ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

-Gets snapped out of his thoughts-

Good morning DS.

So, how are you today?

Fine, I guess. I've just been thinking about my upcoming battle with Fool.

Hmm... Yeah. I wish both you and Fool good luck in the finals.

Alright, guys...

-Is currently addressing all of my mons.-

Now that we're out of the tournament, I probably shouldn't be going around with seventeen Pokémon with me. Seeing as it's against the rules and everything...

-Naturally, my team starts to look worried.-

Jello: <Does that mean you're sending some of us back, then?>

...Yeah, sorry. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed having you guys around. But it's rather hard keeping track of all of you. Especially SOME Pokémon, who have been causing a lot of trouble recently...

-I give Hallow, Crowley and Phantom a stern look.-

Hallow: <Oh sure, discriminate against the Dark and the Ghost types, why don't you.>

...It's not your types that's the problems, it's...Oh, forget it.

Celestia: <Have you decided who's going to stay, yet?>

Not yet, I need a few minutes to think about it before I decide. You guys can do what you want until then. But be warned: If you get into trouble in that time, I'm DEFINITELY sending you back. Understand?

-My Pokémon nod.-

Great.

Thanks DS.

Sometimes I wonder...

Hallow: -Floats over to Phantom.- <We need to do something.>

Phantom: <Eh?>

Hallow: <Me and you. We need to pull the biggest prank possible. He's going to box us anyway, so we might as well go out in a blaze of glory, eh? What do you say?>

-Phantom remains silent for a few seconds.-

Hallow: -Tilts head.- <Well?>

Phantom: <No.>

Hallow: -Is shocked.- <No?!>

Phantom: <I can't>

Hallow: <What? Why not?>

Phantom: -Turns away.- <Because...I don't want to get boxed.>

Hallow: <Oh. Why not?>

Phantom: <...Claudandus. He needs me.>

Hallow: <You mean Fool's Zorua?>

Phantom: -Nods.-

Hallow: <Oh, come on! He doesn't need you! He's not even yours!>

Phantom: <So? That doesn't mean anything! The thing is, he needs me to raise him properly. His parents aren't capable.>

Hallow: <Really?>

Phantom: <Have you not seen them?! His father is a mute kit, and his mother's a blob! Hardy fitting parents if you ask me! And don't even get me started on that awful Hecate. She's a jerk, even by our standards.>

Hallow: <And you aren't?>

Phantom: <I'm pretty certain she may have killed before.>

Hallow: <...Jeez.>

Phantom: <So, as much as I would like to cause some trouble right now, Hallow, I can't. I have more important thing to do.>

Hallow: <Grr! Darn it, Phantom! Get a hold of yourself!>

-Pause.-

Hallow: <Imagine I just slapped you.>

Phantom: <...Fine. OW! Jeez! what was that for?!>

Hallow: <Your hormones are out of control! You're forgetting what's important here!>

Phantom: <...No. I haven't forgotten. The truth is.> -Turns away.- <I've only just found out.>

... Something on your mind, Tagg?

-wakes up in hotel room-

-yawns, then notices that Ian is missing-

-looks around room for him-

Ian: -Jumps out Of closet- SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!

What the- Oh Right...Today's my birthday....

Ian: -gives Star a makeshift party hat-

-looks at hat- Thanks, I guess.....

Ian: I'll get you a better birthday present later. So, what are you going to do for your birthday?

...I don't know. I have off today, so I guess I could go out for lunch or something. -Sighs- Come on, let's go go get breakfast. -heads downstairs with Ian-

Just so you know, today is not my birthday. My birthday was on July 4, but I was too busy celebrating my birthday to come online, and it felt weird bringing up my birthday the day after.

Oh? I was just thinking about...stuff.

- Nods -

Oh, I see.

Nothing related to the tournament or the business with Dialga though.

-walks into hallway now wearing the hat. Ian is following her. They walk past Ds and Tagg-

- Nods -

Oh.

-Looks over at Star and Ian-

Happy birthday.

-Decides to talk to Dintel and Algira about how to take care of the egg for the remaining one or two days until hatching; Meanwhile, Maekrite slowly finds his way back to the Pokécenter, avoiding any Starly in the meantime-

I don't think I told him when My birthday was.... It's probably the hat.

...Thanks.

You're welcome.

-Turns to DS-

Sometimes I feel like there's something...different about me, you know?

- Tilts head slightly -

Different?

Not related to being a Soul or being autistic, but something else. Like that feeling I get whenever another researcher is in the immediate facility.

Hmm... Interesting.

-wakes up and watches the battle Sunny recorded from her bed-

Oh wow. So Tagg's gonna have to fight his girlfriend in the finals? That must be rough.

Sunny: <Not really. It's just friendly competition, right?>

Yeah, but, you know, big tournament and all. Hey, wait a sec. Do we even know what the prize is for the winner?

Sunny: <I haven't heard anything about that.>

We should ask the others then. Come on, let's go.

-walks out into the hallway-

-feels like this is a conversation she shouldn't be involved in-

...I'll see you guys later. Good luck with your battle, Tagg.

Thanks Star.

-Watches her leave-

I think I may have...nah, couldn't be. Could it?

-walks past Star in the hall-

Oh, hey Star. What's with the hat?