Everything made complete sense. I understood it all:

  My movement was unnecessary. It, like most everything else I had thought meant something significant, in fact did not. I couldn’t move my body, because I didn’t truly need to. There was intricate meaning behind this: Any action I take has the utmost purpose or it would not take place, therefore my lack of movement was itself necessary. My very existence and all that I do is utterly sublime and crucial, and as a divine being, I didn’t need to move. I could lay amongst the stars of information I already understood pulling me deeper into the realm of knowledge.

  Happiness. Anger. Sadness. Anxiety. Confusion. Hopelessness. Pride. Table. Shadow. Mirror. It was all spelled out for me like the words in a book. Like numbers on a board, everything in life was a math problem that I was solving in the most complex method possible; an exact formula that was pure. Perfect. Despite being terrible at math, somehow now I was a genius breaking down all facets of reality into numbers. Something as basic as a scarf was not a scarf at all, but more coherently the threads that went into the creation of that scarf, all the way back to before it ever was a single thread; nothing but molecules and atoms!

  It was no different than emotions. Love. Sierra. Cas. Love was so simple to understand and could be broken down into a rather obvious formula. I could finally understand what love actually was. Love, like everything else in existence, visible or invisible, corporeal or psychological, tangible or immaterial, was all actually pointless! Meaningless! Everything was beneath my existence and comprehension. Everything could be so easily summed up as-

  “That’s it??” It was utterly disappointing! This fact, this understanding, was devastating, but I knew this was the truth.

  The human body. What does that look like? It was so hard to simply imagine what a human being looks like. Wait, there it is. That’s - not it! That’s not a human. That’s a monster! Why am I only seeing a silhouette of a tall, hunched over, horrifying beast? Is that what humans truly are?? Yes! This is the actual human form!

  This, must be how it feels to be God. No. This is only a drip of the cheese from the pizza pie that is the meal of Truth itself. I can see it all. Everything. Everywhere. And all at once. All of humanity, from Aly, to Kiwi, to my mother, to Tracey, to Aurora, to Tiffany; from other people I knew to those I never met; from people of the present, to those deceased of the past, to those of the future; every last human who is, ever was, and ever would be. It was all the same thing. I knew everything about everyone, ever, and was experiencing their individual lives in one instant, filling me with so much that my brain was expanding and pressing against my skull. I could feel it cracking under the pressure.

  I was suddenly laying on a soft, flat surface and rising rapidly for a dark ceiling! Startled and still in pain, I gripped my head, trying to sit up, but I couldn’t. The complexity; the math; the calculation behind simply sitting up was just too much for me! I barely raised the upper half of my body before falling back down.

  But out of fear of finally crashing into the ceiling, in the desperation to do something, I sat up sharply, grabbing at my long, green hair, and laughed like mad, my skin as white as paint, and my head finally exploded. And I kept on laughing with only the bottom half of my head remaining, my melting brain oozing over it.

  “GET ME OUT OF HERRRRRRE!!” I bellowed with both hands to my mouth, my head fully intact again. Distraught and scared, I paced an empty white room in a white hospital gown, feeling stuck in the shell of my own body.

  *

  “I know it’s annoying, but you need to keep these on to get rid of the water weight in your legs. You haven’t walked properly in over a week. The doctors have been telling you to try to walk around the hospital. You have your Pokemon. Walk around with them.” The man previously referring to himself as Prof. Eep was now donning the title Doctor Eep and explaining things to Gary in a hospital room.

  Laying in bed, Gary was frowning at his legs. They were in black compression wraps that vibrated constantly. It felt so uncomfortable and he kept turning them off after a little while. His legs looked swollen. In fact, the entire bottom half of his body looked abnormally thick and mushy, and that counted for everything below the belt. Urinating was disturbing for him, holding what was once his now ballooned like a soggy sausage.

  But he couldn’t keep his mind on that. Not when the room was full of flies, gnats, and other flittering, fluttering frights flying in his face. The little ones were annoying but could be ignored. It was the grotesque large ones that Gary couldn’t keep his eyes off of. In high definition with their gross eyes, hairy ends, and still wings, they rubbed their prickly hands together to clean themselves off. Gary could hardly breathe watching their revolting ritual. Afraid to touch them with his hands, he’d swing his pillow or a part of the sheet or blanket at them.

  There were also roaches. They stayed mostly hidden but Gary had wide, wary eyes for when they would return. He managed to convince himself there were only two roaches, one large and one small. He also knew this theory would be obliterated if he saw more than one large or small roach together.

  Even a centipede had made an appearance on the wall.

  A spider was hanging from a web in a corner on the ceiling. A few things were caught in its trap but Gary wished the thing was doing a better job. He wasn’t bothered by most spiders, finding them acceptable considering they kill other bugs. They were both on the same page. Kind of. Gary considered it similar to Dr. Eep using the Alolan Grimer and Alolan Muk to get rid of the Trubbish and Garbodor.

  The only other thing of note was the green, pink, yellow, and blue slime everywhere. This was due to the Alolan Grimer and Alolan Muk that flooded Insect Town. The filthy Pokemon didn’t stink, but they sure left their mark.

