“Hey, mom,” Gary started glumly.

“Gee, kid. You sound so happy speaking to me,” Gary’s mother joked, wearing a cocky grin that was really ticking Gary off.

“Can you blame me?”

“Then why call me at all?”

“Because you’re my mom,” he answered with agitation. He felt a little surprised at the way he was talking to her, but also felt like he was just sick and tired of them fighting, this ironically seeming to lead to yet another one.

Gary’s mother stared at him, clearly trying to come up with a decent response. It took her a while, which made Gary happy, but he fought the urge to show it. “If you really cared, you’d come home. But all you have is stress to discuss, right?”

“I got my third Badge, and I own so many new Pokemon, now!” Gary let out happily. “I’m on my way to Eterna City to get my fourth Badge. I’m nearly halfway done with my journey, mom!” He knew she wouldn’t respond as pleasantly, but he had to do his part and try. He didn’t care that his mother didn’t share in his enthusiasm. He was proud of himself, maybe even more so because his mother disapproved of it! He just didn’t care anymore!

His mother stared at him coldly.

Gary’s happiness wasn’t diminished in the slightest.

Her breath came out of her nostrils, her mouth slanting. “I’m glad you’re still alive.”

Gary let out his own breath. “Thanks,” he accepted, knowing that would be the best he’d get from her. “I love you, mom,” Gary told her out of a mix of a kind of appreciation and exhaustion from dealing with her. He breathed in and out strongly.

“I love you, too, Gary. I just wish you’d stop killing me.”

Gary was the one stuck to find words now, and he looked down.

“Your grandma and aunt were asking about you. Maybe you should call them instead.”

Gary stared back at his mother, catching her tone of voice.

They were silent for a while.

“I guess I will. But I’ll keep calling you if you want.”

“You know what I want, Gary.”

Silence again.

Gary stared down after a moment. After inhaling, he looked back up. He considered telling her about the failed mission with Jirachi. He didn’t have to think long on it.

“What happened with that thing you were saying last time? About bringing your sister back to life. Did you stop that nonsense?”

Gary swallowed. “I did, but only because I lost the Pokemon who grants wishes. I ran into the monster again. That weird creature that killed Melissa. I had the Pokemon, the one who can grant wishes, Jirachi, but the monster appeared and-” Gary glared at his mother whose eyes were widened. No, Gary! “She appeared and tried to capture the Jirachi. Steal it from me. I fought her off and got away, but I lost Jirachi and I won’t see it again in this lifetime.” Good save.

Gary’s mother breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. You shouldn’t have been doing that to begin with! It isn’t your place to bring back the dead! The dead stay dead, and I told you not to do it!” She was getting angrier.

Gary just nodded, keeping his eyes down now.

“One day, everything I’m saying will make sense. You’ll understand someday.”

“And what if you understand me, instead?” Gary questioned.

His mother shook her head. “Never.”

Gary’s breath came out of him. He’d had enough. “I’ll try to call you later, mom.”

“Assuming you’re still alive. Or I am.” She snickered, taunting Gary.

Gary felt a fury within him. How dare you try to use that as some kind of a sick joke to hurt me. To guilt me, he thought. He wanted to say that to her, but he’d rather just get off the phone with her already. “Bye, mom.” He ended the call and then leaned back in his chair. Why do I keep calling her?

*

“My faaaaavorite grandsoooon! How are you??” Gary’s grandma gushed.

Gary laughed at the joke, familiar with it just about all of his life from either his grandma or auntie. “Hey Grandma and Auntie.”

“My darling nephew how have you been? Are you okay? Where are you now? Do you have any new Pokemon friends?”

“I have so many, now. I can barely keep track! And I’m in Oreburgh City right now. I’m about to get out of here but wanted to call. I got the Coal Badge from the Rock type Gym Leader, Roark.”

“Congratulations, Gary!” the aunt said happily.

“Oh, wow! How many Badges do you have?” the grandmother inquired.

“This is my third. I’m gonna get my fourth real soon, and I’ll be halfway there!”

The two women spoke at the same time, their responses getting a little jumbled.

“Well, I’m so happy to hear from you, Gary,” Gary’s grandma said, her daughter going quiet. “Keep up the hard work. You’re doing so great. How many Pokemon do you have?”

“Sixty or more? I’m really trying hard to fill the ‘Dex this time.”

His aunt gasped dramatically. “Wwoooooooooow.”

“Oh, my. Sixty is a lot! My Arcanine alone is a handful and here you are with so many different Pokemon!” Gary’s grandma praised. “That’s just amazing. I don’t know how you kids do it. It must be all that energy you kids have.” She laughed, Gary and his aunt joining in.

