I don't own Pokemon or it's characters, but I own Denise and my other OCs

Enjoy!

Pokemon: Friends to the End

Chapter 93: Playing The Leveling Field!

While passing through a small town, Ash and his friends stop to watch Zoey battle an unfamiliar trainer, who was the Hearthome Gym Leader Fantina.

"Is that Zoey?"Denise asked.

"It is Zoey."Dawn said with a smile.

"Piplup."Piplup giggled.

"My battling style is something to be zeen, n'est pas?"Fantina remarked. "Get ready for another look."

"Here it comes, Glameow."Zoey warned.

Glameow purred and stood in a fighting stance.

"Psybeam!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius fired Psybeam towards Glameow.

"Quick Glameow, jump!"Zoey ordered.

Glameow attempted to dodge a Mismagius's Psybeam, but gets hit and confused.

"Glameow, no."Zoey said worriedly.

"You can do it, Glameow!"Dawn called out.

"Come on, don't give up!"Ash protested.

Zoey notice the four heroes.

"Oh, it's you guys."Zoey said.

"Ah...these are your friends?"Fantina asked. "But we're zill in the heat of battle."

"Glameow, Shock Wave!"Zoey ordered.

Glameow tried to use Shock Wave, but missed since she was still confused.

"Wow."Brock replied. "Even the confused Glameow got off an attack."

"Yeah, but if it misses, what difference does it make?"Dawn asked.

Glameow recovered from her confusion and landed back on the ground.

"Glameow recovered, awesome."Denise commented.

"No more confusion?"Fantina questioned. "For you, it is out of zee frying pan and into the fire."

"Great Glameow, use Shock Wave one more time!"Zoey ordered with a smile.

Glameow fired off another Shock Wave.

"Wow."Dawn replied. "The tables have turned again."

"Piplup!"Piplup cheered.

"Use Magical Leaf!"Fantina ordered.

Glameow's Shock Wave got blocked by Mismagius Magical Leaf.

"Oh no!"Zoey said.

"That Shock Wave is not going to hit!"Ash called out.

"Zoey's opponent is taking the advantage of the resistance of grass type abilities to electric type moves to boost her defence."Brock admitted.

"Psywave, tout suite!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius sent her whole attack back at Glameow with a Psywave, surprising Zoey and the four heroes.

Zoey gasped. "No way!"

"It can't be!"Dawn responded.

"That's wicked."Denise stated.

The combination attack knocked out Glameow and Zoey rushed up to her normal type.

"Glameow, you were great."Zoey assured and looked at Fantina. "I really appreciate for what you did for me with you being a top coordinator and having our battle."

"Merci beaucoup, you were a most formidable opponent."Fantina replied with a smile. "It's been a while since I had a contest battle. You fill me with joy."

Fantina and Zoey shook hands.

As the two shake hands, Brock butts in and professed his love for Fantina.

"Bonjour, mon cheri."Brock flirted. "If I may be so bold, zit's simply can't remember when I last met a beautiful woman like you..."

Croagunk poison jabs Brock causing the breeder to collapse.

"Oh course, this is maybe why."Brock mumbled in pain.

Croagunk dragged Brock away.

"Oh, such abyss!"Fantina shouted while putting her hands on her cheeks.

Ash, Dawn and Denise walked up to Fantina and Zoey.

"Zoey is such a shame you had to lose."Dawn said.

"Yeah and what a awesome battle."Ash agreed.

"Piplup."Piplup replied.

"Pika."Pikachu responded.

"I would very much like to meet with your friends."Fantina suggested.

"Sure."Zoey answered with a nod.

"Enchanté, my name is Fantina."Fantina answered. "A true pleasure."

"Guess what? She's the Hearthome Gym Leader, Ash."Zoey admitted.

This sentence surprised Ash and Pikachu.

"Gym leader?!"Ash said in surprise.

"Awesome, we finally get to meet the Hearthome Gym Leader."Dawn commented.

"Piplup."Piplup chirped.

"Of course, you've all been here a bunch of times and Fantina's never been around, right?"Zoey asked.

