It was so fast and unclear. Something with a humanoid shape had landed swiftly and bent over near the body of a bloodied, young woman. A bright object laid by the woman’s side. The thing then shot off into the sky, the bright object now gone.

Scientist Gary lowered his phone and gave Gary an unimpressed look with a slanted mouth. “You see? What even was that, dude?” He managed a laugh.

Gary breathed out of his nose. “That was her. That was that monster.”

Scientist Gary’s lips moved, but no words came out at first. But finally, “B-but - you can’t even see anything!” Scientist Gary forced a smile. “That looked so edited!”

Gary just shook his head. “I’ve seen her close up. I’ve fought that thing, myself and my Pokemon. It’s her, and it took the Infinity Energy from that lady from Team Solace.” Gary remembered that at the League, the Infinity Energy was in her hands the last time he had seen it, in the capsule Prof. Cozmo kept it in.

“They said she was from Team Solace,” Scientist Gary admitted, nodding. “They said she was found dead, her throat mutilated. Crushed by one of the Pokemon in the struggle. But others, including the person who showed this video, said they saw that supposed monster attack her. But who could tell what was what at that time of night, and after the terrifying things that happened? Come on, there’s no-”

“What don’t you get about the fact I saw that thing myself!!” Gary lost his cool, fuming now. “That video is as much proof of the monster as anything, and I don’t need proof! I’m the one who first saw it! It killed my sister right in front of me and kidnapped my-!” Gary took a shaky breath. “One of my best friends...” Gary’s eyes filled with tears.

The Pokemon Center held an uncomfortable air at Gary’s screams. Aside from the two Garys, there were kids, and Nurse Joy and her Chansey watching the scene in silence.

“Yo, dude. I’m sorry, man.” Scientist Gary shook his head, holding out his hands. “I didn’t mean to disrespect you or anything. What do you mean by, she kidnapped your friend, though?”

“You don’t believe she even exists. If I told you about the kidnapping...” Gary closed his eyes, failing to hold back tears, and he sniffled. Shaking his head, he looked to Scientist Gary. “I know it sounds crazy, and I understand that you don’t believe she’s real. Just be careful, okay? When - if - you meet that thing, you might not tell your story afterwards.”

Scientist Gary focused his eyes on Gary. “But you met... her, before, and lived to tell the story?”

Hesitantly, Gary nodded. “Yeah.”

Scientist Gary waited. “Where did she take your friend?”

“If I knew that, I’d be there right now! Killing her!” Gary barked.

Scientist Gary just nodded. “Was that the red-haired girl you were with?”

Gary nodded. “Yeah.”

“Ah. I thought that was your girlfriend.”

Gary sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes. “Anyway, I’ve gotta go, man. Gotta get this Badge and figure out stuff.” He held out his hand to the scientist.

Scientist Gary took it, nodding solemnly, and they shook.

Gary let go of the man quickly and turned abruptly, but he stopped walking before long and turned at what was spoken from the flatscreen TV hanging from the wall.

“Senator Slowking continues with a rant against women, once again, judging their personal choices for trivial things including clothing and makeup,” the news reporter Margaret was reporting. Her face looked very weary now.

An image of the infamous Senator Slowking was shown in the upper left corner of the screen. He wore a more sinister smile, staring upward in front of a white background.

“After a heated argument, Senator Slowking was then seen assaulting a journalist in this video.” The newswoman slanted her mouth as a video took over the screen.

Senator Slowking stood in the middle of a crowd outside, frowning outward, several men in black suits and black sunglasses behind him.

Journalists and cameramen made up the crowd, holding out microphones and shouting questions.

“As I said, it is simply denial to think women who show off skin and wear unrecognizable amounts of makeup, are doing it solely for themselves!” Senator Slowking insisted loudly to the crowd. “Their actions are hypocritical, and the same goes for men! This is not a gender attack, but a focus on a troublesome lack of self-esteem and a need for social validation from mankind! But there are far deeper reasons at heart and focusing on choice words of mine and making this a gender issue is nothing else but propaganda and I for one-!”

“Senator Slowking, are you victim-blaming rape victims who are said to have ‘asked for it’ by their critics?” one female shouted.

“NNO!” Senator Slowking raged. “When did I even say such a thing?? This is putting words in my mouth!!”

“But, sir, you just said that women are asking for the attention they receive by wearing makeup and dressing how they wish!”

“I HAVE MADE NO SUCH STATEMENT!!” Senator Slowking denied.

Whoa, he didn’t say that... Gary thought, watching the video.

Senator Slowking’s eyes glowed light blue.

There was a scream, and suddenly a woman was rising out of the crowd, her body surrounded in the same light-blue color! She struggled, barely moving as she cried and yelled out in a panic.

The people below her shouted out and backed away in fear, cameramen filming her.

“HEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!! SOMEBODYYYY!!”

