Porygon-Z let out a screech that dropped me, June, Nurse Joy, Audino, Primeape, Kingdra, Butterfree, Weepinbell, and Noctowl to the ground, all of us screaming out.

My brain rattled like a toy in a child’s hand, my eyes tearing up immediately.

It wasn’t long before June was the only one shrieking, running around the Pokemon Center like a mad woman, Porygon-Z keeping up with her. “Gary, stop this crazy thing!” June begged me.

I sighed and inhaled deeply to try and order Porygon-Z to stop playing with June when suddenly, I was tackled by a group consisting of my other five Pokemon.

“PRIIIIIIIIME!!!!” Primeape screeched, his arms wrapped around my neck, literally strangling me.

“FREEEEEE!!!” Butterfree was directly above Primeape, flapping her pretty wings happily.

Noctowl was right above her, flying around in circles, crying out excitedly.

“BELL!! BELL!! BELL!!” Weepinbell bounced right next to my head which was struggling for air on the ground.

“DOO! DOOOOO!” Kingdra was shoving her snout against my face, crying nonstop, begging for my attention.

“Primeape…” I choked. “Please… Get off…” My body was weakening in his choking grasp.

“PRIME!! PRIME!!!” Primeape didn’t seem to hear me as he tightened his hold, crying out for joy.

“DOO! DOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

A huge stream of water flew out and slammed into Primeape, throwing him across the room. He slammed into the wall at the other end of the building. Groaning, Primeape rubbed his head and screeched angrily, charging at us.

Inhaling hard, I sat up, blinking repeatedly, trying to regain my very soul back into me. “Gooooooooh!!” I groaned harshly as Kingdra leaped into my lap happily, my arms wrapping around her on instinct.

She rubbed her head under my chin, unaware of her landing weight nearly crushing me.

I turned to Primeape as he leaped into the air and pulled back a fist, rage in his eyes. “Primeape, wait a minute!” I begged desperately.

June continued screaming as she ran throughout the lobby, Porygon-Z continuing to follow her.

*

“Flooooon…” Drifloon’s face turned red and she looked away from me, floating in the air, her appendages lazily swaying at her sides.

“Bal! Baltooooooooooy!!!” Baltoy sang out, spinning rapidly around me, June, and Dugtrio faster than I had ever seen it move in my life, June smiling down at the Pokemon.

“Trio! Trio! Trio!” Dugtrio called up to me from the ground, looking delighted to see me.

June smiled as she stared at my spinning Baltoy, but backed up a couple of feet, being sure not to touch it.

I held my icepack over my stinging right eye and smiled at my last three Pokemon. “Baltoy, Dugtrio, Drifloon, how’ve you all been?” I knelt down and waited for Baltoy to stop spinning, but it picked up speed and became a blur I couldn’t keep my eyes on. I sighed with a smile, turning to Dugtrio. “Come here, you! I haven’t seen you in way too long!” I wrapped my arms around his dry skin. “You been okay?”

“Trio! Trio! Trio!” Dugtrio said, his three heads moving up and down in my arms.

I looked up at Drifloon with a smile. “Hey, don’t be shy, now! Come down here and give me a hug, will ya?” I laughed.

Drifloon turned to me slowly, and her face went an even darker red before she turned away, drifting slowly to the ground, her head drooping.

“It’s been like that since it got back here after the Pokemon League,” Prof. Oak said from the screen of the phone near us. “I figured it was just missing you, but it seems even more upset now that it’s with you than when it was here with me.”

“Really?” I got to my feet and stepped over Baltoy’s spinning body, walking over to Drifloon. “Hey, Drifloon, it’s been a couple of years since we last met. Don’t you wanna say hi?” I opened my arms wide and waited, an eager smile on my face.

“Floooon…” She turned around and stared at me, a sad look in her eyes.

“Drifloon? Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked her, concern building up in my chest, my arms dropping.

“Floon,” she said quickly, and she turned her back on me.

“Drifloon?” I turned to Prof. Oak.

June had a sad, worried look on her face.

“Why is she so down? Has she not fully recovered yet? Is she sick or something?” I asked.

“Well, its tests show that it’s fine, but Ghost type Pokemon are quite different from all other types of Pokemon,” Prof. Oak stated. “That is to say, all Pokemon types are very different from one another, but Ghost types throw an entirely different, rather perplex formula into the mix. It’s hard to say exactly what’s wrong with it.”

“Perhaps I should send her back to you, then,” I suggested.

Prof. Oak nodded with a grunt.

“Drifloon, I’m sorry I sent you out here so soon without making sure you were feeling okay,” I apologized to her, reaching out to touch her head.

“Flooooon!” Drifloon floated away from me with a cry and lowered her head down, shivering.

“Drifloon! I’m so sorry! Aw, man. Return. I’ll get you right back to Prof. Oak. You get all the rest you need.” I returned Drifloon before turning back to Dugtrio and Baltoy, and I managed to smile. I returned my icepack back to my burning eye and held out a Poke Ball to Baltoy, who was spinning around an uncomfortable faced June and a blank faced Dugtrio. “You guys, I hope you’re both ready to be on call for me. Once everybody is in pristine shape again, I’ll be alternating between you guys, so be ready, okay?” I nodded at them.

Baltoy finally slowed down to a stop and stared up at me. “Baltoy!”

June quickly stumbled away from my two Ground type Pokemon, leaning against the wall by the phone booth where Prof. Oak was watching us from through the phone screen.

“Trio!” Dugtrio nodded eagerly.

“Come on back, you guys! I can’t wait until we meet again!”

