“And Absol still wouldn’t say much to you?” Gary asked.

June nodded. “Just grunts, really. Barely acknowledged me. But, she doesn’t hate you or anything. I can tell that much. Something is going on with her, I just don’t know what.”

“Well, I’ll leave her with Prof. Oak for a bit until we reach Pewter, then I’ll give him a call and see if he learned anything.” Gary messed with his Pokedex.

“Ivysaur and Absol, then.”

Gary nodded and closed his Pokedex. Immediately, he opened it again, his eyes wide. The time? This thing does tell time and date?? Since when??

“Gary? Something wrong?”

Gary closed the Pokedex and frowned, shaking his head. “No.” He kept his eyes on the stream of water that should have been flowing downhill next to them.

The water had been moving since back when they were in Jaman Village, all the way to River Beach, but having left there and meeting the wooded mountains, there was an abrupt change as the water was frozen there! And continued to be frozen beyond where June and Gary stopped. No clear cause was visible.

Gary eyed June. “You ready?”

She smiled. “We’ve only been waiting on you.” She stepped back several feet. “Mr. Pokemon Master,” she winked.

Gary hid a smile, giving her a sneer instead, though a smirk was visible, which kept June smiling. “Three-on-three.”

“No subs.”

“No time.”

They each tightened a hand around a Poke Ball.

Tyrogue tightened his Yellow Scarf around his neck.

Electivire tightened his two fists.

“Begin!” They pointed at each other.

Tyrogue and Electivire charged forward with wild shouts.

Charizard cheered on from behind Gary.

Blitzle, Rotom, Ampharos, Eevee, Pikachu, Magneton, Manectric, Galvantula, and Lanturn rooted from behind June.

Both Pokemon struck each other, Tyrogue uppercutting Electivire with Bullet Punch while Electivire returned with Thunder Punch to Tyrogue’s stomach.

Tyrogue groaned and fell to the rock ground. He forced himself up, shoving his hands into the ground to move away from Electivire.

“Tyrogue, Counter!”

“Electivire, Thunder!”

Electivire swung with another Thunder Punch as Tyrogue crossed his arms to Counter. With a shout from the two, both Pokemon were tossed back apart from each other and slid on their backs. They got to their feet at once.

“Electivire, you should have Thundered! Counter blocks physical moves!” June said angrily. “Try your Psychic instead!”

“High Jump Kick!”

Tyrogue moved on cue and leaped at Electivire with an extended knee.

Electivire didn’t move, watching, and his missing eyebrows suddenly narrowed. “Lecti!” He was forced through the air and he bounced as he landed.

Tyrogue was on his feet, smiling.

Electivire shook his head and then stood up.

“You see? That’s what happens when you-!”

Electivire looked back at June, his eyes glowing blue.

June screamed as her body was briefly outlined in blue and she somehow was shot backwards! She hit the ground hard on her back, gasping in pain.

“June!” Gary hesitated on moving.

Electivire ran to Tyrogue.

“Ty!” Tyrogue was surprised by this.

Electivire’s tails reached for the Baby Pokemon. The tails sparked.

“No! Tyrogue, Strength! Hold out your arms and brace yourself!”

“Tyrogue!” His eyes were wide with surprise, but he followed the orders, reaching out as his body glowed red.

Electivire’s tails wrapped around Tyrogue’s arms.

“FALL BACK!”

Tyrogue dropped hard, falling onto his back.

Electivire screamed as he was taken off of his feet, his arms and legs waving through the air, and he fell upon his face behind Tyrogue.

Tyrogue struggled to get out of Electivire’s tails, but he failed.

Electivire lifted his head and his tails yanked on Tyrogue.

Tyrogue gasped with Gary and even June, who was just getting to her feet.

Electivire got up and his tails sparked with yellow static. His body was surrounded in yellow electricity.

Tyrogue wailed helplessly, hit by Thunder as his body lit up brightly. Once the attack ceased, the tails released him and Tyrogue collapsed to his face, not moving.

“Alright Electivire, just wait!” June insisted, holding out her hand.

He looked back to June, yelling wildly at her.

June remained staring back at Electivire with determined eyes. “Electivire... Electivire. I’m sorry.”

Electivire growled before looking back to Tyrogue. His eyes glowed blue.

Tyrogue’s body was outlined in blue and rose in the air. His head lifted, and his face tightened. Soon, he was baring his teeth, grunting and groaning. This turned into a loud scream before long.

“ELECTIVIRE, LET GO!! NOW!! I DIDN’T ORDER THIS!!” June begged.

“TYROGUE!!” Gary called. He wanted to order a move, but he knew there was nothing he could do while held in Psychic attack. “Tyrogue.”

Roaring, Electivire used his power to slam Tyrogue into the ground once. Twice.

A loud roar came through the wooded area, and everyone stopped what they were doing.

Electivire released Tyrogue, dropping the little guy, and looked around with everyone else.

Tyrogue groaned as he sat up and tried to see what paused the battle.

“What was that?” Gary asked.

“It was-” June began.

Another roar was followed by a light beam that hit a big tree near the group, causing them all to back away from it. In seconds, half of the tree was frozen!

