The final chapter of the Wallace Cup saga is here! For those that have been with me up until this point, Thank You so much. I hope my imagination-turn-fanfiction brings relaxation from whatever is going on right now around you. I have also made a few changes to the story but I'll update as it progresses.

On with the chapter.

The brunette man's face flushed a bright red, he tousled his hair with his free hand and smiled. "Sure, I have time. We should catch up."

Jessie smiled and turned back to face her four companions. "Sorry ladies but-"

"Say less." Mya answered, the women walked past the duo and inside the building. Before entering, Mariah pulled out a large gray scarf and handed it over to the magentette.

"It gets a little airy out here at night, stay warm." The red head ran inside.

Astin chuckled. "I see that you and your friends are still as close as ever."

"Those ladies aren't the friends I had when we were in school Astin, they're from Sinnoh."

"Oh yeah, that's where you're competing in right?" The woman nodded in reply.

The brunette man smiled. "Would you like to go inside and talk? I don't want you to get too cold."

"It's fine, the temperature is still warm and I got this scarf." Jessie pulled the cloth over her bare shoulders. "Plus, the night sky's very clear tonight."

Astin chuckled. "Well, let's go sit over there at that bench." He pointed to a wooden bench that faced the beach's entrance. The two walked over and sat down, viewing the ocean waves softly crashing at the shore. As the male coordinator was making himself comfortable, Jessie was flustered and hid her face underneath the scarf.

'I know I let him go during the contest but seeing him again is making my heart beat like crazy!' Her blue eyes peered over to the seated man beside her, he was looking at the full moon in the night sky with a smile. Jessie's face turned a deep red. 'NO! I thought I was ready for this but I can't do it! ABORT MISSION!'

"I thought I had you at that battle." Astin commented which broke Jessie from her mental yelling session. "The way you turned it around at the last minute was so exciting but also very lucky."

"Lucky?" The magentette turned her head. "You thought that my win was because of luck?"

"Sorry, I used the wrong word." Astin chuckled. "It was more like…game-changing. I never had more fun in a regular contest battle like that."

"Which contest circuit are you competing in?"

"Johto. I took a few years off contests to travel; Alola is very beautiful and Kalos has amazing sightseeing locations." The man looked at Jessie. "How about you? Didn't you got into the dance school when I left?"

The magentette uneasily chuckled and looked away. "I…didn't get in."

"Really? Your skills from what I remembered was above average, also those steps you did on stage with your Kirlia during our battle was great."

Jessie blushed. "They were looking for something I didn't had, more experience and…my head probably wasn't in the right space to perform."

"You probably was nervous; it happens to the best of us."

"I never get nervous." The woman pouted and crossed her legs. "The recruiters just needed glasses that day."

Astin laughed. "Ok, I can believe that."

Jessie laughed with him, she looked at his profile and sighed. "Astin, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, have at it."

"…Why did you ask me to come with you that day you left the academy?"

The male coordinator paused for a few seconds, he then leaned forward resting his arms on his legs. "I wasn't obvious? I wanted you next to me because every time I thought of success and happiness, I thought of you. You were not only a great friend but also someone that I thought could've been beside me while achieving our dreams together."

A small gust of wind blew past the duo; Astin's hair danced in the wind as he kept his gaze towards the ocean. "I was in love with you Jessie."

The magentette flared up after hearing that sentence, she hid her lower face under the scarf while small puffs of steam came from her ears.

"I wanted to help push you to become better and also try to develop a deeper relationship with you, hoping that the same would happen with me." Letting out a small laugh, the man stood up and walked a few steps forward. "However, you declined my offer. While it did hurt me knowing that you wouldn't be my side, I prayed for your safety and success…while keeping that smile I always treasured."

Astin turned around and Jessie saw a sincere smile from him. "It seems that Arceus answered it because here you are."

The female coordinator processed everything Astin said and her reflexes immediately kicked in without a second thought; her arms were around Astin's body and her face covered by his chest.

The male returned the hug, resting his chin on her head. "I thought I would never see you again after that evening, thinking day after day about your wellbeing and who was seeing that smile I always adored."

Jessie turned her head to catch some oxygen. 'This isn't happening right now. I don't believe it…I can't believe it.' The magentette released her embrace and looked at Astin's face. 'There's no hint of him lying anywhere…he really was…in love…with me?'

"I was really feeling you too Astin." Jessie replied, she raised her hands to his face and held his cheeks. In response, he closed his eyes and held her hands. Jessie's eyes then saw something shiny which glistened from the moonlight, she followed it to see a silver ring sitting on his finger.

The magentette sighed and lowered her arms. "But we can't be together…right?"

