“Professor Oak!” I beamed at him through the video screen.

Professor Oak smiled at me wearily through the other side of the screen. “Ah, Gary, my boy! Good to see you!” He looked exhausted. His face held dark bags under his eyes, a darker version of the old, wrinkly skin around it.

I wondered just how old the professor actually was as I wore my excited, eager smile. “Hey, sir!” Stretched to the limit, my mouth broadened even wider.

Professor Oak seemed to be struggling just to smile as it faded slightly from his face but returned again. “I'll bet I know why you're smiling,” Prof. Oak chuckled.

I laughed happily. “So, what do you think?” I asked him.

“Well, the Sawk you sent me was just great, but when the Archeops arrived, well, it was just simply unheard of!” Prof. Oak’s voice got louder with excitement, his eyes lighting up, life seeming to return to his body.

“Sawk? I sent you a Sawk?!”

“Yes. It was sent to me about a week before Archeops,” Prof. Oak nodded.

“Sawk…” I mumbled, thinking hard. I caught Archeops, and before that, my last caught Pokemon was… um… Tympole… I didn’t capture anything after… “Row!” I burst out. Row gave me a Sawk? I pondered, remembering when the Fighting type Gym Leader tossed me a Poke Ball after I had defeated him in our Pokemon battle. Why did he give me a Sawk? I gasped as I remembered the Sawk that Row had captured while on Scrafty Walk.

Row and a wild Sawk had saved June and I from the rogue Scrafty on the mountaintop, and then Row had proceeded to capture the Sawk.

Is that the same Sawk? I wondered. Why would he give me that?

“Are you alright, Gary?” Prof. Oak asked.

I shook my head and looked into his dark eyes. “I’m okay,” I managed to smile. “Sorry. I was given that Sawk by a Gym Leader, but I don’t know why. I wasn’t even told what Pokemon it was. I guess he gave me a Sawk!”

“Hmmmm. I see,” Prof. Oak nodded, rubbing his chin. “Well, either way, these are both some great Pokemon. I know I wanted you to capture more Pokemon, but to think, an Archeops! This is simply astounding! What a discovery! How did you come across this rare find?”

My mouth hung open in the air and I paused, staring at Prof. Oak's face through the screen. I recalled the group of extinct Pokemon escaping from the hole in the cave wall of Twist Mountain. Shaking my head, I stared solemnly at Prof. Oak. “Well, we found it wild near Verdew Town, where I'm at right now.”

“In the wild?” Prof. Oak questioned. “It's not unheard of to find Fossil Pokemon in the wild, but it's not common. My research will definitely benefit with this Pokemon. I want to run some tests on this Pokemon if you don't plan on using it.”

“Oh, well, sure. I guess,” I said uncertainly. To be honest, I had wanted to use Archeops. It's a freaking ancient Pokemon! I wanted to see it again! I wanted to touch it! I wanted to use it in battles and beat trainers with it! Though my promise had been to capture every last Pokemon in existence, I was so taken aback by the fact that I had actually managed to capture a Fossil Pokemon! “Can I see it at least?”

“Well, I would like to allow for that, but that's a bit difficult to accomplish at the moment,” Prof. Oak answered with a tired sigh.

“Why's that?”

“Well, almost immediately after letting Archeops out of its Poke Ball, the Pokemon became very violent and erratic and flew about the lab in a fury. It's very confused and upset right now. Capturing an ancient Pokemon is very dangerous as its settings have to be very precise and comfortable for it, duplicating its original environment from how it used to be before the species was extinct in the first place. If their place of settling is disrupted in the slightest, it can lead to a deadly situation for both the Pokemon and whatever has upset it.”

“Is Archeops okay?” I asked urgently.

“It has smashed quite a lot of things in my mansion,” Prof. Oak told me seriously. “Furniture, a couple of pieces of equipment, and destroyed a couple of walls, but, thanks to Tracey, all is well. I'm really getting quite old these days. Without Tracey, that thing would still be rampaging right now. I wonder how many more years I can keep this up.” Prof. Oak laughed and then coughed strongly. “Archeops is now outside with Tracey. I was out there with them when you called me.”

“Sorry it's been so much trouble for you and Prof. Sketchit,” I apologized. “I guess we should be delicate with it for now before transferring it or anything, huh?”

“Yes. Transferring it right now is not the best idea,” Prof. Oak said, coughing lightly. “Not only might it be too dangerous for you to handle right now, but the transferring process itself might harm the Pokemon. We need to be very gentle with this Pokemon.”

“Alright, then, how about we make a couple of trades for some of my other Pokemon, instead?” I suggested.

“That's a fine idea,” Prof. Oak nodded, smiling, and he wiped at his right eye. “Who would you like to receive?”

*

“Would you look at this building?!” Courtney squealed, her hands clasped in front of her face as she bounced on her toes. “This is the most beautiful Gym on the entire planet!! Let's go battle Gramma!” She ran towards the building in excitement.

I looked up at the towering building one more time.

The Gym was taller than the rest of the buildings in the entire town that I’d seen so far. It was made of wooden beams, unlike the bricks of the other buildings, and was painted in swirls of pink and baby blue, several different kinds of colorful flowers painted all over it. It looked as if a class of kindergarteners with paint had their way with the outside of the building, but were actually pretty good artists. The roof was light green.

I turned to look at the collection of amazing flowers and fruits and vegetables growing in front of the building, lining the path June and I were taking as we hurried after Courtney. My eyes were soon glued warily on a couple of large bumblebees that were floating near a few enormous sunflowers.

Verdew Town Pokemon Gym was written in fancy, beautiful script in green letters on a large piece of white paper that was stuck to a wooden sign by the flowers.

Courtney stopped in front of the door and pressed a small, white button.

A gentle piano tune played, and I smiled at the beautiful sound. I loved pianos. They were my favorite instrument! I even knew a small piece of music by Bay Toven for a very short time, taught to me by my mom, until we got into an argument over something so small, I can't even remember what it was, and my lessons ended there. I wiggled my legs a little bit and smiled, looking down at my clean, urine free jeans, relieved to be in a clean pair.

“That sounds so pretty!” June said gently, smiling with her eyes closed.

“This is the best Gym in the whole world!” Courtney clapped her hands impatiently with a smile as she waited for the door to open.

Her wish was soon granted as the door in front of her opened and a warm smile spread across the familiar face of a young woman. “Hello, kids!”

