Danielle felt appreciated for the fact that Mark had offered her to battle against Uncle Bryan. But Lucia did have a point, however. It was two trainers against one. Lucia would be forced to side with Uncle Bryan. Danielle knows that her uncle's Pokemon are very skilled with battling, far superior than the teenage trainers themselves. His Pokemon, even his soon-to-evolve Ivysaur, were very skilled in battle. She lowered her head. She never wanted to end thanksgiving this way...in a battle.
"No Mark," Danielle replied. "I don't want to battle tonight...on what's supposed to be a holiday to relax and talk about the importance of family."
"Why not, Danielle?" Uncle Bryan asked in confusion. "I would love to test out my strength towards your little friend."
"My 'friend' is not little. Nor is my other friend. My Pokemon were not meant to be super competitive. It's not Mienfoo's fault he's competitive, it's not his fault he becomes super aggressive when he loses. It's mine. I made him that way. I give you credit for your behavior. I never wanted to be this way towards Mienfoo, or Sector, or Ozzy. They deserve equality, both love and a passion for battle." Danielle stood up from her chair.
Mienfoo got up from his group and headed towards her. Sector and Ozzy followed him. "Mienfooo?"
Uncle Bryan wasn't amused at Danielle. He taught her how to battle in an extremely competitive way. But Danielle's behavior was starting to mellow out. She doesn't want to push her Pokemon too far...like she did with Mienfoo which almost tarnished their partnership. The aura of awkwardness still lingered. Danielle no longer wanted to be around, but she didn't want to leave Mark and Lucia soon.
"I'm sorry. I need to go." Danielle pushed her chair back, bumping Ozzy on the tail. It alerted him to turn around and follow Danielle. Sector sensed it as well, and followed as well. Powerwalking through the tables and towards the outside, Uncle Bryan followed. He knew that this was typical behaviour for Danielle, who has difficulty attaching to one thing while trying to get attached to another.
"Danielle." He firmly yelled as they stepped outside. His Pokemon, Ivysaur and Evie the Jolteon were behind him.
"What??" Danielle snapped back.
"You're coming home if you keep that behavior up. Why are you all emotional towards your Pokemon? I sent you to school to learn how to be a competitive battler. Not to show emotion towards Pokemon."
Danielle sighed, glancing down at Mienfoo, Sector and Ozzy. "Because ever since I was little, I wanted to learn about Pokemon. I want to battle, but I wanna do it for fun, for friendship. I don't want to battle competitively because well, I'll create enemies and look bad out there. No wonder you couldn't make friends when you were in school. Because you were just bad with accepting loss."
"Well," Uncle Bryan paused. "I'm just disappointed at you, Danielle. I was just hoping you would be as great as your cousin Jon, or even me. I was even thinking of sending you to Unova for your first journey after you graduate the academy. But, since you're not taking things into consideration anymore, well...I don't think I can offer you that."
Looking down, her heart sank as he spilled the offer of going to Unova. Danielle always wanted to go on a journey, with Mienfoo...even to visit her aunt in Mistralton City. Things were just coming to her. Her mind was spinning inside of her. Danielle couldn't say a word after that. She simply stood there, with her Pokemon.
"Listen, I got to go now. I have to get back to Celadon for work tomorrow. I'll...call you." Uncle Bryan said, turning around and walking away.
Standing above the light, Danielle crossed her arms. "Come on you guys. Let's... just go back to our dorm."
"Mien?" Mienfoo asked about Mark & Lucia, who was still outside.
"I'm too depressed to go back in there. It just feels awkward." She replied as they entered the Academy. "I'll send them a message explaining the whole thing when I get to my dorm. At the same time, I don't know if Uncle Bryan and I are going to be talking after this. Everything is just...ruined."