The male coordinator looked away. "I got married five years ago to someone I met in Kanto a few years prior. We had an instant connection and travelled together while she was working on her career as a jewelry maker."

"She sounds like a great woman."

Astin reached in his pocket and pulled out his black phone, he showed Jessie the screen which displayed the couple; she had fair skin and platinum blonde hair in a braided ponytail, an orange shirt with dark blue overalls, her green eyes smiling at a toddler with the same colored eyes and soft brown hair whom was kissing Astin's cheek as he took the selfie.

Jessie smiled sadly. "Let me guess, your child?"

"His name is Aaron. They both are happy that I'm still travelling and holding onto my coordinating career. Brandi decided to settle in Kanto after he was born since her business was there and I agreed to it."

The magentette felt low but still placed a sincere smile on her face. Reaching for the gray scarf, she fixed it across her shoulders. "They're both beautiful and I see the happiness in your face."

Astin chuckled. "They're everything to me, also my number one cheerleaders. When we heard the Wallace Cup was here in Hoenn, Aaron waved his favorite toy cheering me on as I left."

"Well, congratulations to you for finding your wife and beautiful son." Jessie pulled out her phone. "Do you have social media? Would it be ok if we stay in touch?"

"I indeed do and of course, we're childhood friends after all."

Hearing 'friends' stung Jessie's heart even more but she held her composure. "When are you heading back to Kanto?"

"Tomorrow actually." Astin scratched his cheek. "First flight, Brandi and I have to plan Aaron's fourth birthday party."

"Well don't let me hold you up, you need to rest long enough to play with your little one tomorrow."

Astin laughed. "He's a ball of energy and Dusty loves him."

"Can I ask you one last question before you go?"

"Sure Jess."

The magentette walked over to the steps leading to the beach and looked at the man before her. "If I went with you that day…do you think that would've been our life together?"

Astin's gaze fell and he frowned. Walking towards the female coordinator, he pulled her into a hug. "It would've been a possibility, I had a serious affection for you."

As Jessie's eyes began to water, Astin pushed her away and held her hands. "However, I believe that Arceus knew better than us; I had a feeling that you would have been successful and happier following your dreams without me, I knew you are an independent person Jess and I was even more excited seeing you battle me, proving that you've gotten strong throughout the years."

The woman smiled and hugged the man before her once more. "Thank you Astin; for loving me for me…and also letting me go." The man retuned the hug and they stayed like that for a minute before breaking the embrace. Jessie smiled. "Say hi to the wife and son for me, take care Astin."

"I will. Take care too Jessie." Astin walked back to the hotel, Jessie following his frame entering the building and disappearing through the halls.

The magentette sighed and gathered her things, she then walked towards her room and opened the door. Her four friends were inside, wearing their pajamas. They all looked at her.

"Jessie, welcome back!" Mariah shouted. "How…was.." The red head stopped talking because before the women, Jessie's eyes were glistening with water and her tears kept falling.

The four women immediately ran to the coordinator and hugged her.

"This is why we got your favorite ice cream, pizza and tissues for you. Whenever you want to vent or cry it out, we're here." Lita commented.

Immediately, Jessie fell to the floor and continued sobbing. The women helped her change into her sleepwear and listened to the sorrow-filled rants the magentette vented out, indeed the food and tissues eased her pain but knowing the ladies surrounding her gave the needed attention and love assured her that things will get better.

As the four women fell asleep, Jessie looked out to the night sky from the window. 'There's something I have to do.'

The next morning, Raye woke up and stretched her arms. She looked around and didn't spot Jessie on their bed. As she got up and went to the bathroom, Mya sat up from her side.

"Is it time for breakfast yet?"

Purple locs shook in the air as its owner yawned and sat up, she looked at the desk clock. "Yeah, let's go before the good selections run out like yesterday."

"Where's Jessie?" Mya asked as Raye exited the bathroom with a white towel wiping her face.

"Probably hitting the buffet." Lita answered while gently shaking a sleeping Mariah.

The four women, wrapped in robes went down to the buffet area to find their magentette companion but didn't spot her anywhere. They eventually got their plates of food and sat down to begin eating.

Mya started speaking. "Since we're leaving tomorrow, there's a question that's on my mind."

"Speak it." Lita replied across from her, eating a slice of bread topped with scrambled Pidgey eggs.

Mint green eyes narrowed at the red head sipping her coffee. "Will you see Steven Stone one last time before leaving Mariah?"

The woman in question spat out her coffee and coughed while the pale beauty across from her dodged the scalding liquid in time.

"I-I wasn't plan-planning to..." Mariah answered, wiping her tears away and clearing her throat.

