Tetsu woke me up the next morning by jumping on both me and Nautilus. I could tell she was upset and Nautilus helped me confirm it.

'You had a cuddle party with Nautilus last night and you didn't tell me, dad. I am so mad at you!' she fumed. It was very cute seeing a chunk of metal try to pout, at least to me. I was probably biased. I told her we could have a cuddle party for all of us once we got back to Lumiose City, to which she quickly changed tune.

I texted Prof- Augustine, since we're apparently on a first-name basis, he wants me to call him Augustine. So, I texted Augustine about the letter, to which he said someone would investigate. He then asked me to get to Lumiose City after healing up and getting the second Gym badge. He said he had a project for me to work on with a field partner.

I spent the next few days walking on the beach and around the forest surrounding Coumarine City. We were looking for more items to sell, and I was very happy with Mudkip's finds. So far, she had found a few Pearls, a Water Stone, a Shell Bell, and two Nuggets. Tetsu had found a few bags of Soft Sand and Nautilus only found a Pretty Feather over the last three days. I swear it was like Mudkip had the Pickup ability.

I was really happy with the money Mudkip had helped me make, all 15,300$. I kept the Water Stone and a bag of Soft Sand. I found out Shell Bells and other similar items worked because the item gathered some type of energy over time to become useful for Pokémon. Items like Soft Sand and Miracle Seed were similar, but they were created by nature or Pokémon.

Being so happy, I had asked Mudkip if she wanted a name, but she shook her head. She said she wanted to experience more battles with us before doing so. I didn't really understand but I wasn't going to press her about it.

We were currently in the water, even Tetsu. I was expecting her to sink, but she was bobbing along with us to our surprise. She very much enjoyed the feeling of floating in the water, but wasn't particularly thrilled with Mudkip swimming around under her and using seaweed to tangle her feelers. Yeah, those vines with the lumps of spiked metals at the ends? Those are feelers, fucking wild.

After a while of swimming and Mudkip pulling pranks on everyone, we started our trek back to the PokéCenter. Once there, we rested with a dinner consisting of mac and cheese, tacos, which I had to show the chefs how to make, and ice cream. I was always told that you could tell who a person was based on their favorite things, especially ice cream.

Tetsu loved the salted caramel ice cream, Mudkip preferred the rainbow sherbet, Nautilus couldn't stay away from the rocky road, and I had a simple mix of the strawberry and butter pecan flavors. We enjoyed the ice cream with a showing of Mr. Rime and the Chocolate Factory. It was quite a bit funnier than the one in my world. Mr. Rime made a 'Three Stooges' version of Wonka and I loved it.

We went to sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. We had been doing some light workouts to keep in shape and the rest of the days were just dedicated to having fun. Today, though, we were back on the grind. We had a battle with Araceli at 6am, which was in two hours, and then the Gym battle at 3pm.

We started with a jog that turned into a little race. Nautilus initially had the lead until Tetsu stopped bouncing. She started rolling and almost left us all in the dust. Mudkip and Nautilus weren't going to let her win so easily. Nautilus stopped using his tentacles and flew out, matching Tetsu's speed. Mudkip yelped out and started running even faster than I had ever seen her. She quickly caught up with the three, leaving me behind.

I smiled at their enthusiasm, but I wasn't about to let myself be left so far back. I switched my form, now running taller than earlier. I relaxed my shoulders more and focused on my breath for a few moments before pushing forward with my calves. I felt more like I was bouncing with each stride.

I was slowly catching up to the three, their figures getting closer until I was side by side with them. I could see the surprise on their faces when seeing me next to them.

"See all of you back at breakfast," I quickly mumbled before I fully engaged all of my muscles and sped forward. Each step exerted so much force I could feel the ground break. I tried to keep the speed up for as long as possible, but was getting tired very quickly. I started slowly down just before I saw the PokéCenter, which gave me a new wave of energy for a final burst of speed.

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As I stepped onto the sidewalk, my foot hit the curb and I flew face first into the steps right outside the door. No more than four seconds later, the three Pokémon arrived, sliding to a stop in front of the mess called Marco. I could feel my face all bruised, cut, and bloody, but I couldn't help but smile at them.

"Nice to finally see you Slowpokes," I grunted out. "Can one of you help me? I'm too exhausted."

Nautilus scoffed at me and rolled his eyes while Mudkip began laughing. Tetsu, bless her soul, picked me up and brought me to Nurse Joy, who gave me the angriest scolding of my life. It was definitely worth it though, especially after seeing the look Nautilus gave me when I caught up to him.

An hour later I was let out of the room I was in. I walked to the cafeteria to find the three eating and talking with Araceli and her Pokémon. She saw me and waved me over, pointing to a large burrito.

I devoured the breakfast burrito while the Pokémon were sharing our race with Monferno, Fletchinder, and newly evolved Darmanitan. I could tell when they got to the part where I passed them up because Nautilus grew quiet while Mudkip and Tetsu grew more animated in their retelling.

