A/N: Welcome to the battle between Skye and Charlie in the round of 16, who will win, does their friendship survive this? Please do not forget to review, there is a bug that is causing it to look like all my works are not being read. So the only way I know someone is reading is due to likes, favorites, and reviews.
"Skye, I…" Charlie started looking as if he personally hurt Skye.
"Charlie, you don't need to apologize." Skye said looking at him, "Though I didn't want to have to face you until the finals, I hope you will not go easy on me…"
"Easy on you? Skye I plan on giving you my all." Charlie now said smiling, "And I hope you will come at me with everything you got."
A gleam came out of Skye's viridian eyes before she said, "You bet on it Charlie." Putting her hand up like she was waiting for him to grab it, which Charlie did, "Now just promise me no matter what we are still friends after this match."
"You bet." Charlie responded. Ash and Misty sweatdropped, thankful that they didn't almost kill the other. August just looked at them like he was impressed by how mature they were taking things now that they would be facing the other. When Ash and Misty were alone to be able to talk, Misty asked, "Did they say they can come?"
"Yes," Ash said, "They should be landing and said they will meet us at breakfast tomorrow."
"Great, Ash I am not sure if Charlie would confide in you, but Skye keeps claiming she and Charlie are just friends, and…" Misty stopped.
"You are worried they are a little more like us?" Ash finished. Coming up to her he brushed his hand up her arm gently before saying, "I think…" Seeing Misty looking at him with concern he continued, "Even if they are like us in that way…they likely won't do a thing till they are much older."
Misty snorted, "Yeah except, unlike us, they have almost kissed more than a couple of times according to August."
Ash's face kind of turned a bit, "How close?"
Misty hesitated then knowing how she reacted when Ash kept things from her, she looked at Ash and said, "That first night after you freed us from Team Rocket, August said when he went back they clearly were leaning in and had he not arrived…he was pretty sure if he didn't get back to the room at that moment. They would have been at least kissing."
Ash's face softened but still looked like he wasn't sure what to do with that. "Ok, well it's not like you didn't kiss me at that age."
Misty looked at him with a confused look, "When did I kiss you at that age?"
"I am pretty sure it was you who gave me cpr after I fell from Lugia, or at least I guess I hope it was you and not Tracey." Ash said fairly confidently.
Misty blushed at his comment and said, "I wouldn't count that as a kiss."
"Why not?" Ash asked.
Smacking his shoulder Misty said, "It's not like you reacted its, trying to save your life with no immediate reaction isn't romantic. Just stressful."
"So you are saying you didn't want to kiss me back then?" Ash asked, rubbing her shoulder playfully.
"You may not be getting a kiss in the near future if you keep teasing me." Misty retorted.
"Fair enough." Ash said, now taking off his duster and shirt, walking towards the shower, "Feel free to join me." Winking at her he closed the door to the shower starting the water. Misty thought about letting him stay alone, then decided she could have some fun. She then took off her top and strode into the shower.
In the morning, Ash and Misty arose with Pikachu and went to breakfast. The trio was already sitting and eating. Charlie seemed a bit distracted though. Ash then saw who he was looking for. It was a man about his height, slightly dark skinned, in a black t-shirt with jeans and sneakers. The man was holding the hand of a light skinned woman with brown hair, that in certain lighting looked to have blonde highlights. She wore red flannel over a white t-shirt, with jeans, and flip flops. Her hair was styled into a loose ponytail. Ash waved the couple down who waved back.
Charlie looked up noticing Ash and Misty then he saw the couple hugging them. Seeing the man's face Charlie got up smiling and ran towards them saying "Dad! Mom!" The couple turned and hugged Charlie, his mom planted a kiss on top of Charlie's head. "How did you two get here?" Charlie asked.
Charlie's dad spoke up saying, "Well, Ash and Misty had been talking to us since you and Skye got your 8th badge. We just asked that they not go out of their way to help us get here unless you made it to the round of 16."
"Honey, we are so proud of you, and thankful you have made some really good friends." Charlie's mom said, kissing Charlie's cheek which caused Charlie to resist slightly. "By the way, where is the ever famous Skye?"
