"So, Serena, right? What brings you from Kalos all the way to Hoenn?" Zinnia asked.
They were sitting in a restaurant after Zinnia had healed Sylveon up. And now she was eating some food in the set next to her trainer as Aster the Whismur sucked a milkshake through a straw across the table.
Seeing as she wasn't paying, at first Serena tried to order on the cheap, but Zinnia quickly assured her that money wasn't an issue for the girl as she made a living by taking bets from guys who thought they could beat her in a battle. And after they got destroyed, she got a little extra to keep things hush hush. Apparently there were a lot of rich kids who thought they were hot stuff in Hoenn.
"Well, I got a recommendation to try Pokémon contests to help me improve on my performances." Serena explained to the girl. "They're pretty similar so there's a lot of skills you can transfer from one to the other. I'm sure when I return to Kalos I'll be even better than before."
Zinnia nodded as she leaned forward to grab some of their shared fries. "Respectable. I never tried a contest before, but given how you described showcases, it sounds like the idea is the same. Show off Pokémon in a unique way that isn't tied to battle."
She shoveled several fries into her mouth all at once in a manner that reminded Serena of ash.
"So I'm guessing you're here for the ideal of Hoenn's little class then?" Zinnia asked with her mouth still somewhat full. "Well, here's hoping you can actually get in. I swung by earlier to see if I could get a ticket only to be informed that the next three shows were completely sold out."
"Oh! Your here to see Lisia too?" Serena said happily. She had finally found a good conversation route. "On the way to Hoenn, I watched several of her performances! The way she commands her Altaria is just so incredible! I can't imagine the amount of training they must have done to reach that level!"
Zinnia let out a bark-like laugh, causing Serena to turn to her in surprise.
"Yeah, to the untrained eye it might look that way." She said leaning back in her seat and putting her feet on the table. "But I'm not going to lie, just watching that amateur battle is kinda painful. She wastes so much effort on big moves instead of relying on her Pokémon's greatest ability, it's defense."
Serena thought back to some of the Coordinate's tougher battles and realized she didn't prefer to attack than defend.
"If it was my Altaria, I would let the enemy attack me until they had worn themselves out, then count with some power moves to finish the fight! Although I guess contests are very different from battles." Zinnia spoke with passion and a fire in her eyes. Her infectious grin filled with enjoyment and Serena found herself smiling too.
This girl really did remind her of Ash.
"So, what's your interest in the show?" Serena asked. "You're not a Coordinator, but you're still a trainer. Are you going to try contests out soon?"
"Nah." Zinnia said with a wave of her hand. "I actually wanted to battle Lisia. Word on the street is she's quite a skill trainer. So I was naturally interested in a chance to hone my skills against her, but after getting turned away at the door, I think I'll just have to try my luck later."
As she said that last part, her head rolled back as she let out a groan. Clearly she had been looking forward to the battle.
"Well, maybe I could help you with that." Serena said with a wink. She reached into her bag drawing Zinnia's attention. The dark haired girl took her feet off the table as she leaned forward to see what the blonde was doing as Serena produced an envelope from her pocket.
"Tada! Backstage pass that give me personal one on one time with Lisia!" The soon to be Coordinator said happily. "I'd be more than willing to ask on your behalf on my way out. Consider it thanks for getting me out of a tight spo-! Wahh!"
Serena was cut off as Zinnia leapt up onto the table and grabbed Serena's hand with her own.
"You'd do that for me?!" She practically cried as her wide eyes shone like stars in the sky. "You'd actually ask for me?! Thank you so much! I can't express how happy I am! It's so good to see people still have integrity in his day and age!"
With that, the ecstatic girl pulled the blonde into a tight hug. Her earlier statement had Serena somewhat confused, but if she was being honest, this girl was really weird.
"Excuse me." Both girls looked up to see the waitress standing at their table.
"I'm sorry, but could you please not yell or stand on our tables. It's not just against our policy but you're also making a bit of a scene."
Serena looked past the woman and saw that several people had indeed been staring at them. Her face flushed red with embarrassment as she realized the implications of the current interaction. And unfortunately, before she could untangle herself from Zinnia, she saw someone snap a photo of the very awkward moment.
Arceus help her.
Later that night.
Stars lit up the sky as Serena approached the contest hall. It was bustling with people, from fans, rivals and and Coordinator hopefuls flocked to see the Ideal of Hoenn perform. Serena even recognized a few top brand fashion icons and important business figures. Lisia must get several sponsorship offers.
