Progress as of this chapter:
Jason:
Jolteon: Swift, Headbutt, Double Team, Thunder Wave. Special Ability: Volt Absorb
Taillow: Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Peck, Focus Energy. Special Ability: Guts
Ralts: Confusion, Disarming Voice, Teleport, Double Team. Special Ability: Synchronize
Kristine:
Espeon: Confusion, Quick Attack, Calm Mind, Sand Attack. Special Ability: Magic Bounce
Fletchling: Tackle, Peck, Quick Attack, Agility. Special Ability: Gale Wings
Pikachu: Thunder Shock, Electro Ball, Quick Attack, Double Team. Special Ability: Static
"So Aria used to be a water pokemon trainer," Kristine noted. She and Jason sat side by side before a computer terminal in their room within the pokemon center. "She's noted for winning water pokemon contests across Inventum and Unova."
"Get this," Jason read further into the article. "She has a gyarados."
"Gyarados?" Kristine seemed intrigued, if not intimidated. "If you can train a gyarados, you can train anyone."
"I always wanted a gyarados since I was little," Jason added. "Aria's going to be very tough to beat, especially since she has a gyarados."
"She has a lot of pokemon," Kristine continued reading. "Starmie, Dewgong, Golduck. But remember, she won't just be using water pokemon. She joined Team Mystic seven years ago after retiring from being a water pokemon trainer. We should see what she's been using lately.
Kristine then quickly researched another article relevant to Aria as a Gym Leader.
"Wow…" Kristine read through the article. "So she's been using Wobbuffet as a gatekeeper in her matches, and he can sometimes take out all three pokemon."
"But how?" Jason leaned in to read the article.
Kristine pulled out her pokedex and researched Wobbuffet.
"Wobbuffet, the patient pokemon," the Pokedex explained. "Wobbuffet does nothing but endure attacks—it won't attack on its own. However, it won't endure an attack on its tail. When that happens, the pokemon will try to take the foe with it using Destiny Bond."
"Destiny Bond…" Jason muttered.
"If Wobbuffet uses Destiny Bond and goes down, the opposing pokemon goes down with it," Kristine said. "We need to be really careful."
"Okay," Jason replied. "We get past Wobbuffet. What next?"
"She had rotated between a sligoo and a vibrava for a while," Kristine replied. "But since her dratini evolved just three weeks ago, she started using her. Dragonair is quite powerful herself."
"And the last pokemon?"
"Vaporeon. It says here that her dad gave her an eevee on her 15th birthday, and it helped inspire her to become a water trainer. On her 16th birthday, her dad gave her a water stone to achieve her dreams. Vaporeon has been registered in 100% of Aria's gym battles since she took over as the Gym Leader of Fort Lexing last year."
"We're going up against a well-accomplished trainer with a pokemon she had for at least fifteen years," Jason added.
"Jason," Kristine faced her brother, nervous. "We've been trainers for three weeks. How can we possibly beat Aria? She's won many contests and trained so many pokemon."
"I don't think we should look at probabilities," Jason replied. "If there's a will, there's a way. There's a way to beat Aria. You just have to find the answer. You need to believe that you and your pokemon can win this, and you have a chance."
"Right…" Kristine knew Jason was right. "Well, I'm up first in the morning. I should get some shuteye."
"Me too," Jason said. "You're going to do fine out there."
"Yeah," Kristine gave a nod. "I just need the confidence that you have."
"Kristine," Jason spoke clearly. "You defeated me earlier today. You convinced Fletchling and Pikachu to join your cause. You're an amazing trainer. Just show that to Aria tomorrow."
Kristine blushed. "Thanks, Jason. I'm happy to have you as my brother."
"Don't mention it," Jason felt flattered. "You have a good night."
Jason and Kristine tried to get a good night's rest. But they both couldn't help but remain anxiously excited for what's to come. Jason stared at the ceiling for a while in the middle of the night before drifting back to sleep while Kristine was on her side with her eyes closed yet trying to get back to sleep. Both wanted to get their first gym battles over with. And the fear of one twin losing while the other winning came to mind. Tomorrow, Jason and Kristine would determine if they have what it takes to become a pokemon master.
The next morning, the two came into the Mystic Gym fully prepared. Kristine had her green and white ball cap on with her ponytail extending out the back. She would be going up first, and she needed to assert herself in the attitude that she would win today.
"I got this," she said to herself. "I proved that I could challenge Aria so that I can do this."
The two walked into the battle floor, where more than a dozen members of Team Mystic were watching on.
