Chapter 159: To Mt Moon! Family edition!

Chapter 159: To Mt Moon! Family edition!

I winched in pain as Koga got in a strike to my side. I hadnt even seen him move.

Stay aware! he barked as I lashed out at him. He wove around the blow and darted in only for Selene to return, to defend me from his attack. A Barrier formed between us and Koga vanished in a quick burst of speed.

I growled and swept the field, looking for any sign he was still about, only for Agatha to blow a whistle. And thats a match for Lucy and Karens team, she said.

I rubbed my side and held up a hand to the others in my group. Sorry, Koga got me; I wasnt expecting him, I said with a groan.

The group nodded along at this and stumbled to the side so that the next victim, Janine, could take to the field.

Agatha walked around the group and gave us all feedback. When she got to me, she nodded. Good work trying to pull back like you did during that last exercise. Sadly, you werent allowed to, and the field had been set up before you arrived.

So the task was supposed to be as hard as possible? I said, rubbing my side.

Yes, we made it theoretically impossible. It forces you to be as creative as you can, as otherwise you will perish as it were. Situations like this arent ideal, but you can sometimes find yourself in them. Stay mobile and continue to keep your head on a swivel. She then smirked. Were there any traitors in your group today?

I chewed my lip in thought, my brain hurting with how I was being forced to adapt and come up with commands on the fly for a large group. No, there wasnt?

Agatha raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

I stood taller. No, there wasnt, I repeated firmly.

Agatha nodded. Very good, she said before walking away.

I pursed my lips in annoyance and glanced at the group Id led. It was getting harder and harder to judge if there were slip-ups or accidents that meant anything. It didnt help that half the Chanellers had been replaced by Ninja that Koga had trained. I had to work harder and harder and keep a better eye out for them.

Lately, Agatha had also stopped telling me if I was right or wrong about anyone betraying me. It weirdly rubbed at me, despite knowing that uncertainty was what they were aiming for.

It made the lesson to always be watching for betrayal stick wonderfully, though, so I had to give her some credit. She was annoying, but she was a damn good teacher.

When she wanted to be, that is. I spared a glance at the girl who trailed around after Agatha with a scowl and a clipboard. Surprisingly, Karen had been nice to the girl, which was a first.

They almost acted like they were siblings. Which. Hmmm I still wasnt sure what to think of that.

I settled back and watched Janine advance under the assault of Ghost and Poison-type pokemon only to pull her own vanishing act with her group by exploding the field and going to ground.

When a trio of trainers advanced to check the field Janine leapt out of the earth and released her pokemon once more. This caused Agathas group to become chaotic and fragmented, allowing Janine to take them out before having to endure Koga.

Father and daughter met in the middle of the field with their pokemon blazing away at each other, only for Koga to get the best of Janine and disarm her. She got in close with him and punished him for doing so with a flurry of strikes that sent him skidding backwards.

Whoa! Go Janine! I called from the side.

Sadly, Koga shrugged these off, stepping forward to engage once more. Soon enough he had a blunt weapon at her throat and a stern look.

He stepped back a moment later and nodded. A wonderful display, daughter; excellent adjustment; you would have taken out several times your number with this tactic and would have emerged victorious if this were anyone else.

Janine buzzed in place. Thank you, father! And I think I actually still won in the end?

A pair of trainers shot out of the ground and released their contingent of pokemon. Koga barked a laugh and signalled the fight to stop.

You should have played them earlier, but yes, that would have been a good move to make. He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. I could see it meant the world to Janine to be praised like this, so on reflex, I reached out and covered Karens mouth.

Whatever she said next it would most likely have been a snide comment was muffled. She shot me a narrow-eyed look and I withdrew my hand before she could bite me. The girl who had been shadowing Agatha snorted at our antics.

Just let her enjoy her victory; that was a clever move to get the drop on Agatha and Koga like that, I said.

Agatha sniffed. Get the drop while were taking it easy, perhaps.

I shot her an unimpressed look, but she merely scoffed. The rest of the session was spent in a debrief, and I returned to the Gym afterwards sore and tired. I rubbed my ribs a bit and grimaced again.

Are you alright, Brock? Yolanda said as she strode towards me with Terra waddling after her.

Feeling it a bit. I might be pushing it a bit hard in the gym lately, I said, trying to hide the fact that I probably had a large bruise on my side from where Koga got me. She frowned at me but decided to accept that, as I led her out to the reserve where I had to release my pokemon.

Yolanda frowned, noticing the signs of wear and fatigue on my pokemon. She shot me a confused look, but I waved her off again. Secret training, I said.

