Paul’s three companions returned to the bleachers and sat, stern looks on their faces.

  Gary sighed and also walked away, taking his seat in the other bleachers on the same side. With another sigh, he placed his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, frowning.

  Paul kept his taunting smile on his face for June. “We’ll see about that. I don’t even care about the Badge. This is more about your Electivire. I wanna see just how strong it is. And only naturally would it want to fight a Pokemon of the same kind as itself.” Paul snickered. “It’s just funny that it came onto the field on its own without an order. Even if it does win, it has nothing to do with you because it doesn’t listen to you!”

  “I didn’t hear you tell Electivire to come out, either!” June countered.

  Paul’s smile cleared itself from his face. “Electivire wouldn’t have walked out without knowing it was okay to do so. All of my Pokemon listen to me, and because of how intense we train together, we have a bond that goes beyond words. It’s clear the same can’t be said for you and your Electivire. I wonder if it battles better by itself, or with Gary. If the one calling the shots, this will be quick for us.”

  June growled, her fists shaking at her sides. “It’ll be - a quick win for us!” she finally shot back awkwardly.

  Huh? Gary was confused. That was weird. Why did she respond like that? But he believed he knew exactly why already.

  Paul looked as grouchy as ever, but now with a bit of confusion. The confusion went away and he said, “Have it your way.” Without moving his head, he glanced at the judge and nodded.

  The judge raised his hand high. “This one-on-one match will be between Veilstone City Gym Leader Paul, and-” He paused, turning to June.

  “June of Gringey City in the Kanto region!” June stated, not taking her eyes off Paul.

  “June, from Gringey City in the Kanto region!” the referee continued. “This match will be for the Strength Badge. No time limit. Begin!” He swung his hand down.

  “Electivire, use Wild Charge! Go right in!” Paul started.

  “Wild Charge?” Gary muttered. “But Electivire have Motor Drive. That prevents Electric moves from working, increases Speed if hit by them.” Did Paul forget that or something?

  No, Gary was sure. Not Paul. So what’s he up to?

  June’s eyes brightened and she smiled, watching the opponent Electivire get covered in electricity and run for her Pokemon. “Electivire, stay still! Don’t-!”

  June’s Electivire roared out, his body surrounded by a glowing white light, and he ran at Paul’s Electivire using his Strength attack.

  Gary grit his teeth. There it is, he thought.

  “Just as reckless as I hoped.” Paul’s smile was cold.

  June’s Electivire grabbed Paul’s by the shoulders and both were covered in electricity. The electricity around the two disappeared after a moment and with a roar, he flung the other Electivire backwards.

  “Stomping Tantrum!” Paul ordered.

  His Electivire was flying through the air, looking unfazed. In fact, it looked excited! As it came down, it roared, slamming its feet hard to the floor.

  The entire Gym quaked hard, a huge circle of yellow energy moving swiftly through the ground, and streaks of yellow shot through the air like arrows.

  “VVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!” Electivire screamed as he fell away and dropped hard.

  “” June gasped.

  “When a previous move has failed, Stomping Tantrum does double the damage!” Paul explained with dark delight on his face. “What’s more, it’s a Ground-type move. By seeing how your Electivire fights, and your poor decision to do absolutely nothing, as if I, a Gym Leader with my own Electivire, wouldn’t know their Ability, there’s no doubt that this battle is already over. Use Rock Slide!”

  “Electivire! ” June shouted frantically. “Use Protect!”

  Her Electivire did get to his feet, Paul’s Electivire extending its arms out at him and shouting. White orbs spun around Paul’s Pokemon and turned to gray Rocks.

  “VIIIIIIIIIIIIRE!!!” June’s Electivire roared and charged forward, his body now layered in yellow electricity!

  The Rocks around Paul’s Electivire fired out at June’s.

  June’s Electivire was using Wild Charge, punching and otherwise the attack!

  As Gary got to his feet, June gasped and covered her mouth, not believing what she was seeing.

  Paul watched sternly, giving no reaction, his three friends staring with hard eyes.

  Once he got through all the Rocks, June’s Electivire wrapped Paul’s Electivire in his arms and took it down, the two covered in the electricity. When they both were free from the electricity, June’s Pokemon let go of Electivire and the two stood up. They wore matching, grinning faces, only a couple of inches between them.

