My luck was terrible. The day of my gym challenge, it was pouring. Not the light drizzle of Mari's match. But sheets after sheets of rain came down, so hard that it was painful. Each drop of rain was like a sharp slice of a knife against my face. When the drops collided with my body, it felt like someone was shooting paintballs at me. The cap that I was wearing kept the rain from hitting my eyes, but barely. The visibility was near zero, only a white wall in front of me. The wind whipped around me with a roar, bringing cold air that nips at my skin. The hood of my jacket was ripped from my head, despite all my efforts to secure it. I was glad for the headphones. There was no way I could have hear anything past the howl of the wind. I hoped the lightning alert was off. There was no way this was legal. As it is, I had already told Gym Leader Manning I agreed to abide by League rules of the Gym match, and she was awaiting my first Pokemon.

I wasn't sure if it was the influence of Arthur, but Gym Leader Manning was a complete cow. First, she heavily implied that we were rude punks when we didn't call her Gym Leader Manning (we called her Ms. Manning, but seriously, all the other Gym Leader told us to call them by their first name). Then, she sneered at Yuan when I called him for battle. Or at least I think she sneered. I couldn't really see.

'Seriously? You're going to send a baby to battle?' Her voice full of contempt. 'I wondered how you even get past the first four Leaders.'

The Pokemons the Gym Leader chose were matched to my Pokemon. So say, Lexy, who is level 50, will have an opponent whose level was around that range. But since each level of the gym challenge required the Gym Leader's Pokemons to be of a certain level., and Fortree Gym was my 5th challenge, Yuan, whose level was lower than 16, will have an opponent of level 30, more than twice his level. I wasn't sure how the minimum levels for each gym challenge were calculated, but it was set down by the league. Of course, there wasn't a minimum level for a Challenger's Pokemon, but it would be considered suicide if you brought an unprepared, under leveled Pokemon to a high level Gym Match. Normally, Yuan would have been more suited for the first or second gym challenge.

I did have a moment of doubt, my eyes flickering to the spot behind Gym Leader Manning, where I could find assurance in a steady green gaze. But the spot, even if my vision was not occupied by rain, was empty. With a jolt, I realized that this was the first match I would be having without her watching. I slid my gaze to Mari instead, who gave me a thumbs up underneath a giant blue umbrella (why did I get the pink one? The Fates were cruel). Only a true friend would watch me battle in this condition. I took a deep breath to calm myself. It doesn't matter. Gym Leader Manning didn't have to use such a condescending tone. Denise, Pauline and Desmond had been nice to me. Who was she to imply that they weren't capable? And hadn't she heard of don't judge a book err... Mudkip by its cover? A Mudkip who spent most of his life in Arthur's home. He'd probably been hearing Arthur call Gym Leader Manning 'that bloody minger' since he was in his egg. Of course, I could have just went in with 4 Pokemons, but I had a solid plan.

'Your funeral,' Gym Leader Manning shrugged when I didn't reply her, releasing a Beautifly.

Funnily enough, the weather worked in my favour this round. Yuan was in his element, soaking up the rain, playing in the mud, while the Beautifly was pelted by the droplets that doubled as bullets. It had obvious trouble keeping in the air, its wings beating hard against the chaotic wind and rain.

'Silver Wind!'

Gym Leader Manning made the first move.

'Roll, Ice Ball,' I commanded, my voice distorting over the speaker blaring in the rain.

Yuan had always loved rolling around in the mud. When he saw Lexy doing it to dodge attacks, he started copying him. This time, he put it to good use, rolling on the battlefield to dodge the Silver Wind, coming up muddy with a chunk of ice which he threw at the Beautifly. The attack hit true, and then some. Raindrops froze on Yuan's Ice Ball as it travelled to the Beautifly, making it larger than it actually was. The Beautifly attempted another Silver Wind, which was cleverly dodged by another roll ending in Ice Ball.

'Giga Drain!'

'Dodge, Yuan!' I yelled.

Not only did this attack allow Beautifly to recover some energy, it'll be devasting to Yuan if it hits. Turns out, I didn't have to worry much. Yuan was almost completely camouflaged in the mud. It was already hard to see through the downpour, but rolling around in the mud made Yuan blend in. Before Beautifly could locate Yuan to perform that particular attack, Yuan had sneaked behind it and hit it with another Ice Ball, a ginormous one this time. The Beautifly was smacked down onto the floor. That was my chance.

