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"Not particularly, but if Whitney has a second Miltank, I don't think even a team of fighting Pokemon would be enough." Aden said. "I know what happened last time I underestimated. I got beat around by a Ditto, and watched my Nidoran gain a permanent hoofprint on his head before he evolved."

"Yeah, I learned that the hard way after yesterday... oh." Aden went back to the counter in a hurry, getting his Pokemon back and thanking the nurse. As he returned, he withdrew a couple of TMs from his vest. He already had an idea in mind for what to use and who to use them on.

"I think I know who to use these on, if Nidorino and Raticate are up for it." He answered. "Might just have its uses, even if it's not in the gym." After he had enough distance, he let the two Pokemon out.

"How are you two after all of that? I know Eusine kinda had his way with you, Raticate, then that other one on Nidorino..."

Speaking of, his Nidorino huffed. "(Could be better, could be worse... if I see another rampaging crocodile thing, it'll be too soon.)"

Raticate, though not saying anything, nodded. He was fine, mostly.

"Good... here, I've got something for you two. Nidorino, you're familiar with this, right?" Aden asked, holding up one of the TMs. Specifically, a gray-colored one.

It was enough to make him step back. "(Ohhh no, not that again. My horn isn't a spindle!)"

"It was the only way I could... eh, here." He figured to toss it to him, though he didn't count on the center of the disc-like object passing through the horn. Whether Nidorino wanted to or not, his horn was going to be its spindle and the TM was going to spin. It wasn't long before it stopped and was spent, though, the Pokemon a little dizzy from the endeavor.

"(...Why the horn? And what was that?)"

"Uh... Secret Power, I think. It's kinda unusual in how it works, but I thought it'd play off your strengths better."

Nidorino looked a bit confused as Aden plucked the used TM, watching him go to Raticate with the other. Unlike the gray one, this one had a greenish hue. "Now for this one... ah. Hold still."

Raticate's eyes grew, wondering what the heck Aden was thinking as the TM was applied to his forehead. Somehow, it spun too, but it didn't seem to cause any harm. After a bit, it too was spent.

"(And that one?)" Nidorino asked.

"U-Turn. Was holding onto that one from Bugsy. How do you feel, Raticate?"

"(Ooooh, this is awesome! Now I can be all swoosh, then woosh, then they...)" Raticate just chattered on and on after that, leading Aden to wonder what he had wrought.

"Yeah, I think we're good." Aden said before recalling the two. While Raticate was still going on, no less. "I don't think I'll understand Raticate anytime soon."

"Can't be any worse than some of sis'." He retorted as he started walking. "You really don't want to know what goes through her Tyranitar's mind... or sis' for that matter."

"I was gonna say she's more like a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing, but that works too." Part of him did wonder what really went through her head, but at the same time, he was eternally grateful he didn't have the same psychic prowess she had. To him, the idea of reading minds was like reading someone's diary in front of them. Aloud.

When they arrived at the gym, he went on inside, noticing that Ryan was seemingly absent from outside. Must've went to get a seat or something.

"Yeah, I kinda got delayed between a washup and a hard place." Aden spoke up as he came over. "But I wouldn't be back here if I wasn't ready."