A ferry sound was heard as a yacht floated across the water. Sky stood on the boat's upper deck as the boy looked out. The island of Mt. Aries was slowly getting farther and farther away as the boy managed to be successful in his latest win to secure his fourth badge. However, as great as his win was, his mind trailed to what happened after the large public win.

(Flashback)

Sky and Princess Skystar were shown sitting on a private balcony in the royal family's palace. The girl was sitting on a ledge, looking at the town square, with the boy standing a few meters behind her. The princess had a flower in her hand, which matched the one she wore in her hair.

"So… you're leaving?"

"Yeah," responded Sky, as it was clear his decision to go didn't sit well with the princess. He walked toward the ledge as he sat down beside the girl. "I'm sorry that I can't stay. But… princess understand… I have my own dreams to accomplish. And I can't do that if… I stay here."

The girl didn't seem to like that as she clutched the flower a bit tightly, damaging the petals. Sky could see how his words affected the princess as he carefully touched her shoulder. Skystar reacted to the boy's touch as she turned to look at him before his hand trailed down her arm and grabbed her hand, holding the flower.

"I know you aren't happy that I turned down your offer, but this is something I need to do."

"I get it," sighed the girl. "I just… you made me feel something that no other person has done, Sky. And for that… I hope you do qualify for the league. Because I want to see you there myself." smiled the princess.

"I will."

"Promise?"

"I promise," said Sky with a smile.

The princess couldn't help but return the expression as she leaned in and kissed the boy's lips; he was caught off guard by the girl's actions before she pulled back.

"Good luck. I'll be waiting for you at the Equestrian League," said Skystar.

(End of Flashback)

Sky continued to watch the island before he was interrupted by a voice.

"You good, sugarcube?" asked Applejack as she appeared.

The boy turned to eye the country gal as he smiled before taking a seat. The girl accompanied the boy as they both stared at the fading island.

"Just saying goodbye is all. How's your stomach?"

"The Queen gave me some herbal medicine to quell my seasickness. So far, so good," said Aj, as she was in much better condition than when they first arrived on the island.

"Well, that's good news," responded the boy.

Once the ship arrived at the docks, crew members restocked supplies before returning to the road. Now that the pair had won their recent gym challenge, they were halfway to qualifying for the Equestrian League. The next gym the pair would need to challenge was in a village called the Dragon Lands. From the information that Twilight provided, it seemed to be a place where people called Dragon Masters lived and tamed/raised all sorts of different Dragon-type Pokémon.

The group was currently stopped for lunch as most of the Pokémon were out and about, playing with each other. Applejack was kneeling before a pot while checking on the stew she was putting together. As for Twilight and Rarity, the former cut up some vegetables while the latter set the table.

"Thank you so much, Delcatty," said Rarity to her Pokémon as it gave a response.

"Alright, y'all! Soup's nearly ready."

"Good. Spike. Spike! Spike!" shouted Twilight, calling out to her little brother, but didn't seem to get a response. "Where is he?"

"Last I saw the little fella, he was with Sky. Said they would pick some berries for the Pokémon," responded the country gal.

"Then where are they?" wondered the bookworm.

While the two boys had initially gone off searching for some berries for the Pokémon, Sky got distracted when he came face to face with a Wild Pokémon. Spike was off to the side as he watched the older boy deal with a Pokémon with a rock-hard head and stubby arms. It had light yellow around the ears, lower jaw, and underside. It also had visible ear holes and two visible teeth. The pair had come across this Pokémon when they saw it jump off a nearby cliff and land face-first into the ground before it tumbled down the hill. They were concerned for the Pokémon as they approached where it landed, but the Pokémon got up as if it wasn't unfazed by the fall it had just taken. Amazed by how it showed no fear, Sky knew he had to try and catch it.

"Bagon, the Rock Head Pokémon. Its steel-hard head can shatter boulders. It longingly hopes for wings to grow so it can fly."

"So that's a Bagon, eh? Sounds strong. This seems perfect for my sixth Pokémon!" said the boy as he began to pull out a Pokéball.

Bagon then turned as he looked to go back to jumping off some cliffs.

