Hello, yes I'm still here and I apologise for the awfully long wait. A mixture of being busy and writers block part way through this chapter is why it's taken so long to complete it. I'm hoping it will come a bit easier for me now I've gotten through it and should be updating on a more regular basis. I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think of the chapter.

"speech"

'telepathy'

"pokespeech"

'Character thoughts'

(Own thoughts)

Ch 29 First

Bianca and Ant step out onto the stage to a massive roar.

"Here we are Bianca, your first contest and final. How are you feeling?" Ant asks, meeting her in the centre of the stage.

"Very nervous, but also excited." Bianca replies.

"That's to be expected. Just continue doing what you've done and this final will be spectacular."

"You've got it." The two turn and walk to their designated spots on either side of the stage.

"This is the final of the Verdanturf contest between Bianca of Altomare and Anthony of Sootopolis! Let's put 10 minutes on the clock, and begin!" Vivian cries.

"Let's start off with an Energy Ball" Ant shouts.

"Strike back with Shadow Ball" Bianca commands. Leafeon creates an emerald green ball in front of him and Umbreon creates a purple orb in front of her mouth and sends it flying. The two attacks collide, creating sparkles of green and purple, causing each coordinator to lose a fraction of their points.

"Leafeon, use Seed Bomb!"

"Umbreon, counter with Hidden Power!" Both pokemon creates white orbs around them, Leafeon's being slightly larger, and they speed off towards their opponent. The two attacks collide in between, creating a bit of smoke. "Now Umbreon, use double team!" When the smoke dissipates, Leafeon sees half a dozen copies of Umbreon on the opposite side of the stage.

"Leafeon, use Sunny Day to reveal the real Umbreon." Leafeon's body glows and he creates a ball of light above him, which he sends to the ceiling, intensifying the sun's rays. Umbreon's copies disappear until only two remain. "That's impressive. Normally no-one can hold a copy up with my Leafeon's Sunny Day."

"Thanks, my Umbreon has incredible mental strength compared to ordinary Umbreon."

"Time to find the real one, Leafeon, use Seed Bomb and charge in for an Iron Tail." Leafeon fires white spheres at Umbreon, then sprinting forward with his tail gaining a metallic sheen to it.

"Umbreon, use Psychic on the Seed Bomb's and send them back."

"As I suspected. Now use Iron Tail!" Ant exclaims. The Seed Bomb's gain a blue aura around them and are shot back at Leafeon, who swiftly swivels and breaks the hold with a powerful strike back towards the two Umbreons, hitting one and destroying the other. Bianca's points fall by a quarter. "Don't let up Leafeon, use Dig!" As Umbreon recovers, Leafeon disappears underground.

"Umbreon, focus and determine where Leafeon will appear, then use Shadow Ball."

"Now Leafeon!" Before Umbreon can focus, Leafeon explodes from the ground and into Umbreon's stomach, sending her into the air. "Dig, back-to-back!" Ant calls. Leafeon returns underground as Umbreon falls.

"Tuck and roll Umbreon! Then use Double Team!" Umbreon curls her body and lands with a roll, reducing the damage done. As she goes for a Double Team, Leafeon again erupts from underneath her, sending her up into the air, whittling Bianca's points down further.

Back in the stands, the group are on the edge of their seats, looking on nervously.

"Bianca's in a bit of trouble here." Ash states.

'Indeed, Umbreon isn't being allowed time to do anything. Ant is doing a very good job.'

"There's still about 5 minutes left Sakura, and I know that Umbreon won't go down until the time is up." Pikachu replies.

'Well she needs to do something fast before she becomes too far behind.'

'This isn't looking good. I need to avoid staying on the ground, but how do I do that?' Bianca thinks as Umbreon takes another dig attack, 'Wait, that's it!"

"Umbreon, focus and use psychic on yourself to stay off the ground." When Umbreon reaches the peak of her arc, she rights and surrounds herself in a blue glow, stopping herself from falling. "Now, use Hidden Power into the holes!" Umbreon creates white orbs and sends them into the tunnels, hitting Leafeon and blasting him from underground.

"What?!" Ant exclaims.

"Gotcha! Now Umbreon, use Hidden Power again!" Bianca calls and Umbreon fires more white orbs, striking Leafeon in the air, shooting to the ground in front of Ant.

"Urgh, Leafeon, are you alright?" Ant asks his friend.

"Leaf!" Leafeon replies with a nod as he gets to his feet.

"Good work, now shoot and Energy Ball in the air and follow it up by Seed Bomb at Umbreon."

"Umbreon, use Double Team, then use psychic on both Leafeon and the Energy Ball."

