May and Melissa entered the Mossdeep Gym, to find themselves on a black arena suspended over a starry void. Melissa peered around the doorframe, and could confirm the non-existence of the back wall.
"How does that happen?" May asked.
"How does," "anything happen?" two voices asked. Two white squares appeared, and two figures appeared. They looked identical, barring their differing sexual characteristics.
"Two Gym Leaders?" May asked.
"Of course." "I'm Tate." "And I'm Liza." "We train Psychic Pokémon." "And have formed a Psychic connection." "You don't see that everyday," Tate & Liza said. May and Melissa were looking between the pair, utterly confounded by their speech patterns.
"OK…" May said.
"Pardon us for asking," "But is that little girl beside you," "Challenging Gym battles too," "Or is it just you?" Tate & Liza asked.
"No… it's just her," Melissa said.
"…It doesn't matter, does it, Tate?" "Of course not, Liza." "We can show that this Trainer," "Has mastered the power of teamwork," "Which is an important trait to have," "On the field of battle," "Trainers, we challenge you both," "Show us your abilities," Tate & Liza said.
"But… I don't battle much… at all…" Melissa said.
"We can detect the potential," "Coming from your spirit," "And the bond of your Eon Pendants," "And the bonds between you and her Pokémon," Tate & Liza said.
Official Gym Challenge! Tate & Liza are challenged by May August and Melissa Incognita!
Tate & Liza sent out a Solrock and a Lunatone, while May and Melissa chose Gastrodon and Ali. Gastrodon pulled back, and let out a burst of Muddy Water. Solrock spun around, clearing up the skies with a Sunny Day. May recoiled, watching Melissa try (and fail) an Earthquake attack. Gastrodon shot forward another Muddy Water, dealing sufficient damage to take out Lunatone, but not Solrock.
Tate & Liza sent out their Medicham, while Solrock fired a Solar Beam. Gastrodon was down and out, and Ali performed a Disarming Voice. May switched to her Arcanine. Arcanine roared, and slammed into Solrock with a powerful Flame Charge. Solrock fell into the abyss, and Tate & Liza's reaction seemed to indicate that was a condition of instant failure. Tate & Liza sent out their Espeon, and Medicham performed an Ice Punch, taking out Ali.
"That…" Melissa said in shock. She sent out Buneary, who growled. Medicham jumped into the air, and shot down with a High Jump Kick on Arcanine, while Buneary started dodging Espeon's Psychics. Buneary vented her Frustration on Espeon, which wasn't much. Buneary looked up, to see Medicham preparing a High Jump Kick on a weakened Arcanine. She cried out, and charged forward. She leaped into the air, striking Medicham. Medicham dropped to the ground, and leaped right back up, readying a High Jump Kick for her. Buneary reached her conclusion. She dropped down on top of Espeon, using a Bounce to propel her away towards the abyss. Medicham missed Buneary, and kept going and crashed. Somewhere.
The Gym Challenge is now complete! The victors are May August and Melissa Incognita!
"Magnificent!" "Amazing!" "You deserve our Mind Badge," "For that fine show!" Tate & Liza said. Tate held out the Mind Badge, and May took it. Melissa looked at Liza, who was holding the TM.
"Ah, you caught us there." "By know, you should know what that badge does." "Rank 8 trainer, can train Pokémon up to level 80," "And can also use Dive out of battle." "And this TM is for Calm Mind." "Boosts your mental prowess through meditation," Tate & Liza said, giving Melissa the TM. May turned to her Pokémon, to see Lopunny lounging on Arcanine. She rolled her eyes, and returned both Pokémon.
"You didn't hear it from me," "But you might want to get ready for a few shocks," "Sometime in your near future," "Just thought you wanted to know," Tate & Liza said. May nodded absently, and walked through the doorframe, and back into a more level-headed plane.
As May and Melissa left the building, a loud earthquake sounded. May was knocked off balance, and Melissa grabbed her, trying to keep her from falling, while at the same time wincing from the sound. The earthquake came to a stop, and May and Melissa broke apart.
