After the Top 32 round, Summer learned about Weldon's family issues from Red and Morty, who were involved to stop the person interfering with the young Trainer's career. She then faced against Perry Parson, the Trainer who defeated her rival, and she was able to overcome his Arcanine with her starter, Blaze. Now the true challenge begins, with the Top 8 matches. Summer now faces against her cousin, Sorin, who knew this match was inevitable. Will she be able to get the upper hand or will Sorin's tactics bring her to defeat?

Chapter 58- The Peak of Relative Rivalry

A few days after our Top 16 matches, Lows, Sip, and I anxiously strategized for the final time in one of the Pokémon Center's conference rooms.

Lows scratched his head and leaned back in his chair. "Argh! Who should I use against Taylor Rose's Meganium? I don't have any Fire, Flying, or Bug type Pokémon."

I replied, "Why not Woody? He does have Aerial Ace."

"Power's also a good option," Sip added. "But, he's best at close range. Shadow would also work too, since she has fast yet powerful moves."

"Thanks for the advice, guys. I still can't believe I'm battling her."

I nudged him. "Hey, just relax, Lows. After all, battles are supposed to be fun, remember?"

He laughed. "I know."

"How about you, Summer?" Sip asked. "You're battling your cousin, right?"

"Yeah. But we both knew this could happen, and we're going all out."

"I can't wait to watch that battle!" the Kanto native exclaimed. "Though, it won't ease my nerves since my match is after yours, Summer."

With a wink, I said, "Then I'll draw it out as long as I can."

After a group laugh, Sip said, "Well, we should head back to the hotel."

"You two go ahead," I said. "I want to talk to my Pokémon first."

The boys nodded and waved me, Lightning, and Teddiursa good night. I then led my Pokémon to one of the outdoor battlefields and let the rest of them out.

"Thanks again for training so hard the last couple of days. Is everyone ready to face Sorin's team?"

Everyone nodded, but Errol did so halfheartedly.

"You okay, Errol?"

He flapped his wings, startled by my question. "Oh, me? I am just peachy, Ms. Summer. Nothing on my mind at the moment."

Blaze crossed his arms. "That doesn't sound like nothing, Errol."

"I...I do not know what you speak of, Mr. Blaze."

"Errol, what's wrong?" Flower asked. "You don't get defensive unless you're distracted by something."

"W-Well...I..."

"I know!" Aurora exclaimed. "It's that Noctowl on Sorin's team, right? What was her name?"

"Aella..." the Noctowl replied dejectedly. "My sister..."

I knelt down and looked at his blurry red eyes. "You're scared about battling her again, aren't you?"

A tear fell down his left eye. "M-Ms. Summer... I...I don't want to hurt her anymore... I even thought that...that I should let her win."

"Oh, Errol." I gave him a hug, and the rest of my Pokémon followed suit. "I know it's hard for you, and for me too. But...she'll understand how you feel when the time comes. Will you still help me, even if it's against Aella?"

He wiped his eyes. "Of course, Ms. Summer."

"This will be a difficult test for all of us, but I know we'll do well, no matter the result."

"Agreed!" With newfound confidence, Errol turned to his teammates and shouted, "Let us win for Ms. Summer!"

"For Summer!" everyone else cheered. We laughed and spent some more time together before returning to the hotel.

The next day...

In the PLA headquarters, Red was by the window, staring at the morning sun stretch over the stadium. He sighed as he adjusted his cap. I ruined everything... Should I even keep helping him anymore?

Then, there was a knock at his door. Weldon entered, surprising the Champion. But Red was able to motion the Trainer to sit. Once the door closed, Red returned to his desk.

The Champion said, "I wasn't expecting you, Weldon."

"I know. But...I just really want to understand something."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

Weldon stared at the man. "Tell me. What do you know about Giovanni, as the former Champion?"

With a few minutes remaining, I waited in the locker room for my match. Sip was able to beat his opponent, Terrence Tucker, so it was just me and Lows left.

Sorin...we've been through so much this past year. I thought you hated me because of our past competitions, but it was much more than that. My path to becoming the Legend Guardian helped me understand you better and further my decision to accept the role. Thank you, and I hope you're ready for our toughest battle yet.

I was about to exit when Taylor Rose brushed past me.

"Sorry about that," she sarcastically apologized. "I just couldn't wait to destroy Lows Landerson that I almost did the same to you."

I rubbed my left shoulder and asked, "What's your problem with Lows and Lisa, Taylor Rose?"

"Like I need to explain that to you. I'm not going to let you get into my head like you did with Azura. I need to stay in my 'battle mode'."

"Right… Anyway. Good luck."

"I think you'd need it more than I do."

I rolled my eyes and made my way to the north corridor. That's strange. I didn't get a vision when she hit me. Maybe because she was so focused on her battle that her real emotions couldn't escape. I should make a note of that for next time.