"Hey, wait!" shouted Sky as he held the Pokéball.

He then began to give chase after the Pokémon with Spike following suit. The two boys were now trying to corner the Bagon so that Sky could have a chance at catching it. However, the pair weren't the only ones in this forest catching something.

"Swi-nub!" exclaimed a Pokémon.

A small brown, hairy Pokémon fired an ice attack as it surrounded its opponent's base, where it couldn't move because its limbs were trapped in ice.

"Nice work, Swinub. We caught a Ninjask!" said Sunset as she was about to throw a Pokéball to capture the insect.

The girl threw the Pokéball as it was coming straight at the bug. At that moment, a scream was heard as Spike came sliding down the hilltop and got in the same of Sunset's capture as the ball smacked him in the face. The bacon-haired teen was surprised that her shot had been blocked as Spike landed on the bug, breaking the ice encasing it. The boy sat up and rubbed his head while the Ninjask was dazed before it shook it off and looked at the small human.

"A Pokémon. Huh? Hey, wait up!" called out Spike as Ninjask began to fly away.

"Hey, kid!" shouted Sunset as Spike turned to look at her.

"Huh? What?"

"Heads up, just so you know, people normally don't end up getting caught by Pokéballs," stated the girl, not pleased that she lost the chance to catch Ninjask due to Spike getting in the way.

"Sorry about that. Did I keep you from catching that?" chuckled the boy sheepishly.

"Yeah, big time."

"Spike, you good!"

At the sound of hearing that voice, Sunset turned, and Sky jumped down.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," responded the boy.

"Hey, a Swinub!" said Sky, pulling out his Pokédex.

"Swinub, the Pig Pokémon. It rubs its snout on the ground to find and dig up food. It sometimes discovers hot springs."

"Aren't you cute?" said Sky as he bent down and looked to pet the small thing.

"Swinub, return!" said Sunset as she recalled her Pokémon, taking Sky aback a bit.

The boy looked up, now face to face with the girl he hadn't seen.

"Sunset…"

"You're still around?" scoffed the girl, as she'd long forgotten Sky since their tag battle back in Canterlot City. "Next time, kid, stay out of my face."

"Okay, sorry," apologized Spike.

"Hey, Sunset. I already got four badges. How many do you have?" asked Sky.

"That's none of your business!" barked the girl as she began to walk away.

"In that case, why don't we have a battle? This time, I'll beat you for sure."

"Please… having a battle with you won't help my Pokémon get stronger. What a waste of time."

"What's the matter? You're scared I'll beat you decisively?" barked the boy as Sunset stopped.

"Me? Scared? As if, but… if you're so deadset on me embarrassing you again, then be my guest!" stated the girl as she turned and set her backpack on the ground. "How about five on five? Best three out of five wins."

"Hey, I'm up for any battle!" stated Sky.

"And I'm not up for wasting my time. So let's do this and get it over with!" barked the girl.

The two took their positions as Spike and Goomy were seated on a log off to the side. The two small beings were now going to watch the battle between the two rivals as it was sure to be one to remember.

"Meganium, show no mercy!" shouted Sunset as she called on her chosen Pokémon.

"Noctowl, I choose you!" said the boy as he threw out his first Pokémon.

The boy's owl appeared as it gave a sound before flapping before its trainer.

"A flying type has an advantage over a grass type," commented Spike as Goomy also responded.

"Meganium, Petal Blizzard!"

"Air Slash!"

Meganium charged the flower around its neck as it shot rose petals forward. Noctowl began to channel its energy as it fired a streak of wind. The two attacks clashed as they were equal in power, based on how Spike had to cover up using his left arm.

"Wow!" said Spike as Goomy struggled to stick on the log, not to fly away.

"Noctowl, use Hypnosis!" instructed the boy.

"Petal Blizzard!"

Meganium charged up the flower on its neck, creating a veil using the flower petals that blocked Noctowl's status move.

"What?" said Sky as he and his Pokémon were shocked by what Sunset and Meganium just did.

"Unlike your Noctowl, Meganium is steadily leveling up. With lots of battles under its belt, it's learned how to block status moves."

"Well, my Noctowl has trained hard, too. Doesn't matter if we can't use Hypnosis."

