The wind wandered through my hair as I slowly rolled Pokéballs between my fingers, watching the city crawl closer from the back of the jeep. The hum of the engine was soft, steady, almost soothing beneath us.
"Do you have a plan for the Gym?" Khan asked, lying across from me with his hands folded behind his head, blue eyes fixed on mine.
I glanced at him, then down at the Pokéballs in my hand. "I'm torn between stalling or going all in," I said quietly. "Depends on what Pokémon Wild has."
Khan nodded and shifted slightly on the flatbed, the metal creaking beneath him. "We still need to talk to Wild about staying on as a Gym Leader… Do you know what to say?"
"Not really," I murmured, lying back beside him. I pulled my hat down over my face to shield my eyes from the sun filtering through the buildings. The jeep rolled deeper into the city, its tires grumbling over uneven pavement.
"I don't either," Khan admitted with a long sigh. "We've gotta help him deal with his… trauma, I guess. And somehow convince him to stay as a Gym Leader."
Lifting the brim of my hat just enough to let the light sting my eyes, I squinted at the sky. "We're not psychologists," I said. "But we said Surge we'd help. So we kind of have to figure it out."
Khan sat up, scanning the streets around us as the jeep slowed in front of a Pokécenter. "Yeah," he muttered. "No turning back now."
I sat up too and adjusted my hat back onto my head just as the jeep came to a stop with a soft jolt. Amaris hopped down from the front seat and slapped the steel frame with a metallic thud.
"Hey guys!" she called out, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder. "We're taking a short break so that you two can heal up your teams before we head to the Gym."
Khan and I exchanged a quick glance, then jumped down from the flatbed in one smooth motion.
I looked up at the tall building looming above us, its clean red-and-white facade unmistakable. A large Poké Ball symbol was carved into the upper wall, gleaming faintly in the sun. Next to it stood a smaller PokéMart, painted in contrasting shades of blue but still bearing the same iconic symbol above its doors.
I stepped inside the PokéCenter with Khan beside me. "Welcome to the PokéCenter! How can we help you two today?" came a bright voice from behind the front desk.
A Nurse Joy stood waiting with her usual warm smile, pink hair coiled neatly beneath her nurse's cap, and dressed in a pale pink uniform and white apron.
Without a word, I reached for my belt and unclipped Aria's and Oddy's Poké Balls, while Khan slipped a hand into the inner pocket of his jacket, pulling out the Poké Balls for Gligar and Electabuzz.
"Nurse Joy, could you please take a look at our teams?" I asked politely, offering her the Poké Balls in both hands.
"Of course," she said with a gentle nod. Bending briefly, she brought up a small gray tray with six slots and held it out to us. "Just place them here."
One by one, I placed my Pokémon onto the tray, Khan following my lead. But before she could walk off, I reached once more for my belt and unclipped a final Poké Ball—the one holding Dash.
"Miss Joy," I began, hesitating a little as I extended it toward her, "do you have a way to tell when an egg will hatch?"
She took the ball from my hand, turning it over gently in her palm, then gave it a soft squeeze. Her eyes flicked up to mine.
"Yes, we do. And if you'd like, we also have a device that can help speed up the hatching process," she offered.
"Yes, please!" I said, a grin tugging at my lips. I rested my hands on the desk, barely able to contain my curiosity over what kind of Pokémon Dash is.
"Alright then!" she said brightly. "Your Pokémon will be fully healed shortly, and your egg should be ready to hatch in about an hour."
With that, she carefully placed Dash's Poké Ball into the tray with the others, gave us one last reassuring nod, and turned on her heel, vanishing into the back rooms with practiced speed.
I stayed standing there a moment longer, eyes fixed on the tray until it disappeared through the swinging doors.
"We should probably come back for the egg later," Khan said, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. "You know, since the Gym Challenge starts in an hour…"
I glanced at him and nodded. "Yeah, that's the logical choice." I let out a breath and started counting on my fingers. "Anyway, I need to check the Mart. I'm low on just about everything—items, gear, food, you name it."
"Alright then. You go handle all that. I will be here until Nurse Joy heals the team," Khan said, already moving toward the lounge area. He dropped into one of the seats with a sigh, then spotted a comic on the table beside him. With a lazy stretch, he reached over, grabbed it, and started flipping through the pages.
I gave him one last look, then turned and stepped outside. Amaris, Rotom, and Rhea were gathered near the car, talking quietly. As I walked toward them, Rotom perked up and buzzed over to me.
[What happened, Alex Carter? Are Mr. Oddy and Miss Aria already healed?] it asked, crackling slightly with static.
"Not yet. Nurse Joy said they'll be done soon, so I figured I'd stock up on items while I have the time," I replied, giving a wave to Amaris and Rhea before continuing toward the PokéMart with Rotom hovering at my side.
The automatic doors whooshed open, and a blast of chilled air greeted me. I shivered slightly as I stepped inside. The Mart was lined with neatly organized shelves, stacked high with Poké Balls, Potions, Paralyze Heals, berries of every color, and all kinds of gear.
"Is there anything you want?" I asked, glancing at Rotom as we entered.
[I would love to have something I can possess!!] it chirped, sparking with excitement as it zipped past a row of display monitors.
I grabbed a cart and started making my way down the aisles, loading it with anything that looked useful from status healers to trail food.
"Hey, can you check where the camping gear is? You remember what happened to the last one…"
[Right away!] Rotom said, rising higher into the air to scan the signs. After a few seconds, it zipped back down. [Two shelves to the right!]
We turned the corner and found a wide section filled with colorful tents, folding chairs, coolers, sleeping bags, and rolled-up mattresses.
"Alright," I muttered, grabbing a few essentials. "I need a sleeping bag, one camp lantern… a lighter… thermos for water… and one high-quality tent."
I loaded each item into the cart while Rotom zipped between the displays, occasionally diving into objects and popping back out with a burst of static.
[Hey, Alex Carter! Can you buy that fan? It looks cool!] it said, hovering beside a sleek little battery-powered fan spinning gently on display.
I leaned on the cart and gave it a skeptical look. "Why do you even want to possess things? Don't you already have the Pokédex?"
Rotom let out a mischievous electronic cackle. [Hehehe! I'm possessing other things because I'm making a collection!] it declared proudly, the light on its screen blinking like a smug grin.
I looked up at Rotom, brow furrowed in confusion. "Collection?" I echoed, tossing a questioning glance his way as I continued loading supplies into the cart.
[Yes! Just like a Pokédex!] Rotom crackled, floating above the cart with excitement. [But mine will be called Ghostdex of the Rotom! Inspired by none other than Professor Oak himself!]
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "So even you've got a dream," I muttered as we approached the cashier.
I began unloading the contents of the cart onto the counter while the clerk, a young man with half-lidded eyes and a sleepy demeanor, scanned each item one by one.
"Hmm… twenty Super Potions… five Revives… five Poké Balls… five Paralyze Heals… five Burn Heals… five Antidotes… multiple sandwiches… one camp lantern… sleeping bag… lighter… thermos… multiple Berries…" he recited as he worked, dropping the items into a shopping bags. "Alright. Total comes to 42,000 Pokédollars."
"Could you maybe… offer a discount for a pitiful trainer like me?" I said dramatically, pressing a hand to my forehead and slowly sinking to my knees in mock despair.
The cashier blinked down at me, unimpressed. After a sigh, he leaned slightly forward over the counter. "You're a trainer, right? How many badges you got?"
I stood up straight again, brushing imaginary dust from my pants, then turned to Rotom. Without hesitation, it flickered and opened a part of the Pokédex, revealing two gym badges displayed proudly—Pewter and Cerulean.
The clerk squinted at them, gave a nod, then tapped at his register.
"Alright, two badges gives you a ten percent discount—five percent for each badge. That brings your total down to 37,800 Pokédollars."
I gave him a respectful nod and a relieved smile. "Thank you, kind sir," I said, bowing slightly.
Rotom beeped affirmatively and hovered forward, paying for the purchase with a flash of digital transfer. With my arms now full of heavy bags, we stepped out of the PokéMart and into the sunlight.
Just outside the Center, I spotted Khan leaning against the side of the jeep, arms crossed. When he saw me, he pushed off the frame with a grin.
"Everything's set. We're ready for the Gym," he confidently said . At his side, Aria and Oddy emerged from their Poké Balls.
Aria's violet body shimmered in the sunlight, the blade-like horn on her head casting a sharp shadow over her scarlet eyes. She met my gaze with a cool, focused smile. Beside her, Oddy swayed slightly, the dark leaves on his head rustling as the mouths along his top opened and closed in rhythmic, silent chomps.
I tossed the shopping bags into the back of the jeep and crouched down to meet them at eye level. Aria's scarlet red eyes stared into mine, calm and steady. Oddy's black eyes twitched with anticipation.
"Let's go beat this Gym," I said with a smirk.
Their responses came in soft, determined cries—Aria's was sharp and musical, Oddy's low and raspy.
I stood and took their Poké Balls from Khan, pinning them securely to my belt.
"What about Dash?" I asked, glancing back toward the Center.
"Nurse Joy said we can pick it up in about an hour," Khan replied, already stretching his arms. "So don't worry about it—let's go win this Gym battle."
He held out his hand, palm up. I gave him a quick nod and smacked my hand into his.
"Yeah," I said. "Let's do this shit."
"Will you two get in the car already?!" Amaris shouted from the passenger seat, her black hair barely visible over the edge of the open window.
With a laugh, Khan and I jumped into the back of the jeep. Aria and Oddy climbing up after us while the car started and moved towards the Port of the Vermillion City....
The closer we got to the port, the stronger the smell of the sea became thick and sharp, laced with the scent of salt and damp metal. It was the kind of air that told you the ocean was nearby, even if you had your eyes closed.
Khan and I stood on the bed of the jeep, letting the wind tangle our hair as we tried to get a better view of what lay ahead. The street in front of us was already swarming with people. Some had Magnemite floating quietly beside them, their metallic bodies humming with static. Others walked with small Pichu perched on their heads or shoulders, wide-eyed and alert.
Rhea pulled the jeep into a quieter alley just off the main road, easing it to a stop. She and Amaris were the first to step out, stretching from the ride. Khan and I followed, jumping down from the back with soft thuds. Behind us, Aria floated gracefully to the ground, while Oddy waddled forward, his leafy head tilting with curiosity as he took in the scene.
"So," Khan said, brushing dust off his jacket, "where do we sign up for the Gym challenge?"
Rhea, busy fastening the buttons of her blouse, looked up and pointed toward a line of trainers forming near the entrance to a wide building. Her red hair caught in the sunlight as she flipped it over her shoulder. "There, I think. That line over there."
I glanced at Rotom, who hovered beside me like a drone. "What time is it?"
[It's 05:52, Alex Carter! Eight minutes left until the Gym Challenge begins!]
Rotom answered cheerfully, his screen blinking as he hovered between us.
"Alright, so I guess we'll see you guys in the crowd?" Khan asked, turning to Amaris and Rhea.
They shared a look and nodded.
"Yeah, we'll be out there cheering you both on," Amaris said with a slight smile, already looking toward the growing crowd near the stadium gates.
"Good luck to both of you!" Rhea added, her voice lighter. She glanced at Rotom. "Are you coming with us, or staying with them?"
[Hmm…] Rotom buzzed, turning slowly to face me.
"You can't battle with me anyway," I said, meeting his gaze. "Might as well go with them."
[Then I guess I'll go with you two!] Rotom said, spinning once before zipping after the girls as they made their way toward the crowd.
"What do you mean he can't battle with you?" Khan asked, narrowing his eyes as we began walking toward the Gym entrance.
"Because Rotom's not actually mine," I explained, casually throwing an arm over his shoulder as I leaned into him a bit. "He belongs to Professor Cherry. From what it said it's mostly just here to keep me safe."
"Oh. That's kinda sad. He could've helped you in the Gym."
I raised a brow. "He's an Electric type. How exactly would that help agains't a Electric type Gym?"
"He can't get paralyzed," Khan said, holding up a finger. "And he can tank hits from other electric type attacks. Seriously, how the hell did you even become a trainer?"
I stopped mid-step, a vein twitching on my forehead as I slowly turned toward him, my expression blank.
Bitch, I am the world champion, I thought, but instead of saying it, I just sighed and kept walking while cursing inside my thoughs.