“Ivysaur, Zubat, Dedenne, Minior, Skitty, ” Gary recalled.

“Illumise, Clamperl, Cutiefly, Pidgey, two Wurmple,” June carried on after Gary had stopped. “Caterpie...”

“Absol, Kricketune, and a Ralts,” Gary finished.

“I mean, that’s pretty cool, right?” June said. “You own a lot more Pokemon now...” June’s voice trailed off into regret and she lowered her head.

Gary’s eyes began to burn from tears and he forced them back, willing them away as he blinked repeatedly. Right, Gary thought. He took a deep breath, releasing it out of his nose, and went back to the Pokedex that was in his hands. He’d been fiddling with it for a while, making some huge decisions. So this is what it feels like to really own a lot of Pokemon. Gary slipped the Pokedex into his pocket and closed his eyes. So, this is it, for now. We’ll work out with these guys, and alternate accordingly, I guess. Gary scooped up his six Poke Balls and stared at them silently.

June had her arms crossed, staring at Gary impatiently.

“Right. GOOOO!” Gary tossed the Poke Balls into the air, sending them all out.

Charizard appeared, roaring and stretching out his great wings.

“Ivy!” an Ivysaur spoke out.

“Tyrooogue!” Tyrogue bounced about on his feet and swung upward with a happy cheer. However, his fist flew at Gary and connected with his chin!

Gary’s head flew back and he stumbled several feet. “HEY!” he barked. He had every urge to just kick Tyrogue in the head as payback, but he turned to the other Pokemon, and something held him back.

Charizard snarled powerfully and took a step forward, taking in a deep breath.

Gary held out a hand. “STOP! Right now! This isn’t the time.”

Charizard flashed his teeth and held back his flames, holding them inside of his jaws as loose bits slipped out. His eyes hardened on Tyrogue.

Tyrogue sucked his teeth at Charizard, not showing any fear over the towering dragon. He turned to Gary and bowed. “Tyrogue, Ty.”

Absol stood silently, staring at Gary.

“Raichu!” Raichu smiled sweetly.

Porygon-Z was uttering out a low whining sound that was increasing by the second. Its head remained still, but its detached body was spinning slowly, picking up speed with the increasing volume of sound.

Absol turned to the other five Pokemon before looking to Gary.

Gary’s eyes were stuck on Ivysaur. I have her other Pokemon in front of me, too, but this is her Starter... Her Bulbasaur. His eyes moved to Absol. And this was the last Pokemon sent to Prof. Oak before her disappearance.

Both of what were Melissa’s Pokemon were staring at Gary.

Charizard and Tyrogue were staring back and forth between the newcomers and Gary.

Raichu sat down on the ground, maintaining his smile. “Raichu!” he greeted everyone.

No one responded.

Not bothered, Raichu looked at his surroundings.

Porygon-Z’s noise increased even further.

Gary was now staring at the strange Pokemon he had captured in a virtual reality.

Porygon-Z went silent.

Gary raised an eyebrow, confused. He swallowed, preparing to speak. Preparing to find the words to speak.

Porygon-Z cocked its entire body at a sideways angle, and a deafening screech filled the air.

Everyone screamed out in shock and pain.

Gary slammed his hands against his ears as he was forced down purely by the sound that drove its way immediately inside his head.

Everyone was down for the count, squirming on the ground, trying to block out the sound, howling in agony.

Charizard sent out flames into the air in vain.

Absol ran away, unable to cover its ears. It didn’t get far, colliding right into the side of a building.

The open area they were in within Dark City was a hidden little spot between two flimsy looking buildings made of planks. It was the most private area they could find that day.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOIIIIING???” Gary boomed.

The sound went on, leaving everyone hearing it immobile.

Anger on his face, Gary looked to Porygon-Z.

Porygon-Z was hovering over Raichu, who had let out streams of electricity through the air. The Normal type stayed dangerously close to the bright lights, swaying in the air like a boat in water.

This was when Gary realized the screeching was done, but his ears were still ringing. He shoved a finger in each ear, trying to clear them out.

When Raichu’s shock display ended, Porygon-Z spoke and then moved over to Charizard, who was sprawled out on his back, not moving.

It said something and then moved over to Ivysaur, who was crouched down with a pair of vines to the sides of its head.

