More of a cool down chapter this time. I'll be slowing down the rate he completes these gyms soon so be prepared for more side stuff, more so dealing with his Pokemon, so maybe random events.

If you want to chat about the story with me, you can join [discord . gg / yARsw4UtaC]. I frequently am online.

Traveling with Barry has been pretty uneventful. He's a decent trainer with a lot of potential, although very hyper. He tends to want to challenge all the trainers that we come across, leaving little for me to battle. I've gotten a few decent battles with traveling trainers, mostly using Chimchar or Croagunk. Barry and I've been winning them all, critiquing the other post battle. Barry tends to overextend his Pokémon, giving orders that his Pokémon can't perform. I told him that he should try to improvise what his Pokémon can do in dire situations, like what he did with the endeavor attack. Those types of last-minute quick-thinking leads to fantastic strategies.

Barry had some thoughts with my battles. "You really expect a lot out of your Pokémon, and they pull it off every time. That's simply amazing! But… I've seen some passing looks your Pokémon have given mid battle. Some feed off the energy of the battle. They love it. Some… don't seem to want to battle as much as you call for it. Maybe you need to spend more time with them. I know that some Pokémon dislike Pokémon battling altogether, but I don't think that's your Pokémon's issue. All the Pokémon you command are well-trained and respond well. Just… maybe give them some downtime."

I haven't really thought about it all that much, spending more time with my Pokémon outside of battling. I mean, these new memories of mine give me a glimpse of what I would become treating Pokémon like weapons, but they don't give me a layout of how to treat my Pokémon really. Every Pokémon is different. Before these memories came to me, I had already traveled through three regions, catching a variety of high-level Pokémon, not caring about their feelings on anything. That needs to change! My Pokémon mean so much more to me than how I treat them. I need to show it. "Hey Barry."

"Yeah? What's up?"

"It's about time for lunch, right? How about we set up camp and get ready for it then. Our Pokémon can run free while we set up camp."

"Sounds like a plan! Everyone, take a break," Barry called out, releasing all his Pokémon.

"Same for us. Come on out everyone!" Releasing my Pokémon, I give my next commands, "You all can have some fun while I get lunch ready. You all have been training so hard, I can't help but be proud of each and every one of you." Leaving them with those words, I set my bag down near a tree and shuffle through it to find my quick lunch.

Most trainers on their journey don't have gourmet meals. There's not a lot we can take with us, so preheated food or pre-prepared food is probably the peak of meals for us. Most days, I eat edible berries that are around or whatever premade meals I made in preparation for my journey. That's why whenever a trainer travels through a town, they stock up on food supplies along with any other trainer necessities. The restaurants of the major cities make a killing on traveling trainers because of their desperation to have some high-quality food. Getting out my Moomoo milk and some fruit I stuffed in a container, I attempt to eat my lunch.

Watching my Pokémon while eating gives some nostalgic feelings. Torterra is soaking up the sun's rays, Chimchar is climbing through the trees, Croagunk is sitting off to the side with Nidoking (maybe it's a poison-type thing), Staravia is flying with Barry's Staravia, and Electabuzz is walking up to me. Hmm, I wonder what he wants.

"Electa," he flatly states.

"We're taking a break from training for this lunch time. You can spend it however you want to. You could train if you really wanted to, but I'd advise to watch yourself, so you don't tire yourself out for later."

"Electa-buzz."

"Sure. You can sit with me while I finish up my lunch. I'll be getting out you and the others' Pokémon food soon, though." Electabuzz takes a seat next to me, up against the tree. There isn't a lot to talk about really. Just sitting together as a team really shows the bond we have. Well," I start to say while finishing eating, "I finished my lunch. I'll prepare yours now, alright?"

With a soft "Buzz," Electabuzz affirms his approval and walks with me as I set out the Pokémon food near the rest of my Pokémon.

Calling over my Pokémon, they gather towards the food. I sit nearby, watching. Barry seems to have dealt with his lunch for him and his Pokémon. Sitting over by my Pokémon, I feel something on my head. Looking up, I find myself face to face with Chimchar or rather his upside-down face while he looks down at me from my head. Chuckling a bit, I just sit back while Chimchar sits on my head.

My Pokémon begin to gather around me. Torterra is what my back is up against, Starly is perched on my shoulder, and Electabuzz, Croagunk, and Nidoking sit down near me. This journey of mine… it'll be the hardest thing I've done. I mean, my plan is to be the strongest trainer, so of course it'd be hard. Dreams wouldn't be what they are if they were easy. It's just… different from my precious journeys through the other regions. I hope these moments will last forever, me and my Pokémon. I know that one day, things might get difficult, training and battling, but I hope to never give in to the naysayers. These new memories of mine make me recall a trainer by the name of Gary. He was a skilled trainer who loved his Pokémon as much as Ash did, but after losing to Ash, he just quit being a trainer. I can't imagine myself doing the same. Battling is in my blood. Getting stronger, commanding and planning intricate strategies… it's something I live for. I hope I never give in like he did.