Wait, so youve already done some training this morning? She stepped closer and peered at my face. Are you tired? You might be pushing yourself too much then.

I huffed. This isnt that bad; trust me, Ive been worse. Im getting up early to work on some tactics with some of my pokemon and that means I just need to sacrifice sleep.

Hmmmm, maybe you should try and get some sleep during lunch today?

I hummed before shaking my head. Its not a good look if the boss is asleep on the job.

Better than fainting on the job, she replied.

I waved her off again. Ill get some rest tonight, dont worry.

You do recall that were going camping tonight, right? she said dubiously.

I shot her a bemused look. And which of us has gone on their journey and knows how to set up camp? Trust me, I have some great camping gear for any trip.

Yolanda narrowed her eyes at me. Did Rough Housing send you a bunch of free gear?

I coughed. Damn, she knew! Yeah, that too, but I do know how to prepare a campsite. Youll see. Its something you pick up after a couple months on the road.

Yolanda grimaced at that. I suppose there wont always be inns or pokemon centres to stay at, will there?

I chuckled at that. No, there will not be.

She nodded. Right I should start treating these trips as practise shouldnt I?

I nodded, pleased that she understood. Well, youre more aware than Forrest once again.

Yolanda giggled. A small war cry had us looking to the side to find Teddiursa had beaten Cranidos and was now squaring up against Terra.

Terra had a serious look about her but Teddiursa was able to avoid grappling with the much heavier pokemon. He hit and ran with his strikes, targeting her legs to weaken her before eventually knocking her over and catching her.

He grinned fiercely and stepped back with a small roar. Terra stood up with a huff before beaming a smile. Larv! she said.

She then pointed to the side, making Teddiursa turn just in time to take Cranidos lowered head to his gut. Apparently, Cranidos was now ready for a rematch.

Terra waddled over and got some potion from Yolanda and a quick round of reviews, with Yolanda pointing out what she needed to watch out for against Teddiursa. I decided to step in and give both of my pokemon some instructions. I wasnt surprised when Teddiursa made better use of my suggestions to catch Cranidos.

Then again, Teddiursa was somewhat fighting under his weight class. He was just emerging out of the baby phase and into the proper pokemon fighting phase. Id probably take him along on our hike to give him some experience. Him and Cranidos, I decided, looking over the angry baby pokemon.

Terra started to waddle forward, only for me to hold up a hand. Sorry Terra, I need Teddiursa to focus on other training; How about you fight with our new Aerodactyl instead? Shes just hatched, so be gentle with her, I said, indicating the nearby pokemon that had come out with Don to watch the training session.

Don had reacted rather differently to this new addition. He preened a little more and seemed more controlled with his daughter watching on.

I rather enjoyed having a new point of control over Don. Now I only needed to gesture to the side and indicate his daughter, who was watching with rapt attention. That hadnt failed yet to get him to knuckle down and get into the training, rather than be stubborn.

Jormungandr! I called my Steelix. I waved him over and claimed a spot atop a boulder as he wrapped himself around the boulder and laid down.

Lix? He rumbled.

I drew out the keystone and wrapped it around my wrist. Sabrina has succeeded, I said succinctly.

That got him to blink in surprise.

I nodded. Were not going to let them leave us behind, though. So for the next hour, its just you and me, bud. I patted my hand on his body. Lets get stuck into it, yeah?

Jorm nodded his mighty head as I settled into feeling out our link. Thanks to working with Jormungandr, I was now much more aware of the bonds I had with all of my pokemon. I could, with a lot of effort on my part, somewhat perceive them growing and solidifying, growing more robust.

Titan, for example, was like a pipeline that was wrapped in a myriad of colours for all the adventures wed been on.

In comparison, Teddiursas bond with me was a thin rope. I expected that it would be much stronger by the end of the day.

For now, I focused on the bond that Jormungandr and I shared. Both of us sent energy towards the other in the pattern that wed worked out, which helped to merge our energies before we fed it back towards Jormungandr.

Or at least we tried to; before it entered Jormungandrs body the energy lost cohesion and shot back into Jorm and myself. Both of us grimaced at the failure and the feeling of the energy snapping back into us.

I sighed. Another failure.

I shook my head and clapped my hands. It wasnt another failure; it was merely another step.

Another step forward, I said aloud, reminding myself that it was important to keep Jormungandr motivated. My giant metal snake opened an eye. I nodded, conveying as much confidence as I could.