It uttered something again as it moved over to Tyrogue, who was just now sitting up, rubbing his head, one eye closed tight as he leered towards Porygon-Z.

There was a cry and a sudden noise. Running.

Gary turned around.

June was running away, her duffel bag around her shoulder!

“June?”

She stopped by the weakened building and hid around it, peeking only her hand and head out. There was terror all in her eyes.

“June, what’s going on?” Gary looked around him, but he could only see his Pokemon.

June pointed a finger above him. “Th-th-th-th-th-th-th-that thing!” She shook her head harshly. “I-I-I-I-I-I-I-” June just shook her head some more, unable to finish.

Gary looked back again. “June, is there something here that I’m not seeing? A Ghost?”

Suddenly, June was shrieking at the top of her lungs!

Gary jumped and turned back, seeing June was now fleeing from Porygon-Z!

Porygon-Z was flying through the air, giving chase behind June! They both were out of sight swiftly.

“Whoa! Porygon-Z, where are you going?? Gah!” Gary looked back to his Pokemon, all of which were either still dropped down from dealing with Porygon-Z, or recovering from it. “Return!” He called back all of his Pokemon and ran after June and Porygon-Z. Spotting the screaming girl was easy. She’s leaving Dark City in that direction! he realized. “JUNE! PORYGON-Z! HEY!!” Gary went after them, leaving Dark City. “JUNE, WHAT’S THE MATTER?!”

June didn’t slow down or respond, tearing through widespread grass with few trees around. She was like an Arcanine, moving through everything around her, jumping, turning, her feet pounding everything they touched.

Gary focused himself to catch June, moving as urgently as possible, determined.

To his surprise, June was far faster right now, even while carrying that huge bag of hers. Something had her on the go, no matter what!

Why is Porygon-Z following her? Gary wondered. Is it him that’s bothering her? Could Porygon-Z be the problem?

“AAAAHHH!!” June suddenly collided with something and slammed to the ground.

“OOOOOH!” someone cried out, also falling.

“HEY!” Gary pointed at the person, completely out of breath.

Blinking, Robin looked to June, and then to Gary. His eyes bulged. His mouth opened in a huge smile.

“ROBIN!” Gary gathered newfound energy and approached his good friend he hadn’t seen in such a long while.

“JUNE!” Robin leaped to his feet, and before June could even open her mouth, Robin scooped June up from the ground, lifting her off her feet! “Please, accept this as my apology for knocking you over, as I carry you for the rest of your days. Never again worry about walking your feet weary. Join with me and live out the rest of our days together in a cloud, floating forever through the terrains, through the stratosphere, through the stars, beyond the moon, into the eternity of love that awaits us. It is destiny that you should fall to my feet for I to raise you back up upon a pedestal, a throne fit solely for a queen! June, entrust your heart to me. Allow me to nurture it, cradle it, lock it, in my safe where mine own heart dwells, that they should never be lonely. That they should-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!” June screamed with Robin.

They both were being electrocuted!

Porygon-Z’s body sparked with remaining electricity as his Electric move ended and both kids fell painfully.

“PORYGON-Z!” Gary was mortified by this action. Not bad on the timing, though, Gary silently admitted to himself as he ran up to them.

“I-I-I-I’ll lift you up high a-g-gain, i-i-i-i-i-in just a s-s-s-second-d-d,” Robin stammered, shivering in pain and sparking. “Just give me a m-m-m-m-m-moment t-t-t-to find my legs-s-s-s.”

Both Robin and June had their hair standing straight out on edge.

“PORYGON-Z!!” Gary fumed, turning to his Pokemon. “YOU DO NOT BEHAVE LIKE THAT!! Why would you do that?? Get back here!!” He returned Porygon-Z and turned back to his friends and screamed, stumbling backwards and nearly falling over.

Aly had been all up in his face. After Gary’s reaction, she sneered, leaning back, herself. “Gary, I dunno what’s been going on with you lately, but you look like that guy out that old school movie? Masque? Starring that old school singer, Share? You lookin’ all kinds of beat!”

Gary actually felt bad and lowered his eyes as water began to build up in them. “Hey!” he said strongly, holding it in and leering extra hard at her. “We’re out here training really hard, okay? We don’t need slackers like you telling us what to do.”

