Chapter 77: Setting Your Sights on New Frontiers!

The day after the Contest, the five friends boarded the next ferry to the Sinnoh Battle Frontier. Ash smiled, taking a deep breath.
"Can you feel that, buddy? That's the smell of new adventure!"

"Pika!"

Goh just rolled his eyes.

"Ash, you always say that when we go somewhere."

"That's because it's always in the air! I can't wait to see the Sinnoh Battle Frontier!"

"Didn't you guys go there when you were traveling in Sinnoh?" Chloe asked.

Ash shook his head.

"No, but I did challenge Palmer once before. It was a tough battle, but he managed to beat me. But this time, I'm going to come out on top!"

Just then, the ship's PA system came to life.

"Attention passengers, we will be docking momentarily. Please grab all belongings and make your way to the gangway."

"That's our cue. Come on guys, let's go!"

"Right!

The Battle Frontier was located on a fairly large island. All five facilities were spaced fairly evenly across the area.

"So, which area should we check out first?"

"I don't know. What all is there to do here?"

Chloe took out her Rotomphone and pulled up the website.

"The Sinnoh Battle Frontier has five battle facilities. There's the Battle Factory, the Battle Hall, the Battle Arcade, the Battle Castle, and the Battle Tower."

"The World Coronation Series said my battle with Palmer would be at the Battle Arcade, so let's head there."

"Battle Arcade? I thought Palmer ran the Battle Tower?"

Ash just shrugged, not really having an answer to Dawn's question.

"I don't know. Maybe the Battle Tower is being rennovated?"

Before any more could be said, they reached the Battle Arcade. It was a big tent, with lots of flashing lights decorating it. Atop the entrance was a huge television screen depicting the current battle. The Arcade star Dahlia was up against…
"Barry?!"

"I haven't seen him since the Sinnoh League! Let's go check it out!"

Ash and Dawn rushed into the tent, leaving their friends speechless.

"Who's Barry?"

"Beats me. Obviously, they know him."

"Only one way to find out."

Following Ash and Dawn inside, they made their way to the battlefield.. Dahlia's Medicham was up against Barry's Empoloen, and winning.

"Drill Peck, Empoleon!"

"Medicham, jump and use High Jump Kick!"

Empoleon tried to ram his beak into Medicham, only to fall flat on his face as Medicham leapt over him. To add insult to injury, Medicham dealt a hard kick to the back of his head, making him dizzy.

"Finish him off with Thunder Punch!"

"Hydro Cannon, Empoleon!"

Empoleon recovered and blasted a torrent of water at Medicham, pushing him back. But the Fighting/Psychic Type soldiered through, forcing him fist through the torrent and punching Empoleon straight in the face. For a moment, everything was silent. Then, Empoleon fell over, defeated.

"Empoleon is unable to battle! Which means the victor is Arcade Star Dahlia!"

The crowd went wild, Dahlia waving to her fans as Barry returned his Empoleon to his Pokeball.

"Good work, Empoleon. Get a good rest."

He then walked to the middle of the arena and shook Dahlia's hand.

"Hey, don't be too hard on yourself! You and Empoleon were great, it's been a long time since someone's brought me to my last Pokemon."

"Thanks, but don't get complacent! Once we've trained up some more, my team and I will be back."

"I'll be waiting!"

"Barry, that was awesome!"

Barry smiled when he saw Ash and Dawn racing onto the battlefield.

"Ash, Dawn! Long time no see!"

"I'll say! Looks like you've done well for yourself."

"Hey, aren't you going to introduce us?"

Ash chuckled, gesturing to his new friends.

"Sorry, guys. Barry, this is Chloe, Goh, and my girlfriend Lillie."

Barry's jaw dropped.

"You got a girlfriend before I did? Ash Ketchu, I'm fining you a million dollars for that!"

Everyone besides Ash just looked at him weirdly. Just then, Dahlia walked over to the group.

"So, you're Ash Ketchum?"

