Daisy's green eyes fell on Blue. A dash of shock spread across them as she shook her head. "Blue! Why would you be the Gym Leader? That doesn't make any sense!"

"Just come inside and I'll explain," Blue said sharply. His smugness had been replaced by anger and... sadness. He turned and walked around the gym. Daisy, let's see what's going on here. She didn't look me in the eye as we walked into the building.

The interior of the gym was massive. There was a high roof and a large dirt battlefield. The perfect place for a challenger's final battle. There was a giant display screen on the side of the wall. There were six Poké Balls on both halves of the screen.

"Welcome to the Viridian City Gym!" Blue strolled onto the battlefield and spread his arms. "About time you finally get here."

"Blue," Daisy took in the scene. "What is going on here?"

Her brother glanced at her. "Did you think they left this gym without a leader?"

My friend shook her head. "Of course not! But why you? You're a kid!"

Blue kicked some of the dirt. "Yeah, why me indeed. That's a splendid question, Daisy. It was what Dad wanted. The League was willing to honor it if I accepted. With Joey being around to help."

My rival strode back towards us. "And I accepted, I figured it'd be fun. Nothing was saying I couldn't still go on an adventure when the time came. Gramps didn't understand, of course. So it was off to Johto. Then, when that didn't work out, I showed up back in Kanto. Tried to balance my time, and make sure I still fulfilled my duty as a Gym Leader. It helped that I was supposed to be the final challenge."

I looked him in the eye. So this whole time, you've also been running a gym? Blue didn't acknowledge the question. His eyes were blazing with some sort of passion I had never seen before. "Arceus help me, I hate this job. I hate that I'm stuck here! As everyone marches on, I need to tend to this stupid thorn in my side! I never should've taken it, but I was too stupid to realize I'd be stuck! Stuck under my dad's shadow!"

Daisy put a hand to her mouth. "Y-you're not stuck, Blue."

He glared at her. "You didn't even know. Gramps never thought it apt to mention? Or did you just not care? Was the fact I was gone not on your mind at all?"

"You left! Mom and Dad died, and you left!" Daisy shouted back.

I stepped in between the siblings. Daisy, we're not going to get anywhere with this. "Oh boy, mutey is ready to jut in," Blue scoffed. I looked directly at him, and he smirked. "Yeah, alright then. Let's do this! Give me the best damn battle you can, kid! Four on four. Your best against mine. I need a win, anyways." Blue went to the other end of the battlefield and clutched a Poké Ball in his hand.

"You've got this, Red." Daisy put her hand on my shoulder. I'm going to do what I can. I took a deep breath as I walked to my end of the field. I had battled Blue twice, and he had beaten both times. It was time to battle.

Blue threw the Poké Ball into the air and in a flash of light, a Pokémon appeared. The Pokémon was a floating stone sphere with a few spikes poking out of it. A picture of it replaced one of the Poké Balls on Blue's side of the screen.

I didn't recognize the creature. It must have been from another region. I took out my Pokédex and it scanned the Pokémon.

"Minior. The Meteor Pokémon. Minior is native to Alola. No more information is available." The Pokedex said and I put it away. I grabbed Pikachu's Poké Ball and sent him out. A Poké Ball on the other half of the screen changed to a picture of Pikachu.

Pikachu start this match with Thunderbolt! Pikachu unleashed a blast of electricity, the shock struck Minior. The stone ball staggered back a bit. Now run in and use Quick Attack! Pikachu charged forward and rammed directly into Minior.

Blue swiped his hand through the air. "Power Gem!" Several stones rose from the ground and flew into Pikachu, blowing him back. He rolled across the ground and got up. Thunderbolt, again! Pikachu charged more electricity in his cheeks and sent the bolt at the opponent.

"Use Light Screen!" My rival called out. A pink barrier surrounded Minior, and it seemed to partially absorb the bolt of lightning. "Now hit them with Double Edge!"