As Serena entered the VIP line, which was also surprisingly full, she saw how extravagant everyone in the line was dressed. Fancy dresses and expensive suits, these were clearly the type of people who had money to spare.
Looking down at her own outfit made Serena feel a little underdressed.
Quickly as she could, she tried to wipe her clothes off starting with her skirt, but when she accidentally knocked some onto the person in front of her, a large woman in a fancy pink dress, she immediately stopped under the glare the woman sent her.
Dear Arceus, she thought people in Kalos could be fashion obsessed, but waiting in a line with what must be actors and multi-million company owners made it seem like a local fashion show.
Even someone as well versed in fashion like Serena felt small and insignificant.
"Excuse me, but I think you're in the wrong line."
As if she didn't need anymore insecurities.
Turning around, Serena found herself face-to-face with a young man around her age with black hair slicked back except for a single strand that hung down over one eye. He was fitted with a tuxedo (that must cost as much as her house!) and an expensive Poketch both of which were the latest model and style available. And if she didn't mention it before, Very EXPENSIVE!
"Actually, I have VIP access." She said, trying to keep her voice level. "I have every right to be here. So you can just wait your turn like everyone else."
The boy scuffed and flicked the strained back obnoxiously, his eyes closed as the strained fell back into place.
"Your mistaken." He said with a patronizing wave of his hand. "I didn't want to cut, just that I didn't think some riffraff like you shouldn't try to get access to Lisia's backstage areas. I mean, the authorities have already been on high alert because some riffraff like yourself have already started stalking our beloved Lisia, surely you can just get your jerks off on whatever perverted blog they use because they're too poor to get a proper audience! And what kind of reputation damage you would do to me if the paparazzi saw someone like you, standing next to me! Why, I can't image the scandal! The headline would read, Sone to be top Coordinator, Julius Everboar, seen associating with some a commoner!' Why, I don't think I could ever live it down!" Julius said, dramatically leaning back and placing a hand on his forehead.
"So if you would find even the small shears of kindness in your heart, wouldn't you be a dear move either in front of that woman or two people behind me? Honestly, just asking you is more stress than I need. Seriously, you must have made me wrinkle somewhere. And that alone will probably be your life's greatest accomplishment."
Serena stared slack jawed at the pompous brat. Surely he was joking with her. Nobody. And she means nobody, could possibly be this out of touch with reality, could they?
But upon seeing his dead serious expression, she realized that, somehow, someway, this guy truly thought his behavior was acceptable. That people wouldn't find this both offensive and rude. Had he been raised in littoral ivy towers or something? Because there was no way, no way in hell, that this guy was real.
With a huff, Serena turned back around.
"If you don't want to be seen with me, then you can move." Serena said not bothering to hide her displeasure. "I came here to become a proper Coordinator and I'm not giving up my spot, which I had before you arrived, just so you can save face. If you don't like it, you can move."
She let out another huff as she folded her arms and pointedly moved closer to the large woman.
Behind her, she heard Julius let out an annoyed sigh before muttering. "Sheesh, commoners are so touchy." Then the sound of footsteps as the brat moved to the back of the line. And even though she knew she shouldn't enjoy it, a part of Serena was silently celebrating.
As she finally got to the front of the line, she was greeted by a buff looking bouncer who held up his hand as she approached.
"Ticket please." He said with a rather thick sounding accent that Serena couldn't place, but she didn't comment and took the envelope out of her pocket.
"Right, here you go." She said as she handed over the envelope to the man. He wordlessly took and opened it up, then glared up at her.
"What is this?" He asked irritably, causing Serena to look up in confusion. "Yo, you deaf? I asked what are you playing at? Think'n you can get in with an empty envelope? Of all the stupid ideas people have tried to pull, that one is the stupidest."
"W-what?!" Serena cried as she grabbed the envelope and looked inside herself.
Sure enough, it was completely empty.
"No no no! This is impossible!" Panicked, Serena began fishing in her pockets, trying to find the pass. This couldn't be happening! She had been so careful! That envelope never left her pocket for more than a few seconds and even then, she had always made sure it had been sealed! There was no opportunity for it to-!
"The restaurant!"
Serena's heart sank as she realized what had happened! When Zinnia had grabbed her hands, she must have damaged the seal causing the envelope to open. She hadn't noticed with the excitable girl's display of affection and then left with her pass still in there!
Oh no! The restaurant was closed and her pass was only good for today! If she didn't get in, she'd be at a serious disadvantage when it came time for her first Pokémon contest!
