A Happy Birthday! (No, Really)

"Really, a birthday is just a celebration of the fact that you haven't died yet." - Jet Engine

Ash

So, how's Galar?

Nice place. Just met up with a horde of Wooloo. They're crazy friendly. You'd have a field day.

Gary Oak, Professor Oak's grandson and my friend-turned-arch-enemy-turned-friend (it's not as complicated as it sounds) has been working as a traveling researcher for his grandfather since we were teenagers. Right now, he's in the Galar region, learning about the local pokemon. One of which, according to the picture beneath his text, is a quadrupedal pokemon that's either round or just has really, really fluffy white fur. The picture gives me a full view of the tiny horns poking through the fur on its head as well as its black face: big yellow eyes, a tiny, heart-shaped pink nose, and a mouth that's open in mid…whatever sound Wooloo make.

I'll take a dozen.

Here's its evolved form. How many ya want now?

Said evolved form - a quick check tells me it's called Dubwool - sports large black blotches on its still-fluffy white pelt and a mane of gray fur around its neck. It has four black horns - two massive ones on top of its head and two small ones that seem to stick out of its chest.

2 dozen.

No.

But, it's my birthday! *crying emoji*

Mine too. Gives me the freedom to say no.

I text him a middle finger emoji and grin when he sends one right back. Then, the good mood he's put me in is ruined by his next message.

Give Pikachu a hug for me.

I should have expected this. Gary knows today is as special for me and Pikachu as it is for him and Blastoise (his starter as a Squirtle). My hands are shaking enough that it takes a minute for me to respond.

Do the same for Blastoise.

I stick my phone in my jacket pocket - Aunt V got me a new denim jacket as both a birthday present and a replacement for the one covered in Pichu blood - and lean my head against the door, praying that's the end of the birthday well-wishes. I should be more grateful. I've been getting birthday texts and calls from friends and family all morning. Those who know my situation all said something along the lines of, "Try to have fun today." I wish it was that easy. Even the messages from friends in other regions - who know nothing about Pikachu and Charizard because why bother worrying them? - tore me in half. At least Gary's came with some fun banter.

I tried to put on a brave face for Aunt V and Gardevoir, on the former's request for "no sad birthday boys," but they saw right through me. Aunt V suggested I get some fresh air, but I don't think she intended for me to sit against the back door and sulk. I wish I'd let Gardevoir come out here with me. I lied when I said I wanted to be alone. I'm just so sick of him seeing me at my worst.

I unclip Pikachu's pokeball from my belt and, with tears in my eyes, hold it tightly to my chest. It's the only hug I can give him right now.

My phone vibrates for the umpteenth time this morning. I swipe at my eyes and mentally prepare myself for another birthday phone call. I pull out my phone, look at the name on the screen-

-and all my grief flies out the window.

I answer the call and try not to sound too excited. "Hey, Dad!"

"Hey, birthday boy! How's eighteen feeling?"

My parents divorced when I was six, but it was amicable so things were never too awkward. Like his twin sister, who insists that being born nine minutes sooner makes her the older sibling, Dad's a pokemon researcher, but he travels the world and has a particular interest in alphas. He can get pretty busy, so it's always a treat to hear from him.

And, since I'm pretty sure he's still in the Hoenn region, I haven't said a word about Pikachu or Charizard. No reason for him to know how eighteen really feels. "'Bout the same as seventeen, I guess."

"Ah, ain't that just how it is- Frank, why is your Ninetales here? We're on a boat. Who brings a fire-type on a boat?"

"You're on a boat? That's awesome!" At least, it is until I remember that Pikachu was taken on a boat.

I'm gonna be doing this all day, aren't I?

Luckily, Dad can't see me through the phone. "It would be if I wasn't surrounded by idiots- HOLY SHIT!"

I jump at that. "W-what's wrong?"

"It's - oh my god - it's huge!"

"What's huge? Dad-"

"It's an Alpha Wailord! Oh my god, it could be its own planet! Oh, I wish you could see it!"

