Vedanturf Town, Hoenn Region
Whitney, Johto Gym leader.
Whitney leaned against the counter of the Pokémon Center, propping her chin on her palm as Nurse Joy rattled on about some berry storage issue in Lavaridge.
"I'm just saying," Joy continued, gesturing with a slight frown, "when berries start fermenting in the cold storage, that's not just wasteful—it's explosive."
Whitney giggled. "Exploding berries? Now that I gotta see."
"Oh, don't tempt fate," Joy replied, rolling her eyes. "Last time we had a spill, I had to explain to a dozen trainers why their Pokémon smelled like spicy poffin for a week."
Whitney laughed, her shoulders bouncing. "Better than Miltank after bath day. That girl hates shampoo like it's poison."
The two of them shared a chuckle. It had been a slow morning—pleasantly so. Verdanturf was a sleepy kind of town, the sort of place that felt like a sigh after a long journey. Just being there was enough to make Whitney want to stop running, sit back, and let the world drift for a while.
Then, the front doors slid open with a soft chime.
A boy stepped in—thin, pale, with gentle green hair that caught the light as if it were spun from mint. He walked softly, with a kind of care Whitney often saw in trainers who'd spent more time worrying about Pokémon than themselves.
A Ralts trailed close behind him, its delicate frame shimmering with a soft, silvery sheen. Whitney blinked.
"Wait…" she said, narrowing her eyes.
The boy stepped up to the counter and politely requested a check-up for his partner. Joy smiled warmly, leaning forward. "Wally, is that you? I didn't recognize you at first!"
Whitney raised an eyebrow. Wally?
Joy continued fondly, "You used to visit Vedanturf's center all the time when you were little—always so quiet and sickly. Look at you now."
The boy smiled sheepishly. "I'm doing better. And Ralts has been helping a lot."
Whitney's eyes softened as she took in Wally's slight frame. He still looked quite scrawny, his clothes hanging a bit loose, and there was a fragile air about him. Then, her eyes slid down to the Pokémon in question. Something about the Ralts drew her in.
"She's shiny, right?" Whitney asked casually, her arms crossing. "She's got that glow."
"Yeah," Wally replied. "We met not long ago. She's… kind of amazing."
"Pretty bold to say this early," Whitney teased, then leaned down slightly, speaking to Ralts directly. "Hey there, sweetheart."
Ralts tilted her head, but didn't respond. She moved closer to Wally instead, brushing her small hand against his pant leg like an anchor.
Joy giggled. "Attached already. You've got a fan, Wally."
The boy reached for Ralts' Poké Ball and placed it on the counter, but Ralts immediately stepped between him and the device. Her tiny hand pressed firmly down on the Poké Ball.
Whitney blinked. "Wow. She doesn't want to leave him."
Wally crouched beside her, murmuring something low and soft. Whitney couldn't make out the words, but she saw the gentle way his hand moved to pat Ralts on the head, his voice coaxing. Slowly, Ralts relented and stepped back, just enough for the healing to begin.
"That was… adorable," Whitney said, her grin creeping back. "She's got a real soft spot for you. I don't blame her."
Wally stood and gave her a polite nod. "Thanks. She's been with me since the start. I don't think she likes the machines very much."
"Most Pokémon don't at first," Whitney said, then extended her hand. "Whitney. I run the Goldenrod City Gym over in Johto."
Wally's eyes widened. "You're… that Whitney? The Gym Leader with the Miltank?"
Whitney puffed up a little. "The one and only!"
"I've read about you," Wally said, surprise creeping into his voice. "A lot of people say your Miltank is one of the toughest Gym Pokémon in Johto."
Whitney blinked. "Seriously? People say that all the way out here?"
"Well, yeah," Wally said with a small laugh. "You're kind of famous in the League forums. Especially for rollout strategies."
Whitney scratched her head, a little flustered but secretly pleased. "Huh. I guess Miltank really is a menace."
Miltank, standing behind her, gave a sleepy snort of pride.
Just then, the healing machine chimed. Joy handed the Poké Ball back with a smile, and Wally called out Ralts again. She appeared with a shimmer, blinking up at him before moving to his side, nudging his leg in the same spot.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Wally said, petting Ralts. "Ralts and I are now ready for the next step of training. A trainer battle. Not a gym battle or anything—just… y'know, something where Ralts can stretch her legs."
