Chapter 33: False God
May stared at Wallace from across the battlefield with fire in her eyes. Blaziken and Glaceon glared at Milotic and Swampert with the same intensity. The packed crowd roared as soon as Jillian, the Unova contest announcer, declared the start of the match with a five-minute timer. Ash, Serena, and Pikachu watched the faceoff with focus. The three friends knew much was on the line for the coordinator. May knew what she had to do. Losing was not an acceptable choice. The female coordinator would give this battle everything she had.
"I've been waiting a long time for this, May. Show me how far you've come," Wallace pointed at his opponent.
"You're about to find out," May smirked. "Glaceon, fire a Shadow Ball!"
"Gla," Glaceon smirked. The Ice-type charged up a ball almost twice its size. It wasn't holding back any power.
"Milotic, use Safeguard. Swampert, counter Shadow Ball with Ice Beam!" Wallace crossed his arms.
"Miiii," Milotic enveloped itself and Swampert in a green energy that faded after a few seconds. Any chance of May freezing or burning his Pokémon got reduced to zero. Milotic's beautiful display awed the audience, causing May to lose a few points.
Swampert glared at the Shadow Ball. "Swamp!" Swampert unleashed an icy beam of energy.
When the attacks clashed, smoke burst. "Now, Blaziken!" May shouted.
"Blaz!" Blaziken jumped out of the smoke with a surprise Sky Uppercut for Swampert.
"Counter with Focus Blast!" Wallace clenched his teeth.
Before Blaziken could deliver the punch, Swampert gathered a ball of energy to use as a shield against Blaziken's attack. The attacks collided, creating a static between them. "It'll take more than speedy sneak attacks to defeat me," Wallace frowned.
Blaziken and Swampert leaped backward after canceling each other's attack. May and Wallace lost a few points from the clash. "I know. I'm just getting warmed up," May taunted her mentor.
Wallace chuckled, "Enough games. Swampert, use Muddy Water!" Swampert growled when it unleashed a wave of brown water to swallow Glaceon and Blaziken. May's Pokemon braced themselves.
"Glaceon, freeze it with Ice Beam!" May shouted.
Her Ice-type froze the giant wave in its tracks. "Climb over it!" the brunette followed up as soon as the wave became ice. Blaziken and Glaceon ran up the ice to tower over Wallace's Pokémon.
"You took the bait," Wallace smirked.
"What?" May's eyes widened. Before she could do anything, Milotic fired a Dragon Pulse at the frozen wave. The sudden attack left Blaziken and Glaceon falling in the middle of their climb as the ice got destroyed.
"Dual Focus Blast!" Wallace didn't waste his opportunity. Swampert fired two Focus Blasts from its hands. The attack furiously went for Blaziken and Glaceon.
May wouldn't go down so easily. "Blaziken, counter Focus Blast with Flamethrower. Glaceon, create a shield with Ice Beam!" Blaziken and Glaceon regained their composure midfall. Blaziken unleashed a powerful stream of fire that stopped Focus Blast. Glaceon fired an Ice Beam on the ground that grew into a wall of ice. The ice built up high enough to cover Glaceon from Focus Blast. The impact between Glaceon's ice wall and Focus Blast caused ice shards to fall on Wallace's side of the field. Pellets struck Swampert and Milotic, making them wince in slight pain.
May had two-thirds of her points left while Wallace retained three-quarters. Wallace nodded with approval, "I did not expect that. Most impressive, May."
May kept her focus. She knew Wallace was holding back, but then again so was she. "Let's stop playing around, Wallace. If this is our final battle, then let's make it count." The coordinator revealed a Key Stone hanging to a purple-pink earring that matched her contest outfit. The Mega Stone on Blaziken's wristband began to glow with May's Key Stone. The pair became enveloped in a bright energy that captivated the audience.
"This is it," Serena recognized the implications of Mega Evolution.
"Now, the real battle begins," Ash agreed with her.
"Pi," Pikachu had his eyes fixed on the showdown with a stern expression.
Wallace flicked his hair. "Very well then." The Contest Master unveiled the keystone on his ring. It started glowing in sync with Swampert's collar. Wallace and Swampert became enveloped in the same energy as May.
Blaziken and Swampert roared with power as their capabilities reached new heights. When the brightness faded, Mega Swampert and Mega Blaziken fiercely eyed each other down. Even the announcer was at a loss for words over the display of talent and power that stood before them. It would be a contest battle for the ages.
"Swampert, Earth Power!" Wallace's Swampert slammed the ground. Just as the earth underneath Glaceon and Blaziken prepared to burst, May's Pokémon used their attacks to propel themselves into the air. The countermeasure cost Wallace points, which caused him to grunt.
"Glaceon, get on Blaziken's back. Blaziken, use Blaze Kick!" May instructed. After using Ice Beam to propel itself upward, Glaceon made sure to fall on Blaziken's back. The icy feline held on tight as Blaziken somersaulted with a fiery talon.