"Yep, that's me!"

Before Ash could react, Dahlia grabbed his arm and started pulling him away.

"Come on. There's some people who want to meet you!"

"Hey, hold on a minute! What about my friends?"
"Don't worry, they can come too!"

Ash struggled to break free, but Dahlia's grip held firm. His friends just shrugged their shoulders before following suit.

Dahlia led/dragged them outdoors and towards a large table, where three other people sat. One was a teenager the same age as them fiddling with a device.

"That's Thorton, head of the Battle Factory."

The boy didn't look up, giving them a dismissive wave before returning to his invention.

"Don't mind him, he's always like that."

The second man was older, and dressed in a black tuxedo.

"The butler looking dude is Darach. He runs the Battle Castle."

"Charmed to meet you, Master Ash."

"Don't mind the way he talks, he's just like that."

The last member of the quartet was a purple haired female dressed in all red.

"And that's Argenta, the Battle Hall's Matron."

"So, you're the kid Palmer's been talking about."

Ash was surprised by her statement.

"Huh? Palmer's been talking about me?"

Thornton rolled his eyes, finally setting down his device to join the conversation.

"Only since he found out you were his next opponent. He wouldn't stop talking about how much of a challenge you gave him last time, and how he looks forward to your next battle."

"A battle I'm going to win, by the way!"

Just then, Palmer strolled over to join the group.

"Dad!"
"Hey, kiddo! I saw your match against Dahlia earlier. You did great, don't get yourself down over it."

"Thanks, dad. But look out, because once I get her symbol, I'm coming for you!"

Palmer laughed, and gave Barry a pat on the back.

"I look forward to it!"

Then he turned his attention to Ash.

"So kid, ready for our rematch?"

"You know it! But why is it at the Battle Arcade?"

Palmer rolled his eyes, glaring at Dahlia.

"That's what I asked. I thought the Battle Tower was perfect for our battle, but SOMEBODY insisted that we hold it in her facility, and for some reason the Commission agreed."

"I had to! The Battle Tower is too stuffy, and there's no room for the audience to sit!"

"We don't need an audience! The whole point of the Battle Frontier is to test your skills as a trainer, not show off!"

"Ah, you're no fun!"

Argenta sighed, shaking her head.

"Must you always act like children?"

"He started it!"

"I started it? What about you?"

Even Thorton was sick of their bickering.

"Honestly you two, why don't you just settle it with a Pokemon battle like you always do?"

"Ooh, are Palmer and Dahlia about to duke it out again?

Everyone was surprised to see the current Sinnoh champion making her way towards them

"Cynthia?"

"Long time no see, Ash."

Goh, Chloe, and Lillie gaped in shock.

"Ash, you know the Sinnoh champion?"

"Yep! I met her when I was collecting gym battles in Sinnoh. Its good to see you again."

"Same here. And Dawn, I saw your last contest. You did an amazing job as MC."

"Thanks, Cynthia!"

"What brings you to the Battle Frontier, anyway?"

"Well, when I heard my old friend Palmer had a battle coming up, I just had to come watch him get creamed."

"Hey, I'll have you know I'm the top Frontier Brain of the Sinnoh branch, and only third overall behind Brandon and Anabel."

This got Ash's attention. Those two were two of his toughest battles, and Palmer was almost as good as them? Cynthia just smirked playfully at Palmer's outburst.

"And yet you haven't beaten me once. Besides, Ash here beat both of them, so what chance do you have?"

"Why, I oughtta-"

At last, Thornton lost patience.

"Good grief, Palmer! Must you fall for that every time? She's just trying to get you riled up."

Cynthia giggled.

"Guilty as charged! Sorry Palmer, but I just couldn't resist. You look so cute when you're angry!"

Palmer just slouched over in his chair, grumbling to himself. Cynthia then turned her attention to Ash.

"But now that I know you're his opponent, I'm even more interested. Do me a favor and win!"

Ash smiled, and gave her a thumbs up.

"You know it!"