“Shiftry, use Feint Attack!” Ella ordered.

“Pidove, attack with Air Slash, now!” I demanded.

“Piiiiidove!” Pidove flapped his wings as he hovered in the air, his wings glowing white, and white saw blade-like energy flew from them and at Shiftry.

Shiftry dodged the Air Slash and growled at Pidove. Her arms raised in the air as her body was outlined in turquoise, creating leaves from the ground that glowed and rose into the air above her. The turquoise color faded and she pointed at Pidove, causing the leaves to fly out at him.

“Pidove, watch out!”

“Shiftry, what are you doing?” Ella frowned.

Pidove was smacked around by the leaves and forced down. He managed to get up to his talons and shook his body hard.

“I said Feint Attack, not Leaf Storm!” Ella snapped. “Now do Feint Attack! Cut out this behavior! What is your problem?”

“Use Roost!” I told Pidove.

Pidove’s body relaxed and glowed brightly as he recovered his energy.

Shiftry flapped her leafy appendages hard, and I struggled to remain on my feet as a strong gust of wind blew me backwards.

“Doooove!” Pidove called out in shock, and his body started to glow red as he was returned to his Poke Ball.

The Whirlwind attack ended and Shiftry silently glared at me.

“Well, I guess that’s the end of that battle,” I sighed.

“Shiftry!” Ella screamed, but she was sounding exhausted by now.

We were having a practice battle in preparation for our Gym battle with Clay later this afternoon. Ella had decided to work with her Shiftry and try to build a closer relationship with her, and, inspired by that attitude, I thought it’d be a great chance to work on my Pidove’s memory issues.

Pidove had done well. He didn’t forget a single order I gave him and I was beginning to feel like we had made some improvements.

Shiftry, on the other hand, didn’t seem to be trying to work with Ella at all. She ignored every word Ella told her, either using completely different attacks, or simply not moving.

All of our Pokemon sat in the clearing, watching the battle as June set up food bowls for the Pokemon, my Tympole bouncing on the ground at June’s feet, following her around happily.

June had stopped to watch as the battle proceeded, and I caught a worried glance on her face as Shiftry continued to ignore Ella. With the battle over, I turned to June, who quickly turned away and set down the last two bowls, and then she grabbed a bag of Pokemon food and filled a bowl with the contents.

“I guess I’ll help you with that,” Ella sighed with disappointment, and walked away.

“Thanks, hon,” June smiled at Ella, setting the bag on the ground and reaching for a second one.

We were all in a large, beautiful park, away from the congestion and crowds in the city, our coats on against the harsh wind blowing around us. There were several people walking by, but we were the only ones deliberately in the park, relaxing and eating together. It wasn’t picnic weather, but we needed a break from that city to just enjoy some time to ourselves.

After we woke up in our extravagant hotel this morning and ate an overpriced breakfast of three scrambled eggs and three slices of bacon for me, two slices of buttered toast and a toasted bagel with cream cheese for Ella, and three pancakes topped with butter and dripping in syrup for June, we headed outside together to explore the city.

There was no privacy in Driftveil City, and no room to practice battling by ourselves. There were a few buildings where Trainers could battle against each other for practice, but we couldn’t afford to use the facilities.

Ella picked up a bag of Pokemon food as our Pokemon eagerly waited for all the bowls to be filled before they could chow down. She stumbled a little, holding the heavy bag.

“Ella, I’ll help you,” I offered eagerly.

“Oh, no, I’ve-hey!” Ella tripped and fell, the bag in her arms falling out and spilling over the ground.

“Shiiiiift…” Shiftry said, an evil look on her face, her foot sticking out behind Ella.

“Huh?” Ella looked over at Shiftry. “Shiftry!” She looked down at her Pokemon’s foot. “Why would you trip me like that?”

Shiftry didn’t say a word, keeping her eyes on her Trainer silently.

“Shiftry, that wasn’t nice at all!” I said angrily, stepping over to her. “What is your problem with Ella? Why are you being like this to her?”

Shiftry’s gaze slowly rose to mine as she silently glared at me.

“Ella.” I reached out a hand to help her up.

“Thanks, Gary,” Ella smiled. She grabbed my hand and I pulled her to her feet. She gazed deeply into my eyes.

I smiled back, my heart beating nervously as our hands remained in each other’s hold.

“Gary, is your hand shaking?” Ella asked, looking down, and she placed her other hand on top of mine. “Are you okay?” She looked into my eyes again, and her face got a little closer to mine, that heart stopping smile making my heart go berserk.

“I-I-I… Don’t know,” I stammered. She’s holding my hand, with both of hers! I thought to myself. “BLAH!” Something green smacked me in the face and I stumbled back, struggling not to trip. “Hey!” I glared ahead.

Ella’s surprised face turned to her left.

“Shiftry!” Shiftry leered at me.

“You?!” I bared my teeth.

“Elgyem!” Elgyem appeared in front of me, glaring at Shiftry. His eyes glowed blue as he tried to use Psychic on Shiftry.

“Elgyem, stop! There’s no fighting!” I yelled at him. “And besides, Shiftry is part Dark. Psychic attacks won’t work on her.”

“TRY!” Shiftry hit Elgyem with an uppercut and sent him flying backwards.

“Oh, no! She used Feint Attack on him!” June gasped.

“Elgyem!” I ran after him as he bounced on the ground helplessly and remained still.

“Ellll…” Elgyem moaned.

I scooped him up in my left arm and cradled his body as I turned to Shiftry with rage.

Shiftry was now surrounded by all of my Pokemon, other than Elgyem and Pidove.