"Thanks…" May said, smiling. Melissa gave a faint smile, before adjusting her hair and rubbing feeling into her ears. May's eyes widened with shock, as she spotted a shirtless man run up to them.
"You've… found you… gotta… were you… come…" the man said.
"Who-who are you?" Melissa asked, somewhat nervously.
"That would be Matt. Remember him?" Shelly said, walking up behind him. May looked around, to notice Archie standing on the shore, in front of something odd underwater.
"Shelly!" Melissa said, jumping.
"Melissa! How are you doing?" Shelly asked. Melissa showed her Latios Pendant, and Shelly beamed.
"That's nice. Onto more important news… Team Magma have really gone and done it this time," Shelly said.
"Worse than destroying their own daughter?" May asked.
"…I had no idea Courtney had that happen to her…" Matt said, tearing up.
"This is a bigger scale. There are legends of a Pokémon that moulded the continents… Groudon. The seal placed upon it has been broken, and we face a horrible cataclysm that makes the influx of invasive species look like losing a sock," Shelly said.
"Then should we be making jokes?" May asked.
"Right, let's roll," Shelly said. She grabbed Melissa and ran towards Archie. Matt went to pick up May, but she ran off before he could pull her feet off the ground. Everyone piled in to a small hole in the ocean. May and Melissa quickly realised they were in a submarine, and it blasted off.
"You mean we're underwater…" Melissa said. She looked around.
"Yep, this is our Sharpedo," Archie said, looking back from the front of the Sharpedo.
"…Looking sharp," Melissa said, smiling.
"Thanks, kiddo," Matt said, tousling Melissa's hair. Melissa giggled, and reached to readjust her hair. She froze when she noticed May staring at her, her jaw agape.
"May?" Shelly asked.
"Melissa? When did you get a lock of your hair dyed electric blue?" May asked, staring straight at Lisia's hair. Melissa's eyes followed her gaze, and she realised her cover was broken.
"May… please don't get mad…" Melissa said nervously.
"Now why would I get mad?" May asked. Melissa reached for her wig, and pulled it away. Lisia's signature hairstyle had flopped, but there was no mistaking her identity.
"…That might be a good reason," May said calmly. Lisia cringed, and hid behind Matt.
"What was I to you? A friend, or was this entire thing a publicity stunt? How many cameras have I missed? How much of everything between Slateport City and here has been set up by you?" May asked.
"None of it… I swear, this has nothing to do with fame, none of this was staged!" Lisia said.
"She's right. According to Tabitha, the tiny little seeds of this idea have been sprouting in Maxie's mind since before Lisia was born… I think. I don't know the numbers," Shelly said.
"Besides, no one would stage what has happened in the short time starting around Mt. Chimney. You'd need to be a really sick man to make this an act and not tell the participants," Matt said.
"Lisia… was everything a lie?" May asked. Lisia let out a sob.
"None of it was. You know Lisia better than anyone," Lisia said. May was silent.
"We're here," Archie said.
"This isn't over, Lisia. Stay here: I'll go stop Groudon," May said, climbing up and out of the Sharpedo. Shelly followed behind her, while Matt kept Lisia company. Archie was watching the scanners, ready to look about at the first sight of trouble.
May ran through the Seafloor Cavern, Lisia's betrayal still on her mind. On the surface, she had nothing but determination to fight back against Maxie and Brendan, stop them from corrupting Groudon and Maxie's kids. But inside, she was seething at Lisia. She pulled out her Latias Pendant, and growled. She wanted to cast it away. She wanted nothing to do with Lisia. But something niggled at the back of her mind. She put the Latias Pendant into her bag, and looked up. She stopped, having ran into Maxie and Brendan.
"You…" May said.
"Me. It seems obvious in retrospect that you would be here today… but how odd. You're here alone…" Maxie said.
"She's not alone! She's got me!" Shelly said, stepping beside her, and looking at May with a glint of triumph.
"Shelly!" Tabitha said. Shelly waved at Tabitha vaguely, her gaze being on Maxie and Brendan more than Tabitha.
"What about Melissa? Oh, wait, she abandoned you. Abandoned you when you most needed her," Brendan said.
