"If Ponyta's your first pick, then I choose Turtwig!" Gardenia called as she threw her own Pokeball out onto the field. It exploded open, and before me stood my first foe in this gym, a Turtwig. I knew I had the distinct advantage, being a Fire-type and all, but this foe before me seemed entirely undaunted by the odds against it. It stared me down with a smile, even.
"You're not the first Fire-type I've had to face," Turtwig said to me. "And believe me, I've beaten your kind before. Still, though, let's have a clean fight, eh?"
I nodded and smiled. "I'd like that," I replied.
I glanced over to my right to see that the human referee had taken his position on top of a podium to the right of the battlefield, centered and equidistant to both Marcus and Gardenia. "The Gym Battle between Eterna City Gym Leader Gardenia and the challenger, Marcus Lyre of Jubilife City, is about to begin," he called. "Each side will use three Pokemon, and the battle will end when all three of a trainer's Pokemon are unable to battle. Additionally, only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions in the middle of battle. Trainers, are your Pokemon ready?"
I turned to Marcus, and saw that he was looking back towards me. "We've got this," I said with a determined smile. Marcus smiled back in kind, as though he understood what I'd said.
"If the combatants are ready…" the referee called, "let the battle BEGIN!"
"Turtwig, start this battle out with Headbutt!" Gardenia shouted. Following his trainer's instructions, Turtwig promptly leaped into action, charging at me with his head bowed.
"Blitz, stop it in its tracks with Ember!" Marcus called to me. Immediately, I complied with my trainer's order, the flames starting to well up in my throat. I tilted my head back a bit, then thrust it forward while opening my mouth, releasing a small ball of flame that shot forward in Turtwig's direction. I was sure I was my aim was on-mark, but to my surprise, he sidestepped my attack with a reaction time and movement speed I didn't expect. My Ember harmlessly sailed by him, and before either I or Marcus could react, Turtwig leaped up and gave me a powerful Headbutt right to the base of my neck, causing me to stagger backwards several paces. When I finally regained my hoofing, I looked up to see Turtwig smirking.
"Not bad," he said to me, "but your speed could use a little work. I practically strolled around that Ember."
"Hmph," I replied, turning my head and letting out a small puff of flame from my mouth, which quickly dissipated into the air. "You wouldn't talk so big if you were Burned." I couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth in that moment, honestly. I never thought I could talk or act like that. Maybe this Turtwig had hurt my pride or something just now. I did consider myself to be pretty handy with Ember, able to hit faraway targets with pinpoint accuracy for one, and able to put a lot of power into it despite being a weaker move for another. But I couldn't hit a target that moves too quickly.
Well, that was okay. I was sure Marcus had a backup plan.
"Okay then, let's try a different approach," Marcus said. "Blitz, get right up in its face and use Stomp!"
I nodded and began galloping forward toward Turtwig. "You're in for it now!" I called. "You can't dodge what's right in your face!"
Turtwig simply stood there and smiled, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Gardenia smirk. "Turtwig, use Grass Knot!" She called. It was too late for me to react. I was already at full gallop when I saw Turtwig's eyes start to glow green. I tried to stop myself, but all too late as I felt my right foreleg get caught by a pair of vines that Turtwig had grown in front of me. I started flying forward towards my face.
At least, that's what Marcus and I had Gardenia believe in that instant.
Before I impacted on the ground, I bowed my head a little and started intensifying my flames. Then, just as I was about to hit, I shifted my weight and rolled forward. Then kept rolling, the rest of my body becoming engulfed in flames. Fluidly, I had turned an unfortunate trip into Flame Wheel, which I had just learned back in Eterna Forest. Marcus thought it would make for a nice little trick, since he knew Gardenia would have some tricks of her own for dealing with Fire-types like myself. After all, only a trickster can beat a trickster.
"Crap!" I heard Turtwig shout as I rolled towards him. I actually couldn't see where I was going at the time, since I had little practice with this move, but I knew when I hit my mark, and hit it I did. I could feel myself impact my foe, and I could hear him call out as he got knocked backwards. Finally, I stopped rolling and got back to my hooves. I stumbled a little, suddenly realizing I was a little dizzy, but I kept my hoofing, and the dizziness passed.
"Might have to work on that," I thought to myself as I shifted my gaze to Turtwig, who looked like he took a lot of damage from that hit. Still, he got up.