“Excadrill!” Excadrill warned Shiftry.

“Darrrmanitaaaaan!!” Darmanitan screamed at her.

“Cottoneeeee! Cottoneeeeeeeee!” Cottonee floated around in attempted intimidation.

Tympole cried out to Shiftry as he bounced in front of her like a ball.

“Please, stop the fighting!” June begged as she ran up to the group of Pokemon, holding a bowl of food in her hands. “Let’s all just calm down, please! This isn’t the way to work out a problem. This will only make things worse!” She turned to Shiftry. “Shiftry, how about we just have a nice lunch together before the Gym battle later? Here, I even brought your food to you!” She extended her hands holding the overfilled bowl, several pellets falling from the bowl.

“SHIFTRY!” Shiftry flung one of her hands at the food, smacking the bowl out of June’s hands as she screamed.

The bowl flipped through the air and the food spilled out of it, showering June and the Pokemon in food pellets. The bowl dropped and smacked June in the face.

She cried out and collapsed.

Tympole let out an angry scream and flew at Shiftry.

“Shift?” Shiftry turned to Tympole as he soared at her.

“Tympole, don’t!” I shouted desperately.

Led by Tympole, my Darmanitan, Excadrill, and Cottonee leaped at Shiftry and a scuffle ensued.

“Vaporeon!” Vaporeon uttered angrily and leaped into the fight, followed by Galvantula, Rotom, and Magneton.

Pachirisu jumped to stand on his long tail and pointed at the flurry of Pokemon battling. With a loud cry, he landed on all fours and charged into the fight.

“Pachirisu, don’t!” Ella begged.

Servine followed Pachirisu with a loud yell, followed by Boldore, Druddigon, and Gurdurr.

*

“Ella, I’m really, really sorry about all of that.” I wasn’t even able to even look at her, shame filling my body. “My Pokemon are usually a lot more well behaved than that.”

“Gary, will you shut up already?” Ella said playfully, shoving me lightly. “I told you at least a hundred times that it’s alright. I thought it was sweet your Pokemon would defend your honor like that. I’m ashamed of my own Pokemon, personally. I thought they had more self control than to leap into a fight that wasn’t even theirs.”

“I was kind of wondering who was fighting who, and why,” I told her. “I mean, were your Pokemon fighting my Pokemon? Shiftry? June’s? It was so confusing.”

“I’m not sure Shiftry is making any friends at the moment, so I’m thinking that June was right. They all were just out to get Shiftry, together.” She sighed. “Thank goodness Electivire broke that up.”

“Yeah, breaking out of his Poke Ball and shocking everyone in the area was totally a great idea,” I said sarcastically.

“Well, shocking you, me, and June was rude, but at least the others got hit, too. It stopped the fight!”

“I hope June will be alright,” I said thoughtfully. “She sure was pissed that she couldn’t come with us.”

“Charging to view a Gym battle is pretty ridiculous,” Ella shook her head. “I’d be a bit angry myself.”

Ella and I suddenly stopped at the same time at the sight of an enormous building.

DRIFTVEIL CITY POKEMON GYM: CLAY VERSUS GARY, THE LEGENDARY KANTO LEAGUE SURVIVOR were the words on an electronic strip in the middle of the building, flying across in yellow words, followed by the time the battle would begin and the current date.

“WHAT???!!!” I screeched. “WHHHHYYYYYYYY??!!”

“The legendary Kanto League survivor?” Ella asked. “What does that mean?” She gasped loudly and turned to face me. “Wait! Gary! Were you at the Pokemon League back then during that attack by those terrorists?”

I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes. I don’t like talking about it, but June and I were there and survived.”

“June, too?”

I nodded.

“Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry to hear this!” She gently wrapped her arms around me in a hug.

“Thanks,” I smiled as I considered holding her in a hug as well, desiring to touch her for just one moment.

She released me and turned to the Gym, frowning. “It looks to me like Clay is advertising your battle for profit, if you ask me. And, look! It’s gonna be a six-on-six, double battle!”

“Six-on-six, double? I’ve never had a battle like that before…”

“I wonder if my match will be the same,” Ella pondered.

“Are you two youngin’s fishin’ fer yer seats, er fer yer money?” a gruff voice with a southern accent asked from behind us.

Ella and I both turned around in surprise.

A man perhaps a couple of feet taller than me, stared at us in a fresh, white cowboy outfit complete with the hat, a pair of white boots that reached above his ankles, and even a white holster on his waist, containing a shiny black pistol. In his right hand, he had an enormous pickaxe.

My eyes were glued to the gun before I looked at his pickaxe, and then, finally, up into his angry, aged face.

“Well, ya gunna answer me, er what?” he demanded. “I ain’t got no time fer jus’ standin’ ‘round. There’s money to make ‘round this here city. I have an upcomin’ battle, and that kid better make his way ‘round these parts, soon. The people wanna battle, an’ I intend on givin’ ‘em one they won’t soon ferget!”

“Wait, you’re Clay?” I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“Well, I sure ain’t Clarissa,” he snapped. “Of course I’m Clay! I run this here town an’ I’ma waitin’ fer a youngin’ named Gary. He survived that there explosion by those terr’ists a coupla years ago durin’ the Pokemon League. He’s in this city an’ is challengin’ mah gym. Wouldn’t that be quite the date fer you two?”

Ella and I turned to each other, my eyes wide, her face holding a smile.

“Um, well, I’m actually that Gary,” I said, turning back to Clay. “Me and Ella are looking for you to battle.”

