Ash's Story (Part 4: Kanto and Unova)

Chapter 17

"So where is the next Battle Frontier?" I ask Max.

"According to the map, the next one should be the Battle Tower located near Cremini Town." Max says.

"Oh, then it must be close to the International Police Headquarters, then we should stop by." Serena says.

"That sounds like a good idea." May says.

In preparation for the Gardenia Town Pokémon Contest, May trains with her Eevee to prepare it for its debut. Meanwhile, a girl named Mollie and her Raticate are trying to register for the Contest. Having briefly run away from May, Eevee pops out of the ground, knocking Mollie over.

"Are you alright?" May asks.

"I'm fine, thanks." Mollie replies.

"I feel bad, you know I'd told you not to run off on your own like that." May scolds Eevee.

"It's okay. Hey, I need to sign up for the contest, I don't know where." Mollie says. "Do you know where the registration desk is?"

"Sure, it is over that way." Reisa says, pointing in the direction. "Straight through those doors and it's right inside."

"Thanks so much." Then she runs off, Max says, "I think she's taking part in the contest for her very first time."

"Yeah. And so are you." May says to Eevee.

Eevee goes underground again and comes back up, knocking me down. Max points out to May that Eevee has learned Dig.

The Contest begins with Lilian presenting the Gardenia Ribbon prize. Backstage, Brock feels nervous and excited at an official battle. The Appeals Round begins with Mollie sending out Raticate. It uses Hyper Fang to quickly grind a log into dust, shining its fangs and getting appeal.

May opens with Squirtle, using Rapid Spin to create waves of dust. It follows up with Bubble to create a tall pyramid before using Ice Beam to freeze the structure, ending with a strong appeal.

With the preliminary round's end, Lilian announces the eight Coordinators advancing to the Contest Battles. May and Mollie make it. After the battle rounds, it is Mollie's Absol is fighting against May's Eevee. Eevee uses Shadow Ball, but Absol blocks with Protect. Absol counterattacks with Dark Pulse, but Eevee uses Dig to avoid it. They all show their respective moves until the time runs out, and May wins slightly higher than Mollie, she is declared the winner.

"You did great." Mollie praises Absol as Contest Director Mr. Contesta presents May with the Gardenia Ribbon.

As the day ends, May and Mollie shake hands and Mollie says, "Thanks for the battle, May."

"No problem." May says as we bid farewell and hit the road again.

I also attend the Celadon Contest for my final ribbon, and this time I decide to use Corsola and a Water and Rock trick. And in the battle round, I pick Aipom because I realize that I hadn't used her much in the Contests. Aipom helps me win the contest, and that also sparks her to take part in more contests.

"Hey, since we are at Celadon City, how about we go buy some Perfumes?" May asks.

"Perfumes? Now? I mean, sure. Since I can go greet Erika again." As they go there, Serena and I go to greet Erika as she recognizes us.

"It's nice to see you two again, Serena, Ash." Erika says.

"The gym looks brand new, I guess you guys did work hard." I say.

"It's a nice thing to have a flower arranger and garden designer as parents." Erika chuckles.

She is also happy to see Reisa as we are all friends, I also introduce the other three as they all are surprised to learn Erika's family is a part of Team Alpha. Then we spend some time chatting about the past and eventually, we bid them farewell.