(OOC:Should Yasumi get more development?")
((OOC: Go for it! Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more development for her, mostly in terms of personality. Is she an insecure individual? Is she prone to be jealous? Does she have a temper? Do it to it!))
"Attention!" said Earl suddenly as Leonidas and Brutus formed a line. Earl had just finished learning about what his Yanma, Joan, could do, and he was impressed. She was deceptively quick as is, but her Speed Boost ability made her so quick Earl had to squint his eyes in order to see her. Now was the time for Earl to lead drills as Judas snapped out of his staring at John. Deciding he had like John, he went to the line, but not before winking at the Zorua Shadow. He then laughed to himself as Joan was confused. What was she supposed to do?
"Hey Joan, line up next to Judas," said Earl as Joan quickly did as Earl told her to. John had said something about his Pokemon lacking discipline, but that wasn't true. The code of honor he had taught to his Pokemon did more than teach them about honor. It taught them about the glory of battle, the need to listen to Earl's commands, and most importantly, to not give up!
"We are going to have a short race. This is to see how fast each of you naturally are. Now, Joan and Judas, you two cannot use Shadow Sneak or Quick Attack. I want to see your natural speed. Plus, I also want to see how good you are on endurance."
Judas let out a distinctive "hmph" while Joan looked downwards, a bit disappointed. "Now then, you guys must race from here to that tree forty yards away and back. Now, get ready. When I say go, you may start."
Leonidas smiled as he got into a sprinter position. Brutus simply braced himself as well while Judas and Joan seemed to not do anything at all. They were obviously not worried.
"On your mark, get set...
GO!" shouted Earl as his four Pokemon took off. The lead was a tie between Leonidas and Joan while Brutus and Judas were neck and neck for third. After twenty yards, it seemed Leonidas gained a bit of speed and went smooth past Joan, who appeared to get mad at this as she sped back up. Judas and Brutus, however, just kept going, not getting tired at all. Once Joan and Leonidas reached the tree, they both seemed to be breathing heavily as Judas and Brutus weren't even breaking a sweat. Heck, they were almost catching up in fact. About halfway to Earl, Brutus and Judas had lined up with Joan and Leonidas... Until Joan suddenly zoomed past them to Earl. Her Speed Boost had kicked in, and she was already back to Earl. Leonidas was now neck and neck with Brutus as Judas made it to the finish line before them. Leonidas and Brutus then made it, coming in at a tie.
"Huh. Well, to say the least, Joan won, Judas got second, while Brutus and Leonidas tied at third, but it seems Judas and Brutus could do a couple more races," said Earl as Leonidas and Joan landed on the ground, tired and sweating while Judas and Brutus wer just standing there, not really doing anything. Deciding that now was the time to call it a day, Earl got Joan's, Brutus', and Judas' Pokeballs out. "You three did good today. Return."
The red light quickly enveloped the three as they went in their Pokeballs. Leonidas, still panting a little bit, still managed to jump up on Earl's left shoulder as Earl put the Pokeballs back in his suitcase.
"So John, ready to head to the hotel? Maybe a place to get some food first? I know of some places we can eat at. There's Monte's Steak and Seafood over on the Quarter. Good stuff man, especially here in Jackson, Mississippi."