Lighthearted Rivalry

"I'll start this battle off!" May said. "Graham, use Wing Attack!" Graham leapt at Nikki with his wings spread wide as they began to glow.

"Nikki, dodge that and use Fury Swipes," Brendan said. Nikki waited for a few seconds as Graham was about to leap to the side as Graham passed by. Nikki then swiped her claws at Graham quickly.

"Perfect, now use Supersonic!" May called out. Graham shrieked at a high pitch, sending a golden sonic wave at Nikki before the first swipe could strike. It hit its mark, causing Nikki to begin to stumble around in a daze.

"Damn," Brendan said. "We'll have to do this the hard way now. Nikki, use Bulk Up!" Nikki took a deep breath as her body seemed to get larger. A red aura surrounded Nikki, showing her increase in attack and defense power.

"Graham, use Water Gun!" May said. Graham spat a bullet made of water at Nikki, which went really fast.

"Nikki, try to dodge, then use Fury Swipes!" Brendan said. Nikki heard him, and was thankfully able to do what he commanded. Unfortunately she still took the Water Gun to her chest, but it seemed to barely phase her. She then leapt at Graham with her arms spread wide. She then began to slash and scratch Graham with her claws repeatedly. It wasn't long before Graham was on the ground, knocked out.

"Graham, return!" May said as she had the seagull Pokémon come back to his Pokéball. "Thank you for fighting so hard. Now rest up." She put Graham's Pokéball back on her belt as she pulled out her next Pokéball. "Come on out Erza!" she called out. The little steel type came out, and she looked ready for battle.

"Alright, Nikki, use Bulk Up!" Brendan said. Once again, Nikki seemed to get larger as she inhaled, getting a red aura around her, marking her boost in attack and defense.

"Mud Slap!" May said with a smirk. Erza kicked the ground, sending a pile of mud at Nikki, and it hit her directly in the eyes. "If you can't hit us, there's no point in having all that attack if you can't hit us."

"We can still try. Fury Swipes!" Brendan said. Nikki, whose eyes were still closed, began stumbling toward Erza, her sight blurry from the mud. She slashed out early, and missed her mark.

May smirked again. "Headbutt!" she said. Erza charged and leapt at Nikki, hitting the sloth like a hammer, and forcing her back. "Now Metal Claw!" Erza's foot began to glitter like polished steel as she swiped it across Nikki's chest, sending the sloth tumbling toward Brendan. Nikki came to a stop a few inches away from Brendan's feet, and she was knocked out.

"Return Nikki!" Brendan said as he had her go back to her Pokéball. "You fought bravely, now rest up." He took out Clint's Pokéball. "Let's go Clint!" Clint showed up and pulled a stalk of grass from the ground, placing it in his mouth. "Now, start with Mega Drain!" three tendrils of green energy extended toward Erza, and they were moving too fast for May to react. They attached and began to glow even more vibrantly.

"Erza, use Headbutt!" May said. She hoped that a retaliation would stop the attack. Erza began to run at Clint, her head down. Clint stopped his attack, but only so he could dodge the incoming attack.

"Nice job Clint!" Brendan said. "Now, use Bullet Seed!" Clint spat out a stream of seeds which hit their mark. Erza grimaced as she took the attack.

"Rock Tomb!" May said. Erza stepped on the ground hard, causing four boulders to shoot out of the ground around Clint, pressing tightly and restricting his movement, and cutting off the Bullet Seed.

"Break out with Fury Cutter!" Brendan called out. Clint's forearm leaves began to glow a yellow green as he spun, cutting the rocks into pieces. "Now use Bullet Seed again!" Clint once again fired a stream of seeds at Erza. "Use Agility and don't let her pin you down!" Clint began to run around the battlefield, firing more seeds as he moved. Erza didn't last much longer under the attack, and May couldn't get a plan together in time. Erza collapsed to the ground and Clint stopped his attack.