"One more hit like that and Turtwig's finished," I heard Marcus think out loud. "Alright Blitz, let's go for a clean finish. Use Flame Wheel one more time!"
"Alright!" I called back with enthusiasm. I started charging forward, quickly going into a dive and starting my spin, my flames burning hotly yet again. Yes, using Flame Wheel made my flames burn hotly like they were supposed to! It was because of this that I delivered that Flame Wheel with such powerful enthusiasm! Additionally, I was apparently growing better at using Flame Wheel, as I could see Turtwig's expression of shock as I quickly approached him, even if it was just several fleeting glances as I rolled. I heard Gardenia make a call, but it was too late. My first Flame Wheel had weakened Turtwig considerably, so even if he could have dodged my attack, he still would've been clipped at the very least, and in position for me do deliver a crushing follow-up Ember. Yet it was the full force of that Flame Wheel that Turtwig felt, and I sent him flying in a glorious fireball against the opposite wall of the gym.
"Turtwig is unable to battle!" the announcer called, as though we couldn't all easily tell that from the way he fell from the wall to the ground in a smoldering heap. "The winner is Blitz!"
I turned and galloped over to Marcus as Gardenia ran to her Turtwig. (I wouldn't find out until later, but I didn't leave Turtwig with any serious or lasting injuries. He made a full recovery. …And yes, I did find and apologize to him eventually.) Marcus leaned down and stroked the side of my face. "That was awesome, Blitz," he said to me.
I looked over and saw Princess huff and turn her beak away. "I probably could've done that too, if I were a Fire-type," she scoffed.
"Hey, watch your beak, Princess," Marcus chuckled. "I might have to send you in next if you don't behave."
Princess looked back towards Marcus and donned a determined expression. "With pleasure," she replied.
"Wait, you really wanna battle next round?" Marcus asked with a confused expression. "Alright. I was joking, but whatever floats your boat."
"Yes," Princess cheered to herself. I took that as my cue. Princess stepped forward onto the battlefield, and I took her spot standing to Marcus' right.
It was at this point that Gardenia had returned Turtwig and retook her spot opposite Marcus. "I can tell you've raised your Ponyta well," Gardenia called with a smile. "Any old Fire-type could easily two-shot poor Turtwig, but it takes a special kind of bond between trainer and Pokemon for the latter to trust you enough to take a hit like Grass Knot and have it be part of a plan."
Marcus chuckled. "You done reading off your script?" he asked.
Gardenia smirked, and presented her second Pokeball. "Joke's on you!" she called. "I've had my script memorized for some time now! That said, time for Act 2! Go, Cherrim!" Gardenia then threw her Pokeball forward, and out of it emerged her next Pokemon, Cherrim. I had never seen a Cherrim before, despite the fact that I sometimes made Cherubi my prey. It honestly looked a little depressing, its petals folded down and over it like that. Still, I had reason to worry, just as much as I hoped Marcus had. The first round went to me because I had the type advantage, but Princess was at a serious disadvantage. If that Cherrim got a solid hit on her, she'd be done for.
Still, I had faith in Marcus. I knew he'd get Princess through this.
"Cherrim, start the battle with Sunny Day!" Gardenia called.
"Praise the sun!" Cherrim called as she raised her petals slightly, and all of a sudden, the clouds above the skylight broke and intense sunlight started streaming into the gym. The effect was evident. I felt good basking in the sun's rays, and I could tell Cherrim did as well, as she immediately transformed into her Sunshine Form, but Princess was another story. In addition to powering up Fire-types like myself and giving boosts to some kinds of Grass-types, intense sunlight like this greatly weakened Water-types like Princess, too.
"Princess, are you still good to fight?" Marcus called.
Princess turned around and nodded. "This sun's gonna be hell on my complexion, but I can make this work," the Piplup commented.
"Alright then," Marcus replied, "open the game with Pound!"
Princess nodded once again and began running forward, raising her flipper and channeling energy into it, causing it to glow white. She gave the tip of her flipper a kiss before leaping up into the air and dropping her attack down hard on the Cherrim, causing it to fall backwards a little. "Hardly a challenge," Princess scoffed.
"Our turn, Cherrim," Gardenia called. "Hit that Piplup with Magical Leaf!"
