“My name is June. I’m the Gym Leader of Gringey City,” June introduced herself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled brightly and brushed her red hair out of her face. “It looks like Squirtle and that Trainer over there with the Charmeleon have a closer bond than the Squirtle has with her owner.” June walked up to us and smiled a dazzling and warm smile, looking directly at me. “You and this Squirtle have history, don’t you?” She explained to Robin, “that Squirtle is a she. I can tell plain as day.”

“Yes, Gary?” June asked me tearfully. She sniffled. “What is it?”

*

“I’ve been a Gym Leader for one year and have never won a battle.” June grabbed my hand and pulled me to where the water was. “Look at the sunset! I come here every day, all alone, to watch this. It’s nice to have company this time.” She smiled at me. “I want to know all about you! You interest me so much!”

“I really only came here for a Pokemon battle,” I explained.

She frowned, all the warmth and love from her face now cold as ice. “Fine!” she said angrily. She turned and stormed away.

“We battled about four years ago, June,” I said with a smile. “You were only twelve, and I was just ten. Now, you’re sixteen and I’m fourteen. We’ve been through a whole lot. So much has changed.”

*

I knocked on the door to the Gringey City Gym. One tap.

ZZZZZZZZTTTTTTTT!!!

I was on the floor before I knew what hit me.

June glared down at me. “I guess my trap door worked,” she spoke. “Welcome to Gringey City Gym.”

“We’re the same people we always were, and yet, so much more than that,” I told her.

*

“I choose you! Ampharos!” June tossed her Poke Ball with grace and out came Ampharos.

“Go Beedrill!” I yelled out, tossing the Poke Ball. “Beedrill, use Twinneedle, now!”

Beedrill flew forward and Ampharos began skillfully dodging the Poison Bee’s constant jabs at her face and body.

“Cotton Guard!” June called.

Ampharos’ body became covered in a white fluff. The fluff continued to grow and Ampharos was no longer visible behind it.

Beedrill was jabbing, but the damage was now cushioned.

“Beedrill, Toxic Spikes!”

Beedrill put his two stingers in front of him and a deep purple orb appeared between them. The orb was tossed into the air and it exploded into multiple spikes that hit the ground before disappearing.

“Use Rage attack!” I yelled.

Beedrill was hit with Thunderbolt and in the next instant, Beedrill flew forward and slammed into Ampharos with all his might.

The collision caused a bright flash of light and a loud explosion occurred.

I returned Beedrill to his Poke Ball and smiled at June.

June returned Ampharos to her Poke Ball and then glared at me. “Next up. Go, Manectric!” She threw her Poke Ball.

Suddenly, Manectric howled in pain as her body began to shiver and become covered in a purple shade.

“Manectric??” June cried out in horror.

“The effects of Toxic Spikes,” I smiled confidently. “Primeape, go! Seismic Toss!”

Primeape grabbed Manectric by her back paws and started spinning, faster and faster and faster. Finally, he let go and Manectric was flung right into June!

June fell and slid fast towards the bleachers where her supporters leaped down to cushion her fall. She kept her cold eyes on me as she threw her final Poke Ball.

The Toxic Spikes Poison hit the Electrode.

It didn’t seem like it was enjoying itself as the Poison set in and turned it a shade of purple.

Suddenly Electrode exploded!!!

“I still remember our very first battle, and I always will, June,” I told her, my smile fading.

More tears flowed down June’s face, and I was sure she was thinking of her late Electrode.

*

“Gary! Please! Hold on!” I heard a voice calling.

I turned and saw June running down the path towards me with a very large black duffel bag on her shoulder. “June?”

“I’m relieving my duties as a Gym Leader at Gringey City,” she said with a sigh of relief. “I am going to go off on my own journey trying to understand how to become a better and stronger Pokemon Trainer.”

I turned away. “Well, I wish you good luck on that quest, June. I’m headed to Celadon City, myself.”

“Huh? Let me come with you!” she offered.

“I’ll remember… everything about our time traveling together. The good, the bad, the everything. You helped me out with your incredible ability to read Pokemon countless times. Not just me, but so many other people and Pokemon, alike.”

*

Ivysaur opened one of her eyes as June’s shadow blocked her sun and growled.

“Ivysaur, my name is June,” June introduced herself. She held out a hand to Ivysaur, who sniffed it. June then slowly touched Ivysaur’s head and stroked it gently.

Ivysaur stared at June, not moving, and then growled again. She stood up and two vines appeared from her bulb! She began chasing June around the clearing, whipping her repeatedly as June screamed, begging for her to stop.

“Ivysaur!” Aly yelled. She tried returning Ivysaur to her Poke Ball, but the Pokemon kept narrowly avoiding the red beam trying to suck her back in.

Eventually, Ivysaur stopped running and June ran a distance before stopping and looking behind her, gasping for air.

Ivysaur laid back down on the ground and closed her eyes.

*

“Me and Kadabra are going back to Sabrina’s Gym to save his Trainer,” I told Kiwi and June. “So hurry up already and get out of here so we can go get ourselves killed.”

June looked at the ground and shook her head. “I’m not leaving you.”

*

June was looking at me from the other side of the Pokemon Center. She licked her lips and slowly stood up, her face breaking instantly as she walked over to me. Her eyes were red. She’d been crying. She sat down next to me.

I grabbed her in a hug and cried immediately against her chest, heaving.

June wrapped me in a hug.

I could hear her crying, too.

*

June reappeared with her bag on her shoulder, in a two piece, red bikini!

