"Now, let’s start our battle, Ash!" Eevy called to her opponent, "This is the last time we’ll ever set eyes on each other in such a manner."

"I can do it! And so can my Pokemon!" Ash shouted back to her, "This’ll be our hardest battle yet, and I’m not afraid to fight back!"

The two opponents had placed the Poke’Gear in the right positions that everyone could see both opponents and the entire field. Eevy and Ash both turned to their Pokemon. Ash chose first.

"I choose Bayleef!" Ash yelled, "Let’s win this!"

"I knew he’d start with the Bayleef," Eevy mused, "Go, Novo!"

"Why’s she using a Water- type against Bayleef?" Ash shook himself straight, "Go, Bayleef! Razor Leaf, now!"

"Go, Novo! Bubblebeam!"

Novo’s Bubblebeam shot forward, knocking Bayleef’s leaves from the air. Novo jumped in and caught Bayleef with a surprise Take Down attack, sending Bayleef back a few steps.

"Great attack, Novo! Now get in there with an Agility attack!"

"Bayleef! Get out of the way!"

Novo zipped around the delusional Bayleef at top speed. Bayleef watched him run, getting dizzier and dizzier with each circling. She stopped trying to keep an eye on him and tried not to look at his rapidly moving form.

"Stop him with your Sweet Scent!" Ash burst.

"Spiral in under the smell for a back-Tackle!" Eevy shouted.

Novo did just as he was ordered and ducked below the puff of pink smoke blowing through the air. He thrust backwards, slamming his back into Bayleef’s front legs. She toppled face first to the ground with Novo zipping past.

"All right, Novo! Now give them a full strength Aurora Beam!"

The icy beam shot toward Bayleef, crashing into her and slamming her back into the shallow section of the pond to their side. She sat up and shook off with a cry, but flopped back down again with a splash.

"That’s why she used the Water- type; because it knows an Ice- type attack," Ash mused, "You did great, Bayleef, return! Now go, Tauros! Take Down attack!"

"Give it your own Take Down!"

Novo flew forward, shrieking wildly and ramming into Tauros head on. The steer roared nastily and charged as well, growling and stomping on the way. They locked together, head to head, shoving and pushing with all their might. Novo dug in his back legs for brace and tried to push, but Ash made a good move.

"Tauros! Horn attack, now!"

"Novo! Get out of there!"

Novo tried to duck away, but Tauros hooked his horns under his front legs and threw him up, into the air. He whined half nastily/half painfully as he was knocked through the air. He landed and slid beside Eevy with a sharp cry.

"You did great, Novo. Return, now! Get on out there, Yovo! Show it a Faint Attack!"

"Tauros! Fissure!"

Tauros jumped and slammed down, triggering the Fissure. Dirt and dust puffed up from every direction, concealing the field for a moment. The smoke cleared, but there was no sign of Yovo. It was completely quiet with the sounds of Weedle, Beedrill and Pineco in the background. Ash looked left and right, but there wasn’t even the slightest clue as to where the Umbreon went. Eevy smiled nastily as Yovo came flying from nowhere, smack into Tauros’ side. The Bull Pokemon toppled sideways with a puff of sand shooting up behind him.

"Great Faint Attack, Yovo! Keep it up!" Eevy smiled wide.

"You were great, Tauros. Return! Now go, Croconaw! Bite attack, now!"

Croconaw tromped forward and bit down as hard as he could manage on Yovo’s ear. Yovo sat and blinked once or twice while Croconaw continued chewing. Ash facefaulted as Yovo yawned and cocked an eyebrow.

"I thought you’d know better than to use a Dark- type attack on a Dark- type Pokemon," Eevy scolded, "Whatever. Go, Yovo! Tackle attack!"

"Croconaw! Tackle attack it back!"

The two Pokemon ran forward, Tackling into each other with all their might. They rammed together, fell back, and Tackled again. Eevy could tell both Pokemon were tiring and she was almost sure Ash could at least see it as well, as he made a good move.

"Stop with the Tackle and go to a Headbutt!" Ash called.

Croconaw backed away and jumped forward, crashing into Yovo and sending him popping backwards. Yovo bounced and stood hissing for a moment before tilting side to side and falling over. Eevy slouched and nervously growled.

"You did great, Yovo. You’d better return now. OK! Now get out and fight, Lovo!"

"Keep focused, Croconaw, and give him a Scary Face!"

