Eventually early afternoon rolled around. Blue still hadn't finished all his paperwork, but no word from Silver had come about any challengers winning, and Blue could really use a break. He didn't know how those pencil-pushers could stand to be holed up in their offices all day. Not to mention, lunch sounded amazing then.

Blue found Silver and Bede sitting on the bleachers out in the arena, talking. While he was sure their conversation was riveting, he was more than happy to interrupt it. "No challengers?" he asked, and Silver glanced up at him.

"Nope, not for the past two or so hours. Seems like there was merely a morning rush," Silver said. "We've just been talking. I was going to ask if you wanted to grab lunch or something."

"I was actually gonna ask you that," Blue said. "I just need a break from that mess."

Silver rolled his eyes. "Maybe don't save all your paperwork for the last day of the week, then. But I'm sure that'll change when it hasn't the last fifty times I told you."

Blue pointed a finger gun at Silver, grinning. "You know it. I was thinkin' the usual place."

"Alright," Silver said plainly. "You fine with that?" he then asked Bede, and he received a nod in return.

"As long as I can order at least one hot chocolate, Mr. Silver." He held up a finger for emphasis before heading for the entrance, not waiting for the older Trainers.

Blue's gaze couldn't help but linger on Bede for a moment. Should he apologize? It would be the right—not to mention adult—thing to do, but he admittedly was still upset about everything that had happened, even if it had helped him. He knew Bede would get that smug satisfaction out of an apology.

Dammit, and I thought I was done considering things like this today, Blue thought, trying not to grimace. He was taken out of his thoughts by a nudge from Silver.

"Considering yesterday, you seem to be in a better mood," he noted.

Blue's smile faltered a little. "Eh, I guess? I've been thinkin' through some things, and I figured them out." He didn't feel right not acting like his usual self, though his conversation with Red had helped as well. Even then, it was more bittersweet.

"Does it have to do with what happened with Bede?" Silver asked.

Blue shrugged, glancing away. "Maybe." He then looked back at Silver. "You think it'd be worth it apologizing to him?"

"I think so." Silver nodded. "He's really not a bad kid, just a bit misguided. He definitely has a passion for battling and Fairy-types... also pink." He pursed his lips. "Lots of pink. I can't tell if it's a liking he developed himself or once that Opal forced on him."

Blue raised an eyebrow at that. "Do you have a bit of a soft spot for him? I wonder what kind of life-changing conversation you had yesterday, since it resulted with that new 'Mr.' honorific."

Silver responded to Blue's jab with a knowing smirk. "You know that shit doesn't work on me. Should I tell you that I'm surprised you even know what 'honorific' means?" he said, his eyes glinting with a dangerous coldness that didn't faze Blue in the slightest. He didn't need to press further for a true answer.

"Are you two coming?" Bede called loudly, halfway outside. "Or am I supposed to go alone?"

"We're coming!" Silver replied, though neither he nor Blue made a move. Bede sighed and left the Gym. He would probably be waiting on the outside bench for them. "Oh, and I was right about him hating adults," Silver added. "Because of that, I doubt he'll apologize to you. He didn't seem receptive to the idea when it came up."

"I figured that, unfortunately," Blue said.

By now Silver's interest was piqued. "So you're actually going to apologize to him?"

"I'm... thinking about it," Blue admitted.

"You'd better do it soon, then," Silver said, stating the obvious.

Blue sighed internally. Yeah, yeah. But now that he'd essentially said that he would apologize, he had to figure out how he would go about doing it. It didn't take long for him to come up with a basic idea, but it was just a matter of phrasing it right. Then I guess I'm tellin' him, he affirmed.

At Viridian Place, the trio placed their drink orders and began the tedious ordeal of waiting for them to arrive. Of course Bede had ordered a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream, and that made Blue wonder if Bede knew what water was, or literally any other drink.

Not long into their wait, Silver abruptly stood. "I'll be right back. Need to wash my hands." He shot Blue a look, glancing at Bede when he had his boss' attention. Blue didn't need to be told what to do, though he did appreciate Silver giving him an opportunity like this.

"So you and Silver have been gettin' along?" Blue asked after Silver had gone.

