From his table, Adriano had a great view of the stage. Watching the competitors enter the spotlight after the announcer had left, he took note of Edward’s opponent. Tall, thin, and green hair with a few leaf-antennae, it was definitely Cilan. Idly, Adriano wondered where Chili was before dismissing the thought. The two opponents had exchanged a few whispered words onstage before taking their places at opposite ends. Two flashes of white light later, and a Purrloin and Pansage joined them on the stage. The Pansage was short and apish, with big ears and a large green tuft on its head that would sprinkle seeds around every time it moved, like vegan dandruff. Mentally ridding himself of that image, Adriano refocused on the matter at hand.

The ref swung their hand down, and Purrloin made the first move blitzing in a straight line towards the Pansage. The attacked Pokemon had no time to react before the angry cat was upon them. Frantically shaking its arms and head, the Pansage did its best to fend off the furious feline but was left covered in deep scratches.

As the apparently one-sided beating continued, Adriano noticed Purrloin’s movements gradually getting slower and slower, and she began coughing and wheezing. Searching for a reason why, Adriano picked out a slight haze covering Pansage, and when he peered closer, he could make out that it was made of tiny seeds the size of dust. As Purrloin’s coughing grew louder and more frequent, her attacks becoming more and more frantic until finally she stiffened and dropped to the floor. Pansage stood still for a moment before drooping and collapsing as well, rivulets of blood coating its body.

“DOUBLE KNOCKOUT!!”

The ref announced the end of the first round.

“BOTH SIDES, CHOOSE ANOTHER POKEMON!!”

Cilan stared at Edward seriously this time, regarding him as a real opponent. Digging around in his apron, he came up with another Pokeball, and in a flash a small Lillipup took the field, wagging in excitement.

Adriano was watching Edward’s face as he grimaced at the thought of using Oshawott before finally giving up and hoping that the next Pokemon was weak enough for Oshawott to beat. As Lillipup appeared, the tension relaxed somewhat, although not entirely, before Oshawott entered as well.

Standing along the back wall, the ref swung his arm down a second time in a signal to begin. Lillipup was the one to initiate this attack, Oshawott still getting his bearings. Covering itself in white energy, the Pokemon zig-zagged around for a moment before abruptly changing directions and slamming into Oshawott. The otter Pokemon stumbled but didn’t fall over entirely. With a quick movement, he slashed out with his shell. Though the attack missed, Adriano mentally applauded at the sight. Edward must have put the extra time on the road into training with his starter.

Recognizing the threat the shell posed, Lillipup backed off and observed Oshawott, slowly circling. Oshawott was forced to rotate in place and maintain a defensive position. Edward used this brief lapse to have Oshawott use focus energy, which it promptly did. As the glowing yellow energy began circling him, Cilan gave orders of his own. Lillipup stopped its circling and condensed several white stars around itself that shot towards the focusing Pokemon.

Oshawott dodged the first one easily but was taken by surprise when it circled around and struck him in the back, knocking him off balance and into the rest of the barrage. Adriano raised an eyebrow at this new move Lillipup had displayed. ‘That’s certainly new. I never had to face that when I was battling at this level’. As the white glow faded, Oshawott’s body was lying motionless on the stage.

“LILLIPUP IS THE WINNER!! VICTORY GOES TO CILAN!!”

There was some modest applause in the audience, and Adriano clapped along as well. Edward collected Oshawott before hopping down and walking back over to the table. He knocked Adriano’s feet off of the chair and slumped down into it with a grumble.

“Cheer up, at least you won the first one.”

Edward glanced up briefly before re-burying his head in his arms.

“It was a tie.”

His muffled voice drifted over.

“Well, it was certainly an exciting match.”

Cilan had followed Edward back, and was giving Adriano a curious look.

“Have we met before?”

Adriano tugged his straw hat a little lower on his face and replied.

“Maybe. I got my tri badge a long time ago. Can’t remember who the gym leader at the time was.”

Cilan pursed his lips and put his hands on his waist.

“If it was the tri badge it was definitely either me or my brothers who you got it from.”

Cilan shook his head a little and dismissed it.

“Anyhow, I just came over to let Edward know that the next available battle slot is five days from now. If you’d like a rematch, I’d be happy to be your opponent.”

Edward raised his head and listened to Cilan properly.

“Okay, I’ll come back then.”

Cilan grinned.

“All right, it’s a plan.”

“Yes officer, he’s the one that was acting suspiciously earlier.”

The group was interrupted by a Pokemon Center nurse that was escorted by a police officer.

“Excuse me sir, could you please remove your hat and show your identification?”

Adriano gently reached up and pulled his hat off, slowly reaching for a pokeball under the table.

“I’m sorry officer, I don’t have an I.D. on me at the moment.”

The police officer frowned.

“Well, that’s a problem. You’ll have to come with me to the station.”

As the officer reached for Adriano’s shoulder, he opened the pokeball. When the officer heard the telltale noise of the Pokemon emerging, she immediately withdrew her hand and reached for her belt, intending to send out a Pokemon of her own. But it was too late.

From under the table, countless Altarias streamed forth, packing the restaurant to the ceiling with their fluffy bodies. Tightly holding on to the “real” Altaria, Adriano let Alto guide him carefully around the flailing nurse and police officer until he was standing next to Edward. Giving the kid a tap on the shoulder, he grabbed his arm and dragged him away through the smokescreen and out the front door.

“Keep it up for a few more minutes so we can get out of here.”

Chirping affirmatively, the Altaria swept Adriano and Edward onto her back and flew out of town.

“Head East, Alto. Let’s get some training in at the Dreamyard."