Ash, Lillie, and Dawn, have finally arrived in the Daybreak Town for Dawn's next contest, in which she hopes to earn her final Sinnoh Ribbon, and become eligible to compete in Sinnoh Grand Festival.
Much to Dawn's surprise, she saw that Ursula is also there, and is going to compete at the Daybreak Contest. To make matters worse, Ursula has gotten herself a Plusle, and Minun, and once she saw them, Dawn freaked out.
Lillie, and Ash were shocked by how scared Dawn was of Plusle, and Minun, and almost freaked out themselves, when Dawn passed out after Plusle and Minun zapped her, and turned her hair spiky and sparkly.
Once Dawn woke up, she finally decided that it was time to reveal to Ash, and Lillie about the reason for her fear of Plusle, and Minun, as well as why Kenny and Leona, call her Dee Dee. (I'm pretty sure everyone knows this backstory, so I won't write it)
"So that nickname is because of what happened with Plusle, and Minun." Ash said in understanding, once Dawn finished her story.
"Yeah," Dawn said. "And because I loved them, I could never understand why they would do something so awful to me."
Dawn caught Lillie, Ash, and her own Piplup laughing at what she just told me, making Dawn mad. "What's so funny, damn it!?" Dawn yelled.
"Sorry," Ash said. "But the thing that's funny… is you."
Dawn yelled at her Piplup, who kept laughing at her.
Lillie finally stopped laughing, and spoke. "A Pokémon would never attack, unless they are provoked first,"
Dawn was confused.
"The reason Plusle, and Minun zapped you, is because you were chasing after them in the first place," Ash explained to Dawn.
Dawn finally understood that what happened back then, was her own fault.
"No need to worry, Dawn." Ash said to Dawn.
"Ash is right," Lillie said. "It was a big deal then, but if you look at it now, it's no big deal at all."
"I guess so." Dawn said.
None of them noticed that Ursula was standing behind the door, and was listening to everything that was just said.
She smiled.
XXX
Finally, it was time for the Daybreak Contest to start.
Ash, and Lillie are on the bleachers, waiting for the start of the contest. Just like the two of them are watching, so are Johanna, Zoey, and Candice; though they are watching from their houses, unlike Ash, and Lillie who are at the stadium.
As for Dawn, she is in the backstage, along with Jessie and Ursula, the only two familiar faces who will compete at the Daybreak Contest, and stand in the way toward Dawn's fifth ribbon.
While in the backstage, Dawn, and Piplup promised each other that they will do everything they can to get the fifth ribbon, and do much better than they did the last time they were in the double performance contest.
Dawn was approached by Ursula, who called her Dee Dee, much to Dawn's surprise, as she didn't know how Ursula knows that nickname.
"How do you know about that?" Dawn asked.
"Who knows, Dee Dee?" Ursula teased Dawn.
XXX
Jessie went first, and used a Carnivine. This wasn't her Pokémon, though. It was James's, but he has loaned it to her for this contest, just like he has loaned to her some of his Pokémon, for the past contests.
Jessie then used a Flute, shaped like an Arbok, and then started to play in it. Carnivine started to move its arms at the melody, before it opened its mouths, and showed a Poke Ball inside. The Poke Ball opened up, allowing a Seviper to came out of it.
The two Pokémon started to dance/perform/play, however you want to call it, while Jessie kept playing the flute.
Then, Seviper started to roll, and then flew into the air, where it continued to spin in circle. Carnivine used Bullet Seed, and fired them into the air, right at the spinning Seviper. When the Bullet Seed's collided with the spinning Seviper, they started to burst, creating a very beautiful sparkles of light which fell all over the stadium.
The show ended when Seviper came back down to the ground, and wrapped around Jessie, while Carnivine jumped into the air, and caused more light sparkles to fall down.
The crowd, and judges loved Jessie's performance, as the crowd cheered, while the judges praised Jessie's performance.
XXX
After Jessie, many other trainers had their chance to show up.
Then, it was time for Dawn to shine once again.
