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“Me too…” Tristen said. Apparently that Future Sight was coming sooner than later, or at least it felt sooner with all that had been going on, grimacing for a second. He was honestly trying to push through fast enough so he could help Buizel evolve, especially for how hard he worked today. Now more than ever. This was an intense enough fight, it felt like. Now Tristen found himself with a stressed-out bug against a dopey Slowpoke.

Wimpod looked over at the Buizel, and at that point, the bug was now sweating bullets. Worse, the Slowpoke didn’t seem like it took a whole lot of punishment in spite of the Bite and Struggle Bug. Wimpod was poised to recall itself. “Wimpod, don’t do it! If you do it, we lose the battle because this was supposed to be just you and Buizel, not any other of the team! Don’t wimp out!” Tristen shouted. “I know its bad and you really want to, but you have done so much so far! Vivillion wouldn’t want to see you like this! You know that right!? Buizel only got to know you for a little bit and he was trusting you too! There’s going to be times you can’t run from things, so you got to push through!”

Wimpod listened to Tristen’s words. They made sense, but it sounded all too easy when it really wasn’t. But then, for the likes of happiness in others, perhaps it was worth trying to push through for. All this time, he had to be a partner for Pokémon he only barely got to know in this region, aiding them in their path forward in spite of him wanting to run from a fight. However, being a mild distraction wasn’t going to be enough. There had been a handful of times where Vivillion, in its previous states, had ended up getting taken out by wild Pokémon, and now Buizel, who put himself far too much out there and ended up getting taken out himself. Wimpod realized he did need to do better; he needed to be the one to protect. Wimpod’s panic subsided to irritation. This was enough.

Wimpod started to glow fiercely there upon the battlefield, Tristen having to turn his head a bit, wincing from the bright light of evolution. Larger and larger the form became in the light until finally the light died down. Tristen nearly double-taked at his Pokémon’s new form. The bug’s large limbs as its new found smaller ones and scales creaked and clacked like samurai armor, the face looked considerably more fierce, almost demonic looking. The bulk of the bug was nothing like Tristen ever seen before. He’s read up on these things, but it was a whole other experience seeing it first-hand. Wimpod had evolved into Golisopod.

The large bug’s head swayed, looking over towards the Slowpoke. “That’s what I’m talking about! Give us a First Impression!” Tristen shouted. The bug’s large claw extended with a neon green power and watery jets started to shoot from the back of the bug. The bug, while slower than his smaller self now, still had the means of getting around fairly quickly. Golisopod rushed over to the Slowpoke and thrusted his mighty claw into the pink psychic type.

With the battle officially over, Tristen walked over towards Golisopod, giving him a good look over. “Yea…Wimpod evolved to Golisopod, and perhaps no better time than ever. You did great Golisopod. I told you that you could do it.” He said, giving the hulking bug a pat on the back. One could imagine that the Golisopod could end up blushing right now, but at the very least, the bug was once again sweating bullets. The outrageous battle, now the praise? Stress levels have now peaked. It was now time to make an Emergency Exit.

To Tristen’s surprise, the bug retreated into its own Pokeball stashed on Tristen. “Wha? WAIT WHAT!? You can still do that!? Golisopod, there’s nothing wrong! Why-“ Tristen jumped when another Pokeball discharged from Tristen and there upon the ground, out came the green cat, confused as to why it had suddenly came out. It wasn’t called, right?

“Nyaaa?” The Sprigatito mewed, then turned around, looking up towards Tristen with a gentle sway of its fluffy tail.

Tristen sighed then looked towards Matteo. “I guess some things aren’t going to change…I suppose better now than in the battle.” Tristen said. Tristen would bend over just long enough to pick up Sprigatito then looked over Matteo. “Still though, I wish that I could have gotten Golisopod to help out more. With as hard as Buizel worked today, I would have hoped that he could have at least evolved as well. I feel kinda bad…” Tristen said, giving a couple of strokes to the kitten’s head.

