Another day of battling has given our heroes some batling experience. After a long day, Silverbolt, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight, Sky, and Sunset had all made it to the quarterfinal rounds. And while most of the pairings were on the same page, one pair had a much tougher time. Sky and Sunset, despite being a team, have still been at each other's throats. With the next rounds closing in, the question of whether they could coexist was getting further and further apart.

"Excellent, Twily," said Night Light.

"Thanks, Dad," said Twilight as she hugged her father, who smiled and rubbed his daughter's head.

Spike was nearby as he had his head down. The boy was still upset that he lost with the Pokémon his father had given him to enter the competition.

"You did good, Spike," said Night Light as he approached his son.

"I lost," said the small boy.

"It's okay. You did your best, and that's what counts. At least now, you can cheer your sister on." said Night Light as he began to walk away with Twilight putting a hand on her little brother's shoulder and smiling. "Come on, kids. Your mother's waiting for us!"

"Coming, Dad!" said the siblings as they began to follow their father as they headed home for some dinner.

While the siblings went home with their father, everybody else was getting ready to settle in at the Pokémon Center. Sunset was in the nearby forest close to the Center as she had all her Pokémon out. They were eating as the girl leaned against a tree and ate an apple as she eyed her Pokémon. She recalled her debate with her partner from earlier.

(Quick Memory)
"So what's the deal, Sunset? Why enter this thing?" asked Sky.

"It's none of your business!"

"We're a team. So that makes it my business!"

The girl glared at the boy as he did the same. The duo was not blinking or taking their eyes off of each other. Soon both pulled out their Pokéballs and threw them out. Now both Trainers had their Pokémon all by their side as they stared down at each other.

"I need to get stronger..." said Sunset.

"And this is how to do it, huh?" asked Sky.

"To me, I raise my Pokémon to be prepared for battle. If I waste my time trying to connect with them on a deep and personal level, then I won't be able to achieve my goal," said Sunset as she began to walk with her Pokémon following her.

"And what goal is that?!" called out Sky.

Sunset stopped as she merely turned her head to look at her rival.

(End of Quick Memory)

The girl finished reminiscing as she looked at her Pokémon. She threw her core away as she approached them, and they took notice.

"All set?" asked Sunset to her Pokémon.

They all responded to their mistress as they were ready to train.

"Good. Jolteon, you're up first," instructed Sunset.

The Pokémon nodded as he began to take his position in front of the girl and the others.

"Let's begin. Chimchar, use Flamethrower."

Chimchar nodded at Sunset before opening its mouth and letting loose a burst of fire.

"Jolteon, use Protect!" instructed Sunset.

The electric Pokémon put up a protective barrier as the Flamethrower from Chimchar bounced off it and spread out. The shield held as the fire ended, and it was lowered down.

"Fletchling, use Razor Wind!"

"Ling!" said the small robin as it shot out wind blades.

"Jolteon, Discharge!"

Jolteon charged up its spikes and let loose a wave of electricity. The bolts made contact with the wind as it dispelled them.

"Machamp, Focus Blast!"

Machamp made a ball of energy as it was white and threw it.

"Jolteon, Quick Attack!" said Sunset.

Jolteon quickly took off as it zigged and zagged to avoid the Focus Blast from its ally. It came to a stop as it looked at Sunset.

"Good. Now, let's up the ante," said Sunset. "Chimchar, Flamethrower. Machamp, Focus Blast. Fletchling, Razor Wind."

All three shot out the attacks they used prior in unison as they headed for Jolteon.

"Jolteon, use Protect!"

Joltoen let out a growl as he put his protective barrier. The attacks all made contact with the shield, as Jolteon did his best not to let any attacks break his defense. The attacks kept coming as Jolteon willed himself to put more power into his barrier as it managed to withstand all three attacks as they ceased.

"Excellent!" smiled Sunset. "Now, you three again! And this time, use Discharge!"

