Part LXIII: The Ability to Strategize

"Ash, Anabel told me you would be here but I must say that it is still a pleasant surprise to see you again." A large man greeted Ash as he took a seat next to Ash on the bench that was on the sidelines of the battlefield in the Battle Tower to watch Misty's apparently official battle with Anabel. "It's been a while since I last saw you, how've you been?"

Ash smiled as he shook hands with the man, recognizing him at once. Scott was a hard man to forget after meeting him once, after seeing him several times over the span of a year Ash wasn't going to ever forget him. The owner and promoter of the Kanto Battle Frontier always wore a short sleeved, button-down blue shirt with white flowers on it, white shorts and shades. A camera thing hung around his neck as it had when Ash first knew the man.

"I'm great Scott, good to see you too." Ash said to Scott forcing Pikachu, Piplup, Vulpix and Buneary, who'd been recalled for support, to scoot a little as they got ready to support Misty. "It has been too long but I am seldom in Kanto for longer than a few weeks these days, except this year."

"Still traveling the world I see." Scott said with a smile and Ash nodded at that. "I heard you had headed to Sinnoh after beating the Battle Frontier. Brandon told me he ran into you out there around the time he retired, but that was about 2 years ago and I doubt you stayed in Sinnoh for that long."

"It was wasn't it." Ash said recalling that interesting adventure with the Pyramid King. "And yes I wasn't in Sinnoh for much longer after that. Once I was done there I spent a year in Unova doing the usual, challenging gyms, winning badges, catching Pokémon and competing in the League Conference. Now I'm back in Kanto for the year."

"I heard." Scott said causing Ash to raise an eyebrow as he looked at the man. "I have run into Brock a few times down by the Battle Pike as he's out there now. He's been called in to help out with the Pokémon there so that's where we've met and he's filled me in a bit about what you've been up to. What was it, top 4 in Sinnoh, impressive."

"Ah that explains it, Brock said he'd met with Lucy while working down there so I should have guess he'd seen you as well." Ash said though Scott knew there was more than Ash knew but it appeared that Lucy and Brock hadn't told Ash so best to leave it their secret. "Yeah I was top 4 in Sinnoh and top 8 in Unova so a bit of a step back there. After Misty and I got together, long story that one that we can share with you and Anabel later if you want, we returned to Kanto to decide what to do."

"That's your girlfriend, right?" Scott said and Ash nodded. "Brock explained that you three traveled through Sinnoh together but were now in Kanto after some other adventures. She's the reason you're staying in Kanto at the moment, right?"

"Correct." Ash confirmed. "Misty wanted to challenge another Contest circuit that she hadn't faced before and had the choice of here or Hoenn. I've already gotten 8 gym badges in both regions and competed in their League Conferences so either worked for me but seeing as Kanto is my home region it made the most sense. I've been facing the gym leaders in full battles to prepare for the Indigo Conference which I am registered for and competing in again. This works out best for both of us."

"I see and how have those battles gone?" Scott asked clearly curious to hear more. "You always did love the art of battling, it's why I picked you for the Battle Frontier after seeing you and Agatha battle. That offer to be a Frontier Brain is still open by the way, it never expires."

"Thanks Scott but I'm having too much fun as is to settle down just yet, there's so much more to see in this world first." Ash said and Scott understood and respected that. "As for the battles, they're going great. I have won all 7 I've been in so far but alas Viridian is still having problems with its gym leader it seems."

"Yeah the guy is a bit flakey." Scott admitted. "He's in every now and then to face new challengers who have queued up, only using one Pokémon each, but that's it."

"I figured it was something like that at this point." Ash said with a sigh. "So I'm basically done with my goals for the year, save for winning the Indigo Conference, so it's just supporting Misty at this point. She has won 4 of the 5 ribbons she needs to qualify for the Grand Festival. She lost her first attempt at her 5th ribbon so we're here for the Cremini Town Contest and ran into Anabel on the way to the town."

"Anabel did explain that part." Scott said with a nod. "Though I was surprised when she reached out to me yesterday and asked for permission to have a formal challenge against someone not on the Frontier this year."

"Yeah Misty said it was a formal challenge but I don't get how does that work?" Ash asked confused as Misty and Anabel took their places on either side of the battlefield. "Misty's not on the Frontier so surely this can't be official."

"Normally no but there are various times where a Frontier Brain has a rival or a challenger that they want to be official for whatever reason." Scott explained. "Lucy, for example, once asked permission for Janine, the Fuchsia City Gym Leader, to challenge her formally for the Luck Symbol, which Janine won, because of her longstanding rivalry with Janine. I usually grant them because I do love battles and promoting them so it's no problem for me to let more people face Frontier Brains. Still, it is rare for the top Frontier Brain to request it. Do you know why Anabel would?"

