Ranger Ian looked on speechlessly as he returned his defeated Ditto to the league's Great Ball. He couldn't believe both of his given Ditto had been knocked out, in the first two rounds!

He looked across the field as Shona petted Popplio as she returned her to her Poke-ball. She saw him looking over and give him a cheeky "V" sign with her fingers whilst winking.

I'm getting too old for this; if this is how kids these days are battling.*

"Great match Student! I had enough trouble with your friend, but you’re both amazing battlers. After those battles, if you two aren't first and second place, I'll release my Absol! I haven't been lead by the nose like this in years!" Ian complimented Shona with a broad smile.

"Awww, thank you Ranger Ian! We did practice a lot. I'm hoping the school let's me keep Popplio." Shona looked down at the Poke-ball as it wriggled in excitement, she smiled happily, "We've spent a lot of time together and she is just perfect for me."

Ranger Ian smiled at her bright demeanour, "Well considering you've managed to unlock her hidden ability with a whole new method; the Polytech won't be able to keep the little lady on as a trainee Pokemon. She's too powerful. I'll have a talk with the head; but I can't see any issue. All trainee pokemon are available for adoption if they are willing. You might be asked for a few reports about Popplio's training when we send this over to Professor Banyan's lab.”

Shona squee'd excitedly to herself as she watched Ranger Ian walk back towards the tent and tapping the head examiner's shoulder, whispering his ear for a couple of seconds; then heading back to the other Proctors, wiping off a sleeve of sweat as he did so. Losing twice in a row had really exhausted him it seemed. She walked up to the other side of the tent where the examiner's sat at a long desk, writing and conferring each other about her score.

"Soooooo, how did I do?" Shona asked with her classic cheeky grin as she skipped over to stand in front of the desk.

"You passed, I don't think there is any question of that." The centre examiner responded, a well kept man middle aged man dressed in academia attire; Shona noticed a red V-shaped red pin on his lapel.

Vik's family have folks everywhere! Shona thought surprised. I hope they aren't too hard on him.

"The issue is how much of a penalty there should be on the fact that your Pokemon could use its hidden ability; let alone the power differential between Popplio and the other test Pokemon. With younger Ditto's being unable to imitate that, it unbalances the test conditions..."

Shona met his words with a pout and a "Humph".

"I thought the Vudasol Institute would have enjoyed the presentation of a whole new method of activating her ability. I should get extra points for that..." Shona looked back on hopefully.

The examiner coughed at her response, "Well yes, I'm sure Professor Banyan will be asking you a great deal of questions on how you managed to accomplish this. I think given this score, alongside your teammate Mr Keyne, you'll be seeing the professor quite soon, if your third is as good as you two." He passed along her score sheet.

Lower than Sonny but still. Shona parsed her lips internally but responded happily; "I'm sure Blake will rise to the challenge." She gave a smug knowing smile as she bowed slightly and left the tent, paper in hand. She dashed over to the audience stands before seeing her mother; wearing another one of her ridiculous dresses. Honestly Mum, you've pushed everyone 5 feet away with that thing! Her Mother brought her arms wide to grab Shona in a love-filled hug and spun her, just like in the movies she watched as a little girl.

"Was that good for a debut mom? Can I go?" Shona asked whispered in her ear. The hug was broken as her Mom looked her in her tear-filled eyes, "Go my little angel, sing your song." Her eyes melted as Shona crashed back into her Mom's chest with a shaking "thank you".

...

"Will Contestant number 9 report to the examiner's tent!"

Sat down on the grass around the arena, Blake kept his eyes on the stage whilst Sonny kept an eye on Shona.

"How is she?" Blake asked neutrally without looking away from the stage. Student number 8 was arriving on stage.

"She's ok, a bit shook up; but it looks like old Melody has said yes. How was she?" Sonny replied as Shona waved her mother off and started walking back over.

"Pretty good, a couple risky moves but Popplio's extra power and Ian's slowed reaction meant that she had a large margin of safety. His first defeat got to him." Blake responded crisply without missing a beat. He started flicking back through his notebook to an index page titled "Rangers", before flicking forward and finding "Laura."

Up on the stage, Examinee no.8 had chosen a Geodude and had called out Rock Polish - causing a wince from Blake.

