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“Squir-Squirtle!”
“Oshawott!”
“Squirtle!”
Zoey opened her eyes slowly, blinking to help them adjust to the hot sun baring down on her. Two partner Pokémon leaned over her. Two very familiar partner Pokémon.
She smiled.
“H-Hey, Squirtle, I’m alright buddy. Just slipped.”
The rumble of a familiar laugh had Zoey groaning and Mira’s head popped into view as well. “You took a water gun point blank in the face,” Mira said dryly,” That’s more than a simple slip.”
“Don’t remind me.” Zoey buried her head into her hands. “How am I meant to beat the dark type gym leader like this?”
Mira allowed a wry smile to appear on her face as she offered Zoey a hand and pulled her up to her feet. “Well, we can start with an easier gym leader for one. Eight gym leaders in the whole region and you want to go for the hardest one right now.”
“I’ve got three badges! I’m sure-”
“Zoey.” Mira’s hands rested on her shoulders. “You know I trust in your abilities but let’s be reasonable here. You want to waltz up to Kim Celine’s gym and…what exactly? Take her on with a Squirtle that hasn’t evolved yet?”
“Hey!” Zoey groaned,” Squirtle beat the first three gyms easily!”
“The first three gyms were literally bug, rock and fire. Two of them you had the type advantage and literally everyone can beat bug.”
Zoey rolled her eyes, arms reaching down to haul Squirtle up into while Mira’s Oshawott waddled at her side while the two friends stuck to the path leading into the next city. “Oh, ye of little faith,” Zoey cajoled,” You’ll see. Everything will go perfectly fine.”
For as long as Zoey could remember, she had loved the idea of being a Pokémon Master, of being the Pokémon Champion of her region. Her father had been a trainer and (up until he cheated and divorced her mom) Zoey had always looked up to him. Moving to a whole new region when she was eleven had been a blow, especially because it meant that she couldn’t get a partner Pokémon like all the other kids her age.
Mira had laughed when Zoey told her that, full on belly laughed with tears and everything. It was alien to Mira, the concept of children so young gaining partner Pokémon and just being let free onto the world. The new region Zoey and her mom came to live in, no one under the age of eighteen owned a Pokémon and even then, partners weren’t given out so easily like that.
It was only because of Mira’s work that Zoey even got the opportunity to choose one. Mira had been her only friend for years, living next door with an aloof smile and a secret heart of gold buried deep, deep down within her. Mira liked to say that, so far, Zoey was the only one to crack her open, something that Zoey never let her forget.
Mira worked for the Professor in town, Professor Honmoon who said it was their life’s mission to record and map every Pokémon in the region. Mira was the one tasked with this job, equipped with her newly coded Pokedex and a partner Pokémon in the form of the Oshawott she had been sent by her uncle as a birthday present.
Professor Honmoon had been gracious enough to allow Zoey to pick out her own partner from their personal collection after hearing about Zoey’s desire to tag along with Mira’s mission. But now she had her own Pokémon, and the mission had become somewhat split with Mira’s filling Pokedex and Zoey’s desire to become champion of her home.
Like Mira said, the first three gyms were easy. Rock types and fire types alike were a breeze with Zoey’s Squirtle by her side and no one who was a serious trainer ever lost to a team only of bug types.
The real challenge laid ahead, in whatever gym Zoey challenged next. But that next gym was still a long walk away and Zoey’s feet ached but she knew that if she complained then it would just set Mira off on another round of ‘and this is why you don’t wear new shoes while we’re travelling, Zoey! How many times do I have to tell you?’ which was never any fun for anyone.
“So, you think I should catch more Pokémon then?” Was what Zoey settled on instead even though her feet really were aching and these new shoes were for sure going to make a blister form tonight.
“Zoey, no one ever gets past all eight gym leaders with just one Pokémon. Yes, you’ll need more.”
“Well…what should I get?”
“I don’t know. A flying type? A grass type? I’m just a researcher.”
Zoey rolled her eyes. “You’re not just a researcher,” She said,” You’re my Mira too.”
A rare soft look crossed Mira’s face as she glanced over at Zoey and her soft smile. “And you’re my Zoey.” She slipped her hand into Zoey’s without asking and clasped it tightly. “But, no, seriously, you need more Pokémon or you’re going to be laughed out of that gym.”
“I’ll get more Pokémon! A flying type, I think. Something big and brave and will strike fear into my opponents!”
Inevitably, the Tailow that Zoey caught was small for its species. It looked a little sickly and had no sense of direction but Zoey deemed it perfect for the type of team she was creating and the Pokémon further proved its worth by not reacting in the slightest when Squirtle rubbed a head all over it.
“Tailow,” Came the robotic voice of Mira’s Pokedex,” The tiny swallow Pokémon. Tailow courageously stands its ground against foes, however strong they may be. This gutsy Pokémon will remain defiant even after a loss. On the other hand, it cries loudly if it becomes hungry.”
Mira poked Zoey’s newly acquired Tailow in the chest. It fell over sideways and laid on the ground. “Does it…Know that it’s alive?”
“He’s perfect,” Zoey said, raising Tailow’s pokeball,” Rest up, buddy! I need you to defeat Celine!”
The city Celine had built her gym was not quite what Zoey expected. She knew that she shouldn’t stereotype but most gyms were themed around their cities and this labyrinth of busy streets and excited laughter was not the kind of city that Zoey expected a dark type gym leader to set up shop in.
Maybe it was way more grungy and evil back in the day when Celine set up?
Yes, that must have been it.
“Alright!” Zoey cheered, momentarily forgetting the pain in her feet in favour of jumping up and down like a kid in a candy store. “Let’s do this! Celine, here we come!”
Mira just sighed fondly at her, shadowing her every step and keeping the tightest grip on her hand as possible. Occasionally, Zoey would glance back just to check Mira was still there despite the hand holding.
Mira was…special to Zoey in a way she couldn’t speak into words. Best friends but more even though there were no labels. No labels but hours spent lying in the same bed and sharing food and clothes and laughing together and moonlight walks just the two of them. Sot kisses shared like whispers on the wind.
There was no need to label what they had when they were on the same page like this.
There was no need to label something so special.
“Badges?”
“W-what?” Zoey’s mouth ran dry.
The bored man standing in the doorway of the gym just rolled his eyes. “Celine doesn’t take challengers who don’t have seven badges already,” He said,” Let me verify yours and I’ll let you come in.”
“What do you mean Celine won’t let her in if she doesn’t have all the other badges?” Demanded Mira and Oshawott at her side muttered an angry ‘osha-oshawott!’ under his breath to show his own outrage.
“Listen, lady,” The guard said,” I don’t make the rules. I just enforce them. Come back when you’re ready to play in the big leagues or don’t. I don’t really care.”
“You don’t care?” Mira ground out and Zoey grabbed her by the sleeve before she could lunge. “A bit like how I don’t care when my fist meets your-”
“What’s going on here?”
It wasn’t Mira’s threat that had the bodyguard freezing. It was that new voice. A voice from behind him, from inside the gym. Zoey peered around his frozen body to look.
It was a woman standing there. She was a little taller than Zoey was but not at all taller than Mira, a baseball cap on her head and a racing jacket that she had casually placed her hands into the pockets of. Black jeans melded to her legs perfectly and a silver chain connected one belt loop to another. A cropped white turtleneck clung to every curve of her upper body.
In short, she was stunning and Zoey hoped the gay panic wasn’t so evident on her face when she met these brown eyes of the woman. She hoped the gay panic wasn’t so evident when the woman smiled at her and Mira and Zoey could feel the tips of her ears going red.
A blur of dark grey, almost black, and red fur launched onto the man’s trouser legs, teeth clamped around the fabric and pulling.
“Zorua,” Came the drone of Mira’s Pokedex,” The tricky fox Pokémon. To protect themselves from danger, they hide their true identities by transforming into people and Pokémon.”
The woman regarded the man in front of her, eyes dragging up and down his body before she turned to Mira and Zoey. “Is he bothering you?”
“No,” Zoey said at the same time Mira spoke,” Definitely.”
The woman stepped out of the gym and Zoey nearly fainted from gayness when she saw the way her eyes sparked in the sunlight. “I’m so sorry about him. Can I make it up to you? You must have been travelling for so long. Come on, I’ll buy you both a meal. Zorua, come on. Let’s go.”
The girl’s name was Rumi, Zoey came to find out. Her name was Rumi and she paid for lunch without a single flinch even when Zoey’s Squirtle demanded only the high end, expensive stuff.
“So, you’re both challenging the gyms?”
“No,” Mira shook her head firmly,” I can’t think of anything worse. I’m working with Professor Honmoon to create a dex of all the Pokémon in the region. Zoey’s challenging the gyms.”
“Not your thing?”
“Definitely not.”
Rumi nodded along. “I can respect that.” She looked at Zoey. “But it’s your thing?”
Zoey’s face glowed red in embarrassment. “Yeah…I kind of assumed the system was the same as my old region so I didn’t realise some gyms had restrictions on who could enter.”
“That’s no problem. Do you want some help? Because, no offense, it looks like you could need it.”
“Oh! I wouldn’t want to bother you! It’s fine-”
“I’d recommend visiting Bobby’s gym first. He’s a normal type gym leader. He’s the next step difficulty wise after the first three gyms.”
“You…really want to help?”
“What do you get out of it?” Mira asked suspiciously.
“I’ve got a lot of free time,” Rumi replied,” And nothing to do with it. I’m happy to help.”
“One second!”
Zoey propped up the menu as she and Mira ducked their heads behind it.
“Well, Mir? What do you think? Should we let her come with?”
“She doesn’t seem…dangerous,” Mira admitted though the admission seemed to pain her a little,” She just seems…Lonely?”
“Yeah, I got that too.”
They both peaked above the menu. Rumi wasn’t looking at them but at the Zorua sitting on her lap, brushing through its fur softly with a smile.
“She looks like she knows her way around the gym system,” Mira continued,” We could really use her on your journey but it’s up to you.”
“I say, yes. Is that alright?”
“Perfectly alright.”
Zoey laid her menu back onto the table and stuck out her hand. “I’m Park Zoey and this is Kang Mira. I reckon if we’re going to journey together then we should at least introduce ourselves properly.”
Rumi’s hand was warm in her palm, rough where Zoey’s was soft. “Ryu Rumi, it’s great to meet you both.”
It seemed that Rumi knew more than Zoey and Mira gave her credit for. Mira knew about Pokémon in the academic sense but this was her first field mission. The more active parts of Pokémon catching she still hadn’t perfected yet but Rumi was there with a careful hand and a smile, guiding Mira on the correct throwing form or how to creep up on Pokémon when they weren’t looking.
“Electrike,” Mira’s Pokedex said,” The lightning Pokémon.”
Zoey clenched her fist as the Pokémon confronted her. This was bad. Her Squirtle was a water type and her Tailow was a flying type. The type matchup was not in her favour whatsoever.
“Electrike stores electricity in its long body hair. This Pokémon stimulates its leg muscles with electric charges. These jolts of power gives its legs explosive acceleration performance.”
“Tailow!!” Zoey called out,” Let’s do this!”
She bit at her lip. She knew it wouldn’t take much, just a well placed electric type move and Tailow would be down for the counter. She clenched her fist.
“Zoey!” Rumi yelled out from the side of the battle,” The quick balls I gave you!”
Zoey scrambled for her bag, fingers trembling as the Electrike snarled and barked at her Tailow. Of course. Rumi had made them all stock up on pokeballs before their journey to Bobby’s gym began.
She threw the ball with all of her might and it opened, falling to the ground.
Shaking once. Twice. Three times.
Click.
The Electrike safely captured inside.
“Good job!” Rumi clapped her on the back and Zoey looked up at her with a grin, eyes wide. Mira was beaming too, threading their fingers together tightly before nudging Zoey with her hip.
“Looks like Tailow got some experience from holding its ground. I think it’s evolving.”
Mira was right, like how she usually was about these kinds of things. Tailow was evolving, its body covered in a glowing light as its body changed. Taller. Leaner. A sharp break and longer talons. The feathers at the back of its head lengthened and its eyes narrowed.
“Swellow,” Came Mira’s Pokedex,” The swallow pikeman. Swellow flies high above our heads, making graceful arcs in the sky. This Pokémon dives at a steep angle as soon as it spots its prey. They hapless prey is tightly grasped by Swellow’s clawed feet, preventing escape.”
“Whoa,” Zoey said. She broke away from the two women at her side. “Swellow, that’s so cool! Look at you, bud!”
Swellow chirped proudly. “Swell-Swellow!” It spread its wings proudly, chest puffed out as it preened its new feathers.
“You ready to take this gym on then?”
“Swellow!”
“I love that passion, bud!”
The walk into the town was easy. Zoey was raring to go, ready to steamroll straight to the gym but Rumi’s arm looping through her own stopped her. “Let’s heal up first. You’ve got that Electrike to take care of now, don’t you?”
It made sense. Zoey got the feeling that following Rumi’s advice about Pokémon was probably the right thing to do like how taking Mira’s advice on practically everything was right as well. Zoey wasn’t stupid. She could see the six pokeballs clipped to Rumi’s belt though the only one she had ever seen in person was Zorua, who routinely tried to sneak into Mira’s backpack to eat all the snacks.
Rumi definitely had Pokémon but perhaps she wasn’t a trainer like how Zoey was a trainer or a researcher like how Mira was a researcher. Perhaps, Rumi was just someone that loved Pokémon. Zorua was her partner, that much was clear but the six Pokémon on Rumi’s belt were a mystery that Zoey hoped to solve one day.
Bobby’s gym was what Zoey expected for a normal type specialist and Bobby himself was a delight, inviting the trio in like old friends. Though, judging by the way he greeted Rumi so warmly, they had probably known each other for years.
“You’re sure you want to challenge me, Zoey?” He asked after tea and biscuits.
Zoey nodded. “So sure! I’ve been training for the past few days to beat you!”
“You have?”
“Rumi’s been helping her out,” Mira agreed.
“Well then,” Bobby stood and opened the second door in his office, leading the three of them to a wide open space with old mats placed on the floor for cushioning,” Pokémon trainer Zoey, I, Bobby, the normal type gym leader, accept your challenge.”
He led with his Gumshoos but Zoey was prepared, steeling herself and sending out her Electrike. She’d studied his Pokémon with the help of Rumi, who, yet again, seemed to be a wealth of knowledge when it came to gym leaders and their teams.
Bobby’s Gumshoos went down fairly easily but his Loudred wiped the floor with Electrike and Zoey called back her Pokémon before sending out her newly evolved Swellow. It was much of the same, back and forth of moves before Swellow knocked out the Loudred and then immediately fainted itself when Bobby’s ace Slaking came out.
Zoey gripped Squirtle’s pokeball hard before throwing it out. “Come on Squirtle, let’s finish this off!”
But it was nowhere near as easy as that. Bobby’s Slaking was a beast and Squirtle could barely land a hit, let alone a hard one. It staggered back, wobbling on its feet.
Bobby sighed. “I warned you, Zoey,” He said wearily,” I asked if you were sure. You said you were. I’m sorry that it has to be this way.”
Squirtle wobbled on his feet, unsteady and Zoey’s heart stuttered in her chest. She glanced to the side, to the walls where Mira and Rumi waited for her. Mira was watching her, brows pinched in the barest hint of distress and her grip on her Oshawott was as tight as possible. Rumi stood next to her. She also looked distressed but she held Zoey’s eye contact for as long as Zoey watched her, Zorua by her side just waiting.
Zoey ground her teeth together and shook her head.
No. This wasn’t how it happened. This wasn’t over yet.
“You’ve got this, Squirtle!” She said,” Come on, buddy! Just a little longer! You’ve got this!”
But Squirtle still wobbled as it looked back at her.
“We’re going to be Pokémon champions, remember? Squirtle, you’ve got this! Dig deep! Hang in there.”
“Squir?”
“Yeah, buddy. I believe in you! Let’s do this, together!”
“Squirtle! Squirtle!”
“That’s right, Squirtle! Now, use Bite!”
“Slaking,” Bobby ordered,” Use Counter!”
But Slaking never got the chance. That same glow from the Swellow's fight with Electrike surrounded Squirtle’s body, filling every limb, every muscle with raw power. Squirtle sped up as he ran towards the opposing Pokémon, mouth already open to clamp down.
His shell grew large with every step taken. His body darkened. His tail grew like his ears, teeth sharpening and extending.
“That’s it, Squirtle!” Zoey yelled,” Put everything you can into this!”
Her body thrummed, adrenaline pumping through her body as the Pokémon collided together in an explosion of light. Zoey had to look away or she’d be blinded, slamming her eyes shut and covering them with her arm.
“Wartortle,” Chimed Mira’s pokedex and Zoey shakily looked up,” The turtle Pokémon, often hides in water to stalk unwary prey. For swimming fast, it moves its ears to maintain balance.”
And there he was. Zoey’s Wartortle standing over Bobby’s fainted Slaking, panting before turning around to his trainer, a beaming smile on his face.
“Wartortle!” He cheered,” War-Warortle!”
Bobby’s badge looked good in Zoey’s collection. She couldn’t help but admire it with a grin on her face. It had been a tough battle but Zoey was proud of her team and Mira and Rumi seemed proud of her if the hug she got from Rumi and the kiss from Mira were anything to go by.
“Healer Han is next,” Rumi explained at dinner.
They were all squished in the booth of Zoey’s chosen restaurant, hunched over Rumi’s old beaten up map.
“He’s a psychic trainer, certifiably insane and I really wouldn’t recommend taking anything he gives you to drink but he’s a difficult trainer to pass,” She was saying and Zoey really tried to pay attention but she just couldn’t.
Rumi had that look on her face. The same look that Mira got on her face when she explaining some complex theory that Zoey had no hope of understanding. It was captivating. Rumi spoke with such authority and Zoey was a fool when stuff like that happened.
Mira was staring too, like she just couldn’t help it despite herself. Like she didn’t want to stare but just couldn’t help it at all. Like she was being sucked into the orbit of Ryu Rumi like Zoey was.
“We’ll take this path through, though. It takes a little longer but it’s a good opportunity to pick up some more Pokémon and train what we’ve already got,” Rumi continued though Zoey was only really hearing her on the edges of her senses,” I know of a few places we can hit up for some good battles and…Guys? What’s wrong? You’re staring. Is there something on my face?”
Zoey and Mira exchanged panicked looks.
“Yes, you’ve got something on your face!”
“No, you haven’t! Just zoned out!”
“Wait, no. She’s right, you’ve got something just-”
“Oh, silly me! Must have been the light! Nothing on your face!”
It was truly humiliating and Zoey was glad that Rumi didn’t press any further and had seemed to ignore it all together the next day when the trio set out again.
The walk over to the next gym wasn’t all that interesting at first. Zoey captured a Litleo on the way, a happy little Pokémon that nearly set her clothes on fire in its excitement to crawl into her lap one day.
Mira had said she wasn’t one for making a team of Pokémon if she wasn’t going to be a trainer but even she had caught a few. An adorable rockruff that barked out odd sounds and fell over its on feet to cuddle up to Mira’s Oshawott one night. A sleepy noibat that looked like it had been woken up from a good nap whenever it came out of its pokeball. And a huffy maschiff that Rumi had helped Mira catch on their first day of trekking.
It was only on the third or fourth day of walking did Zoey get a glimpse of something that was actually interesting.
It had been Zoey’s fault because of course it had been.
Rumi had told her to be quiet. The cave they were travelling through was more dangerous than any other place they had been before. She’d told Zoey to stay quiet in case of waking up any of the more powerful Pokémon and the fact they couldn’t light up anything just made Zoey’s heart beat even harder in her chest.
She’d tripped. She wasn’t quite sure what she’d tripped over but it was enough to take her clean off her feet, landing on Mira’s back and knocking them both to the ground. There was definitely a scream of shock and Zoey hoped that it wasn’t from her. A scream, a thud and a long drawn out ‘fuuuuuuuck, that hurt’ from Mira.
Then…it all got so much worse.
A screech and then a lot more screeches. Deafening screeches and then hands on Mira and Zoey, hauling them up and away and into the wall, narrowly missing the outstretched talons of some Pokémon that sounded large and powerful even if Zoey couldn’t see them.
Her back ached from where she had been slammed into the wall. She wildly scrambled for Mira, only slightly settling when her hands closed around Mira’s. Then the panic set in again when she couldn’t feel Rumi next to her.
There was movement in front of her and then a strong, clear voice.
“Umbreon! Light this place up! Mawile, out you come!”
The sudden light of Umbreon’s glowing rings blinded Zoey momentarily before her eyes adjusted. A hoard of Noivern shrieked and crowed, their talons looking sharper and their fangs looking even sharper.
Rumi stood in front of them both, braid whipping in the wind caused by the flapping wings of the Noivern. Her Umbreon stood at her side, rings glowing and standing over her cowering Zorua. At her other side was a Mawile, jaws snapping.
“Mawile!” Rumi called out, voice loud and strong,” Let’s do this. Play rough! Now! Umbreon, you too! Alluring voice, go!”
The Pokémon moved in sync easier than Zoey had ever seen before, slamming their moves into the opposing Pokémon without a hint of fear. Zorua still cowered though and shuffled to hide between Rumi’s legs.
“Get out of here!” Rumi yelled over her shoulder,” Go! Down that hall! Take every left and you’ll get out.”
“What about you?!” Mira yelled, her eyes darting between all the Noivern. There seemed to be so many more of them now that Zoey watched, pouring out of a crack in the ceiling.
Rumi grabbed at the other pokeball on her belt. “Don’t worry about this. I’ve got it covered. Go!”
Zoey didn’t want to leave but it was clear Rumi couldn’t keep battling with them both pressed up against the wall in need of her protection. She tightened her grip on Mira and hauled her down the hallway.
Left. Left again. Another left. Left.
Sunlight.
Mira and Zoey tumbled out into the sunlight, warmth beating down on them like the greeting of a good friend. They couldn’t settle though. Not with Rumi still in there. Not with Rumi…
Rumi?
She didn’t even have a scratch on her. Her hair wasn’t even out of place. She walked out that cave like it was nothing. The Umbreon and Mawile by her side didn’t look at all injured either and her Zorua yipped and yipped as it weaved between the three of them.
“Alright, 'fraidy cat,” Rumi said fondly at the little Pokémon,” Talking all their credit, are you?”
Zorua yipped again.
Rumi shook her head, a smile of amusement on her face as she knelt down to stroke through Zorua’s fur. “This is exactly why my aunt gave you to me, you know. You’re hardly going to get battle experience if you cry every time you get into one.”
Zorua rubbed its face into her hand and Rumi laughed.
“Yeah,” She said,” I know. You’re a lover, not a fighter.”
She stood up slowly and turned to Zoey and Mira, her smile dropping from her face. “Are you guys okay? You didn’t get into any other battles did you? Are you alright?!”
“We’re…fine,” Mira said and Zoey nodded her agreement,” And…so are you apparently.”
“Yeah…” Rumi nodded her head over to her two Pokémon. “This is Umbreon and Mawile. Umbreon was my first partner pokemon, before Zorua. Well, he was an Eevee at first and Mawile joined me a couple years back.”
“You…” Zoey didn’t quite know what to say, mind running with so many thoughts at once. “You can battle?! I had no idea!”
Rumi looked a little embarrassed. “My aunt made sure I learnt. I grew up on a sanctuary with my parents but they…” She trailed off. “It doesn’t matter. My aunt made sure I knew how to battle when I moved in with her. It’s no biggie.”
“Your partners are cool!” Zoey knew when it wasn’t time to press about something.
“You think so? Mawile gets a bit prickly sometimes and Umbreon absolutely keeps me up at night when he’s out of his pokeball.”
Healer Han was just as strange as Rumi said he would be but Zoey could appreciate the general vibes he was giving out. He definitely tried to sell her something that he labelled as a tonic but both Rumi and Mira’s warning looks made Zoey certain it was probably a scam.
She had to politely refuse the tonic and challenge him again and again before he finally accepted. He was certainly stronger than Bobby but his team (a Hattrem, a Hypno and an Alakazam) was no match for Zoey’s newly evolved Manectric and the rest of her team and, finally, the psychic badge was in her badge case and she could move on to the next one.
“Rumi…” Mira said that night as she and Zoey laid in bed together,” She’s a lot stronger than I gave her credit for. I didn’t expect her to throw herself in front of us like that.”
“It worried me,” Zoey admitted,” I didn’t want to leave her but I didn’t want us to distract her any further.”
“I think she was scared for us,” Mira agreed,” She just wanted us to get out of there as soon as possible. It was…”
“Yeah. Do you think…? I mean, we’re on the same page, right?”
Many things between Mira and Zoey stayed unspoken. Not because they couldn’t speak about it or because they didn’t want to but because there was no need to speak about it, because they intrinsically knew what the other was thinking, on the perfectly same wavelength.
“We are,” Mira said,” We just have to wait and see…if she is too.”
The walk to the next town took a dozen days longer than the last trip. The next gym on Rumi’s list was Abby Saja, the resident fighting type gym leader who Rumi said liked to walk around shirtless and flex his abs at anyone that walked in during one of his work outs.
“He’ll lead with a Hitmonlee,” Rumi explained. Zoey appreciated the effort Rumi took in trying to keep her tone upbeat and positive but after days of walking and camping on the hard ground, Zoey knew Rumi was feeling just as drained and tired as she was.
“Next up will be his Machoke and be warned that they’re both just as vain as each other so the battle will be paused while they have a flex off.”
“He has a flex off with his Pokémon?” Came Mira’s dubious question. She was at the very back of the group. Her Oshawott was bundled up in her arms while her Maschiff grumbled and groaned as her Noibat sat on its back for the long walk. Her Rockruff just seemed to be happy to be walking around with its nose to the floor.
“I know,” Rumi said,” Insane but it happens.”
“How do you know so much about this stuff, Rumi?” Mira asked,” You’re like a walking encyclopaedia.”
Rumi’s face glowed red for a moment and the Zorua in her arms pawed at her red cheeks in curiosity. “Occupational hazard?” She laughed like it was some big in joke they were all aware of.
Zoey wondered if she was being stupid and missing it.
Mira just shrugged at Zoey’s unasked question.
“But after the Machoke,” Rumi continued,” It’ll be his Lucario so be ready. It’s a dual Fighting and Steel type so watch out for that.”
Zoey nodded. “Fighting, steel. Got it.”
Rumi bumped her shoulder with a smile. “You’ll do great. I really think-” She broke off and Zoey froze.
She felt it too.
The rumble in the ground. The echoing footsteps.
“Mira!”
“D-Don’t move, Mira,” Zoey said, freezing in her tracks.
“Mira, listen to her,” Rumi said,” No…Don’t!”
But Mira, sweet Mira, loving Mira, stubborn Mira, raised her Pokedex with a shaky hand.
“Bewear,” Came the automated voice,” The strong arm Pokémon. This immensely dangerous Pokémon possesses overwhelming physical strength. Its habitat is generally off limits.”
Bewear.
Zoey’s blood froze in her veins, eyes wide. The Pokémon was tall, tall and imposing and intimidating. Its arms were already spread high above its head and it was mere steps away from Mira, who stood in front of it with her P okedex still raised.
The Pokémon took a step forward.
Mira didn’t take a step back.
“Mira!” Zoey yelled. She made to burst forward but Rumi grabbed her by the arm, rooting her to the spot. “Mira! Move! Run!”
Mira’s Pokémon had already returned to their pokeballs in fear but Mira stayed rooted to the spot.
Bewear took another step forward.
Rumi’s finger flicked quicker than Zoey could notice, the pressure on her arm disappearing. Zoey launched forward, her hand closing around Mira’s to pull her way.
“Tangrowth!” Rumi yelled,” Hold it off!”
Rumi’s Tangrowth was huge but not nearly as huge as the Bewear. But it held its own, vine like hands curling around the Bewear’s paws and restricting movement.
Rumi took off after them, grabbing Mira’s other hand tightly when she caught up.
“No,” Mira struggled, pulling away,” No! Wait!”
“Mira!” Zoey yelled,” That things going to kill us and you want us to wait?!”
“I…” Mira forced herself to stop moving, heels digging into the dirt and forcing Rumi and Zoey to stop too unless they wanted to rip her arms clean off. “I think it wanted to show us something.”
“Show? Show us something?!” Zoey demanded,” It’s a wild Pokémon!”
“And so is every Pokémon on your team? Your Litleo literally bit half of Manectric’s ear clean off! Not…” Mira shook her head, staring down at her Pokedex. “Just because they’re wild doesn’t mean they can’t want…need help, Zoey. Please? I..Just want to check.”
Rumi held her hands up when Zoey looked at her. “Your call,” She said and Zoey already knew Mira had won.
Zoey could deny her nothing.
Rumi’s Tangrowth was still valiantly fending the Bewear off but it was clear its energy was wavering.
“Tangrowth,” Rumi said softly as she raised its pokeball,” Good job. Thanks for the help. We’ve got it from here.”
It disappeared back into the ball easily and Mira crept closer to the Bewear, a hand outstretched.
“Hey, big guy.” Zoey had to admit that Mira was doing a good job of keeping her voice so level. “I’m going to trust you, alright? I think you had something you wanted to show me, right?”
The Bewear stared, blank for a moment before it turned around and lumbered into the undergrowth. The thuds of its paws on the ground made it easy to follow but Zoey still hung back a moment as Rumi was forced to carry her Zorua in her arms in case it started shaking for fear again.
Zoey could see how she buried her fingers in Zorua’s fur in an attempt to not throw out another pokeball. An Umbreon, a Mawile and a Tangrowth. Zorua didn’t fight at all so Zoey couldn’t help but wonder what three Pokémon were left on Rumi’s belt.
She wondered if she would ever meet them. Even now, perhaps, but if Mira was right about this Bewear then Zoey doubted it. The undergrowth only got thicker the longer they walked before the Bewear finally nodded over to a patch under the bush.
Zoey held her breath as Mira pushed the foliage away.
A Vulpix.
Sick. Injured. Shaking with the effort of breathing.
A wounded sound escaped Zoey’s mouth and she found herself being tucked into Rumi’s shoulder, eyes blocked from seeing what was in front of her. “Don’t look,” Rumi said,” Don’t subject yourself to that.”
It must have been even worse than what Zoey had already seen. It must have been truly terrible.
She could hear Mira talking.
“You brought us here to help your friend?” She heard Mira say,” We can do that but we’re so far from a city. I’d…I’d have to catch them. The pokeball would put them in stasis until we can get them help. But…you knew that already, didn’t you?”
There was a scuffle and then, finally, Rumi let Zoey peel away from her. Mira stood in front of them, staring at the pokeball in her hand. Rumi stepped forward a moment, hand already out to hold Mira’s arm.
“I think he wants to be your friend too.”
The Bewear stood there, still and silent. He stared at Mira. No blinking and his ears flicked slightly.
“I think he chose you to help his friend,” Rumi continued,” And I think he wants to help you with your research too. He wants to come with us.”
“He’s be a good friend to have,” Zoey said,” And he seems like good protection.”
In the end, Zoey secured her sixth badge without much issue. Mira stayed behind at the Pokecentre to help her new Vulpix rest up while Rumi had trailed after Zoey to the gym. It happened just like Rumi said it would.
The Hitmonlee. The flex off. The dual typed Lucario.
It had been a rough battle but with a midbattle evolution by Wartortle to Blastoise, Zoey had the sixth badge in her possession. Six badges, a girlfriend and a sort-of girlfriend. Life was really looking great even as she was forced to trudge through another forest.
She even had a full team of Pokémon, a newly caught Kirlia and Skiddo to complete it. Evolutions seemed to run rampant through their little group as Mira’s new Vulpix had stumbled across a fire stone to evolve into a Ninetales and her Rockruff into the midday form of Lycanroc, happily prancing around the wooded area with Ninetales and playing fetch with an old ball they’d found on the way.
“Hey,” Mira nudged Rumi with her shoulder and Zoey came up on her other side, easily squishing Rumi between them both,” What’s the deal with you and Zorua, anyway?”
Rumi laughed. She looked perfectly content between them both, threading her arms through theirs with a smile. “My aunt gave Zorua to me. I’m meant to help it through some battles so it can gain experience but…” She jerked her head up ahead.
Zorua had stopped in the middle of the road, tail shaking happily with its nose buried in a flower.
Zoey giggled. “Not much of a fighter that one.”
“I’ve never met a Pokémon like that before,” Rumi confessed,” It’s…nice. Different but a welcome difference, you know? Like I’ve been waiting my whole life for it but without knowing it.”
Mira stared at her side profile. “We get it completely.”
Romance was the name of the seventh gym leader. He was kind of…over the top. Flamboyant was the word that came to mind as the three of them crammed into his gym, sitting at the table as he stared at them with a knowing glint in his eye.
“I’ve known Rumi for years,” He said, much to the horror of the girl herself who nearly spat out her drink,” She’s always been such a solo artist, you know? I blame her aunt. Such workaholics those two.” He shook his head fondly. “But I’m so glad she’s got you two now. I told her that getting laid would-”
“Romance! Shut! Up!”
But he didn’t. Just winked at Zoey and Mira and continued to speak. “She gets so embarrassed about these things. Her aunt's influence, again. God, that woman could serve to get laid too. I’ve volunteered many times but-”
“Stop talking about fucking my aunt!”
“But I’m glad at least one of them is getting laid now.”
“Oh!” Zoey’s face felt hot and she knew Mira was trying to keep her face as neutral as it was. “We’re not-”
“Yeah, we’re not-”
“Fine, fine,” Romance laughed,” It’s embarrassing to talk about and whatever but I really hope it’s not just a one time thing between you all. I can really see the chemistry and, might I say, Rumi’s needed people to curb her wild streak for a while now and-”
“That’s it!” Rumi wrenched him to his feet by the arm. “Zoey, remember he’s got a Tinkaton, a Gardevoir, a Slurpuff and a Florges to watch out for.”
“Hey!” Romance complained,” Don’t tell her my team!”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have talked about my sex life then!”
Zoey knew, deep down that she should have done more research on this region’s gym system. She should have known who the gym leaders were and who the Elite Four were but she’d always had more fun doing things on a whim, letting her guide be her sense of adventure and her desire to be the best.
Mira had always been a researcher. She didn’t care about the gym system either. She was just happy to have Zoey stick with her. Through thick and thin. Sickness and health. One dodgy dinner after another.
Perhaps it was fate that they clicked like they did. It must have been fate for Rumi to click with them too, to slot so easily between them with her wealth of knowledge and gentle hands reaching out for them to take when they fell. The steadying presence for them to cling to.
“Gwi-Ma,” Mira said as they made the long trek back to the last gym, Celine’s gym.
Rumi was up ahead with Zorua, too far to hear them.
“Gwi-Ma?”
“Gwi-Ma,” Mira repeated,” I’ve heard the name before. I think he’s the Pokémon Champion. He’s meant to be a strong trainer. My Mom spoke about him once. He specialises in dragon types. She said that he’s the greatest trainer of her generation. Nobody could come close to him.”
“I’ll be able to do it,” Zoey boasted, chest puffed out. The effect was slightly diminished though when she tripped over her own laces and nearly fell straight to the ground.
“I know you will,” Mira said,” And when you do…” She trailed off for a moment, staring into Rumi’s back. “I think we should ask her out. Officially.”
Zoey’s whole face split into a grin. “Yeah? You think so?”
“Yeah.” Mira nodded. Just once but firm. Final.
Kim Celine was exactly how Zoey imagined her. A tall woman. Dark hair. Dark eyes. A perfectly tailored suit and an intimidating gleam in her eyes. Her heels clicked on the floor of her gym and Zoey found herself holding her breath.
She felt like she should have been bowing. She felt she shouldn’t have openly stared like she was doing. She felt like she shouldn’t have been there at all.
Celine came closer.
Click, click, click went her heels on the floor.
She stopped. Her eyes skirted over Mira. They barely glanced at Zoey. She stared openly at Rumi.
“So,” She drawled,” This is what you’ve been doing. I expected better from you, Rumi.” Her head tilted to the side. “And I see that Zorua looks no stronger than it was when you left with it.”
“Auntie,” Rumi said stiffly and Zoey’s heart skipped a beat, her eyes darting between them.
Auntie.
This was Rumi’s aunt. The one that raised her. The one that gave her Zorua to train. The one that was staring at Rumi like she’d just dragged in mud onto nice, clean floors.
“I’m disappointed in you,” Celine continued. She sighed, shaking her head. She turned, taking several steps back like she couldn’t even look at Rumi, let alone stand so close to her. “After everything…And you go off gallivanting off into the wilderness with strangers?! With an apprentice researcher and a wannabe trainer? Abandoning your responsibilities and-”
“Enough!” Rumi snapped,” Enough, please. You know I didn’t want any of this! You know that!”
“Everything we’ve worked towards!” Celine continued,” All the things we sacrificed, Rumi! Together! For you! Don’t throw it away! Don’t you dare!”
She whirled around to face them, hand clenched at her side. She took a step forward, not even that. She moved slightly, an aborted movement like she was going to reach out for Rumi.
But two of the pokeballs on Rumi’s waist snapped open and Zoey clamped down on her shocked gasp.
A Talonflame and a Garchomp stood between the aunt and her niece, war cries spilling from their lips. Hulking beasts of Pokémon and Zoey could do nothing but stare.
“I never wanted to disappoint you,” Rumi said. She hadn’t looked up. She was staring at the floor, unwilling to tear her gaze from it. “But this was never what I wanted. It was your dream. Not mine and I don’t want to be apart of it anymore.”
“Rumi…Rumi! Don’t you dare walk out that door!”
Kim Celine was meant to be the strongest gym leader Zoey was going to face. With her fierce Weaville and her Hydreigon and her Bisharp and Absol. Zoey didn’t know whether the fight was harder with the woman so angry, practically spitting with rage or whether Rumi had handed her the crack in Celine’s armour on a silver plate.
The badge was practically flung at her when, finally, Celine’s final Pokémon fell to the ground.
Zoey’s final badge. Her last badge before she could challenge the Elite Four. The last thing she needed before she stepped into the next part of her journey. But she couldn’t feel proud of it. She could think of nothing but Rumi.
Rumi. Rumi. Rumi.
Mira’s hand closed around hers, pulling her out of the gym. She’d disappeared during the battle but now she was back, pulling, pulling, pulling Zoey out of there and suddenly they were running, running, running.
“I found her!” She yelled as they ran,” I found Rumi! By the water, just there!”
Rumi sat on the edge of a lake, hand raised up to stroke the Lapras that had leaned its head down to look at her, the last Pokémon from her belt. Her Tangrowth sat next to her, eyes closed while nearby her Umbreon groomed Zorua and Mawile curled up at her side. Up in the sky, her Talonflame circled like a warning and her Garchomp watched with beady eyes as Mira and Zoey approached.
A rumbling growl escaped its throat but Mira and Zoey pushed forward.
“Your aunt,” Mira said softly,” Seems like a massive bitch.”
Rumi’s answering laugh was crossed with a sob but it was enough to allow a smile to appear on her face. “You have no idea.”
“She had no business talking to you like that,” Zoey said boldly,” And I made sure to let her know it when we battled.”
Rumi wiped the tears from her eyes. “You beat her?”
“I did.”
“Good.” Rumi stood slowly, reaching a hand out for each of them. “I’m sorry you had to witness that. I should have gone early so you didn’t have to hear. I should have warned you in advance-”
She was rambling now, a flood of words flowing from her mouth so quickly that they were all slurring together.
Zoey couldn’t help herself. She really couldn’t. She knew that this wasn’t exactly the plan but neither had been that confrontation with Celine either. It was instinct. Pure. Simple. Just instinct. She grabbed Rumi by the front of the shirt and pulled her in for a kiss.
“Finally,” She heard Mira say,” Or I would have done it myself.”
Rumi was frozen in shock when Zoey pulled away, mouth opening and closing like her mind was all over the place.
“Don’t freak out, Rumi,” Mira said,” Because it’s my turn now.”
Zoey grinned when Mira’s mouth covered Rumi’s. It widened even more when Rumi’s brain finally rebooted and she kissed back.
This was the triumphant moment. Her last gym badge. On the way to the Elite Four. And finally being able to kiss the other beautiful woman in her life.
It was easy after that. The days of walking seemed lighter, easier, filled with more laughter and teasing and, of course, more kisses. Deep, passionate ones in the evenings when they set up camp. Soft, lingering pecks as they walked. Dates at every city they passed. Food passed over with soft hands as they wandered around Victory Road up to the Elite Four.
And then there it was.
The looming building. The stuff of dreams.
The Elite Four were inside and after them, the Champion, Gwi-Ma.
“Are you sure you can’t come, Rumi?” Mira asked as they lingered at the final Pokecentre before those large, imposing doors.
“I’m sorry.” Rumi held Zorua tighter, the little Pokémon wiggling in her grip. “But it really wouldn’t be right of me to do that. Zoey, you’re going to do perfectly fine. This is your moment to prove yourself. Without my help. Mira, keep an eye on her?”
Mira nodded. “I’ve got her. You’ll be waiting for us at the end of this?”
“Definitely.”
The ghost types of Mystery Saja, the first Elite Four member, gave Zoey more trouble than she would like to admit. An Annihilape followed by a Dragapult that completely destroyed the Gallade that Zoey had freshly evolved with a Dawn Stone Rumi gave her. The Aegislash was more trouble than it was worth followed by an annoyingly quick Gengar and a Cofagrigus.
But Zoey dug deep. She trust in her bond with her Pokémon and they pulled through.
Baby Saja and his ice types were next but all of them fell to the strength and flames of Zoey’s Pyroar. His Glalie and his Froslass. His Abomasnow and Frosmoth. The Aurorus took a little bit more to take down but even that fell.
“Two in one day?” Jinu, the electric type Elite Four member, said,” When I heard we had a new challenger, I was intrigued. I didn’t expect you to get through Mystery, let alone Baby.”
“I’m not going to lose to you.”
Jinu laughed, shrugging his shoulders dismissively. “We’ll see. Even if you get passed me, I don’t have much hope you’ll get any further. Toxtricity, let’s do this.”
His Pokémon definitely packed more of a punch. They were fast, slick. They were faster than Zoey expected. They followed Jinu’s orders like they already knew what he was going to say. A Toxtricity and then a Magnezone. Then an Electivire followed by a Kilowattrel and, finally, a Luxray that tanked way too many hits before finally going down.
Jinu just laughed, shrugging again. “Good luck,” He said,” You’re going to fucking need it.”
“You’re underestimating her again,” Mira grumbled but Jinu continued to laugh.
It seemed like that was all he ever did.
“Go on through the next doors,” He said,” But don’t be surprised by what you find there.”
The last Elite Four chamber was silent and empty when Zoey and Mira stepped into it. It had little to no decorations, extremely sparse.
“Who do you think it is?” Zoey asked,” The last member? Gwi-Ma’s at the end of this. Who could possibly the person that stands between us?”
“They must be a strong trainer,” Mira replied,” I’m not sure though. No one’s coming to mind. It could be anyone, any type.”
“But I’ve still got this, right? You think I can do this?”
“Zoey,” Mira said softly,” I know you can do this. I’ve known since you got your first gym badge. You will be champion.”
Zoey nodded. “I will.”
The doors flung open and Zoey readied herself.
A beast of a man walked in. He stood tall, his back straight. His heavy work boots echoed around the empty room. His hair was short, trimmed back against his scalp and his eyes were narrowed as he watched them both.
“Which one of you dares to challenge me? The great dragon type trainer, Gwi-Ma!”
Zoey froze, ice stilling in her blood. “Wha-?”
“But, he should be champion,” Mira muttered,” I was so sure he was the champion.”
“You whisper to yourselves,” Gwi-Ma said,” Are you having second thoughts? Many do when faced against me! Turn back now and I’ll leave your Pokémon unscathed.”
This was meant to be the champion Zoey would face. This meant to be the strongest Pokémon trainer in the region.
Which begged the question, if Gwi-Ma wasn’t the strongest then who could possibly be stronger than him?
“You still haven’t left?” Gwi-Ma taunted,” Then I guess you leave me no choice. Flygon, I choose you!”
It was the worst possible battle Zoey had ever fought. Each of Gwi-Ma’s dragons were filled with overwhelming power in every fibre of their bodies. She’d practically depleted her potion and revive stores trying to make sure she wasn’t defeated.
After the Flygon came a Tyrantrum. After Tyrantrum was Haxorus. Then Kommo-o and finally, as Zoey panted for air, a Salamence.
“You did a good job, Gogoat. Thanks for the help. It’s time for you to rest now.” Zoey reached for her last pokeball with a shaking hand. She kissed it. “Blastoise, it’s up to you now, buddy. We’ve got this!”
“Oh, yeah!” Gwi-Ma roared,” Now this is a fight! Salamence, use Outrage!”
“Blastoise!” Zoey ordered,” Stay strong. Hit it with a Wave Crash!”
She could barely breath. Her Blastoise had been reduced to low health during the battle with Haxorus, switched out in favour of Manectric but this Salamence was on low health too, brought there from a combination of Gallade and Gogoat.
This could be her last chance.
“You’ve got this Blastoise! I believe in you!”
Blastoise nodded once, jets of water spilling from his cannons to wrap around his body. Salamence roared in challenge, wings already beating as it surged forward. Blastoise met it straight on, tucking his head into his shell at the last minute and slamming his full bodyweight into the Salamence.
They pushed against each other, straining against the other’s weight.
“Come on, Blastoise!” Mira cheered from the side lines.
“You’ve got this, buddy!” Zoey said when Blastoise faltered slightly,” I trust you. It’s you and me, right? Since the very beginning! Let’s finish this together!”
“Blaaaaaastoise!”
The Salamence’s wings drooped and it fell to the ground. The Blastoise wobbled, once…twice…
But not a third.
He stood strong and tall, turning back to look at Zoey. “Blast-Blastoise!”
“Blastoise, you did it! We did it, buddy!”
“Not yet, you didn’t,” Gwi-Ma said.
For a moment, Zoey thought he was going to demand a rematch or attack her with his bare hands. But he just looked at her, stared for a moment like he was trying to work her out. Then, he stepped aside.
“The Champion awaits,” He said,” Good luck, you’ll need it.”
The Champion’s Chamber were exactly how Zoey expected them to be, holding Mira’s hand tightly in her own. There was a long walk down to the throne at the end of the room, a singular carpet muffling their steps.
It was a fairly dark room, lit only by the lights attached to the wall. There were no windows, no way for someone to look in without invitation.
Someone sat on the throne, laying sideways on it casually like this whole situation was boring. They stared up at the ceiling. They didn’t even glance at the door when Mira and Zoey walked in. They didn’t even give an indication that they heard the two of them.
But a familiar Pokémon did, tumbling down the steps up to the throne with a happy yip and a wag of the tail.
Zoey’s mouth went dry.
There was a sigh from the Champion as she stood up, walking down those same steps.
“Well,” Rumi said,” Shall we get this over and done with?”