Gary stomped up the mountain’s curving road in his boots, slowly reaching higher. He had his hood down over his black beanie hat, only his left hand in a glove, but both hands in his coat pockets. Maybe I should have worn my pjs under the jeans, Gary considered, shivering as he continued to climb.

Electivire and Raichu moved determinedly behind him. Electivire was always serious, but Raichu was uncharacteristically solemn.

Man, this is a challenge, which I expected, but this is truly pushing my limits! Gary kept to himself. Hey, just try to warm up by thinking about what you’re gonna wish for! You’ve only got three wishes. June, Prof. Oak, this monster... My sister... Team Solace... Was there more? Should there be more? A hard wind slammed into Gary and he took one step back, groaning against it. It stopped after a moment and Gary’s body eased up just a little but remained tight, struggling with just the cold now. I wonder if it will snow.

A voice came from somewhere, and before anyone knew where from exactly, as they all stopped, something bounced around the corner and charged at Gary, flying through the air!

Gary grabbed a Poke Ball and pulled his arm back. “Riolu!” He thrust his arm forward. “AAAAH!” His face was mushed, his Poke Ball flying out of his hand, and he landed on his side!

Electivire had shoved Gary aside and leaped at the Geodude that had appeared, leaving June’s bag behind!

Geodude slammed into Electivire’s middle, taking him down.

“Ri! Ri?” Riolu, freed from the tossed Poke Ball, looked to Gary and then to Electivire and Geodude, confused.

Electivire looked furious as he stood and raised a fist. It became coated in Ice and he slugged Geodude.

“Duuuuude!” Geodude was Frozen solid and tumbled backwards on the hard ground.

Gary sat up, his shoulder sore where he had landed. “HEY!” he shouted at Electivire.

“DUUUUDE!!” Geodude burst free of the Ice and then turned and bounced away.

“Geodude, wait!” Gary got up and ran after it, turning the corner the Pokemon had gone around. “GEODUDE!” Gary reached for a Poke Ball to toss, but Geodude leaped off the side of the mountain! “GEODUDE! HEY!” Gary ran to the edge and looked over.

Geodude was just fine. It had reached a landing and leaped from that ledge next, landing further below until it was out of sight.

Gary let out his breath in defeat and then stood, turning to Electivire. “This is getting to be enough, now! Electivire,” he walked over to him, “it’s time to settle this once and for all! How about a Pokemon battle?!” Gary instantly regretted these words. I can’t challenge this thing! Not without Charizard, at least!

Electivire grinned big and punched his fists together, causing big sparks, and he nodded.

No, no, no. I need to consider what Pokemon I have who can take him on, Gary told himself. But I know Charizard can do it. Damn it! What do I do now? “Okay, well, once I think it over, I’m gonna battle you and beat you, but can’t you listen to me? In the meantime, can’t we get along?” He wanted to cry at this point. This just isn’t fair! he complained in his head, keeping back desperate tears. I’m practically begging this thing to listen to me! I’m not his Trainer, but what kind of a Trainer am I? I’m this close to crying!

Electivire’s horns sparked.

“Hey! We’re not battling now, okay?” Gary took a step back, feeling himself giving up. I think I really oughta just toss this thing to Kiwi and Prof. Sketchit, he considered. Thinking this made him think of Prof. Oak, and he could have shed a tear right there.

“Ahoy, friend! You a Rock type Trainer? No? Perhaps you own some Rock types to battle?” someone called out.

Everyone turned.

A man was coming down the mountain, towards Gary, waving a happy arm, his mouth wide open in a cheerful smile.

“Hi.” Gary couldn’t make himself smile back, being far from in the mood to make his muscles work for it. His eyes suddenly widened. There’s other people on this mountain, he realized. Jirachi.

“Hey! Great day for climbing?” the man stopped by them, a Poke Ball in his other hand. His eyes met with Gary’s.

Gary tensed up. Oh, no, he worried. “I... Yes, I guess.”

“I’m a Hiker, as I’m sure you can tell!” He laughed heartily as he grabbed at the straps of his large brown backpack. He then strongly patted the chest of his thick brown coat with one hand. “I’m looking to raise the Defense of my Rock type Pokemon and was hoping to battle some fellow Rock types. If you don’t have any, I’ll take what I can get for Experience, at least!”

