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

Chapter 26

While we're heading back to Pallet Town, we encounter a family that's running the special water circus. There is a special egg that May is attached to, and Team Rocket tries to steal the egg, and they are trying to give the egg to a pirate known as Captain Phantom.

The egg is revealed to be a Manaphy egg, and a ranger named Jackie is there to protect the egg from the Phantom because it is linked to Samiya, an underwater city. Manaphy is treating May as its mother, and we decide to go to the ocean temple in Samiya to bring it back there. At first Jackie doesn't want us to come along, but because of the Heart Swap that gives him no choice.

When we get there, we are followed by Captain Phantom and he tries to take all the crystals that provide the air in the underwater city. Everyone is forced to go back, but Manaphy wants us to put the crystal back. I decide to have Pikachu, Absol, May, and Manaphy inside a glass coffin while I put the crystals back. I almost drown because I don't have a Splash Plate, but Manaphy uses Heart Swap to show how everyone is waiting for me to return. That's when I get back up and put the final crystal back.

Just then, I feel a lot of energy and I can actually ride on the beams like I'm flying. I use the power to chase after Phantom, who has Manaphy in his hands. With the help of all the Water Pokemon, the Phantom is defeated and we all get to ride on the beams. However, in the end, May decides to part ways with Manaphy, since he has a duty.

We stop at Terracotta Town, Reisa, May, and Max are heading back to Hoenn by ship here. Serena, Emerald, and I are going to Pallet Town. We notice that there is a festival going on, and we also notice a poster.

"Hey look! There's going to be a Pokemon Contest right here and it's today!" May says.

"Wow... it must be happening because of the festival." Max says.

"I sure want to be a part of it." May says.

"Me too." I say. "I think it is fine that we have a final Contest battle, don't you think?"

Then May and I go to the Contest Hall and register. I sign Pikachu for the first round and Sceptile for the second. May chooses Eevee for the first round and Blaziken for the second. This Contest is special in which only the two highest-scoring contestants in the Appeals Round will move to the Battle Round.

"That's great. That reminds me... May and I never faced each other in an official Contest match because May was defeated before she could reach me." I say.

"Yeah... I wonder what will happen if we finally face each other in the finals." May says.

The Appeals Round begins with the local Nurse Joy as a judge. May takes the stage first with her Eevee. It uses Dig to form several holes on the battlefield. From underground, Eevee launches Shadow Ball through the holes to create a fireworks display, impressing the crowd. Other Coordinators take the stage, some performing better than others.

As for me, Pikachu executes Quick Attack and Thunderbolt to create an electric ring before using Iron Tail to send him bouncing across the field. Pikachu repeats the move to create a group of bouncing electric rings. The Appeals Round ends, and the top two are decided. May and I are the two that advance.

During the break, we decide to have some practice. However, Team Rocket arrives in a giant ship float, attracting the competing Pokémon with food. They capture the Pokémon with a giant net. But they're not going to get away this time and we manage to defeat them and send them flying.

The second round pits May's Blaziken against my Sceptile. We shake hands with each other before we start the battle.

Sceptile opens with Pound, Bullet Seed, and Leaf Blade. Blaziken dodges them all, and Lillie loses points. To make up for it, Sceptile chases Blaziken towards the wall, preventing it from dodging Pound. Sceptile fires Bullet Seed, but Blaziken's Fire Spin neutralizes it and hurts Sceptile. Blaziken attacks with a Sky Uppercut, but Sceptile dodges, taking May's points. Sceptile's Leaf Blade and Pound attack knock down Blaziken, setting points even at the halfway mark. Sceptile follows up with Bullet Seed and Pound. It tries Leaf Blade, but Blaziken dodges. Blaziken attacks with Sky Uppercut, but Sceptile matches it with Leaf Blade, negating both attacks. Blaziken uses Blaze Kick but Sceptile's Pound matches it as well.