Tyrogue. The Scuffle Pokemon. Even when it loses a battle, it may go on beyond its means in an effort to win. Its stamina is studied by experts to this day.

“So, that’s it?” Gary asked.

“Sounds like it. It explains what I saw. Tyrogue wasn’t ruled out in my eyes.” June stared Gary deep in his eyes.

“So he was down but not out. Still able to fight.”

“Possibly. Definitely wasn’t a clear call.”

“I’m just glad Electivire stopped.”

“I still can’t believe it...” June looked to the sky, smiling.

“But he still doesn’t listen or like anyone or anything else. Only my Tyrogue,” Gary brought up.

June nodded.

“And that’s the only reason he let me down from that tree, at that.” Gary frowned at her.

“Hey, Rotom has Telekinesis,” June informed him sweetly. “You’d have made it down. And you forget you have a Baltoy.”

Gary exhaled hard through his nose. “Besides the point!”

June just kept smiling. “Anyway, kind of nice to be back on the road again! Back on the grind. On the journey.” June then went quiet.

Gary didn’t say a word, and after a while, he noticed June didn’t ask for his opinion, and he knew why.

June had just spoken stupidly. She spoke of a journey that Gary had reluctantly returned to.

A journey that had ended for Gary’s sister, Melissa.

A journey that Gary had managed to be convinced to pursue in spite of that.

A journey that Gary still had to report back to his mother on.

Gary could still see Melissa’s entire body lit up by the monster that had killed her, electrocuting her with its hair. He could feel that feeling when touching her. That feeling of something missing. The missing feeling of life. How strange it was to Gary to just know that that was what it was that was missing from a single touch. And yet, it made so much sense.

Gary suddenly blinked and turned to June, coming to a stop.

She turned to him with wide eyes, stopping as well. “Gary?”

“June, I don’t know what happened that night when we got drunk, but I do remember before it.”

June just swallowed.

“You said something about the thing we saw in the woods. I don’t remember what. Tell me what happened. I saw my sister while you were gone with your Pokemon. The creature killed my sister right in front of me and then took off. But you said something about that day.”

June looked away and stayed quiet.

“June, what can you tell about that thing? That thing that killed my sister. What did you hear? Is it a Pokemon?”

June shook her head. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“Lies! June, what did you hear??” He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

June flinched sharply out of the expectation of a harsher grasp.

“June, you know something and I deserve to know what! What kind of thing was that? What did you hear? What is it?”

“I didn’t hear anything! I’m not lying!” June screamed, backing out of his hold. “Gary, I don’t know what that... thing was. But I don’t believe it was a Pokemon.” She stared at Gary uncomfortably, her breath loud and heavy.

“What does that mean, June?” Gary asked slowly. “Are you saying it’s...” He hesitated, shaking his head. “Do you mean it’s an actual monster? But not a Pokemon? Monsters don’t exist...”

“Do they not?” June shrugged. “What really defines what a monster even is? What does it all mean? Are monsters not just, animals, if they do exist? Undiscovered Pokemon or animals?”

Gary could see the towering creature, hair all over its char black body, the hair on its head reaching down its back. The same black hair that then sparked with electricity, coming to life. The neck of the monster was lengthy like a giraffe’s, but curvy like a snake’s body. The gigantic, rounded lips that practically puckered. The thick cheekbones. Those... eyes... How? It looked painful! Like it was a survivor of a horrific science experiment! Like the skin covering her eyes had been pulled apart at the corners and held there for weeks, years, decades! And they had never returned back to normal! The black pupils that took up most of the entire eyes, the surrounded edge purple, were also horrifying to remember.

The Trick Master kept calling it a her, Gary recalled. It does have a feminine style of sorts to the body, but how can you tell what it is? It isn’t human, that’s for sure.

“I heard something, and my ears... My head... They just about shattered.” June grabbed Gary’s attention again. “I heard something I’ve never heard before. A voice that triggered something within me.”

“Triggered? What do you mean? Triggered what?”

“When I talk to people, it’s not like when I speak to Pokemon. There’s differences. It doesn’t even really feel the same. It’s similar, but talking to Pokemon isn’t just like opening my mouth. It’s so much deeper. I don’t just hear with my ears. It’s like, a different mouth speaks to them, and I hear with second ears.” June shook her head and swallowed hard. “It’s like... When I heard that voice in the woods, it was more like something was digging into my head, like a screw, trying to force new holes into my head to form ears to even hear properly. It hurt like Hell, damn it. I never want to go through that again.”

“All that, but you don’t think it’s a Pokemon.”

