For some reason, I don't wanna do this. I dunno why, but I don't.

No, I know why. I know Canna and Adon are better trainers than me. I know at least half the trainers in the region are better than me. Nobody's won the league yet this summer. I don't stand a chance.

I couldn't even sleep last night. Was I excited? Scared? I don't know, but what I do know is that I was up till 2 AM.

I'm getting ready right now. Rules state that trainers have to dress up when they challenge the league. For some reason, I don't wanna.

I'm worried about my team: Delphox, Talonflame, Azumarill, Sylveon, Gabite, and Liepard. It's a pretty solid team. Balanced and from what I've hear Sylveon, Azumarill and Talonflame are some of the best battling Pokémon. What I'm concerned about is their movesets. Russ and I couldn't figure out which moves would work. Sure, some of them are cool but I don't think they're practical.

"Hey Cerise," I hear Canna say from behind me. She's challenging again today. This is her last shot before school starts and my only chance. Well she's from Unova, though. School might start later there.

"You ready?" Well obviously I'm not. I'm still in the dressing room. At least she's gonna wait on me. She might be my 'rival' and a little, erm, crazy, but Canna can still be nice when she wants to.

"Not really."

"You'll do just fine. We've all failed before."

"Yeah but, I shouldn't be here. I didn't win all my badges because I can battle well."

"Neither did about a third of the people here." I look at her. Technically, she just agreed that is shouldn't be here.

"You know what I mean!" I guess she realized what she said. Canna walks towards me and starts playing with my hair.

"At last you're trying," she says. "Lots of people left when they heard that no one has won. Yet you stayed. You're trying anyway!"

"But I'm gonna lose! What's the point of trying?"

"Do it for your Pokémon. You've been training with them for almost three months. It's the least you could do." I sigh. That doesn't make sense. If we're gonna lose anyway, what would I challenge it for anyway. It'd just be disappointing for them.

Canna frowns. "...Then do it for Malicai."

...I...w-wait...huh?

...

"What," I finally say after a long silence.

"You heard me." She puts her hands on my shoulders. "Do it for Malachi." She looks really upset. I'm not gonna focus on what she's saying. My mind focuses on everything else. Her eyes, they're a lighter brown than mine. Her clothes, a light purple dress with a red ribbon. Her hair, the red's fading and giving way to an almost black color. It looks like it's like that on purpose. It's curly. I've only ever seen it straight. It looks like it's naturally curly.

I'm ignoring her. She knows I am.

"Cerise, listen to me! If you don't challenge the league— hold up. No. I'm gonna force ya to challenge the league, whether you want to or not. If you you don't go and give it your all, what was the point of him going on the journey?" She looks so angry or is she just sad. I know she knew Malachibefore I did. I wonder if she's more affected by his...passing than I am.

Malachi would be alive if he hadn't gone on this journey. ...But I can't do it. "Don't try to guilt trip me." I'm not angry with her. She seems to realize this.

Malachi always told me to try though.

I sigh. "Alright..."

"Alright?"

"Alright."

"Alright!" She hugs me tightly. " I mean, what kind of rival would you be if you just quit." She tightens the ribbon around her waist. "Are ya gonna keep staring at yourself in the mirror or are we gonna go become champions?"

"I dunno. I'm really pretty." She laughs as I put on the belt with my Pokéballs. I take one last look in the mirror. Somehow, Canna braided some of my hair. It's cute actually. I put on my hat, a pinkish fedora.

We walk outta the dressing room together. We starts rambling about movesets and strategies and all kinds of things I probably should a planned and done. She's using Vaporeon, Ampharos, Chesnaught, Togekiss, Gengar, and Klefki. That's a good team I'm sure.

We're at the front of the Pokécenter when she stops talking. I think it's just cuz everyone else is sitting there: Russ, Perry, Lisian, Jasper, Vera, Adon, and Sage. I wonder where's Sienna.

Adon and Sage are dressed up quite nicely. Adon has this sort of cross body belt, a Sam Browne belt I think it's called, with his Pokéballs on it. I didn't think he'd actually wear it. It doesn't match his outfit. It's yellow, his suit is dark brown. I guess it matches his Jolteon?

"Good luck guys," Russ, Lisian, and Perry exclaim.

"Thanks," Canna and I respond.

"Remember the strategy Cerise," says Russ.

What strategy? We couldn't come up with an effective one. "Don't worry, I will." We talked about like eight different ways to ho about this. Which one is he talking about? Too late to ask now.

Adon calls his Jolteon to follow him and Sage says goodbye to Jasper.

"So Sage," Canna says as the four of us walk towards the castle. "Do you think you're gonna win?"