"Leaf me alone!" Cherrim called in response as she generated a number of colorfully-glowing leaves from her body and shot them directly at Princess.
"Crap!" Marcus called as he watched Princess brace herself for the attack. Suddenly, he clenched his fist and called, "Princess, if you can't dodge that, then use Bide!"
Princess turned to Marcus and nodded once again before she steadied her stance and her body began glowing a light shade of red. The Magical Leaf hit her dead-on, and the Piplup was slid several paces back. Even I had to flinch a little at how much pain I imagined Princess was in as I watched her take that attack like a Machamp. On the other hoof, I saw another trick Marcus had just pulled. If Princess is using Bide, then she won't be moving, and that would render Grass Knot useless. At least Princess was safe from that move, but I couldn't help but fear she wasn't going to last long enough against that Magical Leaf to unleash her Bide…
For a brief moment, I felt Marcus and Gardenia staring each other down, though that measly moment felt a lot longer than that. Princess and Cherrim were doing the same. The only difference, I could tell Princess was panting, despite how she was standing tall and puffing out her chest. If only I were still in there instead of Princess, this mess might not be happening…
"Let's see if your Piplup can survive another one of those!" Gardenia called. "Cherrim, Magical Leaf once more!"
"Checkmate!" Cherrim shouted as she unleashed yet another Magical Leaf. Only this time, she put a little more flourish into her attack, the leaves swirling around Princess a little and setting themselves up all around her before all suddenly attacking at once from literally every direction. Princess wasn't able to brace herself very well, since guarding in one direction left her wide open in the other, and I could tell she was about to go down. I saw her quiver as the attack ended, and she was panting heavily. From where I stood, it even looked like she was sweating.
But she didn't go down.
"You…" Princess started as she shakily stood up straight. "You… just messed… with the wrong Piplup!" Princess shouted as her body began glowing an intense red, and steam started coming off of her.
"Princess, now, unleash your Bide!" Marcus shouted.
"VOLAIRE VIA, CHERRIM!" Princess shouted to the heavens as she reared her head back, all the red energy flowing up her body and concentrating in front of her beak, where a ball of white energy was quickly growing, fed by her Bide. Princess then thrust herself forward, and the ball of white energy turned into a powerful beam of light that rocketed towards Cherrim. The latter Pokemon had absolutely no chance to react as she was suddenly engulfed by the white light, the concentrated pain that she had just inflicted upon Princess being brought back down onto her two-fold all at once. I couldn't tell, but I knew she had been blown backwards, swept up in the beam of energy. Princess's attack lasted for several seconds before the beam of light finally dissipated. Once the dust she had kicked up cleared, Cherrim was laying on the ground in front of Gardenia, utterly defeated. Princess, meanwhile, was hunched over and panting heavily.
I looked over and saw the referee was scratching his head. "This is kind of an understatement, honestly…" he started, "but Cherrim is unable to battle! The winner of this round is Princess!"
Marcus took this opportunity to run out onto the battlefield to Princess, signaling for Marie and I to stay put. We did as we were told, only watching as Marcus got to Princess just in time to catch her as she fell backwards.
"I was… gonna catch myself… thank you very much…" Princess huffed just barely loud enough so that I could hear her from where I was standing, though Marcus likely heard her clearly. (Well, he could hear "Piplup Piplup" clearly, at least.) "I wanted to keep going, but… I'll be nice and step aside to give Marie a chance to do something…"
"It kinda sounds like you're swallowing your pride for once," Marcus said with a chuckle. He then pulled out Princess' Pokeball. "If you've still got energy left, save it for after the battle, so we can all celebrate together. For now, though, rest." Marcus then returned Princess before standing up and looking down at the Pokeball. "Thank you, Princess." He then holstered Princess' Pokeball and walked back to where we were. "Alright sis, your time to shine."
"You got it, Marcus," Marie replied with a nod as she leaped forward onto the battlefield.
"You're pretty fond of ending things with a bang, huh?" Gardenia called as Marcus turned back towards her. "Hey, I can respect that, just as much as I can respect you taking that chance by sending your Piplup out despite her being at a clear disadvantage."
"To be fair, she was supposed to employ an entirely different strategy from what I had her do," Marcus replied with a smile. "But flexibility is a requirement for a Pokemon Trainer, isn't it? Actually, a better term would probably be 'adaptability.'"
