I can’t believe this, I thought as my head turned from side to side, scanning the location I was now traveling through. Is this really the Village Of Dragons?

There weren’t a lot of houses, but the few that dotted the area were made of wooden planks. Strange, painted designs were on every side of the houses and on the roofs, as well. Most of the land was made up of grass and a few trees and shrubs. There were only a couple of people walking by. There were also some Dragon type Pokemon who strolled past us or were sleeping in the grass. In the far distance were icy mountains that were high enough to poke the clouds in the night sky.

Am I really back here? I thought to myself. Have I truly been here before? Yes. There’s no doubt that I have. But, how?

“This place has such a totally peaceful aura!” Courtney sighed happily. “Just look at all the Dragon type Pokemon! And this place is so cute, too! I almost feel like I want to just stay here forever! Who knew Dragons could be so peaceful?”

It’s been… Years… Memories were flooding my head even faster the deeper my feet carried me through this place.

“All Pokemon can be peaceful,” June said with attitude, watching a Bagon sniff at the ground and then look up at her. She smiled at the Pokemon as it looked away from her and walked off.

Marcus… I remembered.

“I know. I just mean, like, when is the last time you’ve seen a Dragon like that, which looks so threatening, but feel so safe and at ease?” Courtney pointed at a Salamence laying lazily in the grass, keeping its eyes on us calmly.

The Pokemon then closed its eyes slowly.

“I mean, that’s just beautiful,” Courtney commented.

June didn’t seem to have a response to this, and she just lowered her eyes as we traveled the dirt path.

A Fraxure was chasing an Axew in the grass while a Gible sat on the ground, a large boulder in its gaping mouth as it gnawed on it determinedly.

The Village Of Dragons, I thought to myself as my eyes swept over the area. It’s not much different than I remember it. Then again, what do I really remember about it? An old man? Me and my mom, dad, and sister walking this exact same path?

Me, my mom, my dad, and Melissa…

My mom and dad chatting with Marcus while me and my sister happily looked around at all the Pokemon, all of us walking down this exact same path…

A loud, angry cry made me jump, and I looked up into the sky at the noise, June crying out, and Courtney gasping.

“It’s a Dragonite!” I pointed, and I stumbled backwards.

The Dragonite flew down at us swiftly, headfirst, a threatening glare on its face. Quickly, its feet switched places with its head and it descended to the ground, landing heavily.

I heard the grunt of Dragons in the area as the peace was disrupted.

Courtney pulled out her Pokedex as she and June backed up quickly.

Dragonite. The Dragon Pokemon. This is Dragonair’s evolved form. This Pokemon lives by the sea, and an island is believed to exist somewhere that is inhabited by only Dragonite. This Pokemon is highly intelligent and very altruistic, although an infuriated Dragonite is said to be very destructive and will attack in a blind rage.

Dragonite growled dangerously, glaring down at us.

“Wow. That thing sure does look mean,” Courtney said nervously, slowly slipping her Pokedex back into her pocket. “Do you think it’s gonna attack?”

Dragonite grunted and its eyes shifted to Courtney.

Courtney cried out in fright.

“Don’t worry, children. That Dragonite belongs to our Gym Leader, Iris,” a voice spoke out in a familiar accent. “You’re completely safe. He won’t harm you.”

The four of us turned and saw a man walking towards us.

My eyes were instantly locked on him.

The man held a white, wooden cane in his right hand, walking towards us quickly. On his face was a huge, white beard that was perhaps a short version of Santa Clause’s. The silver hair on top of his head displayed black streaks through it as well. His outfit was a fairly raggedy, brown, button up shirt, a black pair of pants, and black sneakers. His blue eyes, as deep as the sea, glanced over me and my friends for a moment before glancing at Dragonite with a smile. “Now, now, Dragonite. It’s okay. These children couldn’t possibly pose any threat against you. Take it easy, alright?”

Dragonite turned to the old man, but he quickly looked back at us and let out an angry noise.

This is the Dragonite of Iris? The Gym Leader? I wondered, looking up at the imposing Pokemon. Crap! I’m expected to beat this thing?

Dragonite’s eyes shifted over to me, and my heart stopped.

I swallowed nervously, and before I even realized it, against my will, I took two steps back. No, Gary! I shouted in my head. Why did you do that? You can’t let this thing intimidate you like that!

“Wow…” I just barely heard June whisper.

The old man walked up to Dragonite and stood in front of him. He crossed his arms and turned to us, keeping his smile.

My eyes were once again locked on him.

The man looked from June, to Courtney, to me. His smile faded immediately as his eyes widened, staring at me. He blinked repeatedly.

It’s him… I knew. And he recognizes me.

The man’s eyes remained on me. “Bairns…” he spoke to us in a barely existing Scottish accent. He wiped at his nose. “Who are you three?” His eyes never left mine.

“M-my name is June,” June answered hesitantly.

“I’m Courtney, looking for Iris for a Pokemon battle!” Courtney said. “Is this really her Dragonite?”

“Gary,” I nodded, keeping my eyes on the man I was sure I knew.

The man continued staring at me. Slowly, a smile crossed his face. “Well, as if I didn’t know it was you.” He walked over to me slowly and stopped in front of me. With his left hand, he reached out and gripped the side of my face, pinching my cheek.

“Ow! Come on!” I cried out.

“Gary, my boy! How long it’s been!” He released my face and gripped my shoulder hard, pulling me in and then releasing me just to wrap me up with his left arm in a hug. “Gary, I cannot believe this! You’ve actually returned! It’s been ages!”

“Marcus, I know,” I smiled, hugging him back, trying to match his powerful grasp on me. “It’s good to see you again.”

Marcus let go of me and stared up at me with a weak smile and longing sadness in his eyes. He was just a few inches shorter than me. “Gary, how have you been, lad? How has life been for you?”

“It’s been…” I paused, meaning to finish the sentence with “great.” Sadly, the false word refused to come out. For anyone else, I was sure I would have been able to answer that question with a pleasant lie. But not with Marcus.

Marcus’s face got a little more serious, his eyes tightening. “What brings yah back here, lad? I’ve heard well that yah’ve become a Pokemon Trainer. I heard of your travels in Kanto, as well.” Marcus gripped my shoulder again, staring strongly into my eyes. “Gary, I heard yah barely survived.”

