Part LXVI: Beginning of the End
It was a week after Misty's final Contest win back in Cremini Town and they were now a few days north of the town having made camp in the woods. They had left Cremini a few days ago saying their goodbyes to Anabel and Scott who was still in town for a challenger's rematch with Anabel that was scheduled for the day after they had left.
The Salon Maiden had promised she'd come up to the Plateau as soon as the Frontier was closed during the Grand Festival so that she could watch Ash in the Indigo Conference. While she couldn't be attend the Grand Festival, she did wish Misty luck in it and promised to watch it on TV to support her during it.
Misty had a plan for both competitions and had already begun sending out the invites to all their friends to get them to come. Several had already confirmed including Dawn, Iris, Cilan, May, and Angie though the last one was only coming for the Conference and not the Grand Festival. Brock had said that he would be at the Conference but in a professional capacity and would see them if he could but he would be busy most of the time but promised to come to Pallet Town afterwards to spend time with them.
The rest had either confirmed that they would be in the Indigo Conference, those being Lyra, Nando and the Unova trainers who had decided to compete in Kanto this year or had been unable to make. At least those who weren't going to attend had all given their reasons for why they couldn't make it.
Sabrina had said no for obvious reasons, the crowds would be too much for her telepathic abilities to handle. Erika had politely refused to come to the Conference but had said that she would come to the Grand Festival for Misty which had surprised her. Burgundy couldn't make it because she was taking Connoisseur tests in Unova to become a B-Class Connoisseur. Giselle had also declined as she had to supervise the watching of the Conference, and the recent graduates in it, at Pokémon Tech and teach the classes during it so that they learned.
The rest were competing in different regions so couldn't make because of their respective conference appearances there including May's brother Max who was super excited for his debut Conference in Hoenn. Well that or other commitments like Tyson taking part in the Elite Four selection competition in Hoenn to replace a retiring Drake and Harrison who had beaten the Battle Frontier while Ash and Misty had been on Cinnabar Island and was now heading to Sinnoh to challenge Brandon because he wanted to test himself against the man.
The big surprise, and to Misty a little upsetting, had been that Zoey was unable to make it to the Grand Festival. Apparently she was assisting with the Hoenn Grand Festival that was happening at the same time as the Indigo Conference this year and couldn't make either competition but would be watching Misty closely.
Interestingly enough, Georgia was with Zoey in Hoenn at the moment having reunited when Zoey got there. Misty had a feeling there was more to that but Zoey wouldn't confirm or deny it.
The only thing left for them to sort out before confirming that they would head to the Plateau had been one last attempt to reach the Viridian Gym Leader just in case he was interested in a full battle with Ash. However, again he hadn't responded to them. They had finally found out who he was though.
Lyra had messaged them and said that he'd shown up for a week while Ash and Misty had been in Cremini Town and faced basically everyone who was waiting for him in one-on-one matches, losing most of them. Then, just as they were done in Cremini he had left again and couldn't be reached.
Apparently his name was Silver, an odd name they thought, and he was the former leader's son who split his time between Johto and Kanto while keeping the gym the same as his father meaning it was a ground type gym. Given the guy's rather unpredictable attitude Ash doubted that he would ever meet, let alone face the current Viridian Gym Leader.
As such, Ash and Misty had decided that it was best to just ignore it. Perhaps one day there would be a new and stable gym leader there again and Ash could face that leader but until then it wasn't worth it. Therefore Ash and Misty had decided to head straight to the Plateau rather than detour to Viridian City.
They had 7 weeks now until the Grand Festival started and 3 more weeks before the Contest season ended. It was decided that they would spend 3 weeks slowly working their way to the Plateau, even though they were less than a fortnight out, so that they could prepare, enjoy themselves, and train along the way.
Once they reached the Plateau they would check into the Pokémon Center where Misty would register for the Grand Festival while Ash confirmed his registration for the Indigo Conference. The one thing they couldn't do was move into the Trainers' Village until just before the Conference started as the Grand Festival didn't use it.
Instead, Misty would swap out her team, all but Piplup, and spend a week with a different team to get them ready and decide who her appeal Pokémon would be as well as the teams she would use in the battle rounds. Ash would help her but he also had his own training to do for the Conference so it was going to be a busy month.
Right now Ash was making a simple lunch while all their Pokémon, including Aerodactyl as they had a found large enough clearing to be in, were eating Pokémon food that Misty had handed out to them. She had plenty of Poffins for the Pokémon and would give some out later after their training as rewards, and to help them look good for the Grand Festival. For now though, Misty was rereading the rules of the Kanto Grand Festival to make sure she knew what they were while waiting for Ash to finish.
