Here, Have a Cookie a Pokemon Fanfiction

Noland took me back through the back halls of the Battle Factory at a leisurely pace. This was something I was grateful for, because it gave me a chance to look in on some of the other arenas. It was quickly becoming apparent that this place catered to trainers of all skill levels, if the battles I spied on were anything to go by. Salamence, Lucario, Swampert, Charizard, and many more high level Pokémon that I didn’t even recognize were fighting it out in specialized arenas. There were more than a few trainers here that I recognized as conference regulars, and it only felt like the deeper in we went, the more terrifying the trainers got.

“Legends above, I’ve got a long way to go...” I muttered to myself.

Noland smiled as he stopped in front of a large set of mechanical doors. “Yeah, the eight badge arenas are a sight, aren’t they? It’s always a joy to bring newer trainers through the facility. They get a glimpse of their futures if they keep at it.” Noland pressed a few buttons and the doors started to slide open. “Though this is probably the first time I’m bringing back a trainer this green. Roxanne’s gonna have her hands full with you.”

“So... out of idle curiosity, how strong are you compared to Roxanne?” I asked.

Noland laughed hard at that one. I leaned in, eager to see what kind of answer would bring out this response.

"I have no earthly clue!” Noland said.

I fell forward a bit and Noland only laughed harder.

‘He’s nothing, if not honest,’ Emilie said with a sigh.

‘Painfully so, apparently,’ I agreed.

“Yeah, I don’t remember the last time I actually threw down against Roxy. Neither one of us really ever has time,” he explained. “I honestly don’t know where the Pokémon I threw out against you are at either, I just grabbed the six weakest Pokémon I had on hand. Well, five weakest and Mary, but Mary’s only really scary if we Mega Evolve, so-”

“YOU HAVE A MEGA STONE!” I shouted at the top of my lungs.

Noland smiled. “A few. Mary’s probably going to be mad at me for a while, honestly. It’s been a while since I’ve fought with her without Mega Evolution. Today kind of showed me that I really need to work with her more in her base form. I’ve been slacking.” Noland sighed as the door opened. “My boss is gonna give me hell for losing to a kid like you, I want you to know that.”

“Who’s your boss? Is he a big name?” I asked.

“Nah, Scott likes to keep to himself. Likes his privacy. Though, for all the trouble he went through to design our little challenge, he could stand to advertise it more. Be warned, he might give you a call once I tell him you beat me,” Noland said.

“We drew,” I hastily corrected.

“Someone like me drawing with a zero-badge trainer is as good as a loss. Our private shop is back this way. Can I see your phone really quick?”

Er... well this is embarrassing... I hesitantly reached into my pocket and pulled out my ancient Devon Corp Poke Nav.

Noland didn’t even bother reaching for it. “Please tell me you have something else.”

“Uh... I have my Pokedex.” I hesitantly pulled out my dex and he snatched it from me before I could even see him move.

“I didn’t know you were one of Birch’s. That’s awesome!” He pulled it open and pressed a few buttons. “Damn, this thing is old. How long have you been a trainer.”

“...about a week,” I muttered, more than a bit embarrassed.

Noland stopped and just looked at me. “I don’t believe you,” he deadpanned. “You’re, what, eighteen? Nineteen, maybe?”

“Seventeen.” I corrected with a bit of heat. “I had a late start cause of some home stuff.” I blushed and looked away.

“So, you’ve been a trainer for a week, and you fight like that?”

I heard my dex beep and Noland looked down at the screen.

“Alright, a week. I was beaten by someone that hasn’t even had their Pokémon for a full week. I am never going to live this down. I can already hear Lucy...”

I half wanted to offer my support, but I was a bit offended that he was taking a draw with me this badly.

“At any rate, I’ve gone ahead and marked the other battle facilities on your navigation function. It’s not as clean as some of the newer models, or the smartphones that literally every other trainer in existence has nowadays.” Noland glanced up and glared at me.

I glared back.

“But it will do,” he finished.

“I’m traveling with a friend that has a nice one, I’ll just transfer it over to hers later.” I muttered before walking into the... shop? This didn’t look like a shop. This looked like a supply closet with a teleporter.

“Well, if you want to run the gauntlet while you’re picking up badges, look us up. We offer decent prizes for winning, and you get something really special if you beat all seven of us.” He sounded like he was making a sales pitch.

“Which is...?”

“Can’t tell ya. It’s a surprise,” Noland said, giving me a coy grin.

