Hard Enough

Chapter 144: Aquatic showdown

The next day, I set up a few lounging chairs in the reserve along with a picnic basket. Yolanda deposited a few blankets and put Terra down next to Empress. Wills next match on his circuit was about to start, and I had just about finished setting things up.

Brock, do you think we packed enough snacks? said Suzie from within a very fluffy-looking Flareon onesie. My family had heard I was going to watch the next match with Yolanda in the reserve. Theyd taken that to mean that it was family time and that they were therefore invited.

I considered the picnic basket and nodded seriously. I think well be alright. Munchlax will just have to eat vegetables, or else he'll make the other pokemon envious.

Suzie reached over and pat Munchlax on the head as the gutsy pokemon sighed sadly.

A ping on my transceiver had me glancing at it. Id been expecting Sabrina to come around soon and was anticipating her message, only to blink in surprise when a message from Surge was shown.

I called him, and his boisterous face appeared on the screen. Heyo Brock! Thought Id check in on you again! Hows it hanging!

My eyes twitched. If I wasnt in front of my family, I'd give him the crude response he desired. Instead, I settled for a simple. Oh, alright, I suppose; Im with my family. I hurriedly added, Were about to watch the Cerulean Gym match.

Surge made a face. Urgh, dont know why youd want to watch that! Those girls are going to get stomped.

I shrugged. Might pick something up from watching Will, though.

Surge snorted derisively. Please! I got more of that assholes style and tactics from watching his match with you. That whole thing was FUBAR I tell you! I think he had to be pulling at least three sly ones on the down low!

I nodded and considered how to respond. Something must have shown on my face, or my silence was too suspicious, as Surges eyes narrowed. You know something! What? Did you catch him in the act?

I grimaced. Ive raised it with Lance, but there were a few details that stood out to me as being wrong.

Come on, man! Dont hold out on me! How much of a slippery Ekans is this asshole? Surge said. I sighed and sat down, relaying to him the evidence I had given to Lance.

When I was done, Surges expression was thunderous. Yeah, alright, hes an Arbok with a mean streak, raised by a group of Muk! Damn! And little Daisy is going to try to fight him? Poor girl doesnt stand a chance!

Daisy is the one whos going to fight him? I said. I thought they hadnt announced it yet?

Surge huffed. Shes the eldest, and she might be ditzy as hell, but shes got heart. She wont let her younger sisters take the beating thats coming her way. That and she likes to think shes chivalrous; its why she dresses like the prince in their little shows.

I stared at the transceiver. How do you know she does that?

Surge smirked. Their little shows are some fantastic first date options for me and the ladies. Gets them all wet! If you get me! Hahaha! He guffawed at his joke as I rolled my eyes.

He settled down and nodded. "Right, well, Im gonna hitch a ride over to yours. Been meaning to talk to you face to face like. Ill join you and your family in watching the match! he said casually. Tell Cadet Tommy I want to see his best salute! he shouted before signing off.

I glanced up at Tommy, who was bouncing in place while his twin, Cindy, groaned in annoyance, only to gain a sly expression as she sprinted into the house. When she returned she did so with a jar.

When Surge walked around the side entrance with Alexa, whom he was obviously flirting with, Tommy leapt to his feet. Sir! His arm shot up into a childish salute.

Surge turned away from Alexa and adopted a serious expression as he looked over Tommy, like this was a parade ground rather than my backyard. Hmmm good pose, nice straight spine, but when an officer comes around, you go into the standing pose unless theres a reason to salute, not before!

He stepped to one side. At ease! he barked before nodding as Tommy copied him.

Flint, whod been standing and watching this with a stiff expression, twitched.

Surge raised a finger to make a point. Remember, Salute the man, not the rank; anyone who says otherwise is full of shit!

Swearjar! shouted Cindy gleefully as she pulled out a jar that shed run into the house for. Shed been waiting to ambush Surge with this.

Feh! In the army, theres never enough swearing! he said only for Cindy to thrust the swear jar in his direction adamantly.

He sniffed. I suppose as an officer, I should set an example for the troops, he said.

