[X] My Assistant

[Kamaitachi]

The Preliminaries and First Round Match between Lori Pardare and Douken Sota.

[Douken Sota]

"Maya, Headbutt!" The two moves clashed into each other, both standing there as the Dewgong's horn found its way at Piplup's belly as his beak found the top of her head. Both bodies stood there tired, until one finally fell.

"Piplup is unable to battle, making Douken Sota the winner!" With the flag raised to Douken's end, it was official. The match was over, having Douken proceed to the next round.

"Well done, well done!" applauded the suited man as he walked onto the field, patting the Amazon's back. "Not like it should be any worry. How else could a rookie trainer like her defeat a two-badge holder like yourself? It was yours from the get-go."

Douken turned his head and glared at the man. "You make it seem like it was a complete sweep. as you can see, she has the skill, tactics, and guts of a true trainer to bring me to the point on the field you see right now. If you doubt me, why don't you take her on yourself?" it was enough for him to lose his nerves and walk off. With a small sigh, he turned around and walked over to the other side of the field, holding his hand out.

"It was a good fight," he told Lori, "I'm sure if you didn't start so shaky, you would of been able to win that. Keep that confidence and I am sure you will do well in the future."

[Living Arrow]

That was it. It was over.

Lori felt that all-too-familiar ball of frustration, sadness, anger and shame that always seemed to grow when she lost a battle settle in her throat. Another day another loss and she still didn’t know truly where she was going wrong. Maybe she could ask Kino? Was her strategy still not good enough, even after reading those chapters in the training manual that Joey had? Were her Pokemon not gaining the sstrength that they should have at their level?

*Maybe they need to evolve…But I can’t even help them do that, can I?* Lori scolded herself, reminded of the failure of Triss’s evolution in the Fidona Pokemon Gym.

“Pipster!” Lori brought herself back to reality and away from her self loathing, jogging to her partner’s fallen side and scooping him up carefully. “Are you alright, Pipster?”

“Luuup…” Pipster moaned weakly, his eyes barely open enough to look back at his trainer. Those eyes held tears that had not been born of any physical pain. Lori held back her own with great difficulty.

“You don’t need to say sorry,” she interpreted his moans perfectly, “I know you did your best – am I’m so thankful that you did. You’re the best Pokemon ever, Pipster.”

“Pip… Piplup…” He whispered back, slumping in her grip.

“Time to rest – you deserve a long one.” Lori stroked his brow once with soft fingertips and then held up his green Pokeball. “Pipster, return.”

With her Pokemon all safely back in their balls, Lori wiped off her sweaty palms on her dress and sought out her opponent. He was talking to some guy in a suit but was soon hurrying towards her. She accepted his handshake and made herself smile through all of her disappointment. He offered her some kind words which, admittedly, lifted her mood but a loss was still a loss to Lori.

“And congratulations to you, too, Mister Douken.” She bowed her head. “I hope you win now – I can’t lose to anyone other than the best, y’hear?” She waved him goodbye and left the arena, unsure of where to head next since she was out of the tournament already. Maybe the main area would have some stalls or other competitions she could participate in? Whatever the case, her tired Pokemon all needed the attention of Nurse Joy.

With a win and a loss under her belt, Lori Pardare made for the tournament village.