June shook her head. “Gary.” Her head stopped moving. “I hope it’s not.”

Gary didn’t say anything to this. His lips tightened and his eyes narrowed, but he didn’t speak.

“Dark City, is it?” June spoke after such a while of silence. “For your fifth Badge, is it now?”

That’s right, Gary remembered. I’m only halfway there. Now that I know the Dimensia Badge was just a Gastly in disguise, I have to get four more Badges instead of just three like I thought. Dark City is the next location.

“Hm… well, I think the closest city with a Gym from here would probably be Dark City,” Ozne, the Poison Gym Leader in Fuchsia City where Gary won his last Badge at, had informed him. “There’s a Dark Gym Leader over there named Cleopatra.”

Dark Type Pokemon, Gary thought as he walked past June, never actually answering her question, continuing to lead the way. I guess I’m pretty well prepared for her, especially considering my new Pokemon I’ve caught. Primeape, Tyrogue. I should have an edge here. But before all of that, I need to take care of business once I reach Dark City... He inhaled hard through his nose and let it out swiftly.

“Gary, do you think we could eat something?” June brought up. “You left out of Prof. Cozmo’s so urgently. They offered us breakfast. I don’t know why we couldn’t eat before leaving. That was kind of rude.”

“Do I really have time for politeness? I’m short one Badge as it is, and really, hanging around that place isn’t helping me any. It’s only reminding me of my stresses. These guys want me to capture this creature, or at least even find out if it can be caught, and then call them when I do.”

“The Trick Master even entrusted you with his own phone!” June added. “It’s a little bit of an old model, but it’ll more than do the job to get you to reach Prof. Cozmo to fill him and the Trick Master in on any updates.”

Gary sighed and just shook his head. “I really don’t know about this. They’re setting me up for a possible major failure and death. If this thing isn’t just a Pokemon and I can’t catch it, me and my Pokemon could be in grave danger.”

“But if it is a Pokemon, just think of the discovery you’ll be responsible for!” June considered. “Goodness, can you imagine the fame you’ll have, owning something like this! Life after that would be just wonderful!”

“Yeah, right,” Gary grumbled. He wanted to wait for June to ask “What?” but he couldn’t. He continued on immediately. “Fame and fortune, and all at the cost of the life of my sister.”

June opened her mouth in shock, her eyes also widening, and her mouth then closed as she lowered her head sadly. “I’m sorry... That wasn’t what I meant.”

Gary took a deep breath in and let it out. “I’ll check the phone out later.”

“He erased it entirely before passing it on to you,” June said suspiciously. “And rather urgently, at that...”

“He had sensitive information in there. He transferred it all to the professor’s phone. I’m sure some stuff was secret.”

“Oh, I’m sure he had some secrets in there...” June rolled her eyes and mumbled something Gary didn’t hear clearly.

“I’ll text them any updates, if I ever get any. The fact he thinks I’ll just run into this damn demon again is incredible. I mean, that I ran into it at all was unnatural luck.” Gary silenced himself at that, regretting his words. Luck, huh? he asked himself. He could still see his sister being attacked by the creature’s hair, being killed within seconds. He could still feel her in his hands, the lifeless feeling of death; the touch that told him her very soul was missing... He’d never forget that touch, and he knew it.

“Maybe now would be a good time to eat and collect our thoughts...” June suggested.

Gary realized he had come to a stop and not even known it. Looking to June, he nodded. “Yeah.”

June nodded with a warm smile. “Yeah.”

Gary scooped his Poke Balls into his hands.

“And this will be the first time we all eat together,” June added. “Last night you were barely at Prof. Cozmo’s place. Until you snuck in and went to sleep.”

“I wasn’t in the mood,” Gary muttered, and tossed his Poke Balls into the air.

“Meleoooon!” Charmeleon stretched and looked to Gary.

“Prrrrrriiiiiiiiime!” Primeape danced about, punching in front of himself with serious eyes.

“Dooo!” Kingdra immediately bounced over to Gary.

He rubbed her head with a slightly embarrassed smile for his needy Pokemon.

“Toooooooooooooooyyyyyyyyyyy!” Baltoy spun about in the woods.

“Bell! Bell! Bell!” Weepinbell bobbed in place.

“Tyrogue!” Tyrogue appeared, and his eyes automatically went to Primeape. He adjusted his yellow scarf around his neck.

“I understand, Gary,” June nodded, and sent out her ten Pokemon.

Ampharos appeared and called out pleasantly.

“Bliiiiitzle!” Blitzle hit the floor with his hooves.