Gary racked his brain for a bit, trying to recall all of the Pokemon he’d caught, but he gave up after a few seconds, and he didn’t feel like going through the Pokedex. He didn’t feel like battling at all. “I don’t, I’m sorry. And-”

“Electivire!” Electivire stepped up past Gary.

“Oooh ho! I see this one is ready to go! Looks like puuuure muscle!” the wide and tall man laughed again. “Let’s go, then! Is two Pokemon each okay?”

“Electivire!” Gary tried.

Electivire’s horns sparked.

“I see you’ve got at least three, but I only own Graveler and Nosepass!” He threw the first Poke Ball, and immediately grabbed his second one and sent out his last Pokemon.

“Gravelerrrrrrr,” a Graveler growled excitedly.

“Nooooose!” Nosepass stood motionless.

“I’ll start with Graveler!” the Hiker pointed, and Graveler called out, stomping forward.

I can’t refuse it. Our eyes met, Gary knew. “Okay. Two Pokemon each. Let’s go.” He looked to Riolu. Not my normal consideration, he knew, but...

Tyrogue stared back at him.

Gary blinked hard a couple of times.

Only Riolu was there staring back.

Gary’s nose twitched. “Riolu...” he whispered.

“VIIIIIIIRE!”

Gary, Riolu, and Raichu looked up to see Electivire meet up with Graveler and Sweep its legs out from under it.

Graveler crashed down hard.

Electivire pulled back his leg again and Kicked out with a different move.

Graveler was flung backwards and fell hard, tumbling until slamming into the side of the mountain.

“Graveler!” the Hiker called to his Pokemon.

Before the Hiker even looked back to Electivire, the Electric menace already had cupped hands, charging up a yellow orb, leering at Nosepass.

Nosepass didn’t react, not even staring at Electivire, and not budging an inch.

Electivire tossed his Focus Blast at close range.

Nosepass was tossed back and hit the side of the mountain. It remained still.

“My Pokemon! Hey, now!” The Hiker glared at Electivire, and then Gary, and then back to Electivire before returning to Gary. “What’s the point of all that, now?”

“Elec...” Electivire growled at the man.

The man stumbled backwards, frightened. “What’s going on, kid? You win! You win! I’m out!”

Electivire’s body sparked.

The man hit the side of the mountain and slid down into a sitting position.

Electivire tried to hit them all with Thunder, but the move came out and instead curved, hitting Raichu. Electivire wasn’t pleased and charged at Raichu!

Raichu screamed and took off on all fours, running back down the mountain!

“HEY! NO! CUT THIS OUT!!” Gary ran after them. It wasn’t a minute before Gary had Electivire back in his Poke Ball.

Raichu was bent over, breathing hard and holding his knees, tired already.

Gary was doing the same, and he looked behind him, hearing a noise.

Riolu stood there, breathing as tiredly as her Trainer, but not looking worn out. Her eyes were focused on Gary.

Gary stood up straight and approached Riolu. He let out his breath and smiled. “Sorry you have to see so much nonsense, Riolu. I’m not the amateur Trainer I appear to be right now. There’s a lot going on.”

Riolu just blinked, but showed no emotional reaction that Gary could read.

With Riolu and Raichu, Gary walked back up the mountain, reaching the spot he had seen the Hiker last.

The Hiker and his two Pokemon were gone, only June’s bag left on the ground.

*

“Shoot,” Gary whispered. He put his phone in his coat pocket, disappointed that he was getting no service, but not surprised. His arms wrapped around his legs as he shivered hard.

Electivire was pacing back and forth.

Raichu was happily rocking on his back, holding his feet.

The gang was in a cave they had taken shelter in for the night.

Prof. Oak’s book on the ground in front of him, he knew from it that he supposedly had one more day left before the return of Jirachi. He also was going over the notes of how to make a wish on Jirachi.

Prof. Oak bothered to note that it wasn’t as simple as just stating the wish, but he didn’t go any further into it.

If it was more than just saying “I wish...” then Gary had no clues as to what else was involved. This was a little frustrating, but Gary assured himself that if it were anything more complicated, the professor would have noted it. Right?