“I’m pretty far behind my friends but I’m getting there,” Gary kept smiling, embarrassed by their reactions.

“Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. What you are doing is the most important thing for your life!” Gary’s grandma insisted, pointing at the screen. “Pay attention to that, okay?”

“That’s right,” his aunt chimed in as Gary nodded. “You’re making us here, and your mother, very proud. Trust me.”

My mom... Gary thought. He smiled even wider, not wanting it to fade. “Thanks, guys. I’ll catch even more, and have a ton more Badges! Just wait ‘til the next time I call!”

“We know you’ll do great. You’re the Champion of this household no matter what.” Gary’s grandmother had a smile, but it slipped a little after her words.

Even Gary’s aunt had an uncomfortable smile.

And Gary knew why. “I’ll do this for Melissa. I’ll put her name on high and ring bells throughout the world. There’s nothing I’ll do on my journey that will leave out my sister. What I accomplish, she’ll be right beside me!”

His relatives had tears in their eyes as they beamed proudly upon the boy.

*

“With Prof. Cynthia still missing, I’ve been keeping in touch with her closest assistant,” Kiwi told Gary.

“Missing? Prof. Cynthia is missing?” Gary asked with surprise.

Kiwi nodded. “Just keep your voice down, okay? It’s clear you don’t follow the news.”

“Well, I’ve been busy with-”

“At this point, this is definitely under investigation, and while the general public knows a bit about what’s going on, they don’t know the extent of it all, so keep this to yourself, okay? They have the highest levels of authorities on this.”

“Is there any word on what happened to her exactly? Any ideas?” Gary kept his voice low.

“No clues whatsoever. There was a huge gathering including other Pokemon professors and experts a couple of weeks ago that she never arrived to, and she hasn’t been heard from since earlier that day.”

“Whoa, then this is really serious.”

“So as I said, I know how many Pokemon you have due to checking in on the lab in the Sinnoh region.”

“Alright, that explains it, but why are you doing that?”

“It’s what Prof. Oak would do. You think you’re off the hook on catching Pokemon now?” Kiwi answered sternly.

Gary swallowed uncomfortably. Wow, Kiwi, Gary thought as he swallowed again. Did you really just say I thought I didn’t have to take my journey as serious because Prof. Oak is dead? Or am I taking that the wrong way? What’s happened to you? Has his death changed you? Is the Kiwi I know still inside there somewhere? Yes. Yes, she is. B-

“I’ll take that as a yes. News flash, Mister: you’re not! I’m essentially in charge now with Prof. Sketchit being extremely busy. Trust me, I’m watching the three of you. And,” her hardened voice softened, “I’m proud of you all.”

Gary’s eyes widened, shocked at Kiwi’s confession. And then he smiled.

Kiwi smiled back. But in another instant, she was frowning again.

“What??” Gary’s eyes widened, his heart pounding, fearing he knew what was coming next.

She snatched the glasses off of her face before scolding Gary. “Well, proud least of all of you, after the torture you put Deino through!”

“Oh come on Kiwi!!” Gary was in tears now. “This is really starting to hurt, now!!”

“I’m sure it didn’t hurt as much as what poor baby Deino went throoooooouggh!!!”

Gary was sobbing mournfully now.

*

Gary stared at his phone. He had punched in the number for the police, but he couldn’t make the call. She’s dead, he told himself. There’s nothing you can do about it. When you got to Canalave City, that was your best chance to tell someone, but you didn’t. Saying anything now about that poor Ranger is only gonna get you in trouble. You could be in jail. We’ve been there before. That’s not happening again. But that’s not right. Gary could see the monster tossing the poor, eccentric Ranger off the mountain. I haven’t told anyone. Not even that one Ranger I met on my way here. It’s just too late. I make a call, and I’m- Gary was stuck for words for a moment. I don’t even really know where we were. I know the area but... I mean, what am I really gonna tell the police about this? What do I actually know? On the other hand, Scientist Gary said my phone would be harder to trace with the hack he did on it. I could make the call and if I get in trouble, they won’t be able to find me easily. Gary stared at the phone. But...

“And we’re back with the story on Senator Slowking and his sexist remarks about the use of, well, his very own name.”

Gary turned in the Pokemon Center to see the TV where the news was being given.

A woman in a red sweater was seen on half of the screen, an image of a Slowking on the other half.

Underneath the Slowking were the words: The Slow “King”.

