“Hup! Two, three, four. Hup! Two, three, four. Hup! Two, three, four,” Gary chanted, bouncing from one foot to the next, leading a pack of his Pokemon, Tyrogue by his side.

Charizard, Ivysaur, Raichu and Absol did their best to march along with the two.

Porygon-Z was in the air, bobbing from side to side to the beat.

June was huffing to keep up with Gary, marching ahead of his Pokemon.

On occasion, Gary and Tyrogue would throw out punches, grunting.

“Gary, is this truly necessary?” June complained.

“Tyrogue needs to work out a lot more than the other Pokemon I own!” Gary explained. “We’ve been over this already! You can stay behind. Go home, even! I need to take care of my guys. This will be great for all the Pokemon and be healthy for me.”

“Don’t be rude, Gary!” June snapped. “I’ve trained harder than this with Lt. Surge.”

“Then what’s with your crying?”

“It’s been a while, okay??”

Most of Gary’s Pokemon looked wiped out, struggling along.

Even the floating Porygon-Z seemed to be exhausted.

“We’re almost there, everyone!” Gary inhaled sharply, motivated through his mind to not show just how dead tired he himself was. He felt he had to lead his team by example.

Tyrogue was the most energetic, ahead of Gary by a couple of feet at times, but also not bursting with the same energy as when he started earlier.

“Couldn’t we just have a battle to keep the energy going?” June tried. “And you can just do some push-ups?”

“Yeah, a battle will be great, at the Gym!”

June huffed angrily.

“Hup! Two, three, four.” There were shouts up ahead that stopped Gary’s chanting, but not his marching. His eyes focused on the shapes up ahead that everyone had been staring at for a long while.

What everyone presumed to be the buildings of Jaman Village. The sign they had gone past a while back let them know it wasn’t much further, but the journey seemed to extend, likely due to Gary’s new workout plan.

“Hey, I think I see people!” Gary kept up his pace, more grateful than ever that he could actually see the people there. We can stop running soon enough, Gary kept to himself.

“Looks like they’re up to something,” June managed to let out tiredly.

“Yeah, why are they running about like that?”

It wasn’t much later that the group finally came to a stop, though in disbelief at what they now saw clearly.

Jaman Village was filled with humans and Pokemon alike. Everyone wore similar outfits, varying very slightly where they did. Overall, the people and Pokemon all wore karate gis. Some had belts while others did not. But this wasn’t what stunned Gary and his group, nor had the villagers running in a panic.

The village was on fire! Structures made of wood burned throughout the area. The grass that covered the ground burned in some large spots.

People and Pokemon were running, dumping buckets of water on the flames. Some even climbed up ladders planted near buildings to douse the flames from a higher location. Other stronger people and following Pokemon had the strength to toss the water from the ground high enough to reach the top of burning buildings. When folks would run off after emptying their buckets, more would replace them with their own.

“What do you kids think you’re doing here? Get out of here!” a woman yelled.

Gary and his friends turned to see a woman with pink hair ending in huge hoops. A Nurse Joy! This one wore a karate gi of some kind. This outfit didn’t come with pants, but the bottom of the shirt seemed to wear more like a dress. She had a black belt wrapped around her waist. Her feet were in pink sandals. A glare was on her face, her teeth bared. She turned away and hurled water from a bucket along with others with their own water and then glanced back at the new kids. In an instant, she was gone, running off as more took the place of those leaving.

Wowee, Gary thought to himself. Was that really a Nurse Joy? Talk about gorgeous! I’ve never seen one outside of their normal uniform. ...To even just loosen up that karate belt and see-

“We have to help them!” June dropped quickly and dug into her bag. She stood up with a Poke Ball and tossed it. “Lanturn, go, now! Use Hydro Pump!”

Gary shook his head from his thoughts and turned to see Lanturn appear.

Lanturn used her attack to help douse the flames.

One lady lowered a bucket she hadn’t emptied on the fires and leered at June’s Lanturn.

Gary inhaled sharply, until he could no longer take in any more air and the quick action hurt his chest.

While this lady was short, she was still about a foot taller than Gary. Her dark brown hair rested upon her breasts. She wore an all white karate gi with a white shirt underneath, some kind of dark bird design visible on it at her chest. Her black belt held a set of colors at one end that resembled a foreign flag. Covered by her hair but still visible was a white bandana. On her feet were white sandals.