Joy raised an eyebrow. "You wanna head to the Battle Tent?"
"Thought about it," Wally said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But it's all three-on-three over there. Not exactly beginner-friendly."
Whitney also nodded. Fair point. The Battle Tent was all flash—ranked matches, big crowds, rotating camera drones. Good for veterans, not so much for someone with one Pokémon.
"Well, there's the back lot," Joy offered, gesturing with a tilt of her head. "Local trainers hang out there. More casual, fewer rules, plenty of room to mess up without the whole town watching."
"That's exactly what I want," Wally said with a small grin. "Room to mess up. In private."
Whitney straightened up, crossing her arms with a playful smirk. "I'll be the referee. Let's go see what you've got, Wally."
...
Pokémon Centre.
Wally.
The back of the Pokémon Center had a dusty little arena, its faded chalk lines barely holding shape under the breeze. Flowerbeds framed the edge, their blossoms tilting lazily like they were half-asleep. A couple of trainers stood around, either warming up or wasting time.
Wally stepped out, hands in his jacket pockets, heart hammering more from anticipation than nerves. The air smelled like sun-warmed grass and dry dirt. Good battling weather, probably. Not that he'd know yet.
A kid about his age turned when he spotted Wally. Baseball cap backwards, Poké Ball rolling between his fingers like a coin trick. His grin came pre-loaded with bravado.
"Our eyes just met," he declared. "So that means we battle, right?"
Wally blinked, then smiled faintly. "I mean, sure. Or we could just wave awkwardly and keep walking, but battling sounds more fun."
The boy laughed. "Name's Jake."
"Wally," he said. "First official match. So if I trip over my own feet or give really dramatic commands, just pretend it's part of the strategy."
Whitney clapped her hands and stepped into the ring like it was a stage. "Okay, boys! First match rules: one-on-one, no held items, switch-outs allowed—but Wally's only got one, so, not exactly a factor. First to faint loses. Questions?"
Both boys shook their heads.
"Then announce yourselves and your Pokémon."
Jake struck a pose. "Jake, no badges yet, sponsored by the Verdanturf Trainer School. Go—Taillow!"
He threw his Poké Ball with an unnecessary spin, and a flash of light revealed a sleek Taillow mid-air. The bird let out a cry sharp enough to make the flowers rustle.
Wally took his own Poké Ball and stepped forward. "Wally. No badges yet. No sponsor. Go—Ralts."
The little psychic appeared in a gleam of silver-blue, stepping forward quietly, her gaze steady.
Jake squinted, reaching into his pocket to pull out a Pokedex. "Wait, is that a Ralts? Looks different…"
"She's a shiny," Wally replied with a small nod. "Rare but got lucky, I guess."
Whitney raised her hand. "Begin!"
"Taillow, Quick Attack!" Jake called out.
The bird darted forward in a blur, wings slicing the air.
Wally's voice was quick but calm. "Ralts, dodge left—then Confusion!"
Ralts twirled to the side just in time. Her eyes glowed, and a wave of violet energy rippled from her fingers. It slammed into Taillow mid-dive, knocking it off balance.
"Don't give it a second—Wing Attack!"
Feathers shimmered as Taillow regained its flight and dove.
"Double Team!" Wally called.
Three Ralts appeared in a triangle around the field, illusions dancing on the dirt. Taillow struck one—and passed through thin air.
"Hit it again—Confusion, now!"
The real Ralts unleashed another blast, this time landing square. Taillow tumbled, wings flailing.
Whitney raised her voice. "Taillow is unable to battle! Victory to Wally and Ralts!"
Jake sighed, then scratched the back of his neck and laughed. "Not bad at all. Your Ralts hits way harder than she looks."
Wally gave a small, proud smile. "She likes to keep people guessing."
As Ralts returned to his side, the battle buzz seemed to ripple outward. A few nearby trainers looked up, intrigued. One of them pointed. Another leaned toward a friend, whispering something about a "shiny" and "clean moves."
Before long, two more trainers stepped up—one with a Zigzagoon, the other with a Lotad.
Wally glanced at Ralts. She nodded.
He grinned. "Still good?"