All three made the same attacks again as Jolteon charged up. It let loose its electricity as it collided with all three attacks coming at him. The electricity managed to overpower the other attacks as it made them cease.

"Again! And use Quick Attack!"

Another round of trio attacks was fired as Jolteon began to zoom toward them at high speeds. The yellow spiked Pokémon leaped over the Flamethrower as it landed and continued to run. He then zigged zagged to avoid all of the Razor Winds as he skidded while turning and did a head over heels rotation as he avoided the Focus Blast and landed on all four.

Jolteon looked at Sunset as the girl told the others to cease. She began to approach her Pokémon as he stood at attention. Sunset then extended her hand and began to scratch its ears as Jolteon seemed to like it before licking her hand.

"Solid work, as always. I know I can rely on you," said the girl as she handed her Pokémon a treat.

"Chimchar, you're next!" said Sunset.

The chimp nodded before jogging over as Jolteon switched places with its ally. Sunset returned to her original position as Chimchar was ready for its turn. And so it went as after Chimchar was done with his training session, it was Machamp's. Sunset could see that progress was being made with her Pokémon.

"Alright, your turn," said Sunset.

"Ling," said Fletchling.

"Prove to me you can step up," said the girl, as the small robin was the Pokémon she often had to baby.

The small robin nodded as he began to flap forward. It took a position on the ground as it stared down its comrades. Sunset returned to her position and began the training.

"First, we'll focus on you dodging. Chimchar, Flamethrower!"

Chimchar shot a stream of fire as Fletchling began to move. It moved out of the way of its initial direction before taking off as the Flamethrower was chasing it.

"Machamp, Focus Blast."

Machamp put its hands together as he made the ball of energy form. He thrust it forward as it hurled toward Fletchling, who was still trying to outrun the Flamethrower. The small robin saw the blast coming, and he spun to avoid it as it collided with the Flamethrower and made a small explosion in the air.

"Jolteon, Discharge!"

Jolteon powered up as he let loose a barrage of electricity. Fletchling saw the multiple bolts shoot upward as he moved from side to side. He almost got hit by one as he tucked his wings in and narrowly avoided it.

Too slow.

"All together. Fletchling, use Razor Wind!" shouted Sunset.

All three fired their respective attack again as Fletchling stopped and began to flap its wings as it shot out blades of wind. The attack connected with the other three as, for a while, it was a stalemate; however, it was quickly overrun. Fletchling saw this and quickly began to move. It avoided the Flamethrower and Focus Blast but failed to see one of the electricity bolts as it connected with the bird and fell.

"Stop, stop!" called out Sunset to her Pokémon as they ceased their attacks.

Fletchling was on the ground as it felt the attack and began to stir. Sunset appeared before the small robin as she looked down on it.

"You were too slow and didn't have enough power in your attack. Now... get up."

Fletchling struggled to get itself up as it tried.

"Get up!" shouted Sunset.

Fletchling continued to try as Sunset was starting to lose her patience.

"GET UP!" yelled the girl.

The small robin managed to reach its feet as it looked at Sunset.

"Now, we're going to do this again. This time be faster and put more power into your attack."

The bacon-haired teen then walked back as Fletchling spread its wings.

"Chimchar, start with Flamethrower," instructed the girl.

The chimp nodded before firing his attack. It was heading toward the small bird as he saw it coming.

"Now dodge it!" instructed Sunset.

Fletchling did what was asked as he took to the air and began to evade thr Flamethrower. The attack was now following him as he managed to keep a good distance between him and the attack.

"Now turn around to face it and use Razor Wind!" shouted Sunset.

Fletchling did what Sunset said as he turned around and began to flap his wings as they shot out the blades of wind. The attacks met as they collided; however, the Flamethrower from Chimchar was more powerful than Fletchling's Razor Wind as it broke through the weak attack. The small robin saw it as it turned to fly away but was too slow as it got hit by the attack in the back and fell to the ground.

