The two Pokemon stared each other down for a long moment. Candice stood silently, letting the tension build like the show-woman she was.

  Chloe however, fidgeted. It was too cold to be all stoic. She shuffled in place, mittens firmly tucked into her armpits.

  The announcer chose to fill the empty air.

  “The challenger chooses Tsareena as her final Pokemon, while Candice chooses Abomasnow. It's two to one in the Challenger’s favour, can Candice score the reverse sweep?”

  Candice moved first.

  “Icicle Spear!”

  Abomasnow reached down to tear several jagged shards of ice from the arena floor, flinging them at Reinette.

  Chloe didn't bother with her own instructions. This was Reinette’s moment, Chloe would only get in the way.

  Five shards of ice streaked through the air towards Reinette. She slid gracefully to the side to avoid the first, then spun to dodge the second. She ended her spin with a leg outstretched, glowing white. Her foot met the third shard, which shattered into a cloud of tiny sparkles. Reinette continued the motion, ice trailing her leg. She kicked the remaining two shards with the second and third strikes of her Triple Axel, pirouetting gently to a stop as fragments of ice and snow fell around her.

  Chloe couldn't help it. She clapped.

  Reinette ignored her, instead racing forwards.

  “Ice punch,” Candice called as Reinette got within arms reach of Abomasnow. The larger Pokemon's arm glowed as it threw a jab towards Reinette. She smoothly turned her run into a slide, skating across the ice, the punch hitting only the air where she had been standing. She spun as she slid, knocking Abomasnow’s legs out from under it with Low Sweep. Rising, Reinette followed it with Trop Kick, bringing her leg down onto Abomasnow with enough force to crack the ice beneath it.

  “Wood Hammer!”

  Abomasnow recovered, and threw itself at Reinette, attempting to use its superior bulk to crush Reinette into the ice. The Tsareena though nimbly sprang out of the way, gaining distance from her bulky opponent. A cloud of snow erupted from where Abomasnow impacted, obscuring the arena.

  Reinette emerged from the snow, pirouetting gracefully to a stop. She made it look effortless and natural. Chloe of course, had seen her practising the motion in front of the mirror, but she would never tell anyone that. That would just be mean.

  The cloud of snow didn't dissipate, however. Instead it increased in volume, working its way up in intensity as Candice gave another instruction.

  “Blizzard.”

  Within moments the arena was filled with a whirlwind of freezing wind. Chloe could just make out the form of Reinette, bravely standing her ground. Abomasnow was completely obscured, the beginnings of a full blown white out forming in the arena. Then, Reinette moved, and a flurry of stars issued forth from a wave of her arm. The Swift flew into the cloud, and a heartbeat later there was a roar of pain. The Blizzard ended, the whirlwind fading to reveal a reeling Abomasnow, and a frost covered Reinette.

  Reinette reached up and shook her long, leafy hair. Tiny shards of ice came free, sparkling in the harsh arena lighting. Then, she charged.

  “Icicle Spear.”

  Reinette ducked and spun, each shard of ice missing her by the smallest of margins. She leapt, smashing her knee into Abomasnow’s face in a High Jump Kick. The larger Pokemon stumbled backwards. Reinette's leg flashed out, connecting with a Trop Kick that sent Abomasnow crashing to the ice. It lay there, unmoving. Reinette looked at her hands like she was a model inspecting her nails.

  “Abomasnow is unable to battle, victory goes to the Challenger!”

  Chloe let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding. Then, she cheered and clapped.

  “Yes! Nice work!”

  Reinette dutifully ignored her. Chloe let her play casual for a little bit longer before she recalled Reinette. Candice likewise had returned Abomasnow, and Chloe moved to meet the Gym Leader in the centre of the arena, her boots crunching through the snow.

  “You know,” Candice said as they met, “I am half tempted to deny you a badge.”

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  Chloe froze.

  “W-what? What did I do wrong?” she blurted, overcome by self-conscious panic.

  Candice laughed.

  “Nothing, nothing at all. I’m just tempted to make you come back when you have more badges. I would have loved to face you when you were stronger.”

  “Oh.”

  Chloe blushed at the compliment.

  “Umm, please don't? I don't want to fall behind Fiona.”

  “Oh don't worry, I’m a professional. You earned this badge. I wish you luck with the rest of the Challenge.”

  Candice handed Chloe a badge, which she took in clumsy hands. She managed to avoid dropping it, which would have been super embarrassing.

  “Thank you for the battle and the badge,” Chloe said, “The girls and I had a lot of fun. Good luck with the rest of your challenges!”

  Chloe had about two minutes worth of warning before she was dragged in front of a camera for her interview. If it wasn't for Fiona mentioning that it would probably happen the day before, she probably would have panicked entirely. As it was, she only panicked a little.

  “We are with Chloe Bellamy,” the well-groomed smooth-talking reporter said, flashing a big smile into the camera.

  “Chloe, you just earned your second badge in style, what can you tell us about your strategy?”

