Oh man, I am so sorry I didn't get to this sooner, author! I was away at family's for a few days, and let me just say that this was the best present ever in any possible universe to come back to. I don't even know where to start on every part I liked! Wally and May's relationship is awesome; it's cautious and awkward in the way only young Pokemon trainers can be, but you also make it obvious that they really do care about each other a lot. This line: No, you’re not weak. Don’t ever say that you’re weak. She wants to tell him so but she can’t, not when she’s just beaten him with a freshly caught Electrike. was so great! I think it did a great job of encapsulating what it must be like to battle your friends- hard if you win, harder if you lose. (I really like your writing style as well: lyrical and poetic without being over-the-top or sacrificing meaning.)

I also loved the relationship between trainer and Pokemon in this fic. Gardevoir watching over Wally in the hospital was really sweet, and I loved the scene with May and Swampert in the ocean together. She leans against the back of its moist neck and closes her eyes and lets the rhythm of the sea sweep her into a half-sleep and a vague dream of holed chests. is such awesome description!

Basically, I love this fic in every way imaginable, and I am so, so happy you wrote this for me. Thank you a thousand times over, author! <3