Weve come a long way, well get this, I said before shutting my own eyes to resume the training.

We were so close I could metaphorically taste it.

When my timer went off, indicating an hour had passed, I let the energy that Jorm and I had built up dissipate harmlessly before standing and stretching. Urgh, alright buddy, good work, I said, clapping him on the side as I jumped over him.

Clefairy was, as always, working hard, but I paused for a moment as I noticed how many others were working just as hard. Even Don would stop, only to glance at Clefairy, before pushing himself to keep working.

I gave a quick whistle and all of my team stopped and hurried over as I laid out some food for them.

I found Yolanda on a boulder of her own, fast asleep, with Terra in her lap. I raised up my transceiver and snapped a few pictures. Then I waved for Titan and Bertha to stand behind her. Bertha raised two fingers so that Yolanda looked like she had giant, if stumpy, bunny ears. I chuckled and snapped a few more, then gently woke her up.

Sure, it's me that needs to sleep and not you? I asked as I led her back for breakfast.

She yawned hugely. I was trying to copy you and feel for any hidden power I might have but its kind of boring?

I laughed louder. Yeah, yeah, it is. Id had the fortune to have the experience of two lives. And it had still taken me years, despite knowing to try for it. Hopefully, with my wisdom being given to Yolanda shed pick it up just as quickly.

I wrapped an arm around her and led her to breakfast, where we found Munchlax holding up Suzie as she pilfered the cupboard.

And what do you think youre doing? I said.

Suzie startled and Munchlax twitched, causing them to teeter from side to side. Before Suzie could fall, I stepped in and caught her. She giggled, and I kept her going with some tickles.

No sneaking snacks! I said in mock anger. I set her down and opened the fridge. Looks like its time for a Brock breakfast! I announced.

Yolanda nodded. Ill go find Dad. He must have stayed up too late packing the camping gear.

I merely shook my head. He had all of today to get things sorted, but hed wanted it done last night. Ah well, I knew how hard it was to organise our family.

I allowed myself a moment of schadenfreude as I began to heat up the third skillet with my famous Brock everything scrambled eggs. Munchlax sat on his stool next to Suzie, quivering in anticipation.

Break-fast! sang Suzie. Everything Brock! Everything Breakfast!

Brock Breakfast! I chorussed back to her.

Munch! Munch! Munch! Munchlax chimed in happily.

It had been a while since Id done this. Id usually made a point of avoiding meals, or getting through them quickly, of late, what with it being weird around Flint and how busy Id been.

I allowed myself a moment to exhale in relief.

Damn, it was good to have a late start to the day.

Soon enough, the rest of my siblings wandered in. Yolanda prodded them along, with Terra and Eevee working to chase the stragglers.

Salvadore clattered into a chair with a map and a number of books. Morning! Hey Brock! Think we can find some rare pokemon this afternoon?

I hummed. Well have to see; do Clefairy count?

I mean, I guess? he said.

I think I can get the Clefairy to come out tonight, so well get to see them, I said. The girls all cheered at this.

Salvadore nodded. What else can we find if were lucky?

Hmmm well the normal are of course Geodude, Sandshrew, and Onix, but we can also be on the lookout for Paras, Zubat, ab I trailed off, deciding not to mention Absol. Salvadore would definitely look into it. I frowned. Id seen an Absol right before Mewtwo and Moltres exchanged blows, hadnt I?

Abra? Salvadore said excitedly.

I hummed. On the east side of the mountain, perhaps, I said. Hey Yolanda, I said. Wheres Flint?

Yolanda stared at me as she swallowed some of her food. Hes still asleep; leave a plate for him, I think, she said eventually.

I nodded and turned my attention to making up my siblings' lunches for the day. For some reason, the kids started tittering and whispering to each other while I did this. I eyed them for a moment, but they adopted innocent expressions. I handed them their lunchboxes with a frown.

Something weird was going on here.

A tug on my pants had me looking down to find Munchlax giving me Baby Doll Eyes with a quivering lip. He glanced at the final unmade lunchbox, and I sighed.

Alright, Munchlax, you too, I said. I made up another lunchbox for him so he wouldnt feel left out.

He happily accepted the box with a hug and trotted into the loungeroom, where he turned on some morning cartoons, with Eevee and Terra joining him.

Hmmm, guess I can walk you to school, I said to myself. The kids all grinned at that. I led them out the front door, wondering why they were all acting so weird. Id taken them to school plenty of times before.

When I turned, the bushes rustled, causing me to pause as I realised what was about to happen.

Huh, itd been a while since this had happened.

