My eighth and hopefully final gym battle was finally underway. It almost felt unreal. I was so excited, I just hope that Gardevoir was okay. That stomach ache seemed to come out of nowhere at all.

"Go, Spinda!" Norman called, throwing out a Pokeball.

" Go Breloom!" I called back, doing the same.

"Breloom, Mach Punch!" I called.

"Spinda, Teeter Dance!" Norman countered.

On that, Breloom jumped forward really fast and punched Spinda before it could react. It did however, stand back up. Then it started to perform a weird looking dance. When I looked back to Breloom, he was mimicking the same dance. "Breloom, what are you doing?" I called to him. He stopped dancing, but then started acting confused.

"That means Teeter Dance worked. Next, use Facade!" Norman yelled out.

"Breloom, Sky Uppercut!" I called as well.

Breloom just stood there and struck himself, likely a product of the confusion. Then Spinda ran over coated in an orange glow and tackled Breloom. He took a quick look around and seemed to snap to focus. Spinda stumbled back to position, then a few purple bubbles flew up above its head. It must have been poisoned.

'Breloom, Sky Uppercut." I tried again.

"Good, Spinda, another facade!" Norman replied.

Breloom was faster, he ran forward and hit Spinda, sending him flying. However, in mid air, it seemed to straighten its self out. This time the glow was stronger as it dove right at Breloom. It hit making Breloom fall backwards. He struggled but got back up. Then a few more bubbles went up above Spinda's head.

"Breloom stay back and use Seed Bomb!" I called, wanting to end this bout.

"Finish this with Psybeam!" Norman called.

Breloom threw some seed like things towards Spinda. Then Spinda started to launch a rainbow colored beam. The seeds exploded right as Spinda fired the Psybeam. Both attacks hit their mark as a cloud of dust appeared. After it cleared, both Pokemon were down and knocked out. At this we both recalled our Pokemon and chose our next ones.

"Go, Vigoroth!" Called Norman.

"You're up Mawile!" I responded.

"Use Faint Attack!" Norman commanded.

"Sucker Punch!" I countered.

Vigoroth was very fast, he seemed to disappear and reappear behind Mawile. He got ready to strike but Sucker Punch kicked in. Mawile managed to strike first.

"Quick, don't let them recover! Crunch!" I called out.

"Get back and use Slash!" Norman yelled almost as if panicking.

"Before Vigoroth could move, Mawile's maw had bitten down on him. Mawile looked as if she was about to throw him but he used Slash before she could. It wasn't too effective and didn't really seem to faze her.

"Steel types really are my biggest hurdle in this field." Norman commented. "Faint Attack again!"

"End this with a Flash Cannon!" I told her.

"Vigoroth again seemed to teleport behind Mawile. This time the strike landed. Mawile seemed like the hit did something but not too much. Then she turned around faced him with her maw and let out a very strong looking Flash Cannon. This connected as well and sent Vigoroth right into the wall of the gym. He just fell forward and was no longer able to continue the battle.

"Well that was shorter than expected. Your turn Linoone." He said as he tossed in his third ball.

"Mawile return." I called her back. "Your up Delphox!"

"Let's try to end this one fast, Linoone Belly Drum!" Norman made his next move.

"We can make him regret that choice. Psybeam!" I commanded.

Linoone stood on his back legs and started to smack on his belly. It almost seemed like he was keeping a beat. When he stopped and went back to all fours I could tell that he had gotten tougher, even though it does come at a cost. In response Delphox held forth her stick and shot a rainbow colored beam from it. When it hit, it did cause Linoone to be pushed back a little but not much.

"Flamethrower next!" I hollered over.

"Get her with Slash." Norman called in response.

Delphox again using her stick threw a stream of fire at Linoone. This definitely hit its mark. He appeared to be burned. Even so he ran forward also very fast and hit Delphox critically. This unexpected hit. Actually took Delphox down instantly.

"One hit! Nice one Linoone!" Norman praised hit partner.

"You're back up Mawile." I said, throwing her ball.

"Linoone another Slash let's go!" Norman called.

"Mawile, he's at his limit. Use Sucker Punch please." I told her.