Clay’s eyes widened. “You mus’ be shootin’ mah gun! Are you really him?” Clay laughed heartedly, slamming the end of his pickaxe into the ground.

I jumped back, my eyes glued to his pickaxe fearfully.

Ella jumped in place, surprised by Clay’s action.

“Yeah, really!” I nodded nervously. “It’s a pleasure.” I extended my hand to him.

Clay continued laughing as he shook my hand aggressively.

I cried out in pain as my right shoulder throbbed from the violent shaking of my entire body.

Clay didn’t seem to notice the pain he had put me through as he released my hand and laughed up at the sky.

“And I’m Ella,” Ella introduced herself, but she didn’t extend her hand. “I guess since this is a six-on-six, double match, all of your Pokemon won’t be in tiptop shape to battle me after you fight Gary. Our battle will be tomorrow, then?”

Clay stopped laughing and looked down at Ella, squinting hard. “Who’re you?” he grunted.

“I’m a challenger!” Ella smiled.

Clay looked Ella over a few times, a disgusted look on his face, and then he shook his head. “Yer not profitable.”

“Excuse me?” Ella’s face contained shock.

“Yer not famous, an’, while you are quite a cute lil’ missy, yer not of age,” Clay told her impatiently. “There’s no appeal. There’s no point in battlin’ yah. There’s no profit in it fer me. Mah battles are all televised events, shown all throughout the Unova region. I can’t pull in viewers if all mah battles are wita buncha no name Trainers.”

“Profit?!” Ella screamed, a stunned look on her face. “I want a Gym battle! This isn’t about making money! Are you completely insane?!”

Clay grabbed my left arm and pulled me towards the Gym, waving his pickaxe at Ella. “Listen, youngin’, I ain’t got time fer all this talkin’. I’m losin’ money. I done battled one feisty young challenger already, jus’ yesterday. She had some tough Pokemon an’ put on a great show. Not many kids like that these days. I can’t risk battlin’ some weak, borin’ Trainer. I’ll bring yer boyfriend back as soon as our battle is over.”

A young, tough challenger from yesterday? I wondered as I struggled against his grip. Ruko?

“But-!” Ella screamed out as Clay shoved open the twin, white doors of the Gym and pulled me inside.

The doors slammed shut loudly.

The room we were in was all white, three large screens on the other end, all of them displaying a different part of some kind of underground stadium, cheering people in metal stands and balconies in a dark, cave-like dwelling, a Pokemon battlefield outlined in white in the middle of the ground. Each screen constantly changed what it displayed of the stadium every few seconds.

A brown desk sat in the corner near me, a pretty receptionist sitting behind it in a brown suit that matched her skin, smiling. “Welcome back, Clay. Is this Gary?”

“Tha’s righ’,” Clay mumbled, pulling me towards the back of the room without even glancing at the receptionist, his feet landing heavily as he took me to a large square on the ground that was colored silver. He released my arm and used the spike on top of his pickaxe to press a red button in the middle of a short, yellow stand.

Immediately, the silver square, with me standing on it, descended into the ground!

“Whoa! What is this?” I stumbled purely out of surprise.

“I’ll meet ya down there! An’ good luck!” Clay smiled mischievously and waved at me from above the hole I was being lowered into.

“What going on?” I called up to him.

He laughed loudly, his voice booming and echoing around me as I descended into darkness.

I couldn’t see a thing around me, the platform descending even further into a pit containing mysteries unknown.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen, let’s hear it for Driftveil City’s mayor, the man who has made this city was it is today, the King of the Mines, the creator of the world renowned Pokemon World Tournament, and the Gym Leader of Driftveil City; CLAAAAAAAAAY!!!!” a voice echoed through speakers.

I could hear an eruption of screams and cheers as I continued to descend even further into nothingness.

“And now, coming all the way from the Kanto region’s Pallet Town, one of very few survivors of the terrorist attacks that plagued the planet for nearly one year, resulting in the catastrophic bombing of the Pokemon League in Kanto, now visiting the Unova region to try earning a Badge from Driftveil City’s own, Clay, let’s give a huge Unova style welcome to GAAAAAAAARRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!”

As I finally saw light beneath me, and my platform removed me from the dark tunnel I was in, the eruption of screams nearly tossed me off of the platform as I looked around.

It looked like I was inside of a cave carved out and dug through to design an enormous battling stadium! A large, tinted window sat at the highest point of the cavern. Cameras and bright lights hung from the ceiling and walls, near the metal bleachers, on the sides of the metal balconies, people in the balconies and bleachers standing on their feet, jumping, stomping, going completely mad at my arrival. I even spotted a few girls crying as they screamed in my direction. Four fat guys were shirtless, each one with a letter painted in green on their stomachs. I realized that the letters spelled out: GARY.

“This is unreal,” I whispered, shaking my head at them, and then I looked straight ahead as my platform came to a stop.

Clay was staring at me from the other end of the battlefield, held in the air by a flat, brown, metal platform, a long, extended pole holding it up from the ground.

I was facing Clay on my platform on the other end of the battlefield, held up by its own pole.

“Welcome, Gary, tah Driftveil City!” Clay smiled, slamming his pickaxe that he held in his right hand, into the platform beneath him, making a loud CLAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG!!!!! “As you can see, the crowd is excited to mee’ cha!”

“This is… So much!” I called out to him.

Clay laughed. “This ain’t Kanto, kid. I hope yer ready fer this.”

“This will be a six-on-six, double battle between Driftveil City’s Gym Leader, Clay, and the Kanto region’s Pallet Town’s, Gary!” the unseen announcer said loudly through the speakers. “There will be no time limit! Only the challenger is permitted to switch out Pokemon! The first Trainer who’s six Pokemon are knocked out, loses! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!!”

