Chapter 17

"So where is the next Battle Frontier?" I ask Max.

"According to the map, the next one should be the Battle Tower located near Cremini Town." Max says.

"Oh, then it must be close to the International Police Headquarters, then we should stop by." Serena says.

"That sounds like a good idea." May says.

In preparation for the Gardenia Town Pokémon Contest, May trains with her Eevee to prepare it for its debut. Meanwhile, a girl named Mollie and her Raticate are trying to register for the Contest. Having briefly run away from May, Eevee pops out of the ground, knocking Mollie over.

"Are you alright?" May asks.

"I'm fine, thanks." Mollie replies.

"I feel bad, you know I'd told you not to run off on your own like that." May scolds Eevee.

"It's okay. Hey, I need to sign up for the contest, I don't know where." Mollie says. "Do you know where the registration desk is?"

"Sure, it is over that way." Reisa says, pointing in the direction. "Straight through those doors and it's right inside."

"Thanks so much." Then she runs off, Max says, "I think she's taking part in the contest for her very first time."

"Yeah. And so are you." May says to Eevee.

Eevee goes underground again and comes back up, knocking me down. Max points out to May that Eevee has learned Dig.

The Contest begins with Lilian presenting the Gardenia Ribbon prize. Backstage, Brock feels nervous and excited at an official battle. The Appeals Round begins with Mollie sending out Raticate. It uses Hyper Fang to quickly grind a log into dust, shining its fangs and getting appeal.

May opens with Squirtle, using Rapid Spin to create waves of dust. It follows up with Bubble to create a tall pyramid before using Ice Beam to freeze the structure, ending with a strong appeal.

With the preliminary round's end, Lilian announces the eight Coordinators advancing to the Contest Battles. May and Mollie make it. After the battle rounds, it is Mollie's Absol is fighting against May's Eevee. Eevee uses Shadow Ball, but Absol blocks with Protect. Absol counterattacks with Dark Pulse, but Eevee uses Dig to avoid it. They all show their respective moves until the time runs out, and May wins slightly higher than Mollie, she is declared the winner.

"You did great." Mollie praises Absol as Contest Director Mr. Contesta presents May with the Gardenia Ribbon.

As the day ends, May and Mollie shake hands and Mollie says, "Thanks for the battle, May."

"No problem." May says as we bid farewell and hit the road again.

I also attend the Celadon Contest for my final ribbon, and this time I decide to use Corsola and a Water and Rock trick. And in the battle round, I pick Aipom because I realize that I hadn't used her much in the Contests. Aipom helps me win the contest, and that also sparks her to take part in more contests.

"Hey, since we are at Celadon City, how about we go buy some Perfumes?" May asks.

"Perfumes? Now? I mean, sure. Since I can go greet Erika again." As they go there, Serena and I go to greet Erika as she recognizes us.

"It's nice to see you two again, Serena, Ash." Erika says.

"The gym looks brand new, I guess you guys did work hard." I say.

"It's a nice thing to have a flower arranger and garden designer as parents." Erika chuckles.

She is also happy to see Reisa as we are all friends, I also introduce the other three as they all are surprised to learn Erika's family is a part of Team Alpha. Then we spend some time chatting about the past and eventually, we bid them farewell.

"Alright, today's the time we challenge the Battle Tower, we're going to win this." I say as we arrive at Cremini Town. Just then, we halt because a Beedrill is coming towards us.

"Not again..." I mutter, but much to my surprise, two people have come to my rescue. "Beedrill, calm down. You're so angry I can't understand what you're saying. I want to help you, that's all."

"Ash, guys, are you okay?" I can't believe what I'm seeing. It's Mom and Anabel. Anabel is my Mom's assistant in the International Police and she is also a powerful psychic.

"We're fine. So what's it saying?" I ask.

Anabel says, "You guys are too close to the Beedrill's nest."

"I see, we're sorry. We're not aware that there is a nest around here." I say. After the Beedrill leaves, I ask, "So what are you two doing here?"

Before they can answer, a Gyarados bursts out of the nearby body of water. "A Gyarados and it's heading this way!" Pikachu gasps.

"Don't worry, I'll handle this." Anabel says.

