“I’m gonna spend a little time on the phone chatting with Probopass and my family at home! Just choose whichever Pokemon you want to battle with! They’ll listen to you! BYYYYYYYYYYYYYYE!!!” June waved back at Gary as she took off, leaving Gary and her Poke Balls with him on the ground, her bag slung over her shoulder.

Gary stared back, stunned, and waved once before his hand fell to his side. Guess I can’t complain. Time away from her is what I crave more than anything else, Gary told himself. But... He sighed. “Happy birthday to me,” he mumbled.

*

“Punch! Punch! Punch!” Gary chanted while jogging, throwing out one punch, one punch, and then punching with the other fist. “Punch! Punch! Punch!”

Hitmonchan jogged ahead of the rest of the Pokemon, punching multiple punches at a blinding speed, but keeping with the beat.

Primeape was right behind Hitmonchan, his timing completely off as he chose to jump repeatedly, bouncing like a ball, sending out as many punches as he could.

Behind them was Charizard, throwing out one punch, then a second, the third beat choosing to send out a Flamethrower to the sky!

Dugtrio was next, two of his heads popping up from the ground to the beat, all three appearing for the third hit, chanting “Dug! Tri! O!”

“I-vy-saur! I-vy-saur!” Ivysaur chanted, stomping to the beat and swinging her two vines in time.

“Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! Hoot! Hoot!” Hoothoot flapped his wings to the tune, keeping high in the air over everyone.

“Punch! Punch! Punch!” Gary continued, leading the pack in black basketball shorts and a white undershirt, his cap backwards on his head. “Punch! Punch! Punch!”

On occasion, people would call out to Gary or applaud as he and his Pokemon passed by.

“You’re the man! Great fight!”

“You’ve got this whole tournament, kid!”

“Can I battle you??”

“Can I have your autograph?!”

“Look at them train!”

“Say, isn’t that that kid from the other day? With the Hitmonchan!”

Gary’s confidence was at an all time high from all the support, but he knew he couldn’t let it get to his head. He had to concentrate. So while he gave occasional, small waves and smiles to the people, he kept moving, not slowing down at all, keeping his momentum.

Until he saw her.

A beautiful young lady with red hair braided behind her head in one thick ponytail jogged by with her Pokemon. The big beast seemed to be struggling to keep up with the girl, and the girl seemed to not be moving as fast as she could because of that. She smiled at Gary as she ran past him through the grassy field.

Gary looked back at her, staring at the young lady in just her black spandex shorts and black sports bra.

Her curved in waist and curved out hips. Her pleasantly sized end jiggling as she ran.

Gary blinked after her, hoping she’d look back, as if that might just mean something. “Doof!!” Gary’s face was rocked and he spun in a circle twice before landing on his back. Quickly, he sat up and shook his head. He glared around him, spotting instantly who he was looking for, and kicked out, toppling over Hitmonchan as he cried out in surprise. Gary then kicked out again to get to his feet, and he dove for Hitmonchan!

Hitmonchan and Gary were scuffling in the middle of the field!

People called out, screamed, begged for it to stop, shouted for the police. Others were cheering and rooting on the violence.

“APE!” A foot came out of nowhere and kicked Hitmonchan in the face, knocking him away!

“Primeape!” Gary said loudly, surprised by the interference, and his anger began to fade. It came right back when he was slugged in the stomach by Primeape! “OOOHH...!!” he groaned, his wind taken out of him as he held his stomach and leaned over.

Hitmonchan appeared, using Bullet Punch on Primeape!

Primeape tumbled back and then growled at Hitmonchan. Screeching like mad, he dove forth, kicking Gary in the face and dropping him, and then continuing further by starting a brawl with Hitmonchan.

*

“So that means after tomorrow, I’ll either still be in the League, or I’m gonna be out of the competition,” Gary went on.

“And why are you telling me this?” his mother responded to him sternly. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you actually quitting all this, right?”

Gary swallowed and then nodded sadly, staring down. “Right.”

“Well, I have far more important things to stress over. Like your sister’s ashes. Would you like to know about that, or is everything just Pokemon with you now?” She sounded so stressed, angry, and impatient.

“Her... ashes...? Melissa’s ashes??” Gary couldn’t believe his ears.

“Yeah, didn’t you know? I decided to do cremation for her.”

“Mom! How... could you??!”