"So, do I just approach the field?" Kristine asked Jason.
Jason shrugged. "I dunno and I haven't seen Aria."
"I guess I'll just approach the field," Kristine took a deep breath. "Let's do this."
Jason took to the bleachers while Kristine approached the field. A moment later, Aria emerged from the entrance on the other side of the battle floor.
"Kristine Kyar of Mountain Spring," Aria spoke, approaching the field. "The extranet doesn't have much about you, not yet anyway, only a nice little local article of a pair of twins becoming trainers."
"Someone actually wrote about us?" Jason asked, curious.
"Just your local post," Aria replied. "Part of official pokemon battles is to research your opponent, so you can have a clear idea on who you will be facing." She then turned back to Kristine. "So, what have you learned about me? Have you done your homework?"
"You used to be a water pokemon trainer," Kristine replied. "You're well decorated and have trained many pokemon."
"I guess you can say that," Aria chuckled. "I've done a lot of adventuring in my teens and early 20s before becoming a member of Team Mystic. Have you researched my recent history as Gym Leader?"
"Yes," Kristine nodded.
Aria seemed impressed. "Do you know what pokemon I will be using today?"
Kristine gave a determined look and nodded once more.
"Then, without any more small talk, let's battle!" Aria challenged.
A woman approached the referee's box on the side of the center of the field. It was Summer herself, volunteering to monitor the battle. "On my left is Aria, the Gym Leader of Fort Lexing's Pokemon Gym and the Team Mystic Leader of the Inventum Chapter," she introduced Aria. "On my right is the challenger Kristine Kyar of Mountain Spring. If Kristine wins today's match, she will receive the Mystic Badge, one of twelve official badges required to enter the Inventum Cup.
"This battle will be the Pokemon League standard rule set of a three-on-three battle. Both sides are allowed to make substitutions in the middle of battle. The Gym Leader will announce her first pokemon while the challenger makes the first move.
"Aria, are you ready?" Summer faced Aria.
"As always," Aria nodded.
The woman faced Kristine. "Kristine, are you ready?"
Kristine took a deep breath. "I am," she spoke with confidence.
"Then the battle may begin!" Summer declared.
"Okay, Dragonair, you're up first!" Aria summoned.
An elegant serpent-like creature jumped out of the pokeball. Dragonair's skin was dark blue with a white underbelly. She had a smooth, rounded snout with a small white horn on the top of its head. Her violet eyes gleamed with beauty, dazzling even Kristine.
"She went with Dragonair first," Jason muttered and pulled out his pokedex.
"Dragonair, the Dragon Pokemon," the pokedex explained. "Dragonair stores an enormous amount of energy inside its body. It is said to alter weather conditions in its vicinity by discharging energy from its crystals on its neck and tail."
"Dragonair…" Kristine muttered. She then faced Aria. "Okay. Fletchling, showtime!"
"Fletchling!" Fletchling bounced forward after he was summoned.
"You make the first move, Kristine," Aria reminded.
"Fletchling, take to the sky and use Agility!" Kristine commanded.
Fletchling dove straight into the air and swooped around the floor at lightning-fast speeds.
"Dragonair, use Twister!" Aria responded.
Dragonair projected a wind vortex from the orb on her next and projected it facing horizontally towards Fletchling.
"Fletchling, dodge it!" Kristine yelled.
The mouth of the vortex became wider as it approached Fletchling. Fletchling was unable to fully dodge it as he got sucked into the vortex's influence. He spun around before managing to escape by bolting right through the side.
"Thunder Wave!" Aria continued.
Dragonair stopped using Twister and emitted Thunder Wave from her orb.
"Fletchling, dive down and Peck!" Kristine commanded. She knew she couldn't afford Fletchling to become paralyzed.
Fletchling dove downwards to avoid the thunderous wave that flew right over him narrowly. With a glowing beak, he struck Dragonair's face. The startled dragon serpent took a direct hit as Fletchling flew past her.
"Dragonair, use Dragon Rage!" Aria issued.
Dragonair projected an orb of energy that Kristine thought looked like the sun. She then hurled it at Fletchling.
"Fletchling, use Agility one more time!" Kristine responded.
Fletchling dashed all across the floor, dodging the energy ball that fizzled in midair.
"Quick Attack!" Kristine ordered.
Fletchling made another run at Dragonair, this time striking at the side of her neck. She tried to keep track of Fletchling's movements.
"Stay calm, Dragonair!" Aria said.
"Dive down and use Peck one more time!" Kristine commanded.