"Alright, Meganium, show them how strong you are! Frenzy Plant, let's go!"

"Noctowl, Sky Attack!"

Meganium lifted its front legs before bringing them down as vines with thorns erupted from the ground. Noctowl soared into the air as it charged up before diving down. The bird made contact with a few of the vines sprouting up but was soon overpowered by the multiple and knocked to the ground.

"Noctowl!" said Sky as his Pokémon lay there defeated.

"I told you!" smirked Sunset. "It's obvious how much stronger we've gotten, which is more than you."

"Noctowl, you were really great. Now, get a good rest."

"Good, Meganium. Now, return," said Sunset as she recalled her Pokémon.

"I'm winning next!" declared Sky as he was shown pulling out his second Pokémon.

"You still wanna go on? Even though you guys haven't gotten any better since last time? Amazing." scoffed Sunset. "The last thing I'm gonna let you losers do is drag me down with you. If I stop getting better, how do I face the champion?"

"The Champion?" responded Sky.

"What, you haven't heard of the champion?" asked Sunset.

"Are you referring to the person they call the Solaris Knight?" stated Sky, vaguely remembering that name mentioned during one of their stops.

"This so-called Solaris Knight just came out of nowhere and has been champion for quite a while," said Spike.

"Let's keep battling!" shouted Sunset as she drew everything back to their match. "Pokemon number two! Go… Machamp!"

"Now, Pikachu! I choose you!"

The boy's second Pokémon was his yellow rodent, which appeared before the teen. The rodent looked up and stared at its muscular foe, who flexed its many muscles and arms to emphasize its strength.

"Machamp, Focus Blast!"

"Dodge it!"

Machamp combined all its arms to create a huge white orb of energy. The orb fired out, and Pikachu used its incredible speed to move out of the way. The orb blasted into the treetops, creating some wind.

"Now, use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu uttered a cry before it took off with even more blazing speed as it rushed toward the larger foe. The yellow rodent crashed head-first into Machamp's chest as the larger, bulkier Pokémon fell to the floor.

"Now follow it up with Iron Tail!"

Pikachu leaped into the air. Its tail turned into a metal coating as it began to rotate its body to swing.

"Catch it!" said Sunset.

Machamp heard the command and used his two upper arms to catch Pikachu's tail between his hands. The rodent was shocked as it was flung back, but Pikachu managed to rotate his body so that he could safely land on all fours.

"Cross Chop!" instructed Sunset.

"Dodge it!"

Pikachu was now backstepping and hopping while Machamp tried to contact the smaller foe with its hands. Due to Pikachu's smaller stature, the mouse managed to easily evade the Cross Chop attack from Machamp before it did one last backflip to land on two feet.

"Great work, bud. Now show 'em how strong your Thunderbolt is!" exclaimed Sky.

Pikachu heard the command, charged up, and unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt. Machamp felt the power behind the attack, flinching upon contact and struggling to endure the pain.

"Now wrap this up with Volt Tackle!"

Pikachu then took off as it charged up and encased itself in electricity that he headed straight toward his foe. He made contact with Machamp in seconds, and an explosion and boom occurred. The yellow mouse landed before Sky; he had bits of electricity coursing through its body before shaking it off. As the smoke cleared, Machamp was shown lying on the ground as he had swirls in its eyes.

"Alright, great work, Pikachu!" said Sky as his Pokémon jumped into his arms and nuzzled him. The two relished their win as Sunset called back her Pokémon. "That's one win for me."

"Lucky," scoffed Sunset as she reached for her third Pokémon. "Now… Jolteon, show no mercy!"

"Jolteon!" said the Pokémon as it appeared.

"In that case… Turtwig, I choose you!" stated the boy as he threw his third Pokéball.

"Turtwig!" said the small green shell as it appeared before its opponent.

"Wow… you never learn," stated Sunset. "Your Turtwig still hasn't evolved."

"So what?" said Sky, who didn't care that Turtwig hadn't evolved.

"Please don't tell me you're planning on entering the League with an unevolved Turtwig? You can rely on spirit all you want, Sky, but if you keep ignoring basic stuff like evolving, you won't ever succeed!"

