Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 54: Throwing the Track Switch!
Inside the Pokemon Center...
Dawn, Denise and a few of their pokemon watch the television, which shows Kenny winning his second Ribbon in Sage Town with the help of his Prinplup.
Ash and Pikachu spread out across a bench, feeling too full of food to move.
Brock and Sudowoodo make a herbal remedy for them.
"You've been watching a re-broadcast of the Sage Town Pokemon Contest that's been held a few days ago!"Marian stated.
"So Kenny won his second ribbon too."Denise said.
Dawn stared hard at the TV screen.
"With that Kenny has earned his second ribbon!"Marian remarked."This young man is on fire!"
"Two ribbons..."Dawn mumbled with a frown.
"On fire and burning?"Zoey asked.
Brock and the two sisters turned to see Zoey standing next to them.
"Zoey."Dawn said with a smile as she stood up.
"Nice to see you once again."Denise remarked.
"Well, if it isn't the guys?"Zoey chuckled.
She smiled at them before looking at Ash and Pikachu.
Buneary and Happiny were rubbing Ash and Pikachu's tummies.
"What in the world happened to you two?"Zoey asked.
"Ha ha...I guess we ate too much."Ash chuckled nervously.
"Pika Pika..."Pikachu agreed.
"But I've got just the thing that holds them."Brock stated.
"Sudowoodo!"Sudowoodo remarked.
"Brock are you a pharmacist?"Zoey asked. "You might want to go to Nurse Joy."
"I've never waste Nurse Joy's valuable time with a stunt like this!"Brock said angrily as he stood up.
"Whatever..."Zoey muttered.
The twins smiled before looking back to the TV.
"Please tell us, where do you see our Contest heading, Mr Contesta?"Marian asked.
"Well, it appears Kenny has the momentum to stay strong and make maintaining as an impressive lead!"Mr Contesta stated.
Dawn opened her ribbon case to glance at her only Ribbon feeling upset that Kenny was passing her.
Piplup looked at his trainer in sadness.
"Piplup, Pip?"He asked.
Dawn closed her Ribbon Case.
"I know Kenny is going to win this."She admitted.
"No need to worry!"Ash assured. "Your going to be just fine, first you'll catch up and zoom ahead!"
"Pika Pikachu!"Pikachu responded.
"Hey Dawn, remember we're in this together okay?"Denise reminded with a smile.
"I appreciate that, thank you."Dawn answered.
"Our next broadcast will be from the wonderful, free of worry, Solaceon Town!"Marian announced.
Everyone turned their attention to see where the next Contest might be in.
"So mark Solaceon Town, down on those calendars!"Marian announced. "And I can promise you...a splendid time is guaranteed for all!"
"Solaceon Town..."Dawn said.
"And from here is right on the road next to Veilstone City."Zoey explained.
"That's perfect!"Ash stated with a smile. "Veilstone City just happens to be where my and Denise next gym battle."
"I guess it's great because since there will be a Contest in Solaceon Town means I'll be getting my third ribbon there before getting my third gym badge in Veilstone."Denise remarked with a confident look.
Dawn smirked and looked at her twin.
"No way!"She replied. "Solaceon Town is where I'll get my second ribbon!"
"As I always say, we'll see..."Denise teased.
Dawn looked at her pokemon.
"Okay guys, we gotta be ready to go."She reminded.
Piplup and Buneary chirped happily while Pachirisu ate a poffin and Buizel focused on moving its fists.
"So I guess your going to be entering the contest too, Zoey?"Denise asked.
"I'll take a pass."Zoey answered. "I've got lots of work to do, I'm still focusing on a new combination."
"I know, how about you train with us tomorrow?"Dawn suggested. "It would be so nice to see your pokemon."
"I'd love to."Zoey replied.
Brock and Sudowoodo finished making the herbal remedy for Ash and Pikachu.
"Okay, it's all done."Brock stated.
"Sudowoodo."Sudowoodo added.
"Great, they are two kinds right?"Denise asked.
"Right."Brock answered. "One for Ash."
The Breeder handed the small triangle herb to Ash.
