“HEY KIWIIIIII!!!” Robin and Gary screamed happily at the computer.

Riolu and Raichu also joined in, Riolu on Gary’s shoulder, Raichu on Robin’s.

Kiwi looked stunned and lowered her glasses. “Gary? Robin? You two are together?”

Robin burst out laughing.

Gary squinted at him sternly, catching the joke, before turning to Kiwi and rolling his eyes. “We had a good battle,” he smirked at her.

Kiwi fixed her glasses on her face. “Gary won.”

“Aha ha ha-huh?” Robin stared at Kiwi in dismay. “What makes you say that?”

“Just judging from the odds, Gary has done a bit more work than you, gotten further. He’s the type to just barrel through his challenges with a trick up his sleeve, whereas you are more calculated. Both of those strategies are fine and all, but Gary has an extra kick of spice that can take a lot to water down. I don’t think you’ve experienced enough in Sinnoh to keep up quite yet. No offense. But, I could be wrong. Who won?”

Robin looked hurt and mortified by Kiwi’s words, his very soul sucked out of him.

Gary had an awkward, nervous smile on his face. “Well, actually-”

“That’s right, I lost,” Robin admitted, disappointment on his face and in his voice. “Gary was better. He was the one really thinking. Using his brain, as usual. And I just couldn’t see things the way he was. If anything, maybe I was the one pushing too strongly and he was actually using tactics. Either way, that battle was quality! How about you, Kiwi? Have you been getting out much at all? You seem so different. You been getting any sleep?”

Raichu leaped away from Robin, the building tension and awkwardness driving him away.

Gary and Riolu stayed quiet, Gary with his eyes lowered, Riolu watching Robin.

Kiwi looked down thoughtfully. “I’ve been good!” she answered, looking back up. “You both seemed to have gained something out of that battle.”

“Uh, yeah,” Robin said lowly. “Huh?”

Did she just catch herself? Gary wondered, looking at her. Did she realize how rude she’d just been and just tone it down without saying anything about it? Is she okay? “Does the professor have you working hard?” Gary added.

There was a sudden, possibly and arguably, male scream in the background of Kiwi’s video.

Gary, Riolu and Robin’s eyes widened. “What was that?” the boys asked.

“Ri?” Riolu added at the same time.

“Just Prof. Sketchit,” Kiwi answered nonchalantly. “I told you he has a lot to deal with. It’s why I’m free to answer the calls. And I have to.”

A loud explosion made Gary and company jump and gasp.

“Is he alright??” Gary called out.

Kiwi looked behind her calmly. She turned back after a few seconds. “Yeah,” was her only answer.

“Aha ha ha ha...” Robin laughed uncertainly.

“So where are you headed to, Gary?”

Gary opened his mouth, but paused. Is the professor really okay? Man, Kiwi is so weird these days! “Uhh... I’m going to Eterna City. There’s a Grass Gym there. I’m gonna get my fourth Badge and be halfway!”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Have you heard where Aly is on her Badge count?”

“Three was the last number she gave me.”

“Yeah, I think she told me that, too,” Gary said.

“And before you ask, I’ve only got one,” Robin leaned in with a snarky smirk. “But I’ll be on my second in no time! In fact, we just got through with a trade to guarantee my win! We traded to evolve the Nosepass he lent me to get a Probopass! I’m sure to get my second Badge, now!”

“That’s great. I’ll bet he’ll be a big aide,” Kiwi nodded confidently.

“Damn right! I’m gonna take him on tomorrow, though. I wanna practice a bit more and get used to him and his new body and typing and do this right!” Robin spoke enthusiastically.

“Yes, that would be crucial to do, I’d think,” Kiwi said. Her eyes moved to Gary. “It’s nice to see you guys with your Pokemon. Hello, Riolu.” She hadn’t been looking at Gary at all, but his Riolu.

“Ri! Ri!” Riolu waved.

“Is Raichu okay?”

Raichu got his chubby self back up Robin’s back, Robin complaining, and held himself up between the two boys using only one paw on each shoulder. “Rai Rai Rai!” He greeted Kiwi. But he was soon groaning, struggling to keep himself up, and eventually fell back down.