I stared back at him, unable to just shake off the truth of his words. I was never able to when it came to Marcus.

He seemed to always be aware of the truth, and drew it out of you against your will with his steel blue eyes.

All I could do was nod. I already knew I didn’t have to explain anything. I knew that Marcus was well aware of what had occurred.

We were both on the same page.

Marcus nodded at me and gave me a strong shake, finally releasing me.

I still couldn’t believe it was Marcus in front of me. I couldn’t even believe I was back in the Village Of Dragons after all this time.

Marcus looked behind him at Dragonite and smiled. “Go on, now. Nothing more for you to see, here.” He rubbed Dragonite’s belly slowly.

Dragonite grunted angrily, but with a nod, he turned and stomped away.

Marcus turned back to us. “So, again, Gary, what brings you back here? I see that you’re here with a couple of lasses this time,” Marcus chuckled, turning to the girls. “I might be reaching outside of my limits by calling them both your girlfriends, but surely one of them…”

I sighed wearily and lowered my head. “Neither of them are my girlfriend, Marcus.” At this point, I was beyond exhausted of that question.

“What?? Two beautiful young girls by your side, and you’re not with either of them??” He looked at both girls with shocked, wide eyes. His eyes reverted back to me. “Are they dating someone else?”

“One is,” I sighed impatiently, covering my face with one hand, and my other hand waved lazily at Courtney.

“And this beautiful, fiery haired lass? She’s available to you?” Marcus exclaimed.

“Marcus!” I shouted at him, my face burning up as my hand dropped from my face.

“Well, I know very well you don’t already have a girlfriend,” Marcus told me simply.

My teeth tightened against each other. Gee, thanks, I thought angrily, scowling.

“And you’re traveling with this incredible looking young lass, and are not dating her? I mean, you’re not a… not… good looking kid, Gary.”

What does that mean?? I thought, feeling hurt by his words.

It seemed like he was just trying to be nice.

I already knew I wasn’t a great looking kid to begin with! I almost wanted to cry at this point, being so embarrassed in front of my friends. We never should have come here, I thought sadly. I just knew it!

“What, have you gone gay, my boy?” Marcus questioned.

Courtney burst out laughing behind me.

“NO!” I shouted desperately, my fists tightening at my sides. “Will ya stop already??”

June giggled by my side, covering her mouth with her hands.

I turned to her angrily.

She looked up into the sky and lowered her hands, but she shivered as she smirked, snickers escaping from her.

Courtney continued laughing as I glared at her.

“Marcus, we came here to battle Iris, the Gym Leader,” I said to Marcus with a sigh. “Is she around to battle?”

“Aaahhh… So you’re traveling through Unova to collect Badges, eh?” Marcus nodded approvingly. “How many do yah have so far?”

“Um, all eight, but I’m just coming here for a little training and thought I’d get my ninth since there’s still a bit of time before the Conference starts,” I explained.

“Ha ha ha ha ha!! You’ve come to the Village Of Dragons to challenge Iris for training?” Marcus laughed. “Now, that’s quite the jest, lad. Are you unaware that Iris was once the Pokemon Champion of this region?”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I’m not taking her lightly or anything. I just want to kind of test me and my Pokemon out more than anything else. You know, to be sure we’re prepared for all kinds of challenges at the Conference.”

“Aaaah… I see.” Marcus placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it an affectionate, but strong, squeeze. “Eight Badges. Do tell me, how’s your mother been? She must be proud, eh?”

I lowered my eyes to his black sneakers and took in a shaky breath. I couldn’t lie. Not to Marcus. My mouth remained closed as I refused to answer.

“Come to my place for a moment and give her a call, why don’t you?” Marcus offered. “It’s been some time since you last spoke to her, hasn’t it?”

I took a moment to try and remember when the last time was that I had called her. Crap, I thought. I can’t even remember? The last time I recalled speaking to her was way back in Spart Town! But, it couldn’t have been that long ago, could it? I looked up to Marcus. “Maybe a little later,” I muttered.

Marcus stared into my eyes. “Before you leave, okay?”

I wanted to say “no,” but his powerful eyes seemed to hold me still, as if by some kind of telekinetic power. I didn’t answer him.

“Um, excuse me,” June’s voice appeared nervously. “Mr. Marcus?”

Marcus turned to June and smiled warmly. “Yes, lass. Excuse me for my rudeness. It’s been so long since I’ve seen young Gary, here. I was quite pleased to finally see him again and I completely forgot my manners.” He released my shoulder and walked over to June. Marcus nodded and bowed slightly before her and then extended his hand. “My name is Marcus. Just Marcus. No formalities for me, please.”

He’s always been like that, I thought to myself with a smile.

Even when I was younger, he refused to be called anything but Marcus. No “Mister” or “Sir.” Just Marcus.

June took his hand and they shook gently. “It’s so nice to meet you, Sir. I mean, Marcus. I’m June.”

“The honor’s mine,” Marcus nodded once. He turned to Courtney and stepped to her. “Marcus, of course, is my name. I apologize for our late greeting.” He bowed slightly at Courtney and shook her hand.

“It’s really nice to meet you, Marcus. My name is Courtney!” Courtney beamed at him.

“Do you two lasses also have your eight Badges?” Marcus asked them politely.

“I actually have nine Badges, and this is going to be my tenth!” Courtney bragged.

“I’m just here traveling, not collecting Badges,” June said casually, lowering her eyes. “My opinions and feelings not mattering to anyone at all,” she muttered.

“Hm?” Marcus asked June.

Courtney and I stared at June, and I was sure that Courtney had heard June just as clearly as I had.

“Just enjoying the sights and learning about Pokemon Trainer relationships with their Pokemon and how to be a better Pokemon Trainer, myself! Maybe one day I’ll go off on my own journey and collect Badges and compete in a Pokemon League.” June cleared her throat. “And do what I wanna do.” She cleared her throat even louder. “And go where I wanna go.” She hacked loudly.

“Are you okay, there, June?” Marcus asked her with concern.

June smiled and nodded, patting her chest gently. “I’ll be just fine.”

I rolled my eyes, looking away from her as Courtney stared at her in confusion.

“So, Marcus, who are you to Gary?” June asked.

“Yeah! I was wondering that, too,” Courtney chimed in.

Marcus and I exchanged glances for a moment.

