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

Enjoy!

Pokemon: Friends to the End

Chapter 123: Pyramid Rage!

Denise's POV

After my battle against Candice, it was Ash's turn to battle her the next day.

Ash's battle against Candice was really cool and it was amazing how his Grotle was able to beat Sneasel despite being a type disadvantage.

Lucas was surprised at Ash's choice, but I trusted Ash's choice since he had more battling skills than me.

Seeing Staraptor against Piloswine was sort of intense to watch alongside Pikachu vs Froslass and Chimchar vs Abomasnow, but I made sure to keep my eyes open at all times.

After Chimchar defeated Abomasnow, Candice presented the Icicle Badge to Ash for winning the battle.

Now me, Ash and Lucas have all got our seventh badge and need one more to enter the Sinnoh League!

But just after Ash was given his seventh badge, we were surprised who showed up in front of us.

It was Paul!

It was surprising since I thought he already got his seventh badge.

I guess I was wrong.

Normal POV

Just after Ash earned the Icicle Badge, Paul arrived at the Snowpoint Gym and challenged Candice to a Gym battle.

"So you must be Candice the Gym Leader?"Paul asked.

"Y-Yes."Candice responded.

"I challenge you to a Gym Battle."Paul declared.

"I'm sure you must've come along way for this, but I just finished a battle with Ash and I'd love to give the gang a rest."Candice answered. "How about tomorrow then?"

"Alright then."Paul responded. "Tomorrow it is."

Paul began to walk away, but then Ash shows off his latest Badge to him.

"Hey Paul, check it out. I just got my seventh badge."Ash stated with a smile and showed the Icicle Badge to his rival. "One more and I'll enter the Sinnoh League. How many do you have?"

"That's none of your business."Paul answered rudely.

Paul walked away as Ash and Lucas glared at him.

"What's his problem?"Ash mumbled with a frown.

"He sure needs to work on his attitude."Lucas scoffed.

"That's how he is."Brock replied.

Zoey looked at Dawn.

"His name is Paul, he is Ash's rival."Dawn explained with a sheepish smile. "They always get to fights whenever they meet."

"Denise, you and Lucas are rivals just like Dawn and Zo-Zo, but it's nothing like this that's for sure."Candice commented.

"I know."Denise responded with a shrug.

As night falls on the Pokemon Center, Zoey and Lucas were surprised to learn that Paul was Chimchar's original trainer.

"Wow."Zoey said. "I got to admit I'm surprised that Paul was Chimchar's first trainer. From what I can see Ash and Paul couldn't be more different if they tried."

"Which is why the two of them couldn't ignore each other if they tried."Brock stated.

"I feel sorry for Chimchar."Lucas commented with his arms folded. "He was treated badly before Ash took him in."

"I sure would like to know why is Paul like this."Denise thought and took a sip of her orange drink."But I doubt he would tell me even if I asked."

Dawn notice Ash wasn't inside the Pokemon Center.

"Speaking of Ash, where did he go?"Dawn asked.

Outside...

Paul was doing a training session with his Magmar and Electabuzz.

Magmar fired Flamethrower towards Electabuzz and the electric type blocked it.

"That's good."Paul stated. "Now use Flamethrower and face the sky."

Magmar fired Flamethrower while facing the sky.

"Good."Paul commented.

Then Ash and Pikachu rushed forward, where Paul was doing his training session.

"Hey, Paul!"Ash called out.

"Man, you should've seen how awesome Grotle was today."Ash remarked. "I wanna thank Torterra again for the help."

Denise peeked from the door as Paul returned Magmar into it's pokeball.

"That battling style Torterra showed us a while back worked out really well."Ash stated.

Paul walked passed Ash with Electabuzz following him from behind.

"You said you were serious about wanting to win in Snowpoint City, so why do you still need Torterra to hold your hand?"Paul questioned.

Ash and Pikachu glared angrily at Paul as he walked into the Pokemon Center.

"Using a grass type in an ice type gym?"Paul retorted. "I guess you chalk that up to blind faith."

Zoey and Lucas stepped forward to confront Paul as Riolu growled quietly at the rude trainer.

"Stop right there!"Zoey snapped. "Just who do you think you are?!"

"You have no right to talk like that!"Lucas scowled with a glare. "What are you trying to proof?!"

