Of all the things Dawn expected to happen after earning her second Badge, meeting the Champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia Tsukkinowa, was not one of them. Not that she complained. "OH MY GOSH!" Dawn said as she puts her hands on her cheek and stars came into her eyes. "You're Cynthia."
"I better hope so, otherwise my ID needs an update." Cynthia said with a soft smile.
"You are the Champion, the youngest in Sinnoh's history of the Pokémon League at the time of earning your title, and the longest streak of being undefeated. You are a well known historian and archeologist investigating the murals from the past of Sinnoh when it was still known as Hisui. You are a well known ice cream conaisseur. You were my lesbian awakening." Dawn said. "And I shouldn't have said that last one!" For some reason the excitement in her tone did not die down as she said that.
"It's ok, I hear that way more often then you think." Cynthia said, her soft smile not wavering. "I heard a bit about a blue haired girl whom saved the Valley Windworks from some criminals. Would that happen to be you?"
"I am sure there are plenty of girls with blue hair." Dawn blushed as she put her fingers together. "That is not hyperbole we kind of live in an anime world."
"True, but the name Dawn was something I heard when I was there yesterday. Does that happen to be your name?" Cynthia asked.
"Oh, er…yes, it was me. Dawn Berlitz, Pokémon trainer and Coordinator. And er…why were you in Floroama? There are no historical sites or notable trainers."
"I heard the local ice cream shop had a series of new ice cream flavors based on edible flowers. The Rose petals are delicious, the Lavender one tasted like I was eating my laundry detergent." Cynthia said. "Speaking off, try the shop here. The stracciatella is to die for."
Dawn blinked a few times. She had expected a Champion to be more serious and composed. She did not know how to reply to that. "Er…yeah?" that would do for now.
"So now I know that you saved the Windworks, good job, Dawn. You also happen to know whom it is you sent running?"
"They called themselves Team Galactic." Dawn said. "Couple of weirdos with even weirder taste in fashion."
"That's odd. It was right after the Head of the Galactic corporation made a statement about a series of imposters using his company logo or rogue employees whom have to be disciplined for unprofessional behavior." Cynthia said as she looked ponderous.
"The Galactic Company? The biggest philanthropic company in Sinnoh? Whom basically keep every industry running? They cannot be connected. Team Galactic…Galactic Company. Would an evil team be so blatent?" Dawn wondered.
"And there lies the sheer brilliance as it would be unexpected." Cynthia said. "Unfortunately the Galactic Company has a good rep and do a lot of donations of charities and…other less charitable things. And as a Champion I have to keep an image and cannot just waltz inside their office and violently interrogate them like I'm Crobatman or something…" Cynthia said. "Oddly enough the more power I have, the less I can use it."
"So if the Galactic Company and Team Galactic are connected then what can we do?" Dawn said. "The thieves took a man's Pokémon inside that building."
"If the PR team wasn't on my tail, I'd have razed it into the ground. Unfortunately I cannot do that. If only there was someone…someone strong enough. Despite that so unassuming, and they wouldn't admit losing to the likes of say a little girl." Cynthia said.
Dawn raised an eyebrow. "Are you telling me to do something?"
"I don't say anything. Though I am a busy woman and I am neither a parent or babysitter so I would not be able to tell you off for doing anything. On an unrelated note, want a Togepi Egg and an update on the Hidden Moves App of your Pokétch. I have Cut." Cynthia said, playfully acting ignorant.
"Togepi? They are so cute…wait, Cut? To get rid of certain plants? Like the ones blocking the entrance to the Galactic Building? Makes you wonder how the Galactic personnel get inside…" Dawn seemed to catch on.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Cynthia shrugged. She pulled out an egg and gave it to Dawn. Also dialed her own Pokétch as Dawn's beeped shortly after to notify an update. "Nice meeting you, Dawn. Good luck on your journey. And I mean it when I say the stracciatella." She said as she walked off.
"It was nice meeting you too, Champion Cynthia. I hope to get to challenge you one day." Dawn said. She blinked a few times. "I realize I could have asked for an autograph. "Oh well…" Dawn pushed on her Pokétch and a teleportation effect activated, and a Bidoof with a worker's helmet appeared.
"Hi, I'm Cutter, a Bidoof of the HM Initiative. If you want to mow your lawn, cut down pesky trees or other cuttable things in half, I am your mon!" it said.
