Shaking in disgust with his eyes closed, they opened again at the object in hand. The white button was pressed, enlarging the ball in size. His arm extended, holding out the ball. No point in her being alive, then. She can die here. He gazed at June’s naked body that was on the ground of the dark cave. His entire body suddenly flinched hard and his eyes widened. June?! Wait! What?? Gary freaked out, seeing June’s nude form on her side.

The eyes blinked and a step was taken back. The strange ball that was blue-gray at the top half, the bottom half pale green, fell from the hand and rolled over to June.

“Use Hydro Cannon!”

Robin’s Blastoise, Catherine, sent out an orb of water from each cannon and they hit Gary, one in the face, the other in the stomach. He wanted to groan out in pain, but he could do nothing but gurgle continuously as he drowned in the sudden pool of water he was in that got higher with each second until there was nothing but water filling a mysterious room.

Gary flailed frantically, twisting and choking and struggling to breathe!

“Wake up, boy!!” a voice yelled.

Gary wound up on his knees, blowing his nose hard and coughing out water. Swallowing, breathing, all hurt right now. He looked up in shock at a couple of police officers who were standing outside of his cell, one of them holding a dripping hose. It didn’t take long for him to realize that it had just been used on him!

“Screamin’ like a bat outta Hell! Fuck is wrong witchu?” the Black cop snapped next to his White partner. “Get up! The judge’ll see ya!”

*

Gary stood in the huge room with multiple benches behind him, but no one was in them.

In front of the child was the judge, sat high above everything else behind a tall table. The guy was bald on top, black hair at the sides. He stared down at Gary solemnly.

At each side of the tall table stood two bailiffs, but in the back were another six.

The judge rolled his eyes after hearing Gary explain the situation that had occurred at the party last night.

What day was it? When had the party occurred? Gary wasn’t sure, having been incarcerated at least an entire day. He shifted his hands uncomfortably, his wrists in cuffs that were cutting into previous cuts that hadn’t healed yet.

“Mister... Gary. Hm.” The judge frowned at the paperwork in front of him. “A smudge on the last name there. Anyway, you are facing charges including aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and underage drinking,” the judge stated. “The years you’re facing right now will not be given gently.”

Gary gasped sharply. Years?? For a fight??

“There is no easy way out of this for you, here.” The judge went silent, staring at him.

Is this real?? Am I really facing years, for a fight I had?? I didn’t even fight! They ran!

“Mr. Gary, may I ask you? What brought you here to Hearthome City?”

Gary’s eyes widened. After thinking for a while, he shook his head. “I don’t remember anymore, Your Honor.”

The judge nodded and snickered. “I’m sure it can be like that for many young Pokemon Trainers. But of all days, to be here before me so close to Christmas.”

Gary looked down remorsefully. I forgot it was Christmas. But, is that going to be used against me? That’s not my fault it’s Christmas season!

“It is in the Christmas spirit that I will be letting you go, without jail time.”

There were stirs and mumbles in the building, Gary the only one to gasp and smile. The boy’s hands shifted slightly, and he regretted even that simple motion which caused his wrists to hurt even more.

The bailiffs glared at the judge in surprise.

“But you won’t be set free!” The judge raised one hand. “Rather, you’ll be sentenced to one week of community service, housing provided.”

Gary tried not to, but he was powerless to let his true feelings show and he smiled even bigger. No problem!! Community service?? Picking up shit beats jail time!!

“Furthermore, your Pokemon will not be released to you until your service is completed!”

This wiped Gary’s smile away, but he nodded with a strong face. Fine. That makes sense.

“They shall be taken care of for the time being!” The judge raised his gavel, but he didn’t bring it down, keeping warm eyes on the boy. The friendliest face Gary had seen since getting arrested. “You can also thank the influence of your friend.”

“My friend?” Gary had no idea who he was talking about. Wait. His eyes widened.

The judge winked, smiling slightly. “A special friend of the law you have.”

Gary’s mouth dropped open with his ever-widening eyes. Kai??

The judge raised a finger, silencing Gary, and then let it drop. “Ranger Kai, on the other hand, has been apprehended due to...”

So it was Ranger Kai??

“Let’s say her passion of breaking you out of here caused more complicat-”

“She tried to break me out?? What is wrong with her?!” Gary couldn’t believe what he’d just heard! He also couldn’t believe that he’d just let that out in the middle of his trial!

“As I said, a very passionate woman, indeed.” The judge, surprisingly, didn’t even look angry at Gary. He seemed more sympathetic than anyone else. “She is a friend of mine, actually. I’m a fan of hers. Anyway, she seemed to be having a bit of trouble with an- Ah, I’m talking too much again. I promised my therapist to work on that. We’ll end this matter here. Assuming you fulfill the agreement, I won’t have to see you again.” He then slammed the gavel.

