Three tense days passed.

I felt like I was moving in a sort of hypnotic, dense fog, the days passing in a simultaneous blink of an eye and a torturously long haze. My life became dominated by training, long, hard hours of it, with breaks to eat and sleep, nothing more. As the time both seemed to both run away from me and never seem to pass, I grew ever more anxious, constantly waiting for something that never seemed to come. It wasn't just me, however. Everyone seemed frightened. Even Elliot, who took over the job of training Nikki and Jasmine, looked unusually nervous as the reality of what he was training them for sunk in. Even Bailey, whose cheerful optimism and sunny disposition seemed never to diminish or waver even in the darkest of moments, seemed dull in comparison to his normal demeanour. Worst of all was Dad. He became a recluse, barely leaving his private training room or his study and he was always muttering fiercely under his breath on the rare occasion I saw him. It seemed almost like he was a bomb just waiting to go off. I hated to admit it, but I was scared. My emotions were a confused, agonising mess during those three days of training and I honestly didn't know what to expect at the inevitable moment when Dad would eventually snap. I felt like a child again, trapped in the same old pitfalls, unable to predict when his temper would erupt. In a manner so scarily reminiscent of my childhood, I found myself tip-toeing around him tentatively, terrified of inspiring the eventual explosion. But to my great surprise, as the hours ticked into days, it didn't come. He remained grumpy, withdrawn and reclusive, but his temper, somehow, remained in check.

On the morning of the fourth day, there was a noticeable shift in atmosphere as we sat down to breakfast. The question remained heavy in the air as it always did; "Will it be today?' But again, it went unanswered. That morning, I hardly dared look at anyone above the plate of porridge I was only half-heartedly eating, spending more time coating the back of the spoon with the thick, tasteless mixture than I was putting it to my mouth. We had taken the first three days of peace as a welcome godsend, allowing us time to train, perfecting strategies and developing skills and attacks, but now, it felt like we were just delaying the inevitable.

And I didn't know how much more I could take.

I left the breakfast table after barely uttering a word and managing no more than a pathetic few spoonfuls of the porridge. My stomach was tied in knots and the little food I had managed to take in wasn't settling well. I took a deep breath in of the frigid air, hoping to still my nerves as I stepped out into the garden to begin my training regime. I couldn't calm, however, so I glanced up to the early morning sky and kept my eyes on the lazily drifting clouds for some time, like they held the answers to all the questions I so desperately sought.

"Sienna?"

I started violently as a deep voice came from behind me. I turned around in shock, my heart thudding and saw my father standing at the doorway. My mouth ran dry at the mere sight of him. "Y-yes...?

"I was just thinking..." He began, stepping down from the doorway. I noticed he was in bare feet, but he didn't even so much as wince as he stepped onto the rough, gravely path that snaked around the dojo's ample back garden. He stood solidly, like the figure of an old oak tree. "We never did have that battle."

My breath hitched. "B...battle?"

"Yes."

"But...but I never fulfilled the terms of the agreement," I said stupidly.

Dad blinked at me, looking slightly dumbfounded.

"You said four badges." I clarified hastily. "I have Whitney's. I have Bugsy's. And I have Falkner's. But that's it. I... I didn't get the fourth one..."

"Sienna... A vengeful maniac who has just been busted out of prison and is out looking for you could turn up on this doorstep at any given moment..."

I instinctively flinched, hating the way he phrased it so bluntly.

"...yet you're concerned about breaking the terms of an agreement?"

My cheeks burned. "I... I was always told to honour a promise..."

To my abject surprise, my father chuckled merrily. It was a noise so alien to me that I'm sure my mouth swung open stupidly. "I'm glad to see you paid attention to the morals your mother instilled in you, at least."

Despite myself, I also giggled slightly.

"Forget the agreement for now, Sienna." Dad became serious again. "Neither of us knows what lies ahead on this road. I may never get this chance again-"

"Don't say that!" I cried.

