Author's Note: When I battled Bertha in Pokémon Platinum on my DS, it took me a couple of times to actually beat her and the rest of the Elite Four!
I don't own Pokémon or its characters, but I own Denise, her Pokémon group and my other OCs.
Enjoy!
Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 157: An Elite Coverup!
Ash and his friends arrive to a town as they continued their return trip to Lake Valor.
Then a young boy came across their path and became excited to notice a cute Pokémon.
"Oh, wow!"the young boy remarked."He's so cute!"
The boy takes interest in Ash's Pikachu which upsets Dawn's Prinplup.
"Excuse me, is that your Pikachu?"the young boy asked.
"Yeah. This is my buddy."Ash responded."Meet Pikachu."
"Pi pikachu."Pikachu said.
"My name is Roland."the young boy answered."And I'm going to have my own Pikachu one day."
Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock introduced themselves to Roland.
"My name's Ash, hi."Ash replied.
"Hi."Dawn greeted."My name's Dawn."
"Hey there, Roland."Denise answered."I'm Dawn's younger twin sister Denise and that's my friend Combusken."
"Combusken."Combusken chirped.
"Hi, Roland."Brock commented."My name's Brock."
Roland looked at Ash.
"Say, Ash."Roland spoke up."Do you think I can play with your Pikachu?"
"Sure."Ash responded.
Pikachu smiled. "Pika."
A while later, Roland decided to play a game of ball with Ash's Pikachu in a local park.
Ash, Dawn, Denise, Brock, Prinplup and Combusken stood near a bench watching them.
"This must be the first time he's met a Pikachu."Brock suggested.
"Looks that way."Ash assumed.
Dawn looked at Prinplup.
"Prinplup, why don't you play with them too?"Dawn suggested.
Prinplup huffed and looked away.
"Prinplup!"Prinplup scowled.
"Don't be like that."Dawn remarked while gently stroking Prinplup's head."Come on, Pikachu is one of your best friends."
Denise and Combusken smirked at each other.
"I guess Prinplup is jealous of Pikachu."Denise whispered.
"Combusken."Combusken agreed.
Then Roland came up to the heroes with Pikachu on his head.
"Wow. Thanks a lot, Ash."Roland thanked. "Pikachu sure is a lot of fun."
Pikachu went back to Ash and went on his shoulder.
"You bet."Ash responded. "Pikachu is Pokémon Partner Number 1."
"Pikachu."Pikachu agreed.
Dawn looked at Roland.
"So, Roland, what Pokémon do you have?"Dawn asked.
"I've got a Magby."Roland answered.
"A Magby, huh?"Denise said.
Roland smiled."Magby's cool alright."
Denise checked Magby in her Pokédex.
"Magby the Live Coal Pokémon and the final pre-evolved form of Magmortar."Denise's Pokédex buzzed."Magby has a magma-like substance in its body, and it emits super-fiery breath."
"Cool."Denise replied. "It's also the pre-evolved form of Magmar."
"Can I see?"Dawn questioned.
"I would like to see your Magby too."Ash suggested.
"I left my Magby at a Pokémon Daycare."Roland explained. "They're going to evolve my Magby in two hours flat."
This instantly gets the group's attention, knowing something was amiss.
"Two hours flat?"Ash said in confusion.
"Can they even promise that?"Dawn asked.
"It sounds strange to me."Brock responded.
Denise frowned with her arms folded.
"More like a scam, if you ask me."Denise declared.
A surprised look grew on Roland's face at the group's responds.
When Roland takes them to the shop where he left Magby, they find it completely locked up.
The building was also bare with the signs gone.
"You sure the Daycare was here?"Dawn questioned.
"I'm positive."Roland said worriedly."They had a billboard that said 'Mime Jr Daycare'."
"It sounds fishy to me."Brock commented.
"I've never heard of a Daycare that helps make people's Pokémon evolve in a short amount of time like two hours."Denise retorted."This Daycare was definitely a scam as I said before."
"Well, we're going to get to the bottom of this."Ash insisted.
"I guess I have to let Bertha know about this."Roland admitted sadly.
Denise's eyes widen at the mention of the name 'Bertha'.
"Let Bertha know?"Brock repeated.
"Yeah."Roland agreed with a smile."You see Bertha knows everything whats to know about Pokémon."
"And what are you up to, Roland?"A female voice asked.
Roland and the ground turned around and saw a figure behind them.