"SHE DID NOT!" May yelled, eager to contradict Brendan, and in the process defending Lisia. May's hand flew to her mouth, as the inherent contradiction confused her.
"…A worm of doubt in my big sister? Perfect…" Brendan said.
"…You will not lay a hand on May. There is only one place for her heart… and in your trash can is not it!" Shelly said. She sent out a Starmie. Maxie and Brendan took that as their cue to send out Pikachu and Eelektross, while May chose her Gastrodon. Shelly's Starmie used a Psychic on Eelektross, and Gastrodon used Mud Bomb on Pikachu. Pikachu was taken out with ease, but Eelektross was not so easily confronted. Eelektross used a Wild Charge, shooting right at Starmie. Gastrodon charged, and went right in front of Starmie, taking the Wild Charge herself.
"Wow…" May said.
"A waste of energy," Brendan said, switching to Breloom. May raised an eyebrow, and watched the events unfurl. Gastrodon hauled up a massive Mud Bomb, and shot it into the air. It landed on top of Eelektross, causing it to drop to the ground, covered in mud. Breloom tightened his focus, but was quickly distracted and mopped up by Starmie.
"This…" Brendan said, sending out Slaking, alongside Maxie's Garbodor. Gastrodon flung another Mud Bomb at the Garbodor, not doing a whole lot to it, but wearing down it's stanima and accuracy. Starmie, meanwhile, was launching Psychic after Psychic at Slaking, taking the time to dodge Slaking's slow, infrequent attacks with ease. Garbodor was just stockpiling trash.
"Brendan, stop and think about what you're doing!" Maxie said. Brendan stopped commanding Slaking to attack Starmie, and looked across. He smirked, and commanded a Giga Impact on Gastrodon. May gasped, and Gastrodon fired a Mud Bomb. It soared over Slaking, and Gastrodon was taken out. May smiled, and returned her, switching over to Arctos. Arctos performed a Tri Attack, calling upon the powers of fire, ice and thunder to avenge Gastrodon and defeat Slaking. Starmie used a Psychic on Gastrodon.
"We can't keep this up forever…" Brendan said, switching to Blaziken. Maxie sent out his Infernape.
"We don't…" Maxie said. Brendan looked up at Maxie, and realised his plan. Starmie fired off a Surf, taking out both glass cannon Pokémon, and doing quite a bit to Arctos.
"Time for my final Pokémon!" Maxie said triumphantly. The ground opened up, and out came a Camerupt. Not just any Camerupt: the Almost-Mecha-Camerupt from Mt. Chimney.
"And, of course, we can't have things too easy…" Maxie said. He touched the side of his glasses: where May just noticed a Key Stone hanging. She withdrew Arctos, and sent out Lopunny as the Almost-Mecha-Camerupt transformed into an Almost-Mecha-Mega-Camerupt. She activated her Key Stone, and Lopunny became Mega Lopunny.
"May… that may not have been the best choice," Shelly said.
"I saw Mega, and I panicked, OK? What was your idea?" May asked.
"Sacrifice Arctos to get off a Surf," Shelly said.
"Lopunny, Bounce!" May said. Shelly smiled, and Starmie got off a Surf while Lopunny was in the air. Camerupt roared, and split the ground. Starmie dropped into the Fissure, to Lopunny's horror.
"No way I'm fighting that!" Lopunny said.
"You can do it, Lopunny… I believe in you," May said. Lopunny rolled her eyes dramatically, and gave a High Jump Kick. The Almost-Mecha-Camerupt was sent spinning away. It got to its feet, and performed Fissure again. Lopunny jumped into the air, and used another Bounce. Camerupt used Fissure, dropping Lopunny in.
"Dangit," May said.
"I was hopeful, too…" Shelly said. She sent out a Sharpedo, and May Latias.
"That can't be legal!" Maxie said.
"I'm pretty sure mechanising a Pokémon can't be, either," May said simply. Latias flung a Mist Ball at the Camerupt, and Sharpedo shot forward with a Waterfall. The Almost-Mecha-Camerupt fell to the ground, it's Mega form disappearing.
"That was your last?" May asked.
"I was hopeful. But it bought me enough time for this… Groudon, awaken!" Maxie proclaimed, holding out the Red Orb.