Aria saw her moment and aimed to seize it. "Face upwards and use Twister!"
By the time Dragonair looked up and projected Twister from her orb, Fletchling was already at her face with a glowing beak. While Fletchling struck Dragonair, it was unable to escape Dragonair's Twister. In fact, Fletchling was consumed by it, unable to move.
"We have him where we want him!" Aria declared. "Dragonair, Wrap!"
Dragonair wrapped her chest around the tiny robin, with her eyes staring at his.
"Fletch!" Fletchling was getting squeezed hard.
"Don't let him resist! Thunder Wave!" Aria followed up.
Dragonair's orb projected a thunderous wave that Fletchling could not avoid. He became paralyzed, succumbing to the overwhelming Wrap.
Kristine knew she was in trouble. "Fletchling!"
"Dragonair, let's finish this with Dragon Rage!" Aria commanded.
A ball of energy emitted from Dragonair's orb, engulfing Fletchling. Dragonair then let go when the ball exploded. As the smoke cleared, Fletchling was on the floor with his wings spread out, unable to get up.
"Fletchling is unable to battle!" Summer declared. "Dragonair wins!"
Dragonair remained in a coil, appearing to be fatigued from battling with Fletchling.
"Return, Fletchling," Kristine recalled him. "Thank you. You did well out there."
Kristine knew she was in a hole. She was down to just Pikachu and Espeon, while Aria still had three pokemon. She knew she had to take down Dragonair quickly to get back into the game.
"Pikachu, showtime!" Kristine threw her second pokeball.
"Pika!" Pikachu bounced forward.
"Let's use Thunder Shock!" Kristine commanded.
Pikachu unleashed electric energy at Dragonair, making a direct connect. Dragonair simply remained still and took the hit.
"Electric attacks are not very effective against dragon pokemon," Aria explained. "Dragonair, use Twister!"
Dragonair projected yet another Twister from its orb and directed it at Pikachu.
"Fire Electro Ball in there!" Kristine had an idea.
"Pika-chuuu!" Pikachu fired Electro Ball from his tail, directing it right into the vortex.
Pikachu's Electro Ball spun around and around. Pikachu then got sucked into the vortex's influence. The powerful Electro Ball swirled until it struck Dragonair. The vortex then faded, enabling Pikachu to move.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!" Kristine commanded.
"Pika Pika Pika!" Pikachu rushed in for Quick Attack and struck Dragonair's neck. She was knocked to the floor, but she managed to get up.
"Dragonair, use Dragon Rage!" Aria ordered.
Dragonair fired a draconic energy ball at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Double Team!" Kristine responded.
Pikachu projected multiple copies of himself. The Dragon Rage rolled right through three copies before it fizzled.
"Twister one more time!" Aria issued.
Another vortex was fired, taking out Pikachu's copies left and right.
"Electro Ball!" Kristine yelled.
Pikachu jumped into the air, well away from Dragonair's Twister. He managed to flank her right side as he hurled another Electro Ball from his tail. Dragonair could not dodge the second Electro Ball; she was struck directly, and she crashed down to the ground hard. She did not get up.
"Dragonair is unable to battle!" Summer called. "Pikachu wins!"
Aria smirked, impressed by Kristine's ability to battle. "Return, Dragonair. Excellent work."
She then faced Kristine. "I know a capable trainer when they defeat even one of my pokemon. Now, let's see how you handle an unconventional battle. Go, Wobbuffet!"
Wobuffet was summoned out of his pokeball. He was the supposed gatekeeper against many challengers, and he was known for defeating all three of the challengers' pokemon on many occasions.
"Wob-bufffet!" the light blue creature stood tall on his four flat, stubbed legs. He gave a salute as a greeting with its flat, thin arms. And then, he just stood there.
"Wobbuffet, huh?" Kristine muttered. "Pikachu, maintain your distance, and use Thunder Shock!"
Aria stood with her side facing Kristine and grew an opportunistic smirk on her face. "Mirror Coat!"
As the Thunder Shock struck Wobbuffet head-on, he projected a white glow that outlined his entire body. He embraced Pikachu's attack but also harnessed its energy. He then unleashed it back as a white beam of psychic energy.
Pikachu was struck hard as he fell on the floor and tumbled twice.
"Pikachu!" Kristine yelled. "Are you okay?"
"Pika…" Pikachu managed to get back up and shake off the damage done.
Kristine was relieved. Pikachu needs to win this, she thought. Otherwise, if Espeon comes out, Aria can just call for Destiny Bond, and I'll lose.
Pikachu maintained his distance from Wobbuffet. He carefully paced on his hands and legs, waiting for Kristine's next command.
Aria stood there with her arms crossed. She was putting Kristine to the test, stressing her ability to think creatively and critically in a situation like this.
If I attack Wobbuffet head-on, Pikachu will be defeated, Kristine continued to assess the situation.
Kristine needs to continue the attack and get Aria to call Destiny Bond, Jason thought. Pikachu's gotta throw everything at Wobbuffet. Maybe Kristine will get lucky and keep Pikachu against Vaporeon.
That's it! Kristine devised a strategy. I'll put up a ruse and fake a head-on assault. Wobbuffet can't defend itself if its tail is attacked, which will force him off guard.
She faced Aria with a determined look. "Pikachu, Quick Attack! Standby for more commands!"
"Pika Pika Pika!" Pikachu charged at Wobbuffet head-on.
"Get ready to use Counter!" Aria responded.
"Wob-buffet!" Wobbuffet saluted.
Pikachu closed in on Wobbuffet. He got to within ten feet of the patient Pokemon.
"Double Team!" Kristine followed up.
Pikachu projected multiple copies of himself. Wobbuffet stood before a 90-degree arc of Pikachu's copies, all in Quick Attack stance.
"Quick Attack on the tail!" Kristine ordered.
Pikachu emerged from directly behind Wobbuffet, striking his tail.
"WOBB!" Wobbuffet's face turned red. He took considerable damage from the attack and could do nothing about it. He rapidly turned around to strike back at Pikachu. Pikachu quickly jumped backward.
"Wobbuffet's no longer in a defensive stance, Pikachu!" Kristine yelled. "Jump over him and use Thunder Shock on his tail!"
"Pika!" Pikachu jumped right over Wobbuffet, generating electricity for an attack.
"Chuuuuu!" Pikachu emitted an electric stream right at Wobbuffet's tail.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet reeled from the damage. Suddenly, he became paralyzed. Even if he wanted to protect his tail, he couldn't move.
"Move around him and use Electro Ball one more time!" Kristine wanted to finish this.
Pikachu ran around Wobbuffet and hurled Electro Ball from his tail. Aria knew Wobbuffet would not withstand another attack on his tail.
"Destiny Bond," Aria called.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet saluted. A purple mist surrounded his body just before Electro Ball struck his tail. Unable to withstand the powerful attack, Wobbuffet fell over.
"Wobbuffet is unable to battle!" Summer declared. "Pikachu wins!"
Kristine knew that was a technical victory and not a literal victory. A purple mist surrounded Pikachu seconds later. He then fell to the floor, fatigued and unable to get up.
"Pikachu is unable to battle!" Summer announced.
"Return, Wobbuffet," Aria recalled him. "Get some rest."
"Return, Pikachu!" Kristine recalled him. "You did great, pal. Leave it to us; we're going to win!"
"You have a swift mind, Kristine," Aria commended. "But now it's down to a one-on-one battle. How well can you close out on a tight situation?"
"I guess we shall see," Kristine primed her last pokeball.
Aria smirked back. "Go, Vaporeon!"
She tossed her final pokeball, bringing out Vaporeon, the water evolution of eevee.
"Vaporeon," Vaporeon greeted with elegance. Unlike most eevee evolutions, Vaporeon had no fur, just a light blue, silky skin resembling an ocean-based mammal. It had a white ruff around its neck and dark blue ridges across its back extending to its tailfin.
"So that's Vaporeon," Jason muttered to himself.
"Espeon, showtime!" Kristine summoned Espeon.
"Espeon," Espeon bowed her head in grace.
"Your Espeon's just as regal as my Vaporeon," Aria spoke, standing directly towards Kristine. "You make the first move, Kristine."
Kristine knew this was a tall order for Espeon to defeat Vaporeon. But if she could defeat Jason and his Jolteon, she knew she had a chance to defeat Aria and Vaporeon. It didn't matter anymore to her that Aria had Vaporeon for over fifteen years. It didn't matter that Vaporeon helped Aria win multiple battle and non-battle contests during the prime of her career. Aria and Vaporeon may have an unbreakable bond, but Kristine proved that the relationship between her and Espeon might be short but strong all the same. The two enjoyed working together, and that's exactly what they needed to win this.
Kristine gave Aria a determined look. "You're right there with my brother as the most difficult trainer I've faced," she commended. "But I'm going to give it my all to the very end!"
She then faced Espeon. "Espeon, Calm Mind!"
"Espeon," Espeon's eyes glowed bright white.
This one is patient, Aria thought. She seems to have found her own style in battle, using tactics and non-attacking moves to work down the opponent before going on the offensive. Her use of Calm Mind is what won her battle against her brother and his jolteon. I have to maintain the initiative from her.
"Rain Dance, Vaporeon!" Aria called.
"Vaporeon!" Vaporeon's body glowed a bright blue. She summoned a rain cloud that covered the battlefield. Then, it started to rain, drenching both Aria and Kristine.
"Rain Dance," Kristine muttered. The battlefield darkened with the rain cloud above her.
"Rain Dance drastically increases the damage of water type moves," Jason mentioned. "If Kristine's not careful, Espeon can go down quickly."
"Quick Attack!" Aria followed up.
Kristine was getting ready to respond. But as Vaporeon began her assault, she seemed as if she was melting into the wind. This totally caught Kristine off guard.
Seconds later, Vaporeon rematerialized on Espeon's right flank and struck her side with Quick Attack. Espeon fell over but was quick to get back up.
"What kind of Quick Attack was that?" Kristine asked.
"Vaporeon's cells mimic water molecules," Aria explained. "It's no special ability. It's just her genetic makeup. One of many reasons why eevee are fascinating creatures."
"So Vaporeon can just materialize herself in the water," Jason muttered to himself.
"Now Vaporeon, Water Pulse!" Aria commanded.
"Espeon, dodge!" Kristine responded.
Vaporeon unleashed a huge ball of water projected at Espeon. As the ball converged, it transformed into a spinning whirlpool. Espeon was quick to dodge the incoming attack by jumping out of the way.
"Water Gun!" Aria continued the attack.
Vaporeon shot quick streams of Water in an attempt to hit Espeon as she was moving. Kristine saw her opportunity to attack.
"Cut inwards and use Quick Attack!" Kristine commanded.
"Espeon!" Espeon stopped just short of a powerful burst of water before her and ran straight at Vaporeon.
"Dodge!" Aria yelled.
Vaporeon suddenly dematerialized into the rain. Espeon practically ran right through Vaporeon's watery shadow.
"Now use Quick Attack!" Aria followed up.
"Jump back and use Confusion!" Kristine quickly issued.
Espeon powered her legs to jump backward. Vaporeon rematerialized from the water and lunged at Espeon. That was when Espeon's eyes turned purple, as did Vaporeon's. Espeon used telekinesis to fling Vaporeon right over herself as the two were in mid-air, slamming her back to the ground.
"Vaporeon!" Aria yelled. She feared that Vaporeon might have been confused.
But to her relief and luck, Vaporeon managed to get up and shake off the attack.
"Calm Mind once more!" Kristine followed up.
Espeon's eyes glowed a bright white. Her special attack and defense continued to rise.
This girl is getting the upper hand, Aria thought. Her ability to adapt to a situation and devise strategies on the go is astounding.
"Blend with the water, Vaporeon!" Aria commanded.
Vaporeon dematerialized once more.
"Espeon, I want you to use Sand Attack to create a shield all around you!" Kristine commanded.
"Espeon!" Espeon used telekinesis to kick up mud around her, generating a shield to conceal herself from Vaporeon.
"Water Pulse, let's go!" Aria issued.
Vaporeon rematerialized from the rain, right above Espeon, and fired a massive ball of water. It transformed into a whirlpool as Espeon combated it, using telekinesis to hurl the ball of mud right at it.
The ball of mud consumed Whirlpool. Kristine found her opportunity to strike.
"Go right through with Quick Attack!" Kristine commanded.
Espeon swiftly moved right through where the mud and water collided. She jumped up and struck at Vaporeon hard, knocking her back down to the ground.
"Vap-oreon…" Vaporeon struggled to get back up, but she was still standing strong.
She took the initiative right from me… Aria continued. I have not faced someone like this in such a long time. She then grinned in admiration. This is a special trainer, all right.
"Confusion!" Kristine continued the attack.
"Get out of there!" Aria commanded.
Vaporeon attempted to dematerialize once more. But the rain started to die down, and as a result, she failed to do so. Her eyes matched Espeon's mesmerizing purple eyes, and she lost control of herself. She was flung into the air before slamming back down.
Vaporeon slowly got up, clearly showing fatigue. She took considerable damage, and to make things much worse for Aria, Vaporeon appeared dazed and confused.
"Espeon, let's finish this with Quick Attack!" Kristine's heart pounded. Her hands trembled. A rush throughout her body began to overwhelm her. She saw her chance to win this.
"Vaporeon! Water Gun!" Aria yelled.
Espeon charged at Vaporeon. Vaporeon heard the command but was too dazed from Espeon's Confusion to do anything about it. Espeon struck Vaporeon head-on, sending her flying back. Vaporeon fell on her side, and she did not get back up.
"Vaporeon is unable to battle!" Summer declared. She then raised her hand towards Kristine's side of the field. "That means the challenger Kristine Kyar is the winner!"
"Yes!" Kristine threw both of her fists in the air.
You have done well, Kristine heard Espeon's voice inside her mind.
Kristine replied, " you were excellent, " though she was stunned to sense Espeon communicating with her again. She didn't sense a further reply. Instead, Espeon approached her.
"Espeon!" Espeon smiled and nodded.
"Return, Vaporeon," Aria smiled, recalling Vaporeon. "Thank you. Excellent work as always."
"Kristine Kyar," Aria spoke as she approached Kristine.
"Return, Espeon," Kristine recalled Espeon before approaching Aria.
"It is not every day where I come across trainers who are quick to adapt and overcome the tactical challenges I put before them," Aria spoke. "You learned my weaknesses and knew how to turn that to your advantage. Your balance of offense and defense is phenomenal, and you know how to work with your pokemon in coordination and battle.
"It has been a privilege to battle you," she continued. Aria pulled out a small black box from the satchel on her belt and presented it to Kristine. "I present you the Mystic Badge. It's the symbol of your dedication in the Inventum League and the first of many steps towards your journey of entering the Inventum Cup."
Kristine bowed her head as her eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Aria," she spoke. She then placed both of her hands before Aria.
Aria placed the box in Kristine's hands. "You will go far," Aria assured her. "Best of luck to you."
The spectators around the battle floor gave a round of applause. Jason quickly joined in on that.
Later on, Kristine and Jason walked out to the atrium together.
"That was the coolest feeling ever!" Kristine boasted. "I got the Mystic Badge! The Mystic Badge, Jason! Can't you believe it?"
Jason smiled. "I'm happy for you, Kristine."
"I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself!"
"Yeah…" Jason replied. "Let's hope my day ends the same way as yours."
Kristine calmed down a bit. She realized that Jason has the same ambitions as her, and he has yet to battle Aria.
"Hey now," she placed her hands on his shoulders. "If I can beat her, you can beat her. You're an awesome trainer yourself. You got Jolteon to train Pikachu and Ralts to use Double Team. Many trainers would do anything just to get their pokemon to learn Double Team."
"Seeing you battle Aria taught me what it's going to take to win," Jason responded. "I'll have to be on my toes the whole time, but I think I can win this."
"You know you can win this," Kristine encouraged him. "You have the confidence. You helped me have the confidence to win."
Jason smiled at Kristine.
A moment later, Aria emerged, walking down the atrium towards Jason and Kristine, with Bradley at her side.
"Hey, kiddo," Bradley said to Kristine. "Sorry I couldn't catch most of that battle. I had a lot of reports to write. But I walked into Espeon's fight against Vaporeon. Great job out there, and congratulations!"
"Thanks!" Kristine smiled and gave a nod.
"Congratulations once more, Kristine," Aria added. She then faced Jason. "I have good news for you."
This piqued Jason's interest.
"I checked with my pokemon," Aria continued. "They're resting, but they're good to go this afternoon. How does four o'clock sound?"
"That works for me," Jason replied, happy to get a chance to battle.
"Good," Aria acknowledged. "I have a little bit of work to do. Chapter Leader things and all."
"Yeah," Bradley chuckled. "Chapter Leader things."
"See you in a bit!" Kristine waved.
"And I'll see you at our battle!" Jason spoke.
"Looking forward to it," Aria replied as she departed.
"We should head back to the center," Kristine suggested. "I need to change clothes because that battle soaked me. But you should get some lunch and relax before the battle."
"Right," Jason agreed. "Let's head back."
The two walked out of the gym and headed back to the pokemon center. Jason kept to himself for most of the downtime. He devised a plan for what pokemon to use first and how his rotation should be. He didn't go on the extranet to research Aria more. Watching Kristine battle her was enough for him. All he had to do was calm his mind and wait. Wait for the time to come when he can battle Aria at last. He purged his anxiety and meditated for a long while. He wanted to win. He had to win. There was no other option. He knew Aria is tough, but he knew he had to be tougher. He had the confidence.