The figure was an aging woman with grey hair and copper brown eyes. She wore a brown scarf, a white buttoned coat, a black skirt, long grey socks and black shoes.
"Hey, it's Bertha."Roland remarked.
Denise felt an excited feeling growing inside.
"Oh my gosh!"Denise thought in awe."It's Bertha of the Elite Four!"
"Bertha, huh?"Ash said.
"Of course, it is. Who else would it be?"Bertha questioned and walked over to Ash."Do you have a name?"
"Sure."Ash responded with a smile. "It's Ash."
"Hi."Dawn replied. "My name is Dawn."
"Hello, ma'am."Denise answered with complete excitement. "I'm so honoured and psyched to finally meet you."
"And my name is Brock."Brock said and put his hand on his head to remember who Bertha is. "Bertha. Why does that name sound familiar?"
"It's familiar because she's-"Denise started.
Bertha suddenly dragged Denise and Brock away from Roland, Combusken, Ash, Pikachu, Dawn and Prinplup.
"You're not Bertha of the Elite Four, are you?"Brock asked.
"That's right."Bertha responded simply."I am."
"I knew it!"Denise remarked with admiration."I used to watch your matches on TV! You're the Elite who specialises in Ground Type Pokémon!"
"That's very true, young lady."Bertha replied before whispering strictly."But I don't like being called a member of the Elite Four at all. It's a secret."
Denise and Brock sweat dropped at Bertha's response.
"Yes, ma'am."Denise and Brock said in unison.
Bertha then returned back to the group with Denise and Brock.
"Roland, it's time for your Pokémon Training."Bertha declared."Now I've told you to hurry it up. So what in the world is taking so long?"
"You see, someone stole my Magby."Roland responded.
"Stole your Magby?!"Bertha said in disbelief and closed her eyes."Oh. For land's sakes, Roland. What am I going to do with you?"
"Is this your grandson?"Brock asked.
"Child of a cousin."Bertha answered."Roland said he wants to get better at Pokémon Battles, so I was asked to look after him."
"Oh."Denise said softly.
Bertha looked at Roland.
"If I told you once, I've told you a thousand times."Bertha declared."Once you have a Pokémon, you have a responsibility to watch that Pokémon day in and day out."
Roland looked down in shame.
"Right."Roland replied.
"Now how can you let that happen?"Bertha questioned. "I feel sorry for poor Magby."
"And of course that's why you're one of-"Brock started.
Denise quickly covered Brock's mouth from finishing his sentence.
"Bertha said not to mention her as one of the Elite Four!"Denise whispered harshly."Don't blow up her cover!"
Brock sweat dropped. "Right."
Combusken, Ash, Pikachu, Dawn and Prinplup were confused at Denise's action before Bertha cleared her throat to earn their attention.
"Now, Roland, you must get Magby back."Bertha declared in a firm yet strict tone."You have to learn to correct your own mistakes. You owe Magby that much at least."
"I will."Roland vowed.
"We'll help too."Ash insisted.
"Pika pika."Pikachu agreed.
The group then walked around town together to look for clues for Magby's whereabouts.
As they walked, Ash, Dawn and Denise shared their goals with Bertha.
"So we've not only got a Trainer and Coordinator."Bertha complemented with a smile."But also one that is walking down both paths."
"I've got seven Gym Badges so far."Ash admitted.
"And I'm on my way to compete in the Grand Festival right now."Dawn remarked.
"I, too, have seven Gyms Badges and am also returning to Lake Valor to compete in the Grand Festival like my big sister."Denise stated."The three of us also helped Cynthia defeat Hunter J and Team Galactic."
"So that means I have a chance to see how strong all three of you are."Bertha responded.
Ash and Dawn were surprised of Bertha's sentence while Denise bit her lip.
"What do you mean how strong we are?"Ash asked.
Bertha looked at the group.
"You'll see."Bertha replied."Have you figured out how will you search for Magby yet?"
"To tell you the truth…"Ash started.
"We're kind of clueless."Dawn admitted.
"The only thing we know for sure there were three people involved in the theft."Brock complemented.
"That sounds utterly familiar though."Denise thought.
"So what do we do?"Roland questioned.
"While we're having this nice little talk, they might get away."Bertha reminded.
Ash then spotted a tower building that had an observatory.
"Hey."Ash spoke up."That building has got an observatory. We can see the whole town from up there."
"Then if we use the observatory, we find the thieves that stole Roland's Magby."Denise stated.
