Author's Note: Sorry if this chapter took so long! I'll make sure to write the following one earlier next time!
I don't own Pokemon or its characters, but I own Denise and my other OCs
Enjoy!
Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 134: The Twinleaf Festival Part 2
As the day comes to a close, Ash, Dawn, Denise, Lucas and Barry walked with Palmer and Dahlia along the festival.
The vendors eagerly talk to Palmer and Dahlia as they walked with the heroes.
"Hey! Look! It's Palmer!"
"And Dahlia too!"
"Long time no see!"
"We have been hearing what you've been up to!"
"Can't wait for tomorrow!"
"It's going to be great!"
"Wow, Palmer and Dahlia."Ash remarked. "You both seem to be pretty famous around here."
Palmer runs to the center of the road to earn the people's attention.
"It's what you've been waiting for Twinleaf Town!"Palmer declared and brought his fist in the air. "Palmer has returned!"
"YAY!"the crowd cheered.
"Dragonite, go!"Palmer ordered.
The crowd watched in amazement as Palmer brings out his Dragonite for a little demonstration.
"Always the show off, aren't you?"Dahlia asked smugly.
"Dragonite."Lucas chuckled. "Now that's what I call cool."
Riolu spoke with a small smile as Brock walked up to them.
"Hey, who's that?"Brock asked.
"Looks like someone is a bit slow on the update because that's no other than Palmer, my dad."Barry declared proudly.
"Your dad?"Brock said.
"And the woman standing next to him is Dahlia."Denise admitted. "She's-"
Brock immediately became love struck and rushed up to Dahlia to take her hand.
"My darling sunshine, it would seem that this festival has caused both us to cross paths and interlock with each other."Brock flirted.
"Huh?"Dahlia asked while sweat dropping.
"Now, don't be shy."Brock continued. "Look into my shining eyes and help tie the knot that holds us together."
Croagunk appeared and used Poison Jab on his trainer.
"Unfortunately... it seems the knot has been untied."Brock muttered weakly before collapsing on the ground.
Croagunk dragged Brock away as Ash, Dawn, Denise, Barry and Lucas chuckled nervously while Palmer and Dahlia stayed silent and confused.
"Hey, Palmer!"Ash spoke up. "I want to challenge you to a battle!"
Dawn suddenly pushed Ash out of the way.
"And I want to challenge you, Dahlia!"Dawn admitted.
Denise shoved Dawn away with an excited look on her face.
"Well I'm Dahlia's biggest fan, so I deserve to battle her and Palmer!"Denise insisted.
"I wanna battle them too!"Lucas snapped. "Don't be selfish, you guys!"
Barry pushed Denise and Lucas away with a smile on his face.
"Hold the phone!"Barry declared. "If anyone is going to battle my dad and Dahlia, it's going to me!"
"Yeah, why's that?"Ash questioned.
Pikachu frowned. "Pika."
"Whoa, you don't know?"Barry asked in disbelief. "For your information, the winners of tomorrow's challenge will face off against both my dad and Dahlia."
"Huh?"Ash and Dawn said in confusion.
"Barry's dad and Dahlia are actually two of the Frontier Brains in the Sinnoh Battle Frontier."Lucas explained. "He runs the awesome Battle Tower arena and Dahlia runs the Battle Frontier's Battle Arcade."
"Everybody calls them the Tower Tycoon and the Arcade Star!"Denise added excitedly.
Everyone cheered in agreement at Denise's statement.
Ash looked at Palmer and Dahlia.
"So you are both Frontier Brains?"Ash said in surprise.
"Guilty as charged."Palmer replied. "That's correct and tomorrow only two people will be able to battle us."
"Two lucky people indeed."Dahlia chuckled. "And luck usually comes to those who are happy!"
Barry, Palmer, Dragonite and Dahlia walked away as the heroes watched them go.
"Alright, looks like I'm going to take on a Frontier Brain."Ash remarked with a confident smirk.
