“I’m sorry, but even with the Pokedex Trainer Discount, you're a bit short on affording this coat,” the cashier told Gary from behind the register after scanning his Pokedex. He held it out to Gary. “See?”
Gary stared at his Pokedex, embarrassed. I can’t believe it! he thought. “Uuh... Yeah...” Damn it! If I had battled Aly earlier, I totally would have earned enough money to get this coat!
“Even if you decided to cash out the amount on your Pokedex into cash, with that discount, you’d still not be able to afford it. I’m really sorry, man.”
Gary lowered his head, knowing there was a big line behind him for a long time. “Okay, um!” He suddenly saw a coat next to him, on the counter.
The price tag was showing.
He grabbed it and held it out to the lady behind the register. “I can afford this, can’t I?”
The lady took it and scanned it. She smiled at Gary. “Yes! Are you sure?”
Gary eyed the dark-blue coat with the hood. Looks about my size. It’s better than nothing! “Yes!” he accepted, smiling.
*
How...? How is it possible? Gary stared at his phone, horrified. Five... Five Plusles??? And Harold now has 1.2 million for the one Badge!! And all his other posts are almost as popular, and they just feature photos of wild Pokemon he’s encountered! And they’re all common nothings! And his third Badge post is the most popular one yet!!
Gary turned off his phone, not wanting to look at his Log-A-Graph ever again. What an embarrassment! A waste of time! I can’t believe people get caught up on this crap! He was going to open the thirty messages Scientist Gary had sent him by now, but after seeing that the guy hadn’t supported his only post with a Plusle, he definitely felt no incentive to be concerned with the guy and his stupid memes. He stared down at the wide open canyon below, his toes hanging off the edge of the cliff.
Electivire was smiling, holding out open palms that were repeatedly being punched by Primeape.
In contrast to Electivire’s calm and pleasant disposition, Primeape was slugging with all of his energy at Electivire’s palms, trying to be sneaky and catch the Electric Pokemon in the face or other spots, but Electivire blocked every blow with his huge hands.
Weepinbell and Charizard were watching the two, looking away briefly to keep training against each other, but it was too clear that they had eyes on Primeape and Electivire.
Riolu was having a lot of fun being chased by Deino, the Pokemon with small sight but a big bite.
Deino looked fully recovered following his accident smashing a Poke Ball between his jaws and injuring himself. Not even a single bandage was worn.
Galvantula had gone off on her own in the woods, and Gary didn’t try to stop her. He knew she’d return, and he was happier without her around.
Magneton was behaving as abnormal as it normally did, floating side to side underneath the bright sun.
Raichu and Tyranitar sat by Gary, staring at an amazing view.
The service Gary’s phone had managed to pick up had been gone for a long time now, but he found himself still looking at the Log-A-Graph information. He shook his head and put the phone away to continue watching Electivire and Primeape proceed with their training. A couple of minutes later, he took out his Pokedex and went through it for a bit. How am I so poor? What have I really been spending my money on? This coat cost me a fortune to be so tight on me! And now I don’t have any more money? Those Great Balls really killed me, too. I need to battle more Trainers and get my earnings up so I don’t go broke. He put away the Pokedex and sighed. Gary’s hands pressed into the rock ground he was sitting on. Managing to get to his feet, he stretched and twisted his sides, reaching out and groaning. With enough movement, this coat will fit me just fine, Gary reassured himself. Don’t worry. He pulled the hood over his head, but this only seemed to make the coat tighter and more uncomfortable, so he settled with it being down and lowered his beanie hat until it was obstructing his vision a little.
*
“Mamoswine, Earthquake!!” Robert shouted.
“Weepinbell, go for the back legs with Vine Whip!!” Gary was on his knees and one hand, already downed from the Earthquake before the latest one.
Mamoswine stood on its back legs, raising the front two to slam into the ground again.
Weepinbell called out and swung a single vine, smacking one leg and then wrapping around the second and pulling hard.
Mamoswine was on its back easily and remained still.
Weepinbell’s vine released Mamoswine and then pulled back in.
“Oh, damn it!” Robert complained and recalled Mamoswine. “I can’t believe this!!” he barked at the Poke Ball before shrinking it and placing it on his hip. “Last one!” He grabbed his final option in a Great Ball and enlarged it. “Mr. Mime, go!”
“Mr. Mime Mime!” Mr. Mime appeared and immediately started moving its hands around it as if it were in an invisible box.
“Weepinbell, come on back! Good work!” Gary recalled Weepinbell, abiding by the rules to recall both Pokemon after one was beaten. He then pulled out his Pokedex.
Mr. Mime. The Barrier Pokemon. A Psychic and Fairy type Pokemon. Kantonian Mr. Mime are an excellent pantomime from birth, as a Mr. Mime or Mime Jr. While it can make others believe solid objects exist that really don’t, it also can create physical objects by solidifying air molecules.
