“...And that’s why two pairs of pants are the pinnacle of fashion and practicality amongst all legwear,” Brendan said, nodding sagely.

“Oh wow. You’ve really put a lot of thought into this,” Astra replied. She was impressed; she had no idea someone could talk for so long about pants. She looked him over again. “It still looks dumb.”

“Says the girl in a bedsheet,” he grumbled, lightly shoving at her shoulder.

She shoved him right back. “At least I have an excuse,” she teased. “You’re just blind.”

“Tch. One day you’ll see. Everyone will be wearing double! It’s the only way to go, really.”

“As if.”

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, idly watching another duel between strangers in the courtyard. The match came to a close—

Astra let out a cheer when her favored side won—before Brendan spoke up again.

“I couldn’t help but notice, you seemed kinda… mad, earlier? When you were alone, I mean.”

Astra’s victorious expression turned sour. “Oh. Yeah. I tried to challenge the gym a little while ago.” She kicked another rock, scowling.

“Ah,” Brendan said, comprehension dawning. “You met Norman, did you? He only got his position a little while ago, but I’ve heard he can be a bit abrasive—"

“He’s a massive jerk is what he is!” Astra spat, glaring into the concrete. “He basically said I was worth less than dirt!”

“Yeesh,” he winced. “That’s harsh. I guess you just had bad luck, then. Usually the receptionists turn you away unless you meet the prerequisites. Though,” he continued, tilting his head, “what were you doing challenging a gym so soon? It’s only been one day, hasn’t it?”

“I became a Pokemon trainer so I could become the Champion. I don’t have a lot of time either, so I needed to challenge the gyms as soon as possible.” She shot another sour look at the gym. “So much for that.”

“What, like a time limit?” Brendan asked, curious. “That’s odd. What happens if you run out? And for how long? Or—oh man, sorry, is that private?” He stammered, slightly panicked. “You don’t have to answer!”

“No, it’s fine,” she sighed, gaze somber. “I just don’t like worrying about it. If my time runs out…well, at the very least I don’t think I’ll be able to be a Pokemon trainer anymore.” She smiled ruefully at her massive understatement. “I don’t know exactly how long I have, I just hope I have enough.”

“Ah man, that sounds rough.” Brendan said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. “I hope it’s not anything too serious…?”

Astra smiled at him reassuringly. “Nothing like that; I’m not sick or anything, I’ll be fine. But,” she added, “I just… don’t want to talk about it, alright?” Explaining more than she had to could lead to disaster, after all.

Brendan let out a relieved breath. “Okay. Well, bad luck that you came here first, then. You’d have better chances with Roxanne over in Rustboro. Everybody goes to Rustboro first.”

“Norman said something about that too,” Astra said, leaning forward. “Roxanne is the Gym Leader there? What’s she like?”

“Oh, she was a former student at the trainer school there. Graduated at the top of her class from what I heard, and then she joined the gym right after and ascended pretty quickly.” He reclined against the bench, gazing up at the reddening sky as he thought. “She values strategy, tactics, theory, and education; and her Gym focuses on Rock type Pokemon. I believe she also has an archaeology hobby?”

“What’s archaeology?”

“The study of historical objects and locations, though I think she just really likes fossils.”

Astra hummed. “What’s a fossil?”

Brendan looked at her, visibly confused. “You’ve never heard of fossils? Um. Well, they’re preserved remnants of things that lived a long time ago. Like, you know,” he waved one hand around empathetically, “Flies trapped in amber, footprints and skeletons embedded in rocks, stuff like that.”

She frowned. “That sounds weird. Why would anyone want a bunch of old dead stuff?” It sounded lame—except for the twin-tailed Magikarp skeleton she had back home, that was an obviously cool exception! Not like a bug trapped in… hardened tree sap? Gross.

Brendan shrugged. “Some people like that sort of thing, I guess.”

“Bleh.” Shaking her head, Astra leapt off the bench. “Enough of that. I’m not going to beat Roxanne with a dead rock, I need practice! I came here to fight and I’m going to get one. Brendan!” Said boy blinked as she pointed directly at him. “We’re supposed to be rivals too, right? Well, let’s get started then. I challenge you to a battle!”

Brendan’s eyes sharpened as a grin stole across his features. “Would it surprise you that I was about to suggest that too? You’re on!”