"You mean two Frontier Brains, right?"Lucas asked.
"Oh, yeah."Ash said awkwardly.
Denise continued smiling brightly as she watched Palmer and Dahlia since she was still excited for the event that was going to happen tomorrow.
Later that Night...
Dawn and Denise helped their mother cook dinner while Ash dried the dishes and Brock gave Pikachu, Prinplup and Kirlia food to eat.
"So did you girls get to meet Palmer and Dahlia?"Johanna asked.
"I never realised Barry had such an amazing dad."Dawn remarked.
"Well, I already knew since me and Lucas used to play with Barry when we were small."Denise chuckled. "And I am Dahlia's number one fan."
"Right, Dennie."Dawn said with a sheepish smile and looked at Ash. "Hey Ash, isn't exciting that two people will actually get to battle Palmer and Dahlia tomorrow."
"Yeah, it's going to be great."Ash complemented.
"I am entering too."Brock admitted.
"Whoa, you are?"Ash asked.
"Why not? I kept it in mind after all that this is a festival."Brock stated and looked at Croagunk. "What do you say, Croagunk?"
Brock sweat dropped when he saw Croagunk watching a TV show that had a female Croagunk in it.
Then Dawn, Denise, Ash and Brock sat down with Johanna to eat lunch.
"Alright! Eat up, everyone."Johanna instructed. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow."
"Thank you!"Dawn, Denise, Ash and Brock answered in unison.
The Next Morning...
Everyone met up in the middle of Twinleaf Town where the battle tournament was taking place and Johanna was dressed up for the occasion.
Johanna wore a turquoise dress that puffed out at the bottom with a large bright green bow in the back of it, her arms were white gloves that reached past her elbows and a frilly white collar around her neck.
"Twinleaf Festival goers!"Johanna announced while holding the microphone. "Since today is the final day of the Twinleaf Festival, I have but one request for each and every one of you to get in there and give it all you got!"
Johanna took out two seal covered pokeballs in the air and the balls twirled around each other before releasing Glameow and Umbreon.
Glameow and Umbreon began criss-crossing each other in midair with Quick Attack.
"Wow!"Dawn remarked. "Mum's the coolest!"
"Yep."Denise commented with a smile.
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
Kirlia smiled. "Kirlia."
"No doubt, she was a top coordinator."Ash chuckled.
"I'm proud to say thanks to you, our festival has been a rousing success!"Johanna announced. "So on behalf of my fellow event planners, I'd like to thank you all!"
The crowd cheered as Johanna waved at them.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the last event that I'm sure you've all been excitedly anticipating!"Johanna admitted. "Introducing our very special guests...the Tower Tycoon and Arcade Star, Palmer and Dahlia!"
"Hello, everyone!"Dahlia greeted with a wave. "I'm so happy to be here!"
However Palmer was no where to be seen which caused the crowd to become confused.
"Palmer?"Johanna called out. "Palmer?"
"Not again."Barry groaned and face palmed.
"Where's your dad, Barry?"Lucas asked.
"He probably went to get some snacks."Barry responded.
"Let's go find him!"Denise insisted. "There won't be a double battle without him!"
The heroes headed to a side of the Twinleaf Festival and found Palmer eating a bunch Octillery snacks that were made from Team Rocket.
"Hey, Palmer!"Ash called out.
"There you are, dad!"Barry said.
"Hey kids, is there something wrong?"Palmer asked. "Here. Try these Octillery snacks. They're great."
"This isn't a great time to eat."Brock reminded.
"You have an important event to take part in, remember?"Denise reminded.
Dawn looked at Barry.
"You sure your dad is a real champion?"Dawn asked.
"Believe it or not, yes."Barry answered.
"Palmer! Please report to the battle area! ASAP!"Johanna ordered in the speaker. "The battle challenge is starting!"
"How could I forgotten?!"Palmer panicked and smacked his forehead. "I blew it this time!"
