Cedric and Alexandre. The Pokemon researcher and the fraud took their places at opposite sides of the stage. The crowd circled around them, Edward cheering from the front row. Arthur stood in the middle of the ring and addressed the contestants.

“This is an exhibition match between researcher Cedric and former Johto League Champion, Alexandre!”

The crowd roared with excitement, most of them looking forward to the trainer getting pounded into the sand.

“Each contestant will use one Pokemon, and the match will be over when one Pokemon is unable to battle!”

He gripped his pokeball tighter. ‘Don’t make me look bad.’

Cedric threw his pokeball high into the air.

“Fraxure, come out!”

The trainer took up his stance, wound up, and pitched his ball forward.

“Alto, destroy them!”

In two flashes of light, the fighters appeared. In Cedric’s corner, a hulking wing-less dragon, standing on its hind legs. Swiping its claws along the massive fangs growing sideways out of its mouth, it released an earth-shaking roar.

In the opposite corner, a large puffball was slowly floating towards the ground. Appearing as a compact cloud with a blue prehensile neck and claws, two streamers swept behind it. As it approached the ground, it opened its beak and unleashed a piercing cry.

“Both challengers,” Arthur declared, “Fight!”

Cedric shouted, “Fraxure, avoid the first attack and use hone claws!”

The trainer responded, “Alto, use cotton guard!”

Fraxure jumped back awkwardly to avoid a non-existent attack and then furiously sharpened it’s claws against its fangs. Alto meanwhile created large white puffs of cotton that it integrated with its body.

“Fraxure,” Cedric cried, “Use dragon rush!”

“Alto, dodge and counter with dragon pulse!”

Fraxure charged forward surrounded by a red halo, but Altaria simply flew higher and shot back rings of concentrated purple energy. Fraxure screamed as it was hit, and Cedric ordered, “Fraxure, use rockslide!”

“Alto, use protect!”

As large rocks were summoned above the Altaria, Alto didn’t waste any time and opened a shining defensive barrier. The rocks struck it but were simply bounced off.

“Now Fraxure, when protect ends use wild charge!”

“Avoid it with double-team!”

As the shield faded, Fraxure roared and charged forward with a burst of electricity. However, it only succeeded in hitting one of Altaria’s afterimages. As Alto flew around dispensing more afterimages, Fraxure grew increasingly frustrated as its attacks missed, and it ran around faster and faster, throwing off sparks that dispelled the fake Altarias. Finally, one of its attacks connected, drawing a shrill cry from the cloud bird.

Fraxure grinned as Cedric called, “Double-edge!” As the fangs glowed white, the trainer screamed, “Alto, use protect!” The shield barely flickered to life before it collapsed, and Fraxure swung its glowing tusks straight through the center. A loud boom was heard, and Alto was sent flying backwards, tufts of cotton falling from its chest.

Cedric clicked his tongue. ‘A rookie mistake. He should have known that protect would be likely to fail. But at least cotton guard was used appropriately. Even if he’s not the champion, tips from him aren’t bad.’

On the other end of the arena, the trainer was desperately trying to remember the next move in the combination. ‘First raise defense, then dodge and attack, then protect, then double-team, and it should be an attack next but was it dragon pulse or shadow claw?’ He raised his head and saw Alto desperately dodging the wild swings of the Fraxure. ‘I need to create some distance.’

“Alto, fly up high and use dragon pulse!”

“Fraxure, dodge it!”

By a stroke of luck, Alto flew straight in front of the setting sun and Fraxure blinded itself when it was searching for the next attack! The dragon pulse flew straight, and Fraxure gave one last cry before collapsing on the sand.

Arthur stepped forward again.

“Fraxure is unable to battle! The winner of the exhibition match is Champion Alexandre!”

The crowd was stunned for a moment before they got their wits about them and began booing. Several of them stood forward and shouted at the trainer.

“Your win was just a fluke!”

“You’re no champion, just a failed challenger!”

“What Johto champion, you’ve never even been to Johto!”

As the mob raged, Cedric stepped forward and addressed the trainer.

“That was a good match, well played.”

As he leaned in to shake hands, Cedric pulled the trainer towards him and whispered.

“You’re no Champion, and you better stay away from my godson.”

Leaning back, he put his affable smile back on.

“That said, you’re not horrible, so I can forgive you to some degree. If you ever need a job, come visit the lab in Nuevma town. I’ll give you some direction.”

The trainer nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, can I get a little help with this angry mob?”

Cedric smiled.

“Nope, you’re on your own.”

He stepped back.

“Have at him folks.”

The crowd surged forwards and the trainer ran, scooping up Audino and Ella before Alto grabbed him by the shoulders and flew off, leaving a crowd of angry people hurling curses from below. A few had the idea to chase after him on their own flying Pokemon, but the sun had finally set behind the horizon, and the trail was lost in the darkness.