The one thing that surprised Misty was the appeal round, or more precisely rounds. It was a 2 stage even where in the first round each coordinator used one Pokémon who performed one move once. This was done in one of two stadiums due to the number of coordinators who competed in the Grand Festival. After that the top 64 coordinators moved onto the second appeal the next day held in main stadium where they could use another Pokémon, or the same one, in a traditional appeal. Then both scores were combined and the top 16 advanced.
It was a bit different but Misty could handle it, it was just going to require finding the right Pokémon with the best single move to show off and then deciding who was best for a full appeal. It was an interesting challenge for sure but one that Misty was looking forward to solving.
Ash was almost finished as Misty turned a page in the Contest book and almost dropped it at the entry she saw. It was near the back of the book in the section devoted to the Grand Festival so she hadn't checked it out until now when she was sure she was going to be in it. She had to admit, it was something she would definitely like and it was apparently a first-time thing this year, she just had to persuade Ash to go for it. He would do it for her though, Misty knew that.
"Thanks Ash." Misty said as Ash handed her a bowl of noodles that he'd cooked up for them and began eating as Ash really dug into his food.
They sat like that for a few minutes eating and just enjoying the quiet of the woods. Other than the trip from the small port village to Cremini Town, Misty realized that this was the first time since before the HopHopHop Town Contest that they had had a chance to be alone in the wilderness and traveling like old times. The rest of the time they'd either been in Pokémon Centers, at May's in Hoenn, the cruise ship, the Big Riddle Inn or at Anabel's cottage.
This was nice and reminded Misty of the early days of their Kanto journey together. It was a good throwback and just how she wanted to end what had been a great year with Ash. Well the true way to end it would be with both of them lifting their respective trophies having achieved their dreams but that was still weeks away and they both knew that anything could happen in competition.
"You're cooking has gotten better." Misty said as she finished the noodles, Ash having finished two portions in that time. "Though I think the spices and herbs Anabel recommended in Cremini Town helped a lot, really mixed it up from the other local spices we had back at the start of the year."
"Yeah they did, as did using one of Brock's recipes." Ash admitted surprising Misty. "That was really useful."
"You used a Brock recipe?" Misty asked confused. "When did you get that?"
"Well I got some of the simplest ones from him while we were out in Fuchsia for when I had to cook again." Ash said a little embarrassed. "I wanted to impress you a little but we didn't really have a chance until after Cinnabar Island and well the seasonings we got there were either a little too hot or cinnamon, which I'm not sure how to use, so it didn't really work. Cremini Town had what I needed so I decided to get some to try out when I had a moment and this seemed like the best moment."
"Well consider me impressed, though still nowhere near Brock's level." Misty said.
"No one is near his level." Ash said which coming from his stomach was the highest of praise for a cook. "But it was nice to use his recipe, made it feel like Sinnoh all over again."
"In a way it does." Misty said thoughtfully. "But it also reminds me of the start of our journey this year as well, back before we had all the adventures we've been having lately."
"It feels like ages ago." Ash said thinking back to when they were still just setting off and camping in Viridian Forest in the first week of their Kanto journey. "But it's only been several months. 8 or 9 I think, I've kinda lost track."
"Same but we've done so much, completed our tasks, and had so much fun in that time that I don't mind." Misty said with a smile. "No crazy adventures with angry deities duking it out all over Sinnoh or in the Reverse World or with the creator himself or a really annoying and mischievous Zorua to deal with this time around."
"True and for once I am glad for a year without random legendary Pokémon deciding that I am a beacon for them and their destructive antics." Ash said with a chuckle that Misty joined in on. "Just a regular series of adventures this time around."
"For the most part." Misty agreed. "The Dr. Akihabara stuff out in Celadon was really odd but otherwise it was normal. We had Contests, gym battles, upsets, saw many old friends, made a few new ones and caught many Pokémon, some of which I never expected I would own."
"Same." Ash said. "Akihabara is an odd man but I am glad we ran into him and it was tame compared to what he put us through when I first met him. It has been a good year and we are almost at the climax of it. Soon the Grand Festival will be upon us and then the Indigo Conference almost right after it."
"Speaking of the Grand Festival." Misty said glad that Ash had given her an opening to discuss what she had just read. "I have just found out something about it that I have to do and I'd like you to come with me to it. I'm allowed a plus one and of course you're the only person I want to take to it."
"Sure what is it?" Ash asked. "If you have to do it then I want to be by your side for it regardless of what it is."
"I love you; you know that right." Misty said with a smile glad Ash had said yes even without knowing though it wasn't too bad, in her opinion.
