1 Blaze Through Your Obstacles

"Set your heart ablaze."

-Rengoku Kyojuro

—•—•—•—•—•—

Alain was really hoping to have a rematch with Remo. Unfortunately, the man was defeated by another contestant. He wasn't there to witness it himself, but he heard that Remo's opponent had only used two Pokémon so far, just like him.

A Feraligatr, and a Lopunny.

Strangely, despite Lopunny's ability to Mega Evolve, Remo's opponent never did so. In fact, Remo's Mega Garchomp, Garchoo, had been defeated by the Lopunny without the help of Mega Evolution. Alain felt his mouth quirk up a bit before he had to force himself to straighten his face. Inwardly, while disappointed that his match with Remo was taken away, he was excited to fight this trainer. Steeling himself and breathing in, he walked forward and out of the tunnel, the roar of the audience greeting his ears. Ignoring them, he looked forward and tried to find his opponent.

There she was. Long green hair that was tied into a ponytail, with two strands of hair framing the side of her face, and piercing golden eyes. She was dressed in a light pink sundress under a red short sleeved jacket, with brown boots and a brown belt tied around her waist to hold her Pokéballs. On her wrist, he saw a bracelet holding a keystone.

Alain felt his heart jump in excitement. He had a feeling this match wouldn't be as easy as the ones he had gotten so far.

"Our battlefield for this match is..." The announcer's voice echoed in the loud stadium as a platform began floating between the empty space between the two Trainers. "...a Meadow!"

The battlefield was indeed a meadow, with flat grass in the middle and trees surrounding it. Alain clenched his fist, watching his opponent's every move.

"Hey!"

He blinked, noticing that she was waving at him. "Uh...yeah?"

"Let's have fun, yeah?" The greenette gave him a bright smile.

Alain was dumbfounded, almost missing the referee teleporting in the stadium with an Alakazam.

"Alain vs Sendara, competing head to head in our first semi-final battle!" He announced, his voice louder through an unseen mic as he began explaining the rules to the roaring audience. "Each trainer will have the use of six Pokémon, and sudstitutions are allowed!"

—•—•—•—•—•—

"When all six Pokémon of either trainer are unable to continue, the battle will be over!"

Diantha glanced at Sycamore, noting his frowning face. "Something on your mind?"

"That girl, Sendara..." The Pokémon Professor hummed. "The name feels familiar. That, and our unexpected guest."

Eyes turned to the tall, blonde woman dressed in black sitting next to Diantha. The woman merely raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"I wasn't aware Champions aren't allowed in other regions." Cynthia stated.

"No, no!" Sycamore shook his head frantically. "It's just that...don't you have a Region to manage?"

"Team Galactic is in shambles." Cynthia huffed, crossing her legs. "When Cyrus chose to stay in the Distortion World, the grunts and Admins quickly fell apart. Of course, there were some that tried to revive the Organization, but it was quickly handled without issue."

"I see." Diantha hunmed, staring at Cynthia. "...And the League?"

"Give me the amount of times someone has gotten passed Bertha. And if they do, give me the number of trainers that manages to beat Lucian."

...

"She has a point." Sycamore muttered.

"Ah, it's starting!" Cynthia turned her attention back to the fight, much to the two's confusion. Why was the Sinnoh Chapmion so excited about this match in particular?

—•—•—•—•—•—

"Trainers, release your Pokémon!"

The referee quickly patted Alakazam's shoulder, and both teleported over to the referee's platform. Sendara was first, uncliping a Pokéball from her belt and sending it out. To Alain's surprise, it wasn't a Feraligatr nor was it a Lopunny.

The Fearow flapped its large wings as it was released from the Pokéball. It gave out a mighty cry, then glared at Alain.

...Why did he feel a sudden chill down his spine?

"Hey!" Sendara pouted at the Fearow. "Be nice."

The bird snorted, but stopped his glaring thankfully. Alain frowned and went for Metagross's Pokéball, but paused. He narrowed his eyes (he's been doing that a lot lately) and switched to another Pokémon.

"Are you ready?!"The announcer exclaimed, hyping up the crowd, as Fearow and Unfezant glared at each other. "Battle...BEGIN!"

