God Damn, I wanted to get this out days ago, but it was just too damn hot to do anything but sweat and chug drink after drink. Eh, I'll write this now while its normal and then do a bit more with my new Battle Network Ck2, maybe have a popsicle in remembrance. But that's my problem, you're here to enjoy various shenanigan's.
Chapter 19: Back To The Grind OR Try Your Best, We'll Handle The Rest
I was finally going to be reunited with my Pokémon. Well, I say 'reunited', but it had just been around 28 hours since I had last seen them, as after my day out I had back to see them going to bed after completing their respective trials and work-outs. Still, I played my part of the over-joyed Trainer meeting his long-lost companions, and they played their parts to perfection, as evidenced by my face-full of Swift who launched himself upon seeing me, and Lamp peppering my hands and arms with kisses as he darted around. The rest of my team was somewhat more subdued in their affection, but I felt it all the same.
And, more importantly than that, I could also tell that the training they'd went through was already starting to make differences. Duckduck's feathers were smoother than any time I'd seen him with the sole exception of when he dunked his head into a tub of hot butter, Bruce looked like he was starting to thin out, Lamp looked more solid than liquid-energy, and Swift was missing the ground every second or third time he skip-crawled with us. The only one I didn't actually see any differences with were Schnoodle, but that was more because all his changes were solidly self-contained, as it felt like he gained an extra 8 to 10 pounds once I actually had him in my hands.
Having Schnoodle on my back was a weight I honestly missed, and I think he felt the same if how he immediately closed his eyes and let his little sleep-bubble flow as he was returned to his over-the-shoulder perch. He was a lazy bastard, but damn if he wasn't mine.
Still, after reuniting with my party/posse/crew/what can ya do, I made sure to go around to the individual domes and thank them for the help, drop off extra sandwiches or donut boxes, or make sure they weren't leaving in the middle of anything important, because damn it, Mum didn't raise an ungrateful ass, or someone who ignored making future contacts. The people involved were mostly appreciative, with Wyld literally throwing his arms in the air and declaring it was time for a 'Donut Party!' before running off into what I was fairly sure was a supply closet. The majority just waived off my thanks though, because, as nice as the thought was, it was also them literally just doing their jobs, and benefited just as much from having willing test subjects to try out what they wanted. Which, fair, more bodies are always good.
It was the thought that counted. I showed my gratitude, it was excepted, and I had other shit to do.
Namely, giving the Nimbasa Gym a solid shot before I left the city. Either I would win, or I would lose.
The walk was short but filled with purpose, and within minutes I was within the Gym yet again. This time, I wasn't heading to the runways, instead going to the stage.
There, I'd have my trial by lightning.
END OF CHAPTER
Fuck, this one fought me. I've had this one open for days and this is all I got for it. It even got to the point where I started some other stuff to get the juices flowing, and while that definitely worked, it still didn't work quite right for this bit. So, I'm just calling it here so I can move on to more fun stuff. Even with just this bit I wanted it to be funnier. I'm even skipping the Foreshadowing Corner and questions for this one, cause I can barely be gracious enough to call this a chapter. Ah well. There'll be more next time, in every regard.