“Right, and this is a shop. Not a supply closet.” I pushed a little further in and saw an incredibly bored man behind a register. “I stand corrected, it’s a supply closet that was very lazily converted into a shop.”

“Your words hurt. Pick out a TM. Here’s your knowledge symbol. I’ve already transferred the credits to your account. Hurry it up, I want to learn how someone who’s been a trainer for seven days has budding psychic abilities and a mental link with a Ralts.”

Like hell I'm going to tell you, and I don’t have psychic abilities! Well, besides empathy, I guess.

‘Uh... well...’ My brain stopped as Emilie interrupted my thoughts. She pressed her hands together and looked anywhere but my eyes.

‘Alright, you’re going to be explaining that later. I'm too tired to worry about it now,’ I complained.

‘Good, because I’m too tired to explain,’ Emilie said.

“What makes you think I'm going to share?” I tossed back at Noland. “Especially since I don’t have psychic powers.”

Noland gave me a look.

“Besides empathy, that I barely know how to use,” I admitted.

“That last part I believe. Ralts can’t talk to people without some kind of help, though. They aren’t strong enough. Which means you’re helping the process along. Which means you’re also a telepath, at minimum. Now spill. You haven’t been a trainer long enough for your brain to learn your Ralts’s tricks. Were you a natural born psychic?” Noland asked.

“It’s none of your business, so buzz off.” I replied.

Noland stared at me for a bit, then sighed. “Fine. You’re right. I can’t force you. Just do me a favor and be careful, alright? I’ve seen many psychic trainers get lost in their own head or go mad. Everyone looks up to Sabrina in Kanto, but honestly, she’s the poster child for psychics going off their rocker.” He looked at me with a very serious expression on his face. “Find an anchor to pull you back when needed, and always have a friend close by to pull you out of your head. I want to see you go far, kid. You can’t do that if you’re catatonic in a mental institution.”

I winced at the suggestion. “Emilie wouldn’t ever let me lose myself, and I’m traveling in a group. I’ll be fine.”

Emilie nodded along to my statement, and Noland reluctantly smiled.

“Fine. TMs are over there by the way.” He pointed toward the back wall where a giant rack had them sorted by number.

Going over, my heart soared as I saw the number I had memorized from my guidebook. “TM Eighteen. Rain dance. Oh, you have made my day.” I grabbed the small CD case and pocketed it.

“So, to clarify, there’s a secret organization in the back of the Battle Lounge-”

“Factory. Noland called it the Battle Factory,” I corrected.

May glared at me. “Then they should update their registry, and their signage. Continuing, there’s a secret organization in the back of the Battle Factory, where if you beat a certain number of trainers in a row, you face off against a big scary man in a white sleeveless overcoat that has absurdly strong Pokémon. I know they’re absurdly strong because you fought him to a draw. You’ve now been inducted into this secret society, where you get to run a fake gym challenge for fabulous prizes, the best of which you don’t even know what it is, and during all of that, you got enough money to cover your supplies for a long ass time and a TM you’ve been salivating over for the last two days. Does that about cover it?”

I thought for a couple of seconds. “Joern also evolved, but yeah, that’s about everything.” I smiled. “Pretty cool, huh?”

May slammed her head into the table. “Can you please, just... have a normal day.”

I patted May on the head and took a sip of my smoothie. “That sounds boring, so no.” I said without shame.

“Fine, tomorrow we’re shopping though. We have the funds for a whole new wardrobe, so no more hand me downs for this up-and-coming super star.” I blushed at May’s praise.

“Yeah, you two have fun with that.” Oh, so it’ll just be May and I on our shopping trip and why the fuck does that make me so happy?

“You mean you don’t want to offer your bag carrying services, Sir Wally?” May badgered in an attempt to be lazy.

“Pass. I’ll probably hit up the lounge-”

“Factory,” I corrected.

“Whatever. All three of my Pokémon need battle experience. That said, what do you two want to do tonight? It’s still early,” Wally said.

“Hmm... are they doing anything at the contest hall? We could watch a show.” I threw out.

May started swiping up on Sergei. “They host a contest every night at seven.” May said.

“How much are tickets?” Wally asked, leaning forward in his chair.

May winced. “Four hundred. Each.”

Wally sank back down into his chair. “Damn, this place is way pricier than the place in Verdunturf,” Wally complained. “Can’t afford that right now.”