Panicked, Serena looked from the bouncer and towards the restaurant. Maybe she could just break a window? No, that was wrong. But what other choice did she have?! This was the best opportunity to learn about contests, yet she didn't have a way in! What could she d-?!
"Serena? What are you doing here?"
Serena looked up at the familiar voice. Surely her panicked brain was just pulling her leg now. There was no way SHE was here.
But sure enough, poking her head from a little ways behind her was none other then Aria, the Kalos Queen herself.
"It is you!" The older girl said, immediately running to her and grabbing her hands. "Wow! It's been so long! How have you been? I heard about what happened at Lumiose City! I'm so glad you're okay after all that! But what are you doing in Hoenn? I thought you might follow that boy back to Kanto."
Immediately Serena's face went bright red. Was she that obvious that even Aria had seen it!? (She was.)
"I could ask you the same thing!" Serena said, very eager to change the subject. "I would have thought you'd be training with Palermo by now. Hoenn's pretty far outside her training methods."
Aria giggled. "I'm actually taking a vacation to visit an old friend and rival. And judging by where you're standing, I'm guessing you're here to see her too."
"Oh, yeah I was." Serena admitted somewhat embarrassingly. "But I lost my pass and unfortunately it was only good for today. Clumsy me right?" Of course she had to screw up right when one of the people she respected the most was right there to see it. Right now, she just wanted Zinnia to send her blasting off to save her from this humiliation.
"Well, I'm holding up the line!" Serena said quickly. "I should be going. Sorry to get in the way and have fun with your friend!" She quickly tried to leave, but was stopped when another voice entered their conversation.
"Mrs. Aria? You know Mrs Aria?" The bouncer asked, to which Serena gave a small nod. "Well, why didn't you say so!" He bellowed loudly, striding forward and clapping a hand on her shoulder. "Come on in! Any friend of Mrs. Lisia's is always welcome. And any friend of a friend like Mrs. Aria is too."
"W-really?!" Serena cried happily. "You actually mean I can go in?!"
The bouncer nodded and Serena felt her heart soar. Finally things were starting to look up!
"Thank you so much sir!" She said, grabbing his hand and shaking it. "You won't regret it, I promise!"
And as the heartwarming scene went on, it drew all eyes to the spectacle. So nobody noticed a lone figure slip into the contest hall from a window on the ceiling of the building.
Serena and Aria talked about the young Performer's training as they made their way into the restricted area of the hall. Normally, not even Serena's original pass would grant her access until after the show. But thanks to Aria, someone who apparently visited often enough that staff recognized her and gave her enough credit that her words allowed Serena to come with her.
They made their way to the backstage changing room where they came to a stop as Aria knocked on the door.
"Lisia! It's me! I'm coming in to make sure you haven't collapsed from overworking yourself right before a performance! If you're not decent, I'd better hear about it now." She calls, causing Serena to look at her in alarm.
"Does she collapse often?" The blonde asked worriedly, but the Kalos queen just giggled in response.
"That only happened once. She had a bad cold and tried to perform while under the weather. She thought she'd just have to practice operating on like thirty percent." Aria once giggled once again at the memory. "I found her lying face first on the ground looking like she was a cartoon character who had just been electrocuted or something. It was hilarious! And I don't plan on ever letting her live it down." She let out her third giggle as she pushed open the door.
Serena had a second to peer instead, where she saw a pretty standard dressing room. A stand where a dress should go was sitting naked in the corner and some more casual clothes were laying folded on the makeup desk. And I'm the middle of the room was a giant white cloud like pillow flying right towards them.
Except it wasn't a pillow.
"Alltri!" The Pokémon cried as it came down right on top of Aria, knocking her to the floor with a heavy thud before nuzzling it's long neck against the Performer's head.
"H-hey Ali." The Kalos queen gasped. "Long time no see. Good to know you haven't changed, at all." In response, the fluffy dragon bird nuzzled harder against the performer.
"Okay Ali. Let's not kill our queen. At least until she gives me back my Float Stone. Which I'm still waiting for." A new voice said.
Looking over, Serena saw the Idol of Hoenn herself, Lisia. She was grinning at them as she walked over and eased her Altaria off the Kalos queen, then offered her a hand up.
"Thanks!" Aria said as she was helped to her feet. Then she reached out and began petting the dragon Pokémon. "I missed you too, Ali." She said to the dragon, making her let out a happy purr and pushed her head against her hand.
