Excited Trainers walked by me discussing a variety of things from their upcoming Pokemon battles, to what kind of Pokemon they should bring, to the size of a girl’s butt a few feet away from them.

Many different kinds of Pokemon, both familiar and new to me, accompanied a good number of these Trainers.

The building was lively and full of happy faces, cheerful attitudes, and determined goals.

And then, there was me and June, depressed and feeling incredibly stupid, unsure of what was next for us.

Yesterday, after finding out I had never registered for the Unova League, June had managed to drag me onto a bench, where, after about thirty minutes of dwelling on how I could be so forgetful and dumb, I passed out from lack of sleep. I awoke that evening and moped for the rest of the night. I didn’t even feel like eating much, letting June go by herself to buy some food while I settled for the last apple I had in my bag. I fell asleep at some point that night, and now, with two more days left before the Interough Conference would take place, I was stuck feeling like the past several months had been for absolutely nothing. I sighed and lowered my eyes from the happy people around me.

June was quiet. There wasn’t a thing she could say to make this situation any better, and she knew it.

I remembered when I had entered the Pokemon Center before reaching Accumula Town when June and I had been traveling with Trixa. I could have registered there. Or, even at the Pokemon Center in Accumula Town. But, no. What was I doing that I had forgotten to register? I wondered. I guess I was still a little shaken after all that happened in Pallet Town. And maybe Trixa and her nonsense were driving me too crazy to think straight. Now everything’s ruined! I got to capture and raise a bunch of cool Pokemon, but now there’s nothing to show for it! I dug into my jeans pocket for a moment, coming out with eight little objects in my hand. A heavy feeling filled my chest as I stared at my Badges, reflecting on what it took to earn each of them.

“Now, use Quick Attack!” I shouted.

Pidove flapped his wings for a second and then moved like lightning, slamming into Ducklett.

Ducklett was knocked onto its back.

“Another Quick Attack, Pidove!”

“Ducklett, use your Aerial Ace,” Cress countered.

Both Pokemon flew at one another urgently, slamming into each other, forcing each other back.

“Quick Attack! Finish it!” I yelled happily, pointing at Ducklett.

Pidove pecked at the ground quietly, but didn’t deliver the finishing blow.

Ducklett opened its beak and blasted Pidove with Water Gun, Pidove wailing out helplessly as the water held him against a boulder.

“Pidove, you can do this! Gust attack!” I begged.

Pidove shook his head and flew into the air. He began to flap his wings strongly, a gust of wind starting to push Ducklett back. And then, Pidove simply stopped attacking, his wings flapping just enough to keep him afloat.

“Pidove!!” I yelled, getting really upset. “What are you doing?? Attaaaack!!”

“Bubblebeam attack,” Cress said with a wave of his hand.

Ducklett’s beak opened and a stream of bubbles flew out, popping upon contact with my Pidove.

Pidove flapped his wings desperately as he was forced back and finally slammed into the ground.

*

“Your Pidove has some kind of problem remembering things. He listens, but after a while, he forgets his orders and just won’t do anything,” June had informed me after I had lost the battle.

*

“Wing Attack,” Cress told his Ducklett during our rematch.

“Gust! Keep it back!” I shouted.

Ducklett let out a cry as it was held back by Pidove’s Gust.

“Quick Attack once more! Give it all you’ve got!” I instructed Pidove.

Pidove pecked at the ground quietly and then looked up, walking away from Ducklett!!

“PIDOVE!!!” I raged. “OF ALL TIMES, NOT NOOOOW!!!”

“Piiidove!!” Pidove flapped his wings and then closed them around his body. His wings spread open and several light blue, ‘X’ shaped streams of energy flew out at Ducklett!

Ducklett’s body glowed white where the attacks hit and it was thrown back, screaming.

“Ducklett!” Cress gasped.

Ducklett was on its back, knocked out.

“We… WON!!!” I ran onto the battlefield towards Pidove. “Pidove, you did it!! You won it!!”

“Pidove?” Pidove looked around and saw the defeated Ducklett. “Pidove! Pidove!!”

He flew towards me and I grabbed him in my hands gently. “We did it! Pidove, you won!”

*

“Stun Spore!” I shouted.

“Thunder Wave!” Prof. Russell called out.

Cottonee moved fast, spraying Ferroseed with a golden powder.

Ferroseed closed its eyes painfully, twitching, but then, its body sparked with blue electricity and it shocked Cottonee.

“Pin Missile!” Prof. Russell ordered.

I touched one of the swirling arrows on the bottom left of the screen with my stylus, and Cottonee was swiftly moved on the circular platform, switching places with Drilbur, who switched with Pidove, who took the center stage, and the not so effective Pin Missile.

“Pidove, Gust attack!”

Ferroseed was maneuvered on its platflorm, moving into Escavelier’s spot, who moved into Klink’s spot, who was now in the front, and took the Gust attack, which didn’t do very much to the Steel type.

“Earthquake!” I shouted.

Drilbur leaped into the air.

Klink was swapped for Escavalier and Drilbur landed on the ground one good time and hit Escavalier with Earthquake.

“Attack back with Toxic!” Prof. Russell instructed.

