“Absol, Swords Dance, now!”

“Absoooool!” she howled and raised her head as her eyes glowed light-blue.

Several light-blue swords appeared in a circle around her body and spun like a merry-go-round. The swords then stopped and pointed, end first, at Absol before vanishing. A red burst came from under Absol, a lighter shade of red aura rising up her body.

“Attack is boosted!” Gary noted, smiling.

“Gotta catch us to hit us! Flame Charge!” June ordered.

Blitzle stomped in place repeatedly until fire surrounded his body. “Blllllllitlze!” Blitzle charged at Absol, slamming into her headfirst.

A flash of white light appeared for a second where Absol was hit. “Aaaaab!” Absol didn’t budge from the Critical Hit. She forced her head forward, shoving Blitzle away from her but shook her head hard after. Her leering eyes watched Blitzle as he flew back and dropped.

“Blitzle!” June called.

Blitzle let out a noise and sniffled, getting back up. He managed a smile.

“Great job! Now let’s do that one more time!”

“Bllllllitzle!” Blitzle stomped his feet again, moving a lot quicker than before.

“Night Slash, now!” Let’s see, Gary thought.

Absol lunged forward, her horn glowing purple, and slashed at Blitzle.

Blitzle screamed from the hit and rolled back. He groaned on his side.

“So fast! Even after Flame Charge?” June gasped.

“I was wondering,” Gary boasted, grinning smugly.

June stuck out her tongue, smiling. “You ready, Blitzle?”

Blitzle was struggling to stand but managed to do it. He pawed his right front hoof into the sand repeatedly, glaring at Absol.

“So it’s just naturally a lot faster,” June nodded. “Then let’s do Agility!” She wore a confident grin.

Blitzle ran forward, darting from side to side.

Gary watched, his eyebrows narrowing. Wait... he thought.

“You can do it, Blitzle!” June urged.

Blitzle continued running, his face in a rage as he struggled to go faster.

“Night Slash again!” Gary told his Pokemon.

Absol’s horn glowed purple again and it stomped ahead, running for the darting Blitzle.

Blitzle growled, maneuvering around.

Absol let out a powerful snarl and slashed towards Blitzle.

Blitzle let out a pained cry and tumbled again, laying on his side.

“Blitzle, no!” June let out. She brushed one side of her hair back with one hand.

“Absol!” Absol stood strong after her move, staring down at Blitzle.

Blitzle’s closed eyes tightened. He squinted at Absol and then closed his eyes once again.

“He’s still up! Another Night Slash should do it! Go in this time!” Gary demanded.

Absol’s horn glowed purple, but she didn’t move, looking down upon the still Blitzle.

Blitzle’s eyes opened. He was now staring directly at Absol from the ground.

Not one order was given, the silence consuming the field.

“Blitzllllle...” Blitzle groaned and then let out his breath, closing his eyes.

“It’s over!” June held out her arms at her sides. “Enough! Blitzle is out!” She ran to her Pokemon and knelt down, rubbing his head.

Gary nodded and looked at Absol.

Absol looked back.

Gary forced a smile to his face and swallowed hard. “Great job,” he struggled out.

Absol didn’t respond or react. She remained frozen, cold eyes on Gary.

Gary swallowed again.

June whispered words to her Pokemon, but Gary soon realized that her eyes were actually on him and Absol! The two Trainers were now just staring at each other.

Gary held out a Poke Ball, recalling his Absol. He took a deep breath. “What?”

June shook her head. “Um, that was good. Absol is strong.”

“Absol is something,” Gary muttered. He looked at her Poke Ball. “Honestly, she scares me.”

“Scares you?”

“She’s so... cold. What’s with her? I feel like she doesn’t even like me.”

“At least she listens,” June said. “She must like you. She certainly doesn’t hate you.”

“She just gives me the creeps.” Gary went quiet at his admission.

June pressed her lips together and lowered her head.

Gary let out his breath, keeping his eyes on Absol’s Poke Ball. “I just... I just mean...”

“I understand. She listens to you in battle, and doesn’t act out, so I know she doesn’t hate you. But, there’s something...”

Gary looked up to June. “What? What can you tell? What are you hearing?”

June shook her head. “She hasn’t spoken. I don’t know what’s up. I can only assume it has to do with your sister. With you now being in charge.”

