What Lies Ahead|Wally x Reader

As you walked down Victory Road, you battled several trainers who underestimated your ability to take on the Elite Four. There was no doubt that you were able to prove them wrong, but even as you defeated them with ease, you still felt...anxious about what lies ahead.

You could hardly believe that you made it this far. When you looked at your Blaziken, who beat the crap out of any Makuhita that crossed your path, it was hard to imagine him as once a sweet, little, hyper Torchic you just happened to choose.

It was a split-second decision you had to make to save Professor Birch from a wild Poocheyna, but little did you know that decision would change your life forever.

Throughout your journey, you've captured many more Pokemon, and even revived one from a fossil! It was an odd-looking creature called Anorith, which later evolved into a strong Armaldo. Later, you entered the Cave of Origin and captured the mighty Groudon with your only Master Ball (which you thanked Arceus for).
Finally, in an underwater cavern, you discovered braille text which you managed to decipher, leading you to the Legendary Golems that were hiding away in three different caverns across Hoenn. Two of them you couldn't catch no matter how many Ultra Balls you bought, but Regirock showed little resistance and became yet another faithful member of your team.

However, it wasn't just the Pokemon you've met that changed your life, but also the people.

You met your neighbors May and Brendan: May was a sweet girl who adored all Pokemon and had an adorable little Mudkip always by her side; Brendan was a funny guy with a competitive spirit that, in a way, reflected his Treecko's personality. You also met Steven Stone, a stone-hunting fanatic who was quite charming, at least in your eyes.

And last but not least: Wally--a kind, shy, and sickly boy you met while talking to Norman. It was hard to believe he was even your rival..he would never hurt a fly! When you helped him capture a Ralts, his mother told you that this was the first time, in years, she's seen Wally this happy. You wouldn't lie, hearing that made you smile. It was a good feeling. But after you defeated him, he swore that he'd catch up to you and become even stronger.

And even now those words were still fresh in your mind. Of course, it made you want to become stronger, too, and so you did. With your Blaziken, Regirock, Groudon, Armaldo, Banette, and Aggron, you made your way towards the end of Victory Road.

"Hey [y/n]!"

You gasped, stopping as Armaldo knocked out a Crobat. The Fossil Pokemon turned its attention back to you, confused as to why you suddenly stopped.....when it saw the person you were staring at, too.

It was Wally. He was smiling. And it wasn't that small, shy smile he had when you first met him. Oh no. This smile was wide, practically beaming with newfound confidence. Behind him stood a Gallade. Your eyes widened in amazement.

"W-Wally?" You breathed, almost in disbelief as you took a step towards the boy. 

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" He chuckled. "I told you one day I'd catch up!"

"And you're not wrong, Wally," you replied, smiling. It was hard to imagine that this was the same Wally from before. He looked healthier and more..mature. Guess a Pokemon journey really does change people after all.

"You're going to challenge the League?"

You nodded. "That's what I came all the way here for. And don't worry..." You looked at your Blaziken. "...we're strong enough to take on anything, right Blaze?"

The Fire/Fighting nodded curtly, giving you a fist bump.

Wally smiled. "Your Pokemon really do love you. If it's one thing I learned..it's that the stronger your bond, the more you'll be able to accomplish together. And..." His voice began to waver. "..and ever since that day you helped me, [y/n]..I've been able to accomplish much more than I-I ever have in my life."

You looked back at him, your expression changing into one of concern when you saw tears forming in his eyes. "Wally, are you-?"

"I-If it weren't for you I-I would've been stuck in Verdanturf Town doing n-nothing b-but wondering if I-I'm gonna have a future..if I'm gonna do anything in th-this world." Wally sniffled, wiping the tears that now streamed down his face. "I-I didn't want to feel weak or useless..so thank you..so much..[y/n]." He looked up at you, smiling once more.

"It's the least I can do, Wally." You smiled back, trying to hold in your own tears before you wiped your eyes. "..so..is it a rematch you seek?"

Wally nodded. "It is. Are you ready?" He challenged.

You nodded, smirking. "We're always ready!"
...............


"Regirock! Use Rock Throw!" Nodding, Regirock hurled several boulders at Wally's Flygon, striking it and causing it to fall to the ground.

Wally gritted his teeth as he watched his second to last Pokemon faint, before stepping up and returning the Bug-type to its Pokeball. "You did well, buddy," he said, before he looked back up at you. "Alright...I think it's time.." He sent out Gallade.