"Unfezant-"

"Fearow-"

"Sky Attack!"

Both Flying Types wasted no time, coating themselves in an aura of yellow that resembled fire. They shot off, kicking dust in the air and blowing wind in their respective trainer's face. Everyone watched as the birds soared high above in the air, circling each other and leaving a trail of golden energy. They seperated, going the other direction, before turning and heading towards each other. The two collided, causing an explosion. Alain flinched, covering his eyes from the flash of light while Sendara merely watched, her golden eyes staring intently at the smoke.

Unfezant was seen first, scathed and a bit bruised as he started flying down to the ground. The smoke bursted apart when Fearow flapped his wings outward, screeching. Unlike the Unovan flying type, he was mostly fine. Clicking his beak together, he dived and, without waiting for his Trainer to issue an order, started spinning. His beak glowed a feiry blur as he spun, aiming to Drill Peck his opponent.

"Unfezant, behind you!" Alain warned.

Unfezant flipped mid air, and flapped his wings, quickly sending out an Air Slash towards the diving and spinning Fearow.

"Lean towards the right!" Sendara shouted, causing confused glances all around.

Then, the confused looks turned to shock when Fearow, his spinning body leaning a sharp right, let the Air Slash hit his body...and the attack simply slid against him like a sword sliding against a leaning shield.

Alain blanched. "What the-"

Fearow cawed, blitzing past Unfezant, as white energy surrounded him. The crowd watched, stunned, as the Beak Pokémon did a sharp turn before he could crash into the ground and slam into Unfezant's back with the Aerial Ace attack. Unfezant cried out in pain as he was flung back into the sky, before he flapped his wings again. Sendara nodded at Fearow, watching as her Flying Type cloaked himself again with yellow light. Charging towards the injured Unfezant, she was unprepared for him to actually turn and glare at the uncoming Fearow.

Just before they could collide, Unfezant suddenly dipped, dodging the larger bird, and turned and sent out another Air Slash. Unprepared, Fearow's Sky Attack sizzled out as the Air Slash slammed into his back. Sendara clicked her tongue as she watched the move deal a good amount of damage.

'That was a critical hit.' She thought, staring at Unfezant as Fearow crashed into the ground. 'Super Luck, huh?'

"Fearow, are you alright?" Sendara asked her Pokémon. Watching him stand up and shake his head, clearing the dust on his feathers, he glared at her and nodded. "Good. Sky Blitz."

Alain blinked. "Sky what?"

Golden energy blazed to life around Fearow, and the ground beneath the Beak Pokémon cracked even further than it was during his crash as he rushed the Unfezant. Unfezant was about to meet him with a Sky Attack of his own, but wasn't expecting Fearow to suddenly speed up and start spinning. He cried out again as Fearow's spinning beak slammed into his body, and the crowd watched as both Pokémon crashed into the ground, kicking up grass and rocks. There was a tense moment, then the crowd roared as Fearow flied out of the dust cloud, wounded and tired. Once the cloud cleared even further, it revealed Unfezant, swirls in his eyes as he layed in a crater.

"Unfezant is unable to battle!" The referee announced, causing the roaring to get louder.

—•—•—•—•—•—

Up in the stands, a group of friends were cheering along with the crowd.

"What kind of attack is Sky Blitz?!" Tierno gawked. "Like, that Fearow suddenly got a speed boost!"

Ash was busy cheering. For who, it didn't matter. While the Fearow reminded him of bad experiences (he should probably visit Pidgeot soon), the battle had gotten him hyped up.

"It looked like a combination of Sky Attack and Drill Peck, since it was spinning." Sawyer mumbled, writing down in his notebook.

"Might be a all or nothing move, thought." Clemont noted. "Fearow looks worn out."

"Ash, sit down! You're disturbing the people watching behind us!" Serena tried to pull her childhood friend down.

"PIKA PIKA!"

"Not you too, Pikachu!"

—•—•—•—•—•—

Back to our Trainers, Alain returned his fainted Unfezant, staring at the exhausted Fearow. He was panting harshly, resting his wings as he had landed on the other side of the field. Taking advantage of the weakened state of the Flying Type, he quickly grabbed a Pokéball and sent out his next Pokémon.