“It's you!” Courtney shouted with delight, smiling brighter than the sun. “Are you really Gramma? The Gym Leader of Verdew Town?”

“Yes, I am! Are you three kids here to challenge me to a Pokemon battle for the Flower Badge?” Gramma inquired happily.

“Whimsicott?” Whimsicott appeared from the inside of the building and stood beside its Trainer, looking up at us curiously. “Whimsicott!” it smiled at us knowingly.

“The Flower Badge??” Courtney squealed. “Oh, my gosh, how cute!! Yes, please!!” She then looked down at the Pokemon by its Trainers legs. “Hey, you! Nice to see you again!”

“Whimsicott! Whimsicott!” it waved to her with one appendage.

The deep smell of a variety of flowers and dirt reached my nose and I sniffed lightly, staring at Gramma. Smells like a garden, I thought to myself as I sniffed harder. Is that the inside of her Gym? Is it her? Is it her garden?

“Oh? You two know each other, do you?” Gramma looked down at Whimsicott in confusion.

“Huh?” Courtney looked up at Gramma, confusion on her own face.

“Whimsicott…” Whimsicott closed its eyes and raised one hand to its face as it shook its head.

“Of course she knows us,” June said, raising an eyebrow. “She helped us all against those Vigoroth in the forest! Remember?”

“Vigoroth?” Gramma turned to June. “What Vigoroth?”

“The ones that were chasing us all back there in the forest!” June cried. “You were there with us! Don't you remember?”

“When was this?” Gramma ran her hand through her green hair that was tied back in a ponytail.

June turned to me and Courtney, giving us a crazy look.

“Oh, my.” Courtney covered her mouth and started to giggle.

“Um, Gramma?” I spoke up.

“Yes?” Gramma answered me.

“You, your Whimsicott, and the three of us were in the woods getting chased by a pack of Vigoroth, and you lead us to the Slaking in the area and they scared them all off. And we saw that-”

“OH! The Slaking! Yes! I remember you three now!” Gramma laughed with joy. “You three kids got out of there safely, thank goodness. And you just reminded me that I need to head back to that forest to check on that tree that was there! That thing was so bizarre! And that Aerodactyl that was there, too. I'll bet there's a connection.” Gramma winked at us. “You kids care to come with me?”

“Aerodactyl?” Courtney said slowly.

“There was an Archeops there, but not an Aerodactyl, Miss,” I told Gramma weakly.

“Oh, ha ha ha! I knew it was one of those flying Pokemon!” She laughed again.

“And, we don't mean to interrupt anything, but, we did say we wanted to battle you for your Badge,” I mentioned.

“Haaaa! That's right! You three did just say that!”

Whimsicott sighed and lowered her head, shaking it wearily.

Gramma pushed open the door wider and stepped back. “Please! Come on in and let’s have us a Pokemon battle!”

The three of us walked past Gramma and Whimsicott and into the building.

As I walked past Gramma, my eyes widened as the smell of flowers grew even stronger, and I looked into her green eyes, realizing that the scent was coming from her!

It was bare inside of the Gym, containing nothing but a battlefield outlined in white paint, the paint chipped and wearing away. A few doors stood closed and there was a window on each wall, but other than that, it was dusty and empty.

“Kind of bland,” I commented.

“Hey!” Courtney shoved me lightly, scowling.

“I don't really care much for this Gym,” Gramma admitted. “I'm more into the front and backyard where I grow the flowers and fruits and vegetables! I just love plant life. I have a beautiful house in this town with a similar garden. I take great pride in my babies and give them all the love they need and deserve. There's no price too high, no time too long, and no task too dire when it comes to my children.”

So, she's one of those people, I thought in dismay.

Gramma and Whimsicott walked over to one side of the battlefield, smiling happily. “So, who's first?”

Courtney, June, and I turned to each other.

“Um, I'm actually not battling!” June called out to her. “I'm just here to watch, basically. These two are actually your challengers.”

“Oh? Alright, then. Which of you two are going first?”

Courtney jetted forward and waved a Poke Ball in the air. “Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!”

Gramma laughed at Courtney's eagerness. “Now, that's energy! I like it! How about a one-on-one Pokemon battle?”

“Just one-on-one?” Courtney asked, surprised, lowering her hand.

“Yeah,” Gramma nodded. “All of those two-on-two and three-on-three things confuse me. Let's just make this one sweet and simple. Is that okay?”

“Whatever you want, Gramma!” Courtney agreed, nodding eagerly. “One-on-one!”

“Okay! Whimsicott, let's battle!” Gramma pointed.

“Whimsicott!” Whimsicott jumped to her spot on the battlefield.

“Okay, then I'm going with Sceptile!” Courtney put her Poke Ball back on her belt and grabbed a different one, throwing it quickly.

“Sceptiiile!” Sceptile cried out.

So Courtney's using her Sceptile, I saw. I had seen her Sceptile before during our breakfast, lunch, and dinner breaks traveling together, and she had confirmed that it was the same Treeko I had battled back in Kanto when we were competing in a competition together. I had also gotten to see her Alomomola, Maractus, Swanna, Cubchoo, and Crustle.

“Hey, where's the judge?” June inquired, looking around.

Gramma smiled at June and shrugged her shoulders. “To be honest, I have no idea. I've tried calling her up several times, just to spend some time together, you know? She's a childhood friend of mine. But she never answers her phone. I keep forgetting to pay her a visit to make sure she's alright. Haven't seen her in a couple of months. I'm sure I can judge a match just fine, myself.”

“Well, I used to be a Gym Leader in the Kanto region. How about if I judge the battle?” June offered.

“Such a pretty, young lady as yourself was a Gym Leader?” Gramma asked. “Well, please! In that case, go right ahead!”

“Yay!” June clapped her hands and ran to the side of the battlefield.

Courtney grunted as she stared at June from the corner of her eye.

“This will be a one-on-one Pokemon battle between Verdew Town Pokemon Gym Leader, Gramma, and Courtney from… somewhere in the Hoenn region,” June smiled at both girls.