"Hey thanks, Brocko."Ash replied with a smile.
"And this one is made for Pikachu."Brock stated. "I decided to mix it up with liquid poffin batter, just stick some on Pikachu's nose and its natural instincts lick will take it off."
He placed a bit of the mixture on Pikachu's nose.
However when Ash and Pikachu tried their herbal remedies, they both run around the room in disgust.
"Looks like the herbs are working well."Denise giggled.
"It tastes horrible, but it works."Brock explained.
"Considering they couldn't move before I have to agree."Dawn remarked.
Ash and Pikachu running around the room in disgust.
"Never a dull moment as usual."Zoey joked with a small smirk.
The Next Morning...
Dawn decides to prepare Buizel for his Contest debut by having a practice Contest Battle against Zoey and her Glameow while Denise decided to use Hoot Hoot and Ralts to battle against Ash's pokemon.
"Okay Dawn, who is up first?"Zoey asked.
"Buizel, spotlight!"Dawn remarked.
Her pokeball opened and confetti came out revealing Buizel.
"Now remember this is contest debut so make it a good one!"Dawn reminded.
"Piplup piplup!"Piplup called out.
"Bui Bui!"Buizel answered and folded its arms.
"Just like old times right, Dawn?"Ash asked. "First you, then me and my gym battle!"
"Pika pika!"Pikachu agreed.
"And one of us will won tjhat contest for sure!"Denise commented with a smile and looked at Ash. "Hey Ash, are you ready?"
"As always, Aipom and Chimchar, let's go!"Ash stated.
His pokeballs opened causing Aipom and Chimchar to appear.
"Chimchar!"
"Aipom!"
"Chimchar, I haven't seen you before."Zoey said with a smile.
Chimchar smiled and waved at the girl.
"Chimchar!"He said kindly.
"Brock, would you keep a sharp eye on how we're using our moves and let us know what we need to fix?"Ash asked.
"That will be my pleasure."Brock replied.
"Buizel, start with Water Gun!"Dawn ordered.
Buizel fires Water Gun.
"Quick Glameow use Iron Tail!"Zoey ordered.
Glameow uses Iron Tail to dissipate the attack into a fine mist sparkle, which looks appealing.
Denise looked at Hoot Hoot and Ralts.
"Are you two ready to go?"She asked.
"Hoot Hoot!"Hoot Hoot replied with a smirk.
Ralts smiled softly. "Ralts."
Aipom watches Glameow's appeal a little too intently.
"Heads up, Aipom!"Ash warned.
Aipom looked at her trainer with a smile.
"Aipom seems really interested in Dawn's training."Brock admitted.
"Well that's fine, but we're training for a gym battle right now."Ash stated.
"Aipom!"Aipom replied.
Dawn looked at Buizel with a confused look.
"Hold on Buizel, Water Gun made Glameow look great, but it didn't do a thing to show you off at all."She explained.
"Bui?"Buizel asked.
"It's like I told you move your whole body, this when you fire and wham!"Dawn said. "That's how you show off your power."
Buizel tries to get into the Contest flow.
"Yeah that's it!"Dawn said proudly.
"All right, Hoot Hoot use Supersonic and Ralts use Magical Leaf!"Denise ordered.
Hoot Hoot send a sound wave towards Chimchar while Ralt send magical leaves towards Aipom.
"Now Aipom use Focus Punch!"Ash ordered.
Aipom uses Focus Punch to destroy Hoot Hoot's sound wave.
"Chimchar use Scratch!"Ash ordered.
Chimchar uses Scratch to destroy Ralt's Magical Leaves.
"Hey, why da go both of you!"Ash remarked.
"Aipom and Chimchar are looking great."Brock admitted.
"I must say that is impressive."Denise complemented kindly.
Buizel looks at the battle quietly.
"Keep it up, Buizel!"Dawn said proudly and notice the water type was not concentrating. "Buizel, what in the world are you looking at?"
Buizel shook his head and focused back on his own battle.
"Aqua Jet!"Dawn ordered.
Buizel activates Aqua Jet around him.
"Wow, check out that water movement."Zoey said with a smile.