Escavalier sprayed a purple toxin at Drilbur’s face, and Drilbur collapsed, swiping at his face in pain as the poison set in.

“Now, let’s use X-Scissor!” Prof. Russell said confidently.

Escavalier soared at Drilbur, its arms crossed and glowing light blue, and it slammed into Drilbur.

Drilbur groaned painfully, forced to his back and sliding on his side to a stop, breathing hard, looking ready to give in.

“Drilbur!!” I yelled out to him. “Hang in there!! Please! I’m counting on you, Drilbur!”

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Escavalier dropped to the floor.

YOU WIN! were the small, simple words in yellow on the machine screen in front of me.

*

“Pidove, go at that thing with Quick Attack, right now!” I screamed furiously.

Pidove let out an angry call and flew like a lightning bolt into Braviary.

Braviary was hit in the face, her neck forced back hard.

“Now, use your Air Cutter!”

Pidove attacked Braviary with Air Cutter, hitting her from behind while he was high in the air.

Braviary let out a pained groan and dropped to the ground.

Dana crossed her arms and stared silently at her Pokemon.

“Pidove, we’ve got this thing beat! Another Air Cutter, right now!”

“Crush Claw,” Dana said coolly.

Braviary slammed into my Pidove with her glowing blue talons, covering them both in dust as they crashed to the ground. She flew above the dust cloud a second later, crying victoriously.

“Use your Psybeam!!” I told Elgyem.

“Elgy! Em!” Elgyem raised a hand, the dots on it blinking for a second before a multicolored beam fired at Braviary.

“Dodge, now!” Dana said strongly.

Braviary flew past the attack, Elgyem continuing to try to catch her, but she was too fast.

“It’s time to close out this battle with Rock Slide,” Dana said.

White circles appeared in the air, and enormous rocks deposited from them, landing around Elgyem.

“ELGYEM!” Elgyem raised his hands and his eyes glowed blue.

The rock above him floated in the air, outlined in blue.

“Elgyeeeeem!” Elgyem waved his arms at Braviary, and the enormous boulder flew at her, smashing her right in the face, knocking her to the ground.

“Fling attack!” Dana ordered her Cinccino, pointing at Elgyem.

Cinccino tossed her Damp Rock, which became outlined in black as it soared through the air and smacked Elgyem in the back of the head.

Elgyem dropped to the ground.

“Darumaka, you’re up next!” I sent out my last Pokemon.

Darumaka appeared and ran around in frantic circles, grunting.

Dana’s cheeks puffed out for a few seconds as she covered her face before she started laughing. “Is everything in your team unevolved?”

“You shut up!!” I bellowed, taking a threatening step towards her. “Darumaka, use your Flare Blitz!”

Darumaka charged towards Cinccino and flew at her, a flying fireball.

Cinccino grabbed her white fur and raised it in front of her.

Darumaka collided with the white fur and… bounced right off! With a shocked cry, the flames surrounding Darumaka faded the instant he made contact with the fur on Cinccino and he was forced back, rolling on the ground, and he sprawled out on his back.

“Rock Blast!” Dana called.

A pair of silver, spinning slivers of energy flew from Cinccino and smacked Darumaka around helplessly.

Darumaka dropped, groaning in pain.

*

“Pidove, let’s do it! Quick Attack, now!” was my instruction for my Pidove during my second battle with Dana.

Pidove flew at Braviary, slamming into her chest.

“Crush Claw! Knock that little baby out,” Dana said, moving her glasses from the tip of her nose after they had slid down.

“Detect!” I screamed to Pidove.

Braviary’s glowing claws crashed into Pidove as Pidove calmly hovered in the air, watching Braviary.

The shocked look on Pidove’s face told me that he had forgotten to attack once again, and I groaned in disappointment.

Pidove landed on the ground, his eyes closed.

“Tympole, you’re next!” I said, sending him out. “Alright, it’s time to show what we’ve got, Tympole! Use Rain Dance!”

“Braviary, Crush Claw and make this fast!” Dana smiled, putting back on her glasses.

Tympole bounced around the ground, his body outlined in blue, and swiftly dodged the Crush Claw attack, flipping over it, tumbling in the air.

“Muddy Water!” I said to Tympole.

A huge wave of brown water flushed up from underneath Tympole and rose up over Braviary.

Braviary cried out in surprise as she flew right into it. She burst from the other side, screaming, her eyes closed tight from the dirt in them from the water, and continued flying straight, crashing into a tree with great force, and she dropped down.

Dana’s large Bouffalant appeared from her thrown Ultra Ball and pawed at the wet ground, glaring at Tympole.

“Wild Charge!” Dana told her powerful Pokemon.

Tympole attacked with Muddy Water.

“Counter with Surf! Into the water!” Dana shouted with rage.

“Surf?” I gasped.

Bouffalant leaped into the Muddy Water from Tympole, roaring strongly, and a second wave of fresh water rose from the ground, meeting the Muddy Water, and they meshed into one blend of dirty water. The wave then turned direction and headed for Tympole!

Bouffalant’s body was still sparking with electricity, and the wave itself was now flashing repeatedly as the electricity spread throughout it. Bouffalant and the wave she was riding were one large, bright wall of electricity as the wave holding the electric buffalo dove down and crashed into Tympole.