“Senator Slowking has come out earlier today speaking against the use of gender-related terminology for certain Pokemon. To be clear, he is arguing that Pokemon with names like ‘King,’ ‘Bro,’ such as Nidoking and Nidoqueen, or Slowking and Slowbro, as well as Mr. Mime, Machoke, and even Wailord, among others, to have their names reconsidered and possibly changed.”

“What?” Gary snickered.

Everyone was paying attention to the TV now, mumbling things, a few people even shaking their heads.

“While Senator Slowking’s representatives have tried to alter his words and claim there is a misunderstanding, Senator Slowking stands by them defiantly and is no longer consulting any of his advisors, rather claiming he is speaking for the facts and undeniable truth, of his god.”

The picture of Slowking took over the entire screen, and a video began to play. “The crucial roles, the individual roles, of man and woman, keep our society in balance! In order! The misuse and confusing nature of the name of Kings, Queens, Lords, needs to be rectified!” Senator Slowking proceeded shouting in a room crowded with reporters. “This era constantly is confusing what it means to be male and female, allowing all levels of confusion in an otherwise completely well-structured universe! As clear and cut as this planet works, humans encourage and demand confusion, and amongst my fellow Pokemon. I must insist that this be where the line is drawn!”

“Senator Slowking, what about the Pokemon who speak their names naturally?” one reporter shouted. “Mr. Mime, for example? Froslass. What about those Pokemon who naturally are their names?”

“I understand the confusion,” Senator Slowking now spoke in a more calmer, lower voice. “The solution is not one even I have come up with. But there is a place we can start. For one thing, we know Pokemon can indeed speak human language. It is not impossible to change the learnt tongue of Pokemon to adapt and evolve into what could arguably be considered their original one.” Senator Slowking then sighed. “There is much to be discussed here. I am merely asking to be allowed the discussion, regardless the results.”

The video stopped, shrinking to half of the screen again as the female newswoman returned to the other half. “That is all for now on Senator Slowking and his views. Views which may hurt his political advancements in the future. But we will keep you updated as more information comes out. More controversy comes from top-selling rapper Elem... menem... Enemom... Enopee.” The lady tried to get right. “Um, the rapper is in the news once again after his latest music video was released today, with the usual controversy following. This is a clip from said video.”

The screen now showed the rapper Elemenemopee, the white rapper with bleach-blonde hair dressed in a gray sweatsuit, standing on top of a towering building while rapping. The entire video was so dramatic, with wind effects and dramatic camera angles.

“Controversial as ever, the biggest rapper on the planet, Elem...opee, drops his, hardest, and most troubling verses yet! All in support of Team Solace,” the woman was heard but not seen.

Now, the song could be heard as the video kept playing: “Congress telling me on the low with Pokemon gone so will our problems, but publicly they say I’m in trouble with the government? I’m LOVING it! The world can bury its lies, but I’ll be shoveling up CHILD HYSTERIAAAAAA!! All it took was a Sweet Kiss, the CHILD HYSTERIAAAAAAA!! Confused, Eric walked off of a bridge, thank CHILD HYSTERIAAAAAA!! I do this all for Isaac! The rest can go to Hell, but first you can suck-!”

“And that was Elemeeopee’s Child Hysteria video that was released earlier today, from his new album Truth Hurts, releasing tomorrow,” the newswoman said, her video taking over the screen, the rapper being silenced. She took in a big, uncomfortable breath, letting it out with clear disturbance before speaking again. “As you can see, the rap star continues his stance supporting Team Solace, and going against a government he claims does nothing but lie to the people. While some close to the rapper say he does not actually support Team Solace but is merely challenging how citizens view the group compared to what he describes as a corrupt government controlling the world, it is becoming more and more difficult to treat the rapper as anything less than a Team Solace supporter with music like this, especially when making outrageous claims with absolutely no evidence.”

“It’s trolling at best. The guy isn’t the type to be against Pokemon,” someone in the building stated. “It’s all for album sales.”

“He’s not wrong, anyway. Team Solace is crazy but just think of the corruption with our politicians,” someone else spoke up. “Look at what this Slowking idiot is saying. He’s not exactly making a great stance for Pokemon to begin with. I’m not saying I support Team Solace but with Pokemon like this trying to run the country-”

“That doesn’t make them any worse than the humans who run it!” a woman cried out angrily.

“That’s what I’m trying to say!” the previous guy said loudly.

Gary got up. “Come on, guys. Let’s slip out of here,” Gary told Raichu, Riolu and Electivire uncomfortably as he grabbed his bag, Electivire taking up June’s. He saw a commercial playing for PokeLand Discount on the television, turning from it as he made his way to the exit.

