Ash, Lillie and Dawn have finally arrived in the Hearthome City.

The journey from Pastoria wasn't that long, and wasn't really hard either. There were no problems either, so it was a smooth walk.

The only thing for which can be said that it could have ruined the good mood, was the revelation which Ash made to Lillie, Dawn and Garry. He confirmed that what Hunter J said he did to her, was the truth. He also said that what awaits the other members of the Shadow Legion, could be even worse, depending on what they do, or they've done.

Ash has admitted that he won't rest until the entire organization goes up in flames, and its members dead, or in jail.

Lillie, Dawn, and Garry really didn't know what to say about what Ash told them.

On one hand, they don't want him to become a ruthless murderer, even though he already has killed some people; Lillie, Dawn and Garry actually don't know about that.

On the other hand, they agreed that with what the members of the Shadow Legion have done, especially to May's father, Serena, and Swampy, not to mention other people and Pokémon who have suffered because of them; they agree that they need to be punished. What they are not sure about is, if the members of Shadow Legion should be killed, like Ash wants.

Since they are not sure what to do, Lillie, and Dawn decided to think about it, and when they came to a decision, they will speak with Ash.

As for Garry, he said that he agrees that Shadow Legion should be destroyed, and members sent to jail. He said that he doesn't want them dead, though. In the end, he left a decision on what to do with them to Ash.

Garry has left the group the next morning, and continued on his way to Lake Valor, to research it and see if he can find the legendary Pokémon said to reside in the Lake.

Before he left, though, Ash pulled him aside, and explained to him what he saw when he was at Lake Valor. He told him about the Team Galactic, and about his conversation with Giratina. In the end, Ash told him that the fact that the Lake Guardians are showing themselves to Dawn, and himself, isn't a good thing. As such, he warned Garry to be careful, and that he should warn Professor Rowan, as the old man is going to search through Lake Verity.

With the arrival at the Hearthome City, the gang decided to first visit the Hearthome Gym, and see if the gym leader is even there. After that, they will make plans on what to do, and in what order.

Much to their disappointment, when they arrived in front of the Hearthome Gym, Lillie, Dawn, and Ash, as well as Dawn's Piplup, and Buneary who were out of their Poke Balls, saw the 'CLOSED' sign on the door, meaning that the gym is still closed.

"I can't believe that the gym is still closed." Ash commented. "I've never seen a gym leader be away from the gym for such a long time."

"How can a gym leader be absent so much of the time?" Dawn asked Lillie.

"Honestly, I don't know," Lillie said. "I haven't seen any gym leaders before I arrived in Sinnoh, and none of the ones I've seen, have been away for this long."

A long black car pulled up on the street behind the gang, and out of it came a gorgeous looking woman with her Pokémon, Lopunny.

"Excuse me." The woman spoke, drawing Ash's, Lillie's and Dawn's attention. They all turned around and looked at her.

The woman was very beautiful, has long red hair, and blue eyes. She wears a sleeveless, sky blue dress, with the bottom part being dark blue. There was also a dark blue patch around her stomach. The dress itself is tight around the torso, while it spreads out as it goes down. On her feet, she wears a white, heel shoes. She also had some bracelets on her wrists, and a necklace. Next to the woman was her Lopunny, and it also wears a bracelet on her left wrist, and a necklace with a pendant around her neck.

"I thought I recognized you," she spoke. "You were the winner of the Hearthome Tag-Battle. You are Ash, right?"

"Yeah, that's me." Ash said, with a confusion on his face. He didn't know who this woman is, but what he did know is that she's gorgeous.

"It's such an honor to meet you face-to-face," the red-haired woman said with a smile, but then the expression changed to interest, as she asked. "Are you looking for the Hearthome Gym Leader?"

"Yeah," Ash said. "This is the second time we are here, looking for a gym battle. I can't believe that the gym leader is still not here."