"So, I see you brought a friend with you today." Lisia said, looking over at Serena. "Care to break the ice with an interdiction?"
"Right, Serena, this is Lisia. Currently, she is the most popular Coordinator in Hoenn. And Lisia, this is Serena. She's a performer like me, but she's here to study Pokémon contests to add a unique style to her performances." Serena gave an awkward wave when Aria introduced them. She knew the Kalos queen had pure intentions, but a part of her was a bit nervous nonetheless.
Unlike Aria, Serena was meeting Lisia for the first time and didn't have the same relaxed environment as before. And talking to what was the equivalent of a super star was a little nerve racking!
"Serena, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Lisia however, didn't seem to have any of Serena's hesitation. She purposely walked right over to the blonde and offered her hand. "I'm so glad you're willing to give contests a try! I'm honored that you've chosen this venue to start your Hoenn journey. I promise to do my best and show how much beauty there is in the world of a Pokémon Coordinator!"
Serena was taken aback by Lisia. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but it wasn't this. She was so straightforward and nice. A part of her thought the girl would be against helping potential rivals, yet Lisia seemed more than willing to help.
"I- Thank you." Serena said, still trying to recover. Beside her, she saw Aria smiling at her. Was this the way Lisia always acted? If so, she could see why she was skilled enough to not only challenge the Kalos queen, but also hold her title of most popular Coordinator in Hoenn for years.
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but it's time to get this show on the road." Lisia said, raising a Pokeball and recalled Ail. "Come on, I'll show you the backstage area where you can get an up-close and personal look at what a Pokémon contest is like."
Serena's eyes widened and she found a smile across her face. She looked over at Aria, who was also smiling, then turned back to Lisia.
"I can't wait!"
Serena watched as Lisia performed from behind the curtain. The Coordinator had used Ice Beam and Cotton Guard to create a giant Swablu and Altaria sculpture which Ali had somehow gotten inside of and was making them shine with Safeguard.
"She's amazing." Serena breathed. She had seen other contests on her way over, but seeing it live and in-person was far more impressive than any recording that existed online. She hadn't been this star struck since the first time she had seen Aria's performance.
"That we can agree on." The Kalos queen said. "Contests give a very unique experience that even showcases can't. It's all about showing off the beauty of your Pokémon. Almost like a talent show."
Serena looked over at Aria, who smiled back at her. Curious, the blonde asked something that had been on her mind for a while now.
"Hey, Aria? Have you competed in Pokémon contests?" She asked, making the older girl giggle.
"No. I'm just repeating what Lisia told me." She answered. "I've done mock contests with her to help her train, but I've never done an actual one. As much fun as they look, I think I'll stick to showcases. The contest crowd is way too competitive for my tastes."
Serena gave a weak smile before turning back to the performance. Ail smashed right through the ice at Altaria's chest, trailing beautifully colors as it Mega Evolved while moving. The lights streamed from its body making the white fluffy wings glow with different colors.
Such a wonderful show!
Serena found herself waiting in a type of dance studio as Lisia had just finished her performance and was currently signing autographs and answering questions from the audience. She had about another few minutes before the one on one training session and she was waiting with baited breath.
She was in the middle of planning out a few questions to ask and sorting them based on order of importance when the door started to open. Assuming it was Lisia, Serena quickly stood, dusting herself off.
However, when she turned to the door, she got quite a shock.
Not only was it not Lisia, but someone who practically screamed suspicious. It was a boy with messy black hair and a scarf over his lower face. A hoodie covered most of his body making it difficult to get a figure on his body shape and the hood was pulled up covering said messy hair. He had tan skin and new blue jeans, capped off with a pair of clean sneakers that looked like they had been bought today with a pair of thick darkened goggles keeping their eyes covered.
Was he the stalker Everbore had talked about?
"Can I help y-?" Serena began, but before she could finish, the boy bolted. Immediately, Red flags began sounding in Serena's head. Whatever he was planning it was bound to be bad news!
She raced out of the dressing room, chasing after the boy. But despite being in very good physical condition, she found herself struggling just to keep him in sight! And soon, she found herself standing at a split in the corridor with no trace of the boy anywhere.
Serena looked at both pathways, one lead out of the building, the other to the main stage. She had to figure out if he was trying to get to Lisia, or if he had cut his losses and tried to escape. She didn't know which he'd choose but if he tried to escape, odds were the bouncer would catch him so-.
"Hey! What are you doing bac- Aahh!"