'Yuan Mud Bomb, now!'

I had hope to do this even without the crazy rain. I was ready to use Mudkip's Water Gun to muddy the ground, but the weather did my work for me. Yuan threw chunks of mud on the Beautifly's wings, sticking it onto the muddy ground and hence grounding it.

'Call off the battle, Gym Leader Manning.' I called out to her.

'What? You forfeit?'

I mentally rolled my eyes. I was pretty sure my feelings weren't influenced by Arthur by now. Sherrie Manning was pure loathsome.

'No,' I told her. 'Your Beautifly is trapped. My next Ice Ball may very well kill it. Call off the battle.'

Gym Leader Manning narrowed her eyes at me. I couldn't believe she was even hesitating. The Beautifly was buried under a mountain of mud. Yuan was mere inches from it, patiently waiting for my instructions. Or not that patiently. He was chucking more mud on the Beautifly. Either way he was way more well behaved than he should be at his age. Gym Leader Manning should be glad that it was my fifth gym battle. I wouldn't have stopped if I didn't experience the scare back in my first gym. Denise and Pauline would have been so proud of me.

'Fine.' Gym Leader Manning returned the Beautifly. 'Don't expect mercy from me.'

'Good job, Yuan,' I told Yuan, ignoring Gym Leader Manning.

Yuan gave a happy wiggle in the mud before I returned him.

'What? Returning him already? Yeah, you should be scared.' Gym Leader Manning taunted.

Gym Leader Manning felt empty as the Gym Challenge progressed. Despite not having many challengers, she did not seem to have studied me before the challenge. All official League battles were filmed and I imagined that the League probably has all the videos stored up in an archive somewhere, accessible to all the Gym Leaders, Elite Fours and Champion. It was stated in the terms and conditions when we sign the formed before Gym Battles. I checked it thoroughly when I was at the Mauville Gym. I had been sticking with my strategy of giving all my Pokemon a chance during a Gym Challenge. Either way, it wasn't much of a fight. Dawn wasn't happy with the rain and mud, but took down her opponent, a Tropius, with a combination of Flamethrower and Crunch. The Tropius couldn't outfly her Extremespeed. Likewise, Abraxion wasn't happy with the mud sticking to his hooves. But he took out his opponent, A Hwalucha, with well placed Razor Wind and Psycho cut despite the type disadvantage. Estelle, my intelligent Psychic, Teleported on top of the Fearow she was battling and Teleported with it back down on the ground. She took it out with a combination of Dazzling Gleam and Psychic. I didn't dare to use Thunderbolt in this weather; she might well shock us all to death.

It was time for the last battle. My platform gave a whirl and rumbled as it took me to the sky. Up in the air, the rain was even more merciless, if it was even possible. The wind was like a demon, screeching and wailing like a banshee as it tore at me, whipping my hair from my face. My jacket was zipped up but it made fluttering sounds as the wind and rain battered against it. It was a miracle my cap on still on my head. I picked up the hood of my jacket, tying the strings tighter in hopes it would stay this time. But it was exhilarating. I imagined this was what it was like at the top of a rollercoaster, before the first plunge. If you're taking a rollercoaster in a storm that soak you to your bones that is. If Neo felt like this all the time, no wonder he didn't want to give up flying. I released Lexy into the air and in stayed in front of me for a while, his wings beating leisurely as he stayed at my eye level. The storm didn't seem to bother him in the slightest.

'Brother would love this.' Lexy told me. 'I used to dream that Brother and I would fly the skies when I evolved.'

Lexy's speech improved a lot. Maybe evolution had something to do with it, but he was communicating much better now. His words squeezed my heart.

'We'll win this for Neo,' I told Lexy, covering my mic with one hand, not wanting Gym Leader Manning to hear this private conversation.

'For Brother,' Lexy dipped his head once, in agreement.

As Lexy did a 180 to face Gym Leader Manning, she released a large, blue bird with cotton wings into the sky. Unlike its pre evolution, the Altaria had two plumes streaming from its head along with razor sharp claws and a wickedly curved beak. It looked much more menacing. Or as menacing as it could with wet wings. It looked slightly deflated as rain wet its wings and fluff on its abdomen, but it stayed afloat.

