7:55 AM

They arrived at the school just in the nick of time. Kids were streaming into the courtyard, eager to get into the warm building. Some of them walked with Troy and Merrick along the fence, petting the Mamoswine's tusks and asking what subjects he had today. He pulled to a stop just outside of the gate.

"Will you be all right by yourself now?" Troy asked as he pulled down the storm cape.

"I'd better be," Jim joked, "or else I should quit being a Pokémon Trainer altogether. What about you? How're you fixed for the rest of the day?"

"Merrick'll come and get me after he drops you off at Daniel's," Troy reassured him as he swung down onto the rope ladder — carefully. One rung was missing, thanks to the claws of the one of the Sneasels. "I only have school until one o'clock."

"What about lunch? Sorry I ate yours. Do you need money?"

"I'm okay. I'll share with one of my friends."

Jim shook his head, chuckling. "You know," he said as Troy straightened his backpack, "I meant what I said about you being a Pokémon Trainer. You're clever, you're mature, and I think you and Merrick make a great team. And you're old enough; you should think about making the journey one day. I mean, Snowpoint City is right there. Who knows, you'd probably beat Candice before me. At least you have the wits to actually make it there!"

Troy smiled. "Okay, I'll think about it. If I decide not to... Maybe I can help you get there."

"Haha," Jim said. Troy patted Merrick's side, and the Mamoswine headed off down the road, his footfalls throwing up a light shower of snow. Jim waved at him, and Troy waved back, watching until the two turned the corner.

Then, he headed into the courtyard, following his classmates into the school. Despite what had happened this morning, he felt ginned up — he couldn't wait to tell his family all about it. Pap had told him and Ellen plenty of stories in the past. Now he had one of his own.

But first he had another challenge to overcome. As he stepped into the warmth of the entry hall, he muttered to himself, "Twelve times nine... One hundred and eight..."

End

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Completed: April 17, 2020

Word Count: 6,684 (14 MS Word Pages)

Entry for Pokemon Watty Awards 2021