Whitney's Miltank Training (Preview) (Patreon)

   Spurred by a need to care for her Pokemon and a lack of challengers, Whitney busied herself with her duties as leader of the Goldenrod City gym. Walking the halls of her gym to check in on her trainers and their Pokemon, Whitney looked as outstanding as ever with her pink hair tied into a pair of ponytails. Her white shirt with pink stripes and blue short shorts were a staple of her wardrobe, conveying the comfort she felt as she traversed the gym she called home.

   Reaching the gym’s main challenge room, Whitney pulled out one of her Pokeballs. With a flick of her wrist, she released the creature inside. Stomping its hooves into the ground, her Miltank announced its arrival with a cheerful cry. Swinging about the orb on its tail and the four udders on its chest, it turned towards her. Embracing her Miltank with open arms, Whitney gave it a gentle pat on its head, letting her finger run along the pink bovine Pokemon’s nubby horns and flat ears.

   “How are you feeling today?” Whitney asked.

   “Mil-mil,” the Miltank replied, a smile upon its face as it nuzzled its black nose against her chest.

   “That’s great to hear. Since it doesn’t look like we have any challengers today, I can give you a proper grooming. Giving you a bath, brushing your fur, and making your favorite snack a-“

   “Whitney!”

   A gym trainer by the name of Victoria came bursting through the door. Like many of the other beauties of the gym, she was sporting silky, blonde hair and a white tank top. Her usually calm demeanor was completely gone as she sprinted towards the bewildered leader. “A trainer just showed up,” she said, leaning against the wall to catch her breath.

   “That’s not out of the ordinary. Why did you come running all the way here?”

   “He’s not like the others,” Victoria replied. “There’s something about him that just seems off. I think he’s here for more than just a badge. That and he’s reaaaaaaly creepy.”

   “That’s a pretty rude thing to say.”

   Whitney and Victoria turned their heads towards the door to see that the voice came from a hooded figure. A black cloak shrouded his form, with a belt of strange, black and white Pokeballs hooked around his waist. Shuffling up to the cautious girls, the figure threw back his hood to reveal a young, male trainer with buzz cut, black hair and eye tattoo across his forehead. Putting his hands together, he made a small bow towards Whitney.

    "I am sorry for the intrusion Ms. Whitney,” he said. “My name is Oko. You are taking challengers today, correct?”

   “Yes I am,” Whitney said, standing up straight to present herself as a gym leader. “I’m happy to take on all challengers. So tell me, how many badges do you have?”

   “None.”

   “Oh so you must be a new trainer. I’m honored to be your first gym challenge.”

   “No, you’re not my first. I’ve conquered many gym leaders already. I just haven’t taken any badges.”

   Whitney raised her eyebrow as she looked at the Oko’s unnatural, friendly smile. “If you’re not going after badges, then why are you here?”

   “I am a self-proclaimed Pokemon coach so to speak. I go around to various gyms and test their leaders to see if they are worthy of their title. If they fail my challenge, I give them a chance to improve themselves through my special form of training.”

   “What are you trying to say about Whitney?” Victoria asked, stepping forward to defend her leader.

“It’s alright,” Whitney said, holding up her hand to keep the eager trainer back. “If what you say is true, then you want to challenge me, not for a badge, but to see if I’m good enough?”

   “Precisely,” Oko replied, putting his hands together. “We’ll do a one on one Pokemon battle. If I win, I’ll put you through a training course to improve your skills as a trainer by letting you grow closer with your Pokemon.”

   With a confident smile, Whitney placed her hand on top of her Miltank’s head. “Sorry to break it to you, but Miltank and I are a nearly unstoppable team.”

   “Mil-mil!” the Miltank added.

   Oko’s smile grew into a sinister grin. “We shall see. Let’s begin shall we?”

   “Whenever you’re ready. Victoria, would you mind being the judge?”

   “Okay, but…are you sure about this Whitney?” Victoria asked, side eyeing Oko as he strolled over to the opposite side of the gym.

   “Don’t be so worried about it,” Whitney replied, stretching out her arms to loosen up for the battle. “He might be a little weird, but he sounds like he has good intentions. Besides, it’s not like as a gym leader I can refuse his challenge. It’ll be fine.”

   “If you say so,” Victoria begrudgingly replied, taking her place at the judge’s spot. “Trainers, call out your first Pokemon.”

   “You know who I’m picking,” Whitney said, her Miltank taking its spot on the field.

   “Excellent, I was hoping you’d pick that one,” Oko said, picking up one of his Pokemon. “I have just the opponent for you.”

   With a flick of his wrist, Oko tossed out one of his Pokeballs. A Dusclops appeared from the flash of red light. Clenching its white fists, it turned its stout, grey body towards Whitney. The gym leader’s confidant attitude wavered under the ghostly Pokemon’s gaze, her feeling of uneasiness increasing as she beheld its pure black iris. Shaking her head back and forth to try and compose herself, Whitney stared down the Dusclops, ready for whatever it and its strange trainer could throw at her.

   “Trainers, on your marks,” Victoria said, holding up her hands to signal Whitney and Oko. “Begin!”