Catherine, still a Squirtle, stood on the ground at her side.

My eyes scanned June up and down a number of times before I made a swift and noticeable turnaround and gazed at the trees behind me. “June, what are you doing??!!” I bellowed.

“Me and Catherine are gonna go for a swim!” June said happily. “See you guys later!”

Robin, standing next to me, began to walk ahead, after June.

I turned around and saw June running away from us. My eyes were admittedly glued to her body as she ran away. I closed my eyes and shook my head, and then I grabbed Robin by the arm, stopping him in his tracks. “No, Robin!” I said angrily.

“Come on, Gary! What the hell is wrong with you?” Robin struggled against my pull.

“And whether I needed it or not, whether I wanted it or not, you were always there to give me advice while I tried to learn how to work with my Pokemon. And yet, you continued claiming that you were learning from me!”

June was no longer crying, her eyes wide, and at my last sentence, her face went red.

*

I grabbed my last Poke Ball. “Charmeleon, go!”

“GARY! YOU KNOW WHAT HER LAST POKEMON WILL BE!!” June yelled immediately. “WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?? WHY ARE YOU SO STUPID, DAMNIT!!!”

I turned to June furiously and marched towards her, stopping just a couple of inches from her form sitting in a chair she was gripping the sides of. “Are you the one out here battling?!” I barked. “Are you even a Gym Leader anymore?? Who exactly are you trying to learn from, huh? Me? Right! ME! Unlike you and your Pokemon, we actually have trust and work as a team! So how about you butt out until you actually know something about battling with your own damn Pokemon?!”

June was shaking before me.

“June, I wanted to ask you if we could have one last Pokemon battle. Like when we first met, and I won. And then our rematch that we had, where you won. The score is even. Three-on-three. Before your ship sails. What do you say?”

*

“Electivire! Just listen to me! Give me a chance! I'm sorry! I hate myself just as much as you hate me for what I did to you! But, I love you, Electivire. Can we try to just talk? Don't you remember how we used to talk? Because I do…” June stood up shakily and looked at Electivire with pleading eyes. “Electivire, remember when we first met? I remember that day. I was in the woods with Magnemite, Flaaffy, and Electrode. You came up to me and-”

“TIVIRE!” Electivire screamed, and he electrocuted June.

June fell to the ground, but shook the shock off, glaring at Electivire, her hair sticking up in the air.

*

Raikou suddenly charged forward!

June ran forward and stepped up to Raikou, her arms outstretched.

Raikou slammed into June.

June screamed as she was taken down, slamming down hard.

Raikou stood on top of her, growling over her, its face inches from her's.

June's eyes were closed tight in pain. Slowly, she opened them and stared up at Raikou. “Raikou...” she groaned. She reached up her shaking hands and placed them gently on Raikou's front paws.

Raikou screamed angrily the instant she touched it and the thundercloud on its back sparked with electricity, soon followed by Raikou's entire body.

June burst into a powerful yell as she was electrocuted. “Raikou, talk to me,” June begged, her voice sounding weak, her eyes still closed. “What's wrong? What happened? Tell me!”

Raikou's thundercloud sparked again.

“If you want to attack me, then do it!” June challenged. “My name is June. I'm the ex-Gym Leader of Gringey City. I raise Electric type Pokémon. If you want to kill me, then you better hit me with a much better attack than that. Your Thunder Shocks and Thunderbolts are cute, but I've been through worse with my Electivire. I'm going to help you, even if it kills me! Now, TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG!!!”

Suddenly, Raikou slowly backed off of June.

June slowly sat up, not taking her eyes off of Raikou, that serious, perhaps angry, look remaining on her face. She took a slow, deep breath, and then let it out. As she got closer to Kiwi, just a few feet away from her, June pulled back an arm and slapped Kiwi across the face! She charged at Kiwi and got on top of her, slapping Kiwi's face repeatedly with one hand while her other hand grasped Kiwi's face and held it down, squeezing hard, digging her nails into her face. Her slaps turned into punches, and Kiwi blocked her face with her arms, begging for help.

“JUNE, HAVE YOU LOST IT??!!!” I angrily yanked her off of Kiwi. “What has gotten into you?!?!”

“SHE TRIED TO ATTACK RAIKOU!!!!” June shrieked, struggling in my arms, making it incredibly difficult to hold on to her.

“Yes!” June cried happily, her eyes twinkling under the sun as they filled up with tears. “Of course!” She dropped her bag and opened it, digging through it excitedly. When she got to her feet, she was gripping a Poke Ball and smiling with determination. “Three-on-three, Gary from Pallet Town! Against me, June, from Gringey City! No time limit! Substitutions allowed!” She nodded.

“Right!” I nodded back.

The vendors were looking from their booths at us, some of them stepping out onto the heated boardwalk to watch, crossing their arms over their chests.

Pedestrians stopped around June and I as well to watch our battle, talking excitedly, a few smartphones and cameras coming out.

“Let’s go!” June threw her Poke Ball.

I grabbed one from my waist and sent out the Pokemon inside as well.

“Galvantulaaa!” Galvantula landed.

“Doooooooo!!” Kingdra said.

June and I smiled at each other.

“Go ahead, Gary. You go first,” June offered.

I shook my head, declining her offer. “It’s okay. Go on, June.”

“No, just go, Gary!” June insisted.

I went first during our first battle, I remembered. And then she went first for our second match. I looked past June, past the crowd around us, and saw the ship. We don’t have time to waste. “At the same time! One!”

June’s eyes widened, and then she smiled as she understood. “Two!”