Bertha smiled in approval.
The group headed to the tower building and then Roland used a binocular stand to look around, spotting the same shop in a different location.
"Down there!"Roland gasped."Those three are the ones!"
Roland was about to head out until Bertha spoke up.
"Confirm the location."Bertha instructed.
Roland paused and sweat dropped at Bertha's respond.
"Oh okay."Roland responded.
Ash let Denise use the binoculars.
"They're at the park by the fountain."Denise exclaimed."Let's go there."
"Right."Roland said with a nod.
The group then went to the park to confront the owners.
"I want my Magby back!"Roland demanded.
"Magby?!"James lied happily. "Pish posh!"
"That Pokémon is not our thing."Meowth added.
"It doesn't add a ring to it."Jessie responded.
Jessie pressed her hand on the wall, revealing it was a fake one when the cardboard house gets destroyed.
"Just who are you people?"Bertha questioned.
Team Rocket sneered evilly before removing their disguises and began reciting their motto.
"I think your silly question needs work!"
"It looks like a joke!"
"You're berserk!"
"On the Wind!"
"Past the Stars!"
"Whenever in the clutches!"
"Breaking chaos in a breakneck pace."
"Dashing hope, putting fear in its place."
"A rose by any other name is just as sweet.
"When everything's worse, our work is complete.
"It's Jessie!"
"And it's James!"
"And Meowth, now that's a name!"
"Putting the do-gooders in their place..."
"We're Team Rocket!"
"And we're in your faces!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Mime mime!"
Ash, Dawn, Denise, Brock, Pikachu, Prinplup and Combusken became angry at seeing Team Rocket.
"So Team Rocket is responsible for all this?"Dawn assumed.
"Ugh."Denise scowled."We never get a break from these clowns."
"Combusken."Combusken retorted.
"Team Rocket?"Bertha asked.
"They're criminals who steal other people's Pokémon."Brock stated.
"Give Roland his Magby back now!"Ash demanded.
"Eat my pink dust!"Jessie sneered.
Team Rocket used pink smoke to cover their escape, distracting the others, but Bertha stepped out of the way.
Brock notice Bertha wasn't with them.
"Hey, where did Bertha go?"Brock asked.
"I'm right here."Bertha answered.
Brock and Denise notice Bertha standing a couple steps away from them.
"Are you okay, ma'am?"Denise questioned.
"Don't worry about me."Bertha said firmly and pointed to the location where Team Rocket were."Deal with them."
"Let's get them!"Roland insisted.
"We're coming too!"Dawn added.
"Prinplup!"Prinplup chirped.
Dawn and Prinplup started following after Roland.
"Wait a minute!"Ash protested, stopping his friends from running."How about we head them off from both sides?"
"Good idea, Ash."Denise agreed with a nod."That way those crooks won't able to leave town."
Bertha once again became impressed by Ash and Denise.
The groups then split to go after Team Rocket.
Denise went with Brock and Roland while Ash, Dawn and Bertha headed to the other side to corner Team Rocket.
"Give me back my Magby!"Roland demanded.
"Team Rocket!"Ash shouted."Stop right there!"
The group almost boxed Team Rocket in, but the villainous group ran down another street into a field.
"Whoa, guys!"Ash exclaimed."Look!"
When Ash and his companions followed the evil trio, they run into a series of Windmill towers.
"They've got to be hiding in one of those Windmills."Ash suggested.
"We'll just have to search them one by one."Dawn declared.
Denise frowned at her older twin sister's reply.
"Come on, sis."Denise scoffed."Don't you see that one of the Windmills is strangely not moving at all like the rest?"
Dawn, Ash, Roland and Brock looked at each Windmill and saw the second one on the right not moving.
"Hey! You're right, Dennie!"Ash agreed."That one isn't moving!"
"I think this is the perfect time to give you all some advice."Bertha admitted."You would do well to strengthen your powers of observation like Denise."
"I'll have to think about it."Ash answered.
The group began heading towards the fake windmill.
However, Team Rocket knocked over their fake windmill tower they were hiding in, inflating their balloon and taking off.
"We're leaving you flat!"James, Meowth and Jessie cackled in unison.
"That's not going to happen!"Ash stated and took out a Poké Ball."Staraptor, I choose you!"
Ash's Poke Ball and Staraptor came out from it.
"Staraptor!"
"Use Aerial Ace!"Ash ordered.
Staraptor goes after Team Rocket's balloon with Aerial Ace.
