The battle tournament was progressing quickly, now at the quarter final stage. Blaze, Ryan, Ricky and Vincent were all still in the run for victory, having overcome their opponents with relative ease. Next up for Ricky and Vincent was a pair of Pokemon that looked to provide a challenge. The two were to face a Jolteon and a Sylveon, and any Pokemon still in the tournament was obviously good enough to beat all previous opponents.

Vincent had been working on his new power, both in an attacking and defensive fashion. He thought he had mastered it, having used it in every battle so far. It had been a great help in most, and it didn't take too much out of him if used in moderation, he found.

He used it in training sessions as well, although Ricky was wise to his strategies. Being smaller than Vincent, Ricky was harder to hit, and lighter on his feet. Vincent made up for it by being stronger and harder to knock down, given his weight advantage. Both he and Ricky were surprised by it. He was as thin as any other Zoroark, but he was much harder to topple. He was steady as a rock, and that didn't fare well for their opponents.

Ricky used his speed to dodge a shadow ball, firing an aura sphere in retaliation. Surprised, Vincent only had time to guard before he took it head on. He managed to maintain his position, but he was unable to anticipate Ricky's next move. Ricky sped toward the dark type, hitting him with a close combat. Vincent was suddenly hit with a flurry of hard punches, each one more devastating than the last. As Ricky continued, Vincent finally managed to guard himself, and watching Ricky's movements helped him block one of his punches with his forearm. He pushed Ricky back, hitting him with a vicious backhand. Vincent employed his power while hitting him, giving the hit extra power. Ricky was thrown back, staggering back up too late to react to Vincent's night daze. The hit threw Ricky back further, and as he remained still on the ground, Vincent prepared to finish it by charging up a dark pulse. Seeing this, Ricky tried his best to get up, doing so just before Vincent unleashed the blast. Using his aura, Ricky formed a shield in front of him, holding it with all his energy against Vincent's devastating move. The shield held, and Ricky slowly managed to deflect the attack back at Vincent. That didn't have the effect Ricky wanted however. Vincent didn't take much damage from the attack, due to his arms being enveloped in purple/red energy as he guarded.
"You really do love to use that power, don't you?"
Ricky called to him as Vincent smiled triumphantly.
"Your use it too if you had it. No need to get jealous."
Vincent replied, getting Ricky to get into a battle stance.
"I have my own techniques. Jealousy is the last thing on my mind."
He then rushed toward Vincent, who prepared for whatever Ricky would do. Making a last minute decision, Vincent tried to dodge; that was a bad move. Ricky slowed down, tracking Vincent and using power up punch, knocking him back a few feet.
"I told you. I'm not quite finished."
Vincent struggled to his feet, still in better condition than his friend.
"I'll finish you. Just you wait."
He lunged at the Lucario, who stepped aside and barely missed another power up punch, paying for it dearly. Vincent lunged again, grabbing the Lucario before throwing him up in the air. Ricky was then unable to dodge the dark pulse that sealed the battle, causing Ricky to faint as he hit the battlefield floor.
"Okay... no more. You've beaten me."
Ricky said weakly moments later. The Zoroark stood tall, smiling triumphantly.
"You've still got work to do to beat me."
He kindly helped Ricky up and patted him on the back. Ricky took his paw and begrudgingly dusted himself off.
"Let's go inside. I'm freezing out here."
Ricky muttered, heading to Vincent's home, Vincent himself following.

After playing video games with Vincent for a few hours, Ricky said goodbye and headed to his own home. Blaze wasn't home again, so he decided to sleep alone at his apartment. He had to get as much rest as he could, as the quarter finals began tomorrow.

The next morning, Ricky and Vincent stood on the battlefield again, looking across at the Sylveon and Jolteon opposing them. The two were ready for a real challenge.
"So that quarter finals are finally here! Only eight teams consisting of sixteen Pokemon remain in this tournament, and the teams are all just as determined to progress! As you know, however, only four teams will go on to the semi finals. The first two Pokemon to progress were Blaze the Braixen and Ryan the Quilava. Now we'll find out which team that will face them in the semi finals!" Charles announced. Indeed he was correct, as Ryan and Blaze had made short work of their Umbreon and Leafeon opponents.

Vincent looked at Ricky.
"Scared?"
Ricky looked back with a fiery and pumped up look.
"Me? Scared? Ha! I'm so pumped for this!"
Ricky could see their opponents talking, but couldn't hear what they were saying.
"Remember what we practiced in training, and we'll get through this."
Vincent said aloud.
"I know that, Vincent. That's basic knowledge."
Vincent took a deep breath.
"I was talking to myself."
He muttered.
Ricky laughed, looking back at him.
"You're scared, aren't you?"
Vincent nodded slightly.
"I've got a bad feeling about this, like my power won't be enough to get me through this."
Ricky patted him on the back reassuringly.
"Look, you're just nervous."
Ricky looked across the field, seeing the Sylveon standing across from Vincent.
"See, you're facing a small, harmless Sylveon. And you're a tall, ferocious beast. You can beat her easily."
Vincent nodded.
"Thanks. I suppose you're right."
Vincent replied.

At that moment, the referee called both teams, getting the battle ready to start.
"And here we go! The referee is ready, and both teams are ready. The result of this battle will be very interesting."
Charles announced as the battle was seconds from beginning. Ricky's heart was pounding; he was so ready to begin.
'Look out, Ryan and Blaze.'
He thought.
'After this battle, you'll be next.'

That's all for this chapter! And you didn't have to wait a month for this one! See, I'm improving. For now, at least.

Either way, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one.