Bede didn't bother moving his menu when he replied, and not at all enthusiastically. "I suppose you could say that... Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," Blue said. He didn't say anything else, waiting for a question of some kind, and he got one.

Bede sighed and put the menu down. "What do you want? I thought you said that you would leave me alone." A corner of his mouth quirked up. "Are you going to admit I'm right and apologize?"

   Here goes nothin'. "Not exactly, but sorta," Blue said. "Ya know there's only one real way for Trainers to settle their differences, so how 'bout that rematch you wanted?"

Bede's eyes narrowed, like he was deciding if this was a trick or not. "Fine, I'll take the bait," he said slowly. "What's the catch?"

"If I win, you apologize. But if you win, I apologize," Blue proposed. "You'll have your chance to prove that you were right all along."

Any consideration that went through Bede's mind was quick, as his eyes lit up with both intrigue and excitement. "Oh, so that is how we're doing this." He smirked. "Then I accept," he said without hesitation. "I'll have you admitting that I was correct in no time at all!" At least he still had his enthusiasm.

Out of the corner of his eye, Blue could see Silver standing by the hall that led to the restrooms, watching. Blue gave him a small nod, and he returned to the table. Blue mouthed a soundless "thanks" to Silver, and he knew right then that he was going to owe Silver more overtime.

Silver's return couldn't have been more timely, because a minute later the waitress brought the group's drinks. "Two waters and two hot chocolates, both with extra whipped cream," the waitress said, beginning to hand them off.

"Two?" Blue's gaze instantly went to Bede, who was looking confused.

"Oh, two? My apologies, but I meant one," he said with a forced innocence that shocked Blue. No tact whatsoever!

"Really? I'm so sorry about that!" the waitress apologized.

Bede shook his head, smiling. "It's fine. Still, I don't believe the other should go to waste, so you could leave it here as well." He held out his hand expectantly, only for Blue to snatch the second mug before Bede could.

"I'm sure you don't want cold chocolate, so I'll take it," Blue said, smiling against Bede's frown. He didn't know how Bede had managed to order two when Blue heard him say "one," but he was mildly impressed all the same. But at least he'd already won one battle, even if it cost him a couple extra hundred PokéYen.

—~*~—

For the next hour, the Viridian Gym was closed. Blue felt less guilty knowing that there weren't any challengers waiting when they got back, because he wasn't sure how he was going to explain why exactly their challenge had to wait. He could probably get away with saying it was a training exercise.

Blue had a decent idea of how Bede battled now: evasion via impromptu confusion and not letting up once he had a leg up. He decided to reach out to one of his oldest teammates to help him with this battle since his Fairy and Psychic counters had weaknesses he was sure Bede could exploit. He also just felt bad that this guy hadn't had a proper battle in a month or three since Blue wanted to give him a good rest after his last round of matches.

"So the same rules apply to this battle as the last," Blue announced. "Two Pokémon, no switches unless the other faints." He held up an Ultra Ball. "Ya ready?"

Bede stood across the arena, again only in his Gym uniform. "You don't even need to ask," he replied, sending out his first Pokémon. The Fairy-type Eeveelution, Sylveon, lightly touched down, almost appearing like it had floated to the ground.

Blue already knew Bede would think he was crazy when he sent out his Tyranitar. The old Pokémon slowly stretched its limbs before letting out a worn but excited growl, thrashing his tail about. Blue had almost used his Heracross since he was obviously lighter on his feet than the bulky Rock-type, but Blue wasn't about to provide Bede with such an easy type-advantage.

"I'd prefer it if you gave me a challenge, actually make me feel like I've earned this win," Bede said, pointedly looking at Tyranitar. "But do as you please."

"Then I guess you're in for a surprise," Blue retorted before calling out the starting move. "Tyranitar, Earthquake!"

Bede quickly countered. "Jump and use Psyshock!" Sylveon's feet left the ground just as the arena was rocked, launching it into a flip. With a flick of its ribbon-like feelers, a hail of purple shards were flung towards Tyranitar. The shards slashed gashes into Tyranitar's armor plating, but he barely flinched.

"Dark Pulse!"

