The two Drapion squared off against each other on the battlefield. Aaron's Drapion appeared ginormous. Ace's Drapion was no less menacing; his long tail swept the ground, eager to strike out.

Aaron held out his hand, the mega ring inserted into his Vespiquen-designed glove gleaming. With Scizor knocked out, he couldn't mega evolve a Pokémon for the rest of the battle. Drapion couldn't mega evolve anyway, but it was plenty strong without an extra evolution. "As a member of the Elite Four," Aaron said in a grand voice, "I offer you the first move, Ace."

Ace smirked, though he looked uneasy. I thought of his Crobat, probably barely hanging on in his Ultra Ball. Although his icon remained bright on the screen, both trainers were basically down to their final Pokémon. Ace's voice remained calm, though. "I'm the new Gym Leader of Hearthome City. Don't go easy on me." He nodded at his differently colored Pokémon. "Drapion, let's kick things off with Aqua Tail!"

"Dodge it, Drapion, and use Night Slash!"

"Grab it with Crunch!"

The bulkier Drapion leaped over the other one's sweeping tail and lunged, one arm darkening as he prepared to use Night Slash. Ace's Drapion did not dodge. Though he was slightly smaller, he stood firm. Right before the bigger Drapion could send him flying with a hooked arm, he opened his jaws wide.

The lithe Drapion chomped down hard on the bulky Drapion's arm. Aaron's Drapion howled and tried to shake the other Drapion off.

Ace shouted, "Let go now, Drapion!"

The differently colored Drapion released the other Pokémon. Both leaped away, Ace's Drapion jumping farther.

Sitting behind and above me to watch the exhibition battle, Cynthia explained, "Both Aaron and Ace trained their Drapion exceptionally well, but they focused on different traits."

"I can tell," Steven commented. "Aaron's Drapion has optimal defense and speed—an unusual combination."

"Ace's Drapion, meanwhile," Cynthia continued, "has incredible attack prowess."

"Even though Aaron focused on defense instead of attack," I remarked, "both Drapion have the ability Sniper."

Kenny looked at me in surprise. "You can tell?"

"That was a critical hit, and it dealt more damage than you'd expect for a not-very-effective move."

"Dawn is right," Cynthia said, and I glowed with pride. "They also both have good speed and stamina. Ace and Aaron are compatible as partners and battlers, and it shows in the way they train and battle with their Pokémon."

I nodded, remembering the stellar performances their Pokémon displayed, worthy of Pokémon contests. Hearthome City is Sinnoh's contest capital, so it makes sense for any Gym Leader of Hearthome City – coordinator or not – to be able to put on a show.

"It's almost as if," Steven said in a low voice, "this battle was scripted."

I froze. "No."

Kenny was quick to jump to his friend's defense. "That's impossible! Ace would never do that. And Aaron has been a member of the Elite Four for years. He wouldn't throw it all away like that."

Cynthia soothed everyone's nerves. "I'm sure there's a good explanation."

Glancing around us, the other spectators seemed to have similar doubts. A few whispered among themselves. Paul continued watching, him and Electivire appearing neutral but no doubt the most judgmental. I narrowed my eyes at him. If he accused Aaron or Ace, we would have words. I'd yell his stupid hair off! I'd call Ash all the way from Alola to beat him again. I'd beat the jerk myself!

The two Drapion battled like they were dancing. Night Slash and Cross Poison collided—not very effective, but no less powerful. Ice Fang froze Aqua Tail and turned the area into a shimmering, slippery space. At Ace's command, Drapion slammed his frozen tail onto the icy ground. With Cross Poison, the larger shards of ice turned bright purple, appearing lethal. Aaron's Drapion darted from shard to shard with Pursuit, his pincers smashing each one into sparkling smithereens.

I wondered what each Drapion's final move was. I'd heard that some gym leaders in Kalos only trained some of their Pokémon to know three moves to go easy on new challengers—though Ash had gotten no such special treatment—but this was an exhibition battle. A full six-on-six match! No one was going easy here.

"Ace and Aaron have known each other since they were new Pokémon trainers," Cynthia was telling Steven. Were they arguing over the exhibition battle again? For two Champions who were dating, they sure argued a lot. Then again, that's just what best friends do. "They met in the Great Marsh in Pastoria City. Aaron wanted to catch a Yanma, while Ace was looking for a Croagunk.

Aaron hummed as his shoes squished on the peaty grass. Beside him, Skorupi skuttled on the marshwater, his lightness keeping him from getting bogged down. Aaron's backpack was loaded with Safari Balls. Lots of Pokémon trainers – novices and veterans alike – gathered in the Great Marsh to find rare Pokémon and have some fun. However, Aaron wouldn't just settle for any Wooper or Barboach. When he saw a flying Pokémon, he cried out in excitement.

In the Great Marsh, trainers aren't allowed to battle with their Pokémon, so Aaron had to get creative. He grabbed a ball of mud from under Skorupi – the small bug-and-poison type tumbled down – and launched it at the winged Pokémon.

To his disappointment, it wasn't a Yanma, but a Zubat. 'What's a Zubat doing in the Great Marsh?'

'Hey!' a purple-haired boy his age yelled at him. 'Why'd you attack my Zubat?'

Aaron was about to apologize when Ace noticed Skorupi. 'A poison type! Let's catch it, Zubat!'

He threw a Safari Ball at Aaron's Skorupi, but the Safari Ball bounced back harmlessly. The boy's Pokédex beeped, 'Don't be a thief!'

Aaron planted his fists on his hips and glared at the other boy. 'Yeah, what that Pokédex said.'

'You were trying to catch my Zubat earlier.'

'That's different. Also, for your information, Skorupi is a bug type.'

'Isn't it also a poison type?'

'My Skorupi will grow to be the strongest bug type ever!'

'Uh huh—hey, there's another one! Let's catch it, Zubat!'

Next to Aaron's Skorupi was an oddly colored Skorupi whose pincers looked too big for it. When it saw Ace trying to catch it, it scuttled away.

Ace ran after it, his clunky boots splashing marshwater all over his and Aaron's legs. Aaron's Skorupi shook the water off like a Growlithe. Aaron and Skorupi pelted after Ace and Zubat. The differently colored Skorupi hopped onto a resting Yanma, startling it into flying.

The boys and their Pokémon sprinted after the Yanma and Skorupi. They ran all the way to the gate, where the attendant hollered for them to drop off their Safari Balls. Now that they were outside the Great Marsh, they could use normal Pokéballs—and have their Pokémon battle.

'Zubat, use Leech Life!'

'Skorupi, Poison Sting!'

'See, I told you Skorupi was a poison type.'

'Your Zubat knows a bug-type move too.'

Before the wild Pokémon could get away, they shouted in unison, 'Go, Pokéball!'"

Almost eight years later, the two friends battled to commemorate Ace becoming a gym leader. The showdown between their Drapion reached its climax. Ace ordered his Drapion to use Sand Tomb.

It was the only super effective move he had against another Drapion, but it was risky. With neither Pokémon having Keen Eye as an ability, they struggled to see through the kicked-up sand.

"Drapion!" Aaron called. "Get in close with Leech Life!"

"Trap it with Crunch!"

The two Pokémon grappled with each other, each trying its hardest to win. Leech Life drained Ace's Drapion of its energy, but Crunch whittled Aaron's Drapion down. When the sand cleared, both Pokémon collapsed.