“Oh, suddenly you care!” she snapped at him. “If you ever called home more often, and to talk about something more than Pokemon, you could have maybe been a part of the discussion! But do you ever call? Nooo! Do you ever wanna talk about anything but these damn creatures?? NO! It’s Pokemon Pokemon Pokemon! Stress stress stress! You’re driving me nuts every damn time you call here! Well, I decided to cremate her. And the ashes will stay in her room.” Gary’s mother’s eyes were filled with tears by now, a few streaking down her face. She sniffled.

“Mom...” Gary’s own eyes were watering as well. “I had no idea. I didn’t mean to seem so selfish. But you have to know, I’m not on this journey, not thinking about her! I think about her! Every single day! And I mean that! I want to win this for us! Me and her! It’s-!”

“There you go again with the Pokemon! You can’t go a whole minute without going back to those things!” his mother laughed, but not a friendly laugh. It was a short, disgusted laugh.

Tears flowed quicker down Gary’s face. “Mom! This was our life! This was what me and Melissa wanted! I’m honoring her! Why can’t you see that??!!” He was losing it, but not in anger as much as sadness.

“Why can’t you see what you’re doing to me with this shit, damn it!!!” his mother retorted, crying even more.

Gary could only let out a pained cry at his mother’s stubbornness. He shook his head, trying to find something to say. “Mom...” He paused, and neither of them spoke for a moment. “Mom, I love you! I loved my sister! I lost my father! And you’re all I have! I need you, mom!”

“Then why are you out at that Pokemon tournament and not home with me?!”

“Because Melissa didn’t make it. And we promised we’d make it. I’m carrying her legacy. I’m gonna beat this damn League, and I’m gonna be at the top of it all, speaking about my sister for the whole world to hear! They’ll see her in me! They’ll remember her! And I’ll keep climbing to become a Pokemon Master, because my sister would never have wanted me to stop for anything! Including her death! I’m here because I love my family, mom!”

“And your family loves you, too, Gary,” his mom replied, her voice toning down but remaining as hard and grainy as gravel. “And we’re at home waiting for you.”

“There’s no answers for me at home. My father, my sister, both gone for reasons that involved them leaving home.”

“And that’s why I need you to come home, Gary!”

“That’s why I can’t!” Gary breathed for a bit, looking emotionally at his mom. “There’s some evil out there that I’ve seen several times already, terrorizing the world, that killed my Melissa. I can’t stop. I have to stop that thing. I have to get revenge on her. I... I have to kill her! There’s something about her... I need to know what it is. But forget all that. Above all, I need to finish this journey. That never ends. I can never stop.”

“Then these white hairs will never stop growing until I’m dead and gone. You’re going to kill your mother, Gary.”

“Don’t you put that on me, mom,” Gary started. “Don’t you dare put that on me!!” He was losing control again.

“When you have nothing left; no family, will you keep going, Gary?”

They stared each other in the eyes in silence.

Finally, Gary nodded. “I’ll always have my family. I’ve lost so much already, and I’ve gained so much, too. This journey has given me a family I never could have imagined. It’s not just about you, or Melissa. It’s the family my dad got to enjoy. The family Melissa got to have. The family I’ve had the opportunity to adopt. A family that extends into eternity. A thousand members, mom. Right? One thousand Pokemon. Or more, even! Right, mom? That’s my family, too!”

They went silent once again, staring at each other, Gary hopefully, his mother coldly.

“Mom.”

“Well, all I’ll say is this. When you die out there for your family, which I hope you don’t,” she spoke shakily, “I won’t have any family left, okay?”

Gary closed his eyes, crying silently, unable to handle his mother’s heartbreaking words. “Mom! I love you!” He looked to her.

She sniffled and wiped at her cheeks. “I love you so much, Gary. Remember that, at least.”

Gary nodded. “Will you be watching my match?” He sniffled.

“I never miss an opportunity to keep an eye on you, Gary.”

Gary nodded. “Don’t stop. I’ll be fine. Just trust me. Believe in me. I believe in me. For once in my life, this Pokemon journey has me believing in myself. About things in my life. I feel like I control my life for once. Give me your support.”

“No,” Gary’s mom answered. She shook her head. “You do not have my support in this.”

Gary got angry, but it didn’t show on his face. He wanted to slam the phone receiver and end the call in that moment.

“You have my love, forever.”

Gary’s heart stopped. There was only silence to him. Whether the room he was in was actually silent or not was completely irrelevant. He smiled. “I love you, mom. I’ll see you soon?”

