Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 78: Strategy with a Smile!
The next morning it was time for the final day of the Wallace Cup.
"And so the final day of the Wallace Cup begins!"Marian announced. "Please Wallace a few words!"
"We'll go to the semi finales to the finales straight away."Wallace remarked. "Now what is the most appealing coordinators taking home the Wallace Cup!"
Kyle and Dawn's faces appeared on the screen.
"It is the first match of the semi finals!"Marian stated. "Up there is Dawn! And there is Kyle! We've got five minutes on the clock begin!"
5:00
"Now Piplup spotlight!"Dawn remarked.
Her pokeball opened causing bubbles to come out and Piplup appeared.
"Crawdaunt, your turn!"Kyle stated.
Yellow light burst out of his pokeball and Crawdaunt appeared.
"Crawdaunt!"
"It's Piplup vs Crawdaunt!"Marian announced.
"Piplup use Bubble Beam!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup fired Bubble Beam at Crawdaunt.
"Okay Crawdaunt use Sludge Bomb!"Kyle ordered.
Bubble Beam and Sludge Bomb hit each other.
Piplup and Crawdaunt glared at each other.
Dawn and Kyle both lost a few points.
"It looks like Dawn has kicked up with a Bubble Beam and Sludge Bomb for Kyle!"Marian announced.
"Piplup in the pool!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup dived into the pool.
"You too, Crawdaunt go!"Kyle ordered.
Crawdaunt went into the pool.
Piplup and Crawdaunt began charging towards each other.
"Use Whirlpool!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup uses Whirlpool which takes Crawdaunt by surprise and costs Kyle points.
"Piplup's Whirlpool ramps up Crawdaunt all around!"Marian announced.
"Use Surf now!"Kyle ordered.
Crawdaunt uses Surf which crashed down on Piplup and sends him backwards.
"Crawdaunt used Surf on Piplup's Whirlpool to go up high and hit his target back!"Marian announced.
Crawdaunt smoothly lands with Dawn to think of what to do next.
"Crawdaunt use Dark Pulse!"Kyle ordered.
Crawdaunt fired Dark Pulse towards Piplup.
"Hurry and spin, Piplup!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup dodges and spins in between the two Dark Pulses.
"Now use Bide!"Dawn ordered.
While spinning, Piplup started to glow white then purple from the attack.
"What a great move!"Marian admitted. "Piplup's bide connected beautifully with Crawdaunt's Dark Pulse!"
Kyle began to lose a few more points.
"What a move..."Kyle said and gritted his teeth. "Quick Crabhammer go!"
Crawdaunt jumped into the air to strike Piplup.
"Release!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup released a purple light at Crawdaunt.
Crawdaunt gets hit, costing Kyle a lot of points.
"Crawdaunt!"Kyle shouted.
"Wow!"Marian said. "The energy of Piplup's bide fired a brilliant shot!"
As the attack was finished, Crawdaunt falls in the water while Piplup landed safely.
0:00
"Look at that!"Marian remarked. "Time's up! And the coordinator moving up to the next stage is..."
The screen showed Dawn and Piplup in the screen.
"It's Dawn, ladies and gentlemen!"Marian announced.
"We won, Piplup!"Dawn giggled and Piplup jumped into her arms. "You did so well! Thank you so much!"
Kyle comforted his sad Crawdaunt.
"Kyle did well even though he was so close!"Marian stated.
"Both teams can be very proud!"Mr Contesta remarked. "Piplup and Crawdaunt were amazing!"
"And remarkable!"Mr Sukizo said.
"It was to me a great example of well trained pokemon those two pokemon are."Nurse Joy commented.
"My that was excellent!"Wallace stated. "That was a spectacular battle!"
In the Waiting Room...
"Dawn did it!"Ash chuckled.
"She made it to the finals."Brock stated.
"I am so relieved."Denise complemented.
"Pika pika!"Pikachu replied.
"No doubt that's a huge win for Dawn!"May admitted.
"Yeah, it was a great battle too."Zoey agreed.
"And guess who's up next."May said.
Denise smirked. "You and me, May."
On the Stage...
"It's time for our second battle of the Wallace Cup semi finals!"Marian announced. "On the left side is Denise and on the right side is May! We have five minutes on the clock and we're up!"
5:00
"Alright Beautifly, take the stage!"May remarked.
Yellow sparkles appeared out of her pokeball and Beautifly appeared.
"Beautifly!"
"Luxio, stage on!"Denise admitted.