“This woman has shown herself to be a disrespect to the journalism profession!” Senator Slowking accused, pointing at her. “Let her face be known to the general public, and I demand repercussions to her job for her poor adherence to unbiased, equal, fair news reporting!”

The woman kept shrieking, louder and louder, as she was slowly put back down on her feet. She screeched wildly and collapsed to her side. “HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!! OOOOOOOOOOOOWWWW!! MY LEEEEEEEGS!! CALL AN AMBULAAAAAANCE!!”

“What?! She isn’t hurt!” Senator Slowking looked mortified. “Wait a minute!!”

The suits behind Slowking grabbed him and took him away, shoving through the crowd as the Pokemon protested, yelling out towards the woman angrily.

The video froze and the newswoman Margaret had returned. She sucked her teeth and shook her head. “Response to this video has surprisingly been split, with as many people berating Senator Slowking as they are defending him.”

“Man, Senator Slowking didn’t even do anything.” Scientist Gary walked over, watching the video.

Gary nodded. “Yeah. That was messed up.”

“I don’t really like that guy, or Pokemon, much. I mean, I like Slowking, but the Senator, I don’t really like everything he has to say. He be wildin’ sometimes. You ever watch that guy?” Scientist Gary smiled at Gary.

“Nah, I don’t really do politics I guess,” Gary answered, keeping his eyes on the TV. He looked around the room to see how everyone else was reacting to the news.

The kids were laughing and chatting or playing with their Pokemon, unconcerned with what was on TV.

Gary kept looking around, soon wearing a smile. There she is!

Nurse Joy was approaching him, wheeling a cart over by one side, Chansey at the other side, the both of them smiling with love. They stopped by him. “Hello, Gary. Your Pokemon are all ready again! Good luck!”

“Thanks, Nurse Joy!” Gary took his Poke Balls from the tray on top of the cart.

With a cute giggle, Nurse Joy’s eyes closed at the same time as Chansey with a tilt of their heads. They turned and left with the cart.

“She’s so bad, huh?”

“Huh??” Gary turned to the Scientist.

He looked back at Gary. “Nurse Joy. She’s hot!”

Gary looked to Nurse Joy with wide eyes, but she didn’t seem to hear him. Laughing lowly, he looked to Scientist Gary. “Yeah...” He flinched hard, raising an arm to protect his face, and he looked around him. “Huh?”

“Yo, you okay, dude?” Scientist Gary asked, surprised by Gary’s action.

Gary lowered his arm and took a breath before letting it go. He looked down and a sad feeling came over him. Hitmonchan... Gary swallowed and looked up, fighting off his tears. “Yeah, I’m fine. She’s really pretty. Ha.” He looked over to Nurse Joy as she went through the electronic doors to disappear into the back with Chansey.

“Oh, dude! I never showed you that meme!” The scientist pulled out his phone and went through it.

Gary could barely control his groan and instead cleared his throat, forcing a smile. He squinted at the image Scientist Gary was showing him.

There was a Dodrio in the middle of fighting with itself, its three heads attacking each other.

Above Dodrio it read: When you’re trying to justify why you’re still with her

Gary laughed out loud, genuinely finding the meme funny.

“And check this one out. It’s kind of the same thing.” Scientist Gary changed the picture, holding out the phone after.

Now it had a Dugtrio, each head glaring at another one. The words above said: When you and the boys are fighting over girls you haven’t even talked to yet

Gary let out more laughter, shaking his head. “Ha. That’s a good one.” He chuckled some more to keep up seeming genuine.

“Wait, I got one more.” Scientist Gary went through his phone again.

Is he kidding me?? Gary nearly sucked his teeth. He sneered at Scientist Gary. Man, this guy is really annoying! His sneer was wiped clean as the phone was held to him again.

An Electrode was shown with a huge, sneaky grin, the words above it reading: When Prof. Sycamore is telling you about the lore of Mega Evolution, but you’re from Hoenn.

Gary didn’t get this one, but he remembered the term Mega Evolution. Still, he snickered a few times and shook his head.

Scientist Gary stared at Gary.

Gary stared back, flashing his teeth in a big smile, hoping he was coming off believable and that the jokes were over. “That one’s funny, too. Ha ha ha!”

“Man, I hope you get your phone fixed or whatever. I’ve got so many more to show you! Have you heard? Now they’re trying to say that new findings here in Sinnoh may prove Arceus is real.”

“Arceus? Isn’t it real?”

“Dude, come on! There’s no god! Let alone it being a Pokemon!” Scientist Gary told Gary with a face of exasperation. “Don’t tell me you believe in Mythical Pokemon and gods and all that stuff.”

“You mean, you don’t...?” Gary responded. His heart was beating rapidly. This conversation was taking a controversial and uncomfortable turn.

“Nah... I don’t believe in any kind of gods, and I don’t believe in Mythical Pokemon.”

“But, so many are confirmed!”

“Like who?” Scientist Gary challenged, giving Gary a face daring him to convince him.