"Hey you do it your way, and I'll do it my way!" barked the boy.

"What a joke," scoffed the girl. "Jolteon, use Discharge!"

"Dodge it!"

Turtwig heard Sky's command as it zoomed out of the way of Jolteon's attack.

"Use Energy Ball!"

Turtwig channeled its energy as a ball formed near its mouth. It then fired the colorful green ball of energy as it made contact with Jolteon, who was unprepared and caught off guard by the attack launched by the small green creature. Sunset was also taken aback by the new move that Turtwig showcased, as she had to admit it was impressive.

"So, what do you think of that, Sunset?" smirked Sky as he could tell the girl wasn't expecting his newly master move taught to him by Princess Skystar.

"Heh, guess you did learn one thing. It's not like it matters. Jolteon, Double Kick!"

"Turtwig, dodge it!"

Jolteon took off, leaping into the air with its hind legs glowing. It then came down, and Turtwig jumped back to avoid the stomps.

"Awesome job, Turtwig. Now use Bite!"

Turtwig then pushed off as it began to rush at its foe with its mouth open, ready to snap its jaws on it.

"Protect!" instructed Sunset.

Jolteon's protective barrier repelled Turtwig and flung it back on cue. The defense was too strong for the small green-shelled creature to break through.

"Discharge!"

Jolteon quickly transitioned moves as it charged up and let loose a wave of electricity. This time, Turtwig was still recovering from the pushback from Jolteon's Protect a moment ago as the electricity shocked the Pokémon. Despite the type matchup, Turtwig could still feel the power behind Jolteon's attack as it tried to stand its ground.

"Turtwig, are you okay?" asked Sky.

"Twig!" responded the Pokémon to his trainer.

"Then use Razor Leaf!"

"Protect!"

Turtwig flung the tiny twig on its head as it shot out a row of razor-sharp leaves. Jolteon put up its barrier as it managed to withstand the attack the small green creature attempted easily.

"Now use Quick Attack!" said Sunset.

Jolteon put down its shield and took off. Turtwig saw its foe coming at it as it also began to run. The small creature was racing toward a nearby tree. He ran up the bark just as Jolteon missed, but he flipped over and landed behind its foe.

"Awesome, Turtwig. Razor Leaf!"

Turtwig now had a clear shot as it managed to land its attack behind Jolteon, who couldn't turn around in time and was pelted from behind. It tumbled on the floor as it winced in pain and growled that he let its foe land a sneak attack.

"Energy Ball!"

"Discharge!"

Turtwig fired another ball of green energy as Jolteon let loose. The two attacks met as the single ball of energy was pushed back and pierced through by the multiple strikes as they managed to shock the tiny Pokémon.

"Turtwig, use Synthesis!" instructed Sky.

Turtwig looked at the sun as it began to collect some energy. Its entire body began to glow green as its health was slowly restored.

"Jolteon, Quick Attack!"

Jolteon took off as Turtwig wasn't done recharging and bashed into the small creature, knocking it off balance. Turtwig tumbled onto the ground as it winced in pain.

"Turtwig, no!"

"Using Synthesis leaves you vulnerable," smirked Sunset as she used her opponent's weak spot to her advantage. "Now… Jolteon, wrap this up with Discharge!"

"Jolt!" screamed the Pokémon as he charged up and shot his electricity upwards before they arched and came down on Turtwig like heat-seeking missiles.

"Turtwig, you gotta get up and move!" shouted Sky as his Pokémon still lay on the ground.

The attacks were closing as Turtwig slowly got up to a vertical base, but it seemed it wouldn't have enough time to move.

"Turtwig!" shouted Sky.

Hearing the boy's shout, Turtwig's eyes widened. At that moment, the attacks made contact, creating a clear smokescreen. Sky gasped as Sunset held a cocky smirk. When the smoke cleared, Turtwig was nowhere to be found; the small green creature was shown behind Jolteon as he quickly managed to evade at the last second.

"But how?" said Sunset, surprised to see the tiny thing still standing.

"That's it, Turtwig! Now… Razor Leaf!"

