Stop-And-Swap

Serena stood in front of her Delphox, Pancham and Sylveon as she said, “Okay, I think we’re ready for our next Showcase. Pancham, you’ve really gotten better at timing your Ice Punch in our routines. “Cham, Pancham!” Pancham said with a grin. “And Sylveon, your Fairy Wind’s gotten more dazzling! Let’s try adding more dance moves in our next routine to make it really shine!” “Syl, Syl!” Sylveon said with a backflip in the air. “Yeah, just like that! Delphox, I think we need to practice some of your Psychic moves; I feel like they would really wow the audience if we could combine a Psychic with your Mystical Fire. “Del…” Delphox said with a slight hesitation in her force. “Don’t worry; I’ve got an idea,” Serena said as she held up a dark pink crystal on a pendant. “I got this a while back and figured it’d be perfect for you. It’s called a Psychic Gem, and it should help you get control of your Psychic abilities.” Delphox seemed hesitant, but accepted the gem and put it around her

“I hope you’re ready, Hinata; you’re about to get some real training!” Anko Mitarashi said as she stood in front of Hinata Hyuga in the middle of a more secluded training ground than others in the village. “Um…what kind of training, exactly?” Hinata asked, clearly nervous about being with one of the more outgoing and brutally honest people she’s ever known. “Listen up, ‘cause I’m only gonna say this once! I’ve been tasked with a mission; to toughen you up!” Anko said as she raised her fist in the air. Hinata gulped as she asked, “And h…how do you plan t–” “I’m gonna beat some confidence into you!” “A…Actually, I appreciate the concern, but I think I’m doing just fine,” Hinata said with a nervous laugh, unnerved by Anko’s use of the word “beat.” “Oh, ninja training’s only half the story; there’s other areas of your life I’m gonna be focusing on.” “O…Oh? What did you have in mind?” “First, we’re gonna get rid of that stutter,” Anko said with a grin. “It’s cute, but if you keep

Hinata Hyūga sighed as she sat on a park bench in Konoha. She watched the other couples walking past as she thought of her own situation. She felt tears threaten to fall out her eyes as she remembered all the times she’d thought about confessing to Naruto but couldn’t find the courage to do so. I’m so pathetic! Why can’t the words come out when I want them to?! I wish I knew what to do!! “What’s up with these weird fliers all over the place?” Hinata looked up to see a couple walking by holding a black flier with a strange circle on it. “Do you know what this is about?” the man asked his partner as they walked past “Don’t know, don’t care,” the woman said, taking the flier and tossing it aside. “You’re the only one I want to focus on.” “Oh, come on; you’re not the least bit curious?” “Forget it; it’s probably just some Academy student’s stupid idea of a prank.” As the couple walked away, Hinata picked up the discarded flier and looked it over. This looks too complicated to be a

“AGAIN? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!” Chi-Chi stormed outside her house following Goku, who wore a startled expression on his face. “Wha…what are you upset about now?” “How many training trips are you going to go on before you finally decide enough is enough?” Chi-Chi asked, a look of concern painted on her face. “Chi-Chi, this isn’t a training session; I swear!” Goku said, putting on a smile. “I was just going to help Broly, Cheelai and Lemo start a farm on Vampa so they can have more sustainable food!” Relaxing her posture a little, Chi-Chi asked, “And you’re sure there’s nothing else you plan on doing?” “Of course not,” Goku said, his grin growing wider. “Broly’s got a whole month to go before we’re ready to spar again; then we can really see how far Whis’ training is tak–” “And how long before that causes some other threat to take you away from us again?” Chi-Chi asked, immediately getting in Goku’s face again. “I can’t stand not knowing if you’re going to come back to your family or if

Issei Hyoudou took Rias Gremory’s hand as he led her off the train from Kyoto. “And here we are; back home in Kuoh Town!” “Thanks, Issei; I had a blast in Kyoto!” Rias said as she gave Issei a hug. “Glad you enjoyed yourself…” Issei said as he hugged Rias back. Noticing the hesitant tone in his voice, Rias asked, “What’s wrong, Issei? Did you not have fun?” “No, it’s not that; I had a blast! It’s just…I’m still not used to…you know…” Looking down at herself, Rias had to remind herself that she had used a spell to switch lives with Asia, so now she had a body that was still developing curves. Giving a little twirl so that her sundress twirled with her, Rias winked at Issei and said, “What’s the matter? I can’t be cute while I look like this?” “No, no; you look absolutely gorgeous; a total babe-next-door! It’s just…” Rias pouted as she said, “You miss me having massive breasts, don’t you?” “I’m sorry; I just can’t get used to you missing your sweater puppies!” Issei said as he