"You see?"Dawn asked. "I told you, we've been practicing a lot, so first we dazzle them with that thrilling water and then the power move."
Buizel moves its Aqua Jet up.
"Shadow Claw, Glameow!"Zoey ordered.
Glameow activates Shadow Claw and then leaps up.
"Careful, here it comes!"Dawn called out.
Glameow uses Shadow Claw in an attempt to counter, but ends up going over the attack, using the water mist to create another appeal before landing.
"Great Glameow!"Zoey remarked.
Buizel landed on the ground and shakes off the water.
"Sorry, but not like that either."Dawn stated. "The water display was really pretty right in the moment of impact would've looked better if you twisted your body around kind of like this."
Buizel looks down and folds its arms.
"You see how Glameow moved right?"Dawn asked. "In a contest, you'll have much greater impact and look confident when your being attacked."
"Chimchar, Flame Wheel!"Ash ordered.
Chimchar cloaks himself in fire and charges towards Ralts.
"Aipom now you use Swift!"Ash ordered.
Aipom send star-shaped rays at Hoot Hoot.
"Quick, both of you dodge!"Denise ordered.
Hoot Hoot and Ralts both jumped out of the way to avoid the attacks.
Buizel drifts back to watching Ash and Denise's battle.
"Buizel, over here!"Dawn reminded.
"Buizel seemed to be focused on them then us."Zoey admitted.
"All four of them have got better in dodging."Brock remarked.
"Thanks Brock."Denise replied with a smile.
"Yeah, I think Aipom has been set in a really good example."Ash agreed.
Aipom suddenly uses Swift towards the sky and jumps on the stars as a Contest move.
Hoot Hoot, Ralts, Chimchar and Pikachu watch the sight with surprised looks.
"Whoa, would you look at that."Denise stated in amusement.
"Aipom that move looks like your in a appeal round of a contest!"Ash stated.
"But even so it looks awfully nice."Zoey admitted with her arms folded.
"Of course it does."Dawn replied. "Aipom has always been watching me and Piplup while we're training."
"Plup."Piplup replied with a smile and closed his eyes.
"Hey, I get it now."Zoey said. "You all act as team wither your in a gym battle or contest."
"Your right, we always keep each other on our toes."Brock responded.
"Yeah, to see what's better and what needs to be improved."Denise remarked.
"That's for sure."Ash agreed and looked at Aipom. "Aipom, what do you think?"
Aipom chirped happily and went on top of her trainer's head.
Buizel looks at them quietly.
"Okay Buizel."Dawn commented. "You have to remember to make all your moves look even more appealing like I said and then it's your day view."
Buizel responded with a confident look.
"Okay Aipom, let's go back into it."Ash stated with a smile.
"Aipom!"Aipom cheered happily.
"Wait, hold on just a minute you two."Zoey said as she stepped forward. "Remember what I told you at the Jubilife Contest about Aipom being raised by Dawn?"
"Of course, I remember that."Dawn answered.
"Me too."Ash agreed.
Brock and Denise looked at each other in surprise.
Zoey bend down to look at Buizel.
"Watching you both train, I realized I was right."Zoey remarked and looked at Aipom. "It's obvious that Aipom loves to perform while at the same time I get the feeling your forcing Buizel into contests."
"You think so?"Dawn asked.
She and Ash looked at each other.
"So I say why don't you two make a pokemon trade?"Zoey suggested.
"Pokemon trade?"Ash and Dawn said in unison.
Ash took off Aipom off his hat to look at her.
"Aipom."Aipom said with a smile.
"That's weird, I never thought of something like that."Ash admitted.
Chimchar and Pikachu were silent not knowing what to say.
Afterwards in the Pokemon Center...
Ash and Dawn watch as Nurse Joy helps two Trainers conduct a trade with a Ponyta and a Munchlax.
As the trade finishes and the Trainers leave, Nurse Joy asks if Ash and Dawn are ready to trade.
They hesitate, however, as they realize how much they have bonded with their Pokémon.
"That's what's called a pokemon trade machine."Brock explained.
"Wow."Dawn whispered.
Then the two trainers that traded their pokemon then went their separate ways.