Gary’s face was frozen like stone, taking in all that he had heard, trying to make it fit in his brain and make sense.

“These motherfuckers get away with murder, I tell ya. Come here!”

Gary cried out painfully as he was tugged mercilessly by his handcuffs out of the courtroom.

The bailiffs closest to the judge were arguing with him while the ones in the back glared at Gary and grumbled, shaking their heads while he was taken through a pair of wooden doors.

My Pokemon... This is gonna suck so bad! Just please be in good care, guys. He looked around the room he was in.

It was full of officers, two cells in the back. One had a bunch of guys who looked fairly casual yet shady, the other one held two women.

One older guy in the cell was talking to the ladies. “You know why I’m here? DWB.”

There was silence.

“You know what that is?” he pressed on them.

“No, what’s that?” one lady bit.

“Driving While Black. A ha ha ha ha ha haaa! You heard that one before? DWB. I was driving while Black.”

There was mild laughter from the woman. And no one else.

Gary rolled his eyes, sneering. Oh, please... He let out his breath and suddenly found himself thinking of Ranger Kai. Man, what happened with Kai? She wanted to break me out of the joint? I wonder how things went with that creep cop who was hitting on her. She actually got me a good deal with the judge?! I can’t believe it! Thank you, Kai! You saved my life! Like, for the hundredth time already!

But what about my gun?? Gary wondered. It’s gone, now, but... is it really still out there in the woods? How did the cops never find it? Did they really not look? Lucky me... If they had found it, I’d be in jail for life!

One officer suddenly approached Gary and yanked him over, making the child yell out in pain. “Alright, kid. Time for your first day at work,” the cop sneered.

“Leave the kid alone!” someone in the male cell yelled, and this caused more shouts and chaos.

A cop ran up to the male cell and started banging on it with his baton, ordering silence.

“Work? Where at?” Gary asked, not really expecting an answer.

*

Day One:

“Daaaaaarkness!” Ish clapped Gary’s back. “Of all the people. I can’t believe it’s really you!” He grabbed both of Gary’s shoulders and shook him. “Nigga what the fuck you been up to?? You killed someone?!”

“Ish! Stop it!” Tiny laughed.

Tiny and Ish were in matching clothing: black polo shirts with matching pants. Clipped to their shirts was a yellow tag with their name on it. Ish’s read Yishmael, while Tiny’s had Tatiana, the name PokeLand Discounts over their names.

“I just can’t believe, of all the remaining PokeLand locations, you’re here! This is awesome! We got you, bro!” Ish said enthusiastically.

“Remaining?” Gary asked.

Tiny and Ish nodded together. “Yeah. This company is in a bad place, financially,” Tiny admitted.

“We’ll be aight. We need this place. The Pokemon need this place!” Ish insisted.

“I didn’t know you worked here, though, Tiny!” Gary called her out.

“I never said I didn’t! I have a kid! I have to make life work for me!” She put her fists to her sides and stood proudly.

This little thing has children?? Or, even one child? Gary was stunned, but kept silent.

“You live with your parents. You’re good,” Ish rolled his eyes.

Tiny glared at him. “So do you!”

“Excuse me, do you guys sell crickets?”

The friends turned to a guy who was wearing a smile. They then turned to each other.

“Tiny, you got this?” Ish nudged his head at the man.

“Sorry to interrupt,” the guy kept smiling.

“No! No! You’re fine! Come with me!” The tiny lady led the guy to the back of the store.

“Alright, I guess I have to fill you in on how to deal with customers. First off, you gonna need a looooot of patience. This shit ain’t easy.”

“I can handle that! I can do anything! Whatever it takes to avoid jail!”

Ish busted out laughing. “I hear that. ‘Cuz in there, you really will be doing anything!” Ish was laughing again, Gary watching him uncomfortably. “But, anyway, come on. Catching crickets and feeders are gonna be a top priority. Dealing with the live animals is next.”

“Now, when you say crickets, do you mean the insects? Or... like the Pokemon?” Gary asked, knowing he wouldn’t like the answer either way.

*

Gary held his jeans up and sniffed them to make sure of what he was smelling. Oh, GROOOOSS!

He groaned out loud and had a sudden memory of himself at the parties he was hopping through. He saw himself at a toilet, trying to piss, but when he looked in the toilet, about to flush, the water was clear! He recalled wondering where his piss had gone, and then feeling himself, but he was sure he was dry and just flushed and went on his way. But now, feeling his wet jeans and smelling the scent, he knew he had somehow pissed himself!