"So I don't want to waste it." Dad finished firmly, ignoring my protest. "So forget the agreement. Sienna, I've wanted to battle you fairly from the moment I stood across from you on Mt Chimney. I will not miss this chance."

"Ever since... Mt Chimney?"

Hazy memories returned to me. Memories of standing on a smoking volcano on the verge of erupting, of being locked in combat alongside the fiery Lavaridge Gym Leader, of panic and fear as I locked eyes with my father, a man I truly believed to be evil, and finally, perhaps most amazing of all, of seeing the majesty and sheer power of Groudon as it split the land and tore it apart, finally sealing itself into a temporary safety. My breath spiked as I ran over this unbelievable portion of my life, but I felt strangely detached from the thoughts, like those memories didn't quite belong to me. Dad was looking at me intensely and for a moment, I just knew, he was looking back on these incredible memories, same as I was.

"Yes. Ever since Mt Chimney I've wanted to battle you. And not a battle like in Sootopolis. A fair one."

I was lost for words.

"You don't want to battle me?"

"No, no, I... I do!" I said at once. "If I didn't, I wouldn't have gone around Johto like I did looking for badges. I just... I guess... I don't really know why battling you means so much to me..."

I was lying at this point. Deluding myself entirely. Of course I knew why battling Dad meant so much to me. Because in my heart, deep down and at my essence I was still that little girl that was so desperate for his approval. I was still that little girl who yearned for his acceptance and praise and wanted nothing more than a normal father-daughter relationship. Pokemon training was, and always will be, I realised with some sad resignation, the only door to a relationship with him.

Dad was quiet for a few moments. "So, you will battle me?"

I hesitated.

"If nothing else, it will provide some good training. My Pokemon are strong."

"I have one condition." The words slipped out before I could even register them in my head.

"Which is?"

"No Golem. And no Machamp." I said tentatively.

I couldn't accurately read the emotion on my father's face as my, admittedly peculiar, condition was voiced. After a moment, he nodded. "You… you never did like those Pokemon." He said, and I picked up a trace of what sounded like guilt tingeing his words. But the emotion was gone within seconds, he cleared his throat and became serious again. "Very well. No Golem and no Machamp. Does a three-on-three battle suit you?"

I nodded. "Yeah..."

"Alright. Follow me, then." Dad said, walking across to the makeshift battle arena at the bottom of the garden. I followed him, heart thudding against my ribcage.

As I took my place opposite him at the other end of the battlefield, my palms grew sweaty and my breath became ragged. I never thought I would ever be standing at the opposite end of a battlefield to my father again, and certainly never an official battle. A tremble of fear brushed over my body, and despite the increasing warmth of the sun and the security of the thick jumper I was wearing, I felt bitterly cold. It was now finally I seemed to realise what I was doing. I was about to battle my father. I was about to battle him fairly in an official match. My mind was a mess of emotions, clashing viciously like two armies at war. Right now, it was the moment I had been waiting for ever since I was a little girl. The chance to finally gain his approval.

"Are you ready, Sienna?"

I started again as I was brought to attention. "Uh...yeah."

"Three-on-three, yes? And shall we say... No items, no substitutions and no time limit?"

I wasn't surprised by his choice of no time limit and no items; they were standard battling rules, but my heart sunk at the no substitutions. Substitutions meant you could freely interchange as you saw fit between the three Pokemon you intended to use. In a no substitutions match, your Pokemon remained out until it fainted or couldn't battle or the trainer forfeited the match. A lot of my battles were no substitutions rules, so I was used to them. However, at the same time, I knew this battle was going to be tough. Excruciatingly tough. Nothing like I'd ever had before, probably even worse than any Gym battle I'd ever faced. Ideally, I needed all the help I could get.

"Sienna?"

I realised I'd been standing there idly for a few moments and quickly righted myself, clearing my throat and feeling a foolish blush spread over my cheeks. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready." I eventually managed to croak out.