“I'm from LaRousse City, although we did later move to Oldale Town, which was quite different,” Courtney said haughtily, placing her hands on her hips. “LaRousse City is beautiful, technologically advanced, and has everything a girl could want. Malls, fancy restaurants, it’s surrounded by the ocean, and has an enormous Battle Tower! Oldale Town is like, Dead Town. There's nothing to do there. The only good thing about that town was meeting my boyfriend, Andrew. He was in the area, and the moment I first saw him, I just couldn’t take my eyes off of him! It was love at first sight for the both of us. I just couldn’t believe it! We talked and I followed him to Petalburg City, where he lives. Oh, I miss my Andrew so much. He's the absolute most sweetest, loving, handsome, car-”

“So, anyway, it's Courtney versus Gramma, for the Flower Badge,” June interrupted impatiently. “One-on-one. No time limit. Begin!”

“You may have the first move,” Gramma smiled and nodded at Courtney.

“Thank you! Oh, this is gonna be fantastic! Grass types are my favorite type of Pokemon!” Courtney was jumping repeatedly in the air.

“Really? Me, too!” Gramma's voice held immense pleasure.

Well, duh, I thought to myself, staring at the Gym Leader.

“Aren't they amazing? They're so elegant, strong, and some are just the most beautiful things this planet holds!” Courtney went on.

“And they're also gentle, fragile, and need so much attention and care,” Gramma continued. “I've dedicated my entire life to them. Nothing means more to me than my precious Grass type Pokemon and the plants and fruits and vegetables I grow! I love them with my life! In my will, I have them all entrusted to the care of my-”

“Can we get this battle started already?” I shouted impatiently, crossing my arms.

“Oh, right! We are battling!” Gramma laughed. “Sorry about that!”

Courtney glared at me before turning back to Gramma. “It's fine. Gary's just being rude.”

“Gary just wants to get his seventh Badge, thanks,” I snapped.

“Well, you should have been a bit more determined, like I was,” Courtney smiled, turning back to me. “I got my Badges pretty quick. Only took me about six months to win my eight Badges.”

Six months? I thought, silenced, my eyes wide.

I caught June shaking her head and rolling her eyes, her lips twisting in an expression of disbelief.

“Wow! Six months is amazing!” Gramma congratulated Courtney. “Good job! I bet you're going to do great at the Pokemon League.”

“Thanks, Gramma! I hope so!” Courtney blushed.

“We'll never even get there if this battle doesn't happen already!” I yelled.

Courtney squinted her eyes at me before looking away again.

“Whoops! You're absolutely right!” Gramma agreed, smiling at me before turning to Courtney. “Courtney, you go first!”

Courtney smiled back at Gramma and gave her a nod. “Okay! Sceptile, begin this battle with your Screech attack!”

“Sceeeeep-tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllle!!!!!” A piercing screech escaped Sceptile's mouth, knocking over Whimsicott.

I screamed and covered my throbbing ears. It was louder than any Screech attack I had ever heard in my life. I was deafened, my eyes watering as I shut them tight.

“Now use your Acrobatics, go!” Courtney shouted.

I looked up at Courtney, blinking away the tears that were clouding my vision.

She didn't seem to be fazed by the Screech attack, standing her ground, although Gramma, June, and Whimsicott were all still holding their ears, their faces scrunched up in pain.

Sceptile ran forward and knocked over Whimsicott, charging back and forth so fast, afterimages of itself were right behind it.

“Whimsicott,” Whimsicott groaned as she got back to her feet and shook her head.

“Not bad!” Gramma said happily, rubbing her temples. “Now, it's our turn! Use Hurricane, now!”

Whimsicott inhaled deeply and her cotton-like substance glowed light blue. She exhaled and created a powerful wind that blew around the Gym.

June cried out as she stumbled back against the powerful attack, and I blocked my face with my arms as I bent my knees, struggling to keep my footing.

“Sceptile!” Sceptile was caught in a huge tornado of wind as it was lifted into the air and spun around helplessly, shouting out for help.

“Sceptile, hang in there!” Courtney urged her Pokemon.

The Hurricane ended and Sceptile was dropped to the floor. It breathed heavily as it got back to its feet.

“Sceptile, another Acrobatics should do it!” Courtney said strongly.

“Cotton Guard!” Gramma ordered.

Sceptile ran quickly at Whimsicott.

Whimsicott's cotton puffed out drastically and covered her entire body. She stumbled back a couple of short feet as Sceptile attacked her repeatedly with Acrobatics, but when Sceptile finished, Whimsicott cried out from inside of the cotton, seeming just fine.

“Oh, that's clever,” Courtney nodded, smiling at Gramma.

“Thank you, dear! How about this? Toxic, now!”

Courtney gasped. “Sceptile, dodge that!”

A stream of purple liquid squirted out from the cotton surrounding Whimsicott and splashed onto Sceptile's face.

“Sceeep! Sceptile!!” Sceptile screamed as it wiped frantically at its face. The purple liquid disappeared into the Pokemon's skin, and its face flushed purple. Groaning, it dropped to its knees.

“Sceptile, don't give in!! You can do it!!” Courtney called to Sceptile. “Please!! Get up, Sceptile!! Try using your Swords Dance attack! We have to make up for the Defense Whimsicott boosted by using Cotton Guard!”

Sceptile got to its feet, shaking its head hard, glaring at Whimsicott. “Sceptile…” it growled. The blades on its arms glowed purple and it swiped strongly into the air towards Whimsicott.

“Cotton Guard!” Gramma instructed her Pokemon.

Whimsicott's cotton increased, expanding even wider around her body.

“Do it again, Sceptile!” Courtney demanded.

Sceptile groaned in pain from the Poison, but used its Swords Dance once again.

“Spore attack! Let's stop it now and put it to Sleep, then finish it off with Dream Eater!” Gramma pointed at Sceptile.

“Whimsicott...” Whimsicott hesitated, and then she closed her eyes and her body shivered as she sprinkled a golden powder from the cotton around her body.

Sceptile flinched in pain from the Poison as it stopped using Swords Dance, and it looked around it as the Spore attack landed on it.

“Spore…” Courtney muttered in a low voice. “Spore?” Courtney said louder. “I don't get it…”

“Scept?” Sceptile looked around, confused.

“Whimsicott!” Whimsicott spoke up.

“Hmm. Swords Dance again!” Courtney shouted.

“Sceptile…” Scepetile groaned weakly but used another Swords Dance, maxing its Attack.

“What? Spore didn't work? What happened?” Gramma gasped.

“You mean, that wasn't a part of some kind of tactic?” Courtney asked with disappointment. “You did that move on purpose not knowing it wouldn't work?”

“Why doesn't it work?” Gramma cocked her head at Courtney.

