Chapter Text
Ash and Misty were sound asleep in their room together in the cabin. Ash was holding Misty by the waist as they slept. Misty was snuggled into his side. Pikachu, Buneary, Spheal, Marill, and Chimchar were sound asleep in the room too. They were all sleeping calmly. Dawn and Brock were sleeping in the other room in different beds. Piplup slept with Dawn while Happiny slept with Brock, who was snoring. The sun started to rise slowly over the horizon. Its rays started to creak into the room, stirring Ash a bit who in response brought Misty closer to him.
Misty felt him bringing her close, still asleep herself. They stayed like that for a while until another ray of sunshine went into the room. Ash was still a bit groggy as he started to wake up. He saw Misty snuggled into his side, still asleep. Ash gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. Misty smiled in her sleep, scooting closer to him in response. Ash chuckled quietly.
He teased, "Are you up?"
Misty groaned, "Barely."
To that, Ash laughed more. Until Misty kissed him softly. Ash returned it. They broke the kiss, looking into each other's eyes lovingly.
"I love you." They both said, in unison.
Ash asked, "Did you want to have our second date later today?"
Misty answered, "Sure that does good."
That's when Ash's email went off. He raised a brow as he answered it. He opened the email, reading it aloud.
He read, "Dear Ash, I have some news. I know it has been a good while since we've been in touch but I have so much to tell you. I would like to meet up with you at the Battle Cafe later today. Signed, Ritchie."
Misty did a double take, "Wait did you just say…?"
Ash repeated, "Yes, it is from Ritchie!"
...
Theme Song
On a road, far from home,
you don't have to feel alone.
Brave and strong, together we will be.
It's our destiny!
We will be heroes,
We can change the world if we try!
I go where you go,
Forever friends, you and I!
We will be heroes!
Battle Dimension
Pokémon!
…
Brock was making everyone French Toast for breakfast. Dawn was combing her hair with help from Piplup.
Dawn asked, "So…who is this Ritchie? I don't think you told me about him yet."
"Pip!" Piplup said.
Brock explained, "Well we met Ritchie when Ash was still a rookie trainer."
Ash noted, "Yeah we were competing in the Indigo Plateau together. We became friends rather quickly. After we defeated Team Rocket together, we found out that we were paired off to battle each other."
Dawn asked, "Whoa really?"
Ash nodded, "Mhm. Ritchie and I had promised to give it our very best that day. Long story short, I was kidnapped by Team Rocket and just barely made it to the stadium. So my team is pretty weak. It was my Squirtle, Pikachu, and Charizard that I used."
Dawn pointed out, "That doesn't sound too bad. I mean was Charizard listening to you then, right?"
Ash shook his head, "No, it wasn't until we were in the Orange Islands. That's a bit of a longer story though. Anyways, Charizard had refused to battle Ritchie's Pikachu, Sparky. I had lost the battle but I was a total baby on how I took the loss."
Misty teased, "Oh wow, you are actually admitting that you were a baby."
Ash stuck out his tongue out at her, "Hey, at least I have matured over time."
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu said.
Dawn asked, "And you hadn't heard from him til now?"
"Piplup?" Piplup was curious.
Misty corrected, "Well, it was in person, back in Johto but it is still a long time. He caught a Taillow that he called Rose from what Tracey had told me. But that was way back when Ash was still starting his Hoenn travels."
"Spheal?" Spheal said.
Ash stated, "We've been emailing each other for a while. I knew that he was traveling in Sinnoh but I hadn't seen him as of late."
"Pika." Pikachu said.
Brock responded, "Yeah no kidding on that one."
Dawn questioned, "But I thought you two were having a date later on?"
"Pip?" Piplup asked.
Ash answered, "Well he said that he was bringing a friend too so we can double date. He didn't say who it was though."
"Pika…" Pikachu said.
Misty stated, "Either way, I'm really excited to see Ritchie again."
