Swanna Song, Sung Throughout Sinnoh

“I’m sorry, but Charizard’s still not performing up to par. And his behavior has only gotten worse and making testing that much more difficult,” Kiwi told her friend Gary. “Ivysaur I think will come along just fine, but they’re just totally lacking the physical energy to keep themselves going for long.”

“I’m so sorry about Charizard, Kiwi. Thank you and Prof. Sketchit so much for everything,” Gary said sadly and then sighed. “I was really looking forward to finally getting Charizard back.”

“If he’d just take it easy he could get back to you that much sooner. That’s what he doesn’t understand.”

“Man, what a mess this has been. Maybe everyone’s right and I shoulda just stayed in Kanto and be near my Pokemon. This trip has just been a huge waste.”

“Well, you know that isn’t true. Just because you didn’t find what you wanted in Canalave City, doesn’t mean you’re just dropping out of the League, right?”

“No.”

“So your work isn’t over yet. You have a League to compete in and supposedly win, right?”

“Yeah! And I will!” Gary was getting fired up at her challenge.

She nodded. “Then, off you go.”

The screen went blank.

“HEY!” Gary stared in shock at the blue screen. “Damn it, Kiwi!” he frowned. “Why does she do that?” After hanging up the phone, he stood up in the Pokemon Center and held his sides, leaning back to try to crack his back. After no sound was heard, he let out a groan and stood straight, looking around. I can finally start using my older guys again. That’s great. Dugtrio, Kingdra and Weepinbell are back again. Man, it feels great to say those names again. So many memories. My old friends are slowly coming back. Charizard, you just need to chill. And Ivysaur, we’ll be back together again soon, too.

A sadness came over his face and he could feel the urge to cry as he thought of the one member who would never return. He touched his right cheek and rubbed it. I can almost feel you, Gary thought wistfully.

The building was lively, older folks focusing on a TV show that was on, the younger people bragging about their Pokemon and showing off their Pokedexes.

Gary stepped outside into a bright and cool, breezy day with a hundred thoughts in his head. How does she know Scientist Gary? Why did she tell me the book was for me, and not Aly and Rob? Should I wait for Charizard before taking on the Steel Gym Leader here? Should I be focusing on tracking down this monster? Keeping up with the news? Or is my main goal the Sinnoh League? I can’t be expected to really track and kill this thing just like that, right? Even if it is what I want to do. What did Orange expect me to get out of those stupid books?

He walked away from the doors of the Pokemon Center and through the big city, his hands in his jacket pockets and his head down. He wasn’t alone, and he knew it, but he continued with his thoughts, ignoring his companion.

Prof. Cynthia’s writings on the Legendary Pokemon of Sinnoh was really cool. Time and space Pokemon. The creation of the entire universe by Pokemon. But Arceus doesn’t even have a thousand arms. Assuming the image in the ‘Dex is accurate, anyway. Then there was stuff about morals and other metaphors about things by ancient people who didn’t even understand what Pokemon were! I mean, we may not know all that much even now, but they knew way less! Wasn’t there something about them marrying Pokemon?! Was that real? What am I meant to learn from people who did things like that??

Removing himself from his irritating thoughts, he looked back to see Electivire still following him, not causing any trouble, but glaring around at the sights of the city. His thoughts continued once he focused back on the path to the Gym.

*

As many myths about Pokemon, especially the Legends and Mythicals, remain unconfirmed as have been proven to be real! Gary went on as he walked, Electivire only feet behind him. Creatures out there are still being confirmed to be actual Pokemon or not, which is why the exact number of Pokemon is still in question. There’s just too many questions out there. I should speak to Orange again before I leave. I need to know what he thinks. What is it he wanted me to see that I missed in those books. All they talked about was the relationship between humans, Pokemon, and the world itself. Right? What could that have to do with the monster? Is he saying that she is a Pokemon? The more I think about it, the more it does make sense. And the more it seems that I simply don’t want her to be one... But she speaks... She wouldn’t go inside of the Master Ball... And her actions are so... planned. Deliberate. Pokemon can be wildly smart and calculated, especially Psychics, but even so, this is more than just being smart. It’s... It’s kinda... too human, if anything! She’s purposely attacking Gyms. Human establishments, like Prof. Cynthia said. Her friend told her that. So what am I saying exactly? He swallowed nervously, struggling to get it down his throat. What exactly am I interpreting this monster to be, then? This “monster”... Is the answer just that simple, yet complicated? Am I hunting a real, live, monster? Is that possible?

Gary looked up and stopped walking. He had practiced this long walk all night long, and it paid off as, while paying almost no attention to his surroundings, including a bridge over water that he had to cross, he found his way back to the Canalave City Gym.

The place was the most oddly-constructed building he’d ever seen. It looked like someone just threw boulders around a poorly structured steel setup with a top that looked like a UFO. A design of a Poke Ball sat near the top of the rock section.

There was a steel sign that stated: Canalave City Pokemon Gym Leader: Byron

The Man Who Loves Defense!