Sylveon shuddered as eerie waves of dark energy wracked it, struggling to stay upright. "Don't let it get to you," Bede tried to encourage. "Now Moonblast!" Though it was still grimacing, Sylveon's feelers came together and conjured a ball of pink light that was then flung at Tyranitar as well.

"Stop it with Thunderbolt!" Blue ordered. Static spilled from Tyranitar's maw as he opened it wide, unleashing a bolt that collided with the pink orb and exploded into pink and yellow light. Already spots were dancing across Blue's vision, and a Dazzling Gleam hadn't even been used.

"Disarming Voice!" The already-disoriented Tyranitar was further frazzled by a high, melodic tone that echoed all about the arena. It drowned out Blue's call to use another Dark Pulse, leaving Tyranitar open for a direct hit from a follow-up Moonblast. This time Tyranitar stumbled back, lashing his tail to keep his balance.

Blue debated having Tyranitar use another Thunderbolt, though it really wasn't his best option. His Pokémon couldn't effectively use his best moves without Sylveon getting close to him. But how could Tyranitar goad Sylveon into coming closer? The makings of an idea came to him, and he decided to try it. "Stone Edge!"

Of course, Bede told Sylveon to dodge the attack. The Eeveelution easily leapt away from the rocks trying to gouge it from beneath, landing a bit closer to the center of the arena. Now the idea became concrete.

"Stone Edge again, right behind it," Blue tried. Again Sylveon avoided the attack, moving more to the side but still closer. "Keep using Stone Edge, Tyranitar!" Spike after spike erupted right by Sylveon's back paws, sending it into a frenzied dance of leaps that gradually brought it closer to Tyranitar.

Weirdly, Bede seemed to pick up on what Blue was trying to do, yet he seemed to be going along with it. Soon Bede's side of the battlefield was a mess of ruptured earth and concrete, and Sylveon was mere feet from Tyranitar. It'd actually worked!

"Fire Fang!" Blue called swiftly. Tyranitar lunged at Sylveon with smoldering jaws, who leapt over Tyranitar's head and landed behind him.

Bede's face lit up with triumph. "Moon—!"

"Aerial Ace!" Blue cut him off. Tyranitar's tail violently lashed at Sylveon, smashing it back into the crudely-raised rock spires. "Now Thunder Fang!" Tyranitar launched himself at Sylveon, jaws splayed wide open.

"Dazzling Gleam!"

With Tyranitar being so close to Sylveon, the Dazzling Gleam was akin to a flash grenade being set off. Tyranitar recoiled with a roar, blinded, backpedaling while flailing wildly. Blue knew it was only a matter of time until Bede pulled out the Dazzling Gleam, and an attempt at an Earthquake was again evaded. One more Moonblast was all it took, and Tyranitar collapsed.

"Amazing job, buddy," Blue praised his fallen teammate. He hooked the ball onto his belt and tossed out a second. "Alakazam, let's go!" It wasn't smart to bring out a Psychic-type when Bede's second Pokémon could be part Psychic as well, but he didn't have the best matchups with his other Pokémon, and he still had to take care of this Sylveon first. But of course Bede wasn't going to make it easy.

"Shadow Ball!" A blob of ghostly energy formed atop one of Sylveon's feelers.

"Evade and use Psychic!" Alakazam teleported out of harm's way, only to appear behind Sylveon and lift it into the air. Blue could tell what Bede was about to do, so he quickly called, "Close your eyes!" And it wasn't a moment too soon as the arena was again doused in pink light. "Toss it and use Psycho Cut!" Sylveon was sent airborne, where it was battered with blades made of psychic energy before hitting the ground. Hard. And it didn't get up.

A small huff of frustration escaped Bede, and he held up Sylveon's ball. "Sylveon, return." He stared at his second Pokémon's ball for a moment before a smile returned to his face. "We can do this, Mawile!" he said with confidence. The large-jawed Pokémon emerged from its ball, brandishing its saw-like teeth like they were blades.

