Next up for Clair's second and final Pokémon came Kingdra, as Tamaro had predicted. Vulpix was still willing to battle. Its fire had run out temporarily, but fire would do no good against Kingdra's Dragon/Water double resistance anyhow. Clair had a few surprises of her own this time around. Although Vulpix put up a terrific fight, she fell without inflicting too much damage on Clair's Pokémon.

     Now it was Clair's Kingdra waiting to face its next opponent. Tamaro looked at his five possibilities and considered. Nyuura had been sitting in the corner the entire time. Tamaro considered it, but instead told Dratini to head out onto the field. It did so and he immediately ordered a Dragon Rage attack. Clair almost didn't get Kingdra out of the way fast enough. Tamaro pushed Dratini to its limits and kept up in a pretty equal battle against a far stronger and better trained Pokémon. Gradually Kingdra gained the advantage and began turning the tables on Dratini. Only a well placed Dragon Breath attack saved Dratini by paralyzing Kingdra. Soon after, the battle came to a halt as both Pokémon fainted at almost the exact same moment.

     "Another draw? Incredible," Clair said with a bit of a laugh.
     "No, why don't we go for one more Pokémon each and make a winner this time?" Tamaro asked hopefully.
     "Suits me just fine. Let's do it," she declared. Clair sent out a Seadra for this round. Before Tamaro could even think about which Pokémon to send, Nyuura leapt out from behind him and took its position on the edge of the pool, thus deciding for him.

     He figured for whatever reason, this Sneasel was going to fight on its own seeing as it put itself into the battle. Oddly enough however, Nyuura only evaded attack after attack and was apparently looking to Tamaro for attack guidance.
     "You're a hard Pokémon to figure, Nyuura..." he thought to himself. Nyuura dodged again and this time gave Tamaro a direct look. "All right then, Slash attack!" he told it. And with that the speedy Sneasel was off, Slashing furiously at the Seadra.

     The battle was pretty quick after that. Nyuura was the victor, but it had not been easy. Tamaro could really tell now more than ever that his methods of training brought on total compatibility between he and his Pokémon. A newly caught wild Pokémon with an independent attitude showed how distant a Pokémon and trainer could be, and Tamaro knew he never wanted to be that way with his friends.

     "Congratulations Tamaro," Clair began, "You have definitely earned your Rising Badge."
     "Thanks, but I don't want it," he replied.
     "Don't want it?!" she asked, shocked.
     "This battle was important to me for several reasons... and the Rising Badge isn't one of them," he smiled.
     "Please take it anyway. It's my duty to present this badge to anyone who wins against me, and it will be a memento of our battles, both of which were quite spectacular and each very different in nature."
     "...A memento...? All right, in that case I accept it," he said, taking the Rising Badge from her hand.

     After a handshake he recalls his Pokémon and says goodbye. As he leaves the Blackthorn Gym the first stars begin to show in the twilight sky. A familiar voice calls from behind him.
     "Leaving so soon?" Krael asks.
     "Hey Krael, what's up?" he says as he turns around.
     "I saw most of your match. Pretty impressive. Now I know you would have beaten me. You headed to the Johto League?"
     "Nope, I travel a different path than most trainers."
     "Where to next?" Krael asks.
     "Wherever the road goes, as long as I'm with my friends, and as long as there are more Pokémon to see."
     "Heading down out of these mountains will take you to New Bark Town. Professor Elm lives there, he's pretty well-known."
     "I've heard of him before. Sounds like a worthwhile next stop, thanks." Tamaro decides.
     "Good luck on your journey. I know you'll do well." Krael says as he disappears back into the Gym.