Gary clenched his teeth together.

June’s eyes fell to the ground. “Maybe she and your sister were close. I don’t know.”

Gary looked away, his eyes falling on his backpack on the ground. He sniffled and then exhaled. “Can you talk to her?”

“You want me - to talk to her?” June asked hesitantly.

“If you want. I need to know what’s wrong.”

“Sure, Gary. I can. I’ll do it.”

“Do you need me there?”

“Huh?”

“Do you need me to be there while you’re doing it? It’s a simple question. Or can you do it by yourself?” Gary asked impatiently, keeping his eyes on his bag.

June nodded. “I can, but, don’t you want to be here? Where will you go?”

“If she knows I’m uncomfortable, but willing to work with her, maybe it would make more sense if you step in as a kind of interpreter or something. A conduit of sorts to bring us together. If you think it makes more sense for me to stay, then I will.”

“Gary, where are you going?”

“I wanted to make a phone call, but it can wait if it has to.”

“To who?”

“Home.”

June went silent after that.

Gary took this as a sign and walked closer to June and Blitzle and held out Absol’s Poke Ball.

June reached out with a nervous, shaky hand, and gently took it.

Gary turned swiftly and jogged to his backpack. He unzipped it and dug around before standing and running off, leaving them behind. He moved along the sandy beach, beside the water, away from the direction they had been headed in to reach River Beach and the Gym Leader there. While running, he fiddled with his phone, managing to turn it on to the home screen with the image of the open field with large blocks within them, a small number of things trying to hide behind them. His running began to slow down as he tapped the phone icon. He saw the name of Prof. Cozmo in the contacts. Gary shook his head and stared at a series of symbols at the bottom of the screen. One was nothing more than the numbers 12345. Gary hit this and was taken to a keypad. There we are, Gary thought, smiling. He paused. After a minute of doing nothing, he pressed a series of numbers, and then hit one of a few symbols near the bottom. The one that looked like a black phone receiver. The screen went light blue, the words CALLING... visible in thick black letters.

Gary held the phone to his ear.

It took several rings, but finally it stopped and someone spoke, “Hello?”

“Mom!” Gary’s breath came out hard.

“Wait, Gary??”

“Mom, I’m okay!”

“DAMNIT, GARY!!!” Gary’s mother exploded over the phone.

“Mom, just listen-!!”

“HOW DARE YOU!! HOW DARE YOU CALL ME!!!” His mother’s inhale was like a video camera. Gary couldn’t see her, but he suddenly saw the tears on his mother’s face just from her voice. She was crying. She was hysterical. “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME??!!”

“Mom, I found the killer of my sister!! This is it!”

“Yyyyou stupid, stupid child! You just won’t be happy until you’re DEAD!!”

“Mom...” Gary’s eyes filled up with tears. “Mom, please!”

Gary’s mother didn’t speak, instead sobbing now over the phone.

Gary was now crying, though quietly. Tears fell from his eyes, some grabbing upon his cheeks to slide from. Mom... he thought, unable to talk anymore. He wanted to just hang up the phone. He couldn’t bear to stay on the line like this. Why did I call? To let her know I was alive. I wish I were dead. Gary took in a sharp sniffle and then let it out slowly. He repeated this a few times.

“Where are you, Gary?” his mother insisted wearily.

“I’m at River Beach. I’m looking for the G-”

“I know what you’re doing,” she interrupted. “You’re not coming home. That’s all I need to know. Until you do come home.”

Gary bit on his lips, narrowing his eyes. Fine, mom, he thought.

“So you just called to let me know you’re not dead yet, is that right?” his mom said in such a sarcastic tone. It was one Gary was used to most of his life, and it was often used at the worst times. Times like this. Times that would absolutely infuriate him.

Gary inhaled and exhaled noisily.

“Is that all you’ve got to say?”

Gary lowered the phone and stared at it.

There were two options at the bottom. One with a phone receiver in an upright position, and one that was down.

“Helloooo??” Gary heard his mother call.

Gary pressed the phone receiver that was down.

The timer on it stopped at 1:15.

Gary lowered his hand and then his head, his eyes closing. I love you so much, mom, Gary thought to himself. We’ll speak again...