Kiwi smiled. “Hm. And I don’t see Electivire. How’s he?”

“He’s his same stubborn self. Acting too cool to join in on our convo, but he’s good.”

Kiwi actually let out her first, short, laugh. “Good to hear.”

“Did you actually laugh? Ha ha!” Robin joked.

“Yeah, that sounded weird. I don’t remember the last time you actually laughed,” Gary teased.

Kiwi snickered some. “Yeah.” She lowered her eyes. “It’s good to hear from you guys.”

Gary and Robin kept gentle smiles as they listened to her.

“I know so much has changed, but, right now, I kind of feel so reminiscent of the old days. I wish-” A beeping sound made her look up. She gasped. “Aly?? BYE LOSERS!!”

The call disconnected.

Gary, Robin, and even Riolu were stunned.

“Did she just hang up on us?” Robin asked.

“For Aly?” Gary added.

“Geez! HA HA HA!” Robin stood up, his hands on his sides. “She could have at least put us on three-way!” And then, “AHA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!”

Gary stared at him, confused. What could possibly be so funny??

“Well, before that joke gets out of hand, I better be off. Thanks for the help!” He held out a hand.

Joke? Out of hand? What?? Gary shook his hand. “Yeah. Good luck, Rob!”

“You, too!”

*

“Deino, Crunch attack!” Gary ordered.

“Staravia, use Agility again!” a male Trainer with a huge blue and white backpack ordered.

Deino’s jaws glowed white and he stomped blindly towards Staravia.

Staravia cawed and flew away from him easily. After that, it was zooming through the air, boosting its Speed.

“Now Quick Attack! Back to back!”

Staravia was invisible, only seen for split seconds as it relentlessly pummeled Deino.

Deino snapped at Staravia, trying to catch it, but he wasn’t able to.

“Deino, just relax and focus on Staravia! Do your best to see, but pay attention to the sounds, too!” This is stupid, Gary told himself. I’m sounding like those cheesy kids on the Pokemon anime. This is real life! The gimmicks don’t work the same out here! “Deino.” He growled to himself.

Staravia stopped attacking and settled easily on the ground.

I don’t have any idea, Gary knew. With that Hustle Ability, and Staravia’s Speed, we’re gonna be done soon.

“Aerial Ace!” Staravia’s Trainer decided.

That’s too fast! Gary balled his fists. “Pay attention and focus on the attacker!!” What does that even mean?? Gary thought desperately.

Deino cried out as he was taken down by a move even faster than Quick Attack; an unavoidable attack.

“Now catch it with Dragon Breath!”

Light-blue waves appeared around Deino. He seemed to be staring right at Staravia, pausing for a second, and then he opened his mouth and sent out a light-blue beam of energy.

Staravia screamed out, hit by the attack.

“Staravia! Get out of there! What are you doing??”

Staravia stood up but then crouched down as its body sparked.

“Paralysis!” Gary cried happily.

“Paralysis?” the Trainer complained at the same time.

“Use Slam!”

Deino ran to Staravia and grabbed one wing in his jaws.

“Staaarrrrr!” Staravia sang out in pain.

“Staravia! Fly!” the Trainer begged.

Deino snapped his neck forcefully to yank Staravia up and straight back down to the ground.

Dirt and dust rose from the impact, but it settled quickly.

Staravia was visibly beaten.

Deino fell forward a little himself, tired out.

“YES! We won!” Gary cheered.

Gary and the Backpacker Trainer approached each other and ended up shaking hands.

“Great match, man!” the guy accepted. “Thanks!”

“Thank you! There’s a lot of Trainers on this route, huh? You’re the fifth guy so far!”

“If you’re headed to Eterna City from here, you’re gonna run into so many people after Route 207. Route 206 has just as many people itching to battle, whether you take the Cycling Road or just walk.”

“There’s a Cycling Road there?”

The young guy nodded. “You can rent bikes and get straight across. But if you’re interested, there’s a secret spot under Cycling Road, and you might find some Gible there. Other than Victory Road, it’s been the only known spot to find Gible at for like, decades for some reason!”

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Then I’m heading there!” Gary grinned big.

The guy nodded. “Yeah.” He looked around them. “Crazy, huh?”

