"All right... Flicker, gleam, twinkle, scintillation..."

Scintillation is pretty but too long... Gleam has the same problem as Glint... She thinks she likes Glimmer and Flicker best so far? Flicker also makes her sound really fast.

"Flicker's good. Want to go with that?"

"Yeah!"

"She should be an Ellievee too," Intrepid sends to Ellie, chirping.

"Intrepid would also like to extend you an offer of adoption into the Ellievee clan," she laughs.

Shy smile, and - "Yeah. Flicker Ellievee."

Heee! Happy nuzzle! 

"Nice to meet you, Flicker Ellievee."

She laughs and rubs against Ellie's leg. 

Pets!

Purr!!!

Excellent.

They've got a little bit of time in the morning for some last-minute training.

Flicker doesn't want to tire herself out too much, but yeah a refresher can't hurt. 

One they turn out to need, when the battle rolls around. Their opponents are chunky graveler and a trainer who's almost as buff. The trainer's sharp and crafty, and has good synchronization with the graveler, who is abnormally speedy.

It takes a bit of work to set up and pull off the combination attacks that will wear through their defense.

A challenge they're up for!

And in the end, a win well fought.

Heee!!!

Intrepid prances around, laughing.

Flicker's more tired than Intrepid, but - she's really happy, too.

They both did a really good job!

Heee!

She ducks her head and then rubs her cheek against Ellie's leg.

"We should celebrate!"

"Every win deserves it," she agrees lightly.

"Of course."

So off to find something suitably celebratory.

The rest of their time in Pewter passes much the same, with training and library and picnics. Their final challenge match at the gym is a doubles battle, against a sudowoodo and a boldore. Brock himself brings a pair of geodude and an onix. Ellie, Intrepid, and Flicker have to stretch in new ways to overcome those, but they manage it. Boulder Badge in hand, it's on to Cerulean City via the Mt. Moon pass.

Intrepid is bouncing so much the entire way!