She came out to the field, and released her Piplup, and Buneary. The two Pokémon came out of their Poke Balls at the same time, and then landed on the field right next to each other.
Dawn started with Piplup using Bubble Beam, while Buneary used Ice Beam.
Ice Beam ended up freezing Piplup's Bubble Beam, and created many frozen bubble's which floated around the arena like the balloons.
Buneary started to jump over the balloons, playing a tune of some kind while doing that. The crowd, and the judges were impressed, and even Jessie, and Ursula thought that it's a nice show.
Buneary came back down on the floor, but then jumped again, and started to rapidly spin, bursting many bubbles in the process.
Piplup also jumped, and used Peck, while spinning. He burst many bubbles, just like Buneary. All the bubbles released sparkles of light once they burst, and the sparkles started to rain down over the arena.
Everyone loved it.
XXX
Ursula came out next.
She released her Gabite, followed by Jigglypuff. Jigglypuff jumped on top of Gabite's claw, and then she started to spin like a ball.
Jigglypuff jumped in the air, and used Rollout. It came back down, and straight at Gabite's arms, before it rolled from the arm, across the shoulder, and to the other arm. Then Gabite threw it in the air, and caught it back, before Jigglypuff rolled to the other arm.
This went on several times, before Jigglypuff rolled from the top of Gabite's head, over the back, and then using Iron Tail, Gabite threw Jigglypuff back into the air.
Gabite then used Stone Edge, and launched it at Jigglypuff, while Jigglypuff used Hyper Voice, and had it collide with the incoming stones. The collision caused an explosion, which created light particles to rain all over the arena.
The tips of Jigglypuff's hands glowed, before she started to spin as she used Gyro Ball. She went toward Gabite, who used Sand Tomb. Jigglypuff hit into the Sand Tomb, while continuously spinning, creating a brilliant glow and a shower of light particles.
For the end of the presentation, Gabite used Dragon Claw, and caught the still spinning Jigglypuff on the top of its glowing claw.
Jigglypuff finally stopped spinning, and stood on the top of Gabite's claw, with one leg. The two ended the show with a pose.
XXX
With Ursula finishing her presentation, the first round of the Daybreak Contest has ended, and now it was time for the judges to decided, who will be moving on to the top 8.
Ash, and Lillie came off the bleachers, and into the backstage, where Dawn was waiting for the results, along with her Piplup and Buneary.
"You were great, Dawn." Ash said to his friends. "Congratulations."
"Thanks', Ash." Dawn said. "I feel a whole lot more confident about doing Double Performance now. And I'm gonna win my fifth ribbon, for sure."
"We know you will win, Dawn." Ash said.
"My, my, what a lovely friendship," Ursula said, as she approached to Dawn, Ash, and Lillie. "Obviously, I'm moving on to the round 2, but I do think that your performance was at least, energetic."
Dawn was really annoyed by Ursula. It seems that the pink-haired girl really knows how to get to her.
Not far from the group, Jessie was standing and watching Dawn and Ursula bicker, with an amused look on her face.
Marian spoke at that exact moment, bringing everyone's attention to the monitor in the backroom. She announced who's going to the round two, as the pictures of eight trainers moving on, were shown up on the screen.
Not really surprising is that Ursula, Jessie, and Dawn are all among the top 8, meaning that they are all going into the next round.
"I'll be using my Plusle, and Minun, and I can't wait to battle against you, Dawn." Ursula said to Dawn.
"You'll lose, too," Dawn said with confidence in her voice. "Remember, my fifth ribbon is on the line."
"You remember that makes two of us," Ursula said. "Just make sure you don't lose until you battle against me."
As Dawn, and Ursula looked at each other, Plusle, and Minun jumped from behind Ursula, making Dawn freak out once again.
XXX
The second round started soon after, and in the first battle of the round, Jessie went against Ursula. Jessie was using her Seviper, and Yanmega, while Ursula was using Plusle, and Minun.
In the end, Ursula won the match, and went into the semifinals. She would later pass the semifinal round, and reach the finals.
As for Dawn, she also got to the final round by using her Mamoswine, and Cyndaquil in the battle rounds.
