A radiant white light surrounded Sunkern as the small Pokémon grew taller and her bud blossomed into a flower. When the light dissipated, a beautiful Sunflora smiled at Kenny.

Kenny clasped his hands. His face scrunched up with emotion as his eyes became pools. "Sun—Sunflora—I'm so happy!" He slung his arms around his newly evolved Pokémon, bawling his eyes out. Sunflora patted Kenny with her wide leaves, her coos comforting.

I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. Evolution is an emotionally powerful moment for a Pokémon, and its significance in the bond between Pokémon and trainer can't be overstated. It had been a while since any of my Pokémon evolved.

Aaron high fived Kenny. "Congrats, man! I'm happy for you and Sunflora."

Gardenia clapped her fingers. "Ooh, want to have a battle? I have the perfect opponent for Sunflora."

Aaron frowned. "Actually, Gardenia, we wanted to talk to you."

"Can it wait until after Sunflora's first battle?"

"Sure, I guess. Dawn, let's go to the Pokémon Center and call Ash."

Gardenia's eyes widened. "You're not staying?"

Kenny looked at me expectantly. I glanced between him and Aaron. "Sorry, Aaron, but I want to watch Sunflora's first battle. This is a big deal for Kenny, and I want to support him."

Kenny's smile was as bright as his Sunflora's. Aaron waved. "You're right. Sorry about that. I'll cheer you on too, Kenny."

Gardenia led us to the battlefield, where the sun's rays filtered in from the slitted roof. Aaron walked to the middle to referee. "The battle between Kenny the Coordinator and Gardenia the Gym Leader will be one-on-one between Kenny's Sunflora and one of Gardenia's grass types." He lifted an eyebrow at his fellow League trainer. "If you send out your Roserade, I'm gonna judge you hard."

Gardenia placed a hand on her hip. "I'm not mean like that. I'll play fair and use a Pokémon I evolved recently, too."

"I'll be the referee," Aaron continued. "Battle—begin!"

"Sunflora, I choose you!"

"Go, my beautiful Lilligant!"

Lilligant was slightly bigger than Sunflora. While Kenny's Pokémon resembled a cheerful sunflower, Gardenia's Pokémon was an elegant lily.

Gardenia explained, "Lilligant also evolves after making contact with a Sun Stone. This will be her first battle, too. Let's have a good one, yeah?"

"For sure."

"You can have the first move."

Kenny pumped his fist. "Sunflora, use Grass Knot!"

"Dodge it, my beautiful Lilligant, and use Sunny Day!"

Lilligant leaped gracefully over the tangle of grass that Sunflora wove. When she spun, sparkles puffed out of the flower atop her head. The slits on the open roof rotated, letting in more sunlight.

Glowing energy rose from Sunflora, who winced as though in pain. I gasped. Kenny cried out, too. "What's going on?"

"It's Sunflora's ability," Gardenia explained. "Solar Power amplifies special attacks when it's sunny, but the Pokémon's stamina takes a hit."

"That's a risky gambit." Kenny smirked. "I'll take advantage of it. Sunflora, use Grass Knot again!"

"Lilligant—"

Before Lilligant could dodge, she stumbled on the grassy tangle, which was larger this time.

Gardenia's hands cupped her face as her mouth yawned open in horror. "My beautiful Lilligant!" The Flowering Pokémon recovered her balance. "Use Quiver Dance!"

"Let's get 'em again with Grass Knot!"

Lilligant's Quiver Dance was different from Volcarona's or Vivillon's. While Aaron's Pokémon focused on speed and precision, Gardenia emphasized a slower, more graceful beauty. Lilligant dodged Sunflora's attack in apparent slow motion.

"Lilligant, use Solar Beam!"

With the strong sunlight entering the gym, Lilligant's Solar Beam was instant and immense. The attack washed over Sunflora, sending the smaller Pokémon flying across the battlefield.

Aaron rushed over to check on Sunflora. The hardy Pokémon got up, her smile determined. Kenny wiped the top of his lip. "We got this, Sunflora—heal yourself with Morning Sun!"