"Return Erza," May said, the Pokémon went back to her Pokéball as May pulled out Lily's Pokéball. "Erza, you fought well. Now, you're up Lily!" The butterfly Pokémon appeared, her wings spread wide. "Alright Lily, use Silver Wind!" Lily behaved as if she was in a contest, beating her wings quickly and sending scythes of wind at Clint.

"Clint, dodge and use Fury Cutter!" Brendan said. Clint leapt to the side and rolled before leaping at Lily, his forearm leaves glowing yellow-green again. He began to slash Lily almost mercilessly.

"Lily, Flash!" May called out. Lily's wings began to glow brilliantly, blinding Clint as he got within a few inches of his target. Lily simply fluttered to the side and dodged the incoming attack.

"Clint, use Quick Attack!" Brendan said.

May simply rolled her eyes in an almost sassy manner. "Now, use Gust!" May said. Lily sent a large tornado of dust at Clint whose now bloodshot eyes had not yet fully recovered from the Flash, couldn't move in time, and he was caught in the whirlwind.

"Clint, try to escape with Fury Cutter!" Brendan called. Unfortunately, Clint couldn't move. The tornado spun for about a minute before dropping Clint and dissipating. Clint, however, was not going to get back into the fight. "Clint, return!" Brendan said as he held out Clint's Pokéball, recalling the gecko Pokémon. He then looked to Gwen, who was currently laid back in a pile of grass that she matted down for bedding of sorts.

Is it my turn now? she asked with an impatient tone.

"Yes it is. You ready?" Brendan said.

Of course, let's do this, she said as she leapt from her bedding and levitated to the ground gracefully.

"Alright, Gwen, use Disarming Voice!" Brendan said. Gwen shrieked loudly, sending a sonic wave at Lily. It flew quickly, striking hard, and sending the Beautifly spiraling through the air. "Now use Psychic!" Gwen began to glow with blue aura, which then surrounded Lily, extended her hand, and swiped it toward the ground. Lily followed the path of Gwen's hand, crashing into the dirt.

"Lily!" May called out. It was too late, though. The attack had been too powerful for Lily to take. She was exhausted, and now she was out cold. May sighed. "You fought bravely, now, return and get some rest." She recalled Lily to her Pokéball, and placed it back on her belt. She then got her last Pokéball and threw it into the air. "Miranda, you're up!" The energetic Combusken came out of her Pokéball, and she looked ready to battle.

Well, Miranda, I don't think we've ever had a battle against each other. Let's make this one to remember, Gwen said. Miranda nodded.

"Miranda, Flame Charge!" May said. Miranda's body became coated in flames as she sprinted toward Gwen.

"Gwen, use Double Team," Brendan said. Gwen smirked as multiple copies of her appeared around the makeshift battlefield. Miranda sprinted through one after another. The number of Gwen's copies kept decreasing. All the while, Miranda was steadily getting faster.

"Alright Miranda, use Peck!" May called out. Miranda's beak began to glow white as she sprinted toward one of the two remaining copies of Gwen.

"Gwen, use Calm Mind!" Brendan called out. The two Gwens both began to glow with a green energy, increasing her special abilities. "Now, use Psychic!" Brendan said. Just as Miranda passed through the final copy, she was caught with the blue aura of Gwen's power. Miranda was then thrown back across the ground before she crashed into the sea wall.

"Flame Charge!" May said. Miranda sprinted at Gwen, her body covered in flames.

"Gwen, teleport!" Brendan said. Gwen vanished as Miranda passed by, only to reappear right behind Miranda.

"Miranda, Bulk Up!" May called. Miranda was surrounded by a red aura, showing an increase in physical strength. "Now, use another Flame Charge!" Miranda sprinted at Gwen with flames coating her entire body.

"Gwen, Disarming Voice!" Brendan said. Gwen shrieked loudly as Miranda closed in. The soundwave hit its mark, but Miranda kept barreling through toward Gwen.

Damn it! Gwen shouted as Miranda collided with her. Both of them went flying, only to land in a heap. Both were out.

"Huh," Brendan said. "I, uh, guess it's a tie."

