“Still no reception. Damn it,” Gary grumbled as he led the way, chewing on a Cherubi berry chip cookie, relishing in the sweet taste while frowning at his phone in his left hand. In his right hand was the Poke Radar. He slipped the phone back into his jeans pocket and pulled something else out.

  The screen of the Poke Radar displayed a cartoony, 3D image of the foresty, grassy path of Route 210. Four spots were blinking in rhythm to the beeping of the machine. When looking around, Gary couldn’t see anything, but there were sounds. “Hmmm,” Gary said thoughtfully. “Aim there!” He pointed.

  “Dein!” Deino used Dragon Pulse and hit something that cried out and tumbled from where it was hiding.

  Gary’s heart was beating rapidly. He snorted with his runny nostrils and let out his breath impatiently. “One of those again.” He stared at the knocked-out Pokemon as he drummed the fingers of his left hand over the enlarged Great Ball it held.

  After a couple of moments, the wild Seviper shook itself awake and then slithered off quickly.

  Gary let out a shaky breath, an uncomfortable feeling in his heart. “Can’t waste anymore of my Poke Balls,” he muttered as he shrunk the Great Ball and slid it back in his pocket. He held his hand out and June put paper on top of it without a word.

  The map he had gotten from Prof. Oak’s book was still smeared and smudged from water damage when Gary had wildly leaped from Team Solace’s helicopter and landed in the ocean to do combat with the monster nicknamed Claire. He had a small argument with June over it when she questioned the safety of using such a damaged guide, especially one that couldn’t be verified as even having valid information. But Gary felt it was in sufficient shape to read and trust.

  Besides, Prof. Oak was right about when Jirachi would appear. And deep down, Gary knew he needed to believe in himself on this. He had failed once already with Jirachi. He knew that he had to find Shaymin no matter what. He couldn’t let Prof. Oak’s legacy go out like that.

  “Gary?”

  Gary looked to June. “Hm. Let’s go.” With a hard sniffle, he walked away from her, Deino and Electivire following after him.

  “Are you okay?” she asked softly. “You can talk to me, Gary. You’ve been so quiet since we left Looker.”

  There was plenty on Gary’s mind. So much, he wouldn’t know where to start, and not a thing was anything he wanted to talk about right now. Keeping his eyes down on the silent Poke Radar, he walked until it beeped again, showing four more blinking spots. Be funny if it was a third Seviper, Gary thought to himself. Funny, in a completely unfunny way. If I see one more, I might get worried. I mean, what if there’s Arbok out here, too? It’s been a while since I’ve seen one. Was I really being tracked down by a single one like Ranger Kai said? Gary looked up with a frown. No time to worry about that, he told himself as he pointed strongly. “Deino!”

  Deino attacked again.

  It was another Seviper! “Seviperrrrr!” Seviper hissed at Deino.

  “Deino!” Deino called back.

  This one could be stronger than the one I caught earlier, Gary considered. But I’m not here to capture Seviper. I’m trying to use the Poke Radar to find Shaymin! The Gracidea Garden!

  “Seviperrrrrr!!” Seviper lunged for Deino with gaping jaws.

  “Deino, dodge!”

  Deino swiftly avoided the Crunch as Seviper snapped at him.

  “Now Headbutt!”

  “Dein!” Deino shot at Seviper who awaited the incoming damage. But Deino flew past Seviper, barely skinning it!

  Gary bared his teeth as he growled momentarily, but he snapped out of it with a hard shake of his head. In the middle of this shake he felt loose snot fly from his nose.

  In that instant, Seviper attacked, Wrapping itself around Deino’s body!

  “Okay! Perfect! Use Crunch!”

  Struggling as he was being choked, Deino opened his glowing jaws wide and snapped, snapped, snapped, but didn’t get a single bite in! He cried out helplessly.

  “Oh, come on! It’s right in front of you!” Gary complained, tossing up his arms. He huffed out angrily now. “This Hustle shit is really not gonna-!” He pressed his lips together to stop himself, and his eyes widened. Then he frowned and made fists. “Come on! We can’t have any gaps! Cover your weak spots! Don’t let Hustle be your crutch! Gah. Just use Dragon Pulse for now! We’ll try again later.”

