Hard Enough Chapter 143: Stronger, better, harder, faster

I almost walked straight out to talk with Empress. But then I considered what I was about to do.

One does not simply walk up to a Pseudo-legendary pokemon and ask them to join your team.

There were good odds that shed be offended by my offer and trash the reserve. I pinged a ssage to the Gym trainers to return all the pokemon that were too weak before checking that none of the pokemon we stabled for our trainers were out and about. This caused one trainer to approach and ask why, which had grimacing.

Im going to do sothing a bit risky. Tell , youve been on the roster for looking over the stabled pokemon. Has Empress, the new Tyranitar sheltering here, ever threatened or approached them? I waved my hand about, Looking to eat them?

The trainer shook their head. No, shes observed them, but we keep the stabled pokemon in a segregated paddock. Only ti we pull them out is for the twice a week training that we have mandated.

I raised an eyebrow. And she respected the paddock fence like the rest of our pokemon do? She hasnt tried to walk up to it at all?

The trainer nodded, and I could only frown. This didnt make sense. She was respecting other pokemon that were around, but she went to snack on a caterpie? It had been fairly distant from its person? Hmmm, then again they had said it was a wild caterpie How would she know that? Did she sll it on the Caterpie? Was there so markings or feel to its aura that changed when it beca captured?

Wasnt she a wild Tyranitar? Certain behaviours werent adding up.

Should I call Jackson and Dennis back? They left already, sir, said the trainer nervously.

I shook my head. I think I can handle her. Id just need Bertha to I reconsidered that. I didnt want to co in and threaten her or put her on the back foot. I needed to be able to talk with her.

I sent off another ssage, and a mont later, Sabrina appeared next to . Are you alright?

Im good; todays been an interesting day for . I rubbed my jaw in thought. I was thinking of doing sothing and

And you realised how risky it would be, so you thought it a good idea for to be with you, Sabrina spoke over .

I coughed and nodded. Yeah pretty much.

She nodded seriously and levitated above . She patted my head. Good.

She seed all too amused and pleased, like I was a well-trained Growlithe that had just followed her training without prompting.

I bristled slightly before snorting. You didnt even hear what I was planning, though. How can you call it risky already? She raised a dubious eyebrow, and I dropped my head. Yeah, alright, there's a bit of risk. She continued to stare at , and I sighed. Alright, a fair amount!

She nodded. Excellent. Admitting you have a problem is one of the first steps, according to the books I have read. Tell what youre going to do.

So I told her about offering Empress a place here permanently. How I was hoping to add a truly powerful pokemon to my roster.

Sabrina pursed her lips in thought. That is not a terrible idea. Lance thought it was what you were going for eventually, and I thought you might end up seeing it that way, but I knew you didnt initially make the offer with this in mind.

Thanks, I said, pleased she knew where I had been coming from.

She nodded. Empress might still be hurting, and having her here might help. I would point out that shell never be able to fight at anything beneath an Elite level; however, even then, I would be hesitant to use her as she is a wild pokemon. She will not lessen herself or hold back her punches.

I waved my hand back and forth. Yeah, about that, actually. I was thinking about it, and shes reacted a little too easily to being around other pokemon and people. She hasnt been as aggressive as I would have thought. So of that is due to being fed regularly, I imagine.

Also having Terra and Titan around to help her calm down, but shes too quick to pick up on certain things, like not eating her fellow pokemon. I hadnt considered it, but I wouldnt have been surprised to hear that shed tried. Shes only tried it once, and on what was an uncaught caterpie.

Sabrina tilted her head. That is irregular behaviour. She frowned. How long are Tyranitar known to live for?

I rubbed my chin. Theyre known to live a fairly long ti, honestly. Theyre thought to live upwards of two hundred years old.

Thought to?

I waved my hand back and forth again. The reports I have of them only have a few examples of them staying with a family line. So so of it is anecdotal. Docuntation from before the war was rather lacking, especially in terms of scientific rigour. What is known is that if a trainer attempts to trade them or have another person, deed unworthy by the Tyranitar, inherit them upon their passing, the Tyranitars are known to simply wander off after breaking their own pokeballs.

Hmmm interesting; this opens up another possibility, Sabrina said.

Alright? Im all ears, I replied.

Brock, what happened to the Gym Leader of Pewter before Flint? she asked. That pulled up short. I scratched my chin.

Im not sure? I think he was reported to have died during the war?