“Veeeeeeee!” Eevee stretched out her body, her tail wagging high.

“Pika Pi!” Pikachu was a beaming ray of sunshine, delighted to be out.

Lanturn called out with the others.

Electivire appeared and sat down, crossing his legs and leering at Gary’s Pokemon.

“Maneeeeeeec!” Manectric stretched out her hind paws and yawned.

Rotom zipped around Magneton, who didn’t react aside from moving its eyes to watch it.

“Galvantulaaaaaa!” Galvantula rocked her body back and forth, which caused Gary to shudder.

Gary and June started setting bowls up for their Pokemon to eat from. Gary got four bowls set at first, June managing two in the moment.

“TYYYYYYYY!!”

“TIVIIIIIIRRRE!!”

Both Electivire and Tyrogue leaped at each other, both colliding with Electivire using Quick Attack and Tyrogue using Bullet Punch.

Tyrogue was thrown back and slid on his back.

Electivire landed easily on his feet and snickered.

Tyrogue got to his feet and sneered, and Gary noticed his Pokemon had larger muscles.

Gary’s eyes widened.

Tyrogue followed up by flying at Electivire with High Jump Kick.

“VIRE!” Electivire stood tall and took the hit, but was taken by surprise as he was taken down.

“TYROGUE! CUT IT OUT!” Gary barked.

“ELECTIVIRE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” June joined in.

Tyrogue jumped in for another High Jump Kick.

Electivire leaped over the move, Tyrogue crashing to the ground and injuring himself badly. Electivire, still in the air, came down upon Tyrogue with a sparking fist and delivered a Thunder Punch.

“ROOOOOOOOGUE!!” Tyrogue was knocked forward and slid on his front.

“Tyrogue, that’s enough!” Gary ordered.

“ElectiVIRE!!” Electivire charged forward, his body outlined in white, and reached for Tyrogue with Strength.

Tyrogue held out his hands and his body was outlined in light red.

Electivire met with the Counter and both Pokemon were forced back, each one hitting the ground painfully. At once, they each leaped back up and ran for each other, Tyrogue outlined in red, Electivire in white, and they grappled with the other with Strength.

Electivire bent his knees, gaining leverage, and tossed Tyrogue into the air.

Tyrogue wailed out as he was flung upward.

“ELECTIVIRE!!” The balls on Electivire’s horns lit up first, and then his entire body, and the Pokemon sent a large bolt upward, hitting Tyrogue with Thunder.

“ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGUE!!!” Tyrogue dropped like a weight in front of Electivire.

“Vire,” Electivire smirked down at his opponent.

“You’re nothing but a bully!” June screamed at her Pokemon, stepping up to him. “That was hardly a battle! You have a Trainer! Tyrogue has one, too! If you both aren’t-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!” June was hit with a Thunderbolt and forced down, her body sparking and her hair reaching high.

All the Pokemon, June and Gary’s, gasped.

June’s Pokemon got closer to their stunned Trainer.

Gary leaped back, stunned by Electivire’s action. “WHOA! Electivire!”

Electivire shot his eyes to Gary.

Gary bared his teeth, expecting a bolt of lightning as well.

“Electivire...” Electivire prepared yet another Thunder.

Gary took a few steps back. “Wait!” he frowned.

“RRRRROGUE!!” Tyrogue soared into Electivire’s back with Bullet Punch, Electivire whining out painfully.

Swiftly, he twisted around and reached out to grab Tyrogue.

Tyrogue was ready, leaping into the air and around the large hands of Electivire. Landing, he jumped at Electivire with Tackle, toppling the brute over.

“Tyrogue’s Bulk Up is coming in handy,” June noted, sitting up, a disapproving look on her face.

Electivire’s fists burst into flames and he swung at Tyrogue, but Tyrogue ducked, jumped, and maneuvered around the blows!

Tyrogue came to a stop and crossed his arms in front of his chest, using Counter again.

Electivire socked Tyrogue with Fire Punch, and both Pokemon were dropped instantly.

Electivire groaned, but he was quick to return standing.

Tyrogue remained still.

Gary grabbed Tyrogue’s Poke Ball. “RETURN!” His furious eyes were now on June.

June also had Electivire’s Poke Ball in her hand, holding it out to return him. Her eyes were on her Pokemon.

Electivire grunted as he was called back.

Tyrogue’s feet went over his head as he tumbled out of the way of the red beam calling him back!

“Tyrogue?!” Gary was shocked.

“Hey!!” June cried as Electivire popped out of his Poke Ball in a white beam. “Electivire!!”