Both Pokemon were returned to their Poke Balls.

I sat at the phone booth and stared at a solemn faced Prof. Oak. “Thanks again, Professor. Sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

“Well, it’s all alright, now, I suppose,” Prof. Oak nodded as we both placed a Poke Ball in the machine to prepare for them to be traded. “Barboach. Tiny, at the water’s edge. Remaining moist is a necessity.”

I’m not calling this guy again, I thought, staring at him weakly.

June’s shriek caused me to drop my icepack into my lap. “What?!” I screamed in fright, turning to her.

“A BRAND NEW, AMAZINGLY DEEP, POEEEEEEEEEM FROM PROFESSOR OAK!!!!” June screeched with delight, and she bumped me out of my seat and sat down, grabbing the sides of the screen, her face pressed up against it. “Can I have another? Can I have another? CAN I PLEASE HAVE ANOTHER POEM, SIR?!?!”

“Um-psshh, hello there, Joan, I-psshh, can’t hear you too well over the-psshh, bad connection,” Prof. Oak said, looking around nervously. “Gary-psshh, you’ll need to use your Pokedex to trade the last three Pokemon, if you’d like-psshh. Can’t hear or see either of you anymore-psshh. Gotta go! PSSSSSHHHHH!!!”

The screen went black.

“Oh, no!” June cried out sadly. “Talk about bad timing! The connection died out!”

“Yeah, bad timing,” I muttered, climbing to my feet, picking my icepack from the floor.

“I wonder what’s wrong with her,” June said, staring at Drifloon’s Dusk Ball sadly.

“I’m sure Prof. Oak will fix her right up,” I said confidently. “Thanks for ruining the call, June.”

“Me? That wasn’t my fault! We have bad service here or something!” June cried.

“Right… Anyway, I’ll just finish this trade with Prof. Oak using my Pokedex,” I said, lifting my icepack to my sore eye.

“You alright, Gary?” June asked me. “I had a feeling that might happen. When Kingdra and Primeape were fighting, getting in the middle of it wasn’t the best idea.”

“Good to know Primeape’s still got such a good right hook,” I sighed wearily.

*

“Spart Town Pokemon Gym. Gym Leader: Row,” I read from a concrete signpost in front of a stone building in front of June and I. “This is it, for sure. Time to get my sixth Badge.”

“I can’t wait to meet Row again,” June said dreamily.

“Huh?” I turned to see June looking up at the building with a big smile on her face. “What’s wrong with you?”

She turned to me and blinked, seeming to snap back to reality. “What? I just want to thank him again for saving us against those Scrafty. You’ll be doing the same thing, right?”

“Oh, yeah. Of course,” I said quickly, and walked up to the stone door of the Gym. “Hmm. Look at this.”

A groove was cut in the door in the shape of a sloppy rectangle.

I grabbed the hole, yanking on the door. “Whoa. It’s pretty sturdy.”

“Maybe we’re supposed to knock, first,” June said.

I used both hands as I pulled harder on the door, grunting in frustration. “Yeah. I guess so.”

Before either of us could move, the door opened a little.

June and I backed away from it, staring at the face of a man in a blue judogi and a black belt around his waist. He had a stern face, opening the door wider, taking a step out of the Gym to stare down at us. With a grunt, he bowed before us.

June and I exchanged quick glances before awkwardly bowing in front of him. “Hey!” we both cried out angrily as our heads slammed into each other. We stood up and traded scowls, rubbing our heads.

The man’s face remained stone cold. “Hello, children. What brings you here to Spart Town Gym?”

“My name is Gary, and I’ve come to battle Row for a Badge,” I answered.

“Is that so?” He grunted, and then nodded. “Please, enter.” He easily pushed the door all the way open and held it for us.

June and I ran inside quickly.

The inside of the building was gray and concrete, as expected, and it smelled of what was inside; sweaty men.

There were two groups of people and Pokemon, six of each species in each group, the people all dressed in a blue judogi, a threaded belt wrapped around their waists. A couple of the belts worn were black, while most of them were purple, the remaining man wearing a yellow belt. Most of the men and Pokemon facing each other were practicing judo with each other. A couple of the pairings were just people or Pokemon, while the others were a mix of a person fighting a Pokemon. The human or Pokemon advanced on the opponent and took them down swiftly to the floor.

There were a total of six other men in blue judogis and black belts, each man standing by a pair of fighters, calling out to the two fighters after they had taken the other down.

The fighters would then release each other and climb to their feet, take a moment to adjust their outfits, and then advance carefully at each other again.

A man with a blue Pokemon I recognized immediately as the Pokemon that had helped fight off the Scrafty with Row, the Pokemon which Row had also ended up capturing, both wearing a karate gi, were practicing more fast paced karate with each other, trading sharp kicks and punches.

The referee by them didn’t order them to stop, watching sternly as they fought each other.

“Wow!” I held up my Pokedex.

Emboar. The Mega Fire Pig Pokemon. This is Tepig’s final stage. Constantly burning flames surround their neck and shoulders. It will use these flames to set fire to its hands to use moves such as Fire Punch.

Sawk. The Karate Pokemon. This humanoid Pokemon has rocky skin. They are an all male species of Pokemon and can be found in the mountains, secluding themselves, training without sleep.

Throh. The Judo Pokemon. This all male species is unable to stop itself from trying to throw anything bigger than itself. They strengthen their power by tightening their belts made from vines. They are found traveling in groups of five.

Mienfoo. The Martial Arts Pokemon. This Pokemon is very skilled at combat and overwhelms opponents with its flurry of attack styles.