Who... IS THAT?? Gary’s eyes were wide at the cold, blue-grey eyes of the woman. Whoa... She’s something else entirely! Gary’s mouth opened, not intending on saying anything, but he also hadn’t planned on his mouth dropping, either. Hello, he thought to himself. Gary was then hit with a powerful blow, and he collapsed to the ground, facefirst.

*

Gary coughed a couple of times, and suddenly was unable to stop. He heard gasps and, having difficulty breathing, he sat up and looked into the eyes of Nurse Joy. Still coughing, his head now throbbing, he noticed someone else absolutely breathtaking. “Ooh!” Gary choked.

It was the lady from earlier, with the white headband! She stood at the foot of...

A bed?? Gary realized he was in a room, on top of a bed. Breathing hard, his choking fit stopped. “Huh...?”

“Gary, no!” Nurse Joy covered her eyes.

“Dooof!!” Gary was assaulted, hit right in the left cheek, forcing his head to the right sharply, where he could see June! He closed his eyes to the will of his aching head.

June winced at the incident, looking away.

Gary could swear there was a smirk on her lips before his vision went black. He turned cautiously, fear on his face, to his attacker, confused about what was going on.

Tyrogue was standing on the bed now, his arms crossed, a leer on his face, looking away from Gary.

A TV on a low volume was on. It was the only sound in the room for a while.

“Is this only the second time Tyrogue has hit you?”

Gary turned, flinching over his sore head, and his eyes widened again at the unnamed beautiful woman. “I... I’d love to tell you-”

The lady narrowed her eyes and leaped at Gary!

Gary’s eyes opened even further, unsure if she was lunging to attack him, or... Maybe hug me? he considered hopefully. Either way, he screamed out in shock.

The woman went right by him and tackled Tyrogue off the bed!

Tyrogue’s eyes were now on the lady atop him. He grabbed at her, and she swiftly reached out and grabbed his hands. She and Tyrogue got to their feet at once and let go of one another. Tyrogue sent out punches and kicks that the lady blocked with ease, as if she knew what was coming, or as if they had practiced this a million times before. Soon, they both stopped, eyeing the other. “Very well done,” she smiled and then turned to Gary. “What a well raised Pokemon you have, Gary. It’s nice to meet you. I am Hitomi.”

“Hitomi...” he repeated. “What a name for such a wo-”

“Hiyah!” Hitomi reached out her arm, stopping it right in front of Gary’s face, making him swallow a rock whole! “That’s enough, Tyrogue!” she scolded Gary’s Pokemon.

Tyrogue had a punch aiming for Gary’s head, but it was blocked by Hitomi. He grumbled and turned his back on everyone, crossing his arms again.

“Huh? What’s going on?” Gary asked. His hand reached up to hold his sore head as he turned at the sound of June sucking her teeth.

She rolled her eyes.

Hitomi turned to Nurse Joy and gave her a sweet smile.

Nurse Joy turned to Gary kindly. “While we were busy putting out the fires when you arrived, your Tyrogue appeared and knocked you out. So we got you here immediately.” She reached behind Gary and lifted up an ice pack, putting it on top of his head.

“Aaaahh!” Gary whispered sharply in pain. “Wait, why did my Tyrogue attack me?” Holding the ice pack, he turned to Hitomi, remembering her question earlier. “The second time!”

“We weren’t entirely sure what had happened,” Nurse Joy admitted. “Just a disobedient Pokemon? It happens, of course. But, June seemed to have an explanation, since it seems she has a very special gift you’re well aware of.”

“Thaaaaaaat’s right!” June was grinning huge now. Her hands on her hips, she looked smugly down at Gary. “I know exactly why Tyrogue keeps beating the snot out of you, Gary.”

Gary opened his mouth to ask “why?” but June went right on explaining.

“He’s stopping you from interacting with girls you like.” Her smile became a sneer with ease.

“Wait, what??” Gary’s face was going red and he couldn’t bring himself to look to Nurse Joy or Hitomi.

“When you were in Dark City and flirting with the Nurse Joy, he came out and socked you a good one, too,” June reminded him.

Gary’s eyes lowered, and then went right back up to June with a frown. “I didn’t flirt with Nurse Joy!”

“You little liar!” She shoved an accusatory finger at his face.

Gary bared his teeth. “You’re full of it! One minute you can’t even read Pokemon, now you think you know anything!”

June’s finger soon became a fist and she growled. “Are you denying my claims??”

“YEAH!!” Gary exploded. He thought for a moment. “And he attacked me in the woods before, too. Back with Ish?”

