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After leaving Brock's Gym, I headed straight for the Pokémon Center. I desperately needed a quick shower; the adrenaline had left me drenched in sweat, a fact I only realized the moment I stepped out into the fresh air. Still riding the high of victory, I decided to dial Lindsay on my Pokédex. I was certain she wouldn't be in class at this hour, but home instead.
It didn't take long. She picked up on the second ring, her voice echoing through the speaker: "Hello?"
"Hey, Lindsay!"
"Patrik! Hi! How are you? What are you doing? Where are you?" she blurted out excitedly, all in one breath.
"I'm just walking back from the Pewter Gym..." I trailed off for a moment, a smirk playing on my lips as I kept walking.
"Patrik! Don't keep me in suspense!" she scolded, laughing.
"Of course I won. Haunter absolutely wrecked him."
"Mmm-hmm! Scratch Haunter behind the ears for me and tell him he did an amazing job!"
A satisfied Haunter poked his head out from my shadow, deciding it was time to chime in: "Haunt! Haunter, Haunteeeer!"
"Hiii! Great job, Haunter! What would little Patrik do without you?!" Lindsay teased with a giggle.
"Haunt, haunt!" Haunter nodded, theatrically raising his claws into the air.
"Oh, you piece of work!" I barked at him playfully, shoving him aside with my hand. Given his current weight, he flew off as if shot from a slingshot, only to return a second later, cackling. "What are you up to, Lindsay? Studying?"
"Pfff, how did you know?!" she snorted. "I need the best grades possible, and I want to wrap up some tests early."
Lindsay was a bit of a nerd, but she was genuinely passionate about Pokémon Law. It wasn't uncommon for me to pass out while she quoted some mind-numbing passage about Pokémon movement regulations in urban areas.
"Why do you need to finish the tests early?" I wondered.
"The best of us got an offer to go on a stay in Fuchsia City for Safari Law," she blurted out, brimming with excitement.
"Congratulations, you deserve it!" I reacted instantly. It meant the world to her, and she truly was one of the top students. There were only two law schools in all of Kanto, after all.
"Thank you, thank you!" She paused for a fraction of a second before rushing on: "God, I can't wait! I need to wrap up the school year fast so I can stay there longer!"
"Just be careful, Lindsay. Fuchsia deals with regular Pokémon attacks from multiple sides."
"Of course, don't worry! We have a sponsored teleport straight there, and as a future lawyer, I'll be staying well in the back."
A brief silence followed. I kept walking forward until Lindsay broke it again. "And what are your plans for today? Going to celebrate?"
I nodded, then immediately realized she couldn't see me. "Yeah, I think we'll grab some good food as a team and then hit a bar tonight."
"Don't go becoming a father, Patrik!" I could practically feel her grinning through the phone.
Once, I would have blushed and stuttered, but now?
"Don't worry, dear Lindsay, I'll pull out in time," I promised with a mischievous smirk.
A comical silence followed. I was certain that on the other end of the line, she was speechless and bright red. After a moment, she managed to stammer out: "Y-you'd better!"
"And you? What are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"Um... I'll study for a bit longer, then go for a run, maybe do some squats," she paused for a beat. "Then back to studying. I have to grind."
"Mhm, keep squatting. A solid ass can work wonders," I remarked, amused. Lindsay had a great body; I could still vividly remember having her up on the kitchen counter.
"I will!" she promised, sounding entirely serious.
"Alright, Lindsay, I'm at the Pokémon Center, so I'm gonna head off. Good to hear from you. Bye."
"Bye!"
I didn't hang up just because I was near the Center, but because I noticed an older guy walking straight toward me. He was dressed completely generically—all in grey, with long, greasy, unkempt hair. He looked average, inconspicuous, and that was exactly what put me on high alert. I saw him looking me dead in the eye. Defiantly.
Naturally, I returned the gaze. Up close, I noticed he had a bit of a "fishy" expression. Like a brainless Magikarp. He stopped right in front of me and spoke: "Hey there, kid. Nice day, isn't it?" he tossed out the question.
"What do you want?" I asked bluntly. Something felt off, and his behavior was strange to say the least.
"You look like a powerful trainer, so I figured I'd challenge you," he explained with a slimy smile. "Of course... if you're not afraid."
Challenges were common. There was always something at stake—money, supplements, or gear. It was part of the trainer culture. But here, something didn't sit right.
I nodded. Haunter was still relatively fresh after the Gym battle. "For what?"
His slimy grin widened. "Five hundred dollars."
"Accepted, but we have to link IDs."
His smile instantly froze. "Um, don't you have cash? You know, I've got some debts..."
"Not five hundred, I only have about three hundred and twenty on me."
He nodded immediately. "Three hundred and twenty it is then! Pokémon Center basement or behind the building?" he gave me the choice.
"I don't care," I shrugged.
"Basement, then. Let's go," decided "Fishface," as I dubbed him in my head.