“Alright!!” Clay grabbed two Poke Balls in one hand and tossed them to the ground below. “Go, Krookadile! Gigalith!”

“KRRRRROOOOOOOKADILE!” the crocodile screamed out.

“GIGAAAA!” a large boulder-like Pokemon yelled.

“Gigalith…” I held out my Pokedex.

Gigalith. The Compressed Pokemon and Boldore’s last stage. The core in its body stores energy and can release enough power to blow away mountains. Its physical strength is even greater, but is still dependent on the core in its body.

“A Dark and Ground type, and a Rock Pokemon,” I nodded. “Alright. I’ll start things off with Elgyem and Darmanitan! Let’s go!!”

“Elgyem!”

“Daaaarmanitaaan!!”

“Alright, up first is Krookadile and Gigalith by Clay, while Gary decides to use Elgyem and Darmanitan! Good luck to both battlers!” the announcer stated.

“Go on, youngin’,” Clay nodded, smiling sinisterly.

“Fine! Elgyem, use Hidden Power on Gigalith, now! And Darmanitan, use Belly Drum!”

“HA! Krookadile, Crunch attack Elgyem! Gigalith, stop Darmanitan with Stone Edge, now!” Clay ordered.

“Don’t back down, you two!”

Krookadile leaped at Elgyem, its jaws wide open, glowing white.

“ELGY!” Elgyem closed his eyes in fear and fired at the Krookadile who leaped in the way of Elgyem’s attack that was intended for Gigalith.

Krookadile’s jaws were filled with the gray lines flying from Elgyem’s blinking hands. It cried out as it found itself unable to press forward with its Dark type attack and landed on its feet, glaring at Elgyem.

Darmanitan’s body was outlined in red as he smacked his stomach with determination.

Gigalith’s body was outlined in white, the white removing itself from its body and separating into several white balls that took the form of sharp, gray rocks. They flew out at Darmanitan.

“Darmanitaaaaaaan!” I screamed. Bad move, Gary! I scolded myself. Belly Drum boosts Attack to the max, but cuts the HP down to half!

“MANIIIIIIIII!!!!” Darmanitan roared, and he slammed his fists to the ground, kicking with his back legs, rocking the entire Gym hard, and leaped all the way to the ceiling!

“DARMANITAN!!!” I nearly stumbled off of the platform I was on, my eyes wide.

Clay’s mouth was open in shock as he stared at my Darmanitan clinging to the large, pointy rocks hanging from the ceiling.

“FOLLOW IT!” Clay roared furiously, swinging his pickaxe.

Gigalith’s stones flew forward and then upward, coming after Darmanitan.

“Darmanitan, get out of the way!”

“MANITAAAAAN!!!” Darmanitan raised both fists, releasing the stony ceiling, and they glowed white as he fell to the ground, towards the Stone Edge attack flying up at him! “DAAAAAAAARMANITAN!” His fists slammed into the rocks headed for him and tore through them with ease, slamming to the ground as he landed and rocking the Gym again. He was breathing hard, smiling widely, his eyes on Gigalith.

“Of all the rotten lil’- Gigalith, Earthquake an’ end this all! Krookadile, you join in, too!”

“Darmanitan, use Swagger on Gigalith! Elgyem, use that Hidden Power again on Gigalith!”

Both Krookadile and Gigalith jumped at the same time, high into the air.

Darmanitan crossed his arms and glared at Gigalith, maintaining his smile the entire time as his body was outlined in red.

Elgyem attacked with Hidden Power once more.

Gigalith’s eyes flashed red as it became Confused. It turned to Krookadile in midair and punched it in the face!

“Yes!” I cheered.

Krookadile was knocked to the ground, sprawled on its back, its Earthquake interrupted.

Gigalith landed on the ground and started to pummel Krookadile!

“Gigalith! NOOOO! STOP IT!” Clay bellowed at his Pokemon. “Snap out of it! Shake off that dern Confusion, will ya?”

Krookadile began fighting back, attacking Gigalith.

Elgyem fired Hidden Power at the scuffling Pokemon, Gigalith crying out in pain as it was hit.

“Okay! Now, use your Superpower on Gigalith! Miracle Eye on Krookadile!”

Darmanitan flexed his arms and chest, his muscles nearly bursting from his skin, and he ran at the two fighting Pokemon with a roar.

The red glow in Gigalith’s eyes faded as it and Krookadile turned around to see my raging Darmanitan run towards them. They both cried out.

Darmanitan swung a large fist at Gigalith, tossing it back.

Gigalith slammed into the platform underneath Clay with a hard CLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!!

Clay wailed out, stumbling a few steps forward before catching his balance.

Krookadile was staring at Gigalith as Elgyem’s Miracle Eye activated, and my Pokemon’s eyes sparkled with the color of red, green, white, blue, and an array of other colors.

“Krook?” Krookadile’s attention was grabbed, and it started to turn around.

“Psychic attack!” I shouted.

“EEEEEEEELLLL!!!!” Elgyem’s eyes glowed blue and put Krookadile’s body in a circle of the same color.

Krookadile screamed loudly, struggling to break free.

“Toss it!” I instructed.

Krookadile’s body was flung across the room and landed on top of Gigalith.

“Gigalith and Krookadile are BOTH defeated! Elgyem and Darmanitan have just pulled off an astounding win!” the hidden announcer ruled.

The crowd roared wildly.

