We did not go to the onsen. But Ronnie declared that she was going to have a private onsen bath in our Pokemon Center toilet, where the tap is fed by underground spring water just like the public baths. I had declined the invitation to join her, but here I was, sitting in the prep room thinking about Ronnie in her towel that barely covers anything, let alone her long legs that seemed to go on for miles. Damnit, I sucked in my breath. I was supposed to be concentrating on my gym battle. Stupid teenage hormones.

'Cara Young? Cara, you're up!' The assistant by the side waved a pair of headphones around as he shouted.

I accepted the headphones from the assistant with a thanks and headed down the doorway.

'Good luck, girl!' A beaming Anna told me as she passed.

The stadium was mostly empty, just like the rest of the town. There was an old couple sitting at the side, and behind the gym leader, sat Ronnie and Finnick. It was, apparently, Ronnie's usual place to sit. The battlefield was, thankfully, a normal one. For some reason, I was imagining pools of lava. There was a layer of ash though, just like everything else. Maybe this was why there was nobody waiting to challenge this gym.

'Challenger! State your name!' Desmond Kidd was a middle-aged man, the beginning of grey can be seen at his temples. Nevertheless, he was energetic, giving off the energy of a 20 year old.

'I am Cara, and I challenge the Lavaridge gym,' I replied

'Do you hereby declare that you are entering this battle without the influence of any substances banned by the Pokemon League and are willing to follow the rules set down by the Pokemon League?' Desmond called, his muscles bulging as he bounced lightly on his toes.

'I do,' I confirmed,

'Then let's begin! Show your Pokemon!' Desmond shouted, bringing along a screech from the feedback.

The old couple seemed unaffected by the feedback. They are either very deaf or just used to Desmond's antics. I winced as I released Neo. I realized that in all the gym battles Neo participated, he was at a type disadvantage. But he has done well despite it, so I wasn't too worried about it. A fifth teammate might help though. Desmond gave a hearty laugh as he released a large falcon with its red feathers tapering off to grey on its body and black on its wings, making it look like flames were fluttering off it. A Talonflame. It'll be an aerial match then.

'Flame Charge, Holly!'

With a screech, the bird engulfed herself in flames and launched itself at Neo,

'Neo, Razor Wind, then Slash.'

'Brave bird!'

Neo release two sharp burst of wind that sliced the bird in its wings, snuffing out its flames. Red energy glowed around the bird, becoming blue as it clashed with Neo's Steel Wing. Neo was thrown off into the air while Holly recoiled in the opposite direction.

'Slash, now!' While Holly was still recovering from the recoil.

Neo zoomed towards Holly, who was on the floor. But the bird was fast, she shot up towards Neo, claws out. Neo barely dodged, ducking under its outstretched claws and slicing the side of the bird, a neat cut where blood immediately sprayed. Watching Neo, I understood why he wanted to stay a Scyther just to fly. He just a acrobatic kind of grace as he maneuver the battlefield. Although he was in a battle, as fiercely competitive, he had a sense of calm and happiness and he zipped about in the air.

'Ember!' Desmond shouted.

'Steel wing into Slash!' I said at the same time. 'Avoid the Ember!'

In the end, Holly was no match for Neo's aerial skills, going down after several Slash. I returned Neo, who had received an Ember attack to his thighs.

'This is amazing!' Desmond boomed. 'Next Pokemon!'

I released Dawn and Desmond, after consideration, released a Flareon.

'Dawn, Flame Wheel into Bite!'

'Barry, Bite.'

The small Flareon waited till Dawn's Flame Wheel hit him before sinking his fangs into Dawn. Dawn roared, lashing out. Barry ducked nimbly under Dawn's claws, giving her another Bite before darting off. Damnit, this Flareon could take a hit and is extremely fast.

'Dawn, Bite'

Dawn leapt at Barry, this time managing to catch it by its fluffy tail. I saw Dawn's fangs lengthened considerable, just as Lexy's did back in Rustboro Gym. Crunch. Barry gave a screech of pain before yanking his tail out from under Dawn's claws, rolling out of her reach.

'Body Slam!'

Dawn's massive weight crashed down on the tiny Flareon, leaving only a small tuff of tail seen beneath her tummy.

'Dig!' Desmond yelled.

Oh shit, I hadn't expect Flareon to know dig, a highly effective move against Dawn. Barry disappeared from under Dawn, who stood up to reveal a small hole.

'Crunch when he appears!' I shouted into the mic, slightly panicking.

