“In the most recent update of the attack that occurred in Viridian City yesterday, what was confirmed to be an attack by terrorist organization Team Solace using a Musharna’s Dream Mist to put the city to sleep, is further shown to have had even more mysteries than before,” a newsman spoke from the hanging TV screen. He had thin, short blonde hair and dressed in a blue suit. “Musharna had been held in custody following the attack, but with newfound evidence, it’s now believed that Musharna itself was under a form of Hypnosis, forcing it to attack as it did.”

The screen now showed Viridian City during that attack, covered in a gray mist with black flakes falling everywhere as people panicked, trying to carry their sleeping Pokemon or wake them up.

“A pendulum was found during the investigation with fingerprints from various people,” the newsman continued. “But it’s what they found not far away, being picked at by the bugs and animals within Viridian Forest, that was perhaps the largest shock of all. A deceased Hypno. A Hypno without a pendulum. While nothing is certain yet, investigators believe this Hypno may have been spotted by Team Solace either before or after hypnotizing Musharna, and was then killed for the pendulum, and Team Solace members controlled Musharna to attack the city, the purpose of this unknown and never fulfilled due to the further unfortunate arrival, of the monster.”

The video then showed her, the vicious monster being, when the Dream Mist had been cleared already. She moved swiftly, dodging Aly’s Ivysaur’s Double-Edge. In the next clip, she was blasted by Solar Beam. The clip froze as she was taken down.

The video shrunk to one corner of the screen, making room for the newsman again. “The monster, its own terror shown here, was battled by Pokemon Trainers nearby and local law enforcement. While there were numerous critical injuries, thankfully no one was killed. While it appears the monster, some witnesses and experts even referring to it as female, is shown here to be taken down, it did fight its way out and was reported to have literally flown away. Some believe there is an obvious link between Team Solace and the monster, while Team Solace maintains the attacks from the being, and what they are doing, are unrelated. They continue to vow to stop the monster, but fail to explain exactly what it, or perhaps, she, is.”

Gary looked away from the TV and closed his eyes. With a sigh, he got up and walked to the front doors, his Town Map open in his hands.

There were several strips of yellow tape marked DANGER in black letters taped around orange traffic cones which surrounded ladders, construction workers on them working on the destroyed roof of the Pokemon Center.

“How much can I get for these Star Pieces?”

Gary stopped and looked to see a young boy talking to the cashier at the Poke Mart, the kid holding something in his cupped hands that Gary couldn’t see.

“Kid, things are kinda tough right now. I’m sorry,” the cashier was explaining uncomfortably.

The front doors opened for Gary and he walked out of the building. He went straight, looking from his Town Map to his surroundings a few times, and after just a few minutes of walking, turned to see an enormous building that was exactly where the map said the location would be. He put the Town Map away and his fists clenched tight.

The building was wider than it was tall. It was green, and the roof was curved, reaching down the sides, as blue as the sky above. The door was tall and green and a golden door knob stuck out from it. The words Viridian City Pokemon Gym were painted in turn of black and yellow letters.

“It would’ve been nice for Aly and Rob to have watched you go for your final Badge,” June mentioned. She’d been exploring the city and ended up at the Gym, waiting for Gary to feel ready for the big match and meet her there.

Raichu stood at her feet, smiling behind his sunglasses.

“They both have the minimum eight, so it woulda been really nice to celebrate you all making it to the League qualifications now. Assuming you get the Badge this go.”

“Assuming?” Gary frowned at her. “Of course I’m getting this Badge! There’s no other choice!”

“I - I just meant...” June stumbled on her words.

Gary sucked his teeth and stepped up to the Gym. He raised a fist and knocked on the door a couple of times.

The three waited, Gary tapping his right foot impatiently, June staring up into the blue, sunny sky above and tilting her head, letting out her breath, and Raichu twisting his body side to side.

Then, the door knob twisted and the door opened.

Gary smiled pleasantly at the young girl who opened the door.

The smile went away even faster.

Gary inhaled loudly, noisily, and instantly choked, hurting his throat. When he thought he was okay, he hacked some more and was forced to slap his chest repeatedly until he was finally able to breathe right.

The girl on the other side looked like a deceased relative had just showed up at her door. “Nnnnnnooo!!” the girl gasped. “YYYOUUUUU?! What are YOU doing here???” She then turned to June. “UUUUUUGH!!! And you?” The young lady stood in black sandals with one tiny white bow on them, her toes visible through a hole design. She wore dark blue shorts that came up very high on her thighs. A white, lightweight sweater covered her light blue tank top that could be seen from the straps at her visible shoulders. Her brown hair was twisted and wrapped around her head, ending on her left shoulder.

