“Mr. Gary, I don’t think you’re ready for this,” a blonde lady insisted, her piercing blue eyes on Gary as she held his shoulders to keep the child back. Her dress was red at the skirt, the top of it yellow.
Gary struggled against her, yelling to break free, but he was unable to get by her and the huge crowd behind her, all of them in the middle of the sunny woods, everyone working to keep him from seeing what was beyond them.
“Mr. Gary! Please!” the woman pleaded.
“Juuuuuuuuuuuuuune!!” Gary wailed out.
With so many people near him, Gary grabbed shoulders and hoisted himself up to see what was being kept from him. Knowing he didn’t want to see it. But knowing he had to! “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” he bellowed from the shoulders of the people.
In the grass was an open ball that looked just like a Poke Ball, the top half of it blue-gray, the bottom half a pale shade of green, a white button in the middle.
Next to it was the disturbing sight of various kinds of human meat. It was an unreal visual, showing lungs, a heart, and other things recognizable from movies or TV shows, but seeing it in real life was like seeing it for the first time. The heart was somehow still beating rapidly, glistening wet and spitting out blood. One lung was expanding and retracting while the other was still and smashed, resembling a popped, blood-filled balloon.
But the truly horrifying thing, in the middle of the mess, was June’s head, her tongue stretched out from a gaping mouth, her eyes looking in two completely different directions, her brain leaking out of a gash in the side of her bloodied head.
Beyond that horrendous, sickening sight was the equally disturbing and nauseating view of the monster, both of her hands covered in blood. She stood there noisily slurping the blood off each of her fingers with slow, evident delight as her fat, long tongue circled one long finger at a time, blood coating her thick, inflated lips, smearing her protruding cheeks, and clinging to her chin. Her eyes were glued to Gary’s eyes.
Gary roared like a maniac, and as he broke through the crowd-
-he sat up with a start. “JUNE!!” He looked around the dark, night woods. Whoa. A dream, he told himself. I’m in the woods, but it’s not the dream. This is real. Calm down, Gary. Easy. Easy. His stomach was still churning from the vision of June and what remained of her, and the monster licking June’s blood from her monstrous fingers. He swallowed and could have thrown up right after, still absolutely disgusted. Fuck... he thought with a sigh.
He closed his eyes and lowered his head. June, are you finally okay? he asked silently. Can we continue already and get these Badges? Shit. Can we go just back to the way things were? He inhaled sharply and then exhaled. This exhale seemed like it would never end.
*
“The Proprietor expressed his concerns and promises to use his years of earned trust and uncompromising resources to aid police to help bring home poor Jessica,” a skinny, pale man was reporting on the news, standing outside with a microphone.
Gary was familiar with the Proprietor, the man who had given the interesting lecture on the structure of Poke Balls and their relation to Mew at the Pokemon Trainer’s School in Jubilife City.
The news playing on the TV now showed a video of the Proprietor speaking loudly and passionately into several microphones, nothing short of rage on his face. “I give you my word where I stand, I will reach to the highest powers, from the police, to the government, to as high as Arceus itself, to ensure she is brought home to her parents! Alive, and well, or so help me only god would be able to stop what I’ll do to whoever lay a finger on a strand of her hair!!” He wore an all-white suit under a black waistcoat with a little golden pin attached, a black bowtie at his neck. His hair was unkempt and grown high, all gray but for a section at the front on the left side that was a much lighter gray. His gray shades had two bridges in the middle.
Gary blinked and shook his head as he noticed something, and his eyes widened on the golden pin. Wait! “That’s- ” Gary whispered.
The screen now showed the news reporter, a picture of the missing blonde child he was reporting on in the upper-left corner of the screen. She had freckles and glasses with yellow frames. “Police are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of Jessica to contact police immediately,” the reporter said.
Gary had recognized her as one of the students in the class the Proprietor gave the lecture in. She got yelled at by the Proprietor for questioning Mewtwo’s existence, silencing the room and leaving her in tears.
“In sporting news, the Pokemon Baccer game ended in a huge upset as the referees ruled the-” the news went on.
Gary instantly lost interest and lowered his eyes to June. The beeping of the machines was starting to get annoying, but as long as they went on at a gentle pace, it meant she was fine, so he welcomed it.
June’s Pokemon sat around her, Raichu, Pikachu, and Eevee actually curled up at the foot of the bed. Magneton hovered by the window, taking in the sun while facing June, Rotom hovering over June with a sad look. Manectric and Blitzle stood at one side of the bed, Ampharos and Lanturn at the other side with Gary, Galvantula watching it all while upside down on the ceiling, which was really disturbing Gary.