Minior flew through the air and slammed into Pikachu. The electric mouse staggered back from the blow. Minior seemed like it would be a tough Pokémon to break.

It floated away from Pikachu, and I noticed electricity was coursing through its body. It had been paralyzed by Pikachu's Static! Pikachu, use Mega Punch!

Pikachu swung his fist directly into the body of the foe. Minior flew back further. Then, the stony parts of its body broke off one by one, revealing a blue circular Pokémon.

Blue furrowed his brow. "Alright, shield's already broken. Great! Use Shell Smash!" Blue ordered. Minior began to shine with energy before it burst out in all directions.

I knew Shell Smash made a Pokémon far stronger, but lowered its defenses. We had to be extremely careful. Light Screen was still up, so we couldn't just use Thunderbolt.

Blue thrust his hand forward. "Use Double Edge! Knock them out!" His Pokémon flew through the air, moving faster than before.

Get out of the way with Quick Attack, then finish this with Wild Charge! Pikachu jumped over the approaching Minior. Then, electricity surrounded his body and he descended.

Pikachu collided with Minior and jolted the opposing Pokémon. The meteor fell onto the ground and fell unconscious. The picture of the Pokémon on the screen faded to black.

"I knew that tourist was ripping me off when I traded him my Kadabra!" Blue grumbled as he returned his Pokémon.

Then, he sent out a blue sea beast that had yellow scales on its chest and Draconic fins. The creature used its tail to keep itself balanced. It was Blue's Seadra, now a Kingdra.

I returned Pikachu and called out Ivysaur. Like before, Poké Balls on both sides of the screen changed to pictures of our Pokémon. Pikachu's picture, meanwhile, turned gray.

"Kingdra use Dragon Pulse!" Kingdra shot a purple beam into Ivysaur. He jumped to the side to avoid the move. Use Toxic and then Solar Beam!

Ivysaur launched a purple sphere at Kingdra, the sphere exploded and drenched the opposing Pokémon in venom. Then, my Pokémon started to charge energy inside his bulb.

Blue shook his head. "Use Smokescreen! Then use Giga Impact!" Kingdra unleashed a wave of smoke that obscured the battlefield while Ivysaur prepared his attack.

Then, the sea beast erupted from the smoke and rammed directly into my Pokémon. Ivysaur was thrown back, while Kingdra propelled itself back into the smoke.

Ivysaur tried to aim his bulb at Kingdra, but he couldn't get a clear shot in the smoke. "This is how we get you, kid!" Ivysaur fired the beam into the smog and seemed to miss.

He landed on the ground and winced. Giga Impact had taken a lot out of him. I narrowed my eyes. Use Vine Whip to feel for Kingdra! Ivysaur's vines extended from his sides and into the smoke.

Blue rolled his eyes. "I'm not just going to sit here! Dragon Pulse and Giga Impact!"  Purple light flashed from the dark cloud, and Kingdra rushed out from it. The Pokémon's body was surrounded by Draconic energy.

Ivysaur, run! But I was too late. Kingdra sped into Ivysaur, and he was sent tumbling across the ground. I held my breath, as my Pokémon fell unconscious.

Blue smiled and he called back Kingdra. "Too easy! You're going to need to do better than this if you want to beat us!" Then, he sent Umbreon out.

The first Pokémon I ever battled. I returned Ivysaur and threw another Poké Ball into the air. In a flash of light, Squirtle appeared. Once again the screen changed to accommodate the new battlers.

"Umbreon use Shadow Claw!" Blue's Pokemon ran forward, its claws being surrounded by ghostly, transparent energy. Umbreon is going to jump into the air, so slide under him and use Hydro Pump!

The Pokémon did exactly what I expected, and Squirtle slid under him and fired a powerful stream of water at Umbreon, carrying it into the ceiling.

"Umbreon use Dark Pulse!" The Dark-Type Pokémon began falling and unleashed a wave of black energy that crashed into Squirtle. "Now, Quick Attack!" Umbreon landed gracefully and dashed forward.

