Episode 59: The May-Dawn Voyage

It's sunset. Everyone has gathered in a park. Brock is busy cooking dinner while Ash. Brenda, May, and Dawn wait. Brock says, "Food will be only a little longer, why don't you guys go ahead and let out your Pokémon?"

Ash nods. "Great idea." He tosses up his Pokéballs. "Come out everyone!" Out comes Falcoknight, Dashilisk, and Turtsol.

Brenda, May, and Dawn also throw their Pokéballs as well, sending out Kappaqua, Glitterfly, Rabbolt, Frostcicle, Blaziken, Beautifly, Skitty, Venusaur, Munchlax, Blastoise, Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, Mamoswine, Typhlosion, and Togekiss.

Lastly Brock takes a break from cooking to send out his Blissey and Meteorfight.

Ash says to massive group of Pokémon, "Dinner will be ready soon, you can all go ahead and play while we're waiting." The Pokémon all cheer and run off to partake in various recreational activities.

Brenda, May, and Dawn may be competing against each other in the semi-final round of the Wallace Cup, but that's not going to stop them from enjoying a nice meal together, especially when said meal is cooked by the one and only Brock!

Pachirisu approaches Dawn and asks with its cutest possible face, "Pachi pa?"

Dawn grins. Unable to refuse she says, "Alright, you can have one Poffin, but only one. Okay?"

Pachirisu nods happily. "Pachi!" Dawn pulls out one her pink Poffins and hands it to Pachirisu. Pachirisu happily takes it and runs off to go eat it.

Ash laughs, "I see Pachirisu still loves you Poffins."

Dawn grins. "Of course, they are the best after all."

They watch as Pachirisu sits down at the base of tree and begins to nibble away at the Poffin. However, before it can get far Rabbolt leaps in out of nowhere and snatches the Poffin out of its hands. It then swiftly eats it one bite. It takes Pachirisu a moment to realize the Poffin is missing. Once it does it begins to wail.

Dawn asks, "What was that!?"

Brenda chuckles awkwardly and scratches the back of her head. "Sorry about that. I guess I should have warned you that Rabbolt doesn't like Pokémon that look like it, so it's always playing pranks on them."

Ash adds, "It never leaves Pikachu alone either."

Dawn gets up. "No need to worry." She walks over to Pachirisu and hands it another Poffin. Pachirisu instantly stops crying and begins to joyously eat it.

Meanwhile, Munchlax is watching enviously. Dawn sees it and asks, "Would you like a Poffin too, Munchlax?" She holds one out.

Munchlax happily accepts, "Munch!" It devours and smiles. "Lax!"

Max sighs, "I should probably feed Munchlax before it asks for seconds." He gets up and pulls out a Pokéblock Case. Out of it pops a few pink Pokéblock. "Eat up Munchlax!" He tosses them into the air and Munchlax leaps up and catches them in its mouth. As soon as it swallows its belly bloats up with fullness.

May grins proudly. "May's Pink Surprise is working as great as ever." She then get up.

Brenda asks, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to go and take a walk. Stretch my legs a bit before dinner. I'll be back soon."

Brock calls over, "Just make sure of that. You don't want to miss tonight's dinner."

May grins. "I wouldn't dream of it, Brock." She walks off.

Having walked some distance from the park, she spies someone off in the distance. It's Will. He's carrying his backpack and has Ravenoir perched on his shoulder. May runs over to him. "Hey Will, how's it going?"

Will turns to see her. "Oh, hi May. I was just getting ready to hit the road again. Ravenoir and I like to travel at night."

May tilts her head questioningly. "You're not going to stay and watch the rest of the Wallace Cup?"

He shrugs. "Now that I'm out, I didn't see much of a reason to stay."

"What about Brenda?"

Will frowns. "What about her?"

"You're her friend, don't you think you should stay and support her?"

Will shakes his head. "She is not my friend. I can't stand her, in fact. She's just a little girl pretending to be a coordinator. She doesn't have any commitment or care. It's insulting, honestly."

Now May shakes her head. "That's not true, and I think you know that. You're only saying it to lie to yourself."

