"CONGRATS!" Jessie squeezed me hard, making breathing air hard to accomplish. "You made it to the Semifinals!"

"Good job kiddo," James pounded me on the back, laughing. "Always knew you could do it!"

"Just win this and you'll be well on your way to winning the Kalos League!" Meowth grinned widely.

"Yeah yeah," I smiled, happy to have these wonderful goofballs as my family. "Now, I see you went all out today."

It was the same day of my victory against AZ, the evening breeze pleasant to feel. The Rocket Trio, ahem, the Rocket 4, had decided to make a dinner to celebrate me advancing onto the Semifinals. I, having met them along the way, invited Ash and his friends, and even extended an invitation to Alain. So far he has yet to show up to the small plateau where the table had been set up with an amount of food that I was beginning to wonder where it all came from.

"Alright everyone," Preston knocked on the table to gather all our attention. "This evening we celebrate not only the Semifinalists success, but all those who've managed to make their mark!" I glanced at Alex, smiling. "So congratulations," Preston continued. "Dig in I guess. Be thankful this wasn't made by Jessie."

There was laughter going around at that, forced laughter from Jessie in particular. As we moved in for the food, we could hear Preston's strangled cries.

"So," Robert swallowed his food in one huge gulp. "Just what will come next if either of you defeat the league?"

Ash and I glanced at one another. I shrugged. "I guess I could enter the Kalos Champion's League and see if I can make my way to battle Diantha. Though I'm not sure if I would want to be a potential Champion just yet."

"I think I would," Ash leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "I don't mind Kalos. It has cool places and amazing people and Pokemon. If I became Champion, I don't think I would mind just staying here. I mean, sure I'll still travel and I'll miss Mom in Pallet Town, but," he tickled Pikachu under the chin. "I think we could really stay in Kalos."

"Gren," his Greninja appeared at his side, nodding at his trainer's words. Then he glanced at the table and picked up a Poke Puff Serena had made for this occasion.

"Oh," Serena clapped her hands together. "Zeno, Alex, Robert, you should have your Pokemon try my Poke Puffs. Pokemon absolutely love them."

"Why not?" Alex shrugged. "Ninetales, come on over."

"Greninja, Arcanine," I looked back at the both of them already heading over. "Serena wants you guys to try something."

Greninja glanced at the Poke Puff Ash's Greninja held and picked the same one. I chuckled at that. "Can't be beaten by your rival now, eh?"

"Gren," Greninja nodded, cocking his head at his rival.

"It's funny," Ash shook his head, smiling. "Their instinctive rivalry, it makes sense now thanks to what Professor Sycamore told us."

"Told you what?" Alex and Serena both asked simultaneously.

Ash and I shared a glance, both of us smiling as we remembered to when Sycamore came up to us earlier after we were leaving the stadium.

...

"Merveilluex," Sycamore held his arms out, a smile spread across his face. "Your battles are truly something to behold! And your Greninja have done so well." He looked at both Ash and I in turn. "May I see them?"

"Sure," Ash agreed, letting out his Greninja, and I followed suit. Both stood before the Professor, their colors contrasting one another.

"Ah," Sycamore nodded at Ash's Greninja. "You, the one who kept running away, only wanting a trainer that understood you and could harness your true potential. I daresay you have accomplished that." He moved on to mine. "And you, one who was rejected by many, one destined to die one day. But look at you! You've done so well and have come this far! Death can't claim you just yet!"

"Actually," I placed my hand on Greninja's shoulder. "He did die." Seeing the look on Sycamore's face, I quickly added, "But he was brought back, thanks to Xerneas."

"Ah," Sycamore nodded, smiling warmly. "That is truly a bénédiction. And both of you have achieved something even I have never seen or heard of before. A bond like no other. I would say that if must have something to do with their family bonds."

"Family?" Ash and I were both confused.

"Did I not tell the both of you?" Sycamore chuckled. "Oh dear, I meant to tell you two back in the beginning of your journeys." He placed both hands on our Greninjas heads. "These two, they're brothers. I don't know if that has anything to do with the potential they've both unleashed in your care, but I'm sure it must have something to do with it."

"Brothers," my eyes widened. "Greninja, you knew this didn't you?"

"Gren," Greninja rubbed the back of his head, looking sheepish.

"Man, what a sibling rivalry you two have," Ash laughed, patting his Greninja on the back. "I guess it makes sense why you both aim to top one another every time we battle."

Both Greninjas glanced at one another and nodded, both raising a fist. Neither was expecting to lose when they would battle, which they were confident they would.

...

"We both have tough battles ahead of us," I said to Ash as we finished telling everyone what Sycamore had told us. "I expect you to meet me in the Finals when I win my match."

"You worry about your battle and I'll worry about mine," Ash grinned, Pikachu's cheeks sparking. "Because we sure won't lose now! We've come too far to lose now!"

