Gary stared at the wooden shack as he pressed the back of his head against the tree he was sitting by.

The hair atop the creature reached out on its own, coated in sparking, blue electricity, and connected with Melissa’s face.

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

“MELISSAAAAAAA!!” Gary exploded, and charged in a rage.

The hair harming Melissa rose from her face and rested against the creature’s like normal hair.

Melissa hit the ground and didn’t move.

Gary could still see the being in his mind, but he couldn’t comprehend what it was.

Hair from its head covered the being’s face, reaching down its back. It was hunched over, on top of a screaming Melissa. A lot of its pitch black body had hair in varying degrees. The arms seemed to have a light spread while her thicker legs, which were around Melissa, were essentially furry, but with what resembled human hair.

Gary hadn’t gotten the chance to really take in the details of the thing while he was freaking out. It appeared to be nude, like a human woman, Gary dwelled in his head. But there was nothing human about that face.

“MELISSAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!” Gary leaped at the thing still on top of his sister, but he instantly regretted it as it turned to face him. “OOOOOOOHHH!!!” He had never seen anything so ugly in his life!!

What Gary could recall of the thing’s face, he saw only a monster. The huge lips that seemed closed, yet curled back. The cheekbones extended outward. And the eyes... The eyes were just impossible! The periorbital area around the eyes, normally touching the eyeballs in any other species imaginable, were instead spaced apart! Only the top and bottom of the eyeballs seemed to meet with the skin on the face. The sides of the eyes did not. Instead, there was dark space between the skin and eyes in that area. Specifically, dark, rectangular space. It was as if someone took out a normal human’s eyes, cut the circular hole into a rectangle instead, and placed the eyes back in! Even further, the black pupils of the being were mostly all that could be seen in the eyes, a purple iris only barely visible around it at the very tips.

What Gary had seen just didn’t make any sense.

Including finding his sister.

“We were just trying to save the poor girl,” the Team Solace member had claimed.

Save her? From what? What was the thing that they were trying to save her from? Gary thought. That everyone keeps referring to as female. His eyes remained on the shack.

Inside were June, the Trick Master, and a Prof. Cozmo and his parents.

Last night, when the Trick Master had taken them to the house and they were greeted by Prof. Cozmo and his mom and dad, they were invited inside while the police were called.

Gary refused the hospitality and stayed outside, sitting amongst the frozen snow. He stayed there the entire time, before the police arrived, during their investigation, cooperated with their questioning, and remained after they had gone, not sleeping until sometime late in the morning.

The afternoon sky now was dreary gray, lifeless, and the air still yet cool.

The front door of the little wooden house opened and, wearing green khakis and black boots, a black vest over a green T-shirt, Prof. Cozmo appeared. The old man walked over, moving briskly with his brown wooden cane, and came to a stop in front of Gary.

Gary looked away, having an idea of what he would say.

“Gary,” the man spoke lightly, staring at the boy through small glasses. “We’ve made breakfast. A fruit salad with wild nuts and some French toast. How does that sound to you? Or are you allergic to nuts?”

“I’m not hungry,” Gary grumbled. Against his will, his stomach erupted in its own grumbles and snarls.

Prof. Cozmo burst out laughing. “I see. Would you like to leave your stomach with me instead, then, and we can just leave you out here?”

Gary shot dark eyes at the professor. He was in no mood for jokes, and that one seemed really insensitive.

Prof. Cozmo’s smile faded and he adjusted his glasses. “I apologize. I can empathize with your loss, believe me. I just think that you may want to join us. We all have been discussing what occurred yesterday. You and your Pokemon should come inside. I’m sure they’re hungry, too.”

Gary’s eyes widened. My Pokemon! He’d completely forgotten about them. My Pokemon... My... sister. No. I can’t. Not anymore. Not after all of this... It’s over. Gary detached his Poke Balls from his belt and handed them all to Prof. Cozmo.

The old man reached out and held them all in one hand. “Gary?” He turned back to the child.

“Take them. Keep them. Give them to June. Whatever. I don’t want them anymore.”

