Chapter 41
We finally arrive in Anistar City, and the Grand Festival is a week before the Pokemon Showcases, and that's when we meet up with Tierno, Shauna, and Calem again.
"Tierno, you get 5 ribbons, too?" I ask and he says, "You bet, we've been practicing our rhythmic battle routines ever since. I'm ready to show everyone my dance moves and win this whole competition!"
Calem says, "We're here to cheer Tierno on, but since you're also here, may the best winner win the match."
Then we also meet up with Zoey, who also has 5 ribbons, and she says, "This time I'm going to win against you and get my Ribbon Cup for Kalos."
"We'll see about that." I say with a smile.
The Grand Festival begins as the announcer announces the judges, except the original 3 judges, Valerie comes as the special guest. I was sad when Alice and her sisters aren't here because they were at Snowbelle City.
I say, "Valerie, huh?"
Tierno says, "Her Pokemon is strong, it took me 2 times to beat her. I guess you beat her easily?"
"It is not that easy, it's just that my Dad has been friends with her even before we were born, so I have known her since childhood."
"Wow..." Zoey says, "You really do know a lot of Top Coordinators."
In the performance round, I use Houndoom and Manectric. They keep running and jumping, using Electric Terrain and Sunny Day as the background, and then finishing off by making a Fire and Electric combo. Causing everyone to cheer. Tierno uses Hitmontop and Ludicolo to make a new dance, the whole dance style does give some inspiration to Serena and Shauna for their performances. Zoey uses Aromatisse and Glameow to create a sweet scent captivating performance. All of them pass the first found and now we're doing our best for the battle rounds.
"Since you're here, I wonder why Trevor wasn't with you guys?" When David asks.
Calem says, "The fact it, the plan was he was supposed to come with us, but he found another Pokemon that's not in his photo collection yet, so he's been chasing it around."
"That's Trevor alright. Though we did meet up with him back in Frost Cavern and stop Team Flare together." Clemont says.
"You met Team Flare again after that?" Shauna asks.
"Yeah, they try to capture the Abomasnow using the Poke Balls stolen from the factory." I sigh.
And after some chatting, we also go through the Battle Rounds in the upcoming days. And now it is time for me to face Tierno for the Top 2 spot against Zoey.
"Let's see how you deal with this! Blastoise, Raichu!" Tierno goes for the two Pokemon, and I say, "If that's the case, I'll choose these two. Pikachu, Eevee!"
The battle at first is not a great match on my side, but when it's under 2 minutes, Pikachu and Eevee are now dancing to the extent that Blastoise and Raichu can't keep up and now they're distracted. And in the end, it's my victory.
"I've lost, but that is a nice battle you have there." Tierno says.
"Thanks. Eevee really likes to dance and thanks for being her dancing opponent." I say.
And for the final round, the announcer says, "Folks now here is the finals, we have Ash Ketchum and Zoey on the opposite sides of the battlefield, who will win the Ribbon Cup? It will be found out in the 5 minutes!"
I decide to go with Diancie and Carbink, while Zoey goes for Leafeon and Gallade. Calem says, "That Diancie is a Mythical Pokemon!"
"Yeah, it is also a princess too." Bonnie says.
Zoey says, "I see you're bringing your big guns, but don't think that will give you the win."
"What is a big gun?" Diancie asks me, and I say, "Don't worry about that, she means you're tough."
Diancie is a little shy in front of the crowd, and that causes Zoey's Leafeon and Gallade to keep reducing our points. Carbink has been the guard for Diancie, and he also hopes that Diancie can do something. In the end, Diancie manages to use a perfect Diamond Storm that reduces the scores, and with the other Fairy moves powering up, the time is now up.
"There we have it! The winner of the Kalos Grand Festival is Ash Ketchum!" I am surprised at my victory since it is really close. I hug my two Pokemon and cheer. Zoey also comes and says, "Congratulations, Ash. Looks like I still lost..."
"But thank you for a great battle." I say.
And now Valerie is the one who gives me the cup, and she says, "Well done, Ash. Alice is right about you being a Contest Master. You really amazed me."
"Thanks." I say.
With the Grand Festival over, Zoey decides to return to Sinnoh since Candice is going to prepare another party for her, and then we also prepare for Serena and Shauna's performances.
