Swanna Song, Sung Throughout Sinnoh

The area was darkening as night began to settle.

Gary, Ranger Kai, and their selected Pokemon jogged through the woods, headed for Hearthome City, in order to get to Veilstone City, to get Gary’s fifth Badge.

“So have you heard of the Poke Tour Meteor Shower?” Ranger Kai asked out of nowhere.

Gary had originally been enjoying the lack of conversation, the only sound being everyone’s heavy breathing while moving at a steady pace. But now, he knew it was time for stupidity again. “What?” he grumbled irritably at her, wanting her to catch his tone, before rubbing at the side of his neck with discomfort.

Ranger Kai either didn’t catch it, or didn’t care. “The Poke Tour Meteor Shower! It’s a gorgeous meteor shower that takes place only once every 200 years. I think we’ll be able to see it by Christmas! Chris. Mas. Chris-”

“How much further is Hearthome, again?” Gary interrupted loudly.

“Actually, we’ll probably be there by the end of the day at this rate!”

The two were moving side by side, Gary trying to get ahead of her the entire time, but the more physically fit woman kept up with no struggle. It also didn’t help that, no matter what he did, he couldn’t stretch out his coat enough to fit him by now.

On Ranger Kai’s team was Swadloon in one arm, Metapod in her other.

Dunsparce was out of sight, but not put away, digging underground as usual.

Gary’s group had Charizard and Fashioned flying over the trees, the both of them out of sight, spinning circles around each other with impressive maneuvers as they tried to show off and outpace the other.

Porygon-Z was sat on Ranger Kai’s huge backpack, whining out with joy over the ride.

Butterfree was leading the way, and Riolu and Snorlax were as energetic as they could be, competing with each other.

To Gary’s surprise, Snorlax was a lot more active than he expected, not only for a newborn, but also for a Snorlax! Once let out, she was roaring and carrying on, stomping the ground so hard, Gary feared she’d cause another destruction of an area! This was only half a joke in Gary’s head. He genuinely was having concerns about the baby’s power! But, that was also a good thing, in Gary’s mind.

She only seemed to settle once Riolu was talking with her, Ranger Kai suggesting that while Snorlax wasn’t a “Baby” Pokemon, she was still newly born and maybe the technicalities of that didn’t matter and Snorlax felt more comfortable with another Pokemon like herself.

Gary wasn’t entirely sure this made sense, but he kept to himself that there might be something to that. Either way, he was grateful having Snorlax under control, and also that Riolu had convinced Snorlax to work out with them!

Gary did miss the exercise of carrying around her Egg. At least somewhat. It didn’t weigh that much, which made no sense to Gary considering the weight of the Pokemon that came out, but it was still a good effort balancing carrying the size of it, and being careful not to break it! On top of that, the size of Snorlax didn’t add up to the Egg’s, either! Sure, the Egg was pretty huge, but it was nowhere near what came out of it. And to top it off, he was upset he missed the actual, magic moment!

Ranger Kai told Gary that Pokemon don’t always hatch out, but it sometimes was more like a transformation of the Egg, which is what she was sure had happened while she and Gary had been dealing with Burgh.

While Snorlax was a little sloppy on her feet, she picked up walking pretty quickly, and after only a couple of hours, was moving at a fine pace, Riolu sticking beside her in case she slipped.

When that did happen, Riolu cleared herself to avoid being squashed, but ran back to help with a nervous smile.

The two ended up being a lot further behind than everyone else, nobody taking notice in an intentional effort to work harder and get stronger, and this worked to motivate the two “babies” to work that much harder to not get left behind.

Raichu was also running today alongside Electivire, who both were ahead of Gary but behind Butterfree.

Ranger Kai’s Galvantula was swinging and jumping through the trees, using webs to get from spot to spot.

Ariados was close to Ranger Kai’s Galvantula and doing the same thing.

June’s Galvantula was also swinging, but was on the other side of the path and keeping far behind the other spiders.

Ranger Kai had let her Ariados out for some exercise and to enjoy time with both of the Galvantula, but June’s Galvantula now had an attitude with Ariados and even used Bug Bite when he got near her!

The Ranger’s quick deduction was that June’s Galvantula got jealous during the battle she and Gary had a few days ago, where Illumise used Attract on Ariados. Whether Galvantula knew it was true love or not didn’t seem to matter too much.

This suspicion stunned Ranger Kai’s Ariados and he tried to get close to June’s Galvantula, perhaps to make peace, but June’s Galvantula attacked him with Electro Ball.

In the end, the two boys, Galvantula and Ariados, decided to stay away from the girl Bug.

“You can really tell from the quality of the grass here that Swadloon live out here,” Ranger Kai commented. “This is almost Unova-quality grass out here. Almost.”

Gary inhaled through his nose as something caught his attention.

Ranger Kai came to a stop and knelt down, reaching out to the grass with a smile. “You don’t find this kind of fresh-” she suddenly froze, her smile fading.