Earlier, Electivire had stayed out of the room, and this made Gary very angry. He returned him to his Poke Ball and left the ball on the floor in the room, telling Electivire to come out when he was ready to behave. He never left the ball, and Gary tried his hardest to ignore this.
That pin, Gary thought. That’s the same pin I have. The one Rob gave me. And also the one Ish tossed at me. He went into his pocket and pulled the badge out.
It was golden, the top of the object a jumble of yellow that streamed down the sides and back. It kind of looked like long hair on the top of a golden head that had no face.
This is what I saw the Proprietor wearing just now. I’m certain. But I don’t get it. What is this thing? Gary wondered. The Proprietor, Rob, Ish... Is this some kind of collectible? Some new, popular thing? Gary then thought: Does it matter? It’s a stupid badge. The boy closed his fist and shoved it back in his pocket. I’ll toss it later.
“And now we have the commentary that was put out earlier today regarding the monster’s terrifying statements last night,” the news reporter was still going. “A statement that many around the world have heard loud and clear. As a result, a fanbase of sorts has built around this creature, this collective giving her the growing, affectionate nickname of Claire! This was Senator Slowking and his words on the controversy.”
Senator Slowking was now shown on the screen behind a podium, speaking into a microphone. “After much analysis of the video, we have come up with a plethora of theories, some stronger than others,” the Pokemon was saying. He inhaled hard, taking a moment. “I cannot reveal all of the theories at this time, but-”
There was a huge booing and the video now showed a crowd beneath the stage Slowking was on, journalists and cameramen shouting out questions and holding up microphones.
Senator Slowking raised his hands. “PLEASE! Please! Please allow me to speak!!”
“Is Claire a human or a Pokemon? Which is it??” one woman screamed from the slowly quieting crowd.
Senator Slowking seemed to shoot a tight look at one specific part of the crowd, silencing everyone. “That - thing, is not to be considered Pokemon, nor human, at this time!” he spoke strictly. “This is currently being investigated! Please, until further information is confirmed, we suggest not creating theories or identities for this monster! What this-!”
“But sir, you said you can’t tell us everything you know! What else are the people to do but come up with their own answers if those in the government will not fill us in immediately?!” a male journalist shouted out.
Senator Slowking was silent now, and it was clear he was regretting some of his words. After inhaling and then letting out his breath, he tried a lot more calmly, “I apologize for misspeaking and confusing the audience. Allow me to share that at this time, we are in fact reviewing the video of the monster, and her choice of words, to uncover as much about her as possible. In fact, at this time, we are-”
“What kind of condition was Gym Leader Three-Sixty’s body found??” a woman in the crowd demanded. “Was it like Prof. Cynthia’s??”
Senator Slowking was silent again, his hard eyes on a spot in the crowd. “That is not information I can disclose at this time,” he answered curtly.
“Well what can you answer, Senator Slowking?” a male called out. “Why aren’t there any real answers? What is going on out there and why can’t the people know?!”
“I-” Senator Slowking tried to speak.
More questions were called out, but Gary couldn’t understand them, Senator Slowking doing his best to respond.
*
June’s Pokemon moved very little that day, lazing about and exerting next to no energy despite all but one of them being the energetic Electric type. They were all really depressed and overwhelmed with worry, hardly eating when Gary tried feeding them, except for Electivire who acted ravenously and put himself back in his Poke Ball when he was done.
Gary wanted to just chuck the ball out the window. He wanted to shout at Electivire for the way he was acting. Instead, he chose to keep his head cool for June’s sake and that’s when he decided to work out, trading between doing sit-ups, push-ups, squats, shadowboxing, and jogging around the room. He kept this up for three hours, including small breaks, before letting out an exhausted and frustrated wail and dropping to his knees. His palms pushed against the ground as he struggled to catch his breath.
Now, the TV in the background playing the news, Gary was in the chair at the right of June’s bed, staring at the setting sun through the window Magneton hovered in front of. His mind was going over all sorts of things from the different ways he could be working out more efficiently, to how his friends were doing, to where he saw himself a year from now, even to how Porygon-Z was doing with Drock.
At some point, his mind seemed to settle on the unclear and perplexing things the news had been saying about the monster. The nature of the being was undeterminable at this time, whether she was Pokemon, human, or anything else. Senator Slowking had pointed out that she never once claimed she herself was a Pokemon during the entire speech. Instead, he interpreted that she was claiming to be attempting to liberate Pokemon from human ownership. As time went on, it seemed that most news stations had gone along with calling her Claire, focusing on her undefined claims that she was offering “clarity” to all Pokemon.