"I think it is, too," you smirked, sending out Blaziken. "Let's show each other the power of Mega Evolution!" You declared, clutching your Mega Stone that was attach to your necklace.

"Hm." Wally nodded, clutching his pendant 

"GALLADE! MEGA EVOLVE!"
"BLAZIKEN! MEGA EVOLVE!"
..............

"C'mon Blaze.." You said, seeing the Fire/Fighting in a daze. He became Confused when Mega Gallade used a psychic attack. You could tell that Mega Blaziken wasn't able to take much more punishment, even though he gave Mega Gallade a nasty burn, severely weakening him.

If your Pokemon accidentally hurt himself in his confusion, then you would lose. But after all you've been through, after all the triumphs and failures, you still had faith in your Pokemon...and you weren't ready to give up or give in.

"Mega Blaziken, try to focus and finish Mega Gallade with Double Kick!"

Mega Blaziken's head was spinning, but then he slapped himself across the face, growling. Glaring at Mega Gallade, he snapped out of his confusion and sprinted towards his enemy, delivering a kick to his chest and then a kick to his face, sending the Psychic-type flying backwards and crashing into the wall.

And just like that...Gallade fell to the ground, fainting before reverting to his original form.

'I...I actually beat my rival!' Your smile grew as you walked up to Mega Blaziken. "I'm so proud of you. I'll definitely give you your favorite PokeBlock after this." Mega Blaziken stood up, before turning around and smiling at you as he reverted back to his original form. 

"You deserve a nice long rest, return now." Blaziken crooned softly as you returned him to his Pokeball, before you turned and looked at Wally, who also recalled his fainted Pokemon.

For a few moments, he didn't say anything, nor did he look at you. You felt your stomach drop, seeing his unwavering expression. Maybe you went a little too far?

You started to wonder if you did something to upset him when you suddenly heard him...laughing?

"W-Wow..that was a great battle!" Wally grinned, looking at you. There were tears in his eyes, but he looked more happy than sad that he lost to you. "You did amazing [y/n]!"

You breathed a sigh of relief, smiling back. "So did you, Wally. I hope I didn't kill your pride or anything," you giggled.

"Oh not at all!" Wally shook his head. "It was a fair fight. But...it seems like I need improvemen-" He paused when he began to cough several times, probably due to the dust and smoke that lingered in the cavern.

"Hey, take it easy," you said, walking up to him and rubbing his back as you waited for him to be done with his coughing fit. "You okay?"

"Y-Yeah..thanks..heh...I'm still a little sick," he admitted, standing up straight. "But I won't let that stop me. Not now. Not ever."

You smiled, before looking to see that you've made it to Victory Road's exit. At that moment, you instantly remembered why you were here to begin with as you once again felt nervous about going forward to take on the Elite Four.

"[Y/n]?"

"Huh?" You blinked several times, looking back at Wally. He had your hands in his as he looked at you with the most sincere expression you've ever seen on him.

"Don't worry. If you're strong enough to make it through Victory Road and defeat me...then the Elite Four and Champion got nothing on you. I see now that you can overcome any obstacle. You've made it this far, [y/n]...don't stop now."

Your eyes widened in shock as he said that, but you let the words sink in. A warm feeling blossomed in your chest as you smiled and hugged Wally, tears coming to your eyes.

"Thank you Wally, for not only being my rival...but for also believing in me."

"You're welcome," he smiled, hugging you back. For a few moments, it was just like that, until you felt a tug on your shirt.  "Huh?" Looking back, you saw your Banette, her arms folded across her chest as she tapped her foot. "Hehe. You Pokemon's getting impatient," Wally remarked, letting go of you.

"Nah, she's always like this," you giggled, scooping up Banette into your arms. "But you're right, I am ready to go forward. I can't wait to see what lies ahead."

"That's the spirit!" Wally grinned, giving you a thumbs up. "Now go get 'em, Champion [y/n]!"

"Future Champion you mean."

"...same thing."

You only giggled, waving goodbye to Wally before you headed out of the darkness of the cave and into the shining sun.

As you sat in the Pokemon Center, waiting for your Pokemon to heal, you looked out the window to see the Pokemon League building. The sight no longer intimidated you, but instead it made you excited about what awaits you inside.

With your friends, Pokemon, and rival behind your back, you were ready for the ultimate test.