Since it was already getting dark I decided to stay in Azalea town’s Pokemon Center.

Sure I could go home, riding Dragonite, or Arcanine, but I would just have to come back in the morning, and I already had everything set up for me to be gone for a short trip.

So I got a Pokemon Center room, which was thankfully easy as Azalea town was in a slow period now that the League was coming to a close soon.

“Is everyone comfy?” I asked, I looked around the room. Chansey was using the chair in the room, it was a fold out, and she looked quite content with a blanket over her and her little feet up.

Arcanine was comfortable everywhere, but I had given her a pillow to drool into and she was happy.

Dragonite and Milotic were both curled up in the bed, and Milotic was already snoozing as Dragonite opened her eyes at my call and smiled sleepily.

Gyarados was happier sleeping in his ball, but I’d get up early and we would have some time during breakfast to let him stretch.

I always felt a little bad that he was too big for most rooms.

Lucario to my amusement was laying on top of Arcanine seemingly quite comfortable in her fur.

Unfortunately I had done that before and Arcanine had a tendency to move in her sleep. She’d likely get thrown around in the middle of the night.

But everyone looked ready. I flipped the lights and made my way over to my bed in the dark where I curled up, as I settled in, Milotics fin flowed over me, and I turned to see his eye was open a bit.

I smiled and cuddled in.

—--

“That’s my boy!” I cheered as Gyarados happily dropped the beach ball onto the dirt at my feet.

He was getting some morning exercise playing in a stream that ran through the town. While I was throwing a beach ball into the stream and he was fetching it.

“Umm… Excuse me!” A voice called out and I looked over to see Bugsy of all people looking nervous as he approached.

“Hey Bugsy!” I greeted him as Gyarados returned the beach ball again. I grabbed it from him and gave him a big smile before leaning back and chucking it as far as I could and he twisted and chased after it.

“Umm.. That’s a Gyarados.”

“Yep! Isn’t he cute?” I asked as he returned and dropped the ball, but I reached up and squeezed his big old cheeks, getting a gurgle in turn which wasn’t a laugh, but was close to a pleased noise.

“R-right… I uh…” He seemed to firm himself up. “You’re planning on traveling to the other Johto Gyms right?”

“Yep!”

“Please let me come with you. You’re right. I think I need to get away from the Gym for a bit, see Johto again, and watch high end battles. Please take me with you!” He asked, bending over in a deep bow, and I blinked.

Huh. I didn’t really expect to run into a Brock Development….

“Sure! More the merrier!” I offered back laughing at the boys completely bent over bow stiffening up as he realized how quickly I agreed.

“R-really?”

“Sure. C’mon I’m about to finish breakfast for my team before we head out, why don’t you join me?” I offered, waving to the little camping area I had set up to cook in. I was playing with Gyarados as the water in the pot heated up.

“Oh… Sure!”

—--

“Wow.” Bugsy whispered behind me. I turned to send him a smirk as Dragonite’s wings beat once more and we were rocketing forward again.

I guess any Johto boy would have some fascination with Dragonite, and it was probably pretty rare they got to ride on one's back.

“Yeah! It’s great right?” I asked and he nodded. His short fluffy hair flowing straight backwards was pretty funny looking.

I decided to be mature and not tease him about it though. We traveled north west, right out of Azalea town, and with only once confirming from Bugsy we soon saw Goldenrod City. Sticking out of seemingly the side of a forest on the beaches was a big radio tower as well.

Thankfully it made it easy to spot. With a few moments circling the City we spotted a pokemon center and easily touched down.

Bugsy jumped off first his legs a little wobbly as he seemed a bit shaken by the speed.

“So how was it?”

“What?”

“Your first Dragonite ride?”

“Amazing! I mean. Not as cool as finding a new Butterfree nest, but still great!” He offered and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at his words.

“You’re definitely a bug nerd.” I teased as I stifled my laughter, but he pouted at me in turn. “Don’t worry, nothing wrong with being a nerd. I’m a pokemon nerd too!” I said poking my chest.

He looked at me a little oddly for a minute before seemingly perking up that I wasn’t making fun of him.

“So do you know where the Gym is?”

“Oh! Umm.. It should be over there?” He said pointing outside of the town and I nodded.

“Let’s go find it then!” I called out as I returned Dragonite and started running, I was looking forward to this!

—--

“Aww.” I groaned as the Gym had a sign on it saying it was closed for the day. “I didn’t have this problem in Kanto. The Gym Leaders were just there!”

