"Pay attention!" I chide Barry, because he's starting to doze off. I know it's rather late, but Barry is the most high energy person I've ever been around or known. Though I suppose it does make sense that he'd have to crash at some point after running around at a hundred miles per hour all day.

"This is important," I tell him, yet again.

"Can you give me the short version, then?" Barry asks. "You're kinda boring me."

Ugh. Fine. I've written all the Pokémon that Dawn and Lucas have on a whiteboard in one of the many spare rooms that the Hearthome City Pokémon Center has, now that the competition is really winding down, and many people have moved on. I switch my black marker for a red one and circle Porygon about fifty times.

I underline it several times to be sure he understands. "This," I explain, tapping the whiteboard, "Is the biggest threat. If we can take out Porygon in a timely fashion, then we'll win. If we let it sit around and annoy us forever, then we won't."

I'm positive that this is the approach that we need to be taking. Monferno we can deal with with the Rain Dance plus Prinplup combo that we used on Chimchar, and while it might not work as well, seeing as Monferno has much more variety than it's pre-evolution, we should be alright.

Monferno is likely going to be Lucas's last Pokémon, anyways. The bigger worry is getting stuck on Porygon, having it wear down our team through its constant type-changing and ability to sustain itself with Recover. As for the rest of them, Dawn's Pokémon and Rockruff aren't weak, but are far more straightforward to deal with.

"We can beat Porygon in two ways. Either we prevent it from changing types completely, through a move like Taunt or Imprison or Torment, for example, or we force it to change to one type, and then hit it with a particular move.

Shout out to Conway for demonstrating both of those in the last battle. "So, none of my Pokémon know Taunt." I really need to get on that, now that I think about it. "What about you?"

Barry yawns. "Nope. I've got a super move I've been saving, though. It takes out any Pokémon in one shot! Except for ghosts, that is."

I can roll with that. "Stay awake, dude," I say, as he starts to nod off. "We've barely even started!"

----------------------------------------

"All right, everyone! It's been a long few days, but we've finally made it! This will be the final match of the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition, in our warm and sunny city, where hearts are sure to meet! Both of our finalist teams have shown great skill and teamwork to make it to this point, but only one of them will walk away with both the prize money and our special mystery gift! Now, I will explain the rules of this battle."

I make sure I listen to this part, in case something has changed, last second. Considering the way this city runs their competitions, I wouldn't put it past them.

"This will be a full battle, where each side will have six Pokémon at their disposal. Each trainer will use three of their Pokémon. There will be no switching by the trainer during the battle, and we ask that you give time for a trainer to recall their Pokémon when one has fainted. Are the rules of this battle clear?"

We all nod. The jumbotron changes from showing our faces to a coin with a heart on one side and a home on the other. Barry and I are the home side, and he immediately chooses to send out his Pokémon first when we win the coin toss.

My impulsive partner is raring to go. "Let's do this, Staravia!"

Out comes the second stage of the most common evolutionary line of bird Pokémon for trainers in Sinnoh, for good reason. Not only can you find Starly everywhere, I don't have any criticisms regarding Staraptor. It's an absolute beast of a Pokémon.

I'm expecting Rockruff and Pachirisu as the response, and that's what Lucas and Dawn select for their first two Pokémon. I'm sure Lucas had told Dawn about all the Pokémon on my team, and my habit of making sure they all get an equal chance to shine, but I choose Bellossom regardless.

This battle is going to be the hardest of them all. Lucas knows me, and he's seen all of my tricks, multiple times. There's no way he'll make a mistake like having Porygon turn into a Grass-type when faced with a Water Pulse, because he knows what's coming.

I'm almost positive that he knows that Absol can use Swords Dance and Bellossom can use Quiver Dance. Most of the surprise factor that I often rely on in other battles isn't going to work against him.

The host thrusts his arm forward. "Let the final battle begin!"

"Pachirisu, Discharge!" Dawn immediately shouts.

"Rockruff, hide underground!" Lucas adds. His puppy starts digging a small hole as Pachirisu's cheeks spark before it sends electricity in every direction.

"Dodge it with Double Team!" Barry calls. Staravia creates a bunch of clones that disappear into nothing as they are struck down, while the real one manages to avoid Pachirisu's attack.

I could wait on Rockruff to attack us with Dig, and have Bellossom prepare a Magical Leaf for that moment, but again, I'm battling Lucas. He knows my battle tendencies, and he's seen me deal with Pokémon that use Dig.

He's not going to make the mistake of trying to attack us. That's why our plan is for Barry to bring the surprise factor today, since Lucas and Dawn haven't seen the dude for a while.

"Quiver Dance!" Bellossom starts to glow before she begins a series of elaborate twirls, and the air around her starts to thrum, with how much energy she's building. It's appropriate, because this is a move that increases your attack, defense, and speed all at once.

And all it cost us was taking one resisted attack from Pachirisu. I don't want to tempt fate and get paralyzed though, so I don't get greedy and go on the offensive.

"Use Moonblast!"

Dawn looks ready to try and counter with an attack, but Lucas advises her not to, unfortunately. She wises up and calls for Pachirisu to dodge. It uses Quick Attack to avoid our Moonblast at the last second.