When the time comes, we watch the performance, and the theme around this time is the quiz, declaring that a Performer needs to possess both beauty and intelligence. The Performers' Pokémon will race against each other to earn their Performers the right to answer questions asked of them, and the Performer who answers three questions correctly first will move on.
"Wow, this will be tough…" Elline says.
"But Serena should be fine. Considering she has a bunch of Pokemon with us." I say.
When Serena is on the stage, we recognize Nini, who is the one who wants to trade Pancham with Smoochum. In this round, the first question asks about Eevee's Fairy-type evolution. Serena has Malamar use Night Slash to get the rock to answer, but Malamar tries and the ball falls. It's a good thing that Nini gets the answer wrong, so that Serena steals the answer and now wins. In the following questions, Serena obtains two more correct answers and Nini obtains one, which makes Serena the Performer to move on to the Freestyle Performance.
Separately, Shauna's Ivysaur helps Shauna qualify by being the fastest to load a basket of Berries, allowing her to answer her final question correctly and move on.
In the Freestyle Performance, Shauna goes first, with her Flabébé scattering Fairy Wind around and Ivysaur using Vine Whip to suspend Shauna in mid-air, so she floats beautifully through the sparkling mist.
Serena begins by having Delphox and Lucario leap away from each other, with Delphox releasing fire from its branch and Lucario beating the fire away with Bone Rush, dispersing it as sparkles. The three of them begin dancing in the same style as Eevee's dance when we first meet her. In the audience, we begin swaying with Serena's groove, excited by her performance. Lucario eventually uses Stone Edge on the floor, summoning rock pillars for Delphox to dance off before it finally uses Fire Blast, launching a fire formation that explodes and sends glittering sparkles all over the audience. The theater cheers wildly for Serena while Eevee watches, awestruck.
"Now our competitors are finished, please give your votes!" Pierre says.
As the results appears, Pierre says, "The winner of the Showcase is Performer Serena!"
Serena is awarded with the Anistar Princess Key, much to her delight. Shauna congratulates Serena in the end.
Outside, Serena and Shauna regroup with the others, Serena says, "Eevee, thank you for teaching us the dance, it really helps a lot." Eevee just yelps back at Serena.
In the Pokémon Center, Serena and Shauna note that they both only need one more Princess Key to qualify for the Master Class. Serena points out that my Gym battle is next, for which I'm pumped. Tierno suddenly rushes in, informing Shauna that Trevor lost track of his belongings while taking pictures again, which the group points out is typical for Trevor. Tierno and Shauna decide to regroup with Trevor, saying their goodbyes to us.
"So Calem, what about you?" I ask.
"I might as well watch it. Besides, there is someone who is supposed to meet." Calem says.
"You there!" We turn to find Sina, and Calem says, "There you are, Sina."
"What are you doing here?" David asks.
"I came in place of Dexio to tell you something. There's a person here in Anistar City who knows about the Legendary Pokémon." Before she leaves, she says, "Oh, I almost forgot! I brought you some gifts! Put them to good use!"
She gives us the Repeat Balls, and she says, "Repeat Balls make it easier to catch kinds of Pokémon that you've caught before! Even though they're the same species, the strengths and Natures of individual Pokémon can be really different."
After she leaves, we go to the person, and he gives us two stories about Xerneas and Yveltal.
"It happened around 800 years ago. The Pokémon known as Xerneas used its shining horns to illuminate the lands of Kalos. At that very moment, people and Pokémon throughout the land felt great energy and vitality surge through their bodies. At the same time, a vast forest sprang up, with Xerneas at its center. Legend has it that, when it nears the end of its thousand-year lifespan, Xerneas releases all of its remaining energy, sharing it with all living things nearby. There's another story I know that talks of the appearance of just such a fortuitous Pokémon. Back 3,000 years ago, the Kalos region was engulfed in a terrible war. So the tale goes, a Pokémon came to the rescue of all the wounded Pokémon that had been caught up in the conflict. Some people suspect the Pokémon that appeared was Xerneas, but there's no way to know. Maybe they just wished a Legendary Pokémon had come to the rescue to brighten a tale of woe. Supposedly, after Xerneas had released its remaining energy, it transformed into a dried-up tree. It remains in hiding deep within the forest. According to old tales, as I say. Stories and tales."