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting that," May said. "But it was a fun battle."

With that, the duo began to treat their Pokémon with Revives, and Super Potions that they had bought with the prize money from the contest. None of the injuries were too serious, so they were able to heal all of the injuries without trouble.

Once they finished with healing their Pokémon, the two trainers continued on their way, Gwen skipping happily along with them. Their next goal was just barely visible in the distance: Mauville City.

"So, how much do you know about Mauville?" Brendan asked.

"Not too much, just that it's a very technological city. Heck, the entire city is just one big mall, with apartments on the second floor. There's supposed to be a really good bike shop there too," May said.

Well, I would really like to ride a bike, Gwen said.

"Have you ever ridden one?" Brendan asked with a smile.

No, I can't, but I've watched a lot of people riding them, and I think it would be fun, she replied.

"Well, you may not be able to ride one, since they're designed for humans," Brendan said. "But then, you are one of the humanoid Pokémon, so it could work."

Awesome! Gwen said. Could you teach me how to ride?

"How about I teach you once you evolve so you can get an adult bike," Brendan said.

Gwen pouted a little just to make Brendan feel guilty, but she understood his reasoning. Fine, but you will have a basket in the front for me to ride in. And you will make it as girly as possible.

"Okay," Brendan said without hesitation. "But it comes off after you evolve."

May giggled at the shenanigans the two got into routinely. Even though she was really close with her own Pokémon, Miranda especially, there was just something different about how Brendan and Gwen interacted. It was still fun to watch.

The three continued to walk and converse until they reached the gates to the city. That was where they saw a face that Brendan was familiar with. Wally was standing with an older man, and they seemed to be arguing. Brendan was about to call to him, but Wally and the man walked away.

"Brendan, who was that? It looked like you were about to call to him," May asked.

"You remember when I told you about the time I helped a kid catch a Ralts in Petalburg? That was him just now. Not sure what he's doing here though."

"Well, then let's catch up to him," May said. They duo went through the city, seeing a couple kiosks, but none had anything really useful. There was also a food court, but it seemed that people were battling there. For now, they avoided the place. They would check it out after they'd met up with Wally. They then passed through the courtyard, which had the Pokémon Center and PokéMart, as well as a miniature version of Prism Tower in Lumiose City in Kalos.

"Wow, why is this city so modernized?" Brendan asked.

"That's because of the Gym Leader here. His name is Wattson, and he's a bit of a technology nut. He wanted to make this city more technological, so he began to renovate when he got permission from the city council. And he's made the generation of electricity environmentally friendly."

"Impressive," Brendan said. "I just hope he's strong when it comes to battle, I want a good gym battle."

May opened her mouth to respond, but she was interrupted by a rather loud, male voice. "ABSOLUTELY NOT! You aren't ready for such a challenge!" The trio shared a look before running toward the source. They quickly found that it was the older guy yelling at Wally in front of the gym entrance, which was so flashy that it would have fit perfectly in any of Unova's cities.

"But I've been training really hard, and this is the closest gym to home. If not now, when can I start taking on the gyms?" Wally protested.

"I don't know, but you need to get healthier," the man said.

"But, Uncle, you can see that I'm perfectly healthy now," Wally said. "My Pokémon and I are ready for this!"

"Hey Wally!" Brendan called out, hoping to help his friend and rival in this situation. "How've you been?"

Wally perked up a little bit upon hearing Brendan's voice. "Brendan, I didn't expect to see you here!"

Wally's uncle raised his eyebrow, but remained silent. Gwen followed Brendan. Hey Wally, how's Sam doing?

"He's doing really well. Here, why don't you two catch up," Wally said as he took out his Pokéball. What came out was not a Ralts or a Kirlia. He was a Gallade. Brendan and May both looked impressed by one of the two final evolutions in the Ralts line. Gwen, however, was looking almost jealous.

Well, you've gotten bigger, Gwen said, not really looking at her old friend. She paused for a little as Samuel spoke like a normal Pokémon. Yeah, go on and rub it in that you could evolve from a Dawn Stone while I have to do it through training. I'm still stronger, since I'm still a fairy type.