  Four little Cutiefly were buzzing around the foot of Gary’s bed, the sound absolutely irritating him. Staring at them made him wonder why he would feel bad if he killed one of them, but wouldn’t think twice about killing an insect.

  “I’m really sorry all of this happened, but you’ll be glad to know I got all of your stuff back! You and your friends’! I even found a Red Shard!”

  “Red shard?” Gary groaned tiredly. “Aly said she found something red. That’s probably hers. What is it?”

  “It’s nothing really but some people collect them. They’re really cool! I’ll give you everything back, of course, but please, I’m begging you! I have ten Master’s in fields of science, biology, engineering, entomology, and let me tell ya, kid: if I’m being completely honest, what a complete waste of my time and money! I went broke paying off all my tuition thinking I’d be so rich, money wouldn’t be a thing, and now I’m here scraping the bottom of the barrel! This U.L.T.R.A. Project is all I have left to depend on, because being a Gym Leader sure ain’t cuttin’ it. Matches were hard to come by before all the madness with the Trubbish and Garbodor, but-”

  Gary sat up, weak but grunting determinedly. “Wait. Just hold on. You’re a Gym Leader?”

  “Oh, yes. I’m Gym Leader Cree. But like I said, it really doesn’t-”

  “Can I challenge you once I get out of here? How much longer do I have to be here?”

  “The sooner you get off your butt, the sooner you can leave,” Dr. Eep chuckled.

  Gary groaned, rolling his eyes.

  “The poisoning you all got from the Alolan Grimer in the woods was very severe. If not for the help from June’s Ampharos’s Heal Bell to stabilize it so you could be treated...” Dr. Eep’s voice trailed off, shaking his head and grimacing. “I’m reluctant to go on. It looks like you and June will be just fine soon. Aly is recovering but we need to keep her a while longer.”

  “Aly? Is she okay??” Gary asked frantically.

  “That’s the other reason I came to see you. Maybe you can get off your butt to go see her sometime,” Dr. Eep smirked, raising a teasing eyebrow.

  “Where is she??” His eyes slid over to the wall and widened on the three roaches walking on it together.

  *

  “Gary, you have to leave me behind,” Aly told him seriously from her hospital bed.

  “I won’t do that! I won’t leave you until you’re okay again! Until you can walk and are healthy! I refuse!” Gary sat trembling in a chair beside her, coming up with retorts in his mind to anything she might argue for why he should continue his quest without her. Knowing Aly wouldn’t let him slow down on her behalf. Knowing she would support him getting his last Badges and competing in the Sinnoh League; even without her.

  Knowing he still had to kill that monster.

  Gary was moving his arms to rub at his armpits, and rubbing his arms and scratching at his neck, all because of the buzzing flies in the air and the roaches on the wall. There was even a worm wriggling on the floor!

  “You think I’m gonna let you use me as an excuse to skimp out on the Sinnoh League?” She let out a weak cough of a laugh. “Have some dignity. Don’t use a sick, innocent, beautiful girl as your scapegoat. You butt.”

  “I’ll give you sick. Like, mentally after that delusional ‘beautiful’ comment.” Gary felt a twinge in his chest while saying that.

  Aly breathed out tiredly, closing her eyes.

  Maybe this isn’t the time to be making jokes, Gary considered, feeling bad now. He opened his mouth to apologize.

  “Make all the jokes you want on your way out of here when you’re better,” Aly spoke, keeping her eyes closed. “Besides, I’m gonna be back soon, and I’m only one Badge away. This is your chance to catch up to me.” Breathing out again, a small smile crossed her lips.

  Gary closed his mouth and smiled.

  Aly looked to him briefly and her eyes shifted away.

  Gary looked down. I know Aly won’t stay down. She’ll be right back and ready for the League. Me, her, Ro-

  Aly gasped suddenly. “Gary,” she whispered.

  He turned to her, and then turned to the flatscreen TV she was staring at that was displaying the news. It was on mute but the face of Ray, from Team Solace, was above the two men giving the report. Not wanting to read subtitles, Gary looked for the remote, but Aly had it already and turned on the sound.

  “Police Commissioner Wayne had this to say,” one of the reporters spoke.

  The TV now showed several police officers standing behind a man in a black suit and red tie, his hair cut in a fade and a goatee on his serious face. He nodded into a microphone. “We intend to apprehend the suspect Gary - um, Summer. Summer, was it?” He looked to one of the officers behind him who nodded assuredly. “Gary Summer? Summer, right? Yeah.” He faced the camera again. “Yeah, Gary Summer for questioning as soon as possible. While we aren’t convinced he is actually working for them, or is being sought after by them; whether we are capturing a criminal or protecting a child from danger, we intend to make sure he remains under our watchful eye until we are sure he is in the clear.”

  “Summer? That’s not my-!” Gary exclaimed.

  “As per Team Solace’s promise of something to occur in the Spring, we predict that we have about a month before we can expect something terrible to occur. We’re using all of our resources and our best people to find any clues to try to prevent this, but if Gary is indeed the key, we’ll need to halt his journey this year and keep him under watch.”

