The rhythmic pounding had stopped, but Naomi hadn't noticed. It was the persistent tug on her sleeve that drew her out of her deep concentration. She shook her head and blinked.<br/><br/>'Tai was at her side, making excited little noises. He wrapped the tip of his tail around Naomi's wrist and tugged.<br/><br/><span style="color: #6495ED">"You want me to see something?"</span>Naomi stood, careful not to disturb her work, thin cables linking the shattered pokedex' insides with her little handheld computer.<br/><br/><span style="color: #3399CC">"DratinI"</span>, 'Tai replied, almost bouncing as he tugged her towards the other end of the training field, where Makka stood with his arms crossed and a faintly amused expression on his face.<br/><br/>'Tai looked to see that Naomi was watching, and then nodded to Makka. The machoke chuffed, hiding a grin and pushed a stake into the ground, just enough so that it would stand up.<br/><br/><span style="color: #6495ED">"So, what's going to happen?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #3399cc">"Dratini!"</span>He circled the stake, and looked up at Naomi again to make sure he had her attention. Then with a churring grunt, he whipped his tail around in a fast, powerful blow and drove the stake into the ground, just about halfway in one hit.<br/><br/>'Tai looked pleased with himself, and gazed up at Naomi for her reaction. She'd twitched back in surprise.<span style="color: #6495ED">"That's quite the feat, 'Tai. You learned to do that all in one morning?"</span><br/><br/>"Ma-cho-ke." Makka confirmed as 'Tai bobbed eagerly. Naomi pulled 'Tai into a hug.<span style="color: #6495ED">"Congratulations!"</span><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>