*

Raichu, Riolu, Electivire, and Gary sniffed at a huge tree on Route 207, a sweet aroma wafting from it.

A golden substance was splashed on it, seemingly intentionally.

Gary walked from the tree and stopped to stare at something.

Sections were blocked off by large, orange cones, yellow CAUTION tape, and other blockades and warning signs. This, Gary knew from his Pokedex directions, was where Mt. Coronet had once been.

Having been destroyed by Team Solace last year, it was a tremendous blow to the legacy and memory of the Sinnoh region. A literal monument for mankind at the least, a holy starting point never to be disturbed at the most, demolished by men misusing Pokemon. There was nothing beyond these signs but blown up rocks, jagged, rocky areas, and otherwise unsafe terrain.

Gary shook his head. “Crazy, isn’t it, guys? This used to be a whole, standing mountain. A habitat for living creatures. It holds religious sentiment for many, here. Forced to remains by evil men. It’s this kind of evil that we fight against, as well. Not just to get stronger to become strong Trainers and Pokemon, but to protect the world as well.” He stopped talking for a while. The silence finally sparked something in his brain. “Huh?” Looking back, he called out with surprise, “Hey!”

Electivire, Riolu and Raichu were still at the tree! And there were now several more Pokemon with them! They all seemed fixated on the golden splash, licking at it eagerly.

Gary shuddered, rubbing at his chest, recognizing that there were some Bug type Pokemon there, such as Combee, Heracross, Wurmple, and other creatures, even just some normal bugs that weren’t actual Pokemon. One of the things licking at the golden content caught Gary’s eye in particular. “No way! One of those! Riolu, use Quick attack on that Munchlax!”

Raichu and Electivire continued licking at the stuff on the tree with the other critters.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Riolu, clinging to the side of the tree trunk, actually moved her eyes to stare at Gary for a second, and then went back to licking the tree!

WHAAAAT??!! Gary raged in his head, his face showing anger. “RIOLU!!” Gary let out, stepping towards them.

Riolu kicked with her paws to get off the tree and licked at her front paws a couple of times.

Gary did a double take as something soared through the air. “HEY! NO!!”

It was an Ultra Ball!

Riolu finally disappeared from her spot to attack, but the Ultra Ball had already hit Munchlax, taking it inside, and she slammed into the Ultra Ball instead!

While this was happening, Gary was getting his own Great Ball and threw it wildly, trying to beat the Ultra Ball.

The Great Ball hit a Wurmple.

Wurmple cried out as it was taken in!

Through all this commotion, Pokemon flew or scattered off.

The Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Riolu all dropped together.

The Great Ball and Ultra Ball shook repeatedly until there was an almost collective PING!

“NO WAY! Come ooooooooon! Who threw that??!!” Gary exclaimed angrily.

“Just someone who has been here a few hours ahead of you and been waiting for this moment, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!” It was none other than Robin who appeared from a group of different trees not far off. “I had placed Honey on that Honey Tree about six hours ago, came back to Oreburgh where I found you, and returned back and waited to see if I could catch anything! Nice coat, by the way! Ha ha ha!”

Gary sighed angrily. “Yeah, thanks,” he grumbled quickly. “So that’s why you chose this spot to have our match. You already had something set up over here.” He looked back at the tree. “I already have Wurmple, and like three of ‘em or something! More than I need! And they’re evolved! Why couldn’t I have gotten something cooler?!”

“Sorry, but I did spy all those Pokemon first, ha ha ha ha ha!” Robin smiled. “I had to act quick. You still had your back turned and only realized the extra Pokemon when I was already aiming for Munchlax. I couldn’t miss that!”

That’s a little scummy if you ask me, Gary kept to himself, giving Robin a dirty look. But I guess he isn’t in the wrong. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Whatever. Congrats.”

“Sorry, man. Did you get your Badge?”

Gary’s eyes opened and lit up. “Yeah! I beat Roark and his Tyranitar, Rampardos and Steelix!”

Robin let out more laughter. “So you got your prize, I got mine, eh?”

Gary didn’t look amused. He rolled his eyes. “Anyway, let’s have that battle. What rules did you want?”

“Well, I just wanna fight that Tyranitar of yours before I go up against Roark again, and I can’t pass up on seeing how Charizard has been! So how’s two-on-two? A Set battle.”

“Oh, you want it like that, huh? Sounds good to me!”

“ELECTIVIRE!” Electivire flexed his arms proudly, smiling big at Robin.

Robin’s eyes widened. “Oh, this is the one who beat my Catherine last time, right?”