Raye spoke up. "You two did look very comfortable around each other and seeing him with you the other night in Sootopolis would make other people to mistake you both as a couple."

The red head's face flared up and she covered it with her hands as the other two women laughed. "I wouldn't consider us as a couple, he was just very courteous to me by giving a tour around Mossdeep city and introducing me to the Elite 4. I only repaid him with cooking breakfast and-"

"YOU COOKED HIM BREAKFAST?!" Mya jumped up, startling her Luxio whom was eating beside her feet.

"No wonder you didn't come to the earlier battles, using the cooking skills you got to nab a man." Lita smirked, she raised her fork that had a sliced sausage on the end towards the red head. "Did you both fornicate or something?"

"NO!" Mariah stood up abruptly, Raye's flushed face red turned away as the Pokémon designer continued. "It was the only thing I could've thought of regarding thanking him for spending his off day, showing his home city and giving me those stones for the contest clothes. I wasn't thinking of anything lewd or…immoral." Her ahoge dropped as she sat back down. "I don't even think I'm his type or in his tax bracket."

"You're definitely not in his tax bracket." Mya added. Red eyes glared at her while Lita laughed. "However, if you really feel something for him, you should speak his language and let him know your feelings…if you have any."

"Speak...his language?"

"Something he's very well informed of. Of course cooking for a man would be beneficial to any woman, but something extra has to stand you out from what I'm sure has happened before, other females that tried to pursue him."

Raye turned her head back to the table and smiled. "You should listen to her, she IS dating the most popular gym leader in Sinnoh."

"Agreed." The purple haired woman leaned forward. "Volkner's popularity has skyrocketed since the Battle Frontier opened and more fangirls expanded his fanclub to include more premium tiers and privileges."

"How do you know this?"

"My assistant is part of the fanclub; her membership is so exclusive that she gets first picks of any Volkner-related merchandise before it's released in stores. You should see her membership card, it's gold but I overheard that they're upgrading the elite tier members to Platinum."

The Pokemon Ranger's face dropped. "I think that a few of my rangers are a part of this."

Mariah looked to the coordinator. "Is your relationship publicly known yet?"

"No." Mya answered, the other women looked at her as she continued. "Volkner wants us to stay secret for now because his last relationship was so public and it was annoying to fight the paparazzi. I remembered seeing them plastered all over social media at every turn, t it was annoying. However, he did tell me that he was thinking of publicly announcing us during the Starlight Ball."

"If he did that, it'll be huge." Lita answered.

Mariah sighed. "So, might I ask; what is Volkner's language?"

"Simple: A battle. He loves to better himself at every turn and challenge both challengers and his gym trainers to use their abilities to the max while making them pour their souls into the battle, showing them their potentials and their true intentions."

Lita smiled. "He sounds like a very interesting person."

"Add powerful to that too, he's not the last gym leader for nothing." Mya then crossed her arms. "He always washes me whenever we battle but I got something for him when we return to Sinnoh."

The ladies laugh as Mariah looked away in thought.

Jessie then appeared in the area, holding her Eevee in her arms. She spotted the four women laughing and went over to them.

Raye was the first to spot the magentette. "Good morning Jessie, are you feeling better?"

The other ladies turned to view the coordinator waving. She answered. "I'm doing much better thanks to you all, the ice cream last night was well needed."

"Where were you this morning?" Lita asked.

"I was on a call with someone and had to contact a long-time friend." Jessie then held a poke ball but it immediately shook and the pokémon inside popped out; standing tall and saluting towards the ladies, its closed eyes complimented the wavy mouth it had.

"Wobbufet!" The pokémon proudly said as Jessie looked in confusion towards it.

"I was going to introduce you but I should've expected that. Ladies, meet my Wobbufet; I left him with my previous landlord back in Kanto but after last night I wanted to make a change and include him to my team."

"Nice to meet you Wobbuffet." Mariah smiled.

Raye's face became even more pale as she raised her finger. "D-does he k-know Destiny Bond?"

"I don't think so; he hasn't gotten any training done since I left him in Kanto."

"Wobbuffet!"

"What a relief." Raye sighed. "Wild Wynauts and Wobbuffets use Destiny Bond to take down powerful opponents with them so there are a lot of fainted pokémon when it relates to them. Some trainers consider them annoying and important to avoid unless they want to catch them."

"Well Wobbuffet over here is my long-time partner and is going to help me get that Ribbon cup." Jessie smiled. "I also have another thing I want to do."

"And that is?"

"I think it's time for Len to evolve into a Leafeon. We talked about it before I got Wobbuffet and he's all up for it, I want us as a team to step up our game."

"That's amazing Jess!" Mariah stood up and clapped her hands. "We'll be by your side one hundred percent."

