Amber.

At the Hearthome Dome.

I certainly did not let Volkner buy Astro a milkshake before the contest. I did give him a few poffins, though.

We all went out for breakfast, and by nine-fifteen were back at the Hearthome Dome to sign in for the contest. Tess and the guys wished us good luck, then left for the gym.

Before we signed in, I noticed Lee standing outside, smoking. He wasn't wearing his leather jacket, so I could see the shoulder tattoo Riley mentioned before. Dee and I approached him.

"Hey, you know, smoking's bad for you," Dee warned him.

"Oh. Baby Medusa." Lee turned around to face us, blowing smoke. "Yeah, I know. Did actually quit for a while, before I met your bunch. Where's Riley?"

Oh. Rude. "Riley's going to the gym," I told him.

"That's disappointing." Lee finished his cigarette, dropping it to the ground and grinding it down with the heel of his shoe. "You kids excited for this contest?"

I nodded. "Are you?" I asked. "After that tournament, it's gotta be-"

"Exhaustin'." Lee pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and lit another one. "Like, four days of straight battles, then I gotta watch a bunch of preteens perform unimaginative appeals and beat the crap outta each other for points?" He took a long drag, and the exhaled towards the sky. "I nearly asked Nurse Joy for something a little stronger than cigarettes, if you get my drift."

"She doesn't," Astro, standing behind me, assured Lee. I'm still not entirely sure what he had been referring to.

Lee shooed us off after that, and Dee and I went to go sign in. I saw Lee pull out a black Pokegear, probably to call someone.

During the Contest.

"Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Hearthome City Pokemon Contest! My name is Marian, and I'll be your announcer today!"

I already had a plan for this contest. I would use Astro in the appeals round, and then Magby in the battle rounds, because I hadn't yet given Magby much of a chance. This was my third contest, and I was goddamned ready to earn my first ribbon.

I was the third contestant to go out for the appeals. Dee nodded, smiling, and wished me good luck.

"And here comes Amber Daniels, from Twinleaf Town, with her Riolu, Astro!"

I watched the judges' table carefully before telling Astro what to do. Lee, the third judge, was sitting back with his arms crossed. He had his jacket back on, and for the first time, his hair wasn't gelled up in spikes. His dark bangs hung limply in his face.

"Astro, use Hidden Power," I ordered. "Hold it until I say when."

Astro nodded. He charged a ball of smooth, pink, psychic energy in between his paws, patiently waiting for my next order.

I timed it perfectly, until the energy reached the size of his head. "Now, raise it up, and let it go!"

This was an appeal we'd worked hours on at home, so Astro of course didn't mess up. Astro raised his paws-and the ball of energy-above his head, and let it dissolve. The energy washed over him like a waterfall, making Astro glow completely bright pink. Then, the psychic energy dissolved back into him, where it came from.

The first two judges made their usual generic comments, but Lee looked genuinely in awe.

Lee shook his head. "Amber, after your first two abysmal contest attempts, I didn't expect to see much," He admitted. "But-I don't care if I'm not allowed to swear-damn it all, I've been a coordinator since I was ten, and I ain't never seen a Hidden Power attack do that and nake a pokemon pink. Keep that up, and you may actually win this time."

Astro took the praise very gladly. I was just happy the appeal worked.

It was quite a while before Dee made her appeal, with Eevee. She was one of the last ones. It was nervewracking. What she was worried about was Lee, because now that we sort of knew each other, she didn't think he liked her much.

Which made it even more surprising when Dee and I were both chosen to go on to the next round.

Several Rounds Later.

"Magby, use Ember!"

Magby spat out flaming ember at her opponent's feet. The Furrett danced around on the embers, unable to get away from them. It's trainers point counter went down.

Furrett's trainer groaned. "C'mon, Furrett! Use Slam!"

Furrett was still distracted by the embers underfoot. That gave Magby a great opening.

"Magby, use Fire Punch!" I ordered.

Magby pulled back her fist, and it coated itself in flames. Then she toddled forward, ready to hit Furrett.

"Mag-beeee!" She cried out gleefully.

"Furr?" Furrett cooed, looking up at Magby. It was already too late; Magby punched Furrett in the stomach, and Furrett fell back.

"Furrr..." Furrett curled up on her side, defeated.

Her trainer's points went all the way down to zero.

"The winner of this battle is Amber and her Magby!" Marian announced. "She'll be moving on to the final round!"

I was so relieved, but I was also really nervous. Dee was going on to the final round, too, with Snorunt. And the last time we battled each other, she had the type disadvantage and still won.

Calm down, Amb, I told myself. It's just a contest. It's only Dee. Besides, Magby can surely beat Snorunt.

Since I was already out on the battlefield, Dee just walked out. She had a confident grin on her face.

Before the battle began, Lee grabbed the microphone in front of him at the judges' table.

"Well, well, well, what have we here?" He taunted. "Two friends, back against each other. Man, history has a way of repeating itself. Can Magby make up where Astro faulted and earn Amber that sought-after first ribbon? Or is Deadra Thompson truly the better coordinator?"

Dee rolled her eyes. Astro, standing beside me, tugged at my hand. He gave me such an honest, readable look:

Crush her. Kick ass and take names.

"Okay, coordinators, you know how this works!" Marian announced. "The timer will start at five minutes, and the battle ends when the timer reachs zero, either Snorunt or Magby faints, or either of you lose all your points! Ready?"

Dee and I both nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"Then, begin!"

I hesitated to start. "Snorunt, use Powder Snow!" Dee, however, didn't.

I didn't tell Magby to do anything at first. Snorunt blew out powdery, snowy fluff, and it encircled Magby and stuck to her. Of course, it melted to water on contact.

"Beeeee!" Magby cried out in pain at the water.

"Magby!" I hadn't expected it to hurt. I lost a few points. "Magby, use Flamethrower! Stop Snorunt from making more snow!"

Magby snapped out of it, opening her mouth. Flames curled at her little beak. She blew out a stream of fire at Snorunt, angry for getting hurt. Dee steadily lost her own points.

"Dodge!" Snorunt toddled out of the way in time. "Now use Bite!"

Magby stopped her fire. Snorunt toddled at her, crying out, "Snoooow!"

"Use Fire Punch, Magby!" I ordered.

Magby toddled at Snorunt, her fist coated in flames. Snorunt leapt forward, jaws open, and clamped right down on Magby's fist.

They stood there for ten solid seconds before both howled out in pain, Snorunt still bitibg down on Magby's hand.

"Oh, God." I could hear the dull slap of Astro's paw hitting his forehead. Lee damn near chortled into his microphone.

And we still had four whole minutes left to battle.