Gary looked to where the guy was staring, at where all the signs and blockades and warning material to not cross were at.

“This place was a tourist attraction. A hallmark of the region. This is so terrifying. A lot of tourists still come around to take photos of what was. I have no idea what they’re gonna do with this area now. There’s no going back to what once was.”

Gary wanted to say so much, but he just kept staring in silence for a while, a mix of emotions brewing in all parts of his body.

*

“VIIIIIRRRRE!!!” Electivire tackled a Claydol to the ground.

The young boy gasped. “No way! I had the type advantage, and Claydol is supposed to be reeeeally strong! How did we lose?!”

Electivire roared to the sky, his body sparking strong, his arms flexed.

Gary walked over to the kid and held out his hand. “Good match, man.”

The kid growled and swung his hand out at Gary’s, but he didn’t hit it. “That was bullshit! I’m outta here!” After recalling his Pokemon, he stomped away, furious.

Gary stared after the kid, an awkward smile on his face. “Oh. Ha ha.”

*

“Riolu, use your Force Palm!”

Riolu ran up to Geodude and put her palm to its body. “Ri!”

A big, light-blue blast came out of her and tossed back the Geodude. It yelled out angrily, tumbling into tall grass and vanishing out of sight. It never came back.

“Good job, Riolu!” Gary smiled.

“Ri! Ri!” Riolu nodded.

Gary sighed tiredly. “Maybe it’s time to take a break and snack on something.” He and Riolu stared at each other. “Or what about waiting for dinner? What do you think?” He looked to Electivire and Raichu. “What do you guys think?”

Electivire, Riolu and Raichu chattered out to Gary.

“Alright! Bad idea!” Gary said loudly, holding up his hands to silence them. “Enough! I think we should keep training some. And I know you’re itching for another turn, Electivire. So I guess now would be a great opportunity to work up an appetite.” He held up a Poke Ball.

“Electivirrrre!” Electivire nodded eagerly and flexed his arms.

“Can’t have you falling out of shape.” Gary was smiling, but his smile faded with Electivire’s, and he wondered if the Pokemon was thinking the same thing he was. About June.

Can’t be falling out of shape... for when June returns? Gary thought. He frowned at the Poke Ball he had in his hand. Him? Or...? He held a stern look to Electivire. “Riolu!” He backed away. “Get behind me!”

“Ri!” Riolu got behind her Trainer, grabbing one of his jeans legs and peering around it.

Raichu followed without needing an invite, peering out from behind Riolu while holding her shoulders.

“No. Just come back, Raichu,” Gary said sternly, returning Raichu to his Poke Ball using his other hand. Focusing on the original Poke Ball he held, he said firmly, “Let’s try this again!” He threw the ball hard and it landed in front of Electivire before opening and sending out Tyranitar.

Tyranitar roared, his Sand Stream starting up!

Electivire smiled and punched sparking fists together, not bothering by the heavy, blowing sands.

“Tyranitar, Ice Fang!” Gary ordered.

Tyranitar stomped for Electivire, his teeth coated in Ice, ready to chomp.

“Electivire, GO!” Gary told him.

“VIRE!!” Electivire made fists that burst into flames.

Fire Punch! Gary saw with widened eyes.

“VIIIIIRE!!!” Electivire leaped at Tyranitar. His attack destroyed the Ice Fang and socked Tyranitar in the mouth.

Tyranitar fell to the blow.

But he’s Rock! Gary argued angrily to himself. He made tight fists. “TYRANITAR! FOCUS BLAST!”

Tyranitar got up and cupped his hands, forming an orange ball.

Electivire did the exact same action, cupping his hand, forming a yellow ball.

Gary’s eyes widened. He’s using the same move?!

Both Pokemon threw their attacks!

Electivire’s stomach flashed white where he was hit, a Critical Hit, and he tumbled.

Tyranitar was hit and collapsed, sliding on his back.

Both Pokemon remained down.

Electivire then choked out. He coughed. He choked some more. No. It was soon clear that Electivire was laughing! He stood up.

Tyranitar didn’t budge.

The Sandstorm slowed down, coming to a stop.

“THERE’S NO WAY!!” Gary stormed and then ran up to Tyranitar.

The Pokemon didn’t even open his eyes.