  “Huuuuuuuh??!” Gary let out.

  “Furthermore, we ask the people for help in locating the young child. And any Gym Leaders who run into him, you are ordered to refuse battle with him and apprehend him if possible, and alert law enforcement of the encounter immediately! As Gym Leaders you are obligated by law to follow these very serious instructions. You could very well be saving one, if not many, lives.”

  As the news continued, a large Bug, about a foot long, crept over the TV screen. Its two yellow, dangerous-looking mandibles with reddish-orange tips snapped in front of its face. It spoke something unclear and short.

  Gary sneered in disgust at the Pokemon, his eyes wide in horror.

  “Popular as always,” Aly croaked, grabbing the boy’s attention. “Don’t worry. I’m no snitch.” She cleared her throat and coughed. Her eyes slowly closed. “It won’t be long now before they find you. You better run and hurry up and get those Badges.”

  “What’s the point?” Gary complained. “No one’s gonna accept my challenge now! My journey is over!”

  “I’ll accept your challenge.”

  Aly’s eyes opened and she looked over, Gary turning even faster to see who else was in the room.

  It was Dr. Eep! “You’ll be safe here. You could almost say I run this town. Sort of. So long as my word is good here, no one will call the police about you guys. And as long as we keep my U.L.T.R.A. malfunction a secret, my word remains valuable and secure.”

  “We have a deal!” Gary smiled, suddenly realizing he was feeling tired, his breathing heavier.

  Dr. Eep stepped closer to the bed and smiled, swatting at the bugs flying around his messy hair. “Besides, don’t be so dramatic. You haven’t done anything wrong, right? I mean, maybe you have. I don’t know you from a unicellular organism. But if you’re not a criminal, they’re only gonna let you go when it’s safe to do so. Not turning yourself in would only look suspicious.”

  “Wait...” Aly whispered.

  Both guys turned to her.

  Her eyes weren’t open. She breathed out, “Gary, please take care of Deino.”

  “Deino? What do you mean?”

  Aly didn’t speak at first, just shaking her head. “You don’t understand,” she said, sounding impatient. “You think you’re so smart. Gary... Take care of Deino. Or else.” Her eyes stayed shut, and her words became a mumble barely audible. “And also, Doc, how exactly did we even get here? I’m still confused about what was real and what wasn’t.”

  Wait, Gary tried to ask, but he choked, coughing hard, and instead Dr. Eep spoke up.

  “I found you guys in the woods,” he answered. “However, the reason I was even there to begin with was in fact to find you, Gary.”

  Now Gary’s mind was taken somewhere else entirely. “To find me?”

  *

  “Once I got Shaymin, it was pretty clear where you were. Checking out that spot, I realized you could be in danger and after contacting Mr. Eep about my worries about the Grimer and Muk out there, I sent in a special team of hazmats to sweep the area. Glad to know they arrived just in time.”

  “Kiwi, we could have died!! You saved our lives!” Gary’s eyes were full of grateful tears.

  From the VisuaAudia feature on his phone, Kiwi could be seen nodding, her eyes closed behind her glasses. “It was nothing but luck. This easily could have been the end for you guys, and that scares me to death. I’m just glad that this didn’t get to the news. The media would have had a field day.” Her eyes opened. “Team Solace would have had a field day.”

  Gary swallowed uncomfortably, having been thinking the same thing.

  “Have you spoken to anyone? The police or media? You need to be careful of them all. Team Solace’s influence is spreading massively. There’s been arrests lately. Corruption is everywhere. The police, the news, even politicians; as if they aren’t all crooked enough already. It’s getting harder and harder to know who’s on what side.”

  Like my mom, Gary thought. Parents out there. Anyone could be an enemy.

  “But you can still trust old Kiwi,” she smirked, winking at him. “Congrats on the Poke Radar. Although obtaining it doesn’t excuse you being dead last in the group for catching Pokemon.”

  “I have more original species than Aly!!” Gary shouted.

  This made Kiwi chuckle, though she tried to restrain it at first, which made Gary laugh as well. “Well, she’s been nerfed by the doctors for a bit. This gives you time to catch up to her.”

  “That’s what she said!” Gary barked.

  Kiwi’s smile went away. “I’m working closely with Mr. Eep and local authorities about the Alolan Muk and Alolan Grimer and Trubbish and Garbodor issue in Insect Town and the surrounding areas. We’re doing our best to come up with the most - sound decision we can.”

  Gary snorted and then nodded. “I hope something safe can be done that benefits everyone.”

  Kiwi’s lips pressed together solemnly and she gave a nod. “I’m also glad Shaymin will be okay. Your story of what happened is one I wouldn’t believe from anyone else. It’s just too much to believe! I can’t believe it, but I have to! And the fact you never told me about the dreams and stuff you have been going through with Claire. Why wouldn’t you tell me sooner than now?”

  “Would you really have believed me?”

  “Y-” Kiwi breathed out. “I...”

  “I wouldn’t, either. I’d think it was just stress, or anything else than being real.”

  “But I wouldn’t have thought you were lying,” they both said at the same time.

  “Yeah,” Gary muttered with a nod, lowering his gaze.