“Next, I choose Drilbur!” I threw his Poke Ball.

“Head Charge, now!”

Bouffalant screamed out and lowered her head, nearing Drilbur, but slipped on the wet ground, stumbling, and ran right past Drilbur, tripping to the ground, and sliding fast into a tree. One of her enormous horns tore right through the trunk of one of the trees, and as she tried to stand up, she found that her horn was stuck! As Bouffalant forced herself up, the whole tree rose from the dirt it was planted in with a loud ripping, cracking, and tearing sound, still stuck on Bouffalant’s horn! She let out a triumphant roar as she lifted her face high towards the sky. The tree, still on Bouffalant’s horn, moved with Bouffalant’s head as she screamed success and freedom, and the top of the tree was forced downwards, slamming into Bouffalant’s back with speed and power. Bouffalant’s happy yell turned to a painful scream, and she dropped down, lowering her head, removing the top of the thick tree from her back it had just slammed down into. She twitched painfully, laying on her side as she groaned loudly.

Stoutland barked aggressively and leaped into the battlefield.

“Ice Fang!” Dana stomped on the ground angrily.

“Slash it, Drilbur!” I called out to him.

Drilbur’s claws glowed white and he swiped his claws at Stoutland, but Stoutland held his grip tight around Drilbur’s body.

“DRIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLL!!!!!!!” Drilbur’s body burst into a flash of light, and the ice around his body exploded as he evolved into Excadrill.

He was too big for Stoutland to keep in his jaws, and Stoutland backed up, his eyes wide in amazement.

Excadrill cried out and let go of Stoutland, dropping to his knees from exhaustion.

Stoutland howled and fell to his knees, too. He then collapsed.

*

Elesa raised her hand to her mouth and blew me a kiss. “Good luck, baby. Now prepare to watch me glow! Emolga, dazzle for the stage!” She threw her Poke Ball.

“Alright, then let’s start things off with Darumaka!” I sent him out, throwing his Poke Ball.

“Emolga, use Discharge!” Elesa said with energy.

Darumaka was zapped by the jolt and he dropped to the ground, where he remained still. His body suddenly glowed in a bright flash of light, interrupting my orders as he evolved!

“Emolga, use your Volt Switch, now!” Elesa begged.

Emolga leaped high. It put its hands together and a large ball of electricity appeared. It tossed the ball at Darmanitan and it hit, outlining his body in yellow as he roared in pain. Emolga suddenly glowed red and vanished.

A white beam hit the ground, and Stunfisk was sent out.

“Stunfisk, Earthquake, now!”

Stunfisk slammed down to the ground, rocking the field and taking out Darmanitan.

“Giga Drain it!” I called out quickly to my second Pokemon, Cottonee.

Cottonee attacked with Giga Drain and caught his prey, sapping the rest of Stunfisk’s health.

“Use Stun Spore, now!”

“Emolga, Thunder Wave, quickly!”

“Return!” I returned Cottonee to his Poke Ball. “I’m going with Excadrill! Slash attack!”

Emolga’s painful cry rang out through the Gym as it was forced back, flying right into Elesa’s arms, defeated.

“Eelektross, my Electric Queen, shine brighter than the sun!” Elesa sent out her final Pokemon.

“Slash attack!” I yelled.

“Eelektross, use Brick Break!” Elesa called.

Excadrill’s claws swiped at Eelektross as Eelektross swung a glowing white fist down on Excadrill’s head.

Eelektross flew back, sliding on the ground on her feet.

Excadrill staggered about lazily, finally dropping.

Elesa winked at me after I sent out my Cottonee. “Flamethrower! Now!”

Cottonee screamed out shrilly as he was consumed by the flames.

“Cottonee, we don’t have much longer! It’s our turn to fight! Endeavor, now!” I screamed desperately.

“Cottoooooooneeeeeeeeeeee!!!!” Cottonee’s shrill screech made my ears hurt, ringing like an alarm inside of the Gym. His body became outlined in white. He flew at Eelektross and slammed into her face, knocking her over.

Eelektross roared loudly as she collapsed to the ground.

“Eelektross, please! This can’t be! Get up! One more Flamethrower!” Elesa begged.

“Giga Drain!”

Eelektross was helpless as she screamed, her remaining energy being removed from her body by Cottonee.

*

“Go, Krookadile! Gigalith!” Clay shouted.

“Elgyem and Darmanitan! Let’s go!!” I sent out my two Pokemon.

“HA! Gigalith, stop Darmanitan with Stone Edge, now!” Clay ordered.

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

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

“Darmanitan, use Swagger on Gigalith!”

Both Krookadile and Gigalith jumped high into the air to attack with Earthquake.

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

Krookadile and Gigalith were both pummeling each other!

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

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

Elgyem’s eyes sparkled with the color of red, green, white, blue, and an array of other colors as he used Miracle Eye. His eyes then glowed blue as he attacked Krookadile with Psychic.

Krookadile screamed loudly, struggling to break free.

Both Gigalith and Krookadile were defeated.

Clay’s next two Pokemon were Excadrill and Seismitoad.

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

“Seismitoad, Hydro Pump!” Clay raged.

