nightelf37: I'm not gonna tell you anymore what I have told you at the last chapters. Also, I didn't use this character in my Kingdom Hearts Remake 3 because of how 'unbalanced' Brendan is compared to the one I put in his place; the mercenary Crystal White.

Chapter 10: Racing Day and the Flower Card

At yet another attempt to refute the true rumors of Mamoru Academy, said school has decided to host an athletics event at South City (*) in the Hoenn region. The city is located somewhere southeast of Mauville City.

The academy's venue was at the stadium where the citizens of South City usually partake in special events. It was as big as the one where Brendan fought his battles at the Ever Grande Conference. Of course, after he won the tournament, he then proceeded to challenge the Elite Four and the Champion.

The only difference of this stadium was that there was a track field surrounding the borders of the area inside, while the inner section was empty of markings.

Currently, Brendan and a few other students were taking part in a short race. They all wore white T-shirts with a withdrawn shiny Torkoal, and shorts of the same color. They were allowed to keep their shoes and headgear though. As most, if not all, of the students were Pokémon Trainers, who most likely have been on the road for a sufficiently long time, everyone had a good chance of winning.

Brendan was the one who crossed the finish line first, winning the race. Even without the Running Shoes, he was quick on his feet. After he crossed the finish line, he went over to Ricky, who was beside two other students and was holding a pole with a little red flag with a "1" on it.

"Wow! You were fast, Brendan!", he said.

"Thanks, Ricky!", Brendan replied. Just then, he heard some clapping. Brendan turned to see Julian doing that. Daisy was beside him, holding two large bags. "Hey, Julian!" Brendan came over to them.

"You run really fast, don't you?", Julian said.

"Other than Pokémon battles, that's the only thing he's good at anyway.", Daisy said as a sly remark. This earned her a stomp in the foot by her brother, who then noticed the bags she was carrying.

"Isn't that a big lunch?", Brendan asked as his sister flinched in pain.

"We both made it.", Julian answered.

"Dad said he'd come here as soon as he's done with his presentation at school.", Daisy told her brother.

"Guess it can't be helped.", Brendan replied. Their father is a teacher at a school in Slateport, the reason why they moved there in the first place. Brendan isn't really interested in what he is teaching, so he doesn't know what it is.

"Hm?", Julian said as he looked at a pamphlet that had a schedule. "Looks like there's a hundred meter race for parents this afternoon. It'd be great if you father could make it in time for that."

"You're right."

"Participants of the 4-Trainer-Pokémon relay race, plese meet at the entrance gate.", a familiar voice said over the PA system. Brendan recognized tthe voice as Yuri's. "Repeat, participants of the 4-Trainer-Pokémon relay race, plese meet at the entrance gate."

"Will you be taking part?", Julian asked.

"Yup. Ricky is my partner."

Julian held up his camera. "I'll be taking pictures, then."

Brendan smiled and turned to Daisy's ear to whisper to her. "Take a picture of you and Julian together, please?"

"Oh, all right."

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Yuri was seated at the announcement booth, which was situated in the field as the Mamoru Academy weren't able to get the rights to use the one at the upper area of the stadium and didn't know how to use the equipment.

Two Lasses, a Sr. and Jr. pair, were passing by him.

"That Brendan guy's actually fast even without the Running Shoes, Anna?", one of them said.

"Yeah, Meg.", the other one replied. "I'll be rooting for him!"

"Yuri!", Brendan called as he came over to see him.

"Hey, Brendan. Shouldn't you be at the entrance gate with Ricky?"

"I just wanted to see if your mother was coming."

"She's currently busy at work, but will come right after she's done. "

As one of the academy staff came over to talk to Yuri, Brendan was deep in thought.

Yuri's mother is a researcher at the Devon Corporation and is a very busy woman. Sometimes, the only time she communicates with Yuri is through the Pokénav, other times through mail sent via Prower, Yuri's Linoone. Brendan never met her, although he might've passed her by while on his way to meet Pres. Stone after his first encounter with Team Aqua (or was it Magma?) (**). Come to think of it, Yuri never mentioned his father.