"Not in the slightest." Ash admitted shaking his head. "Misty and Anabel had a girl chat the first night we stayed with her and next thing I know, after a fire I may or may not have accidentally started, Misty and Anabel had a battle scheduled for today. This is a little odd for Misty, she's a coordinator not a trainer. She has one gym badge, the Cascade Badge from the Cerulean Gym but that was a really weird day."

"Well she now has a chance at the Ability Symbol." Scott said. "I've granted this because I'm curious to the reason why and Anabel was quite insistent on it being official. I also have no idea what to expect from this one so I'm interested in seeing how a coordinator faces Anabel and her style. It will be tough for Misty, that much is certain."

"Well while I know all the Pokémon involved I've not told either girl who they're facing nor do I know the order which they plan on using them." Ash said. "But I know that Misty knows of Anabel's empathetic ability and type specialty but she hasn't told me how she plans on countering either."

"Then let's see as I think it's time to begin." Scott said and Ash nodded as he turned his attention to the battle before him wondering how it would play out while the Pokémon, under Piplup's direction, began their cheer routine. One thing Ash knew was that this battle would be interesting.


"Well Misty here we are." Anabel said with a smile at her. "This is official and everything so time to show me what your made of. I'm the 4th you say, but can you beat me like you beat the others."

"I don't know but I have a plan that needs to basically work perfectly for me to win." Misty said with a grin. "So let's do this Anabel."

It was two days after Misty had met Anabel and they had chatted together. This was the formal battle that had been promised, Anabel confirming it the day before though Misty would have been fine with a training one if it wasn't formal. Regardless, she had spent that time preparing for the battle with her chosen team. Sure it was a distraction from the Contest but she was confident she would win that and this was important to her so she had to be ready for it.

While Misty knew that she didn't need to exert dominance over Anabel and had long overcome her insecurities regarding other women liking Ash, her talk with Dawn in the Hoenn had been the tipping point in that, she still felt she needed to do this. It was a tradition at this point and while Anabel accepted Misty as Ash's girl, as had Dawn, Angie and May, others might not at first so it was good practice. Misty just needed a new term other than dominance for the civil rivals she had. The non-civil ones, those she would dominate.

"Agreed." Anabel said as she pulled out her first Poke Ball. "As agreed we start this with the same Pokémon. Go my friend, Espeon!"

"Yes we will." Misty said throwing her ball up and adding. "Espeon spotlight!"

The two Pokémon burst out of their balls at almost the same time. However the key differences were the stars that burst form Misty's ball as it opened and the gasp from the ref and Scott, who Misty presumed was the large man sitting next to Ash, at the sight of the bright green Espeon that burst from it.

"Now that was not what I thought would happen." Scott said from the sidelines. "That is a fine and rare Pokémon Misty has there."

"Wait till you see what else she has." Ash said with a grin. "Her Espeon is just the tip of the iceberg that is Misty's arsenal in this battle."

"Alright the officially battle between Salon Maiden Anabel and the challenger Misty from Twinleaf Town in Sinnoh is about to begin." The ref said bringing all attention to him. "Each trainer will use three Pokémon and the winner is the first trainer to knock out all the Pokémon of the other trainer. Only the challenger is allowed to substitute. Is that clear""

"It is." Misty said as Anabel just nodded in agreement knowing her own rules by heart.

"Then begin!" The ref said starting the battle.

"Espeon, Shadow Ball." Misty said going with her super effective move to start off.

All Anabel did was nod slightly and her own Espeon as she communicated empathetically with him. Espeon instantly leapt to the side to avoid the purple and black ball of ghost type power before forming a dark, sparking, ball of electricity between its eyes on the orb there. Misty wasn't sure what the attack was but she was pretty sure she didn't want to find out.

"Dodge that and use Attract." Misty ordered.

Espeon leapt to the side of the electric ball that Misty was certain wasn't Electro Ball as she'd seen Pikachu use that move plenty of times. That meant it was a different electric type attack. Her Espeon dodged it with ease though and Misty wasn't sure it would have hit to begin with meaning it was likely a low accuracy move but that also meant that it either caused a status problem, dealt a lot of damage or worse did both.

Thankfully it missed by going wide and to the side and Espeon gave her opponent, a normal one of her kind who didn't look nearly as good as she did, a seductive wink to send a series of hearts out at it. What Misty didn't notice was that the attack went so wide it hit a startled Piplup in the face blasting him back and into a nearby wall while knocking him out. When he came to a several minutes later he was pissed and ready to let Misty have it later.

Anabel frowned a little at the move. It was a clever one by Misty, especially because her Espeon, like the vast majority, was male and she knew Misty's was one of the few female Espeons from their talk, making it infinitely, so it would work if it hit.