He was in the bathroom of PokeLand Discount, changing into the work outfit. This is the worst day of my life, Gary knew, but he was grateful, and sure it wasn’t going to get any worse from here. It couldn’t possibly, he told himself, looking down at his throbbing, aching, bruised wrists that held some dried blood. As he looked back up into the mirror at himself, he couldn’t help but think, Damn, my hair sure has grown. It hasn’t looked this thick and dark in forever! It’s curling, too.

*

Gary was frozen, holding a small plastic bag, staring into a huge container full of paper towel roll tubes, cardboard egg cartons, and large crickets!! He had to collect only ten of them, and had managed to get three in the plastic bag so far. The things looked like roaches, one of Gary’s worst fears, and he couldn’t build himself up to scoop up more!

“Gary, I’ve got you. It’s okay.” Tiny took the bag from him and held it up, counting the crickets inside. She then grabbed, with her bare hands, several more of the insects and tossed them inside! She snatched the top of the bag skillfully, keeping it filled with air, and used a rubber band to tie up the top, sealing it, and then handed it to the guy who was waiting outside of the room in the back.

“So that’s how you do it?” the guy asked. “How do they breathe in here with no air?”

“There’s air in there,” Tiny assured the guy. “That’s why it’s full. If it were deflated, there’s no air.”

“Hmmmmm. I see.” He took the bag and held it up, staring at it curiously as he headed for the register at the front of the store.

Tiny turned to Gary with a bright smile. “That’s basically what the gist of this work is here. It’s not hard at all, and in time, you’ll learn where all the stuff is kept in the aisles. Don’t stress it. Besides, you’re only here for a week.” She picked up a binder she had put down earlier. “Come on, I can show you how to use the planogram.” She walked down an aisle and stopped, getting to her knees.

“The what?” Gary followed.

The aisles’ shelves were all lined with tinsel, colorful scraps of shredded paper, and other Christmas stuff. There were also some cheap-looking holiday sale signs. It honestly didn’t look all that impressive in the store, especially compared to the rest of the city’s clear enthusiasm for the season, and even someone like Gary noticed, not that he cared.

Tiny was pulling bags of food off the shelves.

Gary got closer, seeing that it was various brands of dog food for Pokemon, like Pokegree, Blue Bouffalant, Goodness, Royal Arcanin, Meowth Mix, and a couple of others.

“The planogram. When the bosses decide to change around the store to better improve sales, we have to be the ones who change it.”

“Or you mean, when Tim and ‘em decide to make our lives harder for no reason. Don’t downplay the hell we have to go through, here.”

Gary turned and his eyes widened.

In front of him stood a towering behemoth of a man. A powerful, wide man that was a perfect mixture of muscle and girth. His face was covered in a hefty black beard. His hair was long and flowing. His appearance was like that of a god from mythology! He resembled the ideal, true man’s man. He wore the same outfit as Ish and Tiny, filling out a black polo with a yellow tag that read: Adonis. “Don’t think Hoopa helped us set up these crappy-assed Christmas decorations, either. How could he when he’s never here? Where is Hoopa at? Gone again? Obviously.”

“Had to pick up his kids or something,” Tiny shrugged, hardly glancing at Adonis as she focused on her work.

Adonis rolled his eyes. Then, he held out his hand to Gary. “I’m Adonis.”

A-doh-nis, Gary kept in his head, realizing he was pronouncing the guy’s name wrong in his head.

“Everyone says A-dah-nis but it’s actually pronounced A-doh-nis. Don’t worry about it. Just call me A-dah-nis.”

I didn’t know it was pronounced like that! Gary was frozen, staring at the guy. He then blinked and shook his head. “I’m Gary!” He held out his hand and shook with Adonis, gritting his teeth as his sore wrist throbbed even worse. Damn it! he kept to himself.

“He’s a jerk. Don’t fall for his act.”

“I’m the best person you’re gonna find here,” Adonis said strongly and then let go of Gary.

Tiny shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Trust me,” Adonis told Gary. “Sure, Tiny works too hard. I’ll give her that. Ish is cool. But the boss, Marcy, is never around. We just call him Hoopa.”

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“Hoopa?” Gary questioned.

“It’s a Mythical Pokemon from Kalos said to just hop through magical hoops into different places, including alternate dimensions and universes and all that. So, we call Marcy, Hoopa, because he’s here one minute, gone the next. Good luck if you ever meet him, even.”