Brendan then returned to reality and asked Yuri to watch.

"Okay.", Yuri replied as Brendan went on his way.

"He's so handsome, isn't he?", Meg said.

"Yeah! I wonder if that white on his head is a hat or hair?", Anna remarked.

"Requiem. Let's go!", Yuri threw a Pokéball and sent out a Miltank who wore a red hat on her head backwards. He then gave her his camera as well as a 'saddle' to keep it on her back. "Go and record Brendan's endeavors, okay?" Requiem nodded and went on her way.

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The 4-Trainer-Pokémon relay race was currently in progress. The order for his team was Kenshin (Ricky's Zangoose), Ricky, Shadow (Brendan's Mightyena), and Brendan. During each part of the relay where Brendan or his Pokémon were running, Julian took photos.

"Wow. He's fast, isn't he?", he remarked.

"Yeah. I'll have to say he is."

"He also seems to be quite a good catcher." This relay was a little diferent. Instead of passing by hand (or paw/claw/whatever a Pokémon uses to hold stuff), at the end of their leg, the relay baton is tossed leg to the next racer a few paces away.

"Compared to before, that is.", Daisy said in a snide manner. "When he first started in the academy, he usually caught such things with his head."

On the relay's second lap, Shadow had the baton between his teeth. As he reached the end of his track, he tossed it to the air, and as it landed, his tail glowed white (Iron Tail) as he swung it at the baton. The baton made its way to Brendan…and hit him on the head. Luckily, he recovered fast enough to catch it before it fell to the ground and he ran his leg of the relay.

"Just like that?", Julian asked.

"Just like that.", Daisy answered.

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"Next is the final event of the morning, the obstacle course.", the announcer said through the PA system. "Participants must endure numerous challenges to reach the goal. Please cheer all the participants on!"

One of those participants was Brendan, who tightened his bandanna.

"Do your best, Brendan!", Yuri called from the bleachers.

Brendan turned to the right to see him, Ricky, Nick, and Jackson cheering him on. He then turned to the left and saw Tanja on his adjacent lane, who merely frowned, making him nervous. Just then, Ms. Valerie called to the participants.

"Get ready!", she said as she turned to her Cloyster Derro, who had white markings like her Solrock Cosmos.

"Go for it!", Julian called from the sidelines as he waved. Both turned to him and smiled. They then turned to each other and got serious.

"I'm definitely not going to lose.", Tanja said.

"We'll see about that.", Brendan retorted.

"Set… Go!", Ms. Valerie called out.

Derro turned to the sky and fired an Aurora Beam and it was on. Everyone started running as they confronted their first obstacle. All of them crawled under the ladder. They then rolled giant plastic balls, and one of them ended up being rolled off course and through the contraptions that show advertisments and right into the audience. They ran across a balance beam, some of them tripping up. They crawled under a net, where most of them got tangled. All the while, Tanja and Brendan were at each other's necks.

"It's down to Avilon and Madison!", Jackson said nervously.

"Who's gonna win this?", Nick asked, biting his nails.

Finally, just as they reached the finish line, Julian cheered for them again. Both turned to see him for a second, then stumbled a little. And they both reached the finish line, resulting in a photo finish. And from closer analysis, it was Brendan who won the race…by the bandanna. Upon this revelation, Tanja palmed her face and turned away as Brendan punched the air in glee.

"Yeah! I did it!", he said.

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Later, at the bleachers…

Brendan was talking with Yuri as they walked down the steps.

"You mom's not yet here?"

"No. But I'm sure she'll come around."

"Why not have lunch with us?"

"Are you sure? To barge in on a nice family outing like that?"

"Sure. Why not? As my dad always said, lunch tastes better if there are more people to enjoy it."

"Gee, thanks."

"So long as there is enough food provided, of course."

Both of them laughed at that. Just then, Brendan noticed Tanja pass by. In an attempt to lessen the hostility between them, he asked if she would like to have lunch with them.

"Huh? Why?", she asked.

Suddenly, they heard Julian and they turned to see him waving at them.