Gary stood up but then hesitated, watching Mr. Mime continue its movements. Kantonian? There’s another form of it? How come I don’t know this? Was this recently discovered? And, Fairy? He gripped his Poke Ball and enlarged it. Whatever. This one I can handle I’m sure. With this powerhouse. “Tyranitar! GOOOO!”
With a loud blast of noise, Tyranitar appeared! Both of his arms reached up.
A sandstorm started as his Ability came up out of nowhere!
“WHOA! A Tyranitar?? SHOOT!” Robert looked shocked at first but then smiled, raising a hand to his forehead. “So cool! Yo I got a Pupitar in a trade the other day!”
Gary smirked and nodded. “That’s cool.” Squinting through the sand, he held out his Pokedex, confirming Tyranitar’s moves.
“Mr. Mime, use Magical Leaf!” Robert choked out.
“Mr. Miiiime!” Mr. Mime’s hands glowed light green and it held them out, struggling against billows of sand weakening it.
“Tyranitar, Crunch!”
Tyranitar’s jaws glowed white and he lunged for Mr. Mime.
Glowing, light-green leaves flew out from Mr. Mime’s hands and stopped Tyranitar, taking him down.
He groaned as he crashed down and stayed still.
“Tyranitar!!” Gary couldn’t believe his eyes! “Get up!!”
Tyranitar struggled, climbing back up.
“Keep it down with Psywave!”
Mr. Mime’s eyes glowed brightly and multicolored waves came out for Tyranitar.
Tyranitar closed his eyes as he was hit, but his eyes opened soon after as he realized he wasn’t harmed!
Gary cocked his head, watching the Trainer, confused but feeling he understood the situation.
“YO! What’s going on??” Robert let out.
“Tyranitar, Earthquake!” Gary braced himself, both for the attack, and against the Sand Stream.
Robert waited silently, also struggling with the blowing sand.
Tyranitar raised one foot and then it came down.
Robert and Mr. Mime were dropped down, but Gary, to his surprise, found himself able to keep his footing pretty easily. “Huh?”
“Mr. Mime, Mimic!”
Mr. Mime called out and choked as it was pummeled by the wild weather and then yelled again, getting up and then jumping! It hit the ground hard and created an earthquake!
Gary shouted as he and Tyranitar hit the ground. “What??” He coughed and choked and spit out sand. “Tyranitar, get your ass up and use-!” Gary found himself frozen. What move should I use?? GARY! Snap out of it!!
“Mr. Mime, Magical Leaf again!”
“Crunch!” Gary reacted.
The same thing as last time happened, Tyranitar attempting to bite into Mr. Mime while Mr. Mime’s super effective move dropped Tyranitar.
“Tyranitar!!” Again?! Gary thought angrily. Mr. Mime is faster.
Tyranitar got back up, but his breathing was heavy.
“Mr. Mime, Guard Swap!”
“Tyranitar, use Payback!” Gary smiled big.
“Oh, no!” Robert exclaimed.
Gary smiled even bigger.
A glowing stream of balls came from one side of Tyranitar to the same side of Mr. Mime, and then, the glowing stream went from the other side of Mr. Mime to the matching side of Tyranitar.
“Guard Swap...” Gary held out his Pokedex.
Guard Swap allows the user to swap both Defense stat changes, with the opponent’s.
“OH!” Gary was stunned by this information. “But-”
Tyranitar roared and flew headfirst into Mr. Mime, his body outlined in black.
Mr. Mime cried out and slid along the ground.
“Now go for Solar Beam and put an end to this!” Robert demanded.
“Hyper Beam!!” Gary pointed swiftly.
Mr. Mime stood quickly and held out its hands at Tyranitar’s body. Its hands glowed a faint yellow as several brighter yellow balls gathered into a yellow orb in between his hands. “Mime. Mr. Mime,” Mr. Mime grunted while suffering through the sandstorm.
Tyranitar roared, his mouth wide, and a white orb appeared in front of his jaws, white sparks coming off of the orb. It then fired out a black and purple beam with an orange ring around it.
Mr. Mime yelled out helplessly as the blast took it over.
“MR. MIIIIME!!” Robert called out.
Gary had both arms over his head, squinting against the Sand Stream and the explosive Hyper Beam. When it all ended, he was still squinting.
Tyranitar was on both of his knees.
Mr. Mime was down and out.
Robert recalled Mr. Mime and nodded at Gary with a smile. “You win, man. Good match!”
Gary sighed, staring at Tyranitar.
Tyranitar stood up and turned to Gary happily. He let out such a pleased noise and started stomping on the ground happily, rocking the area.
Gary and Robert toppled over. While Robert laughed, Gary was frowning. “HEY CUT IT OUT!!” Gary bellowed.