Sabrina nodded her head. Would Flint know this?

I inclined my head and gestured towards the house. Sabrina touched , and a mont later we teleported into my kitchen, causing my family to gasp in shock. Flint flinched and knocked a few things around. I grimaced as pots and pans hit the floor.

Oh goodness! Hello Brock! Sabrina! You startled ! said Flint only to flinch as Billy and tilly upended their bowls, deciding to join in on the ga. Sabrina caught their bowls and they clapped with delight.

Sabrinas lips twitched upwards and I had a sneaking suspicion that shed teleported in deliberately. Suzie hopped off her stool and approached Sabrina before raising her hands up. Sabrina lifted her up to hold her against her hip without a hint of strain.

I decided not to chide her and instead coughed. Can I ask you a question, Flint? I said instead.

Yeah! Sure thing Brock! Flint said, suddenly much more upbeat and energetic.

I made a circle in the air, indicating the building around us at large. The Pewter City Gym wasnt always ours; did you know the previous Gym Leader?

Flint blinked and sat back. You want to know about Brock? he said.

I blinked. Uhm what? This was news to .

Flint coughed. Oh sorry! You were actually nad after him. He was a great man! Im surprised more people didnt na their kids after him but Flint shrugged and shook his head.

Salvadore and Yolanda turned their heads from their food. I could practically feel their stares as they drank in this new revelation of Flints history.

I rubbed my chin. I hadnt known his na was Brock what sort of pokemon did he have?

Flint grinned. Oh he had Steelix, Graveler, Pidgeot, Sandslash, and a Tyranitar! He smiled widely at as the others gasped in surprise. You certainly won a lot of praise from the community when they learned youd co back from the Silver Ranges with Titan. Everyone was thinking you were the next coming of him! He laughed. They were sort of right, I suppose!

I nodded. Right... and with his passing, is it possible that his Tyranitar might have taken up a spot on top of the Silver Ranges?

Flint blinked slowly. When he spoke, he did so with careful deliberation. You think Empress, as you call her, is, or was, an old Gym Leader pokemon?

I nodded. Certain things, such as her willingness to allow people around her and the fact she has only tried to eat one pokemon in the entire ti shes been with us, points to a certain level of dostication.

Flint rubbed his chin and nodded. That would make a lot of sense, but shes not Brocks, old Brock that is, pokemon. He had a male Tyranitar and it was confird to have fallen alongside him during one of the worst fights in Pewter city.

Ah, I hadnt seen any records of that, I said.

Flint inclined his head. Again the war isnt sothing that people like to talk about I know a lot of records got accidentally misplaced or worse, so people couldnt avenge fallen comrades when things settled down. He stared off into the distance.

What hed just said made stop and reconsider my previous stance. Id always thought it was shortsighted and ridiculous that so many people didnt like talking about the war, but what if it had been a short-term asure to stop tensions from reigniting? Only it had beco more by the ti the next generation ca around.

It almost made sense after all.

I nodded. Right, well, thanks for that. I had a suspicion about her but that seems to be a dead end.

Flint jolted, realising that he had lost himself in mory. Hmmm, whats that? Oh, yeah, no problem.

I ran a hand through Salvadore and Yolandas hair before considering them. Hey, can you all make sure that the others stay inside? Im going to go talk to Empress and feel her out about sticking around on a more permanent basis.

Both of them perked up, but Salvadore grinned. Thatd be amazing! Then you could be like Lance! Able to throw down multiple powerhouse Tyranitar during a match! Ha!

I chuckled and rubbed his head again. Maybe, Lets not count our eggs before they hatch eh? Ill ask, politely, I stressed before pointing at the ground. "Alright, you hold down the fort here, kids.

Yolanda turned to Sabrina. Youll look after him? Sabrina inclined her head and Yolanda relaxed. I stuck my tongue out at her and huffed before walking around to where Empress liked to camp out in the early evening.

I approached openly with my hands visible. Empress barely looked at ; instead, her eyes were turned towards the lights of Pewter city.

Hey Empress, I said to start things off.

She glanced at and grunted. She tilted her head and made an odd little noise before turning back to inspect the distant lights.

I shuffled back and forth and glanced to the top of the plateau, where I could feel Sabrinas gaze boring into . She was close enough to help if things went south, but not too close to threaten Empress.

I swallowed my trepidation and decided to start talking. Its been almost a week since you first joined us here; I thought Id check in with you. How are you feeling?