It was freezing cold, Gary wishing he could just plug the opening of the cave long enough to sleep through the night. He was sure he’d catch a cold when all this was done and over, and his nose was already stuffy and runny. He knew he could pass time reading Prof. Oak’s book, but it was too cold to concentrate on it. Staying in one place wasn’t a good idea, but Gary didn’t know what else to do. “Hey, you guys, it’s warmer inside of the Poke Balls, you know? I bet Riolu’s nice and cozy.” He held up their Poke Balls. “Come back inside. No need to freeze with me out here.”

Electivire ignored him completely, continuing his back-and-forth stroll.

Raichu stood up and bent his arms, his cheeks sparking after giving Gary a determined smile. “Raichu Raichu, Raichu! Rai Rai Raaai! Raichu!”

Gary squinted with confusion, but he nodded. “I see. So you’re feeling just fine. You’re warm. Is it because of the electricity within you? Are you both warm? That must be it. I could use some of that, ha ha ha.” Gary buried his head into his knees and wrapped his arms around them. Man, this sucks. I wonder what’s worse: the unexpected horrors of this journey, or the expected ones... A sparking sound was going off, and when it finally registered with Gary, he looked up with a start. Wait! he realized. “WAIT!” he shouted to Raichu.

His cheeks were sparking. “Raaaaaaaaaai...”

“RAICHU!” Gary begged, regretting his words just a moment ago.

“CHUUUUUUUUU!!!”

“WWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!” Gary was laid out flat, twitching and sparking. His jaws tightened against his will, his entire body pained. Is it me or are you getting stronger? Gary tried to say out loud, but was unable, so it stayed in his head.

“Raichu?” Raichu cocked his head, looking at Gary with innocent eyes.

*

Riolu stood staring at Electivire.

Electivire was sneering back at Riolu, sitting with his legs crossed and fists on the ground.

Raichu was watching with wide eyes, holding on to the end of his tail, his sunglasses also held.

Gary sat holding Raichu, Riolu and Electivire’s Poke Balls in his hands.

Riolu’s eyes were wide, staring with great focus.

Electivire raised a hand and held it out to Riolu.

“Rai?” Raichu whispered.

Gary’s eyes widened.

“Ri!” Riolu was flicked in the head with one finger from Electivire and she cried out, landing on her back.

“Electivire!” Gary stood up and crossed his arms.

“Raichu.” Raichu looked down with exasperation.

Riolu sat up, frowning.

“Did you at least get anything, Riolu?” Gary asked, not hopeful.

Riolu closed her eyes and shook her lowered head.

His arms came undone. “I didn’t think so. Ha. Without June, I don’t have a way for you to tell me what you saw, anyway,” he smiled and then sighed. “Darn. Thanks anyway, Riolu. You’ve done more than enough. Good try.” He returned Riolu to her Poke Ball. After that, he glared at Electivire.

The Pokemon now had his eyes closed, sitting in silence, like some form of meditation.

“Well, honestly Electivire, enough is enough at this point. We’ve had this talk more times than I can remember. This is it, and it’s up to you.”

Electivire didn’t reply, but he did open one eye and turned it towards Gary.

Gary bravely walked up to him and crossed his trembling arms over his chest again. He was cold for sure, but scared? He wasn’t right now. “I thought by using Riolu’s Aura, maybe there was a way to find a solution. To pull the answers out of you. But you won’t let anybody in, right? You won’t open up. And Riolu’s too young, anyway. You don’t want help, and you want to ruin my journey. I’ll have eight Badges by the time I’m done and won’t have earned a single one! That’s not how this is gonna work out, pal. I gave you everything, just like June.”

Electivire’s other eye opened now.

“When I get her back finally, I’ll explain everything to her, but the decision is yours. You can either follow me to the next city and stay with Profess...” Gary inhaled deeply. “You can stay with Prof. Sketchit, or you can just go and be free, battling and doing whatever you want. I’m not here for you to get free battles from. Not like how you’ve been doing, interfering with my matches. Get it on your own. I’m not here to sit through your crap anymore, man! We are done!”

“Raichu! Raichu!” Raichu ran up to Gary and reached up to him.

“NO! Raichu, this is it!!” Gary barked at Raichu and then looked at Electivire. “We’re officially done, man!”

Electivire didn’t even seem to be breathing, sitting completely still.

Suddenly, catching Raichu off guard.

Causing Electivire’s eyes to widen.