'Cloud,' Lexy spat in disgust, probably remembering the taste of clouds in his mouth.

He did seem to have an uncanny affinity with Swablu and its evolution. The Altaria shrieked, a high pitch sound that could be heard through the roar of the storm. My headphones did nothing to protect my ears against it. Lexy roared in pain, his tail lashing out. The Altaria must have used Disarming Voice. Sherry didn't seem to have given it a command. It must have used it on its own straight out of the Pokeball. Was that allowed? I placed League Rules to study under my mental to do list. We did studied that in school, but only Einstein could remember everything we learnt in school. And Einstein's wife, who was possibly smarter than him. Normal people like us forgot everything the minute before exams starts. Either way, I couldn't let Gym Leader Manning take control of the match.

'Lexy, Headbutt, then Crunch.'

Lexy shot towards Altaria, so fast that it seemed like he Teleported there. The Altaria dived just in time, raking her beak across Lexy's belly. I didn't see Gym Leader Manning give another command. Was she using signals? Lexy's Crunch caught the back of the Altaria, ripping off a chunk of fluff. He promptly spat it out, but the Altaria didn't look worse for wear.

'Perry, Disarming Voice.'

'Lexy dive!'

At least I heard her give the command this time. Lexy dropped towards the ground, out of range of the attack. The Altaria swooped down after him.

'Lexy Dragonbreath'

Lexy pulled sharply out of his dive and swerved up, shooting hot draconic breath at Altaria, who was still diving.

'Lexy fly up.'

Lexy climbed, impossibly high. I tilted up my head up, immediately regretting when fat raindrops took this opportunity to attack my eyes. Perry the Altaria was climbing after Lexy, though she seemed much slower. Her cotton wings must be weighing her down.

'Headbutt, then Dragonbreath.'

Lexy dropped like an overweight stone, spiraling as he descended. The red ridges on his head made contact with Perry's skull, stunning him. Seizing the opportunity, Lexy released a close ranged Dragonbreath, knocking the Altaria towards the ground. Perry recovered just in time to pull up, avoiding a crash that would mean the end of the battle.

'Dragon Pulse,' Gym Leader Manning commanded.

Perry opened its mouth, no doubt to deliver the draconic energy waves. Fortunately, though this attack wasn't visible to me, Lexy seemed to be able to sense it. He banked left sharply, and there was a boom that could only mean the attack collided with the force field. Why did the force field not keep out the rain? This design really didn't make sense to me. My shoe squelched against the wet metal floor of the platform. I realized that one slip and I'd be falling to my death. There was no way this is League sanctioned. I hoped that there were invisible force fields below to catch me. Gym Leader Manning told Mari cockily that long ago, all of Fortree Gym Battles were held like this. It was too bad they changed the rules. I can't imagine having my first gym battle like this.

'Catch him, then Dragon Pulse,' Gym Leader Manning instructed Perry.

'Don't let him catch you!' I told Lexy.

Perry the Altaria is now looking akin to a drowned Pidgey. With the bulk of its fluff flattened against its body and wings, he looked extremely small. Nonetheless, it chased after Lexy with surprising maneuverability, soaked wings beating against the wind. It must be conditioned to battle in these conditions. Then, a game of Skitty and Rattata began, with Lexy nimbly darting through the skies, Perry closed behind. I realized I was out of my element here. I had no idea how to give commands in an aerial match, while Gym Leader Manning knew how to manipulate the battlefield. I couldn't play her game of catch in the air.

'Lexy, Ember while you fly.'

While I didn't have time to teach Lexy Flamethrower, Arthur had worked with him on his Ember. And now that he is evolved, his fire producing organ must have been much stronger. The Ember was hot enough to evaporate the rain. Pretty soon, the entire battlefield turned foggy as the mist settled in. Perry stopped his pursuit, flapping his wings hard to get rid of the mist.

'Headbutt, then Dragonbreath.'

'Disarming Voice!'

The Altaria opened its beak, but it was too late. Lexy unleashed a Headbutt from below, followed quickly by Drangonbreath. Perry the Altaria plummeted from way above our heads. Gym Leader Manning whipped out the Pokeball in a practiced sweep of her arm and returned Altaria before he could crash.

'The Feather Badge is yours,' She told me grudgingly.