Pignite. The Fire Pig Pokemon and Tepig’s evolved form. The more intense its internal flame is, the faster this Pokemon can move.

Mienshao. The Martial Arts Pokemon. This is Mienfoo’s evolved form. Their long arm fur can be used as a battle whip. It is noted as a very respectful battler.

So it was a Sawk that had helped us out alongside Row with the Scrafty, I thought to myself. Row had captured a Sawk. Is this the same one?

A loud BANG! made June and I gasp and jump as we turned around.

The man who had opened the door for us had released it and it slammed shut. He walked past us, not looking at us, and walked over to the group of fighters who paid no attention to the loud door. The man let out a sharp cry, and the fighters stopped at once, taking a step back from each other.

They bowed silently at each other, and then faced the man, bowing again.

The man bowed back at the fighters.

At once, the fighters, referees, and the man who had opened the door for us, all turned to face us with serious stares, their glistening, sweaty chests heaving strongly from behind their uniforms.

“Hiiii,” June said, fanning herself with one hand, a shy smile on her red face. “Nice to meet you all.” He covered her mouth as a giggle came out from her throat.

Oh, shut up, I thought angrily, glancing at her from the corner of my eye.

A door in the back of the building opened, and a shirtless, muscular man stepped out. He towered over everyone in the room as he walked past the fighters, stopping in front of Throh.

Throh looked up at the man silently.

The man stared back for a short moment before letting out a grunt. He gave the Pokemon a stern nod and then bowed.

Throh bowed before the imposing figure.

The man then turned away and continued past the group. He stopped in front of June and I and bowed before us, and June and I returned his greeting. “You look in even worse shape than the last time we met. I hope you didn’t go back to seek revenge on the Scrafty!”

“No, not at all,” I said, looking away from him, knowing that he was staring at my blackened right eye where I had been punched by my Primeape. “This was due to one of my own Pokemon. A fight broke out with a couple of my Pokemon and I got hit in the process.”

“I see,” Row nodded. “Perhaps you should bring them to my Gym for disciplinary training and respect for one another and their Trainer. You should never have to place yourself in the midst of such unruly behavior.”

“No, that won’t be necessary, thank you. I came here to battle you for a Badge.”

“Ha, ha. Fine. What is your name, eager challenger?” He extended a large, open palm.

“Gary. I come from Pallet Town,” I said, grasping his hand. “Gaaahh!” My hand was instantly crushed in his grasp.

“Like a man, Gary. Like a man,” Row laughed, releasing my hand. “Welcome to Unova.”

Good thing it was my left, I thought, holding up my throbbing hand.

“And the lady?” Row bent down on one knee and extended a hand to her.

June shyly took it and looked into Row’s eyes. “I’m also from Unova. I mean, I’m from the Gringey region. I mean, I’m from Pallet City. No, Gringey City! In Kanto! Ha, it sure is hot in here, huh?” She fanned herself rapidly, gazing at Row.

“I can’t lower the temperature in here,” Row smiled. “But we could battle outside. This building is no place for such a precious young lady as yourself.”

June laughed nervously as Row stood up. “No, no, I can more than handle this. Hee hee.” June looked ready to collapse to the ground, and I knew it had nothing to do with any heat in here. “I’m eager to see you in battle!”

“Well, then let’s get this battle started.” Row turned around and walked close to the end of the room.

A man and a Pignite immediately ran about the room with a piece of white chalk in their hands, drawing something on the ground.

A couple of minutes later, a fresh battlefield had been completely drawn, and I immediately took my place in my spot, Row staring out at me from his spot.

The man who had opened the door for June and I stood just outside of the battlefield, the other Pokemon and humans who had been fighting, at his side in a long line the ended with June closest to Row, an excited smile on her face, her eyes stuck on Row. “This shall be a three-on-three Pokemon battle between Row, the Gym Leader of Spart Town, and Gary, the challenger from Pallet Town in the Kanto region. Only the challenger, Gary, may switch Pokemon. There will be no time limit, and the match will end once one side’s Pokemon are defeated. The Brawl Badge will be at stake. Fight!”

Row bowed before me, and I bowed quickly.

“Here’s one you are pretty familiar with,” Row smiled, grabbing his first Poke Ball. “I caught it where we first met. Scrafty, I choose you!” Row threw his Poke Ball.

“Scraftyyy!” Scrafty shouted, staring at me.

“A Scrafty! Alright, Fighting and Dark,” I acknowledged, grabbing a Poke Ball. “Tranquill, let’s go!” I threw his Poke Ball.

“Trrranquiiiill!” Tranquill flapped his wings as he hovered in the air.

“A Flying type. Quite predictable,” Row smiled, nodding. “You may have the first move, Gary.”

“Excellent! Air Slash!” I ordered.

“Trrrranquill!” Tranquill’s wings glowed light blue and flapped rapidly, sending light blue, saw disc-like energy at Scrafty.

Scrafty’s body flashed while as the Critical Hit damage tossed it off of its feet and onto its back.

“Yes!” I cheered.

“Not so fast,” Row said calmly, and his arms flexed, his muscles glistening. “It’s our turn, now!”

“Oh, my!” June said happily, her hands to the sides of her face as she focused entirely on Row.

“Use your High Jump Kick, right now!” Row called out.

Scrafty lifted its sagging skin that hung around its knees, highly resembling baggy pants, higher on its waist, and hung onto them as it moved at a stunning speed, charging at Tranquill.

“Tranquill, dodge that!” I told him.

Scrafty leaped, its knee glowing red-orange, and slammed it into Tranquill’s stomach.