"I'm sorry I have to tell you, but Fantina, the Gym Leader, is still not back," the woman said. "She went to do some training, to develop a whole new battle style."

Ash groaned when he heard this. It seems that it was a wasted trip to Hearthome City… again.

"Wow, it's really her." Dawn suddenly said, drawing Ash's, and Lillie's attention.

"Who is she?" Ash asked.

"You don't know," Dawn said, and Ash shock his head. "Her name is Paris. She's a world famous Pokémon Stylist."

"Ok," Ash said. "Never heard of her… or about the Pokémon Stylists."

Dawn pulled out a magazine with Paris, and her Lopunny on the cover, and showed it to Ash. "A Pokémon Stylist is a professional fashion designer, helping Pokémon look the best."

"Ok, I guess I learned something new." Ash admitted.

Dawn's Buneary jumped to the Lopunny, and introduced herself, while Lopunny nodded back.

Paris saw Buneary, and gushed over her. Dawn run, and said that it was hers, and thanked Paris for praising her Buneary. "My name is Dawn," Dawn said. "Nice to meet you."

"Are you a Pokémon Coordinator by any chance, Dawn?" Paris asked.

"Yes," Dawn said. "I am, and I'm going for the top."

"Well, the Hearthome Collection starts tomorrow," Paris said. "So why don't you and your Buneary sign up?"

"Hearthome Collection?" Dawn questioned with a confused look on her face.

"It's a Pokémon Fashion show, and it's open to the general public," Paris explained to Dawn. "Everyone gets to dress up, and model their Pokémon in their own original designs."

This immediately go the attention of Dawn, and her Buneary, as they were interested in it.

"A Poke Stylist is one type of Pokémon Coordinator," Paris said. "The winner of the Hearthome Collection will get to work on the Poke Chic Campaign photo shoot. It's a great way to become a Poke Stylist."

"Wow," Dawn exclaimed. "Ok, I'm interested."

"You might say it's a shortcut to becoming a Top Coordinator." Paris added to make Dawn even more interested.

"Great." Dawn said.

Paris then looked toward Ash, and Lillie, and said. "You two can enter it if you want. As I said, it's opened for general public, so anyone can enter."

Ash and Lillie looked at each other, and wondered what to do.

XXX

Eventually, Lilli, Ash, and Dawn ended up in the Hearthome Pokémon Center, where there is a booth where they can register for the Hearthome Collection.

"So, are the two of you going to enter?" Dawn asked Lillie, and Ash.

"I won't," Ash said. "This really isn't my thing."

"I don't think so," Lillie said. "I'd rather just sit back and watch."

Dawn shrugged. "Well, if that's your decision."

They were interrupted by the screams of some girls. When they looked at them, they were all looking at some girl with long blonde hair, and wearing a green dress. There are four other woman behind her, and judging by the reaction of the girls, the blonde one seems to be famous.

"Who is that?" Dawn asked as she found herself standing next to a girl with brown hair, and green cap.

"How could you want to be a great Poke Stylist, and not know who the great Lady Cocoa is?" The girl asked Dawn.

"So, who is she?" Dawn asked again. She was standing in front of the booth with Lillie, and Ash, and there were two other girls next to her. The one with the green cap, and another with brown-red hair.

The second girls answered at Dawn's question. "She's a World Famous Celebrity who has the ability to hire all the greatest fashion designers to design for her."

"Well, I'm impressed." Dawn said.

"As soon as I heard Poke Stylist Paris was coming here, of course, I had to come too." Cocoa said loud enough for everyone to hear her.

Dawn's Buneary approached Cocoa, and tried to touch her dress, but Cocoa yelled at her, not to touch her with her filthy paws, thus insulting Buneary.

Dawn run and took her Buneary, before she apologized and run away.

"Are you thinking of competing with Buneary," Cocoa asked with a menacing smirk, while the woman which were with her, laughed.

Lillie, Dawn and Ash looked at Cocoa, and the other woman with narrowed eye. They didn't like the way Cocoa was acting, not to mention that she insulted Buneary. It means that none of the three of them like her.