Palmer turned around and took a large bag filled with Octillery snacks from Jessie and handed it to Lucas.
"Here, a small gift for you!"Palmer declared.
"Uh, thanks?"Lucas said in confusion.
"Best Octillery snacks ever!"Palmer declared as he ran off. Keep up the good work!"
"Aye, sir!"James, Jessie and Meowth answered in unison.
"Let's book!"Barry insisted.
Barry chased after his dad and the others followed.
When they went back to the battle tournament, Palmer went to stand next to Dahlia.
"And now, what you've all been waiting for, because it really is time to join me in welcoming two real Sinnoh Battle Frontier Brains!"Johanna declared. "The Battle Tower's Battle Tycoon and the Battle Arcade's Arcade Star...you know them, you love them...Palmer and Dahlia!"
Palmer and Dahlia waved at the cheering audience as Johanna walked up to them.
"We're so honoured that you both agreed to join us in today's Twinleaf Festival event."Johanna admitted with a grateful smile. "Thanks!"
"The Twinleaf Festival is a great tradition and so the honor is mine for today the great Twinleaf Town is home to the Battle Tower!"Palmer declared.
"And is so wonderful for I, the Frontier Brain of the Battle Arcade, to also be here in Twinleaf Town to take part in this exciting battle tournament!"Dahlia remarked and winked. "This is an event, I'll surely to remember always!"
The crowd cheered even louder at Palmer and Dahlia as the heroes smiled at the Frontier Brains.
"Whoa, look at them work the crowd!"Dawn said in awe.
"If you ask me, I'd say it's all part of being a Frontier Brain, of course not every Brain follows his example."Brock chuckled.
"And now, let's get over the simple battle challenge rules."Johanna declared. "The competition is open to all who consider themselves trainers and our event will be conducted in tournament format and the two trainers that emerge victorious will have the honor of facing off against Palmer and Dahlia!"
The crowd cheered again at Johanna.
Ash pumped his fist in excitement, his suspicions long since forgotten,
"Oh man, I'm getting psyched!"Ash commented. "That battle against Palmer and Dahlia is as good as mine!"
"Yeah, dream on Ash."Barry scoffed. "When it comes to winning, it's Barry all the way."
"Well since me and Ash are partners for this tournament, I'd say we've got the best chance of winning."Denise said with a smirk.
"Don't forget that I'm Barry's partner for this thing, Denise."Lucas reminded. "You really shouldn't get so confident, right now."
"Getting confident is exactly what you need to win a battle!"Ash stated.
"Right!"Denise agreed with a nod.
"Alright you four, you may be rivals but don't count us out!"Dawn exclaimed determinedly.
"Us either!"Brock added.
"In addition to the privilege of battling Palmer, the winner of this challenge will be presented with these!"Johanna admitted and pointed at the two trophies between Izzy and Cara. "The beautiful gold trophies crafted right here in Twinleaf Town!"
Palmer and Dahlia picked up the trophies.
"Alright then, we'll soon know whom these trophies will belong to!"Palmer responded.
"And may the very best challengers win!"Dahlia chuckled.
"Now, please allow me to introduce our judges, helping with the festival from the very start, say hello to Mr Sayer!"Johanna declared. "Alright, let's get the fun times started! Prepare for the Twinleaf Town edition of the Battle Tower and the Battle Arcade!"
Many battles quickly happen as the timeline jumped to the final match with Ash and Denise against Barry and Lucas going at it.
Ultimately, Pikachu and Luxray beat Empoleon and Dusclops making Ash and Denise win the battle tournament, upsetting both Dawn, Barry and Lucas as they are their Octillery snacks with Brock.
"I lost."Dawn grumbled. "Someone's really going to get fined."
"Prinplup prinplup."Prinplup muttered.
"Funny, I was supposed to be battle my dad and Dahlia with Lucas."Barry complained.
"Oh well."Lucas sighed. "There is always another time."
"And the winners of today's challenge are Ash Ketchum and Denise Berlitz!"Johanna announced. "Let's give them a big round applaud!"