The small robin was on the ground, covered in scuffs from the damage it took as Sunset's foot was in front of it. The girl had her hand covering her face as she shook her head. She removed it to look at her Pokémon as it tried to stand.

"Get up! Come on!" shouted Sunset. "Prove to me you have it takes! Show me your strength!"

"Ling... Ling... Ling," said Fletchling as it tried to stand up, but the exhaustion had caught up and fell back to the ground.

Sunset again put her hand to her face and shook it in disappointment.

"Useless piece of shit," muttered the girl that Fletchling heard that and put its head down.

"Everyone take five!" called out the girl to her other Pokémon as she marched away.

Fletchling was upset that it failed to live up to Sunset's expectations. Once again, that was another chance that the girl gave it to prove its worth, to prove how strong it was, and to prove it was a team player, but... it failed. The small robin layout on the ground as Chimchar approached it. The small chimp picked up the tiny bird and dusted him off. Fletchling was thankful for its comrade, to which Chimchar nodded. The small fire chimp then spoke to his comrade.

"Come on, kid. You have to step up. Show her what you can do. Show why you belong on this team." stated the chimp as he began to walk away on its knuckles.

Fletchling merely put its head down. In a gentler tone, Chimchar was saying the same thing Sunset said. To prove its strength and to prove it could help Sunset to realize her goal. The small robin kept its head down as it walked toward its teammates.

The next day came as the sun rose. And with another day rising, the Tag Battle Competition was ready to begin.

"All right, it's another exciting day. With the final eight pairings left, the question now is, who will emerge as our winners?" said Mayor Mare.

"Heracross, lend me yer strength!"

"Rowlet, time for us to show'em what it's all about!"

Applejack and Silverbolt called out their Pokémon as they appeared ready to fight. Watching this from the side was Sky as he saw his friends battling. Footsteps were heard as he turned around to see that Sunset had arrived. The boy glared at the girl as she stopped before him.

"I thought you bailed," said Sky as he scoffed at his rival.

"And I thought you got good for once," Sunset said.

The two rivals growled and glared at each other. They were so lost in their mind that they didn't hear that Aj and Silverbolt had managed to win their match in record time as they were up next.

"Sky... Sky! You guys are up!" said Twilight as she shook her friend's shoulder.

The boy glanced at Sunset as the two walked, not taking their eyes off each other as they got to the field.

"And now, our next battle will begin!" said Night Light.

"Reveal your Pokémon!" said the ref.

"I know which one I'm using. Turtwig, I choose you!" shouted Sky.

"Fletchling, show no mercy!" yelled Sunset.

"Swoobat!"

"Vigoroth!"

The teens' opponents called out their Pokémon as they had menacing looks.

"Just leave Vigoroth to me, Sunset. You focus on the weaker one," said Sky.

"I'll do whatever the hell I want!" shouted the girl.

"Swoobat, the Courting Pokémon and the evolved form of Woobat. When a male Swoobat tries to impress a female, it gives off ultrasonic waves that put everyone in a good mood. Under other circumstances, Swoobat's waves can pulverize concrete."

"Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Pokémon, and the evolved form of Slakoth. Vigoroth just can't sit still! If it spends too much time inactive, it gets stressed out and goes on a rampage. It doesn't sleep very well."

"Swootbat is gonna be a problem because it's part flying, which will be tough for Sky and Turtwig," said Silverbolt as Aj put her Pokédex away.

"Battle begin!" shouted the ref.

"Swoobat, Steel Wing!"

"Fletchling, use Razor Wind!"

Swoobat began to fly toward the small robin as Fletchling prepared to attack. At that moment, Vigoroth leaped over the bat and into the air as it was positioned above Fletchling.

"Scratch!" shouted Vigoroth's Trainer.

The monkey had managed to catch the small robin off guard as he stopped his attack to look up at the incoming danger.

"What team cooperation between Swoobat and Vigoroth!" said Mayor Mare as she called the play-by-play.