Tristen took out his SNAG, checking the time. It was getting pretty late into the afternoon now after one battle after the next and it would take a while for a Squakabilly taxi to take the two back to Mezagoza. It was probably going to be a little after dinner time before they would arrive should they leave now. Tristen would agree to go, though he had to admit he was a little reluctant to. Exploring the forest be darned anymore, Matteo brought him out here and helped him out get a couple of his Pokémon to evolve, it was the least he could do in seeing to it that at least one of his got the same treatment. The poor water Pokémon did effectively give it his all just as much as any of Tristen’s, at least so Tristen thought. It almost seemed fairly unfair and chances are its not giving Matteo any more feelings of hope and confidence as a trainer.

After recalling Sprigatito back to the ball, Tristen would make his way out of the forest right by Matteo and made it back to Medali where they found themselves on a Squakabilly taxi waiting on them. Getting on the taxi, Tristen was beside himself a little still, only trying to distract himself by trying to compile a mental checklist as to what he needed to do. Part of him wished Doc Owl was around right now, feeling the need to talk to someone, never mind to have Torracat looked over as well as Golisopod, maybe Rookidee as well even though he didn’t get into all that much. Dinner was most certainly a thing to contend with and he needed to at least treat Gyarados to something good for putting out what could have been an outright blaze after fighting that Scyther earlier.

Once the two teenage hybrids found their way back to Mezagoza, Tristen would disembark and looked back to Matteo after the Growlithe hybrid paid the driver. “Alright, Matteo. I’m going to hang out around the city for a little bit. Run by a Pokémon center real quick; get some dinner while I am at it. Going to try to figure out how to spend the rest of the night before bed. Though yea, we really should. I wouldn’t mind seeing what else the region got.” Tristen said to him. “Later.” He said giving a bit of a wave as Matteo ran off back for his dorm. Tristen would then make his separate way, making his way off for the nearest Pokémon center. Once he did, he would turn his Pokémon over to the station attendant then made his way over to a table and sat down to wait.

As the teen waited, his SNAG started to ring. He pulled it back out and looking at the ID, he’d answer it. “Hey Blizz.” Tristen spoke up.

“Hey, Tristen. Still around Medali?”

“No, I’m back in Mezagoza. Almost just now.” Tristen said. “Though, you didn’t make it all the way to your next gym already, did you?”

“Nah, and if I get there in the next day or so, it’d surprise me. Next stop is probably going to be that campground in that tunnel system in the mountain that has a Pokémon center there. It’s got a opening that gets a view of the sky and its also a junction to the upper levels of the mountain heading to Montenevera, as well as paths to where I am at now and paths back to Zapapico. I’m roughly nearly the far eastern edge of Lake Casseroya right now camped out. View isn’t half bad, if not for these freaky fish Pokémon straight from a horror movie wasn’t freakin’ lurking near the waters edge like they’re out to get me.”

“…uh…freaky fish…Pokémon?” Tristen asked.

“Apparently, they’re called Veluza and what makes them freaky is that they can shed like…eighty percent of their own body just so they can go from fast to lightning fast. If someone thought Sharpedo were fast, I almost dare say they can swim circles around them.”

“…that sounds weird.” Tristen said.

“It IS weird. But like most fish Pokémon, not really going to matter when I’m a good couple of dozen feet from the water’s edge. Though not stopping Beartic being tempted to see if he can’t fish one for himself to eat. But enough about that, I take it you and Matteo had a good time.”

“Yea, I guess.” Tristen said.

“You…guess?”

“Well, we were both out in the woods to try to get training in and maybe get Pokémon evolved. I ended up evolving Litten and Wimpod.” Tristen said.

“Well, congrats to that.”