Skye waved a little awkwardly, and came forward saying, "Hi, Mrs. Oris, Mr. Oris, your son is incredibly talented and an excellent travel companion."
"Oh, Skye, you can call me Mary." Mary then hugged Skye, looking up from Skye she found August and went up and hugged August saying, "August, thank you for making sure he wasn't being too stupid without Skye."
"Is that the only time he acts stupid?" August asked, causing Mary and Mr. Oris to laugh along with Ash, Misty and Skye. Charlie just looked at August like he wished he could kill him. "That being said though Mary, your son is very driven and very protective of his friends and I appreciate that."
Misty then grabbed Skye's hand and pulled her toward the door, and Mary grabbed her other hand, "What is going on?" Skye asked.
"We Skye are going to have a relaxing spa day to clear your head, so that you can defeat my son." Mary said.
"What?" Skye clarified.
"Sweetie, you and Charlie are going to overthink the match if you do not relax." Misty said, "Though I wouldn't be too sure Charlie seems like he is quite capable of beating my daughter."
"Mom?" Skye exclaimed.
"Dear, we just want you to know that neither of us are going to be mad at the result, we just want you two, to compete at your very best." Mary said.
"Dad, should I be worried about mom being with Skye?" Charlie asked his dad.
"No, your mom is just wanting to help the person who seems to have given you all the confidence in the world at being a Pokemon Master." Charlie's dad said, Charlie blushed slightly at that comment. "Ash, it is a pleasure to meet the man, the myth, the legend of my time, in person."
"Victor, I am not sure I am a myth or a legend but I am happy to have met you and your son." Ash said, shaking his hand.
"Regardless, you broke out the love of your life and your daughter from Team Rocket, that is a badass move." Victor said.
Ash slightly blushed at that, then said, "Well I appreciate the help your son and August gave me in that endeavor." The boys went about and played different sports, like playing catch with a baseball. Shooting some hoops with a basketball, which Charlie and August found very enjoyable, though Victor admitted his knees had a harder time with jumpshots. Finishing the day driving golf balls was a bit more chill and easier on Victor's knees. When they got back for dinner they found Skye, Misty and Mary sitting and laughing.
"What are you fabulous ladies laughing about?" Ash asked.
Misty smirked while Skye looked a bit embarrassed and Mary spoke up saying, "Merely impressed that your daughter found a perfect technique for disciplining my son without harm." Mary gestured with her ear.
"I wouldn't call it harmless." In unison both Charlie and August responded.
"Well she did learn that one from her mom." Ash said.
Victor looked at Misty, "Was Ash that out of line?"
Misty laughed slightly, "No, it was our other close friend Brock, sometimes he would keep flirting with someone who wasn't interested."
"It was very effective." Ash joked. At that the whole group laughed. When Charlie, Skye and August left for their dormitory, Mary looked over at Misty, "Should we be worried about them sleeping in the same room?"
Misty kind of opened her mouth then closed it like she wasn't sure what to say but then said, "I trust them both at this point to make good decisions, Charlie has been a gentlemen since I met him, even insisting on sleeping on the couch at Skye's grandmother's house despite Skye insisting it was fine to sleep in her room."
Mary smiled a bit and said, "Well good," she leaned in so as not to be heard by Victor or Ash, "I think he's in love with your daughter."
Misty looked at her and said, "I think she at least likes him too, but I think they both are too immature to really know what to do with that feeling."
"Well lets just hope neither of them take it hard tomorrow no matter who loses or wins." Mary said. At that Mary insisted Victor and she go to bed, Ash and Misty did the same and both parents were nervous. Mainly because no matter how it turned out they didn't want either to feel disheartened. "Misty, how did Skye feel when she lost at Indigo?" Ash asked.
Misty thought on it, being almost a year ago to the day since she met Charlie, things were already so very different. "She took it…a bit like you did after your battle with Ritchie."
"Oh." Ash responded, he thought back on how he could have just been there as a fan, but then would he have been able to stay away from Misty while trying to hide.