The way she spoke caused much debate and discussion. At times her sentences were broken and unintelligible, causing confusion and disagreement on what she was saying. More discussions amongst Pokemon professors like Johto’s Prof. Elm and Prof. Sketchit pointed out certain names she said, like “Ditlo” and “Shyameen.” The theory was that, because she was speaking of Pokemon, she may have been trying to say Ditto and Shaymin, though that was where the theory ended, as there wasn’t a clear reason or connection between those two, or the Regis. It was also noted that she mispronounced Regice and Regigigas.
Theories from other experts pointed out the mysterious things she said about lack of respect between life and death, some going as far as claiming Claire could be speaking on the science of resurrecting Fossils and her possible moral objections to that.
In discussing the knowledge that Claire had about the world around her, like Gym Leaders, Badges, the cell phone, and knowing human language, it was mostly attributed to the late Trick Master, who had given her the mysterious and unfathomable technology of the Sapience Balls.
But this only emphasized another question: Where exactly is she from?
*
It was the next day, Gary exhausted and sitting in June’s hospital room. He had been working out outside, primarily doing a lot of calisthenics and ending with some shadowboxing until he couldn’t throw a single punch anymore.
He even took June’s Pokemon with him to get their physical and mental health up. It took a lot of coaxing, but starting with Raichu, which inspired Pikachu, leading to Rotom, almost everyone finally got into the spirit of things. Even Charizard, Primeape, Hoothoot, Dustox, Butterfree and Beedrill were used.
Only Electivire refused to even leave his Poke Ball to talk, so Gary just kept the ball with him.
Now all of the Pokemon were at the Pokemon Center and Gary was in June’s room, staring at the ruined portraits of him, June, Kiwi, Robin and Aly that he and June had. Ruined from when Gary leaped out of Team Solace’s airborne helicopter to engage in physical combat with the monster and ended up fighting in the middle of the ocean. The fact that this actually happened and was not just a wild dream was still beyond Gary’s comprehension and he wasn’t sure if he would ever be able to actually believe it, nor did he want to!
He shook his head and put the portraits away and then grabbed his phone. A shining in his eye made him squint and he turned to the window. The sun was setting. He watched it for a few minutes, the TV playing in the background. When his interest finally shifted, he moved on to seeing what his online friends were up to.
OrangeIChamp: Bro, I cant lie. I didnt expect all of this. She really filmed her self and released the video. Well, the phone was found nntd the content was cidcovered. She must not understand how to use outr technology. I bet she needed help from Oh SHin to use that phone. She wanted someone who could show her how to use it but also needed someone with an important role in human society. To send a message.. She can aor cant use techonlgy, but shes leaning! And those Sapience Balls things!!! WHAT??? This si too much!! But none of thai answers the ereal rissue here, tho. What exactly is she?
Gary stared at the message, pondering how to reply. Music playing from the television grabbed his attention and he looked up at a commercial.
“The smash hit single of the streets, and number one across every network and station, Childish Man-Ccino’s Wetpants!!” said a hyperactive voice.
On-screen was a Black rapper wearing a fur coat and matching pants while standing on a comically obvious backdrop of a sunny beach. He had a short afro and was clean-shaven, shirtless underneath the coat. “Drawers more soaked, than poor folks, with torn holes, through worn soles,” the rapper spit, clasping his hands together and looking upward. The camera view went to his sneakers that also had matching gray fur all over them, his big toe sticking out of each one. Gary caught on that the double entendre was the word “sole,” and “soul.” “With more Os, than porn told, I was born soiled, like Wurmple, I got mine pay your toll, teeth piss-glisten like raw gold,” the rapper’s gold teeth then gleamed for just a second before he kept going. “Head blows like Torkoal, son’s steel strikes like wormholes.”
A fake explosion cut the song off. “CHILDISH MAN-CCINIO!!! The new album called Because I Wanted To!! COMING SOON!!! YOU AIN’T READY!!”
Gary looked away from the TV. Childish Man-Ccino, Gary thought. That’s the guy who is famous, mostly, for the fact he is always wearing fur outfits, supposedly from Cinccino, though this has never been proven, nor has the rapper ever made it clear, obviously to keep people talking about him.
He returned to his conversation with OrangeIChamp, and after rereading what had been sent, he typed.
GaryReppinKanto: So what happened to your theory on her being some kind of human-Pokemon?
Snickering, he left the site to see what Scientist Gary had sent him.
Lebaron88: I mean, my thing is Darkrai isn’t a Mythical.