A moment later, they stood across from each other in a vacant arena.

“I should warn you that I’ve been around Pokemon since I was a kid.” Brendan spun his pokeball on his finger, before grasping it and posing dramatically. “I won’t go easy on you just because you’re new.”

Astra smirked. “Give it all you’ve got, I’ll still take you down!”

“We’ll see about that. Mudkip, I choose you!”

“Let’s go, Treecko!”

Two balls soared into the air and twin bolts of energy shot down to the battlefield, resolving into Treecko and a somewhat familiar blue aquatic creature. It had a large blue fin on top of its head, with orange, spikey cheeks and a gray fishtail. Where had…? Oh! It looked like a small version of that blue behemoth in the professor’s yard. Was this a predecessor?

“Mudkip, Tackle!” Brendan commended, pointing ahead. Mudkip let out a yipping sound as it started to charge.

Establishing her usual mental connection, Astra quickly laid down a plan of action in the span of a thought. Deception.

Treecko grinned. Kneeling into a runner’s pose, he tensed and then shot off, heading to meet his opponent in the middle of the field. The distance closed rapidly, both combatants’ focus razor sharp as their opponent closed in.

At the last second, Treecko pivoted to the side and back stepped, Mudkip’s tackle rushing past by a hair. Startled, Mudkip stumbled and started to turn, but Treecko launched himself with a furious cry, slamming into his opponent from behind.

“Mudkip!” Brendan shouted as Treecko sent him skidding across the arena. The fishlike Pokemon shook and righted itself in a flash, ready to go once again.

“Mud! Mudkip!” it yipped, pawing at the ground.

Astra’s grin grew winder. Her plan worked! Time to go on the offensive. Rushdown!

“Tackle again, Mudkip! Stay on target!”

But Treecko had already started moving before he could finish his command. Even as Mudkip began to move, Treecko was already running fast and accelerating. This time they collided head-on, Treecko shoulder checking into Mudkip’s downturned head. With a grunt of effort and a cry of pain, Treecko’s momentum overrode his opponent's strength and sent Mudkip sprawling once again.

Time to go in for the kill! Final—

“Hey, what are you doing?” It took a second for her to realize Brendan had spoken to her. She broke off from Treecko and refocused on him. He was frowning. Why?

“What?”

He glanced between her and Treecko for a moment. “Trainers are supposed to lead their Pokemon. You do know that, right?”

Astra blinked. “Of course I do. Why? Do you think I’m doing it wrong or something?” She gestured to his battered Mudkip and her own, still pristine Treecko. “So far you’re the one who’s losing.”

Brendan made a frustrated groan. “No, it’s not that! It’s that you aren’t! You haven’t told your Treecko to do a single thing, he’s just going off on his own. It doesn’t matter if he’s winning, that’s not how it works!”

What was he talking about? Astra scowled at him; she was commanding her Pokemon just fine! So what if he couldn’t hear her, what did that matter—they don’t have telepathy. Astra suddenly felt like slamming her face into the concrete. She made the same mistake again. Of course it mattered, nobody else did it!

“W—well,” Astra stumbled slightly. What did she even say? “Just because you can’t hear it doesn’t mean I’m not!”

Brendan made a face. “What, did you put a radio in his ear?”

“No?” She didn’t even know what that was. “Maybe I’m just that good.”

He gave her a flat stare. “Good enough to not give your Pokemon directions.”

“I’ll let the results speak for themselves!” she deflected. “We’re still fighting!”

Brendan looked like he might argue further, but the moment passed. “Fine. Mudkip, take him down!”

Astra whipped her head back toward the two combatants just in time to see Treecko attempt the same sidestep maneuver as earlier. But Mudkip had learned from its earlier mistake and tilted to the side in tandem, striking Treecko with incredible force.

“Treecko!” Astra cried out as her companion was knocked to the ground. The tiny Pokemon recovered quickly, but he was breathing heavily. He wasn’t looking too good, and from only a single hit?

“Don’t let up Mudkip! Tackle barrage!” Brendan commanded, and Mudkip heeded his call, beginning to rush Treecko down yet again.

Evade! Astra called out, hoping to buy some time. Watching as Treecko managed to dodge his opponent's wild rushes—sometimes only by a hair—she worried over how to proceed. With the momentum lost, how was she going to regain it? This wasn’t in the forest, there were no trees to use for maneuvers or tricks. What could she do?