Nurse Joy looked at Ash and Dawn.
"Hi, are you here for a pokemon trade?"She asked. "The machine is all set."
Ash and Dawn fell silent unsure what to do.
They then told Nurse Joy how close they are with their two pokemon.
"Of course, I understand."Nurse Joy replied. "You've worked hard to catch and raise your pokemon and you have so many wonderful memories."
"It's just not easy to go through with this."Dawn admitted. "I know Aipom loves pokemon contests and I know Aipom loves Ash."
"The thing is I've seen how much Dawn has put on Buizel's training, you know."Ash added.
"A trainer's job is to work hard and put the very best in a pokemon, but there is one thing."Nurse Joy explained kindly. "Instead of a pokemon adjusting to its trainer, a trainer must adjust to their pokemon."
"Whoa, I never thought of it that way."Ash replied.
He then looked at Aipom while Dawn and Buizel looked at each other.
"Hey, I just got a great idea."Ash said with a smile as he stood up.
"Then please tell us."Dawn suggested.
"We'll team up with Buizel and we'll have a battle against Brock and you team up with Aipom and have a contest battle against Zoey."Ash explained.
Dawn and her pokemon looked at him in surprise.
"I get it your making sure your compatible with each other."Brock said.
"So I guess that will make me the referee for both battles."Denise remarked.
"You got it, Dennie."Ash responded and looked at Dawn. "So what do you think Dawn?"
"Sure, I'll do it."Dawn answered and looked at Zoey. "What do you think Zoey?"
"Sure I'm in."Zoey replied with a smile.
A Moment After...
Ash and Dawn prepare for the practice matches as Zoey sends out Glameow, while Brock chooses Sudowoodo.
"Glameow, ready, curtains!"Zoey said with a smirk.
Her pokeball opened and Glameow came out.
"Go Sudowoodo!"Brock called out.
His pokeball opened and Sudowoodo came out.
"Sudowoodo!"
"Okay, let both battles-"Denise announced with a smile.
"Why you poor poor, young people."
The heroes turned around and saw a disguised Team Rocket, minus James, disguised as fake Pokémon au pair service.
"We heard you were in a bad way."Meowth stated.
"Huh?"Ash said in confusion.
"Do we know you?"Dawn asked.
"Unless of course, you have used our pokemon service, no."Jessie replied.
"We raise people's pokemon and we will raise yours."Meowth explained.
"Wobbu wobbu."Wobbufett answered.
"Pokemon repair service?"Ash asked.
"That's is kind of a strange name."Brock stated.
"It sounds made up to me."Denise admitted with her arms folded.
"Well, get with it."Jessie replied.
"Just yesterday."Meowth added.
"Anyone wants a strong and beautiful pokemon."Jessie said.
"And that's where we come in."Meowth remarked looking at Aipom and Buizel. "We'll make sure these two become in perfect shape."
Then James and his pokemon showed up.
"Jessie, Meowth, what are you two doing?"James demanded.
"Mime mime?"Mime Jr asked.
A freaked out look grew on Jessie's face.
"Hey, your Team Rocket!"Ash said angrily.
Jessie looked at James.
"That thing on your head must've bitten you hard because you have your facts all wrong!"Jessie suggested.
"Yeah, cause we've never seen you and that thing before!"Meowth added.
"The nerve of you two!"James said angrily. "How dare you start an operation without me!?"
Jessie and Meowth jumped on James.
"Carnivine has bitten you hard!"Jessie retorted. "Can't you see we're running this whole sham for you!?"
"We know you've been bummed."Meowth admitted. "So we were catching this new Pokemon to snap you out of it! Dig?"
"New Pokemon?"James asked..
Jessie and Meowth got off of their teammate as James began to understand more of his companions plan.
"You...did this for me?"James asked.
Jessie and Meowth began to cry as the three of them hugged each other.
"Of course we did!"Jessie sobbed. "We wanted to see that clueless sparkle of your eyes again!"
"We really missed our favorite happy sap!"Meowth remarked.
"Wobba Wob!"Wobbuffet cried.
