Chapter 60

                                    

                                          
Eventually, Serena goes back to Ash's house just in time to see everyone else awake and having breakfast. Ash, May, and Iris are all eating larger helpings than everyone else, but there is more than enough for Serena to eat. Once everyone has had their fill, Max, May, and Dawn decide to head over to Professor Oak's lab so that Max can train for the Indigo League, and May and Dawn can work on their routines with their Pokemon. Serena decides to stay in the house to groom her Pokemon and help Delia and Mimey around the house with Misty. As for Ash, Pikachu, Iris, Axew, Cilan, Alain, Mairin, Chespie, Professor Sycamore, Clemont, and Bonnie, they all go back to the beach where Timothy, Coovers, and Electchu are already waiting for them. Alain leads the group as he walks toward Timothy with a competitive smirk. 
                          
"You're here earlier than I expected," he says. "Eager to go against my Charizard and me?"
                          
"Pretty much," Timothy says. "Though, we also didn't really set much of a time apart from just 'after breakfast,' so it's kind of a matter of perspective of who is or isn't on time."
                          
Alain nods and asks, "Just so we're clear, this is a one-on-one battle with Charizard in its mega form against just one of your Pokemon, right?"
                          
"Correct," Timothy says. "Shall we begin?"
                          
"The sooner, the better," Alain replies, smirking. 
                          
The two trainers firmly shake hands and take positions on the beach with Electchu standing next to Timothy. Clemont stands in the middle while everyone sits down behind him.
                          
"This should be a delightful battle to witness," Cilan says with a cheerful smile.
                          
"Yeah, I can't wait to find out what a Mega Charizard is like," Iris says excitedly. "I bet it's going to be extremely powerful."
                          
"It is," Bonnie testifies. "Alain's Charizard is so powerful. It's a shame that Greninja lost to it."
                          
"Yeah, it really was," Clemont says with a sad smile. "But I wonder what Timothy is like in battle. After hearing about the two times Ash battled against him from Dawn, May, and Max, I wonder how strong he is."
                          
"I agree," Professor Sycamore says with a smile. "I believe this will be an exciting battle to watch either way. Two trainers who have won a Pokemon League facing each other."
                          
"But, Alain's going to win!" Mairin exclaims. "There's no way Timothy's Pokemon can take down Charizard."
                          
"I wouldn't be too sure of that, Mairin," Ash says. "Timothy's Pokemon can't mega evolve, but they're still very strong."
                          
"Pikachu," Pikachu says in agreement. 
                          
"Hey, who's side are you on, Ash?" Marin asks, pouting at the raven-haired boy.
                          
"I'm not on anyone's side," Ash answers. "Alain and Timothy are both my rivals. I'm just hoping to see a good battle."
                          
"I am too," Clemont says.
                          
"Well, I'm rooting for Alain no matter what," Mairin states proudly. 
                          
"Chespin!" Chespie exclaims
                          
"As am I," Professor Sycamore says.
                          
"Well, then I guess that makes me the only one rooting for Timothy," Coovers says with a shrug. "So, I hope he overcomes what's waiting for him"
                          
"Well, we won't know until we get this battle underway, so let's get started," Timothy says. 
                          
"I agree," Alain says.
                          
"Alright, then. I will referee again," Clemont says before raising his hand. "This will be a one-on-one battle between Alain and Timothy. The battle will be over when either side's Pokemon is unable to continue. Are both sides ready?"