"Turtwig, use Razor Leaf!" shouted Sky.

Turtwig began to flick the twig on its head as rows of leaves shot out. However, Vigoroth didn't let that stop it as it began to use its Scratch Attack to swat and knock away the leaves like they were nothing. Sky had an unsure expression as while that was happening, Swootbat continued with its Steel Wing as it collided with Fletchling and sent the small robin tumbling.

"Fletchling still doesn't get a chance to use Razor Wind," commentated Night Light as Turtwig saw its ally tumbling back.

The small green-shell Pokémon then looked up as Vigoroth was coming down with its claws and delivered a devasting Scratch Attack as he was now being flung back.

"Turtwig!" shouted Sky as he saw his Pokémon appear before his feet.

"Fletchling, use Peck!" instructed Sunset.

Fletchling got back up and raced forward with its tiny beak glowing.

"Dodge it!" shouted Swoobat's Trainer.

The bat quickly raced upward just as Fletchling missed and soared by. The small robin was shocked as he didn't see that Vigoroth had leaped into the air and was coming down to attack.

"Vigoroth, Crush Claw!" shouted its Trainer.

Vigoroth had its claw coming down as it swatted the small robin back to the ground and tumbled again.

"Use Tackle on Vigoroth!" instructed Sky as he saw Fletchling was down.

Turtwig gave a determined response as he took off to cover for his teammate. He ran at full speed toward the large monkey as Vigorth stood there smugly.

"Do it!" said Vigoroth's Trainer.

Vigoroth heard his Trainer's command as he knew what to do. Just as Turtwig jumped and looked to connect, Vigoroth simply stepped to the side.

"What?" said Sky as he was surprised.

"Psychic, now!" shouted Swoobat's Trainer.

Swoobat quickly appeared before Turtwig in the blink of an eye as its eyes glowed. Turtwig was caught in its grip before being flung back to where Fletchling was as it collided with the small robin, and the two tumbled back in front of Sky and Sunset's feet.

"Turtwig! Fletchling!" said Sky as he was concerned for the Pokémon.

"Vigorth! Crush Claw, go!"

"And with exquisite timing, Vigoroth unleashes Crush Claw!" commented Mayor Mare as the monkey leaped into the air and descended on smaller Pokémon.

Fletchling saw the incoming danger as it covered itself with its wings and cowered in fear. Sunset didn't like that as Sky gave his command to his Pokémon.

"Turtwig, use Bite!"

Turtwig got up and charged forward a bit as he managed to intercept Vigoroth from connecting. The smaller Pokémon was biting down on one of its claws as it attempted to hold it in place. Both Vigoroth and Swoobat's Trainers were stunned to see that it worked.

"Alright!" said Sky, pleased with himself.

"A splendid move as Turtwig manages to stop Crush Claw," said Night Light, impressed by the boy's quick thinking.

"Swoobat, use Steel Wing!" said its Trainer.

Swoobat flew forward with its wings out and covered in a metal coating as it looked to help its comrade.

"Fletchling, use Razor Wind on Turtwig!" said Sunset.

"What?!" shouted Sky as he turned to look at the girl.

Fletchling was also surprised to hear Sunset say that as she was saying to attack her partner. The small robin was a bit unsure about doing that.

"Do it!" instructed the bacon-haired teen.

The bird was hesitant about carrying out its order but soon did it. It took off and let out a determined look mixed with concern. It zoomed in on Turtwig and Vigoroth as it shot out the wind blades that hit both Pokémon and pushed them back.

"Turtwig!" shouted Sky as he saw his Pokémon was badly damaged from taking such a supereffective move from its partner.

The Razor Wind from Fletchling didn't stop there as it raced toward Swoobat as the Pokémon took the brute of it and was also sent back. In a way, Sunset made a right call as she knocked her opponents back while they were distracted, with Turtwig in the line of sight.