"And why would I do that?"

"I think it's because you really do care about Brenda. You think she betrayed you, but that doesn't change the fact that you see so much potential in her, and you want to see that potential met. You tell yourself you don't care about her because you were let down by her performance at her last contest."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know Brenda cares about you too. I was talking with her earlier today about you. She really does look up to you and admire you. She strives to be as good as you are. She's ashamed that she let you down."

"If that's really the case, then she should be training." With that he turns around and begins to walk away.

"She is, you know. And you're the reason. The Wallace Cup is the first time she ever trained for anything, and it was all to impress you."

Will stops in his footsteps, but remains wordless.

"That potential you saw in her? I see it too, and I see a coordinator who will undoubtedly achieve that full potential. Look, why don't you just stick around? Watch Brenda tomorrow. I mean really watch her performance. You'll be able to tell that she's put a lot of work into this, I'm certain of that. Let her prove herself to you, that's all she really wants right now. And by proving herself to you, she'll finally be able to prove herself to herself."

Without another word, Will walks off, not even looking back towards May.

May sighs. "So much for that…"

May and Will aren't the only ones out and about at this time. Sneaking around nearby is Team Rocket with Jessie dressed as Jessileia. Meowth complains, "What are we even doing sneaking around like this?"

Jessie answers, "Isn't it obvious? Just ahead is the villa where Wallace is staying during the Wallace Cup."

James says, "Oh, so we're going to take his Milotic and give it to the Boss. I like that idea."

Meowth nods, "Yeah, I'm sure the Boss would love a Milotic, in fact I can see it now." He begins to fantasize about his plan. He envisions the fantasy Giovani sitting in arm chair with an obvious look of boredom on his face. "The Boss is sitting bored one day and-"

Jessie interrupts his fantasy sequence, "No! Not at all. We're not trying to steal his Milotic at all."

James and Meowth both question at once, "We're not?"

Jessie nods. "Of course not, why would we steal the world's most talented, not to mention handsome, coordinator's star Pokémon?"

James responds with confusion, "Because we're Pokémon thieves and that's what we do…?"

Meowth suggests with confusion, "Because his Milotic could fetch us a pretty penny…?"

Jessie answers, "I don't care if it would bring pennies from heaven! We are not stealing my darling Wallace's Milotic."

Meowth then says, "Alright I give. What are we doing? Penny for your thoughts."

"Why, I'm going to give Wallace a show that he'll never forget. One so good that he'll realize the mistake that was made in kicking me out of the Wallace Cup. Just think about it." She picks up on Meowth's Boss Fantasy where he left off, only replacing the bored cartoon of Giovani with a bored cartoon of Wallace. "Wallace is in his villa right now, sitting around all bored. He's thinking about how none of the coordinators left in the Wallace Cup are worth winning a contest that bears his name. But then that's where I come in!" Fantasy Jessileia leaps into the picture with her Repiv. The two put on some sort of unusual dance routine. Fantasy Wallace instantly perks up and begins to clap. "We give Wallace such a show that he'll say," then, in her best, which means not so good, impersonation of Wallace, she says, "Oh lovely Jessileia, what a wonderful show you have put on! Forget the Wallace Cup, here, take this Aqua Ribbon. You deserve not only it, but my heart as well!" The fantasy ends.

James and Meowth silently stare at each other, both thinking the same thing.

Then Wobbuffet appears and declares, "Wobbuffet!"

Jessie nods. "Yes, it is a great plan. Thank you Wobbuffet." She sees the looks being given by James and Meowth. She demands, "Hey! What's that look!?"

Meowth and James step back in fright. Meowth attempts to soothe Jessie, "Oh…nothing…it's nothing at all."

James adds, "Yeah, it was just…it was admiring your plan…and um…trying to envision what a wonderful show you'll put on for Wallace."

Jessie nods with satisfaction. "I thought so. Now let's go." She confidently strolls out of their hiding spot and into the open, approaching a nearby house that is apparently Wallace's villa.

However, the moment she does so someone shouts, "Hey, you! This area is off limits to the public!"