“Slackers?? Who’s the slackers??” Aly shouted, stomping over to Gary in her tight black coat and dark blue boots, also wearing stretchy black jeans. “I ain’t no slacker, home boy! You wanna say that again, to my face, so I can add some more lumps to your mug? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?”

“You ain’t gonna do anything, slacker!” Gary said right up in Aly’s face.

Aly inhaled loudly with a gaping mouth and leaned back. “WELL!! Then tell me, Mr. Brave, just how many Badges do you have now? Because I’ve got seven!”

“W-w-w... Well, I just got my fifth! I’m not too far behind!”

“Not far, but behind! And calling me the slacker?! HA!”

“Hey, Aly, chill, will ya?” Robin was getting to his feet, shaking his head. He stared sorrowfully at her. “Come on...”

Aly gasped and covered her mouth, turning to Gary. “Gary, I’m so sorry! Please, forgive me.”

“Huh?” Gary was confused, turning from her to Robin.

“Gary, we’ve called home. We’re really sorry,” Robin said, forcing himself to stare Gary in the eyes, pushing his hands into the pockets of his big black coat.

Gary was still confused until Robin didn’t speak any further. Something in the silence triggered his brain, and he knew what was going on. His shoulders slumped. “It’s fine, guys. Thank you,” Gary broke the quiet.

Robin and Aly both nodded, but didn’t speak.

June grunted, suffering from the effects of being zapped by Porygon-Z. She shakily stood up.

“So, a Porygon-Z, was that, Gary?” Robin chuckled. “Look at you out here! I’ve never even seen one of those in person! You actually own it!”

“Yeah,” Gary laughed lightly. “What brings you both out here, anyway?”

“I was getting my seventh Badge and Big Shot over here got his tenth apparently!” Aly rolled her eyes.

Gary’s mouth hung open. Ten Badges...?

“But I’ve caught eighty-five Pokemon to his mere fifty-five, so who’s really winning, right? Ha ha.” She smirked at Robin.

Robin snickered and waved her off. “That’s just because you keep catching repeat Pokemon.”

“Which Prof. Oak is more than happy with!”

“Anyway, we were just coming from the Fighting type Gym in the Jaman Village.”

“Shaman Village? A Fighting Gym?”

“Jaman, Gary. Can you be any more disrespectful to foreign cultures?” Aly crossed her arms.

“I wasn’t being disrespectful to anything! I just didn’t hear right!”

“You think everything has to sound one way or another. You can’t just let people be who they are!”

“Where the hell is this coming from?? What is even going on?? Can you stop being so damn forceful all the time with your stupid opinions?!” This is what nearly got us both killed at the Radio Tower! Gary thought. Whoa, wait a minute! Gary’s eyes widened, realizing that Aly hadn’t said a word. That he actually had time to think out his last thought. That he was still able to silently think!

Gary and Aly were both staring at each other in silence.

Is she thinking the same thing I was? About the radio station? About her big mouth? What happened there because of it? What almost did? What could have?

Robin stepped up between them and placed a hand on one of each of their shoulders. “Come on, guys. We’re all friends here, right? Aha ha ha ha ha ha ah ha ha ha!”

Aly and Gary turned weakly to Robin and then, noticing this, smiled at each other.

“It’s Jaman. With a ‘J.’ You just say ‘Ja.’ It’s like an accent or something,” Aly frowned. “It’s not that hard, Gary. Get with the program.”

Gary leered at her.

“And now I’m on my way to try out the Azure City Pokemon Flying Gym.”

Robin released the two. “And I’m off to train and explore some more. Catch more Pokemon, all that goodness.”

“Say, you haven’t heard from Kiwi in all this time, have you?” Aly brought up.

Gary shook his head.

No one knew what to say to this.

Kiwi, where are you? Gary thought, looking down. Are you still on your journey? Why haven’t you called anyone?

“We’ll meet her again,” Robin said strongly. “We’ll find her out there. She can’t just give up on our dream like that. She wouldn’t. Ha, I bet she’s got all eight Badges already. Ha ha ha ha ha!”

“I just hope she’s alright. Forget the journey, I want Kiwi to be safe and sound,” Aly insisted.