So she just had to avoid it hitting and she the perfect move to prevent it. With a thought, Anabel told Espeon to stop the hearts with Psychic and send it back. That would up the ante of the battle a bit. It took a lot of skill to pull off a block like that.

Misty's jaw dropped as the orb on Anabel's Espeon glowed blue followed by the hearts glowing blue just as they were about to hit it. With a flick of his head, Espeon sent the hearts right back at Misty's Espeon. They hit before Misty could recover but burst and did nothing as it was effectively using the move on herself so it was ineffective. Still, it was an impressive display of power that reminded Misty of the caliber of trainer that Anabel was purported to be.

"Quick Attack." Misty ordered trying to get in close and her Espeon shot at Anabel's.

Anabel thought the same attack to her Espeon in response and he shot right back at his shiny opponent. The two speeding Espeon's met in the middle of the battlefield and collided at full speed. Both wailed as they were sent flying back but both Misty and Anabel already had their next attacks planned.

"Shadow Ball again." Misty ordered while Anabel thought another Zap Cannon to her Espeon.

Misty's sent out the ball of ghost type power at the same time as Anabel's sent out another dark ball of electricity from his orb. The balls flew at each other and missed each other. That surprised bit Misty and Anabel, as well as their Pokémon and ensured that both balls struck their targets doing roughly equal damage because of the super effective nature of Shadow Ball on a psychic type like Espeon.

Anabel's Espeon was thrown back in pain as the move hit while Misty fell down convulsing with the electricity that continued for a few seconds after the attack. Both Espeons got up and growled at each other determined to beat the other for their trainers and to show that they were the dominant Espeon today. They'd suffered roughly equal damage but Misty's Espeon suddenly sparked and mewled in pain and she realized that her Espeon had been paralyzed.

"Damn, that move has a paralysis side effect, or the chance of it." Misty muttered to herself. "It can't always stop you use Shadow Ball again."

Anabel told her Espeon to dodge it and use Quick Attack once more as Misty's Espeon got the attack off this time around. However, Anabel's Espeon dodged it and then struck Misty's Espeon in the side with Quick Attack sending it flying. Anabel knew Misty's Espeon couldn't take much more and ordered a follow up Iron Tail to finish the battle despite Espeon having a resistance to the steel type move.

"Espeon I know you can still fight and battle through that paralysis." Misty said pouring her love for Espeon into her words just as she had the day she had evolved. "Attract!"

Espeon knew she could do it for Misty. She had the strength, barely but it was there, so she could get the attack off and change the momentum of the battle. Alas that was not to be the case as she spasmed with electricity as she tried to wink showing that the paralysis had taken hold and prevented her from attacking just as the other Espeon reached her.

All Misty could do was watch in annoyance as Anabel's Espeon flipped in the air, his forked tail turning to steel as he brought it down on her Espeon's head as hard as he could. While the steel type attack wasn't that effective against Espeon, she'd taken too much damage to survive it and crumpled to the ground with swirls for eyes as Anabel's Espeon retreated to her side his tail held high proud with his victory over a fellow Espeon.

"The challenger's Espeon is unable to battle." The ref declared being specific given the fact that both of them had used Espeon. "The winner is Salon Maiden Anabel's Espeon."

"Espeon return." Misty said with a smile as she recalled her Espeon in her ball while Anabel's took his place in front of the Salon Maiden. "You did well in that battle girl. It's hard to battle when you don't know what's coming but you did well and I have a plan for how to beat that Espeon now. So long as I can take it out without losing my next Pokémon I know that we can win."

"Interesting." Anabel said as Misty put Espeon away and pulled out her second Poke Ball before looking at Anabel. "So your plan involves being able to take down my Espeon it seems."

"Part of it, it also depends on your other Pokémon that I don't know what they are beyond the fact that will at least be part psychic type but I can promise you that I will get you down to your last Pokémon." Misty said with determination in her voice. "After that, it will come down to what moves your last Pokémon knows. Shuppet, spotlight!"

Misty finished her small speech by throwing out Shuppet's Poke Ball and the happy Puppet Pokémon appeared before her flying in circles to show off a little for her. Misty had known Anabel was going to be one of her toughest challenges, if not her toughest, ever but she had what she needed to win and she had the type advantage in this matchup. She just had to startled Anabel and break her concentration and she had just the move for that.

"Dazzling Gleam!" Misty ordered before closing her eyes as Shuppet emitted a bright flash from his body.

"Clever." Anabel complemented as her vision was momentarily lost but her connection to Espeon wasn't and she mentally ordered another Zap Cannon in response as it was the best attack she had to face a ghost type like Shuppet. "But I don't need my eyes to work with my Pokémon, Ash taught me that lesson when he beat me."

