Author's Note: Here is the next chapter everyone and Happy Valentine's Day!

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

Enjoy!

Pokemon: Friends to the End

Chapter 146: Double-Time Battle Training!

Still on their way to Daybreak Town for Dawn's next Pokémon Contest, Ash and his friends arrive in Brussel Town, which was hosting its own Contest.

Zoey and her Glameow faced off against a Coordinator named Rebecca and her Shuckle in the finals of the Battle Stage.

"Alright!"Marian announced."It's the finale stage of the Brussel Town Pokemon Contest! And we got ourselves a real battle! As the face off of Zoey's Glameow and Rebecca's Shuckle is at the fever pitch!"

On the big screen, it showed Rebecca having more points left than Zoey.

3:39

The crowd cheered loudly as Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Ash, Pikachu and Brock rushed to the remaining seats that were left.

"Guys, hurry!"Dawn protested and glared at Ash."Course you had to wait until the Contest started to get us good and lost!"

"Come on, Dawn."Ash replied."You told us to make the right turn."

"That's not the truth, Ash!"Dawn you know it!"

"It is the truth and you know it!"Ash snapped.

Denise smacked Dawn and Ash on their heads to stop them from arguing.

"Ow!"Dawn and Ash said in unison.

"Will you two stop arguing?!"Denise retorted."Your arguments give me a headache and, sis, Ash was right when he said that you're the one who suggested we go right. You just hate it when he can be better than you from time to time."

"Shh!"Candice shushed, earning the group's attention as she looked back at the Contest. "We're just getting to the good part!"

Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Ash, Pikachu and Brock's eyes widen seeing Candice, the Gym Leader of Snowpoint City.

"Candice?"Brock said in surprise.

"We get to watch Zo-Zo show everyone some real kiai!"Candice complemented.

"Alright, Shuckle!"Rebecca remarked."Constrict, go!"

Zoey has a hard time, as her opponent's Shuckle has tactics that counter her Glameow's offense.

Shuckle made his arms and legs grow longer, but Glameow did a big jump to quickly dodged to prevent herself from being caught by her opponent.

"Fury Swipes, Glameow!"Zoey ordered.

"Shuckle, Withdraw!"Rebecca ordered."Quick!"

Shuckle hides in his shell as it glowed red while Glameow attacked it with Fury Swipes.

"As Glameow unleashed a fearsome Fury Swipes on Shuckle, a quick withdraw allows Shuckle to carefully hold its ground!"Marian announced.

Rebecca smirked confidently while Zoey gritted her teeth before giving out her next order.

"Use Shadow Claw!"Zoey ordered.

Glameow used Shadow Claw, which hurts Shuckle and send it up in the air.

This caused Rebecca to lose more points.

"Shuckle!"Rebecca called out in worry.

"Now, Glameow, Iron Tail!"Zoey ordered."Let's go!"

Glameow did a leap as her tail glowed white to attack her opponent.

With an Iron Tail, Shuckle was defeated.

1:03

"Shuckle is unable to battle!"Marian announced."Which makes our big winner, Zoey!"

The crowd cheered as Zoey smiled at her Glameow.

"Glameow, we did it!"Zoey complemented.

"Meow."Glameow purred.

"Alright! Zo-Zo can really work that kiai!"Candice cheered proudly and hugged Dawn in joy."Zo-Zo won! Zo-Zo won!"

"Candice, great to see you."Dawn replied with a sheepish smile.

Candice became surprised to see the heroes again.

"Dawn, Denise, Ash, and Brock too?"Candice said in surprise as she released Dawn."Where did you four learn to sneak around like that?"

Dawn, Denise, Ash and Brock were dumbstruck that Candice just noticed they were next to her.

"Sneak around?"Dawn repeated in disbelief."Candice, you didn't see us come in?"

"Nope."Candice answered."Dawn and Denise, how come you two aren't down there in the Contest?"

Dawn and Denise smiled at Candice.

"I already got my fifth Ribbon in Lilypad Town."Denise remarked."All I have to do now is train for the Grand Festival."

"And I'm going to compete at the Contest in Daybreak Town."Dawn replied."But when we heard Zoey's fifth Ribbon was on the line again, we had to come and watch."

Candice smiled."You Twinleaf twins, Ash and Brock are all true friends."

After winning the battle, Zoey receives her fifth Ribbon from Mr Contesta.

"Zoey, congratulations."Mr Contesta congratulated. "This is Ribbon number five, right?"

"Right."Zoey agreed as she took the Brussel Ribbon.