"Weavile, use-"

"U-Turn!"

Before the dual Dark and Ice Type could do anything, Fearow surged forward, despite being exhausted. Surrounded by a green glow, the Beak Pokémon struck Weavile, then returned himself in his Pokéball, causing Alain to grunt in annoyance. He should've known.

Sendara went for one of the Pokéballs on her belt, but one started shaking. Raising an eyebrow, she shrugged and grinned.

"If you say so, bud." Sendara unclipped the shaking Pokéball and tossed it into the air.

A roar shook the air as Feraligatr emerged, stomping the ground and glaring at Weavile. The Sharp Claw Pokémon gulped, a bit intimidated by the much larger opponent, but steeled his nerves and prepared himself.

"Weavile, Night Slash!" Alain ordered.

Weavile let his claws get wrapped in dark energy as he surged forward, form blurring as he slashed forward. Feraligatr sidestepped the attack, barely dodging the ability by the skin-er-scale of his teeth. Grunting, and not waiting for Sendara to say anything, the Big Jaw Pokémon grabbed the smaller mon and threw him to the other side of the field, where he dashed forward. Alain blinked, watching as Feraligatr's claws turned purple and extended.

'Feraligatr can learn Night Slash?'

"Weavile, Ice Beam!"

Weavile struggled, eventually righting himself in the air and opening his mouth, sending out a ray of ice towards the approaching Water Type. Noticing the attack coming his way, Feraligatr slammed Night Slash into the ground, carving the meadow as he skidded to a stop. Just in time too, as the Ice Beam slammed in front of him and froze the grass. Weavile wasn't given a moment to rest, however, as when he landed, he cried out as the Feraligatr appeared in front of him and slammed him into the ground as his claws glowed white.

'Aerial Ace?' Alain narrowed his eyes at Feraligatr. '...That's no Feraligatr.'

"Weavile, quick!"

Feraligatr flinched, jerking as an Ice Beam nearly slammed into his head, before blinking as he watched his opponent glow an angry orange.

"Get outta there!" Sendara suddenly said, alarmed. "That's a Swords Dance-"

"X-Scissor!"

Feraligatr roared as Weavile's glowing green claws slammed into his face. Staggering, his form shimmered and dissolved, revealing Zoroark clutching her face and hissing in pain.

"Now, while Zoroark is recovering!" Alain quickly told his Weavile.

Flexing his claws and glaring at his fellow Dark Type, he quickly charged again, his claws glowing green as he went for another X-Scissor. He yelped, however, when she suddenly snapped her head up and opened a mouth filled with fire. Knowing there was no way to dodge the incoming pain, he crossed his arms and hoped for the best.

Clearly, he didn't hope enough as the Flamethrower slammed into him and washed over his form.

The crowd watched with baited breath as Weavile collapsed in one knee, panting. Zoroark, not wanting to wast an opportunity, opened her mouth to send out another Flamethrower...

Only for Weavile to be switched out, and to be quickly replaced by Tyranitar. Zororak watched as her Flamethrower wash over Tyranitar's belly without harm. Glancing up at the Psuedo Legendary, she gave a nervous smile. Tyranitar responded with a glare.

Sendara winced as Zoroark was sent flying with a Stone Edge. Zoroark was always a glass cannon on her team, and considering she took a Swords Dance boosted X-Scissor to the face, its no wonder Stone Edge finished her. Watching Zoroark's portrait grey out, she returned the knocked out Dark Type to her Pokéball, giving it a light kiss.

"You did great, sweetie." She whispered as the crowd roared.

"With a Quick Switch from Alain, Zoroark goes down!" The announcer's voice echoed in the stadium. "Both of our Trainers are down one Pokémon, and both have one Pokémon that are seriously injured!"

Staring at the Tyranitar and drumming her fingers against her Pokéballs, she stopped at one. Nodding to herself, she tossed it into the air and released her next mon.