“An Ice Beam?” Gary turned as something towering and bluish-white stomped into the clearing.

“I knew it! A Pokemon!” June pointed.

Beartic. The Freezing Pokemon and Cubchoo’s evolution. It can freeze its own breath and utilize this for moves like Ice Fang and Blizzard. It enjoys swimming and hunting for Water type Pokemon.

The bear roared and attacked with another Ice Beam.

“VIIRRE!!” Electivire used Thunder to connect with the Ice Beam, causing an explosion that filled the area with white smoke for a moment.

“I’ve gotta catch that!” Gary smiled. “Alright, come back, Tyrogue!” He returned him and ran past Electivire, closer to Beartic. “Let’s go!” He pointed out to Beartic.

Charizard roared and extended his wings, flying past Gary and stopping in the air near Beartic. He blasted the Ice type with Flamethrower right away.

“BEEAAAAAAARRRR!!” Beartic stumbled backwards.

“Electivire, enough!”

Gary whipped around to see a furious Electivire glaring at him. He swallowed hard. “Hey, come on! June doesn’t even catch many non-Electric types!”

Electivire’s horns began to flash.

“COME BACK!” June held out Electivire’s Poke Ball.

Electivire whipped around to June and snarled.

Screaming out, she fell over out of pure fright.

A white beam suddenly hit the ground. Raichu was revealed when the glow faded! “Rai!”

Gary looked at his belt in shock. “Raichu!”

“Electivire!!” Electivire attacked.

The Thunder hit Raichu, but he was unaffected, smiling with his eyes closed tight.

When the move was over, Electivire was looking enraged.

June had a big, wide mouthed smile, looking at Raichu adoringly.

Electivire ran at Raichu with tight fists.

Charizard’s roar made Gary remember what had originally been going on and he turned to see his Pokemon on the ground.

Beartic raised a glowing claw for Slash attack.

Raichu yelled out, but Gary couldn’t pay attention to both of his Pokemon at once! “Charizard, use Fly!”

Charizard rolled off his back and extended his wings, pushing off from his front claws to get up, and soared into Beartic’s stomach, wrapping his arms around the Ice type and ascending into the sky.

That’ll buy me a moment. Gary turned to see Raichu and Electivire fighting.

June was begging Electivire to stop, but he kept swinging with Fire Punch.

Raichu was dodging, fear on his face. “RAAI!” Raichu stopped moving and extended his arms at his sides, closing his eyes tight. In that moment, he was hooked in the face.

“Raichu’s Double Team isn’t working! Call him back!” June told Gary.

A roar from Charizard yet again caused Gary to look back. His eyes doubled at the sight of a second Beartic!

One just landed on its hands and feet, having been dropped from above, while the second was covered in water and flying through the air, forcing Charizard back in a powerful tackle.

The two hit a tree and dropped together, and they got up at the same time.

“A second one? This is too much!” Gary grabbed another Poke Ball.

“I’ve got your back, Gary! Manectric, add a little heat to Charizard’s fight with Flamethrower! Lanturn, Hydro Pump the other one!”

Manectric leaped into the match and attacked the Beartic Charizard was occupied with.

That Beartic was bent over in pain from the heat afterwards.

Lanturn slowly hopped closer to get into the fight, not getting along too well on land.

“Charizard, you’re u-AAAAHHH!!” Gary ran backwards until falling, an Ice Beam from elsewhere appearing right in front of him! He looked off to the side to see a pair of new Beartic rampaging in! He screamed and tossed his Poke Ball. “COUNTER!!”

Tyrogue appeared. He glared at the Pokemon and crossed his arms, his body outlined in red.

The two bears opened their mouths and a white fog surrounded their gaping jaws. Twin Blizzards blew out, hitting Tyrogue.

His crossed arms wrapped around his body as the cold got to him, the red outline vanishing, and in seconds, he was a big block of ice.

“Tyrogue!” Gary reached for a different Poke Ball.

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM BAM BAM BAM!

The two Beartic stumbled back until hitting a tree and they slid down against the trunk. Blood oozed out from different spots, running through their fur.

Gary’s breath was caught in his throat, unable to look away from the two Pokemon. Struggling to make sense of the situation.

“BEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAARRRRRTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC!!!” One of the remaining two Beartic suddenly blasted at the wooded area, freezing more trees and grass.

The other Beartic roared powerfully, running through the trees, away from everyone.

Startled by the roars, Gary grabbed his chest. What just happened?

“Electivire.” Electivire strolled over past Gary and stopped at Tyrogue. He made one flaming fist and burst apart the Frozen Pokemon.

Tyrogue remained on his front, not moving.

“Electivire!” Electivire poked at the back of Tyrogue’s head.

He didn’t react.

“Leave him alone!” Gary demanded. “Tyrogue, thanks for your help. Return and rest!” Once returned, Gary turned to the two motionless, bleeding Beartic. “Someone’s out here. Or some thing.” He looked to June. “Those Beartic...”

“I want to go to them, to see if they’re alive. But what did that to them?”

The two Trainers turned in a complete circle, trying to spot the attackers.