"You may now enter the Grand Festival."Mr Contesta exclaimed."We look forward to see you there soon."

"Thank you very much, Mr Contesta."Zoey thanked."May I say a few words because there's someone in the audience that I want to show my appreciation towards."

"Yes."Mr Contesta answered. "Go right ahead."

Marian handed her microphone to Zoey so that she can give a brief speech to thank Candice for her support.

"I'd like to give a big special thanks to my great friend and mentor Ms Senior!"Zoey announced."Your cheers and advice about kiai mean the world to me!"

"Yay!"Candice cheered joyfully. "Zo-Zo, you're the best!"

"Hey, Candice."Denise spoke up, earning the Gym Leader's attention. "It's great to see you again. But shouldn't you be in Snowpoint City since you're it's Gym Leader?"

"That's no problem."Candice assured with a confident look."Challengers barely come to the Snowpoint Gym anyway."

Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Ash, Pikachu and Brock sweat dropped at Candice's reply.

When the Contest was over, the heroes and the rest of the crowd began to leave.

After getting dressed in her normal clothes, Zoey rushed out to meet her friends.

"Hey, guys."Zoey greeted. "Thanks so much for cheering me on."

"You're welcome."Denise chuckled.

"Zoey, congratulations."Dawn declared.

"You were great."Brock added.

"Now it's you and Denise off to the Grand Festival."Ash stated.

Zoey smiled at Candice.

"Ms Senior, thank you so much for all your help."Zoey commented.

"Hey."Candice giggled while waving her hand. "Don't forget your the one with all that kiai going on! And now Zo-Zo, it's time to have a party! Cheers for Zo-Zo's big win!"

"Yeah!"Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock cheered in unison.

Afterwards…

The group returned to the Pokémon Center to celebrate Zoey winning her fifth Ribbon.

Confetti poppers burst open as various types of desserts were prepared in a big table.

"Okay, gang!"Candice declared."To celebrate Zo-Zo's Brussel Town Contest win and victory for entering the Grand Festival, it's a sweet marathon!"

"So let's eat!"Candice, Zoey, Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock remarked with bright expressions.

The group then started eating desserts with Pikachu, Prinplup and Combusken sitting down next to them.

"Combusken."Combusken responded as he ate a few spicy ice cream bars.

"You like the ice cream bars a lot."Denise chuckled as she ate a cinnamon mont blanc."Don't you, Combusken?"

Combusken nodded. "Combusken."

Zoey looked at Dawn.

"So how's everything going with you and your sister, Dawn?"Zoey asked.

"Great."Dawn responded."We're working hard."

"Dawn has her sight set on competing in the Daybreak Contest and Denise already got her fifth Ribbon in the Lilypad Contest."Candice exclaimed.

"Wait, Dawn, you need two Pokémon each for the first and second rounds in the Daybreak Contest, right?"Zoey asked.

"Right."Dawn agreed."I know I messed up in the Hearthome Contest so I really wanna jump back in and challenge myself one more time to win a double Contest like Dennie. You remember what you told me, my sister and Ash back then during your rescue, don't you? If you want to improve, you should never be satisfied with where you are now."

"That's the spirit, sis."Denise remarked proudly."Keep challenging yourself to do and be better."

"Now that's what I like to hear."Zoey said with a smirk at the Twinleaf twins. "I'm expecting to see both of you in the finals at the Grand Festival."

Then there was a knock on the door.

"You bet."Dawn and Denise answered in unison.

"Ah!"Ash panicked in pain as his tongue was bright red. "Water! Water! Water!"

"Here, Ash."Denise responded.

Denise handed Ash a cup of water for him to drink and remove the spiciness in his tongue.

"Thanks, Denise."Ash thanked."That ice cream bar is sweet and spicy too. Now my tongue is kinda hot and cold."

"How can your tongue be hot and cold?"Dawn asked.

"It's a Snowpoint Tamato Berry Ice Cream Bar."Candice explained as she opened the ice cream bar to show the red filling in it."Yummy ice cream outside with Tamato Berry jelly on the inside."

"It's spicy alright."Brock chuckled.

"Why fill a bar with that?"Dawn asked.

"You see sometimes things you never think would go together, end up going together really well."Candice stated.

Candice munched on the Snowpoint Tamato Berry Ice Cream Bar causing her to smile at the taste.

"Delicious!"Candice chuckled.

Denise looked at Dawn.

"Candice is right."Denise admitted. "The tea drink that I usually drink the most is black tea tangled with spicy cinnamon and sweet bursts of orange. The flavours sound different but it's actually a really good combination."