"Right."Ash, Denise and Dawn answered in unison.

"From seeing your Mismagius, you specialise ghost type pokemon right?"Denise asked with a smile.

"Oui."Fantina replied with a nod. "I'm also a contestant. She is, how do you say, très fantastique! Now I have become a traveling trainer just like you and so I regret to say that gives me no other choice but to leave the Hearthome Gym on vacances."

"Your a travelling trainer?"Ash asked.

"On vacances?"Dawn said.

"How come?"Denise questioned.

Afterwards...

The four heroes along with Zoey and Fantina went to sit in the Pokemon Center to have some beverages while talking to each other.

"But Fantina, I don't understand on why you don't go back to your gym."Ash responded. "I'm sure there are a lot of people that want to challenge you and that includes me."

Fantina took a sip from her tea cup.

"Fantina?"Ash asked.

Suddenly Jessie (disguised as reporter Jessadia) shoves Ash off to talk to Fantina.

"Coming through!"Jessadia giggled. "I do declare, that your beauty is always surpassed by your top tier talents."

"And you are?"Fantina asked.

"I am and that's none other than the beautifully, busy traveling reporter Jessadia!"Jessadia answered sweetly. "My big scoop for today is all about Fantina, and all about her magnificent pokemon! So now, if you would just work with me by looking into the camera and making me the magic!"

Fantina took the last sip from her tea and shook her head.

"I am sorry, but zhat's impossible."Fantina stated. "I'm training now."

"Oh great!"Jessadia, Meowth and James groaned and dropped on the floor.

"That doesn't make any sense!"Ash argued.

"What Ash is trying to say is since your a gym leader and top coordinator, what is the point of you going on a training journey?"Denise corrected.

"That sounds strange to us too."Dawn said. "Now, what would you need to be training for?"

"Piplup?"Piplup asked.

"Well, maybe if you told everyone the same story you told me a while ago, it would help."Zoey suggested. "I really doubt that they're gonna get it if you don't."

"I guess your right."Fantina responded. "One day, I had a sort of revelation. I wanted to become much stronger. Stronger for the challengers who came to the Hearthome Gym in desire to challenge me. Now how could I resist that? As a pokemon trainer, I had to put in long hours of studying and with a bit of luck, I was able to become a top coordinator."

Denise fell quiet and took a sip from her lemonade tea.

"Everyone was generous with the praises of my battling technique and zee Hearthome Gym was able to open with moi as it's leader."Fantina explained. "The Hearthome Gym specialises in ghost type pokemon. I faced off against every one and any challengers who came to challenge me. I fought many, many battles. Some of my challengers, even after they've failed, would keep training in fierce determination and then return for a rematch. Seeing that all again, I still felt that I had to win, no matter what."

Brock, Dawn, Zoey, Ash and Denise stared at Fantina with surprised expressions.

"Of course."Brock responded. "The truly dedicated trainers that wouldn't accept defeat the first time around would always be nearest to dearest in my heart."

"Alors, you understand my feelings?"Fantina asked with a smile.

"Oui."Brock responded with a nod.

"You see, Brock used to be the Gym Leader of the Pewter Gym in the Kanto region."Ash admitted.

"Wow, then zere's no doubt that you all understand of what I mean."Fantina remarked as she stood up. "Even gym leaders are always in training. Zey want to get stronger too."

"Your so right."Brock agreed.

"And so, I gave it a lot of thought and after a while, it dawned upon me that that was zee best part of zee Hearthome Gym battles by far."Fantina stated.

"And that's it."Zoey admitted. "Fantina's been working hard as a trainer like us. Doing the same things like we all do like catching pokemon, battling and gaining all that experience."

"Bien sur."Fantina answered. "Which made me realise of one more thing. I had to create a new style of battling. One thing that would combine the competition and the reality of zee battlefield."

"A new battling style."Ash whispered.

"That is incredible."Denise complemented kindly.

"So have you been able to think of a new battling style yet?"Dawn asked.

