Meeting Wallace

*One day...*

Rhonda was talking about a man named Wallace on TV. He used to be Sootopolis City's gym leader and is now a top coordinator and the Hoenn League Champion.

"Wallace is visiting Sinnoh because he's hosting the Wallace Cup at Lake Valor." Rhonda explained.

Dawn was watching the news on TV in the Pokemon Center and Ash, Tomo and Brock joined her.

"So Wallace is now the Hoenn League Champion, huh." Ash said.

"You know Wallace, Ash?" Dawn asked him.

"Not personally." Brock answered. "We heard about him while we were in the Hoenn Region. Back then Wallace was training to become the champion of the Hoenn Region. The champion at that time was Steven Stone."

"He'll probably try to reclaim his title." Ash said.

"Can people do that?" Dawn asked.

"Absolutely. People who lose their champion title are allowed to battle and re-earn their title." Brock replied.

Dawn was interested now.

"So Dawn, are you going to enter this Wallace Cup?" Ash asked.

"I would never say no to the Wallace Cup, Ash." Dawn said.

The boys felt happy that Dawn was going to enter a Pokemon contest since she hadn't entered one since the Solaceon Contest.

The gang then went outside so Ash and Dawn could practice for the Wallace Cup. Dawn had Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, Ambipom, Wormadam and Smoochum.

"Come on everyone, let's practice for the Wallace Cup." She said to her Pokemon.

The Pokemon were happy to know they were going to be in a Pokemon contest again, especially Piplup.

Dawn ordered Piplup to use Whirlpool, Buneary to use Bounce, Wormadam to use Razor Leaf, Ambipom to use Swift, Pachirisu to use Discharge and Smoochum to use Powder Snow. At first it seemed like Dawn knew what she was doing, but then she started telling her Pokemon to give it more power. It was then she remembered what Zoey told her about her mistake back at the Solaceon contest.

"Stop all of you!" She shouted to her Pokemon.

She was still not confident about her skill as a coordinator yet. The boys noticed this.

"Come on Dawn." Ash said. "How about practicing a contest with me?"

Before Dawn could respond, they were interrupted by some voices. The TV presenter Rhonda and her crew were with Nurse Joy.

"Hi Rhonda, it's been a while since we last saw you." Ash said.

"It certainly has Ash." Rhonda said.

The last time the gang saw Rhonda was at the Pokemon dress up contest.

"So what are you presenting today Rhonda?" Dawn asked.

Rhonda explained that Wallace was in the area and she wanted to have a video with him on his day off. The gang couldn't believe their ears.

"Are you serious?!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Yes because Wallace is holding the Wallace Cup here in Sinnoh he is having a day off around here somewhere." Rhonda said. "And now we are searching for him."

Rhonda and her crew left with Nurse Joy to search for Wallace.

"Come on guys, let's go meet Wallace too." Dawn said.

"Well, we never met Wallace when we were in Hoenn, so let's not pass this chance up." Brock said.

"Yes, it would be nice to meet the Hoenn Region's new champion." Ash said.

So the gang agreed to look for Wallace.

"So where do you think Wallace can be?" Tomo asked.

"I don't know." Dawn said.

Suddenly Piplup noticed mist on a lake.

"What's that?" Dawn asked.

The gang ran over to the lake and there they saw a Milotic swimming in the lake.

"You don't suppose." Ash said.

He looked around and there he saw a man sitting on a big rock.

"It's Wallace." Dawn said.

Wallace saw the gang.

"Well, hello there." He said.

Wallace explained that ever since he came to Sinnoh his schedule had been packed with talk shows, magazine shoots and his fans wishing to see him.

"So I finally pleaded with my staff to give me the day off and let me relax and spend the day with my Milotic."

"We're sorry if we're disturbing you, Wallace." Ash apologized.

"Oh it's all right Ash." Wallace told him. "I don't mind having a bit of company."

"We promise we won't tell anyone that you are here." Dawn said.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you." Wallace said.

"I have to say Wallace, I'm surprised you managed to beat Steven Stone and became the new Hoenn Region Champion." Ash said.

"It wasn't easy Ash, but it was a very good battle." Wallace said.

"You better brace yourself; Steven will battle you again to get his title as champion back." Ash said.

"Steven said he will battle me again after he has done training with his Pokemon for a year and I can't wait for it." Wallace said. "I heard a lot about you Ash from Steven and the Hoenn Elite Four. I've seen your contest performances on TV and you did magnificently in them. I also heard you compete in both Pokemon contests and gym battles."

"It's true, I do." Ash nodded. "And Dawn and I will be participating in the Wallace Cup."

"Well, I cannot wait to see how well you two will do in the Wallace Cup." Wallace said. "Say, why don't you two have a contest battle? I would like to see how well you and your Pokemon do."

Ash agreed to it right away; he didn't want to miss the chance to show his skills to Wallace personally. Dawn wasn't sure, but Piplup wanted to do it so she agreed.

Ash and Dawn took their places and sent out their Pokemon. Dawn used Piplup and Ash sent out his Buizel. Piplup started off with Bubble Beam, but Buizel used Sonic Boom to counter the attack. Next Buizel used Water Gun, but Piplup used the spin to dodge it and used Peck on Buizel. Buizel used Aqua Jet, but Piplup used Whirlpool to counter it. It was then Wallace decided to stop the battle there.

"Wonderful performances Buizel, Piplup." He said.

After the battle, Wallace talked with the gang some more.

"Brock told me Ash that Buizel belonged to Dawn some time ago." Wallace said.

"It is true." Ash nodded. "But Buizel really likes to battle which is why Dawn and I did a trade. I traded one of my Aipom for Buizel because Aipom who is now a Ambipom really liked performing."

"I see." Wallace said. "I think you should use Buizel in the Wallace Cup Ash. It would be wonderful to see those impressive moves in a contest."

"Well Buizel hasn't been in a contest yet, so I think I will enter the Wallace Cup with him." Ash said.

"What did you think of Dawn and Piplup?" Brock asked Wallace.

"Well the way Dawn shows her moves is flawless." Wallace said. "Very well researched and rehearsed. But you seem to be focusing too much on the moves. You need to keep Piplup in more with it's natural abilities. Tell me Dawn have you been playing with any of your Pokemon lately?"

"No I haven't." Dawn admitted. "You see I've been working too much on focusing about contests and I've been feeling very sorry for myself because of my losing streak. Ash, Tomo and Brock play with their Pokemon a lot, but I haven't brought myself to play with my Pokemon."

Wallace saw the situation.

"Then let me show you Dawn what happens when you relax and play with your Pokemon more." He said.

Wallace and his Milotic did a performance for the gang. First Milotic used Safeguard to make itself glow light green and a mist surrounded it. Next Milotic used Aqua Ring and three rings of water surrounded it. Then Milotic used Dragon Pulse to break apart the rings of water. Last of all Milotic used Twister, which created a watery cyclone. The gang clapped for Wallace and Milotic once it was over.

"That was awesome." Ash said.

"It was also very mystical." Dawn said.

"I want to see more." Tomo said.

"That's what I call bringing out the best of your Pokemon." Brock said.

"I'm happy you liked my performance." Wallace said. "Now I must go. I'll see you all at the Wallace Cup."

Then he and Milotic left.

*That evening...*

The gang couldn't stop thinking about the time they spent with Wallace today. Getting advice from him made Dawn promise she would spend more time playing with her Pokemon in the future. But now she had the Wallace Cup to look forward to.

Suddenly Nurse Joy told Ash that someone from the Pokemon Center in Snowpoint City wanted to talk to him.

"I wonder who it is." Ash said.

He was in for the surprise of his life.