"Spheal?" Spheal asked, clapping in confusion.
"Marill!" Marill giggled.
Brock replied, "Well for now, let's eat our breakfast first. And then we will all head over to the Battle Cafe. I've heard they make really good sandwiches and salads there."
…
After having their breakfast, cleaning up and such, the group had left the cabin. Misty had recalled Marill to its pokeball to travel with Spheal in her arms - so they could bond. They were walking up to the Battle Cafe.
Dawn asked, "So where is this place anyways?"
"Pip?" Piplup asked.
Brock answered, "I think we found it!"
True to Brock's word, they had made it to a cafe looking place. There was a battlefield out back and there were three levels too. There were trainers talking and two trainers were battling each other on the battlefield. One was a teenage boy with a Magmar. He had blond hair, blue eyes, wearing a white long sleeved top, an orange ascot, with blue jeans and black shoes. His name was Freddy.
The other was a teenage girl with an Electabuzz. She had long red hair in a ponytail with a green headband, blue eyes, wearing a purple dress that went all the way down to her knees, light pink nylons, pink shoes, and a pink backpack. Her name was Daphne.
Freddy commanded, "Magmar, Flamethrower!"
"Mag…mar!" Magmar said.
It breathed in and then out, firing Flamethrower at Electabuzz.
Daphne countered, "Use Protect then use Thunder Punch!"
"Ele!" Electabuzz said.
Protect glowed around Electabuzz, making Freddy snarl. Electabuzz ran towards Magmar, hitting it.
Freddy cried out, "Magmar!"
Magmar was down and out, unable to fight. The referee saw this.
He called, "Magmar can't continue the battle! So Electabuzz is the winner!"
Daphne gushed, "Great work, Electabuzz!"
"Ele!" Electabuzz said, proudly.
Freddy went over to Magmar, "Thanks a lot for trying Magmar. Take a rest."
That's when he recalled Magmar to its ball.
Dawn admitted, "That was so cool!"
"Pip!" Piplup said.
Daphne and Freddy exchanged a handshake. They then went on their way, holding hands.
Brock commented, joking, "They seemed familiar."
The referee came over to them. He was an older man, with salt and pepper hair and green eyes. He was chubby.
The referee asked, "Are you the people that are with the Ash Ketchum party?"
Ash confirmed, "Yes sir."
"Pika." Pikachu said.
The referee introduced, "Hello and welcome to the Battle Cafe. I am the owner, Jon."
Dawn was surprised, "You are a referee?"
"Pip?" Piplup asked.
Jon answered, "Oh sure! My partner, Nick, the usual referee, was sick today so I decided to fill in for him."
Misty stated, "Well that was nice of you!"
"Spheal!" Spheal agreed, clapping.
Jon blushed, "Well, it was the least I could do for him."
"Ash?"
Ash turned on his heel, seeing Ritchie there with Duplica. The two of them were holding hands. Ritchie was wearing ranger clothes. Duplica was wearing a sky blue shirt with yellow stars on it. She was also wearing blue jeans and white sneakers.
Ash did a double take, "Ritchie?! Duplica?!"
"Pika?!" Pikachu said.
Misty asked, "You two are dating?"
"Spheal?" Spheal was still confused.
Ritchie confirmed, "Yeah we have been dating for a few months now."
Duplica nodded, turning to Dawn. She stated, "You must be Dawn then!"
Dawn replied, "Yes, I am! It's so nice to meet you!"
"Pip!" Piplup said, happily.
Duplica responded, "Very nice to meet you too! Ash had told Ritchie all about you!"
"Ditto!" Ditto said, appearing.
Duplica said, "This is one of my Dittos, say hi!"
Dawn gushed, "Wow, it's so cute!"
"Piplup!" Piplup agreed.
She pointed her Pokedex at the Ditto and scanned it. The Pokedex chirped, "Ditto, the Transform Pokemon. It has the ability to reconstitute its entire cellular structure to transform into whatever it sees."
