float like a vivillon, sting like a combee (dojo)

[Gardeon]

[dojo]TWBfbKbX

[Susanna Rosenbaum]

Brock had done so well in his last training session. Sure, most of it consisted of Sue rocking the zigzagoon to sleep and then encouraging him to use Sleep Talk, but that was good! At least, it was good in Sue’s eyes. Then again, his team could do no wrong from his perspective. Anyone who remained by his side as loyally as his pokemon did deserved so, so much…

Like becoming plenty strong! Brock was a promising pick for both contests and gym battles, so Sue hoped to train him up well. He settled the sleepy fairy-type on the dojo’s floor. Brock let out a little yawn, pink tongue and ivory teeth gleaming.

“Hey, little buddy,” Susanna cooed, scritching all along Brock’s chin and cheeks. “We’re gonna practice today, okay?”

The zigzagoon let out a growling purr in acknowledgment. He would rather sleep… But, if Sue wanted, he’d try, at least.

“Can you show me your Leer?”

Brock’s gaze locked onto the human. Mustering up a bit of venomous intent, he made his expression more steelly.

Sue grinned. “Oh, I almost shivered in fear! Good job!”

The zigzagoon squeaked at the praise.

“Now… How about Sand Attack?”

Brock tilted his head, looking along the floor. It was pretty clean… And, yet, instincts called for him to scratch around on the floor. He dug. He knew he should be flinging something with this effort, but there was nothing to send flying and this was tiring! He flopped over from the effort of it all.

The coordinator cooed, picking up the little normal type. “Oh, so tired! Good job, buddy!”

TRAINING BROCK THE SHULIAN ZIGZAGOON

[Gardeon]

[dojo]TbjLCH6h

[Susanna Rosenbaum]

Disarming Voice was a fantastic move, Susanna thought as he reviewed the pokedex. Who wouldn’t like to listen to the charming coos of a pokemon, nevermind one as cute as Brock was. The coordinator felt pride swell in him.

He hadn’t done particularly intense training with the zigzagoon yet, just taken him to the dojo regularly like other people more serious about their pokemon did. And, already, he was seeing proof of the little normal type’s growth! He scratched under Brock’s chin, listening happily to the contented, rumbling purrs of the badger-like pokemon.

“Do it again,” Susanna encouraged. “Show me your Disarming Voice again.”

“I’m tired,” Brock argued. As if to punctuate his complaint, he opened his little mouth wide in a yawn. His tiny teeth glinted in the light. He licked his pastel muzzle after. “I’d like a nap. Let’s go home. I want to nap on your bed. With the radio, please.”

“Once we’re done with what we have to do today,” Susanna promised. “My savings as an officer will only last so long. And…”

His dreams of creating other art were not yet realized. The things he wanted to write were still just concepts. And, it wasn’t as if those would be enough to feed them for a while. But, professional training ventures did bring in funds. So, they had to focus on that.

“And, we need to practice. You never know when there’ll be a contest. We’ll have to at least try.”

With a pouting whine, the zigzagoon pointed his snout away from his human partner. His voice was high and thin; if his vocal cords developed more strength, he’d likely be able to shatter glass! But, for now, it was enough to rattle the training dummies.

His bushy tail wagged when Susanna petted his stomach as a reward for his efforts.

TRAINING BROCK THE SHULIAN ZIGZAGOON

[Arcanine]

[dojo]bhDIcirA

[Susanna Rosenbaum]

Putting the entire censer on Koda would be a little ridiculous. It was cumbersome. But, bathing the woobat in the smoke often enough to retain its effects was very doable. It could be just another step in Koda’s care routine: wash, dry, oil wings, and perfume with Odd Incense.

“There.” The coordinator waved away the last of the smoke.

The odor was sharp but pleasant. It left the man feeling alert. It was something like peppermint, but not nearly so inviting. All in all, he could understand why the scent would invigorate and empower a psychic type. Or, at least, a pokemon who knew psychic type moves.

The woobat fluttered his wings. The incense clung to him! It was a luxurious feeling and suddenly he wondered why he hadn’t asked for it sooner. He felt grateful to be Susanna’s partner. The man took such good care of him.

“Feels good!” Koda squeaked.

“Awesome. Let’s try Confusion with it!”

As requested, the woobat centered his focus on the training dummies. With a grunt of effort, he used Confusion! It rattled the training dummies. The rattling was more severe than normal.

“Well, it’s certainly effective,” Susanna noted. He grinned and tickled the pokemon’s belly, catching his starter when the woobat giggled and fell into his hand. “Way to go, Koda!”

TRAINING KODA THE WOOBAT

[Gardeon]

[dojo]qTEM|1kL

[Susanna Rosenbaum]

The odor was unique. Sue had to admit that. It was like nothing he’d ever smelled before. It was more of a feeling than a specific scent, really. It invigorated him, made him feel focused and sharp. He could only wonder how it made Koda feel.

Today’s dojo visit was started off with the same routine as before. Koda’s soft fluff was brushed out, his wings oiled, and finally he was given a smoke bath with the Odd Incense.

“Let’s try again,” Susanna encouraged. “I think you’re on the cusp of a breakthrough.”

The peppermint-like perfume clinging to the flying type made Koda fly with more vigor and purpose. He smiled, tiny fangs poking out behind his lips. “Confusion, right?”

