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"Nothing that needs to be worried on now." I said. "At any rate." I checked my watch then looked towards the doorway of the store, then back down at the stuff before me. Personally, I don't think that neither Freth and Tails would make use of any of the stuff in here. Maybe I need to try another store... "Bah, I can't decide...I think I still need to look around the mall some." I said. "You done in here?" I asked.

"Eh, I think Ill try to find something in a different store." I said. "There's nothing that seems to jump out that the two of them would...you know...like and not forget about it." I said to him. I shook my head. "Well if you are done here, lets get on out. I may need a bit of time to think..."

I went down the hall, taking notice to the different kinds of stores available. Shoe store...Freth and Tails...shoes...one of them can't...the other likes being barefoot. Toy store...ehhhh, Tails maybe...but even then, what to get him. I never once even bought him one single toy as long as I have known him. Really he's one to go outside. It makes me feel kind of bad, actually. And stuffed animals are just a nice gesture, like a bouquet of roses, at best with Freth. Something easily forgotten about later on. Not to mention, Telia would probably be prone to steal it from her.

The stores didn't look at all appealing down the hall until we made it back into the Food Court. Food for thought...please. I went down one of the consession counters. It was one of the smaller shops in the food court. No fast food chain, compared to most that were there. The specialty for this one? Soft Pretzel. A little salt and a Coke to the side, and I was kosher.

I then went off to the table and started to think a bit.

I took a notice to something, then was compelled to ask. ".............this is your first soft pretzel, isn't it?"

Urge...to sock...the father...for not having this kid get out more beyond his back yard. HOW CAN ONE AS OLD AS HIM NOT KNOW ABOUT A SOFT PRETZEL!? Though to be fair...the mother could be at fault for that too. Bah. Regardless. Considering everything, I died a little inside...I expected such a thing from Tails!

"Well, now you know. Enjoy, Aden." I told him. "I really got to show you a lot though, now, don't I?" I asked.

"Is that what I have been kind of implying from the get go?" I cracked, taking a couple of bites from my pretzel.

"Implying what?"

I looked back and saw Dahlia make her way to the table. "Got done sooner than you thought?" I asked.

"Nah. You mind?" she asked.

"Pull up a chair." I said. She then looked behind her, grabbed one of the chairs and slid it up to the table, backwards, and sat down, leaning against the chair head.

"So hi." She then looked towards Aden. "Name's Dahlia." she said, holding out a hand for a shake.

"Only a few years, really." She said. "Contrary to popular belief, the Battle Frontier doesn't exactly...uhhhh...intertwine? With the Gym circuit? Despite being under Pokemon League regulations?"

"That's about the best way to put it." I said. "Meaning the conferences, like the one in White City, for them are for the most part are optional. Though they really don't go to them."

"One less thing to worry about, I'd say." she said. "Pokemon League gave us free reign over what we do, as long as we follow their rules."

"Pretty much."

"At any rate, several years ago, when we opened up a Battle Frontier here in Johto, expanding from the Battle Tower that was already here, we decided to get to know the neighbors a bit. That was when I met Blizzard. He was good back then, but not as good as he is now. Even so, he still was a bit of a tough act to follow, compared to most everyone else that was involved in the gym circuit."

"You should!" Dahlia said. "I don't mean to advertise bu-"

"Yes you do." I cracked.

"Oh hush." She said. "Anyways, the entrance to the frontier is actually along the beach front, just off of Olivine City. You can't miss it." she said.

"Speaking of visiting." I said. "Care to explain, now?"

"Explain? Ohhhhhh, why I'm out here. Well. I was serious when I said that I was out to have a bit of fun."

"The officials?"

"I borrowed a few from Whitney for a bit." she said.

"So you saw Whitney earlier, I take it." I said.

"Uh-huh? Speaking of...I think she did say she was expecting you." she said. "The both of you, actually. She got a little excited when Busgy got whomped on."

"Heh, yea. Aden pulled that one off." I said.

"So how did you get such a day off anyways?"

"Wellllll...um. We're going through a slight change." she said.