The three of us were breathing hard today, practically dying underneath the intense heat from the sun. If we didn’t know it already, summer was definitely here.

June moaned every couple of minutes, dragging her feet forward through the dirt ground.

Courtney would let out a noticeable sigh and complain about the heat every once in a while. “I can’t keep this up!” she groaned, running her hand through her damp, blonde hair that was sticking to her tired, red, sweaty face. “This is ridiculous! Don’t you guys have any Water type Pokemon to cool us off?”

“I don’t think so,” I mumbled, too drained to remember what Pokemon I had with me.

“June, you have that Vaporeon,” Courtney begged. “Please, just a spray on my face, or a sip for my throat. I’m dying here!”

“It’s not that bad,” June panted, her red hair stuck to her own sweaty face, red under the sun. She swallowed and ended up choking.

“Just fill up my canteen!” Courtney held her pink canteen upside down and shook it. Not a drop of water fell from it.

June sighed, squinting at Courtney angrily as the sun blinded her. “I don’t wanna stop and reach in my bag for her Poke Ball. Let’s just keep moving and rest when we reach a Pokemon Center or something. I’m sure we’re not far from one.”

“Easy for you to say! You still have water to drink! Gary and I don’t!”

Why did she have to include me in this argument? I wondered tiredly.

“And Gary isn’t crying like a little girl, either,” June pointed out.

I was exhausted as it was, dying of thirst and burning up under the sun. Having these two arguing wasn’t making things any easier, and I was too worn out to yell at them to shut up. As if I don’t have my own stress on my mind, I thought to myself sadly. These two bicker over anything! I inhaled deeply, letting my breath out in exasperation.

“All I want is a little bit of water!” Courtney argued. “I know you hate me and you want me to die, but you could choose a more humane way of going about it, like stabbing me in my sleep or something!”

“Don’t put it past me,” June said moodily, turning away from her. She raised her water bottle to her lips and took a sip from it. She wasn’t even able to hide the smirk from her face.

“June!” Courtney came to a stop and stomped her foot.

June and I stopped and turned to Courtney.

June raised an eyebrow.

My own eyes were wide.

Courtney looked infuriated, breathing harder than ever, her face deep red, sweat tumbling down. She opened her mouth to say something.

A soft voice spoke as something appeared through the bushes.

We all turned to the creature, and Courtney and June gasped in awe.

Hmm, I thought, pulling out my Pokedex. I know that Pokemon…

Lilligant. The Flowering Pokemon, and Petilil’s evolved form. The flower on Lilligant’s head will wilt if not taken care of. The flower has a sweet smell that relaxes those who come into contact with it. This is a female-only species.

“Lilligant,” Lilligant said gently, staring at us.

Both girls screamed with delight.

“She’s soooooooo cuuuuute!!” Courtney squealed.

“She looks like a princess! She’s a doll!” June gushed.

They were right. Lilligant did look like someone dressed in a beautiful green dress made of fancy, robust leaves, a gorgeous, red flower on their head with a gold crown on top of it. This Pokemon was very elegant, without a doubt.

June moved very swiftly, dropped her bag and kneeling to unzip it. She reached her hands inside and got to her feet in, at the most, two seconds time, holding a Poke Ball with an ‘M’ sticker on it.

“Hey! Wait!” Courtney cried out at June. But she was too late.

“Manectric!” Manectric growled at Lilligant as she was released from her Poke Ball.

“Lilligant!” Lilligant cried out in fright.

“Not fair, June! I saw her first!” Courtney whined.

“Shut up!” June waved off Courtney. “Manectric, Flamethrower, now!”

“Manectric!” Manectric opened her jaws and a stream of flames flew out at Lilligant.

“Whoa!” Courtney stumbled backwards, taken by surprise by the attack.

“Lilligant!” Lilligant was stunningly quick, moving out of the way of the flames.

“Flamethrower again, Manectric! You can catch her!” June encouraged.

Manectric attacked again and this time, Lilligant was hit!

“Alright! We’re got her now!” June cheered.

“Lilligant!” Like magic, Lilligant was suddenly behind Manectric!