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

“Stunfisk, I’m goin’ wit’ you! Don’t yah let meh down!” Clay threw Stunfisk’s Poke Ball.

“Excadrill, you’re the next up!” I threw his Poke Ball. “Alright, Elgyem, use Psychic on Stunfisk! Excadrill, attack with Earthquake!”

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

Excadrill leaped into the air, and Seismitoad leaped after him. As he tried to land on the ground to attack, the toad hit him with a Super Effective uppercut, its fist covered in a swirling, green ball of energy. He was flung back, flipping through the air, and he finally crashed to the floor.

“Alright, go, Cottonee!” I sent out my Pokemon. “Giga Drain that Stunfisk, now!”

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

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

Seismitoad opened its mouth and caught Elgyem with Hydro Pump, defeating him.

I then sent out Tympole.

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

Seismitoad ran towards Cottonee.

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

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

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

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

Cottonee shook his head and attacked Seismitoad with Giga Drain.

Stunfisk flew into Cottonee with Bounce.

Cottonee fell out, beaten.

With no other choice, I sent out my last Pokemon, Pidove. “Pidove, use Quick Attack on Seismitoad this time! Tympole, use your Muddy Water one more time!”

Pidove was first, tackling Seismitoad with Quick Attack.

Tympole went next, smacking both Seismitoad and Stunfisk with Muddy Water, defeating Seismitoad and enraging Clay who sent out his final Pokemon, Golurk.

Golurk stomped on the ground with Earthquake.

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

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

“PALPITOAD!!” I shouted happily out to him. “Pidove, charge after Stunfisk! Knock it out of the sky with Quick Attack! Palpitoad, use Flail on the Stunfisk!”

The damage from both moves was too much, and Stunfisk collapsed, knocked out.

“Dynamic Punch the Pidove!” Clay fumed.

Pidove was tossed back into Palpitoad, dropping both Pokemon. He twitched, and then he twitched again, and then… his body flashed in a bright light as he evolved into Tranquill!!

“Palpitoad, you can use Hydro Pump!” I told him.

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

Tranquill used Air Slash, hitting Golurk with the white saw blade energy that soared from his wings that glowed white.

Golurk was Flinching in the air, unable to avoid the second Hydro Pump from my Palpitoad. Wailing, it ascended into the air from the blast of water beneath it before dropping like a boulder, slamming hard to the ground below.

*

“Scrafty! Thunder Punch!” Row commanded.

“Tranquill, use Detect!” I called.

Scrafty pulled back its sparking fist and swung at Tranquill.

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

“Tranquill, quickly, get behind it and yank that hood over its face!”

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!

“Darmanitan, let’s attack with Superpower, go!” I ordered.

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

Both Pokemon struggled to overpower the other.

“Conkeldurr, Stone Edge!” Row roared.

“Darmanitan, Flare Blitz!”

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.

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

“Mud Shot!” I shouted desperately to my Palpitoad.

“Grab it!” Row ordered his Seismitoad.

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

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

“You can’t do this move as a Palpitoad! Drain Punch!” Row laughed.

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! 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. He inhaled deeply and with a determined glare, blasted Row’s Seismitoad across the field with Hydro Pump.

*

“BANG! ZOOM!” Roxie threw her Poke Ball, sending out Amoonguss.

“Excadrill, I choose you!” I sent out my Pokemon.

Roxie and her band were playing their loud rock music, the crowd cheering to the songs, making it hard for me to concentrate on the battle.

“Body Slam!” Roxie screamed.

“Drill… Driiiiillll…” Excadrill groaned, his body sparking and curling up from Paralysis from the Body Slam he took.

“Amoonguss, Energy Ball!” Roxie ordered.

“Earthquake, right now!” I commanded.

“Amoonguss, use Bide!” Roxie said with a serious look, gritting her teeth as she struggled to keep her balance.

Amoonguss withstood the damage.

“Another Earthquake! Finish it!!” I shouted desperately.

A bright white beam flew out from Amoonguss and slammed into Excadrill, the Bide attack knocking him out.

“Let’s go, Drifloon!!” I sent out my last Pokemon to battle Roxie.

Drifloon’s closed eyes tightened and she shook her head hard, unable to focus with the loud music Roxie and her band was playing. Frustrated by the music, Drifloon attacked on her own with Gust and defeated Amoonguss, causing Roxie to send out her last Pokemon, Garbodor.

“Drifloon, use Thunder Wave!”

Drifloon didn’t listen to me, screaming as she struggled against the music.

“Garbodor, use Gunk Shot, now!” Roxie screamed.

“FLOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNN!!!” Drifloon was hit by the exploding move. She was now Poisoned.

“Now let’s end this with Venoshock!!” Roxie called happily.

“FLOOOOON!!” Drifloon’s body erupted into a bright light and ascended into the air, dodging the oncoming attack. The light flashed and vanished from her body, and my Drifloon was now a Drifblim! She let out a loud, piercing shriek and started spinning, flying around the stage frantically, slamming into a speaker high on the wall, wrecking it.

Roxie looked at her hands in shock, her guitar now in the hold of Drifblim.