"Ditto!" Ditto said, transforming into Piplup.
Dawn was impressed, "Wow, it transformed into you Piplup!"
"Piplup!" Piplup said, going over to Ditto.
The two of them stared at each other for a bit before Piplup started to move, seeing if it could catch Ditto off guard. Ditto was copying Piplup move for move though.
Dawn giggled, "It sure has you down pat, Piplup!"
"Piplup!" Piplup said, tilting its head.
As it did, Ditto did the same thing.
"Ditto!" Ditto said.
Brock asked, "So what are you two doing here?"
Ritchie answered, "Well, Duplica and I have been traveling together for over a year now. A little bit here in Sinnoh, a little bit Hoenn, a little bit in Johto, a little bit in Kanto… She's been in contests and she's good. But no matter what we did, I was always wanting to help wild Pokemon or trainers. So I've decided to become a Pokemon Ranger!"
Everyone repeated (except Duplica), "A Pokemon Ranger?"
Ritchie confirmed, "Right! I know it is going to be a lot of hard work but it will be worth it in the long run!"
Ash stated, "Definitely! I wanna wish you the best of luck becoming a ranger!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
Misty replied, "Yes me too!"
"Spheal!" Spheal said, clapping.
Ritchie smiled, "Hey thanks guys!"
Dawn asked, "Does that mean you will be competing for Top Coordinator too Duplica?"
"Pip?" Piplup asked.
Duplica nodded, "Mhm but not here in Sinnoh, I'm working on my Kanto ribbons right now."
Dawn pleaded, "Can I see your ribbons?" Duplica took out a small orange box. She opened it, showing Dawn three colorful ribbons. Dawn breathed, "Wow, Kanto ribbons are just as pretty!"
"Piplup!" Piplup agreed.
"Ditto!" Ditto said, turning back to its usual form.
Duplica pointed at her red ribbon with the pink trim. It had a white sparkling gem in the middle of it. She explained, "That is the most recent one I won with Mini Dit."
Dawn was confused, "Mini Dit?"
Duplica nodded, "Yes, it is a miniature sized Ditto that I nicknamed. I even caught a few more Ditto and one of them was an oddly colored Ditto."
Dawn repeated, "Oddly colored?"
"Pip?" Piplup asked.
Duplica brought out a pokeball and threw it. With a flash of light, instead of a pink Ditto appearing, a blue one appeared instead.
"Ditto!" The oddly colored Ditto said.
Ash pointed out, "Wow, I knew you were going to catch a lot of rare Ditto but this is the first time I've seen one of those."
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
Ritchie teased Duplica, "When she caught it, she squeezed me like there was no tomorrow."
To that, both of them were a beat red. Duplica had recalled her oddly colored Ditto back and her other Ditto.
Ash asked, "Well this is really cool and all but why are you here, Ritchie? Like why did you want to see me? Was it for the ranger news or was it something else?"
Ritchie answered, "Well once I start my studying to become a ranger, I will be at the base more. So I want to have one great battle before I take on the quiz."
Ash pumped his fist, "We can definitely do that! Right Pikachu?"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said, eager.
Jon came over to them, "Well, do you kids want to battle first or eat and have your double date?"
Ash looked at Misty, "What do you think?"
Misty teased, "You're asking me? That's a first. We can eat and have our date first if that's what you want."
Brock asked, "Well if you are doing a double date, what should Dawn and I do?"
Jon suggested, "Well, I do have another part of the cafe that is for Coordinators and breeders too. There is more upstairs, like a library and such. You two can go up there til they are done."
Dawn replied, "Yeah, we can do that! Come on Brock!"
"Piplup!" Piplup said.
Brock responded, "Right behind ya."
With that, the two of them went upstairs.
…
After a bit, everyone was having some good food and having their date. Ritchie was having an egg salad sandwich. Duplica was eating a salad. Misty was having a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Ash was having a meatball sandwich. Pikachu and Spheal were having Pokemon food.