“Say, I’m-” Gary started.

“SMOKE!!” Ranger Kai stood quickly, a determined look on her face. She sniffed hard and deeply.

Gary also stopped. “So it wasn’t just me.”

Ranger Kai sniffed again. “That’s definitely not you farting. That’s smoke.”

“That’s not what I meant!!” Gary barked.

“We have to find the source. Dunsparce, stay low just in case! Metapod, return! Galvantula and Ariados!” Using superb balancing skills considering she had two Pokemon in her arms, she held out three Poke Balls, recalling Metapod first.

“Galvantula!”

“Ari!”

Both Pokemon leaped from the trees, making Gary scream in fright. They glowed red, returning to their Poke Balls.

“Oh...” Gary breathed out in relief.

“RETURN YOUR POKEMON!!” Ranger Kai ordered Gary while returning Swadloon as well.

“OH! Right!” Gary turned, grabbing up Poke Balls.

Snorlax, Riolu, Butterfree, and Porygon-Z were returned.

Raichu was next, along with Galvantula when she slid down on a string of webbing.

Electivire was left, Charizard and Fashioned still high up.

“CHARIZARD! FASHIONED!” Wait, Gary told himself. Maybe you don’t need to-

“Don’t call them down! Keep them above! Maybe we can learn something!” Ranger Kai interrupted the boy’s thoughts. “In fact, as a Fire type, Charizard is safe to come down here and carry me back up into the sky to see what’s going on! CHARIZARD! WE NEED YOU DOWN HERE! FASHIONED, PLEASE STAY ABOVE WHERE IT’S SAFER!!”

Charizard appeared quickly and landed on his feet.

Ranger Kai ran up to Charizard and swiftly got on his back.

“Hey! Wait!” Gary reached out.

“Stay here, Gary! Don’t move! Let’s go, Charizard!” Ranger Kai pointed above.

Charizard stared at Gary and grunted. Before his Trainer could say a word, he looked back up.

Gary’s mouth dropped open as his own Pokemon obeyed the Ranger and soared past the trees and into the sky above. He couldn’t see the two from where they were. Did Charizard... and Fashioned, just listen to this woman... over me?! He looked to Electivire, the Pokemon staring back. “Don’t you go listening to that lunatic, you understand?!” Gary shouted, mad now.

Electivire crossed his arms and snickered at him.

“HEY!” Gary yelled. I’ve had about enough of this shit! “That stupid woman!” Gary said out loud, glaring upward. “I’m done with her! I’m done with talking!” Gary paused, feeling his arms shaking as he made tight fists, and his voice became more of a nasty snarl. “Once that bitch gets back I’ll rip the-!!” With a furious shout, he swung out and punched a tree right in the trunk. It hurt a little, but something about that only made Gary’s heart pump faster, a little thrill from what pain he could feel. And he wanted more! Aggression was pumping in his veins, his entire body tense. He turned and sneered in a mix of rage and delight, seeing that Ranger Kai had returned with Charizard and the Scizor nicknamed Fashioned. Gary tightened the fist he hadn’t punched with.

“It’s in a contained area, but it could get a lot worse if we don’t get there soon,” Ranger Kai informed Gary. “Do you have any Water, Ground, or Rock type Pokemon or Pokemon with those types of moves?”

The fire... Gary remembered, and his eyes widened, his fists releasing into widened palms, and his entire body relaxed. I can’t be feuding with Kai right now... His body gave a little shake, the anger rising out of his body and into the sky above. No. Why was I even so worked up over that? He raised his hands and turned them around, staring at the one that was now scuffed up with a little blood on the knuckles. What drove me to do-?

“HEY!” Ranger Kai belted out, snapping Gary out of his thoughts. “WATER! GROUND! ROCK! Pokemon moves! Do you have them??”

“Uuuuuuuuuuhhhhh...” Gary tried to remember, hiding his hands behind his back. “Yeah... I think I’ve-”

“I don’t need them. I can do this! Let’s go, Charizard!” Ranger Kai pointed up again, and Charizard roared, taking off back into the sky. “PUT FASHIONED AWAAAAAAY!!” she called before disappearing from sight, screaming out other words Gary couldn’t hear.

“STOP ORDERING AROUND MY POKEMOOOON!!” Gary screamed back. “Grrrrr!! Where are they even going??” He looked at Fashioned.

“Scizor!” Fashioned pointed ahead.

“OH! You know, don’t you? Lead the way! We can help her!”

Fashioned flew, Gary and Electivire chasing after her.

The boy easily ignored a couple of familiar wild Pokemon, like Rattata and Budew, but he screamed, ducked, and swatted at the pair of Zubat that came afterwards. Glaring, he pressed on, a pair of other Pokemon he didn’t recognize moving out of his way. He inhaled, the smell of smoke getting stronger. This is no good, Gary knew. He grabbed his Pokedex. I need to get Kingdra or somebody back here to help! Dugtrio! The old gang! Man, do I miss them! Before he could even open the Pokedex, he heard the crackling flames, and then he actually could see the fire. He froze, his eyes widening.

The trees, the grass; all were burning! Pokemon were scurrying away while Charmander and Mankey continued to fight!

“Stop, you two!” Gary had begged back on Route 1, when his journey had only just begun back in Kanto over a year ago.

The two Pokemon continued attacking nonstop, neither side giving in.

Gary shook his head. No! Focus! We can put this out! “Return, Fashioned!”

But the Pokemon had already flown ahead, flying over the flames and going deeper into the danger!

“FASHIONED!” Gary ran after him, making his way carefully around the fire, the heat from it absolutely unnerving.

Ranger Kai, further ahead, had a stunned look on her face, staring at Fashioned and then to her Trainer. “GARY! I told you to put away Fashioned! Why are you here?”

“We had to help!” Gary insisted.

“Fool, this is my job! I know what I’m doing! You’re in my way! You’re only gonna get hurt! Look!”

Gary turned to see Dunsparce was sitting in the middle of the surrounding flames.

Large boulders and rocks were also sitting in the area, looking completely out of place.

Dunsparce let out her chittery noise and her wings flapped hard. She hovered just slightly and a white ring surrounded her body. The ring turned into ovals that then turned into pointy, gray Rocks which flew out, slamming into some of the flaming grass and trees.

With a shout, heavy wind and Sand started to blow everywhere!

“Whoa!” Ranger Kai called out and she turned, Gary also seeing the same thing.

It was Fashioned! She was walking through blowing, wild sands and stopped in the middle of it all, right by Dunsparce.

“It’s Sandstorm!” both Gary and Ranger Kai cried out happily.

Before long, there was Sand everywhere, and the fire was all gone.

“No way!” Ranger Kai held out her hands, her palms upward, and looked up.

“Huh?” Gary couldn’t believe it, staring at the dark sky. “Really??”

It had started to rain!

Just like... Gary remembered. Back then... The young kid recalled that after he and his Mankey had been beaten unconscious on Route 1 by a wild pack of Mankey, abandoned by his Charmander, he had awoken to it raining. He couldn’t help but smirk, but this vanished quickly and he just shook his head. Does this mean something? He kept his eyes on the sky, but there was nothing to see. This is a joke, he told himself.

“Oh, no! Numel!” Ranger Kai ran off into the trees.

“Huh?” What did she say? Gary walked after her.

Something came out of the trees, Ranger Kai appearing soon after it.

“Oh! What’s that?”

“The cause of our little fire, I’m sure,” Ranger Kai said with a smile, her hands on her hips as she stayed behind the creature.

Gary held out his Pokedex.

Numel. The Numb Pokemon. A Fire and Ground type Pokemon. A Pokemon with the wit comparable to a Slowpoke, it doesn’t know when it is hit. Hunger is the only discomfort it will notice immediately. When caught in rain, the magma coursing throughout its body hardens, and it slows down.

“Hey, Gary. I had a question or two to ask you, actually.” Numel was moving at the slowest speed possible, and Ranger Kai kept with the pace, her eyes staying on Numel. “Why is it that you have so many Pokemon, but you only kept five Pokemon with you once you had Snorlax’s Egg? You have a professor, so how do you carry more than six Pokemon?”

Gary nodded. “Well, my six Pokemon are with me, but the others, including Electivire, belong to my-” Gary was stuck.

“Vire,” Electivire let out in a low voice, staring at Gary.

Gary lowered his eyes instead of facing the Electric type, but he then glared at Ranger Kai. “I have a missing friend that I’m looking for while on my journey, and I’m raising her Pokemon in the meantime. It’s that simple.”

Ranger Kai’s mouth fell open a little. She shut it and then nodded determinedly. “As a Pokemon Ranger, it’s not just my duty to help Pokemon, but people, too. You should have told me this earlier. I’d like a description of her when we get to the next city.”

Gary nodded.

“In that case, please capture this Numel and send it to your professor for treatment. You’ll be saving this little one’s life, quite possibly. They don’t belong out here in the forests in the first place.”

Now Gary was confused. “Then what’s one doing out here?”

“It’s due to the displacement of so many Pokemon after the acts of Team Solace,” Ranger Kai explained strictly. “The destruction of Mt. Coronet has done terrible things to the environment, leaving Pokemon without homes. I’m sure what Tyranitar caused with its Earthquake only made things worse, but the attack on Mt. Coronet is the true issue. That was unheard of and will forever change the Sinnoh region, and I imagine things will only get worse as time goes on. With poor Pokemon like this Numel, who totally don’t belong out here, and so many other species displaced into inappropriate environments, the world is in its gravest state it’s ever been in. It’s a wonder anyone can agree with Team Solace, but they just refuse to admit the crisis to the planet that that group has brought. They’re too afraid and don’t understand. But they need to wake up already!”

Gary nodded. He put his Pokedex away and grabbed a Great Ball, staring at the Numel. “I’ll help. Of course.” He enlarged the ball and muttered, “Number five, Kiwi.”

*

This is crazy, Gary knew as he stayed on his knees beside Ranger Kai, the both of them behind bushes. I can’t believe I’m getting caught up in this, and yet, this isn’t that crazy at all! I’ve done this before, but what’s so crazy is how this is just another day for the Ranger! I have to respect her after all this time I’ve been with her, however loony she is. The woman is a Pokemon expert! I pale compared to her talent. And now, here we are, on an actual case? Tracking down Pokemon poachers?? Gary couldn’t help but think of the time he failed to stop some poachers who were after Finneon and Lumineon back in the Kanto region. This time, I’ve got the law with me. No excuses! Kai already knows what she’s doing. She knows who she’s after.

Electivire was put away at Ranger Kai’s insistence as a precaution. His bright colors would make them easier to spot, and if the poachers had the right equipment, they could track his powerful electricity.

The case was that a pair of displaced Gabite were captured in a net. The two Pokemon got more impatient and furious by the second, and the more they struggled, the more the net would wrap around them and even choke them up!

But Gary and the Ranger had to wait before making their move to see who would come out, so they were forced to just watch.

The only thing keeping Gary from leaping out and saving the two was Ranger Kai’s reassurance that everything would be alright. “I know this is hard, but this is my job,” Ranger Kai whispered. “We’ll be able to save them, but leaping out now would only get all of us-” She paused. “Just be patient.”

Gary nodded without saying a word.

“Truer words have never been spoken,” came the next whisper.

Neither Ranger Kai, nor Gary, moved. They both were telling themselves to remain calm, trying to recognize the voice. But as each second ticked by, it became clearer and clearer.

Somebody else was behind them.

At the same time, the two turned.

A very tall man was standing over them, pointing a very big gun at them. “I know a Ranger when I see one,” he smiled at her, keeping the gun focused on the boy. “You certainly don’t want to go down this route, nor does the Trainer boy. So let’s all play by the rules and no one has to die but those Gabite.” The guy boasted a strong, large build. He had a huge, graying beard and spoke with a deep, Irish accent. He wore big, green boots, black jeans and a black coat. On his head was a black, knit hat. His smile showed broad, thick teeth. Kneeling down, keeping the gun on Gary, he kept his eyes on Ranger Kai. “And quite the cute Ranger we have here, eh? Why don’t you move nice and slow and come a little closer so I can get a better look at cha?”

“Okay, Mr. Captain,” Ranger Kai nodded quickly, referring to him by the name the man was known by. “Okay. We’ll do whatever you say. But why the Gabite? If you kill us all, can the Gabite go??”

Gary had kept his eyes on the man’s gun the entire time, his body trembling, but now he turned to Ranger Kai with a horrified face. “Huuuuuh??”

Mr. Captain then laughed big and loud, tossing his head back. When he looked back at her, the laughter was over all of a sudden, the man’s smile removed from his face. “Gabite’s scales are said to cure even the most incurable diseases. I have a wife who has been suffering in the hospital for the past five years, and only this past year, five of our six kids came down with the same illness, passed on from the mother. The doctors couldn’t tell until it was too late. They lived great lives until now, becoming successful adults in their own rights, just to have it taken away from them for no reason. Our insurance isn’t covering the costs any further, and we can’t do it out of pocket. I, as the man of this household, have no other choice but to provide. And if it means killing a few measly Pokemon to do it, I’ll damn well do it. And tell me, who are you to stop me?”

Ranger Kai was silent.

Gary didn’t speak.

The two of them just watched the tears roll down his cheeks.

Who am I? Gary wondered. Who am to tell this man he’s wrong? What makes him wrong? Why can’t I find an argument to stop him from saving his-? I can’t even finish my thought? His eyes were watering. He didn’t look to Ranger Kai, but he didn’t have to. Her silence said it all. And she can’t, either, Gary knew. That’s why she’s-

“No!” Ranger Kai finally spoke up. She actually stood up now and took a brave step towards the man.

The man also stood, keeping his gun on Gary, keeping a stern look on his face.

“I hope your story is true, or else you truly are the Devil. However, you still are a devil, and devils come with tricks; but you won’t fool me. You gave yourself away by calling those Gabite nothing more than measly Pokemon. You don’t even know if sacrificing them will save your family. In other words, you’re ruthless. Heartless. You have no compassion for others. I don’t know if you have a family to save, but it doesn’t matter to me if your conscience is so minimal. There’s a way to talk down a man in a desperate situation. But someone like you? There is no help.”

Mr. Captain didn’t respond, staring solemnly at Ranger Kai. He hand fell, the gun no longer aimed at Gary.

Gary was still too afraid to budge, but a memory did come to his mind in that brief moment.

“ALY, STOP!!” Gary had demanded, diving at the man in the Radio Tower back in Kanto who was about to shoot Aly. He was weightless as he soared through the air. He was...

Behind the man?

BOOM!

Mr. Captain nodded at Ranger Kai. “You’re right. Now c’mere,” he said in a gruff voice and yanked her by the arm, pulling her close to him.

Gary gasped and swallowed hard, watching as Mr. Captain yanked the hat off Ranger Kai’s head.

Her dark-blonde hair was a mess, coming down to her shoulders, and Mr. Captain leaned in and inhaled hard through his big, round nose. “Uuuuuugh,” Ranger Kai moved her head from his as far as she could, unable to get out of his grip.

I can’t, Gary told himself, still trembling so hard. I can’t. I can’t save her.

The rustling of grass made Gary, Ranger Kai, and Mr. Captain look over.

Gary shouted out as most of his body was wrapped up with a strong green vine! His shoulders were scrunched up in the attack and he couldn’t turn his head very far, but he could make out a short, green creature behind him!

There was also a mostly purple monster with a yellow stomach and face that appeared with two men. The purple thing was shorter than the men but had two long tails behind it that reached just higher than itself, and at the end of each tail was what looked like a hand! Each hand was yellow with three fingers, the ends of the fingers colored red. The hands looked like plastic gloves filled with air. The monster didn’t have proper hands itself, rather having handless arms at its sides.

Gary had never seen such a creature! It looks like an Aipom, but... more! An evolution? Does it evolve?

“Good!” Mr. Captain shoved Ranger Kai away from him, cackling.

Ranger Kai let out a cry as she stumbled towards the purple Pokemon, and the being grabbed her in its two huge hands and held her in the air!

The Ranger screamed and kicked out but couldn’t get free.

“Now we can get to work!” Mr. Captain laughed.

The two men stopped by the group.

One of them was the tallest of the three as well as the strongest looking, his arms as thick as a human head and hairy. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans, as well as brown boots, a smaller gun in one hand.

The other guy was the shortest and thinnest, having basically no muscles at all, at least compared to his companions. He wore a black, long-sleeved T-shirt and black shorts that stopped below his knees. His feet were in black and white sneakers. He was the only one with dark skin, even darker than Gary.

All this time, the Gabite were crying out for help, choking, desperately swiping at the strong net to break free, but the material would only further entangle around them and restrict movement.

They’re going to die in that thing! Gary knew. What can we do? Damn it we could have really used Electivire or something right now! What was Kai’s plan to apprehend these guys?? Where’s-?

The other muscular man raised his gun and aimed it at the Ranger. “A Ranger.” He looked over to Gary and then back to Ranger Kai. “What were you doing with her? Why are they still alive?” He didn’t have an accent like the bearded man.

The leader rolled his eyes. “Now there ya go makin’ threats! Now we have to kill ‘em both! I’ve told you before to leave the talking to me, didn’t I??”

The second man shook his head. “We have the law on us with the Ranger here, anyway. We had no choice.”

“You made a threat to the law. That worsens the situation!”

“We already attacked the law! We’re done for either way if we get caught!”

“Assault and death threats are two different things!”

“Oh, when did you pass the bar?”

“Gwan, guys! Enough!” the last member of the group said loudly, carrying a Jamaican accent. “Bombaclot! Let’s get what we came ‘ere for!” He stared at the leader angrily.

Mr. Captain stared back and nodded shortly before turning his back and approaching the weakened Gabite.

They had tried chewing their way out but now, the material had their jaws wrapped shut. They were just breathing as hard as they could through their flaring nostrils.

“I won’t lie to you all,” Mr. Captain began as he dug into his jeans waistband and came up with a huge blade. “To the right buyer, I could just sell these guys and make enough money to cover the hospital bills. But what I need is a cure! I’m sick of seeing my family suffering like this. Keeping them alive in a hospital is torture. They deserve to just be healthy and feel good again! Don’t they?!”

There were a pair of cries and soon, Gary stumbled! “Hey!” He had been released from the hold of the Pokemon by him, and in the surprise of the release, stumbled away.

“Ow! About time!” Ranger Kai had fallen, released from the Pokemon that had her.

The darker man groaned before falling over.

“Aaaah...” the second guy with the gun growled and then fell, dropping his weapon.

“Grotle. Ambipom,” Ranger Kai said, staring at the two in turn. “You poor creatures getting caught up in this nonsense. It’ll be alright.”

“Shit...” Mr. Captain whispered, and his blade and gun fell from his hand! After it hit the ground, the man himself collapsed!

There was a familiar chittering noise and Ranger Kai leaped up quickly. “Dunsparce! Great timing!” She ran and Gary finally saw her Dunsparce crawling slowly on the ground. The Ranger scooped up her Pokemon and hugged her.

“Ranger Kai!”

Ranger Kai looked upward, her mouth open in a huge smile.

“Glad to see you’re alive!” Someone leaped from the tree branches above and landed in front of the woman.

“No thanks to you, I’d say! All praise to Dunsparce, huh?” Ranger Kai smirked.

The man stood in brown slacks and a black coat, his feet in green boots. On his belt were a few Poke Balls, some rope, and a little beige fanny pack. “All praise to the Pokemon, as usual. But surely you didn’t think we’d send you out on a mission like that and not arrive in time.”

“Well that’s why I made sure Dunsparce left us behind and found you guys when the time was right, because I didn’t trust you all to get here in time,” Ranger Kai said smugly.

Laughing, the male Ranger held out his hand, and Ranger Kai grasped it, her eyes twinkling at the man.

Startling Gary, more Rangers came out of the woods, many of them carrying thin, long tranquilizer guns!

The only ones who seemed to be carrying guns with bullets were a pack of Officer Jennys! They were also the only ones running to the poachers, arresting their sleeping bodies.

“My little nigga! What brings you out here?!”

“Ish?” Gary turned at the voice. “OH! RANGER!!” That guy! Gary remembered. What was his name?

The only Ranger not wearing a hat got closer, his hair dyed blonde and cut very short, perhaps even very recently. He had on green pants and a green shirt with a yellow vest over it that stopped at his waist. The green Ukkh brand of boots with the furry tops were on his feet. A green camping bag on his back, his belt holding a variety of gadgets, the man stopped in front of Gary. “You stayin’ in trouble, young G?”

Gary laughed awkwardly. “I guess?” The Ranger reached out, Gary grabbing his hand, and to Gary’s surprise, they ended up doing a similar shake to the one he’d done with Ish! He might be from Unova, then, Gary considered, almost asking the Ranger if this was the case, but he decided not to.

“Ranger J, I heard about your promotion to Student Ranger!” Ranger Kai smiled. “Congrats! Con. Grats. Congrats!”

Ranger J nodded easily, smirking. “Yeah, once I get more practice in with the Capture Styler, I can start using it in the wild and all that.”

“Is it hard to use?”

“You’ll figure it out just fine when you get there.”

“But when will that beeeeeeeeeeeeee??” Ranger Kai wailed out, mournful exasperation on her face.

The Gabite were being freed by some Rangers, the poachers carried out of the woods by some officers, and the remaining Rangers and police all happily talked about the success.

*

“Gary, stay back. This can really get dangerous,” Ranger Kai warned.

“I’m a Pokemon Trainer. I’ll be just fine,” Gary responded. “Ready, Butterfree?”

“Freeeee!” Butterfree responded.

“You don’t understand. Those Pokemon shouldn’t even be out here. This isn’t their territory at all! They can’t survive in these temperatures! They’re normally found in colder areas higher up Mt. Coronet! The destruction of the mountain is really gonna have some terrible repercussions on a global scale!”

“Empoleon!” Empoleon raised its arms over its head and a huge Whirlpool appeared, which it then tossed at Butterfree.

“Dodge that!” Gary commanded.

Butterfree got around it.

The pack of Empoleon behind the battling Empoleon grumbled with disapproval, shaking their heads.

One Empoleon in the pack had the largest horns of the group; the leader and therefore strongest.

None of Butterfree’s moves are gonna be strong against a Steel type, but I’ll prove my worth and work my way through the whole pack if I have to to capture that Empoleon! Gary promised. The leader! “Butterfree, use Bug Buzz!”

Butterfree’s wings flapped and red waves came off of them, hitting Empoleon.

Empoleon stumbled backwards and shoved one sharp fin into the ground to stop itself.

“Now use Solar Beam!”

Butterfree’s wings and antennae glowed brightly as she absorbed sunlight.

“Keep going, Butterfree!” Gary encouraged his Pokemon.

“You can do it, Butterfree!” Ranger Kai added.

Metapod cried out his support along with Swadloon and Dunsparce.

Electivire was silent but watching.

Empoleon’s crown and beak glowed gold and it spun like a drill, going for Butterfree as white streaks surrounded its body.

Butterfree was hit, but while flying backwards, sent out a huge, bright beam that also tossed Empoleon back.

Butterfree crashed into a tree, Empoleon tumbling on the grass and sliding on its back.

“Butterfree! You okay?” Gary ran to her and knelt down, considering touching her. But the thought alone... He shuddered and then scratched uncomfortably at his stomach. When Butterfree started moving to get up, he jumped back a bit but forced a smile. “Butterfree. You okay?”

Butterfree looked up at him and nodded, smiling back. “Freee!” She flew into the air, making her Trainer scream and fall over, his skin crawling with fear.

The boy shot a quick look over to Ranger Kai, who had her arms crossed and eyebrows narrowed.

He then looked to Butterfree, who was looking right at him, her antennae down, looking sad. This was what hurt him. He opened his mouth, but what could he say?

“Gary!” Ranger Kai called out.

Butterfree and Gary turned to see that multiple, light-blue Swords were circling Empoleon. The Swords stopped and the ends leaned to Empoleon before disappearing. A red aura burst out of the ground, Empoleon glowing a lighter shade of red, its Attack boosted sharply.

“That was Swords Dance! Its Attack-!”

“Roost!” Gary interrupted Ranger Kai.

Butterfree settled on the ground and her body glowed brightly as she recovered some health.

“Now take control! Infestation!”

Butterfree flapped her wings hard, staying down on the ground, and called out.

Little bugs were moving through the ground, hard to see and creeping Gary out.

Before long, Empoleon was swatting at invisible creatures, wiping itself off and crying out.

“Sleep Powder!”

Butterfree could finally fly and soared over Empoleon, sprinkling down sparkling indigo powder.

Empoleon relaxed, swaying in place before dropping.

“You got it, Gary!” Ranger Kai acknowledged.

“Now, I want you!” Gary ignored the fallen Empoleon and focused on the leader.

The leader stared at Gary but didn’t react.

“Butterfree-!” Gary started.

But the leader moved right before the child even started speaking, soaring at Butterfree as its body was completely covered in water.

Gary jumped, his heart also jumping right into his throat.

Butterfree was dropped with ease and didn’t get back up.

“That was Aqua Jet,” Ranger Kai stated. “It goes first no matter what. Usually. U. Shu. Wa. Lly.”

“HEY!” Gary cut into her habit, stunned as the leading Empoleon turned and walked away!

The other Empoleon followed.

The Sleeping Empoleon was the only one to remain, its body twitching from Infestation.

“HEY! I’M NOT DONE HERE!!” Gary ran past the Sleeping Pokemon.

One of the Empoleon turned and fired Bubble Beam at Gary!

The child screamed as the Bubbles hit his legs and he was knocked right off his feet, landing on his front painfully. Groaning, he sat up, holding himself up with one arm. “Wait!” he called out a lot weaker. “That was just one of my Pokemon. And she was already weakened!” He inhaled, gathering more strength and energy. “Give me a chance! WAIT!” Tears started filling up his eyes as his pride was now taking a destructive blow. “I HAVE BETTER POKEMOOOOOOOON!!” His voice echoed in the woods.

“Gary!” Ranger Kai was heard.

But Gary ignored her. “I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO USE MY WHOLE TEAM! I WAS JUST TESTING YOU GUYS OUT!! I CAN-!!”

SLAP!!

“OW!!” Gary’s head stung as it was hit, and he looked to see the back of Ranger Kai’s hand beside her own head.

She had just slapped Gary very hard. “First of all, the nerve you have to call yourself a Pokemon Trainer when you would speak and use your Pokemon so selfishly, is an utter disgrace!! And of course, you would choose to disgrace the Bug type! It’s no wonder that even Empoleon has rejected you. You aren’t worthy to battle, and you aren’t a worthy Trainer, period!”

“Is that why they left...?” Gary asked, his body filling with shame.

“Empoleon just thinks you’re weak. But if your unworthiness due to how you treated your Bug type isn’t also the reason, I’m personally adding it on.”

Gary fell over at this answer, but he sat up quickly. “Wait. Butterfree.”

Butterfree was curled up on the ground.

“Butterfree.” Gary crawled through the dirt to his Pokemon. “Butterfree. I’m so sorry.” Narrowing his eyes, he reached out his hand. When he stopped this time, it wasn’t because of his own fears, but because Butterfree actually scurried away, crawling ahead. “Huh? Butterfree?” Butterfree spread her wings, which startled Gary a bit, but it wasn’t his usual phobia. He was just genuinely unsure of what was going on.

“You’ve done it, now. Butterfree is now the one uncomfortable around you.”

Gary’s heart stopped, stunned by her words, but it was the satisfied tone of those words that snapped Gary out of it. He looked back and frowned, seeing the happiness on Ranger Kai’s face. “No. I don’t think so.”

“No one cares what you think, Gary. You screwed up one too many times. You and Butterfree-”

“Will be just fine.” Gary inhaled. “You’ll never understand our bond, but she will. We will.”

In the middle of the Gringey City Gym, after defeating June for his Badge, Gary reached out slowly. Very slowly. Forcing his hand closer to his Beedrill. And patted him gently on his gross, hairy head.

In the middle of the woods, Gary reached out slowly. Very slowly. Forcing his hand closer to his Butterfree.

“Ow!” Something smacked the side of Gary’s head! “What the...?”

A green object sat on the floor.

Gary picked up the hard object and then scanned the crowd watching in the bleachers of June’s Gym, leering hard. “Who threw-?” he started angrily.

A bright light near the floor interrupted him.

Metapod was evolving! She had a bright light coming out from a hole in her body! The white light pushed out of the Metapod shell and antennae became clear to Gary’s view. Enormous wings spread wide. Metapod had evolved into a Butterfree!

Gary stared at Butterfree for a very long time, and she stared back. He sighed. Why did I have to capture these Bugs? he thought, his skin starting to crawl.

To fulfill a promise to my mom, he answered himself. His arm extended to the Butterfly.

Gary ran his hands along one of the huge wings of the Pokemon. The touch was scaly and hard, not smooth at all, and it felt fragile, as if pieces were coming off on his hand. He scrunched his face slightly, trying to work on being okay with this. His face then went serious. I can do this, he convinced himself. I can.

Right? he second-guessed himself.

Butterfree turned to him.

Gary’s eyes widened. Come on! He smiled gently.

Butterfree’s eyes twinkled in awe.

“Hm?” Ranger Kai uttered.

“Em?”

This new noise made everyone look.

It was none other than Empoleon! It had finally awakened. It didn’t take even five seconds of looking around before Empoleon’s face became a lot more somber.

“Oh, Empoleon...” Ranger Kai said gently as she approached the Water and Steel type. She sat down beside it.

“What happened?” Gary asked. “Wait. Oh...” Gary realized sadly.

Ranger Kai’s head lowered. “It’s not uncommon, especially with such prideful packs, but it seems that Empoleon has been abandoned. It’s likely this was the weakest member of the pack, and that’s why they had it fight you. The final test. Meaning those other Empoleon, especially the leader, were far stronger than-”

“Empoleon!” Empoleon got to its feet and had one fin pulled back as if to strike Ranger Kai, a deadly look on its face for the woman.

The Ranger stared at the Pokemon with wide, frightened eyes. “I’m sorry!” she squeaked out. “Please, I just meant, it isn’t fair what they’ve done to you! Surviving in a pack, when considered the weakest, leads to bullying and unfair judgment, and I’m sure you were and still are plenty strong! We’ll prove them wrong about you!”

“Em?” Empoleon said, its face easing and its eyes wide.

“Huh?” Gary said.

“Elect?” Electivire joined in.

Metapod, Dunsparce, and Swadloon also uttered surprise.

“I know you wanted the strongest one, but, Gary, how can you, as a Pokemon Trainer, leave this one behind? Look at him.” Ranger Kai’s face was so mournful, pleading with Gary.

Empoleon was looking at the ground.

“Just look. It doesn’t even know what to do with itself. We can’t leave it behind. I’ll take it with me myself back to headquarters if I have to.”

“I did want the boss Empoleon,” Gary admitted.

Empoleon looked back sharply at him, keeping its fin above, still looking able to swing and cut down Ranger Kai at any moment.

Gary walked over to Empoleon. “But I guess I never proved I could even beat you to begin with, did I?”

Empoleon growled at him, its face twitching with fury.

“I put you to Sleep, but then your boss dropped my Butterfree with one more hit. You may have been that close, too. You could say that we both have a ways to go.” He sighed. “Besides, if they didn’t even wait for the fight to actually end, that group is afraid of you if you ask me. You might have been able to win. Who knows?! They ran away before finding out. That’s right; they ran away from you.”

Empoleon looked right at Gary, the anger gone, replaced with what seemed to possibly be intrigue.

“If they gave up on you that fast, who needs ‘em?” Gary grabbed a Great Ball from his pocket and held it out. “What do ya say? Let’s show ‘em, or better yet, the world, just how strong you really are!”

“Do it, Empoleon! I might even say I recommend him! He ain’t so bad, and you’re not a Bug type, so I have no issues here!”

Gary had hard eyes for Ranger Kai, Empoleon just looking confused, but he returned to face the Pokemon. “Come on, Empoleon. Let’s prove to each other who’s the strongest, fair and square. Let’s grow together.”

Empoleon sighed, lowering its head and closing its eyes. When it decided to look Gary in the eyes again, it nodded.

Gary’s eyes widened, not believing this.

Empoleon then slapped the Great Ball, removing it from Gary’s hand.

A red beam came out of the Great Ball and took Empoleon in. It hit the ground and trembled a few times before the PING! It then vanished in a flash of light a moment later.

Gary reached out for the Great Ball, but it was already gone. “I can’t believe it. I caught an Empoleon! Ha! No way!”

Ranger Kai smiled at him. “Just watch your mouth around it. They are very prideful. And that makes them very dangerous. You can lose your head mouthing off to it the way you did to Butterfree.”

Oh, no. Gary turned to Butterfree.

Butterfree was looking at him already.

“Butterfree.” He smiled. “We did it, didn’t we?”

Butterfree smiled back at him.

Gary held out his hand, and Butterfree came for it immediately. He inhaled deeply, keeping his smile, gritting his teeth, tightening his arm, and as the Bug got too close, he shut his eyes and waited for the feel of Butterfree to embrace him with her wings. He felt the enclosure, and exhaled shakily.

“Thank you, everyone, for all of your support and extreme patience with me,” Gary had said back at June’s Gym to all of his Pokemon, including Beedrill and Butterfree. “You’ve been more than tolerable of me after all this time. And I’m still not there yet, but you guys have helped me get to where I am now. Which is much further than when we first met. We’ve all become so much stronger in so many different ways. Thank you, everyone.”

“Thank you, Butterfree,” Gary breathed out, and looked up into the big, red eyes of his smiling friend.