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Chapter 30 - Evolutionary Courage!

Optional track to LWR - Listen While Reading

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfoSvOUZZjo

Over the next few weeks, Chris worked with Snivy to get her back into shape, ranging from simple exercises like jogging and climbing stairs, to tougher tasks like climbing trees and using branches for pull-ups, all the while allowing her to eat as much as her stomach could handle. The more they exercised together, the more Snivy enjoyed her closeness with Chris more and more... When she was with her former trainer, he always pushed his Pokemon to train hard, and in her case never really bothered with her period after her... Fears... Came into the picture. But him... He was willing to put himself through everything he made her do as well... If she had to run, he ran alongside her the whole time... Climbed tree after tree... Did pull up after pull up until he fell to the ground... He never pushed her to do unreasonable things, never made her go beyond what he himself as a human being couldn't handle... The more time she spent with him, the more she couldn't help but feel her proud heart soar throughout her small chest, her face glowing from her new found health and happiness all at once...

"There you go! Not bad at all girl! You can do more of those than me now..." Chris chuckled, watching as Snivy used her vines to perform pull up after pull up. Looking down at him, she grinned and swung her way into the air, landing on his shoulders with a sigh. "We've got your legs and body back in shape and your vines are tough as nails... You've made me really proud these past few weeks..." he told her, giving Snivy a scratch under the chin. Sitting on a nearby stump, Kirlia crossed her arms with a scowl, having grown more and more jealous of Snivy throughout her training with Chris. Although he did his best to spend equal amounts of time with her as well, Kirlia couldn't help but grow irritated over how much more he was able to do with Snivy than her... "Well... After all the workouts and all that food you've snarfed down, looks like we've finally got you ready for a battle at the gym! Think you'd be able to handle it yet?" he laughed, getting a nod from Snivy in response as she put her nose in the air, patting him on the head. Smirking, he walked up to Kirlia and rubbed her on the head. "Hey... I know things have been busy between me and Snivy... But now that she's finally on her feet and good as new, I'll make up for it." he chuckled as he picked her up on his shoulder. "Besides, you've been a lot of help too! Without you around I would have fallen out of trees a million times! I can't count how many times you saved my neck with that psychic of yours! Talk about having my own angel!" he laughed, causing Kirlia to show a slight smile and blush, Snivy rolling her eyes and making kiss up noises.

"Oh come now... You know without Kirlia helping us out we could have been in trouble several times. She even helped you out when you fell from the top of a tree when you got too cocky, remember...?" he smirked, raising an eyebrow at Snivy causing her to flush and puff out her cheeks in anger, facing away with a loud "hrmph!" while crossing her arms, causing both Chris and Kirlia to laugh at her. "Gotcha! Admit it, she's just as awesome as you are." he told Snivy, giving her a pet on the head as Kirlia grinned. "I think I'm getting good at this relationship stuff..." he thought aloud, causing Kirlia and Snivy to raise an eyebrow and shrug in a... "Yeah... Kinda..." response, making Chris sulk. "Gee... Thanks for the ego boost..." he told the two, making them laugh and give him a hug. "Well... I think today's the day we challenge Lia at the gym then... Wadaya say?" he asked, looking at Snivy with a raised eyebrow. Sitting on his shoulder in silence for a moment, she finally nodded and gave what seemed like a thumbs up, smirking confidently as he walked into town. Looking around, it had come to feel like a second home to him, now able to wave at and greet many of the towns citizens as if neighbors as he strolled along. "I hope you've remembered all the new tricks I taught you... They'll be important in surprising Lia and gaining ground in your fight!" he reminded Snivy, getting a nod in response. "Its too bad you couldn't see Kirlia back when she fought in Saga City... She made an entire comet made of ice... Out of nearly nothing! Sent it flying right into the arena from the sky... The gym leader didn't know what to think! She managed to take down a huge Pangoro like she was in the middle of playtime... It was so cool." he laughed, causing Kirlia to stand on his shoulder with her nose up and chest out proudly. Sticking out her tongue, Snivy waved Kirlia off as if she wasn't special, shrugging over her feat and grinning as she pointed at herself, wanting the focus to remain on her and the battle ahead. Although... This only caused Kirlia to use her psychic to knock Snivy in the head with several berries from above a nearby tree...