Once I got the signal, I walked onto the Silver Battlefield, where I was greeted by cheering fans. After taking in the full atmosphere, my cousin walked onto the field and received the same greeting. We looked at each other and smiled.

The referee I had last time walked over to his box and shouted, "This Top 8 Senior Division match between Sorin Baldwin of Olivine City and Summer Scorcher of Littleroot Town will soon begin. This will be a full team battle where the field type will change after two Pokémon from one Trainer's team has fainted and then when three Pokémon from each side have fainted. Both Trainers are allowed to substitute their Pokémon at any time. The field type and the first move will now be chosen."

We looked at the television screen, where this time, I was focusing on the gray slices. Eventually, the spinning light stopped on a yellow slice.

"Sorin will have the first move! Therefore, Summer will choose the first battlefield type."

A small blue panel box sprung up in front of me. On it were the five main field types: grass, rock, ice, water, and ground. This is new. Let's go with… I pressed the grass button, and the ground immediately transformed into a grassy terrain.

"Sorin, please choose your first Pokémon, and Summer will follow with her first choice."

My cousin nodded and said, "Let's see how you handle my first Pokémon, Summer. Go, Kekoa!"

A short beige and green Pokémon emerged from his Pokéball. He had a mushroom cap on his head, a beige frill around his neck, a long tail with four green seeds, and red claws on his hands and feet.

[Breloom, the Mushroom Pokémon and the evolved form of Shroomish. It scatters spores from holes in the cap on its head. It loves warm and humid climates. It feeds on trees and plants in fields and forests.]

Wow. Breloom is one of the Pokémon with the fastest hand speed. Although it is tempting to use Blaze, I'd better match speed with speed. "Let's go, Lightning!"

The Raichu landed on the grass on all fours, her cheeks emitting sparks.

Sorin and Kekoa smirked, making a basic fighting stance.

"Battle begin!"

Sorin roared through the crowd's cheers, "Kekoa, Mach Punch!"

The Grass type's right hand jabbed the air at blinding speed.

"Lightning, Quick Attack!"

She focused on the attack and evaded it in a burst of white energy.

"As I expected, Summer," Sorin noted. "Keep going, Kekoa!"

I smirked. You're trying to play that game, huh, Sorin? "Lightning, dodge and wait for an opening!"

The Breloom kept lunging forward with both claws as Lightning used her tail to maneuver her way around them. Then, we saw Kekoa's arm move a little slower.

"Thunder Punch!"

She crouched to avoid the Mach Punch then swung a left hook at her opponent's face. Kekoa winced in pain from the yellow punch, but his Grass typing reduced some of the damage. Kekoa retreated to his Trainer's side of the field, waiting for the next move.

I shouted, "Lightning, use Iron Tail!"

She dashed forward with her tail gleaming silver. Sorin, however, was unfazed.

"Kekoa, Sludge Bomb!"

The Mushroom Pokémon spat the poisonous orb so quickly, Lightning didn't have time to react. Her face was covered with the ooze, forcing her to slow down.

"Now, Kekoa! Sky Uppercut!"

He smirked as he readied his right hand for the upward motion.

"Lightning, dodge!"

But it was too late. The Grass type made contact with Lightning's chin, tossing her into the air. She landed on the grass with a thud, but she was able to stand up. Kekoa's body suddenly emitted sparks, causing him to tense up. Sorin clenched his right fist.

At least something good came out of that. "You okay, Lightning?"

She wiped the sludge off of her face and said, "I'm fine, Summer."

I can't let Lightning faint so early in the match. "Lightning, return!"

She nodded and retreated to her Pokéball. After her picture on the television screen became monochrome, I sent out my next Pokémon. "Go, Flower!"

The Ivysaur admired the grass before glaring at her opponent. Kekoa returned the gaze with his black eyes.

"Battle begin!"

Sorin was wary of my choice and commanded, "Kekoa, Sludge Bomb!"

"Flower, counter with your Sludge Bomb!"

The Poison type attacks collided and melded together in the center of the field before exploding globs of sludge everywhere. Flower stood her ground and allowed herself to get hit. Kekoa, on the other hand, tried to dodge, but the paralysis hindered his movements. He winced as the poison seeped on his body.

"Don't give up, Kekoa," Sorin encouraged. "Use Mach Punch!"

The Breloom sprinted at Flower with his right claw pulled back.

"Flower, dodge and use Sludge Bomb once more!"

With the use of her vines, Flower leapt over the advancing Kekoa and aimed the orb downward. He attempted to sprint back, but the paralysis forced him to stumble. The close range attack sprayed the Mushroom Pokémon with more poisonous sludge and knocked him back. Kekoa tried to remain standing, but he collapsed, unable to move.

The referee waved the yellow flag. "Kekoa is unable to battle! Flower wins!"

