Pokedex Entry #028 Skill Tree Part 2

Last time we left out heroes, Trixie has now entered the Eterna Gym fresh off of Taylor's defeat at the hands of Gardenia! Find out how this tense reunion would go.

Trixie POV

Noticing the near tidal wave of mocking to come, Taylor tried to wipe away her tears while hiding behind her defeated Golett. However, before I could even get an insult in, my attention was completely drawn to my initial target as she walked forward.

Every step carried an almost unearthly grace that would have made even a top coordinator jealous. Yet beneath it all, lied an almost deeply hidden power, one that made my anxiety hit it all the more.

"Do you two know each other?" Gardenia said in an amused tone.

At that moment, the two of them entered a brief yet awkward silence. Even with all the time we've spent together, calling us friends wouldn't have been right, but it's not like we were precisely enemies anymore either ever since that battle. It is just like that weirdo that follows her around said; we are closet in more ways than one now. I don't think we ever put a name on it, but I'm happy to do that now.

"Yes, we are rivals, ma'am, and it seems that I'm going to be the trainer that's about to beat you," I said while dismissing Taylor completely.

Garedina answered with a chuckle as if laughing at an inside joke. Still, the slight smirk persisted even when she answered back.

"Unfournatetely as much as I want to answer your call, you'll have to give me a couple of hours. My battle with Taylor has caused massive damage to my gym, and most of my Pokemon need to be taken to a Pokemon Center. Maybe you could-"

At that point, I pretty much stopped listening to her because I already knew what she was about to say, and I couldn't have any of that. Words like" could" were nothing more than setbacks, dangling options, and excuses I didn't have the comfort to take. Ultimatums were the only language I've ever known, the only thing that I've ever understood.

Even miles away, I could already feel my mother's influence wrapping around me like a Serviper. Flashes of past failures crept into my psyche, sending my body into straight fight or flight at the very thought of another one of our potential "arguments."

It took everything I had to convince her to let me continue battling, and I refused to give her any reason to take my dream. So by the time she finished her useless sentence, I shifted through all the research I dug up on the famous gym leader before even setting foot here. Through that, I found my special loophole.

"Unfournatetly Gardenia, I can't do that. I've got to get back home early to prepare for a premature coordinator's meeting. Which means I have to walk out of this gym with victory and badge in hand. So instead, how about we purpose a challenge that leaves both of us happy," I said with pure determination.

By the time I finished my offer, the entire environment had started to change. Out of nowhere, a gentle yet noticeable, seemingly emanated from Gardenia as a small shimmer began to appear from her eye.

"I'm listening," the famed battler said as this ethereal power peaked.

With that, I put on the performance of a lifetime, holding a confident smile while gripped tightly to the six lifelines that may prolong or end my journey.

With that, another titanic battle is underway? Will Trixie's terrific team stand against the growing goliath that is Gardenia's power?! Find out next time as the journey continues ever forward!