Teddy leaned against the fence and watched with a smile as his Munchlax plopped himself down in the middle of the path staring at the arch, Egg clutched tightly and mouth wide open.

  Most Pokemon Professors recommended trainers choose one or two types tops for their team. It made it easier and safer in the long run, as it wasn’t really possible to learn everything about raising and training a bunch of types — unless you were a Professor, of course.

  Most trainers opted to follow that advice. The Indigo League was a good example of the heights you could reach if you knew your type well. Sure, there were some generalist trainers — and insanely powerful ones at that.

  Like the previous League Champion — the one before Lance. He didn’t stay to hold the title, disappearing shortly after. In fact, most of his records were sealed. You only really heard about him by word of mouth from the old trainers now.

  And they all said the same thing. Genius.

  Teddy didn’t hold any delusions to grandeur… it would be better if he learned one or two types for his team.

  But then again… he had only been a trainer for a few weeks and had met Celebi.

  Maybe… ?

  Teddy shook his head.

  So, ghosts were always going to be there.

  Because Ghosts were awesome.

  He wasn’t sure if he had liked Ghosts — or if it started the day he first saw Shadow.

  He couldn’t remember — it had been a part of him for too long. But it also didn’t matter.

  Shadow being a part of his life seemed destined and he wouldn’t change it for the world.

  He chuckled as his Munchlax gasped and did his version of whispering to Gastly — which was only of a slightly lesser volume than his usual shouting. Teddy didn’t miss how his little food gremlin constantly petted the Egg; a subconscious action now.

  A quick pang in his heart had him idly wondering if it was because of what happened to *him* as an Egg, but dismissed the thought just as quickly.

  Munchlax flopped onto his back, clutching the Egg and cooing, Shadow laughing at his antics.

  No, it was just because his Munchlax was a goofy food ball with nothing but love to go around.

  His Munchlax flopped back up and continued “whispering” to Gastly.

  So, Ghosts and Psychic types had always intrigued him.

  And Dragons.

  But you didn’t simply train a Dragon. You were either born to a clan or recognized by one.

  To train a Dragon without approval led to swift and terrible consequences.

  Teddy understood, of course. Most Dragons grew to be too powerful for trainers to control, and the resulting catastrophes were… unhappy. Even the League sanctioned the Dragon Clans for that reason.

  So, no Dragons — much as every trainer dreamed of having one.

  Teddy sighed and looked up at the glass image of Celebi. Can’t believe I got to visit his shrine. It was still so surreal.

  Maybe he would actually have time to think about it once they got settled in the city.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  After all, he wasn’t in any rush to move on — and Goldenrod was huge, with plenty to see and do.

  They had been going nonstop since he and Shadow started their journey, and both of them needed a break. Azalea was quaint, but after the run-in with Team Rocket… the interest in staying just kind of evaporated.

  Besides, he didn’t know much about Pokemon Eggs, but he was pretty sure he had seen the Egg glowing once or twice in the dim light of Ilex.

  That had to mean something, right?

  So… he was about to have two babies to deal with.

  He was going to be counting on Shadow.

  A lot.

  He glanced back at his Munchlax. One type he had never had any interest in was the Normal type.

  It was so… normal.

  And boring.

  Munchlax gasped, jumping to his feet while giggling. He turned to face Teddy, yelping and squealing as he ran towards him with nothing but love on his face.

  Teddy smiled back.

  Yeah… he wouldn’t give up his Normal type for anything.

  ____

  Jat muttered from under his Asper tree, throwing up his arm to block the sun slipping through the leaves.

  The nap had been nice, but had ended too soon — interrupted by the shouting of some stupid Pokemon. While he wasn’t in any particular hurry, he did need to get to the Radio Tower at some point today.

  Get the ball rolling and all that.

  The same Pokemon that had interrupted his nap shouted again.

  No point in trying to get to sleep again with this racket, he huffed, sitting up.

  He palmed a Pokeball in irritation, looking for the culprit. He had time. He wouldn’t mind maiming some kid’s precious Pokemon. Teach the dumb thing some manners. It was a joke watching trainers treat Pokemon like family.

  Pokemon were tools, meant to be trained. Meant to be used. Most trainers just spoiled the creatures, let them have their way — when what they *really* needed was discipline. An untrained and uncontrolled Pokemon was a reflection on their trainer, after all.

  People who treated them like they had feelings were weak.

  The gooey-hearted weaklings who wanted so desperately for Pokemon to be smart they posited thoughts and emotions that weren’t really there.

  Sure… some were intelligent. Frighteningly so — he had met Archer’s Alakazam, after all.

  That creature was… horrifying.

  He had no desire to cross paths with that monster again.

  Thankfully, most Pokemon weren’t that… abnormal.

  He squinted when he finally found the culprit.

  A Munchlax. And a Gastly.

  He froze and did a double take.

  No Way he was this lucky.

  He slowly got up, adjusting his Pokeball and licking his lips. Need to get me some water, he grunted to himself.

  He glanced around, looking for the trai… and sure enough, there he was. Tiny? Teaky? Something weak and soft.

  Teddy.

  That was it.

  “Geez, what a name,” Jat kicked the tree in frustration. He would love to see what "Teddy" was like after he had been completely crushed. After his Pokemon had been taken from him because he was weak.

  The thought made his blood race.

  In fact, he really, really wanted to.

  He took a step forward but…

  Proton had been clear.

  Steer clear of the boy.

  “Ugh.” He slammed the Pokeball back into his belt, clenching his fist as the Munchlax shouted again.

  Fine.

  Maybe one day he would get lucky and the boy would get in his way.

  The idea made him feel better. He stretched with a grin, licking the dryness from his lips.

  In fact… what if he just so happened to be in the same place at the same time as the boy?

  And they accidentally crossed paths?

  And then had to battle? No one could blame him if he battled him then, right?

  Jat strolled away with lifted spirits, hands in his pocket and whistling a merry tune, — already dreaming of the day he got to crush that punk and his dreams.