"La-chee..."
A low cry sounded outside the tent.
Yong's eyes snapped open. Seeing a tall, dark silhouette cast against the tent, he finally shook off his sleepiness and hurried out of his sleeping bag.
Who else but Swampert could approach the tent without setting off an alarm from Excadrill, Roserade, and the others standing guard?
On the other side of the tent, Qingcao also climbed out of his sleeping bag, his eyes bleary with sleep.
"Teacher Yong?"
Yong slipped on his jacket and said with a smile,
"Swampert's back. If everything went well, your new partner should be here too!"
"Really!?"
Qingcao instantly perked up, a delighted smile spreading across his face as he scrambled to his feet.
Outside the tent, Swampert wore a good-natured smile as he greeted Excadrill, who stood guard outside the two tents. Roserade stood nearby, curiously studying the little one perched on Swampert's shoulder...
A tiny Mudkip, clearly not long out of the egg!
The two tents opened almost simultaneously. Yong looked at Cynthia with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, did we wake you?"
Cynthia shook her head instead.
"No. Unless I'm at home, I'm a very light sleeper. Besides, I'm a little hungry..."
"..."
Yong chuckled.
"Got it. I'll cook you a late-night snack in a moment. Swampert's back too, so the timing's perfect."
Cynthia smiled and nodded.
Yong led Qingcao over to Swampert and patted Swampert's arm. The boy nodded knowingly.
"Your muscles are tense, but they're starting to relax. Swampert, did you fight the leader again?"
"La-chee!"
Swampert grinned and raised a hand to scratch his head, imitating Yong with a rather goofy look.
"Hahaha! How did it go? Did you win?"
"La-chee!"
Swampert raised both arms and flexed his bulging muscles like a strongman, lifting his head proudly.
"La-chee..."
*(It was a