Together we rise or fall (c)

"I got your text... Is something wrong?" He's been acting sort of moody, like something's bothering him. He was beginning to wonder if his presence made Usagi uncomfortable or somehow distracted him from training harder. While he still obviously wanted a battle, he was concerned this might be the last time they met.

But why do I feel this way?

Why am I so worried? Usagi had been stronger than him as a trainer when they first met, but much and more of this relied heavily on Absol's unique disposition as a powerfully endowed pokemon. Perhaps Usa was striving to prove it was more than just that, and Dmitri was the example to canonize this statement.

"So you wanted to train Zubat today? Can I have his name?" I guess I should have checked to see if it was a female first? Not that it made much of a difference. In order for Zubat to train, it needed a balanced opponent. Broski was much too strong, and Skorupi lacked any restraint. I'll use Hoodini! He popped out the pokeball, and Hoodini appeared.

"I'll try to go easy on Zubat." Going easy wasn't his style, but he was willing to do anything for Usagi. Pretending to lose wasn't fair to Usa though, so he would be sure to let the match play out however it was meant to. I'll... try and give him a chance. It would be tough, but Dmitri knew that boosting a pokemon's confidence through an intense battle was the surest way to raise them to be happy and proud of their efforts.

Hoodini is standing by!

"Dani, eh? Alright." He almost said boyfriend, I think I'm going to... and he gave me a wink.~ His heart skipped a beat and he was just as flushed as Usagi was. But he didn't intend to let that divert his attention away from the battle.

Rather, it fueled him, and his gambling self made a proposal. "Whoever loses has to buy the other dinner for a week!" It was one of those gambles he made knowing he couldn't lose; either way it meant Usagi would be forced to spend more time with him.

Even if it came at an expensive price, it was worth it. But he was stalling, and so he took the first move for Hoodini, as was discussed and agreed upon.

"Alright Abra, focus and attack with Dazzling Gleam." There was little else to do, and although Dmitri knew Dani had the Poison-typing he was sure it would be a good match anyways. Hoodini didn't bother trying to pry at Dani's thoughts.

"Follow it up with another one!" Abra wasn't resilient, but his capacity to attack quickly was almost unparalleled. Daenerys had best prepare herself for Hoodini, he wasn't a laughing matter for much longer. Just wait until he evolves.

Dmitri had been considering rare candiesto stimulate Hoodini's growth for quite some time now. Apparently they were easier to come by here in Hoenn; Demitri remembered those being incredibly rare back home. Most people had rarely even used one, let alone a couple dozens like some trainers here were fond of doing.

Hoodini used Dazzling Gleam! x2

"I didn't realize Abra had such a type disadvantage..." Wow, I must have sounded really smug, offering to go easy. He felt like a dirtbag at this point, but truly it was just a matter of ignorance. But what would Usagi think of him if he were such a fool? He suddenly felt very reluctant to battle.

But Hoodini was expertly dodging Zubat's Leech Life, teleporting behind him while striking for another attack. Despite this his damage was minimized by the target's Poison-typing. Zubat's Leech Life, however, took a lot of vitality out of Hoodini and replaced its own with it.

"Just keep attacking, Hoodini!" There wasn't much else to command of him, Dmitri was already expecting a defeat. How does this keep happening. There was something wrong here, and it wasn't his pokemon's fault. It's me, I'm the problem.

Hoodini evaded Leech Life!
Hoodini used Dazzling Gleam! x2
Hoodini was struck by Leech Life!

Dmitri simply sat there, watching Usa demonstrate his prwoess with pokemon battling as if it came second hand to him.  He recalled something his father had told him about coming to Hoenn.  Something to encourage him not to give up earl, though it wasn't exactly until now that he'd thought about it again.

'There are many trainers across the world who are going to be better than you, at least for a time.  Only by surrounding yourself with the best among them will you ever distinguish yourself. That's how your Pa did it, and I know you can too!'  I guess you were right after all, Pa.  His fists tightened and he tried to be a bit more optimistic about the situation. Where was it written that battling was determined by typing alone? There was still a small chance worth hoping for. He couldn't let his spirit be so easily broken, not so early in his journey.