“Yes, but this is a two-on-two, and we established Tyranitar and Charizard! Riiiight??” Gary said, staring right at Electivire.

“Electi...” Electivire lowered his arms and his head fell.

“Oh, I don’t mind a three-on-three!” Robin insisted.

“Elect?!” Electivire looked up hopefully at Gary.

“How can I decline such an-?” Robin continued.

“We can certainly set that up for next time, but right now, we’re doing two-on-two, isn’t that right, Electivire?” Gary stared expectantly at him.

Electivire’s hopes were dashed and he went with it, falling to pieces. “Vire...” Looking glum and moody, he walked behind Gary.

“We’re working on behavior training so things don’t get out of hand with him.” June’s gonna be so thrilled when she returns, Gary thought. He thought those words, but he kept them silent as he remembered there still remained a personal issue between Electivire and June that had to be resolved. If it could be. He swallowed. “So let’s go with this. Who do you wanna start with?”

“Let’s save the best for last and get it jumping with Tyranitar, and I’m gonna use an old friend we’re both familiar with!” He held out a Poke Ball. “Reunited and it feels so good! HA HA HA HA HA!!”

The cringe that coated Gary’s entire body vanished once he saw the Pokemon that came out, and he yelled out with delight. “NOSEPASS!!!”

“NOSE! NOOOOSE!!” Nosepass moved slowly towards Gary.

Gary got to him quickly and they hugged. “Nosepass! My old friend! How’ve you been? Have you been behaving?” He smiled up at Robin.

“HA HA HA HA HA! Nosepass has been the man! You raised a supreme battler, Gary! As expected! AHA HA HA HA HA! And this is who I want to use against your Tyranitar! We lost to Roark’s, and you’ve beaten Roark’s. I just want another crack at one. It might not be the same thing, but, I just wanna learn more about the Pokemon! I really wish I had been there to see that battle. What I went through was just unstoppable!”

“It was a bit of a team effort, but my Tyranitar got it down in the end.”

“Your Tyranitar ended it? Now I have to fight it! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!”

“Right then!” Gary just wanted Robin to stop laughing already. He turned and walked away several feet. Or, he tried to. He only got a foot before he was glaring. “HEY!! GET AWAY FROM THAT DAMN TREE!!”

Raichu, Riolu, and Electivire were licking the tree again! They turned to each other before zipping over quickly to be by Gary, looking serious and ready to fight.

“You’ve got yourself some great Pokemon, Gary! The Electivire is June’s, right?”

Electivire crossed his arms and turned his head away, huffing.

Gary chuckled. “Yes. And so is Raichu, but Riolu is mine at least.”

“Ha ha ha, I remember Raichu! Electivire’s funny. I like it. Ha ha ha ha.”

“Yeah, a riot,” Gary muttered, staring at him from the side of his eyes. “Anyway, let’s get this started! Tyranitar, GO!” He threw the Poke Ball.

Tyranitar appeared and roared down at Nosepass and Robin. At once, his Sand Stream Ability kicked up a sandstorm.

“HA HAAAAA! ALRIGHT!!” Robin was covering his face for a moment with his arm before he pointed forth. “Let’s win this, Nosepass!”

“Tyranitar, let’s go!” Gary started.

“We should get the first move. You got the Badge already, ha,” Robin winked.

“You stole my Munchlax,” Gary smirked.

Robin laughed lightly. “Fine. One.”

“Okay, two!”

“Three!” both kids screamed.

“Earthquake!” Gary shouted.

Tyranitar attacked, rocking the ground.

Riolu fell over, but Electivire, Raichu, Gary and Robin stayed up, stumbling around.

Nosepass toppled over after stumbling for a bit.

Gary bared his teeth. Not good enough! Not strong enough!

Robin held out one hand with a quick laugh, squinting through the wildly blowing sands. “I was a little slow to decide on a move there, but that quake was the jump I needed! Check this one out, Gary! Iron Defense!”

“Nose!” Nosepass stood, and his body was outlined in light blue. A white shine rose up his body and it was coated in Iron!

Iron Defense, Gary thought. Wait, is that new?

“How do ya like that, Gary? It’s a new move we picked up meeting the right people when I was stuck in Kanto waiting on Catherine to get better! Ha ha ha ha! Everything happens for a reason, after all, eh? HA HA HAAA!”

Gary smiled slightly and shook his head. “So physical moves will have trouble breaking through.” And it just so happens... If he wants to play that game... “Focus Blast! Ready, aim, fire!”

Tyranitar cupped his claws, charging up an orange ball.