Gardenia nodded. "I'd be careful if I were you, though," she said. "You can try to bend all you want, but everyone has a point where they snap if they're careless enough." She then pulled out her last Pokeball. "I've never seen a Zorua in my gym before, so this'll be a first for us. Go, Roserade!"
Gardenia threw her Pokeball up, and out of it emerged the very Pokemon she called: Roserade. Her flower-tipped arms were crossed in front of it in an X shape, her legs were positioned one in front of the other, and she looked up at Marie with a coy expression. "Mmm, never seen anything like you before," Roserade said to Marie. "I'll admit, I like your color scheme. However… just being able to sparkle doesn't make you good when it comes time to tango!" She then did several twirls before striking a pose, small red and blue petals flying off of her and somehow refracting the intense sunlight in such a way that she practically had a spotlight on her.
Marie smirked before leaping forward and diving into a full break dance that lasted for a few seconds before she landed laying on her side, her head resting on her paw, the elbow of which was resting on the ground. "I beg to differ," Marie replied.
"Wait, you can dance, Marie?" Marcus asked, astonishment evident in his voice. I shared the same sentiment, but I kept my muzzle shut for the time being. "When were you going to tell me this?"
"Just because you're my brother, doesn't mean you gotta know everything about me," Marie replied as she rolled, leaped into the air, did a backflip, and landed on all-fours, readying herself for battle. She then looked back up at Roserade, who had assumed her previous closed-off stance. "Now then, care to dance?"
Roserade held her right rosebud out and made a "come on" gesture towards Marie. "Let's see what you've got, kid," she said.
"That Roserade looks fast…" Marcus thought out loud. "Fortunately, Marie's got the remedy for that. Marie, start the battle off with Scary Face!"
"On it!" Marie called back with a nod as she used an illusion to create a terrifying image for Roserade. I couldn't tell what kind of face she used, but it obviously worked as Roserade's calm demeanor faltered a bit and she stepped backwards.
"Perfect," Marcus said with a smile. "A slower foe is easier to deal with. I should've sent Marie out against that Turtwig…"
"Don't lose your footing, Roserade!" Gardenia called. "Move in and hit her with Poison Sting!"
"With pleasure," Roserade replied as she leaned down a little, her rosebud hands beginning to glow purple, before she leaped forward at a speed that was fairly impressive for having been nerfed some, before striking at Marie.
"Marie, dodge that attack and use Fury Swipes!" Marcus called.
Marie nodded, and leaped out of the way of Roserade's initial attack before moving back in, her claws glowing white, and swiping at her foe.
"Roserade, keep using Poison Sting and keep up with that Zorua's Fury Swipes!" Gardenia called.
Just before Marie made contact with her first hit of Fury Swipes, Roserade had moved her still-purple-glowing rose in to block Marie's attack. Marie went in for another hit, but Roserade parried this attack as well. The Bouquet Pokemon then tried to get a hit on Marie, but the Zorua took her turn to parry this attack with her own.
"They're both still taking damage…" I found myself musing out loud. "Each parry lessens the damage they suffer, but they're still gonna get hurt with each hit." I turned to Marcus. "This isn't all you have planned, right?"
Marcus noticed I was talking to him and turned towards me. He seemed like he didn't catch what I was saying for once. "Try not to worry, Blitz," he said to me with a reassuring smile. "Marie can keep up. I know that much."
Meanwhile, Marie and Roserade were still exchanging blows. However, there was one hit that Marie was just barely slower on the draw for, and Roserade took the opportunity to hit her square in the chest, knocking her back several paces.
"Marie!" Marcus called. The Zorua got back to her paws easily, but I saw her wobble a little. She couldn't be… yes, a subtle dry heave from Marie confirmed it. That last hit had Poisoned her. She looked like she was trying to hide this fact from Marcus, though. She was doing a good job, too, because it looked like Marcus hadn't caught on. "Marie, still good to fight?"
Marie nodded, but she didn't speak. She probably knew anything she said would come out shaky, and that would tip Marcus off.
"Alright then, move in with Feint Attack!" Marcus called. Marie nodded, and she began dashing forward, her movements not giving any evidence of her ailment. She began covering herself in a shadowy mist before she leaped up and charged right at Roserade, seeming to vanish entirely for a moment before reappearing and hitting her perfectly.