"Ash, I think May is…" Serena's eyes grew with amazement.
"She's repeating her technique from yesterday, but with more power," Ash had a flashback to when Blaziken used Blaze Kick on Pikachu.
"Ken!" Blaziken's talon hit the ground so hard it cracked the earth, and chunks flew into the air. A powerful burst of flames spread in all directions of the battlefield.
Wallace nodded his head sideways. "Fancy trick, but you're dealing with water Pokémon. Swampert, provide cover with Muddy Water!"
Swampert slammed the ground, unleashing another round of dirty water to counter the approaching flames. The powerful wave clashed with the storm of fire, creating steam. "Milotic, fire Hydro Pump!" Wallace commanded.
Milotic fired Hydro Pump, but instead of focusing on a single direction, it controlled the pressurized water by firing it across the battlefield. "Glaceon, use Mirror Coat!" May ordered.
Wallace's eyes widened when he saw the bright glow amongst the steam. May's Glaceon fired the Hydro Pump back at Milotic, sending the beautiful sea serpent back with slight damage. With Hydro Pump no longer serving as an obstacle, Blaziken used its quick speed to travel across the battlefield. It hid amongst the steam with Swampert as its target.
The Contest Master glared at the field. "If you think you are the only one who can use the field to their advantage, you're sadly mistaken. Swampert, use Earth Power!" Swampert made the entire field burst this time.
May gasped. She didn't realize Swampert was capable of unleashing that much power. The burst of power sent Blaziken and Glaceon flying into the air. Without announcing his move, Wallace snapped his fingers. Milotic fired two sets of Dragon Pulse at May's Pokémon. Unfortunately, Blaziken and Glaceon didn't have time to pull themselves together and blasted away.
The steam on the battlefield finally dispersed, revealing Blaziken and Glaceon in their injured states. The pair winced in pain as they got back up. May was down to a quarter of her points, while Wallace had half. The timer reached the halfway mark.
"C'mon, May!" Serena shouted at her friend. She clenched her fists. The performer started to get nervous for her friend.
"Wallace doesn't know what you're capable of. Show him!" Ash added to Serena's encouragement.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu screamed at the top of his lungs in support, too.
May looked at them with a tense expression. She looked at the points and time left. I don't know if I can reduce Wallace's points in time. My only hope is to take Swampert and Glaceon out. The brunette started to break a sweat.
Wallace extended his arm forward, "Swampert, use Focus Blast. Milotic, use Hydro Pump!" His Pokémon fired their attacks in unison, spiraling together to make an orangish-bluish combination.
"Glaceon, use Mirror Coat!" May's Glaceon provided Blaziken with some cover.
"Readjust the trajectory, Milotic," Wallace scowled. Suddenly, the combination attack swerved around Glaceon to fire Blaziken.
"It can do that?!" Serena's stomach dropped. Ash clenched his teeth. Wallace appeared to dominate the battle at every turn.
May kept her cool. There's only one way to counter that, May clenched her fist. "Blaziken, use Sky Uppercut to knock it back!" Her Blaziken remained equally calm when the attack came for him. Using its mega energy, Blaziken crouched under the beam, then knocked it into the air with a Sky Uppercut.
"What?!" Wallace didn't believe even Mega Blaziken had enough power to strike the combination. Blaziken delivered the attack back to Milotic and Swampert with a carefully maneuvered strike. Wallace's Pokémon cried in pain as they suffered from the hard-hitting combination. The Contest Master's points fell to a third.
His apprentice smirked at him, "How'd you like that?"
Wallace knew the devastating damage it cost his Pokémon, so he strategically made his next move. "Milotic, use Aqua Ring," Wallace became stern. Milotic got encircled in three rings of water as droplets gradually healed some of its wounds. They were adding the pressure with Milotic's self-healing capabilities.
"You can recover all you want, but it won't be enough. I have you figured out," May warned her master.
"Perhaps, but I won't let you gain the edge. Swampert, rapid-fire Focus Blast!" Wallace shouted, lifting his arm in the air.
"Pert!" Wallace's Mega Pokémon unleashed a volley of Focus Blast at May's Pokémon.
Thanks to Blaziken's superior speed, it easily dodged the barrage. Glaceon would appear to have more difficulty avoiding the assault, but May had a strategy. "Glaceon, use Ice Beam on the field!"
"Ceon!" Glaceon used Ice Beam on the field, allowing the feline to slide on the battlefield and dodge the volley much faster.
"She's doing it!" Serena cheered, clasping her hands together.
"Keep it up, May!" Ash's eyes brightened.
Wallace groaned, "Milotic, add pressure with a Hydro Pump." Milotic unleashed the powerful water attack.