His mom nodded. “Happy birthday.”

*

“Crunch!” Gary barked, doing a situp, his hands behind his head.

Charizard roared and attacked Kingdra with Flamethrower, Kingdra responding with Hydro Pump.

The moves collided and pushed against the other for a second, Hydro Pump ending up killing the Fire and taking down Charizard.

Sabrina dove for Hitmonchan, covered in streaks of white light, and then vanished, attacking with Aerial Ace.

Hitmonchan vanished as well with his own Bullet Punch.

Both moves landed, fist to face, wing to face.

Sabrina cawed out as she gave in, flapping her wings frantically as she soared backwards.

Hitmonchan merely shook off his damage and bobbed on his feet.

“BELL!” Weepinbell sent out a single vine to attack with.

Lanturn’s body sparked and she leaped to the attack. Crying out, she was overpowered and the Electricity around her went away as she fell.

This all took the span of about two seconds in time.

Gary did another situp, ordering out “Crunch!”

Charizard used Fire Blast this time.

This time, Kingdra went with Ice Beam!

The moves hit, Fire Blast destroying the move, and Kingdra wailing out as she was hit and forced back.

Sabrina flew at Hitmonchan and then disappeared, using Quick Attack this time.

Hitmonchan swung with Thunder Punch, but the move missed, going over Sabrina’s body as she slammed into Hitmonchan, knocking him over.

Weepinbell used Razor Leaf, swiping his leaves and releasing a pair at Lanturn.

The larger of the spherical orbs on the antenna on Lanturn’s back glowed like a rainbow and then fired a rainbow beam out.

The Razor Leaves were torn through and Weepinbell gasped out as he was hit.

His stomach hurting, Gary pushed himself to keep going. “Crunch!”

*

“Wha...?” Gary stared from down on the ground in confusion at his Porygon-Z and Baltoy.

After screeching and deafening Gary and his other Pokemon upon coming out, Gary unable to stop it first, Porygon-Z stared at Baltoy in silence.

Baltoy spun around Porygon-Z in circles. When it finally stopped spinning, the two just focused on each other, not moving.

Porygon-Z then used Thunder on Baltoy!

Baltoy, part Ground type, was unaffected, and proceeded to spin in place rapidly as the electricity twirled around its body and a beautiful show of sparking, spinning lights danced around, a lightning tornado rising from around Baltoy and extending into the sky!

It looked just like what Baltoy had created back in Dark City when the Pikachu and Raichu had wrecked the place and Baltoy had managed to focus their electricity onto itself!

But Gary didn’t understand why it was happening now. It looked to him like the two were just playing around. He sighed and frowned, knowing this wasn’t the time to waste on games.

*

Gary ran through the woods, carrying his Cascoon in his arms.

Behind him was Butterfree, Illumise, Hitmonchan, Charizard, and a struggling Wurmple trying to catch up.

It was a little creepy being chased by so many Bugs, and just as creepy carrying one, but Gary wasn’t too bothered by Cascoon. It was just a cocoon to him. A bug, yes, but a sort of... kind of... cool bug. This wasn’t pushing his limits too much.

A bright light grabbed his attention, the glow coming from behind him, but somewhat visible ahead of him.

Him and his Pokemon came to a stop and turned.

Gary smiled, showing his teeth.

Surrounded in a shiny glow, Wurmple was evolving!

Another bright light burst in front of Gary’s eyes, blinding him as he yelled out.

*

“Hello!” Gary’s grandma said from the screen, smiling.

“Grandma!” Gary exclaimed, the phone to his ear as he smiled at her. “Hi! Have-?”

“This is Rose,” she said, interrupting him. “I'm not here right now, but please leave your message after the beep and I will return your call. Thank you.”

“Oh...” Gary hung up the phone and sighed. He slumped in the chair and sighed again.

“Excuse me, but can I use the phone, please?” a voice asked him.

He turned around to see a boy with curly red hair looking down at him impatiently.

“Oh, sorry,” Gary said, and quickly got to his feet and walked away. He had tried calling Prof. Oak, his aunt, and his grandma, but no one was home.

June never returned and he couldn’t find her, though the Pokemon Center was the only place he’d been to while training.

*

Ralts raised his arms and a multicolored barrier surrounded the Pokemon.

Nosepass crashed into the Reflect.

Ralts held his ground, crying out.

Clamperl collided with the Barrier.

Ralts remained standing.