"Non. Not quite yet, mon cheri."Fantina replied with a smile. "But one step at a time, slow and steady."

"Amazing."Brock said as he folded his arms. "To become a gym leader, it is not trainer's goal but your desire to level up even now? You know, people would do well to start following your example."

"I've got to tell ya."Ash stated. "After hearing your awesome story, I've just got to challenge you to a battle, you know?"

"Pika!"Pikachu agreed.

"Me too!"Dawn admitted. "You've inspired me as well to give me my best shot."

"Piplup."Piplup replied.

"Not just you guys."Denise remarked. "I want to have battle with you as well, Fantina."

"Well, well, there's nothing more interesting than listening to the dreams of the few inspired twerps-"Jessadia started and shook her head. "What I'm really trying to say here is, how about a battle?"

"When traveling trainers meet the road, zee first words are, let's battle."Fantina said. "And since you three and I fit inside that description to a T, I accept your challenge."

"Well, alright!"Ash cheered.

"Pika!"Pikachu chuckled.

"But since my pokemon are feeling a bit très fatigué, I am afraid that I will be only able to battle with one of you."Fantina stated.

"Right!"Dawn, Denise and Ash said in unison.

"So, let's figure this out."Ash suggested.

"I happen to have just the thing to decide which of us three will battle her."Dawn commented as she showed the coin toss app on her poketch.

"Let's see who the coin toss app decides."Denise requested.

"Great idea, Dennie."Ash agreed.

Pikachu smirked. "Pika!"

Afterwards...

Dawn and Ash sat outside the Pokemon Center next to Brock and Zoey with grumpy faces.

"Okay! Why?!"Dawn complained. "Why did I have to be so dumb to pick heads!?"

"I was so looking forward to battle Fantina first."Ash groaned sadly.

"Pikachu."Pikachu mumbled.

"Come on, guys."Zoey said with a sheepish smile. "You win a few and you lose a few."

The group brought their attention to Denise and Fantina, who were going to battle each other.

"After all those things that Fantina said, it's obvious ghost type pokemon are the Hearthome specialty."Brock commented.

"Yeah and she's an expert at using those tricky skills."Zoey admitted.

"In both battles and contests."Ash added.

"No need to worry."Dawn assured. "Dennie can deal with that."

"Piplup."Piplup giggled.

"Alright, please explain the rules."Fantina requested.

"A three on three battle."Denise responded. "The battle is over when one side's three pokemon aren't able to battle."

"Excellent."Fantina responded. "And, so it shall be that you challenge me. But I shall win. That is what a gym leader does, non?"

"As I say, we shall see."Denise stated with a smirk and looked at Dawn. "Hey sis, another coin toss to decide who goes first, please?"

"You've got it."Dawn answered and placed Piplup on the seat. "Okay, you two call it quickly."

"I call for tails."Denise said.

"Then of course, I go heads."Fantina commented.

"I got it, then coin toss!"Dawn announced and pressed the coin on her poketch.

The coin landed on heads.

"It's heads!"Dawn called out.

"Oh la la and that means I go first."Fantina chuckled.

"That's no problem."Denise assured.

Fantina took out a pokeball causing Denise to bit her lip.

"Since Fantina specialises ghost type pokemon and is a top coordinator, this isn't going to be a piece of cake."Denise thought. "I do gym battles and contests, but I still have a lot to learn on how to combine the attacks together just like she does."

"Alors, Duskull!"Fantina said. "Battle position!"

Fantina threw her pokeball and a Duskull appeared.

"Duskull!"

"A Duskull!"Ash said in surprise.

"I've raised this charming Duskull ever since I found him wondering in the forest late at night."Fantina admitted.

"Okay Luxio, come on out!"Denise stated.

Denise's pokeball opened and Luxio appeared in the battlefield.

"Luxio!"

"Luxio, be prepared."Denise warned. "We are in a gym battle."

"Luxio."Luxio responded and stood in a fighting stance.

"Then let us begin!"Fantina said. "Duskull use Will-O-Wisp!"

Duskull sent sinister bluish white flames at Luxio.