The crowd cheered at Ash and Denise.
"Thank you!"Ash thanked. "Thanks a lot!"
"We'll do our best!"Denise chuckled.
"Now let's hear the words from their next opponents, Tower Tycoon Palmer and Arcade Star Dahlia!"Johanna insisted.
"This battle marks the Twinleaf Festival end!"Palmer admitted. "Soon Ash and Denise, you'll show us what your made of!"
"Like surprises from the game board, life goes through twists and turns. Things will go as they will."Dahlia stated. "But I know one thing for certain. You both have arrived here not merely because you were lucky. Let us not waste any time. We will test your skills ourselves!"
"I do love a good challenge."Denise sneered.
"Don't go easy on us!"Ash commented.
"Let the battle begin!"Palmer said and took out a pokeball. "Rhyperior, go!"
"Blaziken!"Dahlia remarked and threw out a pokeball. "Come out, my darling!"
Palmer and Dahlia's pokeballs opened causing Rhyperior and Blaziken to appear.
"A Rhyperior and a Blaziken?"Denise said in surprise.
"Whoa!"Ash exclaimed with a awe expression. "Rhyperior is huge!"
"Wow!"Barry remarked excitedly. "It's them! Rhyperior and Blaziken!"
Ash took out his Pokédex to scan Rhyperior.
"Rhyperior the Drill Pokémon and the evolved form of Rhydon."Ash's Pokédex buzzed. "Rhyperior can concentrate strength in its body and expand causing the stone in its hand to launch."
"Never have I met a match for my Rhyperior as Battle Tower challengers fall in defeat."Palmer declared. "Now you shall experience its strength."
"I say the same with my dear, Blaziken."Dahlia chuckled. "Though, its until during the match that challengers get a taste to magnify and maximise its inner fire before falling into their knees."
Ash gritted his teeth while Denise bit her lip at Palmer and Dahlia's words.
"Rhyperior is a rock type and a ground type."Ash thought. "Both types weigh a lot. That means speed is going to be important to beat it. But so far all the Gym Leaders have been ready to take on challengers that no one knows about their weak points. Palmer has a strategy to fight quick opponents."
"So Dahlia chooses Blaziken."Denise thought. "Blaziken is usually the pokemon that gives blazing punches which leave its foes scorched and blackened and it's obvious it has a secret trump card as one of its moves, but also two. I gotta choose carefully for this. This is my first time fighting a Frontier Brain."
Ash and Denise took out their pokeballs.
"Grotle, I choose you!"Ash declared.
"Vaporeon, come out!"Denise ordered.
Ash and Denise's pokeballs opened causing Grotle and Vaporeon to appear.
"Grotle!"
"Vaporeon!"
Brock, Dawn, Barry and Lucas were surprised at Ash and Denise's choices.
"I thought Buizel would've been Ash's first choice."Dawn said. "But at least Denise choose Vaporeon since water types have the advantage on both rock and fire types."
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
"Man, what is Ash doing?"Barry questioned. "His totally underestimating my dad's Rhyperior."
"Also a bad choice to use Grotle since Dahlia's Blaziken is very strong fire type."Lucas commented.
"The double battle between Palmer and Dahlia against Ash and Denise will now begin!"Mr Sayer declared. "Neither sides are allowed to change pokemon! The first moves go to the challenger! Alright, then battle begin!"
Ash looked at Denise.
"Dennie, let me take the first shot."Ash suggested.
"Sure."Denise insisted. "Go ahead."
"Now Grotle, Energy Ball!"Ash ordered. "Let's go!"
Grotle opened his mouth and fired Energy Ball at Rhyperior causing smoke to rise when the attack hit the Drill Pokemon.
"And it's a direct hit by Grotle!"Johanna announced.
"Yes!"Ash remarked.
But when the smoke cleared away, it showed Rhyperior was fine and not harmed from the super effective attack.
"What the-"Ash started.
