Finnick, Anna, Ben and I were gathered on the field beside the Pokemon Center, our Pokemons out training. After Bullet had greeted everyone enthusiastically, Ben decided not to introduce the rest of his team, most of whom were just as energetic as Bullet. He did release Ramen the Crustle, who ran off immediately, and Soda the Camerupt, who was content to laze in the grass, occasionally breathing out puffs of smoke. After a while, Barbeque decided to check out a fellow loafer and together they lay in the grass, puffing smoke in harmony. In the distance, Sandstorm was trying to teach Lexy Dragonbreath. Ben said he was probably old enough to learn it now. He also pointed out Lexy's grey ridges, now rock hard, were nearing his neck.

'He'll probably evolve soon.' Ben observed.

I know Lexy was over the moon about this, as he threw himself into training with renewed vigour. Estelle was trying to learn magical leaf, which she should be able to learn by herself, given her level. Neo's moveset were good enough right now, therefore I placed him on a series of drills that enhance his physical strength, endurance and agility. I wanted to talk to Growlithe first, without the team by my side, but Ben was pacing up and down angrily.

'I can't believe they wouldn't tell me anything.' Ben ranted, while Finnick looked uneasy and Anna just stared at Ben. For all I know she finds him hot too. 'They just drop me off at the Pokemon Lab, made me sign some form and basically told me to shut up about the whole night.'

'Forms?' That one was new.

'Yeah,' Finnick chipped in. 'It's basically just some form that said we can't speak about yesterday. Didn't you get one?'

Huh, I didn't get that though, so it must be some sort of intervention from Neo Helios.

'Oh, yeah I did. I guess I didn't read it that carefully.' I shrugged.

Ben shot a look at me. 'You should read these things more carefully.'

I winced internally, thinking about the League and Pokedex GPS tracking.

'Anyway, we should drop it,' I started, then at all the surprised looks they were giving me, I added. 'We were not supposed to be there anyway. We're lucky we're not arrested or something.'

'Hmm, yeah, I guess,' I could tell Ben wasn't happy, but he dropped it. 'My little sister is growing up huh.'

'Ok, I'm going there to talk to Growlithe. Don't come over ok, until I'm sure she won't kill anyone.' I told them.

'Are you sure you're not just going there to text the girl in the room yesterday?' Anna wiggled her eyebrow.

I refused to talk about Ronnie last night beyond saying I met her in the Pokemon center, so Anna had resorted to coming at me with these random teasing to throw me off into giving her some juicy detail.

'WAIT THERE'S A GIRL IN YOUR ROOM?' Ben bellowed.

'Yeah, Anna. For the past week.' I told Ben. 'And Mari before that.'

'Who's Mari?' Anna asked, and I could tell she was already forming all sorts of thoughts.

'Her best friend,' Ben waved off mentions of Mari. 'Who's the girl?'

'No one! Oh my god, just a friend,' I stomped off, avoiding their teasing and endless questions.

Coming to a stop when I couldn't hear Anna's sniggering anymore, I took out my Pokedex, checking Growlithe's details. Female, a decent level 20, Ember, Bite, Flame Wheel, Body Slam. It had decent attacks. Toying with her Pokeball, I hesitated a moment, then released the Growlithe. She come out momentarily disorientated, seeing clear blue skies and crispy green fields instead of the inside of a filthy, dark cage.

'Growl…?' The Growlithe sniff the air, then chased her tail for a few rounds.

For a moment, she looked so much like an innocent puppy, so different from that cynical, defensive Pokemon in the cage, that my heart went out for her. I felt the familiar rage rising in me as I thought about the poachers. The Growlithe stopped her shenanigans abruptly, staring at me, a growl reverberating in her throat. Realising she must be able to sense my emotions, I shoved down the anger and tried to think calm thoughts. Puppies, clouds, Ronnie, no not Ronnie, I mentally shook my head. The puppies and clouds must have worked because the fur on Growlithe flattened.

'Hey,' I said cautiously. The Growlithe looked at me silently, not quite aggressive yet not quite trusting, more skeptical than anything else. Carefully choosing my words, I told her. 'I know the poachers have hurt you, but I would like to prove to you that not all humans are like that. I can train you, be strong enough to take down anyone you want. Or if you just want a place to stay. Or I can help you find a safe place, where I release you and you can live out your life. But I would like a chance to be your friend.'

