A Rivalry Ends

Brendan and Gwen both sat for a moment after using the last of his items to heal his team after the battle with Wes. They were at the entrance to a very beautiful area of the cave that had grass growing and some waterfalls around them. He was getting tired as well, this tournament being much more difficult than Brendan had expected. He knew it had only been about three hours since the tournament started, and at the rate that trainers had been knocked out of the tournament, Brendan was wondering how many trainers were left. He pulled out the tracker as his five-minute timer went off and his eyes went wide. "There's only one other trainer left in the tournament," he said in surprise. He then used the touch screen of the tracker and pulled up the tag identifying the trainer.

No way! Wally? Gwen asked.

"Seems like it," Brendan said. "I should've guessed he got stronger based on how confident he was back in the hotel." He then pulled out his cell phone and started typing a message to Wally.

What are you doing? Gwen asked.

"We're the last two trainers in the tournament. We might as well group up and get the battles over with," Brendan said. "And he's nearby. Want to wait here for him?"

We may just need to walk a little further, she said. I think I see him and Samuel higher in the cavern.

Brendan looked up the cliff, seeing the boy from Petalburg on the cliff almost like he was sending them a silent challenge from above. Brendan took the message. "Gwen, could you teleport us up there?"

Sure. No reason to waste energy climbing, Gwen said as she put her hand on Brendan's shoulder and they teleported up to where Wally was standing. Behind him, Samuel was waiting. He had originally looked confident, but Brendan noticed his eyes go wide and he started to blush when he saw Gwen.

"Hey Brendan. I had a feeling that we would meet up here," Wally said. "In fact, it's where I planned to battle you."

Brendan looked at Wally curiously. "Why is that?"

"It feels strange to say this," Wally said as he walked over to the blooming flowers. "But it's because of the flowers that grow here." Brendan, who had never been one for horticulture, stood politely and waited for Wally to explain. "They're red spider lilies, they commonly bloom in cemeteries, and they are used to symbolize something unique. It's believed that they also bloom when you're meeting a person you will never see again."

Brendan looked at Wally curiously. "And what, exactly, do you mean by that?"

"Well, to be honest, while I may still be Wally, I've changed a lot since we battled in Mauville…and infinitely more since Samuel and I first met," Wally said.

So, you're saying that this battle will be the last we all see of the timid, sickly Wally? Gwen asked, her tone showing sincerity and it sounded like she was impressed. She too had noticed Samuel's blushing, especially since he would suddenly take an intense interest in the floor of the cave each time she glanced his way.

"That's exactly what I mean," Wally said as he stood up, his expression beyond confident. "So, are you two ready to begin?"

Brendan saw what Wally was talking about. The person before him was not the same one he had met in the Petalburg gym. He could see this person was much stronger, and healthier for that matter. "I'm ready whenever you are."

"Then let's begin," he said as he picked a Pokéball from his belt. "Come on out Wraith!"

Brendan pulled Jack's ball from his belt at the same time. "Let's do this. Go Jack!" Brendan's Camerupt and Wally's Dusknoir appeared at the same time. "Wow, you got a Dusknoir? She looks strong," Brendan said. "Jack, use Eruption!"

"She is, now let her show you. Wraith, Shadow Ball!" Wally said. The two Pokémon launched their attacks. Jack fired the cluster of magma rocks into the air, and, at the same time, Wraith fired the Shadow Ball. The attacks both hit nearly simultaneously, but the damage was negligible.

Interesting, Wraith is actually pretty strong, Brendan thought. "Jack, use Flamethrower!" he said. Jack spat a stream of flames at Wraith, but Wally was ready for it.

"Wraith, use Shadow Sneak!" Wally said. The Dusknoir vanished into the ground, making a shadow as she raced at Jack. The Flamethrower hit the wall of the cave behind them and it made a red-hot crater in the wall behind Wally. Wraith then appeared behind Jack and punched him between his volcano humps. Jack grunted loudly with the hit and the ghost-type returned to Wally's half of the field.