"You were foolish for rejecting our ideas, May… humanity needs that which I have strived for. May Primal Groudon give us hope," Brendan said.
"Stop… Stop it now!" Tabitha cried out.
"Humph. Children who actively fight against the ideals their parents fought for are useless," Maxie said. The power of the Red Orb shone forth at that moment, and the energy of Groudon was being awoken. Shelly grabbed Tabitha and Courtney, and bolted with them. May could only watch in horror, as Groudon looked about, and curled up. The light of Mega Evolution shone, and May stepped back. Maxie and Brendan were smiling with joy, as a massive pillar of lava shot up from Groudon's position. Groudon vanished.
"At last… at last! Human evolution's next stage has begun!" Brendan said.
"We have awoken Groudon…" Maxie said.
"What have you done…" May said, a note of terror in her voice. Maxie pulled out his Pokénav, and responded to a call.
"What is it? The sun has become mercilessly fierce? That is what we have expected, no? Wait, what? That's impossible… how could its power possibly be so fierce?" Maxie asked. He put the Pokénav away, and turned to May.
"Looks like someone didn't put their thinking cap on…" May said, giggling nervously.
"What…" Brendan asked.
"I have awoken the power of Groudon with the Red Orb… but it seems… I have brought about an end…" Maxie said.
"You two! To the Sharpedo!" May said, beckoning them. She ran through the Seafloor Cavern, Brendan and Maxie following.
Hot. Blindingly hot. The Sharpedo had surfaced, and the surface was covered with a sweltering heat.
"This is not…" Maxie said.
"You promised us a success… a new stage in humanity…" Brendan said.
"Father…" Tabitha said. Courtney was on the ground, her mechanics clearly not at ease in heat this hot.
"Courtney…" Tabitha said, trying to hold her.
"May…" Lisia said.
"Brendan, I blame you for this mess," May said.
"But Maxie…" Brendan said.
"Whoa! May, that was uncalled for. Everyone, now's not the time for the blame game…" Archie said.
"…We're on the Desolate Land, facing our deaths, and you think it's not time for pointing fingers?" May asked.
"Exactly. May, we set sail for Sootopolis. Groudon's going to get there, to the Cave of Origin… it'll want a pool of energy deep within for Primal Reversion…" Archie said.
"If it gets that, this'll be a Desolate Land for sure," Shelly said.
"You mean… it gets hotter?" Lisia asked.
"Only if we can't stop it…" Archie said. He turned to Maxie.
"Team Magma, you're coming with us. We made this mess… we've gotta clean it up," Archie said.
"Father…" Tabitha said.
"Ngh…" Maxie said, before going back into the Sharpedo. Archie followed, along with Brendan and Courtney. Tabitha remained for a little.
"…May, I'm sorry. I'm sorry you and Lisia couldn't have had a peaceful life together," Tabitha said.
"On behalf of Team Aqua… and I guess Team Magma, too… I'm sorry that we must ask this of you…" Shelly said.
"May, you've gotta help us," Matt said. The three entered the Sharpedo, and shot off towards Sootopolis, leaving May and Lisia alone on the land above the Seafloor Cavern.
"May…" Lisia said. A silver shape appeared overhead, and Steven Stone appeared beside them, returning his Skarmory to its Poké Ball.
"What a mess… sorry I couldn't have come sooner," Steven said.
"Steven!" May said, a red tint unrelated to sunburn covering her face.
"May…" Lisia said softly.
"This… so this is what Granite Cave depicted. A Desolate Land… the power of Primal Groudon… nothing could live in this land of death…" Steven said.
"A sweltering heat wave… over home…" Lisia said.
"I know it's terrifying… come on, Steven, think…" Steven said.
"We have to go to Uncle," Lisia said.
"…Wallace… of course!" Steven said. May gave Lisia a small smile, before remembering to be angry with her.
"May, Lisia, hop on!" Steven said, calling Skarmory again.
Steven brought May and Lisia to Sootopolis City, where Team Magma and Team Aqua had gathered. So, too, was a white-clad man with a distinct resemblance to Lisia.