He handed Tommy a ten-pokedollar note. As an officer, I dont handle dealing with civies. Cadet, pay the woman! he said.

Tommy nodded, drew out his wallet, put the note into it, and pulled out a pokedollar. He then shamelessly deposited it into the swear jar on Surges behalf.

Everyone collectively blinked.

Then Surge howled with laughter. Hahahahaha! Thats a good one! Nice going, recruit! Thats the sort of slippery thinking thatll see you doing well in the corps!

I think Id rather you not promote the military as a lifestyle choice to him, Surge, Flint said tersely.

He shot me an angry look, and I raised an imperious eyebrow. I could see where he was coming from, but he wasnt here to help me get through the hurdles of being a Gym Leader. Surge was.

Surge rubbed a thumb over his nose. Yeah? That so? First, Ive been told not to, he said casually, looming by dint of his unusually tall frame. He eyed Flint, and a glint entered his eyes. Private Flint, right? You were a reservist, werent you?

I made corporal before the end of the war. Some of the kids watched this back and forth curiously.

For a few years, Surge had been like a well-meaning uncle who got too rambunctious. To see him and Flint talking like this was probably strange. I, personally, was finding it a bit too cathartic to stop. If anything, Surge was being downright polite.

Flint shook his head. But that doesnt matter. I just go by Flint now, Flint said, locking eyes with Surge.

Surge nodded slowly. Right, right. We never really got to talk. Im Lieutenant Surge, Gym Leader from Vermilion. Never did get to meet face to face did we?

No, there was one video link meeting before Brock took over.

Hmmm, yeah took over, thats one way to put it. Reckon we should talk about that one day. Surge flicked his eyes around and recognised how many small, curious eyes were watching him. Just you and me in a bar, yeah?

I think I know what youre going to say, said Flint, his jaw tightening.

Yeah, Im sure you do, but its worth saying out loud, said Surge. I felt a rush of gratitude toward the taller man. Somehow, for all his rough edges, Surge was a good man.

Flint nodded tightly, and Surge relaxed. He glanced around and winked at the kids before turning back. Dismissed! he said to Tommy, who turned and played at marching off to the side for three steps. Then he raised his hands and ran around.

Woob woob woob! said Tommy, running back around Surge. I got ten pokedollars! he said tauntingly to Cindy, who gave chase.

Not for long you dont! That was supposed to be mine! she shouted.

I snorted, and Surge grinned. Cute kid! He winked at Alexa. Feel like making an honest man out of me and making a few of our own?

Alexa snorted. Thats not the worst pickup line I've heard, but it is far from the best. She waved a hand over her shoulder and walked away. Surge watched her go.

He turned back with a satisfied expression. I hate to see them He paused suddenly his eyes widening dramatically. Brock do you got two Tyranitar or is the beer I drank earlier off?

I glanced behind the chairs to find Empress and Titan standing behind us, watching the big screen we had set up earlier. No, shes joined my team. Surge, this is Empress.

Surge whistled as Empress inspected him before turning her head away. Daaaaaaamn! Now youre talking! Youre gonna flex on Lance hard when you make your run for Champion!

I snorted, and he shot me a look. Oh come on! Youd be great at it!

I waved a hand at him and rolled my eyes. Im good here.

Urgh! Greatness is going begging, man! he said with a shake of his head.

I waved for him to take a seat, and he did so, but not before reaching into a bag he had at his side and pulling out a can of beer. He cracked it and chugged it. Ah! Nice cold one fresh out the cooler! He raised his drink in my direction. You want one?

I waved him away, amused. Flint scowled at him and opened his mouth, only to close it and slump a little. Surge noticed and considered Flint. You want?

Flint shook his head. I think I should abstain going forward. Need to stay on the ball with the kids.

Huh, Surge said before grunting and finishing his beer in a few chugs. He glanced around. You got a Steel type thatll recycle these?

Lairon! I shouted. When Knight whined, I shot him a look. No, Im not feeding you beer cans. Youre one of my Elite pokemon. None of that for you!

