June was in a comatose state. Her body was mostly wrapped in white gauze and bandages, one leg and one arm in a cast, her face holding several stitches, bruises, and more bandages. Down her throat was an endotracheal tube to provide extra oxygen. She was also hooked up to vital signs monitors tracking her wellbeing. She would have been unrecognizable to even those who knew her.
Gary was in tears sitting at the right of her hospital bed, his eyes closed and head fallen.
Magneton, Galvantula, Rotom, Raichu, Pikachu, Manectric, Eevee, Blitzle, Ampharos, and Lanturn were all around June, but giving her space.
Sniffling, Gary looked over to the room door.
Looking in through the window of the door was Electivire. He was frowning, and after Gary saw him, he lowered his head, getting out of view.
Gary was now frowning and sucked his teeth. I can’t believe that guy, he kept to himself, shaking his head. This isn’t the time for this shit, Electivire! We found her! She’s alive! She’s in bad shape, and damn it, she- He stood up and left the other Pokemon behind as a few of them let out nervous, light cries. This isn’t okay, he thought.
Clearing his throat, he left the room and saw two police officers standing outside of it. At the other side of the door, Electivire was sitting in a chair, his arms crossed and looking at the floor. “Electivire. This isn’t okay. You can’t do this right now. Not with her in this condition. It isn’t fair.”
“Electiv,” Electivire responded, turning his head to Gary but keeping his vision down.
“We found her alive! But-” Gary paused. He fought with himself on his next words, and finally let them out. “She might not survive, Electivire! Is this really the way you want to end things?! She’s dying there!”
Keeping his arms crossed, Electivire now made fists, and sparks bounced around the outside of his body.
“JUST CUT IT OUT ALREADY!!”
Electivire tilted his head and lifted his gaze just slightly.
Tears were held in Gary’s eyes on his furious face. He swallowed before yelling, “This isn’t okay, Electivire!! I-!” Gary took a second to lower his voice. “I know what she did was bad, but it’s not worth this. She’s dying.” He inhaled big. “Don’t you care, Electivire? How can you not care? This grudge can’t be worth not making amends.”
Electivire looked down again, his face still stern but somehow softened, if only a tiny bit. “Vire?” He looked beyond Gary, making Gary also look behind him.
With a collective cry, June’s ten Pokemon all pulled their heads back into the room, the door slamming shut afterwards.
Only the cops were left staring at them, shuffling their feet and shifting in place.
Gary shook his head and looked back to Electivire.
The Pokemon was already on his feet and walking away.
“Electivire!” Gary glared. Don’t shout, he told himself, breathing out. He then walked back to the door, nodded to the cops without making eye contact, and returned to June’s room.
*
OrangeIChamp: thats super wild stuff, man. Wha do you thin it mean?
Having told his online friend about his most recent encounter with the monster, Gary also let out that he had been having weird dreams and experiencing bizarre sensations. He stared at the response from his friend, but he didn’t know what to say back. And even worse, he didn’t like that he didn’t know how to respond.
GaryReppinKanto: I ont think it mean anything
Gary left their chat and went to the Forum page. One tab was labeled LF Garchompite!! PLEASE READ!!!!!!! Those Mega Stones, Gary thought. I oughta look into that shit. I could use that extra power. And that crystal thing, too. Z things. There’s a lot of shit going on out there that I don’t know about.
Over an hour ago, Gary had left the hospital after visiting hours were over and then left all the Pokemon at the Pokemon Center. What should have been relatively easy and short traveling was made long due to the news reporters’ relentless demands to interview him, and he was only able to get where he was going thanks to the helpful police officers who got Gary through everyone. The police even made sure the reporters didn’t get into the hospital when Gary went to see June.
Despite all the hassle, he refused to leave town without her. Or at least without knowing if she would survive. And if she didn’t, he didn’t know what was next for him. Maybe, it was all over for his traveling if she wasn’t around anymore. Maybe he’d have finally lost enough at that point.
Once he was alone again, he put June to the side and worked out where his next Gym would be and who should be on his team while sitting up against his favorite tree outside of town.