"Lunch is ready.", he said.

"Okay!", Yuri responded.

Just as they were about to go, Brendan felt a tug on his sleeve. He turned to see Tanja pulling, with a flustered expression.

"Okay. I'll come.", she said quietly.

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Later…

Brendan, Yuri, Tanja, Julian, Daisy, and all of their Pokémon (save for Julian's as he didn't bring any with him) were seated at the bleachers. Most of the audience had left to eat outside. As Terraqus was offering a can of Pokémon food to Castora, in front of them, Brendan was offering a cube of jelly to Yuri.

"Try some of this, Yuri.", he offered.

"Sure. You sister and Julian made this, right? It's really delicious."

Just as Yuri took the plate from Brendan, a flower petal landed on it. He picked it up and smiled. Two rows below, Althena offered a cup of warm tea to Bermol, who was playing with his empty cup by balancing it on his lilypad head. The Blissey sighed and offered it to Gleamers, who kindly took the cup.

She then took her empty cup beside her, bypassed Tanja's three Pokémon, who were drinking their share (with Bolt just looking to the sky), and made her way to Daisy, who quietly filled the Blissey's cup with a vacuum flask (***).

As Daisy filled her own cup and drank from it, Julian was eating the jelly at an alarming rate. Everybody (save for Daisy), including their Pokémon looked at him bug-eyed in astonishment and bewilderment. All of their Pokémon, at least those with mouths, even had their jaws dropped. All the while, petals continued to fall. Julian then noticed everybody looking at him and stopped.

"Huh? Sorry! I guess I'm hogging all the food.", he said.

"No, no, no. Eating a lot is a good thing!", Brendan replied frantically.

"Well, the lunch is really delicious."

Just then, Tanja stood up and said, "To eat a lot of good food is a sign of good health!"

"Gee, thanks."

Tanja turned to face him and she started to get flustered once more. She then shook it off, returned her Pokémon, thanked them for the meal, and then hightailed it out, leaving a trail of dust as she left through the lower exit.

"She sure runs fast when she's embarrassed, huh?", Yuri said.

"Yeah.", Brendan replied. "Faster than me in my Running Shoes."

Seconds after Tanja left, Skyler made his way down the steps (from the upper exit) to meet Brendan and the others. He carried a cooler on his right hand, a strap from it slung over his shoulder.

"Sorry I'm late!", he said.

"Dad!", Brendan greeted.

"Sorry I missed the relay. And most of the events you partook in."

"Don't worry about it, sir.", Yuri said. "I caught it all on tape."

"And I have a lot of pictures, too.", Julian added.

"Thank you very much. I'm sorry, Brendan."

"That's okay. You came, and that's what matters."

Skyler opened his cooler and revealed a dozen servings of crème caramel. (****)

"I made these flans yesterday.", he said. "Borrowed the school's fridge, so they should still be cold."

He gave the rest a serving each and they took their time in eating it. Brendan, Yuri, and Daisy shared some to their Pokémon.

"Hey, do we still have some flan left?", Brendan asked as Althena, Aixata, and Onadi shared a dish.

"There's some left in the fridge at home."

"Okay." Brendan then thought, "I think I'll give some to Cerberus once we get home."

Just then, after everyone (even their Pokémon) put their trash in plastic bags, Skyler got up, one of said bags in hand.

"Well, I better dispose of the trash.", he said.

"I'm coming too.", offered Daisy as she picked up another wrapped-up plastic bag.

"Me too.", added Julian as he did likewise and the three made their way to the top, where the trash cans are.

"Shame that Tanja left early.", Yuri sighed. "This flan is delicious."

"Yeah. Too bad for her.", Brendan said as he lifted his spoon for another bite.

"Yuri.", a woman's voice said.

All of them, both the trainers and their Pokémon, save for Aquomax, who was gulping down the last of the flan, turned to see a tall woman, accompanied by four men in black. The woman had green hair, reaching to mid-back length. She wore a yellow suit, styled somewhat like the kind female Cool Trainers wear in the Hoenn region.