"What's this? Fletchling used an attack on its teammate?! And Turtwig's taken major damage as a result!" said Mayor Mare as she, too, was surprised by what she saw. Night Light merely stroked his chin as he witnessed what Sky and Sunset were doing.

Fletchling looked back with a worried look as Turtwig was covered in scuffs along its body from taking such a move in close proximity. The Pokémon was struggling to stand as Sky was worried.

"That's terrible!" said Fluttershy as she and Twilight watched from the side.

"Turtwig! Are you okay?" asked Sky to his partner Pokémon. His Pokémon struggled as it somehow managed to get up. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" shouted the boy to his teammate.

Before he could get an answer, their opponents were back up.

"Vigoroth, now's our chance! Crush Claw, go!"

Vigorth was shown charging forward with its right claw out and glowing.

"Steel Wing!" instructed Sunset to Fletchling.

Fletchling turned forward and prepared its attack when Vigoroth's claw came down on it. The small bird was too slow in launching its attack as it was now pinned underneath the giant monkey as it stood over the smaller prey. It struggled to escape from under its claw, but it was useless. The wings flapped about to do something, but Vigoroth wasn't letting its opponent escape.

"And Vigoroth's Crush Claw crushes Fletchling's Steel Wing before it could have a chance to use it!" said Mayor Mare.

"Use Razor Wind!" yelled Sunset.

The small robin looked up as it was going to make its attack. However, upon seeing the face of Vigoroth, it got frightened by the bigger and taller Pokémon. A wave of fear came over the tiny Pokémon as instead of making its attack like Sunset asked, it cowered in fear and hid its face behind its wings. The others watching from the side were also amazed that Fletchling ignored Sunset's command and was cowering in fear instead.

"Vigoroth has Fletchling wedged underfoot! And there seems to be no escape!" said Mayor Mare.

"Fletchling!" shouted Sky as he was concerned cause Turtwig was still trying to get up from the damage it took.

Sunset just kept on looking at her Pokémon as it was trapped. The small robin was scared for its life from the bigger foe. The girl simply thought back to the training session from last night and all the past sessions with the small robin to get it stronger and have the courage to fight Pokémon larger than it. But it seems Fletchling was still not there.

"I thought you could do it. I had faith you prove your worth," said Sunset.

"Turtwig! You gotta help Fletchling!" said Sky. "So use Razor Leaf!"

Turtwig began to flick its tiny stick on its head as leaves shot out. They collided with Vigoroth as it got the large monkey to release its hold on Fletchling and stumble back just as Swoobat got up. Turtwig managed to step in front of Fletchling with a defiant look but soon collapsed as it was still weak from the attack it suffered at the hands of the small robin.

"Swoobat, Air Slash!" instructed the Trainer as it took advantage of a downed Turtwig.

The bat charged up its wings and began to shoot out its attack.

"Turtwig!" shouted Sky, hoping his Pokémon would get up, but he wasn't.

At that moment, Fletchling jumped in front of Turtwig and used its Double Team move to surround the down Turtwig as if to protect it from the incoming attack. Everyone was surprised to see the Pokémon acted on its own accord, as Sunset didn't give Fletchling the command to use the move or protect Turtwig. For the Pokémon, it was looking to repay the favor of its comrade for protecting it when it was down. The Air Slash managed to get rid of all the copies as the only one left was the real Fletchling as it stood in front of Turtwig, panting.

"In that case, Swoobat, use Steel Wind!"

Swoobat was heading toward Fletchling as it looked to take out both hopefully weakened Pokémon in one hit.

"Sunset, do something!" shouted Sky as Fletchling waited for whatever command the girl would give her.

The girl just looked at her Pokémon as the small bird looked to her for guidance. The teen just sighed as the attack was getting closer. Not waiting for her to decide, Sky decided to take the initiative.

"Fletchling, use Razor Wind!" shouted the boy to Sunset's Pokémon.