Tyranitar stopped making a ruckus and stared at Gary, still smiling. He waved his arms around with delight and then approached his Trainer.
“What even was that out there??” Gary scolded.
Tyranitar stopped again and his eyes widened while his smile vanished.
“It took you way too long to beat that Mr. Mime!”
Tyranitar was now looking uncomfortable. Sad, even.
“And am I crazy, or did Mr. Mime Mimic your Earthquake with more power than you delivered?! Mr. Mime aren’t even physical fighters, but you sure are!” Gary hesitated for a bit, shaking his head, looking at Tyranitar with disgust. “We’re gonna have a talk about this later! Return!!”
Tyranitar lowered his head with shame and was returned to his Poke Ball.
“They can be a bit frustrating, Pokemon, huh?” Robert snickered, walking over to Gary.
Gary looked to the ground, his eyes wide, and he shook his head. What just happened? he wondered. That was a bit much, wasn’t it? I mean, we won, right? “Yeah,” he mumbled. He shook his head and managed to get a smile on his face before he looked at Robert. “Thanks for the battle, Robin.”
“Ha ha, no problem. And it’s Robert!” Robert smiled.
“Oh, sorry! Right! Robert!” He chuckled a bit.
The two gripped hands.
*
“Pick up the pace, Tyranitar!” Gary barked. “Your speed outside of battle has nothing to do with your Speed in battle. Just look at Riolu!”
Primeape, Deino, Riolu, Charizard, and a bouncing Weepinbell were all marching in different positions around their jogging Trainer.
June’s Pokemon were also all out, Electivire, Galvantula, and Raichu stomping forth in a group behind Gary’s.
Though Raichu was also lagging and looking sluggish, he was still by his group, Magneton floating easily.
Tyranitar was trailing far behind everyone, out of breath and looking ready to collapse.
“Look at Weepinbell, even!” Gary continued without slowing down. “He doesn’t even have legs!”
All the Pokemon kept their eyes ahead or lowered, uncomfortable during Gary’s constant ridicule of Tyranitar.
“If you can’t keep up here, you can stay behind for all I care!” Gary went on in the middle of the night. “We have a lot to deal with, besides proving our strength in this region, and I’m not being held back anymore by any of you! If you can’t keep up, you just have to go! That goes for everyone, Charizard down to - to - Tyranitar! And June’s Pokemon, that goes for you, too! Buck up! Because at this point-!” Gary finally stopped ranting and moving, and he swallowed a bunch of sentences right back down his throat before they could be heard.
His Pokemon all stopped, some moving out of the way before crashing into him, and the Pokemon behind them also came to a stop.
The only one who actually hit any of the others was Raichu, running into Galvantula.
While Gary was finally trying to catch his breath, he knew the things he had come so close to saying, but he couldn’t believe it. At this point? At this point, what? But Gary knew exactly what, and something made him stop before it came out.
No. Rather, something came over him that made him even think something so horrifying! To think that, “at this point,” June really could actually just be dead, and that her Pokemon need to start looking to him as their Trainer, instead. Why would I even-? Was I simply trying too hard to be strong? Motivational? Why did it feel so malicious, and unconcerned?
Gary looked back darkly at all of the Pokemon.
They all looked back, some warily, some confused, Magneton blankly.
Gary swallowed dryly and then crossed his arms, straightening up and puffing out his chest, unsure of what he was feeling, or what he would do next. His mouth hung open for several seconds, and he realized his focus was on Tyranitar. He licked his lips and finally managed, weakly, “I’m sorry.”
*
As Gary walked along the path, he took in what he could of the night sky above, the stars twinkling where he could see them through the tree branches. He listened to Electivire walking a bit behind him. Two battles in a day is okay, but the Trainers have been coming around a little slowly compared to Kanto, Gary thought. Or perhaps that’s just my perspective. I’m broke and I need battles, so I’m panicking about it. I’ll be fine, just like I’ve always been. There’s always competition out there. I just have to make sure I win it. It’s losing that’s when I lose my dough. His hand tightened around his Pokedex and he looked at how little money was recorded in it. As long as I don’t lose matches, I won’t lose money on this thing, and as long as I win, beat Trainers, earn Badges, I’ll keep seeing an increase recorded. It’s been too long since I’ve gotten a Badge! Sinnoh sure is tough. Rob wasn’t lying.
Gary looked up. And screamed!
“HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!” A creature fluttered in the night, cawing angrily, eyes glowing red.
“TIVIRE!!” Electivire shouted out.
Gary flung his arms out wildly, shouting and freaking out. But he soon regained his composure. “Hey, wait! A Hoothoot!”
The Pokemon came to a stop on the ground, standing on one foot. Its eyes were no longer glowing, keeping watch on Gary.