Still, Anabel's Espeon had taken a good bit of damage from that attack and was nearing his limit but he still had power left and as he could see again he fired the inaccurate ball of electricity at Shuppet who didn't even have to move to avoid it. With the miss, Misty could counter and sh had just the move to win it.

"Shuppet use Feint Attack." Misty ordered as she looked back to the battlefield after Shuppet's last attack her eyesight not hindered at all. "Dodge anything sent at you."

Anabel quickly ordered a second Zap Cannon to Espeon. Espeon managed to get the ball of electricity off as Shuppet started flying at Espeon.

"Shuppet." Shuppet said happily as he flew forward and around the Zap Cannon with a flourish easily dodging the attack.

Espeon eyes went wide at the miss and knew he'd lost, telling his trainer as much and apologizing for failing her. The dark type move coming at him never missed and would be super effective. Anabel sent back her love and thanks knowing that Espeon had given his all to the battle, telling him that he hadn't failed her at all. Misty was coming at her with everything she had, something Anabel respected, and she'd earned this victory but she'd have to up her game to beat her next Pokémon.

Shuppet reached Espeon and slammed into Espeon's chest with the spike on his head. Espeon gave a wail, stagged back and collapsed to the ground, swirls for eyes before he even hit it the floor.

"Espeon is unable to battle." The ref declared. "The winner is Shuppet."

"Shuppet." Shuppet said happily as he suddenly glowed a bright white where he hovered causing everyone to gasp at the sight.

Shuppet had felt himself reach the point of evolution during the battle and decided to embrace it as soon as he had won to celebrate. He knew that it was time and he wanted to be stronger for Misty so this gave him that chance. Plus he had just won so he had a right to show off a little.

Misty just watched in amazement as Shuppet changed before her eyes. Its head got bigger, the horn atop it thicker and two more to appeared to the sides of its head. A long trail thing shot out of the back of its head that Misty wasn't sure what it was. However, the main change was the body. Shuppet's skirt thing elongated and formed into a proper body with two legs and a pair of arms shot out at what would have been the shoulders. The last thing to appear before the light faded was a short tail with a pikey ball on the end.

Misty blinked in shock at the now grey Pokémon before her with a gold tail. It then turned and grinned at her. If Misty didn't know that the Pokémon had been her sweet Shuppet, and she could still see that sweet, happy joy in its red eyes with vertical black pupils, she would have gasped at it. The Pokémon's mouth, which was smiling the way Shuppet always smiled, was now a gold zipper that moved out of the way as it laughed and flew to Misty after its win, saying its name as it went.

"Banette!" Banette said happily as it stopped in front of Misty and turned to face its next opponent, he could celebrate with her later as he knew what the plan entail for this part.

"Looks like your Shuppet evolved into a Banette." Anabel said impressed as the others recovered from the second surprise of the match, or in Ash's case first as he already knew about Misty's shiny Espeon. "And he loves you just as much as he did when still a Shuppet Misty. That Pokémon is really attached to you."

"I know." Misty said with a smile as she accepted her new Pokémon with all her heart, Banette was going to be good, she knew it, but she had to check it out and pulled out her pokedex to scan it. "Now let's see what you're all about Banette."

"Banette, the Marionette Pokémon and the evolved form of Shuppet." The Pokedex chimed. "A doll that became a Pokémon over its grudge from being junked. It seeks the child that disowned it."

"That is not helpful at all." Misty muttered at the rather dark entry knowing it didn't fit her lovable Banette at all before looking up at Anabel. "Well, shall we continue?"

"Certainly." Anabel said with a smile as she pulled out and threw her second Poke Ball having recalled Espeon while Shuppet was evolving. "Go my friend, Metagross."

The Iron Leg Pokémon burst out of its ball and landed on all 4 legs right in front of Anabel. Misty grinned. This was a powerful Pokémon in deed, she'd seen a wild one in Sinnoh once when it and a Magnezone's rivalry spilled into a town they were passing through but she had just the move for it. She'd won her first battle and now she could at least make it to Anabel's last Pokémon and hold her head high with this one.

"Banette, Destiny Bond." Misty said with a grin as Anabel's eyes went slight wide at that as Banette bonded its fate with Metagross's. "Yeah that was my plan to beat your second Pokémon and give me a chance to win this."

"I see, clever and unexpected." Anabel said, it was a good strategy and she would praise Misty for thinking of it. "I was unaware that a Banette or Shuppet could learn it."

"From what Professor Oak told me when he evaluated Banette after I caught it, it's what's called an egg move." Misty said recalling what Professor Oak had said when she'd asked about that move. "I'll explain more later. For now, Banette, Hex."