Raye looked in her red pecha phone. "To evolve an Eevee to a Leafeon, it needs to be touching a Moss Rock. I know where it's located in Sinnoh."

"Sorry Raye but I want to do it here before we leave."

"Moss rocks aren't common knowledge so we need to ask a local where it is." Mya commented.

Jessie signed. "I asked the front desk workers and they didn't know either. I wanted to contact either James or Winona to ask them but I think they're busy at the moment."

Lita smirked. "Well there IS another person we can try." Her purple eyes then went towards Mariah, Mya and Raye catching the hint also looked towards the red head.

In response, she held up her hands. "Oh no, I can't do that! He might be busy like the others as well."

"Please Mariah." Jessie walked up to her and used a Lilipup facial expression. "At least try and find out if he can help."

Feeling four pairs- well three and a half due to Raye's covered right eye- on her, Mariah sighed and pulled out her phone. "Let me make a call." She left the table and Jessie gave Lita a high five.

Two hours later, the four ladies dressed in their clothes and Jessie were dismounting their flying pokémon in Rustburo city.

Mya stretched her arms. "This city is beautiful; it feels old yet modern."

A man chuckled behind her. "It's because the buildings' architecture is made from stone, that's what makes the city unique."

"Thanks again for escorting us to Petalburg Woods." Jessie smiled. "I hope my spontaneous decision didn't interrupt you from anything important."

"Of course not; my elite four members have dealt with all the trainers and since none came to my chambers yet, I didn't mind taking an early lunch break." Steven smiled while scratching the back of his head.

As the other women went ahead into the forest, Mariah stayed back and walked slowly with Steven. Lita's words from earlier before they left Slateport came back in her head.

'Just because he's a champion doesn't mean he's not a normal man. Make this last day count.'

The read head looked to the tall man. "I'm sorry my friends made me drag you from work, if there's anything I can do to-"

"Mariah, you don't have to do anything." Steven answered with a blush running across his face. "I'm happy to help friends, especially visiting ones."

"You consider us as friends?"

"Your friends? Of course."

The pair entered the forest and Steven pointed to a path. He alerted the other women. "If we go through here we'll find the rock in no time ladies."

Lita cut down the thorny bush as the others advanced on through.

Mariah continued. "You said my friends are considered your friends but didn't mention me." She blushed. "What am I…to you?"

The champion looked forward. "Well; you are energetic, very creative and loyal to your friends. From what I saw these past few days, you are someone who does things that make others happy. You place your happiness after those around you but still smile as long as they smile."

The group located the Moss Rock and Jessie allowed Len to touch it, he began glowing as Steven continued. "I want to think of you as more than a friend but I don't understand your true feeling towards me."

Mariah looked at the champion as Eevee fully evolved into a beautiful Leafeon. Jessie hugged the pokémon as Mya and Lita cheered, Raye was also softly cheering as she fed a few Phantumps and a Trevenant.

The flight back to Slateport was quiet other than Jessie going on and on about her new Leafeon, Mariah was in deep thought. 'His language…'

The group landed in front of the Slateport Pokémon Center. Jessie and Lita walked to Steven.

"Thanks for everything Steven, you were a big help." Lita smiled.

"No problem, anything for friends."

Mya waved down Mariah whom was walking away from the group. "Mariah! Where are you going?" The other women and Steven looked on as the red head went inside the Battle Tent. As the group followed inside, Mariah stood with her arms crossed and the barriers to a battle field opened.

"Mariah, are you ok?" A concerned Steven asked.

"No I'm not." The red head sternly answered. "When you answered my question earlier and told me that you still do not know my true feelings, I remembered Mya telling me earlier that I have to speak your language to get my message across." Mariah walked up to Steven and jabbed a manicured finger at him, her ruby eyes shining with fire. "I challenge you to a battle. Not as champion Steven Stone but Steven, the ordinary man who collects stones for a hobby, enjoys being in an audience-like atmosphere and likes to wear regular jeans every other day."

The four women looked at Mariah as if she lost her marbles but instead heard Steven laughed. The champion smirked. "Very well, I accept your challenge Mariah."

Flipping her hair, the red head escorted Steven behind the gate. The other ladies were in shock.

Jessie spoke up. "What just happened?

Mya responded. "I think she challenged him to a battle to confirm her true feelings for him."

Raye added. "Why do I have the feeling that this won't end happily?"

Lita finished. "Not just you Raye, we're ALL feeling it." 'I hope you know what you're doing Red.'

The group entered the field and sat on the spectator bleachers to observe. Mariah and Steven were on their sides of the field and the referee began speaking.