Courtney’s mouth hung open a bit for a moment as she stared silently at Gramma. She then blinked a couple of times. “To begin with... Whimsicott doesn’t even learn Spore...” Courtney informed her. “It just used Stun Spore. Also, Spore, and all powder-based moves like that don’t work on Grass types, Gramma.”

“Oh! That's right!” Gramma laughed. “Grass types have been building an immunity to powder-based moves for years! Where is my head at? Ha ha ha! Well, in that case, how about we use Charm attack to cut down that Sceptile's Attack?”

“Whimsicooooooott!” Whimsicott sang out at Sceptile, shivering her body inside of the cotton around her.

“Sceptile, Detect, now!”

Sceptile's eyes glowed light blue and it glared at Whimsicott.

“Whimsicott!” Whimsicott shouted angrily as her attack ended without affecting Sceptile.

Sceptile's eyes stopped glowing.

“Not bad!” Gramma acknowledged to Courtney.

“And neither is this,” Courtney winked. “Iron Tail!”

Sceptile's tail hardened and turned to iron as it ran towards Whimsicott. It leaped in the air and whipped Whimsicott with the Steel move.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Whimsicott cried out painfully as she soared through the air. She bounced along the floor and came to a stop a couple of feet behind Gramma.

“Whimsicott! Are you okay?” Gramma spoke sadly.

The cotton around Whimsicott’s body shrunk back down to its normal size and the Pokemon’s body was visible again, defeat evident on her face.

“Whimsicott is defeated,” June nodded at Whimsicott. “Sceptile wins!”

“Haaaaaaaa!!” Courtney shrieked happily. She ran towards her Sceptile and hugged it.

Sceptile hugged Courtney back, breathing heavily as the Poison continued to wear it out.

“Sceptile, you did it! Yes! We won the Badge!” Courtney squeezed her Sceptile tightly.

Her Pokemon's arms released its Trainer, too exhausted to hold on to her any longer, and it sat down wearily on the floor, struggling to breathe.

“Oh, Sceptile! You make me so happy,” Courtney said as she took off her backpack. She got down to her knees and opened her bag, reaching inside and coming back out with a Berry. “Here, have this.”

Sceptile opened its mouth and chewed on a piece of the Pecha Berry. The purple on its face disappeared, and it eagerly took the rest of the Berry into its hands and devoured it happily.

“Now you're looking good!” Courtney laughed.

“Whimsicott, are you alright?” Gramma asked sadly, kneeling down by her Pokemon. “You take a nice rest, okay? You almost got that Sceptile. Return.” She returned her Whimsicott to her Poke Ball and got to her feet, walking over to Courtney. “Very well done. That Sceptile is certainly very well trained. I can see the love and bond you two have with each other. You have earned the Flower Badge. Congratulations!” Gramma reached up to her tan shirt and removed one of the several yellow and blue colored flower pins attached to it. She held it out to Courtney.

“Oh!” Courtney gasped, getting to her feet. “These are the Badges! I was going to ask you where you got them from! I wanted to buy one! Oh, my gosh! I won the Flower Badge! Sceptile, we got another one!”

“Sceptiiile!” Sceptile said happily, standing up as Courtney took the Badge from Gramma.

“Congrats, Courtney,” I said eagerly, and I looked at Gramma. “It's my turn, now! I want to win a Badge, too!”

“That's right! It's your turn, now, isn't it?” Gramma walked back to her position on the battlefield.

Courtney and her Sceptile stepped back, out of my way.

“So, this will be another one-on-one, okay?” Gramma requested.

“Um, alright. Sure!” I'll get this Badge in no time at all, in that case, I thought to myself, smirking.

“This will be a one-on-one battle between Gary, from Kanto's Pallet Town, and Gramma, the Verdew Town Pokemon Gym Leader. This match will be for the Flower Badge! There's no time limit. Begin!”

“Ok, I choose you, Leavanny!” Gramma threw her Poke Ball.

“Leavaaaaaaany!” a lanky Pokemon cried.

Hmm, I thought as I grabbed my Pokedex.

Leavanny. The Nurturing Pokemon and Swadloon's evolved form. This Pokemon is seen as a parental figure in forests where they live, not only caring for its own eggs with loving care, but they can also be spotted in forests producing silk that it uses to create clothing out of leaves for smaller Pokemon.

“Grass and Bug! Then I'm going with Unfezant in this match! Go!” I threw his Poke Ball.

“Feeeezant!” Unfezant cawed down at Leavanny.

“Gary…” June said, looking at me uncertainly.

“Don’t worry,” I nodded at her confidently. “Unfezant is just fine, especially for this battle. Right?” I smiled up at Unfezant.

“Feeeeeeeeeez!” Unfezant nodded at me, turning his head back to look at me.

June crossed her arms with disapproval as she looked at my Pokemon.

It’s just a little wound on his tail, I thought. He’s got a bandage on it. We can beat a stupid Bug and Grass type Pokemon, geez. We’ve got too much of a type advantage!

“Good luck, Sugar Lumps!” Courtney called out to me. I turned to see her blow me a kiss.

My eyes widened and I turned away quickly. She has a boyfriend, I reminded myself.

June was shooting me and Courtney a disgusted look, as if something grotesque had just occurred.

“Okay, okay. I see what's going on,” Gramma nodded, smiling up at my bird Pokemon. “Go on, then. Let's see what you've got!”

“Unfezant, let's make this quick! Air Slash, now!”

“Unfezant!” Unfezant's wings glowed light blue as he flapped them and released several light blue, saw disc-like energy at Leavanny.

“Dodge!” Gramma said quickly.

Leavanny easily swiveled out of the way of the attacks, not getting hit once.

“Now use your Swords Dance!”

Leavanny's arms glowed purple and swung through the air in an elegant sway, boosting its Attack.

“Unfezant, catch it with Gust! We could knock that Bug out in a hit or two!” I told my Pokemon.

Unfezant flapped his wings strongly, blowing a powerful gust of wind at Leavanny.

“Substitute!” Gramma told her Pokemon.

Leavanny was hit by the Gust, and it vanished into thin air upon contact!

I growled as I looked around for the real Leavanny.

“Slash, now!” Gramma called.

“Leavaaaaanny!” Leavanny appeared behind Unfezant, leaping into the air.

I blinked in surprise.

