Part LXIV: Redefining Density
"Will that be all, Maiden?" The butler asked as he laid out the last of the dinner on the table in Anabel's garden.
"Yes thank you." Anabel said with a smile at the man. "We'll bring it in and clean it up ourselves so you can go home for the night."
"Thank you Maiden." The butler said bowing a little and heading back as Anabel began to serve the meal to Ash and Misty, some local Cremini Town delicacy that smelled great.
It was nighttime after what could only be described as a shocking day. Misty and Anabel had decided to have an official battle, Ash was still a little unsure why the girls had done so, which meant that the battle was in the Battle Tower and that a win earned Misty the Ability Symbol. Scott, who was in the area, had also been present to watch it with Ash as the girls battled.
What had happened had been the last thing any of them had expected. Misty had won. Not only had she won beaten the toughest Frontier Brain on the Kanto Battle Frontier but she had forced Anabel to forfeit the last match without using a single move.
Misty had done so through, what she considered, her smartest and most well-planned battle ever. Anabel and her had agreed to use their Espeons first as they both owned one, albeit Misty's was a shiny variant, but after that it was fair game. Misty had then used Shuppet who had a type advantage on Anabel's Espeon after hers had been beaten. Misty won that matchup and Shuppet decided to evolve into Banette to everyone's surprise.
Misty's plan had hinged on beating Anabel's Espeon with her first two Pokémon and it had worked. She had then used Banette's Destiny Bond to ensure that Anabel's Metagross fainted if it beat Banette, which it did, leaving them with one Pokémon each.
Getting to the last matchup, where Misty could use her current ace, Spiritomb, was her plan to give herself a shot. That was when Misty learned that Anabel's Alakazam, her last Pokémon, couldn't battle Spiritomb and win so Anabel had forfeited rather than force her Pokémon to fight thus stunning everyone and earning Misty an Ability Symbol.
Now they were all having dinner together, they were staying with Anabel through the Cremini Town Contest that Misty was in, so it was to be expected they would do so. However, this dinner was different. Not only was it the dinner to commemorate Misty's victory over Anabel but it was also a chance for the girls to explain, as bluntly and as simply as possible, to Ash why they had ended up battling within days of meeting each other.
To mark the occasion, Anabel had insisted that they eat outside and enjoy the warm weather and let the Pokémon have fun and play in the garden. Right now all of Ash's Pokémon minus his Aerodactyl who was too big, along with Misty's Piplup, Vulpix, Buneary and Spiritomb, as well as Anabel's Alakazam, were out enjoying their own dinner nearby. The rest were spending the night at the Pokémon center to heal up after the battle.
Anabel had spent some time talking with all the new Pokémon during the afternoon and found that they all loved their trainers deeply which made her happy. She had also been able to find out that all 3 ghost types, Misty's she'd found out during the battle but she hadn't met Ash's Gengar until then, were male. That had finally confirmed the genders of them to their trainers and explained a few things about their personalities.
However all that was going on in the background as the trainers were enjoying their meal together. Ash had already dug into his meal with gusto and was really enjoying it while Misty and Anabel were eating at a more normal, civilized, pace. It was now time to finally address what Anabel had wanted to address after the match.
"So Ash, I am sure you are still confused as to why we battled today." Anabel said deciding to address it head on, it was what Misty had suggested. "I know it was a little surprising to learn that we were having one."
Anabel realized that Ash wasn't the smartest when it came to this stuff and Misty had confirmed that to her. Ash was a genius in battle, both planning for it when he wasn't rushing into it and improvising during it. However certain inter-human interactions, especially when it came down to romantic feelings, seemed to go right over his head or bounce off it, depending on how they were referenced. She'd tried earlier but he'd missed it and Pikachu had, in the electric type's mind, decided to punish him for his stupidity.
"I was a little confused I'll admit." Ash said with a nod as he swallowed a mouthful of food. "I know you said this was about someone but Pikachu zapped me for no apparent reason so I didn't hear who it was about."
"Well it was obvious who and you missed it babe." Misty pointed out smiling at him. "So you deserved that Thunderbolt."
"I guess, I've come to learn I'm not the best at these kinda things." Ash admitted rubbing the back of his neck. "I only realized what I was feeling for Misty, and why I wanted to suddenly go to Johto and find her, was because Iris told me it was a crush."
"And." Misty prompted causing Anabel to giggle a little at that. "That's not all, is it?"
"And I thought on it for a few hours before realizing she was right." Ash said a little sheepishly. "But I did decide act on it as soon as I realized. I was already coming to see you in Johto so I decided to tell you how I felt when I arrived."
"I know, you beat me to finding you." Misty said with a chuckle, it had been the best surprise of the Johto Grand Festival for her. "I was going to do the same for you so it saved a lot of trouble."
