The air was electric.
The moment Gardevoir and Milotic locked eyes, the arena grew deathly still—not in silence, but in pressure. An invisible tension curled around the water's surface and across every platform. There was something different about this fight.
Not just strength.
Feeling.
Misty's expression was focused, but her grip on the railing of her platform was tight.
Skylar's eyes didn't blink.
The bond between trainer and Pokémon—on both sides—was unshakable.
They weren't just battling.
They were trusting.
—"Milotic, Aqua Tail! Let's go!"
—"Gardevoir, Psychic, redirect!"
The clash came fast. Milotic's glowing tail slammed forward, but Gardevoir sidestepped with grace, her eyes glowing bright as she caught the strike with pure willpower.
The impact split water across the field. Mist sprayed into the stands.
Skylar's lips pressed into a line. "You're holding on."
Gardevoir's eyes locked with his. She nodded. Always.
—"Now, Moonblast!"
She charged the light, her palms swirling with power—fired it straight across the battlefield.
Misty responded. —"Dragon Pulse, intercept!"
The two beams collided in a pillar of light, shaking the dome, cracking the central platform. Both Pokémon staggered back, gasping, worn… but still standing.
The crowd held their breath.
Milotic panted.
Gardevoir dropped to a knee.
They were evenly matched.
Too evenly.
Bryce narrowed his eyes from the shadows.
—"Neither's going to fall. Unless something gives..."
Misty's voice wavered only slightly.
—"It looks like we're both out of aces, Skylar."
Skylar stared across the field.
Then he exhaled softly… and reached into his jacket.
—"Not quite."
He pulled something from beneath his collar—a silver chain. Hanging from it was a stone unlike any other. Oval. Pale. Glistening with colors that shimmered between reality and light.
A Key Stone.
The crowd gasped.
Even Misty froze.
Skylar raised his hand.
On Gardevoir's left wrist—hidden beneath the flowing folds of her arms—a matching stone began to glow.
—"You're incredible, Misty," he said, eyes burning with excitement. "So I'm done holding back."
Gardevoir stood slowly.
The stones resonated.
The arena itself felt different.
Skylar's voice cut through the still air:
—"Gardevoir. Mega Evolve."
The reaction was instant.
A vortex of pure light swirled around Gardevoir, lifting her off the ground. Her eyes glowed bright pink. Her dress-like body extended, flowing like a ballroom gown in storm winds. A halo of psychic energy crowned her head.
When the light burst—
Mega Gardevoir hovered in midair, radiant, poised… and impossibly powerful.
The arena erupted.
Gasps. Screams. Even Misty's sisters leapt to their feet.
Lily: "He can MEGA EVOLVE!?"
Daisy: "That's a Key Stone!"
Violet: "Only top-tier trainers can use those!"
Even the referee hesitated.
Up above, Bryce's expression finally shifted.
His jaw tensed.
His eyes gleamed.
—"He's not just talented. He's ready."
Misty stared, stunned—but only for a second.
Then she smiled.
Not with fear.
But with fire.
—"Milotic. Full strength. Hydro Pump!"
The serpent roared, and a massive cannon of water exploded toward the floating Mega Gardevoir.
Skylar didn't flinch.
—"Hyper Voice. Let them hear it."
Gardevoir inhaled—her voice rose not as a scream, but as an aria.
A wave of raw psychic sound burst from her mouth, visible in the air, pushing against the hydro cannon with sheer force.
The attacks clashed mid-arena—then snapped.
The water was torn apart.
Mega Gardevoir rushed forward through the mist.
—"Psyshock! Right side!"
Milotic tried to dodge, but the angle was perfect. The pink burst of energy slammed into her flank, spinning her through the water.
She crashed into a platform—then rose again, furious and wild-eyed.
—"Recover!" Misty cried.
Milotic began to glow.
But Mega Gardevoir's eyes flashed.
Skylar's voice was calm. "Calm Mind. Then end it."
Gardevoir floated high, drawing in breath—calmly.
The aura around her expanded.
Even Milotic paused, unsure, breath catching.
Skylar lifted his hand.
—"Moonblast. Final one."
The light gathered above Gardevoir's head, larger than before. Glowing white. Pure emotion—focused into force.
She fired.
The Moonblast struck dead center.
Milotic cried out—and fell.
This time, she didn't rise.
The gem on the scoreboard dimmed.
"Milotic is unable to battle. Gardevoir is the winner. The match goes to Skylar of Sinnoh!"
For a moment, there was no noise.
Just awe.
Misty stared at Milotic, then up at Gardevoir, who was slowly descending, her mega form flickering… before reverting with a quiet sigh.
She looked tired.
But proud.
Skylar ran to catch her.
Gardevoir leaned into him gently.
—"You did it," he whispered.
Misty returned Milotic, cradling the Poké Ball for a second.
Then she crossed the field.
She stopped in front of Skylar, not speaking.
Just looked at him—really looked.
Then smiled.
—"That was the most intense battle I've ever had. I mean it."
Skylar met her eyes. "Me too."
She pulled something from her belt.
A badge—shaped like a gleaming droplet.
She pressed it into his hand.
—"You earned this. Not just because you won. But because you showed us all something else."
—"What's that?" he asked.
—"That you're not just strong," Misty said. "You're becoming someone the world needs."
Above them, Bryce leaned against the glass.
His voice was low, but the pride was unmistakable.
—"She fought like a champion."
He looked down at Skylar.
—"And so did he."