"Dodge it, Luxio!"Denise ordered.

Luxio dodged the flames and leapt towards Duskull.

"Ice Fang!"Denise ordered.

"Shadow Sneak!"Fantina ordered.

Luxio tried to attack Duskull using Ice Fang, but the Requiem Pokemon extends her shadow and attacks Luxio from behind.

Denise gasped. "Luxio!"

"How did Duskull end up attacking from behind?"Dawn asked.

"Shadow Sneak is a damage dealing move that allows the user to extends it's own shadow and attacks the opponent from behind."Brock explained. "This move always goes first."

"Fantina is really making up her position as gym leader."Zoey complemented.

"Luxio, Spark!"Denise ordered.

Luxio throws throws an electrically charged tackle at Duskull.

"A direct hit!"Ash remarked.

"Pika!"Pikachu responded.

Duskull recovered from Spark and remained up in the sky.

"Just a bit of damage?"Denise said in surprise.

"I must say your Luxio's Spark was super, but get ready for this!"Fantina stated. "Use Future Sight!"

Duskull's eye glowed blue and predicted what attack Luxio was going to do next.

"Alright then Luxio use Night Slash!"Denise ordered.

Luxio's claw glowed black as he moved forward.

"Future Sight, mon ami!"Fantina ordered.

Duskull's eye glowed blue and Luxio got attacked with a hunk of psychic energy.

Denise gritted her teeth in anger.

"Night Slash, Luxio!"Denise ordered.

Luxio did a twirl and directly hits Duskull with Night Slash causing Fantina to gasp.

"Now use Ice Fang!"Denise ordered.

"Astonish, Duskull!"Fantina ordered.

Luxio's bit Duskull while Duskull hit him using Astonish causing an explosion to happen.

When the smoke cleared, it showed Duskull fainted and Luxio remained standing.

"Oh non!"Fantina said in shock. "My Duskull!"

"Yes!"Denise cheered. "Luxio, you did it!"

Luxio began to breath heavily and flinched a little.

"Luxio, take a good rest."Denise requested and took out her pokeball. "You did well."

Luxio returned back into his pokeball.

"Great, now Fantina has two pokemon left."Ash stated with a smile.

"Luxio did win, but Duskull was still able to give him lots of damage."Zoey commented.

"Merci Duskull, return."Fantina ordered and Duskull returned back in her pokeball. "Alright Haunter, battle position!"

Fantina's pokeball opened and Haunter appeared.

"Haunter!"

"Vaporeon, your up next!"Denise remarked.

Denise's pokeball opened and Vaporeon showed up in the battlefield.

"Vaporeon!"

"Ah, what a lovely Vaporeon."Fantina admitted. "You have the honour, Denise."

"Okay, Vaporeon use Water Gun!"Denise ordered.

Vaporeon fired Water Gun towards Haunter.

"Shadow Claw!"Fantina ordered.

Haunter slashed Vaporeon with her sharp claw made from shadows, shocking Denise and the others.

"Now Confuse Ray, s'il vous plait!"Fantina ordered.

Haunter sent a flash of yellow light at Vaporeon making the bubble jet pokemon to become confused.

"Vaporeon, snap out of it!"Denise protested.

Vaporeon moved her head about with a dizzy expression.

"In that case, use Shadow Claw again!"Fantina ordered.

Haunter hits Vaporeon again with Shadow Claw.

"Vaporeon, please!"Denise demanded. "You have to wake up!"

Vaporeon didn't listen to Denise and was still confused.

"I've seen Amy's pokemon do those sort of tricks to defeat other coordinators."Zoey admitted with a frown.

This caused Brock, Ash and Dawn to stare at Zoey with surprised expressions.

Denise sighed and took out a pokeball.

"Vaporeon, return."Denise ordered.

"That's good."Dawn remarked. "Dennie chose to return Vaporeon."

"Let's hope Vaporeon snaps out from confusion."Ash said.

"Kirlia, it's up to you!"Denise stated.

Denise's pokeball opened and Kirlia appeared.

