GT: *dressed up in winter exploration gear* Folks, we apologize for our attire being out of place for the events of the chapter, but the Crown Tundra released...and goddamn do I now have mixed feelings about the main Legendary here. I mean, that's a huge ass head! It's like its brain has swelled up and…*gets a pile of snow dropped on me by a recently caught Suicune* ...Crystal…
SZ: *plops down a bag full of Pokeballs and items*I am enjoying the Crown Tundra!
GT: Z0 isn't here yet to add in his two cents, meaning it'll probably be in the outro on how he's handling it.
SZ: Eeyup, so...we own nothing aside from original content.
GT: Now prepare yourselves for insane women with massive sales going around just for them! *ducks back into the snow pile*
SZ: *dives into the cave just as a crowd of women came charging through*
Z0: *standing atop a mountain watching the insanity* I wonder how long till they learn I pillaged this place of every Legendary...
Entry 046: Heya. Mai Natsume here to catch you up on what's happened. Rather than going to Cinnabar Island, we ended up in Cinnamon Town...so we made the best of it to rest and restock...and good timing. We felt the eggs I and Tsubaki were taking care of were close to hatching and we speculated a bit on what my egg would hatch into. Have to admit that I was a bit excited along with everyone in my team.
However it seems a certain trio overheard us and attempted to trick us out of our Eggs just as we were leaving the Pokemon Center...Thank Arceus Makoto took notice of who it was underneath those disguises. But...they managed to get away with the eggs anyway thanks to throwing fake eggs around and knocking ours out of our hands. I think I still have soot in my hair from one of the booby trap eggs. Soren and Raiden worked together to find Team Rocket before us and then we had Gengar, Yuki, Horsea, Geodude, Houdini, and Izayoi work together to scare Team Rocket so bad they passed out long enough for us to reclaim the eggs and they hatched. ...But my egg was facing the wrong way and Misty ended up being the first one to see the newly hatched Togepi's eyes. I'm sad, I'll admit it. But I also know that I have a full party meaning I'd have to send someone else to Professor Oak and I honestly couldn't. Still...least I know Togepi will be in good hands.
As for Tsubaki...I think she imprinted on her new Dratini as well as she resisted the urge to squeal...though I bet she gave a mental one when she gave her a hug after she hatched. Another thing we learned is that Vale-her Dratini-had something called Pokerus, which is supposed to be a beneficial virus that helps make the Pokemon stronger and that it can spread quickly to other Pokemon, even if they're in Eggs. A beneficial virus...huh... Guess that will help make training easier.
Team Rocket tried one more time to swipe Vale and Togepi, but we threw them off with disguises and fake names and accents. Last I heard before we left, Meowth was restrained and those two were going to get tested for-I think-rabies. We have a few days left before the old man's Abra is fully rested and able to get us to Cinnabar, so we're going to spend it in the small city a day away for this Princess Festival. Speaking of said Festival..I think Misty's enjoying it the most because...well the boys…
"Mmm~ So good!" Misty beamed a bit, currently munching away at a parifat as she had various fancy desserts around her.
"You sure you can eat all that, Misty?" Ash asked as he and Brock only had a simple cup of juice with the other girls sitting nearby.
"Of course! Girls eat for free in the Princess Festival afterall."
"Wait...we can eat for free?" Makoto asked.
"Makoto, no," Tsubaki frowned.
"But...it's free~!" Makoto whined.
"Chipa/Emol/Flar/Bee/Bun~!" Berry, Cherry, Booster, Needles, and Honey added.
"If we let Makoto eat for free, no one else will get to eat for free because she is a bottomless pit," Tsubaki deadpanned.
"I am not. There's a bottom and it just takes a while to fill."
"And that's why we are banned from four to five all-you-can-eat buffets back home," Kajun countered.
"Mmm…" Makoto pouted.
"Misty, how many plates can you normally eat at a buffet?" Tsubaki asked.
"Um...Four plus five bowls of ice cream," Misty replied.
"That's your limit, Makoto," Tsubaki stated before tensing when just a dust cloud of Makoto and her Pokemon stood in their place, giving a small wave before fading.
"Oh dear...she's gonna find a loophole around that," Noel whispered, currently brushing Yuki's fur.
"You never said how big the plate…" Mai realized.
"I don't think we need to worry," Kajun noted as she looked at a sign set up nearby reading 'Medium-sized plates only for the all-you-can-eat for the Princess Festival.'
"Oh thank Arceus," Tsubaki sighed in relief.
"Excuse me, miss!"
"Hmm?" Ash, Pikachu and the girls blinked as they turned to see Brock talking to a waitress.
"Would you allow me to be your prince on this princess day?" Brock asked in a suave manner.
"Oh that's so cute," she giggled as she walked off, "When you grow up big and strong, you'll meet a nice girl."
"GAH!" Brock gawked at that before shooting back to the table and began to wolf down on the food Misty had yet to eat.
"Hey!" Misty growled before Mai put a hand on her shoulder.
"Calm down, Misty. That's all cold stuff meaning he'll get it in the end in three...two…" Mai counted down before Brock froze up and grabbed his head in pain, "Ice Cream headache reached."
"And it seems your methods of trying to find a girlfriend at this time are much too childish for them, Brock," Kajun added.
"Ow…" Brock winced.
"And I am back!"
"Good. L-I SAID 4!" Tsubaki exclaimed as she saw Makoto walking over...carrying five trays with four plates on them.
"What? The others are for you," Makoto argued, "I told them I'd like to pick up some plates for my friends, so they let me."
"...They just let you?" Tsubaki repeated with a raised brow.
"Yup."
"..."
"...Oh don't give me that," Makoto huffed, "I got them legit."
"...Noel, check."
"Right..." Noel looked as she looked at the current employee at the desk for the all-you-can-eat...who was getting hit by a paperfan held by the female manager, "She lies."
"...Hikari, Koko," Kajun said before the trays were pulled from Makoto by Psychic.
"Hey!"
*WHAP!*
"Bad, Makoto," Tsubaki scolded, bopping her paper fan in her open palm as the trays were settled down before the others with just four plates at Makoto's seat, "But thank you anyway."
"Mmm…" Makoto mummered, rubbing the bump on her head a bit, "Least you like it…"
"Oh! Look!" Misty gasped as she pointed at a nearby billboard.
"What about t?" Ash asked in a confused tone, "It's just some dumb actor for a movie being promoted."
"Nonono. The one next to it," Misty corrected as she pointed at the billboard next to the other one, "There's a big 75-90% off sale going on right now at one of the clothing stores."
"Sale?!" Noel gasped.
'Even though I'm a girl...I still don't get why they get so excited over clothes shopping,' Mai sweatdropped.
"Why do I have a sudden feel of dread?" Ash asked as the girls-minus Mai- slowly looked at him, Pikachu, and Brock.
"...Terra, I think you're going to have heavy stuff to carry," Mai sighed.
"Shrew!" Terra cheered, stars in his eyes.
"Lu-lu-rio-lucar…" Luca mumbled, shutting off his telepathy to not let the girls pick up that he was reading a dark aura coming off them.
"Pika…" Pikachu gulped.
"Jessie...this is boring~!" James complained as Team Rocket are currently in the park with two very big bags near them, "I hate this silly Princess Festival!"
"Oh quit complaining,"Jessie huffed, "You don't think I'm doing this shopping just for me, do you?"
"...I feel that's a trick question."
"...Ugh. I bought some money for the boss and his daughters so they don't get angry with us for not catching any rare Pokemon," Jessie explained.
"And you think that'll work?" James asked.
"Maybe if she found a half-priced Pikachu," Meowth snorted.
"Licki~"
"Hmm?" the trio blinked as they turned, seeing a rather pink and pudgy looking Pokemon waddle over with a large tongue and a held up tail that bent down near the end.
"...What is that?" Jessie asked.
"...Tongue~!" the Pokemon said as it opened its mouth, letting its long tongue extend out and reach into one of the bags, pulling out some food as it brought it back into its mouth.
"What the?! Hey! That's not yours!" Jessie snapped as the Pokemon continued to eat the food out of their bag.
"Dat's one hungry Lickitung!" Meowth gawked.
"Lickitung?" Jessie repeated as James looked at a deck of cards.
"Yes. It's the Licking Pokemon," James read from the card, "Its tongue is over two meters long and remembers things by their texture and taste, although it apparently dislikes sour things."
"Yes, but why is i-" Jessie began before she noticed Licktongue digging up some clothes before it began to eat them, "NO! THOSE ARE A GIFT TO THE BOSS!"
"...Bleck!" Lickitongue gagged as it spat the clothes out, covered in its saliva, "Tongue Tongue Licki~!"
"Ooh...You'll need to wash those. Lickitung saliva causes rashes on humans," James cringed.
"No! Those were genuine copies of genuine designer fakes~!" Jessie cried before growling, "I'll get you...Arbok go!"
"CHA~!" Arbok hissed as he was released..only to tense when Lickitongue licked him with his long tongue...and caused him to fall over.
"Dat was Lick! It can paralyze Pokemon at times," Meowth noted.
"Oh I'll show it Paralyze! Ariados, get 'em!"
"Ar-!" Ariados began before he got licked...and fell over paralyzed.
"...M...Mimikyu?"
"GH!" Meowth tensed once the small ghost was let out..before it got licked twice by the Lickitongue as it fell over, "...three paralysis in a row…Wow."
"Why you…!" Jessie snarled as she dug around one bag before pulling out a black Pokeball with a yellow 'H' design, "I bought several since they were on sale, so...Ultra Ball, go!"
The ball flew through the air before hitting the back of Lickitung's head. It opened and Lickitung was sucked into the ball in a purple beam instead of the normal white. Jessie then stomped down on the ball to keep it from popping out until it let out a 'click.'
"She caught da Lickitung," Meowth awed.
"What are you going to do with it?" James asked.
"Something to deal with for later," Jessie huffed as she picked the Ultra Ball up, "Now to give my credit cards a workout again."
"...And the princess shop-a-thon continues…" James sighed as he and Mewoth followed.
"...Brock?"
"Yeah, Ash?"
"...I'm scared," Ash gulped as Pikachu clung onto him, the boys and Mai seeing a massive crowd of girls and women fighting over some fabric.
"Same here," Mai agreed, Togepi and Cubone playing pattycake in her lap.
"I'm surprised you're not in that," Brock admitted.
"Clothes shopping isn't my thing," Mai shrugged as Terra held up a blue bag with Mai's name written on a tag on the handles, "Plus, I know what I like and that stuff? I don't like. It's like they've lost all sense of being human...over clothes."
"Hand's off sister! That's mine!" Jessie's voice shouted within the crowd.
"...I don't think I'm tough enough to be a woman," James whispered.
"Yer tough enough ta dress like one," Meowth deadpanned.
"Snark all you want, I'm secure." he countered.
"IT'S MINE!" Misty and Jessie's voice exclaimed as they reached for a blue cloth with flowers on it, "...AH! Not you again!"
"Let go! I saw it first!"
"It wouldn't look good on you! It's for more mature women~"
"Oh yeah? Well, all I see is a scarecrow."
"Sc-SCARECROW?!"
"Oh great. It's the old hag," Makoto groaned, carrying several outfits from the pile in one hand.
"HAG?!-?!-?!-?!" Jessie screeched before pulling out Arbok's Pokeball, "That's it! Battle time!"
"Fine by me!" Misty snapped as she pulled Horsea's Pokeball out.
"Thank you," Noel thanked as she walked by and grabbed the blue fabric the two had released.
"Wh-?! Hey! Th-" Misty and Jessie began in unison before tensing, hearing the clap of a paper fan go off in someone's hand.
"Ahem," Tsubaki cleared her throat, "Really?"
"...On second thought, she can keep it," Misty nervously chuckled.
"Yes. I'm sure it'll look good on her," Jessie added with her own nervous chuckle, 'What was that?! Just one tap and I feel like my mother's giving me a scolding look!'
"Excellent," Tsubaki nodded...before spinning around and digging through a bin, "Oh, these look amazing!"
"Even Tsubaki…" Ash gawked.
"At least Kajun is planning things out," Brock noted, pointing to the purplette...who let out Koko who used Psychic to pull clothes out of the bins and over to Kajun, "...And she's working smarter, not harder." a whistle made Kajun look at a female employee pointing to a sign reading 'No Pokemon allowed to assist outside of bag carrying,' "...And the first to get into trouble."
"I just don't get it…" Ash sighed, "It's like shopping with my mom...so boring…" he groaned, "Can't we go do something fun and meet up with them later?"
"We could use this as an opportunity to work on your Aura," Luca suggested, turning his Telepathy back on.
"Mmm...I guess so," Ash frowned, "Still haven't been able to grab it."
"It takes time for humans to grasp it. You've done well in finding it, however," Luca assured.
"I guess…" Ash mumbled.
=Attention Princess Festival Shoppers! Attention Princess Festival Shoppers!= the PA system went off =In just a few minutes, we will be holding the main event of this year's Princess Festival; The Queen of the Princess Festival Contest!=
"The contest…" Misty and Jessie repeated.
"And tons of beautiful girls…" Broke spoke with a small love struck chuckle.
"May need to be careful where you say that," Edison noted.
"He's right," Mai nodded...before nearly jumping if she hadn't remembered she had a recently hatched Togepi and her Cubone on her lap, "Edison?"
"Greetings once more," the talking Pikachu greeted, "I thought I recognized a few familiar scents in this abode, so I made my way over whilst Takeru is assisting his mate with her shopping."
"...La's competing too, isn't she?"
"Oh heavens no. The competition would be one-sided," Edison replied, "Well, that and she's not interested in the prize."
"Well at least you don't deny playing favorites." Mai chuckled, "So then what does bring them to these parts then?"
"The sales, what else," Edison replied.
"I guess that makes sense…" Mai shrugged, "So what have you guys been up to since last time?"
"Ah, the usual. Takeru's been at some archaeological sites, assisted this good man named Brandon catch a Regirock after figuring out we needed to have an Everstone in our grasp...then spent a few hours of regret from all the wasted Ultra Balls that were spent trying to capture the blasted thing…" Edison grumbled.
"It seems like you are the more upset one here," Mai noted, "I'm gonna take a guess...they didn't care as long as they caught it."
"Exactly," the Pikachu frowned.
