The morning brought nerves. I don't know why but I was more nervous about this battle than I had been when I was going to face Blaine. I thought about which Pokémon I should let Gary battle with and I was tempted to give him Charizard, as I knew he wouldn't listen to a single thing Gary said, but then I couldn't bring myself to battle against him, so I scrapped that idea. I'll lend him Areodactyl instead.
Eevee was still sleeping, curled up on the bed but it was nearly time to go, so I gently woke her up. "Vee?" She questioned then gave a large yawn, making me giggle at her adorable face.
"Rise and shine little one! We've got a big battle ahead of us and we've got to get moving or we'll be late." I said to her and instantly she was bounding to her feet.
"Vee! Vee!"
"Uh huh, we're going to beat that Gary like a drum. You wait and see." She nodded her head then sprang up to my shoulder, settling there as I found us some breakfast in the kitchen. I cut up some fruit, found some yoghurt then lay it out on the table for Eevee and I to share, as she loved apples and yoghurt.
"Tah dah!" My parents called loudly together and I practically leaped out of my chair in shock, recoiling to see their faces once more painted, flags waving in my face and pop streamers shooting out in all directions as they cheered. "Go Ruby go! Go Ruby go!" Mom giggled as she placed a hand on her chunky hip. "I can't wait to see my little baby fight again, it's so exciting!" Dad sniffed, wiping tears from his eyes which only smeared his face paint into a horrible pallet of blue and red.
"My little girl, she's so grown up…I can't handle it!"
"Woah dad! Mom! Take it easy!" I gasped for breath, recovering from the shock before settling back down again. "You're not seriously coming to watch me battle Gary are you?" I questioned with slight concern. "Shouldn't you be packing to leave?" Mom wagged her finger at me and shook her head before dumping several bags on the table, all of them overflowing with new clothes, gifts, souvenirs and heaven knows what else.
"Vee!" Eevee gasped then leaped into my arms off the table to avoid being crushed and I instantly hugged her to me.
"All packed and ready to go! Our flight doesn't leave until later this afternoon so we have plenty of time to see how big and strong you've grown since leaving." Mom informed me then ruffled my hair. "Remember, always wait for the opening before attacking, and don't never ever let your guard down. It's in your Battle Girl blood!" Mom plastered a large kiss on my cheek, making me groan as dad gave a slightly guilty laugh whilst I suffered through mom's smothering, Eevee only just get out of the firing range.
"Okay, okay I get it." I sighed, lowering my head. "I guess I can't stop you so come on." Pushing myself up out of my seat I moved Eevee to my shoulder and rubbed her head as I left the inn.
"Vee?"
"I'm just a little worried, that's all Eevee. Gary's a pretty tough Pokémon trainer, I've seen that through how strong his Pokémon are, but if how can I bring myself to fight against Areodactyl? Do you think he'll understand that's its just another type of training exercise?" I questioned and she gave me a bright, cheerful smile.
"Vee!"
"Haha! I thought so. Come on! Let's go find that loser and whip his butt!" I cheered, punching the air with Eevee situated firmly on my shoulder.
"Oh coo eeh!" Instantly my race ahead slowed as I exhaled and my shoulders slumped.
"Yes mom?"
"Honey, don't you want to get your face painted too? We made sure to wear your favourite colours, red and blue! Red and blue!" Mom giggled as she came at me with a sponge dipped in face paint which I instantly shrank back from.
"Uh…no thanks mom! I think I'll keep my normal face today. Just in case I distract my opponent, which would be totally unfair and not sportsmanship at all." I said with a smile, shaking my head. Mom gave it a moment's thought before beaming proudly.
"That's my girl! Let's go!" She grabbed my hand and physically dragged both dad and I all the way down to the beach at least three steps ahead. I gave dad a look and he grinned at me, waving a little flag with my face on it.
"So what Pokémon are you going to give Gary to use?" He asked curiously and I gave a sly little smirk.
"Aerodactyl." Dad blinked at me in surprise but then gave a little laugh.
"I see. So you're not going to go easy on Gary then, are you?" Shaking my head as mom dragged us along I jogged to try and keep up.
"Of course not. If he thinks he's so great then he'll have no problem with Areodactyl, let's see if he can prove to everyone what kind of trainer he is." Just as we got down to the beach, mom skidded to a halt then began to wave.
"Gary! Over here sweetie!" Instantly I put up my guard, watching as Gary turned around from the pier to look towards us. He gave a small smile then approached, nodding his head in the early morning sun.