Tranquill was thrown back by the kick and tumbled over the ground weakly.

“Tranquill, come on! Don’t give up!” I encouraged him.

Tranquill was laying still on his back, gasping heavily, the blow having hit extremely hard.

“Oh, no,” June whispered, staring down sadly at Tranquill.

“Well, that was about what I expected,” Row chuckled.

“That was amazing, Row!” June clapped, turning back to him. “Your Scrafty is incredible!”

“Hey!” I shouted at her.

“Oops…” June muttered, lowering her eyes.

“Tranq…” Tranquill groaned, struggling to get back up.

“Tranquill, don’t push yourself too hard,” I told him. “Take it easy. I know that hit was a lot to take.”

“Tranquill,” Tranquill gasped, pushing himself up onto his talons. “TRAAAAAAAAANQ!” Tranquill cried loudly up at the ceiling. His wings flapped and he hovered shakily in the air.

“This ends here, Scrafty! Thunder Punch!”

“Tranquill, use Roost attack!” I told him.

Tranquill lowered himself to the ground and his body started to glow white as he lost his Flying type that made him weak to Electricity, and he regained his energy.

Scrafty’s punch hit Tranquill just as the glow faded from his body, and Tranquill cawed out in pain as he was tossed back, flapping his wings helplessly as he tumbled on the ground.

“Another Thunder Punch! Really hit it!” Row said strictly.

“Tranquill, use Detect!”

Scrafty pulled back its sparking fist and swung at Tranquill.

Tranquill’s eyes glowed dark blue, and he dodged the attack.

“Scraft!” Scrafty swung another Thunder Punch at Tranquill, but Tranquill dodged it easily. With an angry shout, Scrafty swung multiple Thunder Punch attacks in Tranquill’s direction, but Tranquill’s Detect enabled him to dodge every single swing thrown at him.

“Then High Jump Kick it since it’s just a Normal type! Quickly!”

Scrafty lifted up its sagging skin on the ground again, as if it were pulling up oversized pants, and bent down, its knee glowing again.

“Tranquill!!” Tranquill flapped his wings and soared into the air as Scrafty swung its knee where Tranquill had just been, missing.

His Flying type has returned, I noted.

Scrafty was in the air, holding its knee that sparked with yellow electricity as it took a lot of damage, a consequence of High Jump Kick missing, and it dropped to the floor.

That was when I noticed some sort of hood behind Scrafty’s head.

Scrafty landed on the ground, grabbing its knee, its face scrunched up in pain.

“Fine, we’ll use Feint Attack! We can’t miss!” Row was starting to sound impatient and angry.

“Tranquill, quickly, get behind it and yank that hood over its face!” I called up to him.

Tranquill soared down as Scrafty weakly got to its feet.

Scrafty turned around and glanced up in shock as Tranquill flew past it, and it was yanked backwards! “Scraft! Scraft! Scraft! Scraft! Scrafty!” Scrafty was being pulled around the battlefield by its hood helplessly, kicking its feet out, grabbing at its hood as it began to choke! “Scraft! Scrafty!”

“Do it, Tranquill!”

Tranquill reversed his flight and yanked the hood down over Scrafty’s head.

“It’s right in front of you! Thunder Punch it!” Row’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “Come on, Scrafty!”

Scrafty’s fists sparked with electricity, but its blows missed Tranquill as it punched blindly.

“Air Slash, once more!”

Tranquill released Scrafty and the Pokemon slid on the ground on its stomach, its hood still covering its head. Tranquill then attacked with Air Slash, causing Scrafty to cry out, and it finally stopped moving.

“Tranquill has defeated Scrafty!” the referee said firmly, raising an open hand in my direction.

“YEAH! That was great, Tranquill! Way to go! Keep it up!” I said excitedly, trembling with excitement.

Tranquill yelled out happily as he flew high, nearly touching the ceiling.

“Awww, man! Don’t worry, Row! You’ve got two more!” June clapped. “You can do it!”

She’s asking to stay in Spart Town if she keeps this up, I glared at her. “Hey! Who’s side are you on, anyway?” I shouted at her.

“Gah! Um…” She stared at me with wide eyes, as if she had no idea I had been here all this time. Laughing nervously, she said, “That was a great win, Gary! Yay… Ha… Ugh…” She lowered her head sadly.

The other men and Pokemon stood at attention, not moving, reacting, or showing any emotion as they focused on the battlefield.

Scrafty managed to its feet and stood up straight, bowing before my Tranquill, and then it walked out of the battlefield and stood next to the line of other Pokemon and people watching the battle.

“Tran?” Tranquill spoke, confused, staring after Scrafty.

“Bow, Tranquill!” I whispered loudly.

“Tranq?” He managed to lower his head awkwardly while flapping his wings in the air.

“Well, I guess I’ll be sending out this Pokemon, next,” Row said. “Go, Conkeldurr!”

“Conkeldurr!” the Pokemon said, and rocked the entire Gym as it slammed two enormous, concrete pillars, one in each hand, on the floor on each side of it. The pillars were almost as tall as the Pokemon itself!

Conkeldurr. The Muscular Pokemon. The evolved form of Gurdurr. It uses the massive, concrete pillars to help support its enormous upper body. It is believed to have taught humans how to make concrete over two thousand years ago.

“Crap! That thing looks tough!” I admitted. “Let’s not back down, though! Air Slash, now!”

Tranquill attacked with Air Slash again, the hits cutting into the Pokemon’s body.

Conkeldurr’s body flashed white as the damage hit, but the Pokemon didn’t even flinch against the Critical Hit!