"It happened around 800 years ago. The Pokémon known as Yveltal spread its ominous wings, engulfing the lands of Kalos in darkness. At that moment, people and Pokémon throughout the land began to fall one by one. Yveltal let out a piercing cry and took to the sky, vanishing to an unknown location. Stories say that when it nears the end of its thousand-year life span, Yveltal absorbs the life force of the living things around it in order to charge its own energy. Another tale talks of the appearance of just such a terrifying Pokémon. Back 3,000 years ago, the Kalos region was engulfed in a terrible war. According to the stories, a Pokémon appeared and stole the life force of countless living beings. Some people suspect the Pokémon that appeared was Yveltal, but there's no way to know. Maybe they're just using a Legendary Pokémon as a metaphor for war and pestilence. In the tales, after Yveltal finished storing the energy it had absorbed, it transformed into a kind of cocoon, remaining in hiding deep in the mountains. According to old tales, as I say. Tales and stories."
"So what do you think? Considering you have the Yveltal." Calem says.
"Well, when Yveltal uses Oblivion Wing, it turns people and Pokemon into stone, I have to guess that they are still alive inside, only that we destroy the stones which means killing them..." I say.
"Well we can worry about that, since we're facing Olympia, have you prepared what Pokemon you're going to use?" Serena asks.
"Those two are a must considering that she specializes in Psychic Type." I say while saying to Zoroark and Absol who are ready to battle.
"Then how about we go there right now?" As we try to head to the gym, we find Professor Sycamore, Sina, and Dexio being attacked.
"Professor! What happened?" I ask. Then we see that a Psychic is the one attacking, and I decide to use Frogadier to attack Pikachu, but just after we defeat her Pokemon, she yells, "Just leave immediately!"
But then, her Pokeball floats into the air, and we're surprised to see Olympia floating in the air with two Meowstics. "Stand down now, Carrie." Olympia says as the girl named Carrie flinches.
It is then our friend Daniel arrives, and he says, "Do you have any idea what you just did, Carrie?"
"It's Daniel..." Serena mutters.
"The purpose of our appearance is to admonish Carrie for her actions." Olympia says.
"I was only trying to protect Anistar-" "Silence, Carrie." "Yes, ma'am!"
Daniel sighs, "This has become a bad habit of yours, Carrie! Acting on what you think Lady Olympia's vision of the future means! How many times has this happened?"
"Right. I'm so sorry for everything..." Carrie mutters.
"Daniel, what is going on here?" I decide to ask, and Daniel says, "Long time no see, Ash. It's been a while since Sinnoh. We ask that you graciously forgive Carrie for her actions."
Clemont asks, "So a friend of yours?"
"He's Daniel. He's training under Olympia. And we've traveled together in the Sinnoh Region." I say.
After the apology, Professor Sycamore says, "What was this future referred to?"
"We saw a vision of it. I saw two disasters approaching soon. And your fates are all connected to those threats." Olympia says.
"Carrie thought you were enemies of Kalos based on Lady Olympia's premonition." Daniel frowns.
But when Olympia seees Frogadier, she gasps, "There it is! I see it! Your future!"
She means Frogadier... so there is something related to it... Once we go to the gym, Daniel also mentions that Olympia's vision has been the reason why Kalos is actually safe from the incidents from before, even in Dahara City.
Then Daniel says, "Lady Olympia says that you will be trapped within the vortexes of these threats."
"It appears the vision that I perceived earlier concerns the future of you and your Frogadier." Olympia says, "The vision shows me that your Frogadier is a Pokemon with a curious fate. That is clear from seeing its past and future."
We are confused at what she means, but she says that my Frogaider is a Pokemon with no other, and then she shows us what she saw.
When we see Froakie's egg, we learn that we have no knowledge of what Frogadier's past was like, even Professor Sycamore has no idea. Olympia reveals that shortly after hatching, Froakie was taken away from his home by people in red suits, we gasp in horror when we see how he's injected with some sort of serum.
"Team Flare... does that mean the Froakie was experimented by Team Flare?" Serena gasps.