Mewtwo! That was the first thing that came to Gary’s mind. But his lips only pressed together for the ‘M.’ He wasn’t able to say it out loud. While he was certain it did exist, he wanted something far more conclusively proven. “Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos! We know they exist! That famous Pokemon photographer Todd Snap has proven-”

“I don’t believe in Mythicals! Not regular Legendary Pokemon,” Scientist Gary clarified. “The Mythical Legends are just that: myths. There’s no evidence they exist. It’s just a bunch of bullshit. Just like gods.”

He’s just ranting, now, Gary thought, getting offended. “But Mythicals do exist!” he defended.

They both stared at each other quietly.

Scientist Gary finally sighed and shrugged. “Okay, well, I don’t believe in them. No one ever has a clear image of them, and they’re just speculation. We can confirm Legends but not Legendary Mythicals? Nah, man.”

“Well, you know, these Pokemon have been seen by people from the ancient past, to even nowadays, enough that some are in the Pokedex, but not all of them. That’s gotta count for something.” Gary knew his argument wasn’t the best, but it was all he had. “There’s no real reason not to believe in the Mythicals.”

“And no reason to, either,” Scientist Gary shrugged. “The Pokedex is full of crap, too. I told you this already.” Scientist Gary took a moment before continuing speaking. “Look, it’s all good if you believe in them. I just didn’t know you did. It’s no big deal. Hey, dude, good luck in your Gym match, okay?” He held out his hand.

Still irritated, Gary took it and they shook. “Alright, thanks. And good luck with your quest out here, too.”

“Thanks. Maybe I’ll see you at Victory Road for some training. We could battle again. They’ve got a Gym not far away. Sunyshore City. I forgot what type of Gym Leader is there but if you head out there, well, let’s keep in contact and maybe we can try and find Garchomp together or something.”

Gary could feel himself warming up to the man. Maybe he’s not so bad after all, he thought. He smiled and nodded. “Yeah, I don’t see why not. I’ve just gotta work on this phone thing. If nothing else, dude, I can always call you at a Pokemon Center or something, right?”

“Yeah, man!” Scientist Gary nodded. “I’ll see ya, man! I’ve gotta go.”

“Oh! Okay. Bye, then!” Gary was relieved to be losing the guy.

Scientist Gary left the building.

Finally, he’s gone, Gary breathed out with relief. Think it’s time already for this second Badge.

Or... The first...? Gary stared at the floor, thinking about the Phobia Badge. And how he “earned” it.

But first! Gary remembered, straightening up. I have to see if the police have located June’s Electivire!

*

The tall building blended bland colors or bland versions of otherwise bright colors. There was a lot of dull red and gray mixed with darker traces of yellow and occasional streaks of a pale blue. One set of windows sat in a row at the middle of the Gym. The sign hanging from the door read: Jubilife City Pokemon Gym Leader: Jupiter

Having still not found Electivire, Gary wound up at the Gym after all, deciding to take it on. He felt some regret in his heart, remembering that Nurse Joy had been proud of him earlier, but he didn’t know what else to do or where to look. He promised he wouldn’t leave without locating him, and now reached out to the dark-blue door, seeing no doorknob, and it swung open slowly against his push. “Whoa!” Gary squinted as he looked through the inside of the Gym.

It was hard to see inside, as it was filled with some kind of smoke of multiple colors! Brown, yellow, red, and white shades of smoke hovered in the air.

Gary sniffed a few times but didn’t smell anything burning or anything specific at all.

“Please, come inside!” a voice called out.

“Into the smoke?” Gary questioned.

“Please! It’s just Fog! It won’t harm you! Harmless gasses. Don’t worry, dear. Just a little effect for those challenging my Gym! I assume you are one?” The female voice was gentle, just a little deep, and welcoming.

The Fog, like Kiwi told me! Gary remembered. He smiled and nodded. “Yes! I’m here to challenge you, Jupiter!”

“Then please come in, young man!”

“Alright!” Gary walked into the Fog, perhaps more eagerly than he should have, and he realized this. His smile went away as he slowed down his walk but kept moving forward. With a gasp, he froze, seeing someone.

“Stop right there! You’re perfect!” the woman said afterwards.

“I’m perfect?” Gary’s eyes widened.

“Yes! Right there is your spot on the battlefield!” The woman was taller than Gary, her hair the same shade as the door. It was kept short, but the back of her hair was in a huge, circular bun. She wore a white blouse buttoned up aside from the very top button, tucked into purple pants and standing in purple high heels.

Gary looked down and realized he was in fact standing at the end of a battlefield outlined in black.

“Tell me, kid, how does a three-on-three battle sound?” she offered.

“Sounds great!” Gary beamed.

“The Fog effect will be present during our match. It will cause a few things to affect both of our Pokemon during the match, to challenge things just a bit. Along with interfering with some weather-based moves, it will cause some issues with Accuracy, and affect the ways some moves like Solar Beam and even recovery moves like Moonlight, work.”