My jaw drops at the mental image. Wailord is vastly considered to be the biggest pokemon in the world, about the size of a skyscraper. I can't imagine how big an Alpha-

"Oh my god, it's coming this way! Bye!"

Dad hangs up. I stare at my phone for a moment before laughter shoots out of me. The few friends who have met my father figured out pretty quickly where I get my thirst for adventure from. I have no doubt he'll be calling back to tell me all about what happened with the Alpha Wailord.

I'm looking forward to it.

"Is this a bad time?"

"What makes you say that?"

"That's what I'd like to know."

Dad's phone call, however weird or brief, had put a new spring in my step. I don't want to sound mopey when he inevitably calls back, so I decided that the best way to avoid thinking about Pikachu and Charizard was to think about literally anything else. I decided to think about exercise. I've been putting it off, and I know I'm starting to get puffy, despite Lorette assuring me that she'd call me a hunka-hunka-burning-love if I was legal. I decided not to ask.

And, I figured that Gardevoir may as well get some training in while we're at it. I'd brought it up to him, and he responded by glomping me onto the hardwood floor (ouch). I think, more than anything, he was happy to see me smile. Once upon a time, my smiles were so common that nobody batted an eye at them. I keep telling myself I'm going to fix that.

So, he and I went out into the forest, found ourselves a decent-sized rock, and I whipped off my hat and jacket. Gardevoir would push the rock toward me with Psychic, I would physically push it back at him. He strengthens his brain-muscle - yes, psychic-types have one of those, but don't ask me to pronounce the name of it - and I get to build back the muscle I'd lost from my various spurs of guilt and self-loathing. Win-win!

We'd been at it when Korou found us, and now he's watching us as if he seriously doesn't know what's going on. It seems pretty clear to me.

"I know you're holding back, Gardevoir," I accuse. "Give me everything you got! I wanna get crushed like a grape! Not really," I amend.

I can't see Gardevoir past the rock, but I'm sure he's rolling his eyes. Still, the pressure on my body increases slightly as I push back with all my might, so I know he's listening. Even if he is still holding back. My pokemon always do that when I jump into their training sessions. I know it's because I'm a human, but I wish they wouldn't hold back as much as they do.

My goal since before I even started my journey was to become a Pokemon Master. People often think that means that I want to be the strongest trainer in the world. And, I'll be the first to admit that that used to be what it meant to me. But as I traveled, met and befriended pokemon, grew alongside them, I realized that being a strong trainer is merely a byproduct. No, to me, a Pokemon Master understands pokemon. It's someone who knows how they think, how they feel. I want to be one with pokemon, and I feel like I'm on the right track.

At least…I did before Charizard left.

I shove all my strength and then some into trying to move the floating rock, as if that will also let me push the bad thoughts out of my head.

Happy. I'm going to be happy today.

I push until my arms turn into jelly and the rest of me feels like it's made of fire. Soon, the rock slowly lowers to the ground, and I nearly fall on top of it. You don't realize just how hard you've been going at it until you stop.

Panting heavily, I plop my butt down on the rock. "Yeah, let's-let's take five."

Gardevoir nods, panting and arching his back in a stretch. He walks over to my backpack on the ground and starts rummaging through it.

I wipe sweat from my brow and turn to Korou, who still has a dumbfounded look on his face. You'd think he'd never seen a guy train with his pokemon before. "So, what brings you to-to this neck of the woods?" Gardevoir pulls a water bottle out of my bag, takes a long drink, and hands it to me. "Oh, thanks." I take a few gulps.

Korou breaks from his stupor and clears his throat. "Your aunt said you'd be out here. I was hoping to ask for your help."

It's then that I notice how nervous he seems. He has one hand in his pants pocket and the other is playing with the arm of his glasses. His mouth is turned upward in a smile that looks a little too forced for my liking.

"Everything okay?" I ask.

"Yeah, it's just…" He lets go of his glasses and sticks that hand in his other pocket. "I thought you could give me some advice. I know you have a lot of experience as a trainer, so I figure you have at least a full team of six." He has no idea. "Maybe you could…give me some pointers? On catching pokemon, I mean."