June squinted hard at him.

“And that’s not the only time, either...” Gary remembered loosely.

“Well, those other times were accidents. He’s deliberately coming out of his Poke Ball to stop you from making small talk with cute girls.” June crossed her arms over her chest and looked up to the ceiling with tight eyes.

“Even IF I were doing that, which I’m not, why would he be doing that?” Gary snapped. This conversation was making Gary’s heart beat hard. How embarrassing to be talking about me possibly flirting with cute girls, while these two hotties are right here! Gary fumed.

“I’m wondering if your Pokemon isn’t trying to protect you,” Hitomi suggested.

Everyone turned to her, Gary doing so uncomfortably, fixing his ice pack as it slipped a bit.

“Maybe, if you were indeed doing so,” she winked, making Gary’s eyes widen and his face blush hard before he smiled back nervously and looked down, “he would be looking out for your best interest! Maybe he wants to keep your focus on your training, and keep you from getting sidetracked.” She giggled.

How adorable she is, Gary grinned at her.

June sucked her teeth again and shook her head, keeping her face up.

“Or maybe he’s trying to keep your sights on something else you already have,” Nurse Joy mentioned.

“Like what?” Gary questioned.

She shrugged, her cheeks going red as she looked up, a little smile on her face.

Captivated by Nurse Joy’s sweet charms, Gary said, “You’ve done so much to care for me, Nurse Joy. Maybe tonight, when you’re not too busy of course, you could sit by my bedside and tell me more about these personal theories of yours and-”

“Yyyaaaaah!” Nurse Joy spun in place and came to a stop with a hand held out, stopping right in front of Gary’s mouth!

As his mouth shut quickly, he swallowed nothing but sand, and his body jumped in fright.

In Nurse Joy’s hand was Tyrogue’s fist! She smiled at Tyrogue. “Come, now. None of that.”

Tyrogue freed his hand and glared at the bed he stood atop.

Nurse Joy turned to June with a smile.

A saddened look was now visible in June’s eyes as she stared back, the anger gone.

“Gary, I wasn’t accepting challengers at my Gym after the fires that had started, but I’d like to make a request,” Hitomi brought up.

It took a moment dwelling in the silence for Gary to shake his head and stare in surprise at the woman. “GYM?? Your Gym?? You’re the Gym Leader?!”

She bowed before him. “Yes! I am!” She laughed, sounding like a young schoolgirl. “And I’d like to make an exception and face you one-on-one in a Pokemon battle!”

“You’re requesting to face me? I don’t understand.”

“I can feel it in Tyrogue. His energy. It speaks to me.”

“Can you speak to Pokemon, too?”

Hitomi shook her head, looking to Tyrogue. “Not like how June does. I just mean, I can feel great vibes from this Tyrogue. Maybe I just sound silly, but I just know that this is one I just have to battle against. Me and my partner wish to challenge you. We’ll do it outdoors.”

“Hitomi, what happened here, anyway?”

Her eyes hardened as she whipped around to face Gary.

Gary’s hands tightened into fists as he gripped the sheets underneath him.

“There was a girl here. A Trainer who challenged me for my Badge. She won, but her Pokemon was unruly. While her Incineroar listened to her during the fight, even after it won, it wanted more. It even tried to attack me!”

“An Incineroar?” There’s no way... Gary thought, horror coming over his face.

“Wait! Was it owned by a pink haired Trainer?” June took a step forward.

Hitomi’s eyes squinted at June. “Yes! Do you know her?”

“Oh, we know that girl, alright!” June said loudly. “Her name is Courtney! We ran into her on our way here!”

“She told us there were some wild Incineroar passing through this area around this time of year,” Gary added.

“Wild Incineroar?? Here?” Hitomi’s eyes were wide. “There’s no such thing! I’ve never seen such a thing in my twenty-one years living in this village. I rarely come across Trainers with one! Hers had the worst attitude I’ve ever met of the species, though. It attacked the village, and the girl was finally able to recall it and just took off. She didn’t even say sorry!”

“She didn’t tell us anything about this!” Gary couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “She told us there were wild Incineroar here, and that’s it! Nothing about the village burning or any trouble she caused!”

“If not for this feeling I have for your Tyrogue, I’d be sending you on your way to another Gym. But I just have to face him!” Hitomi gushed, turning to Tyrogue.

“Why would...?” Gary pondered.

“The less competition I had, the easier I could win,” Courtney had stated to Gary when explaining why she had given him wrong information about where to register for a competition in New City, nearly causing him to miss the deadline.