"You're that surprised, Ash?"Denise asked in shock.
"Rhyperior is a Ground and Rock Type Pokémon so Grotle's attacks should work really well."Dawn insisted. "I don't understand it."
"Then listen up."Barry said smugly. "Rhyperior's Solid Rock ability. It limits the damage caused by any attack it's weak against."
"That also means Vaporeon is going to have trouble doing damage to Rhyperior since Water Type moves are also super effective against it."Lucas said with a frown. "But Blaziken is another story."
Riolu looked at Lucas.
"Ash, that's quite an Energy Ball Grotle's got there."Palmer said with his eyes closed and his arms crossed."Which shows me you've clearly raised your Pokémon well."
"I totally agree with you, Palmer."Dahlia chuckled. "There is a strong bond between him and his pokemon."
"Undoubtedly true, Dahlia."Palmer said and smirked at Ash. "That said, to Rhyperior, Grotle's attack was little more than a cool breeze. Now then, you've had your chance, now it's our turn! Alright, let's really get things moving with Rock Polish!"
Rhyperior smashed its fists together and started glowing red.
"Blaziken use Night Slash on Vaporeon!"Dahlia ordered.
Blaziken charged towards Vapreon with Night Slash.
"Vaporeon dodge it and use Aurora Beam!"Denise ordered.
Vaporeon tried to dodge Blaziken's Night Slash, but the Blaze Pokemon was able to hit her with the dark type attack which shocked Denise of its speed.
Torchic stared at his final evolution in excitement.
"Quick, Grotle use Razor Leaf!"Ash ordered.
Grotle fired Razor Leaf, but Rhyperior dodged quickly, shocking everyone at how fast it moved thanks to Rock Polish.
"How did Rhyperior move so fast?"Ash asked.
"Must be because of Rock Polish."Denise grumbled.
"Since Rock Polish greatly increases a pokemon's speed, things aren't looking so good for Grotle and Vaporeon right now."Brock exclaimed.
"Told ya, don't underestimate Dad's Rhyperior, okay?"Barry said proudly.
"Sandstorm, go!"Palmer ordered.
Rhyperior rushed forward and unleashed Sandstorm causing Denise to quickly call out Vaporeon's next attack.
"Vaporeon use Hydro Pump to wash it away!"Denise ordered.
Vaporeon washed away the Sandstorm with Hydro Pump to make the battlefield clear again.
"Rockwrecker!"Palmer ordered.
"Flare Blitz!"Dahlia ordered.
Rhyperior's Rockwrecker hits Grotle while Blaziken hits Vaporeon with Flare Blitz.
"Rhyperior and Blaziken both attack Grotle and Vaporeon head on!"Johanna declared. "Things don't seem to look good for the challengers!"
"Quick, Synthesis!"Ash ordered.
Grotle used Synthesis to heal since Rhyperior had to recharge from using Rock Wrecker.
"Well, well."Palmer sneered. "Looks like Ash is switching to recovery mode."
"A perfect move since Rhyperior needs time to recharge."Brock admitted.
"Which means Ash has the time to have Grotle to pull together, great!"Dawn remarked.
"Though Denise has to still deal with Dahlia."Barry added quietly.
"Vaporeon use Water Gun at Blaziken!"Denise ordered.
Vaporeon leapt up and fired Water Gun directly at Blaziken, but the attack didn't seem to do anything to the fire/fighting type much to Denise's dismay.
"Your Vaporeon has skills, Denise."Dahlia declared and smiled. "But it lacks a fiery spirit. Though that it can't happen since it is the opposite to the word fire."
Denise bit her lip at Dahlia's words as Lucas watched the sight with a calm look.
"Now Dahlia's Blaziken seems be really turning up the heat."Lucas commented with a small smirk.
"Torchic..."Torchic said quietly.
Rhyperior let out a roar causing Palmer to give the next attack.
"Megahorn!"Palmer ordered.
"Superpower!"Dahlia ordered.
