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"Uh..." I stared at Ryan in confusion then gave a shrug. "Um, alright. Come on, Aden." i said.

I lead Aden out of the Goldenrod Gym, opening the door for him to get out. "Alright, let me fill you in real quick. It's not you that's the issue, it's me. Clair has been known to stir up bullcrap of all sorts, and she's back on the rampage. She apparently is trying to accuse me of being too big of an influence of the reason why you are as far along as you are now. Probably convince gym leaders to fork over the badges or things of that sort. I really don't know what she is saying but whatever it is, its trying to make me look bad, when fact of the matter is, I'm doing nothing wrong and most of the other leaders are not buying into it. Hence, I said most, because somehow she got Chuck from Cianwood in on this mess too." I said. "That was the reason why Whitney pulled me away from you for a moment while we were at the department store."

Ryan turns to face Whitney. "I wanted to say goodbye on my own. Blizz would never of let me hear the end of it if I had while he was present. " Ryan says with a chuckle. "It was good seeing you again Whitney. Take care, stay safe, and keep improving. Next time I come through here I wouldn't mind have a little exhibition match with a good friend." he says to her, smiling ear to ear.

"Yours and mine both; I'll just be doing it through my Pokemon." Aden spoke up. "And yeah... I know Nidorino won't be too pleased that he wasn't used for the battle, but I think he'll understand."

"That, and I think even he'd need to readjust a little." Aden added, going to the desk and getting the six Pokeballs handed over. "That's the biggest reason I didn't use him. I didn't want to repeat what happened to Flaaffy when she fought."

She put a hand on her hip as Ryan took his leave. She knew that there was a new air about the Mahogany Town apprentice; one that she couldn't quite put her finger on. But, apparently, he's gotten a near-fox brand of confusion dished out to leave even closest friends unsure of his seriousness? Whitney couldn't help but to crack a slight grin; a thought considering the person in question left it to be quite interesting. Pryce may have his hands full in the future.


"Well whats the harm in explaining that to him?" I asked Aden. "Don't tell me that; I'm not your Pokemon."

"Sorry. And really, I doubt there'll be much harm." Aden answered. After a few moments, he was able to go further in. He knew he wouldn't be able to talk to the three that fought right away, but he could at least relay things to the rest.

When it came to talking to his Pokemon... well. Geodude was like talking to a stone wall. While things was understood and all, it just wasn't one for words. It made him wonder if it was still trying to warm up to the group.

Flaaffy was a bit on the understanding side too, though she wasn't too happy about not being given another chance to fight at the gym. But when it was brought up that she just had recently evolved, it was enough to quiet her. She was, however, surprised that the small Nidoran she remembered wasn't so small anymore.

Which brought things to Aden's Nidorino, who was a bit more vocal about his distaste.

"(Look, I know, I just evolved too, but I'm not like her! I could've fought!)"

"Nidorino, I've got my reasons. Sure, you're not having to learn to use your hind legs like Flaaffy is, but you and her still have to adjust. And you both remember what happened the first time in there. I couldn't get myself to risk it."

"(What. You. Not taking a risk. Where's Aden, because you can't be him.)"

"(I kinda have to agree...)" Flaaffy spoke up. "(You did kinda put me on top of Geodude once.)"

"Yeah, well-"

"(You mean sheep hat?)"

Suddenly, all talking stopped and all eyes were on Geodude, with looks of disbelief and thoughts of checking Hell for good measure.