“Matteo didn’t evolve any of his, though not for a lack of trying. His Buizel worked pretty hard today. He probably could have actually; we ended up in a trainer battle in the woods. A double battle. Though I feel a little to blame though. I put Wimpod into that battle and tried everything I could to help Matteo and Buizel through the battle. Managed to get Wimpod to distract one of the trainer’s Slowpoke with Sand Attack so both he and I could focus on the other trainer’s Girafarig.” He explained. “Between not doing enough damage in time, and Slowpoke still managing to cause some trouble, and it left Matteo with Buizel ended up getting knocked out. Matteo tried to hold it in, but I could see it, he wasn’t too happy about it. I’m sure he knows that stuff happens, but…well…”

“The fact that at the end of the day you ended up with two Pokémon evolved and he got nothing out of it despite his best efforts might be stirring up something you are trying to avoid.”

“Yeah.” Tristen said. “I feel like I gotta do something now.”

“I guess I can’t blame you. Did you have plans tomorrow?”

“Sort of. Thought on maybe get back started with working on Agility again. I only had managed to figure something out just before Team Star did their stuff, but hadn’t worked on it since. I wanted to try to get back on track with that. I thought of going out to that beach I went to where I may have started to figure something out last time and work on it there in peace.”

“Well, I was about to bring up why not bring him with you. Any idea to how the Pokémon are out that way?”

“A lot of Wattrel, I know that. Nothing Buizel would like to deal with though.” Tristen would reply.

“Do some more investigating then and maybe you be the one to invite him along. Granted, its probably short notice, but the worst he could do is say no. Maybe help him out give that Buizel that push.”

“That sounds like an idea.” Tristen said. Tristen would then perk up from his table, seeing the attendant trying to wave him on over. “Thanks, Blizz. I need to go. Pokémon Center is done looking over my team and I still need to figure dinner out. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Later, Tristen.” The connection ended and Tristen would make his way off to the counter. He would get back his Pokémon he turned in for a check-up and healing, then started his way off through the town.

He would end up going off to a grocer, cashing in on the gift card that Mr. Sanguaro gave him during one day in class for being able to budget for a family earlier this week and went on back to the academy. He would head off for the rec field, figuring to have a bit of a picnic since he had at the very least Gyarados on hand and he still wanted to treat him something nice. He’d get the mighty serpent a large helping of filets, comparatively gourmet compared to the usual meal for this beast, which honestly ate up all the funds off the card alone. It was fine, all the same. He’d feed the rest of his Pokémon, though he had to admit that Golisopod was a bit of an adjust. More than he originally it credit for. Thoughts for later. After serving his Pokémon, he would start eating himself, thinking back to the day. He really wanted to try to see about helping Matteo out tomorrow and what was told to him resonated a little bit. It couldn’t hurt, he thought.

After getting food for his and his Pokémon’s stomachs, he would make his way back to his dorm for the night. Dragonite and Gyarados were effectively a no go to be let out in this dorm, but now that he was in here, he wondered about Golisopod. He gotten pretty big himself upon evolution. He would release Golisopod to try to assess just how much room he was taking up. Tristen soon realized he wasn’t so much as tall as he was wide. He wasn’t going to be able to do much moving around, but in a odd case of how nature does its thing, Golisopod picked up a spot on the floor and laid down on it, curling up, belly flat to the floor. After bringing his arms and legs close, he was effectively a large dome shape on the floor. Tristen was left to question if that was how he is supposed to sleep now. He didn’t get an answer; the bug was right out to dreamland. The other Pokémon, Torracat, Rookidee, and Sprigatito, would make their appearance as soon as Tristen sent their Pokeballs out to let them just wind down for the night as well. Sprigatito would try to play with the elder cat, though as usual, it was the same cat Sprigatito was trying to entice to play. Torracat wasn’t interested. Rookidee would perch on the dozing Golisopod’s head, oddly finding it a nice place to hang out at suddenly.

Tristen would proceed to get on his laptop to try to get some sort of clue about that beach he was at a while back ago. It would be where he’d be until he decided to call it a night himself.

