Swanna Song, Sung Throughout Sinnoh

“You sure can eat, huh?” Gary watched Deino chomping away at his bowl of food.

Deino looked up at Gary, swallowed, and then inhaled hard. “Deino, Deino,” he nodded before shoving his face into his bowl again.

Gary snickered and took another bite out of his sandwich. He couldn’t help but snicker some more as he looked around.

All of the Pokemon were eating, only Magneton floating and bobbing under the afternoon sun.

Tyranitar held his bowl over his head, licking at it all around and then smiling. He looked to Gary.

Gary stared back, his smirk fading to a blank stare.

Tyranitar’s smile faded as well and he lowered his bowl, staring to the ground sadly.

Gary breathed out. Ah, come on. Was I really that harsh? I guess I was, huh...? Of course I was. What’s wrong with me? Why did I get so mad at him? I have to work with my Pokemon, and get them stronger through teamwork and training. Not ridicule them like I did. “Hey, man.” Gary stood up and walked over to Tyranitar.

Tyranitar looked over to him, not moving his head much.

“Hey, hey. I’m sorry, okay Tyranitar? I got really heated and I just took things way too far.”

Tyranitar’s eyes went down again.

“Can we try this again? I know we’re kind of new with each other and all. We only met on that mountain. And that was a really bad time.” Gary didn’t take his eyes off of Tyranitar.

Tyranitar kept his eyes down.

“Did you know her? That Ranger girl?”

Tyranitar kept his gaze away and let out a deep growl of sorts.

“Hmm,” Gary nodded. “I knew her, too. But not that well. I can’t even remember her name. But I knew her. She was... funny.” Funny. Right, Gary kept to himself. I guess that’s not really a lie, ha. “She was nice. Helpful. A real hero. It seemed like you two knew each other a lot closer, though.”

Tyranitar let out another deep noise and nodded, now looking at Gary.

Gary stared right back at him as his eyes began to water. “I don’t... know what happened to her, Tyranitar,” Gary struggled to admit to the Pokemon.

Tyranitar’s eyes widened, his mouth opening with shock. Another grunt came out of his mouth, and it had the tone of confusion.

Gary was certain Tyranitar had said, “Huh?” He closed his eyes against his will, preparing his next words. With an inhale, he looked at his Pokemon. “I can’t-” He paused. “I don’t-” He swallowed and cleared his throat. “She was tossed off that mountain, and killed.”

Tyranitar blinked with teary eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Tyranitar!” Gary cried out, and he closed his eyes, lowering his head. Hot tears made their way out of his eyes and he sniffled hard, snorting, baring his teeth. “I - I don’t... I don’t know what to say. I’m just so sorry, Tyranitar. I wish I could have done more. That - that... thing killed her, Tyranitar.” He finally forced his head up and stared at the large Pokemon.

Tyranitar’s eyes were full of tears as even more rolled down his cheeks.

Gary sniffled a few times, but he narrowed his eyebrows, regaining his composure. “There’s a lot of terrible things going on in this world right now, but she died doing what she wanted. I can’t imagine she would have gone out any other way. She was a great person who provided an excellent contribution to the world through her work, honestly.”

Tyranitar let out a kind of grumble, nodding as more tears fell from his eyes.

“I’m gonna kill that monster that killed her. Whatever it is. Whatever kind of Hellish beast that thing is, it will die. If not by the police or army, by me!”

Tyranitar was giving Gary his full attention now.

“I’m sorry for your loss. And I’m sorry I wasn’t a better friend to you.” He touched Tyranitar’s body. “Let’s start again, huh?” In the next second, Gary was choking!

Tyranitar was hugging him so hard, lifting him off the ground and crying, tears running down his cheeks. Hugging might not be the most proper word for it, as Gary was suffocating, but Tyranitar meant well.

Unfortunately, Gary couldn’t even get out the words to tell his Pokemon to let him go. His constant kicking at Tyranitar’s body wasn’t delivering the message, either. I guess this is the way I go out! Gary panicked in his mind. His eyes looked around in desperation for help.

Charizard, Weepinbell, and all of June’s Pokemon were watching with apprehension, looking unsure about what they should do.

Riolu was watching with an awkward, nervous smile, a ball of sweat rolling down the side of her head.

“PRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!!” Primeape leaped through the air, tears rolling down his face, and he wrapped his whole body around his Trainer’s head.

Now Gary was really suffocating!

Primeape growled and yelled at Tyranitar, the Rock type squeezing even tighter and yelling back, crying as well.

All the Pokemon ran forward at this point, trying to separate the two from accidentally killing Gary.