"Another Bidoof? The other one smashed rocks." Dawn noted.
"That's my brother Smasher. Our whole family is part of the initiative." Cutter said.
"Oh well…er, care to cut these trees, I need into that building. Rescue mission." Dawn asked.
"No problem. No problem is too big to cut, except taxes." Cutter said as it cleared the way for Dawn.
Cynthia was out of sight, but not out of reach. She pulled out her Pokéball and out came a PorygonZ. "Zeta, keep following her closely. Only interfere if necessary, but I expect her to make it through. Try to not be seen."
"Affirmative!" the PorygonZ said as it vanished in a set of pixels.
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"This is the kid that defeated you? Wow, you two guys sound more like a disappointment." A Chatot said. He was flying above Venus and Mercury, whom were forming a blockade.
"Hey, last time she also had help. And they were stronger then they looked." Venus said.
"To be fair, I am stronger then I look." Dawn said.
"But now it's two to one." Mercury said. And we have a bigger team now. Mercury summoned a Mime Jr. And his Carnivine. Venus summoned the Yanma she had, plus a Steel Cloak Wormadam.
Dawn sighs. "Kentaro?" her Monferno rolled up in a Flame Wheel and bowled the whole team over. Due to Mime Jr.'s low defenses and every other mon because they were weak to fire, they were all down.
"Oh…yeah, she is stronger then she looks. Ok, there was a type advantage somewhat but she utterly wiped you. I mean, you are getting your butts kicked. Like, it was barely even a fight…" the Chatot said.
"Instead of running your lips or beak or whatever, you could lend a hand." Venus growled.
"I am put with you two to observe you. And I'm making observations. Not a fighter." The Chatot said.
"Now, that makes you utterly useless. Why were you even assigned to us?" Mercury asked.
"Because you two are useless too." The Chatot noted.
"Wait, so we become a dumping ground for everything useless?" Venus asked.
"Pretty much." The Chatot said.
"Ok, that kind of hurts." Mercury sighed.
"So…I'm going to the upper floors now and save that Clefairy. You keep standing there sulking. Sorry about that."
"It's all right, you do you." Chatot said. "Don't get paid enough to care. I don't get paid at all frankly."
"We do…just not much." Venus said.
"Just go ahead, little girl. We could try to stop you ourselves but we'd find a way to screw that up too." Mercury said. "Let's see if we can raid the hidden liquor stash before we have to abandon this building."
Dawn almost felt sorry for them.
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"Night Slash!" Jupiter said as her Skuntank's claws glowed back and it rushed at Dawn.
"Moune, Harden!" Dawn ordered her Geodude. The female Geodude put her arms crossed in front of her, and she briefly glowed as the claws hit her. She was pushed back but lived.
"Even with a Harden, my Skuntank would have done more then given that rock a scratch…it can't be that strong." Jupiter said. Her eyes widened. "The bird and thundercat…"
"My Staravia and Luxio…yeah, you got it right. Intimidate switch tactic. Your Skuntank's attacks are too weak now." Dawn said.
"Stupid little brat…Toxic, Skuntank!" Jupiter said.
"Rock Throw, Moune!" Dawn ordered. The Geodude tore a piece out of the ground and threw it in the mouth of the Skuntank to block the toxic gasses it was about to spew. The now threatening tank of a skunk was now comically flailing as it was choking. "Magnitude!" the Geodude slammed her fists in the ground, and the floor shook. A shockwave moved across it that knocked the Skuntank into the air and at Jupiter's feet. "Whoa, we got a 10! Lucky!" Dawn said.
"Ugh…I hate kids." Jupiter said as she recalled her Skuntank. "Whatever. Take the goddamn Clefairy, don't need it. I just took it because I was bored."
"What? You stole people's Pokémon for funsies?" Dawn noted.
"Yes, I did it 'for funsies'." Jupiter said with air quotes.
"You need a different hobby." Dawn snarked.
"Wouldn't be nearly as fun. Now, I have to leave. I don't look forward because I gave Mars flag but once she hears of this she is going to get back at me." Jupiter let the Clefairy out of the cage, whom ran towards Dawn and hid behind the girl.
"Who says I'll let you go. You still need to face justice." Dawn said.
"Sure kid, facing justice. I have people behind me that are big names, charges won't stick. Be lucky I don't care enough to beat you up myself as I have more important stuff to do." Jupiter droned.
