Beauty and The Breeder

Today the gang were relaxing at a Pokémon center. Brock was on a computer checking his email account, while Ashlyn and Misty were having ice cream.

"Brock checks his emails every time we enter a Pokémon center." Ashlyn commented.

"Yeah, it seems that he's eager to get an email from someone, but who?" Misty asked.

Ashlyn already knew that it was Suzie that Brock was contacting with. It wasn't going to be pretty when Brock's heart will get broken by another beautiful girl.

"I don't know," Ashlyn replied, "I don't think the email would be from his family because Brock prefers contacting them by phone. So I guess we will have to wait and see who it is."

Ashlyn had received a call early by Prof. Oak and he told her that some of her Pokémon had evolved while they were training at the coral a few days ago. Her Sobble had evolved into Drizzile, Grookey into Thwackey, Genji (Shiny Froakie) into Frogadier, Cybele (Shiny Chespin) into Quilladin, Goomy into Sliggoo, Nickit into Thievul, Cedar into Ivysaur, and Gothita into Gothorita. She was happy to know that they evolved and that they were doing okay. She also had to admit that it was somewhat funny when all of her evolved Pokémon wanted to say hello on the screen. She told them that she was proud of them. So she sent Croconaw, Bayleef, Quilava, and Mienshao back to the ranch. Then she brought Genji, Quilladen, Natsu, and Keiko onto her team.

Brock continued to look through his emails and one came up, the one that he was expecting, "Yes, I finally got an email from Suzie." He smiled.

"What does it say, Brock?" Ashlyn asked.

"She's coming back for a Pokémon Contest in a place call Bonitaville." Brock answered.

"Rai?" Tesla said.

"And... She has been trying to find a Pokémon she could enter with."

"A contest, huh?" Misty asked.

"It's a little bit out of our way. Buuuuuuuuut, I got to see Suzie!" Brock declared.

"Oh boy." Ashlyn muttered with a sweat drop on her forehead.

The gang left the Pokémon center and went to find Suzie.

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When the gang walked through the town to find Suzy, they noticed a lot of trainers with Pokémon all looking stylish. Some Pokémon had fancy make up on; some had jewelry and ribbons on, some had cool looking decorations on and some had very well brushed fur.

"Wow look at all of these stylish Pokémon. They must all be entering the contest." Misty commented.

"Is the contest about beauty, Brock?" Ashlyn asked.

"Why yes. It's a beauty contest. Suzie is going to enter Vulpix in the contest." Brock confirmed.

"So that's why you've been grooming Vulpix so much." Misty stated.

"Yup, I want to make Vulpix nice and beautiful before we meet up with Suzie." Brock brushed Vuplix.

"Vul." Vulpix smiled.

"And speaking of beauty, you two could use a little sprucing up," Brock added, looking up at Ashlyn and Misty, "You can't meet Suzy looking all scruffy and scuzzy."

Misty glared, "You don't look so great yourself, Brock."

"So how do I look now?" Brock asked, suddenly appeared in a white tuxedo with red bowtie.

"Like a TV announcer." Ashlyn replied.

"Rai rai." Tesla said.

"Now that you mention it, he kind of does." Misty agreed.

"Togi Togi Togepriii." Togepi smiled.

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The gang were at a water fountain while trying to spot Suzie. Brock was carrying Vulpix in his arms along with a bouquet of roses.

"Seems to me that Suzie has some tough competition here, Brock. A lot of these Pokémon are pretty stylish." Ashlyn said.

"You're right about that. But the contest isn't just how the Pokémon looks, the judges also decide the winner on how well the breeder raise their Pokémon." Brock stated.

"Vulpix!" Vulpix jumped out of Brock's arms and started to run off. "Vul!"

"Hey Vulpix, where are you going?!" Brock called out and then he and Ashlyn ran after it.

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"Vulpix! Vulpix!" Vulpix jumped into a woman's arms.

The woman's arms is Suzie Yuki.

Suzie was surprised and caught her fox Pokémon, "Oh Vulpix! I'm so happy to see you again." She hugged her Pokémon.

"Hey Suzie." Ashlyn smiled.

"It's been a long time Ashlyn, Tesla." Suzie greeted.

"Raichu!" Tesla smiled.

