Show-Off: Chapter 35 posted 22/11

[Chris 2.1]

MLG: Luna would certainly make sense. As I recall MLG is in a TPML based in the States, so I doubt we would see him. But then in the continuity, Show-Off could be based years and years after TPML, so it could literally be anyone. Grey might be out of jail, heck even Callisto could have evaded the authorities under her new alias.

Karin: I think Totodile's fitting well on the team. Initially, the Ch4 thing where Jake critiscised his colour was because I was going to make him albino or perhaps suffering some pigment disorder. I really wanted to look at how superficial contests were and how Milo understood Totodile's lack of control over his looks, but in the end it got changed to him being shiny since, really, isn't that the equivelant? We'll see different reactions to his colour.

Milo is definitely in hot water with this incriminating picture. Naturally Jake thinks he should get rid of it, but Milo has plans for it. I don't think the girls will resort to killing Milo, since any associating with it would be as damaging as the photo itself. I think they'll want the phone, but as we'll learn, Milo ain't giving it up.

Speaking of which, Goldenrod has a bit of a criminal underworld-sub storyline that fits in with what you're thinking of. That's VERY exciting. Bloodshed and all that. As for the TPML character....Chris is an interesting suggestion. Might he find solace in sleepy Johto? This person features promimently in the chapter they are in.



After Kingler's brief cameo in Ch5, I think we might see more of Milo's old team for the odd job. We do see some in flashbacks. I was also thinking about a brief break during part of the fic. There is a part coming up, not for a while yet but a point where a break for a few months might work quite well. I won't reveal too much but I feel it splits the fic into two distinct volumes. I'll see how I feel nearer the time.

[Sike Saner]

One thing that I particularly liked in this chapter was that things were addressed in it that I don't seem to recall ever having seen addressed in Pokémon fanfiction before, such as the possibility of knocked-out wild pokémon being taken advantage of by predators and the possibility of contracting diseases from wild pokémon. I'm kind of surprised that I haven't seen such things touched upon before (or that I haven't seen such things more often, if the reality is that I actually have seem them addressed in one or more fics before but simply forgot when and which) since they really do seem to make a good deal of sense.

The nightclub under the Burnt Tower was certainly a surprise. And I'm quite amused by the trouble Milo's gotten himself into in having that compromising picture of Molly. X3 I'm definitely interested in seeing what all comes about as a result of that.

Other highlights:

“Keep your distance,” Milo said. Totodile turned to nod, understanding the order, but was instantly whacked over the head by the duck, who flapped back elegantly and re-established its pose.

Amusing image there, due not only to farfetch'd bopping Totodile over the head but also due to what said farfetch'd did afterward. XD

“Excellent!” he yelled, noticing his water Pokemon was somewhat tired. “Medicham, take over and finish this thing off. Hidden Power.”

Medicham held her palm up as a flashing orb began to grow. Only somewhat larger than a tennis ball, it flashed blue, red, yellow, purple; an assortment of shades blurring among each other. It finally blended with a shimmering silver sheen - the steel type.

Interesting description of the hidden power technique there.

He quickly recalled Totodile and handed the glittery Pokeball to the nurse, who raised an eyebrow as he took it.

“Nice Pokeball,” he said.

“Bite me,” Milo snapped.

Milo's response made me laugh. XD

“Jakey Jakey Jakey,” Milo sighed. “You need to learn to treat them mean. Keeps them keen.”

“It does?” he asked curiously.

“Well it does with women,” Milo said. “Naturally I’ve never tried it on men. But it’s all just simple psychology…so try it.”

The nurse returned with Jake’s Pokeballs. He took the tray.

“Your shirt is really…shit,” Jake said.

“God, I know,” the nurse said. He smirked. “These disposable scrubs are all we get here. What with all the Pokemon, you never know what you might get on them.”

“Oh,” Jake replied. “Well. You smell.”

This section made me laugh, too--especially the "you smell" part. XD

“You coming?” he asked Jake.

“I think I might go back to the hotel,” Jake said, turning around. As he did so, he suddenly felt his arms clamp to his sides. In no time he was hurtled back along the room and delicately pulled down the hole to the corridor below. Medicham put her hands back down to her side and smiled at Milo, who watched Jake amusedly.

“Wrong answer Jakey.”

Another amusing moment. XD

“Dude I thought you just got out of rehab,” Milo said. “Why are you drinking these?”

“I was in rehab for drug use,” Morty said. “You know me, Milo. I’m a social drinker. That’s okay.”

“You were a social coke-head too, from what I recall,” Milo said.

Once again, Milo provided an amusing response. XD


Congrats on another boss chapter, and I'll be sure to read the next! ^^

[Chris 2.1]

Posting this one in quite quick sucession. Chapter Seven has just been completed and I managed to do it very quickly. Nevertheless it's a very exciting chapter. This one is more of a bridge, so I felt it could go up quick quickly. It is a great build up to the next chapter.

But I advise you to watch out for Chapter Seven. Its hella good

Show-Off
-VI-
Satan's Whiskers

It was very cold in here, the scorched remains of the Bronze Tower. As his footsteps caused creaks to cry throughout the dark, withered room, Milo paced around precariously. He moved slowly, eyes adjusting to the dark, peering into every corner. From here, the sky was visible; stars littered the sky like discarded gems, winking at those beneath.

As he wandered, his feet left imprints in the dusty floorboards. With each foot lifting off the ground, dust was pulled up with it, fluttering back to the ground in silence.

“This is perfect,” Milo whispered, gripping a Pokeball on his belt. Throwing the ball into the air, a bright flash of light expelled shadow as his Medicham formed from the light. Throwing a furtive look at her trainer, she adopted a pose and studied the room, like her trainer before her.

“Let’s get to work,” Milo said softly. His Pokemon gave a decisive nod, but stopped suddenly. She furrowed her brow and looked around, seeming cautious. Milo knew she had highly superior senses, so judged from her movements that she could sense something as she crept along the room. Milo followed her as she rose off the ground telepathically, silently swooping into a room just off the main entrance.

Before them was a body hanging limply from a thick rope, tied to a beam running across the ceiling.

“Oh my god,” Milo gasped. “Psycho cut.”

Medicham pressed one finger to her temple as her free hand arched back. Glowing energy enveloped her fingers as she swiped her hand across horizontally, sending a blade of energy slicing through the rope keeping the man up. Instantly she then held both hands out and slowly brought the no longer suspended figure to the ground.

“Is he breathing?” Milo asked, rushing over. He swept the man’s messy blonde hair from his face. Medicham closed her eyes, her hand hovering over the man’s chest. She began manipulating his lungs with her mind, telekinesis mimicking the breathing movements. Milo stood over the body and watched in the dark, awestruck at his Pokemon.

With a lurching gasp, the man sat up, taking in thick, hearty gulps of air. His eyes looked heavily bloodshot. He looked around.

“D-Did it work?” he asked.

“No,” Milo replied coldly. “What the fuck were you thinking?”

“Hey,” he said. “You don’t know me. Life’s not worth living anymore!”

“How can you even say that!” shouted Milo. His roaring voice caused a flock of bats to sweep out the rafters and into the night sky. Even Medicham watched cautiously. Standing over the man, who still sat, Milo looked furious at the victim.

“It’s true!” he wailed.

“You cannot do any more with live than ‘live it’,” Milo explained. “And all you can live through is your life.”

“You don’t know that,” he stammered.

“How can you watch the sun rise and be greedy enough to want more?” Milo snapped. “How can you stare into the eyes of a loved one and not marvel at the art behind their design? Have you ever been lost in someone’s eyes before?”

Almost as if on cue, the man gazed into the vibrant green eyes staring right at him.

“You’re pathetic,” Milo said. “Who are you?”

“My name is Morty,” he replied, getting to his feet.

*

Jake was applauding wildly after the Eevee sisters did their matinee performance. Standing with their Pokemon, the five looked slightly of breath, having performed complex routines with each other, demonstrating their strength through battles and generally entertaining the crowd. Milo avoided Molly’s piercing glare from the stage.

“That was AMAZING,” Jake said, turning to Milo for confirmation of the impressive feat they watched.

“We should head off,” Milo whispered, as the audience dispersed and the lights came on.

“Just delete the picture!” Jake hissed. Milo clicked his tongue and got out his seat. They inched out their seats and walked up the aisle to the exit, Milo noticing the girls leave the stage and rush behind the curtain.

They filtered out to a warm afternoon in Ecruteak. Many people were amazed at the displays the girls showed - Milo thought it was almost contest-like, and wondered if any of the girls would be competing. Children begged their parents for printed t-shirts featuring the different eeveelutions, and one girl also began crying when her father refused to buy her an Eevee.

“I’d love an Eevee,” Jake mused, hearing the conversation. “They’re so cute.”

“Meh,” Milo grumbled. “They’re very expensive.”

“Did you like the show?” asked his companion.

“Not really,” Milo replied. Jake’s eagerness ebbed away slightly.

“Thanks for going with me,” he said.

“No problem,” Milo replied.

“I still think you should delete the picture,” Jake muttered. “It’s so…incriminating.”

“That’s exactly why I’m keeping it,” Milo said. “I can use this potential scandal against the Johto League bigwigs. Make sure they reinstate Chuck as Gym Leader. Maybe help Morty out, too.”

“That’s what this is about?” Jake asked, as they walked through the city.

“This is huge,” Milo told him. “My mentor Chuck lost his job, that bimbo Eva is looking after Olivine and there are rumours Azalea Gym is being shut down completely. I’m not letting them do this.”

“What about the Ecruteak Contest?” Jake asked.

“Fuck that, I’ve been interested in this Gym thing for like, a day longer,” Milo said. In his mind, however, he remembered meeting Chuck only hours before leaving Pua Samoa.

“Have you even decided who you’re going to appeal with?” said Jake.

“Totodile,” Milo replied.

“What are you going to do for Totodile’s appeal?”

“Jake!” Milo snapped. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m just trying to help.”

“I’m on top of it,” Milo said. They carried on walking through town, Milo planning on training his newest team member some more. At that point, however, a lithe Flareon wandered the path in front of them, sauntering along as the wind ruffled its fluffy collar.

Milo looked to see that, blocking off a street was a Jolteon, sparks brimming across its ultra-fine needles. It’s dark eyes narrowed at Milo, who could see Flareon sitting calmly ahead. The pattering of paws alerted him to a Vaporeon to his right, and before he could assume what was to come, behind him an Espeon and Umbreon stood next to one another. Milo gripped Medicham’s Pokeball, expecting to need her.

“Don’t you dare release that Pokemon Milo Mitchelson,” came Molly’s familiar voice. The five girls stood around their Pokemon, enclosing Milo and Jake.

“Molly!” Milo said, in a mock-cheery accent. “Great show.”

“Shut up,” said Frankie, next to her Flareon.

“Ok I lied!” Milo replied. “Your show was lame.”

“We only got you there so we could corner you after the show,” Frankie replied.

“I’m hardly cornered,” Milo said. “I’m…penta-gone, if anything.”

He chuckled at his own remark.

“Espeon, frisk him,” Molly said. “Get his phone.”

Espeon did not nod or purr; she simply caused her jewel to glow brightly. However, no sooner had she started then the jewel dimmed, and her trainer looked down, confused. Milo felt a throb in his Pokeball and knew what had happened.

“Espeon!” Molly said. “Psychic!”

“It won’t work,” Milo replied. “Medicham is emitting an ESP force field which is blocking Espeon’s abilities from reaching us.”

Opening the Pokeball, he let his prize Pokemon form from the shimmering light. Medicham stared at Espeon coldly.

“Jolteon go for a quick attack!” cried Vanessa. In a blistering streak, the Pokemon raced across towards Milo and Medicham. Medicham turned and whipped her hand up, hurtling Jolteon through the air. The creature landed on its paws and hissed, blasting a volley of sharp pins from its coat. They arced through the air, but Medicham twisted her wrist, narrowing her eyes and sending the pins whooshing up into the sky.

“Girls power up,” Frankie said firmly. “Flareon, flare up!”

Flareon took in a deep breath, her ruffled fur puffing out.

“Jolteon use charge,” Vanessa said. Her Pokemon throbbed with power as lightening coursed through her needle-sharp pins.

“Umbreon charge a shadow ball,” Rochelle ordered. As Umbreon’s rings glowed gold, a ball of twisted umbra coiled into an orb. Una ordered her Vaporen to get ready as Espeon stood calmly.

“Milo hand over the phone,” Frankie said, as the five Pokemon prepared to attack. “Or we will let loose.”

“You five sirens seem so concerned about your image,” Milo said calmly. “Yet here you are ready to court-martial me in the middle of the street. Do your worst.”

Frankie raised her eyebrows, her sisters looking to the eldest sister for some sort of direction. She sniffed.

“FIRE!”

It was instantly chaotic. Fire water and lightening shot at the boy, while a beam of bright psychic energy and a dark orb of shadows followed suit. Medicham placed a hand on Milo’s shoulder and another on Jake’s, thinking hard and whisking the two boys away with her. The attacks all collided where Milo once stood, the girls watching with satisfaction.

Milo felt himself fall to his knees; an aching sting seared in his leg as he looked around the dimly lit room he was in. Jake was getting to his feet, Medicham looking around the room.

“Thanks Medi,” Milo said, standing and looking around. This was Morty’s old office - Medicham obviously wanted to teleport them away from the girls, and this place must have been in her mind recently. Milo flicked a light on; it was dark here, for the office was beneath the gym and had no windows. It looked neater than usual.

“Where are we?” Jake asked.

“Morty’s office,” Milo replied. “Hey, the computer’s on.”

He walked over to the desk and swung the chair around, plonking himself in the seat and making himself comfortable.

“What are you doing?” Jake asked.

“I’ll see if there’s any information on the League Reclassification,” Milo said, clicking in documents and looking on the computer. He could see, on the task bar, that the outlook programme was already open; perfect. Milo had a look.

“Maybe I can find out just what’s going on,” Milo mused.

Re: Moving To Ecruteak
Dear sis,
Hope you managed to get to Ecruteak OK. Everyone at home misses you, and Cacturne has grown loads. We will have to visit you once the Gym is up and running
Love,
Sidney

Milo scrolled through a few of these emails until he found a message marked with an exclamation mark. It read ‘IMPORTANT - OCEAN GYM IS NOW OPEN’.

“Ocean Gym?” Milo muttered.

TO THE GYM LEADERS OF THE JOHTO LEAGUE,
The closure of Azalea Gym has been finished, and the gym is now being refurbished as the Azalea Contest Hall. To make up the numbers, a Gym has been opened in the Whirl Ocean under the name The Ocean Gym. There are no chartered boats to the island, so it will require a definite element of skill to reach the island. We have secured the Kanto Gym Leader Misty Waterflower for the Gym, which tests applicants ability to fight on and under the water.

Please ensure that you are up to date with the (ever changing) fluctuations of the Reclassification. To new leaders, we hope you can settle in among the chaos.

Best,
The Board of Trustees

“This is mental,” Milo said, rifling through more paperwork.

“So they’re just redoing the Gyms?” Jake asked.

“Pretty much,” Milo said. “It seems so unnecessary though. I think they want to overhaul most the single-type Gyms in most regions. Johto is a small area, so they‘re ok with testing everything. It’s their litmus test.”

“It sucks that people are out of jobs,” Jake said. “Like if Azalea Gym is shut down, the leader won’t have anything to do.”

“And Chuck,” Milo said. Just then, he found an email sent by ‘Mitchelson Enterprises’ - his father’s company. Eager to see just how direct his father’s involvement was, Milo began scrolling down the page to click on the email.

“What the hell is going on here?” came a sharp voice. Milo span around in his chair to find a slim woman standing in the doorway, a Houndoom at her side. The dog was big, with curved horns and sharp teeth. It had external ‘ribs’ formed from excess bone along its back, and a pointed tail.

“Shit!” Jake wailed.

“Who are you?” asked the woman. She had big, silver hair that cascaded down her back, and she was in a tight, black dress with matching heels.

“Medicham get us out of here,” Milo said hurriedly, as Houndoom sent a jet of flame searing through the air. It smashed into Medicham, who was caught off guard, and she fell back awkwardly.

“You will do no such thing,” she replied. “My name is Karen, and I’m the Leader of this Gym.”

At this point, a Haunter emerged from the walls, placing its cold, thin hands on Medicham’s shoulders. She looked at the captor sadly, as his hands throbbed with a red energy. Milo recognised this as an Imprison attack - if Haunter had psychic abilities, then he was making sure Medicham could not use hers.

“Why are you here,” Karen said stiffly.

“I wanted information on the Reclassification,” Milo replied. Jake stayed silent, trembling softly.

“If it took sneaking into my office for you to access this information,” Karen said. “Surely you must realise this information is not for you?”

“I need to know the big picture,” Milo explained. “Medicham go for a thunder punch!”

Medicham nodded, clenching her fists and causing sparks to crackle among her fingers. She leapt across the room and slugged Houndoom in the jaw. He retaliated by chomping down on Medicham’s wrist, causing her to give a scream of pain. Milo flinched at the cry his Pokemon released; it was oddly human.

“Houndoom,” Karen said sharply. She clicked her fingers and Houndoom hurled Medicham into the corner, where she collapsed, defeated.

“Medicham!” Milo cried.

“Recall your Pokemon. She is hurt,” Karen said. Milo whipped out Medicham’s Pokeball and shot the beam at his companion, which enveloped her and drew her inside the sanctuary of her ball. Milo put the ball away.

“I don’t know who you are,” Karen continued. “But I do not expect to see you in this Gym again, for whatever purpose. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” Milo said. He walked past Karen and up the staircase out of the office, Jake rushing along beside him. The large, purple Haunter followed them ominously, keeping an eye on them. Karen watched, somewhat puzzled but more irritated than anything.

*

Totodile was leaping about happily in the Pokemoncenter, having just had a bath. Medicham’s bite wound was being tended to by the same nurse Jake had his eye on previously. Ruby sat next to Milo as he called his mother from one of the video phones.

“Hi honey!” Meredith beamed. She had her hair in curlers, and an Asian woman seemed to be giving her a manicure. A Sunflora was dancing in the background. “Yao-Lin, not so rough, my fingers are delicate! How is everything going?”

“Not bad th-

“Did Ruby get a haircut?” Meredith asked suddenly, her face pressed against the screen nosily. Ruby paraded around in the background, stretching her front paws in front of her and staring dramatically at the ceiling.

“Yea, my friend Jake -

“Jake from Noise? The receptionist? He’s with you?” Meredith asked.

“Yea, he’s keeping an eye on my Pokemon. He trimmed Ruby,” Milo explained.

“Well I don’t let anybody trim Ruby’s glorious mane,” Meredith sniffed. “But he seems to have done a good job.”

“He’d be glad to hear that,” Milo smirked, as Jake eyed the nurse greedily.

“So Andrew tells me you are competing in the Ecruteak contest?” Meredith asked.

“Yea, it’s coming up soon,” Milo said.

“What appeal are you using?” she asked. Milo clicked his fingers and Totodile scampered into the picture, clambering on Milo’s shoulders. “Oooooooh! Hello!”

“This is my Totodile.” Milo said. “I caught him the other day.”

“But he’s such an unusual colour!” Meredith exclaimed. “A pure embodiment of the ocean!”

“Err…exactly,” Milo said.

“What is the appeal like?” Meredith asked. “Oh he’s so cute Milo, I can’t take my eyes off him!”

“We’re…” Milo began, not even sure what he was going to do for the appeal round himself.

“ - you need to show his cuteness. It’s paramount,” Meredith said.

“I will,” Milo said.

“Mia is staying in Goldenrod for a while,” Meredith explained. “She’s been offered some modelling work for GoldenRebel magazine - oh she’s going to be a star!”

“Good for her,” Milo said. “Listen, I’m going to hand Kingler back over. Totodile’s grasped ice beam quite well, we can work on it without the big guy.”

“Oh ok honey,” Meredith replied. “Now how do I start the transfer?”

“Push ‘Start’.”

“Right, start. Which one is that?”

“It’s big, green, has a few letters on it,” Milo explained.

“What letters?”

“Umm S…T…A…R…and another T.”

“Oh! I found it, yay,” Meredith replied. “Ok now it says ‘awaiting Pokeball dock’.”

Milo placed the ball on the base of the chute and pressed start. It flashed white and disappeared. Moments later Meredith cried in horror as the ball burst open and Kingler scuttled around the living room. Sunflora ran wildly, the big crab’s pincers clicking as it chased the sunflower.

“HEY!” Meredith cried, spinning around and sending Yao-Lin tumbling to the floor. “Leave poor Emerald alone!”

“I’ll just sign out,” Milo muttered, ending the call as Sunflora screamed in protest. He span around from his chair.

“Hey,” he said to Totodile. “I know exactly what we’re going to do for your appeal.”

Totodile smiled. He was chewing a piece of cable. Milo was unsure where this cable came from, but the thick rubber casing seemed to provide endless enjoyment for the little alligator. Milo wondered if he was teething; developing bigger teeth in the back of his mouth perhaps.

“How is Medicham?” Milo asked, walking over to the desk. Totodile was under his arm, rugby-ball style, the cable drooping from his mouth.

“I’ll check,” Jake said. “DANIEL! OY! How’s Medicham?”

“She’s recovering,” the nurse replied, walking over. “Come pick her up tonight.”

“Ok,” Milo said. “Jake we’re going to sort this appeal out. You coming?”

“Ehh…” Jake sighed, turning to the handsome nurse. “Hmm…fine. Ok.”

He looked at Daniel.

“Hopefully one of my Pokemon gets hurt and you can…you know, help it.”

“Hopefully?” Daniel asked.

“Ignore him,” Milo said, dragging Jake out the Pokemoncenter.

*

Half an hour later, after a trip to a local toy store, Milo stood in a small field north of the city, near the gates to the fantastic Tin Tower. Totodile was leaping about happily while Ruby was being groomed by Jake. Jake had his Wingull out its ball as well as a little Pichu, whom Milo had never met before. The small mouse squealed happily and hopped around the grassy clearing.

Milo and Totodile were practicing their appeal, which Milo had decided would involve aspects of Totodile’s accuracy. He withdrew three orange balls, hurling one into the air and commanding Totodile to keep it in the air by firing a water gun directly up. Like a living fountain, Totodile blasted the frothy jet of water, which kept the ball bobbing atop.

“Okay,” Milo said. “We’re going to throw another ball up. Fire a jet of water to keep it in the air, but keep your eye on the other ball.”

Throwing it up, Milo watched as Totodile carefully monitored the trajectory. He dived to the left and fired a jet of water through the air, where it knocked the falling ball and caused it to spin in the air. Now the first ball was close to the ground, so Totodile scampered along and blasted another jet to fire the ball up in the other direction.

“Good going!” Milo said happily, as the cute little Pokemon ran around. Milo threw the third ball but, in trying to keep it up, Totodile felt the other two balls hit him across the head. He staggered sideways as the third ball fell to the ground.

They stopped for a few minutes, with Milo trying to help point out various problems with the appeal. They kept on practicing, with Jake suggesting ways to improve the appeal. Milo stared at the impressive tower behind them, remembering the last time he was there.

*

Thunder rumbled across the sky. Grey clouds curled among each other, cloaking Ecruteak City beneath bleak misery. Milo ran through a forest clearing, rain lashing against his back, hood drawn up on his waterproof jacket. The entrance to the ornate tower loomed into view, the multi-storeys looking imperial and commanding against the white flashes of the lightening.

“MORTY!” Milo yelled, hammering the door. “LET ME IN!”

His fists pounded against the door, but nobody replied.

“ITS FUCKING FREEZING! OPEN UP!”

But still there was nothing. Worried Morty was suspended from one of the rafters, Milo grabbed a Pokeball and hurled it up into the sky, where it burst open and released his Flygon.

“Take me to the top floor,” Milo said. Flygon nodded and allowed his trainer to clamber aboard. Hands around the dragon’s neck, Milo clutched his Pokemon as he gave a powerful flap of his wings and took off into the sky. Milo screwed his eyes shut against the blistering wind, Flygon sweeping around the huge tower in elegant spirals.

They arrived at the top in no time. Milo leapt off his Pokemon and touched down on the balcony he was on. There were open windows that he was easily able to slip into, so he recalled Flygon and took a deep breath. He landed and had a look around the interior of the Tin Tower; the wind howled something fierce inside.

“Morty?” Milo asked, walking around the perimeter of the large beam in the centre of the tower. “Mate? You in here?”

“…Milo!”

The voice came from a room downstairs. Milo ran to the staircase and leapt down them frantically, bursting into a chamber off from the main room. Inside was Morty, sitting on a large cushion and smiling greedily. A needle lay on the floor between the two boys.

“What the fuck?” Milo said. “I thought you might be dead. Why didn’t you answer the door?”

“Effort,” groaned the Gym Leader. “I am so….content right now.”

“What have you been doing,” Milo said, eyeing the needle. “Heroin?”

“Yea,” Morty muttered. He looked irritable; his skin tinged with grey and his eyes seeming heavy in his head. He was drowning in his baggy jumper, fingertips clenching his cuffs.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Milo snapped. “Do you know how dangerous this stuff is?”

“I’m fine,” Morty replied.

“You look like shit,” Milo said rudely. “I thought you were coming off it.”

“Me too,” came the reply.

“Where are you getting it?” Milo asked.

“I know a guy,” replied Morty.

“You’re a fucking joke,” Milo said, turning to leave. “I’m sick of trying to be here for you. I’ve been in Ecruteak for weeks trying to look after you. And you’re just destroying yourself.”

“It makes me feel better,” Morty replied.

“Better than what?” Milo asked.

“Than suicidal,” Morty said. Milo looked at his friend curiously. “Makes me calm, collected. I don’t want to feel like I used to. Scared,. Miserable…”

“Okay, okay,” Milo said cautiously. “It’s fine.”

“Stay with me Milo,” Morty said, withdrawing a sleek silver case. He withdrew another needle. Milo eyed it nervously, but sat down on a squishy cushion and stared out at the stormy skies.

The next day, Milo and Andrew were in an upmarket Ecruteak café. Andrew was driving Milo around Johto, where he was competing in the Gyms. He eyed the young boy carefully as he pressed a cappuccino to his lips.

“You haven’t touched your food,” Andrew noted shortly after putting his scalding drink down. “You ok?”

“Morty’s using again,” Milo muttered. “I spent all night with him.”

Andrew sighed.

“He’s not going to change, Milo.”

“He could,” Milo pointed out. “He should! Killing himself on an overdose is no better than hanging himself.”

“Look,” Andrew said calmly. “If you want to get to Olivine City and get the rest of your Gym Badges, then you need to move soon. We have been here for three weeks, and time is not in our favour.”

“But Morty needs me,” Milo replied.

“He was killing himself before you came along,” Andrew said. “He’s just going about it differently.”

Milo looked slightly disturbed by the comment, but knew Andrew was trying to help him see sense.

“I’m going inside to pay the bill. I’ll be back in a minute.”

As he got up and walked inside the chic glass café, Milo stared across the sleepy city. He could see the Gym in the distance, feeling sick by the whole thing. Poison shooting inside his veins…was it really justified if it quelled Morty’s suicidal streak? Milo got out his phone and dialled a number, making sure Andrew was busy in the queue.

“Hello?” came a voice.

“I’ve got a story for you,” Milo said, eyes scanning the area. “A scandal.”

“I’m listening…”

“Photographic proof that Mortimer LaRoux has been dealing with Class-A substances.”

*

After their training, Milo had been challenged to a battle by a trainer who had come to prepare for his rematch at the Gym. His name was Liam, and he stood opposite Milo on a makeshift arena. After it was obvious that Jake knew nothing about reffing a match, he was instead sitting on the sidelines glumly, his Pichu on his shoulder.

“Two Pokemon each,” Liam said. He had short, fine hair, looking around Milo’s age.

“Fine,” Milo replied coolly, thinking he would need to use Ruby, since Medicham was still being treated for her wounds.

“Girafarig go!” Liam cried, throwing the ball into the air. From the bright flash of light emerged a slender creature with four legs, resembling a foal in appearance. She had little antenna-style horns and big eyes, with her sleek golden fur becoming a murky brown further down her body. Milo was intrigued at the markings on the creature’s tail, resembling a manic face.

“Totodile!” Milo said. He suddenly saw the round tail turn around, and the face gave a cheeky grin. It was creepy. Totodile scampered forward, and Milo was glad he did not need to release the creature from the disgusting Pokeball.

“Girafarig go for a head butt!” Liam ordered. Galloping across the arena, Girafarig tucked her head down.

“Evade!”

Totodile blasted a jet of water into the ground and was propelled up amid splashes of sparkling water. In the air, Totodile charged up an orb of frosty ice in his mouth, and Milo watched happily as a perfect ice beam blasted down and struck Girafarig in the side. Totodile landed on the soft earth and cried out in excitement as Girafarig staggered to the side.

“Psybeam!” Liam said. Girafarig opened her mouth and a beam of bright, flashing energy pulsated out. It smashed into Totodile without fail; Milo was impressed at its accuracy. Totodile staggered back, blinking wildly as bright lights took over his field of vision.

“Get it together!” Milo said.

“Now go in for iron tail!” ordered Liam. Girafarig sped along the arena and pounced up into the air, creating a metallic sheen that engulfed her back half. She whipped around and her tail whacked Totodile across the jaw; he gave a yell and flew back, rolling along to Milo’s feet.

“You ok?” Milo asked. As he got up, Totodile seemed to have suffered a few bruises but he wasn’t as confused as previously. Looking, he saw Girafarig charging right towards him. “Evasion won’t work, we haven’t the time. Ice beam!”

Totodile narrowed his eyes, getting into the fight as he blasted another beam of cold ice through the air. Girafarig leapt to avoid it, but it struck her front legs, causing her to tumble down and crash into the ground.

“Get up!” Liam cried. “Girafarig!”

She wearily got to her feet, encased in ice, and looked back at her trainer with worry.

“Stay where you are. Use psychic on Totodile!” Liam said. Nodding, Girafarig’s eyed glowed powerfully, but Milo had enough experience with psychic Pokemon to know how to deal with them.

“Her other senses are weak,” Milo noted. “Make as much noise as you can!”

Totodile gave off an almighty screech, causing Milo, Jake, Liam, Girafarig and even little Pichu to yell out in protest. The noise was piercing, relentless; Milo had his hands pressed firmly against his ears, but watched as Girafarig thrashed around wildly. When a psychic Pokemon employed their sixth sense, they became much more sensitive to other senses. With Girafarig writhing on the ground, Totodile fired off a jet of water and struck her in the face.

“Shadow ball!” Liam yelled. Within moments, Girafarig created a fleshy orb of swirling shadows. It was launched through the air at Totodile, who leapt forward at the attack.

“What are you doing?” Milo asked. Totodile’s claws brimmed with energy as he span around, slashing apart the oncoming attack. Dancing among slivers of whispering shadows, Totodile looked incredible, spinning as the attack dissipated.

“He’s a bit out of control,” Jake noted.

Totodile landed as Girafarig charged once more. Firing a water gun at the ground, Totodile flipped out of the way. Girafarig knelt down before bouncing high into the air after the foe, swinging her tail around in an attempt to strike Totodile. Opening his big jaws, the alligator span around and released a big jet of water, which struck Girafarig and ploughed her into a tree.

“Totodile!” Milo exclaimed, his Pokemon landing to the ground. They looked at Girafarig, who Liam had to help pull from the splintered remains of the tree.

“That was impressive,” Jake mused.

“Good work man,” Milo said.

“Return,” Liam said to his Girafarig. “That’s a good Totodile there.”

“He’s not bad,” chuckled Milo.

“Right. Weezing, get out!” Liam said. The ball opened and released the large round Pokemon. Milo was reminded of the girl in the Olivine Contest who had a pink Koffing. This big purple creature had swirls of gas coming from little lumps all over its body. It had big fangs and gave off a horrible smell.

“Let’s sort this out,” Milo said. “Water gun!”

The jet of water narrowly missed Weezing who, on Liam’s command, swept to the left. He blasted a thick mouthful of dark sludge down at Totodile, who leapt out of the way into a forward roll.

“Cover the arena in sludge!” Liam cried. “Limit its movement.”

“What about the environment?” Jake asked in horror.

“Fuck the environment,” Liam said, as Weezing hovered around spitting huge wads of gunk.

“Totodile launch into the air with water gun, then go for an ice beam!” Milo shouted. Totodile blasted the water into the ground, propelling himself up. As he flew up, however, Weezing flew forward with a head butt, smashing the poor Pokemon and causing him to fall back to the ground. As he fell, Totodile fired an ice beam and managed to strike the curious, smaller head attached to Weezing.

“Hey,” Milo said to Totodile, who looked somewhat upset. “You’ve done enough. Good work pal.”

He got out the disco-ball style Pokeball and shot the beam at Totodile, recalling the little alligator in a flash of glittery light. Liam raised his eyebrows, but Milo ignored him, sending Ruby out her Pokeball instantly.

“You ready to fight?” Milo asked her. She looked indifferent, but Milo reminded himself that it wasn’t her choice. “Strike it with a swift attack.”

Barking loudly, Ruby commanded a fleet of sweeping golden stars to hurtle up and tear through the air at Weezing. The big purple Pokemon dodged left and right, but every single star struck its target. While Weezing was grunting at the irritable stars, Milo gave the next order.

“Go in for a Flare Blitz. Now!”

As fire burst from her feet, Ruby sped along the arena. Weezing blasted a sludgy mess down, but the Arcanine’s quick feet let her dodge and leap high, tackling Weezing. Landing amid the gloop, Ruby looked around precariously, keen to remain beautiful.

“Weezing use a double edge!” Liam said. The fire from Ruby’s assault had melted away the mini-Weezing, causing the curious species to levitate slightly higher. Spinning wildly, he slammed hard into Ruby, causing her to fall in all the horrible sludge surrounding them. At this, Ruby gave a long howl of shame, shooting off a jet of fire that struck the foe.

“Now get out there and use a flame wheel!” Milo shouted. Ruby pulled herself off the ground, looking sadly at the slick substance in her mane. She turned her nose, walking over to Jake and leaving the battle.

“What’s going on?” Liam asked.

“Ruby get back here!” Milo cried. Ruby sat down and closed her eyes, huffing.

“Dude your Pokemon quit. I win,” Liam replied.

“No you don’t!” Milo argued. “We were beating you.”

“But your Pokemon left the arena. Mine is still healthy and obedient,” Liam pointed out. “I win.”

“Fucks sake Ruby!” Milo snapped. Ruby opened her jaws and, fearing flame would erupt from her flame sac, Milo spasmed to the right slightly. “Fine. You win.”

He handed Liam a few notes and told him to go. Liam nodded, recalling Weezing and leaving. Jake dutifully had Wingull use a combination of gust and water gun to try and clean the area of the poisonous gunk, with Milo eventually lending Totodile to help. He sat down on a bench and glared angrily at Ruby, who seemed indifferent.

*

Meanwhile, in an elegant house in the outskirts of the city, Molly sat awkwardly with her Espeon. They had a map of Ecruteak City spread out across the desk. Rochelle returned with Umbreon.

“No sign of him at the Pokemoncenter,” she explained.

“Una is standing guard at his hotel, too, but he isn’t there,” Frankie said.

“This is a complete disaster!” Molly moaned. “Everything we worked towards is going down the gutter!”

Her phone, set out on the table, vibrated suddenly as the ringtone played out. Not recognising the number displayed on the screen, Molly picked it up with trepidation, accepting the call and pressing the device to her ear.

“…hello?”

“Milo Mitchelson is competing in the Ecruteak Contest,” said the voice. “So he will be in the city for at least another 24 hours.”

“How do you know this?” Molly asked.

“He signed up,” came the response.

“Why are you telling me this?” Molly said.

“Because you want to find him, don’t you?” said the stranger.

“I do…” Molly mumbled.

“Then you have the advantage of knowing where he will be tomorrow.”

“Who is this?” Molly asked.

“Just someone with similar interests,” said the person. “I will be in touch soon.”

Hanging up the phone, Jasmine tied back her hair and slipped her phone into her purse. She caught a glimpse of Milo and Jake as they walked back through the town, so she slipped down an alleyway unnoticed, ready for her next move.






Next Chapter
Milo faces a difficult time in the Ecruteak Contest as some of the best talent comes together trying to claim the ribbon. While he fights his way through the ranks, the Eevee sisters plan their final assault on Milo, no holds barred...

[Sike Saner]

The Morty scenes were certainly interesting. One moment in those scenes that really stood out for me was when Milo found him hanging there, particularly due to the way that that moment was presented in the text--quite an attention grabbing image there. o.o

And fwee, there was a weezing in that chapter. ^^

Other highlights:

With a lurching gasp, the man sat up, taking in thick, hearty gulps of air. His eyes looked heavily bloodshot. He looked around.

“D-Did it work?” he asked.

Somehow I just I couldn't help but be amused by Morty asking if it worked (read: asking if he was dead) there. XD

They carried on walking through town, Milo planning on training his newest team member some more. At that point, however, a lithe Flareon wandered the path in front of them, sauntering along as the wind ruffled its fluffy collar.

Milo looked to see that, blocking off a street was a Jolteon, sparks brimming across its ultra-fine needles. It’s dark eyes narrowed at Milo, who could see Flareon sitting calmly ahead. The pattering of paws alerted him to a Vaporeon to his right, and before he could assume what was to come, behind him an Espeon and Umbreon stood next to one another.

It's not very often that I can say that I find eeveelutions at all ominous, but this is one such opportunity where I can. When they surrounded Milo and Jake there, there was a definite sense of "oh crap" about that moment. Nicely done. ^^

“What the hell is going on here?” came a sharp voice. Milo span around in his chair to find a slim woman standing in the doorway, a Houndoom at her side. The dog was big, with curved horns and sharp teeth. It had external ‘ribs’ formed from excess bone along its back, and a pointed tail.

“Shit!” Jake wailed.

XD A classic "busted" moment right there.

“Good for her,” Milo said. “Listen, I’m going to hand Kingler back over. Totodile’s grasped ice beam quite well, we can work on it without the big guy.”

“Oh ok honey,” Meredith replied. “Now how do I start the transfer?”

“Push ‘Start’.”

“Right, start. Which one is that?”

“It’s big, green, has a few letters on it,” Milo explained.

“What letters?”

“Umm S…T…A…R…and another T.”

*snickers* X3

Milo placed the ball on the base of the chute and pressed start. It flashed white and disappeared. Moments later Meredith cried in horror as the ball burst open and Kingler scuttled around the living room. Sunflora ran wildly, the big crab’s pincers clicking as it chased the sunflower.

“HEY!” Meredith cried, spinning around and sending Yao-Lin tumbling to the floor. “Leave poor Emerald alone!”

*can't help but laugh at what's happening to Emerald there* XD

“Ehh…” Jake sighed, turning to the handsome nurse. “Hmm…fine. Ok.”

He looked at Daniel.

“Hopefully one of my Pokemon gets hurt and you can…you know, help it.”

“Hopefully?” Daniel asked.

“Ignore him,” Milo said, dragging Jake out the Pokemoncenter.

XD

“Totodile!” Milo said. He suddenly saw the round tail turn around, and the face gave a cheeky grin. It was creepy.

XD Awesome.

“Fucks sake Ruby!” Milo snapped. Ruby opened her jaws and, fearing flame would erupt from her flame sac, Milo spasmed to the right slightly.

XD Yeah, upsetting something that can breathe fire is... risky, put mildly. X3


Nice work once again, and I look forward to more--the matter of the eevee sisters' "final assault on Milo" that's on the horizon certainly intrigues me... o.o

[Chris 2.1]

New chapter time! This is a pretty big one. A lot has to happen for things to move forward!

The chapter is, as ever, named after a cocktail - of sorts. I'd be interested if anyone knew more about this particular name.

Show-Off
-XXXVII-
Gaby Scanlon

After stowing away aboard a train bound for Blackthorn City, Milo and Jake had an uncomfortable journey, but managed to stay discreet until the train arrived at their destination late that evening. Waiting until everyone had left the carriages, Milo had Medicham teleport the boys off the carriage before anyone could spot them.

Luckily, Medicham knew Blackthorn City well, as did Milo. From a young age, Michael and Meredith Mitchelson insisted their children attended the prestigious Blackthorn Academy, a boarding school with an incredibly rich heritage.

Milo would spent the week studying at the school and staying in the dormitories, and on weekends he would be flown back to his home in the Whirl Islands, though this precious time would often involve sparring sessions with his mentor, Chuck.

When William died, and Milo was given the Medicham his brother had recently captured, Michael felt it important Medicham grow close to Milo, and Milo was allowed to bring her to Blackthorn when he studied. It was here that they began to grow close as a pair, through grief over their shared loss and a number of occasions when Milo found a useful way to deploy his new Pokemon's telekinetic abilities.

The city had grown significantly over the years, and was considered one of the more refined and cultured in the Johto region. The affluence and wealth meant a number of high-end designers were based here, with Milo's mum being particularly fond of Isabella Dent's expensive dresses. Five-star restaurants and hotels lined the historic Fangsland Road, and the property prices meant that only the truly wealthy could live here.

Medicham teleported the boys to a handsome red brick house south of the city, one they were both very familiar with. Jake seemed keen to look around the city, but Milo reminded him they were not stopping in Blackthorn long. The Viridian Contest – Milo's last chance to be eligible for the Grand Festival – was dangerously close, and they still had a journey ahead of them.

Milo knocked on the door, and took a step back. He could smell something delicious as he heard shuffling around inside. Suddenly, the door opened, and a friendly face beamed at him.

“Milo!”

“Hi Gary,” Milo said, smiling.

“How's it going?” he said. “What are you doing here?”

“Er, well, we're stopping off here on the way to Viridian City, actually,” Milo said. “I was wondering -”

“Of course you can stay here!” Gary said. “Come in, come in! And who is your friend?”

“Oh! This is Jake,” Milo said. “Jake, this is Gary Oak.”

“My dad's famous,” Gary said, shaking Jake's hand. “Nice to meet you!”

“Right!” Jake said brightly, looking exasperated.

The two were led into Gary's house, which was neat and homely; there was a large sheepskin rug in the open-plan living room, and in the kitchen, it looked like he was preparing a stew; the house was filled with mouth-watering smells.

As Milo and Jake took their shoes off and had a seat, Gary got a bottle of wine from a rack and began uncorking it, inviting the boys to leave their belongings at the bottom of the stairs. Jake looked impressed.

“So what's new?” Gary said, sauntering through with the glasses of wine in his hand. “What are you doing with yourself?”

“Oh, well, I'm heading to Viridian to compete in a Pokemon Contest there,” Milo said. Gary's eyes lit up. “I'm actually pretty good.”

“Of course you are!” Gary said, patting him on the shoulder. “Dhaaling. I bet you're just super.”

“He is!” Jake said. “Milo's nearly eligible for the Grand Festival!”

“Jesus Milo,” Gary said, “You were one of the best battlers at our school! And you came a respectful second in the Johto League. That's an achievement in itself -”

“I lost to Gary, at the league,” Milo muttered to Jake.

“You have to pursue that strength, and keep on that track, petering off in different directions isn't going to help you.”

“It's not easy,” Milo said. “And it's making me a better battler because of it.”

“Isn't your sister a coordinator?” Gary asked.

“Yes,” Milo said. “She's competing in the Grand Festival.”

“Milo Mitchelson... a coordinator,” Gary said, smirking again. “Honestly, you crack me up.”

“So er what do you do, Gary? I like your house,” Jake chimed in.

“Thank you,” Gary said, nodding. “You know Milo, your father has fallen out with me.”

Milo took a gulp of wine and nearly choked on it; his father? What was Gary doing with his father? Milo thought of the altercation on Route 34, with Eusine and Krystal and the death of the legendary Pokemon Raikou. Was Gary another agent, like Morty and Jasmine?

“He wanted me to head to Cianwood City and look after the gym,” Gary said, rolling his eyes. “That Eusine guy is sick. Really sick.”

“H-He is?” Milo asked, trying to sound nonchalant, and trying to ignore the gunshot wound the man sustained earlier that day.

“I reckon cancer,” Gary said, taking a sip of wine. “Those Weezing he hangs around with, they can't be good for him, can they?”

“No, probably not,” Milo said. “But, you're not going to Cianwood?”

“It's way too far,” Gary said. “And, well, I have a pretty exciting business development going on at the moment.”

“What is it?” Milo asked, intrigued.

“In Kanto,” Gary added. “I wouldn't even think about taking a gym here. The league in Johto is a right mess at the moment. I hear they finally convinced Whitney to start battling again after she was robbed, but Karen at Ecruteak wants to quit and move back to Hoenn, Falkner hasn't been seen for nearly two months... honestly, it's bewildering.”

“Been a bad year, hasn't it,” Milo said, despite knowing full well the fates of all the absent gym leaders.

“They did the Reclassification to kick-start the league, and all they've done is drive it into the ground!” Gary said. “Kanto is where it's at. Turns out the gym in Virdian was being used as a crystal meth lab, so they've evacuated it. I've got an assessment there this week.”

“You'd be a great gym leader,” Milo told him. “Jake, Gary has a brilliant team.”

“Oh it's expanded since you last saw me,” Gary replied. “I've gone for a new approach – the 10-Strong Strategy. It's popular in Kanto. Instead of having a team of six covering all your bases, you have a wider pool of ten intensely-trained Pokemon that you can use to assimilate a six-strong team for a variety of different occasions.”

Milo suddenly realised that was what Mia had done with her coordinating Pokemon – she had a large roster and moved them around to suit the situation. She had holidayed in the Seafoam Islands – was this where she picked it up from? Milo considered his own five Pokemon (and Houndour, recovering from surgery) and felt small by comparison.

Gary explained that he would be driving over to Viridian City tomorrow night, and if the two wanted to get a free ride, they would have to wait until then. Milo realised that would get him there in time for the contest the day after, but he would have to spend tomorrow undertaking a serious training regime if he wanted to get his Pokemon ready.

Once the last of the wine had been drunk, and the last dregs of stew mopped up with crusty bread, Gary got out sleeping bags and spare mattresses so Milo and Jake could sleep in the living room. Once he had gone upstairs, Milo thought about his old friend's attitude to coordinating, and how, initially, he had been reluctant to tell Morty he was a coordinator.

It wasn't something to shy away from, but the stigma was that it was an incredibly un-masculine thing to do. The jocks all trained to take on Gyms, like Milo had done the year previously. But to them, the idea of being a coordinator meant you were somehow trading in part of your identity.

As he felt himself drift off, Milo decided he knew a way to tackle Gary's misconceptions about coordinating. He'd use his team to take on the cocky trainer during training tomorrow.

*

Milo was unsurprised when Gary woke them early the next day. He was off for a morning run, and looked surprised when Milo declined the offer to join him. As Gary headed off round the neighbourhood, Milo poured himself some cereal, and began thinking about his strategy.

“The thing is, just because my Pokemon appeal that doesn't mean they can't battle,” he said. “Having said that, when I let Ruby battle a Tauros she got bloodied up pretty bad.”

“Medicham is an obvious choice,” said Jake, who was rifling through the magazines on Gary's coffee table. “What about Magnezone? You should totally try him out.”

“Good idea,” Milo said.

Gary was only away for about half an hour, and came back looking incredibly pleased with himself. Though his face was blotchy and he looked exhausted, the boy had the unmistakable look of someone who was in very good shape. Jake looked particularly interested as Gary took his t-shirt off, showing an impressive, toned stomach, before tossing his shirt in the laundry hamper and heading upstairs to take a shower.

“I feel like I should run more,” Milo said. “Jake, remind me to go for a run tomorrow.”

“You need to start running? I need to start running,” he moaned. “And have you seen this guys fridge? He eats so healthily. All we do is drink booze and eat junk food.”

“That's not true, I had an omelette in Cherrygrove,” Milo muttered.

Once Gary had showered, he shouted down for the boys to meet him at the front of the Blackthorn Gym. Shrugging, Milo and Jake got ready and headed out Gary's house; the gym was only a short walk away. It was foggy today, but being at such a high altitude, and away from the capital city, Blackthorn's air had a crispness to it. They were close to nature without feeling rural – it was clear why the city was so popular.

On the way to the gym, Milo's attention was caught by a large, handsome bird perching on Gary's letterbox; he ignored it, thinking the Pidgeot probably belonged to Gary, and walked through the city with Jake. He kept pointing out places to his friend, showing him the bar where he had his first beer, the park where they used to spend sunny afternoons studying for exams, and even the expensive looking shop where Mia was given a baby Snubbull from her parents as a graduation present.

“It is nice being back here,” Milo admitted, looking at the familiar shops and cafes. The sign for Belvedere Road, pristine if not for a small chip in the corner – Milo remembered causing that chip when Medicham failed to re-direct a swift attack from a schoolboy's Aipom.

“That Pidgeot is following us,” Jake said, jerking his thumb behind him. Milo turned to see the bird walking (awkwardly, it has to be said) towards them, but freezing as soon as they made eye contact.

“Maybe it's a spy,” Milo said quietly. He spied a pebble nearby, “should I throw this?”

“No, Milo,” Jake replied. “But it definitely wants something.”

Milo turned around and looked at the bird; it was certainly handsome, with glossy plumage slightly longer than usual, while the normally rough tail feathers were also more elongated and less spiky. It looked preened, that was it, Milo said, studying it. It also looked much less fierce than wild birds often did.

“Do you want something?” he asked. The Pidgeot flapped up and crooned. “What does that mean?!”

“Catch it,” Jake said.

“Do I have to?” Milo asked. “Hey! Fuck off! We don't have any food.”

“It doesn't look hungry,” Jake noted. “In fact, it looks really healthy. Like it has a trainer.”

Milo fumbled on his belt for a Pokeball, and in a flash, Medicham materialised at his side. Pidgeot didn't seem to mind this, keeping his mind focused and his gaze locked on Milo.

“Listen,” Milo said to Medicham. “Scan it with psywave. See what it's thinking, or what it wants.”

Nodding, Medicham held her hand out and tried to tap into the psyche of the persistent bird. However, as she did so, Pidgeot bolted up into the air with one single flap; Milo gasped as he saw the bird shoot up and survey them from afar, flapping his wings, staring. Medicham tried again, but it was all too easy for Pidgeot to evade, this time pulling into a steep dive and skirting the ground. Dust whipped up around him as his big, muscular wings took him all around the skies at the slightest beat.

“Okay, okay,” Milo said, asking Medicham to stop and looking at Pidgeot. “You don't want to battle. Right?”

Seeing Medicham step back seemed to calm the bird, who landed in front of Milo again and took a tentative step towards him. In a flash, Medicham teleported away from Milo's side and re-appeared behind the bird; before he could react, she held her hand out and rooted him to the spot with a strong psychic attack.

“Subdue him,” Milo said, “then use your clairsentience to read his mind.”

Medicham nodded, walking slowly towards the bird that lay, pressed, against the earth. Milo knew it looked cruel, but this bird was being persistent, and he wanted to know why that was so. Crouching next to the bird, Medicham reached her fingers out and touched his plumage; Pidgeot's eyes drooped shut as he tried to fight back, but he was no match for Medicham's psychic powers.

“Anything?” Milo said, wandering over. Medicham beckoned him quicker, and once he approached, grabbed his hand with one of her own; with a squeeze, Milo felt a sudden urge in his head and his senses began to meld together. He felt the familiar chill of goosebumps, even though the day was perfectly pleasant. The memories were not clear, but Milo felt a sweeping fondness for someone, and the familiarity to it made him suspect that he knew this person in Pidgeot's mind.

Then, a voice. Milo recognised Falkner issuing a command. He opened his eyes and told Medicham to step back; Pidgeot turned to look at him weakly.

“Do you belong to Falkner?” Milo asked. Pidgeotto nodded.

“You saw that?” Jake asked. “Falkner?”

“Kind of,” Milo said. “I felt something for Falkner, and it kind of helped the memory solidify. It's complex.”

Medicham gripped his hand harder, and Milo suddenly felt a sharp muscular pain across his body; it felt like he was being stretched. Trying to probe into the memory, he saw countless trees and a number of cities. The pain lessened into a dull ache, and Milo then saw the surface of a lake, perhaps the Lake of Rage?

“I think this Pidgeot has recently evolved,” Milo murmured. He had felt the pain Pidgeot was feeling, and wondered if, through his long journey flying here, he had built the stamina and core strength to evolve.

“Did Falkner send him?” Jake said.

“I think so,” Milo said, asking Medicham to let go. She leapt back gracefully, and Pidgeot widened his eyes in relief. Jake immediately released his Parasect, and asked if he could release some soothing spores to help Pidgeot's pain. Nodding, the bug scuttled over and sneezed, covering the bird in a speckled, peppermint coloured spore.

“It'll make him a little drowsy, but that's good,” Jake said. “We can take him to a Pokemoncenter.”

At the Blackthorn City Pokemoncenter, Milo and Jake sat in the waiting room as the nurses did a number of tests on the Pidgeot to determine who he belonged to or where he came from. Milo massaged his temples, trying to remember the images and sensations from the clairsentience. Pidgeot had been travelling... the bronze-coloured leaves in the trees reminded him of Ecruteak City, while the lake may indeed have been the one north of Mahogany. Had Pidgeotto been sent to find him, on Falkner's orders?

“Milo?” said a voice. Milo got up as the Nurse came over.

“Hi,” she said sweetly. “We've run some tests; this Pokemon is fine, but he's exhausted, he has been flying for several days, we think.”

“Does he have a trainer ID?” Jake asked.

“He does, and you're correct; he belongs to Falkner,” the nurse explained. “However, Falkner's profile has a note asking that, in the event of the creature being brought to a Pokemoncenter, that ownership be transferred to Milo Mitchelson.”

“What?” Milo asked.

“Hmm, Falkner has asked the creature to be removed from his care,” she said. “So you're free to capture the bird, if you wish.”

Milo pulled a sour face, and turned away from the counter. What was Falkner playing at, just handing over a Pokemon like this? Was he trying to say something, was this bird supposed to be emergency transport for Milo, or a carrier bird to deliver messages? He remembered the note Falkner left them before they left Violet City; before he went to find out more about his father's murder, he explained he couldn't carry a mobile phone as he didn't wish to be easily found.

“You can't not catch him, Milo,” Jake said.

“Why not?” Milo asked.

“This Pidgeot came all the way here for you,” Jake said. “He isn't native to this area, you can't just leave him in the wild, he won't survive.”

Milo remembered the Skarmory and Fearow that lived outside Blackthorn and had to agree. Pidgeot needed lush, greener habitats, so it did seem cruel choosing not to take Pidgeot with him. Milo finally made a decision, and told the nurse he would be happy to take Pidgeot on. She happily got out a Pokeball from the counter – it was a run-of-the-mill red Pokeball, no expenses spared – and registered the bird in Milo's name.

*

With Pidgeot now in his possession, Milo had a full team, but knew that certain members needed more training than others. Before he left the Pokemoncenter, he called his mother, and asked if she would mind sending Houndour over to him. Meredith obliged, explaining that the dog had recovered exceptionally since the brutal attack from Oscar's Scizor. Realising he needed to take someone off his team for the moment, Milo sent Scizor to his home. He had fought hard in the Lake of Rage and Violet City contests. He needed a rest.

Milo and Jake went to the front of the Blackthorn Gym to wait for Gary, but he was nowhere to be seen, and they were already pretty late themselves. It wasn't a pleasant day at all, so waiting outside was horrible. After a while, they decided just go enter the gym and see Gary there.

“Pryce said Clair was being kept on,” Milo said, reaching for the huge, iron knocker on the gym door. It looked exactly how he remembered it; large, dark, carved from stone and incredibly intimidating. Blackthorn Gym sat on the edge of a vast lake, and it was rumoured that Clair trained in the dangerous caverns on the other side.

The gym itself was a large body of water, with roughly hewn stone arenas where trainers and Gym apprentices pitted their Pokemon against each other. Narrow wooden walkways joined all the arenas together, forming a path; when Milo had battled here a year or so ago, you had to follow the path around and fight all the trainers before being allowed to challenge the Gym Leader. In the middle of the gym, on a small stone platform, was a heavy wooden trapdoor.

Milo could see a Dragonair wrapping its slender body around a Lickitung, while at the back of the gym there was a Nidorino trying to joust its horn into a Nidorina. The blue Pokemon leapt left and right, avoiding each strike, hissing loudly.

“Where is the leader?” Jake asked. Milo pointed to the trapdoor, and led Jake along the first walkway that would eventually take them there. Beneath this floor was Clair, on her private arena set high above a large pit. As they walked onto the first arena, Milo swiftly made his way to the next walkway, but the trainer, a stocky blonde guy, stepped forward.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he said. “Where do you think you're going?”

“To see Claire,” Milo said.

“You need to battle on all four arenas before you can go down there,” he said dismissively. Milo saw him pull a green Pokeball from his belt.

“No, I'm not here to challenge her,” Milo said. “I'm here to see her. Anyway, I have the Rising Badge, I've beaten her before.”

“Can I see it?” he asked.

“Well I don't have it on me,” Milo snapped.

“How unfortunate,” the boy replied, holding the Pokeball out.

“Come on dude, be cool,” Milo said.

“Sorry dude,” he replied.

“One on one,” came a voice; Milo turned and saw Jake had taken his place on the arena and hurled a Pokeball into the air. The burst of bright white light illuminated the dark gym, and his large, lumbering Ursaring emerged, ready to fight.

“That's more like it!” the trainer said, throwing a ball through the air.

“Jake, are you sure?” Milo said. “You just caught -”

“We'll be fine,” Jake said, as the opponent's Pokemon, a Golem, gave a long roar. It was a small but incredibly heavy creature, with a body hewn from a similar rock to the arena. Milo took a few steps back to observe.

“Easy! Golem, rollout!” the boy said. Nodding, the boulder leapt into the air, tucking his arms in and bowling along the arena to Ursaring. It wasn't a large arena, so there wasn't a lot of room for avoiding it.

Ursaring extended his claws, preparing a counter strike, but when Golem connected with him he was thrown through the air and slammed into the ground. The arena trembled as Ursaring landed, and Golem span back around to his trainer. As Ursaring got to his feet, Milo realised that the Blackthorn Gym, which, must specialise in attack, had arenas designed to invoke direct contact.

Jake looked composed, asking Ursaring to get up as Golem geared up for another strike. He sped through the air, faster then before, but this time Ursaring leapt high into the air, avoiding the hit. Thankfully, Golem's weight meant it couldn't propel itself up after Ursaring, something which smaller Pokemon were able to do when using Rollout. Ursaring landed and let off a loud snarl; it echoed off the walls of the gym, and even got the attention of some other trainers practicing.

“Ursaring!” Jake said, stepping back to the edge of the arena. He was observing the arena, taking mental notes. Milo had no idea what he was thinking. “Go in for a metal claw!”

“Finally attacking!” the apprentice cackled. “About time, in the attack gym!”

“Just because you specialise in attack, that doesn't mean I should,” Jake countered.

Ursaring's claws sparkled silver and he raced along the arena at Golem, who leapt into a third rollout. Again, Golem was too fast and too heavy to come out of the clash worse; as he slammed into Ursaring, the bear was hurtled back, the sheen fading from his claws.

“You can't overpower him Jake!” Milo said from the sidelines.

“I'm not trying to!” Jake snapped, and Milo wondered if this was it felt like to not be clued in on things. Golem was speeding around so much now he was a mere blur, but he navigated the arena brilliantly, building momentum up before going to strike Ursaring for the fourth time.

“Golem, go for the fourth!” said the apprentice.

“Hammer arm!” Jake said. “Into the opposite corner!”

Golem tucked his arms into his body again but, on the opposite corner of the arena, Ursaring flexed his arms and held one back. With incredible power, he slammed it down into the stone; the sheer force caused the arena to tip into the water; Milo, standing nearby, held onto the walkway as his legs buckled and water washed over his feet.

Opposite them, the downward force on the arena caused Golem's side to spring up; Golem was launched into the air and, with the force built up from his rollouts, he arched right over Ursaring's head and into the water, disappearing completely.

“GOLEM!” the apprentice cried.

“He's so heavy that even if he could swim he wouldn't get far,” Jake said. “Recall him.”

The trainer held the ball out and shot it down into the water several times; he was so panicked, so thrown by Jake's technique that he wasn't aiming well, but eventually he managed to bring his Pokemon back. Milo was dumbfounded; how did Jake know the arena was so easy to manipulate? How had he thought to use Golem's weight and speed to propel himself?

“It was pretty easy,” Jake said, as a couple of apprentices and trainers gathered round. “The arena isn't made from stone as thick as the stuff in the gym. I noticed that when I looked over the edge. We're just floating, so any force applied to one end of the arena will cause its buoyancy to tip.”

“That was good,” said one apprentice, in a navy sports top. “Come to the next arena, give me a go.”

Jake nodded and walked along the walkway, Ursaring recalled into his ball. Milo quickly followed, reaching in his pocket for a Pokeball.

“Wait, I want to try!” he said, getting Jake's attention.

“Oh, yeah,” Jake said. “We came here together, so we'll take you on together.”

“That's not in the rules,” said the second trainer, who seemed slightly older and much less brash. “You have to beat four of us to see the leader.”

“I can beat you all,” Jake said, “And we have a badge from this gym. We're just amusing you. So let Milo take you on.”

“Fine,” the trainer said, shooting Milo a look. “One on one again.”

“Good luck!” Jake said, taking his place on the sidelines.

“Medicham!” Milo said, releasing the monkey onto the arena. She looked around briefly; recognising her surroundings, and lifting one leg up to her chin. The trainer nodded, releasing a Kingler onto the arena.

Milo had trained a Kingler before, and it currently lived back home, the father to several hundred small crustaceans on his family's island. Medicham knew this, too, and he could tell she was glad they were facing a species they knew so well. Kingler raised its incredibly large claw and it snapped three times; the echoing sound resembled a judge's gavel.

“This won't be a problem,” Milo muttered. “Medicham, go for a dynamicpunch!”

Medicham raced along the arena, a fist held back, glowing with white-hot energy. Kingler scuttled left and right, anticipating where Medicham would strike; she pounced up into the air and flew down, sweeping her fist down to connect with his body.

But Kingler raised his claw, turning it so it covered most of his body; Medicham's fist connected and she recoiled in pain, staggering back and letting off a howl. The claw had protected him. As she nursed her fist, Kingler swept his claw outwards, swatting Medicham and throwing her off the arena.

“Teleport!”

With a pop, she appeared back at Milo's side. Kingler moved the claw from his mouth and spewed a jet of frothy water; it peppered Medicham's torso, but bothered her more than it did damage her. Milo saw Kingler spewing mouthfuls of froth into the water, causing it to bubble and swell around the stone arena.

“Try once more,” Milo said, thinking that if it failed, he'd simply change tactics. “Fling it off the arena with psychic!”

Nodding, Medicham held a hand out and gave it a lazy flick; a psychic force bowled Kingler off the arena and into the sud-filled water; he disappeared from view entirely, and Milo realised that all the foam and bubbles now provided an excellent cloak for him.

“Fine by us,” said the apprentice. “Crabhammer!”

Milo pulled a confused expression, only to see the arena shake. From under the floating stone, Kingler smashed his large claw into the exact spot Medicham stood at; the force caused the arena to buckle and for her to tumble off her feet completely. Before Milo could issue an attack (and what would he do, anyway?) Kingler flew out the foam on a torpedo of water, before holding his claw forward and shooting a hydro pump out at Medicham.

The attack hit her head on, and she was forced back by the hydraulic jet of ice cold water. Skidding along the arena, she looked hurt, and Milo was left in awe at the trainer's clever strategy. Kingler landed, shaking brine from his little legs, and gave what Milo could only describe as a guffaw.

“We're still in this!” Milo said. “Hidden power, electric!”

Nodding, Medicham summoned a glass-like orb in one hand and flexed her fingers. The orb glowed bright blue, and cycled through shades of red, green, purple, silver and finally settled on a vivid yellow. As it did, sparks jolted off it as Medicham held it out at Kingler. With thudding pulses, Medicham fired off small balls of sparks that flew through the air like machine-gun fire.

Kingler held his claw over his face, but as it was soaked from using hydro pump, his wet body conducted the electricity brilliantly. Milo recalled Mia doing a similar thing when they were trying to open a Cloyster in Olivine City, and wondered if his sister would be proud that he borrowed the technique. As Kingler shuddered, Medicham held both hands and, with all the force she could muster, threw him into the air with a telekinetic grip.

Kingler was spewing bubbles everywhere in self defence as sparks rattled his body, but Medicham pounced up into the air after him and, fist glowing, unleashed a dynamic punch into his side, the side not supported by a giant claw. Kingler flew back to the ground, landing with a crunch, as Medicham teleported to the ground next to him.

“Hmph!” the trainer said, getting out the ball to recall him. “Type advantages suck. How did you get your Medicham to learn all the hidden powers?”

“Meditation,” Milo said, before thanking her for her work. She had been exceptional, but she did look tired. Milo recalled her as Jake applauded excitedly.

“Nice work!” he said. “That Kingler was pretty good, huh?”

“He had a good technique,” Milo said, as they walked along the next walkway and found themselves facing a dark-haired girl. This girl had been commanding the Lickitung earlier, and Milo had seen her watching Jake battle earlier.

“You two are doing well for yourselves,” she said, staring glumly at a Pokeball in her palm.

“I've done this before,” Milo pointed out.

“You battled at the Dragon Gym; this is the Attack Gym now,” the girl replied. “Why do you think we all have new Pokemon? This is the final hurdle for anyone who wants to get into the Pokemon league. And while learning about speed, defence, statuses, flight and everything else is fine and dandy, you'll get nowhere without a solid attack.”

“I'll take this one,” Jake said to Milo, pulling out what Milo recognised as his Park Ball. The girl looked impressed at Jake's assertiveness, and fished a Pokeball out from her own pocket.

“Okay,” she said, throwing her ball forward. “Go, Cacturne!”

Forming from the white light was a thick, stumpy figure that sprouted long, lance-like spikes from all over his body. Milo watched as the Cacturne stared across the field, giving a low cackle from his tiny little mouth. The hat on his head cast shadows across his face, and his thick, club-like arms hung heavily at his side.

“Jake,” Milo said urgently, worried the boy would come into trouble. “Watch out. Cacturne haven't got great defences but they're armed with those spikes.”

“We'll be fine,” Jake said, arching the ball over his head. In a flash, Parasect emerged onto the arena, clicking his pincers and staring at Cacturne from beneath the heavy mushroom on his back. It looked like a good match up; Parasect had poison and bug attacks that would help here.

“Cacturne!” the girl shrieked. “Pin missile!”

Running along the arena with his arms out at his side, Cacturne caused the spiky protrusions to glow and extend into long, spindly lances. As he ran towards Parasect, he started twisting his body and spinning on the spot, firing off glass-like pins through the air. Parasect tucked his head down and protected his face from the barrage with his claws.

“No problem,” Jake said, smiling.

“Needle arm!”

Though the onslaught was doing little to Parasect, Cacturne leapt up and threw his body around; the force of both his arms smashed into Parasect's body, causing him to skid back along the arena. Jake looked surprised at the nimble Pokemon's strategy; to keep Parasect stationary with a barrage so he could get close and deal a physical blow.

“Bullet seed!”

A frenzied mouthful of seeds were blasted from Parasect's mouth; they peppered Cacturne's torso, but he crossed his thick arms over his head, protecting his face and much of his torso. He then threw both arms at the ground with a huge thud; the tremor sent Parasect up in the air, and in a flash, Cacturne leapt along the arena and punched the bug in the stomach.

“This thing is fast!” Milo shouted.

“I used to be a coordinator, you know,” the girl said from across the arena. “But I came here and realised my true passion was battling. Cacturne deals heavy damage and looks gorgeous doing so. Can you even keep up?”

Cacturne landed at his trainer's side and laughed, but as he did, he fell to his knees with a cry; he looked pained. Parasect landed, and Milo saw a scattering of spores around the arena. Dark purple spores he often associated with toxins.

“Use Parasect as a punching bag all you want,” Jake said. “But his Effect Spore means you're going to come off pretty bad.”

“Maybe, but Parasect doesn't have good defences,” the girl said. “It won't take much to bring him down.”

“Bullet seed again!” Jake said. “Aim for the lesions on his body!”

Where the spores riddled Cacturne's body, he had scratches and sores from the irritation. Parasect spewed more hard seeds that snapped and cracked against Cacturne's sore skin. Undeterred, the cactus leapt into the air and span rapidly, showering the arena with white-hot spikes.

Jake looked calm and Milo wondered if it was because Parasect wasn't known for manoeuvring around a lot. Being still meant he wouldn't be irritated by spikes. At the same time, Jake didn't seem to have a strategy for taking this Pokemon down, instead using snap judgements to combat individual attacks.

“Parasect, get in close and use slash!” Jake said. Leaping up, Parasect landed by Cacturne's feet and snapped at his legs with his pincers. Cacturne dodged left and right, even managing to swing a kick and strike the large mushroom in the face.

“Hit him with another needle arm!” the girl said. “Needle X!”

Crossing his arms, Cacturne slammed both into Parasect again, and from the applause around the trainer, it seemed this was one of her signature attacks. Milo was impressed at the increase in power, but also noticed Parasect releasing more spores from his body in self-defence. A horrible grey smoke filtered across the arena, causing Cacturne to moan in agony. This was the tear-gas Jake had developed with his beloved bug, and it was affecting Parasect's vision.

“Now, hit him with an X-Scissor!” Jake said. Crossing his pincers into an X, Parasect dealt a devastating blow to the Pokemon's body, and Cacturne tumbled backwards along the arena. As the trainer looked ready to issue an attack, Jake cut in.

“Giga drain!”

Leaping on top of Cacturne, Parasect throbbed green as tendrils of energy burst from his claws and ensnared Cacturne's body. However, just as it looked like he was about to be drained of his remaining energy, Cacturne swung an arm up and smashed it into Parasect, throwing him off. As steam hissed from his pores, Cacturne leapt to his feet.

“Revenge!”

Another heavy thud sent Parasect reeling, the strength being built off the damage Parasect had dealt in the first place. Struggling to compose himself, Parasect looked up at Cacturne, who leapt high into the air, a leg extended...

“That's mega kick!” Milo shouted.

“Surround yourself with a sleep powder!” Jake said.

“Spin!” the girl yelled. Tucking his foot back in, Cacturne landed on the arena, stuck his arms out and span on the spot. His spikes extended and soon he caused a twister of wind to whip up around him; as Parasect released spores into the arena, they were swept up by the air currents encasing Cacturne and soared high into the upper rafters of the gym.

“Parasect, he'll need a second to come out that spinning attack,” Jake said. “Now, -”

“Sucker punch!”

A sweeping, ghostly mass of energy formed into a fist, bursting from the cyclone of air and thumping Parasect, knocking him out. As the mushroom collapsed, Cacturne let off a long cackling moan as he joined his trainers side. Jake was distraught, kneeling down and checking his Pokemon was OK.

“No strategy at all,” the girl said derisively. “You can't rely on spores. They're irritants, but that Parasect has a terrible attack stat.”

“Lay off him.” Milo said, pulling out his Great Ball. “Jake, I'll take over, show her Houndour's good attack.”

“Oh no you don't!” the girl said. “This is the attack gym, you burning a grass type with a fire Pokemon doesn't mean shit. You'll have to do better than that.”

Milo instinctively thought of his new Magnezone, but the girl's comment stung slightly, and instead he picked out a glittering metal Pokeball from his pocket. Jake saw this, and looked shocked at Milo's choice, recalling Parasect and standing on the side.

“Croconaw!” Milo said, releasing him. The alligator gave a snarl as he landed on the arena, looking at his opponent. “Look, we'll take you on with a water type.”

“Armed with ice attacks, I'll bet,” said the girl, with a dramatic yawn. “Cacturne, sucker punch!”

Croconaw clenched his fists, but wasn't able to avoid the first attack; the sweeping, ghostly punch smashed into his stomach and threw him off his feet. With a thud, he hit the ground, but Milo ordered an aqua jet right away.

Bursting off the ground, encased in a torpedo of water, Croconaw sailed through the air towards Cacturne, who span wildly, releasing a pin missile. The swarm of sharp pins slashed through the aqua jet, hurting Croconaw and knocking him to the ground easily.

Milo felt frustrated; Croconaw hadn't been used in a serious battle for quite some time. Nevertheless, as the alligator got to his feet, Milo realised that, like Kingler, he needed to take advantage of the water surrounding him.

“Go for an aqua tail!” Milo said. Leaping into the air, Croconaw swung his tail around, and a thick blade of ice-cold water slammed into Cacturne's stomach; before he had time to retaliate, Croconaw went into an aqua jet and sped towards him, encased in water.

“Now, metal claw!” Milo said. Leaping out the protection of the water, Croconaw's claws sparkled Silver and he slashed away at Cacturne's torso. The grass-type blocked his face with one arm, but Croconaw easily raked his long, sparkling claws across the foe's legs, causing him to wince in pain.

“Needle arm!”

Nodding, Cacturne let out a cackle and threw the weight of his arm down on Croconaw. However, Croconaw ducked down and swung his tail up, countering the attack and throwing Cacturne off-balance. On Milo's command, Croconaw then grabbed the foe and launched himself into the water.

“DROWNING?” the girl shouted. “Really?”

As Croconaw and Cacturne fell beneath the battlefield, Croconaw clutching tightly onto Cacturne (and trying to avoid the spikes), Milo ordered an aqua jet, and Croconaw boosted out of the pool in a thick jet. Cacturne was held to his chest, distressed and, presumably, unable to breathe.

“Throw him!” Milo said. In mid-air, Croconaw span around and hurled Cacturne down to the ground. Wailing like a banshee, Cactune spat a bullet seed through the air, though it flew in every direction but Croconaw's as the cactus hit the ground with a heavy thud.

“Hmph,” the girl said, as her Pokemon's tongue lolled out the side of his mouth. She recalled him, but looked unimpressed. “I don't think that was a very good fight.”

“Well your Pokemon lost,” Milo said.

“You used two!” she said, referring to Parasect.

“Don't worry!” came a voice from the next arena. “Send them over here.”

“Fine,” she said. “Piss off, the pair of you.”

Milo recalled Croconaw, and he and Jake walked along the walkway to the fourth arena, where another girl waited for them. She had short black hair, and wore the same sports jacket as the rest of the trainers.

“You guys aren't good enough to beat Claire, but you're not here to do that,” she said. “So that's not a problem. But you are pretty good in battle.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Milo said. As they walked along, Milo realised the trapdoor leading down to Claire was in fact set into this arena. This one was bigger than the others and, looking around, he could see the entire Gym was now watching them.

“One Pokemon each,” she said, maximising a ball. “Which of you will fight me?”

“You do it,” Jake said. “I don't think I have any other trump cards.”

“Fair enough,” Milo said. He felt for a Pokeball on his belt as the trainer summoned her Pokemon.

A purple, spiked creature floated above the ground; it was Gengar. He had big red eyes and a wide grin, spinning lightly on the spot as the trainers in the gym cheered. Milo hadn't expected a ghost. Nevertheless, he threw a Pokeball onto the arena.

“Go Magnezone!”

This was the creatures first proper battle since his evolution and as he formed, Milo was taken aback by his sheer size. He had forgotten, but compared to Magneton, Magnezone was larger, stockier, and he let off a deep, crinkling bleep.

“Good idea!” Jake called. Milo nodded.

“Magnezone has twelve resistances,” he told the trainer. “So do you worst.”

He ordered a thunderbolt; Magnezone blasted a huge, jagged bolt of lightning from his central body. It whooshed through the air towards Gengar, but with a twist and a pop, he teleported out of the way, leaving the electric attack to char the stone floor.

“Fine,” Milo said. He was prepared to do things differently. “Charge, then agility.”

“Gengar, get ready to retaliate!” the trainer yelled.

Magnezone's magnets shuddered and began to glow yellow. A cracking energy started to build across his body, but instead of letting it get stronger, Magnezone obeyed his command and swept across the arena.

Gengar instinctively popped out of the way, but if he thought his opponent was trying to attack him, he was wrong. Magnezone focused on his speed as he darted around the large arena; he zipped to the high ceiling, swept low across the arena and even skimmed the surface of the water, crackling and beeping and whirring with a dull coat of sparks.

“Increasing your speed?” mocked the trainer. “It won't help you against pure power. Gengar! Launch a Dark Pulse!”

Nodding, Gengar swirled around in mid-air and floated along the arena towards Magnezone, who was still emitting a low crackle. Milo turned to see Jake watching the arena intently, struggling to piece together what Milo was trying to accomplish.

As Gengar got nearer to Magnezone, he threw his hands together in a gigantic clapping motion – Milo thought he even saw the ghosts hands enlarge before impact – and a huge orb of swirling dark energy hurtled through the air like a projectile.

“Now, Magnezone!” Milo said. “FULL POWER!”

Magnezone was concentrating so hard his magnet appendages were physically twisting around; on Milo's command he shuddered, and with a huge roar every positively charged ion in the atmosphere came to life with a brilliant golden glow. Suddenly, the arena was laced with a complex web of sparks, and the Dark Pulse was torn apart in a flash.

The trainers looked around as the complex, barbed web of electricity wound around the entire arena. Gengar's jaw was slack; he stared nervously as the intricate coil of electricity fizzed dangerously close to his left leg, and the other tendril that shot across mere inches in front of him.

Milo couldn't let his loss against Kasper be for nothing, and borrowing the trick his Dragonite used against a coordinators Drifblim had been a smart move, especially given Magnezone's exceptionally powerful electric attacks. Jake was whooping from behind him, finally aware of his plan.

“Very pretty, coordinator,” the trainer began, but Milo interrupted.

“Now! Shock wave!”

Magnezone unleashed a burst of electricity that conducted through the intricate web buzzing across the arena. Gengar was hit by the onslaught; his body shuddered, his eyes screwed up and he let off a chilling roar that filled every dusty corner of the Blackthorn Gym. Milo watched closely. If his plan worked, then Gengar's muscles would cramp, and he'd find it harder to teleport or phase.

Gengar's body was flashing bright white as he suffered the agonising electrical attack, but he staggered across the arena in slow, painful steps, his face still screwed up as he tried to escape his confines. Finally, the sparks began to dissipate, and Gengar's body tingled with volts. He gasped for air.

“Magnet bomb!” Milo shouted. Magnezone let off a noise like a cannon, and a shockwave shuddered across the arena. As it sped through the air, molten metal began to form around the air in silk-like strands until a smooth, heavy lump of metal solidified.

“Phase out!” came the trainer's order. Gengar clenched his fists, but it only caused sparks to race across his body, rooting him to the spot. Milo grinned as the magnet bomb connected with Gengar, exploding in a magnificent silvery shower and throwing him through the air.

He landed on the very edge of the arena, by the water. Magnezone hovered over him, watching the ghost curiously.

“You're pretty clever,” the girl said. “Do you have a ghost-type yourself?”

“I do,” Milo replied.

“Restricting a ghost from achieving their gas-like state is a clever way to battle them,” she said, admiring her manicured nails. “But Gengar is still a gas, whether he's solid or not.”

Milo said nothing.

“As the resident Special Attack expert at this gym, I trained my Gengar to use all types of attacks,” she said, clicking her fingers. On command, Gengar clapped his hands together, sending a shower of sparks shooting up into the air.

“He can do electricity, and ice -” Gengar's fists crystallised into a sheet of frost, and he swung a few impressive punches. “But neither of those are any good against you.”

Milo thought he knew where this was going.

“Gengar's aptitude towards fire, however, is one of his strengths. Do you know why?”

“Is it because it's cold in here, and Clair doesn't want to pay the heating bills?” Milo asked. The girl mock-laughed.

“It is not.”

Gengar clapped his hands together and both his fists erupted in flames; huge, thick, unruly tendrils of fire that licked up into the air. The fire illuminated his red eyes, and cast dark shadows across the rest of his body.

“Gengar is a natural gas,” the girl continued. “And fire requires gas to burn. So when Gengar summons his fire...”

Milo watched as the light from the flames continued to highlight Gengar's dark skin; it burned so bright that he was practically lilac-coloured. Milo could see the flames trailing down the creature's arms. He was becoming engulfed in the fire.

The trainer gave another click and Gengar let off a cackling howl. Soon his entire skin was now a violent blue colour, and Milo realised what she was talking about. Gengar was using his entire body to fuel the fire attack, so that, right before their eyes, he was turning into a living, breathing, burning body of pure fire.

He rose off the ground slowly, his body now the faint curls of flame. The spikes atop his head were rippling scarlet and yellow; his fists no more distinguishable than the two balls of fire that he had initially summoned.

“Gengar!” the girl said. “Fire punch!”

Milo was shaken out of his stupor. This ghost was now pure fire, and could destroy Magnezone at a moment's notice. As Gengar sped through the air, flames trailed behind him like he were a comet. He threw fistfuls of fire towards Magnezone; poorly aimed, it must be said, but they exploded against the stone arena and hissed to their death. It was intimidating and barbaric.

“Go high!” Milo said. “Thunderbolt!”

From between his two front magnets, Magnezone blasted a jagged bolt down across the arena. Focusing, he steered it towards Gengar, who threw more fire up into the air. As the thunderbolt met the fire, there was a huge bang, and smoke began to curl up into the air.

Leaping through the smoke, Gengar threw a hand forward and an incredible jet of flame shot through the air, striking Magnezone and scorching his left side. Gengar controlled fire as fluidly as Milo's Croconaw did water, and the resulting carnage was almost terrifying. Milo realised, though, that if their reactions were good enough, they could use Magnezone's Mirror Coat here. But, like his technique against Kasper, he didn't want to give the game away too quickly.

“Go to the edges of the arena!” Milo said, pointing to the water. “Use sonicboom!”

Nodding, Magnezone began firing off a whoosh of air, directing it at the still water. As he scooted around the perimeter of the arena, the gout of the sonicboom forced water up into the air, and Magnezone was veiled by the channel of water as he shot about.

“Gengar, Will-O-Wisp!” the trainer yelled. Gengar's long, flaming claws crackled and began to burn bright until they took on a blue and purple hue. Whipping his hand down, he caused balls of eerie fire to shoot towards Magnezone, but the magnet's impressive speed helped him out-manoeuvre them with ease.

“Chase him!”

Magnezone let off a bleep as he sped around the arena, trying to throw as much water up into the air as he could. Gengar gave chase, throwing his hands out into long tendrils of silky fire, whipping Magnezone's back and scorching his body. Milo winced. He could tell this was hurting Magnezone.

Against his orders, Magnezone started charging electricity across his body. Milo wondered if it was a form of self defence, like a hound raising his hackles. He thought back to the Lake Of Rage contest and the trainer who had his Jolteon leap across the lake surface. The charge from the creature, coupled with his speed, helped charge ions around the lake surface, so when he released a shock wave, the attack bounced around the pockets of concentrated energy.

“Stay low, sweep right around the water's edge!” Milo said. “And stay charging.”

Magnezone nodded and took a tight turn around the edge of the battlefield. The trainers observing the match watched on excitedly as Gengar's trainer pulled a face.

“Lash him! Spin your limbs and go into a fire spin!”

Gengar's long, flaming body stopped whipping his limbs out at Magnezone, and began spinning on the spot. His body twisted into a hideous shape, his appendages turning to seared, flaming blades. Soon, the only thing recognisable from the ghost was his intense, red eyes, and the horns and spiked ridge that ran along his back.

Magnezone completed his lap; Milo couldn't quite make out any sparks near the surface of the water, but this was OK; he hadn't noticed it when Jolteon did it, either. Magnezone floated back to Milo, only to be struck by a huge, flaming jet of fire from Gengar's mouth. The fire engulfed him, and Milo could see his Pokemon's metal body glowing white-hot in the heat. It must have been excruciating.

“Deliver another blow,” the trainer said, as Gengar leapt up and sped through the air. The big, burning ball of gas was illuminating the dark gym, zoning in on Milo's Pokemon. Magnezone saw balls of fire soar through the air like canonballs and used his two magnets to blast a huge bolt of electricity through the air.

“Now this is an attack gym,” came a voice. Jake turned and saw a tall, beautiful lady had appeared behind him. She had vivid blue hair and Jake knew, from her appearance, and the reaction from the students, that this must be Claire, the Blackthorn Gym Leader. Milo hadn't noticed.

The electricity and fire kept coming; streams of fire torn to burning shreds by a bolt of lightning, or a deluge of sparks cast alight by Gengar's darker fires. This kept going on; Gengar would hurl a sizzling ribbon of fire through the air, only for Magnezone to whip up a sonicboom that blasted the fire into the stone arena. Magnezone would fire a ball of sparks, only for Gengar to dance out of the way.

“No more long-range! Go for a fire punch!” the trainer said. Milo's eyes lit up. This was his chance.

“Magnezone get out the way! Head to the water!”

“Oh please!” the girl cried. “Again?”

Magnezone sped along the water surrounding the arena; already Milo saw the odd spark flicker on the surface of the water, excited by Magnezone's strong charge. Gengar, burning bright, flew after Magnezone, cackling as he hurled more fire.

“Start charging, gently,” Milo began, though he quickly realised doing anything 'slow' wasn't an option as Magnezone took two hits. “OK now! Shock wave! As you go!”

Magnezone throbbed suddenly, and sparks rattled across his body with fervour. As he zoomed along, the charged particles on the surface of the water burst into light, and the whole body of water burst into a brilliant shower of golden sparks, igniting in Magnezone's wake like a mexican wave.

Gengar's instinct was to pull up, away from the water, but Magnezone unleashed his full power, and an incredible web of electricity shot up, zapping the ghost and stunning him in mid-air. Magnezone kept going, around the far corner, back along the home stretch to Milo, unleashing more and more electricity.

“The gym hasn't been this bright for centuries!” someone called out, as light filled the room. Soon, the columns of electricity from opposite ends of the arena were sharing the same, charged space, and jumping arcs of electricity leapt through the air. Milo watched in awe as the entire arena was domed by fizzing, juddering, wild and frenzied power.

The trainer looked exactly how Milo felt when Scizor had felt the surge of amplified power from Kasper's Dragonite. Confused, impressed, crestfallen.

“One last go!” she cried. “Fire blast!”

Gengar ducked beneath the sparks and held both hands out; he cupped them together and unleashed a huge, roaring jet of fire that whooshed as it twisted and sinewed towards Magnezone. The creature's back magnet was lifted up, wagging like a dog's tail. Milo knew he had to give the order a mere second before it hit.

“Now!” Milo said. “Mirror Coat!”

“Oh snap!” Jake cried.

Magnezone flickered briefly as a mirror-like sheen hit his body. The fire engulfed him, feeding off his steel body and cloaking him in scarlet and gold, but he concentrated, focused, endured the burning sensation flooding through his body.

As the heat died down, Magnezone was now shimmering gold. Milo pointed and the creature unleashed a huge beam of light through the air; molten gold and silver that was streaked like fire.

The attack hit Gengar – pure power condensed, amplified and fired back – and the ghost thudded into the ground, his fire burning out, slowly turning purple again.

Milo couldn't believe how much noise the electricity was still making, but as he turned, he realised that it was in fact the trainers of the gym clapping enthusiastically, including Claire, the gym leader. Jake was whistling with his fingers, and Magnezone was letting off a particularly satisfying chirp.

“Incredible work,” Claire said, walking forward.

“Thanks,” Milo said. “That flaming Gengar was... interesting.”

“Your strategy was impeccable,” Claire said. “The way you used the arena on Gengar, the way you fought Magnezone's weakness. I can see you've gotten stronger since you won a badge off me.”

“I'm actually coordinating,” Milo said. Claire gave a nod.

“I can see flair in the way you battled. It wasn't just Pokemon beating each other up. There was grace, measure, but still impeccable technique. Well done.”

As if on cue, two of the trainers ran to the middle of the arena,where the impressive wooden trapdoor lay. They heaved it open, slowly, for it was very large. Claire walked over to it, and began descending a set of spiral stone steps.

“Come with me,” she said.

Milo and Jake followed her down a tight, stone staircase. Torch brackets fixed onto the wall bathed the steps in a golden glow. Claire explained, off-handedly, that she employed one apprentice just to make sure the torches were lit. Milo knew Claire's arena was down here, and followed her keenly.

Every time they passed a bracket, Milo saw the flames illuminate the sharp lines on Claire's face. She was not unattractive, Milo thought, but she had a sternness to her – a combination of her sharp jaw and her icy blue eyes. She was also a broad woman, and tall, too. There were rumours she could drink anyone under the table at her favourite pub in Blackthorn, the Ram And Horn.

As a young boy at Blackthorn's prestigious boarding school, Milo always thought Claire was cool, owning powerful dragon Pokemon at the gym. Her younger cousin, Lance, was in Milo's year. He was intelligent, sharp-minded and very handsome, but emotionally distant. Milo could only count a handful of conversations he'd ever had with the boy.

They reached the bottom of the staircase, which opened out onto a larger stone arena than the one above. Instead of water surrounding it, this one had an empty moat around the perimeter; as they crossed a walkway onto the battlefield Milo peered down and saw stone shelves jutting out at different angles.

“Pretty far down,” he said to Jake, who nodded.

“But you could get back out of that,” Jake said. “Pokemon could climb and jump onto the arena.”

“Or continue the melee in the darkened depths,” Claire said, without turning around.

They crossed the entire arena, and made their way across another walkway towards another room. There was no doorway this time, but a cavernous opening.

“This gym must get freezing during the winter,” Jake said to Claire. “Why isn't it heated?”

“You sound just like the Board Of Governers,” Claire said dryly. “Health and Safety checks, general maintenance. It's supposed to be a gym carved from the devilish fire of dragons, not some cotton-wooled play pen.”

“To answer your question,” she said. “When the Reclassification was introduced, this gym was deemed too unsafe for people, and we were assigned a very beige, sterile Gym south of town. That's the gym we're supposed to use, but I like it here, so I just kept coming back here, instead. We use the new gym when we know inspectors are coming.”

“Oh, wait a second,” Jake said. “Gary said he'd meet us at the front of the gym...”

“That's probably where he is,” Milo finished for him. “In the new one. Fucking hell.”

“Don't worry,” Claire said.

They walked through the cavern, down a set of bigger, thicker stone steps which opened out on the back of the gym, onto the fresh afternoon. This part of the cave had engravings; crude drawings of serpents with horns. As they reached the edge of the cave, Milo stared down and saw a huge drop towards a rock-strewn shoreline. The waves crashed against the back of the gym, soaking the stone, spraying salt-air up.

They were staring across a giant lake that had mountain ridges running entirely along its shores; it wasn't visible from anywhere in the city. Above them, Milo could see the twisted stone spires of Blackthorn Gym.

“Why is there a huge opening at the back of the gym?” Milo asked. As he said that, he saw a shape forming in the distance. Sitting on the back of a colossal beast was Gary, cross-legged, beaming.

“That cave in the distance?” Claire said, pointing ahead, “Is the Dragons Den. It's where the original Gym Council was founded. Years and years ago, Blackthorn wasn't an official gym, but a governing gym looking over the other ones in the country. Dragons were considered the holiest species of Pokemon, you see. And my family descended from that council.”

Milo saw Gary get closer, and, judging from the huge canons either side of him, he was riding on his Blastoise. The blue creature was barely visible as he swam through the water.

“The lake is blocked off by the mountains on almost all sides – it's near impossible to get to, never mind get across. This gym passage provides safe access for me.”

“But who is there now?” Milo asked. “In the Den?”

“Old members of the Dragon Society,” Claire said, thinking. “Monks practice their studies there. And my cousin, Lance.”

“Lance goes there?” Milo asked, alarmed.

“He lives there, now,” Claire said, biting her lip. “Lance doesn't like to leave the Den.”

Eventually Gary and Blastoise got to the end of the lake, several feet below where Milo, Jake and Claire stood. Gripping his creature's rough shell, he held on as the Blastoise propelled two jets of water and blasted up into the air like a rocket. Everyone took a step back as Gary landed flawlessly into the opening of the cave. He was soaking wet, but didn't seem to mind.

“So this is where you are,” Gary said, in a mock-fatigued tone.

“Yeah, sorry, we came here, we didn't know about the new gym,” Milo said.

“It's fine,” Gary said. “I thought you'd wait outside, I didn't think you'd end up down here.”

“Claire's trainers made us fight them,” Milo said. “And even though I'm just a coordinator I managed to thump them pretty good.”

“Milo and Jake were impressive,” said Claire. Gary nodded, looking surprised.

“I thought your team would fall apart against these trainers, they're pretty solid,” he said. “Fair play, Milo.”

Milo happily took the compliment; he had often felt sidelined since he took up coordinating, even though these battles were tougher than most of his league matches. He remembered Kasper's Dragnonite, Mia and her Gallade, even Dior and his Bayleef and Sneasel. Winning a contest wasn't about physical strength – it relied a cool logic. He wondered how he would fare against Claire or Gary with his team. Granted, many of them were exhausted now, but beating them was perfectly manageable.

“I know what you're thinking,” Gary said. He had been staring at Milo all this time. “But we're going to have to cut it short. Viridian got in touch with me. They've moved my examination forward. If you want to come with me over the border, then we'll need to make our way soon.”

“Now?” Milo asked.

“Yeah. It's going to be a long drive,” he said.

“So, you're still going,” Claire said coldly.

“Claire...” Gary said.

“No, it's fine,” she said, folding her arms.

“I've always wanted my own gym,” Gary said. “You know that.”

“You had one, you were offered one in Cianwood,” Claire said. “Last year, before the Reclassification -”

“I took that offer and he replaced me with Eusine!” Gary snapped. Milo hadn't realised Eusine replaced Gary. He always thought Gary turned Cianwood down, as he had.

“And you've been offered it since,” Claire pointed out. “You heard Michael. Eusine is ill, he can't run the gym anymore. Michael wouldn't offer it to you unless he was serious, and here you are being stubborn.”

“I'm not!” Gary shouted. His voice rang off the stone walls, so it sounded like ten Gary's were yelling. “Why would I want to live at Cianwood? It's a fucking rock in the middle of nowhere.”

“And Viridian is...”

“It's in Kanto. I'm from Kanto. My Grandfather would be horrified if I became a Gym Leader in Johto. It doesn't look right.”

“So this is about him?” Claire asked. Milo shared a quick glance with Jake, who looked uncomfortable.

“I can't disown him like that; the Oak family are a big part of Kanto. I need to be there.”

“If you get offered it,” Claire said coldly. “You might not. You are, after all, a former champion.”

“That's enough,” Gary said. “I have a good team.”

“Oh but they hate that ten-type team thing you're so fond of,” Claire said. “They'll want you using six, covering all your bases. Big teams aren't cool across the border.”

“Why can't you be happy for me?” Gary asked. “You helped train me, I learned everything from you growing up. If I could work here I would but I am more than just an apprentice now. I am ready to take on a gym.”

“Just don't get your hopes up,” Claire snapped.

“Why,” Gary asked quietly. “What do you mean?”

“I'm just -”

“You know something,” Gary replied. “What do you know.”

“I know nothing,” she said, but Gary wouldn't take that.

“Don't get my hopes up?” he snapped. “Why? Have they chosen someone? They can't chose someone, they have to screen all the potential applicants. Don't try and put me off!”

“They haven't chosen anyone,” Claire began.

“Then what?” Gary said. “Spit it out!”

“There is... a summit being held in a week's time,” said Claire slowly. “They do it every year before the league. An evaluation, a look at how things are going...”

She could see this was too slow an explanation and that Gary grew irritated with each passing second, so she got to the point a little quicker.

“They're discussing whether to merge the Johto and Kanto leagues.”

“Jesus,” Milo gasped.

“Merging them?” Gary said.

“Johto doesn't pull in any money, it's a tiny little region. Look at Unova and Hoenn. They want to form a single league between Johto and Kanto, and if they do that, then they won't need 16 gyms. They'll be closing a lot of them down.”

Milo thought of Oscar, who was driven to do reckless things when he lost the Azalea Gym, convincing the Apricorn Guild to use their powers to try and overthrow the League. Morty suffered a depression, and focused his energy on running a suspicious nightclub beneath Ecruteak City. And Chuck... Milo had no idea what Chuck was doing now, but Milo had seen him the same day he decided to go into coordinating.

“H-how many?” Gary asked.

“They won't close all of them,” Claire said. “They'll want to give people the option to traverse both parts of the continent. But at least four will go, I think.”

Gary said nothing.

“It's very much in discussion,” Claire said. “It's not confirmed. That's why I didn't want to tell you...”

“I'm glad you finally did,” Gary said in a low voice. “They'll surely keep Viridian, though... it's right on the border.”

“It's not far to Pewter, or Blackthorn,” Claire pointed out. “The league will do what saves money. Viridian doesn't have the tourism of Saffron or Goldenrod City. It's a low populated area.”

Suddenly Gary walked along the corridor to the water's edge.

“Milo,” he said, “Jake. We need to get going.”

“Right,” Milo said, nodding.

“I want to leave in an hour,” Gary said, leaping from the edge and landing in the water below. Milo ran to the edge and saw Gary emerge from the water on Blastoise's back, and he began to sail off again.

“Sounds like you need to be off,” Claire said absently.

“Yeah...” Milo said. “It was good to see you, Claire.”

“Good luck with everything,” she said, still watching Gary bob across the water. “And if you ever want to get back to straight-up battles... we could always do with a new apprentice.

It's a nice offer, Milo thought, as he and Jake left the gym. But what kind of league will I return to when I'm finished with coordinating?

*

Their Pokemon were healed up and Milo and Jake both changed their clothes. The drive would take some time; south of Blackthorn for a few hours, before heading east and skirting beneath the ridge that forms Mount Silver and, at the top, the venue for the Grand Festival. Once they reached Route 28, that would take them over the border and into Kanto, and then they would descend on Viridian City.

Jake sat up front with Gary as they departed Blackthorn; Milo sat in the back with Medicham, looking at the city he grew up in as they drove. He would have liked to spend more time here; drink in the pubs, visit the little shops he used to spend his allowance in, and even see if any of his old classmates were still around. Perhaps he could have even looked around the old Academy, and said hello to his old teachers...

Gary said little during the journey; he seemed chewed up about Claire's remarks regarding the league. It was disheartening that his prospects as a gym leader were thrown into turmoil, but Milo said nothing. He was surprised that Gary refused the Cianwood Gym title, but he was proud. Eusine sounded like he had been seriously injured following the attack in the woods and the hunt for Raikou. Milo bit his lip anxiously.

He had read up on the rules for the Viridian Contest again and again. A single appeal, with the semi-finals involving a single battle followed by a double. Milo was going over his options in the car; he wanted Medicham for the battles; she was powerful, graceful, but crucially her psychic abilities meant she could tap into Milo's thoughts and perform exactly as he requested.

For the double battle... he recalled the contest battle against Mia and her combination of Ninetales and Gallade. He needed to pair up a Pokemon that had wide-ranging attacks and one that focused on close-up combat; that would help him cover his bases. Croconaw had performed well with Medicham in Cherrygrove, but what about Houndour? Milo had only just got the creature back on his team but Medicham's psychic and Houndour's fire would make a formidable mix.

That just left the appeal. And since he had been used so sparingly recently, Milo felt it was only right that Croconaw did the honours.

“Who knows when we'll next get the chance,” Milo muttered.

“You'll be great,” Jake assured him. “You'll get the ribbon and then we can head to the Grand Festival. You could have the Ribbon Cup within a week!”

Milo let that thought sit with him for much of the journey. He could be the champion within a week.

*

Across the continent in Goldenrod City, Michael Mitchelson was returning to his desk after a day of intensive meetings. He had received word that he would have to be present at a Pokemon League conference next week; all the board members would vote and discuss the merits of a potential merge between Johto and Kanto.

Now in his office, located high up in the Mitchelson Enterprises building, he had Bill look through his plans for the week ahead. Downstairs, Chuck was working with Lorelei and their Ditto, who had taken the guise of Deoxys. The 'Deoxys' was proving competent, and Ditto's transformation had allowed the usually small, weak creature an overwhelming sense of power.

Unlike the real thing, though, they could train this creature to work with them. As a result Chuck was suffering endless injuries as the Deoxys clone threw him across the room, read his thoughts and even resisted Lorelei's signature 'ice cuff' technique.

“Ditto are known to turn violent when they transform,” Lorelei had told him, as she attempted to glue several clumps of hair back onto her scalp. “They are a weak, incredibly tasty meal and their ability to turn into bigger, stronger creatures means they unleash a primal side.”

“Michael?” Bill said. “You have a call coming through.”

“Anything interesting?” Michael asked.

“It's from Hoenn, definitely south-east,” Bill said. Michael knew what he was implying; they had just come back from Hoenn to discuss potentially getting the real Deoxys from Mr White.

“Record it, and put me through,” he said.

Bill nodded.

“Hello?” Michael asked.

“Michael Mitchelson?” came a voice he recognised. “It's me, Roxanne. From the Space Center.”

“Hello,” he said calmly. “I'm surprised to hear from you.”

“Yes, well,” Roxanne sounded nervous. “I wanted to speak to you because... I need your help.”

“My help?” he said. “From our meeting I got the impression you didn't want me at all.”

“I... things have changed, sort of,” she replied. “I... Stephen Stone has people working at Mossdeep. He visited me last night. He wants Deoxys kept away from people, because its too dangerous. He's planning on letting Deoxys kill someone here so Mr White is scared into shutting the creature away.”

Michael looked across at Bill, mouth wide open. Stone knew about Deoxys. And he wanted Deoxys to kill someone, all so the creature would be sanctioned. Alive, but never seen. Would Stone use this creature to kill someone who was proving problematic to him?

“That is worrying,” Michael said.

“He has threatened me,” Roxanne said. “And now I want out. With Deoxys if possible. You have to help me.”

“How are you supposed to get Deoxys away from that place?” Michael asked. “It's full of people, many more senior than you. And who is Stone's inside man?”

“He has... several,” Roxanne said, again with a strain in her voice. “Including me.”

“You?”

“I have fed him information, nothing more!” she protested. “I have been his eyes and ears but I'm not a criminal. I thought I was the only one, but he told me there are many more. That I am indispensable.”

“He wants you to provoke Deoxys,” Michael surmised. “I see.”

“He said he'll know if I don't do it... because I'll still be alive,” Roxanne said. “What should I do?”

Michael chose his words carefully.

“I'd find a more reputable employer,” Michael said. “Look. I appreciate you calling me, Roxanne, but this all sounds very suspicious.”

“Su-suspicious? No!” Roxanne said. “No I need your help!”

“You've told me you're one of Stone's insiders,” Michael admitted. “And surely you know he uses his Porygon-Z to monitor phone calls?”

“He....wha?”

Roxanne's voice cracked; she sounded heartbroken.

“No! I...”

“I can't help you, Roxanne, this just isn't washing with me,” Michael said, hanging up the phone.

“That was intense,” said Bill, who had been listening on a handset.

“She rings because Stone wants to sacrifice her to prevent Deoxys' exposure,” Michael said, getting up and walking across his office. It was a dark and stormy night outside, which he could see through the arched glass french doors leading onto his roof garden.

“She says Stone is done with her, he wants to dispose of her easily,” he added. “But she must know he can tap into calls. She must.”

“It sounds dubious,” Bill agreed.

“We can't get involved in that,” Michael said. “I've been thinking about when we start to take him down.”

“Oh?”

“It has to be next week, when I go to the League conference,” Michael said. “Stone will be there; he is, though illegitimately, funding the league through his business, as am I.”

“I'll call everyone in for a de-brief in the morning,” Bill replied. Michael was on the cusp of saying something when he was drawn to the roof patio. Among the potted plant life whipping in the wind, there was something else. Something ominous.

Michael subconsciously tilted his head, and Kazaar materialised at his side. His son's psychic Pokemon held a hand out and opened the handle on the door, forcing it open against the fierce storm.

“Someone's out there,” Michael said to Bill, who got up and followed him.

He walked across the patio, Kazaar with him, staring ahead. Between two ferns there was a bulky figure, dark and shapeless.

“Stop what you're doing!” Michael called. Kazaar held a finger forward but, as he felt for a presence, used his other hand to keep Michael away.

“Mr Mitchelson?”

Michael saw the figure walk forward slowly. He looked bigger because he was wearing several coats and layers, but they couldn't hide his unmistakable weight loss.

“Morty?” Michael said, as the blonde boy got nearer.

His hair was longer, shaggier, nearly at his shoulders now, while his eyes looked sunken and grey. Morty looked cheery as he stood on the roof garden, beaming at Michael.

“I tried teleporting, but I remembered you have that security system,” Morty said, blushing. “I got electrocuted last time.”

“What are you doing here? Are you okay?” Michael asked.

“I'm more than okay,” Morty replied. The air rippled and Morty's Gengar appeared by his side, bobbing in the air and grinning. “You told me... in Ecruteak... when I was ready to come back to work for you... you'd be here. Well, I'm here.”

“Morty...” Michael said. “It's been no time since Jasmine's death. Do you not want more time to grieve?”

“I'm done grieving,” he insisted. “I'm okay. I've been training, focusing and learning so I can help you. I know I got cold feet and disappeared -”

“Don't put yourself down,” Michael said. “You did nothing wrong.”

“I know I can help you get revenge, and put Stephen Stone down for good,” Morty said.

“You do?” Michael said. “Well, I'm glad to hear it.”

Morty smiled.

“You don't just need to hear it from me, Mr Mitchelson,” he said. “I want to show you what I mean, too.”

“What?” the man said. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

“Step back,” Morty said, as his Gengar rose from the ground. “Do you know anything about ghost-Pokemon reproduction?”

“No,” Michael said slowly.

“Gaseous Pokemon like Gengar have no solid structure, it fluctuates, like a gas,” Morty said. “That means they have no reproductive organs. As a gas, they reproduce and multiply in the correct temperature. When they come of age, Gengar learn to use attacks like Haze to drop the temperature around them, and make a suitable environment for them to breed.”

Michael looked up at the dark, violent sky as Morty spoke.

“I trained Gengar to reproduce in the coldest temperatures,” Morty said. Gengar spiralled up into the sky and Michael watched as he seemingly melted into the fluffy clouds curling across the city. “He's now got quite a family.”

The more Michael stared, he could see flickering red eyes, spiked ridges and stubby, clawed hands everywhere. This was no storm at all, this was a flock – for lack of a better word – of Gengar. There must be have been hundreds of them, sweeping through the skies, their smoke-like bodies trailing behind them. Some screamed, some flickered a navy blue, a deep plum, some a vivid bright purple.

“They are all technically wild, but they obey me,” Morty said proudly, looking up at his Gengar. “Uno!”

On his command, there was a sudden rumble, like the very earth's belly was furious. Michael watched as bolts of lightning flew from from the haggard purple clouds; striking the radio tower, dissipating into the air and crackling. He was literally commanding a storm.

“I've come back because I'm ready to help you fight Stone,” Morty said, amid the noise. “And I have my own army. What more could you want?”

Michael stared, aghast, at the sea of ghosts that had bred in the skies. Morty watched proudly, his own Gengar bobbing by his side like an animated shadow, but Michael felt a chill down his spine that he wasn't sure had anything to do with the temperature.



Next Time
After the much-publicised Lake Of Rage contest, Milo arrives in Viridian City to find he has garnered the interest of the national press, who eagerly attend to see if Milo is able to win his fifth ribbon. Meanwhile, Michael grows increasingly concerned for Morty after an assignment goes wrong.


NOTES
-So this was a big chapter. It took ages. But post-Kasper I wanted Milo to really knuckle down and do some fighting. Also, I loved being able to do Jake stuff. That guy has become a pretty strong trainer.

- I also wanted to incorporate some new strategies Milo had, namely ones he borrowed from Kasper. In the contest you'll see him really focus on imitating Mia's battle style which I think all goes toward showing that Milo is quickly becoming someone to watch out for.

-Milo now also has Pidgeot. Falkner did release his Pidgeotto ages ago during a big fight scene where it was him and Chuck VS Silver, so I liked that Pidgeotto managed to find Milo (and evolved along the way).

-Milo also switched Houndour in for Scizor, since the metal guy needs a little break. Houndour will come into his own.

-I liked writing gym stuff but wanted Blackthorn to be brief, as Milo is focused on going to Viridian. Early drafts focused on Gary and Claire a bit more, and even the slightly weird Lance, but ultimately some stuff didn't make the cut.

-We'll see Gary a little more in future chapters.

-As for Michael & Co, that might be made into the next bit of the Mimic Arc, depending on how long the chapter gets.

Let me know what you think guys!

[Chris 2.1]

New chapter time! This is a pretty big one. A lot has to happen for things to move forward!

The chapter is, as ever, named after a cocktail - of sorts. I'd be interested if anyone knew more about this particular name.

Show-Off
-XXXVII-
Gaby Scanlon

After stowing away aboard a train bound for Blackthorn City, Milo and Jake had an uncomfortable journey, but managed to stay discreet until the train arrived at their destination late that evening. Waiting until everyone had left the carriages, Milo had Medicham teleport the boys off the carriage before anyone could spot them.

Luckily, Medicham knew Blackthorn City well, as did Milo. From a young age, Michael and Meredith Mitchelson insisted their children attended the prestigious Blackthorn Academy, a boarding school with an incredibly rich heritage.

Milo would spent the week studying at the school and staying in the dormitories, and on weekends he would be flown back to his home in the Whirl Islands, though this precious time would often involve sparring sessions with his mentor, Chuck.

When William died, and Milo was given the Medicham his brother had recently captured, Michael felt it important Medicham grow close to Milo, and Milo was allowed to bring her to Blackthorn when he studied. It was here that they began to grow close as a pair, through grief over their shared loss and a number of occasions when Milo found a useful way to deploy his new Pokemon's telekinetic abilities.

The city had grown significantly over the years, and was considered one of the more refined and cultured in the Johto region. The affluence and wealth meant a number of high-end designers were based here, with Milo's mum being particularly fond of Isabella Dent's expensive dresses. Five-star restaurants and hotels lined the historic Fangsland Road, and the property prices meant that only the truly wealthy could live here.

Medicham teleported the boys to a handsome red brick house south of the city, one they were both very familiar with. Jake seemed keen to look around the city, but Milo reminded him they were not stopping in Blackthorn long. The Viridian Contest – Milo's last chance to be eligible for the Grand Festival – was dangerously close, and they still had a journey ahead of them.

Milo knocked on the door, and took a step back. He could smell something delicious as he heard shuffling around inside. Suddenly, the door opened, and a friendly face beamed at him.

“Milo!”

“Hi Gary,” Milo said, smiling.

“How's it going?” he said. “What are you doing here?”

“Er, well, we're stopping off here on the way to Viridian City, actually,” Milo said. “I was wondering -”

“Of course you can stay here!” Gary said. “Come in, come in! And who is your friend?”

“Oh! This is Jake,” Milo said. “Jake, this is Gary Oak.”

“My dad's famous,” Gary said, shaking Jake's hand. “Nice to meet you!”

“Right!” Jake said brightly, looking exasperated.

The two were led into Gary's house, which was neat and homely; there was a large sheepskin rug in the open-plan living room, and in the kitchen, it looked like he was preparing a stew; the house was filled with mouth-watering smells.

As Milo and Jake took their shoes off and had a seat, Gary got a bottle of wine from a rack and began uncorking it, inviting the boys to leave their belongings at the bottom of the stairs. Jake looked impressed.

“So what's new?” Gary said, sauntering through with the glasses of wine in his hand. “What are you doing with yourself?”

“Oh, well, I'm heading to Viridian to compete in a Pokemon Contest there,” Milo said. Gary's eyes lit up. “I'm actually pretty good.”

“Of course you are!” Gary said, patting him on the shoulder. “Dhaaling. I bet you're just super.”

“He is!” Jake said. “Milo's nearly eligible for the Grand Festival!”

“Jesus Milo,” Gary said, “You were one of the best battlers at our school! And you came a respectful second in the Johto League. That's an achievement in itself -”

“I lost to Gary, at the league,” Milo muttered to Jake.

“You have to pursue that strength, and keep on that track, petering off in different directions isn't going to help you.”

“It's not easy,” Milo said. “And it's making me a better battler because of it.”

“Isn't your sister a coordinator?” Gary asked.

“Yes,” Milo said. “She's competing in the Grand Festival.”

“Milo Mitchelson... a coordinator,” Gary said, smirking again. “Honestly, you crack me up.”

“So er what do you do, Gary? I like your house,” Jake chimed in.

“Thank you,” Gary said, nodding. “You know Milo, your father has fallen out with me.”

Milo took a gulp of wine and nearly choked on it; his father? What was Gary doing with his father? Milo thought of the altercation on Route 34, with Eusine and Krystal and the death of the legendary Pokemon Raikou. Was Gary another agent, like Morty and Jasmine?

“He wanted me to head to Cianwood City and look after the gym,” Gary said, rolling his eyes. “That Eusine guy is sick. Really sick.”

“H-He is?” Milo asked, trying to sound nonchalant, and trying to ignore the gunshot wound the man sustained earlier that day.

“I reckon cancer,” Gary said, taking a sip of wine. “Those Weezing he hangs around with, they can't be good for him, can they?”

“No, probably not,” Milo said. “But, you're not going to Cianwood?”

“It's way too far,” Gary said. “And, well, I have a pretty exciting business development going on at the moment.”

“What is it?” Milo asked, intrigued.

“In Kanto,” Gary added. “I wouldn't even think about taking a gym here. The league in Johto is a right mess at the moment. I hear they finally convinced Whitney to start battling again after she was robbed, but Karen at Ecruteak wants to quit and move back to Hoenn, Falkner hasn't been seen for nearly two months... honestly, it's bewildering.”

“Been a bad year, hasn't it,” Milo said, despite knowing full well the fates of all the absent gym leaders.

“They did the Reclassification to kick-start the league, and all they've done is drive it into the ground!” Gary said. “Kanto is where it's at. Turns out the gym in Virdian was being used as a crystal meth lab, so they've evacuated it. I've got an assessment there this week.”

“You'd be a great gym leader,” Milo told him. “Jake, Gary has a brilliant team.”

“Oh it's expanded since you last saw me,” Gary replied. “I've gone for a new approach – the 10-Strong Strategy. It's popular in Kanto. Instead of having a team of six covering all your bases, you have a wider pool of ten intensely-trained Pokemon that you can use to assimilate a six-strong team for a variety of different occasions.”

Milo suddenly realised that was what Mia had done with her coordinating Pokemon – she had a large roster and moved them around to suit the situation. She had holidayed in the Seafoam Islands – was this where she picked it up from? Milo considered his own five Pokemon (and Houndour, recovering from surgery) and felt small by comparison.

Gary explained that he would be driving over to Viridian City tomorrow night, and if the two wanted to get a free ride, they would have to wait until then. Milo realised that would get him there in time for the contest the day after, but he would have to spend tomorrow undertaking a serious training regime if he wanted to get his Pokemon ready.

Once the last of the wine had been drunk, and the last dregs of stew mopped up with crusty bread, Gary got out sleeping bags and spare mattresses so Milo and Jake could sleep in the living room. Once he had gone upstairs, Milo thought about his old friend's attitude to coordinating, and how, initially, he had been reluctant to tell Morty he was a coordinator.

It wasn't something to shy away from, but the stigma was that it was an incredibly un-masculine thing to do. The jocks all trained to take on Gyms, like Milo had done the year previously. But to them, the idea of being a coordinator meant you were somehow trading in part of your identity.

As he felt himself drift off, Milo decided he knew a way to tackle Gary's misconceptions about coordinating. He'd use his team to take on the cocky trainer during training tomorrow.

*

Milo was unsurprised when Gary woke them early the next day. He was off for a morning run, and looked surprised when Milo declined the offer to join him. As Gary headed off round the neighbourhood, Milo poured himself some cereal, and began thinking about his strategy.

“The thing is, just because my Pokemon appeal that doesn't mean they can't battle,” he said. “Having said that, when I let Ruby battle a Tauros she got bloodied up pretty bad.”

“Medicham is an obvious choice,” said Jake, who was rifling through the magazines on Gary's coffee table. “What about Magnezone? You should totally try him out.”

“Good idea,” Milo said.

Gary was only away for about half an hour, and came back looking incredibly pleased with himself. Though his face was blotchy and he looked exhausted, the boy had the unmistakable look of someone who was in very good shape. Jake looked particularly interested as Gary took his t-shirt off, showing an impressive, toned stomach, before tossing his shirt in the laundry hamper and heading upstairs to take a shower.

“I feel like I should run more,” Milo said. “Jake, remind me to go for a run tomorrow.”

“You need to start running? I need to start running,” he moaned. “And have you seen this guys fridge? He eats so healthily. All we do is drink booze and eat junk food.”

“That's not true, I had an omelette in Cherrygrove,” Milo muttered.

Once Gary had showered, he shouted down for the boys to meet him at the front of the Blackthorn Gym. Shrugging, Milo and Jake got ready and headed out Gary's house; the gym was only a short walk away. It was foggy today, but being at such a high altitude, and away from the capital city, Blackthorn's air had a crispness to it. They were close to nature without feeling rural – it was clear why the city was so popular.

On the way to the gym, Milo's attention was caught by a large, handsome bird perching on Gary's letterbox; he ignored it, thinking the Pidgeot probably belonged to Gary, and walked through the city with Jake. He kept pointing out places to his friend, showing him the bar where he had his first beer, the park where they used to spend sunny afternoons studying for exams, and even the expensive looking shop where Mia was given a baby Snubbull from her parents as a graduation present.

“It is nice being back here,” Milo admitted, looking at the familiar shops and cafes. The sign for Belvedere Road, pristine if not for a small chip in the corner – Milo remembered causing that chip when Medicham failed to re-direct a swift attack from a schoolboy's Aipom.

“That Pidgeot is following us,” Jake said, jerking his thumb behind him. Milo turned to see the bird walking (awkwardly, it has to be said) towards them, but freezing as soon as they made eye contact.

“Maybe it's a spy,” Milo said quietly. He spied a pebble nearby, “should I throw this?”

“No, Milo,” Jake replied. “But it definitely wants something.”

Milo turned around and looked at the bird; it was certainly handsome, with glossy plumage slightly longer than usual, while the normally rough tail feathers were also more elongated and less spiky. It looked preened, that was it, Milo said, studying it. It also looked much less fierce than wild birds often did.

“Do you want something?” he asked. The Pidgeot flapped up and crooned. “What does that mean?!”

“Catch it,” Jake said.

“Do I have to?” Milo asked. “Hey! Fuck off! We don't have any food.”

“It doesn't look hungry,” Jake noted. “In fact, it looks really healthy. Like it has a trainer.”

Milo fumbled on his belt for a Pokeball, and in a flash, Medicham materialised at his side. Pidgeot didn't seem to mind this, keeping his mind focused and his gaze locked on Milo.

“Listen,” Milo said to Medicham. “Scan it with psywave. See what it's thinking, or what it wants.”

Nodding, Medicham held her hand out and tried to tap into the psyche of the persistent bird. However, as she did so, Pidgeot bolted up into the air with one single flap; Milo gasped as he saw the bird shoot up and survey them from afar, flapping his wings, staring. Medicham tried again, but it was all too easy for Pidgeot to evade, this time pulling into a steep dive and skirting the ground. Dust whipped up around him as his big, muscular wings took him all around the skies at the slightest beat.

“Okay, okay,” Milo said, asking Medicham to stop and looking at Pidgeot. “You don't want to battle. Right?”

Seeing Medicham step back seemed to calm the bird, who landed in front of Milo again and took a tentative step towards him. In a flash, Medicham teleported away from Milo's side and re-appeared behind the bird; before he could react, she held her hand out and rooted him to the spot with a strong psychic attack.

“Subdue him,” Milo said, “then use your clairsentience to read his mind.”

Medicham nodded, walking slowly towards the bird that lay, pressed, against the earth. Milo knew it looked cruel, but this bird was being persistent, and he wanted to know why that was so. Crouching next to the bird, Medicham reached her fingers out and touched his plumage; Pidgeot's eyes drooped shut as he tried to fight back, but he was no match for Medicham's psychic powers.

“Anything?” Milo said, wandering over. Medicham beckoned him quicker, and once he approached, grabbed his hand with one of her own; with a squeeze, Milo felt a sudden urge in his head and his senses began to meld together. He felt the familiar chill of goosebumps, even though the day was perfectly pleasant. The memories were not clear, but Milo felt a sweeping fondness for someone, and the familiarity to it made him suspect that he knew this person in Pidgeot's mind.

Then, a voice. Milo recognised Falkner issuing a command. He opened his eyes and told Medicham to step back; Pidgeot turned to look at him weakly.

“Do you belong to Falkner?” Milo asked. Pidgeotto nodded.

“You saw that?” Jake asked. “Falkner?”

“Kind of,” Milo said. “I felt something for Falkner, and it kind of helped the memory solidify. It's complex.”

Medicham gripped his hand harder, and Milo suddenly felt a sharp muscular pain across his body; it felt like he was being stretched. Trying to probe into the memory, he saw countless trees and a number of cities. The pain lessened into a dull ache, and Milo then saw the surface of a lake, perhaps the Lake of Rage?

“I think this Pidgeot has recently evolved,” Milo murmured. He had felt the pain Pidgeot was feeling, and wondered if, through his long journey flying here, he had built the stamina and core strength to evolve.

“Did Falkner send him?” Jake said.

“I think so,” Milo said, asking Medicham to let go. She leapt back gracefully, and Pidgeot widened his eyes in relief. Jake immediately released his Parasect, and asked if he could release some soothing spores to help Pidgeot's pain. Nodding, the bug scuttled over and sneezed, covering the bird in a speckled, peppermint coloured spore.

“It'll make him a little drowsy, but that's good,” Jake said. “We can take him to a Pokemoncenter.”

At the Blackthorn City Pokemoncenter, Milo and Jake sat in the waiting room as the nurses did a number of tests on the Pidgeot to determine who he belonged to or where he came from. Milo massaged his temples, trying to remember the images and sensations from the clairsentience. Pidgeot had been travelling... the bronze-coloured leaves in the trees reminded him of Ecruteak City, while the lake may indeed have been the one north of Mahogany. Had Pidgeotto been sent to find him, on Falkner's orders?

“Milo?” said a voice. Milo got up as the Nurse came over.

“Hi,” she said sweetly. “We've run some tests; this Pokemon is fine, but he's exhausted, he has been flying for several days, we think.”

“Does he have a trainer ID?” Jake asked.

“He does, and you're correct; he belongs to Falkner,” the nurse explained. “However, Falkner's profile has a note asking that, in the event of the creature being brought to a Pokemoncenter, that ownership be transferred to Milo Mitchelson.”

“What?” Milo asked.

“Hmm, Falkner has asked the creature to be removed from his care,” she said. “So you're free to capture the bird, if you wish.”

Milo pulled a sour face, and turned away from the counter. What was Falkner playing at, just handing over a Pokemon like this? Was he trying to say something, was this bird supposed to be emergency transport for Milo, or a carrier bird to deliver messages? He remembered the note Falkner left them before they left Violet City; before he went to find out more about his father's murder, he explained he couldn't carry a mobile phone as he didn't wish to be easily found.

“You can't not catch him, Milo,” Jake said.

“Why not?” Milo asked.

“This Pidgeot came all the way here for you,” Jake said. “He isn't native to this area, you can't just leave him in the wild, he won't survive.”

Milo remembered the Skarmory and Fearow that lived outside Blackthorn and had to agree. Pidgeot needed lush, greener habitats, so it did seem cruel choosing not to take Pidgeot with him. Milo finally made a decision, and told the nurse he would be happy to take Pidgeot on. She happily got out a Pokeball from the counter – it was a run-of-the-mill red Pokeball, no expenses spared – and registered the bird in Milo's name.

*

With Pidgeot now in his possession, Milo had a full team, but knew that certain members needed more training than others. Before he left the Pokemoncenter, he called his mother, and asked if she would mind sending Houndour over to him. Meredith obliged, explaining that the dog had recovered exceptionally since the brutal attack from Oscar's Scizor. Realising he needed to take someone off his team for the moment, Milo sent Scizor to his home. He had fought hard in the Lake of Rage and Violet City contests. He needed a rest.

Milo and Jake went to the front of the Blackthorn Gym to wait for Gary, but he was nowhere to be seen, and they were already pretty late themselves. It wasn't a pleasant day at all, so waiting outside was horrible. After a while, they decided just go enter the gym and see Gary there.

“Pryce said Clair was being kept on,” Milo said, reaching for the huge, iron knocker on the gym door. It looked exactly how he remembered it; large, dark, carved from stone and incredibly intimidating. Blackthorn Gym sat on the edge of a vast lake, and it was rumoured that Clair trained in the dangerous caverns on the other side.

The gym itself was a large body of water, with roughly hewn stone arenas where trainers and Gym apprentices pitted their Pokemon against each other. Narrow wooden walkways joined all the arenas together, forming a path; when Milo had battled here a year or so ago, you had to follow the path around and fight all the trainers before being allowed to challenge the Gym Leader. In the middle of the gym, on a small stone platform, was a heavy wooden trapdoor.

Milo could see a Dragonair wrapping its slender body around a Lickitung, while at the back of the gym there was a Nidorino trying to joust its horn into a Nidorina. The blue Pokemon leapt left and right, avoiding each strike, hissing loudly.

“Where is the leader?” Jake asked. Milo pointed to the trapdoor, and led Jake along the first walkway that would eventually take them there. Beneath this floor was Clair, on her private arena set high above a large pit. As they walked onto the first arena, Milo swiftly made his way to the next walkway, but the trainer, a stocky blonde guy, stepped forward.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he said. “Where do you think you're going?”

“To see Claire,” Milo said.

“You need to battle on all four arenas before you can go down there,” he said dismissively. Milo saw him pull a green Pokeball from his belt.

“No, I'm not here to challenge her,” Milo said. “I'm here to see her. Anyway, I have the Rising Badge, I've beaten her before.”

“Can I see it?” he asked.

“Well I don't have it on me,” Milo snapped.

“How unfortunate,” the boy replied, holding the Pokeball out.

“Come on dude, be cool,” Milo said.

“Sorry dude,” he replied.

“One on one,” came a voice; Milo turned and saw Jake had taken his place on the arena and hurled a Pokeball into the air. The burst of bright white light illuminated the dark gym, and his large, lumbering Ursaring emerged, ready to fight.

“That's more like it!” the trainer said, throwing a ball through the air.

“Jake, are you sure?” Milo said. “You just caught -”

“We'll be fine,” Jake said, as the opponent's Pokemon, a Golem, gave a long roar. It was a small but incredibly heavy creature, with a body hewn from a similar rock to the arena. Milo took a few steps back to observe.

“Easy! Golem, rollout!” the boy said. Nodding, the boulder leapt into the air, tucking his arms in and bowling along the arena to Ursaring. It wasn't a large arena, so there wasn't a lot of room for avoiding it.

Ursaring extended his claws, preparing a counter strike, but when Golem connected with him he was thrown through the air and slammed into the ground. The arena trembled as Ursaring landed, and Golem span back around to his trainer. As Ursaring got to his feet, Milo realised that the Blackthorn Gym, which, must specialise in attack, had arenas designed to invoke direct contact.

Jake looked composed, asking Ursaring to get up as Golem geared up for another strike. He sped through the air, faster then before, but this time Ursaring leapt high into the air, avoiding the hit. Thankfully, Golem's weight meant it couldn't propel itself up after Ursaring, something which smaller Pokemon were able to do when using Rollout. Ursaring landed and let off a loud snarl; it echoed off the walls of the gym, and even got the attention of some other trainers practicing.

“Ursaring!” Jake said, stepping back to the edge of the arena. He was observing the arena, taking mental notes. Milo had no idea what he was thinking. “Go in for a metal claw!”

“Finally attacking!” the apprentice cackled. “About time, in the attack gym!”

“Just because you specialise in attack, that doesn't mean I should,” Jake countered.

Ursaring's claws sparkled silver and he raced along the arena at Golem, who leapt into a third rollout. Again, Golem was too fast and too heavy to come out of the clash worse; as he slammed into Ursaring, the bear was hurtled back, the sheen fading from his claws.

“You can't overpower him Jake!” Milo said from the sidelines.

“I'm not trying to!” Jake snapped, and Milo wondered if this was it felt like to not be clued in on things. Golem was speeding around so much now he was a mere blur, but he navigated the arena brilliantly, building momentum up before going to strike Ursaring for the fourth time.

“Golem, go for the fourth!” said the apprentice.

“Hammer arm!” Jake said. “Into the opposite corner!”

Golem tucked his arms into his body again but, on the opposite corner of the arena, Ursaring flexed his arms and held one back. With incredible power, he slammed it down into the stone; the sheer force caused the arena to tip into the water; Milo, standing nearby, held onto the walkway as his legs buckled and water washed over his feet.

Opposite them, the downward force on the arena caused Golem's side to spring up; Golem was launched into the air and, with the force built up from his rollouts, he arched right over Ursaring's head and into the water, disappearing completely.

“GOLEM!” the apprentice cried.

“He's so heavy that even if he could swim he wouldn't get far,” Jake said. “Recall him.”

The trainer held the ball out and shot it down into the water several times; he was so panicked, so thrown by Jake's technique that he wasn't aiming well, but eventually he managed to bring his Pokemon back. Milo was dumbfounded; how did Jake know the arena was so easy to manipulate? How had he thought to use Golem's weight and speed to propel himself?

“It was pretty easy,” Jake said, as a couple of apprentices and trainers gathered round. “The arena isn't made from stone as thick as the stuff in the gym. I noticed that when I looked over the edge. We're just floating, so any force applied to one end of the arena will cause its buoyancy to tip.”

“That was good,” said one apprentice, in a navy sports top. “Come to the next arena, give me a go.”

Jake nodded and walked along the walkway, Ursaring recalled into his ball. Milo quickly followed, reaching in his pocket for a Pokeball.

“Wait, I want to try!” he said, getting Jake's attention.

“Oh, yeah,” Jake said. “We came here together, so we'll take you on together.”

“That's not in the rules,” said the second trainer, who seemed slightly older and much less brash. “You have to beat four of us to see the leader.”

“I can beat you all,” Jake said, “And we have a badge from this gym. We're just amusing you. So let Milo take you on.”

“Fine,” the trainer said, shooting Milo a look. “One on one again.”

“Good luck!” Jake said, taking his place on the sidelines.

“Medicham!” Milo said, releasing the monkey onto the arena. She looked around briefly; recognising her surroundings, and lifting one leg up to her chin. The trainer nodded, releasing a Kingler onto the arena.

Milo had trained a Kingler before, and it currently lived back home, the father to several hundred small crustaceans on his family's island. Medicham knew this, too, and he could tell she was glad they were facing a species they knew so well. Kingler raised its incredibly large claw and it snapped three times; the echoing sound resembled a judge's gavel.

“This won't be a problem,” Milo muttered. “Medicham, go for a dynamicpunch!”

Medicham raced along the arena, a fist held back, glowing with white-hot energy. Kingler scuttled left and right, anticipating where Medicham would strike; she pounced up into the air and flew down, sweeping her fist down to connect with his body.

But Kingler raised his claw, turning it so it covered most of his body; Medicham's fist connected and she recoiled in pain, staggering back and letting off a howl. The claw had protected him. As she nursed her fist, Kingler swept his claw outwards, swatting Medicham and throwing her off the arena.

“Teleport!”

With a pop, she appeared back at Milo's side. Kingler moved the claw from his mouth and spewed a jet of frothy water; it peppered Medicham's torso, but bothered her more than it did damage her. Milo saw Kingler spewing mouthfuls of froth into the water, causing it to bubble and swell around the stone arena.

“Try once more,” Milo said, thinking that if it failed, he'd simply change tactics. “Fling it off the arena with psychic!”

Nodding, Medicham held a hand out and gave it a lazy flick; a psychic force bowled Kingler off the arena and into the sud-filled water; he disappeared from view entirely, and Milo realised that all the foam and bubbles now provided an excellent cloak for him.

“Fine by us,” said the apprentice. “Crabhammer!”

Milo pulled a confused expression, only to see the arena shake. From under the floating stone, Kingler smashed his large claw into the exact spot Medicham stood at; the force caused the arena to buckle and for her to tumble off her feet completely. Before Milo could issue an attack (and what would he do, anyway?) Kingler flew out the foam on a torpedo of water, before holding his claw forward and shooting a hydro pump out at Medicham.

The attack hit her head on, and she was forced back by the hydraulic jet of ice cold water. Skidding along the arena, she looked hurt, and Milo was left in awe at the trainer's clever strategy. Kingler landed, shaking brine from his little legs, and gave what Milo could only describe as a guffaw.

“We're still in this!” Milo said. “Hidden power, electric!”

Nodding, Medicham summoned a glass-like orb in one hand and flexed her fingers. The orb glowed bright blue, and cycled through shades of red, green, purple, silver and finally settled on a vivid yellow. As it did, sparks jolted off it as Medicham held it out at Kingler. With thudding pulses, Medicham fired off small balls of sparks that flew through the air like machine-gun fire.

Kingler held his claw over his face, but as it was soaked from using hydro pump, his wet body conducted the electricity brilliantly. Milo recalled Mia doing a similar thing when they were trying to open a Cloyster in Olivine City, and wondered if his sister would be proud that he borrowed the technique. As Kingler shuddered, Medicham held both hands and, with all the force she could muster, threw him into the air with a telekinetic grip.

Kingler was spewing bubbles everywhere in self defence as sparks rattled his body, but Medicham pounced up into the air after him and, fist glowing, unleashed a dynamic punch into his side, the side not supported by a giant claw. Kingler flew back to the ground, landing with a crunch, as Medicham teleported to the ground next to him.

“Hmph!” the trainer said, getting out the ball to recall him. “Type advantages suck. How did you get your Medicham to learn all the hidden powers?”

“Meditation,” Milo said, before thanking her for her work. She had been exceptional, but she did look tired. Milo recalled her as Jake applauded excitedly.

“Nice work!” he said. “That Kingler was pretty good, huh?”

“He had a good technique,” Milo said, as they walked along the next walkway and found themselves facing a dark-haired girl. This girl had been commanding the Lickitung earlier, and Milo had seen her watching Jake battle earlier.

“You two are doing well for yourselves,” she said, staring glumly at a Pokeball in her palm.

“I've done this before,” Milo pointed out.

“You battled at the Dragon Gym; this is the Attack Gym now,” the girl replied. “Why do you think we all have new Pokemon? This is the final hurdle for anyone who wants to get into the Pokemon league. And while learning about speed, defence, statuses, flight and everything else is fine and dandy, you'll get nowhere without a solid attack.”

“I'll take this one,” Jake said to Milo, pulling out what Milo recognised as his Park Ball. The girl looked impressed at Jake's assertiveness, and fished a Pokeball out from her own pocket.

“Okay,” she said, throwing her ball forward. “Go, Cacturne!”

Forming from the white light was a thick, stumpy figure that sprouted long, lance-like spikes from all over his body. Milo watched as the Cacturne stared across the field, giving a low cackle from his tiny little mouth. The hat on his head cast shadows across his face, and his thick, club-like arms hung heavily at his side.

“Jake,” Milo said urgently, worried the boy would come into trouble. “Watch out. Cacturne haven't got great defences but they're armed with those spikes.”

“We'll be fine,” Jake said, arching the ball over his head. In a flash, Parasect emerged onto the arena, clicking his pincers and staring at Cacturne from beneath the heavy mushroom on his back. It looked like a good match up; Parasect had poison and bug attacks that would help here.

“Cacturne!” the girl shrieked. “Pin missile!”

Running along the arena with his arms out at his side, Cacturne caused the spiky protrusions to glow and extend into long, spindly lances. As he ran towards Parasect, he started twisting his body and spinning on the spot, firing off glass-like pins through the air. Parasect tucked his head down and protected his face from the barrage with his claws.

“No problem,” Jake said, smiling.

“Needle arm!”

Though the onslaught was doing little to Parasect, Cacturne leapt up and threw his body around; the force of both his arms smashed into Parasect's body, causing him to skid back along the arena. Jake looked surprised at the nimble Pokemon's strategy; to keep Parasect stationary with a barrage so he could get close and deal a physical blow.

“Bullet seed!”

A frenzied mouthful of seeds were blasted from Parasect's mouth; they peppered Cacturne's torso, but he crossed his thick arms over his head, protecting his face and much of his torso. He then threw both arms at the ground with a huge thud; the tremor sent Parasect up in the air, and in a flash, Cacturne leapt along the arena and punched the bug in the stomach.

“This thing is fast!” Milo shouted.

“I used to be a coordinator, you know,” the girl said from across the arena. “But I came here and realised my true passion was battling. Cacturne deals heavy damage and looks gorgeous doing so. Can you even keep up?”

Cacturne landed at his trainer's side and laughed, but as he did, he fell to his knees with a cry; he looked pained. Parasect landed, and Milo saw a scattering of spores around the arena. Dark purple spores he often associated with toxins.

“Use Parasect as a punching bag all you want,” Jake said. “But his Effect Spore means you're going to come off pretty bad.”

“Maybe, but Parasect doesn't have good defences,” the girl said. “It won't take much to bring him down.”

“Bullet seed again!” Jake said. “Aim for the lesions on his body!”

Where the spores riddled Cacturne's body, he had scratches and sores from the irritation. Parasect spewed more hard seeds that snapped and cracked against Cacturne's sore skin. Undeterred, the cactus leapt into the air and span rapidly, showering the arena with white-hot spikes.

Jake looked calm and Milo wondered if it was because Parasect wasn't known for manoeuvring around a lot. Being still meant he wouldn't be irritated by spikes. At the same time, Jake didn't seem to have a strategy for taking this Pokemon down, instead using snap judgements to combat individual attacks.

“Parasect, get in close and use slash!” Jake said. Leaping up, Parasect landed by Cacturne's feet and snapped at his legs with his pincers. Cacturne dodged left and right, even managing to swing a kick and strike the large mushroom in the face.

“Hit him with another needle arm!” the girl said. “Needle X!”

Crossing his arms, Cacturne slammed both into Parasect again, and from the applause around the trainer, it seemed this was one of her signature attacks. Milo was impressed at the increase in power, but also noticed Parasect releasing more spores from his body in self-defence. A horrible grey smoke filtered across the arena, causing Cacturne to moan in agony. This was the tear-gas Jake had developed with his beloved bug, and it was affecting Parasect's vision.

“Now, hit him with an X-Scissor!” Jake said. Crossing his pincers into an X, Parasect dealt a devastating blow to the Pokemon's body, and Cacturne tumbled backwards along the arena. As the trainer looked ready to issue an attack, Jake cut in.

“Giga drain!”

Leaping on top of Cacturne, Parasect throbbed green as tendrils of energy burst from his claws and ensnared Cacturne's body. However, just as it looked like he was about to be drained of his remaining energy, Cacturne swung an arm up and smashed it into Parasect, throwing him off. As steam hissed from his pores, Cacturne leapt to his feet.

“Revenge!”

Another heavy thud sent Parasect reeling, the strength being built off the damage Parasect had dealt in the first place. Struggling to compose himself, Parasect looked up at Cacturne, who leapt high into the air, a leg extended...

“That's mega kick!” Milo shouted.

“Surround yourself with a sleep powder!” Jake said.

“Spin!” the girl yelled. Tucking his foot back in, Cacturne landed on the arena, stuck his arms out and span on the spot. His spikes extended and soon he caused a twister of wind to whip up around him; as Parasect released spores into the arena, they were swept up by the air currents encasing Cacturne and soared high into the upper rafters of the gym.

“Parasect, he'll need a second to come out that spinning attack,” Jake said. “Now, -”

“Sucker punch!”

A sweeping, ghostly mass of energy formed into a fist, bursting from the cyclone of air and thumping Parasect, knocking him out. As the mushroom collapsed, Cacturne let off a long cackling moan as he joined his trainers side. Jake was distraught, kneeling down and checking his Pokemon was OK.

“No strategy at all,” the girl said derisively. “You can't rely on spores. They're irritants, but that Parasect has a terrible attack stat.”

“Lay off him.” Milo said, pulling out his Great Ball. “Jake, I'll take over, show her Houndour's good attack.”

“Oh no you don't!” the girl said. “This is the attack gym, you burning a grass type with a fire Pokemon doesn't mean shit. You'll have to do better than that.”

Milo instinctively thought of his new Magnezone, but the girl's comment stung slightly, and instead he picked out a glittering metal Pokeball from his pocket. Jake saw this, and looked shocked at Milo's choice, recalling Parasect and standing on the side.

“Croconaw!” Milo said, releasing him. The alligator gave a snarl as he landed on the arena, looking at his opponent. “Look, we'll take you on with a water type.”

“Armed with ice attacks, I'll bet,” said the girl, with a dramatic yawn. “Cacturne, sucker punch!”

Croconaw clenched his fists, but wasn't able to avoid the first attack; the sweeping, ghostly punch smashed into his stomach and threw him off his feet. With a thud, he hit the ground, but Milo ordered an aqua jet right away.

Bursting off the ground, encased in a torpedo of water, Croconaw sailed through the air towards Cacturne, who span wildly, releasing a pin missile. The swarm of sharp pins slashed through the aqua jet, hurting Croconaw and knocking him to the ground easily.

Milo felt frustrated; Croconaw hadn't been used in a serious battle for quite some time. Nevertheless, as the alligator got to his feet, Milo realised that, like Kingler, he needed to take advantage of the water surrounding him.

“Go for an aqua tail!” Milo said. Leaping into the air, Croconaw swung his tail around, and a thick blade of ice-cold water slammed into Cacturne's stomach; before he had time to retaliate, Croconaw went into an aqua jet and sped towards him, encased in water.

“Now, metal claw!” Milo said. Leaping out the protection of the water, Croconaw's claws sparkled Silver and he slashed away at Cacturne's torso. The grass-type blocked his face with one arm, but Croconaw easily raked his long, sparkling claws across the foe's legs, causing him to wince in pain.

“Needle arm!”

Nodding, Cacturne let out a cackle and threw the weight of his arm down on Croconaw. However, Croconaw ducked down and swung his tail up, countering the attack and throwing Cacturne off-balance. On Milo's command, Croconaw then grabbed the foe and launched himself into the water.

“DROWNING?” the girl shouted. “Really?”

As Croconaw and Cacturne fell beneath the battlefield, Croconaw clutching tightly onto Cacturne (and trying to avoid the spikes), Milo ordered an aqua jet, and Croconaw boosted out of the pool in a thick jet. Cacturne was held to his chest, distressed and, presumably, unable to breathe.

“Throw him!” Milo said. In mid-air, Croconaw span around and hurled Cacturne down to the ground. Wailing like a banshee, Cactune spat a bullet seed through the air, though it flew in every direction but Croconaw's as the cactus hit the ground with a heavy thud.

“Hmph,” the girl said, as her Pokemon's tongue lolled out the side of his mouth. She recalled him, but looked unimpressed. “I don't think that was a very good fight.”

“Well your Pokemon lost,” Milo said.

“You used two!” she said, referring to Parasect.

“Don't worry!” came a voice from the next arena. “Send them over here.”

“Fine,” she said. “Piss off, the pair of you.”

Milo recalled Croconaw, and he and Jake walked along the walkway to the fourth arena, where another girl waited for them. She had short black hair, and wore the same sports jacket as the rest of the trainers.

“You guys aren't good enough to beat Claire, but you're not here to do that,” she said. “So that's not a problem. But you are pretty good in battle.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Milo said. As they walked along, Milo realised the trapdoor leading down to Claire was in fact set into this arena. This one was bigger than the others and, looking around, he could see the entire Gym was now watching them.

“One Pokemon each,” she said, maximising a ball. “Which of you will fight me?”

“You do it,” Jake said. “I don't think I have any other trump cards.”

“Fair enough,” Milo said. He felt for a Pokeball on his belt as the trainer summoned her Pokemon.

A purple, spiked creature floated above the ground; it was Gengar. He had big red eyes and a wide grin, spinning lightly on the spot as the trainers in the gym cheered. Milo hadn't expected a ghost. Nevertheless, he threw a Pokeball onto the arena.

“Go Magnezone!”

This was the creatures first proper battle since his evolution and as he formed, Milo was taken aback by his sheer size. He had forgotten, but compared to Magneton, Magnezone was larger, stockier, and he let off a deep, crinkling bleep.

“Good idea!” Jake called. Milo nodded.

“Magnezone has twelve resistances,” he told the trainer. “So do you worst.”

He ordered a thunderbolt; Magnezone blasted a huge, jagged bolt of lightning from his central body. It whooshed through the air towards Gengar, but with a twist and a pop, he teleported out of the way, leaving the electric attack to char the stone floor.

“Fine,” Milo said. He was prepared to do things differently. “Charge, then agility.”

“Gengar, get ready to retaliate!” the trainer yelled.

Magnezone's magnets shuddered and began to glow yellow. A cracking energy started to build across his body, but instead of letting it get stronger, Magnezone obeyed his command and swept across the arena.

Gengar instinctively popped out of the way, but if he thought his opponent was trying to attack him, he was wrong. Magnezone focused on his speed as he darted around the large arena; he zipped to the high ceiling, swept low across the arena and even skimmed the surface of the water, crackling and beeping and whirring with a dull coat of sparks.

“Increasing your speed?” mocked the trainer. “It won't help you against pure power. Gengar! Launch a Dark Pulse!”

Nodding, Gengar swirled around in mid-air and floated along the arena towards Magnezone, who was still emitting a low crackle. Milo turned to see Jake watching the arena intently, struggling to piece together what Milo was trying to accomplish.

As Gengar got nearer to Magnezone, he threw his hands together in a gigantic clapping motion – Milo thought he even saw the ghosts hands enlarge before impact – and a huge orb of swirling dark energy hurtled through the air like a projectile.

“Now, Magnezone!” Milo said. “FULL POWER!”

Magnezone was concentrating so hard his magnet appendages were physically twisting around; on Milo's command he shuddered, and with a huge roar every positively charged ion in the atmosphere came to life with a brilliant golden glow. Suddenly, the arena was laced with a complex web of sparks, and the Dark Pulse was torn apart in a flash.

The trainers looked around as the complex, barbed web of electricity wound around the entire arena. Gengar's jaw was slack; he stared nervously as the intricate coil of electricity fizzed dangerously close to his left leg, and the other tendril that shot across mere inches in front of him.

Milo couldn't let his loss against Kasper be for nothing, and borrowing the trick his Dragonite used against a coordinators Drifblim had been a smart move, especially given Magnezone's exceptionally powerful electric attacks. Jake was whooping from behind him, finally aware of his plan.

“Very pretty, coordinator,” the trainer began, but Milo interrupted.

“Now! Shock wave!”

Magnezone unleashed a burst of electricity that conducted through the intricate web buzzing across the arena. Gengar was hit by the onslaught; his body shuddered, his eyes screwed up and he let off a chilling roar that filled every dusty corner of the Blackthorn Gym. Milo watched closely. If his plan worked, then Gengar's muscles would cramp, and he'd find it harder to teleport or phase.

Gengar's body was flashing bright white as he suffered the agonising electrical attack, but he staggered across the arena in slow, painful steps, his face still screwed up as he tried to escape his confines. Finally, the sparks began to dissipate, and Gengar's body tingled with volts. He gasped for air.

“Magnet bomb!” Milo shouted. Magnezone let off a noise like a cannon, and a shockwave shuddered across the arena. As it sped through the air, molten metal began to form around the air in silk-like strands until a smooth, heavy lump of metal solidified.

“Phase out!” came the trainer's order. Gengar clenched his fists, but it only caused sparks to race across his body, rooting him to the spot. Milo grinned as the magnet bomb connected with Gengar, exploding in a magnificent silvery shower and throwing him through the air.

He landed on the very edge of the arena, by the water. Magnezone hovered over him, watching the ghost curiously.

“You're pretty clever,” the girl said. “Do you have a ghost-type yourself?”

“I do,” Milo replied.

“Restricting a ghost from achieving their gas-like state is a clever way to battle them,” she said, admiring her manicured nails. “But Gengar is still a gas, whether he's solid or not.”

Milo said nothing.

“As the resident Special Attack expert at this gym, I trained my Gengar to use all types of attacks,” she said, clicking her fingers. On command, Gengar clapped his hands together, sending a shower of sparks shooting up into the air.

“He can do electricity, and ice -” Gengar's fists crystallised into a sheet of frost, and he swung a few impressive punches. “But neither of those are any good against you.”

Milo thought he knew where this was going.

“Gengar's aptitude towards fire, however, is one of his strengths. Do you know why?”

“Is it because it's cold in here, and Clair doesn't want to pay the heating bills?” Milo asked. The girl mock-laughed.

“It is not.”

Gengar clapped his hands together and both his fists erupted in flames; huge, thick, unruly tendrils of fire that licked up into the air. The fire illuminated his red eyes, and cast dark shadows across the rest of his body.

“Gengar is a natural gas,” the girl continued. “And fire requires gas to burn. So when Gengar summons his fire...”

Milo watched as the light from the flames continued to highlight Gengar's dark skin; it burned so bright that he was practically lilac-coloured. Milo could see the flames trailing down the creature's arms. He was becoming engulfed in the fire.

The trainer gave another click and Gengar let off a cackling howl. Soon his entire skin was now a violent blue colour, and Milo realised what she was talking about. Gengar was using his entire body to fuel the fire attack, so that, right before their eyes, he was turning into a living, breathing, burning body of pure fire.

He rose off the ground slowly, his body now the faint curls of flame. The spikes atop his head were rippling scarlet and yellow; his fists no more distinguishable than the two balls of fire that he had initially summoned.

“Gengar!” the girl said. “Fire punch!”

Milo was shaken out of his stupor. This ghost was now pure fire, and could destroy Magnezone at a moment's notice. As Gengar sped through the air, flames trailed behind him like he were a comet. He threw fistfuls of fire towards Magnezone; poorly aimed, it must be said, but they exploded against the stone arena and hissed to their death. It was intimidating and barbaric.

“Go high!” Milo said. “Thunderbolt!”

From between his two front magnets, Magnezone blasted a jagged bolt down across the arena. Focusing, he steered it towards Gengar, who threw more fire up into the air. As the thunderbolt met the fire, there was a huge bang, and smoke began to curl up into the air.

Leaping through the smoke, Gengar threw a hand forward and an incredible jet of flame shot through the air, striking Magnezone and scorching his left side. Gengar controlled fire as fluidly as Milo's Croconaw did water, and the resulting carnage was almost terrifying. Milo realised, though, that if their reactions were good enough, they could use Magnezone's Mirror Coat here. But, like his technique against Kasper, he didn't want to give the game away too quickly.

“Go to the edges of the arena!” Milo said, pointing to the water. “Use sonicboom!”

Nodding, Magnezone began firing off a whoosh of air, directing it at the still water. As he scooted around the perimeter of the arena, the gout of the sonicboom forced water up into the air, and Magnezone was veiled by the channel of water as he shot about.

“Gengar, Will-O-Wisp!” the trainer yelled. Gengar's long, flaming claws crackled and began to burn bright until they took on a blue and purple hue. Whipping his hand down, he caused balls of eerie fire to shoot towards Magnezone, but the magnet's impressive speed helped him out-manoeuvre them with ease.

“Chase him!”

Magnezone let off a bleep as he sped around the arena, trying to throw as much water up into the air as he could. Gengar gave chase, throwing his hands out into long tendrils of silky fire, whipping Magnezone's back and scorching his body. Milo winced. He could tell this was hurting Magnezone.

Against his orders, Magnezone started charging electricity across his body. Milo wondered if it was a form of self defence, like a hound raising his hackles. He thought back to the Lake Of Rage contest and the trainer who had his Jolteon leap across the lake surface. The charge from the creature, coupled with his speed, helped charge ions around the lake surface, so when he released a shock wave, the attack bounced around the pockets of concentrated energy.

“Stay low, sweep right around the water's edge!” Milo said. “And stay charging.”

Magnezone nodded and took a tight turn around the edge of the battlefield. The trainers observing the match watched on excitedly as Gengar's trainer pulled a face.

“Lash him! Spin your limbs and go into a fire spin!”

Gengar's long, flaming body stopped whipping his limbs out at Magnezone, and began spinning on the spot. His body twisted into a hideous shape, his appendages turning to seared, flaming blades. Soon, the only thing recognisable from the ghost was his intense, red eyes, and the horns and spiked ridge that ran along his back.

Magnezone completed his lap; Milo couldn't quite make out any sparks near the surface of the water, but this was OK; he hadn't noticed it when Jolteon did it, either. Magnezone floated back to Milo, only to be struck by a huge, flaming jet of fire from Gengar's mouth. The fire engulfed him, and Milo could see his Pokemon's metal body glowing white-hot in the heat. It must have been excruciating.

“Deliver another blow,” the trainer said, as Gengar leapt up and sped through the air. The big, burning ball of gas was illuminating the dark gym, zoning in on Milo's Pokemon. Magnezone saw balls of fire soar through the air like canonballs and used his two magnets to blast a huge bolt of electricity through the air.

“Now this is an attack gym,” came a voice. Jake turned and saw a tall, beautiful lady had appeared behind him. She had vivid blue hair and Jake knew, from her appearance, and the reaction from the students, that this must be Claire, the Blackthorn Gym Leader. Milo hadn't noticed.

The electricity and fire kept coming; streams of fire torn to burning shreds by a bolt of lightning, or a deluge of sparks cast alight by Gengar's darker fires. This kept going on; Gengar would hurl a sizzling ribbon of fire through the air, only for Magnezone to whip up a sonicboom that blasted the fire into the stone arena. Magnezone would fire a ball of sparks, only for Gengar to dance out of the way.

“No more long-range! Go for a fire punch!” the trainer said. Milo's eyes lit up. This was his chance.

“Magnezone get out the way! Head to the water!”

“Oh please!” the girl cried. “Again?”

Magnezone sped along the water surrounding the arena; already Milo saw the odd spark flicker on the surface of the water, excited by Magnezone's strong charge. Gengar, burning bright, flew after Magnezone, cackling as he hurled more fire.

“Start charging, gently,” Milo began, though he quickly realised doing anything 'slow' wasn't an option as Magnezone took two hits. “OK now! Shock wave! As you go!”

Magnezone throbbed suddenly, and sparks rattled across his body with fervour. As he zoomed along, the charged particles on the surface of the water burst into light, and the whole body of water burst into a brilliant shower of golden sparks, igniting in Magnezone's wake like a mexican wave.

Gengar's instinct was to pull up, away from the water, but Magnezone unleashed his full power, and an incredible web of electricity shot up, zapping the ghost and stunning him in mid-air. Magnezone kept going, around the far corner, back along the home stretch to Milo, unleashing more and more electricity.

“The gym hasn't been this bright for centuries!” someone called out, as light filled the room. Soon, the columns of electricity from opposite ends of the arena were sharing the same, charged space, and jumping arcs of electricity leapt through the air. Milo watched in awe as the entire arena was domed by fizzing, juddering, wild and frenzied power.

The trainer looked exactly how Milo felt when Scizor had felt the surge of amplified power from Kasper's Dragonite. Confused, impressed, crestfallen.

“One last go!” she cried. “Fire blast!”

Gengar ducked beneath the sparks and held both hands out; he cupped them together and unleashed a huge, roaring jet of fire that whooshed as it twisted and sinewed towards Magnezone. The creature's back magnet was lifted up, wagging like a dog's tail. Milo knew he had to give the order a mere second before it hit.

“Now!” Milo said. “Mirror Coat!”

“Oh snap!” Jake cried.

Magnezone flickered briefly as a mirror-like sheen hit his body. The fire engulfed him, feeding off his steel body and cloaking him in scarlet and gold, but he concentrated, focused, endured the burning sensation flooding through his body.

As the heat died down, Magnezone was now shimmering gold. Milo pointed and the creature unleashed a huge beam of light through the air; molten gold and silver that was streaked like fire.

The attack hit Gengar – pure power condensed, amplified and fired back – and the ghost thudded into the ground, his fire burning out, slowly turning purple again.

Milo couldn't believe how much noise the electricity was still making, but as he turned, he realised that it was in fact the trainers of the gym clapping enthusiastically, including Claire, the gym leader. Jake was whistling with his fingers, and Magnezone was letting off a particularly satisfying chirp.

“Incredible work,” Claire said, walking forward.

“Thanks,” Milo said. “That flaming Gengar was... interesting.”

“Your strategy was impeccable,” Claire said. “The way you used the arena on Gengar, the way you fought Magnezone's weakness. I can see you've gotten stronger since you won a badge off me.”

“I'm actually coordinating,” Milo said. Claire gave a nod.

“I can see flair in the way you battled. It wasn't just Pokemon beating each other up. There was grace, measure, but still impeccable technique. Well done.”

As if on cue, two of the trainers ran to the middle of the arena,where the impressive wooden trapdoor lay. They heaved it open, slowly, for it was very large. Claire walked over to it, and began descending a set of spiral stone steps.

“Come with me,” she said.

Milo and Jake followed her down a tight, stone staircase. Torch brackets fixed onto the wall bathed the steps in a golden glow. Claire explained, off-handedly, that she employed one apprentice just to make sure the torches were lit. Milo knew Claire's arena was down here, and followed her keenly.

Every time they passed a bracket, Milo saw the flames illuminate the sharp lines on Claire's face. She was not unattractive, Milo thought, but she had a sternness to her – a combination of her sharp jaw and her icy blue eyes. She was also a broad woman, and tall, too. There were rumours she could drink anyone under the table at her favourite pub in Blackthorn, the Ram And Horn.

As a young boy at Blackthorn's prestigious boarding school, Milo always thought Claire was cool, owning powerful dragon Pokemon at the gym. Her younger cousin, Lance, was in Milo's year. He was intelligent, sharp-minded and very handsome, but emotionally distant. Milo could only count a handful of conversations he'd ever had with the boy.

They reached the bottom of the staircase, which opened out onto a larger stone arena than the one above. Instead of water surrounding it, this one had an empty moat around the perimeter; as they crossed a walkway onto the battlefield Milo peered down and saw stone shelves jutting out at different angles.

“Pretty far down,” he said to Jake, who nodded.

“But you could get back out of that,” Jake said. “Pokemon could climb and jump onto the arena.”

“Or continue the melee in the darkened depths,” Claire said, without turning around.

They crossed the entire arena, and made their way across another walkway towards another room. There was no doorway this time, but a cavernous opening.

“This gym must get freezing during the winter,” Jake said to Claire. “Why isn't it heated?”

“You sound just like the Board Of Governers,” Claire said dryly. “Health and Safety checks, general maintenance. It's supposed to be a gym carved from the devilish fire of dragons, not some cotton-wooled play pen.”

“To answer your question,” she said. “When the Reclassification was introduced, this gym was deemed too unsafe for people, and we were assigned a very beige, sterile Gym south of town. That's the gym we're supposed to use, but I like it here, so I just kept coming back here, instead. We use the new gym when we know inspectors are coming.”

“Oh, wait a second,” Jake said. “Gary said he'd meet us at the front of the gym...”

“That's probably where he is,” Milo finished for him. “In the new one. Fucking hell.”

“Don't worry,” Claire said.

They walked through the cavern, down a set of bigger, thicker stone steps which opened out on the back of the gym, onto the fresh afternoon. This part of the cave had engravings; crude drawings of serpents with horns. As they reached the edge of the cave, Milo stared down and saw a huge drop towards a rock-strewn shoreline. The waves crashed against the back of the gym, soaking the stone, spraying salt-air up.

They were staring across a giant lake that had mountain ridges running entirely along its shores; it wasn't visible from anywhere in the city. Above them, Milo could see the twisted stone spires of Blackthorn Gym.

“Why is there a huge opening at the back of the gym?” Milo asked. As he said that, he saw a shape forming in the distance. Sitting on the back of a colossal beast was Gary, cross-legged, beaming.

“That cave in the distance?” Claire said, pointing ahead, “Is the Dragons Den. It's where the original Gym Council was founded. Years and years ago, Blackthorn wasn't an official gym, but a governing gym looking over the other ones in the country. Dragons were considered the holiest species of Pokemon, you see. And my family descended from that council.”

Milo saw Gary get closer, and, judging from the huge canons either side of him, he was riding on his Blastoise. The blue creature was barely visible as he swam through the water.

“The lake is blocked off by the mountains on almost all sides – it's near impossible to get to, never mind get across. This gym passage provides safe access for me.”

“But who is there now?” Milo asked. “In the Den?”

“Old members of the Dragon Society,” Claire said, thinking. “Monks practice their studies there. And my cousin, Lance.”

“Lance goes there?” Milo asked, alarmed.

“He lives there, now,” Claire said, biting her lip. “Lance doesn't like to leave the Den.”

Eventually Gary and Blastoise got to the end of the lake, several feet below where Milo, Jake and Claire stood. Gripping his creature's rough shell, he held on as the Blastoise propelled two jets of water and blasted up into the air like a rocket. Everyone took a step back as Gary landed flawlessly into the opening of the cave. He was soaking wet, but didn't seem to mind.

“So this is where you are,” Gary said, in a mock-fatigued tone.

“Yeah, sorry, we came here, we didn't know about the new gym,” Milo said.

“It's fine,” Gary said. “I thought you'd wait outside, I didn't think you'd end up down here.”

“Claire's trainers made us fight them,” Milo said. “And even though I'm just a coordinator I managed to thump them pretty good.”

“Milo and Jake were impressive,” said Claire. Gary nodded, looking surprised.

“I thought your team would fall apart against these trainers, they're pretty solid,” he said. “Fair play, Milo.”

Milo happily took the compliment; he had often felt sidelined since he took up coordinating, even though these battles were tougher than most of his league matches. He remembered Kasper's Dragnonite, Mia and her Gallade, even Dior and his Bayleef and Sneasel. Winning a contest wasn't about physical strength – it relied a cool logic. He wondered how he would fare against Claire or Gary with his team. Granted, many of them were exhausted now, but beating them was perfectly manageable.

“I know what you're thinking,” Gary said. He had been staring at Milo all this time. “But we're going to have to cut it short. Viridian got in touch with me. They've moved my examination forward. If you want to come with me over the border, then we'll need to make our way soon.”

“Now?” Milo asked.

“Yeah. It's going to be a long drive,” he said.

“So, you're still going,” Claire said coldly.

“Claire...” Gary said.

“No, it's fine,” she said, folding her arms.

“I've always wanted my own gym,” Gary said. “You know that.”

“You had one, you were offered one in Cianwood,” Claire said. “Last year, before the Reclassification -”

“I took that offer and he replaced me with Eusine!” Gary snapped. Milo hadn't realised Eusine replaced Gary. He always thought Gary turned Cianwood down, as he had.

“And you've been offered it since,” Claire pointed out. “You heard Michael. Eusine is ill, he can't run the gym anymore. Michael wouldn't offer it to you unless he was serious, and here you are being stubborn.”

“I'm not!” Gary shouted. His voice rang off the stone walls, so it sounded like ten Gary's were yelling. “Why would I want to live at Cianwood? It's a fucking rock in the middle of nowhere.”

“And Viridian is...”

“It's in Kanto. I'm from Kanto. My Grandfather would be horrified if I became a Gym Leader in Johto. It doesn't look right.”

“So this is about him?” Claire asked. Milo shared a quick glance with Jake, who looked uncomfortable.

“I can't disown him like that; the Oak family are a big part of Kanto. I need to be there.”

“If you get offered it,” Claire said coldly. “You might not. You are, after all, a former champion.”

“That's enough,” Gary said. “I have a good team.”

“Oh but they hate that ten-type team thing you're so fond of,” Claire said. “They'll want you using six, covering all your bases. Big teams aren't cool across the border.”

“Why can't you be happy for me?” Gary asked. “You helped train me, I learned everything from you growing up. If I could work here I would but I am more than just an apprentice now. I am ready to take on a gym.”

“Just don't get your hopes up,” Claire snapped.

“Why,” Gary asked quietly. “What do you mean?”

“I'm just -”

“You know something,” Gary replied. “What do you know.”

“I know nothing,” she said, but Gary wouldn't take that.

“Don't get my hopes up?” he snapped. “Why? Have they chosen someone? They can't chose someone, they have to screen all the potential applicants. Don't try and put me off!”

“They haven't chosen anyone,” Claire began.

“Then what?” Gary said. “Spit it out!”

“There is... a summit being held in a week's time,” said Claire slowly. “They do it every year before the league. An evaluation, a look at how things are going...”

She could see this was too slow an explanation and that Gary grew irritated with each passing second, so she got to the point a little quicker.

“They're discussing whether to merge the Johto and Kanto leagues.”

“Jesus,” Milo gasped.

“Merging them?” Gary said.

“Johto doesn't pull in any money, it's a tiny little region. Look at Unova and Hoenn. They want to form a single league between Johto and Kanto, and if they do that, then they won't need 16 gyms. They'll be closing a lot of them down.”

Milo thought of Oscar, who was driven to do reckless things when he lost the Azalea Gym, convincing the Apricorn Guild to use their powers to try and overthrow the League. Morty suffered a depression, and focused his energy on running a suspicious nightclub beneath Ecruteak City. And Chuck... Milo had no idea what Chuck was doing now, but Milo had seen him the same day he decided to go into coordinating.

“H-how many?” Gary asked.

“They won't close all of them,” Claire said. “They'll want to give people the option to traverse both parts of the continent. But at least four will go, I think.”

Gary said nothing.

“It's very much in discussion,” Claire said. “It's not confirmed. That's why I didn't want to tell you...”

“I'm glad you finally did,” Gary said in a low voice. “They'll surely keep Viridian, though... it's right on the border.”

“It's not far to Pewter, or Blackthorn,” Claire pointed out. “The league will do what saves money. Viridian doesn't have the tourism of Saffron or Goldenrod City. It's a low populated area.”

Suddenly Gary walked along the corridor to the water's edge.

“Milo,” he said, “Jake. We need to get going.”

“Right,” Milo said, nodding.

“I want to leave in an hour,” Gary said, leaping from the edge and landing in the water below. Milo ran to the edge and saw Gary emerge from the water on Blastoise's back, and he began to sail off again.

“Sounds like you need to be off,” Claire said absently.

“Yeah...” Milo said. “It was good to see you, Claire.”

“Good luck with everything,” she said, still watching Gary bob across the water. “And if you ever want to get back to straight-up battles... we could always do with a new apprentice.

It's a nice offer, Milo thought, as he and Jake left the gym. But what kind of league will I return to when I'm finished with coordinating?

*

Their Pokemon were healed up and Milo and Jake both changed their clothes. The drive would take some time; south of Blackthorn for a few hours, before heading east and skirting beneath the ridge that forms Mount Silver and, at the top, the venue for the Grand Festival. Once they reached Route 28, that would take them over the border and into Kanto, and then they would descend on Viridian City.

Jake sat up front with Gary as they departed Blackthorn; Milo sat in the back with Medicham, looking at the city he grew up in as they drove. He would have liked to spend more time here; drink in the pubs, visit the little shops he used to spend his allowance in, and even see if any of his old classmates were still around. Perhaps he could have even looked around the old Academy, and said hello to his old teachers...

Gary said little during the journey; he seemed chewed up about Claire's remarks regarding the league. It was disheartening that his prospects as a gym leader were thrown into turmoil, but Milo said nothing. He was surprised that Gary refused the Cianwood Gym title, but he was proud. Eusine sounded like he had been seriously injured following the attack in the woods and the hunt for Raikou. Milo bit his lip anxiously.

He had read up on the rules for the Viridian Contest again and again. A single appeal, with the semi-finals involving a single battle followed by a double. Milo was going over his options in the car; he wanted Medicham for the battles; she was powerful, graceful, but crucially her psychic abilities meant she could tap into Milo's thoughts and perform exactly as he requested.

For the double battle... he recalled the contest battle against Mia and her combination of Ninetales and Gallade. He needed to pair up a Pokemon that had wide-ranging attacks and one that focused on close-up combat; that would help him cover his bases. Croconaw had performed well with Medicham in Cherrygrove, but what about Houndour? Milo had only just got the creature back on his team but Medicham's psychic and Houndour's fire would make a formidable mix.

That just left the appeal. And since he had been used so sparingly recently, Milo felt it was only right that Croconaw did the honours.

“Who knows when we'll next get the chance,” Milo muttered.

“You'll be great,” Jake assured him. “You'll get the ribbon and then we can head to the Grand Festival. You could have the Ribbon Cup within a week!”

Milo let that thought sit with him for much of the journey. He could be the champion within a week.

*

Across the continent in Goldenrod City, Michael Mitchelson was returning to his desk after a day of intensive meetings. He had received word that he would have to be present at a Pokemon League conference next week; all the board members would vote and discuss the merits of a potential merge between Johto and Kanto.

Now in his office, located high up in the Mitchelson Enterprises building, he had Bill look through his plans for the week ahead. Downstairs, Chuck was working with Lorelei and their Ditto, who had taken the guise of Deoxys. The 'Deoxys' was proving competent, and Ditto's transformation had allowed the usually small, weak creature an overwhelming sense of power.

Unlike the real thing, though, they could train this creature to work with them. As a result Chuck was suffering endless injuries as the Deoxys clone threw him across the room, read his thoughts and even resisted Lorelei's signature 'ice cuff' technique.

“Ditto are known to turn violent when they transform,” Lorelei had told him, as she attempted to glue several clumps of hair back onto her scalp. “They are a weak, incredibly tasty meal and their ability to turn into bigger, stronger creatures means they unleash a primal side.”

“Michael?” Bill said. “You have a call coming through.”

“Anything interesting?” Michael asked.

“It's from Hoenn, definitely south-east,” Bill said. Michael knew what he was implying; they had just come back from Hoenn to discuss potentially getting the real Deoxys from Mr White.

“Record it, and put me through,” he said.

Bill nodded.

“Hello?” Michael asked.

“Michael Mitchelson?” came a voice he recognised. “It's me, Roxanne. From the Space Center.”

“Hello,” he said calmly. “I'm surprised to hear from you.”

“Yes, well,” Roxanne sounded nervous. “I wanted to speak to you because... I need your help.”

“My help?” he said. “From our meeting I got the impression you didn't want me at all.”

“I... things have changed, sort of,” she replied. “I... Stephen Stone has people working at Mossdeep. He visited me last night. He wants Deoxys kept away from people, because its too dangerous. He's planning on letting Deoxys kill someone here so Mr White is scared into shutting the creature away.”

Michael looked across at Bill, mouth wide open. Stone knew about Deoxys. And he wanted Deoxys to kill someone, all so the creature would be sanctioned. Alive, but never seen. Would Stone use this creature to kill someone who was proving problematic to him?

“That is worrying,” Michael said.

“He has threatened me,” Roxanne said. “And now I want out. With Deoxys if possible. You have to help me.”

“How are you supposed to get Deoxys away from that place?” Michael asked. “It's full of people, many more senior than you. And who is Stone's inside man?”

“He has... several,” Roxanne said, again with a strain in her voice. “Including me.”

“You?”

“I have fed him information, nothing more!” she protested. “I have been his eyes and ears but I'm not a criminal. I thought I was the only one, but he told me there are many more. That I am indispensable.”

“He wants you to provoke Deoxys,” Michael surmised. “I see.”

“He said he'll know if I don't do it... because I'll still be alive,” Roxanne said. “What should I do?”

Michael chose his words carefully.

“I'd find a more reputable employer,” Michael said. “Look. I appreciate you calling me, Roxanne, but this all sounds very suspicious.”

“Su-suspicious? No!” Roxanne said. “No I need your help!”

“You've told me you're one of Stone's insiders,” Michael admitted. “And surely you know he uses his Porygon-Z to monitor phone calls?”

“He....wha?”

Roxanne's voice cracked; she sounded heartbroken.

“No! I...”

“I can't help you, Roxanne, this just isn't washing with me,” Michael said, hanging up the phone.

“That was intense,” said Bill, who had been listening on a handset.

“She rings because Stone wants to sacrifice her to prevent Deoxys' exposure,” Michael said, getting up and walking across his office. It was a dark and stormy night outside, which he could see through the arched glass french doors leading onto his roof garden.

“She says Stone is done with her, he wants to dispose of her easily,” he added. “But she must know he can tap into calls. She must.”

“It sounds dubious,” Bill agreed.

“We can't get involved in that,” Michael said. “I've been thinking about when we start to take him down.”

“Oh?”

“It has to be next week, when I go to the League conference,” Michael said. “Stone will be there; he is, though illegitimately, funding the league through his business, as am I.”

“I'll call everyone in for a de-brief in the morning,” Bill replied. Michael was on the cusp of saying something when he was drawn to the roof patio. Among the potted plant life whipping in the wind, there was something else. Something ominous.

Michael subconsciously tilted his head, and Kazaar materialised at his side. His son's psychic Pokemon held a hand out and opened the handle on the door, forcing it open against the fierce storm.

“Someone's out there,” Michael said to Bill, who got up and followed him.

He walked across the patio, Kazaar with him, staring ahead. Between two ferns there was a bulky figure, dark and shapeless.

“Stop what you're doing!” Michael called. Kazaar held a finger forward but, as he felt for a presence, used his other hand to keep Michael away.

“Mr Mitchelson?”

Michael saw the figure walk forward slowly. He looked bigger because he was wearing several coats and layers, but they couldn't hide his unmistakable weight loss.

“Morty?” Michael said, as the blonde boy got nearer.

His hair was longer, shaggier, nearly at his shoulders now, while his eyes looked sunken and grey. Morty looked cheery as he stood on the roof garden, beaming at Michael.

“I tried teleporting, but I remembered you have that security system,” Morty said, blushing. “I got electrocuted last time.”

“What are you doing here? Are you okay?” Michael asked.

“I'm more than okay,” Morty replied. The air rippled and Morty's Gengar appeared by his side, bobbing in the air and grinning. “You told me... in Ecruteak... when I was ready to come back to work for you... you'd be here. Well, I'm here.”

“Morty...” Michael said. “It's been no time since Jasmine's death. Do you not want more time to grieve?”

“I'm done grieving,” he insisted. “I'm okay. I've been training, focusing and learning so I can help you. I know I got cold feet and disappeared -”

“Don't put yourself down,” Michael said. “You did nothing wrong.”

“I know I can help you get revenge, and put Stephen Stone down for good,” Morty said.

“You do?” Michael said. “Well, I'm glad to hear it.”

Morty smiled.

“You don't just need to hear it from me, Mr Mitchelson,” he said. “I want to show you what I mean, too.”

“What?” the man said. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

“Step back,” Morty said, as his Gengar rose from the ground. “Do you know anything about ghost-Pokemon reproduction?”

“No,” Michael said slowly.

“Gaseous Pokemon like Gengar have no solid structure, it fluctuates, like a gas,” Morty said. “That means they have no reproductive organs. As a gas, they reproduce and multiply in the correct temperature. When they come of age, Gengar learn to use attacks like Haze to drop the temperature around them, and make a suitable environment for them to breed.”

Michael looked up at the dark, violent sky as Morty spoke.

“I trained Gengar to reproduce in the coldest temperatures,” Morty said. Gengar spiralled up into the sky and Michael watched as he seemingly melted into the fluffy clouds curling across the city. “He's now got quite a family.”

The more Michael stared, he could see flickering red eyes, spiked ridges and stubby, clawed hands everywhere. This was no storm at all, this was a flock – for lack of a better word – of Gengar. There must be have been hundreds of them, sweeping through the skies, their smoke-like bodies trailing behind them. Some screamed, some flickered a navy blue, a deep plum, some a vivid bright purple.

“They are all technically wild, but they obey me,” Morty said proudly, looking up at his Gengar. “Uno!”

On his command, there was a sudden rumble, like the very earth's belly was furious. Michael watched as bolts of lightning flew from from the haggard purple clouds; striking the radio tower, dissipating into the air and crackling. He was literally commanding a storm.

“I've come back because I'm ready to help you fight Stone,” Morty said, amid the noise. “And I have my own army. What more could you want?”

Michael stared, aghast, at the sea of ghosts that had bred in the skies. Morty watched proudly, his own Gengar bobbing by his side like an animated shadow, but Michael felt a chill down his spine that he wasn't sure had anything to do with the temperature.



Next Time
After the much-publicised Lake Of Rage contest, Milo arrives in Viridian City to find he has garnered the interest of the national press, who eagerly attend to see if Milo is able to win his fifth ribbon. Meanwhile, Michael grows increasingly concerned for Morty after an assignment goes wrong.


NOTES
-So this was a big chapter. It took ages. But post-Kasper I wanted Milo to really knuckle down and do some fighting. Also, I loved being able to do Jake stuff. That guy has become a pretty strong trainer.

- I also wanted to incorporate some new strategies Milo had, namely ones he borrowed from Kasper. In the contest you'll see him really focus on imitating Mia's battle style which I think all goes toward showing that Milo is quickly becoming someone to watch out for.

-Milo now also has Pidgeot. Falkner did release his Pidgeotto ages ago during a big fight scene where it was him and Chuck VS Silver, so I liked that Pidgeotto managed to find Milo (and evolved along the way).

-Milo also switched Houndour in for Scizor, since the metal guy needs a little break. Houndour will come into his own.

-I liked writing gym stuff but wanted Blackthorn to be brief, as Milo is focused on going to Viridian. Early drafts focused on Gary and Claire a bit more, and even the slightly weird Lance, but ultimately some stuff didn't make the cut.

-We'll see Gary a little more in future chapters.

-As for Michael & Co, that might be made into the next bit of the Mimic Arc, depending on how long the chapter gets.

Let me know what you think guys!

[Chris 2.1]

Show-Off
- The Mimic Arc -
II

Beneath the glamour and verve of Goldenrod City lay a much murkier undertone; high levels of crime, dangerous gang cultures and areas that were incredibly unsafe once the sun began to set.

Pokemon thefts were still highly reported in the papers. The media printed hysterical reports of thefts on public transport, in nightclubs or even people being attacked walking down the street. The route gate north of the city was even victim to a raid late one night, causing many city folk to find alternate routes to Ecruteak City.

Whitney, the gym leader, had finally been coaxed from her solitude following the theft of her Pokemon several months ago. The girl had rarely been seen, but at the urging of the Johto council, which was contending with several fires in need of extinguishing, persuaded Whitney to relieve her position again, and the Goldenrod Speed Gym reopened.

Whitney's new team, provided by the league, were Manectric, Ninjask and a Whimsicott, an unusual sheep-like creature that Whitney grew incredibly fond of. It could run so fast that its big, fluffy mane blurred and it performed actions before its foe could anticipate them.

South-West of the city lay Goldenrod's long dock, curving across the water's edge. Trade to Goldenrod via cargo ships had been reduced dramatically since the expansion of the Magnet train, which now had trains delivering goods to a number of far-away regions. But tonight a large ship was docked.

As a crane slowly twisted across the dock, loading large pallets onto the ship, two figures were crouched beneath a huge storage tank by the water's edge. Lorelei swept her red hair from her face, re-adjusted her glasses, and turned to watch the cargo being loaded.

“Falkner?” she said, in the softest voice.

“It's Devon Corp,” he confirmed. Falkner was sitting on the ground facing his Xatu, who was using a combination of her excellent vision coupled with her psychic abilities to let her trainer identify the cargo, like a periscope. “But there are others. Silph Co. Mauville Electromotive. Kogane & Kogane.”

“All subsidiaries of Stone's Devon Corporation,” Lorelei said. Falkner nodded. “Any sign of Morty?”

“No,” said Falkner, who found it easiest sharing Xatu's vision when he let his eyes roll into the back of his head.

“He'll be here,” Lorelei said.

“I don't know why Michael let him back in the fold,” Falkner said.

“Mr Mitchelson trusts him, and he was doing this job before you,” Lorelei said sternly. “He seems destroyed by what happened to Jasmine. But he's on our side, and his powers -”

“- his Pokemon's powers -”

“Are very useful,” Lorelei said, ignoring the interruption. “He's created an army of ghost Pokemon, he can teleport, phase through surfaces... he's useful for espionage.”

At that point, she could see a van driving past a security gate, towards the loading bay area. Instantly her eyes flickered to the crane, where a man was dutifully sitting in the control box. Across to the ship, she saw a cluster of five men arranged around the drop-off point. Another ten or twelve men were patrolling the area, armed, she noticed, with rifles.

“It's time,” she said softly.

The van turned swiftly and screeched to a stop across the courtyard of the dock. The driver turned the engine off as an armed man walked around the side to open up the back.

Falkner got back up, standing in front of Xatu and watching with Lorelei. They could hear voices, but were not close enough to decipher what was being said.

“Can you see him?” Lorelei asked.

“No.”

As the man lifted the back of the van up, the shutters rattled noisily across the quiet, still dock. He peered into the gloomy interior, withdrawing a flashlight and shining it into the gloom.

A pair of big, red eyes suddenly stared back, and as soon as they burst into life, a jet of light hit the man square in the chest soundlessly. He stumbled back and appeared to fall, but a thin, messy-haired boy materialised out of thin air and caught him before he made a noise.

“Morty,” Lorelei whispered.

Gengar slowly floated out of the back of the van to join his trainer; he held his hand over the guard's face for a second, before Morty looked over to where Lorelei and Falkner were hiding.

Sensing a disquiet, the driver of the van got out the vehicle and started shouting to the man on the ground, so Morty and Gengar turned and fired a jet of light into the driver's chest. He fell in slow-motion, silently.

“Let's go,” Lorelei said to Falkner.

She leapt out from her hiding spot, her Slowbro at her side, while Falkner's Xatu teleported into the sky. None of the men around the dock seemed to have noticed them yet; the van shielded the men who had fallen but it wouldn't be long before they were spotted.

“Everything OK?” Lorelei asked, as she ran to Morty's side.

“They're shipping the Pokemon out the country by hiding the Pokeballs among empty ones that are part of Silph Co orders,” Morty explained. With only the milky light of the moon shining down on the dark dock, Morty's face looked particularly sunken and gaunt.

“How do they identify which ones contain Pokemon?” Falkner asked.

“They have a UV torch; Pokeballs containing a stolen Pokemon are affixed with a sticker that lights up under the UV light,” he explained.

“You did an amazing job,” Lorelei said. “We're under instructions to let the transportation go ahead, we don't have the man power to intervene an operation this size, so -”

“No, no, we need to recover these,” Morty said.

“We can't!” Lorelei said. “These man have guns. We're in the middle of the dock. Morty, log the destinations of the shipments and we can get out of here.”

Morty shook his head.

“You're under orders,” she reminded him.

Above, the crane let off a long, low groan as it swung another pallet into the ship. Lorelei felt flustered, though she had anticipated Morty acting out.

“We need to get out of here,” Falkner said. “That's the last pallet, they're going to want to unload these in a moment.”

Lorelei ran up to the van and hoisted herself up into the back, lighting up the inside with the man's torch. There were thick, steel barrels stamped with labels and barcodes, and without time to write them down, she simply got her phone out and began taking photos of each one.

There was a muffled yell and a bang; she froze, hunched over a barrel, turning to see what was happening outside.

Suddenly she heard gunfire; Falkner and Morty split and ran from her view as bullets rained down on them from above. The man in the crane.

Falkner pressed his back against the van and scanned the skies. He saw a ma standing on a large rig high in the sky, taking aim with a gun, and pressed his finger to his temple.

On cue, Xatu, who was cloaked in the sky, teleported right behind the man and slammed her right wing into his back. The man lost his footing and fell, screaming as fell hundreds of feet to the concrete.

Falkner saw the man's skull rupture and blood flood the courtyard.

“Lorelei we need to get out of here,” he called.

He turned to see a man on the ramp leading up to the cargo ship. He took aim at Morty, but Falkner couldn't even find the time to scream a warning at his friend as the man fired one, two, three bullets.

As they hit Morty's chest, however, the boy burst into a puff of smoke. The shooter watched, confused. Then, with a shriek, Gengar materialised behind the man, raking his long claws into his back. The bloodied man fell from the edge of the ship into the dark, murky water of the bay.

“Morty!” Falkner said, running from his position behind the van. The men on board the ship had seen the commotion and were running towards the ramp leading down to the courtyard, ready to strike the three of them.

The ghost trainer was now running along the deck of the ship; they were under strict orders not to interfere but at least two men were now dead. Falkner looked back to Lorelei, who was hiding in the back of the van, and Morty, running towards a storm of bullets, and let out a heavy sigh.

He saw a guard run towards the van, only to be knocked out by an ice beam from Lorelei's Slowbro. With the coast cleared, he ran back to his co-worker.

“Morty's attacking the guards,” he said, as she leapt out the back and examined the area.

“Just cover for me,” Lorelei snapped. “We need to get out of here soon, and the more commotion we cause, the more people Stone will send to kill us.”

“I knew he'd do this,” Falkner muttered.

“Don't be smug,” Lorelei said. “Get Xatu to scan the courtyard.”

“The ship is full of men,” Falkner said, rolling his eyes into the back of his head and seeing what his psychic bird could. “Maybe twenty. Everyone else is unconscious.”

“We need to restrain Morty,” Lorelei said. “This delivery is supposed to go ahead, if we kill everyone on board then this ship is going to stay in the dock and that's not good news.”

She let off a heavy sigh.

“The courtyard is full of unconscious men,” she said. “I'm going to use Jynx's powder snow on the area, lower their body temperature and keep them lulled for the next few hours. You need to go ahead and stop Morty from fucking this up.”

“How?” Falkner asked.

“You have Xatu, you can teleport,” she said. “Go up to the crane and use that vantage point to see where he's going, then intercept. It's a huge ship, and I don't know what he's planning on doing.”

Falkner left Lorelei, summoning his Xatu. The bird wrapped her wings around Falkner's torso and teloprted him with a pop; he re-appeared on a long steel walkway leading up to the crane's cabin, where Xatu had just killed someone by plucking him out and dropping him.

He could see Jynx casting thick handfuls of ice on the men scattered around, and ordered Xatu to use his abilities to try and find Morty on the ship below.

“He was running along the east side of the deck,” Falkner murmured, as his Pokemon let him into its exceptional field of vision. He zoomed in, sweeping around the deck. There were five or six bodies seeping blood from excessive, gruesome wounds. Why was Morty slaughtering these people? It made Falkner feel ill.

“Wait,” Falkner said suddenly. “There!”

There was a huge multi-storey cabin at the back of the ship, with tiny porthole windows for each room. The captain's cabin must be there, and the people tasked with delivering the cargo. Morty was creeping along on the deck below,, weaving among aisles of stacked shipment containers. He would disappear for a moment, before re-emerging, inching around the side. Was that his goal? To kill the captain?

Lorelei, Falkner said, as Xatu transferred his thoughts. I think he's going to kill the captain.

Moments later, he felt Lorelei's thoughts.

Stop him.

With a jolt, Xatu brought him out of his shared vision. Falkner felt a chill whisk around his body; he looked around the still crane and realised for the first time just how high up he was. Suddenly, there was a sound of metal on metal; a spark as a bullet ricocheted off the crane frame, and Falkner saw it; a man making the long descent up the ladder to where he was standing.

Quickly, Falkner looked down below, where Lorelei was working. This man had eluded her, or her him, and as he clambered up the ladder he held his rifle out, firing off another barrage of shots.

“Xatu, get out of here,” Falkner said. “I need you later. Teleport away, NOW!”

Xatu disappeared with a pop. Falkner pulled a Pokeball from his belt and threw it forward. In a burst of brilliant silver light, his Skarmory emerged on the long steel walkway, letting off a screech. Falkner crouched behind his Pokemon's huge metal wings as the foe continued his gunfire, climbing higher and higher.

As another gust swirled around them, Falkner felt uneasy on his feet. Skarmory let off a sharp scream, like two blades screaming against each other, and the man on the ladder seemed distracted momentarily. He paused his ascent, swaying, screwing his eyes shut.

“Air slash!”

Nodding, Skarmory charged energy up in his left wing and threw it down at the enemy; the thick shimmering blade missed the target by several feet, but as it struck the steel structure it let off a loud, shrill clang.

The man was nearing the top of the structure, and as Falkner tried fending him off, the man threw a Pokeball high into the air. It burst open and a large, flying reptile began to form in the night, brilliantly orange with cold, piercing eyes. Charizard flapped its wings and let off a draconian roar, fire burning on the end of its long tail.

“FLAMETHROWER!”

Falkner and Skarmory were sitting ducks. Charizard, flying high above his trainer as he climbed higher and higher, let off a thick jet of fire that shot through the air with a whoosh. Skarmory stayed rooted on the spot, for flying out the way meant Falkner would be torched. As Skarmory was engulfed in fire he let off a scream and Falkner, terrified, backed away down the walkway towards the crane cabin.

Skarmory flapped his wings, trying to bat off the fire, but Charizard's heat was too much. Falkner could even see the huge beams of steal start to warp under the intensity of the creature's natural fire. Was that the man's strategy? Melt the entire structure and hurl Falkner to his doom?

He needed to get off here.

“Swift!”

A stream of sharp stars flew through the air, tearing at Charizard like a persistent swarm of insects. Each slash and cut did very little, but the onslaught was distracting enough, letting Falkner recall his weary Skarmory, whose skin was beginning to blister and burst.

Before he could select another Pokemon, however, Stone's agent finished his ascent, and began reloading his rifle with a fresh round. Panicked, Falkner ran to the crane cabin, where a pistol lay on the cushion. He didn't have long. Charizard's leathery wings were beating as the fire Pokemon waited for an instruction, his long, flaming tail dangling below him. The long, steel beam connecting the ladder to the cabin was sizzling and bubbling under the heat from the flamethrower. Falkner worried it might give way.

He grabbed the gun and cocked it, reminding himself this was a necessary thing to do. He span around and took aim, squeezing the trigger and firing three shots as quickly as he could. There were three clangs; he missed.

Suddenly there was a loud rupture as the agent let off a barrage of shots. Bullets flew across the walkway as Falkner ducked in the cabin. Bullets rattled against the metal beams, shattered panes of glass and even tore into the seat cushion set into the crane.

Falkner was crouching behind the seat. He needed to shoot to kill, both the man and his ferocious Pokemon. He needed to get down and stop Morty.

Once the man's assault ran out, Falkner swept up from behind the chair, aiming higher than before and firing shots at Charizard.

There was a shred and a yell; he'd hit Charizard's wing. The creature flapped, lopsidedly, and flew back down to the walkway as blood poured out and began raining down on the courtyard below. This had distracted the agent; he lowered his rifle as Charizard landed in front of him.

“FLAMETHROWER!”

Falkner ducked again as a huge jet of fire rushed past him. The chair he was using for cover caught fire; the control panel on the crane sparked and smoked as the electrics burnt out. Peering up, Falkner saw Charizard clutch his wing, folding it in slightly.

This was his chance.

He got up again and, with the Pokemon more stationary than it was in the air, he fired off three more shots into Charizard's belly. The Pokemon screamed; he threw his neck up and belched a huge jet of fire into the sky, spinning his neck, shooting jets of flame all over.

Falkner aimed one more shot and hit the man in the leg, causing him to twist on the spot, scream, and fall from the beam. There was an ache in his chest; Falkner had killed the man. But it was self-defence, he told himself, as fire burned around him. Life or death.

Charizard used his remaining strength to flap back into the air and belch more fire down at Falkner; his accuracy was impaired, and he seemed drowsy, but the intensity of his fire was causing damage to the thick steel structure. It was warping, melting and starting to distort.

“XATU!” Falkner screamed, climbing out the crane's cabin. He stood on the edge, looking out across the courtyard. Lorelei was nowhere to be seen, and without his Pokemon's help, he couldn't see what was going on inside the ship. But he needed his Pokemon.

“I'M GOING TO JUMP!” he yelled, hoping his Pokemon could hear. “ON THREE...”

He felt heat crackle behind him as Charizard continued his rampage. He counted one, thinking as forcefully as he could so his Pokemon could pick up his thoughts. He counted two, looking at the sheer drop beneath him. He counted three and took a deep breath.

He jumped.

“XATU!” he screamed, as he fell through the sky. It was happening too fast, his Pokemon wasn't there. He wasn't listening.

But then he felt it. A warm, airy gust; those familiar wings, tucked under his arms; Falkner was hoisted through the air as Xatu re-appeared, gently lowering his trainer to the ground. As Falkner's feet felt solid ground, he saw Charizard collapse into the crane, the flames so violent they were turning a brilliant gold.

“Lorelei!” Falkner shouted. She wasn't here.

Xatu pointed to the ship, and took to the sky as Falkner ran up the big gangplank. Lorelei must have gone after Morty.

The dockyard was quiet; Falkner got onto the main deck and looked both left and right. There were dead bodies littered along the left, and he knew that's where Morty had gone previously. He'd head to the captain's cabin, that's where he'd find him.

Falkner cast his gaze across the docks from his position on the boat. It was quicker to get to the cabin by running along the perimeter of the boat, but he was also open to fire from any agents that might be lingering on the dock.

No, the wiser choice was to weave through the huge storage crates housing all sorts of cargo. There were eight to ten high, casting the maze-like deck of the ship into shadow. Falkner cocked his gun and nipped down a gap between two crates.

This mission had been nothing short of a massacre, he thought; the men in the courtyard may have been spared by Lorelei's freezing technique, but Morty was bloodthirsty. It was obvious now that he wasn't planning on playing by the rules; that the death of Jasmine had driven him to commit atrocities in the name of revenge.

How could it have happened? Why hadn't they anticipated this? Falkner hated to be right, but as he paced along the deck, occasionally nipping left or turning right and continuing on, he felt stupid for trusting Morty.

Suddenly he heard a voice.

“Any sign of the guy from the crane?”

“None.”

“Send someone to destroy the van. It's the only place he can hide between here and there.”

Guards. Falkner didn't want to hurt anyone, but it sounded like there were at least two of them. Xatu placed a wing on his shoulder.

Take me to the cabin.

With a pop, he was whisked away, and re-appeared at the back of the ship. He could see the large, tiered cabin that formed the captain's office and some of the sleeping quarters, and approached a thick steel door just ahead.

It was wrenched open; Falkner saw flecks of frozen steel and figured Lorelei must have frozen the door to break through. He slipped inside and looked around. This stairwell climbed up several floors, with doors going off left and right.

The captain's cabin, where the ship was controlled, was at the very top, so Falkner ascended as quietly as he could. All the doors were shut, and firmly, too, but tellingly there was no blood on these steps. It seemed like there had been no struggle.

“F-F-Falkn!”

Falkner heard his name; a terrified voice. He looked left, where there was a door slightly ajar, and walked slowly towards it.

“Who's there?” he snapped.

He pushed the door open, shedding a sliver of light into the dark room. Someone was sitting in the corner. A woman.

“Lorelei?”

Falkner felt for a light but she let off a shrill gasp.

“No! They can sense light.”

“Who?”

He walked towards Lorelei, who was shaking.

“Lorelei, what happened?”

“I-I came here to pursue Morty,” she said, her voice cracking. “But his Gengar. They're patrolling the area. They're like guard dogs.”

Falkner knelt down and tried to get a good luck at Lorelei, but it was so dark that it was hard to see her.

“They can sense you. They attacked me.”

Falkner held her arm and held it to the light spilling in from the corridor. There were deep, blue gashes across her forearms from Gengar's claws, while Lorelei's neck and face was mottled with periwinkle-blue burns.

“But we're on his side,” Falkner said to her gently. “Aren't we?”

“I don't know what he's doing,” Lorelei replied. “But his Gengar are in the hundreds. They travel through shadow, they multiply, they can merge, they're like a huge sentient cloud. And they're powerful.”

“Can we trust him?”

“He's not our enemy,” Lorelei said. “But he isn't on our side, either, I don't think.”

“What is he doing?” Falkner asked.

“One of Steven Stone's senior men is up there,” Lorelei said. “I think Morty is torturing him.”

“Fucking hell,” Falkner said. “I'm going after him.”

“Take this,” she said, withdrawing a Pokeball.

“What is it?” he asked.

“A Pokemon I took from Michael's armoury,” Lorelei said. “I didn't trust this Gengar thing, so I brought something that's designed to combat them. It's a ghost-killer.”

Falkner took it from her and nodded.

“Good luck.”

Falkner left Lorelei, closing the door behind him and looking at the staircase leading to the captain's cabin. He went up the steps, wondering what to expect. Would Gengar just pop up and attack him? What attacks hurt Lorelei so much? He'd never seen her look so defeated before.

He reached the top of the stairs, and approached the steel door. If his rough schematic was right, this would lead into the cabin, but as he wrenched it open and burst through, Falkner found another corridor with an identical door at the end.

Strange. Falkner wondered if a side effect of Xatu's abilities were that his own perception of the ship was becoming damaged, but he persevered to the end of the room, certain he'd find Morty. His feet echoed off the steel floor and he clutched the Pokeball in his hand, wondering what this ghost killer actually was.

Arriving at the door, he wrenched it open and burst through, only to find himself facing the stairs leading back down to where Lorelei was hiding. He turned around. This wasn't right. How had he taken a wrong turn?

Darkness flooded through the long corridor and Falkner felt a cold chill rush up his spine. The shadows at his feet grew and started crawling up the walls. Like a window to a different dimension, they birthed long claws, thick, purple bodies and pairs of red eyes.

Falkner looked as three Gengar formed around him, but he'd never seen Gengar like these. They were distorted, almost scaly, their spiky fringes and long claws exaggerated. The red in their eyes was bright and vivid like the neon signs on Goldenrod's streets.

With a long scream, one Gengar fired off a bolt of jagged black energy. Falkner leapt out the way, pressing himself against the wall, but a pair of claws crept out from the wall, materialising just in time to grab him and hold him in place.

“GO!” Falkner said, dropping the Pokeball. He kicked it with his foot, sending it exploding into the middle of the room. Falkner was dismayed to find the creature was relatively small; jagged and purple, it had thick jewels for eyes, mismatched in colour, and crawled into the corner of the room, cackling.

It was a Sableye, and then Falkner understood. It resisted ghost attacks and most other types. He knew what they were capable of, and thanked himself for the hours he had spend studying the Pokemon in Michael's armoury.

“Sableye, feint attack!” Falkner shouted. The little imp launched himself through the air, melting into the atmosphere and striking one of the Gengars. Falkner wrenched himself free from the grip of another, ordering a shadow ball.

The attack fizzed and flew through the air, but the Gengar all phased through the walls and disappeared. Even if he could have escaped them, Falkner knew these creatures were causing the distortion in the room, and he couldn't get to Morty without defeating them.

“Sableye, use mean look,” Falkner said. Sableye's jewel-like eyes sparkled and projected a beam of light across the room. Suddenly, each wall flickered with a crackling dark energy; a forcefield forcing the Gengar to remain in the room.

“Now, foresight!” he said. Nodding, Sableye grunted and the light from his eyes grew strong, sharp and bright as colour flooded the room. Falkner could see the Gengar shrivelling their faces up as they lost the ability to phase within and around the room.

Sableye pounced to the side and threw a crackling ball of shadow at the Gengar. One took the hit; he screamed out loud and, with a long finger, fired a jagged bolt of electricity towards them both. Falkner knew he had to even things out, so grabbed a Pokeball from his belt and threw it forward.

Taking shape was one of his newer Pokemon, a jet black crow with a long yellow beak. Honchkrow was initially a Murkrow under Michael's care, and Mr Mitchelson had suggested Falkner work to develop its strength. Now, it was a broad-chested muscular bird with an array of dark moves at its disposal.

“Honchkrow, wing attack!”

Falkner knew that Gengar had no muscles, and when rendered solid they were quite easy to take down. He hoped to use his bird Pokemon's natural physical strength to get the edge. Honchkrow flapped up and swept along the narrow corridor, smacking two Gengar with his large wings.

He then pulled back, flapping up a powerful gust that caused the light Gengar to blow towards the door. Sableye unleashed another shadow ball and struck one Gengar, knocking it out. Another, fighting against the strong wind pinning him to the wall, ignited his fist into fire, but it was dissipated by the power behind Honchkrow's flaps.

The wind stopped, and both the remaining Gengar held their hands out, forming thick, crackling shadow balls. Honchkrow flapped in front of Falkner and held his wings out, shielding his trainer. The crow had a surprising amount of loyalty.

The Gengar unleashed their attacks, but as they sped through the air, Falkner remained calm.

“Mirror move.”

A twinkle in Honchkrow's eye; then, a shimmering filled the space between the Pokemon. The shadow balls dissapeared before being re-launched through the air at the Gengar, smashing into them and letting off a big, loud bang. Dark smoke curled around the defeated ghosts as Falkner held out an arm; Sableye scuttled up and sat on his shoulder, and he ran towards the door.

He wrenched it open and knew instantly he was in the right place; he could see windows in this cabin looking out over the winding alleys of cargo crates. Falkner stepped in to the room and gasped as he saw Morty, sitting in a chair calmly, and a boy with red hair levitating in front of him.

“Morty!” he said, and as he examined the boy, he realised who it was. This was Silver, one of the men who attacked Falkner and Chuck in their hotel room, back when they were trying to find out who EysNeRS was.

“Falkner!” Morty said, smiling. “You made it.”

“What are you doing!” Falkner said. “Lorelei said -”

“I heard she got caught up in my Gengar,” Morty said. “It's okay.”

“She's really hurt,”

“It's okay, Falkner, I'll deal with it,” Morty said, sterner. “This is -”

“I know who he is,” Falkner said. “Silver.”

Silver was staring at them, arms hanging limp at his side. He, like Morty, looked drawn, gaunt and tired.

“Well my intel was wrong,” Morty said airily. “I thought Volkner was going to be running this operation, and since he was responsible for killing Jasmine, I wanted to meet him and get a few things off my chest.

“Silver tells me, though, that he was assigned to this job after botching an assignment in East Johto. Apparently they were part of a team tasked with capturing the legendary creature Raikou, but thanks to Silver's trigger happy habits, the rare, exotic animal is dead. Silver, let's show Falkner what Stone did to you.”

He clicked, and a telekinetic force raised Silver's hand. Falkner looked around, quickly, assuming a Gengar was doing this. It wasn't visible, choosing to reside in the shadows.

Silver's left hand had the end joints missing off each finger; his hand looked stubby, raw, unsettling with no fingernails. Falkner remembered that Jack Surge had been beaten badly for ruining a mission; he had lost the tips of his fingers, but he hadn't had this much taken off.

“Poor Silver,” Morty said. “You really fucked up, didn't you?”

Silver said nothing. He just stared at Morty in shock, his jaw slack.

“I've been asking Silver a few questions,” Morty explained, “And he's been answering them, haven't you? I wondered why he was called Silver. It's a nickname, obviously. He's an orphan who grew up on the streets. His real name is Sam.

“He told me all about how he was recruited into working for the Lucky Karp Casino after a botched robbery attempt and slowly became groomed into the company Stone runs. How he rose up the ranks thanks to a mixture of betrayal, ambitiousness and greed. How he assimilated his contacts and recruited other young boys to carry out the stickier parts of the job, leaving Stone's inner circle innocent.

“He also told me what they're doing next,” Morty said, turning and looking at Falkner. “They're going for the Grand Festival.”

“That's next week,” Falkner said.

“Yup. Stone's on his way there now with Volkner and a few good men. They have Porygon-Z with them, they're going to be organising the biggest heist yet, stealing hundreds of Pokemon to sell on the black market.”

“We need to stop them, then,” Falkner said. “Morty, we've done enough damage, let's go.”

“Not yet,” he snapped. “Silver also told me where I can find Jack Surge, another man involved in Jasmine's death. He's staying at their HQ to coordinate the assault. He's in Goldenod right now.

“Silver, tell me again where I can find Jack.”

“They're based underneath the Department Store,” Silver said quietly, his voice a fragile crack. “There's a utility elevator you can talk from the back entrance to the store on Cavendish St. It only goes down. There's also a passage leading to the casino, but it will be too well protected.”

As he finished his sentence, his head lolled down, strength sapped from him. Morty nodded.

“You've been very helpful,” Morty said, standing up. Falkner made a move to intervene, but, looking down, he realised his gun was no longer in his grasp. It had been taken without him even noticing.

He looked up and saw Silver's limp hand holding his gun. Morty stared at him. Silver didn't even seem to know he was holding something.

“Are you going to kill me now?” Silver said.

“No,” Morty replied, clicking his finger. Silver's arm began to slowly rise up, turning, angling the gun towards himself. Silver's jaw loosened and the barrel slid up, pressing to the roof of his mouth.

A force lowered Silver until his feet touched the ground; he swayed momentarily, as if a string was coming from his head, rooting him to the ceiling.

“You're going to do it yourself.”

BANG.

Silver slumped to the ground, blood and fragments of skull smashed into the wall and Morty flinched for a fraction of a second. Falkner felt himself scream as blood from Silver's head trickled across the cabin.

“You – you!”

“He,” Morty corrected him. “He did that to himself.”

And then he let off a wink.

“We need to go, now.”

“You've fucked this up, we weren't supposed to be detected!” Falkner cried, as Morty paced out the room towards the stairs.

“The police will come here,” Morty said. “I summoned them earlier. I've left clues that will help them identity the Pokeballs with stolen Pokemon inside. They'll be returned to their owners soon.”

“That's not –”

“That IS the point of all this,” Morty snapped, turning and staring Falkner down. “We're fighting a war, here, and I won't be happy until we've killed every last one of the people responsible for ruining my life.”

“Silver wasn't even involved in Jasmine's death!” Falkner cried.

“He wasn't there,” Morty said coldly. “But he was involved.”

A thick, dark shadow curled at his fingers, and another Gengar emerged.

“Get Lorelei and make sure she's safe,” Morty said. “We'll take the van back to Michael's. I'll see you outside.”

With a pop, he was gone. Heart hammering, hands shaking, Falkner tried to process exactly what had happened. Morty was right; there was a war coming. All Falkner knew was there were now more than two sides.