“I mean, it makes sense. Way more people here than in Verdunturf. I can pay for everyone if you guys want to go,” I suggested.

“This humble knight graciously accepts your good will.” Wally smiled.

Well, I assumed it was a smile. It was kind of hard to tell with the mask.

“I haven’t been to a contest since I was a kid. I can’t wait to see what it’s like here,” Wally said.

“Thanks for the offer, but... I think I'll pass,” May said.

What?

“You sure?” Wally asked. “You’re turning down a chance to mooch off Lea? You feeling okay?”

“...I kind of don’t like that we’ve been traveling together for four days, and you already believe her lies.” May was doing her best to look as devastated as possible.

“Gawain and Emilie backed her stories up. Fairys literally cannot lie,” Wally countered.

“Rude. I’m just going to head back to the center and work on training routines for Suzy and Samie. Maybe do some light training with them. You two go and have fun without me,” May said.

I wanted to have fun with you too, though. That’s half the reason I said I'd treat!

“Fine, be a responsible Pokémon trainer. Come on, Wally, we need to head out now if we want to get tickets.” I forced myself to stay as upbeat as possible as I got up, more than a bit unhappy that I couldn’t renig on something I suggested.

“Er... coming. Have a good night, May. See you later.” Wally said as I dragged him away from the table. “Lea, slow down. I can’t run that fast.”

I stopped as a crushing realization sunk in.

“Where’s the contest hall again?”

Wally groaned as he pulled out his phone.

“...and our seats should be, ah! Right here,” Wally said.

I was only half paying attention as I took in the massive auditorium. Not sure if Wally really needed to be super concerned about us being in exactly the right spot, we weren’t all that close to max capacity. At least I’d get to enjoy the extra clearance for my arms. Hell, Emilie could have her own seat.

‘Your shoulder is plenty comfortable, thanks.’

Damn.

“I figured this place would be more filled. The Verdunturf Hall was always packed,” Wally commented.

“I mean, it's early in the season and there’s more to do in the city than there is in Verdunturf. I can’t imagine the price of entry endears it to most of the trainers here for their first badge.” I still couldn’t believe that vendor tried to have me buy Emilie a ticket. “You apparently love contests, and you didn’t want to come because of how pricy the tickets were. Imagine how all the trainers without sugar mamas feel.” I explained.

Wally shot me an amused look. “Did these tickets come with strings attached? Do I have to do a sultry dance later?”

“Depends on my mood. You might just be consigned to bringing me breakfast tomorrow morning.” I said, doing my best to sound as ambivalent as possible.

Wally chuckled lightly through his mask.

“Out of idle curiosity, what’s doing it for you? The oxygen mask, the spindly arms, or the exotic hair color?” Wally asked.

I couldn’t stop the laugh from bubbling up at that. “Alright, your banter skills are up to snuff.” I said with a smile.

“You mean this isn’t casual flirting?” Wally lazily asked.

I suddenly felt very nervous about how to respond. “I, uh... hope this won’t crush your fragile heart, but uh... you’re not my type,” I said.

Wally heaved a sigh of relief and I suddenly felt slightly insulted.

“Oi, I’m a catch,” I complained. I felt Emilie start to shake on my shoulder, and a very faint laughter filled my left ear.

“No offense, Lea, but you scare the crap out of me.” Wally said.

The laughter got louder as Emilie stopped trying to hold in.

“Excuse me!?” I shouted. I got a few shushes from other people in the hall.

“It’s not anything bad, it’s... you can be a little intense. It’s intimidating,” Wally explained. The auditorium started to dim. “Oh, shush. It’s starting.”

Am I scary? I don’t think I'm scary. I’m a god damn delight!

‘Of course you are, honey,’ Emilie said.

“Hello everyone, we’re so happy to have you join us today! We have a host of twenty coordinator’s today at this rookie level event, so thank you-” Yup. Rookie level. Ugh. Why did I do this to myself? I idly wondered how many of these appeal rounds were just going to be Zigzagoon trainers trying to wow us with a tail chasing act and trying to appeal to the cuteness factor.

Gag.

‘Hey Emilie? I’m going to meditate for a bit, could you pull me out if anything interesting happens or Wally needs me?’ I asked.

‘This was your idea, you know. I don’t care what the motive was, the least you could do is pretend to watch for Wally’s sake.’

I scrunched up my nose as the first trainer sent out a Zigzagoon.

‘I... suppose I could watch for you,’ Emilie said.