We all gasped.

“How did she get there?” I asked, staring in shock at the plant Pokemon.

Lilligant spun in place with a determined cry and a light green powder flew from the flower on top of her head, sprinkling down upon Manectric.

“She used Substitute to dodge Flamethrower!” June realized. “Now she’s putting Manectric to Sleep with Sleep Powder!”

Manectric yawned and collapsed. She started snoring.

“Manectric, don’t! You have to get up! Please!” June pleaded.

Lilligant suddenly bent slightly at her knees in a movement that resembled something a ballerina might do. She did this four times before spinning in place. She started to move even faster, and while spinning, she began moving around in a small circle as well. Her speed increased even more as she continued to dance.

“Manectric, you have to wake up, right now!” June called out to Manectric.

Manectric didn’t wake up, sleeping peacefully.

“Why is she dancing like that?” I questioned, pointing my Pokedex at her.

Quiver Dance. The user’s Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed are increased.

“That thing has a couple of good moves,” I complimented.

Lilligant stopped doing her dance and smiled at the sleeping Manectric.

“Manectric, watch out!” June begged.

“Lilligant!” Lilligant bowed at the knees again and then started to spin in place, only this time, the flower and crown at the top of her head started to glow a bright green. A matching green beam flew from the top of her head and hit Manectric.

“She’s using Giga Drain!” Courtney said.

“My Manectric!” June said, upset.

Lilligant stopped spinning as she ended her attack. “Lilligant!”

Manectric suddenly growled, her face wincing, and her eyes opened. “Manectric…” She got up and shook her head. “Manectric!”

“Finally, you’re up!” June clapped. “We gave that Lilligant more than enough turns. Now it’s our go! Let’s warm you up with Howl!”

Manectric growled and then lifted her head up to the blazing sun, letting out a bone chilling Howl.

Despite the heat, I found myself shivering in place, my hands wrapped around my arms, and I stepped back a couple of feet.

Courtney gasped as her body gave a fearful shake.

Lilligant was watching Manectric warily.

“Quick Attack, now!”

Manectric lowered herself to the ground, her eyes on Lilligant, and in a flash, she was gone. She charged at Lilligant, moving from one side to the other, and leaped into the air and knocked her over.

Lilligant slid on her back but shook her head and got back up.

“Thunder attack!”

Manectric howled to the sky, her fur sparking with electricity, and instantly, the area darkened as something overhead blocked out the sun and the air was cooled down.

Me, June, and Courtney looked up to see that dark clouds had appeared from out of nowhere, covering the sky and giving us relief from the heat in a cooling shade.

“Manectric!” Manectric fired a beam of lightning into the sky, and the clouds caught it, sparking instantly. “Maneeeeeec!” Manectric screamed out.

A huge lightning bolt that nearly blinded me from its brightness, fell from the sky and slammed into Lilligant.

“Lilliiiiiiiiiiigaaaaaaaant!!” Lilligant wailed as she was hit by the powerful move and fell down.

“Manectric!” Manectric stared down at her opponent.

“Lilligant… Lilligant…” Lilligant moaned, grunting and twitching on the ground as her body sparked.

“She’s Paralyzed!” I smiled.

Lilligant struggled back up onto her feet, bent over slightly, but not out of the battle yet. She cried out in pain and bent over further as Paralysis held her still.

“Finish her off with Fire Fang!” June ordered.

Manectric leaped at Lilligant with her gaping jaws, and they burst into flames. “Manectriiiic!” She sunk her flaming fangs into Lilligant’s side and took her down, Lilligant crying out helplessly. Manectric let go of Lilligant and placed one paw on her, growling.

Lilligant moaned, her eyes closed tight.

“That should do it!” June got to her knees and dug through her bag. “I’m totally gonna-!”

“Poke Ball, go!”

A Poke Ball flew through the air and hit Lilligant.

“Manec?” Manectric backed up and stared as Lilligant was sucked inside of it.

The Poke Ball hit the ground and shook, the center glowing red.

The Poke Ball shook several times on the ground until…

PING!

The red light faded away to white.