“Three!” we shouted in unison.

“Hydro Pump!” I ordered.

“Discharge!” June screamed.

*

June was squirming, gasping, and twitching in pain from her poisoning. She fell onto her back and stretched out, her fists clenched, tears silently falling from her eyes. Her face was flushed with purple. Her eyes turned to me, begging for help as she convulsed on the floor.

“June! No!” I screamed, grabbing her shoulder, my heart feeling ready to explode from panic.

Her eyes littered tears, her chest heaving repeatedly, her face growing darker. June's eyes started to slowly close. She was shaking hard, reaching out beyond me, towards her bag.

Does June want to see her Pokemon? I wondered tearfully. I sent out all of her Pokemon at once. Her closest friends, I thought. Her family...

Ampharos let out a low cry and stepped up to June. She placed her hands on June's shoulders and let out another cry. Her tail shook rapidly, the ball at the end of it glowing blue.

A bell rang through the air, causing me to look around for a moment before looking back at Ampharos, realizing she was causing the chime.

The Pokemon’s hands glowed blue, and immediately, June started to glow blue! Ampharos stood there for a long while, and finally, her tail stopped shaking and glowing, and her hands stopped glowing as well. The chiming stopped.

June’s blue glow disappeared. The color in her face returned completely within a few seconds, the purple disappearing entirely! She sat up slowly, groaning, her eyes squinting as she looked at us all. Her eyes suddenly popped open and she crawled away on her hands and knees towards the trees, held her hair back, and I heard her vomit.

Before I could move, her Pokemon all ran to her, except for Electivire. They landed on top of her, showing her affection.

Electivire crossed his arms and turned away, grunting.

June gasped in surprise at her Pokémons' affection and laughed loudly.

“June…” I murmured, a smile spreading broadly across my face.

“Dooooooo!” Kingdra sprayed a thick stream of water at Galvantula.

Galvantula’s body sparked and she sent out multiple lines of electricity towards Kingdra. She was blasted back by Kingdra’s attack.

Kingdra screamed out as she was zapped by Galvantula.

They both shook off the hits and faced each other.

“Dragon Dance!” I told Kingdra.

“Sucker Punch!” June instructed her Pokemon, and she gasped, covering her mouth with one hand.

Kingdra’s body was outlined in red, and she cried out to the sky, bouncing in a slow circle. Her body started to spark with clear electricity.

“Oh, no! Wait!” June cried to her Pokemon, lowering her hand.

It was too late.

Galvantula had already been ordered to use Sucker Punch, and since Kingdra didn’t do a damaging attack to her, Galvantula couldn’t use the move.

“Ice Beam!” I said.

“Use your Agility to dodge that!” June shouted.

Galvantula avoided the beam of Ice by moving extremely fast along the floor, her spider movements creeping me out.

I rubbed my arms as goose bumps crept along them, staring down at the spider’s legs moving so disgustingly.

June smirked at me, shaking her head. “Now let’s hit her with Thunder!”

Galvantula’s body was covered in electricity.

“Use your own Agility to dodge, too!” I told Kingdra.

“Do!!” Kingdra bounced along the ground, picking up Speed, but not enough being out of water, and she was zapped by a bright flash. “Doooooo!!” Kingdra bent over, breathing heavily, her eyes closed.

“Kingdra, don’t give up! Please! Let’s do this together! Hang in there!” I encouraged my Pokemon.

“Bug Buzz oughta do it!” June said quickly.

“Use Dragon Pulse, Kingdra!”

Kingdra moaned weakly, her body sparking.

“Noo! Kingdraaaa!” I called out to her, realizing she was Paralyzed. “Gaaaaah!” I covered my ears as Galvantula let out a sharp cry, red waves emitting from her body.

Kingdra leaned back against the attack, screaming in pain.

June flinched against the noise, and the crowd around us whined and cried out from the irritating sound until it finally ended.

“Doooo… Doooo… Doooooo… Dooo…” Kingdra breathed hard. She was still in this battle!

“That’s the spirit! Don’t give up! Let’s try Brine, Kingdra!”

Kingdra hit Galvantula with a strong blast of water.

Galvantula stumbled back and then shook her head hard. “Galvantula!” she shouted strongly.

“Wait, Brine! That does extra damage if the user is weak…? Or the target…?” I asked hesitantly.

June smacked her forehead and lowered her head, smiling.

A few people in the crowd laughed, but most of them were shrugging at each other, unsure of the answer themselves.

“The target has to be weak, silly,” June told me caringly. “That error will cost you. Electro Ball!”

Galvantula charged up a yellow and orange ball sparking dangerously in front of her mouth. She tossed it and it hit Kingdra, surrounding her in smoke and dust that sparked as well.

When the smoke cleared, Kingdra was on her back.

“That’s it for Kingdra,” June declared. “One down, two to go.”

The crowd was getting excited, clapping and talking as my Pokemon was declared unable to continue.

“That was fine work, Kingdra. That was nothing short of my own fault.” I returned her, mad at myself. What an amateur mistake, I scolded myself. June made her own error with Sucker Punch, but she came back really well.

“That was great, Galvantula! Let’s keep it up!” June congratulated her Pokemon.

“Galvantulaaaa!” Galvantula waved her feelers in the air.

I looked away and shivered, sneering for one second, keeping my face at the ground so as not to blatantly show my detest for the Bug, though my fear was known well enough by the two. Okay, so what should I go with next? I wondered. It can’t hurt to give her a try, right? I grabbed the Poke Ball from my waist and stared at Galvantula. “Alright, my second choice is going to be…!” I tossed the Poke Ball. “Stoutland!”