A Butterfree sat on her right shoulder.

It was the Butterfree girl!

“What do you think you’re doing here??!” Gary shouted angrily. “Wait, are you here competing for the Badge here? Did you battle? Did you win?”

“Oh, great. Don’t tell me I have to defend the Hexapoda Badge against you!” The girl spoke with such a heavy, southern accent. She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes, sneering. “Uuuugh! Like my job isn’t bad enough as it is. Come on, then! Let’s get this battle over with.”

Gary’s eyes widened and he blinked rapidly as she walked inside of the building, the door closing behind her. “Wha...?” He turned to June. “What?” he rasped out.

“Ha. Wait, is she??” June asked hesitantly.

“THERE’S NO WAY!!!” Gary exploded. “JUNE!!! WHO IS THE GYM LEADER HERE??! TELL ME!!!”

“Gary, I don’t know! Honest!” June insisted. “But she can’t be!”

“Then I’m finding out who the heck is!” Gary burst into the Gym building and stopped, looking around.

Inside was a bit dark, shadows filling every corner of the dimly lit, brown room. A set of bleachers sat against the wall, a battlefield outlined in white paint on the floor.

The Butterfree girl was approaching one end of the battlefield.

Standing outside of the battlefield was a very tall man in a black suit and sunglasses. His hands were clasped together, held out in front of him.

Gary glared at the Butterfree girl. There’s no way. He eyed her Butterfree. A Bug type. But, it can’t be!

The Butterfree girl stood in her place and turned to Gary. “I ain’t got all day!” she called out and crossed her arms. “This place is for battles. Get in or get out! I prefer you to get out of my Gym, personally, but I can’t just kick you out without a cause.”

“This isn’t your Gym!!” Gary’s voice echoed in the building.

“Tough luck for you, but this is my Gym! I’m Tera, the Bug type Gym Leader for Viridian City. Now get over it and get over here or you will be removed from my Gym by force!”

The tall man lowered his arms and turned to Gary.

Gary just shook his head, not believing what he was hearing. This girl? he pondered.

Tera had a frown on her face in Viridian Forest back during Gary’s first ever time in the location, looking to be about his age or just older. “Kid, if you’re afraid of bugs, you need to go right back to Pallet. There are much worse things out there than weak little Bug Pokemon.” She let out a string of laughter. “Bugs are the weakest of all Pokemon.” She squinted at Gary. “I hate the things. They can battle alright, but in the end, for everything a Bug can do, there is always something that can do the job better.”

*

“I’m surprised you made it out of Viridian Forest alive,” Tera proclaimed to Gary in Celadon City after he’d just received his Badge there.

Gary pulled out his Badge case and opened it in front of her. “You see? I have three Badges so far.” After slipping the case back in his jacket, he questioned, “How many do you have?”

Tera sneered at him and raised a hand to his face. “Puh-lease, loser. I’m so far ahead of you this topic is over. If you’re still afraid of the most weakest of all types, Bugs, I recommend you go sell your Badges for top dollar, and take a nice little vacation with your little girlfriend here because you won’t be getting much further as a Pokemon Trainer being afraid of stupid little insects,” she whispered her last sentence.

*

“NINCADA!” Tera’s Nincada screamed out in the middle of Fuchsia City over its victory of Gary’s Primeape before a bright flash of white light came over it. It floated high into the air and kept shifting as it evolved! The light flashed brightly and sprinkled off of the Pokemon, revealing a Ninjask.

Tera looked at Gary with a nasty look on her face and grabbed a Poke Ball from her belt, enlarging it. But this wasn’t just a Poke Ball in her hand. It was an Ultra Ball! “Shedinja, go!” She then threw the Ultra Ball right at him!

It opened and a Shedinja came out.

With a sly smile, Tera winked at him and waved her hand towards him.

Ninjask and Shedinja immediately flew towards the boy, their Trainer laughing hysterically. They flew around him, buzzing and bumping into him.

“NOOOOOOO!!! STOP!!! GET AWAY!!!!” Gary fell to his knees and swatted at them, screaming loudly, begging, crying helplessly against them. He curled up into a ball as the Bugs continued traumatizing him.

Gary kept shaking his head. Not this girl!! It can’t be!! The Butterfree girl??! Her name is Tera?!?! The BUG GYM LEADER of Viridian City?!?

“Get rid of them, Christian.” Tera turned and walked away from the field at the same time that the suited man moved like a soldier, coming for Gary and June.

“WAIT! I’M BATTLING RIGHT NOW!!” Gary ran to the battlefield and took his place.

Tera turned to him.

The man stopped and crossed his arms, staring at Gary.

“I’m here! Can I battle now?” Gary asked Tera.

The man turned to the Gym Leader.

