Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 77: Pruning a Passel of Pals!
At Lake Valor...
It was now night time.
Dawn, Denise, May and Zoey were in their Valor Hotel room sitting on the floor, chatting.
Munchlax, Ambipom and Vaporeon were eating while Piplup and Buneary were staring at May while she was talking to Dawn and Denise.
"Wow, Dawn, Denise."May remarked. "Having a top coordinator as a mum must've gotten you both in the contest path early."
"Yeah, we even asked her to teach us her awesome poffin recipe."Dawn commented.
"So you both wanted to be a coordinator when you were little?"May asked.
"Dawn definitely wants to be a top coordinator."Denise said. "But as for me besides entering pokemon contests, I happen to do also gym battles to boost my pokemon to the next levels, so they will do great battling when entering the Sinnoh League. So I'm the type of person who does pokemon contests and gym battles."
"That's so cool, Denise."May chuckled. "You sound like someone who is dreaming big."
"Yeah."Denise replied shyly.
"So May what about you?"Zoey asked.
"Well, let's just say at the beginning I had a little trouble dealing with pokemon."May admitted. "But after a while, I started learning about contests and how much fun they were, I was hooked."
"Wow."Dawn replied in amazement. "So tell us how are Johto contests really like?"
"Your Blaziken must be really strong at the battle scenes."Denise completed.
The girls hear a crashing noise that comes from Ash's and Brock's room.
When they arrived to the room, they saw Ash had fallen on his head from his bed.
"Ash, you do have a bed you know."Brock reminded.
"Sorry, I was dreaming about being in the middle of a really tough battle."Ash apologised.
"Pika."Pikachu giggled.
Ash got dressed and decided to go for a walk at Valor Lakefront with Pikachu.
"Ash, where are you going?"Dawn asked.
"Well since I am not sleeping I decided to go for a walk."Ash responded.
Pikachu smiled. "Pikachu."
At the Lake...
Ash and Pikachu sees the view of the city, with the Contest Hall at the front while enjoying the night breeze.
"Nice that night breeze is amazing, don't you Pikachu?"Ash asked.
Pikachu nodded. "Pika pika."
"I'm really glad I decided to compete."Ash admitted. "Buizel is looking so energised and the way he moves around the water, it feels like getting started on something brand new."
"Pika pika."Pikachu replied.
Ash chuckled in response.
Suddenly the two see a small white whirlpool and movement in the water.
A projected soul appeared in the middle.
Ash and Pikachu stared at it curiously as it danced in the breeze.
The projected soul then returned to the water.
A While Later...
Ash barged into his room, hurriedly describing the projected soul to Brock.
"Hey Brock, in Lake Valor it was blue and shy then it started spinning-"Ash started.
"Pika pika!"Pikachu admitted.
"Whoa, slow down."Brock instructed. "I don't have a clue of what your saying."
May, Dawn, Denise and Zoey entered the room.
"Hey, what's with all the excitement?"Denise asked.
"The thing in Lake Valor!"Ash replied. "It was glowing and then whoosh! It disappeared! I got no idea what it was!"
Piplup used Bubble Beam on Ash in order for him to calm down.
"Hey now its your turn to calm down."Dawn giggled.
"Okay, I'm fine!"Ash assured. "No more!"
Then the six start having a conversation about the light at Lake Valor.
"Let's see you said you saw strange light in Lake Valor right?"Brock asked.
"Yeah, but it felt like the light was alive."Ash said and looked at Pikachu. "What do you think, Pikachu?"
"Pika pika."Pikachu responded.
Then Dawn and Denise remembered the projected soul she saw emerge from Lake Verity on their first day as trainers.
"The same thing happened to me and Denise when we first became trainers."Dawn commented.
"Huh?"Ash asked in confusion.
"It happened at the day we first got our starter pokemon, we were on Lake Verity and we saw a strange shadow."Denise explained.
"Professor Rowan always said there was a legendary pokemon living at Lake Verity."Dawn said.
"It seems like you had the same experience as we did, Ash."Denise stated.
Ash and Pikachu looked at each other.
"Pikachu do you think we saw a legendary pokemon?"Ash asked.
"Pikachu."Pikachu replied.
"Hey that reminds me, we heard a story like that in Snowpoint City."May admitted.
"Huh?"Zoey asked.
"Right around that area there is a lake called Lake Acuity and there are all these rumours saying a legendary pokemon lives there."May complemented.
"Another lake huh?"Brock said.
"Well, what I know May is telling the truth."Zoey said. "I am from Snowpoint City and I used to hear the stories when I was young."
"Wow, Zoey."Dawn remarked. "That's amazing."