An older woman said some things to the gang, showing them that she isn't particularly fond of Cocoa either. She did give an advice to Dawn, when she said that Pokémon Stylists, and Coordinators are the same.

Then, she walked away, leaving Dawn to think of what the woman said.

XXX

Later that night, Dawn has drawn many designs for dresses, and accessories, and is now planning on which of them she and her Buneary are going to wear at the Hearthome Collection. Still, she didn't feel right about any of them. They were all nice, but she felt that something was lacking.

She thought back to what that woman told her in the Pokémon Center, and how the Poke Stylists, and Coordinators were the same. After thinking of that, she finally remembered what Zoey told her after her loss at the Solaceon Contest. Back then, Zoey told her that the Pokémon are the main attraction.

And just like that, Dawn knew what to do.

XXX

The next day, the Hearthome Collection has officially started, with the announcer being Enta, the mayor of the Hearthome City, and the same guy who was the announcer at the Hearthome Tag-team tournament.

Before the start of the competition, it was revealed that the two judges will be Paris, and the older woman who gave Dawn an advice. It was revealed that the woman's name is Hermione, and that she is a famous Pokémon Stylist and the editor-in-chief of the Poké Chic fashion magazine.

Dawn was quite shocked to find out that the woman who gave her an advice, is so famous.

And so, the Hearthome Collection has started, with many trainers, showing of themselves, and their Pokémon, all dressed up. One by one, they went, and the crowd loved them. Unfortunately for them, the ones who were supposed to love them, that being the judges, weren't quite happy with any of the trainers so far.

Eventually, Cocoa made her show with her Mismagius. The crowd loved the show, judging by the loud cheers, though yet again, Hermione didn't seem that impressed. She seems to be the only one not impressed by Cocoa and her Pokémon.

XXX

"And now for out final entry, #21, Dawn, and her Buneary!" Enta announced Dawn as the final competitor in the Hearthome Collection for the day, before it would be up to the judges to declare the winner.

In the backstage, Dawn was already dressed up, just like her Buneary. "No need to worry," Dawn said to herself, and her Pokémon. "Buneary. Let's go."

Buneary nodded, as the two left the backstage, and once the curtain opened, the two became visible to the large audience.

Dawn was revealed to be dressed in a long white dress, with a bluish necklace, while Buneary has a matching set of dress and necklace.

"Coming after Lady Cocoa, this seems particularly plain." Enta spoke, as he saw Dawn, and her Buneary.

"True," Paris spoke from behind Enta, where she was seating by the judges desk. "But simplicity can be strong and effective." Paris cast a look on her side, where she saw Hermione looking at Dawn with interest.

"OK, Buneary, you are on the white mountain of show, and you are a show spirit." Dawn said to her Buneary, who nodded and jumped off to the stage.

Buneary started too jump around the stage, before Dawn told her to use Ice Beam on the stage. Buneary started firing Ice Beams all over the stage, freezing it all, and creating large icebergs.

"That's it," Dawn said! "The accessories, and fashion aren't the important thing for you! Because you are the star of the show, Buneary!"

Hermione looked with interest at what Buneary was doing, and then she finally smiled for the first time since the start of the Hearthome Collection.

"Ohh, 'très bien,' Paris said, as she watched Buneary's show, while wearing a large smile on her face. She seems to be really liking the show.

Buneary ended the show by jumping next to Dawn, and they both did a pose with their arms spread, and large smiles on their faces.

They both bowed to the crowd, who cheered for them.

"Well, I got to say," Lillie spoke from where she was seating with Ash among the crowd. Dawn's Piplup was with them, and he was cheering for his trainer. "She did an amazing job. Simple, yet elegant. She didn't go over the top, and the crowd loves it."

"Yes," Ash agreed. "What's more important is that Paris and that woman, Hermione, also seem to love it. I have a feeling that Dawn is going to win this."