Tristen would slowly jar awake, bringing himself up out of bed. He heard GRAY chime in about Tristen’s plans today, which Tristen would shake his head over. “Only one that was probably going to go into the water would have been Gyarados, maybe Dragonite if he felt like it, maybe Golisopod too…but…probably would be for the better if I left them out of there, huh?” Tristen said. He’d slide to the edge of the bed and rub his eyes. He noted Sprigatito curled up against Torracat, though Torracat wasn’t giving the grass cat any mind. Torracat was turned away though Sprigatito at some point tried to press up against the fire cat’s back and stay there. Rookidee was perched on Golisopod, who he himself was still asleep in that tightly curled dome shape on the floor at the foot of his bed. It was a bit of a serene scene if nothing else.

A yawn escaped Tristen as he worked up the will to stand back up out of bed. Once he did, he started to get breakfast started and got things out to get ready for the day. Tristen’s moving around to get clothes out, shuffling of kitchen utensils, occasional runs into the rest room stirred his Pokémon slowly awake. Not all at once, but something eventually got their attention. Tristen would make his way around, serving breakfast to his Pokémon, and eventually breakfast to himself. Tristen would find himself in a routine at this point that he’s watching things on his laptop as he ate, checking things out such as weather reports and whatnot. Something that he wasn’t really accustomed to back at the headquarters since he never really had opportunities to, but taken to the habit like Goldeen to water. The teen didn’t really realize it yet, but he was adjusting to the school life now.

Once he and his Pokémon were done, Tristen got dressed and recalled his Pokémon back to their balls. He would pack up his things that he needed for the trip to the Area 5 beach and made his way out the door, locking it behind him then set out. Tristen as he went down the hall had a realization…he never found out where Matteo’s dorm was at this entire time, nor did he ever get his Rotom phone contact. He grimaced at the thought, but then a new realization. Matteo did mention about allowing his Kilowattrell out in the mornings to do laps around the academy. Checking his SNAG for the time, he wondered if he was still out doing that. It couldn’t hurt to check. At worst, he’d have to just try again another time. After all, he doubted this was going to be the last trip he was going to make trying to work on his Agility. Never mind the fact that this was extremely short notice even if he did find him. If nothing else, he’d try to make the effort to find Matteo. He would then start on the hunt for the Growlithe hybrid.

Making his way about through the academy, Tristen noticed the usual bustle of a Sunday morning of the academy. That is to say, not much of all. It wasn’t deserted, but it wasn’t exactly busy either. Students were probably out for the most part doing their usual weekend plans and such, and wasn’t going to be back until later this evening to be ready for class tomorrow. Searching the grounds, he’d come across Camp, back on another bug hunt. He’d keep his distance for a second, until Camp ultimately botched his own bug capture. “Hey Camp.” Tristen spoke up once the bug catcher took notice to the Manectric hybrid. “Uh…I have a face…? That says I’m looking for Matteo?” He said. While it was true he was, he didn’t think there was any sort of face for that. He’d probably have to ask later about that. “Uh, right…I heard about that from him yesterday. I’ll try to catch him. Thanks Camp.” Tristen then said to him, making his way off. “…a face?” Tristen silently said to himself. That was probably going to make him wonder for a while now.

He would make his way off on Camp’s direction and make his way off to the front of the academy. He started to look about, trying to see if there was sign of Matteo. It almost looked for a moment that he may have missed Matteo for a moment. He then took notice to the skies, a lone bird. A Kilowattrel. He then took notice to Matteo making his way, making his run and finally came to a stop. Apparently, Tristen showed up at the nick of time. “Morning, Matteo. I was hoping to catch you; you mentioned about making laps with your Kilowattrel yesterday so I came looking.” Tristen said to him as he called his Kilowattrel down. The smell of embers and heat emanated about Matteo’s person, he noticed. He was pushing his fire prowess somehow. Perhaps in his running? Maybe to maintain a longer run? Tristen wasn’t quite sure. “Hey, I know it is really short notice and all, but I was going to head down towards the beach that’s on the southern most part of Area Five South Provence. I was going down there to try work on running myself, or more specifically, try to figure out how to use Agility since there’s really not a good spot around here. Or rather, a good spot I can try to do so safely yet, at least. And I figured maybe also see about helping you out with Buizel. I really didn’t feel too good about how yesterday turned out for you in the end.” Tristen explained to him.