"Alright, then." He paused before unhooking a Pokeball from the thick black belt he had tied securely around his waist. "You know I won't go easy on you just because you're my daughter."

"I wouldn't expect you to."

I was being truthful. I'd like to think I'm not a stupid person. I did not expect him to go easy on me just because we were related by blood. In face, part of me anticipated he would do his very best to give me a battle that was almost impossible to win, just because I was his daughter. As a matter of fact, I don't think the phrase 'go easy' even existed in my father's vocabulary. Which was exactly why I knew that I should basically just forget everything I knew about Pokemon battling for now. This battle wouldn't be like a regular battle between trainers. It wouldn't even be like a Gym battle. It would be in a sheer league of its own.

"Good." He said with another swift nod. "Then how about we get started?"

He didn't wait for an answer. He rolled the Pokeball he was holding in his palms for a few moments before throwing it forward with such force and vigour that it looked like he was throwing a punch and not a Pokeball. With an eruption of brilliant white light, the majestic looking Bronzong I had personally healed earlier was floating in front of me.

I swallowed; panic instantly rising at the sight of this opponent. I tried to squash the burgeoning fright back down and think logically, but it was easier said than done. I forced myself to think. Bronzong was a Steel type; that much I could surmise, but my expertise with Steel types was rather limited. I ran my tongue over my chapped lips, thinking deeply about which Pokemon I should use. After a few agonisingly long moments of consideration, I found my hand was automatically drawn to the second Pokeball on my belt. With a forceful throw, Aurora was expelled from the Pokeball.

My dad nodded as Aurora was released. A slight grin touched on my face as I saw my normally cute and unassuming Aurora look steely and threatening, letting out a bellowing roar as she fixed her eyes upon her Bronzong opponent, looking like she was steadying herself for the upcoming battle. For a moment, nothing was said or done. All I could hear were the noises of my own harsh breathing, the blood rushing in my head and the rapid drumming of my heart beating against my rib cage.

Then all of a sudden, the battle was underway.

"Bronzong, Iron Defence!"

I balked immediately. It was the last move I had expected Dad to use. I had wholly anticipated, and intensely dreaded, some manner of all-powerful offensive attack that would be deadly to my poor Sealeo did it hit. But instead, the Bronzong let out an obedient call, drew backwards a few paces and crossed its arms firmly across its bell-shaped body. A brilliant blue shine encompassed the entire of its body, before fading away, leaving the Bronzong seemingly unchanged. I knew better though than to take this at face value. Iron Defence tightened up the entire defences of a Pokemon, leaving it almost impossible to score any damage. I knew Bronzong were bulky anyway, simply by the look of them, and also through the fact that my dad favoured Pokemon like that. I felt worry rise up again. This Pokemon was going to be almost impossible to hurt now…

But I had to try.

"Aurora! Start things off with Hail!"

Hail was an entirely new move in Aurora's arsenal; one she had picked up on the first day of intensive training. I wasn't entirely sure what was going on at the time it had randomly started hailing intensively in the middle of the training session I was doing with her, but Elliot was quick to assure me that it wasn't some freak of nature, but that Aurora had actually learned a new move. Quite a valuable one at that. As the hail began falling all around us, I saw the Bronzong begin to panic as the alarmingly large drops of hail slammed into its body, making it wince and dither futilely in the air. I grinned. I hadn't intended the hail to hurt the Bronzong; I had only wanted it to distract it, or hinder it from attacking. But as the Bronzong flailed uselessly against the onslaught of the downpour, I grinned. "Aurora, quick! Aurora Beam!"

The rainbow hued beam slammed into the Bronzong's bulky body, knocking it back a slight few paces, but seeming to do nothing else but that. The Bronzong shook itself off after the attack and let out a huge bellow, before a massive Earthquake began ripping through the ground. I screeched, caught off balance as the ground shifted and shook violently underneath me. Aurora also squealed helplessly as the Earthquake struck, leaving her a sitting target for the Bronzong to bodily tackle her, knocking her flying. She came down to the earth with an almighty crash, but thankfully my Aurora was tough and she righted herself quickly. She retaliated quickly, shooting a Water Pulse at the Bronzong that hit the opposing Pokemon right in the face. Startled by the water, the Pokemon cried out and thrashed around as it was buffeted by the incoming torrent. The hail still fell, but I barely even recognised it, even as it bounced painfully off my skin.

