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

Vanessa waited near the exit, “Congrats, Franklin, that was an exciting battle.”

“Thanks,” Franklin looked down as he walked past her.

“Everything alright? I thought you would be more, more energetic.”

“Yeah your right sorry. Where is.?

“They are getting ready for their match. They go on soon.”
Vanessa and Franklin sat, awaiting Daisy match.

You didn’t hold up your end of the deal. Your mother will hear from us.

“Introducing Daisy’s opponent, trainer we fear that’s in our mind, Max!”

Your mother will hear from us.

Franklin remembered Julie’s frightened face as the old man walked away

“Max and Slowpoke win the first round!”

The crowd erupted with Max cheers and awes. 

“Hang in there, Daisy,” her sister shouted.

Your Vileplume. You had your Vileplume.

Franklin remembered the Vileplume on the gurney with the swirl in it’s eye.

“And it’s over! Max wins the match in style!”

“Max! Max! Max!”

“Congratulations, Franklin, your Pokemon please,” Ivy’s aide said and Franklin complied. Franklin watched Julie do the same at the other exit and she was greeted by an older man wearing referee garb,

“What happened out there today,” Julie jabbed. “I was not supposed to lose to some rookie punk! How could he end up with a fire Pokemon when I specifically asked for my Vileplume?”

“I don’t know how he ended up with the Vulpix. The only Vulpix family is kept close to Ivy’s facility so it is possible for some to be in this tournament. You still should have been able to beat the rookie, according to his father, this was his first ever battle. You telling me the daughter of a gym leader lost to a rookie. I saw you stand there like a Stantler in the headlights.” Julie stared at the ground unable to answer.

The older man’s voice was rough and didn’t echo through the halls like Julie’s voice. He continued, “This was your tournament to win and you couldn’t hold up your end of the deal. Your mother will hear from us, will be in touch.” The older man turned and left the hallway.

Julie stood by herself still staring at the ground unable to move or speak. The aides rushed passed her and Franklin with Vileplume on a gurney, rushing for the emergency exit.