“I already know she is!” Robin said loudly, taking them all by surprise. “I just want to know how far along on her journey she is. She just needs time. She’ll snap back. We’re all going to the League!” Robin didn’t smile right away as he faced his friends. It came seconds too late, revealing to everyone how forced it was.

Everyone managed to smile back, noticeably less enthusiastic.

“So, where were you going to, Gary?” Aly asked.

“Well, actually...” He turned to June.

June’s eyes widened as her face went red. She lowered her head.

Aly was watching, and she beamed widely. “Ooooooooooo! I think we were interrupting a little love chase out here.”

“Wait, what?” Gary’s voice cracked.

“Huh?? Hey!!” June looked frightened!

“Oooooooh! Is that why you were running then, June?” Robin burst out laughing. He then raised his hands. “Hey, man, no beef! I didn’t mean to intrude! Why didn’t you just tell me? Is that why you sicced your Porygon-Z on me?”

“NO!!! That wasn’t even what happened!!” Gary tried. “June was-!”

Aly leaned against June. “Was June playing hard to get? Isn’t that cuuuuuute, Rob?”

Robin was holding his stomach, laughing wildly.

June moved from Aly and held out her hands, shaking her head and hands rapidly, no words coming from her wide open mouth.

“IT AIN’T EVEN LIKE THAT!!” Gary’s face was burning with embarrassment, and flaming with anger. “I DON’T LIKE JUNE!! STOP IT!!!”

“Oh, please, like you’d admit it if you did,” Aly rolled her eyes, a look of disbelief on her face. She then reached out and smacked June’s bottom.

June gasped as she stood on her toes and grabbed her butt, a horrified look on her face as it reddened further before she landed flat on her feet.

Aly winked at her. “Don’t worry, I know Gary didn’t mean that. What straight guy wouldn’t wanna be in my position right now?”

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!” June howled, covering her face and backing up until her back met with a tree.

“And what guy doesn’t love a redhead?” Aly went on, shrugging. “Gary, you cray cray if you ain’t tryna get a smooch from those lovely lips. If I went that way, you’d be so gone, and June would be my traveling partner, shoooooot. Go through the door while it’s open, Rob, before Gary here comes to his senses.”

“WILL YOU SHUT UP ALREADY, YOU BIG MOUTH MANIAC??!!” Gary exploded.

“Well, if you two really aren’t together...” Robin started.

“HOW ABOUT A POKEMON BATTLE?!” Gary came up with. He held up a random Poke Ball, not even sure what was inside.

“You mean, like a Tag Battle? You and June versus me and Rob?” Aly smiled.

“I mean, it could be more-” Gary tried to change the teams.

“Sounds fine by me!!” Aly grabbed Robin’s arm and pulled him over.

June and Gary faced each other. “Fine,” they both muttered, and June walked back over.

“Look at ‘em. Talking the same and all that,” Aly fluttered her eyes.

“Oh cut it out!” Gary yelled as Robin laughed some more.

“So, a Tag Battle? Just one Pokemon each?” June suggested.

Aly nodded. “Yeah.”

“Fine by me! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

Aly squinted at Robin.

June and Gary nodded to each other.

“Then let the battle begin!” June ordered.

“Mighty Ivy, let’s do it!” Aly sent out her Pokemon.

“Ivy...” Ivysaur growled, staring at June and Gary.

Nobody else moved.

Robin had a Poke Ball in his hand, but he didn’t throw it.

June stared from Robin to Gary, but didn’t even get a Poke Ball.

Gary was staring at his belt, determining the Poke Ball in his hand from the ones on his waist. Who do I choose? I’d like to try out one of the newer Pokemon, but I don’t want to risk it and lose due to an inexperienced Pokemon...

“Uh, is this a forfeit?” Aly crossed her arms. “What’s going on, everyone? What’s the joke?”

The three turned to each other.

June took a deep breath and turned to Gary. She gave him a small smile. “Let’s do our best.” She knelt down and dug through her bag.

What did that mean? Gary wondered. He finally decided on a Poke Ball and turned to Robin. “Okay, I choose you!”

The Poke Ball spun through the air, popping open.

“Ivy.” Ivysaur landed and stared right at the other Ivysaur.