Minior pushed against the Barrier.

Ralts cried out as he was toppled over finally.

“GET UP!” Gary barked.

Ralts sat up and shook his head. He looked back to Gary.

Gary nodded, staring at the three Pokemon attacking Ralts before turning back to Ralts.

Ralts’ eyes glowed golden and a golden box surrounded his body with the Reflect as he used Light Screen.

The other three Pokemon attacked in turn.

Minior’s body glowed white and the color removed itself from its body and a transparent afterimage of itself was created. This afterimage spun and formed into a silver ball with a green core.

Nosepass released several bolts from his body.

Clamperl sprayed hot water at Ralts.

Ralts yelled out against the attacks, sliding backwards. With a startled cry, he flew through the air! The Light Screen protected him, but the powerful combination of attacks still got to him. He hit the ground and remained on his back.

“Up, Ralts! We’re far from done! Come on!” Gary approached the little guy.

Ralts squeaked and looked up at Gary, his eyes hidden behind his hair.

“I know you’re fine! Let’s keep going! It’s your turn, now!”

Ralts got up and faced the three.

“Let’s go, guys! You all know what to do!”

Nosepass’ body flashed white, and then the Pokemon stayed completely still.

Minior’s body glowed in shades of purple and blue, the energy rising up its body before disappearing.

“Clam! Clam!” Clamperl’s shell opened and closed twice, and then nothing else happened.

Ralts raised his arms and pushed forward, sending out multiple glowing light green leaves at the three Pokemon.

Minior took the hit, barely budging.

Nosepass vanished in a puff of light smoke!

Clamperl was also hit and cried out as he was knocked over.

“Nosepass!” Nosepass walked through the area, appearing from a distance, and he stopped by the other two Pokemon he had previously been with.

“We’ve really gotta work on that Substitute of yours, Clamperl.” Gary walked over to the three Pokemon taking damage this time. “Good work, Nosepass. Clamperl, pay attention to what Nosepass tells you about that move so you can get it down, too! Minior, great work with Cosmic Power.” He looked over to Ralts. “Speaking of needing to work on moves, let’s try out that Thunderbolt again.”

Ralts cried out happily, nodding.

Gary backed up.

Ralts faced the three Pokemon and brought his little hands close to his face. Growling, he concentrated hard. His body started to spark!

“Hey! Look at that! We’re getting it, now! Keep going! Don’t stop!”

The yellow electricity remained around Ralts body. He finally dropped his arms, heaving. He let out a sad cry.

“Hey, don’t worry! That was the next step! We’ll get it next time!” Gary comforted him with his smile.

Ralts reached up to Gary from within his protective bubbles, crying out happily.

*

Porygon-Z screeched wildly upon its release, Gary covering his ears and raging for Porygon-Z to stop. By the time the sound ended, Gary was on his back. “How do I keep this from happening?” he pondered, his head still ringing, his ears still covered. “This can’t keep going on...”

“Hey, brat! You got a problem on your hands because I got a problem with you!” a voice threatened.

Gary sat up and noticed that several people were on their knees, shaking their heads and complaining while their hands covered their ears. Others were standing and scowling in his direction.

There were also some angry looking Pokemon by some of them.

One tanned man was by Gary, a bald guy with no shirt on, his muscled body glistening under the sun. His bulging, hairy arms were crossed over his heaving chest. His face was intimidating. “And this ain’t gonna be resolved by no Pokemon battles, either.” His arms fell to his sides.

Gary leaped to his feet and backed away, afraid. “Hey, wait! I’m so sorry! My Pokemon is a little crazy! I took him out to get a little training on not doing that anymore!” Gary pleaded.

“Listen, I know a lot about disobedient Pokemon,” the guy said in a lighter tone of voice, his face easing just a bit but still remaining serious. “But that was seriously painful stuff, kid! I’m not gonna hurt ya or anything, but that’s gotta be-!” He stared above Gary. “Say, what is that thing, anyway? A Porygon-Z?” His eyes widened.

Gary looked over his head and gasped. “PORYGON-Z!!” He looked to the man. “RUUUUUUUUUN!!!”

Porygon-Z’s body was sparking with electricity.

“Yano, in all my years as a Pokemon Trainer, I’ve never so much as seen one of these things!” the man smiled, pushing his fists to his sides. “All the Gyms I’ve faced, the Leagues I’ve been to. Not a single Porygon Pokemon. You have got to trade me-DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!”