He decided Veilstone City would be his destination to battle the man named Paul. He didn’t look like the friendliest guy in the world, and his reputation was astounding. Gary’s research showed statistics that put Paul on the same level as the Gym Leader Jupiter! He was virtually unbeatable, just like her, with several warnings to remove his Gym status due to constant, relentless wins.
In fact, one story Gary had found online claimed that Paul had even gone to Jupiter’s Gym a couple of times to challenge her when she went too long undefeated, and won! These losses saved her position, and Paul just stopped challenging her.
He had a lot of accolades under his belt, having beaten the Battle Frontiers in differing regions, Battle Towers, and had conquered the Sinnoh and Kanto League years ago. He was known as a relentless Trainer, a total brute, but secretly compassionate.
There were even videos of him facing off against Pallet Town’s own hero, Ash Ketchum, in a battle at the Sinnoh League a very long time ago, but losing. The fight was astounding and took Gary’s breath away. It was truly anyone’s match.
Now, Gary was watching the news.
“-the family’s child played with the ears of their pet Espurr, the child, the entire family, as well as the household, were sadly left in unrecognizable pieces,” a man with wavy brown hair and a black suit said.
Crazy... Gary thought. Pokemon are... something else, huh? He thought this, but deep, deep, deep down, his feelings were something he didn’t want to bring up. Pushing this aside, he closed his eyes as the news continued, but he wasn’t listening, his mind now on the conversation he’d had earlier with Scientist Gary.
Lebaron88: I promise you, I will not let this go on. I had to do what I had to to see if I could make this experiment work, and I hate that is doing this to Pokemon, but thats over. My next, immediate tests are on how to change stats without changing Natures. I know there HAS to be a way. If I cant find a way, the test a are aover.
Lebaron88: for good
Scientist Gary, he said to himself. He said his experiments are a bit more out of control than he admitted to the news. So that means he would hold truths from the news. He admitted Natures were being altered. The very personalities of Pokemon, against their wills! That’s how he’s affecting stats. Gary felt so disappointed in the scientist. He trusted him. Maybe this is just a part of science, Gary reasoned. Maybe this is nothing new. Experiments. Scientific advancements. Maybe I’m making more of it than I should. But I’m still so hurt. I wanted to believe in his work. But now... How? Gary looked at his phone again, seeing the latest on the news.
“Clothing brand Vinicchi is under fire yet again as heated protests continue against the brand that sells Wigglytuff furs, Persian fur and jewelry, and Meowth jewelry,” a brunette newswoman with a lot of makeup on her face, in Gary’s opinion, was reporting. “While constantly downplaying the fact that they do sell these things, protesters against the corporation are putting constant pressure on the brand. This has also led to a number of physical attacks on innocent people shopping at their locations.”
A video began to play showing a large group of people shouting something unclear while charging at one individual woman trying to enter a store. The mob all wore matching masks that kind of resembled an orange star. They assaulted the singular woman as she screamed helplessly.
“The woman, Australia Sanchez, was merely going in to shop but was assaulted by the group of protesters without warning,” the news reporter was heard saying as the video froze and eventually was shrunk down in size, the brunette shown again.
Gary shook his head and looked from the video as the report continued. Crazy, was the last of the attention he gave to that report before returning to his own mind. Oh, he remembered. Orange. He went back to Pokebay to see that OrangeIChamp had replied to him.
OrangeIChamp: dont think it means anything? Any what is that supposed t oean? your telling me your hearing things, and having wild dreams that are related to the monster. You dont think theres a connection? U got your friend back, right? Does anything about the way she looks remind you of the dream? Anything really specific?
Gary stared at his screen, thinking. There’s no way to tell, he told himself, recalling how June looked. I can’t just recall every last dream I had. And besides... He closed his eyes and breathed out. He had already told OrangeIChamp this, but while some of his nightmares felt more like memories or like something he was personally experiencing, others were just bad dreams. Either way, he couldn’t recall all of them to see if anything specific could be pointed out about the way June looked, and with how beaten up she was, it wouldn’t necessarily prove anything.
GaryReppinKanto: No. I just dont know.
Seeing his typo, Gary fixed the lack of an apostrophe before typing more.
I really don’t believe the dreams were a sign of what was going on with her. I don’t believe in that. It wouldn’t even make any sense. Why would I be getting visions like that?
