Below the battlefield, Max could hear the chants beginning, asking for him to appear. Sure, he had taken on the conferences of Hoenn, Kanto, and Sinnoh, along with Drake, of the Orange Crew, and the Battle Frontier, but never in front of a crowd like this, with such a strong opponent in his opening match. What made matters worse, was the pressure he felt to succeed. With Tyson already eliminated and Harrison in a slump lately, Hoenn and its media turned to him as their last hope to win. He was only fifteen. His best finish in a league was coming in the Top 4 at the Indigo Plateau.

How am I supposed to win this? Sure. I've done my research, but she probably changed her strategy. Why did I pick that Pokémon, for my initial choice? God, this is going to be a disaster! I'm going to embarrass myself! A worrying Max shouted in his thoughts.

"Wow, I haven't seen you shake this much since the first time you met Bonnie."

The voice snapped Max out of his thoughts and back into reality. He took a quick look around before seeing his sister, May, standing near him, with a small smile on her face, and a look of concern in her eyes.

"Oh, hey May," was all Max could say right now.

"Wow. No snappy reaction? No shouting that Bonnie isn't your girlfriend? You must be more nervous than I thought," May said with worry in her voice.

"Of course I'm nervous, May!" he yelled back. "I have everyone in Hoenn expecting me to go out there and win. I can't let those people down. I can't let dad down. I can't let Bonnie, you, or the others down. I mean, what if I fail?"

"Listen to yourself, Max," his sister began. "You sound like a kid who hasn't trained his whole life for this. You look like a beginner about to battle his first gym leader. You got this. Think about what Ash would do."

"He made it look so easy," Max said as his lips started to form a smile. He began to shake his head. "He was always so fearless. Always ready for anything with all the confidence in the world."

"Then, go out there and be like Ash for a battle! Battle like you're the best trainer anyone has ever seen!" shouted May.

Max thought for a moment. His eyes began to light up and his smile began to grow. He ran onto his platform, as it started to rise. He turned to see his sister before she vanished from sight.

"Thanks for the advice, May!" he shouted back. "Time to go win this thing!"

---

Max had his Pokéball at the ready. He was prepared for his opponent. Rachel was no slouch. She was an experienced trainer from the Kalos Region, but she had done a lot of traveling. She wore her blonde hair in a ponytail held by a blue hair tie. A few blonde bangs could be seen covering one of her blue eyes. She wore a long-sleeve white shirt that hugged her body with a blue outline of a Pokéball on it. She wore skinny jeans that showed off her slender physique and blue shoes to match her outfit.

Max wasn't going to misjudge her. She was known, throughout Kalos, as a scrappy trainer, as her biggest attribute was in-match-decision-making. Like her favorite Pokémon, she was aggressive.

When Rachel sent out her first choice, Max knew he had her pegged. They don't call her the Pride of Kalos for nothing. Max thought as he looks at her Pokémon.

Facing Max, was a Pokémon that stood on all fours. Tan fur covered its face, ears, chest, and underbelly along with its legs. A tuft of fur, at the end of its tail, was also tan in nature. This contrasted well with the dark brown that covered the rest of its body. From the top of its head, came long flowing hair that made a ponytail. The ponytail was red and yellow and flowed majestically down its back, which indicated that the Pokémon was a girl.

"Max, allow me to introduce my strongest Pokémon to you: Pyroar!" Rachel yelled with pride as her Pokémon responded with a roar. "We want the best out of you!"

"I won't disappoint," Max responded as he threw his Pokéball in the air. The light, from the Pokéball, dimmed to reveal a Swampert. The mudfish Pokémon stood erect with blue covering most of its body. Fin-like appendages could be seen on the top of its head and its tail. Orange spots on its body could be seen, coming off the side of its mouth, and on its arms and legs. The Pokémon stood its ground quietly and ready to go. Max knew that his Swampert seemed quiet, but deep inside, was a fierce battle, ready to go when called upon. He felt confidence begin to grow inside of him.

Rachel stared at her opponent with anxious eyes. Shit! I thought he would start off with that Sceptile of his. Looks like, this is going to be a tough battle. Rachel thought while looking at Max's Swampert.