Gary himself even startled.

Gary snickered! A smile hit his face as he began to chuckle. I must be tired. Deliriously so, Gary told himself. What’s so damn funny? Oh, yeah. That, he remembered, and laughed harder.

Raichu was backing up a few slow steps, eyeing Gary with concern.

“You know, Electivire,” Gary kept laughing, rubbing his eyes. “This is all so funny. I think I- No. No. I don’t get it, but it’s still funny. I can’t help but think now on your past with June. You as an Elekid. When you first met her.”

“Vire?” Electivire spoke, frowning now.

“Yeah, you were a good little boy back then, right? Is that why you hated seeing Ish’s Elekid? Is that it?” Gary wasn’t laughing anymore, but he had a huge smile on and an expectant look. “You reminded of when you used to be a good boy? Back when you were a good little Baby? Then you evolved and got yelled at for not being strong enough, and thought you’d pay June back by evolving and becoming a smart-ass by not listening and just beating up everything in sight? You can’t even look your past in the face. That’s how I know you know what you’re doing is wrong. You’re not some tough guy. You’re just a bully. A spoiled bully brat!”

Electivire stood up with a grunt, tall over the boy and less than an inch apart.

Gary bared his teeth, nervousness coming over him, but he stood his ground. His face was only almost at Electivire’s chest, and he was forced to look up at him.

Raichu was pleading for them to stop.

“Oh, just get out of here! Go on!” Gary pointed behind him with his thumb. “Or I can leave! I don’t care anymore! I’m not raising you or caring for you anymore! Good luck to ya! You’re no Electivire. You’re still the same damn Baby you were back when June found ya!” He raised a finger and shoved it into Electivire’s furry chest. “Grow up!”

Two huge hands rose and landed on Gary’s shoulders. Gary yelped out in fright as Electivire leaned his head closer to the boy, tightening his grip.

Raichu was crying out, begging and pleading, as Electivire’s eyes glowed blue.

Gary screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing continuously.

*

A much younger June picked an apple from a tree, three other Pokemon behind her watching what was going on.

One Pokemon was an Electrode, the other a Magnemite, and the last one a Flaaffy.

A berry was plucked from a bush by the hand of an Elekid. Elekid turned and stared at June, and they exchanged fruits.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Soon, everyone was relaxed and happy, June and Elekid chomping away.

“Say, little guy. If you don’t mind, maybe we could be even closer friends? I have a whole huge family that would love to meet you. And, if I have you by my side, I know I can beat- L... Loo... Lightneny... L... Mr. Surge!” June laughed.

After taking another bite and swallowing, Elekid nodded. “I don’t really know if I’m that good at battling, but I was warned Trainers usually attack Pokemon. Why didn’t you?”

“Oh, you must mean for battle. Yeah,” June nodded. “But that’s using the Pokemon they own already. People don’t attack Pokemon, themselves.” She laughed. “I’m not really a huge fan of Pokemon battles. I just want to make friends. But... I want to show Mr. Surge that I’m worthy and can be whatever he wants me to be. He saved my life and I owe him everything. Please, will you battle with me just this one time? I only have to do this once!”

“Okay! One battle can’t be that bad!” Elekid ate more of his apple as June laughed. He found the laughter kind of odd, not getting what was so funny, but paid it no mind, finishing his fruit as the other three Pokemon laughed with the girl.

*

“Is this it? Is this the battle?” Elekid had come out of his Poke Ball, now inside of a big building, and he saw a taller being facing him.

A Raichu!

Behind Raichu was a very muscular man. He was wearing an open, dark-green vest with matching pants, a little silver dog tag around his neck. His smile was tremendous, his teeth a beautiful white. This was an impressive-looking human. “So ya gotcha self a Baby, heh? Heh heh heh... Cute! I’m sorry, but I can’t take it easy on ya, June.”

Elekid looked behind him to see his friend. “June!” He waved at her, his mouth open in an excited smile.

June kept a stern face, looking from the man, her face red, down to Elekid. Her eyes narrowed at him. “Pay attention, will you?? Where’s your damn backbone?? He just disrespected you, which is a disrespect to me! Is this how you’re gonna defend your Trainer? What good are you if this is how you’re gonna be in battle?!”