"I will admit, it does sound like a fun adventure," Mai smiled, "And probably something Ash would rather do than be dying of boredom here."
"Ah yes. Do tell me, young man, have you seen any more Legendaries since the mountain La spoke about?"
"Oh! Well…" Ash began.
=As for the main prizes of this year's Princess Festival Contest? The top winner will receive a one of a kind vintage collection of Pokemon Princess Dolls, and a photo-op with screen sensation Fiorella Cappuccino!=
"Princess dolls?!" Misty and Jessie gasped before the store was emptied of all women aside from the group of friends and Team Rocket.
"I love the insanity of this day," Makoto smirked as she focused on digging through the clothing, "They're all gone and more for us to get!"
"I guess this prize is important for a lot of them," Tsubaki noted, "Something we probably don't understand to the same degree."
"...Actually I got an idea," Jessie spoke as she looked down at Misty, "Let's use the contest to settle our dispute."
"And the winner gets to keep the doll collection?" Misty asked, seeing where Jessie was going with this.
"Alright with me."
"Seems this will be an even more amusing day than it already is," Edison chuckled before walking over to the two, "Ahem. Good morning, madams. I cannot help but overhear your wager."
"A talking Pikachu?" Meowth gawked, "Dat's freaky."
"Pot meet kettle," James deadpanned.
"What's it to you?" Jessie questioned.
"Oh not much...Just that I have an Egg I do not wish to have," Edison noted, "I'd like to add it to the wager. If you two face each other or the one who ends up furthest in the competition will receive it."
"A Pikachu egg?" Jessie pondered.
"No. A rare Pokemon Egg from the Galar Region that I got settled with due to some...ahem...rather embarrassing incidents whilst my Trainer competed in the League there," Edison noted, glancing away.
"Does it involve your tail?" Jessie asked.
"No. Completely unrelated and I thank you to not mention my tail," Edison quickly spoke, grabbing his tail with a heavy blush.
"So wait...are you adding that egg to the pot more or less?" Makoto asked, walking over, realizing this was getting interesting.
"Indeed. That way, if neither wins the contest itself for the dolls, the one who lasts longer in the contest will still receive a wonderful prize," Edison smirked.
"She agrees!" Meowth called.
"Meowth, do we have to take you back to that Nurse Joy in the other town?" James warned.
"Please don't…" Meowth spoke as his eyes dilated as he looked off at nothing, almost as if reliving some kind of horrible memory.
"I love how effective that's become..." James sighed.
"Huh...so the cat's broken. Cool," Makoto muttered, "Well I guess this is happening. I'd like to launch a formal complaint to your trainer about you, little guy…" she sighed to Edison.
"Many do," Edison chuckled.
=Wow! What a crowd! It certainly looks like quite a Princess Festival this year, doesn't it Fiorello?= an announcer asked in a booth at a stadium, sitting beside the handsome young man on the poster.
=Yes...it is very exciting=
=Yes! And our winner of the contest must be as poised as a Jynx, sing beautifully like Jigglypuff, glimmer like Milotic, charm like an Oddish, and must possess the elegance and grace of a Gardevoir!=
"Gardevoir?" Ash repeated as he sat in the stadium seats with Brock, Takeru, Edison, Mai, Makoto and their Pokemon..
"What Hikari can evolve into," Kajun explained, sitting beside him, "They say Gardevoir can generate a Black Hole in order to protect their Trainer."
"Wouldn't that endanger the planet?" Makoto asked.
"It could be that the psychic energy that makes it up only affects what the Gardevoir wants it to affect," Kajun theorized.
=Ahem! Now let us meet our princess Festival Contestants!= the announcer declared as the curtain rose up, revealing everyone who was competing as they were wearing beautiful regal kimonos with their hair done, makeup applied where needed, and small decorations added on in just the right spots.
"Wow...Misty, Noel, and Tsubaki look great," Ash noted as he saw the three up front.
"I still can't believe they entered," Mai admitted.
"...You saw how nuts Tsubaki got when we ended up at Koga's home, right?" Brock reminded Mai after a moment.
"...Oh...right," Mai cringed.
"What happened at…" La began to ask.
"Just a gym battle and Noel sharing how she makes noodles with Koga and Janine," Brock quickly replied.
"Ahh."
"Hmph. Shows what you twerps know," James huffed, "Jessie looks absolutely divine."
"You hear that?" Makoto replied, putting a hand to her squirrel ear, "Yep...it's the sound of no one caring."
"Hey!" Meowth snapped, "Least one of your twerpette friends doesn't look like a boy!"
"Still hear the sound of no one caring." Makoto smiled happily, "Ah, what a wonderful sound, doesn't all sound like a tone death Meowth…"
"You…!"
=Well we certainly have a wonderful selection of ladies before us this year= The announcer noted =Don't you agree, Fiorello?=
=Yes. They are Molto Bella=
"Oh, these are just so cute," Noel whispered, looking at her outfit, "I hope we can keep these."
"Same here," Misty smiled, "And with you, me and Tsubaki competing, we're sure to win!"
"Ohohohho! Oh please!" Jessie laughed, getting the two's attention, "I'm sure you little girls could win...if you were in the peewee division...oh no wait. I forget you're more qualified for the Toddler division."
"Do not let her get to you," Tsubaki whispered to Misty and Noel, making sure to keep a calm and straight look on her face, "If anything, her attitude alone makes her the perfect candidate for the toddler division."
"Rrr…" Jessie growled.
=And now, let's take a look at the special prize they'll be competing for this year!= the announcer called as a nearby curtain rose up, revealing a hole in the stage =There's no other like it in the world. All handmade by a professional craftsman from Mahogany Town in the Johto Region after journeying through Kanto, Kalos, and Alola. It's unique, it's antique!= as he went on, a display of Pokemon dolls consisting of Pikachu and Eevee at the top, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle in the middle, and a Gardevoir, Gallade, Lucario, Greninja, and Primarina at the bottom, all dressed up in ceremonial Japanese robes performing a tea ceremony =It's a man-made, luxury, one-of-a-kind Pokemon Princess Doll set!=
"That is some keen eye for detail," Mai blinked a few times.
"I'm pretty sure Noel is frozen in awe over how cute they look…" Makoto muttered.
"Oh~" Noel whispered, stars and hearts in her eyes as she stared at the dolls.
"I get the feeling she's just lost any ability to throw the towel in this contest," Takeru noted with a drop of sweat going down the back of his head.
"Yeah, no. She's going to fight tooth and nail for a cute thing like that," Mai nodded.
=Now would all contestants please prepare their Pokeballs=
"Wait, what?" Ash blinked twice.
"This isn't a pageant?" Tsubaki asked in surprise.
"They want us to battle?" Misty pondered.
"You mean that this isn't a beauty contest?" Jessie asked.
=For all those asking 'is he serious?' I am indeed serious= the announcer informed as his cohost held up a roster, still giving a handsome smirk =All contestants will be competing in an A Block and a B Block with the winner of both Blocks facing the other for the grand prize! You're allowed only four Pokemon and you can't have two of the same Type. Meaning if you have a Flying/Fire Type, you can't have another Fire or Flying-Type in the battle=
'...and...all I have are Water Types…' Misty thought with a cringe.
"Please guys! I need to borrow your Pokemon! Just for the contest?" Misty begged her friends, back in her regular clothes.
"Uh...is that allowed?" Ash blinked.
"I'm looking through the rules right now," Kajun spoke as she read the manual.
"Please say yes. All I have are my Water Pokemon and Togepi, and Togepi's too young to battle," Misty stated, said Togepi currently chirping happily in her arms.
"I'm sure Pikachu would love to help," Ash turned to his partner who happily nodded.
"Oh thanks Pikachu!" Misty beamed as she picked up Pikachu and hugged him.
"Togepiii~!" Togepi chirped as she copied Misty in hugging Pikachu.
"Pika…" Pikachu bashfully rubbed the back of his head at the adoration.
"But what Pokemon are you going to use?" Brock asked.
"Starmie," Misty replied, "While I'd love to use Horsea or Goldeen, I'm not sure how long that Water Seal lasts and I'm worried if it runs out in the middle of a long battle."
"Ahh. Good idea."
"Man you really want that photo-op, don't you?" Ash asked.
"What? No. I'm doing it for the doll set."
"The doll set?" Ash repeated.
"You wouldn't understand since you're an only child, Ash…" Misty sighed, "Since I was the youngest out of me and my sisters, all I ever got was their broken-off hand-me-downs while they got all the good stuff...like the Princess Pokedoll sets. And they had this way of saying 'Way to go, Misty. You get three sets of dolls to yourself' and made it sound like they were taunting me, like I'll never be good enough to own one."
"So this is about your sisters again...got it," Ash shrugged, "Well, I'm happy to let you partner up with Pikachu, I'm sure he'll happily listen to your commands. Can't be sure of anyone else..."
"Shrew!" Terra called, raising a paw up.
"I think Terra wants to be on your team," Mai noted, earning a rapid nod from the pangolin-like Pokemon.
"That's three...now one more," Tsubaki noted, "Water/Psychic, Electric, and Ground, something diverse could help." a soccer ball hit Tsubaki in the face, "Gah!"
"Bun…" Pele cringed as he caught the ball and sheepishly looked down at his now-interesting feet, "Scorbun-bun…"
"Pele!" Takeru called as he ran over, "Ah mou...I told you not to go off on your own." he looked up at the group, "Ah. Gomen nassai. He's been really itching to do some fun stuff since we've been busy at archaeological sites and that run-in with a Regirock." he blinked twice at seeing Misty's expression, "Everything alright?"
"Misty only has Water-Types so we're lending her some Pokemon that are volunteering to fight in this contest," Ash explained.
"Bun? Bun!" Pele beamed, waving a paw and pointing at himself, "Scorbunny!"
"Just as excitable as your dad, Pele," Takeru shook his head, "But I am willing to bet he wants to volunteer," he smiled earning a rapid nod of Pele's head, making his ears flop about, "Well...this could be a good battle experience." he sighed, cupping his chin in thought, "Alright...but you better listen. I don't care how much you like one move more, you be respectful."
"Scor!" Pele saluted.
"And your dad will be watching with us."
"Bun?!"
"His dad?" Ash repeated.
"My Galar Starter. When I went to Galar, I couldn't use my original team," Takeru explained before tossing out a Pokeball, "Arthur!"
The Pokeball glowed before transforming. Landing beside Takeru was a tall, humanoid rabbit-like Pokemon. Most of its torso and head, as well as its arms and tail, are white. It had long white ears, the insides of which were yellow. Its eyes, which had red-orange pupils and white irises, had a deep navy pattern below them and yellow eyebrows above them. These eyebrows connected at the nose, which was red-orange, and formed a "crown", which connected to the red-orange tuft of hair sticking out from its forehead. It had two whisker-like tufts of white fur on each side of its face. Over each shoulder was a navy patch of fur, which continued down the torso and connected at the middle of the chest, creating what resembled a sports tank top. This navy-colored fur was also seen on its lower torso, creating what resembled a belt. The fur on its lower body was colored red-orange and resembles a pair of pants, with yellow pockets and ending in yellow tufts at the knees, with little tufts of fur on the backside of its thighs. Its ankles and feet were colored navy-blue and tipped red-orange at the toes. On the underside of each foot, there were three yellow dots of fur, from which it fires flames when attacking opponents. One thing to note was a blue cape over his shoulders and a small scar under his right eye.
"Cinderace," the rabbit stated as Ash took out Dexter.
=Cinderace, the Striker Pokemon and the fully evolved form of Scorbunny. By juggling a pebble with its feet, Cinderace can transform it into a burning soccer ball. By putting a spin on the ball, it can launch attacks that its opponents struggle to evade. The shots it fires can leave an opponent scorched. Cinderace is skilled at offense and defense. Cinderace can get pumped up with excitement should it get cheered on. However should it start showboating, it will be placed in a tough spot. Due to its strong core and great balance, Cinderace can unleash powerful kicks from any position. In battle, it uses artful footwork to feint and throw its opponents off= Dexter informed.
"Oh wow!" Makoto spoke, "So this adorable thing turns into this?" she asked excitedly while picking up Pele for emphasis when she said 'adorable'.
"(I'm not adorable…)" Pele pouted.
"(Kiddo, you're adorable until you evolve. I had to deal with it until I evolved and now you gotta)," Arthur chuckled, patting the Scorbunny's noggin.
"Indeed," Takeru nodded, "Pele is just as energetic as Arthur was when I first got him...maybe more so…" he mumbled, "But I can tell he has amazing potential too, so maybe letting him enter with Misty will help him grow. But he is incredibly energetic, so please don't be shocked if he takes a while to get under control."
"I'll do my best," Misty assured.
"(I'll be watching. So behave)," Arthur ordered.
"(Okay…)" Pele pouted.
"What do you mean I have to give you Hitmonlee?!" James shouted as Jessie took said Pokemon's Pokeball from him.
"Duh. Only Pokemon I can bring with me is Arbok and Mimikyu," Jessie argued, "And I can't use Ariados, Weezing, or Weepinbell so I'll be borrowing…"
"Taking."
"Borrowing Hitmonlee."
"Borrowing implies you asked permission!" he snapped, "Besides that's only three!"
"No it isn't," Jessie argued, "I have that Lickitung I caught earlier on me, so may as well put it to work and see what it's capable of."
"I predict that will either work in your favor...or horribly explode in your face." James crossed his arms, "And don't go blaming me when it becomes the latter!" he then pointed to Meowth, "Blame this one for roping us into all this!"
"Like heck I'm letting dose twoips get another egg!"
"You need professional help!" James complained.
"Oh relax," Jessie huffed as she walked off, "Besides I have some dolls to win~!"
'Am I the only sane one today?' James thought with a drop of sweat going down his head.
=And in the Eastern Division, our first match is underway!= the announcer called as Misty stood across from a brown-haired girl who sent out a Kingler.
"Let's go, Pikachu!" Misty called.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted as he ran onto the field.
"Kingler, get him with Crabhammer!" the brown-haired girl called out.
"Pikachu dodge and use Thunderbolt!"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded as he used his tail as a spring to shoot over Kingler as his cheeks sparked, "Pika…" he let loose a Thunderbolt, striking the extended claw and electrocuted Kingler, "CHUUUUUU!"
"KOOKIE~!"
*BZZT!*
"Koo...kie," Kingler groaned as it fell over, knocked out.