“Well, I just need to clear a week of service here, and this is day one. That’s all I care about.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine, just try to-”

Someone walked by, staring around at everything. It was an Asian man. He looked at Gary and Adonis, and then down at Tiny. His eyes were wide, and he looked out of place. As if he didn’t belong there. He stared at the young lady in awe for a long moment before he moved on and disappeared down another aisle.

“Anyway, just try to not get too caught up in the customers and their bullshit,” Adonis continued. “These people are the hardest to deal with with all their demands and stuff. You only have to get through seven days here. Don’t lose your life over these people. It’s just not worth it.”

Gary nodded. “Right. I won’t.”

“We’ll see,” Adonis told him in a low voice. “Also, it’s not like it’s only customers. There’s other workers here, too.”

“Are they mean?” Gary asked cautiously, and instantly regretted it. He felt that he sounded like a complete bitch just now!

“Don’t worry, kid. No one here is gonna be mean. But some people might be a little tough to work with. You’ll understand. But, also, you only have a week with us. Just tough it out, okay?”

Gary nodded quickly. “Right!”

*

“I’m not even allowed to make phone calls?” Gary bemoaned.

“Didn’t they explain all of this to you?” Ish questioned.

“I mean, I guess, but...”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do any kind of favors for you. I’ma get in trouble. I ain’t wit’ it.”

“No.” Gary shook his head. “I understand.” He ended by nodding. “I just hope the judge is really gonna give me my stuff back! My Pokemon, my bag and phone...” Gary went quiet. And my gun... Where is it now? I can’t believe I lost it. The police clearly never found it or I’d be locked up, not in a pet store! I guess I got away with it, then. Right? Or... will I end up in jail if the gun is ever found and my fingerprints are found on it!

“You seem to be in good with the judge through your cop friend, so I wouldn’t worry about it,” Ish reassured him. “Under any other circumstances, you can’t trust a cop, but when you’ve got a cop friend, things work out.”

Ranger Kai isn’t a cop, but, whatever. Gary just nodded.

“You gonna eat? This is your break.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Because you’re new to this. By tomorrow, or the day after, you’ll be dying to eat. Trust me nigga.”

“What are you two making out back here?” Adonis poked his head in the room Ish and Gary were talking in.

There were two metal racks back there in the filthy room, and each one held two huge housing spaces, each of the four spaces housing different creatures. In one cage was a large number of rats. Tirtouga, the Water and Rock type Fossil Pokemon, was swimming in another tank beneath them. A ton of actual mice ran around in a cage across from the Tirtouga, and above that was a tank with a Helioptile in it, a set of special lights shining down heat and energy from above for it, feeding its specific needs.

Other than that, the room was filled with the extra supplies of food and items to be sold, as well as a fridge, a bathroom, a lot of filth, and other things to help maintain the store.

“Fuck you, nigga,” Ish joked with Adonis, and the two left the room, Ish laughing while the door slammed shut behind them.

Gary smiled, watching them leave, but his smile then faded. Man, this sucks. This situation is better than it could’ve been, but it still sucks. At least it’s just a few more hours. Three left, after my break. And then what?

The door to the back opened, and a girl walked in.

Upon visually taking her in, Gary actually jumped, startled.

The girl in a big white coat also stopped, caught off guard by Gary, but then she smiled. “Oh! You must be the new guy! Hi! I’m Sierra! Perpetually, everyone just ended up calling me Sea, though. Like the water.” It was a young girl with curly brown hair and blue eyes. Her lips were a light red, and her body overall was chubby and curvy.

Gary was stuck on her and didn’t even realize he didn’t reply to her greeting.

“I’m sorry. Did I startle you?” She spoke with a Southern accent, staring at him with some concern behind big, rounded glasses.

Huh? Gary thought, and suddenly, his mouth shut, making him realize it had been open this entire time. He even swallowed, making him notice he was almost drooling! Now embarrassed, he wiped at his mouth and then smiled a little, feeling like a total, awkward idiot. “Um,” Gary finally got out. “Hi! No!” Too loud. Lower! Gary told himself. “I’m fine, ha.” He swallowed, his throat stinging sharply from dryness, and he cleared his throat only to end up coughing. “Hmm,” he growled. “Thirsty all of a sudden, heh.”

“Do you need some water? I can run out and get you a bottle.”

“No! No! I’ll be just fine! Thank you, though!”

“You sure? It’s no trouble!”

“No! Honestly! Thanks!” He smiled big. Why is she so nice? She’s... stealing my heart away right now, Gary thought happily. Oh, man. Is this one of my co-workers? Am I working with a total babe like her?? This won’t be so bad at all!!