“Unfezant!” Unfezant uttered in shock as he looked behind him and was Slashed. His back flashed white, signifying a Critical Hit. He dropped to the ground, bouncing just once. Shaking his head, he got back up to his talons and flapped his wings, ascending into the air.

“Wow! Look at Leavanny go!” Courtney cheered behind me.

I turned my head back and glared at her.

Courtney eyes widened at me, but she couldn’t stop smiling. She looked down at the floor of the Gym, her cheeks growing pink with embarrassment.

“Okay, now, umm…” Gramma looked down at the ground in confusion. Silence filled the Gym as we all awaited Gramma's orders.

Screw this, I thought. It's my turn! “Quick Attack!” I told Unfezant.

Unfezant flew at Leavanny in a flash.

“Protect!” Gramma said frantically.

“Leavanny!” Leavanny closed its eyes and was hit by Quick Attack. It stumbled back, staying on its feet, and shook its head.

“Protect didn't work?” I questioned.

“Leavanny? Oh! That's right! I didn't teach you Protect…” Gramma covered her face with one hand, shaking her head. “Remembering all of these moves is such a trip!”

My mouth hung open in shock at Gramma's level of forgetfulness.

This was not the time for her to be slipping on her memory!

“This is over, Unfezant! Gust attack and end this!” I said determinedly.

“No! Leavanny! String Shot, now!”

Unfezant flapped his wings as Leavanny glared up at him.

“Leavanny, go!”

Leavanny grit its teeth, its eyes focused on Unfezant as the wind cut into its body. Its eyes closed tight but its mouth opened wide and a string fired out at Unfezant.

“Unfezant, do it!”

Unfezant flapped his wings harder and the string was blown back.

Leavanny cried out helplessly as it was lifted off of its feet. It landed on its back and slid along the ground.

“Unfezant!” Unfezant cried out to Leavanny as he stopped his attack.

I smiled proudly.

Leavanny shakily climbed back up and shook its head. “Leavanny!” it shouted out bravely.

“Wow! Leavanny is still going! Yay! Yay! Leava-Oops,” Courtney slapped her hands over her mouth as her eyes widened at the glare I shot her.

“I guess I underestimated it,” I growled as I turned back to the battle. Quick Attack should take it out, but I'm not gonna just charge in like that, I thought. Leavanny has boosted Attack moves, so I can't be so reckless. Especially not in a one-on-one battle. I'd better keep my distance.

“Grass Whistle!” Gramma instructed Leavanny.

Leavanny raised one of its leafy hands to its mouth and blew against it, making a pffffft! noise.

“Gust attack it again!”

“Leavann? Leavaaaaaannyyyy!!” Leavanny was tossed back by Gust attack and sprawled out on the floor.

“Leavanny, what happened? Why didn't Grass Whistle work? Oh, no! I didn't teach you that one, either! No, no, no! I forgot! This is so complicated!!!”

This chick's memory is worse than my Pidove's was! I thought wearily. “Quick Attack! It's time to end this already!”

“Leavanny, take that hit and get ready! We're not out of this battle, yet!” Gramma's determined shout grabbed my attention.

I squinted at her focused, serious face. It's too late, Gramma. The Flower Badge is mine.

Unfezant slammed into Leavanny and the Bug stumbled back, groaning.

“Now use String Shot!” Gramma told Leavanny.

“Leeeee!” Leavanny spit out string at Unfezant and it wrapped around his talons as my Flying type soared towards the ceiling.

“Un?” Unfezant looked back.

“Drag it into the air! Give it a flying lesson if it wants to hang with you so badly!” I said, feeling frustrated as I didn't understand what Gramma was planning, and I didn't like that.

“Feeeeezant!” Unfezant ascended higher, Leavanny's String Shot still coming out and wrapping around his body.

“Keep spitting out that String Shot!” Gramma's fists were tight as she gazed up at the ceiling, following Unfezant.

“Gary!” June cried out to me, but she didn't say a word. Her face showed me that she wanted me to notice something I wasn't seeing. I assumed that, as the judge of this match, she wasn't going to tell me, either.

“Gary, Leavanny's String Shot is still coming out of its mouth!” Courtney said to me. “You're wasting time! You're not gonna be able to lift it into the air like you think!”

I gasped and turned to Unfezant. “Then turn around and just use Air Slash!” Or maybe Quick Attack would be better, I considered. Or Gust. We can beat that thing! I suddenly gasped as I started to see what was going on in this battle.

Unfezant's body was now more than halfway wrapped up by String Shot, and as he tried to turn around to face Leavanny, the attack continued wrapping him up, reaching his wings quickly, and he cawed loudly. In seconds, his body was bound up to his neck.

“Now, let him drop and catch him with Electroweb!”

Leavanny spit out its String Shot and Unfezant cried out helplessly as he fell. Leavanny opened its mouth again and spit out a sparking string of electrical web that spread out wide, positioned right underneath Unfezant.

“Feeeeeeeeeeeeeezaaaaaaaant!!” Unfezant squawked painfully as he landed in the trap and was immediately electrocuted.

“NO!” I urged. “Unfezant, get out of there, now!”

Unfezant screamed out against the pain of the Electric attack, and the web suddenly wrapped around him, shocking him further.

“UNFEZANT!” I raged.

The Electroweb disappeared and Unfezant screamed out as he broke free from the String Shot around his body, his wings extended out, and he laid on the ground, breathing hard.

“Return! Go!” Gramma said immediately.

I looked up as Leavanny charged at Unfezant and slammed into him with Return attack.

Unfezant was tossed out of the battlefield with ease and slid along the floor behind me.

“Unfezant, no!” I ran to my Pokemon and knelt down beside him. “Unfezant! We can't lose! Not to a Leavanny! Not like this! We're stronger than this!”

Unfezant’s body twitched and then went still.

“Oh, Gary,” June said sadly from her spot outside of the battlefield, staring at my Unfezant. “I'm so sorry.”

Courtney shook her head with a pitiful look on her face.

Her Sceptile had its stern, serious eyes on my Unfezant.

Gramma stared down at my Unfezant with a mournful look, seeming to be on the verge of tears.

I looked back down to my Unfezant and swallowed. “I can't believe it…” My eyes began to tear up, but I managed to smile. “Good try, then, Unfezant.”

“Fezant…” Unfezant suddenly turned his head weakly and looked up at me.

“No shame, buddy. Type never really did matter, after all, you know? Next time, alright?” I held out his Poke Ball.

