After returning the Pokémon to Professor Cherry's lab, we said our goodbyes and left Silverstone Town behind.

"So, are we backtracking to Zloria City?" Eric asked.

"Sure are!" I said, "I heard rumors that Darius would be hosting a comedy show in Zloria Studios!"

"Champion Darius?" Nina asked, "I'd love to meet him in person! He's hilarious. His parents were world-renowned comedians, and he followed in their footsteps."

"That sounds interesting," Kat commented, "And maybe, we can inform him of Team Xenon and what happened back at the lab."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Rina said.

"I couldn't agree more." Elsu said.

The more people are aware of the situation, the better our chance of handling it.

"So, what will we do after seeing Darius's comedy show?" Kat asked.

"I'd like to head back to Grandisle City," Elsu chimed in, "Not because of my monthly shipment from home; I was hoping to have a friendly battle with you guys,"

"Really?" Eric asked with a smile.

"Yeah! I've seen how you battle, and I'd love to test my strength against you guys. Plus, it'd be amusing and great training for our Pokémon!"

"I like that idea!" Nina said excitedly.

"Yeah! I think it'd be fun!" Kat said.

"Count me in!" I said.

Libby and Angel let out joy-filled cries. Rina chuckled with a fond smile.

"What says you, Rina?" I asked, "Do you wanna battle, too?"

"Oh, no, thank you. I'm not much of a battler," she said, "That's why I was hesitant going into Xaja Safari when we were helping out Professor Cherry. Sorry."

I smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay. You have nothing to apologize for," I said, "If battling's not your thing, then that's okay. Everyone's different."

Rina breathed out and smiled.

"Thanks, Era!" she said.

I chuckled, and my smile grew. Snubbull let out a bark that made the two of us laugh.

Rina's the type to watch from the sidelines, but I can tell that when the time comes, she'll step up and stand her ground.

The six of us continued to chat with smiles on our faces. Then, Libby hopped off my shoulder and sniffed the air.

"What is it, Libby?" I asked.

My partner looked around before bolting down the path.

"Libby, wait up!" I shouted, running after her.

What has got into her?

When Libby stopped in front of a tree, she chirped happy cries at the tree. Then, I saw a hand descend on her fuzzy head.

What in the world?

When I approached the tree, I saw a familiar face.

"Hunter?" I asked.

The trainer looked up at me, and he smiled.

"No way! Eragona!" he said.

I chuckled and held out my hand. The Dragon Slayer smiled and grasped my hand.

"It's been a while," he said, "How've you been?"

"Eh, okay, I guess?" I questioned, "It's complicated."

Hunter nodded and released my hand.

"Era!" Kat cried.

I turned around to see the others behind me.

"Guys, look who it is!" I said.

"Hunter?" Kat asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Good to see you again, too, Kat," Hunter said, "Eric, Nina,"

"You, too, Hunter." Nina said.

"What brings you here?" Eric asked.

"Well, I was going to Zloria City to heal my Pokémon, but this little one caught my attention."

Libby chirped out a cry and smiled. I chuckled as I picked up my partner and cradled her.

"We were on our way to Zloria City to see Darius's comedy show," I said, "Wanna join us?"

"I'll pass, but what would be entertaining is to have that rematch you promised me back in Shiverberg."

That's right! I forgot about that.

"Alright, let's have our rematch." I said.

"Let's get to Zloria City first," Elsu chimed in, "That way, it can be a proper battle on the battlefield."

"I like how you think," Hunter said, "I don't believe we've met. Hunter, the Dragon Slayer."

Hunter held out his hand towards Elsu and grinned. Elsu returned the gesture and grasped Hunter's hand.

"Elsu, and this is Rina." Elsu said.

"Hello!" Rina said.

"A pleasure," Hunter said, releasing Elsu's hand, "C'mon, let's get going to Zloria."

Smiling at one another, the seven of us continued down the dirt path to the silver-colored city. Once we arrived, we headed towards the Pokémon Center and walked inside.

"I don't think I've ever been to Zloria City before," Hunter said as handing Nurse Joy his Pokéballs, "It's huge,"

"Not as big as Gladiolus." I commented.

"Oh, most definitely."

When we got our Pokémon back, Hunter, the others, and I walked out onto the battlefield. Hunter and I stood on opposite sides while the others watched from the sidelines.

"I hope you've gotten stronger since we first met, 'cause I sure have," Hunter said, pulling the Pokéball off his neck, "Abomasnow!"

