"R-rival?" Ribbon questioned timidly with a growing frown. "W-what do you mean?"

"That you were born to be my rival!" he retorted confidently, pointedly glaring at her.

"This is still confusing... I-I have no idea what you're talking about," she told him so softly only the two of them could hear, and directed away her gaze. "My Papa does. I-I don't."

She found it strange that the other Pokémon kept staring at her competitively nonetheless.

"W-why are you still looking at m-me?"

The other Pichu stayed silent for a bit before scoffing. "You think I'm dumb? It's obvious you're his daughter! I can't believe you're trying to get out of a battle with lame excuses like that!"

"Battle? What battle?!" Ribbon sputtered in horror at the words.

"The one we're having right now!"

After quickly spouting said nonsense, the strange Pichu proceeded to step two feet back with speed, before launching foward towards Ribbon.

She squeaked as she got pushed to the wooden floor of the ice-cream shop.

Hana worriedly turned her head at her daughter from having a conversation Korrina's Lucario. "R-Ribbon!" She immediately ran alarmed towards her.

But before she could get too close to them, the other Pichu discharged an immense amount of electricity from his body, managing to Ribbon and nearly, Hana.

So that this madness wouldn't continue, Hana decided that yelling was necessary, pushing away her leftover shyness for the much more intense need of saving her daughter. "Leave her alone...!"

"Stay out! It's dangerous if you meddle in a battle, ma'am!" he told her, still as determined before turning back to his target.

He let out a battle cry before throwing a swift kick at her, which Ribbon quickly dodged, backing down. He threw a punch next, which she dodged again.

"Are they battling?" Korrina tilted her head with worry.

"Oh no! Is Ribbon okay?!" Bonnie shrieked horrified, pulling at her brother's sleeve.

"I-I'm not sure..." Serena muttered nervously, staring firmly at their direction. "Sylveon seems too shocked to do anything!"

"This is the strangest battle I've ever seen..." Clemont admitted, scratching his left cheek in concern.

Ribbon found herself with her back against the cold wall, and the opponent Pichu right in front of her, still in a fighting stance. More than hurt or pained over the attacks, she was confused.

Puzzled even. "Why... why are you doing this? Please... stop," she begged the stranger with an almost silent voice.

His response wasn't what she hoped as he still seemed unmoved.

"Why are you acting like that? Have you never battled before?" he questioned, sincerely bewildered as he saw a positive answer to be unlikely.

Ribbon's eyes suddenly filled with anger. "O-of course I haven't...!" Her voice rose quickly with frustration. "I've told you...! I'm not strong!"

The various other Pokémon inside the small shop looked at Ribbon with quite the shock.

What she just said was something no Pokémon with as much as dignity would ever say. All Pokémon used their own strength, no matter how weak, to win.

Ribbon didn't even try to win.

The male Pichu looked shocked as well, his fighting stance slightly relaxed and his eyes widened. "What...? Really?! Oh my一"

"Enough." Much to Ribbon's relief and the stranger's distress, Hana was finally able to pass by, setting down her paw between the two.

The glare the Sylveon gave him was enough to melt ice; she felt so much rage inside her, that even she herself felt surprised.

"B-But一" The boy Pichu tried to object, but he was soon interjected.

"I said that's enough." Hana had no mercy. She gently grabbed Ribbon by the neck, managing to carry her away from that psychopath of a Pichu.

Indeed, he was baffled at Ribbon's answer, almost tripping over as he tried to walk away as he was ordered.

Ribbon couldn't bring herself to glance at him anymore out of shame, staring at the ground instead. She suddenly felt Sylveon caressing her head lovingly with her feelers and a she felt her heart slowly warming up again with a small smile.

The smile didn't last long though, as it soon morphed into strong worry at looking at everyone else's reactions.

"Sylveon!" Serena called, running over to her companions and checking neither of them were hurt.

"Sylve... (I'm fine...)" she muttered under her breath in response and gave Serena a reassuring gaze so she could know what she meant.

The Sylveon turned around to face the small Pichu.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that... I wish I could have done something earlier..." she apologized truthfully, unable to not look away before she took a deep breath and pulled her daughter for a hug.

"It's okay, Mama..." the little Pokémon responded softly, closing her eyes.

Hana frowned deeply at her. She clearly was not okay; but maybe asking later after she had cooled down would be better. "Let's... let's go home, sweetie..."

Ribbon nodded weakly, not looking up as she followed her mother. Clemont managed to say goodbye to Korrina, and soon the group left the ice-cream shop.
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