Linoone ran forward, claw glowing, but that wasn't going to work. Sucker Punch again, strikes first. This along with his HP sacrifice, took down Linoone.

"Kind of bothers me, that Sucker Punch. But now, here comes the true test. Slaking! Time to clean up!" He called as he threw his last ball.

"Mawile, I'm going to keep you in." I told her.

"Maw." She nodded in confirmation.

"Slaking use Yawn!" Norman called.

"Mawile start off strong with a Flash Cannon." I called.

Slaking's first move was simply to yawn, causing Mawile to get drowsy. After yawning in response, Mawile shot off her Flash Cannon again. This seemed to make Slaking uneasy.

"Mawile, Play Rough!" Was our next move.

She ran over and started her attack. The same usual cloud of dust appeared. I waited for Norman to make a move but he didn't. This confused me, but we continued either way. As soon as Mawile returned from her attack, she fell asleep.

"Mawile wake up and use Crunch!" I called to no avail.

"Slaking, Facade." Norman called calmly.

Slaking also got surrounded in that same orange aura. He then went and tackled Mawile. She went flying, right into the wall. That seemed to wake her however. She shakily stood up and stumbled back to her position. "Mawile?" I said softly. Once she stopped though, she collapsed, unable to go on.

"That was too much. I wish Gardevoir was okay." I said to myself.

"This is all or nothing. Go Swampert!" I called as my last ball was thrown.

"Swampert, start with Surf!" I called.

"Let's start this off right with another yawn." Norman called.

As Slaking yawned Swampert summoned a wave of water that went crashing down on Slaking. Swampert seemed unphased by the yawn.

"Next, Earthquake!" I yelled out.

Swampert went up on his back legs, then slammed down causing the grounds to shake and crumble hurt Slaking and throwing debris at him.

"Next, use Rock Slide!" I called.

"Use, Counter!" Norman called in opposition, seeming uneasy.

"Numerous rock pummeled Slaking, he just laid there getting hit and glowing orangish brown. Then after the rocks stopped, he jumped at Swampert returning the attack at double power. HE seemed hurt, but not done.

"Let's wrap this up! Surf again!" I called out again.

The same giant wave came crashing over. This time I saw Slaking get picked up and thrown around by the wave. When the wave died down, Slaking was laying there with swirls showing in his eyes. HE was unable to battle. This battle, my hardest gym battle yet, was finally over.

I ran to Swampert and hugged him.

"We did it old buddy, you fought so hard. I'm so proud of you!" I praised him. He looked so relieved.

"As a gym leader, this makes me sad. However, I'm going to redouble my training for my next challenger." He said to me. "Here is your Balance Badge. Also This is my gift to you, it is the TM for Facade, the move my Spinda and Slaking used."

"Thank you, and thanks for an amazing battle." I said. "Before I leave however, I need to go find my other Pokemon."

"That's right!" He exclaimed. "She's been gone for the whole battle."

On that Norman and I walked towards the bathroom. As we approached, the door opened up and out came Gardevoir, holding an egg!

"Tony! I'm so happy! It happened!" She said coming over to me and hugging me with one arm.

"So that's what that was." Norman said. "You didn't make a mess, did you?"

Gardevoir shook her head no.

"No sir, it still looks clean." I said.

"That's a relief. When ever a bathroom is occupied that long, I always fear the worst." He replied.

After that, Gardevoir and I went to the Pokemon Center. I had to get my Pokemon healed and checked up on.

"Hey hun." I got her attention.

"Yeah." She replied.

"That battle, it was a rough one. We almost didn't win."

"Really? That bad?"

"Yeah."

"But, that's okay!" She exclaimed. "Because I'm gonna be a mom! And you a dad!"

"I cant wait!" I told her.

"Me either! I wanted this for so long! This is the best day of my life!" She yelled.

"Better than when you met me?" I asked.

"Almost, not quite though." She replied.

"Can I hold our egg?" I asked.

"Sure!" She replied still hyper.

"It's lighter than I expected." I noticed.

"Yeah, I thought the same thing." she confirmed.

"We should probably take this to the Professor. See what he says. He'd probably be floored." I mentioned.

"Yeah, that would be a good idea. Especially seeing how a human helped create it." She agreed. "But I still cant wait, AHHH!"