"Speaking of your battles," Robert glanced around. "I can't help but notice two people didn't show up."

"Alain didn't seem interested," Ash folded his arms. "But I thought your friend Clara was coming?"

"She was here," I remembered her coming with us. I looked around, surprised that she was nowhere to be found. "I guess not..."

"Zeno," Alex said quietly as the conversation around us steered towards the earlier battles of the league. "Here." She passed me a small piece of paper and I read what was on it before nodding.

"Thanks," I told her and quietly left the table. No one noticed me leave as I headed up a path as tall lamps powered on overhead. The cool evening air felt nice as the sun was beginning to set. Everything was quiet around me and even the distant sound of chatter from my friends and family faded as the path sloped upwards towards a splitting point. Someone met me at the intersection, stopping to block the path ahead.

"Alain," I came to a stop, feet away from him.

"Zeno," he stayed quiet for a long moment, before saying, "I must apologize for what I said to you back in Laverre City. Your bond is not weak."

I just stared at him. Then, "Alain, who are you?"

He hesitated. "I... I'm just someone trying to do the right thing for someone I care about." He looked up to meet my gaze. "I don't expect you to believe or trust me. I need to become stronger, strong enough to win this league. I don't know what it is Lysandre plans, but I need him. He's the only one..."

I took a step towards him, making sure he could see my stern expression as I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Alain, I can see what you're trying to do. I respect that. But," I tightened my grip. "If you go too far, you won't come back. Tread lightly, or all that you hold dear will slip between your fingers."

I walked past him, then stopped again. "If you do manage to beat Ash, know that I will defeat you instead. I can promise you that much." I continued on my way, not looking back at him. Eventually, the cobblestone path lead me to another plateau overlooking the stadium. Clara sat on a bench that was turned to face the view, the wind casually flicking her black bangs across her face. Her expression was that of one who was staring forlornly into the past.

I sat at the opposite end of the bench, staring at the wonderful view. The sun had begun its descent, streaking the sky with painting-worthy colors. We both sat there in silence before Clara finally spoke.

"What was your first impression of me?" she asked, eyes still facing forwards.

I leaned backwards, thinking back to when I had first met her, battling a trainer so she could take his Tyranitar as her prize. "Selfish, rude, arrogant, and a bit demanding. Oh, and that mouth of yours."

She made a soft sound and after a moment I realized it was a chuckle. "I hope I changed since then."

"You did," I sat forwards, looking at her. "Clara, you have changed. You gave me your Pokemon to train for Arceus' sake! You were rightly angry when we dragged you into our troubles and I don't blame you for a second of that. But since then, you've helped us, you even went with us to Ultra Space when you had no reason to. Clara, I... I should be thanking you for helping us and travelling with us. You're not just my rival, you're my friend."

Clara closed her eyes, a single tear visible in the last rays of the sunset before it fell onto the grass without a sound. "Thank you," she breathed, reopening her blue eyes. "Thank you for always seeing the best in me, even when I couldn't."

She stood and finally looked at me for the first time since I had gotten here. She had a resolved look about her, face tight with determination. "Tomorrow we battle. I won't lose, Zeno. I'm going to prove just how strong I really am. I'll defeat you, then take the trophy as mine. I'll fight the Elite 4 and defeat Diantha herself! I will become Champion of this region."

I stood to face her. "And I won't lose to you either. Last time we fought you may have won, but this time, I will prevail."

Clara smirked and moved past me as the final rays peaked over the horizon. Then, softly, she said, "I respect you Zeno. Maybe more than that... Because of that, I won't lose."

I stared at her as she left down the path, the final light from the sun already fading away. "Clara Acord," I whispered. "You've come so far. I am blessed that your are not just my rival, but my friend as well."

...

"Today marks the beginning of this League's Semifinals, two battles that will determine who the two trainers will be for the Kalos League Final! Already emerging onto the field are the first ones to battle today! We have Zeno, a mysterious foreigner with a special bond with his Greninja! And we have Clara, our designated Brutal Brawler who hails from the Lost Hotel! These are two very powerful trainers and who'll emerge as the victor can only be speculated upon!"

With a large mechanical clunk, the field rose and latched into place. The forest field. The judge was already there, his hand now raised into the air. "The Semifinal battle between Zeno and Clara will now begin! You may use six Pokemon each! Pokemon may be substituted freely! As soon as one party's Pokemon are all unable to battle, the battle is over! Also, once once three of either party's Pokemon are unable to battle, there will be an interval so we can change the battlefield! Both of you, please call out your Pokemon!"

"This is it," I thought, hefting the pokeball into the sky. "Our long awaited rematch! Don't you worry, Clara! We'll make sure to go all out!"

"Now then, begin the battle!"

And so the Semifinals begin! Next up, "Rival's End", Zeno and Clara face off once more in a battle that will truly decide who the strongest of the two really is! So until then! Toodles!