Drifblim took away Roxie’s band mates’ guitars as well, and the drummer complained as Drifblim snatched away his drumsticks. She then created several Shadow Balls and smacked them away with the instruments, the attacks scaring the crowd and making them and Roxie’s band mates flee the building.

A light structure above the crowd exploded as it was hit by a Shadow Ball, a large spark landing on Garbodor’s face, resulting in it screaming in agony and falling off the stage.

*

“Sceptile, use your Leaf Blade on Jellicent!” Courtney, my teammate in the Tag Battle for our last Badges, told her Pokemon.

“Porygon-Z, Psybeam Chandelure!” I commanded.

“Chandelure, Fire Blast Sceptile!” Spector ordered.

“Jellicent, I insist on you using Ice Beam on Porygon-Z,” Cory told him.

Sceptile leaped at Jellicent and slashed him with the leaves on its arms that were glowing light green.

Porygon-Z’s head spun in circles for a second before it fired a multicolored beam from its eyes, slamming into Chandelure as it was about to attack Sceptile.

“Why didn’t you attack Jellicent with me?” Courtney said furiously. “We need to attack the same Pokemon!”

“You didn’t say you wanted to do things that way!” I replied.

“I gave Sceptile the first order! You should have followed my lead!”

“Since when are you the leader?”

“Chandelure, Confuse Ray!” Spector said.

His Pokemon attacked, leaving both Sceptile and Porygon-Z Confused.

Courtney turned to me. “How about you stick to the damn plan?”

“Don’t talk to me like that!” I told her, feeling my temper flaring.

A familiar pair of cries made Courtney and I look at our Pokemon. “Oh, no!” we both exclaimed.

“Porygon-Z!”

“Sceptile!”

Both of our Pokemon were fighting with each other!

“We can’t expect our Pokemon to listen to us if we’re not gonna be any better of an example,” I said firmly. “We need to snap them out of that Confusion.”

“Sceptile, let’s show ‘em what you’ve got! Frenzy Plant, now!” Courtney insisted.

The floor under me rocked slightly, and then, BAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!!!!

Several roots burst from the bottom of the Gym, covered in huge thorns, and headed for Jellicent.

“JEEEEEELLL!!” Jellicent was smacked by the most powerful Grass type move. He dropped to the ground easily and didn’t move.

“Now, attack Sceptile with Fire Blast!” Spector called out.

“Porygon-Z, jump in front of it and use Protect!”

Porygon-Z tumbled in the way of the oncoming wave of fire and surrounded itself with a turquoise ball of energy, holding off the Fire Blast attack.

“Gary! Thank you so much!” Courtney said gratefully. “Night Slash, now!” Courtney quickly told Sceptile.

Sceptile let out a threatening cry and slashed Chandelure to the ground.

“Thunder!” I shouted loudly.

Porygon-Z’s body sparked brightly, and I shielded my eyes against the white lighting that flew from its body and hit Chandelure.

“CHANDELUUUUUUUUUUUURRRE!!!” Chandelure’s voice roared throughout the Gym.

*

I felt as if I had run out of breath for the longest time but had simply not inhaled yet. I breathed in deeply, staring weakly at my Badges. All of that, for nothing, I thought to myself. The eight Badges I obtained don’t even count. They won’t even let me compete. I can’t believe this is happening. Ella… Trixa… Ruko… I guess I won’t be battling against them, after all… I sighed. Maybe it’s best that way, anyway. Ella and Trixa hate me, and I can’t stand Ruko as it is. Him and his stupid, crazy ways of obtaining and using his Pokemon. I closed my eyes and sighed, trying to calm down. All that work… All the training we went through… All the battles…

*

“Fezant!” Unfezant shifted his body and smacked my hand with his right wing, his Poke Ball flying from my hand. “Fezant!” Unfezant disappeared in a flash and flew at Gramma’s Leavanny.

“Leavanny!” Leavanny stumbled back as the Quick Attack hit and it dropped to its knees.

Unfezant squawked and flew into the air, and his body suddenly glowed brightly.

“That's Sky Attack!” I realized.

The blinding light flew at Leavanny.

Leavanny shook its head and bent its knees slightly, glaring at the oncoming attack.

“Drop!” Gramma said strongly.

Leavanny fell onto its back and laid still.

“Me First!” Gramma added.

Leavanny's body flashed purple for an instant, and then its body glowed blindingly white as Unfezant soared over it.

“Leavanny!!” Leavanny plowed into Unfezant, both balls of light soaring into the air.

One of the balls of light then fell towards the ground and crashed powerfully.

The other ball of light faded and Leavanny was revealed. It fell to the floor on its feet and immediately dropped to its knees, shivering from pain and exhaustion.

The first ball of light faded and Unfezant was shown, motionless on the floor.

*

It was during my rematch with Gramma that I had chosen to send out Drifloon against her Leavanny. “Thunder Wave!” I ordered.

Drifloon's appendages sparked with light blue electricity, and they pointed at Leavanny as it leaped at her. “Floooon!” Drifloon zapped Leavanny, Paralyzing it instantly.

“Hex attack!” I ordered.

Drifloon's eyes glowed with a mix of purple and red.

Leavanny hovered in the air, outlined in the same mix of scary colors, and it wailed in pain as the damage set in.