“So are ya done? Can we battle now?”

Gary jumped and turned around, his tears cutting short. “HEY!”

“Yeah, hey,” a guy responded. He tossed a Poke Ball in his hand. This wasn’t a normal Poke Ball, though. “So, you ready to battle or do you have another phone call to make?”

Gary’s mouth dropped open. “Wh-what?”

The blonde kid rolled his eyes. He wore an all purple suit and black shoes. “My battle level is expertise. I’ve already gotten all eight Badges. My skill is an Ace level Trainer.”

Gary and the young guy matched in height.

Off of instinct, Gary scooped up a Poke Ball and enlarged it. “Our eyes met. You know what that means.”

“But do you?” the guy smirked.

Gary’s eyes tightened. “A full match! What do you say?”

The guy’s eyes widened briefly, his eyebrows raising before lowering again. He grinned a full smile. “You can’t possibly win!” He tossed the Ultra Ball.

The ball bounced twice before sending out the Pokemon within.

“Huh?” Gary’s eyes widened. “Wait! Smeargle...?” He pulled out his Pokedex.

Smeargle. The Painter Pokemon. The color of paint oozing from their tail can vary as far down to hue, and it can also differ based on their emotions. Territory of individual Smeargle are recognized by their own species, but those unfamiliar with the subtle differences may find themselves violating marked grounds.

“It’s just a Smeargle!” Gary smiled. “No sweat! Alright! Let’s go!” Whoever you are! Gary tossed out the Poke Ball, unconcerned with what was inside. Sure this match would be no trouble. He then gasped and groaned. “CRAP!” He covered his ears.

Porygon-Z appeared.

The opposing Trainer stared at the Pokemon, and his eyes slowly widened. His mouth formed a large, open grin. “YO! Is that a-?”

A powerful screech filled the area.

Gary forced his hands harder against his ears to no help and fell to his knees, and then fell onto his side and curled up, screaming.

Smeargle also covered its ears and ran in circles, yelling.

Gary’s opponent had his ears covered and dropped to his back, shortly after raising his stomach into the air, wailing. The guy then shrieked louder than ever as Porygon-Z then sent out a momentary bolt of lighting from its body onto him!

Gary witnessed this, but he couldn’t form words or help and simply shouted out wildly at the top of his lungs. It had been several, literal, minutes of Gary screaming off and on before he realized there was no more screeching coming from Porygon-Z. He quivered and rocked as he stood up. He knew he was at his limit with this Pokemon.

Smeargle was finally able to move with Porygon-Z having gone silent and ran to its Trainer with concern.

The Trainer finally got up, his body flinching and sparking. His long hair was fried and all over the place. His suit was charred in places. Hunched over, he managed to look up at Porygon-Z.

Gary also held his gaze on his Pokemon.

Smeargle also looked over to the Pokemon.

The three all had matching fury on their faces.

Porygon-Z spun slowly counterclockwise as he floated backwards, letting out an odd noise that sounded like a child lazily making a chiming noise.

“PORYGON-Z!!” Gary started, his body shaking as his anger built.

Porygon-Z cried out and straightened up. It looked down at Smeargle and lowered itself down to just above the ground. It then rose up some and stayed still.

Smeargle stared back with blank, wide eyes. It wore a bandana that held dark and bright colors.

Porygon-Z. The Virtual Pokemon. Near impossible to obtain, this species of Pokemon is typically used by high level scientists for complex levels of secretive work. This is usually only done in controlled environments as, unlike its prior stages, Porygon-Z proves to be wildly unpredictable and, arguably, dangerous.

“I’d l-l-like to think I’ve had enough of this!” the Ace Trainer snarled, putting away a Pokedex with a male voice that differed from Gary’s. “Magma Storm, now!”

“Smeargle!” Smeargle held out its hands and a white light flashed in front of them. Spiraling red-orange flames flew out and took down Porygon-Z.

Gary’s Pokemon rolled on the sand until it finally stopped and shuddered on the ground.

The move didn’t end there. It then swirled around Porygon-Z and went vertical, reaching up for the sky from the ground, trapping Gary’s Pokemon!

“Porygon-Z! Whoa!” Gary held out his Pokedex.

Magma Storm is a powerful move that is known only by Heatran, engulfing the foe in overwhelming flames.