I handed her back the egg. Then we sat there and waited for the normal tone. Meanwhile, Gardevoir just kept admiring our egg. She's going to be a great mother, I just know it. After that thought, the buzzer went off and Nurse Joy returned with my partners.

"Your Pokemon have made a full recovery." She stated cheerily.

"Thank you." I replied.

At that, we left Petalburg to go see the Prof.

We made it to my home town in the late afternoon.

"I hope he's still at the lab this late." I said to Gardevoir.

"Why wouldn't he be?" She asked.

"Well, he does get tired and does want to go home eventually." I replied.

"Oh, I thought he lived there."

"Nope, just work."

As we reached the building, I pushed on the door and it opened. Sure enough he was inside.

"Welcome to the lab" The Prof. called as he came from the other room. "Oh, Tony, what brings you around so late?"

"We had something we wanted to show you." I replied.

At this point, Gardevoir handed over the egg.

"This is a Pokemon egg." He said.

"Kinda." I replied.

"What do you mean?" HE asked.

"Did you know about us?" I asked in response.

"Yes I do. Your mother stopped over for your brother and brought it up." He said.

"That makes this easier then." I said. "This egg is mine."

"Meaning you found it? Or?" He asked.

"No, meaning I helped make it." I replied.

"That's not possible."

"But it is. It happened. You're looking at it."

"I can't believe it." Professor mentioned.

"That's why we brought it we wanted you to scan it or whatever." I told him.

"That is not my field of expertise." He replied.

"You can't do that?" I asked for clarity.

"No, the best one to ask would be Prof. Elm in New Bark town." Birch said.

"Not New Bark." Gardevoir chimed in telepathically.

"I see you can speak that way." Birch said. "I've heard of Psychic types doing so."

"You aren't surprised?" She asked.

"Not really." He said. "Anyway, what's wrong with New Bark Town?"

"A really annoying person." I replied.

"Very annoying." Gardevoir added.

"How and when did you end up in Johto?" He asked.

"Long story." I replied.

"Anyway, I'm sure you can avoid them." He said. "Anyway, if you would like some insight into this egg, you should see Prof. Elm."

"Okay, I guess we have no choice." I said. "Thank you though."

"No, problem. Please stop by again. You are always interesting when you come by." He said.

On that we left.

"It's so late." I complained.

"Yeah, I'm getting kinda tired." Gardevoir agreed.

"We may have to walk until the next town to get a room tonight." I said.

"What about staying outside again." She asked.

"Not with that house nearby." I answered pointing to my mother's house.

"Do you really think she would bother us?"

"She might."

"But why?

"I don't know for sure. But I'm still uneasy."

"I guess I understand that, I do think we'd be fine though." Gardevoir said.

"You really think so?" I asked.

"Yeah." She replied pulling me close. "Besides, I can protect you. I'm here if you need me."

"Thank you honey." I said stealing a kiss from her.

She broke it off. "Tony! The egg moved!" She exclaimed.

"I want to feel it." I said placing my hand on it.

I waited about ten minutes, and nothing.

"I guess I missed it." I pouted.

"Aww, it's okay hun." She said giving me a quick peck on the cheek.

"That's disgusting!" I heard from a distance.

We saw two figures walking towards us from across town.

"They aren't going to bother us?" I mocked Gardevoir.

"I didn't think they would." She said.

"How dare you stand in the middle of the town and be disgusting like that?" My mother asked.

"What is you problem?" Jake asked.

"I don't know what you mean?" I asked.

"Why are you acting sensual with and animal?" He asked.

"I don't see an animal here." I replied. "I only see you two and my financè."

"That's foul, disgusting even!" He yelled at me.

"Shh, you're going to wake the neighbors." I teased.

"Hey, why were you mean to me last time I saw you?" Gardevoir chimed in to Jake.

"I've never seen you." He sneered.

"Yeah, remember the Kirlia at the Pokemon School?" She asked him.

"Wait, you were serious? Arceus, that's gross." He replied.

"Why do you insist on staying with this pet?" Mom asked.

"Why are you guys mean to me? What did I ever do to you guys?" Gardevoir asked getting slightly teary eyed.