Sierra walked up to him and held out her hand. “I’m Sierra. Or just Sea. You’re Gary, right?”

Gary took her hand and they shook gently. He ignored the throbbing of his wrist. He wasn’t going to let a little pain stop him from shaking the girl’s hand. She speaks so pleasant. I could listen to her read the dictionary all day. He suddenly froze, something familiar ringing in his head.

“It’s really nice to meet you.”

Gary snapped out of his thoughts. “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Gary insisted. She’s really beautiful. Just look at her hair. I wish I could touch it. Her eyes are so light and pure, like water. They’re like pools I could fall right into and drown under if I stare too long. It’s already hard to breathe. He ended up sighing out happily, and this made him realize - he’d been holding onto her hand this entire time! Even more, they’d been holding onto each other!

Sierra’s eyes widened and a slight, discomforted smile crossed her face as it went red. “Ha...” she let out nervously.

“Oh! I’m sorry! I wasn’t-! I’m sorry!” Gary panicked, releasing her hand.

Sierra laughed and waved at him. “It’s fine.” Her hands clasped together in front of her and she swayed with awkwardness.

The embarrassing moment only served to make the girl look so cute to Gary. More than just cute, even. She is just... so... Gary struggled to define her in his mind. Her beauty was in her simplicity! It wasn’t overbearing, but it was undeniable. It was remarkable. This girl was unique. “How old are you?”

“I’m eleven. I’m the youngest one here. Ish is a little older than me, but we’re both the kids here, technically, though Ish is a teen. I can’t recall his exact age. You’re eleven, too, right?”

Gary nodded, smiling broader than he wished he were. But he couldn’t help but be excited. She’s my age. We’re the same age. I just might be able to... Maybe I could build up the courage and...

“Well, I’ma get changed and get ready.”

Gary stared at Sierra’s white backpack designed with images of flowers of several colors as she walked to the bathroom.

“Right! I’ll see you later! Bye!” Embarrassed, refusing to even let his thoughts go where they had tried, Gary zoomed out of the back room and crashed right into someone! “Whoa!”

“OOOOOOHH!!” a woman let out.

“I’m so sorry!!” Gary stared at the person he collided into.

“Oh, it’s no problem! It’s okay, sweetie!” a little lady that was just an inch shorter than Gary laughed. “You work here, right?”

Gary nodded eagerly. Oh, crap. Here it comes. Here I go. This is it. I’m gonna be asked something I don’t possibly know! I hope I’m prepared! Just be polite! The customer is always right!!

“So, I wanted to buy a cute little mouse for my daughter. I already have me a cute little Patchrat thing. The Pokemon? But I was told you shouldn’t mix them with other animals, yet I see your cages have multiples of Ratatats, and I see a Ziggyzaggygoon in there. Is there a reason why?”

Gary looked over with the lady to see a big cage with a Rattata tumbling around with a Zigzagoon, a few other Rattata just curled up and snoozing.

“Oh. Well...” Crap, what do I say? Gary panicked. No one explained this to me! There was silence between the two, now. This made Gary even more nervous.

“Excuse me, but do you sell any crickets?”

Gary turned to a tall man who had a warm, patient smile.

“I’ve got this, Gary. You get the crickets.” Adonis had appeared and was waving to the man who wanted bugs. He then turned to the older woman with a warm smile. “So, about that. You see, the reason we have so many rodents in the same tank is because we receive so many from the warehouse, and also donations from people, so we end up forced to use methods that allow a better chance for them to get along. And this is one that, clearly, luckily, worked out.” He then laughed big and full of love.

The lady laughed with him.

Wow, Gary thought as Adonis continued hamming it up with her. He’s really good.

Someone cleared their throat. “I’ll need thirty-five of your large crickets, please.”

Gary turned to the guy and then smiled. “Oh! Right! Of course, sir!” Gary ran into the back room and grabbed a small, clear, plastic bag before kneeling down in front of the big, white container of crickets.

The large crickets were in the biggest container, while the small crickets were in a tiny container attached to the larger one.

Gary held the bag down into the bin, but his other hand hesitated, not wanting to touch the cardboard tube to scoop up the bugs. He had to stay out of jail. He couldn’t lose this job. And yet, his arm wouldn’t move! Damn it. I can’t do it. Bugs! I can’t-! No. I have to! Gary’s arm lowered, and he quickly grasped at the top one of a few cardboard tubes with the tips of his fingers and pulled it out from the hundreds of crickets crawling and hopping over each other. He was touched by several of them and screamed before he reached his bag, dropping everything into the bin.

The crickets covered everything in seconds.

“Hey, it’s okay.”

