Astro.

Watching the battle between Magby and Snorunt was physically painful.

I mean, Magby, I could understand her struggling around a bit. She was new, and above that, she was young. She still was learning how to battle and stuff, and I could accept that.

But Snorunt? Fricking disgraceful.

Snorunt and I had been training buddies practically since I hatched. We had been sparring partners since Arceus created the universe, of frigging course he was supposed to be tough. I felt embarrassed watching them toddle around like Amber's three year old sister.

"Snorunt, let go!"

"Magby, don't give up! Try again!"

Snorunt let go of Magby's hand, jumping around with smoke coming out of his mouth. Magby coated her fist with fire again, and punched Snorunt in his chest.

I flinched as Snorunt cried out in pain. I tugged at Amber's hand.

She glanced down at me. "I know, Azzy," She sighed. "Magby, use Ember!"

"Snorunt, don't let Magby get the better of you!" Dee fumed. She was getting frustrated, same as me. "Use Headbutt!"

Snorunt pulled his cloak in tighter around himself, and charged. Magby spat out red-hot embers at his feet, but he charged through like a champion.

I didn't want Amber or Dee to lose. Magby was doing so well for one of her first battles, but Snorunt was trying so hard, the same as he always did.

Meanwhile, while I was busy thinking, Snorunt charged straight into Magby. Magby pushed Snorunt away, like a real scrapper.

I glanced up at Amber's point gauge; her and Dee were neck-and-neck, with half their points gone and only a minute and a half left.

I tugged at Amber's hand again to warn her. She dismissed me.

"Astro, quit it," She muttered. "I know. Magby, use Ember again!"

This whole battle had me right on edge. I hated just watching things. TV, yes, but things on a TV screen are either reruns or just predictable. A real-time battle was different.

"Snorunt, use Powder Snow to put out the embers!" Dee was getting desperate.

Snorunt spat out powdery snow fluff, and as it landed on the battlefield, it melted. The melted water put out the embers, and dampened the field too much for any more.

"Snooorunt!" Snorunt howled, charging right at Magby. He was going for another headbutt attack!

Dee gasped. "No!" She cried out weakly.

Magby moved out of the way as Snorunt passed. "Use Ember on him from behind!"

I couldn't watch. I closed my eyes, hiding them behind my furry paws, but I still saw Snorunt fall. His powdery blue aura fell to the ground, defeated.

The announcer lady, Marian, waited a second. Then, she declared, "Snorunt is unable to battle! Magby wins! The winner of our Hearthome contest is Amber!"

I uncovered my eyes. Amber had picked up Magby in her arms, hugging her. Snorunt toddled back to Dee, disappointed, but she ran out and scooped him up and hugged him just the same. I couldn't hear the words, but I knew she was very, very proud of him.

Later.

"Amber! Dude, we just got here. Nice going!"

Riley, Volkner, Flint, and Tess met us outside the Hearthome Dome after Amber recieved her ribbon. Flint, naturally, was the one to hug Amber.

Tess gave Dee a weak grin. "You...Snorunt did really well, Dee. Up until-"

"Don't remind me," Dee warned. She had the same testy tone of voice as usual, but with a smile. "If I'm gonna lose to anybody, at least it's my best friend."

"How was the gym?" I asked. Frankly, I was already sick of that contest. And tired. I hadn't even done anything, how the miserable pokemon hell did I get tired?

Volkner, ever the silent type, didn't say anything. Riley actually smiled for once.

"Riley and I kicked ass!" Flint burst out, completely stealing Riley's opening into the conversation.

That startled Riley. "Y-yeah," He answered. "I mean, the gym leader wasn't anything like Aaron, but-"

Volkner groaned. "Stop it," He complained.

"What's wrong with him?" Dee demanded.

Nobody answered her for a beat. Then, Flinylt glancdd at Volkner, before turning back to Dee and offering, "An immense ego?"

Tess practically karate chopped him in the stomach. "Flint! You'd be upset, too!" She chided him.

I was really lost. Volkner was upset and grumpy because of his ego, or something at the gym...?

Ugh. I held my paw against my temple. I could feel a headache coming on.

"-draw really isn't that big of a deal," I heard Riley drone on while I wasn't paying attention. "After all the ground attacks the leader used, it's-"

"It's still pathetic," Volkner complained. "I'm the son of a gym leader, I should've been better prepared to deal with a frickin' Hippppotas."

"You didn't even lose, man!" Flint pointed out. "A draw's as good as a win."

"Not to get a gym badge, you idiot!" Volkner growled.

I couldn't understand his point. Pikachu and Shinx, in their pokeballs, were happy as clams. So why wasn't he? He could always just go back and try again tomorrow.

I shook my head. Humans are really friggin' weird, I thought.

Everyone stared at me. I blinked. "What?"

"Did you just call us weird?" Riley asked.

My face heated up in what must have been a blush. I clapped my paws over what must have been my mouth, even though I don't use it for speech.

"Oh...shit, that was out loud?" I asked. "Sorry. I didn't-"

And, they turned back to regular conversation. Personally, I felt insulted.