"Hey hey... None of that now." Chris scolded, the two looking away from one another. "You two are both awesome. Stop being so touchy already." he scowled, the two shrugging with a grumble as he walked in the direction of the gym. "Besides... Don't you two wanna look good when we get there? Gyms are important places and its all about first appearances. How will it look on you two if you show up acting and looking like children?" he said, suddenly getting a "what about you?!" expression from the two in response. "Hey! I'm just the man in the middle!" he told them, putting his hands up. But thinking back on his statement, he couldn't help but somehow feeling a bit depressed. "Huh... Man in the middle... Sounds like me..." he laughed nervously, having a bit of a random... Realization moment as the two faced one another with a smirk and a nod. Looking over various town maps, Chris made his way closer and closer to the gym, having never been to it even though they had already spent several weeks in town.

Meanwhile, Snivy kept looking at Chris as he strolled, thinking back on everything he did to get her back in shape since they arrived. During the time they ran together, she remembered how, at first, she could barely make any progress, often running out of energy quickly and falling to the ground to catch her breath. And yet... Over time, she was able to make it further and further... Able to move faster and faster... Until she was finally able to keep up with him, and even make it further than he could! Although he helped her up and pushed her to keep moving, in the end she watched herself surpass him. Able to see him become the one falling behind, yet still pushing himself to get her in top shape. So many humans are willing to push their Pokemon to train, willing to push them to grow stronger... But they often make their Pokemon do it alone, they make them fight over and over to grow... Yet what she endured, he endured right beside her, and he got her back in shape without having to do a bunch of fighting... She had never thought of growing in such a way, having grown in the past your typical way... And when it actually came to her fighting skills, he actually stepped in himself to help her, going over offense and defense, taking her attacks head on. Although he had Kirlia use her psychic to shield him from impacts, to see him willing to put himself in front of her to train with instead of using another Pokemon or their surroundings... He went above and beyond to bond with her, to show her he wasn't afraid to do anything necessary with his own two hands for his Pokemon... Her race is one of the proudest species of Pokemon in existence. A race that rarely admires another... Rarely even respects another... And although many of her kind travel with humans and other Pokemon, even when captured and obedient, a true inner respect for a human is rarely ever had, just a begrudging sense of acceptance towards a human who was able to beat them... Yet in this case... Snivy felt a deep, earnest admiration towards Chris... Respect was barely enough to describe her feelings towards him after what she had witnessed him going through for her sake. Looking away, she crossed her arms, losing herself in her thoughts.

At first... It was mainly for fun, teasing him and giving him her affection... Getting on Kirlias nerves was amusing and his reactions gave her reason to laugh. But... Over the past few weeks... It hasn't felt the same... All of his genuine care towards her... And not just his dedication towards her during training, but all of his genuine kindness towards her... The good food... Letting her be close with him at night in bed... Even the fact he put up with her mocking Kirlia so much... He was a different kind of human altogether to her... And things she did towards him mainly for fun... Now it actually made her feel... Different inside when they were close... It was still fun getting a reaction out of him... But... It was also really nice now... Confusing herself, Snivy shook her head and let out a "bah" sound, slightly scowling as she crossed her arms. Glancing towards her on his shoulder confused, Chris rubbed Snivy on the head. "Whats up? You look kinda frustrated... Sure you're ready for this?" he asked as Snivy flushed from his sudden touch. Pushing his hand away, she waved her hand in a "of course" manner, smirking before looking away and scratching her cheek, embarrassed by being caught off guard by his touch from losing herself in thought.