"The legend of the mysterious Lake Acuity pokemon mon is well known there."Zoey explained. "It speaks as a shadowy figure and merging on the surface of the water from time to time, patrolling the lake. It's the same kind of legend in Lake Valor and in Lake Verity."
"If they're all legendary pokemon, all of these sidings and stories just might have something to do with the Sinnoh space-time legend."Brock commented.
"I'm going to get in touch with Professor Rowan and tell him right in the morning."Dawn admitted.
The Next Morning...
The second round of the Wallace Cup began.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"Marian remarked. "We're back at the Wallace Cup for the second stage of Contest Battles!"
She looked at Wallace.
"Wallace would you mind saying a few words to our remaining coordinators?"Marian asked.
"I bid you all, lovely coordinators, hello!"Wallace said. "It's time to bring your excitement and your passion to the world and I thank you all!"
In the Waiting Room...
"In a pokemon contest battle, the coordinators have five minutes to show off their Pokémon's moves!"Marian explained.
"Hey Dawn, you seem so calm and relaxed."May said.
"Yeah, I haven't seen you like that for quite some time now."Denise chuckled.
"I'm just feeling good about the second stage."Dawn replied with a smile. "Of course, really believing in my pokemon helps a lot."
"Piplup!"Piplup cheered.
Zoey nodded in agreement.
"And now our second stage match ups will be determined by a random shuffle of the Contest computer!"Marian stated. "And here they are!"
The cards shuffled about and revealed the coordinators who were they up against.
"Presenting the second round match-up cards!"Marian admitted.
"Looks like I'm first."Dawn said quietly.
"Pipulp."Piplup whispered.
"First up, huh?"Brock replied. "Good luck."
"Get a win and start all of us right!"Ash remarked.
"We will be cheering all the way, Dawn."Denise assured with a wink.
Dawn placed Piplup on the floor.
"See you later, Piplup."She admitted.
"Piplup piplup!"Piplup replied.
"Got it!"Dawn answered and rushed to the stage.
"Its always good to get passed the first stage."Zoey said. "Dawn has enough confidence you know."
"Now if she can hold on to that confidence thats what she needs to be good at."Brock stated.
Denise nodded in agreement.
On the Stage...
"Time for our first battle!"Marian announced. "Five minutes on the clock, let's go!"
5:00
"Buneary, now spotlight!"Dawn remarked.
Her pokeball opened causing hearts to come out and Buneary.
"Buneary!"
"Wailmer, out here for the action!"the male coordinator said.
His pokeball opened causing bubbles to come out and Wailmer appeared.
Wailmer appeared and jumped into the water.
"Brine, let's go!"the male coordinator ordered.
Wailmer shoots out a Brine, which causes Buneary to bounce up and down on, causing Dawn to lose points.
"Wailmer starts with a powerful brine!"Marian said.
"Quick Buneary, somersault!"Dawn ordered.
Buneary uses the bouncing to perform backward somersaults on the Brine, causing Wailmer's Trainer to lose points.
"Hey that's no fair!"the male coordinator complained.
"Buneary, cleverly used Brine to do some somersaults!"Marian stated."I can't keep my eyes off of Buneary's cuteness!"
"My that's just fabulous!"Wallace commented.
"Now Buneary use Bounce!"Dawn ordered.
Buneary uses Bounce continuously on Wailmer and its trainer loses even more points.
"Buneary just showed some fancy foot work on Wailmer!"Marian announced.
Buneary went back on the platform.
"Quick use Surf now!"the male coordinator ordered.
Wailmer uses Surf to create a big wave towards Buneary.
"Now that's a huge surf!"Marian admitted.
This caused Dawn to lose points.
"Okay Buneary, spin!"Dawn ordered.
Buneary spins creating a spiral of water and Wailmer's Trainer loses even more points.
"Incredible!"Marian remarked. "Buneary managed to get on top and surf!"
In the Waiting Room...
The gang cheered Dawn on.
Denise smirked. "Alright Dawn!"
"Piplup!"Piplup cheered.
"Dawn is looking really alive out there!"May commented.
"Yeah, she got her old rhythm and time back."Brock stated.
Zoey nodded at him.
Back on the Stage...
0:59
"Dizzy Punch, let's go!"Dawn ordered.
Buneary uses Dizzy Punch, which hits Wailmer.
"Great, keep it up!"Dawn encouraged.
"Use Hidden Power!"the male coordinator ordered.
Wailmer fires Hidden Power towards Buneary.
"Wailmer counters Hidden Power look at its acrobatic movement!"Marian said.
"Quick Buneary, dodge it!"Dawn ordered.
Buneary dodges the move and races toward Wailmer as the Hidden Power follows her.