Rapid Spin! Squirtle made it into his shell just before Umbreon reached him. Squirtle was flung across the battlefield by the larger Pokémon. He skittered to a stop and exited his shell. Beads of sweat were on his head and his teeth were locked together.

Squirtle use Ice Beam on the field! My mind was racing now, realizing what we had the chance to do. Squirtle released a white beam that coated the field in ice.

Now, use Rapid Spin to get in close! Then grab onto Umbreon and use Ice Beam! Squirtle tucked into his shell and spun across the ice, speeding towards his target.

Umbreon tried to move out of the way, but his footing on the ice caused him to almost fall over. My Pokémon grabbed onto the opposing Pokémon's body and unleashed a beam of ice.

Finish this! Jump up and use Hydro Pump! Squirtle leaped off of Umbreon and spun around to hit the Pokémon with a deluge of water.

Blue was growing frustrated with how the battle was going. "Oh come on! Umbreon, use Last Resort!" Umbreon exploded with light and leaped into the air.

His body clashed against Squirtle's Hydro Pump. The two Pokémon were locked in a clash for a few moments, and then Squirtle won out and flung Umbreon into the ground.

The dark quadruped rolled across the ground and fell unconscious. Two down, two to go.

"So there goes half my team already. You've only lost one Pokémon." Blue locked eyes with me. "I won't lose Red. Not now." He returned Umbreon, and called Kingdra back in.

Kingdra had been poisoned, meaning that it didn't have too much stamina left. However, Squirtle was getting exhausted. I had to hope his determination to win would shine through.

"Kingdra, use Smokescreen!" Blue's Pokemon started by immediately coating the battlefield in smog. Squirtle, I need you to listen to me for this. I have a plan to get through, but you can't overextend. Squirtle glanced back at me and gave the slightest nod.

Blue waved his hand in the air. "Dragon Pulse, Kingdra!" A purple beam rocketed out from the obfuscation. Rapid Spin past it and then keep spinning in the center of the smoke!

Squirtle dove into his shell and spun past the attack, and then into the smoke. He continued to spin, using the ice to increase the spin speed further.

Squirtle blew away the smoke and revealed Kingdra's location. Ice Beam! Squirtle then jumped out of his shell and fired a white beam directly into the opposing Pokémon.

My Pokémon landed as Kingdra took damage from Ivysaur's poison. "Giga Impact!" Kingdra lunged forward and rammed into the tiny turtle Pokémon, tossing him away.

Just what I wanted! Move to Kingdra! Squirtle's eyes snapped open as he charged in. Kingdra was completely exposed and now needed to recharge. Get above Kingdra and finish this with Skull Bash! Squirtle spun across the ground and jumped up.

He tucked his head into his shell, and fell into the opposing Pokémon. Kingdra was forced to stand there as Squirtle rammed his skull into the beast's head.

Kingdra tumbled over, and Squirtle stood victorious.

Blue clutched Kingdra's Poké Ball as he returned it, and began to laugh.

"I'm seriously losing to a kid? This cannot get worse! You're supposed to be a nobody! An easy target to prove how strong I am!"

"Blue, what is going on here?" Daisy asked him from the sidelines. "What is with you? It's like you've become a completely different person? Yellow feels the same way, you know."

Blue went silent for a moment. "Don't bring her up."

"What happened to you?" Daisy demanded. "What happened to my brother?"

"You ever wonder why I decided to take on the gyms here instead of finishing up Johto?" Blue asked. "I couldn't get the final badge. I beat Clair, but she wouldn't give me the badge until I passed a test in the Dragon's Den. Some trial of worthiness or whatever... and I failed. So I went to Kanto, where there were no tests. Only to be surpassed by everyone around me."