XXX

Not long after Dawn finished her presentation, it was time to declare the winner.

"We are now down to two finalists," Enta spoke to the crowd. Paris, and Hermione are on the stage with him, from where they are going to declare the winner of this year's Hearthome Collection.

"Our first finalist is #20, Lady Cocoa; the Queen of Hearthome City!" Enta announced, to the cheering crowd. "And out second finalist, is none other than entrant #21, Dawn!"

Buneary and Dawn hugged each other, while the crowd cheered. Then, the two of them, as well as Cocoa, and her Mismagius moved at the stage, where they joined Enta, Paris, and Hermione, who were already there.

"And now, it is finally time to announce the winner of this year's Hearthome Collection," Enta said! "We have a world famous Cocoa and her Mismagius on one side, while on the other side we have a first comer, Dawn, with her Buneary! One will be the winner, and the other will be given the accessory award!

"Now, our lovely Paris will be the one to announce our big winner!"

"Thanks," Paris thanked Enta, before she continued. "The winner is…" she made a pause to make the announcement more dramatic, while the lights were pointed at Dawn, and Cocoa from above.

Then, after a few moments of silence, and suspension, Paris declared. "The amazing team of Dawn, and Buneary!"

Dawn shouted in happiness, at hearing that she's the winner, while Cocoa shouted in disbelief at hearing that she isn't the winner.

The crowd, among which were Ash, and Lillie, as well as Dawn's Piplup; were all cheering and clapping with their hands for Dawn and her Buneary. They seem happy, and satisfied with her as the winner of the Hearthome Collection.

"But I'm supposed to win," Cocoa complained! "This doesn't make any sense at all!"

"Ah, but the accessory award is perfect for you," Hermione said to Cocoa. "After all, it was only your dress and accessory that stood out. You see, darling, you completely forgot about showing off your Mismagius."

Paris approached to Dawn, and said. "I just loved you used your accessories so well. Simple things that showed off your Buneary, great. 'Très bien.'"

Hermione also approached Dawn, and she said. "You did it in the true spirit of the Poke Stylist."

"Thanks." Dawn thanked the two woman for their kind words.

Cocoa fell to her knees, and cried, as Dawn was declared the winner, and was presented with a tiara, which was placed on her head by Paris. The red-haired woman also placed another tiara on Buneary's head, much to the small bunny Pokémon delight.

"Now, if it's all right with you, Dawn, I'd like you to start work on Poke Chic right away." Hermione said.

"Thank you so much for the offer," Dawn said. "But my goal is to become Top Contest Coordinator, and a Champion Level Trainer. As such, there is still a lot of work I need to do with my Pokémon."

"I understand." Hermione said with a smile. "Make your Pokémon shine in contests like they did today."

"I will." Dawn promised.


A few weeks after Dawn won the Hearthome Collection, and the group of three left the Hearthome City, they came upon a familiar face.

Currently, they were in a small Town, while on their way to Celestic Town, where Dawn's next Pokémon Contest is going to be held. She was happy that she will have a chance to get her hands on the third ribbon, and if she wins, she will have passed the half-way point to the Grand Festival.

When it comes to Ash, he was happy that he will have another chance to see Cynthia, as she is currently in the Celestic Town, her home Town, and will be there for a while.

As for Lillie, she's just happy to be traveling around, and training her Pokémon to become as best as they can possibly be.

The familiar face the gang saw when they arrived in the small town, was the face of Zoey. Currently, Zoey was at the battlefield where she is battling against a woman with purple hair, and purple dress.

Ash, Lillie, and Dawn watched as Zoey and her Glameow did their best, but it was useless as they were soundly defeated by the older woman, and her Mismagius.

"I really appreciate what you did for me, with you being a Top Coordinator, and all." Zoey said to the older woman, while holding her defeated Glameow.

"Mercy," the woman said in a strange accent. "You are a most formidable opponent. It's been a while since I've had a contest battle to fill me with joy."