'Thanks, just... play the highlight reels for me later in my head so I can share it with May.’ I suggested.

Emilie nodded before turning and sending me a suggestive smirk. ‘You do realize-’

‘YES! I GET IT! YOU’VE MADE YOUR OPINION KNOWN! PLEASE STOP BRINGING UP SOMETHING THAT’S NEVER GONNA HAPPEN!’

Emilie winced.

I didn’t know I could yell through the mental link.

‘I’m sorry.’ Her voice was quiet as she looked away.

‘Don’t- you didn’t do anything wrong. I just... let me meditate in peace, alright? We can talk in a bit,’ I said, feeling guilty for reacting like that.

I glanced up at the stage and they had moved on to a Poochyena. Yeah, I wasn’t missing much. I closed my eyes and let my mind take me back to the bakery. Nothing had changed.

I needed to fix that.

Meeting the suit and our adventure into the forest came to mind. I did that with May, so let’s just take a seat at her table and... let’s make some cupcakes that are decorated like mushrooms. That’ll work.

Then there was the incident this morning. I could feel my cheeks heat up just thinking about it. How embarrassed we both were. How... nice... it was.

A stuffed Tediursa doll formed on the table.

Moving on. We have an appointment. I looked over to the calendar hanging off the wall behind the register, and the seventeenth got marked down for a gym battle.

Next was my fight with Brendan.

After he flirted with May.

The dick. He was less of an ass this time, but I still can’t stand him. A Mudkip voodoo doll formed on the dart board next to the entrance.

It suddenly occurred to me that I still hadn’t gotten up from the table May was sitting at. An urge struck me.

The point of having a memory palace like this was to remember things. I could finish this later. I smiled as the contents of the table changed. There was a cupcake with a candle, a braid, and a brownie.

I grabbed the braid.

The room shifted and my mind recreated the scene. May and I were hanging out in her room. She had somehow managed to convince me that I would look fantastic with braids.

I think I was just trying to get a break from Eve and jumped at the chance to get out of the house. Oh, legends, I looked so young. This was an earlier memory than I thought.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Young me asked.

“Duh, braids are easy. I’ll show you how to do mine after,” Mini May offered. “Your hair is so long. I'm surprised you don’t have someone in your family do this for you. I imagine your job would be easier if you had your hair done up.” A ponytail and a hair net’s all you need. “What twelve-year-old has a part time job, anyway?”

Damn, she was a bit of a brat back then.

“I doubt Eve would take the time out of her day to braid my hair,” Mini-me grumbled.

Fuck I was stupid. Eve didn’t HAVE time in her day.

“And it’s a fulltime job, thank you very much.”

“What about your mom?” I winced at the shout of pain from Mini-me. Yeah, I remembered that wince. I pulled away from May and she ended up pulling my hair. “Hey, careful.” Mini May said.

“I... my parents... Eve’s all I have.” Little Lea explained.

Mini May blanched. “I'm sorry, I didn’t-”

“It’s fine.” They didn’t say anything for a while.

Fuck, why was this in the happy memories bundle, this was-

“You can share mine if you want,” Mini May offered. “Dad’s like, never home, but I know Mom would adore another daughter.”

“That’s... that’s not how it works,” Little Lea said sadly.

“Why not? Look, I’ll bug dad about it later. Of course, you’re going to have to come over more. You can’t be part of the family if you’re camped out in your room reading manga all the time,” Mini May said.

“What if I camp out in YOUR room and read manga all the time?” Little Lea asked.

“Final offer, WE camp out in MY room and read manga all the time,” May smiled.

“Deal.” They smiled at each other, and the memory faded.

Fuck, was I crying?

As much as May poked fun at my dork side, she was an avid participant when she wanted to be. I remembered dozens of read parties, and later watch parties happening in that room.

I remembered dinners with the whole Maple family.

I remembered so much.

That conversation happened years ago, but it felt like it had happened yesterday. This... this was half the problem I was having. Over the years, May had done so many random, amazing, wonderful things that didn’t seem like much at the time. But now... an entire relationship spanned out in front of me. Hell, it was literally sitting right across from me. I wanted to reach out, but... I couldn’t.

Emilie suppressed my ability to feel fear, but I wasn’t sure how well it worked here. I was terrified to reach across the table. To even say it. But I knew I needed to. I had to be brave.

“I... I’m in love with my best friend, and I have no idea how to deal with that.”