A brief thought came across Gary’s head. Should I scan it? Considering this is a new Pokedex, would it be better to track the info on it? Wait, doesn’t it already have my data on it? Gary grabbed a Poke Ball and enlarged it. Like Prof. Gary Oak says, catch first, ask questions later. He then threw the ball.
“Deino!” Deino said upon his release.
“This’ll be fine battle experience! Let’s get focused! Headbutt!”
Deino stomped towards Hoothoot, aiming with his head.
Hoothoot also flew at Deino using Tackle!
Both Pokemon collided and both Pokemon tumbled away from each other.
“Deino! UP! Use that Crunch!”
Hoothoot was on its foot but wavering around, disoriented.
Deino got up and lunged for Hoothoot, ready to bite!
And he went right past the Pokemon and crashed into a tree! Deino wailed out in pain, crying!
Hoothoot shook its head and saw Deino. With a shout, it flew forth and starting Pecking at him continuously.
Deino cried out and tried snapping at Hoothoot, but missing even the most obvious, easiest grabs.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
That Hustle Ability is a pain! Gary complained. What better accuracy moves do we have? Damn it!
Hoothoot’s eyes glowed gold and its beak opened, releasing a multicolored beam with white crescents around it.
The attack surrounded Deino but did nothing to him. He got up in the midst of the attack, unaffected.
Hoothoot ended the attack, confused.
“Seem a little lost, Hoothoot! Don’t worry! Dragon Pulse!”
A multicolored ball of energy formed in front of Deino’s mouth before it launched a multicolored, dragon-shaped beam at Hoothoot.
“HOOOOOOOOOT!!” Hoothoot was hit and bounced along the ground.
“GOOO!” Gary threw a Great Ball.
It hit Hoothoot and shook, and shook, and shook, until.
PING!
Seeing this, hearing this, Gary was only again reminded of June. And when she was “captured.” And all the sights and sounds that came with it. His breath came out of his nose. Why did I even bother catching that thing? I have a Hoothoot.
He had an answer to that question already. But he wasn’t able to stop himself from asking anyway. Maybe because he felt his answer wasn’t good enough.
The only thing he knew for sure was that he had to keep catching more Pokemon. No matter what.
*
“A Timid Nature. Absolute waste!” Gary let out angrily. “I can’t believe it! Bad Attack explains that crap Earthquake, and a high Speed on such a naturally slow Pokemon?” He looked up and around, seeing that no one was in the Pokemon Center lobby, and he breathed out. Take it easy, Gary, he told himself. No need to stress out over this. Tyranitar is still a great Pokemon. And a friend. It’s like what Ash Ketchum says: ‘It’s what you teach and what you learn.’ Making friends with your Pokemon is most important. That’s where true strength comes from. The bonds the Trainer forms with the Pokemon. Something Rob does well. I think, anyway. He gets a little crazy sometimes when he gets mad, like at Catherine. Aly really puts her all into making friends with her Pokemon. What am I doing, then?
“Oh, hello! Is everything alright out here?” Nurse Joy had returned and was looking around the room. Her eyes stopped on Gary. “I thought I heard someone calling for something?”
Gary took in the woman’s beauty. She’s a freaking angel, the boy recognized. The hair alone. The innocent face desiring to help someone. He got to his feet. “Nurse Joy!”
“Yes?” she responded.
I love you! His mouth hung open, but those words never left them. His face flinched hard. “I’m sorry!” He finally spoke, raising his hand to his cheek as if to explain his twitch, and rubbed at it. “It was just me. There’s no one here. Everything’s fine.”
“Oh, okay. Don’t hesitate to let me know if anything’s needed,” Nurse Joy winked. Her eyes then widened. “Oh!” At once, she went through the doors in the back again.
Gary rewinded time and let it play at: “Don’t hesitate to let me know if anything’s needed.” The sultry nurse then winked.
“Your hand in marriage,” he replied helplessly and then sat down abruptly. His hand fell to his lap. Hitmonchan... he kept to himself. You’ve ruined my life, you bastard, he joked, smirking. Or maybe, spared me...
“The trouble with Electric type Pokemon continues in the news today when a man logged into his Conn Ellison account to pay his electric bill to find a, shocking, surprise,” a newswoman was speaking from the TV. “A bill at over half a million, and the cause wasn’t staying up late playing video games, but rather a little Dedenne that had taken up residence in the home without the man’s knowing, and was absorbing the electricity. All for free.”
Gary snickered to himself, but didn’t even bother looking up at the TV. He was suddenly feeling depressed.
*
The sun was high but the beams did little to warm Gary up. Is it ever actually hot in this region? he questioned, flinching and twisting in his jacket. I can’t wait ‘til this thing actually fits me properly. Gotta stretch it out some more and soon, it’ll be good enough.