After Froakie escaped and returned to its homeland, it trained hard by itself and refused to associate with the other Froakie, being completely focused on becoming stronger. This brought it into conflict with the other Froakie and it became injured in the process, necessitating Nurse Joy to help it recover. From its interactions with Nurse Joy, Froakie realized that it needed to team up with a Pokémon Trainer to become even stronger. However, since it was already used to training by itself, it held high standards for the Trainers that chose it as a partner and rejected all of them as being not strong enough.
"When you're a new Trainer, not everything goes as smoothly as you would like. And everyone hesitates when experiencing something new. However, what this Froakie was yearning for was something much deeper. I have a word for that. The word is Love."
"Love..." I mutter as I remember the times with Froakie.
"But I'm still curious about that Team Flare vision... they seem to have put a serum in Frogadier's body... if that's what makes Frogadier turn into a shiny Pokemon... what are they achieving?" Clemont asks.
"I also want to know about that." Elline says.
Then Professor Sycamore asks about Frogadier's future, and she says that its power will become greater and greater, even after becoming a Greninja. It will reach new heights that no one has ever seen before, and the three of us will reach new heights.
"Does that mean Mega Evolution?" Calem asks.
"No one has yet seen a Greninja Mega Evolve..." Sycamore says.
Then Serena and I pet Frogadier. "Then let's go. The future's out there just waiting for us! But first, I need to win my seventh gym badge! So Olympia, I'd like to have a gym battle with you right now!"
"That's right. However, you must go through the usual procedures. Please start from outside the gym."
I know what she means, that means I have to go through the puzzle and battle some gym trainers. So after we start at the beginning, I find the gym guide, "What do you know, daddy-o? Here you are, future Champ! Bwaha! This place is a maze inside of a ball! Try gettin' your head 'round that one, right? Even if you find your way around, you'll have to watch out for all those Psychic types! They've got some crazy powers, am I right? But don't give up, and you'll find your way!"
Then we go into the space area, and I start to walk on the blue maze. The first gym trainer is Psychic Paschal. "Don't be distracted by your surroundings. Focus on unleashing your true power."
He uses an Exeggutor, so I use Scizor to battle and defeat it with the X-Scissor. "Yes! When you remain calm and undistracted, your Pokemon can realize their full potential."
As I continue, I press the yellow switch and now I'm teleported to the green part, with another switch I'm back at blue, then green again, then blue again... this is really a little annoying. The second gym trainer is Psychic Harry. "You can go anywhere as long as you never give up!"
He uses a Medicham, so I go with Banette, using the Will-o-Wisp and Hex combo to finish him off. "There may not be anyone who can stand in the way of you and your Pokemon!"
And we continue to get to the green part, which finally goes to the purple area. The third gym trainer is Psychic Arthur. "I had a vision that the battle we are about to have will be different from all previous battles!"
He uses Reuniclus, so I go with Zoroark, using the Night Daze to finish him off. "You and your Pokemon look like you know how to share your burdens with one another."
The fourth gym trainer is Hex Maniac Arachna, who is actually on the green part. She says, "Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist!"
She uses a Jynx and I go with Frogadier, using the Night Slash and Aerial Ace to defeat it. "I didn't cheer hard enough for my Pokemon... That's right - cheering is a kind of unseen power!"
The final gym trainer is Hex Maniac Melaine, also on the green part, and she says, "This Gym exists only by absorbing the power of the cosmos!" Then she uses a Gardevoir, so I use Aegislash to battle, with the King's Shield helping me block the moves, and Gardevoir is defeated by Iron Head. "Hmm? What's the source of your power?!"
We finally arrive at the battlefield, and Olympia says, "Keep an eye on the past as you decide who you will be in the future. Remember this as we battle."
"I see." It is also a four-on-four, but this time the format is a Double Battle, and she goes for Sigilyph and Slowking first. I say, "Zoroark, Absol! I choose you!"
Zoroak tries to disguise himself as Absol as he enters the field, but we know that Zoroark can't use Absol's movesets. The battle begins with Sigilyph using Miracle Eye, trying to make Zoroark and Absol vulnerable to Psychic moves.
"This is bad... the Miracle Eye..." Serena frowns.
"It sure is a key if she wants to defeat the Dark Type Pokemon..." Calem says.