Croconaw jumped forward and gave a terrifying Scary Face right into Lovo’s face. Lovo sat calmly and cocked his head. Ash had forgotten that the Ovos weren’t even slightly phased by such attacks anymore. Croconaw kept trying with the attack, but Lovo repositioned himself and sent a Thundershock into Croconaw’s unsuspecting body. Croconaw roared and fell backwards, whimpering from the tiny bolts of lightning whipping around his body.

"You were great, Croconaw. Return! Go, Cyndaquil! Flamethrower!"

"Lovo, Thunderbolt now!"

The heat of Cyndaquil’s Flamethrower completely repelled Lovo’s Thunderbolt. Lovo jumped away, just dodging the flames, but catching a good sized burn on his right leg. His burned limb buckled, sending him to the ground. He fought to stand, but the burn was getting the best of him.

"Now, use Tackle, Cyndaquil!"

Cyndaquil ran forward and Tackled Lovo in the side. The Jolteon rolled away with a whimper and cry. He kept trying to stand, but the wound on his leg did nothing to help it. He forced himself time and again to get at least half way up, but finally gave up after falling and rolling.

"You did great. Don’t hurt yourself any more than you already are. Return now, Lovo! Now I choose, Zovo!"

"Go, Cyndaquil! Show it your Swift attack!"

"Burn them away with Fire Spin!"

The Fire Spin and the Swift both shot forward, the fire searing the star-like attack to nothing. The Fire Spin kept traveling and collided with Cyndaquil, who hadn’t really been paying attention to his opponent, but to the fact that he didn’t slip into the pond beside them. The Fire Spin ended and Cyndaquil shook off, turning and growling at Zovo who was giving a nasty laugh. Eevy was letting out a similar snicker. Ash scowled at his laughing opponents.

"Get in there with a Quick Attack!" Eevy called.

"Flamethrower again!" Ash shouted.

Zovo Quick Attacked as fast as he could, running straight for Cyndaquil. Cyndaquil lashed out with the Flamethrower, but Zovo ran through it, taking in any of the heat from it that he could to power his own attacks. Cyndaquil jumped away but Zovo charged through, slamming him away. Zovo skidded away after sending Cyndaquil popping into the air. Ash gave a bit of a surprised gasp as Cyndaquil slid away and stopped with a grunt.

"Return, Cyndaquil! You did great. Go now, Noctowl!"

"Stick to your spot, Zovo! Use Flamethrower!"

"Noctowl! Attack with a Peck attack, now!"

Noctowl dashed into the air, flying above Zovo’s oncoming fire. He swooped down and caught Zovo off guard, throwing him back in a tumble. Eevy swallowed hard and shook her head sympathetically at the sight of her Flareon laid out on the ground.

"You fought great, Zovo. Better return. Now I choose you, Sovo!"

"Just like I thought," Ash mused, "She’s saving the Eevee for last," he shook himself straight, "Go, Noctowl! Use Hypnosis!"

"Sovo! Use Reflect! Bounce it back!"

Noctowl’s Hypnosis waves made their way forward, hitting Sovo’s Reflect and bouncing right back at the user. Sovo snickered wildly as Noctowl started Pecking at the air around himself. Ash made a totally embarrassed face, then jumped about six feet when his Pokemon turned on him. The entire Stadium was laughing, excepting Misty, Brock and Tracey, when Noctowl continued chasing him.

"You’d better recall him, Ash," Eevy laughed hysterically, "before he Pecks you full of holes."

"Noctowl, return!" Ash quickly recalled his Pokemon and sighed, "All right, Pikachu. It’s just you and me now!"

"Pika cha pika!" Pikachu jumped, standing poised to attack.

"Sovo! Psybeam attack, now!" Eevy called.

"Pikachu! Agility, now!" Ash shouted.

Sovo shot his Psybeam, but Pikachu was way too fast. Eevy just about fell face first to the ground as Pikachu rammed into Sovo with a hefty Quick Attack. One of her strongest Pokemon simply bounced backward like a beach ball and flopped to a stop. Eevy screamed like a banshee at the sight of that.

"You did very, very well. Now, go. Vovo!"

"Eevee eev-eev!" Vovo snapped and pounced forward.

"This is it. Our last match-up," Ash commented, "Are you ready?"

"I’ve been ready for a long time," Eevy nodded, "Let’s begin!"

*^~^**^~^*

"There they go," Lance gnawed on his thumbnail, "I think I’m gonna keel over."

"This is the last chance she’s got," Luri swallowed, "If she loses…I don’t know what we’ll do."

"I don’t think you’re helping, Luri," Will twitched, "I think you’re only making it worse."

"You’re certainly not doing me any good," Jason gagged a few times, "I’m losing it here!"

"You’re all making me nervous," Kratos scolded, "Stop that profusely annoying chatter!"