All the Pokemon except for Deino, who watched the scene while gnawing on his empty bowl.

*

Prof. Oak’s house, huh? Gary stared with hard eyes at the one-story house. Can’t imagine him living so contently here. Maybe that’s why he stayed in Pallet Town. Or, maybe this was the perfect getaway from the mansion for a man like him. But he wasn’t the type to ever take vacations. He was always working. Or perhaps it’d be more accurate to say that his vacations were just working in different places. I can’t imagine him stopping his work for anything. He wasn’t the type. He worked, ate, dreamed, nothing but Pokemon.

Gary wiped at each eye in turn as a pair of tears slid out. I wonder if I went in there, if it would feel the same as the Lab. If I’d ever get that feeling back, just one more time.

The two men tumbled all the way down, still trying to get control of the gun.

THUMP!

Prof. Oak landed first, right on his back. He choked out in a nasty groan.

Gary shuddered, remembering the moment Prof. Oak died trying to save everyone at the Indigo League. What were you doing out there that night, sir? Why? What did you think you could do in your old age against a grown man in possibly his prime? You... fool... He closed his eyes with this thought and lowered his head, swallowing hard. He didn’t wipe at continuous tears that leaked freely from his face.

“Nothing lives forever. That is the rule of life itself. It ends. The creation of, or the destruction of. Remember that, my boy,” Gary remembered the words of Prof. Oak from early in his journey.

*

“Deino, let’s go!” Sitting on his rented bike, Gary sent out his second Pokemon after Riolu had been defeated by an opponent’s Croagunk.

“Deino!” Deino spoke out.

“Croagunk, Poison Jab again!” the young Biker named Oran ordered.

“Focus Energy! Get ready!” Gary spoke.

Deino’s body glowed white momentarily as Croagunk charged at him with a glowing, purple fist. “Deeeeino!” Deino toppled over and stayed on his side. Suddenly, his face flashed purple. He was Poisoned!

“Deino! Oh, no! Get up! Use-!”

“Poison Jab again! Finish it!” Biker Oran continued.

Another Poison Jab left Deino on his side, not moving.

Fffffreak! Gary cursed in his head. He returned his Pokemon and looked at the guy. “I should have done better. Chosen stronger Pokemon. I thought I could raise those guys up better but I failed.”

“Excuses, excuses.” Biker Oran pulled out his Pokedex and put it away a couple of seconds later. “As long as you pay up.” He returned Croagunk.

“Yeah, yeah. You got your money,” Gary glared at him. “No excuses. You won. I’m just saying, I’ve got - stronger Pokemon.” He held out Deino’s Poke Ball and hesitated. Don’t get into it, Gary. Come on, this isn’t even worth getting so mad over. He’s just a jerk. Calm down! “We did our best. I’m proud of my guys,” Gary stated, making sure he was heard by his downed Pokemon. “We just need more training. There’s nothing wrong with that! Thank you, Deino! We’ll battle again real soon!”

“I knew you’d be no match for me.” The young man ran his hand through his spiky red hair with yellow streaks.

I really think I’ve had about enough, Gary decided. He got off his bike, leaving it standing on the kickstand, and walked over to the guy. He was all fired up, two tight fists at his sides.

Biker Oran noticed this and got off his own bike. “What do you think you’re doin’, huh?” he called out defensively.

Gary could sense the tension. He could taste it. He reached out, ready to attack this bigmouth.

The guy screamed in fright as Gary grabbed his shoulders roughly.

But Gary just smiled. Calm down, dude. What’s wrong with you? he was thinking to himself, desperate to keep it cool. Why am I so upset lately...? He shook the guy roughly but carefully and then nodded. “Good fight. I hope to see you at the League this year.” Leaving the guy in shock, he returned to his bike and continued on the Cycling Road, another battle awaiting him just moments away. Even with only four Pokemon, we can do it! he told himself. We have to!

*

While walking, Gary breathed out with disappointment. This isn’t good enough, he was telling himself. I can’t just depend on Charizard to win. I need everybody to keep this team standing! Tyranitar is out after that last fight, but he did get a bunch of wins in before that. Is he doing better, or were those opponents just too weak? I even brought out Electivire in the other fight. I can’t be doing that. I need to stick to my six. Not use the extras! Right? I mean, as long as I’m only using a max of six, it’s fine, isn’t it? UGH! I can’t raise all these Pokemon! This is too much for me! I have to care for all my own guys! This is crazy!

Is it, though? he argued. My job is literally to master raising and capturing all Pokemon on the planet. And properly raising all of them. That means learning how to rotate them all.