“Well, that looked good, but it doesn’t seem to have done much!” I frowned.

“Tranquill!” Tranquill said sharply at Conkeldurr.

“Use Aerial Ace! Hit it with your best shot!”

“Traaaaaaaaaaan!!” Tranquill flew at Conkeldurr with great speed.

“Block it!” Row said quickly.

“Conkeldurr!” Conkeldurr closed its stone pillars in front of it, and Tranquill crashed into them, cawing painfully, and he dropped to the floor.

“This has lasted long enough! Stone Edge!” Row said fiercely.

Conkeldurr moved its pillars as its body was surrounded by a white light that removed itself from its body and swirled around it in circles of white orbs. The white faded from them as they turned into gray, pointed stones, and with a loud cry from Conkeldurr, the stones shot forward and slammed into Tranquill, tossing him out of the battlefield.

“Conkeldurr has defeated Tranquill!” the referee said strongly, waving an open hand towards Conkeldurr.

“Tranquill!” I ran over to him and knelt down by his side. “Hey! You rest up. You got us pretty far. We’ll take that brute down. Come back!” As I retreated my Tranquill, I wondered what would be best to use against Conkeldurr. Elgyem against a Conkeldurr? Will he be enough? Should I go with something with more power? I thought as I got back to my spot on the battlefield.

“That was so amazing, Row! Your Pokemon are so inspiring!” June gushed like an embarrassing dork.

“Thank you very much, June!” Row smiled at her.

June broke into a fit of giggles as she smiled brightly at him.

The people and Pokemon who had been training in the Gym together remained silent and solemn, awaiting my next Pokemon.

Inspiring? Inspiring?? Oh, I’ll show them both “inspiring,” I thought bitterly. Alright! Let’s give this a shot. I grabbed a Poke Ball tightly in my hand. Type isn’t everything, Gary, I reminded myself. “I choose Darmanitan!” I shouted, tossing his Poke Ball.

“DAAAAARMANITAAAN!” Darmanitan roared.

“Conkeldurr,” Conkeldurr growled.

Come on, Gary, choose something good, I said to myself. Be smart. Swagger is too risky. We need to really smack this thing around with real power! “Darmanitan, let’s attack with Superpower, go!”

Darmanitan’s body was outlined in light blue as he flexed his arms, and his skin stretched out underneath the bulging muscles pressing up against it. Darmanitan roared and charged at Conkeldurr.

“Ha! Match it with your Superpower!” Row said with a challenging smile.

Conkeldurr’s body was outlined in light blue as it flexed its already humongous muscles as well. It released its concrete pillars and reached out for Darmanitan.

Both Pokemon grappled with each other, trying to take the other one down, growling ferociously at each other.

“Take it down, Darmanitan! Don’t give in!” I shouted.

“Conkeldurr, finish it, now!” Row demanded.

Both Pokemon struggled to overpower the other.

Conkeldurr reached with one large hand and clawed at Darmanitan’s face, Darmanitan roaring loudly.

“Fire Punch it! In the gut, Darmanitan! Hit it hard! Don’t let up!” I called out with clenched fists.

“Darrrr…” Darmanitan raised a fist that burst into fire, and he swung at Conkeldurr’s ribs, right underneath the arm that had risen to claw at his face.

Conkeldurr grunted but didn’t flinch from the hit. Suddenly, his entire body erupted into flames. Conkeldurr roared angrily.

“Alright! A Burn, and Conkeldurr’s Attack is lowered from that!” I said, grinning at Row. “We’ve got this! Huh?” My smile vanished.

Row had a big smile on his face. “Ha, ha, ha! Excellent! Much appreciated by both me and my Guts Ability Conkeldurr!”

“Guts Ability?” I pulled out my Pokedex.

Guts. If the Pokemon with the Ability, Guts, is afflicted by Burn, Poison, Paralysis, or Sleep Status ailments, the Attack is boosted. The lessened Attack by Burn does not occur.

“That can’t be!” I shouted in horror, looking up at Conkeldurr and Darmanitan.

“Hammer Arm!” Row instructed Conkeldurr.

Conkeldurr released Darmanitan’s face and raised a large fist above his head. Its entire arm glowed white and slammed down on my Pokemon.

Darmanitan groaned in pain, his eyes shut tight as he struggled to handle the hit.

“CONKELDUUUUUUURRRRRR!!!!!” Conkeldurr shouted at Darmanitan.

“Daaaaaarrrr…MANITAAAAN!!!” Darmanitan roared back, glaring angrily at Conkeldurr.

It’s all or nothing, I realized. We need to land in some serious damage, or this is gonna be a waste of time. We need to hit big, and this is all for Conkeldurr! What else does Row have? “Darmanitan, we need to break free! Get that thing off of you with Swagger!”

Darmanitan’s body glowed red as he glared at Conkeldurr.

Conkeldurr’s eyes flashed red as it became Confused and backed away from Darmanitan.

Alright, now that Conkeldurr is stronger than ever, we are at a huge risk. Here’s another one. “Belly Drum!” I ordered.

Darmanitan roared and slammed his open palms repeatedly against his stomach as his body became outlined in red and he drastically lowered his own health.

“Conkeldurr, Stone Edge!” Row roared.

One more risk. “Darmanitan, Flare Blitz!”

Conkeldurr roared as it fired its stones at Darmanitan.

Darmanitan roared as he became a flying fireball, headed for Conkeldurr.

The stones smashed into Darmanitan, but he kept flying forth, colliding with Conkeldurr.