During her quarterfinal match, she has tried to use the Flame-Ice Combination, and it was semi-successful. She was able to win the round. The crowd loved the show, and the move, but in the end, it wasn't exactly how Dawn wanted the move to look, and that has made her sad.
"You passed, Dawn," Ash said to Dawn. "So why the long face?"
"The flame-ice wasn't how I wanted it to be." Dawn said.
"Maybe," Ash said. "But you still won, while the crowd, and judges loved the combination. It might not be what you wanted, but it worked."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean that it will work the next time," Lillie said. "Maybe it would be the best to put it away for now, and use a more reliable combination."
Dawn thought about it.
Again, none noticed Ursula was spying on them.
XXX
Eventually, Dawn would pass the semifinal round, and reach the final match, where she will go against Ursula.
They both found themselves at the battlefield, and Marian started the match.
Dawn went first, and released her Mamoswine, and Cyndaquil, while Ursula followed up, and released her Plusle and Minun.
Dawn started with Mamoswine using an Ice Shard, but he didn't fire it. Instead, Cyndaquil used the flames on his back to rise the Ice Shard into the air, and also make it shine crimson.
Mamoswine then jumped into the air, shocking Ursula that it can jumped that much with his huge body. Mamoswine swallowed the Ice Shard, and the fur on his back straightened up, and turned into icicles.
Ursula actually lost some points, due to Dawn's combinations.
Dawn followed up with Cyndaquil using Swift, which he fired while spinning in the air. Again, Dawn didn't attack Plusle, and Minun. Instead, the stars from Swift, encircled Mamoswine, which looked great, and lost Ursula some more points.
Cyndaquil stood on the top of Mamoswine, specifically on the ice on his back. Then, he released the flames on his back, while Mamoswine used Take Down, with Cyndaquil on top of Mamoswine's back, while the flames made the ice shine beautifully, and the stars circling around Mamoswine as he ran.
It was finally Ursula's turn. Her Plusle and Minun touched their hands, making them both glow with many colors before they both jumped into the air, while spinning. By doing this, they dodged Mamoswine's attack - looking good in the process - thus, loosing Dawn some points.
Mamoswine stopped running, while all the attacks and combinations around him and Cyndaquil, vanished.
Plusle and Minun used Encore, as they threw a white ball of energy at Mamoswine and Cyndaquil. The light surrounded Dawn's Pokémon for about a second, before it disappeared, but now Mamoswine and Cyndaquil are glowing, and looking around franticly, as they didn't know what's going on.
Ursula smiled, while Dawn had no idea what's happening.
"What was that move?" Lillie asked Ash, from where they were seating on the bleachers, along with Dawn's Piplup and Buneary.
"It's called, Encore," Ash said, before he explained to Lillie what that move does. She was shocked.
"This is the end for you, Dee Dee." Ursula teased Dawn, making Dawn angry.
Dawn tried to attack, by having her Mamoswine use Hidden Power, and Cyndaquil use Flame Wheel.
Unfortunately for Dawn, her Mamoswine ended up charging at Plusle and Minun, while Cyndaquil used Swift.
Dawn was shocked by this.
"I guess you don't know what Encore does," Ursula questioned Dawn, who had a look on her face which showed that she doesn't know about that move. "When Encore is used, all your Pokémon can use are their last moves. Get it?"
Dawn was shocked even more. "That means that no matter what, we won't be able to do anything." She said to herself.
Plusle and Minun used Helping Hand, raising each other's attack power. Then, they both used Charge Beam, which hit Mamoswine and Cyndaquil, and sent them backwards.
"Dawn is in trouble," Lillie commented. "Encore can last until the end of this match, due to the time limit, and Dawn won't be able to do anything about it."
"She might be able to pull herself out of this," Ash said with a frown. "But it won't be easy."
Plusle, and Minun used Spark, before they run toward Mamoswine, and Cyndaquil, and started to continuously hit them, causing sparks of light to fly all around them.