Gym Leader was as far as the kid got before he tripped over a Lileep that tangled itself around their legs. They fell face-first into the pond with a splash, and I winced in sympathy. Oh, right, it had been a while since Id come out of this entrance.

I lifted the bedraggled trainer out of the pond. You alright there?

No? they said with a quiver of the lip. A cursory inspection revealed that they had a rather large lump forming on their forehead. Ouch.

I patted them on the head and dropped them off at the front of the hedge. Well, next time just make a booking like everyone else, yeah?

I ran my hands over its body and frowned. Lots of coal in his diet? I asked.

Yes, and some other minerals that make him oddly striped underneath, Flint said, happy to talk about his pokemon.

Oh! So there are markers for Onix that let you tell them apart? said Tommy, showing some curiosity for the first time.

Flint nodded from where he sat at the front. Yes! Most Onix are entered into registries with the Rangers when theyre in the wild. Some of the older ones can grow quite large unless they are kept repressed by the local pokemon population.

Huh, said Tommy thoughtfully. When are you going to give me an Onix? he asked.

Flint blinked. Oh, you want me to catch one?

Yeah! But make it like Brocks one!

I grinned. Like Jormungandr? I said.

Tommy shook his head. No, like the one that you use in your Four badge matches! The one that has those ghost moves! My friends dad is the local branch manager of the Battleclub, and he always goes on and on about how Onix shouldnt be able to do what it does! He grinned. I want a tricky pokemon like that!

I chuckled. I hadnt realised Onix was that special! I glanced at Flint only to see that he had a slightly pinched look.

Tommy, Brocks Onix He glanced up at me. You caught it only a few years ago, correct?

I nodded. Yeah right after I shifted and looked away. I needed another strong Onix, I said lamely. Yolanda reached out and grabbed my hand.

Flint nodded. I thought that was the case. That Onix is special, lets just say that.

I frowned, curious about what the full story was about my own pokemon. Flint didnt say anything more about it, and I turned my siblings' attention elsewhere using a game of pokemon snap with some cheap cameras Id bought for them. They happily clicked away at the landscape and claimed theyd seen anything from an Onix to a Geodude.

When Salvadore claimed hed spotted a Chansey, everyone chuckled, especially when he revealed that hed botched the picture.

When we reached the peak, Flint had his Onix roll out a flat spot to lay out our tents. I made up a campfire for us and tossed out some wood before releasing Slugma to serve as our firestarter.

I chuckled. I didnt really need the wood with Slugma here, I said as we laid some skillets on a table above Slugma.

Yolanda merely shrugged as she sat down on a chair around the fire. It makes for a nice scene, she said. Lifting up her camera and snapping a picture of me poking the fire with a stick.

The kids happily ran around the area as Flint, Salvadore, and I set up the tents. Yolanda got them to play a game with Teddiursa and Terra for Simon says which they loved.

I set about cooking dinner and released Clefairy. Think you can go find your family? Might be nice to have them here for your evolution? He perked up at that and nodded. He hopped away, and I called out after him. Remind them my family is here, so warn them they might get cuddled!

Fairy! he chimed back before vanishing as he leapt into a small crack.

I shook my head and set about making dinner. Dinner was simple fare, but the kids seemed to like it. After dinner, we sang some songs, and Salvadore pointed out which stars he knew, and Flint pointed out an even larger amount.

is the serpents tail, it always points south! See it there? See how it weaves? People arent sure if its an Arbok, a Gyarados, or a Milotic, but I think its an Onix! Flint said happily.

I like Milotic! said Cindy firmly, eyes locked on the glittering night sky.

Flint smiled. Theres a trick your mother knows with the stars where you line them up just so with your thumb and forefingers, and then you can navigate anywhere! he said, causing the kids to perk up while I leaned back and let the darkness hide my grimace.

Clefairy! chimed a chorus of voices. I glanced over and found Clefairy had returned, and with him, a cadre of at least twenty Clefairy and even a Clefable were there. They waved at us, and I waved back.

Ahhhhh my gosh! said Suzie "They're sooooooo cute!

That prompted a few of them to hop towards us and softly bob into Suzie's arms for hugs.

Others did the same to others, and Clefable walked up to us with a serious gait. He clapped me on the thigh and nodded in approval. Then he stepped back. Clefable! he said, and suddenly the Clefairy broke off and darted back to him.

Clefable turned his gaze towards me. He raised a hand and made a give gesture.

I handed him the Moonstone that Flint had brought back ages ago, and he took it and rested it on top of a boulder.