After a moment, Chris finally reached the Commorall Gym, which naturally, and ironically, looked exactly like a giant Pokeball with a staircase leading to the entrance, where the Pokeball "button" would be on a normal Pokeball. "This is... So... Weird... The gym is a Pokeball..." he muttered, looking up with slight sweat on his face and a "...seriously...?" expression showing. Snivy looked a bit bewildered herself as she tilt her head. Looking at Kirlia, Chris chuckled and gave her a rub on the head. "Gotta say... Some things you're lucky you can't see!" he told her, causing Kirlia to tilt her head. "Well... This is it... I'll ask one more time, you sure you're ready Snivy...?" he asked, glancing towards her. Looking up at the strange building, she shrugged in a "guess so..." kind of response, a little unsure of what to make out of humans going in and out of a giant Pokeball. With a nod, Chris went up the stairs, stopping at the entrance to figure out how to get in. "No knob... Its not automatic..." he muttered, feeling against the door and scratching his head. "...Closed? No... I haven't seen Lia out anywhere... How..." he asked himself, feeling around the entrance again. Suddenly, the speakers came on with a loud ring, followed by a girls voice shouting from the system. "FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!! PUSH!! PUSH!!" it echoed as Chris and the two covered their ears, eyes wide and backs shivering from the noise. Nearly falling backwards, Snivy and Kirlia helped keep him straight as he rubbed his ears, now ringing from the eruption of noise. "Geez... Turn it down..." he muttered.

Standing at the entrance, Chris put all of his weight into his side as he pressed against the button like door. After a moment, it suddenly clicked, and the sound of a Pokeball opening echoed as the entrance flashed and opened for him, causing Chris to slightly stumble forward into the building. "Well... That alone should have earned us a badge..." he muttered, looking back as the entrance closed. Heading towards the center of the building, all around him were windows covering every wall, allowing for a tinted view of the outdoors from every angle, with the arena itself suspended in the center in mid-air. "This place is pretty simple looking... Still, one wrong step and its a pretty big fall..." he thought aloud, heading down the stairs leading to the arena. All around it had metal bars connected to it in order to keep it properly suspended in the air, making Chris smirk slightly. "This will be a great way to test out those tricks..." he muttered to Snivy, getting a nod from her in response. Standing on his side of the arena, Chris looked around trying to figure out where Lia was. "Now remember Kirlia... No matter what, this time there's no helping Snivy out. She's all on her own in here, so no matter what you hear, I'm trusting you to stay put and stay out of it, got it?" he told her, with Kirlia giving a nervous nod in response. Looking at her, Snivy jumped off his other shoulder and faced up at Kirlia, waving her hand with a "don't worry, don't worry" kind of response in return.

Suddenly, from above a bright spotlight flashed on, nearly blinding the two as a small platform lowered down onto the stage. "Hey there! Sorry about that. Some of the stuff in here has been needing work and replacement for the longest time. That light was one of the things on my to do list!" she laughed. As she stepped off the platform and stood on her side of the arena, Lia crossed her arms and smirked. "You look good Snivy! I knew it wouldn't take you guys long to have you back in shape. Maybe now you have something to back up that ego of yours!" she laughed, causing Snivy to immediately flush with a furious expression. "Calm down, calm down. You know she's just messing around. Don't be so serious..." Chris told her, getting Snivy to take a breath and relax. "Ha ha. Sorry about that. I forget about that sensitivity... Sorry for yellin' at you guys at the entrance too! Saw you on the camera and I gotta say... It was getting annoying. You've got no idea how many people can't figure out how to open that thing up..." she told them, rubbing the back of her head with a sigh. "I thought it was a creative and obvious thing to do... Nowadays I'm not so sure... Designed this place myself you know!" she grinned, causing Chris to blink in surprise for a moment. "Well... That definitely explains its... Uniqueness..." he told her with a nervous laugh. "So... I take it you two are ready to battle, right? Its pretty clear you intend to stick with Snivy of course, so I'll let this one slide as a one on one battle. You win, you get a badge! I win... Well... I have some dirt on you that will gain me a new right hand man here at the gym..." she grinned, crossing her arms. "Sounds good! Snivy's been ready for thi... Wait... What was that?" Chris asked, going wide eyed for a moment. Waving her hand, Lia told him not to worry about it with a sly chuckle. "You just better give it your all! Otherwise you'll be stuck here for a long time!"