Gyarados begins to attack, but Anabel goes to calm it. She removes a twig lodged in its side, successfully quelling the Atrocious Pokémon. Gyarados cries in pleasure and heads off in the opposite direction.

"You see, we're doing a small patrol around the International Police. Since we arrest a lot of people, we have to make sure this building is not attacked." My mom says.

"That's so cool." I say. "And what about Mr. Looker? Is he fine now?"

Anabel says, "His memories are slowly recovered, right now he has to stay in bed for a month."

Just then, a net comes and Anabel is captured along with my three Pokemon. We know who're the ones who do this.

"Team Rocket, you messed up with the wrong people here." I say while sending out Crawdaunt to use Bubble Beam and all of them fall into the water. Crawdaunt and I also jump into the water to save them. After we get back up, it is then the others arrive.

"Team Rocket!" The five of them are not happy to see Team Rocket again, Anabel says, "They're not going away with this. Go! My friend!"

Anabel sends out Alakazam, and it goes for Psychic, which returns the attack to Team Rocket. "Alakazam! Get us on dry land!"

After we get out of the water, I say, "Thanks, that's great."

Then we finish Team Rocket by using Psybeam to confuse both Pokemon and Pikachu using Thunderbolt to send them flying.

"Thanks, you're Alakazam is fine..." But I sneeze as my Mom rushes to me, "It seems like you caught a cold, Ash. You'll have to change your clothes..."

"Okay, Mom..." I mutter.

"Wait, Mom is here as well?" Emerald asks as the others are surprised.

"We can talk later." My mom says as we all head inside the International Police building. Max says, "Wow... so this is the International Police headquarters?"

"Yes, it's the place where we train International Police members. And Ash has been the best battler since the attack on Celadon City's Team Rocket base." Anabel says.

"But don't you need to change your clothes as well?" Serena asks.

"I'll change it in another room." Anabel says as she leaves. Max asks, "So is she a girl, or is he a boy?"

"She's a girl and her name is Anabel." Reisa says. "She is Ash's Mom's assistant in the International Police. Being a Psychic, she can sense how Pokemon can feel and also save the police from dire situations."

After I change my clothes, my Mom asks, "So what brings you here?"

"We're trying to find the Battle Tower, it is my sixth Frontier Symbol." I say. My mom just smiles and says, "This should be interesting."

"What do you mean?" Serena asks.

"This whole International Police building is the Battle Tower." Anabel says. "And I'm the Frontier Brain, Salon Maiden Anabel."

This causes us to be surprised, but I'm actually excited to have a battle with Anabel. I say, "Wow... I never knew that this place is the Battle Frontier..."

"The Battle Tower is said to be the first Battle Frontier made." My Mom says. "So the rules here are quite simple. There are seven floors, and each floor has a trainer. Once you beat all seven of them, that's the first round. And if you get to the 10th round, Anabel will be the final member to challenge."

"So I have to battle 69 times before facing Anabel... it sounds similar to the Battle Pike..."

Then I start my challenge in the Battle Tower, and it was also during my 35th battle that Scott arrived to watch my battle.

"Sorry that I show up late." Scott says.

"It's fine, Ash is also in his 35th match." Reisa says.

And after my 69th match, it is now my battle against Anabel. "I have heard several rumors about you... In all honesty, what I have heard does not seem attractive in any way... The reason I've come to see you... Well, there is but one reason... Let me see your talent in its entirety... Go, my friend!"

She starts with Alakazam first, and I decide to go with Crawdaunt. Crawdaunt uses Crabhammer, but Alakazam decides to go for the Focus Punch without Anabel commanding.

"Commanding without voicing... interesting." I say as we see that neither Pokemon are injured.

Crawdaunt counters with a Bubble Beam, to which Alakazam uses Psybeam. The attacks cause a miniature explosion. I'm not deterred and make Crawdaunt use Vice Grip; however, Anabel makes Alakazam use Psychic to throw Crawdaunt backward.

Crawdaunt, despite being in mid-air, is able to use Bubble Beam, which successfully makes contact with Alakazam. Anabel isn't fazed and tells Alakazam to use Recover.