“Huh...?” Elekid’s mouth fell open, stunned by this. “I-I-I-I’m sorry, June...” He turned from her and formed fists. A more angry look came over his face. “Alright, bigger Pokemon. This is my first-”

“Raichu, let’s see how it takes da Dundabolt!” Lt. Surge instructed.

“Nice to meetcha, kid,” Raichu grinned, his cheeks sparking.

The next thing Elekid knew, he was on his back, sparks surrounding his body. “What just...?” he managed, trying hard to sit up. He just ended up back down.

“Elekid is unable to continue! Raichu is the winner!” a distant voice called out.

“Gonna have ta come betta den dat, June!” Lt. Surge was heard.

Elekid blinked constantly, trying to see clearly, and he rolled over onto his stomach, looking up wearily at his Trainer. “June... I’m-”

“I’m so sorry, Mister Lieutenant Surge, sir.” Her saddened, embarrassed words were for Lt. Surge, but her cold eyes were on Elekid. She held out the Poke Ball, pulling Elekid back in it.

Elekid was now in a serene place again. It was quiet, the only noises coming from the voices outside. There wasn’t anything to be seen, but the energy outside was strong. Noisy. There was tension.

“I can’t believe I sent him out to battle. Stupid!”

“Don’t be so harsh, June. It was just a Baby Pokemon. The most inexperienced of all Pokemon. You’ll learn. I’m sorry I had ta do dat.”

“It’s not your fault, sir! It’s all his. Elekid’s!”

Elekid felt a stir in himself, listening from within the Poke Ball.

“That will never happen again. I’ll never use him again!” she shouted.

More things were said, but Elekid couldn’t listen any further. He just wanted to shrink into nothingness and be unreachable by anyone ever again. I never wanted to battle in the first place, Elekid cried to himself.

*

“Elekid, this is the second time! I thought you would help me!” June yelled at Elekid.

“I tried, June! I’m sorry!” Elekid pleaded, worn out on the floor after another battle. “I thought I was only going to battle one-”

“You didn’t land a single hit! I don’t want excuses! I want a damn win outta you!”

Elekid was put back in his Poke Ball.

*

“I know Baby Pokemon are weak, but how am I ever gonna get you to be any stronger if you don’t fight?! I can’t believe any Pokemon can be this weak! It’s just impossible! NO!”

Elekid was crying quietly, his head down. He looked up slowly. “But I attacked... The move didn’t-”

“Excuses?! Again??!” June freaked out. “That’s all you ever have for me! No answers! No results! No improvement! What are we gonna do about this??”

“I don’t know...” Elekid wiped at his wet face.

“Oh, boo hoo! I should be the one crying, but I’m instead working harder! All you offer me are more tears! I can’t even look at you right now, Elekid!” She returned Elekid to his Poke Ball, and the Baby was grateful.

*

Elekid stared at his bowl of Pokemon food.

June was sitting on the ground next to him. “I’m sorry for being so stressed out lately, Elekid. I just have a lot on my plate since becoming a Gym Leader.”

“Maybe I should go back to the woods. The others fight much better than I do,” Elekid muttered.

“But our friendship comes first, Elekid. That means way more to me than winning battles.”

Elekid looked up to see June staring at him. “R-really...?”

June looked away from him, to his bowl of food. “I mean...” She paused again. “I just have a job to do, and I need you to win. But, us being best friends is... also the world to me. They both mean a lot to me. I need to be enough for Lt. Surge!” A sad cry came out of her.

“June!” Elekid stood up and grabbed her shoulder. “Don’t cry. June, I can do this! I can be a battler. We can show Lt. Surge, and beat him.”

June smiled down at him, her eyes watering. “Well, we won’t be able to do a thing on an empty stomach.”

Elekid nodded and sat down, stuffing his face determinedly.

June began to laugh.

Elekid turned to her and got a determined smile on his face before he started laughing with her. In an instant, he was choking on his food, unable to breathe.

*

“You didn’t do anything today. You can't be that hungry. You can eat in the morning,” June snapped at Elekid as the other Pokemon ate around them.

Pikachu and Electrike ate with their heads in their bowls, pretending not to know what was going on.

Elekid’s eyes went from his bruised body to his Trainer. “But-”

“Goodnight, Elekid.”