“Yeah, I’m ready,” he nodded. Reminds me a bit of Cas’ Gym, Gary thought, keeping his eyes on the Gym Leader as he grabbed up a Poke Ball.

“Please, inform us of your name and where you’re from, young man,” Jupiter insisted in a friendly voice.

“My name is Gary! I’m from Pallet Town, in Kanto!”

“Oh, from so far away! It’s so nice to meet you. Welcome!”

“Thanks, Jupiter!”

A man stepped out from the Fog, surprising Gary and making him jump. He wore white pants and a black T-shirt with little white stars all over it. He smiled broadly and held out his arms. “Welcome to the Jubilife City Gym, Gary!” he welcomed the kid with a big voice full of joy. “You’ll be facing the Poison type Gym run by Jupiter in a three-on-three battle! There will be no time limit! Only you may substitute Pokemon! The first Trainer to lose all of their Pokemon in this battle is out of the match! The Infiltration Badge is on the line! This battle may now begin!!”

Man, I dunno about how tough she is as a Gym Leader, but if she’s as tough as Aurora as a battler, she’s far from Aurora in friendliness! Gary felt himself smiling even bigger, taken over by the cheerful atmosphere.

“Together, shall we?” Jupiter held out a Poke Ball.

“Okay!” Gary held his out after enlarging it.

Jupiter pulled back her arm and made her Poke Ball larger, flinging it out.

Gary threw his at almost the same time.

“Scizor!” Fashioned appeared and watched her opponent be revealed.

“Croba!” A big bat flapped its wings in the air with an angry face for Fashioned.

Gary froze up instantly. His lips pulled back in disgust and his eyebrows narrowed. A Crobat??

A ferocious look came over Absol’s face in the middle of Viridian Forest as she, Gary, and June were surrounded by a bunch of wild Zubat and Golbat.

Something big flew by Gary with a huge, gaping mouth and only three fangs.

“AAAAAAABSOL!!” Absol appeared in front of the Golbat, and it sunk its fangs into her body! Before she even landed, her body went limp. She was on her side, breathing hard and trembling, blood running from her back and side, into the grass.

“Astonish!” Jupiter started.

Crobat swooped in on Fashioned with a loud screech and glowing red eyes as a second ghastly, completely black face came off of its own face, surrounded in bright red, with glowing blue eyes and a dark, purple smile.

Fashioned was tackled down and cowered, shivering, Flinching.

Gary screamed out as well and ducked to his knees, covering his head.

In a rage, Gary charged at the crawling Crobat and raised his right foot, pulling it back and thrusting it forward, kicking the creature in the upper jaw as it went for Absol.

“Double Team, now!”

Gary looked up to see Crobat call out and split into two. And then four, and then twenty! They all moved in the same motion and time, glaring down at Fashioned.

Fashioned got up shakily and shook her head. She bent her knees and waited. “Scizor?” She looked back at Gary.

Gary was still on his knees, trembling in place. Absol... Absol... he repeated in his head. Absol!

“Heat Wave, right now!”

The group of Crobat fluttered their wings hard, and the room heated up as waves of Fire blew out and consumed Fashioned.

“Sciiiiiizoooooooorrrr!!” Fashioned wailed and then dropped to her knees.

“Scizor!” Gary gasped.

“Scizor...” Fashioned dropped to her face.

“Scizor is unable to battle! Crobat wins!” the referee ruled.

“Fashioned...” Gary stared at his Pokemon sadly. “What have I done...?” he whispered.

“Gary, do you feel okay? What happened out there?” Jupiter asked him.

Gary shook his head and gazed up at the bunch of Crobat looking down and fluttering about together. He swallowed uncomfortably. “Crobat...” he whispered.

“Do you feel well? We can postpone this battle if you aren’t well, Gary.”

“No! I’m fine!” Gary got to his feet and returned Fashioned to her Safari Ball. “I’m fine...” He inhaled deeply and held his breath. I’m just fine. Focus, man. We can’t be stopped by this. Gary wiped at his eyes with his thumb and index finger. With a sniffle, he grabbed up his second Poke Ball. Fine, so Steel didn’t work here. But that was because of me. I failed. As a Trainer, I failed. I’m so sorry, Scizor. Fashioned... Gary rolled his eyes, hating that name. He extended his arm. This is for you, Fashioned! “Out, now, Dustox!”

“Dustoooox!” Dustox fluttered in the air.

Gary’s shoulders gave a hard shake and he rubbed at them in turn with the same hand. Okay. A Poison type in a Poison Gym protects us great. We just have to watch out for that Fire. Just like with Scizor, huh...? His last thought brought regret for sending out Dustox into his heart. Maybe I didn’t think this fully through. He pulled out his Pokedex and looked through it, first noting that his Pokemon’s gender was male, and then checking out the Pokemon’s moves. He smiled up at his Pokemon. We have some Psychic moves to fight back with. Thanks, Melissa. He looked around at all the Crobat for a moment and finally smirked. “Whirlwind!”