  And just like that, Seviper was sent flying.

  I need to save my Poke Balls, Gary repeated. I’m using this Poke Radar hoping it helps me find the Gracidea Garden and the Shaymin that live there. Not these normal Pokemon. But... on the off chance that doesn’t work, maybe I really should work on catching regular Pokemon, too.

  He shook his head and frowned. No, he pushed back. This will work out. The map has to work! Pushing any remaining doubt out of his body, Gary kept moving onward, avoiding looking at June. He took in a deep breath, let it out, and shaking his head he thought, It’s nothing. Just a little impatience. I’ve always had a temper.

  *

  Gary was sat fiddling with his phone. He still didn’t have any service, but he didn’t really care. It felt good not to deal with such stresses the internet brought, but at the same time he knew it was pretty addicting and fun. He must have gotten brief reception because his Log-A-Graph had 643 alerts of some kind, but when opening the app, it wouldn’t refresh and show him what all the attention was over.

  I wonder how Scientist Gary is doing. Or what’s going on in the world right now, Gary thought. Or, maybe I don’t. Maybe I should stop my actual journey and live like this in the world, free from the internet and just finding new Pokemon. They say that’s the real way to become a Pokemon Master. He looked at everyone around him.

  June was slowly eating what looked like a granola bar that was crumbling with each bite, a distracted appearance on her face, her eyes on the ground. She was sitting with her side to everyone, her black duffel bag between her legs.

  Her Pokemon were also eating slowly, the ones who could eat, anyway. Only Lanturn was back at Prof. Oak’s Lab. The Pokemon looked just as detached as their Trainer.

  Electivire was the only one who appeared unbothered. He was eating casually and noisily, grunting with each bite, his eyes closed.

  Gary’s Pokemon had finished eating and were staying active.

  Empoleon sliced away at the trunk of a tree, cutting into it and causing many leaves and branches to fall. Riolu was on the other side of the same tree. While at first she was punching, kicking, and doing all sorts of acrobatics against her side of the trunk, she found herself more interested in the slicing Empoleon was doing. Eventually, she started mimicking his actions, swinging at the trunk like Empoleon was. Empoleon was initially surprised and watched, but when Riolu stopped and cried out to him with a happy nod, he merely grunted with annoyance and continued slicing. Riolu’s smile was gone, but she continued to copy Empoleon.

  Gary wanted Charizard to train lightly with Snorlax but also put her on her ass, so to speak. She was still very young and was leveling up, but not fast enough for him, and he knew things would speed up a lot with Charizard pushing her.

  Charizard was wearing a cocky grin, showing off his superior strength and level by easily avoiding her attacks, tripping her to the ground, flying above her tauntingly, and even taking her attacks like they were nothing. Even Snorlax’s recently learned, super-effective move Rollout was one Charizard brushed off. She would break down and cry in frustration, but Gary didn’t ease up on her, ordering Charizard to help her up and continue training.

  When this would happen, Riolu would stop her training to come over and speak to Snorlax and help calm her down. With renewed determination, Snorlax would continue working hard, Gary impressed and satisfied, Riolu returning to her shared tree.

  Kirlia’s job was training with Deino. To make things more difficult, Gary pushed Kirlia to only use his Fairy moves. Kirlia attacked with Disarming Voice. One hit left the Dragon/Dark-type Pokemon quivering while struggling back to his feet. That said, Gary insisted on more power, Kirlia using Dazzling Gleam hesitantly, and Deino was downed fast.

  Not bad, I guess, Gary thought while frowning at them. Dazzling Gleam is really strong, and he handled Disarming Voice. Or should he have fallen to Disarming Voice to begin with? Could he have survived another? Is Kirlia the problem? Is it that he’s that weak? I need to check their Natures and levels.

  Kirlia went to his friend and helped him up. The two turned to Gary, awaiting a reaction.

  He breathed out and relaxed his face. His eyes closed and he nodded, but he refused to smile.

  The two Pokemon turned to each other before smiling and nodding, and then Deino collapsed again.

  Gary frowned and after sniffing up slowly running snot, he went into his bag. His hand came out with a brown pouch with the words Revival Herb written on a taped piece of paper.