Anabel quickly gave a mental order to Metagross to use Iron Defense to defend itself from the onslaught that was Hex. Hex was super effective but limited by her own defensive move so Anabel knew that her Pokémon could take it.

She'd seriously underestimated Misty and her Pokémon in this battle and was at an odd disadvantage because she didn't know Misty's last Pokémon and after a Shuppet she did have a good feeling about the last one. Regardless, she didn't mind. Anabel loved the challenge and it showed Misty's love for Ash that she was basically going all out against her in this battle. Well Misty was going to have to find a higher gear to win it.

Metagross groaned in pain at the onslaught but with the raised defense and no status conditions, Hex wasn't as bad as it could have been. Plus it put Banette close to Metagross which was just what Anabel wanted as she had ordered a Meteor Mash during the attack that Misty had no clue about.

Before Banette or Misty could react, Metagross punched on leg out with the powerful steel type move glowing at the end of it and slammed it into Banette's face sending it back and spinning in the air. Anabel wasn't going to let up though. With a move like Destiny Bond in play, a move that Anabel would have to ask Misty about later because an egg move could only occur due to specific breeding which wasn't common in the wild, she had to win. It may take out Metagross in the process but she had one more Pokémon and that one would beat Misty's last one, she knew it.

"Banette, Dazzling Gleam!" Misty ordered as Banette was spinning in the air.

Anabel closed her eyes this time and told Metagross to do the same but remember where Banette was as the flash of light went off. Metagross's mind was as smart as a supercomputer's so it wasn't hard for it to recall where Banette was as the normal type attack went off. Oddly, it didn't do as much damage to Metagross as it should, confusing it and Anabel but that was beside the point right now. She had a window that only she and Metagross could exploit so she did and ordered a Psychic attack and to draw Banette to Metagross.

Misty opened her eyes to see a blue light enveloped Banette and yanked it towards Metagross who's X, and eyes, were glowing blue. Misty recognized the move as Psychic, not a strong move against Banette but she had a bad feeling about what was going to happen. This combo looked oddly familiar to her but she could dwell on that later.

"Banette, Feint Attack." Misty ordered but it was too late.

Anabel had already told Metagross what to do before Banette was even near it so it was ready as soon as Misty called out her attack. Before Banette could move, and in the split second that the Psychic ended, Metagross activated and then hit Banette with a second Meteor Mash and sent Banette flying back again. It was the same combo style Ash and Gengar used against Erika's Gloom and Emily's Vileplume only with a different second attack and a lot more precision given Metagross's mind.

Whatever the case, it was too much for Banette. He was good but the multiple strong steel type attacks took its toll on him and while he was resistant to that Psychic it still did a little damage and that was what pushed him over the edge in the battle. He was unconscious before he hit the ground and rolled towards Misty but he had what looked like a wide smile on his face. Metagross was coming with him into oblivion.

Anabel knew she'd knocked out Banette before it hit the ground, not because of her abilities or seeing it on Banette though she did feel her connection to Metagross slip. No she knew because Metagross collapsed with a metallic thunk, legs spread and eyes swirls, while Banette was still spinning in the air. A few seconds later they could see the swirls of Banette's eyes and the wide grin on his face, or at least that's what it looked like with the zipper there.

"Both Metagross and Banette are unable to battle." The ref declared. "This is a tie. Each trainer has one Pokémon left in this match."

"Well played Misty." Anabel congratulated as she returned Metagross and mentally thanked it before putting it away. "Better than Ash his first time around though he did rush it a little."

"Yeah that is a weakness of his." Misty agreed as she recalled and Ash tried to protest even if he knew it was true, when he got over focused he did have a bad habit of rushing into battle without thinking about it. "But now it's one on one. This is just where I needed the battle to be to truly have a chance."

"Then show me." Anabel said as she pulled out her final Poke Ball and threw it out. "Go my friend, Alakazam."

The fully evolved Psi Pokémon, one that Misty had seen both Sabrina and Kenny use, burst forth and stood in front of Anabel with its spoons at the ready. As soon as Misty saw it she grinned as she pulled out her last Poke Ball.

This match had basically hinged on beating Espeon with either her own Espeon or Shuppet, well that and what the other two Pokémon Anabel had were also a major factor. She'd done so and ensured that she would force Anabel to her last Pokémon, one who was like the others a psychic type and a pure psychic type at that. It was moments like this why Misty trusted her gut when it told her to do something impulsive and out of character.

"I hope your Alakazam has a ranged move set." Misty said causing Anabel to blink in surprise at the taunt. "Or else it may be hard for even you to win this one."

"Er what?" Anabel asked for the first time in a long time feeling uneasy in a battle as Misty grinned at her, the Sinnoh coordinator had something planned and this was just what she was waiting for. "You wanted to get this far, didn't you? You choreographed the battle to get to this point just as a coordinator choreographs an appeal."