The girl flinched before returning it and sending out a Raticate while the Announcer spoke =Kingler's had an electrifying defeat! Let's see if Raticate can go mouse-to-mouse with this Pikachu=
"Raticate, use Super Fang!"
"Ion Tail!" Misty countered.
As Raticate charged with its fangs glowing and extending outwards, Pikachu smirked as his tail lit up. He swung and…
*CLANG~!*
"Rrrrr…!" Raticate struggled to get the Iron Tail out of its mouth.
"Pika~" Raticate looked at Pikachu, who was smirking as his cheeks sparked.
"Rrr…"
"PIKACHU!" Pikachu screamed as he let loose a Thunder through his Iron Tail.
*BZZZRAAAAP! Crackle~*
"Raaa…" Raticate groaned, twitching on the floor with smoke coming off it and its eyes swirling.
=And down goes Raticate! Contestant Misty is making a big first impression! What will her opponent choose next?=
"Go, Pinsir!" the girl called out.
"Gh?! Shock it! Shock it! Shockitshockitshockit!" Misty yelped rapidly.
"Pika…" Pikachu deadpanned.
*BZZZZZZZZT!*
=And Pinsir goes down just as fast...That is one powerful Pikachu!=
"Maybe she shouldn't rely on Ash's stronger than normal Pikachu so much…" Makoto muttered, "Eventually someone's gonna have a ground type."
"Still she's making good progress. She's taken down three Pokemon in very quick order," Kajun added, "I'm sure this will help her since her next opponent will only anticipate Pikachu."
"Rhyhorn, use Drill Run!"
"Iron Tail!"
"Piiii….!"
*CLANG!*
=And down goes Rhyhorn in one Iron Tail. Misty moves on!=
"Maybe Pikachu is super special," Kajun noted, realizing just how oddly powerful he was.
"All of us are," Edison chuckled, "I blame our enjoyment of a live wire every now and then."
"Like the one you had the night before your tail got its cut from someone thinking it was a piece of cheese?" Takeru questioned.
"Gah!" Edison froze as Arthur laughed.
"Do it for the dolls. Do it for the dolls. Do it for the dolls," Noel whispered to herself, Mary out on the field.
"Go Pidgeotto!" her opponent called, sending out a Pidgeotto.
=And in the Western Division, we have a battle between Pidgeotto and Mareep!=
"Aerial Ace, let's go!" the girl called as Pidgeotto shot off at Mary in an Aerial Ace.
"Ahh! Mary, Cotton Guard!"
"Maaaa~!" Mary called out as her wool suddenly poofed up, causing the opponent's Pokemon to go into it...only to be bounced back as sparks came off it.
"Um...Now use Spark!" Noel called.
"Maaaareeep~!" Mary baw-ed as she seemed to jump up, her fur seemingly bouncing a bit as she came crashing down on Pidgeotto.
*BZZT!*
"Pidge!" Pidgeotto yelped as it stumbled away from Mary only to flinch as its body locked up.
=And Pidgeotto's paralyzed!= the Announcer called.
"Headbutt!" Noel called.
"Maaaar~!" Mary bawed as her wool puffed back down, the sheep-like Pokemon charging as she rammed her head into Pidgeotto, who squawked as it flew past her trainer.
=And down goes Pidgeotto! That Mareep has some really fluffy and bouncy fur!=
"Why you...Go Hitmonchan!" the girl called.
"Hitmonchan!" the punching Pokemon declared as it formed, hopping in place.
"Uh-oh…" Noel blinked, "Mary use Cotton Guard again!"
"Maaa~!" Mary yelped as her wool poofed up just in time to block a punch from Hitmonchan.
Hitmonchan blinked and began unleashing all its punch attacks one after another, only for them to hit the wool...and all their force negated by its softness. The Pokemon kept punching and punching for a good while...until its arms began slowing down.
=Amazing! Hitmonchan is losing stamina as all its punches are rendered useless!=
"Headbutt!" Noel ordered.
Mary's head suddenly popped out of the wool and smacked into Hitmonchan's chest, making it stumble back. It punched only to hit wool. Hitmonchan leaned forward in confusion as to where Mary's head went...until she popped out and landed a second headbutt to Hitmonchan's face, knocking it off its feet.
"Okay. Noel really did a good job with Mary's wool," Mai noted.
"I'm pretty sure she practices that cotton move a lot for the snuggles." Makoto muttered.
"Chipa," Berry nodded, wearing a blue kimono.
"But it has done some good from what I can tell," La noted, "With how fluffy her wool is, you can't tell where her head will pop out."
"Iron Tail!" Noel called.
"Chan…?" Hitmonchan groaned as it got up...only for it to be smacked by the Mareep's tail...then again...then multiple times until his face was bruised up as he slowly fell back.
=And down goes Hitmonchan! I've never seen such a useful use for Cotton Guard! Almost feels like something out of those Pokemon Contests in Hoenn and Sinnoh!=
=It's always nice to see one of those when I have the time for them= Fiorello added.
"Okay, Mary. Come back now," Noel spoke.
"Maaa!" Mary called as she skipped over to her Trainer and received a few pats on her sweating head.
"Wonderful job," Noel complimented before returning her.
=And it seems Noel is returning her Mareep. What's next up her sleeve?=
"Come out, Magcargo!" the girl called as she sent out a snail made of magma with a shell made of obsidian.
"Car~!" Magcargo shouted...before gulping as Umi came out.
"Mi~lo~tic~!" Umi sang before nuzzling Noel.
Noel giggled as she patted Umi, "Umi-chan, I know you like nuzzling, but we have a battle right now."
"Mi~!" Umi beamed as she spun around to face Magcargo who was sweating drops of obsidian.
"...q-quick! Use Rock Slide!"
"Ma-"
"Water Pulse!"
*SPLASH!*
=Ooh...Now that was a splash= the Announcer noted.
"..." the girl looked at her last Pokeball, slumped, and threw it, sending out an Eevee.
"Vui?" the Eevee pondered before looking up at Umi, "...vee." it turned around and hid behind its Trainer's leg and covered its face with its paws.
=...Do, uh, do we call that a forfeit?= the announcer asked.
=Si=
=Noel Vermillion wins the match!=
"Well that was fast," Makoto noted, "...Regardless, way to go, Noellie!"
=Back in the Eastern Division and in the middle of a high stakes brawl between a mighty Machamp and a ludicrously-evasive Lucario!= the Announcer called as a Machamp with its fists engulfed in flames rapidly swung at Luca, who was nimbly dodging each blow with his eyes shut.
"(Oraoraoraoraoraoraoraora!)" Machamp shouted with each swing.
"(Someone watches a little too much anime…)" Luca muttered, keeping his arms crossed as he rapidly dodged each punch. He then jumped up, doding another pair of punches as he jumped off of Machamp's arm. His leg then was engulfed in flames as he rolled forward, becoming a flaming ball before he slammed his leg down hard on Machamp's head, making its eye nearly bug out of its head as it staggered back...before falling down.
=And a Critical Hit Blaze Kick ends it! With just one Pokemon taking out her opponent's entire team, Tsubaki Yayoi moves on=
"Excellent job, Luca!" Tsubaki cheered, earning a bashful smile from the Lucario.
=A challenger from the Western Division is using a Primeape. What will her opponent Jessie use to combat this Pokemon?=
Jessie smirked before throwing out a ball, "Go, Mimikyu!"
"PRIME?!" Primeape freaked the moment Mimikyu was brought out...before it shot behind its Trainer with wide fearful eyes, "Prime prime~!"
=...is...is that a forfeit? Already?=
"That is one bloodthirsty Mimikyu…" Edison whispered with wide eyes before Arthur moved his cape over the Pikachu before Mimikyu could spot him.
"(Kyo warned me about that one. It goes berserk upon spotting any Pikachu or 'copy' of a Pikachu such as Pachirisu or Emolga)," Arthur noted, his eyes narrowing at the Ghost/Fairy-Type, "(Takeru, we may need Excalibur and George on standby.)"
"Eh? That bad?" Takeru whispered.
"(Very)," Arthur replied, narrowing his eyes at Mimikyu, "(If it goes near Pele…)" the air began to grow hotter around him, "(...I will strike that beast down myself.)"
"Ah hot!" Brock yelped as he shot up from his seat.
'(Hoo boy…)' Pikachu mentally whispered, already hiding in Ash's backpack the moment Mimikyu popped out, '(That's some strong parental instincts…Reminds me of Kangaskhan...I wonder how they're doing...)'
"(Whoo...Battling all day has been nuts…)" Pikachu groaned, lying on his back, "(Two more rounds if we win and just one if we lose…)"
"(It's been so cool!)" Pele cheered, nibbling on a berry, "(Ah...I feel so excited~! This is what being in a Pokemon battle's like?! I love it!)"
"(Eh mostly. Normally I get tossed around by a stronger guy before I win.)" Pikachu added, "(Compared to the other guys...this is more exercise.)"
"(Really? Wow! You must be strong like Daddy and Uncle Eddy!)" Pele awed, "('Course, Daddy's tougher than Uncle Eddy. Especially when he gets huge~! He gets these super long ears and he rides on a fireball that he kicks like a football!)"
"(Gets huge? You mean that Giganta Dynawhatsis?)"
"(Yep! Uncle Taky took us to this island where Big Bro Shen was born and Daddy ate this soup and when he got huge, he was like that! I think Uncle Taky has the stuff to make more of it so when I become as big as Daddy, I'm gonna drink it, too!)"
"(Huh...neat.)"
"(Yeah! Uncle Eddy said that when he drank it, he learned that he couldn't turn into a big chubby when he picked up that yellow stone that makes Eevee those yellow guys...um...Jolyton?)"
"?!" Pikachu's tail and ears shot up on hearing that, "(This soup can stop a Pokemon from evolving?)"
Pele shrugged as Misty walked over.
"Okay, we're going to be battling in a few minutes against Tsubaki," Misty noted, "This...isn't going to be easy. Not one bit."
"Sand," Terra snorted as he flexed.
"I'm serious, Terra. Remember that Luca is her strongest Pokemon. When he comes out, we're going to be in some big trouble," Misty cringed, "When he comes out, we need to hit him hard and fast. Anything we can use to weaken him or hold him down for chipping away, we'll need to do."
"Pika/Shrew/Scor!"
=And welcome back to the semi finals ladies and gents!= the announcer called out as a screen showed the remaining contestants =First up will be the beautiful waterflower Misty vs the beautiful camellia Tsubaki, and then it's the thorny rose Jessie against the beautiful wallflower Noel Vermillion!=
"I give praise for his flower puns!" Makoto laughed.
"Misty is going to have a hard challenge if she wants to win," Kajun noted.
"Hopefully Tsubaki goes a bit easy on her," Mai spoke.
"Don't worry. Misty's got this," Ash assured, "Though...I'll be cheering on Tsubaki, too...Aw man...This is really hard to choose."
"I know, right...What can you do when two friends face each other in a contest like this…" Makoto sighed, "I don't want either of them to lose, and I want to cheer both on. Well, at least we can all admit we know who we'll cheer on in the other section."
"Oh for sure/Clearly/Oh big time/Like anything else was even an option."
"Oh! Here they come now," Brock spoke as he noticed Misty and Tsubaki walking over to their respective sides.
=Are both contestants ready?= the announcer asked as both Tsubaki and Misty stared at one another for a moment before nodding.
=Let's go=
"Soren, come out!"
"Misty chooses Pele!"
"Bun/Awoo~!" the two called out as they came out.
"(Hm? Oh! New friend! New friend!)" Soren cheered, panting happily as his tail wagged.
"(Oh! Puppy!)" Pele awed.
"(...Ack! We're fighting!?)" the two realized as they froze in surprise and shock, "(Aww man~!)"
=First up is Rockruff against Scorbunny! A Galar native fighting an Alola native in the Kanto Region! A mix of three regions here today!=
"Rock Throw!" Tsubaki ordered.
"Ruff!" Soren barked as he jumped into the air before forming a ring of rocks around his tail that he began to throw at Pele, who yelped and began to run around to dodge the thrown rocks.
"Bun! Bun! Scorbun!" Pele yelped with each dodge.
"Pele, go for a High Jump Kick!" Misty called out.
"Bun~!" Pele shouted as he dodged a rock and then shot up high into the air and fell towards Soren, his foot glowing.
"Awo?!" Soren yelped before the kick hit him in the face, knocking him away and tumbling near Tsubaki's feet, "RUFF!"
=And after having a hot footed dance with rocks, Misty's Scorbunny lands a high-flying High Jump Kick to Tsubaki's Rockruff!=
"(Funny enough...That's how I met my mate on the Isle of Armor)," Arthur noted, rubbing his left cheek, "(A High Jump Kick straight to the face.)"
"(Oof…)" Aqua cringed.
"...That High Jump Kick seemed much more powerful," Ash noted, "Aren't Scorbunny's Fire Types?"
"Yes, but that's because Pele has the ability Libero," Takeru explained.
"Libero?"
"Yes. It changes Pele's Type depending on what move he uses," Takeru explained, "In the Crown Tundra over in Galar, I got an item called the Ability Patch. When I gave it to Arthur, his Ability became Libero and then when he and Guinevere, my Lopunny from the Isle of Armor also in Galar, had Pele, Pele got Libero."
"Woah...cool."
"Soren, try for a Bite attack!" Tsubaki called out.
"Pele, use U-Turn!"
"Scor!" Pele beamed.
"ROCK!" Soren roared as he lunged at Pele only to yelp when Pele did a backflip, slamming his foot into Soren's jaw in the process, before returning to his ball and Terra popped out.
"Shrew?!"
"U-Turn is a move that lets the Pokemon that uses it go back into their Ball and send someone else out," Takeru explained to the surprised group, "It's not often used, so when it is…"
=And with a U-Turn, Misty's Sandshrew is sent out in her Scorbunny's stead!=
"Terra, use Dig!" Misty called out.
"Shrew!" Terra quickly jumped up and dove into the ground, leaving a hole behind.
'What's going on? How did Pele switch to Terra without Misty calling it?' Tsubaki pondered, "Soren, be ready to dodge!"
"Ru-"
"Emerge and use Strength!"
"SHREW!" Terra shouted as he burst forth from underneath Soren, hitting him hard in the chin with a Strength-induced uppercut as he was sent flying.