He and Electivire were now walking alongside a flowing stream, having jumped across a path in the middle of it made of seperate, occasional rocks. He glanced at his Pokedex, keeping his eyes on the Town Map.
Raichu had been out earlier, no particular reason, but Gary thought it’d be wiser to not let Raichu do the jumping exercise. He was such a round guy. This thought had made Gary consider that maybe training Raichu more for these types of things would actually be wise. He also considered the fact Raichu wasn’t even his Pokemon. I’ll find June, he had told himself. We’ll get her back. But then what? His eyes had turned to Electivire, but his head didn’t move any.
Now, Gary had his eyes on the trees to the side of him. Pokemon galore in there, he thought. The path to Oreburgh is close. I’ll be there by night. I can capture me a ton of great Pokemon. He stopped and turned to Electivire.
Electivire kept walking, looking into the trees. He sniffed a few times, his eyes closed, and then finally stopped. He didn’t turn to Gary.
“Electivire? You smell something or something?”
“Vire?” He looked to Gary. Looking back into the trees, he sniffed again and started walking over.
“A Pokemon?” Gary followed slowly, grasping Tyranitar’s Poke Ball in his hand and tightening his grip.
There was a rustle, and with a shout, Electivire leaped into the trees.
“Electivire!” Gary ran after him. “Wait up! Don’t get lost!” He slipped his Pokedex into his pocket as he ran after the Pokemon. What does he see??
Electivire tore through tight branches, stomped on grass and leaves, and dodged trees, going after whatever was ahead.
Gary was desperate to keep up, but it seemed impossible from how far away he was, and how fast he was losing breath trying to move fast enough just to keep June’s Pokemon in his sight. He couldn’t see what Electivire was after, but he knew Electivire was on the trail.
Grunting, Electivire looked to the side and changed direction quickly.
“Whoa!” Electivire! Gary growled in his head, continuing after him.
Electivire leaped, clawed, even zapped a few times, trying to get ahead, trying to stop his prey.
Maybe a Pokemon on my team can help us, too, Gary thought. Charizard can fly, even! But Gary was afraid of wasting even a second on the minor energy it would take to grab a different Poke Ball than what he was already gripping so he just kept moving. I can’t stop! he pushed himself. Who knows!
Gary found himself reflecting back on running through the woods for a strange, flying creature with a pink tail on Route 1 before he had even gotten his Starter, Charmander. The mysterious creature, he never found. But he did end up with a Spearow in his hands and only minor pecks and bruises. Maybe this is something like that! The creature with the pink tail that could fly. A tail that looked like a Rattata’s tail. A Shiny Rattata? A Shiny, flying, Rattata...? No... But...
There was a shout from a man up ahead.
Electivire grunted and stopped running.
Gary gasped, slamming into Electivire before he could stop himself, and collapsed. His eyes were shut tight and his face grimaced. After groaning, he finally opened his eyes, his view landing on Electivire who was still standing and looking down at a man who was sitting up.
The young man was groaning, his eyes shut tight and his fists in the ground. He was barely any darker in his skin tone than Gary. His hair was dyed blonde and reached down to just above his neck, his green and brown hat sitting on top. He wore green pants and a matching green shirt, a yellow vest over it that ended at his waist. His green boots were the Ukkh brand, recognizable by the furry tops made of shed Lopunny fur. He had a rope and other gadgets at his belt, and on his back was a huge, green camping backpack. Beside him was a metal stick with a pointed end, at his other side a black trash bag. He was now staring at Gary. “Damn little nigga, this your Pokemon? Why’d y’all come crashing into me like that?”
Gary was startled by the choice of words of the man.
Groaning, the guy slowly stood up. He rubbed his head and frowned at Electivire, looking him up and then down. “You’re built like a brick. Good job, kid.” He stared back at Gary.
Gary got to his knees and nodded. “Thanks.” He decided to put Tyranitar’s ball back on his waist and finally stood.
“Yeah.” He stayed silent for just a few seconds, keeping his stare on the boy. “So you gonna explain why y’all charged at me like that? I’m just doing my job cleaning this area, man. I’m a Ranger.”
“A Ranger??” Gary’s mind sparked. That girl! he remembered.
The Ranger choked out, strangling when the monster wrapped one hand around her throat, her long fingers digging in, forcing out blood! She croaked out weakly, unable to fight except for grasping the being’s fingers.
The monster pulled back her arm and flung the Ranger right off the edge of the mountain!! In the next instant, Gary was choking when the monster grabbed him by his throat and hoisted him over the edge before flinging him over!
“Yeah. Ranger J,” the guy replied.