With all three of them looking equally bewildered, Lia pressed a button on a control panel next to her, suddenly causing a net to flash on beneath the arena. "If our Pokemon fall off, that will catch em'. So no need to worry about anyone going splat, alright?" she laughed, taking out a Pokeball. "Now then... After having to wait all this time, you better make it worth my while!" she shouted, tossing her Pokeball in the air. In a bright flash, Chris and Snivy watched her Pokemon flash into view. "I'm not going easy on you! Its gonna be Snivy against my Infernape!" she smirked, crossing her arms as the Pokemon stood in the same pose. "Grass against fire... You ready...?" he asked, with Snivy nodding in response. "Alright then! Here we come!!" Lia shouted as Infernape charged towards Snivy, a Fire Punch ready in its fist. "Hold it... Hold it... NOW!!" Chris shouted. In response, Snivy suddenly used her vines like a springboard, launching in the air over Infernape and giving it a quick whip onto the floor. "Alright... Good!" he smirked as the Infernape stood with a growl. Suddenly it readied another Fire Punch, this time combining it with its Fury Swipe ability as it charged towards Snivy. Ducking and dodging, Snivy managed to land several blows all over Infernape, while at the same time she took on equal damage from the rapidly swiping inferno covered claws. Eventually they finally sent one another flying back, Snivy hissing from the slight burns and Infernape scowling as it rubbed the whips on its face and torso. "Not bad! She's pretty quick!" Lia said as Infernape charged yet again. This time Infernape quickly summoned its Flame Wheel ability, charging rapidly towards Snivy as she stood with her hands out as if ready to grab it. "Good luck dodging this though! One blow and your grass type is done for!" Lia laughed as Chris slightly sweat.

Looking at Snivy, she glanced towards him as well. Both of them seemingly waiting for something... As the Infernape charged closer and closer, Chris finally gave Snivy the order to "do it now!!" right as Infernape was mere inches away from her. Immediately using her vines to lift herself in the air, she dodged the wheel and used her vines like spider legs to rapidly make her way across the arena as Infernape sharply turned from one direction to another trying to hit her. Hovering through the air and making her way around the arena like butter, Snivy made full use of her vines to not only keep herself distant from Infernape but to travel about as if she were running around on her own two legs. "That's... New..." Lia said, blinking in surprise at the snake-turned-spider-like Pokemon giving her speedy Infernape a run for its money. Fed up with the chase, Infernape cancelled out its Flame Wheel and lunged forward, grabbing Snivy's vines and yanking her to the floor. Landing with a thud, Snivy groaned and quickly stood, trying to jerk away as Infernape gave her a "gotcha!!" grin. It suddenly started spinning Snivy around rapidly like she was a lasso, getting ready to hurl her into the metal bars supporting the arena. "Alright! Use the swinging to your advantage Snivy!" Chris shouted. Trying to glance towards him as she spun around rapidly, she saw his finger in the air moving in a circle, a signal for her to use yet another move they had practiced. With a nod, she began using her tail to catch the wind and started swirling even faster, catching Infernape off guard as it struggled to keep a grip on her vines. The wind quickly began to pick up more and more until Infernape was sliding all over the floor, being pulled around along with Snivy as she moved faster and faster, until suddenly...