"Pull yourself together, Bronzong!" my dad's voice suddenly rose out, sounding like the commanding shriek of a Pidgeot. "Gyro Ball!"

I swore.

No sooner had the words left my dad's lips; the Bronzong straightened up like nothing had ever happened to it. With a quick, dynamic movement, the Bronzong thrust out its arms, summoning two glowing balls of white energy. I screamed for Aurora to get out of the way, but it was simply too late. The Bronzong began spinning rapidly in a circle, and after gaining furious momentum, it slammed straight into Aurora, making her scream in pain as she was knocked backwards. This time, she didn't get back up as quickly, and the Bronzong took advantage of this. It pulled off a Rock Slide, giant chunks of pointed rocks raining down on her blubbery body, scratching her skin and tearing it open, crimson red blood a stark contrast to her deep blue hide. She whined pitifully as the attack eventually stopped and I felt a shot of bitter sadness hit me at seeing her in such pain. As she struggled to get to her feet again, I saw the Bronzong ready another attack. I automatically yelled out for her, suddenly terrified for her safety. But before I could even process any kind of appropriate reaction, Aurora suddenly let out an angered bellow and blasted the incoming Pokemon with such an intense Water Pulse that it was knocked straight to the ground. As the Bronzong struggled to get up, Aurora began to glow with an intense white light.

"No…!" I cried out, stunned. "No way!"

Aurora was growing. Her body lengthened, her already blubbery body widening and thickening, two viciously long hooked tusks and large whiskers forming around her face. I found myself backing away as my Sealeo evolved into the huge, intimidating figure of a dominating Walrein. She let out a bellow that seemed to echo all around us, terrifying a flock of baby Pidgey from a tree nearby. She thudded her large flippers into the ground, causing tremors, and fixing the Bronzong standing opposite her with a look of steely resolve. A shocked grin took over my face. I couldn't believe it!

Dad was looking across to Aurora and me, but his face was displaying no emotion. "I expected this," he said, somewhat solemnly. "Your dedication to your training with that Sealeo was quite remarkable. Evolution seemed… inevitable."

My mind swam with a million thoughts, but none of them I could articulate into words. I was simply stunned, in total disbelief at what I had just seen. I watched as the giant Walrein moved around experimentally, getting used to her new size. After a few moments, she drew herself up to her full height, staring down the Bronzong that was still floating idly by. But as my heart hammered in my chest and a wicked burst of excitement coursed its way through my veins like fire, igniting my resolve once again, I couldn't fail to notice my father smirking to himself across from me.

"What?" I challenged him immediately, my fear melting away.

"That's an impressive looking Walrein, I will admit." His voice was stoic. "But don't think that just because your Pokemon evolved in the middle of the battle that you have this in the bag. Look at her, Sienna. Look at her properly. She's exhausted."

I flinched. "I… I know…" My excitement, as all-consuming as it had been only mere seconds ago, was already diminishing as I looked at Aurora, realising just how much of a state she was in. She was panting heavily, her body bruised from the attacks she had only just managed to sustain. All the same, a tiny spark of resolve went off in the back of my mind. Aurora was exhausted, yes… but that didn't mean I had to roll over and forfeit. "Aurora is exhausted. I can see that. Anyone can see that. But… but nothing is ever guaranteed in a battle! I think you were the one who taught me that! It's not over until it's over! Now, Aurora, come on! Rest!"

