[1] Professor Kukui's Daughter

Viridian Gym

The gang were back in Viridian City and were now walking towards the Viridian Gym.

Ember stopped and stared up at the entrance of the gym, "The Viridian Gym."

"Inside is an Earth Badge with your name on it, Ember." Cilan said.

Ember nodded with a smile, "Oh yeah."

They walked up to the front, seeing two guards in front of the doors. But then Ember stopped before going up the steps. She felt a shiver go down her spine.

"Ember, what's wrong?" Alain asked.

"I don't know. But somehow I feel uneasy." Ember replied.

"What do you mean?" Zoey asked.

Just then the gang heard a noise and turned to see Gary and his cheerleaders had arrived.

"Oh great." Ember muttered.

The red car stopped right next to them.

"Still playing with your little Poképals, aye Emby?" Gary taunted.

"Hello Gary. Not surprised to see you here." Ember said, dryly.

"I thought you finally gave up on catching and training Pokémon. I figure you went back to Alola. But here you are, still at it." Gary insulted, cockily.

Ember's friends glared dangerously at Prof. Oak's grandson.

"So what are you here for?" Gary asked.

"My eighth badge." Ember replied.

Gary smirked and showed them his ten badges, "Beat this."

"You still think you have what it takes to be a Pokémon Master?" He taunted.

"Ember is a hardworking trainer who deeply cares about her Pokémon. She earned those badges with hard work, teamwork, and determination from her and her Pokémon." Alain stated, glaring heatedly at Gary which slightly flinched at his glare.

"Yeah, she managed to beat all seven gym leaders." Mairin added, glaring.

"I beat you only avoided the powerful ones." Zoey taunted.

Gary scoffed, "Whatever, I'm battling this gym first."

Then Gary walked past them and entered the gym with his cheerleaders. Knowing that they won't allow the others in, Ember suggested that they head to the Pokémon center for a break.

================================

The gang were at the Pokémon Center, taking a break while having a few snacks.

"I can't believe it's been a year since we all meet." Zoey said.

"True. But I'm glad that you guys joined me on my journey." Ember said.

Cilan chuckled, "That's normal, because it's easy to ignore the fact that time flies by so quickly when you're enjoying your good life."

Ember smiled, "I have to admit that that's true."

They all chuckled at that.

Ember gasped, "I just remembered something; My birthday is coming up soon as well." She said.

"Really?" Zoey and Mairin asked.

"Yeah, would you guys like to celebrate it with me, my parents, and Prof. Oak?" Ember asked.

"Sure, we would love to." Alain replied.

"No way we're going to miss it." Zoey added.

"Well we should head to the gym now. Gary should be done with his battle by now." Ember said.