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Zangoose was breathing heavily. He wasn't going to last too much longer. If he and I was going to pull any sort of victory, we had to do it soon. I knew how Trump Card work, and usually there was a rule of five in that attack. The fifth attack from a Pokemon using that move was usually the most devastating. One that I knew Zangoose couldn't weather by any means. I could get Zangoose attempt to dodge that one, but I'd probably be setting him up for a fall anyhow. Ugh, what to do?

"My my...that's a face I remember." Dahlia said. "All serious, those eyes...just like your teacher in Mahogany. Contemplating, calculating, trying to remain cool when the heat is on all the way up." She said with a laugh at the end.

"One of his better qualities I'd say." I said.

"Well time to wrap this one up!"

"Here we go..." I said.

"Vaporeon! Get a hold of yourself and use Double Team!" She shouted.

The Vaporeon collected itself, forgetting about the taunting of Zangoose and went back to going on the evasion. Illusions started to surround Zangoose once more. She wasn't going to take any chances in her final strike.

"Zangoose, get ready!" I shouted.

"Trump Card!"

This was it. I had to act...

The Illusions vanished as the Vaporeon finally made its attack, though the Vaporeon wasn't on the ground...I looked up. "Zangoose! Above you! Quick Attack! Get out of there!"

The attack was fired and it came down like a meteor. A blast erupted, bigger than before on the field. Zangoose, while avoiding the attack, got caught up in the blast's wake and it went flying before ending up skidding to a hard stop to get its bearings back.

"Gotcha! Vaporeon! Aqua Tail!" She didn't care that she missed, either way, as far as she was concerned, it was a perfect setup.

As the Vaporeon landed back on its feet with grace, it dashed off towards Zangoose with its tail gaining water chi galore once again. This was it. I had to act. With it approaching like a shot, Zangoose looked back towards it. "Zangoose! Counter!"

Zangoose immediately got in a defensive pose and beared down as the Vaporeon gave a hard, fast, twirl, gaining momentum to smash its tail right into Zangoose. Zangoose braced itself as the attack crashed. "Zaaaan...GOOOOOSE!" He fought through the attack and deflected back the attack, throwing the Vaporeon off balance. "ZANGOOSE!!!" When the Vaporeon reared back from the recoil of the attack, Zangoose gave one hard, upward slash in retaliation.

"Vaporeon! No!" Dahlia shouted as the Vaporeon got launched off the ground and hit the ground only a few seconds later.

"That's...gotta hurt..."

Zangoose was standing there. While he was happy to do that kind of extreme damage, that was it. He was spent. He wasn't going down...yet. But he didn't have the energy to jump in victory. It may as well have been that way...because much to his dismay, and mine...the Vaporeon wasn't out yet.

"Wait, what?"

"Zangoose?"

This...is not good...

"I have to admit, Blizzard. You really have been going through some sort of enlightenment or whatever lately, if you are able to put THIS much of a fight. You were a tough one, to be sure, back then. But now...now." She shook her head, almost in excitement, some in disbelief. "Perhaps you are good enough to go Elite."

"Nah. That would mean I would have to put up with Lorelei. Really? Seriously?"

"Ha! Good point. Still though. You really want to continue? Look at your Zangoose. He's barely able to stand, now."

"Dahlia, you should know better than to ask me or any trainer that." I said. "'I give up' shouldn't be in anyone's dictionary. There is very few instances where one should throw a fight, and this not one of them. So if you are going to try to get Vaporeon to finish Zangoose out of this battle, then best go for it." I said. "Because I can assure you Zangoose won't like it too much if I did say that I quit." I said.

Zangoose got back in a stance, weary it was, but ready to go again. But it was only for show at this point, but Zangoose was prideful. He wouldn't quit, neither would I.

The Vaporeon, while still fairly active, had a hard time staying on its feet. The way that Zangoose slashed it from that counter made it a bit painful just to stay upright. Dahlia knew that it wouldn't be using Quick attack, or Double Team, let alone running period. She knew that she didn't need much, though. "Aurora Beam, Vaporeon."

The Vaporeon took aim and fired the rainbow like beam towards normal type. "Zangoose if you can, move!" The Zangoose did in fact try, but stumbled on the first step. Zangoose was blasted back and he fell. No more getting up. No more fight.

"This is the end of the battle. The winner of this fight goes to the Arcade Star Dahlia!" The ref shouted.

I made a bit of a hard sigh. While I did better compared to the last battle I had with her...hell, I came considerably closer for that matter, probably even making her sweat a bit, I still couldn't beat her. I suppose that's the Frontier Brain for you. "Zangoose, you did great. Take a rest." I said, taking out the Pokeball and recalling the Pokemon back into his ball.

"You too, Vaporeon. They really worked you over today. I didn't think it was only going to be one battle for you, today. Take a rest." She said, recalling the Vaporeon.

The crowd was ecstatic. Rarely do they ever see a battle of this high caliber out of something fairly casual. They'd have to pay to see such a thing, usually. I walked over towards Dahlia. "I thought I could have taken you this time."

"Well, maybe next time. Who knows what you'll learn later, you know? How about you and your friend up there see me in a little bit. I'll find us a table and we can just talk."

"Yea, and maybe you can tell me why you're out here."

"What? A girl can't just have a bit of fun?" She joked.

"A girl of your stature? Not easily."

"Heh, you're right. I'll tell you when we sit down. I got a couple of things to do still down here." she said.

"Alright...thanks for the invite." I said, making my way off towards the challenger stairway.

"Eh, I tried, Aden. Live and learn. Though I admit, even I thought I had her for a moment. Anyways, she invited us here in a short bit, so how about we kill a bit of time, huh?" I said.

"So anything you up for getting?" I asked as we made it back around the ring that made up the food court.

Another eyebrow raise moment, I had here. Simple life for a generally simple guy. Then again, I can't blame him too much...not his fault. I then crossed my arms and thought for a moment. "There is NOTHING that you just wanted to get just for the hell of it?" I asked. "A new pack? Sunglasses? A Hat? You're in a mall with almost anything in it and you're thinking on leaving with nothing?"

I started for the store Aden went in and started to look around myself. While I was out and about, I may as well get something for Tails and Freth. I have been away for a bit now. Ecruteak City was just the next city over, and I'd be able to say Hi then and check in with Miles to see if he would be ready to head off to Hyda. Though, with a such a thought in mind, it left me wondering for a moment as I browsed the many goods the store had...what if it was about time to go...Aden would be pitted with a choice to rather stay with us or finish his tour of Johto. I don't think I'd be able to stay with him if he wanted to continue his tour. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there...

"Huh? Ehhhh...not really. Just looking, really. I was thinking on getting something for Freth and Tails...but honestly? I REALLY dont know what the hell to get." I said, crossing my arms.