“What?!”

The world shifted as a foreign voice pulled me from my thoughts. The bakery disappeared in an instant, and I stared, wide eyed, at a very surprised Wally.

“D-did that come through out here?” I asked, my eyes wide as they darted around the auditorium before resting on Wally’s surprised face. “You didn’t hear anything,” I commanded.

“The hell I didn’t,” Wally whispered loudly.

“SHH.” Wally turned and glared at the random spectator.

“Screw you, this contest blows. Look, we’re going to get out of here. What you just said is WAY more important than this.” Wally got up and urged me to follow him.

“I didn’t say anything.” Deny. Deny everything.

‘He’s not buying it.’ Emilie commented.

I slumped down in my seat, defeated, before getting up and following him out of the building. We stopped in front of a secluded oak tree, and Wally turned to me.

“Alright, so... I’m guessing you didn’t think you were just going to blurt that out. What were you doing?” Wally asked. At least he’s starting with an easy question.

“I meditate. It helps me organize my thoughts. Emilie showed me how, and it makes remembering things way easier. Ever heard of a mind palace?” I asked.

Wally shook his head.

“It’s a mental construct. You make a place in your mind that has significance to you, and you organize your memories into objects in the palace. I was sitting across a table from May, and I was... trying to process something. I admitted that aloud to try and reconcile my feelings. I didn’t... I didn’t know I’d say it out here too.” I chuckled. “Now I know.” I shot a glare up toward Emilie, who was doing her best to avoid looking at me.

“Well, I don’t get why you shut down in the hall when I heard you. This is great! Right?”

I slumped down.

“Right?” he asked again, looking less sure.

“Wally, this is how friendships get RUINED. I can’t lose what May and I already have!” I started pacing around the tree as I talked. “She’s... we’ve done everything together. I’ve known her for forever. She’s...” I stopped. “If I say anything that goes away.”

“You’re scared.” Wally stated.

“I’m not.” I literally couldn’t be.

‘Actually, you’re terrified,’ Emilie quipped. ‘The thought of losing May is overpowering the mental block I put into place.’ Emilie chuckled. ‘Considering it’s blocking the trauma from my mom’s attack just fine, that’s saying something.’

“I’m fucking terrified.” I corrected myself.

Wally raised both of his arms up placatingly. “Look, you’re thinking of all the ways things can go wrong here. But what if things go right? I’d think things would point more toward that if this morning was anything to go by.”

I don’t say anything. I just look towards the ground and bite my lip.

“Look, you don’t have to decide on anything right now, but I think you should go for it,” Wally said.

“Wally, I don’t even know if May likes girls!” I half shouted before covering my mouth with both hands, looking up and down the street.

“...I think I know what you need,” Wally said with conviction.

“A lobotomy?” I posited.

Wally shook his head. “A wing man.”

May’s POV

Seven wins in a row, followed by a fight with someone that probably rivals a gym leader in strength. She sighed as she pulled up Suzy’s ball. She was pissed when that brat we fought at the Battle Factory mistook her for a boy. Kind of scared me, honestly. The modified nickname sounded cuter, anyway.

She stopped at five.

Some of the worst trainers in Hoenn, and she could only take out five before stopping. That’s not even considering the auto loss she’d have gotten if she had gotten paired up against Lea.

May tossed Suzy’s ball and smiled as the familiar fire bird formed in front of her. She looked a bit lost as she took in where we were.

“Don’t suppose you’re up for a little training, are you?”

Suzy trilled, sounding confused. May gazed down at Sergei.

“I guess? Kind of a weird time to practice though,” Suzy said. Yeah... It kind of was, wasn’t it?

“You’re probably right. I’m just... worrying about our fight in a few days. And I just know she’s going to go extra hard on us cause of dad.” May said, pushing back the actual reason she wanted to train. That she felt like they were falling behind.

That she was jealous of her best friend’s success, because that made her feel all kinds of rotten inside.

“The Center has a small private field we can use that’s fire retardant. We can work on Flame Charge,” May suggested, a bit nervous Suzy wouldn’t go for it. Another trill.

“Sure.” Suzy turned and looked at the training post. Fire pulsed from her feathers, and she rammed the post.

“Good. We need to boost the muscles in your legs and your endurance, so keep doing that for a bit. I’m going to look up a few more training guides on my dex.”

Though she looked less than enthused, Suzy nodded and repeated the process.