Brendan grimaced as he saw the sheer strength behind Wraith's attack. It reconfirmed to Brendan that Wally hadn't just gotten to this level by mere chance. He was damn good at training his Pokémon. "You surprise me, Wally. You've definitely improved since Mauville," Brendan said.

"As have you," Wally said. "But I think Jack will have trouble when he's confused. Wraith, use Confuse Ray!" Wraith gathered four orbs of eerie purple light in her hands before throwing it at Jack. The Camerupt couldn't dodge in time as the orbs seemed to fuse with his body, making him stumble as if he had been drinking heavily. Brendan silently cursed when Jack fell to his side from his dizzy stupor. It looked like the fall did some damage, but Brendan could tell Jack still had some fight in him. He probably only had one shot to win this battle.

"Jack, use Fissure!" Brendan said.

"Wraith, Destiny Bond!" Wally said. Just as Jack was powering up, Wraith sent multiple dark, solid tendrils at Jack. As the Camerupt stomped on the ground, making a massive crack appear and race toward Wraith, the tendrils wrapped around Jack loosely. They then vanished from sight, but as the Fissure hit Wraith and knocked her out, they reappeared with a dark, purple lightning. The attack seemed to electrocute Jack with enough power to make him fall to the ground, knocking him out.

Brendan recalled Jack. Despite being unhappy with the Camerupt being defeated, Brendan looked very impressed with Wally's strategy. At a moment's notice, even though there was only a small chance that Jack's attack would hit, he countered in a way that ensured that Brendan would not walk away with the win in that round. "Very well planned out," Brendan complimented.

Wally smiled. "Thank you," he said as he recalled Wraith. "Now, I think it's time to increase the intensity here." He then threw out his next Pokéball. "Go, Emilia!" The Pokémon that appeared was a white and pink bunny-cat with a bowtie and ribbons extending from her neck.

"A Sylveon? Your Pokémon must really love you," Brendan said before taking out his next Pokéball. "But so do mine. Go Turk!" The Crawdaunt appeared with a confident look on his face. Emilia, however, seemed to be even more confident, like she enjoyed battling just as much as Turk, if not more.

"Well, you should know that Emilia's blood runs very hot. She loves the exhilaration of a good battle," Wally said. "Think you can handle it?"

"We'll just have to see how much she loves it," Brendan said. "Turk, start with Dragon Dance!" Turk surrounded himself in a red aura, increasing his speed and strength.

"Emilia, use Echoed Voice!" Wally said. The Sylveon shouted, using the vibrations like a less-powerful version of Hyper Voice. However, it seemed to reverberate a lot more than Hyper Voice would have done. The sound waves hit Turk directly and powerfully, doing surprising damage. "Echoed Voice, it's usually Normal-Type, but now, it's Fairy-Type. It's thanks to Emilia's Pixilate ability."

"I see," Brendan said, slightly grimacing at the implications of that ability.

It's no different than with my ability when I Mega Evolve, Gwen said. Just be careful.

I know, but thanks, Brendan said with a slight grimace. "Turk, use Aqua Jet into Crab Hammer!" Turk surrounded himself with water as he launched himself forward in a bullet-shaped trail of water as he flew at Emilia. Wally didn't say anything, and Emilia seemed to smirk confidently. Turk slammed into the Sylveon and clubbed her with his claw. It made her grimace, but then her ribbons wrapped around Turk's body.

"Another Echoed Voice!" Wally called. Emilia shouted again, her voice resonating much louder this time. The sound waves struck hard and launched Turk back across the field, only for him to land in front of Brendan, completely unconscious.

"Good job Turk, you fought well," Brendan said as he recalled the Crawdaunt. "Nikki, you're up!" Slaking appeared with her arms flexed and ready for battle.

Wally chuckled. "Of course, this seems to be a pattern of yours in battle. It's always Jack, Turk, and Nikki before you go to Clint, Avery, and Gwen. You tend to vary who goes in what order within those two groups, but it's always that pattern. I have no idea why, but I guess that's just your style."

