Chapter 49: Sweet Treats, Sour Tales
With the Contest growing ever closer Nikki and her Pokémon were hard at work perfecting their routines and combinations. Naturally Ash was there to offer not only his support but any help he could, as was Zoey. With everyone working towards a common goal Nikki was sure this would help her get on the winning track and net her the first of five ribbons required for entry into the Grand Festival.
"Okay, Persian, use Power Gem!" Nikki called. The Classy Cat Pokémon quickly formed the Rock-type attack and fired.
"Use Iron Tail to send it back, Glameow!" Zoey instructed. Glameow stepped forward and once again used the spring technique she employed before to send Persian's Power Gem back at him. Nikki, though, was expecting this.
"Send it back with your Iron tail!" she said. Persian swung his Steel-charged tail and struck the Power Gem, redirecting it back towards its intended targets.
"Dodge it!" Zoey shouted. Both Glameow and Gallade jumped to the side to let the Power Gem pass between them, but this is what Nikki hoped would happen.
"Okay, time to unleash our new move, Ninetails! Use Solarbeam!" Ninetails spread her tails wide and used them as a makeshift solar collector, gathering the solar energy she'd need to launch her attack. Within seconds she had enough energy and quickly fired her attack. The Solarbeam struck the Power Gem and detonated it as it passed between Glameow and Gallade, the resulting shockwave damaging them both.
"Oh man! I wasn't expecting that one!" Zoey gasped.
"Yes, it worked!" Nikki cheered. "Now keep up the pressure with Iron Tail!" Nikki's Pokémon charged forward, their tails giving off a white glow. As they charged they darted back and forth in front of each other in an attempt to keep Zoey's Pokémon from knowing which direction the attacks would come from. They had just about reached their opponents when…
"Time! That's five minutes!" Ash announced. With the announcement that the five minute time limit had been reached both coordinators and their Pokémon were allowed a moment to rest.
"Whew… that was some workout," Nikki panted.
"Yeah, but I have to say that you've been improving," Zoey commented. "Your reaction time is much improved, and your combinations are getting better as well."
"Thanks, Zoey," Nikki said.
"One other thing that surprised me was that Solarbeam. I had no idea your Ninetails knew that move," Zoey admitted.
"Neither did I. When did she learn it?" Ash wondered.
"Well, after the first day I thought about teaching Ninetails a new move. When I looked up what she could learn in my Pokécomm I saw she could learn Solarbeam. I figured it would be a better alternative to Energy Ball, so we tried working on that," Nikki explained.
"And she learned it that quickly?! It's one thing for a Grass type to learn Solarbeam in just a couple of days, but for a Fire type to do that… I am impressed," Zoey praised.
"(What can I say? I'm a fast learner,)" Ninetails stated.
"That you are," Nikki agreed. "So, what's next?"
"I say we take a break for now. I'm sure our Pokémon could use the rest," Zoey advised.
"Okay, sure," Nikki agreed. After she and Zoey recalled their Pokémon the group made their way towards the Pokémon Center.
It only took Nurse Joy a few minutes to finish examining Nikki and Zoey's Pokémon. After giving them a clean bill of health she returned their Pokémon to them. The girls thanked the nurse before rejoining Ash at a nearby table. Upon reaching the table Zoey released Glameow and Gallade.
"You guys were a big help today," she said.
"Yes, thank you," Nikki added.
"(No need to thank us. It was our pleasure,)" Gallade stated.
"(He's right. We were more than happy to help,)" Glameow said.
"Still, I think you two deserve something for your efforts," Zoey said. She reached into her backpack and took out a couple of candy bars. She handed them to her Pokémon, who eagerly took and ate them.
"What did you give them?" Ash wondered.
"Berry Bars," Zoey answered. This piqued Nikki's interest.
"I didn't know you knew how to make Berry Bars," she commented.
"I learned how to shortly after arriving here in Legenda," Zoey explained.
"So, what are Berry Bars? Are they anything like Poffins?" Ash asked.
"In a way. To be completely honest they're closer to Pokéblock than Poffin. The only difference is that you're making them into bars rather than cubes," Zoey explained.
"I always wanted to try my hand at making Berry Bars," Nikki said. Right then Nurse Joy approached them.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. If you want to try making some Berry Bars you're more than welcome to use the Pokémon Center's kitchen," she offered.