"Rockruff, use Rock Tomb on Staravia!" Lucas says, looking up at the bird Pokémon circling the battlefield, yet to involve itself.

"Hello?" I call over. "Bellossom is a giant threat to your team, remember?"

"I don't trust what you're planning," Lucas says back with a smile. "Barry's never been this patient doing anything in all his life."

He's not wrong. I can literally feel Barry's trying to hold in his energy as he waits for the moment that we've both agreed upon. I can't have Lucas figuring out our plans beforehand.

"Magical Leaf!" I order Bellossom, who summons an arsenal of leaves and splits them in two; half towards Rockruff and half at Pachirisu.

"Discharge!"

"Fire Fang!"

Pachirisu tries to shock the leaves into stopping in their tracks, mostly unsuccessfully, while Rockruff lights her fangs on fire and charges forward. I raise an eyebrow. Is Lucas's plan to have them chomp through our Magical Leaf?

Not quite. Lucas knows Magical Leaf homes in on you, so he calls for Dig right as the attack is about to meet Rockruff, he has her dive underground briefly with Dig, all while still using Fire Fang. By the time Rockruff emerges, and the leaves start tracking her again, she's several meters in front of them.

I wave my arm. "Send them towards Pachirisu, and use Moonlight, Bellossom!" Internally, I'm quite glad I didn't call for Sunny Day as well as Quiver Dance, or this Fire Fang would really hurt. As it is, Bellossom looks worse for wear, even though much of the damage she was able to heal off.

Battling one versus two is not easy, but I've got to create an opening for Staravia somehow. I'll have to take some greater risks.

"Petal Dance, Bellossom!"

This time, Bellossom's dance brings forth a swirling storm of petals, supercharged with Grass-type energy. We're on a time limit, so we need to make the most out of this.

"Rockruff, Ice Fang," Lucas tells his Pokémon. "Bellossom will tire herself out and get confused if you can dodge for long enough." He then nods at Dawn.

"Pachirisu, Rockruff is going to draw their attention, so make sure you're ready to unleash when the time comes, okay?" Dawn instructs her Pokémon. Pachirisu immediately curls into a ball, and starts glowing.

I've seen this before. This is Bide, right? I could cheer out loud, as I give the go ahead to Barry.

"Finally!" he shouts. "I was losing my mind not doing anything. Staravia, U-turn on Pachirisu!" HIs Pokémon dives for the electric squirrel, who's too focused on storing up energy to notice.

"U-turn?" Lucas repeats, though he doesn't get time to think about it. Bellossom has Petal Dance blanket the area above Rockruff like thunderclouds, and spears of petals strike at Rockruff like lightning bolts.

I have to say, Bellossom's creativity is astounding. I don't know where she gets it from, because it's definitely not from me.

All Rockruff can really do is cancel Ice Fang and look to dodge. Staravia bounces off Dawn's unmoving Pokémon and Barry recalls it.

See, there's a bit of a loophole in battles where you aren't allowed to switch. There's nothing in the rules saying you can't use a move that swaps a Pokémon, like U-turn, Volt Switch, or Baton Pass. Some trainers aren't very happy about it, but I know Aaron of the Elite Four is a big proponent of it staying, for obvious reasons. Volkner was too, before the man had gone radio silent for what feels like months now.

The main argument for it is that the incoming Pokémon has to eat an attack, but against Bide, Barry can almost swap for free. Almost. Someone is going to have to take Pachirisu's attack eventually, so who better than the epitome of pint-seized power, Mudbray itself.

The fact the little donkey that could matches up so well against this combo is the cherry on top. Barry doesn't waste a second attacking, seeing he's been waiting for I'm sure what feels like an eternity to him.

"Bulldoze!"

Mudbray rears up and stomps onto the ground, causing an explosion to occur under Rockruff's feet as she's trying to dodge. It's perfect timing, because Bellossom's concentration for Petal Dance is going to slip at some point. Rockruff stumbles enough for Petal Dance to finally connect, and that means she's the first Pokémon to faint in his battle.

At the same time, Pachirisu unleashes Bide against Mudbray, but the toughness and stamina that so impressed me in the last battle means that the Ground-type remains upright.

"Rockruff, thank you. Take a long rest." Lucas recalls his Pokémon and pauses for a moment to compliment us. "I have to admit, that was a clever strategy, baiting out Pokémon that would match up well against Staravia and then swapping it out. But we aren't even close to being done. Go, Porygon!"

The digital menace makes its appearance, and Lucas starts to put its array of extremely annoying moves to work. Pachirisu preemptively jumps on top of Porygon.

"Trick Room!" A glass box flashes into existence around the battlefield, and now we're in Porygon's domain. Bellossom's speed boost from Quiver Dance is working against us.

Porygon seems to be ferrying around Pachirisu to compensate for the Electric-type's loss of speed. It's moving low to the ground, which prompts Barry to attack.

"Well, we aren't affected by Trick Room much, are we, Mudbray? Use Bulldoze!"

"Conversion to Flying-type, Porygon!" The digital Pokémon immediately rockets up into the air, rendering Barry's attack useless. I was kinda expecting that one, to be honest.

