On the way to the Grand Festival, we meet with Dawn's mother in Neighborly Town, and she wants us to help teach young students some contest moves while she's going to substitute for Nurse Joy in the Contest because of her sickness. And during the teaching, Dawn's Cyndaquil evolves into Quilava and also having Pachirisu and Buneary learn the new move "Ice Chandelier".

When we arrive at another town, we find a trainer named Roland who is excited about a cute Pokemon, and he takes an interest in my Pikachu and Togetic. Absol doesn't mind, but Piplup is not happy.

"So what Pokemon do you have?" Dawn asks.

"I got a Magby." Roland says. "I just put Magby in a Pokemon Day Care. They're going to evolve my Magby two hours straight."

Tox says, "That sounds strange to me... I don't think Pokemon Day Care are supposed to help evolving Pokemon..."

When we arrive at the shop where he left Magby, we find that it is completely locked up. I say, "Sounds fishy..."

"I guess I'll have to call Bertha right away." Roland says. "She knows everything about Pokemon."

Just then, we notice the same person behind us. "Wow, it's Bertha, what do you know?"

Bertha walks to me and asks, "You have a name?"

"Sure." After we introduce ourselves, I realize who she is. She is the Ground Type Elite Four member. "Wait, you are-"

Suddenly I am dragged by her and I ask, "You're Bertha of the Elite Four, are you?"

"That's right, I am. But I don't like being called the Elite Four. It's a secret." Bertha says before letting me go. Then Bertha says, "Roland, it's time for your Pokemon training. I told you to hurry up so what's taking you so long?"

"You see... someone stole my Magby." Roland admits.

"Stole your Magby? What am I going to do with you?" Bertha frowns.

"Is this your grandson?" Lillie asks.

"Child of my cousin, Roland says that he wants to be better at Pokemon battles, so I was asked to look after him. I told you a lot of times. Once you have a Pokemon, you have a responsibility to watch over that Pokemon day in and day out. Now how can you let it happen? I feel sorry for the poor Magby."

"I think right now we should do is to get Magby back." I say.

"Indeed. You have to correct your own mistakes." Bertha says. We also decide to help out.

When we are walking, we decide to show Bertha how many ribbons and gym badges we have, and she says, "Looks like I'll be able to see how strong you are."

"What do you mean by that?" Lillie asks.

"So have you found a way to search for Magby?" Bertha asks.

Daniel says, "I think we have a clue as to who stole the Magby. After your description, all that's left is to find them."

We decide to use the observation to find where Team Rocket is located, and we find the same shop in a different location.

"Team Rocket, there you are!" I say after finding them trying to scam another trainer, and they decide to reveal their true selves while giving the stupid motto. They use pink smoke to cover their escape, distracting us, but Bertha steps out of the way.

We proceed to chase Team Rocket, and I say, "How about we head them off with both sides?"

Then we almost box Team Rocket in, but they run down another street into a field. When we follow, we run into a series of Windmill towers. "They are hiding behind one of those windmills." Gladion says.

"We just have to search them one by one..." Lillie says.

"Yeah? Just a moment, please. Look more carefully." Then we notice one of the towers is not moving, and Bertha also tells us the importance of observation. After being spotted, Team Rocket knocks over the fake windmill tower they were hiding in, inflating their balloon and taking off.

"That's not going to happen! Honchkrow! Use Aerial Ace!" But Team Rocket launches an Honchkrow mecha after it, striking and knocking it down.

Bertha says that she has a plan, and immediately we pale after Scott's antics. Riding on an SUV and chasing them at high speed. When we spot the balloon, Bertha sends her Gliscor after it. Team Rocket launches a Gliscor mecha, but Gliscor easily destroys it and the balloon with a Guillotine attack. Once the balloon crashes, we find them at the crash site.

Jessie and James send out Seviper and Carnivine, to which we respond with Empoleon and Pachirisu. Empoleon dodges Seviper's Bite and strikes with Flash Cannon, while Pachirisu dodges Carnivine's Bullet Seed and strikes with Spark.

"Wave Crash! Now!" I yell, and Empoleon strikes Team Rocket, which recovers Roland's Magby. He summons Magby and it takes Carnivine's Vine Whip before it retaliates with Flamethrower. Irritated at losing, Team Rocket pulls out a trick by giving Seviper and Carnivine some power armor, which makes them stronger. Empolleon and Pachirisu are easily knocked down.

"That's cheating..." I mutter in anger.

"Indeed. How dare you temper Pokemon like that. A Pokemon battle has to be done fair and square." Bertha sends out her Golem, using Rock Blast to easily overpower the two Pokémon, destroying the armor and knocking them out. While they are all amazed at Golem's natural strength, Bertha has Roland attack with Magby's Fire Punch, sending Team Rocket flying.

