Sorry for the irregular updates, I keep forgetting about this and you know, life happens and all that

I do not own Pokemon

After far too long, Trainer Wes' long anticipated return came. And with a fury, he and his team began powering through the Elite Four like his life depended on it. In half of a game clock day, he had demolished three of the four legendary trainers. The main party was in top form, as if Trainer Wes had never left.

When he shut off the 3DS, the team felt better than ever before. Here they were, in the thick of the Elite Four with barely a scratch. Lady Swellow had been the only one to faint because of a lucky Critical Hit, but other than that a mere Super Potion was enough to bring the rest back up to perfect health. They relaxed in the main lounge area feeling thoroughly confident that with that kind of stop, Trainer Wes would surely be back the next day to finish off his quest to be Pokemon Master.

Ivy had her feet up on the center table, Mightyena sprawled out next to her, passed out with giddy exhaustion. He was usually the go to ender in big battles like those and he had been in and out of the Pokeball all day. Aggron sat comfortably on the edge of the large recliner at the front of the room recounting his battle stories to Wailord, who, though he was probably bored having been there to witness these feats already, was listening with rapt attention as one would to a child telling you something before being able to speak clearly. Manectric, having released all of his pent up tension with pure electricity in his battles, was lying on the ottoman with a grin on his face and his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth. Lady Swellow was gleefully marking up the white board in the room with the stat increases from the recent level ups, making notes on the efficiency and health percentage of all the members. She also began making notes on the strategies that each member could use work on.

"I believe that it is only logical that Trainer Wes will be back first thing tomorrow," Lady Swellow cooed. "The game clock says that it is approximately 16:38, military time of course, on a Thursday. And factoring in the amount of times Trainer Wes has changed the game clock… it looks like the life time would really be 11:38 PM on Friday."

Ivy turned her gaze over to Lady Swellow, not changing her relaxed posture with her arms behind her head and her feet up on the table, "So, what?" She was seemingly exuding a laid-back, soothing energy ever since her faith in Trainer Wes had been restored.

Lady Swellow cleared her throat and turned to Ivy, "What I mean, is that the mere fact that he stopped game play where he did, that he even picked up his 3DS at all really, is a sign that he will probably come back quite soon. With tomorrow being Saturday, the next time is almost definitely tomorrow." She turned back to the board. "I'm almost positive, if I'm wrong, I will stop pestering you all about your statistics."

A weak cheer of joy rang out among the main party box dwellers. Aggron had finally given up on telling Wailord about his daring combo moves and moved to the couch next to Ivy, on the other side of the sleeping Mightyena. He leaned back and looked over at Ivy.

"Hey I told you everything would be fine didn't I?" Aggron winked as Ivy tilted her head towards him. "I mean, today we fought more and harder than ever before in our lives, and we're pretty much guaranteed another day! We all know that the Swells is never gonna lighten up on our stats and all that mess, so she'd only wager that if she was sure right?"

Ivy smirked, "Yeah you're right. Though I almost hope that she's wrong just to see the look on her face" She glanced at Lady Swellow who was hard at work on her notes and snickered.

"Haha, yeah! That'd be hilarious! Man, Pokemon battles are great, but what I wouldn't give to see that! She'd be like…" Aggron made a mock horrified face that contorted his face in ways that an Aggron, with their metal features, should not be able to make.

The two cracked each other up with their crazy faces for a while while Wailord, Manectric, and the newly awakened Mightyena looked on with amusement. Mightyena, none too pleased with being woken up to the poorly concealed laughter, snorted with disgust.

"Why can't they just let a poor soul sleep…" he groaned, resting his head on his paws.

"I think its rather sweet, actually." Wailord smiled warmly at the pair. "Its not often that Pokemon are able to be with the one they choose so this warms my heart."

"What do you mean, sir?" Manectric asked his head twitching as he turned.

"Well, most Pokemon are left in the computer Boxes, and that is a completely random process. That is actually the most reliable way for Pokemon to find one's love. However most are not put together…" Horrified images of Trainer Wes leaving Manectric in the Daycare flashed through his mind quickly. "Well… lets just say most aren't lucky enough."

Manectric tilted his head and raised his eyebrow, confused. However, he soon turned his attention back to Aggron and Ivy, who were now excitedly exchanging stories of their battles, though both already knew what had happened, they were both enthralled in the stories as if they were new. Manectric's head twitched a few more times and he stuck his tongue out of the side of his mouth, a toothy grin appearing.

"Yes, I think I understand what you mean, sir," his attention returned to Wailord. "Don't worry, its okay. I'm okay."

"I thought you might." A Wailord gave him a pained smile. "You're a strong Pokemon, you know that?"

"I always try to be, sir."

The in-Box viewing screen flashed and turned to black as the 3DS was turned off. Slowly a cheer rose up among the members of Box 8. Everyone was overjoyed at the return of Trainer Wes and proud that the team had done so well. Derp moved up to the front of the group and waved his paws for silence; slowly the crowd complied.

"Now I know we're all excited, but I think we know what the end of the Elite Four means, don't we?"

There was a vast spread of murmuring in the group, many with confused faces and others with concerned countenances.

"No? Oh, of course not, silly me. I forgot that not everyone has met the Pokemon and been through the experiences that I have, I apologize. What I mean is, that there are only three possible outcomes for a Pokemon save file after the Trainer has defeated the Champion. One, they could immediately reset the save file, which is not particularly horrible, as we all are freed back to our original homes in that case. Two, Trainer Wes could attempt to complete the Pokedex or train all of us into fighting shape, which would be the most desirable. Or, number three…" Derp took a deep breath. "Or he could consider the game over and leave the game for months, years on end…"

At the last statement the whatever murmuring had been taking place went silent. Then, suddenly, the silence erupted into a roar of horror as the gravity of their situation.

"Quiet down! Quiet down, everyone!" Derp frantically waved his arms to get their attention. After much yelling the group got down into an uneasy silence. "Thank you. I needed to tell you this because it pertains to your future and you need to be ready. I didn't wish to alarm you all, and for that I apologize, but you needed to know. I just wanted to make sure you could be aware of what could happen, that is all." Derp walked from the front of the crowd with a bit less of the usual bounce in his step.

Swinub stood there in stunned silence. By now there was only one favorable result to this, being trained as a battler. At this point he would not be satisfied with merely leaving, nor would easy freedom be acceptable. He simply would not tolerate having been trapped in a box for a year without any compensation or reward. And sitting in this box for YEARS? No no, that was an abominable option that he would not stand for.

But he knew deep in his heart, that Trainer Wes could not possibly do that to them. He would train them, fight alongside them. He had a plan for each of them did he not? Aggron had seemed to think so. Maybe there was hope for them yet.

Swinub became determined from that moment to fight forever, even if he was only left in Box 8, he would train, even if it could never amount to anything.

So how was that? We never thought we'd see Swinub or Derp again did we? Well there they are! Don't you worry, I have plans for pretty much all the characters I've introduced, until next time! Reviews always valued!