"Quick Leafeon, jump and strike the Energy Ball with Iron Tail!" As Umbreon dodges all the Seed Bombs, Leafeon jumps, his tail turning metal. As he twists to strike, he is stopped as all the Umbreon's eyes have turned blue.

"Now, use his own attack against him before using Shadow Ball and Hidden Power to finish it off." Bianca smiles. Umbreon sends Leafeon's attack at him before sending her two attacks at him, sending him to the ground.

"LEAFEON!" Ant shouts.

DUN!

"And that's time!" Vivian announces, "And the winner of the Verdanturf contest is… Bianca!"

The crowed erupt into cheers and applause as Bianca stands there dumbstruck.

"Umbreon!" Umbreon exclaims sitting in front of her coordinator, bringing her back to her senses.

"Thank you so much Umbreon, you were fantastic." Bianca says, crouching down to pet her partner.

"You both did very well, you'll become a fantastic coordinator without a doubt." Ant says walking over to Bianca and extending his hand towards her.

"Leafeon Leaf." Leafeon agrees.

"Thank you very much, you and Leafeon were brilliant too." Bianca replies, clasping Ant's hand and shaking it.

Over the next few minutes, Bianca and Umbreon receive the Verdanturf ribbon from Mr Contesta, wrapping up the contest. Outside, Bianca, Umbreon, Ant and Leafeon meet up with the rest of the group.

"Congratulations Bianca! You did a great job." Ash says, giving her a hug.

"Indeed, you're a natural it seems." Misty agrees.

"Thanks guys, I can't wait until the next contest." Bianca says enthusiastically.

"Careful, you might end up sounding like Ash." Brock jokes causing everyone to laugh.

"You were amazing Umbreon, very beautiful and powerful like always." Pikachu smiles.

"Thank you, it was a bit different to what I'm used to but it was good fun and couldn't have done it without Bianca." Umbreon smiles back.

"Umbreon, you were incredible. You handled yourself superbly and the way you execute your moves are mesmerising." Leafeon chips in.

"Er, thanks." Umbreon replies. Pikachu glances at Leafeon, back to Umbreon before going back to Leafeon with a small smile appearing on his face.

"Ooh, Umbreon left speechless by all those compliments, I wonder why that could be." Pikachu teases making Umbreon glare at him.

"Are you insinuating something Pikachu?" Umbreon asks.

"Oh I don't know. Leafeon, anything else you want to input?" Pikachu replies staring at Umbreon, his smile widening.

"Oh, um I don't know." Leafeon says looking at the ground.

"Well how about I leave you two to get to know each other a bit better." Pikachu says and jumps up onto Ash's shoulder.

"I'm going to hurt him." Umbreon grumbles.

"Well we should all get going. It's been a long day and we should all relax in the pokemon centre for this evening before heading off tomorrow." Brock says, "Then we can head to Slateport to catch a boat over to Dewford Town."

"Sounds like a great idea Brock." Ash replies

'That reminds me Ash, do you know what pokemon you are going to use against Brawley?' Sakura asks.

"Hmmm, no not yet. I'll need a bit more training before I decide." Ash ponders.

"Brawley is a fighting type gym leader if that helps make your decision." Ant informs.

"Ok, so Espeon would be a very good choice but I think some others could get a bit more experience under their belt. I want them all in tip top shape." Ash responds.

"Just remember not to get too overconfident Ash." Misty says with a smile.

"I'll try, but when you're in a battle, it's difficult to stop yourself from getting caught up by the action so no promises" Ash smiles back causing a few chuckles. Meanwhile, the two eevee-lutions were still walking next to each other with little talk going on between them.

"So… How long have you been traveling?" Leafeon asks, trying to start a conversation.

"A few months." Umbreon responds.

"Really? You're incredibly strong for someone who's just started out." Leafeon says shocked.

"I've been battling for a lot longer. Bianca is my second trainer. My first taught me most of what I know." Umbreon informs.

"Oh, that makes more sense….. I should've realised you had been training longer than that."

"Yeah, you probably should have considering how smart you were in the contest."

"I get the feeling you don't like me a whole lot."

"No, you're fine. I'm just a little angry at Pikachu."

"Why's that?"

"You know, you're not all that smart off the battlefield. Pikachu was teasing you and annoying me because he knows you have taken a liking to me. However, he also knows you don't know me and him are mates, so as soon as he realised he thought it would be funny to tease you a little." Umbreon explains.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realise."

"It's ok. I thought by remaining unimpressed you might have gotten the message so it's my fault too."

"Well, how about we get a little payback on Pikachu?"

"And how do you suppose we do that?"

