Gary ran through the open plains as if he knew where he was going; a boy with a plan.

  “GARY!” June was shouting from a far distance behind. “GARY!”

  Charizard roared from above, flying after his Trainer. The Flying type could easily outspeed Gary but was allowing him to lead the way.

  Empoleon, Weepinbell, Kirlia, and Tyranitar were keeping up a steady pace with Gary, Deino far behind them and running blindly.

  Music by Elemenopee blasted from Gary’s phone in his right fist. He was drenched in his own sweat despite it being pretty cool outside, wearing an undershirt, jeans, and sneakers. Gary found it impossible to stop moving, pushing himself through the pain and exhaustion of his aching muscles. He sniffled hard, his nose feeling dry. He was feeling just a little sick, and figured working up a sweat would be a great way to get rid of it.

  But he was also running for another, much bigger reason: he couldn’t get over his self-deprecating thoughts, so he was trying to get away from them. Trying to escape the haunting thoughts reminding himself that as a Pokemon Trainer, and as a human being, he was weak and pathetic, and had to do better compared to people like Paul, and Jupiter. People like Byron and Roark.

  Cas... Gary considered. She cheated with her Gym. Even she acknowledged this.

  But... Gary started to regret. I could have- He shook his head, raging out loudly and shooting forth with forced energy as if his body had just caught on fire. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUHHHH!!!!”

  “Excuse meeeee!!” the voice of gentle maidens was heard through the open space.

  His face was full of fury, but as Gary stopped, his face softened and he turned to see who had called. At first, he took in the face of two lovely young ladies, but that was cut short at the third person.

  The first woman had long, dark-purple hair in a ponytail, and the second woman’s hair was a unique shade of brunette that reached her back. The both of them wore black waitress outfits lined in white frill, a white apron tied around it. They each wore a choker that matched their hair color except for the white frill lining them, and a tiny white tiara topped off their heads. They had black stockings that reached under the miniskirts, their feet in black heels. Their faces held a solid amount of makeup. They were closer to “adorable as could be” than “hypersexualized.”

  But it was the last individual who stole the show. And not in a way Gary preferred. This was definitely a man, wearing everything the girls were, down to the makeup.

  “Now this looks like a job for Team, S-O-L-A-C - motherfucking E, yeah we need a little - controversy,” the song continued to play from Gary’s phone before he swallowed uncomfortably and stopped it.

  “Are you guys in need of some rest? You all look awfully tired!” the woman in the ponytail said and the three got closer.

  The closer they got, the more Gary couldn’t stop looking at the guy!

  “Here at the Mountain Hut Maid Cafe, we desire to treat you like you’re right at home!” the ponytailed lady continued. “My name is Spring!”

  “Why not come and take a load off with us? Put your feet up?” the brunette insisted, her voice just a little more huskier but still very seductive. “My name is Summer!”

  “We also offer Miltank Moomoo Milk to refresh the body and mind!” the guy joined in, his male voice light and sassy. “My name is Winter!”

  Gary was watching the guy named Winter with discomfort, but then he noticed odd noises behind him.

  When he glanced back, he saw that Charizard and Tyranitar were smiling awkwardly while Empoleon, Weepinbell and Kirlia had more confused looks.

  Coming up from way behind everyone was an exhausted June, stomping tiredly with Deino in her arms.

  Deino must have gotten lost again, Gary concluded before turning back to the two girls, his eyes stopping on the guy for a moment. When the guy smiled even wider at him, Gary’s eyes widened and returned to the females.

  “So what do you say?” Spring winked.

  “Okay!” The word slipped out of Gary’s mouth before he had even thought it fully. While he didn’t immediately regret it, once he looked at Winter’s grinning face again, he started to fear what it was he was leading himself into.

  *

  Gary slammed his glass mug of Moomoo Milk down on the long wooden table. “I like this! Another!” he insisted, looking around.

  “Gary, take it easy. You’re way too energetic,” June whispered, an embarrassed look on her face.

  “Huh?” Taking in the moment, Gary realized that he was full of life, energy, and all-around good vibes, ready to take on the challenges of the world with confidence. He even felt healthier and his nose had stopped running. But now, self-consciousness was getting mixed in as he stared back at June. Easy, Gary. Maybe you’ve had enough to drink.

  A slight smile crossed June’s face. She looked down to all of the Pokemon on the ground, and her smile faded.

  Electivire, Galvantula, Raichu, Pikachu, Manectric, Eevee, Blitzle, Rotom, Ampharos, Charizard, Deino, Lanturn, Empoleon, Kirlia, and Tyranitar were all lapping from separate bowls of Moomoo Milk. As they finished, the drinking Pokemon let out happy cries, looking fully energized.

  Electivire was on his feet swiftly, flexing and sparking, startling all of the Pokemon except Charizard who kept his stance and glared at him.

  Gary’s eyes stayed on Electivire.

  Electivire turned, now looking right back at the male Trainer. They kept eye contact until Electivire huffed out and then snickered, turning away. He was now leering at Charizard.

  Charizard sneered, growling as his eyes tightened on the Electric Pokemon. They could have even been breathing at the same pace, metaphorical flames surrounding them, engulfing everything else around them.

  “You guys, come on! Not here!” June insisted, getting up from the wooden bench and table she and Gary sat at.

  Gary was doing the same thing, standing as he frowned. “Not in here, you guys! Cut it out!”

  Electivire’s body relaxed and he looked back to Gary, smirking again. He coolly closed his eyes and turned away, chuckling lightly, and then walked to the front door.

  Looking enraged, Charizard stayed but let out a frightening snarl.

  Electivire kept chuckling, ignoring Charizard.

  The other customers inside the cafe were watching the scene with fear.

  Summer and Spring had gone to the kitchen in the barn, working on other orders, but the youngest of the four siblings, Winter, was still there, now holding a fearful, effeminate pose.

  The remaining sister named Autumn had left on a personal journey several years ago to find herself as a woman and held hopes to find and impress a man she had fallen in love with when she was much younger, none other than the previous Gym Leader of Pewter City, Brock, after they had a fateful encounter. Autumn was affectionately nicknamed Fall after leaving the family cafe.

  Winter, an adopted sibling who identified as female, opened up about her desires in life and picked up her sister’s role as a maid.

  “Charizard!” Gary barked at his Pokemon.

  Charizard lowered his head only slightly, keeping his eyes on Electivire and resumed growling.

  “That’s about enough Milk for you. Return.” Gary sternly recalled his Pokemon.

  There was a Chimecho hanging on the outside of the door and it chimed out lightly and cutely when Electivire opened the door and started to step out. But he stopped and looked back directly at June.

  June’s body tensed up and a light sound came out of her.

  “Vire,” Electivire mumbled shortly before walking out.

  Chimecho cried out in shock as the door was slammed shut.

  Now, there was awkward silence. Eyes shifted up, side to side, and down, bumping into one another and away just as quickly.

  Finally, Winter spoke up when she said, “My.”

  This got more bodies to move and more sounds to come out.

  Chimecho cried out softly and pleasantly as the door was opened again.

  “Is everything okay?” Summer spoke nervously, returning inside with a tray of drinks.

  “Are you all okay?” asked Spring who had her head poked in through the open door and was tugging uncomfortably on her ponytail.

  “I’m sorry about that, everyone.” Gary breathed out and took his seat.

  June lowered her head and ran her right hand through her hair. She looked at Gary with open sorrow.

  Gary looked back with little emotion, keeping his true feelings inside. June, was all he thought.

  Starting with murmurs from customers, things insincerely returned back to normal in the cafe, Spring leaving again for the barn as Summer worked another table.

  After a moment, June took her seat again with a sigh and turned to her Pokemon with a somber look, the group looking back at her. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her hand brushed against her left cheek gently before falling. With a blink of her eyes, and a slight release of breath that came with a weary smile, she went in her big black duffel bag and started to recollect all of her Pokemon.

  Gary watched all of this silently, knowing they were about to have a talk. He took in a deep breath, his eyes going to the table, not wanting to have to go through this, but knowing it was warranted.

  “There’s clearly stuff that we still have to talk about,” June started. Her eyes were on the remaining Pokemon who were watching the two kids. “Maybe before we get the next Badge, we should try to get some things off the table.”

  Gary kept his eyes down and breathed out impatiently. I don’t wanna do this anymore, he decided, making fists on the table.

  No one spoke for a while.

  “We could start with something simple. I mean, I don’t recall getting a Happy Birthday from you, Mister,” she chuckled. It was only after her short laugh that she actually looked at him.

  Gary didn’t face her nor reply, but he did feel himself starting to breathe a little harder.

  “Or... we could discuss where we’re even going?” June tried hesitantly.

  She won’t just shut up and drop this, Gary knew. “I know where I’m going!” he snapped at her.

  “Uh-” June was lost for words. To break the awkwardness, she laughed lightly. “I-I’m sure you do, but you haven’t said a word to me about it. You just took off like a madman with a mission after the Pokemon were healed up after the match with Paul.”

  What is her problem? “What’s with all the damn questions all of a sudden?” Gary struggled to keep his eyes from looking at her. He wished he could stop himself from even hearing her voice. Something about it. It was irking him so badly!

  “Gary, I’m just asking where we’re going...”

  He shut his eyes tight. His head was throbbing. If she’d just shut up already. If only- Gary shook his head softly. No. Don’t! He didn’t want to look at her, but he was also resisting the urge to see her, and he didn’t understand why!

  “Gary, are you okay?”

  His eyes met with June’s. He sucked his teeth, but it wasn’t a conscious move.

  There was worry in June’s eyes.

  Something was building up in Gary’s chest as he stared back at her coldly. It felt as if his brain had outgrown its skull housing and was threatening to break free, making the skull throb under the pressure!

  “Is something wrong?” she asked gently.

  Gary’s right fist slammed atop the wooden table. “NO!” he barked at June. “What do you even want?!” His face was full of fury for her.

  June looked horrified. “Huh?”

  “Huh? Huh?” Gary mocked her. “That’s all you have to say?? Listen to me!” He leaned in closer to June, making her lean back. “What. The. Fuck! Do. You. Want??” He spoke out slowly, threateningly, through gritted teeth. Both fists slammed on the table.

  June gasped, jumping in her seat.

  “What are you still following me around for??” he let out even more forcefully and quicker.

  “I-” June managed to get out, and nothing more.

  Staring at her stunned, silent face, eyes wide and lips far apart, Gary felt like lunging out at June. He could see himself just leaping over the table at her, grabbing her by the throat, taking her straight to the ground, and - dig right through her face!!

  Gary blinked really hard, and his head gave an involuntary shake. “Uh,” he breathed out shortly. “June,” he then whispered.

  “Gary?” June tilted her head, her face full of confusion and fear.

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  Gary blinked again, just as hard, and blinked a couple more times after, as if trying to clear his vision. As if he couldn’t see properly, even though he could. He looked down to his hands and realized June’s hands were atop his fists. He also noticed both of his fists were quaking. He quickly pulled his hands away from her’s and leaned back.

  In response to this, she put her hands together and pulled them to her chest, her cheeks getting red.

  The more the seconds passed, Gary noticed just how out of control his body was feeling. Not only were his hands shaking, but his entire body was as well. His heart was racing, his mouth was dry, and his head felt like it was an egg that fell from a rooftop.

  The inside of the cafe was muted, everyone staring at that one table where all the commotion kept coming from.

  “A round on me, including the Pokemon. An extra one for me and my Pokemon as well, if that’s quite alright.” The speaker sat down next to June, across from Gary. It was a tall man wearing a brown suit, a brown trench coat over it. His tie was composed of dark-gray and light-gray stripes. The brim of his brown fedora was lowered, covering his face entirely, his black hair reaching his neck. He set a black tablet down on the table in front of him.

  “Oh, r-r-right away!” Summer let out. “W-w-w-welcome back! Oop!” She covered her mouth. “Home! I meant welcome home!”

  “Welcome home!” Winter repeated.

  When Chimecho called out again, Spring walking in carrying food and drinks, the young lady froze up, immediately picking up on the discomforting energy in the room. Her eyes then stopped and widened on the new man and she uttered, “Oh! Welcome home, sir?” She was clearly lost on whatever it was she had missed.

  Gary felt beyond embarrassed and entirely confused. What - what did I just-? He shook his head and slowly opened his still-shaking hands, closing them into fists soon after. What happened? What was that thought I had about-?

  “We’ll get right on over to the barn and get your drinks!” Summer said politely.

  “We’ll be riiiiight back!” Winter seconded.

  Hearing her siblings’ voices, Spring snapped out of it and delivered the order she was carrying, thanking the customers and then turning to the scene, looking to understand what had happened.

  “Good to see you, too, Spring,” the man turned smoothly to her, speaking with a mature, enchanting voice most women would giggle with delight over. The man raised his head slightly, showing some of his face, only one eye remaining under the brim. He was an older man, and he had a sly smirk for the trio.

  The three sisters gushed out with delight as they got closer to each other, hearts in their eyes and red on their cheeks.

  “We’ll be right back!” Summer nodded eagerly.

  “Don’t go away!” Winter insisted.

  “We won’t be long!” Summer finished.

  And at once, they ran from the building with girlish giggles and whispers, the Chimecho on the door wailing out in surprise.

  Even Gary could understand why they had reacted in this way. This rather tall and older man was quite the looker. He carried a classic, old-fashioned, mature appeal of many young women’s dreams. He kept his view on the door that the three had left through, and then slowly and easily turned back to Gary and June. One eye remained covered a moment longer before he finally raised his head a bit more, revealing his entire face.

  Gary and June looked at the man in silence. Who is this guy? Gary wondered. He moved slowly, looking first to June, and then to the man before looking down at his Pokemon, back to June, and ending back at the man again. Keeping his eyes on him, he swallowed quietly and finally returned his Pokemon. “Come on, June. We’ve gotta keep moving. We have Badges to collect.”

  “Right...” June spoke cautiously, standing as Gary walked away from the bench.

  “No need to be in such a rush, Gary,” the man spoke, maintaining his smirk.

  Gary froze, his back to the man. Huh? His eyes squinted. When did I say my name? Did I? Shaking his head, Gary kept moving, uncomfortable with all the stares he was getting and just wanting to get out of there.

  “Gary, I think there’s a lot of information we need to exchange about this monster that’s traveling around Sinnoh right now. And we don’t have time to waste, so let’s cut the small talk.”

  Gary turned around, leering hard at the older male. “What did you just say?”

  The man removed his fedora, setting it beside him on the bench. His hair had streaks of gray in it. “Let’s not waste too much time. Come have a seat. Let’s talk.”

  Gary refused to budge a muscle closer to the guy. Who is he? Do I-? Wait. He... does look familiar...? But why? No, there’s no clear way to be sure. He could be anybody. Someone I’ve run into? A Trainer? Someone on the news?

  “This isn’t the first time we’ve spoken to each other,” the man continued, a bit of impatience now appearing in his voice. “So there’s no reason to be nervous. This isn’t even the first time we’ve spoken in person. You know me.”

  How? Gary tried to recall. “Who are you??” He approached the man, stopping in front of him.

  June’s eyes were wide and unsure about where this was all going.

  “Just have a seat, Gary. This is going to be a lot to take in, so it might be best if you both sit down. You, and June.”

  “How do you know my name?!” June gasped.

  “No. I said your name,” Gary spoke up. “But when was my name spoken?”

  The man’s smile broadened and he closed his eyes and lowered his head. “When you were losing your cool with the young lady here. She said your name.”

  Oh. Gary’s eyes widened at this. Of course. June must have said it. I just forgot.

  “But I’ve known it for a very, very long time. Even before we spoke in person. Even before we started talking online.”

  “Alright, enough of the damn games, Mister! Who are you??” Gary demanded. “Or, who are you claiming to be?”

  The man stayed quiet, his smile fading. His eyes opened, staring down at the long table.

  “Gary, let’s get out of here. This is a setup.” June placed a hand on his shoulder.

  Gary moved his shoulder hard and-

  Gary’s eyes were wide on his hand that was in the air right over his head, as if there was some purpose for it to be there that he had forgotten about. What am I doing?

  June was also looking at the hand, and then both kids had their eyes on each other. June had a wary look of disbelief on her face, Gary holding confusion and surprise on his.

  “And that is what we need to discuss,” the man told the kids, still staring down at the table.

  They both turned to him, bewildered. “Huh?” Gary questioned, his arm falling. “What?”

  “Please, sit down with me, and let’s discuss this monster. I need all of the information possible on what she is, and I would like to more clearly present to you what I think about her. I’ve given you my thoughts time and time again, but it doesn’t seem you get it. Perhaps it’s time to get it all out, face to face. Please, Gary.”

  “Who-?”

  “Please.” The man still didn’t look up.

  Gary let out his breath, feeling this wasn’t going to go anywhere unless he played this game. Do I truly know this guy? When could we have possibly spoken before? He said we spoke both online, and in person. That’s totally impossible. Is he lying? What’s his goal, if so? What is he after?

  “Gary,” June said softly.

  Gary silently kept his eyes on the guy.

  “June, please. I invite you to this conversation,” the man said. “In fact, I bet you would provide essential help on the topic of the monster. I need to know everything you both know about her, having had the most contact with her out of anyone else alive that I can confirm. I need you two right now. And I can’t emphasize enough that there isn’t any time to waste on this.”

  Gary didn’t move. “Maybe you should just speak if you have something so important to say, sir.”

  The man kept his head down. He finally sighed. “I see. So,” he smirked and raised his head to look at Gary, “can I convince you to sit if I confessed that I am none other than OrangeIChamp?”

  “Hhhuuuuuuh??” Gary actually dropped hard to the floor, sitting with his knees up.

  This made the handsome gentleman laugh out loud. “So that did it, huh?”

  “How do you know about Orange?!” Gary shouted.

  “I just explained it, didn’t I? I am him! I am OrangeIChamp,” the guy answered. “I am your online friend from Pokebay.”

  Gary swallowed hard. “That’s not-”

  “Please, I am sincerely afraid that we do not have time to discuss this. I want to get to the bottom of this monster. I am OrangeIChamp. I have been discussing all sorts of theories with you about the monster that has been terrorizing parts of the world. I told you to go to Canalave City and find the Canalave Library, but it doesn’t seem what you read enlightened you the way I had hoped. Being so young I was certain you would be more open-minded about the myths and we could work together right away to stop the monster. Instead, you questioned them and demanded actual, tangible, concrete evidence. It’s better than what I expected and thought I needed out of you. This worked out far better than I planned.”

  A darkness was filling every last portion of Gary’s being. He was trying to understand what this man was saying, but nothing he was comprehending made anything feel like it was okay. What does he mean by that? Am I a lab rat to him? He’s been playing with me? He’s the person I thought was OrangeIChamp? He’s not a young kid at all? He’s just an old fuck who’s been playing with me all this time? To what gain? I don’t understand!

  “I don’t want this monster to be killed. She’s a scientific marvel! And I believe you don’t necessarily want her dead, either. Even though she killed your sister.”

  With startling speed, Gary was on his feet in a blink, his hands in fists and ready to swing, his teeth bared and grit tight. He didn’t like not only the words this man spoke, but the way he said them. They were spoken without concern for the sacrifice and pain that made them a part of a harsh reality for Gary. Instead, the focus was insensitively on the excitement of discovery and positive things to look forward to that could be learned from the monster, at the cost of things taken against the owner’s will, and it made Gary sick to his stomach. “Watch your words,” he warned.

  The man looked unfazed. He hadn’t even flinched. “I was right about you. I had a hunch to keep my eye on you when you had lost her, and I knew reaching out to you after the Indigo League attack would only further shape our destiny.”

  “Keep your eye on me? You’ve been spying on me!” Now starting to believe the older man, Gary felt nauseous. He had thought he was talking to a normal young kid on Pokebay! Not a full-grown man! This was sick! Disturbing!

  The adult didn’t say a word now, staring calmly at Gary.

  “Who are you really?” Gary growled.

  “Son, they know me all over the world as the retired legend of the International Police. I know more about you than you’re aware.” The man smiled proudly. “My codename was Looker.”

  Gary exploded in rage and lunged at the man. “I SAID WHO THE FUCK-?!!”

  The guy who said he used to go by Looker was swift, getting up and turning the boy’s immature and amateur attack against him, ending with Gary laid out on his back on top of the table, groaning out in pain before he even knew he had been taken down.

  “Gary!” June gasped.

  “I’ve been following you throughout your journey for quite a while, in the shadows,” the retired cop said, ignoring June. He warmly held out a hand to Gary. “Let’s not do this. The three of us need to work together to avenge your sister.”

  Gary kept silent, his face showing his rage about the fact that the older man had taken him down so easily. Even so, he accepted the hand and was assisted to his feet.

  “So, Gary, what do you say we-?”

  “Yeah, I get it,” Gary grumbled, and he walked around the table and returned to his seating across from the man. “Just sit, June.”

  “But-! Do you know-?”

  “Just sit down, June!” Gary ordered, keeping his eyes on the guy. “I don’t know who he is,” he then said more easily. “But I know he looks familiar to me. And he knows too much. He’s got the position of power.” Gary paused. “But he needs us as much as we need him.”

  June just shook her head. “He needs us? We need him? Gary, who truly is he??”

  His gaze down, Gary thought about this for a moment. “He’s a friend who’s been trying to help me since back in Kanto. The reason I went to Sinnoh in the first place. For the books I didn’t understand. You knew they were there, and wanted to help me. I didn’t understand them at the time. Or, I didn’t want to.” Gary stared at him and nodded. “He’s Looker.”

  The adult didn’t say a word, maintaining a gentle grin.

  “Gary, how do you know any of this is true? Just think about Prof. Cozmo and the Trick Master!” June pleaded. “This guy could just be using you like they were!”

  Looker chuckled lightly and took his seat. “You both are incredibly intelligent children. I’m glad I trusted in you, Gary. And with June back unexpectedly, we can put so much more of this together. I was sure she was dead.” He looked to June, and then back to the stone-faced Gary before his smile went away, a solemnness now worn on his lips, and then he closed his eyes. “I apologize for my choice of words. If not for the fact I just displayed my physical expertise over you, I’m sure you would have tried attacking me again just now.”

  That’s entirely true, Gary kept in his head, both of his hands in fists, ready. He can see I was gonna attack him, and yet closed his eyes right in front of my face. “So then what do you want from me?”

  “I want to be clear with you this time about what this monster is. No more puzzles. No more games. Let’s all sit down at this table, and have a proper discussion so we can plan on how to stop her. Kill her, if necessary. As I said earlier, I’d honestly prefer not to, but she does pose an undeniable threat.” He went silent, keeping eyes on the boy.

  Gary thought about this for a bit. His breath slid out of his nostrils and he finally said, “Yeah. We have to. But what’s the plan?”

  Looker just watched Gary. “So do you believe she’s a Pokemon yet?”

  Gary focused on Looker. “What do you mean? I told you, she can’t be a Pokemon! She’s not!”

  “And it’s that answer that is why I need you, and June, to relax and tell me all you both know about this monster. We need to pool our information together and see what the evidence shows.”

  “Are you trying to say you know something that confirms she’s a Pokemon or something?” Gary leered.

  “I’ve done my fair share of research and investigating on her, and on the Trick Master and Prof. Cozmo. I don’t know exactly what those balls are, the Sapience Balls, but I do know the threat they pose to the world. With the death of Prof. Cynthia, anyone in power is a target.”

  Gary and June were silent, listening to Looker.

  “It would appear that this monster is using the Sapience Balls to capture the stronger of Pokemon Trainers in Sinnoh as needed. The Water Gym Leader of the Kanto region known as Three-Sixty was found mutilated and nearly unrecognizable, just like Prof. Cynthia. This monster is intelligent, beyond what one would consider most Pokemon to be capable of. But not all Pokemon!” Looker insisted. His voice was growing louder and more excited as he went on. “Pokemon like Alakazam, and Metagross, literal geniuses in all forms of intellect on their own! But they’ve never been shown to think in the way humans do! To destroy us humans as they so easily could have done so many ages ago. There’s a thin line being crossed here with this monster. A line that Pokemon have stayed behind that has allowed us humans to continue to thrive and even be said to still ‘rule’ over them, a fact which Team Solace is ignoring and denying.

  “And this monster’s actions, her deliberate decision making, is oddly human! Right, Gary? That’s one thing that separates her from the Pokemon. Pokemon tend to cause destruction in a more territorial, animal-like manner. She isn’t after a specific territory. Rather, her plans seem to be more global!” Looker looked up to the ceiling of the building now. “She even dared to mention the name of the Almighty Arceus; God of this planet. She seems to believe that what she is doing is pleasing to Arceus.” He then closed his eyes, shaking and lowering his head. He went into the inside of his coat and pulled out a set of keys. They were on a thick, silver keychain that carried little figures, one of which Gary recognized as a Croagunk. Looker tightly grabbed something else hanging.

  Gary saw what it was before it was covered, and his eyes widened. The symbol of Arceus, he recognized. It’s really bright and shiny. Like platinum.

  Looker sighed heavily and shakily, gripping the symbol so hard, his entire arm was quivering. “This is not what Arceus would want. But the question is, why does she think Arceus would approve of this?” He looked up with a determined face, placing the fist gently on the table, and looked over to June. “Please. Have a seat already, would you? This is enough already.” He sounded serious now, like he was tired of convincing them. “Let’s get down to business, June. Gary. If we put our research together, we may finally answer what exactly this Pokemon is.” He looked over to see Gary’s angry face ready to argue, but he smiled in return. “Yes, I do mean Pokemon. Type? Wild.”

  The door to the cafe burst open, Chimecho wailing out as the three maids charged in urgently, each one carrying a tray full of mugs and bowls of Moo Moo Milk. Quickly, they replaced the empty mugs on the table Gary and the others were at with full ones, leaving four extras beside Looker, and then they replaced the bowls for the Pokemon.

  “I hope I didn’t take too long! I came back as soon as I could!” Winter bowed deeply right in front of Looker.

  “I certainly returned as urgently as I could for you!” Summer cried out, bowing more modestly.

  “I tried my best, but I was held up by these two. I apologize,” Spring bowed.

  “Whhaaaaaaat??!!” Summer shoved Spring’s head down even further, a devilish look now on her face, her teeth even appearing daggered in the moment.

  In an instant, Winter was on Spring’s back, beating her fists on her back. “How dare you put the blame on meeeee!!”

  “Get off of meeeeee!!” Spring wailed out, crying.

  The three fought and argued and fussed their way right out the door.

  There was plenty of laughter and chattering in the cafe after that, eyes still going back to Gary’s table.

  Looker also let out some laughter and turned to Gary, but the kid only leered back coldly. Keeping his smile, Looker grabbed his warm glass and brought it closer to him, but he didn’t drink yet.

  Gary’s eyes tightened on him. “What was the last thing you said?”

  Looker kept eye contact with Gary for a moment, but his eyes then went over to June. He raised his glass and closed his eyes as he enjoyed a deep swig. After setting the mug down and letting out his breath, a white milk mustache now on his upper lip, he stared at the mug with a sleek smirk and said, “This is best enjoyed fresh. Let’s let the Pokemon and us enjoy that much. And then - I’d like to start this discussion with the young lady first, please.”

  June’s eyes widened with surprise.