"AWOO~" Soren yelped as he spun through the air and landed on Takeru's lap, "Arf?"
"Oh my back…" Edison's muffled voice came from under Soren before a bell rang.
=And Tsubaki's Rockruff was thrown out of bounds! She is now down to three Pokemon! Who's her next choice for this matchup?=
"With Dig being able to hide him and with how strong Terra is….Luca, come out!" Tsubaki called, sending out her Lucario.
=And it's her Lucario!=
=A noble Pokemon for a noblewoman such as her=
"Shall we do our best in this, Terra?" Luca asked.
"(You bet! I've always wanted to go all out against ya outside of training spars!)" Terra declared before undoing his Macho Brace, "(Bit of a letdown that it's with Misty and not Mai, but you take what ya get! Like this Macho Brace AJ gave Mai back at the Butterfree Matchmaking cliff. So she didn't need ta worry about finding him or a craftsman to make it heavier.)"
He let it fall off him...and the ground around it cratered a little, embedding it halfway into the ground from the weight.
"...How...heavy are those things…?" Ash whispered with wide eyes.
"Um...I'm not sure," Mai admitted.
"About five times the planet's gravity," Kajun replied, earning surprised looks from the others, "What? You don't think that automatically adjusts, do you? I tend to adjust it for him when he gets used to it."
'Macho Braces in this world are a lot different from the ones I know,' La thought in surprise as Terra stretched, several popping sounds coming off from his back.
"(Ooh yeah~ That's the ticket~)" Terra sighed as he finished stretching.
"...Luca, stand ready for whatever they have in mind," Tsubaki whispered.
"Understood," Luca nodded as he stood ready.
"Use Rollout!" Misty called.
"Shrew!" Terro shouted, curling up into a ball as he revved up...and shot off as a blur.
"?! Luca, use Extreme Speed to dodge!" Tsubaki called out.
Luca nodded as he quickly became a blur to dodge Terra, who did a quick turn and began to pursue the Lucario. At times, the two blurs would collide in their high-speed movements until the blue blur spun and struck the yellow blur with a club made of green light in the shape of a bone, sending Terra away from Luca.
=And after a high speed chase and fight, Tsubaki's Lucario has broken it with a Bone Rush!=
"Whoa, this is getting interesting!" Makoto grinned in excitement.
"Mai really did do a good job raising Terra," Brock noted.
"I just did what was natural...and just let him workout when I could," Mai answered before cheering, "Go Terra! You can do it!"
"RAAGH!" Luca roared as he swung his bone club, missing Terra as he dug deep into the ground.
'Luca be careful...considering how much faster Terra's gotten, we need to be very cautious where he'll strike,' Tsubaki advised through her mental link with her Pokemon.
Luca just nodded as he closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before he exhaled as he began to sense Terra's Aura. His ears twitched as he listened for Terra's underneath the ground below. Luca suddenly jumped up just as Terra popped out of the ground. Terra blinked before Luca slammed his bone club causing a huge burst of dust to rise into the air.
"Shrew!" Terra grunted in pain from the strike.
Silence befell the arena for a moment as Luca jumped back, spinning his bone club for a moment as Terra sat there in the hole. After a few more moments, Terra's head slumped as his eyes were replaced with swirls.
=And with a powerful strike, Tsubaki's Lucario has taken down Misty's Sandshrew after avoiding a sneaky Dig attack!= the announcer called out.
"Maybe work on defense after this…" Mai cringed a bit.
"It was a hard earned win though." Brock noted.
"True…" Mai whispered as Misty returned Terra to his PokeBall.
"You did a good job Terra. Rest up," Misty whispered as she looked ahead, 'I knew this was gonna be hard the moment she brought out Luca...all I have are Pele, Starmie and Pikachu…I need to be careful on who I choose. The ones with type advantage are Pele and Starmie, but Pele is still young, and Luca is fully evolved.' she pulled out Starmie's ball, "My best bet is Starmie!"
"Get ready, Luca," Tsubaki whispered as her Lucario stood ready.
"Misty calls Star…!"
"Psy…"
"...no…" Misty whispered in worry as she looked down, seeing Psyduck out of its PokeBall, "Psyduck, get back in your….!"
=And Misty sends out a Psyduck...odd choice for a Pokemon, but regardless! It should be an interesting battle!=
"Oh dear...He still has his headache?" La asked, seeing the duck.
"Sadly yes," Kajun sighed, "We've tried everything, but the result is always the same…"
"Emol~" Cherry growled upon seeing Psyduck.
"He has a bad habit of showing up when he's least wanted…" Brock sighed.
"It's like he picks his moments…" Makoto muttered.
"Psyduck..you...ugh," Misty sighed, "Let...let's just try our best then…Psyduck, Water Gun!"
"Psy…" Psyduck began as he waddled over to Luca...and sprayed out a small, trickle of water from his mouth that didn't even reach the Lucario.
"I feel bad about this," Tsubaki muttered with a sweatdrop, "Misty is trying her best...but this silly bit has popped up again."
"I feel bad for Luca. Especially if he thumps the duck on the head," Edison cringed.
"Why? Does it make his headache worse or something?" Makoto asked.
"Yes...and Tsubaki does not want that to happen. Just ask Ravage when he was a Gabite," La recalled.
"Too bad Psyduck can't use that power on command…" Ash noted, "Otherwise he might be really strong."
"Power?" Makoto repeated.
"Luca, j...just make it quick, like a thump on his head or something…." Tsubaki sighed.
Luca walked over and picked up Psyduck before turning him around and kicking him with just enough force to try and knock him out of the ring like a soccer ball. Psyduck sadly...didn't roll as he tumbled head over tail forward, each time earning a grunt from the Pokemon as he smacked headfirst into the ground until sliding to a stop just before Misty.
"...Psy…." Psyduck groaned, holding his head in pain as he stood back up with his eyes scrunched shut.
=It seems Psyduck has developed a migraine= the announcer noted.
=Oh dear...her opponent might wish to prepare herself if the young senorita didn't teach it Calm Mind=
=Hmm?=
"I'm sorry Misty, but...let's just move on with this," Tsubaki sighed, "Luca...Bone Rush."
Luca just nodded as he rushed over, smacking his bone club rapidly across Psyduck's head multiple times, making him wince more and more in pain.
"(Pain...head...hurt...so...much…!)" Psyduck grunted as his head began throbbing in pain, "(Make it stop...make it stop….MAKE IT STOP!)" he shouted as his eyes shot open, a blue light coming off them as a massive psionic force came off him.
"?!" Luca tensed before he was sent flying back from the resulting shockwave.
"Lu-KYA!" Tsubaki yelped as she and Luca ended up butting heads, resulting in knocking her off her feet as she and Luca fell to the floor...both having swirls in their eyes with bumps forming on their heads.
"That...That happens," Takeru said as Cherry gawked.
"It seems like that latent power only comes out when his headache reaches unbearable levels." Brock noted.
"I think I have a TR for Calm Mind she can use after this," Takeru offered.
"A what?" everyone asked.
=Uh….it...would seem both Tsubaki Yayoi and her Lucario are unable to battle= the announcer noted as some referees were checking on Tsubaki =As such...Misty will move onto the finals=
"Wait, I what now?" Misty pondered in surprise, snapping out of her surprise of what Psyduck just did, "I...I beat Tsubaki…?"
"Ugh…" Tsubaki groaned as she was carried off with Luca.
"Does this count?" Makoto asked, "I mean...this feels like you're losing at poker...so you flip the table into the other player's face and call that a win…"
"Do you want to anger the duck?" Mai deadpanned.
"I highly doubt the Duck cares…" Makoto argued, "Look, he's gone back to normal duck just now. He looks like he finally has a moment of duck peace and is happily scratching his duck belly."
"Well, all that's left is the last match for the other group. Then Misty has to deal with an unstoppable force of cuteness hunting incarnate that will not be denied her desire of owning those dolls despite the original goal being to help Misty...or Jessie and her Mimikyu," Brock noted.
"And Jessie will win!" James and Meowth declared.
"I'm sorry you guys hear that? No? Guess it's just the wind," Makoto shrugged.
"The literal sound of nothing." Mai smiled.
"Kinda breezy." Ash muttered.
"Yes, but its silence is refreshing," Brock smiled.
"Oi…" both grumbled.
=Ahem! A-anyways, here are our next combatants!= the announcer called as Noel and Jessie stepped onto their respective spots on the arena as the group of Machoke replied it with some Dugtrio =Let us see which of these delicate flowers shall move onto the finals and face Misty Waterflower!=
"Best you give up now, twerpette," Jessie taunted with a grin, "Those dolls will be mi-GH!" she tensed as she saw a look of pure determination in Noel's eyes, swearing she saw fire coming from them.
"Those dolls will be mine," Noel whispered in absolute determination.
=That little lady has more fire in her than a Camerupt using Eruption=
=Si...such muy caliente fuego from the senorita…=
=L-let the match begin!=
"Arbok go/ Mary, It's Showtime!"
"Cha!/Mareee~!" Arbok and Mary called out as they were released from their respective PokeBalls.
"This will be easy as cake! Arbok, use Bite!" Jessie ordered.
"CHA~!"
"Mary, use Cotton Guard!" Noel quickly ordered.
"Maaaa~!" Mary exclaimed as her wool poofed up, causing Arbok to bounce off it.
"Huh?" Jessie blinked, "Wh-what just happened?"
"The Revenge of the Floof!" Makoto's voice shouted with a laugh in her tone.
"Grr...Arbok, dig your head in there and use Poison Sting!" Jessie ordered.
"Cha…"
*CLANG!*
"...bok…." Arbok wheezed as he collapsed, an electrified bump coming from his head as he twitched.
=Ooh~ and a Static Powered Iron Tail knocks Arbok out!=
"WHAT?!" Jessie gawked as she was forced to return Arbok, "Grr...oh you little...Hitmonlee, come out and use Mega Kick on that furball!"
"Mary, keep up the Cotton Guard!" Noel called out, "And it's wool thank you very much!"
"You're not welcome!" Jessie snapped.
"HITMONLEE!" Hitmonlee roared as he threw his kick at Mary, sending the wooly sheep flying as she bounced around the arena.
=And Hitmonlee has sent Noel's Mareep Mary bouncing around the arena like a superball in a china shop! Let's just hope she doesn't break anything important!= the announced called out as Mary seemed to get faster in her bouncing.
"That is some really bouncy wool," Mai blinked.
'Huh...It actually feels like Chopper's Guard Point from my One Piece Manga,' Makoto thought, '...wait a second. Has Noellie been secretly reading my manga?!'
"Okay Mary, use Headbutt!"
Mary began moving around while mid-air changing trajectory before slamming into Hitmonlee from behind, the force knocking it off balance before slamming into it from the front.
"Now...Let's finish with Spark!"
"Lee…" Hitmonlee began, about to get up before Mary landed right on top of him, her wool sparking a bit, "?!"
*BZZT!*
=And that's two Pokemon in a row! Man she really wants those dolls…= The announcer noted.
"...grr….that is it…" Jessie growled as she returned the knocked out Hitmonlee, "Mimikyu...play time~"
"MA?!" Mary freaked, losing her poofed up state the moment Mimikyu came out.
"Mary return!" Noel called out as Mary quickly hid behind her...with Yuki joining her for a moment, "Hmm...who to use...Umi, it's Show Time!"
"Milo~!" Umi sang before nuzzling Noel once more until noticing Mimikyu and quickly got into a fighting position.
=And there's Noel's shiny Milotic! Can she handle Jessie's Mimikyu?=
"Umi, use Water Pulse!" Noel declared.
"Mimikyu, Shadow Claw!" Jessie commanded.
Umi let out a cry before firing a pulse of water from her mouth at Mimikyu. The Ghost/Fairy deployed a glowing ghastly claw of shadows from under its cloak that slashed into the pulse, making an explosion on contract. From the smoke, Mimikyu erupted and slammed Umi in the face with its fake tail, now glowing green, and sent the sea serpent to the other side of the battlefield.
=Whoa! Barely ten seconds and already they're going at it with such determination!= the announcer exclaimed =While Milotic attempted a Water Pulse, Mimikyu not only countered with Shadow Claw, but then following up with a successful Wood Hammer!=
"Umi, try Ice Beam!"
"Mimikyu, Play Rough!"
"TIC!" Umi shouted as she fired a light-blue tinted bolt of lightning from her mouth that struck the ground the charging Mimikyu had been on, leaving a patch of ice that grew as she moved her head to chase the charging disguised Pokemon.
Mimikyu's claws emerged from the underside of its costume and started to glow a glittering pink, looking as if glitter was falling off them. It jumped over one last attempt to freeze it and began to release a barrage of punches and scratches at Umi, who quickly swung her tail before her before it glowed and seemed to sharpen as if becoming pure steel and let it take the barrage.
'Oh, I am so glad she knows Iron Tail…' Noel thought in relief, 'I have to thank Brock later for finding the right rocks heavy enough for her to learn it, too.'
"Grr...you think you're clever huh, twerp?!" Jessie snapped, "Mimikyu, rapid Shadow Claws...and imagine you're seeing a Pikachu!"
"Ah! Umi, use Iron Tail to defend!" Noel quickly ordered.
"Milo~!" Umi called out as her tail shone once more, quickly blocking the multiple Shadow Claws Mimikyu slashed at her.
"Seriously, that thing is viscous…." Makoto whispered with wide eyes.
"I know...how do ya think I feel everytime it comes out?" Meowth gulped as he paled, "Every word it says...I...It's woids that could even send a chill up a Legendary Pokemon's spine…"
"Kyu…" Kyo whimpered, hiding behind La.
"...Okay, I'll bite. Why's dat one not as spooky?"
"Because Kyo's a good boy," La replied, petting her Mimikyu's real head, "The one Jessie has is called a 'Dark One' by other Mimikyu, or one that has given into its hatred and consumed by rage at those it hates."
"So in short a Mimikyu who has grown to hate the one it copies. While Kyo is just happy to be a Mimikyu?" Brock summarized.
"Yes," La replied from the petting, "Their outfits also reflect it. A Dark One tends to have ones in poor condition like Jessie's while a normal one tends to do their utmost to keep their nice and fresh. Though I had to make Kyo this one after he lost his when we fought a Totem Kommo-o and its partner Scizor, which is why it doesn't have patches a more accurate Pikachu head."