Brendan just looked at Wally. "So how have you been since Petalburg?"

"Well, I've been training a lot, but I haven't challenged any gyms yet. Mostly because I was still getting healthy," he said with some slight hesitation. "But I'm fine now, and I want to start traveling. My family, however, doesn't really agree with me. They want me to wait more. None of them think I'm ready, but Paul and Sam have both gotten stronger, and I even caught a Fletchling, who evolved into a Fletchinder. His name is Jet."

May decided to join in at this point, and she was slightly annoyed because she wasn't actually. "Excuse me, Brendan, are you going to introduce me?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that," Brendan said. "Wally, this is my girlfriend, May. May, this is Wally. I helped him catch Samuel back on Route 102. We've kind of been rivals ever since."

Wally extended his hand to May. "It's a pleasure to meet you May," he said. "I wish we could have met in Petalburg, but I guess now is as good of a time as any."

OH YEAH? WELL WHY DON'T YOU PROVE IT THEN! Gwen shouted out of nowhere, and she was almost glaring at Sam.

"Gwen, what was that about?" Brendan asked.

This jerk keeps saying that he could beat me in a battle without trying. Let's prove him wrong! Gwen said.

"Actually, I was about to ask you to battle me," Wally said to Brendan. "Why don't we have a best of three rounds battle?"

"Okay, but let's save Gwen and Sam for the last round," Brendan said.

"Agreed," Wally said. "Let's go out to route 111 for our battle. We don't want to damage the city, you know?"

Fine, I'm okay with that! Gwen said.

The group, including Wally's uncle, went outside of Mauville City, where Brendan and Wally took positions across from each other, leaving a space just wide enough for a battle. Gwen and Sam both stood just behind their respective trainers "Alright Wally, I'll pick my Pokémon first," Brendan said. "Nikki, you're up!" The Vigoroth appeared, and she looked prepared for battle.

"Okay, let's go Jet!" Wally said as he sent out his Fletchinder.

"Alright, Wally, you can have the first attack," Brendan said.

"Jet, use Flame Charge!" Wally called. Jet reared back, became coated in fire as he flew at Nikki.

"Nikki, dodge and use Fury Swipes," Brendan said. Jet kept flying toward Nikki, picking up speed steadily. Nikki rolled to the side as the flaming hawk passed by. When the flames dissipated, she leapt forward, swinging her claws repeatedly. Jet, however, was doing a fantastic job of dodging the furious attacks.

"Alright Jet, use Peck!" Wally said. Jet began to jab his beak at Nikki. The sloth and hawk began to trade blows. In fact, the power of the attacks was almost equally balanced.

"Nikki, time to use Rock Tomb!" Brendan called. May's eyes went wide. If Nikki knew Rock Tomb, why didn't Brendan have her use it during their battle earlier today? She decided that she would ask him about it later. Nikki stomped the ground, causing four rocks to erupt from the ground, each one hitting a point on Jet.

Jet struggled to stay in the air and his will was strong enough that he could stay up, despite clearly having felt the attack.

"Jet, use Steel Wing!" Wally called. Jet's wings began to gleam like polished metal as he flew at Nikki quickly, hitting her hard in the stomach. Nikki staggered back from the force of the hit.

"Nikki, use Fury Swipes again!" Brendan called out. Nikki leapt at Jet, slashing wildly.

"Jet, use Ember!" Wally called out passionately. Jet spat out a ball of fire just as Nikki was about to start her attacks. This attack caused Nikki to trip and fall to the ground, where she passed out.

Brendan was startled to say the least. Wally, the kid who had no confidence in himself and spoke with a stutter less than two months ago had just won the first round of their battle. "That was really impressive Wally. You've definitely raised that Fletchinder well," he said.

"Th-thanks," Wally said, his stutter returning slightly, but only from the surprise of what had just happened.

What the heck Goldenrod? Now Sam has an advantage over us, Gwen said angrily.