"You did?"James asked. "Well, I missed you saps, too!"
Then Team Rocket looked at ther heroes.
"No matter how feeble, I will not have their weak efforts be in vain!"James stated. "Let's go, Carnivine!"
Carnivine leapt up, ready to attack.
"Dustox and Seviper, you're up!"Jessie stated.
Dustox and Seviper came out of their pokeballs.
"Dustox use Psybeam, let's go!"Jessie ordered.
The Bug Type Pokemon fired the Psychic move at the five heroes.
"Quick, Carnivine use Bullet Seed!"James ordered.
The two attacks exploded around the heroes.
"Alright, Seviper use Haze!"Jessie ordered.
Seviper fired Haze towards the heroes and their pokemon.
"Be careful, they'll use Haze and steal all of our Pokémon!"Brock warned.
"Staravia use Whirlwind!"Ash ordered.
His pokeball opened causing Staravia to appear and use his wings to blow the Haze away with strong winds.
Then the Haze disappeared revealing Team Rocket, who began their motto.
"Well, now that you've cleared the air..."
"Clear your brains out! I don't care."
"Riding the wind!"
"Surfing the stars!"
"We'll be there!"
"Bringing chaos at a breakneck pace!"
"Dashing hope, putting fear in its place."
"A rose by any other name is just as sweet!"
"When everything's worse, our work is complete!"
"It's Jessie!"
"And it's James!"
"Yeah, Meowth! That's a name!"
"Putting the do gooders in their place!"
"Team Rocket!"
"We're in your face!"
Carnivine and Seviper took Sudowoodo and Glameow instead of Aipom and Buizel causing Ash, Dawn and Denise to gasp in shock.
"Glameow!"Zoey called out.
"Sudowoodo!"Brock shouted.
"Hold on!"Meowth protested."That ain't Aipom and Buizel!"
Jessie glared at Seviper and Carnivine.
"You nitwits!"She snapped."You goofed again!"
"I don't care, I'll take those two instead!"James sobbed."Wow, to think that Seviper and Carnivine made their catch just for me!"
The man then smiled.
"It truly warms my heart, here to forth stricken with grief!"James remarked.
"And now, we can be a true team again!"Jessie added while holding hands with James.
"I'll bet there ain't any drying in the house!"Meowth added.
"Wobbuffet!"Wobbuffet agreed.
Then Brock and Zoey stepped forward.
"Hold it!"Zoey snapped. "We're all touched by your emotional release, but you're still just a bunch of thieves!"
"I'll get you out of there, Sudowoodo!"Brock stated.
"Hold on, you two."Ash said. "Just leave it up to me and Buizel!"
"And to me and Aipom!"Dawn remarked confidently.
"Now that's the spirit!"Denise stated proudly.
"This is the perfect way to test out your new partnership."Brock admitted.
"I agree, so be our guest!"Zoey added kindly.
"Poor twerps."James chuckled. "Completely clueless to our newfound best pal powers, Carnivine, Bullet Seed!"
"And Dustox use Psybeam!"Jessie ordered.
Carnivine and Dustox shot their attacks at Buizel and Aipom.
"Now this ought to be easy!"Dawn stated with a smirk. "Aipom, get in there and counter with Swift!"
Aipom spun her tail throwing small stars and they mixed together to make a big star.
When the big star got hit by Psybeam, it exploded making small stars fell down.
"Wow that should be in a Contest!"Zoey remarked.
"It's so beautiful!"Denise said sweetly.
Ash turned to look at Dawn and Aipom.
"You two look great!"He commented.
"When I saw you and Aipom practicing Swift, I thought of a good work like this too!"Dawn admitted.
"Come on now, Dustox use Whirlwind!"Jessie ordered.
Dustox blew strong winds causing them to hit Buizel.
"Buizel use Sonicboom!"Ash ordered.
Buizel nodded and leapt into the air to use his tail to shoot out a Sonicboom.
The water type's Sonicboom hit Dustox.
"What power!"Ash said proudly. "Man, I could really feel that one hit!"
Buizel smiled happily.
"Aqua Jet, go!"Ash ordered.