Ash commented, "This food is really good!"
Misty nodded, "Sure is!"
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Spheal!" Spheal said.
Duplica turned to Ritchie and said, "I'm enjoying our time together though."
Ritchie kissed her cheek, "Yes same here."
Misty asked, "Aw, that's so sweet! But how did you two meet?"
"Spheal!" Spheal said.
Duplica answered, "We actually met in Saffron City. I had signed up for a Pokemon Contest there and I was outside training when I noticed Ritchie training with his Eevee, Mint. I had introduced myself to him and the rest was history. We started traveling together and over time, we got to know each other. I started to develop feelings for him after I had lost my contest in this small town called Chestnut Ridge. Anyways, I had confessed my feelings to him a short time later. Luckily he had felt the same way about me. We've been going out for almost six months now."
Ash stated, "Wow, that's pretty cool!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said, agreeing.
Ash then turned to Ritchie, "So are we doing a tag team battle or just us?"
Ritchie answered, "Well, I was thinking just us. Three-on-three."
Ash stated, "Sure sounds great! But don't think for a second that we will go easy on ya!"
"Pika Pika!" Pikachu said, eager.
Ash then realized something, "Hey Ritchie, where is Sparky?"
Misty mused, "Yeah we hadn't seen Sparky since we've been here."
"Spheal?" Spheal asked, confused.
Ritchie reassured, "Don't worry, he's fine. Are you ready to battle?"
Ash responded, "Heck yeah!"
Duplica teased Misty, "How did we get so lucky?"
Misty teased back, "I wish I knew!"
"Spheal!" Spheal said, clapping.
Jon stated, "This three-on-three battle between Ash and Ritchie will now begin! Trainers, present your Pokemon!"
Ash went first, throwing a poke ball, "Chimchar, I choose you!"
With a flash of light, Chimchar appeared.
"Chimchar!" Chimchar said.
The Fire type was ready to fight.
Ritchie went next, throwing a poke ball, "Let's go Grace!"
With another flash of light, a Gardevoir appeared.
"Gal!" Gardevoir said.
The Psychic type was ready to fight too.
Misty breathed, "A Gardevoir!"
Duplica replied, "Yeah, he's caught that when we first started traveling together."
Jon commented, "Ash has the first move. So it is Chimchar versus Gardevoir. Begin!"
Ash commanded, "Chimchar, use Flamethrower!"
"Chim...char!" Chimchar said.
Chimchar breathed in and then out, breathing the Fire type move right at Gardevoir.
Ritchie countered, "Grace, use Psychic!"
"Gar...devoir!" Gardevoir said.
Gardevoir's eyes started to glow blue, freezing Flamethrower in place. Ash snarled a bit.
Ritchie commanded, "Way to go! Now send it back!"
"Gard!" Gardevoir said.
Gardevoir sent it back to Chimchar and then hit Chimchar.
Ash was worried, "Chimchar!"
"Chim..." Chimchar reassured.
It was hurt but it was okay.
Ash breathed a sigh of relief, "Go and use Dig!"
"Chimchar!" Chimchar said, going underground.
Ritchie was stunned, "What the..."
Ash commanded, "Come on out Chimchar!"
"Chimchar!" Chimchar said.
Chimchar dug out of the ground and hit Gardevoir from underneath.
Ritchie was worried, "Grace!"
"Gard..." Gardevoir said, in pain.
Ritchie admitted, "That was some move!"
Ash stated, "Chimchar and I make a good team, I know."
"Chimchar!" Chimchar agreed.
Ash commanded, "Now Chimchar, Flame Wheel!"
"Chim...char!" Chimchar said.
Chimchar ran towards Gardevoir, the flames surrounding its body.
Ritchie cried out, "Grace! Use Double Team!"
"Gard!" Gardevoir said.
