Note- Welcome back! Hope everyone had a great Halloween! With Fall kicking in to full gear, we're finally getting some colder temperatures in KY. I don't mind those as much, but these short days are killing me ha. Anyway... we're back with the final flashback of Luke's journey before the cruise. After emerging victorious against Chuck and traveling back to Olivine, are Luke and his team ready for the future challenges that await them? You're about to find out! Thanks again to Luke's inspiration for writing his character's story! Hope everyone enjoys!


Luke Chapter 6

"So you're sure you don't wanna tell me about the Pokémon you used to beat Chuck?" Chris was still prying for info about Luke's growing team. Luke rolled his eyes and Chris laughed at it all.

"I used Pidgeotto." Luke replied.

"Just Pidgeotto?" Chris asked.

"Oh c'mon, geez, I mean do you need every detail?" Luke snapped back.

"So another one then. Probably a Pyschic type if I know you." Chris was grinning ear to ear as Luke grew flustered at the badgering.

Luke had neglected to delve too far into the details of his battle with Chuck. He'd just told Chris that he'd "gone on to Olivine" when it came to his escapades. Everything with Mitch and Electabuzz and Quagsire, Chris could find out on his own time.

"So how'd Olivine go then?" Chris pushed on. Luke grinned, and Chris caught wind of the change in expression.

"Let me tell you about Olivine." Luke replied.

The Olivine City Gym badge would be Luke's fourth badge. It would mean he was midway to qualifying for the Silver Conference. But furthermore, it meant he had accomplished as much since his accident as he had before it. And at a faster pace, no less.

Luke clutched a Poké Ball in his right hand. He ran his thumb between the groove that separated its red and white hemispheres. He was tense.

Jasmine was on the opposite side of the battlefield in a cream dress and a navy cardigan. She held a Poké Ball of her own. Luke's mind was jolting from topic to topic and strategy to strategy. Doubt determined to undermine Luke, but his conscious brain encouraged him to stick to his lead Pokémon.

"So." Jasmine spoke. She was the poster child for thinking before you think. "Trainer, are you ready?"

"It's Luke." he croaked through dry throat. Jasmine nodded. The leader and challenger squeezed their Poké Balls one last time before loosing the monsters within.

The flashes of light bathed the smirk on Luke's face in red as he saw Jasmine's shiny and crimson Pincer Pokémon. Scizor stood opposite Charizard. The orange dragon's wings stretched wide and he snorted small flames from his nostrils. He was sizing up his opponent.

"You ready, Charizard?" Luke asked the Flame Pokémon. His doubts had given way to new strategies. He held an overwhelming advantage."Just stick to my plan and we should come out on top." Charizard grunted and stomped its foot. He was ready to show off his new strength for his trainer. "Alright then, get it started with Flame Burst!"

"Metal Claw, Scizor!" Jasmine ordered. The crimson and black Pokémon raced towards Charizard as the orange dragon let a yellow-orange fireball burst out of its maw. As the fireball inched closer to Scizor, Jasmine gave a shout and her Pokémon shot to the side. Charizard's attack sailed right by his opponent.

"Quick, Charizard! Brace for their counter-attack!" Luke shouted. The battle had found itself on Luke's side of the field and Scizor was already barreling down on Charizard with what Luke guessed to be Metal Claw. Charizard spun back and Scizor's attack crashed into the ground where Charizard had stood. Charizard was wobbling on his foot, his new size and shape still catching up to him.

"While he's off balance! Go with Metal Claw!" Jasmine shouted to Scizor again. Scizor brought out its arms and for a moment stood in a T-shape as its claws began to glow white. It brought them together over its head and then barreling down in a massive swing towards Charizard.

"Charizard! Brick Break!" Charizard shifted his weight forward towards Scizor's approaching claws. With a mighty flap of his wings, he lifted himself upwards, just above Scizor, and brought his fist down square on the Pincer Pokémon. Scizor dropped to the ground, catching its own weight with one of its claws as Charizard landed back in front of his foe.

"Slash upwards Scizor!" Jasmine ordered, and Scizor did just that. Scizor's assault was quick and Luke didn't have time to react. Charizard roared and swung his tail toward Scizor as a yellow-orange fireball erupted from the flame on the tip. The Flame Burst rushed over Scizor's claw and collided with its body, causing it to collapse on the battlefield. A familiar beam of red light returned the Pokémon to its ball.

"Good instincts from your Charizard!" Jasmine complimented. She seemed to be warming up to Luke. Luke smiled and nodded.

"You still good?" Luke asked. Charizard turned his head to Luke and nodded. "Cool. Good call there at the end. Just keep sticking to my plan and we should be good."

Charizard snorted and another red light-beam materialized into a Magnemite. Its body was as polished as the battlefield that lay between leader and challenger. As he sized up the Magnet Pokémon, three thoughts permeated through Luke's mind. Was he still not at the level where a Magneton would be more appropriate for the gym leader to use? Had Charizard adapted to his new body enough to avoid Magnemite's Electric attacks? And how often did they refinish this floor, because it looked brand new.

Jasmine's call for a Thunder Wave broke Luke's internal monologue. He knew he had to act. He called for Charizard to go airborne, but Thunder Wave was faster than the trainer or the Flame Pokémon's reaction time. The pulsing blue ball of electricity reached Charizard in no time, causing the orange dragon to immediately seize up as little sparks traveled up and down its body.

"Now Thunderbolt, Magnemite!" Jasmine called out.

With each tiny muscle spasm racing across Charizard's body, Luke panicked more and more. Charizard was fast and that was one of Luke's biggest assets, but the paralyzing effects of Thunder Wave were going to slow the lizard down.

"Flame Burst!" he ordered, but the bits of flame sparking from Charizard's maw sputtered out as the Flame Pokémon's neck twitched and cramped up. Charizard roared out as electricity made contact with his body and Luke began to plan how he would counter with Quagsire. As Magnemite's assault faded, Charizard was still standing strong, but not unweakened. The determination in his eyes was undeniable.

Tiny embers sparked, first at the edges of his mouth and then at his fangs. The attack soon erupted into a large orange and yellow fireball speeding towards the Magnet Pokémon. The unexpected Flame Burst hit Jasmine's Magnemite head on, enveloping it. As the heat and light dissipated, Magnemite's charred chrome body fell to the ground. The Poké Ball's familiar beam of red light intercepted the Magnet Pokémon's descent before it hit the ground below.

"That Charizard seems to have a favorite move," Jasmine noted from across the battlefield. Luke's smirk was replaced with a mild scowl as Jasmine finished her statement, "and a mind of its own."

"We just trust each other to make the right moves when the other can't." Luke rebutted, but he wondered if he was saying that to convince Jasmine or himself. "What do you say Charizard?" The Flame Pokémon roared and beat its wings. Luke could tell that the effects of Paralysis were beginning to wear off, but knew that Charizard's motion would still be limited.

"So you're keeping him in?" Jasmine asked. Luke thought it over. He could switch in to either Quagsire or Riolu now and have some fresh legs, but Jasmine's next Pokémon would also be fresh. If he kept Charizard in, he might not be able to finish the job. However he would most likely weaken their foe enough for one of the other Pokémon to come in and clean up the job. Charizard might have to be a sacrifice, but if Luke wanted this badge the Flame Pokémon would have to get over any qualms he may have with that.

"Sure am." Luke nodded, still telling himself that it was a sound strategy. Charizard glared at his trainer. Luke couldn't tell if it was a look of determination or admonishment.

"Very well then," Jasmine's soft voice said as she released her final Pokémon.

Steelix loomed over Luke and Charizard like a dark cloud on the horizon of a sunny day. Its glaring eyes and toothy maw were just highlights on the devastating whole of its long, spiked and silvery body. The trainer from Tohjo Falls gulped, trying swallow the lump that was the physical manifestation of his fear pooling in his throat. Steelix's demeanor mirrored that of it's petite gym leader; both trainer and Pokémon held a calm confidence despite having their backs against the wall.

Luke's biggest upside right now was he knew that despite the effects of paralysis, Steelix would still be slower than Charizard. And Charizard would likely regain some speed as the battle went on. Luke had his plan.

"Alright, Charizard! You're going in as fast as you can with every attack and you're getting out as fast as you can. Hit and run is the name of the game, now get to it. Brick Break!" the nervousness Luke tried to suppress managed to creep into his command.

Charizard's wings beat with force and propelled him right at his foe. He first drove straight at Steelix's head but swooped around and landed a Brick Break from behind, right on top of the Iron Snake's head. Steelix grunted at the blow. It raised its hefty tail and slammed it to the ground below. Right upon impact, jagged stones emerged from the ground below and raced towards Charizard.

"It's Stone Edge, you have to dodge!" Luke shouted, but he was already reaching for Quagsire's PokéBall. Magnemite's Thunder Wave was still leaving its mark on Charizard. The stones crashed into the unsuspecting Flame Pokémon and it spiraled to the ground.

Steelix's pointed tail targeted downwards on Charizard as Jasmine called for Iron Tail. Luke ordered a dodge while gripping Quagsire's ball tight. Charizard's wings stretched wide and flapped, pushing it just out of the way of the attack

"Okay! Now!" Luke roared, "Get airborne and Brick Break again!" Charizard rocketed skywards and Luke looked as the Flame Pokémon pulled its fist back for the blow. Steelix swung its tail to meet its airborne orange foe, but Charizard had other plans. Luke saw the glow forming between Charizards fangs and a Flame Burst rushed right into the Iron Snake's tail. Steelix roared in pain as Charizard soared right over his enemy's retracting tail.

"Now get up and Flame Burst from above!" Luke called. But again, Charizard had plans of its own. The orange dragon soared up high and then somersaulted, barreling down on his foe. His fist drew back and took on the faint glow that accompanied Brick Break. Paralysis had almost worn off and Charizard's speed was near full strength.

Before Steelix could react, the Flame Pokémon's fist struck Steelix right on the back of its head. The Iron Snake went toppling to the ground, accompanied by a slight tremor that shook the battlefield. Steelix returned to its Poké Ball and Luke blinked trying to process his thoughts. Charizard had disobeyed subsequent commands without discretion, but the battle was his.

The battle was his.

All concerns faded as Luke shouted with joy and pumped his fist into the air while Charizard landed right next to his trainer. He glared at Luke once again, his eyes focused on Quagsire's Poké Ball Luke clutched in his hand. The thought of whether Charizard had seen through Luke's sacrificial plan and won in spite of his trainer flashed through his mind. But the joy of winning the badge surfaced once again and buried the concern. Luke swapped Quagsire's ball for Charizard's and returned the Flame Pokémon to his Poké Ball.

Luke met Jasmine halfway and stood in the middle of the battlefield. She then placed the octagonal Mineral Badge into his outstretched hands. He'd now earned as many badges as he had before his accident. He'd done it in less time than it'd taken to earn the first two. And he was now halfway through the Johto League challenge.

"In accordance with League rules, I confer upon you the Mineral Badge." Jasmine said. "Your Charizard bested me in this battle." Jasmine's choice in words stood out to Luke, but he had the Mineral Badge in his hand and he didn't dwell on it.

"He's a smart one," Luke said. The two stood there, an obvious tension between them. After several uncomfortable seconds Luke finally spoke, "Well, guess I'll be on my way."

Jasmine nodded. "Well, good luck." As she walked away, she called out, "I'll let Morty know how you are."

Jasmine seemed to have a problem with Luke, but he had no time to pay her any attention. He'd beat her in battle and he had bigger fish to fry. He had enough time in his schedule to go to Ecruteak, beat Morty, and return to Olivine for the cruise with Chris. And if Luke could solo Jasmine with Charizard, then he had no worries about wasting time against Morty.

"I figured Charizard was strong, but that was pretty gutsy of you to solo Jasmine with him!" Chris remarked. Luke was trying to discern whether Chris intended this as a compliment or not.

"What can I say? I trust my guys." Luke smirked. Regardless of Chris' intentions, Luke could tell he'd impressed the trainer from Cherrygrove. He imagined Chris was already questioning if Quilava's strength was at that same level as Charizard.

"So did you get Morty?" Chris asked.

"Didn't even think about going." Luke lied. "The guys needed a rest and it didn't make sense to go to Ecruteak and then back to Olivine to catch the cruise when I was already in Olivine."

"Huh." Chris blinked. "Well you could have told me! We could have hung out before the cruise and maybe then you wouldn't have been late!"

"I guess it just slipped my mind," Luke said. Chris was asking too much and Luke wondered what he was getting at. The two sat there for a bit, unspeaking. Luke sipped on his coffee while Chris bit down on some toast.

"So," Chris piped up again, "why were you late then?"

"I overslept." Luke said without hesitation. He'd thought of his excuse during their momentary silence. He eased his tone a bit before adding, "I had a late night. Got caught up in a cup of coffee and a-"

"And a pretty girl?" Chris teased. Luke seemed to have avoided detection. He smirked.

"Something like that."

Luke knew Chris wouldn't judge him for what had happened with Morty, but Luke didn't want to dwell on it. He was trying to forget and just move onto the tournament, the next challenge. What had happened was in the past and it wasn't important anymore. But the scenes of his failure were wafting through the cracks in his mental blockade like a hot shower's steam from under a bathroom door.

"So I heard from Chuck," Morty said, a large brown mug covering the lower half of his face as he sipped from the coffee within.

Luke's eyebrows raised and he sat his own mug on the table, but held onto the handle as he asked, "Oh? How was that?"

Morty laughed, but Luke felt like he was leading the conversation somewhere. He'd contacted the Gym Leader on his Pokégear the day before he got into Ecruteak to let him know he'd be in for his gym challenge. When the Ghost trainer suggested they grab a cup and chat before all that, Luke had been hesitant. Yet Morty offered to pay and Luke had trouble turning down free coffee.

"Well he said you had that real 'gladiator' spirit he goes on and on about and how your Drowzee must have a thicker skull than he does." Morty said.

"Well I wish he hadn't told you about Drowzee, but it's not like I'd bring him to face you anyways." Luke mumbled. "I guess it's a wash."

"Chuck did say to watch out for your joy of type advantages," Morty added.

"Now this is just collusion." Luke said with slight exasperation.

"We're Gym Leaders, Luke. You don't think we're expecting it?"

"I know, I know. I know."

The blonde trainer wore a sky blue sweatshirt and jeans, his hair still held back with a familiar headband. Luke had been examining Morty's clothing, it seemed relaxed and informal. It didn't seem like what he'd wear for a battle, more for a day off. Maybe, Luke thought, Morty didn't need to put on airs with the familiar trainer.

Their pause wore off and there was a minute tone change in Morty's next statement. "I spoke with Jasmine too."

"I got the feeling she didn't like me too much," Luke addressed.

"She thought you were reckless with your Charizard." Morty said. Their conversation was blunt now. "She said, at least from what she saw, that your habits made her concerned for the safety of your Pokémon."

"I think she's just upset I soloed her."

"She said you were extremely lucky."

"Or maybe I'm just a skilled trainer?" Luke retorted.

The clattering of ceramics and the scream of steaming milk permeated the café. Luke was staring at Morty while the gym leader was swirling the remaining coffee around in the bottom of his mug, as if looking for something.

"I'm finished with this," Morty said.

"How do you mean?" Luke asked.

"Take a step back and think about your past two gym challenges objectively. Because we can't converse if you're truly as full of yourself as you're coming across." There was a brief silence in their dialogue while the café continued to bustle before Morty spoke again. "Not to be rude."

"Just be straight with me, Morty. What's going on here?"

Morty sighed and sat his mug down. "Luke, I took you on that trip because I liked your potential. You seemed like the kind of trainer who really cares for your Pokémon. You seemed like the kind of trainer who might make a good Gym Leader someday, at least that's what I thought. I can't quite place why, but you were reminding me of myself and when I was your age I remember just wanting someone to notice my potential and give me a, I dunno, my 'big break'. Something like that.

"So I wanted to do what no one did for me until much later. I wanted to give you an 'in'," he made air quotes around the word, "and maybe that wasn't the wisest thing. I'm not even sure if I'm effectively saying all this. But when you got lost, I felt like shit. Because here was this trainer I'd tried to do good for and I'd went and made things worse.

"And when you turned up, I knew I had to make it right. And then, I mean gosh, I saw the way you and your parents get on and I knew that wasn't any good."

Luke was growing flustered, "I don't think that's any of your business."

"No. It's not and I guess it never was, but I made a mistake and made it, made you, my business so now, well, it is my business when my fellow Gym Leaders call me and tell me you've been treating your Pokémon poorly."

"What? One Gym Leader? Jasmine can't take a loss without whining to someone and claiming the kid who beat her abuses his Pokémon or something? I don't abuse them, we're just working hard and fast to make up for lost time."

"Chuck said so too." Morty said. Another pause lingered before Morty picked up. "Look, no one's said 'abuse'. They just said your behavior is worrisome, that you're going to burn both you and your Pokémon out."

"So what's the point here? Why don't you see for yourself when we battle before you give into a couple of salty losers?" Luke's temper had grown.

"Well, in probably the worst way this could have gone, I'm telling you I won't battle you."

"What?"

"I'm not accepting your challenge. Not until you get your attitude together. Your reactions to all this have told me all I need to know about your mental and emotional state. If you want to hang out and train, meditate, relax, whatever you need I'll help. But while it seems your body has healed, more or less, your spirit do-"

"I get it." Luke said.

"Well that's good. Like I said, I'm willing to help in any way you-"

"No. I get it. You're just afraid you'll get embarrassed too. Just like Jasmine. You want more time to prep. You wanna see my plans and strategies, my team, up close for yourself."

"Luke, I'm sorry, but you're acting very immature. I know we've become friends of a sort, but you do realize I'm a Gym Leader, right?"

"I realize you're a coward." Luke shot off. Morty was silent and Luke glared at him. After a minute or so had passed, Luke grabbed his bag. "You're wasting my time. If you won't accept my challenge then I'm goi-"

"You know what?" Morty snapped, "Sure, let's do it. I'll battle you. Let's go."

The two men rose and walked out of the café in silence. Luke followed behind Morty, who was walking right in front of the setting sun. It's orange glow flickered through the trees and Luke realized they weren't going to the gym, but he followed on nonetheless.

With each step, Luke worked through different plans. He had to make the Fog Badge his. Would he lead with Charizard? Poochyena would have the most effective attacks, maybe he should work through as many as possible with him and then let someone else clean up?

After many silent minutes of walking, they arrived in a clearing. It was just past the in-progress restoration of the Burned Tower. A slight breeze was blowing and the sound of cars hummed low in the distance. They were surrounded by natural beauty, but modernity remained just a moment away.

"I hope you weren't planning on getting the Fog Badge today." Morty said as he walked to the opposite end of the clearing. Luke remained in place.

"Why? Because you're going to beat me?" Luke replied.

"Yes. But also because this isn't an official Gym Battle. I told you I wouldn't accept your Gym challenge, so I'm not. This is just a battle between trainers."

Luke gritted his teeth. Morty was wasting his time but he'd already followed him all the way here, so he might as well show the Ghost trainer how wrong he was.

"Fine," he muttered. Luke grabbed a Poké ball and saw that Morty was already revealing his own Pokémon. Luke was not surprised to see Gengar. He tossed his Poké Ball and Poochyena emerged from the device.

"Let all your Pokémon out." Morty said. Luke blinked in confusion. "They deserve to watch this. I'll give them an advantage, they can see for themselves how my Gengar battles before they get their shot."

"You're shooting yourself in the foot here," Luke retorted, but acquiesced to Morty's demand. One by one, Pidgeotto, Drowzee, Quagsire, Electabuzz, and Charizard took their place aside Luke while Poochyena remained ahead and ready to battle. They all looked around with confusion. "Alright everyone, just follow my lead. If you do that I'll come out on top. Pay attention during the whole battle and be thinking about how to react once it's your turn. If it gets to be your turn." The Pokémon were still confused, but nodded.

"Your move," Morty motioned to Luke. Luke nodded.

"Poochyena, rush in and Bite!" Luke commanded. Poochyena let out a yip and dashed forward. It leapt in the air to latch onto Gengar with its teeth.