Elekid was recalled back. He found it nice being inside of the Poke Ball, where the most minor injuries and pain were being slowly removed and healed. Not all of the damages, but just enough of them. He found himself wishing he would be wiped away in the mix, too, never to be seen again.

*

“I give you chance after chance, and all I get is loss after loss outta you!”

“June, you just don’t understand!” Elekid was losing it at this point, and was actually yelling back at his Trainer!

“Hey, you guys, what’s going on?” a challenger of June’s called out hesitantly.

The guy’s Pokemon, a Pichu, stood on all fours, breathing hard, looking beaten up but with a determined smile.

June glared at the Trainer and then back to Elekid. “Baby Pokemon are weak, but a Baby Pokemon beat you. One that damages himself with most of his own moves! Lt. Surge is wrong. There’s just something wrong with you! Just evolve already!”

Elekid made fists and glared at June, enraged into tears as he was recalled.

*

The crowd in the Gym was louder than ever for June’s next Gym battle.

“You can do it, June! You and Elekid will do it this time!” a man from the bleachers yelled out, followed by more support and shouts.

“Elekid, Quick Attack!”

“Yeeeeaaaaaa!” Elekid zoomed around the Gym, appearing here, there, and all over, having a blast. Haing the time of his life. I’m doing it! I’m gonna win my first battle!! “Ha! Ho! Heeeeya!” Elekid leaped at Geodude and slammed into him headfirst. He fell back after colliding with such a Defensive Pokemon, but so did Geodude, although maybe only an inch.

“Grrr,” Geodude shook off the hit as he awaited orders from his Trainer.

“Tackle!” was Geodude’s Trainer’s only retaliation.

“Taaaaaaake this!” Geodude slammed into Elekid.

Elekid groaned in great pain as he bounced twice on the Gym floor before laying still. The front of his body ached from the impact.

“Elekid!! Come on!!” June freaked out, losing her temper as she leaped up shortly in the air and slammed her feet down. “I’m not accepting another freaking loss out of you!! I’m sick of this already!! What’s the point in even using you?! Can’t you do anything?? I hate you so mmmmmmmmuuuuuuuch!!”

Elekid groaned from the ground, tears burning in his closed eyes from his Trainer’s devastating words as he sat up.

“I have so had it!!” June went on. “After this match, I am so totally-!!” June’s words were turned into a gargle of sorts, as Elekid started to glow in a bright white light!!

He grew wider and taller. His arms got longer as his legs lengthened and became more sturdy, better holding up a bit of a fatter body. An appendage was sliding from his lower back. He felt more energetic than he felt in his entire life! This came with more confidence, attitude, and “POWERRRRRRRRRRRR!!!” he exploded as the light around him went away in sparkles. He looked back at June.

She had her mouth covered, stunned at the evolution.

Electabuzz smirked proudly and nodded. I did it, June. I told you I could do it. For you. He looked to Geodude again and flexed his arms. “YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!” His entire body sparked intimidatingly.

Geodude sneered at the new Pokemon.

“Electabuzz!” the opposing Trainer gasped. “We can still do this! Magnitude!”

“See if you can handle this!” Geodude flexed his arms as his body became outlined in brown. He dropped like a weight to the floor and the entire building shook lightly.

Electabuzz groaned as he stumbled from the impact. The pain was unbearable. It was like the switch of energy within him was flicked off and grounded. The source unplugged. The Pokemon dropped.

“Useless!! AS EVER!!!” June scolded.

The words were heard by Electabuzz, echoing around him, but also unclear to a degree. The ground was swaying, the Gym itself spinning. I lost, even after evolving, he told himself. I’m not a Baby Pokemon anymore. June will hate me forever. Before he knew it, he was back in the comfort of his Poke Ball. I don’t deserve comfort, he convinced himself.

“Grrrrrr!! I’m done with losing due to you!” June’s voice was heard from outside.

Yeah... Electabuzz accepted. That’s it. That’s what I deserve. More words were heard out there, but Electabuzz paid none of it any attention.

*

Lt. Surge had paid June an unexpected visit. He complimented Electabuzz on his evolution, placing a powerful hand on his shoulder and giving him an affectionate squeeze. After he requested to talk to her in private, June’s Pokemon were alone to continue eating.