Unfortunately, the slippery bastard appeared from behind Dawn. As she whirled around, fangs out, he slipped under Dawn's belly, landing Dig. Dawn howled and she crashed onto the floor, chunks of fur torn out from her belly, knocked out. I clenched my hands as I returned Dawn. My mind was a mess. I had planned for Neo to lose, not Dawn. Now that Dawn was out, I didn't know who to choose. I wanted both Estelle and Lexy to start their battle fresh, but Neo's injured from the previous battle.

'Challenger, pick your next Pokemon, or your challenge is forfeited.' Desmond said, not unkindly.

I looked up at Desmond, my thumb rubbing the Pokeball. Behind, Ronnie gave me a nod, her gaze holding me steady. I closed my eyes and released Neo. He seemed surprised at being called back out, though he took to the air immediately, battle ready. His burn wasn't affecting too much of his movement. Desmond also seemed surprised at my choice, his eyebrow quirking up. Only Ronnie gave me a half smile and a nod. You've got this, babe. I can hear her in my head.

'Steel wing!'

'Barry, Ember!'

'Neo dodge!'

Now that I know he knows Dig, a plan formed in my head. Neo dodged Barry's flames neatly, the tip of his wings still catching Barry on his flank.

'Neo, Razor Wind!'

'Dig!'

The Razor Wind sliced into the air where Barry was a split moment before.

'Bug Buzz, aim into the hole. Then Razor Wind!'

Flareon emerged from his dig with a screech, shaking his flappy ears. The Razor Wind caught him directly in the face and he was knocked out.

'Good!' Desmond said excitedly.

He released his Magmar as I released Estelle. The Magmar was unable to land any hits on Estelle, who used a combination of Teleport, Psychic and Dazzling Gleam. Estelle proved the intelligence of her species by Teleporting together with Magmar, causing it to rear with confusion as it appeared on the opposite battlefield. Estelle took the opportunity to hit it with Psychic. The strong mental attack rendered it unconscious. Lexy's opponent was an Emboar, who also didn't stand a chance. Its attack couldn't breach Lexy's shell and went down after one Headbutt and Dragonbreath later. I winced, wondering if it was because Dawn wasn't trained enough, or did I just misjudged the Dig? I accepted Desmon's hearty congratulations distractedly.

Later, Anna, Finnick, Ronnie and I sat in a local ramen shop that, thankfully, doesn't have ash in its delicious ramen soup. But my heart wasn't in the meal. I poked the amazing fiery Tepig charshu distractedly while Finnick was detailing the matches we had. I glanced over to our Pokemons, where Chantelle and Neo were squabbling. Probably over something like who can stuff more charshu into their mouths. Dawn sniffed at her charshu distractedly. That was a sign that something was wrong, as she usually wolf down anything spicy. Neo, who also seemed to have noticed this, stuffed a charshu into Chantelle's mouth, leaving her speechless and sat down beside Dawn. I was just contemplating whether to go to them when Dawn abruptly stood up and bolted.

'Dawn!' I shouted.

I ran after her, ramen forgotten, leaving Anna and Finnick stunned. Dawn's powerful muscles pushed her through the empty streets, scaring some wizened old men playing shogi. Even sprinting at full speed, I quickly lost sight of her as she turned into Route 112. Luckily, the entire area is covered with ashes. Fighting off a sneeze, I followed her footsteps deep into the forest. I finally found her sitting at the edge of a spring, the water lapping onto her paws.

'Hey Dawn,' I sat beside her. 'You never liked the water.'

She stuck her paw defiantly into the water, but her heart wasn't in it. She withdrew her paw, licking her paw pad.

'I'm sorry Dawn,' I told her quietly. 'I should've made sure you are ready for the match. I should've made sure I myself was ready. It was no excuse, but I panicked. I wasn't ready for the Dig at all.'

Dawn whined, butting me with her head.

'I'm sorry.' I said again, reaching to rub her head.

She whined again, dipping her paw into the water and splashed me.

'Come on, Dawn,' I pleaded.

'The cub thinks it's her fault.' For all Estelle complained, she still appeared whenever I need a translator.

Dawn whined again, this time with a hint of growl. I guess she doesn't like to be called a cub. She certainly didn't look a cub anymore. She's grown so rapidly since Rustboro.

'Dawn, it definitely wasn't your fault,' I placed my hand on her shoulder. 'I should've been able to think faster on my feet.'