"There was no way we could've dodged that," Gardenia said. "Even using Grass Knot would've proven useless. Feint Attack would hit no matter what. However, now you're close enough for another hit! Roserade, hit that Zorua with another Poison Sting, then set up a Magical Leaf behind her to keep her within range!"
"Time for the showstopper!" Roserade called with a smirk as she spun around and hit Marie with another Poison Sting, knocking her back again. Roserade quickly followed this up by letting loose a Magical Leaf that whirled behind Marie and started hitting her from behind.
"Oh no, Marie!" Marcus called. "Uh… I've got it! Marie, use an illusion to get out of there!"
"Too late," Gardenia said with a glint in her eye. "Roserade, finish that Zorua off with Solarbeam!"
"Now you're finished!" Roserade shouted as she raised her roses into the air and began channeling solar energy, causing them to glow yellow. Because Cherrim's Sunny Day was still in effect, Roserade spent no time at all charging before she thrust her roses forward, unleashing pure concentrated sunlight right at Marie, who was just then staggering to her paws, and only just looked up as the Solarbeam hit her, engulfing her completely in a similar fashion to how Cherrim suffered Princess' Bide. The attack was fierce, and everyone there, including myself, had to shield their eyes so blindness didn't occur. Once the Solarbeam died down and everyone could see again, it was revealed that Marie had vanished!
"What the…?" Gardenia asked, confused. "What happened to your Zorua?"
"She's here," Marcus replied as Marie stepped out from behind his leg, shaking as she stood. Even I hadn't realized she'd managed to escape. "A Zorua's signature ability is that of illusion. Your Roserade's Solarbeam demolished a fake while the real Marie made her escape." Marcus then shook his head. "That said, I'm going to forfeit Marie. She fought well, but I can't stand to see my sister get hurt any more than she needs to be." Marcus then leaned down to Marie, reaching into his bag and pulling out a Pecha Berry and handing it to the Zorua. "You did a pretty good job of hiding that you were Poisoned, sis, but I can smell the poison coming off of you from here. Why'd you try to keep fighting?"
Marie took the Pecha Berry and ate it, taking a moment to gulp it down before stepping back and transforming into her human form. "I wanted to keep fighting," Marie replied. "I knew you'd call me back prematurely if you knew something was wrong with me." The Zorua-girl smiled a little. "I appreciate how much you care about me, brother, but you can't let your Pokemon getting a few bumps and bruises be the reason you forfeit a battle."
"Marie…" Marcus said as he looked down. "You're right… I would have called you back sooner if I knew something was wrong. I guess… thank you for trying to stick it out." He then pulled out Marie's Pokeball. "Now it's time for you to rest. I don't care if you can still fight, I'm sorry to say I've already forfeited you."
"Fine," Marie replied with a nod.
"Wait," I said, catching the attention of both Marie and Marcus. "Marie, I need you to tell Marcus something for me. Tell him that I want to fight for him until I faint. Tell him I won't let him call me back at the first drop of sweat that breaks off of me. Marcus… my trust in you is absolute, but I want to know your trust in me is the same. I want you to get to that point with Marie and Princess, of course, but please… start with me."
Marie finished relaying my message, and Marcus nodded in understanding. "You couldn't have known I did the same thing for Marie back at the Oreburgh Gym…" he said, "yet somehow you understood quickly that what I did here was going to be a repeat." Marcus looked down, but I could tell he was smiling. "If that's what you want, Blitz… then get in there and go all-out."
"I will!" I cheered as I turned and galloped onto the battlefield, stopping several paces in front of Roserade and readying myself. My ear flicked as I heard the sound of Marcus returning Marie to her Pokeball.
"Your Zorua friend danced pretty well, I have to say," Roserade said to me. "But how well can you light the dance floor?"
"I might not have fancy hoofwork going for me," I replied with a smile, "but I've got enough in me to set you ablaze, at least!"
"She and I are both somewhat banged-up from previous battles," I thought to myself. "I might be in worse shape than she is in that context, but since I have the type advantage, that might put us on even ground if nothing else." I turned towards Marcus and nodded. He nodded back. There was no need for words between us after what I'd said before. I then turned back to Roserade. "Marcus… lead us to victory."
"Roserade, use Poison Sting!" Gardenia called.