Both waited for the ref to start the contest. He raised his flags, and with one declaration, the match began.

"Ladies first!" Rachel said as she geared up ready for her first move. "Pyroar, get in close with a Head Butt!"

With that, the royal Pokémon launched itself toward its opponent, but to Rachel's surprise, Swampert stood perfectly still.

At the last possible moment, Max made his move. "Now Swampert, use Hammer Arm and send Pyroar into the air; then, follow it up with a Hydro Pump!"

The water and ground type listened and did exactly as it was told. His arm began to glow before taking a swing and connecting with the oncoming Pokémon, beneath its chin, sending it skyward. While the fire and normal type were still reeling from the first attack, a jet of water hurled it towards the arena's wall. Pyroar impacted against the wall, before finding its way to the ground with a thud.

To Max's surprise, the Kalos Pokémon began to get up and proceeded to shake off the water on its fur, almost as if, nothing had happened.

"My, my Max. I must say, that is a little more reckless than I have seen from your past performances," Rachel said with an air of amusement. "But if you really thought that would take down my strongest Pokémon, you are in for a world of hurt, buddy."

Well, it was a nice thought. At least, she will be a little wearier with those head-on attacks now. Maybe that will limit her options. Max thought as he eyed his opponent with care. He still had more ideas to come through.

"Pyroar, use Sunny Day, then use Flame Charge!" Rachel commanded.

Her Pokémon sent a burst of energy from its mouth, creating a bright light in the sky, illuminating the arena. When Max looked back up, her Pyroar was gone. Before he had time to find where it had gone, his Pokémon was being sent skidding across the field.

He thought quickly. "Hydro Pump, follow that Pyroar around!"

With that, the mudfish Pokémon regained its balance and fired a stream of water from its mouth, barely missing its target. Rachel's Pokémon continued its onslaught, and each time, Swampert would regain its footing before firing another blast of water. This continued until Max saw his opening.

Pyroar was coming from Swampert's left, but due to the muddy ground, created by the barrage of Hydro Pumps, it began to lose its footing.

"Swampert, to your left, Hammer Arm into a Hydro Pump, just like before!"

Max's Pokémon responded by landing the powerful combo again, but this time, with a little more effectiveness.

Rachel's Pokémon still stood, but its breathing began to become more strained. "I have to admit, Rachel. That was a good strategy you had there. First, your Sunny Day temporarily blinded us, and then, you followed that up with an empowered Flame Charge, quite a strategy; but now, it's over. Swampert, Hydro Pump! Go!" Max thought that his first win of the match was in the books until he heard his opponent laughing.

"It isn't over quite yet, Max," Rachel smirked. "Pyroar Protect!"

With the new command, the royal Pokémon created a shield, protecting itself from the incoming water attack. The attack hit the wall. Water flew everywhere but kept its user dry.

"You know Max, your response wasn't bad to my strategy, well part one of my strategy at least."

"What do you mean by 'part one'?" Max asked puzzled.

"While Sunny Day also empowered my Pokémon's fire attacks, it also makes it easier to use this attack," Rachel spoke with power in her voice. "Pyroar, use Solar Beam!"

With Sunny Day active, the royal Pokémon absorbed the energy, it needed, quickly. A ball of light appeared in its mouth, before bursting out a ray of energy aimed for Max's Swampert. Much to Rachel's horror, Max just smiled.

"Swampert, Protect!"

Similar to what Pyroar had just done, Swampert formed a shield that protected himself from the incoming Solar Beam.

"Now, use Hydro Pump!"

Out of the dust, which accumulated when the attack hit the shield, a powerful stream of water rushed out and slammed into the fire and normal type Pokémon. Rachel looked and saw that this time, Pyroar wasn't getting up. She returned her favorite Pokémon to its Pokéball and chose her next one while maintaining a determined look on her face.

---

"Boy, Max sure does have a lot of strategies up his sleeves, doesn't he?" Ash asked his friend, Gary, as both Kanto natives, along with Trevor, watched the battle below. "He most certainly has the guts to pull off such a risky strategy like that. Swampert took a lot of damage from those repeated Flame Charges."