Gardevoir made copies of itself to avoid getting hit by Flame Wheel.
Ritchie commanded, "Now use Psychic one more time!"
"Gar!" Gardevoir said.
Its eyes turned blue stopping a startled Chimchar mid Flame Wheel. It then threw Chimchar to the ground, knocking it out.
Ash cried out, "Chimchar!"
Jon determined, "Chimchar is unable to fight! Gardevoir is the winner!"
Mity commented, "Wow, that Gardevoir is really strong!"
"Spheal!" Spheal said, clapping.
Duplica stated, "Figured that he would take that first match. Gardevoir is really tough."
Ash called back Chimchar back to its poke ball, "Hey, you did great! Time for a rest." He then got out another poke ball and teased, "This is kinda reminding me of the Indigo League."
Ritchie asked, "How's that?"
Ash answered, "You are tough. You've always been tough for me to beat. But I think Staravia and I can give it a try."
With that, he threw his poke ball and his Staravia appeared.
"Staravia!" The Normal/Flying type said.
It was ready to fight.
Ritchie turned to Gardevoir, "You want to go another round, Grace?"
"Gar!" Gardevoir nodded.
Jon commented, "Staravia versus Gardevoir. Begin!"
Ritchie went first this time, "Grace, use Confusion!"
"Gar!" Gardevoir said.
Its eyes started to glow a white color this time.
Ash countered, "Staravia, Quick Attack!"
"Star!" Staravia said.
Staravia got behind Gardevoir and hit it.
Ritchie was getting worried, "Grace!"
Gardevoir was barely standing but it went down and out.
Jon called, "Gardevoir is unable to battle! Staravia wins!"
Duplica blinked, "Well, I wasn't expecting that."
Misty said, "I guess Gardevoir had taken more damage from Chimchar than either of us guessed."
Ritchie recalled Gardevoir and told it, "You did your best, Grace. Take a rest."
Ash was pumped, "Nice work, Staravia!"
"Staravia!" Staravia said, pleased.
Ritchie took out another poke ball and said, "You know, you are still a great trainer, Ash. But this is where things get better! Let's go Zippo!"
With a flash of light, Ash was expecting Charmeleon. But then to his utter surprise, Zippo was a Charizard. Zippo roared, ready to fight.
Misty breathed, "Wow! Zippo evolved?"
Duplica confirmed, "Mhm sure did!"
Ritchie explained, "After you guys left Ogi Isle, we did a lot of training around the Whirl Islands. Zippo even managed to evolve in Charizard. You ready then?"
Zippo roared again.
Jon said, "Staravia versus Charizard! Battle begin!"
Ash commanded, "Staravia, use Aerial Ace!"
"Star!" Staravia said.
Staravia used Aerial Ace to hit Zippo with, which is was successful.
Ritchie was worried, "Zippo!" Zippo roared. It was okay. Ritchie countered, "Use Flamethrower!"
Zippo fired the Flamethrower at the Normal/Flying type. It hit right in the back.
Ash cried out, "Staravia!"
"Star!" Staravia reassured.
It was hit but it wasn't down yet.
Duplica said, "This match is getting really intense!"
Misty noted, "I wonder if this match is gonna end in a draw."
"Spheal?" Spheal said, not sure either.
Ash commanded, "Staravia, Wing Attack!"
Ritchie countered, "Fire Blast, Zippo!"
"Star!" Staravia said.
Its wings were glowing a white light as it flew at Zippo. Zippo opened its mouth and hit Staravia with Fire Blast. Wing Attack hit at the same time. The attacks went back and forth until, like Misty somehow predicted, both Pokemon went down.
Jon concluded, "Both Pokemon are unable to battle!"
Duplica teased, "Man you called that one."
Ash and Ritchie called back their respected Pokemon.
Misty commented, "I wonder how this last round is going to play out."
Duplica had an idea but she didn't want to say anything.