I mean, why would he be? If he’s connected to Cresselia then whuy is cresellia a lefnedary? Shoiuldt they both me mythicals? t s simple. Rheyre both legendsary.
*legendary
Oh, come on already!! Gary thought with aggravation. He thought for a moment before typing out his response.
Earlier, Gary had decided to question Scientist Gary on his disbelief in Mythical Pokemon by bringing up Champion Tobias’ Darkrai, a Mythical Pokemon that undeniably exists, but Scientist Gary still rejected this.
Gary4Mewtwo: This doesnt disproive anything!! Darkrai is a verifiable Pokemon that fits the scientitic definitiaon of a mythical! It’s been studied by researchers! Professiuonals! The things that the exprts say a Mythical is, matches Darkrai! So who are YOU to say otherwise??
There a differentce between the two of Legendar yand Mythical!! Don’t you get that???
What is wrong with this kid?? Gary thought with great frustration. Him and his stupid atheism is just going too far, now! He’s just being stubborn! His blind atheism is denying literal Pokemon that have been recorded! Documented! Mythical Pokemon are real! They’re not rumors or something!
He then went to check on his latest post that showed his four Badges. Comments?? Gary thought, his heart thumping and his mouth wide in a smile of absolute delight. On my post?! “Yes!!” he squealed. I’m famous!! I’m recognized!! I-! His mouth now widened in shock, the smile wiped clean from his face. His lips were quivering in a sneer, and his eyebrows narrowed with anger. What?? I can’t believe this shit!! he thought furiously.
AlolaArora: Yeah right! You got Jupiters badge?? FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!!!
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
Pineco4President: There’s no wa you beat Jupiuer you fucking LIARRRR!!!
SenoritaMakuhitaaaokmifceiocn1: FAKE NEWS!!!!!!!
CDa4uture: You know damn well you ain’t get no Badge from Jupiter stop it
YamuddaonmahDIQ: lyin aah boi
OweItOrOwnIt123: Yo aint chu dat 1 gi????
Gary’s eyes went through comment after comment. There wasn’t one Plusle of support given for his post, rather he had a couple hundred Minun votes, signs of dislike. But he also had a few more Supporters following him now. I can’t believe I’m getting so much hate, Gary thought. If they knew the full story behind how I got the Badge, maybe they could complain about it, but as far as they know, I-
Gary stopped his thought. No. Don’t do that. Electivire saved that Badge. It means something to him, and to you. You got that Badge together. If a Pokemon like Electivire can do that...
He went to the account of Global_Harold, the guy who had so much love on the platform despite his modest results as a Trainer. With several new posts, Harold’s latest was on his sixth Badge. He had 2.8 million Plusles for this!
Gary sighed sadly and left the app. After staring at the screen for a bit, he went to Pokebay again without even realizing he was doing so.
The friend hadn’t replied back yet.
Snickering, Gary started typing, desperate for the response from this person, intrigued by what they were going to say. Truth be told, he just found it all funny at this point. He was enjoying discussing this with OrangeIChamp because it was more like a joke than anything else. This person was just talking a lot of nonsense based on absolutely nothing and was taking themself seriously, which made it all the more ridiculous to Gary and helped make light of an otherwise extremely serious thing going on.
But he was embarrassed, too. He had traveled all the way out to the Sinnoh region based on this person’s recommendation to get that book at the Canalave Library, which led to nothing. By continuing to talk to this person, he was able to lessen how stupid he felt by laughing at him.
Before he finished typing, a notification from Log-A-Graph appeared, showing that Scientist Gary had sent a message. Let’s see what this moron has to say now, he said to himself. He took a moment, feeling his body tensing up and his heart beating faster. Anxiety was gripping every nerve in his body before he breathed out and went to the app.
Lebaron88: Look, I get what they say the differences sre, it’s just, to me, Mythicals are just Pokemon that, if PROVEN to be real, are just basically Legends, I guess.
Like, I’m not sure what I think about them. BUt until they’re confirmed, I just can’t believe in myths.
THat’s what Mythicals are. They’re myths lol.we still dont ‘ even know how many pokemon exist.
And how knows which of this oare legends or mythicals or whatever. Y ou know what I mean?
Gary stared at his phone for a while, rereading the scientist’s words over several times. He started calming down and regretting his attitude. He didn’t want to fight with him over beliefs. He still had more to say, but he breathed in and then out, wanting to be calmer about their discussion. Seeing that Scientist Gary was writing again, he decided to type fast.
Gary4Mewtwo: But not every myth makes it into the Pokedex.