“What are you talking about, Gary?”

“I quit as a Pokemon Trainer.” Gary reached in his pocket and pulled out his Badge case. “And I don’t need these things anymore, either.” He tossed the case off to the side.

Prof. Cozmo stared sadly at Gary. “This is surely going to disappoint your girlfriend. I don’t think-”

“She isn’t my damn girlfriend!” Gary snapped.

“Oh! I shouldn’t have assumed. I’m sorry,” Prof. Cozmo laughed.

“Just leave me alone.” Gary pulled his knees to his face and rested his forehead on them, closing his eyes.

The steps of Prof. Cozmo were heard not long after that statement as the man went back to his house.

It was only about a minute later before the door opened again, quicker, younger footsteps approaching Gary. “Gary,” June spoke gently.

Not you... Gary sighed. He looked up and squinted at her. “Leave me alone.”

“Gary, wait. Please. Hear me out. You aren’t really just quitting on your dreams like that, are you?” When Gary didn’t respond, but looked away, she went on. “Your Pokemon gave their all for you for five Badges.”

Gary’s eyes shot back sharply to June, his eyebrows narrowing.

June raised her hands quickly as Gary inhaled to speak. “Hey, now. Hey. I understand what you’re going through, Gary. Gary, you know I’m trying so hard to put the past behind me, too. To move on and be stronger. Trust me, abandoning your dreams like that isn’t the-”

“MY SISTER WAS JUST MURDERED IN FRONT OF MY EYES!!” Gary climbed to his feet, enraged, while critters scurried and birds flew off noisily to Gary’s echoing voice. “JUST BECAUSE YOUR-!!” Gary had to pause. He was very close to speaking heartlessly to June and disregarding her own loss. He spoke more gently, “June, I’m sorry for your Electrode, but this was my sister. My sister!”

“I know, Gary,” June sighed, lowering her eyes. “I know where this is going. I get it. I just think you need some time off from all of this training and just have to put a lot into perspective for yourself. I think you need a vacation. Maybe going to Cinnabar isn’t the worst idea. Throwing away all of this might not be the healthiest thing for you. I don’t blame you for wanting to quit, but it could result in a spiral of deep, dark things for you. I want you to stay strong and continue, but take some time off first.”

“Listen, Shrink, I’m not ever going to just get over this!”

“You’re damn right you’re not, Gary,” June nodded. “Who could? I just want you to protect yourself!”

Gary waved her off and turned away. His eyes landed on his Badge case. “Lemme guess: ‘Live out the dream my sister never got to. Do it for her.’ That the crap that’s supposed to keep me going and win the Pokemon League?!”

June’s mouth was open, but there were no words she could use.

He walked to the Badge case. “How am I supposed to tell my mom about this? She knows by now. How am I ever meant to explain any of this to her...? That I had her daughter. And I just let some... thing kill her! Some monster!” He bent over and lifted the case and turned to June. “How do I even return back to Pallet Town with this in my heart? How do I face my friends? Neighbors?” He shook his head.

“Gary, I’m so sorry.”

Gary nodded. He walked over to her and held out his hands. “Take it. Give it away. Go get three Badges yourself and compete in the League. Whatever. I don’t care. I can’t use these anymore. I’m done with everything here.”

June didn’t move to take the object. She only shook her head. “Gary, you know I will support you in such times of need. But I just wish you would listen to me first.”

“If you support me, then take this and go. Do with it what you will. Then, I need to start looking over the Town Map to figure out how to get back home.” June’s eyes teared up, and Gary was reminded of when the female Team Solace member started tearing.

“If you’d just killed her! No one is ready for this!”

Ready for this? Gary repeated. Ready for what?

June reached out and her hands landed on Gary’s Badge case. “I’ll hold it until you’re ready for it back.”

“Then you promise to keep it forever.”

Tears slid down her cheeks, but she took the case and turned from Gary, walking back slowly to the shack.