With a sigh, the smile on his face turning a little uncomfortable, he answered the girls. “I was a very good friend of Gary’s father. We met maybe twenty years ago or so at Highfront University. I was studying for my profession, a doctor. Gary’s father was studying a similar profession in hoping to become a professor of Pokemon.”

My eyes widened. I never knew that… I thought in awe. Is he serious?

“Oh, wow! So, you’re a doctor?” Courtney asked Marcus.

“Yes,” Marcus nodded. “Gary’s father didn’t manage to complete his required courses, struggling greatly with math, primarily, and he was disheartened to return. Even Denise, his girlfriend at the time, Gary’s mother, was unable to pull him out of his slump, and he simply never returned.”

So, my dad sucks at math, too, I thought. I didn’t fall far from that tree.

“We kept in contact with each other, though,” Marcus said. “We spoke almost every day, either calling each other or meeting up when we were available. He worked a number of jobs, trying to make his way in the world, but refusing to ever return back to school. I think math scared him a bit. He gave it his all. We had studied together, but whenever he seemed to have a grasp on it for a second… it was something you could see on his face. It’s as if it just… slipped away. It’d just vanish. Every time I saw that look, it was devastating for us both. So, in a way, I could understand why he gave up. He made his money, though, him and his girlfriend, and lived happily. They were a beautiful couple! They later moved to Pallet Town, and only a day later, he proposed to her.”

“Awwww!!” June and Courtney squealed.

“That’s so beautiful!” Courtney bounced on her feet.

“How wonderful!” June cried with delight.

“To add to that, it was one month later that they were married, and two weeks after that before…” Marcus turned to me as he paused.

I stared back at him silently.

“…she realized she was pregnant.”

I swallowed uncomfortably and looked to the ground.

Nobody spoke after that.

An Axew walked by us and turned its head as it looked up at us. “Axew.” It looked away and continued walking by.

A loud roar from something above made the four of us look up, and I could see a beast flying, its dark color blended in perfectly with the dark sky.

“Long story short, me and Gary’s father maintained our friendship despite the distance between us, and he visited me here with Gary, Melissa, and Denise a few times,” Marcus told us, drawing back our attention. “Of course, I also visited them when I was able to. Most of the time, we’d call to fill each other in on what was going on in our lives.”

“You mean… Gary’s been here before??” June gasped, turning to me in shock.

Courtney was next to gasp and whip her head in my direction. “You’ve been to this place before??” Courtney exclaimed, her eyes and mouth wide at me. “And you never told me?!”

“Gary, why didn’t you say anything??” June demanded, raising her hands as she shrugged her shoulders. “You’ve been quiet about this all this time?!” She shook her head slowly. “You have been to Unova before, then! You told me you’ve never been here!”

I refused to stare at June or Courtney, glaring at the ground, angry and embarrassed, wishing more than ever that we had never come here.

“Gary hasn’t been here since he was a small child,” Marcus spoke up. “I almost didn’t recognize him at first. Did yah forget about me, Gary? Ha ha ha ha!!” Marcus laughed heartily, leaning on his cane.

I looked up at him and shook my head hard. “No! It’s just… Like you said, it’s been years! I haven’t even thought about this place in so long! I honestly didn’t even know the Village Of Dragons was in Unova! I was in complete shock when we were on our way over here…”

“You have some history here, Gary,” Marcus acknowledged. “A connection, thanks to the friendship of me and your father.”

I closed my eyes, emotions soaking them, and I lowered my head as I nodded.

“That’s really nice that you two had such a good relationship,” June said softly to Marcus.

“Yeah. It’s so sad it ended…” Courtney added.

June shot Courtney a short glare, and even I looked at Courtney for her odd choice of words.

Courtney lowered her head and looked away, possibly regretting what she had said.

“Very sad. Yes…” Marcus was giving me a hard stare. He blinked and shook his head slightly, and his face softened. “Well, anyway, it’s Iris that you all wish to battle, yeah?”

I didn’t answer. I just looked him in his hard, blue eyes.

“Yes! Me and Gary are gonna battle Iris and win the Legend Badge!” Courtney declared eagerly.

“You sure are confident, aren’t yah, lass? That’s good! Good energy!” Marcus said cheerfully. “I’ll happily take you kids to her Gym.”

“Yay! Thank you so much!” Courtney said excitedly.

“Yes. This is very kind of you, Marcus,” June added.

Marcus’ eyes seemed glued to mine for a moment before he turned away from me. “Follow me, then, children.”

Together, we walked, led by Marcus, Courtney and June captivated by the various Dragons around us and the beauty of the village at night.

“Look at the Swablu!” Courtney gushed. “They evolve into Dragon types, too!”

“Look at that little Pokemon!” June pointed.

“That’s a Shelgon! They evolve into Salamence and can fly!” Courtney informed June.

“And look at that Haxorus! She’s so tall!” June gasped.

All the while, I was silent as I lingered behind the others, my head down, disinterested in what they were making such a fuss about.

“Hey! What’s that over there?” June practically shouted.

“Statues?” Courtney asked.

Courtney and June’s feet came to a stop, and I looked up and stopped, too.

Marcus was staring past the girls, his eyes on me. He squinted at me before turning around.

Ahead of us, the dirt road split down a few different ways, and from a distance, I could see two towering statues standing next to each other on a platform. Both the statues and platform were made from white stone.

Marcus turned back to us, beaming proudly. “Well, this is where I live.” He pointed at a house to his left.

It looked very much like the other houses we had seen.

“And much further up lies the elder’s house.”

“The elder?” Courtney asked. “Like, an old person?”

Marcus laughed.

June smirked at Courtney with sympathy and shook her head.

“She indeed is the oldest person in this village, and serves as the matriarch here,” Marcus explained.

“What’s a matriarch?” Courtney inquired.

“Simply put, the oldest female within a community, runs the community,” Marcus said to Courtney.

“Wow! Talk about girl power! We need more of that!” Courtney laughed, bringing out laughter from Marcus.

Even June managed to laugh a little at what Courtney said.

I refused to crack a smile. I wasn’t even in the mood to talk.

Marcus’ laughter faded as his eyes landed on me again. “And, as you’ve all noticed, right up ahead are the statues of the Legendary Pokemon of Unova, Zekrom, the Dragon representing ideals, and Reshiram, the Dragon who represents truth. These Legends are held in high regard in this village. A little ways further up, you’ll probably run into Iris. There’s a beautiful lake that she loves to battle by. Or, perhaps you’ll face her a little deeper in the woods. Wherever she decides.”