The Growlithe looked at me intently through my speech, giving no indication of her thoughts. I suddenly wished I was more eloquent, better at conveying my thoughts. Fiddling with my cap, I crouched down, so I was eye level with her.

'I made a promise to Lexy, to make the poachers pay.' It was a promise made with a gigantic dragon breathing hot breath down at me, but, I realized now, strengthening my resolve, that it was one I intended to keep. 'I will make another promise to you now, that we will take down the poachers together, with the entire team. If you are willing.'

A second passed. Then another. And another. Finally, the Growlithe gave me a short nod. She padded over to me. Still kneeling down on the grass, I stayed still, scarcely daring to breathe. Slowly, she reached out, and gave a tentative nose boop. I couldn't help but smile.

'So, do you have a name?' I asked her.

She shook her head.

'Do you want one?'

She nodded.

'What do you want to be called?'

'Growl,' She said, rolling on the grass.

Ok, I guess she was leaving her name to me. I wanted something along the lines of Neo's for her. As I watch her play with a patch of sunlight, more feline than anything, the name came to me.

'Dawn,' I said.

She turned to look at me, her ears perking up.

'Dawn it is,' I smiled, and she gave me a short yip.

'Trainer's little human!' I felt my ribs being crushed as I was lifted off the ground in a hug. Ah, I guess Bullet got his replacement translator.

'It's time for lunch!' Bullet announced happily, before exclaiming in surprise. 'Ouch.'

Apparently, Dawn thought he was attacking me and had attacked him with a Bite, which really, didn't do anything to the massive wall of steel. Bullet tucked me under his arm and I had to explain to Growlithe he was harmless, which wasn't easy to do as Bullet had march off, leaving Dawn chasing behind and me bouncing up and down with each step. By the time I arrived for lunch, soot from Dawn's Ember covered my face and my hair was in a tangled mess, my cap barely hanging on. Noticing this, Lexy swiped it off me and placed it on his head.

Afterwards, I sat beside Lexy on the grassy field, a rare moment of peace and quiet. Lunch was chaotic as I introduce Dawn to everyone. Ben had his full team and Bullet didn't make things easy. Now, everyone was lulled into a sleepy silence by their full bellies.

'Lexy,' I said as I took my cap back from him. 'What did you and your mum talk about?'

'Mummy said stay with Trainer. Trainer will take care of me now.' He seemed a little sad. 'Mummy said she'll see me again someday. We will see her, won't we, Trainer?'

'Of course we will,' I stroke his grey ridges, now rough and hard. He is older now, but sometimes when I look at him, I couldn't him but see the small Pokemon sleeping on my lap in the cave. 'We'll find her whenever you want.'

He leaned into my touch. 'We will kill those bad people.'

'Not kill,' I told him. 'Never kill, but we will make sure they are punished.'

Two weeks passed quickly. Ben had returned home as he had a break from the lab (his professor going on some expedition or other). He promised to watch my match on the TV. Every match is televised so families and friends can watch without travelling over. Each gym has their own channel, and Elite Four and Champion battles were televised on the main channel. Before Ben left, he made sure that Lexy learnt Dragonbreath. Estelle also learnt Magical Leaf and both Neo and Dawn's physical strength, stamina and endurance improved by leaps and bounds. I decided that I was going to use Neo, Estelle and Lexy, as Rustboro Gym is a rock typed gym. Although Neo was weak to Rock as well, he seemed to have more experience than Dawn. Anna had won her battle, and was sitting next to me, filling up forms while we waited for Finnick.

'Alright, Cara, you're up,' The assistant said, handing me the headphones, hers firmly over her head.

'How do you switch channel?' I asked the assistant.

'Oh, just pressed this button,' She showed me cheerfully. 'Sorry, I thought it was your second battle so I didn't have to explain.'

Feeling slightly embarrassed, I walked down the hallway, only to meet Finnick who had a grin on his face.

'Good luck,' He told me, giving me a high five.

As I step onto the platform, my eyes scanned the crowd for a familiar face. Of course, I wasn't expecting her to be there. I didn't text her the night after the battle because well, it was awkward. I admitted to myself that I had a crush on her. And we also had that weird awkward moment. Basically, I didn't know what to say. But she texted me the night after, asking me when my gym battle was.

