double attract with Glameow to work on Piplup and Pachirisu at the same time is if we both had a guy and a girl and with two males confirmed the other two have to be female."
Just then the infatuations ended with both Eevee and Umbreon blinking in confusion and they both had an opening; it would come down to speed and move choice. This was where experience trumped youth as Johanna beat Misty to the punch going with a speed move over a more powerful move that looked better like Shadow Ball.
"Umbreon Quick Attack." Johanna ordered.
"Eevee Shadow Ball." Misty countered.
As Eevee was opening her mouth Umbreon launched himself at her. The speed of Umbreon's Quick Attack and the closeness of the Pokémon ensured that it struck faster than Eevee could get off her attack but not as hard as it would have been had Umbreon had the space to reach max speed. That didn't matter as the force of the blow caused Eevee to fly back as her attack got off sending it harmlessly into a nearby tree before she landed hard on the ground a few feet away and rolled. Johanna didn't waste her advantage.
"Now Umbreon, Iron Tail!" Johanna ordered.
"Dodge it!" Misty yelled but it was in vain as Eevee was too dazed from the sudden attack to react.
Umbreon was already on the move as Eevee was in the air as he knew what his trainer would want, or at least he knew he had to be near his opponent, and before Eevee could get up Umbreon had already flipped in the air and brought his now steel tail down upon her. The force of the blow drove Eevee into the ground with enough force to bounce her off it and into the air where she spun and then landed bruised, battered but still conscious just in front of Misty.
"Come on Eevee, I know you can do it!" Misty pleaded looking down at her Eevee with love in her eyes. "You're amazing, you have this, I know it."
Eevee gritted her teeth as she looked up at her trainer and friend and saw the love and friendship burning in her human's eyes. Misty really did believe in Eevee and her skills and Eevee trusted and loved her trainer for it and everything that she had done for Eevee. Misty had cushioned her fall when they met, she had defended Eevee when she needed it the most and she had proven herself when Eevee wanted to test her to see if she was worthy of Eevee's partnership. Since then Misty had cared for Eevee with all her heart, made her beautiful and showed her the joys of Contests.
Eevee knew she was close to Misty and that was the last thing Eevee needed to trigger the change that allowed Eevee's lose, adaptable, DNA to take the necessary form as the sun beat down on her through the glass of the greenhouse. It was time and Eevee embraced the change.
"Eevee!" Eevee said one last time as she glowed bright white and everyone gasped, with Eevee and no stone or special rock it was unclear what Pokémon she was about to evolve into but the options weren't that many.
Eevee grew to roughly the height of the now confused looking Umbreon at the sudden evolution of his opponent. Eevee's body became sleeker, her head smaller, her legs narrower and her ears bigger with two more flaps below it. Her tail became thin and narrow as it grew before it forked into two parts near the end. The last thing was a small orb appeared between her now angular eyes.
Misty had no idea which evolution this was but Ash did, he had fought one before and remembered it vividly given Anabel's abilities in battle, they left an impression. The only difference was that as the glow vanished the new Pokémon was a vivid, almost eyewatering, green and not the lavender that was its normal color.
Espeon mewled of all things as she looked at the now startled Umbreon and shot a peculiar ray out of the now glowing orb on her forehead at him. Umbreon was so startled the he was hit by the Psybeam attack right in the face and staggered back. It didn't affect him due to his dark type but it did have one thing going for it, it wasn't expected and Umbreon staggered back to keep a safe distance.
"Um that's an Espeon right?" Misty asked as her vague knowledge of the multitude of Eevee evolutions kicked in as she determined which one it was by process of elimination as she'd never actually seen one, something she had brushed up on after catching it. "The psychic type evolution of Eevee if I recall."
"Correct and she just used Psybeam which won't work on Umbreon." Ash said as he pieced together the attack before anyone else.