The Pokémon and the others were all shocked to hear what they heard. Sky was giving Sunset's Pokémon a command. The boy was more focused on not wanting to lose because Sunset didn't know what move to call. So he decided to do things on his own and win without the help of his partner.

"You heard me! Do it!" said Sky.

Fletchling gave a response as it took to the air and spread its wings. It powered up its attack and let loose a barrage of wind blades that collided with Swootbat as it was impactful.

"And it's a direct hit by that Razor Wind!" shouted Mayor Mare as she almost fell out of her seat when leaning forward.

The attack ceased as Swoobat fell to the ground and was defeated.

"Swoobat!" shouted its Trainer.

"Swoobat is unable to battle!" said the ref.

"That was perfect timing between Fletchling and Trainer. But the Trainer was Sky, Turtwig's Trainer!" said Night Light as he narrated.

"Are there any rules against that?" asked Pinkie.

"Not that I know of," said Twilight, as it didn't say in the rulebook that you couldn't give commands to your partner's Pokémon. So technically... Sky didn't disqualify himself. It just came out of left field.

"All right, Turtwig! It's your turn, so get moving!" instructed the boy to his Pokémon.

Turtwig heard that and was already charging forward with determination.

"Vigoroth, use Crush Claw and stop it!" instructed its Trainer.

"Dodge it!" shouted Sky.

Vigoroth rushed forward as well as it raised one of its claws, and looked to strike. Turtwig, however, obeyed Sky's command and knew what to do. It jumped and spun just before it came face-to-face with Vigoroth's Crush Claw. The smaller Pokémon was spinning as it zoomed past Vigoroth's face; he was amazed to see the Pokémon could avoid his attack.

"Razor Leaf!" shouted Sky.

With Turtwig still, in the air and behind Vigoroth, it allowed him a clean shot. He flicked the twig on its head as the rows of leaves came out and touched the large monkey's back.

"Finish off with Tackle!" yelled Sky.

Turtwig landed and took off the moment he touched. He lowered his head as he picked up speed and jumped. The Pokémon contacted Vigoroth's back again as its head bashed into the monkey flung forward. Vigoroth skidded to a halt as it was shown with swirls in its eyes to indicate its defeat.

"Vigoroth is unable to battle! The winners are Turtwig and Fletchling!" said the ref, pointing at Sky and Sunset.

"Some partner you are," scoffed Sky as he glared at Sunset for almost making them lose. "I knew I was gonna have to carry this team on my back," scoffed Sky, as he didn't care about Sunset anymore and was more focused on winning. Safe to say, their partnership was no more, and it seemed they could never coexist.

"And with that... we now have our top four tag teams!" said Night Light as he stood up from the table he was commentating from and showed the screen.

The screen revealed Sky and Sunset's teaming in highlighted portraits before shifting them onto the bracket. And on that bracket were some interesting matchups to come.

"We'll be back tomorrow for our semifinals, and then, it's our final match!" said Night Light. "Which means one of these four spirited Tag Teams will be declared the winner!"

On the screen, the bracket showed that Silverbolt and Applejack would be taking on the other pair that managed to make it. While on the other side, it showed Sunset and Sky going up against Fluttershy and Twilight. This was going to get interesting.

It was later, as the overhead sky was now orange, showing that the morning star was preparing to set and allow the night to emerge. Standing in a part of the nearby forest was Sunset. The girl was sitting in a tree as she looked upwards. The bacon-haired teen had something in her hand as a thought had weighed on her mind for the past hours. Soon... she let out a heavy sigh and jumped down.

The girl raised her arm to show the thing she was holding. She held it out as the Pokémon inside was released, but the color of the light was different than the one used to summon a Pokémon. Within a second, Fletchling was shown before Sunset as the Pokémon saw its Trainer.

It wondered what she wanted to speak with it, though; he probably knew she would discuss its terrible performance in today's match. Being scared and not doing the commands she instructed the small robin as he let the fear take over. Sunset sighed before bending to a knee and looking down at the bird. She pulled out a treat and gave it to the bird, who ate it.