When Hunter tossed the Pokéball in the air, his prized Ice-type appeared. When it touched the ground, it roared, and a chilling breeze swept through the area. I grinned and pulled my Pokéball.

"Jet, I choose you!" I cried, throwing the Pokéball.

At my command, my Garchomp appeared and let out a roar, shaking the ground beneath it.

"Whoa, it evolved!" Hunter said, "That's awesome!"

"Thanks!" I said, "He's not a little Gabite anymore,"

"I see. So, shall we get this show on the road?"

"Let's!"

Hunter grinned and straightened his posture.

"Abomasnow, Ice Beam!" Hunter cried.

Abomasnow obeyed and released an icy-cold blast.

"Block it!" I cried.

Jet grunted and held up his claws before the attack could hit him. When the Ice Beam hit, Jet growled before slicing it away.

"How?" Hunter asked.

"My Garchomp's very special," I said, "As well as all my Pokémon. You'll understand when you're older."

"Cheeky, aren't we? Alright, Shadow Ball!"

Abomasnow growled before launching a shadowy blob in our direction.

"Dragon Claw!" I cried.

Jet let out a cry as his fins started glowing green. When the Shadow Ball was close enough, Jet sliced through it, cutting the attacking in half.

"Do it, Jet!" I cried.

Jet roared before running up towards Hunter's Abomasnow.

"Block it, Abomasnow!" Hunter said.

Abomasnow grunted and stood its ground. When Jet brought down his claws, Abomasnow raised its arms and stopped Jet in his tracks.

"Ice Beam!" Hunter cried.

Abomasnow gaped its mouth and released an icy-cold blast right on Jet. Jet groaned as he stumbled backward. The ice on his chest soon started spreading across his entire body.

"Jet, no!" I cried.

In no time, Jet became encapsulated in ice.

"Ice Punch!" Hunter cried.

His Abomasnow let out a cry as it ran up to Jet with an icy fist.

What can I do? How can I get Jet out of the ice?

Then, the answer hit me.

"Jet, if you can hear me, use Flamethrower!" I cried.

After my cry, Jet started shaking violently. Then, a glowing red dot started pushing its way through the ice. That's when a ribbon of fire broke through the ice and hit the Abomasnow.

Yes!

"Way to go, Jet!" Kat and Nina cried.

With a burst of energy, Jet broke out of the ice.

"Good to have you back, buddy!" I said.

Libby let out a happy cry, to which Jet returned.

"I'm impressed!" Hunter said, reaching into his pocket, "Looks like I have to get serious!"

He then pulled out his Mega Ring and slipped it on his wrist.

"Abomasnow, heed my icy wish! Mega Evolve!" Hunter cried!

When Abomasnow's Mega Stone became visible to me, Hunter's Key Stone and Mega Stone began to glow. I watched in awe as Abomasnow grew bigger. When the light died down, Abomasnow was twice the size it was before.

Now, this is going to be fun!

"Shadow Ball!" Hunter cried.

His Abomasnow grunted before firing a shadowy blob our way.

"Dig!" I cried.

Jet grunted and dug into the battlefield.

"Not this again..." Hunter groaned.

He and Abomasnow scanned the battlefield for any signs of movement. Then, Jet popped up from the ground behind Abomasnow.

"Flamethrower!" I cried.

Jet inhaled deeply before releasing an intense blast of fire. Abomasnow didn't have time to move and got hit with the super-effective move. Jet roared when he touched the ground.

"How'd you like that?" I asked.

"Don't count us out yet!" Hunter said.

Abomasnow grunted as it got out of its daze.

"Ice Punch!" Hunter said.

Abomasnow roared as he trotted over to Jet with an icy fist.

"Block with Dragon Claw!" I cried.

Jet growled as his fins glowed green. When Abomasnow was close enough, Jet quickly raised his claws to block Abomasnow's attack.

"Wood Hammer!" Hunter cried.

Abomasnow took one of its fists and slammed it into Jet's jaw, causing him to stumble.

Wood Hammer damages the user, meaning that Abomasnow just lost some energy. If I could get him to use Wood Hammer again, Jet could finish him with another Flamethrower!

"Go, Jet and Abomasnow!" Rina cried, "Go, Era and Hunter!"

"You can do it, guys!" Elsu cried.

The two of us smiled at our friends' cheering.

"Dig, Jet!" I cried.

Jet growled and dug beneath the battlefield once more.