Bellossom's finally been able to wrangle all the petals again, as slow as her movements are in Trick Room, but now it's time to attack again with Petal Dance. The strain of using the move is really starting to show, but Porygon and Pachirisu are enveloped in a swirling funnel of petals, battering them from every direction.

Pachirisu might be able to hide from Mudbray's Ground-type attacks on Porygon's back, but it can't hide from this. I think Dawn realizes waiting around isn't going to benefit her. Her Pokémon jumps out of the petal funnel using Quick Attack, and then covers itself in electricity for Spark, in a very, very, very poor man's version of Ash and Pikachu's Lightning Strike.

It gets the job done though, combined with a follow-up Tri Attack from Porygon. Bellossom's petals freeze and drop to the ground in unison, and she dizzily is soon to follow. Somehow, Pachirisu avoids Mudbray's retaliatory Strength attack by using Quick Attack again, right after she struck my Pokémon, showing how much thought Lucas and her have put into fighting inside Trick Room.

I preempt the referee's call by recalling her, and thank her for leading off the battle so well. Now, it's really time to ratchet up the pressure on our opponents.

So far, I've done a pretty good job ignoring all of the hosts running commentary, but when I send out my next Pokémon, a particular sentence from his mouth has me glaring at the man.

"It looks like Luna's second Pokémon is an Absol, folks! But will it bring disaster to her opponents?"

"Absol doesn't bring disaster, you misinformed moron," I say pointedly to the man. I'm about to go off on him, but Barry pulls me back to the task at hand.

"Battle first, defending your Pokémon later?"

Fine. Why is it always the loudest, most ignorant people that have a microphone in front of their face?

If I were a more impulsive person, I would have taken out my frustrations on Porygon and Pachirisu right there. Thankfully, I'm not, and I bide my time.

Barry's still trying to get a knockout blow on Pachirisu, but Porygon keeps interfering. It had to stop and use Recover once, but I'm fine with what Barry is doing. We aren't behind in the battle, and I'd rather Lucas think we don't have any way to deal with Porygon.

As soon as I see the walls of Trick Room fade, I have Absol spring into action. "Quick Attack into Knock Off, on Pachirisu, go!"

"Use Strength on Porygon!" Barry adds, trying to keep Porygon's attention.

I glance at him in irritation, because we don't want it to turn into a Ghost-type, but Barry shrugs at me apologetically. "Mudbray doesn't have much variety in his moves."

Ah, whatever. We'll deal with that after. With Porygon sufficiently occupied, my Dark-type bursts forward.

"Use Thunder Fang!" Dawn orders. Pachirisu electrifies its teeth in preparation for the attack, but Absol slams his paw on top of the squirrel's head and keeps it there, pinning it to the ground.

The smaller Pokémon squirms in vain to get free. "Discharge!" Dawn shouts, but we're a bit faster.

"Dark Pulse!"

Absol dispatches Pachirisu, and Dawn brings out Piplup, interestingly, for her second Pokémon. I would have thought she'd save her starter for last, like the rest of us seem to be doing.

"Conversion to Fairy-type," Lucas calls. "Then use Agility!" As soon as the pink shine of conversion has faded off Porygon, it starts moving erratically in the air, building up speed.

It's interesting that Lucas is opting to change his method of speed control. Regardless, being Fairy-type means the best attacks we have against Porygon are Psycho Cut and Razor Wind. It doesn't make much sense for me and Absol to engage Porygon while Mudbray takes Piplup, but again, this is how Barry and I drew it up.

Now it's time to see it through. "Absol, Pursuit." Pursuit's a weird attack, that's essentially telling your Pokémon to follow your enemy to the ends of the earth, if that's what it takes to land a strike.

Or back to its Pokéball, as its most commonly used. Absol locks on to Porygon as when I give the command. "Don't let up for one second, Absol. Other than Megahorn, feel free to let it have a taste of everything you've got!"

I see Lucas's eyes narrow, because I should have ruled out all of Absol's Dark-type attacks as well, but he still has not figured out the one typing we don't want Porygon to turn into is ghost.

Absol leads with Psycho Cut, which is met with Porygon's Psybeam. Our follow up Dark Pulse is matched by Tri Attack. Porygon is more than a match for Absol at range, but he slowly closes the distance that Porygon is trying to maintain with bursts of Quick Attack. Thankfully, Discharge isn't an issue with Piplup on the field.

We have to use Detect a couple of times to dodge Tri Attack, but eventually we make it to melee range of Porygon. Recognizing this, Lucas commands it to use Sharpen, which makes Porygon's edges slightly more cutting, and more of a threat when it clashes with Absol.

On the other side of the arena, Dawn is happy to pepper Mudbray with Bubblebeam, and while Barry's donkey is barely able to defend itself with Sandstorm, or knock down the bubbles with Mud Slap, it's not having a good time.

It isn't long before Piplup manages to trap Mudbray with Whirlpool and finish it off with one final Bubblebeam. Absol breaks off from fighting Porygon as Barry recalls Mudbray and sends out Staravia once again.

Now everyone is down a Pokémon, and it's really time to kick this battle into high gear. I give Barry the nod to put our plan into action. Like last time, I'm going to have to draw all the attention, from both Porygon and Piplup, to give Barry the opening he needs.