Dawn was worried as she kept losing her points. She wanted her Pokémon to dodge the Sparks, but unfortunately, all the two of them could use is Swift, and Take Down.
Plusle and Minun easily dodged Mamoswine's and Cyndaquil' attacks, and even made it look nice, and stylish. Then, they used Spark, again, and sent Mamoswine and Cyndaquil flying straight at Dawn, until they hit her, and caught her in the attack.
Once the smoke and light sparkles disappeared, Dawn, was revealed with her diamond sparkly hair, while Mamoswine's and Cyndaquil' fur were also standing straight, and sparkly.
Dawn noticed her hair, after Ursula teased her about it, and freaked out, as she screamed, and fell on her knees. She was shocked at what happened and how she looks like in front of all the people who are watching the contest.
She was pulled out of her misery by the voices of her Mamoswine, and Cyndaquil. They called her, and nodded at her. They wanted to continue to battle.
At that moment, Dawn realized that only her Pokémon's attacks were blocked, and that they can still move.
She straightened out her hair, and got up. Then, she ordered her Mamoswine to use Take Down on Cyndaquil, and Cyndaquil to use Swift on Mamoswine.
This order shocked everybody in the arena.
Mamoswine and Cyndaquil listened to Dawn, and started to attack each other. This was very confusing for everyone, while the looks on the judge's faces, were not happy.
With her Pokémon attacking each other like this, it had cost Dawn's a lot of points, but then, after the explosion caused by Cyndaquil and Mamoswine colliding cleared up; the two were revealed to no longer be glowing from the effects of Encore.
Ursula, Plusle, and Minun, along with everyone else in the arena, were shocked by this.
Still, even though her Pokémon are now free to attack how she wants them to, there is still a little over half-a-minute left until the end of the match, and Dawn is a lot behind Ursula in points.
Ursula attacked with Charge Beam, but Mamoswine and Cyndaquil jumped, and dodged the attacks.
Dawn knew that the only way to win, would be to pull off the Flame-Ice combination. She knew it won't be easy, but she had faith in her Pokémon. She went, and told her Cyndaquil to use Flame Wheel, which was followed by Mamoswine using Ice Shard on Cyndaquil, while the fire type Pokémon was spinning mid-air, and covered in flames.
Then, Cyndaquil started to spin forward, while the ice completely surrounded him. With Cyndaquil in the middle of the Ice Shard, and spinning with fire around him, the flames spread around the ice, and made is shine with the dazzling light.
Ursula lost a lot of points by Dawn pulling the Flame Ice, and she was shocked that Dawn was actually able to pull it off.
Up on the bleachers, even Ash, and Lillie were slightly surprised, but they knew Dawn, and knew that she wouldn't give up until she made the move work. Now, it's working, and she might have a chance to win the battle.
Even Jessie, who was watching the battle from the top raw of the arena, was shocked, and impressed by Dawn's move. She thought if she can make something like this in the future. It would definitely be of big help if she gets to the Sinnoh Grand Festival.
Cyndaquil increased the speed of his spinning, as the fire grew. It broke from the back of the ice shard, and propelled Cyndaquil forward much faster.
Plusle, and Minun tried to run away from the failing flaming-ice, but they were hit, and caught in the explosion which sent them both flying.
Ursula lost some more points, but she still has more than Dawn, and her Pokémon are still in the battle. Now, they are up in the air, while Cyndaquil and Mamoswine are down on the ground.
Plusle, and Minun, tried to use Spark, but before they could, they were hit by Cyndaquil' Smokescreen. It managed to stop the Spark, and send Plusle and Minun to the ground.
Mamoswine used Hidden Power, and hit Plusle, followed by Cyndaquil using Swift, which hit Minun.
It wasn't enough for Dawn to win, but was enough for Ursula to lose more points, and now she and Dawn are very close to each other.
Ursula wasn't giving up, though. She had Plusle and Minun use Spark, but before they could attack, the time has run out shocking Plusle and Minun, and making them end their attack.
"And the winner of the final stage is… Dawn!" Marian announced as the crowd cheered.