Rest was another move that Aurora had recently picked up and another that I was keen to use in a battle for the first time, knowing exactly the sort of lifesaving move it could be. Obediently, the newly evolved Walrein lay down and within moments, slipped into a deep sleep. I grinned triumphantly. I knew she would regain her energy and be rejuvenated to battle again within a short time! As I looked up to Dad, anticipating to see him looking worried at the direction I had taken the battle in, I saw a look of shock pass over his face. But this wasn't the kind of worried shock I had anticipated. This was sheer unbridled disbelief and I didn't like it one little bit.

"What?!" I asked him, my voice catching.

"Your… your Walrein. She doesn't know any moves she can use while she's asleep, can she?"

"Moves… she can use while she's asleep?"

"Some Pokemon can use moves while they're asleep, but they're few and far between. I only know of two. Sleep Talk is one and Snore is the other. I believe Walrein can learn Snore."

"I… I've never heard of that…" I admitted, wondering why exactly he had brought this up.

"So your Pokemon doesn't know the move?"

"Well, no. She… she doesn't." I looked towards my still slumbering Aurora. "But it doesn't matter! She'll wake up! Then you'll see!"

My dad sunk his head into his hands briefly, before raising it again, his eyes cold and hard. "Sienna… that was a highly foolish move! Your Pokemon is asleep. Incapacitated. It has no way of defending and it has no way of attacking. Were this an official Pokemon league match, you would be automatically defeated as your Pokemon, even on your order, is asleep and cannot attack. If this was a battle that permitted you to use items to awaken her, or she knew the attack Snore to attack while asleep, then you would be commended for an excellent strategy to restore health and continue battling. But here… you give the order to use Rest so your Pokemon can regain health, but what use is it? By the time she wakes up, Bronzong will have taken her out. It is nothing short of stupidity."

I instinctively winced, his harsh words wounding me deeply.

"You had a good idea." Dad explained. "But you must think. Pokemon battling isn't about throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks! You did the worst possible thing, Sienna! You panicked and said the first thing that came into your head! You must be clever! Read your opponent! Learn your opponent! And work out a strategy that exploits their weaknesses and your strengths! You got it?!"

I was frozen to the spot, the threat of tears suddenly so great I felt that if I even so much as opened my mouth I would start sobbing. I blinked furiously, trying to contain my tears, so bitterly angry at myself for that stupid move that I wanted to scream. I couldn't believe how idiotic I had been, rushing straight into that without even thinking it through or thinking of the consequences it would bring. Inwardly chastising myself, I felt the tears gather in my eyes and spill out. I wiped them impatiently, sniffing fiercely. I couldn't cry. I wouldn't. Not in front of my father. I would never ever cry in front of him.

"You got it, Sienna?!" I heard him say again.

"Yes!" I spat out, perhaps more violently than I intended to.

"I said I wouldn't go easy on you!" Dad said again, his voice stony. Before I could even react, he was shouting out another command. "Bronzong! Gyro Ball!"

I couldn't watch as the Bronzong delivered the crushing blow to Aurora. I just wanted to slam my hands over my eyes and deny everything that was happening, entertaining some childish instinct that what I couldn't see wouldn't hurt me. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't let Aurora go through the endless barrage of attacks alone. So I forced my eyes to stay open even though it was like my heart was being ripped out the longer I saw her subjected to it. Eventually, I just couldn't take it any longer. I threw up Aurora's Pokeball and recalled her. My whole body began shaking as I realised I had just forfeited the first battle. Some people may have thought it cowardly, but so far as I could see, I had no other option and I didn't regret my decision one little bit. Sniffing furiously, I raised my head and looked my dad straight in the eye.

I waited for the mocking, but it didn't come. Instead, he nodded slowly. "You made the right decision. She couldn't have won."

His words stung, but I couldn't deny that I knew them to be true. "I know." I said at once, before unhooking another Pokeball. "I made a mistake once. But you can be sure that I won't make another one! Cairo, let's go!"