Gary frowned. “She lied.” He turned to June. “On purpose.”

“But, why?” She suddenly gasped. “You don’t think she was trying to slow you up again! Like in New City? The Starter Competition?”

“Exactly! She’s out here wasting my damn time!!”

June sucked her teeth and shook her head. “What is her problem?”

“Sounds like this girl is more troublesome for you two than I understand,” Hitomi smiled. “Please, whenever you’re ready, let’s have our battle.” Hitomi nodded in a way Gary found so endearing and cute, keeping her smile and closing her eyes. She turned and headed for the door.

“Upon further investigation, experts are now saying this was not an attack by Team Solace, but is instead something a lot more natural.”

Gary turned to the TV.

It’d been on the entire time, but in the silence, it caught everyone’s attention. A newswoman with long black hair that went down past the white desk she sat at spoke with a face as serious yet sorrowful as her voice was. “We have Professor Tori on the scene.”

The newswoman was replaced by an expanding box of a video that showed a new location. This village looked similar to the one Gary was in, the buildings inside having a little more variety. Aside from wooden structures, there were stone, brick, and even grass establishments. Bodies were also scattered on the ground everywhere. Here, EMTs were running wild with stretchers, trying to pick up people or give aid where they could. Some bodies were motionless, others twitching.

A man in a white lab coat and white cap squinted at the microphone in his face, which was held by a male news reporter in a gray suit. “Venomoth are commonly known for their loose spores that can fall off their wings with very little provocation. We no longer believe this to be an attack by Team Solace. We think the Venomoth, who do live on a hill over this village, just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Something as little as a bad wind could have blown through and caused their spores to come loose, and trail downhill, into this town, leaving these people ill and paralyzed.”

“So you have conclusively concluded that this was not the work of Team Solace,” the newsman asked.

“Based on our research and findings, we have no reason to believe that’s the case. It may be that some wish to believe it is, and I understand that given the circumstances, but this looks like nothing but a freak coincidence, and it’s not the first of its kind. This does actually happen. And I think that may be where the problem lies. This could be used as fuel in the Team Solace stance. That’s my worry.”

“Thank you, Professor Tori.” The newsman turned to the TV screen. “Back to you, Bonnie.”

The video of the men was shrunk and soon, the lady was back on. “This incident follows an actual Team Solace attack mentioned just yesterday, involving several Dugtrio and Diglett left in the sun, stressing them out and drying out their bodies. Trapped in a Johto’s Violet City against a very elaborate plan involving flooding the ground underneath the city for miles, the Ground types, weak to water, fled and were forced above ground. In their stress, they all attacked with Earthquake, annihilating the city for the most part. While one hundred people were confirmed injured, a number on the lives lost are unknown at this time. Sprout Tower remains standing, as it was designed to in moments like these by structure, but with this latest Venomoth attack to add to Pokemon based incidents, people are considering where they stand on this debate of sorts that Team Solace seems to have left for us to consider.” She looked down before looking back up. Her eyes did a slight roll before an annoyed smirk came over her face. “In other news, the #UsToo movement makes another appearance. The counterprotest organization speaking for men who claim to have experienced sexual abuse at the hands of women, have been marching in the streets in front of Unova’s Castelia City’s Game Freak Headquarters.”

With Team Solace no longer in the news, Gary was no longer listening, dwelling on what had been said about them.

Thinking on the so-called “debate” of what Team Solace was doing.

*

“Wow! Would you take a look at that stream though?” June pointed beyond the wooden building of the Gym where a large river was flowing along, ending as a waterfall.

On the other side of the river was a landing formed out of the mountain there, trees growing all over it.

Gary ignored June and eyed the ladies and creature far off, Tyrogue right by his side.

There was a battlefield outlined in chalk in the grass, a lady standing outside of it, an obvious referee. She was chatting with Hitomi, both girls stopping their conversation to turn to those who had appeared.

The shorter creature stood closer to Hitomi.

Hitomi smiled and turned to the being close by her. “Mienshao, this is who I’ve been telling you about!”

The thing stared at Hitomi and then turned harder eyes onto the new group.

Mienshao. The Martial Arts Pokemon. The evolved form of Mienfoo. Once it starts up a series of attacks, there is no stopping it. It uses this distraction to power up a powerful attack. When it lets out a strange wail, it is ready to deliver a devastating blow.

Gary stepped closer to the three.

