"So, how are you feeling?" the cheery voice on the other side of the video call asked, using her body to block out some of the noise from the airport around her.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. Nervous, but also pretty calm all things considered. The team is excited though, they have been up practicing most of the morning." Matthew looked down as he spoke at Espeon who was sitting patiently at his feet, her eyes looking out at the busy Pokemon Center crowd.
"You are going to be great Matt! I've always known you were destined to be great! Just remember you have to win; otherwise, I will officially be better than you!"
"Thanks, Di. Your vote of confidence is extraordinary." Matthew snorted, trying to stifle a laugh.
"More important than your upcoming match is my flight! Don't forget you are scheduled to pick me up at the airport at 5:00 PM sharp!"
"Yes, Miss Diantha! I won't be a minute late! It would be such a tragedy for the great Diantha to have to wait a few minutes for her ride. Remind me again why you wouldn't let Alakazam just teleport you here?"
"Because I would not but the strain of all my luggage on poor Alakazam! Besides, I like flying! Now enough of your sass! I have to head to my gate. See you in a few hours!"
With that, Diantha clicked off the call leaving Matthew staring at a black screen. He let out an exasperated sigh at his friend and her antics. Despite living nearly a world apart over the past year, Matthew felt as if almost nothing had changed. When Diantha's family announced, they were moving to Kalos only a few months before the two young trainers were scheduled to leave on their journey it had felt like the end of the world. No matter how many upgrades to their personal holocasters their parents purchased or offers of plane tickets, Matthew and Diantha had felt the increasing pressure of being ripped apart. Yet, time has a funny way of changing a person's point of view.
After saying goodbye to one another, Matthew left the next morning on his trip across the Sinnoh Region. With his sister exploring Kanto and Johto as training before making her official Pokemon League challenge, Matthew thought he would take time exploring his home region and even collecting a few badges along the way. He figured if his sister could compete in the Lily of the Vale Conference and win, the whole event couldn't be terribly difficult. Professor Rowan was ecstatic to hear that Matthew was going out on his own journey and offered to sponsor the trip as a research cost if the young trainer recorded data about Pokemon along the way. Never one to turn down a research opportunity, Matthew had happily accepted.
Only a few days after starting his own journey, Matthew received a call from Diantha. Despite her parents' adamant disapproval, Diantha had decided the best way to discover her new home region would be to compete in the Kalos League and collect badges from across the region. She and her partner Pokemon, a Kirlia, had taken their first steps on their own journey. Never one to be outdone by her friend, Diantha had sped through her regional journey and only a month ago won the Kalos League. Matthew had flown out to Kalos to see Diantha's final match and was awed by the Kalos region. Diantha had become a minor celebrity in the region, and a few directors had even reached out to her about starring in some upcoming movies. Diantha had chosen not to challenge the Kalos Elite Four at the moment, as was her right as a Kalos League winner. She felt there was so much more to see and in fact, she and Matthew had planned to travel the Hoenn Region after he finished at the Lily of the Vale conference.
Almost one year from the day that Matthew had started his journey, he was now preparing for the final match of the Lily of the Vale conference. The match was going to be the most watched event in Sinnoh history and promised to be broadcasted across the globe. Both of his parents had made the trip to see the match live and would join Diantha in a special box seat with the current Sinnoh League Champion, Bertha. The old woman had been Champion for well over 20 years and had watched every match of the conference. For the final, friends and family of both competitors were invited to watch in her exclusive viewing box. Diantha had practically screamed when he told her where she would be sitting.
As Matthew and Espeon walked out of the Pokemon Center to go meet his parents for lunch, he caught a glimpse of the League's promo video for the final match. Explosions of purple and blue light exclaimed on TVs across the globe the "Battle of the Psychics" as they were calling it. Matthew sighed as his trainer photo was brought up next to his opponent. While he was confident in his Pokemon and his ability as a trainer, he knew that his opponent was winning the visual appeal by a landslide, as he had since the two were in school together. Matthew couldn't compete with the long flowing purple hair, the high cheekbones, the perfect physique, and the impeccable sense of fashion, even despite Diantha's best efforts.
"Why the long face, Matthew? Already accepting your defeat?" the boy's voice carried from a tall tree overlooking one of the areas perfect ponds.
"You wish Lucian. You've never been able to beat me before. Why do you think that will change this time?" Matthew watched as his opponent gracefully dropped to the ground in front of him with a flourish.