“Then, let’s go already!” Courtney jumped in the air, bursting with excitement. “I wanna see that statue!”

Marcus walked past Courtney and June and stopped by me, a stern look on his face. “Yes. That’s a good idea,” he said, not taking his eyes off of me. “Perhaps it would be best if you two went ahead and found her yourself.”

Confusion spread across my face as I stared at Marcus.

“I think Gary and I have some things to discuss.” Marcus was focused on me.

“Huh?” Courtney stared at Marcus and I. “What do you mean?”

Marcus placed one hand on my shoulder and smiled. He turned to Courtney. “It’s been a really long time since I’ve seen this young man. I feel like there are some things we need to get off of our chests. Privately. I’m sure that Iris will be enough of a challenge for you, and that you’re more than strong enough to hold off Iris’ Pokemon long enough that, when you return here, Gary and I will be done with our little talk, and we can all go and see his battle with Iris, next.”

“I can wait! We can all stay together and talk, and then all go off to Iris together and battle her!” Courtney suggested. “Hey! What are you doing, June?”

“Thank you, Marcus, for showing us around,” June smiled, pulling Courtney back by her shoulders as Courtney struggled to get out of her grip. “We’ll be sure to find Iris by ourselves, and we’ll be back after a decent amount of time.”

“Why can’t we stay together?” Courtney squirmed in June’s hands. “June, stop it! Why are you doing this? What’s going on?”

June easily continued pulling Courtney back, a few Pokemon in the area, including, to my surprise, a couple of Patrat, watching the two girls who were making so much noise.

“Can I at least get a good luck hug before the battle???” Courtney called, reaching out to me.

Feeling the hard stare behind me, I turned to Marcus.

Silently, he released my shoulder and walked to the front door of his house. He held the door open and turned to me. Marcus then gave me a slow nod.

I hesitated for a moment before I found myself able to step towards him, and I walked to the front door and stopped, looking inside.

The house had several button up shirts on the floor along with a couple of pairs of black pants, and a pair of black shoes on their sides. Three wooden chairs sat in the middle of the small room, and there were three open doors against the walls.

Beyond one door was a simple kitchen with a white fridge and metal sink visible from where I stood. The sink was full of dirty dishes.

The second door was shown to contain a bedroom, also a mess, with clothes and dirty plates everywhere. Even on the floor. A tiny TV sat on the edge of the bed, someone speaking from it.

The last door was the bathroom. The floor looked like it was crying for a mop, and an open tube of toothpaste had a line of toothpaste oozing from the opening and smearing the sink top. A can of shaving cream without a top sat near a toothbrush. In the sink laid a razor that needed a good rinsing.

“Heh heh heh,” Marcus laughed, moving quickly to close the bathroom door.

I walked inside of his house and closed the front door behind me.

“Following reports on the missing Mamoswine that mysteriously disappeared from the Pokemon Research Lab in Viprehpan City, the search has finally, but sadly, come to a close,” I heard the voice of a woman speak from Marcus’ TV in his bedroom. “A collection of fifteen Mamoswine were all found decomposing inside of a cave known as Desert Cave, a cave ironically known in Unova for containing quite literally nothing of interest.”

Marcus was now staring into his bedroom, listening to the news from the doorway.

“A foul smell was reported filling the city. Police investigated the source of the odor and were unable to get any closer to the smell that was confirmed to be coming from the cave located to the far west of Viprehpan City. After specialists in gas masks were called in to check out what exactly was going on, they ran out in horror, reporting that the cave was being heated by some kind of mechanical device that was purposely placed in the cave. The Mamoswine were found chained to the cave and unable to break free, where the Ice type Pokemon were left to die. Though Mamoswine are able to handle warmer temperatures, prolonged exposure can be critical to their health, and it’s being reported that the temperature in the cave neared one hundred and fifty degrees and rising by the time the Pokemon were located. The Pokemon, whose species has dwindled greatly since the end of the ice age, are suspected to be victims of Team Solace, but as of right now, there is no evidence confirm-”

Marcus had walked over to the TV and cut it off. Sighing, he left the room and closed the door behind him. He walked over to the kitchen and stopped at the doorway. “Um… I’ll grab us some cups of water. Take a seat, lad.” He walked into the kitchen.

I sighed and turned to the three chairs, but I didn’t feel like sitting. Not anymore. Not after what I’d just heard on the news.

Desert Cave.

Several Mamoswine were left to die in conditions that would have burned out most humans, let alone Ice type Pokemon.

I suddenly wasn’t feeling so well, and I decided to stumble over to one of the chairs and I sat down in it with a relieved sigh, my stomach churning nauseously.

Marcus came out of the kitchen with a tall glass of water. He held it out to me and I took it slowly.

I sipped from my cup gingerly, staring into the crystal clear liquid.

Marcus quickly walked back into the kitchen and came out shortly with a second glass of water. He groaned as he carefully sat down in a chair across from me, resting his cane next to him, and he drank heavily from his glass before he lowered it onto his knee, half of his cup now empty. He inhaled deeply and exhaled loudly, and his eyes lifted to the ceiling. “A damn shame what those crazy bastards are doing to the Pokemon,” he spoke gruffly.

I turned my eyes to the floor and simply nodded, my heart beating from the anger in his voice.

“Let’s take our minds off of it for now,” Marcus suggested, easing his tone. “You’ve dealt with them enough, as it is. It really is good to see you again, Gary.”

“Thanks,” I said in a voice lower than a whisper. I cleared my throat to speak louder. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad we got to meet again.”

“What is it you wish to tell me, Gary?” Marcus asked.

I looked up and saw his eyes, feeling the pull from them that insisted on me opening up to him.

Marcus always did this. Not just to me, but to everyone he spoke to. He always had a way of communicating with people with just his eyes, and once he did that, there was no fighting him. It was as if he knew what you were going to say long before you said it, but he wanted you to say it anyway.

I swallowed hard, inhaling and exhaling shakily, and I lowered my eyes. My heart was beating so hard, I felt ready to throw up.

“It’s about your sister, isn’t it, Gary?” Marcus insisted.

How does he do that? I wondered as I swallowed again.

“And your father, too,” Marcus added.