Brendan was surprised to hear Wally say that, especially considering that this was their first full battle with each other. How much had Wally been studying his battle style? It didn't matter at this point, Brendan had to win this. "Nikki, use Slash!" he called, wanting to make this count. Nikki leapt into the air, her claws extending with a subtle glow. Emilia just dodged almost nonchalantly, using her ribbons to grab Nikki by the wrists and plant her claws into the ground with a redirection.

"Easy," Wally said. "Now, Emilia, use another Echoed Voice!" Emilia started to shout again, with the sound waves. This attack shook a few rocks loose from the ceiling.

Damn, we can't let Emilia use another Echoed Voice, or we might be buried. I wanted to save this for the Elite Four, but I guess I can't keep this attack a secret any longer, Brendan thought. "Nikki, time to use your new move!" I'll have to thank that old gentleman I met in Petalburg a few weeks ago for teaching her this attack. "Gunk Shot!" Nikki wrenched her claws from the floor, breaking some rocks free before she put her hands together. A moment later, she separated them and an orb of toxins formed between her palms. Steadily, the orb got bigger until Nikki was holding it over her head, and its diameter was as tall as Brendan. Nikki then threw the attack at Emilia. It was moving at such high speeds that neither Wally nor Emilia could process its approach. The attack struck and Emilia cried out with the impact as a geyser of sludge flew into the air. Nikki just leapt back to Brendan's side of the field. When the dust from the Gunk Shot faded, Emilia was out cold, completely out of the fight.

"Emilia, return!" Wally said. "You fought well, now rest up." He then put Emilia's Pokéball on his belt and pulled out what looked like a Great Ball. "Now, I'm counting on you, Ivy!" The Pokémon that came out looked like a living plant. Her hands were like bouquets of roses, red on the right and blue on the left. It looked like she had hair made of a type of raw cotton, and a dark green mask-like covering over her eyes. Around her neck was what looked like a gold necklace with a long leaf for a cape on her back.

"A Roserade," Brendan noted. "This'll be interesting."

"Especially with this. Ivy, use Toxic!" Wally said. Ivy's hands gathered a strange sludge before she threw it at Nikki. The Slaking tried to dodge, but she was still soaked in the toxins. When the liquid from the toxin evaporated, Nikki had a very sickly expression. "Now, use Ingrain!" The Roserade's feet began to extend, cracking the rocks beneath her as roots extended into the rich soil beneath her. As she did, her body seemed to lightly glow green.

"Nikki, use Façade!" Brendan said, hoping the attack would turn the disadvantage of Toxic into an advantage with this one attack. Nikki's body was cloaked in a golden light as she leapt at Ivy. The Slaking slammed her fists onto the Roserade, kicking up a massive cloud of dust. When they could all see, however, Brendan could see that Ivy had just barely held on. She then extended three green tendrils, which wrapped around Nikki. Then, what almost looked like green electricity lanced out as Ivy began to drain energy from Nikki.

"Nice job with that Giga Drain!" Wally said happily. "Now, use Solar Beam and end this round." An orb of bright light formed in her hands.

"Nikki, use Ice Punch before she can fire that!" Brendan said. Nikki closed her fist as icy energy began to gather around her hand. She then swung her fist at Ivy, hitting the Pokémon just as the Solar Beam fired. When the glaring light died down, both Nikki and Ivy were passed out.

"Another draw," Brendan said as he recalled Nikki. "This is getting interesting."

"Agreed," Wally said with a smirk. "Now, let's go to the next round. Go Jet!" He threw his Pokéball, sending out a falcon-like Pokémon with a grey and orange-speckled breast, and with orange plumage that looked like flames going out about halfway down his wings and his back, where they ended with what looked like a fire that led to jet black feathers. The tail feathers made four points, and the center two had three yellow lines that angled toward each other in a V-formation.

Brendan smiled and threw Avery's Pokéball out. "Come on out and let's battle!" The Latias came out with a coo as she shook her head cheerfully. While she didn't nuzzle Brendan this time the way she usually did, she still looked back and nodded reassuringly.