Lilligant had been captured!

My heart was beating hard in my chest. I immediately knew that something was wrong.

Manectric turned and looked at June.

June was staring at the Poke Ball in shock, a Poke Ball in her own hand, in the air.

A giggle tore through the silence and Courtney ran towards the Poke Ball. She picked it up from the ground with her left hand and laughed gleefully. “I did it!! I caught Lilligant! I caught her! Yay!” She laughed again.

At this point, my mouth was hanging open in shock. Oh… No… I thought fearfully. I was afraid to look at June, but I had to.

June was staring at Courtney, her eyes ready to fly from their sockets, her mouth open wide enough to catch a football.

Courtney did a spin and turned to June. She then looked at me. “Ha ha! My newest Pokemon is a Lilligant! Isn’t this-?”

“You bitch!” June lunged at Courtney, dropping the Poke Ball from her hand.

Courtney’s smile faded and she ran, screaming.

June tore past her Manectric, who stood there, watching her Trainer go after the other girl.

Courtney ran in terror, gripping her Poke Ball tightly. “What are you doing, June? You’re scaring me!”

“I’m going to beat the living daylights out of you!!” June raged.

I suddenly noticed that it was getting brighter outside, and the temperature was rising back to its normal, absurdly high level again as the dark clouds created by Manectric’s Thunder faded away.

Courtney got behind me, panting heavily while June tried to get around me. Both girls moved from one direction to the other, Courtney trying to get away from June while June tried to catch her.

“Gary, make her stop!” Courtney pleaded in fear.

“I’m gonna break your face!” June threatened. “Give me my Pokemon!!”

“She’s mine! I caught her!”

“You stole her!!” June reached around my neck to grab at Courtney, and Courtney screamed and ducked out of the way.

“Gary, pleeeeease!” Courtney insisted. “Don’t let her get me!”

“I’ll kill you, damn it! Give me my Lilligant!” June shoved me out of the way, to my surprise, and Courtney screamed.

I hit the ground, looking up at June, not believing she had actually done that to me.

Manectric and I exchanged stunned glances before continuing to watch the girls.

The mix of heat from just watching the two girls wear themselves out was enough to make me want to collapse on my back. There wasn’t anything I could do at this point.

June was determined to finally kill Courtney, and, in all honesty, Courtney deserved at least a good punch in her nose, in my opinion. What she had done was beyond foul.

But I wasn’t willing to get in the middle of this. This was between them.

And, besides, it really was hot out today, the sun draining any desire in me to do much of any kind of activity. The walking we had done today was like mountain climbing! My entire body felt sore just from traveling on foot. We had taken a lunch break a couple of hours ago, but that wasn’t much more than us baking in the sun, and it wasn’t much relief except for our sore feet and legs.

Courtney wrapped her left arm around a tree trunk, choking from her dry throat, her left hand still gripping the Poke Ball containing Lilligant.

June was a few feet away from her, her hands on her knees, too tired to continue chasing Courtney.

“Just leave me alone! You took too long to grab a Poke Ball, June!” Courtney told her. “Lilligant would have gotten up, used another Sleep Powder or something, and ran off by the time you found a Poke Ball to catch her with!”

“I had just gotten down to grab one you thief!” June stood straight, trying to catch her breath. “You know, of all the rotten things I’ve seen from you, this is the lowest of the low, Courtney! I’ve had it up to here with you!”

“If you can’t stand me so much, then just go away! I’m tired of you always picking on me all the time! Just leave us alone!”

“Us? You don’t belong here!!” June shouted.

“Gary and I get along just fine! You’re the one always starting issues around here!”

“What a load of crap!” June gasped. “You’ve stressed out both Gary and I since we ran into you in Vancteck City! Since we first met you in New City in Kanto! Lies, lies, lies! I’ve never trusted a word out of you, Courtney. Not about anything! I don’t even think you have a boyfriend!”

Courtney smiled at first, and then she burst out laughing. “You don’t believe my Andrew exists? You think I’m so pathetic that I have to lie about having a boyfriend?”