"It sure has. Brock told Misty and I that you've been traveling around to learn more about Pokémon breeding." Ashlyn smiled. Then Ashlyn noticed Brock beside her, who held the bouquet of roses in front of his face while blushing, "Look who it is, Brock."

"Brock is that you?" Suzie asked.

"No, I mean, yes. I'm behind flowers," Brock held the flowers to Suzie, "They're for you."

"Oh, thank you Brock, they're beautiful." Suzie took the roses.

"No, thank you for allowing me to keep your Vulpix for so long," Brock bowed at the waist, "I hope you find her in good condition." He stood up.

"Vulpix Vul!" Vulpix smiled.

"And I thank you for taking great care of Vulpix. I can tell that you have taken excellent care of her." She complimented.

"Are you sure about giving Vulpix back, Brock?" Ashlyn questioned.

"Well Vulpix truly belonged to me in the first place. And I always knew that I would to have to return Vulpix to Suzie one day. When I found out that Suzie would be here, I thought now would be the perfect time." Brock replied.

"Brock thought instead of me looking for a new Pokémon to enter in the contest, I should enter Vulpix." Suzie said.

"You and Vulpix better get reacquainted and we have to buy our tickets for the contest," Brock bowed at the waist, "So good luck and see you later."

"I have a great idea. Why don't you and I enter the contest as partners?" Suzie suggested.

Brock stood up with a look of shock, "You mean together?"

"Sure, why do say?" Suzie asked.

"I say I love to." Brock accepted happily.

"Well if it's alright with our pretty little friend here, it's alright with me." Suzie said.

"Vul!" Vulpix smiled.

"Me and Suzie? Suzie and Me? Together? The two of uuuh-" Brock turned bright red and passed out.

"Brock?" Ashlyn blinked.

"He fainted." Suzie gasped.

Ashlyn and Tesla sighed at this. Ashlyn released Genji.

"Genji use Water Gun on Brock, but do hold back a little." Ashlyn ordered.

Genji nodded and gently squirted some water onto Brock's face. He blinked for a few seconds and then sat up.

"What happened?" Brock asked.

"You fainted." Ashlyn replied.

"Rai, Raichu? (Hey, where's Misty?)" Tesla asked.

"Yeah, I wonder where she went." Ashlyn pondered.

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Ashlyn, Brock, and Suzie went to find Misty. They soon spotted her talking to a young man with sandy brown hair who was brushing a Ninetales's fur. Although it seemed that he was getting annoyed by Misty's questions about Ninetales's fur.

"You could be a little more polite, Zane." Suzie suggested.

Misty and Zane turned to Suzie and the others.

"Suzie." Zane said, surprised.

"Suzie." Misty said.

"Instead of being rude, you should be happy she thinks your Ninetales is beautiful." Suzie stated.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just focused on winning the beauty contest," Zane apologized. Then he turned to Suzie, "But now I'm just focused on you."

Suzie giggled.

"Vul!" Vulpix smiled.

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Right now gang, Suzie and Zane went to a café and sat at a table all together.

"So you two have known each other for awhile, huh?" Misty asked.

"Oh yes, since we were both in Nursey school and even way back then, we both wanted to be Breeders and we even started out with our own Vulpix." Suzie explained.

"Suzie vowed that she'd be the world's top Vulpix breeder and I said I do the same." Zane stated.

Brock slammed his hands on the table and leaned towards the two Vulpix breeders, "So you're a rival! Suzie's sworn mortal enemy!"

"We'll we're rivals," Zane agreed, "But certainly not enemies."

"It looks like Elsa and Ninetales have some competition." Ashlyn smiled.

"You have a Ninetales too, Ashlyn?" Suzie asked.

"Yup. I also have a Alolan Ninetales named Elsa." Ashlyn replied.

"Wow." Suzie said, amazed.

"Your Ninetales looks like spun gold, Zane." Misty complimented.

"Thanks. I hope you're right. Suzie and her Vulpix will be tough to beat. That's when I decided to evolve my Vulpix into a Ninetales." Zane said.

"Ninetales." Ninetales smiled.

"I'd like to win just as much as Suzie does." Zane said.

"Seems like you and Zane have a lot in common Suzie." Ashlyn pointed out.