"I needed to; it was my only hope at beating you." Misty said for once really giving into taunting, she was facing a rival after all and enjoying the feeling of having Anabel of all people like this. "I needed to get past Espeon and still have Shuppet available. I managed that so I knew it was good. The only factor I didn't know was your Pokémon as a duel type like Metagross could be a problem but Alakazam isn't a duel type. That's how I know I've won, depending on the moves your Alakazam has that is."

"Confident." Anabel said realizing she'd overlooked the fact that Misty was a coordinator and not a trainer so she would have approached this differently to most people Anabel faced. "I can respect that but why do you think you've won?"

"Shuppet wasn't the only Pokémon I caught when he reappeared in my life several weeks back." Misty said using his gender for the first time as she trusted Anabel's abilities when she'd seemed to confirm it. "I made a snap decision to catch something else, something that Shuppet had saved me from. Without it, I wouldn't be able to beat you even with Banette. My other Pokémon can't hold their own against a trainer as skilled as you. Your abilities and type preference is hard for me to overcome with skill alone, I need type advantages. My Pinsir could have had a shot as a bug type but that's it."

"Then show me." Anabel said with a smile eager to see what was making Misty so confident. "What do you have that could give you this much confidence."

"This." Misty said with a grin as she threw out her Poke Ball. "Spiritomb spotlight!"

Anabel's eyes went wider then they had in years as the Forbidden Pokémon burst from its Poke Ball and laughed at a now very worried looking Alakazam. It had been a long time since someone had startled her this much in a battle but Misty had just accomplished that feat.

Scott and the ref both openly gaped at the sight of the rare Pokémon, the third shock for them this battle, while Ash just smiled. He had known that this had been Misty's secret weapon against Anabel. Against most trainers, Spiritomb could be tricky to handle but so long as you didn't rely on fighting, normal or psychic type moves it was manageable. Anabel, however, was a psychic specialist, one of the worst kinds to face a Spiritomb.

"That, that Pokémon." Anabel said, she'd never seen one before but she'd heard of it and she could feel his mind, he wasn't evil or malevolent, in fact he really loved Misty for tearing him away from a cursed place, so she wanted to talk to him more but after the battle and she had to confirm something first. "Spiritomb, it's a duel type right? Ghost and dark, correct?"

"That it is." Misty said with a nod and a grin. "Neither of which are good against a psychic type if I recall."

"No they're not." Anabel said. "I need a second to communicate with Alakazam, please. On my honor I won't attack."

"Of course." Misty said more than willing to let Anabel talk it over with her moment. "Take it."

Anabel smiled a thanks at Misty before she connected with Alakazam's mind. She asked Alakazam a question to which he mentally sighed and replied in the negative. It was a training mistake that Anabel had made with him it seemed and one Misty had just accidentally exploited. True facing a Spiritomb wasn't something Anabel had ever expected to have to deal with but Sableyes were more common and had the same type combo so she should have prepared for it. She would rectify this mistake later.

With a sigh, Anabel knew what she had to do, it was the only thing she could do in the current situation. It had been years since a trainer had forced her to do this but Misty had done so because of Anabel's own oversight in training Alakazam. She was impressed, the girl had a lot of skill and while she had already accepted her love for Ash, Anabel knew now that Misty truly deserved him and that Ash was lucky to have a girl like Misty love him as much as she did. He had to treasure her for all eternity.

"I forfeit." Anabel said bringing the attention back to the battle and causing the ref's and Scott's jaws to hit the floor in pure shock at her words before she recalled Alakazam. "You win Misty, well done."

Even Misty and Ash were blinking in confusion at that. Spiritomb just turned and looked at his trainer wondering why he wasn't battling that other Pokémon for her. He wanted to win and show off a little for her, he had been adding a few flairs to his moves in training just as her other Pokémon did and this was his chance to show them off but apparently he wasn't battling today.

"Er, we won Spiritomb." Misty said with a shrug. "We'll find out in a moment I guess."

Spiritomb looked confused for a moment but then he smiled. A win was a win he guessed and it was time to celebrate with Misty like the others did. Instantly he flew forward to embrace his human as best he could which caused Misty's eyes to go wide at the sight of the spinning projection flying at her. This wasn't going to end well.

Misty had learned over the last few weeks that Spiritomb didn't exactly have a body. While it could take damage from moves to its face it was still intangible to physically touch. The only thing it had that Misty could touch was its keystone, as Professor Oak called it, that was its base and where it projected itself from. That was what slammed into Misty's chest as Spiritomb celebrated his win with Misty by passing its face through hers and knocking her flat on her back as the stone rested on her chest Spiritomb laughing as he rested there.