“Wait. What?? Heatran?” Gary looked up at Smeargle.

It was still holding out its hands, seeming to control the Magma Storm.

Heatran. The Lava Dome Pokemon. This Legendary Pokemon lives inside of volcanoes. The heat of its body itself is hot like lava, and parts of its own steel body are, as a result, melted. It has a mysterious connection to the Magma Stone.

Gary looked from his Pokedex and back to Smeargle.

Porygon-Z was still crying out from the Magma Storm attack holding it hostage.

Soon enough, the powerful move came to an end, and Porygon-Z was lifeless on the ground.

The Ace Trainer nodded. “One down, five to go!” he grinned. “Figured.”

Gary ran to Porygon-Z and placed his hands on its burnt body, pulling back from the heat that remained. “Porygon-Z!” He looked up to the guy. “What even just happened??”

“Come on, kid. I ain’t got all day,” the Ace Trainer waved repeatedly, impatiently.

Gary growled but looked away to his Pokemon. “Don’t worry, we’ll make it up. We won’t lose this one!” He returned his Pokemon and backed up. “Let’s go!” Gary tossed his second Poke Ball, choosing intentionally.

Charizard stomped the sandy floor with each foot and then roared, blasting the sky with his powerful fire.

The Ace Trainer’s eyes widened at the intensity of the moment. “A Fire type! Okay, return!” He held out his Ultra Ball and called back Smeargle.

“Oh, we’re returning,” Gary noted.

“Yes? We didn’t state anything at the beginning about not doing so, right?” The Ace Trainer’s eyebrows lifted expectantly.

Gary nodded and raised his hands. “No, it’s fine! Really.”

The Ace Trainer smirked and grabbed a second Ultra Ball, sending out... another Smeargle!

“Smeargle!” the new Smeargle narrowed its eyes at Charizard. It wore the same bandana that the last Smeargle had.

“Use your Techno Blast!” the Ace Trainer ordered.

Smeargle connected its wrists and held out its open palms, a huge black and purple beam firing out and colliding into Charizard’s stomach.

Charizard roared sharply and he was dropped and slid along the ground.

“Yyeah!!” the guy cheered.

“Charizard!! Come on!!” Gary couldn’t believe it! No way, Charizard! he insisted in his head.

Charizard huffed out angrily and got up quickly, baring his teeth.

“Huh??” the Trainer gasped. “What??”

“Our turn, now! Let’s fight back! Flamethrower!”

Charizard flapped his huge wings and ascended into the air.

“Smeargle!” The Ace Trainer panicked as Charizard let out an overwhelming stream of Fire that overtook his Pokemon.

Smeargle screamed out helplessly, out of sight within the heat. When the move ended, the Pokemon was on its knees! The bandana around its forehead was glowing white and then returned back to normal. Smeargle shook its head and got up.

“GOOOOOOOO!!!”

Smeargle yelled with its Trainer, attacking Charizard again with Techno Blast!

“NOOOO!!” Gary let out.

Charizard was taken down and crashed on his side. His claw stopped his slide and he groaned as he stood back up again!

The Ace Trainer’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open. His teeth clenched tightly as his eyebrows narrowed and his eyes shot to Gary.

Gary smiled proudly. “Keep your distance and use Fire Spin, now!”

Charizard leaned in and sent out spirals of flames that twisted and twirled and held Smeargle in a towering capsule of fire.

“My Smeargle! Blast your way out of that!” the Ace Trainer insisted.

“Get ready, Charizard!”

Charizard kept his move going, immobilizing Smeargle. Suddenly, he stood tall.

“Okay! Slash, now!”

Charizard stopped spitting heat and flew at the Fire still surrounding Smeargle.

The Fire Spin died down and went up in sparkles of embers, leaving Smeargle alone. Smeargle fell to its back.

“SMEARGLLLLLE!!” Smeargle’s Trainer freaked.

Charizard’s wings flapped and he slowed up, coming to a stop on his feet right in front of the fallen Pokemon.

“Now we’re even!” Gary grinned. His smile faded though. “But what’s going on here? What are these moves your Smeargle know? And what’s with the bandana? It was just glowing!”

“Pfft!” The Ace Trainer held one Ultra Ball in each hand, now. As soon as he returned his defeated one, he immediately sent out another Pokemon.