Turtwig leaped into the air; this time, it rotated its body backward while shooting out its attack.

"Protect!" said Sunset.

"Just what I expected," muttered Sky as he figured Sunset would try to play defense.

The barrier put up by Jolteon held on as the many leaves pelted it as they bounced off. There was a bit more power behind it as Jolteon's bubble was shown moving, but it still held strong.

"Now… Energy Ball!"

Turtwig charged up and let loose its attack. Jolteon's shield was put down as the Pokémon didn't have the reaction time to dodge, so it collided with it and flew back. It landed before Sunset and lay there, giving out a defeated sound.

"Alright! We did it, Turtwig!" said Sky as he was now leading Sunset two to one.

"Impossible," muttered Sunset as she couldn't believe the boy beat her. "Jolteon, return!"

"Since Jolteon was hit earlier by Energy Ball, I'd figured its special defense was lowered," smiled Sky.

"That smug… he thinks he's so smart," growled Sunset as she couldn't believe she lost to a tactic like that.

"That's two to one. Sky just needs one more to win," said Spike as Goomy made a sound.

"Alright, time for win #3. Fletchling, I choose you!" stated the boy as he called on his fourth Pokémon. The tiny robin appeared as it landed on his shoulder.

Upon seeing her former Pokémon, Sunset's gaze intensified. The memories between the two flooded her mind as she was reminded why she decided to set it free.

"Ready to win this, Fletchling?" asked Sky as he turned to look at his Pokémon.

"Ling," responded the bird.

"Swinub, show no mercy!" yelled Sunset.

The small, hairy Pokémon from before appeared, and it let out a sound. Fletchling then took off as it flew above its foe, ready to fight.

"Alright, Fletchling, start with Double Team!" instructed Sky.

On command, the small bird made multiple copies of itself.

"Use Icy Wind and blow them all away!" said Sunset with aggressiveness in her voice.

The small furry thing opened its mouth and blew a cold chill as it destroyed all the fake copies of Fletchling; the real one was left behind and tried to cover itself from the cold air blowing in its face.

"Ice Shard!"

Swinub them condensed all the air it was blowing into a solid ice ball. It then flung the thing at Fletchling, who felt the power of the ice and fell out of the air to the ground.

"Fletchling!" said Sky as he saw his Pokémon hit the ground. "Are you okay?"

"Still a useless piece of shit," muttered Sunset. "Swinub, Dig!"

The small thing began to burrow into the ground as Fletchling stood up and shook itself. At that moment, the ground below it began to break open as Swinub emerged. He bashed into the small bird and flung it into the air.

"Fletchling, hang in there!" said Sky as the robin straightened out.

"Use Takedown!" said Sunset.

"Swin!" said the small furry thing as he encased himself with power and shot off the ground into the air.

"Dodge it!" shouted Sky.

Fletchling heard its trainer's command. When he saw Swinub approaching, he quickly moved out of the way.

"Use Peck!"

The robin had its beak glow before he tucked his wings in and dove toward Swinub. Since the furry thing was still in the air, it couldn't dodge, so it was hit dead-on by Fletchling's Peck attack and sent hurling toward the ground. It made a small thud as Swinub arose and shook itself.

"Now use Razor Wind!"

"Dig to dodge it!"

Fletchling concentrated and let out some buzzsaws made of wind heading toward the brown Pokémon. With Sunset's command, Swinub quickly burrowed itself into the ground as he avoided the attacks launched by the small robin. The bird was still in the air as he looked around, trying to figure out where his opponent was. At that moment, Swinub emerged underground and launched into the air behind Fletchling. The bird saw the hairy thing from the corner of its eye, and it was too slow as it bashed back toward the ground and hit with a thud.

"Fletchling!" said Sky.

"Still useless," mumbled Sunset as it was clear Fletchling was still weak when she last left it. "Swinub, get ready to wrap this up."

"Swinub," responded the Pokémon.

"I know you can do it, Fletchling. I believe in you! Show them how strong you are!" stated Sky, motivating his Pokémon to rise.

"Ling!" responded the small robin. The tiny bird heard the call of his trainer as it stood up. It gave a defiant cry as he didn't want to back down.