“You know what happened to them, don’t you?” I asked, looking up to him.

Marcus stared at me, but he didn’t answer.

“You do know…” I realized, my eyes widening.

“Gary, why did you come to Unova?” Marcus asked.

“NO!” I set my glass on the floor and got to my feet, glaring at Marcus. “What happened to them? What happened to my dad? Why is he dead? Why is Melissa in Unova?”

Marcus’ eyes widened and his glass fell from his hand.

The glass didn’t break, but the contents spilled on the floor.

“Wh-wh-what did you just say?” He gulped. “Melissa is where?”

“Melissa is in the Unova region, Marcus!” I said strongly.

“That’s impossible, Gary.” Marcus shook his head. “You must be mistaken.”

“I held her!!” I shouted angrily, stepping towards him. “Me and June both found her, and we held her, and fed her, but she’s really sick right now! I think she’s losing her mind! I lost her in the woods, and I haven’t seen her since!”

“How did you find her? When??”

“It was months ago. June and I were heading to Spart Town, and we found her in the woods, surrounded by some people who were bothering her or something. She’s lost her memory or something. She doesn’t have any idea how she wound up in Unova, or where her Pokemon have gone, and she was petrified of me!”

“Dementia…” Marcus muttered, lowering his eyes, furrowing his eyebrows thoughtfully.

“Excuse me?” I cried angrily.

Marcus looked me in my eyes. “Gary, sit down, please.”

“NO! I wanna know what you know! Tell me! What do you know about my dad and sister, Marcus?” I demanded.

“Sit down, Gary!!” Marcus barked.

His tone caught me off guard, and I stayed quiet and didn’t move. His cold stare didn’t take long to work its way with my body, and as if I was being forced backwards, I slowly took a couple of steps until I bumped into my chair and sat down in it.

“You’re far too emotional, Gary,” Marcus said seriously. “You must relax.”

“Relax about what? I want to know why you won’t tell me what you know about my dad and sister, damn it!”

“Because you’re a young man, Gary! You don’t need to know everything right now!” Marcus was now definitely angry.

His glare was frightening me, but I couldn’t stop. Not if he knew about Melissa. Not if he had information on my dad. “You can’t keep this from me,” I said, keeping my tone low, but strict. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what you know. Where’s Melissa? Why is my dad dead? Just tell me!”

Marcus stared at me intently as he raised his right hand and slowly rubbed his chin. He inhaled through his nose for a while and then exhaled through his nose as well. “You deserve some peace of mind, I suppose. Are you sure you’re ready for this bit of information, though, Gary? This-”

“YES!” My eyes watered up from impatience. “I’m at the end of my life, it feels, Marcus. You don’t understand how any of this feels. It’s terrible! I can’t breathe, or think, or function sometimes! I live in denial and hope, and misery and anger. I want to forget them but I can’t and I don’t want to! I want to accept what’s happened, but how can I when I don’t even know what’s going on? I don’t know why my dad is dead, and Melissa is still out there! How am I expected to just to be okay with all of this? My own sister saw me and wanted nothing to do with me! I haven’t seen her in years, and she thinks we talked just the other day! I can’t keep this up anymore, Marcus! I’m not able to live like this! You’re the only one who can help me now! Why won’t you?! You can’t just expect me to leave here without any answers if you have them!!” As tears flowed down my face, I blinked constantly to keep Marcus in clear view.

Marcus nodded slowly at me. “Your sister is dead, Gary.”

The tears picked up as if they were faucets that Marcus had just raised the pressure on. “But she isn’t…” I croaked.

Marcus kept his gaze on me. “Gary, if, and that is… a fantastic… if… you really saw Melissa in Unova by some incredible miracle... She is suffering from dementia due to a disease she has, and she is dead by now.”

Silence entered the room, an unwelcome guest that made a discussion that was at its peak level of discomfort, reach new heights.

“What disease?” I whimpered, wiping at my eyes as the water continued running from them.

“There isn’t a name for it right now, but I do know that it acts in a very similar manner to acute leukemia.”

This all seemed impossible to me. There was no way. Was there? My sister couldn’t be dead. I’d seen her! I’d touched her!

“The first time I met you and Melissa, you were five, and she was six,” Marcus told me. “I noticed something about Melissa when I first met her. She seemed a little pale, and there were a couple of red spots on her body. It could have been anything, or nothing, but, as a doctor, I asked your dad if I could do a little check up on you kids. I just wanted to be sure you were all okay. He quickly agreed. I took blood samples from you both, and you were the squirmiest little bairn around needles, screaming and carrying on before I had even stuck your hand.” Marcus laughed lightly. “Everything seemed fine with you both, and all that was left was to run a test on the blood, which I did after you all had left. You were fine, but I was confused by what I had found in Melissa.”

I licked my dry lips and fought the urge to look away from Marcus. I had to know everything. He had to tell me to my face, and I had to be sure I understood everything.

“I didn’t really know what I had found, but I immediately knew that it was not good,” Marcus said darkly, lowering his hand from his chin to his lap. “I informed Ron, and he was devastated. He demanded I not tell your mother a thing. It would be our secret until I knew for certain what it was. Your father didn’t want to worry your mother over nothing. It became clear rather quickly that Melissa was suffering from some form of cancer. I updated your dad secretly over the years as I learned more about it, and he would send me pictures of her. She looked fine. Pale and a little thin, but healthy enough. I got to see Melissa a few more times, during visits either from your father or to him. Every time I saw her, I felt so scared for her. I hugged her so delicately, as if she were made of a collection of confetti. She was suffering from something she wasn’t even aware of. None of you knew. But, she seemed just fine. Happy and healthy and just a normal kid.” He paused and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

Keep going, I thought with pain in my heart. Please, don’t stop now! The tears continued to slide down my face, the sadness of what I was hearing supplying my eyes endlessly.

“To this day, Gary, I have no idea what your sister was suffering from.” Marcus sniffled and his eyes opened. He wiped at his eyes as they glistened. “Melissa had always shown an interest in becoming a Pokemon Trainer at a young age, so it was no surprise when she started talking about beginning her own journey when she was eight. Ron explained to her that she had to wait until she was ten, but he told me that he had no intentions of letting his daughter become a Trainer, and that he would figure out some way to deter her from wanting to become a Trainer, even if it meant keeping the both of you from becoming Trainers, which killed him on the inside.”

