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 168: League Unleashed!
Denise's POV
The ship has finally arrived to Lily of the Valley Island, the location of the Sinnoh Pokémon League!
Once me and my companions dock, we proceeded through the village, where many vendors are set up in preparation for the event.
Me and Ash immediately heads to the Pokémon Center to register for the League as we noticed other Trainers and their Pokémon, all with the same ambition.
Nurse Joy scanned the Pokédexes of me and Ash before the two of us received our Trainer datas on the computer, officially registering us for the Sinnoh League.
Brock, as usual, made his routine romantic advances on Nurse Joy when we were about to get our room key for our hotel, but Croagunk stopped him and took him away.
However, Team Rocket attempted once again to steal Ash's Pokémon and their plan was foil when his Cyndaquil evolved to Quilava which learned a new move, Eruption, to destroy Team Rocket's robot and send the evil trio blasting off again.
Now we are attending the opening ceremony for the Sinnoh League like the other Trainers for this exciting event…
It was night time at the Lily of the Valley Island.
The opening ceremony for the Sinnoh League kicks off as all the participating Trainers and spectators gathered in the coliseum.
"And with the lighting of the Sinnoh League flame, the Lily of the Valley's Sinnoh League is officially underway way!"the announcer declared.
The crowd cheered loudly as they watched the torch be lit among the fireworks.
Denise smiled in delight at the amazing sight before her with Luxray at her side.
"For all the times I've watched the battles taking place in this coliseum as a kid, I never expected to actually be among the Trainers standing in it today."Denise remarked with a hint of excitement.
"Luxray."Luxray replied.
Ash and Pikachu smiled at the sight before them.
"I can't believe it's finally here."Ash chuckled.
"Pika."Pikachu agreed.
Ash looked above the crowd and saw Cynthia sitting with Charles Goodshow next to her.
"It's Cynthia the Champion."Ash admitted.
Denise looked up and saw Cynthia smiling down at them.
"Wow."Denise replied with an anxious smile."She's going to be watching the event too."
Luxray gently snuggled his head against Denise's arm causing her to stroke his mane.
"You're right, Luxray."Denise agreed with a confident smirk."No point to be nervous now. This is what we and the others trained for."
Ash looked around and saw familiar faces in the competition: Nando, Conway, Lucas, Barry and Paul.
"And now it's time to announce the Sinnoh League's first match ups!"the Announcer declared."So here they are!"
The main screen showed the first-round pairings and Ash's first match was against Nando.
"My first battle is with Nando."Ash commented."I'm totally psyched."
"Pika pika."Pikachu replied.
Nando walked up to Ash.
"Perhaps fate has a hand on our upcoming battle, Ash."Nando suggested.
"For sure, Nando."Ash agreed.
"It was after meeting you and Denise that I have decided to enter Sinnoh League myself."Nando declared."Now I get to battle you here. Yes, I am truly honoured."
"I'll give it in everything I got."Ash assured confidently."No way you are going to beat me."
Nando simply smiled at Ash's declaration.
"I am looking forward to it."Nando admitted."Good luck, Ash."
"Yeah."Ash responded."You too."
Ash and Nando shook hands with each other.
Sometime after the opening ceremony ended, Denise went to the Pokémon Center to call to someone.
Someone she hadn't seen since she was still a little kid.
However, she didn't get a reply.
In return, the Top Coordinator decided to leave a voicemail.
"Hey, dad."Denise greeted with a small smile."Um, I know I keep calling and you must be busy. Really busy. Uh, but, um, I have won the Grand Festival and now I am attending the Sinnoh League."
Denise fiddled with the string on the phone as she kept talking.
"Though I could really use some advice, dad."Denise suggested, her voice mixed with a bit worry."You know if I don't end up winning this event."
A forced yet bright smile then appeared on Denise's face.
"Anyway, I'll stop talking before this gets long."Denise remarked."I love you. Bye."
Denise then ended the call and placed the phone away before letting out a sad sigh.
"It's quite a long trip here from the Galar Region, but surely giving a phone call couldn't be that hard."Denise stated with a troubled look.
Due to not paying attention to where she was going, Denise accidentally bumped into Paul.
He grabbed Denise by the waist, preventing her from falling.
Their eyes met and Denise's heart began beating fast, not from feeling flustered but anxious.
"Sorry."Denise apologised.
Paul, however, helped her stand up straight.
"Just be careful where you are going, okay?"Paul instructed simply.
"Right."Denise responded.