The woman who was with Hitomi had short, dark brown hair that was cut very short to her head. At each side of her head, her hair was in a large, braided ring, smaller than a Nurse Joy’s. Beside each ring was one extended braid that reached her shoulder, a yellow ribbon near the end of them. At the sides of her head was a white puff with a fancy yellow design in yellow ribbon that reached down close to the braids. She wore black gloves with a yellow design outlining a cut out hole at the back. The fingers were cut, reaching only halfway up. Her feet were in black sneakers with yellow and white streaks around, the laces all white. Her tight stretch pants were yellow with black color down the legs, the band of her pants being black with a yellow design. Something black with an orange tassel hung from her pants. Her top was what truly caught Gary’s eyes. For one thing, her tight stomach was revealed. The shirt itself was half yellow and half white, the sleeves, which didn’t even reach her elbows, had bold black on them, black ribbons streaming down the arms. In one hand was a little wooden basket filled with strawberries.

“OOOGG!” Gary groaned as he turned to Tyrogue, holding his stomach and bending over. “You little...!” He punched Tyrogue in the face.

“Rogue!” Tyrogue stumbled back, glaring at Gary.

“I don’t have to let you battle, you know!” Gary shouted. “Quit attacking me! I wasn’t even-!” Gary caught himself and squinted at Tyrogue, who returned the same eyes back.

Hitomi giggled. “Gary, I look forward to our battle!” She walked to a spot on the battlefield, and Mienshao went in its place in front of her.

Gary nodded and walked to his place, Tyrogue taking his spot.

June ran up and stopped outside of the battlefield, opposite the referee.

The referee remained where she was.

Both Pokemon growled at each other and took a position.

Tyrogue tightened his yellow scarf.

“This battle is between Jaman Village’s Hitomi, versus Gary from Pallet Town. This battle will be one-on-one, with no time limit! The first Trainer whose Pokemon is defeated, is out!” She raised her free hand.

Gary took one last look at the fit judge’s stomach.

“Begin!” Her hand came down.

“Fake Out, now!” Hitomi ordered. She took a martial arts pose, one foot in the back, both hands open palms by her serious face.

“Bulk Up!” Gary insisted, knowing right after he spoke that the choice would be in vain.

Mienshao’s hands glowed orange before clapping, a shockwave appearing and hitting Tyrogue.

Tyrogue Flinched, struggling against the move, unable to attack.

“Great! High Jump Kick!” Hitomi raised her knee strongly in front of her, a smile crossing her lips.

Mienshao leaped forward, its knee glowing white.

“Focus and land your own High Jump Kick!”

“TYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!” Tyrogue shrieked to the skies. He then glared at Mienshao, bent his elbows, bringing his fists to his face, and flew through the air with his knee out to attack back.

Both Pokemon met just a couple of feet off the ground, their knees colliding. They landed a few feet apart, holding their footing.

“Very good.” Hitomi nodded. She placed her feet together and her hands pressed against each other in front of her large chest. Her eyes closed and she lowered her head. “Now, Meditate!”

Mienshao took a similar position and its body was outlined in a white glow.

“Then you Bulk Up!” Gary insisted.

Tyrogue flexed his arms as he was outlined in crimson coloring, his arms, legs, and chest bulking out in reaction to this. He let out a powerful shout.

“Let’s take this chance to also use Calm Mind,” Hitomi spoke softly, staying in her pose.

Mienshao’s body glowed in a blinding white flash.

Gary closed his eyes and lowered his head against the glow.

Tyrogue shielded his eyes with his arms.

The glow faded after a bit.

Mienshao and its Trainer were no longer in their meditating stance, the Pokemon swaying on its feet, the Trainer in the stance she began the battle in.

Calm Mind. This move raises both the Special Attack and Special Defense of the user.

Specials? Gary thought. So this thing has Special moves, too? A boost in physical and Special attacks. I’ve gotta watch out. “High Jump Kick again!”

“Now, Bounce!” Hitomi raised her knee as she swung for the sky with a punch.

Mienshao bent its knees and leaped high while Tyrogue attacked.

Tyrogue’s move missed, causing him to crash into the ground and sustain major injury. “Tyyyyyy!” he groaned.

“Oh, no!!” Gary called out to Tyrogue. That’s huge damage from a missed move like that!

“GARY LOOK OOOOUT!!” June screamed, pointing at the sky.

Gary and Tyrogue looked up to see Mienshao coming down, a foot extended for Tyrogue.

