>>47164734An idea I had for a long time:
1. The rival and you meet early in the game and he's a jerk but also a town hero since he got all the badges.
2. You get your starter and begin your journey but he battles you immediately.
3. He has a team of 4 mons all around mid level 50s.
4. You lose and he mocks you and leaves, but your friendly rival heals your mon and encourages you to grow your bond with your mon and improve.
5. You battle the same rival two more times in the game. The next time right after the 3rd gym and again before the E4. Both times, if you are about to win, he "rage quits" the match and calls it a waste of time denying you a win. If you lose, he insults you and the story continues (your friendly rival heals your team). In these two battles, his team is unchanged and at the same levels as they were in the first battle.
6. After you beat the Champion and have a parade in your town, after the credits he calls you out in front of everyone in your town to put you in your place. His team is still EXACTLY the same as it was in the first battle. If you win, he pretty much crumbles in defeat and doesn't understand why he lost. Your friendly rival then explains that he rested on his achievements and never strived to push himself further by taking on the Champion, instead being content on bullying weaker trainers. Your character then reaches out with a hand to help your rival up.
7. In the post-game, if you beat him, he eases up a little and can be rematched with his team finally jumping levels and adding a new mon.