Robin looked stunned and confused. “Nosepass, hold on! Don’t move yet!”

Gary’s eyes widened. Wait, what is he up to??

Tyranitar tossed the Focus Blast.

The move swirled through the air as it came for Nosepass.

It’s not gonna hit! Gary feared.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!” Nosepass wailed as he was hit and forced backwards hard.

“WE GOT HIM!!” Gary cheered.

“Now! Thunder Wave!”

Nosepass’ body sparked with electricity and rings of yellow sparks came out for Tyranitar. But the sparks suddenly moved away from and past the targeted Pokemon!

Gary watched as the Electric move went right for Raichu instead! “Oh, dammit! Raichu!” Gary complained.

Robin was laughing heartily, holding his stomach with both arms while bent over. “That fella must have Lightning Rod Ability! Quality!”

Rolling his eyes, he returned Raichu to his Poke Ball. “Sorry about that!”

“Again!” Robin jumped in immediately.

Nosepass attacked with the same move, this time catching Tyranitar!

Tyranitar roared, his large body twitching helplessly as Paralysis set in.

Gary let out a surprised and angry cry, looking in shock at Robin.

“I wouldn’t say that was entirely unfair, considering,” Robin winked.

“That’s the only reason why I didn’t say anything,” Gary said through gritted teeth. “Tyranitar! Earthquake!!”

“Earthquake!” Robin added.

Gary gasped.

Tyranitar didn’t move, fully Paralyzed!

Nosepass did a pretty decent leap for a creature made of rocks and hit the ground.

“Whoa!” Gary exclaimed.

Tyranitar dropped down, but everyone else remained standing from this blow.

Wait... That Earthquake... Gary remembered his Tyranitar’s. They were almost the same! No, Tyranitar’s was definitely more powerful, but am I crazy to say they were almost comparable?!

“Now use Dynamic Punch!!”

Nosepass stomped for Tyranitar with a raised hand.

“TYRANITAR! STAAAND!!” Gary demanded.

Tyranitar shook his head and then glared at the oncoming Nosepass.

“Use your Dark Pulse!!”

Tyranitar got up shakily and then opened his jaws, blasting at Nosepass with the Dark type move.

“JUUUMP!!” Robin commanded.

Nosepass did what Gary considered the impossible until he had a flashback to his battle with Ish at the Indigo League. When Nosepass leaped over a hole of water to land his Spark attack on Ish’s Diancie and forcing himself through a Moonblast.

Nosepass jumped higher than Gary recalled him being able to do previously and dodged the Dark Pulse!

The tip of his raised arm glowed red, orange-red energy pulsating off of it.

“TYRANITAR!! ICE FANG!!” Gary insisted.

Tyranitar roared, his fangs coated in Ice now. He awaited the approaching Nosepass.

Nosepass swung his arm, shattering the Ice Fang and socking Tyranitar in the mouth!

Tyranitar roared in pain as he fell back.

The tips of both of Nosepass’ arms were now glowing and he delivered one more blow to Tyranitar’s face.

Tyranitar roared and collapsed heavily, the ground rumbling from the landing.

“Whoa!” Gary nearly fell over, but not from the rumble, rather how frightened he had gotten from how close Tyranitar landed by him.

The sandstorm finally subsided and Tyranitar sat up but didn’t stand. He swayed a bit, his eyes closed. But when they finally did open, it was revealed that his eyes were now red! Tyranitar was Confused! In the next second, he slugged himself in the face and fell out on his back.

“NOOOO!! TYRANITAAARRR!!” Gary ran up to the collapsed Pokemon and just watched with tightened eyes. To a Nosepass? Are you kidding me right now, Tyranitar?

Tyranitar’s eyes opened and he looked wearily to his Trainer, no longer Confused. Instantly, he froze up, his eyes wide. Gary held out an arm, causing Tyranitar to flinch and tense up, but the Pokemon then relaxed, realizing Gary was only extending his Poke Ball. He looked down sadly, and soon, he was covered in red and returned.

“No way! I didn’t think we’d be able to take it down, to be frank,” Robin admitted. “I didn’t even really get to set up much of a plan, there. You changed up on me and started using Special Attack moves. I didn’t expect that, hahaha.”

“Well... He is Timid natured. So he has a bad Attack stat. That’s why I changed things up a bit.”

“But he still has a naturally monstrous Attack, regardless of Nature!”

“Well I did try, but you got through my attacks.”

“Right, ha!” Robin recalled. “Great job, Nosepass. Return, now!” After Nosepass was gone, he got his next Poke Ball up and enlarged it. “Ready?”