"Spiritomb, we gotta work on this." Misty mumbled before Buneary and Vulpix dog pilled on her having run over from the sidelines as Ash laughed and Piplup finally came too with a grumble of pain. "We need to find a way to properly celebrate."

"How did that happen?" Scott asked Anabel as she made her way over to him and Ash on the sidelines letting Misty have her moment with her Pokémon, she needed to get an Ability Symbol for her anyway. "I've never seen you forfeit a match before."

"I haven't since I was on my first journey a few years back." Anabel admitted. "But that was a matchup that I couldn't win, I couldn't even attack so the only thing I could do was forfeit."

"You couldn't?" Scott asked confused. "Why not""

"I'm actually wondering that as well." Misty said finally rejoining them as she rubbed her chest, a happy Spiritomb floating over her shoulder while Vulpix and Buneary continued to celebrate behind her. "I thought you would have at least had a move or two to face it. I know Alakazam can learn more than psychic type moves."

"Alas I didn't and it exposed a flaw in my own training of Alakazam in the process." Anabel admitted. "Espeon knows Iron Tail and Zap Canon, a steel and electric move respectively that help balance him out, but Alakazam only knows psychic type moves and Focus Punch which is fighting type move. Given how ghost types are immune to fighting type moves and resistant to psychic type moves it's a mistake that I really shouldn't have made. Add in that Spiritomb is a dark type as well as a ghost type making it immune to psychic type moves, well I couldn't have won."

"Really?" Misty said amazed. "I hadn't planned for that. I had just planned to get to your last Pokémon and give it my all against it. Spiritomb gave me the best shot at winning."

"I could have prolonged the match with Recover but that was the only move I could use against Spiritomb and it wouldn't be fair to make Alakazam fight when all he can do is delay the inevitable." Anabel said shaking her head. "And you didn't know the moves I had or what my last Pokémon. I must admit Misty, that was a really clever strategy you had there."

"Well it was only possible because I caught Spiritomb." Misty admitted, Spiritomb spinning his wheel faster in happiness at his trainer's confidence in him. "Otherwise I could have forced you down to Alakazam but you would have won against my others. Pinsir is back at Professor Oak's ranch and as I said she was the only other one who could have had a chance. It also worked because you used Metagross first and not Alakazam. Metagross against Spiritomb would have probably gone the other way given your skills and the moves Spiritomb knows."

"I see so you had a strategy and by accidentally playing into it myself I ensured that you would win." Anabel said with a smile. "Impressive."

"Well pretty much everything had to go right for it to happen and I don't think it will happen again against you." Misty said. "I needed to take Espeon out with either my Espeon or Shuppet and your last Pokémon had to be a pure psychic type for me to have a shot at winning."

"Well it only has to work once for it to count, especially if it works when it matters." Anabel said with a smile.

"I have to ask Misty." The large man who Misty had presumed was Scott said. "How did you catch a Spiritomb? It's not a common Pokémon to find in the wild let alone to have one in your roster."

"It's not, this is the second one I've ever met, and it was a chance encounter really." Misty said. "Ash and I were on a cruise from Fuchsia City to Cinnabar Island with stops along the way for Contests and to see the islands. One of those stops was on a small island that was apparently haunted. We explored, well Ash did so I went with him, and found a broken tower to lost Pokémon. Apparently desecration like that is how a Spiritomb is formed over time and they are aggressive and angry at the towers because of what had happened so I tried to fight it."

"So how did you catch him?" Anabel asked curiously once again apparently confirming the gender of one of Misty's ghost types. "And get him to calm down. He really likes you now."

"The calming down part was catching him." Misty said. "Apparently it's only vengeful when tied to its place of creation. By separating him from it I calmed him down and we've been training for weeks now. As for catching it, well that was a little different. Ash was chasing Pikachu who had rolled down the hill after Ash had accidentally awakened Spiritomb."

"Pikachu." Pikachu said a little embarrassed at the memory.

"So I had to face it." Misty continued. "Piplup stepped in to try and help me but lost. I was ready to try one of my other Pokémon when Shuppet came out of nowhere and used Dazzling Gleam which knocked Spiritomb out. I don't know why I decided to catch Spiritomb but I did. After that I learned that Shuppet had been following me for months so I asked him to join me and caught him as well."

"Er Misty, you know that Dazzling Gleam is a normal type move, right?" Anabel said after exchanging a confused look with Scott during Misty's story. "It shouldn't have had any effect on Spiritomb."

"Yeah we can't explain that one." Misty admitted, after learning what the move Shuppet had used was she'd been just as confused so they'd told Professor Oak but he couldn't help either. "We haven't tried it since either just to be safe."

"Might be worth it in a practice match." Anabel said. "Something more may be at play there but that stuff is best left for the professionals like Professor Oak."