  “Do you truly believe it yourself?”

  Gary didn’t answer. After a minute, he finally said, “I don’t know.” He looked back at her. “What would you think? If it were you.”

  “I’d listen to your pal Looker,” she answered confidently. “You should use your Pokemon, Riolu and Kirlia. See if they can help you with their special abilities. Do everything in your power that will either prove or disprove this idea of Looker’s. Your life may depend on it. Maybe the life of everyone in Sinnoh, and beyond.”

  Gary let out a weak laugh. “I’m not cut out to save the world.”

  “Just the life of a Pokemon Trainer, am I right?”

  Gary just stared at her quietly, something going through his mind now.

  As if she could read his mind, Kiwi then brought up, “You should call your mom.”

  “After I get my Badge, sure.”

  “Why after that?”

  “I have to have something to talk about, right?” Gary snickered, smirking slightly.

  Kiwi stayed silent and bit her lips, concern in her eyes.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  *

  Jonahtan Wicke: You aint beat not Jupiter I’a ucking full you when I find you

  *fucking kill you

  You piece of shit

  DIE!!

  DaisybytheMile24: How old are you?

  O think youre just so cute! Do you have a girlfirend? Youre not really 10, right? Youre just so hot! *giggles*

  Gary turned off his phone and slammed his hand on his bed. The mattress was uncomfortable, the pillow could have passed for flat, and his sheet and blanket provided no real warmth. But right now, he was pissed off at his Log-A-Graph.

  It was full of private messages, and for the first time, it wasn’t mostly from Scientist Gary. No. Of the over 900 messages he had gotten, only 98 of them were from his friend. The ones not from him were from random people he didn’t even know! And the messages ranged from love letters, to death threats!

  After taking a few breaths, he returned to his phone to see what Scientist Gary had to say. The man’s messages got more and more frantic, intrigue turning into worry, the more recently they were sent. They stopped as short as a week ago. Smiling gently, he finally texted him back.

  GaryReppinKanto: Hey Gary! I’m good! Hahaha! Dont worry about me! Like has just been really crazy. You wouldn’t believe it trust me. I have a LOT to tell you!

  It was only a minute or less after sending the message to his friend that Gary got a response from him, and they had a long conversation.

  *

  Gary smiled down at Aly snoring lightly with her mouth open, a strand of her hair over her face and in her mouth. He reached out and gently moved it away, and his hand brushed against her skin. His hand went still. Aly, he thought. I’m sorry. I recovered okay, but you’re still here. I have to catch up, right? Not that it’s my fault I fell behind, honestly. I got into a lot of stuff that slowed me down. He frowned and continued, Anyway, get out of here soon. Let’s make it to the League.

  Sniffling, he removed his hand from Aly to wipe at his nose, and then sniffed his hand. Was there a scent there now? He couldn’t really tell. He sniffled with his stuffy nose again and then left the room, stopping in front of Dr. Eep.

  “You know she’s in good hands,” the man nodded reassuringly.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t leave if I wasn’t convinced of that. I just...”

  “You’re worried about a friend. More than understandable.”

  Gary shook his head. “I am, but it’s not just that. I wish I knew what she meant about Deino. It’s like she was giving me a warning. I got caught up about Kiwi and then Aly passed out.”

  Dr. Eep nodded. “She may have some experience raising them. Maybe she just has some insight she wanted to share.”

  Gary nodded. “Probably.”

  “So I’ll see you at my Gym? No more psychedelic trips about hot nurses, everyone turning into Alolan Grimer slime, being a god, and turning into the comic book villain the Prankster?” Dr. Eep had a soft smile.

  “Yeah,” Gary let out lightly. His eyes lowered remembering all the crazy places his mind had gone when he had been poisoned. “I’m much better now.”

  “Good! We’ll have us a Doubles Match. But we’ll have to make it quick. I’m afraid I have a meeting with the mayor about further funding. As I said before, I’m very happy to give you the Badge in exchange for your silence about U.L.T.R.A.”

  “And I’ll sooner keep my silence and leave without your Badge.”

  Dr. Eep sighed with a smile. “That alone is admirable enough for the Badge.”

  “Please. That’s not how I work. I’m begging you to give me the chance to earn your Badge. Please give me a good fight. Your best fight. If we’re gonna do this, let’s do it!”

  The man smiled broader and extended his hand. “It’s a deal. We’ll give it our all.”

  Smiling back, Gary took his hand and they shook. “Oh, by the way, what kind of Pokemon do you use in your Gym, anyway?”

  *

  It was hot, muggy, moist, sticky, and smelly in the underground cavern. It was even harder to breathe than it should have been due to Gary feeling under the weather and stuffy, but he couldn’t pass this chance up. He stood facing Cree, the Gym Leader, in an outlined battlefield, Eep going by his first name.

  Floating above where a referee would normally stand was a machine. It was a big, gold ball with black stripes. Eight thin, black little spokes connected the ball to a bright-yellow circle around the middle. Atop the circle at the front was a smaller black chrome ball that was the camera. The device hummed nonstop. To Gary, it was like a giant bumblebee.

