TRAINER ID
Name: Daniel Ingram
Badges: 3
Account: 38,654 credits
Location: Dewford Town

DANIEL'S TEAM
Trapinch - Female

OWEN'S TEAM
Shroomish (Misha) - Female
Vigoroth (Omar) - Male

I burst through the doors of the Pokécenter like a hurricane, storming up to the front desk and ringing the bell repeatedly, since Nurse Joy appeared to be in the back and Chansey was likely quarantined. Although Team Rocket hadn't bothered to infect the Dewford gym since they didn't plan on pulling off a heist in Dewford's Pokécenter, likely due to the small population, I could only assume that they had sent one of their grunts to Dewford at some point to infect their Chansey to increase the likelihood of it spreading, since I hadn't seen a Chansey since arriving.

Nurse Joy came striding out of the back, glaring disapprovingly at my impatience after seeing I wasn't holding a Pokéball containing an injured Pokémon to give her that would warrant my behavior. But I didn't much care if hammering on the bell was rude – it had worked, and that's all that mattered to me.

"I got a summons on my Pokédex about my quarantined Pokémon," I said hurriedly, causing her expression to soften as she sat down and logged into her computer.

"Name?"

"Daniel Ingram."

"Alright… Let's see… Ah, I've got it here… Hmm…"

I waited with bated breath as her eyes scanned the screen, surely reading some sort of note or report attached to my profile. I desperately wanted to hop over the counter so I could read it myself because the suspense was killing me, but I managed to restrain myself.

"It seems that there's been a slight complication with one of your Pokémon…"

"Which Pokémon? What's wrong?" I asked urgently, a thousand terrifying scenarios flashing through my mind.

"It's nothing to be overly concerned with, I apologize if the message you got was alarming. It's a standard message that gets sent out if we need a trainer's help with one of the Pokémon in our care," she explained as her eyes continued to scan across her screen. "According to the notes I have here, this visit should be able to remedy the situation one way or another… Ah good, it looks like you were previously advised that your Corphish was getting close to evolving, so this shouldn't come as a complete surprise to you. I was worried this might be due to the side effects of the virus, but this should be fairly straightforward."

I felt myself relax a little and nodded. "Yeah, I knew he was close to evolving. Did it already happen? Is something wrong?"

She hummed, "Apparently your Corphish is being rather stubborn, to the point that it's becoming a risk to their health. They are refusing to molt even though it should have happened days ago, so their shell is putting undue strain on them as it no longer fits their growing body. It's not terribly uncommon for a Pokémon to repress an evolution, particularly their first – it can happen for a number of reasons, but typically it isn't too much of an issue. Keeping the energy bottled up inside can cause discomfort, but that can be alleviated by regularly exposing them to an Everstone, which helps keep it manageable. However, in the case of crustaceans and other arthropods, evolution is directly tied to molting. That's a process they must undergo regularly to stay healthy, so your Corphish refusing to do so goes beyond mere discomfort and is quickly becoming potentially dangerous to their health."

I gave her a confused look, but she continued. "A Pokémon should be allowed to choose if they evolve, and although most have a natural drive to do so, not all will want to. Most of the time, it's due to fear of the unknown or worrying that they will no longer be 'themselves' after evolving, but that normally be resolved with proper reassurance and education. It's a reasonable concern considering how drastic some evolutions can be, both physically and psychologically, but they still have all their memories and lived experiences that make them who they are, even if the hormonal changes may cause their personality to manifest differently than before."

"I understand all that… I've seen a couple of evolutions, and yeah – a lot can change, but they are still themselves beneath it all," I said slowly, thinking of Omar in particular but still unsure why Duran would be resisting his evolution.

"If your Corphish continues to refuse to evolve, then we'll need to use an Everstone so they can molt without fear of evolving. We can do that while they are in quarantine, but we would need your permission to do so. Once they are returned to your care, you'd need to procure your own going forward. That might be tricky with the lockdown, but–"

"Duran wants to evolve, it's his dream," I cut in. "I know that for a fact, that isn't me projecting my own desires onto him either. When I first met him, the telepath on my team told me that's what he wants most of all, so I seriously doubt he's changed his mind."

She hummed, a slight frown on her face. "It's not unheard of for a Pokémon to get cold feet when the moment actually arrives. I suppose it's not impossible that the confusion caused by the virus is to blame, but considering the added aggression, typically a Pokémon is more inclined to evolve, not less."

"Can't you have a telepath talk to him or something? I have one on my team, so he's used to communicating that way. I understand he might not be in his right mind right now, but there's got to be something we can do," I urged.

"Apparently they've tried that a few times," she remarked as her eyes went back to the screen. "He's been eating, but there are quite a few notes here of him being rather… uncooperative. Nothing too severe mind you, and not at all uncommon considering the effects of the virus, but this is an issue that we haven't been able to resolve and is becoming increasingly worrisome which is why the matter was escalated and you were summoned here. Pokérus causes confusion, aggression, and general distrust in those they don't know, but thankfully they tend to recognize their trainer if they have a close bond, and can sometimes be reasoned with."

I instantly perked up at that, realizing where this was going as she continued. "The hope is that you can help get this sorted out before it becomes a serious health concern. Unfortunately, we don't have a telepath available to assist in communication, but we can have your Corphish transported here for remedial visitation. It's something allowed in situations such as this where health becomes a concern, but if you aren't able to talk some sense into your Corphish, we'll need you to give us permission to use an Everstone, otherwise–"

"I understand, but that won't be necessary. Let me talk to him, I'm sure I can get to the bottom of this," I said with conviction.

She gave a strained smile and nodded. "Give me a few minutes to get things set up and to have your Corphish sent over. Please have a seat in the lobby, I'll call you when I'm ready."

I reluctantly did as she asked, taking a seat in the lobby as I anxiously waited to be reunited with Duran. I had mixed emotions – I was exceedingly happy that I was being given the opportunity to see one of my team members, but I was also admittedly quite nervous. I wondered just how different he might be while in the throes of Pokérus, and found myself increasingly worried that I might not actually be able to figure out what was going on without Apollo's assistance. If there was one thing that his absence had shown me, it was that having him help me interpret and relay emotions was a huge benefit that I sorely missed.

I'd always known that at some level, as it was the entire reason I wanted a telepath for a starter in the first place. But I had grown accustomed to it, and when you paired his absence with a generally inexpressive Pokémon like Trapinch, it really drove home just how bad I was at interpreting what Pokémon were trying to communicate on my own.

But this was Duran, who I was much more familiar with and who showed more obvious tells to pick up on. I had a good feel for his body language and expressions, so I felt that I should be able to figure out what was going on, at least generally. That's what I knew logically, but as I sat in the lobby I couldn't help but worry.

What if he didn't recognize me, or even tried to attack me? What if he did recognize me and felt resentment because I was the reason he was in quarantine? What if he kept refusing to molt and ended up with permanent damage thanks to the virus that I had inadvertently gotten him infected with? Had he truly changed his mind about wanting to evolve for some reason, and if so why? Did he feel like he wasn't ready, or that he hadn't yet 'earned the right' to evolve? Pokémon could be strange that way, and knowing Duran I could see something like that being the case, especially after being knocked out in one hit by that Houndoom. It wouldn't surprise me if Duran had been dwelling on that ever since it happened, left with no way to vent his frustrations or anybody to talk to who could help soothe his unease at his perceived shortcomings.

These are the kinds of thoughts that swirled around in my mind as I waited in that lobby for what felt like ages, although realistically I think it was probably more like ten minutes. I felt like I was going to go crazy with anticipation and worry, and found that I was unable to stay in my seat so I took to pacing to help ease my restlessness.

At some point during my pacing, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and assumed that it was either Owen telling me he had wrapped up his 'date' or Samantha once again checking in on me, something she had taken to doing a lot. I hadn't actually talked to Samantha on the phone since arriving in Dewford, usually because she would try to call me in the middle of one of our many training sessions, but I had made sure to keep in touch with her periodically since I could tell that she was worried about me.

Regardless of whether it was Owen or Samantha contacting me, I couldn't be bothered to check. My mind was elsewhere, and although the polite thing would have been to let them know what was going on so nobody got unnecessarily worried, I had bigger things to focus on.

"Mr. Ingram, I'm ready for you. Please follow me," Nurse Joy's voice rang out through the lobby, causing me to nearly sprint over to where she was unlatching a gate to let me behind the counter.

Nurse Joy gave me a disapproving look like she was about to scold me for running, but seemed to decide against it. She escorted me to the back room, where she had a massive tank filled with water and a chair pulled up beside it, which she gestured for me to sit in.

"Where is Duran?" I asked confusedly as I took a seat, noting the empty tank.

"Don't worry Mr. Ingram, I have him right here," she said as she procured a familiar Net Ball from a pocket on her medical apron, instantly drawing my gaze. "But first, we need to set expectations and ground rules."

I nodded slowly, listening intently but not taking my eyes from Duran's ball as she continued. "As you know, your Corphish is currently infected with Pokérus. Even if infected Pokémon don't tend to attack their own trainers, that isn't always the case. We have to take certain precautions to ensure your safety, so unfortunately physical contact will not be permitted during this visit. These tanks are built with unruly Pokémon in mind, as I'm sure you can tell by how thick these polycarbonate panels are, so you should be safe from any potential harm. Some battering of the tank is acceptable and expected given the circumstances, but I must warn you that if he becomes too aggressive we will have to recall him and discuss the use of an Everstone."

"Can't I sign a waiver or something? I want to be able to touch him – I know he won't hurt me," I pleaded, trying to sound a lot more confident than I truly felt. But I could feel my stomach twisting into knots at the thought of finally being reunited with Duran, yet having to talk to him through the tank.

"Unfortunately, your Corphish is currently in League custody and we are on League property. Believe me – I wish I could let you meet more casually, like in the recreation room, but the risks are simply too high. Additionally, since the goal of this is to hopefully get your Corphish to molt and evolve, we need the water to be properly treated, and releasing him here means that we can more easily decontaminate the space after your visit ends. The virus doesn't spread indirectly as far as we can tell, but I'm sure you can understand that we're being exceedingly cautious during these times."

I frowned but nodded, deciding there wasn't much to be done about it. It made sense, and honestly my elation at being able to see Duran at all far outweighed my disappointment that it had to be done under such guarded and impersonal circumstances.

"I understand… No touching, and if he gets riled up we have to go with Plan B. Will he even be able to hear me in there, though?"

She nodded and gave a reassuring smile. "Of course, there are speakers and microphones built into both sides of the tank, so there's no need to talk at anything other than your normal volume. Any other questions before I release your Corphish?"

"Are you going to be here the entire time, or can we have some privacy?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I have some paperwork I need to get through, so I'll be returning to the front desk. I'm able to monitor things through the security cameras, but I won't be able to hear what you're saying. If I see your Corphish getting too rough with the tank, I have a button I can press to recall them remotely. If you need me for anything, either knock on the door or wave your arms until I notice you on the live feed. Oh, and this should go without saying, but please don't poke around and touch anything in this room, or there will be consequences, I can assure you of that Mr. Ingram."

I nodded seriously, anxious to get on with it, and watched with bated breath as she walked up a small set of stairs that allowed her to reach the top of the tank, which was completely enclosed and covered by a very sturdy and overengineered-looking lid.

She gently clicked Duran's Net Ball into an apparatus, then pressed a few buttons on a panel that caused it to rotate downward as it was pulled into a container in the lid. It was a very impressive piece of machinery that seemed to automate the release and return of Pokémon safely, and there was a chime that rang out after a few seconds to indicate that everything was in place.

"Alright, all set. I'll leave you two alone – when you're ready for him to be released, just press this green button here. It'll turn red afterward, and if you want him returned just press it again."

"How long do I have? Doesn't molting take some time? If I manage to talk him into evolving, I want to be here for it."

"I don't anticipate needing this tank, so for now you can take as long as you'd like, and I'll let you know if something comes up. Molting generally takes about thirty minutes, but given how overdue your Corphish is it might take up to an hour or two, since it will be more challenging to shed an exoskeleton that's so tight. This water has been treated to be well suited for the event and Pokémon are impressively hardy, but I'll be keeping a close eye on things just in case there are any complications. This is of course assuming that things go well, which I dearly hope is the case. If you can't manage to get your Corphish to start molting within an hour, I'll have to call it – I think that should be ample time for you to get through to him."

I nodded in acceptance, and she gave me a kind smile and a reassuring squeeze of the shoulder as she wished me good luck and gracefully excused herself from the room.

I took a few seconds to steel myself, realizing that I hadn't given any thought to what I would say to Duran upon seeing him again. There was a lot that I wanted to tell him, but as I once again found myself getting lost in my thoughts, I realized that I was burning precious time I could be spending with Duran. With no game plan in mind, I pushed aside all my nerves and anxiety and pressed the button, releasing him.

Initially, he didn't see me. It was a huge tank after all – I couldn't begin to guess how many gallons it held, but wagered that it could comfortably fit even larger species like Tentacruel or Wailmer. It would definitely be inadequate for something like a Gyarados, leaving me to wonder what Nurse Joy did in such a situation, but it was more than suitable for most water-types. Even if Duran evolved, he would still be on the smaller side, all things considered.

He looked around wildly, taking in his new surroundings as I tapped on the glass to get his attention. I could tell by the look in his eyes and his posture that he was ready for a fight, and I couldn't help but notice how dark his shell was, showing just how overdue for molting he was.

He turned to face me, his claws leveled and ready for an attack, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as his eyes shined with malicious intent as he used Leer, but I forced myself to talk despite my nerves spiking.

"Duran, it's me buddy. Just calm down, everything is alright," I choked out, finding that my voice was becoming raspy as my emotions suddenly started to boil over. Seeing him like this was both cathartic and heartbreaking – I felt an immense amount of relief to see him alive and well first-hand, yet I could tell he had not been having a leisurely lockdown due to his constant discomfort. He looked stressed, paranoid, confused, and angry, and I wanted nothing more than to be able to hold him close and rub his shell, but knew that Nurse Joy had been correct in insisting that I be unable to touch him.

There were a few tense moments that felt like an eternity where he eyed me closely, sizing me up and seemingly trying to make up his mind on something. Perhaps he didn't recognize me at first, or maybe he didn't believe that it was really me after being gone for so many days, I can't be sure. But after a brief standoff, he seemed to have a moment of clarity and slightly relaxed his posture, lowering his claws and gurgling something I couldn't hope to decipher.

"It's been a few days since we've seen each other, hasn't it?" I joked nervously, clearing my throat and trying to get a better handle on my emotions. He didn't offer a response, his eyes boring into mine as if still trying to process the situation, so I just decided to continue, hoping he was listening and would come around if I just talked to him like normal.

"A lot has happened. I'm sorry I couldn't see you before now, you know I would have if I could. I was in the hospital for a few days, and when I got out I found out you'd been sent away somewhere safe so you could get better where it was safe. I'm sure you've realized this, but that overnight stay I warned you guys about ended up being a little longer than we'd planned… It's a long story I'm not sure you really want to hear right now…" I trailed off, watching him closely to try to get a read on if I was getting through to him at all. I was tempted to push aside the pressing matter of him molting and evolving, but decided that I should try to address that before I launched into storytelling mode. From what Nurse Joy had told me, he was likely to take quite a bit of time to molt if he decided to do so, and I figured that would be the perfect time for me to fill him in on everything that had happened and how he'd ended up quarantined.

I could see Duran visibly relaxing the more I talked, but it was largely offset by what I could tell was a persistent itchiness and unease. He kept shuffling in place, stretching his claws and legs one by one, and looked generally uncomfortable in his own shell.

"Nurse Joy told me you've been being a little stubborn. Can't say I'm surprised, you always have been," I chuckled, slowly feeling more at ease with the situation. It was still a little awkward, and I was acutely aware of how closely he was watching me, but I was becoming convinced that he recognized me and understood what I was saying, so I was feeling more at ease.

"Remember when we talked about how you were likely going to evolve soon? Well, it looks like it's time – past time, actually. I don't know why you've been refusing to molt, and I really wish Apollo was here to help me understand, but–"

He suddenly tapped on the glass with the tip of his claw – not hard, and not in any sort of threatening way, but clearly in an attempt to communicate something to me.

"What is it buddy?" I asked, trying my best to understand as I watched him closely for any sort of clue as to what he was trying to say.

Another tap, but this time a little harder and more insistent.

"I don't… One tap for yes and two for no, alright? Have you decided you don't want to evolve?"

Two taps. Good, I thought – he was able to think clearly enough to follow a system I could use to figure this out, so it was just a matter of playing twenty questions until I could figure it out.

"Alright, so you still want to evolve, but you aren't for some reason… Do you feel like you aren't ready to evolve?"

Two more taps. I frowned, not yet understanding.

"You feel ready to evolve, and you still want to, but you aren't…" I thought out loud, trying to piece it together. "You know that when you molt you'll evolve, right?"

One tap.

"Then why don't you? You've always wanted to evolve, but when the time is finally here you're stopping it? Are you afraid or something?"

Two taps, and I resisted the urge to sigh from the frustration I was beginning to feel.

"I don't get it buddy… Is this about what happened in Lavaridge? Don't beat yourself up about that – everything is fine, we're all safe. I'm just as frustrated about it as I'm sure you are, but we can't change what happened. We'll get stronger so that we win next time, but for that to happen you need to let yourself evolve. If you keep this up, you could seriously hurt yourself."

He began repeatedly tapping on the glass very insistently – too many times to count. His eyes were boring into mine unflinchingly, and I could tell he was trying to tell me something, but for the life of me I couldn't figure it out.

Like Samantha had frequently seen fit to remind me, sometimes I was prone to bouts of being a complete idiot, and this was one of those times.

I could tell by his posture and expression that he was getting annoyed that I wasn't understanding, but he continued. Though it took me far longer than it should have, I finally realized that he was tapping at me.

"You were waiting for me," I muttered more to myself than for his benefit as the realization struck me. He gave a single tap on the glass and slightly bobbed in comfirmation, visibly relieved that I had finally caught on.

Those emotions that I'd worked so hard to push aside? Those were back with a vengeance, and there wasn't anything that I could do to stop tears from welling up in my eyes at the realization that he had been waiting to share the moment with me.

"You're… just as stubborn as always," I choked out as I wiped my sleeve across my damp eyes, acutely aware of my cheeks straining from the smile I couldn't contain. It was quite possibly the most meaningful gesture I'd ever found myself on the receiving end of, and the fact that he had done it under the circumstances he had only made it all the more moving. He'd done it while undoubtedly under a lot of stress from being in lockdown, unable to see any person, Pokémon, or place he would recognize, and he'd done it all while suffering from the negative side-effects of the virus. It was stupid, reckless, dangerous, stubborn, shortsighted… and perfectly fitting.

I cleared my throat, doing my best to compose myself and giving him an effortlessly proud smile. "Well, I'm here now. How about I catch you up on everything while you work on molting – I have a lot to tell you, and it should make for a good story while you focus on that. Nurse Joy thinks you'll have a hard time because you've been putting it off, but we have nothing but time. "

And so, Duran began the long and difficult process of shimmying himself out of his shell as I recounted everything that had happened since he was knocked out by the Houndoom. I took my time and left nothing out, feeling a level of contentment that I hadn't felt since the events in Lavaridge. I found myself struggling a little at first when discussing the Claydol's attack on Apollo and me, but seeing Duran momentarily freeze in place when he heard the news that Apollo had evolved before redoubling his efforts quickly helped me get over it.

Similar to when I'd first met Apollo, I talked out loud in a form of self-guided therapy, since I hadn't really explored my thoughts and feelings on a lot of recent events with anyone. Sure, in a way Warren had helped me get over what had happened, but for the first time it felt like I was healing, and that things were finally starting to be right in the world. I wished I had could see my other team members, and I would have given every credit in my bank account to be able to rub Duran's shell while telling him how proud of him I was, but it was enough for the time being, and more than I could have hoped for given how worried I'd been after receiving that message on my Pokédex.

Nurse Joy had been right – Duran definitely struggled with his shell, and there were a couple of times that I was worried he might have gotten stuck. On more than one occasion I considered waving Nurse Joy in, but when I would pause the story and ask him if he was stuck, he'd tap a claw to indicate he was fine. It was just an exhausting process and he needed frequent miniature breaks, yet he slowly and surely was making progress so I soon stopped questioning his ability to handle it himself, trusting him to get the job done.

When he started to glow after his shell was nearly off, I briefly considered releasing Trapinch so she could witness Duran evolving. It would have been a good motivator for her, and I had a feeling that her seeing Duran again would have helped reinforce that my team was indeed alive and well, and would soon be returning. But I quickly discarded that idea for two obvious reasons.

Firstly, I was all but certain that Nurse Joy would chew me out if I did, and I felt lucky to have avoided her ire so far after what happened with Owen in the recreation room days prior. Though she would say she was just doing her job, it felt like she had given me a great gift by allowing me to visit Duran and be there while he evolved, something I had all but given up hope on. I felt like I owed her a lot, even if Duran's stubbornness was what was truly responsible for me being able to be there for this monumental occasion.

More importantly though, as much as I was looking forward to having Orion, Apollo, Duran, and Trapinch all being reunited so we could share in each other's accomplishments, this moment was uniquely meaningful. It not only served as proof of all our hard work, but the fulfillment of the promise that I had made after first meeting Duran that he would someday evolve.

The future seemed even brighter than the light emitted by Duran's evolution, marking the end of a long journey, the beginning of an even longer one to come, and what I would consider an official end to my days of being a novice trainer.

But most of all, it was a special moment meant only for us.

I left the Pokécenter with a smile on my face, a deep sense of satisfaction and relief, and a handful of worried messages from Samantha and Owen. While Owen ended up being very understanding after explaining the situation, Samantha was a little annoyed with me, claiming that there was no excuse for me to let them worry needlessly. Thankfully, she dropped it when I apologized and promised to do my best not to let it happen, but I think it was only because she didn't want to sour the occasion.

She checked in frequently – often asking how I was doing, if I was alright, if I needed anything, if Trapinch had tried attacking me, and other probing questions like that. She'd been doing it ever since the events at Lavaridge, and I wasn't sure if she was just exceptionally bored during her lockdown and failed to realize how often she messaged me, or if this was going to be a new thing where she worried about my well-being every time we weren't traveling together.

Under normal circumstances I would have found it annoying, but for the time being it was fine and even somewhat appreciated. It was nice having somebody care about me, and my good mood for the rest of the day was completely unshakable from something as simple as a light scolding.

In fact, the high I felt from that lasted me for days, and helped keep me content as we largely stuck to our rigorous training schedule.

We'd wake up and do some light stretching and meditation on the back porch, then I'd grab a tall cup of coffee courtesy of Mr. Adler before we headed to the Pokécenter recreation room for early morning exercise. I bought myself an insulated travel mug so I didn't find myself alone with only his parents where I'd have more opportunities to put my foot in my mouth, and to this day I consider it one of the better investments I've ever made as far as bang for my buck, as it would serve me well for a long time to come once my journey finally resumed.

After our workout, we'd return to Owen's home for another delicious breakfast. We'd let the food settle in while engaging in some light conversation with Owen's parents, mostly his mom, then when they went to work we'd go right back to the Pokécenter to train our Pokémon.

We'd do this until lunchtime, so roughly four hours. It might sound like a lot, and in a way it was, but that time consisted of a lot of breaks – reviewing the progress being made, discussing ways we could improve, and just generally enjoying each other's company. I wouldn't quite say that Trapinch and I became friends, but I felt like we had built up a solid working relationship, and her progress was steady and undeniable.

Lunch was usually at Paulo's Pokes, although I did get to sample some of the other local places that were less popular as well. It was all good, but if I'm being honest Dewford had an almost disturbing fondness of using the same small handful of ingredients in every dish, just with different presentations and variations. No matter what meal you had, it was bound to have either coconut, pineapple, mango, rice, beans, or corn. Most foods also seemed to include either some style of barbeque sauce or a sweet and tangy red sauce I didn't even bother asking the name of since sweets weren't my thing.

The point being, Dewford's cuisine got old fast. It was especially painful because there was no meat, whether fish or anything else. Shipments weren't coming in, fishing was at a standstill, and ranchers were unable to do anything but keep their stock alive until restrictions were lifted. I didn't even see any eggs, which was normally something you could find in abundance.

After lunch, we'd have a digestion break. We'd either visit somewhere in Dewford, do some light sightseeing, or split up so that Owen could meet up with some of his friends, something I'd started to decline after the 'date' incident. It wasn't just that though – Owen was telling the same stories I'd already heard countless times, and for the most part I would either feel out of place or completely zone out, letting my mind wander while engaging in some casual people-watching. Frankly, I just didn't find myself connecting with any of Owen's childhood friends, and couldn't find myself terribly engaged or interested in what they talked about. It was either Owen recounting stories, his friends discussing whatever woes the lockdown restrictions had inflicted upon the family trade they'd joined since finishing school, or the latest news and gossip.

Based on the way Owen often dressed, I suspected that he was going on a few more 'dates' than he let on. He always called it 'meeting up with an old friend' or something similar, but I didn't feel inclined to press him on the matter, since he no longer tried to pressure me into joining. One might take this to mean that Owen and I were growing apart, but I don't think either of us felt that way. He was just much more social than me, and he had a lot more in common with the people in Dewford than I could ever hope to.

We recognized and respected each other's differences, and a little alone time did me a world of good. For all the training we were doing, finding time to relax and recharge was important, we just had different ideas of what that meant. For me that involved peace and quiet, and for Owen it meant socializing and some light flirting. From what I could tell he never took things very far, and I never observed him 'sneaking off' with girls like his dad had implied. One time I caught him with some lipstick on his cheek and pointed it out much to his embarrassment, but overall it seemed to be like nothing more than casual, innocent fun he'd sometimes engage in during our lunch break.

After lunch and recharging our batteries, it was combat training. This usually took place at the Pokécenter again, although occasionally Owen would have me work with some of the equipment he had in his room. A few days in, Owen started pushing me to spar with him, but I kept putting it off. Aside from his size and the sheer power he'd demonstrated that he could put behind his hits being rather intimidating, I still felt like I wasn't ready. I was learning a lot by practicing my technique and form, participating in mock demonstrations with Owen, and doing pad work, so it felt premature to me. I was learning a lot, and every day I felt markedly more confident in my abilities to dodge or land a hit if it came down to it.

Owen pointed out that learning to fight was a form of diminishing returns, where you would experience rapid growth at the beginning but at a certain point you had to seriously put in work to continue progressing, even if it felt like it was at a slower rate. He was convinced that I was at the point where I needed to start applying what I'd learned in real, unpredictable situations as opposed to going through the motions, but I felt that I was still in the process of committing everything to muscle memory.

Although I didn't quite agree with Owen that I was ready to start simulating 'real' fights, I'll admit he was right about one thing – all that training and working out was doing wonders for me. As the days went by, I felt less tired after each session and found myself with more energy throughout the day despite feeling like I was working progressively harder. I didn't ever see myself becoming a workout buff like Owen, but I made the decision that I was for sure going to be more active going forward. It made me excited to get back to journeying, since I figured I was probably at a point where I could travel all day without feeling exhausted like I used to.

It might sound like each day was monotonous given the routine we fell into, but it surely didn't feel that way. Every day was progress, big and small, and it came in a variety of ways. I'd never felt closer to Owen and Trapinch, I felt confident in myself and the prospects of what the future would hold after the lockdown, and although I wouldn't exactly say I made any 'friends' in the classical sense, I did get to know a few people.

Namely, Owen's parents and Brawly. The latter was thanks to Brawly frequenting Paulo's Pokes, and he seemed to be naturally inclined to sit with us as one of the few fellow trainers. I also got the sense that he knew how much it meant to Owen, as he would always be over the moon for the remainder of the day whenever it happened. I wouldn't say I got to know Brawly too well, but we became acquaintances if nothing else, and he was one of the few people other than Owen that I actually enjoyed having a conversation with.

Brawly had his quirks – similar to Owen, he was endlessly chatty and optimistic, but he was one of those people that could manage being exceptionally friendly without it being exhausting. He was surprisingly insightful and introspective, something I wouldn't have expected from a guy like him. He would frequently equate seemingly mundane and completely unrelated things to either battling or surfing, and I often found myself marveling at just how adept he was at seeing through the noise of seemingly complex topics and simplifying things down to a few core philosophies and principles of life.

Also similar to Owen, it became even more clear to me over time that women were naturally drawn to him. I'll admit that I found it curious – nobody would ever deny that Brawly and Owen were two fit, good-looking guys, but I couldn't help but wonder if it was more due to their upbeat personalities than their appearance. Still, it was yet another thing I could add to what seemed to be a long and growing list of the similarities between the two, and if I didn't know any better I'd have thought that it was entirely possible that Brawly was Owen's dad.