"Uncle!" Lisia cried out.
"Lissi!" Wallace called out, embracing his niece. May smiled again, before looking about.
"May… defender of Hoenn, defender of my niece… this drought is being caused by a great power emanating from the Cave of Origin…" Wallace said. He reached into a pouch, and pulled out a Blue Orb.
"This sunlight is intense… too intense for humans and Pokémon to survive. Hoenn will be caught under its withering glare..." Steven said. Shelly stepped forward.
"May… will you take on the challenge of defeating Groudon… and restoring our sky?" Shelly asked.
"…I don't know… I don't think I can…" May said.
"May… who do you think can fight?" Lisia asked.
"Steven? Wallace? …Archie?" May asked.
"I tried… but my Water Pokémon failed to come up to the challenge…" Wallace said.
"It's Desolate Land, Primal Groudon's power… Water has no effect. And I can't use my Steel Pokémon: Groudon has too many advantages," Steven said.
"May… you don't train one Pokémon, or one type. You have a variety of partners on your team. You can succeed… I know you can…" Lisia said. She held out her Latios Pendant.
"You're my friend… you're May August… you've done so much, beaten long odds…" Lisia said.
"Lisia…" May said. Lisia pulled out her wig.
"This isn't for Lisia… this is for Melissa," Lisia said. May took in a deep breath.
"…I'll try," May said.
"I knew you would. May… take this," Shelly said. May opened it up: it was a suit. May climbed into it (with Lisia's help), and buckled it up.
"The Aqua Suit… this should be able to weather anything that comes your way," Shelly said.
"May… take this," Wallace said, giving May the Blue Orb. He inserted it into the Aqua Suit, and it changed shape slightly to accomodate.
"Of course! The Blue Orb should be able to calm Groudon!" Archie said.
"May… use the suit and the Blue Orb… you have to get to Hoenn's Core. You have to defeat Groudon…" Wallace said.
"May… take this," Steven said, giving her a green stone.
"It's Sceptilite. You'll need every advantage you can get," Steven said.
"Speaking of advantages… my Key Stone," Lisia said, pulling her Mega Tiara from her hair, and giving it to May. May put it in her own hair, knowing that she'd be able to call upon two of her three Mega Evolutions in this battle… she hoped that would give her the edge she needed.
"I believe… I believe you and your Pokémon can do this," Steven said. Lisia echoed the statement, and it was passed about through Team Magma and Aqua.
"I know you'll see this through..." Wallace said.
"I'm sorry you had to do so alone," Archie added.
"I'm sorry I had to give you this burden at all…" Maxie said, his head bowed in shame.
"You're my best friend, May…" Lisia said. "I don't want to lose you."
"Thank you…" May said. She took in a breath, and entered the Cave of Origin.
May ran through the Cave of Origin purposefully. Tremors shook intermittently, but May had no care for them. She came up to a pool of lava, and gasped. Groudon appeared within the pool. May took in a breath, and jumped on Groudon's back. Groudon strode through the Magma, oblivious to May. Groudon arrived in a room filled with crystals. May jumped off, and landed on the rocks. She looked at Groudon, who was glowing with the power of Mega… no… Primal Reversion. It was encased in light, only to reappear in a new form.
The omega of all Pokémon. The golden-lined, black-trimmed, Ground-Fire form of Primal Groudon. Large and in charge. May sent out her Sceptile, and Mega Evolved it at first chance. Sceptile's sharp leaves and fir-tree-tail were of little importance to May. She commanded a Giga Drain, and Primal Groudon performed Precipice Blades. Blades shot from the ground, blades May was lucky to avoid, and Sceptile was not. Sceptile's Giga Drain struck, energy coming back to it. Primal Groudon shot out a Lava Plume, defeating Sceptile.
May groaned, and switched to Latias. She Mega Evolved her, and commanded a Mist Ball. Latias flung it, and Groudon shot a Precipice Blades forward. The blades were easily evaded by the airborne Latias. Groudon used a Lava Plume, and Latias weathered it.