Dawn cheered as well, as she was very happy. She run to her Pokémon, and hugged them both. They were also happy for the win they were able to pull from what seemed like a certain loss.
Dawn was presented her fifth contest ribbon, which means that she has qualified for the Grand Festival, and now can start to prepare for it without worrying.
XXX
Later in the backstage, Ursula visited Dawn, and told her that she has let her win this time, but she won't be so lucky at the Grand Festival.
She then turned around and exited the room. She was surprised when she saw Ash standing several meters from the door of the room.
"You still like to tease her," Ash said to Ursula. "Don't you?"
"It's my favorite pastime." Ursula admited.
"Is that so?" Ash questioned, while Ursula only looked at him. She then remembered the last time they saw each other, and blushed.
Ursula hasn't even noticed that Ash has approached her, and only noticed it when he kissed her on the cheek… again.
"Well then," Ash spoke. "I think that I'll tease you from now on. What do you think?'
He didn't wait for the answer. He just walked away, leaving the stunned red-faced girl, behind.
On the way to the Sunyshore City for Ash's, and Lillie eight gym badges, the gang was passing through a small town.
While passing through, they saw a bunch of people gathered around two trainers, who were in the middle of a Pokémon Battle. Ash, Lillie, and Dawn decided to see the battle, so they approached. They were quite surprised when they saw that one of the trainers battling, is none other than Barry.
Barry was in the middle of a battle against a Mothim, while using his Empoleon.
The gang watched, and were able to see that Empoleon has gotten even stronger since the last time they saw each other. It has made quick work of the Mothim, and won the battle for Barry.
After the battle, Barry noticed the gang, after which they all went and set on the grass in the park.
"So, you've got five ribbon's now," Barry questioned, and Dawn nodded. "Well then, congratulations."
"Thank you, Barry." Dawn said.
"What about you Gible's Draco Meteor, Ash," Barry asked? "Did he learn it?"
"Not quite," Ash said. "He pulled it right once, but that was it. It's constantly failing."
"That's too bad," Barry said. "Does that mean you haven't been able to win your eight gym badge, yet?"
"We haven't even gotten to the Sunyshore City," Ash's aid. "We are still on the way there."
"Sunyshore Gym, ha." Barry said, before he started to laugh.
"For your information, I've already beat the Sunyshore Gym." Barry said, before he showed the gang his badge case, in which he has all eight gym badges, one of which is the Sunyshore Gym badge.
"Did you actually defeat Volkner, or did you just take the badge?" Ash asked Barry, who reeled back in shock.
"So you know that the Sunyshore Gym is just handing over the badges?" Barry asked.
Ash nodded. "I've known since we were in Twinleaf Town," he said. "I hoped that by the time we get to the Sunyshore City, Volkner will pull himself together, and I can actually battle him. If not… I'll just head to the Dark Type Gym, which is located in the Battle Zone."
Barry was shocked. "That's very far, Ash," Barry said. "Why don't you just take the badge from the Sunyshore Gym, and be done with it?"
"Volkner is considered the strongest gym leader in the Sinnoh Region, and I want to beat him in a real battle," Ash said. "I don't want to just take the badge."
Barry was really surprised, and impressed by Ash. "Well, I guess you are a better person then me, Ash," he said. "When I saw that the Sunyshore Gym is handing over the badges, I didn't think twice. I just took it. As it would be my eight gym badge, that would mean that I could enter the Sinnoh League, and until then I can just focus on training, instead of worrying about the eight badge."
Ash shrugged. "Well, if that was your decision, then so be it," he said to Barry. "It doesn't matter to me, though I'm sure that you would be able to improve your Pokémon even more, by battling against Volkner, or any other Gym Leader from other Sinnoh Gym."
"Maybe I would," Barry said. "But it's too late now."
"So, Barry's got eight badges, and Paul's got eight badges," Lillie spoke. "I guess Ash, and I have some catching up to do." She said with a smile.
"Paul has eight badges?" Barry asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Ash said. "He got it in Canalave City."