The remaining living Beartic was still shouting at the surrounding environment.

Without making much noise, not even grunting, something in all black landed from the treetops. This being stood tall. A human.

Another thing fell from the top of a different tree. It was another tall human.

They both were dressed in black, every inch of their bodies covered. They looked like ninjas or special agents in the government you’d see in movies. Their eyes were even covered by extended features like tiny binoculars. Some kind of long beam was attached to their backs, its purpose not clear.

“BEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!” Beartic’s body was coated in water and it flew up and curved, headed for one of the two men.

SHWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOSSSHH!!!

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMM!!!!

A big, black object flew from the woods, its back end on fire, and collided with Beartic in an explosion!

Gary turned his back and screamed, covering his whole head as he ducked.

There were screams from Pokemon and humans alike in the midst of this attack.

Was that a missile?? Gary panicked. What was that thing?? He dropped to his knees and looked back.

The air was clouded with all kinds of filth. But not enough to hide the disgusting sight from everyone.

The top half of Beartic was on the ground, blood running into the dirt underneath it. There were scattered remains of messy, disgusting, bloody things unknown, blood also splashed about. Chunks of bluish-white marked other areas.

“Are you kids alright?” The voice came from a third man in black, shorter than the other two, and his head was completely revealed. His outfit seemed more skintight than the others, like spandex, while those two seemed to be wrapped in cloth material. He had no beam at his back, but there was an opened, big black backpack at his feet. This man also had a huge black cannon in one hand, resting it on the ground.

Gary was trembling, unable to breathe straight. He tried to talk, but he wasn’t able to.

“Y-you...” June tried, sitting up from the ground, visibly disturbed. She covered her mouth with one hand and swallowed hard. Her hand moved from her mouth and she pointed shakily at the man with the cannon. She swallowed a second time. “You killed... You... killed! You killed Beartic?!”

“Yes, young lady. Are you alright?” The man left his cannon behind and walked up to June.

“You stay away from me!!” she shrieked, scrambling away from him. She pointed again. “Why would you just DO that??” June looked so sick, Gary was certain she was ready to vomit. “Who are you people?? Why are you dressed like this?”

“You must be in a confused state of shock. You all were in grave danger from these Pokemon who have been rampaging through these parts for a couple of days now. You can see the damage they’ve caused to the environment.” He pointed to the frozen lake.

“That was them...” Gary’s eyes widened.

The man nodded at Gary and then returned to June. He gave her a smooth smile and rubbed at his goatee. “My name is Tyrone. But, please, my friends call me Ty.” He held out a hand to her.

June stared at Tyrone’s face, not moving, her face softening.

“Please. I insist.”

June’s eyebrows narrowed. “You guys didn’t need to kill those Pokemon. Not like that. You... b-b-b-blew up a Beartic! With a m-m-missile! Who just... does that?? They didn’t pose any extraordinary danger. Nothing outside of the normal affairs of Pokemon. We’re Trainers! We have Pokemon to protect us!”

“Thankfully,” Tyrone nodded his dreadlocked head. “And what if you hadn’t? We’ve already had five kids murdered already in this area.”

“Five,” June repeated lowly.

Tyrone shook his head, keeping his hand in the air for June to accept. He closed his eyes. “It hurts me, as a father, to hear such things. To see those kids with my own eyes.” His eyes opened and anger came over his face. “Those could’ve been my children!” he yelled as his hand fell away from June.

June cried out in surprise.

“Do you know how many Pokemon Trainers die a year on these dangerous journeys? And how many of them are just children?!” The man screamed the last sentence.

Gary remembered the member of Team Solace in Pewter City who spoke of the dangers of Pokemon. The similarity was so strong. Could it be? he wondered.

“We’re only here to help you,” Tyrone spoke softly again, his face warming up. He offered his hand a second time. “Come with us. We’ll get you to a safe place.”

June looked to Tyrone’s hand.

What’s she gonna do? Gary wondered. They did save us, but wasn’t that too far? Or... was it?

Loud popping sounds came through the woods, and a distant roar followed before complete silence.

“NO!” June stood up on her own and stepped away from Tyrone. “I don’t trust you creeps. No way! You guys are Team Solace, aren’t you?”

June’s Pokemon were spread out everywhere, watching what was going on silently, but looking ready if given the orders.

Charizard and Raichu were also on the ready, Raichu appearing more timid about it than Charizard.

Tyrone sighed.

His two companions reached behind them to pull out the beams they carried.

Tyrone shook his head and then lowered it. “It’s... really too bad. We could’ve had a nice conversation.” He looked up to the sky. “We could have simply saved you guys! You would have gone home, left your Pokemon with us, and spread the word of the almighty Team Solace...”

Gary gasped as one member approached him, the other going towards June.

“Very simple, kids.” Tyrone grabbed at his sides and pulled out a gun in each hand, pointing one at Charizard, the other to Manectric. “One wrong move, and you may stop us, but at the cost of two Pokemon. Believe me!”

Gary was just about to get up but froze in an uncomfortable position midway. “Okay, okay! Wait! Nobody move!” Gary turned to Raichu and Charizard.