“Well… It is near the end of the season? The only Gym leaders that’ll still be busy are Pryce and Claire… Maybe.” Bugsy offered although it took him a while as he was catching his breath. He had good stamina, but he still got a bit worn out after chasing after me.

I hummed. As I took in the closed doors and sign. I could probably pull an Ash and just make a nuisance of myself, but that was kinda rude.

On the other hand I really didn’t want to be left waiting for a long time to finish the Gyms! I was on a time limit!

“Do you think we could bring her back for the battle? No, that’s dumb. I guess we’ll just have to come back tomorrow. Want to go to Cianwood, or Ecruteak, do you think?” I asked Bugsy and he blinked in surprise at my question.

“Why don’t we just wait?”

“Cause it’ll only take like an hour to get to another city. Dragonite ride, remember?” I asked, laughing at the blank look on the purple haired boys face. Then he reached up and slapped each of his cheeks and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s right! I keep forgetting. I don’t usually get to move that fast!” He explained and I giggled.

“Well it’s not fast movement, but can’t Butterfree learn Teleport?” I asked and Bugsy stilled for a moment as he considered it.

“I’m not sure.”

And I hummed. I vaguely remember using a Butterfree to rush back to Pokemon Centers in one of the games…

Wait, Arcanine can learn Teleport! I wonder how useful it would be in real life instead of just a game? Could Arcanine instant transmission around a battlefield?

“Mwahahahaha!” I laughed in delight at the idea and ignored Bugsy’s uncomfortable stepping away as I considered it.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

I quickly grabbed a notepad out of my bag and wrote that down for later.

“Anyways.” I said returning back to what I was going to say. “Teleport Butterfree. Something to think about right? It’ll let you move around a lot faster.”

“Yeah… Yeah!” Bugsy said, puffing up. “This is why I wanted to leave Azalea town. I’d never have even considered that!”

“Mhmm! You have to explore the world and meet new people and get new ideas from all over! That’s what it means to be a Pokemon Trainer.” I said and he looked surprised at my words before smiling.

“Yeah.”

“Well no point standing here… I think… Let’s go fight Ghost boy.” I decided firmly. I needed more practice against Ghost types for when I face Agatha anyways.

So Morty would be a good challenge.

“Morty? Are you sure? He’s… Really strong.”

“So is Agatha, and I’m aiming to face her soon. It’ll be good practice!” I decided and instantly released Dragonite who looked around in confusion at not being in battle.

“Sorry! Looks like the Gym is closed today. So we are going to another city farther north. Feel like a flight?” I asked and she nodded happily pumping her arms.

“C’mon Bugsy!” I called out and laughed as he awkwardly approached Dragonite for another ride.

—--

“Stop there!” I called out pointing and Dragonite dipped a wing instead of landing in the city she headed straight for the large tower.

There wasn’t really a good landing spot and I didn’t want to just enter without permission, but Dragonite hovered around the top of it, which was perfect.

I couldn’t help myself and looked around.

Lugia? Ho-Oh? Were you around? Did you want to battle? To share a meal? I didn’t have a Silver or Rainbow Feather so I doubt they would appear, but there was always a chance.

Of course they were both Legendaries so I probably shouldn’t mess with them…

Then again Lugia had a baby and that was the cutest thing ever.

“Vicky?” Bugsy asked, and I shook my head clear.

“It’s nothing Bugsy! C’mon Dragonite! Let’s land at the pokemon center!” I called out and we once more dipped with a single flap to start gently soaring down towards the ground below.

The Pokemon Center’s red roof was easily visible and we soon landed just outside. Our appearance of course brought lots of attention. Kids and adults both gasping at the sight of a Dragonite and pointing.

I could practically hear them muttering Blackthorn as they talked, but I just grinned all the wider.

Gonna have to teach them that Johto aren’t the only Dragonite trainers around.

“They’re all watching us.” Bugsy whispered and I looked at him.

“Yeah? What’s wrong?” I asked because the boy was sounding almost nervous.

“I’m just not used to people looking at me.” He revealed after a moment, the poor boy was shifting nervously in place.

“Even as the Gym Leader?”

“Azalea is pretty small, and it’s different with all the Uncles and Aunties.” He revealed and I really had to hold myself back from snorting. Bugsy was like the favorite child in a village of older men and women.

I wondered if Ash had something similar with Pallet Town and all the older people there? Wait… Azalea Town was the Pallet of Johto, wasn’t it? Bugsy was young and the Gym Leader, but almost everyone that lived there was older…

I shook it off. Hopefully everything would calm down and any worries over war between Kanto, and Johto would fade away, and instead all these old trainers could just have a wonderful retirement with their friends.

