"Either way, we cannot ignore the fact that it is your birthday."

Austin just shrugged. "Not a bloody big deal."

' Even though it's not my birthday, it's Ash's birthday.'

"It is for me." The Sinnoh girl countered softly. "And I did think a lot about what to give you as a gift. I wanted it to be special, something to remember me by when you are off on your journey."

"Well, I have your contact number. I guess we could call up and talk sometimes."

Cynthia smiled and walked to the other side of the beach.

Cynthia took out a Pokeball as Garchomp appeared in a red flash.

( ~ Rwrr ~ )

" ~Austin~ if you want your gift then come get it."

Austin looked at Cynthia with disbelief.

' She isn't serious, is she ?'

" Come one, Austin show me the results of the training. All of your Pokémon against my Garchomp."

" You know that today isn't my actual birthday," Austin said as he took a few steps back.

No way was he ready to face off against a champion.

" Come on, Austin. Don't be such a coward. What was the point of training? What was the point of everyone giving it their all? Why did you throw yourself into such hellish training? Just to quit, just to turn away from an obstacle that life has thrown at you. Austin; this is life, it will always try to put you down through some obstacle, you don’t have to prove anything to anybody but yourself that you can overcome this obstacle. And after what you’ve gone through, if you haven’t done that by now, it isn't gonna ever happen. Now tell me, are you willing to overcome the obstacle that life has presented you, or are you going to run away like a coward ?”

Austin opened his mouth before closing it as Pikachu and Pidgeot flew down with Pikachu carrying his PokeBall holster belt.

Austin blinked before staring at the calm and cold Cynthia.

" You know, if this champion business doesn't work out then you could become a very good motivational speaker."

" What can I say, I am a woman of many talents."

" Aren't you a little too confident even though you're at a numerical disadvantage?"

" Austin, when you're at my level, you'll understand that numbers don't matter to overwhelming strength."

Austin nodded as his face portrayed an absolute calm look.

The week of training with Cynthia revealed to Austin that his strategy of using a mask of arrogance to piss off his opponents was a niche that wouldn't work against the truly strong trainer hence he chose to wear a mask of absolute calmness similar to Cynthia's mask during battles.

" Is everyone ready ?"

" Pika !"

" Pidgeot !"

Pikachu exclaimed as he climbed up Austin's shoulder while all of Austin's Pokeballs shook.

Austin could practically see their determination to battle.

Taking out his Pokeball, Austin took a deep breath.

He felt the coldness of the Pokeball against his palm.

Austin knew that in a one-on-one battle his chances of beating Garchomp were zero but this wasn't a one-on-one.... no this was a one-on-twelve. Even then Austin didn't have much confidence in bringing down the Goliath known as Garchomp.

Bringing his PokeBall to his forehead, Austin whispered.

" Let's give it our all."

Throwing his Pokeball, Austin thought.

' Watch over us, Raticate and I'll show you that your family is getting stronger and stronger.'

The PokeBall flashed open as Munna appeared in front of the ready Garchomp.

{ Trick Room }

Telepathically receiving her trainer's command, her eyes glow red and a large light blue rectangle with light blue transparent walls and ceiling appears around the battlefield. Then, the light blue glow fades, and the walls and ceiling become invisible.

Cynthia immediately recognized the move and called out," Sandstorm."

' If you think I am going to go easy on you, think again Austin. I won't use Garchomp's full strength but in terms of strategy I am not going to hold anything back."

{ Reflecting Screen }

Austin telepathically commanded Munna to set up a combo of Light Screen and Reflect while Garchomp moved in a dancing motion causing a Sandstorm to erupt all around the beach.

Cynthia clapped her hands as Garchomp closed her eyes as she waited for her prey to arrive.

Just then a green glow formed behind Garchomp who was instantly alerted.

Garchomp tried to use the 20% evasion provided by its ability, sand veil to turn around mid-way as she tanked Energy Ball.

Munna's eyes widened as she saw Garchomp tank her energy ball and lunge at her with a Crunch.

With the telepathic connection, Austin knew what Munna was thinking as he quickly gave the command.

{ Energy ball directly into her mouth }

Receiving the telepathic command, Munna instantly formed her Energy ball due to Trick Room as she launched it into Garchomp's mouth which was covered by the dark aura of crunch.

( ~ Boom ~ )

Flinching from the surrounding sandstorm Munna's eyes widened as Garchomp emerged from the smoke with dark energy covering her mouth.

.....

Outside of the sandstorm, Austin's eyes widened as he felt the telepathic connection between him and Munna being cut off.

Taking out her Pokeball, Austin pointed it forward as Munna returned with a red flash.

' You did great, Munna.'

Taking out another Pokeball, Austin whispered something to it before throwing it out.

In a flash, Bulbasaur appeared on the battlefield.

" Bulba !"

The Seed Pokemon's cry alerted Cynthia to her opponent's choice and she exclaimed.

" Fly in the sky and use the Flame thrower."

Hearing the commands of her trainer, Garchomp tried to fly away but the walls of the trick room glowed as the sandstorm in front of Garchomp parted with flashes of green as Bulbasaur leech seeds hit Garchomp's body.

Vines grew out of the seeds wrapping around Garchomp's body who immediately flew up.

Garchomp's maw erupted in fire, causing Austin's eyes to widen as he shouted.

" Flying Drain !"

The head of Garchomp's flamethrower hit the sandstorm causing a dust explosion.

Pikachu, Austin, and Cynthia covered their ears as the shockwave caused everyone to fall.

Cynthia looked at the smoke cloud and thought.

' Maybe I went a little too far.'

" Rwrr "

The sound of Garchomp's roars caused Cynthia to look up as she saw Bulbasaur who had used Vine Whip and the explosion to launch himself into the sky, mid-air Bulbasaur performed a Giga Drain as the leech seeds on Garchomp's body glowed with an intense emerald light causing the green orb to fly towards Bulbasaur.

The green orbs entered Bulbasaur's body healing him.

" Dragon Claw! "

" Chemical Warfare!"

A light-green aura forms around each of Garchomp's fins and turns into a claw-like shape. Charging toward the falling Bulbasaur, Garchomp attacked without any remorse but the moment, Garchomp came within range, Bulbasaur released an improved version of Chemical Warfare with the number of powders released being ten times more than before.

( ~ Boom ~ )

From within the Chemical Warfare cloud, something shot out and crashed into the ground.

The dust cleared showing a knocked-out Bulbasaur.

Austin returned to Bulbasaur, there were clear hints of concern in his eyes but during the battlefield, he promised that he will always try to maintain a level of calmness and never let his emotions cloud his judgment.

( ~ Rwrr ~ )

Garchomp stomped on the ground as a purple aura washed over its entire body showing that Bulbasaur's last attack had landed.

Austin narrowed his eyes as he saw that Garchomp was a little drowsy.

Clenching Bulbasaur's Pokeball, Austin whispered.

" Thank you for giving it your all."