The Trainer in the neighboring room knocked on Akio's room's door.

"Umm...hi.." Akio stammered.

"Why were you yelling? It freaked me out!" she screeched.

"My bad. Watching a horror movie." Akio lied. He couldn't bear to tell anyone about his maybe-clone status.

The Trainer huffed and closed the door.

Akio recalled Ralts and Froakie. "Now that we're all full, let's head to the Gym!"

Akio walked out of the Pokémon Center eagerly, ready to test his skills.

He confidently walked and walked and walked...and bumped right into someone.

"I-I'm sorry!" Akio stammered. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled. "I'm Viola, the Gym Leader of Santalune City!"

Akio smiled. "Hooray! I was just heading there."

He followed Viola to her Gym, still anticipating how he would face her with his rookie battlers. He was quite sure his chances for victory were quite slim.

Tossing his shoulders back, he smiled, almost uneasily.