“I’ve never once seen you call this supposed boyfriend of yours,” June accused. “You’ve been traveling with us for months, and I have yet to see you make even one call to anyone!”

“Thanks for spying on me!” Courtney said angrily. “Just because I make phone calls when you two are asleep or are busy figuring out where we’re going to next or eating or whatever, doesn’t mean my Andrew doesn’t exist! I’m not around you two twenty-four seven. How stupid can you get, June?”

“I’ll never be as stupid as you take me for, that’s for sure!” June retorted. “And now, you can add being a thief to your resume! Just get out of here! We don’t want you here!”

“You’re the only one saying that.” Courtney crossed her arms. “You don’t speak for this group. In fact, by my understanding, you’re the one who’s following Gary, so, he makes the rules.” She turned to me and smiled. “Isn’t that right, Sugar Lumps?”

I looked down, avoiding her stare. Why do you have to bring me into this? I thought to myself. I sighed and looked up to see all three females staring at me. “Isn’t there a way we can just resolve this respectfully?” I tried. “Courtney, you captured the Pokemon June weakened. That wasn’t very fair…”

“She almost lost her!” Courtney exclaimed. “She was digging through her bag instead of having a Poke Ball at the ready like any other Pokemon Trainer would have!”

“You’re such a LIAR!!” June was about to explode, and things were only seconds away from getting really ugly.

That wasn’t exactly what I saw happen, I thought to myself. “Then can’t you just give her her Pokemon? You did her a favor, in your eyes, so why not give her the Lilligant?”

“Because I caught her!” Courtney whined like a baby. “It’s not my fault she missed out! Finders, keepers; Losers, weepers!”

“You stole her!! And I found her, battled her, and almost caught her on my own!!” June’s fists were shaking at her sides, the continually darkening shade of red on her face a mix from the sun, and rage.

“I was just doing my duty as a Pokemon Trainer to not let a Pokemon get away,” Courtney said, her arm sliding off of the tree trunk.

I gave up and just decided to stay silent and watch. If I was lucky, maybe they’d pass out from the heat and I could just sneak away and finally travel alone. I really missed traveling alone like I had done back in Kanto for a while before meeting June.

The two girls were staring at each other, Courtney staring warily while June’s angry face actually seemed to be softening.

June took a deep breath and squinted at Courtney, the sun against the side of her face. “This can’t go on any longer, Courtney,” June said seriously. “This has to stop here.”

“What do you mean…?” Courtney asked nervously.

“I mean, you and I can’t continue traveling together,” June answered.

“So, you’re leaving our group…?”

“NO!” June’s eyebrows furrowed again.

“Well, I’m not going anywhere,” Courtney said firmly.

June nodded with a stone cold face. “That’s why I am going to make you an offer.”

Courtney’s eyes widened, along with mine. “What are you talking about, June?” Courtney asked hesitantly.

“That Lilligant is rightfully mine, and you know it!” June took a step towards Courtney, which made Courtney jump and take a step back. “I challenge you to a Pokemon battle! The winner…” June paused. “The winner gets to stay in the group!”

Courtney’s mouth fell open and she squinted at June in confusion.

My eyebrows rose as I stared at June.

Even Manectric was looking up at June in surprise.

“The loser has the get the hell out, but gets to keep Lilligant!” June finished.

“Lilligant…?” Courtney whispered.

“That’s the rules, Courtney,” June nodded. “Do you accept, or what?”

“Y-y-y-you can’t make me! I want to stay with Gary, and Lilligant is rightfully mine!” Courtney backed away.

“I’m not going anywhere, and let me tell you something, Courtney. If I have to spend one more freaking night with you, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life, which might not last up to the Interough Conference if I have any say in it.” June’s dark tone of voice made my blood freeze.

Courtney stared at June as if she had finally understood that the redhead had lost her mind. She swallowed and released her breath tiredly. “Fine! But, the winner gets to stay with Gary, and keeps Lilligant!” Courtney insisted.

I wish they would leave my name out of this… I thought wearily. I have nothing to do with any of this!

“No! The rules are as I stated!” June said loudly.