"Mom!", Yuri called. As their Pokémon conversed with one another, noting Yuri's mother, Brendan was looking in awe. "Brendan, this is my mother."

Yuri's mother suddenly gasped upon hearing Brendan's name. She then, regained her composure, "Oh, sorry. I'm Delia Lotira. Thank you so much for being such a good friend to Yuri during his travels."

"Oh, that's nothing.", Brendan replied sheepishly. "He was the one helping me out. There was this one time that—"

Delia bent down to him and said, "You look so handsome. And your crimson eyes…they remind me of somebody I once knew." Brendan heart was already beating faster. So fast that his Pokémon started to worry he might faint. "I've heard so much about you from Yuri as well as on TV of your status as Champion. However, I still haven't found out your surname. Would you please tell me?"

"I-It's Avi—"

"Brendan!", a familiar voice called.

Brendan turned to see his dad and greeted him accordingly. As he, Daisy, and Julian approached, Delia suddenly shrieked in horror.

"Mister Avilon!", she cried out loud.

"Delia!", gasped Skyler.

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Sometime later, after excusing their kids to go off elsewhere, Skyler and Delia stood facing each other in the top section of the stadium, just below the lights that turn on during nighttime events.

"I didn't realize it earlier since you changed your last name. Back at school, you were Delia Nenalid, right?

" 'Brendan.' I should've known when I heard that name. Sarah always said she'd give that name if she ever had a son (^)…I can never forgive you!"

All the while, Skyler made a mild smile.

"You're right.", he said. "Back then, she was at junior high, and it was my first year as a teacher."

"That's right! Just a fledgling, and you married one of your students. And my dear Sarah at that!"

"Uhh…"

"Ever since we were kids, I always promised myself I'd protect Sarah from people like you. In spite of my efforts, you had to get to her. And she passed way at such a young age!" All the while, Skyler didn't change his expression. "And yet you smile despite all this!"

"I promised Sarah I wouldn't cry.", Skyler said as he closed his eyes and made a sad face.

Delia looked a little affected, then she looed back and pointed at ham. "In any case, I won't ever forgive you!"

A moderate distance away, Brendan, Daisy, and Julian watched from a distance.

"I guess Dad already knew Yuri's mom.", Brendan said as Daisy made a thoughtful expression.

Just then, on the PA system was Yuri. "Parents participating in the hundred meter race, please meet at the entrance gate. Repeat…"

Skyler noticed his children and ran over to them.

"You're running the hundred meter race, right?", Brendan asked.

"You want me to go?", Daisy offered.

"It's okay.", Skyler answered. "I promised Delia I'd enter. By the way, Brendan. Could you take me to the entrance gate?"

"Don't worry. My Pokémon know the way." Brendan took out a Pokéball, enlarged it, then tossed it. "Thundermax! Let's do it!" (^*) In a flash of light, Thundermax appeared next to Brendan. "Thundermax, can you take my dad to the stadium's entrance gate?" The Manectric nodded, then indicated Skyler to follow.

"Can I ask why, or should I rather not?", Julian asked as Brendan went another way to meet with his friends.

"Delia used to be Delia Nenalid.", Daisy stated.

"Wait a sec… Isn't Nenalid your mother's maiden name?"

"Yeah. Delia was Mom's cousin. She was the only daughter of a famous aristocrat. Dad was a beginning teacher. She knew she was going to face a lot of hardship, but Mom got married at the age of sixteen. She worked part-time as a model while going to school. It's not because of that when she got sick, but there were things going on back at the Nenalid family. Delia had always looked after Mom when they were kids, and she was against the marriage more than anyone else."

As they talked, flower petals began to fall. Julian nodded and said, "But your mother's pictures in your house weren't from magazines, and she looked really happy."

It was then that Daisy noticed the plenty of petals falling. "Wait a minute… This is a lot of flowers to be a natural cause."

"Maybe it's the group of Bellossom that come to South City every year and shower the stadium with petals with their Petal Dance."

"But it's not the time of year when they come, isn't it?"

"Come to think of it, you're right."

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Brendan was at the announcement booth talking with Yuri. Nick was with them, wanting to watch from a low angle for some reason.