“Fezant!” Unfezant shifted his body and smacked my hand with his right wing.

His Poke Ball flew from my hand and bounced along the floor.

“Hey!” I gasped. “What the-?”

“Fezant!” Unfezant disappeared in a flash and flew at Leavanny.

“Unfezant! What are you doing?” I got to my feet.

“Leavanny!” Leavanny stumbled back as the Quick Attack hit and it dropped to its knees.

Unfezant flew higher into the air and attacked with Gust.

“It's still up! Substitute!” Gramma wore shock on her face, just like her Leavanny; just like the rest of us.

Leavanny was hit with Gust, but vanished from its spot.

“Return again!”

Leavanny appeared in the air, high above Unfezant, and it came down, its body as straight as a missile, and knocked Unfezant out of the air. Both Pokemon were a crumpled heap on the ground, breathing hard, exhausted, Leavanny on top of my Unfezant.

“Unfezant!” Unfezant smacked Leavanny off of him and got up, stumbling on the ground.

“Unfezant, take it easy! Don't push yourself! It's alright!” I called to him as I picked up his Poke Ball.

“FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZANT!! UNFEZANT!!” Unfezant screeched at me angrily.

“Huh?” I looked at him, frozen in place, my eyes wide.

Unfezant turned back to Leavanny, who was shakily climbing back to its feet.

“I'm impressed! We need more power! Swords Dance!” Gramma pushed on.

Leavanny boosted its Attack with Swords Dance, swinging its now purple leaves in the air rapidly, sharply, and beautifully.

“This isn't right,” I heard June whisper.

I turned to her and my heart's beat picked up its pace.

She was staring at Unfezant with wide, fearful eyes, shaking her head.

I looked back at Unfezant as he squawked and flew into the air, and his body suddenly glowed brightly.

“Whoa!” My eyes squinted at the light. “What is that?”

“He's using a new move, I think!” June called out to me.

Gramma stared in amazement at my Unfezant and didn’t say a word, her mouth wide open in awe.

Leavanny was also captivated by my Unfezant, watching the glowing ball of light dazzle before it.

“That's Sky Attack!” I realized. “Unfezant just learned Sky Attack!!”

The blinding light flew at Leavanny.

“Wait for it!” Gramma yelled.

Leavanny shook its head and bent its knees slightly, glaring at the oncoming attack.

Is she crazy? It won't survive that! I said loudly in my head, watching with shock. What are they planning?

“Now, drop!” Gramma said strongly.

Leavanny fell onto its back and laid still.

“Me First!” Gramma added.

Leavanny's body flashed purple for an instant, and then its body glowed blindingly white as Unfezant soared over it.

“Leavanny!!” Leavanny plowed into Unfezant, both balls of light soaring into the air.

One of the balls of light then fell towards the ground and crashed powerfully.

The other ball of light faded and Leavanny was revealed. It fell to the floor on its feet and immediately dropped to its knees, shivering from pain and exhaustion.

The first ball of light faded and Unfezant was shown, motionless on the floor.

“That's it! Stop! Please!” June begged, running towards me, waving her arms in the air frantically. “Just stop! Call him back! He's out!”

“Huh?” I stared at June, confused, my heart beating rapidly at the panic on her face. “What’s wrong, June?”

“Gary, return him! He’s out! He won't stop!” June grabbed my shoulders tightly.

I turned to Unfezant and cried out in surprise. “What are you doing?”

Unfezant was standing up again, but his head was at an awkward angle, his eyes closed as his body twitched painfully.

“Unfezant, come back!” I stepped past June and held out my Pokemon’s Poke Ball.

Unfezant flapped his wings, ascending above the red beam, but he cried out in pain and dropped to the floor again, breathing hard.

“Something's wrong with him!” Courtney pointed at my Pokemon. “What's going on?”

“Stop it, Unfezant! Come back!” I tried returning him again.

Unfezant was gone in a flash as he attempted another Quick Attack at Leavanny. He appeared a few feet away from his opponent before he gave up his attack and tumbled on the ground, screaming out in agony.

Leavanny caught my Unfezant as he rolled softly into its open arms. “Leavaaann,” Leavanny spoke gently to my Pokemon.

Unfezant’s head was to one side, his wings in the air, twitching, his body jumping as he breathed painfully.

“Call him back!!” June shoved me angrily.

I stumbled forward and tried once more to return my Pokemon. “Get back in the Poke Ball, Unfezant! Stop it!!”

Unfezant turned to me and I froze in place. Right before the red beam finally caught him, I saw the tears in his eyes that dripped down, landing in Leavanny’s hand. “Fezant…” He finally was back in his Poke Ball.

“Leavaaaan,” Leavanny said sadly, looking down at the tears in its leafy hand.

“I don't understand,” I said as I cupped the Poke Ball in my hands, staring down at it sadly. “What were you doing out there? What were you trying to prove?”

Gramma returned her Leavanny. “You kids should take that Pokemon to the Pokemon Center. That was really careless of you to let him battle like that.”

“But, I was trying to return him!” I tried.

“I don't wanna hear it! Get out of here! Now! Go! Go! That Unfezant needs immediate help!” Gramma said strictly. She turned to June. “I'm sorry, young lady. We'll have to battle another day. This battle has upset me far too much.”

June opened her mouth to respond, but instead, she nodded and pulled me towards the door.

“I'm so sorry about that, Gramma!” Courtney called out to her, and then she returned her Sceptile and swiftly followed June and I out of the Gym.

*

“That was really scary,” June said quietly.

“I don't know why Unfezant behaved that way,” I sighed. “He never acted that way before.”

“He did the same thing with Ruko,” June stated. “He just kept on battling.”

“I know. I mean, he never did that when he was a Pidove or a Tranquill,” I responded. “He's not even listening to me anymore!”

“It's not that,” June shook her head. “He wants to listen to you. He wants to do whatever you say; whatever you want!”

“Obviously not. I told him to stop and return, and he ignored me!”

June shook her head. “You don’t understand, Gary.”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, not this again,” Courtney giggled. “Are you gonna tell him that you understand something about Unfezant? That you heard his voice speak to you or something?” She burst out laughing.

“Courtney, this isn't a damn joke, you-!” June bit her lips and resorted to just glaring at Courtney.

“Yes? Please, don't hold your tongue,” Courtney insisted.