The road beyond the sign leading up to the Gym was all dirt and rocks, lined by grass with tall hedges set apart from each other.

Gary and Electivire walked down a steel hallway before stopping at a pair of blue doors with horizontal and vertical lines in a darker shade, the sections between the crisscrossing patterns only a couple of shades away from appearing like blue glass. They opened at the two’s arrival.

Flexing in a white muscle shirt, his arms curled up, a very dark man SCREEEEEEEAMED to the ceiling!

“AAAAAAAAHHH!!” Gary reacted, taking a step back.

“Vire?” Electivire stood his ground, merely looking confused.

This guy had smooth, good-looking skin and was entirely bald. His mature face had white whiskers amongst his big black beard. “ARE YOU A CHALLENGER FOR BYRON AT CANALAVE CITY GYM??!! RAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

Gary was breathing extra hard, confused and scared of this crazy guy. “Huh??”

The man’s arms dropped and he frowned at Gary. “Are you not here to challenge the Canalave Gym?” he asked in a calmer voice.

“Y-y-yes. I am?” Gary stuttered.

The man burst into a roar and flexed his arms, veins showing throughout his whole body, his knees bent in his black spandex shorts.

Gary screamed out again and jumped in place. He then frowned at the man. Who is this guy?! This isn’t Byron!

“THEN SUCK IN SOME ENERGY AND LET IT EXPLOOOOODE!!! YYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!” the man let out like a madman.

“ELECTIIIIIRE!!!” Electivire let June’s bag drop and he flexed his arms and his body began to spark, bolts bouncing around him and along the ground.

Gary yelled out and moved away.

The bald man just laughed in a booming voice, pointing at the Pokemon. “NOW THAT’S THE ENERGY I LIKE TO SEE!!! I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE-!!”

“WAIT WAIT WAIT!! THIS guy isn’t doing anything! Electivire, I told you to keep yourself in check, man!” Gary barked.

“Electivire!” Electivire shot back.

“Stay outta my match!”

“ELECTIVIRE!”

The two were in each other’s face now, fists clenched, looking ready to fight each other. Electivire’s horns sparked, and Gary eased back, softening his face a little. “Come on, man. We’ve talked about this! This isn’t how this journey is gonna go, okay?” Electivire sent out a joined bolt from his horns, causing Gary to scream and collapse. His body tightened up and he resisted the pain surging through his body.

“WHOA! CHILD, ARE YOU OKAY??” the man shouted, leaning over and staring down at him.

“W-w-w-we-we’ll see-see-seeeee,” Gary managed as sparks came off of him constantly. I can’t keep this up. This thing is not only attacking me, but if he tries to steal my match again... Th-uggggg! That’s it! Gary couldn’t even think straight with the pain he was in!

The older man helped him up to his feet.

Gary’s legs trembled and then rocked and soon he just fell.

“Electivire!!”

“Huh?” The man turned to Electivire with surprise.

Electivire was punching his fists together, creating sparks with each hit.

“N-n-n-no!” Gary sat up with balled fists, hunched over, heaving. “No.” He lifted his head, frowning. “NO, Electivire! This is enough! Return!” He pulled out Electivire’s Poke Ball, but never got to extend it as he was zapped yet again. This time, he remained on his back. With occasional sparks, his back would arch painfully before he’d drop flat again. This... has to end... Gary thought exhaustedly. No more of this after today... He twitched in more agony as he sparked.

“Perhaps this match should be postponed until you and your Pokemon are more willing and ready!” the man suggested.

“P-p-please,” Gary grunted. “I just need a couple of moments and we can fight... Gggggghhh!” His body tightened up from more sparking. And Raichu... Gary told himself. Don’t take any chances. Just keep... “Gggghhhh!!” Gary’s body jumped. Raichu... Out...

*

Gary and the older man walked through the inside of the Gym that looked like an office building. There were several doors down several hallways, and the floor was a shiny gold. The walls were different colors, some white, some blue. Every large tile of the ceiling had a rectangular light in it.

“AND HERE IT IIIIIIS!!” The man pointed ahead at a square section lined with steel, the doors closed tight. He walked up to it and they slid apart.

Gary hoisted June’s bag up on his shoulder and moved quickly after him, his body tightening a little bit as he stopped. He couldn’t tell if this was from nervousness, or the electricity still coursing through his body from Electivire. He didn’t think long about this, his eyes widening as he took in the new room.

It had a steel, silver floor, but the middle of the room was a dirt field with numerous rocks and boulders. Red bleachers sat on either side of the room, a silver, metal platform underneath.

As the two stepped inside, Gary could see a figure already standing at one end of the battlefield that was outlined in white. The Gym Leader? he wondered and looked around him quickly, seeing bolts and metal pieces in the walls. He turned to the man who had led him inside, and then looked to the other guy.

This second man was also bald and had muscular arms crossed over his shirtless, hairy chest. He looked even older than the darker man, but his body was a light-skin shaded work of art! His face was covered in a long, white beard and he wore gray jogging shorts, white socks, and gray and white sneakers. His eyebrows were frowned. He inhaled exaggeratingly, opening his mouth wide. “WELCOME TO THE CANALAAAAAAAAAAAAAVE GYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYMMM!! I AM BYRON, THE STEEL POKEMON EXPERT!!!”

Why does everyone shout here? Gary found himself thinking, but he forgot about this and stepped forward, moving until he reached his spot in the Gym. He let June’s bag fall and then took in the largest breath. “HI! I’M GARY FROM PALLET TOWN, IN THE KANTO REGION!! I’M HERE TO WIN YOUR BADGE, SIR!!”

Byron burst out laughing. “HOW CUTE!!! WE’LL SEE HOW FAR YOU GET, YOUNG MAN!!”

The black male ran onto the field and then right out of it to the middle. “THIS WILL BE A THREE-ON-THREE BATTLE BETWEEN THE CANALAVE CITY GYM LEADER, BYRON, AND GARY FROM THE KANTO REGION’S PALLET TOWN!!! THERE WILL BE NO TIME LIMIT!!! THE WINNER WILL BE DECIDED ONCE ALL THREE POKEMON OF ONE SIDE ARE DEFEATED!!! ONLY GARY MAY SUBSTITUTE POKEMON!!! LET THE BATTLE BEGIIIIIIN!!!!”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! YYYYEEEEAAAAAAAA!!!!” Byron exploded with energy that seemed to literally explode behind him in flames and wild debris as he flexed in front of Gary. “WELCOME TO THE SINNOH REGIOOOOON!!! KNOW THAT I LOVE MUSCLES!! I LOVE DEFENSE!! AND I, LOVE, EXCADRIIIIIIILL!!!!” He scooped up a Poke Ball and sent out his first choice.

“EXCADRIIIIIILLL!!” The Pokemon landed, a giant, fat mole with gleaming silver claws that looked like they’d tear through any opponent with a single swipe. A matching blade sat at its forehead.

Excadrill. The Subterrene Pokemon. The evolved form of Drilbur. A Ground and Steel type Pokemon. Known as the “Drill King” in its native Unova region, it can straighten its body and spin like a ball to create complex tunnels to confuse predators and keep them from its nest.

Gary’s eyes widened in amazement. That thing looks wild! And it’s from Unova! Ground and Steel... I’m gonna use Lanturn! He grabbed the Poke Ball, enlarged it, and sent out his first option.

Lanturn cried out happily.

Or maybe this wasn’t the best choice... Gary found himself reconsidering too late. June’s concern was her battling on ground. She doesn’t move as well here. Gary grit his teeth. We’ll make it work! “Stockpile!!”

Lanturn opened her mouth big and took in a huge breath, her body filling with air and glowing purple.

“EARTHQUAKE RIGHT AWAY!!” Byron let out.

“EXCAAAAADRIIIILL!!!” Excadrill jumped and came down heavy.

The Gym was suddenly under an earthquake! It shook strongly, flooring Gary with ease.

Byron and the referee were both screaming with crazed smiles, their knees bent and arms flexed.

Lanturn yelled out in pain as she tumbled and rolled, finally stopping as the move ended.

“Lanturn!” Gary managed, still on the ground. “You can do it! GET UP! Strike back with Hydro Pump now!”

“DIG AND GET AWAY FROM THAT!!”

Lanturn attacked, sending a big stream of Water at Excadrill.

Excadrill went underground quickly, tearing through the dirt floor and avoiding contact.

“That’s great!” Gary realized as he stood up, keeping a focused face, his eyebrows frowned. “It’s our turn so, another Stockpile!”

Lanturn called out and then took another breath, glowing purple and raising both Defense and Special Defense one more stage.

Excadrill exploded out of the ground, tackling Lanturn into the air. The two fell apart and Lanturn bounced as she landed, Excadrill landing on its feet a distance off, watching her.

Lanturn groaned as she straightened up and glared at Excadrill.

“Lanturn!! You okay, girl?” Gary called.

Lanturn shook her head and got up!

“NOW THAT’S IMPRESSIVE!! AN ELECTRIC TYPE TAKING SO MUCH!!” Byron congratulated.

“That’s right! And stand by for this, next! SWALLOW!!” Gary smiled.

Lanturn gulped down the Stockpile and her body sparkled for a bit.

“That’s a help,” Gary mumbled. Can’t screw up this time, he told himself. This is our last chance!

“EARTHQUAAAAKE!!!”

“TAKE THAT AND RETURN WITH HYDRO PUMP!!”

Excadrill slammed down hard after jumping, Gary and Lanturn hitting the ground.

Lanturn wasted no time and blasted Excadrill, sending it flying back into a large boulder.

“Excadriiill!!” Excadrill groaned.

Lanturn was breathing heavily, weary from the Earthquake as Gary jumped back up readily.

“EXCADRILL!! DIG AGAIN!!!” Byron raged to the ceiling.

Excadrill leaped at the ground and dug into it, disappearing underground.

“THAT’S IT! MIMIC!!” Gary beamed. His eyes widened, dying to see how this would look!

The orbs on Lanturn glowed gold. Then they returned back to normal.

“USE THAT DIG!!” Gary couldn’t wait for the move to work!

Lanturn looked back to Gary, confused.

“Lanturn??” Gary’s heart went mad with panic!

Lanturn cried out as Excadrill came out of the ground and took her down.

“LANTURN IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!!! EXCADRILL WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINS!!!!!” the referee ruled.

“YEEEEEEAAAAAAAHH!!!! I LOVE DEFEEEEENSE!!!” Byron cheered.

“Lanturn, I thought we had this, but thanks anyway! You helped a lot!” Gary recalled Lanturn. “I knew that Mimic was confusing. I shouldn’t have tested it out here. You put a lot of work into this match. We’ve got this because of you!” he said to the Poke Ball. “And I know who’s next!” He clipped the Poke Ball to his waist and scooped up his second choice, making the ball large and tossing it. “PRIMEAPE! GO!!”

Primeape appeared. “PRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIMEAPE!!!” Primeape was bouncing wildly, punching and jumping, kicking and flipping, ready to fight!

“WHAT AN ACTIVE SPORT YOU’VE GOT THERE!!” Byron noted. “BUT IT’S NO MATCH FOR MY EXCADRILL! I LOVE DEFENSE!! I LOVE IRON DEFENSE!!!”

At those words, Excadrill’s body was outlined in blue. It raised its claws and crossed them in front of itself as its entire body became covered in an Iron coating.

“Primeape, let’s do it! Rage!!”

“PRIIIIIIIIME!!!” Primeape charged at Excadrill and then jumped, coming down and slugging Excadrill. Excadrill didn’t even flinch, Primeape being repelled and sliding back on his feet.

The Iron on Excadrill’s body went away.

“USE IRON HEAD!!”

Excadrill’s horn turned to Iron and it rammed it against Primeape.

Primeape hit his back and slid. He then cowered, curling up into a frightened ball and started shivering. But his body was glowing red with an increase in his Attack.

“Primeape??” Gary called. “HEY! NO! A Flinch!”

“I LOVE DEFENSE!! DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFEEEEEEENSE!!! IRON DEFENSE AGAAAAAIN!!!” Byron smiled with might.

Excadrill repeated the move.

“Oh, no you don’t! Cross Chop!!”

Primeape finally stood, grunting, and he kept punching his fists together. He then jumped, crossing his arms, and they glowed white. He slammed into Excadrill. Where they met, Excadrill flashed white with a Critical Hit and the Iron vanished from around it.

Excadrill groaned out in pain as it flew backwards and slid into a large boulder. It slowly got back up, his eyes closed with exhaustion.

“EXCADRILL, EARTHQUAKE NOOOOW!!!”

We got lucky with the Crit! Gary knew. “CROSS CHOP!! QUICKLY!”

Primeape shot for Excadrill like a missile.

Excadrill opened its eyes and then bent its knees to jump.

“JUMP AFTER IT, PRIMEAPE!!” Gary made tight fists.

Excadrill moved first, beginning its ascent.

Primeape followed right after and flew into Excadrill with Cross Chop.

“DRIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLL!!!” Excadrill came back down and bounced, Primeape landing easily and watching it.

“EXCADRILL IS OUT OF THE MATCH!!! PRIMEAPE WIIIIIIINS!!!!” the referee declared.

“WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAA!!!” Byron raised his fists. “INCREDIBLE POWER!!!” He recalled Excadrill. “THAT, was a GREAT MATCH!! EXCELLENT DEFENSE, EXCADRILL!” With a twist full of dramatic flair, he grabbed his second Poke Ball. “I LOOOOOOOVE DEFENSE!! AND I, LOVE, SCIZOOOOOOR!!!” A Great Ball flew from his hand and bounced on the ground before opening and revealing in a white beam, a Scizor.

“Scizor!” The Pokemon stood up straight, its arms at its sides.

“A Scizor! Cool!” Gary smiled and nodded. “Let’s keep the momentum up! Cross Chop!” No need to risk Defense with Close Combat right now, Gary settled.

“SHOW SOME GUTS!! IRON DEFENSE!!!”

Primeape lunged at Scizor and knocked it back with Cross Chop.

Scizor grunted as it stumbled but remained standing.

Yes! We’re faster! Gary smiled.

Scizor’s body became coated in Iron and it stood motionless.

Too late for that! We’ve already got a fresh hit in! Should we risk one Close Combat? “Cross Chop!”

Primeape rushed at Scizor.

“BULLET PUNCH!!” Byron ordered.

Scizor flew sharply and quickly, outspeeding Primeape, and punched Primeape with a light-blue claw.

Primeape’s move was stopped and he fell down.

“USE YOUR LEEEEER!!”

Scizor’s eyes flashed red and it leaned in intimidatingly on Primeape.

“Primeape, don’t back down! Screw it! CLOSE COMBAT!!”

“COUNTER THOSE BLOWS WITH DOUBLE HIT!!” Byron smiled.

Primeape swung one fist.

Scizor’s claws glowed purple. With a cry, it swung one claw, connecting with the original swing from Primeape.

Primeape didn’t slow down, swinging the other fist.

Scizor swung with its free claw, blocking this, too.

Contrary to his Trainer, Primeape didn’t look the least bit surprised and moved his arms from Scizor as he jumped up and extended a foot to kick it.

“AGILITY AROUND THE REST OF THE HITS!!” Byron instructed.

“Scizor! Scizor! Scizor!” Scizor could’ve been using Teleport for all Gary knew as it dodged all the other kicks and punches Primeape was trying to land.

When Primeape’s attempts ended, he looked around in confusion. “Prime? Prime? Ape?” There was no one in front of him except Byron!

Scizor stood behind Primeape.

“BEHIND YOU!” Gary called.

“METAL CLAW!!!” Byron called.

Scizor raised its claws high as Primeape turned. As the claws transformed into Metal, they came down on Primeape’s face.

“PRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!” Primeape flew across the field and slid on his back.

Scizor glowed red, its Attack boosted.

“PRIMEAPE IS UNABLE TO FIGHT!!! SCIZOR WIIIIIINS!!!” the referee determined.

“GRRRRREAT DEFEEEEENSE!!!!” Byron celebrated.

Scizor silently kept its eyes on Primeape.

Primeape croaked weakly and looked up dizzily before his head fell again.

“Primeape, it’s okay. Stay down. You did a lot of work out there. Thank you!” He recalled his Pokemon and stared at Scizor. A Scizor, Gary thought. And after this, there’s only one Pokemon left. Gary grabbed the Safari Ball from his belt. And this guy was raised by one of the best Trainers I know, so I bet she can take this one home! He made the ball large and gripped it harder. I just wish she didn’t have such a stupid nickname, Rob... “F-”

A white beam came out from Gary’s pocket.

He gasped angrily. This better not be...

“ELECTIVIIIIIIIRE!!!!” Electivire roared, flexing his arms and sparking.

Little sparks from his body bounced around the field.

“ELECTIVIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE!!!!!” Gary erupted.

“AN ELECTIVIRE!! GREA-!!” Byron started.

“I DID NOT TELL YOU TO COME OUT!!! STOP THE MATCH!!! I AM NOT US-!!!” Gary took a step, trying to enter the battlefield.

“VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRE!!!” Electivire blasted at Scizor.

Scizor vanished, reappearing just a bit to the side, just dodging damage.

Electivire growled, his fists bursting with sparks.

“ELECTIVIRE CUT IT OUT ALREADY!!!” Gary dug into his pocket for Electivire’s Poke Ball.

“SCIZOR, USE YOUR X-SCISSOR!!”

Scizor’s claws now glowed light green. It then attacked Electivire, crossing its arms in front of it and sending out a light-green glowing X.

Electivire pulled back one fist and punched! His Thunder Punch hit the middle of the X and shattered it into light-green pieces!

Byron now let out a stunned, loud groan of disbelief!

Gary had Electivire’s Poke Ball in his hand but was now watching, shocked at the power Electivire had displayed.

There was silence in the building.

Electivire and Scizor eyed each other easily.

Byron and the referee were watching quietly.

Gary started getting more angry. “Electivire! STOP! I request to recall him and-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Gary collapsed after Electivire sent an Electric blast his way and left him immobilized on his back.

Now, the referee and the Gym Leader eyed Gary in shock.

“GARY!! DON’T TELL ME YOU HAVE A DISOBEDIENT POKEMON!!!” Byron brought up.

“I-I-I-I h-h-h-h-haven’t h-had one of th-th-those in a while...” Gary shuddered uncontrollably on the ground.

“Huh?” Byron questioned. His attention was returned to the battlefield as an action occurred.

Electivire was flying for Scizor with both fists sparking again!

“SCIZOR!! USE LEER!!”

Scizor leaned towards Electivire, sneering intimidatingly, and its eyes glowed red. “SCIZOOOOOOR!!” Scizor wailed out as Electivire kept going straight ahead, unbothered by the Leer, and socked the Bug and Steel type dead in the face. It collapsed to the ground and remained still.

Byron gasped loudly. “SCIZOR!!”

Gary couldn’t react too properly, but even he was surprised by what had just happened.

“Sciz...” Scizor’s eyes opened. “Scizor...” It got up, glaring at Electivire.

“ALRIGHT, SCIZOR!! SHOW YOUR DEFEEEEEEEEEEENSE!!! IRON DEFEEEEEEEEEEENSE!!!”

Electivire moved quicker, slugging Scizor in the stomach with flaming fists this time!

Scizor wasn’t even able to use Iron Defense now as it slid in a sitting position, holding itself where it was hit, its head lowered and eyes shut tight with pain.