Hes big enough, aint he? said Surge as he cracked open another beer.

I shook my head. Hes actually younger than Lairon. Hes very much still a juvenile for his species. Hes still growing.

Hmmm, righto then. Surge tossed his crushed beer can into the waiting maw of Lairon. To console Knight, I handed him some metal offcuts I got from the foundry which I used for snacks for him.

When the actual match started, I was interested to see Daisy square off against Will. I felt a spike of anger at seeing him flounce around. What pokemon do you think he will lead with? I offered up.

Surge eyed Will with narrowed eyes. If his Exeggcutor was in fighting shape, Id be shocked. It got pretty bodied against you. Also, the way he blew it up will have it feeling pretty rough. Not sure hell even get the chance to use it against me.

Hmmm, good, I said, happy to hear that it had cost him. Most of my pokemon had almost been up and about the next day.

Which pokemon will he use then? said Yolanda thoughtfully, a notepad out.

Hypno or Espeon? I offered.

Hed be the sort, Surge grunted. But also a Slowbro, Xatu Surge scratched his chin. Dont think a Gardevoir could stand him though.

Grumpig? I replied.

Surge snapped his fingers together. Oh! I know! Hed have to have a Mr Mime! Those are creepy mothers they are!

I chuckled at his antics and watched as Dasiy and Will stepped up to their podiums. I frowned when I noticed that the battlefield was the aquarium. Howd they get the right to use that for the Ace challenge?

Will allowed it, the cocky son of a he flicked his eyes to Tommy, who was happily munching on some popcorn. B, he said, finishing lamely.

Who do you think is his strongest team on paper? Salvadore asked.

I leaned back in my chair. Alakazam for one, I said. Then that Slowking, that had a lot of utility. Exeggcutor as well. I waved three fingers in thought with pursed lips. I think that Jynx was a bit gimmicky with the Perish Song and Mean Look.

Medicham would be another, Surge opined. It depends on how good his Espeon and Hypno are. Theyre both solid psychic types. He glanced around. Speaking of psychic types, wheres Sabrina?

I shrugged. Shes training with Erika.

Surge chuckled. Ouch! She thinks hes going to beat me?

I shrugged again. Covering her bases, I said. I knew Karen, Koga, Lucy, and Agatha were all patrolling Cerulean City looking for anything unusual. Theyd asked me to stay behind as I was too high profile and they wanted my pokemon to rest up some more. It had seemed like solid advice at the time.

It still made me twitch in agitation. Even though I knew that nothing any of the Cerulean sisters could do would see them challenging Will, not unless they cheated.

They just werent serious battlers.

A thought occurred to me. How come they accepted this match? I thought they didnt usually do Ace battles.

Probably felt like they had to. With you standing up, they had to at least make an attempt. If not, their little sister will inherit a gym looked down on by everyone, Surge said before taking a slow sip. More than it is at the moment anyway. Some families have it tough, inheriting bad situations and all. I glanced over and found him eying Flint.

Huh, thats nice of them to do for Misty, I said, deciding to not touch on the obvious dig at Flint.

Surge perked up. You know her? Shes a firecracker, that one! Little Forrest has found himself a good lass! Shes got attitude! He grinned. You know she stared down a giant Tentacruel and made it ink itself? he said.

Whats this? said Yolanda with a tilt of her head.

Surge grinned and began to tell what sounded like an extremely exaggerated story of Misty facing down a giant Tentacruel.

I snorted as my siblings ate the story up. I knew that wasnt the way it had gone down. Forrest had said as much after things had calmed down. Which reminded me. Thanks for getting down to Forrest like that while I was out of contact.

Flint stiffened. Yes! Thank you for doing that for our family, Surge. He bowed his head, and Surge chuckled.

Aint no sweat off my back. It was damn interesting, is what it was.

We fell silent when the screen showed that the match was about to start. Daisy tossed out a Seaking and Will tossed out

Hes sending his Exeggutor again?! shouted Surge. Or is he like Lance? Multiple of the same pokemon?

I eyed the fronds and shook my head. No, see the fronds. Theyre wilted and damaged. Thats the same pokemon.