"But, she processed it, and I may have not been as willing to let her travel alone." Misty said.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
"Before she met Charlie, it was either me, or Tracey, or Daisy, Delia taking her to each Gym or area supervised." Misty said, "I think she felt a little overprotected. Frankly, my hope was to have her only gone at most a day or two at a time." Misty teared up a bit, "I just was a bit worried about, well, whatever happened to you that it would happen to her too."
"Misty," Ash started now rubbing her back up and down holding her close, "You let her go, and she has become just as strong as we were at that age, and…" Kissing her forehead, "She has great friends just like we do."
"Yeah well, it took her running away with Charlie to actually do that." Misty kind of laughed thinking back to how that whole thing worked. "They ended up at your mom's house, and your mom called me after they went to Professor Oak's lab. I dashed over and was there before she and Charlie made it back to your mom's."
"I am guessing you had a fight?" Ash asked, taking in what Misty was telling him.
"A bit, but after that I arranged for them to travel together in the Orange Islands." Misty said.
"So that's how they knew about Lugia." Ash said.
"Would it have changed everything if I had told you how I felt about you back then?" Misty asked.
"Absolutely, and I probably would have screwed it up with you and we wouldn't have Skye." Ash said, "I know I spent everyday when I was captured, wishing I had done things differently, wishing I had realized how I felt about you sooner. Now all I do is wish that 7 years ago, I just told you I was alive."
"I still would have been mad." Misty said.
"I know, but at least I could have been there for you and Skye when I should have been there." Ash said, "I know I have the future with the two of you forever in it, I just don't know if it will ever make up for the time I lost or discarded…"
Lifting Ash's face to look at her viridian eyes Misty said, "For a guy who has had to become a father to an almost teenager you have done better, better even than I think I expected you to. Even with our fight. I am happy to have you here right now." Starting to kiss him, she pulled away and said, "You have to forgive yourself for that decision, me being here with you wanting you to be in mine and Skye's life, is me forgiving you."
Back in the dormitory, Skye was a bit restless and got up from her bed looking out the window at the stadium. As the moon lit up the stadium, she just stared at it then she heard rustling behind her. "Hey Skye, is something wrong?" Charlie asked.
"I can't sleep, that's all." Skye responded looking back at Charlie who was sitting on his bed.
"Hmm, are you nervous about our match tomorrow?" Charlie asked.
"Mmm, not really, I am just so excited to be a part of all of this." Skye said now looking back out the window. Charlie just looked upon her silhouette against the window and slowly laid his head back down on his pillow and went to sleep. He didn't know it but Skye, feeling confident he was asleep ran her hand through his black hair and then climbed into her own bed and fell asleep.
Skye and Charlie due to the rules had to stay in different locker rooms waiting till they were called to the stadium. Inside the stadium, Ash and Misty sat next to the right of August, while on his left Victor and Mary sat. The hope was to not make any extra drama for August, but both families were nervous. Mainly because they knew it was going to be hard fought. "Ash, should we have pushed her to change up her lineup?" Misty asked, now regretting not taking a more active role with helping Skye for her match.
"No, we gave her all the tools to know what to do, she also has seen Charlie battle for over a year now?" Ash said, Misty nodded, "Besides if she is like me as you say, there is only so much you can do when advising her." Misty seemed to feel better at that, Ash also squeezed her hand and kissed it.
Coming into the stadium Skye wearing her jeans, with the black camisole, and her yellow tank top, white sneakers and wearing Ash's Pokemon League Expo hat. The crowd erupted as her name was announced. Charlie entered wearing his red shirt, with a black fire blast symbol on it, his typical black joggers, and his dad's old basketball sneakers. The announcer said, "These two trainers are very close friends, and now they are facing each other here in the round of 16. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top." Both Skye and Charlie looked up at the board waiting to see what field they would be battling on, till finally it ended up on the rock field. Everyone felt the stadium shake as the proper arena came onto the field. Then seeing the randomizer choosing who would have to choose their Pokemon first it slowly landed on Charlie.
"Let's go, Rhyhorn!" Charlie called out throwing its Pokeball. Skye smirked before throwing out her own Pokeball saying, "Come on out Crawdaunt."