“But, why?” Courtney questioned, cocking her head to the side.

June sneered at Courtney. “You should get a parting gift for when I kick your wretched little ass.”

Courtney’s jaw tightened angrily and she frowned determinedly. “You know what? Fine! Let’s battle, June!”

June nodded and walked over to her bag on the ground. She picked up a Poke Ball and held it out to Manectric, returning her. After placing the ball back, she then picked up the empty Poke Ball she had dropped earlier and placed it in her bag.

Courtney walked away from the tree she had been hiding behind and glared at June. She pressed the center button of Lilligant’s Poke Ball and shrunk it before clipping it to her belt.

June stood up, glaring at Courtney.

“How many Pokemon? A three-on-three sounds fair enough to me,” Courtney stated.

June shook her head. “We’ll have us a five-on-five. I’d say a full on six-on-six, but Lilligant is with you, so let’s just do the battle with only five Pokemon each.”

Courtney looked down at the Poke Balls on her belt and then grabbed one. “Why waste time and stretch this out any longer than it has to, June? I can’t stand to see your face any longer. Let’s just make this a one-on-one battle.” She made the small Poke Ball in her hand, bigger. “I know exactly who I want to use against you.”

June slowly nodded. “One-on-one. No time limit.”

Courtney nodded. “Yeah…” She held out her Poke Ball. “Sceptile, I choose you!”

A white beam sent out her Pokemon.

“Sceptiiiile!” Sceptile stood strongly, confidently.

June looked over Sceptile and then went down and dug through her bag. She pulled out a Poke Ball and looked up at Sceptile from the ground.

“Here comes Electivire,” Courtney rolled her eyes. “Using Pokemon with a strength you can’t even control. Just the lack of bravery I’d expect. I expect nothing better of you, June. Go on. Bring it! Sceptile can beat it! We can beat anything you send at us!”

“Sceptiiiile!” Sceptile agreed.

“I am not going with Electivire!” June shouted. “I don’t need to use him to beat you.” She then dug through her bag again, which seemed to cause Courtney to snicker. June got to her feet with a Poke Ball in hand, but I couldn’t see the sticker on it. She pressed the center and increased the size of the Poke Ball. It was then raised close to her lips. “I know you can do this. Ampharos, go!” She tossed the Poke Ball to the grass.

The Poke Ball landed and popped open, sending out Ampharos.

Ampharos cried out and faced her opponent.

Sceptile and Ampharos had the looks of fury their Trainers had for each other.

Wow, I thought as I got up and stepped back several feet, keeping my eyes on the scene before me. June’s going with Ampharos against Courtney’s very first Pokemon, Sceptile. I remembered battling June’s Ampharos when she was still a Gym Leader and beating her with my Beedrill.

June had once told me that that Ampharos was once her mentor’s Pokemon as a Mareep. Lt. Surge, Vermillion City’s Gym Leader back in the Kanto region.

Who’s gonna win this? I wondered. What will this mean for me?

“Sceptile, Leaf Blade, now!” Courtney shouted.

The four leaves on Sceptile’s arms glowed a bright green and combined into two. It leaped at Ampharos with amazing speed and slashed at her.

Ampharos whined out painfully and stumbled backwards. She shook her head and spoke angrily.

“Hey! What’s the big deal? We didn’t decide who would go first or anything?” June complained.

“Oh, please. Once again, you took too long to do anything, so I went first,” Courtney said impatiently. “Or am I lying about that, too?”

June growled in response. Her eyes were on fire, and the temperature in the area seemed to get hotter by the second.

Courtney sneered back silently.

Neither Trainer, nor Pokemon, moved. They didn’t even seem to be blinking.

I wasn’t even sure if I was breathing.

“Fine! Use Signal Beam, Ampharos!” June said loudly.

The red orb on Ampharos’ head glowed white and a rainbow colored beam fired out at Sceptile.

“Move it!”

“Sceptile!” Sceptile moved incredibly fast, dodging the attack.

I actually swallowed in surprise at just how swiftly Sceptile had moved.

Ampharos’ Signal Beam caused a small explosion where it landed, raising dirt into the air briefly. The move had no chance of catching Sceptile.