"Umm, I don't know," he mutters. He does that a lot, I've noticed. "I think I have a pretty solid team. Yeah, I'm an Ice type trainer, but I'm allowed to train other types from around Snowbelle. Besides, when I become gym leader, I'll probably change the type." That's the most I've ever heard him say at once.

"Into what type?" The gym's in Snowbelle City. I mean, snow's in the damned name; what could hr possibly change it to?

"Multi-type." But Diantha's multi-type. Adon brings this up.

"Yeah but in ten years or so, who says she'll still be champion." He says it kinda ominously. Disturbing.

We reach the castle and check in. There are a few other trainers inside waiting for their turn.

There are the overconfident ones, bragging about how strong they are and how well they trained. There are the veterans having one on one conversations with the Pokémon they've had for years. There are the ones like Sage who look like they'd rather be anywhere else. Those are usually the ones that win in Kalos. Then there are the intermediates like Canna and Adon going over plans and back-up plans with each other. There are the nervous ones unable to sit down, shaking with anticipation.

Then there's the ones like me. We're here for someone else. We're gonna try and prove something. We've accepted defeat, but we're gonna put up a fight.

Canna, Adon, Sage, and I take our seats on the floor of the west hall. Sage sends out his Weavile and Zorua. I wonder if he likes Dark types? He starts talking to him. From what I'm hearing, it sounds like he's given up. But he's related to Wulfric. He's gotta be good.

It'll hopefully be only an hour till I start my battle. I talk with Canna and Adon. I send out Ruben and, against my better judgment, Fyn. Ruben curls up in my lap. He's the most affectionate Gabite I've ever seen. Fyn sits next to Adon's Jolteon away from me. Of course...

I'm up. I'm not ready. I'm watching Sage battle Malva and he's doing amazingly despite most of his team being Ice types. He's only used one Pokémon, his Sliggoo, and he's taken out three outta four of her Pokémon. Wow.

Canna and Adon are both having amazing battles with Drasna and Siebold respectively. Canna in fact looks like she's about ready to end it.

Guess it's my turn.

I walk slowly down the hall to 'the room of no return.' The door slams shut behind me. No turning back now.

Sage is standing at Drasna's door, waiting for Canna to finish. He gives me a thumbs up then focuses back on the door. Canna warps behind us.

"Good luck Cerise," she calls as she runs towards Malva's room. Sage walks into Drasna's room. Adon is still in Siebold's room. Guess that leaves Wikstrom.

I adjust my tie and hat before going in. Let's go.

The flashy introduction unfolds once I'm transported. If they took those out, I think a lot of time would be saved.

"Hello trainer. You are a Kalos native I can tell, so you most likely know who I am."

"An introduction is most unneeded," I say. I'm trying to sound 'valiant' or fancy or whatever. That stuff's important to him apparently. "Let us begin. No need for formalities."

He smiles. "Then let us commence the battle. En garde!" He sends put his first Pokémon, Klefki.

"I choose you, Silex!" My Talonflame flies into the air, wings bright red with flames.

"Klefki use Spikes then Flash Cannon!"

"Silex, dodge and use Flame Charge!" Wait a second. I shoulda told him to stop Klefki from using Spikes! Idiot!

Klefki shoots out the sharp metal spikes across the ground and with in a second fires off Flash Cannon. Silex dodges just barely and uses Flame Charge. His body becomes covered in fire before zipping towards Klefki.

"Dazzling Gleam!" Silex makes contact before Klefki can carry out the attack. Klefki's keys jingle and its body momentarily glows red. Looks like Flame Charge did a lot of damage.

"Awesome Silex, use Flame Charge again!"

"Ta~l!" His wings flicker with fire before he's once again enveloped.

"Use Torment, Klefki." What's Torment do? I don't think it's an attacking mo— Oh shit. The fire covering Silex has faded away, leaving him there confused. So, Torment does what? Is it like Disable?

"Oh shit!" Klefki used Flash Cannon. It hit Silex dead on!

"Silex, Aerial Ace!"

"Dazzling Gleam." Close your eyes Silex. That's how Dazzling Gleam works, for Pokémon with eyes at least. But I don't think he knows that.

Silex cries out and looks stunned.

"Klefki, Flash Cannon!"

Flame Charge. Silex use Flame Charge. Or should he use Acrobatics to avoid? That's it!

"Silex, Acrobatics!" He manages to avoid it ust in the nick of time. "Flame Charge!" Engulfed in flames, he charges straight towards Klefki. Huh, so that's why it's called Flame Charge.