She tilted her head, calm as ever. Which meant yes.
The next matches came faster. Zigzagoon's quickness was tricky, Lotad's defenses a slog—but Ralts adapted with every turn, her Confusion sharper, her footwork smoother. Wally learned her rhythm and matched it, calling moves with more certainty.
The crowd thickened. Quiet at first, then murmuring.
"That Ralts is something else…"
"Isn't he new?"
"Pretty good for a rookie."
Whitney stood off to the side, arms crossed, a smile playing at her lips. When the last trainer stepped back, patting Wally on the back with a grin, she finally stepped forward.
"Well," she said. "You've had your warm-ups. Ready for something a little more… Gym Leader-y?"
Wally glanced sideways at Ralts, who gave a faint nod. "Let me guess. You, right? I did feel like I heard a boss' music just now."
Whitney winked. "One-on-one. No Gym badge on the line. Just a friendly challenge. How about it?"
"Looks like we have a challenge, Mimikyu," Wally remarked, treating this challenge a lot more seriously.
Whitney unclipped a Poké Ball and tossed it. "Let's go, Skitty!"
The little pink cat burst into view with a cheerful mew!, landing in a bounce and wagging her tail like she was here for snacks.
Wally smiled. "Looks harmless. Which probably means I should be very afraid."
Ralts floated to his side, gaze fixed and quiet as ever.
Whitney raised her voice. "Standard match rules. No items. No switch-outs. First to faint. Got it?"
Wally nodded. "Got it."
"Begin!"
"Skitty, Fake Out!"
Skitty rushed in, paws glowing, and clapped them together with a sharp snap! that made Wally wince. Ralts flinched back, just as expected.
"Classic opener," Whitney grinned. "Now, Tail Whip!"
Skitty twirled, tail flicking playfully. Ralts blinked, her guard lowered.
Wally narrowed his eyes. "Double Team—then Confusion!"
Illusions split into the air again. Skitty looked around, momentarily thrown. The real Ralts struck—her Confusion sent Skitty stumbling back, ears flattening.
"She's not down yet," Whitney called. "Disarming Voice!"
Skitty let out a sweet, echoing cry that sliced through the illusions and hit Ralts directly.
Wally winced. "Right. That one never misses…"
He glanced at the dirt under Skitty's feet. "Okay, Ralts—aim for the ground in front of her!"
Ralts fired low. The psychic blast cracked the earth, spraying up dust and tiny pebbles. Skitty squeaked, startled, losing her balance.
"Hit her again—now!"
Another Confusion landed square. Skitty skidded and rolled—then staggered to her feet, dazed.
"Can you still move?" Whitney asked gently.
Skitty tried to take a step, but stumbled, her eyes spinning. Confused.
Wally's tone stayed soft but focused. "Let's finish it."
Ralts gathered her power. Another wave rippled out—and Skitty, dazed, turned mid-step and smacked herself in the face.
The crowd gasped.
Whitney winced. "Oh no! Skitty's confused."
Ralt didn't hesitate. Final Confusion. Direct hit. Skitty went down for good.
Whitney raised her hand. "Skitty is unable to battle! So, Congratulations, you won."
The crowd erupted in cheers and scattered applause. A few trainers leaned toward each other, impressed murmurs flying like gossip on a breeze.
Wally stepped over, kneeling next to Skitty and helping her sit upright before returning to Whitney. She gave him a long look, then nodded.
"You're going to give a lot of Gym Leaders headaches someday."
Wally chuckled softly. "Got lucky this time. I didn't expect Skitty to be confused."
Whitney shook her head, "Luck is also part of the strength. So, Good match."
The two hands shook.
...
Nurse Joy was tidying up some medical supplies behind the Pokémon Center when Whitney walked in, her usual confident smile softened by a thoughtful look.
"You really surprised me back there," Joy said, folding a fresh set of bandages. "I didn't expect you to actually step in a the end."
Whitney shrugged, settling into a chair. "Yeah, well... Wally reminded me of someone. He had that same quiet determination. Maybe a little stubbornness, too. Watching Wally... it's like seeing a younger version of him—eager, a bit unsure, but ready to surprise everyone."
Nurse Joy surprised asked, "Who is it?"
"Ethan."
...
Thanks for reading~