  Now Paul’s Electivire has the Speed boost, too, Gary told himself. June’s Pokemon had the advantage. Why’d he waste that? Wait... Could it be? He sat back down as the battle continued.

  “Use Low Kick, Electivire!” June tried.

  “Vire!!” her Electivire shouted, his eyes on the other one.

  “Brick Break!” were Paul’s words.

  Paul’s Electivire raised one arm and it glowed white, ready to come down on June’s Pokemon. June’s Electivire glowed white again, using Strength, and he held his arms above his head, catching Paul’s Electivire’s strike. The two wrestled with one another over dominance, grunting angrily.

  “To think they’d be so close in strength,” Paul said. “Too bad your Electivire is out of arms.”

  “Huh?” June’s eyes lowered to see Paul’s Electivire’s arm glow and swing for her Electivire’s side! “Electivire, look out!”

  June! Gary thought. There was no escaping that! Why didn’t she-?

  “Vire! VIRE!” June’s Electivire twisted his body to the side, catching Paul’s Electivire off guard by over his shoulder!

  “Oh!” Paul gasped, shocked along with his three pals letting out surprised utterances.

  If June and Gary could have seen each other’s face, they’d have realized they had matching, stunned looks, too.

  Paul’s Electivire groaned, laid out on its back, but it got up easily and shook its head before a grin came over its face. “Vire!”

  “Elect,” Electivire replied.

  Paul’s face went back to its cold look. “Leap back and use Swift!”

  Paul’s Electivire moved instantly, leaping backwards. Upon landing, it reached out its big palms and multiple yellow stars came out.

  “That’s unavoidable! Use Protect now!” June insisted.

  Her Electivire held out his palms in a matching stance to Paul’s and used the exact same move right back!

  Both Pokemon were pummeled by several stars flying through the air. It looked really beautiful in its own way, ending after both Pokemon gave in and stumbled backwards.

  “Electivire, Just use your Psychic attack now!” June pleaded.

  “LECTIVIRE!!” Electivire raged, waving a hand behind him at June. Completely disregarding her.

  “Electivire...” Gary whispered. This has to stop. I have to put an end to this issue after this fight is over. June doesn’t deserve this.

  “” June was now crying, tears running down her cheeks fast.

  Her Electivire’s eyes then burst into a bright, red glow, and white smoke flowed out of his nostrils before he ran forward and socked Paul’s Pokemon right in the face, continuing with another punch, then another, and then turning his body to the side and delivering a kick into its middle.

  Paul’s Electivire slid back and fell to one knee.

  It’s Frustration, Gary thought bitterly. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

  June sniffled, her entire body trembling. The tears on her face showed sadness, but her face looked angrier now. She whimpered a couple of times and then, “Electivire,” she let out sadly.

  Paul straightened up. “This is just pathetic. Use Thunder!”

  Electricity gathered between Paul’s Electivire’s horns and a big blast came out, hitting June’s Electivire and doing nothing but boosting his Speed.

  “Electivire!!” June’s Electivire shouted at Paul’s, the red glow from his eyes and white smoke from his nostrils now gone.

  He’s going for it again. He’s gonna end this with Stomping Tantrum, Gary thought angrily. This is over.

  “Use Quick Attack!” June called out.

  “Vire!” June’s Electivire attacked... with his Thunder!

  Paul’s Electivire took the attack, its Speed now matching Electivire’s again.

  Again? That was intentional, Gary thought, shaking his head. There’s no way. Motor Drive. Psychic. Even-

  “Electivire, ” June let out with exasperation, stomping one foot down. “Haven’t you gotten the picture yet? You both share the same Ability!! Neither of you can take Electric damage!! If you’d listen to me, you’d-!”

  Electivire’s horns started sparking again as he turned his head back to her.

  Leaping to his feet, Gary said loudly, “He wants a fair fight!! He respects Paul’s Electivire!!”

  June’s Electivire, Paul’s Electivire, June herself, Paul himself, the judge, and the three men in the bleachers, all looked at Gary.

  “So even you were able to figure it out!” Paul caught everyone’s attention with his words. He had a cool pose, his head now lowered and eyes closed. Then, he looked out easily at June.

  June tilted the right side of her head towards Paul.

  It was subtle, but Gary understood.

