Swanna Song, Sung Throughout Sinnoh

Taking Care Of Business

"Hey, mom," Gary started glumly.

"Gee, kid. You sound so happy speaking to me," Gary's mother joked, wearing a cocky grin that was really ticking Gary off.

"Can you blame me?"

"Then why call me at all?"

"Because you're my mom," he answered with agitation. He felt a little surprised at the way he was talking to her, but also felt like he was just sick and tired of them fighting, this ironically seeming to lead to yet another one.

Gary's mother stared at him, clearly trying to come up with a decent response. It took her a while, which made Gary happy, but he fought the urge to show it. "If you really cared, you'd come home. But all you have is stress to discuss, right?"

"I got my third Badge, and I own so many new Pokemon, now!" Gary let out happily. "I'm on my way to Eterna City to get my fourth Badge. I'm nearly halfway done with my journey, mom!" He knew she wouldn't respond as pleasantly, but he had to do his part and try. He didn't care that his mother didn't share in his enthusiasm. He was proud of himself, maybe even more so because his mother disapproved of it! He just didn't care anymore!

His mother stared at him coldly.

Gary's happiness wasn't diminished in the slightest.

Her breath came out of her nostrils, her mouth slanting. "I'm glad you're still alive."

Gary let out his own breath. "Thanks," he accepted, knowing that would be the best he'd get from her. "I love you, mom," Gary told her out of a mix of a kind of appreciation and exhaustion from dealing with her. He breathed in and out strongly.

"I love you, too, Gary. I just wish you'd stop killing me."

Gary was the one stuck to find words now, and he looked down.

"Your grandma and aunt were asking about you. Maybe you should call them instead."

Gary stared back at his mother, catching her tone of voice.

They were silent for a while.

"I guess I will. But I'll keep calling you if you want."

"You know what I want, Gary."

Silence again.

Gary stared down after a moment. After inhaling, he looked back up. He considered telling her about the failed mission with Jirachi. He didn't have to think long on it.

"What happened with that thing you were saying last time? About bringing your sister back to life. Did you stop that nonsense?"

Gary swallowed. "I did, but only because I lost the Pokemon who grants wishes. I ran into the monster again. That weird creature that killed Melissa. I had the Pokemon, the one who can grant wishes, Jirachi, but the monster appeared and-" Gary glared at his mother whose eyes were widened. No, Gary! "She appeared and tried to capture the Jirachi. Steal it from me. I fought her off and got away, but I lost Jirachi and I won't see it again in this lifetime." Good save.

Gary's mother breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness. You shouldn't have been doing that to begin with! It isn't your place to bring back the dead! The dead stay dead, and I told you not to do it!" She was getting angrier.

Gary just nodded, keeping his eyes down now.

"One day, everything I'm saying will make sense. You'll understand someday."

"And what if you understand me, instead?" Gary questioned.

His mother shook her head. "Never."

Gary's breath came out of him. He'd had enough. "I'll try to call you later, mom."