"This is a one-on-one impromptu battle between Ms. Mariah and Mr. Steven Stone, each challenger will send out one pokémon and battle until one side is no longer able to continue. Trainers, send out your pokémon."

Steven held an Ultra Ball. "Let's have some exercise Howlite! Battle ready!" He threw it in the air and the pokémon emerged from it landed on the ground with a fierce roar and a menacing glare.

Mya pointed her green pokédex to it. "Aggron, the Iron Armor Pokemon. While seeking iron for food, it digs tunnels by breaking through bedrock with its steel horns."

"He looks strong." Lita examined the large pokémon on the field.

Mariah smirked, she kissed her poke ball and threw it in the air. "Rock the house, Momoko!" The blue light dissolved as the proud feline pokémon stood and growled at her opponent.

The referee lifted his arm. "And begin!"

"Momoko, Iron tail!" The feline pokémon ran towards Aggron with its tail glowing white.

"Counter with Iron tail as well Howlite!" The taller pokémon's tail also glowed and collided with its opponent's own.

The two went back and forth for a few turns before jumping back to their sides.

Mariah frowned. "Let's see how speedy your opponent is Momoko, Aerial Ace!" Purugly loudly meowed before running towards the Aggron, she then began a zig zag pattern which became faster and soon she became barely visible.

"Wow, I didn't know Puruglys can do that." Mya commented.

Raye nodded. "A relative of mine has one and it's very active, Aerial ace is nothing to a Purugly once trained right."

Steven also smirked in response. "Since we can't see them, might as well attack from all angles. Howlite, Stone Edge!" Large stones grew from the ground and stretched over their side of the field, one pillar attacked Purugly from below and launched the feline pokémon in the air. "Dragon Claw!" Aggron jumped in the air and attacked Momoko point blank sending her flying back to her side of the field.

"Ouch." Jessie seeing the pokémon fell hard winced in response.

"Don't think for a second that attack brought us down! Shadow Claw!" Purugly emerged from the ground and ran towards Aggron with a paw that glowed dark purple.

Steven held a fist up. "Earthquake!" Howlite stomped his feet, causing the ground beneath him to shake and a few cracks emerged. The feline pokémon stumbled a bit but still charged towards the taller pokémon, unfortunately her attack weakened and Steven noticed. "Counter with Dragon Claw!"

Aggron's claw glowed white and attacked Purugly's purple claw, the two collided and the cat flew back. She landed on her feet and skidded a few meters back before stabilizing herself.

Mariah frowned. "We're just getting started here!"

"No problem by me." The champion smiled, he then looked at his opponent. "Can I ask you something?"

The red head's eyes widened in surprise but maintained the fierceness. "Sure, what is it?"

"What's the reason for this impromptu battle? I'm not saying it's unnecessary but it is impulsive."

Mariah gripped her chest and glared at the man across the field. "My heart's closed off to truly love someone, two people whom I blindly trusted used and tossed me away like a rag doll. I thought I couldn't love anymore." Her red eyes then softened. "Over time, people came into my life and eased a bit of that pain, allowing me to be myself with my flaws and personality. Being myself brought me to meet you, I wasn't sure if I would be saying this because of infatuation or something else but since you're not sure about me, let me tell you how I fell." She breathed in and with all of her might screamed to the sky.

"I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU STEVEN STONE!"

Steven paused in shock, including the referee and the pokémon on the field. Lita crossed her legs. "We already knew this." The other ladies nodded in agreement.

Mariah continued. "You probably heard that from other women many times repetitively; Not only did you complimented and helped me complete my clothing designs, you introduced me to your home and even shown me Hoenn hospitality which made me very comfortable to be around you as just a regular person. I felt that I saw another layer of the world renown champion, it was relaxing and beautiful. I'm showing you what my feelings are to you, I want to love again and I trust you to do that with me!"

Silence fell around the arena, waiting for the champion's reply to Mariah's declaration of love. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "True, I have heard those words a lot of times that I just don't feel the impact from them anymore."

Mariah frowned. Her eyes began to water and she wiped them away before tears fell, she saw Steven's eyes glared passion to his opponent. "Prove to me that what you're saying is true in your heart. Open it and express your feelings through this battle; come at me thinking that if you lose…you'll lose me."

All eyes fell onto the red headed trainer whom had her eyes on the ground. A few moments later, her head shot up and a faint blush graced her cheeks, her red eyes displayed excitement. "What a wager! You're on, I'll defeat you with the power of my love!"

The ladies cheered as the battle resumed.

Mariah scanned around the battlefield; she saw a few stone pillars remaining after Aggron's Stone Edge attack and faint lines from the Earthquake. The red headed trainer breathed in and out. "Let's show him what we're made of Momoko!"