June snickered with a smirk on her face. “No problem! Ampharos, use Cotton Spore!”

Ampharos raised her hands into the air. Four white, fluffy balls of cotton appeared and circled over her head. Ampharos then pointed her hands at Sceptile, and the cotton balls flew out at it.

“Ha! Agility, Sceptile!” Courtney laughed.

Sceptile moved sharply, its body outlined in white and leaving white trails behind it very briefly as it disappeared and reappeared within the area the two Pokemon were battling in, repeatedly.

The cotton balls Ampharos had sent out floated around, unable to catch Sceptile.

“Sceptiiiiile!” Sceptile suddenly came to a stop, and it looked behind it at the cotton balls.

The four balls of fluff had all been cut in half, making eight halves of cotton. They all floated gently to the ground and vanished.

“Gonna have to do better than that, Juni, dear,” Courtney smiled. “You are now rocking with the best Pokemon I own. My longest traveled companion. You can’t beat us, June. Sceptile, let’s pick up the pace!”

“Scept!” Sceptile moved even faster than before, nothing but a blur at this point, raising its Speed with another Agility attack.

How’s June gonna overcome this? I wondered. Sceptile’s just too quick! She can’t even touch it!

“Then we’ll have to play Defense! Use Cotton Guard!” June called.

“Not quick enough for that! Screech!” Courtney winked.

Sceptile opened its mouth and let out a painful Screech attack.

I closed my eyes before I could see Ampharos’ reaction, and I couldn’t hear her, or anything else, either. I grit my teeth together against the noise that seemed to be pulling my brain apart as my hands flattened against my ears. When the attack ended, I slowly opened my eyes and lowered my hands.

Courtney was on her feet, smiling wickedly at June and Ampharos who were both on their knees, covering their ears. “Quick Attack!”

Sceptile moved like it was on fire, running from one spot to the next, and finally it slammed into Ampharos.

Ampharos slid on her back, groaning. She pushed herself up with one hand and panted as she glared at Sceptile.

Sceptile stared down at Ampharos with satisfaction.

“Even easier than I thought,” Courtney taunted, shaking her head at June. “Good thing you didn’t capture Lilligant. She deserves a better Trainer.”

June bared her teeth as she lowered her hands from her ears and got to her feet. “You can’t be serious,” she said in a low voice. “You haven’t won this battle, Courtney. There’s no way I’m losing this one.”

“There’s nothing you can do about it!” Courtney insisted. “Sceptile, another Leaf Blade should do it! Make it a good one! Take out that Ampharos!”

Sceptile charged with blinding speed at Ampharos.

“Protect!” June shouted.

Ampharos closed her eyes and raised her hands out in front of her.

A turquoise shield appeared in front of her, and Sceptile slashed at it, but was forced backwards.

Sceptile growled and glared at Ampharos as the shield that was in front of her vanished.

“You can’t hide behind that move forever! Leaf Blade that thing again!” Courtney was in a rage, determined to end the battle once and for all.

“Protect!” June cried desperately.

I could tell she wasn’t sure what else to do in this situation.

Protect reappeared and blocked Sceptile’s attack once again.

Sceptile rebounded off the force field and slid on its back.

“Third time’s the charm!” Courtney demanded. “DO IT!!”

“Flash attack!” June raised an arm to cover her eyes.

Sceptile was too quick. It was on its feet in an instant and slashed Ampharos, throwing her back.

The instant Ampharos was hit, it was as if the sun had appeared in front of my eyes. I closed my eyes as they burned from the sudden, intense blast of light.

I heard Courtney and Sceptile cry out in surprise from the Flash attack.

“Sceptile!” Courtney called out.

It took me a while before I was even able to open my eyes enough to squint, blinking hard as the bright light faded away.

June and Ampharos were glaring at Courtney and her Sceptile, Ampharos looking barely able to stand.

Courtney was rubbing at her eyes in anguish while her Sceptile was swiping at Ampharos with Leaf Blade, its eyes closed.

Sceptile was only a few inches away from Ampharos, but missing, unable to see due to Flash!