A scream came down the corridor that led to the main stage. Immediately, Serena bolted towards the sound. Of course he couldn't just cut and run, that would be too easy!
As she rounded the corner, she found Aria picking herself out of a storage closet that it looked like she had been shoved through.
"Serena! Someone's running around back here!" The Kalos queen yelled as soon as she saw the blonde running towards her. "Their heading for the main stage! Hurry!" Serena didn't stop and she and Aria both raced towards the main stage. Whoever this guy was, Serena had a sinking feeling this was more than some obsessive fan who couldn't take a hint.
As the two trainers rounded the corner to the main stage, they found the boy facing down Officer Jenny, who had a Manectric, and one of staff security, who had a Medichan using a Reflect between them and Lisia. Ali hovered in front of her trainer as a last line of defense, still in a full Mega Evolved state.
The boy glanced over his shoulder as the two same came walked onto the stage, blocking his only exit,Yet despite the situation, he remained unfazed. Something that made the blonde incredibly nervous.
"I don't know who you are, but you won't get out this way!" Aria said as she sent out Aromatisse. Who was quickly joined by Serena's Braixen. Now, he had nowhere to run.
But the boy just let out a chuckle, turning back around to face Lisia.
"This is adorable. Thinking you can stop me with trainers of this level." He said, hands calmly stuffed in his pockets. His voice was strained in an abnormal deep and gravelly tone. He was trying to keep his identity a complete secret even though Serena didn't see a way for him to escape.
"As skilled as you are, you're no match for me. Just give up and hand over your keystone and I won't have to humiliate you in front of your fans." He said confidently, taking a step for, hand extended. "I know it's important, it's been handed down through your family for generations since the war of land and sea. I promise to return it."
Lisia's hand moved to her crown where the keystone was planted, eyes wide in confusion. "You know about me keystone? That's not possible! Who are and how do you know about my fami-?!"
"Get off the stage, loser!"
Behind the idol, several trainers from the stands had climbed onto the stage and were calling more Pokémon to the field. From Beautflys to Gardevoirs, all manner of beautiful and elegant Pokémon joined the fray. All ready to defend their idol and her keystone while yelling names and jeering at the trainer.
"And this is why you commoner riffraff shouldn't be allowed to enter, let alone near the elegance of the Pokémon contest!" Julius said, stepping forward and sending out a Lopunny.
Now the boy was completely surrounded and outnumbered. He stood there unmoving and unshaken, just staring at Lisia. And while he was no longer offering his hand, nor made a move to attack, Serena felt a terrible uneasiness fill her stomach. Something was wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong.
Then something out of her own nightmare happened right before her eyes.
"Hahahahahahaha!" The boy threw his head back and howled with laughter. "You think you can beat me!? Well, I guess it's worth a shot! Come on then! Let's have some fun! I haven't been pumped for a battle in ages! So let's get this party started already!"
Before anyone could react, the boy threw a Pokéball into the air. And as it split open, there was a deafening roar that echoed through the arena as a Flygon appeared before them.
The boy slid back, legs spread in a wide stance, arms dangling as he grinned up at his opponents. "Flygon! Blow them all away! Draco Meteor!"
In an instant, a sphere approached in the dragon's mouth, the energy inside was violently bouncing around in it's container. Then it was fired into the sky where it exploded. And Serena felt her heart drop.
The entire ceiling was lit up by the dragonic power several times larger than any other Deco Meteor she had ever seen rained down on them. People began running for the exit, their Pokémon right behind them as the power slammed into the ground exploding. Even the Fairy types were blasted away not by the meteor themselves but the debris that the explosions kicked up.
"Serena! Look out!" Aria screamed as she pushed the blonde down as a meteor head straight for them. Aromatisse flew in front, trying to absorb the attack, only to be blasted out of the air when part of the stage collapsed, knocking her across to the far side of the hall.
She heard Aria cry out to her Pokémon, but before either could move, part of the stage collapsed, causing the two to begin buried in wood and metal as they fell through. Above them, Braixen cried out as she rushed to catch a beam that would have hit her trainer, but was too late as both girls were buried in rubble!
After a few minutes of digging, Serena slowly pulled herself out of the rubble with Aria's help. Her ears were ringing and she was covered in cuts and bruises, but she still surveyed the damage and saw that not only was the hall completely destroyed, almost everyone had been taken out by those attacks as well.