Her pokeball opened causing green bolts of electricity to come out and Luxio appeared.
"Luxio!"
"Beautifly use Silver Wind!"May ordered.
Beautifly used Silver Wind which hits Luxio.
"That Silver Wind combined and startled Luxio with its colours!"Marian announced.
Denise began to lose a few points.
"Beautiful move."Denise said. "Jump Luxio!"
Luxio jumped into the air.
"Luxio jumped into the air with style!"Marian announced.
May began to lose a few points.
"Beautifly use Psychic!"May ordered.
Beautifly fired Pyschic at Luxio.
"Luxio dodge and use Night Slash!"Denise ordered.
Luxio dodged Beautifly's Psychic and made his claw glow black.
"Dodge Beautifly!"May ordered.
"And Beautifly dodges gracefully Luxio's attack!"Marian admitted.
Denise lost a few more points.
A simple smirk grew on Denise's face causing May to get confused.
"Do it, Luxio!"Denise ordered.
Luxio's Night Slash hits the water causing it to rise and surround Beautifly.
"That was impressive!"Marian stated. "Beautifly is currently surrounded by high water created by Luxio's Night Slash!"
May lost a few more points.
3:29
"Now Luxio use Spark!"Denise ordered.
Luxio used Spark which bounced on the water and hits Beautifly.
"And that spark jumps right into the current water for a direct hit and is a super effect!"Marian announced.
After the attack makes contact, the water was zapped away with a sparking Beautifly flying backwards.
"Beautifly, are you alright?"May asked worriedly.
Beautifly shrugged off the electric charge causing Denise to frown a little.
"Denise is one tough coordinator."May thought in silence.
Luxio jumped out the water sparkling with an electrical charge and glancing at Beautifly.
"Nice work, Luxio."Denise complemented.
"Luxor."Luxio replied with a smile.
"Now folks, let's take a good look at Luxio."Marian said. "Wrapped up with some water and electricity, Luxio looks beautiful and almost frightening!"
"Isn't it glorious?"Wallace asked.
"Let's end this!"Denise admitted. "Use Ice Fang!"
Luxio leapt up and his fangs began to glow in a cold blue colour.
"Use Silver Wind!"May ordered.
Beautifly used Silver Wind to make the water rise above Luxio.
Luxio charged through the towering water with Beautifly slyly coming from behind him.
"Now use Psychic!"May ordered.
Beautifly used Psychic which sends Luxio backwards.
Denise began to lose more points.
"May is not about to give up!"Marian stated. "Using water to counter attack and steal some of Denise's electricity."
"Morning Sun, go!"May ordered.
Beautifly raised up and starts to glow blindingly.
"Wow, beautiful!"May said in amazement.
Denise looked at the view in silence.
"Morning sun, is beautiful and good healing!"Marian announced.
"Use Aerial Ace!"May ordered.
Beautifly flew towards Luxio.
"Luxio quick, Wild Charge!"Denise ordered.
Luxio rushed forward while glowing in a yellow colour.
The two pokemon charged at each other over the water and collide resulting in an explosion.
0:00
"Time's up!"Marian announced.
Denise and May grew startled hearing that.
"And the coordinator moving on is..."Marian started.
May and Beautifly's images appeared on the screen.
"It's May!"Marian announced.
"Yes!"May cheered and Beautifly flew over to her. "Thanks, Beautifly."
A forced smile grew on Denise's face.
"I guess not this time."Denise admitted softly and walked up to Luxio, who had his eyes shut. "Hey Luxio, don't feel bad. You were amazing and next time we will win."
"Lux."Luxio responded simply.
"That was one new beautiful appeal after the other without any let up!"Mr Contesta stated.
"Also it was remarkable."Mr Sukizo commented.
"I am deeply grateful for both our coordinators for doing such a wonderful job at showing off their amazing pokemon."Nurse Joy said kindly.
"Thanks to the two of you for a thrilling performance!"Wallace remarked as he stood up. "And it's time for the exciting finals!"
"Dawn and me in the finals."May said quietly.
In the Waiting Room...
"May and me in the finals."Dawn said in amazement. "Wow, I am in the finals! Up against May!"
She subconsciously squeezed Piplup.
"Piplup!"Piplup shouted uncomfortably.
"Oops sorry, Piplup."Dawn apologised.
"Are you okay?"Ash asked.
"Pika?"Pikachu replied.
"Dawn, calm down."Zoey reminded. "You will do just fine."