"Kirlia!"Kirlia greeted with a bow.

Seeing Kirlia made Brock, Ash, Zoey and Dawn to become surprised.

"Kirlia?"Zoey said. "Psychic pokemon have no effect against ghost types."

"Denise properly has a plan up her sleeve."Brock commented.

"Haunter, Shadow Ball!"Fantina ordered.

Haunter sent Shadow Ball at Kirlia.

"Dodge it, Kirlia!"Denise ordered.

Kirlia simply twirled and dodged Haunter's Shadow Ball before it can hit her.

"Check out, Kirlia!"Ash chuckled.

"Kirlia, Confusion!"Denise ordered.

Kirlia opened her glowing eyes and stared Haunter in the face.

Haunter blinked once before her eyes glazed over and began floating around the battlefield.

"Quel dommage!"Fantina shouted. "My dear Haunter you must snap out of it! Quickly, use Hypnosis!"

Haunter snap out from confusion and sent a hypnotising wave at Kirlia.

"Look out!"Dawn protested.

"Piplup!"Piplup said.

"Not on my watch!"Denise replied. "Kirlia use Magical Leaf!"

Kirlia did a quick spin to dodge the wave and hit Haunter with Magical Leaf.

"My, your Kirlia is impressive, my dear."Fantina stated. "But this is not over! Confuse Ray!"

Haunter sent a small yellow light at Kirlia to make the emotion pokemon confused.

"Kirlia, Psychic!"Denise ordered.

Kirlia's eyes glowed and sent the yellow light right back at Haunter.

Haunter became confused.

"Sacre bleu!"Fantina said in shock.

"Let's finish this up!"Denise responded. "Kirlia use Ice Punch!"

Kirlia's fist glowed blue and directly hit Haunter on the face.

Haunter hit the ground and fainted.

Ash, Dawn, Pikachu and Piplup cheered.

"Yeah!"Ash cheered. "Kirlia defeated Haunter!"

Fantina returned Haunter in it's pokeball.

"Oh, heavens. What is this?"Fantina asked and took out another pokeball. "Is this my final pokemon?"

"Yep."Denise said with a nod. "And I know who it is."

"Your Kirlia is magnifique, but I will not go easy on you."Fantina warned with a smile. "Mismagius, battle position!"

Fantina's pokeball opened and Mismagius appeared in the battlefield.

"Mismagius!"

"This is it."Denise thought. "If we beat Mismagius, we win."

"Alors, it's now my turn!"Fantina stated. "Mismagius, Psybeam!"

Mismagius fired Psybeam towards Kirlia.

"Dodge it!"Denise ordered.

Kirlia dodged the Psybeam and went behind Mismagius.

"Use Magical Leaf!"Denise ordered.

"Confuse Ray, mon cheri!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius hit Kirlia with Confuse Ray.

"Oh no!"Denise gasped.

"Psybeam!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius hit Kirlia with Psybeam.

"Kirlia!"Denise shouted.

"Use Shock Wave, Mismagius!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius hit Kirlia with Shock Wave and the emotion pokemon fainted on the ground.

"Kirlia..."Kirlia mumbled with a weak voice.

"Aw man, Kirlia lost."Ash said sadly.

"Pikachu."Pikachu replied.

"Looks like Fantina's Mismagius is giving Denise a hard core."Zoey said.

"And Kirlia was doing so well."Dawn commented.

"Piplup."Piplup agreed.

Denise sighed and returned Kirlia in her pokeball.

"Well done, Kirlia."Denise assured. "You tried your best."

Denise took out her next pokeball.

"I'm not giving up!"Denise assured with a frown. "It's all up to you, Luxio!"

Luxio returned in the battlefield.

"Luxio!"

"Oh Luxio again? Use Magical Leaf!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius sent Magical Leaf towards Luxio.

"Luxio, Wild Charge!"Denise ordered.

Luxio surrounded himself with electricity, destroying the Magical Leaf which surprised Fantina and Mismagius.

"What is this?!"Fantina questioned.