“Drifloon, use Shadow Ball!” I shouted.

Drifloon formed a sparking, purple ball in front of her face. She quickly smacked the ball with one of her appendages.

“Leavaaaanny!” Leavanny was hit in the face and slid along the floor on its back, coming to a stop.

Gramma surprised everyone by sending out another Leavanny.

“Floooooooooon!” Drifloon attacked Leavanny with Gust attack.

“Leavanny, use your Payback!”

Leavanny was sucked inside of the tornado created by Drifloon. It cried out helplessly before finally flying out, landing on its feet, twirling around dizzily. Leavanny collapsed to the ground and closed its eyes tightly, groaning. In the next instant, Leavanny's eyes opened and it flew out at Drifloon, delivering a flurry of punches from its leafy hands that were coated in a dark aura.

Drifloon let out a loud, terrifying shriek that filled my body with shivers as she spun downward and collapsed to the ground.

I went with my best option and sent out Darmanitan to end the match with Flare Blitz.

“Leavanny, use Protect!” Gramma countered.

Leavanny kept itself safe behind the turquoise shield that appeared in front of it.

And then, during our two-on-two battle, both of us having sent out our second Pokemon, Gramma recalled her Leavanny and sent out Whimsicott, costing her the match.

*

I glared at my eight Badges as I reflected on that battle with the forgetful woman who didn’t even remember that she was no longer a Gym Leader, her Gym shut down due to the fact that she was inadequate for the position because of her horrendous memory. I can’t believe I lost to that idiot in the first place, I thought bitterly. I can’t believe I wasted my time at her Gym. Or building. Or whatever the hell it is now. I can’t believe any of this crap! Before I could stop myself, I turned to June angrily.

She turned to me with surprise.

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me I didn’t register for the Pokemon League, June?!” I demanded.

“What?” she gasped.

“You knew I didn’t register! Why the hell didn’t you say something earlier?!” I shouted.

June got to her feet and placed her hands on her hips, shifting them to one side. “Now, you listen to me, Mister,” June said angrily. “I know you’re all upset about forgetting to register, but this is not my fault! If I wanna be nice, I will take some blame for not reminding you, since you’re so unable to think for yourself and need someone older to watch after you, but you will not pin this all on me! I did encourage you to compete in the Unova League, but I never made you. You made that decision all on your own. I merely suggested it.”

You did a bit more than just suggest it, I remembered.

“Gary will be competing in the Pokemon League, too!” I remembered June had told Ella cheerfully the first time we met her, Trixa, and Prof. Juniper, her arm around my shoulders.

“You’re right, June,” I sighed sadly, looking down from her angry eyes. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

June sat down next to me and placed one hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay. I understand how you must feel.”

I raised my eyes to hers sadly. “What are we gonna do now? Where do we go from here?”

“You’ve spoken to your mom, right? Everything’s okay between you two, now. Right?”

I shook my head slowly. “I can’t go back there…” I whispered. “No way.”

June gave me a small smile. “You’re always welcome to stay in Gringey City with me, you know.”

I sighed and looked away from her, returning back to her hesitantly. Were there no other choices in the entire world than that?

“Or not…” June’s smile faded.

“No, I was just considering it…” I said slowly.

“Really?” June said with pleasant surprise.

I swallowed nervously, my heart beating harder and quicker. I was regretting everything I was saying at this point. “I mean, if it won’t be an inconvenience…”

June squealed with delight. “Of course not!” She clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh, Gary, this is going to be so wonderful! You can meet my mommy and daddy and the rest of my family! Do you know how much fun this is gonna be??”

I chuckled nervously, staring at the crazed glint in her eyes. “Thrills and chills,” I smiled warily.

June laughed. “Oh, you.” She pushed my shoulder lightly.

What have I just gotten myself into? I thought.

“Aha! I knew we’d find you if we just looked hard enough!” a voice exclaimed. “Gary! Ha ha ha ha ha!”

June and I turned away from each other and looked to the voice with surprise. We both made the same choking noise as we stared at the two faces.

One of the faces was undeniable, while the second face took me a few seconds to recognize due to the outfit he was wearing.

June started whimpering as a shaky smile began to cross her face. Her mouth hung open wide, but words wouldn’t come out.

I was also lost for words at the two people before me. It just couldn’t be them!

“Gary, it’s been a while since we last met,” Prof. Juniper greeted me with a very enticing, alluring, promising smile. “How are things going?” Prof. Juniper was not in her usual lab outfit, but instead was dressed in a rather eye-catching number, her long hair tied behind her in a ponytail. She was wearing a white miniskirt inches above her knees, and a white, low-cut tank top, her feet in black sandals.

I was sure she was noticing me staring at her rather blatantly revealing top as I still struggled to keep my eyes on her face.

“It seems obvious to me that you must have obtained all eight Badges if you’re here in Interough City,” Prof. Oak greeted me happily. He lifted up his sunglasses and winked at me before replacing them on his face. This professor was wearing the most bizarre outfit, containing tan shorts, black sneakers, and the kind of black T-shirt you would expect a young child to be wearing, the starters of Kanto on the front in a circle around a Poke Ball. On top of the professor’s head was a backwards, white cap! In his right hand was a silver cane.