Jessie laughs. "Oh don't worry about me, Wallace is expecting me."

Meowth and James look to each other again. They both sigh and resentfully walk out with Jessie.

Into view runs a guard and his Arcanine. He shouts, "No he isn't. Leave now, or I'm authorized to use force."

Jessie laughs again. "I've got a date with destiny, there's no way you're getting me to leave."

The guard has had it. He orders, "Arcanine, use Flare Blitz!" The Arcanine charges at Team Rocket while cloaked in fire. It rams into them and sends them flying.

Jessie cries out in despair, "Wallace my darling, no!"

James and Meowth sigh again.

They all say at once, Jessie shouting in despair, and James and Meowth groaning, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"

Wobbuffet adds a drawn out, "Wobbuffet!" as they disappear into the sky.

Who's that Pokémon!?

It can manipulate an opponent's memory. Apparently, it communicates by flashing its three different-colored fingers.

Gillian announces, "Thanks for waiting, folks! I am pleased to announce that the Wallace Cup is ready to swing back into action!" The contest hall is once again filled to the brim with spectators. On either side of the water-based battlefield stands May and Brenda. Gillian continues, "But before we get this first semifinal battle out of the way, how about a word from the Contest Master himself?"

Wallace stands up from his seat and announces, "With how magnificent yesterday's performances were, I can't imagine them getting any better, and yet here in the semifinal round you just know that things are about to be taken to a whole new level. I, for one, cannot wait to see the displays of beauty and showmanship that the remaining four coordinators have in store for us! Please, by all means, let's get this show moving!" The audience all applaud, including Ash, Brock, and Max who have moved back to normal audience seating.

Gillian then says, "Alright, you heard the man, let's start this thing!"

Brenda and May both pull out a Pokéball. Brenda tosses hers first. "Glitterfly, center stage!"

May throws hers and declares, "Blaziken, take the stage!"

Ash says, "Wow, Brenda versus May. This is going to be a great show."

Max says, "Of course, my sister is going to win it."

Brock responds, "I don't know. May might have more experience than Brenda, but Brenda is full of surprises. Now that she's actually started training I'm not sure that anything can stop her. One thing's for sure, this will be an intense battle."

Gillian announces, "Five minutes on the clock! Begin!"

May doesn't waste a second and orders, "Blaziken, use Blaze Kick!" With its foot alit with fire, Blaziken leaps across the pool towards Glitterfly.

Brenda gets right into action as well. "Stun it with Flash, Glitterfly!" Glitterfly spreads its wings and momentarily creates a bright flash of light with them. Blaziken is forced to close its eyes, causing it to veer off course.

Gillian comments, "Looks like that brilliant flash of light from Glitterfly was too much for Blaziken to handle, it's been thrown completely off course!" Blaziken lands off to Glitterfly's right and looks around in an attempt to gain its bearings after the disorienting Flash.

Brenda takes advantage of situation, "Great, now use Sparkling Flare!" Glitterfly begins to flap its wings rapidly as it generates an aura of light energy around it.

"Glitterererererfly!" It unleashes the light in a sparkling attack aimed right at Blaziken.

Blaziken regains its sight just as this attack is about to hit, giving it just enough time to leap up and out of the way. May cheers, "Great job Blaziken, now use Sky Uppercut!" Blaziken lands on the ground and immediately begins to run at Glitterfly.

Brenda orders, "Up in the air Glitterfly!" Glitterfly flies up to avoid being hit.

May grins with amusement. "Your mistake, Brenda."

Brenda asks in surprise, "What?"

Blaziken gets below Glitterfly and then leaps up with glowing white claws, delivering a powerful uppercut to Glitterfly, knocking it out of the air, causing it to land on one of the platforms in the middle of the pool.

May says, "Great job Blaziken, now attack with Overheat!" Blaziken unleashes a powerful blast of heated fire from its mouth aimed directly at the fallen Glitterfly.

Gillian points out, "With a move as powerful as Overheat being super-effective against Glitterfly, it's going to be difficult for it to recover if this move makes contact!"