"I see…"Dawn said quietly.

"So come on, folks!"Candice encouraged. "Let's keep eating while the night is still young!"

"Alright!"Zoey, Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock answered in unison.

In the Heroes' Guest Room…

Ash and Pikachu went to prepare the top bed which was where they were going to sleep in.

"Ash, are you sure that you and Pikachu are okay?"Brock asked.

"We're fine, Brock."Ash answered and smiled at Pikachu. "Isn't that right, Pikachu?"

Pikachu nodded. "Pika."

Then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."Brock insisted.

Zoey opened the door and entered the room.

"Hey, guys."Zoey greeted.

"Hi, Zoey."Ash answered.

"I'm sorry for holding you all up today."Zoey apologised.

"Nah, we had an awesome blast."Ash remarked.

"I imagine Candice is really happy about you moving along to the Grand Festival."Brock assumed.

"Yeah, she is."Zoey agreed with a nod and then remembered something."Hey, do you two know where the twins are?"

"The twins left a little while ago."Ash responded.

"Dawn has her Contest coming up and Denise wants to upgrade her double performance and battle skills because you're the one who told her she must use them again for the Grand Festival so they're practicing alone."Brock exclaimed.

"Wow."Zoey remarked."That's impressive."

Later that Night…

Denise was practicing her double performance for the Grand Festival with Gardevoir and Vaporeon since they're who she might use for the first round.

"Vaporeon, use Hydro Pump!"Denise ordered."Gardevoir, you use Psychic!"

Vaporeon blasted a powerful jet of water from her mouth as Gardevoir used Psychic to turn the Hydro Pump into an elegant fountain.

"Whoa!"Denise chuckled in amazement."That's a great combination, you two! Let's keep practicing so we'll win the Grand Festival for sure!"

Denise then ordered what attacks should Vaporeon and Gardevoir should do next.

"Now, Vaporeon, use Shadow Ball!"Denise ordered."And, Gardevoir, hit Shadow Ball with Ice Punch!"

Vaporeon released a Shadow Ball into the air before Gardevoir attacked it with Ice Punch, creating purple and blue sparkles in the process.

"That's it!"Denise said proudly, smiling at her two Pokémon."You both did great! We'll leave it for tonight!"

"Vaporeon!"Vaporeon giggled.

Gardevoir smiled gently."Gardevoir."

"Since my encounter with Giratina, my bond with my Pokémon has become stronger."Denise thought with a proud smile."As long as we keep supporting each other, we can do anything."

The Next Morning…

"It's time for Sinnoh Now!"Rhonda's voice announced.

Ash and Pikachu turned around to see on TV was Rhonda interviewing Paul in front of the Canalave Gym.

"The battling Trainers!"Rhonda declared."And today this Trainer just won his eighth Gym Badge! Paul from Veilstone City."

"It's Paul."Ash said quietly.

Brock and Denise joined Ash as they watched the TV screen.

"Eight Badges means that you're qualified to enter the Sinnoh League, right?"Rhonda assumed.

"Right."Paul agreed."And my training continues as I have every intention of hopefully winning the Sinnoh League and taking Cynthia's place as its Champion."

"What do you know."Denise said with a firm look."Paul finally won his eighth Gym Badge."

Combusken frowned. "Combusken."

Brock smiled at Ash and Denise.

"Both of you got some catching up to do."Brock declared.

Denise nodded in agreement.

"Yeah! We'll do it!"Ash stated proudly and looked at Pikachu."Isn't that right, Pikachu?"

"Pika pika!"Pikachu answered confidently.

"By the way, where's Dawn?"Brock asked.

Ash, Denise and Brock notice Candice walking into the Pokémon Center.

"Man, I ate too many sweets last night."Candice whined.

"Hey, Candice, have you seen my big sister anywhere?"Denise questioned.

"Sure."Candice responded."Dawn is doing some training with Zoey over the battlefield. Her kiai is peeking."

Brock, Ash, Denise, Pikachu and Combusken smiled at the news.

"Is that so?"Brock, Ash and Denise said in unison.

The trio and Candice then joined Zoey at the battlefield to see how Dawn was doing with her training.

Dawn had brought Mamoswine, Buneary, Prinplup, Cyndaquil and Pachirisu out for the training.

"Okay."Dawn spoke up."For my double battle, I wanna come up with some sort of way to combine Mamoswine's Ice Shard with another Pokémon's move."