Porygon-Z hit the poor man with its Electric attack.

He collapsed and twitched on the ground.

“Why do you do these things??” Gary recalled his Pokemon and took off, leaving the man, and everyone else, behind, running like his life depended on it.

*

Gary ran through the woods, carrying his Silcoon in his arms.

Behind him were Butterfree, Illumise, Hitmonchan, and Charizard, his Dustox flying above them all.

It was still a little creepy for Gary, being chased by so many Bugs, but a little less creepier than the last time carrying one.

*

A ball of fire blasted out of Magikarp’s mouth, creating a big wave that then crashed back into the lake.

Gary cringed as some water splashed him, but he smiled in amazement at Magikarp. “Now use Rage again!”

Magikarp’s body glowed red and it tore through the water, splitting it around it. It stopped at the shore, glaring at Gary.

“This is incredible! Raising you will be a synch!”

A voice came out from behind Gary.

He turned and saw something staring back from a distance. “A Pokemon! Paras!”

“Paras...” The little Bug and Grass type, Paras, stared at Gary with its fairly big eyes. It didn’t move.

“Get out there and use Dragon Rage!” Gary ordered, pointing at it.

“Parrrrras!” Paras turned and took off.

Magikarp leaped out of the water and blasted Paras with a flaming ball.

Paras screamed out as it was knocked down, sliding in the grass.

“Alright! Yaah!” Gary tossed a Poke Ball.

Paras was hit by it, calling out as a red beam took it in.

The ball hit the ground and shook a few times, the red button glowing and blinking.

PING!

*

“ELECTIVIIIIIRRRRE!!” Electivire delivered a Thunder Punch to Charizard’s chin, dropping him.

“RETURN!” Gary returned his Pokemon and glared at the tired Electivire. He took Flare Blitz, even, Gary thought. How is he still going?? He’s taken out all of my Pokemon, all on his own! Even Charizard and Hitmonchan! Nosepass, Sabrina, Dugtrio and Weepinbell! What does this say about me? My Pokemon?! Are we seriously competing like this?? What is Electivire on?? This thing doesn’t give up! Beating him doesn’t prove anything! Not if it’s taking me my whole team to do so! Why can’t I beat him one-on-one?!? He sighed and grabbed Electivire’s Poke Ball from the ground. He stood up and froze, hearing the growl before looking up.

Electivire’s horns were sparking.

“H-h-hey, now! What’s going on??” He took a step back. This became running as Electivire started chasing the kid! “HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLP!!!!” Gary shrieked.

*

“Nts! Nts! Nts nts nts!” Gary made the strange sounds he remembered making when playing boxing back in school before ditching that for the life of a Pokemon Trainer. “Come on! Let’s go, Hitmonchan! Nts! Nts!” He jabbed at Hitmonchan, catching him in the forehead. Gary was pretending that his face wasn’t already as sore as it was from previous shots he took from Hitmonchan while boxing with him. His stomach also hurt from a couple of blows he took a while to get up from. But he kept going, believing it’d be beneficial for himself to get stronger along with his Pokemon.

Hitmonchan bobbed in place, leering at Gary.

“You can take me out in one blow. Here I am, several hits later, just fine,” Gary stated. He punched Hitmonchan in a manner he thought surely must have hurt, striking him in the chest, but the Pokemon didn’t budge at all. “You’ve been holding back. Come on, sucka! Hit me! Hit me a little harder! I can take it!” He jumped forward and gave a hook across Hitmonchan’s face.

Hitmonchan’s head moved, but the Pokemon’s body was otherwise unaffected. “Hitmon...” Hitmonchan growled. He slugged Gary’s shoulder.

Gary groaned from the hit, the area throbbing. He smiled. “Bah, is that it?? Come on, man! Fight! Nts nts!” Gary gave Hitmonchan a couple of blows with each fist, one at the head, the other at the shoulder. “Nts! Nts!” He went first for a blow at Hitmonchan’s chest again, and then slugged lower, at his stomach.

Hitmonchan wasn’t fazed by any of this. The Pokemon punched Gary in the forehead.

Gary’s head snapped back. He let out his breath and forced a smile. He was really feeling it, but he didn’t let it show. “Weeeeeak! Come on, Hitmonchan! You think the League is gonna be won like this? No wonder you can’t beat Electivire!”

“Hit?” Hitmonchan’s eyes widened and then tightened on Gary. He jabbed forward, not touching his Trainer.