That night, we had celebratory dinner at a cheap all you can eat buffet restaurant who was Pokemon friendly. Amazingly, Lexy pulled Yuan off the chocolate fountain and took him into the Pokemon corner, though Lexy did licked him clean. Lexy and Zenya took up about half the corner, but the restaurant was mostly empty anyway, so they were allowed to stay out. Lexy held Yuan firmly in his claws as they waited (impatiently) for me to fill their plates. I gave them both a small bowl of chocolate each because honestly, they deserved it. They can work it off the next day.

'Master, sweets are not good for them.' Estelle came over. 'You should learn from Trainer Marina.'

Mari had given her team large plates of sweet berries. Which was, really, the same as desserts in my opinion.

'Come on, her team is half vegetarian,' At least I think so. I had no idea what a ghost, a childlike spirit and a hunk of metal ate. I think Ben fed his Metagross carrots once. Seeing the look on Estelle's face, I promised her 'Just this time. Want a marshmallow?'

I held out said marshmallow covered in chocolate. Abraxion seemed highly interested in them and had consumed two bowls of it.

'No, I would imagine it has the texture of a cloud,' Estelle's tone implied that cloud was the worst thing to eat. And I guess if you ask Lexy, he would say so too. Does cloud really taste bad? 'Master, there is something I need to discuss with you.'

Thinking that something had happened, I looked over to my team, making sure they hadn't somehow upended an entire table of raw meat. Dawn was dunking her entire face into a mountain of ice cream, tail swishing with happiness. Abraxion licked a marshmallow. Lexy managed to keep Yuan from dunking himself into his bowl of chocolate. Zenya had approached them to check out their bowls. They were all lapping up the sweet, sticky gooeyness. So, my team was going for the desserts instead of the mains. Everything was normal.

'What's up?' I asked Estelle, who was the only one on my team that seemed to abhorred sweets. Maybe she is allergic.

'Do you remember when we first met?' I nodded. I could hardly forget that. 'I told you about the pact I made with my brother.'

I did recall it. She was to meet her brother a year after separation, to see who was stronger. When I met her, she said that she had been looking almost 6 months for a Trainer to train her so she could win.

'Has it been 6 months already?' I racked my brains. But honestly, the time I spent between travelling from Lavaridge Town to Arthur's house was a blur.

'The moon will be at its fullest in 5 days.' Estelle informed me.

'Oh. We'll help you train, whatever you need,' I told Estelle. 'Do you want me to accompany you to the match or…?' I had no idea how Psychic pacts work.

'I would like you to be there, Master, to witness the match. Trainer Marina may come if she wished.' Estelle inclined her head towards Mari, who had been watching our exchange in silence. 'But you are not allowed to interfere, no matter what may occur.'

'Of course,' I told her, though her words sounded ominous.

'Isn't that when the Elite Four match is happening?' Mari asked, when Estelle had gone back to the Pokemon corner.

'2 days later,' I replied.

Somehow, without realizing, I had committed the date to memory.

'Are you going?' Mari asked cautiously.

'I don't know,' I admitted.

I hadn't wanted to think about it. It was easy, when I had a Gym Battle to concentrate on. Now that the battle was over, I felt that excuse ripping off the door behind which I stuffed the thoughts opened.

'I think you should go,' Mari swirled her root beer float (She added strawberry ice cream. It looked weird.). I raised my eyebrow and she continued. 'Look, you obviously like her a lot. You still care for her.'

'She literally betrayed me,' My fingers twisted the straw of my drink (a mix between Mountain Dew and Fanta Grape).

'I think she did what she had to do,' Mari replied. She carefully avoided saying what she really thought, that Ronnie wasn't in the wrong. 'It's clear she cared about you. She still does. Give her a chance. Now that you both have calm down; you can talk about it rationally.'

That's what Ronnie was good at. Being rational. She was always so levelheaded. But not me. I was literally the opposite of it.

'I'm afraid I'll do something stupid.' I confessed. 'If I see her. What if I make things worse?'

'But you won't get the chance to make things right, if you don't even meet her.' Mari told me reasonably.

Oh why was everyone so sensible. I looked down at my Krabbysticks lying on top of my carbonara. I didn't reply, but I didn't need to. Because the both of us know that deep down, my heart has already decided for me to meet her, way before we even have this conversation.