Aly’s Ivysaur’s eyes tightened and she bared her teeth.

June stood up and held out a Poke Ball. “Electivire, come out!”

“Electivire!” He stood tall and gazed at the two Ivysaur. “Vire?” He looked back to June.

“That’s right, big boy. I choose you!” June beamed. “Let’s battle!”

Electivire growled, and his horns sparked for a Thunderbolt.

“Hey, come on! Be nice for once, won’t you? I’m-” June pleaded.

“Okay, Catherine, let’s go!” Robin threw his Poke Ball.

Catherine popped out from it and landed, smiling. “Squirt?” Her eyes glimmered at the sight of Gary, and she ran up to him.

Gary’s heart pounded wildly. Oh, no, he thought. Is she still disobedient? He smiled at her uncomfortably.

Catherine stopped at his feet and reached up, pulling at his jeans leg with her little hands. “Squirtle! Squirtle!”

“Squirtle!” Robin looked hurt.

Forgive me, Rob, but... Gary broke into a bigger, more sincere smile and picked up Catherine. “Hey, bud! Let’s head back over to Rob, right?”

“Squirtle Squirtle!” Catherine gave Gary’s chest a hug, stretching out her arms and grabbing of his shirt what she could.

Gary cradled her close and took a step before stopping. He didn’t need to move to Robin anymore. In fact, he wanted to back away, now!

Robin was stomping in his black boots towards them.

“Squirt?” Catherine looked up at Gary sweetly and then looked back to see what was going on. “Squirtle!” She went inside of her shell.

“Oh, no ya don’t!” Robin snatched the shell from Gary and shook it roughly, as if trying to get Catherine to fall out.

“ROB!” Gary tried to take her from him.

Robin moved to the side and continued his abusive act. “DON’T HIDE NOW, DAMNIT!!”

SLAP!! The sound echoed, stunning everybody.

June covered her mouth with one hand.

The other three Pokemon watched with wide eyes.

Robin held Catherine close to his chest as he stared at an enraged Aly in horror. A red handprint was dark against his naturally pale face.

Aly snatched Catherine from Robin and held her close.

“Aly, I-” Robin started.

“Maybe you need to hand your Pokedex back to Prof. Oak, Rob,” Aly said coldly.

“Aly, you know-”

“Because if this is how you treat your Pokemon, you’re one face I don’t want to see at the League!” Aly barked. “Or even in ownership of Pokemon!! How dare you call yourself a Pokemon Trainer!! This is the most vile act I’ve ever seen of you! What do you do to her when your friends aren’t around?!”

“Aly, I don’t do that when alone! I don’t do that at all, really!” Robin insisted.

“That’s what men always say, isn’t it?” Aly leered.

“Aly, it’s just...” Robin turned weary eyes to Gary. “It’s only-” He stopped himself and lowered his head. “There’s no excuse for what I just did. I’m disgusting.”

“Yeah, you sure are! Why would you do that?? Rob, I’ve never seen something like that out of you!”

Catherine poked her head out.

Robin turned to her.

She returned back to her shell with a “Squirt!”

“I’m sorry, Catherine.” Robin’s head fell again. “I’m really sorry.”

“There’s no excuse for what he did, but there’s a bit of history you don’t know about us, Aly,” Gary stepped up.

Robin looked to Gary sadly. “Gary, there’s no need. There’s no reasoning to explain my actions.”

“Maybe,” Gary nodded at him. “But there’s a story to it. Aly doesn’t know it. It doesn’t remove what happened, but it helps put things into perspective.”

“What’s going on here, guys?” Aly asked, turning to everyone in turn and back.

Gary’s mouth opened, but nothing was said for a moment. “Basically, Squirtle listens to Rob in all situations except when I’m around.”

“Why would she do that?”

“You remember when we all got our Starters and she helped me out against Charmander?”

Aly nodded.

“Yeah, well, she took that kind of close to heart and figured I’d choose her as my Pokemon. She’s kind of fixated on me, in a sense, and it’s also why she hasn’t evolved in all this time. She’s kind of...” He turned to June, who was staring right back. Turning back to Aly, he continued, “Catherine is having issues letting go of that time. She kind of reverts back to it and won’t evolve because of it...”