Conkeldurr flew through the air as Darmanitan forced it backwards, flying into Conkeldurr’s pillars and knocking them over, and they both dropped to the ground.

Both Pokemon remained still, Conkeldurr on its back, Darmanitan on top of it.

“Manitan…” Darmanitan’s body flinched from the recoil damage, and he remained still.

“COOOONKELDURRR!” Conkeldurr roared as its body erupted into flames from the Burn, and then it remained silent.

There wasn’t a movement or sound from anyone. It seemed as if no one was even breathing, my own breath held in my lungs.

The Pokemon and humans who had been training against each other earlier didn’t budge nor show any emotion on their faces, watching the battlefield silently.

“Conkeldurr!” Conkeldurr grunted, bringing a gasp from me, and a happy laugh from Row. It shoved Darmanitan off of it and got to its feet, breathing heavily. “Conkeldurrrrr!” It flexed its arms and heaved, looking down at Darmanitan with its still red, Confused eyes.

“Conkeldurr has defeated Darmanitan!” the referee stated, waving towards Row and Conkeldurr.

“No surprise there! Ha!” Row smiled proudly.

“Okay, good one, Darmanitan! Thank you.” I returned him to his Poke Ball.

“You did it, Row! Congratulations! You are so close to a victory, hon!” June clapped and jumped for joy. She stopped and turned to me with wide eyes, her eyes widening even further when she saw the rage on my face. “Darmanitan did so well! I know you’re last Pokemon is gonna do well, too, Gary! Don’t give up!”

“An interesting strategy, but rather foolish, really,” Row commented, staring at me firmly, grabbing my attention.

I didn’t reply and lowered my eyes to my belt. Elgyem? Is it worth it? Does Row have anything else like Scrafty that’s Dark type? I wondered. Conkeldurr is pretty weak. I need something to take the rest of its energy out, and still handle one more Pokemon. But, who can pull that off? I chose a Poke Ball and enlarged it in my hand, thinking hard. I guess, this is it, I thought as I looked up. I inhaled deeply, building confidence within myself, and I tossed the Poke Ball. “Palpitoad, go!”

“Palpitooooad!” Palpitoad gurgled as he appeared.

“Ha ha, alright, then! A Palpitoad!” Row said with a smirk.

“Rain Dance, now!” I told Palpitoad.

“Palpitoooad!” Palpitoad’s body was outlined in blue as he leaped into the air, flailing around and then landing. He repeated this action a couple more times before his final jump, which was when he hovered in the air, and the blue around his body removed itself. With a sharp POP! it began to rain in the Gym, Palpitoad bouncing excitedly, sped up by the rain.

“Conkeldurr, Superpower should be more than enough! Do it!” Row said sharply.

Conkeldurr flexed its muscles out of proportion and roared as it charged at Palpitoad.

“Palpitoad, watch out!” I screamed in a panic.

Palpitoad was punched and tossed back, sliding along the ground on his back. He slowly managed back to his feet.

“Hydro Pump attack!” I shouted quickly.

Palpitoad sent out a large flow of water from his mouth and shoved Conkeldurr back a few feet.

Conkeldurr bent down on one knee, glaring at Palpitoad. “CONKEEEEELLLL!!!” it roared as the Burn kicked in, and it dropped.

“Palpitoad has defeated Conkeldurr!” the referee declared, waving his palm at me.

Conkeldurr got to its feet and bowed before Palpitoad before stumbling out of the battlefield.

“Toooad?” Palpitoad gurgled in confusion.

“Bow, Palpitoad,” I whispered to him.

“Toooooad?” He turned to me, but then faced Conkeldurr and bowed.

“Well, what do you know,” Row said softly. “I guess I’m actually down to my last Pokemon after all.”

“Yours is in much better shape than Gary’s Palpitoad! Don’t worry! That Superpower really took Palpitoad’s health down!” June called out to him lovingly.

“June! One more stinking word and you’re staying in Spart Town! And I’m not playing around anymore!!” I raged at her. “SHUT UP ALREADY!!”

June covered her mouth and lowered her head, nodding.

I angrily turned to Row.

He stared awkwardly from June to me. “Well, let’s proceed, then, shall we? My last Pokemon is going to be Seismitoad! GO!” He threw a Great Ball.

“Seismitoad?” I gasped.

“Seismitoad!” Seismitoad cried out at my Palpitoad.

Palpitoad croaked in surprise at his evolved form.

“That’s right. Seismitoad,” Row nodded, crossing his arms over his beefy chest. “And thanks for the Rain Dance. We both share the Swift Swim Ability.”

“Just great,” I muttered. “Palpitoad, we can still do some big damage! Hydro Pump, now!”

Palpitoad attacked with Hydro Pump, but Seismitoad vanished to the side of the battlefield, dodging the attack swiftly.

“The damn toad is too fast,” I growled, glaring at it. “Bubblebeam to slow down its Speed!”

Palpitoad attacked with a stream of bubbles, but Seismitoad dodged them again without any trouble.

“Keep moving! Mud Shot!” I shouted desperately.

“You know what’s one thing I like about Seismitoad over Palpitoad?” Row asked calmly, a sinister grin on his face.

Palpitoad stuck out his long tongue and it glowed yellow.

“Huh?” I glared at Row suspiciously.

“Grab it!” Row ordered.

Seismitoad was blindingly fast, and the next thing I knew, it was holding my Palpitoad’s tongue in its hand, the yellow glow gone!

Palpitoad choked hard and struggled, crying out as Seismitoad held him up in the air by just his tongue!

“Hey! Cut that out! Let him go!” I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! It was frustrating and completely embarrassing.