He then nudged my Clefairy to the front of the pack. Clefable! he said before bouncing to the side, hands bobbing one way and then the other. The Clefairy all joined in, and Clefairy copied them.

Suzie giggled and joined in. We should do it too! she said before bobbing from side to side.

I shared a glance with the rest of my siblings, and we joined in happily bobbing from side to side in a strange two-step to the timing of Clefable.

Bertha, sensing a good time, popped out of her pokeball. Her hands twitched at the sight of so many small cute pokemon, but she settled down and joined us in bobbing from side to side.

I decided to pop out the rest of my team, only to be surprised when instead of Don popping out of my last pokeball, Chansey did instead.

I blinked in surprise. Id checked that right before I left the medical bay but she did have access to some of the stickers and pokeballs I used. Had she wanted to sneak along?

She didnt meet my gaze and hid behind Bertha to dance along with the other pokemon.

I shared an amused look with Titan and we both shrugged. Sanchez loudly joined in with the dance, causing Titan to snort and then join himself

Clefairy, at some unknown signal, stepped forward and raised the Moonstone up. Cle-fairy! he said loudly and then his form began to shimmer and glow.

His body grew and a moment later the light died away to reveal his fully evolved form.

Clefable! he cheered. Everyone stopped dancing to cheer for him. He bounced happily and soon had a number of Clefairy bouncing into him to hug him. Suzie happily joined the pile of hugs by throwing herself into it. Bertha waited until I rolled my eyes and waved her forward.

She happily caught up the entire group in her large arms to nuzzle and hug the fluffy pokemon. Suzie giggled from somewhere within the mass of fluff.

When she emerged, she was held up by Clefable and he laughed happily before depositing her back on the ground. The other Clefairy and Clefable slipped from Berthas arms easily.

My Clefable then bowed to his family. When he rose he walked back to my side with a proud smile.

His family bowed back and waved to my family, then, without any warning, they skipped away.

In the space of a few seconds, they vanished, leaving the impression theyd never been here but for the newly evolved pokemon.

Wow, said Cindy. That was amazing!

I chuckled. Yup, the worlds a pretty amazing place filled with stuff like this.

Cindy turned. And you got to experience it on your Journey? I nodded, and she grinned wider. Will I?

Maybe? You might have different or even better journeys than me. Whos to say? I said whimsically.

Suzie stepped up to me. Whats his name? she said, indicating the waiting Clefable.

I was about to name him after the king of fairies, but hthen I realised that name wouldnt fit. I glanced around at the rest of my pokemon. No, Oberon wasnt going to fit.

Clefai no, Clefable, was a fighter, a pokemon filled with courage and the desire to do good and great things.

He had the heart of a hero.

I shut my eyes for a moment and felt out the bonds with my pokemon before reopening them.

His name is Link, I said, feeling it click just right in some undefinable way.

Link threw up his hands before my family and my pokemon cheered out at the name. Clefable shared hugs with everyone, even Chansey, who seemed unsure of what to make of the once tiny pokemon now being taller than her.

I chuckled and led everyone back to the fire to enjoy some smores.

Yolanda smiled at me. So why Link?

I hummed. Well, I suppose I should tell the story of Link to you, shouldnt I? I said.

Instantly everyone was sitting around the campfire with rapt attention.

Sanchez patted the ground next to him and Link leapt to join him. Chansey twitched and shook herself as Link moved past her. Yolanda giggled and some of the kids changed seats to sit with my pokemon.

I chuckled and sat down before beginning the story of Link.

Long, long ago, in a faraway kingdom, there was a young boy I said, beginning the tale like that of a classic. From there, I told them the story of a small boy who grew to be a hero despite everything that stood in his way.

By the time I was done, Link and Sanchez had tears in their eyes. Sanchez clapped Link on the shoulder and nodded firmly. The others smiled at Link.

Link merely bowed his head. Then he looked at me before he leapt into my arms to hug me. Clefable! he shouted.

I hugged him back, amused at how moved he was by the story.

Cindy grinned. I think he likes his name, she said before yawning.

I think he does, he said.

Titan huffed a laugh and nudged the others into moving out around the camp. My siblings went through their sleep rituals with stuffed pokemon, their teeth, and a nightly run to the bathroom.

We have to pee in a hole! screamed Suzie as she rediscovered what using the facilities meant in the wilderness.

I watched the pokemon I brought along all take the time to pat Link on the shoulder before they settled down as well.

I sat by the fire feeling oddly nostalgic to be out camping with all of my pokemon. How long had it been since Id done something like this?