Gary had gotten through Cycling Road and, after leaving his Pokemon at the Pokemon Center, took some time to explore Eterna City, now stopping in front of a building with a towering statue in front of it. What is this...? he wondered.

The creation of DIALGA,

The giver of time...

In laughter, there is tears...

And, likewise it is with time.

The same time flows on.

For it is the blessing of DIALGA.

The birth of Palkia.

The creator of parallel dimensions...

Alive, yet not alive...

Everything drifts in space...

To arrive in the same universe.

It is the blessing of Palkia.

Commemorated here, never to be forgotten again, a combination of the two for the ages.

Gary read the writing of the two metal plates under the statue to himself again. And then he read it again. He read it a couple more times after that before pulling out his Pokedex and went through it until he saw the two Pokemon, Dialga and Palkia. So, this is the two of them? He went back and forth between his Pokedex and the statue. Dialga and Palkia, in one? I... guess I can see it... I mean, it kinda just looks like Dialga, really. Sinnoh has so many Mythicals and Legends. It’s crazy! But these two are prominent in this region. Controller of time, Dialga, and controller of space, Palkia. Not even Mythicals, but actual Legends. Basically confirmed to exist. But the head honcho in this region is Arceus, who supposedly made the entire world, or universe, even. A Pokemon as a god. The ultimate creature. Some say, God’s smaller god. The god modeled after God, by God, to take care of everything. The Pokemon, the god, who answers to no one, and is incomparable to anything, but God! The One who created Arceus to begin with, the egg floating in space before there was space. Just nothingness. Nothingness, but God...

Gary inhaled through his nostrils and then let it out. Why did they combine the two, though? What do they mean by “never to be forgotten, again?”

*

“A second history museum? Why?” Gary stared at the towering building that had been established decades ago. “There’s gotta be something better to see here.” He walked away from the northeast side of the city, continuing to explore.

*

“You know, those items you just bought are extremely bitter, and smelly, too!” an old lady spoke out to Gary as he tried to leave a little shop he had purchased some medicine from.

“Huh?” Gary stopped and turned to her.

“Those medicines you just bought. They may be cheap, but that comes at a price!”

“Oh...” Gary wasn’t sure what to say. Who is this old woman? Why didn’t she stop me before I bought this stuff? Why now?

“Your Pokemon won’t be too fond of you using that on them, but they do get the job done. Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh heh.”

“Ahh... Yeah. I heard they were bitter. But the shops aren’t carrying much medicine these days so I don’t have much of a choice, ha.”

“Bitter? They’re guaranteed to ruin the bond you have with your Pokemon! Aaaahyeh hyeh hyeh hyeh hyeh hyeh!” The woman laughed so weirdly.

He looked back at the cashier.

The cashier smiled uncomfortably at Gary and shook her head. “Please excuse my mother. Your Pokemon will be fine. Please don’t listen to her.”

She’s probably lying, Gary thought, but he smiled at the cashier anyway and nodded. “Okay. See ya.” He walked out of the shop as fast as he could, the old lady laughing even louder.

*

“Man, I am in need of a serious haircut right about now...” Gary stared at himself in the mirror of the bathroom of his room at the Pokemon Center and breathed out wearily, running his hand through his growing hair. “I’ve never seen it this dark before.” He grabbed it and gave it a good, rough shake. As much as he wanted to smile, he just couldn’t, too much on his mind.

*

“So this is the Eterna Gym,” Gary spoke out loud. He, Electivire, Deino, Charizard, Primeape, Weepinbell, Sabrina, and Tyranitar stood outside the building.

It was tall, but even more so, wide. Outside of the building was a field of flowers that seemed to surround the place, but the blue and white building itself was covered in moss and plant life, looking almost kind of rundown.

“I don’t know how many Pokemon are gonna be allowed, but I’m counting on you, Deino.” Gary stared down at his little Pokemon.

“Deino.” The Pokemon looked back up at him and nodded.

“This is why I brought back one of you other guys.” He looked at Sabrina. “But I have plans for some other swaps, maybe. I’m not sure, yet.” He now had his eyes on the grass underneath him. “Grass types are often said to be weak, but I’ve the experience to know all Pokemon are kickass.” He nodded at Weepinbell who then stood taller and spoke with pride. “So we’ll return here tomorrow and get our fourth Badge! I don’t want to depend on my powerhouses unless I have to.” He looked towards Charizard. “So, I’m not intending on using you, pal.”

Charizard just grunted with a nod.

“I need to do better with rotating all my Pokemon. But it isn’t gonna be easy.” He looked at Electivire. “And you’ll behave, of course, right?”

“Virrrrre...” Electivire growled.

“We’ll have us another battle later tonight. I just need to get my ideas together for how I’m gonna defeat Gardenia. And you’re one key element, Deino. Being Dragon, you can do so many things and resist so many moves. I know we’ll get this Badge! I can’t wait.” Gary made a pair of tight fists as he looked up at the night sky, a bunch of stars twinkling above.

*

“Man, there’s no Gible in here at all!” Gary complained angrily inside of Wayward Cave, which was reachable after a long, grassy path underneath the Cycling Road. Him, Deino, and Electivire walked past a defeated Zubat. “I’m so sick of Zubat. Why are they everywhere?” Gary huffed out impatiently. “We’ve been in here for-” He pulled out his phone to check the time. “Two hours?!” He wanted to rant some more, but instead, he let out a sigh. “Well, I guess if nothing else, we spent a lot of time in this cave training.” Gary took a moment to think about his tired team of Pokemon. “Okay.” He looked to Electivire. “Maybe it’s only right we give June’s Pokemon some time to stretch out and keep in shape, too. I’ll take the bag from here on.”

The exchange of June’s bag from Electivire to Gary was smooth. Soon after, Gary had one of June’s Poke Balls in his hand, walking alongside Electivire.

With a sudden, huge, thunderous roar, something tall appeared, toppling over rocks, raising dust, and terrifying the boy, Electivire standing his ground as he made fists and his body started sparking.

Gary bared his teeth, frowning with determination, trying to think of what he should do against the new foe.

An Onix.

No time to look for the other balls, and I can’t decide who to choose or remember! Gary panicked. “AAAAAAAHHHH! MAGNETON, GOOOO!”

*

“Tyranitar, use Rock Slide!! Galvantula, Signal Beam!” Gary shouted.

White sparkles appeared over Tyranitar’s head as a light-blue ball formed in front of Galvantula’s head. The sparkles over Tyranitar turned into Rocks with white outlines and he hurled his hands outward, making the Rocks fly for the Bug type.

At the same time, the orb over Galvantula sent out a multicolored beam that hit Tyranitar first. Galvantula was able to evade the attack headed for her. She stood watching Tyranitar after he had fallen and eventually, the dust he raised settled, but she also suffered in his sandstorm.

It was maybe five seconds that passed, not a word spoken, before the sandstorm finally gave out.

He lost again, Gary recognized. To a Bug type...

It was a couple of minutes of more silence.

Primeape and Weepinbell had been fighting together, but stopped to see the end of the match.

Riolu and Electivire were also training. Electivire didn’t do much but allow Riolu to attack while he held off the moves using only his humongous palms, rarely striking back, and only with minimal effort. But they both had stopped to look at Galvantula and Tyranitar near the end.

Deino and Charizard traded blows, Charizard going easy, but Gary instructed Charizard to also try to take him out “gently,” wanting to push Deino’s endurance. They both ended up stopping to see how the fight between Galvantula and Tyranitar would end.

Magneton and Raichu were having the most fun, chasing each other with their Electric moves in what looked like a game of Tag more than anything. But even they stopped their game to watch the results of the battle.

Gary held out his Poke Ball, returning his defeated Tyranitar, and leered at the ball, gripping it tighter. I can’t believe this. They both had a type advantage. Rock beats Bug, and Bug beats Dark. But... Tyranitar is a... Tyranitar! Furious, and also embarrassed, Gary didn’t even want to look at his other Pokemon. His hand opened, releasing Tyranitar’s Poke Ball.

The ball rolled on the grassy ground just a couple of inches.

Gary was pressing buttons on his Pokedex soon after. He froze for a moment and swallowed a big lump in his throat before pressing at buttons again.

The Poke Ball on the ground glowed brightly and vanished, and seconds later, another Poke Ball appeared.

Gary picked it up and tossed the ball, releasing the Pokemon inside.

He took a pleasant pose, looking around curiously. “Kirlia?” He saw all the Pokemon and smiled. “Kirlia!” Finally, he saw Gary. It took a few seconds, but his smile finally faded slowly. “Kirl?” His horns began glowing light blue.

With strong eyes on the Pokemon’s glowing horns, Gary breathed out uncomfortably before taking in a deep breath. “Alright! Break’s over! Back to work!! Kirlia!” He pointed at Galvantula. “Get going! I wanna see some real fighting spirit!”

Kirlia’s eyes widened as he cried out, the glow from his horns vanishing, and he narrowed his eyebrows before running for Galvantula.

All the other Pokemon also went on fighting.

Charizard grunted out as Deino lunged blindly and Slammed into his stomach. He took a couple of steps back, but then stomped one foot to maintain his intimidation and dominance. He then slugged Deino with Rock Smash.

Riolu used Quick Attack, hitting Electivire in one knee.

Electivire’s leg just barely twitched from the impact. Afterwards, he Swept out his foot and tripped up little Riolu. He cackled lightly as Riolu stayed down, shuddering.

Magneton and Raichu were actually battling now, Raichu leaping for Magneton with Quick Attack, Magneton taking the blow and forcing him back with pure effort to then Tackle him back further.

A punch from Primeape was blocked by a Vine from Weepinbell. Weepinbell then Wrapped around Primeape’s body and squeezed.

Primeape Screeched, making Gary, as well as every Pokemon around, collapse and wail out.

This included a bunch of new Pokemon from the trees! A bunch of Starly! Several of them got up and flew off noisily into the night sky immediately. Others took longer to recover and fly away, also squawking.

A final Starly remained. It closed its eyes and its feathers fluffed as it shivered.

Gary intently watched the Pokemon in silence.

Starly looked around, its head turning as it hopped about, taking in the surrounding Pokemon and Trainer.

Gary didn’t move, softening his stare. Just waiting on the Pokemon to leave.

And finally, it did, flying away with a call.

A weakling, Gary told himself. The last to leave. What’s the point?

*

The ball sat on the ground, the top half blue-gray, the bottom half a pale green. The middle of it had a white button. The ball shook on the ground slowly but repeatedly. Finally, it opened with a loud BAAAP!!

A black beam came out from inside of the object. The beam twisted and shivered in shape on the ground before giving way to a human body.

It was June. She curled up and shivering, wearing so little she could have been naked, any signs of underwear nearly impossible to make out, the remaining clothing torn, stained, and unsanitary. Blood was everywhere on her. She was motionless.

Step by step, I got closer to her, my dirtied feet stepping along the rocky ground.

Along with occasional, minor quivers, June’s body would give an especially hard jump every several seconds before going still again.

My entire, powerful body filled with anticipation, and as I stopped walking, my feet right beside her, my toes’ hooked nails tapped along the ground. They tightened and I bent down, my thick tongue slipping around the entirety of my mouth, inside and out, still able to taste June’s blood on them. I swallowed.

Only her face was illuminated by the glow behind me, the rest of her in shadows.

A large chunk of saliva dripped onto June’s head, and soon after, she let out a weakened wail, but was too weak to move more than turning onto her other side and continue trembling uncontrollably.

The taste of her blood was a disappointment. A constant... Disappointment!! Rasping, Gary started to lunge, to attack June, but suddenly he froze. His eyes widened. His head remained still, but his eyes moved from one side to the other, looking at the cave he was in.

There was a voice behind him.

He stood up straight and turned with a frightened jump.

Gary shrieked at the top of his lungs and dropped. Kicking and flailing his arms like a madman, he looked around the cave of - his room??

Riolu stood in the room of the Pokemon Center, looking ready to cry. She had her arms held out, her body shaking. Her breathing was noisy and also shaking hard.

Kirlia looked sadly at Gary, his horns glowing light blue. “Kirl...”

Gary watched them uncertainly and then swallowed, tasting blood, and he spit out immediately, repeatedly. Blood! June’s! Quickly, he wiped at his mouth and hit a sore spot. “Ouch!” He raised his hand and saw a slight spot of blood. I’m bleeding? he questioned. He stared at the floor of the room. I’m on my knees. My face... It hurts, Gary started understanding, putting the pieces together. Because I just fell out of bed and hit my face, of all places... I got hurt.

His eyes returned to his two Pokemon. Them again...Why?

What kind of a dream was that?? He swallowed again, pressing his hands into the floor, which only made him realize how much he was trembling. He inhaled shakily and let it out swiftly. It makes sense I’d be having nightmares, b-but why do they feel so...? It was like I was right there! And I felt so strange! Not like myself at all. He held up his hands, staring at them quivering. His breathing intensified, his eyes getting a little bigger. I just need to see them. See my hands. See that they’re... my hands! And not - something else!

Gary, take it easy. He took deep breaths to try to calm himself down. It was just a dream. A constant dream you have. It makes sense that you’d be having nightmares. You have them often these days.

But Gary just shook his head. He stared at Riolu and Kirlia. “Why? Why are you two out of your Poke Balls? It’s always you, Riolu. And now you, Kirlia.” Emotion Pokemon. Pokemon who can read Aura and emotions and stuff, Gary recalled. Are they just out because I’m going through nightmares? Because I’m in a stressful state?

That made plenty of sense to Gary. And he needed it to.

He needed something in his life to be something he could actually understand.

Anything at all.