We walked side by side into the Pokémon Center, the awkward silence between us feeling strangely heavy. I was already starting to regret accepting the challenge. As soon as we stepped inside, we turned right toward the stairs leading down. Small logos of two battling Pokémon were everywhere, flickering into different types at electric intervals.
The basement was divided into a public section and a private zone containing two smaller stadiums. It was my first time here, so I just followed him. He led me straight to a private ring on the right. He quickly pulled out his ID, scanned it at the terminal, and the door opened with a click.
I knew immediately it was a mistake. His behavior was beyond suspicious. If he could afford to rent a private stadium—even if it was incredibly cheap—he had to have money in his account. The only reason he'd avoid an official link was that the Pokédex would show me his level and warn me of a significant mismatch. Besides, he definitely saw me calling Lindsay on my Pokédex, so he knew I had it on me. I didn't let it show, though. I knew it was too late for complaints.
The stadium was a plain stone rectangle. The only thing aside from the flat surface were the trainer platforms equipped with psychic shielding to ensure no attack could harm us.
"One-on-one? Two-on-two? Three-on-three?" he asked me.
"One-on-one," I replied dryly. I didn't have much of a choice.
He nodded with that slimy grin and gestured for me to pick a side. I headed to the right. I calmly stepped onto the platform, which glowed instantly upon my entry. The defense was active.
"Ready?" the creep shouted from the opposite side.
I nodded. The challenger sends out their Pokémon first, a fact he was well aware of. In a flash of red light, a humanoid yellow Pokémon with a spoon in its hand appeared before him—Kadabra.
"Haunter," I whispered to my shadow, "be careful. They're dangerous."
My partner flew out of the shadow without a hint of fear, a wide grin on his face. Thank Arceus he can't die, I thought gratefully.
I was certain this trainer had seen me fight in Brock's Gym and subsequently used Kadabra to teleport ahead of me. He had "sniped" me like a seasoned hunter; to him, I was just an easy, risk-free payday. Haunter floated from the platform onto the battlefield with confidence.
Kadabra eyed Haunter coldly, sliding the spoon up and down in its palm. Much like its trainer, it was waiting for our first move.
"Shadow Ball, Haunter!" I commanded immediately.
Haunter obeyed instantly, shadows beginning to swirl within his claws. Kadabra waited motionless, while that slimy smirk never left its trainer's face. Once the Shadow Ball was formed and stable, Haunter hurled it at his opponent with a cry.
Her expression didn't change, nor did she move. She waved the spoon casually, and a pane of purple glass appeared in front of her. The Shadow Ball slammed into it. There was a faint crack, but the Shadow Ball dissipated completely against the barrier.
A fraction of a second later, the purple glass vanished. Immediately, without a verbal command, Kadabra's eyes glowed red, and a beam shot from them with lightning speed. It hit Haunter dead-on—he was sent flying back toward me with a scream.
While still mid-air, a second psychic beam struck him instantly. Haunter didn't even have time to cry out before he collapsed motionlessly to the ground. I stared at him in shock.
After a moment, the creep spoke up: "Are you gonna stand there all day, kid? I'm waiting for the money."
I quickly recalled Haunter into the Pokéball around my neck and went to hand over the three hundred and twenty dollars. He was waiting for me at the door with Kadabra by his side, the Pokémon watching my every move. Without a word, I pulled out the money and handed it to him.
"Oh, don't look like that... it's not a funeral," the guy laughed. "It's a Ghost, he'll be fine by evening." He quickly pulled a Pokédex from his pocket, glanced at the screen for a second, and cursed: "Is it that late already? Jesus, I gotta run! Thanks for the cash, kid! Pleasure meeting you!"
And then he was gone. While I just stood there in silence.
I wanted nothing more than to punch him. He had exploited my stupidity and inexperience—before I could even blink, his Kadabra had dismantled Haunter.
After today, I seriously need a drink, I thought, heading straight for Nurse Joy at the reception desk.
When I approached the counter, I saw her typing intently on a computer. She felt my gaze but just muttered: "One second, just finishing this message."
I waited, sensing someone watching me from the side. It was an older girl with black hair in a ponytail, blue eyes, and a tattoo choker around her neck. She was observing me with interest, and when she noticed me looking back, she gave me a smile. I would have returned it, but I wasn't in the mood and couldn't even force a smirk. I just gave her a nod, and right then, Nurse Joy spoke up.
"How can I help you?"
"I have a Haunter. He lost, he's fainted," I announced. She shot me a frown, so I quickly continued: "I know regular healing doesn't work on him and that he has to recover on his own... but just in case there's something..."
Her gaze softened immediately, and she began to explain: "Like you said, he'll get through it on his own. Don't worry, Ghosts have the best regeneration of all." She paused for a second and added: "The speed of recovery depends on auric energy, but if you need him urgently... try to evoke fear or negative emotions in yourself while close to him." At my surprised expression, she just shrugged. "Fear works best. It nourishes them the most."
I didn't need Haunter immediately, so I just nodded: "Thank you." I headed toward my room, catching one last brief look from the black-haired girl before disappearing into the hallways.
I stripped quickly and stepped into the shower. I turned on the hot water and just stood there for a few minutes, thinking.
I felt guilty. Because of my stupidity, Haunter had lost... The loss itself wouldn't have mattered if the match had been close, but we'd been outclassed from the start. Finally, with a sigh, I splashed ice-cold water on my face to wake myself up and stepped out of the bathroom. That "Fishface" had really screwed up our big day.
I released Haunter from his Pokéball onto a chair and threw myself onto the bed. After a moment, I reached for my belt and let out Houndour and Squirtle as well. As soon as they materialized, they noticed the limp Haunter on the chair. Both turned a questioning gaze toward me.
"We beat Brock and got the badge," I began to explain. "But on the way back, we ran into an experienced trainer who beat us," I admitted heavily.
Squirtle just nodded understandingly. Houndour, however, let out a soft whimper, hopped onto the bed, and curled up comfortingly against my side. I immediately started scratching him, which helped me calm down. Squirtle watched us for a bit longer before retreating into his shell on the floor. I didn't have the heart to go train, so we just lay there until I finally fell asleep.
It was Haunter who eventually jolted me from my dream. "Haunter! Haunt!"
"Sleep, Haunter... it's night," I mumbled, still half-asleep.
"Haunt! Haunt!"
I jerked awake instantly. Remembering everything that had happened, I sat up abruptly. Haunter was levitating by the bed, right at my eye level. Once he saw I was conscious, he continued: "Haunt! Haunt! Haunteeer!"
It sounded like a question. "We lost," I answered him quietly. "That Kadabra wrecked you..."
"Haunter?" he prompted inquiringly.
I shook my head. "It wasn't your fault. We didn't stand a chance from the start."
"Haunter!" He nodded understandingly, but then let out an overly motivated shout: "Haunt! Haunter! Haaaunt!"
"Yeah, we'll be stronger next time," I agreed.
Houndour stretched while lying down with a yawn, his thin legs sticking up into the air comically. Squirtle finally emerged from his shell and watched us with interest. According to the clock, it was already evening, so I slowly got out of bed. Houndour was still lying lazily, but his ears were perked up like two antennas. They twitched even more when I spoke.
"Are you guys hungry? Let's go get dinner," I called out.
In a split second, Houndour leaped off the bed and was already rubbing against my leg. Squirtle also stood up quickly and headed for the door in anticipation. While they watched me, I got dressed quickly and we headed out. I served both Squirtle and Houndour massive piles of food, enough that it was spilling over their bowls. I went for a classic—Tauros steak with fries and vegetables. Once we had stuffed ourselves, we headed back to the room.
I threw myself back onto the bed, still dressed, and thought. My head was spinning with "ifs." The biggest problem was that Haunter still hadn't sufficiently mastered his poison energy, and he was struggling with the Acid Spray attack. Shadow Ball was relatively strong, but even in its fast version, it was still too slow. When I compared Kadabra's power and speed to Haunter's, I saw a massive gap. If I compared raw speed, Kadabra was significantly faster at forming psychic energy, and its attacks were much more potent.
I realized that at my current level, I stood no chance. But in the future... if we improved our reflexes and if Haunter learned Dark Infusion for his claws, he could simply swat psychic attacks out of the air.
Ideas, nothing but ideas... First, though, he has to master poison energy, and only then will we add the dark stuff. We needed time, because we were training truly hard every day. Both Houndour and Squirtle looked like they would be ready for auric training soon. And since I already have the badge, I can slowly continue my journey.
Once I had it all cleared up in my head, I spoke to my team: "So, we'll be continuing our journey soon..."
Haunter, Squirtle, and Houndour all turned expectant gazes toward me, so I continued: "Tomorrow we go back to training. After that, we could think of something fun... and tomorrow night, I'll hit the bar for a few drinks."
Squirtle and Houndour looked at me a bit blankly, but Haunter understood all too well. "We'll buy what we need, restock our supplies, and head out," I concluded our night planning.
"Haunter?" he asked inquisitively.
I understood he was asking what specifically we needed to buy besides the usual supplies. "We need a sharpener for steel and a bandana for my face. And I want to buy some vitamins for Squirtle."
"Squirtle?!" the Water-type blurted out in surprise.
"Hound... Houndour!" Houndour replied with a look of disgust.
"Suffering is the price of power," I laughed at them both.
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Author's note:
Hope you enjoyed the interaction with Lindsay and the darker, grittier tone of this chapter. Winning a badge is one thing, but the real world of Pokémon trainers can be brutal—there's always a bigger fish, or in this case, a much faster Kadabra.
Up next, we've got some shopping to do, more training, and a trip to the bar for our MC to let off some steam (muahahaha) before we continue our journey.
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The shadows are shifting, and the story goes much deeper... If you can't wait for the next update, Advanced Chapters are already waiting for you.
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Upcoming Chapters – Already Written:
18. Grit and Gold
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20. The Moon's Crimson Glow
21. Blood and Embers
22. Lessons and Hard Knocks
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