“Not so fast!” Jupiter grinned sweetly. “Use your Heat Wave again!”

At once, all of the Crobat collectively attacked, flapping their wings and sending out a blazing wind to overtake Dustox.

“Dustooooooox!!” Dustox flipped through the air several times and ended up sliding on the ground. He twitched in pain, struggling against the super-effective move.

“No way! It’s still fighting?” Jupiter nodded, smiling. “That’s not bad!”

“Dustox...” Dustox’s wings fluttered rapidly, causing Gary to shudder openly. He got into the air and started flapping his wings even harder, blowing a strong wind.

Jupiter raised an arm against the Whirlwind.

The Fog in the Gym moved around but was not blown away.

One by one, the duplicate Crobat vanished. The remaining one glowed red and was sucked back into its Poke Ball.

A white beam came out of a different Poke Ball on Jupiter’s waist and sent out a new Pokemon. This creature hovered sturdy, and Gary couldn’t believe what he was looking at.

Gary held his Pokedex out at the familiar Pokemon.

Bronzong. The Bronze Bell Pokemon. A Steel and Psychic type Pokemon. Bronzor’s evolved form. When angered, it lets out a sound like that of a ringing bell. While said to originate in Sinnoh, it is said to have connections to other regions, as well as having capabilities of accessing entirely separate dimensions.

“Bronzong!!” Bronzong called out.

That’s not a Poison type at all! Gary thought. She isn’t playing just Poison types. This throws me off entirely! I played myself! Or, better, she played me! Gary shook his head angrily. “NO! Use Moonlight, then!”

“Duuuus!” Dustox’s antennae glowed bright white and began to wiggle. Sparkling white light arose from them, and then appeared around his body, rising from it and vanishing instantly. The beautiful sight repeated. “Dustoooox!” Dustox flapped his wings and rose back into the air.

“Use Future Sight!” Jupiter told her Pokemon.

“Bronzong!” Its red eyes glowed blue, and then its body was outlined the same color.

Several spacial holes appeared high in the air, swirling with blue, purple, and white energy. Electric sparks danced around them and soon, it all disappeared.

“Dustox, Quiver Dance, now!”

Dustox’s wings flapped rapidly and he did a crazy dance in the air, his body glowing white.

Yuck, Gary shuddered, his skin crawling, and he shook himself.

“Psychic attack!”

Bronzong’s eyes glowed light blue and Dustox cried out, his body outlined in light blue. Both Pokemon yelling out, Dustox was rammed into the ground. The color around the Bug was removed as Bronzong’s eyes stopped glowing.

“Dustox is out! Bronzong wins!” the referee stated.

And we haven’t done a thing to them, yet! Gary told himself quietly. This is horrible! There’s no way we can win like this... But... But, I can’t just give up, either! “Dustox, come back! And thank you!” He recalled his Pokemon. I know who I wanted to use last, but how can I use him against such a powerful foe? And this thing is a Steel type, at that! It’s not even the Poison I had planned for! Steel against Fighting... But then, Crobat... He grabbed his final option and squeezed the Poke Ball tight.

Jupiter stood amongst the fog, grinning sweetly.

The referee focused on the boy, waiting.

Gary swallowed and bared his teeth. We can’t give in! Swallowing, he pulled back his arm. “Alright, Prime-!!”

There was a roar as something flew out from behind Gary!

Gary screamed out and cringed in fright at the yellow beast that charged forward.

The referee and Jupiter both gasped, the woman crying out, “What?!”

The arms of the Pokemon were flexing, but were also heavily bandaged, and another roar blasted outward as Electivire leaped at Bronzong. A fiery fist pulled back as the Pokemon landed and slugged Bronzong.

“BROOOONZONG!” Bronzong let out and toppled over.

“An Electivire?!” Gary gasped. “Wait! Where-?” He looked behind him and then back to the Pokemon.

Electivire blasted Bronzong with Thunder this time.

“Bronzong, get that thing away from you! Use Toxic to disorient it!”

Bronzong was still down on its back after being Thundered. The hole at the bottom of its body started to glow purple.

That Electivire... The arms. No way! Gary’s eyes widened in shock.

The Electivire stopped attacking and proceeded to kick Bronzong.

The glow Bronzong had charged went away as Bronzong tumbled but got up quickly.

A wormhole appeared by Electivire, followed by another, and another, and more. Each wormhole from the Future Sight sparked at random, and a blast of blue and white energy beams hit Electivire.

“ELEEEEEECTIIIIIIRRRRRRE!!!” Electivire roared, looking electrified by the blasts.

June’s Electivire? Gary wondered, confused and stunned. Those bandages... It has to be? But, why is he here?