The two of them shock hands, as they were approached by Ash, Lillie, and Dawn. "It's a shame you had to lose, Zoey," Dawn said to her friend, and rival.

"Yeah," Ash agreed. "But it was an awesome battle."

"I would very much love to meet your friends," the woman said to Zoey, who nodded. The, she turned to the gang, and introduced herself. "My name is Fantina. A true pleasure."

"Fantina here is a Hearthome City Gym Leader, Ash." Zoey said to Ash, who rose his eyebrows in surprise.

"Awesome, we finally get to meet you." Dawn said to Fantina.

"Of course," Zoey said. "You said you went to Hearthome City before, but Fantina was never there."

"Yes," Ash said to Fantina. "We were there twice, but you were never there. And now, we end up meeting you without even searching for you."

"The thing is, I've now become a traveling trainer, just like you," Fantina said. "And so, I had to leave the Hearthome City behind."

Ash and Lillie groaned after they learned that.

XXX

Not long later, Lillie, Dawn, Ash, Zoey, and Fantina were all inside of the Pokémon Center, where they were seating in a booth, drinking some tea.

While there, Zoey convinced Fantina to tell Ash, and the girls the same story she did to Zoey, and that way, the three of them might be able to understand why Fantina left the gym, and became a traveling trainer.

She then explained that even though she was a Top Coordinator, and Gym Leader, she wanted to be something more. She wanted to be stronger. So, she decide to leave the gym and become a stronger trainer until no one can defeat her.

"Fantina has been working as hard as she can as a trainer, like us," Zoey said. "Doing the same thing we do, catching Pokémon, battling, and gaining experience."

"Exactly," Fantina said. "It also made me realize another thing. I had to create a new style of battling, one that would combine the beauty of the contests, and the ferocity of the battlefield."

"So, have you come up with something yet?" Dawn asked.

"Not quite yet, Mon chéri," Fantina said. "But one step at the time. Slow, and steady."

"Well, I'm really interested in battling you, and see what you've come up with so far." Ash said.

"Me too," Dawn said. "You've inspired me as well, and I want to battle against a Top Coordinator, and a Gym Leader. It will certainly help me with my future contests."

"Well, I'm supposed to challenge her to a gym battle as well," Lillie said. "When do you think we will have a chance for out gym battles? We don't want to go to Hearthome City again, and not find you there."

"I won't be going back to the gym for some time," Fantina said. "So, I am willing to fight against one of you right here, and now. I can't fight all of you as my Pokémon are very fatigued. So, one will have to do."

Ash, Lillie, and Dawn looked at each other, before Ash said. "Well, as I'm a gentleman, I'll leave the two of you to choose which one of you will battle against Fantina."

Lillie, and Dawn shrugged, and agreed to Ash's proposition.

As she had her Pokétch, and a Coin Toss app, Dawn used it to decide which one between her, and Lillie will battle against Fantina.

One Coin Toss later, and it was decided that Lillie will be battling against Fantina.

XXX

Sometime later, Dawn, Ash, and Zoey were seating on a bench on the side of the Battlefield which was behind the Pokémon Center. Zoey's Glameow, and Dawn's Piplup were with them, as they are waiting for the battle to start. While seating there, Dawn was whining, as she really wanted to battle against Fantina, but has lost at the coin toss, thus, Lillie will be the one battling.

Speaking of Lillie, she's at one side of the battlefield, while Fantina was with her Mismagius at the other side.

"Let's see how Lillie will deal with a Ghost Type Pokémon Trainer." Ash said,

"It's won't be easy," Zoey said. "Ghost Types are hard to deal with, and Fantina is a tricky trainer."

"There is no need to worry," Dawn said. "Lillie's got this."

"Ok, so will you be kind enough to share the rules with us?" Fantina asked Lillie.

"How about two-on-two battle, and it's over once both Pokémon on one side are unable to continue." Lillie suggested.