"That's it, Fletchling. Now use Double Team!"

Fletchling flapped his wings as hard as he could and took to the air. The tiny robin made multiple copies of itself as it began to circle the small furry thing.

"Use Icy Wind to get rid of them all!"

Swinub cast a chilly air that blew bits of ice and took out all the fakes. However, compared to last time, Fletchling and Sky were more prepared as the small robin came in from behind.

"Look out!" shouted Sunset.

"Fletchling, do it! Steel Wing!" shouted the boy.

As he charged forward, Fletchling's tiny wings became a metal coating. Swinub was then hit from its back as it couldn't turn around or see the small foe and was knocked forward. The attack by Fletchling proved super effective, as Swinub took a bit longer to get up after being hit.

"Great job, Fletchling!"

"What are you doing?! Stand up!" yelled Sunset.

Swinub heard the command of its mistress as he didn't want to let her down or suffer her wrath.

"Fletchling, use Steel Wing!"

"Swinub, Takedown!"

The two Pokémon charged forward as they looked to meet in the middle. The two attacks met as they created a powerful force; Sunset and Sky had to raise an arm to shield themselves from the wind that was created when the two forces collided. Both Pokémon put their all into their attacks as Swinub, unfortunately, was a bit stronger than the small robin; it pushed him and his attack back to allow his attack to pierce through and make contact with the bird. An explosion sounded off for a moment, and clear smoke appeared while Swinub was shown with battle marks on its body. Before it, on the ground, was Fletchling as the bird was defeated.

"Fletchling!" shouted Sky.

"Still no progression," remarked Sunset as she pulled out her Pokéball. "Swinub, return!"

The girl called back her Pokémon as Sky bent down to hold his robin in his arms.

"Fletchling, you did your best," smiled Sky as he offered encouragement to his Pokémon, even if he lost.

"Ling," responded the robin as he felt bad about letting his trainer down. He glanced over at Sunset as his fears overcame him, and he put his head down.

"Take five," smiled Sky, pulling his Pokéball out and recalling his bird.

"Now they're two to two," commented Spike, amazed that this battle was now down to each trainer's final Pokémon.

"Alright then… it's all up to you. Buizel… I choose you!" said Sky as he threw his last Pokéball and out came his orange weasel.

"Bui!" said the Pokémon upon appearing.

"Monferno!... Show no mercy!" stated Sunset as she called on her fire monkey.

The monkey appeared as he stood before his foe. For Sky, he was taken aback as he expected Sunset to bring out a Pokémon with an advantage over his, given they were in their final bout. Sunset stood with a smirk and a hand on her hip as the expression on Sky's face told it all… plus, it was amusing.

"Why would she use a Fire-type? A water-type like Buizel has an advantage," commented Spike.

"Wait and see," answered Sunset.

"Wait and see?" responded Sky.

"Dealing with your off-the-wall battle style is a good chance for me to become stronger. So, I'm simply going to beat you at your own game," smirked the bacon-haired girl.

"We'll see about that. Buizel, let's finish this! Aqua Jet!"

"Flamethrower, let's go!" commanded Sunset.

Buizel encased itself in water as it rocketed off the ground and soared when it collided head-first with Monferno's attack, a mass of water vapor formed, which made Sky gasp.

"Well, what do you know? You put fire and water together and end up with vapor!" stated the girl.

"Buizel, keep it up!" shouted Sky, not wanting to give an inch against Sunset.

Buizel heard his trainer's command as he put more power into his attack and slowly pushed back on Monferno's attack. The weasel broke through and collided with the monkey, who took the brunt of the attack. Then, it tumbled back before using the momentum and flipped onto its feet.

"Flame Wheel!"

Monferno quickly transitioned into its next attack, spinning head-over-heels, creating a fire wheel, and racing forward. Buizel landed back on the ground, raising its arms just as Flame Wheel made contact with it. It grunted and held its stance while feeling the heat of the flames.

"Use Water Gun!" instructed Sky.

Buizel reeled its head back momentarily before firing a powerful stream of water from its mouth as it shot forward. It hit Monferno in the face as he exited his Flame Wheel and was pushed back by the force of Buizel's attack. The chimp tumbled along the ground, and despite being hit by such a powerful and effective move, he managed to stand up.