She curled her lips but walked back to her position opposite Gary.

The tall man returned to where he had come from.

June ran, Raichu chasing after her on all fours, and they made their way through the field and sat on the third to the bottom step of the bleachers.

“You know why I took so long! You don’t have to act like this isn’t a surprise to me!” Gary called. “Or like it shouldn’t be one! You never told me this!”

“This will be a two versus two Pokemon battle for the Hexapoda Badge of Viridian City’s Tera!” the man suddenly spoke loudly. “The first Trainer to lose their Pokemon is out! There is no time limit! Only the challenger may substitute their Pokemon. Let the battle begin!”

He’s the referee? Gary was surprised.

“GOOOOOO!!” Tera pointed at Gary, her voice and action grabbing his attention, and her Butterfree flew from her shoulder with a high pitched screech.

Seeing the huge butterfly flutter had Gary slap and rub at one side of his neck as the skin crawled. “Alright, let’s get this last Badge for good this time!” He threw his first choice out. “Charizard, I choose you!”

Charizard was released from his Poke Ball and roared on the field.

The two opponents eyed each other, ready to strike.

“Start with Flamethrower!”

Charizard attacked, sending out a stream of Fire.

“Butterfree, ascend and use Whirlwind!” Tera instructed.

Butterfree flew over the Fire and then flapped its wings hard.

A powerful gust swept through the field.

Charizard grunted against the wind and suddenly glowed red! His body shrunk, turning into energy and flew towards Gary and into his Poke Ball!

Gary stumbled back solely out of shock and then screamed as a white beam from a different Poke Ball sent out another Pokemon!

The little creature squeaked out cutely, standing on the Gym floor.

“Illumise? What’s going on?” Gary called out in confusion.

Illumise looked about, confused.

“Whirlwind one last time!” Tera insisted.

Butterfree flapped its wings again, Illumise leaning in with closed eyes to try and not be blown away.

She cried out as she glowed red and was returned, just like Charizard.

“Illumise! Wait!” Gary watched as a third Pokemon was sent out.

It landed heavily but then floated up several inches, hovering and swaying. A voice seemed to be speaking from within the outer body.

“And Minior?” Gary frowned at Tera. “What do you think you’re doing? What’s going on?”

“It’s Whirlwind, you dunce!” Tera snapped at him. “It swaps out your Pokemon for another. You have a lot of nerve owning an Illumise. She’s a Bug, I’m sure you know!”

“I know what she is! I love all Pokemon! She’s on my team because of that! And as if you have any right to start calling anyone out! HOW ARE YOU THE BUG, GYM LEADER?!!”

“By disproving the odds. By proving our worth to creeps like you! Butterfree, String Shot! Use its weight against it!”

“Freeeee!” Butterfree opened its mouth and fired out white String.

Soon, Minior was wrapped up tight, looking like a ball of yarn. It twisted and flinched in the air.

“Now use Psychic to drop it!”

Butterfree’s eyes glowed light blue and Minior was outlined in the same shade before being slammed to the floor.

Minior gave out muffled cries and tried to rise, but was stuck to the ground.

“Now use Electroweb!”

Butterfree flapped its wings and a yellow, netted ball of electricity formed in front of it. With a loud cry, the ball flew into the air and expanded into a wide open net that descended upon Minior and wrapped around its body.

Minior was screaming as it was shocked.

Gary’s teeth tightened against each other and he balled his fists. This isn’t it. So long as it's still in its Meteor Form, we still are fine. But even if not... “Minior, we’ve taken long enough! Let’s go for Autotomize!” Gary tried.

From within the covering of String Shot, beams of white light managed to get through as Minior’s body glowed bright and it let out a call, its body vibrating. When the glow faded, it didn’t seem as if anything had changed.

“Once more! Hang strong, Minior!”

Minior repeated the attack.

“Now let’s break free and use Rollout!”

Minior cried out, rattling inside of its webbing, but not actually going anywhere.

“Butterfree, keep it down with another Electroweb!”

Butterfree set up another Electroweb.

Minior kept rattling in place, stuck to the ground by String Shot. With a sudden burst that startled everyone, Minior burst free from the surrounding Strings and flew out at Butterfree.

“Freeeeeeeeee!!” Butterfree wailed as the move collided with it and it fell from the air, landing on its back.

Butterfree’s prepared Electroweb vanished, interrupted.

Minior hit the floor and rolled towards Gary before turning back around and heading for Butterfree again.

“Butterfree, get out of there!” Tera shouted angrily. “Watch out!”

Butterfree flapped its wings but before it could get up, Minior slammed into it again. The Bug type dropped painfully.

Gary’s eyes widened suddenly.