Brenda gets anxious and orders, "Quickly Glitterfly, counter with Solar Beam!" Just in the nick of time Glitterfly manages to get up and quickly charge its beam due to the bright sunlight. Its Solar Beam then collides with Blaziken's Overheat. The two moves cause a dazzling display of light as they collide and fight for supremacy. Brenda and May stare at each other intensely. Neither give way. Then Brenda gets an idea. "Glitterfly, don't stop using Solar Beam, but also use Flash!" Glitterfly does as its told and produces another stunningly bright flash of light. This sudden attack catches Blaziken off-guard and stuns it for just long enough for Glitterfly's Solar Beam to win out and hit Blaziken.

Blaziken shouts with pain, "Blaziken!"

Gillian declares, "Some quick thinking on Brenda's part just turned that situation around. That's going to cost May some points for sure!" And it does, as May's points drop by a descent chunk.

May doesn't let that get to her though. She shouts, "Blaziken, go for your Blaze Kick again!" Blaziken quickly recovers and leaps at Glitterfly.

Brenda grins arrogantly. "Didn't you learn anything from last time? Use Flash Glitterfly!" Glitterfly creates another Flash of light, but this time it has no effect on Blaziken. It lands on the platform in front of Glitterfly and delivers a fiery kick, knocking Glitterfly to the other side of the pool. Brenda says with shock, "But how!?"

May grins. "Blaziken and I did learn, Brenda. Once Blaziken had itself aimed at Glitterfly it was able to close its eyes so that your Flash attack wouldn't effect it." Brenda's points drop. Both Brenda and May are getting low on points now, but are roughly tied. May then orders, "Let's follow that up another Sky Uppercut!" Blaziken begins to move towards Glitterfly by hopping from platform to platform.

Brenda suggests, "Deter it with Signal Beam!" Glitterfly begins to attack with a beam of colorful light.

May is ready for this, though. "Oh no you don't. Counter with Flamethrower, Blaziken!" With each beam of light from Glitterfly, Blaziken cancels it with a breath of fire. It continues to make its way towards Glitterfly.

Brenda thinks, Oh no, I can't stop it! Glitterfly is getting weak, if this attack makes contact it might be all over, and Glitterfly can't dodge Sky Uppercut. I need to block Blaziken some other way… Then inspiration comes to her. Just as Blaziken is nearing, Brenda declares, "Glitterfly, attack the pool with Sparkling Flare!" Glitterfly does so on the section of pool right beneath where Blaziken is jumping. The water splashes up forcefully and actually knocks Blaziken backwards.

Blaziken lands on a nearby platform. May quickly orders, "Overheat!"

Brenda just as quickly counters, "Solar Beam!" The two powerful attacks collide once more, this time causing an explosion that knocks both Pokémon backwards.

Both May and Brenda are just about to order another attack when Gillian announces, "That's it! This battle is over!" Everyone looks to the scoreboard with surprise. Brenda has only a sliver of points left, May has none. "In this incredibly close match, Brenda and Glitterfly have just barely edged out May and Blaziken! They'll be moving on to the final round!"

Everyone claps for Brenda. Ash cheers, "Great job Brenda!"

Max says in disbelief, "What!? May lost!"

May smiles and says to Brenda, who is celebrating with Glitterfly, "That was an excellent battle Brenda. You and Glitterfly were stunning out there.

Brenda smiles back. "You and Blaziken make quite the team as well."

It's Beheeyem!

Dawn and Mamoswine are locked in the middle of a battle with a coordinator using a Delphin. Dawn orders, "Mamoswine, use Ancient Power!"

"Mamo!" Mamoswine glows a brilliant white as it charges energy. It then releases all of the energy in a concentrated orb fired at Delphin.

The opponent orders, "Underwater, Delphin!" Delphin dives down into the pool, avoiding the attack.

Dawn grins. "Alright Mamoswine, Ice Shard!" Mamoswine gathers cold air between its tusks, creating a ball of ice, which it launches at the water, freezing the entire surface of the pool.

Gillian declares, "Looks like this might be it for Delphin! It can't fight if it's trapped beneath ice!"