"You don't deserve to be around him. Besides, if he really cared, he would've given you a name." Mom sneered.

"He could easily get and girl he wants. He doesn't need to resort to and animal." Jake snapped. " You've done nothing but corrupt him. You are the worst. He needs to cast you aside immediately."

"Come on Gardevoir, let's go." I said grabbing her empty hand.

"Where do you think your going?" Mom asked.

"Away from you monsters." Gardevoir retorted.

"Monsters, huh?" Jake asked. "How about I show you a monster? I could smash that egg."

Gardevoir stopped cold. Her presence seemed to change. A dark essence emanated from her. Her crimson eyes, piercing. She turned back, dress-tails floating now.

"If you come any closer to our egg, I will end your whole existence. I will make sure you regret it." She growled.

" 'Our' egg... You forced yourself on your Pokemon?" Jake asked.

"I forced him." She growled some more.

"Oh my Arceus." They gasped.

"Let's go Tony." Gardevoir pulled me along.

"That was very unpleasant." I sighed. "I don't get why they are like that?"

"I don't know but hold on to me" She replied.

In an instant we were in Oldale town.

"For some reason I tend to forget that you can do that." I stated.

We walked into the Pokemon Center and got our room.

"Hey, Tony, I'm going to go use the shower." Gardevoir said as I sat down.

"Ok cool, I'll join you." I replied standing back up.

"Actually I'll take one by myself this time." She said.

"Why's that? Is something wrong?" I asked.

"No, I'm okay." She said.

"Are you sure? You're acting strange. You always want me to join you." I stated.

"Yeah I'm good." She assured.

"Okay, I'll be here if you change your mind." I told her.

I waited a few minutes, listening to the sound of running water. It was oddly relaxing. But then I faintly heard a different noise. I got curious, I went up to the door and listened.

"What's wrong with you. He does- - you. H- using you. - just - animal."

Why was she talking like this? I walked in on her. She's drawing on her body; on her face. She looked like a mess.

"Why are you in here?" She asked, face covered in tears.

"Checking on you, I could hear you. What are you doing?" I asked back.

"I need to look more human." She sobbing placing her hands on the sink.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"Because, you don't care about me!" She yelled.

"Why would you say that?" I asked walking closer.

"Stay back! I'm just an animal to you after all, aren't I?" She asked.

"No, your so much more!" I yelled back.

"Then what is my name?" She asked.

"Why are you asking?" I asked back.

"I've been thinking about it for a while now. When a trainer truly cares for there Pokemon, they name them." She told me. "Even mom has a name from her old trainer. And you don't even know it."

"I was never told what it was." I said.

"You never asked!" She yelled back. "The one thing your family was right about. If you care, where is my name?"

I was at a loss. She was upset and this thought had never crossed my mind.

"Well!?" She asked.

"Didn't your mom give you a name?" I asked.

"Yes, but that doesn't matter, I wanted my first trainer to give me my name. But it never happened." She sobbed.

"You could have asked me whenever." I said

"Mhmm, of course, you turn this back around." She snapped.

"This isn't you. What happened?" I pleaded.

"Hearing the encounter in the last town made me realize what I've been wanting." She said.

"Take a deep breathe, please. Let's get you cleaned up and we'll talk about this." I said walking close again.

"NO! I said back!" She yelled pushing me back out of the bathroom and closing the door.

I walked right back in, grabbed on to her and refused to let go.

"Think about all we've been through, all we've done." I told her. "Think about our egg. Why would this all have happened if I didn't care for you?"

"I don't know." She started. "Maybe you just wanted my body."

"You know that's not true. If that was the case, we would've mated a long time ago." I told her. "I wouldn't have made you make the first move."

"Your confusing me." She said.

"Like I said, let's get you cleaned up. Then, we can talk about this, Okay?" I asked again.

"Fine." She replied.

After we got her cleaned, we sat on the bed.

"Let's start here, your name." I started.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Your name will be Amber." I said. "How does that sound?"

"Amazing." She said tearing up again.

"Then, let me try this again. I know you already have the ring on. But, Amber, will you still be my mate?" I asked.

She pulled me up and grabbed hold of me. "Yes I still will be your mate!" She exclaimed.