"Vaporeon use Hydro Pump on Blaziken!"Denise ordered.
Vaporeon blasted Blaziken with Hydro Pump causing the Blaze Pokemon to stumble back a little causing Dahlia to become surprised.
"Keep it, Vaporeon!"Denise encouraged. "Your doing great!"
"Looks like Vaporeon seems to now get the upper hand."Dawn responded.
"It does look that way for now."Barry chuckled.
"I guess we have to get in there face!"Ash stated. "Grotle use Energy Ball!"
Grotle prepared to use Energy Ball, waiting for Rhyperior to get closer.
However, when Rhyperior closes in too quickly, he hits Energy Ball with Megahorn.
"Uh oh!"Ash responded. "Our timing got off!"
This forced Grotle to swallow his Energy Ball, but the later results shock everyone as Grotle tapped into a large amount of power, a green aura radiating up into the air from the bushes on his back.
Denise and Vaporeon watched the sight in awe.
"Whoa!"Lucas replied in shock.
"Hey, folks, what's happening out there?"Barry asked.
"And what's with that light?"Dawn questioned.
"It can't be!"Palmer protested.
"Incredible!"Dahlia complemented.
Vaporeon, Pikachu, Prinplup, Torchic and Riolu stare at Grotle's sudden power boost with amazed looks.
"What's going on?"Ash asked.
"Oh my gosh."Denise whispered.
"Amazing!"Johanna announced. "It looks like Grotle absorbed the power of the Energy Ball after it exploded in his mouth!"
"I didn't know Grotle can do that."Ash stated with a smile.
"Me neither."Denise added honestly. "This is totally new."
"Okay, so what I'm seeing is Grotle actually eating the Energy Ball?"Barry insisted.
"It may have been bad timing, but it sure lead to good results."Brock exclaimed.
"Awesome and interesting too."Dawn giggled.
"It could be used for future Contests, right, Dawn?"Lucas asked.
"You bet!"Dawn agreed with a confident smile and looked at her starter pokemon. "So pay attention, Prinplup."
Prinplup nodded. "Prinplup."
The green aura dissipates, but Grotle's bushes continue to glow, with energy moving through them.
"I'll tell you, I've been a Frontier Brain for a while."Palmer sneered. "I know guts and you've got them, Ash! Rock Wrecker!"
Rhyperior unleashed Rocket Wrecker towards Grotle.
"Oh! This is now shaking things up without a doubt!"Dahlia chuckled in amusement. "Use Night Slash, Blaziken!"
Blaziken rushed forward and leapt up to attack Vaporeon with Night Slash.
"Grotle use Rock Climb!"Ash ordered. "Let's go!"
Grotle rears up and slams its Rock Climb claws into the ground, creating a mountain on the field from underneath Rhyperior.
"Vaporeon, assist Grotle and then use Aurora Beam!"Denise ordered.
Vaporeon jumped on Grotle's back as the Grove Pokemon charged forward, ascending the rock formation and dodging Rhyperior's attack.
The Bubble Jet Pokemon jumped off Grotle and blasted Blaziken back with Aurora Beam and Grotle rammed into Rhyperior and steadily driving it back with brute strength.
Rhyperior uses its tail to stop Grotle's charge as Blaziken recovered and narrowed its eyes at Vaporeon, who glared at it.
The crowd started cheering at Grotle and Vaporeon.
"Come on, Grotle and Vaporeon!"
"You guys can do it!"
"Hang in there, Grotle!"Ash ordered. "You got this! Rhyperior is no match for you now!"
"This is it, Vaporeon!"Denise declared. "Take Blaziken down with Hydro Pump head on!"
Vaporeon prepared to fire Hydro Pump at the Blaze Pokemon, who narrowed its eyes in respond.
From below, Palmer and Dahlia watched the sight from below.
"No one has ever battled Rhyperior this hard."Palmer admitted.