I call tauros shit! Surge said. He handed off a pokedollar to the swear jar without missing a beat when Cindy offered it to him. No way he got that pokemon up to fighting fitness unless he poured a lot of money into it! He shook his head before raising his hand up. Even then, it wouldnt be worth it!

I nodded. A sign of less depth than we thought? I said, but I knew that didnt ring true. Hed shown lots of pokemon, or at least the ability to fund other trainers to get an idea of my team. This didnt make sense unless.

Hubris? I suggested, watching as Will used a Leaf Storm to force Seaking under the surface of the water only for the leaves to cut through the water.

The Seaking went belly up and floated up onto the surface, causing Daisy to pout and return her pokemon.

Like that was not what I was expecting from you for your first pokemon! she said with a shake of her head. Lets go Dewgong! she called sending out her next choice. A Dewgong with a pristine white coat appeared and swept its tail through the water.

Gong! it called out before it frowned seriously.

Is that one of her show pokemon? I asked.

Surge nodded. Its not a bad choice, though. Has a good Ice Beam but yeah it doesnt have Surge trailed off as Daisy had her pokemon perform a Blizzard that filled the arena.

Exeggutor suddenly did not have anywhere near as stable a footing as previous. Will clicked his tongue and ordered a Psychic but it could only catch a few of the descending ice shards.

Come on Daisy! I shouted, pumping my fist, pleased to see Will getting some well-earned comeuppance for being so arrogant.

Exeggutor! Use Rest! he barked, causing all but one of the heads to fall asleep.

Like Encore! ordered Daisy with a gleeful expression.

I blinked, confused. Wait that shouldnt work because I gaped when I saw the last head of the Exeggutor close its eyes and fall asleep.

Surge spat his drink making it burst out of him like a geyser suddenly erupting. He wiped his mouth and gasped. Did Daisy just pull a slick move on him?! he bellowed in surprise. Damn girl! he said.

I had to nod in approval as she pointed and winked at the Exeggutor. Like! Blizzard! she said. This time the super-effective move rained down unopposed, and Exeggcutor was tossed into the water.

It woke up due to the cold, but the Dewgong was already in the water.

Like Ice Fang! said Daisy with a weirdly fierce expression on the usually vapid girls face.

Her pokemon shot through the water and smashed into Exeggutor, causing it to shout in surprise before slumping.

Will stared at this floating grass type for a long moment. Daisy did a happy dance. Wooh go me and Dewgong!

She then turned and waved to the crowd. And thanks Uncle! It worked a charm! she said towards an extremely scarred man sitting next to Daisys sisters. The girls waved exuberantly while the man merely glowered at the world harder.

Will returned his pokemon and stared at it for a moment before glancing up and giving a bow to Daisy. I must apologise, my fair lady; I underestimated you!

Daisy waggled her finger. You could stand to do it more!

Will huffed. Well, Im afraid I shall have to take this more seriously from now. Go Hypno, use Thunder Punch! he ordered.

The fist surged into the water and sparked up as it hit the water. Dewgong took the hit and cried out in pain.

I clicked my tongue. Ah, the other reason he would be fine with the aquarium staying out. It somewhat made it easier for her pokemon to be electrocuted. Daisys Dewgong revealed itself to have something of a glass jaw as it went down with a single zap.

Thats a weak-ass Thunder Punch! Surge said disparagingly. He handed Cindy another pokedollar. Still think that ass isnt a swear word, he muttered as he handed off another note.

He then tossed his empty can over his shoulder towards Lairon, who happily munched on it.

Daisy returned her pokemon and selected another pokemon. This one had red stickers all over it, and Daisy seemed reluctant to release it. She shifted from foot to foot. The camera zoomed in on her and picked up on her whispers to the pokeball.

Pleasepleasepplease, pretty please be good for me! I need you to behave! she said before winding back her arm and hurling out her next pokemon. The light of the released pokemon was bright, and it reformed into a huge form.