"This is…" May said, in awe. Latias performed another Mist Ball, and May looked down into her Poké Balls. Her last one, to be precise… the last one Birch had given her. She decided to try. She threw the Poké Ball, Primal Groudon being compressed to ridiculous sizes to fit. It shook once. It shook twice. It shook thrice…
Primal Groudon broke free. The Poké Ball returned to May, to her surprise, and she looked up. Primal Groudon was on all fours, growling at May's presumptuousness. May froze in fear. Latias looked down, and roared. She shot forward, and threw a Mist Ball into Primal Groudon's eyes. Primal Groudon roared and tossed around in agony, before slumping over. Its Primal powers vanished. May tossed her Poké Ball again, this time successfully catching Groudon. She didn't intend to keep him, though. Well, maybe…
May left the Cave of Origin, holding out Groudon's Poké Ball. Everyone looked at it in awe, before Lisia ran into May, giving her the biggest hug she could muster. May beamed, and looked around.
"We owe you great thanks…" Steven said. May nervously blushed, and allowed Lisia to help her out of the Aqua Suit.
"It was…" May said.
"I understand… may I?" Steven asked. May held out Groudon's Poké Ball to him, and he took it.
"Groudon will be returned to where it belongs… were it will remain undisturbed by man's efforts…" Steven said. He held his hand out, and May took it. She placed it over her chest.
"Thank you… for everything, Steven…" May said.
"It… It was nothing… excuse me," Steven said, pulling away.
"The sea and the land… Pokémon and humanity…" Archie said.
"We desired the goals on one, at the expense of the other…" Maxie said. He turned to the Admins. Brendan was holding Courtney gently, like he would a beloved. Tabitha and Shelly were holding hands, watching the sky.
"Maxie…" Archie said.
"I hear you. Teams Magma and Aqua will rethink their goals… support both human and Pokémon alike…" Maxie said.
"Excellent…" Archie said.
"But the wrongs I have committed…" Maxie said. He walked up to Steven, and took Groudon's Poké Ball.
"If I am to begin on the path of correcting my wrongs… the wrongs that have brought this world to its knees… I must be the one to personally return Groudon to where it belongs…" Maxie said.
"Feel welcome," Steven said, beaming. Maxie turned to May.
"…Its power might never be used as it was intended… but you used that Blue Orb spectacularly. I can only hope you might hold this," Maxie said. He gave May the Red Orb.
"Thanks…" May said.
"Farewell," Maxie said.
"And that's it from me," Archie said.
"You're one of us, though, May. You're always welcome with Team Aqua," Matt said.
"And Team Magma," Tabitha added. Maxie and Archie left, leaving the admins to follow at their leisure.
"…I wish them the best in reconciliation," Steven remarked.
"Steven..." May said.
"May. I appreciate all that you have done. I can only wish you and your friend the best of luck in your future. Whether she goes by Lisia or Melissa… I know she's the girl you deserve," Steven said.
"Steven…" May said. She turned to Lisia, who was looking between May and Steven with a look of wonder on her face.
"…I am the girl Melissa deserves…" May said.
"May… take this," Steven said. May accepted a small flute.
"That Eon Flute is part of the bond between you and your Latias. With it, you will be able to soar the skies anywhere you so choose… and, knowing you, I believe you will find great enjoyment in that," Steven said. Steven turned and walked away, leaving May and Melissa alone with the admins. May turned to them.
*May…* Courtney's voice said. Courtney walked up to May, and smiled.
"Courtney? Are you going to be all right?" May asked.
*Well… as fine as I can be with about 1% humanity. Brendan has offered to be my boyfriend, properly, this time. He's also been rebooting my programming so I'm not one of those super-obedient robot girls…* Courtney said.
"Good for you," May said. Brendan appeared behind her.
"Brendan…" May said.
"May, I know what you're going to say… and you're right…" Brendan said.
"I'm sorry," May said.
"Huh?" Brendan asked.
"I called you pathetic. I treated you as an unredeemable piece of trash. I guess I was wrong. You did have what it takes to realise the error of your ways. And… I guess you did have a good motive…" May said, nervously smiling.
"You mean…" Brendan said.
