Tamaro stood across the Blackthorn Gym from Clair, ready to face off against her for the second time.
     "I'm glad you came back Tamaro. I knew you'd return to claim your Rising Badge, but I didn't know you'd want to try another battle to earn it," Clair said.
     "I'm not here for the Badge, I'm here to play the match I should have played last time." he replied.
     "Whatever you say, but you better be ready and don't forget that I learned just as much about your style and techniques as you did about mine."
     "We'll see," Tamaro said happily.

     Then he released all of his Pokémon behind him. So many trainers battle as commanders who call out attacks. Tamaro learned from the start that a Pokémon can often better decide what to do in certain situations than the trainer. He had trained his Pokémon to actually disobey him if they felt he chose the wrong attack. He had been ridiculed for this by many "experts", but he knew in the end it would bring him and his Pokémon closer and help them to understand each other better in battle. One of the best ways for Pokémon to learn without his direct training was to watch battles. He wanted them all to watch this one.

     "Ready when you are Clair!" he called, and with that the battle began. It was to be two Pokémon each this time around. Last time Tamaro had thought it was unwise to use Vulpix against the resistant Dragons, and on a field with a large pool. This time, he felt that Vulpix was the perfect choice. Clair would never expect Vulpix, plus she hadn't seen how incredibly well Vulpix and Tamaro could work together. She would be in for a surprise.

     Gyarados was the opponent. Tamaro had battled them several times, and knew this one now in particular. It was a strange match. Gyarados stayed mostly in the center of the pool, ducking whenever Vulpix let loose with one of her furious flame attacks. Likewise when Gyrados surfaced Vulpix's Agility easily evaded any and every attack thrown its way. Finally it was time to try something different.

     "Vulpix, Confuse Ray!" he shouted.
     "Gyarados Hydro Pump when it holds still to do its Confuse Ray!" she called out in response.
     "Deception Vulpix!" he said. Vulpix knew what to do. Just as it started its Confuse Ray it stopped. Gyarados was about to launch its Hydro Pump but Vulpix used a Quick Attack. Gyarados was knocked slightly back. Its Hydro Pump fired completely off target and Vulpix clung to Gyarados's chest with its teeth. When the force of the Hydro Pump pushed Gyarados's head back further, Vulpix took the opportunity to climb up its opponent and jump over its mouth, landing on the opposite side of the arena from which it began its attack. Gyarados turned to find its target again, but looked straight on into Vulpix's Confuse Ray.
     "Gyarados, shake it off and go straight in with Bite attacks!" Clair ordered, but Gyarados was thoroughly confused for the moment. A few good attacks helped Gyarados snap out of it, but by that time Vulpix was well on its way to victory.

     The battle continued on a little while with Clair being more cautious now. Tamaro surprised her yet again when Vulpix dove into the water and down to the bottom of the pool. Gyrados slashed around with its tail, but Vulpix dodged and let out a constant stream of fire. The water began to steam, causing visibilty problems for both trainers, but Tamaro had confidence that Vulpix knew what she was doing. Soon the pool's surface began to boil and bubble.

     "Gyarados get out of there!" Clair shouted.
     "Okay Vulpix, it's out of the water now and it looks cooked!" Tamaro said. Vulpix jumped out of the water and summoned its last breath of fire power to engulf the Gyarados.
     "Return Gyarados!" Clair said as she recalled it. "That was very impressive Tamaro. Battling with disadvantages of type, size, evolution, and terrain, yet you pulled through."
     "Thanks Clair, but Vulpix deserves the praise. Let's continue."