This was also a Smeargle with a bandana!

Gary narrowed his eyebrows. “Is this the first one?”

“Not at all! It’s a third Smeargle, in fact!” He brushed at his zapped, messy hair, frowning as he remembered it wasn’t soft and loose anymore.

“What are you, a Smeargle Trainer?” Gary cocked his head.

“I’m the winner of this battle, that’s for sure! See how long you last against Glaciate!”

“Smeeeeeeeeeer-” Smeargle raised its arms and the temperature in the area dropped, its body surrounded by a white cloud.

“OH!!” Gary shouted out, backing away as his body gave a hard shiver. He wrapped his arms around himself.

It had been pretty nice and sunny today.

“-GLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!!” Smeargle forced its hands outward as shards of ice appeared in the cloud and it all moved forward to Charizard.

Charizard stumbled backwards against the impact.

“Charizard, Dragon Rage!! Come on!”

Charizard called out painfully, his little arms reaching upward, and he collapsed.

“No,” Gary choked out and ran to his fallen Pokemon. “Charizard, NO!! GET UP!!”

“Let’s hurry this up, kid! I’ve got places to be!”

The temperature returned back to normal as Glaciate went away.

Charizard groaned and looked to Gary weakly. He whimpered sorrowfully and closed his eyes.

“No need to be sorry. We did our best here. We’ll pull through, Charizard!” Gary cradled Charizard’s head and rested his forehead against the side of it. His eyes closed, he returned Charizard. I’ve gotta figure out something. His Smeargle are... different, Gary thought. These moves! Smeargle aren’t all that powerful, I know this. But, the moves make up for it! Not to mention, he got his eight Badges already! He’s no pushover. Gary grabbed another Poke Ball. “Let’s go, Ivysaur!”

“Ivysaur!” Ivysaur called out as she was released.

“Use your Sleep Powder, Ivysaur!” Gary began.

“Glaciate again!”

“IVY!”

“SMEARGLE!”

Ivysaur sent out a blue powder to drop Smeargle to Sleep.

Smeargle’s Glaciate blew forward, taking over the Sleep Powder and getting rid of it as the move continued forward and knocked Ivysaur over!

“Ivyyyyyyy!” Ivysaur groaned.

Gary gasped.

Ivysaur rolled for a bit before stopping.

“Ivysaur, are you okay?!” Gary took a step forward. “HEY! IVYSAUR!!”

“This is gonna be just as bad for the last three of your Pokemon if you don’t give it up,” the Ace Trainer boasted. “Call it quits for your Pokemons’ sakes. I’m out of your league. You aren’t ready.”

Gary removed his eyes from his Ivysaur and kept them focused on his opponent. I can’t lose to someone like this. I’ll show him! “Ivysaur, take it easy for a while. Thank you!” He recalled her and grabbed another Poke Ball, hurling it forward. “You’re next, let’s GO!”

“Raaaaai!” Raichu stepped forward with a cute smile.

“Okay, Raichu, Double Team!”

“Raichu! Rai!” He closed his eyes.

All eyes were on Raichu, but nothing was happening.

Raichu started humming strongly in a single tone. His eyes opened and he looked around. “Raichu?”

“Raichu! What’s wrong?”

“Use Glaciate, quick!” the opponent instructed his Pokemon.

Smeargle chilled the area down yet again and forced icy cold air and icicles at Raichu.

Raichu toppled over from the impact, laid out on his back and yelling out in pain. When the attack ended, he rolled over onto his stomach.

He’s still not fully recovered from Dark City, Gary noticed, staring at the large bandage on his back. Practice matches with June are okay, but maybe sending him out in a real match like this is pushing it! “Raichu, get up! Let’s strike back! Go for Thunder attack!”

Getting on all fours, Raichu nodded, but parts of his body had chunks of Ice on it, and his movements seemed hindered.

“Glaciate once more, stop it completely!”

Smeargle’s body was surrounded by white fog as it prepared the move again.

Raichu’s cheeks sparked and he looked to the skies. “Raaaaaaaaaaai!!”

Immediately, the sunny blue sky was covered by darkened clouds.

“Smeargle!” Smeargle struck Raichu with Glaciate.