My Flygon soared into the air and within moments of being released, bodily tackled the Bronzong, showing off an impressive Dragon Tail attack he had just recently picked up. The sheer power behind the attack floored the giant Bronzong, which he then followed up with an Earth Power and DragonBreath. But the Bronzong was frustratingly tough, recovering after the onslaught and attacking again. It was an agonisingly long battle, the two Pokemon exchanging blow after blow, the advantage switching constantly between both titans, but finally, the Bronzong fell heavily to the ground.

I looked up at Dad triumphantly, an eager pride coursing through my veins.

He nodded, dare I say, approvingly? "Well done." His voice was as calm and stoic as ever, with no noticeable hints of emotion I could pick up on. "I didn't expect you to knock Bronzong out. You've done well to recover from the incident with your Walrein.

I forced myself to remain quiet. Part of me was roaring with pride and excitement at his compliment, but the other part of me wanted him to shut up and just carry on with the battle. Eventually, he loosed another Pokeball; taking considerable care and time in the slow, calculating manner he did so in. "You beat one of my Pokemon." He said, his words dripping with intent. "Shall we see if you can beat this one?"

I nodded firmly.

"Poliwrath! Let's go!"

Safe to say, his choice of Pokemon had me in total disbelief. The idea of Dad using a Water type Pokemon was very alien and strange to me. In all my experience, I had very rarely seen him use anything that wasn't an exclusive Fighting, Steel, Rock or Ground type. Using a dual type was certainly something I hadn't expected of him. I tensed as the giant Poliwrath let out a roar, stretched its impressive muscles and beat down firmly on its belly as it burst from the ball. Cairo floated above my head, his wings beating rhythmically, looking down upon the Poliwrath with an ingrained look of nervousness. Dad was looking confident as always as he clenched his fists and called out his first order.

"Poliwrath, Bulk Up!"

I let out an instinctive cry as Dad kicked off the battle without my realising. The Poliwrath let out a bellowing cry, flexed its arms and its entire body became surrounded by a brilliant crimson light. I flinched away as the Poliwrath's already massively muscular arms seemed to bulge and thicken right in front of me. I cast a nervous glance up at Cairo. Dad's battle tactics were beginning to worry me. I knew he had always favoured big powerful moves, but I hadn't ever remembered this fondness for boosting moves. Even as I stood there, puzzling this over, Dad called for another Bulk Up, the Poliwrath boosting itself up to an even more impressive stance. I swallowed, my breath catching in my throat and ordered Cairo in to attack. However, the Dragonbreath he executed seemed to bounce harmlessly off the Poliwrath's bulk, leaving the Pokemon completely unharmed. As I floundered, my mind racing with a million half-formed strategic ideas, Dad let out a yell.

"Waterfall!"

And just like that, with one almighty attack, the battle was over. Cairo plummeted heavily to the ground under the onslaught of water, his body soaked and completely useless. Just like that, with one move, he was defeated.

My palms were sweating as I looked at the Poliwrath, flexing its muscles angrily at me. I swallowed, a lump the size of a walnut forming in my throat. "This is bad. This is really bad… What am I gonna do?"

Realisation hit me like the proverbial slap in the face. What else could I do…? I had a Water type opponent to contend with now and one that was still completely unknown to me waiting for me. I knew that I only had one option if I wanted even the most remote of chances of somehow pulling a win out of the bag. I pulled the familiar, warm sphere from my belt and held it for a few seconds, praying for a miracle.

As Meloi leapt onto the battlefield with a confident cry, my heart soared in my chest. Perhaps... perhaps there was hope. Perhaps I could do this! Perhaps Meloi could win this for me! My heart hammered. I had no idea what my Dad's final Pokemon was, but I could handle it, right? I mean, I was up against a Water type! Taking out a Water type with Meloi was as easy as anything! A triumphant smile touched on my face as I gave my first order.

"Meloi, Thunder Wave!"

"Dodge, and use Waterfall!"

I cried out in shock as the Poliwrath darted forward even before Meloi could ready her attack. The Poliwrath was a blur of blue, almost undetectable, and before I, or Meloi, knew what was happening, the Poliwrath had struck. Powerful torrents of water flashed towards Meloi, falling from above her, sweeping her up and sending her flying. She coughed and spluttered as the waves died down, leaving the battlefield soaking.