“Always!” Gary got his next Poke Ball up.

Both boys threw their objects with a “GOOOOOOO!!”

Charizard roared powerfully, glaring down at his opponent.

“BLAAAAAASTOISE!!” Catherine shouted back.

They both leaned into each other’s face, growling, drooling vicious competition.

“CHARIZARD!!” Gary started, getting fired up by the two who looked ready to tear the other apart at the given word of their Trainer.

“CATHEEERRIIIIIIINE!!!” Robin began, smiling wildly, his eyes looking crazed with passion, motivated by Charizard and Catherine’s overflowing desire to begin the fight.

Riolu had her paws balled at her face in anticipation, Electivire with his fists also raised as he garbled out loudly while his body sparked like mad.

Suddenly, both Catherine and Charizard were smiling, shaking hands and chatting with each other pleasantly!

Both Trainers, along with Electivire and Riolu, collapsed in disbelief to the ground! They all got up quickly, all yelling at the two Pokemon.

“CHARIZARD, CUT IT OUT!! WE CAN SAY HELLO LATER!!”

“CATHERINE! NOW ISN’T THE TIME FOR THIS!! WE HAVE TO FIGHT!!”

“ELECTIVIRE VIRE VIRE VIRE!!”

“Ri! Ri! Ri!” Riolu called out with everyone else after watching what they were doing first and then just copying it.

Charizard and Catherine stared at each other, stunned. In a flash, they were feet apart, snarling and barking at each other.

Gary rolled his eyes. “Enough! Charizard, begin with Flare Blitz right away!”

“Drench it with Surf attack!” Robin countered.

Charizard flew into the air before being covered in Fire.

Catherine shouted out, and a stream of Water shot out of each cannon, connecting and becoming one huge wave.

Charizard flew at the wave! He met with it and hovered in place for a second, but with a powerful roar, forced his way through and slammed into Catherine’s middle, taking her down. The Flying and Fire type got up, flinching as red sparks covered his body from the recoil.

“Catherine, come on!” Robin urged.

Catherine stood, shaking her head, glaring at Charizard. “BLLLAAAAAAAAST!!” she then wailed out as she was engulfed in flames!

“A Burn!” both kids yelled out, the Pokemon behind Gary gasping.

“I see. So we’re taking it there, huh? Fine! I came to Sinnoh to show we could take the supposed challenge, and I wasn’t joking around, Gary!” Robin was now looking more determined, focused, and serious. “We can take whatever you’ve got!”

“You’ve got the type advantage, but this is over! Use Dragon Rage!”

“Catherine, BIDE!!”

Charizard roared, firing a blast of purple energy at Catherine.

Catherine had been trying to get back up but was forced back down. She stayed still on her back, her eyes closed. The Burn kicked in again, but when it faded, Catherine didn’t move.

“We’re just fine!” Robin winked, holding up the thumb on his right hand.

That thing has Bide?? Gary was fuming. “Sky Drop, now! Finish her!”

Charizard swooped in and scooped up Catherine by the shell, taking her high up into the air.

Catherine didn’t so much as struggle, her arms and legs limp, staring down calmly.

Charizard dove back down, nearly crashing into the ground before flying straight and releasing Catherine.

Catherine tumbled. Coming to a stop, she pulled her limbs and head into her shell. The entire shell glowed red and a white beam came from the red glow and hit Charizard.

Charizard roared in pain as he tumbled along the dirt ground and slid to a stop.

“CHARIZARD!” Gary called.

Charizard’s tail flame was getting low, but he still growled and shakily got up, looking strong.

No Blaze. But he’s definitely hurting. That puts us in a risky spot. A good enough move will take Charizard out completely and we won’t be able to Blaze and power up. We need to survive what’s next and activate Blaze. Or just go for the kill!

“Catherine, let’s aim this right! We’re only gonna get one chance! Hydro Cannon!”

Gary had his mouth open, ready to give his order, but after Robin spoke, he pulled out his Pokedex. What??

Hydro Cannon. Considered to be the most powerful Water type move without enhancements.

Gary stared in shock at his Pokedex before looking back up.

Robin winked at him.

Catherine positioned herself.

“Sunny Day, then!”

Catherine launched two orbs of Water from her cannons.

Charizard roared to the sky.

The sun started beaming stronger than ever, the temperature rising instantly.

Charizard was hit by the Hydro Cannon attack, sending him soaring backwards with a painful roar before hitting the ground and coming to a stop.

“Charizard!! GET UP!” Gary begged. “Come on!! We can do it!!”