(-)

Getting back to traveling with Barry, was a somewhat hard task, as I had to recall all my Pokémon. I actually left Chimchar on my head while I traveled. It seems like he's comfortable there so might as well keep him there for now. It won't do any harm to leave him there.

"We're about half a day walk from Eterna City," commented Barry who was looking at a map of Sinnoh.

"We'll probably make it to Eterna City's Pokémon center later tonight then. I guess we can decide who'll face Gardenia tomorrow."

"I'm sure she'll have some spare Pokémon to use for both of us. What we'll have to decide is who goes first."

A smirk picks up on my face. "Well, in that case, the answer is quite obvious. I'll battle her first."

"Hey, you might want me to go first. That way you can find out Gardenia's strategy and have an easier time," Barry jokes.

"My reasoning exactly for why I should go first. You're the one who would need a handicap like that. Me and my Pokémon are perfectly prepared to go through with battling on the fly."

A frown begins to come across Barry's face and then it turns into a sad smile. "Yeah, you're right." He bounces back to a bright smile. "I guess I'll just get an advantage so I can spend my time better in caring for my Pokémon. We have a league to win after all."

"Oho? We'll just see about that." Some more light banter like that and Barry and I are laughing. Well, my laughing is more like a light chuckle, but that's pretty hard laughter for someone like me. Anyway, a few hours of walking (and taking breaks, specifically dinner at one point) were passed by banter like that and Chimchar ruffling my hair. Chimchar seems to have become more mischievous in his pursuit of strength. Once he is in full control of that blaze ability of his, he'll become certainly one of my top Pokémon, surpassing even Magmar.

"Chim… char," yawns the little fire type Pokémon.

"I guess that's the cue for you to be put into your Pokeball for a nice rest. Return for now," I say recalling Chimchar into his Pokeball.

"You've sure warmed up to your Pokémon Paul. I didn't think you'd take my advice so readily."

"It's just baby steps for now. I realized when you talked to me about it that I haven't had any memories with my Pokémon besides battling and training. I've been going about my journey with a straight line with no detours except that detours are usually what make a journey so great."

"Right? Being with your Pokémon shouldn't just be when you're battling. Where's the fun of being with your best friend only when you're eating or something like that?"

"Alright alright, I get it. Thanks Barry. You've helped a lot."

"No problem Paul, you're an inspiration when it comes to battling. I hope for a rematch in the future."

"Just name the place and the time. I always will be there to teach you a thing or two,"

"Heh, I'm sure you would be," Barry ends up laughing hard.

After a little more time, walking, the Pokémon center was in sight. It was nearly midnight, so there wasn't a lot of movement on the outskirts of the city. Eterna City isn't a large city so there's not a lot too much night activity. There are a few businesses here and there, but for the most part it's residential. The Palkia statue in the city can be seen albeit barely in the night's darkness. It might be something to visit in the morning. Walking into the Pokémon center, a tired Nurse Joy is at the desk.

"Excuse me. Do you have a room for two by any chance?"

"Sighs Yes, a room is open. Here's the key to it. Have a nice rest," Nurse Joy says, smiling, but clearly exhausted. Giving some currency in exchange for the key, Barry and I sluggishly walk to our resting place. The room has a bunk bed and a desk, kind of like a dorm room. With little words exchanged between us, Barry and I put aside our bags. I take the bottom bunk, leaving Barry to climb into the top bunk. Exhausted, I fall asleep, eager to make the most of the next day.

Waking up and getting breakfast at the Pokémon center was a normal affair. Barry was sluggish getting up, but once he ate breakfast, he perked up rather quickly. After eating my breakfast and giving my Pokémon breakfast, I told Barry that I wanted to explore the city, more specifically the statue of Palkia. We scheduled a time to meet up later at the Eterna City gym and I took off. Recalling my Pokémon, I gathered my things and I took off towards the statue.

Eterna City is a beautiful place, truly. The greenery of the place is stunning to look at. At least, in the north part of the city where I am. The southernmost residential part of the city seems to be busy enough in the early morning. The stores around are opening up. Maybe I'll stop by to pick up more food for me and my Pokémon. Walking up to the steps of the Palkia statue, I hear a voice, presumably addressing me.

"...So, this is Eterna's Pokémon statue... Shaping our world are time and space in an intertwining spiral. Revered in Sinnoh are the Pokémon of time and space... Sinnoh's myth... Its truth needs investigation..."

No way. My eyes widen as they glaze over the figure in front of me. Blue spiky hair and a dark business suit. The man turns to me and the blank expression of his face is all I can notice. I know that man, but why is he here? The leader of Team Galactic, Cyrus, what is he doing here?

Boom! Something from the games! I hope that made some people excited. Give me your thoughts on this chapter please!
PS: Barry as a traveling companion has always not been a permanent thing. They will part ways as rivals.