“End this with a flying Rollout,” Aurora ordered impatiently.

Graveler rolled across the ground and started spinning in a small circle, faster and faster, over and over.

“Do it!” Aurora said sharply.

Graveler shot off the ground at a startling speed and slammed into Hoothoot.

“You let my Graveler continue to spin, building not only momentum, but strength,” Aurora explained. “The longer a Rollout attack lasts in battle, the more powerful it becomes when it hits. You allowed Graveler to pick up speed as it spun faster and faster, and you were kind enough to let the power of the move increase by standing there foolishly.”

This battle was reminding Gary of his battle with Aurora the second time he had challenged her. Is this the same thing that happened then? Did we increase power by being stuck in the same place by String Shot?

“Butterfree, use Psychic to misdirect Minior!”

Gary straightened up, surprised by this command from Tera.

Butterfree got up and its eyes glowed light blue.

Minior rolled for Butterfree, faster than ever. Its body was then outlined in light blue. It moved like a jet, rising for the ceiling!

“WHOA!” Gary was stunned by this.

Minior crashed into the ceiling of the Gym.

“Now help it back down!”

Minior was forced to the floor by the Psychic, crashing hard.

“End this with Electroweb!” Tera demanded.

Large cracks were evident in the shell of Minior. A white glow was coming out from them.

“Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” Butterfree was flapping its wings, Electroweb forming in front of it.

The shell around Minior’s body cracked wider, longer, finally falling off in pieces! From the shell floated a red inside! “Minior!” the Pokemon cried in a kind of echoed voice.

“Minior, STRIIIIIIIIIIIIKE!!!”

“FIRRRRRRE!!” Tera added.

“Minior!” Minor flew at Butterfree.

“Freeeeeee!” Butterfree’s Electroweb went loose and wrapped around Minior.

Minior was caught, but it wasn’t stopped, screaming out as it flew right into Butterfree.

Butterfree’s voice was pained as it was taken down, its body sparking from taking on its own Electroweb!

Minior landed not far away from it, rolling to a stop.

The suited man raised both hands in the air. “Both Minior and Butterfree are unable to battle!” His voice was full of shock. “This is a draw!”

Tera and Gary exchanged stunned glances.

Tera then sneered and called back her Butterfree. Her hand tightened around the ball and she growled, staring at it. “Useless!!” She went for another Poke Ball, tossing it and releasing a new Pokemon. “Don’t screw this up!”

“Venomoth! Venomoth!” the Bug type flapped calmly in the air.

Venomoth. The Poison Moth Pokemon. Venonat’s evolved form. This Pokemon’s wings hold scales that can shake loose from mere flaps.

“Minior, return!” Gary smiled. “Thank you for your work! That was great!” That went so good. And Tera’s pretty good, herself, Gary admitted, looking up at her. But what’s her story? How is she so skilled at using Bugs, and being a Bug Gym Leader, if she claims not to even like Bugs?

“Just remember, Whirlwind revealed your three Pokemon, so you have to choose between Illumise and Charizard,” Tera told him snottily.

Gary sneered and nodded. “Yeah, I know that. I’m going with Charizard next! GO!” He threw the next Poke Ball. “Let’s get this done and over with!”

Charizard stomped the ground in place and roared, firing flames at Venomoth.

Venomoth barely avoided the attacks in a fluttery panic.

Whoa, easy, Charizard! Gary thought, eyes wide. He’s really getting into it. Maybe he didn’t like the Whirlwind trick.

“Use Tailwind right now!” Tera ordered.

“Venomoth! Venomoth! Venomoooooooth!” Venomoth’s wings flapped sharply, quickly, and a huge wind came forth.

“Whoa!” Gary raised an arm in vain to block the wind.

“Venomoth!” Venomoth was calling out as it flew through the air at a reckless speed.

Tailwind temporarily increases the Speed of the user and their teammates.

“Ahh...” Gary nodded. “Alright, try to trap it in a Fire Spin, Charizard!”

Charizard roared and sent out a stream of Fire which turned into a twirling tower!

“Venomoth! Venomoth!” Venomoth kept flying quickly but dodged the Fire cautiously.

At least we’ve got its attention, Gary accepted. It’s distracted. A Venomoth to flames. Ha. He smirked at his own lame joke. “Okay then, use Flame Burst instead!”

Charizard fired a stream of flames into the air.

The Fire formed a huge ball and exploded into waves. One of which caught the dodgy Venomoth.

Venomoth screamed as it was downed.

“YES! GOT ‘EM!” Gary cheered. “Now finish this up with Fire Blast!”

Charizard blasted the weakened Bug type with a huge Blast.

“VENOMOTH!!” Tera shrieked.