'Why do you always have the last match?' She complained when I told her

Then last night, she texted me. 'Good luck for your match tomorrow.'

And then I spent the next two hours worrying about that full stop. What does that mean? Why send me a nice message, but put a full stop? Who does that?

'I am Cara Young and I challenge the Rustboro gym for my second match.' I said distractedly, when I realized the gym leader, Pauline Weston, had asked for my name.

There, opposite me. Ronnie met my eyes; and gave me a wink. My heart decided to go crazy, drumming wildly in my chest. Oh god, I shouldn't be distracted during a gym battle. I didn't even realized the battlefield was field with rocks! I thought every battlefield was the normal one like Petalburg gym.

'I do,' I told Pauline and the match was on.

I released Neo.

'Interesting choice,' Pauline told me.

'I didn't have a choice, really,' I replied, causing her to laugh.

She released her Pokemon, a small rock with two arms jutting out hovering above the gound. A Geodude? No, it had a slight metallic sheen to it, and weird black eyebrows. An Alolan Geodude, a Rock and Electric type. I groaned. All its moves are probably going to be super effective against Neo.

'Rock Throw!' Pauline commanded.

The Alolan Geodude pick up huge chunks of rock from the ground, throwing them at Neo.

'Neo, Razor Wind.'

Normal attacks doesn't really work against Rock types, but the idea was to nullify Alolan Geodude's attacks. And it worked. The Razor Wind shattered the rocks, blasting some of the rocks back at the Geodude, who flinch in pain.

'Steel Wing,' I told Neo, who was already zooming towards the Geodude.

'Catch it.'

The Geodude grabbed Neo's wings. Damnit. Then I noticed it wincing a little. The Steel Wing must have damaged his hands. How strong was this Geodude? To take a Steel move head on? Or rather, hand on.

'Neo, Bug Buzz, then get out of there!'

'Thunderpunch!'

I realized my mistake too late. To use Bug Buzz, Neo usually buzz with his wings, which were firmly in Geodude's grasp. Luckily, the Geodude released one wing, drawing back for a close ranged Thunderpunch. Neo released a half powered Bug Buzz, which caused the Geodude to slacken its grip. Neo managed to tear himself away as the fist reached him. As it were, the Thunderpunch caught one of Neo's wings, causing electricity to cackle along Neo's body. He flew a safe distance away, panting hard. I need to end this, fast.

'Rock Slide!'

A huge slab of rock floated above Neo, who managed to get out just in time as it crashed onto the ground. Immediately, another chunk of rock appeared above Neo. It seemed that the rocks were sensing Neo, instead of Geodude directing it.

'Neo fly above Geodude! Bug Buzz!'

Neo released a Bug Buzz from directly above the Geodude.

'Thunderpunch!'

The Geodude jumped through the Bug Buzz towards Neo, who flew away just as a Rock Slide dropped from above. The Geodude, caught in its own attack, plummet onto the ground and laid there, defeated.

'Not bad, newbie,' Pauline said, returning the Alolan Geodude. 'Using my own attack against me. Twice'

'I uhh..' I returned Neo as well, unsure of what to say.

Pauline just gave me a smile though. 'Denise told me about you, said you'll be coming my way.'

She released what looked like a floating chunk of rock shaped in a crescent just as I released Estelle. A Lunatone, Psychic and Rock. Damnit, I should've switched Neo and Estelle's order. Pauline looked disappointed at my choice.

'Aww man, I wanted to see your Bagon. Denise said it was huge!' Pauline pouted. 'Nevermind, save the best for the last, right?'

'Uhh, right?'

Turns out, Pauline was right. The second match was over really quickly. Estelle Teleported around the battlefield and pelted out Magical Leaf. The Lunatone, which usually uses its psychic senses to dodge attacks, couldn't sense another psychic Pokemon. The Magical Leaf hit the Lunatone every time, slicing the Moon Rock until Pauline called for a stop.

Pauline released her third Pokemon into the battlefield where Lexy was waiting. A hunk of blue rock that was weirdly shaped, almost like a spider. Red crystals act as its claws and dotted across its body. A Boldore. A pure Rock type. Immediately, two of Lexy's move were rendered useless against it. I had to be creative, fast.

'Dozer here is the son of my own Gigalith, Crystal,' Pauline told me, pride lined her voice.

'I am honoured,' And I truly am, though I wince when I heard his name. How am I going to hit him now?