"Here it comes."Jessie giggled evilly.
"I'll take of the bird brain."Meowth sneered and pressed a button. "Aerial Ace, below!"
Team Rocket launched a Staraptor mecha after it, striking and knocking Staraptor down.
"Staraptor!"Ash shouted.
"Guess we have no choice."Bertha complemented with a smirk and looked at the group."Follow me."
Bertha decides to help the group by bringing out a SUV and racing after them on a wild ride.
The member of the Elite Four wore goggles as she rode quickly on the road.
"Hang on tight, gang!"Bertha instructed.
"We'll do my best, ma'am!"Denise assured with a shocked smile.
Combusken had a nervous look on his face as he held onto his seat.
"Wow, Bertha!"Roland remarked."You're the coolest!"
"While you're hanging on, remember to be on the look out too!"Bertha instructed.
Bertha made the SUV go more quickly.
"Aw man!"Ash grumbled.
"Pika!"Pikachu responded.
Ash and Denise spotted Team Rocket's balloon flying on the right side of the sky.
"There they are!"Denise gasped.
"Go right!"Ash insisted.
When Ash and Denise spot the air balloon, Bertha took action to pop it.
"You're up, Gliscor!"Bertha declared and took out her Poké Ball with her free hand. "Let's go!"
Bertha's Poké Ball opened and her Gliscor appeared in the air.
"Gliscor!"
Bertha's Gliscor flew towards Team Rocket's balloon causing the evil trio to notice it.
"Use Guillotine!"Bertha ordered.
The claws of Gliscor started glowing brightly as it head to attack Team Rocket's balloon.
"Those tweerps are full of hot air!"Meowth insulted and took out his remote again."Guillotine defence!"
Team Rocket launches a Gliscor mecha, but Gliscor easily destroyed it and the balloon with a Guillotine attack.
"It worked!"Dawn remarked.
"Pika!"Pikachu agreed.
"That was awesome, Bertha!"Denise commented.
"They're not going anywhere now!"Bertha replied."Hold on!"
Once the balloon crashed, Ash and his friends confront Team Rocket at the crash site.
"Alright, Team Rocket!"Ash called out."It's over!"
"Give me back, my Magby!"Roland demanded.
Team Rocket stood up and glared at the group.
"How about giving you a nice swift kick instead?!"Jessie retorted.
"Wobbuffet!"Wobbuffet responded.
"Seviper!"Jessie shouted and took out her Poké Ball."Heads up!"
Jessie's Poké Ball and her Seviper came out.
"Seviper!"
"Carnivine!"James declared and took out his Poké Ball. "Heads up too!"
Carnivine comes out from his Poké Ball, only to start biting on James' head again.
"I must use my words more carefully!"James complained.
Ash, Dawn and Denise took out their own Poké Balls.
"Buizel!"Ash declared."I choose you!"
"Pachirisu, let's go!"Dawn admitted.
"Vibrava!"Denise shouted. "Come out as well."
The three Trainers' Poké Balls opened causing Buizel, Pachirisu and Vibrava to come out in the battlefield.
"Seviper, use Bite!"Jessie ordered."Quick!"
Seviper brought her fangs out to attack Buizel, but the Water Type Pokemon dodged her attack.
"Buizel, Sonic Boom!"Ash ordered."Go!"
Buizel went up in the air and unleashed Sonic Boom with his tail, directly hitting Seviper.
"Okay, Carnivine!"James stated."Bullet Seed! Big time!"
Carnivine unleashed Bullet Seed and Pachirisu dodged the attack as well.
"Pachirisu, Spark!"Dawn ordered.
Pachirisu strikes Carnivine with Spark.
"Our turn!"Denise replied. "Vibrava, use Dragon Pulse!"
Vibrava went up in the air and unleashed Dragon Pulse to hit both Seviper and Carnivine.
This caused smoke to emerge and Roland's Poké Ball to burst out before landing in his Trainer's hands.
"My Poké Ball's back!"Roland remarked.
"Then this is the perfect time to join the battle, Roland."Bertha stated with a smile.
"Right."Roland said with a nod and threw out his Poké Ball."Magby, go!"
Roland's Poké Ball causing Magby to come out.
"Magby!"
"Carnivine, Vine Whip!"James ordered.
Carnivine hits Magby with Vine Whip.
"Use Flamethrower!"Roland ordered.
Magby went back up and hits Carnivine back with Flamethrower.