Fantina nodded. "I'm fine with that. Also, I'll add that we both may substitute Pokémon."

"Great." Lillie said. Usually that's not how it goes in an official Gym Battle, where only the challenger can substitute Pokémon, while the gym leader can't. At that moment Lillie realized that she will have a harder time to win, then if this was an official gym battle.

Lillie suggested another coin toss to see who will go first. Dawn did it for them, and it was decided that Fantina will be the one to go first.

As the two were preparing for the battle, none noticed one woman, and one girl looking at the battle from the edge of the forest.

The woman was none other than Jessie, while the girl is Athena.

"What are you doing here?" Athena asked.

"I was on my way to the Celestic Town for the Pokémon Contest." Jessie said.

"You know," Athena spoke. "I heard that you haven't sent any new Pokémon to HQ in a while. In fact, the last time you sent anything was those Flying Type Pokémon from several months ago."

"I'm not going to bother and send one or two Pokémon here and there," Jessie said. "When I get a chance for a big catch, I'll send it. In the meantime, I do what I want."

"I had a big catch recently," Athena said. "I caught a whole bunch of Gligar, and sent them to HQ."

"Good for you." Jessie said.

"You know who else had a big catch," Athena questioned, knowing that Jessie will want to know. "It was Butch, and Cassidy. They caught a whole slew of Hippopotas, and several Hippowdon. It was such a big catch, that even Freya was impressed with them."

Jessie growled when she heard that her rival from Team Rocket, is doing better than her yet again, even though they are now in a completely different organization.

"If you have interest in advancing in ranks, you better start doing something, instead of just focusing on Contests." Athena warned Jessie, before she focused back on the battle between Lillie, and Fantina, which has already started, with Lillie using her Sealeo, and Fantina using her Drifloon.

Fantina started the battle by having her Drifloon use Ominous Wind. Lillie countered this with Water Gun, but even though it was powerful, and spot on, Drifloon dodge it by spinning around.

Drifloon used Ominous Wind once again, and this time it hit Sealeo.

Sealeo returned the fire with Water Pulse, which hit Drifloon, much to Fantina's shock. Unfortunately for Lillie, it didn't do much damage. Fantina sighed in relief at that.

Fantina told Drifloon to use Hypnosis, so it did. Drifloon fired a yellow X, from the X which was located on Drifloon's body.

Instead of going straight at Sealeo, the X shaped attack traveled in circles, which meant that Sealeo wouldn't be able to dodge, even if it could move fast enough. Lillie knew this, so she told her Pokémon to use Protect.

Sealeo created a greenish barrier in front of himself, which was then hit by Drifloon's attack. The barrier held, and Sealeo was left undamaged.

"Well, I did not expect that." Fantina said.

Lillie smiled, before she said. "I bet you didn't. I guess a big part of your battle style is to put your opponents to sleep. Right?"

"It is," Fantina admitted. "But it's not the whole focus of my battle style."

At the side, where Ash, Dawn, and Zoey were seating, Zoey commented that if Lillie's Sealeo didn't know Protect, it would have been defeated right then and there. Ash, and Dawn couldn't help but agree. At that moment, Ash realized that Hypnosis might be a bit problematic for him to deal with in his battle against Fantina, if he was to use some of his newer Pokémon, who still don't know Protect. As such, he will have to make a choice. Either he uses some of the Pokémon who know Protect, of he finds another way to deal with Hypnosis… or maybe both.

Fantina told her Drifloon to use Psychic as its next attack. Drifloon's eyes glowed light blue for a moment, before Sealeo was enveloped in light blue aura, and then lifted off the ground.

Sealeo couldn't do anything, as he was spun around in the air, before he was repeatedly lifted from the ground, and then slammed back onto it.

At the end of the attack, Drifloon tossed Sealeo into the distance, and Sealeo fell on the edge of the battlefield, and rolled out of it.

Sealeo wasn't defeated though. He got up, and then Lillie told him to use Brine.