'Oh you miserable lot. It's no one's fault. Mistakes happen all the time. Stop mopping and look forward to the next battle. We will train harder for it.' Estelle sounded exasperated, as much as a psychic Pokemon could.

Dawn barked a reply, and they conversed for a while before Estelle turned to me. 'The cub wants to evolve.'

'Are you sure?' I asked Dawn. 'It really isn't your fault. We'll just train more, and come up with more combinations. Do more practice battles.'

'Growl!' She shook her head stubbornly.

'Ok, then. Let me find out where to get a Fire Stone.' I took out my Pokedex.

Dawn seemed satisfied, crouching down at the edge of the water. She was apparently also feeling much better, because she dipped her paw into the spring water and flicked it onto Estelle.

'Oh you mangy cub!' Estelle Teleported to the other side of me. 'You shall not have this delicious meat then!'

I had to smile. Estelle had apparently brought Dawn's portion of charshu from the shop and was dangling it over the bubbling spring. She was definitely the mother of the team. Yowling, Dawn clambered over me and stood on her hind legs while I was crushed under her weight.

'Come on!' I groaned.

Later in the room, I found Ronnie with my Pokemon and Mirabell. Neo hopped off the windowsill and gave Dawn a pat on the shoulder.

'Scyther!'

Lexy looked at Dawn curiously while Mirabell pressed her nose into Dawn's fur. Mirabell seemed to regret it though; as soon as she removed her snout, she immediately wetted her paw and ran it through her now gray fur. But she gave Dawn an encouraging 'Vul!'

'Why did you run off?' Lexy asked innocently.

'Dawn has to take time to sort out her emotions. She is fine now.' Estelle told him as Dawn gave him a soft lick.

'Is this PMS?' Lexy seemed slightly oblivious to the mood.

From the bed, Ronnie choked, not even bothering to hide her laughter.

'Neo!' Because really, who else on my team will teach him that word.

Dawn head butted him, not bothering to answer that. Lexy seemed slightly annoyed that nobody would explain to him, not even Estelle.

'PMS occur when a girl is on her period. It can cause a girl to be slightly more emotional than usual,' I told Lexy. 'But don't ever blame anything on PMS ok?'

'Ok,' Lexy nodded, pleased that someone answered him.

After I showered, returned my Pokemon, leaving Dawn out with Mirabell, I flopped facedown onto the bed.

'Tired?' Ronnie asked, turning to face me.

I groaned, turning my head on the lumpy pillow.

'I can think of a few things to cheer you up,' Her hand sneakily crossed my butt, tugging on my hip from the other side.

'Hmm,' I shifted closer to her 'What might that be?'

She gave me a soft kiss. 'I don't know. How about this?'

'Hmm,' I murmured. 'Cheer away.'

'It's not your fault you know,' Ronnie said after a while, her hand stroking my hair.

'What?'

'Mistakes happened in gym battles. You just have to learn from them.'

'That, is scarily close to what Estelle said.' I adjusted my position so I could face her.

'Maybe I could be a Psychic,' She propped herself up on her arm. '$100 and I can tell you your future.'

I smiled at her antics. 'How did you know what I was thinking?'

'I know you,' She said. 'You're always so hard on yourself you'd be blaming yourself.'

Sighing I snuggled against her. 'I want to go to Mt. Chimney tomorrow.'

She sat up abruptly, leaving my head to fall onto the pillow. 'What, why?'

'Because Dawn wants to evolve. And Fire Stones are found in Mt. Chimney.' I rubbed my head as I sat up.

'Oh, why not just buy one?'

'Because, if we want it to mean something, we have to work for it. Right, Dawn?'

Dawn gave a sleepy grunt of agreement from the bottom of the bed.

'But Mt. Chimney is dangerous! What if you fall into a pool of lava?'

'I won't. Besides, that's kind of the point, isn't it?'

'What if you can't find a Fire Stone? They are kind of rare.'

'I will find it. Ronnie, why are you so against going to Mt. Chimney?'

Ronnie fiddled with the sheets for a moment. 'Mt. Chimney was where I met Leon. Going back there reminds me of him.' She said without looking up.

'Oh,' I looked at her, unsure of what to say. 'I'll go then. You can stay here. I'll go and be back asap.'

She sighed. 'I'll go with you. To keep you from falling into any lava pool.'

'There's really lava pools?'

Ronnie closed her eyes, praying for patience. 'Go sleep, baby.'

I flicked her forehead.

'Ow, ok go sleep, not baby,'