“That’s right. Confusion.” Sue grinned. “You haven’t got any other psychic-type moves… Yet.”

Happy to obey, Koda focused on the wooden training dummy. Its smooth surface cracked under his supernatural night. The cerebral strength splintered the wood finely. Pricking points of wood jutted out as if the object had been clasped with some invisible hand. It was all shallow damage, nothing that couldn’t be buffed out with sanding and a good new layer of stain, but it was sufficient to satisfy Susanna.

“Good job!” he praised.

Koda giggled and flew into his arms to be petted.

TRAINING KODA THE WOOBAT

[Gardeon]

[dojo]nCya8HyU

[Susanna Rosenbaum]

This one didn’t fit in at all. Eugene shifted uncomfortably. Wasn’t Koda bothered by this… new acquisition at all? The rest of the team was so… so warm and soft-looking. Not to mention very cute.

The woobat, meanwhile, looked on all of this with contented obliviousness. If Sue was happy, so was he!

Said coordinator squatted at the edge of the room’s pool. “There, this suits you just fine, Minilla.”

The feebas surfaced, gazing up at his trainer. “... It’s a little empty,” he confessed. “I feel too exposed.”

“Really? Hm. Maybe we’ll try visiting a river. There’s rocks and logs in those.” Sue had been meaning to get out of the city for a while, anyways. It could be a little adventure for the whole group! “In the meantime, let’s see your moves!”

The feebas Splashed.

Eugene watched in horror. No! No, no, no! Not only was Susanna wasting his time with that ugly thing, it had a worthless move!! How were they going to win contests with that fish on their team?! The furforu hunkered down, whimpering and whining. He could just barely tolerate Susanna’s attention being on Koda or Brock, but this was insufferable.

What if whatever was in that egg was worse…?

The feebas then breached the water, running his fins along the sides of his trainer. Susanna at once burst into laughter. Minilla had used Tickle!

The coordinator caught the fish, hugging it close as his giggles died down. “Oh, wow! Not bad! You need lots of training, but that’s a good start! We’ll get you show ready in no time, li’l buddy!”

TRAINING MINILLA THE FEEBAS

[Arcanine]

[dojo]OMRBuysw

[Susanna Rosenbaum]

“So, I’ve been thinking,” Susanna explained as he yanked the teaser toy out of Brock’s reach again.

The zigzagoon huffed and puffed, neither used to this much exercise nor enjoying it.

“I want to take on a gym. Well, I’d like for us to take on a gym.” He plucked up the panting Shulian pokemon. “Once we’re ready, of course.”

Brock grunted and whined. That meant more work.

“Don’t worry, there’s no rush. And, I’m thinking of a strategy that will let you relax throughout your battle. You’ve got such a nice voice,” he praised. “You should be able to use it… And, Rest.”

Brock sniffed in confusion. He did not know that move.

“I’ll save up and have the move tutor teach it to you. His prices are pretty reasonable. I’m trying to focus on setting you guys up nicely. You guys and Mom are my only real priorities right now, so it’s easy enough to focus.” He frowned. “Though, I am thinking about getting a part-time job just to help.”

Brock huffed, getting comfortable in Sue’s lap.

“For now, just try using your Disarming Voice. I want you to get nice and strong.”

That was easy enough! The zigzagoon opened his mouth, howling out a harmful little melody.

TRAINING BROCK THE SHULIAN ZIGZAGOON

[Gardeon]

[dojo]lb3nt8Fh

[Susanna Rosenbaum]

The visit to the dojo today was more like a little party. Sue had seven pokemon now. That was enough that he needed to use a PC! Maybe he should start looking into getting property for them… His little apartment just wasn’t going to cut it anymore. He’d successfully gotten a part-time job, too, but would he really be able to save up enough with that alone…? Not to mention his mother’s needs. She was getting older and less able to do her job herself.

Problems for the future. Right now, Sue wanted to celebrate the newest addition to the team.

“Welcome, Adeen!” he cheered.

Koda and Minilla copied Sue’s sentiments. Brock yawned a greeting. The egg was, predictably, silent. Eugene was quiet, considering Adeen. He’d known her from back on the Fox estate and had not been expecting to see her here.

Adeen took the mixed welcome in stride. She knew joining a team could cause mixed emotion, but her new trainer and over half of her teammates liked her well enough. She could work with that!

“I’m soooo glad to be here,” she Howled in delight.

“What was that?” Sue asked, intrigued by the melodious little sound she’d let off. “That was amazing! Reminds me of the calls lycanrocs make!”

Adeen’s tail wagged. “Well, that’s not too far off… I could show you my Roar, too?”

Sue, Minilla, and Koda encouraged this with approving murmurs.

All too happy to show off her voice, Adeen let out a Roar. It was powerful and steady; her lungs were well trained and the tone was just right! Very loud, but still good!

The egg wiggled.

Sue perked up. “Oh? It reacted to you.”

“You don’t say?” The growlithe sniffed. “It should be ready to hatch… Maybe it’s shy?” She stood proud. She knew about eggs! She’d seen plenty enough back home. “I’ll see what I can do to help you with it. In the mean time… Could I Howl for you all a little more?”

“I’d love that, Adeen,” Sue encouraged. “Have at it.”

TRAINING ADEEN THE GROWLITHE

[Gardeon]

[dojo]MwuLQnNb