  As he stood up and approached Deino, all of the Pokemon had stopped whatever they were doing to watch him. Other than Rotom and Magneton, the Pokemon were all sniffing at something in the air.

  Gary stopped beside Deino and loosened the string around the neck of the pouch, reaching in to pull out a green herb. “Mmmm,” Gary grunted, grimacing at the smell. “That’s not nice.”

  Kirlia backed away, an unpleasant look on his face, and even Deino had his head raised towards the herb. The other Pokemon who could smell were also reacting to the scent despite being far away.

  “Come on. Eat this thing and get up. No slacking,” Gary ordered. “You lost. Now let’s try this again. Say aaaaah.”

  Deino stood up quickly and stumbled backwards only to drop again out of exhaustion. “Dein... Dein.”

  Gary held the plant out to Deino. “Don’t make this difficult. This is all I have. Eat it and get back to work.”

  Deino turned away, unable to escape in his condition.

  “Deino,” Gary growled and held his Pokemon down, pressing one hand on his back. With his free hand, he pushed the herb against the front of the Pokemon’s face. Once a piece got in Deino’s mouth, Gary moved away, not wanting to get bit again.

  Deino coughed and shook his head violently, but he was chewing. When he was finished, he choked out and ran away, hiding behind a faraway tree.

  “Cut the crap and get back and fight!” Gary demanded. He then froze, his expression softening as he kept eyes on Deino. He let out his breath and wiped at his nose with the back of his hand and said loudly, “Take a breather! You’ve got two minutes then you get back here and keep training!” He turned and returned to the place he’d been sitting.

  “Gary?” June let out meekly. “Are you feeling-?”

  “I’m fine, June!” Gary cut her off. “I’m just aggravated.” He then smirked at her. “Other than my mom, you should know better than anyone I can have a bad attitude, right? Let’s not let what Looker thinks start making us crazy. Or make us overthink.”

  A relieved look came over June’s face, but with a blink, she looked away and down.

  Gary kept staring at her, thinking about the issues still between them. She can’t talk to Pokemon. When are we gonna address that, June? What about you and Electivire? We can’t let that go. And I know you can feel the different energy now. Electivire is visibly closer to me than to you. This isn’t gonna just be over. We will be addressing everything. Including that boy, Fred... But, when?

  *

  “I’d made sure the account on the phone wasn’t closed so you could keep using it, but I see you found a way to hack the phone to override that aspect.” Looker laughed.

  Gary stared at his phone, thinking back on what Looker had told him. A smirk was on his face as he walked under a gray sky, still not believing it. He shut his phone down to save the battery and then put it away. The Poke Radar started beeping again and Gary stopped and pointed.

  Snorlax Tackled something right out of a bush.

  A green little plant-looking Pokemon tumbled out backwards, wailing as a purple, sparkling powder came out from it and covered Snorlax.

  Snorlax fell into a sitting position, rubbing frantically at her face and soon crying.

  “A Shroomish,” June identified. “They have Effect Spore and it looks like it Poisoned.”

  Gary nodded. Right. I knew that was the Ability, he convinced himself. “Snorlax-!”

  Snorlax wailed and cried, wildly waving her arms and slamming her feet, making the ground rumble lightly.

  “Whoa! So strong! Snorlax, stop!” Gary insisted, reaching out to her.

  Shroomish was on its feet and gave a nasty look to Snorlax. It then ran and jumped, slamming its head into Snorlax’s.

  Snorlax wailed even louder and Flinched from the Headbutt, cowering away.

  “Ri!” Riolu, having been out of her Poke Ball the whole time, ran over to Shroomish.

  Shroomish turned to her with its grumpy face. “Shroomish!” it said.

  With a bark, Riolu put her palm to its body and a light-blue blast came from it, sending Shroomish flying back.

  “Snorlax, come back!” Gary recalled his Pokemon, bringing a little more peace to the woods again. “Riolu, you have to wait until I give a command!”

  “Ri!” Riolu barked with a nod, keeping her eyes on the downed opponent.

  “Now strike with Quick Attack!”

  Riolu moved swiftly, attacking the Shroomish with several blinding blows.

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  Shroomish looked dizzy and stumbled backwards. And then, crying, it ran away.