Neither June nor I could speak, staring up at the two in complete disbelief.

Prof. Oak laughed heartily, choking at the end of his laugh and patting his chest. He cleared his throat and smiled. “Barely able to whisper, you speak volumes, like a Whismur.”

My face fell at what the professor said, but at least I was finally able to find my voice. “Profess-”

June screamed shrilly at the top of her lungs, and the entire building went quiet, everyone looking over to see what the fuss was about.

Prof. Juniper and Prof. Oak stared at June with a mix of shock and fear, taking a couple of wary steps back.

June leaped to her feet and took a step towards them, and they immediately took another step back.

“Professor… Oak…” June took another two steps forwards, a psychotic look in her eyes.

The professors quickly stepped backwards two steps.

“Professor… Juniper…?” She took two more steps, making the two adults step back two further steps.

“June…” I moaned, covering my face with one hand as I closed my eyes, shaking my head.

“This… can’t… be… reality… Oooooohh…” June’s face went red as a silly smile became plastered on her face and she collapsed to the floor.

I stood up and walked over to her, the three of us looking down at June.

We exchanged glances before looking back to June, and then we turned to each other again.

I shrugged. “She’ll be fine,” I said casually. “What are you two doing here???”

Prof. Oak laughed, Prof. Juniper smiling.

“I’d say that we’re here to save the day,” Prof. Oak answered.

“Save the day?” I questioned.

“Ha, ha. Yes, my boy,” Prof. Oak nodded, giving his cane a tight squeeze.

“I had told Prof. Oak about your Charizard, as you requested the last time we spoke, and he asked if you had mentioned anything about how many Badges you had obtained,” Prof. Juniper explained. “That was when I told him that I didn’t really give you the chance to tell me due to your Porygon-Z…” She laughed uncomfortably.

Prof. Oak cleared his throat solemnly, his fist in front of his mouth, leaning forward on his cane.

“Anyway, he requested that I do a little checkup on you in Unova, and, just as he had assumed, you didn’t even register for the Unova League!” Prof. Juniper’s face was filled with love and warmth, like a caring mother.

“I just knew that you’d make it to the Interough Conference, though, and so I figured I’d surprise you!” Prof. Oak chimed in. “And who better to accompany me than Prof. Juniper.”

“I had a moment, I suppose,” Prof. Juniper said. “Bianca is at the lab, watching things, but I really can’t leave her alone, there.” She laughed lightly. “She can be just a touch clumsy, sometimes, the dear. It must be safe to assume that you have all eight Badges, right?” She winked at me.

“YES! I DO!” I held out my Badges at the two.

The professors laughed.

“Just as I suspected!” Prof. Oak beamed proudly. “Good job! We should be able to sort all of this out for you so you can compete in the Interough Conference!”

“Really?!” My eyes bulged at them. “Thank you!! I can’t believe this is happening! Wait!” I stared at them suspiciously. “Why are you two dressed like this…?” My eyes moved towards Prof. Juniper’s chest again before I looked away and struggled to keep my eyes on the aging face of Prof. Oak.

“Well,” Prof. Oak said, lowering his voice and leaning closer to me, causing me and Prof. Juniper to lean closer to him.

It wasn’t as quiet in the building as it had been just a moment ago when June had screamed. People were talking and walking about again, the volume increasing with each passing minute.

“We’re trying to keep low,” Prof. Oak explained. “You see, my name isn’t too popular these days after a comment I made regarding Team Solace a little while back. It was taken way out of context and some people are rather furious with me. So, to draw less attention to ourselves, specifically me, we dressed a little out of character.” Prof. Oak leaned back away from me and dusted off the shoulder of his shirt. “I think I’m rather styling, yo. What do you think, brother?”

I cringed at Prof. Oak. “Uh…”

“Aaaaanywaaayyyy…” Prof. Juniper smiled with embarrassment. “Let’s get this young man registered already, shall we?”

“Word!” Prof. Oak agreed.

We all walked off together, but the professors came to a stop and turned back, looking at the floor.

“Umm…” Prof. Juniper said.

“What about Jada?” Prof. Oak asked.

I held in my laughter, smirking. “I’ll get her when you two leave. How’s that sound?”

“Deal,” they both said quickly.

Together, we walked to a line in front of a counter and waited. The line was moving quickly enough. It wouldn’t be long before I would be in front of the counter to speak to the guy behind it.

“How’s your mother been?” Prof. Oak asked me in a low tone.

“It’s been a little while since I called her last,” I admitted.

There was a pause before the professor spoke again in an even lower voice. “Unfortunately, I don’t have anything new to report to you. Everything’s as it was the last time we spoke.”

I hesitated before I was able to formulate the best way to say what was now on my mind. “So… Kiwi…?” I mumbled.

Prof. Oak nodded reluctantly. “So far, nothing.”

I nodded quietly and stared at the floor as the line moved forward. There was nothing more to say about that. “Thanks for coming through to do this for me,” I muttered, changing the subject of our discussion, though my mind remained on it.

“It’s part of our jobs to look out for the Trainers we send out into the world to record information on various kinds of Pokemon, far and wide,” Prof. Oak said. “Of course we’re here to make sure everything goes well for you as best as we can.”