"That was a direct hit, but it didn't do a thing," remarked Sky, amazed that Monferno could get up.

"It's called good defense. Obviously from training hard," smirked Sunset as Sky gritted his teeth at hearing Sunset belittle him.

"Use Dig!"

Monferno burrowed his way into the ground. A second later, he emerged from below Buizel's feet and delivered an uppercut that caught the weasel right under his chin.

"Sonic Boom!"

Buizel used the momentum from being uppercut by Monferno to rotate its body upright while in midair. His tails glowed, and he spun around to deliver his attack. Buizel soared through the air as Monferno raised its arms to protect it and reduce some of the damage.

"Follow it up with Water Pulse!"

"Use Dig to dodge it!"

Buizel made an orb full of water appear as he tossed it forward. Monferno quickly dug into the ground, leaving another hole. He avoided the attack launched by the weasel, which hit a tree behind Sunset.

"Buizel, use Water Gun and aim it into the hole!"

"Monferno, out of the hole quickly!"

The weasel aimed his attack as he shot a stream of water into one of the holes by his feet. Monferno emerged from the other hole he created just as the water shot up like a geyser.

"Just what I was hoping for," smiled Sky as he had a clear shot. "Buizel, Aqua Jet!"

"Flame Wheel!" yelled Sunset.

The weasel rocketed off the ground as he headed toward his foe. Monferno had the fire swell in his mouth before he rotated head over heels and turned into a fire wheel that zoomed forward through the air. The fire and water made contact again as much water vapor formed. Buizel tried not to back down as it put more power behind its attack and managed to repel Monferno's attack as he pushed through the Flame Wheel; he made direct contact with the monkey, and an explosion of vapor occurred. Sunset and Sky looked upwards as Buizel landed on its feet, having battle marks on its body, while Monferno was flung to the ground. At the moment, Buizel panted heavily as the collision between the two attacks took a lot out of him.

Meanwhile, Monferno lay on the ground momentarily as it appeared that Sky and Buizel had won. But… a sound was heard as the small monkey began to stir. It shocked both Pokémon and the trainer as they couldn't believe it while Sunset smiled. Monferno got to his feet and gave a fierce look and response before he felt the damage get to him, and he fainted. Sky was about to shout in celebration when Buizel fainted and fell over. Both Pokémon lay on the ground with swirls in their eyes, shocking Sky even more. Spike and Goomy were also stunned at what they saw, seeing both Pokémon breathing heavily before collapsing.

"They're both out…" responded Sky, almost in disarray.

"It looks like your battle style doesn't suit me," scoffed Sunset while the boy gave her a look. "Good job, Monferno!"

"It's a tie. Wow!" said Spike as Sunset called back her Pokémon.

Buizel sat up as it was clear the sting of not winning affected the weasel.

"Hey, Buizel. Thanks. You were great!" said Sky, offering a smile and encouragement to his Pokémon for giving it his all. He pulled out his Pokéball and called back his Pokémon.

"So that's that," mumbled Sunset as she grabbed her backpack and began to walk away.

"Hey, Sunset…! Next time, I'm gonna win!" declared the boy as he watched his rival walk away.

"Heh. I'd doubt that," smirked Sunset as she kept her smug smile hidden and walked down the road.

"You know… I think I'm starting to get Sunset more than I did," mumbled Sky as he watched the girl disappear.

"That was a cool battle!" said Spike as he approached the older boy.

"Thanks, Spike."

"Just watching that got me all worked up," said the boy. At that moment, his stomach and Goomy rumbled, followed by Sky.

Both boys clutched their stomachs in embarrassment as they let out a chuckle. A thought then passed in Sky's head.

"Hey, aren't we forgetting something?"

"Oh, no, Twilight!" said Spike, knowing his big sister was waiting for them.

The two boys realized they were long overdue for lunch with the girls as they rushed back to avoid getting an earful. While they rushed back to their campsite, in Sky's head, he was already playing back the battle he had just had with Sunset and was determined that their next encounter would be one they would both remember, and he would finally get a win over the girl.