"Freeze it with Ice Beam!" May screamed. Glaceon aimed at the incoming attack. The Ice-type mustered enough power to freeze the Hydro Pump solid. "Now, slide!" May stretched her arm forward.
The Contest Master gasped when it saw Glaceon slide on the frozen Hydro Pump toward Milotic with accelerated speed. "Still trying to have your Glaceon take my Milotic head-on, will you ever learn? Swampert, aim Focus Blast on Glaceon!" Wallace readjusted his target. He'd jog May's memory to prove his Pokemon were more powerful than Glaceon.
"Your fight is with Blaziken!" May reminded him. Before Swampert could fire at Glaceon, Blaziken lunged between them. Blaziken used Blaze Kick in quick succession to kick back the volley of Focus Blast. It was coming down to the wire now with a minute left. Wallace led May with just a slight number of points.
Glaceon successfully reached Milotic, making the Water-type's eyes widen. "Shadow Ball!" May punched her fist forward. Glaceon charged and delivered a point-blank Shadow Ball at the serpent. The blast was so powerful it sent Milotic crashing against the wall with swirled eyes.
Wallace's jaw dropped, but he had no time to recall his Pokémon yet. The clash between Mega Swampert and Mega Blaziken was reaching its climax. The Contest Master clenched his teeth over how close range they were. There was no time to push it back with Earth Power or Muddy Water. "Swampert, send Blaziken back with a full-powered Focus Blast!" Wallace shouted.
"Blaziken put everything you have into Sky Uppercut!" May screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Blaziken!" Mega Blaziken became encircled in a fiery aura as it built up power on its fist.
"Swampert!" Mega Swampert got encircled by a blue aura as it charged up Focus Blast.
"Do it, May!" Ash and Serena simultaneously yelled.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu closed its eyes, crying as loud as it could.
The crowd erupted in a frenzy as things came to a head. Swampert's Focus Blast collided with Blaziken's Sky Uppercut. A violent spark formed in the collision as both Pokémon grunted at each other. Neither intended on losing.
"Blaziken," May clenched her fists.
"Swampert," Wallace clenched his teeth.
"Win!" the coordinators demanded the same thing.
An explosion of white energy erupted between the Hoenn starters. It blinded the coordinators and the audience. Ash, Serena, Pikachu, the judges, the announcer, and everyone else watching were at the edge of their seats, even from home. People around the world witnessed the epic conclusion to a legendary performance. May's family watched with nervous eyes from Petalburg City. Brock, Misty, and Dawn observed the clash on a T.V. in a Pokémon Center. Clemont and Bonnie watched from a screen in the Lumiose Tower. Friends May had yet to meet watched as well, including Iris and Cilan. Her former lover, Drew, watched with Harley and Solidad from Sinnoh, too. There was anxiety in every viewer's eyes.
When the light faded and the dust settled, the outcome revealed itself. The buzzers from Nurse Joy, Raoul Contesta, and Mr. Sukizo went off. Blaziken and Swampert lay on the ground, reverting to their normal forms after knocking each other out. Glaceon remained the only one standing. "Swampert and Milotic are unable to battle. Therefore, the victory goes to May!" Jillian declared.
"She did it!" Ash, Serena, and Pikachu embraced in a group hug. The crowd erupted with cheer for the coordinator. May officially defeated her mentor, Contest Master Wallace.
May stood in disbelief. The win she had long craved was hers. Glaceon helped Blaziken walk as they slowly approached May. The girl started crying tears of joy when the reality hit her. She ran to her Pokémon to embrace them. "Blaziken, Glaceon, I owe this all to you. Thank you so much," the sapphire-eyed girl cried into Blaziken's chest. Glaceon purred against her leg while Blaziken had his arm around her.
Wallace returned his defeated Pokémon. He acknowledged how proud he was of their performance. Then he put their balls away. The Contest Master admired May from a distance, noticing Jillian walk up to her.
"May, do you have any words for the viewers tonight after such an astounding performance?!" Jillian handed the microphone to May.
The brunette nodded when she received the mic. She stroked her bangs away from her face. May's sapphire eyes glistened, her eyes fixated on Ash, Serena, and Pikachu. The girl took a deep breath, "I know many of you have watched me grow and supported me through thick and thin. Tonight was no different. So, I want to dedicate this victory to the people who had my back this whole time. I made it here because of you. Thank you," May gave the audience a nod, but her eyes still focused on her friends. Ash, Serena, and Pikachu warmly smiled at her. The audience clapped, whistled, and chanted her name with praise. When the noise settled, May continued speaking. "The other thing I'd like to share with everyone is important because it's a decision that's been a long time coming. I still intend to compete in Pokémon Contests and perform wherever I can but as a private citizen. As of tonight, I'm officially retiring from my public role."
