"This will be a two on two battle," Flynn announced, acting as the referee. She spared a worried glance at Milo. Milo nodded back. "League Rules. No items. Only the challenger may substitute. First one to knock out the other Pokémon wins. The lowest level Pokémon starts the battle. Trainers, call your Pokémon!"

Milo pulled out a Pokeball, then threw it. "Graveler!"

"Kirlia!"

Graveler stared down his opponent, a humanoid Pokemon that appeared to be wearing a tutu. It's thin green legs supported the ballerina look, as did it's green hair that reached both shoulders. It had two red horns on either side of it's head, resembling hairclips.

Milo scanned it with his Pokedex.

"Kirlia, the Pokemon. It is said that a Kirlia that is exposed to the positive emotions of its Trainer grows beautiful. This Pokémon controls psychokinetic powers with its highly developed brain. Kirlia uses the horns on its head to amplify its psychokinetic power. Ability: Synchronize."

On the screen, Milo saw a list of its moves and stats. He could already feel a strategy forming in his head.

"Go Milo!"

Milo looked to his left, then blanch ed. Flower petals floated in the air, levitated by Rose. It took Milo a second to realize they spelled out "Milo for President!" Phillip was cheering beside them with Angel.

Milo looked away, ignoring them. He had to concentrate.

"Lame," Puck muttered.

Milo scrunched his eyebrows together. "Lame?"

"You're friends," Puck said, tilting his head. "They didn't have to come into the mines with you, yet they did. Now they cheer you on. Someone who needs all this encouragement obviously doesn't think much of himself."

Milo felt his face heat up. "I-I didn't come here to talk!"

"I'm the Dark Fairy," Puck said, as if Milo said nothing, "Unlike other Fairies, I prefer to be alone. Relying on others is messy at best."

"'You prefer to be alone?'" Phillip said. "More like no one can stand you long enough to be your friend!"

"Where do you get off psychoanalyzing others, Edge Lord?" Flynn demanded

"I'm just saying," Puck continued, "That you two don't need to fight his battles."

Milo balled his fists. "I don't need anyone!" he snapped. "Shut up and fight!"

"Very well," Puck said, "Let's begin. Kirlia, Calm Mind."

Kirlia became swathed in a pink aura. Her eyes were closed, as if she were lost in thought.

That's a double stat boost, Milo thought, Special Defense and Special Attack. I need to take her out before she can set up any more.

"Graveler, Rock Blast!" Milo yelled.

"Grav!" Graveler cried. Small rocks formed round him, then shot like bullets toward Kirlia.

Kirlia waved her hand, and the rocks stopped in midair, then plummeted to the ground.

"Is that your best?" Puck said. "This will be easy. Kirlia, Magical Leaf."

Kirlia waved her arms. Leaves of various colors formed in the air, then rocketed toward Graveler.

"Graveler, Iron Defense!" Milo yelled. Graveler became cloaked in iron. The leaves bounced off his body harmlessly.

"So you can play," Puck mused, "Surprising. Kirlia sensed many insecurities in you."

"What?" Milo took a step back.

"Kirlia can sense emotions," Puck said. His eyes gleamed. "I've trained her to transmit those emotions to me, allowing me to read my opponent perfectly."

"That's against league rules!" Flynn cried. "You can't use Pokemon abilities on humans during battle."

"Exactly," Puck said. "That is why Kirlia did it before the battle started. Perfectly legal."

Milo felt sick. This couldn't be happening.

"But I sensed something interesting before the battle," Puck continued, "Something strange. I think I know what it is. Wnt me to share with the class, Milo?"

Milo balled his fists. "Thunder Punch!" he cried.

Graveler rushed forward, swinging an electrified fist at Kirlia. Kirlia put her hands on her temples, and Graveler flew backwards.

"Kirlia's Psychic power is too great," Puck said, "She can knock any attack away. You might as well give up, Milo."

"You're horrible!" Phillip cried.

"Maybe," Puck said nonchalantly, "or maybe I am doing my job. Gym Leaders are supposed to test their opponents strength. That's what I'm doing."

"This is sadistic!" Flynn argued. "Where do you get off playing with other's emotions?"

"You accuse me of playing with other's emotions?" Puck said. "When Milo is hiding something from you two? That he's really-"

"SHUT UP!" Milo roared. "Graveler, Stone Edge!"

Graveler punched the ground. Jagged stone pillars erupted from the earth around Kirlia, crushing her between them. The pillars shook as she tried to move them with her Psychic power.

"You have no right to tell them," Milo said. He felt like his chest was going to collapse on itself, but he pressed on. "It's my secret! No one is entitled to know anything about me but me. Graveler, Discharge!"

Graveler pounded his fists together, and blue electricity shot form between them, hitting Kirlia and lighting up the battlefield.

"Kirlia is unable to battle!" Flynn called.

"Return!" Puck shouted, pressing the button on his pokeball. Kirlia was hit by a beam of red light, then sucked inside the ball. "Roserade!"

A Pokemon appeared. It had a violet fan in both hands, one lined with red lace. It's body was the same, violet with red lace.

"A Delta Roserade?" Phillip gasped.

The ground began to shake. Around Roserade, rocks rose form the ground, burying her.

"Roserade is unable to battle!" Flynn cheered. "Milo is the winner!"

"But how-" Puck gasped.

"The Rock Blast at the beginning?" Milo said. "It was a Stealth Rock. The attack was never going to hit anyway, so it didn't matter that you blocked it."

Puck looked livid. "You-"

"Give him the badge." Flynn snapped. "Or I'll take it."

Puck snarled, throwing the badge at Milo. Milo tried to catch it, but it flew past him. Phillip dived for it.

"Here, Milo!" Phillip scrambled to his feet and handed Milo the badge.

Milo took it, then looked at Puck. He was gone.

"He ran off," Flynn explained.

"Probably scared you'd kick his ass." Phillip said, laughing.

Milo looked at the badge. It looked like a pair of black fairy wings.

Milo pinned the badge on his vest. "Guys, " Milo said, without looking at them, "about what he said-"

Flynn cut him off. "Milo, I don't care," she said, "I'm your best friend. I know you better than Puck or Kirlia ever will. Whatever he was talking about, you can tell us when you're ready."

Phillip nodded. "Yeah. Besides, the fact that Puck was going to out your secret says more about him than you. He's a piece of crap."

Milo couldn't help but smile. His heart was still felt like a black hole in his chest, but for some reason he felt like it was less important than before.

"Let's go," Milo said, "I'm tired of this cave."

"So you lost." Cherry said, popping her gum. Even on his computer screen, Cherry looked annoying- her bright red hair, arranged in a pixie cut, and shredded black clothes made her look like a Team Skull wannabe. "Big deal. You lose all the time."

"I was humiliated!" Puck cried. "I want that kid's Pokemon!"

"I can't rob every person who makes you look like a fool." Cherry said boredly. "I mean, you wouldn't want me to rob you."

"Laugh it up, you ass." Puck snapped. "I hope you're laughing when Father punishes me for screwing up."

Cherry grinned lazily. "I might."

Puck nearly threw his phone. "Cherry!" He cried. "If I lose one more battle, I'll go down in rank. And I can't imagine what Father will do if I lose B-rank..."

"Relax." Cherry said. "I'll take out the kid, if that makes you feel better. Beat him in battle, scare him enough that he won't say nothing. That way the news that you lost doesn't get out. In the meantime, you need to defeat more trainers to secure your place."

Puck nodded. "You're right."

Cherry popped her gum again. "Of Course I am. I'm A-rank, which makes me better than you in every possible way."

Puck groaned.