"Really? Oh, thank you so much," Nikki said. She got up and was about to head to the kitchen when she paused and looked back at Ash and Zoey.
"Do you two want to come?" she asked.
"I'll pass. Seeing all the training you've been doing for the Contest has me in the mood to train for my next Gym battle," Ash said.
"Do you mind if I watch? I'm curious to see how much stronger your Pokémon are," Zoey requested.
"I don't mind," Ash said.
"Okay then. If you guys change your minds I'll be here," Nikki said. She followed Nurse Joy back towards the kitchen while Ash and Zoey left the Pokémon Center.
Minutes later Ash and Zoey were back at the clearing Nikki and Zoey had been using for the Contest practice. Ash grabbed the five Poké Balls off his belt and called out their occupants. One by one Arcanine, Crawdaunt, Swellow, Meganium and Onix appeared.
"Okay, everyone! We need to be ready for our next Gym battle, and since there's no telling what type that'll be everyone here is going to get some special training," Ash announced. All of the Pokémon let out excited calls as they broke off into pairs. Pikachu trained with Swellow, Meganium trained with Arcanine and Onix trained with Crawdaunt.
"Everyone's working real hard," Zoey commented.
"We have to if we want to be ready to win our next Gym battle," Ash explained.
"I've been meaning to ask, where are Brock and Dawn?" Zoey asked.
"Brock's in Sinnoh still looking to become the world's best Pokémon breeder," Ash said.
"That sounds about right for him," Zoey commented. "And Dawn? Is she still practicing her coordinating?" As soon as Dawn's name was mentioned Ash's mood became very somber. All of the Pokémon stopped their practice battles and turned their attention to the two trainers.
"Dawn and I… had a falling out of sorts," Ash said.
"What do you mean? What happened?" Zoey wondered.
"Dawn left… to go train under Paul." Even though Ash wasn't looking at her the gasp he heard let him know just how shocked Zoey was by what he just said.
"I… I can't believe it! Why would she do something like that?!" Zoey asked.
"She said she wanted to get stronger, and that Paul was a better trainer than me," Ash told her.
"Did you try and stop her?" Zoey wondered.
"Yeah, but all that did was start an argument between the two of us. When it was all said and done she left," Ash said.
"Oh Ash…" For Arcanine and Onix this was their first time hearing this from Ash. They had heard from some of the other Pokémon what had happened, but hearing it from Ash really let them know how this affected him, and how hurt he was by what Dawn told him.
"You know, there was a time right after she said that where I wondered if she was right," he admitted. "I thought that maybe, just maybe, Dawn was right. Maybe Paul was the better trainer. I mean, she did say I never managed to defeat him, and she was right. Everytime we battled he walked away the winner. No matter how hard I trained he always beat me."
"No way! I refuse to believe that jerk is a better trainer than you!" Zoey shouted.
"Z-Zoey?"
"He may have beaten you in a bunch of battles, but so what?! He'll never have your heart, he'll never have you determination and he'll never have the kind of relationship you have with your Pokémon!" Zoey declared. Ash was a bit shocked to hear Zoey speaking like this, but before he could say anything she continued.
"His Pokémon may have been stronger than yours, but that does not make him a better trainer than you," she said. "It's not about having the strongest Pokémon, but having the strongest bond with your Pokémon that matters. You of all people should know that." Ash looked at Zoey for a bit before smiling.
"You're right, Zoey. Thanks for that," he said.
"That's what friends are for," she replied. At that moment a look of confidence spread across Ash's face.
"Right then! Enough feeling sorry for myself! We've some training to get to!" Ash announced. A chorus of Pokémon calls followed as everyone got back to training.
Back at the Pokémon Center Nikki was just finishing the first batch of Berry Bars. The cooking lessons she received from her mother before she left on her journey really helped. Nikki decided that for her first batch she'd try using Tamato berries. After gathering the berries she then proceeded to cut them into small pieces. Once that was done she added the cut berry pieces to the batter and mixed it all together. After mixing she poured the batter into the Berry Bar molds and let them set. After some time had passed she removed the bars from the mold.
"Okay gang, the first batch is done," she announced. Her Pokémon were all lined up behind her, eagerly awaiting their sampling of Nikki's Berry Bars. She handed the each one. The bars were pink in color with bits of Tamato berry clearly visible in the bars.