"Yeah. He sure takes after you in that sense." Gary responded through a chuckle.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ash asked with a confused look on his face.

"Ash, you have become a legend around the Pokémon world, especially to those among our generation of trainers, but to Max, you were his idol," Gary said looking down on the field. "You may not know it, but he wants to be just like you. His first Pokémon was even a Treecko."

Ash smiled as he kept observing his friend's battle below, "I didn't know I had that much of an impact on him."

"You impacted all of us, Ash," Trevor spoke solemnly. "When you died, it took a long time for any sense of normalcy to return. Still, we all took lessons from what you taught us and continued on. Max will never admit it, but when he battles, the battles in your memory. He doesn't talk about you much, none of us do. But boy, when he does, you think he was talking about a god or something. The way he idolizes you, Ash, and the trainer that he is today, I know you would be proud of him."

"I already am," Ash said as he turned to see what Rachel's next Pokémon would be.

---

Rachel stood there, observed Max slowly, before making her next move. "I must say, Max, you really impressed me. My Pyroar and I aren't easily beaten and you think quickly on your feet. You'll need some more of that if you want to beat my next Pokémon. Let's do this, Shiftry!" With that, Rachel tosses her Pokéball into the air, before revealing a grass and dark type Pokémon.

The wicked Pokémon came out and assumed a battle poise. The Pokémon was predominantly brown with what looked like leaves for hands. Its feet resemble Japanese tengu-geta. What really stood out about the Pokémon, was the white fur that covered its face and ran down its back to the ground. From the white fur, two yellow eyes could be seen gazing at Swampert, ready for battle.

"Good luck catching up with us! Shiftry, use Energy Ball, close range!"

Before Max could react, his opponent vanished from in front of him. The wicked Pokémon sent a green sphere into Swampert's chest causing the mudfish Pokémon to cry out in pain, before being sent flying across the field and coming to a stop in the mud.

Before Max could recall his Pokémon, he noticed what Swampert was covered with and an idea came to his mind.

"This fight isn't over yet, Rachel!" Max shouted

"You're wrong," she stated. "Shiftry, let's end this with another Energy Ball!"

"Swampert, use Ice Beam in front of you, then dodge, and blast Shiftry!"

Max had barely gotten the command off in time. Swampert sent a light blue beam in front of him, which caused Shiftry to lose balance. Swampert dodged the attack easily, this time, and as Shiftry moved, it fires another beam of ice and hit the Pokémon square, in the back, causing a cry of pain to be released from its opponent.

"Now, cover the whole field in ice!"

Swampert complied, fully trusting in his trainer's judgment, and soon, the entire field had become an ice rink.

Rachel saw this and gave a small growl out of frustration. Shiftry was slow to get up, as it took an effective attack, but it seemed to be able to battle still.

One more attack and that should do it. Swampert can't possibly take much more punishment. She thought as she's ready to call out the next attack.

"Alright, time to finish this! Shiftry, use Energy Ball from a distance!"

Before Shiftry could fire his attack, Max responded with his defense, "Swampert, Protect!"

The green ball met the shield, causing a small explosion that sent ice and smoke everywhere, but Max knew what was coming.

"Shiftry, on Swampert and use one last Energy Ball."

"Swampert, use Hammer Arm!"

The wicked Pokémon appeared in front of the water and ground type Pokémon, through the smoke, attack at the ready. It was met with resistance, as Swampert's own attack hit home, but so did the Energy Ball. When the dust settled, Swampert was on the ground unconscious, with a heavily breathing Shiftry still standing, victorious.

Max gave a small growl as he returned his Pokémon to its ball, before making his next selection.

Sorry, Swampert. He thought as he pulled out his next Pokéball. I know you gave it your all and you almost took that Pokémon down with you. Don't worry, we got this. She'll take the bait on this one, and then, it will all be over.

"Let's go, Breloom!" Max yelled as he revealed his next Pokémon.