Officer Jenny was off to one side, tending to her comrade. Both of their Pokémon were unconscious a few feet away. Julius had somehow gotten himself stuck upside down in the ruins off stage, his Pokémon was pulling on his flailing legs trying to free him. However, the bunny Pokémon had bad burns on it's ears and legs, clearly it wasn't in any condition to battle. Many other trainers and Pokémon lay around the edge of the stage or cowering in corners and under seats, hugging their Pokémon close to them, to scared to move.
And they weren't the only ones who were no longer in the will to battle.
"Aromatisse!" Aria cried, rushing to her Pokémon. Looking over, the blonde saw she had a large bump on her head that had knocked her out. The beam had even managed to draw blood from the Pokémon causing Serena to shake in terror.
Ironically, her Braixen was the least injured of them all. Having only taken mild damage from the blasts. But Serena was well aware she didn't stand a chance against Flygon. Just on a pure level alone, they were completely outclassed.
Speaking of which, a shockwave ripped through the hall as Flygon clashed with Mega Altaria in the sky above the stands.
Serena watched in helpless horror as she saw the Humming Pokémon struggle to land a hit. Even in its Mega form the Flygon was both faster and stronger. And as Ali fired beams of ice and dragonic power, the mystic Pokémon effortlessly dodged around it and landed powerful physical attacks.
Lisia glared up at the battle from on the remains of the stage. Her eyes burned with tears as she struggled in a losing battle with her partner. Her frustration only grow as the Flygon wasn't even being commanded by it's trainer.
In fact, where was the boy?
Serena scanned the area and her heart stopped when she saw him. He was lurking in the shadows, slowly making his way towards Lisia. He was approaching her backside, so she hadn't seen him! And Serena's eyes widened when she realized what he was going to do!
"Behind you!" Serena screamed as the boy ran forward. Lisia turned around, but was too late to react as the boy slammed his fist into her stomach, driving it a few inches deep.
"Gah!" Lisia cried, eyes wide as the wind was knocked out of her. She fell to her knees, then face first onto the ground, struggling to breathe. But before she could recover, the boy landed a powerful blow to the back of her neck, knocking her out.
"Sorry about that." The boy said, pulling the keystone free from her crown. "I promise to return it once I save the world." As he finished, Ali smashed into the ground beside him. Without Mega evolution, she was no match for the Flygon.
Looking around the room again, Serena saw everyone else had been taken out. She was all that was left. She felt her hands trembling and her breath quicken with absolute terror. What could she do?! She wasn't a strong battler! And even if she was, this guy was on a completely did level! Even Ash would probably struggle to keep pace with him!
"Ash, that's right." Serena's thoughts drifted to the raven haired boy. "What would he do right now?" Like she even needed to ask. She knew he'd do the right thing, even if it put him in danger. Because living without regret is the only way to live!
Clenching her fist, Serena rose to her feet, her breath still uneven, but for a different reason now. Before, she had somehow felt like a side character in Ash's story. A bump in his road to greatness. But now she was on her own, she couldn't rely on his protection anymore! She'd have to face the oncoming obstacles herself! And if she couldn't bring herself to do that now, then when?!
Serena glanced at her starter and saw the same fire in her eyes. No more excuses! It was time to act!
"Braixen, use Fire Blast!"
The fire fox let out a cry as it directed it's wand at the boy. A jet of flames shot towards him forming an x!
Immediately the Flygon landed, arms outstretched to stop the income fire. And as they collided, the flames washed harmless off the dragon.
"What are you doing?" The boy asked, slipping the keystone into his pocket. "You can't beat me. And if we battle one-on-one, I might end up seriously hurting you."
Serena swallowed the lump in her throat. This was going to be the hardest battle she had ever fought! And there was nobody to come to her rescue. She was on her own! With deep breath, she steadied herself and glared up at her opponent.
"Maybe you will, but if I back down, I'd regret it for the rest of my life! I will stop you, no matter what!"
At her words, the trainer froze for a second, eyes wide behind their goggles. Those words had stunned them, as if it had brought some deep seeded regret bobbling up to the surface. Even Flygon looked over its shoulder at them to make sure they were okay.
They stayed like that for a couple seconds, then…
"Interesting!" The boy said, a grin spreading across his mouth. "You're braver than me, I'll give you that! But talk is cheap! Let's put your resolve to the test! Flygon! Dragon Rush now!"
The dragon Pokémon roared as it barreled down on Serena. One clean hit would end the battle there and then! Taking her last deep breath, Serena prepared for the battle of her life!