"That's great you got your Magby back." Gladion says.

"Now you make sure this won't happen again, alright?" Bertha asks.

"Right." Roland says.

"I can't believe how strong you are, Bertha." Dawn says.

"What can you expect from a member of the Elite Four?" I say, but I notice Bertha flinching as I quickly cover my mouth.

"Wait, you're Bertha the Elite Four? That means we met all four of the Elite Four this time before the Sinnoh League!" Lillie says.

"You know I don't like the name Elite Four at all, I'm sorry. Regardless, we have Magby back and I'm thanking you all for help. How can I repay you?" Bertha asks.

"I want to have a battle with you." I say.

"Now that's the spirit I like." Bertha says.

On the field, she summons Hippowdon. And I summon Torterra. I order a Leaf Storm, but Hippowdon dodges by going underground. Hippowdon comes up from under Torterra and quickly strikes with Iron Head. Torterra takes it and gets back up. Torterra uses Rock Climb to raise rocks all around and charges, but meets with an Iron Head. The dust consumes the area and all the Pokémon are slowly revealed, Hippowdon still standing.

"Is that the best you can do? I told you once before, that you need to strengthen the observation." Bertha says.

I realize what Bertha says as I decide to observe when Hippowdon goes back underground. I remember that rocks would shake before Hippowdon emerged. I spot the rocks moving behind Torterra, ordering it to dodge and fire Leaf Storm. The move hits, which impresses Bertha, but Hippowdon recovers and goes back underground. This time, Hippowdon circles around Torterra from underground, making it impossible to predict where he will come up from and dodge. Hippowdon strikes with another Iron Head, launching Torterra into the air before biting with Fire Fang and throwing Torterra down, giving Bertha the win.

"Well, that's about right. As for you Ash, you still have to get stronger, but you are good at keeping cool and calm after the battle. And you have to remember to develop the power of observation."

We understand as we all bid farewell to Bertha and continue heading to the Sinnoh Grand Festival.

As we are continuing our road, we notice that Arrowroot Town is having the final contest. Suddenly, Dawn is approached by a princess named Salvia, who is a big fan of Dawn's. The two look so much alike that Salvia could pass for Dawn's twin. Princess Salvia has always greatly desired to participate in a Pokémon Contest, so she asks Dawn if they can secretly switch places for the day. That way, Salvia can compete in the Contest while Dawn assumes the duties of the princess.

In the Contest, we learn that Jessie from Team Rocket has four ribbons and she only needs one to enter the Grand Festival. Princess Salvia uses Togekiss to face Jessie in the final rounds. It is also then we see the real Dawn acting as an ambassador of the Contest, and she's giving cheerful words to make her win.

After everything's done, she decides to thank us by giving Dawn her own Togekiss and me the Shiny Stone, so I can evolve Togetic into Togekiss.

Togekiss: The Jubliee Pokemon: Fairy and Flying Type. Evolve from Togetic with a Shiny Stone. It will never appear where there is strife. Its sightings have become rare recently.

We are now at a huge grassy field, and we decide to do some training. Dawn wants to try Togekiss, and she really has a compassionate nature. We also decide to train Gabite because he's the only one who hasn't evolved in our team, while Togekiss because he just evolved.

We have Gabite battle with Dawn's Togekiss. Gabite is ready to launch the attack, while Togekiss flies up into the air and starts to glow, but instead of coming straight back down to strike, she does a somersault. This startles Dawn and causes her to hesitate with her commands.

While Togekiss emerges from the impact unscathed and unshaken, Gabite is sent flying but quickly gets ready for the next attack. However, Togekiss flies into the air and starts to spin around gracefully.

I know that Dragon moves aren't going to hit Togekiss, so I have it use Fire Fang, but Dawn isn't used to this kind of battling and have Togekiss dodge the attack. Dawn tells herself that Togekiss's skill comes from Salvia's training but then reminds herself that she shouldn't be thinking this way in the middle of a battle.

As Gabite starts to lose focus, Dawn knows she has the perfect chance to attack and tells Togekiss to use Aura Sphere. Instead of immediately firing, Togekiss starts to twirl around again, allowing Gabite to recover.

I tell Gabite to use Dig while Togekiss finally forms Aura Sphere but rather than using it against Gabite, she instead starts to show off her moves with it. Finally, Aura Sphere is fired, but Gabite digs underground at the very last second. Gabite quickly emerges, having fully regained his focus. Dawn decides to try Air Slash, but this is followed by more airborne dancing. However, Togekiss is able to fire in time and scores a direct hit against Gabite. He is sent flying back to me very weak, and I know that I need to defeat Togekiss now because Gabite will not last much longer.

