Hey, all! This is the last chapter. I decided to draw it to a close with one more mission. I hope you all enjoyed the story. Thanks for your support! I hope you all enjoy this last chapter.

Chapter 7: A Duel

When Team Crush Fang got back to the guild, they made a very important announcement having to do with their adventure on Mt. Mistral. Word of it spread like wildfire, and it eventually reached the ears of Team Razor Wind. Zangoose growled, "I know I approved them being together, but I didn't think they'd go this far so soon! That snake!"

"Zangoose, it's not a big deal," Scyther tried to soothe his leader. "Tell him, Sandslash!"

"I should probably write to Linoone. I think she misses me," Sandslash commented to himself, not listening to the conversation. "You say something, Scyther?"

"Never mind," Scyther mumbled.

"I should at least see if he's worthy of her. Reputation alone won't cut it," Zangoose decided.

Thus, Zangoose had written a formal challenge letter. He was going to challenge Seviper to a duel in Landslide Cave. That was the plan.

Chimchar had given Seviper a letter addressed to him the very next morning. Razara was shocked when she took it from Seviper and read it for herself. She groaned, "Ugh! He's probably just being a big baby because I chose a Seviper as my life mate. Seviper, you really can't go through with this."

"I think it sssoundsss like fun," Seviper disagreed, which caused Razara to fall over in shock. "What? He wantsss a fight. I'll give him a fight."

"You're out of your mind! We just decided to be together forever! I don't want my mate and my brother killing each other!" Razara protested.

"We won't take it that far," Seviper assured, trying to mask the doubt in his voice.

Reluctantly, Razara accompanied her newlywed to the site of the battle. The terms of the duel were just her brother versus her lover. No outside assistance from either team. It was a battle of leaders based on an instinctive hatred.

The battle began. Seviper launched his signature Poison Fang. He struck his opponent, but since Zangoose was immune to poison, Seviper's signature move was only dealing damage. It wasn't slowing Zangoose down in the slightest. Zangoose then launched a Crush Claw, hitting Seviper, who regained his composure and went in for a Poison Tail attack, jabbing at Zangoose with his blade-like tail. Back and forth, the attacks flew. The two rival Pokémon were blurs in their intense fight. Scyther and Sandslash were blown away by how fiercely their leader was fighting. The two opponents just kept striking each other, and neither was willing to give an inch.

Zangoose struck Seviper with a Slash and demanded, "Why have you taken my sister as your life mate? Do you truly love her?!"

"With all my heart, I do!" Seviper hissed and used Bite to clamp Zangoose's tail in his sharp teeth.

Razara trembled in her place as she watched. She prayed that they wouldn't tear each other to shreds, but the end of the battle was nowhere in sight. The continuous jabbing and clawing and cutting and biting resulted in bloodshed on both sides, but still they fought. It was enough to make the female Zangoose burst into tears and shout, "Stop! Stop it!"

Suddenly, a small, blue, bespectacled Riolu got between the Poison- and Normal-type Pokémon and broke up the duel with a double Force Palm. It was none other than the Poké Pals' Thomas the Riolu. He was accompanied by, shockingly, the legendary Pokémon Mew. Thomas said to the two duelists, "Look at yourselves. I know it's only in your genes, and I respect that completely, but isn't this a little excessive? You're both bleeding from Arceus-knows-where, neither of you have the energy to fight anymore, and the lady said 'stop'."

"I sssuppossse we did get a little carried away," Seviper hissed.

"Yeah…" Zangoose muttered in agreement.

"But you did prove that the Master's intuition is right on the money again," Thomas added. "For that, you get a gold star!"

"Hey, Seviper, I…I should not have judged you so quickly. And I'm sorry about the eye thing. You are worthy of my sister. Maybe overly worthy," Zangoose chuckled weakly.

"She'sss a ssstrong girl," Seviper commented. "I guessss I know why now."

"Thanks. Take good care of her," Zangoose requested.

"Naturally," Seviper assured.

"That was a splendid fight. I'd love to see you two have a rematch," Mew commented playfully. The legendary Pokémon seemed very enthused by the battle. "I don't think I've been this excited about battling since I fought the Poké Pals for the Grass Cornet! Now, that was something spectacular! But I still think it's strange that Thomas is suddenly a Riolu. My belief is that he was no longer needed in the form of a Turtwig, so some divine power turned him into a Riolu."

"This form better suits me anyway," the Riolu commented. "I mean, I'm used to walking and running on two legs. I can hold stuff easier. Plus, I have a really cool tail! Being a Riolu is awesome!"

"Well, as long as it's satisfying," Mew giggled.

"Y-you're the legendary Mew," Razara gazed at the playfully pink feline in awe. Knees knocking, Razara then exclaimed, "It's my dream to meet you!"

"Well, I'm flattered," Mew giggled. "I've heard about you, Razara. This doesn't suit what I've heard about you."

"I'm sorry. A lot just happened in a short amount of time…" Razara sniffled and realized that her tears were still falling from when the duel was taking place. "I'm so happy that I get to have both my brother and my lover…"

"That was some duel, huh, Sandslash? Sandslash?" Scyther asked, awaiting a response. With an empty pause lasting seven seconds, he spoke up. "Sandslash!"

"Present!" Sandslash exclaimed, coming out of a daydream. "That was a good daydream…hey, Scyther, have you ever thought about growing a beard?"

"I don't think I can," Scyther admitted.

"I'm so happy!" Razara embraced Seviper, crying tears of joy. "Don't worry, Brother. I won't make you an uncle too soon."

"I'm happy to hear that," Zangoose sighed in relief. "Well, Seviper, that was a great battle, and you have your reward. Feel free to add the points to your rank."

"Thanksss," Seviper hissed his thanks, "brother-in-law."

"What a touching ending!" Mew commented cheerfully.

The end