"Ice Shard's a powerful move and something to work on."Zoey complemented.

"But I could only come with some short ideas."Dawn admitted.

"Alright, then why don't you try out with Mamoswine's Ice Shard first?"Zoey suggested and notice a few nearby rocks. "Let's see. Those rocks are a good target."

"Okay."Dawn responded with a nod. "You got that, Mamoswine?"

Mamoswine nodded at his Trainer.

"Use Ice Shard!"Dawn ordered.

Mamoswine fired an Ice Shard to destroy one of the nearby rocks.

"Cool!"Candice commented."That was nice, Dawn! Using Ice Shard is a good idea!"

"Thanks, Candice."Dawn thanked.

"They're both working hard."Ash stated.

"You said it, Ash."Denise agreed.

"This is how rivals should be!"Candice said excitedly.

"With Zoey lending a hand, Dawn should come up with great ideas."Brock replied.

Candice nodded in agreement.

"Hey, Candice, shouldn't you go back to the Snowpoint Gym?"Ash suggested.

"No. It's fine."Candice remarked."I can't leave now with those two so determined like this!"

Brock, Denise and Ash sweat dropped at Candice.

"Not a surprise since you are Zoey's close friend and mentor."Denise chuckled lightly.

"Combusken."Combusken muttered.

"May I see Mamoswine and your other Pokémon's combinations?"Zoey asked."That way I can see how they go in battle."

Dawn nodded. "Sure."

The eldest of the Twinleaf twins picked out Prinplup and Mamoswine for her first combination.

"Prinplup, Bubble Beam!"Dawn ordered."Let's go!"

Prinplup fired Bubble Beam in the sky.

"Alright, Mamoswime!"Dawn declared."Use Ice Shard!"

Mamoswine tried to use Ice Shard, but accidentally freezes Prinplup in the process, shocking everyone.

Combusken, use Ember to melt the ice!"Denise ordered.

Combusken fired Ember to free Prinplup from the Ice Shard he was trapped in.

"Prinplup!"Dawn said worriedly, checking on her evolved starter Pokémon."Are you alright?"

"Prinplup."Prinplup answered with a small smile.

"Freezing your Pokémon's partner isn't the best Contest move, sis."Denise stated firmly."You'll lose points for that."

"Then what do I do?"Dawn sighed sadly.

"How about you try this?"Candice insisted, earning everyone's attention."Abomasnow!"

Candice threw out one of her Poké Balls and Abomasnow appeared on the battlefield.

"Abomasnow!"

Candice glanced at Dawn and her Mamoswine.

"Now you both watch carefully, Dawn and Mamoswine."Candice instructed.

"Okay."Dawn said.

Mamoswine nodded. "Mamoswine."

"Abomasnow and I are gonna show you a variation of Ice Shard!"Candice announced. "Ice Shard, go!"

Abomasnow started activating an Ice Shard with her mouth.

"Now Razor Leaf!"Candice ordered.

Abomasnow used Ice Shard followed by Razor Leaf which broke the Ice Shard in small pieces and spins around Candice.

This caused everyone to become amazed by Candice's beautiful combination.

"Wow!"Dawn gasped."Amazing!"

"It's beautiful!"Denise added.

Candice then raised her hand to signal Abomasnow to end her attacks.

"See? You won't freeze up your Pokémon that way."Candice complemented.

"Let me try!"Dawn said confidently.

"Are you sure about this, Dawn?"Denise asked.

"Yes, Dennie."Dawn responded and looked at Pachirisu."Pachirisu, you're up next."

Pachirisu smiled excitedly while Prinplup frowned in jealousy.

Dawn looked at Mamoswine.

"Mamoswine, you saw that?"Dawn asked."The trick is to shatter the Ice Shard with your tusks without freezing Pachirisu. Pachirisu, you use Discharge when the Ice Shard surround you."

Dawn then proceeds into trying the same combination that Candice showed her.

"Mamoswine, use Ice Shard!"Dawn ordered.

Mamoswine activated Ice Shard before gently breaking it with his tusks.

The Ice Shard sparkles then circled surround Pachirisu, who stood ready to use her electricity.

"It's working!"Zoey remarked.

"Pachirisu, Discharge!"Dawn ordered.

Pachirisu used Discharge on the ice pieces to electrify them resulting in another flashy performance.

"Gorgeous!"Candice commented.

"It almost looks like a sparkly frost tree!"Denise added.

"Dawn's on a roll now!"Ash chuckled.

"Pika!"Pikachu agreed.