"I know what you want to do, Crawdaunt. Use Crabhammer!" I say, and Alakazam counterattacks with Focus Punch. However, Crawdaunt dodges the Focus Punch and slams its Crabhammer attack into Alakazam's jaw.

Alakazam uses Psybeam again, confusing Crawdaunt. Luckily for Ash, Crawdaunt is still able to use Crabhammer and use it well. Immediately, Ash returns Crawdaunt, snapping it out of confusion, and throws Crawdaunt right back into battle, where it instantly uses Bubble Beam and knocks out Alakazam.

"Crawdaunt, that'll show her!" I say.

"I say bringing Crawdaunt back into its Pokeball to cure the confusion, that's good thinking." Scott says.

"Now go, my friend! Snorlax!" Her second Pokemon is Snorlax, and May says, "Snorlax is so huge..."

"But I think Ash will win." Max says.

"Don't forget Anabel still has a powerful Pokemon in reserve." My Mom says. Crawdaunt uses Bubble Beam, but Snorlax evades the attack and slams into Crawdaunt with a Mega Punch, knocking Crawdaunt out.

"Snorlax just beat Crawdaunt with one hit?" Serena gasps.

"It is just too much to take..." May says.

I return Crawdaunt and go for Tauros. Emerald says, "So it's a Normal Type Battle."

Tauros' first attack is Take Down, to which Snorlax counters with Defense Curl. I command Tauros to use Horn Attack and Anabel tells Snorlax to use Mega Punch. Tauros is able to dodge the Mega Punch and slams his horn into Snorlax's underside, sending it flying.

Just then, Snorlax goes for Hyper Beam, which I have Tauros use Double Team to dodge it. Snorlax decides to attack them all and ends up hitting the real Tauros.

"Horn Attack!" Tauros doesn't take too much damage and runs at Snorlax with Horn Attack. Snorlax has to take the attack being unable to move after Hyper Beam. Finally, both Mega Punch and Take Down collide and knocking out both Pokemon.

"Now that is a true battle of those heavy weights." Scott says.

"Not to mention their Base Stats total are the same. So they both get one Pokemon each." My Mom says, "And I have a feeling it is going to be special."

"Go! My friend!" And her final Pokemon, much to everyone's surprise, is an Entei.

"A Legendary Pokemon Entei?" Max asks.

"So she has the possession of the Legendary Pokemon as well!" Serena says.

"I know it... if that's the case, good thing I have switch out my Pokemon. Suicune! I choose you!"

After sending out the other Pokemon, "Entei versus Suicune! This is going to be awesome!"

Suicune starts off by using Extreme Speed, and Entei dodges and uses Extreme Speed as well. Suicune is hit, before I have Suicune use Ice Fang, but Entei counters with Fire Fang. Suicune takes a little damage, but is able to use Hydro Pump, however, Entei uses Sacred Fire to cause an explosion that sends Suicune backward.

"Suicune, I know you want to defeat Entei. Use Aurora Beam!" Entei jumps out of the way of the attack and uses Zen Headbutt, and it slams Suicune to the wall.

Suicune recovers quickly and used Quick Attack, and Entei repeats its last attack and sends Suicune into the ceiling. "Use Aurora Beam!"

The attack causes the power to be knocked out, making the whole floor go pitch black. Once again, Suicune uses Hydro Pump, landing its first hit on Entei. Entei uses Sacred Fire, and Suicune dodges the attacks this time.

"Now let's use the environment to our advantage! Use Sheer Cold!" The attack has a lower chance of hitting when I'm not using an Ice Pokemon, but it hits and Entei is unable to battle.

"You did it, Suicune!" I say as my Mom also manages to return the lights back to normal.

Anabel says, "Ash, you did great. This is yours." Then I am awarded with the sixth symbol, the Ability Symbol. My Mom says, "So you have one more facility left."

"Yeah, but what is the final one?" I ask.

"The Battle Pyramid." Scott says. "I already put the data on Max's Rotom Phone."

When we look at the map, we find that it is beyond Pewter City, and Scott says, "It is for now, but you'll see for yourself."

Anabel says, "That guy is strong, so I'll be looking for it." Then we all bid the others farewell and head to the Battle Pyramid for my final Symbol.

Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, Ash gets his sixth symbol and I hope you like it.