  In this cavern were numerous creeping creatures of all sorts, and just as many sounds accompanying them. Buzzing, chirping, fluttering and more.

  It’s one battle, it’s one battle, Gary kept repeating to himself. Focus. Just fo- He felt something moving on his hand and turned sharply to see a huge waterbug!! At the top of his lungs came a screech of death as he swung his hand wildly and stumbled away. Tears rolled down his cheeks before he even realized it, and he wiped the back of his hand against his jeans. A whine came out of his mouth and he wiped his face with his other hand. “Eeeeewwwwww!” I’m so glad June wasn’t feeling too good and stayed behind and isn’t seeing this, he thought.

  “Man.” The Gym Leader looked disappointed at Gary. “I just can’t understand how someone can not like insects. They’re just like us humans. They need to sleep, they can eat virtually anything with little to no consequence, require water. Why do we treat them with such disdain?”

  Gary couldn’t stop shaking, his skin crawling all over. He grabbed at his shoulders and rubbed his arms. After taking in a hard sniffle, trying to break through the clog and failing, he pleaded, “Can we just please?”

  The man closed his eyes and shook his head. He gave a lazy wave of his hand.

  “This match between Gary of Pallet Town in the Kanto Region, and Gym Leader Cree of Insect Town, for the Amber Badge, will be a Double Battle using only two Pokemon,” the machine in the air stated in a mechanical, monotone, echoing voice. The camera had a glowing white light now. “There is no time limit. Begin.”

  DING!

  “Vikavolt, Charjabug! Let’s go!” The man tossed a pair of Poke Balls high into the air, one of which was a dark ball Gary recognized as the Dusk Ball.

  From the Dusk Ball, one green little creature fell like a weight but was caught by the legs of the much larger second Pokemon, a blue, black, and yellow flying beetle-like creature! The flying Bug hovered in the air carrying the green cuboid, its wings vibrating so fast they almost appeared to be still.

  Vikavolt. The Stag Beetle Pokemon. The evolved form of Charjabug. A Bug/Electric-type Pokemon. In their abdomen is an organ that generates electricity, which it uses to launch Electric-type moves. It has a rivalry with Pinsir and Heracross.

  Charjabug. The Battery Pokemon. A Bug/Electric-type Pokemon. It generates electricity by eating food, which is stored in an electric sac in its body. It can communicate with its previous form, Grubbin, by using special sound waves.

  “Quite informative, but there’s certainly so much more to tell about these two Pokemon, at least one of which you will learn today,” Cree said, nodding.

  What’s he doing? Gary wondered, staring at the two Bugs that were practically attached to each other. I don’t get it, but I do know it’s time to get the hell out of here. That Electric thing really puts me in a bind, but typing isn’t the end-all, be-all. He grabbed at his neck to rub away the feeling of bugs crawling on him and shuddered. Sneering while in thought, he grabbed his two choices in the Poke Balls. I’ve got to see their worth. He tossed the balls with an aggravated shout.

  “PIDGEOOOOO!!” Pidgeotto cawed out, flapping her wings to keep her in the air.

  “Empoleon!” Empoleon swiped out energetically.

  Cree raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Ohh. I didn’t expect this at all.”

  “They have to win this. They have more than enough reason to,” Gary spoke strictly. If this is too much to handle, then what good are they? He had just barely spoken his last thought out, but he caught himself, his eyes widening and his face softening. Whoa. Wait a minute. Why would I think something like that? That’s terrible! I don’t mean that!

  “Gary? Everything alright?” Cree asked. “You look like you just realized your mistake. I’ll allow you to change them.”

  “No! No!” he protested, shaking his head. “I... I didn’t think you’d bring Electric types. That just caught me off guard. But I’ve got this! You’ve got your surprises and we’ve got ours, too!”

  “Well, have the first move, please!”

  “Okay! Em-”

  With a loud sound, a white beam came from Gary’s waist and, “Ri!” Riolu was out! She smiled and reached out, calling to Empoleon!

  “Empoleon?” Empoleon looked back at the little one.

  “Ri! Ri! Ri!” Riolu was swiping at the air with her paws, looking at Empoleon with a determined smile.

  Empoleon looked surprised at first, but then he smiled proudly, puffing out his chest, and he gave a small nod before facing his two opponents. “Empoleon!”

  Riolu leaped in the air with vocal joy, ready for the battle.

  “Right, anyway. Empoleon, begin with using Aqua Jet on... Uhhh. Let’s get Charjabug down! Sabri- uh, Pidgeotto, follow behind! Wing Attack!”

  Covering himself in Water that rose up through the ground, Empoleon soared with speed through the air and collided with Charjabug, the two Bugs crying out in response.

  When Empoleon came back down, Pidgeotto was next, smacking Charjabug with a glowing white Wing.

  Charjabug remained gripped by Vikavolt.

  “No way!” Gritting his teeth, Gary thought, Neither of them could do it? Vikavolt’s got a grip! And there’s gotta be a reason. His mouth shut tight as he swatted frantically at his face, getting a pair of little bugs away.

  The flying camera moved around the field, grabbing the battle from every angle.