Denise's cheeks turned a bit pink as Paul then walked past her.
The Top Coordinator began making her way back to the hotel room that she and her companions were staying at.
"I should get some sleep."Denise thought with a firm look."Tomorrow begins the first round of the Sinnoh League."
The Next Morning…
After eating breakfast, Denise, Brock and Dawn waited for Ash outside the Pokémon Center.
Soon the Pallet Town Trainer came out to join his companions.
"Professor Oak made the transfer."Ash declared."Sorry for the hold up."
"So which three Pokémon are you going to use against Nando, Ash?"Dawn asked.
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
"It's a secret."Ash replied brightly."You'll just have to wait until the battle starts."
Denise lightly chuckled at Ash's declaration.
"Alright."Denise said simply."Leave us guessing."
"Get out of the way!"
Suddenly, Barry rushed forward and bumped into Ash causing both of them to hit the floor.
"Barry!"Dawn gasped.
"Oh, brother."Denise muttered in disapproval.
Brock sweat dropped. "Are you two alright?"
Both Ash and Pikachu groaned as the two of them slowly recovered from bumping into Barry.
"Barry, what's your problem?"Ash mumbled.
"What's my problem?! You bump into me!"Barry argued before standing up to remove the dust in his shirt while smiling."But I have no time!"
"Huh?"Ash said in confusion.
"I am psyched."Barry admitted excitedly."I just have come with an amazing three strategy Pokémon team."
"It must be good."Dawn assumed.
"It's better than good! I am winning today and the whole tournament too!"Barry declared confidently and pointed at Denise."You better watch out, Denise!"
Denise frowned and folded her arms.
"Right."Denise scoffed.
"No way!"Ash argued."I am going to win it!"
"Pika pika!"Pikachu agreed.
"No!"Barry snapped."It's going to be me!"
Then Lucas rushed up to the group.
"Barry! What are you doing here?!"Lucas retorted."Your first match is starting in a few minutes!"
Barry gasped in shock.
"You're right, Lucas!"Barry panicked."See you guys later!"
Denise simply sighed as Barry ran off to the League to attend his first match.
"Does Barry ever slow down?"Brock asked.
Dawn held her chin in thought.
"He said he has an amazing team, I wonder which three they are."Dawn murmured.
Lucas glanced at Dawn.
"He told me the same thing when he first saw me."Lucas admitted with a sheepish smile.
"Well, I can say his Empoleon is his trump card."Denise commented and shrugged."But maybe he got himself new Pokémon for the event?"
"You know I can tell."
Dawn became startled when she saw Conway sneak up behind her and Prinplup.
"No one can make an entrance like you."Dawn muttered in annoyance.
"Conway."Ash said.
"Pika."Pikachu responded.
Conway smirked as he adjusted his glasses.
"You should know by now."Conway sneered weirdly."I can answer any question you can think of."
Dawn sweat dropped at Conway's declaration.
"Thanks, but no thanks, Conway."Dawn declared.
"Prinplup."Prinplup agreed.
Conway let out a creepy snicker, making Dawn, Prinplup and Brock uncomfortably back away a bit.
Lucas gives Denise a nervous smile.
"Dawn's unwanted admirer."Denise complemented in disapproval."Creepy isn't?"
Barry defeated his opponent, meaning he will head to the Second Round.
"And he scores!"the Announcer declared."Which means Barry will move onto the Second Round!"
"Yahoo!"Barry cheered in victory.
Empoleon smiled. "Empoleon!"
The crowd cheered as Barry made his way out of the coliseum.
"That was a piece of cake!"Barry bragged proudly."That means the whole Sinnoh League is right for the picking! I wonder if Ames is watching the whole event?"
Suddenly, a male figure walked past Barry causing him to get startled due to feeling a spooky presence.
"What in the world was that about?"Barry questioned in confusion.
Soon, it was time for Ash to go up against Nando.
"And now on the green field preparing to wage battle are our two opponents, Nando and Ash!"the Announcer declared.
Nando played a small melody on his harp while Ash simply smiled at his opponent.
Among the crowd watching were Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Lucas and Brock.
"Excellent."Brock remarked."Ash is sure fired up and confident too."
"Go ahead, Ash!"Dawn called out."You can do it!"
"Prinplup!"Prinplup chirped.
"If I recall Nando was one of the Coordinators competing in the Grand Festival."Lucas declared."Why is he attending now in the Sinnoh League?"