Even June let out a gasp as she watched this.

“And that’s not even the best part!” Row laughed. “You can’t do this move as a Palpitoad! Drain Punch!”

Seismitoad made a fist that became surrounded by a green orb. It swung into Palpitoad’s stomach, making him gurgle painfully as his energy was sapped from him. When the attack ended, Seismitoad dropped Palpitoad onto the floor.

Palpitoad trembled on his back, turning over to his side, groaning in a lot of pain.

“The little guy’s got spirit, for sure, but that’s nothing another Drain Punch can’t take care of. Let’s go!” Row watched expectantly as his Pokemon pulled back another fist and swung at Palpitoad.

“Palpitoad, get up!” I pleaded helplessly. “PALPITOAD!!”

Palpitoad cried out loudly as Seismitoad’s fist swung at his body to finish him off. Suddenly, his body was covered in a blinding light. A white stream of light reached out from Palpitoad’s body and blocked Seismitoad’s punch, holding its fist still!

Seismitoad cried out in shock, staring at its fist as the green orb of energy disappeared.

“What in the world?” Row cried out in disbelief.

The Pokemon and people who had been training in the Gym, silent all this time, had actually let out a collective gasp of surprise, their faces stunned as my Palpitoad began to evolve!

“Palpitoad!!!” I shouted, watching in amazement, a smile spreading across my cheeks.

Palpitoad’s body grew larger, and his form shifted as he appeared to elongate himself. Another white beam reached out from his other side. The light on his body exploded in bright sparkles. “Seiiismitooooad!” my Seismitoad cried out.

Row’s Seismitoad was shocked as he stared at my Seismitoad.

“Now, how about we try that Hydro Pump, one more time!” I said with a smile.

“Seismitoad! Seis?” Row’s Seismitoad tried to move out of the way as my Seismitoad inhaled deeply, but my Pokemon tightened his grip on Row’s Seismitoad’s hand and, with a determined glare, blasted Row’s Seismitoad across the field. It dropped to the ground and shook its head as the rain finally let up and stopped.

“On your feet! Drain Punch, now!” Row commanded.

Row’s Seismitoad ran at mine and punched him in the stomach, my Seismitoad croaking loudly in response. Row’s Seismitoad shouted at mine energetically, triumphantly, its health having been restored.

“Now, let’s end this battle with our own Hydro Pump!” Row said seriously.

“Hang in there, Seismitoad! Just take this one!” I told him.

June gasped. “Gary!”

This might not work, but it’s our best chance to combat this thing’s Drain Punch, I thought.

My Seismitoad stood still and was blasted by his opponent’s powerful Hydro Pump.

I can only hope it recovered enough energy by evolving, I thought, gritting my teeth.

My Seismitoad slid on his back, tumbling over and stopping on his stomach.

“I can’t even imagine what you were thinking there, Gary,” Row spoke, his stern eyes on mine.

“A desperate move for a desperate time, Row,” I shot back. “Flail attack!”

My Seismitoad’s hands clenched tightly at the floor before spreading open, his legs bent underneath him at the knees, and he leaped forward, slamming into Row’s shocked Seismitoad, Row with a matching look on his own face, and his Seismitoad was taken down to the ground.

My Seismitoad stumbled off of Row’s, breathing weakly.

“Hydro Pump!” I screamed out.

“HYDRO PUMP RIGHT BACK!!!!” Row bellowed.

Row’s Seismitoad struggled to get up and fired a Hydro Pump just as my Seismitoad’s Hydro Pump was ready to land. His Seismitoad managed to hold back my Seismitoad’s Hydro Pump, although my Seismitoad’s attack was mere inches from its face.

“Not good enough!” Row called out challengingly, smiling.

My Seismitoad cried out strongly.

Row’s Seismitoad gurgled back angrily. “Tooooooooooad!!!” It called out as my Pokemon’s stream of water overtook it and smashed into its face, dropping it to the ground.

“Seismitoad, get back up!!” Row shouted angrily. “Get up, now!!”

His Seismitoad remained motionless.

He slammed his foot to the floor and roared at the ceiling. “SEISMITOOOOOOOOAD!!!”

“Seismitoad has defeated Seismitoad. Gary and Seismitoad are the winners of this match!” the referee said, waving to me.

“Seismitoad, we won!!!” I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around his body. “Seismitoad, yes! Yes! YES! We won our sixth Badge! WE WOOOOON!!!”

“Toad! Seismitoad!” Seismitoad hugged me back.

“Badge number six! We’re almost there, now! Thank you! Thank you!” I released Seismitoad and tossed my five Poke Balls to the floor, sending out my other Pokemon.

“Cooottonee!” Cottonee sang.

“Tranquill!” Tranquill said weakly, sitting on the floor.

“El!” Elgyem said to me.

“Excadriiiiill!” Excadrill shouted at me.

“Darmanitan…” Darmanitan gasped tiredly, but he stood on his feet and looked up at me.

“Hey! We won, guys! We got our sixth badge!!”

My Pokemon cheered around me, and I knelt down to hug Darmanitan and Tranquill, thanking them for their hard work.

“Well, if you’re gonna celebrate, celebrate the right way,” a voice said, making us all turn around.

Row stared down at us solemnly, his fellow group of Pokemon and people standing side by side behind him, Row’s tired looking Seismitoad, Conkeldurr, and Scrafty in line as well. He bowed before me, the others behind him bowing as well. He stood up straight and held out his fist, and it opened before me.

The Badge in his palm was brown, in the silhouette of a man in a fighting stance with a black belt around his waist.