  Gary let out his breath with a smile. “Alright! That was great teamwork! Thanks for the help, Riolu. You’re getting strong.”

  Riolu looked back and smiled. “Ri!” she nodded with a raised fist.

  *

  “Dragon Pulse, go!” Gary pointed into the trees.

  Magikarp sent a flaming ball of fire at the grass, burning away a section of it and revealing a Bonsly!

  “Rage!”

  Magikarp flew towards Bonsly who dodged. With an unsettled look on its face, the balls atop Bonsly’s head glowed white and it swung its head. Glowing white orbs flew from the glowing balls and the orbs became Rocks that pummeled Magikarp.

  Magikarp didn’t stay down, righting himself up and attacking again.

  Bonsly cried out as it was hit and then repeated its move again.

  Magikarp briefly glowed red from the attack and then bounced repeatedly in place, full of energy.

  “Another Rage attack!”

  Magikarp jumped strongly, taking Bonsly out.

  That battle was followed up with a Starly being forced out of hiding. Magikarp and Starly went back and forth for a while, between Dragon Rage, Quick Attack, and then Rage, Quick Attack, Rage, and Wing Attack, Magikarp only barely pulling the win with his last Dragon Rage.

  Gary knew he was having a blast just using a Magikarp with those two moves, but it also wasn’t as fun using it against wild Pokemon. He wanted people to see it! He wanted to see people seeing it, live! But he also knew this was something he shouldn’t be showing off. Prof. Oak warned him against that kind of behavior.

  He also knew the novelty would wear off when Magikarp finally evolved, telling himself he ought to record it on his phone as proof or no one would believe it.

  Magikarp was recalled for a deserved rest and instead, Gary’s Silcoon came out to face a Growlithe!

  Damn it, that’s what we found? Gary bared his teeth but didn’t give in. We can do it. “String Shot!”

  Growlithe leaped over the white Strings but Silcoon kept firing and eventually caught the paws. It whined as it raised them each, taking effort to remove them from the ground. It then growled and attacked with Leer, lowering Silcoon’s Defense.

  “Poison Sting!”

  Purple pins flew out of the glowing, purple spikes on Silcoon as Growlithe blew out flames. Both Pokemon were hit and fell. Both Pokemon got up, Growlithe shaking its head.

  It’s not Poisoned, Gary noticed. But if I do Poison it, I can’t just leave it here even if I do beat it. But I need to save my Poke Balls. For Shaymin. Man, I always wanted a Growlithe... He felt his eyes starting to tear up as he reflected on when he was much younger and living with Melissa and their parents. His eyes shut and he shook his head, refocusing himself. “Poison Sting!”

  Growlithe fought back with Fire again, both Pokemon falling to the other. Growlithe stood, still not Poisoned, but Silcoon was beaten.

  “Return, Silcoon! That was a bit too much.” He recalled Silcoon and instead went with Minior.

  It landed hard and then floated up, wavering about.

  “Minior! Ancient Power!”

  Minior’s body glowed white, making it appear as a hovering, glowing ball. The glow separated from the Pokemon and became a silver ball of energy that flew into Growlithe, winning the match.

  “Nice one, Minior! Come on back for now!” Gary recalled his Pokemon, not wanting it to stay out of the Poke Ball for too long.

  Next up, Gary’s Cutiefly used a deafening Bug Buzz and forced out a screeching Delcatty!

  Shit! Gary cursed in his head. “Good job! Return!” He recalled the little Cutiefly. Let’s split the Exp. Points instead of risking a loss, he decided before sending out Clamperl.

  The battle was short, Clamperl ending things with Waterfall, slamming into Delcatty and sending it screeching away in a panic. Gary then sent out Kabuto which took down a Kricketune, reminding Gary to use his own Kricketune. Gary’s Kricketune then lost to a Geodude, but Gary beat this Geodude with his Carvanha and used Carvanha to then defeat another Bonsly. After Carvanha beat a Mr. Mime, he gave his Pokemon some rest and used Kabuto to win against a second Growlithe before finally taking a break, exhausted although he wasn’t the one actually fighting.