Waiting for the referee to signal for the match to start, "Begin." The referee said. Charlie ordered, "Rhyhorn use take down."
"Crawdaunt use protect." Skye commanded, causing Rhyhorns move not have any effect, "Now use knock off." The move knocked Rhyhorn back quite a few feet, "Now Crawdaunt use bubblebeam."
"Dodge it Rhyhorn and use flamethrower." Charlie said. Rhyhorn did dodge and shot fire from its mouth contacting Crawdaunt surprising Skye and Crawdaunt. Noticing his chance, "Rhyhorn use take down." Rhyhorn began charging the stunned Crawdaunt. "Use bubblebeam!" Skye ordered. Bubbles shot at Rhyhorn, "Counter it with flamethrower!" Rhyhorn unleashed its fire causing their attacks to collide causing a bit of smoke to erupt from their attacks. Charlie was trying to see if he could still see Crawdaunt when all he heard was, "Use Hyper Beam!" Crawdaunt launched a hyper beam through the smoke, hitting Rhyhorn directly and smashing it through multiple boulders on the field. When the referee found Rhyhorn he declared, "Rhyhorn is unable to battle."
"And just like that Skye takes a 1 Pokemon lead against Charlie, with her impressive Crawdaunt." The announcer said throughout the stadium. Many cheers were going on Ash was focused on seeing his daughter taking the first part of the match. Charlie looked upon Skye who looked happy but focused. Internally he thought I always knew it was going to be hard but I didn't expect to lose the first round to her. "Let's go Haunter!" Charlie said, throwing his Pokeball and revealing the ghost Pokemon.
Once the referee signaled for the round to continue, "Haunter use shadow ball." Charlie commanded. "Crawdaunt use the rocks to block it." Skye commanded. Crawdaunt moved quickly behind a boulder which took the shadow ball brunt causing the stadium to shake. "Keep up the shadow balls Haunter." Charlie ordered. Crawdaunt kept moving from boulder to boulder avoiding the shadow ball. Then Skye saw a moment and said, "Now Crawdaunt use hyper beam!" Haunter launched his shadow ball meeting Crawdaunt's hyper beam. Again smoke billowed from the explosion, leading to cheers from the crowd. Charlie this time didn't try to see and just ordered, "Now Haunter use your thunderbolt!" Haunter shot out its electric attack contacting Crawdaunt when the smoke cleared the referee found Crawdaunt and declared, "Crawdaunt is unable to battle."
Victor cheered and Mary looked surprised that Haunter could do a move like that. "I made sure he would ask me from time to time about Pokemon that had the ability to learn moves people wouldn't expect them to know."
"Was that the way you were as a trainer?" Ash asked, overhearing the conversation.
"Yes." Victor said, "Some of my friends would hate it when we would spar."
"Impressive Victor, really shows how much effort you put in." Ash complimented.
"Ash, thank you so much for the compliment, it means a lot to me." Victor said. "Skye is an incredibly confident trainer."
"Let's go Seadra." Skye said, throwing the Pokeball and releasing it. "Seadra use hydro pump!" A blast of water went and contacted Haunter.
"Haunter, move in close and use lick." Charlie ordered. Seadra kept up the hydro pump, keeping Haunter from getting in close. Changing up tactics Charlie said, "Haunter use shadow ball." It got past Seadra's hydro pump contacting Seadra and making it hit one of the boulders on the rock field. "Now Haunter use another shadow ball!" Charlie ordered. "Seadra use your ice beam!" Skye countered. Both attacks met causing a yellow ball to form that only grew bigger. The yellow ball became like a second sun blinding the whole stadium causing another massive explosion. As the ground shook and the smoke billowed from the explosion. The crowd was astounded waiting for clarity on the field. The referee when he came upon both Pokemon he found them both knocked out and declared, "Both are unable to battle." Skye and Charlie recalled their Pokemon both thanking them for hard fighting. Ash and Misty felt a bit of nostalgia remembering when Ash's Lapras took on Drake's Gengar back in Pummelo. Now both Skye and Charlie were down two Pokemon.