I can tell both Lucas and Dawn are wondering what's going on, as Staravia flies as far up as the arena barrier will let it, but I quickly give them something else to worry about. "Absol, Swords Dance!"

You could almost hear the sound of air being cut through as Absol slashes the air with his horn frenetically, but with the precision of a master swordsman. Energy swirls around Absol before flowing into him, and our opponents for today look on nervously, for good reason. One misstep when a Pokémon has powered up this much carries severe consequences.

Time to get this party started. "Psycho Cut on Porygon!"

"Dark-type!" Lucas shouts in response.

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"Piplup, Bubblebeam!"

It's too late for Absol to cancel, and while he fires off a massive psychic slash, I don't bother watching what happens to it. "Razor Wind!"

The two tornados Absol whips up pop all of Piplup's bubbles into mist. My Pokémon slashes his horn through them to throw blades of wind at both Porygon and Piplup.

"Rock-type, and protect Piplup!" Lucas orders. Porygon flashes stone gray, and puts its now rock-hard body in between Dawn's Pokémon and our Razor Wind, letting the air slices batter it.

With Piplup out of the way, the coast might be clear. Barry's already jumping up and down. "Staravia, do it!" His Pokémon screeches, its whole body lighting up orange with Fighting-type energy, and begins a steep dive towards Porygon.

"Use Whirlpool!" Dawn commands, not quite a bystander yet. Piplup jumps up on top of Porygon and summons a massive swirl of water that it hurls at Staravia.

"Megahorn on the Whirlpool!" I shout in response. Absol leaps into the air and cuts the Whirlpool in twain with one powerful slash, clearing the way for Staravia.

"Did you manage to teach your Staravia Close Combat somehow?" Lucas asks rhetorically. I can see him about to order Porygon to use Conversion again, which means our job isn't done.

"Dark Pulse, quick!" As Absol lands on the ground, he fires off the spiraling dark beam, and I think we've done it. Piplup jumps behind Porygon again, as Lucas eyes both attacks coming towards his Pokémon, making his choice.

"Fairy-type," he says slowly, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Dark Pulse mostly bounces off Porygon's body as it changes type, but Staravia's attack connects with a mighty explosion of energy. The bird Pokémon drops to the ground, but not before Porygon does as well.

I can almost see the wheels turning in Lucas's mind as he returns Porygon to its ball. "Final Gambit," he says, in grudging admiration. "You were planning to take out Porygon with Final Gambit this whole time. That's why you preserved Staravia's health, and were so persistent in attacking him with Dark-type moves. I'll admit that was extremely well played, and I didn't see it coming. But we're far from being finished. Go, Monferno!"

Lucas's starter comes out to join Piplup, and Barry, though he's also down to one Pokémon, my tag partner is wearing a wide smile. "I should fine you for saying you have a chance against us! Prinplup will take care of both of you!"

Yeah, I'm not as confident as Barry. Things have gone as we've wanted so far, but it's still three to three. I'd say the main advantage we have is that I have two and Dawn has two, and I feel fairly confident in saying my Pokémon are stronger overall than hers.

I idly wonder if Lucas's Monferno and Barry's Prinplup have a history as Dawn's Piplup puffs out its chest to try and look bigger in the face of three much larger Pokémon. Prinplup stares it down, which is good. There's always that question of if a Pokémon will be willing to fight its pre-evolved form, but the Piplup line is a proud and haughty one, and I have no doubt Prinplup couldn't bear the shame of losing to a Piplup.

In theory, it won't even have to chance it, since I plan to leave Monferno for Prinplup, while we deal with Piplup. Unfortunately, I've underestimated the rivalry between the two Water-types.

Prinplup only has eyes for its pre-evolution, and Barry knows it. I've only seen the larger penguin use mostly Water-type moves, but when Barry calls for Drill Peck, its beak extends and it spirals forward.

Piplup only can use regular Peck, but Dawn has her own way to power it up. She has Piplup use Whirlpool and then Piplup climbs to the stop of it before sliding down, using the speed and momentum gained to match Prinplup's attack.

"Mach Punch!" I hear.

"Detect." Absol steps out of the way at the last instant, but Monferno does an acrobatic flip in the air to face us again as it flies past.

"Fire Spin!"

"Use Razor Wind!" My Pokémon breaks out of Monferno's fire funnel with two of his own, and throws wind blades at the fire monkey.

"Mach Punch on Prinplup this time," Lucas advises his Pokémon. Monferno bolts out of the way to punch Prinplup, who doesn't see him coming, beak to beak with Piplup as it is. Absol sends some wind blades that way as well, but Dawn has her Pokémon throw the still active Whirlpool at the attack, which explodes it with a shower of raindrops.

Speaking of, we're probably going to need Rain Dance to deal with Monferno, actually. Prinplup can't catch up to Monferno, and even Aqua Jet is no match for Monferno's speed when the fire monkey is using Mach Punch, though Barry and Prinplup, annoyed that Monferno interfered with their match, try to get one to connect.

Prinplup chasing Monferno around in futility is a decent distraction, though. I can have Absol focus his efforts on Piplup, instead. "Lock on with Pursuit, Absol. Then use Psycho Cut!"