Dawn grabbed Zoey while Denise dragged Lucas out of Paul's way.

"Zoey! Lucas! Stop!"Dawn protested.

"It's not worth it."Denise responded as she clings Lucas' arm.

"But you heard what-"Lucas started.

"It's alright, Zoey and Lucas."Ash assured.

Paul simply huffed as he continued walking away with Electabuzz.

"I just hope tomorrow Miss Senior wipes the floor with that jerk!"Zoey replied.

"I hope so too."Lucas agreed with a nod.

Dawn looked at Zoey and Lucas while Denise sighed in disappointment.

The Next Morning...

Dawn, Ash, Denise, Lucas, Brock and Zoey sat down in the cafeteria to have breakfast with each other.

Pikachu, Prinplup, Torchic and Riolu were sitting on the floor while eating their bowls of pokemon food.

"Mmm!"Ash murmured as he stuffed his face with sausages and eggs. "So good!"

Denise slowly ate her plate of blueberry pancakes before covering her mouth to yawn a little.

"Denise, what's wrong?"Lucas asked. "You look a bit sleepy."

"Sorry."Denise apologised and rubbed her eyes. "I guess I haven't slept well again."

"Well, this isn't the first time I hear you say that, Dennie."Dawn commented as she took a bite of her strawberry jam toast.

"Did you have a nightmare?"Brock asked.

"It's more like a strange dream."Denise answered as she used her fork to break a small piece of her pancakes. "It's properly nothing."

"Hey Dennie, you can tell us."Ash insisted. "There is no need to hide it."

"It's natural if people dream about something strange."Zoey complemented. "One time I actually dreamt about going to see Nurse Joy because I ate too much of Miss Senior's cookies."

"Really, Zoey?"Dawn chuckled with a smile. "You dreamt about that?"

"Yeah."Zoey agreed sheepishly and sweat dropped. "But that actually happened years ago. Don't tell Miss Senior, but her baked cookies usually taste like uncooked dough."

Ash, Dawn, Lucas, Denise and Brock laughed lightly at Zoey's story.

After finishing breakfast, the group went to check the weather report in the TV.

Denise gasped excitedly when she recognized who was outside.

"Hey guys, check it out!"Denise encouraged.

Ash, Dawn, Lucas, Zoey and Brock followed Denise's gaze in the window and saw Reggie talking to Paul outside.

"Who's that guy?"Zoey asked.

"That's Paul's big brother, Reggie."Dawn answered. "He's a breeder down in Veilstone City."

"Really?"Lucas questioned in concern.

"Don't worry, Lucas."Denise assured as she headed to the door. "His a nice guy. Come on!"

The group headed to greet the Pokemon Breeder.

"Reggie!"Ash called out.

"Pika!"Pikachu said happily.

Ash, Denise, Lucas, Dawn, Zoey and Brock went in front of Reggie.

"Well would you look at that."Reggie chuckled. "Wow, it's been a long time."

"Yeah, it really has."Dawn replied cheerily.

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.

"So what are you doing here in Snowpoint City?"Denise asked.

"I just finished bringing a pokemon I was watching back to it's trainer."Reggie explained. "Are you guys here to challenge the Snowpoint Gym too?"

Ash nodded at Reggie.

"Denise and I already battled Candice and won our next badges."Ash replied.

"Really? Awesome."Reggie commented and looked at Paul. "You hear that Paul? That's great huh?"

Paul simply huffed in frustration with his eyes closed.

"Mind if I come watch your battle?"Reggie asked.

"Whatever you want."Paul replied dismissively.

Zoey looked at Dawn.

"Man, Paul may be the exact opposite of Ash, but he's absolutely nothing like his brother either."Zoey said quietly.

"For sure."Dawn agreed sheepishly.

Suddenly a shock wave happens and gets everyone's attention.

Then a huge shadow passed by, everyone looking up and spotting the Battle Pyramid.

"What's that?"Dawn asked.

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.

"It's the battle pyramid!"Ash answered excitedly.

Pikachu smiled. "Pika!"

"Wow, you guys know about that thing?"Reggie asked.

"Yeah, I finally beat it but it took me a whole bunch of tries."Ash admitted.

Both Lucas and Denise became stunned while Paul was shocked at the fact that Ash conquered it and won the Brave Symbol.

"What?"Paul said in shock. "You beat it?"