"These trainers definitely know how to surprise us. I give you that."Dahlia complemented and smirked. "But it's good with have our own trump cards to use. Blaziken use Thunder Punch!"
Vaporeon unleashed Hydro Pump as Blaziken leapt up and activated Thunder Punch causing Denise and Kirlia to become shocked.
"Oh no!"Denise gasped in shock.
"It's good that you remembered to mention that."Palmer chuckled. "Rhyperior use Rock Wrecker!"
Rhyperior landed a Rock Wrecker at point blank range as Blaziken attacked Vaporeon's Hydro Pump with Thunder Punch, creating a huge explosion and destroying the field mountain.
When the smoke cleared, it showed Rhyperior and Blaziken were clearly exhausted but Grotle and Vaporeon were unable to battle.
"Both Grotle and Vaporeon are unable to battle which means Rhyperior and Blaziken get the win!"Mr Sayer announced and moved his hand to the two Frontier Brains. "Victory goes to Palmer and Dahlia!"
Palmer smirked and Dahlia winked as the crowd cheered at them.
Ash smiled. "Guess that's it."
"Yeah."Denise answered with a light chuckle.
Ash and Denise walked up to Grotle and Vaporeon as Izzy and Cara watched them.
"I knew Dad and Dahlia would win."Barry admitted proudly. "I mean come on as if Ash and Denise would stand a chance in the first place."
"To think Ash and Dennie were so close."Dawn said sadly.
"Prinplup."Prinplup sighed.
"Although Ash and Denise are handling it well out there."Brock stated.
"But they still battled hard."Lucas said with a small smile. "I'll give you that."
"Torchic."Torchic tweeted gently.
Ash and Denise comforted Grotle and Vaporeon as Palmer and Dahlia spoke to them.
"Grotle, you were great out there."Ash assured.
"I am still proud of you, Vaporeon."Denise replied kindly. "Well done."
"Our battle was really a lot of fun."Palmer admitted. "That Energy Ball caught me off guard."
"Truly, it was so very fabulous of both of you."Dahlia chuckled. "I am sincerely happy for having this battle against you."
"To be honest, we were more surprised than you two."Ash admitted with a sheepish smile.
"Without a doubt."Denise sneered.
"Grotle."Grotle responded.
"Vaporeon."Vaporeon giggled.
Palmer and Dahlia handed the trophies to Ash and Denise.
"At any rate, congratulations to the two of you for winning the battle challenge."Palmer stated.
"Both of you did so in evidence of your abilities."Dahlia responded.
"Thank you, Palmer and Dahlia!"Ash thanked.
"This means so much to us!"Denise remarked.
"We just won the gold trophies!"Ash and Denise cheered in unison.
Pikachu, Grotle, Kirlia and Vaporeon cheered at their trainers' victory.
"Palmer, Dahlia, Ash and Denise, thank you all for an exciting battle!"Johanna declared. "Alright then, I want to see some dancing and singing!"
Later that Night...
"So, Ash, what do you think about my dad?"Barry asked with a smug look. "Isn't he a cool guy?"
"Sure is."Ash agreed.
"You're right, Barry."Denise replied and then her eyes sparkled in admiration. "Dahlia is also a cool gal. She's so strong and fabulous."
"Our mum is just the same."Dawn declared. "I knew that when we fought against her Glameow and Umbreon together."
"And that's why you and Denise want to be Top Coordinators just like her."Lucas commented.
"I understand that, when your parents are strong, you want to be just as strong."Barry remarked. "It works every time."
"Talking about wanting to be strong sure takes me and Denise back."Ash stated as he and Denise looked down.
The thought of wanting to be strong brings Ash and Denise to reflect on how they always lost or end up with draws to Paul.
"And we just keep wondering what makes Paul as powerful as he is."Ash murmured.
"It sure is a mystery."Denise thought.
Suddenly, the festival's lasting song starts causing Barry to stand up and become angry.
"Hey! What's up?!"Barry complained. "It's an annual tradition that I'm supposed to sing the last song with all of them too!"