Piplup dodges the first one with a twirl, but Absol slowly starts closing the distance, and each subsequent psychic slash comes at Piplup faster than the last.

It comes to the point where Piplup's contest honed footwork isn't quite quick enough. "Whirlpool!" Dawn shouts. The hastily constructed water shield is smashed into droplets as usual, and Absol slams into Piplup, throwing the smaller Pokémon back as Pursuit finally lands. What I failed to notice until now is that some of the droplets are hovering around Piplup in planet-like rings.

The Water-type gets up way faster than it should have, and Dawn points at her Pokémon in excitement. "I think that's a new move!"

"Aqua Ring," says Lucas. "Piplup can heal through the damage from this battle!"

I can't really comment, considering I've had my fair share of luck during battles. Lucas doesn't give me a chance, anyways, ordering a Flame Wheel against Absol. He dodges easily enough with Detect, but I give Barry the stink eye because Prinplup's Aqua Jet smacks into my Pokémon as his Detect gets less effective.

"Sorry!"

Just cover me, ok?" I tell Barry, waving off his apologies. He nods, and I give Absol the command. "Swords Dance again!"

"Piplup, Bubble Beam!" Another spray of bubbles is fired towards us, though Lucas has a better way of stopping Absol in his tracks.

"Taunt on Absol!"

Thankfully, Barry realizes that making sure Prinplup is blocking Absol's line of sight to Monferno ,so he can resist the urge to look at the Fire-type, is more important than blocking Bubblebeam. Prinplup's already in full attack mode, so we're fine letting it get taunted.

I'm sure the pops of the bubbles as they explode on him sting, but Absol doesn't let it interrupt his motions, and his power soars as the second Swords Dance is completed.

Aqua Ring might help you from being worn down, but it doesn't exactly save you from being knocked out in one shot. "Make this one count, Absol. Quick Attack into Megahorn on Piplup, now!"

"Water Gun!"

"Bubblebeam!"

"Intercept with Mach Punch!"

This time, Barry and Prinplup preempt Lucas, shooting the Water Gun in front of Monferno. When the fire monkey bolts towards Absol and Piplup, it has to waste a few precious seconds doing a somersault over the hose of water in its way.

Which is all Absol needs to dart around the Bubblebeam with Quick Attack and throw Piplup into the sky with one mighty Megahorn. Absol does get rocked by Monferno's Mach Punch not soon after, but he's still able to stagger back to me while Dawn's starter doesn't move an inch from where it landed.

"You were amazing, Piplup. Return, and take a good rest." Dawn looks at Lucas before sending out her next Pokémon. Buneary would be annoying because it has Jump Kick, and it's nimble enough not to crash if we dodge the move with Detect, but instead Dawn sends out Buizel for her last.

The water weasel's eyes widen upon seeing me, and it thumps its chest. Apparently, this actually is the one that I battled that one time. "Let's see what you've learned under Dawn, Buizel," I say, humoring the opposing Pokémon, who's super eager to fight.

Seems like I could have gotten a lot more mileage out of Bellossom this battle, seeing as Dawn's last two Pokémon have been Water-types, but there's no point in second guessing myself. When the battle resumes, Absol and I quickly find ourselves on the back foot.

"Buizel, Agility!"

"Monferno, Fire Spin!" The fire tornado is a big distraction that Prinplup easily washes away, while Buizel starts sprinting laps around the arena, picking up speed with each one.

It occurs to me, watching this, that Buizel's special ability might be Swift Swim, but I might have to roll the dice with Rain Dance and hope it's Water Veil instead. For now, our lightning quick opponents are proving difficult to handle.

"Mach Punch!"

"Aqua Jet!"

Barry and Prinplup are trying to be a deterrent for attacking Absol, but its Water-type moves are soaked up by Buizel fairly easily, and while Prinplup has a decent amount of strong physical moves like Liquidation, Steel Wing, and Drill Peck, it's still a large penguin on land.

So, not that difficult to avoid when it's not using Aqua Jet, and we've seen how that's unable to match our opponents speed.

The barrage of repeated Mach Punches and Aqua Jets are proving difficult to avoid, even for a Pokémon that has Detect. "Focus on dodging Mach Punch," I call out. "Look to retaliate on Buizel!"

"That isn't going to work with our speed!" Dawn boasts, though she quickly changes her tune when Buizel has to suck in its chest after bouncing off Absol, so the incoming Psycho Cut whistles past the water weasel by a hair. "On second thought, keep your distance!"

Absol sidesteps with Detect to let Monferno fly past him once again, but this time, Buizel isn't coming in with Aqua Jet.

"Use Sonic Boom!" Dawn orders instead. Her Pokémon spins its tail like the propeller that it is to fire off crescent-shaped shock waves at Absol. Way too many to avoid, as well, especially considering Monferno, now behind Absol, is gearing up for another Mach Punch.

There's only one man that can get us out of this pickle. I turn to him. "Use Surf."

Barry hesitates. "What about Absol? You've taken a lot of damage."

"Do it," I urge him. "You won't knock us out, I promise."

Prinplup brings forth a tidal wave at its trainer's command, and Lucas cancels his attack in response. "Get back to our side, Monferno! You'll be swallowed up even if you knock out Absol!"