"It has been a long time since Dawn has won a contest and suddenly she's up against the girl who defeated her twin sister."Brock admitted.
"Aw yeah, I understand that."Ash stated.
"True but right now we have to believe in ourselves, right Piplup?"Dawn asked.
"Piplup."Piplup answered.
"That's what I like to hear."Denise chuckled as she walked forward.
"Hey Denise, you were great."Dawn commented.
"Where is May?"Brock asked.
"She's doing an interview."Denise answered.
"That was a great battle against you two."Ash complemented.
"Pika!"Pikachu agreed.
"Thanks Ash."Denise responded. "May showed no fear when it comes to showing off her pokemon which is something I learned from her. So sis, be careful."
Dawn nodded. "I don't wanna lose. After all, we came this far."
"Denise, are you going to recharge for the next contests after this?"Zoey asked.
"Yes."Denise replied confidently. "But for now I am going to focus on training for the Pastoria Gym. After all I happen to do gym battles as well."
On the Stage...
Ash, Denise, Brock and Zoey watched the final from the stands with Pikachu, Buneary, Pachirisu and Ambipom cheerleading and Buizel also watching his former Trainer battle.
"So we've been here at Lake Valor for the past three days of never ending thrills and chills!"Marian announced. "But now it's time for what you all been waiting for! The Wallace Cup final stage!"
At the Contest Hallway...
"After watching that battle between you and my sister, I'm feeling a teensy bit queasy..."Dawn admitted. "But Piplup and I are so ready to go."
"I'm ready too."May added. "Let's give the audience the best Contest battle they've ever seen and whoever wins, no hard feelings."
"Right."Dawn agreed.
On the Stage...
"And now the two finalists have made their grand entrance!"Marian announced. "On this side, it's Dawn and on the other side, it's May!"
May and Dawn stare at each other with confident looks on their faces.
Meanwhile...
Johanna watched from her home in Twinleaf Town while Kenny and Amy watched from a pokemon center.
On the Stage...
"May is from Petalburg City, the Hoenn region."Marian explained. "She's currently entering pokemon contests of the Johto region!"
"This will be a treat for all you contest fans out there!"Wallace stated while standing up. "So let's cheer these two talented coordinators onto the final round! Not forgetting their stunning pokemon as well!"
He then looked at May and Dawn.
"I welcome you two to my stage!"Wallace admitted.
"Thanks!"May and Dawn replied in unison.
"The time limit for the Wallace Cup stage is five minutes!"Marian remarked. "Let's go!"
5:00
"Okay Piplup, spotlight!"Dawn remarked.
Bubbles came out of her pokeball and Piplup appeared.
"Piplup!"
"Alright Glaceon, take the stage!"May stated.
Glaceon smirked as it flipped into the air and landed safely.
"Wow...Glaceon."Dawn said with a surprised look.
"Piplup!"Piplup gasped.
"This battle must be Glaceon's first."Ash remarked.
"Pika."Pikachu whispered.
"Glaceon looks a lot stronger evolving from a Eevee."Brock admitted. "I wonder how May is going to show it off."
Denise grew worried but didn't say anything.
"Piplup, Bubble Beam!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup fired Bubble Beam at Glaceon.
"Dodge it and use Secret Power!"May ordered.
Glaceon glows pink and hits Piplup, which seemed to be paralyzed for a bit.
"It looks like that Secret Power has Piplup paralysed!"Marian stated.
Dawn began to lose a few points.
"Piplup, just relax and you'll be alright."Dawn instructed.
"Using Secret Power to show off Glaceon was great strategy."Zoey complemented. "A smart move."
"Wait, does secret power changes where you have to be?"Denise asked.
"Right."Brock replied. "But when you are on stage it causes paralyses."
"Ice Shard, go!"May ordered.
Glaceon uses Ice Shard which has Piplup in a spot.
"Ice Shard, beautiful and powerful as well!"Marian remarked.
Dawn lost a few more points.
"Quick Piplup into the pool!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup quickly goes into the water and jumped into the air after he recovered.
"And Piplup comes back recovered!"Marian announced.
"That's how you use a water battlefield."May said with a smirk.
"Okay Piplup, Whirlpool!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup used Whirlpool.
"And it's another whirlpool!"Marian commented. "Piplup's water control is an amazing way to show off!"
May began to lose points.
Piplup threw the Whirlpool at Glaceon.
"Nice going, but I think it's time to grab some of that power!"May admitted. "Mirror Coat!"