Sigilyph unleashes a Psybeam, aiming for Zoroark, but the illusionary fox dodges effortlessly. Slowking, however, is not so fortunate, taking the full force of Absol's Night Slash.
"Sigilyph, use Air Cutter!" Sigilyph retaliates with a powerful Air Cutter, targeting both Zoroark and Absol. The gust of wind slices through the air, but Zoroark cleverly uses its illusion to avoid the brunt of the attack. Absol, ever agile, gracefully evades the cutting currents. In response, Slowking conjured a Psychic surge, targeting Zoroark. However, Zoroark just takes the attack.
"Foul Play!" I say as Zoroark unleashes on Slowking, exploiting its own opponent's strength against it. Absol, sensing an opportunity, lunges forward with a swift Iron Tail, striking Sigilyph with precision. Sigilyph retaliates with a dazzling Cosmic Power, bolstering its defenses. Slowking, recovering from the Foul Play, unleashes a scalding torrent of Water Pulse towards Zoroark. However, Zoroark, with a swift agility, dodges the attack. Absol, capitalizing on the distraction, lands a critical hit with a Night Slash on Sigilyph, breaking through its enhanced defenses.
"Let's wrap this up! Dark Pulse!" Both Pokemon use the move at the same time and knock out both Pokemon in the end. After they're defeated Olympia says, "You'll be battling these Meowstic next!"
Then she sends out both male and female Meowstic, and they go for Future Sight, which I know is Olympia's strategy. I try to do as much damage as I can, but both Meowstic dodge the two Dark Types' attacks and are knocked out by the double Future Sight.
"No way..." Bonnie says.
"I'm sure she'd be a tough opponent for any challenger." Professor Sycamore says. "Her Meowstic just proved that."
"Ash can handle it, no doubt." Serena says. "He always has! He's constantly looking ahead. Ash will find a way."
"Of course he will!" Clemont says.
I decide to go with Frogadier and Trevenant. The Male Meowstic is using Helping Hand again for the Female Meowstic's Future Sight.
"Frogadier! Aerial Ace! Trevenant! Shadow Claw!" I command, but the two Meowstic dodge using their psychic powers. The Meowstic then fly through the air with these psychic powers, and I decide to watch their movements carefully.
"Trevenant! use Horn Leech on the male, Frogadier, use Water Pulse on the female!" I say.
The male Meowstic then uses Light Screen, which defends both Meowstic from the attacks and then the female Meowstic attacks Trevenant with Dark Pulse, causing it to fall.
"That's marvelous! Any damage will be reduced by Light Screen." Frogadier manages to catch Trevenant, and we stare at the two Psychic type Pokemon.
Professor Sycamore says, "The male's ability is Prankster. The male can use a support move like Light Screen before his opponent attacks. That means it can protect the female Meowstic before Ash can even make his move."
Then both Meowstic go for Psyshock, and our Pokemon can't dodge the attacks. "The female's ability must be Keen Eye." Calem says. "That ability makes it extremely difficult for an opponent to dodge."
At the same time, the Future Sight hits them with perfect timing. I know what to do, "Pikachu, I want to try something. I want you to help me calculate the time."
Olympia says, "Good. Do what you can. This will be your test."
"I'm all ready. I'll pass your test." I say as my two Pokemon get back up. "We're going to combine some moves now! Trevenant! Phantom Force! Frogadier, Double Team, go!"
"It won't work." Then Meowstic counter with Helping Hand and Dark Pulse destroys all the false Double Team images and forms smoke in the air. Frogadier then uses Cut, and the female Meowstic uses Dark Pulse, but Trevenant appears from the shadows and attack the female Meowstic. Olympia commands the Meowstic to use Thunder Wave against Trevenant, but it instead hits Frogadier who protects Trevenant. Frogadier falls to the ground, paralyzed.
"Use Helping Hand and Future Sight!" The same move again... but this time Pikachu starts to count the time.
The two Meowstic then use Psyshock, and Trevenant retaliates with Wood Hammer, deflecting the Psyshock with its branches. However, the deflected Psyshock still manages to curve back towards Trevenant but Frogadier blocks these in time by using Water Pulse. Trevenant then hits the male Meowstic with the Wood Hammer.