"Yeah." Misty agreed.

Suzie nodded, "We do. But we also have a lot of disagreements. You see, the truth is that Zane cares about Pokémon's beauty on the outside and I care about Pokémon beauty's on the inside." She explained.

Zane chuckled, "You certainly haven't changed at all, Suzie."

Brock's face started twitching with jealously.

Suzie chuckled, "I guess neither of us have, Zane."

Zane stood up from his seat, "Well Ninetales and I better go now and get ready. Good luck in the Contest, Suzie." He left with his Ninetales.

"In his heart he's the sweetest boy in the whole world... oh! I forgot about you sitting there Brock! Of course you're very sweet in your own way too!" Suzie said, smiling.

Brock slammed his fists on the table, "That guy's not sweet!" He roared, "That guy's our number one competition! And we have to defeat him.... TOTALLY!"

Suzie blinked in confusion and then smiled as she nodded.

"Oh boy." Ashlyn muttered with a sweat drop on her forehead.

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The contest begins, Ashlyn and Misty were sitting in the astonishingly huge crowd waiting for the first contestants to come out. Each contestant draws a number to decide who comes out first.

"So what number is Suzie and Brock?" Ashlyn asked.

Misty took out the pamphlet and turned a few pages, "According to the program, they're number 37."

"And what about Zane?" Ashlyn asked.

"He's after Suzie." Misty told her.

"This is going to be tough for Brock, Suzie and Zane." Ashlyn said.

"Yeah." Misty agreed.

And with that, the contest began.

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The contest was okay so far. But Team Rocket did show up in their disguises on stage when the judges found out that they stole a Marill. Officer Jenny kicked them out. However, Ashlyn knew that they would try again to get in to steal the Pokémon. So Ashlyn left the crowd when Team Rocket was on stage. She followed Team Rocket and Officer Jenny. She arrived just in time when Team Rocket was kicked out.

"Officer Jenny." Ashlyn called out.

"Oh, who are you?" Officer Jenny asked.

"My name's Ashlyn Ketchum, I'm a friend of Brock and Suzie who are in the contest." Ashlyn introduced.

"Ashlyn Ketchum? Are you the same one who helped out my third cousin in Catallia City?" Officer Jenny asked.

"Yes I am." Ashlyn replied.

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you." Officer Jenny held her hand out.

"It's a pleasure as well." Ashlyn gently took her hand and the two shook hands.

"So do you need help or something?" Jenny asked.

"Actually yes, it's about those two that you kicked out." Ashlyn replied, "If those two are who I really think they are, then we have to stop them."

"What do you mean?"

"I have a strong feeling that those two were Team Rocket members."

"But how come they're at a Beauty Contest?"

"Think about it, there's a big amount of Pokémon here. It's the perfect opportunity."

"I see your point. But I already threw them out of the contest. You really don't think they'll try to get back in?"

"Something tells me they had a backup plan in case they didn't win the contest."

"A backup plan?"

"To steal the Pokémon."

"Then we better stop them." Officer Jenny opened the door and saw that Jessie and James were gone along with their Pokémon.

"Where could they've gone?" Jenny asked.

"Officer Jenny, they're probably going to head towards where the contestants are getting ready. We should get there before them." Ashlyn suggested.

Officer Jenny nodded, "Right."

The two quickly headed towards the contestants' room.

================================================

Luckily Ashlyn and Officer Jenny arrived just as Team Rocket loaded all the Pokémon into a big metal shipping container.

"Hold it right there!" Officer Jenny called out.

The trio froze and saw Ashlyn and Officer Jenny.

"It's the twerp!" Jessie and James yelped in shock.

"And Officer Jenny!" Meowth added.

"Release those Pokémon at once!" Officer Jenny ordered.

"No can do!" Meowth taunted.

"Then we'll just have to make you. Orin! Bella! Mareep!" Ashlyn released Orin, Bella, and Mareep.

"Espurr." Orin and Bella said.

"Mareep!" Mareep said.

"Use Psychic! Mareep, use Iron Tail on the door!" Ashlyn ordered.

Orin and Bella's eyes glowed blue. Then Team Rocket was lifted into the air.

"Oh no! Not again!" James panicked.