"You are really a twisted person." Dawn noted.
"Just figuring that out now? Stupid little girl. Yes, I am an unrepentant bitch. I am not nice. I am as you may think in your naïve little kid mind 'a bad guy' and I am proud of that." Jupiter said.
"I can't understand how someone like you exists." Dawn said.
"Keep wondering kid. Now, I'm off. I'll throw you a bone but know that next time I'll grind you in a paste if I see you again, and I will not feel sorry for it. Ciao!" Jupiter said as she struts out.
Dawn wanted to give chase but honestly, Jupiter was older, bigger and stronger and her Pokémon were still weak from fighting her. She had to rely on the intimidate switch since otherwise her team would have been massacred. And returning the Clefairy home would take priority. Dawn never thought that she'd be like Red from Kanto, or May from Hoenn, the heroes having fought the operations of an evil team. But her life was about to get more complex.
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"The person known as Dawn Berlitz has been victorious, like you mentioned." Zeta the PorygonZ said to Cynthia, having tailed Dawn and now reporting.
"Good. I knew she had it in her." Cynthia said.
"I was inside their systems, preventing outside communications from coming in, but I could have done more in the system, I could have retrieved important data…" Zeta said.
"True, but there would be questions about how we obtained the data, and it would not be legal. Even if our suspicions about them are confirmed. I'm too public and watched too closely to act for now, only if there is a guarantee that I can confront them with any less then a 100 percent success rate I won't step in." Cynthia said.
"But Dawn is?" Zeta asked.
"She is not well known enough, the Galactics wouldn't dare admit and…I know she is destined for greatness." Cynthia said.
"How do you know?" Zeta asked.
Cynthia didn't mention the manuscripts she found of Ancient Hisui with a few sketches of a girl that happened to look a lot like Dawn. "I think she reminded me of myself." Cynthia said. "Now, that's enough excitement for today. We can get more ice cream in before we have to return home."
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"Hey Dawn, how are things?" Lucas asked. He saw Dawn sitting at a table near an ice cream shop.
"Oh, the usual. Got my new Gym Badge from Gardenia. I won my second contest Ribbon. Got an Underground Kit and dug up a few neat things, including a fossil. I kicked Team Galactic out of the city and you should try the stracciatella ice cream from this shop, it's divine…" Dawn replied.
"Wait, what?" Lucas asked.
"The ice cream. Really good, you know. Though the strawberry is a close second best…" Dawn replied.
"No, about Team Galactic. Don't drop that on me and move on." Lucas said.
"Oh…yeah, why don't you sit down and I'll tell you." Dawn said. "I think I'm going for seconds. You want something as well."
"May as well try that stracciatella." Lucas said. "Also, I was going to give you the Dowsing App and VS Seeker."
"Huh, neat." Dawn said.
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We see images of Dawn cycling down the Cycling Road with her new bike. A gift for saving the Clefairy of the Bike shop owner. As she and another biker drove down the road, their respective Staravia's were battling mid-air overhead. Pokémon battles on bicycles. What's next? Card games on motorcycles?
We see Dawn, with a miner helmet and a flashlight, guiding Mira out of the caverns. As they were nearly out, a Gible shot out of the ground in front of them and jumped up. Dawn threw a Quick Ball, and quickly acquired the Gible for her own. As they were out, Mira thanked Dawn, and took her Kadabra to teleport home. (Couldn't do it when the Kadabra could barely see where can teleport to, inside the cave).
We see Dawn training with her Pokémon…and the Gible, trying to perfect its Draco Meteor kept hitting Ozzy every single time.
Dawn arrives in Hearthome and joins a cooking class to make better Poffins, which she shares with all her Pokémon afterwards, and they are delighted.
She visits Bebe whom very animatedly started to tell about her computer system, Dawn smiling politely and preventing herself from falling asleep. She nearly has dozed away as she was snapped out of it when the woman shook her hand, thanking her and gave her an Eevee. A baffled Dawn looked at the fuzzy critter in her arms, whom playfully pawed at her hair like a cat with a toy.
Dawn was ready to take on the new challenges in Hearthome. What could go wrong.
"While your performance was pretty, you used too many effects at once and the public couldn't follow it all at the same time. It was too complex. A good show means that everyone should be able to see what is going on. Hence we cannot allow you to go to the next round. Try to perfect the routine and come back for the next Contest."