Gary breathed out, trying to figure out what else to say. It was nice to have a friend to discuss all of this with, but the guy really wasn’t helping him out much or giving him any sound advice. Then again, Gary thought, why would I expect that from him? Him. I don’t even know if he’s a guy. Gary snickered. I know nothing about him at all. He’s just some kid on a fan site for Pokemon. At what point did I take this guy so seriously that I traveled to the Sinnoh region just to find a stupid book on Sinnoh mythology, thinking it might help me understand what the monster is? Was that, reeeeeally why I came all the way out here? Am I really that stupid?? After all this, why haven’t I told Kiwi and the others about what I’m going through? Am I only talking to Orange about this because that’s how little I take the dreams seriously? Or because I take them so seriously I want concrete answers before I jump out the window and blab it all to my friends? After taking a little more time to think, he typed again.
GaryReppinKanto: I kind of give up already on this. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to find out what this monster is with the way things are going for me. That stupid book didn’t help me, and every time I run into that thing I just barely make it out alive, which is a lot more than what many can say. I just want to kill her. I’ll leave understanding her to the experts and scientists. I only care that she’s killed. I can’t decipher ANYTHING about her! And I’m not gonna start adding in bullshit about telepethy and shit to the mix either!
Breathing out, Gary sent the message and then left the site, frowning now. I need real answers, he told himself, his grip tightening on his phone. But more importantly, I don’t need to be wasting my time talking to this guy. Right now, I need to get Kiwi on the phone. I need to see what’s going on with this Drock situation. Why now is this going on? After all this time? Why?
I’m glad I can get Beedrill back, honest. But...
*
Kiwi removed her blue-tinted glasses before speaking. “Prof. Oak was getting on in his age, you know. I’m sorry to say, but the man just plain forgot!” Kiwi told Gary over the phone.
“Over and over again?!” Gary yelled at her, speaking on the VisuaAudia feature of his phone that allowed him to have a video call with others with compatible devices.
“Yes!” Kiwi responded just as loud, her eyebrows raised and her eyes wide.
Gary sighed. “So this girl has been trying to reach me for literally months and Prof. Oak just never remembered to let me know. This isn’t fair! To me, Drock, Beedrill, or Kingdra! How am I supposed to just give up my Pokemon like this? That isn’t fair!”
“It’s not fair at all, Gary,” Kiwi said in a soft, sad voice. “I’m sorry. I’m not making you do or not do anything, but it’s only right I tell you what’s going on. I would like to know what to tell Drock. She’s in the UK right now and has been waiting on Prof. Oak for a long time, to tell her what’s going on and if she can get her Kingdra back. She explained the entire story to me already, so I know this is a touchy situation for everyone.”
Having finished trading Beedrill for the Seadra holding Dragon Scale and evolving it, Gary and Drock were stopped from trading them back when an explosion destroyed the building they were trading in.
A wild Charizard was rampaging in Gary’s grandmother’s village, spitting flames everywhere. It let out a low roar, grabbing the attention of Drock, Gary, his grandmother and aunt, and the members of Team Solace that let it loose there, before giving a more ferocious roar.
Drock, standing behind the Charizard, let out a terrified scream. “JUST KEEP HER!! PLEASE!!” Her head shook frantically as she stumbled backwards. “TAKE GOOD CARE OF HER!! I LOVE HER!! PLEASE!! I’M SO SORRY!!” And she ran away as fast as she could.
Gary blinked, staring into Kiwi’s eyes, and he slowly shook his head. “Okay,” was all he could say. “But, what am I supposed to do now?”
“I just said I’m not here to dictate that, Gary,” Kiwi responded carefully. She swallowed before speaking again. “I’m not here to judge you on that. I just need to know what you want to do, so I can tell her.”
Gary sat silently, replaying Kiwi’s words. “What does she want?”
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Kiwi lowered her eyes and then looked again to Gary. She smiled lightly. “That’s what she asked.”
Gary breathed out impatiently, his narrowed eyes lowering. Shaking his head after a while, he finally said, “Then let’s do it.”
“Are you saying you want me to give you Drock’s information so you two can make your trade, giving up Kingda in exchange for Beedrill?” Gary had opened his mouth to answer her, but Kiwi wasn’t done speaking. “Do you understand exactly what that means, Gary?!” she went on angrily. “Do not make this decision lightly!!”