Scientist Gary was no longer typing.
Gary4Mewtwo: What I mean is that I think we need to uinderstand the differences between Legendary and ythicals before we cstart denying they exist.
Thats hat the scientists have done
The experts have done all the research and given out the labels for a reaosn
Maybe there’s just something you’re not understanding. You know?
After waiting a bit, Gary left the chat to go to Pokebay again and saw his message he had been typing: What, wid you give up already on your theory? Got nothing t osay? Dont think she’s some kind of
Gary deleted it all, remembering the antagonizing energy he had when he was typing that. I sound like a jerk, he judged himself. I don’t need to say that. I don’t have to be rude. I should just wait, he thought with a sigh. He left to go back to Log-A-Graph and saw Scientist Gary was typing.
Lebaron88: My thing is, there’s polenty of exa,ples that prove muy point.
Bro your the perfect example! Your fight at the league!
You know I’m not big on Pokmon battles but I sawy ou at the Leagfue in Kanto against that Mythical Pokemon Diancie!
“Yeah!” Gary blurted out. How could I forget that? Perfect example! How is he gonna possibly flip that on me?
Lebaron88: Diancie is supposed to be a mutated Carbink. What does that even mean??
Is that an evolution? What Pokemon just mutates like that?? That doesnt make any sense at all!
Gary was stuck, his eyes wide, trying to think of a situation like this one. He couldn’t come up with a single one, thinking as quickly as he could while Scientist Gary kept sending messages.
Lebaron88: That’s not a mythical Pokemon. It should be more closer examined and explained.
Calling it Myhtical is just lazy to me
And what about Keldep.
*Keldeo
Keldeo is a Mythical POokemon that’s related to Volcanion, Terrakion, and Colbalion. Those last three are the muskateer trio, confirmed lefendaruy Pokemon. But fourth member is a Mythical?
And I know you know what Dratini is. Did you know that used to be considered a Mythical Pokemon until it was actualy captured? It’s not considered a ythical since. Why did that change?
Gary was unable to respond to any of this, his mouth hanging open. Gary, come on! he urged himself. Think! You’ve gotta have something to say! He couldn’t help but now think of how he had just been ready to make fun of OrangeIChamp for not replying back to him right away, but now he was the silent one. Fuck... I mean, it’s not that he’s right or anything. It’s just, what he’s saying stands on its own just fine. Gary was clenching his teeth now, feeling like he’d been beaten even though he still believed he was the one who was right.
Lebaron88: I mean,it’s fine what believe thwart you want to believe
All I saying is the okedex is inaccurate and full stuff that isn’t even proven!
Gary shook his head. You’re wrong. They’re in the ‘Dex. He breathed out irritably.
Gary4Mewtwo: I fet your point, an.
Shit, Gary thought, seeing the typos.
Gary4Mewtwo: I get what youre saying.
I admit, during my journey, I’ve seen a lot that’s questioned my trust in the ‘Dex, a bit.
After some time, Scientist Gary replied.
Lebaron88: Oh yeah?
Like what??
Gary typed some more.
Gary4Mewtwo: I can’t remmember tight now to be honest... But I know I’ve recalled your fellings about the Pokecex a couple of times on my journey.
*Pokedex
Lebaron88: Wooooooooooww!! Now you can’t remember??? LMAO
Gary rolled his eyes. Ugh. Great, he’s gonna use that against me. He left their chat, planning his comeback, and noticed that Scientist Gary had a BS post and tapped on the temporary post.
The first image showed a huge shark creature that looked happy being pet by a human.
If a Pokemon with Rough Skin Ability and looks like this can be the sweetest thing in the world, us humans can do better!! were the words above the image.
The next BS post was a blank, black background with the words:
To whoever needs to hear this:
You’re stronger than you think. I believe in you.
The next post was of the popular manga and anime Black Rover, the Jamaican protagonist named Rasta wearing sunglasses, his dreads blowing in the wind while his head was out the window of an all-black convertible. He had a wild, open smile and the loud words of his catch phrase read: I’M NOT HOME YET!!!
In the last BS post, there was an image of a bunch of simply-drawn cartoon humans jumping for joy or dropping to their knees in celebration, all of them reaching for the sky. It looked odd to Gary, especially after reading the first few words, but right after, it all made sense: Have you heard the good news? God doesn’t exist! Just live your life doing the right things!
Gary frowned. Wow. This guy is just needlessly an asshole, he determined. That’s not funny or cool at all. He froze, unsure of what to do, wanting to reply to this with the anger and offense it made him feel, but after taking a few breaths, he just locked his phone. Fuck all of this shit. And fuck him. I never liked this social media bullshit anyway. And fuck making stupid posts. All I get is hate!