"Guess our parents already knew each other, Brendan."

"Yeah? Hm?" Brendan noticed something. "Yuri? Is that…?"

Yuri turned to see the parents gathered on the track…and Delia and Skyler were at front.

"That's Mom!"

"Was she entering the race, Yuri?"

"No."

"Is she a fast runner?"

"If I remember correctly, she was a track star back at high school."

Brendan gulped.

At the track, Delia turned to Skyler.

"I am not losing to you!", she said.

Skyler said nothing.

"Ready…", Ms. Valerie said, then Derro used Aurora Beam at the sky and everyone started running. Delia was in the lead, but she was easily passed up by Skyler.

"Whoa!", Brendan gasped.

"Your father is so fast!", Yuri gasped.

"He's fast.", Julian said from the bleachers, Daisy beside him.

"He's the most athletic in the family.", Daisy stated.

Delia was getting serious now and was trying to catch up. As they raced, The shower of flower petals thickened and everybody noticed it. Holding the finish line were Jackson and Ricky.

"Where are all these petals raining from?", Ricky said.

"If this keeps up, we won't be able to see a thing!", Jackson said.

Nick turned to Brendan and whispered. "Could it be…a Clow Card?"

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At the bleachers, Tanja saw all of this happen.

"A Clow Card.", she said. She turned to run, but Caroline caught her by the arm.

"Where do you think you're going, Tanja?"

"Where? We got quite a disaster here!" She indicated all around her, noting the many petals.

Caroline looked, let Tanja go, then made a calm expression.

"Oh, that? It must be the Bellossom. Once a year, they come to South City and shower the stadium with flower petals from their Petal Dance move."

As she spieled, Tanja prepared to run off, not believing a single word, but the Psychic stopped her in her tracks with her powers.

"I can't have you interfering with this event. If you scare off the Bellossom, they might not come back ever and you'll be responsible for it. We'll have to stay calm since we're the first-aid monitors. We'll have to be ready to treat anybody who's injured."

"Get. Off. Me."

Below, the field was covered in pink flower petals. The students below were up to their waists, but Delia and Skyler continued to run.

"They're still running.", Brendan said.

"Giving up is not an option for Mom. Even if it means crossing a petal-flooded field."

As they continued running, Ricky and Jackson were struggling to hold up the finish line. They already sent out their Pokémon to call for help, but they were taking too long to return.

"I can't move!", Ricky said.

"We'll drown in all these flowers!", Jackson said, panicking.

"I hope Brendan can find the source of this and stop it."

Meanwhile, Brendan decided to take out his key.

"Are you going to use magic here?", Nick asked.

Brendan said nothing and just dove into the petals, which were deep enough to submerge him while crouching. "Key which contains the forces of darkness, reveal thy true form before me. I, Brendan, command thee under contract. Release." Brendan surfaced moments later with his wand.

"Windria! Let's do it!" Brendan sent out his Swellow. Yuri sent out Aquomax, and put his cam on him. They held onto their Pokémon and took off. Brendan then quickly changed his wand with Fly and both hopped on the wand. Both their Flying-type Pokémon flew below to give the illusion that their trainers are riding on their Pokémon.

"It's not the Bellossom, is it?", Brendan asked, hearing about it from Yuri when they first came to South City.

"At times like this, it's best we ask an expert.", Yuri said as he took out his Pokénav.

At the Avilon Residence, at Brendan's room, Cerberus was playing a video.

"Now! It's the Cerberus Super Special!", he said. "Take that!" It was over in an instant. He lost. "Noooo! My special attack!" Beside him, his Pokénav rang. He dejectedy answered it. "What do you want? I'm in the depths of depression right now."

"We got trouble, Cerberus!", Brendan said.

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After a short explanation…

"That's the work of a Clow Card, no mistake about that."

"Just as I thought. The whole field is flooded in flowers."

Meanwhile, Cerberus decided to play another video game.

"Well, for now, you can start by figuring out where all the flower petals are coming from."