  He was sitting in the grass now, his back against a tree, feeling pretty upset that he hadn’t come across a single Shaymin, although he wasn’t at all surprised. But for just a moment, he let that go and thought about something Looker had told him.

  “When you were thrown off that mountain, thank Arceus you survived, you were then found by Team Solace and they took you aboard their helicopter and filled your head with lies to confuse you, pretending they had no idea how you just magically appeared there. There’s no other explanation.”

  It makes sense, Gary felt. More sense than anything else. I was knocked out and rescued by Team Solace, and those guys saved my life to try to manipulate and recruit me, like they want to do now. But...

  “But what about Ranger Kai?? I saw her throat get...” Gary struggled to get out the horrible thing that happened to her. “The monster’s - claws dug right into her throat! If not dead, she should be mute for life! Stuck in agonizing pain forever! There was blood, Looker! Bursting out of her throat! And then she’s hurled off a mountain! You think Jirachi had something to do with our survival, through the monster somehow! Why?? Why would the monster want us to survive after deliberately trying to kill us?!”

  Gary saw the look of confusion and horror on June’s face, as if the girl didn’t know how to even process what he was saying happened. And she had every right to feel that way. It didn’t even make any sense to Gary himself. But he knew what he had seen. He trusted himself about this. Even Ranger Kai knew it happened, even though she passed it off as if it were not all that big of a deal.

  “I wonder just how true that is...” Looker finally responded thoughtfully.

  “What do you mean??” Gary practically shouted at him, getting angry now. “Come on! What are you trying to say now?!”

  Looker smirked at Gary’s reaction. “Oh, I’m not sure exactly. I need more time. I’m not a fan of theorizing without a clear idea of what I’m trying to say, but I’ll definitely message you when I think I’ve got something down. I know you’re a big fan of that.”

  While Looker laughed, Gary thought of Prof. Cynthia. That’s what she said about you, he remembered. You don’t like to talk much about your theories until you’re clear on them. Though, to be honest, I don’t think a thing you’ve said has gone far in the way of being considered “clear.” He snickered lightly before taking in a big, shaky breath and closed his eyes sadly.

  Gary made a fist with his right hand and moved it around. I guess my hand is less of a marvel considering Kai’s throat recovery.

  June was on her feet, staring outward in awe.

  Gary turned and blinked hard, now just as surprised at what was going on.

  Electivire’s eyes were glowing blue. Hovering between his large hands was a sparking, yellow ball outlined in blue. He was using his Psychic attack to cup a ball of electricity!

  Gary stood up. What’s he doing?

  June looked at Gary for only a second, returning to Electivire.

  Electivire gently pushed his hands out. Without touching the ball, it just floated smoothly to Raichu.

  Raichu, a surprised look on his face, reached out his tail and caught the ball! He let it bounce on his tail before smiling and then smacked it back playfully to Electivire! The ball remained held in Electivire’s Psychic. The two were actually playing!

  “I can’t believe it. Since when does Electivire... play?”

  Gary smiled. “Ha. I’ve never seen him do that before!” He opened his mouth to say something else as he turned to June. His smile vanished, seeing her eyes already on him and full of tears.

  A pair of drops rolled down her cheeks. “What’s been going on here since I’ve been gone?”

  Gary’s heart thumped heavily now.

  “Why is he so close to you? Why does he listen to you, Gary?” She blinked out more tears. “Why is he so different? But the same to me?”

  Gary was frozen for a bit, but then he narrowed his eyebrows. “You know, actually, there’s a few things I need to ask you that are more important, too.”

  Concern came over her face. “Huh? Like wha-?”

  There was a shriek in the middle of the woods, making everyone jump and turn. Something frightening came charging at them! A tall, humanoid being!

  The monster?! Gary bared his teeth, unprepared, but forced himself to be ready to somehow fight! But his panic transformed into bewilderment and he squinted in disbelief.

  Running at full speed with a mournful face on the verge of bursting into tears and an elongated howl, Aly wrapped up June in her arms, taking them both down! Aly gripped June’s shoulders and shook her hard before sobbing wildly all over her. ALY! “It’s truuuuuuuuuue!! You’re ALIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!” Aly continued crying hard all over June.

  “Aly??” June also couldn’t believe it.