His choice of words about my dad’s feelings cut me deep.

“Killed him on the inside. Killed him…”

I took a shaky breath and let it out silently.

“I got a lot of useful information thanks to your dad. He kept me informed on Melissa’s health, and everything that was going on. She never had to go to the hospital for anything, thankfully. Though, in my opinion, she did wind up sick more often than I would have preferred. During that time, I worked on a cure, but with such a disease as this one that I was unfamiliar with, nothing sufficient could be created for her. Even to this day, no cure is available to even keep the disease at bay. It’d be appreciated if you kept what I’m telling you about this disease, a secret, mind you. Until I know more about it, I don’t want to spread a public panic, you understand.”

I could only barely nod, my flowing tears finally slowing down.

“It was when your father started informing me of certain things that I began to note all of the similarities to acute leukemia. Small things like her having cold symptoms like sneezing and coughing, to coughing up actual blood in more serious cases, to her skin becoming sensitive to bruising and bleeding easily, sometimes when she was merely bumped into at school. Other times it was just at her father’s touch. He might be playing around with her or grab her arm a little too tightly, and when she would pull away, her arm was bleeding and his hand was coated in blood.”

I jumped at his words and choked.

Marcus stopped talking and stared at me with wide eyes. “Gary? What’s wrong, Gary?”

I was breathing hard now as I remembered when June had asked Melissa about the strange people who had been with her when we had found her.

Melissa had freaked out with a terrifying scream. She then tried to run away and I grabbed her hand, but she broke free and escaped, and my hand was left smeared in blood.

So that’s what happened, I thought as I began to feel my eyes burn up behind fresh tears. Melissa… My eyes finally lowered as I leaned forward, my head facing down, and I could see my tears fall to the floor beneath me.

“Gary, it doesn’t get any easier from here, boy,” Marcus said, pain in his own voice.

I lifted my hand to wipe at my eyes, but my open palm froze in front of me, and I stared at it, reflecting on the fact that my dying sister’s blood had once been on it. “Just finish this already,” I whispered as I wiped my arm across my eyes. I pressed my arm against my eyes and decided that I would cry against it silently for a moment. When Marcus didn’t speak after a while, I got angry and lowered my arm. “Just speak!” I shouted at him, holding back the wave of tears I could feel urging to come out, like a wave of water slamming against the inside of my entire body.

Marcus stared at me solemnly. “Your father died a year before Melissa’s journey began, and he could no longer prevent her from going on her desired quest. And, of course, neither you nor your mother knew what was going on. I have to live with the role I played in that for the rest of my life.”

“Do you know how he died?” I sniffled.

Marcus nodded slowly.

I waited for him to speak.

“Your father loved you, Melissa, and your mother. He loved his family very much, to the death of him. But, he was a very unstable man, in a way that was revealed to me during our time at the university.”

I was glued to every word that came out of Marcus’ mouth as he spoke, so close to finally knowing the truth about everything.

“Your father left you, your sister, and his wife, initially, to seek a cure for Melissa. He believed he could find it and save his daughter. Part of it was out of the obvious desire to save his daughter’s life, but he also told me that it was to allow her to go on her desired Pokemon journey. He wanted that for her, but he would not send her out in that condition. I tried to explain to him that there was no way to cure this disease, yet. I told him that I didn’t even know what it really was. But he wouldn’t hear me out. We got into a really bad argument, and it got physical. That was the last time I saw him. Your mother has been good to keep the means of his death a secret from you, and she herself is a strong woman for living with it all this time.” Marcus rubbed his chin, staring at me. “Suicide isn’t looked at as a disease by many people, Gary.” Marcus stared at me, and silence spoke to us again for a long moment. “When a man can find the love of his life, have the kids of his dreams, love them all with all he has within himself, live a rather comfortable life, and still throw it all away… I find that, personally speaking, a mental illness. How proud he would have been to see you today, Gary. How in love he was with your mother. How desperately he wanted to be with your sister until her dying day, and yet, left her, you, and your mother…”

Before I could stop myself, I grabbed my glass from the floor and smashed it at Marcus’ feet in fury.

Marcus jumped and looked down, and then looked back up at me.

“You’re a damn liar,” I growled at him.

“Gary,” he spoke calmly.

“You’re a damn liar!!” I raged, and stomped towards him, ready to swing at his face.

Marcus got to his feet, reaching out for his cane.

“SIT DOWN!!” I shoved him back to his chair and he toppled over, crying out in surprise as he hit the floor.

Marcus’ cane fell.

I quickly lifted his chair, fire in my eyes, and raised it over my head, ready to beat the life out of this man. “WHY?! HUH?! WHY ARE YOU LYING???”

Marcus looked up at me with wide eyes of fright. “Gary, I told you you weren’t ready for this!”

“He would never do that!! He did not commit suicide you lying-!!”

“Gary!” He reached up helplessly as I brought the chair down swiftly and broke one of the legs off on the floor, right next to his head.

The leg bounced along the room and rolled towards the bathroom door.

“You think I won’t do it?!” I screamed like a maniac, raising the chair over my head again. “You think I won’t hit you next time, damn it?! My dad left for the family, to make us more money so we could live even better!! He loved us! He’d never kill himself!! HE LOVED US!! I WANT THE TRUTH ABOUT MY DAD!!!”

“Gary, he did love you!! He loved you all!!” Marcus called out desperately.

“THEN DON’T LIE ABOUT MY DAD!! I’LL KILL YOU!!”

“Gary, if you care so much about your father, then don’t run away from him and what he did!” Marcus said strongly, bravely. “Don’t disrespect his memory! Accept it! Your father killed himself because he was mentally unstable and unable to cope with his life!!”

I closed my eyes and shook my head furiously. “Our lives were good! He loved us! You’re making no sense!” Just to shut him up, I knew I had beat Marcus over the head and silence him once and for all.

Gary, stop! a tiny voice in the back of my head pleaded. What is wrong with you?! I shook my head and let out a scream, glaring down at Marcus, ready to beat him to death.

“Your father didn’t leave to make life better for the family by earning more money, Gary! None of this was about finances or any of that! It was all about making Melissa happy!”

My arms shook from the chair above my head, but I held onto it, staring at Marcus. “Then why kill himself?” I asked shakily. “Why, if he loved her so much, would he leave her like that…?”