"Well, the Bellossom that come to South City every year are not here so…"

"I see it!", Yuri said, pointing at the top of one of the lights. There was a pink ball of light on top of it.

Below them, Delia was very, very determined to win. So much so that she was practically swimming through the petals.

"I won't lose! Never!"

Meanwhile, Skyler maintained his cool as he waded through the flowers. Ahead, Ricky and Jackson were flailing in the flood. Nick had managed to get to the safety of the bleachers.

"Help!", Ricky cried out, the petals up to his arms.

"Someone, I'll be buried!", Jackson panicked. Just then, someone took the finish line out of his hand. It was Julian.

"We'll hold the line.", he said as Daisy held up Ricky's end. "Get to the bleachers."

"Thanks. Oh, wait! Positron! Neganort!"

No longer burdened by holding up the finish line, he started to dive in the petals. Ricky dove in too to find Kenshin and Scato.

Above, Brendan and Yuri, as well as their Pokémon, landed on the light where the source of the petals were. Both trainers got off the wand, which reverted to its normal form.

"There!", Yuri said.

In the distance, a single Bellossom was spinning around gracefully, floating in the air and sending out petals everywhere.

Brendan was awestruck by the sight, never having seen a Bellossom before. "Such a petite beauty.", he thought. "So graceful." His thoughts were interrupted by Yuri calling out his name. "It's a Clow Card, all right." He primed his wand, but then the Bellossom noticed him and hovered to him. It then touched his face and they started dancing.

Back at Brendan's room, Cerberus asked, "So how's it goin' over there?"

On top of the light, Yuri was dumbstruck and so were Aquomax and Windria. "We've gotten into a big mess. Brendan's dancing with a Bellossom, who is the source of all the petals." All the while, the Bellossom and Brendan danced, the latter with a nervous expression on his face.

"A Bellossom, eh? Is that a Grass-type Pokémon that is based on flowers and has a skirt?"

"Yes."

"I think I know what Clow card that is. Don't worry about it. She loves fun and happy things."

"What's going on?", Brendan asked.

"Brendan, if you don't stop the flowers soon, the whole stadium will be buried!", Yuri told him.

Brendan then got his feet on the ground and the Bellossom looked at him questioningly.

"Return to thy true form, Clow Card.", he said. As the card shape appeared on his wand. The Bellossom let go and began to spin, being reduced into pink streamers which made their way into the card, and they materialized into the card "Flower".

"All right!", he said as he did his victory pose. "I just caught…a Bellossom!" Windria cried out with him in cheer, even though she did not take part.

"You did it!", Yuri said. "What is it?"

"Flower.", Brendan read.

"That's right. It's the Flower Card.", Cerberus said from the Pokénav. "Flower gets excited when celebrations or events like these are taking place. She probably thought all the flowers would make everyone even happier.

"So…what can this card do?", Brendan asked.

"It can produce different kinds of flowers."

"That's it?" Brendan was not impressed.

"Well, at least you weren't in any danger this time."

"Danger? We were about to be drowned in flower petals! And that is a silly way to go!"

Below, Skyler was the first to cross the finish line, panting.

"Congratulations!", Julian said.

"Huh? Julian? Daisy?"

Skyler then turned around to see Delia, fuming in defeat.

A short distance away, Jackson surfaced, a fainted Plusle and a fainted Minun in his arms.

"Help! Help!", he cried out in distress. "Is there a Nurse Joy around here?"

Ricky surfaced as well, with both Kenshin and Scato fainted on his shoulders. Up at the bleachers, Caroline heard their S.O.S., still restraining Tanja.

"Looks like we got ourselves some patients.", the Psychic said, letting her go. Tanja just sighed in frustration as she reluctantly followed, having failed to catch the Clow card.

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Later…

The stadium's cleaning crew and the Academy staff were cleaning up the flower petals. The students were taking part and they even had their Pokémon help out too. As Daisy's Gluckod and Gleamers held a large bag for putting the petals in, Julian and Daisy swept the petals into them.

"With all these, we can make a lot of jam!", Julian said.

"Whatever gave you that idea of making jam from 'Petal Dance' flowers?", Daisy asked.

