Gastly hovered next to her trainer as the group made their way to Goldenrod’s Gym.

  She was grateful for the overcast sky — letting her wander in comfort instead of hiding in a shadow.

  But, well… there was no other word for it.

  Gastly was a bit peeved. Which was saying something, considering she spent most of her time annoyed about one thing or another.

  MunchMunch had gone exploring without her.

  Worse, he had snuck past her. Her!

  Utterly inexcusable.

  She loved him, but he was a tiny waddling ball of joy — which usually meant constant screeching and babbling. Which made it even more ridiculous he made it past her.

  Gastly huffed again.

  Not to mention he had fun!

  He had managed to disturb or outright terrify half the Pokémon Center.

  And annoyed that stuffy Kadabra.

  Without Her!

  The smug look Gengar had given her as they left the Center was enough to make her teeth hurt.

  “Hhhhh!” She exhaled loudly, looking over at MunchMunch.

  He responded by smiling brightly.

  Her frown faltered and she drifted down to nudge him.

  “Hi, Shadow!” He cackled before catching himself.

  She snorted. Like she wouldn’t notice he was trying to practice cackling like Gengar without her noticing.

  Well, two could play at that game!

  “Are you excited, Sweetie?” She smiled at his antics — him lifting his feet a little too high because he thought it meant he was “skipping”.

  “Shadow! Goldenrod is so big! I can’t wait to see the Gym!” He immediately started babbling, leaning back to try and see the top of a skyscraper.

  And failing. Shadow watched as MunchMunch fell on his back, continued rolling backwards — right over his head, somehow ending back on his feet.

  Without missing a beat.

  And without stopping his excited babble.

  “ — And the buildings are really tall! I can’t wait to go inside the biggest one! I don’t know how I’m going to get up the stairs though —“ He paused and gasped.

  Shadow watched in bemused exasperation as MunchMunch waddled up to Teddy, begging to carry Happy. Teddy acquiesced immediately, of course.

  Shadow didn’t think either of them could tell MunchMunch no anymore, honestly.

  “ — And Happy! Did you know, stairs are almost as tall as I am! Which makes it really hard to go up, but super fun to go down!” He continued, holding the Egg in one arm and pointing with the other.

  She huffed softly and settled into his shadow. She would get the Gengar back for having fun with MunchMunch without her.

  But for now, she was glad to be with her team.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  ____

  Teddy sighed happily, watching as MunchMunch nuzzled the Egg while pointing to the Goldenrod Mall. He smiled as he watched Shadow try to be annoyed, and failing.

  While she thought she was clever, he could tell because her eyes kept getting bigger before shrinking back down. They only ever got big when she was enjoying her time with Munchlax.

  This. This is what they had needed. A break.

  The city was positively exploding with activity. Cars and taxis honked for space on the road.

  Wild Pidgey and Rattata were everywhere, forming the backdrop for the more exotic Pokémon accompanying their trainers.

  Like *his* Pokémon. Teddy couldn't help but puff up slightly in pride.

  Even the occasional Pidgeotto would weave its way through the crowd.

  Teddy smiled as he smelled fresh-baked bread, already knowing —

  — Yup, and there he went. Teddy laughed as MunchMunch beelined his way to the bread stand, the Egg under one arm and his other reaching back to find his.

  Teddy was more than happy to oblige.

  He threw a smile at Shadow, who though pretending she wasn't interested, was betrayed by her constant grin. He would have to find something she could enjoy soon, too.

  He would stop by the shop and grab their ride and then show MunchMunch the Gym before ending the day at the mall. Well, MunchMunch and Shadow — he knew both of them were completely fired up to battle. There was a certain excited tension to them since everything that happened in Ilex Forest.

  To him as well, if he was being honest. Yes… he wanted to see the Gym, too. He wanted to crush the Gym — him and his Team.

  He had started his Journey, but now he had a direction. He would show Celebi he could be the strongest. He had no doubt his Team would take him there, together.

  A loud commotion drew his attention, and he looked over to see Munchlax and Gastly berating a passerby who had almost bumped the Egg.

  It was comical to see MunchMunch wagging his arm like a scolding teacher. He was also proud to see it was just that, and not a threatening Metronome.

  He was growing up, his little Munchlax.

  His Gastly, too. Growing up might not be the best term — he suspected she was far older than he realized.

  Expanding.

  That was a better word. He could see her view of the world growing. She was far less reserved than when they first met.

  He wished he could say it was him — and he was sure he was part of it.

  But the truth? Munchlax had changed them both.

  And that wasn’t a bad thing.

  ____

  MunchMunch was scared.

  He thought they were going straight to the Gym, but their Teddy said it would take all day, so they had to stop and get something first.

  MunchMunch couldn’t remember where they were going, though. Shadow had told him while he was looking at a Shop selling berries… so it wasn’t really his fault.

  He took a quick chew of his forever-snack, but that didn’t help him remember either. It did make his tummy feel better, though.

  He looked back at the shop and… horrible things were happening.

  Terrible things.

  MunchMunch watched people go in…

  And when they left, they wouldn’t have legs anymore! Instead, they would be replaced by big, flat round Poké Balls! And the people would look happy!

  “Muuuunch!” he cried, reaching up to grab his Teddy’s hand, but he was too small, so he hugged his leg instead.

  His Teddy laughed, patted his head, and ushered them inside.

  Which was even worse. The things that replaced people’s legs?

  They were everywhere.

  They were in the windows and on the floor. Some were hanging from the ceiling, and others were leaning against the walls.

  All different sizes and colors!

  And there, at the back of the store, was the one responsible for it all.

  MunchMunch watched in terror as the human took one of the leg-replacers and started walking towards his Teddy.

  ____

  “MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNCH!!!!” MunchMunch squealed, holding onto the basket attached to the front of the bicycle for dear life.

  “Ahahahah! Shadow!” He screeched, his mouth blown wide open from how fast they were going! Shadow zoomed right next to them, cackling and spinning around them!

  “Mama! I love bicycles!” He laughed and cackled and shouted all at once.

  “Faster!” He cried to his Teddy, pushing the basket forward. His Teddy laughed too, and made them go even faster!

  MunchMunch squealed and waved happily, pointing where he wanted to go and flapping his arms as they zoomed through Goldenrod.