“I’M NOT!” Gary barked right back. “I have lived with Kingdra long enough!! And I love her! You don’t think I’ve thought this through?! I’ve considered this for too long!! How do I reach her?”
Kiwi kept a cold stare on Gary before releasing Drock’s information.
“Thank you, Kiwi.” Gary’s face softened, going from anger to a more mournful take.
“This is hard... On all of us, Gary. Everyone involved.” Kiwi closed her eyes and lowered her head.
“I just wish I had known. That’s all,” Gary replied. “I wish I had known from Prof. Oak.”
“Forgetful old fool, huh?” Kiwi didn’t look up at Gary, but a smirk did slip out on her face.
“I guess that’s our Prof. Oak, in his last days, eh?” Gary answered, bitterness in his voice.
Staying silent, Kiwi took a moment before finally looking up. “Just don’t think you’re gonna get away with something like you did with Larvitar just because you hate Bug types.”
Gary was stunned silent by what she had just said, but he knew he would have taken it a lot worse had it come from someone he wasn’t as close with. Even so, he was hurt! “Kiwi!” he choked out. “What is wrong with you?”
Kiwi shrugged. “I guess you’re too stressed to fight back right now. Bad timing. But I have my eye on you.”
“No,” Gary shook his head aggressively. “I’m happy to be seeing Beedrill again.” A long silence stretched between them. Getting uncomfortable, his eyes shooting around, he finally let out lowly, “I’m gonna go now.”
“I know there’s a shit ton on your plate, but when you get the chance, give my love to my Pika Pal, will ya?”
Gary could hardly smirk, but he did nod. “I know she’ll be happy to hear from you.”
“I’m just grateful she’s alive.” A tear slowly ran down each of Kiwi’s cheeks.
*
“I am so, so sorry, Gary!” Drock cried, her face soaked in tears and sadness. “I wish we could have spoken sooner. Has Kingdra been okay?”
Gary inhaled and then exhaled hard. “Yes. How’s my Beedrill? Is he good?”
“Beedrill has been a pleasure! I love him sooo much! He’s a regular member of the household!” She held up a Poke Ball, signifying Beedrill was inside.
Gary had Kingdra in her Poke Ball, too, but on his waist. He had considered letting Kingdra out from the start, but in the end decided to wait. “Drock, are you sure this is okay?”
Drock sniffled. “I know what you’re trying to say. After what I did and said, I mean, who knows what you told my Kingdra. And, to be clear, what I did was inexcusable by any record, so I don’t blame you for whatever you’ve told her. To be frank, I get why you may be reluctant to trade back, and may feel that we should let things be. I completely understand why you may see all of this fuss-”
“What are you talking about?!” Gary raged out, cutting the younger girl off.
Drock gasped long and sharply, even raising her hands up in fright even though the two were speaking through the VisuaAudio feature on their phones.
“You sound just like you did back then! Making excuses! You don’t really want to trade back at all! You said Kingdra was mine, and now you’re trying to not face your - your issues! Your... results! The consequences!” These aren’t the right words, damn it! Gary thought furiously. Fuck it! “You’re trying to just avoid it all and - and...” Gary’s eyes were filled with tears now. “You’re just gonna push this on me,” his voice cracked, “take the easy way out, and not face your past!” Yeah. That works. “Is that it? You think you deserve that? You think that’s even right?!”
Drock was shaking at Gary’s beratement, unable to even stutter.
“You gave up on Kingdra, you gave up as a Trainer, and you tried to bury it all! Why are you even here?? What gives you the right? You’re just trying to clear up your guilty conscience! I can’t believe you even have one! You just wanna be able to live-!”
“I REACHED OUT TO YOU BECAUSE I WANT MY KINGDRA BACK!!” Drock screeched, her eyes shut tight, tears pouring through. “I AM NOT TRYING TO AVOID ANYTHING!!” When she opened her eyes, even more tears poured out. “I tried reaching you, Gary! It’s not like I didn’t try! Through bad luck we just never got to speak!! I would have tried and tried for years if it took that long, no matter what, to get to speak with you about this! I would never let this go!”