Monferno reluctantly changes directions so its Mach Punch is a retreat instead of an attack, ending up on its side of the battlefield. Now Absol's the first Pokémon threatened by Surf.

"Turn around and use Megahorn!" Like Whirlpool before, Absol splits the Surf in two, one half swallows the Sonic Booms, that Prinplup is still riding down towards our opponents, and one that dissipates and falls to the ground with a loud splash.

I watch as Dawn directs Buizel in front of the Surf to protect Monferno, and as her face grows resolute. "You've got this Buizel! Iron Tail!"

Iron Tail? Now I know this Pokémon has been hanging around Ash and Pikachu. I'm rethinking using Rain Dance, since they have a powerful Steel-type move to throw at us. Buizel slices through the second half of the Surf like Absol did, and Prinplup falls heavily to the ground, but it's me that needs to be more worried.

With no Prinplup to interfere, Monferno has a clean shot at Absol. And while we Detect dodge Mach Punch yet again, Buizel is still coming for Absol with Iron Tail, using that spinning motion I've seen from Dawn before to give her Pokémon's attacks more power. My Dark-type staggers from the hit, and this time, Monferno makes no mistake with his follow up Sky Uppercut.

Absol's not quite small enough to get sent flying, but he collapses in a heap all the same. I pull out the Great Ball I used to capture him. "Take a long rest, Absol. You were excellent today."

He's sucked back into the ball as Prinplup makes its way back to our side of the arena, splashing the whole way because the whole field is drenched in water because of Surf.

That gets my gears grinding. Maybe there is a way to affect the entire arena without summoning rain and potentially powering up our opponent.

"You're up, Glaceon!"

I'm not sure how having only one Pokémon left for all of us is going to change the battle, actually. Will it make people more careful and reserved, knowing that every move is magnified when there's nothing left to fall back on?

Obviously, Barry goes full speed regardless of the circumstance, but Lucas and I seem to be impacted by it. Neither of us are willing to make the first move. Instead, we engage in a staredown, waiting for someone to stop bluffing.

I throw out a question to Lucas before Barry can make a move. "You gonna Taunt Glaceon so she can't use Rain Dance?"

Lucas clams up, and that's all the confirmation I need. "Or, is that what you want? You had Dawn bring Buizel because its special ability is Swift Swim, isn't it?"

My friend sighs. "You're too clever sometimes. Yes, that is why Buizel is paired with Monferno. But if you're not going to call for Rain Dance, what advantage do you have? Mach Punch!"

"Buizel, Water Gun!" Dawn adds.

"Show them a real Water Gun!" Barry shouts to his Pokémon while shooting a finger gun, who meets Buizel's attack with an identical one.

I don't try to match Lucas's. "Icy Wind at the ground, Glaceon!"

"Hold up!" Lucas calls out urgently, and Monferno skids to a halt, as he realizes that Glaceon's turning the battlefield into a slippery ice hazard. I know that this is a tag battle, but come on. Prinplup is a penguin. It'll be fine sliding around on ice.

It's a little unfortunate that they wisened up and stopped before Monferno slipped and spun out of control towards us, but Barry's face lights up when he sees what I'm doing.

"This is perfect!" he shouts, way too loudly considering I'm standing right here. "Prinplup, Liquidation!"

LIke I thought it would, Prinplup flops on its belly and uses its now water-covered wings to propel itself forward, at a pretty decent speed.

"Buizel, counter with Iron Tail!"

"Monferno, melt all this ice with Flame Wheel! Make it extra hot so it all evaporates!" Buizel stumbles its way into an Iron tail, and while Prinplup throws the other Water-type back, it's enough for Monferno to start wheeling around the arena to melt our impromptu ice rink.

I watch as Monferno turns the ice into water and water into steam, slightly annoyed with myself. That was fairly obvious counterplay to what I was doing. Still, I feel like I'm on the right track. Prinplup does well around ice, and Buizel doesn't. That's something I can use.

How? I don't know yet.

Let's play this out for a bit, and maybe I'll have an idea. "Don't make it too easy for them, Glaceon. Keep using Water Pulse!"

"We can help too!" Barry chimes in. "Prinplup, Water Gun!"

"Buizel, help with Sonic Boom!" Dawn orders her Pokémon, seeing as we're double targeting Monferno as they had done to Absol. The three Water Pulses that Glaceon launches in quick succession are explored by three matching Sonic Booms.

Prinplup's Water Gun is dodged, since Monferno is more agile than Chimchar. Of course, it also helps that Lucas is not stubbornly ordering Monferno to throw himself into the attack head-on, like some other people we know.

At least we can slow down his momentum, though. Lucas has to cancel another Mach Punch and use Flame Wheel again, as I call for an Icy Wind to freeze all the leftover water from our recent attacks.

Come on, brain. We're trying to come up with a strategy that involves freezing water, in order to interfere with Buizel's attack.

"Prinplup, Water Gun!" Barry shouts, pointing at Monferno.

"You use Water Gun too, Buizel!" Dawn commands. The two attacks collide perpendicularly, one preventing the other from connecting. I'm not really getting any inspiration from it, though.