“Pull through and ATTAAAAAACK!!” Gary bellowed.

“RAI-CHUUUUUUU!!!!” Raichu’s voice echoed as he held his head down against the cold attack and the clouds flashed with lightning.

One streak came down and blew up the ground around Smeargle in a bright flash and then smoke.

The Ace Trainer ran backwards several feet, his face stunned by what occurred.

Gary actually fell over in shock. “Whoa!!”

When the smoke cleared, Raichu was flat on his face, defeated.

Smeargle held a grin, but its legs were wobbling.

“Raichu,” Gary sighed. What happened out there? He swallowed.

“You’ve still got a couple left. Keep ‘em coming, then!” the guy taunted. “You’re done here! We’ll just gladly take the Experience Points for whatever you’ve got left.”

We can beat this Smeargle, but he’s still got two more Pokemon after it, and the first Smeargle, Gary thought. I’ve still got two more Pokemon, and considering the strength of them, the odds aren’t bad! He grinned. “We’ve got this!”

The Ace Trainer smirked back. “Bring it, then!”

“Return!” Gary called back Raichu. “And let’s get this, Tyrogue!”

Tyrogue was sent out and faced Smeargle. He grabbed at his yellow scarf, adjusting it.

The opponent Trainer burst out laughing. “Is this the last line of defense you’ve got? Baby Pokemon?”

“Tyrogue!”

“Glaciate!”

“High Jump Kick!”

Both Trainers ordered their moves at the same time.

Both Pokemon responded at once.

Cold, white air surrounded Smeargle and it raised its arms, icicles appearing in the fog.

Tyrogue leaped forward, flying with his knee extended outward.

Smeargle extended its arms, forcing the freezing attack at Tyrogue.

Tyrogue was so close to landing the blow, but he was now flying forward like he was moving through a pool full of pudding! He grunted and groaned to keep moving forward, Ice crashing into him, the fog slowing down his body, Ice forming around him, only inches away from Smeargle.

“Now get behind it!” the Ace Trainer told his Pokemon.

Smeargle moved to the side as Tyrogue was just about able to reach it.

Tyrogue’s eyes widened in shock as he kept going past Smeargle and hit the sandy ground.

“Follow up!”

Smeargle attacked again with Glaciate.

Tyrogue, still suffering from recoil damage from missing High Jump Kick, was helpless as he took further damage from behind. At this point, he was on his knees and shivering, frozen particles all over his body.

“I’m impressed it’s still able to keep going,” Gary’s opponent commended. “But you can’t even move at this point. Another Glaciate and keep it down!”

“Bullet Punch, right away!”

Tyrogue was gone before Smeargle’s move could even start.

Smeargle was able to surround itself in a white cloud.

“Tyrooogue!” Tyrogue cried as he appeared in front of Smeargle and punched it in the face with a glowing white fist.

The white cloud around Smeargle vanished, its move interrupted.

“Smeargle, just one more will do it! GET HIM!!” the Trainer raged. “Drop it before it attacks!”

“High Jump Kick! Now!”

Tyrogue kicked out, reaching for Smeargle.

Smeargle responded with Glaciate.

Tyrogue was slower than ever, yet so close to Smeargle as he tried his hardest to push through the windy, snowy, Icy environment around him.

“Dodge again! This is it!”

“Tyroooogue!” Gary called.

“TYYYYYYY!!” Tyrogue’s knee met with Smeargle’s head as it tried to duck.

Smeargle shouted out its name as it was dropped from the kick.

Tyrogue landed behind Smeargle and then fell to one knee. He looked back. He then smirked and closed his eyes, breathing out.

“Impossible! From a Baby?? What kind of crap is this? That’s not even a Focus Band! It’s just a useless Yellow Scarf! Are you a Pokemon Coordinator?”

Gary looked at the yellow object wrapped around his Pokemon’s neck. “Pokemon Coordinator?”

“It has the Yellow Scarf, for Toughness in Contests,” he said impatiently. “You’re no Trainer. You’re a Coordinator.”

“Hey!” Gary frowned. “I am a Trainer! I’m not a Coordinator! I’ve got six Badges already!”

“Oh.” He sneered and shrugged. “Well, the Scarf is misleading. Anyway, only six Badges explains a lot. It’s about time to end this here and now. Come back!” He recalled his Smeargle to pull out another Ultra Ball and send out yet another Smeargle in the same bandana.