"Beating me in school is very different than beating me at the League. I've seen all your tricks, yet you haven't seen any of mine. Shouldn't such an oaf of a boy specialize in less sophisticated Pokemon that Psychic-types? Perhaps rock or steel types would better suit you."
"I'm amazed you even made it to the League to compete. Whatever will your library of books do without you there to caress and whisper sweet nothings to? Arceus knows no human would ever want to spend that much time with you, especially alone."
"Ah, there is the Matthew I remember. The one who always hid behind wit and sarcasm when someone struck a nerve. Seems I'm not the only one who thinks you are letting your Pokemon down."
"Try as you might Lucian, but your teasing lost its effect years ago. Do warn that Bell Pokemon of yours. When we are done tomorrow, I will make sure it rings loud enough to tear down that ivory tower you seem to live in."
Matthew did not wait for a response, turning and walking away with Espeon close behind. He and Lucian had been rivals since they were students at Professor Rowan's academy. Initially, Matthew had hoped to be friends with the unusual trainer who seemed to have a passion for Psychic-types especially his always perfect, Bronzor. Lucian in many ways was everything Matthew wanted to be, calm, composed, well dressed, and attractive. Matthew had tried his best to befriend Lucian even against the advice of all his classmates. Each had warned that Lucian was mean and spoiled, the kind of person who looked down at people as less than they were worth. Even Diantha, who could be friends with literally anyone had run away crying when she attempted to study with Lucian for an upcoming exam. Few things made Matthew really angry but hurting the people he loved was a major one. After ensuring that Diantha was ok, Matthew had started a huge fight with Lucian in the cafeteria. Words quickly dissolved into a Pokemon battle which Matthew was smart enough to quickly take to the outside battlefield or risk expulsion for ripping apart the cafeteria. That fateful afternoon changed everything when Matthew handed Lucian a solid and firm defeat without Espeon even breaking a sweat. Suddenly, Lucian was no longer this perfect trainer and people no longer feared what he would say or do.
Even after they had graduated, Lucian was a constant on Matthew's journey. Every town Matthew visited it seemed that Lucian was there to gloat about being there first and already beating the town gym leader. What made their rivalry even more dangerous was the fact that they both specialized in Psychic-type Pokemon. Lucian's relationship with Psychic-types had begun at an early age, his father using them in his Psychology practice. In fact, Lucian had been given Bronzor the day he was born to serve as an ever watchful protector of the well-known Sinnoh family's only son.
Matthew had never planned on specializing. He loved Espeon, and they had become a dangerous pair, but it wasn't until he started meeting other Psychic-types that he really discovered his passion for these unique Pokemon. He didn't think it was a coincidence that the first Pokemon he "caught" on his journey was an Abra who was now his most loyal and protective Pokemon. The unfortunate thing had teleported in its sleep directly into the web of a very angry Ariados. Matthew and Espeon had been camped nearby and heard Abra's cries, quickly rushing to protect the small Pokemon. Once freed, Matthew thought Abra would teleport away as most of its species did, yet instead, it choose to catch itself the next morning after resting. Matthew and Espeon woke that morning to find a Pokeball sitting next to Matthew's head and resting inside was Abra who they had nicknamed Amos. Amos was now an Alakazam and one of the most proficient teleporters that Professor Rowan had ever received data on. After Abra, came Ralts, then Girafarig, Chimecho, and finally a gift from Professor Rowan, a rare Pokemon originally from the Hoenn Region called Beldum. Matthew loved the little silent Steel-type though it struggled to battle effectively at the moment.
"Everything alright Matthew?" his father spoke, snapping him from his daze. He had reached their hotel without even realizing it.
"Yep! Sorry, I had a run in with Lucian. That guy drives me crazy."
"Don't take it too hard darling. He just struggles to express his crush on you, so instead, he is a bully."
"Mom! How many times do we have to go over this? Lucian is not capable of having any positive feelings, especially something as ridiculous as a crush on me. Besides, I would rather be covered in Combee than have him pining for me."
"If I didn't know any better, it almost sounds like you have a crush on him too!" Matthew's father spoke as the trio set off for the small cafe.
"The only crushing that is going to happen is tomorrow, in the arena!"
"Alakazam is unable to battle!" the referee blew her whistle signaling, Matthew's Pokemon had fainted.