There's a loud klink from Klefki and he falls to the ground.

"Klefki is unable to battle."

Well that was easier than I thought it'd be. Looks like I'm doing better than expected!

"Great job Silex! Let's keep it moving!"

Wikstrom sends out his next Pokémon. Probopass.

"Never mind, Silex. Return!" I clip his Pokéball back to my belt and pick up my Azumarill's. "Vandy! Let's go!" He flies out of his Pokéball with a flash.

"Probopass, Discharge."

Are you... "Well fuck it all! Vandy uhhh, counter with Play Rough?" What the hell? That's not gonna work.

Vandy is hit with Discharge. Looks like that did a lot of damage. Hmmm...

"Vandy, Aqua Jet!" He covers himself in water and speeds towards Probopass. I know Probopass isn't gonna be fast enough to avoid Aqua Jet and it's gonna be super effective!

"Power Gem!" Counter. He could still counter. Wow, I'm an idiot.

"Vandy, switch into Superpower!" Vandy starts glowing. He breaks right through Power Gem and hits Probopass with all his might. Awesome! That did a helluva lot of damage.

"Amazing! Your Azumarill has incredible strength. Unfortunately, I cannot hold back." What does he mean? "Probopass, Discharge. Full power!" Vandy is right on Probopass. He withstood the first Discharge quite easily I don't think—

Ooh... That attack is glowing almost white. Is that what he meant about not being able to hold back? Seconds later, Vandy is collapsed on the ground.

"Azumarill is unable to battle."

...Uh... What just happened? That was a strong attack. But, it shouldn't have knocked out Vandy. "Return, Vandy. You did amazing. Thank you." The first one I don't think did half damage. Was the second a critical hit? Hmm... Luckily, I know exactly who can handle this

"Ruben, come on out and use Dig!" As soon as he pops out, he torpedoes into the ground.

"Probopass, Flash Cannon into the hole!"

Oh joy... "Ruben get out of there quick!" Ruben shoots up from the ground just as Probopass fires the reflective beam down the hole. Hmm, maybe I could win just cuz my Pokémon are fast. I should switch between Silex and Ruben.

"Probopass, return."

Hmm...

"Scizor, en garde!"

Well there goes the whole 'speed' plan. Wait, I should still switch out Ruben. He looks a little injured anyway. Did Flash Cannon clip him?

"Ruben return, Silex let's get it!' Flame Charge!"

"Scizor, beyond evolution! Mega Evolve!"

...Fuuuuck.

Lights. Dazzling. Overkill. Just get on with it.

"Scizor, U-Turn!" Silex can stand up to tha—WOAH! That hit a little harder and faster than expected. "Magnezone, allez!" ...When did he get a fucking Magnezone? I thought he had an Aegislash. Oh well, I think Silex can handle it.

"Silex, carry out that Flame Charge!" He lets out a squawk and performs Flame Charge.

"Magnezone, counter with Thunderbolt!" White lightning. That Thunderbolt is white. Not whitish. White. That means it's super strong, right? But Silex is stronger, right? He can stand up to one Thunderbolt.

I shouldn't take that risk. He should dodge it and use Flame Charge. But Electric type moves are faster when used by Electric type Pokémon, or so I've been told. Would Silex, as fast as he is, be able to dodge?

I don't get a chance to see. Thunderbolt hits Silex dead on. It's super effective, I shoulda used Pokémon-Amie. Fyn's hung on before because of Pokémon-Amie. Shoulda been knocked out, but just managed to hold on.

Dammit. "Silex, return! Awesome job buddy. I knew I could count on you. Thanks."

"I knew this would happen," Wikstrom says.

"What?"

"I lured you into a false sense of security." Huh, what does he mean? "You switched out you Talonflame because Probopass is a Rock type and resists Fire type moves."

"Well, yes. His only effective attack would have done neutral damage. Also, he had a double weakness to Rock."

"But the double weakness was not your primary reason. No, your concern was with Probopass's typing. Since Magnezone has a weakness to fire, you thought Talonflame could handle it, but as shown through our battle, this was not the case." I stare at him. He's right, I wasn't focused on Silex's typing, on Magnezone. I may have forgotten about the Electric typing. No matter. Yeah, two of my best fighters are pretty much down, but I can still turn this around.

"Ruben, come on out!" Wikstrom smiles.

"Magnezone, now! Use Magnet Rise!"

Are you actually kidding me? Are you actually kidding me?! Magnet Rise!?

"Dammit all! Ruben return, I need to save you for later anyway. Hiyo! Take the stage!" I'm running outta battle cries. She cringes when her feet touch the ground. Is she hurt? Wait. Yeah, yeah she is. Spikes. It's on the ground. And I forgot. Wow.