  Electivire and Raichu were no longer playing, the Electric ball gone. They had their eyes on the two girls on top of each other in the middle of the grass.

  His mouth open in a small smile, Gary breathed out with relief. “Aly.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry! I’m so stupid!” Aly quickly got off of June and helped her to her feet. “Are you hurt?? Are you okay?? What happened to you?? Were you really kidnapped by the alien??”

  June laughed uncomfortably. “I am okay. It’s-”

  “Is it true you were really put in a Poke Ball by the Claire alien?? What’s it like inside of there?? Huh?? Huh?? Huh?? Did you have to like, battle other humans or something?? Huh?? Huh?? Do they have a secret underground thing where aliens raise humans to fight instead of Pokemon?? Huh??”

  “ALY!” Gary barked at her.

  “Ssshhhhhh!” She waved at Gary frantically with one hand, not even bothering to look at him. “I don’t wanna hear from you. Shoo! I’m here to talk to muh girl! Why don’t you go away again like last time and give us our space.”

  “We’re in the middle of something, actually!” Gary argued. “I’m glad you’re happy to see June again, but I’m not going anywhere!”

  Neither child would back down, Aly demanding girl time, and Gary refusing to leave June’s side, leading to arguing, teasing, and getting in each other’s faces.

  June, with her hands up and an awkward smile, could only stand and watch, letting out uncomfortable, light laughter.

  *

  Aly chewed on a Cheri Berry. “It’s got kick, right?”

  Gary sneezed. “I really just don’t like cherries.”

  “I didn’t ask you. And, ew, cover your mouth.” Aly didn’t even look at Gary, her eyes on June.

  “I did!” Gary growled.

  “Oh, it’s very good!” June agreed, nodding hard.

  “I told ya!” Aly ate another one that was a part of a bunch in a paper bag she had, tossing the stem behind her.

  Aly, June, Gary, Raichu and Electivire were sitting at an open, grassy location called Lake Psyduck. The lake was shaped in what could pass for a Psyduck’s foot. Around them were trees and shrubs full of Berries.

  Aly told them the spot was known for having a lot of Psyduck, and there once was an incident where some Muk took over and chased them out. This was resolved somehow and Lake Psyduck was saved, the Muk residing in a separate, filthy pond called Muky Pond.

  At the other end of the lake were three Psyduck walking around holding their own heads, paying the group no mind. Aly didn’t own a Psyduck nor wanted one from here, expressing that the bonds of these Psyduck are different from what you would find in other areas with Pokemon. Other larger areas often have a much larger and diverse population of Pokemon compared to here where only a bunch of Psyduck and the occasional few other Pokemon live. She felt it was wrong to disrupt that small community.

  This started a Pokedex battle between the two, Aly revealing she had 148 Pokemon altogether, with 54 being original species. They debated who won this fight as Gary had more original species at 71, but his overall was only 78. Next was the Badge battle, which Gary lost, Aly having seven to his five! She was only one away from competing at the League!

  After a mix of lighter conversation and getting on each other’s nerves, it was back to June to tell her story. While Electivire left to eat numerous Berries from a bush, Raichu stayed by June and she petted his head for comfort while she spoke.

  The bottom of Aly’s jaw was on the floor as she listened to June’s story until the girl finally stopped talking. She ended up in tears, hugging June again and forcing her to the ground. “WWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!” she wailed. “My girl was abducted by aliens and experimented on!!” Suddenly, she sat up and glared at Gary. “Can you like, leave so I can talk in private to June? There’s some things you don’t need to know that I wanna ask her! Where are your manners? And what’s with your hair? Go get a haircut and come back, okay?”

  “Aly! Honestly, we don’t have time for your crap today!” Gary let out.

  “Ooooooooo!” Aly was now sliding over to Gary, a suspicious look in her eyes, a sneaky smirk on her lips. “And what exactly is going on here? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh? Am I interrupting something personal?”

  You idiot, Gary thought, rolling his eyes. You literally have no idea just how personal things are right now! Frowning, he said, “It’s-” He couldn’t come up with anything else to say, and this was his downfall.

  “OOOOOOHHH!! I aaaaaaaaaam!! Why didn’t you guys just say so?” She stood up in her black jeans and sleeveless, pink tank top. Her light-blue jacket hung loosely off her shoulders, some of her arms revealed.