I looked at Blue and felt unsure of what I should do. Blue... you don't have to be stuck here. You aren't a failure, you're carrying on your parents' legacy. If you didn't want that you would've quit by now! Isn't the fact you've made me such a better trainer proof that you're good at this? Just because you aren't the strongest person in the region doesn't make you any sort of failure.

Blue paused, shaking his head. "I keep trying to block out the voice, but I can't. Is it... you? How are you doing this?"

Blue, you might be a bit of a jerk, but I can connect with people I have a strong bond with. We have a connection, doesn't that prove what I'm saying?

A small smile crossed his face. "Alright kid, let's finish this." He threw the Poké Ball into the air and Typhlosion appeared. The flames on his neck flared to life and the room temperature rose 10 degrees. "Give me everything you've got! We'll see if you've really learned!"

Squirtle faced down the mighty badger and started to run in. Rapid Spin! Squirtle dove into his shell and spun across the ice. "Typhlosion use Eruption!" White hot fire burst from his neck. A wave of molten heat melted all of the ice and slammed into Squirtle.

The turtle went flying into the air, at the limits of his stamina. Hydro Pump! Squirtle launched a torrent of water down at Typhlosion.

Blue's Pokémon held up his arms to absorb the attack. "Thunder Punch!" Electricity surged through Typhlosion's arms and up the stream of water, electrocuting Squirtle.

The turtle fell to the ground, having been defeated. I returned him and sent Pikachu in next.

Use Thunderbolt! Pikachu charged electricity around his body and launched it out at the foe. "Use Scorching Sand!" Typhlosion dug his claws into the dirt and kicked it into the air. Then, he spewed flames into it.

The cloud of sand absorbed Pikachu's attack. "Eruption!" From the sand, a rush of fire flew at my Pokémon. Dodge with Quick Attack! Then use Mega Punch! Pikachu darted out of the way of the fire.

He then jumped into the air and swung his fist at Typhlosion's head. "Iron Head!" Typhlosion's skull coated itself in steel, repelling the fist. Pikachu ascended into the air and Blue snapped his fingers. "Scorching Sand!" Typhlosion grabbed a ball of sand and jumped up.

The honey badger swung the sand into Pikachu's body, carrying him into the ground. Pikachu staggered to his feet and shook off the dirt. Use Wild Charge!

My Pokémon started to run forward, electricity sparked around his body and he jumped into Typhlosion.

Typhlosion tanked the attack and grabbed Pikachu in his arms. "Eruption!" Fire burst from the starter's body and surrounded my Pokémon.

Pikachu collapsed on the ground. Just like that, we both had one Pokémon left. I called back Pikachu and sent in Charmeleon.

Charmeleon yawned while Typhlosion took an aggressive stance. "This is it then. Let's make it a good one!" I nodded at Blue.

"Thunder Punch!" Typhlosion dashed across the battlefield and slammed a charged fist into my final Pokémon.

Charmeleon staggered back and shook himself. This is what we're up against buddy. I need you to give it your all! Use Slash! Chameleon jumped forward and jammed his claws into the opponent's body.

Typhlosion stood strong under the pressure. "Iron Head!" Blue's Pokemon crashed his head into Charmeleon, causing him to fall to his knees.

Charmeleon pushed himself back up and roared. Don't give up! Use Dragon Rage!

Charmeleon tried charging blue fire in his maw, but Blue was already moving. "Let's hit him with Scorching Sand!" Another volley of sand flew from Typhlosion. The projectile crashed into Charmeleon, causing the fire in his mouth to explode.

Charmeleon fell over and I winced. Come on Charmeleon. You can't just lie down and give up now! I need 100% from you! We've gotten this far! We can't give up now!

Charmeleon's eyes snapped open, and then he got back to his feet. My Pokémon erupted in flames as he roared his name. Then the fire rose in height and expanded in width. Afterward, the flames dispersed and in Charmeleon's place stood a new Pokémon, Charizard.