"Well then, you two better get that last badge as soon as possible," Barry said to Lillie, and Ash. "Otherwise, you might not be ready in time for the Sinnoh League."
"We are not worried," Lillie said. "There is still enough time for us to get our final badges, and train our Pokémon for the Sinnoh League."
Barry nodded. "How about we go to the Pokémon Center, and get something to eat," he suggested. "I'm famished."
"I agree," Dawn said. Lillie, and Ash were fine with that.
XXX
When they all arrived in the Pokémon Center, they were all surprised to see Paul.
This was the first time that Barry has seen Paul. He went to him, introduced himself, and then challenged him to a battle.
"Thanks', but no thanks." Paul said, before he started to walk away.
Barry ain't letting him go that easily, though. "Hey, what's with you," Barry asked? "Then I guess I'll have to fine you."
Paul looked at Barry, with unimpressed look on his face.
"I heard that you have some powerful Pokémon," Barry said. "So a battle would be great."
"The Pokémon I have with me, are the ones training for the Sinnoh League," Paul said. "I don't want them in a pointless battle, which might confuse them."
"Don't sweat it," Barry said enthusiastically. "Your Pokémon will get into a primo shape if you battle against us. We are really strong. Come on."
"Why don't you have a battle against them?" Paul asked, while looking at Ash, and Lillie.
"I want to battle against someone with eight badges," Barry said, acting all high, and mighty. "Ash, and Lillie only have seven. They are just not on our level."
Paul looked at Ash, and Lillie.
"I heard not that long ago that you've got eight badges," Ash said to Paul. "Congrats."
The two of them, and Lillie, looked at each other in silence.
Barry approached to Dawn, and asked. "What's up with them?"
"Well, they've been through a lot." Dawn said.
"In case you are wondering," Ash spoke. "We didn't even have a battle for our eight badges. But we are on the way to Sunyshore City for them."
Here, Paul got angry. "Sunyshore Gym is not legit!"
"What are you talking about," Barry asked, confused. "That gym is the best."
"That gym is the worst." Paul said, before he turned around to leave, but was stopped by Ash.
"I know about the problem with that gym, Paul," Ash said. "But Volkner is the strongest gym leader in Sinnoh, and I'm hoping to challenge him, and defeat him. If Lillie, and I can do that, then we will know that our Pokémon are ready for the Sinnoh League."
Paul looked at Ash. "He won't battle you." He said to Ash, referring to Volkner.
"Maybe," Ash said. "But I have to try. If he refuses… well then, I guess we'll have to go to the Battle Zone, and challenge the Dark Type gym, which is over there. I will not be taking a free badge, though. That's not my style."
Paul, and Ash looked at each other for a few moments, before Paul turned around, and walked away.
"What's up with the three of you?" Barry asked.
"We've met a bunch of times, while traveling through Sinnoh," Lillie said. "Paul, and I even had a full battle, at Lake Acuity, sometime ago."
"What," Barry yelled! "That's so not fair. I wanted to have a battle against him!"
"Unless you can convince him to have a battle right now, you will have to wait until the Sinnoh League." Lillie said.
Barry was not happy. "Who won in your battle?" He asked.
"I did." Lillie said, much to Barry's shock.
"Really," Barry spoke. "You defeated Paul?"
"I sure did," Lillie smiled. "He's good, but I knew a lot about him. He didn't know anything about me, so I won pretty easily. He only defeated three of my Pokémon, while I defeated all six of his."
Barry was shocked to hear that Lillie has practically whipped the floor with Paul. "Wow," he said. "I can't believe it."
They were interrupted by Marian's voice on the large screen TV, which was right in the Pokémon Center hall, where they all are.
They all listened, as Marina announced that the Grand Festival will be held at the Lakeside Resort, on Lake Valor. It's exactly where the Wallace Cup was held, several months ago.
Marian then announced that they are seven more Pokémon Contests to be held until the Grand Festival, so there is still time for more coordinators to get a chance to win their ribbons, and enter the Grand Festival.