Denise looked at the direction, where the Battle Pyramid headed.

"We should follow it."Denise suggested.

"Torchic."Torchic tweeted.

"Hop in."Reggie insisted with a smile. "I'll take you all there."

Reggie drives the group to the location, where the Battle Pyramid landed in.

"Ash, what was it you called that thing?"Dawn asked. "The Battle Pyramid?"

"Yeah, it was the final facility Ash challenged back in the Kanto Battle Frontier."Brock explained.

"Whoa! That's so cool."Denise chuckled and looked at Ash. "I wish I could've seen your battles against the Frontier Brains."

"The Battle Frontier."Dawn started. "You mentioned that once I think…that's…um…"

"It's a group of facilities, somewhat like a Gym, but more intense. Where you challenge and battle against an amazing group of powerful trainers called Frontier Brains."Brock explained. "Brandon's the most powerful Kanto Frontier Brain and everyone calls him the Pyramid King."

"This is really exciting that we're going to meet Kanto's most powerful Frontier Brain."Lucas remarked.

"It is, Lucas."Denise agreed happily. "I hope in the future we get to meet all of them."

Torchic and Riolu nodded at their trainers.

Brock looked at Reggie.

"Reggie, didn't you challenge him too?"Brock asked. "I remember seeing the Frontier Symbols on display in your house."

"Yeah, but I never got the Brave Symbol."Reggie replied. "Which of course is proof of winning at the Battle Pyramid."

Paul closed his eyes and scoffed at his brother's respond.

"That's right."Ash said. "Brock told us about that. So why did you stop battling."

"Because I learned one thing."Reggie answered. "That I got a lot more to learn."

The van soon arrived next to the Battle Pyramid and the group came out to see Brandon and Samuel.

"What a nice surprise."Brandon said.

"It's been much too long, Brandon."Reggie responded.

"So nice to see so many familiar faces and a couple of unfamiliar ones."Brandon declared and notice Paul going up to Reggie. "And if I remember you're Reggie's younger brother, right?"

"So you do remember me."Paul said. "I'd like to challenge you to a Pokemon Battle, right here and now."

"Oh?"Brandon said in surprise.

"Battle?"Denise whispered quietly.

Denise looked at Paul as Candice rode over to the group on a Dodrio.

"Hey, Miss Senior."Zoey greeted.

"Wow! It's the real Battle Pyramid!"Candice squealed in admiration as she hopped off her Dodrio. "And it's so huge!"

"Sorry to cause such a fuss."Brandon apologised. "But I'm Brandon the Pyramid King of the Kanto Battle Frontier."

"I'm honored to meet you."Candice responded. "I'm Candice, the Snowpoint Gym Leader."

Suddenly a SUV car drove forward and a temple maiden came out.

"Oh. It's you, Maria."Brandon said with a smile.

"We've been waiting for you, Pyramid King."Maria responded with a bow.

"I'd like to introduce you all."Brandon commented. "Everyone, please say hello to Temple Maiden Maria."

"It's an honour."Maria greeted with a bow.

Brock instantly goes crazy and started to flirt with Maria.

"With a beautiful maiden like you, I must make a pilgrimage to the Snowpoint Temple right away!"Brock flirted.

Croagunk poison jabs Brock before dragging him away causing everyone (except for Paul) to sweat drop.

"No fair!"Brock groaned in pain. "I haven't even left yet!"

"Brock sure hasn't stopped his thing for girls."Lucas joked.

"Sadly."Denise mumbled in disproval.

Dawn looked at Zoey.

"Zoey there's a temple here?"Dawn asked.

"Oh yeah. The Snowpoint Temple."Zoey answered. "It's a bit far from here, but it's an ancient temple with a rich history."

"That's awesome!"Dawn exclaimed.

"You see my purpose here in Sinnoh is to investigate the Snowpoint Temple."Brandon explained.

"Of course."Brock agreed. "You do research on many ancient civilisations, right?"

Brandon nodded. "Correct."

"But I never would've imagined that you were going to travel here in your amazing Battle Pyramid."Maria complemented gently.

"It appears we've caused a bit of a scene."Brandon stated and looked at Ash. "Ash, how about introducing these new friends of yours."

"Oh right."Ash answered. "This is Dawn. That's her twin sister, Denise. The guy next to her is Lucas and that's Zoey."