Ranger... What was her name? I never told anybody about her. How could I?! he panicked. I didn’t even inform the police in Canalave. I was too terrified about being questioned about the monster, and the gun that was on me to tell them all I knew about Team Solace and the Ranger! But how could I be so selfish?! What if she somehow survived, then died because no one got to her in time?! That could be my fault! Why is this all on me?? I’m just a kid! Damn it!! He could feel himself getting really worked up, ready to start crying.
“We take care of wild Pokemon, the environment that those Pokemon live in, and much, much more.”
“Oh,” Gary mumbled, his mind still on the female Ranger, wondering what he should do. “Do you use a Pokemon Styler, too?”
Ranger J rolled his eyes. “I’m not one of those Rangers. Not yet, at least. I’m more on patrol for the time being.”
“Oh.” Gary was barely paying attention. I could have lied, he realized, his thoughts still on what happened with the female Ranger. I could have told them I got it from Isaac and... jumped out of a helicopter...?
“Yeah, and we use Pokemon in battle. You wanna fight or something?” The Ranger made a reach for his side.
Gary stared into his eyes, blinking once, taking himself back to the moment happening before him. “That a challenge?” He raised a hand over his waist.
“You ain’t ready for me, kid. I’m experienced!” Ranger J first knelt down and picked up his long stick. After shoving the sharp end into the ground to keep it standing, he threw a Poke Ball.
“Brelooooom!” A Breloom appeared, punching out rapidly towards Gary.
Gary gasped. Breloom! he recognized. No way! His teeth tightened against each other. Battling is a good idea. It’ll give me time to relax my mind, and think about what I should do. But... that girl! What if she’s still-?
“One-on-one, kid!” Ranger J offered.
Gary shook his head and focused his eyes. “Fair enough! I’m going with my Tyranitar! GO!” He threw his Poke Ball.
Tyranitar appeared with a roar, standing by Electivire.
“Oh, is this what I’m battling?” Ranger J stared up at the great monster.
Electivire and Tyranitar stared at each other silently.
Electivire grimaced and tightened his fists, a low growl starting.
Tyranitar just watched with a blank stare. He then swallowed. A more nervous smile crossed his face as he raised up one hand, waving kindly.
“Vire?” Electivire took a step back, discomfort and confusion on his face.
“Okay, Electivire. I’d like you to step back and let Tyranitar handle this one, okay?” Gary spoke gently but firmly.
Electivire turned to Gary and then looked at Tyranitar again. “Tivire.” Grumbling, the Pokemon walked off, stopping a little past Gary, and crossed his arms, staring at the remaining two Pokemon.
Gary didn’t want it to show, but he cracked and ended up smiling, shaking one good time as he suppressed laughter. Electivire’s listening! He’s really obeying! He’s listening! He wanted to soak in the moment, but a battle had just started so he turned to his opponent. “Okay Tyranitar, let’s go!” It’s Fighting and Grass, Gary reminded himself. So... “Tyranitar, begin with Fire Fang!”
“Breloom, dodge that!”
Tyranitar’s jaws opened wide and were coated in Fire. He lunged after Breloom, who wailed out frantically and moved, but ended up getting chomped and taken down.
A sparkling, orange powder came off of the top of Breloom’s head and into Tyranitar’s face.
Tyranitar straightened up suddenly, his eyes closing tight, and he stumbled away from Breloom.
“Tyranitar, what happened?” Gary called out. “What was that?” Gary turned to Ranger J.
“Effect Spore is my Breloom’s Ability,” the Ranger smirked easily. “Physical moves might trigger a spore effect. This time you got Stun Spore! Great job, Breloom.”
“Bre-loooom!” Breloom got up.
That was luck, not anything to congratulate over, Gary thought bitterly, sneering. Another Fire Fang or something, and Breloom is out! “Fire Fang!”
“Mach Punch!” Ranger J insisted.
Tyranitar opened his jaws to attack again, but Breloom vanished, reappearing with an uppercut, its fist covered in a white orb. Tyranitar’s jaws slammed shut, getting rid of the Fire.
Earthquake, no, it’s Grass. Rock Slide, no, it’s Fighting. “Wait!” Gary finally located a useful move on the Pokedex. “Facade!”
Tyranitar roared and held out his arms. With a painful groan, he leaned over and fell to one knee as his body sparked.
“Breloom, hold up!”
“Huh?” Gary watched as Breloom bounced on its feet and threw out some punches, but didn’t attack. “We’re fine! Hit us while you can or you’re done for! Facade!”
“Breloom, Counter NOW!” Ranger J ordered.
As Tyranitar stood again, an orange aura surrounded his body. Now looking like he was in a rage, he stomped forward, charging at Breloom.
“TYRANITAR!! DESTROY IIIT!!” Gary pleaded desperately.
Breloom held still.
Tyranitar slammed into Breloom.
Breloom’s eyes closed upon impact and his body was covered in orange energy.
Tyranitar was flung back from Breloom and crashed into the ground, raising the earth. He remained still.