"Gabite! What are you doing?" We gasp as Gabite is trying to use Draco Meteor, which I know is not going to hurt Togekiss. As usual, the Draco Meteor is about to hit Piplup, until Togekiss knocks it back into Gabite. Gabite is left dazed, tired, and confused while Togekiss comes over and starts to tell him off.

"I guess we'll have to practice Draco Meteor the other day..." I sigh.

Tox says, "Despite Togekiss being gentle, she really has a strong core. She seems like the big sister to other Pokemon."

My own Togekiss is also happy for the Togekiss as they have been friends chatting together. But Dawn seems to be worried about Togekiss, because she has to show off first before enacting the moves, which is something she isn't used to.

We then come to a realization that as Togekiss was raised by a princess, she has naturally learned style and gracefulness; the seemingly needless movements are just Togekiss showing off this grace. Realizing this, Dawn worries she will not be able to win battles like this. The Jubilee Pokémon lands and bows and Dawn tells Togekiss that in battle, speed and rhythm are more important. Togekiss seems to understand and bows for Dawn, while I remind her that she still needs to practice.

Just then, Team Rocket shows up again and they try to take our Togekiss, but both of them fly into the air to escape, and we have the others trying to battle their other Pokemon.

It is then Dawn knows how to battle with Togekiss and she keeps counter with dancing and knocking Yanmega out. Meanwhile, Seviper and Carnivine have already been defeated. When the trio reunites, Meowth announces a backup plan, and Seviper uses Haze to distract us while mecha hands grab Pikachu and Piplup. The balloon starts to rise with Team Rocket aboard, however, before the trio can escape, both of our Togekiss use Sky Attack to free the two Pokémon and then catch them on their backs.

Team Rocket decides to cut their losses and just leave, but Pikachu, Piplup, and Togekiss use Thunderbolt, Bubble Beam, Moonblast, and Aura Sphere, respectively, to destroy the balloon and send Team Rocket blasting off.

Upon later reflection, Dawn realizes that Togekiss's extensive sky dancing was meant to show Dawn how valuable such swooping can be, and we leave our heroes as Dawn happily ponders how wonderful it will be to compete with Togekiss at her side in the Grand Festival!

As we are practicing in a forest on our way to the Grand Festival. We come across what appears to be another Piplup, and then Pikachu...and then, one by one, all of our other Pokémon seem to appear in pairs! It turns out that a duo of transforming Ditto are mimicking our Pokémon!

The two Ditto are with Trainer Narissa, a feisty girl who is devoted to them. But when I challenge her to a battle, Narissa shows her inexperience. Gladion explains that she needs to learn the moves of the other Pokémon that her Ditto transforms into if she wants to battle successfully. Narissa breaks down and tells them that her feisty nature is really a cover-up: she's usually very nice and gentle.

Gladion offers to teach her some of the strategies about different types of Pokémon in battle. Just then, Team Rocket decides to steal Narissa's Ditto duo. An intense battle ensues, and with Gladion's help and advice, Narissa gets her Ditto back...and Team Rocket is sent blasting off again.

As we bid farewell to Narissa, she still decides being tough is still the way to go, and we resume our journey to Lake Valor and the Grand Festival.

Here is a new chapter, and the next chapter will be the Grand Festival and I hope you like it.

Ash and Lillie's Pokemon:

Charizard x2 (In training), Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu, Lapras, Meganium, Espeon, Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Torterra, Infernape, Empoleon, Staraptor, Bibarel, Kricketune, Luxray, Roserade, Rampardos, Bastiodon, Wormadam x3 (Plant, Sandy, Trash), Mothim, Vespiquen, Pachirisu (Shiny), Floatzel, Cherrim, Gatsrodon x2 (East, West), Ambipom, Drifblim, Lopunny, Mismagius, Honchkrow, Purugly, Skuntank, Bronzong, Chatot, Spiritomb, Gabite, Lucario, Hippowdon, Drapion, Toxicroak, Carnivine, Lumineon, Abomasnow, Weavile, Magnezone, Lickilicky, Rhyperior, Tangrowth, Electivire, Magmortar, Togekiss, Yanmega, Leafeon, Glaceon, Gliscor, Mamoswine, Porygon-Z, Gallade, Probopass, Dusknoir, Froslass x2, Rotom, Dialga, Palkia, Regigigas, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai

Dawn's Pokemon:

Rapidash, Quilava, Piplup, Pachirisu, Cherrim, Lopunny, Togekiss, Mamoswine

Tox's Pokemon:

Roserade, Skuntank, Croagunk

Gladion's Pokemon:

Umbreon, Riolu

Daniel's Pokemon:

Girafarig, Bronzong