More and more on the way... I don't own Pokemon for various reasons...

This is it… after all the cheering… after coming this far… it has come down to this…

"Let the finals begin!"

This is my chance to prove to him…

"Sceptile! Use quick attack to get in close range!"

That I'm not just someone who can win contests…

"Blaziken! Use a Flamethrower to stop it in its tracks!"

That I'm not a weakling…

"Dodge and continue to use Quick Attack!"

That I can beat him…

"Ignite your claws and hit him with a Fire Punch!"

That I can win.

Brendan narrowed his eyes as Sceptile and Blaziken collided head on. A smoke cloud rose up from the impact. The trainers stared silently as the smoke cleared, the two Pokemon locked in place.

"Knock her away with a Leaf Blade!" Brendan yelled. Sceptile gave a furious swipe, knocking Blaziken back. It dug its claws into the ground as it went backwards.

"Use Flamethrower!" May yelled. Blaziken shot out an enormous Flamethrower in a large cone. Brendan stared intensely at her as the flames consumed the arena. May looked in surprise as no trace of Sceptile was found after the attack.

"Where is he?" May asked, looking around. She gasped as a silhouette appeared in the sun.

"Strike down with a False Swipe!" Brendan yelled. Sceptile dove sharply, sending both blades down. Blaziken barely dodged as the blades hit the ground, causing a large cut in the arena.

"Blaziken use Sky Uppercut!" May yelled. Blaziken shot forward, knocking Sceptile into the air. Sceptile widened its eyes as Blaziken reappeared above him. "Seismic Toss!"

"Sceptile! Use Sword Dance!" Brendan yelled. Sceptile nodded and shifted his weight, pulling Blaziken into his position. He then rotated quickly, turning the Seismic Toss into a pile driver. May widened her eyes.

"Slow your descent with a Flamethrower!" She yelled. A small explosion of dust appeared as the two Pokemon hit the ground, spinning in a green tornado. Both trainers held their breath, waiting.

"May… you've gotten a lot better…" Brendan said softly.

"I'm going to win this time, Brendan, You can count on it." May said in determination. Brendan softened his eyes as he looked at her, a small smile appearing on his face. The dust cleared, both Pokemon seemingly exhausted.

"Blaziken! Charge and use Fire Punch!" May yelled. Blaziken charged and attacked Sceptile, who fell back from the blow. It growled as it opened its eyes- it seemed to have lost the will to fight.

"…" May stared at Brendan, who blush lightly. He turned away, looking at the ground. May's eyes widened, a realization hitting her like a brick wall. Brendan was giving up…

He lost the will to fight… He's just going to stand there…

May clenched her fist.

This battle is not an epic battle to him…

She closed her eyes, her body trembling.

but a battle between friends… a battle of friendship…

She opened them, and stared at him softly.

A battle he didn't want.

"Brendan! Since when were you a quitter? I'll never forgive you if you loose on purpose!" May yelled angrily. She frowned slightly as Brendan looked up at her.

"May… I-"

"Brendan… it's alright… there's nothing to loose in this battle... nothing but pride..." May said softly. Brendan looked at her in surprise. She smiled softly in reply. "So please… battle me as Brendan… and not the quitter in front of me…"

"May… thank you…" His eyes snapped as his Sceptile rose, a green aura radiating from it. May watched in surprise as it jumped up with a Leaf Blade. Blaziken jumped as Sceptile landed, its Leaf Blade cracking the arena in half. May smiled softly as her Blaziken landed next to her, looking bewildered.

"Thank you Brendan… for not giving up." May said softly. Her eyes snapped as a red aura started radiating from Blaziken. The two trainers smiled at each other.

"Whatever happens…" Brendan said as Sceptile charged itself. Its claws ignited as its eyes glowed.

"…nothing will change." May said. Blaziken charged in, its own claws ignited.

The two Pokemon ran at each other, their auras bursting with elemental energy. Their attacks collided, sending a massive explosion throughout the arena. Brendan and May closed their eyes, smiling.

"Our friendship will stay strong."

Fin