“Ha ha. Sorry lil’ nigga, but this match is mine,” Ranger J laughed.
“WHAAAAAT??! NO WAY!! TYRANITAR!!” Gary ran to Tyranitar and his hands touched his body.
Tyranitar’s eyes opened weakly, fluttering for a moment before staying open. He looked to his Trainer sadly and then closed his eyes, lowering his head.
“Damn it are you kidding me?? That’s it??” Gary snapped. “What was that?? That was pathetic!! I can’t believe this!!”
Tyranitar watched Gary, surprised and hurt at his reaction.
Gary was lost for words for a moment before finally he yelled, “Just get back!!”
Tyranitar let out a sad sound, his head lowering and eyes closing before he was returned to his Poke Ball.
“Unbelievable! I coulda sworn they were made of tougher stuff than that!” Gary complained.
“Pokemon battling is so unpredictable, huh?” Ranger J laughed as he grabbed the long stick and easily yanked it from the ground before walking over to Gary. “Good game, bro.” He held out his free hand.
Gary sucked his teeth, glaring at Tyranitar’s Poke Ball. Releasing his breath, he started to calm down a bit. “Yeah,” he muttered. “Good battle.” He shook the Ranger’s hand, but he was upset.
The powerful Pokemon he thought he owned that had let him down.
The money he had just lost in that match.
He wasn’t sure what upset him more.
He just knew he regretted not using Electivire.
*
Zubat’s wings fluttered and it got up shortly after. It seemed to be staring directly at Gary.
Gary shuddered and took a step back, keeping his eyes on the Flying, Poison type Pokemon.
Screeching with an annoying voice, the Pokemon eventually flew off deeper into the cave.
“You didn’t wanna catch it?” Ranger J asked Gary.
“Got one already,” Gary muttered, and he kept walking, Electivire following him.
Deino walked after Gary when the Trainer had gotten past him.
“Oh,” Ranger J responded, his tone evidently showing he was a little taken back by Gary’s tone. He was escorting them through Oreburgh Gate, a cave right before entering Oreburgh City. He would stab at trash on the ground with his metal rod on occasion and toss it into his trash bag.
It wasn’t long before suddenly, there was the appearance of something Gary recognized. “Geodude!” the Pokemon cried out, sitting on the ground with its arms flexed.
“Ah! Okay! Go Deino! Crunch!”
Deino went in with glowing jaws for Crunch, taking Geodude down.
“Geo!” Geodude recovered and used Rollout, spinning in place before shooting out and slamming into Deino’s face. Geodude then rolled back to its spot and continued spinning in place.
“Hang on, Deino! I want you to pay attention and get ready!” Gary waited.
Deino waited.
Ranger J waited.
Electivire waited.
Then, Geodude fired out!
“CRUNCH!” Gary ordered.
Deino got ready to attack and snapped his jaws. But he missed and then wailed out as a more powerful Rollout hit him in the face, dropping him down.
Geodude returned to its spot, still spinning.
I know we’re better than this. Deino just missed cause of Hustle Ability! “Dragon Pulse!” Gary tried.
Geodude Rolled for Deino.
With a shout, Deino formed a multicolored ball in front of his mouth. The ball then fired a dragon-shaped beam of energy at the Rolling Geodude.
Geodude curved around the Dragon Pulse to take down Deino!
Deino shivered on the rocky ground.
“Deino!! DEINO!” Gary pleaded. “Get up, man!”
Geodude got back to its place, still spinning.
Deino coughed out and slowly, shaking, stood again.
“TAKE IT OUT, DEINO! DRAGON PULSE!”
Deino charged up his move.
Geodude, faster than ever, moved and collided with Deino.
Deino tumbled on the ground, and the Dragon Pulse came out without control.
“GEOOOOOOOOO!!!” Geodude was hit! It tumbled through the air before crashing hard, and it didn’t move.
“GOOOO!” Gary threw a Poke Ball.
The Poke Ball hit Geodude and took it inside, rocking, rocking, rocking, the button blinking red and white.
PING!
The Poke Ball then vanished in a bright set of lights.
Gary’s breath escaped in a release of happy air. “I caught a Geodude! In Sinnoh! Alright!” Gary cheered.
“Congratulations, lil’ man,” Ranger J told Gary, smiling.
Gary smiled back at him. “This is so cool! That might even help me out against the Gym Leader in Oreburgh! I can’t wait!” Inspired and motivated, Gary ran ahead.
Until he was stopped by three Pokemon fluttering and screeching in the dark cave! “WHOA!” Gary felt anger surging through him and he made two fists. “Zubat again?!”
Deino ran up in front of Gary and called out to the three Pokemon.
“Roar!”
A towering creature appeared in the air and crash-landed close to Deino.