"Mimi~!" Kyo purred before zipping into her backpack and jumped out, its outfit replaced with an orange one sporting a plush Charmander head.
"He also likes to wear other ones," La giggled.
"(Praise be to outfits, am I right?)" Berry giggled.
"(You said it!)" Kyo beamed before he hid behind La again from the fight, "K-K-Kyu…"
"Though normal Mimikyu are terrified of the Dark Ones," La added, sighing as she gently pet Kyo to calm him down.
"So...these types of Mimikyus are the ones the normal ones think of as bad news…" Makoto noted, "No wonder that thing seems so strong sometimes."
"MILO/KYU!" Umi and Mimikyu roared as Iron Tail and Wood Hammer collided, making a shockwave from the impact.
"...Target in range," Noel whispered as her eyes shone for a moment, "Umi, Ice Beam!"
"Gh! Mimiyuki dodge before…!" Jessie began before Umi fired the icy-blue beam right into Mimikyu, sending it flying onto the area below the stands as ice covered its body
=And with that surprise Ice Beam, Mimikyu has been knocked out of bounds!= the announcer called out =Which leaves Jessie with one Pokemon against Noel's four!=
"JESSIE, YOU BETTER NOT LOSE!" Meowth snapped, "I WANT DAT EGG, DANG IT!"
"I will personally take you back to that Nurse Joy if you don't settle down," James warned before Meowth was suddenly sitting in his seat, looking completely calm...with a lot of sweat going down his body in sheer terror, "...I'm really glad he ran into that center in the last town."
"No Nurse Champ...no trouble here…" Meowth whispered to himself as memories replayed in his head.
"I still say it's worth it…" James nodded to himself as he chose to ignore his friend's potential PTSD.
"Ok...We're doing good Umi," Noel spoke as her Milotic nuzzled against her, "Just one more and we'll be heading ot the finals."
"Fufufufufufu…" Jessie chuckled, earning a blink form Noel, "Don't count yourself lucky yet, Twerpette...I've been saving this Pokemon for last...and to be honest, even I don't know what he's capable of."
"...what's she on about?" Makoto asked as she looked at James and Meowth, "Is it true, or is she blowing smoke just to inflate her ego?"
"No Nurse Champ…"
"Oh, the breeze is nice today. I hint of almonds, I suppose?"
"..." Takeru snorted back a laugh.
"Takeru," La sighed.
"Sorry…" he snorted, "It's...it's just hard not to find funny...I promise to try harder…"
"And now…" Jessie began as she pulled an Ultra Ball out, "It's time for you twerps to know fear! Go Lickitung!"
"Eh?" Noel blinked at that as Jessie sent out the Pokemon she caught earlier.
"Licki~"
"...What...is that?" Mai slowly blinked.
"I know some Pokemon are a little creepy...like a talking cat," Makoto began.
"HEY!"
"But...that...is just a whole other level…" she finished.
=That's a Lickitung, the Licking Pokemon= Alakai noted as he and Athena brought their screens up as Ash took out Dexter to scan.
=In Kanto, they were originally known as 'Beroringa.' At two meters in length, Lickitung's tongue is as long as its body and medical testing has shown that its long tongue is connected to its tail, which is why when it is pulled on, the tail twitches= Athena explained.
=Do not let its saliva get on you, either. It's sticky, smelly, and can leave a horrible rash if you don't clean it off you immediately= Alakai added =But that's difficult to avoid since its tongue is what it uses for everything! Catching prey, exploring its environment, and even cleaning things up=
=It can also remember anything that it has touched with its tongue from mere texture and taste=
"...Hoo boy," Makoto whispered at that.
"Alright, Lickitung...Lick," Jessie ordered.
"Umi, use Water…!" Noel began before Lickitung extended its tongue out and licked Umi's face, causing her to reel back for a moment...before she collapsed with swirls in her eyes, "AHH! UMI!"
=And a heavy paralysis takes out Noel's Milotic!=
"Eh?! ...No no. Don't let her rattle you," Noel whispered as she quickly returned Umi, "Okay Yuki, it's Showtime!"
"Vul!" Yuki called out as she ran onto the field….before Lickitung's licked her in the face, "?!"
=And….= the announcer began as Yuki collapsed =That's another Pokemon of Noel's down due to heavy paralysis=
"Ah...ah…" Noel gawked as she sent Mary out, who quickly met the same fate, "How...How is...what?"
=And three Pokemon taken down in one shot due to paralysis! That is one insane tongue if it can even paralyze an electric-type!=
=It appears like Ash's Pikachu, that Lickitung has an ability to bypass a Pokemon's natural defense against a condition= Athena noted.
"But...but that's cheap!" Makoto snapped.
"Yeah!" Ash agreed as he shot up.
"Hacks! We call hacks!"
"Pika/Chipa!"
*THWAP!*
"Ow!" the four yelped as they sat back down, holding the forming bumps on their heads.
"Not so loud…" Tsubaki whispered, holding a bag of ice on her bandaged head as she sat down.
"Sorry…"
"Car…" Luca mumbled, a bag of ice on his head as well.
"He's saying he agrees with Tsubaki," Takeru noted.
=Guess you can't use telepathy with your aura while concussed= the RotomPhone noted.
"Lu."
"What did we miss?"
"Jessie has a Lickitung that's taken out all but her last Pokemon," Kajun explained.
"Beg pardon?" Tsubaki blinked at that.
"Yes. A Lickitung."
'Wh...what do I do?' Noel thought, now starting to shake a bit as she looked at Jessie's Lickitung, 'It took out all three of my Pokemon...and all I have left to use is Nymph...mmm…'
"What's wrong, twerp? Feeling scared now?" Jessie taunted with a grin, "Where's all that determination and bravado you had earlier?"
"Ah...ahh…" Noel began to pant, holding her shaking hands as she quivered.
"Oh how cute! You look like you might go crying to mommy," Jessie further taunted, "Don't worry...once I win the dolls, I plan to take good care of not just that egg…" Jessie began before whispering, "And your Pokemon, as I will take them for myself~"
"?!" Noel's eyes widened at that.
"I mean..if you can't handle a simple Pokemon battle, then why even bother having Pokemon?" Jessie questioned out loud as she shook her head with Lickitung mimicking her, "It would be better to go to someone who's more qualified, such as me...the already declared winner of the princess festival!"
"Makoto, no!" Mai yelped as she, Takeru and Brock were pinning the angry Beastkin down the best they could.
"She really is a horrible person…" Tsubaki sighed, trying to compose herself as well.
"...n...no...I won't let you win," Noel whispered as she took a deep breath, "N-Nymph, it's Showtime!"
"Eevui!" Nymph mewled as she hopped onto the field.
"Heh...too easy," Jessie smirked, "Lickitung, give Eevee a nice tongue bath."
"Licki~" Lickitung said as he extended his tongue and licked Nymph, only….nothing happened.
"What?" Tsubaki blinked twice.
"Wait a second…" Edison muttered, swiping Dexter from Ash and began to type on it.
"..." Jessie's eyes were bulging as her lips looked like she had sucked a lemon as Lickitung tried again.
"Ahah!" Edison declared as he held up Dexter to Ash, showing a picture of a Ghastly using Lick, "I knew that move was familiar!"
=Lick, a Ghost-Type Attack. The target is locked with a long tongue generating ghastly energies, causing damage. This may also leave the target with paralysis= Dexter informed, showing a video of a Charmander getting paralyzed by the Ghastly licking it before showing an Eevee getting licked and nothing happening to the Ghastly's shock =This move does not affect Normal-Type Pokemon=
"Wait...that stupidly OP trick...is beaten by such a simple technicality?!" Most of them shouted, their eyes solid white with rage.
Jessie overheard that and just stood there, her eyes wide as she had a stupid smile on her face. Her Lickitung kept licking at Nymph...but the result was always the same.
"It feels like the tension vanished…" Noel noted, her eyes wide in surprise.
"(N-Noel...This tongue is stinky…)" Nymph mumbled between licks.
=I don't think either of them realized the move Lick is a Ghost-Type Move until now= the announcer noted.
=Considering the Pokemon that's using it, perfectly understandable=
'Why isn't it working? WHY ISN'T IT WORKING?!' Jessie thought in shock, 'This is bad...I don't know what other movies Lickitung can do!'
=This Lickitung knows the moves Lick, Stomp, Slam, and Power Wh…= Dexter began before Edison quickly closed him and gave back to Ash.
"Ash, my boy...you may need to have someone look at your Pokedex…" the talking Pikachu deadpanned.
"You're the one who left it on!" the others snapped, the volume blowing him away.
"Oh dear," Noel whispered as she began to grow nervous once more.
"Thank you for the help, twerp!" Jessie laughed as her bravado returned, "Lickitung, Power Whip!"
*SMACK!*
"EEE!" Nymph cried out as she was smacked away by Lickitung's tongue, which was glowing with green energy.
"Again!" Jessie ordered, as Lickitung swing it's tongue again, only to swing too high and hit nothing, "Huh?"
"Power Whip is insanely strong...but its accuracy is lower because of the force put into it." Brock noted.
"Oh...so while it's strong, it can barely hit anything," Makoto noted.
"Yup."
"That's a pretty big drawback…" Ash muttered.
"...grr...know what? Fine! Lickitung, use your tongue for a Slam!" Jessie ordered.
"Eee…" Nymph began as she got up, only to be forced back down hard by Lickitung's tongue, "Vui!"
"Noel! Stop gawking and fight! Don't let that old hag win!" Makoto shouted, making Jessie flinch, "She's probably too old to enter!"
"Is she?" Ash whispered to La.
"I don't think so," La noted, shrugging.
"...Okay, just for that, Lickitung! Body Slam!" Jessie snapped.
"Tung!" Lickitung shouted as he used his tongue to jump into the air and land hard on Nymph.
"Vui!"
"Noellie, snap out of it or ya won't get a chance at the dolls!" Makoto called.
"Makoto..." Mai began.
"You know as much as I do that cuteness overrides everything when it comes to Noellie. Or do you not remember the tentacle monster Kajun made by accident in the science lab at the same time a sale on plushies went on?"
"We agreed not to mention said accident!" Mai, Kajun, and Tsubaki snapped, their cheeks glowing from the memories.
"..." Ash just slid down his seat to try and vanish from sight for this one, both because he didn't get it and for the fact he was seated between Makoto and Kajun.
"In fact, don't think I didn't overhear what she said!" Makoto added as she looked at Noel, "She's planning on stealing your Pokemon!"
"GH?!" James and Meowth tensed at that.
"Do you really want your Pokemon...want both Yuki and Nymph to be raised by that shallow witch?!"
"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS, FREAK!" Jessie snapped
"Uh-oh…" Ash tensed, "Feels...like an even worse trigger has been pushed…"
"I could go for a snack…" Brock whispered in equal concern.
"Oh, I just had to be here," Edison groaned, unable to leave from his spot on Ash as his tail stuck straight up.
"Oh that is…!" Makoto snarled before a tap went off on her shoulder, "WHA…"
"Kirl…" Hikari deadpanned, her glowing eyes looking into Makoto's.
"Oogh…" Makoto groaned as she slumped and started to softly snore.
"Hypnosis for the win," La noted.
"I still sense something dangerous…" Takeru muttered.
"But Makoto does make a good point…" Mai spoke as she stood up, "Noel, you can't let her win! Snap out of it, otherwise all that care you put into your Pokemon..the times you've shared will be taken away by someone as shallow as her!"
"You twerps aren't even involved in this!" Jessie snapped at the group in the crowd.
"We pretty much are!" Mai snapped.
"...but...wh…" Noel began, about to reach for something before a piece of paper flew out of her pocket, "Ahh!"
"Hmm?" Jessie raised a brow as she caught the paper and slowly opened it, "Through the sakura blossom's rain of petals, the prince and princess gather to share a…' what is this drivel?!"
"Uh oh…" Mai whispered.
"Is this supposed to be a poem? Where's the build up leading to it? And Sakura petals? Really? I can think of a much better setting!" Jessie ranted before blinking, "...Hold. Did you write this, twerp?"
"..."
"Oh...you did...well it's nice, but…" Jessie began as she discarded the paper, "It's bland at best."
"?!" Noel tensed up at that, the paper flying through the air until Lickitung grabbed it with its tongue and ate it, "..."
"But it's best you take it from me, an expert at love," Jessie finished in her taunt with a grin.
"...You don't know anything about love…" Noel whispered, earning a raised eyebrow from Jessie, "Love is what brings us all together...love is something you share with someone special...friends, family...and your Pokemon," she said as she looked at Nymph, who managed to get back up onto her feet, "That poem you tossed away….that was something me and Nymph were working on."
"Vui…" Nymph growled.
"It was honestly sweet as we worked on it together...because I raised her with love and care. Same with Yuki, Umi, Mary...all my Pokemon really," Noel continued as Nymph began to glow softly, "And for you to disrespect something my Pokemon worked on...to have the nerve to say I don't deserve to have any Pokemon? ...To think you'd do a better job raising my Pokemon….no...that's not love...that's pettiness...spite just to get revenge…you claim you know love, and yet you lash out so harshly...so cruelly...I will not...I won't…" she paused as she looked up, small tears in her eyes as a look of fierce determination grew in them, "I won't let you win no matter what!"
Nymph called out as her body was completely covered in white light, sparkings seeming to surround her as she floated in the air a bit. Her ears began to grow in size while her tail began to thin out a bit before both flicked, revealing pink fur on them. The light began to rise from her paws to show they were covered in pink fur, the light rising up lacrosse her body as it revealed soft, cream colored fur. A ribbon of pink and cream appeared on her neck and near one of her ears as a pair of ribbon-like feelers expanded from them. Lastly, the light vanished as it revealed her pink and soft, cream face, her eyes slowly opening to reveal a set of baby-blue eyes.
"Ahh…" the newly evolved Sylveon mewled as she landed, posing slightly as she winked at the crowd, "Sylve~"
"Oh~! A Sylveon!" La gasped before cringing, "Ooh...A Sylveon…"
"What?" Mai pondered.
"Sylveon…" La began before Lickitung's tongue licked Nymph, causing her to tense and fall over, "...are pure Fairy and no longer Normal."
"HA! I win Twerp!" Jessie laughed, "Now Licktung, flick it off and come over here for a reward!"