The opponent states, "Don't count us out yet! Use Scald, Delphin!" An eruption of steam water is shot from Delphin's blowhole, melting right through the ice and then hitting Mamoswine. "Now throw in a Hyper Voice!" Delphin pokes its head above the water and emits a loud hypersonic chatter. Mamoswine cries out in pain.

Dawn encourages, "Come on Mamoswine, you've got to fight through it! Ignore it and use Take Down!"

Mamoswine grunts, "Mamo…" in response. It then begins to run towards the pool where Delphin swims and is cloaked in a white light.

The opponent asks in confusion, "Huh? What is she doing? Mamoswine's Take Down won't do anything to Delphin while it's in the water."

"Do it Mamoswine!" Mamoswine gets to the edge of the pool and then stops for a moment before actually leaping into the air, and then falling down towards Delphin. Delphin looks up with wide eyes. It tries to swim away quickly, but it can't in time. Mamoswine lands on the water in a massive belly flop, causing a large wave splash out in all directions, cracking up the remaining ice sheet. Delphin floats up to the surface knocked out. The judges declare it unable to battle. Dawn cheers, "All right!" Mamoswine swims to the side of the pool and gets out. Once up on land it shakes it body to dry off.

Brenda watches this from backstage with Kappaqua at her side. She says, "That's it, then. We're facing Dawn in the finals. She's been nothing but a help to us, and now we've got to beat her. Are you ready, Kappaqua?"

Kappaqua nods. "Kap."

Brenda grins. "So am I."

And so, Brenda and Dawn both take their positions on either side of the stage. Both stand ready with determination. Gillian announces, "This is it! The final match of the Wallace Cup is upon us! Whoever wins this battle will be awarded the beautiful Aqua Ribbon, able to be used for entry into any Grand Festival, anywhere in the world!" She looks to Wallace and asks, "Would you do the honor, Wallace?"

Wallace nods and stands up. "I have been pleased immensely watching the two of you climb the ranks in my tournament. Either one of you could easily become the next Contest Master, and I don't say that lightly! Now, without further ado, begin the battle!"

Brenda throws her Pokéball. "Kappaqua, center stage!"

Dawn also throws a Pokéball. "Piplup, spotlight!" The respective water starter Pokémon appear on the stage.

Brenda immediately orders, "Water Gun!"

At the same time, Dawn orders, "Bubble Beam!"

"Kappapapaqua!"

"Piplupluplup!" The two water attacks collide and cancel.

Not missing a beat, Brenda changes her strategy to, "Aqua Bomb, now!" Kappaqua hurls an orb of water at Piplup.

"Use Peck, Piplup!" Piplup leaps into the air, its beak begins to glow and it grows longer, and it heads straight towards Kappaqua. With a spinning Peck, it actually pierces right through the Aqua Bomb, coming out the other side and causing it to explode behind it. This catches both Brenda and Kappaqua off guard. Piplup then lands its attack on Kappaqua. "Now use Whirlpool!"

"Piiiiipluuup!" Piplup creates a massive whirlpool that captures Kappaqua.

Brenda shouts, "Kappaqua, no!"

Gillian exclaims, "Looks like Piplup's got Kappaqua trapped in a mighty powerful Whirlpool attack! This is going to be hard to get out of for sure!"

Brenda thinks in panic, Oh no! What do I do!? She clenches her fists. No, I've got to keep control. I can handle this. I've just got to remember my training…my training! That's it! She then orders, "Kappaqua, use Confusion, just like we did at the lake!"

Kappaqua, who was panicking and trying to fight against the water, suddenly calms down as it realizes what Brenda is referring to. It then allows itself to fall into the center of the whirlpool. Once there, it unleashes its psychic powers. It literally rips the whirlpool apart and sends water splashing everywhere. Kappaqua lands in the pool.

Ash, Brock, May, and Max watch from the audience. Buneary is also there, dressed as a cheerleader to cheer on Dawn. Ash cheers, "That was some quick thinking on Brenda's part!"