“She thinks you’re gonna come back and get her, and then she can move on.”

Gary lowered his eyes and nodded. He hadn’t wanted to say that part, but Aly figured it out. “It’s been pretty bad.”

“This is the second time.” June crossed her arms, a serious look at Robin. “That I’ve seen, anyway.”

Robin covered his face with both hands and then ran them up through his zapped hair. “I’m not like that. I swear, June!” His eyes began to tear up and he wiped at them.

“Oh, spare the tears, Rob!” Aly snapped, rubbing Catherine’s shell.

“Aly, look, I know this is bad, but this is Rob. He lost his cool,” Gary defended. “Ease up on him.”

“Ease up on him? He’s crying like a little baby, over you!” Aly shot at Gary.

“Me?”

“Yeah! I can’t believe this is all a love story over you, like you’re some hot shot!” Aly smirked.

Gary stared at Aly with exhaustion.

“This can all be sorted out with a girls’ daaaaay!” Aly cheered.

“A girls day?” Gary asked.

Aly frowned. “Yes, Gary. Like a girls’ night, but it oooobviously isn’t night right now? So, me, June, and Catherine here will spend the day together! When we get back, this dilemma will be done with once and for all!”

“How? What are you gonna do?” Gary asked curiously.

“Yeah, where are you taking my Pokemon this time! June already did this!” Robin argued.

Aly waved them both off. “Just truuuust me, boys! June, Catherine, we’re outta here!”

Catherine stuck her head out of her shell and stared up warily at Aly. “Squirtle?”

“Don’t worry. It’s time to spend some time away from these icky boys. What good are they, anyway? Right, June?”

June smiled at Aly and Catherine. “Well, I guess a little time apart can’t hurt.” She held out Electivire’s Poke Ball, returning him with ease.

Aly recalled her Ivysaur, too.

The three girls then left the two boys and Ivysaur to stare after them, stunned.

Gary and Robin faced each other.

“Well, this is familiar, huh?” Robin smiled.

“More or less, I think,” Gary smiled back.

“Well, screw the girls, then! If they wanna have a day off from us guys, then let ‘em! We can still have a battle! You and I, one-on-one! Or we’ll do a full five-on-five, even!”

“Let’s battle until they get back and see what’s what.”

Robin grabbed a different Poke Ball and tossed it. “Come out!”

“Croooooc!” a Pokemon called out.

Croconaw. The Big Jaw Pokemon. Totodile’s evolved stage. This rare Pokemon has a vicious bite with forked back teeth tips that, when it gets a proper grip, cannot be removed.

“Croconaw! Wait, didn’t you have a Totodile before?” Gary remembered the last time they had met and Robin had mentioned a Totodile.

“That’s right! And now we’re evolved and stronger than ever!” Robin smiled big, but his smile faded and his gaze fell.

So Croconaw has evolved, but not Squirtle, Gary kept to himself. Rob must see this.

“So this is Ivysaur versus Bright Eyes, then?” Robin grinned again.

Gary stared at his Pokemon. My Pokemon... Gary thought. His lips tightened against each other and he inhaled. Facing Robin, he said loudly, “Yeah!”

“Then let’s get this started! Have the first move, my friend!”

“Ivysaur, Tackle!” Gary decided, starting off with something basic as he pulled out his Pokedex to check out Ivysaur’s moves.

“Open wide, Bright Eyes!” Robin instructed. “Crunch!”

Ivysaur lunged at Bright Eyes.

Bright Eyes opened its jaws wide, its teeth glowing white. It caught Ivysaur’s Tackle, clamping down upon Ivysaur.

“IVYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!” Ivysaur struggled, unable to break free from Bright Eyes’ grip.

“Okay, from up close, Leech Seed!”

Ivysaur’s bulb produced a little seed at the tip.

“Let’s go, Superpower!” Robin said.

Bright Eyes flexed its arms, producing imposing muscles!

Gary’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Bright Eyes chest, stomach, and body overall were now bulging! “CROOOOOOCONAW!”

Ivysaur’s Leech Seed was ejected to Bright Eyes.

Keeping its grip, Bright Eyes clapped its hands together, around the Leech Seed! It then opened its palms and dusted them off, the Leech Seed smashed!

Gary inhaled sharply. “No way!”