“Courtney, I'm not in the mood for your attitude so cut it out and stay quiet!” I snapped.

“Attitude? But-” Courtney pleaded, a desperate look on her face.

“No! If you don't believe June can read Pokemon, then suit yourself! But don't you talk down to her about it! I believe in June's ability, and I want to know what's wrong with my Unfezant!”

Courtney nodded her head quickly, her eyes wide, and she looked away.

June wouldn't have removed that enormous smile from her face to save a child’s life, her eyes on Courtney, and she turned to me. “Well,” she said pompously. “Unfezant is definitely very attached to you. He's willing to do anything for you. You wanted that Badge, and he was going to extreme lengths, pushing his limit, and refusing to stop in order to be what you wanted him to be. He loves you a lot, Gary. But this could be seriously dangerous if this is how far he's willing to go. He was really badly injured from that Gym battle.”

Unfezant. The Proud Pokemon. This is Tranquill's evolved form. They only grow attached to their Trainer, going to great lengths to show their affection.

Courtney cleared her throat, keeping her eyes on her Pokedex, refusing to look at June and I.

“Well, it's not like I was wrong,” June grumbled, glaring at Courtney’s Pokedex.

Courtney squinted hard at her Pokedex, but didn’t say a word.

“So, Unfezant's just trying to be my friend, in a way,” I said thoughtfully. “He's like any other Pokemon. He's just trying his best for me.”

“Yes, and no,” Courtney said lightly, not turning away from her Pokedex that she was now fiddling with. “Unfezant are different in a way. Yes, Pokemon usually go to the limit and beyond when they have a strong bond with their Trainer, but all Unfezant are like that, and it's really recommended to be careful when raising one. When it comes to their dedication to their Trainer, they don't know when to stop, as you can see.”

The doors at the back of the Pokemon Center opened and Nurse Joy and Audino came out, scowling as they looked around. Their eyes landed on me and they furiously stomped over to me. “You!” Nurse Joy stopped in front of me and slapped me across the face!

“Hey!” I looked up at her in fright, my cheek burning instantly. I raised a hand towards it, but I was afraid to touch it. “What was that for?”

“For allowing your Unfezant to get into such critical condition!” Nurse Joy barked at me. “You're lucky nothing too serious happened to the poor thing, but I'm going to have to look after him for a couple of more days or so to be sure he'll recover properly! How dare you allow that innocent creature to get so badly injured! You should be ashamed of yourself as a Pokemon Trainer! Jerk!!” She slapped me again in the same spot and walked away.

I barely had a second to cry out from the explosive pain I was suffering before I was hit again by Nurse Joy’s Audino. “Audino!” Audino hit me multiple times with Double Slap before following Nurse Joy, and I slumped back in the chair I was sitting in, both cheeks on my face on fire.

“Hey! You can’t do that!” Courtney called after the two in disbelief.

June stared after them, stunned speechless.

“It wasn’t my fault!” I managed to get out of my throat.

Nurse Joy and Audino whipped around quickly, baring their teeth at me.

“It was an accident! I didn’t mean to get him injured like that!” I explained. “My Gym battle with Gramma got out of hand! I’m really sorry!”

Nurse Joy and Audino’s faces turned to surprise, their eyes widening and their mouths opening a bit. They exchanged glances and then looked back at me.

“Gramma?” Nurse Joy asked me.

I nodded slowly. “Yeah. The Gym Leader here. I challenged her to a battle, and she defeated me. My Unfezant just refused to stop battling, though. I tried returning him. He just wouldn’t quit! I really didn’t mean for him to get hurt like this, Nurse Joy. I mean it!”

Nurse Joy and Audino exchanged glances again before turning back to me.

I blinked my eyes and squinted hard at the two, unsure of what I thought I had seen for just a split second. Did they just smirk at me? I wondered, slowly shaking my head. No. No way.

They shook their heads at me, staring at me as if I were a decomposing corpse. The pair then turned away and walked back through the doors in the back.

“Well, it's good to know those two actually do care about their job,” June murmured.

“Gary, are you alright?” Courtney cried, placing her hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head and sat up straight. “I'll be fine…” I muttered.

“-to pick up the new album by Madame Blah Blah, HIPPOP, out June 3rd,” a commercial on the TV high on the wall ended, the album cover of Madame Blah Blah’s new CD on the screen, showing her face covered in makeup that made her look like a weird mannequin, surrounded by mysterious images and symbols.

A new commercial started with a familiar melody, showing a man in a light brown suit and matching tie. He smiled at us from outside of several buildings lining the street he stood on. “Unsure of your next pet? Want to raise a Pokemon close to home, without having to travel around the world just to find it? Don't want to engage in Pokemon battles, only seeking to have a pet to be your new friend? Then come to PokeLand Discount.” The man was now magically inside of a store with shelves of products and smiling people on line in front of a counter.

A beautiful young lady stood behind the counter, next to a cash register, wearing a button up, black shirt with a white name tag clipped to it. She was smiling at a customer as he handed her money, the counter in front of her littered with things the man seemed to be buying.

“At PokeLand Discount, we not only sell Pokemon, which we raise with the utmost love and care,” the man continued as his background was now surrounded by shelves that held Pokemon contained in large, steel cages.

I saw a few Rattata inside of a humongous cage, one of them running on a wheel while the other Rattata wrestled around with each other playfully, kicking up wood shaving bedding underneath them.

Some Patrat were in another cage next to the Rattata, a few curled up together, napping peacefully on top of their own bedding, while one was awake, gnawing on a large piece of wood feverishly.

A pair of Buneary were in a cage of bedding near the bottom shelf with a small, flat gray block between them, resembling concrete, smiling as they looked up, one of their ears pointed up, the other ears curled in a bun on top of their heads.

A Bunnelby was by itself in another cage next to the Buneary, kicking up bedding underneath it as it hopped around.

“We also carry all kinds of Pokemon health items, including Potions, Antidotes, Poke Balls, and Full Heals,” the man continued as he seemed to slide through an aisle lined with shelves of products. “We also accept donations for those who can no longer care for their Pokemon, as long as they meet our qualifications.” The man was now standing by enormous fish tanks, a couple of them holding Goldeen, another one holding Horsea and Feebas, another holding a few Staryu, while a really big tank held a few Basculin. The man was back in the front of the store again, the line in front of the cash register now gone.

The young lady was still behind it, smiling at the camera.