"I know and I love you too." Ash said putting his bowl down and pulling Misty close to him.
Instantly she melted into him and the next thing she knew Ash was on his back on the picnic blanket they'd set up for lunch and she was resting her head on his chest. Misty just smiled enjoying this position, it was one of her favorites. She could fall asleep and nap here for a few hours if she wanted but she knew she couldn't. Thankfully Ash had decided to ask what it was that they had to attend so it gave her a chance to talk about it and not fall asleep on him, yet.
"So what is this thing you have to do?" Ash asked.
"Well it is more an event I have to attend then something I have to do." Misty said too comfortable to look at Ash. "It's called the Grand Reception and it is being held on the eve of the Grand Festival as a kick-off event for the competition. This is the first time they're holding it so it should be fun."
"Sounds like a fancy gala." Ash said a little worried and Misty chuckled, Ash may be really dense but sometimes, often by complete accident, he could be spot on like now. "I've been to those before."
"It is a fancy gala." Misty said still chuckling a little. "All coordinators who have qualified for the Kanto Grand Festival get together and mingle before it in a large reception hall on the Plateau with food and drink. Anyone who's qualified past or present can attend, as can Top Coordinators from any region, but competitors registered this year are strongly encouraged to attend. We can all bring a plus one so naturally you're mine."
"Sounds interesting but I, er, don't have any fancy clothes." Ash admitted. "I could ask mom to send my Wallace Cup suit though, I do like that one."
"You've worn that twice before." Misty pointed out.
"I know so I can wear it again." Ash said completely missing her point. "It's not a big deal."
"No you can't." Misty said bluntly, Ash would have to told explicitly why he couldn't repeat an outfit a third time. "You are wearing something else. Thankfully they have a selection of formal wear you can rent for the evening, even buy afterwards if you like it, so we are going to find something new for you the day before the event."
"Er ok." Ash said deciding it was best to go with it. "What about you? What will you wear?"
"I am going to go dress shopping for something new when we go looking for your outfit." Misty said simply. "I haven't gotten a new one since we were in Hoenn so it is time for one. Something like this requires a new outfit. Don't question it Ash, it's a girl thing."
"Alright I won't." Ash said deciding it was best to not doubt Misty's decision even if he didn't understand it.
"Good boy." Misty said with a smile into his chest. "You're slowly learning."
"So is this just a meet and greet then?" Ash asked confused. "Any dancing? Or other things?"
"No dancing unfortunately." Misty said and Ash sighed in relief which earned him a light slap on the chest for that, Misty would take him dancing one day if it was the last thing she did, which it could be if Ash was bad at it. "But there will be some stuff from Lilian about the Grand Festival and all that I think. However, yes it is mainly a meet and greet which is fine with me. We will see all our friends there and see how they are doing before we all become rivals. Mollie, Nando, hopefully Emily, maybe even make a new friend or two while there."
"You know that if we're all there then he'll be there as well." Ash pointed out. "And he won't pass up the chance to, er, greet us."
"I know." Misty said with a sigh. "He was always going to be in the Grand Festival, he's a favorite who qualified a while back after all, so this will probably be our first meeting since your party."
"Are you ready to face him?" Ash asked seriously, concern in his voice that warmed Misty's chest. "I know it's painful given how he apparently treated you at my party, which he's never invited to again by the way, and that he is an old friend so I just want to make sure that you are ok with seeing him again."
"Kenny and I are old friends." Misty said after a moment to think on her words. "And I really want to remain that way with him because he was one of my first friends. I don't want to end our friendship because he's a jealous dick who can't accept that I never saw him how he saw me but maybe I will have to accept that our friendship is over."
"But you don't want that, do you?" Ash asked softly.
"No I really don't." Misty said wanting to shake her head but she couldn't in this position. "I will give him a chance when we meet to get over me and put this behind us but this is his last chance. I hope he can move on but love and hate are closely related emotions that often blur so perhaps he can't, I just don't know. If he's a dick then it's over and I will crush him if we meet in the battles. If not then we mend our friendship, and I still crush him in the battles. That part is happening regardless."
"And I will challenge him to put him in his place and remind him who you chose." Ash said forcefully and Misty smiled, that was something she really wanted to see because Ash would destroy Kenny but he couldn't at the Grand Festival and she had to remind him of that. "I need to remind him that you are mine and always will be. You will never be his."
"I love you so much." Misty muttered into Ash's chest at how much passion had in defending her against rivals. "And I know you will but you can't do that at the Grand Festival."