"Quick, Pachirisu!"Dawn ordered. "Smash those rocks!"

Pachirisu proceeds into doing her order, but she was stopped by the electrified ice which surrounds her.

The EleSquirrel Pokémon tried to use her electric attack but due to the long distance it failed.

"Pachirisu won't be able to hit the rocks like this."Brock said.

To make matters worse, the ice stopped spinning and falls on Pachirisu.

"Oh no!"Dawn panicked and rushed to her Electric Type."Pachirisu!"

"It was a good combination, but it still didn't seem right."Denise said with her arms folded.

"I actually wouldn't call that a good battle idea."Candice added.

Dawn brought Pachirisu out of the chunks of ice as she reacted with disappointment of failing again.

"And I was so sure that it would work."Dawn sighed.

"Don't beat yourself up."Zoey instructed. "It'll make an awesome move in the performance round."

"Man!"Dawn whined as she held her head."That double battle will be here soon and I'm out of ideas! Maybe I should just quit while I'm ahead with this idea."

"Oi, don't say stuff like that, Dawn."Denise responded with a small frown."You're not the type of someone who'd give up on something big like a good idea."

Then Zoey got an idea.

"I know, how about having a double battle against me?"Zoey suggested.

"Even though I don't know which move to use?"Dawn asked.

"You haven't tried your other Pokémon."Zoey reminded and glanced at Cyndaquil."Like your new Pokémon Cyndaquil."

"Cyndaquil!"Cyndaquil cheered as his back caught fire.

"Don't worry about, Cyndaquil."Ash remarked. "He's up for it."

"Yeah, but Fire and Ice Type Pokémon aren't compatible."Dawn said before she suddenly remembered the filling of Candice's ice cream bar and thought."Compatible! Now that I think about it Zoey's Shellos and Glameow's combination moves weren't compatible with each other either but they worked together perfectly like Dennie's Gardevoir and Drifblim's combination!"

Dawn then stood up and smiled at Zoey.

"A double battle sounds great!"Dawn remarked. "Will you help me, Zoey?"

Zoey nodded. "Sure."

Denise, Ash, Candice and Brock stood watching as Zoey and Dawn prepared to have their double battle.

"I wonder which Pokémon Zoey's going to use?"Ash said.

"I would think Zoey will use Glameow, Ash, since she'll share a side with Shellos and Misdreavus, who probably evolved into Gastrodon and Mismagius by now if you ask me."Brock commented.

"We'll see about that."Candice answered with a confident smirk."I doubt very much that Zo-Zo's doing this battle just for Dawn. Zo-Zo's always thinking about the big picture."

"So she's also doing this to improve her Pokémon, right?"Denise assumed.

"Correct, Denise."Candice agreed.

"Leafeon, Kirlia!"Zoey declared and took out two Poké Balls."Ready? Go!"

Zoey's Poké Balls opened revealing a Leafeon and a Kirlia, amazing Ash and the Twinleaf twins.

Leafeon was a mammalian and quadrupedal Pokémon that had a body that was tan with dark brown paws. She had a multitude of small green sprouts growing all over her legs, chest, and back, with the longest one on her head, in front of four tan tufts of fur. Her ears and tail were stylised to resemble tattered leaves. She had brown eyes and a small brown nose.

"Wow!"Dawn remarked."You caught new Pokémon!"

"Awesome!"Ash complemented.

Denise took out her Pokédex to scan Leafeon.

"Leafeon the Verdant Pokémon and an evolved form of Eevee."Denise's Pokédex buzzed."Leafeon is always surrounded by fresh clean air because it uses photosynthesis just like a plant."

"You caught an Eevee and Kirlia like me too, Zoey?"Denise asked with a chuckle.

"Yep, Vaporeon and Gardevoir were my inspiration to have them join my team, Denise."Zoey agreed with a nod."The two of them and I are training really hard. Hopefully, they'll have their debut at the Grand Festival."

"So you're ready, Zoey?"Dawn asked with a smirk.

"Yeah!"Zoey agreed.

"Now, Mamoswine, use Ice Shard!"Dawn ordered.

Mamoswine activated Ice Shard and started by using the same technique it did before with Pachirisu.

The ice shards surrounded Cyndaquil as Dawn gave her new pokemon his first order.

"Cyndaquil use Flame Wheel!"Dawn ordered.

As the ice spins around Cyndaquil, the little fire type uses Flame Wheel to spin along it melting it in the process.

Steam rises from the previous combination and the resulted water from the melted ice poured over Cyndaquil extinguishing its flame.

