Chapter 124: Battle Time!

The very next day was the finale of the Wallace Cup. Everyone crammed into the stadium, excited to see the final bout.

"Man, this will be awesome!" Dawn said.

"Who do you think will win?" Asked Zoey.

"Serena for sure," Ash added his two cents in.

"No doubt," Calem nodded. At last, Serena and Lisia entered the stadium as May began her remarks.

"Well folks, it's been one interesting Wallace Cup this year, but now it's time for the finale! But it's bound to be a good one as our final two battle it out! So give a big hand for Lisia and Serena!"

The crowd went wild as the two coordinators rose up from beneath the stage. After shaking hands, the two went to opposite sides of the battlefield.

"Alright, this will be a 1-on-1 winner takes all battle! Can I have minutes on the clock, please?"

The screen changed to a battle screen, with points beneath their pictures and a clock.

"Alright then, send out your Pokemon!"

"Go, Altaria!"

"Delphox, I choose you!"

"Battle begin!"

"Delphox, use Hidden Power!"

"Cotton Guard!"

"Flamethrower!"

Altaria poofed up her wings and threw them around her, ready to take the hit. But Delphox also threw in a Flamethrower, the two attacks hitting Altaria with a dazzling display, making the Dragon type reel back as her points diminished.

"Nice Serena, but that won't work twice! Disarming Voice, Altaria!"

"Mystical Fire!"

Altaria screeched, sending out sonic waves towards Delphox, who blew them away with a single breath of fire, dazzling the audience with the display.

"Lisia's doing her best, but it's like Serena can read her mind! Can she pull off a win?"

"Can, and will! Altaria, use Draco Meteor!"

"Light Screen, followed by Future Sight!"

Delphox quickly raised a shield around her, giving her a little extra protection as she prepared her future attack, finishing just in time for the barrier to break and her to get hit, making Serena's points plummet.

"Now Altaria, Moonblast!"

"Will-O-Wisp!"

With a flick of her wand, Delphox created five small fireballs to act as shields, blocking Altaria's attack with a brilliant display of light.

"Altaria, Dragon Rush!"

"Fire Blast!"

The two attacks collided in the middle of the battlefield, dispersing in a beautiful array of colors. This gave Serena the edge in points, but also left Delphox wide open for attack, something Lisia would be quick to take advantage of.

"Alright Altaria, go in for Aerial Ace!"

Altaria swooped high into the air, gaining great height before swooping down towards the ground towards the immobile. Serena watched as Altaria got closer and closer…

BOOM!

Suddenly, a huge explosion hit Altaria, knocking her off course and preventing her attack.

"Incredible!" May gasped in awe. "Serena's Future Sight saved her Delphox from taking a hit! But will it be enough?"

"Not bad," Lisia complimented. "But not good enough! Altaria, use Dragon Rush!"

"Mystical Fire!"

Altaria sped forward, Draconic energy building around her as she got closer. Delphox, having recovered from her Fire Blast, quickly launched a big wall of fire at her, but that only slowed her down. The two met head on, covering the arena in a huge cloud of smoke. When the dust settled, both Pokemon were still standing strong, but the scoreboard told a different story. While Serena still had a small slither of points left, Lisia was all out.

"And there we have it, folks! After a tough battle, Serena is the one taking home the Aqua Ribbon! But let's hear it one more time for all of our competitors!"

As the audience cheered one last time, Serena and Lisia shook hands in the middle.

"Wow Serena, you've really grown! I can't wait to see what you're like in your next Contest!"

Serena smiled.

"Thanks, Lisia. I hope we see each other again."

"Oh, you can count on that! There's no way I'm taking this loss sitting down! The minute I'm done in Sinnoh, I'm coming after you."

"I look forward to it!"

"YES!" Calem shouted in excitement. "That's my girl! I knew she could do it!"

Everyone around him just shook their heads in amusement. Nonetheless, they were just as happy for Serena as he was.

"She was awesome!" Dawn said.

"Totally," Chloe agreed.

"She deserved it," Lillie added. "You can tell her and her Pokemon worked really hard on their performance."

The next day, it was time for everyone to head their separate ways.

"So, what's your next stop?" Ash asked.

"We're heading back to Kalos," Calem said. "I'm going to try the Kalos League next!"

"And I want to talk to the Showcase Committee about Pokemon Contests," Serena added. "I think there's a way for us to merge the two together."

"Well we need to get back to Sinnoh," Dawn said. "I've got a Contest to host in a week."

"A contest I'm going to win!" Zoey interjected. Dawn rolled her eyes, and kissed her.

"I love the confidence, but don't overdo it, babe."

"Sorry."

"We need to get back to Vermillion City," Chloe finished. "Now that we've met all of Eevee's evolutions, I can finish my report!"

"Good luck," Serena said. "And remember what I told you about your dreams."

"I will, thanks."

Calem and Ash shook hands.

"Sorry I was kind of a jerk to you," Calem said sheepishly. "I get kind of jealous sometimes."

"That's alright," Ash waved it off. "I'm just glad Serena found somebody like you."

Afterwards, Ash and Serena shared a big hug.

"Good luck in the World Coronation Series, Ash," she told him. "I know you have what it takes to go all the way."

"Thanks, Serena," Ash said. "And I just know you'll be Kalos Queen someday."

"Hey, wait!"

Everyone turned to see May running towards them.

"You didn't think I'd let you go without saying goodbye, did you?"

Ash chuckled, and gave her a hug.

"Of course not! You were an awesome host, May. They should let you do it more."

"Well, you'll be getting your wish!" May said. "The Commission thought so as well, and asked me to be the new permanent host for Hoenn Contests! You'll be seeing a lot more of me soon."

"I can't wait!"

"And Chloe," May continued. "Dawn showed me your performance in the Eterna City Contest. You were awesome, you should consider being a Coordinator full time."

"I'll think about it," Chloe promised.

"Well, I have to catch a plane to Unova," May said. "Max just won the league, and there's no way I'm going to miss his run against the Elite Four!"

"Tell him we said good luck!"

And so, with their next destinations in mind, our heroes left the Wallace Cup behind them, ready for whatever adventure found them next.