"Why not?" Ash asked his passion replaced with confusion. "If he wants a battle I will give it to and bring in my best team to destroy him."
"And you will get to do that one day." Misty said looking forward to that day. "He's a rival of yours even if you outclass him in every way imaginable but the one place you can't beat him is during the Grand Festival. Kenny has to focus on that and can't be distracted by you even if he will be by your mere presence. Besides, this is the Grand Festival, his ass is mine at it."
"Haha alright he's all yours to destroy, this time." Ash said with a laugh. "And I will enjoy watching you beat him. You know our luck, you will likely face him in the semis or finals, that's just how it goes for us."
"Yeah Arceus really has an odd sense of humor when it comes to randomly generated battles." Misty agreed. "Though you will get a chance to face a rival in the Indigo Conference."
"I will?" Ash asked confused before remembering his third, well second as he'd not seen Zoey coming, rival. "Conway, he'll be in it won't he?"
"He did say he was competing in Kanto this year and there's only one reason for him to do that." Misty said. "To try and face you in the Conference because you will be in it."
"Well if I do face him then I will beat him with ease." Ash said with a grin. "He may be intelligent and good at planning his battles but no battle plan survives the opening salvo and Conway's biggest weakness was always his lack of improvisation or dealing with the unexpected. He can't do that."
"Which makes facing someone as unpredictable as you next to impossible for him." Misty said with a nod against Ash's chest. "I know and I can't wait to watch that battle. You will get your day against Kenny but not until after I do. I hope we can salvage our friendship but if not then I can accept that it is over. Forgiveness could be earned in the future but the more he pushes, the harder it will be to forgive."
"I know and I look forward to that day." Ash said. "Kenny wants a battle then I will face him in a full battle and he can use his best team so long as I can as well. Everything, including Mega Evolution will be on the table for that one."
"He won't know what hit him until a week after if he faces your best and even then it will take him a week to realize it." Misty said with a shudder knowing that she would jump Ash later as she was so into him in that moment, Piplup would be spending the night in his ball so that she could ensure some privacy as they had a special tent for Pikachu when they needed it. "But all that is not for a while. We have to train first and then get to the Plateau and continue training there."
"Very true." Ash said as Misty reluctantly got off him and got up, though not before planting a long, tender, chaste kiss on Ash's lips as a taste for what was to come later.
"Come on Ketchum, get your ass up and start training." Misty said as she looked over their Pokémon thinking who was best. "Grab Aerodactyl and Porygon2. I want to see if I can pair Banette and Spiritomb together in battle and I think those two are the best test Pokémon for them. Conversion2 gives us a way to practice against types that can resist their moves, even it that light pink color still makes no sense to anyone, while you and Aerodactyl need to do more work together."
"Yes ma'am." Ash hopping to his feet. "Aerodactyl, Porygon2, on me we have a mock battle to prepare for. Pikachu, Dragonair, Gengar, work on your speed and precision and the combos we have already prepared for you guys."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said with a nod as he grabbed his friends and they began working hard for Ash while Porygon2 and Aerodactyl headed to Ash, the latter ready to hug him after the battle was over as it had been too long since he'd hugged his human, at least an hour.
"Piplup you to, get the others to work in appeal moves so I can figure out who to use in the appeals." Misty said to her starter. "Spiritomb, Banette, I want to see if you two make a good pair for the battle rounds so we're battling Ash and the two Pokémon with him. Vulpix, you're still too new to use in the Grand Festival but practice anyway to get better as I want to take you with me next your regardless of what happens in the Grand Festival."
"Piplup." Piplup said seriously as he turned to Vulpix and Buneary and they began to get to work on their most attractive moves to see how they could be even more attractive than they already were while Banette and Spiritomb flew over to Misty.
Misty knew her ghost type pair would be a tough pair to face, even if she couldn't use Dazzling Gleam because for some inexplicable reason it didn't only affect Spiritomb but it was super effective against him, which nothing should be. It could also hit Gengar, they'd tried that out in a mock battle the day before, but it wasn't that effective, below average in fact, so it was all confusing.
Professor Oak said he was close to figuring all of this out and that he needed Porygon2 to confirm it so Ash would send the Virtual Pokémon back when they reached the Plateau but until then they had practice to do. All Misty had to do was get Banette and Spiritomb over their current rivalry and they could be a great duo.
That would start today as Misty and Ash took their places on either side of the clearing, their Pokémon in front of them and ready to practice. Misty had 7 weeks to get ready and she intended to use all of them while Ash had a little longer but was going to do so as well. That practice started now.
"Alright let's start this off with…" Misty began as their training resumed in earnest.