Stoutland appeared from her Poke Ball and barked at Galvantula.

“Oh, how interesting,” June commented.

“Yeah,” I said, staring at my Pokemon happily.

*

“Stoutland,” I said, smiling at her. “What are you going to do?”

June stopped laughing and turned to Stoutland, Robin being the last one to stop laughing and turn to her, too.

“Stoutland. Stout,” Stoutland said in a low voice, and she nodded at us. She turned around and walked away into the trees and snow, disappearing from view a moment later.

The three of us turned to each other.

“Wherever I might be needed, I guess,” June said.

“Huh?” I turned to her, as did Robin.

“That’s what she said,” June told us. “She seems sad…”

We turned to where Stoutland had vanished.

“Stoutland!” I walked towards where she was last seen.

“Gary? Where are you going?” June called to me.

“Yeah. We have to go, man!” Robin added.

I stopped walking and nodded. “Yeah, I know. I just…”

The Poke Ball in my hand suddenly glowed white and vanished, sent to Prof. Juniper.

I sighed and glanced back to the woods where Stoutland was no longer visible. “Alright. We’re out of here, I guess.”

Stoutland’s head suddenly appeared through the trees. She cocked her head at me.

“Stoutland’s back?” Robin said with surprise.

“I’m glad.” I approached her carefully and got down on one knee. One hand extended slowly towards her.

Stoutland sniffed the air and her tail began to wag slowly. She walked towards me cautiously, glancing up at June and Robin every couple of seconds, and then focusing on me.

“There’s no need to be afraid of any of us, Stoutland,” I told her reassuringly. “We’re good people, and you’re a really great Pokemon for saving us. Thank you so much.”

Stoutland stopped at my hand and sniffed it, her tail wagging even faster. She licked my hand.

“I think she really likes you, Gary!” June stated.

“Maybe she wants to come along with us and make sure we get through this place safely! I say we take her along with us! Hell, catch her, Gary!” Robin urged.

Stoutland looked up at Robin, her tail no longer wagging.

I also turned back to Robin. “Really? In a Poke Ball?”

“No, in a cardboard box. Yes, a Poke Ball! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!”

Stoutland and I exchanged weary stares at Robin’s joke. At once, we smiled, and then she leaped at me, making me cry out as she tackled me to the ground.

She licked my face repeatedly, aggressively.

I laughed, warmed by her body, held down by her weight, and I tried to push her away from me. “Okay! Okay! You can come with us!”

Robin and June laughed together as Stoutland barked and then licked me some more.

“Stoutland, let’s make this a win! Fire Fang!!” I commanded.

Stoutland ran rapidly at Galvantula, her jaws open wide, her fangs on fire, and she leaped.

“Agility!”

Galvantula was too fast, dodging just as Stoutland was about to bite with the Super Effective move.

“You’re slipping, Gary,” June teased me. “You’re becoming way too predictable right now. Is this really the way you want me to remember you?”

“Predictable? Me? Not at all,” I waved off. “On the contrary, Galvantula’s dodge is me predicting you!”

June’s smile faded, and one spread across my face.

“Roar, Stoutland!”

“Roar! Then use Thunder Wave!”

“Move, Stoutland!”

Galvantula attacked, zapping at Stoutland with a thin blue beam of electricity.

Stoutland leaped over it and landed. Her body was outlined in red and she howled, her voice echoing loudly.

Galvantula cried out as she stumbled backwards. Her body glowed red and she was returned to her Poke Ball. A white beam of light from out of June’s bag sent out her second Pokemon.

“Pika Pi?” Pikachu looked around in surprise. He stared up at June. “Chu?”

“Pikachu!” June said in surprise, and then she smiled. “Then let’s use Thunder, now!”

Pikachu faced Stoutland and narrowed his eyes. They closed as his cheeks started sparking.

The area darkened suddenly, causing us all to look up into the sky. The clouds above were now all dark and gray and flashing with lightning. It was a lot cooler now, the crowd muttering over the change in weather.

“Piiiika Pikaaaaaachuuuuuu!!” A thick bolt flew up from Pikachu’s body, into the clouds.

The clouds sparked, and a beam of lightning came down at Stoutland.

My Pokemon howled as she was electrified and she collapsed.

The light from the sun returned as the clouds lightened up and separated, and the heat made a comeback.

“Yes!” She dug through her bag and stood up, now holding Galvantula and Pikachu’s Poke Balls in her hands.

“Stoutland, no! Get up! Come on!” I begged. “This isn’t it! Fight back with Dig!”

“Stout!” Stoutland growled as she got back up, shaking her head with her eyes closed tight. She then glared at Pikachu and quickly tore through the boardwalk, disappearing into a hole.

“Pika!” Pikachu looked around seriously, unsure of when or where Stoutland was going to come up.

“Agility, Pikachu! Quickly!”

“Pi!” Pikachu ran around in quick spurts, moving around the boardwalk and trying to confuse Stoutland as to exactly where he was.

“Now use Double Team to really throw her off!”

Pikachu continued running, and then he split into several identical Pikachu, all of them darting all over the place, crying out excitedly!

Something burst from underneath the boardwalk, into the air. “Stoutland!” She flew through one of the clone Pikachu that vanished on impact.

“Stoutland, Odor Sleuth from the air, and then attack again!” I instructed her.

The Pikachu all stopped running and looked up at Stoutland, smiling.