Gary jumped, yelling out in surprise.

Sierra was there! She was startled by his reaction but relaxed right after. “Sorry. I noticed you were having issues with the bugs. I can take care of it for you.”

“I didn’t even know you ca-” Gary’s words got stuck in his throat, and he shook his head hard, his eyes then widening in horror. She’s dressed! Gary realized, looking her over. “I’m so sorry! I forgot you were in here changing!”

Sierra’s face reddened and she smiled shyly. “It’s fine, Gary,” she let out with a nervous chuckle, looking away.

Gary shook his head again and stared at her determinedly. “Please. Show me how to do this. I can’t be an inconvenience while working here. I need a good report back for the judge. Help me. Please.”

Sierra turned to him and nodded kindly. “Of course. You’ll get the hang of this, perpetually.”

*

Gary was doing sit-ups in his room at the Pokemon Center. He couldn’t manage push-ups in his condition, considering his wrists. While sitting up, he exhaled, thinking back on Nurse Joy’s comment about him.

“Now Pokemon Centers are housing criminals! Just my luck!”

Gary inhaled while laying back down, glaring at the ceiling. I can’t believe the mess I’m in. But at least day one is over. And tomorrow... Maybe... Maybe I even get to work with Sierra... He pursed his lips together, determination coming over his face and a smile crossing his lips as he thought about her face, her body, her accent, and her all-around pleasantness, and he continued to work out.

*

Day Two:

“How are you today, sir?” The old man named Lou looked at Gary with a blank yet pleasant look.

“Hey, Lou,” Gary replied, placing a cage of Nidoran♂ back on the shelf and sighing out.

“Getting used to the job? I know it’s only your first day, but how is it going so far?”

“Not bad! And, actually, this is my second day, but I like it! Getting to be around so many Pokemon.” He pointed at the several Pokemon in cages, and then swung his arm around the store. “I don’t own a majority of what we keep in here. It’s cool to learn about the care of these guys in captivity. I’m just used to being a Pokemon Trainer, but a store like this is for those who aren’t Trainers, but still want Pokemon as just pets.”

“Quite the... mind-blowing experience, huh?” Lou spoke in a very gravelly voice, like he had phlegm living in his throat along with a constant sore throat.

Gary nodded, smiling. “It’s really interesting.”

“That it is. That it is...” Lou nodded and lowered his bald head.

“Say, um, who else works today?” Gary asked casually.

“Well... let’s seeeee... ummmm.” He inhaled. “It’s me, Adonis, and Old Man Hoopa is who-knows-where. Ummm...”

“Old Man Hoopa?”

Lou laughed. “That’s what we call Marcy, the manager. No one knows where he is, taking care of his kids, his wife, he’s all over. I respect him struggling to keep his household together, but you can never find him when you need him, ha ha ha!”

“Oh, right. I did hear about that,” Gary muttered. The kid hadn’t even seen him when he came in this morning, only seeing Adonis and Tiny, Lou coming in late.

“So how are you doing today, sir?” Lou asked.

“Uuuh...” Didn’t he just ask me this? Gary pondered. “I’m good! I’m good! How are you?”

“I’m pretty well, myself. I have my son with his aunt right now. That was my late wife’s sister. Can’t wait to see him. That’s pretty much what I have waiting for me at home.”

Gary’s eyes were wide. “Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, I appreciate that young brotha.” Lou nodded his head. “It was hard at first, but time heals everything, as they say. I still do miss her, but you can maneuver through life a lot easier the more the decades crawl by. And looking at me, you can tell plenty of decades have crawled along for me, a ha ha ha.”

Gary smiled politely and nodded. Wow. What a strong man. I can’t imagine losing my wife. What he must be going through on the inside...

“But, uummmmm, back to your question earlier, we should be having young Sierra coming through soon,” Lou continued.

Gary’s eyes lit up. Sierra!

“As well as my man Adam, the A.M. here. That’s a special guy right there. Watch out for him. Ha ha ha!”

“Why’s that?” Gary asked cautiously.

“Oh, Adam’s my man! I love Adam! He’s just a little... ummmm... different than the rest of us. But he’s cool! Don’t worry.” Chuckling, Lou walked away, leaning over likely due to bad posture in his youth.

Great. Who is this Adam guy? Gary wondered.

“Excuse me. Have you seen Sky?”

Gary turned to an older Hispanic lady with a cane and a shopping basket full of items. “Huh?”

“Sky?” The woman had her back to Gary, looking at a group of children who had been standing by him, watching him clean out cages.