  “Every time you order a move that could affect my Electivire’s stats, like with Low Kick, or Psychic, your Electivire refuses! What’s more, whenever I boost your Pokemon’s Speed, Electivire does the same back to mine! It’s been keeping the fight even!”

  “” June looked stunned. Her face broke into a kind of shocked smile and she let out a light laugh. “I’m sorry, wait a second!” She was full on laughing now, but she clearly didn’t find any of this funny. She looked at Gary, a big, mocking, hate-filled smile on her face, and then looked to the battlefield. She looked back to Gary again. “A ha ha ha ha! Since has Electivire done like that?!” She looked to her Pokemon. “” she screeched.

  “Electivire.” Paul’s Electivire looked back to Paul and nodded before looking again to the other Electivire.

  “You’re not skilled enough to have caught on to what was happening,” Paul shot at June.

  Gary took in a deep breath through his nostrils and made two fists, narrowing his eyebrows as Paul kept talking.

  “You have a terrible relationship with your Pokemon! using it is completely irresponsible!” Paul continued to dig relentlessly.

  Gary got down from the bleachers and approached his friend.

  “A Gym Leader. What a joke! You’re far more pathetic than I-” Paul went quiet as Gary stopped by June and put one hand on her shoulder.

  June looked at him, her eyes glimmering behind tears. She was on the verge of breaking.

  “That’s enough.” Gary was glaring at Paul. “I’ll take it from here.” He wanted to say so many angry things to Paul, but he couldn’t come up with anything worth telling him. Instead, he said, “Electivire!”

  “Vire?”

  “We’ll do this together then! Fair and square, just how you want it! You ready?” Gary offered.

  Keeping his eyes on the opponent, Electivire grinned and nodded. “Electivire!”

  June gasped.

  Paul chuckled. “Let’s see if this goes a little better now.”

  “Electivire-!” Ugh, this makes things really hard, Gary realized. No Electric moves, or anything that lowers stats. Does that go for Flamethrower, too? Because of the Burn chance? This is just gonna be about as hands-on and brutal as it can get!

  “Electivire, Brick Brick!” Paul jumped in.

  His Pokemon ran, one arm high and glowing.

  “Electivire!” Gary froze up. Strength? Wait, what about Low That causes Flinching. Is that okay, or-?

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  June’s Electivire was hit and dropped hard. “Virrrre!” he shouted back at Gary.

  “I’m sorry!” Gary cried out helplessly.

  “So nothing’s changed, then,” Paul stated. “You and her are pathetic! Brick Break now and end this!”

  “I’ll show you who’s pathetic!! STRENGTH!” Gary screamed out.

  June’s Electivire was only able to get to one knee before he raised his arms and caught the Brick Break again using Strength.

  “Grab it!” Paul said.

  His Electivire’s tails each grabbed one arm from the other Electivire.

  “Now use Thunder!” Paul went on.

  “Huh?? But we agreed-!” Gary started.

  Paul’s Electivire’s tails sparked, its entire body then coated in electricity. The tails then sent out electricity to June’s Electivire.

  While June’s Pokemon took the blast, Paul responded, “I didn’t agree to anything! In fact, I’m using it against your Pokemon! If neither of you can control it, and it wants to play by such stupid rules, then it lacks concentration and you’ll never be able to win. Thunder again!”

  His Electivire used another Thunder.

  June’s Electivire was boosted further in Speed.

  “You’re risking being outsped because you think Electivire won’t fight properly without being on even footing with your Electivire?” Gary couldn’t believe his ears. Who does this guy think he is? “Electivire, get back up and-!”

  “VIIIIIRE!!” June’s Electivire swung on Paul’s with Thunder Punch, boosting its Speed again. And then he swung again.

  “Protect!” Paul shouted.

  Paul’s Electivire held out its hands and its body glowed yellow-green. A green force field surrounded it as June’s Electivire’s attack landed.

  June’s Electivire yelled out and Punched again, failing to break through.

  Protect vanished.

  “Thunder again!” Paul repeated.

  “Electivire, take it! Let it hit! Listen to me!” Gary demanded.

  June’s Electivire leaped out of the way of Thunder and tried striking Paul’s Electivire with his own Thunder.

  “Protect!”

  Paul’s Electivire Protected itself again.