“YEAH!!!” I cheered, jumping repeatedly, my shoulder throbbing in pain, but I didn’t care. I had beaten two of Clay’s Pokemon! Good thing I did a bit of research on Elgyem’s Miracle Eye earlier today, I thought proudly. An attack that gets rid of Dark type Pokemon’s immunity to Psychic moves? Awesome!

Clay smirked at me as he returned his Pokemon. “So, yer all happy about a coupla puny little wins, are ya??” he snickered, making my smile fade. He reached for his next two Poke Balls. “Don’t yah start celebratin’ yet, youngin’! You kids get waaaaaay too excited over nothin’! Let’s see how you like these two! Seismitoad! Excadrill! Git rid of these Pokemon!!”

“Excadriiiiiill!!!!” his Excadrill shouted.

Seismitoad gurgled eagerly.

Seismitoad. The Vibration Pokemon. This is Tympole’s last stage. It is covered in various lumps with a number of abilities to either harm opponents, or boost its strength.

“Alright, Elgyem, Psychic attack Seismitoad! Darmanitan, get that Excadrill with Flare Blitz!” I called out.

“DAAAARMANITAN!” Darmanitan roared as his body was covered in flames.

Elgyem’s eyes glowed blue.

“Seismitoad, stop those two with Surf attack! Excadrill, go under with Dig!”

Excadrill dug through the ground instantly.

Seismitoad was lifted into the air as a large wave rose from under its feet and it rode the wave, headed for Darmanitan and Elgyem.

Darmanitan flew at the wave, a blazing, sparkling fireball.

Elgyem raised his hands and they blinked repeatedly as his eyes glowed blue.

Seismitoad looked around at its wave in confusion.

“Huh?” I gaped at the wave.

“What?!” Clay raged.

The wave stopped moving!

Seismitoad cried out, perplexed as it looked around, stuck in its wave.

“Elgyem!” I beamed happily.

The wave was outlined in a barely noticeable shade of blue, held still by Elgyem’s Psychic attack!

“CADRILL!!!!” Excadrill burst from the ground a few feet away from Elgyem.

Darmanitan was headed straight into the wide water. Suddenly, the wave got much thinner and he soared right past it, landing on the ground as the fire around his body vanished. He turned to stare at the still wave.

The water suddenly moved around, out of control, and Seismitoad yelled out in surprise as it fell off of the wave and heavily dropped! The wave then continued to shake and twist, and it soared for Excadrill as if traveling through an invisible tunnel or tube!

Excadrill screamed as the spiral of water crashed into it, knocking it over.

“MAH EXCADRIIIIIIIIIILL!!!!” Clay was dumbfounded as he watched his Excadrill struggle back to its feet.

“DARMANITAN, NOW!”

Darmanitan soared at Excadrill with Flare Blitz, slamming into its stomach, Excadrill practically howling in agony, and it hit the ground.

“Seismitoad, Hydro Pump tha’ dern blasted thing!” Clay was in hysterics by now, gripping both of his hands on his pickaxe in fury.

Seismitoad opened its mouth wide and blasted Darmanitan off of his feet, and Darmanitan dropped.

“Excadrill and Darmanitan are both unable to fight!! Elgyem and Seismitoad still remain!” the announcer called out.

The crowd was loving it, and Clay and I returned our individual Pokemon.

I smiled, proud with the work my Pokemon had done.

Clay gripped his pickaxe in his shaky hand, giving me a look that altered my joy and made me worry that he might have ended my life with his weapon by now if I were within five feet of him at that moment. “This tears it, now,” he growled. “You’ve beaten even mah beloved Excadrill.” He pulled out his next Poke Ball. “Stunfisk, I’m goin’ wit’ you! Don’t yah let meh down!”

“Stunfisk!” The flat fish landed from its Poke Ball.

“He has a Stunfisk,” I muttered. “Alright. Excadrill, you’re the next up!” I threw his Poke Ball.

“EXCADRIIIIILL!” my Excadrill shouted.

“Alright, Elgyem, use Psychic on Stunfisk! Excadrill, attack with Earthquake!”

“Stunfisk, into the air! Seismitoad, Drain Punch the Excadrill, now!”

Elgyem’s eyes glowed blue, and Stunfisk flapped its tiny wings, soaring into the sky, getting out of way of Elgyem’s Psychic as the Pokemon tried to focus on where it was going. My eyes widened as I watched Clay’s Stunfisk fly about the room, moving even faster and more skillfully than Elesa’s Stunfisk!

Elgyem couldn’t keep up with this Stunfisk’s speed!

Excadrill leaped into the air, and Seismitoad leaped after him. As he tried to land on the ground to attack, the toad hit him with a Super Effective uppercut, its fist covered in a swirling, green ball of energy. Excadrill’s Earthquake was interrupted as his throat flashed white, a Critical Hit having been landed, and he was flung back, flipping through the air, and he finally crashed to the floor.

“And Excadrill is now out!” the announcer declared.

The crowd screamed out, thrilled by the battle.

“Excadrill, come on back!” I returned him and grabbed my next Poke Ball immediately. “Alright, go, Cottonee! Let’s finish this off!”

“Cooooottoneee!” Cottonee said as he was freed from his Poke Ball.

“With the Stun Spore, on Seismitoad! Elgyem, keep trying to hold that Stunfisk! Come on! Don’t let it get away!”

Elgyem was trying hard to grab onto Stunfisk with his Psychic attack, but Stunfisk was like a bug, flying around rapidly, unable to be captured.

Cottonee soared over Seismitoad and shook his Stun Spore on its body, Paralyzing the Pokemon.