Tyrogue wailed out as he was kicked and flew across the field, flying out of the battlefield. He slid and tumbled to a stop.

“TYROGUE!” Gary ran to his Pokemon and got down beside him. “Tyrogue!” He shook him, but Tyrogue didn’t respond.

The referee ran over to them, staring down at Tyrogue. “Tyrogue is...!” A confused look came over her face. She waited, squinting at the Pokemon.

“Lei Fang?” Hitomi called. “Is something wrong?”

Gary turned to her, and his eyes widened.

Lei Fang’s face grew stern and she nodded. “Hmph. Tyrogue is unable to-!”

SLAP!

Lei Fang gasped.

Hitomi gasped.

Mienshao gasped.

June gasped.

“GET UP!!” Gary raged, and slapped Tyrogue again. He balled up a fist to swung a punch this time.

“STOP IT!!” Lei Fang grabbed Gary from behind, under his arms, forcing his arms up and making him unable to use them.

He screamed in pain from the position. “HEY! COME ON I’M SORRY!! I WAS JUST-!”

“Lei Fang, let him go! It’s alright!” Hitomi called out, running over now, Mienshao at her side, June by her other side.

Lei Fang turned to Hitomi, keeping a hold on Gary. “Did you not see what he just did to his own, beaten Pokemon??”

Hitomi shook her head, smiling. “Look!” she pointed.

The five of them turned to where Hitomi was pointing.

Lei Fang gasped. “But!”

Tyrogue was sitting up, shaking his head and rubbing where he’d been slapped. He glared at Gary. “Tyrogue!” He stood up, adjusted his yellow scarf, and bounced on his feet. “Ty!” He now was looking to Mienshao.

“I think this is why you had trouble ruling him as beaten. Because he wasn’t truly!” Hitomi giggled. “Gary and Tyrogue have a very unique relationship. As referee, would you allow this match to continue?” She winked at her.

Lei Fang smiled slightly and let out a sigh. “I guess so...”

“Am I allowed to continue living?” Gary grunted, struggling not to move against this crazy position he was forced into. “Ooff!!” Gary hit the ground, twitching and afraid to move though he had been released.

With a grunt, Lei Fang walked off.

“I apologize. She didn’t understand.” Hitomi reached out to Gary.

Gary took her smooth hand and was on his feet in an instant. He didn’t want to let go, but knew he had to.

They both stared at one another sweetly.

“Let’s continue the battle, shall we?” She laughed lightly. “Tyrogue doesn’t have much energy left and I intend to put him down!”

Gary’s eyes widened and his competitive spirit flowed through his body. He smiled and turned to Tyrogue. “Let’s get that Badge!”

Tyrogue nodded, not looking away from Mienshao, and he ran past them to the battlefield. His eyes remaining on Mienshao, he reached out a hand, motioning at the opponent Pokemon. “Tyrogue!”

“Mienshao!” Mienshao ran to the field and took its position.

Hitomi and Gary also ran over.

Lei Fang was holding her basket of strawberries she had left behind when going to restrain Gary. She held out a hand. “May the battle continue!” Her hand dropped.

“Mienshao! Let’s end this now! Laser Focus!” Hitomi ordered. Her hands extended outward.

Mienshao’s eyes glowed yellow. “Meeeeeeein!”

Nothing else happened.

Laser Focus. By taking a moment to concentrate, the user’s next move is guaranteed to result in a Critical Hit.

Oh, no! She really is trying to end this! Gary thought.

“Aura Sphere!” Hitomi urged, cupping her hands as she pulled them to the side of her breast.

Mienshao also cupped its hands. A blue ball of energy formed in them, starting off small and then growing larger.

“Substitute!” Gary decided.

“Mienshao!” Mienshao tossed the ball of energy.

The move hit Tyrogue, and Tyrogue vanished on the spot!

“Bulk Up, now!” Gary smiled wide and turned to the sky.

Hitomi looked up with him and gasped. “There he is!”

Tyrogue, his body outlined in crimson again, was falling from high above in the air, flexing his arms and powering up his body.

“Using Substitute as a distraction to strengthen up at a distance! You two have quite the charisma!” Hitomi complimented.

“High Jump Kick, DOWN!”

Tyrogue yelled long and loud as he dropped, and he held his knee out, aiming at Mienshao.

“Mienshao, Reversal!” Hitomi held out one arm and pulled back the other.

“ROGUE!” Tyrogue kneed Mienshao in the chest.