"Yeah and since I've been with you I've learned a few other things that I apparently didn't notice in the past." Ash said. "Like how Dawn apparently had feelings for me for year, or that Angie liked me back in Sinnoh, or that May likes me as well. Kinda missed all those didn't I?"
"Yup full strikeouts with all of them." Misty said with a nod. "Though Dawn does still have feelings for you, those will never go away but she has finally come to terms with everything."
"She does?" Ash asked confused causing Misty to groan. "I guess I'm still bad at these things."
"Sorry Anabel, this is going to be a little harder that I thought even if I should have expected this." Misty said before looking at Ash. "Dawn never lost her feelings, they only got deeper so she never will. It was a point of contention between us for a long time but we final had our civil and mature talk when we were all in Hoenn, so several months late, and worked things out."
"Oh that's good." Ash said with a smile. "I still don't get how all this had anything to do with today but I'm glad that everything is good, I knew you and Dawn would be friends."
"You're right Misty, this is going to be harder than expected." Anabel said to the Sinnoh girl. "I think bluntness is the best course of action and then we can explain the battle. That might get through."
"I think that's for the best." Misty agreed with a nod. "The easiest way to break a rock is with a sledgehammer after all."
"Huh?" Ash asked.
"Ash, the reason why Misty and I battled was for the same reason why you mentioned those other girls." Anabel said simply looking him in the eyes as she spoke, knowing she was starting to blush but plowing on anyway. "Because I am just like them, I have feelings for you as well. I've had them ever since we met though it was only as you were leaving that I realized what they were as I had never had them for anyone before or since. I still have those feelings for you, something that Misty realized when we met but she'd guessed it before."
"Oh." Ash said finally realizing what was going on, he really had missed the point entirely this time. "I'm sorry I didn't notice Anabel. As, we, er, covered this kinda thing isn't exactly my strong suit and now that I'm with Misty it's probably worse."
"I know and you don't need to say anything Ash." Anabel said sadly, it was hard to talk about this even if she had accepted everything. "I already know that you don't reciprocate them and I am fine with that. Yes I like you, possibly even love you by this point, but I know that you love Misty and that she loves you back on a level I can't even begin to process. I could never get in the way of that."
"Er, that's good." Ash said unsure how to really address what Anabel was saying to him. "That you're not upset or anything."
"I mean it hurts but that is all part of love, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose." Anabel said. "I knew that when I fell for you it wouldn't work so I made peace with it but the hope was always still there. I am the Salon Maiden and I intend to be that for many years to come. I love my job and what I do. You are a traveler, a trainers who has to be on the move. We are far too different to be together but you are also special, that is why I fell for you. You have the purest heart I know and your love for Pokémon is unrivaled."
"She's not wrong those are just some of the many reasons why I fell for you." Misty said helpfully. "And Anabel only knew you briefly, I had a full year to see you for what you are."
"Oh I don't really notice these things." Ash said uncomfortably. "I'm just being me you know."
"No you don't but that only adds to how special you are." Anabel said smiling at him. "But that is fine. The rest of us see them. Misty and I did and so too have many others but such is your nature and impact on people."
"Er, thanks." Ash said. "So is that why you and Misty battled? Because you both, um, like me?"
"In a way yes and in a way no." Anabel said. "I knew that Misty loved you and had nothing to prove but I also knew that she still wanted to face me so I indulged her."
"It's a habit I picked up thanks to Dawn." Misty added. "I didn't intend to battle Dawn when we met but she pushed me to it and since then I've felt the need to assert my dominance over a rival. However, after how civil Angie and May have been it's become more of a way to close out our talks I guess, well that and May and I did have the Wallace Cup Final to compete in. With Anabel it was different. Mainly because I thought I wouldn't win but still wanted to because at this point it's tradition that I face a rival in battle after we talk no matter who it is."
"Well under pretty much any other circumstance you wouldn't have beaten me." Anabel pointed out, not arrogantly it was just a fact that both girls knew. "Your skilled Misty and I am really looking forward to watching you in a Contest as a feel that your battles there are going to be worth watching as they are what you're used to but in a pure battle and with my abilities, the only way you had a chance was if you planned it perfectly. Well that and you had ghost or dark types and I made a really rookie error."
"Rookie error?" Misty asked confused. "What error did you make?"
"I have become too reliant on my ability and forgotten that there are ways to negate my Pokémon entirely." Anabel said. "It can only really be done with a Sableye or, well, a Spiritomb but it made me realize it. Dark types are immune to psychic type moves and ghost types immune to normal and fighting. I'd trained Espeon right and as a duel type Metagross has steel type moves but I'd overlooked that with Alakazam. I should have had a ghost type move or something that could allow his other moves to hit but didn't. I will rectify it."
