Summary
Even though the group had visited Hearthome City twice, first in "Dawn's Early Night" and again in "Arriving in Style!", the Gym remained shuttered with no sign of the Gym Leader. Melissa (Fantina) had left a message stating she was away on a journey to develop a new battle style and asked not to be sought out. She eventually resurfaced in "Playing The Leveling Field!" to battle Ash and Zoey. During this time, she displayed a habit of dancing frequently and sprinkling in French phrases like "s'il vous plaît." It was also disclosed that she had fought Alan twice, with him winning the second match, and that Paul had successfully defeated her as well in "Aiding the Enemy." Ash encountered Fantina again upon his return to Hearthome City in "Barry's Busting Out All Over!" and faced her in "Shield with a Twist!", where he emerged victorious and claimed the Relic Badge. Later, in "Gotta Get a Gible!", it was revealed that Melissa (Fantina) had once more departed from her Gym, forcing Barry to wait in line to challenge her when she returned. She also appeared from DP174 to DP177, serving as a guest judge for the Grand Festival.