James comforted his Carnivine from getting hurt.
"There, there."James cooed."Don't let those annoying twerps bully you."
"You're messing with the new and improved Team Rocket!"Jessie snapped."And you're going to pay!"
"Today!"Meowth declared and pressed the remote on his button."Launching powering up parts!"
Irritated at losing, Team Rocket pulls out a trick by giving Seviper and Carnivine special armour from the basket of their ballon, which makes them stronger.
Roland, Ash, Pikachu, Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Brock and Bertha were surprised at what they were seeing.
"Check it out!"Roland gasped.
"They kidding or what?"Ash responded.
"Apparently they aren't."Denise muttered.
"You sneaks!"Dawn snapped.
"I'm not amused."Bertha murmured.
Team Rocket were pleased at seeing Seviper and Carnivine powered up.
"Our powering up parts are in place!"James admitted.
"We'll see who got a pretty face!"Jessie chuckled.
"Let's launch some twerps into space!"Meowth cackled.
"Power Vine Whip!"James ordered.
"Power Poison Tail!"Jessie ordered.
Seviper and Carnivine immediately attacked Buizel and Pachirisu, easily knocking them down.
"You see?"Jessie laughed. "We pack more punches than previously!"
Team Rocket gloats at their power as Roland, Ash, Pikachu, Dawn, Prinplup, Buizel and Pachirisu glared at them.
Denise twitched her eyebrow in annoyance.
"That's it! Let's see if your fancy toys can handle this!"Denise growled."Vibrava, use Screech!"
Vibrava launched into the air and unleashed a horrible Screech causing Seviper and Carnivine to get hurt.
"Eat this, little twerpette!"Jessie insulted "Seviper, use Power Bite!"
Seviper attempted to bite Vibrava, but the Ground/Dragon Type Pokémon flew out of the way.
"Carnivine, use Power Bullet Seed!"James ordered.
Carnivine unleashed Bullet Seed, hitting Vibrava directly.
"Vibrava!"Denise shouted.
Team Rocket cackled at the sight.
However, Vibrava glared at the evil trio before flying up into the air and started glowing brightly.
This caused everyone to become surprised.
"Hey!"Roland said in awe."What's wrong with Vibrava?"
"Vibrava is evolving!"Brock declared.
Denise watched as Vibrava changed shape.
"Vibrava…"Denise murmured.
Then the glowing light vanished revealing a new Pokémon in place.
He was a Pokémon that resembled a slightly insectoid bipedal dragonfly. He was primarily light green and has a pair of large rhombus-shaped wings with red trims, toeless hind legs and skinny arms with three-clawed hands. His tail had several dark green stripes and three small green rhombus shapes with red trims at the end. He had large eyes and a pair of green antennae that point back. His eyes had red covers that would prevent sand from getting into them.
Vibrava evolved into Flygon!
"Flygon!"
"Whoa!"Ash remarked."Vibrava evolved into Flygon!"
"Pika!"Pikachu responded.
"So cool!"Roland complemented.
"Combusken!"Combusken answered.
"That's awesome!"Dawn admitted.
"Prinplup!"Prinplup chirped.
Denise scanned Flygon with her Pokédex.
"Flygon the Mystic Pokémon and the evolved form of Vibrava."Denise's Pokédex buzzed."It whips up sandstorms with powerful flaps of its wings and is known as the Desert Spirit because of the song like voice that emanates from its wings."
"The Desert Spirit?"Denise said and smiled at Flygon."That's amazing that you evolved from Vibrava, Flygon!"
Flygon nodded at his Trainer.
Team Rocket was unfazed at seeing Vibrava evolve.
"Hey, little twerpette!"Jessie shouted."Just because your Pokémon evolved, doesn't mean he can still defeat us!"
"That's right!"James agreed."You're still toast!"
"So give it up!"Meowth demanded.
Denise and Flygon glared at Team Rocket.
"How dare you with tamper Pokémon and be such maleficent villains like Hunter J and Team Galactic!"Bertha said angrily as she walked forward."Every Pokémon Battle has to be executed fair and square! What a Pokémon doesn't naturally have that, it does without!"
This angered Team Rocket into attacking.
"Save it for the twerps!"Jessie scowled.
"Right! You're just jealous!"James agreed."Carnivine, go!"
Seviper and Carnivine launched forward to attack.
"It's your turn, Golem!"Bertha declared and took out her Poké Ball."Rock Blast! Let's go!"