"Tell me what you think," Nikki said. All the Pokémon nodded and ate their Berry Bars. Almost instantly Nikki got her first bit of feedback. However…
"(Yeow! Hot! Hot! Hot!)" Buneary screamed.
"(W-Wow… that was super spicy,)" Swablu panted.
"(My mouth is on fire!)" Shinx wailed.
"(This is a bit too hot for my tastes,)" Persian said. Nikki sighed. Maybe it was a bad idea to use only Tamato berries in the first batch.
"(I don't know what you guys are talking about. I found the taste to be absolutely perfect,)" Ninetails said.
"Well, at least Ninetails liked them," Nikki mused. She then made a note in her Pokécomm regarding Ninetails's preference to spicy Berry Bars before heading back to find out what her other Pokémon liked.
"Okay, that's enough for today!" After practicing for the majority of the day Ash and his Pokémon ended their training session. Though they were completely exhausted all of them had smiles on their faces. Through the exhausting workout they felt they had all improved and were now more prepared for whatever challenges they may face in the future.
"All of you made me very proud today. I feel that you got a lot stronger because of the work you put in today," Ash praised.
"I have to agree. From what I saw you guys look ready to face anything and anyone," Zoey added. After promising to take them straight to the Pokémon Center Ash recalled everyone save for Pikachu, who took up his usual spot on Ash's shoulder. The two trainers then began their trek back to the Pokémon Center.
"So, do you know where the next Gym is?" Zoey asked.
"Not yet. I want to focus on helping Nikki win her first Contest Ribbon before worrying about the next Gym," Ash answered.
"She's lucky to have a friend like you," Zoey commented.
"I think it works both ways. We're lucky to have each other," Ash corrected.
"Yeah," Zoey agreed. The rest of the trip was filled with small talk. Before they knew it they were standing in front of the Pokémon Center. Upon entering they saw Nikki sitting at one of the tables, surrounded by her Pokémon.
"We're back!" Ash announced, causing the Pinegrove coordinator and her Pokémon to look their way.
"Welcome back. How did the training go?" she inquired.
"Great. I really feel like everyone got a lot stronger because of it," Ash replied. "How did your Berry Bars turn out?"
"Well, after a bit of trial and error I found out what everyone likes," Nikki said. "Both Buneary and Swablu like theirs sweet, Shinx likes sour ones, Ninetails obviously likes hers spicy and Persian prefers bitter flavored one. Speaking of which…" She handed Pikachu a yellow Berry Bar.
"I made it using Aspear berries. It's the same flavor that Shinx likes. I want to know what you think," Nikki said. Pikachu nodded and took a bit. The minute he did he began shivering, a few sparks shooting from his cheeks.
"Pikachu, are you okay?" Ash asked.
"(W-Wow! That left me tingling all over!)" the Mouse Pokémon said. Nikki was about to ask if he liked it that way, but before she could he devoured the rest of the bar, the sour flavor causing him to shiver once again.
"I take it you like that flavor?" Nikki assumed.
"(Very much!)" Pikachu squeaked.
"Well Nikki, looks like you've got Pikachu's flavor figured out," Zoey commented.
"Yeah," she agreed. "I'm going to have to make sure I have enough for everyone."
"That's going to be quite the task," Ash said.
"I'm up for the challenge," Nikki declared.
"Someone's feeling pumped up," Zoey commented. "Just make sure to save some of that for the Contest."
"You don't have to worry about that. I've got my strategy all planned out," Nikki said. The three of them spent the rest of the evening discussing Nikki's Contest strategy. By the time they turned in for the night everyone was confident that Nikki would emerge victorious.
"What's up, everyone?! Welcome to the Kamillia Town Pokémon Contest!" The time had finally arrived. The Kamillia Town Pokémon Contest was finally underway. While Christy went through the introduction Nikki was in the waiting room with the other coordinators. All the preparation, all the help she had received from Zoey and Ash… now was the time to put all of it to use.
"This is it. No more second place. I have to win this time," she said to herself. At that moment Christy was getting ready to bring out the first coordinator.
"Alright, let's get things started with our first coordinator!" A look of confidence spread across Nikki's face as the curtain opened.
"Let's do it!"
With the Contest underway Nikki is determined not to let all the training she did with Ash and Zoey go to waste. Will it be enough? Will Nikki finally win her first Ribbon? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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