I whistled as what had to be one of the biggest Gyarados Id ever seen revealed itself. Wow, I never knew she had that sort of pokemon in her team. I assume it doesnt listen to her?

Its her gramps pokemon; the old Admiral was a wily sort and very strong. He was able to raise that beast from one of the Magikarp of his original Gyarados in his later years; he passed it down, so I hear.

The Gyarados rose up and bellowed, causing the camera to shake at the noise being released. Gyarados turned to inspect Daisy who waved twitchily. H-hi Gyarados! Were fighting someone strong! You up for it? she said.

Before Gyarados could reply, Will snorted and snapped his fingers. Thunder Punch again.

The super effective move was once again punched into the water and sparked up. This time it arced up the large pokemons tail and caused it to roar in shock. It snapped its head around from Daisy to lock eyes on Will.

Daisy perked up and pumped her fist. Gyarados! Dont let them diss you! Use Crunch! she said.

Gyarados launched itself with a maw of glowing black energy.

Will instantly realised hed miscalculated. Protect! he said, causing his Hypno to cross his arms.

Gyarados hit the platform that the Hypno was on and launched the platform up into the air.

Dive down and surge up! ordered Daisy.

Hypno! Use Telekinesis to levitate yourself out of danger! Will shouted to his now airborne pokemon as the Protect dropped aside. I noted that the hail was peppering it as it descended. Gyarados launched itself out of the water in an explosion of force, its fangs bared and eyes glinting with rage.

Hypno just dodged the attack. And as it floated back down to another platform, Gyarados began to descend back into the water, and like a whale breaching, it caused a giant splash.

Hypno return! Go Alakazam! he said, sending out another pokemon.

Another? Surge said with a click of his tongue.

I hummed in thought before shaking my head. No, that one is different. The moustache isnt as long, indicating it isnt as old.

Gyarados rounded on the Alakazam and both pokemon locked eyes.

Daisy grabbed the podium to brace herself. Twister! she shouted. Her Gyarados snorted before spinning on the spot and forming a giant funnel of water. People in the stands started to don raincoats. Will raised a hand and braced himself against the sudden hurricane being unleashed.

Thunder Wave! ordered Will causing a lash of electrical energy to shoot out from the Alakazams spoons. It was mostly absorbed by the onrushing Twister but some got through to splash against Gyarados. It only seemed to further enrage the pokemon.

The Twister slammed home, knocking Alakazam back, and causing it to go flying into a side wall. It shook itself off, however, and teleported back to another platform.

Gyarados turned with a snarl. Gyarados! Use Dark Pulse! ordered Daisy. Instead of doing that, Gyarados lunged with darkness-empowered fangs.

Thunder Punch! ordered Will causing his pokemon to teleport underneath Gyarados and lunge upwards to throw a sparking fist of electricity into Gyarados head.

I grimaced as Gyarados thrashed about only to sway drunkenly, obviously affected by the two hits it had already taken.

Daisy shifted from foot to foot as the hail started to stop falling. No! Gyarados I need you to listen to me! she said plaintively. Use Hyper B

Psychic! Throw that pokemon out of the water! Will ordered causing his pokemon to glow with Psychic energy. Then Gyarados glowed as it was lifted despite its size and hurled out of the water like a giant angler had snagged the serpent and was pulling it ashore. It slammed into the side wall and cracked into the wall. Gyarados slumped after the hit, and Daisy matched it dejectedly.

Urgh the girl has dropped her head, shes letting him get to her. Shes lost her fighting spirit. Surge shook his head and took another drink. This wont last long, he said.

He was proven right when Daisys Starmie, Golduck, and Cloyster failed to last against Wills Alakazam or Hypno. Daisy slumped with each defeat.

Surge stood after it was all done and shook his head. Girl needs to stiffen her spine a bit. She was still in the fight.

Most of her pokemon werent as strong as that Gyarados, Yolanda pointed out carefully.

Doesnt matter; she could have had a freshly caught Legendary pokemon following him out, but it wouldnt have mattered. She wasnt in it. Shed lost already up here. He tapped the side of his head. She stopped trying to find a way to win after she lost that Gyarados. You cant let that happen in battle; otherwise, you may as well have your grave already dug.

