Arriving on Pummelo Island for Summer's battle against Drake, she and Rocky decided this battle would determine their decision on the long debate of evolving the Onix. After a tough battle, Rocky was able to learn Rock Slide and tied with Drake's Steelix. Rocky decided to evolve to help Summer with his newfound strength. To help with that, Summer goes to a trading event at the Pokémon Center. But a blackout on the island causes Summer to bond with the Pokémon she received. Which Pokémon will it be, and who is the Pokémon's Trainer?

Chapter 24- An Unexpected Trade

Waking up from a very restful sleep, Yuki accompanied me off the Eevee Showboat to the Pokémon Center. The streets were wide and lined with training shops, most likely to help Trainers who want to battle Drake, the head of the Orange Crew.

Yuki pondered, "So who do you think will be your trading partner, Summer?"

"I don't know. Not only is it randomized, it also spans to the Kanto and Johto Regions. I just never expected that so many people need trade evolutions."

"Me either. It's hard to find someone who will not only trade with you, but also trade you back your Pokémon. It's nice that they have events like this. Are you going to rename Rocky?"

"I think it'll be better to keep his name. It'll be confusing if we change it."

Yuki giggled. "Very true. And you don't have to come up with a good nickname."

We laughed and continued our walk. A few minutes later, we arrived at the building, where excited Trainers were lining up outside. Yuki joined me in line, and we inched slowly into the Pokémon Center. After showing my Trainer ID, I received a ticket with a timestamp from a volunteer. As I peered around the crowd, I got a glimpse of a large metal machine. It was cylindrical, with flashing lights and a small monitor at the top and a glass case with a pedestal in the middle. A bold "1" was painted at the base. The nurse put a Pokéball inside the case and once the monitor flashed green, she pressed a red button next to the screen. Suddenly, a flash of white electricity hit the Pokéball, and the round object disappeared. The monitor then showed two Pokéballs moving in opposite directions across the screen. When the balls reached their destinations, a Pokéball reappeared in the machine. The nurse took it out of the chamber and informed an excited boy what to do next. Farther down, there were four other machines, working to increase the trading between the three regions.

I looked at my ticket and set an alarm on my Pokégear. "Hmm… At 11, I need to go to machine 3."

Yuki looked at the clock above the reception desk. "That's an hour from now. Why don't we watch some TV while we wait?"

"Sounds good to me." I glanced at the TV in the lobby. "It looks like it's showing the Pokémon League Association Network."

As we got closer, battle footage of Weldon appeared. I gripped the blue couch and slowly sat down. A male announcer said, "We are now just one day away from the Kanto Elite Four challenge. Weldon Leland, the 2004 Indigo League Winner, will challenge the Elite Four in the following order: Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, and Lance. If he defeats all of them, he will have the right to challenge Red, the Kanto Champion. As usual, we will show the battles here, starting at 1pm. We will be back after this commercial break."

While a Pokémon cereal commercial flashed on the screen, I sighed. Yuki noticed and slyly asked, "Do you have a crush on Weldon?"

I was startled by her statement. "Wh-What gave you that idea, Yuki?!"

She giggled. "Your reactions. You watched that segment intently, as if you were worried about him. Plus, I remember your facial expressions and your response when we were on Kumquat Island. You do have feelings for him, don't you?"

I brushed my hair with my right hand. "It's...complicated… I don't think he wants to see me again after the way I treated him during the tournament."

She gently clasped my hand. "I'm sure he wants to talk to you, especially when he confessed what happened to you after the tournament. Why not try talking to him when you see him again?"

I sighed. "I'll think about it." My Pokégear vibrated. "Oh, it's time for me to go machine 3."

"Okay, I'll wait for you outside."

I nodded and headed to the machine. Once I got there, the volunteer helped me put Rocky's Pokéball into the machine. After a few seconds, the ball slowly disappeared and I watched the monitor. The two Pokéballs traveled between the Orange Islands and the Kanto Region.

Hmm...Rocky's going to Viridian City. I wonder what I'll get.

Right when the Pokéball from the Trainer in Kanto arrived, the building lights flickered, then went dark. {Trainers,} an announcement came onto the PA system. {There has been an unscheduled blackout throughout the Orange Islands. Trading will be delayed to whenever we can restore power. If you have received the Pokémon you exchanged for, please allow them to evolve and care for them until the power is restored.}

Luckily, the case could be manually opened and I was able to safely grab the ball with the volunteer's help. As the other people shuffled about, I clutched the Pokéball and walked outside. Yuki walked over to me. "I heard what happened, Summer. Why don't we spend some time with the Pokémon you got?"

"I agree. Let's see who it is." I opened the Pokéball and out came a Graveler. For some strange reason, he looked familiar. "Have I seen you before?"

Before the Rock type could answer, he was surrounded by a glowing white light. He grew bigger and rounder, with two arms instead of four. When the light faded, he looked more like a rocky cannonball rather than a rock.

[Golem, the Megaton Pokémon and the evolved form of Graveler. It is said to live in volcanic craters on mountain peaks. Once a year, it sheds its hide and grows larger. The shed hide crumbles and returns to the soil.]

"What do you mean he looks familiar, Summer?" my friend asked, confused.

The Golem instantly recognized my name and shouted in a deep gravelly voice, "Summer! It's been a while."

"It certainly has, Golem." I gave Yuki an awkward smile. "Yuki, this Golem is one of Weldon's Pokémon."

"No way!" she gasped. "What are the odds of that happening?"

"I know, right? Anyway, Golem, what do you want to do? We have plenty of time until the power comes back on."

Our stomachs growled. "How about lunch first?"

We laughed. "All right, let's eat!"

Later that day…

After receiving news that the power would be restored soon, Yuki, Golem and I waited outside the Pokémon Center to trade him back as soon as possible.

"Thanks for the meal, Summer!" Golem happily said. "We've been dieting since we started training."

I giggled. "It's good to have a break every once in awhile. Plus, you burned off the calories by practicing with my Pokémon."

After a good laugh, Yuki asked, "Are you guys ready to battle tomorrow?"

The Rock type scratched his head. "I think so. I'm not going to be used too much until Agatha and Lance. But Weldon's really determined to win."

I became quiet. Did he revert back to his old philosophy?

Golem saw my worried face. "Don't worry, Summer. He's been making sure we don't train so hard. He cares about us more than he did when he started his journey."

I softly smiled. "That's good to hear. I wish you could relay a message for me, but he doesn't understand you."

The Rock type was stunned. "You really want to talk to him? Even after what happened during the Indigo League?"

I sighed. "Yes. What I told him inside that locker room, I didn't know the full story. Now that I do...I hope he can forgive me."

"I have an idea!" Yuki rummaged through her bag and pulled out a notepad and a black pen. "Why don't you write him a note and have Golem hold onto it?"

"That's a great idea, Yuki! Is that okay, Golem?"

He beamed. "I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

I immediately took the writing tools and scribbled down a short but hopefully impactful note.

An hour later…

"We apologize for the delay, Summer," the volunteer said after the trade was complete.

I smiled, slightly confusing her. "That's all right. Besides, I had a great time bonding with Golem."

"I'm glad! Have a good day."

"Thanks, you too!" I exited the building, where Yuki and my Pokémon were waiting.

"Oohhh...this is so exciting!" Lightning squealed.

Blaze chuckled. "We haven't had an evolved teammate in a while."

Flower and Swirls quietly waited to see their friend while Errol circled the sky impatiently. I threw the Pokéball into the air, and out came Rocky. He was much taller and covered in iron instead of rocks. A moment of quiet, then...

"Welcome back, Rocky!" Flower shouted as she gently wrapped her vines around her friend.

He laughed and lightly nudged her. "Thanks, Flower," he replied, his voice much deeper.

Errol perched on the Steel type's head. "What a much taller viewpoint from here."

Rocky heartily replied, "It's something to get used to, but I'm glad you like it, Errol."

"Rocky dude! Whatcha feel about your new look?"

Rocky smiled. "I like it. But I do need to practice battling again. And I know the two who can really help the most."

Lightning excitedly flicked her tail. "Then you better watch out, Rocky!" She playfully lunged at the Steelix and they play wrestled.

Blaze sighed, softly smiling at the Raichu. "You always want to battle... Don't forget me!"

"And us!" everyone else chimed in.

I was so ecstatic about my team's strong bond with each other that I joined in on the fun. We laughed and spent the rest of the day getting used to Rocky's new size and typing.

Pokémon: Blaze (Blaziken, male): Brave Nature, moves: Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Blaze Kick, Sky Uppercut

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, moves: Psychic, Confusion, Hypnosis, Peck

Swirls (Poliwhirl, female): Relaxed Nature, moves: Water Pulse, Hypnosis, Water Gun, Ice Punch

Lightning (Raichu, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Thunder Punch

Flower (Ivysaur, female): Gentle Nature, moves: Sludge Bomb, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, Sleep Powder

Rocky (Steelix, male): Lonely Nature, moves: Rock Slide, Crunch, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of the trading event?

Did you expect Summer to get Weldon as her trading partner?