Golem comes out from Bertha's Poké Ball and he unleashed Rock Blast to easily overpower Carnivine and Seviper, destroying the armour and knocking them out.
The group was completely amazed at Golem's natural strength.
"Wow!"Dawn murmured.
"That's strong!"Ash complemented.
"Pika!"Pikachu gasped.
Bertha glanced at Roland.
"Roland, are you just going to stand there?"Bertha questioned.
"Magby, use Fire Punch!"Roland ordered. "Go!"
Magby activated Fire Punch, which send Team Rocket flying.
"Those primo powering up parts ended up costing Team Rocket a pretty penny."Jessie murmured.
"Well, we can all thank that senior citizenette."James complained.
"She'll probably say you're welcome."Meowth admitted.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"Team Rocket screamed and disappeared in the sky.
The group smiled at Roland.
"It's great that you got your Magby back, Roland."Ash admitted.
"Let's just make sure this never happens again."Bertha declared.
Roland nodded. "Okay."
Dawn, Denise and Brock smiled at Bertha.
"I can't believe how strong you are, Bertha."Dawn remarked.
"Your Ground Type Pokémon are undeniably powerful."Denise chuckled.
"What do you expect from a member of the Elite Four?"Brock asked.
Ash and Dawn became stunned at Brock's question while Denise became angry at it.
"Brock!"Denise scowled.
Brock covered his mouth in embarrassment for coming clean.
"Wait, Brock couldn't possibly have said that you're the Bertha of the Elite Four?!"Dawn asked in shock."Now could he?"
"That's why you're so strong!"Ash assumed.
Bertha let out a sigh.
"You know I really don't like the name Elite Four at all. I'm sorry."Bertha commented and walked forward to smile at the group."Regardless, the main thing is that Roland got his Magby back and we have all of you to thank for it. How can I repay you?"
Denise looked at Combusken and Flygon, who both nodded at her before she glanced at Bertha.
"Bertha, would it be alright if I challenge you to a Pokémon Battle?"Denise suggested.
"A Pokémon Battle?"Bertha asked.
"I've only seen your Battles on TV, but I would like to see how strong you really are in the flesh."Denise admitted with a confident smile.
Bertha smirked at Denise's respond.
"That's the kind of spirit I like."Bertha stated.
Later, Bertha and Denise prepare to battle each other while Ash, Pikachu, Dawn, Prinplup, Brock and Roland sat down watching.
"Alright, Hippowdon!"Bertha stated and tossed out a Poké Ball."It's your turn!"
Bertha's Poké Ball opened and Hippowdon came out.
"Hippowdon!"
Ash scanned Hippowdon with his Pokédex.
"Hippowdon the Heavyweight Pokémon and the evolved form of Hippopotas."Ash's Pokédex buzzed."A surprisingly fierce Pokémon, Hippowdon opens its giant mouth to intimidate adversaries."
"Hippowdon, huh?"Denise said quietly and took out a Poké Ball."Torterra, come on out!"
Denise's Poké Ball came out and her fully evolved starter Pokémon came out.
"Torterra!"
"Use Seed Bomb!"Denise ordered.
Torterra unleashed Seed Bomb, but Hippowdon dodges by going underground.
Denise gritted her teeth as Torterra looked each side for his opponent.
"Hippowdon, use Iron Head!"Bertha ordered.
Hippowdon comes up from under Torterra and quickly strikes with Iron Head.
"Incredible power!"Dawn complemented.
"Torterra!"Denise called out."Are you alright?"
Torterra gets back up from the ground.
"Terra!"Torterra answered.
"Use Earthquake!"Denise ordered.
Torterra lifted his front two legs into the air and slammed them down into the ground.
When he does, two pulses of energy erupt from his legs for a moment.
A crack then travelled long the ground and towards Hippowdon.
When it reached Hippowdon, the ground under it began to shake violently.
"Use Iron Head to counter it!"Bertha ordered.
Hippowdon attacks Torterra with an Iron Head as the two Pokémon butt heads with each other.
Then the dust consumed the area along with a bunch of cracks.
"Torterra!"Denise shouted.
"Is that the best you can do, young lady?"Bertha questioned smugly."As I said before to your sister and friends as well as my great cousin, Denise. You would do well to strengthen your powers of observation just like you did to find Team Rocket in the Windmills."
"There's that phrase again."Ash said.