Charlie looked across seeing a still very confident Skye. Deciding he would try a different tactic he pulled out the Pokeball and said, "It's your turn Magmar!" The lava bodied Pokemon was ready waiting for Skye's Pokemon. "Go Lycanroc!" Skye said. Her orange wolf Pokemon with its green eyes stared down Magmar. When the ref okayed for the round to continue. "Lycanroc, use crunch!" Putting out its massive teeth Lycanroc broke through rock after rock going towards Magmar. "Magmar, use iron tail!" Charlie commanded. With it's fire lit tail glowing Magmar anticipated Lycanroc hitting it squarely underneath its jaw. "Now Magmar use fire blast!" The attack was aimed squarely for Lycanroc, Skye countered it by saying, "Lycanroc use stone edge to block it." Hard rocks emerged from the field taking the brunt of the fire blast preventing it from reaching Lycanroc. "Magmar jump into the air, and do fire blast straight at Lycanroc." Charlie said, as the attack was coming straight for Lycanroc from above Charlie said, "Now jump inside of your fire blast." Magmar merged with fire blast contacting Lycanroc hard. Skye was shocked to see such a move and froze not knowing how to get Lycanroc out of it. When the fire attack stopped, Lycanroc was passed out on the ground in front of Magmar. "Lycanroc is unable to battle." The referee said. Ash and Misty were jaw dropped, blinking surprised by the move, only remembering when Gary had his own Magmar do that to Ash's Heracross, the main difference being Heracross was able to withstand the attack and defeat Gary's Magmar. The announcer said, "Fans now that Skye has lost 3 Pokemon we are going to take a breather to let Skye regather herself before we continue the match." Skye, though still a bit shook by the move, looked over at Charlie and gave him the thumbs up signaling she was impressed by the move. Charlie returned the gesture but he also knew a one Pokemon lead might not be enough to overcome Skye.
August was impressed by how hard both of them were going after the other. Neither was backing down and he knew no matter who won, the better one would win today. He still wasn't sure who that would be, and he hoped no matter what they would face each other sometime again in the future. Victor looked like he was sweating up a storm mainly because he felt like he was on the edge of his seat enjoying the anxiety of not knowing who would win, even though he was hoping it was Charlie.
Charlie then chose due to coming back from the break and the roar of the crowd decided he would stick with Magmar. Skye, thinking he would rest Magmar decided she needed to take it down now and switching up the Pokeballs she grabbed she went, "Lets go Quilava!" Charlie was thinking she would bring Milotic out for Magmar and thinking too long on that he missed the referee saying, "Begin." Skye ordered right away, "Quilava use swift!" Several stars shot out from Quilava making direct contact with Magmar causing it to blink just as Skye ordered, "Now use quick attack!" With lightning speed Quilava slammed into Magmar knocking it back into a boulder and keeling over. Skye pressed her advantage saying, "Now Quilava use your flame wheel!" In a burning wheel Quilava again contact Magmar causing it to hit another boulder and this time, when it tried to stand it fell face forward not getting back up. "Magmar is unable to battle." The referee declared. The crowd roared that it was again all equaled up between these two friends and competitors. August said merely, "Charlie shouldn't have over thought her selection, it was unconventional but she knew exactly what she was doing."
Charlie found the Pokeball he was looking for on his belt and said, "Lets go Nidoking!" Skye smirked slightly expecting this move. When the round was allowed to be continued, Skye ordered, "Flamethrower use it now Quilava!" Nidoking attempted to dodge it but its foot took the hit causing it to kneel. "Nidoking get up and use horn attack!" Charlie said. Nidoking tried to full strength attack Quilava then Skye said, "Dodge it Quilava." Nidoking ended up getting its horn stuck in the biggest boulder on the field. Noticing it struggling to pull it horn out Skye commanded, "Quilava use flame wheel!" With all its speed and power Quilava hitting Nidoking from behind sent it through the largest boulder and it caused a ton of dust to cover the field. When the dust cleared the referee found Nidoking passed out and said, "Nidoking is unable to battle." The crowd was stunned as was Victor and Mary; they could not believe how quickly Skye dealt with Nidoking. Victor when he came to it he smiled and gave a couple of slow claps at how brilliantly Skye battled.