Her thought process stalled out for a moment, and Treecko faltered. Even if his speed was greater, his endurance wasn’t quite up to par, and so he was too slow to dodge another of Mudkip’s unrelenting tackles. Astra could only watch as the aquatic Pokemon clipped Treecko and sent him spinning to the ground yet again.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Astra grit her teeth. With Mudkip's superior strength, contesting with brute force would get her nowhere. But it had wizened up to her tricks, so what else could she do?

“I don’t suppose you have any ideas?” she ruefully asked Treecko during the lull.

Treecko paused, and then to Astra’s great surprise she began to receive feedback through their telepathic link. Was he trying to talk to her? She hadn’t known this could happen. Her question had been rhetorical, but she wasn’t about to complain! She listened to his message, examining the simplistic ‘language.’ Treecko wasn’t at the same level of intelligence as her or a human, not by a long shot, but he was clearly smart enough to convey basic concepts and emotions.

Power. He conveyed at the speed of thought; not in words, but images and meanings. Drain; Heal, Weaken.

Astra blinked, astonished. Understanding bloomed immediately, and she grinned as a new plan took form. “That’s perfect! Time to turn this battle on its head." Diminish!

Only three seconds had passed since Treecko had stood. Mudkip reared back, shouting a challenge to his opponent. “Mudkip Mud!”

“Let’s finish this, Mudkip,” Brendan cheered, “Knock her Pokemon down, once and for all!”

As Mudkip charged, Treecko crouched down and focused intently. The thundering steps increased in tempo as Mudkip's momentum built to an all time high, and yet Treecko was undeterred. At the last second, when Mudkip was a mere instant away from bowling Treecko down, he leapt—and grabbed the fin on Mudkips head, swinging himself around to land on his opponent's back. Mudkip screeched as he tripped and skidded upon the pavement, thrown off-balance by the maneuver and sudden weight.

“What the-!?” Brendan gasped, voice tinged with panic “How did- Mudkip, shake him off!”

But Treecko was far from done. With a surge of power, tiny, needle-like thorns sprouted from the ends of his fingers. Glowing green, he slammed them into the side of Mudkip's head and tore.

Mudkip screamed as rivulets of green energy were drained out of his body, dropping and thrashing wildly. Over and over Treecko was smashed upon the ground as Mudkip tried to shake him off—but even as Astra watched, the green energy that Treecko was pulling out was absorbed into his body, visibly mending his cuts and bruises.

“Mudkip! No! Get rid of him!”

But despite Brendan’s frantic commands, Treecko was latched on tight and continued his grim task. In a matter of moments Mudkip's wild flailing slowed, movements growing ever more lethargic. His crying dimmed, his movements finally ceased, and then it was over. Treecko disentangled itself from his opponent's unconscious form and crowed to the sky.

Victory.

A beam of red light overtook Mudkip's form as Brendan recalled it, sighing. Treecko had already returned to Astra, climbing into her arms.

“Good work!” she praised, stroking him, the little lizard visibly preening.

“Well, that was embarrassing.” Brendan shook his head. He tapped out a few buttons on his pokedex, and Astra grinned as her funds were replenished. “Beaten by a new trainer who didn’t even give out any commands. I guess I still have a lot of work to do.”

Astra’s reply was cut off by the sound of slow clapping. She looked around, but didn’t see the source. Brendan, however, looked right past her in astonishment before slowly lowering his face into his palms.

“Ugh,” he grumbled. “I’m never gonna hear the end of this, am I?”

“Nope!” a voice sang from behind, radiating amusement. “I’m gonna milk this one for weeks.”

Astra turned around and almost dropped Treecko out of shock. A girl stood behind her, leaning against the entrance to the gym. Her face was ringed by long, brown hair, with blue eyes and a mischievous grin. She wore a red bandana over her scalp which tied in the back, a red jacket and blue spats, alongside a small tan pack on her hip.

She had also been there, that moment two days ago when everything had changed. Astra remembered it well: standing behind that green-haired human, an expression betraying boredom and annoyance as a Zigzagoon barreled down at her. The Ralts froze completely, eyes fixed on the approaching trainer as she sauntered over, one hand on her hip.

“I mean, really?” she mocked, waving a hand in Astra’s direction, “What kind of rival loses to some kid who doesn’t even give out orders?”