Mareep's tail glowed a metallic color and slashed it at the contestant's door which Brock came falling out of.

"Brock?" Ashlyn blinked.

"I'm okay!" Brock instantly stood up.

Ashlyn sighed and then went over to the container and opened the door. "Come on, guys. You're free."

The Pokémon smiled and Ashlyn stood to the side and let all of the Pokémon ran out. All of the Pokémon went back to their trainers who were relieved that they were unharmed.

"Oh no!" Meowth gasped.

"The Pokémon!" James added.

"We worked very hard to get those Pokémon!" Jessie added, angrily.

Ashlyn rolled her eyes, "Yeah right."

Orin and Bella lifted the Team Rocket into the air and dropped them on top of the container.

"Team Rocket, if you think that you're going to ruin this Beauty Contest for the Breeders you are so wrong." Brock said.

"So it's a fight, huh? Well I choose you, Arbok!" Jessie released her snake Pokémon.

"Charbok!" Arbok said.

"And I choose you, Victreebel!" James sent out the flycatcher Pokémon.

"Vicreee!" It appeared and then bit down on James.

"Open up! Let me out of here!" James muffled in Victreebel's mouth.

Meowth sighed, "That just goes that James is hard to swallow."

"Now it's time for your one way ticket out of here." Ashlyn stated.

"We'll help." Suzie said as her Vulpix stood beside her.

"Same here." Zane said, as his Ninetales is ready, "They are a disgrace to those who work with Pokémon, so intend to teach them a lesson."

"Vulpix," Suzie started.

"Ninetales," Zane started.

"Use Fire Spin!" They both commanded.

"Orin, Bella, Secret Power! Tesla, Mareep, Thunder Shock!" Ashlyn ordered.

All of the attacks combined with the Fire Spin attack and hit the crate which broken into pieces and Team Rocket was sent flying into the air.

"I can't believe we lost the contest!" Jessie whined.

"I can't believe we lost the Pokémon." James groaned.

"I guess we're still losers." Meowth stated.

"Yeah." They sighed.

"TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket screamed as they disappeared into the sky.

"Glad that's over with." Ashlyn said.

"Yeah." Misty nodded.

Suddenly, Orin, Bella, and Mareep glowed. The gang gasped at the moment.

"Orin, Bella, and Mareep are evolving!" Brock said.

When the glow ended, Ashlyn's three Pokémon had new forms. In Mareep's place stood a pink, bipedal, ovine Pokémon. It had thick, conical ears with black stripes on the sides of its head and small, blue eyes. A white mane of wool covers its head and upper body. Its mane formed sideways curls on the top of its head. It had stubby arms and one nail on each foot. Its long tail has black stripes and is tipped with a blue orb.

In Orin's place stood a predominantly dark blue bipedal, feline Pokémon with two tails, folded ears, a small collar of fur around the neck, and a tuft of fur on top of the head. Its eyes are green with light blue sclerae. The tuft of fur between its ears was white and curved slightly to the side and the collar around its neck is white with several stray tufts of fur. It has pointed ears with white at the fold and on the tips of its ears; there was also a white ring near the tips of its ears. Its tails are also pointed with white tips and a white ring near the end. There was a tuft of fur on each hip and it had white paws.

In Bella's place stood a predominantly white bipedal, feline Pokémon with two tails, folded ears, a small collar of fur around the neck, and a tuft of fur on top of the head. Its ears had no markings and curled tips and its eyes are red with yellow sclerae. The tuft of fur on its head is blue and curled, as is the collar around its neck. Its tails are blue at the base and end in white, fluffy curls. There are blue, stocking-like markings around its paws and two tufts of fur on each hip.

She took out her Rotom Phone and scanned the pink Pokémon.

[Flaaffy, the Wool Pokémon. Flaaffy builds up electricity in its thick coat of fur, but is unaffected by it, thanks to its rubber-like skin.]

Then turned to Orin and Bella.

[Meowstic, the Constraint Pokémon. When faced with trouble, Meowstic will raise its ears and create enough Psychic power to demolish a ten-ton truck. Its appearance varies, depending on gender.]

"Congratulations you guys." Ashlyn smiled.

The three Pokémon smiled.