Seismitoad struggled against it.

“Seismitoad, use Hydro Pump on Elgyem! And Stunfisk, let’s fight back with Bounce on the Cottonee!”

Seismitoad blasted a large pump of water at Elgyem as he was focused on catching Stunfisk.

Elgyem was tossed back hard, shocked by the sudden attack. He shook his head, staying afloat.

Stunfisk flew to the ground and then bounced off of it, high into the air.

“Elgyem, hold back the Seismitoad instead with Psychic! Cottonee, Giga Drain Seismitoad!”

“Seismitoad, Hydro Pump Elgyem!”

Cottonee sapped Seismitoad’s health while it struggled against Paralysis.

Elgyem’s Psychic attack hit Seismitoad, adding more pain to the Pokemon.

Stunfisk flew from the air and collided with Cottonee, knocking him out of the air, tackling him to the ground.

“Cottonee, Giga Drain that Stunfisk, now!” I told him. “Elgyem, hang on to that Seismitoad!”

“Seismitoad, attack wit’ Hydro Pump, got damn it! Stunfisk, Thunderbolt that Elgyem!”

Stunfisk laughed eagerly as its body sparked with electricity. Its Thunderbolt shocked Elgyem.

Elgyem was left hovering extremely low to the ground after the attack, weakened.

Seismitoad, freed from Elgyem’s Psychic hold, opened its mouth and caught Elgyem off guard with Hydro Pump.

Elgyem slammed down hard immediately.

Stunfisk moaned out weakly as Cottonee’s Giga Drain sapped its health.

“Elgyem is out! Gary’s Cottonee and Clay’s Seismitoad and Stunfisk remain!” the announcer informed us.

The crowd cheered, thrilled by the battle.

In a battle where two Pokemon have to remain on the battlefield at once, if possible, this is confusing! I thought, squinting. “Come on back, Elgyem! Good work!” I only have Tympole and Pidove left, I thought. Both are weak to the Electric move that Stunfisk knows. Damn it! Alright, then. Can’t give up. “Tympole, let’s go!”

Tympole bounced along the ground.

A few people in the crowd “awwwwwed” at the sight of my young Pokemon.

Clay laughed at him, pointing. “Tha’ lil’ pipsqueak? Is tha’ the bes’ of wha’ chyah’ve got lef’? HA! This battle has already been won, in that case!”

“Oh, that’s what you think, Clay!” I smiled, feeling energized by his overconfidence that he had just because I had sent out a little Tympole. Be careful, I warned myself. If your Tympole has Swift Swim, his Seismitoad probably has it, too. “Alright, now use Giga Drain again, Cottonee, on Seismitoad! Tympole, attack Seismitoad with Muddy Water!”

“Seismitoad, take out tha’ Cottonee wit’ Drain Punch! Stunfisk, hit tha’ Cottonee wit’ Bounce!”

Stunfisk bounced off of the ground, into the air, flapping its wings.

Seismitoad ran towards Cottonee.

Cottonee prepped up his Giga Drain.

Tympole was raised into the air by a wave of muddy water.

Seismitoad struck Cottonee in the face with Drain Punch, and Cottonee cried out, falling.

“Cottonee, get up! Finish off that Seismitoad!” I encouraged him.

Tympole flew into Seismitoad with Muddy Water, causing it to stumble back.

Cottonee shook his head and attacked Seismitoad with Giga Drain.

Stunfisk flew into Cottonee with Bounce.

Cottonee fell out.

“Cottonee is out! Stunfisk, Seismitoad, and Tympole remain!” the announcer stated.

The crowd stood up, stomping, clapping, and cheering.

“Cottonee, you did what was needed, and I commend you for that,” I said, returning him. “Thanks so much.” I sighed painfully. “I guess it’s up to you. Pidove, help us out!” I threw his Poke Ball.

“Piiidove!” Pidove exclaimed, staying in the air.

“Pidove, Quick Attack the Stunfisk! Tympole, Rain Dance, now!”

“Seismitoad, use yer Drain Punch on tha’ baby Tympole! Stunfisk, Thunderbolt tha’ same Tympole!”

Pidove flew fast, his beak drilling into Stunfisk as it called out.

Tympole bounced along the ground, his body outlined in blue, and the blue rose from his body, extended to the ceiling, and exploded, rain beginning to pour.

Seismitoad swung a fist at Tympole, and even though Tympole was much faster now, bouncing around, the hit tossed him into the air.

The hit also tossed him out of the way of Stunfisk’s Thunderbolt!

“Pidove, use Quick Attack on Seismitoad this time! Tympole, regain your focus! Use your Muddy Water one more time!”

Pidove was first, tackling Seismitoad with Quick Attack.

Tympole went next, smacking both Seismitoad and Stunfisk with Muddy Water.

“Seismitoad has dropped!” the announcer said in shock. “Seismitoad is OUT!”

“NO WAY!!!!! This is complete nonsense!!!” Clay stomped angrily amongst the cheers of the crowd. “There ain’t no way some lil’ kid is gonna defeat me after all these years I’ve been raisin’ mah Pokemon!!! I’ve had enough of this, yah lil’ cheater!!!”

“Cheater?!” I yelled back angrily. “There’s nothing worse than a sore loser!! Suck it up, you big baby!!”

The entire crowd went silent with a loud, unanimous gasp.

Clay glared at me, and I could have sworn his eyes flashed red, except, that was impossible. “Oh, so yah really wanna do this, huh? Fine. You asked for it, ya lil’ brat! Golurk, let’s do this!” He tossed an Ultra Ball.