"Still, this is my chance." Misty said as her mother was still too surprised at the sudden evolution to react. "Espeon hit Umbreon with Shadow Ball!"
Espeon opened her mouth and shot out the ball of ghost type power right at Umbreon. Umbreon was still too startled to realize what was coming so it hit the evolutionary cousin of hers didn't get out of the way in time. The attack wasn't very effective due to Umbreon's dark type but it still slammed into the Moonlight Pokémon and blasted him back to crash into the ground just as May's watch went off to end the battle.
"And that is it." May said as Umbreon slowly got up as his trainer snapped out of her shock and came over to comfort him. "I, er, think that Misty would have won on points because of the evolution and final hit but I am not sure as it is subjective and that was a close battle."
"I agree with May though I haven't judged yet." Zoey concurred with a nod. "I think Misty wins. Johanna, you have judged before so you're the best at this. Did Misty beat you?"
"I think that Misty probably would have won on points but it would have been very close." Johanna said as she gave Umbreon an Oran berry and a special poffin for him that she always had on her, both of which he happily ate. "The evolution would have docked me points and probably brought Misty close after my hits and her miss but the Psybeam was not ordered and didn't affect Umbreon so that would have been the same loss for both of us. It would have come down to how that last Shadow Ball was judged."
Misty heard but didn't care that she had probably beaten her mom for the first time, she would process that later. She first had to rush forward and hug her new Espeon who had bounded over to her to snuggle after the win and get the poffin that Misty immediately gave her.
"Espeon, I must admit I am surprised that you evolved into one but I am so happy as I was hoping for one that someone else I know didn't have." Misty admitted as she marveled at the softness and texture of Espeon's fur, she was going to have so much fun making it gleam. "May has a Glaceon, Zoey a Leafeon, mom an Umbreon, and Ursula a Flareon and a Vaporeon so that left Espeon or finding a Thunderstone for a Jolteon for you."
"Or she could have evolved into a Sylveon." May said causing everyone to look at her in confusion. "I met one in Kalos a few weeks back that's how I know it. I guess it's not common here for some reason. Sylveon is Eevee's normal type evolution that was first recorded in Kalos. It's a cute pink and white variant with luminescent blue eyes, ribbons it controls and a bowtie thing. It is really popular in Kalos though it is still unclear to me how an Eevee evolves into one."
"Well I am more than happy with Espeon." Misty said as Espeon mewled a little more, snuggling deeper into Misty as pulled out her pokedex. "Let's check you out."
"Espeon, the Sun Pokémon and an evolved form of Eevee." The pokedex said helpfully. "It's fur has the look and feel of velvet. The orb on its forehead glows when it uses psycho-power."
"So cool." Misty said smiling as she put her pokedex away. "I can't believe I have one now. You are amazing Espeon."
"I gotta say I've never seen one that color." Ash said looking at it. "Anabel's is lavender which is the normal color. I guess green is the shiny color for it. Gotta admit, it's eye-catching and will look great in Contests/"
"Well I like the green." Misty said as she hugged Espeon close to her. "It makes her so unique."
Espeon just mewled again as everyone laughed. Misty then pulled out her Poke Balls and let out all her Pokémon, making sure that Mamoswine had space before she did, and called over Piplup so that they could meet Espeon for the first time which surprised them all, even Piplup who had not noticed as he had been playing tag with the others.
The others who hadn't seen Misty's Pokémon were all amazed at Misty's Gloom and Pinsir, the latter surprising May as it wasn't the kind of Pokémon she expected Misty to have but there was bound to be a story behind it. It caused all of them to be fawned over by the others with Georgia examining a confused Mamoswine while Cilan began inspecting Pinsir and Iris tried to cuddle with Gloom who proceeded to hit her with a Sleep Powder for her efforts.
