Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 66: Exchanges Between Rivals

"CONGRATS!" Jessie squeezed me hard, making breathing air hard to accomplish. "You made it to the Semifinals!"

"Good job kiddo," James pounded me on the back, laughing. "Always knew you could do it!"

"Just win this and you'll be well on your way to winning the Kalos League!" Meowth grinned widely.

"Yeah yeah," I smiled, happy to have these wonderful goofballs as my family. "Now, I see you went all out today."

It was the same day of my victory against AZ, the evening breeze pleasant to feel. The Rocket Trio, ahem, the Rocket 4, had decided to make a dinner to celebrate me advancing onto the Semifinals. I, having met them along the way, invited Ash and his friends, and even extended an invitation to Alain. So far he has yet to show up to the small plateau where the table had been set up with an amount of food that I was beginning to wonder where it all came from.

"Alright everyone," Preston knocked on the table to gather all our attention. "This evening we celebrate not only the Semifinalists success, but all those who've managed to make their mark!" I glanced at Alex, smiling. "So congratulations," Preston continued. "Dig in I guess. Be thankful this wasn't made by Jessie."

There was laughter going around at that, forced laughter from Jessie in particular. As we moved in for the food, we could hear Preston's strangled cries. 

"So," Robert swallowed his food in one huge gulp. "Just what will come next if either of you defeat the league?"

Ash and I glanced at one another. I shrugged. "I guess I could enter the Kalos Champion's League and see if I can make my way to battle Diantha. Though I'm not sure if I would want to be a potential Champion just yet."

"I think I would," Ash leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look on his face. "I don't mind Kalos. It has cool places and amazing people and Pokemon. If I became Champion, I don't think I would mind just staying here. I mean, sure I'll still travel and I'll miss Mom in Pallet Town, but," he tickled Pikachu under the chin. "I think we could really stay in Kalos."

"Gren," his Greninja appeared at his side, nodding at his trainer's words. Then he glanced at the table and picked up a Poke Puff Serena had made for this occasion.

"Oh," Serena clapped her hands together. "Zeno, Alex, Robert, you should have your Pokemon try my Poke Puffs. Pokemon absolutely love them."

"Why not?" Alex shrugged. "Ninetales, come on over."

"Greninja, Arcanine," I looked back at the both of them already heading over. "Serena wants you guys to try something."

Greninja glanced at the Poke Puff Ash's Greninja held and picked the same one. I chuckled at that. "Can't be beaten by your rival now, eh?"

"Gren," Greninja nodded, cocking his head at his rival.

"It's funny," Ash shook his head, smiling. "Their instinctive rivalry, it makes sense now thanks to what Professor Sycamore told us."

"Told you what?" Alex and Serena both asked simultaneously.

Ash and I shared a glance, both of us smiling as we remembered to when Sycamore came up to us earlier after we were leaving the stadium.

...

"Merveilluex," Sycamore held his arms out, a smile spread across his face. "Your battles are truly something to behold! And your Greninja have done so well." He looked at both Ash and I in turn. "May I see them?"

"Sure," Ash agreed, letting out his Greninja, and I followed suit. Both stood before the Professor, their colors contrasting one another.

"Ah," Sycamore nodded at Ash's Greninja. "You, the one who kept running away, only wanting a trainer that understood you and could harness your true potential. I daresay you have accomplished that." He moved on to mine. "And you, one who was rejected by many, one destined to die one day. But look at you! You've done so well and have come this far! Death can't claim you just yet!"