Empress claws dug into the ground, and she narrowed her eyes.

Still raw, huh? I said, adjusting my stance in case she felt like lashing out. I worked my jaw and considered how to go about this, I could lead her to water if I wanted to, drip feed her information and give it the right view to

Tar! Ty! she said, gesturing around at the other pokemon that were still out; all of them were part of my fourth badge challenge or greater. She pointed at a Lairon sparring with a Rhydon. She snorted dismissively before waving her hand in a sort of begrudging manner.

I tilted my head. That sort of expression and gesture with Titan would an You think the pokemon around here are pretty strong? I said.

She snorted dismissively and turned her head away only to chuff out a breath. Then she nodded slightly.

I chuckled. Thanks, that ans a lot from you, considering how strong you are. I let a silence grow between us, once more wondering how I should approach this. What was the best way to do it? What could I stomach? I didnt want to manipulate her.

Having a pokemon like Empress on my roster was a very large temptation. I shook my head and decided to work my way around to other topics that I should discuss first. Hey, about today with caterpie, thanks for not eating

Tyran, tar, tyran, she said, shaking her head and huffing. She then glanced around as if looking for anyone else before turning to and bowing her head slightly. Taaaaar, she said with a soft croon that I knew ant she was remorseful of her actions.

This was yet another confirmation that she must have at one point grown up with people to know to apologise. Sure, shed waited until it was supposedly just and her, but shed still done it. That had implications. She was proud, but not too proud.

Oh, uh, thanks for saying that. And dont let it bother you. That Caterpie hadnt yet been caught properly so it might have seed like a wild pokemon.

She shot a look that I couldnt quite understand. grunted and fell silent, her head rising and turning away once more. A thought occurred to , and before I could stop myself, I blurted. You eat many caterpie before? Are they tasty?

Instead of being offended, she got a thoughtful look on her large, scaly face. She made a thoughtful growl and scratched under her chin. She then pinched two claws together and puffed a small fla out of her mouth. She grinned.

I stared and my mouth spoke up once more. You like them when theyre charred? Empress nodded, and I stared harder.

The implications of that comnt alone. She knew how to cook her food.

Tyranitars also couldnt learn Flathrower naturally, and the only fire typed pokemon in the Silver Ranges would have been Rapidash, Magmar, Entei possibly, or Moltres. All of whom had specific reasons they wouldnt want to be caught close to a Tyranitars hunting grounds or vice versa.

Even the implication that she could learn from observations spoke of a highly intelligent mind that usually was only demonstrated in trained pokemon.

Empress Were you a trainers pokemon once upon a ti? I said.

Empress sighed and stared far into the distance, her eyes not looking at anything but lost, much like Flint had been. She nodded after a while. Tar, Tar, Tyranit, tar, Tyran, she started to say. Her words flowed out of her while she gestured. I got a vague understanding that she was speaking of a ti long, long ago.

I narrowed my eyes and considered what shed said. Long ago before you were a Tyranitar? I asked. She nodded emphatically. Before you were a Pupitar?

She nodded again. You were a trainers pokemon as a Larvitar? I asked. She considered this for a mont before waggling her hand.

You were you had a person that spent ti with you? She waggled her claws back and forth before glancing towards a rock face. She started scratching at it only for her claw to bite into the rockface too deeply and crumble it. Empress growled and clenched her claws, causing further damage.

She exhaled deeply in a manner that had to be practised. She then started to trace a light picture that looked like it would take a long, long ti to complete, with how detailed it was.

Empress Would it be possible to ask a friend to link us psychically so you could explain what youre trying to say? I asked.

Empress paused in her carving. She didnt move beyond that for a long minute, during which I held my breath.

Eventually, she nodded.

Alright, Ill call her over, I said, pinging my transceiver. A mont later, Sabrina was at my side. Sabrina, this is Empress; Empress, this is Sabrina, I said. You t back during our fight with that Moltres.

Empress straightened and considered us before nodding. Tar! Tyran! she said, indicating us both and nodding in an approving manner.

Sabrina shot a look. She thinks we make a good couple, I said. In reality, it had been sothing more like a good mate, but it was the sa ssage in the end.

I indicated Empress head. Are you able to draw in your dark energy? Sabrina wont be able to link us otherwi I started to say only for Empress to shuffle herself into Titans ditative pose awkwardly.

She fidgeted in a manner that let know she was far from comfortable.