Dawn became shocked seeing that her combination has failed once again.

"The shattered ice shard must've melted from Cyndaquil's heat."Brock commented.

"Ouch."Denise mumbled.

"Combusken."Combusken sighed.

"Well, that's not going to work."Ash said sadly.

"Pika..."Pikachu said.

"Don't worry, Dawn!"Zoey assured."Even if it didn't work, combining fire and ice moves is a great idea!"

"Now it's time to take a moment and visualise the move that you wanted to use."Candice admitted.

"Visualise the move."Dawn repeated as she closed her eyes to think."It's cold, but hot. It's sweet, but it is spicy. Hot and spicy. Sweet and cold. Ice cream!"

Dawn immediately opened her eyes, now knowing which move she wanted her pokemon to make.

"Cyndaquil use Flame Wheel and stay put!"Dawn ordered.

Cyndaquil nodded and turn into a Flame Wheel.

"Okay, Mamoswine!"Dawn called out."After the shattered Ice Shard surrounds Cyndaquil, go ahead and freeze it once again! Now Ice Shard!"

Mamoswine to do the same technique it did before and the shattered Ice Shard surrounds Cyndaquil, who was still using Flame Wheel.

"Use Ice Shard again!"Dawn ordered.

Mamoswine shot another Ice Shard at the spinning ice, freezing Cyndaquil in it while it continued to spin in a Flame Wheel.

This caused everyone to become amazed by Dawn's new combination.

"It worked!"Dawn remarked.

"Wow, Dawn!"Denise chuckled proudly."I never seen anything like this before!"

"Thanks!"Dawn thanked."It was that spicy tamato berry ice cream bar that inspired me! I am calling that move, Flame Ice!"

"The ice is sparkling with a rotating flame!"Brock declared.

"Yeah."Ash replied with a smile."What a pretty move."

"Pika..."Pikachu whispered.

"Combusken."Combusken chirped.

"Dawn!"Zoey responded."That's amazing!"

"Alright, Cyndaquil!"Dawn ordered."Attack Leafon and Kirlia now!"

Then, Cyndaquil proceeded in attacking Zoey's Pokémon by charging to them using Flame Wheel while still inside the ice.

But as he approached them, the ice broke in the process which shocked Dawn and Mamoswine.

"It melted!"Denise gasped.

"So close!"Candice said."If it lasted longer it could've been the finishing move for the double battle.

Kirlia along with Leafeon dodged Cyndaquil's Flame Wheel from being hit.

"Leafon! Kirlia!"Zoey shouted."Magical Leaf!"

Both Kirlia and Leafeon used Magical Leaf.

"Kirlia, Psychic!"Zoey ordered."Let's go!"

Kirlia used Psychic on the magical leaves to direct them towards Mamoswine and Cyndaquil knocking both of them out in the process.

"Mamoswine!"Dawn shouted in shock."Cyndaquil!"

"That's it!"Candice announced."The battle is over!"

A sad smile appeared on Denise's face as Dawn rushed forward to check on Mamoswine and Cyndaquil.

"Mamoswine! Cyndaquil!"Dawn congratulated."Great work!"

Mamoswine and Cyndaquil smiled at their Trainer as Zoey came forward with Kirlia and Leafon.

"Dawn, you were great too."Zoey responded.

"Wow, Zoey."Dawn chuckled."Thanks."

Zoey and Dawn shook hands as Candice smiled at them.

"That's what true rivals are all about."Candice complemented."Your kiai is strong."

"Once you master Flame Ice, I'm sure it'll be a great double battle move."Zoey exclaimed.

"Thanks, Zoey."Dawn thanked."I'm going to make sure to master it before the Daybreak Contest and before you know it, that fifth Ribbon will be all mine!"

Prinplup, Cyndaquil and Mamoswine cheered in agreement.

"You're absolutely right, Dawn."Denise remarked."And Ash and I will make sure to support you all the way."

Dawn and Denise high fived with each other as Combusken and Prinplup shook hands with each other.

Ash smiled at Denise and Pikachu.

"Alright."Ash answered."And Dennie and Pikachu, let's work real hard to earn our eighth Badges, okay?"

Pikachu smirked. "Pikachu!"

"You're right, Ash."Denise complemented."Especially if we're gonna meet Paul's skill set again."

Ash and Denise high five each other as Pikachu did the same thing with Combusken.

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

Gardevoir (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Trick Room

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

Combusken (Male): Ember, Peck, Focus Blast and Fire Spin

With Professor Rowan

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