“Please! Everybody stay calm! Don’t do a thing!” June pleaded, looking at her Pokemon.

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All of the Pokemon growled, their eyes on Tyrone.

“Just be still. Please. Don’t make this worse,” Gary went on to the Pokemon.

“Instead of saving you two, and just exterminating your Pokemon, we have to kill every one of you. Instead of being able to save the kids from the Beartic, the Beartic ended up killing them. Seven kids killed, by Beartic.” He grinned at Gary, and then June.

“You! It was you who killed the five?” June burst out.

“NO!!” he raged at her. “This is all the Pokemon!! Team Solace is here to save you!!” He squinted at her. “What the fuck don’t you people understand about that?? How can you not see the good?!!”

“Not too easy when you’re waving guns and-” Gary stopped talking, one of the Team Solace members stopping near him.

The person was smacking the beam into an open palm.

“Trust me, I’d just shoot you both; but Pokemon don’t normally fire guns.” Tyrone snickered.

A man from Team Solace raised his gun, aiming at Gary’s grandmother’s Arcanine.

Another Team Solace man aimed his gun at Gary’s then Charmeleon.

Gary hardened his eyes, remembering when Team Solace came into his grandma and auntie’s village claiming to be stopping a rampaging Charizard they had put under great stress with a device on its back before killing it and threatening to kill their Pokemon afterwards. We can stop them, too, Gary knew. But at the loss of Charizard and Manectric... And maybe more.

The two with beams raised their weapons.

Something white appeared right near Gary, startling him to finally fall back down.

“I SAID DON’T MOVE!!” Tyrone threatened, shoving his guns forward.

The attacker near June looked over to Gary.

The other near Gary swung their beam down to attack!

Tyrogue appeared! He crossed his arms and used Counter! “Rooooogue!” Tyrogue hit the ground on his back.

The attacker’s beam flew back and whacked the holder in the head! This one collapsed immediately.

Tyrogue vanished and reappeared in front of Tyrone, socking him in the stomach with Bullet Punch!

Tyrone dropped instantly.

The other person near June swung on her, June shrieking, but Electivire reached out and grabbed the weapon!

The Electric Pokemon grabbed this person by the throat and gave them a wild shake, the man’s grunts and screams choking out, and Electivire slammed him down into the ground, silencing him. Electivire flexed his muscles, growling.

“Tyrogue, that was-! Huh?” Gary gasped.

Tyrogue’s body was glowing red and he grabbed Tyrone, lifting him over his head, and he threw him. He was running before the body even hit the ground. When it did, he delivered a punch at the motionless body.

Tyrone’s body tumbled at the hit.

Tyrogue then grabbed his throat in both hands and shook him wildly before letting him go and kicking his head.

Tyrone wasn’t reacting at all to these hits anymore.

“Tyrogue, wait!” Gary ran over to his Pokemon. “Hey, that’s enough! He’s done! You’ll kill him!” He grabbed Tyrogue’s shoulders. “YYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!” Gary was tossed back by Tyrogue!

Tyrogue stood on top of Tyrone and took turns with his fists, hitting the man’s face with punch after punch after punch.

“Tyrogue!” June called as she ran over to Gary.

Gary groaned and grabbed at June as she reached him and helped him up. “TYROGUE!!” He ran to his Pokemon again, stopping short at the bloodied face of Tyrone. “Tyrogue, STOP!!!”

Tyrogue grabbed Tyrone’s beaten face and started ramming the back of his head into the ground.

“Gary, he’ll kill him!” June cried. “As wrong as Team Solace obviously is, we can’t fuel their fire with a death like this! Call him-!”

Something large and yellow walked by.

June sucked her teeth. “NO! ENOUGH!!” June raised a Poke Ball.

Electivire’s foot kicked out, tripping June!

She fell flat on her face.

“Whoa!” Gary stared at her and then looked at Electivire angrily. “What are you doing, Electivire?!”

Electivire stopped by Tyrogue and grabbed him by the shoulder, giving him a shake.

“TYROOO-!!!” Tyrogue went quiet, realizing it was Electivire. He maintained his angry face to the large Electric Pokemon. “Tyrogue! Tyrogue Tyrogue Tyrogue!! Tyrogue!!”

Getting up, June gasped a long, sharp, horrified gasp and covered her mouth.

This made Gary’s heart beat insanely, not knowing what was just said.

Electivire nodded grimly. “Electivire... Electivire.” He held out a fist to Tyrogue and nodded again. With a smirk, he spoke, “Electivire.”

Tyrogue looked down to Tyrone and growled, baring his teeth. He then relaxed his face and closed his eyes. He reached out his own fist and connected it with Electivire’s.

Electivire’s fist sparked.

At the same time, Tyrogue’s body was surrounded in a white light, blinding everyone!

Gary stood up instantly, not believing his eyes. “Nooo...” He managed a smile.

June’s mouth dropped wide.

Electivire backed up, surprise huge on his face.

Charizard let out a noise with Raichu as they both watched in amazement.

The rest of June’s Pokemon drew a little bit closer to see this event.

What will he evolve into? Gary wondered as Tyrogue’s body lengthened. He’s so tall... It can’t be a Hitmontop...