"Bad move?" Sonny asked.

"They've forgotten Mud Sport, but its fine, he'll pass if he stays calm." Blake responded, once again not taking his eye off the battle.

"Curse." The young Ranger Laura called out. Her brown thick rounding hair didn't move an inch as she adjusted the Havana styled hat on her head, the colour almost matching her bleached Ranger Uniform.

"Defence curl Geodude!" the trainer called out; a smug grin on his face. He was happy to be able to set up for free.

"Rock tomb around him Ditto, leave a gap!" Laura called out once again completely calm. Her Ditto gave a measured "Dude" in response as it grabbed the earth around it before throwing out a rock formation but leaving a straight path between the two.

"You should have attacked, now you'll lose! Geodude Rollout!" The examinee laughed cockily. Geodude crossed its arms, turning itself into a smooth half meter charging projectile.

"She's laid the trap, baited it, here comes the catch, then the finish." Blake commented. Sonny still watched on quietly, a bit confused but full faith in Blake's words.

"Ditto use Mudsport, then grab it." Another cute high pitched "Ditto" sounded out as Ditto span in place and palmed the ground clad in a brown aura. The grass pitch once again became covered in loosened wet mud from underground.

"Geooo?" Geodude was confused as it began to rapidly slow down in the mud as it couldn't gain any traction in the mud; it arrived at Ditto at such a slow speed that it was simply caught in one hand.

"What?!" The student couldn't understand the situation as Ditto simply held Geodude's crossed arms and body.

"Mega Punch." Laura sounded bored; even as Geodude was smashed back into the rock tomb circle, crashing on the furthest back wall, there was no reaction in her body language or facial expression. So boring.

"Damn it! jump out and use Tackle Geodude!" The trainer had finally realised that they didn't want to be in the rock tomb circle.

"Ditto use Smack down. Put him back there". Both armed rock Pokemon tried to jump up; one clad in a small white glow and the other conjuring a large rock and smashing it down - rocketing Geodude back into the circle, struggling to get up. The Ditto landing almost gently nearby in the rock tomb circle.

"Come on Geodude, get up!" Examinee 8 sounded close to tears.

"Finish up with Magnitude." Another fist met the ground as the shockwaves reverbrated back and forward between the rock tomb stones. Geodude's form was vibrating as it was shook back and forth by the rebound-boosted magnitude. After a couple of seconds, both its eyes and its body rolled back knocked out.

"That's pretty vicious." Sonny commented with a raised eyebrow as the examinee dropped to his knees. The only thing left for him was to hope he was at least considered a pass. "She battled like she completely looked down on him".

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"She does look down on him. He put all his eggs in the Rollout basket without thinking about how she could deal with it. It's a very simplistic way of battling." Blake replied with a shrug. "He also got unlucky to face her."

"How do you mean? Aren't the ranger's using the same Ditto?" Shona had arrived next to the trio and sat down beside them both.

"Same strength Ditto; but her last name is Sanders. You can bet she knows all the classic tricks for Rock and ground types, being raised in Sosansto City. Blake's eyes were still glued to Laura as she walked back to the tent and stood beside her fellow examiners with a bored impassive look.

"Blake are you ill?" Shona appeared at their side and leaned forward, holding the back of her hand to his forehead. "Do you need to lie down? I've never seen you do this much homework; or is this a new love?" Sonny burst into laughter, much to the chargrin of the awaiting students around them who were still feeling the pressure.

Blake chuckled before continuing shamelessly "She is quite pretty; but this isn't homework, this is revision..." He turned back to reading his notebook. "She's my examiner for the battle test, number 29 remember."

Sonny started counting up on his fingers, "Crap you're right. Are you confident?" He looked on worried. "She's not a softie like Ian, she's crazy aggressive and I know you haven't practiced with just one Pokemon like we did." Both Sonny and Shona looked at Blake worriedly as he remained unfazed.

"It'll be fine...She's a power battler, she's going to rush every battle; and best of all?" Blake turned over a page titled "Moon Oasis Mausoleum accident".

"She really hates ghosts."

...

"Will Examinee 29 please report to the examiner tent" A call rang out across the now half empty field. The majority of students who had battled already had long since head back home in preparation for the final physical exam. Some like Sonny and Shona had stayed to support their teammates.