Ash turned to Pikachu, "Your turn buddy, are you ready?"
"Pika!" Pikachu said, eager.
That's when it stood out in the middle of the battlefield. Pikachu was ready, sparking its cheeks.
Ritchie got his poke ball, "You know...I just hope this isn't too much of a shock for you, Pikachu."
"Pika?" Pikachu asked, tilting its head.
Ritchie threw his poke ball and said, "Go, Sparky!"
With a flash of light, Sparky appeared. But it wasn't a Pikachu anymore, it was a Raichu.
"Pika!" Pikachu breathed, surprised.
Misty and Ash both a double take, "Sparky evolved too?!"
Duplica giggled, "Oh man that was so hard to keep that a surprise."
Ritchie explained, "Sparky and I came to this decision together. Since we're starting to evolve together, then we should evolve together."
"Rai!" Sparky agreed.
Ash commented, "Then don't be too surprise if we take you both down. Right bud?"
"Pika!" Pikachu also agreed.
Jon said, "This last battle is between Pikachu and Raichu! Let the battle begin!"
Ash went first again, "Pikachu, Volt Tackle!"
"Pika! Pika...pika...pika!" Pikachu said.
Pikachu was surrounded by electricity and it was right near Sparky.
Ritchie countered, "Sparky, Agility!"
"Rai!" Sparky said.
Sparky used Agility to get itself away from Pikachu's Volt Tackle.
Ritchie commanded, "Now use Focus Punch!"
"Rai!" Sparky said, hitting Pikachu with Focus Punch.
Ash cried out, "Pikachu!"
"Pika..." Pikachu said, hurt.
Ash commanded, "Phew... Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
"Pika...chu!" Pikachu said.
It hit Sparky with Thunderbolt.
Ritchie cried out, "Sparky!"
"Rai..." Sparky said, hurt.
Ritchie commanded, "That's good. Now it is time for Thunder!"
"Rai...chu!" Sparky said, firing Thunder.
Ash countered, "Use Quick Attack to get away, Pikachu!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
Thunder was dodged by Pikachu using Quick Attack.
Ash commanded, "Thunderbolt Pikachu!"
"Pi...kachu!" Pikachu said.
Thunderbolt hit Sparky. The two of them kept going, throwing attack after attack. They were both getting tired. Ritchie decided it was time to end the battle.
Ritchie commanded, "Sparky, Focus Punch!"
"Rai!" Sparky said.
It ran towards Pikachu, ready to hit.
Ash countered, "Pikachu, Volt Tackle!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
Pikachu ran towards Sparky, hitting in the stomach. Sparky went down and out.
Ritchie cried out, "Sparky!"
Jon called, "Raichu is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! The victor of this match is Ash!"
Ash was in shock, "We...won?"
Misty ran over to him, giving him a kiss on the lips. Ash returned it, holding her close. They broke out of their kiss.
Misty reassured, "You both won!"
Ash went over to Pikachu, "Pikachu, you are the best!"
"Pi pika chu!" Pikachu said, showing its victory sign.
Ritchie knelt down to Sparky, "I'm sorry Sparky. But you did a great job battling today."
"Rai..." Sparky said, still feeling hurt from its battle.
Duplica agreed, "You totally rocked the house today!"
"Rai..." Sparky said, tired.
Ash asked, "Is Sparky going to be alright?"
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
Ritchie reassured, "Yes, after a good nights rest. That was an awesome battle!"
Duplica kissed his cheek, "You did great, all of you did."
To that, Ritchie blushed.
Ash asked, "So when do you start your Pokemon Ranger studying?"
Ritchie answered, "In a month."
Ash pumped his fist, "Best of luck."
Ritchie smiled, "Thanks and best of luck to you in the Sinnoh League!"
Ash nodded, "Thanks!"
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Rai!" Sparky said.
...
Wishmaker1028: Well it seems like Ash and Misty finally had their second date! And with Ritchie and Duplica too! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!