Buneary Bounces off Wailmer and out of the way and Hidden Power hits Wailmer instead.
"Wailmer!"the male coordinator shouted.
"Wow!"Marian admitted. "Wailmer just got hit by its own Hidden Power!"
"Ice Beam now!"Dawn ordered.
"Body Slam!"the male coordinator ordered.
Wailmer intends a Body Slam, but Buneary's Ice Beam hits Wailmer, who becomes frozen solid.
0:00
"Look out, times out!"Marian announced. "And the winners of the first battle are...Dawn and Buneary!"
"Yohoo!"Dawn cheered.
"The combination of Buneary's wonderful foot work and moves were powerful and effective!"Mr Contesta stated.
"And don't forget remarkable either!"Mr Sukizo remarked.
"It was honestly informing to see Buneary show a great performance out there!"Nurse Joy said sweetly.
"That was powerful, delicate and perfect flint!"Wallace commented as he stood up. "I have high hopes for the next battle!"
Dawn hugged Buneary.
"Buneary, thanks so much you were great."Dawn giggled.
"Buneary."Buneary replied.
In the Waiting Room...
The gang were proud at Dawn.
"Dawn was amazing!"Ash chuckled.
"Pikachu!"Pikachu cheered.
"Piplup!"Piplup cheered.
"Obviously choosing Buneary was the right thing to do."Brock admitted. "Buneary's fancy foot work really lifted up the audience's spirit and also Dawn's."
"Well since Dawn was enjoying herself the crowd couldn't help it."Zoey said.
"The bars have been ranged so we have to battle too."May remarked.
"So let's do our best."Denise stated with a confident smile.
On the Stage...
"Alright, folks!"Marian announced. "It's time for our second of Contest battles!"
The next few moments show the gang's pokemon attacking their opponents pokemon.
Later it showed Denise and Drifloon battling Zoey and her Shellos.
0:00
When the time ran out, the screen showed Denise had a few more points than Zoey.
"Time's up!"Marian announced. "This battle is history and that means Denise will be moving on to the semi-finals!"
Denise hugged her Drifloon.
"Drifloon, we did it!"She chuckled. "I am so proud of you."
Drifloon blushed and smiled. "Drifloon."
Shellos sadly went over to Zoey.
"Don't feel bad, Shellos."Zoey assured with a smile. "You were great out there too."
in the Waiting Room...
"I guess that's it for Zoey."Dawn said softly.
"Alright!"Ash cheered. "Dennie is moving onto the semi finals!"
"Her Drifloon was just great."May remarked.
"Ash, your up next."Brock admitted.
"Right."Ash agreed.
Pikachu went on his trainer's shoulder.
"Thanks."Ash replied.
On the Stage...
"It's time for our next battle in the second stage!"Marian announced. "On my right it's Ash and on my left is Kyle! Reset to 5 minutes, let's go!"
5:00
"Ta da!"Ash said and took out his pokeball. "Buizel, I choose you!"
Thunderbolts came out of the capsule ball and Buizel appeared.
"Lanturn, your up!"Kyle said.
His pokeball opened causing blue confetti to come out and Lanturn appeared.
"Oh my!"Marian replied."Kyle chose his Lanturn against Ash's Buizel!"
In the Waiting Room...
"So that's a Lanturn."Dawn said as she took out her pokedex.
"Lanturn the Light Pokémon and the evolved form of Chinchou."Dawn's Pokedex said. "Lanturn's antenna light is strong enough to penetrate the ocean, and can be seen on the water's surface."
"No doubt, Lanturn is going to be one tough opponent."Brock admitted.
"Yeah, Lanturn is not just a water type it's an electric type too."Zoey stated.
"I still hope Ash and Buizel will win."Denise commented.
On the Stage...
"Now Lanturn use Charge!"Kyle ordered.
Lanturn charges up and goes under water causing Ash to lose a few points.
"A terrific kick off to show Lanturn's skill as a water type and electric type."Marian remarked.
"Buizel use Sonic Boom!"Ash ordered.
Buizel launched a Sonic Boom into the water, knocking Lanturn high into the air, also including a point loss.
"Buizel launched a powerful sonic boom!"Marian remarked. "Lanturn is send to the air!"
Kyle smirked causing Ash to get alarmed.
"Buizel look out!"Ash panicked.
"I hope you don't we'll use your Sonic Boom too!"Kyle admitted. "Thunderbolt!"
Lanturn uses Thunderbolt from the air.
It drastically hits Buizel, making Ash lose a large amount of points.
"Buizel!"Ash shouted.
"Lanturn just used a powerful thunderbolt in the air!"Marian stated.
"Alright, Ice Beam go!"Kyle ordered.
Lanturn fired Ice Beam towards Buizel.