The refreshing sunlight rejuvenated Sunflora back to full health.

"Lilligant, use Solar Beam again!"

"Sunflora, let's hit 'em with Earth Power!"

Sunflora crouched to avoid taking Lilligant's attack head-on. The earth shot up under Lilligant's delicate feet, and the Flowering Pokémon sprang into the air with a high-pitched cry.

Gardenia's hands cupped her face again. "My beautiful Lilligant! Are you okay?"

Lilligant brushed a speck of dirt off her flower skirt with an indignant huff.

"We're good, yeah. Use Light Screen!" A glossy barrier covered the bulkier Pokémon. Gardenia smirked at Kenny. "Now none of your Pokémon's moves can hit hard anymore."

"We'll keep hitting hard as much as we can. Let's go, Sunflora!"

"Stay strong, my beautiful Lilligant!"

Both Pokémon on the battlefield were flower-like Pokémon, but Kenny and Gardenia had unique battle styles. Gardenia brought out her Pokémon's inherent grace with sweeping, arcing motions, while Kenny was a hit-hard-and-then-hit-harder kind of battler. Sunflora's wide leaves slapped the grass, conjuring powerful attacks one after the other.

But Kenny wasn't just a brawler. Like Dawn, he had lots of experience as a coordinator and a trainer. He fought smart as well as hard. Sunflora's last move was Protect, which he used to block against Lilligant's immense Solar Beam. I was beginning to recognize both Pokémon's rhythm. Lilligant would use Solar Beam – her only attack – and Kenny would have Sunflora block it with Protect.

Kenny tapped the toe of his sneaker on the grass, maintaining a different rhythm. He smirked. "Sunflora, take a break with Morning Sun!"

"Lilligant, use Solar Beam to finish the battle!"

At that moment, the sun's rays weakened. Although Sunflora couldn't reap the rejuvenation, Lilligant's attack also couldn't come immediately. Both Pokémon were at an apparent stalemate.

Kenny narrowed his eyes, watching Gardenia's Pokémon carefully. Remembering our battles against Nando and his Roserade, I did the same, observing how Lilligant slowly but certainly gathered the sun's energy.

Now.

"Sunflora—Protect!"

"Do it, Lilligant!"

Sunflora raised one leaf, lifting a shield that blocked Lilligant's attack. Light deflected and scattered across the battlefield.

"Finish it with Earth Power!"

Lilligant's Light Screen faded an instant before the earth shot up beneath her feet, sending her flying. Aaron ran to check on her. "Lilligant is unable to battle! Victory goes to Kenny and Sunflora!"

Kenny pumped his fist. "We did it, Sunflora!" He high fived his Pokémon, whose giant leaf was now bigger than his hand. I ran to hug him in congratulations, while Piplup and Sunflora jumped in joy together.

Gardenia blew a short strand of ginger hair out of her face. "You were amazing, Lilligant. Take a good rest." She held out her hand, and Kenny shook it. Gardenia's smile reached her eyes. "Congrats on Sunflora's first win, Kenny. I wish I could give you a gym badge, but this was just a friendly battle. Also, in the Sinnoh League, all gym leaders have to use at least three Pokémon against challengers."

"I'm good with that," Kenny said. "Besides, I'm a coordinator, not a League challenger, so I'm not looking for gym badges. But if you were giving out ribbons..."

Gardenia laughed. "Let me add you to my Pokégear, and I'll call you when Eterna City is hosting a Pokémon contest."

"Thanks, Gardenia."

Gardenia nodded, then looked at Aaron. "So," she said, her voice firm, "you wanted to talk."

"Yeah." Aaron's tone was uncharacteristically grave. "We need your help, Gardenia. You watched the exhibition battle on TV, so you know Ace and I both gave it our all."

"I know how grass types fight," Gardenia confirmed. "Leavanny and Roserade were stellar."

"But a lot of trainers think the battle was faked. As a new gym leader, it doesn't look good for Ace. I need your help to clear his name."

Gardenia's expression darkened.