Gary watched until she had gone inside, and then he took out his Town Map and sat, setting the map on the ground. After locating Lavender Town, he sorted out the area he was in and started to figure out the easiest way back to Pallet Town. I wonder if this is how Kiwi felt after she left, Gary considered.

He recalled when he, Kiwi, and June barely escaped with their lives from the Gym in Saffron City, at the cost of Kiwi’s Starter, Pidgeotto’s, life. After the evil Haunter that had taken over the city was stopped, Kiwi stopped her journey to return home.

I should call back home and see how she’s doing. She’s totally returned back by now. Unless... she picked herself back up and continued on after all...?

The front door again opened, and the Trick Master was the one to appear, moving swiftly towards Gary with a grin.

Gary glared at him. Seriously?

Standing in a different suit from last night, this one a white top over a yellow shirt with a huge blue bowtie, standing in blue pants and black shoes, he stopped in front of Gary and began to speak. “I-”

“If June didn’t convince me, do you honestly think you will? I don’t even know you! You put me in a freaking hole last night!”

“That was for protection from you! Aha ha! Hahaha! Ha!” The Trick Master laughed in a strange fashion. It even sounded like it was restricted, the last laugh coming off as if he had stopped himself short. “I needed you restrained for your and my own good. For you to take a breather. I’m known throughout the world for my gags and setups.”

“I’ve certainly never heard of you.”

“You should get out more. Anyway, I didn’t expect to be more convincing than your girlfriend without a reason. You might-”

“JUNE AIN’T MY GIRLFRIEND!” Gary screamed.

“Oh.” The Trick Master wore a face of surprise. “Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whatever makes you happy. Anyway, you might be surprised by what I have to say. You may indeed be the only one of our group here that can succeed!”

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“Succeed in what?”

The Trick Master held out one hand, containing six Poke Balls.

“I’m done!” Gary insisted. “Give it up! I don’t want the damn things!”

“Can you say that to their faces, though?” the Trick Master smirked.

“Wait!”

Before Gary could move, the Trick Master tossed all the Poke Balls in the air.

One by one, a Pokemon appeared from each Poke Ball.

“Hooooooot!” Hoothoot soared through the air, coming to a landing right at Gary’s feet.

“AAAAAAPE!!” Primeape ran and came to a stop right next to Hoothoot.

Kingdra and Weepinbell bounced side by side, stopping right behind the earlier two Pokemon.

“Charmeleon!” The Fire lizard stretched out his arms and flexed briefly before casually strolling over to Gary, behind the other Pokemon.

“Baltoy!” Baltoy twirled like a top and zipped side to side before spinning fairly lazily, leaning over as if about to fall before stopping next to Primeape and standing up straight.

All of the Pokemon were looking up at their Trainer expectantly.

Gary stared back nervously. His eyes closed, and all he could see was Melissa with her mouth wide open, eyes closed, dead. He pressed his hands to his eyes and wiped any moisture within them. “NO!” he burst out suddenly, opening his eyes and startling all of his Pokemon. “You guys, we’re all done! This whole thing is stupid! I’m going to get killed at this rate traveling with you all! This is crazy! Dangerous! Sheesh, you guys shouldn’t even be with me, or any Trainer! Be free, be careful, and enjoy life before you lose yours!”

His Pokemon were all in shock, confused by Gary’s words.

“I’m telling you all that I quit as a Pokemon Trainer!” Gary made it clear. He stomped around his Pokemon and to the Trick Master.

The man stood still, unsure of what Gary was about to do, finding out soon as the Poke Balls were snatched from him.

“You’re all free! We are all done here! See??” Gary held out one Poke Ball.

The red beam shot out from the Poke Ball and hit Kingdra, but then vanished quickly.

“Doo!” Kingdra looked down at herself.

“And you!” Gary did the same with another Poke Ball, pointing it at Primeape.

“Prime!” Primeape watched the red beam also fail to take him back.

“Feels different, doesn’t it? Because I don’t own you anymore! You, too! Try it!” Gary continued.

Hoothoot and Weepinbell were hit by Poke Ball beams but did not return.