"You wanna catch a pokemon? That's awesome! What kind of-" In my excitement, I'd sprung to my feet and flung out my arms, forgetting that my water bottle was still open. Now, I think the grass is better hydrated than I am. I wave my bottle in that direction. "Ah, that grass probably needed watered anyway." Korou smirks, and Gardevoir snickers. I ignore their amusement. "So, what kind of pokemon do you wanna catch?"

Korou's eyes soften. "It's not me. It's Connor. He really wants a pokemon of his own, but every time he tries to catch one, he ends up backing out." His frown deepens in sympathy. "I know it's because of Dachsbun. He's worried that he'll wind up comparing the two or that he just won't mesh with a new pokemon the same way he did with Dachsbun."

"Oh, yeah. That makes sense," I say somberly, and Gardevoir makes a small sound. I've met plenty of people who have felt similarly after the deaths of their own pokemon. Against my will, my fingers graze the pokeballs on my belt. "So, what? You want me to find him a good match, or…?"

A tiny smile grazes Korou's lips. "Actually, I already have someone in mind."

Just Eat! is a cozy cafe that doesn't feel squished despite its size. The cream-colored walls, hardwood floors, mis-matched tables and chairs, and fun pictures and signs on the walls all give the place a homey feeling. Add the tasty food, and you can see why the place is popular among both locals and travelers. A shame it wasn't here when I was making my trek around Kanto, collecting gym badges. Although, maybe this is better; now that I've grown up some, I feel like I can appreciate these sorts of places more.

It's not quite lunch time yet, so the place isn't too busy. I greet a few of the townsfolk, including the bored-looking teenage girl at the counter, and follow Korou into the back. I had returned Gardevoir to his pokeball so he could rest after our workout session, so it's just us humans.

Korou puts a finger to his mouth and opens the door to the kitchen. There are two human workers, Connor being one of them, and two pokemon: Sarge bringing in dishes (and wearing a hairnet despite not having any hair) and…oh.

Connor and Breloom, who is on a step stool, are standing at a prep table. Connor is showing Breloom how to knead dough. Both of them are covered in flour. Sarge grins at them, sees us watching, and winks.

Korou closes the door and turns back to me. "What do you think?"

"I think it's awesome," I say. "But, how did that happen?"

Korou gestures dramatically down the short hallway. "Step into my office. I've always wanted to say that."

I laugh and follow him into the office. The office is pretty small, only enough room for a desk, two chairs, and a filing cabinet. Korou leans against the desk, mindful of the computer perched on the corner of it.

"After what happened with Tyrogue," Korou begins, "Sarge started bringing Breloom here. I guess as a distraction or something; I don't know. She put him to work cleaning up and… Well, Connor just latched on to him, I guess." He chuckles. "I don't even think they know how it happened."

They don't have to know. Sometimes, you just meet a pokemon who clicks with you. You can't explain; you just feel it. You see a pokemon, you lock eyes, and there's a spark in their eyes, a warmth in your chest. Like with any friendship, a connection isn't usually made right out of the gate. But, there are exceptions, I find, when it comes to humans and pokemon. Sometimes, two creatures are just supposed to be together, and they know it without even knowing each other's names. Though, sometimes they are reluctant to acknowledge that feeling at first.

My fingers brush the pokeballs on my belt, lingering on Pikachu's. "They don't need to know how it happened," I say, summarizing my thoughts. "Sometimes, you just see a pokemon," I cross my arms over my chest, "and it's all warm and fuzzy, you know?"

Korou nods. "That's certainly how I felt when Sarge hatched."

"Oh, that's right. I forgot you raised her from an egg."

"Yeah." There's a tenderness in his gaze. "In fact, I think I felt that the moment my parents handed her egg to me."

"Your parents?"

"Mm-hm. See, I was picked on a lot as a kid. I was the quiet, bookish kid, and those tend to be targets. And, somehow word got out that I was gay, so you can imagine what high school was like."

I frown. "What's the big deal about you being gay?"