I smiled at the thought and then refocused.

“They aren’t really looking at you Bugsy. They are looking at the pokemon. So if you are nervous, why don’t you release a cool pokemon and distract everyone?”

“But most people aren’t interested in bugs!” He whispered and I had to wonder, did Bugsy live in the one place in Johto where everyone hated Bug Types or something? Bug Types were awesome!

I looked over the crowd that had been staring at Dragonite who I haven’t returned yet and smiled. Almost all of them were younger boys. “You have your Scyther with you right?”

“Yeah?”

“Release him and see for yourself.” I told the boy with a roll of my eyes, and then after a moment Bugsy did so and the dull sound of a crowd across the street talking about Dragonite surged as all the young boys started shouting and cheering at the sight of the very popular Bug Type.

“It’s a Scyther!” “So cool!” “Use Swords Dance!” The younger boys all cheered out, and to my utter amusement Dragonite who had been enjoying the attention of the crowd slumped a little as she realized that more than half the crowd was now much more interested in the Scyther.

I get it. Scyther was cool.

“Do you know where the Gym is?” I asked Bugsy but he didn’t hear me, instead his ears were red and he was ducking his head at all the attention his Scyther got.

Heh. Maybe telling him how to become the center of attention was the exact opposite of what he wanted.

Hehe.

I considered saving him. Arcanine would probably drag the attention back, but Bugsy was the Gym Leader, and so he should learn to deal with this… Probably

Okay forcing him into it was mean.

“C’mon let's grab some food.” I called out, grabbing Bugsy and dragging him inside. Dragonite and Scyther both followed us. Inside the Pokemon Center it was cool and surprisingly empty. I guess most of the Trainers would be closer to Mount Silver by this point.

Nurse Joy behind the desk blinked in surprise at the sight of our Pokemon, Johto was like Kanto in that walking around with Pokemon out wasn’t considered the thing to do.

But she only gave us a smile as we approached.

“Welcome to the Ecruteak Pokemon Center!”

“Thank you Nurse Joy! We are just here for a light lunch before trying to hunt down Morty!” I told her, and she blinked before looking over to the side. I followed her gaze where a familiar enough looking man was sitting in the pokemon center lounge. He was looking over at me.

“Morty! I Challenge you!” I cried out happily, swiftly pointing a finger at the man that was relaxing on the couch.

“Sorry, I’m on my break.” He said after a moment and then turned back to the TV that was displaying some Pokemon battle.

I deflated and looked at Bugsy with a pout.

“What is it with all you Gym Leaders not taking battles right now?”

“It is just before the end of the circuit. The only Gyms that would still be super busy is Mahogany and-”

“Blackthorn. Which you should already know!” Morty called out from the couch interrupting Bugsy.

It took me a minute to realize that Morty saw Dragonite and came to conclusions. Smirking, I stalked over and pulled out my Wallet. Then with a flourish I pulled out my Trainer ID Card.

My Kanto Trainer ID Card.

“I’ve never been to Blackthorn. But beating Claire is part of the training to beat Lance.” I explained to the older man who took my card with a surprised look on his face.

“Wait. You’re from Kanto?” He asked in surprise and I grinned.

“That’s right! I’m Kanto’s first Dragon Master! Victoria Ferrous!” I called out with a smile. Once more proclaiming my Masterhood as the one trainer with the most number of Dragon types in Kanto and Johto I took the title by default, at least in my mind.

“Kanto trainer with a Dragonite?” Morty whispered and his eyes met mine.

Ah. I recognized that look!

I felt my smile go sharp as I knew what was coming.

“Well, I guess I’m accepting a challenger today after all.” He rose up and looked down on me… Annoying. But then he spoke. “I Morty of the Ecruteak Gym accept your challenge Victoria Ferrous.”

I smiled like Gible and nodded. Time to battle!

As we were walking out Morty paused and seemed to realize something, turning around to Nurse Joy he smiled bashfully. “Raincheck on our date?”

Nurse Joy just smiled and I felt a cold shiver go down my spine.

Morty was dating Nurse Joy? Well… He might not be anymore. Before he could say anything, there was the noise of a rumbling vibration. It took me a moment before I actually recognized it.

“Oh it’s a Gengar!” I called out looking around. The noise wasn’t coming from Morty’s shadow which told me he was weak.

Agatha kept like a dozen Gengar in hers! If Morty didn’t even have one? Lame. Super lame.