Now standing in front of him was a mushroom Pokémon. The Pokémon stood on two legs with most of its body covered in green. From its head to the bottom of its neck, and along its tail, was a pale color, and on its hands and feet, were red claws. On top of its head, there was a mushroom-like hat, which was also green and had a red spot.

Rachel smirked while returning her worn-out Pokémon to its Pokéball before making her next selection.

"Sorry Max, but it looks like, I just took the lead," she said with an air of arrogance as she threw her Pokéball in the air to reveal her Gengar.

The shadow Pokémon stood, in front of its trainer, with its trademark sinister smile tattooed on its face, while its red eyes glowed with ferocity. The ghost and poison type gave a maniacal laugh, as it stared down its opponent. The Pokémon levitated off the ground, but normally, it would be standing on its two feet. The shadow Pokémon was purple, save his white teeth and red eyes, which glowed with an unpleasant laugh, accompanying their gaze.

"Let's do this, Breloom! Use Energy Ball!" Max started the round-off.

"Shadow Ball, Gengar, then into a Shadow Punch!" Rachel commanded.

With that, the purple Pokémon sent out a black orb from his hands that collided with the green orb, causing a small explosion. Gengar, then appeared in front of his opponent with a black aura, around its right hand, before slamming its fist into Breloom's stomach, sending the Pokémon flying into the air.

"Gengar, follow it up with another Shadow Punch!" Rachel cried out.

Max didn't panic; he had studied her enough to know her strategy with her Gengar.

"Breloom, turn around and fire another Energy Ball!" he commanded.

Breloom managed to spin itself in the air and fire the attack right as its opponent appeared, not letting it get off the Shadow Punch. Breloom landed on its feet and assumed a battle stance, as Gengar hit the ground with a thud, but got right back up still smiling and laughing. It seemed to really be enjoying itself.

"Not bad, Max. Looks like somebody has done their homework, but this battle is still mine!" Rachel shouted with confidence, as she brushed her bangs back from her eyes.

"Gengar, use Double Team, then into Shadow Ball!"

At its master's orders, multiple copies of Gengar appeared, across the battlefield, before a Shadow Ball came, from one of the copies, and nailed Breloom.

"Breloom, now use Energy Ball on that copy!" Max shouted. Breloom obeyed and fired an attack on its target, for the attack to pass through the copy. It was the wrong choice. Again, Breloom was hit with another attack, this time, from a different copy.

Damn it! She's masking Gengar's movements well. How can I fight him, if I can't see him? I got it! Max thought as he shouts out Breloom's next attack.

"Breloom, use Stun Spore on the entire field!"

Rachel laughed, as she noticed panic on her opponent's face. "Beginning to panic, Max?" She laughed, but her laughter turned to horror, as she saw Gengar get blasted with an Energy Ball.

"I wouldn't be laughing right now if I were you. This battle is far from over!" Max responded as his Breloom hit Gengar with another attack. Gengar responded with a cry of pain.

Rachel looked up, and then, realized what had happened. That crafty little son of a bitch. By using Stun Spore to cover the field, he was able to watch my Pokémon's movement, even if it didn't paralyze him. This kid is better than I thought.

"Time to end this! Gengar, use Shadow Punch!"

"Breloom, Energy Ball once again!" Max shouted.

Both Pokémon ran toward each other, attacks at the ready. When they got near each other, they threw themselves, with all their might, towards each other. The two attacks collided, sending both Pokémon twirling back. As the dust settled, Gengar was seen struggling to get up. As for Breloom, it was seen lying on the ground, unconscious.

Max held a grin on his face as he returned his Pokémon to its Pokéball, before thanking it, and reaching for his final choice. Rachel looked on, wondering what her opponent had up his sleeve.

---

"What was Max thinking?" Misty said with a shocked expression, as the battle seemed to be turning for the worst. "He should have known Breloom was at a disadvantage against a ghost and poison type. I mean, half of his moves and all of his combinations would have been useless in that matchup."

"Now Misty, there's no need to worry," Dawn said as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder while trying to calm her down. Her behavior didn't exude the confidence that her words were. "I'm sure Max can come out of this, right Brock?"

