Chapter 10: Hoenn, the New Frontier Part 3

After a brief intermission, the final battle was ready to start. Ash and Lillie met in the center arena, and shook hands.

"Alright folks, this is it. Are both contestants ready?"

"You know it!"

"I'm ready!"

"Both contestants shall send out their Pokemon at the same time. Begin!"

"Go, Snowy!"

"Pidgeot, I choose you!"

"Vulpix vs Pidgeot, begin!"

"Snowy, use Ice Shard!"

"Blow it away with Gust!"

Pidgeot flew above Snowy and, flapping her wings hard, sent the ice shards harmlessly down to Earth, where they shattered.

"Ice Beam, Snowy!"

"Pidgeot, use Aerial Ace!"

Pidgeot flew right out of harms way before swooping down, sideswiping Snowy so hard she nearly went flying. Lillie was starting to get worried.

"Snowy, are you alright?"

"Vul!"

"Alright, then use Blizzard!"

Snowy let loose a fierce battle cry, summoning a huge ice storm that covered the field, battering Pidgeot as she struggled to stay aloft.

"Pidgeot, are you okay?"

"Pidgeot!"

"Alright, then fly right through it and hit her with a Steel Wing!"

"Aurora Beam, Snowy!"

Pidgeot gracefully flew around the attacks before striking Snowy with her wing, sending her to Lillie's feet out cold.

"Vulpix is unable to battle! Pidgeot is the winner!"

Lillie smiled and picked Snowy up, gently setting her aside.

"You did a good job, Snowy. Get some rest."

"Vul."

"You too, Pidgeot. You deserve some rest."

Pidgeot and smiled, allowing herself to be recalled without trouble.

"Go, Jangmo-o!"

"Ivysaur, let's go!"

"Ivysaur vs Jangmo-o, begin!"

"Let's start off with Dragon Tail!"

"Jump, then use Vine Whip!"

The Dragon type charged in, ready to blindside Ivysaur, but he was too quick and jumped out of the way, then used the vines he had used for propulsion to assault the poor Dragon.

"Dragon Pulse!"

Struggling to focus under the flurry of assaults, Jangmo-o managed to fire off a beam of energy, sending Ivysaur crashing to the ground as the blizzard subsided.

"Ivysaur, use Solar Beam!"

"Don't let it go off! Hit him with a Focus Punch!"

Jangmo-o charged, fist glowing intensely as he approached. Ivysaur stood there, gathering sunlight in his flower until...

"Now!"

Just as Jangmo-o got close enough to attack, Ivysaur unleashed his Solar Beam, sending the Dragon type flying into a wall, sliding down out cold. After confirming his status, the judge made his ruling.

"Jangmo-o is unable to battle! Ivysaur is the victor, and the battle goes to Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"

Despite her loss, Lillie couldn't help but feel happy, especially after Ash gave her a consolation kiss, a prize she happily accepted. Once the two had their moment, Scott walked over to them and gave Ash his egg.

"Congratulations, Ash. Glad to know you've still got it."

"What, was there ever any doubt?"

Everyone laughed while Ash held his new egg proudly, a massive grin on his face per usual. He didn't know what Pokemon it would hatch into, but he couldn't wait to welcome another member into his family.

Later that evening, Ash, Lillie and Goh were getting ready to board a boat for Vermillion City.

"Man, that was a blast!"

"I agree! Who knew Pokemon Battling could be so much fun?"

"Speak for yourself. I got knocked out first round! Talk about embarrassing."

Ash and Lillie laughed at Goh's grumpiness. They were just about to board when...

"Hey, wait!"

Running down the pier towards them was Hodge, who Goh was none too pleased to see.

"Oh, its you. Come to rub it in more?"

"Nah man, that was just some trash talk. I just wanted to say you guys did great and to give you these."

He gave each of them a slip of paper advertising a spa.

"My uncle owns some a hot spring spa and hotel back home. Come check us out next time you're in the area."

"Sweet, thanks!"

"And Goh? Once you've got some more experience under your belt, I want to have a another battle."

Goh smiled, and happily accepted Hodge's handshake.

"You bet!"

Just then, the ship sounded its horn, indicating that it was time to depart. With one final wave goodbye to their new friend, they set sail for home.

Later that night, Goh was showing everyone his latest catches from the day: A Tailow and three Wurmple, much to everyone's confusion.

"Why 3 Wurmple?"

"That's easy, Chloe. See, Wurmple can evolve into either a Silcoon or a Cascoon based on what certain attributes it has, and from there they evolve into either Beautifly or Dustox respectively. I want both, but since I won't really know which one it'll evolve into before it does, I thought the more I catch, the better chances I'll have!"

Just then, Professor Cerise stepped into the room.

"Excuse me Lillie, but someone's asking for you on the phone."

"Huh? Who would be calling me here?"

"Someone named Gladion from the Johto Region. Do you-"

The Professor couldn't even finish his sentence, for Lillie sprinted out of the room in excitement.

"What's gotten into her?"

"Gladion's her older brother. Right now, he's on a journey in the Johto Region."

Lillie found her brother waiting for her on the video phone, a rare smile on his face.

"Gladion, its so good to see you!"

"Same here, Lillie. Mom said you and Ash got jobs at a research facility?"

"Yep! We just got back from a trip to Hoenn. How's Johto?"

"Harder than I fought it'd be. So far I have 3 Gym Badges, but that's not why I called you. See, I met an Archeologist who discovered a new cavern in the Ruins of Alph, and he thinks there's some important discovery waiting inside. I thought maybe Professor Cerise would be interested in whatever he might find. What do you say, up for some exploring."

Lillie smiled broadly.

"Of course! I just need to get authorization from him, but I don't see any reason why he would say no."

"Great! The expedition begins in a week. See you then!"

"Bye!"

Lillie hung up the phone and excitedly ran to inform the others. She couldn't wait to see Gladion again!