The crowd cheered as Sorin returned the Breloom. "Thanks, Kekoa. You did a great job." He looked at me and smirked. "Not bad, Summer."

I smiled. "You too, Sorin. Looks like you're not holding back at all."

"Yeah, thanks to you."

The referee interrupted, "Sorin, please choose your next Pokémon!"

"Oh, sorry." Sorin took a Great Ball from his belt and shouted, "Go, Marduk!"

A light blue wolf-like Pokémon materialized on the grass. His fur was jagged, even his tail and head, with yellow accenting his spiky mane, front paws, and haunches. He crept down and growled, his red eyes focusing on Flower.

[Manectric, the Discharge Pokémon and the evolved form of Electrike. Because lightning falls in their vicinities, Manectric were thought to have been born from lightning. In battle, they create thunderclouds.]

Marduk looks really strong. Let's see if Flower can land a few moves on him before switching to a different Pokémon.

"Battle begin!"

Sorin shouted, "Marduk, Spark!"

The Electric type roared and surrounded himself in electricity. Then, he dashed at the Ivysaur.

I countered, "Dodge and use Leech Seed!"

She lifted herself into the air with her vines, causing Marduk to run under her. She then spun around and shot a seed at her opponent.

"Nice try, Summer! Flamethrower!"

To our shock, Sorin's Pokémon sprayed a stream of flames that not only disintegrated the seed, but also hit Flower. She gritted her teeth but was able to land on all fours. When the fire subsided, however, she was panting heavily. Marduk then returned to his side of the field, proud of his accomplishment.

"Are you okay, Flower?"

"F-Fine…" she panted. "I-I'm fine…"

I need to save her, just in case.

I was about to return her when she protested, "N-Not yet, Summer… Just...Just let me land the Leech Seed…"

"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "Yes… I just...need to do...everything I can…"

That determination... Just like against Clair and Taylor Rose. I can't let her down. "All right then. Let's keep going!"

With a burst of energy, she returned her gaze onto Marduk.

Sorin was wary. "Be careful, Marduk." After his Pokémon nodded, he shouted, "Flamethrower once more!"

As he exhaled the flames, I shouted, "Sludge Bomb!"

She immediately spat out the purple orb. The Flamethrower engulfed the Sludge Bomb, but it only made the sphere grow and explode into flaming blobs of sludge. Both Pokémon were thrown back, but Flower was able to recover faster.

I smirked. "Now, Flower! Leech Seed!"

Smirking herself, the Grass type shot the seed at Marduk's chest. Vines spread from its source and sapped some of the Manectric's energy. He braced his legs, growling in pain.

"Flower, return!"

She nodded and went back into her ball. I shouted, "Go, Lightning!"

The Raichu burst out of her Pokéball, looking a little better. But instead of being nervous, Sorin was smiling.

Why's he smiling? Did I do something wrong? No, I can't rethink things now.

"Battle begin!"

Sorin waved his right arm forward. "Marduk, Thunderbolt!'

The Manectric charged his fur with electricity and shot the lightning bolt at his opponent.

I waved my left arm. "Lightning, dodge and use Thunder Punch!"

She jumped over the bolt and charged her right fist. But suddenly, her yellow fist was pulled towards Marduk, surprising us.

Sorin grinned. "Marduk, use Bite!"

The Discharge Pokémon gleefully chomped onto Lightning's paw. She struggled to break free, but he maintained his grip before throwing her into the air. The Raichu was able to straighten herself out and land on all fours, but I noticed her right paw was turning red.

I clenched my fists. What was that? Could that have been Lightningrod?

My cousin chuckled. "Now you can't use any Electric type attacks as long as Marduk's here."

No wonder why he wasn't nervous! Thanks to that ability, any Electric type attacks are drawn to him! And that's half of Lightning's move set! I need to come with something, quick!

"Marduk, Flamethrower!"

"Use Quick Attack to dodge!"

Lightning was able to sprint past the first wave, but her injured paw slowed her down. This allowed Marduk to scorch her during a second pass. She cried in pain as she tumbled backward, yet she was able to grip the ground with her left paw and slide back to our side of the field. She was panting again, even though the Leech Seed provided her with more health.

I have to use Iron Tail; it's the only move that'll work. But how do I get even close? Wait… I smirked. That's how.

Sorin's excitement turned to caution. "Marduk, Flamethrower!"

As the flames in his mouth appeared, I told Lightning, "I have an idea, but it'll be risky."

She glanced at me with a smile. "Don't worry. I trust you, Summer."

I nodded and commanded, "Jump and use Thunder Punch!"

She leapt over the flames once more and charged her left fist. Sorin braced himself as she drew close towards his Pokémon.

"Use Bite!"

I grinned and shouted, "Iron Tail!"