Electabuzz followed after them, giving them time to move ahead, and by the time he reached her room door, June was on her bed, her back to Lt. Surge, crying with her hands over her face.

“I’m sorry, sir!” June burst out. “I’m so ashamed! I’ve let you down! I can’t defeat anyone no matter how hard I try! Even with Electabuzz evolved, he’s just hopeless! Nothing I do with him works! Battling with my Pokemon, fighting wild Pokemon, he’s just useless! Nothing but a friend to me, if that! I don’t want friends! I want to be a powerful Gym Leader like you!”

Electabuzz moved quickly from the door and carefully raised his hands to his mouth to keep any accidental sounds from coming out. Shaking his head, he crept away. There was a creeeeak that made him stop, and the conversation in the room went silent. But then, he didn’t care, remembering what June had said. His hands fell from his face and hung at his sides, and he walked back to where June had left him and the others.

There was a short trail of tears on the ground behind him that would have been easy to not see.

*

Electabuzz walked Gringey City with June that night. It would have been a beautiful night by the water, but all he could think of was that this would be the last time they’d see each other.

“I truly cherish our friendship, Electabuzz.” June swallowed and then stopped, looking out to the water. She looked ill. A small object was held between both her hands. “But if I can’t do my job,” she swallowed again, “then it’s like, what kind of friend were you for me, you know?”

Electabuzz stared at the thing June had, feeling drawn to it for some reason. He fought off this urge and instead looked down and just nodded.

“I thought we could do this. I thought we’d be the best. You, me, Electrode, everyone. It’s what I caught you for. It’s why we teamed up, wasn’t it?”

Electabuzz looked up to the item in his Trainer’s hand again for just a second before staring at the girl. “I know you’re mad at me, and you want to release me now, but-”

“Release you? Electabuzz, what are you talking about? I’m not gonna release you...” She looked away from him.

“June, it’s not fair!” While he was surprised hearing June say she wasn’t releasing him, he still had to let out all of his thoughts now. “You promised we’d never battle again after the first fight. You lied to me, and that’s fine, but now you’re mad at me! I never wanted to battle! You knew that, but now I’m battling all the time!”

June’s eyes were wide with shock, her eyebrows narrowed. “Electabuzz, I never said we’d never battle again. I thought I made it clear that this was a longtime thing!”

“You specifically told me it’d be just one battle, and nothing more! And I trusted you because you told me you didn’t even like battling yourself. You told me you just wanted to be friends.” Electabuzz sounded so angry and hurt. Betrayed.

“Th-th-there must be a miscommunication, and I’m sorry for that, Electabuzz,” June spoke carefully. “But you’re my friend! That comes before any of this Gym Leader stuff!”

Electabuzz shook his head. “June, I heard what you and Lt. Surge said about me. I know you hate me.”

“Lieutenant-” June froze, staring uncomfortably at her Pokemon. She gently passed the little yellow object between her hands a couple of times and then stopped, gripping it in just one hand.

Electabuzz’s eyes watched it when it was being moved from hand to hand, and he finally looked away from it when June held it still.

“Electabuzz, this is crazy,” she managed to laugh a little. “Why would I ever say I hate you! I’d never even dislike you!”

Electabuzz sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes, sneering.

“Okay, I understand that I’ve pushed you and been a little rough and mean and not been happy losing battles with you, but I nev-”

“You lose and blame me!” Electabuzz shouted. “As if Pikachu and Electrode and the others aren’t also losing matches!”

“It’s because they put in so much more effort!” June shouted back.

There was silence between them.

Electabuzz was done with crying and being mad. He held back tears he wanted to shed. He’d save them for when June finally released him and set him free, and he would be alone.

June sighed and began to walk again. “You have to understand, I’ve been a Gym Leader for months, and have yet to win a single match. My title is being threatened, and I’m letting down the greatest person I know, who means everything to me. He’s all I care about!” She stopped and turned, seeing that Electabuzz hadn’t moved from his spot. “Don’t you want to get stronger, Electabuzz?”

Electabuzz stared at her calmly, blandly, simply. Do I want to get stronger, June? he asked her silently. You haven’t listened to anything I’ve said, and I understand why. I’ve known for a while. He nodded. “I’m sorry, June. I understand. I’m sorry I haven’t been good enough...”