Barry quickly chows down on his Octillery snacks to rush to the crowd and sing the last song causing Denise and Torchic to sweat drop at the sight.
"There's never a dull moment with him."Brock stated.
"No kidding."Lucas retorted.
Riolu lightly sighed in agreement as Dawn looked at Ash and her sister.
"Hey, Ash. I just remembered something."Dawn replied."There's something I thought of while I was watching you and Grotle battle with Dennie and Vaporeon and it's a whole new way of showing off your Pokémon as well."
"A new way of showing off your Pokémon?"Ash questioned.
"My style is always changing so it never gets boring and get ready for Dennie's and my next Contest."Dawn declared.
"This battle against Palmer and Dahlia inspired me as well, sis."Denise snickered. "Since we both need to get our last Ribbon, I've already developed some new tricks in my head."
Then Palmer and Dahlia walked up to the heroes.
"Hey, kids."Dahlia greeted.
"Ah, Barry can be a handful."Palmer chuckled.
"Hi, Palmer and Dahlia."Ash responded.
"Ash, Denise, have you both decided which Gym you are going for next?"Dahlia asked.
"Nope."Ash answered. "Not yet."
"The same goes for me."Denise replied.
"Then both of you should head over to the Sunyshore City Gym."Palmer insisted.
"Sunyshore City Gym?"Ash repeated.
"That's the easternmost city in the Sinnoh Region and the location of the region's final Pokémon Gym."Dahlia admitted.
"I hear it is a city that is also solar powered."Denise complemented.
Lucas smiled and stroked Riolu's head.
"I heading there after doing more training with my pokemon."Lucas declared.
"Why Sunyshore City?"Ash questioned.
"Because with your and Denise's battling skills, I'm sure both of you will be in for quite a shock from Sunyshore's Gym Leader."Palmer declared.
"Okay."Ash responded.
"Both of you will see when you get there."Palmer assured simply.
Dahlia smiled at Ash and Denise.
"Remember this, kids."Dahlia instructed. "Bad luck, you cast aside and good luck, you netted. That is how you will be able to mastery brilliantly with your pokemon."
"Alright?"Denise said with a hint of curiosity.
The Next Morning...
Ash and his friends talked with Johanna and Claire before they headed off to continue their journey.
"So Ash, Brock, please keep an eye on Dawn and Denise for me, okay?"Johanna instructed.
"Sure."Ash agreed.
"They're in good hands."Brock assured.
"Prinplup, Torchic, I'm counting you both too."Johanna admitted with a wink.
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
"Torchic."Torchic tweeted.
"Riolu make sure to take care of Lucas for me."Claire ordered with a playful tone. "He can ran into trouble sometimes."
"Mum..."Lucas groaned.
Riolu smiled at Claire as Dawn giggled in respond.
"No need to worry."Dawn responded.
"Although you can give more confidence in Dawn, mum."Denise reminded.
"We'll be fine."Ash announced."Just remember, we're all in this together."
"Thanks, Ash. That's good to know."Johanna stated and looked at her daughters."It was so good to see you again, my dears, and also good luck to you both in the Lilypad Contest as well as Ash's and your final Gym Battle in Sunyshore City, Dennie."
"You just make sure you tune in!"Dawn insisted confidently.
"We are looking forward to come back again soon."Denise chuckled.
Then the heroes bid Johanna and Claire farewell as they head to Dawn and Denise's next Contest.
"Hey!"Barry shouted as he rushed forward. "What do you think your doing?!"
"Barry!"Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock said in unison.
"What's up?"Lucas asked.
"My dad just informed me that you guys are heading off to the Sunyshore City Gym."Barry explained. "But I'm going to beat ya! So I'm hitting the road for awesome adventure! So later!"
Barry races past the group since he planned to get to Sunyshore City first while everyone sweat dropped at him.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)
Denise's Team
Torterra (Male): Solar Beam, Giga Drain, 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