“Keep it up!” Robin urged.

Bright Eyes opened its jaws, releasing Ivysaur, and then reached out for it.

“Ivysaur, now! Growth!” Gary chose.

Bright Eyes grabbed Ivysaur as it started to glow green. “CROOOOOC!” It leaped high and then tossed Ivysaur below it.

Ivysaur screamed before hitting the ground. It got back up, shaking its head. The green glow vanished.

“Now use Seed Bomb!”

Ivysaur’s bulb glowed white. With a determined yell, it fired out several glowing green round objects at Bright Eyes.

Bright Eyes’ body was back to normal, the muscles gone, and it was then struck. Forced backwards, it collapsed onto its back.

“Bright Eyes! Hang tough! Screech, now!” Robin seemed to brace himself.

“Crap!” Gary covered his ears.

Bright Eyes opened its mouth and uttered a piercing Screech attack.

Gary wailed out, unable to keep the sound out.

Ivysaur fell out flat on the ground, screaming in agony.

Robin had a furious look of concentration on his face as he gave out another order Gary couldn’t hear.

Bright Eyes leaped at Ivysaur and held on to its face.

Ivysaur stared back helplessly.

Bright Eyes opened its jaws and they were coated with Ice. It then sunk them down into Ivysaur’s face!

Ivysaur screamed as Ice began to coat it! The Ice covered its face, silencing it, and continued down its body.

Gary looked to his Pokedex helplessly. No way! There’s a chance for this! Melissa! You did it! Gary grinned, hoping in his heart this would work. “SOLAR BEAM! GOOOOOO!!”

Robin gasped. “Too late, Gary!”

Ice covered more of Ivysaur’s body as its bulb glowed a bright white, collecting energy from the sun high above. It wasn’t long before Ivysaur was entirely Frozen.

Bright Eyes shoved itself off of Ivysaur and landed a couple of feet away.

“Game over, Gary!” Robin smiled proudly. “Time to wrap this one up!”

“Come on, Ivysaur,” Gary growled under his breath.

“Shatter through with Crunch and end this fight!” Robin reached out enthusiastically.

Bright Eyes leaped out, ready to attack the Frozen Ivysaur.

BAAAAAAAAASSSSSSHHHH!!!!!

“SAAAAAAAAAUUUURRRRR!!!” Ivysaur’s Solar Beam burst through the Ice, slamming right into Bright Eyes’ open jaws and engulfing its entire body in a bright beam!

Bright Eyes screamed out.

“YEAAAAAAH!!” Gary leaped for joy.

Robin held one hand up to shield his eyes from the light.

When the bright beam faded, Gary gasped.

Robin nodded with a big grin.

“IVY!” Ivysaur cried.

Bright Eyes was standing! It had a dark, determined grin on its face, similar to Robin’s.

“Damn right! No doubt about that! Now where were we?!” Robin yelled.

Bright Eyes shot at Ivysaur with glowing jaws.

“Ivysaur, keep it back with Vine Whip! Shut its mouth!”

“IVYSAUR!” Ivysaur sent out a pair of Vine Whips that wrapped around Bright Eyes’ jaws.

The Water type was slammed to the ground, grunting painfully through its silenced jaws.

“Whip it!” Gary pressed Ivysaur.

“IVY! SAUR! IVY! IVY!” Ivysaur continued to force Bright Eyes up, and then back down, beating the Pokemon without stopping.

That has to do it! Gary was sure.

“Alright, let’s go for it! Thrash, now!”

Bright Eyes hit the ground again, and was then raised high once more. After it came back down, crashing to the ground, its feet positioned themselves underneath itself. It grabbed Ivysaur’s vines.

“IVY!” Ivysaur called out angrily. It made a move.

Bright Eyes yanked on the vines, forcing Ivysaur to fly into the air, towards it! Robin’s Pokemon leaped up to meet Ivysaur and collided into it with a headbutt!

Ivysaur cried out and fell backwards, releasing Bright Eyes.

Bright Eyes landed and came at Ivysaur instantly with slashing, kicks, and bites.

“Ivysaur, please! Fight back with your Poison Powder!” Gary insisted.

Bright Eyes socked Ivysaur in the chin, tossing the Grass Pokemon backwards.