Buizel surrounded himself with water before shooting himself towards Dustox and the Bug Type fainted in the ground.
"Ah that wasn't pretty, return!"Jessie said bitterly.
She returned her Bug Type back in its pokeball.
"Alright, Seviper hit them with Haze!"Jessie ordered.
Seviper shot the Haze Attack towards Buizel, which blinded him from the dark sight.
"Buizel, hang in there!"Ash warned.
"Aipom, help Buizel!"Dawn ordered. "Double Team!"
Aipom created doubles of herself to surround Buizel in the Haze.
"All together, Focus Punch!"Dawn ordered.
All the Aipom clones raised their tails, blowing the Haze away with Focus Punch.
Team Rocket panicked as the Haze was sent towards them.
"Now Buizel, Water Gun!"Ash ordered.
Buizel fired water at the baddies.
Team Rocket panicked as they were hit by the water and they were sent flying up into the sky.
"I'm back and I'm feeling better than ever!"James remarked.
"Wish I could share the same sentence..."Jessie mumbled.
"Well, at least we're all doing of what we do best!"Meowth stated.
"Wobbuffet!"Wobbuffet added.
"Sharing the joys of friendship?"James asked.
"Not exactly, swelling face!"Jessie replied. "We're blasting off again!"
Then Team Rocket disappeared in the sky.
Glameow and Sudowoodo hugged their trainers.
"Glameow are you okay?"Zoey asked with a smile.
"Meow."Glameow purred.
"How about you, Sudowoodo?"Brock said.
"Sudowoodo."Sudowoodo responded.
Ash ran up to Buizel.
"Wow, you're a first class battler Buizel!"He remarked proudly.
"Bui bui!"Buizel responded.
Aipom rushes up to Dawn to hug her.
"Aipom, your really know style with grace."Dawn admitted sweetly.
"Aipom!"Aipom answered happily.
Brock, Zoey and Denise walked up to their friends.
"I'll tell you."Brock said."It's like you discovered a new kind of energy, you know?"
"For sure."Zoey agreed."It's just the perfect match between trainers and Pokémon and of course, many thanks for saving Glameow."
"And Sudowoodo as well."Brock added.
"So this means Buizel will be doing gym battles with Ash and Aipom will be with doing contests with you, sis?'Denise suggested with a smile.
"That's right, Dennie."Dawn answered sweetly.
"Well, I guess that settles that!"Ash remarked.
"Yeah."Dawn replied.
Later at the Pokemon Center...
Ash and Dawn place Aipom and Buizel's Poké Balls into the trade machine.
Brock, Zoey, Denise, Pikachu and Piplup quietly watched the scene.
"Here we go, Aipom!"Ash stated.
"Alright, it's time, Buizel!"Dawn reminded.
The two trainers pull the lever together, conducting the trade.
After it finishes, Ash and Dawn pick up their new Poké Balls and summon their new Pokémon, Buizel and Aipom.
"We did the right thing!"Ash remarked.
"You're right, Ash and thanks!"Dawn complimented.
"So, let's check it out!"Ash suggested.
Dawn nodded in agreement.
The two threw their pokeballs into the air.
"I choose you!"Ash and Dawn said in unison.
The two pokeballs opened revealing Buizel on Ash's side and Aipom on Dawn's side.
"Buizel, can't wait for the next gym battle!"Ash commented.
"Bui!"Buizel replied with a smirk.
"And I can't wait to use Aipom in my next Contest!"Dawn said sweetly.
"Aipom!"Aipom cheered happily.
Brock, Zoey and Denise smiled in approval.
"I can't wait to see how their future training is going to be."Brock stated.
"Not to mention all those future wins."Zoey commented.
"I'm excited to find out which will be the first wins."Denise admitted kindly.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
Feel free to review of what you think so far:)
Denise's Team:
Grotle (Male): Solar Beam, Heavy Slam, Razor Leaf and Bite
Eevee (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Attract and Thunder
Luxio (Male): Spark, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang
Ralts (Female): Psychic, Double Team, Magical Leaf and Confusion
Hoot Hoot (Male): Peck, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic
Drifloon (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish