Daphne leapt over Machop's feet while performing a summersault. It landed behind Machop and gave it a glare. The result of Zeus's defenses were different; Thunderbolt and Water Gun struck together but Haunter's attack was too strong and Abby's Croconaw felt the full force of an electric attack. Zeus fell to the ground but mustered up enough strength to get back up.

"Good job, Zeus! Daphne, Leaf Blade and Croconaw use your Aqua Tail!" Juno ordered. There was no way that she would let one attack beat her.

"Defend yourself with a Karate Chop and fight back with a Shadow Punch!" Spade quickly retorted. I wonder if both of my Pokémon are ready for such strong opponents? Maybe, I should've put in Monferno…

The leaf on the Grovyle's arm lit up and the grass-type swung its arm for Machop while Machop smacked his rough hand into Grovyle. Both attacks bounced off of each other and the Pokémon retreated a few feet to give themselves some distance.

Zeus's tail turned a blue-ish color before water began to swirl around it, giving its tail a whirlpool effect. Zeus swung its tail while Haunter jabbed its ghostly hand at the big jaw Pokemon. Just like before, the attacks connected and a slight explosion emerged. Both Pokémon were flung back but both stood strong.

"They really aren't getting anywhere if any of this continues," Alex stated while grabbing ahold of his chin. "If they only keep up their defenses then what else do they have?"

Abby smiled, "So, are you an actual Pokémon trainer?"

Alex grinned, "I'm more into the research field. I do however own a Gastly. In fact, we were just training my Gastly before we saw your buddy in battle."

"Use your Tackle attack!" Juno ordered toward her Croconaw. "We can't go losing this battle!"

"Croconaw!" It growled before darting for Machop.

Spade grinned, "What a stupid move! Machop, hold onto Croconaw whenever it gets close enough and Haunter, use your Thunderbolt!"

As soon as Zeus breathed the same air as Machop, the fighting Pokémon grabbed ahold and refused to let go. Haunter then released sparks from her body and shocked both Zeus and Machop. Machop let go of Zeus and Juno's Pokémon stumbled.

"Regain your composure and use your Seismic Toss!" Spade ordered while Zeus was dizzy.

Juno had a quick response herself, "Daphne, get in there and use a close ranged Bullet Seed to help out Zeus!"

Daphne nodded and dashed for Machop while Spade's Pokémon grabbed ahold of Zeus. Machop lifted Zeus into the air and did a flip but before he could connect with the ground, Grovyle released a plethora of golden seeds from its mouth. The seeds connected with both airborne Pokémon and they flew higher. Machop and Zeus crashed into the ground, both unable to continue.

Spade spat on the ground and returned Machop back into his Poké Ball. "That was quick thinking on your part. Your Grovyle is pretty good but I doubt that it will stand a chance against my Haunter."

"We'll just have to see about that!" Juno retorted; her fighting spirit shown through her eyes.

"I like your drive! Haunter, use your Night Shade!" Spade ordered while pointing at Juno's Pokémon dramatically. Haunter's ghostly hands began to glow a pink and the energy from Daphne seemed to have started to drain from its body.

Juno's eyes went from determined to desperate, "Daphne, use your Mega Drain! Fight back with all that you got!" Grovyle struggled but was able to point its arm towards Haunter and a green energy emerged that connected with Spade's Pokémon. The energy seemed to start to sap the energy from Haunter but both Pokémon were definitely worn.

"Whoever gets the next blow will most likely win this battle," Alex commented with a big smile. "This has been one heck of a battle… just what Juno needed."

"Haunter, use your Shadow Punch!"

"I don't think so! Grovyle, Leaf Blade now!"

Haunter's hands went from pink to shadowy before she thrust it towards Daphne who darted for Haunter to get in close range. Daphne sliced at Haunter while Haunter's fist connected in Daphne's abdomen. Both Pokémon were flung back and finished.

Juno took a deep breath before returning her Pokémon, "That was an awesome battle… uh… I never got your name."

Spade returned Haunter and scowled, "I can't say that I'm happy with the results. My name is Spade…"

Abby stood up from her rock, "And my name is Abby. I'm sorry but we do have to be off."

"I was just about to say the same thing," Alex told her while standing up from the same rock. "We have a little bit more studying to do in Azalea."

"Yeah, maybe we'll see you two again some other time! Maybe then we can have another battle?" Juno suggested while extending her hand for Spade to shake.

Spade took a close look at her hand then grasped it, "I'll accept your challenge but next time I refuse to lose. I wish for you the best…"

Juno and Alex both smiled a big smile; they knew that they got something from Spade without really knowing the boy. Both of the trainers turned and walked off towards the Slowpoke Well.