“SCIZOOOOOR!!!” Byron’s eyes were wide as he stared at Electivire. But then - he was smiling!!

Scizor’s head raised back up as its eyes opened and it leered at Electivire.

“SCIZOR! PERHAPS THIS IS THE ONE!!” Byron spoke. “Gary! I may not know exactly what is going on here with your Electivire,” he inhaled big before letting out, “BUT I KNOW A CHALLENGE WHEN I SEE ONE!!!” He stretched, reaching his arm out to one side. “I may not have all the fancy words and movements and clothing creativeness, BUT I KNOW MY POKEMON, AND THAT’S WHAT MEGA EVOLUTION IS ALL ABOUT!!!”

Mega Evolution?! Gary got himself to sit up, his body briefly twinging from surrounding sparks.

Byron stretched to the other side. “THIS ELECTIVIRE OF YOURS IS ASTOUNDING!!!”

Scizor stood up. It then held out a claw and opened it, revealing some kind of jewel inside!

“WE LIVE FOR MUSCLES!!!!” Byron pressed his hands into his lower back and leaned against them. “WE LIVE FOR DEFENSE!!!!” Byron then bent forward, and one hand dug into his right sock. “WE LIVE,” Byron stood, holding out a clenched fist, “FOR BATTLLLLLLLLLLLE!!!” He turned his hand around and opened it, revealing a similar, smaller jewel to what his Scizor held, a tone similar to a rainbow within.

The one in Scizor’s claw seemed to be mostly red inside, a gray stripe in the middle.

Byron’s other hand then touched the jewel, and a bright flash shined.

Long sparks reached from the stone Byron had and extended out for Scizor as the stone Scizor held also sparked. While one stone sparked yellow, the other sparked with a more bluish-white.

The streams met and took over Scizor. When the bright light vanished, Scizor now looked very different!! A symbol appeared in front of it in a mix of a few colors before vanishing as well. “Scizor!” Scizor took a ready pose, looking like it was going to strike.

Mega Scizor. A Mega Evolution Pokemon. A Bug and Steel type. The power of this Pokemon is unbearable for itself. It cannot last in battle for too long, the energy it sustains resulting in melting its own body. Its pincers will destroy anything.

Gary’s eyes were HUGE! What the...?

“WE WON’T NEED LONG IN THIS ONE!! SCIZOR!! NIGHT SLASH!!!”

Mega Scizor’s claws glowed purple and it raised them high.

Gary was just getting to his knees.

Electivire raged out and held up his arms as his eyes and body glowed bright red.

Mega Scizor slammed down onto Electivire.

There was a loud collision and a strong wind whipped through the field.

Gary’s eyes shut against the force and he lowered himself down. After the wind ended, he weakly lifted his head.

“INCREDIBLLLLLLE!!!” Byron was shouting, smiling huge.

“I’VE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH DETERMINATION!!!” even the referee was joining in.

Gary gasped.

White smoke was blowing from Electivire’s nostrils. “VIIIIIIIIIIIRE!!!” He shoved back on Mega Scizor, the opponent actually stumbling backwards!

Mega Scizor fell, moreso from a rock in the ground that tripped it up.

“FIRE PUNCH!!!”

Everyone looked over to Gary.

Even Electivire.

Gary himself was stunned, and confused. Did I give Electivire an order? Am I really trying to battle with him? Is this right? “Electivire,” he struggled out, getting to one foot, still down on one knee. “Use your Fire Punch! It’s its weakness!”

“Electivire,” Electivire grunted, turning from Gary. “VIIIIIIIIIIIRE!!!” He used the move Gary didn’t recognize right away, and punched the Mega Scizor. He then kicked, punched, and tackled it down to its back. Jumping up, he swiftly kicked at it and then grabbed it by the shoulders, making the Mega Evolution Pokemon stand, only to headbutt it and punch it some more.

Mega Scizor took the hits, reacting to the impact, but not that severely despite Electivire’s visible efforts.

“DOUBLE HIT, NOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!” Byron finally commanded.

Electivire swung at Mega Scizor.

Mega Scizor’s claws glowed purple, and it attacked.

Electivire hooked Mega Scizor.

Mega Scizor completely ignored this and slammed a claw on Electivire’s head.

“Lec...” Electivire froze.

Mega Scizor then slammed the second claw across Electivire’s cheek.

At the same time, Electivire raised a leg and kicked at Mega Scizor. “VIIIIRE!!!”

Both Pokemon fell over together!

Neither Pokemon moved!

The referee’s jaw dropped.

Byron was staring between the two Pokemon and the referee repeatedly.

Gary remained on his knee, eyes wide, jaw opened.

Mega Scizor’s body was consumed in a big flash of light for just a moment before its body was revealed again. Laying there was just Scizor without the Mega Evolved body.

“SCIZOOOOOOOOOOR!!!!” Byron burst out.

The referee shook his head at this and raised both arms. “BOTH SCIZOR AND ELECTIVIRE ARE UNABLE TO BATTLE!! AS THE GYM LEADER, BYRON, STILL HAS ONE REMAINING POKEMON, BYRON WINS THE MATCH AND DEFENDS THE MINE BAAAAAADGE!!!”

Gary fell over onto his side, exhausted.

Byron was in the middle of the battlefield, heading for Gary.

Scizor was gone, only Electivire remaining and not moving.

Byron stopped in front of his opponent, a grim look on his face. “Gary.” The man then smiled. “THAT WAS THE GREATEST BATTLE I MAY HAVE EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE LLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFE!!!!”

Gary was trembling, but he wasn’t entirely sure why. “Byron...” he whispered.

“I may have won, but your Electivire withstood the power of my Mega Scizor with exceptional power!! HOW DID YOU DO IT???!!!” He leaned forward and held out his hand to help up the kid.

Gary didn’t take it, not wanting to move yet. “Sir, I’m sorry, but Electivire isn’t my Pokemon.”

“WHAAAAAAT???!!!”

“Electivire isn’t mine. He’s my friend’s. Electivire is just disobedient and chose to fight. He’s nothing but in my way.”

“Wha-? But. Then, who IS ELECTIVIRE’S TRAINER???”

“My friend, but she’s not here. It’s a long story, sir. The point is, this battle wasn’t supposed to end this way. But, I would have probably lost, anyway. This guy is super strong, and I was only planning on bringing out my own Scizor. We stood no chance against you. I had no idea you could Mega Evolve Scizor, or that you yourself had the power to do it. Huh?” Gary stared at the hairy, large hand the older man kept out for him to take, but instead he looked back at the man’s face.

Byron smiled. “Kid, you’ve got a lot of heart!! And you’re an INCREDIBLE battler!! I only used Mega Evolution, not because I was afraid to lose, but because of the unique strength I saw in your Electivire!! Or, your friend’s Electivire! Listen, I want to battle it AGAAAAAAAAIN!!!”

“What??!” Gary couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Next time you come to challenge my Gym, bring Electivire, PLEASE!! I’m DYING to take it on again, one-on-one with my Mega Scizor! That it managed to match raw power with it and tie is OUT OF THIS WORLD STRENGTH!!!”

“NO!!”

Byron gasped, finally dropping his hand.

Gary struggled to get up. He looked to the ground and picked up a Poke Ball. Holding it out, he returned Electivire. After frowning at the ball, he turned to Byron. “Maybe, maybe, if I can learn to get him under control, I’ll consider it. But I will not use this thing like this. I’ll be back here after some time to face you, after some training and stuff. I need to make my way towards Alamos Town first, but I’ll be back. But Electivire isn’t mine to begin with, and before I’d dare to use his power to earn another Badge here in Sinnoh, I’ll sooner quit as a Pokemon Trainer.”

Byron stared at the boy determinedly. After a couple of moments, he finally smiled and nodded. “Then, our next battle will go down in HISTORYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!”

Gary smiled tiredly, but as he looked down to Electivire’s Poke Ball, he found himself frowning again.

“Alamos Town, huh?? That’s northwest of Oreburgh City, where my son ROARK RUNS THE GYM!!” Byron mentioned loudly. “How about you stop by there and challenge my boy and tell him his dad says HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO?!!!” The Gym Leader flexed on him. “I’M A LOOOOOT STRONGER THAN HIM, OF COURSE, BUT I KNOW MY SON CAN PUT UP A GREAT CHALLENGE AGAINST YYYYOOUUUUUU!!!” His finger was aiming right at Gary’s face now.

Gary was ready to leave this loud place. He nodded. “Alright. I’ll see him next. And I’ll return here to show you the Badge I won from him before finally getting yours.”

Byron just exploded in laughter at this. “I LOVE IT!!!”

*

Prof. Rowan believed that around 90 percent of all pokemon are connected through eviltuon!! He did a ton of heavy research into those myths and considered them worth his time!! He was one of the greatest professors to ever do this, and I think if he thought such little “myths” were enough to lok into, then we should look at the ma little more closely. That monste rhas to be a Pokemon/human combination! Like a MISSING LINK!! You know how humans were once monkey and became huamnse and cows were whales aint he sea? She is the missing link between Pokemon and human beings!!!! SOEMTHING NBETWEEEN!!!! This si literally the research of Prof. Rowan! EVOLUTION!!!! These myths, the stories about Pokemon not being distginuished from humans! It’s the same idea!! From then to now! Don’t you see??? There was once such a similarity that you couldn’t tell even!! And then there became more differences! That difference is what I think is the middle ground before the two fully seperated!! That’s what this MONSTER is!! Is’ a Pokemon! And it’s NOT!!! The proof is in the pudding MAN!!

Gary read over the private message that his online friend OrangeIChamp had sent him three more times, and then sighed. He was so angry and tired of arguing with this kid. I can’t believe this guy. There’s just... Gary wanted to believe there was no way this made any sense, but did it really not?