Catherine yelled out as the Burn returned for a couple of seconds.

“Hang in there, Catherine!” Robin comforted her.

Charizard’s body trembled. After this, his body was outlined in red, and his eyes opened with blazing fire at the same time that his tail flame expanded dangerously.

“YESS! Blaze!!” Gary cheered, jumping for joy. “Now we’ve gotcha!”

Charizard stood, hunched over.

“That Sunny Day saved you, but that Blaze shows you’re on your last leg! Take your best shot, Gary! You’ve only got but so long before Catherine can attack again!” Robin had his arms crossed, smiling.

“Oh! No way! You took a risk counting on Charizard getting knocked out? Now you can’t attack?” Gary looked stunned.

“The side effects of Hydro Cannon, ha,” Robin nodded.

Gary smirked sinisterly. “Charizard is the wrong one to be placing bets like that on. He doesn’t go down easily. Charizard, let’s end this for good, then!” Flare Blitz would be so good but... it’s just too risky! I don’t even wanna risk a possible draw! “Dragon Pulse!”

Charizard sent out a purple blast that looked like a roaring dragon!

“BLAAAAAAAAAAST!!” Catherine wailed as she was hit.

“Catherine, NOOO!” Robin covered his face with one arm against the force of the opposing move that sent wind at him.

Catherine slid on her front and stayed still. Her body gave a shake.

“CATHERINE! GOOO!!” Robin urged.

She lifted her head to Charizard.

“CHARIZARD, FLY!!”

Charizard ascended until his background was the bright sky.

Catherine was getting to her feet. “BLAAAAAAAA!!” The Burn set her on fire, but she shook her head and stood up, glaring at Charizard.

Charizard roared and went after her!

“Catherine, we can finish this! Let’s not take any chances! Wash it out with Surf!”

Catherine used Surf again, creating a wide wave to stop Charizard.

Charizard roared at the wave, continuing his descent.

“NNNO!” Gary couldn’t think! “THIIIIIINK!!! FIRE BLAST IT!!” Gary let out.

Charizard roared again and sent out the oddly-shaped attack. Due to the boost from Sunny Day, the Fire type move was actually larger than the Pokemon that sent it out! Charizard, flying right behind his attack, held out his claws and grabbed his own Fire Blast! He was pushing the move into the Surf! The giant design made of Fire finally cut into the Surf, creating a hole shaped just like it. Charizard, still gripping his flaming attack, went through the large hole safely!

Gary screamed wildly and laughed, Robin screaming in horror.

Charizard continued for Catherine.

Catherine was stuck, not believing her eyes.

With a grunt, Charizard shoved his Fire Blast ahead of him.

Catherine screamed out as the move slammed into her.

In the next second, Charizard finished with Fly, tackling her down.

Catherine stayed still on her back, rocking in her shell wearily.

Charizard stood beside her, his side to her but staring at her from the side of his face, looking really moody and cool.

Gary smiled. “YES! YYYYEEEEESS!! WE WIN!! CHARIZARD THAT WAS CRAZY!!”

“HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!” Robin walked over, rubbing the back of his head. “Class! I really thought I had you in the end, but that damn Sunny Day really screwed me up!” He laughed, wiping at his forehead. “Phew! Good match!”

They both shook hands.

“That was something, man. You had me for a sec. But I knew I could count on Charizard! We’re like one in the same! We always come through when it gets tough.”

The two Trainers saw that their Pokemon were now standing, Charizard having helped Catherine up, and were talking happily now.

The Sunny Day heat was finally fading, and Charizard’s body was back to normal after Blaze.

“Damn, why didn’t Torrent kick in?” Robin complained, frowning.

“If Fly or Fire Blast had been the only move that hit, you probably would have survived and maybe then it’d have activated,” Gary suggested.

Robin sighed. “Worst luck ever. But just watch out, now. I know what my competition is like, and we’re gonna be greater than ever using that fact! You better work even harder, now! Ha ha ha ha!”

“Catch up to me and we’ll talk. You’ve got a couple Badges to go.”

“I know I’m looking rough right now, but I’m gonna beat everyone here in Sinnoh! Just you watch! This second Badge is mine this time. OH! That does remind me, Gary. I have something I need you to help me with, and only you can do it!”

“What is it?”

Robin removed his dark-green backpack and went through it, pulling up an object.

It was all silver and shiny and very small.

“What is that?” Gary asked.

“With your permission, and feel free to say no, but I wanted to know if you’d be willing to evolve your Nosepass.”

Gary’s eyes widened with surprise.

“HA HA HA!” Robin laughed.