"Quelle dommage! Your Pokémon were not fast enough to catch up to my Magirêve (1). It seems like you lose this battle, petite fille."
"What is this? Where is the strength you showed before? Was that bluster, dumb luck last time? Where was the power you used to challenge me before. A fluke, I could have known. Do not approach me again unless you can show that power again, don't waste my time."
Dawn didn't know how it happened. In a short order she had botched her Contest, her Gym Battle against Fantina and her battle with Paul. It was the voices of the Contest Judge, the gym leader Fantina and prick of a rival Paul all ringing in her ears.
The images of a shower of stars, sparks, petals, confetti and who know what else, forming a curtain that prevented people from seeing her Pokémon doing every circus act known all at once.
How that Mismagius completely turned the tide after the Drifloon and Haunter went down so easily.
How she failed Kentaro, whom fell to Paul's Electabuzz.
Dawn was sitting on a bench in Amity Square. She had hoped it would ease her thoughts. They didn't. She just stared in front of her. Ozzy and Monferno tried to snap her out but she looked down. Her new Eevee, whom she still needed to think of a nickname for, was resting in her lap but she was uneasy. They weren't mad at her for the losses, they never blamed her. They just wanted their Dawn back.
"Oh, hi Dawn! Nice seeing you here. They say Amity Square makes Pokémon happy. It's a bit boring but can't deny it has beautiful scenery and…whoa, why the long face?" Barry, her old friend had caught up.
"Were they right?" Dawn asked softly.
"Excuse me?" Barry asked.
"Were they right? Zoey? Paul? That I took on too much? That I cannot do it? I can't be both a trainer and a coordinator? That I'm not strong and skilled enough? Ever since I came here I haven't been able to win. No contest, no battle, nothing." Dawn said softly.
"Oh, you're having an off week?" Barry asked.
"I don't have off weeks Barry." Dawn said. "I never lost."
"Because it didn't happen doesn't mean its not possible." Barry said. "It was supposed to happen one day."
"How can you be so calm about this?" Dawn asked.
"Dawn, I am the guy whom loses all the time. I'm not unaware of my flaws. I know I'm impulsive and reckless. And oh boy do I get my butt kicked. At least you knocked out two of Fantina's Pokémon. I didn't manage a single, because my strategy does not lend itself to Ghost types whom are a tricky bunch. I mean they have used every status effect but Freeze on me. I'm the guy whom would keep running into a wall for a bit before realizing there is a door." Barry explained.
"You did actually do that." Dawn noted. "Kindergarten?"
"Oh right." Barry said. "You Dawn, you were always the smarter and stronger one. You were the one whom had to keep me out of problems. You were the girl with the plan. You helped me pass my exams."
"I tied you down and forced you to read the books, hardly a strategy." Dawn pointed out.
"It is what I needed, though." Barry said, as if that hadn't bothered him. "While I am many things. Stubborn, reckless, hyper, I have the attention span of a Pachirisu…oh, look, a Poké-penny!"
"Barry!"
"Right, I have a short attention span…but I also love Pokémon and even when I knew that my mindset would give me trouble, I never let it stop me from doing things I enjoy. I know people won't have faith in me due to how I am, but it doesn't matter. Because they're not me. They don't know what I think or feel." Barry said. "I was defeated by Fantina. It sucks but I have many more chances to try again. Maybe I'll challenge another Leader and try Fantina again later."
"Are you going somewhere with this?" Dawn asked.
"One thing I learned from rushing into things. I keep hitting bumps, some which I can't pass. I grow impatient and go another way. Maybe that's what you need. Take a step back and think of something else." Barry said.
"Barry…did you just give me words of wisdom?" Dawn asked, sounding baffled.
"I know, I'm honestly scared as well." Barry replied. "But point is…Dawn, you are a smart and strong girl. Just because you're not having a good time now, doesn't change the fact that you did win those contests and Gym battles from before. They are proof of something. Fall down ten times, get up eleven times. I should know, I fell down many more times like that."
Dawn was quiet for a moment and chuckled slightly. Kentaro, the Eevee and Ozzy looked relieved. Dawn hadn't laughed in days. "Barry, you may have a fuzzy head, but you have a big heart. Thank you."
"You're welcome. So, you know what to do now?" Barry asked.