Blue didn't exactly expect this. He always forgot Mawile was part Fairy, and it was a Pokémon that could use Dark-type moves, and physical ones at that. It wasn't his style to use moves like these, but he wasn't about to risk too much. "Re—"

"Sucker Punch!" Bede called. Mawile tensed, jaws beginning to seep dark energy as it waited for Alakazam to make a move. Instead, Alakazam gave a backwards, puzzled glance to Blue, who finished the order he was attempting to give before.

"Reflect," he said, and Bede's expression fell blank in surprise. A translucent shield of blue light formed around Alakazam, solidifying itself before vanishing. "That's a tricky call to make, isn't it?" Blue couldn't help but say, leaving Bede at a slight loss for words. "Future Sight," he followed up.

Bede's brow furrowed. "It isn't tricky at all. Taunt, Mawile!" Mawile playfully pulled down one of its eyelids, sticking out its tongue as it chirped something only Alakazam could understand. Instantly the Psychic-type was fuming, again turning back to Blue with a look of fury in his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to pulverize Mawile.

"Shadow Ball," Blue said with reluctance.

Bede grinned. "Sucker Punch!" he said gleefully. Mawile raced at Alakazam, ducking under the ethereal blob Alakazam threw and chomping down on his leg. The blue energy shield flashed into existence for a split-second before Mawile's teeth locked around the limb. Alakazam hissed in pain and teleported out of Mawile's grasp, hurling another Shadow Ball at it. Mawile was sent tumbling but easily leapt to its feet, further spurred on by Bede's call of "Sucker Punch again!"

Blue had to try and stop this. "Psychic!" Alakazam stopped Mawile, mere inches from latching onto his arm. "Get it away from you!" However, Alakazam only partially listened. He hurled Mawile into the air almost straight above him before forcefully bringing it down almost right beside him. He'd "gotten it away from him" for a short moment while also keeping Mawile close enough for another attack. "Psy—"

"Another Sucker Punch!" Bede interjected,

Alakazam let out an audible cry when Mawile bit down this time, and his reaction to teleport away was more sluggish. The look of residual anger from Mawile's Taunt belied the pain from the super-effective onslaught. Blue was regretting using Alakazam, for his partner's sake more than his own.

He bit his tongue, trying to think of what he could do. Reflect was worth nothing when Mawile could stall it out. The only opening Blue could think of would be when Future Sight took effect, but he didn't know how much longer that would be. Still, he had to keep going. "Shadow Ball!" Mawile's jaw tore right through it and clamped around Alakazam's torso.

"You know this is going nowhere. Mawile can Taunt your Alakazam right when it wears off, and she's practiced her Sucker Punch to perfection!" Bede gloated. "You might as well give up and apologize right now."

Blue tensed up, his teeth gritting as his fists clenched. There was no way he was going to give up. As long as Alakazam was willing to keep going, so was he. "Alakazam, can ya keep going?" The Psychic-type slowly, stiffly lifted his head, but the small nod was enough. "Don't think you've lost yet. We can still pull off a victory," Blue said, grinning.

"If you so insist," Bede said in a singsong tone.

   Blue swallowed the lump in his throat. "Psycho Cut," he ordered.

   "Mawile, Sucker Punch!" Blue watched helplessly as Mawile bit down on Alakazam's arm, making him writhe weakly.

   In spite of the bravado he displayed before, worry churned in Blue's stomach. It'd been a couple weeks since he'd last been so firmly put up against the ropes like this, and he knew that he was running out of options. Alakazam really couldn't take much more. This was compounded when Reflect finally wore off, shattering apart when Mawile's next attack connected. Was it worth it to keep waiting this out when Alakazam couldn't even get an attack in, becoming more injured in the process?

   "Don't let go, keep biting!" Bede said, and his Pokémon was more than happy to carry out that order, sinking her teeth in deep.

   That was it in Blue's mind, to his dismay. He couldn't take seeing Alakazam be in pain any longer, and his hand began to move towards the Psychic-type's ball. But then Blue stopped when Mawile's jaw locked up, followed by the rest of her body. She was frozen stiff by a sudden psychic assault, and she gasped as the Future Sight finally took effect. A jolt of excitement flashed through Blue. This was it.

"Shadow Ball!" he cried. And that was all it took. Mawile was blown back into the remnants of Tyranitar's Stone Edges, where she fell to the ground, unconscious. It was then that Alakazam dropped as well. Brief silence fell over the arena before it was broken by Bede.