"Jet, use Brave Bird!" Wally said.

"Avery, use Thunderbolt," Brendan said. Jet flew high into the air, then began to dive. The speed behind his attack should have been much slower, but something was speeding him up in the process. He pulled out of the dive extremely close to the ground and flew quickly, gathering blue flames as he kept flying. At the same time, Avery had been gathering electricity. She was just about to discharge the attack when Jet struck, hitting with intense power. Thankfully, just as Jet was about to get out of range, Avery's attack hit her target, zapping the Talonflame quickly. Jet groaned from the voltage coursing through his body, and he winced as he felt the recoil from his attack, but neither Pokémon was about to give up on this battle.

"Jet, Flame Charge!" Wally said. Jet flew up into the air and flew directly at Avery again with flames erupting around him as his speed increased with his flight.

"Use Psychic!" Brendan said. Just before Jet got a hit in, Latias stopped him cold in his tracks with her power. She then decided it would be a fun game to bounce Jet on the ground like a ball. She even seemed to giggle sadistically as she did this.

"Jet, use Flamethrower!" Wally said. The bird spat out a stream of fire directly at Avery, hitting his mark for about five seconds before Avery slammed him into the ground again, knocking him out. Avery emerged from the flames with only some light charring on her body, looking happy at her win. Wally recalled Jet and sighed slightly. "You're great, Brendan. But I will not lose to you." He pulled his next Pokéball, throwing it onto the field. "Go, Paul!"

The Pokémon that appeared was the Swampert Wally had been given by Professor Birch all those months ago in Petalburg. "Well, he certainly looks formidable," Brendan said. "Let's see how strong he is."

"Given the damage that Avery's taken, this won't take long," Wally said. "Use Ice Punch!" Paul immediately made a fist that became surrounded in ice quickly. Moving surprisingly fast for a Pokèmon of that size. That was when Brendan noticed the claw pendant around Paul's neck.

A Quick Claw. It's unclear how it works, but if it's worn by a Pokémon in battle, it can make the wearer move faster on occasion, Gwen said.

"Avery, Energy Ball!" Brendan said. It was an attack he had only recently taught the Latias via TM. Just as Avery was gathering the energy for the attack, Paul struck. The Ice Punch was strong, doing enough damage to knock her out almost instantly. When she landed on the ground, Brendan was almost in shock. "Wow, Paul got strong, didn't he?" Brendan asked rhetorically as he recalled Avery. "But, I have to wonder if he's as strong as Clint." He then threw out his next Pokéball. When Sceptile came out of his ball and saw Paul, he immediately grinned competitively. Paul grinned back with the same fire in his eyes.

"Seems these two want to battle at their best," Wally said with a smirk.

"Well, Clint and I will not disappoint you," Brendan said. "Clint, start with Dragon Pulse!" Clint fired a stream of violet energy directly at Paul. Swampert would have none of that as he used a Mud Shot to break up the incoming energy. Before Clint could dodge, Paul hit his real target perfectly, sending Clint sliding back. Clint was now covered in mud that weighed and slowed him down significantly.

Clint just glared competitively before his forearm leaves began to glow a bright green color as they extended for a Leaf Blade. He then sprinted at Paul and began to slash at the Swampert with his blades. The Swampert tried to block for a while, but with an onslaught of these slashes, there was only so much he could take. So, Paul grabbed Clint by his right forearm, charging up an Ice Punch. He then slammed his fist into Clint's chin, just as Clint slashed Paul once more. The two attacks sent both Pokémon were knocked back, and knocked out simultaneously.

"Wow," Brendan said as he recalled Clint. "Three draws in this battle alone. This battle is very close."

"I know, this should be incredible for our last battle," Wally said as he recalled Paul. He then turned to his Gallade. "Sam, you ready?"

Samuel stepped out onto the field and smiled, specifically at Gwen.

Ready to get some payback on your childhood bully? Brendan asked.

Of course, let's make this fun too, Gwen said as she walked out onto the field, a sly smile on her face.