"Hi."Dawn and Denise greeted in unison.

"Hello."Zoey replied with a small wave.

"It is an honour to meet you, Pyramid King."Lucas responded with a bow.

"Pleasure, kid."Brandon answered with a nod and looked at Samuel. "Now Sam."

"Sir?"Samuel asked.

"Please go on ahead with Maria to the temple."Brandon instructed.

"Huh?"Samuel said in confusion. "What about you?"

"Take a look."Brandon commented and glanced at Paul. "Look into his eyes. How can I refuse this young man's request? I'll catch up with you."

"Thank you, sir."Maria answered with a bow.

Reggie looked at Paul.

"But Paul why now?"Reggie asked.

"Cause I had to what you couldn't and that's that."Paul responded firmly.

"Brandon, it's okay if we could watch your battle?"Denise suggested with a hint of excitement. "I would love to see it."

Brandon nodded and looked Paul.

"Young man?"Brandon asked.

"Sure, whatever."Paul answered simply.

Lucas gives Paul a small glare, but didn't say anything.

Inside the Battle Pyramid...

Ash, Denise, Lucas, Dawn, Zoey, Candice and Reggie sat down on the bleachers to watch Brandon and Paul's battle.

Brock offered to be the referee.

"Hey Brandon, I can referee!"Brock suggested.

"Why? There is no need!"Paul stated and took out a pokeball. "It's a full six on six battle. Pokemon exchanges are allowed. The battle will be over when all six of one side's pokemon are unable to continue."

"Very well."Brandon answered.

"Paul is going to do what Reggie couldn't."Ash thought. "His going to try and beat Brandon!"

"Magmar, standby for battle!"Paul stated and threw out his pokeball.

The pokeball opened and Magmar appeared in the battlefield.

"Magmar!"

"Regirock, I need your assistance!"Brandon declared and threw out his pokeball.

The pokeball opened causing Regirock to appear in the battlefield.

"Regirock!"Candice exclaimed.

Dawn took out her pokedex to scan Regirock.

"Regirock the Rock Peak Pokemon."Dawn's Pokedex said. "Regirock's body is made of rock and if something chips off in battle, it attaches rocks to repair itself."

"So Brandon starts with Regirock."Paul said quietly. "Just like he did with my brother."

"I remember Paul was watching."Reggie stated. "Of course that was back then when my pokemon and I were defeated by Brandon."

This caused Ash, Denise, Lucas, Dawn, Zoey, Candice along with Pikachu, Torchic, Riolu and Prinplup to look at Reggie.

"Paul was a new trainer and just got his Turtwig, he went to Kanto during his Sinnoh journey because he wanted to watch my battles."Reggie explained. "I already gone from league to league and I felt ready to battle Kanto's Battle Frontier. So to become a Frontier Brain, I had one more challenge I needed to face and that was a battle against Brandon. But we lost without defeating a single pokemon."

"So the reason Paul is so obsessed with power because what happened to Reggie."Brock said.

Denise had a small frown on her face as her eyes focused back on the battle.

"Alright! I can handle anything you bring!"Brandon announced. "Because that's my battling style!"

"Magmar, return."Paul ordered.

Paul returned Magmar in it's pokeball which confused Brandon.

"Return?"Brandon said in confusion.

"What's with Paul?"Ash asked.

"They haven't even started yet."Dawn commented.

"Paul knows that fire types don't have an advantage against rock types."Denise responded. "So he has to choose a pokemon that is super effective against Regirock."

"Hariyama, stand by for battle!"Paul ordered and took out a pokeball.

The pokeball opened and Hariyama appeared in the battlefield.

"Hariyama!"

Dawn scanned Hariyama with her Pokedex.

"Hariyama the Arm Thrust Pokemon."Dawn's Pokedex buzzed. "Hariyama can send a truck flying with its powerful Arm Thrusts."

"A fighting type? That's a good choice."Zoey said quietly.

"Let's begin!"Brandon stated. "Stone Edge, go!"

Regirock fired Stone Edge towards Hariyama.

"Quick, block it!"Paul ordered.

Regirock fires Stone Edge, but Hariyama blocked it easily.

"You know rock type moves won't have an effect on Hariyama."Paul reminded with a frown. "Is this a test?"

Brandon smiled. "You'll have to see."

"Arm Thrust!"Paul ordered.