  “Now use Fire Punch!”

  Paul’s Electivire slugged the other Electivire in the cheek with a flaming fist.

  June’s Electivire let out a cough but straightened back up.

  “You’re a MONSTER!!” June screamed. “Why are you trying to take advantage of him?? Burn will lower the Attack of the Pokemon!”

  Paul looked to June without a sign of mercy. “Surprised you know even that much. My job isn’t to beat that Electivire, it’s to teach its pathetic Trainers how to raise it. If breaking it and its Trainers down in the process helps you all to reach that goal, I will do so without hesitation. Learn something for once, so-called ‘Gym Leader.’”

  June’s Electivire tried catching the other one with Thunder, but Paul’s Pokemon moved easily out of the way.

  It’s still fast, Gary noted. Paul’s Pokemon has less Speed boosts, but depending on things like Nature and levels, that could mean nothing at all! They could be more even now than before. But Electivire doesn’t care about that. He wants to win without any boosts or decreases. “Electivire, Quick Attack!”

  June’s Electivire tried striking again with Thunder, which Paul’s Pokemon avoided.

  “We have to win this somehow, Electivire,” Gary growled lowly, trying to come up with a plan, his mind going over every move he could remember that Electivire had.

  “Use Thunder Punch!” Paul told his Pokemon.

  His Electivire’s fists were sparking as it lunged forward.

  Gary watched intently, thinking. Frustration. He used Frustration. When June used him! But now... How does this work? What if-?

  Paul’s Electivire pulled back a sparking fist, ready to swing!

  “RETURN ATTACK TO STOP THAT PUNCH!!” Gary let out.

  June’s Electivire leered hard at the oncoming Electivire.

  “Focus on , Electivire!” Gary told him.

  June’s Electivire’s eyes tightened further, but he didn’t move.

  Paul’s Electivire swung.

  “GOOO!!” Gary shouted.

  “VIRE!!” June’s Electivire moved swiftly, blocking Paul’s Electivire’s punch at the forearm with his own arm.

  “Thunder Punch at the gut!” Gary told June’s Pokemon, pushing him on.

  June’s Electivire struck Paul’s Electivire with a Thunder Punch right in the stomach, lighting it up and evening their Speed again.

  “The Speed is even now, Electivire! Just like you want it! Now use Return!!” Gary commanded.

  “ELEEEEEEEEECT!!” June’s Electivire kicked Paul’s in the stomach, sending it flying back, and he lunged after it, punching it to the ground, punched it again, and continuously punched it.

  “Protect, Electivire!” Paul instructed.

  “RETURN!! Don’t let up!!” Gary fought back.

  Paul’s Electivire used Protect to hold back a couple of punches and kicks, but June’s Pokemon wouldn’t stop, and when Protect vanished, Paul’s Pokemon was subjected to getting beaten up until the other Pokemon finally stopped. Paul’s Pokemon stood strong afterwards, but grimacing.

  “Use Thunder!” Paul told his Pokemon.

  “NO! PROTECT!” Gary told June’s Pokemon.

  Electivire crossed his arms in front of his chest and a green barrier surrounded him, Protecting him.

  “Stomping Tantrum!” Paul followed up.

  “SHIT!” Gary cursed.

  Paul’s Electivire used the move for the second time, leaping into the air and then slamming hard into the ground.

  “PROTECT YOURSELF!!” was Gary’s only option.

  The Gym rocked hard, a big circle of yellow energy starting from Paul’s Electivire’s feet expanding through the battlefield along with yellow streaks shooting through the air.

  June’s Electivire used Protect.

  Paul growled with aggravation.

  The odds of that working decrease the more the move is used! It’s now or never! Gary knew. “Fuck! Use Return now!!”

  June’s Electivire rampaged ahead. All of a sudden, he swept his foot out, tripping up Paul’s Electivire to the floor!

  Low Sweep? Gary questioned.

  June’s Electivire kept going, grabbing Paul’s Electivire’s ankles and spinning around, dragging Electivire along the ground before he raised its entire body up and then slammed it back down! He let go, staring down at it and breathing heavily.

  Paul’s Electivire groaned out but still managed back up readily. Both Pokemon looked similarly exhausted.

  But what’s stronger? Gary found himself questioning. Return? Or-?

  “Electivire, Thunder, now!” Paul commanded.

  His Electivire charged up the move.

  “Thunder right back!! Let’s GO!” Gary ordered.

  Both moves clashed above both Electric types in a loud, blinding show.

  Gary closed his eyes tight, turning his head away, and even Paul closed his eyes but kept a calm posture. When the brightness vanished, Paul was looking at the fight first, Gary looking a moment later. “Quick Attack!”

  Paul’s Electivire struck June’s with back-to-back Quick Attacks, June’s Electivire crying out with each hit.

  “Now use Brick Break and end this game already!” Paul decided.

  Quick Attack! Gary stopped himself. He won’t do it.

  That was all the time needed before Paul’s Electivire struck down June’s.

  June’s Electivire wailed out and collapsed.

  “This isn’t over yet! Not from you, Electivire! GET UP NOW!!”

  June’s Electivire looked over to Paul’s, but he looked ready to fall back down again. Despite this, he actually get back to his feet!

  “Brick Break, now!” Paul told his Pokemon.

  “Quick Attack!” Gary still chose. Completely out of ideas. And hope.

  Paul’s Electivire swung on June’s Electivire, but June’s Electivire actually shot forward with Quick Attack and struck Paul’s Electivire in the middle!

  “YES!!” Gary cheered, stunned by the decision on Electivire’s part. He do that move! It’s okay!

  “Electivire, use Quick Attack right back!” Paul insisted.

  “Keep up with it, Electivire!” Gary told June’s Pokemon.

  Now, an incredible fight was taking place as both Electivire were using Quick Attack repeatedly, both Pokemon moving faster than any eye could keep up with as they flew at each other with punches, kicks, and even headbutts, trading blows and then falling away from each other only to return just as fast.

  We need to get in somehow, Gary thought. We need an opening or we might get worn out before Paul’s! I need a move that will-

  Suddenly, both Pokemon fell away from each other.

  Gary’s eyes widened. I’m not ready!

  “GIGA IMPACT!!” Paul said first.

  Paul’s Electivire slammed its fists into each other. A purple orb with orange-yellow streaks spiraling around it surounded the Pokemon.

  Gary ended up sneering, his eyes wide. Something powerful enough to-

  Then, Gary managed to freeze time around him enough to settle on an idea with a sharp intake of breath. “” he growled through gritted teeth. “Electivire!!” he called strongly. “FOCUS ALL YOUR ATTENTION ON JUNE!!”

  June’s Electivire kept his eyes on Paul’s Electivire.

  “Gary...?” June said hesitantly. “Wait a second!” She now sounded horrified. “You’re not-?!”

  “USE FRUSTRATION!! LET IT ALL OUT!!” Gary bellowed. He sucked in a huge breath and held it, his heart full of guilt.

  “GARY!!” June reacted with rage.

  With a shout, Paul’s Electivire leaped at June’s, flying straight for him.

  June’s Electivire’s eyes glowed red and he shouted back, white smoke blowing out of his mouth and nostrils as he ran right at Electivire, his huge palms extended in front of him.

  Narrowing his eyebrows, Gary took a step forward and raised his tight fists. “GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” His fists swung down with fury, leaning forward as if he were shooting into the fight himself.

  Both Pokemon met at the middle, and to the immense surprise of everyone watching, June’s Pokemon was

  The energy flowing throughout the entire Gym was incredible! It was all anyone could do to keep from being dropped to the Gym floor as wild winds and forces challenged the footing of just about all inside!

  June’s Electivire maintained his stance and aggression, roaring in the face of his opponent as his large palms withstood the Giga Impact!!

  Paul’s Electivire looked just as determined to drive through and finish him off, its teeth bared and clenched.

  June’s Electivire then leaped up, raising one leg and into the middle of Paul’s Electivire!

  The energy and colors around Paul’s Electivire went away. It groaned out a sound of pain and disgust, its eyes shut tight as it ascended a bit further in the air.

  “ELECT!” June’s Electivire’s hands clasped together over his head and then slammed down on the back of the other Pokemon.

  Paul’s Electivire crashed down flat. “Virrre...” it grunted.

  June’s Electivire landed and then easily fell to his face.

  Paul’s Electivire groaned and flinched.

  The referee raised one hand.

  All available eyes were on him.