Stoutland looked down at the Pikachu from the air and her nose glowed green. She sniffed hard as she started to fall down. “Stout!” She lowered her head and slammed into one specific Pikachu.

The other Pikachu clones vanished, the real one calling out as he was tackled.

“That’s the one! Now, Work Up!”

Stoutland barked, and her body became outlined in red.

Pikachu got up on all fours and then shook his head. “Chu Pi!” His cheeks sparked, his face showing he was ready to keep going.

“That’s the spirit, hon! You’re doing wonderful! Pikachu, show them your Wild Charge!” June pointed at Stoutland.

“Stoutland, counter with Giga Impact!”

“Pika Pika Pika Pika Pika Pika!!” Pikachu ran at Stoutland, and his body became covered in bright lightning.

Stoutland also charged at Pikachu, her body surrounded by an invisible energy. A bright flash of yellow light appeared in front of her face. She leaped at Pikachu, her body now covered by light purple energy, yellow streaks spiraling around it. Her body flashed red right before the impact.

Both Pokemon collided into each other, and a strong explosion covered the field in smoke.

“Chaaaa!”

“Pikachu!” June called to her Pokemon.

Stoutland appeared from the smoke, tumbling on the ground before coming to a stop. Her body was still outlined in red.

“Stoutland, you okay?” I asked her.

*

“Exactly where has Porygon-Z disappeared to?” the announcer at the Kanto League questioned during my third round at the preliminaries. “It was just here a second ago!”

“What?” I cried out, looking around. I hadn't even noticed that Porygon-Z was gone. A loud shriek made me jump and I turned towards the audience. “Porygon-Z?!” I screamed in shock.

Yes!! It was Porygon-Z! Chasing June in the stands!!

June shrieked in a deadly fright and reached the stairs, running down them and leaping out of the stands and into the arena, running towards me!

“Porygon-Z has left the match and is hereby disqualified!” the referee determined, waving the red flag at my opponent, Carter.

“WHAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?!” I bellowed in horror.

The smoke finally faded.

Neither Pokemon was moving.

June knelt down next to her Pokemon and rubbed the red dot on his right cheek. “Is that it, Pikachu? We done, here?”

“Stout…” Stoutland’s eyes opened, and she lifted her head, looking over at Pikachu.

“Pi!” Pikachu gasped and lifted his head, staring at Stoutland.

Both Pokemon were breathing heavily, glaring determinedly at each other.

“That’s right, Stoutland! Show them who’s tougher! Get up and let’s win this one!” I told her strongly. “I know you can do it!”

“Stout. Stout,” Stoutland nodded, and she got up, growling at Pikachu.

“Pikachu, there’s no way they’re tougher than us, right? Show them what you can do!” June urged her Pikachu.

“Piiii…” Pikachu struggled to get up. “Chu…” He collapsed again.

June sighed and rubbed her Pikachu’s back, a sad smile on her face. “Thank you for trying. Return, Pikachu!” She called back her Pokemon. “One down,” she acknowledged to me, and then put Pikachu’s Poke Ball away.

Everyone around us was cheering and applauding, several conversations going on at once as the sun filled people with good energy and also impatience.

June extended her arm out and sent out her second Pokemon. “Galvantula, once more! Let’s end this!”

Galvantula returned.

Both Pokemon looked exhausted.

“We get the first move since Giga Impact has Stoutland incapable of attacking for a moment. Spider Web!”

Galvantula spit out a thick white string.

It flew over Stoutland’s head and then split, forming a web behind her that disappeared immediately.

“What?” I said in confusion.

Stoutland looked back at me. “Stout?”

“Don’t try retreating Stoutland. She’s stuck in this battle, now,” June winked. “Just had to make sure you didn’t try anything.”

“What a waste of a move. I had no intentions of switching her out,” I smiled challengingly. “Fire Fang!”

“Sucker Punch!”

Stoutland ran rapidly and leaped at the Bug.

Galvantula moved quicker and tackled her to the ground.

Stoutland whined as she was tossed back, but she landed on her paws and ran immediately for Galvantula again. She sank her flaming lips into the spider.

Galvantula struggled to break free from the burning attack, but Stoutland dug in even deeper.

“Bug Buzz!”

Galvantula attacked again with Bug Buzz.

Stoutland let go of Galvantula and howled before finally dropping.

“Stoutland’s out! You did it, Galvantula! You really did it, baby! Yay! Ha ha ha!” June was jumping repeatedly, overjoyed with her win.

“That was g-” I stopped talking as Galvantula let out a scream.

Her body was engulfed in flames and she fell, too!

“A Burn!” June gasped.

Even the crowd gasped, pointing at the beaten Bug type.

“Galvantula is out, too…” June muttered. She smiled up at me. “Ha! Well, it’s one-on-one from here on out, Gary.”

“Sounds fine by me. You better pick your best,” I warned her. “Stoutland, thanks a lot. We’re gonna bring this battle all the way home!” I returned her.

“Galvantula, good working beating Stoutland. You gave it everything.” June returned her Pokemon and dug through her bag. She came back up quickly and smiled at me wickedly, a Poke Ball in her hand. “My Pokemon are all tough guys, but there’s nothing like this one here.”

“Just as I thought, June,” I nodded, secretly feeling a little nervous on the inside, my heart beating quicker.

“Electivire, let’s win!” June tossed the Poke Ball.

“Tiviiiiiirrre!!” Electivire’s body sparked as he flexed his muscles.