Brock says, "I remember, she was trying something similar to that using the water in the lake they were training at before. Looks like she was able to adapt her training to this battle, that's great!"

May says to herself, "Now if only Will could see this…"

Dawn gets ready for her next move and orders, "Into the pool as well, Piplup!" Piplup leaps into the pool, so now both Pokémon are swimming.

Brenda commands, "Rapid fire Aqua Bomb, Kappaqua!" Kappaqua begins to generate orb after orb of water and throws each one of them towards Piplup.

"Peck, Piplup!" Piplup enlarges its beak and begins to swim towards Kappaqua at high speeds, weaving around the Aqua Bomb barrage. This constant dodging causes Brenda's points to lower slowly but steadily.

In a last-ditch effort to stop Piplup's approach, Brenda orders, "Water Gun!" Kappaqua attacks with a spray of water directly at Piplup. However, Piplup easily dodges to the side and then strikes Kappaqua from an angle. This hit knocks Kappaqua towards the center of the pool. Brenda's points drop some more.

Dawn rolls right into her next move and orders, "Alright Piplup, Whirlpool!" Piplup dives further down into the water and then begins its attack.

Ash marvels, "Wow, I've never seen Whirlpool used underwater before!"

The result is that the entire pool gets turned into a raging whirlpool. Kappaqua and the floating platforms begins to be thrown around in the intense current. Dawn grins. "There's no way you're stopping this one with your Confusion!"

Gillian seems to agree. "Dawn has turned the entire water stage into one rampant whirlpool! Things aren't looking too good for Brenda and Kappaqua right now!" Brenda's points lower.

Brenda grimaces. "Kappaqua, you've got to get out of there!" Kappaqua puts in an intense effort to free itself from the current, but it is to no avail. "Kappaqua!"

Dawn now takes advantage of the situation. "Piplup, let's attack with style! Hydro Pump!" Piplup, who was surfing on a platform being carried by the current, leaps into the air with a somersault. Just as it's over the point containing Kappaqua it attacks with a large torrent of water. The attack hits and Piplup lands on another platform. Brenda's points drop. "Again Piplup!" Piplup repeats its action once more, landing another hit on Kappaqua and further lowering Brenda's points.

Gillian exclaims, "There's nothing Kappaqua can do but fall victim to Piplup's barrage of attacks as it's hopelessly trapped in the vortex!"

Piplup launches yet another attack. Kappaqua is beginning to appear fatigued from the combination of trying to fight the current and Piplup's attacks, and Brenda's points have almost ran out.

Brenda shouts out with utter determination, "Kappaqua! I know you can get out of this! I just know it! You and I trained so hard! We can't let it end like this, we just can't!"

These words seem to resonate with Kappaqua. A look of sheer determination and willpower crosses its face. "Kappapapaquaaaaaaa!" It begins to glow. A transformation begins.

Brenda gasps. "No way…"

Dawn asks in surprise, "Is that…!?"

Gillian says with equal surprise, "What? Kappaqua is evolving!" The entire audience gasps.

The light around Kappaqua ceases, revealing its new form. It has not only grown larger, but its limbs are now proportionately longer as well. Also notable is that the fin on its head is more prominent, and now goes down its neck and onto its back. Its eyes begin to glow purple and it shouts, "Kapapapaqueous!" The entire whirlpool freezes in place. This sudden cessation of movement cause Piplup to fall off of the platform it was surfing and into the water. After a moment of charging its energy, the new Pokémon unleashes an intense shockwave of psychic energy through the water. This shockwave impacts Piplup with a heavy hit.

Ash, mostly speechless, manages to says, "Wow…" He pulls out his Pokédex.

"Kappaqueous, the Psychic Kappa Pokémon and Water and Psychic Combo-Type. This Pokémon is known for its ability to finely manipulate water with its psychic powers. It has been known to have a mischievous nature and use this ability to play tricks on those who get too close to its river home. Evolves from Kappaqua at level 16 and into Kappaquarius at level 36."

With the stun wearing off, Gillian explains, "What you just saw was a fine example of Kappaqueous' signature move, Hydroshock! It uses its hydrokinetic abilities to deliver shockwave of pure kinetic energy through water! What a sight!" Dawn loses a significant chunk of points.