Venomoth joined in her shriek as it was consumed in the heat.

The referee.

June.

Gary.

Tera.

Charizard.

Raichu.

All stared at Venomoth.

Tera suddenly gasped. “Spit in that stupid Fire type’s FACE!” she raged. “TOXIC!”

Venomoth was in the air quicker than anyone expected, everyone gasping in reaction. Tera’s Pokemon spit out a stream of purple liquid, hitting Charizard in the face.

Charizard cried out in a rather whiny voice and fell down into a sitting position. The purple on his face sunk into his skin and his face became flushed with purple.

“Oh, no! Charizard! Please, get up!!”

Charizard struggled back to his feet but flinched, suffering from a Bad Poisoning.

The Tailwind’s wind faded out quickly, Venomoth’s Speed returning to normal.

“Use Supersonic! Keep it down!”

Venomoth let out a wild screech that caused almost everyone to scream out and cover their ears.

Only Tera seemed the least affected, covering her ears and squinting, but keeping her eyes on the match in silence.

Gary’s ears rang in pain as he vocally expressed his desire for the noise to end. He soon saw the Venomoth was no longer using Supersonic, but his ears were still ringing. He shoved his fingers in them and wiggled them about before removing them, but his ears still hurt.

Charizard’s eyes were red as he was stumbling about.

“Charizard! You’re Confused! Please, fight out of it! Use your Flamethrower!”

Charizard took a step forward and tripped, slamming down hard.

“Damn it!” Gary growled “He’s hurting himself!”

“We’ve bought us time! Roost!”

Venomoth rested on the ground. Its body glowed brightly.

“CHARIZARD! GET UP!” Gary commanded desperately.

The glow faded off of Venomoth and the Bug returned back to the air.

“Quiver Dance, now!”

Venomoth took on its true insect nature as it flapped its wings and danced about in random patterns, its body flashing.

The movements disturbed Gary to his core, causing him to rub his hands over his chest and arms as he shuddered in disgust.

Tera growled loudly, grabbing her opponent’s attention.

Gary saw the enraged look on her face, focused right on him!

Charizard finally got up, still Confused.

“Fire Blast attack!”

Charizard fired with Flamethrower instead!

Venomoth moved quicker now and dodged the Flamethrower.

“Charizard!” Gary groaned through tightened teeth. “Damn it.” He raised his Pokedex.

Quiver Dance. The user’s Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed all increase.

“Aahhh come on!” Gary sucked his teeth. “Flame Burst again, then!”

Charizard leaned forward, his face tightened in pain as more damage from the poison set in.

“CHARIZARD! You’ve gotta focus!”

“Roost!”

Venomoth’s wings flapped softly but quickly as it settled on the ground and came to a still. Its body then began to glow white. It remained settled as the glow went away.

“What is that?”

Roost. The user heals itself by taking a moment to recoup energy. This causes the user to lose their Flying typing for a moment.

Gary sucked his teeth. Just great.

Charizard shook his head with closed eyes and blinked, the red in his eyes disappearing.

“Charizard, your Confusion is gone!” Gary cheered.

“Struggle Bug!” Tera pressed on, not letting up.

“Fight back with Flamethrower!” Gary scanned this new move as it happened.

Struggle Bug. This move has an added effect of lowering the target’s Special Attack.

Gary rolled his eyes. It never ends with this girl! he complained silently.

Charizard used Flamethrower.

A red aura covered Venomoth’s body before it went away. It then covered its body with its wings and a brighter red glow covered it. Venomoth’s wings spread open and a huge dome of glittering red energy flew out, tearing through Flamethrower and colliding with Charizard!

Charizard stumbled back, shuddering, his body flashing red momentarily.

This girl is really good! She tore through our own fully powered Flamethrower to weaken some of our best Fire moves! That Quiver Dance must have helped. Gary shook his head hard and gave Venomoth a focused look. “Then we have to be sure every hit counts, Charizard! Leave nothing to waste! Fire Blast, GO!”

Charizard inhaled and roared, sending out the powerful attack.

Venomoth was hit, screaming out wildly as it was covered in the Fire. The burning victim’s fiery body hit the ground, and the flames died.

“Venomoth is unable to battle any longer! The winner is Charizard!” the referee ruled. He took a deep breath and let it out.

“YES!! YES!! LET’S GO, CHARIZARD! ONE MORE TO GO!!” Gary was overwhelmed, ready to finally be allowed to compete in the Pokemon League. Just one more Pokemon to go, he told himself.

Charizard growled and then let out a weak wail, his voice croaking before he collapsed.

June gasped, covering her mouth.

“Charizard?!” Gary gasped.

“Charizard is unable to battle, as well!” the referee stated, stretching out an arm towards the worn out Pokemon.