“May,” Brendan grumbled. “I don’t need this right now.”

May(?) laughed. “Nah, what you need is a good kick in the ass. I guess growing up with a professor doesn’t mean you know how to fight, eh?” She moved closer and elbowed him in the side, not sparing Astra a glance as she passed.

He shot her a glare. “I know how to fight! Mudkip just needs more training than I can do in half a week. He was at a disadvantage anyway, you know he’s weak to grass moves.”

“Weaknesses didn’t help you against Torchic back on 102,” May countered, maintaining her massive grin.

“He didn’t know any water moves back then,” Brendan defended. “I couldn’t take advantage of it!”

“Excuses!”

Astra stood to the side awkwardly as they bickered. Who was this girl? How did Brendan know her? He had mentioned that the professor had given out three Pokemon…was she the last of their trio?

“Um,” she interjected, “Hello?”

Both of them blinked and turned to her. May stared at her, expression turning flat. “What do you want? You won, the battle's over. Go away.” She punctuated her statement with a shooing motion, snorting derisively.

“May! Don’t be a jerk,” Brendan chided before turning back to Astra. “Sorry about that. Astra, this is May. She moved next door to me a few days ago. She’s a rival of mine, and the last part to our trio. May,” he turned back to the girl, who looked confused, “This is Astra. She visited the professor yesterday and picked up Treecko.”

May scowled. “Trio? You buy into that old fairy tale? Whatever.” Crossing her arms, the girl looked Astra up and down, a vague interest sparking in her eyes. “Well, I guess you beat Brendan, and he’s into that ‘destined rivals’ shit; might as well. So!”

Cutting herself off, she strode over and planted herself in front of Astra, a shark-like grin plastered across her face. “Nice to meet you, shorty. Name's May.” She held out a fist, waiting expectantly.

“N-nice to meet you too?” Astra stuttered, memories of their first encounter flashing through her head. “I’m Astra.” She looked at the fist, confused. What was she supposed to do with that? “I…”

Behind May, Brendan looked amused and vaguely exasperated. He held both of his fists up and mimed bumping them into each other. Oh, some odd form of greeting, she supposed. Grateful, Astra repeated the action, balling up her hand and connecting with May's. “Nice to meet you too.”

The trainer leaned to the side, one hand upon her hip. “I saw the tail end of the fight, your pokemon has some nice moves—though you not telling him what to do is weird as hell. That said, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but seeing as you beat up poor, weak Brendan over there—” she said, pointing a thumb backwards.

“Hey!”

“—I’m obligated to beat your ass into paste.”

Astra took a moment to process that, dumbfounded. “What?”

“I’m the only one allowed to defeat Brendan,” she explained, still grinning. “Since he’s my rival, it makes me look bad when just anyone can walk over him. Though, according to that big nerd—"

“Hey!”

"—You’re supposed to be my rival too. I suppose that makes it a bit better, but not by much since, after all…” she shrugged, tilting her head, “Doesn’t that mean I have even more reason to fight?”

“I guess?” Astra didn’t really understand her logic. Still, if she wanted a battle, she was all too willing! A small part of her was viciously pleased by the opportunity to enact a bit of revenge. Just as she opened her mouth to accept the challenge, a thought occurred, making her hesitate. Shouldn’t Treecko rest a bit, first?

“Um, I would accept, but I just got done fighting with Brendan. I should—"

“What!?” May interrupted, incredulous. “Flaking out because your Pokemon has a few scrapes? He’s fine, especially after that bigass absorb he did.”

“Tree!” Treecko even seemed to agree with her, wriggling out of Astra's arms and leaping to the ground. “Ko Ko!” he said, hopping on his feet. It seemed he really was good to go.

“Well, I guess I’m ready to fight after all.” Astra smiled at her Pokemon before turning a glinting eye toward May. “You’re on!”

“That’s what I like to hear,” May cheered, striding back to the other side of the field. Brendan shot her a wary look before moving to the benches. “Let me show you how a real trainer does things. Torchic, go!” she called, tossing her pokeball into the air.

When the light faded, a loud chirp signified the arrival of a small beaked bird, feathers the color of flame covering its body. “Torchic!” it chirped, hopping around.

“Right, I’m counting on you Treecko!” Astra called, sending him back into the fray. Treecko moved into position, but with far more trepidation than Astra expected. She blinked at his sudden lack of bravado, the emotion replaced by a sense of wariness and… fear?