"Focus Blast." Morty directed. Gengar held its hands apart and a light blue orb of energy formed between them. It surged forward and intercepted Poochyena before it could bring its attack to Gengar. The Bite Pokémon went flying back, landing right before Luke. He grimaced and returned Poochyena to its Poké Ball and motioned for Drowzee to enter the fray. He knew the Psychic type would do minimal damage, but better to try now than be stuck relying on him at the end.

"Psybeam!" Luke ordered. A beam of light shot from Drowzee's eyes, but Gengar's Shadow Ball attack pierced through. The sinister black ball of energy exploded on contact with Drowzee, who immediately toppled to the ground.

One by one Luke sent a new Pokémon into battle and returned it to its Poké Ball almost as soon as it had entered. Pidgeotto was next but Gengar's Thunderbolt made short work of it. Then Quagsire, who didn't stand a chance against Giga Drain. Electabuzz fell to Shadow Ball before he could even make a move and soon Charizard was all that Luke had left.

"So here's your Charizard," Morty taunted. "Why didn't you lead with it? Can't it solo a gym on its own?" Luke gritted his teeth and Charizard stared ahead at the Shadow Pokémon. "Here's the thing Luke. Since this isn't a Gym Challenge, I'm not limited in any way. This is the Gengar that people know me for. This is the Pokémon I raised all those years ago and journeyed with. What you're dealing with right now? What you're struggling against? There's a reason I'm a Gym Leader and this is it. So let's get this over with."

Luke had become lost in his own head. He had no answers, he had no strategies. He was just angry. Morty knew he couldn't beat the trainer on even ground so he had to break the rules.

"Charizard use Flame Burst!" Luke roared. But before the Flame Pokémon could even send his attack towards Gengar, a bolt of lightning had struck and Charizard was down for the count. The sun had set and Luke was out of Pokémon. The battle had taken no more than ten minutes, if that. Luke stood there, watching Charizard attempt to get up and fail. He looked up and Morty and Gengar were standing over Charizard.

"Save your energy," Morty said to the orange Pokémon.

"So what then? You know you can't win on even ground so you pull this stunt?" Luke spit out.

Morty laughed in disbelief. "Are you serious? Even still." He sighed. "You need to reevaluate yourself, Luke. You need to reevaluate yourself and your relationship with your Pokémon. You knew you were outclassed from the start and you sent your team to the slaughter. What's wrong with you?"

"What's wro-" Luke started.

"Shut up." Morty said, his voice as chilly as the presence his Ghost types imparted. Luke stared him down and Charizard had now risen, Gengar having helped him up. His eyes were wide and focused in on Morty. "Shut up and listen. Your team just watched each and every teammate before them get dismantled in battle, but they still went to battle. Not just for you, but for their teammates. They don't want to let each other down because they see this whole operation your running as a team, as friends. But you're just treating them like tools, a means to an end.

"You need to take a step back and think about who you are and what you're trying to accomplish. Not only as a trainer, but as a person. Get your act together or you're going to fail at both."

With that, Morty and Gengar went right past Luke, out of the clearing and back into the city. Luke was still staring ahead, his gaze unfocused. Charizard limped over to his trainer and sounded a low hum as he placed a clawed hand on his trainer's shoulder, but as soon as he did so a beam of red light enveloped him and brought him back into his Poké Ball.

Luke picked his bag up from the ground and slung it over his shoulder. He didn't have time to mope or dwell on it, he had to be in Olivine tomorrow.

"Hey Luke..."

The trainer from Tohjo Falls was relieved to be pulled from the memories he had tried to store away. Luke's eyes found Chris'. The Cherrygrove native held a bewildered expression.

"You were staring so hard at the creamer on the table that I thought it'd burst into flame."

"Zoned out there for a minute," Chris couldn't help but roll his eyes at Luke's admission. The dark haired trainer shrugged before leaning back in his chair. "So that just about sums up my last two months."


...well, that was heavy. Luke doesn't find himself in the best of places as we wrap up our flashbacks. How will this carry over into the Johto Peninsula Arc? Where is this path taking Luke? These answers will begin to be revealed in the next few chapters of Heart and Soul! When we return, we'll have arrived at present day! Excited for where the future will take us! Expect the next chapter within the next week or two! That's not a typo! We'll see you very soon in the next installment of Heart and Soul! Please Review and Subscribe!