Gary’s hand went to his heart. He ran to his Pokemon.

Charizard moaned from the ground, his eyes closed.

“Charizard! Oh, no.” Gary lowered his hand upon his Pokemon’s head. “The poison...” Once he had returned Charizard, he looked up to Tera and got to his feet. He returned to his place and grabbed the only Poke Ball he had left to use. “You should know, I wanted to use these three against you, Tera.”

Tera’s cold face didn’t flinch one bit.

“You didn’t force me to choose these three. I admit, you had me in some tough spots, but I’ve learned a lot from this battle by using the guys I thought would take you out a lot easier than this. A lot easier because, I figured someone like you can’t be much of a Trainer. And yet, you know how to battle with your Pokemon, these Bug types, so well! I don’t understand why. Tell me, Tera!”

Tera recalled her Venomoth and pressed her lips together. She flashed her teeth and reached for her final Pokemon. “Shedinja, come!” She threw an Ultra Ball and her last Pokemon was out.

“Shedinja!” the Pokemon rasped out. It floated in the air, but it didn’t move an inch.

There was something spooky about this to Gary. Haunting. “Shedinja...”

“Sheeeeedinja.” Shedinja seemed to be staring right back at Gary with its solid black eyes.

This Pokemon appeared in Tera’s Ultra Ball after her Nincada evolved, all on its own, Gary recalled. Even my Pokedex was able to explain that phenomenon. Or at least, it knew it occurs. The remains of Nincada, its own Pokemon. Shedinja. We can do this! Gary grabbed his final Poke Ball and sent the Pokemon out. “Illumise! I’m counting on you! Bug versus Bug! Let’s do it!”

Illumise flew into the air and hovered there, far more lively than Shedinja.

“Someone like you doesn’t deserve a Bug so beautiful. So powerful! I can see it all just from this short moment!” Tera’s face was full of emotion, so expressive, as if she could cry and burst into a rage at the exact same time.

“You don’t deserve any Bug you own, Tera! I want to know why-!”

“Use Confuse Ray.”

“Sheeeeed.” Several golden orbs fired out from Shedinja one by one at Illumise, surrounding her.

“Illumise, use Bug Buzz to get rid of those! Pop ‘em like bubbles!”

Instead, the orbs attached themselves onto Illumise and popped immediately.

Illumise swung in the air dizzily, her eyes red.

Gary yelled angrily. She’s Confused! “Go for Quick Attack, then!”

Illumise vanished, reappearing right in front of Shedinja, and then went forward only to hit something invisible in front of the target Shedinja. She bounced back hard.

“What was that??” Gary couldn’t believe his eyes.

Illumise shouted out in some kind of anger and flew at Shedinja, going right past it, and this time continuing until she dove down and hit the Gym floor.

“ILLUMISE! SNAP OUT OF IT!” Gary begged.

Illumise rose up again and then dove back down, tackling the floor and only further injuring herself. She kept it up, hurting herself with each slam down.

“We can’t lose like this!” Gary pleaded.

“You’re right. You’ll lose at our hands!” Tera pointed. “Sand Attack.”

Shedinja descended so spookily for the simple fact that its body just refused to move. It lowered itself down, but the wings didn’t beat, and the body was otherwise without any motion. It was like an invisible child was playing with a toy Shedinja. A completely unexpected wave of brown substance flew out from underneath Shedinja, hitting Illumise in the face!

“And again!” Tera told her Pokemon.

The same mysterious action occurred, further blinding Illumise!

“Illumise, please, Bug Buzz! It’s our turn to strike!” Gary was desperate, barely able to think straight and remember all of his Pokemon’s moves.

Illumise opened her mouth and a powerful screech filled the building, red waves coming out.

Gary screamed, covering his ears.

Tera made a slight flinch and tightened her eyes, but they remained open.

June actually fell out of the bleachers and to her knees, covering her ears, struggling to keep one eye open.

Raichu fell with her, falling flat to his face with his butt and tail in the air as he screamed out. His sunglasses hit the floor.

The referee stood standing, but in his leaned stance, he had his hands to his ears, his mouth wide in a scream.

Shedinja stood motionless, seeming unbothered, and a transparent barrier appeared around it.

Tera’s face relaxed a bit.

June was shaking her head but lowering her hands.

Raichu laid flat on the floor, looking exhausted.

The referee shoved a finger in each ear, twisting them around.

Gary began to suspect the Bug Buzz was over, but his ears were still ringing. He squinted at Shedinja as he lowered his hands.

The Bug Pokemon hovered above, the barrier gone again.