Getting on the Squakabilly Taxi and making their way off to the beach, things seemed to be working out for the moment. Matteo was pretty open on taking another trip off to somewhere, which was good, as far as Tristen figured. Though unlike yesterday, didn’t really get into much of a conversation about much of anything. Though granted, the flight wasn’t as long as it was to Medali, perhaps because they didn’t have to fly around Area Zero. It wasn’t long before the two would arrive at the beach and managed to touch down. This was a familiar sight, indeed, and it was what he was hoping for. Not many people here. It was why he originally chose this place to work on his Agility. It was well enough out of the way. However, first things were first…

“Well, like I said, I felt pretty bad about how I ended up with a couple of Pokémon evolved yesterday and despite Buizel working real hard, he didn’t get to, so before I start trying to work on Agility, I wanted to help you out with Buizel and any other Pokémon you might want to work on.” Tristen said. “Apart from the Wattrel, there are plenty of Pokémon to battle here on the beach. Though might want to be careful of the water. There may be a Arrocuda outbreak; hatching season, I think I heard today. If not that, there’s a marshy area just a very short walk from here where there’s some Pokémon that likes to hang around. Other water types like Marril and Psyduck, but there’s a couple of ground types as well. Like Paldea’s Wooper. Barring all of that. I think there’s some other stuff littered in there. Heard there were some stronger Normal types hanging around there, but I haven’t seen any the last time I was here. I guess the question is what do you feel like going after?”

Tristen could almost feel that in a way. Not only he struggles with the situation every now and then, especially now with him now in the school life, Team Snagem didn’t exactly make any thing easier in spite of a pristine training room for all members to go into. It was just a busy life, with all considered. Pokémon training time seemed to come at more and more of a premium. Tristen had plenty of Pokémon that he tries to make time for, and now being here in Paldea in the academy, has to make a few concessions here or there like finding a place for space for some of his larger Pokémon like Gyarados. Life of a trainer after all.

Tristen would follow Matteo off down the beach to see what they could get a hold of. Another day for the Growlithe hybrid to cut loose, which was nice to see, as opposed to the closed off, play-it-cool, on guard tough guy that Matteo tries to put on at any other time during classes. It left Tristen to wonder just how he could get Matteo to relax a bit more, which might get him in better standing with the teachers. There are still plenty who are dubious of Matteo right now, Ms. Picante most notably. Though at least he knows he is making progress. Mr. Salvatore actually took notice to some minor changes…which was good. Maybe he could get Matteo to open up a bit more. Nothing that he was going to try to pry; Matteo seems to spill stuff himself the more that he start realizing things. Tristen just needed to be patient. It will come.

As the bunch started down the beach, Tristen noticed something out of the ordinary. “Hey, Matteo? Hold on a second.” He called out to the Growlithe hybrid. When the Growlithe hybrid would look initially, there won’t be anything there, but giving it a couple of seconds, Tristen would see what he was talking about. A white creature, a familiar look, as far as Tristen could tell. The Pokémon buried its face into the sand, seeming as if it was trying to forage for something, then once it did, it pulled itself back under the sand for a few seconds, then back up out of the sand. Whatever the Pokémon was after apparently came up a no-go. The white creature would pull itself back down into the ground and pop up just a few feet away, back to its foraging ways. “Uh…Paldea has their own Diglett as well like it does Woopers?” Tristen asked, insinuating that the region had another variant.

“Oh, like that Toedscool from yesterday, then?” Tristen then asked, finally putting the final pieces of the proverbial puzzle together. “That’s actually interesting. I kinda wonder if there’s more Pokémon like that in the region then. Or for that matter, if there are anywhere else…I don’t recall seeing or hearing anything like that in other regions.” Tristen noted, thinking back for a brief second. “So, you think that could put up a fight for Buizel or you think we might need to find something that seems a bit tougher.” Tristen asked Matteo. Even if they weren’t Diglett themselves, he had a sneaking suspicion Wiglett were perhaps as frail as them, all made up for their absurd speed digging in the ground.