He put his phone away and growled. I hate it all. I can’t believe these niggas think I didn’t beat Jupiter! All my hard work! Gary held back the tears from the mixes of emotions from everything he just saw online overwhelming him. I need to get over this. Me and Electivire did earn that! He’s my friend! He’s almost like my Pokemon! Gary was left in silence at himself. Was that okay to think? June. I’m sorry.
And then he wondered, Will I ever understand what it is Electivire showed me? Those memories. That isn’t you, June! But... then what happened?! Aaauughh! This is all getting to be too much! I’m a whole fucking mess right now! Tears were now on the tips of his lower eyelids, Gary losing the fight to stop them.
“What this has instead created is a discussion on what exactly defines a Pokemon, and where this one, Claire, fits in.”
Inhaling quickly, Gary regained his composure, getting his tears back in as he whipped his head to the TV. To his surprise, it was an Oranguru talking to a Slowking on the news! “Is that...?” he whispered.
Indeed, the words underneath them revealed them to be none other than Senator Slowking and Congressmon Oranguru! They were both sitting behind a big white desk, facing each other. “This monster is no Pokemon, but is a threat to society as we know it!” Senator Slowking argued.
“How can we know what she is, for certain?” Congressmon Oranguru spoke calmly.
Senator Slowking was glaring at the opponent. “You and I both know-!”
“What - do we both know, Senator Slowking?” Congressmon Oranguru responded. “Tell us, sir.” The Pokemon spoke so calmly, yet seriously, a total contradiction to Senator Slowking’s abrasive, antagonizing tone, but still just as serious.
Senator Slowking looked like he was losing control, about to burst. But he inhaled and let out his breath. Suddenly, Senator Slowking’s enraged expression was gone as his mouth dropped open, his eyes wide as he turned to the camera filming them.
It was the fact Congressmon Oranguru was doing the same thing, facing the camera with a matching look of horror, that made Gary swallow uncomfortably and his own eyes widened, his heart rattling his entire body now. It’s like they’re looking at - me??
Suddenly, the screen blurred in gray, white, and black static. The vision was soon cleared, and the child could have screamed, but instead, he swallowed it down.
Now on-screen was a white room cast in numerous shadows. In front of a line of dark, unclear figures in the background, was Ray. He wore an entirely black suit with a white blazer over it. Atop his head was a white top hat, a black ribbon around the middle, his face wearing a huge smile, but more noticeably a clearly fake, thick, black mustache. Ray rubbed at the mustache sitting over his sinister smile and then ripped it off, tossing it into the air and spreading his arms wide as if he had made some huge reveal. “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!! Boys and girls!! Welcome to the grrrreatest, rrrrrreveal on Earth!” He rolled the ‘r’ on ‘greatest’ and ‘reveal.’ His arms fell, his smile staying, and he walked closer to the camera. “Ladies, gentlemen and the like,” he spoke much calmer, without the theatrics. “I have a confession. A great truth greater than any you’ve seen or heard in recent times. I think it will be proven to be the grandest reveal in generations and will change the world forever. The truth about this ugly, disgusting, evil beast of a Pokemon some of you have dared to donate affection to and give a name to. Especially after her shameless threat to the livelihood of all human beings and her devotion to saving the Pokemon! And yet, you people have chosen to embrace her??” Ray’s eyes were wide. “Some of you feel some kind of sympathy? After all this time, and all we of Team Solace have done, the debates, demonstrations, and the won support, there are still those against us!” Ray now looked enraged. “WELL IS THAT SO?!” His mouth got wider and he took in a long, dramatic breath. “FINE!!”
Gary grabbed at his heart with a sharp, frightful intake of breath at the sudden outburst.
“You poor, frightened fools,” Ray spoke in a low, dark, but steadily rising voice. “You must believe that by showing her favoritism, by becoming sycophants to her cause, that you will be spared by her. By this monster that has attacked innocent people indiscriminately! Destroyed normalcy for many! Undone our very economic structure! Even attacked a church? Even after hearing her declaration of war against humanity by using the Pokemon, a threat Team Solace has predicted from the very beginning, some of you would still side against us, Team Solace, who has proven our allegiance to humanity again and again?!” Ray stopped for a couple of moments before he spoke again more lower and darker. “You won’t be saved by her, and when you come to realize this, you will not be permitted to run back into the safe arms of Team Solace. When we destroy this threat, it will go down with everyone who chose her over us. You fools who still think, that Team Solace is the enemy.”
