Greetings, everyone! It's finally time to return to this story. Granted, this is sort of filler content right now, but I need to get back into character first. Also, with the release of the remake on Switch, I may incorporate some of the new features into the story; otherwise, I'll be sticking to the original version. Enjoy!

Conveniently, we reappear outside our team base, with Caterpie anxiously waiting. He perks up upon seeing Metapod, and the two of them turn to us.

"Thank you for saving my friend," Caterpie said. "But I don't have anything to give you, though…"

"Think nothing of it," I reply. "We're just glad he's safe. Rescue teams should help anyone in need, not just for the reward. Do you need help getting home?"

"No," Metapod quips. "We know how to get home. Bye, Ms. Lauren, Mr. Sparky."

"When I grow up, I want to join your team; you guys are the best!" Caterpie cries as they walk away. However, once they get out of earshot, Sparky turns to me, a very stern look on his face.

"Any reason why you did that?" he asks. "Giving them our supplies when they would have been taken out of the dungeon anyway?"

"Because you should be nice to everyone," I reply, slightly confused. "Even though we fought them, we should still be nice-"

"Why?" he retorts. "They're a disgrace to the name of rescue team!" He turned away from me, muttering, "Sometimes, you can be too nice…" He knows I can hear him, but how he says it makes me really sad. Like a kicked puppy, I can feel my ears droop.

"Regardless," he continues. "We might as well call it a day. Good night, Lauren."

He heads out before I can say anything, and I retire to my bed. However, I stay up for a while, trying to figure out what Sparky means by being 'too nice'. Maybe something in his past? I think. I'm not sure if I should ask him about it, though.

The next morning, Sparky seems happy like always, so I hold my tongue for now. We decide to make today a training day, heading down to Makuhita's Dojo, which had opened a few days ago. Inside, the owner (a makuhita named Macho) explains how it works: Each door is labeled with a particular type, and leads to a quick, three-floor dungeon, culminating in a simple three-Pokémon boss. All the Pokémon in these dungeons are the same for their types, and are volunteers hired by Macho. The only condition on us is that we couldn't take items into the areas, though any items we found we could keep.

We don't have time for all the courses today, but we manage to knock out about half of them, including the fighting and ground courses, challenging our respective weaknesses. Sparky tries to hide it, but something about the ground type unnerves him. On a whim, while Sparky puts away the items we've collected, I wander over to the Kecleons and ask Paul if he has anything that can help. He smiles and pulls out a silver TM with the words 'Iron Tail' written on it in their weird language.

"This move is quite useful at getting around their immunity to electricity, plus both you and your partner can learn it," he explains. "Normally, I'd charge you for separate copies, but…if you can obtain a Perfect Apple, I'll only charge you once."

I can tell by the mischievous glint in his eye he thinks I can't do it, but luck's on my side this time. Turns out one of our recent missions gave us one of those as a reward, and we were saving it for later. I accept the deal, paying for the TM and using it on myself, then I run to Mama Kanga and withdraw the Apple. Sparky looks at me in confusion, but I don't have time to explain; the TM is starting to crumble. I run back and put both the used TM and Perfect Apple on the counter, and Paul stares at me in shock. Reluctantly, he takes them both further into the stall, out of sight, and when he returns the TM is good as new.

Proudly, I trot back to Sparky, TM clenched in my teeth, and with a bow, I give it to him. "Here, now we both have a tool against ground types," I explain through my teeth. The bright look in his eyes sends a shiver of pride down my spine, and my tail swishes happily. Eager to try it out, he runs back into the Dojo alone, and when he emerges panting with exertion, there's a small tear in his eye.

"T-thank you, Lauren," he says thickly. He pulls me into a hug, which I return in full. Hopefully, he forgives me for yesterday, I think to myself.

As I said, this is a filler chapter; I plan on moving forward with the plot next time, as well as build on something I hinted at here. Thank you for waiting for me to return, and stay tuned for the next exciting installment. Take care, and may your Ember never fade!