"A-are you joking?" he gasped, his jaw dropping. "Did that actually just happen?"

"It looks like it..." Blue said, though the response went unheard. Bede hung his head, fists clenching in obvious anger.

Silver was just as shocked as the two Leaders, glancing from one Pokémon to the other, frowning. "Uh, both Mawile and Alakazam are unable to battle. So it's a... tie?" He said this last part unsurely, as ties were very uncommon. Blue was about to say something when Bede spoke up, surely to reinforce the notion of the tie to protect his pride.

"No, it isn't." Another wave of shock hit Blue as Bede's head rose, his shoulders slouched. His face was set in grim resignation. "Mawile fainted first, so that means..." He exhaled a quick, forceful sigh with a shake of his head. "I-it seems that I've lost."

"You just admitted that you lost?" Blue said.

Bede's eyes narrowed into a glare. "Don't give me that look," he partially huffed. "If I'm going to be a Gym Leader, I cannot afford to be dishonest. It's supposed to be in the integrity of a Leader, yes?"

"Yeah, it is," Blue agreed.

"And with that," Bede crossed his arms, "I suppose I have to say that—"

"I'm sorry," Blue said. Now it was his turn to surprise Bede, as the kid's eyes widened. "You heard me, I'm sorry."

Bede blinked, his mouth hanging open for a second before he responded. "Excuse me? Why are you apologizing?" he questioned.

"Because I've come to realize a couple things, and it's thanks to you that I considered them in the first place," Blue replied. With the battle's status secured, he finally recalled Alakazam, and Bede did the same with Mawile. "I was gonna apologize regardless of who won this battle," Blue continued, "but I knew you wanted a rematch."

"So... so you didn't want to rub another victory in my face," Bede said. "You actually wanted to battle again because... it was what I wanted?"

"Victory's always sweet, but I had ya in mind the whole time," Blue said. "And yeah, I'll admit that you're right... sorta. You're still not right that ya can just brush everythin' aside and leave it in the past, but I really was clinging to my rivalry with Red."

Like Blue expected, Bede smirked with self-satisfaction. But it didn't last very long. "Believe it or not, I've realized that as well." It was quick, but Bede glanced at Silver. "I need to find a way to use what had happened as a stepping stone for what I plan to do in the future, not disregard it completely."

"So it looks like we were both right and wrong," Blue said, a slight chuckle escaping him.

"That does appear to be the case. And I accept your apology. To be honest, I'm..." Bede hesitated, "admittedly not at my best socially around adults."

A more audible laugh left Blue, this one tinged with awkwardness. "I'm not that good with kids either, so it kinda weighs out, yeah?"

Bede nodded, his brow furrowing as his gaze fell to the floor. It was like he was considering saying something. "I've only ever poured my heart out like this to Victor," he mused. "What is wrong with me?" He glanced up at Blue. "And don't answer that, it's for me to consider. "

Blue held up his hands in mock defense. "I won't! Sometimes ya just gotta think on things yourself, and I'll let ya do that if you're more comfortable with it," he said. No apology yourself? Blue shouldn't have expected that much, so he decided to roll with what he got here. He was honestly just amazed that things appeared to be working themselves out. After a moment of silence, he cautiously said, "So... does that mean things are cool between us?"

There was more hesitation from Bede, like he was actually considering things. Then his eyes gained a look that hadn't been there the previous two days. It was a distinct glint that instantly softened his otherwise harsh appearance. Well, as harsh as he could look while smothered in pastels. "I suppose they are," he said simply, nodding, and a wave of relief came over Blue.

"Does he get any of that coveted respect of yours?" Silver asked jokingly, raising a brow.

Bede shot Silver a look. "That's pushing it, Mr. Silver," he said icily. "Though..." He shrugged. "I will consider it."

"Hey, if that's all I can get, I'll take it," Blue said. Now he just had to make sure things between them would only improve from here. "So how 'bout we make the rest of this day the best it can be and end things off on a half-decent note?"

"I'd quite prefer that," Bede agreed with a soft smile.