Electivire’s eyes shot open and he grinned. “Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeelectiviiiire!” He flexed his arms, the wormholes disappearing. His body was sparking with electricity now. He sent several separate bolts for Bronzong, but each stream hit the ground around the Steel type, missing it. Electivire growled and curled up his injured arms, showing off his muscles.

“Bronzong, use your Hypnosis!”

“Bronzong!” Bronzong’s eyes glowed in multiple colors, and circles flew out from them.

With a snarl, Electivire cupped his hands in front of him and a yellow orb formed in between them. Giving a big yell, he shoved his hands forward, throwing the ball outward. He then moved swiftly to the side as the circles from Hypnosis went off in random directions, only having to actually dodge one of them.

Bronzong called out as it flew back from the impact of Electivire’s attack and crashed hard.

“Bronzong is unable to battle! Electivire wins!” the referee declared.

Gary’s mouth hung open as he stared at the referee. “Wait...”

“I didn’t even know you had come in with that one!” Jupiter chuckled.

“That’s not my-YYAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHH!!!!” Gary bellowed painfully as he was zapped by the Electric type. He was twitching and sliding and flinching all over the Gym floor, gripping tight onto Primeape’s Poke Ball, though his actions were out of his control. Crap! It really is him!

“Gary! Are you okay?” Jupiter called.

“E-E-E-E-E-E-E-Electivirrrre...” Gary groaned, quivering in place.

“Lectivire!” Electivire insisted, nodding at Jupiter.

Gary managed to his knees, keeping his fist enclosed around Primeape’s Poke Ball and using it to hold himself up.

Electivire extended one arm and motioned with his hand for Jupiter to send out another Pokemon.

He wants to battle Jupiter? Why is he battling? Why is he back? When did he find me? And, how? His head went down as sparks took over his body and he grimaced.

“Oh? It looks like the big guy is ready,” Jupiter grinned. “Gary, are you?”

Am... I? Gary raised his head and tried to speak, but he was unable to. I didn’t choose Electivire... But here he is, having taken down a Pokemon already. Am I forced to keep battling with him now? His body trembled violently as he went down.

“Gary! Oh, no! Stop the match!” Footsteps stomped towards the boy.

“NO! We’re fine!” Gary burst out. He looked up to see that Jupiter and the referee were running to him.

They stopped by him and kneeled.

From this close, Gary could see a dark top through Jupiter’s blouse. He raised his eyes to Jupiter’s magenta ones and then smiled lightly. “I’m okay. We’ll finish this up, me and Electivire.” He struggled hard with actually standing, Jupiter and the referee assisting him.

“You two must be good friends,” Jupiter told him warmly.

“A...ha,” Gary managed.

Jupiter and the referee returned to their spots.

“This match may now continue!” the referee stated.

“Crobat, let’s do this again!” Jupiter tossed her Poke Ball.

“Croba!” Crobat returned, glaring down at Electivire.

Gary shuddered, making fists. We have to kill that thing off right away, Gary knew, putting Primeape’s Poke Ball back on his belt. One good blast and we’ll be two down! But, is it right? This isn’t my Pokemon! And I didn’t choose him!

Electivire’s body started to spark.

“Use Cross Poison!” Jupiter commanded.

“Electivire, wait! I didn’t-!” Gary started.

Electivire sent a bolt out for Crobat.

The bolt of Thunder went over Crobat’s head.

“Croba!” Crobat then swooped down and back upward, seemingly startled. Its wings crossed over its body and glowed purple. The wings then opened and an X fired out, hitting Electivire.

Electivire snarled out nastily and dropped into a sitting position. His face was flushed purple from a Poisoning!

“Electivire, NO!” Gary couldn’t believe it! His eyes went back up to Crobat and he started to tremble. No! he yelled in his head. Not again! Not again! Gary! He glared at the poisonous Flying type and then leered at Electivire, tightening his fists. “Electivire, try to use a better Accuracy move! The Fog here messes with your aim! Use your Psychic attack to grab Crobat!”

“Crobat, another Cross Poison! End it!” Jupiter called out.

Crobat used the move again, another purple X coming out for Electivire.

“Psychic, NOW!” Gary demanded.

“VIIIIIIIIIII!!” Electivire was on his feet in an instant and swung a sparking fist at the Cross Poison.

The move was annihilated! It burst into falling purple drips and vanished before hitting the ground.

“VIIIIIIRRRE!!” Electivire blasted at Crobat with another Thunder.

In a shrill voice, Crobat wailed out, being electrified helplessly. It then dropped hard as the move finished.

Gary couldn’t help but smile and let out a relieved sigh. Good, he kept to himself. But it’s not over, is it?

Crobat flinched on the ground. It eventually got up and then fell over again, its body sparking. Crobat was Paralyzed!

“Electivire, fini-!” Gary tried. But he got stuck with fright.

Struggling to keep going, Crobat crawled forward towards Electivire.

Gary’s mouth hung open as he stuttered nonsense.