After the kids had begged him earlier to hold the animals, Gary explaining that he couldn’t, a tactic his co-workers had given him to best avoid these kinds of situations, the kids stood, oohing and aahing at the animals brought out. They really lost it when Gary set the Pokemon on the ground and put the cage top over them to keep them in place while washing out the cages of the creatures’ waste.

The old lady turned to Gary. “I sorry.” She laughed, shaking her head. “I looking for my niece. Sky. Can you help me with food?” In her basket were a bunch of little containers of wet dog food, and two bags of a different brand of dry food. “Es special?” She held up an envelope.

Gary immediately knew what she was asking and smiled. “Oh, that’s the Constant Buyers’ Program,” Gary explained slowly for the lady. “The CBP. If you buy ten of the same thing, you get one free.”

“Is buy one, get one, free?” the old lady asked.

Gary breathed out but kept his smile. “No, not buy one, get one. It’s that if you buy ten,” Gary held up both hands to show her the number ten, “you get one. Constant Buyers’.” You know, constant, Gary kept in his head. Easy, he then told himself. It’s a little old Hispanic lady. Show a little respect. And patience. You’ll never make it if this breaks you.

“Can I have fresh bag with the sale?” she pointed at one of the bags in her basket.

Gary took a closer look at what she was pointing at.

There was a sticker on one bag stating that that bag was one dollar off. The woman then showed the date of the bag to Gary. It’d be expiring by the end of next month.

But, that’s why it’s on sale! Gary kept to himself. “That’s only for that bag,” Gary kept his smile, pointing at the bag.

The lady nodded. “One dollar.” She pointed at the second bag in her basket.

Gary had a feeling the expiration date was a lot fresher than the first one. Keeping it together, he repeated, “Only this one.” He gently poked the sale sticker on the original bag.

“No this one too?” the lady asked, holding up the other bag. “Same thing.”

Gary’s breath came out of his nose, his patience thinning. She knows what she’s doing. She’s not stupid or innocent. He just shook his head. “No. I’m sorry. Just this one.”

“Why?”

“Well, let’s see.” Gary took the two bags from the woman and saw the expiration date was indeed much closer to being reached on the sale bag, than on the other one, and he explained this to the woman.

“Oooohh...” she nodded. She took the sale bag and then looked to the front of the store. “I see Marcy. He give me dollar.” She took the newer bag from Gary, leaving him with the sale bag. “Thank you.” She then walked away.

Gary sighed, shaking his head. So Marcy’s back? He stayed in the back but walked to the fish aisle where he could see the cash register, which was also set up with decorations like Pokemon figures, bright, colorful streams of Christmas lights, and some sale signs.

Indeed, the boss was back. A short, Puerto Rican guy with salt-and-pepper hair. He seemed very friendly, and everyone so far had told him he was a good guy, just never around. While speaking with the old woman, he looked over and did a double take at Gary. He pointed at him and laughed, nodding before returning to the old woman, and he shrugged his shoulders.

They’re speaking about me? I can’t tell. They’re talking Spanish. He looked at me and laughed, though. I hope that’s a good thing. Doesn’t feel like it is.

Marcy nodded and pointed at the bag, and his head tilted side to side before he rang up the woman for her stuff.

“Gracias. Gracis,” the woman thanked him.

Marcy just nodded and spoke back a few words.

I guess he did give it to her, but he doesn’t look happy about it. He’s not smiling anymore. Gary turned to the fish tanks, seeing a variety of Pokemon and also regular fish.

There were three big tanks full of feeder goldfish, and one last tank with minnow feeder fish. They were sold to feed customers’ bigger fish in most cases, though occasionally someone may want one as a pet, though it wasn’t likely it’d survive. In other tanks were Pokemon like Goldeen, Basculin, Finneon, Stunfisk, Shellder, Qwilfish, Tentacool, Staryu and Starmie, Alomamola, Wooper, and Barboach.

There was even a Relicanth, which had the highest price of any fish in the store! It also had its own giant tank.

There were very few Pokemon in each tank. Almost none shared one with other species to avoid fights, but another reason for the separation was in case of an unexpected evolution. Should something like Tentacool evolve, a Tentacruel would be a complete disaster in the store, and so the two Tentacool had the biggest tank. Even something like Wooper evolving could be a headache.

From down the aisle, Gary witnessed what he saw as an angel. Sierra! He smiled so big, he shocked himself and lessened it instantly to something more casual.

But it was in fact Sierra who smiled back just as big as his original smile! But she then caught herself and lessened her own smile, perhaps seeing Gary cool his down.

But this made Gary want to smile big again like he had at first, seeing how Sierra had smiled at first! Oh, this is stupid. Take it easy, Gary! He smiled just a little bit bigger and waved shyly.