Alain suddenly shivered, rubbing his clothed arm as he felt static linger in the air. The Pokémon that Sendara had sent out was a Luxray, but something was...different, about this one. He couldn't place a finger on it, but he felt like he shouldn't underestimate the Electric Type.

"Tyranitar, be careful." He told the dual Dark and Rock Type, earning a nod. "Let's play this safe. Stone Edge again!"

Tyranitar slammed his feet into the ground. Again, grass and dirt flew into the air as sharp, large rocks erupted from the ground. They glowed a bright white, and Tyranitar roared as he sent them forward with blinding speed.

Sendara smiled calmly. "Launch into the air."

Luxray moved. Alain gawked as she blurred forward, jumping from the meadow and into one of the stones that was shooting towards her. With a motion from her powerful legs, Luxray jumped into the air, causing the Stone Edge to miss. Once she was high in the air and right above Tyranitar, sparks started dancing across her fur.

"Thunderbolt."

Luxray roared, her body releasing the energy within. The lightning coiled, headed straight for Tyranitar.

Now, Alain was confident in Tyranitar's defences. That was what the Dark and Rock Type was specifically trained for. Yet something inside him, his instincts maybe, was telling him that Tyranitar needed to block this one.

"Block it!" Alain quickly commanded, trusting his instincts.

Tyranitar did another Stone Edge, gathering up the rocks beneath him and making them float into the air. Instead of flinging them towards Luxray, he formed the rocks together in front of him, making a makeshift shield. The Thunderbolt slammed into the Stone Edge shield, and an explosion occured as the two attacks collided.

"Again."

The roar of thunder filled the air. As the smoke slightly cleared that many could see the head of Tyranitar, Luxray's Thunderbolt slammed into him a second time. A bright flash nearly blinded Alain, and when his vision cleared, Tyranitar was down, form smoking from the electicity.

'...I trained Tyranitar to tank hits and dish them back with equal force.' Alain thought, returning the knocked out Tyranitar as he glanced at the glaring Luxray. 'And the speed in which it charged up that second Thunderbolt with ease...that thing is a monster.'

Red energy filled Luxray as she was switched out, and Alain breathed out a sigh of relief that he didn't know he was holding. He released his Bisharp, thinking with narrowed eyes.

'If either our Pokemon go down here, then we reach the break.' He watched as she released her fourth Pokemon, a Scizor that clicked its claws together. 'I need to find a way to counter Lopunny and Feraligatr...I'm scared on what either can do.'

"Scizor, you know what to do." Sendara suddenly called out, and Alain focused again.

His eyes widened as he finally spotted something wrapped around the Scizor's neck.

Power exploded outward, cracking the Meadow Bisharp and Scizor were standing in. Bisharp crossed his arms, blocking any damage to his eyes as Scizor started to evolve further, his Scizorite and Sendara's Megastone glowing brightly.

'To reveal such a powerful trump card so early!' Alain thought, shocked.

The crowd went wild as the evolution faded, revealing a Mega Scizor, heat steaming out of his wings.

"Go."

Bisharp couldn't see it coming. Steam blasted out of his wings, and Mega Scizor blitzed forward and slammed a glowing claw on Bisharp's abdomen, actually creating a shockwave. Bisharp was sent flying back, but was still able to keep concious thankfully. Unthankfully, Alain watched as Mega Scizor fired two String Shots at Bisharp. As the flailing Bisharp was steadied mid air by Mega Scizor's strings, the Steel and Bug Type pulled, turning his body and using the strings to slam Bisharp violently into the ground.

Alain could only watch as Bisharp's portrait grayed out. 'At least Charizard's part Fire.'

"And that's it folks!" The announcer proclaimed as Alain returned Bisharp, somewhere in the something-foot deep crater Mega Scizor created. "Since Alain has lost half of his team, we are going on a break."

Alain and Sendara walked back towards their booths, unminding of the crowd cheering loudly for both of them.

—•—•—•—•—•—

"Alright Cynthia, spill."

Cynthia merely smirked and crossed her arms, leaning back. "Whatever for?"

"You clearly know this trainer." Sycamore pointed out. "So who is she?"

"Sorry, but can't spill." Cynthua raised her arms in mock surrender. "Promised her I wouldn't say anything about who she is or where she's from."