"Licki~" Lickitung nodded as he prepared to walk...only to grunt as he felt something pulling its tongue, "?!"
"Syl...ve…" Nymph growled slightly as she forced herself up, ignoring the sparks coming off her body.
=Amazing! Despite being paralyzed, Noel Vermillion's Sylveon is staying strong and not letting Lickitung's tongue go!= The announcer awed.
"What?! But...how?!" Jessie gawked as Nymph shook off the sparks coming off her.
"...Wait a second," La muttered before looking to Kajun, "Did she feed her Pokemon the PokeBeans I gave her in that PokeFresh kit?"
"She was hoping to ask for more from you when we ran into you," Kajun replied.
"That explains it," La nodded.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
"Feeding her Pokemon those beans, especially the Rainbow Beans, raise a Pokemon's Affection. If it's high enough, a Pokemon can do things like shrug off status conditions such as literally shaking off paralysis and spitting up the Poison Status," La noted.
"Spitting up...Oh! Squirtle and Gengar did that against Koga!" Ash recalled.
"Wait...that's a thing?!" James shouted in the background, "Oh she's in trouble~"
"Oh, I'm in trouble…" Jessie whispered in realization upon hearing that.
"Syl," Nymph smiled sweetly as the tips of her ribbons began to shine.
"Lick?" Lickitung pondered before the ribbons proceeded to pummel it all over, "Tung-tung-tungtung?!"
"Oh, that looks like Play Rough," Takeru noted, blinking a few times in surprise.
"Syl~" Nymph mewled as she summoned the energy stars used for Swift, only they had a pink hue to them as they rapidly slammed into Lickitung.
"Licki!"
"Wait...why did Swift look different there?" Mai blinked.
"Amazing...Nymph had a Hidden Ability when she evolved," Kajun noted, already writing something on a notepad as she looked, "She has Pixilate now, which means all her Normal Type moves like Swift become Fairy Type."
"Everytime we run into you folks, it just surprises me more and more," Edison shook his head.
"I feel it….Nymph, we can win this…" Noel whispered, her eyes closed as she held her hands together, "Let's show them what true love is...Use Fairy Wind!"
"Syl~ve…!" Nymph mewled as she began to swing Lickitung around as best she could, a pink tinted wind beginning to surround her as it began to help accelerate the speed. Once Lickitung was dizzy enough, her feelers let go of Lickitung as he was flung high into the air.
"Now the finale...Lovely Swift!"
"EON!" Nymph shouted, firing her Fairy-Type-empowered Swift at the airborne Lickitung, each star moving in formation until they connected into the shape of a heart.
"Licki~" Lickitung began in a dizzy manner before the Swift slammed into him, sending him flying further up into the air until he was right above Jessie.
"...Oh….n-" Jessie began before Lickitung landed right on top of her head first, instantly knocking her out as she collapsed onto the floor.
=AMAZING! What a turn around match!= the announcer beamed =Just as she was on the cusp of victory and it being slowly taken by a pernicious Lickitung's Lick, Noel Vermillion's former Eevee has evolved into a lovely love-powered Sylveon that punished them in the name of love!=
=Si. It goes to show how powerful amor can truly be= his co-host added.
"We won~!" Noel cheered as Nymph ran over and hopped into her arms, "Oh, Nymph! You were amazing!"
"Sylve~!" Nymph beamed happily as she nuzzled against Noel's cheek.
"Buh...wha happuh?" Makoto groaned as she woke up, "What's with the cheers? Did Noellie win?" she questioned as she opened her eyes, seeing the Sylveon in Noel's arms, "...Oh hey, she did! And her Eevee evolved!"
"It'll take a second for her mind to fully register it," Mai explained.
"Way to go, Noel!" Ash cheered on with Pikachu.
"I knew she could do it," Tsubaki nodded a bit, "But her victory also means she'll be going against Misty."
"...I am so sorry for what might happen to Pele," Mai quickly apologized to Takeru.
"Ah, I'm sure he'll be alright," Takeru chuckled, holding a hand up in assurance, "Though, you should be more concerned for Terra."
"Hm?"
"(Oh you stupid, no good, lousy, blue…)" Terra grumbled, arms crossed over his chest and glaring at Luca in the park outside the stadium...wearing a cone and sitting in Mai's lap with Noble.
"(What is this? I saw it on a Growlithe when I was with the old man, but no one would tell me)," Noble noted.
"(That is the Cone of Shame)," Soren cringed.
"(And I do not like the Cone of Shame!)" Terra snapped, "(Wearing it means I can't fight! Even worse, I can't train!)" Noble moved out of the way as Terra laid completely on his back on Mai's lap, "(I can feel my mighty mightness going down~)"
"(Sorry. I put too much into that last attack. You had me panicking)," Luca apologized.
"(Next time, ya blue mutt...next time.)"
"(This hostility is not needed…)"
"(I very much disagree!)"
"We're really sorry, Mai," Misty and Tsubaki apologized in utter honesty.
"It's fine," Mai assured, rubbing Terra's belly, "I had a feeling he'd get hurt like this sooner or later. At least he only has to wear it for a week."
"He's not a big fan of that," Takeru noted, feeding Pele as the four sat on one side of the park away from Noel for battle discussion, "Still, you're now down a Pokemon."
"The rules say you can have a substitute if one of your Pokemon is unable to battle anymore," Edison noted, "You were lucky you haven't had to use Starmie at all as well since that would've counted as your substitute."
"Yeah I know…" Misty whispered, "Also...did not expect Psyduck to be that powerful…"
"Speaking of, may I see him real quick?" Takeru asked.
"Huh? Um...sure," Misty replied as she let out Psyduck.
"Good," Takeru nodded as he knelt down and pulled out what looked like a record player attached to a helmet, "Here we go."
"Duck?" Psyduck pondered as Takeru placed it on his head.
"What's that?" Mai asked.
"A Move Tutor," Takeru explained as he pulled out a record with a magenta center, "It uses TMs and TRs to teach Pokemon Moves."
"What's a TR?" Misty asked.
"Technical Records. You would probably call them Silph Co. TMs, but made by the ambient energy from a Max Raid Battle," Takeru noted as he put the record on the player and put the needle on it, letting the disc start playing, "The TR I just put into the Move Tutor is for Calm Mind. With that, his headache will go away and he can safely use any Psychic attacks he may know."
"...Psy?" Psyduck tilted his head as he listened to the recording.
"Are you sure that'll work...no offense, but he's kinda…" Misty trailed off while pointing to his dopey expression.
"You'd be surprised with how effective TRs are," Takeru smirked a bit as the record stopped and broke down the middle, "And it's done. How do you feel, Psyduck? Any headaches?"
"..." Psyduck lowered his hands from his head, "(Not really. My head feels so much clearer than it has in years.)"
"It worked," Takeru chuckled as Psyduck took the Move Tutor and handed it back to Takeru, "You can safely use your Psychic Moves without fear of a headache...or well, any moves really."
"Oh, that's great!" Misty beamed, "Now I just have to teach him to swim."
"(Oh! Um...er...ow, my head…)" Psyduck mumbled, trying to fake his headache.
"He lies," Edison chuckled.
"(D'oh…)"
"Still, there's the issue of you needing a new Pokemon to take Terra's place," Takeru noted as Pele ran around, playing with his soccerball.
"I know…" Misty sighed, "But what else is there for me to use?"
=Considering Noel has a Fairy-Type and none of your Pokemon will be very effective, may I suggest we loan her Lady Dinadan?= Athena offered =Or, perhaps, fight Fairy with Fairy with Lady Blanchefleur?=
"Who and who?" Mai pondered.
"Dinadan and Blanchefleur? Named after a member of the Knights of the Round Table and the wife of Sir Percival respectively?" Tsubaki asked.
"Exactly!" Takeru beamed.
"So that means Arthur is named after King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot?" Tsubaki asked.
"Correct," Takeru nodded as Athena produced two Ultra Balls and gave them to Takeru.
He tossed the two balls and they transformed. The first one took the form of a large bipedal Pokemon with large feet, a chunky tail, and a head fused to its neck. Zigzag patterns raced down its body with grey bands on its arms and two black slits on its lower chest. Four triangular indents made of its hands while a red segment rested on the top of its head with slits on the sides of its face. But the biggest thing to note of it was that its body seemed to be made completely of metal.
"Duraludon!" the Pokemon bellowed.
"This is Dinadan. She was a big help during the finals of the Pokemon League in Galar," Takeru introduced.
The other Ultra Ball changed into what looked like a Pokemon made completely of a rainbow-colored whipped cream taking on a vaguely anthropoid form. Several large clumps of it covered its head, taking on the form of hair with two loop-like bangs on the sides of its orange eyes, the loops connected to its head by a pair of orange sweets resembling flowers. Its lower body was composed of two dollops of whipped cream resembling a dress of sorts. She brought her two small three-fingered arms together and bowed.
"Alcreamie," the Pokemon greeted in a gentle voice.
"And this is Blanchefleur, or Fleur for short," Takeru introduced, "I got dizzy helping her evolve since you have to spin while holding her."
"That's a really...unorthodox method to evolve…" Misty admitted.
"There are a few, yeah…" Takeru admitted.
"Cligès gave us so many headaches…" Edison sighed, rubbing the side of his head.
"(You may have needed that Calm Mind more than me)," Psyduck noted.
"(Master, what is going on? Do you need help with cooking?)" Fleur asked.
"No cooking right now, Fleur," Takeru replied before motioning to Misty, "This is Misty. She's hoping one of you would be willing to help her in a Pokemon Battle."
"(Ain't that the name of the Gym Leader with all them Water Types?)" Dinadan asked.
"Yes. But this battle has some strict rules, the key one being she can't use more than a single Type of Pokemon. Meaning no two Water-Types," Takeru explained, "Her opponent has a Milotic, Sylveon, Alolan Vulpix, and Mareep. Are either of you interested?"
"(A Milotic, eh? I'm interested)," Dinadan noted.
"(Hmm...I apologize, Master, but I would not like to fight)," Fleur curtsied while shaking her head, "(But while I am out, would it be alright if I watched the battle and plan a dinner for everyone?)"
"Seems Dinadan would like to battle with you, Misty," Takeru explained, "Fleur wants to just help make dinner for everyone afterwards."
"Really?" Misty blinked.
"She likes to cook," Edison noted before Fleur spoke up, "I'm sorry. She likes to chef."
"Huh...Neat."
=Dinadan has the Ability Light Metal and likes to use the moves Draco Meteor, Stealth Rock, Thunderbolt, and Flash Cannon= Athena explained.
"Okay, now you apply it to under her nose," La explained as Noel gently dabbed a cotton ball under Mary's nose, leaving behind a cream of sorts that Mary sniffed before she hopped up and bleated happily, "And there we go. You did great applying the salve, Noel."
"So you make this salve yourself?" Brock asked, sitting on a bench with Makoto and Kajun.
"Of course. I make sure to use every kind of Berry that can help cure a Status condition so that it becomes a Full Heal of sorts," La explained, "I'm more than willing to share the recipe."
"I'd like that," Brock smiled a bit.
"(Wow...I can't believe it's you, lil' sis,)" Eevee awed a bit as he, Booster and Celsius looked at Nymph.
"(You're very pink now)," Booster noted, earning a dope slap from Celsius, "(Ow! Why me?!)"
"(Don't state the obvious)," the Glaceon deadpanned, "(You're becoming as bad as your trainer…)"
"(It's fine, you two,)" Nymph assured with a small giggle, a ribbon covering her mouth, "(I really like how I look now. It feels...right, you know?)" she frowned, "(Though I'll admit that I'll miss not being harmed by Ghost-Type moves.)"
"(Speaking of…)" Eevee scrunched his nose, "(I think you missed a spot in getting clean…)"
"(Oh thank Arceus, someone says it!)" Booster exclaimed before Celsius dope slapped them both.
"(You two are too much like your Trainers)."
"(I can clean myself, so I don't have to w-why am I floating?)" Nymph blinked as she floated over to Koko, "(...Meema, no…)"
"(Enjoy!)" Eevee smiled.
"(Evolved or not, you are still one of my kits)," Koko stated before she started cleaning her.
"(Ah! Meema~!)"
La giggled, "That's just adorable." she looked to Noel, "Are you ready for the last match?"
"I am," Noel nodded, "...though to be honest, I am a bit nervous. On one hand, I want those dolls so bad...but on the other, Misty really wants them and she's my friend…"
"It's always difficult making a hard decision," La noted, "Everyone has those times in their life, but the important thing is to trust your heart in these situations. I followed my heart and it led me to have a large Ohana in the form of my Pokemon and finding Takeru."
"...Follow your heart…" Noel whispered as those words floated through her mind.
=Welcome back, folks, to the final match of the Princess Festival! From the East Block, we have Misty Waterflower of Cerulean City!= the announcer declared as Misty stepped out onto her side of the arena before Noel appeared and walked to her side =And from the West Block, we have Noel Vermillion from outside the Kanto region! Which of these ladies will take home the prize and be crowned the Princess Festival Champion?!=
"Misty calls Pikachu!" Misty called as Pikachu ran onto the field.
"Pika!" Pikachu declared, his cheeks sparking in excitement.
=And Misty starts off with Pikachu! What will Noel pick?=
"Let's go, Yuki! It's Showtime!" Noel called out as she called out the snow fox from her PokeBall.
=And it's her Alolan Vulpix! Can the adorable Ice-Type handle the fast and powerful Electric-Type?=
"Noel!" Misty shouted, earning the blonde's attention, "No matter what happens, I'm glad to have gone up against you...but I'm not gonna go easy!"
"...Yeah...Yeah, of course!" Noel nodded with a smile, "I won't go easy on you either, but...may the best Trainer win!"
"Begin!" the referee declared.
"Quick Attack!" Misty called.
"Powdered Snow on the ground!" Noel called.
"Vul!" Yuki shouted as she blew snow onto the ground just as Pikachu shot towards her, only to yelp as he nearly tripped on the resulting snow, resulting in him missing the Alolan Vulpix.
"Go for Thundershock Surprise!" Misty called.
"Pika-CHU!" Pikachu shouted as he let loose his weaker Electric-Type move at Yuki, who yelped as she barely avoided the blast and right into the Agility-enhanced Quick Attack Pikachu delivered.
"Vul~!" Yuki yelped as she was knocked away from the impact.