Fantina wasn't expecting such a fast reaction from Sealeo, so her Drifloon was hit by a powerful Water Type attack, and dealt damage. Drifloon even fell on the battlefield right in front of its trainer.

That wasn't enough to take it out, though. Drifloon got up, and again floated in the air, ready to continue.

Fantina tried again with Ominous Wind, but this time, Lillie countered it with Ice Beam. The two attacks hit mid-air, and canceled each other out, thus, no one was dealt any damage.

Sealeo fired another Ice Beam, but this time, Drifloon used Psychic to stop the Ice Type attack, and then controlled it, and sent it back at the surprised Sealeo, who was hit by his own attack.

Luckily for Sealeo, he was resistant to Ice type attacks, so he wasn't damaged. What he was damaged by, was by the next attack which Drifloon fired.

Right after it used Psychic, Fantina told her Drifloon to use Will-O-Wisp. Immediately, light blue fireballs appeared around Drifloon, before they were launched at Sealeo, who was hit by all of them. This was followed by Hypnosis, and this time, Sealeo didn't have time to use Protect, and was hit by Drifloon's attack.

Sealeo fell on the ground, fast asleep from the Psychic type attack.

Lillie knew that waking Sealeo up would be really hard, and he will only get more damaged before that happens, so she went and recalled it back to his Poke Ball. She knew that returning her Sealeo won't end the sleep it was under, so she hoped that with her second Pokémon, she will be able to win the match. If not, and she was forced to send Sealeo back, she hoped that he will be able to wake up fast, before he was damaged too much.

"So, you decided to recall you Sealeo." Fantina questioned.

"It's better than for him to suffer more damage before he wakes up." Lillie said.

"I respect that," Fantina said. "Now, what are you going to do?"

"This," Lillie said as she took another of her Poke Balls, and released the Pokémon from inside.

The Pokémon she released, is her #1 Pokémon. A Pidgeot.

Fantina started the round by telling her Drifloon to use Will-O-Wisp.

Lillie smiled at this, and then told her Pidgeot to use Hurricane. Pidgeot flapped her wings, and created a giant tornado which completely blew off Drifloon's Fire type attack, and then sucked Drifloon inside of it. The winds were so powerful that Fantina's Ghost Type was tossed around inside the tornado, and couldn't do anything about it.

Fantina was shocked by how powerful this Hurricane is, meaning that Lillie's Pidgeot is extremely powerful.

Fantina's Drifloon fought hard to break out from the strong winds, but it was useless. Then, suddenly, Drifloon started to glow, much to everyone's surprise, and Fantina's delight.

"Oh come on!" Lillie said in surprised. She loves it when one of her Pokémon evolve during the battle, but absolutely hates it when someone else's does that.

Once the glow stopped, in the place of Drifloon, floated a Drifblim.

Drifblim managed to break out from the Hurricane, and Fantina told it to use Psychic.

Before Drifblim could even use its attack, Lillie told her Pidgeot to use Heat Wave.

Pidgeot opened her beak, and released waves of fiery winds which hit Drifblim, and dealt it heavy damage. Lillie followed this up with Aerial Ace, which led to Pidgeot flying fast, and slamming full force into already damaged Drifblim.

Drifblim was sent to the ground, and didn't get up.

Fantina was shocked that her Drifblim was defeated, and just after it evolved, which made her believe that she has this battle in the bag. She realized that she was wrong, and that Lillie's Pidgeot is very strong, and not to mess with.

"That Pidgeot of your is truly magnifique," Fantina said, as she returned her Drifblim into its Poke Ball. "I really wasn't expecting such power, and the Heat Wave. You don't see that very often with Flying Type Pokémon like Pidgeot."

"Pidgeot is my first, and my strongest Pokémon," Lillie said with a smile. "Also, I taught her Heat Wave so we can deal with Ice Type attacks."