Did it even feel that? Gary wondered. It doesn’t seem to have reacted at all. Is it that invisible wall again? Is that a move? I didn’t hear or see Tera give any order. “This time use your Hidden Power!” Gary kept his eyes on Shedinja.

A light blue ball of energy formed in front of Illumise’s outstretched hands. She tossed the ball at Shedinja.

Shedinja remained still as the attack seemed to hit an invisible space in front of it and just vanish!

Gary’s breath was cut short and he swallowed. “What...?” He stopped, sick of having to ask so many questions during this battle. He was almost too tired to pull out his Pokedex at this point, but he managed.

The Wonder Guard Ability prevents damage from any move that isn’t a weakness of the wielder. Shedinja is the only known Pokemon with this Ability.

Gary’s eyes nearly popped. That’s... real?? I’ve never heard of something that... cool! To his own surprise, this information relaxed him, and he smiled!

Tera did a double take at Gary’s reaction.

Gary looked to her and nodded. “Who knew...? That’s... incredible! And only a Bug has it? That’s the most amazing Ability I’ve ever heard of!”

Tera’s mouth opened in surprise. “I...”

“Bug types... They’re... They’re pretty cool, huh?” Gary admitted.

Tera gasped, both of her hands on her chest. “What?”

Gary shrugged. “I have a lot to learn, eh?” He closed his eyes and nodded. “But the battle has to go on, doesn’t it?” His eyes opened and he gave his opponent a more challenging face, still smiling.

“You think Bugs are cool?” Tera seemed to not be believing what she was hearing.

“I told you, Tera. I love all Pokemon. Illumise belonged to my sister. Before she passed away some months ago.”

Tera’s mouth fell open wider than ever. She breathed out, unable to say words.

“Her favorite Pokemon was Combee. Only the females evolve, right? At level twenty-one, into Vespiquen. She taught me that.”

Tera could only blink widely.

“She always taught me about Bug type Pokemon. I hated when she'd tell me about them, but she refused to let me leave her room. She'd lock the door, and she was so much stronger than me. I guess it’s because she was older. I was a bit taller, but it didn’t matter in strength. Honestly, she was just plain a good fighter. Anyway,” he chuckled, “she was just so damn determined to get me to accept Bugs. I now know it's because she cared. Now, I can understand it better, being on this journey. We promised we'd both be the greatest Trainers in the world. She didn't want my fear of Bug Pokemon to be a hindrance for me, so she taught me so much about them. I just wanted to raise anything else but Bug types.”

Tera shook her head.

Even from a distance, Gary could see the sadness in her eyes. The tears. “Combee was her favorite Pokemon,” Gary recalled. “She had Combee pictures all around her room and drew them all the time.”

“Bug Pokemon, are my favorite Pokemon...”

“What??!!” Gary exploded.

June stood up, her eyes wide, Raichu already at his feet.

Tears rolled fast from Tera’s eyes. She sniffled and wiped her nose. “Most people see Bug type Pokemon and consider them a weak type, or are afraid of them.” Her sad eyes turned cold. “Bug types are the underdogs. Not many people respect them. I understand that hate. It makes me, in a strange way, love them.” Tera wiped at her eyes as she gazed up at her Bug Pokemon. “My strength and mastery in raising Bugs was recognized over time and I became a Gym Leader. We had beaten the odds. Our hard work had paid off. No one could talk down about Bug types in my presence.”

Gary nodded. “I think I get it now, Tera.”

“You don’t get it. You’re still afraid of Bug types. You still represent a lot of the reason I ever started to raise Bug type Pokemon!”

“This is true, but I love Pokemon, Tera. All of them. Melissa told me, if I let my fear of Bugs overwhelm me, I'd never be a Pokemon Master. Whether you want to understand me, or use me as an excuse of some kind to verbally abuse and push your Pokemon to some level of power that you find acceptable is your choice. But taking the path to be a friend and Trainer for all Pokemon is mine. I’m not here to lose to you, Tera. Your Badge is mine. Me and Illumise came to do more than battle. We’re here to win!”

“Not a chance! Not by you, least of all!” Tera looked furious. “Aerial Ace and end this match!”

“Aerial Ace!” Gary commanded at the same time.

Tera’s eyes suddenly seemed to be filled with terror.

Gary balled his fists, trying to think up what he should do next, expecting the moves to cancel each other out.

Shedinja flew at an amazing speed, almost unseeable.

Illumise, her eyes still red, went for Shedinja at a wild speed.

They both reached each other midair.

Shedinja flashed white where it was hit and was forced back from the Critical Hit. It dove down at an angle.

Illumise flew back and then remained still, floating, scrunched up in pain with her eyes closed. When they opened, they were no longer red.