=And a surprise Thundershock confuses and strikes Noel's Vulpix!= the announcer called out.
"Yuki, Hidden Snow Storm!" Noel called out as Yuki quickly got back up.
"Hidden what?" Misty blinked.
Yuki rose her head as she let out an icy blue sphere, snow falling off it before it dispersed into a heavy snowfall that began to cover the arena. As the snow began to die down a bit, the entire arena was covered in snow with Pikachu digging out of a mound.
"...Hail and Powdered Snow?" La guessed as she looked at Kajun.
"Close. Powdered Snow, Ice Beam…" Kajun began quietly as Yuki popped out of the snow, firing an Ice Beam that hit Pikachu before she ducked back down, another popping up just as Pikachu turned and fired another Ice Beam, "And Double Team."
"I'm getting flashbacks to Pryce…" La muttered.
"Pryce?"
"The Ice-Type Gym Leader of Johto," La explained, "It was a really hard battle...especially the Dewgong."
"Ahh…"
'Not good...I can't tell where Yuki's gonna pop up,' Misty thought as she looked around, Pikachu shaking the snow off his fur before he dodged another Ice Beam from one of the hidden Yuki's, 'And which one's the real one? ...Wait, I got it!' "Pikachu, spring up and then use Iron Tail on the floor with a Thunderbolt added to it!"
"Pika!" Pikachu beamed.
Yuki popped out of the snow, firing another Ice Beam. Pikachu quickly used his tail as a spring and shot into the air, surprising Yuki. His tail glowed with Iron Tail before a Thunderbolt began to course through it. With a cry, Pikachu slammed his tail down on the ground, sending out a shockwave that dispersed the snow and sent Yuki tumbling away, her Double Team disrupted by the surprise shockwave.
"PVT!" Misty quickly called.
"PikapikapikapikapikapikaPIKA!" Pikachu shouted, quickly charging at Yuki with his combination attack.
"VUL~!" Yuki cried out as the combination Steel, Normal, and Electric-Type attack struck her, sending her up into the air and land down on the ground, her eyes replaced with swirls, "Pix~"
=And Pikachu takes out Vulpix! What will Noel do now?=
"You did good, Yuki," Noel assured as she picked up her Starter, "Mary, it's Showtime!"
"Ma~!" Mary bleated as she came out.
"Pikachu, return!" Misty called as Pikachu hurried back over, 'Noel's most likely gonna have Mary use Cotton Guard, so I need to play a different type of offense..may as well take a page from Ash's book.' She thought as she pulled out Psyduck's PokeBall, "Misty calls Psyduck!"
"Psy?" Psyduck blinked as he was brought out.
"Uh oh...The duck's back out," Makoto whispered, "Hey...Why's his hands not going straight for his head?"
"Oh, I helped teach him Calm Mind," Takeru explained.
"She must have a plan. Since Psyduck should be able to use his psychic moves now," Brock noted.
"Agreed, especially since Mary is an Electric Type," Mai added, "In fact...this kinda feels like something Ash would do."
"Yeah...weird," Ash added, "She must have a game plan to get past Cotton Guard."
"Psyduck, use Calm Mind!" Misty called out.
"Psy!" he saluted and put his hands to his head and took a deep breath, his eyes glowing slightly.
"...I need to be careful," Noel whispered, recalling what happened with Tsubaki earlier, "Mary, Rebound Spark!"
"Ma~!" Mary bawed as her wool poofed up once more, the electric sheep-Pokemon bouncing a bit until she was high in the air, electric sparks coming off her as she started heading down towards Psyduck.
"Psy?" he blinked before looking up, "Duck!" his eyes bulged a bit as Mary slammed down on him, "Psy…."
"Gotcha…" Misty whispered with a grin, "Psyduck, use Psyshock!"
"MAREEP!" Mary yelped as she was suddenly blasted off Psyduck by a psionic force.
"Psy?" he blinked, "Duck?!" he pointed to himself in shock.
"Yes, you did that," Misty nodded.
"Psyduck!?" he slapped the sides of his face.
"He's amazed he's actually strong," La explained.
"I think his little duck mind and little duck world has been blown," Makoto noted.
"But now Noel will need to be cautious," Tsubaki stated.
"Indeed. Calm Mind increases a Pokemon's Special Attack and Defense while Psyshock hits a Pokemon's physical Defense instead of special," Kajun added.
"...Welp, I know how Psyduck feels...cause I understood none of that," Ash bluntly admitted.
"Everytime Psyduck uses Calm Mind, his moves like Water Gun and Psyshock will become stronger."
"Okay," he nodded simply.
"You still don't fully get it?"
"No Ma'am!"
"It's okay. I didn't fully get it either," Makoto whispered to Ash.
'Mmm...Her Psyduck is gonna be a problem,' Noel thought as Mary landed back to her side of the field, dazed for a moment before shaking it off, "Are you okay, Mary?"
"Maa!" Mary bleated, looking at Noel in reassurance.
"Good…" Noel nodded, "Then let's try Iron Tail."
"Psyduck, use Water Gun!" Misty ordered.
"Psy!" Psyduck replied as he opened his mouth and let out an actual Water Gun instead of the little drizzle from before.
=Seems that thanks to him now knowing Calm Mind, he can actually focus on his attacks and actually use them= Alakai noted, he and Athena the RotomPhone recording the battle.
"Mary, use Cotton Guard to bounce yourself away!"
"Ma…!" Mary began as her wool poofed up, only for Water Gun to hit her as her wool became wet and soggy.
=Ooh..and the poor sinorita's Mareep has become muy soaked= Fiorello noted =I know the pain of when something made of wool gets wet by the rain=
'Yes! That's Cotton Guard taken out of the way!' Misty mentally beamed, "Psyduck, Scratch attack! Go!"
"Psy!" Psyduck began as he charged straight at the water-logged Mary, "Psysysysysysysyssysysysysysy!"
"Ahh! Iron Tail!" Noel yelped.
"Eep!" Mary yelped as her tail glowed and quickly used it as a shield to block the scratching hands of the yellow duck.
'What can I do? If I use Spark, it might hurt Mary as well...but…' Noel thought as she pondered her moves over, "Mary, use Headbutt!"
"Psyduck, Water Gun!"
"Ma…!" Mary began before her face was deluged with more water.
"Psyduck~!" Psyduck gurglged as he kept up the water flow, only to blink as he noticed some electricity starting to come off Mary, "?"
"Ma…." Mary grunted as the gem on her head began to shone, electricity crackling off it before she unleashed an electric beam that started tearing through the Water Gun.
"PSY!"
*BZZT! BOOM!*
"...duck~" Psyduck wheezed as he fell over, swirls replacing his eyes.
=Ooh and a newly learnt Charge Beam has knocked Psyduck out from point blank range! But wait…= the announcer began as Mary soon fell over =And it seems the resulting shock was too much for the waterlogged Mareep, knocking her out as well!=
"Misty finally lost a Pokemon, but Noel's down by two now," Brock noted as Togepi was happily chirping/cheering Misty on.
"Well...this is tense…" Makoto muttered, "Who knew a tournament with 'princess' in the name would be this intense..."
"The festival in the academy when we tried to help Tsubaki win," Kajun reminded.
"Huh? What happened?" Ash asked.
"They decided to use Mai's sensitive tongue to learn strategies of my opponents in rock, paper, scissors," Tsubaki glowered at Makoto and Kajun.
"...How?" Ash asked further.
"It's...probably best you don't know," Mai whispered with a faint blush.
"Misty calls Pele!" Misty called.
"Bun~!" Pele cheered as he came out of his ball.
'...Oh no…' Noel thought as she stood there, resisting every urge to just go out and hug Pele, 'No...but...this is a battle...but...the bunny…but the dolls...but the bunny!'
"Uh...Noel? You there?" Misty called out.
Noel quickly shook her head, "N-Nymph, it's Showtime!"
"Sylveon~!" the Fairy-Type mewled as she came out.
=And it's a Scorbunny vs Sylveon battle! Who will come out in this battle?=
"Nymph use Swift!"
"Syl!" Nymph declared, firing her Pixilated Swift.
"Pele, use U-Turn!" Misty called out.
"?!" Noel tensed up at that, 'Not good...If he connects, then I'll have to deal with Pikachu or whoever Misty's last Pokemon is…I need to prevent that move, but….mmm...I hope it works right.' "Nymph, Winds of Love!"
Nymph took a deep breath before unleashing a strong gust of pink wind, many of the pink gusts curling into heart shapes. Pele grunted as the winds slammed into him, the heart shapes 'popping' on impact. As the winds died down, Pele stumbled a bit...before hearts replaced his eyes.
"Bun~"
"Oh no...She must have had Attract in that combo," Takeru noted as Arthur popped out.
"(YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO BE DATING, YOUNG HATCHLING!)" Arthur snapped as Takeru grabbed him to hold him back from running down.
"It's just Attract, Arthur! It's a Status Condition, not an actual thing!" Takeru quickly spoke.
"Oh it worked!" Noel noted, "I'm actually shocked...Swift!" she decided to not give Misty a chance to swap out.
*BAM!*
"Bun~!" Pele swooned as he was sent flying, the stars taking the shapes of hearts in his view.
"I had no idea Attract was so strong…" Ash muttered.
"It can be tricky if used correctly," Kajun explained, "...and no. You may not teach one of your female Pokemon it."
"I wasn't thinking that," Ash argued.
"You totally were and thought 'maybe I could use it to mess with Gary when we meet up next time and battle,'" Makoto deadpanned.
"...Okay, I was," Ash muttered.
"I'm so sorry, little bunny," Noel whispered before speaking aloud, "Nymph, Windy Battle!"
"Veon!" Nymph declared, the tips of her ribbons glowing once more as she pounced on Pele and pulled him into a pink-tinted cloud for a few moments until it settled, revealing her skipping away from a knocked out Pele.
=And Scorbunny is knocked out! What will Misty choose to fight this little lady?=
"Misty calls...Dinadan!" Misty declared as she tossed out the Ultra Ball.
"Duraludon~!" Dinadan declared as they appeared, a metallic sound to their voice as they stood ready.
"WHAT IS THAT!?" Makoto exclaimed as Ash took out Dexter.
=Duraludon, the Alloy Pokemon. Duraludon are made of strong, but surprisingly light metal. Weighing only 88 lbs, it can move very fast. However, its body rusts easily to corrosion, so it lives in caves and mountain areas to avoid the rain. Due to the arms having two different shapes, it digs onto the surface for food= Dexter informed.
"That is literally the most cool looking Pokemon I've ever seen!" Makoto awed with stars in her and all her Pokemon's eyes, the ones with tails wagging said appendages excitedly.
"Makoto…" Tsubaki began.
"Tsubaki...it's a freakin' gun. Dragon! How more awesome is that?!" Makoto argued before blinking, "...oh...and Noellie's going against it…"
"Which will be hard for her since it's part Steel Type," Kajun added as she held out a book with a dragon emblem on it, "Duraludon are Dragon/Steel Types that can be fast, but are incredibly defensive physically while sporting high Special Attack."
"Dinadan can also perform a Gigantamax," Takeru added.
"Like when Edison became a Chunkachu?" Makoto asked.
"Please don't call me a 'Chunkachu,'" Edison deadpanned.
"Argue that the form doesn't make you chunky in an adorable way…" Makoto countered, "I'm waiting…" she waited a few more seconds as Edison tried multiple times to argue, but came up short, "Chunkachu stands!"
"So what does a Gigantimax Duraludon look like?" Kajun asked.
"You may see it later, so I don't want to spoil the surprise," Takeru replied, "I certainly was when I first saw it during the Pokemon League."
"Stealth Rock!" Misty called.
"DURA!" Dinadan roared as she slammed a fist into the ground, causing small spikes of earth to jut out of the ground around the arena before they vanished from sight.
"Eh? Stealth Rock?" Noel repeated, "Nymph, Swift!"
"Iron Defense!" Misty countered.
Dinadan swung her arms before her as her body started to glisten brighter than normal. The pink-tinted stars rained down on the Dragon/Steel-Type only to do little to no harm.
"Eon?!" Nymph gasped.
"Now use Flash Cannon!" Misty ordered.
"Dura!" Dinadan nodded as she lowered herself down, planting her 'fist' into the ground as her mouth opened up, revealing a silver-white light forming within before a large silver-white beam shot out of the Duraludon's mouth.
"Syl!" Nymph gasped before the beam collided with her, resulting in a massive explosion as she was sent flying into Noel, knocking the air out of her as she fell onto her butt, "Eon~"
=Ooh~ That's gotta sting= the announcer winced =Not only did a powerful and flashy Flash Cannon hit Noel's Sylveon hard, but sent her flying into her and knocked the air out of the poor girl!=
"Ah, Nymph! Are you okay?" Noel asked.
"Vyl~" Nymph moaned, her eyes swirling before shaking her head quickly and hopping out of them, "Syl!"
"That's another factor when a Pokemon has a high affection," La noted, "If an attack is capable of knocking them out, there's a rare chance that they can hang on after it hits."
"Okay, there has to be more than affection going on there," Makoto pointed out, "Like some kind of spiritual bond that gives them new abilities!"
"Isn't that what I was saying?" La asked, tilting her head.
"...You're messing with me, aren't you?"
"No, that's actually the term used for that very description you gave," Takeru replied.
"Alright, let's go for a Rock Smash to finish her off!" Misty called.
"Dura!" Dinadan roared as her right claws began to glow as she charged at Nymph.
'Oh no...what do I do? All of Nymph's moves are ineffective against Steel Types,' Noel thought in worry, "Mmm...may as well try it...Nymph, dodge and use Swift!"
"Sylve!" Nymph called as she narrowly avoided the Rock Smash, about to fire Swift before she winced as she landed, "?!"
"DURA!" Dinadan roared as she turned, slamming her Rock Smash into Nymph's chin, sending her flying into the air as she landed near Noel.
"Syl…" Nymph grunted as she struggled to get up, only to fall over with swirls replacing her eyes, "Veon~~~"
=And Sylveon is down! Noel now has just one Pokemon remaining while Misty has two! Can she turn the tide of this climactic battle?=
"...That's your Duraludon, isn't it?" Brock asked, looking at Takeru.
"Dinadan is," Takeru replied, "Considering Terra and his current...um...state..."
"I refuse to translate anything he's saying under his breath," Edison informed, inching away from the Sandshrew in a cone.