Gary moved to the side, but he knew he wasn’t hit because Hitmonchan chose not to. “Come on! Show me that fighting spirit, Hitmonchan! Where’s that spirit of a boxer I heard about within you? Let’s fight, man!” Gary lifted up a leg and kicked Hitmonchan as hard as he could in the stomach! He froze, swallowing, regret filling his body. Did I go too far...? His arms fell to his sides.

Hitmonchan took a couple of steps back, looking at Gary blankly.

Gary’s head didn’t move, but his eyes looked side to side before returning to his Pokemon. “Hey, um... Listen...”

“CHAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!” Hitmonchan flew into Gary with High Jump Kick!

The entire planet Earth started twirling, dancing, and singing from Gary’s perspective. The next thing he knew, his body was rocking. The world was a blur, and he was sure he was going to vomit. “Hitmonchan...” he muttered, making out several of the same Pokemon reaching out for him. And next to him was... Gary closed his eyes but couldn’t straighten out his head or get up, nausea all over his body. When he finally opened his eyes, he realized what the other thing was, and fear started taking over.

Primeape glared from Gary, to Hitmonchan.

“Pleeeeeeease...” Gary groaned helplessly, not sure what would happen next.

“Prrriiiiiimmmmme...” Primeape growled, looking furious. Then, “PRRIIII-IIIIIIMEAAAAAAPE!!” His face broke into tears! He then leaped at Gary and proceeded to pummel his Trainer.

*

“Just sounds to me like Primeape felt left out?” June smiled at Gary.

“This is some bull!” Gary snapped.

“Language, Gary,” June joked.

He scowled at her. “I’m serious, yo! Like, come on! Between Hitmonchan, Primeape. Not to mention your Electivire! I think you and I need a battle with Electivire! One-on-one! If I beat the League but can’t beat you, what does that say about me?! You’ll always be on my mind about that! And anyone else out there like you! I’ll never see myself as a Champion! It’d drive me nuts!! I have to beat that thing fairly before I can battle Aly!”

The two, along with Raichu, entered the building that night where they were to sleep.

“And that girl has a freaking Salamence! That’s a really powerful Dragon type Pokemon!” Gary continued as they went up the stairs. “I was looking it up earlier. Hey! Maybe I should look up Aly’s team while I’m here! I almost forgot I can do that! See what she’s been using!”

They stopped by the door.

June and Raichu waited patiently.

Gary also waited and realized they were waiting for him, so he grabbed the doorknob. “Say.” He froze and stared at her.

June’s eyes widened at him. “Yes?”

Raichu’s eyes also widened.

“Where have you been all day long?” He stepped into the room.

The lights suddenly cut on before Gary even touched the switch!

“Huh?” Gary shut his eyes in the sudden light.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“AAAAAAHHH!!” Gary freaked, backing up and blinking in surprise as people appeared in the room, stepping out of the bathroom, crawling from under the beds, and waved at him, smiling. Soon, he could make out proper faces. “MOM?!?!? Grandma and Auntie??!! Prof. Oak?! Mr. and Mrs. Butters??! ROBIN, KIWI AND ALY!!! Prof. Sketchit??”

“Haaaaaaa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa!!” Robin laughed, bent over. “The look on yo faaaaace!”

Mr. Butters held up a camera and frowned at it, shaking his head. “I was trying to get a picture of your shock, but I wasn’t ready when you arrived.”

“I don’t see how. We all heard them downstairs.” Mrs. Butters stared at her husband with disappointment before smiling at Gary. “Welcome back, sweetheart.”

Gary swallowed hard, still terrified. “Wha-wha-what???”

Everyone laughed even harder.

Gary’s grandma stepped over to him. “Gary, it's your birthday! Didn't you know?” she asked brightly.

“Wow! He forgot!” Robin laughed heavily.

“No, there’s no way you forgot. We just spoke about it earlier today!” Gary's mother spoke kindly.

“I didn't forget!” Gary insisted. “You guys just terrified the freaking daylights out of me is all!”

“That's the point of a surprise party, Gary,” Robin winked, and laughed some more, his father joining in.

Gary placed his hand over his beating heart and finally managed to smile.

“And to answer your question, I was on the phone speaking to my family,” June walked by Gary with some sass in her hips, Raichu keeping close to her. She stopped and looked back to him, still giving him her back. “But I made a couple of other calls in my spare time,” she winked, smirking.

“So that's it...” Gary replied.

