Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 28

While passing through a small town, we find Zoey battling the gym leader Fantina, and Zoey seems to have trouble and is defeated. I say, "We've finally found you, so can we have a gym battle?"

"The thing is, I've been a traveling trainer just like you, so I have to leave the gym empty while I was away..." Fantina says.

This causes us to be surprised, that she hasn't picked a substitute leader. So I ask, "I don't get it, why don't you go back to the gym? I'm sure there are a lot of people who want to challenge you. That includes us."

Fantina says, "But the thing is I'm training now."

"That sounds strange for us, I mean, you're a Gym Leader and a Top Coordinator. So what do you need training for?" Dawn asks.

"Maybe you should tell them the story that you told me a few hours ago." Zoey says.

Fantina explains that with a lot of hard work, she was able to win the Grand Festival with her Misdreavus, earning the title of Top Coordinator. Afterward, she was invited to become a Gym Leader, and the Hearthome Gym was opened. However eventually some of the Trainers would defeat her in a rematch, and she felt that she wasn't giving them a good enough battle.

"I see...I heard my brothers and sisters about it as well." I say. "I think I know how it feels..."

Fantina also states that she has been working on a new battle style that incorporates the beauty of a Contest Battle and the ferocity of a Gym match. Lillie then asks, "After hearing that story, I really want to battle against you."

"Sure, but I can only battle one of you since my Pokemon are too tired." Then I offer Lillie to battle first.

She sends out Gengar first while Lillie sends out Gallade. Gallade puts up a good fight and defeats Gengar, but loses due to the Destiny Bond. Then Fantina sends out Dusclops while Lillie sends out Dusknoir. Fantina is a little happy that Lillie has a ghost type. But then she starts to remember the battle. Both Dusclops and Dusknoir exchange their attacks, but Lillie wins eventually.

The final Pokemon is Mismagius, who has used a combo of Hypnosis and Dream Eater to defeat Dusknoir. Lillie then takes out Sneasel, which won't be affected by Dream Eater. And with the Sleep Talk, it uses Blizzard to win against Drifblim.

"This battle is really different from everything that we experienced." Lillie says. "But that is a great battle."

"Thank you for the battle that reminds me of my old times. And I will be returning to the Hearthome Gym." She says.

"Really, so we can have a gym battle?" I ask.

"Of course, but for Lillie, I want you to take this." She gives her the Relic Badge, much to her shock, but she takes it. Fantina then bids farewell to us and leaves.

Back at the Pokemon Center, Zoey shows them that she has won her third Ribbon, "Which means I am one forward from Dawn and one behind from Ash." Zoey says. "So I won't be entering the Celestic Town Contest."

"It is fine." I say, then we bid farewell to Zoey as we continue our journey.

We arrive at Celestic Town, and that's when Dawn's mother, Johanna, tells us that she only lost to a person named Lila, who is now a Pokemon Stylist. We go to her store and find out that she is going to participate in the contest.

In the performance round, Lila goes first. Lila calls upon her Pokémon, and bursting from a Poké Ball with a Flora Seal is a Cherrim who, thanks to the bright stage lights, opens up to reveal its Sunshine Form. Lila begins her presentation with Cherrim using Magical Leaf and Sunny Day to create the image of a beautiful green flower shape in the stadium.