Crobat was crawling on the ground from a short distance from Absol. The way the purple being moved looked entirely unnatural and made it unrecognizable, looking as if it had some kind of physical defect, its joints perhaps out of place, moving at a steady pace as it crept up on Absol from behind, its yellow eyes holding desperation within them.

Gary continued screaming out as Crobat leaped into the air and flapped its wings, hovering high.

Crobat looked at the boy.

“Gary?” Jupiter questioned loudly.

“Vire,” Electivire looked back at Gary.

Golbat flew in with a huge, gaping mouth holding only three fangs.

“AAAAAAABSOL!!” Absol appeared in front of the attacker, and Golbat sunk its fangs into her body! On her side in the grass, she was breathing hard and trembling, blood running from her back and side.

“Absol...” Gary whispered weakly. He blinked. Blinked again. He inhaled and then frowned, breathing out. “Let’s go, Electivire! Jupiter, come on, then!”

Jupiter nodded slowly, concern on her face. She looked up at Crobat. “Crobat, go in for Giga Drain and let’s finish this match up!”

“Crobaaaa!” Crobat swooped in, eyes glowing red, and the four fangs glowing green.

Gary wanted to scream so badly, watching this nightmare coming right at him. His mouth hung open, terror taking over his body and mind. He couldn’t think straight. He just wanted it all to end. His mind blanking hard, Gary raised his arms to protect his face, struggling not to close his eyes in the middle of the battle, but believing he was about to get bit!

“VIIIIIIIIIIIIIRE!!!” Electivire charged at Crobat, and his body started to spark. He leaped at the Flying Pokemon, extending out his arms to grab Crobat! He then pulled Crobat to him!

The two crashed in a powerful headbutt, Crobat wailing in pain, consumed in electricity. They flew away from each other and both crashed hard.

Electivire sparked but sat up, rubbing his head.

Crobat’s sprawled out body sparked, and it was clearly beaten.

“Crobat is out, Electivire wins the battle!” the referee announced.

“What... power...” Jupiter stared at Electivire in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m down to just one Pokemon!” She smiled at Gary. “I’m lost for words!”

“Uh...” was all Gary could get out. He just nodded, unable to even smile back.

Jupiter returned Crobat, and Gary felt like he could actually breathe again.

“Is it Crobat that bothers you?”

“Huh?” Gary stared at her, feeling like he understood what she meant, but not certain if he was mistaken.

“You’re afraid of Crobat? Is that what it is?” she asked.

Gary swallowed uncomfortably. His mouth opened, but no words came out for a few seconds. “No,” he finally managed. And said nothing more.

Jupiter nodded, her smile fading. “So, this is my final Pokemon. Let’s begin!” She threw her last Poke Ball.

This new Pokemon was even taller than Electivire! It spoke excitedly and bounced side to side.

Tangrowth. The Vine Pokemon. A Grass type. Tangela’s evolved stage. This Pokemon’s unique vines, which also bundle to function as its arms, have a peculiar and useful vitality. It can regrow them easily, and even removes its own vines if they get too long. This growth is especially strong when the climate is warm.

It’s not Poison, either... Just like Bronzong! Gary noted. But it must know something Poison I’m sure. And Electivire is still Poisoned, as well!

Electivire was breathing hard, but he stood up straight, looking unfazed by anything he was suffering from.

“It’s easy to see just how powerful this Pokemon of yours is. But luckily, we’re well prepared.” Jupiter put her kind smile back on. “Use Natural Gift, now!”

“Tangrowth! Tangrowth!” The Pokemon’s vines wavered.

The Gym began to rock, Electivire and Gary looking around at the floor.

“Electivire!” Electivire called out as an explosion went off near him. He was cleared of the blast, stumbling away from it.

Jupiter growled, snapping her fingers in upsetness but maintaining a smile. “Damn it. The Fog,” she whispered. “Lucky. Then go for Constrict!”

“Use Protect!” Gary decided.

Electivire made two fists and they burst into flames.

Gary sucked his teeth. “Seriously??” This is what June deals with?? Gary thought. I didn’t even ask you to battle!!

Constrict wrapped around Electivire’s chest, neck, legs, and wrists, and the Fire went away from his fists.

Jupiter looked proud at what occurred.

“Electivire, just take it easy! Don’t make any sudden moves!” Gary told the Pokemon.

Electivire growled and flexed his arms. His body glowed white.

“NO! Electivire!” Gary pleaded.

“Let ‘em go, Tangrowth!” Jupiter waved her arm out.

Electivire used Strength, pulling inward.

The vines removed themselves with noisy snaps! and were freed from Tangrowth’s body!

“I TOLD YOU!” Gary blew up. “Come on, Electivire! You’ve gotta listen if you wanna battle! I saw that coming!”

Electivire faced Gary and his body sparked.

Gary took a step back, bracing himself for the attack.

“Use Sleep Powder, now!” Jupiter told Tangrowth.