Dawn congratulates, "Wow Brenda, Kappaqua just evolved to help you out! That's great!"

Brenda, only just realizing what's going on, nods. "Yeah…it is." With renewed vigor, she then orders, "Kappaqueous, let's try that Hydroshock again!"

Dawn orders, "Out of the water, Piplup!" Piplup quickly leaps out on to the land and out of the range of the attack, but Kappaqueous seems to know how to fix that. It to leaps out of the water and onto a platform. With its psychic powers it lifts the water right out the pool and surrounds both itself and Piplup. Piplup goes wide-eyes in surprise.

Brenda cheers, "Do it!" Kappaqueous unleashes another shockwave of psychic energy through the water. Piplup tries to swim away, but there is no dodging it. Piplup is flung out of the water and lands on the side of pool. "Kappaqueous, Aqua Bomb!" Kappaqueous leaps out of the water and begins another barrage of Aqua Bombs. This time Piplup is unable to dodge and the attacks land. Piplup faints. Brenda breathes a sigh of relief. "We did it…"

Gillian declares, "That's it! There you have it! Brenda and Kappaqueous win!" There is a massive applause.

Ash, Brock, May, and Max all give Brenda a standing ovation. Something catches May's eyes. She looks to the side to see standing in a walkway, leaning over a railing is Will. Showing little emotion, he slowly nods, maybe inferring that he's pleased. Then he stands up straight, turns around, and walks away. May grins. "He really does care."

Max asks, "What's that May?"

"Oh…nothing."

Brenda stands atop a raised platform in the middle of the water stage with Kappaqueous. Wallace and Milotic stand across the platform from her. Wallace pulls out the brilliant Aqua Ribbon and says, "Brenda, it is truly my pleasure to bestow this ribbon upon you. I am sure you must have heard this before, but you have great potential as a coordinator. If you continue to work just as hard as you did for this contest, then I am certain you can achieve anything." Milotic generates an Aqua Ring around the ribbon and causes it to float towards Brenda.

Brenda catches it. She stares at it for a moment, speechless. Then she declares with celebration, "Alright, the Aqua Ribbon is all mine!"

Kappaqueous adds, "Kappapapaqueous!"

Everyone has gathered outside the contest hall. May says, "Congratulations Brenda, you earned that ribbon."

Dawn nods. "You sure did. That battle was amazing. Now just don't forget, you can't rest on your laurels. Keep on training and never stop."

Brenda nods. "You helped me through a tough time Dawn. Thank you so much. I won't ever stop training, I promise."

Dawn smiles. "Then you'll be a top coordinator in no time."

Ash asks, "Do you three really have to leave right now?"

May grins. "Unfortunately we do. I'm traveling back to the Sinnoh Region with Drew, and he's leaving tonight."

Max complains, "Come on May, we don't have to travel back with your boyfriend, let's stay a little."

May suddenly gets angry, "He is most certainly not my boyfriend!"

Max waves it off. "Yeah sure, whatever you say." Everyone laughs.

Then Dawn says, "And I've got to get moving back to the Kanto Region if I don't want to miss the Viridian Contest. So I best be off as well."

Ash nods. "Alright, well it was great seeing you."

Brock pulls out three paper bags from his backpack and hands them out. "Here you guys go, I took the liberty of preparing a dinner for your trips."

May is ecstatic. "Wow, I get one last Brock-prepared meal! That's great! Thanks Brock."

Brenda asks, "So I guess this is goodbye then?"

Dawn nods. "Until we meet again."

May nods as well, "Because we will see each other again."

Brenda nods in agreement. "For sure."

And with that, they all say their final goodbyes and depart.

The Wallace Cup may be a wrap, and Dawn, May, and Max may be off to return to their own journeys, but strong friendships have been forged here that will never be forgotten. And for Brenda this isn't an end, but rather a new beginning. And with a newly evolved Kappaqueous on her side, her adventure is finally looking up as her journey continues!

To Be Continued…