The Purugly roared a fierce meow, Mariah snapped her fingers. "Aerial Ace, formation 'V'."

Momoko ran and disappeared, Aggron looked around the battlefield and saw glimpses of the cat pokémon's body before it appeared behind him.

"Shadow Ball!" Purugly's tail formed the purple sphere and attacked the Steel pokémon at point blank range before disappearing again, she then landed in front of her trainer.

Steven smirked. "Your Purugly's a fast one."

"Don't blink or else you'll lose." Mariah winked.

Steven felt his heart skip a beat but quickly shook it off. "Howlite, Stone Edge!" Aggron roared and stomped its feet, stone pillars rose from the ground and shrouded the pokémon's views from each other. It formed a maze that only the spectators could see.

"Show him what you're made of Mariah!" Lita cheered loudly as the other women smiled.

'It's time for me to find my happiness, no matter what. Even if it ends in sorrow.' The red head looked up. "Jump on the rocks Momoko!"

The Purugly did as instructed and perched itself on one of the tall rocks. While observing its surroundings, Mariah followed her pokemon's eyes and saw that she locked onto its prey. "Bingo, Shadow Ball!"

The purple orbs smoked out the steel pokémon, making it reveal its location while breaking away a few pillars. Steven smirked. "I expected that, Earthquake!" The large pokémon jumped and stomped its feet, shaking the ground and collapsing many of the pillars. The one Momoko was on also wobbled, getting ready to crumble.

'The distance in the air is perfect for this, I can't let this moment go away!' The female trainer raised her arms in the air. "Momoko, Shadow balls into the air!"

Before the pillar crumbled, the feline pokémon created multiple orbs and shot them into the sky, she then jumped from one pillar to the next. Mariah gripped the bottom of her blouse and raised it enough to reveal a silver waist chain.

"That's a Unova original, very vintage." Raye pointed out the fashion piece.

Jessie replied. "Why is she showing that though?"

The red head unclipped the chain and stretched it out. "Momoko, Iron tail!" The cat's tail began to glow as her trainer twirled the chain one and tossed it towards the pokémon; the static of the iron tail connected with the chain and it elongated while glowing white.

Mya stood up in awe. "I never seen something like this in person, it's like a contest move."

Lita's eyes widened. "Nice, I see the static is allowing the chain to stay close to Purugly's tail."

"Which means that chain is one hundred percent pure metal." Jessie commented while admiring the piece of jewelry.

"It's made from Steel gems to be precise." Raye added as the ladies looked at her, the pale beauty blushed. "I k-know my j-jewelry."

Steven looked at the pair in amazement. "I never thought a woman would go so far as to let a piece of jewelry be a part of her battle. Wouldn't it be destroyed after this?!"

"Don't worry your pretty little head over that." Mariah smirked.

The champion looked to the sky, he saw the shadow balls were still floating in the sky. Blue eyes widened. "Wait then you're going to-"

"I told you not to worry." The red head sighed, a smirk then formed. "But what's the fun in that? Connect with Aerial Ace!"

Momoko jumped and in a flash, the purple spheres disappeared. The Purugly reappeared with the chain floating in the air, each shadow ball connected on it and the end wrapped around its tail.

"This is the declaration of my love! My heart and soul towards this attack!" The red headed trainer raised an arm with her hand making the rock signal. "Shadow Iron Chain!"

Purugly launched itself towards the Aggron, the static coming off the chain glowed like lightning.

Steven did not hesitate. "This will hurt but might as well lessen the damage, counter with Iron Tail!" Howlite obeyed and its tail glowed, he launched in the air and the two collided; a bright light gleamed around the atmosphere and static was heard as the power of both attacks created an explosion.

"That was amazing! I never thought of using something like that in a battle!" Jessie commented.

"Using battle items are very common in the gym circuit." Raye replied.

"Nevermind that! What happened with Momoko?!" Lira shouted out.

As the smoke cleared, the two pokémon stood on their side of the battlefield, gasping for breath and filled with scratches. Mariah looked at her partner. 'If she suffers one more hit, it's game over.' She glanced to her opponent and saw him chuckling to himself. "Mind sharing with the arena of the joke Steven?"

"I'm just wondering of your pretty chain's fate, where is it now?

As if on command, Momoko twirled its tail and threw something to her trainer, she caught it and connected the chain to her waist. The poke designer placed a hand on her hip and flipped her hair with the other. "Did that answer your question?"

"Indeed. I'm guessing your fierceness is because you don't want to lose the battle, correct?" Seeing Mariah's eyes fall and her face flushing red, Steven smiled. "You're predictable but tenacious. Let's end this Howlite!" The Aggron roared.