“It’s just... I mean, I’ve taught you so many new moves to help you counter your weakness and to battle a variety of types, but nothing is working! I need strong Pokemon! Nobody loses like you lose! Do you know that?” She raised her hand a little higher and stared at the object in it.

Electivire felt a strong pull towards whatever it was. He wanted to touch it, but he also didn’t. He didn’t understand, and he wasn’t sure why June had it, or what that meant for him. But he felt reassured that this was it for them. He stared at her. “I know. I’m no good as I am, no matter how hard I try. I’m completely useless.”

“Yeah! Seriously, though!” June insisted. “I can’t use you if you’re gonna just do, basically nothing!” She laughed heartlessly, smiling with a satisfied look in her eyes.

Electabuzz didn’t return the grin. His emotional fuel had run dry. “I’ll do anything to make you happy.”

June smiled huge and gripped the object in her hands, squealing with delight.

Electabuzz continued to stare back at June, his solemness giving way to other feelings. Feelings he knew his Trainer, with her special talent, was well aware of.

“I’m glad we’re on the same page.” June held out the Electirizer.

*

Nurse Joy placed a Poke Ball on the trading machine. “Now it’s your turn, you two.”

Electabuzz stared at the Electirizer in his hands. The power emanating from it was demanding in his hands, and yet somehow subdued. It was meant for him, and him alone.

Or more specifically, any Electabuzz. Perhaps even an Elekid could feel what was inside. The power of the future.

“Alright. Return, Electabuzz!” June held out his Poke Ball.

Electabuzz was hit by the red beam of the ball, and the beam then went away. He just stared at June.

“Electabuzz?” she gasped at him. She stared at the Poke Ball in shock, returning again to Electabuzz. “What’s going on?”

Electabuzz didn’t look from the hold item in his hands. “Sorry. Just got a little nervous...”

“Don’t start having second thoughts, now! Let’s get this over with already! Come on!” June demanded.

Electabuzz looked up, meaning to turn to June, but his eyes went to Nurse Joy.

She stared at him with such hard, focused, and at the same time, sympathetic eyes.

Electabuzz stared back, taken aback by the woman he knew.

She was always so kind to him, healing and feeding him.

He’d known her most of his life. There was nobody on the planet who meant more to him than her. Except June. He smiled at the nurse. “If you’re ready, I am.”

Nurse Joy looked to June.

“Great! Then stop goofing around!” June responded, giggling. “Cheer up! Ha, after this, you’ll be happier than you’ve ever been in your life! And I’ll finally show Lt. Surge what I can do.”

Nurse Joy became blurry in Electabuzz’s vision as tears overtook his view against his will, and Electabuzz then glowed red. Before his vision went away, he saw Nurse Joy reach out to him, a sorrowful look on her face.

*

Gary blinked, staring at Electivire.

Electivire’s eyes were no longer blue. He just stared down at the boy. When his eyes closed, Gary saw a look he never witnessed on the Pokemon’s face. He looked saddened, turning his back and walking over to the end of the cave. He sat, leaning back against it, and inhaled deeply. “Electivire...” he breathed out.

Gary looked around, confused. He was standing on his feet, but he felt like he could collapse to his knees at any second, his legs quivering. Where... was I? Just now, what happened? He looked down to see Raichu.

And Riolu!

Raichu was looking at Gary with a scared face, several feet away.

“Riolu?” Gary called out in confusion.

Riolu was out of her Poke Ball, a couple of feet closer to Gary than Raichu was, staring at Gary with wide eyes. “Ri...” she spoke softly.

Gary breathed out and stared towards Electivire again.

Electivire frowned, looking up to the ceiling.

It was body language that Gary was familiar with. When he wants to cry about something, but is too proud to show it, and all he can do is look up, away from everyone else, to keep the tears from falling out and still look tough. But it was too obvious what was going on. He considered getting closer to Electivire. But he knew that might not be a good idea, so he stayed where he was.

So that’s your story? Gary thought. Electivire... It’s not at all like June explained.

She was abusive.

And a liar.

That explains it all. That’s why you’re still so mad at her.

June... I can’t believe you’d do that, but I saw it myself, with what must have been the memories of Electivire, transferred through the move Psychic, somehow.

June...

Not you, of all people.

Why?

It took a little moment longer, but Gary realized that he had tears running down his face, and he sniffled.