"And how did she garner such a favor from you?" Diantha narrowed her eyes.

"Well..." Cynthia stuck a tongue out and scratched her cheek. "She beat me."

Sycamore and Dianthe stared, the statement processing in their heads. Beat? Someone had defeated the Sinnoh Champion? Even Dianthe had trouble with Cynthia. That Garchomp beat her Gardevoir with ease! Even with severe Type Disadvantage AND Mega Evolution!

"She declined the title of Champion. Said she wanted to travel." Cynthia shrugged. "That's all I'm telling."

"So I'm guessing that Mega Scizor is her strongest? If not, then that monster of a Luxray?" Dianthe asked, and was further confused by Cynthia's head shake.

"Nope." Cynthia leaned back, eyes glinting. "You'll see."

—•—•—•—•—•—

Sawyer scribbled notes fast, eyes wide from the display of power from that Mega Scizor.

"That Scizor was something else." Selena muttered in awe.

"That's not all I'm baffled by that Scizor." Sawyer interjected, gaining the attention of his friends. "You see, Scizor's wings aren't made for flight. Rather, they're mainly used to vent heat so that Scizor's metal body doesn't melt from the insane output of its own muscles."

There was confusion all around at first, but before Sawyer or Clemont could elaborate, Ash beat them to a punch.

"Mega Scizor's wings were literally letting out steam." Ash gulped. "Just how much heat was that Mega Scizor venting out just to prevent itself from melting?"

—•—•—•—•—•—

Alain walked back, breathing in and out.

'I still have that Luxray and Mega Scizor to deal with on top of Lopunny and Feraligatr.' Alain thought. 'Thankfully, the last two are the least of my worries. Luxray and Scizor seem to be Sendara's strongest. If I take out those two, then Mega Charizard should have no trouble with the last duo. Since her Mega has a severe type Disadvantage...I can win.'

Noticing that the Meadow had been rightfully fixed over the break, Alain took his position, already picking out Metagross's ball. The crowd anxiously watched, excited murmurs and whispers spreading.

"Trainers, I hope you enjoyed the break, because it will be the only one you will receive for the rest of this match!" The announcer exclaimed. "Are you ready for this final bout of exciting battle?!"

Alain nodded, while Sendara grinned. The crowd roared loudly, and the announcer raised his hand up high.

"Then Trainers, RELEASE YOUR POKEMON!"

Metagross was sent out, already knowing its master's plan to deal with the Luxray. If Mega Scizor was sent back out, then a simple U-Turn-

Feraligatr appeared, and both Pokemon and Human blanched at the unexpected move. Maybe she was hoping to wilt Metagross down?

Feraligatr roared loudly, and Alain had to cover his ears. The sound was creating shockwaves, wind actually slamming into Alain and Sendara as Metagross stood still thanks to its metal body. As Feraligatr finished his war cry, he snarled, crimson eyes glinting with confidence.

'I have a bad feeling about this.' Alain thought.

Sendara smiled. "Hydro Cannon."

'Right off the bat?!' Alain quickly yelled out. "Agility!"

Feraligatr went to all fours, clawing at the dirt as he released a high pressurized water torrent from his mouth. The Johto starter actually skidded back a bit as his Water Cannon nearly slammed into Metagross. The Pseudo-Legendary quickly disappeared, and the water gouged the dirt where it was just a second ago. As Metagross appeared in the side of the field, it was unprepared for Feraligatr to suddenly whip his head to the side, the Hydro Cannon turning into a whip that smacked into Metagross's body. As the Steel and Psychic Type was pushed to his side, Feraligatr stopped the stream of water and pushed forwards, using his four legged stance to lunge, teeth wrapped in shadows and crackling with dark electricity.

"Metal Claw!" Alain yelled out.

Metagross quickly recovered, raising its left arm as steel began to cover it, forming a sharp blade. Feraligatr didn't back down, and merely opened his jaw wider. Metagross swung just as Feraligatr twisted to the side and clamped down. Crunch and Metal Claw met, and there was a blinding flash as the dark energy from Crunch and the steel blade of Metal claw collided violently.