"I do…" Dawn said. "I know what to do differently. And I just realized I'm not invincible. I got overconfident. But not anymore. I'll take the bad with the good."
"You serious? Because you don't want a relapse." Barry asked.
"No need to worry." Dawn said as she tipped her hat. "Dawn is back in business!"
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After that, Dawn made a grand return.
She tried the next Hearthome contest. She pulled out her Lopunny, Chibiusa. Chibiusa shot a few Shadow Balls from her mouth, and then an Ice Beam. She froze the Shadow Balls in black crystalline orbs of ice. Then Dawn threw an umbrella at Chibiusa, whom caught it. Both Dawn and Chibiusa then both caught one of the black ice crystals on the umbrellas and did a synchronized routine, balancing and dancing and getting the crowd on their side. Sometimes they pass the crystals up to one another, or one of them balancing both at the time. The finale was with Lopunny jumping on Dawn's umbrella, balancing on the top, while with her own umbrella she balanced the shadow crystals. She threw the crystals up. She jumpep up and shattered them with a high jump kick, creating black and violet sparkles before landing elegantly on Dawn's umbrella. The Crowd cheered.
This time she passed the round. She won the crowd over and she would go on to earn her ribbon. Dawn held it in her hand. That's her third. Two more. But first she would get ahead in getting a few more badges before her next contest. Dawn was now in the changing room, just admiring her collection.
"You did good out there." Zoey had come in the room, and greeted Dawn.
"Zoey, you are back in Hearthome?" Dawn wondered. Zoey had earned the ribbon in the same Contest that she lost.
"I didn't leave." Zoey said. "I stayed and watched from the crowd every day to see if you were to come back. And you did."
"Why wait for me? You could have gone and earned another Ribbon?" Dawn noted.
"Yeah but…I felt like waiting for you." Zoey said.
"You didn't come see me after my loss." Dawn said. She sounded a bit sad. "Even if you were there to tell me 'told you so.'"
"You think I'd do that?" Zoey asked.
"You were the one doubtful if I could be both a trainer and a coordinator. Even if we're on friendly terms, you have a right of opinion and this would make a good point in your favor." Dawn said.
"I'd not be like that. I wouldn't gloat when you lose. I knew you'd bounce back. You think I never lost before myself?" Zoey asked. "You took that loss harder than I thought."
"I did. I know from myself…I know it may sound conceited, but I know I have talent. As a trainer and coordinator. My parents are a skilled trainer and coordinator too. And I wanted to be like them. They never forced expectations on me. In fact, I think I did that myself. But I put in hard work and it felt…easy. For a while. For too long. I may have grown complacent. And losing for the first time in long. It shook me. It's a bit pathetic."
"No one wins at everything." Zoey said. "And I never thought that you were lesser because of a loss, because we all do. And that's how rivals work. One time you win, one time I do."
"I know that now." Dawn said. "I learned from it."
"That sounds good." Zoey said. "Know that I didn't see you after your loss, it was not just because I knew you'd bounce back. I thought it may feel as gloating if I so much as appeared. I thought you'd hate me."
"I can't hate you." Dawn said. She didn't know why she said that. Zoey wasn't unlikeable but feeling that Zoey could never do anything to upset her, like she's special. She was left wondering… "After all we're friends right?"
"Sure." Zoey said. "You did great out there. It was a good show."
"Thanks." Dawn said. "You put up good shows as well. Say…we have only met each other at contests but since we are friends…should we also hang out outside contests? I knew a good ice cream shop but it's all the way in Eterna."
"Yeah, no good ice cream here, but there is a good burger joint. I can take you there. So we can hang out…you know, as friends?" Zoey suggested.
"Oh, er…I like that. I like burgers." Dawn said.
As the two talked, both of their Eevees also got acquainted. Dawn's Eevee pawed affectionately at the other Eevee's tail. Zoey's Eevee pulled it back and looked a bit annoyed at Dawn's Eevee. Dawn's Eevee hung her ears down and gave puppy dog eyes. Zoey's Eevee sighed, gave in and put her tail back in reach for the other Eevee to paw at. She looked a bit annoyed again, but the look faded in a smile. Dawn's Eevee paused pawing at the tail and looked up at Zoey's Eevee, whom just looked away, huffing and blushing under her fur. Dawn's Eevee blinked and instead pawed softly at the other Eevee's ear.