“Golurk!” a large, threatening Pokemon proclaimed.

Golurk. The Automaton Pokemon. The evolved form of Golett. Though it is amongst one of the heavier of Pokemon, it is able to fly at speeds challenging a rocket. It is said that this Pokemon was made by an ancient civilization and instructed to protect the people that made it.

“It’s time for the final two-on-two match, then,” I nodded.

“No!” Clay shouted at me. “It’s time fer yah tah go down!”

“Nonsense! Muddy Water! Pidove, Quick Attack on the Stunfisk!”

“Stunfisk, Thunderbolt Tympole, now!”

Pidove was a flash of light as he flew at Stunfisk, knocking it over.

Tympole used Muddy Water.

Both Pokemon were hit by the powerful move, Golurk remaining sturdy, Stunfisk shaking it off and its body sparked as it sent out a bolt of lightning at Tympole.

Tympole didn’t even try to avoid the hit. He sat still, laying the ground, shivering, his eyes closed, and took the Thunderbolt.

“TYMPOLE!” I called out to him. “TYMPOLE!!! NOOOO!!” That was when I saw Tympole’s face clearly. It was flushed with purple. “WAIT! My Tympole!! Why is my Tympole Poisoned?!”

Clay laughed with delight. “Mah Seismitoad Poisoned it!”

“But, how?” I demanded, confused.

“Mah Seismitoad has Poison Touch Ability. Any Physical moves it uses has the chance tah Poison the target.” Clay nodded while smiling at me. “Now, Golurk, use Earthquake and let’s end this fight!”

“NOOOO! GROWL!!”

Tympole bounced weakly, his eyes closed, but he used Growl on Golurk.

Golurk stomped on the ground with Earthquake.

The attack hit Tympole. He rolled helplessly along until he hit the metal pole holding up my platform in the air.

“TYMPOLE!!” It’s all over, I told myself. Pidove… It’s all up to him, now.

“And Golurk’s Earthquake does nothing to a Flying type like Pidove, but has overwhelmed-!” the announcer stopped speaking.

Clay choked on words caught in his throat as his eyes bulged out in shock.

“Tympole!” I whispered, my amazed eyes stuck on my Pokemon.

The entire audience was silent as everyone looked at Tympole’s glowing body.

Tympole’s body grew wider, fatter, longer, and as the light disappeared, a new Pokemon stood up on two feet.

I let out my breath loudly, shocked, smiling, and scanned this new Pokemon in my Pokedex.

Palpitoad. The Vibration Pokemon. Tympole’s next stage. It can live on land as well as water, and uses its long, sticky tongue to catch a variety of prey.

“PALPITOAD!!” I shouted happily out to him.

Palpitoad cried out, facing Stunfisk and Golurk.

“YES!! PALPITOAD!!! PALPITOAD!!!” I screamed with the now ecstatic crowd.

“Use Mud Shot on Stunfisk! Pidove, use your Air Slash at Golurk!”

Palpitoad attacked with Mud Shot, his long tongue glowing yellow and swinging from side to side. His tongue stopped glowing and mud flung from it at Stunfisk.

Pidove used Air Slash at Golurk.

“Stunfisk, into the air! Golurk, dodge that, too!”

Stunfisk flapped its wings, soaring into the air, avoiding the attack from Palpitoad.

Golurk’s hands inserted into its arms, its feet inserting into its legs, and its legs inserting into its body, and a burst of air blew from underneath it as it soared out of the way of Pidove’s Air Slash.

I growled angrily. Those two aren’t even Flying types, but they can fly! I thought angrily. How do I catch them? “Okay, then, Pidove, charge after Stunfisk! Knock it out of the sky with Quick Attack! Palpitoad, use Flail on the Stunfisk!”

Pidove soared at Stunfisk with blinding speed, Stunfisk desperately trying to avoid the hit, flying around as best as it could, but it was no match for the speed of Quick Attack, and Pidove flew into it, Stunfisk flapping helplessly now.

Palpitoad ran at Stunfisk’s body as it neared the ground. He leaped at it and flopped around in the air, finally kicking Stunfisk, and Stunfisk uttered out in pain as it headed for the ground.

“Stunfisk is finally out! We have Palpitoad, Pidove, and Golurk remaining between both Trainers!” The announcer was barely audible over the crowd’s roaring.

Clay jumped up and down in fury, both of his feet stomping before he finally returned his Stunfisk. “GOLURK!! GIT RID OF THAT THERE PALPITOAD WITH EARTHQUAKE!! WE’LL TAKE CARE OF THAT DERN BIRD LATER!!!”

Golurk’s legs, and then feet, and finally, his hands, burst from his body and he dropped like a weight.

“Hydro Pump! And Pidove, you attack with Air Slash!” I told my two Pokemon.

Palpitoad’s Hydro Pump blasted from his mouth and knocked Golurk onto its back. Palpitoad also collapsed, struggling with the Poison coursing through his body.

Pidove flew to the ground and remained motionless, not attacking, and then he stared down at the ground.

“PIDOOOOOOVE!! NOT NOW, DAMN IT!!!” I exploded. “I’M GONNA-!!!” I bit my tongue to keep from saying anything regrettable, fury struggling to say everything on my mind at that moment. “AAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”

The rain slowed down to a drizzle, and finally stopped.

“Enough of the dern tricks with that rain!” Clay fumed. “Dynamic Punch the Pidove!”

Golurk jumped strongly and pulled back a red, glowing fist. It swung at Pidove, tossing the bird back, right into my Palpitoad, who was just starting to get back up to his feet.