"Good morning Mrs Bates, Mr Bates, I hope you both had a refreshing night's sleep?" He questioned and my mom giggled, gripping his cheek and pinched it tightly, making his eyes bulge widely in pain as she beamed down at him.
"Aw cutie! You're such a little sweetheart, I'll have to tell your grandpa all about how big and grown up you are Gary! So, shall we get this battle on the way? I just can't wait to see you two go head to head against one another, it's exciting!" Letting go of his face mom then slipped her arm around him, lifted her camera high then snapped a photo of them both, grinning from ear to ear as Gary still recovered.
"Well Gary, what Pokémon have you decided to let Ruby use this morning?" Dad asked, clapping a gentle hand onto Gary's shoulder and he turned a smile up to him.
"Just wait and see. Come on, I'll show you the battleground." He gestured for us to follow so I looked down at Eevee who gave a confident nod then turned to watch Gary walk ahead with my parents.
"Well, here goes nothing." I sighed then hurried to catch up with the others. Gary led us around the beach to then climb over some rocks, however when I stood up and looked at the beach, all I could do was stop and stare. The waves glittered prettily on the white picturesque sand, washing back and forth with soft frothy foam. Palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze as the cliff on our right rose up high above us, seemingly reaching up to touch the sky.
"Wow…how come no one ever comes here?" I asked, letting go of Eevee so she could jump down herself and I began to descend.
"The tide comes in pretty quickly but it won't come in for another hour or so, so we have plenty of time and there should be enough space for a battle." Gary answered, turning to look around. I took a jump to get down the last big rock but his hands both darted out and caught me as I landed, ensuring steady footing as he smirked. "Careful, don't fall over and hurt yourself Rubes." Shooting him a dark look I considered giving him a round house kick to the face but before I could make my final decision, he had let me go and was walking ahead.
"So Gary dear, what Pokémon will you be letting my Ruby use?" Mom nosed, keeping close to Gary as he then stopped a fair distance away so I rooted myself to the spot, glaring over to him with conversation but then looked to dad.
"You are on my side, right?" I questioned and he gave a laugh and a thumb's up.
"Sure am my girl, I'm rooting for you all the way." He promised as Gary picked up a Pokéball.
"Well, seeing as Ruby knows one or two of my Pokémon, I thought I'd be nice and lend her an aquaintence." He said then flung the Pokéball forwards. "Go Nidoking!" My eyes widened and mouth gaped slightly as Nidoking appeared with a flash, lifting his head high to roar with a powerful stance. Whoa…I'm kind of glad I'm not battling against it. "Nidoking, we're doing things a little differently today." Gary announced and Nidoking turned to look with intense confusion.
"Nidoking?"
"Yup. You're going to be Ruby's partner and I'm going to battle with one of her Pokémon. This'll help us learn how to battle different Pokémon but it'll also improve our strategy for defeating everyone, okay?"
"Nidoking!" Swallowing I picked up the Pokéball of my own choice.
"Alright then, you chose Nidoking? Well I hope you're up for a challenge Gary Oak, because I choose for you Areodactyl!" My prehistoric friend came flying out of the Pokéball with a screech, flapping his broad wings and soared overhead before landing next to me, glaring over at Nidoking who instantly growled back. "Right Areodactyl, this is just another type of training exercise, okay? We're working on how you respond to tactics and orders given to you, so you've got to do your best and listen okay?" I said as I reached up and rubbed his face. "I know you love to battle, so you're going to partner with Gary and help me train to get stronger too, alright?" Areodactyl nodded his head with a low screech before rising up into the air. "He's all yours Gary!" I called. "Nidoking! Come over here you big fella!" I laughed, opening my arms as Nidoking came charging over.
"Nidoking!" With a broad smile I leaped up and put my arms as far around Nidoking as I could, hugging him as Eevee danced around his feet.
"Vee! Vee! Vee!" She chimed and Nidoking nodded his head with her, chanting his own name also before then nuzzling my head carefully.
"It's good to see you too little buddy, how about you and I test out that awesome power I saw ages ago?" I said to him, clenching my fist tightly. "You ready to show how great you can be regardless your trainer?"
"Nido!" With a strong thump to his chest with both hammer like hands, Nidoking turned and stomped a foot down, signalling he was ready to battle. "Nidoking!"