Tera reached out. “Shedinja!” she gasped. Shedinja slammed into her face as it was held in her hands. “Huuuhh...” was all Tera uttered.

Everyone was watching the two.

Tera was frozen on her feet, staring at the back of her Pokemon.

Shedinja was facing Illumise and Gary, still as ever.

Tera’s body gave a series of shakes.

“Tera?” Gary let out cautiously.

“TERAAAAAAAA!!” The referee tossed his sunglasses to the floor and ran to her.

Tera dropped to her knees, and Shedinja hit the floor, rolling away.

“Shed...” the Pokemon groaned after stopping.

Tera fell out flat on her face and didn’t move.

The referee knelt down beside her and touched at her neck. It wasn’t long before he held the Gym Leader, cradling her in his arms. He buried his face against Tera, pressing his head against her’s.

H-he’s crying... Gary realized, listening to the sound coming from the grown man. What...? He looked at June, hoping all of the answers he needed were on her face, and were good, happy ones.

June seemed just as confused as Gary felt, her mouth ajar, her eyebrows narrowed, her eyes squinting.

“Sir! SIR!” Gary finally managed to let out. “WHAT HAPPENED?!”

The referee sniffled and let out a sob, and then he looked back to Gary. His face was drenched in tears.

Gary was afraid to move, not knowing what was going on. He would have run up to them to try and help, or left to go and get help, but what was going on??

“She’s dead. She’s dead! Go get the police, kids!” He turned away and held Tera closer to him, letting out a painful, deep cry against her.

“How!?? How is she dead?? That’s impossible!!” Gary was freaking out, his voice cracking a number of times. As his right shoulder was touched, he jumped and screamed when he saw June, realizing she was no longer by the bleachers and was standing right behind him.

Raichu was trembling at June’s feet, his eyes on Tera and the referee.

“Gary, we have to go get help,” she nodded. She pulled him gently.

Gary shook his head. “No. No! How?! How, June?! I-I was right here!! How did she die?! She can’t be dead! SHE CAN’T BE!!”

June grabbed both of his shoulders. “I need you to come with me,” she insisted softly, caringly. “You can’t stay here. We both need to go and get help for her. The longer we stay, the worse this gets. Please! We need to find out what happened.”

Gary’s heart was going at a million miles per minute, his body quaking like it was some kind of intentional dance. “I... June!” He grabbed her shoulders. “JUUUNE!”

She gasped at this grab and shout, but with her hands on his shoulders, she began to gently massage him. “It isn’t your fault. But we can only prove that by getting out of here now and alerting the police so they can also prove it, Gary. Come on. Trust me. You trust me, right?”

Gary nodded frantically, tearing up heavily, streaks rolling down his cheeks quickly.

She grabbed one of his hands in both of hers, nodding. “Then let’s get help. Now.” She pulled him carefully away from Tera, Shedinja, the referee, and to the front door of the Gym, Raichu following.

*

“It wasn’t just a Bug, but a Ghost type, too. Shedinja,” Gary mused in the woods.

“Are you okay, Gary? Are you sure you want to continue this?” June asked him.

He looked to her. “Continue what? This journey?”

June didn’t say anything, but she kept her eyes on him.

Gary sighed and looked to the ground he was sitting on. “I’ve lost everything, June. And, for what?” The silence from his companion agitated him. He had asked her a question, after all. And after she had bothered to ask him one to begin it! But he didn’t blow up at her like he wanted. He actually kept his cool. “I need to find out for what, June. What have I lost my family over? What have I lost my Pokemon over? I may not believe in all that mumbo jumbo about being here for a reason, and signs, and purposes in life and all that, but I know why I’m here, right now, on Route 1. I know that I’m here because I wanted to become a Pokemon Master. And I know that if I quit now, I killed my sister who wanted the same goal, and her Pokemon that was only out to protect us, and a poor little girl who was just a little misunderstood and wanted to stand up for the little guys out there. I killed over half a city over half a year ago...” Gary’s face was wrecked, broken into sorrow and tears. He shook his head. “Over nothing,” he croaked weakly, blinking out more tears. “Tera; she loved Bugs, after all. I didn’t understand, yet it was pretty obvious when you think about it, huh?” He didn’t wait for any possible response June could have given him. He just covered his face in his hands and rested them against his knees, letting out his feelings, repeating the words of his Pokedex in his head that made so little sense, and yet was the only answer that fit.

Shedinja. The Shed Pokemon. Considered a special evolution, this appears in a Trainer’s Poke Ball on its own when Nincada has evolved into Ninjask, Shedinja being the leftover, shed skin. Little information is available on this species, but it is said that staring down the hole in the back of this Pokemon reveals more than empty innards. One’s soul is said to be taken inside. This claim is inconclusive.