"Togi Togi Togephriii!" Togepi cheered.

"Look at those two." Misty said.

They turned towards Ninetales and Vulpix. Ninetales was somewhat glowing with a shiny gold color. Suzie and Zane smiled happily. Ashlyn could easily tell that they liked each other. She glanced over at Brock who could also tell.

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With Team Rocket gone, the beauty contest was now right back on schedule. Ashlyn and Misty were in the waiting room with Brock, Suzie, and Zane.

"Well, you're up soon, Vulpix." Brock told the fire-type Pokémon.

"Vul." Vulpix said.

"Vulpix wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you, Brock." Suzie smiled.

"I didn't do very much to help, Suzie. Vulpix and Ninetales who took care of Team Rocket. But also Flaffy, Orin, and Bella." Brock's cheeks turned pink as he rubbed the back of his sheepishly.

"I thought that both Vulpix and Ninetails were wonderful. Flaffy, Orin, and Bella's attacks combined with Fire Spin were incredible." Misty commented.

"Yeah everyone's attacks were amazing." Ashlyn added.

"Thank you Ashlyn and Misty." Suzie thanked.

"I have to agree with you two. But there was also something that I learned from it." Zane said.

"What was that?" Suzie asked.

"They showed me how important it is to work together." Zane said, "If you and I did that Suzie, we make an awesome team. We could breed and groom the most beautiful Pokémon ever."

"You know he's right. I mean Suzie can work on a Pokémon's beauty on the inside and Zane can worn on a Pokémon's beauty on the outside." Ashlyn explained.

"Yeah, that will be a great combination." Misty agreed.

"So what do you say, Suzie? Maybe we can help Pokémon be beautiful inside and out?" Zane offered.

Suzie stood up and turned to Zane, "You mean open a Pokémon beauty salon together?" She asked.

"That's a great idea." Misty said.

"Yeah go for it. When you do that, Tesla and I will be your first customers." Ashlyn agreed.

"Raichu!" Tesla smiled.

"Togepi and I will be your second customers." Misty added.

"Togi Togi!" Togepi smiled.

"What do you think, Brock?" Suzie asked.

"I believe that you and Zane will make a great team together, Suzie." Brock agreed.

Suzie smiled at the gang, "Then that settles it." Then she turned to Zane, "You got yourself a deal, Zane." She held her hand out to Zane and he gently held hers.

"I think we'll make a good match." Zane smiled.

Brock stood up and started chuckling nervously, "Isn't this great guys?"

Misty smiled, "It is for them."

'He's really upset.' Ashlyn thought.

Then Suzie and Brock were called onto the stage.

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As it turns out, Zane was actually jealous of Brock. Apparently ever since Suzie met Brock she's been telling Zane that he's the best there is. Brock was touched by Suzie's words. So Zane and Brock shook hands. Brock gave Suzie Vulpix's Pokéball back to her, meaning Vulpix was now Suzie's Pokémon again. Ashlyn decided to send Flaffy back to the lab and bring Lucario and Levina onto her team. After the beauty contest was finished with, the gang bid farewell to Suzie, Zane and Vulpix and left on their journey once again.

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Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Type: Null (Talos)(Genderless), Shiny Noctowl (M), Meowstic (Orin)(M), Meowstic (Bella)(F), Zeraora (Raiden)(M), Togetic (F), Misdreavus (F), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Shiny Frogadier (Genji)(M), Shiny Quilladin (Cybele)(F), Shiny Charizard (Natsu)(M), Mew (Keiko)(F), Lucario (M), Pikachu (Levina)(F)

*Marshadow is hiding in Ashlyn's shadow

Pokémon Caught: Heracross (M), Furret (F), Stantler (F), Bayleef (F), Quilava (M), Togetic (F), Croconaw (M), Steelix (M), Flaffy (F), Girafarig (F), Misdreavus (F), Drizzile (M), Thwackey (M), Shiny Frogadier (Genji)(M), Shiny Quilladin (Cybele)(F), Hakamo-o (M), Sliggoo (F), Meowstic (Orin)(M), Meowstic (Bella)(F), Thievul (F), Gothorita (F), Rapidash (F), Houndour (M), Shiny Noctowl (M), Zeraora (Raiden)(M)