"Sorry," they whimpered together.

"Come on, Eevy. We’re counting on you."

*^~^**^~^*

"Get in there, Vovo! Show them your Agility!" Eevy called, now totally fired up.

"Eev-eev!" Vovo ran forward, growling at Ash and Pikachu.

"Go, Pikachu! Show them your Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted, ready for this last battle.

"Pika!" Pikachu zipped towards his opponent, hissing nastily.

Pikachu let Thunderbolt after Thunderbolt fly. Vovo dodged all of them without even a second thought. Pikachu shot left with Vovo running faster for the attack to strike behind him. Vovo kept running, refusing to give up.

"Now, Vovo! Quick Attack!"

"Hurry, Pikachu! Quick Attack it right back!"

"Pika! Chau!"

"Eev! Eev ee!"

Eevy played a quick card, "Agility! Then Quick Attack!"

Vovo sped up to twice his original speed, ramming Pikachu in the head. Pikachu braced, being at a higher level than Vovo, and pushed back. Vovo hissed and growled nastily, pushing even harder. The pressure on Eevy from this insane battle was almost too much, but she could see it on Ash’s face that he wasn’t having the best times of his life either.

"Vovo! Duck and throw!"

Vovo dropped his head and pushed up under Pikachu’s chin. Pikachu rolled back with Vovo chasing after him. Ash was getting a bit worried now. If he lost this match, he lost all the hard work he’d put into this League until the next year when he’d fight his way through the eleven rounds all over again. After all the work he’d done, he refused to lose.

"Pikachu! Thunder, now!"

"Vovo! Hidden Power!"

The ground around Vovo broke and smashed and the air around Pikachu crackled and zapped. Pikachu and Vovo both let out angry cries as their masters encouraged them to try their best.

"You can do it, Pikachu!"

"It’s all up to you, Vovo!"

"PIKA!" Pikachu started his attack, "CHU!"

"EEVEE!" Vovo also started firing, "EEV!"

Vovo’s Hidden Power lashed along, ripping up more earth as it traveled. Pikachu’s Thunder roared forward, tearing ruts and holes in the dirt as it continued along. The Hidden Power struck the Thunder head-on, disintegrating it completely on first contact. Ash let out an angry gasp as he remembered that Vovo’s Hidden Power was based almost solely on the rock and earth around it, meaning it repelled Electric- type attacks easily. The Hidden Power slammed Pikachu with full force, pushing him away. He flew past Ash and rammed into a tree with a sharp cry. Ash almost suffocated as Pikachu flopped down with a grunt. Then Eevy noticed Vovo, trying desperately to stand. He seemed to be fine, however, as he let out a cry of victory. The loud speaker sounded.

"The match has been decided! Trainer Evangelina Hikoboshi of Rose Town, Nanka is officially the winner of round twelve!"

"Yes!" Eevy cheered, "Yes, we did it!"

"We lost," Ash picked Pikachu up, "All this work, and we lost."

"Ash," Eevy tried to talk to him.

"Keep back!" he snapped, "This is all your fault!"

She started to teleport away and grabbed Vovo. She found herself on the podium outside the Forest Field. Ash teleported in soon after, cradling Pikachu. He looked at Eevy for a moment, eyes trembling, and turned and ran away. He took off down the steps and towards the gate of the Stadium. Eevy noticed he was crying, but he wasn’t going to admit it. She dropped Vovo and took off down the stairs with her Eevee chasing after her. She followed as best as she could, with the Elite and Kratos frowning straight to the ground and awaiting her return.

"He must be heartbroken," Misty muttered, "I can’t even imagine what he feels like."

"It’s gotta be really painful to come this far and lose," Tracey added, "I don’t even think I can guess what it’s like."

"I don’t want to know what it’s like to come this far and lose," Brock mumbled, "He must feel horrible. I hope Eevy knows what she’s doing."

"We’re sorry Ash lost," Morty caught their attention from their side, "Really we are."

"Let’s just hope Eevy can make him feel better," Medira looked off as Ash and Eevy ran around the side of the Stadium, "He looks pretty beat."

*^~^**^~^*

"Ash! Ash, wait up!" Eevy jumped, slamming him to the ground, "Stop!"

"Get off me!" he growled, "Leave me alone! How could you, Eevy?! How could you?!"

"Stop," she ordered, "Calm down. You knew one of us had to lose out there and I know you wanted it to be me. I’m sorry I beat you, but things happen a certain way for a reason and there’s no way to change it."

"Don’t give me that!" he shoved her back, "You’re a liar! You were never really my friend in the first place!"