Ampharos stood calmly, watching Sceptile swipe in vain.

“Sceptile!” Courtney was now blinking repeatedly. “It’s right in front of you! Finish it!”

“Sceptile!” Sceptile jumped at Ampharos blindly, swiping for her head.

Ampharos ducked easily.

“Fire Punch, now!” June ordered.

Ampharos’ fist burst into flames, and with a swift uppercut to Sceptile’s chin, she knocked Sceptile onto its back.

“Now attack with Signal Beam!” June commanded.

“Sceptile, we will not lose this one!” Courtney screeched. “Leaf Blade attack!” She was stomping the ground furiously now.

Ampharos attacked with Signal Beam as Sceptile got to its feet, and it was shot down and dropped back onto its back.

Sceptile groaned painfully, its eyes closed tightly, but it got back up, shaking its head, and finally opened its eyes.

“Whoa! Look!” I pointed at Sceptile.

“Sceptile!” Courtney whined.

“Ha!” June smiled.

Sceptile’s eyes were glowing red, showing that it was now Confused! With an angry yell, Sceptile took a swing at Ampharos with Leaf Blade.

Ampharos didn’t even have to move.

Sceptile attacked the space right next to Ampharos, where there stood absolutely nothing. It was too Confused to even see straight!

June snickered, but her face immediately went serious. She raised her hands and brushed aside her hair from her face. “I guess there’s truly no better time, and no better person, for me to use this move against.”

The seriousness in June’s voice truly drew me in. What is she talking about?

Courtney stared dangerously at June, looking ready to completely ignore this match and just attack her.

“Ampharos, you haven’t used this move in a very long time!” June started. “Outrage attack, NOW!”

Courtney gasped.

I gasped, too. “Outrage?!”

Sceptile turned to Ampharos, perhaps finally able to see it clearly, but its eyes still glowing red. It raised one arm to swipe at its opponent.

Ampharos also faced Sceptile, and her eyes glowed red.

“ATTAAAAAAAACK!!!” June bellowed.

Ampharos ducked Sceptile’s swing and then stood up straight. She raised one foot and struck Sceptile with it, kicking it down. Ampharos then gripped Sceptile by the neck with one hand and lifted the reptile-like Pokemon in the air!

Sceptile, who was at least a foot taller than Ampharos, gazed down in shock at Ampharos as she easily hoisted it over her head.

Ampharos then used her other hand to slug Sceptile in the stomach.

Sceptile cried out helplessly.

Ampharos then lowered her arm that held Sceptile, slamming the Pokemon to the ground, and then raised her arm, tossing Sceptile into the air! As Sceptile came back down, calling out, Ampharos jumped at the Pokemon and let loose with a barrage of punches at Sceptile’s stomach!

“Sceptile! No! GET UP!!!” Courtney shrieked as her Pokemon hit the ground, groaning.

Ampharos kicked Sceptile in the face, and then she opened her mouth and fired a turquoise ball of energy at Sceptile.

Sceptile was flung backwards and rolled along the ground, stopping at Courtney’s feet.

Courtney looked down at her Pokemon and seemed to choke, completely stunned that her Pokemon was getting beat up like this.

Suddenly, Sceptile’s body was outlined in a green aura.

I knew what was going on, and my mouth opened to state what was happening, but no words would come out. I was too enthralled by this battle to speak.

“Overgrow!” Courtney said for me. She looked up at June as evilly as possible as her Sceptile struggled to its feet. “It’s over for you, June. Say goodbye.”

“You think we give a damn about Overgrow? You’re dumber than you look!” June snapped.

“Get it, Sceptile!”

“End this now, Ampharos!”

Both Pokemon ran to each other.

My heart blocked my breathing, and I was okay with that.

The red glow in Sceptile’s eyes faded away, and it raised its arms as it charged at Ampharos like a speeding train.

Ampharos raised one arm.

Sceptile swung with Leaf Blade swiftly.

Ampharos swung her fist.

Both Pokemon roared angrily.

Ampharos suddenly spun around and, with her much longer reaching tail, smacked Sceptile in the face before it could reach her.