Flint coughed pointedly, and Surge blinked. What? They get what I mean! he said waspishly.

Suzie yawned. Its alright; Sabrina will beat him.

Surge huffed. You wound me, Suzie girl; you wound me.

Youll live, she said as she patted him on the leg and then offered him a hug goodnight.

I rounded up the other kids and they gave Surge a hug before heading in with Flint. Surge bid his own goodbye and I waved him off.

Then I turned to Empress. So, what do you think?

She warbled a tone, and I keyed up a replay. Right so one of the best things that gets demonstrated here is the importance of following commands. See how Will exploited Gyarados for using Crunch? Daisy was actually right in calling out Dark Pulse instead of Crunch. By going for Crunch against a pokemon that can Teleport, he put himself in a weaker position.

Empress considered this while Titan nodded. Sanchez spoke up and waved his hand around, and I grinned. Good, my pokemon were talking about it. I glanced at my team of Elites, who had all stayed up to watch the match. I had to admit to feeling very pleased with myself.

It was a loss for Daisy and the Cerulean Gym, but it was going to work out great for me.

With Wills victory, the gleam in their eyes had returned.

It was good to have a target in sight for them.

I was proven right the next morning when my team put in a spirited training session where I could practically feel them getting stronger. Empress herself was extra attentive to my orders and seemed to accept them a bit easier as I had her hop and jump around, only to start unleashing some of the extremely potent moves she had learned during her years in the wild.

I sent Daisy a message to congratulate her on her strong showing and she sent back a series of emojis that had me chuckling.

Way too many winkie faces, I said to myself as I shut it off and headed towards my first match of the day. With the next match of importance being Surges match, I was going to be ready to help out the moment something went down.

Id gotten confirmation that my challenge had been accepted by Gavin so now it was time to do a final check over before I selected my team. Id also need to have a team ready for this weekend when Will went against Surge.

If Will tried to cheat against Surge, Id be ready to fall upon him like an avalanche.

Daisy shook hands with Will. He smiled charmingly at her, and for a moment she wondered what he looked like underneath that mask. The rest of him certainly looked attractive enough She shook herself. No, no, she wasnt going there.

Wills lips twisted downward, and Daisy almost giggled. She stepped back a moment later as Jeffrey, her big, loveable guard dog of a gym trainer stepped in to put a delicate hand on her shoulder. He was such a knight in shining armour.

"Alright, fuck off lad, said Jeffery gruffly.

Daisy pretended to swoon. Such a shame. If only he wasnt old enough to be her dad.

It was like having a battle-scarred Arcanine of an uncle who looked and sounded fierce but was so soft when there was just family around. Sort of like her Gramps.

Wills lips twisted into something ugly, and Daisy shook herself again, taking a step back. Thanks for the match, she said, bowing her head. Good luck against the other gym leaders! she said chirpily.

She turned and waved to the reporters and fans still hanging around. Wills crowd of supporters were chanting his name, and Will waved to them magnanimously. Will! Will! Will!

Bad luck out there Daisy! We love you! cried one voice during a break in the group's chanting.

Daisy perked up and beamed. She gave the crowd another wave and stepped forward to talk with the reporters. She held her smile and pretended to let all the thinly veiled insults slide off her.

What were you thinking when you stuck to the aquarium set-up? said one.

Did you think it would give you a fighting chance? sneered another.

Did you, heh, forget how electricity works? another said with a raised hand, as if that was enough to hide the laugh of derision.

Daisy kept smiling. If she let herself cry, theyd be like Sharpedo in bloody water. Oh! We just thought wed keep things the same, you know! Like, why change things around? This is our Gym, water battlefield, and all! she said like she hadnt given it much thought.

What were you thinking bringing out that Gyarados? It obviously doesnt respect you! said another.

What were you going to do if it rampaged?

Daisy huffed and rolled her eyes exasperatedly. Like, I had it under control! Grampys Gyarados was just grouchy to start things off. Hes something of a heritage pokemon so hes got his quirks! He did great through! Daisy felt her eyes sliding toward Jeffery, who had been ready to step in if Gyarados hadnt been willing to listen to her.