"You and Dawn should remember my advice as well, Ash, since it will assist you both in the Grand Festival and your final Gym Battle."Bertha declared."Observe not only your Pokémon but your opponents' Pokémon too. How much do you really know about them? It boils down to your powers of observation. How much damage has your Pokémon taken? Can they continue battling?"
Denise stared at the dust as she sees Hippowdon's glowing red eyes in the background.
Then the dust cleared away, revealing Hippowdon still standing.
"What moves are they effective against your opponent? In Contests too."Bertha continued."Watch as many Pokémon moves as you can. Try them out and increase the variety moves that you already have. But of course Contest Battles aren't the only chance that you have to sharpen up your skills. It's important to work on those skills on a daily bases."
"That must be why you asked us to confirm Team Rocket's location."Dawn suggested.
"That's right, dear."Bertha agreed and looked at Denise."Now try those observation skills again in our Battle like you did against your arch-nemeses."
Denise glanced at Torterra.
"Torterra, can you still battle?"Denise asked.
Torterra went up from the cracks and let out a battle cry.
"Terra!"
orterra went up from the cracks and let out a battle cry.
"Terra!"
"Okay. Torterra still has energy to battle."Denise thought firmly."Though Hippowdon is quite strong since he is Bertha's Pokémon, he still has weak points. I just have to wait for the right moment to strike."
Denise then notice Hippowdon going back in the ground.
"You see?"Bertha questioned."In a Pokémon Battle, you have to always make a quick decision."
"Hippowdon is going back in the ground to attack again just like at the beginning."Denise thought with a frown and looked around."But it is obvious that he will attack in a different direction."
Denise's eyes widen when she notice a couple of rocks moving behind Torterra's leg.
"Torterra!"Denise yelled out."Move out of the way!"
Torterra dodged causing him to avoid being hit by Hippowdon's Iron Head.
"Use Giga Drain!"Denise ordered.
Torterra activated Giga Drain to zap out Hippowdon's energy.
"A job well done."Bertha replied.
Hippowdon collapsed on the ground, only to go back underneath again.
"Hippowdon recovered that quickly?"Denise muttered and looked around."But does that mean-"
"There are no guarantees that the same things will happen two times in a row."Bertha remarked with a smirk."Hippowdon, Iron Head! Let's go!"
Hippowdon burst out from the ground and hits Torterra, sending him up in the air.
"Now use Fire Fang!"Bertha ordered.
Hippowdon defeats Torterra with Fire Fang before they both hit the ground.
"Torterra!"Denise yelled out.
The dust cleared off, revealing Torterra was defeated.
"Aw man."Ash said sadly."Torterra lost."
"Pika."Pikachu sighed.
"What a move!"Dawn responded in awe.
"Bertha's the absolute best!"Roland chuckled.
Denise and Combusken rushed over to Torterra.
"Torterra!"Denise said worriedly."Are you alright?"
"Combusken."Combusken responded.
Bertha closed her eyes and smirked.
"That's about right for a Trainer with seven Badges as well as a Coordinator who's eligible to compete in the Grand Festival."Bertha declared.
Torterra opened his eyes as Denise gave him an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Torterra. I should've known we weren't ready yet to battle against a member of the Elite Four."Denise apologised and then became happy."You were great out there though. Well done."
Bertha and the others walked up to Denise.
"And as for you, Denise."Bertha replied."You still have to get a lot stronger but you know when to keep your cool and calm during the heat of Battle."
Denise smiled at Bertha.
"Thank you, Bertha."Denise thanked."Do you think me or Ash will be able to win in the Sinnoh League and become a Pokémon Master?"
"I guess you two won't know until both of you have tried."Bertha answered."Whatever happens, it all depends on you kids developing those powers of observation and that also goes for you or your big sister trying to win the Grand Festival and become a Top Coordinator so one of you can follow in your mother's footsteps."
"Right!"Ash and Denise responded in unison.
Bertha then gave the heroes another ride in her SUV to the next town, so they can stay at a Pokémon Center for the night as the sunset went down in the horizon.
Roland was also onboard so he can do his Pokémon Training with his great cousin and new friends.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)
Next is 'Dawn of a Royal Day!'
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
Drifblim (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish
Flygon (Male): Sandstorm, Rock Slide, Dragon Pulse & Screech
Combusken (Male): Ember, Peck, Focus Blast and Fire Spin
With Professor Rowan
Gardevoir (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Trick Room
Noctowl (Male): Heat Wave, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic