We had pushed hard today, maybe too hard.
Between battling Beedrill, Ekans, Arbok, and Ursaring, my team had gone through more than I originally planned. Then there were the scattered groups of Stantler and Spinarak we encountered along the way, plus a few Ariados that gave us more trouble than expected. And earlier in the day, we had tried Gravity training for the first time.
Today had been far more action-packed than I intended.
Thankfully, none of my Pokémon were in critical condition, but they had taken their fair share of hits. If I left any injuries unchecked, they could turn into real problems later. I patched them up with Potions to handle the damage, but exhaustion was something only time and rest could fix.
I turned to Alakazam. "Teleport us back to camp."
A brief glow, a rush of energy, and in an instant, we were back.
I wasted no time packing up. There was no point in staying out here any longer. Once everything was secured, I recalled my team one by one, giving them quick nods of acknowledgment before they disappeared into their Poké Balls. After a long day, they had fought well.
We had entered Bewilder Forest about an hour after lunch and spent around three hours inside. Not all of that time was spent battling. I made sure to give my Pokémon short breaks in between encounters whenever I could. But even those short breaks accumulated, making the time pass faster than I expected.
It was still early in the evening, only around 5:00 PM. If I walked straight to Jubilife City without stopping, I could make it there by 8:00 PM. That would give me enough time to check in at the Pokémon Center and get my team properly healed.
Since none of my Pokémon were badly hurt, I could afford to take my time on the way. If it was necessary, I'd have Alakazam teleport us straight to a Pokémon Center. But for now, walking would be fine.
As I started moving, I pulled out one of my Poké Balls and pressed the button.
Dusclops emerged in a quiet flash of light, floating beside me.
He didn't react much to being out—just hovered silently, his single red eye flickering for a moment before settling on the road ahead. Dusclops had always been distant. Not in a resentful way, just… detached.
Still, I figured he might appreciate this.
We walked in silence for a while. The dirt path stretched on, the trees on either side casting long shadows in the fading sunlight. The only sounds were the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant calls of wild Pokémon.
After a few minutes, I spoke.
"Long day, huh?"
Dusclops didn't respond right away. His eye shifted slightly, like he was considering the question.
Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he gave a single nod.
I huffed a quiet breath through my nose. That was about as much conversation as I expected.
Dusclops had never been the type to seek out interactions. Even when I first caught him as a Duskull, he was always quiet, always watching. He didn't cling to me like Chimchar or push himself like Elekid. In some ways, he reminded me of Larvitar—content to sit in silence, fine with doing nothing for a while. But that's where the similarities ended.
Larvitar might enjoy her quiet moments, but she still valued her bonds with the team. Dusclops, on the other hand, existed in his own space, separate from the rest of us.
And yet, he was still part of it.
"You did well today," I said after a moment. "I didn't use you in battle, but I know you were watching."
Dusclops turned his head slightly, his eye flickering again. Another pause. Then, a slow nod.
Not exactly talkative, but I knew he understood.
I didn't need him to be expressive like the others. I didn't expect him to chatter like Chimchar or react like Elekid.
I just wanted him here, floating beside me. And he was.
_________
By the time we reached Jubilife City, the sky had deepened into shades of orange and violet. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the streets and painting the glass buildings in streaks of gold and deep purple. Lights were starting to flicker on, one by one, casting a soft glow on the sidewalks as people moved between shops, restaurants, and apartments.
I pulled out Dusclops's Poké Ball and returned him in a quiet flash of light. As usual, he didn't react. No sound, no resistance—just a silent disappearance.
I didn't stop to admire the cityscape like some trainers might. I had one destination in mind.
The Pokémon Center.
The glass doors slid open with a soft hiss as I stepped inside. The contrast was immediate—warm, amber-toned lighting bathed the space in a welcoming glow. The lobby was quiet, peaceful. A few trainers sat scattered around the room, some waiting patiently, others half-dozing in their chairs. The soft whirring of ceiling fans mixed with the gentle hum of medical equipment deeper in the facility.
There was a subtle scent in the air. Fresh linen, mixed faintly with disinfectant. Clean. Calming.
I approached the front counter. Nurse Joy looked up and offered a warm smile the moment our eyes met.
"Good evening! How can I help you?"
I set my Poké Balls down without a word at first, then spoke evenly. "I'd like you to take a closer look at my team. We did some intense training earlier, specifically using the move Gravity for physical conditioning. They're not seriously injured, but I want to make sure there's no hidden strain or damage I might've missed." I paused, tapping one of the Poké Balls gently, "Also, I caught a new Ursaring today. I want that one checked over too."
Nurse Joy's eyes flicked over the Poké Balls briefly. "Gravity training?" Her expression shifted slightly—still gentle, but now more focused. "That's not something most trainers incorporate casually. That kind of pressure can put a lot of strain on a Pokémon's joints and muscles, especially if it's their first time under those conditions."
"I took precautions," I replied. "I had another one of my Pokémon ready to pull them out if anything went wrong. Potions on hand if they got hurt. But even with that, I'd rather get a professional opinion."
She gave a firm nod. "Understood. I'll perform a full diagnostic on all of them, check for signs of muscle fatigue, strain, or anything else that might have gone unnoticed. It shouldn't take too long."
There was a brief pause before I added, "Also, I'll need a room for the night."
She began typing on the terminal behind the counter. "Certainly. Just give me a moment to log your team in..." A few more key presses, and then: "Room 204. Just up the stairs, first hallway on the left. You'll get a notification on the terminal outside your room once their check-up is complete."
She handed me a keycard, which I pocketed.
"Thanks."
With nothing else to do while my team was being checked, I pulled out my Pokégear and scrolled through my contacts until I found Reggie's name. The screen glowed dimly in the soft lighting of the Pokémon Center, and I leaned back in my seat as it rang.
He picked up after the fourth chime, his voice just as upbeat as always "Hey, Paul! I wasn't expecting a call from you today."
"Hey, Reggie. I'm in the Pokémon Center in Jubilife City," I said. "Anyways, remember how I told you this time around I'm focusing on a smaller, core team? I'm thinking I'll add Metang to it."
"But not yet," I continued. "For now, I'd like for you to focus on Metang's training while it's still with you."
Reggie gave a short laugh. "Of course you do. What's on the agenda this time?"
"Magnet Rise," I replied. "Metang needs to start using it consciously, not just as part of how it moves."
"Really?" Reggie said, thoughtful. "It already floats around using that, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, but that's instinctual. A passive application of the move. That won't last," I said. "Once it evolves into Metagross, the levitation disappears. They become grounded by default, relying on raw power over mobility. I don't want to deal with a Ground-type weakness I could've avoided."
Reggie let out a low whistle. "Huh... Most trainers just take that tradeoff once they evolve it."
"They're willing to accept the power boost in exchange for a glaring weakness. I'm not. I want to cover all my bases."
"No kidding," Reggie said, sounding more impressed than surprised. "So what do you want me to have it do? Just focus on using Magnet Rise longer?"
"More than that," I said. "Start with simple levitation drills. Get it to feel the magnetic fields it's generating, really understand the pull and push. Then, work on activating and deactivating those fields on command. Smooth transitions, no hesitation."
Reggie hummed in thought. "Okay, so full control, not just longer duration."
"Exactly. Then introduce precision training. Set up obstacle courses, have it adjust altitude and direction with pinpoint accuracy. Simulate battle conditions, dodging attacks, navigating tight spaces. I want it to move like it's flying, not just floating."
"That'll really push it," Reggie remarked.
"After that, simulate unstable environments. Make it adapt on the fly. I want Metang to maintain levitation even under stress, distraction, or outside influence. If it can keep Magnet Rise stable in that condition, it's going to flourish as a Metagross."
Reggie gave a low whistle again. "That's a whole training regime you've laid out."
"The goal," I said with a smirk, "is to make Magnet Rise a deliberate, battle-ready technique—not just a passive ability. It needs to summon and control those magnetic fields at will, even while under pressure. Metagross, as you know, can be somewhat slow. Mastering Magnet Rise should significantly improve its mobility and, crucially, give it a reliable way to deal with its Ground-type weaknesses."
Another quiet pause followed, then Reggie chuckled again. "You really don't stop thinking ahead, huh?"
"Yeah. This time around I'm making sure everything's airtight. I'll win the Sinnoh League."
Reggie was silent for a second longer than usual. Then, his voice softened. "I believe you will, little brother. You've got a new drive in your eyes this time and I'm confident you'll get the victory this time."
I leaned back a little in my seat. For a second, I didn't say anything. Just stared at the screen as his words settled in.
It meant more than I expected to hear him say that.
"…Thanks," I muttered quietly.
He didn't press.
"Alright," Reggie said after a moment, "I'll work it into Metang's routine. We'll build it up in stages. Mobility drills first, then precision, then interference. I'll update you on how it handles each step."
"Thank you. That's all I needed."
Reggie paused again, then added with a lighter tone, "And Paul? You sound like you've had one really long day."
"Yeah? I'm about to rest. Already checked in at the Pokémon Center."
He laughed lightly. "Good. You've earned it. Anyway, I'll handle things on my end. Talk to you soon."
The call clicked off, and I returned the Pokégear to my pocket.
"Paul," Nurse Joy called from the counter. "Your Pokémon are ready."
I stood up, stretching slightly before making my way over. She placed the Poké Balls neatly on the tray in front of her, smiling as she spoke.
"Your team is in great condition. There are no signs of strain or injury from your training. A little muscle fatigue, but nothing concerning. They'll be good as new by morning."
I nodded, collecting each Poké Ball and securing them back onto my belt. "Good."
She gave an approving smile. "You really put a lot of thought into their training. It's good to see a trainer so attentive to their Pokémon's well-being."
I didn't respond to that, simply giving a nod of acknowledgment before turning away.
The hallway leading to the guest rooms stretched ahead, quiet and dimly lit compared to the lobby's warm glow. My footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor, the sounds of the city now far behind me.
The battles were done. The training was behind us. For tonight, there was nothing left to do but rest.
I reached my room, swiped the keycard, and stepped inside. The door clicked shut behind me, sealing the world outside.
The room was simple. Just a bed, a desk, and a nightstand with a small lamp casting a soft, golden glow. I set my Poké Balls down on the desk, then sat on the edge of the bed, rolling my shoulders to work out the last bits of tension.
Slowly, I leaned back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling for a moment.
I closed my eyes.
Sleep came easily.
__________
I stood near the entrance of the Pokémon Center, adjusting the strap of my bag as the glass doors slid open, letting in the crisp morning air. The city was already coming to life. Cars hummed down the streets, trainers moved between buildings, and the scent of fresh bread from a nearby café carried on the breeze.
Just as I stepped forward, a voice called out behind me.
"Hey you. The guy with the purple hair."
I paused, furrowing my brow slightly. I didn't recognize the voice, but when I turned around, I immediately recognized him.
Barry.
That name surfaced in my mind almost instantly, and with it, an expectation. Loud, impatient, overly energetic. In another timeline, he was practically a fanboy, idolizing Paul's strength and battling style to the point of obsession. He should have been the type to charge in at full speed, challenge me without a second thought, and go off on some ridiculous tangent about fines if things didn't go his way.
But the Barry standing in front of me wasn't doing any of that.
He wasn't running. He wasn't shouting.
He just stood there, hands in his pockets, watching me with a focused gaze. Not impatient. Not hyperactive. Just… steady.
"You're different from the other trainers in there," he said, nodding slightly toward the Pokémon Center behind me. "The way you carry yourself, it's like you're already thinking about your next battle."
I blinked.
This wasn't what I expected at all.
I studied him carefully, still half-expecting him to suddenly start bouncing around like an overeager rookie. But he didn't. His posture stayed relaxed, and there was something intentional about the way he was speaking.
"And?" I prompted.
He stopped a few feet away, his stance firm. "Battle me."
His voice was steady. Not cocky. Not loud. Just direct.
I hesitated for a fraction of a second, thrown off.
Barry challenging me wasn't a surprise, but the way he was doing it was.
I glanced toward the streets of Jubilife. I had my own plans for the day. Routes to take, training to schedule. But something about his challenge made me pause. He wasn't just looking for a casual match. He wasn't battling for fun.
There was intent behind it. A purpose.
I looked back at him.
"…Fine."
A slight smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he didn't waste words celebrating. He just gave a single nod.
"Let's go, then."
__________
AN: In my first draft I had Barry be way more like his anime version. But then I decided I'd try to make him more serious after seeing Pokemon Evolutions: Episode 5 - The Rival. It's like a 5 minute episode, but I really liked Barry in that, so I'll try to do Barry's character some justice. Please give me your opinions regarding Barry's character change.