The explosions were quickly starting to be annoying for Alain, and as he raised an arm to block the dust from entering his eyes, he spotted an orange glow from the smoke.

"Metagross, if you can hear me, try to defend yourself!"

There was silence, the only thing echoing in the meadow was the sound of dust falling into the ground. As the smoke cleared once more, Metagross was standing there, staring at Feraligatr who was glaring at it. Alain clenched his fists in anticipation as the Sinnoh started snorted, smoke escaping his nostrils. The orange glow returned, this time flashing through Feraligatr's eyes as he crouched low. That orange glow slowly started spreading through out his body, forming vein like markings on top of Feraligatr's scales.

"Superpower." Sendara smirked.

Feraligatr sped forward, punching Metagross straight in the face. There was a loud sound, like something shattering, as the X in Metagross' face cracked. Alain's Pokemon flew back violently, slamming into the invisible shield that surrounded the field to prevent Pokemon attacks from reaching the audience. Metagross slid down the shield, eyes swirly.

"...Shit." Alain muttered, returning Metagross as the crowd began cheering.

"Alain is down to one healthy Pokemon left!" The announcer said excitedly as Metagross' picture grayed out. "Will he pull a comeback with his strong Charizard, or will Sendara grab the win and finish this off with her powerful team!"

Alain returned Metagross, frowning as he stared at Charizard's Pokeball. He closed his eyes, and breathed out, before his ears perked up at the sound of Sendara returning Feraligatr. At his confused glance, she smiled and held out a Pokeball.

"It's only fair I fight your starter with my starter." She exclaimed. "Ready when you are, mister."

'Her starter, huh...' Alain gripped his Pokeball tight, and reared his hand back, his Keystone flashing as he felt Charizard's own Megastone resonate. Like wise, Sendara grinned, her eyes...

Did they turn red?

Yes. They did in fact, go from a golden color to bleeding crimson. Shaking his head to focus, Alain threw his Pokeball forward just as Sendara did the same.

"Charizard!"

"Lopunny!"

Dragon and Rabit formed, and then met in the middle of the meadow, Charizard's Fire Punch clashing with Lopunny's own Fire Punch. Fire and wind whipped around the two Pokemon. Charizard, unable to contain himself, grinned savagely, a motion returned by Lopunny. Quickly seperating, Charizard flapped his wings as Lopunny did a back flip.

"Charizard!" Alain called out to his oldest friend, Keystone glowing. "Let's do this! If we're losing, we're losing with a blaze of glory!"

The crowd roared as Charizard was basked in a glow of rainbow colors, his Megastone shining brightly.

Sendara smiled, her eyes flicking between golden and crimson as she felt Lopunny's excitement. "Hold, girl. Let's give them a show."

As the rainbow glow bursted apart, blue fire surged into the sky, Mega Charizard X bellowing loudly as he stomped the ground.

"My turn!" Sendara said cheerfully, and Alain frowned. Didn't she just Mega Evol-

She raised her arm, and Alain's blood froze when Lopunny followed the movement. That movement-!

—•—•—•—•—•—

Ash and his friends widened their eyes.

"Ash, isn't that-!"

—•—•—•—•—•—

Dianthe and Professor Sycamore leaned forward with anticipation, both recognizing Lopunny and Sendara's synchronized movements.

"As special as Geninja and Ash's bond is..." Cynthia mused, having already seen what was about to happen. "There are so many trainers out there. What rule says Ash has to be the special one?"

—•—•—•—•—•—

"Lopunny and I..." Sendara grinned savagely as she raised her other arm, Loppuny following her movement. "Our conviction rises past the clouds! Let's see if yours can meet us, ALAIN!"

Both trainer and Pokemon slammed their fists together, and a tornado of fire roared to existence, surrounding Lopunny. The crowd roared as the commentator was shocked to silence for once. After all, there was only one person that they knew off who could pull something like this.

"Charizard, be on your guard!"