The leaves on Sceptile’s arms stopped glowing green and they separated from two leaves and back into four. The Grass type groaned weakly and dropped. The green glow from its body faded away, and Sceptile remained on the ground, its eyes closed.

Ampharos’ eyes flashed red, showing that she was now Confused. She yelled angrily at Sceptile.

“This is over!” June raised both of her fists into the air with a triumphant smile. “Sceptile is OUT!! I WIN!!!”

“BUUUUUULL!!!!” Courtney countered at June. She looked down at Sceptile. “GET THE HELL UP!!! NOOOOOOOWWW!!!!!!”

Sceptile didn’t budge.

Courtney looked up at June, and then turned to me with a desperate look. “Gary!”

“You lose!!” June crossed her arms in front of her, scowling at Courtney. “You know the deal! Beat it!!”

Courtney looked down at her Pokemon, and then turned to me, and finally, June. “But! But! But!”

“Get your butt out of here!!” June smiled broadly.

Courtney looked down at her Sceptile, looking ready to cry. “Sceptile…” She slowly held out Sceptile’s Poke Ball and recalled her Pokemon. She then looked to June with pleading eyes. “June…”

“I DON’T WANNA HEAR IT!! GET OUT OF HERE!!!!” June screamed at the top of her lungs, causing several birds in the treetops to fly off into the sky with sharp cries, and the grass rustled from the sounds of scurrying, nearby animals.

Ampharos started mumbling angrily, her eyes still red, and she looked around for something in Confusion.

June held out her Ampharos’ Poke Ball and recalled her back. “Thanks a lot, hon,” she said softly, keeping her angry eyes on Courtney.

“But, June! I wouldn’t have really kicked you out of our group if you had lost!” Courtney begged. “You can’t kick me out! Not after all we’ve been through!”

“If I have to make you leave with a bloody lip, a dripping nose, and two black eyes to get my point across that you are out of here, I will!!” June threatened, raising a fist.

Courtney gasped and turned to me. “Gary! Help me!”

“Gary has nothing to do with this!” June waved me off. “Get OUT!” She took a step towards Courtney.

Well, damn, June, I thought, staring at her. I’ll just stay quiet, then.

Courtney took a step back and swallowed hard. She inhaled shakily and then exhaled shakily. “Oh, fine! I get it…” She turned to me again. “I can see I’m not wanted here…”

I stared back at her, refusing to speak. I knew my place here. I wasn’t going to say a word.

Courtney kept her eyes on me for a moment.

“BEAT IT!!” June was ready to strike.

Courtney’s eyes watered, and she sniffled and wiped at them. She turned to June and nodded. “Okay.” Slowly, her arms spread open. “Just to show we have no hard feelings? Hug?”

“No hug for you!” June said strictly. “There are nothing but hard feelings! I’m not gonna tell you again to get out!”

Courtney’s bottom lip quivered as she looked at June, and then she turned to me. She whimpered.

I looked away from her, withdrawing myself from this conflict entirely.

Courtney sniffled. “I see how it is, then,” she spoke sadly. “I’ll just go. Thank you both for allowing me to travel with you. I’ll see you guys soon at the Conference, I guess.” She turned and walked away from us.

June and I watched her leave in silence.

Courtney suddenly came to a stop. “Goodbye, June,” she said. “I’m sure you and Electivire will work out your issue. Evolving a Pokemon too soon can be a common issue between Pokemon and their Trainers, but it can be overcome.”

My heart froze, my breathing stopped, and my eyes widened.

“What?” June gasped, her eyes wide in shock.

Courtney didn’t turn back. “Goodbye.” She took off into the woods, disappearing shortly after.

Silence filled the area.

June was frozen, staring after where Courtney ran away. “What did she…?” Suddenly, June whirled around to face me, and I stumbled backwards in fear at the deep color of red on her face. “WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?!?!” she snarled at me.

There was nothing I could say.

I was stuck.

Caught.

Busted.

Courtney was now gone.

And in the next few minutes.

There was a good chance that I would be missing, as well.