Hariyama charged forward and hits with multiple Arm Thrusts.

"Hold deep down!"Brandon ordered.

Regirock bear hugs Hariyama to stop the Arm Thrusts.

"Oh no!"Paul said.

"Now use Shock Wave!"Brandon ordered.

Regirock uses Shock Wave at close range, causing it to stumble and make the heroes become surprised at the process.

"Even after damage from the Arm Thrust, Regirock still have that much power!"Brock complemented.

Hariyama backed away but he was still standing.

"Force Palm!"Paul ordered.

"Use Focus Punch!"Brandon ordered.

Hariyama launched a Force Palm, but Regirock moves to the side and throws a Focus Punch, knocking Hariyama out.

"It's unable to battle."Candice whispered.

Paul recalls Hariyama while everyone were impressed at the strength of Regirock.

"Whoa, Brandon's Regirock is a really strong pokemon."Lucas responded.

Riolu let out a quiet respond.

"Electabuzz, stand by for battle!"Paul ordered and threw out his pokeball.

The pokeball opened causing Electabuzz to appear.

Brandon was surprised seeing an electric type while Paul chuckled smugly.

"Why would he choose an electric type?"Lucas questioned.

"Of course, it makes sense Paul would do that!"Ash complemented.

"Use Brick Break!"Paul ordered.

Electabuzz uses Brick Break to hit Regirock.

"I knew he would use Brick Break!"Ash exclaimed.

"Well, Brandon's Regirock is a high level pokemon and Paul knows it."Reggie explained. "So of course he'll have to use a move that will be a powerful match."

"Stone Edge, go!"Brandon ordered.

Regirock fires Stone Edge towards Electabuzz.

"Protect!"Paul ordered.

Electabuzz used Protect, but Regirock's Stone Edge attack was so powerful that it even manages to smash through Protect.

"Protect didn't work?!"Denise said in disbelief.

A frustrated look appeared on Paul's face.

"Use Hyper Beam!"Brandon ordered.

Regirock fired Hyper Beam to take Electabuzz out.

"I can't believe how easily he took out Paul's Electabuzz."Ash responded.

Paul returned Electabuzz in his pokeball while Brock returned Regirock.

"Good, Regirock. Return."Brandon instructed.

"After using Hyper Beam on a opponent, a pokemon can act right away."Brock explained. "So it's good that his making an exchange now."

"Registeel, I need your assistance!"Brandon stated.

Brandon sends out Registeel in the battlefield.

Dawn scanned Registeel in her pokedex.

"Registeel the Iron Pokemon."Dawn's Pokédex buzzed. "Because Registeel's body has been tempered by underground pressure for thousands of years, its body cannot be scratched."

"A Registeel..."Paul said quietly and took out a pokeball. "Magmar, stand by for battle!"

The pokeball opened causing Magmar to appear in the battlefield again.

"Magmar!"

"Fire types have an advantage over steel types."Zoey complemented.

"Use Flamethrower!"Paul ordered.

Magmar hits with Registeel with a Flamethrower.

"A direct hit!"Ash exclaimed.

"Pika!"Pikachu gasped.

Brandon simply smirked and then Registeel cancelled out the super-effective attack without much falter.

"But how?"Paul asked in awe.

"How did Registeel do that?"Denise questioned. "It doesn't seem to be burned by Magmar's Flamethrower."

"It must've had an effect, but it's hanging in."Reggie answered.

"Use Iron Head!"Brandon ordered.

"Block it!"Paul ordered. "And then Will-O-Wisp!"

Registeel launched into an Iron Head and Magmar blocked it.

However Magmar suddenly flinched, negating the Will-O-Wisp order Paul gave.

"Magmar's scared?!"Paul scoffed.

"But where's the Will-O-Wisp?"Dawn gasped.

"Iron Head may cause the opponent to flinch and then prevents them from attacking."Brock explained.

"Brandon still got all his pokemon, while Paul is left with four."Denise thought.

Paul recalls Magmar and takes out another pokeball.

"Now Nidoking, stand by for battle!"Paul ordered and threw out the pokeball.

The pokeball opened causing Nidoking to appear in the battlefield.

Dawn took out her pokedex to scan Nidoking.

"Nidoking the Drill Pokemon."Dawn's Pokedex said. "One swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were nothing but a matchstick."