"Do it! Use Twister Snivy!" he shouted. With a nod, she suddenly swirled rapidly in place as her tail swirled the air rapidly around her, creating a small twister on the battle field that sucked Infernape within. Wide eyed, Lia watched her Pokemon thrashing and spinning faster and faster inside the Twister, shaouting and flailing as its flames struggled to stay lit. "That's a rare egg move!! Didn't see that coming!" she said, suddenly giving Infernape an order to unleash its Incinerate, The Twister quickly turned into a blazing inferno as the fire engulfed the swirling wind. Facing Snivy as she struggled to maintain the Twister, Infernape sent itself slamming into her, sending Snivy through the wall of fire and slamming into the bars supporting the gym, releasing Infernape from its trap. Letting out a shout, Snivy shuddered as she clung to the bars, shaking her head as she faced Infernape with a groan and giving a "cheap trick..." expression. Grinning, Infernape quickly climbed all over the bars towards her, its claws bared and ready to unleash a round of Fury Swipes on her. "You know what to do! Its just like in the forest!" Chris shouted, showing her swinging motions. Nodding, she released her vines and quickly started making her way along the bars as smoothly as she made her way across the floor, swinging about two and fro as if she was an Infernape herself! Dodging and weaving through the bars, she and Infernape went head to head in the air, both trying to wear out the other first. As Infernape used Close Combat to tackle Snivy with, several bars supporting the gym wound up broken, causing the arena to buckle slightly. "H... Hey up there! Easy!" Chris shouted, stumbling over Kirlia and landing on his back. Looking towards Chris, Infernape stuck out its tongue and blew a raspberry, the insult causing Snivy to grow enraged. Leaping towards it, Snivy suddenly ensnared Infernape within her vines, using Wring Out to restrict its movements, causing them both to tumble through the bars before slamming into the arena, Snivy making sure Infernape landed face first as she kept it pined down.

"Alright! You know what to do Snivy!" Chris shouted. Nodding, she started using her Leech Seed ability, quickly sapping Infernape of its energy while replenishing some of her own. Lia shouted, trying to get Infernape to break itself free as its flame simmered more and more. Gritting its teeth, it suddenly bit into her vines, causing Snivy to shout and jump away in response. Weakly standing, Infernape growled as fire bellowed from its mouth, and suddenly arching itself back, Infernape let out an enormous Flamethrower towards Snivy, putting its remaining strength into the deciding move. "Crap crap crap... Uhh... Uhhhh" Chris thought, looking around at the windows throughout the gym. "Light... Light... Think think.... Ahh... GOT IT!!" he shouted, causing Lia to blink in surprise. Immediately motioning for Snivy to lay flat, she obeyed just as the Flamethrower came close enough to touch her skin, allowing it to pass just an inch above her. With a whistle, Chris made the sounds he trained her to recognize, allowing them to keep moves secret in battle to surprise who they were up against. Releasing her vines, Snivy encircled the Flamethrower with them, quickly launching them towards Infernape and grabbing it by the throat, ensnaring its mouth and jaw so it couldn't move or cancel its Flamethrower. Focusing, her vines and body began to glow as she absorbed the heat from the flames, turning them into a makeshift sun you could say she could feed off of, and just when Infernape finally yanked her vines away from its face, Snivy stood with a grin.

"Ha ha... Game... Set..." Chris smirked as Snivy let out a shout. Using the heat from the fire, Snivy was able to charge up a Solar Beam attack, and holding nothing back, she let it loose on Infernape, catching it off guard and sending it flying into the bars on the other side of the arena. Letting out a shout as its body broke through several bars, the arena buckled even further, leaning towards one side as Infernape fell through the air, slamming down on the arena in the distance. "And that's the match!" Chris laughed, looking at Infernape as it tried to stand, only to collapse with a groan. Looking at her Pokemon and Chris, Lia blinked in a bewildered state. "How... Did you do that in here...?" she asked, quickly going to Infernape and helping it up. "Well... Its easy! The sun is made of fire, so naturally they both give off some amount of radiation! I just figured it made sense to take advantage of what you provided!" he laughed as Snivy walked up to him, smirking proudly with her nose held high. "Ha ha... And there goes that ego... I guess you deserve it though." he told her, squatting down and rubbing her head. Walking up to the two, Lia let out a sigh and smiled. "Well... That was something... I've never seen a Pokemon use its abilities like that. The way she can move with her vines... Using fire attacks to power a Solar Bream... You're smarter than you look!" she laughed, causing Chris to scowl as both Kirlia and Snivy nodded in agreement with her. "Hey hey! Don't approve of that!!" he scolded, the two laughing as much as Lia in response.