It was then decided that first, they will go to the Sunyshore City for Ash's, and Lillie' gym battles, and after that, they will go to the Lake Valor for the Grand Festival. It might be problematic, though, if Ash doesn't convince Volkner to have a battle against him, and Lillie. That would mean that they will have to go all the way to the Battle Zone, and that's not really close, especially if they have to go back to the Lake Valor, first.
XXX
They all moved to a battlefield, so that Ash and Barry can have a battle. They agreed for the match to be three-on-three, with the winner being the one with any Pokémon left to battle.
Lillie agreed to be a referee, while Dawn used a Coin Toss app, to decide who will start the battle.
The Coin Toss fell on heads, which is what Barry chose, so he will be the one to start the battle, though both Barry and Ash threw their Pokémon at the same time, and revealed their Pokémon.
Barry chose Empoleon, which isn't really a big surprise; while Ash started out with his Monferno.
Barry started the round with his Empoleon using Hydro Cannon. Monferno dodged it quite easily, and then used Mack Punch, and hit Empoleon straight across the face.
Barry was surprised by this, as he didn't think that Monferno would be that fast.
Empoleon got up, and used Drill Peck, but Monferno used Dig to dodge the attack, but then he jumped out from the ground, and hit Empoleon once again.
Monferno went close to hit Empoleon once again, but he was caught off guard when Empoleon used Hydro Cannon, and blasted Monferno away from the battlefield, and into the forest behind the battlefield.
"Damn," Ash swore. "I messed it up. Didn't see that one coming."
"I hope I didn't overdo it." Barry seemed worried.
Suddenly, a pillar of yellow, and red flames shot into the sky from the forest, exactly where Monferno fell after being hit by a Hydro Cannon. The pillar then turned into a flaming wheel, and shot toward Empoleon. It hit him, and sent him flying far away, much to Barry's shock.
"What the hell is that?" Barry asked, as he looked at Monferno, who was enveloped in flames, and his eyes have turned different color. He seems a bit lost, and heavily enraged.
"That's Blaze," Lillie said. "It's Monferno' ability, which activates once the Pokémon is at its end, and barely has any power left. It increases the power of his fire type moves, but one hit to land on him, and he's done for."
"Is this because of the Hydro Cannon?" Barry asked, as he watched the flames from Monferno' tail shot all over the battlefield, while Monferno is shouting.
"Most likely," Lillie said. "Monferno is very strong, and durable, but Hydro Cannon is a very powerful attack, and a water type, which is Monferno' big weakness, especially when hit point blank, like he was."
Ash was standing where he was during his battle against Barry. He was calmly looking toward his Monferno, waiting to see what will happen. He has trained Monferno a lot, in order to make him strong enough to be able to control his Blaze. Now, it was time to see if he was successful.
"Are you still in there, Monferno?" Ash suddenly asked his Pokémon, who stopped shouting and looked at Ash. The two locked eyes with each other, and stayed like that for a few moments. "Are you controlling your powers… or is the power controlling you?"
Monferno kept looking at Ash for a few more seconds, before he smirked.
Ash saw this, and smirked back.
Monferno nodded at Ash, and at that moment, Lillie, Dawn, and Barry knew that everything will be all right.
Paul was standing on the street near the battlefield, and saw what has happened. He was shocked that Monferno has learned to control his powers. He is also surprised that Ash was able to pull it off, just like he said to him that he will, when they had the battle last time.
"You can power down now, Monferno," Ash said to his Pokémon. "The battle is over. You defeated Empoleon."
Monferno looked behind Barry, and saw that Empoleon has passed out after it was hit by Monferno empowered Flame Wheel.
Monferno nodded, before the flames on his tail receded, and Monferno fell on his ass.
"You did a great job, Monferno," Ash said to his Pokémon, before he returned him to his Poke Ball. "Now take a long rest."
Ash then looked at Barry, who has also returned his defeated Empoleon. "So, are we going to continue the battle, or should we end it here?"
"Are you kidding me," Barry asked, looking all pumped up? "After all that, of course I want to keep on battling."
Ash smiled. "Well then… let's do this." He took another Poke Ball, and released his second Pokémon.