The wild Electivire, now tamed, I thought as I stared into his eager, demanding eyes. All that power. All that strength. June now controls it. Is it too much for her? Maybe. I’ll give it my all, and I’ll win. I trust my Pokemon. Let’s fight fire with fire! “Charizard!” I grabbed his Poke Ball. “You’re gonna do this!”

Charizard appeared from his Poke Ball and roared powerfully, blasting the air with his flames.

“ELECTIVIIIIIIIRRE!!!” Electivire, not wanting to be outdone, blasted the air with electricity.

Both Pokemon were putting on a fantastic show for the crowd who was cheering even louder, drawing more attention and people, mostly everyone snapping photos and taking videos.

“Electivire, let’s focus all that energy into the battle!” June smiled at her Pokemon.

“Charizard, send that power at Electivire, not the sky!” I told my Pokemon seriously.

Both Pokemon glared at each other silently.

June and I stared at each other, her face more light in attitude than my focused one.

“Flamethrower!”

“Thunder!”

Charizard sent out flames for Electivire and Electivire blasted a beam of electricity at Charizard.

Both moves collided and exploded, tossing back both Pokemon, the air clouding with smoke.

Charizard grunted and stood his ground, waiting for the smoke to clear.

A pair of red lights shined through the smoke on Electivire’s side, and a familiar growl was heard. As the smoke cleared, Electivire was shown to be standing, his glowing red eyes staring back at Charizard, waiting, and his eyes then faded back to their normal red.

“Try your Thunder Punch instead!”

“Charizard, keep him back with Fire Spin!”

Electivire ran, pulling back a fist coated in electricity.

Charizard roared and opened his jaws, sending out a spiraling tornado of flames at Electivire.

Electivire was caught in the attack and screamed in pain. “VIIIIIIRRRRRRE!!!!” Electivire leaped out of the inferno and slugged Charizard in the stomach with Thunder Punch!

Charizard roared as he flew back through the air and slid on his feet.

“Into the air, Charizard!” I commanded.

Charizard leered at Electivire, and his wings flapped as he flew into the sky.

“Thunder! GOOOO!” June pointed up.

Roaring, Electivire attacked again.

“Charizard, dodge! Get out of the way!”

Charizard roared and flew around the first couple of jolts.

“Flamethrower!” I yelled.

Charizard dodged another zap and fired back.

Electivire was hit! He stumbled back and screamed from the pain, and then shook his head and continued trying to get Charizard.

“Don’t give in, Electivire! Catch that thing! If you have to, take a hit from Charizard in order to take him down!” June told her Pokemon.

Electivire nodded obediently and continued trying to attack.

Is she nuts? I thought, looking down at her. Does she think taking a hit to deliver one is really the smartest plan against my Charizard? Is she seriously underestimating his power? I snickered as she kept her eyes on the sky. I’ll show her. “Charizard, another Fire Spin!”

Electivire grunted, trying to catch the Flying type, but he kept missing.

Charizard roared angrily as he flew around another attack from Electivire and attacked with his Fire Spin.

“That’s it! Just stay there!” June smiled.

“What?!” I exclaimed.

The crowd also uttered surprise at June’s order.

Electivire stared back at June, and she nodded at her Pokemon. Electivire nodded back and stood still, looking up at Charizard as the spiraling flames consumed him. He yelled out from the towering move that held him captive.

“June, what are you doing?!” I shouted at her. “Are you crazy?”

She winked at me. “Crazy like a Delphox!” She looked into the air at Charizard. “Thunder, now!”

“Tiviiiiiiiiirrre!!” Electivire growled.

Nothing happened at first, all eyes on the spinning fire.

Suddenly, about a quarter of the tall flames, starting from the bottom, was ignited in a bright yellow glow! This glow quickly ascended up the tower of flames until it was a bright, yellow, spinning structure! The structure then sparked brightly as if it was made of electricity!

“June…” I gasped in amazement, taking a step back as the strange sight grew taller and taller, reaching into the sky where Charizard was.

Charizard flew back a few feet, gazing in shock at the phenomenon.

I swallowed, unsure of what to even say or do.

“Psychic attack!” June clapped her hands once with a bright face.

Something stepped out from the bright yellow creation.

“Electivire!” I said in disbelief.

The crowd was silent. Many people looked scared, while others were shocked. Several people had their cameras focused on what was taking place, but one guy had dropped his camera to the floor, his mouth wide open.

Electivire’s eyes were glowing blue. He faced the strange form in front of him and raised his arms.

The electrifying structure rose into the air, making everyone except June and I scream and back up.

My mouth was agape.

“VIRE!!” He forced his arms forward, as if pushing the electric tower, and the sparking form flew at Charizard!

Shocked, Charizard roared, not sure of what to do, still taken by the sight, and he was consumed by the attack. He roared deafeningly, out of sight as the move engulfed him. After several long seconds, the move disappeared, burning itself out, and Charizard dropped heavily to the ground.

“Vire.” Electivire’s eyes turned back to normal, and he dropped to his knees. “Tivire… Tivire… Tivire…” Electivire was gasping for air, exhausted, his head lowered, his eyes closed.

Charizard was on his back, twitching in pain.

“Electivire, you did it! That was wonderful!! I can’t believe that worked out so well!” June gushed. She ran up to Electivire and hugged him from behind.

Electivire continued to breathe hard, but a smile crossed his face.

“Charizard!” Man, I can’t believe she… Did that… I thought, completely blown away by what just happened. “Charizard, please! Charizard…” My hand tightened around his Poke Ball. That was incredible… I accepted, and sighed.