Blake slapped his notebook shut, got up and started walking over to the tent; but then paused. "What? Not wishing me good luck? So heartless you guys."

Shona and Sonny looked at him both confused. "You're not nervous man, you've planned it all out already. I don't know how you've done it. I don't think you need luck at this point..." Sonny pointed out, Shona nodding in agreement like a pecking Pidove.

"So, Sonny's cooking this evening yeah? Y'know being such a supportive teammate" Blake winked at the two as he jogged over to the tent

"No!"

"Definitely not." Shona shouted, "Good luck!"

A distance away, Dean sat beside a cuddling couple napping; looking awkward and staring daggers over at Blake. "Cocky Bastard." He snarled.

"You need to relax Dean. Focus on your own exam and make sure you pass. We ain't carrying you if you're dead weight. Go back over the plan for the Physical exam again, cool off."

Dean tore his fury-ridden eyes away from Blake, rubbing both his eyes with his fingers and combing them through his hair, "Sure Nas, you're right."

...

"On the west side, Candidate 29, please send out your Pokemon. Battle No. 29, examinee Blake Allen against acting Proctor: Ranger Laura." The sunlight perched directly overhead, allowing no cover and only giving out a tropical heat.

"Welcome back Ditto." Laura released her Ditto once again, her voice anything but welcoming.

"Go Duskull." Blake casually through the borrowed Pokemon out somehow with even less passion than his opponent. Duskull popped out and just hovered eerily still. Up high the sun seemed to stand still overcast. The field was smoothed out after the previous battle. Laura's eyes widened before she grit her teeth in anger. Cocky ghost-type little shit.

"Battle Begin!" Called the proctor.

"Ditto, Transform." Laura called out with a growl, only to frown further at...

"Curse." Blake merely called out, his hands staying in his pockets.

"That's real risky kid! Don't regret it!" Laura called out as her Ditto jumped up to complete its transformation as a red ghostly link extended between the two Pokemon. A large black needle assaulted Duskull as energy rushed up the chain and then faded.

"Crush him quickly Ditto, use Shadow Sneak."

"Hold Will-o-wisp below you." Blake delayed calling out his order until Ditto had dived down into the shadows. The real Duskull remained hovering still as a small blue fire grew within the wispy apendages it used for arms; before holding it directly between it and its shadow below it.

Ditto's speedy figure charged up through Duskull's Will-o-wisp attack and struck its target dead on, knocking it back a few feet. The blue ball of blame seemed to follow Ditto as it eventually caught up and struck it from behind, causing it to wince and drop to the ground in pain from burns and curse damage.

"Duskull use Pain Split." Despite Duskull's wounded figure, it still managed to hover quickly over to the still wincing Ditto before grabbing around its head with it's wisps and draining Ditto's energy. Duskull's wispy grey body looked a lot more solid with less wrinkled. Its red eye stared passively against the Ditto.

"No Ditto!" Ranger Laura had finally lost her cool, cold sweat on her head she grit her teeth. "Get out of there with confuse ray!"

"Dodge with Shadow Sneak." Ditto's eyes managed to become focused through the pain and raised a small ball of psychic energy off to its side, but Duskull had descended back into its shadow; eventually appearing out of Blake's Shadow at the edge of the arena.

"He's slippery but we can still wrap this up Ditto, Night Shade." Laura called out from the other side of the field.

"Dodge as best you can, wait for the wince to get close and use Payback." Blake whispered to Duskull as it nodded and began to strafe left and right as Ditto charged and released beams of black energy from its own eye. Outside the field, the Mr Mime holding this corner flinched slightly.

"Tch, cheap move kid." Laura could see him give the command, but she couldn't hear what he had said. Rude too, he won't get anywhere battling like that!

Ditto continued to fire off it's NightShade attack like small streaks of black lightning, catching Duskull with glancing hits and causing small burns on its body. On its fourth charge up with Duskull three quarters of the distance closer, it stopped mid-beam as a lick of flame and ghostly black energy burst out from its body as it rolled forward slightly and lowered its head.

"Payback now!" Blake called out.

"Keep up the Night Shade Ditto!"