"Nando may be a wandering minstrel who enjoys music, but he decided to go both Badges and Ribbons like I do."Denise exclaimed.
"I see."Lucas answered with a nod.
"The time has come for two of our Trainers to reveal their first Pokémon!"the Announcer informed.
"Alright, Roserade!"Nando replied and tossed forward his Poké Ball."Let's go!"
Nando's Poké Ball opened causing Roserade to come out and appear in the battlefield.
"Roserade!"
"Staraptor, I choose you!"Ash stated.
Ash threw out his Poké Ball causing Staraptor to appear in the battlefield as well.
"Staraptor!"
"If Roserade is battling Staraptor, it looks like we had it right, didn't we?"Brock praised.
"No doubt Ash is the type advantage."Dawn praised.
"You said it, sis."Denise agreed.
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
"Nando will have the first move!"the referee informed and raised up his flags."Now, go!"
"Alright, Roserade!"Nando stated."Use Sweet Scent!"
Roserade unleashed Sweet Scent
"Dodge it, Staraptor!"Ash ordered.
Staraptor attempted to fly higher, but got affected by Roserade's Sweet Scent.
"Staraptor!"Ash called out.
"Pika!"Pikachu gasped.
Staraptor flew down, but didn't hit the ground.
"And Staraptor's movements got affected by Roserade's Sweet Scent!"the Announcer informed.
"Now use Magical Beam!"Nando ordered.
Roserade used Magical Leaf and hits Staraptor directly causing the Predator Pokémon to hit the ground.
"Solar Beam, let's go!"Nando ordered.
Roserade holds her arms above her head and the flowers on the end of its arms started to glow gold as she gathered energy.
"Watch out!"the Announcer warned."Roserade is going in for the big finally!"
Ash and Pikachu looked at Staraptor, who still laid on the ground.
"Come on, Staraptor! Stand up!"Ash demanded."Come on!"
"Pika pika!"Pikachu shouted.
Roserade's flowers returned to normal colour when the energy was gathered and a gold orb of energy appeared in front of he flowers.
The Bouquet Pokémon then fired a golden beam of energy from the orb at Staraptor.
At the last minute, Staraptor flew up to dodge Roserade's Solar Beam.
Both Nando and Roserade became shocked.
"But how?!"Nando said in disbelief.
"Okay!"Ash remarked confidently."Use Brave Bird!"
Luckily, Staraptor managed to dodge and charged with Brave Bird.
Staraptor pulled in his wings and dived down at Roserade like a missile with his body bursting into flames.
Then, the Predator Pokémon pulled out his wings, his body becomes surrounded by a blue aura and he slammed into Roserade.
When the glow faded, light blue sparks run up Staraptor's wings as he took recoil damage.
Though Staraptor took some damage, Roserade was defeated.
"Roserade!"Nando shouted.
"Roserade is unable to battle!"the referee declared and lifted up the green flag."The winner is Staraptor!"
"Ash gets the first score!"the Announcer informed.
"Alright!"Ash chuckled.
"Pikachu!"Pikachu cheered.
Nando returned Roserade into her Poké Ball.
"Thanks, Roserade."Nando thanked."You deserve a good rest!"
"So will Nando make a combat for his second Pokémon?"the Announcer asked.
"Armaldo, you're next!"Nando informed.
Nando threw out his second Poké Ball causing an Armaldo to appear in the battlefield.
"Armaldo!"
"Armaldo?!"Dawn and Ash said in unison.
Denise took out her Pokédex to scan Armaldo.
"Armaldo the Plate Pokémon and the evolved form of Anorith."Denise's Pokédex buzzed."It went ashore after evolving. Its entire body is clad in a sturdy armour."
"Armaldo is a Rock/Bug type Pokémon."Denise complemented.
"It's going to be a tough battle against a Rock and Bug Type."Brock stated.
"But Ash should return Staraptor since it took damage from using Brave Bird."Lucas suggested.
"You have a point there, Lucas."Dawn stated.
"Prinplup."Prinplup agreed.
Ash saw Staraptor took hits and was panting in exhaustion.
"I know Staraptor has been hit several times."Ash murmured before giving his Normal/Flying Type Pokémon his next order."So we'll take the chance! Close Combat!"
Staraptor flew towards Armaldo.
"Protect!"Nando ordered.
Armaldo used Project causing Staraptor's Close Combat to get repelled.
"Now use Rock Blast!"Nando ordered.
Armaldo used Rock Blast and defeated Staraptor.
