Red's POV

'Professor Oak ?'. After seeing the long lost face. 'I want to withdraw a Pokemon'.

'Not now, Red'. He looked worried. 'I'll call you later'.

'Why ? What happened ?'. I was flooded with curiosity.

'I messed up, something important, I'll tell you everything, but now is not the time'. Professor Oak had a metal cap in his hand, he was either trying to make it or fix it.

'Professor Oak', said Lyra.

'Hello Lyra. Please understand, I'm in a middle of something, I'll call you later', said Professor Oak, hanging up the call.

'That was weird', said Lyra.

'Very weird, he never does that', I said.

'What about asking someone else what's going on ?'. Lyra's idea was good. But I didn't know whom to call. A person who would know what Professor Oak would be up to.

'Blue !'. I quickly searched my bag for my Pokegear and tapped the Gym Leader option. Blue's name was on the top.

The Pokegear was ringing.

'Hello ?', said Blue.

'Hello, Blue. What's going on over there ? Professor told me that he messed up something', I said. 'What is it ? Tell me'.

'I can't tell anything to you right now. I'm in a middle of something very important, Red. Please try to understand', said Blue.

I noticed that Blue was sitting on his Pidgeot, and was flying. The height seemed too much. Pidgeot flew at a top speed. Blue hung up the Pokegear.

'Now, I'm scared', I said. 'Pokefear'.

'Call your mom', said Lyra.

'No, it's too late, she must be sleeping', I said. 'I don't want to disturb her'.

It sounded contradictory after I called Professor Oak and Blue.

'Do you want to battle today or tomorrow ?', asked Lyra.

I looked at her. 'Always battle in day time, makes it easier for your Pokemon too'. I started walking upstairs to the room.

'Wait, I have the key'. Lyra ran after me.

The night's sleep was satisfying, no dream, no nightmare, just sleep. I saw Lyra, trying to wake me up. But I continued my deep sleep.

I woke up late, like, late late. Lyra was checking out the Johto map while sitting on the lower bunk.

I climbed the bunk down.

'Too late', said Lyra. 'Breakfast's on you'.

'Alright'. I rubbed my eyes with my palm.

After having breakfast, I didn't think of anything else but the Gym battle. I was so desperate to win it.

I was exasperated after the last battle, only because for the first time, I lost.

We stopped outside the Gym, I had a sudden rage in me. We walked inside and stood on the platform.

The platform elevated and we were soon standing in front of the Violet Gym Leader, again.

'Hope you win. Or let me rephrase, you will win', said Lyra.

'Hm. Let's cross our fingers', I said.

A trainer was already battling Falkner at that time. So, I stood off the battlefield and waited.

'Hey, is that Ethan ?', she asked.

'Who ?', I asked.

'Ethan, I wouldn't call him a friend, acquaintance ?', said Lyra.

'Hm, so, is he good in training Pokemon ?', I asked.

'I don't know. He said he knew strengths and weaknesses and the whole Johto map, but no he doesn't'. Lyra's expression went from calm to disappointment.

'Quilava, use Ember', said Ethan, pointing at Falkner's Pidgeotto.

Pidgeotto fainted. Ethan won.

Ethan looked a pretty good trainer, but you can't always judge a book by it's cover, can you ?

'Oh, hey Lyra', said Ethan. 'I'm sorry I didn't care to go back to New Bark with you, please forgive me'.

'It's fine', said Lyra. 'What about you travel with us ?'.

'This is your cousin right ? Red ?', asked Ethan. He looked at me as if he knew me very well.

'Uh, yeah. I am'. I waved.

He went for a shake hand. 'Big fan'.

We shook hands. 'Thanks', I said.

'But no, I won't be travelling with you, I want to learn about Pokemon on my own, and will win the League for sure'. Ethan was so overconfident.

'Don't worry, you'll come second', said Lyra. 'I am confident about myself'.

'Wait, if you left early than Lyra, how come you're still here ?', I asked.

'Oh, I lost the gym battle four times', said Ethan. 'Oops'.

'I already won the Gym Battle, in my first try, so we can see who'll be winning the league', said Lyra.

'So why are you here ?', asked Ethan.

'Red lost, so...', said Lyra.

'Wow, the Kanto League Champion lost the first Johto gym battle, that's hilarious', said Ethan.

'Be lucky, you didn't get to battle with a Pidgeot and a Fearow', I said, angry of his blabbering.

'Oh, my bad', said Ethan.

'I must get going', I said.

Lyra and Ethan started talking about something. Lyra told Ethan about Bugsy and whatever happened with us.

'Did you find Jolteon ?', asked Falkner.

'Oh, yes', I said. 'And I'll get an easy win this time, be ready'.

'This time I'll use different Pokemon, so you be ready', said Falkner.

'I am', I said, while exhaling.

'Go Pidgeot'. Falkner sent his customary Pokemon.

'Go Wartortle', I said, sending out the water type. 'Use Rapid Spin'.

Wartortle hit Pidgeot, but not very hard. Pidgeot didn't seem to be effected by the attack.

'Pidgeot, Aerial Ace', said Falkner.

Wartortle fainted. I had to do something or else the whole battle will go like this.

'Go Charizard', I said.

Charizard's POV

I was face to face with the Pidgeot. The Pidgeot was about 8 inches smaller than me in height. The target seemed to be an easy one.

It's as easy as hitting a kid 4 years younger than you.

I noticed that my height wasn't that much compared to Falkner, the gym leader.

I knew I was 5 feet 7 inches, but Falkner was taller. Red was shorter than I was.

Fun fact : Red was taller than the Pidgeot, you have no idea how hilarious that was to me.

But my nature was serious, I didn't really make fun of someone's physical appearance.

I focused on Pidgeot, in a few moments, I couldn't see anything but Pidgeot, my target was in mark.

'Pidgeot, use Wing Attack', said Falkner.

'You're dead, reptile', said Pidgeot. He flew up in the air, and glide close to me to hit me with his wings.

'Charizard, Flamethrower', said Red.

'Does this kid only knows one attack ?', I complained. I improvised and held Pidgeot's wing.

Pidgeot stopped in mid air and fell down. Then, I listened to Red and used Flamethrower.

'You're dead birdy', I said. 'Not exactly, just fainted'.

'Not exactly, I just fell down', said Pidgeot, not giving up easily.

'Courage, but you'll lose anyways', I said.

'Sounds interesting'. Pidgeot obeyed Falkner again and used Wing Attack.

I fell to the ground, with low health.

'I won't lose to a bird...'. I got up and used Dragon Rage.

Pidgeot was smashed to the wall and fainted.

'Come back, Pidgeot', said Falkner. 'Go Noctowl'.

'What's that Pokemon ?', shouted Red, putting his right hand in his left pocket, really, who does that ?

He grabbed out the Pokedex and pointed it towards the owl.

'Noctowl, the Owl Pokemon. When it needs to think, it rotates its head 180 degrees to sharpen its intellectual power'. The Pokedex spoke in it's robotic voice.

Not really complaining but, the frequency of the Pokedex played with my mind, I started having headaches.

'Come on buddy, we need to take this last one'. Red was confident. 'Use Flamethrower'.

I breathe too harsh and pushed the fire from my chest to my mouth and blasting it out towards the Noctowl.

Noctowl flew too fast, faster than me. Well, of course, anyone could do that, I was slow as my flab was increasing day to day. Sometimes I wished I could turn back to a Charmander.

'Excellent, that's why I count on you. Put him to sleep'. Falkner pointed his hand towards me and Noctowl beamed a ray of some-thingy that targeted me.

'What was that ?', I asked.

'Like he said - I put you to sleep', said Noctowl. 'Enjoy'.

My vision blurred, my head felt heavier, and my eyes weigh a thousand tons.

I fell on the ground immediately.

Red's POV

Charizard fell asleep.

'Would you continue battling with Charizard, or switch Pokemon ?'. Falkner smirked.

'He'll be up soon, I'll continue battling'. I chose an obvious option and I quickly knew it was the wrong one. Falkner had a sudden glow on his face that didn't seem right.

'Noctowl, use Dream Eater'. Falkner commanded.

Noctowl flew near Charizard and it's eyes glowed purple. A yellow light was seen, exiting Charizard's body and entering Noctowl's.

Charizard fainted.

'Charizard, you did a great job'. I clutched onto one of the Pokeballs.

'Go Eevee'. I grasped my bag strap and tightened it.

Eevee's POV

I was sure I'll win. I was standing in front of some bird that kept on staring me again and again for - I don't know, but there must be a reason.

Should I ask why he kept staring ? No, that'd be a shame. He'll think I don't have manners, I shouldn't.

'Uh, why are you staring dude ?', I asked. 'It's annoying'.

'I am not staring at anyone, my eyes are too big, you only think I'm staring', said Noctowl.

'So, just narrow them for me, I'm getting distracted here', I said.

'Ah, sorry'. Noctowl flapped his wings and flew three feet above ground.

'Eevee, use Quick Attack', said Red. He removed his cap and his thick hair fell on his forehead.

I dashed towards Noctowl and jumped to hit him. He simply flew upwards and dodged.

I hit Falkner on his knee and he fell down with a loud thud.

'How long have you been training ?'. Noctowl shouted.

'Two days', I replied.

'Ah, I see. I'm with Falkner since the last six years'. Noctowl flapped his wings six times.

'Noctowl use Wing Attack'.

Noctowl flew towards me with his wings straightened.

'Eevee, iron tail'. Red put his cap back on.

I bent down with my tail upwards and closed my eyes.

Noctowl was hit bad.

'Noctowl, finish with an Aerial Ace'. Noctowl forgot everything else and just focused on me.

He flew to the end of the battle-field and turned back. Then flew forwards to use a more powerful Aerial Ace.

He flew and flew and boom.

Red's POV

Eevee fainted. Now I had no choice but one, not really, but this Pokemon was way stronger than Noctowl.

'Eevee, come back. I know you want to defeat this Noctowl, Eevee', I whispered, holding Eevee's Pokeball near my mouth. 'This is your chance, show'em what you got. Go Jolteon'.

Jolteon's POV

I wondered if I ever saw the Noctowl before. I was sure I had seen him before. But I could ask the Noctowl, right ? No, it'll be a shame that I don't remember a Pokemon I met before. I shouldn't ask.

'Hey, have we met before ?', I asked.

'No, I guess not', said Noctowl.

'But I think I have seen you before', I said. 'Wait, I'm battling Falkner's Pokemon ? Why is Red battling Falkner, didn't he win eight months ago ?'.

'What are you talking about ? This is your trainer's first Johto battle', said Noctowl.

'Did you ever defeat Red's Eevee ?', I asked. 'Answer this'.

'Yeah, I just-', he said, interrupted.

'So, now it's payback time', I said.

I looked at Red, ready to attack.

'Jolteon, use Quick Attack'.

Wait, I've used this attack against the same Noctowl, I'm not gonna repeat the same thing that made me lose the match.

I flashed forward to Noctowl in full speed. I charged my body with electricity I created due to friction by running.

And used Volt Tackle. I hit Noctowl hard and looked back, with electricity still coursing through my eyes.

Noctowl fainted.

'Whoa !'. Ethan and Lyra were surprised after my extremely cool attack.

Red's POV

Jolteon's attack was marvelous. I was overjoyed by that attack.

I pointed my Pokedex to see which attack was that. I noticed that Jolteon lost one of his moves - Thundershock, that was replaced by a move called Volt Tackle.

I selected the move to see the description.

'The user throws an electrified tackle. It hurts the user a little', explained the Pokedex.

'Wait, let me see too', said Lyra, pointing the Pokedex.

'The user electrifies itself, then charges at the foe. It causes considerable damage to the user as well', explained Lyra's Pokedex.

'For pity's sake....uh....but a defeat is a defeat. You have proved that you are one of the few trainer's who ought to leran more from their mistakes', said Falkner, he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a box. He handed the box to me.

'What is that ?', I asked.

'Uh, Zephyr Badge and TM51 - Roost', said Falkner. 'And, good luck'.

He then turned to Lyra and Ethan. 'There are Pokémon Gyms in cities and towns ahead. You should test your skills at these Gyms. As for your next move... I would suggest Azalea Town'.

Lyra looked at me after hearing Azalea Town and I nodded my head.

'Thank you, Falkner', I said, putting the TM in my TM case and leaving the badge inside.

I picked up Jolteon. 'Once again, because of you I won a match. Or, we won the match'.

Jolteon smiled and patted his paws on my shoulder. And I hugged him.

After sharing the warm hug, I called him back in his Pokeball as he needed to rest.

'Where to now ?', asked Lyra.

'I need to talk to Professor Oak, he was acting weird the last time I called him'. I walked outside.