"Blitz, use Flame Charge!" Marcus called at the same time.
I started firing myself up and charged forward, just as Roserade was doing the same. She was too close for me to counter with Ember – I was glad Marcus caught that – but I had to rely on luck for this Flame Charge to connect without that Poison Sting poisoning me. In a split second, our attacks connected. I'd bowed my head to ram Roserade with as much force as I could, and I could feel the thorns of her rose break my skin in several places. However, I also felt my flames do their work, injuring Roserade as I hit. We both leaped backwards at the same time after our attacks connected. Fortunately, I hadn't been Poisoned… that time. Additionally, I could feel the secondary effect of Flame Charge work, my muscles relaxing and my body feeling slightly more nimble than before. With Roserade's decreased speed after Marie's Scary Face, I was sure I could out-speed her now.
"Blitz, keep the distance with Ember!" Marcus called to me. "As many as you can!" I did as I was told, launching several pellets of fire in Roserade's direction.
"Roserade, block those Embers with Magical Leaf!" Gardenia called. "Then follow up with Solarbeam!"
Roserade nodded, and she launched several glowing leaves in my direction. They were all burnt to a crisp by my Embers, but my own attacks were snuffed out by the sheer number of leaves that were fired. Then, suddenly, I realized what Gardenia had called next. I saw Roserade charging her Solarbeam. I braced myself for the attack…
…Yet the attack didn't come. I looked up, and saw that Cherrim's Sunny Day had worn off, and clouds rolled back in. Roserade was stuck charging her attack with limited sunlight!
"Blitz, now's our chance!" Marcus called. "Finish her off with Flame Wheel!"
I wasn't about to look this gift Horsea in the mouth. I nodded in understanding and charged forward, firing my flames up again before diving forward and beginning to roll. Flame Wheel, the one attack that allowed my flames to burn normally without any extra effort. And I couldn't have learned it if Marcus hadn't come along. It was my strongest move at the time, not because of how hard I could hit with it, but because of how it made me feel, and what it meant to me.
Flame Wheel meant Marcus to me, and Marcus meant the world to me.
"TAKE THIS!" I shouted as I neared Roserade, who had only just then managed to charge her Solarbeam. She quickly moved to fire, but it was too late. I hit my mark dead-on, and sent her flying backwards, likely Burned, and definitely fainted. I stopped rolling just in time to watch her hit the ground. She struggled to get back to her feet, but it was no good. She fell back down, sprawled on her back, defeated.
"Roserade is unable to battle!" the referee called. "Gardenia is out of usable Pokemon, so the winner of this Gym Battle is the challenger, Marcus Lyre!"
"We did it!" I heard Marcus cheer. I turned around to see him run up and hug me. I smiled and hugged him back before letting out a sigh of relief.
"For a moment there, I thought you weren't gonna pull through for me," I said with a chuckle.
We broke our embrace just in time to see Gardenia walk up to us. "Not a bad battle," she said to us. "Your style could use some polishing, of course, but I saw a lot of heart out there from both you and your Pokemon. You deserve-"
"Wait," Marcus said. He stood up, unclipped Marie's and Princess' Pokeballs from his belt, and released them both on either side of us. It was evident they were both still tired and beaten from their battles, but they seemed able to stand for now, at least. "Sorry about that, ma'am. I wanted to share this moment with my whole family."
Gardenia chuckled. "Of course," she said with a smile. "Now then, as I was saying, you and your Pokemon definitely showed your stuff, so I hereby present to you…" She reached into her pocked and presented Marcus with, "the Forest Badge."
Marcus smiled as he took it, holding it up for the three of us to see. "This was all your doing, ladies," he said to us. "Bask in the glory now… so we can know what drives us to the next one!"
"Alright!" all three of us cheered at once.
Shortly afterwards, Marcus took us all to the Pokemon Center. The nurses made quick work of healing each of us up, and we were back with Marcus in time for lunch. We didn't have anything fancy like we had last night. Just food from the Pokemon Center's cafeteria.
And then, as quickly as we had arrived in Eterna City, we were on the road again. Our next destination: Hearthome City, where Marcus' – no, where our – next Gym Battle awaited us.
At the time, our morale was at a peak we wouldn't hit again for a long while after that. If I'd known what was coming after that moment, I'd have savored the feeling a little more…