Luxio hit Mismagius with Wild Charge.

"That's the way to do it!"Denise chuckled.

"This is far from over, Psybeam!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius sent Psybeam at Luxio.

"Spark, Luxio!"Denise ordered.

Luxio hit Mismagius with Spark.

"Keep it up, Luxio!"Ash encouraged.

"Pika!"Pikachu remarked.

"Confuse Ray, Mismagius!"Fantina ordered.

Mismagius tried to use Confuse Ray but was paralysed.

"My Mismagius, what's wrong?"Fantina asked.

"Looks like Luxio's Spark has made Mismagius paralysed."Brock admitted.

Ash, Dawn and Zoey grew happy at hearing that sentence.

"This is our chance, Luxio use Night Slash!"Denise ordered.

Luxio made his claw glow black and hit Mismagius with Night Slash.

Mismagius hit the ground and fainted.

"Oh Mismagius!"Fantina called out.

Denise rushed up to Luxio and bend down to hug him.

"Luxio, we won!"Denise laughed. "You were amazing."

"Luxio."Luxio replied with a smile.

Brock, Ash, Dawn and Zoey went up to Fantina and Denise.

"Great battle, Denise."Ash commented.

"That was amazing."Dawn added.

Pikachu and Piplup cheered in agreement.

"I have to tell you, Denise...I am dumbfounded! So very, very strong! You, your pokemon, so strong!"Fantina remarked. "Thank you for the battle, I shall honour it with this gym badge."

Fantina handed Denise the Relic Badge.

"Thank you, Fantina."Denise answered kindly and held up the Relic Badge. "Yes! We just won our fifth gym badge!"

"Luxio!"Luxio responded proudly.

Ash looked at Fantina.

"Hey Fantina."Ash said. "When I come to the Hearthome Gym, I would like to have a battle with you there."

Fantina shook Ash's hand.

"I accept your challenge, Ash."Fantina responded.

"Is it possible if will have a battle with you too, Fantina?"Dawn asked.

"Piplup."Piplup chirped.

"Mais oui, mon chére, Dawn."Fantina answered. "I promise, bien sur."

"That's great."Dawn giggled happily.

"Now, let's all keep working, since you can comprendre, n'est ce-pas?"Fantina asked.

"You bet!"Ash and Dawn agreed in unison.

Brock looked at Zoey and Denise.

"Zoey, Denise, any idea of what she just said?"Brock asked.

Zoey gave a unsure look while Denise gave a sheepish smile.

Later that Night...

Zoey showed Dawn her third ribbon in the pokemon center.

"Wow."Dawn remarked. "Your third ribbon, Zoey."

"Yeah, Shellos really came through for me."Zoey admitted.

"Losing is something I can't afford to do."Dawn stated. "So are you sure you're not gonna be in the Celestic Town Contest?"

"I'm gonna take a pass this time."Zoey replied. "But I'll be there cheering for both of you."

"That's great."Dawn responded with a grateful smile.

Denise gave pokemon food for Luxio, Vaporeon and Kirlia to eat.

"Here you go, guys."Denise chuckled. "You three all deserve a treat for doing well."

Luxio, Vaporeon and Kirlia thanked their trainer before they started eating their food.

Denise sweat dropped when she notice Ash sitting on the floor with his pokemon surrounding him.

"Is Ash, okay?"Denise asked.

"Ash is going over your battle with Fantina today."Brock complemented.

"Man!"Ash scowled and rubbed his head. "It feels like my head is going to explode!"

"Pika pika."Pikachu responded.

Denise giggled at the sight before walking up to Dawn and Zoey.

"Hey Dawn, I won't be in the Celestic Contest."Denise admitted.

"Huh?"Dawn asked in confusion. "How come?"

"Well, let's just say I need more time to recharge my batteries."Denise said with a smile. "But when you get your third ribbon, I'll be your rival again."

"It's a deal."Dawn agreed with a smirk.

Denise and Dawn shook hands with each other.

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, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Confusion

Hoothoot (Male): Silver Wind, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic

Drifloon (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish