Swanna Song, Sung Throughout Sinnoh

“I’m sorry, but this just isn’t a great time,” Kiwi told Gary sternly. “I’m sure he’s fine but at the moment we haven’t finished tests and it’d be better to just give us another day, please.”

“A whole day?!” Gary complained.

“I understand how you feel, but...” She sighed. “Call later tonight, okay?”

Before Gary could say a word, the call disconnected! “Oh, come on!” Gary frowned. “What a load of bull! I even waited ‘til morning!” I’m just yelling at a blank screen in the middle of the Pokemon Center, Gary told himself. I should just use the Pokedex and transfer him over. If that’ll even work, anyway. Or I’ll just wait like I was told. Something could still be wrong. Besides, it’s not like there’s nothing else I’ve gotta be doing while I’m here. Had the library been open last night I’d have been in there, then. Gary stood up but then sat back down. My mom... he thought. With a sigh, he added, Or should I just wait ‘til I get this Badge? He was still holding the phone receiver, looking at the blue screen of the computer. Shaking his head, he punched in the number to call his mom and then held the receiver to his ear.

The ringing went on four times before the screen changed, and his mother appeared. She rubbed at her eyes and yawned before her face held a sharp glare. “GARY!” she shouted out.

Gary’s eyes widened. “Mom?” he started. “What-?”

“I HAVE TO HEAR FROM ROBIN’S MOTHER THAT YOU AND ROBIN WERE NEARLY POISONED TO DEATH TRYING TO SAVE A BUNCH OF RATS?!?!”

“Uh, oh...” Gary remembered what happened at the Jubilife Condominium. Shoot, of course. Robin! Gary knew he was in trouble, now.

“Uh oh? Uh oh?!” his mother raged on. “Is that all I get is an uh oh?! I don’t even get one single phone call from you! Robin called his parents immediately! Here you show up, days later! Where have you been??! Are you okay??” The anger in her face faded some, but not much.

“I’m sorry, mom. I’m fine. We’re fine. We were just trying to save some Pokemon from an exterminator. He was trying to kill a whole building full-”

“An exterminator was trying to kill a bunch of filthy rats and you two were nearly killed!!” his mother let off at him. “Me and Rob’s parents are certainly going to sue the ass off of that guy, and his company, and the building, but my main concern right now has been you, and you haven’t reached out to me once!”

“I’ve-” Gary stopped himself. Don’t Gary! Don’t!

“You’ve what? Been too busy trying to get killed to call your own mother to let her know you’re still alive after nearly being gassed to death??”

Gary could only swallow nervously.

“Why did you call? Hm? What is it today? A new Badge? New Pokemon? Someone die? What?” She stared at him expectantly.

Gary stared at her with some surprise, wondering if she regretted saying that. “Geez, mom... Real nice.”

“I don’t wanna hear that from you!” she shouted. “What good news have you ever brought me? ‘Hey mom, I’m not dead, yet, but I oughta be with what I survived this month,’ is usually the best I can get out of you! And now, who knows when you’ll decide something is worth informing me about! Badges this, Pokemon that, all at the risk of your life. There’s only one call I ever wish for from you, because hearing that you’re just alive is killing me!”

“What do you mean...?” Gary didn’t understand what she was saying.

“You saying you’re alive and continuing on this journey is just me waiting weeks before you call me again, every waking second of each of those days wondering if you’ll ever call me again. Do you think this is a life worth living?”

Gary’s mouth dropped open to speak, but his mother kept going.

“I’m so tired of crying, Gary. I’m so tired of being afraid. I just want it to be over. I’m tired of answering your calls.”

“So you want me to stop calling?” he asked meekly.

“No,” she shook her head weakly. “No. I don’t. You know what I want already, Gary. But geez it’s like, the day you stop calling me, I can finally rest!”

Gary was frozen at her words, stuck in disbelief.

“I love you, Gary, but you torture me. You’re going to drive me to the grave.”

Gary’s eyes filled with tears, his heart cracking painfully in his chest.

“I don’t want to hurt you, but you leave me with nothing at this point. Seeing your own sister murdered in front of your eyes by a Pokemon hasn’t swayed you in the slightest.”

Gary felt like screaming out to deny that that monster was any kind of a Pokemon, but instead, he kept himself calm, ignoring the hurt of his mother’s words. “It wasn’t a Pokemon that killed her, mom.”

“Pokemon are monsters, Gary. That’s exactly what they are. If you’re going to say it’s a monster, it’s a Pokemon.”

“It’s not that kind of monster. It’s an animal. A humanoid thing, like...” An ape? A flying ape? A flying ape that shoots out electricity and talks human? He began to wonder if he was not calling it a Pokemon out of a personal bias to defend Pokemon from people like his mother. Or Team Solace. Was he himself afraid it might be one, after all?

Maybe, he found himself admitting. After all, if it were one... What would that mean? If it were an undiscovered Pokemon, it could change so much about what’s known about Pokemon. Sure, it fits some aspects of a Pokemon, but there’s something else there, too. Something dark and evil. Mean. Conniving. Sinister. ...Thoughtful. It just doesn’t behave like a Pokemon. It’s more like...

“Well? Like what?” Gary’s mom asked.

Gary stared at her, pulled from his thoughts. Huh? What was the last thing I said? Gary tried to remember, swallowing. “Like... It’s like... It’s just a rampant beast that needs to be put down. But it’s not a Pokemon. I can’t even catch it.” Yeah... Gary recalled with relief, his eyes lighting up. The fact is, I couldn’t even catch it in the Master Ball! Because it’s not catchable! “It broke out of a Master Ball, a ball known to catch any Pokemon! So it can’t possibly be a Pokemon, mom!” Gary felt a release from around his heart. Why am I panicking about this thing possibly being a Pokemon, when it’s so obvious, so conclusive, that it’s not?! The Trick Master and even Prof. Cozmo were investigating this thing and they never concluded that it was a Pokemon! Gary was actually smiling. “That thing isn’t a Pokemon at all!”

But then, what flies and shoots lightning, all while running on two feet, Gary? What controls the elements??

There’s electric fish, he remembered. There’s answers if you just think about them! Birds walk on two feet and fly. Okay, but this isn’t giving me answers as to what this thing is! Gary frowned. And it ain’t no damn bird.

“Gary, all I know is, it’s a monster, and it’s out there with you, putting your life in danger. Hell, you’ve met the thing, Gary! It killed your own sister in front of your eyes! Your girlfriend was even taken by it!”

Gary sighed out angrily, lowering his head. Just ignore that, Gary, he convinced himself. There’s more important things to talk about right now. “Mom, June isn’t my girlfriend!” He couldn’t let it go. “But there’s something more important I need to tell you, though.”

“Oh, what more could you have for me?” she let out, rolling her eyes.

“Mom, you’re not gonna believe this, but there might be a way to put an end to all of this terror in one swoop. With a few words!”

“Gary, what in the world are you talking about now?”

“Mom, Prof. Oak let me in on something. He gave me a book!”

“Oh, Prof. Oak. Who died during the Team Solace attack at your tournament.” Gary’s mom was pressing hard.

Gary inhaled hard through his nose, going silent as he held his breath. Is she trying to trigger me? he wondered, his heart beating strongly now as he considered why she said that. Did she just say that to use it against me? To manipulate me? He released his held breath and then swallowed, convincing himself that wasn’t true. It just couldn’t be. That’s going way too far. She wouldn’t do that. “YES! Prof. Oak!!” Gary screamed out. “Listen, there’s a Pokemon, named Jirachi. It grants wishes, mom! And it’s coming to Sinnoh in like, a few days! If I can track it down with Prof. Oak’s notebook, I-!”

“STOP!”

Gary’s mouth hung open, keeping silent.

“Gary, stop! I’ve had it! Enough already!”

“But, mom!”

“I SAID ENOUGH!! Now there’s a magic Pokemon who grants wishes?”

“Mom, there is! Look it up, it’s call-!”

“And what are you gonna do, catch it and make a wish and bring back Melissa?” To Gary’s surprise, his mother’s eyes started to twinkle behind water building up in them. “Bring back Prof. Oak? Kill the monster who killed my daughter? Maybe wish I support Pokemon? Get rid of Team Solace? How many wishes do you get?”

“It’s only three...” Gary spoke lowly, his eyes going down.

Sniffling, his mother wiped her eyes, clearing the tears. “So three chances to save the world, huh? Do what you want, Gary, but remember: be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.”

Gary just nodded. Why are you crying, mom? he wondered. Everything’s gonna be just fine! Just trust me, mom.

Her lips pursed together tightly, she gave a short set of rapid shakes of her head. “I don’t want her back, Gary,” his mother continued, her eyes tearing up again. “She’s dead, Gary. I don’t want you bringing back people from the dead.”

Gary wasn’t all that surprised his mother said this. If anything, he was surprised he never stopped to consider that himself. It’s not right to bring people back from the dead like that, he knew. Is this all a mistake? Should I be trying to avenge my sister, but not bring her back, too? And Prof. Oak? All these people taken away wrongfully? “Mom, they were taken from us. They shouldn’t be dead.”

“Many people are taken from others, Gary. All over the world. It happens to everyone.”

“Mom, I can wish that their deaths never occurred. That they survived, even! It’ll be like they never died to begin with!”

“I HAVE ALREADY ACCEPTED YOUR SISTER’S DEATH, GARY!! LET HER REST IN PEACE!!” she barked. “I WILL NOT LOSE HER A SECOND TIME, DAMN IT!!”

Gary was trembling, his hand gripping the phone receiver. He ended up nodding. “I understand, mom. And I’m sorry.”

His mother nodded. “Give me that much, if nothing else, Gary. Don’t add to my pain, please.”

Gary blinked out tears and nodded. “I understand. And I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you with the things I do.”

His mom sighed and lowered her head. “I go through enough with you, kid. Please.”

“I get it, mom,” Gary muttered, irritated. He was tired of hearing her cruel words.

“Anything else?” she asked with impatience.

“No, mom,” he rolled his eyes. “Bye.”

“Bye,” she replied with the same annoyed voice her son used.

Gary hit the Esc button and then hung up the receiver roughly. He leaned back and closed his eyes. Maybe there’s more to this than just making wishes. Maybe there’s more to think about. Maybe... she’s right...

“In light of this, discussions have begun about closing down the Gyms in the Sinnoh region.”

“What?” Gary stood up quickly and turned to the TV hanging high up on the wall.

The news was on, showing a woman with lipstick almost as dark as her skin. Her long, pitch-black hair was shiny and beautiful. “Plenty of Gym Leaders and Trainers are opposing the closing of the Gyms, while others are in favor of it.”

The screen now showed a short, white man in a dark-blue jacket with a microphone in front of his face. The words: Pokemon Trainer: Gary Leslie were written under him. “It isn’t right to close down the Gyms. Whatever that thing is, we’re supposed to be stronger than this! We don’t cower in the face of things! How in the world are we Pokemon Trainers if we’re caving in under pressure? I mean, Elite Four members? These are the leaders of Sinnoh?”

The screen changed to show a very pale woman with red hair and a tired face. Pokemon Trainer: Mary Ortiz was written underneath her. “I’m just worried about innocent lives being lost over something we don’t fully understand. We need to set up a trap to capture it before it hurts someone else. But putting kids’ lives in danger in the meantime isn’t the answer. Their lives aren’t worth a Pokemon battle. No one’s lives are.”

The screen then returned to the newswoman. “Both the Phantump and Abomasnow administration are also at odds with how to handle the crisis involving this creature whose origins remain a mystery.”

At the top of the screen was a square image holding the face of two men, a different creature by both of them.

“How each party chooses to handle it, could sway the upcoming Sinnoh region election votes. As it stands, the original idea of using their Pokemon as their marketing tools has proven to grab some votes according to these questioned individuals.”

The screen now showed an angry-looking black man talking into a microphone held by the hand of an unseen person.

“I don’t want no baby-time ass Phantump runnin’! I want a big, badass Abomasnow! That’s who I’m votin’ for! A man who can control a Pokemon like Abomasnow, can lead!”

Who cares about that? Gary tuned out the news. What were they talking about earlier?? The Gyms shutting down? Over the monster creature? She’s still out there. But doing what? Is her presence alone enough to scare those in charge to close down the Gyms? What about the League? Is everything going to just shut down? He started feeling angry and impatient, and he frowned. No. I came here to stop that beast, but I also came here to beat the Sinnoh League, too! So far I’ve gotten two Badges, and... His mind thought of Cas, who gave him the Phobia Badge, and then Electivire taking on Jupiter’s Gym to win him the Infiltration Badge. Rob said the League here was tougher than others, and perhaps it shows... I haven’t earned a single Badge here... Can I really say I won these two?

Gary found himself thinking about Cas and her rounded, luscious eyes. The soft kiss of her lips. The heart-racing shape of her body. She gave me that Badge... But... I can’t just... get rid of it... It means too much to me. Besides, she said it herself that she went too far, and I almost beat her. If a Gym Leader says I earned it, then I must have done well enough. It’s not all about winning. His thoughts became more hardened, darker, as he thought of Jupiter and Electivire. That one really shouldn’t count... I should toss that damn Badge. Now I’ve got the world thinking I beat an unbeatable Gym Leader... He sighed angrily and then remembered another thing. Aurora. He could feel himself getting worked up and sad. I guess I really did earn my spot at the League, huh? Or did I even deserve where I made it?

“I just feel like, which came first? The Squirtle or the turtle? You know? Like, these creatures are classified with animal names, but who had it first?” some girl was saying loudly in her own phone booth. “These scientists claim this or that, with this proof and that evidence, but they don’t really know what they’re talkin’ about!”

Gary stood up, looking at the back of the girl’s head covered in a black afro, and walked over to where Nurse Joy stood. “I’ll be back later, okay? Take care of my gang until I return. I’ll just be in the Canalave Library.”

“Of course! Everyone will be here whenever you get back! Enjoy!” Nurse Joy smiled.

Gary could have spilled his heart out of his mouth, right on the table. He took a deep breath and turned away from her instead. Feeling really depressed now, he exited the building, now thinking about Hitmonchan. I can still feel those punches, you little bastard, he thought, smirking. In the next moment, he pulled out his Pokedex and went through it, finding directions, and started following the map to the library. The walk wasn’t long, and he found himself looking up at the three-story building before he knew it.

It was very old school, and therefore, in Gary’s case, oh-so-nostalgic. It was made with gray bricks and a blue roof, a blue awning held up by four beige pillars.

It looked like home to Gary. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been in a library, he thought. Not since back when I was in school. He stepped up to the door. A sign on the front of it read: Please refrain from bringing food or beverages into the library. Grabbing the doorknob and turning it, he let himself inside. He inhaled a smell of familiarity, and listened to the song of silence playing inside. It’s good to be back, he thought, purposely not wanting to disrupt the peace.

The floor was brown wood, and as expected, bookshelves were everywhere. There was plenty of seating and huge tables, but not many people were inside. It could have been mistaken as empty.

“Do you need any assistance, sir?” a gentle voice whispered.

Gary turned to the huge counter beside him and saw a man. “Um, I think so...” He went over to him, smiling nervously. “Um, I’m trying to locate any books on-”

The man raised one finger to his lips. “I apologize, but we have strict rules in this library, so if you could speak a little lower.”

“Oh.” I thought I was, Gary thought. “I’m sorry,” he said even lower. “I just wanted to know if you know if there are any books in this place related to the mythology of this region, Sinnoh.”

The man nodded, smiling. “Yes, there are plenty of those. Anything more specific that you’re looking for, or just the general area?”

Gary saw the gleaming silver name tag on his blue suit jacket. Charles, Gary read. He returned back to his face. “Um! Oops.” Gary covered his mouth.

“Sshhhh!” Charles shushed him, a finger raised.

He nodded. “Sorry. I think the general mythology section is fine. I’ll find what I need. Hopefully.”

“Third floor. Please keep quiet while you’re on the premises, and please, no food or beverages.”

Gary opened his mouth, but then just closed it and nodded.

*

In the beginning, there was only a churning turmoil of chaos.

At the heart of chaos, where all things became one, appeared an Egg.

Having tumbled from the vortex, the Egg gave rise to the Original One.

From itself, two beings the Original One did make.

Time started to spin. Space began to expand.

From itself again, three living things the Original One did make.

The two beings wished, and from them, matter came to be.

The three living things wished, and from them, spirit came to be.

The world created, the Original One took to unyielding sleep...

*

Mankind, in spite of itself, owns nothing, but rather, adopted everything, including its own existence. Inventions that amount to nothing but the replication of things already set into motion, driving the desire to support their delusions of a need for crowns to highlight their self-appointed titles. The sad, unignorable truth, however, is that all that is, and is yet to be made, was already there. Plucking the fruit from the tree with an extension did not plant the tree nor grow the fruit. Writing books did not create the thoughts nor spread the message. Even man-made material only comes from the earth, and therefore was never necessary to be made. I’d even go as far as to say, philosophically speaking, these so-called “inventions,” never existed to begin with. They are only as real as we pretend that they are. Mother Earth prevails with or without their acceptance. Pokemon evolve without the need of man’s assistance. It all began without humans. The end will also be without us.

*

“The Original One breathed alone before the universe came.”

“When the universe was created, its shards became this Plate.”

“The power of defeated giants infuses this Plate.”

“Two beings of time and space set free from the Original One.”

“Three beings were born to bind time and space.”

“Two make matter, and three make spirit, shaping the world.”

“The powers of Plates are shared among Pokemon.”

“The rightful bearer of a Plate draws from the Plate it holds.”

*

There lived a Pokemon in a forest.

In the forest, the Pokemon shed its hide to sleep as a human.

Awakened, the human dons the Pokemon hide to roam villages.

*

It’s impossible at this time in history to say where the entire world began. But as it goes, the Original One is said to have created all of the Pokemon world as we know it, starting with this region of Sinnoh, using its thousand arms, starting with Mt. Coronet.

Perhaps, even other worlds and places mankind has yet to discover.

Furthermore, it has been said that the origins of mankind’s own consciousness is not of our own, but a gift from those who dwell by the waters. Now separated, but born from the same Pokemon Egg: from Uxie, the Being of Knowledge, comes the wisdom to solve problems. From Mesprit, the Being of Emotion, comes the joys and pain of life. And from Azelf, the Being of Willpower, comes the resolve to accomplish whatever task may be in hand. It is the power of these three that keeps the world in balance.

*

A rumored land existing in canon between our own ones? What is Arceus’ purpose for this pocket dimension? What lands exist further beyond?

These two ancient clans made a temple in its honor, it, and the multitude of others. What more could we learn could we merely set foot there?

Is it this that is the reason we have yet to locate the Sinjoh Ruins? A peaceful landmark for the glory of the god and his angels, made by better men, not to be tainted by lesser men?

I am jealous.

*

There once were Pokemon that became very close to humans.

There once were humans and Pokemon that ate together at the same table.

Humans and Pokemon used to marry, but it wasn't weird because they were basically the same thing.

It was a time when there existed no differences to distinguish the two.

*

When the world was made, Dialga and Palkia appeared. With them, one more Pokemon also appeared. This one was just as powerful as Dialga and Palkia. A banished being whose name was never to be spoken -- Giratina!

This Pokemon is said to have committed terrible acts of violence and was banished for them to a world opposite of our own, a separate dimension labeled the Distortion World. A place where gravity is unstable and time and space is warped, and any damage done to the Distortion World causes destruction to our own world. However, these acts of violence are not detailed anywhere. In fact, information concludes that the Distortion World is a perfect, opposite balance to our world that keeps it stable. So how is guarding this world a punishment?? Why was this place made? Why was Giratina made to rule it, with no subjects?

I’ve come to my own theory that Giratina is not evil after all, but instead, cannot live safely in our world without there being substantial harm to itself due to the gravitational manipulation it likely has, which is why it takes care of the Distortion World, keeping us on the other side, safe. It was almost certainly, mistakenly, seen as a punishment by ancient people, to be sent away for perceived sins.

This is why Giratina must live alone in that world. It cannot stay in this world, because it does not belong in it. The Distortion World was designed for Giratina, and Giratina alone. It was never meant to live with us, but alongside us.

*

Pokemon and humans were once of the same spirit, so closely related that some people took the place of Pokemon, and some of the Pokemon just as easily replaced the humans, the spirits so much like each other that they could intermingle. By this, then, Arceus is the physical form of the original, that is, the first spirit. Arceus, the Original One, is in fact, the perfect design we all began as. Our own failure to replicate Arceus’ eternal beauty, time after time after time, resulting in the design getting further and further away from Arceus, and even, from Pokemon themselves, that there should be a difference between us two, causing us to look as we do today. And what further blasphemy that we should consider ourselves somehow greater than the Pokemon, enslaving them to work for us.

When the day comes they should not be so tolerant of us anymore and take back what is theirs, which is in fact, everything...

Oh, Arceus, reign down your Judgment.

*

Long ago, when Sinnoh had just been made, Pokemon and humans led separate lives.

That is not to say they did not help each other. No, indeed they did.

They supplied each other with goods, and supported each other.

A Pokemon proposed to the others to always be ready to help humans.

It asked that Pokemon be ready to appear before humans always.

Thus, to this day, Pokemon appear to us if we venture into tall grass.

Gary closed the book entitled Sinnoh Region’s Mythology. That last story sounds familiar to me, I think... Gary reflected. Someone told me that tale, didn’t they? Whatever. He sighed lightly. All these books I’ve gone through, a bunch of... “incredible,” at best, tales... But none of this taught me anything! What did any of this have to do with the monster? This was all a waste! His hands slammed lightly upon the table covered in books he had been going through. I need to tell those guys what I found. They need to know that these books didn’t help at all! Or did I not find the right one?

*

OrangeIChamp: u seriously don’t relize what u just rea?

OrangeIChamp: *realize

OrangeIChamp: *read

OrangeIChamp: damn it

Gary started typing back.

GaryReppinKanto: Dude, it didn’t say anything! It was all crap about myths and folktales, dude!

GaryReppinKanto: I needed answers on the monster that’s been out there!

Twirliagirl: as any1 seen the new Weirder Stuff ep??

OrangeIChamp: Gary man, the answer is right there!!!

Flexinonhoes123: i havnt wathed it yet. im so bored but my lazyness outweis the desire to fix the boredome

OrangeIChamp: read those myths, the legends, the history

OrangeIChamp: This is even the thing the late, great Prof. Rowan considered worth his time to research!!

Gary rolled his eyes and sighed impatiently. “Oh, come on,” he whispered. “I can’t with this guy anymore.”

MargaretFisher: LOLOLOLOL how can u be SOOOOO lazy by CHOICE???? Lol

RayNice: whoz trynasee me on clubG?

GaryReppinKanto: I’m not going through those books again.

RayNice: en esta vuelta mucho van a tener que pedir clemencia

Flexinonhoes123: yall just dont understand my life man

AdamantNature: anyonegot a Steelixite?

Flexinonhoes123: i dont wanna do nothin but like

OrangeIChamp: hey, I can’t make you, I was just tryna help

Twirliagirl: you’re in the wrong area Adamant

Flexinonhoes123: whenever i try to, im alwayz in such a chill spot, ya dig?

Twirliagirl: you need to post in the Mega Evolution section

OrangeIChamp: if you really focus on the info there, there’s no mistaing that it’s speaking about her

RayNice: por que soy defuerte i pesao conmo una sentencia.

Gary stared at the words he had typed but hadn’t sent.

Well I’m just glad I came to this region for more than some books that gave me nothing.

He held the Backspace button to remove the message and then stopped to think, reading the chat as it moved along quickly. Finally, he typed.

AdamantNature: oop, sorry *flees in shame*

GaryReppinKanto: thank you, I’ll think aboutit.

GaryReppinKanto: has anyone heard about else about her recently?

Goosbumps2000: Ray, you know this is an English-only chat. Please refrain from other languages.

MargaretFisher: has anyone see the new episode of Pokemon?

Twirliagirl: looool

Maryslamb: Hey friends!

OrangeIChamp: she had destroyed another Gym the last I heard of her

GaryReppinKanto: Another??

Twirliagirl: Hey Lamb!

MargaretFisher: Lambchop!

OrangeIChamp: Hey Lamb

GaryReppinKanto: Hello Lamb

MarysLamb: How is everyone doing today?

OrangeIChamp: this is the third Gym she’s destroyed this month so far, bro

MargaretFisher: ithouht talking about that thing wasn’t allowed anyroe here?

OrangeIChamp: you don’t caught the news every once in a while?

MargaretFisher: im doing ok Mary, u?

GaryReppinKanto: Do they know anything more on her lately?

Twirliagirl: yeah, you two. Orange, you know you can get an infraction for that

Twirliagirl: Gary, i no ur on your jurney so u havnt been here but that thing has becum not allowed to talk about here

OrangeIChamp: sorry guys. Yeah, let’s chat in PMS, Gary. It ain’t allowed her no more

Twirliagirl: hey Mary, sorry, ive been great! 2hats up?

GaryReppinKanto: Don’t worry, I need to head out anyway. I’ll PM you when I get another chance.

OrangeIChamp: *here

MarysLamb: Are you guys talking about that alien?

GaryReppinKanto: Take care everyone!

Gary left the chat before he could see any more comments pop up and looked at the website he was on.

POKEBAY sat in thick yellow letters outlined in blue.

He clicked on one of the tabs on the site labeled Forum and the page went to a list of different forums. He clicked on one labeled Mega Evolution, his eyes scanning the list of posted threads.

Mega Stones to trade!! LF Lucarionite WITH A LUCARIO!! WILL TRADE ANYTHING!!!!!?!??!!

A Mega Stone... Gary thought. I need to really start looking into those things. I wonder if that monster maybe even is linked to Mega Stones somehow. That would imply she’s a Pokemon, though... He stood up and grabbed his bag, thinking about what had been discussed in the chat with his online friend.

*

“You finally called us!” Gary’s grandmother gushed with delight.

“Ooooooh, my favorite nepheeeewww, how are you?” his aunt asked lovingly.

“I’m okay. I know I don’t really call but I wanted to make a better effort and say hi,” Gary smiled.

“Oh, we understand completely, Gary. We really do appreciate you calling us when you’re so busy. Are you alright out there?” his aunt responded.

“Your mother has had a lot to say,” his grandmother spoke up, cutting off Gary as he had opened his mouth to answer. “She’s very concerned. Especially with you not calling her.”

“Yeah, I get it,” he said lowly, his head going down.

“Why are you speaking like that?” his grandmother insisted, a hint of impatience in her voice. “‘Yeah. I get it,’” she mumbled, mocking him and lowering her own head. “That’s not how you speak to your grandmother. You speak clearly, with yes, not yeahs. Is that clear?”

Gary groaned on the inside as he lifted his head and cleared his throat. “Yes, I get it, grandma.”

“That’s better! Your mother told us some very concerning things about you. I can understand that the life of a Pokemon Trainer is a constantly life-threatening feat, but there’s something else that she mentioned today that I want you to repeat to us.”

“About what?” he asked reluctantly, sure of what was about to be brought up.

“Something about bringing my granddaughter back to life? You don’t play around with the dead, you understand me, Gary?!” His grandmother sounded like she was getting more angry by the moment, scowling at him now. “I don’t care what you think you can do to bring her back, you don’t go toying around with that kind of magic. She’s dead, Gary. Don’t you do this to us. To your mother!”

“Gary, there isn’t really a way to do that, is there?” his aunt questioned.

“I-”

“I don’t care if there is, Bev! I don’t even want to know!” the grandmother cut off Gary again, turning to his aunt and then returning to Gary. “You promise your grandmother you won’t do any such thing. Promise me!”

Gary’s mouth hung open. I haven’t even decided if this is the right thing to do or not, he thought. I can’t make a promise like that.

“Gary! You will not do this to your family!” his grandmother was practically screaming.

“Ma! Please!” The aunt placed her hands on the old woman’s shoulders. “Relax!” She then looked at Gary from the computer screen. “Gary, I must admit, I do agree with your grandma. Please don’t do this. What is this? It’s a Pokemon who can do this?”

Gary kept quiet and lowered his eyes.

“Gary, I know you’re going through a lot. With Prof. Oak gone, and apparently your girlfriend was kidnapped by that monster, too?”

Gary groaned and rolled his eyes. “That’s not my girlfriend!” he insisted. “I don’t have a girlfriend!”

“Oh. Your mother said she was your girlfriend,” his aunt explained. “Well I know she was a close friend of yours who you had traveled the Kanto region with on your first journey.”

“That’s not the point,” his grandmother spoke, her voice a little less angry, but still holding agitation. “You know I always supported you going out on your journey while your mother did not, but it might be best for you to return home with all the things you’re going through. I understand that this is a lot to go through, and that may be why you need to concern yourself less with Pokemon, and start caring for yourself.”

“I’m fine!” Gary burst out.

“I know you feel an obligation to your sister not to quit, but you need to understand she wouldn’t want you to go crazy over this, either,” she continued.

The aunt nodded next. “That’s right. The things you’re saying, the stuff you’re trying to do; it doesn’t sound like you’re in the healthiest mindstate right now. Melissa would want you to be happy, not out risking your life trying to find this monster. I know you want to rescue your girl- Oops!” She stopped short for a second, her eyes wide. “I’m sorry, your friend. But, Gary...” She went quiet for another second. “Gary, what about us? Your family? You’re all we have left!”

Gary’s vision was quivering behind tears, and he blinked them out, causing more tears to roll out continuously. “You guys, I get where you’re coming from. And I love you all, so so much! But, I’ve gotta say, I’m not in Kanto!” A little laugh came out as he said that last sentence. “I’m in a whole ’nother region, and, there’s nothing any of you can do to make me come home. I’m here, and I’m going to avenge my sister, and save my friend, and send that - thing off this planet in a million pieces!” Gary was breathing hard and shaky now, trembling, gripping the phone receiver as tight as he could in hopes it would cease his body’s involuntary movements.

Nothing else was said for what seemed to be the longest time in Gary’s mind.

His grandmother stared at him solemnly.

His aunt stared with sorrow.

Gary swallowed.

Gary’s grandmother's lips tightened and she nodded shakily. “You’re right, Gary. So what else can any of us do but support you and hope and pray that you make it back home?”

Gary breathed out shakily, more tears flowing down his face. “Gramma.”

“I love you, Grandson.”

“I love you, Gramma. I love you, Auntie!”

“Oh and I love you too, so much my darling nephew!”

The three managed to get smiles out to comfort each other despite such a discomforting conversation.

“Are you okay out there? How are your Pokemon, Gary?” his aunt mentioned.

“Me and the guys are great! We’re...” Gary thought for a couple of seconds. “We’re working on the Badges and getting to the League.”

“How many Badges have you got so far?” his aunt went on.

“Two,” Gary managed to get out.

“That’s great,” she replied, her mother nodding quietly. “I know you’ll do just great in the Sinnoh region’s League, just like you did in the Indigo League. You can do it!”

“Thanks, Auntie. And I have a lot of training to do in the meantime so, I’ve gotta be heading out.”

“Oh, of course. You do that. And please keep in touch with us, okay?”

“I will, you two. I love you both.

“And we love you as well, Gary.”

“Don’t be a stranger, okay, Gary?” his grandmother smiled softly. “You will always have your family here waiting. Don’t you forget that.”

“I won’t. Thanks, guys.”

“Goodbye, Gary. And please be careful.”

“Bye. Speak to you soon.”

“Goodbye, Gary! Be safe!” Gary’s aunt called out.

“I will! Bye, guys!” Gary hung up the call, hanging up the receiver, the screen going black. He let out his breath loud and tiredly. “Wow!” He stared at his hands in his lap and then held them up a little, watching them tremble. Even my gramma and auntie wanna bring me back home, he thought, letting his hands fall again. At least I got out of making a promise I can’t keep. Or is it a promise I should keep? Am I wrong trying to do this? Three wishes... For who? Melissa, Prof. Oak, and the monster? What about Team Solace? June? He looked down at his hands as a tear fell from each eye. Why does no one want Melissa back? Is it so wrong to save my own sister’s life? Wouldn’t anyone?

Thinking about the chance to meet Jirachi and get his wishes granted, he started to remember a lot of other things.

Saffron City... All those lives lost.

Sabrina.

Kiwi’s Pidgeotto.

This is a lot bigger than me... Gary admitted. Maybe I get it now, why they don’t want me to bring her back. Maybe I’m not seeing the bigger picture.

Who am I to just save myself?