An idea struck me. The battlefield was wet! And water conducted electricity! My eyes swept straight across the litter of puddles across the ground and I grinned. "Meloi, Thundershock the ground!"

Despite the oddness of my request, Meloi did as she was told. With a vicious crackle that sounding like a strike of lightning; Meloi fired a massive shock of electricity into the ground. Within seconds, the ground was alive with electricity! It sparked and crackled, sizzling violently along the puddles before catching the Poliwrath straight in its path! With a howl of pain, the Poliwrath was encompassed with bolts of electricity. The attack was brutal, but died within seconds, an eerie calm descending as the Poliwrath wobbled on its feet.

I held my breath. I'm sure Meloi was too as the Poliwrath

And then, all of a sudden, it darted forward, nailing Meloi with a vicious punch to her abdomen!

"How?!" I cried in frustration as Meloi coughed and retched, completely taken by surprise from the attack that had come from nowhere. "How could it have taken that?!"

Dad was smirking. "Poliwrath! Bulk Up again!"

"It must be that Bulk Up move!" I realised in horror. "God, I have to take it out before it gets to the point I can't do it any damage at all!

The Poliwrath once again let out a massive roar, flexing its impressive muscles. But I couldn't dare let myself be intimidated by it. It was a Water type after all, I told myself over and over again. It was a water type! I had an Electric type and a strong one at that! No matter how much this Poliwrath used Bulk Up, if I kept shocking it with electricity, I could win! "Meloi, Thunderpunch!"

But to my abject horror, the Poliwrath evaded the attack! I cursed as the Poliwrath landed safely away from Meloi. I tensed as Dad yelled out another order. "Poliwrath, Focus Punch!"

I froze, totally expecting the Poliwrath to floor Meloi with a single punch. But instead, the Pokemon remained completely stock-still. My jaw hung open as the Pokemon just stood there, doing nothing. I looked at Meloi and saw her with the same gaping look of confusion I expected to be on my face.

Dad suddenly smirked. "Big mistake."

"Huh…?"

Still totally at a loss as to what was happening, I could only stand there dumbly for a good few seconds. But then, with speed I didn't even think possible of such a bulky Pokemon, the Poliwrath leapt forward, delivering such a powerful blow to Meloi that it knocked her flat to the ground. My heart shot to my mouth as Meloi whimpered in pain, but eventually managed to stagger to her feet. However, no sooner had she stood up, a grin swept across Dad's face.

"Poliwrath, use Hypnosis."

"No!"

It happened so agonisingly slowly, like the universe had slowed it down just to mock and torture me. Poliwrath executed the attack and as I saw Meloi become affected by it, horrible, wrenching sadness and disbelief took hold of me. Meloi wavered and swayed as the effects of the Hypnosis overcame her and I saw her eyes lidding and her body become limp. Tears pricked at my eyes as I begged and pleaded with her to fight it. She somehow remained standing.

"Enough." Dad suddenly said. "Poliwrath, Focus Punch, one more time."

I wanted to scream as I heard Dad give the order. "Haven't you hurt her and I enough?!" I bellowed in my head, but when I tried to physically form the words, they wouldn't come. After a horrible lengthy pause, Poliwrath knocked Meloi to the ground again, and this time, when she fell, she didn't get up again. She was totally knocked out.

"Meloi!" I cried out.

At this point, I wasn't even sure I cared about the fact I had just lost. All I cared about was Meloi lying unconscious on the battlefield. Lying unconscious and beaten when I had dared to be confident that she could win. Sadness rose in me like bitter gall and I found myself wanting to throw up, my stomach constricting and twisting horribly. I shivered violently, my whole body trembling. "Mel…Meloi…?"