The light faded off of the Pokemon, and the new form was revealed. The new Pokemon stared at his hands. The evolved Pokemon stared at everyone, stopping on Gary, and then ending with Electivire. “Hitmonchan!”

“Electivire!” Electivire smiled and held out a fist.

Hitmonchan raised a fist and the two touched.

A huge spark started between the two!

Electivire stared at this yellow jolt that the two shared in disbelief. “Electivire?” He looked at the smiling Hitmonchan.

Hitmonchan winked.

“Ha! No way! Hitmonchan knows Thunder Punch, now! That’s awesome! Way to go!” June cheered.

“Wow! Did he get that from getting zapped all the time by Electivire’s?” Gary laughed.

“It’s possible. Talk about things coming back around. No more getting zapped, eh?”

Hitmonchan and Electivire laughed.

June managed a single “ha.”

Gary pulled out his Pokedex.

But something was coming, and everyone heard it and looked at the trees.

He came out, another person dressed all in black, his own beam at his back. His face was revealed and he looked absolutely frightened as he ran. “TYRONE! SAM! IT’S HERE!! THAT THING-!!”

Something else came through the trees behind the man, but this thing was flying!

Gary became nauseous out of fear, both of his hands pressed to his chest as he saw the monster appear. Her! NO! She’s here!

The monster with the serpentine-like neck, a design in the shape of a diamond on each side. Her black hair was billowed out like a balloon, tiny holes in it like a net. Her eyes. Her creepy, sickening, horrifying eyes that didn’t match up with the skin that should have been around them, made up of mostly dark pupils, the very tips lined with purple. These impossible eyes sat atop her extended cheekbones, which hovered over huge, pulled back lips. Her arms contained a lot of hair, her fingers stretched beyond that of a normal human’s, her nails broken and grown. Patterns in the shape of diamonds went all down the front of her body, her chest and stomach with the least amount of hair, a very minimal amount. Her thick legs contained a lot, basically furry. Her large breasts were in a diamond shape as well, her flattened, black nipples each in the shape of half of a diamond, seeming to make a whole one had they met with each other, but a far darker tone than her already black skin. She descended swiftly, her hair spreading out and lowering itself far down her back, no longer puffed out.

The Master Ball. Gary reached shaky hands down his pockets.

The monster raised one of her hands, or claws, and it began to spark blue. With a snarl, she rammed her deadly hand to the ground, digging into it.

As June shrieked and covered her ears in reaction to the monster’s voice, tiny explosions erupted in a straight line, one by one, until a much larger blow up happened underneath the running man.

He screamed and was consumed in dark smoke. Before the smoke cleared, he had gone silent.

Gary turned to the creature but didn’t move, his left hand wrapped around the Master Ball.

The creature stared back at him, her eyes widening in such an odd way for a creature with such unique eyes.

The hair atop the creature reached out and connected with Melissa’s face.

Melissa screamed at the top of her lungs as her body was lit by the blue lightning, and her body jumped.

Gary exploded in a rage and charged at the beast, pulling his hands from his pockets but still gripping the Master Ball. Fuck this Poke Ball shit! I WANT HER HEEEEEEAD!!! “YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!” Gary jumped at her.

The creature didn’t even flinch, just watching, waiting.

Gary aimed to tackle her by her waist.

The creature reacted swiftly, whipping her arm and backhanding Gary.

Gary grunted painfully, ready to fall, but he was prevented from that as his breath was cut short when the creature used her other arm to reach out and grab Gary’s throat. He choked out as he was brought closer to the being’s own face. He grabbed at her fingers, trying to create space for him to breathe.

The skin of the monster was like dirt! Dry, and it seemed fragile. But it wouldn’t move against his digging and clawing.

He went for her face next, but her grip tightened and somehow, his arms fell to his sides, his energy drained automatically. This hold was powerful and just caused Gary to cease trying lest he be killed in the following second. At least, that was how it felt to him. He struggled to keep the Master Ball in his hand. Up this close, Gary could see the scales of the monster’s neck, truly like a snake. He inhaled repeatedly in response to a scent coming from the thing. It was warm, heavy, like being in a humid environment on too hot of a day, but it didn’t smell bad, just not exactly pleasant.

“Who...?” the thing spoke to Gary. She spoke in multiple voices, the sound crackling in a mix of electricity and fire. A raw, raging energy.

A pained scream from June burst through the air.

Gary struggled just to breathe, staring at the horrible, horrible eyes.

The thing’s hair began to spark blue as it moved, coming alive. She opened her mouth, hissing, revealing her messed up teeth in wild shapes and dirty colors. Inside, a large, fat, pink tongue slithered, coiled, and squirmed as if it were its own separate being.

Gary inhaled and gagged, unable to breathe from the hold and the foul stench from within the monster. I need the Master Ball, Gary knew.

The creature’s eyes went angrier somehow despite no clear indication from what would be shown by eyebrows, as she had none. “Humaaaaan...!” A finger reached up from the hand that was gripping Gary’s throat and a nail scraped against his cheek softly. Her mouth opened and she let out a scream full of static and sharp, ear numbing vocalization.