"Don't worry Gwen, remember who is next?" Brendan said. "Wally, you send out your next Pokémon first for this round."

"Come on out Paul!" Wally said as he threw his next Pokéball. The Pokémon that appeared was a bipedal mudfish.

"So, Paul evolved into a Marshtomp," May said. "I remember him always being timid when he was still in my dad's lab, but now he looks incredibly confident."

"Well, I never met Paul before, but he knows my next Pokémon," Brendan said. "Come on out Clint!" The wood gecko Pokémon appeared, his eyes going slightly wider as he recognized his old friend.

"Oh yeah, that's right. You got a Treecko from Professor Birch," Wally said. "I guess these two haven't seen each other in a while, so let's make this a battle for them to remember."

"Sounds good, you take the first attack," Brendan said.

"Sounds good. Paul, use Mud Shot!" Wally called out. Paul fired a large ball of mud at Clint, and the attack moved quickly.

"Clint, use Agility, then use Mega Drain!" Brendan said. Clint seemed to vanish from sight just as the attack was about to land. He then reappeared and sent tendrils of green energy toward Paul. They connected and began to glow in a brighter neon color. Paul began to cry out as the attack did serious damage.

"Paul, stop the attack with another Mud Shot!" Wally said. Paul fired another ball of mud, this one hitting Clint in the chest, sending him stumbling, and slowing him down significantly.

"Clint, use Agility once again, then use Fury Cutter!" Brendan said. Clint disappeared once again, only to reappear behind Paul with his forearm leaves glowing a green yellow color. Clint swiped the claw across his body, sending Paul skidding across the ground.

"Paul, use Water Gun!" Wally called out. Paul spat out a stream of water, hitting Clint in the chest, but the attack didn't seem to do anything to Clint, who simply sat kept slashing at Paul relentlessly, each cut getting stronger. On the fifth slash, Paul was sent flying back, and it crashed into the trunk of a nearby pine tree.

"Paul!" Wally called out. "Are you okay?" Paul, however, had passed out. Wally sighed and pulled out Paul's Pokéball. "You fought well, now return and get some rest!" Paul was brought back into his Pokéball. "I guess I should have seen that one coming," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Hey, you fought well there, and you were very creative with your attacks. But now, it's time for the main event," Brendan said before turning to Gwen. "You ready to battle?"

You even need to ask? I need to put Sam in his place, Gwen said as she brushed some hair out of her face and behind her ear.

"Alright, then let's do this," Brendan said.

"Sam, you too, get out there," Wally said.

"Hey, Wally, I have to ask, how do you already have a Gallade?" May asked.

Wally smiled slightly. "Thing is, I've been volunteering at the Pokémon Day Care every once in a while. They helped me train in exchange for me helping them. Then, once Sam evolved, they gave me a Dawn Stone as additional thanks. I used it shortly after that so he could start getting used to being a Gallade as soon as possible.

"I see," Brendan said. "Well, even though Gwen doesn't have the option of a Dawn Stone for evolution, she's still scary strong."

And I have a bit of a score to settle with that jerk, Gwen said only to Brendan.

"Well, let's start this off," Wally said. "Sam, use Swords Dance!" Sam began to glow red as illusory swords appeared and circled around him, increasing his attacking power significantly.

"Gwen use Calm Mind!" Gwen closed her eyes and took on a green glow as she boosted her special abilities. "One more time, use Calm Mind!" Gwen kept her eyes closed as her power continued to increase.

"Sam, use Fury Cutter!" Wally called. Sam's arms began to glow like Clint's usually did when using Fury Cutter. He then sprinted at Gwen with his arms raised.

"Gwen, use Double Team repeatedly!" Brendan called out. Multiple copies of Gwen appeared around the field, and Sam sliced through one of the copies, but that was only to be replaced by two more.

"Sam, focus and try to find her, then use Disarming Voice!" Wally called out. Sam closed his eyes this time, focusing his mind, searching for the real Gwen among the clones.