Charlie kept blinking but then smiled giving a nod to Skye. Then pulling out his first Pokemon he threw it's pokeball and out came Charmeleon. Skye smiled then said, "Quilava use flamethrower!" Charlie said back, "Charmeleon dodge it and use slash!" Quilava yelped in pain from the attack. "Now Charmeleon use fire punch!" Charlie ordered. "Dodge it quick!" Skye yelled. Quilava kept doding Charmeleon as it kept attempting fire punch destroying boulder after boulder chasing the faster Quilava. "Now Quilava use swift!" Stars came out from Quilava hitting Charmeleon squarely and stunning it slightly. "Finish it with your flame wheel!" Skye ordered. "Charmeleon knock it back with your fire punch!" Charlie said and just as Quilava was about to contact Charmeleon it somehow landed the punch just underneath Quilava's face sending it up in the air. "Now Charmeleon use your flamethrower!" Charlie said, and knocking Quilava to the ground with the fire attack it was laying on the ground passed out. "Quilava is unable to battle." The referee declared.
Misty said, "Looks like they are both leaving it on the field."
Ash nodded, "Both of them are down to their last two Pokemon." Ash internally remembered how often he lost a Pokemon League match, when he had one Pokemon to his opponents two. He had only overcoming this feat twice, the first time with Gary, the second time against Cynthia. However, he did have a two Pokemon lead over Harrison in this very stadium only to still fall short.
Skye thought about which to use, one had a type advantage over Chameleon but the other had a disadvantage to Charmeleon. Remembering Ash's advice, "Don't think, trust your instincts." Picking the Pokemon she threw it's pokeball saying, "Go get em Scizor!" When the referee said, "Begin." Charlie ordered, "Charmeleon use your flamethrower!" Skye immediately countered saying, "Scizor use double team!" All over the field a bunch of fake Scizors appeared, confusing Charmeleon who kept hitting fake ones with his flamethrower. "Now Scizor use quick attack!" Turning into a red streak, Scizor hit Charmeleon. "Charmeleon use slash!" Charlie said. "Catch it Scizor!" Skye said. Surprising the crowd, Scizor caught Charmeleon's claw. "Now use iron claw!" Skye commanded. Scizor dealt a gut punch with its red claw making Charmeleon hit a boulder and then Charmeleon tried to get back up only to fall back down, the referee rushed over and said, "Charmeleon is unable to battle." The crowd erupted, enjoying how quickly Scizor was able to lay hits against Charmeleon. August who had been mostly leaning back against his seat was now on the edge of his seat, enjoying how both of his friends were giving it their all. Skye looked pretty confident because she felt in her heart of hearts, the last Pokemon Charlie registered for this match had to be Tyranitar. Knowing her last Pokemon if Scizor lost would have a very clear advantage.
Charlie looked at his last pokeball, then kissing it he said, "Go Tyranitar!" Out came his newly evolved Tyranitar with its gray almost green coloring and it looked fierce. Scizor swaggered up towards it waiting for the referee to signal the match could continue. As soon as it was allowed Charlie said, "Quickly Tyranitar use rock throw!" Immediately Scizor dodged the rocks coming at it from the field. "Use your metal claw to break down the rocks Scizor." Skye ordered. Feeling that Scizor was distracted by the rocks enough Charlie said, "Now Tyranitar use dark pulse!" The attack made contact with Scizor knocking it off its ability to smash rocks, Tyranitar got as close as it could after Scizor was stunned, "Use Hyper Beam!" Charlie ordered, and a large orange beam came shooting out of Tyranitar's mouth hitting Scizor in the chest going through boulder after boulder till finally it smashed against the stadium wall. Scizor just laid there completely out till the referee said, "Scizor is unable to battle." Skye returned Scizor but had a look of shock because she was so sure his speed would be able to take down Tyranitar.