“You don’t understand suicide, Gary,” Marcus said in a clear, though nervous voice. “I hope you never do. It changes people’s perspectives and makes them undervalue the things they once lived for. Success becomes pain. Laughter is like crying. You seek things you don’t even need or really want and treat it like the air you breathe, taking for granted what you have. Sometimes, you’re well aware of your blessings but still yearn for much more. It becomes an addiction of sorts. It’s as if nothing in this world is ever good enough. As if everything is a wrong turn, even when it’s exactly what you want. Many people become addicted to the feeling. Gary, I don’t understand it myself. Just, please, don’t do something regrettable about something you don’t understand. If I had the answers, I’d give them to you. I only can tell you what I know as best as I can!” He swallowed hard, staring up at me warily, lowering his arms slowly.

I started lowering my own arms, keeping my angry eyes on Marcus as some sense started seeping into my brain. My face softened as I began to calm down, and I dropped the chair next to me. What came over me? I thought. I nearly lost my mind completely. What the hell…?

Marcus sat up and stared at me. “I’m sorry, Gary.”

“For what…? I just attacked you,” I said in a shameful, low voice. “For no good reason.”

“You’re going through a lot right now, Gary. You’re a young man taking in quite a lot, all at once. Not everyone would have stopped as you did, I’ll bet. I must say, I’ve never known you to be that way, though I do recall your father saying you had your mother’s tempter and were quite the handful in elementary school, ha ha ha.”

“I’m sorry, Marcus,” I told him sincerely.

Marcus nodded, smiling a little bit.

“She’s dead,” I said in a low voice, looking at the floor. “You believe that she’s dead.”

Marcus didn’t answer me.

I collapsed to my knees painfully, but I didn’t utter a sound. Marcus came into my view as I lifted my eyes to him. “It’s okay. You can tell me. You think that she’s dead.”

Marcus stared back at me silently.

“And my dad… He killed himself…”

Marcus remained silent.

“So that’s it?” I asked him. “My dad was a punk and my sister was insane?”

Marcus’ throat widened as he swallowed. “Gary, don’t be mad at your father.”

“He abandoned us all, and killed our family. He didn’t even tell me and mom about Melissa. After all these years, I now know that my dad was just a coward.”

“He was not mentally sound, Gary.”

I shook my head and looked away from him.

“He was not well. He was ill, Gary. There’s no rush to accept this, so, please, try to be calm when thinking about your father. You’re a very good and highly intelligent lad. Your mother and father knew it, and I saw it in you at such an early age. Don’t hold your father’s actions against him. If anything, don’t do that to his memory, however hard it may be for you. Ronald deserves more honor than that. He loved you all more than either of us will ever understand. Enough to be so dissatisfied with how life was for all of you, that he gave his life trying to make it better.”

I let out a hurt cry and placed my hands over my face. No longer able to hold in the pain, I bawled painfully. I was now five years old, if not younger, crying. I had nothing anymore. Everything was dead for me. I was truly alone in this world, and it had officially been confirmed to me tonight. As I wept, I thought of my Melissa.

She would call home during her Pokemon journey, either crying about failing to obtain a Badge or Pokemon, or her success at acquiring a new Badge or capturing a brand new Pokemon. Most of the time, it was for the former.

I never really noticed that she looked sick or anything. Was she a little skinnier than I had remembered when last seeing her when she called?

Mom was always worried about how Melissa looked, or how well she was, or what she was eating.

I sobbed painfully, knowing that I had seen my sister during her illness, and that nobody, not even her own mother, knew what was going on.

“Mommy, I’ll get my eight Badges, and I’ll compete in the Pokemon League and make you both proud of me,” Melissa had told me and my mom during her last phone call home.

“Melissa, I’ll be proud when you just make it back home, safe!” my mom had insisted.

“I’ll become the Pokemon League Champion, and then, the Kanto region Champ,” Melissa smiled. She had coughed a few times.

“Melissa, are you okay, baby?” Mom had asked with concern. “Are you coming down with a cold?”

Melissa shook her head and smiled. “I’m fine, mom. Just you wait and see when I’m the most powerful Trainer on the planet. The whole world will know my name!”

“And then, I’ll be coming after you, sis,” I said challengingly to her through the screen. “I’ll be even more powerful than you and Ivysaur, and I’ll be the Champion!”

“Ha! You’ll probably choose a Charmander as your Starter, just to try and beat me and Ivysaur,” Melissa smirked at me.

“I haven’t decided who I’ll choose at Prof. Oak’s Lab!” I said angrily, especially since I had been considering choosing Charmander.

“You better choose the Fire type,” Melissa taunted me. “You’ll need all the help you can get to beat me, and you’ll still never beat me!” Melissa’s face had then gone serious. “It’s a lot harder out here than you think, little guy…”

I had no idea how serious Melissa was, or any idea what she had meant at the time. Now, I understood. I felt like vomiting as I screamed out my tears as loudly as I could, hoping that with each outward shout, I would just die, but every inhale of air informed me that I was still alive, to my dismay. I was like a newborn baby, just screaming my heart out to the world. Gasping in pain, I stared at a blurry Marcus through my tear-filled eyes. “Am I going to die next…?” I gasped out shakily. “Am I sick, too?”

Marcus didn’t say anything immediately. “No, Gary. I couldn’t find any signs of what I found in your sister, in you. Again, I do not know how the disease works, but, from what I could tell, you did not have it.”

I nodded weakly, barely able to even perform the action.

“Gary, why did you come to Unova?” Marcus asked me slowly, sternly. “Why are you here?”

I stared back at him.

My mind reflected on the attack at the Kanto Pokemon League about three years ago.

My mom locking me inside of my house.

Rotom attacking her when it took over the fridge.

Porygon-Z attacking Prof. Oak.

Charizard and Rotom taking June and I to the airport.

Virgil driving June and I to Prof. Juniper’s lab.

June and I meeting Prof. Juniper, Ella, and Trixa for the first time.

Trixa defeating Ike for her first Badge.

Me catching my Pidove.

Me defeating Cress for the Trio Badge.

Defeating Prof. Russell for the Iron Badge.

Me yelling at Trixa and her leaving the group.

June and I meeting Ruko for the first time.

June, Kai, and me escaping Castelia City, the bugs, Burgh, and the mutant creatures he had created.

Jumping off of a cliff with June and her Eevee as a Cacturne prepared to attack us.