“Don’t you get it?! ALL OF YOU ARE FREEEEEEEEEEEE!!” Gary attempted returning Charmeleon and Baltoy, the results failing. “NOW ALL OF YOU GET OUT HERE!! YOU’RE FREE!! SHOO!!!”

The six Pokemon stayed still, looking up at Gary, dumbfounded looks on their faces aside from Baltoy’s permanent face.

“Ya bunch of idiots! What don’t you all get?? Gah!!” He waved them all off and turned his back on them.

“Gary.” The Trick Master stared at the young boy with sadness.

“You see? Didn’t I tell you? I’m done! And I’m going back home! Goodbye!” He dropped the Poke Balls and walked around his Pokemon to pick his Town Map from the ground, folding it up and placing it in his pocket. Walking past his Pokemon, he made his way away from everyone.

A tree suddenly split wide open! Somehow, a tree that Gary was about to pass by seemed to open like a door! It just widened, separating right down the middle, and blocked Gary’s path!

Gary gasped loudly and backed up a few feet, trying to process what he just saw. “Hey!” The Trick Master appeared from behind one tree half, startling Gary further, and he looked behind him to where the Trick Master had previously been.

He wasn’t there!

The Pokemon also seemed confused, staring back and forth between where the Trick Master had been, and where he was now.

The Trick Master smiled and approached Gary.

“You know, I’ve had about enough of your stupid games,” Gary growled.

“Where I’m from, people voluntarily participate in my Trick House, annually,” the Trick Master laughed oddly.

“That’s nice, but I ain’t one of ‘em. Leave me alone!”

“I thought you’d be interested in this.” Speaking quickly, the Trick Master held out Gary’s Badge case.

Gary, very irritated, inhaled deeply and glared at the Trick Master. With a loud shout, he smacked the old man’s hand, the Badge case flying.

The man wailed out, grabbing the back of his hand and pulling it close to him.

The six Pokemon all gasped.

The case flew open, the five Badges within spilling out everywhere.

Gary felt a little bad, assaulting an old man like that, but enough was enough. He didn’t even know him, and he was imposing on his personal life after witnessing a traumatic event! “I hope you get the picture now. You,” Gary turned to his Pokemon, “and you all. Get away from me!” He turned his back on them all. It was the cackle that made Gary stop. He knew he should have kept going, but that disturbing laugh from the Trick Master held him in place.

“Gary, you really think I’m so unprepared, do you?” the Trick Master taunted.

Gary shook his head. Why did I even stop? He kept walking.

“You only have four Badges, Gary.”

Four...? Wait... It’s five! Dimensia, Mephitic, Rainbow, Thunder, and Marsh... Gary counted. One, two, three, four, and five. He must have lost one of the Badges when I knocked them away. But why did he bring that up in the first place...? Gary didn’t stop moving.

“Thunder, Marsh, Mephitic, and Rainbow,” the Trick Master spoke.

Gary kept moving, getting further away.

“The Dimensia Badge is a fake!”

This made Gary stop again.

“I am the great Trick Master! The moment I saw the Badge, I knew it wasn’t real! This is furthermore, a Pokemon!”

A hard wind blew through the woods, and a cold aura took over.

A haunting voice echoed out.

Gary’s eyes widened and he whipped around. “What??” He couldn’t believe his eyes.

The Dimensia Badge he had earned from the Ghost Gym Leader, Shane, was hovering in the air, glowing a black and purple color. Black smoke surrounded the Badge, and in the very next second, right before everyone’s eyes, the Badge instantly turned into a...

“Gaaaaaaaaastlyyyyyy...” The Ghost type hissed angrily at Gary, licking its two front teeth as the wind went out.

“Gastly!!” Gary screamed, stumbling backwards into a tree.

The Ghost type flew at him, fury on its face.

“Chaaaaaarmeleoooooon!!”

Flames shot through the body of Gastly. It stopped in midair and turned around to face the attacking Charmeleon, smiling big.

Gary noticed that a tree was now burning near the top, and before long, a second one caught flames, too.

“Oh, no! Kingdra!” Gary pleaded, backing up, getting around his tree.