Mariah exhaled and smirked. "Let's also end this Momoko!" Purugly growled.

The two trainers pointed towards one another and shouted loud. "IRON TAIL, MAX POWER!"

Both pokémon with their tails glowing ran towards each other and collided attacks, once again another explosion happened and everyone shielded themselves from the smoke. The two pokémon once again landed on their side of the battlefield.

Aggron fell down to one knee and winced in pain.

Jessie jumped up in the air. "Yes! Go Momoko!" She looked at her friends whom had fallen faces, she glanced towards Mariah's side of the field to see the feline cat laid out with swirly eyes.

"Purugly is unable to battle, the winner of the battle is Aggron and Steven Stone!" The referee announced.

The red head sighed, she called Momoko back to her ball and kissed it. "Thank you so much darling." Her eyes then went towards her opponent; with a professional yet sad smile, she held the hem of her skirt and curtsied. "It has been an honor to battle you Steven Stone, and Thank You for your hospitality to me and my friends during our visit." Mariah turned and walked out the arena.

Lita got up and ran after her. The other ladies went to Steven's side of the arena, Jessie looked over the Aggron and frowned. "If that last attack was a tad more powerful than yours, you would've went down." She patted its head and gave him a Sitrus berry.

"How did you know?" Steven asked the coordinator.

"I went to a pokémon nursing school, learnt everything regarding hurt pokémon and how to treat them." Jessie looked at the Champion. "I'm guessing you knew as well."

"She was firmly set on defeating me and I saw her passion to win."

Mya added. "But you also wanted her to prove the strength of her determination."

Raye smiled softly. "I saw that you had fun out there, it was a great battle."

"Thank You ladies." Steven blushed, he felt his phone vibrate and gripped it from his pocket. "I have to go now."

"We're leaving on the first boat from Slateport Pier tomorrow. I'm sure she doesn't want to talk now but if you want to say some last words, that would be the best time." Jessie added.

The ladies waved to Steven as he left, they then went immediately to check on their red headed companion. Arriving back to the hotel, they saw Mariah at the buffet stuffing her face with fruits and vegetables with tears falling down her cheeks.

"WHY MUST THIS TRIP END WITH BROKEN-HEARTED WOMEN?!" She continued eating as Lita sighed.

"I thought that you would gorge down on the sweets buffet."

The rest of the day was about the group packing their items and once again enjoying the buffet, Mariah remained in her room and fell asleep under the covers.

*BRRROOOOOOMMM*

The cruise ship departed from the pier and began its journey to Sinnoh; the passengers aboard were less than the previous one travelling to Hoenn but was still a large number. At the bow of the ship, a red headed woman leaned on the railing with her cheeks on her hands. As she looked out to the sea in silence, four ladies were behind her observing their friend.

"I knew this wouldn't end happily." Lita crossed her arms.

Raye blushed. "Is she really ok? It looks like her heart is broken."

Jessie raised an eyebrow. "Experience from shooting down your admirers and seeing their fallen faces Raye?"

"No. It's the same face you had the night you talked with that guy."

Lita and Mya glanced towards the magentette whom turned red and looked away.

"We have to cheer up Red somehow, she cannot go back to work with this despair lingering around her spirit." The purple haired woman added.

Mya sighed. "She just needs time to heal, we don't know how long it will be."

"She only knew him for a few days." Jessie commented. "It can't be THAT serious."

"It was TO ME!" Mariah shouted from afar which startled the women, she turned to face them. "I actually liked him not as the Champion but as a normal man, I forcefully placed my fangirlish excitement to the side as much as I could and jumped at every opportunity to be with him…I guess it wasn't enough."

"And you came to this conclusion based on your battle loss yesterday?" Mya asked.

"He did say if I lost, it meant we were over."

Raye frowned. "You two were never together."

Lita pinched the bridge of her nose. "Is this what you call the loss of a first love Mya?"

"Something like that, or a deep infatuation that was never returned after confessing."

Jessie sighed. "I don't know what you thought would've happen; he is a regional champion with high level pokémon. Of course he would win the battle."

"She wanted to prove in the battle that she was serious, and not like other women that are only interested in his money and status." Mya said. "Trust me, I've seen it."

Lita added, pointing a green painted nail at Jessie. "Plus, you're sounding max bitter right now, I thought you got over your heartbreak."

Mariah sighed. "It doesn't matter anymore. The whirlwind vacation romance is over and I have to live with it."

Raye immediately turned her head towards the sea and squinted her eye, pulling out a pair of red binoculars from her bag and glancing through them, she spoke up. "I don't think you have to worry about any love lost."

The ladies looked at the Ranger as she pointed towards a shadow from the horizon. The group looked on and saw the shadow getting bigger.