Electivire flexed his arms and then used Thunder again!

June was howling, electrified by the impact, and she hit the ground once more, her body twitching and sparking.

June’s Pokemon held themselves back while June was being hit, but once the blast was done, they got closer to her, scared and sad looks on their faces.

Electivire focused his eyes on Tyrogue.

“TYROGUE!” Gary held out the Poke Ball again.

Tyrogue leaped over the beam, tumbling on the ground and standing up as he faced Electivire, smiling proudly.

Electivire flew into Tyrogue with Quick Attack.

Tyrogue moaned after being dropped. After a moment, he sat up and shook his head, glaring at his opponent.

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeleeeeeeeect,” Electivire charged up for another Thunder!

Tyrogue stayed perfectly still.

“TYROGUE!!” Gary called out.

Electivire used Thunder and blasted at Tyrogue!

Gary covered his eyes with his arm, turning away from the bright flashing. Once the sound of the Electricity was gone, he looked back. “HEY!” Gary couldn’t believe his eyes. “Tyrogue!”

Tyrogue was gone!

“Lectivire? Electivire?” Electivire was just as confused, looking from side to side.

June was looking at where the two Pokemon were battling in disbelief.

June and Gary’s other Pokemon also looked perplexed by what had just happened.

“TYROOOOGUE!!” Tyrogue appeared from behind Electivire, zooming right into him with High Jump Kick!

Electivire shot forward like a bullet and collided with a distant tree.

Ampharos, Eevee, Pikachu, Lanturn, Blitzle, and Rotom all seemed thrilled with this moment of Electivire being overtaken.

Tyrogue fell onto one knee and lowered his head, breathing heavy. “Rogue... Rogue... Ty...”

Electivire stood up and looked back at Tyrogue. His entire body then turned to the Baby Pokemon.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!!” Gary ran to his Pokemon. “THAT’S IT!! CUT IT OUT YOU TWO!!” Gary got to his Pokemon and reached out to touch him. “Tyrogue, please stop.”

Ignoring Gary, Tyrogue got up and instantly ran past him, to Electivire.

“TYROGUE!!” Gary was furious now. He’s disobeying me?

“Electivire!” June was in no shape to return Electivire, still unable to fully control her body after being zapped by her Pokemon.

To Gary’s, June’s, everyone except Electivire’s, surprise, Tyrogue stopped at Electivire and extended an open palm!

Electivire also held out a large hand.

Both Pokemon shook hands!

June, Gary, and all of their Pokemon watched this with wide jaws, bulging eyes, and outright shock.

The two fighters released hands and Electivire held out a fist. “Tivire,” Electivire smiled.

“Tyro-oooooooooogue!!” Tyrogue bumped fists with Electivire, only to be electrified by him! He fell over.

“Tivire Vire Vire!” Electivire laughed.

“Tyrogue... Ty...” Tyrogue managed a weak laugh.

Confused, Gary could only decide to turn to June.

She was sitting up, her hair a ridiculous, Einstein-looking mess, a weak, displeased look on her face as she eyed the two Pokemon. She turned to Gary and they both just stared at each other, unsure of how to take the situation.

“I guess... we have a rivalry going between Electivire and Tyrogue?” Gary began.

June merely shook her head. “I-I-I-I-I d-d-don’t understand,” June stammered, her body sparking more. “E-E-Electivire never accepts a rival. I’ve n-n-never s-s-s-s-s-s-seen him this... p-p-p-p-pleasant with others since he was an Electabuzz.”

“Maybe we’re on a right path,” Gary smiled at his friend.

“Oh, that’d be so nice,” June sighed, smiling back. “Maybe there’s hope after all.”

Gary opened his mouth to respond positively. But it closed, his smile vanishing. Except for my sister, he thought. I really had her.

“My... brother?” Melissa had croaked out. She let out a laugh. “Gary!” She smiled for only a second, finally seeming to notice the commotion going on as she looked behind her and back to Gary. “Gary, they’re here!” Terror was now on her face.

Gary blinked, tears falling from his face. My Melissa... He fell to his knees right after and covered his face, no longer concerned with any Pokemon rivalry or battle. No longer interested in his Pokemon journey.

“Gary!” June’s footsteps were heard through the grass.

Other footsteps were heard by Gary as well. But he didn’t care about a single one of them.

He had recently lost his sister in broad daylight.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough.

He’d soon have to reach the next city.

And call his mother.

To fully explain a situation she knew so little about.

To fully explain a situation he knew so little about.