starpunching | Round 5 [Video]

_{[The feed clicks on to show Mac sitting in Violet City's Pokemon center. He seems to be smiling, but it's not much of a smile.]}

So, uh...

We challenged the Gymleader today, and...Well, we...

We, uh...

Man, we got mowed down like grass. _{[An indiginant "Loom!" from offscreen.]} Oh, uh...no offense, Chuck. _{["Skipskip."]}

I knew we'd be in for a tough battle, but...Man! Even Joe here was totally freaked the whole time. _{[The camera pans down to a nearby Spinarak, who skitters away a little at the sudden attention.]} I guess a bug would be scared of a bird, though. And his butt's been totally frowny all day. _{[He zooms in on the pattern on Joe's abdomen, which is currently in the shape of a huge frowny face.]}

And Rocky's...

Uh.

He ain't takin' this loss so well. He was real confident goin' in to it, but...he's kinda depressed, I think. I...kinda get how he feels. A loss like that can really take it outta ya. Y'know? Especially after workin' as hard as he did.

But, uh, anyway, anybody got any trainin' methods they think would help besides battlin'? Maybe if I can get him back out there, he'll start feelin' better. Usually works for me, anyway.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey, racin' might help a lot, actually! 'Specially since Rock is pretty competitive. Maybe just joggin' ain't enough.

...Power naps...? You sure about that?

Then I say you try it out! It's pretty much guaranteed, heh! It's what I do, and I beat Falkner in no time! [Except not really. Dash, you are not an expert-- stop pretending to be one.

And she nods confidently.] Naps never hurt anypony! And taking lots of 'em between training sessions keeps your team well-rested and all that.

Awright! I think I will!

_{[If one know more than he does, Mac will just assume they know what they know what they're talking about.]}

Hey, yeah, I never thought about that. Ain't no point goin' into a fight if you're too tired right off the bat, I guess.