Teddy slowly opened his eyes, yawning and stretching.

  He blinked, surprised to find two round eyes staring at him.

  “Chansey!” he shouted, jumping out of his chair.

  “Sey!”

  “Sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to fall asleep!” he exclaimed, rapidly blinking the sleep from his eyes. He took a step forward, just to ram his leg into MunchMunch, who had apparently waddled over to sleep next to him.

  Of course his Munchlax didn’t budge, leaving Teddy to stumble and fall face first over him.

  “Good grief, Teddy, would you slow down?!” Joy laughed from across the room, Chansey chiming in.

  “Sorry, sorry,” Teddy mumbled groggily, checking to make sure he didn’t hurt MunchMunch.

  His baby cannonball hadn’t even noticed anything, still sound asleep and cooing happily in whatever food dream he was enjoying.

  “Gaaas!!” Shadow cackled from behind his ear.

  “AGH!” Teddy screamed, stumbling forward and tripping over MunchMunch once more.

  He ended up back in the chair he had been sleeping in, only this time face down.

  “Gaaaas! Gaaast-LY!” Shadow cackled hysterically, circling the chair in delight.

  “Good one, Shadow,” Teddy sighed, blushing furiously. At least Lani wasn’t there.

  “PiiiiiI~!”

  Teddy glanced up to find Happy watching him from the safety of MunchMunch’s arm, waving her tiny arms in glee.

  “Well, I don’t usually get this much excitement at this time in the morning,” Joy chuckled. “Chansey and Gastly were planning that little routine all morning, by the way,” she added with a wink.

  Teddy glanced at Chansey, who looked mortified at having been ratted out.

  Much to the mirth of Nurse Joy.

  “Oh, and you still need to stay off your feet.”

  “But… I walked to the Burned Tower yesterday,” Teddy huffed.

  Joy raised an eyebrow.

  “And did I say you could do that? I distinctly remember saying you could go for a short walk, young man,” she finished sternly.

  “Uh… I met someone and got carried away,” he said sheepishly, pulling an Aspear from his backpack for Happy, who attacked it voraciously.

  “Kids,” Joy chuckled. “I’m glad you are feeling better. I took a look while you were sleeping. You are coming along well,” she sighed. “But maybe stick to short distances today?”

  “Yes, Nurse,” Teddy smiled, pulling out an Oran and waving it over his Munchlax’s nose, chuckling as his nose tracked it, even in his sleep.

  “Morning, Shadow,” Teddy grinned, looking up at her.

  He blinked and looked down to find his hand, Oran berry and all, inside MunchMunch’s mouth, the food gremlin still sleeping.

  “Uhh, mind if I wash my hands?” he asked, glancing up at Joy.

  He ended up having to leverage both feet on MunchMunch’s tummy just to pull his hand out.

  “And maybe brush MunchMunch?”

  Joy regarded him for a moment, her eyes twinkling.

  “Yes, that would be fine, seeing as you are my only patients at the moment,” she smiled. “Just be sure to check in with me before you go.”

  “Will do, and thank you!”

  ____

  MunchMunch was having the absolutely most wonderful dream about cheese. Which was different, because it was usually about Chocolate Cake!

  But then it changed to be about Oran berries, which was ok, too… even if he preferred the other dream.

  Much to his surprise, his dream changed again!

  Now it was about being brushed by his Teddy, which was really just the very best and felt so good-

  MunchMunch cracked an eye, only to see it wasn’t a dream and his Teddy was actually brushing his belly.

  He quickly closed it again and tried to stay super still, pretending to be asleep.

  It felt so good… what if his Teddy stopped brushing him because he woke up?

  “MunchMunch?” his Teddy called.

  MunchMunch tried snoring loudly. Happy did that sometimes when she was sleeping, and so did his Teddy, so maybe he could fool him?

  “Muuuuunch~Muuuunch,” his Teddy sing-songed softly.

  MunchMunch snored again, keeping his eyes shut tight. Maybe he could go back to the cheese dream.

  Oh, what if cheese Oran cakes were real?

  He definitely wanted to dream about that!

  He giggled slightly as his Trainer started brushing under his arms.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  No, he wasn’t brushing, he was tickling him!