In that moment, both Brendan and Wally touched their Keystones, and a blinding light filled the cavern. When the light faded, Gwen was in the form of a Mega Gardevoir. Across from her, Samuel had transformed as well. The crest on his head had grown slightly taller and hooked forward like a light blue crescent. His two ears looked almost like fins on the sides of his head. Sam's entire body was white and he had much longer forearms that extended to look like blades coming from his elbows. Those blades had a red edge, and there was now a cape split down the middle on his back, making sure both sides were covered.

"Psycho Cut!" Wally said. Samuel's forearms began to glow blue and he swung each arm, launching a spinning crescent blade at Gwen.

Teleport, and then Psyshock! Brendan thought. Gwen nodded as she teleported, to the side as the Psycho Cut flew into the cave walls, leaving deep grooves in the wall. A small cluster of rocks then levitated into the air with a blue aura around them, which surrounded Sam for a moment before pelting him with the stones.

Now THAT felt good. How does it feel to be on the other end of a pelting? Gwen said loudly.

OKAY, OKAY! I get it, a rather commanding male voice said as Sam raised his arms into a defensive posture. Brendan and Gwen both perked up at that. This broke Gwen's focus on her attack and the barrage stopped.

"Was that-?" Brendan started to ask.

That was me, Sam raised his arm. Didn't mean to startle you.

"Yeah, after Sammy and I first achieved Mega Evolution he figured out how to speak like Gwen, but it only seems to work when in his Mega Evolved form," Wally said.

Right… Sam stepped forward. And, Gwen, I need to tell you somethingit's important.

Save it for after we finish this battle, Gwen said as she concentrated, using a Calm Mind attack. When her body began to glow green, Sam smiled as if looking at his crush doing something he thought was cute, something Gwen noticed easily. At the same time, he became surrounded in a ring of illusory swords, he moved his body around to dodge and strengthen his body, boosting his attacking power.

As you wish, he said as his arms began to glow with a black light. Gwen could see that he was preparing a Night Slash, something that could prove lethal in terms of a Pokémon battle if it hit its mark. And Gwen could tell from his expression that Sammy wasn't about to go easy with his attacks. Gwen decided to get creative at this point, having picked up on an exploitable weakness. Just as Samuel was in range and he started swinging his blade like arms, combining Night Slash with Close Combat as he started to nimbly attack and flip acrobatically. Gwen, not being too used to dodging attacks like this, barely managed to dodge Samuel's attacks in time, using Teleport. Just as she thought she had the distance to breathe, Samuel appeared right in front of her, having used a Teleport of his own. Gwen just barely moved her head out of the way of the downward slash Sam aimed at her.

Great, my usual strategy is out of the question, Gwen thought. She quickly began to formulate a plan, and she even considered the way he looked at her. That's it! Gwen internally smirked at her cunning plan, deciding to use Sam's attack to her own advantage.

As soon as Sam took a swing close to her cheek, Gwen allowed the edge of his arm to lightly cut her left cheek, then she let his other hand strike her side, cushioning it with a small protect to convince Sam that he landed a hit. That's check. Now for checkmate, Gwen internally smirked as she slid back and fell to her knees, clutching her cheek and her side.

Oh no, Wally thought to himself. Don't tell me

I get it, Brendan thought as Gwen relayed her plan to him. Nice work Gwen.

Gwen then looked up with tears in her eyes, having learned how to cry on command. That look alone made Samuel stop in his tracks. Ow, Sammy, that really hurt! Gwen said, her voice and thoughts sounding extremely convincing. Why did you have to be so mean?

Samuel had a look of panicked concern, like he had no intention to actually harm Gwen beyond what was needed to win the battle. But now he looked like he was afraid to anything more in order to avoid hurting her. He completely ignored the green aura surrounding her again.

No, come on! Is this how Brendan is going to beat me? No, I can't go out like that! Wally thought. "Samuel, don't listen to her!" he cried out. Gwen heard him, and she knew that Sam had the advantage in terms of speed and strength, and, with teleporting turning ineffective, she needed to keep her plan moving. So, Gwen did the one thing that she could think of to win this battle. She pulled Samuel close to her and kissed him.