  “You wanted a challenge, and I’m gonna make this fast. Battery Placement!”

  “Charjabug!” Charjabug’s body sparked, and then Vikavolt was also covered in yellow electricity.

  “Battery Placement?” Gary was confused. Is that a move?

  “And this should be where the battle concludes. Gunship Maneuver!”

  “Gunship?” Gary whispered, his eyes widening. “You guys, get out of there!” he shouted nervously.

  Vikavolt charged up a ball of yellow electricity and dove down at Empoleon, sending out an Electric beam that took the Water type down. Both Bugs were still surrounded in electricity as Vikavolt swooped back up again and fired at Pidgeotto!

  Pidgeotto cawed and flew away, but Vikavolt kept the chase up, blasting away. Luckily, she was too fast.

  Riolu was urging Empoleon who was struggling back up.

  Gary held out his Pokedex. “I need the last two moves!”

  Charge. An Electric-type attack that doubles the power of the next used Electric move for just that turn, and raises the user’s Special Defense one stage.

  Charge Beam. An Electric blast with a good chance of also raising the user’s Special Attack by one stage.

  “So that’s what’s going on! Pidgeotto, create more space and- OOHH!”

  “PIDGEOOOO!!” Pidgeotto was finally caught and spiraled down.

  “Poleon!” Empoleon moved, ending up underneath Pidgeotto for her to crash into, taking them both down.

  “Riiiiiiii!!” Riolu had worry on her face and in her voice.

  Vikavolt glowed red. Its Sp. Attack was boosted!

  Gary swatted some more at his face and blew out with frustration, trying to get rid of several little bugs. Ugh. This is gonna be tough, but I chose these two for a reason, Gary told himself. There is no excuse! “Come on!” He swatted in front of him again. “Just get up!”

  Both Pokemon stood, shaking themselves off. Pidgeotto’s feathers were puffed out before settling, a few feathers loose in the air.

  Vikavolt was on the move again, firing more Beams at Pidgeotto and Empoleon. The pair of Bugs were still outlined in electricity. Both of Gary’s Pokemon scattered, just barely getting away, but Vikavolt turned swiftly, shooting after Pidgeotto.

  The camera had to be getting some amazing shots, keeping up behind Vikavolt’s and Pidgeotto’s flying maneuvers.

  Pidgeotto cawed sharply and confidently, staying away from constant blasts.

  Wait, while they’re busy- “Empoleon! Use Drill Peck!” Gary saw a mosquito from out the corner of his eye. As much as he wanted to kill it between his hands, he ignored it and returned his focus to the fight. But the skin around his neck started prickling. More mosquitos? Are they biting me? He rubbed at his neck and face.

  “Empoleon!” Empoleon’s crown and beak glowed gold and he spun like a drill, white streaks surrounding his body as he flew upward to get the Bugs.

  “About-face!” Cree commanded.

  In the blink of a second, Vikavolt stopped and turned its body, blasting Empoleon with Charge Beam!

  Empoleon cried out but kept going, Drilling into Vikavolt, forcing it back through the air! But the electricity around Vikavolt’s body was causing further damage to Empoleon and he eventually succumbed, falling away and crashing hard.

  Vikavolt glowed red, receiving a second boost to its Sp. Attack before continuing its pursuit of Pidgeotto.

  “Ri! Riiii! Ri!” Riolu whined out to Empoleon, tears in her eyes. She swung out her fists in front of her in a swiping motion. “Ri! Ri! Ri!”

  “Riolu, stop!” Gary was having a hard time keeping his eyes on her, the battle, and the distracting bugs around him.

  Empoleon pushed himself up with his fins, shaking his head hard, looking ready to give in.

  “Riii! Riiii!” Riolu kept pushing.

  “Poleon!” Empoleon shot a sharp look at Riolu and leaped up confidently. “Empoleon!!”

  “Ri! Riiii! Ri!” Riolu cheered with eager fists at her face, grinning broadly, her eyes full of admiration.

  “It just keeps firing! We can’t even get a fair turn!” Gary was panicking, ignoring the itching, crawling feeling all over his body that made him feel so dirty. “And what the heck are these thing’s attacks you keep saying? Why aren’t you saying the right names for the moves?”

  “I wouldn’t worry too much on the questions you’re asking, but they are appropriate,” the man smiled. “Only, I’m the only one with the time to answer them. By the time I’m done, your speedy bird, assuming it’s still even able to fight, will be exhausted I’m sure.”

  Pidgeotto was doing great, outspeeding Vikavolt with ease, but she was also breathing hard.

  “I’m glad the information your Pokedex gave didn’t reveal my plan so fast. You see, Charjabug’s move, Charge, not only increases the Sp. Defense of Charjabug, but also allows it to act as a battery. Vikavolt can use a Charjabug to keep themselves charged up so they won’t require a break while attacking with Charge Beam. And that drastically increases the odds of boosting its Sp. Attack. We’re just an Electric gunship!”

  Gary’s heart sank hearing all of this.