"Nidoking is a Poison type, but I thought Poison types don't work on Steel types."Dawn exclaimed.

"That's true, Dawn."Lucas agreed. "But Nidoking is also a Ground Type which makes it an advantage against Steel Types isn't that right?"

"Use Flash Cannon!"Brandon ordered.

Registeel fires Flash Cannon which hits Nidoking squarely in the face.

"Use Earth Power!"Paul ordered.

Nidoking uses Earth Power to hit Registeel.

"That's some impressive strength."Brandon complemented with a surprised expression.

"Double Kick!"Paul ordered.

Nidoking hits Registeel with Double Kick.

Registeel stumbled backwards but quickly recovers.

"A move like that and Registeel is still standing!"Ash exclaimed.

"Now use Thunderbolt!"Paul ordered.

Nidoking fires Thunderbolt towards Registeel.

"Iron Head, go!"Brandon ordered.

Registeel uses Iron Head to knock out Nidoking.

"Nidoking is out too."Zoey commented. "But that was a good attack though."

"Alright, what's wrong?"Brandon taunted. "And here I thought you wanted to beat the man that defeated your brother."

Paul returns Nidoking in it's pokeball before giving Brandon the harshest of glares.

"The truth is because that you defeated Reggie that my victory of you will have meaning."Paul responded sharply. "The challenge that you present to trainers to find their own strength was something my brother wasn't able to do! But I'm not like my brother! My will gives me strength and now you'll see it first hand!"

Denise stared at Paul in complete shock.

She always thought Paul wanted to be better than Reggie, but instead it was something else.

"No!"Brandon shouted. "All wrapped up in the past! But why then you walk in the Pokemon Path in the first place? Tell me why do you battle?"

This clearly makes Paul furiously angry and brings out his next pokeball.

"Now Lairon, stand by for battle!"Paul shouted and threw out his pokeball.

The pokeball opened causing Lairon to appear in the battlefield.

"Lairon!"

Dawn checked Lairon in her pokedex.

"Lairon the Iron Armour Pokemon."Dawn's Pokédex buzzed. "It digs up iron ore for food and smashes its steely body up against others in battles over territory."

"Registeel, return!"Brandon instructed and took out his next pokeball. "Regice, I need your assistance!"

Brandon recalls Registeel and brings Regice out in the battlefield.

Dawn scanned Regice in her Pokedex.

"Regice the Iceberg Pokemon."Dawn's Pokedex said. "Formed in the ice age, its body stays at a temperature of -328 degrees and cannot be melted, even by fire."

"Iron Defence!"Paul ordered.

Lairon uses Iron Defense to increase his defence.

"Right."Brock agreed. "It increases defence and power."

"Paul wants to hang in there and wait for a chance to counter-strike."Reggie exclaimed.

"Ice Beam, go!"Brandon ordered.

Regice freezes Lairon with an Ice Beam.

"What the-"Paul ordered.

"Zap Cannon!"Brandon ordered.

Regice launches Zap Cannon, knocking out Lairon without it being able to attack which horrified Paul and make him grit his teeth in anger.

"Oh my gosh."Denise responded. "Lairon got easily defeat and didn't have a chance to attack."

"Torchic."Torchic tweeted quietly.

As Paul recalls Lairon, his emotions grow even more intense as he brings out Ursaring.

"Ursaring, stand by for battle!"Paul ordered and threw out his pokeball.

The pokeball opened and Ursaring appeared in the battlefield.

"Hammer Arm!"Paul ordered.

"Focus Punch, go!"Brandon ordered.

Ursaring launches Hammer Arm and Regice counters with Focus Punch, which creates a massive backlash that knocked both pokemon backwards.

"Use Focus Blast!"Paul ordered.

Ursaring prepares to use Focus Blast.

"Zap Cannon!"Brandon ordered.

Regice's Zap Cannon stopped Ursaring's attack and paralyses the normal type.

"What just happened?"Lucas asked.

"Zap Cannon always paralyses it's target, if it hits."Brock explained.

Paul gets even more frustrated and angry at the sight.

"Why aren't you returning Ursaring, Paul?"Denise thought.

"Now Regice return!"Brandon instructed and took out his other pokeball. "Regirock, I need your assistance!"

Brandon recalls Regice and brings Regirock back out, much to Paul's anger and shock.

"Regirock again?!"Paul growled.