“Doo! Doo!” Kingdra bounced forward.

Gastly flew ahead of her and its body was outlined in gold. “Gast!”

Several gold orbs flew from Gastly’s body, the outline around the Pokemon vanishing once the final orb was fired. They surrounded Kingdra, spinning in circles before exploding with a collective POP!

Kingdra’s eyes were now glowing red. She closed her eyes. “Doooooooo!” She sprayed a Hydro Pump into the air, the move going through Gastly but hitting the trees, soaking them as she continued to attack, dousing the fire.

“Alright!” Gary cheered gratefully.

“Doooooooooo!!” Kingdra was still attacking, but not to put out any trees or attack Gastly. Now, the Confused Pokemon was attacking the other Pokemon!

“CHAR!” Charmeleon was taken down quickly, and he remained still on his back.

“PRIMEAPE!!” Primeape leaped at Gastly with his fists raised.

Hoothoot flew up into the air, twirling, creating wind, his body glowing light blue. He stopped and raised a wing, the glow around his body gone and instead holding a light blue ball that he tossed at Gastly.

Gastly was hit! It flew back and hit the ground but got back up quickly, leering at the Flying type. “Gaaaaaaastlyyyyy.” Gastly’s eyes glowed red.

Primeape was just about to sock Gastly when suddenly he got a weary look before falling out flat on his face. “Priiiiime... Priiiime...” he snoozed.

Hoothoot was also caught in Hypnosis next, and he flew up to a tree branch and rested on it, fast asleep.

“DOOOOOO!” Kingdra’s next shot was for Baltoy.

The Hydro Pump took the Pokemon off its bottom and into a tree trunk. “Toy Toy Bal...” Baltoy moaned.

“BEEEELL!” Weepinbell leaped at Kingdra in a rage, using a vine to smack Kingdra back.

Kingdra retaliated using Hydro Pump.

Weepinbell was forced back but after landing hard, jumped back into the fight.

While the two were distracted trying to beat each other down, Gastly hovered above them with a big, open smile.

The Confusion lifted from Kingdra, her eyes returning to normal, and both Pokemon turned to the Gastly and uttered their surprise.

“Gast Gast Gast Gaaaaastlyyyy!” It Licked Weepinbell, causing him to fall over, shivering from Paralysis.

“DOOOOOOOO!!” Kingdra attempted an attack, but Gastly moved faster, slamming into her. She was knocked out, also worn down by the fight from Weepinbell.

Gastly vanished only to reappear in front of Gary.

“HEY! MY-!” Gary stopped speaking. “The Pokemon!” They aren’t mine, anymore... Gary remembered. All beaten by a Gastly?? So this is it... As he backed up, Gary couldn’t help but think on when he was cornered by a Haunter when in Sabrina’s Gym with Kiwi and June. These damn Ghosts. This is why I quit! To not be in this situation! His back was pressed against a tree, unable to get anywhere else. He bared his teeth, leering at the Pokemon as it laughed evilly. So this thing has been following me all this time. Why? I’ll never know, Gary accepted.

The Gastly’s tongue flew out, frightening Gary into a scream.

A bright light flew from behind Gary and collided with Gastly.

“Gaaaaaaaaaaaa!” Gastly flew back from the hit.

“WHOA!” Gary was stunned by the sudden act as well as confused. What was that?

A little being stood in front of the downed Gastly, bouncing on what would be the toes of its feet.

This was a creature Gary was familiar with.

Gastly shook its head, frowning at Tyrogue, and floated back up. “Gaaaaaas!”

Tyrogue kept his eyes on Gastly as they glowed yellow, matching a scarf around his neck. He grabbed at the ends of it with both hands and tightened it.

Gastly’s eyes glowed red for Hypnosis again.

Tyrogue swiftly turned his back on Gastly, ignoring the Hypnosis.

Gastly then went in for Lick instead, while Tyrogue’s back was turned!

Tyrogue dropped to his stomach and scurried backwards, just barely making it underneath the wicked tongue!