"Light's Screen's not able to defend against Physical attacks. That was a marvelous idea!" Professor Sycamore says.
"Classic Ash's strategy, offense is the best defense." Elline says.
I command Frogadier to use Aerial Ace, but Frogadier's paralysis stops it. The female Meowstic uses this opening to attack with Dark Pulse. Frogadier flies through the air and Trevenant catches it. However, Future Sight hits them in mid-air; Pikachu notes how long it took for the attack to take place.
"Pikachu, remember the time?" I ask.
"Of course." Pikachu says to me as we begin our counterattack.
Olympia tries to go with the Helping Hand and Future Sight strategy once more, and Pikachu starts to count.
"What are they actually doing?" Calem is confused.
The female Meowstic uses Dark Pulse while the male Meowstic uses Psyshock, and I command Trevenant to grab Frogadier as they dodge the moves. The moves are continuing to chase after the two as they try to dodge, and I say, "Trevenant! Now Phantom Force!"
Just then, Trevenant takes Frogadier as they disappear in front of Meowstic, which causes them to attack Meowstic instead.
"Now grab hold of the Meowstic!" They come out of the shadows at the same time as Pikachu warns me the Future Sight is coming.
"Heads up, you two! Here it comes! That Future Sight is ours!" Trevenant and Frogadier throw the Meowstic into the Future Sight attack, which throws them down to the ground.
"So Ash's plan was to hit the Meowstic with its own Future Sight all long." Daniel says.
"Well done. That timing. That's what I'm looking for." Olympia says.
Olympia then commands the two Meowstic to use Psyshock, and I command Frogadier to use Cut. However, Frogadier stays paralyzed and Trevenant gives Frogadier a lift before the attacks can land. The Meowstic then again uses Helping Hand and Dark Pulse, but Trevenant begins to retaliate with Shadow Claw. The incoming Psyshock and Dark Pulse attacks hit both Pokemon, however, Trevenant goes through both attacks and speeds towards the Meowstic and hits the female Meowstic with Shadow Claw.
Frogadier's Cut narrowly misses the male Meowstic and I command Frogadier to use Water Pulse. Frogadier begins to form the move but becomes paralyzed again. The male Meowstic uses this opening to attack using Psyshock. However, Frogadier defends itself using the Water Pulse still remaining in its hands to divert the move. The Water Pulse then begins to grow until Frogadier launches the move at the Meowstic, knocking them all out.
"Thank you so much, Olympia." I say after we cheer our victory.
"Young man, during our battle, you truly were one with your Pokemon. And I could sense those strong bonds with all your Pokemon. That's love, the true power of love. Create your own path. Let nothing get in your way. Your fate, your future." Olympia comments.
Sycamore says, "So during the battle, were you able to decipher any of Frogadier's future?"
"Yes, I perceived great love during its final move, I believe that you and Frogadier will reach even greater heights together. One thing about this love! If the two of you do not go forward with sincere purpose then great danger awaits you both. So please, do not lose sight of your dream. Now, the Psychic Badge. A testament to your skill. Proof of your power."
After I get the badge, she says, "A symbol of trust. Lv. 90 or below... Pokémon obey."
After that's done, we decide to head outside while Professor Sycamore decides to talk with Olympia more.
Here is a new chapter, and we're done with the seventh gym. The next one will start the XY&Z Chapters.
Ash and Serena's Pokemon:
Venusaur, Charizard x2, Blastoise, Pikachu x2, Alakazam, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Pinsir, Gyarados (Shiny), Eevee, Aerodactyl, Ampharos, Scizor, Heracross, Houndoom, Tyranitar, Gardevoir (Shiny), Mawile, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Banette, Absol, Garchomp, Lucario, Samurott, Audino, Zoroark, Hydreigon, Chesnaught, Delphox, Frogadier (Shiny), Diggersby, Talonflame, Vivillon x20, Pyroar, Florges (Rainbow), Gogoat, Pangoro, Furfrou, Meowstic x2, Aegislash, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Malamar, Barbaracle, Skrelp, Clawitzer, Heliolisk, Tyrantrum, Aurorus (Shiny), Hawlucha, Dedenne, Carbink, Goodra, Klefki, Trevenant, Gourgeist, Avalugg, Yveltal, Diancie, Hoopa