Sierra did the same back and then went up to the cash register to clock in on the computer before heading down the aisle where Gary stood. Her walking speed was increasing.

Gary noticed Marcy watching them intently, even forgetting he had a customer until the guy said something, grabbing Marcy’s attention back to his work.

“Hey, Gary!” Sierra stopped in front of him. “How’s your day been?”

“Great!” Gary lowered his voice, talking more cooly. “I mean, not bad. No complaints. It’s cool.”

“Guess you’re only here for a little longer, right?”

“Yeah...”

“That sucks. I won’t see you until Monday. I’m off tomorrow, and it’s a night shift. I know you only do mornings. I only work closing. And I’m not even here that often because I’m part-time.”

“Oh, no...” Wait, why is she sad about that? Keep up the conversation! Add more sincerity! “That really does suck,” was all he could come up with.

Sierra nodded.

“It’s nice seeing you when I can. It sucks this is only a week, though.”

“I know! Might have been nice to... I dunno, hang out?”

She wants to hang out with me?? Gary couldn’t believe his ears, but he hoped he was keeping his expressions together and not revealing anything on his face.

“We hang out a lot at this job. I’m really shy so I never used to, but I got used to everyone, perpetually.”

Oh. Hanging out with everyone is what she meant... I’m crazy thinking this beauty would like me. What is wrong with me?

“Well, I’ve gotta get changed. I’ll see you!”

“Bye! See you!” Gary watched as Sierra went into the back room, his eyes lowering to her jeans. He licked his lips and then ended up biting his bottom lip. She’s really changing back there... GARY! Gary shook his head and turned around determinedly. And jumped!

Marcy! The manager was watching him, still behind the register. He raised his eyebrows a couple of times and nodded, a huge smile on his face.

Gary now wore an embarrassed smile and just shook his head, denying any insinuations.

This only made Marcy laugh harder and then rub his chin curiously, staring with interest at Gary before the phone rang.

Gary took this chance to get away, and he checked the feeder tanks for any dead fish, as was pretty common in the overcrowded tank. He got lost in the work, thinking about Sierra, and before long, he jumped at the sound of his name.

“You got a phone call!”

Gary turned to see that Tiny was standing right by him, holding out the phone to him. “A phone call? For me?”

She nodded eagerly, but then her face went serious. “It’s pretty serious, too. It’s from Prof. Oak’s Lab.”

Gary gasped and took the phone from her. They’re calling me?? Oh, no! They must have found out! They’re gonna think I did something terrible! He looked up to the cash register, but Marcy was gone already!

Adonis was now there ringing up customers.

Gary walked away to a huge room enclosed in glass which held a variety of bird Pokemon in different sized cages.

A couple of Spearow in one cage, several Pidgey in another, and others like Farfetch’d, Togetic, and a private room with no cage holding only a Toucannon.

Standing outside of the room, Gary held the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

“Gary! Are you okay? I can’t believe you!”

“Kiwi, it’s not what you think! I didn’t do any of that-!”

“I know that, Gary! I just can’t believe you let yourself get caught up in whatever happened! I know you’re innocent! All of Pallet knows that! Including your mom, just so you know.”

“Oh, great!” Gary cried gratefully. “Tell her I’m okay!”

“I will, I will, but I called only because I had to inform you of something important that occurred after the last time we spoke. I got a very important phone call from a friend of yours.”

“A friend?” He tried to think of who this friend could be, thinking of Scientist Gary pretty quickly, and then Rael. “Who? Was it Scientist Gary?”

“No, it was a young girl. She’s from the U.K.”

“The U.K.? I don’t know any-” Gary found himself remembering the old couple who were friends with Prof. Cozmo when they all got drunk after Gary’s sister had been killed. “A girl? That I know?”

“Yes. By the name of Drock.”

“Drock...?” Gary frowned in confusion. “Who-?” His heart was beating faster now as bells started ringing as he started to recognize the name.

“She’s someone who says she traded you her Seadra for your Beedrill, and during an incident, she was forced to flee. She’s been trying to get in contact with you for a very long time. She’s hoping it may be possible for her to return the trade and give you your Beedrill back, for her Seadra, or Kingdra, as she claims it should be.”

The phone hit the ground with a crash!! and became a few separate pieces, the battery, the back, and the rest of the phone clattering and tumbling away from each other.

Gary’s hand remained by his ear but fell to his side seconds later. His mouth was hanging open in disbelief as he trembled on the spot.

Beedrill, was his first thought.

As his eyes began to water, he gained a second thought.

Kingdra.