“Woo!” Brendan shouted from the sidelines. “Take her down!”

May twitched at his words, then glared at the bystander. “You better be cheering for me!” she yelled, shaking a fist at him.

Brendan looked away, whistling innocently.

“Tch. Whatever.” Rolling her eyes, May looked back at her opponent. “Well? Come on, then!”

“Not going to make a move?”

May smirked, leaning to the side again. “I’ll be nice and let you go first. You’re going to need it.”

Astra scowled. How condescending could this girl get? Fine then. Fine! Switching her attention to Treecko, she directed him into the fray once more. Drain!

Treecko seemed to hesitate for a split second, but shot off regardless. Needles covered in glowing green energy once more sprouted from his hands as he darted across the concrete, closing in on the chirping Torchic. Leaping into the air, he descended upon his hapless opponent!

It came as a complete surprise when Torchic didn’t even attempt to dodge. Treecko’s hand slammed home, the needles digging into the tiny bird’s side.

Astra stared, flummoxed as May remained unmoved even as her Pokemon was attacked. What was she doing!? Her confusion was cut short as Treecko’s frustrated grunt caught her attention; his hand was still digging into his opponent, but it didn’t appear to be doing much of anything at all to Torchic. In fact, it seemed like it was only irritating him? Why!?

May sighed, shaking her head. “Torchic, ember.”

Astra could only sense Treecko's panic for a split second before Torchic opened his beak, but by that time it was too late. A stream of red hot fire blazed forth, engulfing Treecko in a swath of blistering heat. It lasted only for a moment, but it was enough; Treecko screeched, falling to the ground as the fire licked at his body, black soot covering him head to toe.

PAIN

“Treecko!” Astra gasped, the extent of his agony coming across the link in full force. “Treecko, no! Please get up!”

“Peck.”

Torchic chirped, hopping over to its writhing opponent. With a swift motion its beak drilled into Treecko’s head, mercifully ending the charred Pokemon’s struggles. With only two moves exchanged, it was over.

Astra numbly recalled Treecko, hands shaking. Her mind was blank, replaying that scene over and over again. The brutality hadn’t been pleasant, but Treecko had been battered before and she’d gotten...a little more accepting of the concept. But that wasn’t the issue.

It was the sheer, infuriating ease with which May had won. She had scored a direct hit with Treecko’s new special move and it hadn’t done a thing, while the enemy had taken him out in basically one attack. How could she be so much stronger; hadn’t she just gotten her Pokemon recently as well?

Astra closed her eyes, sighing. A little more experience counted for this much, did it? What were they talking about before she interrupted? Some Pokemon were weak to specific attacks? The admission was bitter to the taste, but she had to admit…maybe Norman had a point.

She had a lot to learn after all.

A loud sigh from her left broke her out of her thoughts as Brendan stepped back into the arena. “Did you have to go that hard on her? She just started yesterday.”

May shrugged, having transferred Torchic to the crook of her arm. “Type advantage is a bitch. But, I guess. Maybe next time, Astra!”

Astra gave her a weak grin. “Yeah. Next time.”

Brendan patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t feel too bad. May is really good. She beat me on our first day too, and I grew up with a Pokemon Professor.”

Astra nodded, side-eyeing Brendan. “I guess—wait, you lost to both of us, and I’ve only been in one battle before this. Are you sure you’re not just bad?”

Brendan’s pained look was a sight to behold, as was May’s sudden riotous laughter.

“Astra! You can’t just go and murder someone like that!” she wheezed. “He has a family!”

“Haha, very funny,” he deadpanned over Astra’s giggle. “Laugh it up. See if I ever comfort you again. Ungrateful, grumble mumble…”

“Anyway!” May proclaimed, pulling both Astra and Brendan close, arms locked around their shoulders. “I’ve got a massive hunger that can only be solved with delicious food. Who’s down for sushi?”

Astra perked up. More strange human food? If it was anywhere as good as ice cream, she was willing to take a hundred losses. “I am!”

“Eh, sure. Sushi sounds good.” Brendan agreed.

“Fantastic! You two are paying.” The resulting glares could melt through stone. May laughed. “Hey now, losers gotta pay! I ran past a place earlier today that looked decent. Let’s go!”