“HOW ARE YOU THIS USELESS?!!”

Tyranitar’s eyes jumped open.

Raichu and Riolu had gaping mouths and wide eyes.

Even Electivire let out a surprised, “Vire?”

Gary was breathing hard, his chest heaving, absolutely furious beyond belief.

Tyranitar sat up, trembling and sad, staring at the ground.

“You know, if you’re gonna be this useless, what’s the damn point??!” Gary ranted. “Man, Weepinbell must hit hard! There is no way you woulda beat Tyranitar on your own! You have one of the worst Natures I could ask for, you can’t take a punch and you’re just comparatively an all-around disappointment! This isn’t how a fully evolved Pokemon is supposed to be!! Put up a damn fight!!” In his desperation, with angry tears building up in his eyes, Gary raised his hand and forced his palm against the rocky, sturdy Pokemon’s coarse body.

Expectantly, Tyranitar didn’t move. He just stared at Gary with pain in his eyes. He let out a sigh and his head fell again.

Gary was breathing hard now. Knowing he couldn’t physically do any damage to the Rock tower, he felt the freedom to take things to the next level and really take out his anger by using him as a punching bag of sorts. He held that rage back and chose to use words instead. “You know, you might be okay in your own right, as a general Tyranitar.” Gary inhaled deeply. “But you know, I’m trying to become a Pokemon Master! I’ve caught you, yay. Big deal. You need to be useful or get off my team! You serve no purpose but ‘Dex completion!”

Though no other Pokemon made a sound, there was a high level of discomfort that might as well have been audible, as strongly as it was felt.

“Fix yourself, dammit!” He returned Tyranitar swiftly, holding out his Poke Ball angrily. He then turned to focus on Electivire. “You didn’t exert much energy there. It should be fine to try one more Pokemon against you. You game?”

Electivire didn’t respond as quickly as Gary had expected, which caught him off guard.

But before the kid could react to this, Electivire called out, “VIRE!” He nodded and stepped back a bit from Gary.

What was that? Gary wondered. Nothing, he settled, shaking his head. He walked backwards a number of feet before stopping and then he got another Poke Ball in his hand. A lot more useful, he thought seriously. I’ll-

Gary breathed out hard through his nose, followed by an inhale.

June!

Then another noisy exhale. He then inhaled.

What’s going on?? he wondered in a panic as he swallowed. Gary. Gary!

That’s when he saw it.

The two Pokemon were staring at him. Confused. Concerned.

Gary put a hand to the side of his head. His right hand. The hand that held his Charizard’s Poke Ball.

The hand that had previously been injured. The hand that had miraculously been cured when he’d woken up after being thrown off a mountain by the mysterious monster creature.

He tried to let a lot of these events just go, just to relieve his overburdened mind. But it did him no good. The mysteries were too strong. They needed answers. Hiding them away only strengthened them for an inevitable and worse return to his thoughts. Gary knew that he should be dead, or at the very least, incapable of travel. And yet, here he was, walking just fine, raising Pokemon. He didn’t understand it, but he knew for sure that whatever had caused the phenomenon to happen, he’d use it somehow, someway, to combat that beast and avenge his sister.

But for now. Gary’s hand tightened around the Poke Ball and then he threw it hard. Focus! Gary! “Charizard, go for it! Flare Blitz!!”

Charizard was sent out and immediately consumed in Fire, soaring for Electivire.

Electivire waited calmly, a sneaky smile on his face. Until. The Pokemon pulled back a sparking fist and lunged at Charizard with Thunder Punch!

Gary gasped. No way he can hold back Charizard’s Flare Blitz with just that! Gary was sure of this, but he also watched with wide eyes, unsure of what would happen.

The moves collided, and Electivire was overwhelmed and taken down to his back.

Charizard landed on his feet behind Electivire, hunched over, red sparks around his body from the recoil damage.

“Vire Vire Vire Vire.” Electivire was chuckling as he stood up and faced Charizard!

His back still to Electivire, Charizard looked back at his opponent.

“We’ll use Flare Blitz again, then!” Gary ordered.

Charizard faced Electivire and repeated his attack!

Electivire stood perfectly still, watching Charizard with hard eyes. Focusing? He took the Flare Blitz head on!!