June looked over at Charizard, still holding onto her Electivire. She squinted and then gasped.

Electivire opened his eyes and stared at Charizard. “Tivire?”

June backed away from her Pokemon with a smile. “I see.”

“Huh?” I stared at my Pokemon. “Charizard!”

Charizard’s tail flinched. He let out a grunt.

“Charizard!”

His head moved a little bit, and he grunted again.

The crowd was muttering.

“Charizard, are you still able to do this?”

My answer was received as his tail burst into a powerful flame. His groan turned into a huge roar as he pushed himself back up. His body was outlined in red, and his wings spread wide.

“Blaze!” June and I nodded at each other knowingly, smiling.

“So, this is it, Gary!” June called out to me. “The next move that hits might just be it! This might be a bit rude, but I’m here to win! Quick Attack!”

I gasped. “Oh, no!”

Electivire moved with blinding speed and slammed into Charizard, toppling him over.

Charizard fell to his back.

“Charizard, no!” I looked up furiously at Electivire and June. That was so unfair! I thought, knowing it was simply a really well played move.

Charizard took everyone by surprise again as he got up once more! He roared and flew into the air!

“Charizard, we only have one shot at this! Blast Burn! Do it!”

Charizard’s tail flame ignited even higher, far above his own height. His eyes burst into flames. He pulled back his head, and his body suddenly began to spark with electricity. A groan erupted into a pained roar as he opened his jaws and closed his eyes tightly, and the towering flame from his tail shrunk down to where it had been when Blaze had been activated.

“CHARIZAAAAAARD!!” I wailed, my eyes glued to my Pokemon, not believing what I was seeing.

Electivire was smiling up at Charizard.

“Our turn,” June said, sweat trickling slowly down her forehead, her eyes on Charizard. She raised her arm to wipe at her face, and her already short enough shirt rose up even further, her stomach showing temporarily before she lowered her arm again. Her eyes lowered to me, and my eyes rose to her face, widening. June looked down at herself and then back to me, smirking, and she adjusted her shirt, pulling it down further.

My face went red, burning with embarrassment, and I looked away from her, to our Pokemon.

She brushed her hair that was stuck to her sweaty forehead aside, and breathed out. “I win, Gary.”

I turned to her and nodded. “I know.” I smiled. “Congrats.”

“You did well, too.”

“You’re gonna be the best Gym Leader in the world, June.”

June laughed. “Let’s start with Kanto, first.”

I snickered.

June turned to Electivire, and her face went serious. “DO IT!”

*

“FERALIGATR!!” Robin screamed, facing his Pokémon. “STOP IT!!!”

“CHARIZAAAAAAAARD!!” I tried.

Neither Pokémon listened, continuing to fight to the death.

“This is more than just an electric shock,” someone said from behind me.

I turned with surprise to see June, a horrified look on her face.

“There are Ground types here as well as Electric types. It's hurting all of the Pokémon the same! This shock is something else and it's driving them all crazy!”

“June, what are you doing here?” I demanded.

“My Pokémon are in here, too!” June fought back. “And I'm not gonna leave you two out here alone!”

June and I stared at each other, standing next to the ship on the pier that was crowded with other people, some happy, many crying.

“Gary, thank you again. For everything,” June told me. “And I mean, everything. I don’t regret a day we had together. I regret not having spent more time with you. Like, after Saffron… I’m still sorry for leaving you after that…”

“June, I accept your apology, but you don’t have to be sorry for that,” I told her.

“No, Gary. I do! I-”

I raised a hand to silence her. “That whole situation was nuts. I don’t blame you one bit for leaving.”

“But-”

“June!” I said loudly, tired of her trying to be sorry for this.

She gasped a little, going silent.

I smiled and let out my breath. “I accepted your apology. Let’s just leave it at that.”

She smiled back and nodded. “Okay.” She raised a hand towards me and placed it over my mouth. “Now, let me speak.” She lowered her hand. “Earlier, you said I gave you a lot of advice and help during our time traveling together. You said you were learning a lot about your Pokemon, but I was still attempting to learn from you at the same time.” Her face started to get red. “It sounded like you were saying it was impossible for me to learn from you while you were still learning, and that I couldn’t have been learning a lot from you if I was helping you.”

I stayed quiet, listening to her.

“Well, one thing you should know for sure is that, I learned a ton from you. From day one. I learned about how to care for my Pokemon. Really care for them! How to interact with them better. I learned that they feel my emotions, and that we’re connected. We’re like one. I don’t just push them to battle; they push me to stay on my toes during a battle so I can direct them in what to do! It’s a mutually beneficial relationship we have. I learned too much from you! More than I’ll ever be able to properly express to you. Gary. When you met me in Gringey City, I told you I knew a lot about Pokemon, but I can say that, from traveling with you, I knew next to nothing back then. I have you to thank for all I now know. I’ll keep it with me forever, and grow even further because of what we’ve shared together. Thank you, Gary.” June wrapped her arms around me in a hug, and I hugged her back. She pressed her lips to my cheek, and I had no real choice but to accept it.

I paused for a moment, and then quickly kissed her back.

Shyly, we pulled away from each other and looked towards the ship, our faces red.

“June...” I inhaled for a moment. “Thank you for…” I swallowed and my tongue traced my lips slowly, my eyes on the pier.

“Hm?” she asked, turning back to me.

“Lavender…” I whispered.

“Oh, Gary. Of course, sweetheart.” Her lips pressed together as she smiled. Her eyes began to tear up. “I’ve gotta catch ya later.”