“With our friendly staff, you can get the best guidance on how to raise your Pokemon, with the latest, up-to-date information on all the Pokemon we carry. Also, call in about our Pokemon veterinarian visits on Sundays, to get exact times and dates, and see our competitive prices. Why go anywhere else?” The screen now showed the man in front of the PokeLand Discount store, the young lady by his side, along with five other people around them.

The five new people wore a yellow name tag, and instead of a button up shirt, they had collared, black polo shirts.

The woman and the five new people all wore black slacks, their shirts tucked into their pants.

Everyone was beaming brightly.

“PokeLand Discount! The best care for your Pokemooooooon!” a female voice sung the familiar lyrics to the pleasant enough beat used in all PokeLand Discount commercials.

The screen faded to black.

“This is Felicia Eon with the news,” a lady with lipstick even redder than her hair spoke from the screen, wearing a black suit. “A lady who had just come back from Anville Town got a rude surprise today when she opened her bag she had gotten from a stranger she had exchanged items with today, as is customary to do on weekends, there. Thinking she had received six Rare Candies for her Thunder Stone, Water Stone, and Shiny Stone, she went home before checking her items, only to find that they were lumps of sugar wrapped in plastic!”

I looked away from the screen, shaking my head, and my eyes landed on the phone booths. Maybe I should give Prof. Oak a call, I thought. Or my mom. I got to my feet and walked over to a booth, taking a seat. Or just Prof. Oak. I picked up the phone and dialed his number.

The gentle glow from the blue screen remained as a sharp BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ! rang out repeatedly from the receiver.

I pulled the receiver away from my ear. “His phone is busy?” I asked out loud, staring at the screen. “Hmm.” I hung up the phone and waited for a few seconds before I lifted the receiver again to try to dial him one more time. Hurried footsteps behind me made me turn around, and I saw June running up to me, terror on her face.

“Gary! Come here!” She grabbed my shoulder, her eyes watering.

“June, what's wrong?” I stood up.

“Prof. Oak!” She pointed at the TV.

“Huh?” I dropped the receiver in my hand and walked quickly to the TV.

“His lab was under attack! They can't find him!” June sobbed, her hand gripping my shoulder tightly as she shivered.

The TV showed something that made my heart block my breathing, thumping in my throat, and I tried to swallow it back down, with failed results.

The remains of a building in a crumbled heap were being shown as a camera moved across a wide plain, the camera switching to a different section of the area every several seconds.

I immediately recognized the area. It was unmistakable. I’d been there too many times not to know that place.

That demolished building was the exact spot where Prof. Oak’s Lab was located.

Several Pokemon were all over the grass, not moving or breathing really hard.

Courtney moved next to me and grabbed my other arm, shaking.

Countless more Pokemon continued to be shown, all of them in a helpless, horrible, pained condition. Some were bleeding all over the grass from various places on their bodies, others had visibly broken legs and arms, and others suffered twisted necks. Several areas that were being shown had police and firefighters running through them, all wearing full-bodied protective outfits.

“Authorities and specialists have only just entered the research laboratory of Prof. Oak after the attack,” the newswoman spoke, out of sight. “There is no word on how many Pokemon have been injured or found dead, nor is there any word on where Prof. Oak is at this time. The attackers on this legendary lab are also a complete mys-”

The screen suddenly went gray with static, the lady disappearing and then reappearing.

“-looking into-” The lady came back, her sentence interrupted as the screen went gray again with the funny noise.

“Hey! Come on! What's with the service, here?” I shouted angrily, stepping closer to the screen.

June and Courtney moved forward with me, clinging to me.

“-dead, without a-” the newscaster said before disappearing into the gray noise again.

“Come on!!” I bellowed, my heart beating painfully in fear.

“-could-” the woman tried to continue. “-it-”

The screen went gray with a sharp noise.

“Yo! You've got to be kidding me! Prof. Oak!” I shouted angrily.

June and Courtney's grip tightened on me as they huddled closer to me, fearfully.

The screen suddenly cleared out startlingly quick, making the three of us gasp. The TV displayed nothing but darkness, the dark silhouette of a figure barely visible amongst a dark blue background behind it. I could see a metallic, shiny, silver cane in front of the silhouette, and it looked like the being behind it was gripping the top of it, their hand covered by something dark. Perhaps some kind of cloak.

“What's going on?” Courtney whispered shakily.

“Is that a person?” June cried.

“It's been a long time,” spoke a voice that was clearly being altered, sounding far too deep, dark, and distorted. It sounded male. “The attack on Prof. Oak's Lab is only the beginning, I promise you. Judgement Day is coming, and from it, there shall be no escape for any of you who have shown no support for the cause of Team Solace. We, Team Solace, have returned, stronger than ever before. When the time comes, there shall be no mercy for any of you. All Pokemon will be annihilated, once and for all. There is no more forgiveness. No more chances. You have all made your choices. The side of the fence you stand on now, is where you will die; or prosper.”

The screen went gray again, and the newswoman reappeared. She wasn’t speaking, but was looking off to the side fearfully. She nodded her head and licked her red lips, looking back to the screen. Felicia swallowed nervously and opened her mouth, pausing before finally speaking. “It would appear, based on continually flooding reports from all over the world, that just a moment ago, many television programs and radio stations all over the world, including this very news station, were hacked into and interrupted, displaying a terrifying claim about the terrorist organization known as Team Solace. According to this message from an unknown individual, the group that was thought to have been shut down nearly three years ago, has rebuilt itself and is responsible for the attack on Prof. Oak's Laboratory, and is promising more attacks like it in the future. This is certainly very terrifying and disturbing news. I think I need to go to the restroom. Excuse me.” Felicia's face was turning green, and she covered her mouth with one hand and got to her feet, running away from the screen.

The screen suddenly went completely blue, and a message read: We Are Now Experiencing Technical Difficulties. Please Stand By.

“No,” June gasped, breathing noisily, heavily. She released my arm and wrapped her arms around her stomach, stumbling away from me, and collapsed to her knees.

“Gary, what's going to happen? I'm scared! I need a hug!” She wrapped her arms around me.

“Nooooo!” June groaned weakly.

I didn't budge, keeping my eyes on the screen, feeling ready to throw up myself, the feeling worsened by Courtney's tight hug.

“Prof. Oak…” I whispered weakly, my legs quaking underneath me.

“NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!” June screamed at the top of her lungs.