"They are very chatty this morning, aren't they?" Araceli asked with a curious smile.

"Well, I did beat them in a race," I said, nodding my head in their direction when Tetsu hummed loudly and dropped to the floor. "And then I tripped and ate some stairs."

"Hahaha, that must've been quite filling," she laughed. "Is that why they came ahead?"

"Yes, Nurse Joy was making sure my brain wasn't damaged. I was running pretty fast," I answered with a sheepish smile. "It hurt like hell. Slamming face first into cement is not Nurse Joy approved, apparently."

After she got her jokes in, Araceli told me she was going to reserve the battle room for us. She left me to finish my breakfast, and I took that opportunity to check in with the team. They were getting along well with Araceli's Pokémon, so I wanted to make sure they wouldn't hold back in a battle.

I didn't have to worry though because the mere mention of a battle with her team got them fired up. We finished breakfast with a newfound gusto and soon left for our battle. We entered the room, where Araceli, Fletchinder, Monferno, and Darmanitan were waiting. There was another trainer at the side of the battlefield, whom I assumed was the referee.

We both walked to our respective Trainer boxes at the ends of the field, which happened to be a plain dirt area. As we waited, Araceli texted something and I received a notification. I turned on my phone to see an official battle challenge from her describing the rules of this match. I read through it quickly and tapped 'Accept.'

"This is an official League battle between Araceli Frye and Marco…"

"Pérez. Marco Pérez," I told the referee. I could finally remember my last name but I still haven't updated my Trainer profile.

"Right. This will be a 3v3 battle, no substitutions are allowed for either trainer. If a Pokémon is recalled, it can no longer battle. The use of items of any kind is not permitted for this battle. Are both trainers ready to start?"

"Yes." / "I'm ready."

"Ok, the battle starts… NOW!"

"Go Fletchinder!" / "Let's go, Mudkip!"

Fletchinder flew onto the field while Mudkip trotted out. They were both staring at each other, waiting for our commands. I hadn't done much training with Mudkip yet, so there wasn't much she could do with her terrible aim for both Water Gun and Rock Throw. But she wouldn't need them.

"Fletchinder, use Aerial Ace." / "Growl and Counter."

Fletchinder zoomed down, his beak gaining a light blue energy around it. Mudkip let out a deep Growl, which hit Fletchinder as he slammed into Mudkip's side. Mudkip didn't even cry out as she immediately slapped Fletchinder with her tail, sending him flying out and tumbling on the ground.

"Tackle!" / "Quick Attack away!"

Mudkip ran towards Fletchinder, covering herself in Normal-type Energy, only for Fletchinder to quickly move backwards. Mudkip let out another Growl, further lowering Fletchinder's attack. Fletchinder chirped angrily, probably frustrated with the fact it was going to take longer to beat Mudkip.

"Alright, Robin, time to get serious. Start your theatrics!" Araceli called out. Fletchinder then began to fly around, gradually moving faster. I guess he was using Agility.

"Mudkip, move around and kick the ground. Stay ready for an attack," I told her. I knew Ground-type attacks couldn't hit Flying-types in the games, but I was sure it was different here. Especially something like pocket sand.

Fletchinder burst into flames, now moving about twice as fast as before. He flew over Mudkip before gracefully doing a few flips and turns and then dive bombing. He gave Mudkip no chance to move, but he wasn't planning on dodging.

Mudkip wasted no time with using Counter, headbutting Fletchinder so hard he slammed into the wall, knocked out.

"Fletchinder is no longer able to battle. Trainer Araceli, please release your next Pokémon."

She let out a sigh before returning Fletchinder, her lips moving in unheard words for him. She then looked at Monferno, who grunted and jumped onto the field. She was fast and I knew Mudkip would not be able to do anything to her.

"Begin!"

"Luffy, Power-Up Punch!" / "Mudkip, Water Gun everywhere!"

Araceli looked confused at my command. Mudkip let water fly everywhere, covering quite a bit of the field before Monferno arrived and knocked her out with a punch. Monferno jumped back to Araceli's side of the field as her body glowed for a second. When she landed, she almost slipped on the mud that was on her feet.

"Mudkip is no longer able to battle. Trainer Marco, please send out your next Pokémon."

Tetsu immediately rolled onto the field. She spun a little bit, getting some mud all over her body before humming in satisfaction. Ugh, I'm definitely gonna have to clean her before going back into the room. I hope the PokéCenter has water hoses around here.

"Begin!"

"Luffy, use Flame Wheel!" / "Tetsu, Gravity and then get those vines dirty!"

I was taking a gamble here, hoping that the mud would at least partly protect Tetsu. If not, all she could do was use Gravity and Tackle. Against a close-quarters fighter like Monferno, who had double resistance to Flash Cannon and normal resistance to Vine Whip, there was no good strategy.

Once Gravity took effect, Monferno crashed down. The flames sputtered out, but Monferno herself slowly stood up, grinning widely in expectation.