You can just stand if youd prefer? I suggested.

She huffed in relief and stood back up, kicking her legs out as she did so. Huh, I had never thought how flexible Titan would have had to have been to be able to cross his legs. I pushed that thought aside and gestured to Sabrina.

Alright, so were going to withdraw our dark energy so Sabrina can let us view your mories.

Empress eyed her for a mont before lowering her head and allowing Sabrina to touch her temple. With her other hand, Sabrina reached out and touched my temple.

A mont later, I wasnt standing in the reserve with them but rather in what appeared to be a hut. The wooden walls were rustic and rough, and dirt floors with a firepit indicated that it was an altogether rudintary affair. The stretched skin hanging over the doorway kept the wind from blowing in. There was a table and even a basic hammock setup that was made of wooden sticks lashed together. Everything looked huge, like it was made for giants.

Soone spoke, but the words were unintelligible, and I found my point of view toddling out of the hut. For a mont, light blinded before the point of view shook itself, and a laugh made look up to find a young girl smiling down at .

For a mont, I thought she looked a bit like Yolanda but then I started to note the differences. Her eyes were nothing like Yolandas, her hair was dark, and her attire was roughmore fur and leather than the synthetic styles that Yolanda would wear.

It put in mind of the Hisuan style, but the fur that poked out around the edges didnt match. If anything, it looked sort of like that tribal style that the Pewter Museum had been displaying. The girl reached out, warbled sothing happily, and picked up. I found myself oddly happy at the gesture, and a cry broke out of my lips.

Tar! Larvitar!

Ah, so this was what it was like to be in a pokemons mories. I looked around and was surprised to find that there was an entire village atop a mountain that was all too familiar.

Another shout had the girl turning and jogging towards a larger hut that she quickly entered. The girl bowed to an older woman and then marched down a tunnel that led to a cavern with a large mural that was also familiar. This had been Empress nest!

The mory faded then, and I found myself blinking, suddenly back in the reserve with Sabrina stumbling and Empress snorting and shaking her head. I reached out and caught Sabrina. Hey, are you alright?

Sabrina rubbed her head. No, Empress lost control of emotions at the sight of the mural and her dark energy spiked and ejected . she eyed . Are you not no dark energy wouldnt have hurt you.

I rubbed her temples gently. No, it didnt hurt at all. It rely disoriented .

I eyed her. Still hurts? She nodded and pushed herself into my hands. I chuckled and continued to massage her head. I turned my head towards Empress, who was shaking her head.

You were a pokemon that lived with the tribe that lived in the mountains?

Empress stopped shaking her head and looked at . She nodded her head. I whistled. So youve been in those mountains a long ti?

She considered with narrowed eyes. Sabrina tapped on the cheek. Dont call her old; shes not that old; the impression I got was that her mory was not that long agopre-war yes, but not ancient.

But the tribal village I saw was said to be ancient, I pointed out.

Empress tilted her head in a confused manner. I huffed and scratched my head, considering Empress. Any chance you could tell us why the tribe left?

She made a twitching gesture that had tilting my head. I glanced at Sabrina, and she shook her head. Empress shifted testily and lowered her head once again. Sabrina linked us once again, and I found myself falling into a mory.

Fire, so much fire.

In the skies above the burning village a Dragonite pack flew overhead, only for a roar to echo from Mt Silver and a very different pokemon to erge. Bodies lay about the village. I had a mont to recognise a Moltres erupting from the mountain.

The mory vanished once again. Sabrina stood to the side, lowering her hand. I put my own hand on her shoulder. You alright?

She nodded. She didnt want to go any further and raised her energy much slower this ti. Empress looked to the side, her pride no longer there. I felt like I had more questions than before. What had the pack of Dragonite been doing there? Wild Dragonite were only down near Vermilion, not in

Unless they werent wild Draognites but rather trained pokemon. Id co to Empress to try and make sense, but I found myself with more questions than I had started with.

So, you were that girls pokemon I take it then?

Empress nodded her head. I sighed and kept myself from slumping. So you set up your nest, waiting for her to co back? I said. I was reasoning out her history. So, shed been part of a tribe that probably didnt use pokeballs/ Sort of like Fiore. And theyd co into conflict with the Blackthorn clan.

Empress frowned and tilted her head. She eventually shook her head. Instead she reached up and traced a line down her cheek. Crying? I said.

She made a so-so gesture.