I sat for a long time as my siblings settled, and without really thinking about it, I slipped into a meditative state and felt out my bonds once again. I was a bit surprised to find that Links had easily tripled in size since this morning.

Huh, it seems like going about things this way really was the right call.

Titan shuffled up and laid down around me, his eyes glinting in the fire. Tyyyyyy, he said sleepily.

I nodded. Yeah, this brings back memories, doesnt it? I said. I looked up at the stars. Think I might sleep out here tonight, I said.

Yolanda, whod been passing by to get to her own tent, paused to sit down. That means I can sleep in your new tent? she said eagerly.

I nodded. Go right ahead, I said. She grinned and started to claim the tent, only to pause and sit back down. She joined me in looking up at the stars, not saying a word.

After a bit, the rest of my siblings settled down, and Flint joined us.

We sat without saying a word, simply enjoying the moment.

Eventually, however, all things end. Flint shifted and caused a grating noise to break the silence.

I sighed and decided to ask a question that had been lingering in my mind for a while. What makes my Onix, the one I use for the fourth-tier badge battles, so different?

Flint sighed and stared into the fire. He rubbed at his chin and opened his mouth before closing it a few times, trying and failing to find the words he wanted to say.

Eventually, he just shook his head. Onix shouldnt be able to use Curse the way your Onix does.

I blinked. That doesnt make any sense; he pulls it off all the time, so obviously thats wrong, I said.

Flint sighed. Remember how I mentioned that all Onix end up with a certain colouring? Onix has a very controlled colouration which is something only seen in pokemon that have been raised since birth on a specialised diet. But more telling are the scars and cracks that litter his body.

I blinked. Oh? Between us, Yolanda stayed quiet.

Flint nodded. Yes, I Well, I actually recognise that Onix. Im not surprised it hasnt grown as large as it could, but it has certainly grown.

I tilted my head. You recognise it?

Yes, your Onix it was a young Onix that belonged to Brock. The older Brock, who was Gym Leader before me.

Oh, I said intelligently. I had an inkling of how this all tied together now, but I needed to confirm it. And this ties in with Onixs Curse specialty, how?

Flint licked his lips. You never trained him with a ghost type to make him stronger, have you?

I shook my head, and Flint sighed. Theres only one other way for pokemon to get skilled at or develop special moves with Ghost-type moves and its to experience death. And not just a little bit, but to truly know death.

Flint looked up. We all know that the old Brock died during the war

Flint shifted. I think that Onix was his, and it might have fallen onto deaths door. I cant imagine what its like to have lost everything like that. It must be strange to be back at the Pewter Gym and to be led by another called Brock. Funny how things play out. I suppose there is one good side to the story with you looking after Onix now.

I stared at Flint. Huh, I had no idea, I said.

I blinked a few times, unsure what to even say. A morbid thought occurred to me. If I wanted I could probably learn what happened to the previous Gym Leader Brock, but that would require Sabrinas help and I didnt need to dredge up old ghosts. What would I do with such knowledge?

Thanks for telling me, I said, looking back up at the stars.

Flint nodded and rose. Thanks for today, Flint said. It was great coming up here as a family, he said.

I enjoyed it, I said carefully. I smiled, as I realised I meant the words. I then barked a laugh. We still have tomorrow and the days coming ahead of us so dont worry, Im not going anywhere.

Flint smiled wider. Ha, I know, but sometimes you need to acknowledge the moment, he said before nodding at me. He gave Yolanda a kiss on the head and then tucked himself in for the night.

Yolanda rose and gave me a hug and a kiss. Night Brock, she said.

Night, I said, kissing her on the cheek.

I sat in the dark for a while longer and considered letting sleep take hold only for a flapping of wings to make me and my pokemon sit up.

A pokemon landed in front of me, and I blinked as a familiar face grinned up at me.

Oh, its you, I said to the shiny Zubat. Despite myself, I felt my fingers twitch towards a spare pokeball. Did you come to find me? I asked hopefully.

It nodded quickly and gestured at itself and the rest of my pokemon. Titan huffed in amusement but nodded.

I chuckled, understanding through Titans reaction what had been said. Zubat was another pokemon that wanted to get strong?

Perfect. I offered it the pokeball and it leapt into it to capture itself. The ball flashed once and locked before teleporting away.

I grinned.

Today really had turned out so much better than I had imagined. I rubbed at my still sore ribs, barring some exceptions, that is.

I shut my eyes and hoped tomorrow would turn out just as well.