Korou laughs humorlessly. "Where were you back then? Anyway, my mom and dad were both breeders, so one day, totally out of the blue, they gave a pokemon egg."

"A Machop egg," I say with a smile.

"Yes, but I didn't know that at the time. I knew the typing from the egg's pattern, but I wanted the species to be a surprise." That tender look is back. "They didn't know the extent of it, but they knew I was being bullied. They thought looking after an egg would, you know, give me a sense of purpose, something to look forward to after a hard day. And, boy did it." Then, he grimaces and blushes furiously. "Woah, I-I'm sorry. That all just kind of flew out of me."

"Don't be sorry," I assure. "I get it, believe me. Truth be told, I wasn't exactly popular either when I was little. But, I always had pokemon, even before I became a trainer." I chuckle at a memory. "The other kids called me the pokemon guy because I spent more time around wild pokemon than I did with humans. It was meant as an insult, but I considered it an honor. Eventually, they realized that and stopped." I giggle at the next part. "I was so upset when they stopped that I…" My giggles slowly shift into full-out laughter. "I ran to my mom, bawling my eyes out over it!"

Korou snorts. "Wait, wait. You were bawling your eyes because they weren't insulting you?"

"I was a weird kid, okay?" At this point, both of us are laughing hysterically.

I'd barely slept last night, knowing that my anniversary with Pikachu would be lacking one key element. I laid in bed, staring at the ceiling and fighting back tears, wondering if Pikachu had any way of keeping track of days, any way of knowing what he was missing. I hope not. He'd be crushed. He's such a sensitive pokemon. Depression can hit him like a truck, and it's not always easy to get him out of it. Even if he is with those pokemon Ella told me about, he'd still feel lonely. I know I did last night.

I was so sure I'd be miserable all day. So, laughing like this, reminiscing with a friend about our love for pokemon, it feels amazing.

Once we calm down, Korou waves a hand vaguely. "But, we're way off-topic. Back to Connor and Breloom. It's obvious they have a connection, but I don't think they quite realize it themselves." He nods at me. "You seem to have a," he rolls his hand in the air, "a certain way with pokemon. I thought maybe you would have some insight."

"Insight, huh?" I tap my chin, considering. "Well, if they can't see their connection… Hm. Maybe they need a test."

Korou adjusts his glasses curiously. "A test, you say? What kind of test?"

Good question. I'd sort of pulled that out of my ass.

In my experience, battle is a great way to test the bond between a human and a pokemon, but Breloom isn't Connor's pokemon. (And, if Charizard is anything to go by- It's your birthday, and you're not thinking about bad things.) Then, again, if their connection is as real as it sounds, maybe that doesn't matter.

My mind made up, I slam my fist into my other hand. "Trial by fire!"

Korou jerks back at my announcement. "Trial…by fire…?"

"Bring Connor and Breloom behind the Pokemon Center after closing, okay? Thanks!"

"Wait, Ash-"

But, I'm already off and running.

This is good. This is great! Helping others and battling rolled into one. Just what I need on a day like today. The icing on the birthday cake is that this won't just be Connor and Breloom's first battle together; it will be mine and Gardevoir's as well. I bet Pikachu is just as excited as I am.

Except Pikachu isn't here.

The thought slows me to a stop on the sidewalk. I'll be battling without Pikachu. Even when he's not on the battlefield himself, he is always, always, right by my side, cheering on whoever is battling. But, he can't do that today.

I run a hand over my face and take a deep breath. This battle was my idea. With or without Pikachu, I have to follow through. It's what he would want me to do. When I close my eyes, I can see the fierceness in his smile, both ears up in excitement, a fist pumped in front of his chest. "Even if I'm not there," he would say, "you know I'm still cheering you on!"

His voice is so clear in my mind that I have to scan the area for him. Disappointment weighs on me when I don't see him, but I won't let it get me down. Pikachu wouldn't like that. Neither would Charizard.

As much as I miss those two, I have to put them on the backburner for now.

All Pokemon Centers have a battlefield out back, and the one in Lavender Town is no different. When two people meet up behind a Pokemon Center, it's not hard to figure out what's about to happen. So, why Korou and Connor (today his shirt features a smug-looking Delcatty with the caption, "Guess what. I don't care.") are looking at me like that is a mystery.

"I swear," Korou says to his husband, "I knew nothing about this."

What did he think "trial by fire" meant?

Connor blinks out of his stupor. "Ash, you know I don't have a pokemon, right?"

I grin. "Yeah, you do." I point behind them at Breloom, who is talking animatedly with Sarge and Gardevoir not far from us. Well, Sarge is talking. Breloom looks a little scared, and Gardevoir looks like he wishes he had a chair and some popcorn. "And, I'm challenging both of you to a battle!"

"Oh, Breloom's not my pokemon," Connor corrects. I don't miss the way his eyes linger a second too long on the grass-fighting-type.

"Seriously, Ash," Korou says, "if you want to battle, Sarge and I would-"

I hold up a hand. "Nope. It's gotta be Connor and Breloom."

Connor pales. Korou grabs my arm and excuses us, leading me out of earshot. He still lowers his voice when he speaks. "What are you doing? How is forcing them into a battle going to help them?"

"I'm not forcing them. I just-"

"You demand a battle and insist that it has to be them versus you, when they are both clearly uncomfortable. You're forcing them, Ash."

I flinch. When you put it that way… I rub the back of my neck and don't meet his narrowed brown eyes. "I mean, when I battle…it just makes me feel so in sync with my pokemon. I thought that…maybe they would feel that way too." I sigh. "I guess I forgot that battling isn't everyone's thing."

Korou relaxes slightly. "I know you mean well. Connor doesn't hate battling, but he doesn't really seek it out either. And, that was with Dachsbun. You have to remember that, even though Connor and Breloom became fast friends, they're still kind of strangers. What if I handed you a pokemon you barely knew and made you battle Sarge with it?"

I'd be thrilled, but I know what he's trying to say. "I guess it is kind of different."

I agree to call off the battle, and Korou and I walk back to the group, me with my proverbial tail between my legs. I wish Pikachu was here. I could have run the battle idea by him, and he would have sensed a problem immediately. I'm dumb and impulsive; he's smart and sensible. Some might say that we balance each other out. I say that if I hadn't met Pikachu, I wouldn't have made it to eighteen.

Connor is crouched down and talking to Breloom when we approach. I'm about to apologize, but Connor clears his throat. "So, uh, Breloom is willing to battle with me."

Breloom barks in confirmation. Sarge and Gardevoir bump fists smugly. I'm guessing they had a hand in this.

"R-really?" I say, surprised. Maybe this will work after all.

"Are you sure?" Korou asks Connor. "You don't have to."

Connor looks down shyly. "Well…Breloom wants to it, and I haven't battled…in a while." Not since Dachsbun died. I inwardly cringe and touch the pokeballs at my side. Connor pumps a fist and smiles with forced bravado. "So, yeah. Uh," he looks quizzically at Breloom, "what moves do you know?"

"Allow me," I offer and pull out my pokedex. I point it at Breloom and, a few buttons later, Breloom's ability and moveset appear on the screen. "Headbutt, Bullet Seed, Mach Punch, and Force Palm. And, his ability is Poison Heal, though that probably won't matter for this battle." Breloom barks in confirmation.

Connor repeats all that under his breath, committing it to memory. "Okay. Let's do this."

Something happens to me when I battle that's hard to describe. It's like…I'm in my pokemon's brain. Or…I get inside their head? Is that the same thing?

The point is that battling makes me feel so connected to my pokemon. As crazy as it sounds, I can actually feel their emotions in battle. Excitement, adrenaline, fear on occasion. I know what they're feeling without even looking at them.

It wasn't always like that. It started when I was about twelve years old, after this whole thing with a Lucario from the distant past (long, totally awesome story). It started out real subtle, so much so that I didn't realize the feelings weren't my own. As the years passed, the sensation got stronger and stronger. These days, my pokemon's emotions are clear as a bell, at least in battle. I guess that's how it feels when Gardevoir checks on me.

Speaking of… "You ready, Gardevoir?" I call out.

He looks at me over his shoulder and gives me a thumbs-up. "Ready when you are," he says.

I nod at him from my spot just outside the battlefield and let his excitement mingle with my own.

Wait…

…It was probably Korou or Connor. Though the voice was higher than both of theirs, masculine but just shy of being androgynous like Pikachu's.

Gardevoir stands at the ready: feet apart, hands fisted at his sides, no doubt staring down Breloom with narrowed eyes. Could Gardevoir have-

I push the thought away. I didn't get enough sleep last night, and it's making me hear things. That's what happens when you don't sleep enough, right?

"How about you guys?" I yell to my opponents on the other end of the field. "Are you as siked as we are?"

"I am!" Breloom responds, leaning forward with his elbows back-

Did he-

It's a long battlefield, and he's all the way on the opposite side of it. I probably heard wrong.

"Are you sure about this, Connor?" Korou asks. He and Sarge stand at the edge of the center of the field as referees.

When Connor hesitates, Breloom turns to him and says something I can't hear (the usual assortment of incoherent noises, I'm sure, seeing as no one else seems to hear anything out of the ordinary). Even at this distance, I can see a spark in Connor's eyes. "If Breloom's ready, then so am I!"

I knew this battle was a good idea. Those two are totally in sync. I can feel it.

Korou calls it, raising up his arms as he speaks with Sarge copying his movements. "Alright. Battle…begin!"

Ah, those magic words that light a fire in my belly. "Let's kick this off with a bang," I shout. "Use Moonblast!"

A light pink sphere appears in Gardevoir's hands, and he throws it at his opponent.

"Dodge, and use Headbutt!" Connor commands.

Breloom zooms out of the way, his head bowed as he charges at Gardevoir.

"Stop him with Psychic!"

Gardevoir holds out his hands, and Breloom stops mid-run, wriggling against the deep blue glow surrounding him.

"Breloom, uh…" Across the field, Connor freezes up.

And, freezing up is the last thing you want to do in battle. "Hold on, and use Psybeam," I call.

I see Gardevoir touch the horn on his chest-

"Uh, use Bullet Seed!"

Breloom manages to open his mouth and fire tiny glowing seeds at the same time a pink ray shoots off of Gardevoir. Both attacks are direct hits. Both pokemon are sent flying.

But, Gardevoir recovers quickly by - I'm not making this up - cartwheeling into a standing position.

I have to laugh. I've seen a lot of battles, but I've never seen a pokemon do a cartwheel in the middle of one. "Show-off," I tease. "You alright?"

"Yeah," Gardevoir says.

I can't be imagining this, can I? It sounds so real-

Breloom barrels our way with a shout. I didn't hear Connor's command, but Breloom's speed and glowing white fist tells me it's Mach Punch. By the time I tell Gardevoir to dodge, Mach Punch connects. Luckily, Gardevoir has a dual-type advantage over fighting-types, so Mach Punch doesn't do much beyond making him stumble back.

Then, Connor calls out, "Mach Punch, over and over!" which poses a problem.

Breloom is a fast pokemon, and Mach Punch is a very fast attack. Gardevoir ends up bombarded before I know it, and I can sense him trying not to panic.

"Gardevoir, use Psychic!" I shout. But, Gardevoir, though still on his feet, is too overwhelmed by the lightning-fast jabs at his arms and torso. But, only the arms and torso, I realize. "Cartwheel, Gardevoir!"

A flash of determination, and Gardevoir kicks his legs high in the air, nailing Breloom between his own legs - good thing he isn't human - and sending him soaring with a startled cry. With a spin that would make any cheerleader - or trainer - proud, Gardevoir sends his opponent rolling across the battlefield.

While Connor checks on his partner, I check in with mine. "Nice one! You okay after that?"

Gardevoir stretches his back and gives me a smug look over his shoulder. "And, you mocked my athleticism."

How is no one hearing this? Is it- Is it like with Pikachu? Is Gardevoir not talking, and I can just hear him? But, I thought I heard Breloom too-

"Use Force Palm!"

Right. Battle. Focus focus focus.

"Use Dazzling Gleam!" I call. As light starts to shimmer around Gardevoir, an idea pops in my head. "But, just get it ready."

"Copy that," Gardevoir says, actually says, keeping the light condensed around him.

Focus, Ketchum.

Breloom's coming in hot. As soon as he's close enough… "Do it! And, wrap it around you with Psychic!"

A too-bright light bursts out of Gardevoir. It gains a blue tinge as Psychic coils it around both pokemon.

Holy shit, that actually worked.

"Breloom," Connor's frantic voice, "can you see?"

"Kind of?" is Breloom's hesitant answer.

Battle. There is a battle.

"Um, use Bullet Seed?" Connor commands unsurely.

I can barely look at the mass of light in front of me, but I see tiny seeds shooting out of it in all directions. Time to wrap this up. "Let it fly, Gardevoir!"

He gets the idea. The light blasts forward and vanishes as Breloom flies through the air. Connor calls out his name, but Breloom lands with a hard thud and doesn't respond.

"Breloom is unable to battle," Korou announces. He sticks his arm out in my and Gardevoir's direction with Sarge copying him once more. "Ash and Gardevoir are the winners!"

"And, I'm their next opponent," Sarge adds with an eager grin. I can hear her too?

I don't have time to dwell on it, because Gardevoir almost knocks me off my feet with a hug. "You were so awesome, Gardevoir!" I praise as he snuggles into my chest. He's panting, and I feel him shaking a little. "Was that combo too much?" I ask, feeling a little guilty. "Sorry. I just figured if you could combine Psychic with Moonblast, what else can you do?"

Gardevoir smiles up at me and shrugs. "Apparently, a lot," he pants.

"Man, that was epic!" A new voice. It sounds human, but it also doesn't.

Just like with Pikachu. Just like with Gardevoir and Breloom and Sarge.

The source of the voice is - oh my God - a Spearow up in a tree. The Farfetch'd next to him adds, "Makes me wish I was a psychic-type. Who knew they could use moves like that?"

The normal-flying-types congratulate Gardevoir, who bows dramatically at the praise. As the duo fly away, I swear I hear the Spearow say, "Makes me think of that Pikachu and the Bellsprout. No shortage of strong pokemon around these parts."

"Pikachu and Bellsprout," Gardevoir whispers thoughtfully. Too thoughtfully.

My brain shuts down.

Korou and Connor walk up to me. Behind them, Sarge is carrying Breloom on her shoulders, and both of them are grinning. I think Korou says something, but I don't hear it because what are words and who am I?

Korou snaps his fingers in my face, restarting my brain. "S-sorry, what?" I say.

"We were congratulating you two for winning," Korou says with mild concern. Then, he nudges his husband with a smirk. "And…?"

Connor blushes and scratches his ear. "And…do you have an extra pokeball?"

"Man, I miss all the fun," Lorette complains with her arms crossed.

We met up with her in the Pokemon Center, where she had brought Electrode for a check-up. The four of us sit at a round table in the lobby while we all wait for our pokemon to be patched up, though Sarge is just getting a routine check-up like Electrode. The electric-type themself has already finished up and is doing laps around us.

Korou and Connor had been telling Lorette about the battle, but I'm barely listening to the humans. Instead, I am focused on a Wartortle and a Psyduck, who are arguing over which attack is better: Hydro Pump or Water Pulse. Wartortle says that Hydro Pump is one of strongest water-type moves out there. Psyduck points out that Hydro Pump is difficult to aim, and Water Pulse has a chance of confusing the opponent. In an ironic turn of events, Psyduck gets one of the headaches his kind are infamous for, and it causes him to forget what they were talking about. Wartortle just rolls his eyes and agrees to disagree.

"Yo, Ketchum!" Lorette snaps. "You awake over there?"

"Uh, sorry," I say.

"Are you okay?" Korou asks. "You've been a little spacey since the battle."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine," I say automatically. Then, I chance it. "Well… Did you guys notice anything…odd about our pokemon?"

Korou and Connor exchange curious looks. Lorette watches them in confusion. Connor replies, "What do you mean, Ash?"

"Just, you know…" I fiddle with the bill of my cap as heat creeps over my cheeks. "The way they…spoke?"

Electrode stops beside me and hums in interest.

Connor frowns deeper. "Not particularly. How about you?" he asks his husband.

Korou shrugs. "They sounded normal to me."

"And, what do you mean by 'normal?'" I ask. "Like, the usual noises or something more…human?" I finish weakly, not meeting anyone's gaze.

I think I know the answer. Still, I need some kind of confirmation that I'm not losing my mind. Understanding Pikachu a few months after meeting him made sense to me. He and I were incredibly close even then, so as weird as it was, it hadn't surprised me as much as one might expect. But, now I'm suddenly hearing the voices of both pokemon I know well and random strangers. I can't decide if it's really happening or if the stress of the past month is finally catching up to me.

Lorette raises an eyebrow at me. "How much sleep did you get last night?"

I rub the back of my neck. "I don't know. Some?"

"Well, you need a little more."

"You should see Lord Zapdos," Electrode says. I look down at them, though I'm still not sure if they're actually talking. "He told me that I should tell you to come see him at Electrode Horde once you started hearing pokemon talk."

Zapdos? Does that mean I'm not insane? Or, am I hearing this because I've gone insane? I'm so confused. I'll have to test this later.

"How'd you come up with that anyway?" Connor asks me.

Before I can embarrass myself (again) by asking what he's talking about, Korou unintentionally comes to my rescue. "Yeah. That thing with Dazzling Gleam was really something."

Ah, they're talking about the combo move. I grin and shrug. "I don't know. Sometimes stuff just comes to me."

"Really?" Connor says, impressed. "You came up with it on the fly? Just like that?"

"I guess," I say, trying not to look as proud as I feel. "When I battle, sometimes an idea hits me like bam!" I beat my fist into the palm of my other hand for emphasis. "It doesn't always work, but when it does, it's awesome!"

Nurse Joy chooses that moment to call Connor, Korou, and myself up to claim our pokemon. Once we gather our pokeballs, Connor starts asking Nurse Joy a million and one questions about raising grass-type pokemon. She patiently answers everything and throws in a lot of advice Connor didn't ask for. Connor eats it all up.

Meanwhile, Korou pulls me aside with a grateful smile. "I don't think I've thanked you yet for this."

I chuckle. "Thank me for what? Connor and Breloom already had a connection. They just had to realize it themselves."

Korou adjusts the arm of his glasses. "Well, you certainly had a hand in that. Guess your little 'trial by fire' wasn't such a bad idea after all."

"When are you gonna see Lord Zapdos?" We jump at the childlike voice. When did Electrode get here? They look up at me with a serious expression. "You need to go see Lord Zapdos. At Electrode Horde. They were nice to Lorette and we should listen to anyone who is nice to Lorette because Lorette is my friend."

That sentence does not help me feel less crazy.

Fortunately, Electrode's friend stomps up to them and puts her hands on her hips. "What are you doing?" she asks them. "You bothering our buddies?"

"Ash needs to talk to Lord Zapdos," Electrode informs her.

"Apparently, I need to talk to Zapdos," I say, testing the waters.

Predictably, Korou and Lorette give me strange looks. Electrode, however, nods and confirms that yes, I should definitely talk to Zapdos who was nice to Lorette who is Electrode's friend.

This might actually be happening.

Lorette folds her hands together, points both her index fingers at me and says, "Dude. Sleep. You need it." Korou just nods worriedly.

What I need is another test. Somewhere private, where people won't dismiss me and tell me I need sleep. I'll head back into the forest, I decide, while there's still light out. I'll bring Gardevoir out there, and we'll test this together. He can talk to me, and other pokemon can talk to me as well. If I can have verbal conversations with everyone, then this is totally awesome and I'll pay Electrode Horde a visit. If not, I'll heed my friends' advice and go to bed early.