Sabrina put a hand on Empress body and looked up at her. The girl didnt make it, Brock.

Oh I said. So she stayed there because?

It was safe at first, I imagine; she would have struggled at first, but then she would have grown strong. Sabrina rubbed the Empresss body lightly. She rembers the girl sotis. She stared up as Empress turned her head. She rembered the girl when a young boy asked her for her son.

I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. Oh, well. I paused when I realised Empress was also looking away sheepishly. We caught each others eyes and I chuckled. She gave a hesitant smile of her own and relaxed.

I shook myself. Right, well, that answered a few questions. I wanted to check in with you honestly. Youre happy here, yes?

Empress glanced around and considered the reserve, the various pokemon about, and the view. She slowly nodded. Tar, she said, allowing a small smile to show on her scaley face.

Right, well, if you want, you can stay here; I have no issues housing you, but I also wanted to offer another idea I had. Empress glanced at ; her eyes locked on mine. I held her gaze. Im looking to go into so serious fights in the future. Fights at least as serious as we were against Moltres.

That got her nostrils flaring.

I wont be going against Moltres, but there is almost a guaranteed chance of my having to face the pokemon that caused Moltres to awaken like it did.

She growled and jerked her head. Tar!

We learned that its na is wtwo, and it is a pokemon that a criminal organisation used to raid the Silver Ranges. They also did what they did to get to . They knew Id co up to check on you and used that, I said.

Sabrina blinked in surprise, and I realised Id let slip wtwos na. Had I told her before this? Sabrina rely nodded, accepting the information. I ntally felt like Id dodged an interrogation.

Empress frowned and considered that. She then gestured from to her.

I nodded. Now, I could ask you to stay here, and youd be great as a threat deterrent. Youd ward off many of the threats that might co after , but I want more. I clenched my fist. I need more if Im going to face down wtwo.

I stretched out my hand to her. Empress, I want you to join my team, work with , and help punish Team Rocket for what theyve done.

I locked eyes with her. If you join there are chances I will need to give you orders, orders that you will follow. This would an youd need to train with and my team.

I kept my hand outstretched. Will you join ?

She stepped forward and lood over . Then she reached out with her claws and wrapped them around my hand. Tyranitar, she said firmly.

Sabrina smiled. "Congratulations to both of you, she said. She stepped closer. Empress, my na is Sabrina, Brocks girlfriend. I look forward to training with you soti in the future, and my pokemon will also be training with you. My pokemon will enjoy testing themselves against you.

Empress blinked at this before giving a wide, fanged grin at Sabrina. Tar! she said, accepting the future challenge. I grinned and patted her on the chest.

Alright, well, we train before the sun rises, usually. Titan is the leader in this. You co out tomorrow and join us, and well start from there. I grinned up at her. Its going to be funny watching you work with him. Mother and son, neh?

Empress nodded, a pleased expression on her face. She then gave a considering look. With a single claw she reached up and flicked a sharp edge into one of her joints. A red line appeared a mont later and I blinked only to stiffen when she reached out and traced a line of blood straight across my cheeks and nose. She then flicked the blood off, spraying .

Uhm? Thank you? I said, uncertainly.

Empress clapped on the shoulders and waved her claws around my head in a circle. Tar! she barked before nodding once more. She lowered her head and licked on the forehead. She then turned and marched off.

Sabrina inspected my face. It seems she has accepted joining your team, and decided to adopt you in turn.

So it would seem. I touched my now very wet face. Does it look as bad as it feels?

Sabrina considered seriously. You have the biggest Miltank lick with how your hair is sticking up... and Im not kissing you until you sanitise your face.

I snorted and nodded. Thats fair.

I trundled back ho, only to find my family waiting for in the lounge.

Are you wearing make up? Suzie asked, even as Flint blanched at the blood on my face.

No, Empress did sothing symbolic to show she accepted . Hang on- I need to change clothes and clean myself off. I got changed and then returned once I was clean. The kids hounded about how it went and I told them shed accepted but that it was a secret they werent to share around. Tilly and Billy giggled as they made shushing gestures at each other.

Timmy then announced that he wanted story ti, much to my other siblings ire. I decided to tell them their bedti story in the lounge room. Hooray! shouted Suzie. Munchlax! cheered Munchlax. Everyone got comfortable with Eevee claiming Yolandas lap while Nanny Grav handed out hot chocolate. I rubbed my chin and considered what story to tell them.