Challenger Will! Thats two of the Gyms now; are you going to keep this up?

Of course! Theres a wonderful symbolism in challenging in the order that I am! I know what people will be waiting for! Will said with a charming smile.

So Pewter or Cerulean? Which match did you prefer? The heart-wrenching struggle that ended in a draw? Or the one-sided match?

Daisy continued to hold her smile, although she felt like dropping it when Will glanced over at her appraisingly. She felt dirty as he smiled at her.

Well, I have to say I preferred todays match. My dance partner in Pewter left something to be desired with how it all ended up going down.

Daisy held her smile and didnt snort in derision. It wasnt something shed be able to get away with; shed lost rather convincingly after all.

When it was all said and done, she waved the crowd goodbye, sent Will off, and marched back to the private lounge. There, she found her family waiting for her. Violet had her boyfriend with her.

Daisy collapsed into a chair with a long groan. Like you all owe me big time for stepping up and fighting that guy! she complained. Jeffery approached with a bottle of sparkling water and a lemon slice. Daisy shot him an appreciative smile.

Violet and Lily nodded. Yeah! Thanks big sis! That wasnt a match I wanted to undertake!

Whyd you accept it though? asked Violets boyfriend. I thought Cerulean didnt take Ace Challengers, unlike the other gyms?

Daisy shrugged. I guess I just wanted us to be taken seriously. Jeffrey patted her on the shoulder. You did that lass, you got one of his pokemon which is a great showing.

Daisy smiled weakly, finished her drink, traded some verbal barbs with her sisters, prodded Violets boyfriend for any hotties he knew, and then retired to bed.

She sat on the edge and resisted the urge to curl up into a little ball. She instead keyed a number into her transceiver.

Misty answered quickly. Hey Daisy said her little sister.

Daisy almost called her out for sounding so hesitant. The tease was on her lips, but then Daisy remembered what Erika had said to her when shed mocked her sister the last time theyd had tea together. Her sister wasnt like Lily and Violet. They were sisters, but that didnt mean she should treat Misty the same way.

Misty was her own woman.

Hey, Misty, she said, allowing some of the tiredness to show. She wasnt a rookie trainer who would white out from having her team wrecked like that, but it still wasnt fun.

Misty remained quiet for a long moment. Thanks for accepting that challenge, she said eventually.

Anytime little sis, Daisy replied, flopping back onto her bed. She yawned. You still want the Gym after your journeys done, yeah? Its the least I can do to not give you a place people think is only a minor gym.

Y-yeah thanks. Howd you I mean Misty started to say, only to rethink her words.

Gosh, Misty was such an awkward ponyta, she was still growing into her hooves, it seemed. Daisy knew shed be beautiful one day, but damn if she wasnt awkward right now.

Howd you get Gyarados to listen to you? Misty said eventually.

Oh, Ive been trying to work with him, getting him used to me I think I almost have him interested in doing a show with us. He doesnt want to be the bad guy, though, so I think I need to rewrite the script I had planned.

Oh? Youre thinking of adding him to your show? Mum and Dad would have loved that, Misty said.

Daisy rubbed at her chest, where an old, familiar ache was. Yeah, yeah, they would have, and Grampa would have been all like, Urgh! you know?

Misty giggled, and Daisy found herself enjoying the sound. She yawned again. Well, I have to admit Im pretty wiped.

Oh, yeah! Good night then!

Yeah, but before I go! Have you kissed him yet!? asked Daisy with an amused lilt to her voice.

Bwah! What sort of question is that? No! No, I have not! I mean, were not like that!

Ooooooh, but youre thinking of it, arent you? said Daisy with a grin.

Argh! Just! Go to sleep! snarled Missy before she hung up.

Daisy giggled before remembering she wasnt supposed to be teasing her sister. Oops. Oh well, shed get used to being nice to her eventually, or Misty would learn to tease back.

Wouldnt that be a day? She thought as sleep claimed her.

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