"Staraptor!"Ash shouted in shock.
"Staraptor is unable to battle!"the referee stated and lifted up the red flag."Armaldo is the winner!"
"And Nando makes a fierce combat with either side not backing down!"the Announcer reported.
"Nando did a clever move on using Armaldo against Staraptor since its a Rock Type."Brock commented.
"No need to worry."Dawn assured with a firm look."This is only the beginning."
"Prinplup prinplup."Prinplup agreed.
"Man, oh man!"Barry panicked."Man, oh man!"
Barry comes down the stairs and panted in exhaustion to catch his breath.
"Hey, Barry."Lucas greeted."What's up?"
"Looks like you need to relax."Denise sneered.
"No time to relax, Denise!"Barry warned."I just saw the most incredible thing! A Trainer who was strong because he used his Darkrai to take out his opponent and passed the First Round as if it was nothing!"
"His got a Darkrai?"Brock said in surprise.
"No one said that type of Trainer would be here."Barry declared with his arms folded."He deserves a fine. Don't you guys think too?"
"No offence, Barry."Lucas responded."But I don't think a fine would make a difference."
"Exactly."Denise agreed with a nod."Also, Darkrai will likely haunt your dreams if you do that to his Trainer. This Legendary Pokémon's hobby is to make people see nightmares."
"Eesh!"Barry retorted with a startled look.
"Come on, Ash!"Dawn called out."You can do it!"
"Prinplup!"Prinplup chirped
Barry noticed Ash was battling against Nando before sitting down to watch his rival compete.
"Oh, Ash is having a battle."Barry murmured.
Ash recalled Staraptor into his Poké Ball.
"Stand by for Ash's second Pokémon!"the Announcer insisted.
"Alright, Quilava!"Ash remarked and took out his second Poké Ball."I choose you!"
Ash's Poké Ball opened causing Quilava to appear in the battlefield.
"Quilava!"
"Time to show the new moves you can do!"Ash encouraged.
This caused Quilava's flames to appear, ready to fight.
"Make sure to not let your guard down, Armaldo."Nando ordered.
"Armaldo!"Armaldo replied.
"Now back to the action!"the Announcer stated."A clash between Armaldo and Quilava!"
Lucas took out a chocolate bar for him and Denise to share as they watched Ash and Nando continue battling each other.
After hitting each other with a couple of moves, Quilava hits the ground after getting hit by Armaldo's Protect.
"And Quilava goes down!"the Announcer announced.
"Hang in there, Quilava!"Ash demanded.
"Pika pika!"Pikachu shouted.
Quilava got hit, but then slowly stood up despite running out of steam.
Armaldo was exhausted as well from his opponent's attacks.
"But Armaldo is struggling as well!"the Announcer stated."At this point, the match is impossible to stop!"
"Armaldo use every bit of energy you have left and use X-Scissor!"Nando ordered.
Armaldo activated X-Scissor.
"Quilava use Aerial Ace!"Ash ordered.
Quilava launched himself forward and used Aerial Ace.
Armaldo used X-Scissor against Quilava's Aerial Ace, but gets knocked out and defeated.
Quilava won, but also falls, so Ash and Nando have one Pokémon left.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"the referee declared and lifted up the flags to make an x."So, it's a draw!"
"A draw?!"the Announcer repeated."Unbelievable!"
The crowd cheered loudly while Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Lucas, Barry and Brock looked on in silence.
"They're both now down with only one Pokémon left."Brock complemented."This is getting good."
"I think Nando is going to use Kricketune next."Brock suggested.
"It could also be Lopunny or Sunflora next."Denise assumed.
"I don't have a clue either, Dennie."Dawn stated.
"You want to know what I think?"
Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Lucas, Barry and Brock get startled upon seeing Conway sneaking up on them.
Lucas sweat dropped."You again?"
"Who are you?!"Barry gasped.
"My name is Conway."Conway answered as he adjusted his glasses."And I happen to be the Trainer, who is going to win the Sinnoh League."
"Well, my name is Barry from Twinleaf Town and I am going to win this thing!"Barry argued.
Denise scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Would you boys knock it off!"Denise scowled in annoyance."There is a match going on here!"
"Sorry, Denise."Barry apologised.
Barry frowned at Conway before sitting back to where he was before.
"Only one Pokémon left for each side!"the Announcer stated."But the question is which Pokémon will they use?"
"Kricketune!"Nando declared and took out his last Poké Ball."Take it away!"
