The gray smoke rose into the night sky, revealing singed winged Pokemon flapping in all directions. Next to Vanessa stood a large mustard mouse with a lighting bolt tail. The mouse’s shoulder had a fanged scar as the moon passed through the clouds.

“Good Job, Jacob,” Vanessa said returning Jacob to his ball. The family trouted along the aligned path with Franklin close behind.

The sea of trees parted and Vanessa stood in front of a log built home. The family with no hesitation entered and Franklin continued to stagger. The cozy home showed no sign of barren.

Framed pictures decorated the walls. Places and people Franklin didn’t recognize posed with Pokemon.

“This is our family. All around the regions,” Vanessa said. “That out Uncle, Lt. Surge, he’s retiring this year so our cousin is applying to take his place.” Lt. Surge was a mountain of a man standing next to a mustard mouse similiar to Vanessa’s.

“This way Franklin, your room is ready.” Daisy rushed from the open door, the bed was freshly made, floors clean, and another couple of pictures on a oak dresser.

“Goodnight, Franklin.”

The night hooted as we walked the dimly lit path. Tyler’s adrenaline still maxed from his victory, sharing every flash of detail with Daisy.

“Vanessa,” Franklin started to grab her attention from the path ahead.

“How come you didn’t battle in the first round?”

Vanessa turned, “The winner of the league last year gets to skip the first couple rounds.” She turned her attention back to the road ahead.

Who, who, who echoed through the forest and pairs of round jeweled eyes followed Franklin’s every step. Daisy and Tyler rushed to Vanessa’s side with their Pokeballs in hand.

Vanessa halted. Her brother and sister stopped closely with Greg and Daisy at the ready. The who’s flew threw Vanessa’s fingers like high noon. Than she ran.

Tyler and Daisy chased her into the night. Caught shocked, Franklin raced to keep up.

The jewels vanished and flying Pokemon darted out from the shadows. Red lights cracked the night and quickly replaced by shocking yellow flash. Silence owned the night.

“Trainers, you’ve made it pass the first round robin,” Professor Ivy said looking down at the remaining trainers from her podium. “Come fresh and ready because the battles will continue tomorrow!”

The trainers scurried towards the exit. The crisp night took Franklin by surprise as the chill air crushed his available skin. Franklin looked for Martin in the crowd and only catching rushing faces. The faces were two sides of the same coin, either excited for the next day or the regret of a miscalculations of the last.

“Hey, Franklin,” Vanessa stood behind with Daisy and Tyler, each wearing the two different faces. “Where is your dad?”

Franklin only looked around without words. “Want to come back to our house?”

Franklin looked back at Vanessa and Daisy’s and Tyler’s faces were the same.

“We live far but we should get there before it gets too dark.”

“Would your parent’s mind?”

“They aren’t actually home. Probably won’t be back until the end of the tournament.”

Franklin looked around again at the decreasing amount of trainers by the seconds. Daisy walked near Franklin, “Common, if we wait to long the Gastly’s come out.” Out reaching her hand, Daisy grabbing Franklin’s