The two just stared at each other with so much emotion on their faces. Gary’s was mostly anger, but it also held some sympathy, while Drock’s was mostly fear and also some evident desperation to calm the boy down. The only thing heard now was their breathing.
“Drock. Do you really want Kingdra back?” Gary asked. He then swallowed.
Drock nodded. “I do, actually. I have so much to explain. But, maybe, after all this time, she’d rather stay with you. And if so, I understand...” She lowered her head, more tears rolling out of her eyes. “What I want most of all is... to just explain myself to her. If she hates me after that and wants to stick with you, I respect her wish and will never bother her again, I guess...” Her eyes closed and she started to weep.
She’s for real, Gary knew in his heart. She’s - I was wrong. She’s not trying to escape or bury the past. She genuinely cares. I was wrong for being mean. “I’m sorry, Drock. I was too harsh. I-”
“You weren’t! Just stop!” Drock interrupted. “I understand. I just want to speak with her. I want to do this trade, and give us both the chance to explain what happened to our Pokemon, and make our final decision. Please. It’s all I need, and everything you, me, and Beedrill and Kingdra deserve. They deserve a lot more, but at this point, I think that is the best thing we can offer. What do you say?”
“So we’ll trade them both, have some time with them, and then-” Gary didn’t know how to finish this sentence.
“We’ll see where we stand and make the best decision, for the sake of our Pokemon, not ourselves,” Drock finished for him.
Gary swallowed and then nodded, but he didn’t speak.
*
Inside of a bedroom in the Pokemon Center, Beedrill was buzzing around Gary, thrilled to literal tears.
Gary was beyond discomfort. The very sound of that buzzing was keeping him from his own Pokemon!
There seemed to be a clear understanding, but a poorly respected one, as Beedrill was in fact keeping his distance from his Trainer, knowing his phobia, but couldn’t resist wanting to get close to him after all this time.
On the opposite perspective, Gary was trying to accept this love and give it back, but if only Beedrill would stop buzzing, he might be able to make some progress! It was bad enough Beedrill was not only a bee, but a giant bee with three huge spears, but that buzzing alone was enough to make Gary’s skeleton claw right out of his throat! Backing away not only out of his control, but well within his control at the same time, Gary was more frightened than feeling bad. It seemed Beedrill just plain couldn’t stop himself from buzzing around the boy. Gary was already against the wall with nowhere else to go, pinned by his Pokemon.
He knew Beedrill meant well. This was a huge reunion for them both! But it was also just too much, too fast! But, wait! This ain’t just for me! Gary gratefully remembered. Quickly, he sent out all of his Pokemon with a frightful shout and slid away from Beedrill.
In turn, out came Charizard, Primeape, Dustox, Hoothoot, and Butterfree.
Charizard, Primeape, Hoothoot and Butterfree stared at Beedrill calmly enough, until something came over them. Realization!
Beedrill also took a moment staring back before his head cocked curiously.
And then, awe took over their faces and soon, their eyes were watering, tears flowing right after as, with a collective cry, they all moved right for each other!
Only Dustox was left behind, watching them all with interest. He turned to Gary, who smiled weakly back.
Sorry, but I only brought you back because I thought it’d be good to have other Bugs with me and show how hard I’m trying, Gary thought. In reality, bringing back the old gang was the best idea; the guys Beedrill grew up with.
Now, Beedrill and Butterfree were the ones in sync, flying in circles but remaining facing each other as they rose above everyone else.
Male, and female. I wonder if such different Bugs might... Gary considered. Nah.
Beedrill looked over to Gary, and Gary’s body tensed up. Beedrill then saw Dustox and flew over to him.
“Dustoooox!” Dustox greeted Beedrill.
Beedrill buzzed back.
They both flew around each other. Dustox seemed a little nervous as Beedrill looked a lot more suspicious. Even unfriendly. Threatening.
“You see, Beedrill?” Gary tried, sensing the tension in the air.
All the Pokemon turned to their Trainer.
Smiling, Gary said, “I’ve caught a lot of Bugs lately. This is only one of my newer guys. I’m still working on... things, I admit. But, here I am, catching Bugs, working with them. I’m... evolving, too.” He let out a small chuckle but cringed hard on the inside.