I staggered forward, my legs shaking. I took one look at her and fell to the ground, tears soaking the corners of my eyes. I reached out my hands and held her, cradling her head, my heart breaking at the sight of her unconscious figure. I felt like I could apologise for a thousand years and still not be able to fully express just how sorry I was to her.

"Oh Meloi…" I whispered, the tears rolling thick and fast down my cheeks "I'm so sorry… I thought… I thought you would be able to win. I really did…"

A shadow fell across my vision and I instinctively shrunk away from it. "Sienna," came Dad's voice. It was far gentler than I expected it to be, but it still made anger boil up alongside the bitter sadness. "I expected you to know that you can't rely on a type advantage to get you a win…"

"I know, I know!" I said thickly, anger and sadness threatening to overcome me at any given moment. "I know… Spare me the spiel, okay? For once?! Can't you see I'm upset!?"

"I wasn't going to give you a 'spiel'." Dad said calmly. "I was going to say thank you for a good battle." he paused. "You're pretty good." He imparted, before turning on his heel and walking away.

I was dumbfounded. My mind was a blur of conflicting emotions, particularly at what I could only assume was the first piece of praise I had ever received from my father, but the overwhelming concern I had at that moment was Meloi. She was still unconscious and the sight of her like that was simply heart-wrenching. My beloved best friend, just lying there, hurt. I held her, trying to contain my tears, the knowledge I had lost still smarting, like an open wound.

I have no idea how long I sat there, just holding Meloi and trying to come to terms with what had just happened. I didn't even have the strength to raise a Pokeball to recall her. Even just holding her gave me a little comfort. But after some time, I heard my father's voice again. At first I thought he was talking to himself and ignored it, but when I heard the voice suddenly intensify, I forced myself to pay attention. I looked up in confusion to see Dad leaning over his Poliwrath. The Poliwrath was lying on the ground with its arms over its head. It didn't appear to be moving. Dad was talking to the Pokemon in a low hushed voice, and I unfortunately couldn't make out a single word he was saying. As intrigued as I was, I was conscious of Meloi still lying in my arms, so I had little choice but to shout across to him.

"Is Poliwrath alright?"

Even as the question left my lips, I found myself wondering what exactly had happened. Dad's Poliwrath had barely taken a hit throughout the battle with Cairo, and it didn't even seem that adversely affected even by Meloi's electrical attack. But now it was lying on the ground and not even moving. Dad's face was twisted in concern as he spoke to the Poliwrath, trying to raise it or get some reaction out of it. I repeated my question and he finally looked up at me, looking just as confused as I felt. "I... I don't know." He eventually admitted.

"But...but he didn't get hurt!"

"That's what worries me..." Dad murmured, pulling out the Pokeball and recalling Poliwrath.

"Maybe… maybe fatigued?" I tried to offer lightly.

Dad gave me a look that disputed my suggestion immediately. I swallowed nervously and also returned Meloi to her Pokeball, before getting to my feet, ignoring my clicking joints and the stabs of pain that came with the movement. I looked once again at Dad who was displaying a look that I couldn't quite identify. Swallowing nervously, I sought for something to say, but nothing came to me.

"Get inside the dojo, Sienna."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it," he said at once, before turning on his heel. "I need to think…"

My mouth hung open in a vague protest, but I decided to ignore it. Instead, I played the good daughter, ignored the confusing mass of emotions I was experiencing, did what as I was told and obediently went inside into the dojo.

But nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see.

Author's Note

So sorry for the delay in the update! I'm back at university now and it's kinda manic xP

I'm within 8 - 10 chapters of finishing however, so I'd like to get it done before the end of the year :D A bit later than I expected, but hey..

Thanks to my reviewers! WarriorSwift, Shadow Serenity 57, WildCroconaw, lmv16, Marcus S. Lazarus, The Neverending Meep, ArchXDeath, TwewyReaperGirl and TcoBlackRoses :D

Apologies if this update sucked xP I had a lot of problems with it, I just wanted to get it out and over with.

Cookies to anyone who can guess the foreshadowing the chapter title holds :D

Until next time :D