“Okay. Take care.” It was hard to hold back the tears in my eyes as I looked into June’s.

“I’ll miss you.” She smiled sweetly. Then, she turned away and walked shakily towards the ship. Her footsteps turned into running, and she wiped at her face with her hands as she boarded the ship. She revealed her ticket to a man on the ship and was allowed on.

I stood on the pier and waited.

Several more people hurried onboard, and it wasn’t long after that before the ship was setting sail.

People out on the ship were shouting and waving to their loved ones, while the people on the pier waved and shouted back; an emotional, tearful occasion for all.

June was nowhere in sight.

I held back the tears in my eyes.

The ship was moving slowly, but getting further away from me.

I stood there, watching it.

Someone appeared in the crowd on the ship and they pushed their way through. It was June! She opened her mouth in a smile and raised one hand. Her mouth closed and, even at a distance, I could see the tears rolling down her cheeks. Her hand lowered to her side.

I lowered my eyes away from her and stared at the pier ground. Two tears fell from my eyes, taking me by surprise, and I took a sharp intake of breath. I looked up at June, now further away than she had been, but still staring at me. I instantly regretted ever looking away from her in that brief moment.

I didn’t look away again.

Even after the ship was long gone.

Even after the pier was completely empty.

Even as the sun was setting.

I remained there.

Tears running from my eyes.

Enough to create a thousand oceans.

*

“That sounds like a good idea.” I received a nod from the person on the other end of the screen with a bruised face partially wrapped in bandages.

“How have things been?” I asked.

“Good,” was the short response I got.

Neither of us spoke for a moment.

“It’s nice that you called me,” I was told.

“Like I said, we’re friends. No matter what.”

There was no response to this.

An awkward silence met us, but we didn’t look away from each other.

“Is there anything else? You never were good at holding conversations,” were the words told to me.

“Ha, yeah. You’re right about that. I just wanted to call and see you. That’s all.” I gave a genuine smile, truly happy to see her.

She nodded back solemnly.

“I guess I should go. I have to catch my ship.”

“Good luck, Gary.”

I smiled. “Thanks, Kiwi. I’ll keep in touch, okay?”

She didn’t respond.

I let out my breath silently, but maintained my smile. “I’ll see you.” I hung up the phone and turned around in my chair. She didn’t once apologize, I told myself, still smiling, and I snickered. My eyes lowered to the crumbled letter in my lap. I held it up, my eyes running over it:

I didn’t sleep. I’ve only thought about, well, everything I’ve been through since I met you, Gary. You are a truly amazing and utterly astounding human being and a blessing to the Pokemon world. I truly mean that, Gary. I, on the other hand, still have tons to learn about Pokemon and am a complete disappointment to everyone I come in contact with. I guess I now have one more person to add to that list. You. But you won’t be the last, I’m sure of that. I’ve never been very good at goodbyes, as you well know. You saw how I left Gringey City without a word. Now, I must do the same thing to you, I’m afraid. I don’t think I can be of any assistance to you, anyway. I think I’m only getting in your way and making you feel uncomfortable. And now, I’m just making excuses and trying to justify me leaving so rudely and abruptly, so I’ll stop it. You deserve that much from me, Gary. And much more. You truly do have my utmost respect. I can’t deny that I am terrified of anything more occurring on this journey like what happened in Saffron City. And even the other stories you’ve told me about your journey scare me. I’m just a big coward I suppose. I’m not sure where I’ll be running off to. I can’t go back to Gringey City. I can’t go back to Vermillion City. But I’ll find my own way. I promise. Don’t worry about me. I’ll find my place in this world and I’ll find… Myself. My poor, lost little self. Thank you for everything, Gary.

My eyes teared up as I finished reading it, remembering me, June, and Kiwi’s escape from the horrors of Saffron City, which led to Kiwi leaving us out of frustration over the entire situation, and June also departing out of fear.

“Gary? Your Pokemon are ready.”

I looked up and saw the gorgeous face of Nurse Joy behind the counter. A smile crept over my face. Nurse Joy, I thought. My heart. My love. My muse. My wife. My-

“Gary?” Nurse Joy stared at me, her eyes wide.

I shook my head hard. “Um, coming!” I ran over to her.

“Your Pokemon are all ready,” she smiled at me.

“Thank you.”

That hair. Those eyes. That smile. That pure white and pink outfit. Every last thing about her was incredible!

I needed to tell her how I felt!

“Are you feeling okay, Gary?” Nurse Joy asked me in her sweeter than apple pie voice, staring at me with her wide eyes filled with delicate concern.

“Yeah…” I sighed happily. “This might sound crazy, but, I just think you’re the most-”

“The ship is leaving! Everybody boarding has to leave immediately!” a familiar voice in the Pokemon Center shouted, and I heard several footsteps pound the floor to leave the building.

“The ship! Oh, no!” I shoved the aging letter I still held in my hand, into my pocket, and grabbed the Poke Balls from the tray Nurse Joy had set in front of me. Staring into Nurse Joy’s beautiful blue eyes, I smiled. I never had a chance, anyway, I thought sadly. “Bye, Nurse Joy!” I bolted out of the building, running past a very voluptuously shaped Officer Jenny, staring at her curves as I ran past her, wishing I had an extra second to stare at her. It’s good to be back in Kanto, I thought as I tore down the pier, towards the ship. And it’ll be just as nice where I’m headed.

It wouldn’t be long before I’d be off of Seafoam Islands and on that ship.

And from there…