Whoa! How’d he pull that off with his back turned? Gary wondered. That was good!

Tyrogue leaped up and his body was outlined in red, his eyes also glowing red. He pushed out his arms and a red burst of energy flew out, hitting Gastly.

“Gast?” Gastly turned to Tyrogue, but otherwise seemed just fine.

“TYYYYYY!” Tyrogue leaped through the air, his knee extended out and reaching for Gastly.

“No way!” Gary whipped out his Pokedex, tired of being confused by what moves were being used.

High Jump Kick. This Fighting type move delivers big damage, but if it misses, the user will receive great pain, instead.

“Tyrogue!” Gary called out.

“GAAAAAAST!” Gastly was hit! It flew back, colliding with a tree.

“What?? How??” Gary couldn’t believe what he just saw!

Gastly shook its head and flew off, fleeing the battle.

“Tyrogue!” Tyrogue vanished from where he stood, reappearing in front of Gastly easily! His body was now outlined in black. “Tyyyyrogue!” The Fighting type leaped up, slamming his head into the Ghost type.

“Gaaaa Gaaaaa Gaaaaaa...” Gastly dropped and remained still.

“Tyrogue!” Tyrogue, the black outline gone, stood over the Ghost type, his hands on his waist. He then looked back at Gary.

Both Pokemon and Gary stared at each other without saying a word.

Whoa. That Tyrogue just beat that Gastly that put out all six of those Pokemon I used to own... Gary noted.

Neither of them lost eye contact. A sudden, strange wind blew that grabbed both of their attention.

Gastly was vanishing by the second, piece by piece! By the time the wind stopped, Gastly was gone.

Tyrogue kept his eyes on where Gastly had been, and then turned to the boy behind him.

There wasn’t a word to be spoken between them.

“Gary!” A voice came out from a little ways off. June was rushing towards them. “I saw everything! Gary, are you okay?” She stopped in front of Tyrogue and smiled. “Tyrogue, you saved him! You saved them all! Thank you!” She placed a hand over her heart and gave a short bow. “Thank you, Tyrogue.”

Tyrogue nodded a little and then walked away. “Tyrogue...”

“Char...” Charmeleon took everyone’s attention as he got to his feet. “Charmeleon!”

Tyrogue looked at the Pokemon for a mere second before continuing off.

“Meleon! Mel!” Charmeleon fell over, exhausted.

Gary took a step towards the lizard Pokemon, but then took it back.

Charmeleon gazed to his previous Trainer with wide eyes.

Gary frowned back. No. He looked away from Charmeleon’s eyes and turned his back on him. He isn’t mine anymore, Gary thought. This isn’t my problem anymore. I didn’t ask for their help against Gastly. I told them to leave for this very reason! This is why I’m done being a Trainer as it is. I’m out of here. Gary walked in the direction he was intending originally, on his way back to Pallet Town.

“Gary!!” There was disbelief in June’s voice. “I saw what happened out here! Your Pokemon fought to protect you! You’re just gonna keep going, knowing that?”

Gary clenched his teeth and kept on, stepping through the woods, moving quickly to leave everyone behind for good.

“A Pokemon killed your sister, you know!” a voice called out.

Gary froze, growling at himself for doing so. What are you doing, man? Get out of here! You saw that beast thing! That wasn’t any Pokemon you’ve ever seen! This is bull!

“Gary, I told you I didn’t come unprepared, didn’t I?” the Trick Master reminded Gary. “Look. This here is for you if you choose. We have a plan back at the house if you wish to hear us out.”

Gary looked back, however regretfully.

June stood by the Trick Master.

His arm was outstretched. In his hand, he held an item like no other.

An item that even at a distance, Gary could recognize.

“It’s yours, Gary. Just hear us out one time. If you don’t approve,” he smiled, “I guess you could say I’m out of tricks.”

Gary focused on the legendary, circular object in the Trick Master’s hand.

With the black band around the middle.

The white bottom half.

And the purple top half with a pink circle on either side.

There was a white M in between the circles.

Gary was glaring at.

The Master Ball.