The evolution idea of humans from apes, and cows from whales, Gary believed was preposterous, but the things on the species being some kind of point between human and Pokemon differentiation did make more sense... Even Prof. Rowan seemed to be studying this idea, if what Orange is saying is true, Gary considered. I need to look him up. But if I accept that, do I have to also accept everything else about evolution? Gary thought fretfully. Monkeys into humans? Whales turning into cows?? That’s absolute nonsense! His eyes closed and he then inhaled through his nose, later breathing out sharply. This is crazy. I’ll reply another time. This is just ridiculous. I wonder if Prof. Cynthia maybe... Inside of the Canalave Library, Gary logged out of the Pokebay website. After typing on the computer for a bit, he was watching a video on V-UTube.

An angry woman was screaming into a microphone held by an unseen person in this video. She had on a very strange, blue and white outfit with a rounded hood on her head. The blue hood wasn’t even resting on her head, basically billowed out and surrounding her head. “COUNTLESS POKEMON ARE VICTIMS OF THIS TORTURE KNOWN AS MEGA EVOLUTION!! METAGROSS GO ENTIRELY EVIL AFTER UNDERGOING MEGA EVOLUTION!!! THEY WILL RESORT TO EVEN BLOWING THEMSELVES UP IN A BATTLE DUE TO THE CRAZED FRENZY THEY ARE GOING THROUGH MENTALLY!! A GLALIE’S JAW IS LITERALLY BROKEN ENTIRELY!! HOUNDOOM’S BODY IS LITERALLY MELTING!! GYARADOS BECOMES ENTIRELY UNSTOPPABLE!!!! IF THIS DOESN’T TELL YOU OF THE EVILS OF MEGA EVOLUTION, WHAT THE FUCK WILL??!!!”

Behind her were people dressed just like her, chanting and waving around signs.

Gary paused the video, having heard enough. But Mega Evolution is a practiced tradition all over the world, he knew after all he had looked into it. It can’t be that bad... Can it? Gym Leaders, Pokemon Champions, all use it! He then remembered that even his Pokedex had mentioned something about Mega Scizor during his battle with Byron. Something about the energy of the Pokemon not allowing it to battle for long? he tried to recall before standing up. He looked around at all the books on the floor and with a huff, began to lazily put them back wherever was convenient for him before he left the building, making his way to the Pokemon Center.

*

“Call me tomorrow, Gary.” Kiwi hung up the call.

“Oh, come on, now! She’s just doing this on purpose, now!” Gary complained and slammed the receiver on the hook. Glaring at the black screen, Gary ended up thinking about his mother. There’s no point... he reasoned. I’m the last person she wants to see. She basically said so... There’s no one else, really. I guess I’ll call both Kiwi and Prof. Cynthia in the morning. It’s kind of late now. He yawned and stood up. His backpack was the first thing he got up from the floor, June’s bag next, before leaving the building.

It wasn’t long before he ended up over the water. He placed June’s bag on the bridge floor and sat beside it, letting his legs dangle down, well and safe over the wet bottom. Gary slipped his shoulders out of his own backpack straps and placed it in his lap. He looked around cautiously, seeing not a human nor Pokemon in sight, and then unzipped the bag with shaky hands and dug around carefully. He spotted the golden object and grabbed the black handle, slipping the gun out of his bag and holding it with both hands. I can’t believe this thing hasn’t gone off in my bag. I really need to look up how to use this thing before it’s too late. I just don’t want to get caught researching something like this. But if this stupid phone of mine won’t work... He looked into the bag but couldn’t spot the phone. ...I’ll have no choice. Wait, lemme try using it in the library, maybe. Tomorrow, when it’s open. Wait! The Pokemon Center must have internet, right? Yeah! I’ll connect there later. He stared at the gun and didn’t move, listening to the sound of the water below moving gently around by gusts. You bitch... I’ll kill you with this gun, I bet.

During Gary’s last trip to Viridian City where Team Solace was attacking, the villainous group’s efforts focused on the monster that had decided to appear and they fired multiple bullets as the watching, human crowd screamed and fell away in fear.

Moving like lightning, the creature swiped in front of herself, and a blue, sparking blanket opened in front of her.

It appeared that the bullets hit but didn’t penetrate the sparking shield, blowing up like little bombs.

Everyone was fighting so hard against you, Gary recalled, remembering his Charizard using Flamethrower against the monster’s shield.

Electivire using Thunder to barely shove her back.

Ivysaur’s Solar Beam dropping the monster although it didn’t look like it hurt her at all.

At one point, the monster mercilessly tossed June herself to take down Hitmonchan.

My Pokemon may have been unable to stop you. And I, myself, can’t fight you, Gary knew.

But if I can get one of these bullets through your damn head. Damn it. I’ll kill you myself if no one gets to you first. I’ll kill you, you monster.

Pokemon.

Human being.

Whatever else lies within the truth of whatever your existence is.