Glaceon used Mirror Coat.
"Mirror Coat is reflecting back the Whirlpool!"Marian stated. "Returning the damage times two!"
The two attacks collided but Glaceon pushed the Whirlpool back at Piplup which sends him flying backwards.
Piplup quickly stood up and recovered fast.
"Bubble Beam now!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup fired Bubble Beam which hits Glaceon hard and May loses points.
"And Piplup attacks with a speedy Bubble Beam!"Marian announced.
"Shadow Ball!"May ordered.
Glaceon fired Shadow Ball at Piplup.
"Spin to dodge!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup spun, avoiding the Shadow Ball.
"Wow, what a beautiful dodge."May remarked. "But now I'll be taking that water! Glaceon use Secret Power!"
Glaceon glowed in a pink colour again.
"Secret Power again?"Dawn said in concern.
Piplup frowned. "Piplup?"
"So what does it do this time?"Ash asked.
"Dodge it quick!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup landed on the puddle but it was too late for him to dodge Glaceon's attack.
"Glaceon is so fast that not even Piplup can dodge in time!"Marian admitted.
Dawn lost a few more points.
2:59
"Quick!"Dawn warned. "Snap out of it!"
Piplup spun gracefully and landed in a pose, which surprised both May and Glaceon.
"And Secret Power misses its mark as the defiant Piplup takes zero damage!"Marian stated.
The crowd cheered at Piplup.
Brock, Ash, Denise and Zoey were amazed of what they just witnessed.
"And that's because the effect of Secret Power is somewhat random."Brock finished.
"A puddle of water, it maybe added an effect, to sleep, but otherwise, it's using Tackle."Zoey commented.
"Alright, try this!"May said. "Glaceon, Shadow Ball!"
Glaceon used Shadow Ball and toss it in the air.
The ice type pokemon jumped and flipped twice hitting the Shadow Ball with its tail giving it momentum.
"And Glaceon puts everything into that Shadow Ball!"Marian reported. "What a dynamic display of power!"
"Bubble Beam, go!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup used Bubble Beam which smashed through the Shadow Ball and hits Glaceon.
This surprised May even impressed the judges and Marian.
"And that Shadow Ball is neutralised!"Marian stated. "Plus the Bubblebeam's got Glaceon trapped!"
"Piplup use Peck!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup flew forward and his beck glowed white.
"Dodge it and use Ice Shard!"May ordered.
Glaceon dodged Piplup and use Ice Shard.
"Whirlpool!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup blocked Ice Shard with Whirlpool.
"Wow!"Marian admitted."Piplup's using Whirlpool as a perfect defense to go against that Ice Shard!"
May had now the same amount of points like Dawn.
1:00
"We've got equal points by both Coordinators and with just one minute on the clock!"Marian commented.
"Ride the Whirlpool!"Dawn orderd.
Piplup rides the Whirlpool which gets everyone's attention and applause.
"And the sight of Piplup fearlessly riding on that Whirlpool has left the audience simply breathless!"Marian complemented.
"That's it!"Ash chuckled. "Show them, May and Dawn!"
"Pika!"Pikachu called out.
"Come on Dawn, you can win this."Denise thought with a firm look.
"Shadow Ball!"May ordered.
Glaceon fired Shadow Ball at Piplup.
"Dodge it!"Dawn ordered.
The Shadow Ball hits the Whirlpool and becomes a huge splash of water.
"Bubble Beam!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup comes through the water and used Bubble Beam.
"After hiding in that Whirlpool, Piplup emerges with a powerful packed Bubble Beam!"Marian announced.
May lost a few more points.
0:43
"Now Glaceon use Shadow Ball!"May ordered.
Glaceon used Shadow Ball.
"Piplup use Peck!"Dawn ordered.
Piplup used Peck.
When then two attacks hit, the Shadow Ball becomes a wall of purple energy which distracted Dawn and Piplup.
"Glaceon, Ice Shard!"May ordered.
Glaceon uses Ice Shard which hits Piplup hard.
"And May answers back with a terrific Ice Shard!"Marian commented.
Dawn now had the same amount of points like May.
"Great, May!"Dawn admitted. "Nice work!"
"Right back at you, Dawn!"May chuckled.
0:34
"Tiny little attacks aren't going to work against May, so in that case!"Dawn thought with a smirk.
"There isn't much time left, I know Dawn is coming in with a big attack!"May thought with a smirk.
"Let's decide it now!"Dawn stated. "Piplup use Whirlpool now!"