Palpitoad fell over again and his body twitched underneath Pidove as he suffered from his Poison.

“Heh, heh, heh,” Clay chuckled. “Ya sure did entertain the folks a’ home, as well as those here, live. But time is up, young whippersnapper. I commend ya on a battle-” Clay froze on his words as his gaze looked over to the battlefield.

“Pidove!” I gasped, staring down at him as well.

The entire crowd went silent, all eyes on Pidove.

He twitched, and then he twitched again, and then… his body flashed in a bright light!!

“Pidove!” I couldn’t believe my eyes.

His body grew out, and his wings extended and grew as he flapped them, rising into the air, above Palpitoad. He grew bigger, wider, and the light finally faded.

A new Pokemon cawed strongly.

“Pidove!” I gasped.

Tranquill. The Wild Pigeon Pokemon. Pidove’s evolved form. It is said that there is a place where Tranquill live without war or conflict. Only peace.

“He evolved!!” I screamed frantically, overjoyed. “PIDOVE FREAKING EVOLVED!!!!”

Tranquill’s eyes were red, Confused from the Dynamic Punch attack.

“Golurk, attack Palpitoad with Dynamic Punch!” Clay demanded.

“Tranquill, stop Golurk with Air Slash! Palpitoad, you can use Hydro Pump!”

Palpitoad used Hydro Pump, but Golurk pulled in its hands, feet, and legs, and soared out of the way of the attack.

Tranquill flew after Golurk, still Confused.

“Tranquill, don’t give in!” I urged him.

Golurk was able to keep up its speed as Tranquill soared after it, trying to find the perfect moment to strike.

“Quick Attack, now!” I told Tranquill.

Tranquill used Quick Attack, flying right into Golurk, appearing behind the Ghost type Pokemon.

“Perfect! Air Slash!”

Golurk turned around to face Tranquill as Tranquill’s Confused state ended, his eyes returning to their normal color, and he used Air Slash, hitting Golurk with the white saw blade energy that soared from his wings that glowed white.

“Hydro Pump!” I told Palpitoad.

“Golurk, get out of there!” Clay screamed in a panic.

Golurk was Flinching in the air, unable to move, something that can occur when Air Slash hits, and it was unable to avoid the Hydro Pump that Palpitoad hit it with. Wailing, it ascended into the air from the blast of water beneath it before dropping like a boulder, slamming hard to the ground below.

Palpitoad bent over in pain and fell down as well.

“GOLURK HAS BEEN DEFEATED!!! PALPITOAD HAS ALSO JUST GIVEN IN TO ITS POISONING!! IT APPEARS THAT TRANQUILL AND GARY HAVE PULLED OUT THE FINAL VICTORY!!!!!! GARY WINS!!!!!! GARY HAS WON THE QUAKE BADGE!!!!!”

I was forced to cover my ears against the loud cheers from the crowd. “GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!! GA-RY!!!!”

Clay’s platform, along with mine, ascended into the air suddenly.

“Whoa!” I quickly returned my two Pokemon as Clay returned his, a stone cold glare etched onto his face, his eyes not moving from mine. Within seconds, I found myself back in the dark tunnel, rising up it this time. A few minutes later, I was back in the white room, the receptionist smiling at me from behind her desk, Clay standing by her already. I walked up to them and stopped in front of Clay, staring at him blankly.

Clay gave me a stern glance and nodded. His large arm wrapped around my shoulders, and my right shoulder winced in pain as he touched it, my right eye closing at his touch as he led me outside. He patted my back strongly as we stood facing each other just outside of his Gym, and the slap shook my whole body.

“Ow!” I whispered as my right shoulder ached from his hit.

“Kid, yer battle wit’ me was unbelievable,” Clay acknowledged with a smile. “That battle was nothin’ but pure, brutal strength. Yah have much more than the potential to be somethin’ truly great in the Pokemon world. I can see how yah survived such a struggle agains’ tha’ dastardly group of evil people at the Pokemon League back in Kanto. Ya’ve got spirit, kid. I proudly present ‘cha wit’ the Quake Badge.” Clay held out a purple box to me, a Badge sitting on a red cloth with yellow fringes on the edges.

I picked up the Badge outlined in gold, the inside green and brown, the top half of it curved, and the body half flat. “The Quake Badge! I won my fifth Badge! I only have three more to go!”

Clay laughed. “Do yah know where yer headed nex’?”

“Not yet,” I smiled.

“Well, I’d recommend-”

“There you are, Gary,” an angry voice said from behind me.

“Huh?” I turned around. Before I could see who it was, I was being pulled by my left arm. “Hey! Ella, what are you doing?”

“Did you win your stupid badge?” Ella asked furiously.

“Yes, but-”

“Good! We’re getting out of this stupid city, then! We’ll heal up your Pokemon, and then we’ll go to a place that accepts all challengers and isn’t all about money, money, money!”

“Ella, hold on, please!”

“June is waiting for us at the Pokemon Center. We ate and everything, and our Pokemon are fine. Once your Pokemon are better, we’re leaving.”

“But, we still have another day that we paid for, here!”

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn,” Ella said without hesitation, pulling me along.

My dear? I thought to myself, my heart beating fast.

I stared at Clay as he smiled at me from a distance, shaking his head.

I sighed and allowed myself to be pulled along by Ella. There’s not too many other people I’d enjoy pulling me as much as I’m enjoying Ella pulling me right now, I thought, staring at the ground, a smile that I was struggling to hold back, creeping over my face. I wonder what Gym we’re heading to next…

I had no idea how unready I was for the answer to such an innocent thought.