Earning my Badge against Dana and her powerful Pokemon.

Finding the Exeggutor burning on an island as me, Tympole, June, and her Vaporeon swam for our lives to Nimbasa City with Captain Billy.

The attack from the Aggron on the subway in Nimbasa City, crippling June and I temporarily.

Meeting Ella again and earning my Badge against a crazy Elesa.

Beating Clay in Driftveil City.

Ella and me going on a date I ruined due to my concern for June.

Finding Melissa…

Losing Melissa…

Earning my Badge against Row in Spart Town.

Team Solace releasing the ancient Pokemon at Twist Mountain.

Defeating Roxie’s Poison type Gym.

Courtney and I teaming up against Cory and Spector to win our Shadow Badges.

“I don’t know…” I whispered to him. It was the first time I had ever lied to him, especially while staring into his eyes that seemed to already know everything.

Marcus stared deeply at me without saying a word. Finally, he simply nodded.

“This is it, isn’t it, Marcus?” I asked him quietly. “This is the end of our conversation. The end of the answers I’ve been seeking for so long.”

Marcus nodded. “I’m sorry, Gary.”

I shook my head. “I’m not satisfied with that, Marcus. There’s still so much more I want to know. This isn’t the end. It can’t be! This isn’t satisfactory for me.”

“It isn’t meant to be, Gary,” Marcus replied.

I shut up at his answer and glared at him.

He looked back at me calmly.

“So, my mom knows about his suicide?” I asked him.

“I know, don’t I?” Marcus answered. His eyes closed and he shook his head slowly. “What she must be going through, knowing that her own husband that she had two kids with, committed suicide, must be pure Hell for her, every single day. She’s a stronger woman than either of us will ever comprehend.”

My eyes lowered. I suddenly was filled with more regret than ever before. And what have I done to ease that pain? I asked myself. Run away from home, leaving my mommy to be attacked by a Pokemon? Disrespect her numerous times when all she was doing was being worried about me and my wellbeing? Not call her except for when I felt like it? When I’ve accomplished things that only upset her? What kind of son am I? My eyes began to water again as self-loathing thoughts began to fill up my mind.

The door to Marcus’ house burst open, startling us both.

“Gary! Gary!” June screamed furiously, running into the house, holding something in her hands.

“June! Stop!” Courtney begged, running after her.

“She’s been a liar all along, just like I knew! Courtney beat Iris, and I saw it!! I saw the inside of her Badge case!! This lying little thing only just now earned her eighth Badge!!” June ran up to me, holding out Courtney’s open pink badge case with dark red hearts on it.

This was the first time I was seeing the contents of Courtney’s Badge case. Inside sat eight Badges, containing the Toxin Badge, the Trio Badge, the Shadow Badge, and five other Badges I didn’t recognize.

“June, I hate you!!! Do you know that?! I cannot stand you!!” Courtney was now crying, trying to grab at her Badge case with her left hand, her right hand in its splint at her side, but June kept it away from her, running around the house. “Give it back!!” Courtney’s tears littered the floor as she chased after June.

“I’ll give you it back, but then, you have to keep away from Gary and I!!” June screamed, keeping away from Courtney. “We no longer want anything more to do with you!!”

“I hate you, June!! I hate you!!!” Courtney screeched.

“SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!!!” I bellowed furiously, getting to my feet.

Silence befell the room as Courtney and June came to a stop and turned to me in shock.

Marcus looked up at me with wide eyes.

This was the last straw for me. “You stupid kids!!” I screamed at June and Courtney. “I just found out that my sister is dead due to an unknown disease, and my dad killed himself trying to find the cure for her, and my mother has the worst son in the history of mankind, and you two dumb little-!!” I somehow managed to hold my tongue from calling them one of the foulest words I could think at the moment. “WHEN ARE YOU TWO GONNA GROW UP?!!!” I stomped towards them, and the girls gasped and moved away from me. I stormed swiftly past them and stopped at the front door of Marcus’ house. I turned back and glared furiously at June and Courtney, and then I turned to Marcus. My eyes began to instantly tear up as I stared at the face of the man who once brought a kind of joy to my life in some minor way as a friend of my dad’s, but now was the bearer of a powerful pain for me that I would carry for the rest of my life.

Marcus closed his eyes and lowered his head. His lips spread apart as if he were about to speak, but they then closed. Perhaps he knew that he had said all that was needed.

Though he couldn’t see me, I nodded at him. I grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, taking three steps forward. My hand yanked hard on the door, slamming it as hard as I could behind me, but the loud slam wasn’t enough for me. My head turned first, followed by the rest of my body, and I faced the door. My foot rose, and I kicked the door with one good hit.

I kicked it a second time.

A third time.

Each kick made me feel like I needed to throw out just one more kick to release my anger adequately, but I never reached the feeling of justice I was seeking in my heart. After a while, I could feel the stares around me. That didn’t stop me from attacking Marcus’ door. I felt more inspired to promote attention to this man, now.

He deserved it, at the very least, for his part in the destruction of my family, the bastard.

I kicked at the door continuously, my anger building with each kick, my head swirling with memories of Melissa and my dad. I kicked harder each time my foot connected with the door, wanting to knock it down. After several more kicks, I lifted my foot and inhaled deeply. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” I shouted as loud as I possibly could, all the energy I had left within me building into my leg, and I thrust my foot into the door, determined to smash it to bits.

The wooden door actually made a crack sound against my foot.

I breathed heavily, angrily, not feeling fully satisfied with the crack I could see in the door where my foot had landed, but I was out of energy and no longer desired to destroy this door, a small sliver of calm starting to sneak into my mind, body, and soul. I looked around and glared at the small number of people in the area accompanied by perhaps four times as many Pokemon of varying types.

They all were staring at me sternly, but not saying a word.

I glared back them bravely, daring any person and any Pokemon, from the tallest man in the village, to the most aggressive looking Haxorus, to say even one thing to me as I clung to my slowly dwindling adrenaline, my heart like a bouncing Igglybuff in my chest. I walked over to the collective around me, and they all kept their eyes on me as they stepped aside, giving me room as I walked past. Nobody stopped me, but I could feel their cold stares on me as I walked away from them.

Unsure of where I was headed.

But knowing I was leaving the Village Of Dragons.

Without June or Courtney.

And knowing that I would never return here again for as long as I lived.