“Another. So, what’s your deal, man? I’m gonna guess this is a fourth Smeargle, right? What’s with the bandanas? They all have the same one? What are they??”

“You’re asking the wrong questions, man.” The Ace Trainer had a sneaky smile. “This is the end of the line. I’m wrapping this match up in an instant.”

“Don’t think so! You don’t have to answer me, but this fight belongs to me and my Pokemon!”

“You don’t have the skill for me! Sketch, use DARK VOID!!”

Gary gasped. He knew that move! “Dark Void??”

Sketch cupped its hands, forming a purple and black ball between them.

Not that move! Gary thought in a panic. Impossible! He froze, unable to think. He could only watch.

Sketch threw the ball at Tyrogue.

Tyrogue looked as stunned as his Trainer as he took a step back. The move hit him in the chest and his body glowed pink for just a moment before it went away. “Ty...” Tyrogue collapsed, fast Asleep.

Gary shook his head. This can’t be! Dark Void? That’s impossible! There’s only one way...

“Now let’s end this with Doom Desire! Aha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa!” the Trainer cackled wildly.

Gary gasped. “Another move??”

While its Trainer continued to laugh, Sketch closed its eyes. Its arms fell, its shoulders drooping, and its body began to glow silver. Its eyes still closed, the silver removed itself from Sketch’s body, becoming a ball of bright white light that began to ascend, a white streak trailing behind it as it rose high into the sky.

It looks like a rocket! Or a meteor! Gary mused in amazement.

The other guy had his hands on his hips as he watched with pride.

Pulses of more colors came off of the body of the white object as it got further up. The light then exploded!

Gary jumped and stumbled backwards, falling over as bright objects fell from the explosion and hit the sandy ground, raising up dusty sand and smoke. He cowered and covered his face, coughing and choking in the midst of the madness. Is this the end of the world? That couldn’t have been a Pokemon move, right?? “HEEEEEEEEEEEELLLP!!”

“What’s your next Pokemon?”

In the silence, Gary cautiously lowered his arms and raised his head, squinting through the... cleared air!

Tyrogue had his mouth open, sprawled out on his back, his eyes wide in shock.

Sketch stood just fine by its smiling Trainer.

Gary could barely breathe right now. “W-wh-what?”

“Are you forfeiting or what? I told you you’re not in my class. But you do have one more Pokemon left, right? So let’s get with it.”

Gary looked to his beaten Pokemon. “Tyrogue... You, too...” He returned him and gripped the Poke Ball in both hands. “Even you, eh, buddy?” He smiled painfully, his lips pressed together. Holding back his tears, he blinked to regain himself and glared at the Trainer before him. He got to his feet and dusted off his clothes. “Okay! I know I’ve still got this! You’ve only got three Pokemon left, and I’m thinking they’re all Smeargle. I know we can beat that, regardless of the crazy moves they know.”

“Yeah? How about four Smeargle?”

Gary squinted, and the opponent’s smile increased. “Four...? You have more than six Pokemon on you? That’s not what we agreed to!”

“You never beat my Magma Storm Smeargle!”

Gary nearly dropped to his knees as he realized his miscalculation.

The Trainer laughed at Gary’s mortified face. “Unless you’ve got something with the stamina of your Tyrogue or the power of your Charizard, you’re not even getting close to beating Sketch, here.”

“How do you know Dark Void?” Gary questioned. “What’s going on here?”

“Tick tock. We’re in the middle of a battle, here,” the Trainer frowned.

“Fine. Absol, I-!” Gary gripped... nothing! “Huh?” He looked down at his belt. There was no sixth Poke Ball!! “My Poke Ball?? ABSOL!! WHERE’S-??! JUUUUUUUNE!!!” Gary looked around, but his traveling partner was nowhere in sight. He turned to the new Trainer. “Hey, man, my friend has my sixth Pokemon right now! I just need to find her!”

The Ace Trainer sighed and shook his head. “So you don’t even own six Pokemon?”

“I DO!! My friend has her right now! I mean it, man! I just need to-!” He turned in a complete circle several times, but he couldn’t see her on this beach. The sound of a Pokemon being returned grabbed Gary’s attention.