  “And you should know, Vikavolt is the strongest Bug-type Pokemon when it comes to Sp. Attack, topping even most Legendary Pokemon, and with two boosts to Sp. Attack in so far, one more hit should take each of them down. But your Pokemon have proven they are made of tough stuff coming this far. I hope you got the battle you asked for, Gary. Take ‘em down!”

  If that’s the case, then maybe this move! Gary decided. “Empoleon, use Brine!”

  A big stream of Water came from his open beak, heading for Vikavolt.

  Vikavolt maneuvered itself, the blast of Water hitting Charjabug instead. Neither sparking Bug seemed bothered, the pair continuing after Pidgeotto!

  “Ri!” Riolu gasped.

  “Whoa!” Gary exclaimed as well, his mouth hanging open. And something flew right in! “Pppppffffff! Caaaa! Hack! Yyyaaaaaack! Yuck!” Gary was spitting and heaving. He glared at a little dark thing on the ground and stomped on it, a disgusted look on his face, and spit out some more, feeling like something was still in his mouth.

  “Are you alright?” Cree asked.

  Gary stared back at the man for just a second and then looked up at Pidgeotto still desperately trying to get away from Vikavolt.

  Empoleon blasted with Brine again.

  Brine hit Charjabug when Vikavolt curved after Pidgeotto, but Charjabug didn’t look like it was affected.

  It’s not enough! Gary thought, frustrated and frightened. Charge is just too much! They’re too overpowered! A fuzzy brown moth on the wall caught his attention. His eyes stayed on the fuzzy creature with strange patterns on its wings as it crept along. His head, arms, legs, face, everything felt like he was covered in running, dancing bugs!! I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!! Gary exploded in his mind, grabbing at his face.

  “Gary! What’s wrong? Should we postpone the battle?”

  Gary’s eyes were wide, staring at the darkness caused by the palms of his hands on his face. Peeking through his fingers, he saw Pidgeotto still flying. Pidgeotto. I have to stop. Stop and think, Gary, he tried to calm himself. Stop and calm down! That’s when his hands fell and his eyes widened. That’s right! Stop! How could I forget? “Pidgeotto! Let’s turn the tables! Roost! Now!”

  Pidgeotto stopped in the air, flapping her wings, and then was hit by Charge Beam! She screamed out helplessly and tumbled down.

  “Now finish off Empole-! Ah!” Cree’s order ended in a gasp.

  Gary also gasped, watching Pidgeotto’s twirling, falling body glow! Roost! Gary started to smile, but this turned into a frown as he swatted at a bug in his face and blew out with agitation. She removed her Flying type in time! She’s okay! She- His thoughts were cut off by an even brighter glow that came from Pidgeotto’s body! Squinting into the light, a slow smile of disbelief crossed his face as he watched the glowing silhouette grow and change! “YYYYYEEEEAAAAAH!!!”

  “It’s evolving!” Cree beamed as well.

  “Riii!” Riolu watched in amazement.

  “Empoleon!” Empoleon reacted sternly.

  The falling Pokemon landed on the ground hard and then straightened up. The brightness exploded off of her and the big wings of the new Pidgeot spread wide. She cawed intimidatingly.

  It’s so... beautiful! Gary thought joyfully, but then he frowned and shook his head hard. Focus! You’ve let this disgusting place ruin your concentration and almost forgot a major plan! You won’t get away with that again!

  “A little too late though! We still have the power to finish you both off!” Cree pointed. “Aim for them both!”

  Vikavolt dove down for the two of them, firing rapid Electric Beams.

  Gary urged Empoleon, “Aqua Jet through the air to get away!” Then he turned to Pidgeot with wide, unsure eyes. Trying to think. Knowing flying wasn’t an option now. “Roost!” Shit! I just need a little more time!

  Empoleon soared high above everyone else, covered in Water as he escaped the blasts, Riolu screaming in delight and swiping above.

  Pidgeot glowed, recovering herself, but screamed out as she was hit yet again.

  Think, Gary! Think!!

  Vikavolt glowed red for its third Sp. Attack boost!

  Pidgeot collapsed, but with a sharp huff, she shook her head and managed right back up, her body trembling weakly.

  “Evolving helped you survive that, but I guarantee this ends here,” Cree spoke. “Finish Empoleon! We can let Pidgeot get its Flying type back to ensure the next blast ends things.”

  Vikavolt looked up at Empoleon.

  “Riii!!” Riolu shouted up to Empoleon.

  The Water around Empoleon’s body was gone, and so was his momentary gift to fly. He kept hardened eyes on Vikavolt while falling like an anvil.

  Gary’s eyes lit up and he turned to Pidgeot. I’ve got it! Making two tight fists, he yelled, “HURRICANE AND WHIRLPOOL NOW!!”

  Both Empoleon and Pidgeot looked pleased to hear the order.

  “Wha-?” Cree’s eyes widened, his mouth in an open smile.

  Pidgeot flapped her wings and ascended swiftly, reaching where the Bugs were, and then flapped her wings harder, screeching aggressively.

  Empoleon landed and pushed out his fins in front of him, shouting strongly.