“Ivyyy!” Purple powder sprayed out from Ivysaur’s bulb.

Bright Eyes began to choke, but it continued its attack on Ivysaur.

“Squirtle! Squirtle!” a voice called out from elsewhere.

“GUUUUUUYS!! We’re baaaaack!!” another voice rang out.

Robin and Gary turned swiftly to see Aly, June, and Catherine running together through the grass.

June’s hair looked a lot better, but a lot of it was still way out of place from Porygon-Z’s earlier stint.

“Catherine!!” Robin stood with wide eyes, watching his Pokemon. Without looking away, he blindly held out Bright Eyes’ Poke Ball and returned his Pokemon as it swung out a foot to kick Ivysaur, sparing the opponent.

Aly and June came to a sudden stop, watching with big smiles as Catherine continued running alone.

Robin’s eyes widened further somehow, and his mouth opened as he watched his Pokemon.

Catherine continued moving forward, her arms reaching out.

Robin turned to Gary.

Gary looked back to him.

Both Trainers looked to Catherine, wondering how this would end.

“SQUIRTLLLE!” Catherine continued, her specific path between the two Trainers unclear.

“Catherine!” Robin burst out. A tear ran down his right cheek.

Catherine, Gary thought at the same time, both of his eyes watering in fear of Catherine’s intention. Are they really back already? What did they accomplish? How much time has passed?

Catherine continued running, saying her name repeatedly.

Robin suddenly dropped to one knee, soon after, his other knee hitting the ground, and he opened his arms. “Catherine?”

Catherine was indeed closer to heading for Robin than she was Gary.

She then turned her head to Gary.

Gary’s heart popped within his chest. No!

“SQUIRTLLLE!!” Catherine leaped into the air, after turning back to Robin, and her body flashed white!

“WHOA!” Robin caught Catherine and held her glowing frame as he was taken down.

Catherine’s body grew in every way possible. Wider, longer, Catherine was evolving!

June had both hands to her cheeks as she cried silently.

Aly was grinning wide like a proud parent.

Gary was in shock watching this evolution take place.

The white glow faded and on top of Robin was a Wartortle!

“Wartortle Wartortle!” Catherine said happily.

“WARTORTLE!” Robin was in tears, weeping with joy. “YOU’VE EVOOOOOLVED!! WARTORTLLLLLLLE!!”

Catherine hugged Robin.

“Catherine, I’m so sorry!!” Robin sobbed, hugging her back. “Please, I swear that won’t happen again! I, I-!”

“Wartortle Wartortle!” Catherine spoke.

“It’s okay, Robin,” June stated. “It’s okay, now... So long as that doesn’t happen again, you and Catherine are in as best a place as can be right now.”

“What happened? What did you two do?” Gary asked the girls.

“We broke through,” June told him. “I didn’t expect this, but I’m also not surprised. It’s all over, now. Catherine and Robin are gonna be A-okay!”

“Yeah, we just hung out for a bit and got Catherine to see that boys suck! Especially you!” Aly chimed in. “We shared stories and just had a good old time like only girls can do. You ain’t nothin’, Gary. Get over yourself.”

“I never said I was anything special!” Gary couldn’t believe his ears! “I never-!”

Catherine sprayed Robin in the face with a blast of water from her mouth.

Robin cried out in protest until it ended. “Whoa! Hey! What’s that, now?”

Catherine smiled with an open mouth, revealing two spaced apart, sharp teeth. Her eyes closed in delight, she rubbed Robin’s head.

Robin’s eyes went up and his mouth fell open in wonder. Holding her in one arm, he raised his other hand to his head and rubbed it with her. His hair was soaked, but flat down again. “My hair! Aha! You fixed my hair from looking stupid! Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”

“Anyway, all is well,” Aly smiled at a crying, laughing Robin and delighted Catherine.

“I can’t thank you girls enough!” Robin wept. “You’re as good as lifesavers! Catherine is everything to me! Thank you both!”

As Robin continued to cry, holding his weightier Wartortle in his arms.

As June wiped her own tears from her eyes at the sight.

As Aly nodded with approval, holding a toothy grin.

Next time we meet, Gary thought to himself, watching Robin and Catherine with his own smile.

It’s on.