The Trainer recalled his Smeargle, shaking his head. “Thanks for whatever minor Experience your Pokemon were able to share. See ya, ha!” He walked away, his hands in his dirtied, fried suit jacket’s pockets.

“BUT WHO ARE YOU???” Gary’s shoulders slumped. To his surprise, the young guy stopped walking and turned around.

He sighed. “Call me the Smeargle Master.”

“The Smeargle Master?” Gary’s face scrunched up in disapproval.

“No, that’s not very cool, is it?” He sighed again. “Forget it. Just...” He looked up to the sky. “I’m...”

Gary stared at him, confused. I just asked for his name. Why’s he thinking? Can’t I just get an honest answer?

His eyes fell on Gary and he took a breath. “Just call me Ace. Ace, the Legend Hunter. Yeah! The Legend Hunter! How’d it take me so long to come up with a name for myself?” He laughed a bit to himself.

“Legend Hunter? What do you mean?”

“I’ve hunted down Legendary Pokemon to have my Smeargle Sketch their moves.”

“NO WAY!” Gary exploded. “All of those moves were the moves Legendary Pokemon use!!”

“Their signature moves, yes,” Ace nodded. He turned from Gary.

“Wait! So you mean, you’ve battled Legendary Pokemon?!” Gary called, taking a couple of steps towards him, dying for answers.

Ace stood still, his back still to Gary. “I’ve captured many Pokemon. But I decided to leave everyone back at Prof. Oak’s Lab and travel with six Smeargle I caught to track down the Legendary Pokemon of the world and learn their most powerful moves. We survived thanks to the Focus Sash they all wear, a hold item that prevents the Pokemon from being taken out in one hit. We’d survive long enough to Sketch the move, then were usually beaten right after. But we got what we agreed we’d suffer to obtain; their move. We’d run off with that as our prize, obviously unable to beat a Legend at the time. With this original method, I was able to earn my eight Badges in Kanto this year, and I’ll win the Indigo League with it.”

“So that’s what’s going on...” Gary understood. “Dark Void, though... Did you find a wild Darkrai?”

Ace snickered and shook his head. “Glad to know my face doesn’t ring bells overseas. After beating the Sinnoh League, and then the Elite Four, I was granted the chance to challenge the Sinnoh League Champion for his title.”

Gary gasped. “YOU MEAN-??”

“Every Pokemon on my team had a Chesto Berry, or some method to help against Sleep, but it meant little, and I was soon down to my last Pokemon, my best buddy, Sketch. Prepared with a Chesto Berry, we woke up and were able to Sketch Dark Void before our defeat. This was the beginning of our quest we never knew we would be embarking on. I captured five more Smeargle some time later, and went far and wide to obtain six Focus Sashes before returning to Kanto this year so I can beat the League with just my Smeargle.” Ace finally turned around with angry eyes for Gary. “I consider the Kanto League nothing but training! For my real fight in Sinnoh! My rematch with Pokemon Champion Tobias!”

Gary was stunned by these words. The Kanto League is just training?

“It took so much time and energy, and searching, and learning, and finding the right people, to teach Sketch, Sketch again so it could then get to acquire Doom Desire. It’s the only one I own who has more than one move. And all to prove myself to him. I won’t let anyone stop me after how far I’ve come and all I’ve done.” Ace stayed glaring at Gary.

Gary eyed him right back.

Footsteps came hurriedly from a distance.

Ace turned and ran away, through the beach, away from Gary.

“Gary! HEY!” a girl called. “Who is that?!!”

Gary didn’t turn to her, keeping his eyes on Ace as June reached him.

“Gary? What happened?”

Gary didn’t look away.

“Gary, answer me!” June insisted. “Who was that guy?”

Gary finally looked to June and closed his eyes, lowering his head.

June gasped and grabbed his shoulders. “Gary! What happened?? Why are you crying??”

Gary didn’t speak of his embarrassing loss against a bunch of Smeargle.

Gary didn’t answer that he was scared of this kid.

Gary didn’t explain that he was seeing just how big the world was for the first time, and the different, scary kinds of Trainers it held for him to ultimately face.

Gary just held his breath.

Gary didn’t breathe.

Gary withstood the pressure.

Until he couldn’t anymore.