"Why? Because I didn’t let you win?"

He stopped dead just then, realizing that was exactly what he had been thinking, "I don’t know…"

"I know you wanted to win. I know you trained hard. And I know you really can do this, but it appears now is just not your time. I’m sorry, Ash. I really am. And I really am your friend. I wouldn’t have come after you if I weren’t. I’m so sorry you didn’t get to face your dream this year, but there’s always next year. After you’ve had more training, you can come back and face this all over again and do even better than you did this year."

"I tried so hard," he muttered, "I battled as best I could, but I lost anyway. Everybody’s been right all along! I am just a kid!"

"Yes, you are a kid. But you’re a great trainer too. Everybody’s been a kid at one point or another and from what you’re telling me you’re degrading yourself into a baby. You’re not. You’re seventeen with two best friends and a girlfriend sitting in that Stadium and watching you run away like the baby that you’re pushing yourself to be. Not to mention the rest of those people in there from the Four Corners and Orange Islands that think you’re a little crybaby now. All it’s going to take to bring back their confidence in you is if you go marching back in that door and take this defeat like an adult. Live with it and move on."

"But you just said I was a kid."

Eevy facefaulted and growled a bit, "Age-wise, you are! But from some of the things I’ve seen you do, you’re more of an adult than I am courage-wise. If you don’t want to look like a little baby to those thousands of people sitting in there, you’ll come with me now and go back in that Stadium," she put out her hand, "Are you coming?"

He looked between her face and her hand, trying to decide if she was telling the truth, "Well," he swallowed, "I could trust you just this once, I guess."

"Good," she nodded once, "Let’s go!"

*^~^**^~^*

"Look! She did it!" Lisle jumped as Eevy came running in the gate with Ash clinging to her wrist as she drug him along.

The crowd jumped and roared as the two of them climbed the stairs to the podium where Kratos and the Elite had been waiting, "We were beginning to worry," Kratos nodded, "Did you succeed in calming your frazzled nerves?"

"Yes, sir," Ash nodded, "And I’m prepared to take my defeat thanks to Eevy."

Kratos turned and stared at Eevy as she stood with her arms crossed behind her back and her hair barely blowing to the side, "I may have been his opponent, but I’m also his friend," she muttered, "And nothing will change that. No matter how high a position either of us take."

Lance nodded with a slight smile, "Ash Ketchum," Ash stepped away, "You fought well. I’m sorry you had to come this far to lose."

"I’ll keep trying and I’m not giving up," Ash nodded slowly, "until I can finally beat Eevy."

Eevy gave a sarcastic scowl, "Sure you will. Someday."

Ash was presented with a trophy and a special Badge. Misty, Brock and Tracey made their way to the podium through the lines of bleachers and the quartet agreed to stick around for the rest of Eevy’s battles. Eevy got the biggest prize so far. She was granted the right to enter Prisma Hall and the parties for that night. The crowd burst for seemingly no apparent reason until Eevy heard a good amount of footsteps behind her. She spun for a total of nine people. Medira and Morty were seemingly leading the group with Sooney, Yuu-Yuu and Mizu behind them and lagging back were Lisle, Skiff, Beth and Eusine, all smiling wide. She returned the smiles to them, but to Lance she gave a nasty scowl. The entire Stadium must have seen that, as at that very moment, the chatter rose. Blabbering about something that could very well have been that cold look she’d just shot at her possible future opponent.

"You won, Eevy," Morty smirked, "You won!" he shot forward and swung his arms around her, "My baby sister won!"

"Your ‘baby sister’ didn’t do anything," Eevy broke in as he pinned her arms to her side in a most annoying hug, "Your younger sister won her match."

"Yeah," he hugged her tighter, "Yeah, I know."

The Elite 4 and Kratos offered Eevy and Ash their congratulations and their deepest apologies on winning and losing and sent the group on its way with a huge roar from the crowd around them. People stormed to the gate, causing them to run faster to avoid contact. Eevy rounded the corner to the left, dragging the entire group with her. They rammed the door to the place where Eevy and her group was staying and flocked to the stairwell. Eusine skidded to a stop and locked the door, then shoeing the rest on. They kept running with Pikachu and Vovo dashing along behind. They reached Eevy’s floor and ran down the hall, hearing footsteps on the stairs. They each threw open the doors to their own respective rooms, pulling part of the group in behind them. Each of the five doors slammed shut and locks latched. The stairwell door flung open and closed slowly as the group didn’t see any sign of life.

*^~^**^~^*

Eevy peeked out the window in the door, "That was close," she sighed, "Too close."

"You’re telling me," Ash moaned, "Those people are as fast as fast can be!"