After a short chuckle, he continued, “Well, let me make you aware, that you folk are in the vocal minority. And allow me to repeat myself, no protection will be offered to you from either side of this war that has been started if you side with her. So, my fellow people, I ask you: what choice do you truly have, in the end? Put naivety and goodwill to the burner and choose to live! Will you die at the hands of this monster to stubbornly prove some kind of virtuous point, and get others to die with you trying to protect your cause?” He was breathing hard but not speaking.
Nothing was heard anywhere, inside the hospital room or outside of it.
Ray was just looking into the camera with wide, desperate eyes. “Fine,” he said in a mumbled voice. He kept breathing hard. After licking his lips, he spoke clearer, “If you trust her so much, then you can die with her.”
Ray turned his back on the camera, walking away slowly. “We at Team Solace carry on the legacy of Isaac, who opened our eyes, strengthened our minds, and refurbished our standards. As the humble leader of this revolutionary group, Isaac lives through me. But more so, Isaac has evolved through me. Just as when my demise inevitably comes, the next in charge will take Isaac’s ideals to a level he, nor I, could have ever imagined.” He turned back to the camera, his face stone-cold. “I think we’re all aware that no man is perfect. Least of all woman.” His face cracked into a smirk and then a broad smile as he held out his arms to the camera, waving his hands. “I’m joking! I’m joking! Please. Just trying to lighten up the mood! We all know women are perfect.” He then let out more laughter.
The dark figures behind him, unclear but certainly humans, were shifting about, their snickering, chuckling, and giggling heard. These noises ended as the shifting did.
“But seriously.” Ray’s smile went away, but he kept a pleasant-enough face. “No one is perfect. And perhaps that was where Isaac’s demise began. Believing in him holding some sort of... divine nature. Well, I couldn’t have disagreed more. And that’s why I am the one in charge now; Isaac evolved. Just as when I pass, someone far greater than me will take the reins. It’s an intellectual growth cycle. One step after another up a never-ending ladder of infinite truth. But for now, Team Solace now under my rule, all things being considered, we have reached the crossroads. A new ruling will be made, right here and now. We, Team Solace, will save this world by any means. And if you wish to stand in our way, mercy will no longer be an option Team Solace is open to. We have no choice now but to eliminate each and every one of you who opposes us. And as for Mr. Gary-”
Gary jumped and held his breath. No. No! he thought in a panic.
Ray removed his hat, a smirk slipping onto his face. “-let me say, my offer to you still stands, but not for long. You only have but a couple of months to make your decision. By Spring, you will either join us, or you will be killed with everyone else unworthy. Think of it as a Darwinian Spring cleaning. Our leader saw something in you, and I want to know what it is, but I am far more impatient than Isaac. I don’t plan to die under your watch, Mr. Gary. The new year is only hours away. Consider it an opportunity. A mercy. A mercy from a ‘god’ whose will must be carried out.” With those words, he was now smiling big and he straightened up, tossing his hat behind him. “You do not need to suffer any further! Help us to recover the Infinity Energy the monster has, and we can save the world! With it, we can bring back Melissa! Your sister!!” Ray’s smile was taunting and provocative.
“NOOO!!” Gary yelled out in disbelief.
The screen went staticy again before finally coming back to Senator Slowking and Congressmon Oranguru. The two weren’t speaking, staring at the camera with the same looks they had before Ray had come on. They faced each other, and then returned to the camera.
Jumping to his feet, Senator Slowking barked, “I denounce this entire meeting today, and anything I have ever previously stated in regards to the monster I take back until further-!!”
Senator Slowking was cut off, the screen going gray, the words: WE WILL RETURN SHORTLY displayed.
“NOOOOOOO!! MELISSAAA!!” Gary yelled out, jumping up angrily. “WHAT THE FUCK, MAN??!!” He inhaled deep. “YOU BASTAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRD!!! FUCK YOOUUUUUUUU!!!” He collapsed to his knees. It hurt. A lot. But he ignored that, not even flinching, his eyes on the TV as it went to a commercial.
“Do-don don don dooooon! We’re in love with this!” came the cheery tune for McDonphan’s fast-food restaurant. The silver tusks that made up the popular arches for the letter ‘M’ appeared on the screen around a group of happy adults and kids eating burgers and fries with drinks at a table inside one of the restaurants.
Gary turned to June, watching her sleeping form. Her chest going up and back down as she breathed, her bruised lips closed, only taking in and releasing air through her bandaged nose.