Deino screamed out in terror, stumbling backwards before falling over.
The monster, a Steelix, Roared at the pair of Zubat, transparent waves coming out of its humongous mouth.
The pair of Pokemon flew off frantically away from the fight.
Silence filled the cave.
Gary and Deino were statues, their wide, horrified eyes on the huge Steelix. Both of their mouths were wide open.
“You guys alright?” Ranger J ran up to the Steelix.
Gary started to relax, or at least started trying to, when he saw the Ranger petting Steelix. It’s his, he understood.
“You didn’t want those guys, right? You just told me you had those already.” The Ranger rested his hand on Steelix.
Gary swallowed, but it was hard to do. He was this close to pissing himself.
*
PING!
The Poke Ball vanished soon after catching a Psyduck.
“You going for the Gym challenge, right?” Ranger J asked, smiling at Gary.
“Yeah,” Gary nodded.
“Cool. Roark here is the Rock type Gym Leader.” Ranger J pointed out of the cave. “A little further through and you’ll be right there. I’ll get you through a bit further.”
Gary shrugged, his lower lip sticking out nonchalantly, and then he nodded, accepting the offer.
The two, along with Electivire, left the cave, walking the grassy plain that contained huge boulders taller than Gary, just about matching in height with Ranger J and Electivire who were of similar height.
Electivire was sniffing and looking around, his face in a sneer.
“And there it is,” the Ranger pointed.
Off the path were trees, bushes, buildings, and towers with white smoke pumping out of them!
“Oreburgh City!” Gary said out loud. “Finally! We’ll get this Badge!”
“I’ll leave you here.” The Ranger stabbed at something on the ground with his stick in one hand, and then held out the other hand, smiling. “Good luck, son.”
Gary’s eyes widened a bit. Son, he repeated, thinking of what Prof. Oak would call him on occasion. He understood that what the Ranger meant was more like a friend, but it still hit a discomfort button. After swallowing, he looked to see Electivire was sniffing even harder, definitely seeking something.
Gary squinted at the Pokemon before lowering his gaze to the ground.
“Vire!” Electivire shouted out in surprise, leaning back and pointing down.
Gary turned quickly and gasped hard. “HEY!” He stumbled away from Ranger J in horror.
Ranger J raised the body of a Charmander, the tail without a flame, stuck to the spiked end of his pole, and quickly shoved it into his trash bag. This hasty act caused the bag to rip, the spiked end ripping the bag, and Charmander’s body came out and hit the ground. “SHIT!” Ranger J and Gary both stared at the motionless body of the Pokemon before, after what seemed like a long moment, the Ranger pulled out another trash bag and was more careful putting the body inside. “Look, don’t-”
“What are you doing??!” Gary freaked out, stumbling away.
“I SAID DON’T FREAK OUT!!” Ranger J shouted.
“YOU JUST KILLED A CHARMANDER!!!” He’s gonna kill me next! Gary realized. I need Charizard! NO! WAIT! “ELECTIVIRE!” Gary pointed ahead at the man, his mouth wide.
“I’M A RANGER, KID!! THAT’S MY JOB!!”
Gary held his order for Electivire to attack, confused by the Ranger’s words.
“I have to clean up the area!! Dead Pokemon are a part of my job! I didn’t kill it!!”
Gary kept breathing hard through his open mouth, his heart a frantically beating mess.
“It was already dead, nigga. Chill!”
Hearing that controversial word brought a sense of ease to Gary’s mind and body. I guess that word is used in other places after all, Gary noted. Even way out here. “Oh,” Gary responded. “It was already dead.”
“Nigga, I’m a Ranger! I’m not gonna kill a Pokemon! Come on, man!” Ranger J frowned.
But Gary recalled the Safari Zone Warden, Dave, back in the Kanto region, who had ended up being a Team Solace member. But he kept this to himself and just nodded. “Sorry. I didn’t understand what I was seeing.”
Ranger J nodded. “It’s sad to be honest. It’s often Fire type Pokemon. Rangers around the world note they are often the ones abandoned the most over all other types. Especially Fire Starters. They’re perceived as weak, but it’s not that. They can just be hard to train. But they’re the best in my opinion! Either way, no Pokemon should be abandoned just because they don’t meet your expectations.”
“Of course not,” Gary agreed.
The two stared at each other quietly for a moment.
“I have a Charizard myself.”
Ranger J smiled. “Congrats, bro. I think it might be best to leave from here on, just in case there’s anything more. You never know.” He looked around them, checking the ground.
Gary looked down, too, but he looked back up, knowing he didn’t want to know what might be below. “BYE!” Gary said quickly, and ran. “COME ON!!”
Electivire chased after Gary, and together, the two headed to finally reach their destination in Oreburgh City.
For a battle that would put a lot more than just a Badge on the line.