"True but enough about that." Scott said offering his hand to Misty. "I'm Scott by the way, the owner and promotor of the Battle Frontier. It's not every day I get a request to grant an official challenge like this and never has a challenger not on the Frontier beaten the last Frontier Brain without beating any of the others. Congratulations, there's a spot to challenge the Frontier open anytime you want."

"Oh thank you but I, er wasn't doing this because of Anabel's status as a Frontier Brain." Misty said shaking Scott's hand. "But thank you for the offer, I'll consider it one day, when I'm a Top Coordinator that is as that's my priority right now."

"What was the reason for the challenge then?" Scott asked confused. "As far as I know you and Anabel aren't old rivals so what caused this?"

"Anabel?" Misty asked giving her the chance to admit her feelings to Ash.

"Misty challenged me not because of my position or skill." Anabel admitted as Scott looked at her. "But for my, er, feelings for someone. See, several years ago I met a trainer on the Battle Frontier, an impulsive but caring guy who rushed a little too much early on but came back with dedication to beat me in a rematch. After that I realized that I had developed feelings for him, deep feelings, that never left me. Seeing him again brought them all back."

"Who?" Ash asked causing Misty, Anabel and Pikachu to all face palm before Pikachu hit him with a Thunderbolt for good measure, Ash deserved that for his sheer denseness.

"You Ash." Anabel said as Ash groaned in a smoking heap on the floor unable to hear Anabel but she continued anyway. "I fell for you and Misty noticed. We talked about it as mature women would and I realized that she wanted to battle me because I liked you. That is why you thought this out so much, right Misty?"

"You're the best person I've faced so far in terms of skills and your ability makes you so much harder to face." Misty said. "I needed to be fully ready for it regardless of the reason. At this point these battles are more a tradition then me needing to prove myself but they're still fun and good practice."

"Well you were definitely ready for me which is why I have this for you." Anabel said as she pulled out what looked like a bronze coin with a tower imprinted in the center of it and held it out in her palm to Misty who took it hesitantly, still processing that she'd actually won. "This is yours Misty, the Ability Symbol given to those who defeat me in an official battle."

"Alright, I got the Ability Symbol." Misty said once it was in her hand and knowing that it was for real, mimicking Ash's victory pose as Spiritomb celebrated behind her in the process. "I, er, need to figure out where to put it. It has to be somewhere close at all times just like my Cascade Badge. My third Aqua Ribbon is in my Ribbon Case but I think I'll frame it after the season as it also has a special meaning to me."

"I take it that's another trophy of sorts from a similar battle." Anabel said with a laugh. "You mentioned something about that yesterday."

"Yeah and I always keep it close because of what it means to me." Misty said smiling as she reached up to the engraved pendant that she wore and opened it showing Anabel that it was actually a locket with a gym badge in it, a badge that was in the shape of a drop of water. "In this, a gift from Ash that reminds me of one of our adventures out in Sinnoh together."

"Well there are a few places in Cremini Town that may help with that." Anabel said. "We can go and look tomorrow if you want, I know the town well. Tonight though, I think the three of us should have a long chat over dinner, Ash should probably understand this more."

"That would be nice." Misty said with a smile as Ash finally got up having recovered from his zapping. "I think I needed to get Espeon and Banette to a Pokémon Center though."

"Same for me but with Metagross not Banette." Anabel said. "Then back to mine for dinner."

"Agreed." Misty said with a nod.

With that Misty returned all her Pokémon except a slightly crispy looking Piplup who took his perch on her head while plotting his revenge and left the Battle Tower with Anabel discussing their battle like old friends and where best for Misty to put her new Ability Symbol. This left a really confused and a slightly stunned Scott and still smoking Ash behind.

"Do you have any idea what just happened Scott?" Ash asked.

"Not a clue." Scott admitted though he had at least some idea, he'd chat with Anabel later about that though. "But it was nice to see you again Ash, let's get dinner this week and catch up, I'm around for a bit with a challenger in town so we can properly catch up on all your adventures since you beat the Frontier. I think you need to go be with your girlfriend and Anabel now though."

"Yeah good call." Ash said as he headed out after the girls Pikachu on his heels.

Ash had no idea what had just happened other than it seemed that this wasn't a battle about Anabel's abilities or for Misty to practice. However, the girls had promised to tell him tonight over dinner so he'd find out more then. Whatever the case, today have not gone as he had expected but he didn't care, it was a great day and he couldn't wait to celebrate Misty's shocking win tonight with her.

After beating Anabel, that Cremini Town Ribbon was as good as hers and then it was onto the Grand Festival riding a confidence high. Misty was almost at her dreams and Ash would be there by her side cheering her all the way because after today he knew that nothing would stop Misty. The Kanto Ribbon Cup was as good as hers.