"I'm so sorry Avie." I said, watching my friend's tear-filled eyes. She had such high hopes and they all shattered like glass when Lola won. I wiped the tears off her face with a tissue, and the panda eyes. She must have worn non-waterproof mascara.

"It's not your fault," Avie gave me a weak smile, "You did vote for me, right?"

"I sure did. You did so well. So did Blossom and Hugo." Avie grimaced at this.

"If only Blossom had stuck the tac-" she was interrupted by Serena, "Don't think like that, Avie. When Sylveon was still an Eevee, she was very nervous about performing. I helped her through it by supporting her and offering her friendship, not just orders. Maybe that's what's upsetting Chickorita."

"What do you mean, Mum? What's upsetting her?" Avie sounded slightly

panicked, her voice gave her away.

"I mean that she's nervous about performing. I saw Blossom look at the crowd just before she stopped. She was scared. If you be her friend, not her trainer, then she will trust you and start to get over it. Don't take it too hard, Avie. It's a beginner's mistake." Serena hugged her daughter tight, "You know I'm only telling you this because I'm your mother and I care about you. I don't want you to get hurt."

Avie smiled, "I know Mum." Serena passed Avie some Pokedollar notes said "Your allowance, sweetheart. Dad says to say hi. See you at the Cerulean City Showcase! Skye, Maya, Allie and Sam miss you. I hope you go well against Granite, I've heard he is extremely tough."

"Thank you Serena." I smiled as she walked towards the Pokecenter. Serena emitted sunshine and made the world bright. Avie was lucky to have her as her mother.

***

The next day I was ready to face Granite. Eli would battle his rock types and destroy them. I hoped Eli was ready. Avie walked in without a care in the world but I was scared. The gym looked like a huge boulder and it towered over me. Towered over the whole city, really. It was about as tall as three houses stacked on top of each other.

I pushed open the heavy, rock-encrusted door and entered the surprisingly well-lit space. The Floor went up into three levels, the bottom two a maze of boulders. It was so high I couldn't see what was at the top, I assumed Granite was up there, but you could never be sure. I walked slowly to the ladder leading up to the first level. I twisted my way through the maze, managing not to get completely lost. The maze took about 5 minutes to get through.

The second ladder was more difficult to climb, and the maze was more challenging. I walked around in circles for ages, before finding the ladder. I climbed it carefully, the ladder was high and I didn't want to fall. I pulled myself up and was greeted by a teenage boy.

His hair was in copper spikes, only some peeked out from under his cap. Pinned to the cap was a pin saying 'I have caught all 801 Pokémon!'. This guy was a pro trainer. He wore a tight brown t-shirt and black jeans, along with white sneakers. He was so intimidating, unlike me. I looked like a little girl playing dress up.

"What is your name, challenger?" Granite half bowed his head in respect. I mirrored him, "Skye Flamer is my name." Granite's face took on shocked expression, then turned bland, as if he didn't care. It was an obvious mask.

"My rock types are rock hard, just like my fathers! Let's go Rockruff!" The small dog-like Pokémon emerged from the depths of the Pokeball and snarled at me, I took an involuntary step back. That Rockruff was scary, even though it was cute. Granite stared at me, waiting for me to reveal my first Pokémon.

"Go Eli! I know you can do it! I believe in you!" Eli cowered at the Rockruff, but looked back and me and hid it. Our bond was already so strong, I loved him so much.

"Rockruff, Use Rock Tomb on that tiny Eevee!" Eli didn't stand a chance. The rocks crashed down on Eli and encased him in a mountain of boulders. But Eli was smarter than Rockruff. The boulders had cracks big enough for him to slip through and he was out as fast as lightning.

"Eli, Swift!" Rockruff held his ground, the attack seemed to have done nothing at all. The only acknowledgment he made to the attack was a slight shake of his head.

"Come on Rockruff, bite that Eevee!" Granite called. Eli knew to dodge without me telling him, but he was not quick enough. Rockruff's teeth got his stomach and he started to bleed uncontrollably. He lay on the ground, he even started to sob. I could feel tears prickling in the corner of my eyes. I knew what I had to do to help Eli.