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"Magirêve, Onde Folie (2)!" Fantina ordered. Mismagius shot a ball of light at Brisen the Staravia, taking it. She hadn't been fast enough to dodge. The Mismagius was too fast.
"Brisen, just like we trained. Close your eyes." Dawn said. Brisen did so. The Confuse Ray would make her see things that aren't there, it would distort sounds and sensations. However, with her eyes closed, she saw no illusions. She only needed to clear her ears, determining the real sounds that came from her.
"Onde de Choc!" (3)
"Counter Shield!" Dawn said. The lightning bolt that the Mismagius fired, it was a homing attack, it would not be blocked, or avoided. It always hits the target. The Whirlwind that Staravia shot out, with her eyes still closed, did push the lightning bolt back slightly, but it kept coming back, like a living entity. It would just keep pushing until Staravia could no longer keep the shield up and fry her.
"Now, disappear!" Fantina said. The Mismagius grinned and sank into the ground.
Dawn knew it. Staravia was locked in a stalemate with the Shockwave that tried to push through the Counter Shield and the Mismagius would sneak up. Hitting Brisen, letting her drop her guard and the Shockwave to hit. Clever…But Dawn was too. The Mismagius came from the ground, right behind Staravia, on the inside of the Counter Shield. "Brisen, Wing Attack, backwards!" Brisen stretched out her wings to the max and threw them backwards, sandwiching Mismagius between them. Mismagius screamed out in surprise. The Counter Shield dropped and the Shockwave continued onwards. "Turn around!"
The Mismagius took her own Shock wave, Staravia letting go just in time to avoid being fried. "Clever girl!" Fantina said in surprise.
"Thief!" Dawn ordered as Brisen slammed into Mismagius, grabbed her with one clawed foot, reached another between the robe-like folds to pull out the Sitrus Berry and then threw the Mismagius on the ground. "Brisen, Return! Go, Valerie!"
The Luxio was next. "Onde Folie!" another Confuse Ray was shot out.
"Valerie, close your eyes, trust your senses." Dawn said. Like the Staravia before her, this Luxio also did as was told. Even if she was hit, with no visual mind tricks, it would be easier to shake off the other effects.
"Dissapear!" Fantina said, she had dropped all the joy, and was now sounding serious. It was both a good and a bad sign.
Dawn knew the Mismagius wouldn't reappear from behind this time. And also not so bold as from the front. But where would it appear next. Dawn kept her eyes peeled. She saw the Shadows underneat Valerie growing darker. She knew… "Valerie, step back! Bite!" Valerie jumped back at the right moment where Mismagius popped form the ground, then Valerie jumped forward and grabbed Mismagius in her fangs, right at the throat, in an angle which meant she couldn't aim any more attacks properly.
"Oh non!" Fantina realized she was in a pickle.
"Valerie, Spark!" Valerie was engulfed in electric energy while still holding the Ghostly Pokémon. Then Valerie rammed into a wall with Mismagius head first, slamming her into it. Then into the other wall, the Mismagius once again taking the brunt. Then Valerie jumped up and landed face down, the Mismagius taking the brunt of the impact each time. Valeria dropped Mismagius, the ghostly Pokémon limp, and having been knocked out.
"Mismagius can no longer battle, the winner is Dawn Berlitz!" the referee said.
"Quelle dommage, Fantina." Dawn said with a confident smirk.
"Touché." Fantina admitted. She smiled as she could appreciate how Dawn had learned and become stronger. She'd earn that Badge and TM now.
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"Kentaro! Fire Spin!" Dawn was in another battle with Paul. Kentaro spat a fiery tornado at Electabuzz. However, a green cube-like shield was around the Electabuzz.
"Haven't you learned? The Light Screen is still active. It barely does any…" Paul said as he scoffed at Dawn's strategy.
"Brick Break!" Dawn said. Kentaro sprinted over to Electabuzz, the Monferno trusting his palms forward. The sides of the Light screen broke, the shards in Kentaro's hands being pushed into Electabuzz…whom was slammed into the other wall of the Light Screen behind him, and it was basically him being thrown through two flaming walls.
"Thunderpunch!" Paul barked. The Electabuzz recovered quickly, and slammed his lightning-powered fist into Kentaro. Kentaro dropped on the ground and slid a few meters through the earth. But he got up again. He sparked a bit, but he grabbed a Cheri Berry from his fur and ate it.
