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"Right. Here," Aden said as he took Mareep and Raticate's Pokeballs out to hand them over. "Uh... one question, though. Would there be any chance that I could speak with either of them while they're being checked up?"

"Hm? Uh, okay." Aden was curious of who Blizzard needed to call, but he figured it was something that was best left without trying to find out. There were surely reasons behind it. He quickly followed after the nurse to avoid any listening in.

"Yeah... they've still got a ways to go. Though for Mareep, I just did catch her, so I think the spar shook her up more than I thought." Aden answered. He wasn't too surprised to see that he wasn't the only one to make a similar request, but seeing some of the Pokemon there... yeech. He could only hope his own didn't get in that rough a shape.

"I can imagine." Aden remembered how it was when he first caught the other three he had with him. It was generally easier on him, at least with Poliwhirl and Nidoran. Raticate, on the other hand, was a little rougher, what with being ordered by the same person that led to his being poisoned. But the reluctance was overcome. Then Mareep... yeech. He felt he'd need to work on actually easing future newcomers into his party.

Watching her walk off, he nodded. "Oh, right. Thanks."

Raticate was used to it himself, if only a little. However, unlike Scizor, who could easily do what was needed, he had to do a little bit of climbing. Nothing too difficult.

Mareep, on the other hand, would arguably have things differently. As a good gesture, Aden opted to get her onto a bed beside Raticate for ease. It'd allow her to be closer to eye level too. When she saw Scizor not too far away and shrunk back, a hand was quickly put on her. "It's fine, Mareep. He's just here to get checked up himself. Are you alright? I know that had to be a bit much for your first battle."

She looked around for a second, a little nervous. Aden couldn't blame her. "If you want to talk, go ahead. I don't think the other Pokemon are going to run anywhere to relay what you say."

"Ma... mar eep?"

"What, the other people? They might understand a little." Aden shrugged. With him paying closer attention, understanding her was quickly becoming second nature. "But they wouldn't say too much on it either, I don't think."

He could hear a sigh of relief as she decided to speak. To Aden, it roughly amounted to "Why send me to fight that?". Further speech relieved him a little, finding that she did still want to stay, but it left the question unanswered.

"I know you need the experience, more than any of the others with me. I should've tried to ease you into it, though, instead of letting your debut be in a spar against someone coming from further up in the gyms."

"...reep?" Gyms? The heck was this?

"Ah, sorry... it's these places where Trainers- someone like myself or some of the others in here- go to test theirselves. In addition, it's a test for their Pokemon and the trust both share. Some opt to apprentice at them, though, but I dunno how that works."

What came next sounded more like a confused bleet. If there was any word spoken, Aden didn't quite catch it. He went to try and clarify, but another voice spoke up.

"(They work for the forces of evil! That makes Trainers superheroes!)"

Aden and Mareep both shared a confused stare, looking at Raticate. "What?"

"(But Jackie sounded mean. He must be evil!)"

"No, Raticate, he's not evil. Not everyone's like those people we've seen before starting the gym circuit." At this point, he realized just how accurate those Unown were, and it was more than a little eerie to him. "Anyway... Mareep, I know it's a lot for you to take in, but you'll figure it out in time. You'll get that experience, trust me. Who knows, you might really be able to give Scizor a run for his money."

That idea scared her a little, but if he was going to be better about it... maybe it'd be a little more worth being torn away from what was familiar to her. She had already helped Aden anyway, so this made things somewhat even.

"...Ma reep."

"Alright? Good... here, I'll stick around, okay?" At this point, Aden thought, anything that'd assure that they could count on him as much as he could with them would be good.

"Ah, okay. Uh..." Quickly, Aden moved a little to ensure he wouldn't get in the way. "There." Then, looking to Blizzard, he shrugged. "Not really. I think Mareep will be alright, though. It's just a matter of getting used to thing now." He answered.

"He beat me to saying it." Aden spoke up seconds later. He wasn't too surprised to see Mareep take the berry without any complaints, knowing that it had a little of every flavor in it. With it being able to help speed along recovery as well, the trait was probably a good thing. "But... yeah. I know tackling the gym right after that probably wouldn't be good without at least some practice... say, Blizz, if you don't mind me prying a little. Who'd you have to call?"

The first part was good news to Aden. It at least meant that he'd have a good chance of attempting a rematch today. The other... he couldn't help being just a little afraid. He knew that he'd inevitably be getting there sometime. But the fact that he'd ultimately be fighting the teacher of his teacher was going to be rough. Never mind the fact that he'd see an even bigger emphasis on ice, one that'd rival a single trip to Snowpoint.

But, he felt that maybe he shouldn't let that fear grow. By that time, he'd be more experienced and more able to hold his own.

"No kidding... and that won't even be the end of it." He finally said, watching Mareep relax.