Espeon was greeted by all her friends, and the new Pokémon present that she didn't know but could tell that at least one, the orange one with lose skin it was holding up for some reason, belonged to her trainer's mate. The one thing that had changed with her evolution was that she no longer had a crush on Pikachu. He was still a fine Pokémon and prime mate material but the size difference wasn't practical anymore and she felt that her evolution had made her grow out of the crush. He was still a great friend and roll model to her but Buneary could have him now.
Both Buneary and Pikachu noticed this as they all gathered and Pikachu introduced Scraggy and a nervous Axew to the others while their trainers either discussed their own things, inspected the Pokémon in Cilan and Georgia's case or slept in Iris's. Pikachu was happy that now he only had one Pokémon crushing on him, for now, while Buneary was happy to have beaten her rival and redoubled her efforts with Pikachu causing everyone to laugh as they began to talk about the battle.
The rest of the day passed without much incident. Johanna helped them out with a poffin making lesson and the rookies in the house. She also helped Dawn, Iris, Cilan and Georgia, with appeals while the others did their own things, mainly helping Max out with his own training. It was a great time and while they all showed off their appeal Pokémon so that they could practice no one wanted to say who their battle Pokémon for obvious reasons. Ash was especially as he had one Pokémon that he was saving for the right match, he just didn't know which one yet.
Of course as soon as Dawn saw Ash's Buizel again she wanted him to join her in training with Seismitoad as she was loving training Ash's water type for him. Seismitoad, who's evolution had been a surprise to Dawn when he arrived, was doing great with her and really challenging arrogant trainers who thought they could bulldoze her with electric types.
Again Ash would let her take him if he agreed to it which it was looking likely as Buizel was all about getting stronger and Dawn had already helped him out a bit with his appeal. However, she wasn't going to ask until after the Cup as they had to focus on that.
They ate lunch and dinner in the greenhouse as it was easier. They all helped with it though Cilan insisted on cooking which no one complained about, though both Caroline and Johana asked him for recipes, while the rest cleaned and helped with setting things up.
It almost felt like old times and Ash was grateful to have people from all of his travels with him for this period. It helped remind him how far he had come in his journey to become a Pokémon Master and that he wouldn't have gotten this far if it hadn't been for all the people in his life helping him along the way.
Finally, after a long day of training and prepping for the upcoming Wallace Cup, they all retired for the night. With the numbers they had to be a little creative. Ash and Cilan were sharing with Max and having a guys night while May had insisted that Johanna take her room for the duration of her stay. That just left the 6 girls though it had already been decided that they would camp out in sleeping bags in the greenhouse, their main bags being kept in the house, so that they could have a ladies night, for the next few nights while they were all there.
May had already set up the camp area and made sure that it was far enough away from the Slakoth, and the Slaking in the greenhouse so they wouldn't be bothered. The Vigoroth could be a problem given their excited and hyper nature so they were all returned to their Poke Balls just to be safe. That left the girls in a large clearing place with several decently sized lamps for space as they all changed into sleeping clothes and sat around in a circle.
Misty smiled as she sat between Zoey and May while Dawn took May's other side and Georgia Zoey's. That left Iris between Georgia and Dawn which wasn't great given the two Unova girls' rivalry but for once Iris and Georgia were being civil, well as civil as they could be as they kept the snipe remarks to a bare minimum.
May had brought out junk food and fizzy drinks and they were all enjoying the time chatting about their histories, passions, and what they were looking forward to in the upcoming year while getting to know each other better. Finally, during a lull, Dawn got an evil smirk on her face and Misty's heart sank, she knew that Dawn was planning something and it looked like now was the moment she was springing it on them.
"Alright ladies it's time for some sleepover games." Dawn said gleefully as Misty braced herself for what Dawn had planned.
"What do you have in mind?" May asked not noticing Dawn's intent or the gleam in her eyes.
"The ultimate game of getting to know each other on a whole new level." Dawn said and Misty felt her heart sink even deeper at this, this was not going to end well and that was confirmed when Dawn declared the game. "It's time for Never Have I Ever ladies."