Mya tilted her head. "If I can guess..." Lita and Jessie nodded as Mariah looked in confusion.

"What is it?"

Raye handed her the binoculars. "See for yourself."

The red head looked through them to see a person flying a pokémon heading for the ship, she recognized the individual and nearly dropped the binoculars. Handing it back to the pale woman, Mariah stepped forward in disbelief, her eyes began to water as she shouted in the air.

"STEVEN!"

A man dropped from the sky and landed beside the red headed female, he straightened his posture but kept his face down. As the pair stood together, the other women looked on.

"This is like a romantic drama on TV." Lita said, fixing her glasses.

"But isn't Steven Stone on a boat will cause commotion that will affect this moment?" Jessie asked.

Raye flipped her long hair and smirked. "Way ahead of you Jess." Standing next to her, a Espeon's red orb was glowing blue.

Mya laughed. "It's using Psychic to ensure people don't come by the area, good thinking Raye."

The ranger blushed as she looked on towards the couple.

Mariah blushed. "S-Steven, what are you-"

"I was just flying by with my pokémon as I served my region as the Champion not once worrying about a relationship. Placing on a façade of being this happy man that people believe can have any woman he wants, but on the inside he actually wanted someone that saw him as a different person." Steven raised his face to see Mariah's red eyes.

"Then one day, I encountered a female who took down a taller man with one punch; she didn't even invade my personal space by wanting to know what a day as a champion is like or asking how many zeros are in my bank account. Our meeting was by mistake but she left an impression on me. When I told her about my interest of mining rare rocks, she didn't paint on a fake smile just to remain next to my side, but instead she encouraged me to continue pursuing that hobby with a sincere smile which made my heart race."

The red head's face lightened up as Steven continued. "Her energy was contagious, vibrant and safe. She shown me her creative side by cooking for me twice and placing her emotions inside her food. This woman went so far as to pull me into an environment that identified me as a normal person instead of a celebrity, it was the most fun I had in years. Seeing her smiles and cheers on the outside was beautiful, however I knew she was holding back something. She wasn't fully sure whether to go forward with her feelings or not." The Champion held his chest where his Mega Stickpin rested, his face turned a fire stone red as he declared to the woman standing before him.

"I'm also in love with you too."

Raye closed her eye. "We also knew this." Once again, the ladies nodding in reply.

Tears began to fall down Mariah's face as the Hoenn region champion walked forward and wiped her eyes with his handkerchief. "Mariah, I realized that you are sincere with your feelings for me; that battle yesterday proved it."

"But I lost. I'm not worthy to be with you."

"I didn't care whether you won or not, I wanted you to prove to me how real your feelings were. You went all out to show me and I would be honored to accept them." He held her hands and placed a soft kiss on her forehead as she continued crying.

Lita held her camera. "Was your confession as cheesy as this Mya?"

The blue clad coordinator blushed. "A bit more because it was snowing."

Steven stepped back and removed the backpack he had on, he went in and pulled out two shopping bags colored pink and blue. "I hope this would cheer you up, you left the arena mad yesterday and I thought of this."

Mariah raised an eyebrow, she looked inside the blue bag and saw clothes that she remembered. "You got those limited edition outfits from Lilycove?!"

"You did say they were one of a kind." The champion blushed and ruffled his hair. "Oh there's one more."

"Another shopping bag?"

"Better." He reached inside his pocket, he then placed a Steel blue letter in Mariah's hand. "When you're in Jubilife city, go to the address on the letter and deliver it to the manager of the company. I trust you with this so you and your friends have to take care of it."

Mariah smiled and jumped in the man's arms, she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Steven chuckled, he placed the woman down and held her hands. "I have to go or else the league will be on me. You have my number so let's keep in touch." He kissed Mariah's hands and winked. "My girlfriend." The red head's face turned deep as her hair.

The man turned towards the group of women and bowed. "Take care of each other and hope to meet you all again."

The ladies waved as Steven hopped on his Skarmory and flew back towards Hoenn.

Jessie walked towards the still red Mariah. "So what's this about the trip ending with broken hearted women?"

"You had closure with yours Jess." Raye commented holding a poke ball. "And Mariah had hers just now."

Mya smiled. "The best closure I might add."

Lita placed an arm around the red head as she smiled, looking out to the sky.

Can anyone guess the reference I wrote in? It popped up in my head since I based the story loosely around it and I wanted to place more of the presence inside the story. Either way, Hoenn is done and it's back to Sinnoh for the next saga called...I don't know yet but I am ready to find out with you.

Thanks for reading. Follow, Favorite, Review and Stay Healthy.

LP21 3