She walked back to him, alone, and hugged him tightly. “Happy birthday, Gary.” She kissed his cheek.

As she walked off, Raichu now chasing after her, Robin walked over and punched him in the arm. “Happy birthday, buddy.” He winked and leaned closer. “You lucky dog, you.”

Gary shoved him away, smiling.

His mom walked over and hugged him tightly, giving him another kiss.

He returned it. “Thanks, mom.”

“Happy birthday, babe.”

“Happy birthday, Gary!” Gary’s aunt exchanged a hug and kiss with him. “I am so proud of you! We saw your battles. You were absolutely amazing! We recorded them and everything! We just wish we could have seen it live. You really are so good at this! I was so impressed!”

“I'm so proud of you, my grandson.” Gary’s grandma also traded a hug and kiss with him. She sniffed and then released him. “You still look really bad, and your hair isn't clean, but it's your birthday, so I won't say anything this time.”

June giggled.

Gary forced a smile and nodded, sooooooo embarrassed and upset.

“You smell, too?!” Aly added. “Geez, Gary. On top of looking like a stand-in for a punching bag, you can’t even smell nice for your own birthday!”

Gary frowned at her. “I’ve been training all day preparing to make sure I sweep you tomorrow!” he snapped.

“Oh, is that what you think you're gonna do? All that training is only going to backfire on you. I feel like I’ve told you this before already. Keep it up and you’ll be anything but ready to win this League, let alone beat me.”

“Yeah, yeah. We’ll see when you’re beaten. Then you can try to dare and advise me.”

“This is gonna be our first real full battle. We’ve never had an entire match that we could finish.”

Gary nodded slowly, remembering their one-on-one battle in Celedon, and their three-on-three match in Fuchsia City. “And it won’t even be a Full Battle. It’s only three-on-three... I really wanted to get past that if any of us were to lose...”

No one spoke after that, but Aly and Gary kept their eyes on each other.

“You all have done so well out there,” Mrs. Butters broke the silence. “Well done, everyone, no matter what comes next.”

“That’s right!” Mr. Butters laughed, stepping up to Aly and Gary. He placed a heavy hand on one of their shoulders and squeezed, making the kids flinch. “No matter who loses this match between you two, you all got through the preliminaries, anyway. There’s so many people who wish they had gotten this far, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!”

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa!” Robin added after.

“That’s right! And I brought this to commemorate that. To remind us that, no matter what, we’ll all always have the most important thing!” Prof. Sketchit approached Gary and Aly. “Friendship.” He held up several objects.

Everyone got closer.

Gary broke into a smile.

Robin laughed hard.

Aly nodded, smiling.

June let out her breath in a light laugh, her mouth in an open smile.

Kiwi looked down, smiling.

Prof. Sketchit handed a picture to Gary, Aly, June, Robin, and Kiwi.

Gary stared at the large piece of paper which held a drawing.

It was the moment Aly, Gary, Kiwi, Robin, and June were at Prof. Oak’s place, laughing about a joke together. The photograph that Prof. Oak had taken was made into a sketch!

Gary turned to Prof. Sketchit. “Sir, did you...?”

Prof. Sketchit’s face went a little red as his eyes closed. His hand went to the back of his head and he laughed. “Just a little something for you guys. And I have extras for everyone else, too!”

Gary smiled down at the drawing. It looked like it was done by pencil alone.

“Wow, Prof. Sketchit! I can’t believe it!” Aly said. “I mean, I know you’re an artist, but this is cray cray!”

Robin laughed. “Now this is just amazing!”

“Oh, just wonderful, Prof. Sketchit! Thank you!” June gushed.

“Thank you,” Kiwi said, smiling gently at the drawing.

“You’re all welcome!” Prof. Sketchit handed out the other drawings to the adults.

As almost everyone kept up a pleasant attitude, laughing and joking around.

When everyone had gone out to have a big dinner together.

While almost everyone ate and drank without a care in the world on their minds that night.

Aly and Gary, faking their way through the night with occasional laughter and fun.

Gave nothing but silence and cold stares to each other.

Both Trainers, promising friendship to the end, also knew nothing would stop them from totally destroying one another to make it to their dreams.

Just as somebody would have to win the match tomorrow, somebody would have to lose. The problem was, neither Trainer was willing to lose.

Worst of all.

It wasn’t the full six-on-six battle they had predicted. Losing in a three-on-three match.

Was unacceptable.