The four trainers squared off in the plaza. Passerbys stopped and watched in anticipation for the imminent battle. It certainly made for an odd sight. Two men in strange robes stood on one side, preaching for the realease of all pokemon even as they pulled out their own pokeballs. On the other side was a odd duo of passionate kid waving his arms around in exitement and a young man wearing clothes fit for a castaway and standing there silently. Several of the enterprising town kids had set up a betting stand, and were currently arguing with several onlookers about how this pair would demolish the intruders no problem.

The intruders in question had finished their grandstanding and showed their Pokemon.

“Watchog!”

“Purrloin!”

With a flash, two shapes solidified into a mischevious looking purpe cat, and a stern-faced skinny rodent standing on it’s hind legs.

“Alright then!”

Edward shouted enthusiastically.

“My turn! Oshawott, go!”

“Just take care of it Ella.”

Edward’s pokeball flashed and Ella ran forward. The two new pokemon took the field, staring down their opposition. The small, blue otter pokemon gave a sharp cry and pulled a shell off it’s stomach, baring it in preparation for combat. Ella on the other hand ignored everyone else and glance around humming.

Adriano glanced over at Edward at his side, who was in the process of hyping himself and Oshawott up.

“Listen, Edward. I’ll take care of the Watchog. You get Oshawott to focus on the Purrloin.”

Edward turned and grinned.

“You got it boss man! Let’s take them down!”

On the other side, Team Plasma had finished their preparations as well. Nodding to each other, they made the first move. Their two pokemon dash forward, white glows on their claws and fangs respectively.

“Ella, dodge and use Quiver Dance!”

The grass Pokemon nods and deftly dodges the Purrloin’s claw swipe. Circling around behind, streams of glowing green energy twine around her as she started her dance. The agitated cat jerked around and continued flailing its glowing claws to little effect. Ella simply integrated the dodges into the dance, swiftly stepping and weaving around the attacks. Frustrated, the Purrloin snarled and continued its offensive while Ella’s dance slowly grew faster and sharper.

“Come on Oshawott, fight back with water gun! Don’t give in!”

Adriano spared a moment to glance over at the other half of the match. Edward’s Oshawott wasn’t doing too well, completely focused on running away from the Watchog’s aggressive bites. As he watched, it was finally clipped by a fang and was sent tumbling back towards Edward. Struggling to stand, Edward continued to shout encoruagement while the Watchog slowly drew closer, a cruel smirk on it’s face. Sighing, he decided to help out lest face Edward’s sulk if he lost.

“Quit playing around with them and attack the Watchog!”

Locking eyes with Adriano in recognition, Ella made one final dodge around the panting and weary Purrloin and ran to the side, condensing the energy streams around it into a brilliant green sword in her right hand. The Watchog stiffened and started to turn, but it was too late. The green blade came down in a swift diagonaly strike. The unfortunate Pokemon collapsed with a long bloody wound running down its back.

“No, Watchog! Get up, damn it!”

As the blue haired man shouted profanities, Edward cheered.

“That was awsome! Leave the last one to me!”

“Sure, go for it.”

Seeing its attacker fall, the Oshawott perked right up and took a triumphant pose over the downed Watchog, brandishing its shell proudly. Ella simply roller her eyes and returned to Adriano’s side. Whiel the angry trainer was recalling the Watchog, Purrloin had managed to catch its breath and had taken a defensive posture towards the boasting Oshawott.

“Okay Oshawott, use Water Gun!”

The blue otter puffed out his cheeks and shot a thin stream of water, hitting the exhausted Purloin straight in the head and knocking it over.

“Yeah! Good job! Now finish it with Tackle!”

The Oshawott bent forward and charged, colliding with the poor cat just as it was getting up. Hurled backwards, the Purrloin slid to a stop in front of the other Team Plasma member, motionless.

“Tsk. We’ll see how it goes next time, brats!”

“That’s right! You haven’t seen the last of us yet!”

Beating a hasty retreat, the two strange men disappeared into the gate, leaving behind the downed Purrloin.

“Yeah!!!”

Edward jumped in place before picking up Oshawott and swinging it around in a circle.

“That’ll show those bad guys! You did great!”

While Edward was busy celebrating, Adriano walked up to the unconscious Pokemon and nudged it with his foot. Not getting a reaction, he crouched down for a closer look. Noticing a lack of noise from his travelling companion, Edward looked over before pausing the festivities and dashing to him for a closer look.

“Wow, did they just leave their own Pokemon behind!? What sort of trainer does that?”

Pushing Adriano aside, Edward lifted the Purrloin with a grunt and began tottering towards the Pokemon center. Adriano once again followed behind helplessly. ‘That Plasma guy didn’t leave the pokeball behind, even if Edward does heal it up, he can’t capture it.’

As they got close, Edward disappered inside the red and white building, Oshawott running in circles around him trying to be helpful. Adriano took a seat on the bench outside with Ella.

“Well Ella, looks like a job well done.”

The Pokemon only responded with a glance before looking away.

“They didn’t leave behind any spoils, so you’ll get a bigger share next time.”

Mollified, Ella picked a few berries out of a pocket and sat there munching away happily.

Leaning back, Adriano looked up at the afternoon sun. He had promised himself he wouldn’t return to the circuit, but it looked like there was no going back now. ‘I guess I’ll just have to do my best to avoid anyone who might recognize me. I’m sure Edward won’t need my help that badly, he’s the son of a lab professor.’

He looked down and chuckled to himself. ‘On the other hand, the more trouble, the more money Cedric will have to fork out. But it’s not like thugs like that are going to show up everywhere, right?’