Charlie knew Skye's last Pokemon had to be Milotic. Skye knew at this moment it was all or nothing do or die time to go for the win. "Milotic lets go!" Skye said. Out came her Shiny Milotic with its light blue face and gold and black tail causing the crowd to get excited and a ton of flashes to go off from people's phones because never had they seen a Shiny Milotic. Ash had actually never seen it before and got stars in his eyes as he looked up on it. Misty nudged Ash slightly and he just looked back at Misty saying, "You know I can't help it when I see such a cool Pokemon."
"I know Ash." She leaned in closer so only he could hear, "I just want you to only look upon my naked body that way." Ash coughed loudly, and blushed really hard. Turning their attention back to the match the referee said, "Begin!" Cheers erupted as the match was down to whoever won advanced to the top 8. "Milotic use hydro pump!" Skye ordered. Tyranitar who was too slow to get behind a boulder got hit squarely in the face causing it to roar in pain. "Use dark pulse!" Charlie commanded, and the attack hit Milotic back, "Now Tyranitar use crunch!" As Tyranitar barrelled towards Milotic, destroying every rock in its way. "Milotic use dragon pulse!" Skye cried out, it stopped Tyranitar in its patch as the attack hit. "Tyranitar use stone edge!" Sharp rocks began to emerge all throughout the field and making contact with Milotic. "Follow it up with rock throw!" More rocks came at Milotic. "Now Milotic use iron tail to block those rocks!" Skye said, and its black and gold tail glowed and smashed rock after rock defending itself. "Now Tyranitar use dragon claw!" Tyranitar's claws glowed and it hit Milotic squarely in the body. Milotic countered with its iron tail hitting Tyranitar. Soon both Pokemon with defiant looks traded blows of their attacks with each other. Till finally each landed blow that sent the other flying away from the other at the same time. Both Skye and Charlie knew it was now or never for winning and almost in unison they both told their Pokemon, "Use hyper beam!" As both Pokemon gathered up their energy to unleash their most powerful attack, the stadium seemed to almost come to a standstill, you could hear a pen drop as both Pokemon unleashed their powerful attacks. The blast was so powerful it felt like the whole earth shook. Every fan stood up on its feet hoping it would allow them to see who came out on top. As the smoke and dust began to clear it showed both Pokemon laying face first on the ground. The referee looked at both and said, "Assuming both can get up and continue this match will since it cannot end in a draw." Different parts of the crowd began calling out for either Tyranitar or Milotic to get up. Skye and Charlie just waited till they saw their Pokemon slowly get up from the ground. Tyranitar stood at its height meeting Milotic's eyes that also had gotten to its full height, only for then Milotic to close its eyes and fall back down again, not to get back up this time. "Milotic is unable to battle, the victory goes to Charlie Oris!"
The stadium erupted in cheers as Charlie stood there speechless not quite believing he had beat Skye. Skye looked on and despite a tear being in her eye she recalled Milotic, and started walking towards the center of the stadium. Charlie, seeing this, recalled Tyranitar doing the same and when they both met they shook hands before Skye hugged him and said in his ear. "Congratulations Charlie." Before she lost her nerve she kissed his cheek so quickly she hoped no one would notice. Then she walked off the field allowing him to bask in the win he earned. When Skye entered the locker room, she leaned her head against the locker and cried silently. Then she felt someone's presence, "Not now August I just need a moment."
"It's not August." Ash's voice cut across the room.
"Ash?" Skye looked up, wiping the tears from her eyes, she saw his opened arms. Almost like she didn't realize she wanted that she walked into Ash's arms and let him embrace her. Misty had just come upon the scene and saw it and her heart fluttered seeing Ash embracing their daughter comforting her after such a hard fought battle. Coming up she embraced the both of them and the family just held each other.
Out on the field, Victor and Mary were on the field hugging their son, congratulating him on winning and advancing to the next round. When they got off the field to the locker room, they enjoyed the victory and were so happy they could all be together for this moment. "Mom, dad, can I just have a minute? I'll meet you outside in a second." Charlie said. They left smiling from ear to ear. Charlie then felt the place where Skye kissed his cheek and wondered if she felt something more than just close friendship.