Are you tired from the battles fought?

[Hey, here's someone who hasn't made his own post in a while. Seriously, Ironhide, you need to get on this Badge-Collecting business. You're so slow.]

[Regardless, he flicks the 'gear on as he exits Ecruteak's gym, in the process of pinning the Fog Badge to a pocket inside of his coat. ... A coat which he still manages to wear in the middle of summer. Go figure.]

[Dog the Growlithe runs around his feet, clearly pleased with herself. After a moment, he crouches -- his knees popping -- to pat her. Awkwardly.]

Cliffjumper. Got the badge. We can roll whenever you are ready.

[He pauses, regarding the 'gear thoughtfully.]

Which leader gets to challenge my team next, hmn? None of them have stood a chance, thus far.

[Apparently one of the other pokemon have switched the 'gear on, because Ironhide isn't looking at it. He's deep in conversation with a Squirtle. Napalm can be seen half-curled around them on some cleared bit of grass at a park.]

I checked. You should have had the cannons weeks ago.

[The Squirtle looks up at him, and bounces a little, its face going ":D". The cheeky little bastard. It's been holding back. Likely on purpose. Because it totally knows why Ironhide got it.]

[He eyes it, sourly. It waves to him.]

Fine. You be that way.

[Ironhide turns, as if to walk away.]

This just means we will have to train harder in the meantime...

[The Squirtle blinks, and its big eyes get even bigger. Then its little face scrunches up in concentration.]

[Shortly thereafter, there is a flash of light. It clears, and the Squirtle has EVOLVED! The Wartortle looks up, and Napalm nods to it. One more frown later, and there's a second flash of light.]

[Ironhide's level 45 Squirtle is now a level 45 Blastoise. It growls something triumphantly, and then lumbers after its trainer.]

[And before the feed cuts out, Ironhide can be heard:]

... knew that would work.