Mega Charizard X grunted, widening his stance as he narrowed his eyes. The swirling flames bursted apart as Lopunny let put a loud cry. The white fluffy parts that were located on her ears, wrist, half her legs, and eyebrows were now replaced with bright orange fire. On her forehead, a ball of fire burned more than the rest, and her back bore a stronge mark that seemed to form the letter 'A'.

"Charizard-"

Sendara grinned and punched forward. "Take 'em down!"

Lopunny sped forward, tearing the ground apart with her speed. She flipped in the air and landed a High Jump Kick with a flaming foot on Mega Charizard. The dragon grunted and slid back, hissing in pain. He glared, and glanced at his trainer.

Alain bit his lip, and then nodded.

The black and blue dragon roared and charged forward, claws glowing an ethereal green. Lopunny, instead of dodging, grinned and met the Kanto starter halfway, the fire in her wrist growing and covering her entire fist. Fire Punch and Dragon Claw met, before both Pokemon activated their respective moves in their other fist. From then on, the audience was treated to a clash of monsters. Fire Punches and Dragon Claws clashed together in a series of strikes from both Pokemon, their blows creating shockwaves.

Lopunnt scored the first hit, suddenly ducking a Dragon Claw and uppercutting Mega Charizard with her Fire Punch. He grunted, but not before grabbing Lopunny and actually flipping her over him, slamming her violently into the ground causing a deep crater. Both Lopunny and Sendara grunted in pain, and Mega Charizard swiftly turned around, tail glowing green. The Dragon Tail missed as Lopunny rolled to the side, before she threw a punch. A stream of flame erupted from her fist, and Mega Charizard didn't expect that. He also didn't expect it to hurt, him being both a Fire Type and a Dragon Type, and the mighty dragon hissed as his face burned. He took a step back, roaring as Lopunny did a hand stand and flipped herself back up.

Blue flames travelled towards Lopunny, and she answered by raising a leg. Eyes were widened as she axe kicked the Flamethrower in two, before she jumped in the air and aimed another High Jump Kick. Mega Charizard flapped his wings and took to the air, causing Lopunny to absolutely destroy the ground where he once was. Alain, seeing the Sinnoh Pokemon stuck, quickly seized the oppurtunity.

"Blast Burn, now!"

The temperature skyrocketed. The arena lit up as Mega Charizard glowed a blazing blue. Alain blinked, having never seen this before, as Charizard gave a mighty roar. Blue flames covered his form, and then grew, turning into a giant dragon made out of blue fire. The construct flapped its wings, Mega Charizard in its chest, and it charged towards Lopunny.

"Lopunny!" Sendara, undettered and slightly wincing from the ache in her leg, grinned wider. "Set your heart ablaze! RENGOKU!"

The blue light gave way to orange. The meadow's grass turned to ash as Lopunny glowed. The fire on her body surrounded her, and then bursted to life, forming an image of a dragon's head. Lopunny and Sendara roared together as the rabbit shot off the ground, the ground tearing itself apart beneath her. Everyone watched as the azure dragon charged down to the orange dragon skull, holding their breathes. As the Blast Burn and enhanced Fire Punch slammed into each other, there was a second of silence.

White light filled everyone's vision, and a loud explosion shook the whole stadium. Everyone grabbed on to their seats as the shields worked overtime to protect the people and the trainers from the blazing inferno of blue and orange fire. Alain covered his face, trying to spot his starter while Sendara hissed and covered her arms, feeling burns prickling her skin.

Then there was a bang, like a gunshot. Through the fire, the silhoutte of Lopunny could be seen throwing a mean punch on Mega Charizard's face. Alain felt the keystone flicker, and he sighed.

It was his loss.

—•—•—•—•—•—

"Yo."

Alain blinked, having just finished healing his Pokemon and was on his way outside. He glanced at Sendara smiling at him as she approached, her eyes back to their natural golden color.

"That was a good match." She continued. "Your Charizard really gave his all."

Alain huffed, smiling. "Thanks. Your Lopunny...is she-"

Sendara cut him off by tapping his lips with a finger, grinning as she walked away, leaving Alain with her last words.

"Ash Ketchum maybe a gifted trainer, but that bond he shares with Greninja...what universal rule says only he needs to have that Battle Bond with his Pokemon?"