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Rosemary was hit - surprisingly hard by the Bubblebeam. The baby Chikorita cried out, running and hiding behind Kasiya's legs, peeking her head out to see if she was followed. "Rosemary," Kasiya sighed. "Don't be afraid, sweetie. You can do it. Show these guys how tough you are, okay?" Rosemary nodded, running between the girl's legs, and whipping a pair of Razor Leafs at the Azumarill, who fainted from the attack - a much needed critical hit. Kasiya sighed, relieved that this battle was nearly over. The Reflect finally faded, and Sableye turned its sights on the young Pokemon, leaping at her and attacking with a vicious Fury Swipes attack. Rosemary cried out again, and stumbled before falling, her eyes closed. "Return," Kasiya sighed, recalling the young Pokemon. "You're great," she said softly, kissing the Pokeball gently. "It's up to you, Keegan," Kasiya said, realzing she was stating the obvious.

"No kidding," Keegan winked at her, trying to think of the quickest way to finish this battle. "Poison Sting!" he called again, realizing Loki lacked a decent move pool, at least for now. Loki, also looking visibly weakened, released the poison attack once more. "Come on Loki! We can do this!" Keegan called through tightly clenched teeth. He glanced down at Kasiya, his heart missing a beat or three. I can't let her down...

"Thank goodness," Keegan sighed, recalling Loki, who looked if anything, more relieved than he did. "You were awesome," he smiled at the Pokeball, turning to face the sometimes awkward after-battle pleasantries. "She's not my girlfriend," he said, at the same time Kasiya had responded. He too turned a slight pink, and looked away.

"Our mistake, sorry," the guy said. "Well, we'd better get back to Petalburg and heal these guys up. "Catch you later," he waved, and the two walked away, arm in arm.

"Interesting..." Keegan mused, watching them for a moment before he looked back to his companion. He watched her for a moment or two, as he gathered his confidence. "You know," he said, breaking the eerie silence that had befallen them, "you could be."

((I <3 Keckleon. mad ))

Mike took in a deep breath through his nose, closing his eyes and allowing a smile to creep up. "It is such a nice day for a Pokemon battle." The boy said on the exhale. He cracked his fingers, taking note of a squabbling couple walking to the Pokemon Center. Make's me really want to battle.

With that he was off, almost skipping to the rather quaint Petalburg Gym. He casually looked over the sign as he went for the door, already in 'battle mode'. A simple wooden design adorned the entire gym, white plain walls accented the boring normal types this Gym utilized. Mike saw before him two doors, leading him to groan, fearing another puzzle was before him. Without even reading, he simply went right. Inside was a rather young boy, around Mike's age, he wore plain red clothes and sported a rather spiffy dark green haircut.

"Welcome to the Petalburg Gym. My name is Jacob. No doubt you are here for the battle so I will not keep you waiting." The trainer spoke calmly with a hint of class, so smoothly Mike didn't feel he could respond without feeling uncivilized. Um, alright. He thought to himself, as Jacob tossed out his Pokeball, revealing a rather energetic Tauros.

"Ready set?" Mike said eagerly as he let a Pokeball fly.

((I stand by what I said. I'm gonna battle a bunch of trainers so I'll take Norman on when you get back.))

"PhararaRARA!" Beacon squealed with unmatched glee, twirling about, some static electricity freeing itself.

The once suave trainer wore a look of utter confusion. "What in the-?" He managed to say, before shaking his head and ordering his Pokemon to use Take Down. The joyful, albeit careless, Ampharos had his back turned, taking the full force of the strike and more. He countered with a Thunderbolt, the attack merely a glancing blow, it hitting the wall with a deafening crack.

Mike shielded himself from the blast of paint chips and debris that went flying his way. "Woah! Beacon, not so hard! Aim!" He brushed off the remaining dust, telling his Pokemon to use Cotton Spore.

Beacon shook some spores off his body, throwing them at the charging bull's legs. The result was immediate, Tauros slowing down to a slow trot.

"Perfect." Mike said with a smirk. "Ok Beacon, now hit it with Thunder Wave, don't let it move!" The goofball Pokemon all to willing to comply launched a weak electrical current through the enemy Pokemon's body. Mike could see Jacob clenching his fists, annoyed that the new trainer was merely toying with him.

"Tauros, uh-Stomp!" He commanded, a visably nervous as his very weakened Pokemon strained to lift his foot, only to let it flop back down, unable to move.

Too easy. Mike smiled to himself, ordering Beacon to place the final blow. "Thunderbolt that Tauros!" The resulting attack dimmed the lights in the Gym, needless to say the enemy Pokemon fainted and Mike was granted passage to the next room.

Kilik looked up for a moment, only to have his younger sister attack him, grabbing him around the waist. "Big brother!" she called out, laughing, "You're home!"

"Welcome home, sweetie," his mom called out to him from the kitchen. It was as if she knew he was coming home. He could smell his favorite meal being cooked at that moment.

"You're making stir fry?" he asked, holding his little sister's head against his stomach. She fidgeted a little bit. There was a nod from his mother.

"Oooh! Is that your Eevee?!" his sister cried out, picking up Flareon. It looked at her, quite irritated. She pet the top of its head, "He's now evolved into a Flareon. He's so warm and soft!" Flareon's ears twitched unhappily, and it gave off a small groan. Kilik squated down and whispered to his Flareon.

"Listen. She's eight. Just play with her," he laughed. Flareon sighed and let Kilik's sister walk away with him. "Hey! Janie! Don't hurt him!" the boy said to his sister. His mother walked out of the kitchen, cleaning a plate that rested in her hands. "Where's dad?" he asked, sitting on the couch.

"He's out working, as always," she sighed, "I swear, he'll work himself to death. That book he got you is on your bed."

"Mom, he excavates ruins. Of course he'll be out working a lot. At least it pays." He put his feet up on the coffee table, only to hear an affirmative 'ahem' from his mom.

"You may be a trainer, but the rules of this house still apply to you, young man!" she laughed a bit, "Oh, but its great to have my baby home."