An umbral looking aura clad Duskull's head as it straightened up its dash into a charge, clashing in time as Ditto's eyes bubbled over with Night Shade's energy. The force from the attack knocked Ditto back to the centre of the field flat on the ground. Duskull was unshaken but Blake knew it was reaching a limit. Glancing blows or not, those Night Shades still did damage.

"Fire it off now!" Ditto's shrill call rang out unaturally from the Duskull form as its single red eye unleashed another red beam.

"Dodge and Disable." Laura's eyes dimmed as she reviewed the battle in her head. Damn, he caught me.

Duskull merely hovered to the side away from the line of Night Shade's beam and shot a white thread of psychic energy linking it to Ditto.

Ditto's Night Shade beams were immediately silenced, the psychic block blocking the release of Night Shade's energy. It just floated and stared, confused at the feeling of having its power blocked.

"Finish this with Hex!" Blake raised his voice for the first time in the match and clenched his fist at his sides. This is it! My first step!

Duskull's wispy tendrils danced around fiendishly with ghost-type darkness which began to emanate out of Ditto's confused form. The energy built up around it and collapsed in on Ditto's ghostly form until it fell down to the ground and transformed back to Ditto's pink gloopy form, with its eyes crossed.

"Ditto is unable to battle! The winner is candidate Number 29.

Laura looked on in a defeated silence before returning Ditto to the Poke-ball in a flash of red light. "Tch, such a dumb way of battling! Damn ghosts!"

Over in the audience stands, a few stray comments could be heard after hearing the battle was over.

"What a cheap way of battling!"

"How boring!"

"That ex-comm's brat didn't deserve to win!"

Richard nearby was smirking from the peanut gallery's responses. Not bad brat, you've been keeping this quiet.

"Richard..." Bruno started, eyes wide open in shock, "What a frightening little trainer you've raised. Does he specialise in ghost types? I would have thought he would have chosen fighting types like us."

"Nope!" Richard grinned in his seat as he folded his arms. "He said he wants to do his journey his way. According to his teachers, he practices battling with all types with his two friends. I did teach him as much as I could however; but his flexibility and adaptability are all his."

"Who are his friends? That little lass reminds me of someone..." Bruno held his chin in thought.

"She should, you were a big fan of her mother! That's Melody Demi's daughter. Demi moved here after she retired with her husband Bernard. Bernard's a nice enough guy; he works in the League offices here in Soloquo. Her son Burgh is also quite the artsy kid - but he's also obsessed with bug types!" Richard and Bruno both winced. Yet another one lost to the bug fanatics!

"Quite the family power house family. What about the boy?" Bruno continued.

"Sonny Keyne. He's a shy lad, he's here with his cousin after that accident in building the Fortree Weather institute; hence the Castform and Rain Dance usage."

"An interesting way to battle definitely, you think it's Pokemon causing the chaotic weather here in Vudas? ....

The two continued chatting about Blake and his friends as the latter walked over from the tent, paper in hand. Nearby, Sonny and Shona had walked over to their guardians to leave. They didn't have long until the final exam.

Blake walked over to his Dad with a confident swagger, lifting his head up as his father and uncle got up out of their seats to start leaving too; "So, how was that? Good enough to get the League to notice?"

"That was a great battle Blake, I didn't know you had that in you!" Bruno patted him on the back.

"That was textbook ghost-type battling, the suits definitely gave you a high mark." Blake's facing almost lighting up in response until Richard adds "But you need to work on making it more exciting. Ghost types can be great at winning battles and creating compelling battles; but to make the League notice, you'll need to know if, how and when you do either or both!"

I thought it was just about winning the battle...* Blake pondered as the family trio continued back home. Blake, first through the front door was nearly bowled over by Bruce's incoming happy Tackle into his chest.

"Brrr" Bruce warbled, looking directly into Blake's eyes.

"Not yet bud." Blake calmed him with a few strokes to his crown. "One more exam, then I can catch you!" resulting in Bruce pulling a teary wounded face.

Just one more!* Blake turned and handed Bruce back to his perch in the living room and addressed his family seriously; "I'm going to get my gear, and then head over. Sonny and Shona already know we're meeting their early. When I'm back tomorrow, I'll be a real trainer!"