"Nothing personal Ruby, but I'm not going to let myself lose to an amautuer such as yourself." Gary said with folded arms, standing proudly beside Areodactyl. "I'll show you what a real battle should be like."
"Bring it!" I shouted back as my parents began to snap photos and cheered.
"Go Ruby! I know you can do it baby!" I groaned slightly. Maybe I should have just given them the slip. I felt a gentle paw touch my leg and I looked down to find Eevee sitting at my side, reaching up with a comforting and confident expression, ears pricked up with attention so I nodded my head.
"Alright, let's do this." I agreed with her as her expression then narrowed into an even more determined look. "Nidoking, let's start with Poison Sting!" I called, pointing up into the air to Aerodactyl who called back in answer and instantly dived down as sharp pellets of light shot out from Nidoking's mouth.
"Agh! Areodactyl, you're meant to wait for my command!" Gary yelled up at Areodactyl as he dived down and tried to charge directly at Nidoking, taking the full hit of the Poison Sting attack. "Areodactyl, use Slam!" Suddenly Areodactyl changed course and flew around with swift speed, forcing Nidoking to turn around but before a moment of breath had passed, Areodactyl had slammed Nidoking down into the sand.
"Get up Nidoking and hurry! Use Ice Punch, get yourself up into the air by jumping!" I called back. "Slam your tail down for extra lift!" Nidoking did exactly as I said, leaping up into the air for an unsuspecting Aerodactyl who was flying overhead. Nidoking rose easily up into the air, his power letting him climb the distance as his fist drew back and began to glow white.
"How did you know I taught Nidoking Ice Punch?" Gary demanded with a gasp as I smirked rather victoriously.
"I've seen you use it before when you were battling other tourists behind the research lab and since Areodactyl is flying type, he has a disadvantage against ice attacks. Go Nidoking!" I punched the air as Nidoking punched upwards, landing a direct hit on Areodactyl who cried out in shock and was thrown off course, flapping his huge wings wildly as Nidoking descended.
"Aerodactyl, use Hyper Beam!"
"Dig Nidoking!" I countered, pointing to the sand. "Escape quickly!" Aerodactyl opened his huge jaws and light began to gather in a small sphere which steadily grew larger but Nidoking plunged down into the sand and buried his way through, though I knew the end attack wouldn't land a hit on Areodactyl seeing as he was up in the air and it was almost impossible to pinpoint his position without Nidoking being able to see.
"Areodactyl, fly up high out of reach!" Gary answered and Areodactyl clamped his jaws shut, cancelling the Hyper Beam and flew up higher, searching the ground as Nidoking continued to burrow underneath.
Suddenly I felt the sand shift and before I could take a breath, Nidoking leaped upwards, causing sand to go flying everywhere so I quickly shielded Eevee, tucking her up into me as I turned away from the spray of the powerful and rather large Pokémon. "Nidoking!"
"Okay Nidoking, let's use Sandstorm on the double." I decided, watching as Nidoking began spin around very quickly, whipping up a sandstorm of great strength which I had to squit to try and see through, holding onto Eevee who cleverly hid her eyes with her long ears to make sure none of the spray got caught.
"Aerodactyl, use Supersonic to locate Nidoking then use Wing Attack!" Gary shouted in return and before I could do anything, Areodactyl had dived down into the thick of the sandstorm and had let out a shrill, piercing sound.
"Use Dig!" I retaliated, however before Nidokign could move a glowing wing streaked towards him and hit square in the chest, throwing him backwards out of the sandstorm which instantly eased up and settled.
"Hyper Beam!"
"Nidoking, use Hyper Beam as well!" My heart beat evenly but loudly, gradually increasing its speed as two Hyper Beams connected halfway, gathering in energy. What could I do? That was a pretty impressive blast and if Nidoking gets caught in it, he'll definitely take some serious damage. "Nidoking, hold on! I know you can do it!" I cheered, urging Nidoking onwards and he growled determinedly in reply.
"Keep it steady Areodactyl, you're doing excellent." Gary watched as the gathering ball of energy continued to grow and finally, it exploded all at once. "Fly high!"
"Use Screech!" I yelled randomly, hoping that it would counter the effect the way I hoped it would. The piercing sound left Nidoking's powerful jaws and Eevee whimpered so I held her close to me, pressing on her ears to try and block out most of the sound.
Slim waves of energy rippled out from Nidoking and struck the Hyper Beam explosion, forming a sort of barrier which protected Nidoking from the blast. "Alright!" I cheered as Nidoking closed his mouth and nodded, pleased with himself.