Beedrill was bobbing in the air, staring at Gary. He finally turned to Dustox again.
“Dus?” Dustox looked back with a cautious smile.
Beedrill kept buzzing, but he finally nodded. He then flew over to Gary and stopped in front of him.
Gary took a step back, though he tried as hard as possible not to. What’s he gonna do? Test me? I passed my limits a long time ago! Don’t you remember??
Nobody moved.
Gary knew the next move was on him. Shit.
Beedrill kept staring.
Everyone was.
Gary’s eyes tightened, and finally, his eyebrows narrowed. Beedrill, he thought. He made two tight fists. “Beedrill.” He raised one fist shakily.
Beedrill lowered his head, still staring at Gary’s face.
Gary nodded and extended his arm, opening his hand.
Either at the same time, or at a pace indistinguishable, Beedrill was also reaching out a stinger from one foreleg.
Inhaling hard, Gary grabbed Beedrill’s stinger!
Beedrill let out a shocked, buzzed cry, along with all the other Pokemon.
“Beedrill,” Gary spoke. A moment of heavy breathing later, not believing he had grabbed Beedrill’s stinger, he said, “Thank you.”
*
“So let’s keep in touch, Drock. Let’s say, every couple of weeks or so, we talk again, and trade again,” Gary suggested.
Drock just nodded tearfully. “I never knew she was so sensitive,” she replied. “I love her. So much.”
“We both love her,” Gary stated. “And Beedrill.”
Drock’s time with Kingdra didn’t go so well, Kingdra going into a full panic mode that made her entirely unruly and incidentally destructive.
Gary wasn’t surprised to hear this.
Talking through computer screens, the two were ready to make their trade, a nurse supervising each of them. Gary put Beedrill’s Poke Ball in the slot on the trade machine, Drock doing the same.
The machine itself was huge, mostly silver with some white sections. At the middle was an area with several buttons, an open glass cover over it. A glowing white screen sat above displaying the image of a spinning Poke Ball and was held up by a metallic neck that was connected to other necks. A beam at the top of the screen was attached to a clear glass bowl, which was attached to more beams.
The Nurse Joy who was with Gary pressed a couple of buttons on the machine and the trade began with a big hum!
The white screen turned black and electricity fired out from the beams sticking out of the screen. The Poke Balls glowed yellow and then, in a bright, white flash, they both disappeared! The screen displayed the two Poke Balls, the silhouette of Beedrill in one, Kingdra’s silhouette in the other. The two Poke Balls moved and overlapped, passing the other, the trade coming to its end.
Until suddenly.
The screen was glitching, the image of the trading Poke Balls unclear.
“What’s going on??” Drock exclaimed.
“Hey! What’s happening on your end?” Gary let out. “Is it because we’re so far apart?” Even Gary knew that wasn’t why.
“It can’t be!” Nurse Joy shook her head, taking a couple of steps closer to the machine. “Trades across seas happen all the time! It must be a glitch!”
“Then what’s going on?!” Gary shouted at her, panicking now.
Nurse Joy placed a hesitant hand on the machine and then removed it. “I’ve never seen this in my life. But let’s not-”
“What?!” Gary let out. “What’s gonna happen?!”
“Hey, now, let’s just remain calm!” Nurse Joy tried to calm down the situation, but fright was clear on her face. “Please, this isn’t a-a-a huge deal! There’s no problem here! Everything is going to be ju-”
“Then what’s going on?” Gary was trying to keep his cool. If this was all nothing, he didn’t want to blow up, but the woman had just said she never saw something like this before!
Drock had a confused face and she just shrugged.
There was a male nurse with Drock who was checking out what was going on.
Fuck! Gary struggled not to panic. He looked to Nurse Joy and seeing the surprise, fear, and confusion on her face, he looked back to the machine. What is that?
The screen now showed one abstract figure, a much smaller abstract shape above it.
And yet, Gary thought, squinting. Don’t I know that-?
The visual went out with loud static and a bright flash of light.
“Gary?? Gary! What’s going on??” Drock sounded frightened.
Gary’s eyes were shut against the blinding light and he turned away, having no answer for her. What was that? What happened to our Pokemon?
“Gary!” Drock cried.