Nando's third Poké Ball opened causing Kricketune to appear in the battlefield.
"Kricketune!"
"Heracross!"Ash stated and took out his third Poké Ball."I choose you!"
Ash's Poké Ball opened causing his Heracross to appear in the battlefield.
"Heracross!"
"Kricketune vs Heracross?"Dawn said in surprise.
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
Denise frowned. "I thought Ash's last Pokémon was his Glalie."
Nando smiled at seeing Heracross.
"Kricketune vs another Bug Type?"Nando remarked with a smile."What a fascinating choice, Ash."
"I am much more into where this battle goes!"Ash admitted and gave Heracross an order."Heracross start out with Megahorn!"
Heracross activated Megahorn as he flew towards Kricketune.
"Kricketune, Silver Wind!"Nando ordered.
Heracross started with Megahorn, but gets repelled by Silver Wind.
"Alright, Kricketune!"Nando responded while playing his harp."Use String!"
Kricketune sings, putting Heracross to sleep.
The Bug/Flying Type Pokémon landed on the ground to sleep, startling Ash.
"Because Kricketune used Sing, Heracross has fallen asleep!"the Announcer informed.
"Kricketune use Fury Cutter!"Nando ordered.
Kricketune activated Fury Cutter before launching himself forward.
"Heracross use Sleep Talk!"Ash ordered.
Though fast asleep, Heracross used Focus punch to stop Kricketune's attack and hit his opponent directly.
"How did Heracross use Focus Punch in his sleep?"Barry asked in confusion.
"That's Sleep Talk."Conway admitted."Even though a Pokémon is asleep, it can still use one of its moves."
Dawn smiled at Brock.
"I bet Ash had that planned all along."Dawn remarked.
"It was smart for him to use Sleep Talk."Brock agreed.
"Amazing that Ash had a counter attack for Kricketune's Singing."Nando praised.
Heracross wakes up and looked at his surroundings.
"Heracross use Focus Punch!"Ash ordered.
Heracross rushed forward to use Focus Punch again.
"Dodge it!"Nando ordered.
Heracross kept attacking while Kricketune evaded his moved.
"Kricketune use Fury Cutter!"Nando ordered.
Kricketune used Fury Cutter which made Nando nervous as he now sees this was the battle Ash talked about.
"Now this is the battle I've been waiting for!"Ash remarked.
"I never experienced anything like this."Nando said with worry."This is the head to head battle Ash was talking about."
Heracross continued using Focus Punch while Kricketune used Fury Cutter.
"It's now a clash between Heracross and Kricketune!"the Announcer declared."So who is going down first?"
Both Ash and Nando realised Heracrouss and Kricketune both will soon become exhausted.
"I got to make Heracross land a direct hit before he rans out of steam!"Ash thought with a stern look.
"But he will just counter it with Sleep Talk!"Nando thought with a frustrated tone and called out Kricketune's next order."Now Kricketune use Sing!"
Kricketune prepared to use Sing again.
"Heracrouss usd Megahorn and aim it on the ground!"Ash ordered.
Heracross used Megahorn on the ground to stop Kricketune's Sing.
"Alright, Heracross!"Ash remarked."Use Horn Attack!"
Heracross used Horn Attack which pushed Kricketune up in the air.
"Kricketune!"Nando said in shock.
Kricketune hit the ground and was defeated.
"Kricketune is unable to battle! Heracross wins!"the referee announced and lifted up his green flag."Which means the victory goes to Ash from Pallet Town!"
"So that means Ash is going onto the Second Round!"the Announcer admitted.
Ash cheered as Heracross tackled him in a hug.
"Thanks, Heracross."Ash thanked.
Dawn, Prinplup, Brock, Denise and Lucas were pleased to see Ash won.
"He did it."Denise chuckled.
"Ash won."Dawn said in approval.
"That was some battle."Brock agreed.
"Just wait until my next battle."Barry bragged.
Conway snickered as he disappeared from sight.
Lucas simply smiled at Ash's victory before glancing at Denise.
"So after my first match, it's going to be your's next, Dennie."Lucas stated.
"Right."Denise agreed with a smirk."Let's do our best."
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
Flygon (Male): Sandstorm, Rock Slide, Dragon Pulse & Screech
Gardevoir (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Trick Room
Blaziken (Male): Blaze Kick, Peck, Focus Blast and Fire Spin
With Professor Rowan
Noctowl (Male): Heat Wave, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic
Drifblim (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish
