Hey, sorry about the long delay. There were a bunch of factors, including not having time, the site acting up and not letting me upload, and so on. But now that I'm on break, I should be able to upload a few chapters, so cross your fingers and hope. Anyway, here's the next chapter and be happy I finally got it up! (again, sorry!)

Oh, and thank you to everyone who has reviewed. I'm not doing singular thank yous this time because that would call for more time and I feel bad enough as is...

So forge on, valiant readers!

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Chira stepped into Celadon Gym, blinking. She smothered a yawn, and shook her head to clear it. She was more tired now than when she woke up. She held Cami's pokeball loosely in her hand. "I've come to challenge the Gym Leader," she told the receptionist.

"Erika is busy at the moment," the woman replied without looking up. "If you could come back later, it would be greatly appreciated."

Chira blinked. "Busy? Doing what?"

"That isn't any of your business; just know that she isn't accepting any challengers today." The woman grabbed a piece of paper and handed it to Chira. "Why don't you fill this out before you come back? It's an application to see Erika."

"What? Why do I need an application?" Chira waved the slip of paper in front of the woman's nose. "Look, Sue," she said, spotting the nametag the woman wore. "I don't have time to wait for Erika. I've challenged her, and she can't back down."

Sue blinked, unperturbed. "She can't back down, but she doesn't have to battle you right away."

"Oh, come on!"

Trey chuckled, but slipped in front of her. "Since when did the Gym Leader start requiring applications?" he asked.

The woman glared at him.

"It's a simple question, no reason to get so huffy."

Sue sighed. "If you must know, there was a break in about two months ago. Erica was here late, and she was able to intercept them before they could take any pokemon, but the thieves weren't caught. We've had to be extremely cautious since then about who we let into the Gym." She pulled out several slips of paper and began scribbling on them. "I've said too much as it is, so go ahead and fill it out."

Trey steered Chira out of the building before she could protest further. "Be glad they're letting people in at all, Chira."

She sighed. "I know." She kicked at a piece of litter before bending down and throwing the Styrofoam cup into the nearest wastebasket. "Man, that really rankles. To know there are pokemon thieves on the loose, I mean."

"It's almost like the old days," Trey murmured.

"What?" Chira swung around. "You know, back when Ash was still new to pokemon training; Team Rocket was out to steal pokemon?"

Chira grimaced. "Let's hope there aren't any left over." She glanced up as they entered the press of the buildings once more, pulling her jacket tighter around her against the wind and light rain. "We might as well visit the department store now. After all, no time like the present."

Chira swiftly led the way into the department store and glanced up at the decorations and the pokemon supplies. "I wonder where they keep the hair dye?" she muttered to herself.

Trey smiled behind her and gripped her shoulder, stopping her in front of a store sign listing the floor departments. "Will this help?" he chuckled.

Chira blushed, embarrassed he had heard her but grateful he didn't ask any questions. She traced her finger down the list of departments, trying to decide what supplies she needed.

"I have some shopping of my own to do," Trey said, studying the list as well. "Why don't we split up and meet later?"

Chira nodded. "How about in two hours at that convenience store over there?" she asked, quickly figuring which one they both would need to visit.

"Sounds good to me. That would give me plenty of time to get done what I need to get done." Trey tapped a pokeball, hesitating.

"What is it?" Chira asked, still keeping most of her attention on planning the most efficient order of stops. She started to write down the order.

"Nothing," Trey decided. "I'll see you in two hours?"

"Yeah. See ya." Chira finally figured out the best route and straightened, somewhat disappointed to find Trey gone until she remembered their agreement. She shrugged, stuck the slips of paper into her pack, and set off. Her first stop was to get hair dye; the silver was really starting to show through. She took the stairs on a whim, Insight right behind her. The little dog had put her input on the order and need, and Chira wasn't planning to keep her out of the actual shopping.

She pushed open the floor door, pausing just inside the door as she was met with a swarm of people. Insight froze along with her. Chira cocked her head toward her pokemon. "Maybe we should come back to this floor," she said, her eyes wide at the number of people.

"Maybe… But what if it just gets worse in the meantime?" Insight scratched her ear, drawing attention from a black-haired woman who stood nearby.

"Oh, is that your Eevee?" she asked, approaching. She bent and scratched Insight's itch for her, earning a doggy version of a grateful purr. Insight licked the woman's hand.

She laughed softly. Chira immediately liked her.

"You've weaseled your way into my pokemon's heart," she laughed, extending a hand. "I'm Chira."

The woman stood. "I am Erika." She bowed to a shocked Chira.

"You're the Gym Leader?" she asked, aghast.

Erika's features immediately became shuttered. "Yes."

Chira bit her lip at her mistake. "I'm sorry, but I was just at the Gym. I'm afraid I rather made a fool of myself trying to challenge you." She looked away. "I understand now why the receptionist said you were busy."

Erika turned away. "I will be at the Gym tomorrow. You can battle me then."

Chira stared after her.

"Well she was rather rude, don't you think?" Insight huffed.

"She had an excuse," Chira murmured. Her reaction had still hurt, though. Chira sighed. "C'mon, let's find the stuff we need."

Insight yipped slightly as they moved out into the aisles, yanking her tail out from under a foot. Chira promptly scooped her up, allowing her to crawl onto her shoulder, balancing precariously. She quickly grabbed a couple bags of dye, toothpaste (for when she ran low, it was on sale), several other small items, and, at Insight's insistence, a box of granola bars. She joined the line, pulling out her shopping list to check off the items and see if there was anything else she needed to buy here.

After paying, she headed toward poke-supplies. She grabbed a basket and loaded it, grabbing everything from potions to a couple revives, and quite a bit of pokechow.

"I don't like that one," Insight protested as Chira left that aisle. "It tastes like road kill!"

"And you've tasted road kill… when?" Chira pulled down a map, frowned at it, and put it back.

"Chira!" Insight wrinkled her nose. "You know what I mean! Can't we just try a different type, just this once? Please?" She begged, puppy dog style.

Chira sighed. "Insight, that brand is the cheapest, I can't afford any of the others."

A chuckle from her left startled Chira. She swung around, causing Insight to clutch tightly to her shirt. A girl just slightly older stood beside her, smiling smugly. "You're having a conversation… with your Eevee." She chuckled again. "Wait until I tell Greg."

Chira stared at her for a moment before the name clicked. "You don't mean…"

"Oh, there he is now! Greggy! Guess what." She waved at someone behind Chira.

"What?" The familiar voice came from behind her.

"This girl has been having a conversation with her Eevee! I mean, a goodness to honest conversation!"

Chira swallowed before slowly turning around and facing the boy. His reply died on his lips when he saw her. Instead, a slow smile formed. "Oh, hello. Chira, was it?"

"Greg." Her mouth had gone desert dry.

He leaned against a shelf. "I didn't expect to see you here. In fact, I didn't expect to see you again at all. I thought you would have given up by now."

Chira bit back her anger, speaking as calmly as she could. "Not likely. I'm in this for the long run. And besides, I don't give up easily."

"I noticed. You must be incredibly tenacious to survive this long with so many defeats."

"Defeats?" Chira asked, genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"

Greg acted surprised. "You mean you didn't want anyone to know? I'm surprised you've been able to keep it secret this long. Anyone watching you battle would be able to tell you have absolutely zero talent. Or am I wrong?"

Chira almost shivered at his challenge, his cold eyes glinting evilly. She could tell he had a way to "back up" his claim if anyone doubted him. What it was, though, she could only wonder. There was nothing she could remember ever doing that would provide him that type of proof.

"You know you're wrong," Chira told him, keeping her gaze level. Curiosity and pride had her responding the way he wanted her to. Insight's nose quivered.

Greg smiled. "Am I?" he murmured, his eyes flickering delightedly. He shrugged. "Then I guess I made a mistake."

Chira almost fell over. "What?" she asked, at the same time Greg's companion exclaimed, "You're never wrong! Greg, show this pansy who she's dealing with!"

Greg leaned into Chira's face. "She just proved herself a liar."

"What?"

"Didn't you see her reaction, Amy? She couldn't believe I didn't call her on her bluff. That was proof enough."

Chira stuttered, flushing angrily. "Wha-Wha- You- You!" She pushed him away from her. He simply smiled as she stormed up to the counter, content in his victory. Insight growled and jumped off Chira's shoulder. She turned just in time to see the little dog Tackle him. Unfortunately, he stayed on his feet, and she had to call Insight back before she did any damage. "Insight, leave him along. Show you're above that!" The Eevee growled again in warning, and turned. "Insight!" Insight hit the ground, and Greg grinned. Chira scooped her up, staring at him incredulously. "You just kicked my pokemon!" "You should learn to control it better." He waved his hand turning away. "Hold it! No one kicks my pokemon and gets away with it! I challenge you to a pokemon battle!" The whole department was listening, watching, as Greg stopped and turned around. "I've been waiting for that challenge. It's about time I wiped the floor with you." "Ten minutes, in front of the store." "Done. Don't run away now." "There's no chance of that!" Chira let Insight jump back onto her shoulder. "There's no way I'm letting him get away with that insult." She placed her hand on Insight's head. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine. I was able to dodge most of the kick. It grazed me just enough to send me falling. I'm worried about you, though." "Me? Why?" "You're making this personal. You aren't going to fighting as strategically as usual, and if we lose…" "We won't lose. You won't be fighting, and Cami and Morrie will be able to deal with him." "He's had a lot more experience than you." "I don't care; we are not going to lose." She cut Insight off as the people began looking at her funnily. "We won't lose," she repeated softly, the light of battle shining in her eyes.