"Now we can finally get a move on. Let's hurry and get through the Ilex Forest," Spade barked. He turned and walked into the entrance of the forest. "You better keep up."

"Mouh Mahn Taih," Abby said with a smile before following Spade into the forest.

Both trainers walked awhile without saying a word in the forest that continuously got darker.

"Do you think that maybe we should camp soon? It is getting pretty dark," Abby suggested. She didn't seem to enjoy how cold it was getting; one could tell because she had her arms crossed as if she was trying to warm up.

Spade turned and glared and opened his mouth to retort but something caught his eye. Behind Abby, a small green Pokémon with small white leaves floated. The Pokémon looked as if it was some sort of fairy.

"What is that?" Spade questioned while pointing at the Pokémon. He's never seen anything like it.

Abby turned but the instant that she did the Pokémon suddenly disappeared. She looked around a bit then turned towards Spade and gave him a stupid look, "Maybe you're just seeing things?"

"I guess so…" Spade sighed, "How about we pack up for the night and go to sleep? I think I'm too tired to go on anyways."

Abby grabbed her bag and put it on the ground, "You go ahead and get ready! I think that with your big strong muscles you'd be better at putting everything up. I hear a river so I think I'm going to go wash my face real quick. Be back in a jiffy!" She then ran away from Spade before he could scream at her.

She soon found the river that she heard and sat on a rock before looking into the water. "Maybe he saw Celebi… It's weird though, Celebi never shows itself to people as mean as Spade." She shrugged then splashed some water on her face.

"Swee! Swee!" A voice cried out in the distance.

Abby looked up from the water and noticed two small brown Pokémon playing with each other. Both Pokémon were recognized as Eevee. "They're so cute!" She squealed before running over to the both of them. One of the Eevee caught sight of her and began to cuddle her feet.

"Swee," It cooed quietly. While Abby leaned down and began to pet it. The other Eevee danced around Abby then slightly tackled her.

"I think that Spade would like you. But you," She said to the Eevee that cuddled her. "I'm keeping you! Is that alright?" She picked up the Eevee in her arms and it nuzzled against her. "I think I'll go ahead and name you, Nika!" She pulled a Poké Ball from her belt and knocked it lightly against Eevee. The ball opened up and absorbed the small Pokémon. "That adds to our little set of friends!"

Back at the camp sight, Spade sat with all of his Pokémon out in front of him. "I don't like the fact that we lost but I'm going to deal with it. It only means that we need harder training!" Each of his Pokémon nodded in unison before Abby revealed herself from the trees

"Hey Spade, look what I found!" She announced loudly while picking up the ornery Eevee and making sure that Spade could see it. "Do you want it?" She put it down in front of Spade who glared at it.

"What would I want with it? Why don't you just take it?" He suggested while going through his evolution book and ignoring the Pokémon.

Abby kicked him slightly in the shin, "There were two so I already got one. You do know that Eevee are super rare right? They can also evolve into many different forms."

Spade looked at Eevee before it jumped onto his lap. It slightly bit his hand and gave him a mischievous grin. Spade flipped through his book until he found Eevee. He looked around and noticed the many forms that come from Eevee. "I guess that I'll take the little fur ball… Maybe it'll become useful."

Abby glared at him, "No! You welcome your new Pokémon. They're not tools for battling ya know?"

"I know they're not tools but that doesn't mean that I have to accept every Pokémon I capture as a useful Pokémon. I'm atleast giving this Eevee a chance," Spade explained before putting his book back into his bag and laying back.

Abby knelt down next to the Eevee and smiled, "Do you want to go with Spade? He's a pretty strong battler."

"Swee!" It said happily. It shook its tail happily while Spade reached into his pocket and pulled out his new Poké Balls.

He looked at the different tags and one certain ball stuck out to him. "The Fast Ball captures Pokémon with great speed or the ability to run away. I don't want to take the chance so…" He then smacked the Fast Ball against the Eevee and it was quickly captured.

Spade grinned, "It's nice whenever they don't put up a fight…"

Abby snorted and laid down. "I can't believe you…"

"Mis-Misdreavus," A Pokémon cooed quietly in the forest while watching the trainers and their Pokémon sleep.

A/N A HUGE thanks towards KittyKamando for the O.C.'s of Juno and Alex. They will be making a few more appearances in the story but I'd like to know how much more often you'd like to see them. Be honest. They will definitly be in it atleast one more time.

Thank You KittyKamando!

JohtoBlue