“LET HIM GOOOOOOO!!!”

The being looked to the source of the shriek, squinting.

June...? Gary thought weakly. Wait... Gary’s eyes shot open wider. June! The monster! Can she understand her? Is something happening? “Whoa!” Gary hit the ground before he realized he was let go! Grabbing his own throat and rubbing it, he realized his strength had started returning! He sat up and turned to see the monster was already in June’s face, but not touching her.

The creature had both hands near June’s face, but she didn’t go any further than the couple of inches apart that she was.

June was quivering hard on the spot, her hands pressed hard against her ears. Her face was tight, a pained look all over.

Her Pokemon watched warily, looking ready to strike.

“Wh-wh-who are you?” June asked, and her eyes closed hard. She bared her own teeth. Panic was taking over her.

The monster’s dark as coal skin went a pure white out of nowhere. Not pale, but a pure, solid white. The red diamond designs on her went even darker. The nipples on the breasts were whiter than the rest of the skin. Her hair on her head remained black, but the rest of her body's hair turned a white-blonde.

Gary blinked rapidly, processing such a sudden change. What the...?

“Speak...” the thing said to June, speaking from just one, but echoing, calmed voice.

Her eyes still closed, June’s mouth hung open as she squeaked out painfully against the being’s voice.

The thing didn’t stop, talking over June’s pain as the girl started taking steps backwards. “Who...? How do you...?”

June’s teeth tightened as if withstanding the greatest headache ever as she let out a pitchy squeak from her throat.

“ELECTIVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRE!!!!” Electivire attacked with Thunder!

The monster was hit, but she didn’t seem bothered by it. She barely flinched! Instead, she turned to Electivire. A smile crossed her face. “Oh?” Her voice returned to a multiple format, floaty like air, gentle and pleasant. She casually walked over to Electivire and stood in front of him.

It seemed that this took Electivire by surprise. His eyes widened, looking the being up and down. Right after, his eyes tightened and he flexed on her, babbling out rage.

June had stopped backing away but kept her eyes shut, leaning over and shaking her head, her hands still blocking her ears.

“Motor Drive.” The monster’s voice was nothing but a breeze.

June was screaming again, gripping her ears now, but she was now watching the monster and Electivire.

The monster reached out a hand, but her hair then sparked blue and reached out, striking Electivire.

“ELECTIVIRRRE!” June reached out with one arm.

“NOOOOOOOOO!!” Gary hollered.

Electivire lit up blue as he twitched, grimaced, howled, bent over, and went all kinds of crazy as he was hurt by the attack.

Hold on, Gary! Gary lifted his hand with the Master Ball.

The creature’s hair then released Electivire and the sparks went away from both.

Electivire fell flat.

Surprised by how soon the attack had ended, Gary gasped. “NNNOW!!” Gary threw the Master Ball!

The Master Ball flew towards the being.

She turned to the ball and watched as it hit her shoulder, but she didn’t react in that moment.

The Master Ball opened midair, sending out a red beam that engulfed her.

Her hair came to life, sparking blue while the rest of her body remained red as the Master Ball made its attempt to capture her.

Her hair struck the Master Ball, thin bundles sticking around the whole of it like several snakes biting the same rat.

BAAAAAMMMMM!!! The Master Ball came down in destroyed pieces of dust and metal.

Everyone gasped at this.

The species was no longer covered in red, freed from the Master Ball’s hold. Her skin had returned back to black.

A huge roar erupted and something big and red flew forth.

“CHARIZARD!” Gary shouted.

Charizard attacked with Flamethrower.

The being knelt down and raised both sparking claws. She then ran them into the ground.

Small eruptions ran along the ground, meeting up with Flamethrower and tearing right through it, finally exploding hugely in front of Charizard!

Charizard wailed out and dropped to his side.

“HITMOOOOOOOOOOOOONCHAAAAAAN!!!” Hitmonchan struck the dangerous creature, flying at her in a new style, delivering a strong punch.

Her cheek smushed up against Hitmonchan’s impact, her head forced sideways. Her eyes shot over to the attacker.

“Monchan?” Hitmonchan gasped.

“GET OUT OF THERE!!” Gary pleaded and held out his Poke Ball, recalling Hitmonchan as the monster swung a fist at him.

She was hunched over now, leering at Gary.

Something large appeared from out of nowhere, landing in front of Gary. Several more of the same Pokemon appeared afterwards, all of them landing in line beside each other.

A few more creatures, each one varying from each other, also popped up, standing behind the first pack of what Gary recognized to be Arcanine!

Sirens blared from far away.

The monster grinned. Slowly, and creepily, she knelt down and waited.

Another line of Pokemon came up behind the second set, looking ready to fight.

The beast nodded and leaped into the air, high into the sky. Her hair billowed behind her and her body sparked with blue electricity as she came to a halt, floating, looking down at everyone. She held out one hand. “You are blinded!” She now spoke with energy in her multiple voices. Fire, sparks!

Several purple and blue beams came down from her extended hand, exploding everything.