Mienshao didn’t budge, a spiraling white energy circling its pulled back right arm.

“COUNTER!!” Gary burst out.

Mienshao swung out the right arm covered in energy.

Tyrogue covered his chest with his arms and his body was outlined in red.

Mienshao connected with Reversal.

An invisible energy whipped between them, throwing both Pokemon backwards. They collapsed flat on their backs and didn’t move.

“Whoa!” Gary uttered.

Hitomi watched with wide eyes.

Lei Fang didn’t move, her own eyes wide.

June’s fists were tight at her sides as she watched the match.

Mienshao flinched and then sat up. “Mien?” It got up quickly and stared at Tyrogue.

Tyrogue’s eyes suddenly shot open. “Ty? Rogue!” He got to his feet and leered hard at Mienshao.

Hitomi glared at Tyrogue. “Drain Punch, now!” She punched outward once with each fist.

“Bullet Punch!” Gary decided.

Tyrogue ran swiftly, socking Mienshao with his fist.

“Follow up!” Hitomi demanded, punching out one more time.

“YOU, TOO! COUNTER!” Gary bellowed.

Mienshao’s arm glowed green. “MEEEEEEEIN!!” it howled in a startling, raging voice. “SHAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” It delivered a hit to Tyrogue’s chest just as Tyrogue’s body became outlined in red. A trail of light green sparkles fell behind Mienshao’s glowing arm.

Tyrogue wailed out and was tossed back by the blow. An energy erupted from him and smacked into Mienshao, knocking it back.

Mienshao stumbled but held its balance, leaning forward, one eye squinting open to Tyrogue.

Tyrogue fell hard. He groaned, his head to the side.

Mienshao dropped to one knee.

“Mienshao!!” Hitomi called out.

Mienshao’s knee gave out and the Pokemon slammed to its face.

Gary inhaled sharply.

June covered her mouth.

“MIENSHAO!!” Hitomi screeched.

Lei Fang raised one hand. “Mienshao is unable to battle! Tyrogue is the winner! Gary and Tyrogue win the match!!” She turned to Hitomi with a sympathetic smile. “Sorry.”

Hitomi turned to her and then to Tyrogue, a weary look on her face. She walked over to Mienshao and knelt down by it. “You really battled hard today. I’m so glad we could experience this together. There’s much work to do. Thank you.”

Mienshao got to its knees and looked down sadly.

Hitomi wrapped an arm around its back and laughed.

Gary ran forward to Tyrogue, but a white light appeared in front of him and forced him to stop. “Whoa! What??”

The white light faded.

“ELECTIVIRE, NO!” June called.

“Electivire...” Electivire appeared, his back to Gary.

Gary stumbled back from the beast.

Electivire looked down to Tyrogue.

Tyrogue’s eyes opened and he squinted up at Electivire. “Tyrogue...” He sat up and closed his eyes, shaking his head hard, and then returned his gaze, his eyes wide open.

“Electivire,” June said softly.

Tyrogue got to his feet, staring hard at Electivire.

“Electivire.” Electivire nodded and extended a fist.

“Tyrogue.” Tyrogue smiled and held out his own fist to Electivire’s. “ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGUE!!!” After being lit up by the Thunder Punch, his body stood at an awkward angle, smoke rising from him, and he fell out.

“ELECTIVIRE!!” June roared and charged toward her Pokemon.

“TYROGUE!!” Gary burst out at the same time and got to his Pokemon.

“ELECTIVIRE, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU??!! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?? WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THAT TO HIM??! WHO EVEN TOLD YOU TO COME OUT OF YOUR POKEBALL??? THAT POOR TYROGUE IS ALREADY TIRED AS IT IS!!! WHY WOULD YOU-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGGGHHH!!!!” June was zapped by Electivire’s Thunder and fell, sparking, twitching, her hair ruined.

Hitomi walked up to Gary without fear of Electivire, a smile on her face, her eyes closed in her delight. “I see you both have rather unique relationships with your Pokemon,” Hitomi giggled.

“Uh... Ha...” Gary managed, rubbing the back of his head as he stared down at June.

“You sure earned this one, Gary.” She held out her open palm which contained a tiny item.

It seemed to be two black nunchucks with silver chains. They crossed over each other at the chains.

“Congratulations. The Karateka Badge is yours, Gary.”

Gary took the Badge, smiling, and he held it high. “ALRIGHT!!” Laughing, he reached down and grabbed his five other Poke Balls and tossed them to the ground.