What happened in the middle of that battlefield made not only Brendan and Wally, but the entire stadium, and nearly every viewer watching the tournament from home, all went wide-eyed. Certainly, there had been Pokémon and trainers who had been friendly before and after a match, but Pokémon romance was unheard of during the league finals. Samuel was now completely lost in his world of bliss, while Gwen was surprised that she was actually enjoying this. Who knew Samuel could kiss this well. Gwen mentally sighed. Oh well, time to show him that all is fair in love and war. At that moment, Gwen's lips began to glow pink, and Samuel felt his energy dropping.

"Sam, stop kissing her! She's using Draining Kiss!" Wally said with panic in his voice. Samuel's eyes went wide as he broke their lip contact and let go of Gwen, having unconsciously wrapped his arm around her waist to pull her closer.

Gwen, what the fuck? Sam asked, sounding almost hurt.

Gwen just deviously smiled and winked at Sam as she twirled back a few feet. Sorry Sammy, you really shouldn't have let your guard down during a battle with such high stakes, Gwen said playfully before inhaling deeply and shouting as loudly as possible. Her Hyper Voice attack struck and launched Sam like a bullet into a nearby stalagmite.

Wally ran over to his Pokémon with concern. "Sam, are you okay?"

Sam just smiled like he had just conquered the world, mixed with an expression that said he couldn't be mad at Gwen. Sorry Wally, but that kiss was totally worth it, Sam said as he fell forward and passed out, reverting to his normal form. At the same time, Gwen powered down and returned to her regular form.

Wally sighed and recalled Sam, only for a buzzer to sound throughout the cave. Just as it sounded, Wally, Brendan, and Gwen were teleported out of Victory Road, and were returned to the stadium.

"AND WHAT A MATCH!" the announcer called out happily. "Certainly, it was an unexpected tactic from Brendan and his Gardevoir, but this battle will surely be one for the history books. Now, please join me in congratulating Brendan, and also in wishing him and his team good luck in their endeavor against the Elite Four and the Champion of Hoenn. All of these battles will be happening in three days. I will see you all there!"

Wally then came up to Brendan. "You know, that was a really great battle," he said with a chuckle. "Guess I need to work with Sam on seeing through clever ploys like that one."

Gwen blushed slightly. I honestly only came up with it on the fly.

Brendan smiled and laughed. "Well, Wally, will you be staying for my battles against the Elite Four? It would mean a lot to me, and I think Sam would like to see Gwen more often," he said in a half-teasing tone.

Wally smiled slightly. "Well, I think I can manage that," he said. "After all, my flight to Alola isn't for another month."

"Wait, Alola?" Brendan asked. "Why there?"

"Well, it's more for sightseeing, and it was meant to be a family vacation to celebrate my health," Wally said as he began to walk to the locker rooms to grab his bag and phone.

"Sounds like a fun trip," Brendan said with a playful nudge as they entered the tunnel, now able to hear much easier with the cheering muffled. "Who knows, you might meet a girl there."

Gwen just followed behind them, basking in the mirth of the conversation. At the same time, however, her thoughts were also on that kiss she had with Sammy. I kind of feel bad about tricking him like that. Plus, that kiss was… Gwen paused in her thoughts, then shook her head and quietly slapped her cheeks to snap herself out of her trance. Wait, what am I doing? Stop it! Stop it!

Brendan just chuckled as he heard Gwen's thoughts, which she wasn't making very difficult. It seemed that, like when she teased him about May, he now had some ammo to use with her. But, in only three days, he knew that this levity would need to be replaced with some serious thought and strategizing. After all, the Elite Four would not be a bunch of pushovers. He needed to be mentally and physically ready.

Once again, I hope this chapter was enjoyable for everyone. I hope you like Wally's buffed team, even if the outcome was the same anyway. The next five chapters will be, in order, the Elite Four and Wallace.

Until next time. – jmoul18