"Whenever he's in earshot, one of us pretends we're talking and the other laughs to make it seem like we're getting along really well. I wouldn't mind betting he would get a little bit jealous."

"That could work. Seems like you do have a brain after all." Umbreon smiles and Leafeon laughs loudly, causing Pikachu to take a quick look over his shoulder at the two eeveelutions, starting their little game.

The group arrive at Mauville town where they decide to stop for the evening after spending the latter part of the day walking. As they arrive at the pokemon centre, Pikachu jumps off of his trainer's shoulder and onto the floor with Umbreon and Leafeon who were just finishing another laughing fit.

"You two seemed to have gotten on well." Pikachu states.

"Yes, Leafeon is one of the funniest pokemon I have ever met." Umbreon replies.

"Oh really? Well it's nice to see you've gotten over your initial nerves with each other."

"Thanks, I've never been too good when it comes to making friends but Umbreon is one of a kind, making it very easy for me." Leafeon smiles.

"Oh, you flatter me. I'm just trying to be as sociable as I can."

"He is right though Umbreon, you really are one of a kind" Pikachu agrees, causing Umbreon to blush, "And I've just figured out what you were trying to do."

"Er…. What do you mean?" Leafeon asks worriedly, glancing at Umbreon.

"You were trying to make me jealous during this journey. It did work for the end part of it, I'm not gonna lie, but considering that I can make Umbreon blush by complimenting her and you can't shows that I have nothing to worry about." Pikachu explains.

"Well that's what you get for teasing Leafeon and leaving me to deal with it alone." Umbreon replies smiling.

"Haha, fair enough." Pikachu smiles back, giving Umbreon a hug.

At that moment a worried Watson enters the pokemon centre catching the group's attention.

"Hi Watson, how have things been?" Brock asks. Watson looks up and smiles upon seeing the group.

"Hello Brock, it's been ok but I have a bit of a problem at the moment."

"Anything we can help with?"

"Actually, yes you can. You see, this city runs partially on power from a small facility on route 110 called New Mauville. However an old friend has come and told me there is something going on in there that is disturbing the pokemon there and causing a loss of power to homes and facilities here in the city. Could you go and investigate it and then switch off the generator in there please?"

"Don't worry, you can count on us." Ash replies.

"Thank you, here is the key card needed to get in. Meanwhile I'll make sure all homes and facilities switch their electricry off so we can switch it over to the new generator that we've got up and running."

"Come on guys, let's go investigate." Ant says.

After a short trek and a surf the group reach New Mavuille's entrance to see a hole where the door was.

'Well, it looks like we won't need that key card then' Tenchi jokes.

"Indeed, but now we know that something's going on in there." Ash said, sending out Growlithe with Pikachu jumping down off his shoulder. Everyone else follows suit with Brock sending out Geodude and Misty Staryu to join Umbreon and Leafeon.

They all cautiously go down the stairs leading into the power plant. At the bottom of the stairs, the group spot a couple of men in some black and white striped tops, blue trousers and a blue bandanna with a strange symbol on it.

"Hey, what are you kids doing down here?" Grunt 1 asks.

"That doesn't matter, you need to turn around and go back the way you came before we make you." Grunt 2 steps in.

"We're here on request of Watson as Mauville is having power drainages which is affect a lot of places including the pokemon centre." Ash explains.

"Well they're going to have to survive a little longer as we're busy here so you can turn around and report that back or we'll have to toss you out ourselves." Grunt 1 threatens as he and his partner both release a Poochyena and a Zubat.

"Hey Ash, you Bianca and Ant go on, Misty and I will keep these two busy." Brock says as Geodude takes an offensive stance.

"Right, good luck guys." Ash replies.

"Stayu, use Swift to keep them distracted." Misty calls. As Ash, Bianca, Tenchi, Sakura and Ant move forward, a wave of stars pass them and collide with the two Aqua member's pokemon.

"You'll pay for that!" Grunt 2 retorts as the five and their pokemon move past them and enter the room beyond the door. The next room is a large open area with a stairs leading further down and a glass pane on the far wall with the generator on the other side. Standing next to it are five more Team Aqua members, including a giant of a man with no top, blue gloves and blue trousers with a gold chain around his neck and waist. One of the grunts spots the trio, alerting the giant who turns around with a sinister looking smile.

"What have we here lads?" The colossus asks rhetorically, "Looks like we have some pipsqueaks who have lost their way."

"Who are you calling pipsqueak?!" Ash replies, "And we're not lost. We here to stop you from causing some pokemon series harm in Mauville City."