"Well, see if you can stop our Aqua Jet!" Bary shouts, somewhat peeved that his attacks aren't getting through.

Dawn is definitely up for the task. "Gladly! Aqua Jet!" Buizel surges forward, cloaked in water, and knocks Prinplup off course.

My tag partner is hopping mad, but I think I've just struck gold. "Let's mix it up, Glaceon. Get in there with a Quick Attack on Buizel!"

Lucas's alarm bells immediately start ringing, and he interrupts Dawn right as she's about to command Buizel. "She's planning something," he tells Dawn. "Glaceon normally stays at range."

Dawn has a frown on her face, as she orders Buizel to slam into Glaceon with its own Quick Attack while she considers what Lucas says. "That must mean Glaceon is weaker up close, right?"

"Well, yes-"

"HEY!" I lean away from Barry as he yells at me. "You mind telling me what you're up to?"

I pull the loudmouth in by his collar so I can whisper in his ear. "Get Buizel to use Aqua Jet again. Glaceon will freeze Buizel inside its own attack."

"Can you really do that without Ice Beam?!" he asks, and I grimace.

"Probably not, but all we need is a partial freeze, so Buizel can't block Prinplup's attacks for Monferno."

I let Barry go, but I haven't quite explained to him what needs to be done. "Use Aqua Jet on Monferno!"

One day, someone will teach this boy patience. For now, the Fire-type dodges easily, having finished melting the field again. "We need to lead them into it. You can't expect Dawn to counter every attack with Buizel's when Monferno can dodge."

"Right! Uh, how do we do that?"

"Glaceon, get back here!" My Pokémon immediately darts back to my side without a question. Better to be safer, considering this is going to expose her. "It's time to use Rain Dance!"

Lucas stays silent, and Monferno doesn't taunt us while Glaceon summons dark clouds to cover the battlefield, but their partners are much the opposite. Buizel immediately perks up when the first rain drop falls, and as soon as the deluge begins, Dawn is on the offensive.

"Iron Tail!"

Buizel looks like an illusion as it flies forwards at lightning speeds, its glowing tail the only thing I can make out, but I keep my eyes on the prize. "This is going to hurt, Glaceon, but Ice Barrage on Monferno!"

Glaceon's slammed into by the Iron Tail, but Glaceon grits her teeth and toughs it out, sending pellets of frozen raindrops screaming towards Monferno.

The downpour means any fiery protection Monferno could muster, like using Flame Wheel, would be extremely weak, and even his speed is no match for this attack.

"Now's your chance!" I urge Barry, who thrusts a finger at Monferno.

His tone certainly lends credence to Monferno being our main target. "Aqua Jet, now!"

"You too, Glaceon! Quick Attack!" Both our Pokémon burst forward at Monferno.

Dawn is a really good teammate. And it's gonna cost her. "Buizel, help Monferno out! Get over there with an Aqua Jet!"

"Pivot and use Ice Fang on Buizel! Freeze it!"

The only thing Glaceon can latch onto is Buizel's tail, but it's enough. When she clamps down with her frosty fangs, the ice spreads to cover the lower half of Buizel's body, like it's wearing a pair of ice pants.

All that speed is for naught without legs to run with. Dawn looks shocked, but we're not done yet.

"Weather Ball!"

"Drill Peck!"

"Monferno, push through! Mach Punch on Glaceon!"

This time Monferno lands a powerful punch, but Glaceon smirks at her opposite and tilts her head to the side. Monferno barely has time to look in that direction before Prinplup plows into it.

Buizel's tail being mostly frozen in ice as well means it can't even break out of it with Iron Tail, leaving it a sitting Ducklett. Hence, the double attack on Monferno. But let's not leave Buizel out.

"Weather Ball again! This time on Buizel!"

"Aqua Jet!"

Monferno is still regaining its bearings from that last super-effective hit, and it gets clipped and spun around again by Prinplup's Aqua Jet, while our rainy Weather Ball explodes onto Buizel.

"Let's finish this like before!" Barry shouts, with a mighty fist pump. "Use Surf!"

"Glaceon, Helping Hand!"

LIke against Paul and Ash, the boosts from rain and Helping Hand swell Prinplup's Surf so that it transforms into a ridiculous tsunami. It makes Prinplup look like a god of the waves, with this wave dwarfing even a Steelix in height.

Monferno and Buizel brace for impact right before the wave crashes into them, with Glaceon creating her little ice bubble so she's not totally swallowed up by the Surf.

The skies clear of Rain Dance as the Surf recedes and for one moment, it looks like Monferno and Buizel have emerged from the depths like two sailors lost at sea, staggering to shore after they were thrown from their vessel.

They're leaning on each other heavily, panting with every breath. I find myself amazed at their willpower and determination to win.

Today though, it's not meant to be. One thump, and then a second, as Monferno then Buizel hits the ground, and it's all over.

The referee immediately raises his hand. "Buizel and Monferno are both unable to continue!" The host's voice rings out across the stadium the second the call is made.

"And there you have it, folks! The winners of the forty-fifth Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition are Barry, Luna, and their Pokémon!"