Dawn turned to Brock, who she was expecting reassurance from, but instead, saw him deep in thought. "I don't know, Dawn. I mean, he did do damage to Rachel's two Pokémon, but still, two on one is never an ideal situation. What do you think, May? May?"

The group turned to May, who became unusually quiet after the second battle of the match ended. They were expecting a response, but all they saw was a concerned look, as she gazed down towards her brother.

Come on, Max, you're better than this. You should be wiping the floor with her. I know you can win this, but you've got to start doing something, anything! Think about what Ash would do, if he was in your shoes right now.

May's thoughts were interrupted, as she noticed the smile that was on Max's face. That look, finally made her snap.

"Max! What the hell do you think you're doing? Wipe that smile off your face, pull your head out of your ass, and start winning!"

The group looked on, in shock, at the words that came out of the coordinator's mouth. It wasn't as if they hadn't heard stuff like before, but never had they ever heard May shout it like that, especially while in front of so many strangers. The crowd, around the box, turned to the group, with curious expressions, as to which one that the voice belonged to. They all sat quietly until one of them finally broke out in laughter. The group turned to see Bonnie, who already won her match, earlier that day, holding her sides as she laughed uncontrollably.

"And what is so funny?" May shouted towards Bonnie.

Bonnie finally started to calm down. "You guys act like Max is out there 'hot-dogging' it," she said as she wiped tears from her eyes. "This was all part of his big plan. He knew the Pokémon she would go with if he had won his first battle against her Pyroar. Max has been in control of this match, for the entire time."

The group looked at the girl with curiosity. "So what you're saying is that he meant to lose that two Pokémon?" Clemont finally asked the question that everyone had been thinking.

"Well, ideally no; but now, he has got the type advantage, for the rest of the battle," Bonnie said with a grin on her face.

"Bonnie, what are you getting at?" May asked, who's still confused.

Bonnie let out a groan, before crossing her arms and turning back to the battle. "Just watch and see."

---

Max knew he had won. Swampert had done his job perfectly, and Breloom inflicted a good amount of damage on Gengar. All that remains, is for you, to take care of the rest. He thought as he looked at his final Pokémon.

"Mightyena, I chose you!" Max yelled as he threw his Pokéball, into the air, revealing his final choice.

A wolf-like Pokémon appeared, in front of Max, and let out a howl that caused everyone, in the audience, to shiver in fear, as it takes a battle stance. The Pokémon bared its teeth and snarled at his opponent. The bite Pokémon was primarily grey with two black streaks of fur that reached from the top of its head to its backside. Its tail and four paws were also black and its red eyes seemed to be on fire, as it eyed its next prey. Max remembered when he first met his friend, as it was only a Poochyena. Back then, he was still traveling with Ash, May, and Brock through Hoenn. He had helped it evolve, and when he was old enough, he returned to make him a part of his team. Mightyena eagerly agreed and the two had become a great team.

Rachel started to panic, on the inside. Both, of her remaining Pokémon, were weakened from their previous battles. She also knew that Dark-type moves were strong against ghost Pokémon, like her Gengar, and Max's Mightyena was known as one of his strongest Pokémon. She has to be cautious when battling against her opponent now.

"Gengar, use Shadow Ball!" Rachel yelled.

"Dodge with Quick Attack, and then, follow it up with Dark Pulse," Max responded calmly. Mightyena had a burst of speed, as it easily dodged the attack, before appearing in front of Gengar's face, and unleashed a dark beam, from its mouth, causing the shadow Pokémon to cry out in pain. It was sent flying towards the wall, where it impacted and stuck to the wall, unable to battle.

Rachel returned her Pokémon to its ball. She gave a sigh as she returned to face Max. She had been tricked into this; she knew she was in big trouble. That little twerp played me from the start. He knew he didn't have good matchups, but he wanted me to think I had him, while he inflicted damage on my two remaining Pokémon. He set me up well.

"This battle isn't over yet, Max! Not by a long shot!" Rachel said as she released her Shiftry once again. One look at her Pokémon, and it was clear that it was on its last legs. It continued to breathe hard, even after it had taken a good rest, inside of its Pokéball.