Charizard looked much more like Charmander than Charmeleon. He had orange skin throughout most of his body. Though his belly and the underside of his tail were bright yellow.

Charizard's tail had grown out and the flame on the end burned brighter than ever. His hands had formed more and his claws were now pointing inwards and he could make a fist.

His entire body size had more than doubled, his neck was much longer and he even had another spike on the back of his head.

The biggest change was the two huge wings on his back, each easily as long as Charmeleon. The top and bottom of the wings were orange while the inside of the wings was dark blue.

I stared at the fully evolved Pokémon in awe. Charizard looked back at me and smiled, and then faced down our foe. Let's do this! Use Slash!

Charizard jumped off the ground and glided forward. Charizard swung at Typhlosion and blew him back. Charizard then ascended into the air and began showing off his new flying skills.

"Typhlosion use Thunder Punch!"  Typhlosion dashed across the ground and then hurled himself into the air. He swung a charged fist into Charizard's stomach.

Charizard, grab Typhlosion and throw him to the ground! Charizard wrapped his claws around Typhlosion's wrist and then swung the Pokémon around in the air and tossed him to the ground.

Typhlosion crashed into the dirt while Charizard hovered above. Use Air Slash! My Pokémon flapped his wings and sent an air current into our opponent.

"You won't win! Hang in there Typhlosion!" Blue's Pokémon shook off the damage, and the flames around his collar surged. The Pokémon's body was surrounded by a red aura. "That's what I'm talking about! Use Eruption!"

Typhlosion unleashed a surge of fire into the air. Charizard dove down to evade it and landed on the ground. "Thunder Punch!" Typhlosion uppercut Charizard with his fist. "Again!" Slash! Then use Fire Blast! Charizard countered the fist with his claws. Fire surged from Charizard's mouth and into Typhlosion.

Blue's starter was hurled backward by the force of the blast. Charizard banged his claws together and the flame on his tail burst with fire. A red aura surrounded him and Charizard started to roar.

Both Pokémon were at their limits. It was time to finish the battle. Charizard let's go all out! Use Fire Blast!

Blue braced himself. "Then we'll match it! Use Eruption!"

Sweltering heat burst from both Pokémon. Charizard launched a ball of fire from his maw, while immense flames surged from Typhlosion's collar.

The flames collided, fighting against one another for dominance. An explosion erupted from the fire that coated the battlefield in smoke.

I peered through the smoke to try and see what had happened. As the smoke began to clear, both Pokémon were still standing. Then, Typhlosion fell over and fainted.

Blue exhaled. "So that's that. You've won. Congratulations kid, and great job Typhlosion. Take a break, you've earned it." The trainer returned his Pokémon, and a smile came across his face.

Blue started to walk across the field and Daisy tackled me in a hug.

"You did it Red! That was amazing! You won your eighth badge! Now you can take on the Elite Four!" Daisy said.

I felt a bit embarrassed by Daisy hugging me, but I returned her embrace. Then I went up to Charizard and I pat his head. Incredible job, buddy! I returned the Pokémon so he could rest.

Blue chuckled. "Take the Earth Badge, you've earned this. And also, here's the TM for Solar Beam." Blue handed me a green disk and a badge shaped like a feather.

I held the final badge in my hands and looked at my rival. Thank you, Blue. He scoffed. "Don't mention it, bud. You better not falter now, given you beat me. Your next stop is the Elite Four and the Champion, whoever that ends up being."

Blue then went up to Daisy. "And sis... I'm sorry. I didn't want to leave you I just... I had to get away. That's not fair to you though, and I'm sorry for screwing with you. I really respect you, and I think Mom and Dad would be proud of who you've become."

Daisy paused and then gave her brother a hug. "Alright, we're cool now. Just, don't be such a jerk."

Blue chuckled. "No promises."

It was a bit of a relief to see the siblings finally getting along. Daisy smiled at me, and I noticed she was crying again. I had found a way to help them communicate, and that felt good.