June... he thought, feeling his face twist up with anguish and utter disgust at the situation they were both in for absolutely no good reason. Shaking his head, he stood and returned to his chair by the right of June’s bed. He laid his head down on her mattress, by the middle of her body, and closed his eyes, just wanting to rest them for a bit as tiredness started to come over him.
*
“Forty-nine! Forty-eight! Forty-seven! Forty-six! Forty-five! Forty-four!”
Forty-three, forty-two. Gary’s eyes shot open. Huh?? He raised his head. “Huh?” he mumbled, his cheek feeling wet. He wiped at it. “Huh?” he spoke more coherently. Drool? Ew! He wiped at his face again and saw June staring right at him! He nearly leaped out of his own skin!! “JUNE!!”
Staring at him through such tight eyes, as if just watching him was causing her pain, June was smiling. “Gary... You’re here...” she croaked out.
Tears flowed down Gary’s cheeks immediately. “JUNE!!” He grabbed her shoulders but then let go. Don’t do that! She’s still hurt!
Indeed, June did flinch at his grab, but she kept a brave face for him, tears rolling from her eyes.
“Twenty-nine! Twenty-eight!”
Gary turned to the TV that was counting down, realizing it was the countdown for the end of the year, welcoming in the new one, a crowd in a huge city of tall buildings shouting out every number as a giant electronic board running up a thin building displayed the numbers. As the numbers counted down, the black board itself filled upward with yellow. He didn’t recognize where the countdown was taking place and just rubbed his eyes before returning to June. “June, are you okay?? Should I call for help? NURSE! NURRRR-!!” Gary was about to jump to his feet but was stopped as his hand was grabbed.
June was no longer smiling, a desperate look on her face. Slowly, she shook her head. “Please. No,” she managed, and then coughed a little, swallowing dryly afterwards. This made her cough some more, but she told him, “Stay.” Her eyes went to the TV, and Gary also looked.
“Fourteen! Thirteen! Twelve!”
Gary sighed out and smiled with understanding. Staring at June, her eyes still on the TV, he stayed seated, his hand enclosed around her’s.
“Eight! Seven!”
Gary watched the TV.
“Six! Five!”
“Four,” June spoke out weakly.
Gary turned to her. “Three.”
“Two,” they both smiled at each other. “One. Happy New Year.”
The electronic board on the building was entirely full of yellow before a display of bright flashes of every color filled it, sparks coming off of the screen now, raining down and disappearing quickly. Neither June nor Gary got excited or cheered, the crowd from the TV going wild enough for them. “And there it is, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the new year,” spoke an unseen male announcer on the TV.
Small Pokemon like Pachirisu were being held up into the air and kissed by their Trainers, the larger Pokemon like a Machoke raising their arms and cheering as well. In the sky were bolts of lightning, fiery explosions, streams of Water, and other bright, colorful, planned effects from Pokemon put in safe positions to let loose for when the countdown finished, fireworks also in the mix displaying various kinds of Pokemon. Gary recognized a Vulpix, Togepi, Charizard, and even Mewtwo! There were others he didn’t recognize, too.
“It’s certainly been a crazy one!” a female announcer, also off-screen, spoke admittedly but lightly. “But we won’t let that stop us or dampen our spirits, now will we?”
“You can say that again!” the guy returned. “You can see the crowds showing love, Pokemon and humans alike, together in unity and peace, wishing for a better world, and it starts now! And no one’s gonna take that away.”
“Gary...” came the whisper.
He turned to June.
“Aww, when did your hair get so long...?”
Gary breathed out happily. “You made it in time, huh?” He chuckled, but his smile vanished as he saw the confusion on her face. “What’s wrong, June?”
Footsteps were heard pounding down the hallway in a rush.
June raised her head, squinting at him. “Huh? Ow.”
“June, take it easy.” He used his free hand to gently keep her still.
“What’s going on?” she insisted.
The door to the room burst open, a nurse standing in the hallway. She was breathing hard, holding the door frames. “Is everything alright? Are you two okay?”
“What did she say?” June cried out to Gary, her voice full of panic.
Gary turned back to her. “She asked if we’re okay. June, just relax, please.” Turning to the nurse, he smiled big, telling her, “She’s woken up. I guess-”
“Why can’t I hear you properly?” June spoke, her voice quaking now. She tried to sit up again but only fell with a pained groan.
“Huh?” Gary turned to her, now confused, and his heart started beating very sharply.
“Oh, no. I’ll get your doctor!” The nurse ran from the room.
June slowly raised her shaky hands to her ears, her face full of terror. “Gary! Why can’t I hear her?! What's going on??”