Rubbing its back, Infernape let out a groan as it arched back, popping its bones and joints. "Tsss... Oooh... Sorry about that... I meant to use the attack but I didn't mean for you to fly into the bars like that..." Chris told Infernape, taking off his rucksack and handing Lia some lotion based medicine. With a thanks, she started rubbing it on Infernape, making the defeated Pokemon sigh in relief and give Chris a thumbs up. Smirking, Snivy nodded at Infernape in approval, giving it a hand shake for the battle. "Well... You gave us a run for our money! Looks like I owe you a Commorall badge!" she grinned, standing and reaching in one of her jackets pockets. Holding out the badge, shaped and designed like a Pokeball, Chris raised an eyebrow and blinked at it. "Uhh... Something wrong?" she asked, tilting her head confused. "Yeah... Why are you handing it to me? I'm not the one who fought for it and earned it... You should give it to the rightful owner." he smirked, looking towards Snivy. "Whoever does the most work gets the badge. Kirlia wears hers all the time. Its only fair Snivy gets the badge she fought for too. After all the work she put into getting herself back on her feet and pulling off her training in battle so well, it wouldn't be right if I was the one to take it." he shrugged, smiling at Snivy who looked up at him with wide eyes and a shocked expression. "Its like I told the Saga City Gym leader, it doesn't do anyone any good to have what they worked so hard for tucked away in a case all the time. They fought for the badges, they should be allowed to show off their accomplishments themselves, not me. I don't take other peoples credit!" he laughed, squatting down and giving Snivy a rub on the head.

"W... Well then... H... Here you go Snivy. I present to you the Commorall badge! Thanks for the fight!" Lia smiled, squatting down and handing it over to the speechless Pokemon. Looking at its shimmering surface, Snivy gave it a rub with her hand, looking up at Chris and holding it towards him with a "are you sure...?" expression. "What? I said its yours! Hold onto it proudly! We'll see about getting you a necklace to put it on like Kirlia after we leave." he smiled, continuing to refuse it. "You made me proud. Being able to get the hang of those moves so quickly... You're one special Pokemon." he chuckled, causing Snivy to blush and turn away as she looked at her badge, showing slight tears in her eyes. "Ha ha... You sure have a way with Pokemon..." Lia smiled, shaking his hand. "Oh yeah... About that dirt comment..." Chris mentioned, causing Lia to turn pale and sweat nervously. "Ahhh... Ha ha ha... Its... Nothing important really... I was just having a bit of fun." she responded, waving her hand. Trying to get more out of her, they suddenly heard Snivy beginning to panic, causing them to look down and seeing she had started glowing. "Uuuuuuuh oh..." Chris muttered, quickly going up to her. Snivy was quickly going into a state of anxiety, dropping her badge as she fell on her knees and clutched her head with a scream. "H... Hey now! Easy!" Chris shouted, reaching out to her. Glancing in his direction, all Snivy could see in her anxiety was a hand reaching for her, immediately putting her in an offensive state as her vines lashed out wildly, entwining her body like a cocoon and snapping his hands when he tried to get close. "Wh... Whats wrong with her?!" Lia panicked, wanting to help as well.

"Its her evolution anxiety... Back when she was with that other human she went against a Serperior and it left a mental scar. Whenever this happens she apparently freaks out and fights away the evolution. That other guy abused her because of it and left her in the end, and that made it even worse... That's why she's trying to keep me back. Its a relapse..." he muttered, looking at Snivy as she continued screaming and shaking her head. Reaching out once again, Snivy glanced at his hands and stumbled away, suddenly unleashing a painful Vine Whip all over him, her eyes and mind blinded by paranoia. Standing as he took on the attack, he covered his face while inching his way forward, each step causing Snivy to scream louder and louder as her vines lashed out against him harder and harder. Glancing down, he picked up the badge and continued making his way towards Snivy, the small and terrified Pokemon backing away more and more until she reached the edge of the arena. Jolting in shock, she looked behind herself over the edge, and taking the chance, Chris reached out and grabbed Snivy's hands, placing the badge back in them and holding her hands together in his. Startled, Snivy jerked her face forward, looking at her hands and up at Chris.