"I haven't forgiven you, of course. You did try to turn me into a mindless machine. But this is the right track. We may never be true friends… but I want you to learn from your mistakes. Treat Courtney well. She's a great girl," May said.
"May… you're right. And I will. Courtney will get the best I can offer her," Brendan said.
"May… I just wanted to thank you," Shelly said. May turned, to see her and Tabitha walking up, hand in hand.
"Shelly?" May asked.
"Yeah… thanks to you, Team Magma's no big deal anymore. I… I always did like Tabitha…" Shelly said.
"We met each other, we fell in love, and then Dad got these grand ideas of advancing the human condition, and Shelly's adoptive father got the idea of stopping him… it was hard, going up against Shelly," Tabitha said.
"But that's all over now," Shelly said.
"Oh… glad I could help," May said, beaming. She turned to Lisia, and looked at her thoughtfully.
"Oh… May… I don't think you can forgive me…" Lisia said.
"Melissa…" May said absently. Lisia reached up, and took off her Latios Pendant. She held it out to May. May stared at it.
"Melissa… Lisia… it doesn't matter," May said.
"Huh?" Lisia asked.
"That's what Steven was saying, wasn't he? The curious girl that followed me out of Slateport… the contest star, the lost orphan… they were the same girl the whole time, weren't they?" May asked.
"Yeah… that's an odd way to say it…" Lisia said.
"No, it's perfect. Lisia… I befriended you. It doesn't matter that you were another girl at the time. I befriended you. And I will continue to be your friend," May said.
"May…" Lisia said.
"…Come on. I've got two more Ranks to climb," May said, grinning.
After healing and getting a little rest, Lisia resumed her Melissa identity, and led May to the Sootopolis Gym. There, walking in a pool of Water Pokémon, was Wallace.
"Uncle… May would like to challenge you now," Melissa said.
"May… Heroine of the Hoenn region. What a magnificent title, and from your bearings, I can tell that's a title well earned. In spite of your setbacks, you pulled through, and saved the day in the end. Now, as your final opponent before the Pokémon League… I would like to witness your talent on the field of battle!" Wallace said.
Official Gym Challenge! Wallace is challenged by May August!
Wallace sent out a pink Gastrodon, which threw May off guard for the smallest of moments. She regained her ground, and sent out her own blue Gastrodon for the challenge. East Gastrodon performed an Ice Beam attack, striking West Gastrodon and coating it with a thin layer of frost. West Gastrodon easily broke the ice, and launched a Water Pulse at East Gastrodon. East Gastrodon absorbed the strike, using it's Storm Drain to ignore the blow. East Gastrodon repeated its Ice Beam, defeating the West Gastrodon.
"Foolish…" Wallace muttered to himself, sending out Floatzel. Gastrodon jumped up, and performed a Body Slam, sending Floatzel back. Floatzel charged, and bit down with an Ice Fang. Frost coated Gastrodon more effectively than it had covered West Gastrodon, and May made to retreat. As Gastrodon was coated in the red of Poké Balls, Floatzel landed a sneak Pursuit attack, defeating the Gastrodon.
"Oops…" May said, sending out her Arctos. Arctos used a Thunderbolt, paralysing the Floatzel, and then another Thunderbolt to defeat it. Wallace switched to Azumarill in a hurry, the threat of Arctos suddenly jumping up. Azumarill charged in with an Aqua Jet, striking the Fire-type Arctos. Arctos got to her feet, and used an Ice Beam to freeze the floor about her. Azumarill charged, almost unaffected by it, and Arctos quickly used a Flamethrower, the heat minimizing the impact of the frozen patch.
May sent out her Durant on Azumarill. Azumarill charged in with a Superpower, to meet Durant's Iron Head. Durant charged with the Iron Head, sending Azumarill back. Wallace switched to Clawitzer, which used Dark Pulse immediately. Durant crawled under the attack, and jumped up. It used X-Scissor, and jumped back around. Clawitzer fired two Aura Spheres. Durant jumped on one, and jumped off of it to perform another X-Scissor. The second Aura Sphere struck the Durant, defeating it. May switched over to Luxray.