  He didn’t say a word at first.

  And then finally, “Paul’s Electivire was the first to give in! It is... Gary and the young girl’s Electivire, who takes this match!”

  Silence came over the Gym.

  Paul was staring down at his fallen Electivire with anger.

  The three men were on their feet, their mouths as wide open as their eyes.

  June couldn’t stop quivering, her hands over her mouth.

  Gary’s eyes were wide, his teeth clenched tight.

  Paul’s face relaxed as his eyes closed and he let out his breath. “I guess that’s that.”

  “Tivire...” The Gym Leader’s Electivire breathed out and sat up, turning to its Trainer.

  The both of them stared at each other. This was the softest and friendliest Gary had ever seen Paul look, yet something was familiar about it. Paul still looked mean, but there was a calm about it. “Good battle.”

  “Vire...” Electivire spoke as Paul returned it to its Poke Ball.

  June’s Electivire was just getting into a sitting position, his head down and eyes closed, exhausted from the battle he just barely won. “Vire.” He looked up.

  Paul made his way over to Gary, not even giving a glance to Electivire as he went past him. He dug into his pocket and his fist came out as he stopped in front of the kid. “Here.” His hand opened, revealing a little object.

  It was a strange design and after eyeing it for a minute, Gary decided it looked like a pair of muscular, coal-black arms crossed over each other. “Hey! ” Gary glared at the guy. “”

  “Just take it. Don’t make a scene. You earned this Badge. controlled Electivire and defeated mine.”

  Gary swallowed and then shook his head. “I can’t accept that Badge, Paul.” I can’t keep doing this! he shouted in his head. Not again! I’m earning my own Badges! With Pokemon!

  “Just take it!” Paul insisted impatiently.

  “NO!!” Gary’s voice echoed through the building. His entire body was shaking. “I’m not accepting that Badge! Give it to June! I’ll beat you next time!” He looked to June’s Electivire, staring at his back. “I’ll earn my Badges with my Pokemon.”

  Electivire never turned to him.

  Gary walked away from everyone.

  Paul sucked his teeth. “Oh, come on!” he called after Gary. “If not for you, your Electivire was done for!”

  Gary was stopped at these words and turned back. “He’s not mine! And I’m tired of earning Badges by him!”

  Paul looked surprised. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I beat Jupiter thanks only to Electivire jumping in when I was gonna lose! She was too much, but not for Electivire! He took down her entire team! But I’m not doing that again! I’ve seen enough about how tough this region-!”

  “It was who beat Jupiter?!” Paul interrupted Gary, squinting at him.

  “It wasn’t-!”

  “Vire!!”

  Everyone looked at Electivire, who had cut Gary off. He was standing, leaning a little and quivering out of weariness. Breathing hard, glaring at Gary.

  Gary kept angry eyes back on Electivire and then turned to June.

  Her face was soaked in tears, her eyes glimmering, staring at Gary mournfully.

  Right. We agreed, Gary remembered. We got that Badge together. It’s- Gary stared back at Paul and nodded. “Yeah. - beat her. But I’m not gonna-!”

  “Using Electivire!” Paul said loudly. “And now me! That only proves this Badge is rightfully yours, particularly if match went anything like how this battle went. Don’t you dare put my authority into question in my decision-making! You earned this! Not to say your fight wasn’t sloppy, but it was far better controlled than Electivire is basically Pokemon at this point!”

  “YOU DON’T KNOW A THING ABOUT WHAT ME AND ELECTIVIRE WENT THROUGH!! NOR WHY WE DID!!” Gary had just been triggered, exploding in reaction to the man’s words. How dare he say he fumed in his mind. His mouth opened to let out some more.

  “He might as well be! You clearly know how to use him better than does!” Paul fought back. “What you did back there, deciding between Return, and Frustration! You manipulated the hatred your Electivire has for her, and the love it has for you! figured out that you could get Electivire to focus on her to bring out its hatred and the full power of Frustration to handle even a move like Giga Impact!”

  Gary shut his mouth, unable to say anything in response, feeling bad about what he had done.

  Paul approached Gary again, stopping before him. “You have a long way to go, kid, but you have a lot of promise,” he went on, his voice just a little softer. He held out his open palm again. “Take this Badge. I recognize you as a competent Trainer. If anything, come back some day and face me properly. Prove to yourself your own worth and realize that you are worthy of this Badge.”