"Oh I see." Misty said. "I was just expecting to get you to your last Pokémon, I never thought that you would have one that couldn't even fight me."
"And I wouldn't have unless you had a duel dark and ghost type." Anabel said. "If you didn't have Spiritomb, you probably wouldn't have won even if you had another ghost or a bug type. No offense."
"I take no offense to facts Anabel." Misty said shaking her head. "I said as much myself after the battle if I didn't have Spiritomb I almost certainly would have lost. He was the deciding factor in that match because of his type combination. Well that and Alakazam being unable to battle."
"True though I think both Espeon and Metagross could have beaten Spiritomb though it would be close." Anabel said. "And we should have a rematch next time you're in Kanto so I can check that out and give them some good practice against a Pokémon like Spiritomb. It will really help me. My lineup choices played into your plan perfectly though, I may have to mix it up in the future."
"Defiantly." Misty agreed. "As you said it had to be perfect and it was. However that wasn't the only reason why I won as I think I said. I had to get something else off in that battle to even have the shot."
"Banette's Destiny Bond." Anabel said with a nod remembering. "That was clever and I didn't realize it could learn it though you said it was an egg move which can only occur due to specific breeding."
"That's what Professor Oak told us." Misty said. "After I realized Banette had it, back when he was a Shuppet, I told the Professor about it and he was confused as well. According to a breeder he knows, it had to come from Banette's father and that father had to be one of a specific few Pokémon. Based on that list, and the location where we met Shuppet, it had to be a Ghastly, Haunter or Gengar that was his father. That is the only way he could have known the move."
"Well it is a good move for it to know." Anabel said. "At least in a normal battle as it ensures that your opponent doesn't gain an advantage."
"It is, especially if wounded." Ash said putting his battle knowledge to good use to contribute to the conversation. "I've faced it in battle once before back in the Ever Grande Conference out in Hoenn. It was when I was in the top 32 so the first full battle in that Conference. The trainer I was facing, a girl called Katie I think, had her Misdreavus use Destiny Bond against my Glalie. That way, when Glalie defeated Misdreavus, he fainted as well to ensure I was down 3 Pokémon to her one at the time. I've never seen it used the way Misty did though."
"Well I did learn how to use unpredictable moves from you Ash." Misty said smiling at her boyfriend. "You showed me how it can be good to be unpredictable and use what you have to win, or at least set up that chance. Against Anabel I knew that I needed to take out her Pokémon anyway I could so that I could get to her last Pokémon I had a chance to win with Spiritomb so I employed Destiny Bond to set that up."
"It was a clever move." Anabel agreed. "The whole battle was really clever and your love for Ash clearly motivated you to really go all out to beat me. You showed me flaws I didn't realize I had and for that I really thank you Misty."
"You're welcome." Misty said glad she could help Anabel out. "I'm sure if we had a rematch sometimes you would win."
"Probably but then again Ash beat me in our rematch so who knows." Anabel said. "Whatever the case, today was your day Misty and you should be proud of it."
"Oh I am." Misty agreed happily. "And I'll always cherish the Ability Symbol you gave me."
"Good now we should look to the future." Anabel said turning to Ash. "There is one change I want to make for it going forward."
"Really, what?" Ash asked and Misty was just as confused.
"Seeing you again Ash has made me think about a few things." Anabel admitted. "Remembering my feelings for you and seeing how they are even stronger in Misty has made me realize that this time I want to be part of your life going forward. I know I can't do much as I do have to spend most of my time here but I want to remain in contact with both of you and know how you are doing in your various adventures. I do have some leeway given how few trainers are on the Battle Frontier and fewer still reach me so I can make some effort now."
"I think that's a good idea." Misty said as Ash just gaped in surprise at what Anabel was saying, not that he was opposed to it. "Ash has influenced so many people in his life that they should all remain in contact as much as possible. Not being in contact with Ash after we separated the first time was something I really regret and am so glad we met up in Unova for more reasons than one."
"Yeah, I agree with Misty." Ash said recovering from his surprise and seeing Misty's logic. "Both my birthday party and seeing Dawn, May, Brock, Iris, Cilan, and so many others again this year has me realizing that I should make more of an effort to remain in contact with everyone I've befriended over the years, you included. Well at least the ones who want to remain in contact that is."
"Well I have an idea." Misty said having a sudden brainwave as Ash spoke and it caused a secondary idea to pop into her head at the first one but she would think on later just in case another one showed up out of nowhere. "Why don't you come to the Indigo Conference this year Anabel. You can come and support Ash in it."
"I think I'd like that." Anabel said with a small smile. "It's been a while since I was at the Plateau. I lost in the finals myself me second year as a trainer before challenging the Frontier and deciding to become a Frontier Brain when it was over. It will be fun and Scott closes the Frontier for the Conference so I can come and while I'm supposed to be neutral I really don't care so I will openly support Ash. Plus I think Lucy is also planning on attending as well with her new boyfriend so it works for me."