  “Right, umm, strategy. I just umm, told the girls to take turns?” Chloe mumbled. She blushed as she saw the production lady motioned for her to bring the microphone closer.

  “Well your Jigglypuff didn't seem to appreciate that policy,” the guy said with a grin.

  “Mochi is… a little battle crazy, yes,” Chloe admitted.

  “But she listens very well and trains really hard,” she continued, feeling defensive on behalf of her Pokemon.

  The interviewer just smiled.

  “On the subject of listening, you seem to issue very few commands in battle. Is that going to be your style moving forward?”

  Chloe considered his question.

  “Depends on the Pokemon, I guess. The girls don't need my help, not really, but Mr Growly might.”

  “Mr Growly? Is that your fourth Pokemon?”

  Chloe blushed. She hadn't meant to say that…

  “Yes, but he’s not ready to battle yet,” she hedged. To her relief, the man moved on.

  “So why the Gym Challenge? You're a long way from Kalos.”

  “Because,” Chloe replied, “It seemed fun. And the girls really wanted to do it.”

  The reporter laughed.

  “You do seem to be having fun. Last question. I believe Miss Abernathy said she considers you her rival. Is the feeling mutual?”

  “Fi said that?” Chloe said, considering her reply.

  “Yes,” she said, after a moment. “But not because I want to beat her, but because she is my best friend, and I refuse to fall behind.”

  The guy nodded.

  “As always, we end these interviews by asking you for a statement. What do you want to tell the world?”

  Chloe froze. She hadn't considered that. Should she be sassy? Confident? Swear at her Dad like Fiona? Chloe had never even met her Dad! How could she swear at someone who died when she was a baby?

  She panicked, so she said the first thing that came into her head.

  Chloe hid her head in her hands to conceal her blush while Fiona laughed her ass off. They were in the Pokecenter cafeteria, having dinner after her win.

  “Don't do drugs? That's the best you could come up with?”

  Chloe groaned.

  “I panicked, okay?”

  “It's a good message,” Troy added helpfully.

  “For a cop, maybe,” Fiona countered. “I cannot wait to watch that interview.”

  “Please don't,” Chloe whined.

  “Too late. I’m watching it now,” Fiona said, pulling out phone. She poked it twice before it began vibrating to signal an incoming call. Fiona paled.

  “What's wrong?” Chloe asked, leaning over to see the name of the caller. Dad.

  “You can let it ring?” Eleanor suggested.

  “No,” Fiona said with a grimace, “He never calls. That means it's probably actually important.”

  Fiona accepted the call, and Chloe could see a middle aged, well groomed man appear on the screen.

  “Fiona,” he said.

  Fiona sighed, “What do you want Dad?”

  “To the point then. Your performances so far have been acceptable. Even your little displays of rebellion have worked to gain you more attention.”

  Chloe, Troy and Eleanor all exchanged a look, collectively deciding to stay silent until after Fiona was done.

  “There is a tournament in Sunnyshore,” her father continued, “I expect you to enter it.”

  “When?” Fiona asked, “Sunnyshore is a long trip.”

  “Five days. Transportation has been arranged. You will be taking a ship. You leave tomorrow.”

  Fiona shook her head.

  “My friends are still waiting for their battles, I can't leave yet. I’ll do the next tournament.”

  “No. You will do this one. Your mother’s company is a sponsor. Be there, or lose your travel funds. I know you have my card.”

  Fiona looked at the others. They collectively nodded.

  “Go,” Eleanor said, “We’ll catch up.”

  Troy flashed a thumbs up.

  “We’ll smash Candice, then take a boat down to meet you.”

  “I’ll come too,” Chloe added.

  Fiona sighed. “Fine. But, I’m taking a friend.”

  “That blonde Ace?”

  “Yes. Chloe,” Fiona replied with a touch of venom.

  “Acceptable. You leave early.”

  Fiona nodded, “Anything else, or can I get back to ignoring you?”

  Her father actually chuckled at that one.

  “Yes. Your team is a disgrace. I’m sending you some proper Pokemon.”

  “I don't want them,” Fiona replied.

  “They have already arrived. You can choose not to use them, but there will be consequences if you refuse and fail.”

  Fiona rolled her eyes.

  “Sure, whatever. Bye Dad, make sure you fall down some stairs for me.”

  She hung up before he could reply.

  “Fuck he’s a cunt.”

  “Are you sure you're okay if we split up?” Chloe asked Eleanor and Troy.

  “Yeah, not like we're going through Coronet or anything. It's a gym battle and a boat right,” Eleanor replied.

  “Yeah, you two go kick ass. Don't let us slow you down.”

  “I wonder what he sent you,” Chloe mused.

  “Don’t care, I’m not checking,” Fiona retorted.

  “Fi!” Chloe protested, “You can't just abandon them here. That would be mean!”

  Fiona sighed. “Fuck, you’re right. I better at least collect them.”

  “Shall we go check?” Eleanor suggested.

  Fiona rose, “Yeah. Let's see what the old bastard thinks counts as acceptable.”