  “Munch!” MunchMunch exclaimed, sitting up to see Happy, Shadow and his Trainer all around him!

  They were all watching him and laughing.

  Happy was even trying to reach him with her arms to tickle him, too!

  MunchMunch liked to see them smile. His Teddy laughing was still his most favorite sound.

  “Munch. Unch. Unch!” he joined in, scooping Happy in a hug and skipping over to give Teddy one, too.

  ____

  “And you are absolutely sure you want to challenge the Gym now?” Lani asked for the third time.

  Teddy had given her a ring earlier and she had joined them for breakfast. They were now standing before Ecruteak’s Gym, the warm burgundy of the Pagoda’s eaves blending nicely with the surrounding trees.

  “I’m not challenging it, I just want to battle the first trainer,” he chuckled. “Wasn’t it you who said they would be willing to give me tips? Besides, Nurse Joy said I couldn’t go very far today, and the Gym is practically next door.”

  “The Gym is a 15 minute walk when you aren’t nursing your feet,” she responded skeptically. “And I said they would help ghost type trainers. You have a normal and a fairy. They don’t count, even if they are absolutely adorable.”

  She squatted down to offer a pastry MunchMunch and tickle Happy’s belly, who was riding comfortably on his head.

  MunchMunch hurriedly accepted with a grateful “Unch!”

  “Pii~”

  “So question, does she always bite?” Lani asked curiously, tugging her finger away from Togepi’s mouth.

  Teddy chuckled, thinking of MunchMunch eating his entire hand earlier. Those two were so similar it was frightening.

  “She’s very hyper when she isn’t asleep,” Teddy admitted. “I usually just give her berries and she calms down.”

  “Mmmm, you might want to stop spoiling her, just saying,” Lani responded, standing up.

  “She isn’t spoiled, she’s a baby,” he blurted defensively. “Besides… I’m sure Shadow will whip her into shape…”

  His Gastly glanced over at them and cackled from the shadow of the Gym, where she had been chatting with another Gastly.

  Teddy wasn’t sure if said Gastly belonged to the Gym, or if it was just hanging out, but it seemed harmless enough.

  Plus, it was kind of cool to see Ghost-types roaming so freely.

  “Sorry,” he sighed. “I appreciate the concern, I just never really had to worry about that with MunchMunch. It honestly didn’t cross my mind.”

  “I mean, she is utterly adorable,” Lani laughed. “I only just thought of it myself. I wouldn’t actually know any tips on how to raise baby Pokémon since both of mine are ghosts, but the Kimono Girls might have some tips.”

  “I could probably call my mum for some tips, honestly. She managed to raise Flygon from a baby after all. Also… who are the Kimono girls?”

  “Oh. My. Gosh. Your mom has a Dragon?!” Lani exclaimed. “Who are you people!”

  Teddy chuckled sheepishly.

  “Yeah, she is pretty cool,” he admitted.

  Lani rolled her eyes theatrically.

  “Wait, you aren’t some secret Dragon Clan Young Master, are you?” she said, eyeing him over. “No… you don’t even have a Dragon… Hmm.”

  “I’m not,” Teddy chuckled, “My mum is a researcher and she managed to rescue one as a baby.”

  “Sure, sure,” Lani nodded. “Everyone knows you still have to get approval from the Dragon Masters, and that like… never happens.”

  She peered at him expectantly.

  ”Fiiiiine, keep your secrets!” she groused. “Anyway, the Kimono Girls own a dance studio. They are actually super good and have a bunch of Eeveelutions,” she gushed. “They are really serious when they are performing, but if you can catch them around town, they’re super sweet and will probably take a moment to help you!”

  “I’ll keep that in mind, thanks, Lani,” Teddy smiled. “I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.”

  Lani blinked.

  “Hey, you feeling all right? You look a bit flushed,” Teddy asked suddenly. “It’s definitely pretty humid here…”

  “What? Yeah, I’m fine! Duh! Uhh… I mean, are you going to challenge this darn Gym or not!” she huffed.

  “No?” Teddy said in confusion. “I just want to get some pointers from-“

  “Oh just get inside, would you,” she exclaimed, opening the door and shoving him in.