"Impressive," Fantina said, before she told her Mismagius to head to the battlefield. As Mismagius was already next to Fantina, the purple-haired woman didn't have to release her from the Poke Ball, thus, the battle started right away.

Lillie started the battle with Air Slash. Pidgeot's wings glowed light blue, and then she flaps them, firing multiple light-blue, glowing blades of energy at Mismagius.

Mismagius started to spin around, and used Magical Leaf. She fired multiple of them, and they clashed with Pidgeot's Air Slash. Normally, Air Slash would be more powerful than a Grass Type attack, but in this case, both attacks canceled each other.

Pidgeot went with Steel Wing next, but Fantina countered with Psywave, which caused Mismagius's body to become outlined in light blue energy and it fired light blue shockwaves at Pidgeot from its body.

The Psychic type attack managed to halt Pidgeot, and push her back.

Pidgeot used Heat Wave again, and this time, the attack did hit Mismagius, dealing her damage.

Mismagius recovered quickly, before Fantina told it to use Psybeam. Mismagius fired multicolored beam from her eyes, which hit Pidgeot, and left her confused.

Lillie shouted at her Pidgeot to snap out of it, and then much to Fantina's surprised, Pidgeot shock her head, and she snapped out of confused state.

Lillie then went with Hurricane, but before her Mismagius could be trapped by the powerful winds, Fantina told it to use Psywave.

The two attacks clashed against each other, and battled for dominance. Pidgeot's attack was clearly more powerful, but Mismagius's was holding up. Then, there was an explosion, and the attacks canceled each other out.

Mismagius used Psywave once again, but Pidgeot countered with Heat Wave.

Then, as soon as the two attacks canceled each other out, Pidgeot used Sky Attack. She slammed with her whole body into Mismagius, who was sent flying at the ground, hard.

Mismagius passed out then and there, meaning that the battle was over, and that Lillie was the winner.

"Amazing," Fantina said in disbelief. "I can't believe I lost."

"Well, it happens," Lillie said. "I got to say though, it was a tough battle. I mean I had to use my strongest Pokémon."

Fantina sighed, before she recalled her Mismagius. Then, she smiled. "That was an amazing battle, Lillie," she said. "I enjoyed it very much. But, I also learned that there is still a lot for me to learn, if I want to become much more powerful, and better trainer."

"Yeah," Lillie said. "So do I. I need to find a better way to deal with your Pokémon, and not use my strongest Pokémon. I want my weaker Pokémon to become strong enough to win."

"I think that's a great desire, Lillie," Fantina said with a smile. "As for our gym battle, I will be heading back to the gym in about a months' time. You, and Ash came come then, and we can have real battles."

"I can't wait." Lillie said with a smile, as she and Fantina shock hands.

Ash, Dawn, and Zoey approached them at that point, and congratulated them both on a great battle, and also congratulated Lillie on a win.

"Until the next time we meet, you have a magnifique time on the road." Fantina said to Ash, and the three girls, before she left the group.

XXX

Later that evening, Dawn, and Zoey were seating in the booth at the Pokémon Center. Piplup, and Glameow were with them.

"So, you got your third ribbon." Dawn said as she saw the three ribbons in Zoey's ribbon case.

"Yeah, Shellos really did an amazing job for us to get it." Zoey said.

Dawn nodded. "So, you really won't be at the Celestic Contest?" She asked.

"I'm gonna take a pass this time," Zoey said. "I'll be there cheering for you, though. So don't worry."

"Yeah, I better make sure to win this one," Dawn said. "With you not being there, it should be a lot easier."

Off to the side, Ash was seating thinking of Lillie's battle against Fantina.

Fantina's Pokémon are tricky, just like all Ghost Type Pokémon are, so it will take some training to defeat them, especially since he doesn't want to use his stronger Pokémon, and wants to give a chance to some of the ones who haven't had much battle so far.

As such, Ash decided that it's time for some special training.

Coincidently, Dawn also decided to have some special training in preparation for the Celestic Contest.