There was a heavy ringing that made Gary’s ears sting so bad, he felt like he would be deaf in the next few seconds. He covered his ears and let out a wild scream before collapsing, Nurse Joy also covering her ears as she shrieked and dropped hard.
Drock was heard wailing out, the male nurse on Drock’s end also heard yelling painfully.
And then finally, everything had gone silent.
Gary took in a few deep breaths, waiting. Slowly, at first squinting and blinking several times, his eyes finally stayed open. Wait, what happened? The trade! He got up quickly and saw Nurse Joy looking weary, one hand on her head. “Nurse Joy!”
“What in the world was that?” she asked, shaking her head lightly.
“Are you okay?” As he approached her, he saw Drock appear on the screen.
“That was so loud! Did it break?” the young girl asked in a whiny, squeaky voice full of fear. Looking down, she asked, “Are you okay, sir?”
“Did you hear that, too?” Gary asked her. “Was it through your computer? Did it happen on your machine, too?”
“It bloody well did!” Drock complained, helping the brown-haired nurse to his feet. “Blew our bloody ears right off, it did! What was it?”
Groaning, Nurse Joy was getting to her feet, squinting at the machine. “It looks like the trade went through, whatever it is that happened. I’m sure everything went just fine.”
Gary stared at the screen of the trade machine. It didn’t display anything, only having a glowing white screen. A Poke Ball was in Gary’s slot.
“I have a Pokemon! Perhaps the trade sent our Pokemon back!” Drock was saying, holding up a Poke Ball and smiling hopefully, but the worry was strong in her eyes. “Fate is keeping me from doing what’s right, by chance?”
Gary frowned at this statement as he grabbed up the Poke Ball on his side.
“A joke, love,” Drock laughed lightly and nervously, holding up her hands.
She’s really nervous, Gary thought, looking away. And he tossed the Poke Ball. “GO!”
Drock also sent out the Pokemon she had.
There were instant gasps at what had come out of their Poke Balls.
Beedrill is a Pokemon that resides in the air, unlike Kingdra who is always grounded, so with Gary’s Pokemon hovering high, there was no chance for the boy to think anything else as the light faded from around the Pokemon. His skin crawled immediately, discomfort covering his face as he breathed out in confusion. “Beedrill. So the trade did glitch out or-”
Drock started screaming!
“Drock!” Gary turned. “What’s wrong? Is Kingdra okay??” His heart was beating faster than ever now. “Drock!!”
“WHAT IS THIS THING??!!” Drock was offscreen, only the male nurse visible, looking down at Drock.
The guy then looked upward, confusion on his face. “Where did this-?”
A creature floated in front of the screen.
Gary’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped in disbelief. What the fuuuuck??? “P-”
The Pokemon, Porygon-Z, turned to the screen! It let out a big, thrilled cry and then shoved its head into the screen! A moment later, its head was through the very screen of the computer Gary was looking at!
The boy screamed out and fell back, falling. “Porygon-Z?! WAIT! You’re mine?! How did-?!”
Porygon-Z pulled its head back into the screen, and the computer then glitched and cut off completely!
“HEY!” Gary leaped up to his feet and slammed his hands against the screen. “PORYGON-Z!! NOOOO!! GET BACK HERE, PORYGON-Z! HEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!”
“I-I-I-I’ll get help! Just wait here!” Nurse Joy exclaimed. “I’ll get a technician!” She fled the room.
Gary was stuck staring at the computer screen. “Porygon-Z?” Slowly, he slid down the computer screen until he hit his knees, and he let his hands hit the floor. “Porygon-Z. But, if that’s... Porygon-Z...” Without moving his head, his eyes looked to his side. He couldn’t see Beedrill, but he could hear the buzzing that was making his skin crawl, and he rubbed at his neck, and then his armpits, and then his shoulders. I can’t think like this! he screamed in his head. “Porygon-Z! I mean, I’m sorry, Beedrill! My head is scrambled! Just return for now! Please!” He returned Beedrill and went into a sitting position.
I need to think in peace! This doesn’t make any sense! How did she get my Porygon-Z? That was my Porygon-Z! I think! That’s what she sent out! It’s mine! But...
If I have my Beedrill...
And she has my Porygon...
Where the hell is Kingdra?!