*

“So, thankfully, everyone’s alright. On the flipside, so are those Team Solace creeps,” April was telling Gary and June. “Ugh, I can’t even believe they would ruin the word solace like that, you know? Like, how will anyone be able to use that word for it’s original meaning again after those guys?” She shook her head in disgust.

Good point, Gary considered, nodding at her. They’ve truly changed the meaning of that word.

“That one guy your Hitmonchan beat the heck out of. Too bad he couldn’t have taken a few more blows,” April went on.

“All those Pokemon arrived to help me. Arcanine. Greninja, was it? All those others. All owned by the police department from Pewter?” Gary asked.

April nodded. “They’re continuing interrogations, but they said those Team Solace assholes, excuse my language, confessed pretty quickly to taking those Beartic from another region, a very cold area of it, and putting them here intentionally only two days ago. They wouldn’t survive for long up there and were attacking the area out of desperation.”

“As usual. Those guys and their methods are insane,” Gary sneered. “How can they go about trying to prove Pokemon are bad when it’s so obvious they aren’t? And with such outrageous points! Putting Pokemon in positions where they have to attack to prove they’re a danger?”

“It’s a sickening hypocrisy.”

“And that... thing. That... monster that blasted each and every one of us with... whatever those were...” Gary shook his head. “No one has a clue what that thing is?”

April shook her head. “Only you, June, and the Pokemon saw it before the explosions. The police found you all down and out. But let’s think on the positives. You’re safe and sound back here, right?” She smiled big.

“Yeah,” Gary chuckled lightly. “I can’t believe you’re the only doctor in this place. For humans and Pokemon!”

“River Beach would be lost without me. I’m the residents’ everything, honestly. They’re lucky for that, but I’m lucky the population is only eight people.” April laughed.

Gary found it hard to at the moment, even with the beauty in front of him. That bitch tried to kill us all, and while it failed, it also got away. It destroyed my Master Ball, too. So, what does that mean about it? Is it a Pokemon, or not, after all?

“I’ll return later. The police need to ask me some more questions.” April stood up wearing some incredibly fitting black jeans and a white shirt with frills at the top of it.

Gary watched those jeans until they left the room. He then stared at the room he was in, which was occupied only by himself and June, their Pokemon in a separate room being taken care of. Both Trainers were on their own bed and in likely matching pain. Gary groaned and took in a deep breath, letting it out right after.

“Motor Drive.”

Gary turned his head to June. “What?”

She looked at him. “Electivire has the Motor Drive Ability.”

Silence filled the room.

“But that monster hurt him with an Electric move.”

Gary stared at her in shock. “Wait...”

“She used an Electric move on him, Gary!”

Gary sat up, inhaling sharply as his entire body ached, but he ignored it. “His Ability is Motor Drive? Isn’t that what she said?”

“What she said? Gary, what do you mean? You know I can’t hear that thing out. What did she say?” June’s voice was becoming panicky.

“She said... Motor Drive. She said Motor Drive before she...”

June gasped, her eyes showing horror. “Before she zapped him!”

“But, how can you be sure what type of move was used, though?!” Gary couldn’t accept this. Maybe he heard wrong?

June shook her head. “I’m an Electric Trainer, Gary. I know an Electric move when I see one. I mean... I’m pretty sure that’s what it was... What else could that have been?”

“But Motor Drive protects from Electric moves! It turns it into Speed!”

Nobody spoke.

What is June trying to say? Gary thought. She can’t be thinking straight right now! After some rest, when we leave, we can discuss this again. But what she’s claiming is just... Impossible! “So you didn’t hear anything again?”

“I only heard... pain. This persistent digging like a jagged spoon trying to scoop out something deep, deep inside. Just...” Her hands waved around as her eyebrows narrowed. She dropped her hands to the bed and shook her head before looking to her friend. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not making any sense.”

“None of this makes sense.” They both went silent, having just said the same thing at the same time.

June managed to smile.

Gary remained solemn but looked away, just in case. He sniffled. “We can’t give up. Your differing reaction to her compared to me must mean something. Maybe...” Gary stopped talking. Maybe... if we keep running into the thing, it’ll get easier for you to be around. Maybe, if she’s some kind of new Pokemon, it’s just hard for you to... Gary didn’t know how to finish that thought, but he knew he didn’t want to say it to June. He didn’t want to upset her. He didn’t want to even consider running into this damned freak ever again!

“There’s more, Gary,” June said solemnly, breaking the silence. “Your Hitmonchan. I get it now.”

“Get it? Get what?”

“I know what’s Hitmonchan’s story, now. I know why he fights like he does. Hitmonchan’s motivations.”

Gary swallowed before speaking again. “And they are? What’s going on? How do you know?”

June stared at Gary darkly. “During the incident with Team Solace. When they spoke. Hitmonchan and Electivire. It’s apparent to me that they’ve had this discussion in private before, but your Hitmonchan knows Team Solace.”

“Knows?? How??!” Gary would have been on his feet if his body wasn’t so sore and weary. “June, what are you talking about??” his voice cracked.

“Tyrogue trained and fought the way he did, naturally. But there’s more to it. Gary, his Trainer was killed by Team Solace and he fled for his life.”