May stopped to look at a rather imposing image of a Marshtomp on her way to Torchic’s entry.

Her fellow sponsee was leaving her in the dust too.

So many of her opponents today recognized her name. The last one bragged to their friends that they had faced down a gym leader’s daughter and almost came away with a win.

Wonder if they’d feel the same way if they saw I was probably the weakest member of our group. Wally could probably beat me, if for no other reason than all his Pokémon trump mine type wise. Especially if Gawain is anywhere close to Emilie’s skill level.

“What am I doing wrong...” May wondered.

Suzy stopped and looked back at her trainer. “Tor?”

“I... Ignore me, Suzy. My head is in a weird place right now.”

Suzy didn’t ignore me. Suzy just trilled a few more times and looked at her expectantly.

‘Lea doesn’t even need an intermediary; she can just talk to all her Pokémon- the fuck am I thinking.’ May shook her head and scrolled down through her chat logs. ‘She literally got mentally violated and I'm fucking jealous she can talk to her Pokémon? What the fuck is wrong with me.’

“You sound like you could use a friend. Where’s Lea and Wally?” May read.

“They’re watching a Pokémon Contest downtown. It... didn’t really interest me.” Liar. It sounded like a blast. “Come on, we need to work on this.” May tried changing the subject.

“Tor!” Suzy stomped her foot down and glared at me. She trilled a few more times.

“Over the last week, I’ve watched you do lord knows how many stupid things for no other reason than to hang out with Lea. We’re partners. You’re clearly not feeling great right now. Just tell me. Let me help.” The chat room disappeared for a second as a digital face formed on the screen and gave her a single nod, before returning to the chat room.

Apparently, Sergei agreed.

May stayed quiet for a long time. Suzy opened her beak to say something else but May raised her hand.

“I’m a terrible friend, and I didn’t want Lea to see that, okay,” May whispered just loud enough for Suzy to hear.

“Tor?” Suzy tilted her head.

“Lea did something amazing today. She took a special challenge at the Battle Factory and won. I should be happy for her.” May smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “She’s living her dream right now, putting everything she has into making this journey amazing to make up for lost time, and I’m fucking jealous that she’s doing better than me. What kind of shit friend does that make me?” May got louder as she went.

“Tor. Tor chic.” There were a few more trills in there. May doesn’t look at Sergei.

“I met another Birch sponsor today.” Suzy stopped as I started talking. “He was the one who took the Mudkip. He was incredible. Lea beat him. He’d probably wipe the floor with us.” May felt a few tears form on her cheeks. “Why does it feel like we’re getting left behind? Like we’re standing still? It must be something I'm screwing up, because you and Samie are amazing. So why am I such a shit trainer.” Suzy reared back and looked at May like she was nuts. She opens her beak a few times but can’t think of anything to say. May still hadn’t looked at Sergei, despite the several repeated pings. Sergei was being rather insistent.

Suzaku turned and glared at the post sticking out of the ground. Her feathers glowed with more heat than they had before, and she slammed into the post with all her might.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Each time, she felt more heat. Like she was pulling on a fire she didn’t even know she had.

May was still crying.

Again.

Again.

“The fuck you mean you’re a shit trainer!”

The post cracked, and Suzaku glowed white.

She rose to May’s height, and the fire she felt from before grew. Her gait widened, and she felt strong. Stronger than she had ever felt before.

May had stopped crying. Suzy turned away from the broken training post and saw a wide-eyed May staring at her.

The tear lines pissed her off. The newly evolved Combuskin looked at her new arms and pulled her fist back.

She very lightly punched May in the shoulder.

“Don’t ever talk about my trainer like that again! Or the next punch will have some heat behind it. The antlion and I are awesome cause our trainer is awesome, and don’t YOU FORGET IT! Sergei you better put that last part in all caps!” May read. She scrolled further up, and her eyes started to water again.

“You...” May surged forward and pulled Suzy into a bone crushing hug. “I know you just yelled at me for talking down about myself, but your trainer’s an idiot.”

“Busk.” Suzy returned the hug before pulling away. May’s smile was doing a great job of improving her mood.

“I don’t even have to look at Sergei to know you’re agreeing with me. Look at you! I won’t be able to carry you around anymore, I hope you know that.”

Suzy nodded once.

“Suzaku... thank you.”

Suzaku’s beak pulled back a bit in what May assumed was a grin, and a small trill left her mouth. May looked down at Sergei’s screen.

“Anytime.”