I smiled. Long ago there was a little Larvitar, I said to start things off. Terra perked up and the kids beca spellbound as I told them the story of Empress.

The next morning, I got to enjoy watching the mont when Titan noticed his mother had joined us. He shifted nervously and approached her subtly. My ears twitched as they broke into a discussion, only to break apart. Titan stepped up to and stared at with the most betrayed expression. I was confused until I noticed the other pokemon were snickering to themselves.

Yolanda had to break off as she burst into giggles at the by-play.

I shrugged. Sorry buddy, shes strong, so I made an offer. Shell make a great addition to the team. I shot him a look. If youre worried about having to order her about, dont be; I need to work on her with regards to that before anything else.

Titan huffed and I got the feeling Id missed the point of what was annoying him. He shook it off however and instead considered his mother as she copied Bertha doing so stretches. Titan nodded slowly, a conflicted look on his face. He then leaned in. Ty? Ranitar? he said, flicking a claw from himself to her.

I considered him. Whos stronger?

He nodded seriously. I snorted. Itd be close, but I think youd beat her in a straight match, but dont discount her. I imagine shes got more than a few tricks up her sleeve. Out of anyone, Bertha is the most at risk of losing her spot as second strongest, I said, pitching my voice so that Bertha heard .

Bertha paused in her stretch and looked over at Empress. Her grin widened, and she pumped her fist in mock threat.

I snorted, it seed if anything, Bertha welcod the challenge. Empress straightened up and then looked from Bertha to Titan. She barked sothing, and Bertha blinked before waving her hand back and forth before laughing.

Titan looked like he wanted to crawl off and hide.

I humd. Did she just say that shed test Bertha as a worthy mate for you?

Titan nodded, his face in his hands. I chuckled. "Well, I'm sorry that I didnt consider the team dynamic before I made the offer.

Titan sighed and shoved before barking out an order and having everyone fall in for the morning run. I took off with them, tapping Empress as I passed her. Yolanda, catch up! I called to my sister, causing her to run after .

When the warm-up was done I grinned. Alright! Yolanda, let Terra down, were going to work through Simon says! Empress! Follow along; this is part of the training to get used to commands that might be given.

Yolanda gaped. Brock! Shes a fully evolved pokemon! You cant play Simon says with her!

I grinned. Its one of the basic drills, but that just makes it all the more important. I nodded to Titan. Alright, start up the others.

Don, whod been nearby, laughed and shrieked at us in a jeering manner. Empress narrowed her eyes at what must have been a taunt. I grinned. Well, if Don was going to offer himself up like that I could start things off with an order that Empress certainly wouldnt mind following.

Alright! Everyone! Simon says! Whip around like were using Iron Tail to smack away a pest!

I spun on the spot and was amused to hear a dull thwack. When I turned back, Don was still sailing away, and Yolanda was gaping. Terra fell on her backside, giggling.

Empress snorted, more than happy with herself. I grinned.

Alright, one small step to having her follow my orders. It would take a while, but it would be so gloriously worth it to be able to use her in a high-end pokemon match.

Or throwing her out against Will.

That would be just desserts for that sneak. By the ti the mornings training was over, I felt like Id made so significant progress with her. I tapped her on the side and pointed to the back wall of the Gym. Ill have the matches for the day projected there. Yolanda, youre on Gym duty today instead of school again, yeah?

She nodded Yup! No school for this week!

"Huh, I said, getting an idea. I think I want you to sit down with later when Will fights against the Cerulean sisters. Lots of people are writing them off, and while I dont think theyll win, I think we might learn sothing if we watch the fight.

Sounds good! she said enthusiastically.

I grinned. We might as well set up the back screen for us to watch it with my Elite Team

Oh! I like that! Yolanda said.

Nice, I said before considering sothing else she could do. "Also, do you think youd be alright with no gym battles for today?

At her curious expression, I elaborated. I want you to sit with Empress and explain what we do and why certain moves are good or bad. Also, explain to her what were doing; I dont want her to think Im weak with how so of these matches will go.

Yolanda nodded seriously. I can do that Brock! she said, turning to start talking with Empress.

I chuckled and wrapped an arm around her. After breakfast, little sister, after breakfast.

I walked with her back to breakfast, feeling much more upbeat about the future that was to co. While I didnt think the Cerulean sisters match would amount to much, that didnt an I couldnt keep the motivation high in my team.

If anything, seeing Will fight would motivate them further.