- "The time has finally come! The final round, pitting Dawn against Aaron!"—Marian, who may be echoing our thoughts
The final chapter of the Mesa Verde Town contest starts with Aaron triumphing over his second-to-last opponent. However, he's distracted by the words of a lost friend, setting the stage for his internal conflict. Nevertheless, Dawn meets Aaron in the final round of the contest. She's using Piplup, and Aaron's using Magneton. The battle goes back and forth with Dawn and Piplup trying to overcome Magneton's might and Aaron's tactical abilities. Someone's victory is going to be a close one.
This chapter contains examples of:
- Badass Boast: Piplup is disappointed he's fighting Magneton and not Prinplup. Magneton responds with the following:"(Don't worry. I'll definitely keep you on your toes.)"
- Defeat Means Friendship: Inverted. Aaron wins, but he's far more interested in Dawn in the aftermath of their battle. So, "Victory Means Friendship" in this case.
- Call-Forward: Dawn's Pachirisu uses electrical attacks on a Phanpy's Ice Shard, causing it glow a bright blue. Sounds like Ice Chandelier.
- Chekhov's Skill: The first chapter had Dawn and Piplup excited about their secret weapon. The third chapter introduced the laminar flow performance. This chapter brings everything together against Aaron and his Magneton.
- Foregone Conclusion: Obviously, Dawn has her own canon story where she gains five ribbons. Her loss against Aaron was predetermined from the start.
- Good Is Not Soft: Deconstructed. Unknowingly, Aaron tends to look down on his opponents, seeing them as mere obstacles. His mind is geared toward winning, and he unconsciously has no desire to forge an emotional attachment toward foes. Ian was right about that, and Aaron wasn't even aware of it. This leads to some internal strife, he's genuinely a Nice Guy to Dawn, but she's still in the way of his Contest Ribbon.
- Jerkass Has a Point: Aaron admits at the end Ian was right about his criticism of him.
- The Strategist: Aaron knows how to analyze the situation at hand and usher someone in the direction he wants them to be.
- Tempting Fate: Brock shouts how Dawn's secret weapon may have sealed her victory. Aaron responds in kind and wins instead.
- What Is This Feeling?: Dawn's spirited performance in their final battle reawakens Aaron's passion. Instead of seeing her as a mere person to beat, he's excited to be challenged by a near-equal. Takes him a bit to understand a feeling he lost.