I'm doing what he said to do, I can't be that far off my mission.  "Hoodini, dodge Astonish and use another Dazzling Gleam!"  He created a marvelous brilliance that shortly faded after he deftly skirted around Zubat with another paced teleportation technique.  He's getting really good at that, I'm impressed.

"Again!"  But even as he said it, he watched Dani close in for another shriek, deafening Hoodini to the command and knocking him unconscious.  No...  It's not that he wasn't expecting it; he just wished it didn't have to be this way.  Optimism suddenly wasn't his strong suit anymore. But wait, there was something he was forgetting.

"I guess this means I owe you dinner for a week?~"

At least there was a happy ending.

hoodini evades astonish!
hoodini uses dazzling gleam!
hoodini is hit by astonish!
hoodini is fainted. +1 (Lvl 11)

"It's just that, you're the Ranger and I'm the Trainer. But you're so much better than I am at battling." Sometimes the truth wasn't so bad; it felt good to get it out there. It was a legitimate concern, and something that had been troubling him about Hoenn.

"I have high aspirations, but at this point, it's just not going to add up. I barely stand a chance against the trainers here, let alone the Gym Leaders. Don't even get me started on the Elite Four and, come to think of it, the Champion." He'd heard stories and seen records of many bygone pokemon masters, but it wasn't as many as one would hope to see.

"I don't want to give up on my pokemon. But, I don't know what, but something's wrong with how I battle. I don't know if I should blame myself or the pokemon." He'd refused to even think of blaming the pokemon until now as a self rule. But truthfully the problem lied in the chemistry and teamwork of pokemon and trainer. Am I a poor influence on them?

'I hope you're not getting bored of me.' Yeah, like that was ever going to happen. Oh you silly, silly sunflower. "I've managed to stick by you this far, haven't I?" He walked alongside Usagi and grabbed his hand. Let's get out of here, I don't want someone from Slateport coming along and seeing me lose to him. Let's go somewhere a bit more... out of the way.

"Come on, I want to make sure we get to the next City soon. They're always fun to visit." By now Hoodini was back into his pokeball and safely tucked away. He considered using Broski next, or maybe Bowser, if Usagi decided to continue.

"I don't think I get what you're saying at all," He'd chuckled at Usagi's attempt at a pep talk. It was more bizarre and confusing than he could let on, but it was the genuine concern Usa showed that mattered to Dmitri most. "But I don't want you to be sad, not because of me." He kept a hand on Usa's, refusing to let him get away completely.

"I'll try to be less down in the dumps, but only 'cause you're so hard to resist." Still, I need to keep training. I want to make Ma & Pa proud. And Usa, too. He didn't like feeling like a weak link; it just wasn't befitting. He quit lingering on these thoughts for now, pacing forward with Usagi down along the route. I wonder what he'll want for dinner this time.~ Dmitri liked to try new things, especially when Usagi recommended them. He had good tastes.

Still, it meant he had to put up with Risu from time to time. I still don't get it; why does he dislike me so much? "Hey, Usa... do you know why Risu hates me?" Hate might have been a strong word, but there was an obvious discontent between them.

Why had this problem even formed to begin with?

"I had a battle with him after our dance at the gala," It was a memorable ocassion but not one he enjoyed bringing up lightly. "and he called me a bully." There was also that bit where he seemed to think being brothers had some sort of justification for not allowing his involvement with Usagi. He never did quite elaborate further on that particular note.

"But, if you say he's just being competitive, I believe you. He's not my brother." I wouldn't want him to be either; that would make you forbidden. There was an ever increasing climate change as they ventured ahead. It was arid and unforgiving to a foreigner acclimated to the cold.

"Sucks, when does this Route end? Feels like we've been walking for hours." It's only been a few minutes at most since we finished battling. Usa was going to call him out on being lazy, he just knew it, but his legs were feeling stiff.

"Dani is an excellent pokemon. Must be her trainer rubbing off on her.~" He brought a hand up to Usagi's hair and rustled it, weaving his fingers through the soft strands. So soft, he must use shampoo a lot. Was this too creepy? He didn't want to stop, but he eventually removed the hand and returned it to his side. Yup, it's official. I'm a dork.