"Wait, Lucy has a boyfriend?" Ash asked confused. "Since when? She didn't strike me as the type when I faced her but I am really bad at judging that kinda thing so I wouldn't take my word for it."
"No I had the same assumption but apparently there was one guy she met a few years back who she fell for at first sight." Anabel said remembering Lucy gushing over the man she'd met and how upset she was she couldn't travel with him. "I asked her some questions when she told the other Frontier Brains she had a guy now. Apparently it was his eyes that got her and then his dedication to Pokémon won her over completely. She's very secretive about him though. Only Scott and her followers have met him apparently and none of them are saying who he is. "
"Huh interesting." Ash said his curiosity peaked. "How long have they been together?"
"A bout 8 or so months I think, not sure how long." Anabel said. "Within the last year at least."
"But they met a few years ago." Ash said confused. "How did it take so long?"
"Yes but apparently some little sod twat blocked her back then." Anabel said blushing a little at the language. "Sorry, those were Lucy's words not mine, she really doesn't like that sod, and I had to look it up to understand what she meant. Anyway, she ran into him again by chance several months ago near the Battle Pike and learned that he was going to be in the area for the year. This time no one stopped them from dating and they've been together ever since. She's head over heels for him and he's the same for her."
"That's great, good for Lucy." Ash said.
"Anyway, that is great that you can come Anabel." Misty said as the idea she had earlier fully coming into her mind as Ash and Anabel talked before bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand. "In fact we should invite everyone to it. Dawn, Brock, May, Iris, Cilan, Zoey, Georgia, Angie, the whole lot of them. Some like Khoury and Lila will already be there and others like Max, Barry and a few of the other guys from the party as they have their own conferences to compete in but they're all welcome. Same with the Grand Festival."
"Alas I can't make that sorry." Anabel said shaking her head. "Scott has us on duty through the Grand Festival, it's only the Conference he closes the Frontier for as he attends the Conference every year without fail. Though after today he may change that and see if any coordinators want to try the Frontier. So long as you like battling, Scott will consider you no matter the preferred style."
"I understand and you will be at the upcoming Cremini Contest which is good." Misty said to Anabel. "You will be able to watch me win my 5th ribbon there."
"That I am looking forward to and starting tomorrow I want to at least watch if not help you prepare for it." Anabel said to Misty. "My abilities will be really helpful I think."
"I will take any help I can get." Misty said grateful for the assistance. "I'm using Spiritomb in the battles so advice there may be useful. Banette is my appeal Pokémon and that may require some suggestions as well."
"Then I will help anyway I can." Anabel confirmed as they finished dinner. "But first we should clean up and go to the kitchen, there are some tubs of ice cream there from Johto made out of real Miltank Milk so you know it's the good stuff."
"Yes!" Ash said a little louder than necessary. "I could definitely go for dessert."
"Of course you can." Misty said with a small smile and slight shake of her head. "But we'd love to Anabel. Let us help with the dishes."
"You can once they're inside." Anabel said getting up. "Get your Pokémon first. Alakazam and I can deal with getting the dishes there."
Anabel then looked at her Alakazam who was chatting animatedly with Gengar about something, she'd have to ask him later about it, and asked her Pokémon for help. instantly Alakazam excused himself and came to help out, using Psychic on the plates and bringing them ahead of them to the kitchen for her. Anabel still had one more thing to do before going in though.
"Thank you Misty, for allowing me this talk." Anabel said kindly to Misty. "It was needed and thank you Ash for hearing me out."
Before Ash could reply, Anabel lent down and kissed him on the cheek the same way May had done to him and Zoey to Misty after their respective confessions back in Hoenn. Ash just blushed while Misty knew it wasn't sexual but a single act of thanks and wasn't jealous. Besides, she got Ash's lips after all so she got the good stuff.
Ash just sat there dumbly for a second as Misty laughed, he'd have to get used to this as there were bound to be more women out there and not all would be as accepting of Misty as Anabel had been. She would give them a chance to be civil but if she put them in the rightful places then she wouldn't hesitate to. Still laughing Misty returned her Pokémon and headed into the kitchen to help Anabel with the dishes before enjoying some ice cream.
After a day like she'd had, she could do with a little treat. Still, it had been a good day. She' won her greatest victory yet and her confidence was high. Misty knew she'd win the Cremini Ribbon and from there it was onto the Grand Festival. Nothing was going to stand in the way of Misty and the Ribbon Cup this year.
Well nothing but some ice cream as Misty entered the kitchen ready to enjoy the rest of the evening as Ash finally began to follow her. Yes it had been a good day and now it was time for a good night. Misty couldn't be happier.