  Gary stared at the Badge, not saying a word. Accepting the scenario, he breathed out and took it, nodding. He gripped it tightly and nodded again at the man. “Thank you. I appreciate this. I won’t dishonor this chance. Watch me at the League. I’ll make it!”

  Paul nodded coldly at him. “Hm.” He turned and walked away to his set of Pokemon, his eyes meeting Electivire’s eyes as he continued past him.

  The three other men followed Paul. One of the darker men, the one with the durag, winked and nodded with seeming approval at Gary.

  Trying to be as cool as the man looked, Gary kept a serious face and nodded back, but the man had already turned. Gary felt a flutter of acceptance in his chest from what he considered to be a superior and cool man, and he had to struggle to keep from smiling.

  The referee walked off without a word and left the room.

  Gary breathed out. Garchomp, Primarina, Cresselia. Regigigas, Gary thought, staring at the tallest Pokemon. With admiration, he watched Paul approach these Pokemon. Paul is... Gary thought, turning away from the man. Incredi-

  Gary’s thoughts froze, along with his body, as he saw June again. Discomfort and sadness came over him as he stared at the drenched cheeks on her face. He didn’t have a word to say to her and just wanted to get away from her, reflecting on particular parts of the battle he just had.

  June... Gary thought, ready to take a step towards her.

  But June blinked out a pair of tears before he could move and with a sharp cry, her face breaking, she ran away. She stopped at the black, steel door and then ran out when it slid open.

  I’m sorry, June... Gary looked back to Electivire.

  The Pokemon was hobbling over to Gary and stopped at his side, staring at the closed door June had left through.

  Gary looked back to his hand to see the Strength Badge. My fifth Badge, Gary mulled over. Two of them thanks to Electivire. The other three...? Well, I earned Roark’s, and Gardenia’s. That’s two. But Cas gave me her’s out of pity.

  Nausea rose up from Gary’s stomach. Am I really up for the Sinnoh League at all? All things considered, I’m doing He tightened his hand around the Badge, staring angrily at his fist.

  Then he stared at Electivire, who turned his angry look away from him and looked off to the side with a huff, crossing his arms.

  Gary could still see the tears of pain running down June’s cheeks. He had wanted to run to her.

  To talk to her.

  To comfort her.

  But Gary knew what he had done during that battle. It was intentional.

  Desperate.

  Unforgivable.

  He and Electivire turned with a start at loud shouts, watching as Paul and his three partners physically trained against far more powerful beings: the Pokemon Garchomp, Primarina, Cresselia, and Regigigas.

  The shirtless man was outlined in light-blue energy, his hands gripping Cresselia’s sides. Cresselia’s eyes were glowing in a matching color. The man was struggling against Psychic while grappling with Cresselia!

  The guy in the black durag was around with Primarina?! Or rather Primarina’s large bubbles! It was hard to call, the man moving with swiftness and also just showing off as his shoulders swiveled, his body curved, and his head swayed while Primarina, dancing in its own way with spins and elegant leaps, sent out bubbles larger than the man. Keeping to the constant rhythm of a beat only the man could hear, he would dodge each one of them at the very last second and then keep his eyes on the next one as he kept bopping before moving however was necessary to get away again. Leaning backwards, ducking and swooping, even gyrating his hips to Gary’s discomfort.

  Suddenly, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

  The bald guy was covered in sweat while dodging deadly swings from Garchomp’s white claws, moving backwards with wide eyes as if he were frightened for his life. And rightfully so!

  And Paul was leaping out of the way as Regigigas came after him with gigantic fists, looking like it was trying to squash the Gym Leader! Regigigas was fast, Paul not taking a second to catch his breath, moving as swiftly and instinctively as a Pokemon or wild animal would! One gigantic fist barely missed Paul and slammed to the ground with enough impact to shake the building.

  Gary watched all of this in amazement, stunned to stone, and inspired beyond belief. His eyes tightened on this training method.

  In that moment, Gary remembered something Paul had told June during the first battle. Replaying Paul’s words in his head, he believed he knew what he had to do.

  As a Pokemon Trainer.

  And with a solemn face and a nod, Gary turned and left the Gym, Electivire following.