But I finally spotted the red eyes coming out of the leafy potted plant by the door. It gave off enough Shadows to hide in.

“Ah, Gengar is safe, he isn’t a dan-” Morty started saying something, but I had already approached Gengar and offered a Cheri Berry slice.

I had to be careful holding the sliced bit of spicy berry. Because they were basically peppers and rubbing my eyes or something would really suck. But I was dealing with a Gengar and if there was one thing I knew about Gengar?

They were all Naughty in one way or another.

A moment later a dark form popped out of the shadows and a big tooth filled maw opened up larger enough to devour my upper body and then it chomped down on my hand.

“Pfft. That’s not enough to scare me.” I told him with a laugh. “Gengar can’t learn Bite.” I teased him and poked his forehead as Gengar had started licking my hand to take every drop of the Cheri berry.

“Gengar, you shouldn’t be trying to scare people.” Morty said with a long suffering sigh.

“Was it good?” I asked, and Gengar pulled away with a pop leaving my hand utterly soaked in spit. “Gross.” I decided and Gengar started howling with giggles at my dead pan statement.

“You aren’t scared?” Bugsy asked, and I looked over to see the boy had taken more than a couple steps back from Gengar. Scyther was even standing protectively in front of Bugsy.

Dragonite was just looking bored scratching at her tummy as she waited patiently.

“Nope. Gengar likes to scare people, but especially a trainer Gengar isn’t going to be dangerous.” Then because I noticed Gengar puffing up. I winked at him. “Not that he couldn’t be super dangerous and scary if he wanted.”

My addition had Gengar’s smile stretch across his body as he cheered looking up to Morty.

“Okay okay. You win pal. You win.” He said, surrendering to the Gengar who cheered.

I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on, but that was okay. Gengar seemed happy enough. Casually I walked over to Nurse Joy who thankfully handed me a towel and I started wiping down my hand.

Gengar drool was kinda smelly.

—--

Milotic crashed backwards at Gengars surprise Sucker Punch as Gengar had appeared out of the floor to disrupt Milotics next attempt at attacking.

“C’mon Milotic don’t give up! Recovery!” I called out, that was now the second time Morty had turned my plan around. Milotics Hydro-Dig hadn’t worked when Gengar had just jumped into the earth and got into a battle with Milotic underground before they had both surged back to the surface.

Then when I tried to attack again a nasty Sucker Punch.

Considering he had been hitting me with status effect after status effect the entire match was really starting to wear on me. Stupid Confuse Ray!

Okay fine.

“Milotic! Ice Shield!” I called, and in return Milotic nodded, Gengar hopped away in turn. Morty was staring intently trying to understand what I was up to.

And then Milotic started blasting Ice Beam everywhere. The bottom of the Gym floor was already well saturated with water, So very quickly spires of ice shot up giving Milotic some cover and making Gengar dance around them hesitating.

“Gengar! Keep up the pressure!” Morty called out and I nodded. Shadow Ball appeared between Gengars hands and he threw it forward.

Milotic shot up a spire of ice and while it didn’t stop the attack entirely. The Shadow Ball still had to chew through the defense first.

Milotic grunted as he took the hit and focused up on his goal.

We were synced, I could feel it, he knew what I wanted, and he did it.

“Gengar! Knock it down!” Morty called and Gengar cackled as he disappeared into the floor.

“Milotic! Get ready!” I called out in turn and Morty frowned. Gengar was moving and probably couldn’t hear, so it was already too late!

As the Ghost popped up behind Milotic despite my noodle boy's attempts to keep an eye out around him, I saw a powerful Shadow Ball begin growing, but then Milotic reacted, his tail flared with power. Water flowed over it, turning it from something already beautiful into something that glittered in the cool air, practically crystalizing with a bit of ice at the cold temperature.

It shimmered for half a moment before coming down so catastrophically on Gengars head that the poor Ghost disappeared. The ground cracked and I was forced to balance myself as the entire arena shook.

Then everything went silent for a while before Milotic lifted his tail revealing the hole Gengar was now embedded into.

“Gym Leader Morty’s Gengar can no longer battle!” Bugsy called out from where he had been roped into working as the referee.

I looked up before blinking and taking a moment to rattle off numbers on my fingers.

Morty had used how many pokemon again?

“Well this match was my loss.” He called out looking shocked and I blinked.

Ah, I guess that was six wasn’t it? I had gotten so into the battling I hadn’t been keeping track.

I smiled happily as I threw out Chansey, who went to help Gengar as Morty was hurrying over to his pokemon, and I rushed up.

Time to get another Star Badge!