Still unable to see him as her surroundings remained blurred, she let out a scream and tried jerking away, lashing out at him and ensnaring him in her vines, carelessly ensnaring his neck in a tight, painful grasp. Urking, Chris continued holding Snivy's hands, wincing as Kirlia and Lia started freaking out. "St... Stay back!!" he shouted, making the two step back nervously. Looking at Snivy, tears were streaming from her eyes as she continued fighting against her evolution and Chris simultaneously. "Snivy... Listen to me... I know you're scared... What you could become terrifies you... But letting it control you... That's where you're in the wrong! People always tell you the sky's the limit... But that's not the case. The only limit in life is yourself... If you can overcome yourself, your life will have no limits!" he said, taking whip after whip, his body being covered in cuts and his clothes being torn more and more. "Snivy... You're family to me... I don't care if you evolve or not... But letting this paranoia defeat you... I know you're stronger than this... The badge in your hands... It proves what you can do when you put the past behind you." he told her, coughing from the grasp of the vines. Continuing to struggle, Chris suddenly pulled Snivy against him, hugging her tightly as she screamed and sobbed. "Snivy... If you don't want to evolve, I can make it so you never have to struggle to resist it... I'll get you an Everstone and you'll never have to worry about it for the rest of your life..." he told her, causing Snivy to jolt and freeze for a moment. "Its an easy escape from it all... The pain and fear can be gone in an instant... Just like that... I can take it all away from you... If its what you want..." he told her, rubbing the back of her head.

"But... If we do that... If you take the easy way out... If you use such a simple solution... Will you ever be able to get over it...? Snivy... What point is there in proving to others you're the best... If you can't prove that to yourself...? Why overcome anything... Anyone... If you can't even defeat your own fears...? For the rest of your life you'll live with hollow victories... You'll live knowing that fact you took the easy way out of your greatest challenge... I don't care if you evolve or not... Either way I think you're as awesome as can be... But deep down I know that's not enough for you... I know you want to conquer yourself... You're too proud to let something like this defeat you forever... Too proud to lose to yourself..." he told her as his shirt slowly became drenched in tears. "Snivy... Right now, if you never want to face this again we'll leave this gym and get you an Everstone... Or... Right now... You can conquer yourself... And never have any limitations in your life... In your mind... Ever again..." he said, putting her down and keeping a firm grasp on her hands. "Snivy... No matter what, to me you're the best... A companion any guy would be the luckiest person in the world to have by his side... But I know if we get you an Everstone... I know how much that will hurt you just as much as fighting this." he told her as Snivy shut her eyes tightly. "As someone who really cares about you... I'm asking you to beat this for your own sake... Not for mine or anyone else. I want to see you become a Pokemon without limits... But that doesn't matter if that isn't what you want for yourself..." he told her. "What path will it be...?" he asked as her vines released him and flopped onto the floor.

Finally letting her hands go, Chris watched as Snivy slowly opened her hands, looking at the badge he gave her as her vision slowly became clear again. Rubbing it and looking over her glowing body, she faced Chris with tears welling up in her eyes yet again, and with a loud shout, she jumped up and held onto his neck tightly, shutting her eyes as she began glowing brighter and brighter. With a relieved sigh, Chris smiled and held her, feeling Snivy wrapping her vines all around his body as he stood. Facing the three behind him, Chris nodded as he felt Snivy's body changing, growing longer and heavier in his arms as she clutched him as tightly as she could. "There there... Easy... Don't force anything... I gotcha..." he told Snivy, keeping as still as he could as her vines continued wrapping around him like a cocoon. After a moment, Snivy finally flashed brightly, and in an explosion of light, Chris stood holding Snivy, finally in her evolved form, sobbing over his shoulder as he chuckled and pat her on the back... "Good job... You finally did it..."

After all the struggling... After all the drama... Snivy had finally allowed herself to become a Servine in his arms, merely needing someone willing to love her no matter her form and willing to reach into the deepest part of her mind no matter how insane she became to bring her back to reality when she needed it most. Starting to walk towards the others, Lia and Kirlia had tears streaming from their eyes as they clapped, Infernape tilting its head a bit confused, yet knowing it was a good moment anyways and joining the others in their applaud, the three of them smiling at Chris and Servine.