"...I lent her another," Takeru continued as if Edison hadn't said a thing.
"So this means this is down to two on one," Kajun spoke.
"Let's see what happens," Brock spoke as Togepi chirped in cheering Misty on.
"Ok...time for the finale," Noel whispered to herself, taking a deep breath as she pulled out Umi's PokeBall, "Umi, it's Showtime!"
"Milotic~!" Umi sang as she came out.
"!?" Dinadan tensed and began to sweat a little before the stone spikes appeared.
"Huh? What's…" Noel began before the spikes rammed into Umi, making the Shiny Milotic cry out in a pained shock, "Ah! Umi!"
=And there goes Duraludon's Stealth Rock! For those who are curious, what just happened is that Stealth Rock created invisible stone spikes that appear when your opponent sends out another Pokemon. These rocks then attack that Pokemon before anything can be done to stop them= the announcer explained =Fire-Type and Flying-Type Pokemon really hate this arena trap of sorts=
"Umi, are you okay?!" Noel asked in concern.
"Milo…" Umi grunted, shaking her head to force off the pain, "Tic!"
"Oh that's good," Noel sighed in relief before noticing Dinadan shaking, "Eh?"
"Oh, right...I forgot about this," Takeru recalled.
"Forgot what?" Ash asked.
"Dinadan has, um...issues with certain serpent-like Pokemon," Takeru explained.
"...What kind of issues?" Makoto asked.
"DURA!" Dinadan screamed as she turned and ran behind Misty.
"That kind," Takeru replied, "Apparently, when she was a hatchling, she nearly got eaten by a Gyarados and then nearly drowned by falling into a Max Raid Den that had a Dynamaxed Milotic in it."
"It doesn't help that Duraludon hate water in general," Edison added.
"You're kidding me," Mai deadpanned.
"We kid you not," Edison replied.
=...Should...Should we count it as a forfeit for that Pokemon?= the announcer whispered to Fiorello.
=I mean...the Duraludon ran...I doubt it could continue…= he whispered back =This is...how you say...technical…=
=F-fair enough= the announcer whispered before clearing his throat and speaking aloud =Due to Misty's Duraludon being unable to battle, Noel wins this round, leaving a match up between her Shiny Milotic and Misty's Pikachu!=
"Dinadan…" Takeru sighed, facepalming alongside Edison and Arthur as Misty returned Dinadan to her ball while Pikachu ran onto the field.
"(Let's have a good fight, okay~?)" Umi beamed at Pikachu.
"(Sure thing!)" Pikachu nodded, "(No hard feelings, right?)"
"(None whatsoever~!)"
"Well, at least we know they'll have fun with their fight." Makoto noted.
"Aye...and yet it's so hard to pick who to cheer for," Mai added.
"I tend to find flipping a coin helps or just cheering for both," Edison shrugged before looking at the happy, chirping Togepi, "Though I think we can rule out the young hatchling here in being unbiased since she's repeating 'Yay' and 'Meema'."
"Begin!" the referee declared.
"Water Pulse/Thunderbolt!"
The pulse of water collided with the blast of lighting, creating an explosion upon impact and making a cloud of steam that was dispersed by a yellow blur and a cream and gold blur, moving about in it before both collided with an Iron Tail each. The two struggled with one another before a purple, jagged energy began to come off Umi's tail while lightning erupted off Pikachu's and they swung once more, making an explosion that knocked both away from each other.
"They both infused another attack into their Iron Tails," Kajun noted, "Thunderbolt as normal for Pikachu while it looked to be Dragon Tail for Umi."
"Thunderbolt/Ice Beam!"
"Pika/Milo~" Pikachu and Umi began before they fired off the electric blast and beam of icy-bright light respectively, "CHU~!/TIC!"
=Amazing! Neither Pokemon are giving in as they clash with each flashy and dazzling move!= the announcer gasped in awe as the two attacks clashed, covering the arena in an icy explosion of electricity =Truly, this is a grand Princess Festival finale in the making folks!=
"Look at 'em go!" Makoto whooped.
"Chipa/Emol!" Berry and Cherry cheered, waving tiny pom-poms with Berry dressed as a cheerleader.
"Hydro Pump!" Noel called.
"MILO!" Umi shouted as she blasted a strong pressurized stream of water at Pikachu.
"Agility!" Misty called as Pikachu quickly ran around, the ground being torn apart by the water Umi fired at him.
"They are really going at it." Mai noted.
"I think Pikachu is just enjoying the battle," Ash smiled, seeing his partner running through the battlefield with a smile on his face as he did.
"Twister!" Noel called out.
An orb of wind appeared on the end of Umi's tail. With a swing of her fan-like tail, the orb exploded into a light-purple tornado that headed for Pikachu. The rodent skidded to a halt, still smirking before jumping at the oncoming tornado.
"Pika…!" Misty began before Pikachu let out a cry and a pulse of lightning erupted out of his body, dispersing the tornado and hitting Umi, causing her to let out a startled cry of pain, "Huh!?"
"Ashton..." Kajun began.
"Pidgeotto knows Twister so we've been making a strategy to handle it," Ash explained before looking at Berry, "We also had to find a lot of sweets to convince Berry to teach Pikachu how to use Discharge."
"So that's why my tail was so sticky!" Makoto realized as she fumed at the now sheepish Pachirisu, "Oh you little goober…"
"I...am sorry about that. I assumed Berry would just not do that…" Ash mumbled, "My B…"
"You two become more and more siblings like…" Tsubaki noted.
"Agreed," Mai muttered in agreement.
"Bad," Kajun scolded, whapping both with the folding fan this time.
"One more Hydro Pump!"
"Pikachu, Zap Cannon!"
Both powerful attacks collided with one another, struggling against one another before ultimately exploding from their combined energies refusing to give out to the other. A large mist that was sparking with residual static electricity formed and covered the entire battlefield.
"Iron Tail!"
At that, the shadowed visages of both Pokemon rushed forward through the mist. Sparks lit up the thick layer of mist as their attacks clashed again and again. It sounded like swords clashing back and forth as everyone watched the shadows dance around one another and swing their tails again and again.
=Folks, I am on the edge of my seat!= the announcer gasped out in excitement =While it cannot be seen, both combatants' Pokemon are clashing with their respective tail attacks!=
=It is the clanging sounds of their fiery passione...their very souls being poured into their attacks!= Fiorello declared dramatically as he felt the energetic excitement flow through his body.
"Come on, Pikachu…" Ash whispered.
"PVT/CRYO STREAM!" Misty and Noel called out.
"Milo~tic~!" Umi called out as she unleashed a large pressurized blast of water, parts of it freezing over as it headed towards the charging Pikachu.
"Pikapikapikapika!" Pikachu chanted rapidly in his charge before, in mid-charge, he proceeded to jump and start to run on the frozen parts of the blast, "Pikapikapikapika!"
"Wh-What?!" Noel gasped.
"Is that why you asked to borrow Celsius that day you were training with Squirtle?" Mai asked as Edison laughed.
"The potential that can be reached with a child's imagination," Edison noted, "Your attempt to recreate a non-damaging Volt Tackle is allowing him to create a magnetic effect in allowing him to gather the molecules in Umi's attack to let him use the liquid parts as a solid surface!"
"Not really. I just wanted Squirtle to learn Ice Beam and for them to learn how to handle Ice-Types since they'd probably freeze all of Squirtle's attacks or cause the ground to get to slippery for Pikachu to run," Ash replied.
"Oh…I….see…." Edison noted with an owlish blink.
"That's Ash for ya...you can never predict what he's thinking," Brock chuckled a bit.
"He's like a random genius…" Makoto nodded.
"PIKA!" Pikachu yelled as he slammed into Umi, resulting in a massive electric explosion as the Pikachu flew out of the resulting smoke cloud.
=And it's a direct hit!= the announcer exclaimed as the smoke slowly dissipated, revealing Umi still standing tall.
"Milo…" Umi began...before falling over, her eyes replaced with swirls, "Tic~"
"Milotic is unable to battle!" The referee declared, raising the flag closer to Misty, "The winner is Misty Waterflower!"
"I..I won?" Misty blinked before smiling greatly, "I won! I won!"
=She did it! Through an intense heated battle of passion, Misty has become our new Princess Festival Queen!= the announcer declared.
=Si! Senora Misty is que magnifico!= Fiorello added as he was still high from the excitement of the battle.
"Finally! I have my very own doll set!" Misty declared happily before looking at Noel.
"I...I lost…" Noel whispered, looking down as she returned Umi to her PokeBall, "...but…" she looked up at Misty with a small, soft smile, "I guess it shows I still have a ways to go...great battle, Misty!"
"It was," Misty smiled as she walked over, holding her hand out to Noel, "Come on..let's both give the festival a proper send off."
"...yeah," Noel nodded, taking Misty's hand as they raised their arms up high into the air.
=And a truly stunning show of showmanship from both girls! Even going against one another for the title of Princess fEstival Queen, it shows that their friendship is truly strong!= the announcer called out =A truly beautiful end to this year's Princess Festival!=
"And there," Misty whispered as she finished putting a stamp on a large box.
"You're sending them back home?" Ash blinked as he and the others stood by.
"Well it's not like I can carry them around with me, so I'm shipping them back to the Cerulean Gym," Misty explained before snickering to herself, "I can't wait to see the looks on my sisters' faces when they see these!"
"So petty…" Mai whispered.
"Eh, not surprised," Makoto shrugged, "Still, this was a pretty fun day. Lot of good deals, great buffets, and a pretty cool tournament. And Noellie's Eevee became a Sylveon! Guess I can't call her a little cinnamon bun anymore, huh? Maybe a little pink cream puff?"
"There's a Pokemon nicknamed that already. It's called Slurpuff," Kajun replied.
"Darn….oh! Strawberry-pink marshmallow puff!"
"I believe that's Wigglytuff, Jigglypuff's evolved form," Kajun noted.
"Mmm~...Strawberry creme puff?"
"That would be Alcremie."
"Mmm~" Makoto puffed her cheeks up in annoyance, "I will think of a cute food-based nickname for her…"
"Speaking of, dinner should be ready soon," Tsubaki noted.
"Oh yeah! Just watching all those fights made me starved!" Makoto noted as Misty handed the box to the delivery men to send off.
"I hope it gets there safely," Misty noted before turning to the others only to yelp at being face-to-face with Joan.
"I was wondering what was taking so long," Edison noted, sitting atop the raptor-like Charizard's head, "Ms. Waterflower, I do hope you didn't forget."
"Forget? Forget what?" Misty asked.
"The Egg of course," Edison explained as he slid down Joan's neck to the satchel on her side and pulled out the egg inside of a container.
"Oh that's right!" Noel recalled.
"I'm quite pleased you managed to win it," Edison noted, "This one is for a truly special Pokemon all the way from Galar. I won't spoil it, now, but I do think it fits you."
"Really?" Misty blinked as she took the egg, "Cool...plus when it hatches, Togepi will have another friend her age to play with."
"Togepri~!" Togepi chirped from Mai's arms.
"Excellent! Now do hurry up. Brock and La are just putting the last touches on dinner as Fleur is finishing preparing the dessert," Edison informed as Joan began to walk off, "She made her famous ice cream cake for this occasion and I refuse to miss out on it."
"Cake?" Makoto repeated as her ears perked up.
"One slice," Tsubaki spoke up, "...And not a cartoonishly huge one either."
"Boo~" Makoto booed.
"Don't give me that. You…"
"I also forgot to mention the melted chocolate that will be added to the menu."
"...Chocolate…?" Tsubaki repeated, making Mai, Makoto, Noel and Kajun tense up.
"NO!" Makoto panicked, tackling Tsubaki.
"What's going on?" Ash asked.
"I have no idea," Misty shrugged.
"Why did Makoto tackle Lady Tsubaki?" Luca asked.
"You think Makoto's bad with food...try Tsubaki and chocolate," Mai sighed.
"I'm not….that bad…!" Tsubaki grunted.
"Last White Day," Noel deadpanned.
"You can't prove that."
"We still feel the melted chocolate," Mai sighed.
"You have the right to remain silent!" Makoto spoke, pinning Tsubaki down and sitting on her arms.
"Wh-?! Makoto, get off me!" Tsubaki snapped, "This is unneces-"
"It is entirely necessary!" Makoto declared, she then turned to her tail, "Psst...find my novelty police cap…" she whispered to her Pokemon.
"Chipa!" Berry, dressed as an Officer Jenny, hopped out of Makoto's tail and slipped said police cap on the Beastkin's head.
"The hat has to be unnecessary!" Tsubaki snapped.
"Maybe...but it's cute." Makoto argued, "Get the rope!" she shouted to the others who knew this untold story, "All of the Rope!"
"...wow," Ash blinked alongside Misty, Pikachu, Joan, and Edison.
"Why do we keep running out of rope?" Kajun complained, going through their things.
"This is insane!" Tsubaki complained.
"Someone just mauled a chocolate cake," Noel sighed.
"WHERE?! THEY MUST PAY!-!-!"
"See?!" the four girls that personally knew the red-head snapped.
"What has become of Lady Tsubaki?" Luca gawked.
"From now on...the word Chocolate is Taboo! Taboo I say!" Makoto shouted.
"I'm just gonna nod...and walk away." Ash muttered, "Come on Pikachu,"
"Pika-pi!" he agreed returning to his spot on Ash as they slowly backed away.
"Well, I was not expecting this," Edison noted as Joan let out a soft growl, "No, we are not just going to give it to her. It may not even calm her down, but wind her up more."
"LET ME GO RIGHT THIS INSTANT!" Tsubaki snapped.
"NEVAH~!" Makoto declared.
GT: Hoo...This was a long one in the making. Mainly for the last three battles.
SZ: Indeed, but a nice change from the original episode regardless.
Z0: Are we not gonna talk about how Makoto just Citizen arrested Tsubaki?
SZ:...Well...someone has to try and reign Tsubaki in the moment the C-word is mentioned.
Makoto: Taboo!
GT: Yeah, let's just say that happened and move on, right?
SZ: Righty….ahem. Anyways we are done with the chapter, and hopefully some of the filler stuff...tune in next time as the group hopefully...and finally heads to Cinnabar Island for Ash's next Gym Battle
Z0: Should be crazy and fun.
GT: 'Till then, please Read and Review!