"Not this time," Hunter said, "Shadow Ball in the hole!"

Abomasnow roared and hurled a shadowy blob into the hole. Then, Jet popped out of the hole, letting out a strained cry.

"Ice Beam, go!" Hunter said.

Abomasnow let out a cry and fired an icy-cold blast at Jet. Jet let out a cry as the attack hit him, causing him to crash into the battlefield.

"Jet!" I cried.

Jet groaned as he struggled to stand.

Another hit like that could be dreadful. Guess widdling it down with Wood Hammer isn't going to work.

Jet shook his head and growled.

"Slowing down, Eragona?" Hunter asked.

"As if, right, Jet?" I asked.

Jet grumbled and let out a mighty roar.

"That's what I like to hear!" I said, "Dragon Pulse!"

Jet growled before roaring out a multi-colored shock wave.

"Ice Beam!" Hunter cried.

Abomasnow obeyed and roared out an icy-cold blast. When the attacks collided, both Pokémon started pushing for their attack to reign supreme.

"Come on, Jet!" Kat cheered, "You can do it!"

"Go, go, go!" Nina and Rina cheered.

"You guys can do it!" Elsu cheered.

"Keep up the pressure!" Eric cried.

Both Pokémon continued to pour out their energy into their attacks.

"Come on, Jet!" I cried, "You can do it!"

Jet roared, and his Dragon Pulse soon overpowered Abomasnow's Ice Beam. When both attacks hit, Abomasnow was unable to battle and reverted to its original form.

"We did it!" I cheered happily.

I ran over to Jet and embraced him tightly.

"Way to go, Jet!" I said, "I knew you could do it!"

Jet let out a cry and nuzzled his head on top of mine. Libby sprinted up to us, hopped on Jet's head, and cried cheerfully. Jet smiled and returned the cries.

"Way to go, Eragona!" Kat cheered.

I looked to my side to see the others sprint toward Hunter and me. Hunter grinned as he helped up his Abomasnow.

"That was an incredible battle!" Elsu said, "Almost made me want to join in on the fun!"

The others and I laughed at Elsu's comment.

"Thanks for the rematch, Eragona," Hunter said, "You, too, Jet."

Jet smiled and let out a friendly cry.

That was a really fun battle! I hope Jet and Abomasnow thought so as well.

Abomasnow walked up to Jet and extended its claws. Jet grinned and extended his own.

It looks like they did!

"Come on, let's head inside to get you guys healed up." I said.

After Hunter and I returned our Pokémon, the seven of us headed inside the Pokémon Center. Handing over our Pokémon, Hunter and I glanced at one another and smiled.

"So, where are you headed now, Dragon Slayer?" I asked.

Hunter scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"See if I can get 100 straight wins since you broke my chain." Hunter said.

Oh, that's right. I would've been his 100th win in a row if Hunter had bested me.

"Right," I said sheepishly, "Sorry about that."

"It's fine," Hunter said, collecting his Pokémon when they came out, "You opened my eyes, you know?"

I took my Pokémon as I tilted my head to the side.

"How so?" Nina asked, walking up to us.

Hunter glanced over at my friend and grinned.

"All I ever wanted was to show that Dragon-type Pokémon are too powerful and often weak when backed into a corner," Hunter said, "You, Eragona, proved me wrong. Dragon-types are the strongest of the other types, so beating one will be challenging, and you showed off their true strength when we first battled."

Then, Jet hopped out of my Pokéball and let out a happy cry. Hunter reached up and placed a hand on Jet's jaw.

"I can imagine he came a long way from when he was a Gible." Hunter said.

"You don't even know." Kat groaned.

I chuckled and turned to Hunter.

"Thanks, Hunter, for the battle and what you said," I said, "I'd love to have another battle with you again someday."

I grinned and reached out my hand toward Hunter. The Dragon Slayer smiled and grasped my hand.

"I'd like that, too." he said.

When he released my hand, Hunter grinned and took a step back.

"Until we meet again!" he said with a wave.

We waved goodbye, and Hunter left the Pokémon Center.

"Now that we got that out of the way, are we ready to see Darius's show?" Kat said.

"Yeah, let's go!" Nina said excitedly.

I returned Jet to his Pokéball and sprinted after my friends.

I'm glad I got a chance to battle Hunter again. Maybe when we meet again, I hope I'll be able to use Mega Evolution by then, so our battle could be really spectacular! Well, only time will tell!