"Shiftry, use Leaf Storm!"

At its trainer's command, the wicked Pokémon let loose a barrage of razor-sharp leaves towards its opponent, but much to its dismay, its opponent easily dodged them all.

"Don't give up, use Energy Ball up close!"

Shiftry attacked again and again but to no avail. Mightyena gracefully dodged every single one of those attacks. Shiftry no longer had the speed, it usually has, as both Pokémon slid on the remaining ice that encased the field.

"Mightyena, jump and use Iron Tail!" Max yelled.

Mightyena leaped into the air above its opponent. As it did front flips, to increase its momentum, its tail began to glow.

Rachel had to think fast or else it was over. "Shiftry, use Brick Break, and meet it in the air!" The grass and dark type Pokémon jumped and met its opponent in flight. The two attacks met, but neither budged. It appeared to be a stalemate.

"Checkmate!" Max yelled. "Mightyena, push downwards, and then, use Hyper Beam!"

The bite Pokémon gave an extra push downwards, using its tail, causing its opponent to break off from the encounter. This caused Shiftry to lurch forward, exposing itself to any oncoming attack. Mightyena, who had pushed down, was now above the exposed Pokémon. Gathering energy in its mouth, it unleashed a bright, intense yellow beam of energy, colliding with its target sending it to the ground. When Mightyena landed, it sat itself down, on its hind legs, and gave a satisfying howl.

As the dust settled, the rest of the crowd could see what the dark type already knew, Max had won this match. Shiftry was down for the count. Max ran towards his companion and gave it a hug, while thanking it, for a job well done.

Rachel sighed as she returned her Pokémon to its ball. She then smiled while looking at the device.

"Thanks for the great fight. You deserve a rest."

She went over to Max and extended her hand outward.

Max took it and looked at her, in the eye, while saying, "Thank you for a great battle, Rachel. It was defiantly one to remember."

"Hey, don't thank me, yet." Rachel said with a smile. "You just beat me, which means you better win this whole thing, or else. Got it?"

Max gave a chuckle and then responded, "Got it."

He returned Mightyena to its ball, before heading to his platform, and then, back to his locker room.

---

"He got lucky," Ash stated as he looked down on his friend, hiding a smile, underneath his mask.

"How so? You said it yourself: that Mightyena, of his, is one tough pooch," Gary responded.

"Yeah, but had that Gengar used Destiny Bond, then Rachel could have won by default," Ash explained. "Max was pretty reckless out there, despite having the type advantage. He still could have lost that match. Thankfully, either Gengar had a limited move pool or Rachel just panicked. But still," Ash's voice began to ease up, "I'm very proud of him. He has grown up to become a very smart and gritty trainer. I hope I get to battle him in the next battle."

Gary laughed, "I told you there was a lot of yourself within that boy."

Ash could only chuckle at his childhood friend. "Come on," he said. "I want to go congratulate our victor, and maybe, have a little fun with him."

"What does that suppose to mean?" asked Trevor.

"You'll see," Ash answered as he walked towards the stairs, which lead to the locker rooms.

---

As Max left the interview room, he saw his friends, who were waiting for him outside, on the opposite side of the hall.

"You did great!" Bonnie said as she gives Max a hug.

Max couldn't hide the blush, which had appeared across his face, causing most of the group to laugh at his misfortune. Bonnie let go and backed up, a bit, with an equally big blush on her face.

Max felt someone ruffling his hair as he turned and noticed his sister, standing next to him. He was about as tall as her now, but she still enjoyed messing with his hair, as if he was still shorter than her.

"You had me worried, you little brat!" May yelled while pretending to be upset. "Don't you ever do that to me again! You hear?"

"Hey. Relax, May. I knew what I was doing out there," Max responded with a cheeky smile across his face.

The entire group was laughing, Gary and Trevor had joined them, as they walked down to the corridors, but was still waiting for Ash, to appear. The laughter suddenly stopped, as they could hear someone clapping. They turned around to where it was originating from. Walking towards them, was none other than Aaron Tajiri, with his Pikachu, still on his shoulder, and his Lucario, right by his side.