Luxray lunged forward, and used a Thunder Fang, defeating the weakened Clawitzer. Wallace sent out his last Pokémon, Milotic. Milotic let out a gentle coo, and Luxray charged in with a Thunder Fang. Milotic found itself paralysed- a big problem. Milotic's scales glinted, and coated themselves in a thick sheen. Luxray made to repeat the Thunder Fang, only for his teeth to strike poorly.
"What?" Luxray asked.
"Marvellous scales, aren't they?" Milotic asked back.
"…Super Duper Pikachu Strike Mega!" Luxray yelled, calling down a Thunderbolt. Milotic giggled, as the strike did little damage, before Milotic used an Ice Beam to finish the Luxray. May switched to her Sceptile, and Mega Evolved it. Wallace nodded approvingly, and commanded an Ice Beam. Sceptile took it, hanging on by a thread. Sceptile focused, before performing a Giga Drain attack. Energy was drawn from Milotic and into Sceptile, before Sceptile launched a Dragon Pulse. Milotic was down…
The Gym Challenge is now complete! The victor is May August!
"Magnificent… splendid… wonderful! Ah, Lisia had so much to say about you… and I think I've witnessed the proof in her words today! I simply must grant to you the Rain Badge!" Wallace said. May took the Rain Badge, and fitted it into her final slot.
"And with that, you now sit at Rank 9. Any Pokémon will obey your commands without question, regardless of whether or not you obtained them from someone else. And, my personal gift… this HM. It contains the move Waterfall… an elegant, underestimated move that my Rain Badge just so happens to permit you to use outside of battle. Now… all that remains…" Wallace said.
"Rank 10," May said.
"Yes… the tenth rank can only be obtained by clearing the Elite Four's challenge and defeating the Champion. If you wish to attempt this challenge, you must travel to Ever Grande City, passing through Victory Road to the Pokémon League. I'm positive you have what it takes to succeed," Wallace said.
"Thanks…" May said.
May soared on the back of Latias, flying her and Melissa to the Pokémon League. May and Melissa jumped off, and looked up at the building.
"That's…" Melissa said, in awe.
"Yep. Ever Grande City," May said. The two entered the building, and looked around. An elaborately decorated room, with a lot of trainers gathered and talking amongst each other. Melissa was looking around, smiling.
"You like it here?" May asked.
"So this is what battling at the top is?" Melissa asked.
"May!" a voice exclaimed. May turned around, and spotted Steven. She waved, blushing a little, as Steven approached the pair.
"So, are you going to be challenging the Elite Four's Challenge?" Steven asked.
"Y-Y-Yes…" May said, nerves starting to set in. It was sinking in- she was going to reach Rank 10.
"Magnificent! I await your arrival in the Champion's Chamber… oh, but first. Lisia, I'm sorry, but only one person is permitted to take the challenge at any one time," Steven said.
"…I'll be cheering for you from here," Melissa said, awkwardly smiling. She dashed away, and May looked around, surprised.
"Anyway. May, you will face five opponents in sequence. You will be permitted to rest and restore your Pokémon in between matches. It's actually a walk between chambers. In order, you will face the Dark-type expert Sidney, the Ghost-type expert Phoebe, the Ice-type expert Glacia, the Dragon-type expert Drake, before, finally, you will face me, Steven Stone, Steel-type expert. All standard rules apply: you win when you defeat all five of the opponent's Pokémon. You can only use six of your Pokémon per battle. And then there's the complicated stuff like you lose in the case of a tie, only two Pokémon can be put to sleep at a time… you know, the rules that will hardly factor into your strategies, but I have to say them anyway," Steven explained. May nodded. Seemed simple enough.
"May!" Melissa cried out. May turned, to see Melissa with a bulging pouch. May looked inside, to see more Hyper Potions and Revive Crystals than she knew what to do with.
"Really?" May asked.
"I'm a Contest megastar overflowing with money. The least I could do was give you the medicine you'd need. And if you do well, that'll last you quite a while after," Melissa said.
"…Thanks, Melissa," May said. Steven nodded, and walked into the hallway. May walked up behind him, showed off her eight Badges- Stone, Knuckle, Dynamo, Heat, Balance, Feather, Mind and Rain- and followed him.