“Ivysaur!” Ivysaur stretched out some, extending her front limbs for a moment.

“Rai Rai!” Raichu smiled.

Charizard roared heartily.

Absol stood at attention, eyes on Gary.

Porygon-Z hovered, bobbing and swaying like a boat in water. And then...

Everyone wailed out as a piercing screech filled the area, deafening them all and forcing some to their knees, some to their backs, and other people who were passing by to run off.

“PORYGON-Z!!” Gary raged when the sound had finally ended.

“What a... colorful cast...” Hitomi said shakily with exhaustion, rubbing the sides of her head while on her knees.

“COME ON, PORYGON-Z!! Enough with that, man!!” Gary was furious. He got up and crossed his arms.

Porygon-Z lowered its head and dropped immediately to the ground. It then burst into a wild sound that could have passed for some kind of possible crying.

This painful noise was as bad as the screeching and made everyone shout out and move away, covering their ears.

Gary couldn’t believe what was going on. Prof. Oak... Help...? he pleaded to himself. I can’t do this! With a sigh, still covering his ears, he ran up to Porygon-Z and then picked up the little creature. “Hey, hey! Come on! Look!” Gary held up the Badge.

Porygon-Z stopped crying on cue and stared at the item Gary held.

Gary sighed with relief and turned to everyone.

Electivire, Tyrogue, Charizard, Absol, Ivysaur, Mienshao, Lei Fang, and June all wore the same pissed off faces.

Raichu and Hitomi seemed to just be wiped out but held sympathetic smiles on their faces for Gary.

“Uh... Aha...” Gary waved the new Badge around to his Pokemon. “We got our sixth Badge, guys...” He laughed weakly. At no reaction, Gary’s head and arms dropped and he let out his breath. “We can celebrate a little later...”

“Your Tyrogue, Gary.” Hitomi’s voice got Gary’s head up. “How long have you been with him?”

“Huh? Um, over a week I guess?”

Hitomi turned to Tyrogue. “His fighting experience surpasses the brief time you’ve shared. He’s very special.”

Tyrogue was looking at Hitomi.

“He fights how he does because he’s after something.”

“What??” Gary stepped closer to the Gym Leader.

Hitomi never took her eyes off of Tyrogue. “He battles for a purpose.” She then turned to Gary. “Discover that purpose with him. Help him to achieve this goal.”

Gary looked to Tyrogue, who then turned back to him.

“What are you evolving Tyrogue into? Hitmonlee?” Hitomi inquired.

“Um, I’m not really sure, actually... I haven’t even thought about that.”

“I figured it was Hitmonlee because of the High Jump Kick.” She laughed lightly.

“Yeah, maybe.” Gary smiled back.

“Do you know where you’re headed to next? Should I assume River Beach?”

“River Beach? What’s that?”

Hitomi’s eyes widened. “Oh! You don’t know.” She turned to the flowing river and pointed. “Just follow the road where this river leads down. It’s not a far path. Maybe a couple of days or so. You’ll find April. She’s there all the time training. She’s a Water Gym Leader.”

“April. Alright, then! Thanks for the info!”

“Just be careful.”

“Huh?”

Hitomi nodded towards Tyrogue. She closed her eyes and giggled. “She’s a cutie, too!”

Gary and Tyrogue’s eyes met. “Aha... Yeah...” Gary said lowly.

Lei Fang walked over to Hitomi, carrying her strawberries, eating one on the way. “April may be okay, but she’s got nothing on you, Hitomi.” She swallowed and winked and then took another strawberry, holding it out.

Hitomi turned to her. “Huh?” Her eyes then closed and her mouth opened.

Lei Fang put the strawberry in Hitomi’s mouth, holding it between one finger and Hitomi’s bottom lip. The strawberry, and Lei Fang’s finger, slipped into Hitomi’s mouth. Hitomi took an eager bite, and Lei Fang pulled her finger away with a giggle. She then laughed again cutely, playfully swiping her hand away from Hitomi. The two laughed some more.

Gary’s eyes widened, his chest hurting from his heart going crazy at the scene.

Lei Fang then leaned in and connected her lips with Hitomi’s.

Gary’s teeth clenched.

The two girls’ tongues teased and wrestled with one another, moaning in each other's mouth.

Hitomi pulled back. “You already had some strawberries. I thought that one was for me!” she laughed.

“We share everything now,” Lei Fang winked. "Want to play some volleyball tonight?"

“ROGUE!”

Something hit Gary in the face.

And he blacked out.