Tangrowth held out its arms and its thumb and index fingers touched, a bright, light-pink glow appearing at that spot. An indigo powder with light-blue and pink sparkles flew out for Electivire.

“Eeel?” Electivire turned back to watch the Sleep Powder.

“PROTECT!” Gary screamed out.

Electivire instead attacked by blowing out a long stream of Fire from his mouth!

The flames blew out and swept over the Sleep Powder, eventually consuming Tangrowth as well!

“WHOA!” Gary couldn’t believe his eyes. “When’d you get that?”

Tangrowth was yelling out as it was taken down.

“Tangrowth!” Jupiter cried.

Electivire’s eyes then glowed blue, and Tangrowth’s body was outlined in the same color.

Held high against its will, Tangrowth yelled out helplessly, weakened by the Psychic attack. It then soared out of the battlefield, over Jupiter’s head, and vanished in the Fog.

Jupiter gasped shakily, her hands over her mouth, her body facing where Tangrowth had been flung.

The referee got over to her and then disappeared in the Fog as well.

Jupiter was last to go into the Fog.

Gary’s heart was in his throat. A solid rock he couldn’t swallow down.

There was no sign of any of them. No sounds, no visuals. Only Fog everywhere.

Gary stared at Electivire, but the Pokemon kept his eyes ahead, awaiting the verdict on Tangrowth.

Suddenly, there was a familiar sound heard.

Jupiter and the referee finally reappeared, the both of them smiling.

The Gym Leader stopped at her end of the battlefield and, maintaining her smile, her head fell, letting out a sigh.

The referee stopped in the middle of the field and glanced over at Jupiter before raising one hand high. “Tangrowth is unable to battle! That makes Electivire the winner! That means, for the first time in over six years, Gym Leader Jupiter takes the loss, and challenger Gary of Pallet Town, wins!”

Gary’s mouth dropped wide open, a huge smile on his face.

Jupiter strolled past the referee and to the boy. “I guess I owe you two things, Mr. Gary.” She held out a Badge.

It was a circular, purple shape with two curved, black lines in the middle, a few purple bubbles on it.

“The Infiltration Badge is yours,” Jupiter told Gary.

Gary hesitantly took the Badge and stared at it. It kinda looks like a face, Gary considered. Like a sick person’s face with two closed eyes. “Wow.” Did I... deserve this...? he wondered. “Thank you...” He looked up at her, considering admitting Electivire wasn’t his at all. After all, he didn’t even listen to him the entire match! Instead, he asked, “Why did you say two things, Miss?”

“I owe you a thank you! I suppose by finally getting a loss, my job is once again safe! I was on the verge of losing my title again with my winning streak,” Jupiter laughed.

“Ooooh...”

“I’m so happy as a Gym Leader! I’ve heard I should go for bigger and better titles, but the comfort of seeing such youths pursuing such positive goals... And conquering overwhelming challenges. It’s what I love to see the most! Powerful youths! Hope! Pokemon and Trainer friendships. I guess I battle so hard because...” She stared at Gary more thoughtfully. “I know there are kids out there, perhaps prodigal ones, who can be so fresh on their journey, but be so masterful in their control of their Pokemon that even more experienced adults couldn’t stop them no matter what. I became a Gym Leader to see that fresh-faced youth going against the odds, and the world, again.”

“Again?” Gary questioned.

Jupiter nodded. “And it all begins with the Gym battles. I want to be that mountain they topple. I want to see that look again.” She gave Gary a more serious stare, but then smiled so friendly. Her head shook. “You don’t have that look.”

Gary was taken aback by this. “I - don’t...?”

She shook her head again. “You did win, but your Pokemon doesn’t listen to you. You have a cute relationship, though, but it isn’t what I was hoping for. But, due to this loss, I can continue as a Gym Leader to find that prodigal child with that look. Though, perhaps, I already have.” She winked at him.

Gary found himself smiling shyly and looking away. “Huh?” He watched as Electivire walked past them, removing remaining vines from his body, and stepped into the Fog, heading to the exit of the building. “Hey! Electivire!” He looked back to Jupiter. “Thank you, Jupiter! I’ve gotta go!” I can’t lose him again! he thought quietly.

“Take care, Gary! And I hope you two get along better! You could be unstoppable with your powers combined!” she called after him as he ran through the Fog.

“THANK YOUUU!!” Gary called back without turning to her. He then broke through the Fog and saw Electivire leaving through the front door. “Electivire!” Gary stopped outside and smiled.

Electivire, still Poisoned, was walking like nothing was wrong.

Gary let out his breath and jogged over to Electivire, getting away from the building. He wanted to thank him, and talk to him.

Discuss where he’d been before the battle, and what made him come back at that time.

But for now, more and more thoughts flooding into his head, he walked beside June’s Pokemon in silence.

And it wasn’t long before, together, they ended up standing in front of the Pokemon Center.