I bowed as I took the Badge from his hand. “Bow!” I whispered loudly at my Pokemon.

They all looked at me as if I were crazy, but followed by orders, bowing, and they slammed their heads into each other. They stumbled back, Cottonee shaking his head while the other five rubbed their heads, all of them glaring at each other.

I sighed and shook my head at them. “Anyway, we did it! The Brawl Badge is ours!”

My Pokemon all cheered as I held the Badge in the air.

“That was pretty good, Gary,” June said as she walked over to us.

“Well, thanks, I guess,” I said, staring at her seriously. “But, be careful. You’re getting kind of close to Seismitoad and Excadrill. They are Ground types, you know.”

June sighed and lowered her eyes. “Yeah, I know.” She looked over at Excadrill, and then quickly looked over to Seismitoad, her eyes stuck on him. “Hey, there.” She managed a slow smile.

Seismitoad gurgled and looked down.

“Listen, I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you since you first evolved,” June apologized to him. “I mean it. I’d never want to hurt a Pokemon’s feelings. I only want to get closer to them all. Even Gary isn’t a big fan of Bug types, so, when he gets all weird around my Galvantula, I know she’s hurt, and I’m hurt that he doesn’t like her due to something she can’t control, and I’m hurt that she’s hurt, too. But, before we came to Unova, I got to see him get really close to a couple of his own Bug type Pokemon.”

My mind flashed to Butterfree and stuck with Beedrill for just a moment.

June stepped closer to Seismitoad and knelt down in front of him, looking back and forth repeatedly from Seismitoad to Excadrill. “I want to get closer to you two, just like Gary did with his Butterfree. And his Beedrill.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I held back the emotion that immediately started to fill me from my chest upwards, and down my entire body as well.

“I want to be friends with all Pokemon, regardless of their types,” June smiled. “It’s what I feel my gift to communicate with Pokemon is all about. Reaching out to all the Pokemon in the world! I love all Pokemon. Period. I guess I’m just a little overprotective of my Electric types, and, since you’re both part Ground type, you can resist my most favorite moves. It’s pretty silly, and I’m really sorry for being so stupid. I just want us to all be friends!” Her gaze froze on Seismitoad. “Like we were before you evolved. You remember that, right?”

Seismitoad gurgled sadly at June, nodding.

June smiled. “I still consider you a good friend of mine, you know. I don’t want to ruin that.” She looked over at Excadrill. “You, too, Excadrill. Let’s try to take this one day at a time, okay? If you’re willing. Or even if you’re not willing, I seriously am, and always will be. Can you both forgive me and try to work with me? Please? As friends?” She stared at Seismitoad pleadingly and extended one hand out to him, her other hand reaching out towards Excadrill.

Seismitoad gurgled as he stared at June, but he didn’t move.

Excadrill stared solemnly at June, not moving an inch or making a sound.

June sighed and lowered her head. “I understand. I’m truly so sorry,” she said sadly. Her hands dropped.

“Toad…” Seismitoad moved swiftly and caught her hand, taking June by surprise, causing her to cry out. “Seismitoad.” My Pokemon smiled and nodded.

“Oh, that’s just wonderful! Thank you, sweetie!” With a happy cry, she wrapped her arms around Seismitoad and hugged him.

“Toad! Toad!” Seismitoad hugged her back.

“Cadrill…” Excadrill took a couple of steps towards June and placed a claw on her shoulder.

June gasped and turned towards Excadrill. “And you, Excadrill?”

“Excadrill!” Excadrill nodded happily.

“Oh, goodness me!” June’s eyes glittered with tears as she pulled Excadrill into a hug, Excadrill hugging her in return.

“Well, this sure is nice, but we have to get back to our training,” Row said with a warm smile.

“Oh! Sorry to interrupt!” I said. “Come on, everyone, let’s beat it!”

“Oh, Row, I’m so sorry for your loss! You were so close, too!” June cried sorrowfully.

I had to blink my eyes repeatedly as I realized that June was no longer hugging Excadrill.

Excadrill’s arms were in the air, wrapped around a presumably invisible person, where June had been in his arms. My Pokemon cried out in confusion and looked around.

I spotted June and my shoulders slumped.

She had one arm around Row’s waist, her other hand smoothly rubbing against his cut abs, her head resting against his well defined chest.

Row turned to me, an uncomfortable look on his face.

“Okay, bye, June,” I said moodily, walking towards the front door. “I warned you.”

“Wait! I was just saying goodbye, Gary!” June whined.

I stopped at the door and turned around, my Pokemon with me.

June was looking into Row’s eyes, Row staring back, rubbing the back of his head as he stared at her awkwardly.

“June!” I barked.

“Okay, okay!” June grumbled as she walked away from Row and stopped near me, giving me a dirty look.

Row and the other Pokemon and people stared at us, smiling.

I smiled and nodded at Row. “That was a great battle.”

Row nodded. “Thanks.”

I sighed happily. “See ya around!” I waved, and turned to the door of the Gym, ready to leave.

“Hey, kid!” Row called out.

I turned to him in surprise.

“Catch.” Row tossed a Poke Ball at me with one hand.

I caught it with both hands and looked down at it in surprise. I looked up at Row, dumbfounded and confused.

Row’s smile widened and he snickered. He, along with the other Pokemon and people behind him, bowed at us one last time.

I stared down at the Poke Ball and a smile spread across my face.

June, me, and my Pokemon bowed back.

The Poke Ball in my hands glowed in a bright, white flash before disappearing.

As it was sent to Prof. Oak.