"That was some battle out there, Max," Ash said turning to the boy. He couldn't help but notice a certain blue-eyed beauty was blushing, as he approached. He was glad he could make her blush, after all these years.

"Thanks, Aaron," Max said. "That means a lot coming from someone as strong as you."

I wonder what he would think if he knew that it was really me that he's speaking to. Ash questioned himself before reaching out his hand. "Your strategy was dangerous and risky."

Max took Ash's hand and shook it, as he kept eye contact with the mysterious trainer. "Thanks, I didn't quite pull it off as efficiently as I had planned."

"Yeah," Ash said with a bit of seriousness, coming to his voice, as he let go of Max's hand. "If you want to beat me, you better come up with a better strategy."

Max went pale at the thought of having to face off against Aaron in the round of 32. Ash took a quick glance over to Gary and Trevor, who was trying to hold in a laugh. Ash was right, it was fun to give the young trainer a hard time. Ash decided that the boy had enough embarrassment, for one day, and quickly snapped him back to reality.

"Hey, Max."

"Huh. . . oh hey! What is it, Aaron?" Max hesitated as he snapped out of his thoughts.

"You better win tomorrow. I want a shot at you, two days from now." Ash responded with a challenge to his friend. In truth, Ash was savoring the idea of finally fulfilling the promise, which he made to Max, nearly nine years ago.

---

Max sat on a swing, over the other side of a park. He was looking down as if he was upset by something.

"Hey, Max."

"Huh?" said Max as he looked up and saw Ash, standing in front of him.

"Isn't it really great that your sister is going to keep taking her contest training to the next level?" Ash asked as Pikachu jumped up and landed on Ash's shoulder.

"Pika, Pika!" the electric mouse Pokémon said.

"Still, I know it's hard, knowing that you won't be going too," Ash said while making eye contact with Max.

Max nodded. "I hear you, Ash. But lately," he responded, as he looked down at the ground. "I started feeling jealous of May."

"Huh?" Ash said as he was in shock at Max's statement.

"See, when you and May were battling back there, I never seen her so psych. But all that I could do, was a watch! And it made me wished that I could grow up quickly so that I can do that too!" Max explained, as May and Brock, who was standing right behind Ash, had just listened to the young boy's troubles. His older sister had a concerned look, in her eyes, as she gazed at her little brother.

"Yeah." was what Ash said after Max explained his problem to him.

Suddenly, an idea came into Ash's head.

"I got it!" he shouted, as Max lifted his head up while looking at Ash, puzzled.

"You know you're going to become a Pokémon trainer, and then, you and I will battle!" Ash proclaimed as Max is surprised by Ash's idea.

Ash then reassured his statement, "Of course! You just let me know when you're ready!"

"Pika, Pika!" shouted Pikachu as it raises its paw to agree with his trainer's idea.

"You mean me battling against you?" asked Max, while having a stunned look on his face.

All of a sudden, a wide smile appeared on Max's face. He quickly gets off of the swing and is standing in a challenging pose, in front of Ash.

"It's a deal!" exclaimed Max as he's excited to battle Ash, when he becomes a trainer, someday.

"Great! It will be a good one!" Ash responded.

"Pikachu!" said Pikachu as it agrees with Ash.

"But I'm gonna win, so look out!" Max shouted with joy towards his friend, while May and Brock smiled at them. "Watching you battle, all this time, I already know every trick up your sleeve! It'll be a slam dunk, for sure!"

---

The scared, timid look on Max's face was quickly replaced with determination and confidence.

He does have my guts and determination. Ash thought.

"You better bring your 'A' game, Aaron, because I'm not giving you anything short of my best!" Max shot back to his challenger, with a confident smile, across his face.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Ash said as he began to turn away from the group. As he did, he made eye contact with Serena, who blushed and gave him a slight wave.

She looks cute when she blushes.

"Hey Aaron," Max shouted as Ash began walking away, Pokémon in tow. "Good luck tomorrow!"

Ash didn't turn or even slow down. He just raised a hand in acknowledgment, as he continued down the corridor and out of the stadium.