The Olivine City native was shocked as Lightning swung her silver tail at Marduk's right side. He slammed into the west wall and fell onto the ground, whimpering. He was able to stand and growl at the Mouse Pokémon, but the last of his strength left him and transferred itself to her.

The referee waved the yellow flag. "Marduk is unable to battle! Lightning wins!"

"Thanks, Marduk," Sorin praised after he returned his Pokémon.

After another wave of cheers from the crowd, the referee said, "Sorin, due to two of your Pokémon fainting, you can choose the next battlefield type."

He nodded, and a similar panel box sprung up on his side. Lightning ran and waited next to me. Her panting was getting heavier.

"You okay?"

"Y-Yeah… His Pokémon...are really strong…"

I sighed. "We may have the advantage now, but you and Flower have taken a lot of damage."

She smirked. "Then...we need to...make our time worth it."

"You're right."

The floor shifted, this time revealing a large pool of crystal blue water with six white stone platforms. Lightning jumped onto the center platform on our side, but she wobbled briefly.

Whatever he chooses next, we need to be careful.

My cousin took out a Net Ball, an aqua Pokéball with a black net pattern, and shouted, "Go, Indra!"

A short half-shark-like Pokémon jumped into the pool before resurfacing. She had a dark blue topside and a white underside, two notches on her large dorsal fin, dark red eyes, and a yellow star on her snout. But the most notable feature was her sharp teeth.

[Sharpedo, the Brutal Pokémon and the evolved form of Carvanha. The vicious and sly gangster of the sea. Its skin is specially textured to minimize drag in water. Its speed tops out at over 75 mph per hour.]

What a great Pokémon for this field. Just remember, I need to land a few hits on her.

"Battle begin!"

"Indra!" Sorin shouted. "Waterfall!"

The Water type dove into the clear water and a torrent was forming underneath Lightning's platform.

"Lightning, Thunderbolt!"

She attempted to charge her cheeks, but her exhaustion caused her to only make small sparks. This allowed Indra to slam into the Raichu as she ascended into the air in an upwards waterfall. Lightning collapsed next to me, unable to move.

The referee waved the gray flag. "Lightning is unable to battle! Indra wins!"

I knelt down and petted her as the crowd cheered. "You did great, Lightning."

She looked at me with a weak smile. "Thanks, Summer."

After I returned her, the referee said, "Summer, please choose your next Pokémon!"

I nodded and took out another Pokéball. "Go, Flower!"

The Ivysaur appeared again, ready for another fight.

"Battle begin!"

Sorin wasted no time. "Indra, Ice Beam!"

"Flower, Sludge Bomb!" I countered.

The poisonous orb collided with the icy blue beam. But instead of an explosion, the orb was frozen over and sank to the bottom of the pool. The stadium was quiet, surprised by the unexpected result.

After a few seconds, Sorin shook off the silence with a command. "Crunch!"

The Sharpedo leapt out of the water, her mouth stretched open.

"Flower, Razor Leaf!"

The Grass type stood her ground and unleashed a flurry of sharp leaves. Despite the super effective attack making contact, Indra clamped onto Flower's bud, causing an explosion. The Sharpedo splashed back into the pool as Flower slumped on the platform.

"Flower!" I cried.

"Flower is unable to battle! Indra wins!"

The crowd went crazy for Indra, and Sorin smiled.

I sighed. "Thanks, Flower. You did great." As I returned her, I smiled back at my cousin. Don't get too comfortable, Sorin. The battle's just beginning.

Summer's Pokémon:

Blaze (Blaziken, male): Brave Nature, moves: Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Blaze Kick, Sky Uppercut

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, moves: Psychic, Confusion, Hypnosis, Air Slash

Aurora (Dewgong, female): Calm Nature, moves: Water Pulse, Ice Beam, Aqua Tail, Aqua Ring

Lightning (Raichu, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Thunder Punch

Flower (Ivysaur, female): Gentle Nature, moves: Sludge Bomb, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Sleep Powder

Rocky (Steelix, male): Lonely Nature, moves: Stone Edge, Crunch, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Temporary- Teddiursa (male): Naughty Nature, moves: Fury Swipes, Roar, Leer, Scratch

Yuki's Pokémon:

Momo (Wartortle, male): Quiet Nature, moves: Water Gun, Rapid Spin, Blizzard, Aqua Tail

Ume (Swellow, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Roost, Wing Attack, Quick Attack, Swift

Ichigo (Minun, male): Sassy Nature, moves: Discharge, Hidden Power, Helping Hand, Spark

Kiui (Skiploom, female): Jolly Nature, moves: Bullet Seed, Mega Drain, Silver Wind, Sleep Powder

Mikan (Cyndaquil, male): Bold Nature, moves: Facade, Flame Wheel, Flamethrower, Smokescreen

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Summer's pep talk?

What do you think of Summer and Sorin's battle so far?

Who will win the battle?