"Gwen, use your own Disarming Voice before he get the chance!" Brendan called out. Gwen was more than happy to oblige as she shrieked loudly, sending a powerful sonic wave at Sam.

"Sam, cancel it out with your own Disarming Voice!" Wally said. Sam also shrieked loudly, but when his sonic wave collided with Gwen's it was pushed back until it was within a few inches of Sam. "Cut through those with Fury Cutter, then go after Gwen!" Sam did as commanded, his arms glowing brightly as he cut through the incoming waves, which exploded to the sides. He then sprinted at one of the multitude of Gwens spread across the field.

"Gwen, use Psychic!" Brendan called out. Gwen took on her usual blue aura when she used the attack, and Sam was gripped by it and stopped in his tracks. "Now throw him!" Sam went flying across the field toward a tree. Sam managed to adjust himself so his feet hit the trunk first before he leapt forward toward another Gwen. This time, his Fury Cutter hit the real Gwen, sending her tumbling across the field.

Ah, damn it that hurt! Gwen said. Hey Brendan, can we finish this soon. I don't think I can take another hit like that one.

"Yeah, of course," Brendan said. "Use one more Calm Mind!" Gwen smirked as she closed her eyes and began to meditate again. She started to glow green as her special abilities increased once more.

Wally's eyes went wide. "Sam, use another Fury Cutter quickly!" Sam heard the urgency in Wally's voice, and leapt at Gwen with his arms raised for his next attack. He was about to execute the attack when Brendan gave his last attack.

"Disarming Voice, now!" Brendan called out. Gwen shrieked again, the resulting sonic wave was incredibly powerful. It sent Sam hurtling through the air before he struck the ground hard. That was where he passed out.

"It seems the battle is over," Wally said disappointedly as he recalled Sam to his Pokéball. "You were amazing Sam. Now, take a good rest." Wally sighed, looking really disappointed in himself.

"Hey, don't get down on yourself Wally," Brendan said. "Your Pokémon were amazing. You had me scared a few times in that battle. You should be proud."

Wally's uncle seemed disinterested. "Well, Wally, what do you think now? Do you really think you're ready to challenge the league?"

"Actually yes," Wally said, which only earned an eye roll from his uncle.

"You couldn't beat a trainer who isn't a league certified gym leader," his uncle said. "You need to get healthier and train more before you even consider taking on the League."

"Hold on," Brendan interjected. "First of all, league certification has little to do with strength as a trainer. And secondly, my father is the new leader in Petalburg City." This got Wally's uncle's attention. "Besides, that was a very close battle. Maybe you should have more faith in your nephew instead of telling him he's not ready to challenge the league. I can tell you that he's got a lot of talent for training Pokémon."

Wally's uncle glared at Brendan for a while. "Fine, Wally, if you feel ready, you can go on your journey and do as you please. I'd like to see you prove me wrong, but I'll be back home with a big old plate of 'I-told-you-so' if you can't make it." With that, Wally's uncle left the three trainers and Gwen, and he walked toward Mauville City, and then began walking west.

"Hey, thanks for that," Wally said. "I've been trying to convince my uncle to let me go on a journey, but he's been stubbornly refusing for a month now."

"It was no problem," Brendan said.

"Anyway, we should head to the Pokémon Center before we continue this conversation," May said.

I completely agree, Gwen said. After all, I'm getting pretty hungry, and I'd like to rest up after having two intense battles today. Brendan smiled at her.

"Sure, just hop onto my shoulder and we'll get there in no time," he said. Gwen smiled as she leapt onto Brendan's shoulder.

Alright, full speed ahead to the Pokémon Center! Gwen said loudly, pointing toward Mauville's central courtyard. With that, all three trainers made their way to the Pokémon Center, ready for a meal and a rest.

Thanks for reading. As always, reviews are more than welcome, just keep criticism constructive and tell me where I can improve my writing.

Before I get any comments about Wally having the wrong team, I will address that: I buffed Wally's team to make the battle more intense, and to eventually give him a stronger team for the League tournament.

Until next time.

jmoul18