Piplup launched a Whirlpool at Glaceon.
"Aha, use Mirror Coat!"May ordered.
Glaceon used Mirror Coat and stood up to Whirlpool for a while.
Eventually Glaceon and Piplup both get hit as a result.
The two pokemon are still standing after being washed back to their places and time runs out.
0:00
"That's it!"Marian announced. "Time's up!"
May and Dawn look up to see who won the Wallace Cup as everyone else did.
"That was a perfect final stage!"Marian admitted. "A toughest nailing battle! Heated and beautiful as well! You all know that the winner takes all! So, without further ado, the winning Coordinator of the Wallace Cup is..."
Dawn and Piplup's images appeared on the screen.
"Dawn and her Piplup!"Marian announced.
The audience cheered loudly at Dawn and Piplup.
Glaceon lowered its head, ears and tail sadly.
"Wow, Dawn did it!"Ash remarked. "She actually beat May!"
"Oh my gosh!"Denise cheered and punched the air. "Yes!"
She wrapped her arms around Ash's neck and kissed him in the cheek in joy.
"Pika pika!"Pikachu chuckled.
"That was a great battle by both of them."Brock stated.
"And that made their pokemon shine."Zoey added.
May bend down at Glaceon.
"Don't feel so bad."May assured softly. "You were completely wonderful."
Glaceon smiled sadly at its trainer.
"Hey, Dawn!"May called out. "Congratulations!"
"We...we won?"Dawn asked quietly.
Piplup jumped into Dawn's arms.
Dawn began to cry with happiness.
"Thank you, Piplup!"She cried. "We won because of you!"
"That was a battle that truly brought the beauty of both coordinator's pokemon!"Mr Contesta remarked.
"Yes, it was remarkable!"Mr Sukizo added.
"Both Glaceon and Piplup were in perfect sync with their coordinators."Nurse Joy said. "I wouldn't be surprised to see which team had won!"
A While Later...
It was time for Dawn to receive the Aqua Ribbon from Wallace.
"And now, it's time for Wallace to say a few words to our big winner, Dawn!"Marian announced.
Wallace walked up to Dawn.
"That was wonderful."Wallace stated. "You displayed true elegance out there! A lovely end to a lovely contest, thank you."
He then showed the Aqua Ribbon.
"Dawn, you are a true coordinator of the highest order."Wallace commented.
Milotic used small aqua rings to hand Dawn the Aqua Ribbon.
"I'm privileged to give you for your Wallace Cup win: The Aqua Ribbon."Wallace remarked. "Please, take it and enjoy it."
"Oh, Wallace."Dawn replied while smiling and blushing a little. "Thank you."
Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu and Ambipom cheered for their victory.
The audience cheered and clapped at Dawn.
"Wow, look at Dawn!"Ash commented. "She's back at her feet!"
"I am so proud of you, sis!"Denise laughed.
"Alright!"Dawn chuckled. "Now there's really no need to worry because the Aqua Ribbon's all mine!"
Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu and Ambipom jumped up to celebrate their trainer's win.
"I am truly happy to meet such a wonderful pokemon and made many new friends!"Wallace declared to the audience. "My wish now is to someday, in the very near future, we may meet here again for another exciting event! The next Wallace Cup!"
Milotic uses Hydro Pump in the air creating a geyser creating a glittery effect, bringing the Wallace Cup to a close.
Afterwards...
The sun was setting and it was time for May to return back to Johto.
Dawn shook hands with May.
"You know I forgot what it feels like."Dawn admitted. "The wonderful feeling of being in a contest and becoming one with my pokemon."
"Well, you better hold onto it, Dawn."May remarked. "Because the next time we meet I am going to win. So watch out too, Denise."
Denise smirked. "Oh don't worry, I'll will be well prepared."
"Zoey, good luck with your up coming contests."May stated.
"Thanks."Zoey replied with a nod. "You too, May."
"Thank you."May answered.
"Don't forget, you can dine all over the world but you won't get my cooking."Brock reminded.
"Aw, Brock."May giggled. "It was awesome having your cooking again after so long."
"Hey May, good luck with the rest of your Johto contests."Ash complemented.
"Pikachu."Pikachu agreed.
"Thanks."May responded. "I wish you and Denise both the best of luck entering the Sinnoh League."
"Thanks."Ash answered.
"Coming from you that means a lot."Denise said kindly.
Then the heroes and Zoey waved May good-bye as she took off on the boat.
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