There were gasps and whispers from the crowd over the unexpected announcement. There was a mix of joy and disappointment. Everyone knew May's decision would mean they'd see less of her on their T.V.s or social media accounts. "My fans, my friends, my family, you continue to mean the world to me, so I'll never forget any of you. I know we'll continue to cross paths in this great big world, so don't be sad," she smiled. Some viewers were visibly crying over her words. "As a heads up, if we bump into each other, please remember to be polite. Blaziken doesn't take kindly to public harassment."
"Ken!" Blaziken warned the audience. The female coordinator giggled and lovingly eyed her starter. The audience laughed as her remarks lightened up the mood.
"No, seriously. Good night, everybody!" May cheered, dropping the mic and waving goodbye to the audience with her arm wrapped around Blaziken. The crowd roared her name again when May walked backstage with Wallace and her Pokémon. The performer delivered an epic exit.
Behind the curtains, Wallace and May stopped to talk. The Contest Master smiled at her, "May, I'm proud of you. You continue to make your own path in the world. I admire it."
May bowed at him with her Pokémon, "Thank you, Wallace. It's all I wanted."
Wallace nodded with a soft grin, "I'm sorry for how hard I pushed you all these years. I wanted to unlock your potential, but I see now that the only one who can do that is you. Please forgive me for my mistakes."
"Everything I've become is thanks to you. Yes, it was hard, and sometimes I was upset at you for it. Nonetheless, I got my freedom back because of what I put up with. The past is done, and I don't know what the future will bring, so my focus is on becoming better in the present," May accepted his apology.
Wallace chuckled, "You've become quite the remarkable woman. The council made a wise choice in letting you go."
"Why did they allow it?" May wondered. The question puzzled her for some nights now.
Wallace crossed his arms, "After your performance in Laverre City in support of the endeavor to rebuild Kalos, we recognized that you performed in a way we hadn't witnessed in a long time. At times the council may act inconsiderate, but it hates wasting talent. They realized that you can do more for the industry by becoming independent. You are meant for greatness, and we have no right to hold you back from that."
"I see, it was about time," May jested. The Contest Master and the top coordinator laughed. Then the brunette wondered, "What will you do next?"
"Lisia has been up and coming in Hoenn. It appears she's ready to carry on the torch of our family legacy. She's been eagerly waiting to be my pupil for a while," Wallace thought of his energetic niece.
May acknowledged Wallace's plan with a nod. "Then, I wish you good luck," the sapphire-eyed coordinator reached her hand out.
"As to you, May. Our paths will cross again," Wallace shook her hand. He thanked her for all she taught him, surprising the young girl. "Teaching goes both ways. Remember that if you ever have an apprentice," Wallace smiled. May thought of Serena in that moment.
"Man, this is awesome. Thanks for the food, May!" Ash spoke between gulps of food. He was grabbing everything he could with two forks in hand.
"My pleasure!" May smiled. She didn't mind his impolite habit.
"Remember to breathe, Ash," Serena joked, making Pikachu and Serena laugh while Ash slowed his pace.
They got treated to an "all you can eat" in Castelia City's premier restaurant by the owner in celebration of May's victory, so Ash was taking as much advantage of it as he could. "Serena, you have to try the noodles here. One of the former gym leaders of Striaton City and his brothers helped establish this restaurant, so you can't miss out," May happily urged the performer to eat more.
"No wonder the taste seems familiar," Ash revealed that he traveled with Cilan.
"I'll definitely order that next!" Serena eagerly announced.
Suddenly, a little girl politely approached May. "Excuse me, Ms. May, may I take a picture with you?" the little red-haired girl held her Rotom phone.
"Why, of course!" May was delighted to oblige.
Serena and Ash admired the child's politeness with warm smiles. The little one pointed to Pikachu, "Do you mind if your Pikachu is in it, too?"
"Pi?" Pikachu tilted its head. It was too distracted by a ketchup bottle to acknowledge what the girl requested.
"Actually, he belongs to my friend but-," May sheepishly grinned.
Ash interjected before May could say anything else, "Go for it. Pikachu would be happy to take a picture with you and May, right pal?"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu joyfully agreed.
"Yay!" the child celebrated. The little girl looked at her mom at the other table, "My mom will take the picture, so do you mind coming with me?"
"Not at all," May stood up. She grabbed the little girl's hand so she could lead the way. Pikachu hopped on May's shoulder. Then they walked to the girl's table.
It was just Ash and Serena for a minute. Now or never, Serena, the performer said in her mind. Ash seemed too busy stuffing his face to acknowledge her pensive expression. He didn't pay attention to her until she spoke to him. "Ash, there's something I'd like to talk to you about," Serena gave him a gentle gaze.
Ash lifted his eyebrow, "Sure, Serena. About what?"
"Meet me outside the Pokémon Center after everyone has gone to bed, tonight. We'll talk then," the girl from Vaniville Town instructed.