The two regional starters stood tolerant on the battlefield, examining the other as an unnerving silence fell upon the competitors. Ash could feel his heart race as memories of battles and tournaments past came back. This was the same eerie silence that fell before every significant battle, the same tension and the same rush of adrenaline. Max stood in his box trying to keep his composure. What unnerved him the most, was the calmness that his opponent expressed. Greninja mimicked the calm demeanor, even in a high-pressure situation like this. The Pokémon looked as if it was just another training day. Both competitors could feel the sweat begin to trail down the sides of their faces as both had put their all into the battle.

Max was the first to break the silence. "Sceptile use Leaf Blade, finish this now!"

The forest Pokémon moved at lightning speed with the leaf on its arms glowing green. Before he could reach his opponent, copies appeared around the Pokémon. With all its effort, it slashed the one directly in front but only hit the battlefield as it went through the copy.

"Now Greninja, use Water Shuriken!" Ash commanded the Ninja Pokémon. From behind the copies, came multiple water attacks. They streaked across the stadium floor, attempting to deal damage.

"Sceptile use Detect to dodge, and then fire a Bullet Seed!" Max countered.

The Hoenn starter's eyes began to turn red as it gracefully dodged all the attacks that came before settling down and firing a barrage of small glowing seeds towards one of the copies. Greninja let out a cry of pain, as the attack found the original. The water and dark type stood back up as the other copies vanished.

I can't get in too close, due to Leaf Blade, but I also can't just sit back and attack from distance with Sceptile knowing Detect. I have to find a way to get off a critical hit. Ash thought as he planned his next attack.

"Greninja use Water Shuriken and keep your distance! Use Quick Attack to dodge any counters!"

The information was a lot to handle, but Ash knew his faithful Pokemon could do it. Obeying his commands to the letter, Greninja let loose multiple water attacks, only to be gracefully dodged by Sceptile.

Max, in turn, commanded Sceptile to get in close with a Leaf Blade. The two combatants moved fluidly across the field, as neither could get an attack to land. Sceptile finally found his opening as he cut his way through two shurikens, as Greninja began to slip on the wet floor of the stadium. The forest Pokémon crossed its arms and cut the Pokémon in the chest, sending it skidding back. As it began to examine the damage caused by the effective attack, its eyes began to lose their red glow.

"There! Quick Greninja, Aerial Ace, let's go!" Ash yelled, seeing his opening.

The dark and water type skidded to a stop and used its hind legs to leap toward its opponent. As it went, air could be seen visibly twisting around its body as it slammed into its assailant. The collision caused a cry of pain to come from Max's partner, as it was sent back and rolled on the ground.

"Get up, Sceptile! I know you can, I believe in you! We aren't done yet!" Max encouraged his partner. On sheer willpower alone, Sceptile managed to pull itself up.

Both Pokémon were now standing on the battlefield exhausted. Their breathing was strenuous. Greninja could barely keep one eye open, as the other was swollen shut from the beating it had taken. Sceptile; likewise, was gripping its stomach where the last attack had landed. Both trainers had a similar thought running through their head: I have to end this now!

"Greninja, Shadow Sneak!"

"Sceptile, Detect into Bullet Seed!"

Greninja vanished from sight as Sceptile's eyes turned red. Suddenly, the forest Pokémon made a quick jump backward, as a fist came, from the shadows, followed by Greninja. It opened its mouth and a volley of yellow glowing seeds shot towards the now visible Kalos starter. Continuing its momentum, the ninja Pokémon dodged by jumping into the air, before a small explosion occurred, where it had appeared from.

"Leaf Blade!"

"Aerial Ace!"

The commands came at the same time and both Pokémon responded on cue. Sceptile jumped into the air with the leaf on its arms turning green, while Greninja propelled itself towards its target as white streaks enveloped it. The two attacks collided, causing an explosion that sent smoke throughout the battlefield. Both trainers watched closely, for any possible movement that came from within the darkened cloud.

The cloud slowly began to lift. The audience gave a gasp at what was revealed. On the ground, was Sceptile with Greninja hovering over its chest. The image that horrified the crowd was that of Greninja holding a Water Shuriken to its opponent's throat. The Kalos starter was breathing heavily, but his eyes never shifted from their target. The Pokémon still believed that the titan, it had just taken down, would rise again and, in its mind, wanted to make sure it was ready.

The Pokémon's body shivered as it felt a gentle touch on its shoulder. Its gaze broke, as it saw that it was Ash that held a soft grip on him. A look of pride, but also compassion, shine in the young man's auburn eyes.

"That's enough, Greninja," Ash spoke softly. "It's over. You did great out there, and I am very proud of you. You can stop now."

The dark and water type gave a small sigh, as it slowly made its way up to a standing position. As it rose, a sharp pain was felt in its legs, which caused it to fall. Instead of hitting the ground; though, he was caught by Ash, who gave Greninja one last nod of approval before returning it to its Pokéball.

Max slowly made his way to his fallen partner in the middle of the battlefield. His heart began to slowly break, as he saw the condition his starter was in. He knelt down and held the Pokémon's head in his lap, as he praised it for its effort. He then noticed an Oran Berry in front of him. Looking up, he saw that it was his opponent who was offering the Oran Berry to him.

"Here, this will help him return to full strength," Ash spoke kindly to Max. "You should be proud of the trainer that you've become. I know your friend would have."

Max gave a sad smile. "Thank you, Aaron."

"Don't mention it," Ash said as he turned and walked toward his platform. I'm definitely proud of you, Max.