"Oh really? Well aren't you funny. Do you know who I am kid? I'm Team Aqua Admin Matt, the top ranking member behind our leader. You don't stand a chance." Matt said as he grabbed a pokeball from his waist and released a Sharpedo. The four other grunts joined him, sending out a Carvanha, Golbat, Poochyena and a Grimer. "Now Sharpedo, use Skull Bash on the Umbreon."

"Carvanha use Water Gun one Growlithe."

"Poochyena use Take Down on the Pikachu"

"Grimer use Sludge on Leafeon"

"Golbat use Air Slash on Leafeon as well."

"Umbreon, use Double Team to dodge, then use Hidden Power"

"Growlithe use Flamethrower to counter the Water Gun and Pikachu use Double Edge on Poochyena."

Leafeon, use Iron Tail to block both the attacks."

Sharpedo charges at Umbreon but before he can land the attack, Umbreon splits into multiple copies with the attack going straight through an illusion. As Sharpedo turns around to ready another attack, he sees a white orb briefly before it hits and sends him flying back and across the floor. Carvanha and Growlithe fire off their respective attacks and fleetingly seem to be a stalemate before the Flamethrower starts to evaporate the Water Gun, pushing through and striking the Carvanha. Poochyena and Pikachu charge at each other, both glowing orange and gold respectively before creating an explosion as they clash against each other, throwing both pokemon back to their trainer's feet. Grimer launches a poisonous sludge and Golbat shoots blades of air at Leafeon who's tail gains a metallic gleam and intercepts the two attacks, nullifying them both.

"Now Leafeon, let's counter. Use Seed Bomb then run in and use Iron Tail." Leafeon then fires multiple white ovals at the Grimer who can't move quick enough to dodge the barrage, taking a lot of damage. As soon as it stops, the Iron Tail connects with Grimer's stomach, knocking it out.

"Carvanha, use Take Down on the Growlithe."

"Growlithe, counter that with your own Take Down."

"Golbat switch targets and help Carvanha out, use Air Cutter on the Growlithe"

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on the Golbat to help Growlithe."

Both Carvanha and Growlithe gain an orange glow and charge at each other, slamming into one another and fighting to push the other pokemon back. As Golbat prepares its attack, Pikachu fires his Thunderbolt, electrocuting the bat and knocking it out. As Pikachu finishes his attack, a loose tendril of lightning hits Growlithe covering her body in electricity. She then roars, not in pain but with strength as she starts to push the Carvanha back slowly at first and gaining speed quickly. The Electricity crackles and becomes brighter, only showing Growlithe's outline as she sends the Carvanha into the wall, knocking it out.

"Sharpedo, use Agility and Poison Fang to take out the Umbreon."

"Poochyena, help out by using crunch"

Sharpedo starts darting around, picking up speed with his mouth covered in a purple glow, attacking the Umbreon illusions with the Poochyena assisting with its mouth glowing white. All the illusions are gone and Umbreon is nowhere to be seen.

"What?! Where is that blasted thing?" Matt asks surprised.

"Umbreon, finish them with another wave of Hidden Power" Bianca smiles.

Umbreon jumps over the Aqua members heads from her position behind them on the window sill, firing off her attack, striking down her opponents.

"WHAT!? How could we lose?" Matt exclaims, "Let's retreat for now. You'll pay for this kids, you are messing with forces you can't control." The Aqua members all retreat up the stairs and out the power plant.

"Good job guys" Ash says, stroking both Pikachu and Growlithe. "But what was that move you used at the end there Growlithe?"

'It looked like a very strong electric type move called Wild Charge. It's a very good move for her to have against water types but it does also cause damage to her too whenever it's used so you must be careful when using it.' Tenchi explains.

"Awesome! Way to go Growlithe, you learnt Wild Charge! Thank you as well Pikachu, you inadvertently helped her learn it."

"Hehe, sorry about that Growlithe, and I suppose you're welcome as well." Pikachu says with a hand behind that back of his head.

"Don't worry about it. But I'll have to get you back at some point" Growlithe jokes.

"Hey guys, I know you're happy with Growlithe but we still need to shut off the generator." Ant says moving towards the back room.

"Right, Tenchi, Sakura, do you have any idea how to turn it off?" Ash asks following into the room.

'I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it's the button which has the words "OFF" next to it.' Sakura answers, pointing at the button with a smile.

"Oh, well that was simpler than I thought." Ash replies, pushing the button. The generator's whirs start to slow until they stop completely.

"Come on guys, we should get back to Mauville and make sure everything is back to normal" Bianca says. Ash and Ant return Growlithe and Leafeon, make their way back through the door to meet up with Brock and Misty, then head back to Mauville City.