"Stone Edge!"Brandon ordered.

Regirock fires Stone Edge and Ursaring was taken out, forcing Paul to recall it.

"Ursaring, return."Paul instructed and returned Ursaring in it's pokeball.

"Paul has given up on Ursaring."Reggie commented. "He just stopped giving him commands."

"Now Magmar, stand by for battle!"Paul ordered.

Magmar appeared in the battlefield for the third time.

"Magmar!"

"Paul's last pokemon."Dawn declared.

"Not only it's a bad match, Regirock is more powerful."Candice admitted.

"I guess we know what that means."Lucas said.

"Now Flamethrower!"Paul ordered.

Magmar uses Flamethrower, but Regirock blocked the attack with ease.

"Shock Wave, let's go now!"Brandon ordered.

Regirock hits Magmar with Shock Wave which knocks it out, therefore giving Brandon a perfect 6-0 victory over Paul.

The loss leaves Paul in shock, all the while in front of his older brother and peers.

"Paul lost...after all that."Ash exclaimed quietly.

Paul returned Magmar in it's pokeball with his head down as Brandon spoke up.

"Young man, this battle of yours was that your true battle?"Brandon asked. "You've done a excellent job training and raising your pokemon, but you allow your emotions to betray you on the battlefield!"

Paul put his head up and looked at Brandon.

"We will battle again one day when you learned to control them."Brandon announced with a smile.

Paul silently accepts this, bowing politely.

Afterwards...

Everyone quietly headed out of the Battle Pyramid.

Candice walked passed Paul causing him to speak up.

"You expect to see me at the Snowpoint Gym."Paul stated.

"Great, Paul. I'll be looking forward to it."Candice remarked and looked at Zoey. "So Zo-Zo, it's our turn next."

"Huh?"Zoey said in confusion.

"A kiai battle with you and me."Candice commented. "Let's get going."

"You bet, Miss Senior."Zoey agreed with a nod.

Candice takes out her Dodrio causing her and Zoey to go on it's back.

"Much of luck to your next contest, Dawn."Candice declared.

"Thank you."Dawn thanked.

"Prinplup!"Prinplup chirped confidently.

Candice looked at Denise.

"The same thing goes with you, Denise."Candice complemented. "And make sure you do well in your next gym battle too."

"I will."Denise assured with a small smirk.

"Torchic."Torchic tweeted.

Candice and Zoey took off while riding on Dodrio as Brock, Dawn, Ash, Denise and Lucas waved good-bye to them.

"Take care everyone!"Candice giggled.

"Bye Dawn!"Zoey said. "Bye Denise!"

"Bye Zoey!"Dawn replied.

"See you later!"Denise called out.

"Take care!"Ash commented.

Paul prepares to walk away, but then Reggie spoke up.

"Hey Paul, do you think there is a chance that you and Ash can treat us to a full battle at some point?"Reggie asked.

This caused Paul, Ash, Denise and Lucas to become surprised.

"Me and Paul?"Ash asked.

"You two! Interesting idea!"Brandon declared as he came out. "Let's set the time and place to meet again! That's bound to be a battle to guarantee to raise the level of both of you! There can be no doubt!"

"Yeah!"Ash agreed firmly. "Great! I'm in!"

"I'm in too!"Paul stated.

"Reggie, what will be the time and place?"Brock asked.

"Exactly ten days now at the Pokemon Center near Lake Acuity!"Reggie answered.

Ash and Paul glared at each other as Denise smiled in approval.

"That's terrific!"Denise chuckled happily. "I'm already looking forward to it!"

"Lake Acuity isn't far from here."Lucas complemented. "So at least we won't need to travel a lot."

Then Reggie and Paul leave in their van as Samuel and Maria arrive, telling Brandon that a situation has occurred at the Snowpoint Temple.

"Brandon!"Samuel called out.

"Something terrible has happened in the temple!"Maria admitted worriedly.

"What?!"Brandon said in shock.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)

Denise's Team

Torterra (Male): Solar Beam, Heavy Slam, Seed Bomb and Earthquake

Vaporeon (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Hydro Pump and Aurora Beam

Luxray (Male): Shock Wave, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang

Kirlia (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Confusion

Noctowl (Male): Heat Wave, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic

Torchic (Male): Ember, Peck, Hidden Power and Fire Spin

With Professor Rowan

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