Bridging The Gap; The Final Records In Unova: An Autobiography

Solace As A Rock

"Interough City is in the opposite direction, behind us," I pointed out on my Town Map. "However, Ghyst Town is right up ahead of us, after we get out of this town."

"We've still got a decent amount of time to get this Badge, and still travel a bit more before the Interough Conference begins," Courtney stated, staring in her mirror, brushing her hair.

"Well, I'm not wasting any time," I told her. "I'm heading straight for Interough City after I win my final Badge and registering right away for the Interough Conference." I looked up at the cloudless, afternoon sky, the sun beaming brightly and strongly, and I sighed as I remembered what nearly kept me from competing in the Pokemon League back in Kanto...

My eighth Badge being a fake, and Courtney getting June and I purposely lost. My impatience to beat the eighth Gym Leader also led to a loss and wasted time, as well.

"I don't wanna waste anymore time," Ella said impatiently. "Let's get to this Gym already!"

"Everyone ready to go?" Courtney smiled at her Pokemon.

Courtney's Maractus, Swoobat, Stoutland, Scraggy, Amoonguss, and Sceptile spoke eagerly to her and nodded.

"Swooooobat!!" Swoobat cried excitedly. "Swoobat! Swoobat! Swoobat!" The remaining bit of fruit Swoobat was eating and holding with its feet slipped from its grasp and it tried to grab at it, but the fruit fell to the ground. "Swoobat!" Swoobat swooped down and lifted the fruit from the ground before shoving the rest of it in its mouth happily.

Courtney laughed. "Swoobat, you've dropped that thing about twenty times in the past minute. You're such a Klutz."

"So, when are we going to the Pokemon League?" Trixa was hopping around randomly.

Her Panpour, Leavanny, and Pansear ran around playing tag with each other while Ducklett flew around in circles over Pignite's head, making the piggy dizzy.

Trixa's Axew sat calmly and watched the others play with a small smile on its face.

"Trixa!" I said angrily, scowling at her, and she stopped bouncing and looked at me with a smile, her eyes sparkling. "Only you and Courtney have all the Badges you need to compete in the League, okay? The rest of us don't! You and Courtney can go off to Interough City if you'd like, but Ella and I have to get one more Badge."

"As if I'd leave you behind, Sugar Lumps," Courtney said teasingly. "After all we've been through together, what kind of friend would I be to desert you at this point? We're like family, you know? Hug!" She extended her arms and I groaned with exasperation as she squeezed me in a hug.

I backed up a couple of steps after she finally let go of me and I stared at her curiously. "It's certainly been something having you in our group," I muttered.

Courtney beamed and nodded in agreement. "That's why I could never leave you, Gary!"

Her choice of words left me feeling just slightly uncomfortable, as well as embarrassed.

"Never say never," June mumbled, looking away from us all.

Courtney turned to June and snickered. "And, anyway, what about June?" Courtney asked with a sly smile. "If you and Ella are traveling together because you both need one more Badge, and Trixa and I go to Interough City since we have all of our Badges, what's June gonna be doing?"

My eyes widened and I straightened up as I shot June a quick glance.

Ella giggled, smirking at June.

"I'm traveling with Gary, as I've made it clear for far too long," June snapped at Courtney.

Courtney snickered. "Just as I figured," she nodded.