"Those two are showing off while firing an Ice Beam making Lanturn's power in both water and air look like a rainbow!"Marian remarked.
Ash began to lose a few more points.
"Okay go for it, use Aqua Jet!"Ash ordered.
Buizel uses Aqua Jet in order to make an 'Ice Aqua Jet' with Lanturn's Ice Beam.
"Whoa, what's this?"Kyle asked in shock.
Marian and Wallace watched in amazement while Kyle began to lose more points.
"Keep using Aqua Jet!"Ash ordered.
"Lanturn, Thunderbolt hurry!"Kyle ordered.
Lanturn used Thunderbolt but Buizel dodged and went into the water.
The attack hit Lanturn which makes Kyle lose lots of points.
"Ice Aqua Jet, wow!"Marian gasped.
"Hydro Pump, go!"Kyle ordered.
Buizel gets hit by Hydro Pump and returned to the stage.
"A powerful Hydro Pump just sent Buizel flying!"Marian announced.
"Buizel use Water Pulse!"Ash ordered.
Buizel sent a Water Pulse into the water.
"Alright, Thunderbolt!"Kyle ordered.
Lanturn fired Thunderbolt, destroying Buizel's Water Pulse.
The collision created a shower, catching Ash and Buizel in a short but intense downpour.
0:00
"Time's up and the winner ending up in the finals is...Kyle!"Marian announced.
"Alright!"Kyle cheered.
Lanturn smiled happily.
Ash and Buizel were left disappointed and soaking wet.
"An incredible contest water battle right after another!"Mr Contesta admitted.
"Don't forget, remarkable!"Mr Sukizo commented.
"One of the most thrilling battle I ever seen!"Nurse Joy said kindly.
"This bond of powerful water and electric moves are like an Ice Aqua Jet that demonstrates the mastery of a contest battle!"Wallace said.
In the Waiting Room...
Denise had a sad look on her face.
"Ash lost even though that powerful aqua jet."Dawn said quietly.
"Pika."Pikachu whispered.
"Piplup."Piplup replied sadly.
"It was still a great battle though."May admitted.
"Ash really went on with that ice aqua jet and it showed off his will at the same time."Brock complemented.
"Ash was on the defence of electric type moves and is the experience that counts."Zoey stated.
A While Later...
Dawn, Denise and May defeated their remaining opponents and they ended up in the semi-finals like Kyle.
"And here the lucky remaining coordinators who will battle at the semi-finals tomorrow!"Marian announced.
The board showed that Kyle will be against Dawn while May and Denise will be against each other.
The crowd let out an excited cheer.
Later that Night...
Back at the hotel, Ash and the others were sad that he didn't make it to the semi-finals.
"Sorry Ash, tough break."Brock apologised.
"Piplup."Piplup replied.
"Pika pika."Pikachu said.
"But I have to tell you pulled off that ice aqua jet perfectly."Dawn remarked.
"Yeah, it was an amazing sight to see."May agreed.
"It was so weird, I thought we were going to win."Ash admitted. "Man, contest battles are a lot harder than I thought."
Buizel nodded sadly.
"On the other hand, me and Buizel were moving perfect sync out there."Ash stated proudly and looked at Buizel. "Just think about the we battle the next time around."
Buizel spoke happily.
"Starting tomorrow you leave the cheering section to me."Ash said as he stood up.
"Pika pika!"Pikachu responded happily and went on the table.
"That's the spirit."Denise chuckled as she came by holding a tray with cups of hot chocolate and placed it on the table.
"Easier said than done Ash."Brock agreed. "Remember its May and Denise battling tomorrow and let's not forget Dawn is fighting in the finals too."
"Yeah, your right Dawn."Ash commented.
"That means I'm up against Kyle."Dawn said quietly.
"And remember you just have to beat me or Denise to win."May remarked.
"Man, has this got interesting."Zoey said with a smirk and arms folded.
"It sure has."Brock agreed. "Can't wait for tomorrow."
"It's a battle between best friends and sisters."Ash stated.
Pikachu smiled. "Pikachu!"
"Alright, let's enjoy some hot chocolate and share all the excitement for tomorrow's finale."Denise suggested kindly. "After all there will be one winner to win that Aqua Ribbon."
Dawn and the others responded in agreement as they settle down to enjoy the drinks Denise made for them.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
Denise's Team:
Grotle (Male): Solar Beam, Heavy Slam, Razor Leaf and Bite
Vaporeon (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Attract and Aurora Beam
Luxio (Male): Spark, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang
Kirlia (Female): Psychic, Double Team, Magical Leaf and Confusion
Hoothoot (Male): Silver Wind, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic
Drifloon (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish