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Tristen once again couldn’t stare a little bemused at the Spewpa as he tried to act defiant, only for its own stomach to betray him. “Man, I don’t even think Gyarados’s stomach growls that loud…” he said, making his way off towards the counter, grabbing the bag of food that Fela brought for the bug as well as the bowl for Spewpa. He then walked around back in front of Spewpa and sat down near the Pokémon. “Spewpa?” Tristen spoke up. “I need you to talk to me. What happened a little bit ago?” He said, trying to coax something out of the Pokémon. Probably give it the idea that it could maybe get fed sooner if the bug opened back up.

“You were being rude.” Tristen said rather sternly. “You upset Wimpod and nearly became a flock of Fletchling’s dinner because you wanted to go off on your own and refused to come back to me let alone in the Pokeball to save you from those Fletchling.” Tristen told the bug. “I’d say that there was something plenty wrong. I don’t think Fela would of liked you acting like that either.”

Well that got Spewpa’s attention. “….I won’t…if you straighten back up. I know I haven’t really kept you with me until now and that is only because Fela couldn’t take you along on that trip she’s on with her parents and in the meantime, she wanted to do what she could to take care of you. But I am responsible for you too, you know. I don’t want anything to change between us; I want to be friends with you too. Just like Wimpod wanted to be, and we’re talking about a Pokémon that runs from almost anything.” He said, reaching over to stroke Spewpa’s head. “I need you to work with me, just as I would for you. Okay?” he said. “We’re all a team in this.”

A start indeed. Another couple of strokes on the top of the Spewpa’s head then he got up and started to go through the things Fela left for Spewpa, namely to get set up for bed later. He hadn’t really had any opportunity to go through it yet, but maybe it could leave things on a better note between the two, Tristen thought. He didn’t want to go out and outright baby the Pokémon, but at the very least leave that proverbial olive branch that Tristen wants what’s best for Spewpa. This was a rather critical juncture for Spewpa. Going through a whole lot of changes and all in short order, and probably not gelling too well with Spewpa in some fashion. “And you know, Spewpa, if we keep at it together, you’re sure to earn your wings rather quick, you know? Be able to flutter around with other Vivilion and stuff. The fact that you’re this far along is amazing, you know?” he said to the bug as it ate. “…man, Fela let you have a lot of stuff, didn’t she. Did you use all of this?” Tristen couldn’t help but to ask.

Tristen looked down at the stuff still trying to go on through the things, trying to assess what Fela actually left and the majority of it, he never imagined actually needing for a Pokémon. He imagined they were all of the ‘nice to have’ category but not really necessary. He then perked up then looked back down towards the Spewpa, seeing it broach over the blanket. Tristen took out his SNAG, seeing the time, still seeing it was relatively early for him for the moment. He wasn’t quite tired yet; couldn’t hurt to let Spewpa turn in though. He wasn’t going anywhere else. “Alright…” he said taking the blanket. “…I guess if you’re done eating, and I don’t plan on going anywhere else this evening, you can turn in for the night if you want to.” He said, starting to wrap Spewpa in the blanket and making sure the bug was good and swaddled in. After all, wasn’t like Spewpa was going to be able to wrap itself up in anything as it is.

After setting Spewpa down for the night, Tristen still had another free day to go before classes started once more. Tristen was caught up on all his other school work for the time being and had nothing to really worry about that he knew of. It was just the matter of how to go about tomorrow. Maybe he could try again and spend some time getting Spewpa trained some more and maybe mend the bridge between it and Wimpod. They were all a team after all. Not to mention, Tristen had to admit up until earlier this evening, everything that had been going on was great for Wimpod as well, as much as Wimpod might disagree in some fashion.

Checking the time, Tristen figured to get something out of the way as well. He was almost certain that a certain someone would have been curious at his performance with the tournament today. He would make the call…

“Blizzard.”

“Blizz, its me.”

“Tristen, hey. Everything okay?”

“Oh yeah, everything’s fine. What about with you? How’s the gym leader tour coming.”

“In some ways faster, in others slower than I care to.”

“…what is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, I’m trying to explore the region in the process as I am going through here, seeing landmarks and the Pokémon and yadda yadda yadda. Kind of kills the day away. That being said, so far in a lot of cases, I still end up being in the next town by sundown. Either this region is smaller than I given it credit for, or I am taking too much of a beeline to the next city still. I mean, there’s got to be a reason why it takes people roughly under a year to tour Jhoto and make it to the Indigo League, right? Or did I misunderstand just exactly what a trainer goes through?”

“Well, you didn’t want to actually…do this after all to start off with, right? Maybe you are trying to go through the gyms in too much of a hurry, despite you trying to see what is out there in the region. Not to mention, maybe I need to turn the reason back on you. Not everyone start off as part of the gym leader circuit before deciding to take on the gyms themselves like any other trainer.” Tristen said. “Right?”

“…you’re not wrong. It wasn’t like I went off with a fully trained party though. At any rate, what’s going on with you? Didn’t you have that tournament thing that you were going to be a part of?”

“Yea, it was why I called you.” Tristen said. “Wanted to talk about it some because I thought you might be curious.”

“Well, I didn’t really expect too much out of it, Tristen. I mean, as we so aptly stated, you gotten a hell of a head start on everyone in that academy.”

“About that…” Tristen said. “…I didn’t win the tournament.”

“…really?”

“I made it to the finals, ended up battling against that girl that I told you about? Blizz, she’s the real deal. Between moves that I haven’t heard of before, and then her last Pokémon...a Quaquaval? Made Dragonite’s Hyper Beam look like a joke.”

“You got to be screwing with me. How did she make her Pokémon do that?”

“Her Pokémon’s hyper beam was a lot thinner and more concentrated.” Tristen explained. “When Dragonite fired his, her Pokémon fired its own and just parted Dragonite’s beam like it was nothing.” There was a pensive silence for a few seconds. “Blizz?”

“That…takes a bit of doing to train a Pokémon to do something like that. And she’s not really all that much older than you are, is she?”

“I don’t think so.”

“...so you made it through two of her others, then, since you said it was her last one.”

“Yea. The difference between the other two and her last one were night and day. She was making sure she was not going to lose that battle. Though, really, I don’t think anyone there was going to beat her. And what was so crazy is that everyone went in knowing that. But they threw the best they had in every battle. It started off pretty easy, but then, the second battle was kinda tough. The third one got harder than that. Then…Matteo…who actually got me to bring out Dragonite before Nemona to begin with. And when I went against Nemona, It took everything for even me to get over those two. I was the only one that knocked out her other Pokémon, let alone one. Her Goodra dominated the entire tournament bracket before I got up to take a crack at her. The students here are tougher than they seem, Blizz. And they got a big hurdle here they try to overcome.”

“…that sounds familiar. Though speaking of, you mentioned about someone you were having trouble with. You put him in his place then, I take it?”

“I…guess?” Tristen said. “I got the feeling it isn’t quite over, and because of the tournament, I’m probably a bit famous now because I was the only one that was seemingly capable of standing up to Nemona. I got the feeling I might not be talking to him all that much because of it. And with the student body in general, being that kind of famous I guess, I don’t think I like it too much. I was trying to avoid it.”

“I know. I know you wanted to keep the proverbial cards close to the chest, but these things happen one way or another, Tristen. Just all you need to do is not let it get to your head. Just go on as if it never happened, though its possible that will be easier said on a couple of axis. Well…I’m not sure if that’s going to be the case with your newfound bitter rival there, but it’ll probably work out and if it doesn’t? Screw that guy. You got more important things to deal with than to give the kid a proverbial pacifier.”

“I guess.” Tristen said. “Oh, because I gave Nemona the best battle she had in a while, while usually she would let her opponent have the prize anyways, this battle was apparently that special to her. She let me have her Tera Orb and took the prize one. A big deal here.”

“Tera Orb? Wait, one of those things that trainers here use to do that Terastal stuff to their Pokémon?”

“Yea. I have one now.”

“…you used it yet?”

“No, haven’t gotten the opportunity. I know, I know, you don’t like this sort of thing and-“

“Let me cut you off there. I got my reservations about that sort of thing. You know that, everyone in Snagem does. But if you want to use that, promise me that its not going to be fallen upon as if some sort of crutch almost like you did with Dragonite himself back in the day. Not to mention, by the way Freth talks, there is a lot of unknown stuff around that Terastal stuff that I’m betting everyone in this blasted region takes for granted. You are responsible for that thing and what it does to your Pokémon. You understand? I am trusting you on this.”

“I understand.”

“Alright.”

“Do you think there really is something going on with the that terastal phenomenon?” Tristen then asked, staring at his SNAG in confusion.

“I don’t know. It doesn’t leave me on edge like that dyna-whatever stuff back in Galar, but I’m also one to be leery of things too good to be true.”

“Oh.” Tristen said.

“At any rate, don’t let it get to you. I know that I kind of pressed hard for you to actually learn Pokémon battling instead of falling on some sort of enticing power and whatever rather it be from something like that terastal stuff or even if it was simply those items that you can buy from that Delibird presents store, because I didn’t want you to be like a lot of those that do end up that way thinking it is a end all be all.” Tristen ended up holding his tongue on that one, not wanting to tell about the problem that he had with Mienshao’s use of the Muscle Band or more prominently Dragonite using the Assault Vest. “It never ends well for them. My way of caring and making sure you’re ready. I’m hoping that I taught you as much well.”

“You did, Blizz. Nemona pretty much showed that much as well today. She didn’t even use her Tera Orb today against me even though there was nothing in the rules stopping her. I think she was trying to show some responsibility herself in some way.”

“Sounds like this girl actually does know her stuff…”

“Blizz, I think you could bring the strongest team that you have now and you will have a really rough time.”

“We’ll see. At any rate, I got to make sure that my Pokémon are good to go for the morning. You take care, Tristen, alright?”

“Okay, Blizz.” Tristen said. “You too.”

Tristen would stash his SNAG and put it aside for the moment. He looked over towards the swaddled Spewpa as it was resting contently in the blanket. He’d then get up to get himself cleaned up and ready for the night. Before long, he found himself in bed himself for the night.

The next day would come forth, Tristen waking up from his slumber and rubbing his eyes to get them cleared up. He looked over, seeing the swaddle for the Spewpa, but no Spewpa itself. He quickly looked around the room only to notice Spewpa now hanging from the ceiling light. “Guess the blanket got too hot for you, huh?” Tristen said. He’d leave Spewpa alone for the moment, stretching out a bit then made his way off around the dorm.

Its been shy of a week now since Tristen was forcefully enrolled into the academy and on the surface he settled in relatively okay. Dorm was well stocked up and organized just as he needed it to; skills he could attribute to being with Snagem all this time. And basically living out of a room like this wasn’t really unfamiliar to him. Weird to have a kitchenette and a bedroom all in the same room, he thought. Let alone what that actually meant. A tiny electric stove mounted in the kitchen counterspace. A fridge/freezer combo roughly slightly more than half Tristen’s height. Sink. Microwave. Definitely not a Snagem kitchen. And not that much space to store a whole lot of dishes, pots, and pans. Just enough to get by. Enough for Tristen to use to put skills taught to him over the years for use to at the very least make breakfast. Eggs, bacon, toast. Breakfast of champions. Or it would have probably been if he knew the best way to actually cook bacon on a stove top. Too crispy for its own good. He didn’t get everything down pat…

As Tristen started to look on the SNAG to see if there were any changes to the internal Pokedex database, Tristen was left trying to muse as to how to spend the day. He wanted to try to pick up where he left off with Spewpa yesterday evening. However there was one other thing he wanted to try to do…he didn’t really get a whole lot of time to do it, but he also wanted to pick up where he left off with trying to learn Agility. He was pretty sure that he was not going to get any more help out of Matteo now, not after yesterday. Not to mention, if he wanted to do that, he wanted to try to go somewhere he might get some privacy to do so and not draw too much attention to himself as he tried it; or let alone put much of anyone in danger. The way Matteo was trying to teach the Manetric hybrid was apparently a hint, Tristen decided. It did involve his electricity in some fashion. He did go faster, if albeit a little bit. But it needed to be a lot more controlled. Focused. And he didn’t have the confines of the Snagem training room to try to get it that way, after all. The running track didn’t seem to be that great of an option anymore. Too public where he’d probably still get all the attention of students, especially after his performance yesterday during the tournament. Not to mention, the more he thought about it, probably would be a little embarrassing to try to practice stuff that he didn’t really know how to do. He ended up questioning if there was any place close by, rather in or around Mezagoza.

It so happened, as he looked on the map there was a large flat area, albeit somewhat marshy, just Southeast of Mezagoza…though it was going to be a trip on foot. Might need to get a Squakabilly taxi to get him out that way sooner than later. Might make a day trip out of it. The place seemed to be littered with Chewtle and those Paldean Wooper for the most part which didn’t gel too well with him, especially if he had any intention on trying to train Spewpa later. He might need to adjust his team a little just in case. All the same, maybe he could swing around towards the beach later after that. Maybe have a picnic out that way with his Pokémon. Seemed like a plan, actually. It wasn’t like he had anything else going on this afternoon…

After finishing off breakfast, he looked up towards Spewpa. “Alright Spewpa. Going to have a bit of a day today. Time to get up.” Tristen said to the still dangling bug.

Tristen stared at Spewpa, now a bit disappointed now. After all of that last night, Spewpa still wants to be a pill and Tristen didn’t really understand why. Though, he never really got out of the bug why it wanted to be this way anyways. Was there a reason? Did Spewpa not think of him as any good trainer? Or was it something else? Regardless, Tristen wasn’t getting pushed around. Tristen reached over down the counter, grabbing the Premier Ball Spewpa stays in, and kept it at the ready. “Spewpa, is this how you’re going to want to do this today? I even gave you a bit more time too this morning, but now its time for yours and the others breakfast and I was thinking on having all of us have a nice time out today.” Tristen said to the bug. “You’re not going to get your wings any sooner just from dangling from the light in the ceiling, you know? Or did you just give up already before you even really started good? Either way, I’m not leaving you alone in the dorm all day on your own.”

“What…are you doing?” Tristen asked, a bit annoyed and confused as to what Spewpa was trying to accomplish. Tristen figured that this bug was trying to have a tantrum, but as far as trying to scare Tristen off as if some sort of predator? Not on its life. With a sigh, Tristen spoke up. “Okay, back in the ball, then.” He then said, holding out the Premier ball to recall the Spewpa back into the ball. Perhaps in this case the equivalent to turning over the proverbial mattress with someone still on it, but Spewpa was going to realize one way or another Tristen wasn’t going to be deterred by a cranky bug. Unless that bug was a Scyther…or a Beedrill…but those were whole other stories. Though he had to admit this was going to make breakfast for it and the rest of the Pokémon a bit of a problem, more than likely. One problem at a time, Tristen figured. First off, he needed to get said breakfast for his Pokémon. Tristen would then get straightened up, donned his jacket once again, grabbed Spewpa’s bug chow, then made his way out the door. He’d make a quick detour to start making changes to the five Pokémon that did make up his party, sixth being taken up by Spewpa, for the trip ahead today then finally make his way off to get Spewpa and his Pokémon fed.