This is going to be one tough opponent. See, Pokemon inherit traits from their parents. The stronger the parents, the stronger the offspring. That's why Lexy was so huge. The Salamence we met was way larger than average. A Gigalith on Pauline's personal team will be formidable, as was her offspring, especially with Pauline training him. The Boldore was huge too, a slight taller than Lexy, who was now taller than me. And his length is probably longer than his height.

'Power Gem!' Pauline ordered.

The red crystals on Boldore's back glowed for a moment, then pinkish beams of energy shot out.

'Lexy jump!'

Lexy bunched up his powerful muscles and leapt into the air. The powerful Rock type attack smashes against several rocks that were where Lexy was standing before. I realized, with a start, that the beam of energy was so strong that, not only the rocks it hit shattered, the surrounding rocks had cracks in them too, some splitting into two. I was glad Lexy got out of there in time.

'Dragonbreath!'

Landing on top of Dozer, Lexy blew out a stream of breath point blank. Dozer bellowed and Lexy jumped off.

'Dozer Smack Down!'

A huge red claw caught Lexy by it's tummy, slamming in down on the rocky ground.

'Bite, then Dragonbreath, again!' I ordered.

My main priority was getting him out of there range now. The Boldore's Power Gem was more powerful but it was easier to dodge, just because it was so damn massive. But the Boldore held on despite the fact that two attacks landed directly on it.

'Power Gem.' Pauline said calmly.

Oh Arceus, if that attack hit at that range… I didn't want to think about the consequences.

'Bite,' I ordered again, desperately.

Lexy's mouth clamp down hard on the arm pining in, with much more force than before. Then I realized two things. One, Lexy learn Crunch. His fangs seemed to lengthen as he bit down. Secondly, Power Gem took time to charge. Not very long, but maybe enough for me to capitalize on it. Dozer reared back from the Crunch attack in surprise; and the Power Gem blew off target, beams of energy crashing into the rocks behind Lexy.

'Power Gem again!'

'Lexy, Headbutt from under him, then Dragonbreath. Quick, while Power Gem charge.'

Lexy dart in between the two massive pillar of rocks and delivered a Headbutt, causing the Bolder to flail backwards and landing amongst the rocks with a loud crash. Normal attacks might not hurt it, but crashing into piles of rocks would. Just as Lexy release his Dragonbreath, Dozer released his Power Gem. The two attacks collided in midair, the resulting explosion deafening. Chunks of rocks flew out from the point of collision, leaving a crater in the middle. Both Lexy and Dozer were thrown back by the force of the explosion. Lexy landing near me. He got up, panting heavily. Blood was leaking from various cuts on his scales. I winced. Dozer was also standing up, both Pokemon not willing to give up. Then, I realized there was a small crack in the red crystals on Dozer's left shoulder. I knew that was my chance, as Boldores draws their energy from their crystals. But I wasn't sure if destroying it will kill Dozer. Sensing my indecision, Pauline ordered Dozer to use Rock Slide. She must have noticed the crack too, and not want to chance using Power Gem.

'Jump onto the rock, then use Dragonbreath.' I told Lexy.

I was counting on the higher point to give Dragonbreath more power. And it did. The Dragonbreath strike true, on Dozer's right shoulder. Lexy jumped off as his rock crash onto the ground. At the same time, Dozer let out a weird grating sound as he slumped on the floor. Pauline actually had a smile as she returned Dozer.

'Thank you for the amazing battle,' Pauline told me.

'I.. what? I should be thanking you,' I stammered, to which she only gave me a smile.

'Congratulations, Cara Young. You have earned the Stone Badge!' This time, Pauline's voice boomed over the stadium.

As I lift my head, I saw Ronnie giving me a half smile and a thumbs up. I couldn't wipe the grin off my face after that.

'You know, Denise told me about your match,' Pauline told me later, in the prep room. 'She'll be glad to hear how much you've grown.'

I knew that she was talking about how I hesitate with Dozer's injury.

'I don't know how to do that, not crossing the line. What if I don't do something, and my Pokemon suffers because of it?' I confessed.

Pauline regarded me for a long moment.

'It's good that you are actually thinking about it. It's a tough line to walk, but your heart is in the right place.' She said at last, clasping her hand on my shoulder. 'When the time comes, I'm sure you will make the right choice.'