"How is it ridiculous?"

"The same reason why we don't drink water shot out from Pokémons' Water Gun or anything like that."

Elsewhere, Delia and Skyler were off by themselves again just outside the stadium.

"I'm so, so, SO, frustrated!", Delia complained. "It's always like this back at school. I didn't want Sarah to end up with you, so I challenged you over and over. And as always, I keep losing!"

"I wouldn't think you'd be satisfied if I lost intentionally." Delia lifted her head and looked at Skyler. "I knew how much you cared for Sarah, so I always did my best as well."

From the bushes nearby, Yuri and Brendan watched.

"I can still remember the two of you living together in that little house at Violet City!", Delia continued. "Despite being a beginning teacher, you still walked to school with her! And you made lunch for her every single day! And holding hands all the way home!"

"Uh-oh. I hope this doesn't ruin our friendship, Yuri.", Brendan said.

"I got an idea.", Yuri said as he then whispered to his friend's ear.

"You sure?"

"Uh-huh."

Brendan then took out the Flower card and used it. Out she came as a Bellossom, who turned and smiled sweetly. Yuri then whispered to Flower's 'ear' and told her what to do. She nodded.

"Why do you have to be so good at cooking, anyway?", Delia continued her argument.

Just then, they heard rattling in the bushes and turned to look. Not the ones where Yuri and Brendan were hiding, but in the clump next to those. Out came a Bellossom, who was dancing like a ballerina. She then turned to Delia and Skyler, and made a sad face, seeing them argue. The Bellossom then took out two flowers, approached the two, and gave them to them. She then danced all the way back to the bushes from whence she 'came'.

"This flower…this was Sarah's favorite.", Delia said in a calmer tone. Skyler just looked sadly at his flower, which was the same as Delia's. "Sarah always came by with a smile whenever I had something to say to you. Even my anger is washed away by her calm aura. She was such an free spirit."

"True, she was a little airy.", Skyler agreed.

"I cherished her the most, you know." Delia started to cry.

"She cherished you too." Skyler handed her a handkerchief.

"But…Sarah seemed happy ever since she married you. Every time I saw her…" Delia started to sob and covered her face in her hands. "She had the most blissful face whenever she laughed! And she was so happy! Why did she have to leave so soon?"

Skyler put his arms around her and said, "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for?"

"Because I took your time with her from her 16th to 27th birthdays."

In a snap, Delia abruptly stopped crying and stretched out Skyler's cheeks.

"I hate it when you say things like that!", she said.

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Later…

Brendan and Yuri were walking to the stadium entrance, Flower been returned to her card form.

"So I got my 'crimson eyes' your mother was talking about was from my mother. Who knew?", Brendan said.

"Mom often talked about her cousin Sarah. In fact, I received my first Pokémon, a Ralts whom I have named Castora, from Mom as she reminded her of Sarah. From Castora's tranquility as a Ralts all the way to her eventual gracefulness as a Gardevoir."

"Looks like our parents have a long history together. Wonder if they'll tell us someday?"

"Yeah, I'm sure they will."

"But, Yuri…our mothers really loved each other."

"Well, I hope we'll remain the best of friends, Brendan."

"Me too."

Just at the entrance, Daisy was waving at them, a broom in hand. Julian was with her.

"Hey! It's almost time for the 'closing ceremonies'!"

"Well, let's go!"

"Okay!"

They then held each other's hands and ran together to the entrance.

(*) Only mentioned in the Pokémon movie Destiny Deoxys.

(**) It depends on the game version. I'm going for Emerald.

(***) Popularly known as a thermos bottle.

(****) Also known as flan, caramel custard, or (as Filipinos call it) leche flan. Yum.

(^) In case you're curious, Brendan means "prince" in Irish, Gaelic, and Celtic.

(^*) This wil be Brendan's new entry phrase. "I choose you!" is Ash's.

nightelf37: I watched the entired Advanced Generation series and saw that Ash and co. indeed never saw the entirety of Lilycove. No mention of the Museum either. Stay tuned!