"That was nuts!" Medira flopped down on her bed, "I’m never leaving this room again!"

"So, I guess that means you’re not going to the parties tonight?" Misty questioned.

"I forgot about that," Eevy straightened, "I totally forgot!"

"Parties," Medira drooled, "The joy of life."

Ash cocked an eyebrow and shook his head, "I take it you like parties."

"Yeah!" Medira burst, "Who doesn’t! You can do near anything at parties! Eat, dance, drink, go nuts if you want to! What about you, Eevy?"

"I do not drink," she stated plainly, staring out the window, "I dance, eat and go home. That is the extent of my party life."

"You don’t drink?" Medira nearly wilted, "I’m almost named after a drink!"

"Whatever. I don’t think I’m going to go. I’ve got a lot to get done for when I face the Elite 4. I think I’ll just go to bed."

"You can’t!" Misty burst, "You and Ash are getting put in the Exhibit Hall! You’ve got to go to the party!"

"Come on, Eevy! Even I’m willing to go!" Ash burst, "And I lost!"

Eevy sighed and shook her head, "If I absolutely must, I suppose."

*^~^**^~^*

"Didn’t you hear me?! I’m not going!" Lance burst, "I refuse!"

"You’re not refusing anything!" Will snatched his arm, "You’re going to that party!"

"I am not! Let me go!"

"Enough!" Kratos echoed, halting all movement, "Ryujin, you are coming whether you like it or not."

Lance moaned and drooped, "Yes, sir."

The whole group stepped down the walk and headed for the conference room down the road. Lance walked behind everyone else, walking slower than everyone else, and looked as if to be sick. Jason didn’t exactly look too great either, as he was lagging back a bit and looking queasy too. Eevy’s group was filing into the room in front of them and Eevy made it a point to step on some toes. Literally. She swiftly imbedded her heel in Lance’s foot and stomped down on Will’s shoe. Luri slapped her hand over their mouths to keep them from screaming and Jason was waiting for his turn. Eevy slammed down in a chair, with Kratos approaching her.

"Why are you sitting down here?" he asked, "You should be up there," he pointed to the second floor, "With us."

"Why, may I ask, sir, would I want to be up there? I rather like it here," she pointed around the other people sitting with her, "with these people. You know. Friends."

He laughed lowly, "Funny. Very funny. Of course, if you’d rather sit down here, that’s fine. But you’re welcome to join us at any time."

"Lovely," she snorted and leaned back in her chair, "Just lovely," she put out her palm and raised her glass into the air and into her hand, "I can’t wait to beat them."

"Hmm," Peter leaned into the shadowed doorway, "Psychic powers. But she doesn’t drink. Well, where’s the fun in that? I can’t get my job done if she doesn’t drink."

"Medira, what’s wrong?" Eevy noticed her friend straighten, then straightened herself, "Never mind."

Lance’s back shot straight up, "Guess who," he muttered.

"I already know who. I don’t have to guess," Will mumbled.

"Maybe we should try to get them up here," Luri suggested.

"At least Eevy and Medira, if not all of them," Jason added.

"Are you OK, Eevy?" Morty looked overly worried.

"Just a cold chill," she looked down at her glass, "I do believe."

*^~^**^~^*

"That was the most boring three hours of my entire life," Sooney grumbled, "Sitting there and staring around at slightly high ranked Trainers moaning because it’s not their turn in Prisma Hall is not my idea of serious fun."

"Join the club," Yuu-Yuu added, "Some of them did not seem too thrilled about us being the next opponents to their precious Elite. Hey, Eevy are you all right?"

"I’m fine," Eevy answered simply, "Just got a lot on my mind, as you can simply imagine. I face the four Head Masters in just a couple of days and I feel like my head could explode."

"You’ll do just fine," Lisle nodded, "You just have to get a good night’s rest and be up bright and early to train tomorrow. You’re not worried are you? You almost sound upset."

"I do not worry and I do not get upset."

I love being evil, don’t you? Heading on to the Elite 4 battles in the next few chapters, where I get to be even more evil. Muahaha! Erm…Anyways…Go on and read Jason’s battle with Eevy now…Shoo-shoo!

Fwee…I think I’ll stick one of my Pokemon at the end of some chapters. Why? Because at the moment, I’m extremely bored…

Chio/Venusaur (Male)

Lvl-54, HP-170, Atk-122, Def-120, Sp.Atk-132, Sp.Def-132, Spd-120

Item-Miracle Seed, Exp-154423

Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Fury Cutter

From: Bred from Ivysaur from Yellow and hatched in Crystal