"You and me... we're done."

"Ling?" said the Pokémon as it didn't seem to hear what Sunset said.

"We're done," sighed Sunset.

"Ling?" said the Pokémon as it was now worried.

"Go on, now. You're free. You're free to live your life." said Sunset as she said goodbye to her Pokémon and stood up.

Fletchling was more worried as it saw Sunset starting to walk away; it hopped a bit and called out for her.

"Don't you understand? You're free. You don't have to follow me anymore." said Sunset as she turned to her now released Pokémon and told it it was given its freedom.

Fletchling was now pleading with Sunset. The girl hoped that by walking away, the Pokémon would get the picture and go on its way, but that wasn't the case. She grunted as she turned to address the small robin. At that moment, Sky was coming through some bushes, hoping to get some practice in, when he heard something and kept out of sight as he saw Sunset and Fletchling.

"Go! Go on! Get out of here! Go home, soldier!" shouted Sunset.

Fletchling was now pleading with the girl. Pleading that she would give him one more chance to prove himself. To prove that he was strong.

"Get! Go! Get out of here! Don't you understand? Get! I don't want you anymore! Get!" yelled Sunset at the top of her lungs. While it may have seemed that the girl was angry with the small robin, some of her voice was sad if you listened closely. Like... a kid having to let go of a pet they grew up with.

Sunset had enough as she turned and began to walk away. Fletchling put its head down as it was sad. Knowing that it let Sunset down, he could never reach his full potential, no matter how many chances she gave him. The girl wiped her eyes just as they were looking for some water and lifted her head just in time to see Sky emerge. The two rivals glared at each other as their hate for the other returned. Soon the bacon-haired teen put her hands in her leather jacket pockets and began to walk past him. Sky kept his gaze on Sunset before looking the other way and saw Fletchling slowly walking away with its head down in disappointment and sadness. The boy saw how heartbroken the Pokémon was as its Trainer had released it.

"Hey, Fletchling, how about joining my team!" said Sky.

That got the attention of the small bird and Sunset, who was meters away and about to disappear when she heard that. The girl looked back to see her rival walking toward her former Pokémon and bending down to a knee.

"What do you say?" asked the boy as he looked at the small thing.

"Ling," said the Pokémon as it was confused to think that the rival of her former Trainer was asking it to be a part of his crew.

"You got strength, but it needs work. I like a challenge, though. So what do you say? Want to join my team?"

Fletchling was still trying to figure out this. It already failed one Trainer; who is to say that it wouldn't be the same with Sky? It glanced over to Sunset as she sighed heavily before disappearing. The small robin was left to look back at the boy, who was shown offering his hand as a sign of trust.

"I'm willing to take a chance on you. All I need is for you to do the same."

Surprisingly, those were the same words Sunset spoke when it was caught. Soon the Pokémon made up his mind as he gave a nod. Sky smiled as he pulled out a spare Pokéball, and Fletchling touched it. Within seconds, the Pokéball opened and sucked in the Pokémon in a red light. It closed the lid and shook a bit in Sky's hand before it died down and made a noise, with the middle of the ball ceasing to be red.

"Look at that, I just caught a Fletchling!" said Sky with a smile.

Author's Note: The old saying goes, "When one door closes another door opens". While it may have seemed like Sunset was angry, you can see that this was a decision that she didn't want to do, but needed to. The scene of Sunset freeing her Pokemon was a bit inspired by a scene from a movie called Air Bud. And the one scene that I'm sure most people know from who watched that movie, know how sad and depressing it is, especially watching it as a kid. In the end, she had to make the tough decision of freeing her Pokemon which is not an easy decision to make for any trainer. However, it seems Sky is will to take a chance. But... will it end up back firing on him? Only time will tell. As always, leave a review expressing your thoughts and comments.