Gary was hunched over, staring at June with a gaping mouth, breathing hard as if he’d held his breath for hours.

“That’s why he came out of his Poke Ball when they showed up.”

Gary shook his head, not believing, or not wanting to believe, June’s words.

“Hitmonchan wants to destroy Team Solace.”

Gary straightened up to only cringe over in pain, groaning loud. “Hitmonchan! Where is he?”

“He’s being treated, remember? With the rest of our Pokemon.” June paused for a second. “Sheee’s taking care of them, along with us.”

“But I need to see Hitmonchan! I never knew about this.”

“Hitmonchan and Electivire...” June snickered. “It’s funny.”

“What is?”

“How alike they are. How determined they are. Even as just a Baby Pokemon, Tyrogue was incredible. And now, I know, they share a different goal.”

“Share a different goal?” Gary didn’t know what June meant, assuming she misspoke.

But June nodded. “Their goal is different, but so similar. So close. One wants to stop Team Solace. The other, wants to beat that... beast... And they support one another. They’re like best friends. Who’d have thought Electivire could make a friend?”

Or two, Gary thought, remembering Incineroar after a while. His eyes widened as he stared at June.

A tear was rolling down her cheek.

Oh, no, Gary thought sadly and lowered his eyes. I’m so sorry, June...

*

The wind blew through low waves that splashed calmingly to Gary.

Glowing fish Pokemon at the bottom of the sea swam in big collectives, the stars above competing with them.

Gary and Hitmonchan sat in the sand right by the water. The Trainer was barefoot, allowing some of the water that came up to touch his feet, Hitmonchan sitting the same. They didn’t face each other, staring instead at the dark ocean.

Gary would clear his throat every once in a while and prepare to speak, but no words he thought up were right. They weren’t good enough. He’d often end up releasing a breath in defeat.

Hitmonchan might flinch sometimes, but he never looked at Gary or made much noise.

Hitmonchan, Gary said in his head. “Hitmonchan!” he burst out.

Hitmonchan turned with a start.

The ball began to roll. There was no going back now.

“Hitmonchan, I had no idea of what you’d been going through. All this time. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Chan...” Hitmonchan whispered and lowered his head.

Gary placed a hand on his shoulder. “And, thank you, Hitmonchan. For choosing me.”

Hitmonchan looked up, but not to Gary. He stared out into the water.

“You chose me to be your Trainer. You knew I needed you, and you needed me. You saw it all somehow. Or felt it. Something. But you knew.”

Hitmonchan didn’t react.

“We’re on the same quest, Hitmonchan. To stop Team Solace.”

Hitmonchan finally looked at Gary with hard eyes.

Gary nodded. “They won’t get away with what they’ve done.”

“We were just trying to save the poor girl.” The blonde in Team Solace nodded her head at Melissa’s dead body by Gary.

Gary recalled this incident. He shook his head.

“I can’t even describe how much of a punch in your ugly freaking face you deserve!!!” Aly was raging in the Kanto Radio Tower while one of many hostages.

“ALY, STOP!” Gary demanded frantically. He landed on top of the gunman.

BOOM!

Gary lowered his eyes. But... when did I...? How did I get to the guy? He returned his gaze to Hitmonchan. “They almost took away one of my best friends.” A mournful sound escaped his throat from his closed mouth as he held back tears. His grip on Hitmonchan’s shoulder tightened, causing the Pokemon to look at his Trainer’s hand as Gary gave him a small shake. “We’ll stop them all. We’ll do it together. You’re not alone. And neither am I. You helped me to realize that. I need you to have what you gave to me. But we have to be safe about it. We can’t just act off impulse like that.”

“Hitmon...”

Gary looked to the spread out ocean. “Was he a Coordinator?” he asked. When Hitmonchan didn’t respond, Gary slid his hand off his Pokemon. They sat in silence.

“Mon. Chaaan...” Gary looked to see Hitmonchan with his eyes shut, his fist slammed into the sand, tears rolling down his cheeks.

“Hitmonchan. Hey. I’m-” Hitmonchan lunged, startling Gary, and before Gary knew it, he was wrapping his arms around the weeping Pokemon. Tears started creeping down from his own eyes, flowing before long.

A few sounds came out through the night, accompanied by white flashes.

Charizard stood tall, whimpering as he lowered his head.

Raichu raised his sunglasses up, sitting them on top of his head as he walked up and stopped by the two, his large ears down, eyes wide.

Ralts also appeared, and looked between Gary and Hitmonchan. With a very fair, though sharp squeak, Ralts rubbed Hitmonchan’s leg, and then went to Gary to rub his leg. His horn then glowed light blue.

Gary smiled at the little Pokemon and rubbed Hitmonchan’s back. “We’ve all got your back, Hitmonchan.”

Hitmonchan bared his teeth, squinting angrily at the other Pokemon, but his shoulders slumped and his face softened as he buried it into Gary, crying openly.

Gary didn’t say another word.

Charizard remained silently tearful.

Raichu lowered his sunglasses back over his eyes and cowered.

Ralts moved over to Hitmonchan but didn’t touch him. The horn stopped glowing, and Ralts lowered his head and cried out into the night.