Speaking of Owen's dad… I have to admit I wasn't a fan. We got along well enough, but that was almost entirely centered around the fact that we both liked coffee and trained Pokémon. He was a very blunt man who spoke firmly when he cared enough to speak, and although I could tell Owen and his mother had long since grown used to it and didn't pay it any mind, it put me on edge. He was strict, frequently finding something to criticize Owen about, and although Owen seemed to take it as his dad caring about him and wanting him to be the best man he could be, I personally found it to be rather overbearing and distasteful.

Owen's mom on the other hand was an absolute sweetheart, and I found myself drawn to her much more. She reminded me of my mom in quite a few ways, which was surely partially why I gravitated toward her, but she differed in that she was much more carefree and lively. I could easily see where Owen got his endless optimism, although I had no doubt that he also adopted some from Brawly as well.

The contrasts between Owen's mother and father were so stark, I'd have questioned how the two could possibly be in love if I didn't see evidence of it with my own eyes. Since Owen's dad was rather conservative and old-fashioned in his ways, he seemed to be against being too affectionate in front of Owen and me, but the signs were all there. I never once saw them fight or disagree on anything, which was impressive considering how different they seemed, and there were subtle displays of attachment and affection that left no doubt in my mind that this was a happy marriage. A hand placed on the other's shoulder, the occasional brief handholding, quick pecks on the cheek, genuinely happy smiles when one would whisper words of endearment to the other that they didn't want us to hear – it was probably the first healthy relationship I'd ever gotten to see in any sort of detail first-hand, and was enough to make me think that I might like to have something like that in my life someday.

Likely far in the future, after I'd exhausted my burning desire for adventure and independence, but maybe, hopefully… someday.

Speaking of differences between Owen's parents, I learned that Owen's mom was endlessly supportive of Owen, and didn't share the same sentiments as Owen's father that their son was chasing an unrealistic pipe dream.

It wasn't just Owen's training ambitions either – she loved the fact that her son was a ladies' man. There was an 'incident' on the same day I'd saved Owen from being seen with lipstick on his cheek where his dad picked up the smell of perfume on him and finally commented on his button-up shirt, causing him to launch into a rant about how if he was having 'pre-marital relations' or 'toying with hearts', he was going to 'make him regret ever being born'.

Needless to say, I found the entire exchange extremely uncomfortable, but Owen's mom seemed endlessly amused by it, much to my bewilderment. I wasn't quite sure if Owen's dad was the kind of person who was more bark than bite and if his threats were empty, but she seemed completey unbothered by it and would giggle, sneak Owen a thumbs-up and a proud grin, and a whole slew of other things that indicated to me that Owen could do no wrong in her eyes.

Not that Owen was doing anything wrong, mind you. He made it abundantly clear during the 'incident' with his dad that he wasn't breaking any hearts or doing anything inappropriate, and I fully believed him. He didn't disappear for long periods, and seemed to always stay in public where things wouldn't be taken too far. I don't even think he was properly kissing girls, let alone taking things into more 'mature' territory. I'll admit that I found myself slightly uncomfortable with the fact that he was clearly doing this with at least two different girls, possibly more, but as far as I could tell there was no drama, jealousy, or expectations attached, so who was I to judge?

That's roughly how the following days went – each different than the last in various ways, yet much of the same in general. Keeping busy and maintaining a schedule helped the time pass by, and before I knew it, the lockdown began to lift.

Not fully, and not all at once, but in the same notification we received about a new update for our Pokédexes that allowed us to scan for Pokérus, we were informed that the spread of the virus was determined to be at manageable levels and that restrictions would begin to lift. Routes would begin to re-open at the discretion of the rangers, and inter-regional travel by flight and teleportation was once again fully permitted, although surfing and diving were still prohibited. Pokémon-dependant businesses would slowly be allowed to resume normal operations, provided they followed the special precautions the League had outlined. Although gyms were still temporarily closed, battles were once again permitted.

I still didn't have my team back, but things had begun returning to normal.

I had no doubt that there was still a general air of discontent and unease lingering around much of the region, especially because there was a very distinct lack of any mention of Team Rocket in the announcement, which I found… concerning. I had to imagine that things were happening though, considering the task force and people like Warren getting involved, but clearly the Pokémon still hadn't been recovered and Team Rocket hadn't been crushed, otherwise it surely would have been all over the news.

Granted, I was purposely avoiding the news just to stay in a good headspace, but surely if anything major had happened I'd have heard about it, or better yet Owen would have his missing team members back.

Sure enough, after the announcement went out Dewford's docks, beaches, and many previously closed areas were reopened, although Granite Cave and going into the ocean with anything other than a boat was still off-limits. While Owen's dad preferred not to talk much about work, Owen managed to get him to explain that most of the infected Pokémon they had been finding in the area were either flying or water-types bringing it across the ocean from the mainland, apart from a small yet relatively contained outbreak that had occurred in Granite Cave. He seemed confident that they would have it under control in the coming days, but apparently Granite Cave was exceedingly deep and sprawling, and it was like playing a game of Whack-a-Diglett.

The same could be said about flying and water-types. When asked why traveling with the aid of a Pokémon was allowed by air but not sea, he explained that scouring the skies and oceans was an exceedingly difficult task that would have to be an ongoing campaign, but that they had a much better handle on the skies than the ocean. It made perfect sense – the ocean was massive, and I suspected that there were far fewer rangers with Pokémon suited for underwater excursions than there were that could take to the skies. Besides, all Pokémon that flew had to land somewhere, but very few water-types would ever leave the ocean.

To celebrate the occasion, Dewford held a massive party on the beach that lasted most of the day to late in the evening, and I got my first taste of what Owen's hometown was all about.

Naturally, Owen and I decided to skip our training for the rest of the day to participate in the festivities, and although I wouldn't have expected to enjoy myself very much at something like that, I ended up having an amazing time. I did end up getting bit of a sunburn after taking my hoodie off because of how warm it was between the sun beating down on me and the water's reflections, but it wasn't anything too bad and was definitely a price worth paying.

There was an abundance of dancing, playing, socializing, and of course eating, and I even had my first sip of beer after Owen somehow obtained and slipped me a can, adamant that no party was complete without a little underage drinking. That was a sentiment I somehow doubted was some universal truth of life as he seemed to believe, yet I had to admit that my curiosity got the better of me and it felt like as good of an occasion as any to try the stuff.

I hated how bitter it was and didn't have any more than a sip, which Owen found hilarious. According to him it was an acquired taste, much like he'd heard of coffee although he didn't drink it himself. I couldn't help but find some amusement in the fact that he hadn't seemed to have yet acquired the taste for beer either, if the wincing and puckering his face did whenever he took a sip was any indicator. I ended up discretely pouring out the can and subtly disposing of it in fear of getting in trouble after Owen went to visit with a few friends, but at least it was an experience I would remember fondly and another item on my bucket list checked off.

I still wouldn't say that I made any lasting friendships, but I found myself enjoying the fact that everybody ate at communal tables and strangers would talk to you. It was the first time since being in Dewford that I didn't feel out of place – everybody was too focused on having a good time to pay any mind to the fact that I stood out like a sore thumb, so I found myself able to talk to people much easier. I definitely gained a much deeper appreciation for the charm that Dewford held and why Owen held it so dear.

By far my favorite part was the massive bonfire that was lit as the sun began to set. Having eaten and socialized to my heart's content, I left Owen to his fun and found a secluded spot a little way down the beach that gave a nice view of both the bonfire and the sun setting over the ocean. With the restrictions against Pokémon being out in public lifted, there were a fair number of Pokémon with their trainer, so I decided to release Trapinch so she could enjoy the sand, witness the festivities from afar, and bask in what little remained of the setting sun.

Other than a brief explanation of what was going on, we didn't really talk or interact. But we didn't need to – we just soaked in the sounds of people laughing and enjoying themselves, the view, the warmth of the sun, and the overall calming ambiance. Things with Trapinch had been going rather well, particularly after telling her about Duran and his evolution. It had only served to motivate her further, and although I still didn't spend much time with her outside of training, I felt like we had done a fair bit of bonding.

Things weren't perfect, and I wished that I'd been able to hold her in my lap as we enjoyed the sunset, but it was enough. I glanced down and noticed that she had closed her eyes while basking in the sun, I could tell by the look on her face that for the first time since meeting her, she was doing more than just tolerating the situation she found herself in.

She wasn't simply content, but looked truly happy. Though she couldn't noticeably smile due to her anatomy, I could swear that she was doing so with her eyes, despite the fact they were closed. I decided that although picking her up or holding her in my lap was probably a leap too far, the chances of her retaliating at me for rubbing her back were slim to none.

So I took a chance. Sure, she flinched – opening her eyes, stiffening a little, and looked as though she briefly considered if it was worth fussing about. But I persisted, and I can only assume that my friendly touch was enjoyable when combined with the sun and warm sand, because she decided to relax and once again closed her eyes, allowing me to continue without any protests.

I wasn't certain she'd have allowed it under any other circumstances, but I didn't overthink it. I likely wasn't going to be doing that during training, and it certainly wasn't a guarantee that things were bound to work out, but it was progress.

It served as proof that things were improving – not only for Trapinch and I, but all of Hoenn. Restrictions would continue to lift, life would slowly return to normal, and I would finally be reunited with my team.

Soon, very soon, everything would be right in the world again.

A/N: Hope people aren't too upset that I didn't cover Duran's evolution in detail – it was a very long chapter and I sort of liked the idea of him keeping such a private moment to himself.

At this point, I'm just going to stop apologizing for late chapters. I try to push them out Thursdays night, but often times that rolls into Friday morning – I would rather be a little late than push out a chapter I'm not happy, so it is what it is.

Shoutout to The Muffin Rat King and Faefox for beta-reading this chapter, and to everyone who has been commenting recently. I really enjoy reading your thoughts even if I don't respond to them individually very often, and appreciate every one of you more than you know.

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