Including our Pokémon as winners is the most sensible thing this man has said in the four days I've known him. The tournament organizers are hurriedly getting the stage ready for the presentation of the trophy, so I head over to Lucas and Dawn with Glaceon, after congratulating her and telling her how proud I am of her and everyone else on the team.

"I know you guys are taking it hard right now, but you should be really proud of your performance," I tell my opponents. "That was as difficult a battle as any gym leader has given me.

Lucas pats Monferno on the shoulder. "Hear that?" He then turns to me with a wry look on his face. "It didn't end the way we wanted, but I'm glad we participated. I really do feel much closer to all of my Pokémon."

"I'm glad too,' Dawn adds after a moment. "I feel a lot more comfortable handling two Pokémon in a double performance now that I know how a proper team should be cooperating. Plus, I've seen so many good ideas for combos! I can't wait to get back to one, and show everyone what my team can do!"

Well, I am happy my friends' spirits are still high. As soon as the stage is ready, I release all my Pokémon onto it so we can all be there for the ceremony.

It's a simple and elegant one, surprisingly enough. Each of mine and Barry's Pokémon gets a ribbon stuck to their chest. We're directed to both put our hands on the trophy, a large cup, inlaid with patterns of people shaking hands, and the host starts giving out his closing remarks.

"I thank everyone for watching our tournament over the past few days. There have been some great performances and some rocky ones, but I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the two individuals and their Pokémon are the ones who pushed through all adversity, and best exemplify the spirit of this city. And so, it is my honor to present the Teamwork Trophy to our two champions.

That's our cue for Barry and I to lift the trophy up together. Funnily enough, not everything this man said was wrong. I don't know if I exemplify the spirit of Hearthome, but as far as overcoming adversity, I can agree with that. I feel like I've learned a ton, and improved since my loss.

It's like that old saying goes. It's not how many times you get knocked down; it's how many times you get back up. I think this triumph is proof that I can bounce back.

We set the trophy back down. It's gonna go back to the Hearthome welcome center, and our pictures are going to be added to the ones of all the other winners, which is pretty elite company. Literally, because Bertha of the Elite Four won this thing way back in the day.

"The only thing left to do is present the mystery prize!" the host continues, which I had totally forgotten about. A trolley is wheeled out, with a red cloth covering two round lumps.

I gasp as the cloth is pulled away to reveal the mystery prize, and I mostly ignore that host's remarks about how they were the result of an exchange with a sister city in another region. I'm more surprised that he didn't say they were both pink, the color of loooooove. He did promise a fateful meeting of hearts…

Which is actually true, because in front of me are two Pokémon eggs. I know the egg color is supposed to match the Pokémon, but I'm coming up blank. One has a yellow top and bottom, and a pink middle, while the other one looks kinda like cotton candy to me, with blue and purple wavy lines.

"I want that one!" I don't even get a chance to decide, as Barry runs up and grabs the yellow and pink egg.

The other one is kinda heavy, but I cradle it to my chest all the same. It feels warm. I turn to my team with the widest smile, as the ceremony ends and the crowd starts to filter out.

"Say hello, everyone. This is going to be our newest friend."

----------------------------------------

"I couldn't believe the mystery prize was a Pokémon egg," Lucas says, shaking his head. We're back in the Pokémon center, where we signed up for the tournament. "They really had us all fooled!"

"I know, right? It makes sense in hindsight, though." I was given an incubator for mine, which was nice of them to do, though I certainly could have bought one, considering my bank account is going to look much better once my prize money goes through. "Do you have any idea what it is?"

Lucas scratches the back of his head. "I couldn't tell you. They said it's a Pokémon that's found here in Sinnoh, but it's also an exchange from another region? That doesn't narrow it down a whole lot."

"In that case, I'll have to hatch it to find out." Wonder if this is how Barry learns patience, hatching an egg. The boy shouted something about keeping his win streak going, and that he was going to challenge the Pokémon Gym as soon as he could, before running off.

Speaking of, the door of the center opens and my tag partner runs in, pointing a finger straight between my eyes.

"I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!" he says with zero context.

"What? I thought you were going to the gym." I reply, battling the finger out of my face.

"The gym leader isn't there," Barry complains. I wouldn't put it past Fantina to have been watching the tournament from one of her executive suites. "So, since we won, we're the strongest trainers in the city. So, battle me!"

"I'm all battled out," I tell him truthfully. "I need a break. How about next time we run into each other?"

"You better not forget! If you do, I'll fine you ten million bucks!" With that, he runs off, to his next destination, wherever that may be.

We watch him go. "Oddly enough, It's kinda of nice to know that some people will never change who they are," Lucas muses.

Ursula's been sitting next to us in silence, but she finally decides to speak to me. In full sentences! "As fun as this is for you to bask in the glory, the Solaceon Contest is coming up. There is no time to waste."

Oh, right. The contest Fantina convinced me to enter. I haven't even begun brainstorming an appeal! But Ursula and Barry are right. I can stay and admire the view from this mountain, or I could look for a new summit to scale.

Funnily enough, the one I'm thinking about is a stone's throw away, and I'm not talking about Mt. Coronet.

The next time I'm here, it'll be for a match at the Hearthome Gym. And I'm going to make sure that we're ready to come out of there with a win.