"Magnezone, Supersonic!"

"Quick, dodge and user Nasty plot!"

Magnezone makes a whirring sound accompanied by bursts of sound waves. Hiyo dodges rather easily and carries out her move.

"Now use Dark Pulse!" A spinning purplish beam shoots towards Magnezone. It hits incredibly hard! Ha, and Russet told me I shouldn't use a Liepard! "Amazing Hiyo! Keep that up and I know we'll win. Dark Pulse once more!"

"Magnezone, wait and use Supersonic." What does he mean wait? I don't... Huh? Wait on what?!

Dark Pulse hits. Then Supersonic hits Hiyo. Oh... he meant that... Wow I'm an idiot. "Hiyo? Hey girl, snap outta it! You can do it"

"Magnezone, Thunderbolt!"

"C'mon Hiyo! Try another Dark Pulse." She does, it meets with Thunderbolt in the air but isn't strong enough to completely counter it. Hiyo is shocked by Thunderbolt hard, but it was slightly weakened by Dark Pulse.

"Hiyo, you okay girl?" She shakes and nods. Hmm, it looks like the Thunderbolt shocked the confusion away. "Alright girl, let's keep it goin'!

"Magnezone, end this now! Flash Cannon, do not hold back!"

Flash Cannon is weaker than Thunderbolt. I guess he doesn't want Magnezone to get tired from using the Electric type attack.

I'm not gonna let Hiyo go pit without a fight. "Alright Hiyo, don't give up just yet! Use Sucker Punch!" Flash Cannon stops in its tracks as Hiyo creates a shadow like paw that delivers a very satisfying hit to Magnezone's body. Magnezone makes a sound like a broken down machine while Flash Cannon unpauses and hits Hiyo dead on.

"Both Liepard and Magnezone are unable to battle."

Wait, did Hiyo just take down Magnezone all by herself? Awesome!

"Probopass, en garde!" I wish I had a cool phrase I could stick to.

If send out Ruben, won't he just switch to Scizor? But Ruben's all I got for Probopass. He can do it.

"Ruben...! Spotlight!"

"Gaaaa~!" That's the third time I've switched him in. Klefki only laid down one set of Spikes. That's about 13% of Ruben's health for each switch in. 39% total. Over a third of his health has been sapped. *sigh* Just great.

"Alright Ruben, I'm counting on you!"

"Gabite!"

"Ruben, use Crunch!"

"Flash Cannon, Probopass!"

"You're fast Ruben! Dodge it!" He does and his teeth grab onto Probopass right on the nose. "Dig, let's go! Do it fast!" Ruben lets go and burrows underground. He comes back up and attacks Probopass before Wikstrom even has the chance to call an attack. We can win this by speed, just like I said.

"Your Gabite is fast, but he's taken a fair amount of damage."

"Your point?" There goes my whole nobility skit. "Ruben can handle it!" Ruben growls in agreement.

"I love the confidence you have I your Pokémon." Yeah... "But as I said before, I cannot hold back. Probopass, full strength Power Gem!" There's rumbling. Why is there rumbling?!

Ruben is staring around trying to find the source of...the...noise......

"Holy mother of Arceus." The stone walls are shaking. The stone walls are shaking! Tiny pieces of rock break off.

"Ruben use Dig!" He dives underground as fast as possible. The pieces of rock float in the air.

Ruben, please just stay down there until I can think of a plan. He doesn't. Ruben is impatient, he's gonna pop out in three, two, one...

"G-ga~bite?" No. "GABITE!" They all make contact. Every last one of them.

"Gabite is unable to battle."

"Thank you Ruben. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Well, what do I do now?

"Sylvi!" I look down. Fyn popped outta her Pokéball and is on the field. She really needs to stop that.

"Are you sure Fyn?" She rolls her eyes at me and nods. "*sigh* Alright then. Calm Mind!" She closes her eyes. I wish I could use this move right now.

Wikstrom smirks. How knightly... "Probopass, Flash Cannon."

"...Use Shadow Ball." Fyn hesitates but performs the attack. It meets with Flash Cannon and creates and explosion.

"Swift..."

"Wait for it, then use Flash Cannon." Fyn turns to me and growls. She doesn't use Swift. She uses Shadow Ball. She never listens.

"Counter it Probopass!" Fyn launches another right under the Flash Cannon.

"Hit that Sylveon!" A stronger Flash Cannon is used just as Fyn is sprinting towards Probopass. She's dodging attacks clumsily while firing a few successful ones of her own. What is she doing?