"You did great Alakazam. Rest now, we will finish this." Matthew held the Pokeball to his chest so that Alakazam could feel his warmth.
Matthew's match against Lucian had been going on for the better part of an hour. Lucian had put up a much bigger fight than Matthew had expected though now both were left to their final Pokemon. Across the field, Matthew watched as Bronzong spun itself around brushing off any dust or debris from its last attack at Alakazam. Behind the Bronze Bell Pokemon, Lucian fixed his glasses and for the first time since the battle began seemed to exhale, letting his face soften just a bit.
"Lucian, before we finish this, I want you to know how much I have enjoyed our battle today. You really are a remarkable trainer."
Matthew couldn't help but smile at how his compliment seemed to effect Lucian. In a matter of seconds, the purple-hair trainer's face went through a full range of emotions everything from jubilation to embarrassment, to anger and finally resolution. Before Lucian could create some kind of witty response, the referee stepped in.
"Matthew please call out your final Pokemon."
Are you ready?
Of course! It is about time you let me wipe that smirk of the purple ones face.
Espeon remember we need to win with class and style. Try not to make a mess.
Espeon didn't bother responding, simply whipping her trainer as she stepped onto the field. The minute Espeon touched the field the crowd seemed to erupt in cheers and exclamations. Matthew and Espeon had earned a reputation over the past few weeks during their time at the conference. Espeon's ferocity was only matched by her beauty which had caused the little Psychic-type to grow a significant fan base. Those fans only grew after they saw the dynamic way which Espeon and Matthew could battle, equal parts cunning and grace. The crowd had been waiting for Espeon, and now that she had arrived they welcomed her like the queen the Pokemon wanted to be.
"Bronzong, be careful. The two of them can communicate telepathically." Lucian instructed his Pokemon who let out a deep note of confirmation.
"Trainers ready? Begin!"
"Bronzong, use Earthquake!"
"Espeon, use Psychic to counter!"
Bronzong launched its full weight into the ground below it, deep fissures of earth exploding outward towards Espeon, who barely flinched. As the cracks threw rock and gravel into the air, Espeon's gem began to glow as she pushed forward a shield of Psychic energy in front of her. The two attacks met in the middle of the battlefield, the shattering earth seeming to split where it hit Espeon's wall.
Put a bit more power into that counter. Send Bronzong flying into the air.
Espeon gave the faintest hint of acknowledgment as she flicked her tail forward. Where at first was an invisible wall of Psychic energy suddenly became a burst which shattered the already unstable rock on the battlefield. Bronzong's eyes widened as it sensed the impending attack but was too slow to defend itself. Espeon's attack smacked against Bronzong's steel body and sent the Pokemon propelling into the sky.
"Espeon, use Shadow Ball! Fill the sky with it!"
A blur of purple fur moved across the battlefield as Espeon found a higher slab of rock near Bronzong. In what looked like dark purple and black rain, the energy around Espeon's body exploded in multiple Shadow Balls which shot into the sky.
"Bronzong, use Gyro Ball to stop those attacks and slam into Espeon."
Bronzong's Gyro Ball spun the Pokemon into a silver ball of momentum and fury as it tore through Espeon's attack. Like a comet, the Steel-type Pokemon plummeted towards Espeon.
Wait until I give you the signal and then use Psychic.
Espeon stood firm, trusting it's trainers judgment as Bronzong picked up speed and power. 12 feet away, 10 feet, 5 feet, 3 feet-
"Now!"
The small Psychic-type flared to life catching her opponent in the iron vice of a powerful close-range Psychic attack. Even held by Espeon's Psychic, Bronzong continued to spin, unable to stop its momentum. Without needing instruction from Matthew, Espeon threw the Bronze Bell Pokemon back into the field. Like an out of control pinball, Bronzong crashed into the slabs of jagged rock created by its Earthquake attack. Each time the Pokemon's spinning looked like it would end, Espeon would push with Psychic giving it more and more momentum. After a few minutes, the field was once again flattened sending Bronzong slamming into the stadium wall. The crowd had gone silent as they waited for the dust to clear. All eyes looked towards the crater where Bronzong laid to see what would happen next. Finally, a warbling cry echoed out of the dust as Bronzong regained its ability to levitate and floated back onto the field. The brave Pokemon floated in front of its trainer for a moment before collapsing to the ground.
"Bronzong is unable to battle. This year's Lily of the Vale Conference Champion is Matthew!"