"Ok, Kentaro, Dig!" Dawn ordered. Kentaro clawed at the ground, kicking up dirt as he vanished underground.
"Fire a Thunderbolt into the tunnel, blast him out!" Paul said. Electabuzz charged up…
"Kick up some dirt!" Dawn said. Monferno shot out of the ground, but he wasn't close to Electabuzz' vicinity. But as he dug himself out, he held a huge clod of dirt. When Electabuzz fired, it hit the dirt clod instead, doing nothing. Monferno then threw it at Electabuzz, as It shattered upon impact, covering Electabuzz in earthly dust and making him cough.
"Mach Punch!" Dawn said. Monferno closed the gap rapidly thanks to the speed boost Mach Punch gave him and then punched Electabuzz in the stomach. "Mach Punch! Mach Punch! Mach Punch!" Dawn said as she made boxing motion with her arms, and Monferno kept pelting Electabuzz.
"For goodness sake, Electabuzz, throw back a punch!" Paul said, whom knew he was losing control of the fight. Electabuzz was pummeled so fast he couldn't focus on throwing a counter attack and the earth covering his fur meant he also couldn't create enough static for a strong electric attack.
"Once more, with gusto. Make it an upper!" Dawn said as she thrusted her fist upwards. Infernape also made his last Mach Punch an uppercut. It hit Electabuzz's chin, making the Pokémon shoot upwards, flinging him ten feet across the field and at Paul's feet, unconscious.
"Electabuzz can no longer battle." Barry said. "Which means, you got your ass kicked, bro!" Barry pointed at Paul with a smug grin.
"Shut the f*** up!" Paul bit back as he recalled Electabuzz. He then turned to Dawn. "So…You have regained that strength you had…even more. Thought after that recent loss, that was it."
"Oh no, it takes more then that to keep me down. In one way I'm like you, Paul. I don't like losing. But I have accepted it is inevitable. We can't always win. In fact…you can't learn anything if you keep winning. I learned more from my loss then I did my victories." Dawn pats Kentaro on the head, whom was pleased with his victory and his master's affection. "When you had Kentaro, you couldn't make him win. Because you didn't learn a thing. I did and brought out something greater, stronger in him."
Paul's nasty look (his standard expression) didn't change, but there was a brief flicker in his eyes as he realized something. Dawn continued: "Paul, you are a strong trainer. But you try way too hard to prove yourself. You are focused on winning when forgetting Pokémon Battles are supposed to be fun too. Sure it has to be taken seriously, but it can be enjoyable too. If not…then it is nothing more then a chore. So…lighten up, will ya?"
Paul grabbed his backpack and put it on his back. He turned around and left. He spoke up one more time. "Well fought. Don't waiver again."
"No need to worry. I won't." Dawn said.
With that Paul walked away. Barry gave him an annoyed look. "Whoa, for his doing that was almost polite. But Dawn, you kicked so much butt out there. The Contest, Fantina, Paul…you are on fire, girl!"
"I am. And it's thanks to you, Barry. Again, thank you. You're a good friend." Dawn said.
"Anytime. You're a good friend too, Dawn…" Barry said with a soft smile. "Race you to Solaceon. Last one there's a rotten Exeggcute!"
"Oh Barry!" Dawn rolled her eyes, but she smiled. She had ups and downs, but she felt that now things are going well. She is ready to take on the world once more.
TO BE CONTINUED
(1) Mismagius' French name. And Fantina speaks with a French accent so…
(2) Confuse Ray in French.
(3) Shock Wave!
NOTES
Well, this arc may turn out longer then expected. Even if I want to make a mini arc detailing Dawn's journey it may be a few extra chapters.
Took a while, with my Shards of the Grid hitting inspiration following Cosmic Fury. Thinking of cool fights and routines for the contest is also not easy but I was up to the challenge.
First,Cynthia. I had fun writing her as a trickster mentor. Also a good reason for not interfering herself. Public image, but thanks to her stealthy PoryZ, she always had her back. Dawn just didn't need it.
Dawn's journey has been going too easy at first, but not in this chapter. So she had to learn to take a few step backs and try again.
And showing why I think Barry is an important foil to Dawn. Dawn is the brains, Barry's the heart.
And Paul is the guy with the eternal resting bitch face XD
Yes, like their trainers, Dawn and Zoey's Eevees are also attracted to each other.