  ____

  Shadow inhaled.

  Oh, she liked this Gym.

  She liked it a lot.

  She glanced around appreciatively. There was more shadow than light, the only illumination coming from candles sparsely placed.

  Gloomy and welcoming, just as it should be.

  She floated forward curiously, watching water dark as midnight lap gently against the walkways while barely visible boulders drifted amidst the thick incense.

  “Yeess,” she exhaled, “this is a Gym that understands ghosts.”

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  Shadow glanced up to see a Shuppet floating across the water.

  Whereas Uppie was clumsy and obviously young, this Pokémon moved with the grace and poise that belied age and power.

  Shadow nodded in greeting. “Are you one of the Gym Leader’s Pokémon?”

  “Oh goodness no,” she tittered softly, the violet in her eyes shimmering softly.

  She drifted forward to rest on the walkway Shadow was on.

  “I am Whisper,” she nodded gracefully. “My partner is the Gym Elder.”

  “Shadow,” Gastly nodded back. “What is a Gym Elder?”

  Shuppet smiled.

  “While Morty is the Leader, the Elder is the oldest living member of the Gym and the Leader’s right hand. His knowledge of ghost types is second only to the Leader himself. It has been my pleasure to watch over this Gym for many decades.”

  “Thank you for allowing us passage, and it is indeed lovely,” Shadow nodded again.

  “My, my — I do so appreciate your manners. Most Gastly are quite abrasive. Goodness knows my team’s Gengar could use a few lessons in manners,” she huffed absently.

  “I’m not most Gastly,” Shadow agreed. “And I would appreciate the opportunity to greet your team.”

  Shuppet studied her for a moment.

  “No, I don’t believe you are. Don’t worry, we have already studied you,” she tittered softly in the dark.

  “Anyway, I do so look forward to witnessing your battle, should your Team actually have the capability of reaching the Leader,” she called, drifting back across the water.

  “Few do,” Whisper said, her voice echoing through the dark.

  Shadow watched her go before drifting back to join her trainer, the last comment smarting.

  Evolved or not, one day, she would be powerful enough no one would dare disrespect her.

  Or her Team.

  ____

  “Yes but… I just want to challenge the first trainer. I’m really just looking for some tips, today,” Teddy repeated, staring at the man before him curiously.

  Why he had sunglasses on in the near pitch-black was beyond him.

  “Sure, sure! Of course! But listen kid, ghosts are intangible. Brute force won’t get you anywhere. You have to know what—,” he trailed off as Shadow joined them from the darkness.

  “Oh… you train ghosts? Nevermind then, this should be fun!” the man grinned, stepping aside.

  Lani huffed and rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away.

  “Just across the walkway. Care you don’t fall in the water,” the man gestured.

  “Thanks,” Teddy said as the man shuffled away, hands held out before him.

  “Can’t see a darn thing in here,” he muttered.

  “But why is he wearing sunglasses?” Lani mouthed.

  Teddy grinned back, watching the man stumble his way back to the table.

  Turning back to the task at hand, he took a deep breath.

  He had come here to learn how to train Shadow. Today was his first step.

  Heart pounding in his chest, he set off across the walkway, MunchMunch holding his hand and his Partner drifting silently beside him.

  The walkway creaked softly beneath their feet, the footing somewhat treacherous as the planks floated across the water.

  For once he was actually grateful for MunchMunch’s weight, as it served as an anchor to keep him balanced.

  The water lapping against his boots made him grateful his Mum had insisted on waterproof ones.

  Trepidation mixed with excitement, leaving him both giddy and nauseous.

  A quick glance at his team revealed Happy to be a bit uncomfortable, but otherwise content on MunchMunch’s head.

  MunchMunch and Shadow both had huge smiles, their excitement at the upcoming battle infectious.

  “Fairies aren’t a huge fan of darkness, you sure she will be fine,” Lani caught up to whisper, gesturing towards Happy.

  She was pulling on MunchMunch’s ear and urging him forward.

  “I think she will be ok,” he grinned.

  MunchMunch gripped his hand tighter, as something moved in the shadows before them.

  The group stopped.

  “Welcome, challenger,” an aged voice greeted them through the darkness.

  “To your first Trial.”