  Gary’s eyes remained on her shown shoulders and then went down to her black sneakers with light-blue laces, but then he realized he was back to her shoulders.

  Grabbing her light-blue backpack from the ground, she announced, “I shall be on my waaaaaay! Don’t look to me to be the one to interfere with true love!” She walked away determinedly.

  Gary and June faced each other, and their faces heated up with red instantly. Growling, Gary turned from June and shouted angrily, “It’s not like that, Aly!!” He stood up and cupped his hands around his mouth to yell, “WE’RE LOOKING TO CAPTURE A MYTHICAL POKEMON BASED ON THE NOTES PROF. OAK LEFT BEHIND!!”

  “BEHIND” echoed in the air several times before it dissipated.

  Nobody was moving now.

  Aly kept her back to her friends.

  Everyone was watching her. Even the Psyduck.

  Aly finally turned back. Her smile was gone. Her face was just a blank slate. She walked a few steps closer to them and cocked her head. “What are you talking about?” She spoke solemnly, carefully; lifelessly. Her sassy tone and incomparable personality was on hold.

  Gary got closer to her. He had spontaneously decided to pass up the chance to finally be alone with June to address what needed to be discussed. “I’ve been on a journey trying to find certain Mythical Pokemon Prof. Oak believed existed, and that he tried to actually find and meet at specific times he calculated they would appear at,” Gary explained.

  “Did you capture any?” Aly asked.

  He shook his head. “It’s really hard. I’ve failed so far,” was all he said about it.

  Aly smirked, but this went away fast, sorrow coming over her face. “Prof. Oak...”

  She wanted to make fun of me, Gary believed. But for Prof. Oak, she stopped. Ha. He nodded. “If you’d like, why not join us?”

  Aly squinted at him. “What Pokemon are you after this time?”

  “This time it’s Shaymin. A Grass type.” Answering Aly, Gary was only reminded of the monster, also known as Claire. Shyameen, he recalled. Is she really after the Mythical Pokemon, too? Why would she be? Was she trying to say something else? Her words didn’t always make complete sense. They were strange. Broken. Like a foreigner’s.

  Aly was still leering at Gary.

  Gary stared back at her solemnly.

  Finally, she smiled and closed her eyes coolly. “Anything for Prof. Oak. You can count me in.” She was acting normal again. Back to life.

  Gary smiled and nodded. “Great! Thanks! I-” He stopped talking, scrunching up his face when his nose started tingling with the urge to sneeze again.

  “But only if you can beat me in a Pokemon battle. Three-on-three.”

  “Huh?” Gary gasped, the tickle vanishing. He hadn’t expected this requirement.

  Aly opened her eyes, looking right at her rival. “We have a never-ending score to settle!”

  Gary was fired up by her words. That’s right. This never stops! He smiled.

  Aly tossed a Poke Ball.

  Her Delcatty appeared and smiled at Gary easily.

  “Your Delcatty?” Gary remembered the disobedient Pokemon.

  Aly didn’t break eye contact with him. “And besides, you’re pretty famous, boy! Going to prison, and now even Team Solace wants a piece of you. And you beat Jupiter?! Huh? Huh? Huh? I want the info on that after I beat your butt!”

  This made Gary narrow his eyebrows and then grab up a Poke Ball. “I wasn’t in jail, first of all.” He tossed the ball.

  “Deino!” Deino appeared.

  “We’ll talk after I beat you.”

  Both Pokemon stared the other down.

  While Gary stayed looking at Aly, Aly’s attention was on the Pokemon, her smile gone. Aly? Gary wanted to call out. Instead he shouted, “Use Crunch!”

  “Huh!” Aly snapped out of her daze and countered, “Fake Out!”

  Delcatty didn’t move. She didn’t have to. Deino lunged at Delcatty and went right by her head, chomping on empty air. Delcatty only turned her head to look back with a snarky smile, making Gary growl.

  When Deino got up and turned, he was also growling at Delcatty.

  But unlike Delcatty, Aly wasn’t smiling one bit. Instead she sighed, her shoulders slumped, and her head dropped with weariness.