However before I could celebrate, Areodactyl shot through the mass of smoke and slammed into Nidoking with Wing Attack, throwing him backwards and into the sand. "Oh no! Nidoking!"
"Aerodactyl, use Crunch!" The strong jaws clamped down on Nidoking's arm and he roared, shaking and waving it in an attempt to get Areodactyl off but he hung on easily, glaring with beady yellow eyes.
"Nidoking stay calm, you're okay!" I called out to him. "Just relax and trust me. Now that you have Aerodactyl right where you want him, use Slam!" Nidoking nodded his head then charged forwards, forcing Areodactyl ahead of him as he lowered his head and raced up to the cliff.
"Areodactyl, let go and fly up now." Areodactyl let go and leaped upwards, flapping his wings to gain ground as Gary stood there with perfect calmness and ease. Nidoking skidded to a halt, trying to stop his attack but instead he struck the base of the cliff with considerable force, knocking himself backwards to the ground.
"No! Nidoking are you okay?" I asked as Nidoking turned over and tried to get up.
"Hyper Beam, now!" Gary pointed and before I could blink, Aerodactyl had opened his mouth and was shooting a charged beam down at Nidoking who only had time to look up in shock before he was struck.
"No!" I took a step forwards, watching in horror as Nidoking was swallowed by the attack. "Nidoking!" I heard his answering roar, the boom of the blast engulfing everything as the smoke broiled and rose up before gradually disappearing. My heart hammered nervously in my chest, looking to see if Nidoking was alright.
Eventually the smoke left and I was faced with Areodactyl settled on the ground neatly, looking at Nidoking who was collapsed on the ground and not moving. "Nidoking!" I raced forwards, letting Eevee jump out of my arms and raced over to the fallen Pokémon. "Nidoking, are you alright? Can you move?"
"Nido…king…" He groaned in answer, trying to struggle upwards but only managed a small shift before he collapsed back down again so I knelt by his head and rubbed his face, giving him a soft, comforting smile.
"It's alright. You just rest now. You deserve it." I said to him then looked over to Areodactyl. "And you were brilliant. You've definitely become stronger since we first met." I gave a broad grin then stood up as Gary returned Nidoking to his Pokéball. "Return now." As I picked up Areodactyl's Pokéball the Pokémon turned to Gary and began to rub his nose into his face, making Gary laugh as Areodactyl then stuck out his long tongue and licked him. I watched carefully, pausing in my movement to observe the interaction.
"You were great Aerodactyl, I'm glad I got a chance to battle with you buddy." Once Areodactyl was safely back inside I turned around to face Gary. He looked down with a smug expression but I shoved that aside for the moment, looking down to Areodactyl's Pokéball then back at Gary. They had really battled well with each other, Aerodactyl had listened to Gary more than he had ever listened to me. It was like they were on exactly the same wavelength.
"Here." I decided finally, picking up Gary's hand and placed Aredactyl's Pokéball in it. "I want you to take him with you." I informed him and Gary's expression instantly dropped.
"You…what?" He blinked and stared down at the Pokéball. "Rubes, you can't give me your Areodactyl, you're the one who caught him and you've bene training so hard with him!" I gave a little shrug, surprised by how the nickname didn't bother me.
"I saw whilst you two were battling how in tune you were with each other. I can just about get Aredactyl to do what I want in a battle but you didn't even have to argue with him. I think he'll get along better with a trainer like you who knows what you're doing. He really wants to battle and explore the world, so show him some really tough and amazing battles for me, okay?" I asked pleadingly though I couldn't help but smile. "It's what's best for him."
"Well…if you're sure…" Gary said hesitantly, trying to find a catch. "I'll take good care of him." Nodding my head I took a step back, Eevee winding her way through my legs.
"I know you will. Just remember he likes mangos and fish so don't worry about him trying to eat your other Pokémon." I teased as mom and dad finally reached us from the safe distance they had put themselves at to avoid being caught in the battle.
"That was an amazing battle!" Mom cheered, leaping up and down. "Ruby, although you didn't win, you have to see how much stronger you've become since you left Pallet Town. When you first left, all you had was a grouchy little Charmander and a Pidgey, but now you've grown into battling on a whole new level." She sniffed, wiping tears from her eyes. "I'm so proud of you baby!"
"Thanks mom." I grunted as she pulled me into a crushing hug. "And thank you Gary, you really showed me a lot about me as a trainer, my strengths and weaknesses, so I'll be sure to practice and train hard so that next time we battle, I'll totally whip you!" I beamed and dad laughed, clapping a hand onto my shoulder.
"That's my girl." He said then ruffled my hair. "How about a photo? Just the two of you with all your Pokémon? That'll be a memory worth capturing, don't you think sweetheart?" He asked mom who instantly squealed and clapped her hands.
"Oh yes ! Come on both of you, call out your Pokémon and let's get some shots with you near the ocean!" Instantly she pushed both of us back towards the surf then clapped her hands again. "Come on! Chop-chop!" Sighing I looked at Gary.
"Let's just get this over with. Come on out! I choose everybody!" Throwing my Pokéballs up into the air Eevee jumped with them, calling out excitedly as she focused on Dratini's Pokéball then bounded over to her as she appeared.
"DriiiI!" Dratini cooed happily then the two began to play together in the sand, rolling about and chasing one another as Pidgeotto and Charizard appeared also. Charizard roared then instantly began to nuzzle into me, growling happily as I giggled then hugged him tightly.
"Okay big guy, I missed you too!" I agreed then kissed his nose. "We're going to have our picture taken with Gary and his Pokémon, so how about it? Have you all primped and groomed?" I teased as Gary let out his Pokémon.
"It's photo time! Come on everyone!" I watched as a Blastoise, Nidoking, Growlithe, Poliwhirl, Nidorina and a Haunter appeared. Hey! He actually caught a Haunter?
"Haunter…" It said spookily then instantly began to disappear and reappear, pulling weird, funny faces at everyone and tried to frighten Eevee and Dratini but they were unfased, merely laughed and leaped up into his hands to rub their heads in greeting.
"Hey! Your Growlithe is so cute!" I beamed, kneeling down to stroke the Growlithe's head as it barked at me.
"Growl! Growlithe!"
"Yeah, we've been working hard together, haven't we Growlithe?" Gary answered with folded arms but before we could say anything more, mom began to organise us.
"Alright, Charizard you stand right there with Ruby and Pidgeotto sweetie, you hover between him and Blastoise. Haunter stay still a moment! Yes that's right, now you stay there and Gary darling, you stand close with Ruby and put your arm around her, yes that's perfect!" Huh? What?!
"That's not necessary, is it?" I asked as mom lifted Gary's arms and put it around me with a bright smile.
"Of course! It looks much nicer with you two standing together like that. Now everyone, look towards Will and say Pokémon!" Gary blinked down at me then blushed a little, looking away as his arm remained stiff around me.
"Hey, loosen up. You're making this far worse and more uncomfortable by being such a stiff board." I quipped at him and he shot me a look but nodded his head, relaxing as everyone around us began to smile and called out their names in a chant. Eevee sat at my feet, head tipped to the side with her ears flopping over and I giggled at her cuteness, Dratini sitting close to her before I looked to Gary, dad snapping away with as many shots as he could manage to capture.
Gary's hair caught the light and instantly the redness shone through, making it brighter and shinier than before. I blushed then quickly looked away, clearing my throat uncomfortably. "That's it, smile! Act natural!" Mom trilled as dad continued to snap up the photos.
"Are we done yet?" I asked but mom shook her head.
"No, no, we need more fun! More relaxation…we're on Cinnabar Island! At least pretend to look like you're having fun!" She smiled so I strained to put on a broader smile for her. Suddenly I felt myself being lifted up and I yelped, my eyes darting to Gary who had grabbed me by the waist and had lifted me up into the air with a laugh.
"How's this Mrs Bates?" He questioned then spun around, me clinging onto him for dear life but then I began to laugh, feeling the thrill of spinning quickly shoot through me and my hat fell back over my head, tipping it so that my face was more readily exposed.
Gary let me down and I found myself very close to him, blinking up into his eyes in a slight daze as he quirked an eyebrow. "Not going to fall over are you Rubes?" He teased so I smirked with knowing.
"No…but you are!" With that I shoved him over and he fell to the ground as I laughed, placing my hands on my hips as Eevee and Dratini reached my shoulders, perching there as Gary sat on the sand where I had planted him.
"Hey, no fair!" He said with a grin then leaped back up. "Blastoise, let's cool everyone down with Water Gun!" He said and Blastoise lifted both arms up into the air.
"Blaaaastoise!" He agreed then aimed his cannons upwars.
"No!" I screeched whilst giggling as Eevee and Dratini had taken it upon themselves to tickle my neck and face with their cuddles but it was too late. Blastoise shot a plume of water up into the air and it trickled down, spraying us all. "Gary Oaks, that was not nice!" I laughed, pointing a finger to him. "Eevee, use tickle attack!" I called and Eevee instantly sprung from my shoulder, paws stretched out to Gary then slammed into his chest, his arms instantly holding onto her to keep her steady as her tongue began to lick at his neck and face.
"Vee! Vee, Vee, Vee!" She trilled happily as I rubbed Dratini's head.
"Driiii…" She sighed happily, tail swaying softly down my back as I held up an arm and let Pidgeotto land there.
"Pidgeo." She said and I nodded my head in agreement.
"Yeah, life is good with friends." I said then looked up at Charizard. "Don't you think so buddy?" He nodded his head with a growl then settled down on the sand, curling up around me to have a nap but lifted his wing to give us some shade, making me smile and rub his belly. "Thanks Charizard." So I leaned back and enjoyed some quality relaxation time with my Pokémon as mom and dad played babminton and Gary's Pokémon all had some sparring matches, though they kept everything to a minimum.
Areodactyl soared overhead, happily riding the thermals but as the tide began to come in, he called down a warning to us. "Alright everyone, let's jump ship!" I called, picking up my Pokéballs. "Let's go let's go!" Pidgeotto flew back to Eevee and carried her over, setting her on the sand from where she had been scrambling on the rocks and I smiled down at her. "We don't want to lose you now, do we?" I questioned and she jumped up and did a backflip.
"Vee!"
"I'll see you all tonight, okay?" I said then beamed at Charizard, Dratini and Pidgeotto. "I'll make us Brock's special Pokémon buffet meal and we'll have a real feast." I promised then brought them all back as Gary did the same.
"Come on honey! The tide's getting closer!" Dad called, already climbing back over the rocks and was helping mom so I raced after them, Gary close behind.
"You keeping up Gary?" I challenged and he grinned.
"Please, I'm slowing down just for you."
"Oh yeah? Then let's pick up the pace!" I said then charged forwards with Eevee bounding at my side, leaping up the rocks but when her little body didn't quite manage the jump ahead of me I caught her in my arms and leaped up. "Careful Eevee, I got you." I said to her and she licked my cheek in answer.
Once we were safely back on the beach dad checked the time. "Well, we'd better be going." He sighed. "The blimp leaves in half an hour." I flung my arms around him and held on tightly.
"Thank you for coming dad, it's been real fun having you two here with me." I said then kissed his cheek. "I'll be home soon, I promise. I'll stop there before I head back out on my journey to collect more badges but after that, I'll be home for a long stay." Mom tackled me with her powerful hug and I felt every bone in my body break as she clung onto me, sobbing shamelessly.
"I'm going to miss you my little darling, you take care now and don't do anything dangerous, but make sure to have lots of fun and don't forget about your old folks back at home!" Smiling I hugged her back and tried to comfort her.
"Of course. I'll be careful." I assured her then peeled myself from her. "And I'll be sure to try my best for you guys, I promise!" Mom sniffed then picked up the camera she and dad had been using all holiday, patting it gently then held it out to me.
"Here sweetie, this is for you." I reached out and took the camera in its case, neatly sitting before me as I then looked up at mom. "To capture all the memories that will build you into a stronger, more confident person. I know you still have a lot of growing to do, so I want you to take pictures to capture all the times and special moments that you never want to forget. Use it to remember friends, Pokémon, places and people who you meet on your journey." I nodded my head then hugged both my parents again.
"I love you." I whispered to them and they held onto me.
"We love you too." They answered in unison and we stayed like that for a long time before finally, I let go and stepped back from them.
"Have a safe trip, I'll call you when I get my next badge." I promised. "Bye!"
"Goodbye sweetie! And good luck!" They cheered as they walked and waved, going off towards the blimp station where they were headed home. For a while I said nothing, just stood and watched them go before someone shifted behind me.
"You know, I can see how you guys are all related." Gary said matter of factly and I rolled my eyes.
"I know, we're all completely crazy." I agreed then smiled. "Well, I'd better be going. See you around Gary, and good luck with all your training."
"Yeah. You too Rubes. I know you'll do great." He answered, lifting a hand and gave a lazy flick of salute to signal his goodbye so I did the same, mimicking him with a laugh then raced off. "Come on Eevee, let's go learn more about Pokémon!"