  A tornado of wind surrounded the Bug Pokemon, and a swirling Whirlpool came next, mixing together to engulf them! Both Bugs called out helplessly, spinning, twirling, swirling in the mix. Everyone else shielded themselves with their arms against the strong winds and sprays of Water.

  The camera stayed still while filming the towering wet funnel.

  The Whirlpool dissipated and the winds blew themselves out, the exhausted Pidgeot and Empoleon watching the results of their efforts.

  Gary’s heart was beating from relief.

  Riolu swung a fist out with a thrilled cry.

  “Vikavolt! Charjabug! Oh, no!” Cree cried.

  Vikavolt was no longer carrying Charjabug. Both Pokemon were on the ground with red, angry eyes, attacking each other! Slamming into one another, snapping at each other, both of them were suffering from Confusion!

  Sp. Attacks won’t do too much to Charjabug, so- “Swords Dance! Fly!” Gary commanded.

  As Pidgeot ascended almost to the roof of the cave, multiple light-blue Swords circled around Empoleon. The Swords stopped and the ends leaned to him. They disappeared and a red aura burst out of the ground around him. Empoleon glowed a lighter shade of red as his Attack was sharply boosted.

  “Guys! Stop attacking each other! Formation! Formatiooooon!” Cree screamed desperately, running his hands through his hair. “Just do Charge Beam! We’ve almost won! Just one blast!”

  Both Bugs turned from each other, still Confused.

  Vikavolt ascended and tried to fly to Empoleon, but it didn’t get far, soaring sloppily and poorly, and it crashed to the ground.

  Charjabug slugged its way forward but then stopped, yapping annoyingly and snapping at nothing in front of it. It then yelled out and toppled over on its side, writhing around in a manner that sickened Gary.

  Just stop already!! Gary thought through grit teeth. Rubbing his chest uncomfortably, he pointed at Vikavolt and shouted, “DRILL PECK!” Pointing at Charjabug, he finished, “Pidgeot, GO!”

  Pidgeot came down in shocking speed, a strong blow of wind hitting everyone as she attacked Charjabug.

  Empoleon’s crown and beak glowed gold and his body spun in a blinding blur as he flew into Vikavolt.

  Pidgeot hovered in the air, flapping her wings, gazing down at Charjabug wearily.

  Empoleon stood proudly, his chest heaving, his eyes on Vikavolt.

  “Riii! Riii! Riii!” Riolu pumped her fists above her, looking like a happy child.

  The flying camera flew over to Vikavolt, and then to Charjabug. “Both Vikavolt and Charjabug are unable to battle. The victor is Gary, from the Kanto region’s Pallet Town. The Amber Badge must be rewarded.”

  Riolu finally got to run out onto the battlefield and bounced in front of Empoleon. She chattered excitedly and then swiped out in front of herself, smiling determinedly, one punch after another.

  “Empoleon!” Empoleon puffed out his chest further and then swung out his fin as if slicing something in front of him. He repeated this action over and over again, Riolu watching with wide, enamored eyes.

  I don’t really get what that is, but I guess it’s cute, Gary smiled at them, and he walked over to Pidgeot.

  Cree knelt down sadly beside Vikavolt and rubbed on one wing.

  Shuddering, Gary looked away and pet Pidgeot’s head. “Thank you, Pidgeot. We did it! You-”

  “Empoleon!!” Empoleon moved swiftly and swung at Pidgeot.

  She squawked out angrily and flapped her wings at Empoleon, large feathers coming off of her and floating in the air.

  “HEY!! HEY! Come on!” Gary backed away from the dangerous fins, holding his hands up. “I was saying both of you were awesome! You both did it! Thank you both! Let me finish! Come on! This is a time for celebration!”

  “Ri! Ri!” Riolu ran over to Empoleon and smiled up at him. “Ri! Ri!”

  Empoleon kept his eyes on Pidgeot but stopped attacking, lowering his fins.

  Pidgeot kept an unforgiving leer on him.

  “Okay! Back!” Gary held out their Poke Balls and returned them, very angry that had just occurred. He sighed out, waving away some feathers.

  Chuckling, Cree approached Gary, Vikavolt and Charjabug on either side of him.

  Gary took a step back, forcing a disturbed smile on his face.

  The Gym Leader and his Pokemon stopped. “I won’t come any closer,” he sighed, rolling his eyes. “One thing I never got a degree in was Psychology, so I can’t help you with your phobia, but I can help you on your journey. Here.” He tossed something at Gary. “I have to go, anyway. Congratulations, Gary! You really did earn it.”

  In Gary’s hand was a red, translucent object. It looked like a tiny, black scorpion was inside.

  “The Amber Badge. Don’t worry, that’s not a real scorpion in there. I wouldn’t harm a bug unnecessarily. I truly didn’t want to handle the Trubbish and Garbodor the way I did. Hey, I’m a vegetarian!” Smiling, he returned his Pokemon and walked up to Gary. One strong hand gripped the boy’s shoulder. “Come on, I’ll escort you out of here. We can discuss what you wanna do with the police.”

  Gary sighed, not saying a word. He had completely forgotten about the police situation.

  The two headed to the exit of the cave in silence.

  Until Gary screamed out at something suddenly crawling on his neck!