“Next, please!” the guy behind the counter called out.

The three of us stepped up to him.

“I’ll just need to see your Badges, and then, you’ll need to scan your Pokedex on the screen,” the man told me.

I held out the Badges and allowed the man to scan them with a black wand with a blinking yellow tip. Afterwards, I pressed my Pokedex on the screen on the counter.

The man stared at the screen of his laptop for a moment as it beeped repeatedly, and then he looked up at me. “Excuse me, but, you-”

Prof. Juniper and Prof. Oak held up an open wallet in front of the man.

Prof. Oak then lifted up his sunglasses quickly.

The man behind the counter gasped, staring from one wallet to the face of the owner, to the other wallet to the owner’s face, repeatedly. He stuttered.

“Allow a pass for this young man, please,” Prof. Oak insisted with a smile.

“On behalf of the both of us, if you will,” Prof. Juniper added, also smiling.

The man nodded quickly and typed on the laptop for a moment. “Sir, ma’am,” he nodded at Prof. Oak and Prof. Juniper.

“After you,” Prof. Oak nodded at Prof. Juniper.

Prof. Juniper nodded back and walked behind the counter. She quickly typed something on the laptop and then returned back to my side.

The man typed on the laptop again and then turned to Prof. Oak.

Prof. Oak walked to the laptop and typed on it for a moment before returning to me.

The man turned to me and nodded fearfully. “You’re all good to go, sir.” He reached under his counter and pulled out a key attached to a board. “Welcome to the Interough Conference! Good luck!”

“YES!!” I cheered, snatching the key from him, and I hopped off line with joy, my Pokedex in hand. “I’M REALLY IN!!” I stared at the board that held my key.

It was brown wood and one side read: R: Y. On the back, it read: B:6

I turned to the professors. “Thank you guys so much!” I ran to Prof. Juniper and wrapped my arms around her waist in a tight hug, and she hugged me back. Wow. She smells like a… a… miracle! I thought, taking in the combined scent from Prof. Juniper’s perfume and hair. I reluctantly released her and hugged Prof. Oak more gently, the respected man hugging me with the arm not holding onto his cane, in return. I took in the much different scent of an old man and wished I had hugged Prof. Juniper last. I backed away from them and smiled gratefully. “Thanks so much for this. I owe you guys big time!”

“Just do your best at the tournament, Gary,” Prof. Juniper said. “I’ll be sure to be watching from the lab.”

“I’ll be with Prof. Juniper to discuss research updates, so you can be sure that I’ll be cheering for you all the way!” Prof. Oak told me eagerly. “I’m highly interested in that Archeops of yours.”

“Thanks!” I stared at Prof. Oak, and then Prof. Juniper. “Is it doing alright?”

“Yes, very well,” Prof. Juniper informed me. “I have quite a lot to go over with Prof. Oak about it, in fact. All good things. Very interesting findings.”

“As long as it’s good findings, then awesome! I can’t wait to hear about them, myself!” I stared from Prof. Juniper to Prof. Oak. “You know, at a place like this, a Pokemon League competition, you don’t have to be in… costume like this.”

“Well, maybe not here, but on our way here, and on our way out, we’re best to try not to stand out,” Prof. Oak said. “The last thing we need to do is draw attention to ourselves.”

My eyes moved to Prof. Juniper’s cleavage. Not exactly the best outfit if you’re trying to keep eyes away from you… I thought.

Prof. Juniper crossed her arms over her chest, her cheeks turning red as she smiled at me suspiciously.

My face went red as my eyes widened at her face, and I stared at the ground, my heart pumping hard now. “So, um, thanks again!” I said nervously and quickly. “You guys take care and I’ll make sure to win the League, okay?”

“Good luck, Gary,” Prof. Juniper said, placing one hand on my shoulder.

“You’ll do great,” Prof. Oak said, placing his hand on my other shoulder. “And I’ll bet there will be plenty of surprises here for you, as well.” Prof. Oak winked at me from behind his sunglasses.

“Surprises?” I said.

“Bye for now, Gary.” Prof. Juniper’s hand slid off of me.

“Peace!” Prof. Oak raised two fingers at me before turning with Prof. Juniper and leaving.

I couldn’t help but smile and I hugged my Pokedex against my chest, walking off on my own, my Badges held tightly in my hand. I did it, I thought, relieved. The Interough Conference is about to take place, and I’m gonna be competing in it! Oh, thank you so much, Prof. Juniper and Prof. Oak! You two are truly the best! I owe you both every-! “Aaahhh!” I tripped over something, my Badges and Pokedex spilling to the floor. “Oh, no!” I picked them all up quickly and looked back at what I had tripped over.

Groaning, June slowly pushed herself up, sitting on her knees. She rubbed her eyes and then squinted at me. “Gary…?” She looked around. “Where’s Professor Oak and Professor Juniper…?”

I laughed as I stared at my confused friend.

It would only be two more days before the Interough Conference would begin.

Two more days before I’d be giving it my all on the battlefield to move one step closer to becoming a Pokemon Master.

Two more days before I’d call my mother.

Two more days before the answers to so many questions.

Would finally become clearer than a Crystal Onix.