“VIIIIIIIIIIIIIRE!!!” Electivire let out, flying backwards.

Charizard landed, sliding a bit and stopping in front of Electivire as he suffered more recoil.

“Electivire!” Gary shouted in disbelief. “What are you doing?? That’s crazy!”

Electivire got up again, though more shakily. “Vire... Vire...” he breathed out, looking down and smirking. His eyes went up as he grinned big. “Vire!”

Charizard gasped, along with Riolu and Gary.

From a sudden pair of white beams of light, Magneton and Galvantula appeared from June’s bag!

Gary’s attention settled on Galvantula and he sneered. Ugh, great, he thought, fixing his face to remove the disgust. Why did they come out, though? To see the fight? Did they sense the energy of these two going at it and just had to see it themselves? Gary bared his teeth, turning back to the fight. I can’t believe that guy is still standing after two Flare Blitz! We don’t have many more times we can get away with this, either! I think it’ll only take one more hit to end this, though. There’s no way he can withstand that again! Not a third time! Third... Gary’s eyes widened.

The balls on Electivire’s antennae sparked.

A third... Charizard suffers one-third of the delivered damage every time he uses Flare Blitz. That could mean a third blow could drop Charizard, or even both of them! No, wait, is that right? Math never was my best subject! If Charizard does a hundred damage to Electivire, that means he’s taking about, thirty-five damage himself, but it also depends on how much-

While Gary was trying to do the math, Electivire’s entire body was sparking. The Pokemon’s smile widened before the blast of lightning came out from him.

Charizard roared as he was hit.

Oh, no! Gary panicked.

Charizard dropped once the Thunder ended. Groaning painfully, he stayed down.

He’s not out, but we can’t risk another Flare Blitz, Gary knew. But he has to get up! “You have to get up, Charizard! Charizard, please! Flamethrower! Fire Blast!!”

Charizard growled, pushing himself up.

“That’s it, Charizard! I know we can drop him! Wait! If he’s low on HP, then Flare Blitz recoil won’t be so bad on us!” Gary realized, speaking out loud. “Or at least, I think... Right??” Man, why don’t I know this?!

Charizard was finally on his feet.

“Electivire...” Electivire nodded at Charizard.

Charizard growled.

“W-we can do this!” Gary said those words out loud, but he had secretly startled himself. He hadn’t figured out if those words would come out vocally, or just be kept internally. But hearing himself fired up something within, and he took in a huge breath full of renewed life and determination. “CHARIZARD!!” Gary let out furiously. “FLARE BLITZ!! DESTROY HIM!!”

Electivire roared at Charizard, snarling, raging, ready for whatever was next.

Charizard roared and leaped forward. His body became covered in Fire as he flew.

IT’S ALL OR NOTHING!! Gary decided. “DO IT!!”

Electivire charged towards the blazing-hot opponent Pokemon. His body started sparking.

Both Pokemon got closer.

Charizard would obliterate Electivire in the next second!

Or so Gary thought.

Electivire’s body was covered in nothing but electricity, and he leaped for Charizard!

What is that? Gary questioned, squinting at Electivire.

The battling Pokemon collided and a surrounding orb of bright orange, white, and yellow flashing energy engulfed them both before exploding, the force taking everybody down.

When the damage was done, Gary sat up slowly, shaking.

The other Pokemon also managed to get back up, Electivire and Charizard laying still.

Little Riolu was quaking on her knees, sniffling and crying.

“What... what... happened...?”

Wild Charge. Taking one-fourth of the damage the opponent took, the user tackles the opponent powerfully while covered in electricity.

One-fourth?? Gary repeated. Wild Charge? Did he always have that move...? Could it be possible...? Did he... just learn that?!

“Vire,” Electivire coughed out.

“NOO!” Gary shouted angrily.

Electivire sat up.

Charizard remained still, his flame on his tail dangerously low.

“CHARIZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!!”

Charizard breathed out, but that was all.

Electivire kept his eyes on Charizard. A smile crossed his face.

Gary dropped to his knees.

His eyes closed.

His breath came out in defeat as his shoulders slumped.

All he could hear was Electivire’s constant, taunting chuckling.