The light shone over the announcer. Michael held the ball high and released and Franklin followed.

“Michael has a Rhyhorn! Franklin matched with a Koffing!”

Rhyhorn shinned under the lights, bright silver, horn on the tip of its nose held high. Digged up the earth with its hooves and locked eyes with the Koffing.

Koffing hovered over the earth stadium. Spotted smog from openings around its oval body. It’s eyes fell lazily around the stadium, drunken from idleness.

Rhyhorn charged, “Rhyhorn, horn attack!” Rhyhorn sent Koffing to the ground, staggered around before resetting.

Franklin watched the Koffing, stumbling on imaginary words, commands for his last battle. His father watched him carefully, the only one in the crowd sitting among the cheering.

Rhyhorn smashed its horn against Koffing and sent it flying backwards, to the edge of the arena. Franklin dropped tears to the battle field as the Rhyhorn delivered the finishing blow to an already staggered Koffing.

“First match, to Michael!”

Both trainers returned their respective Pokemon as the crowd continued with their Michael chants.

Michael, eagerly released his next ball. “Another ground Pokemon, a Geodude!”

Franklin stared at the ball and returned it, and began walking towards the tunnel. The announcer shouted at Franklin, away from his microphone.

“Franklin!”

Franklin’s head jerked up, Franklin met Vanessa’s eyes at the tunnel. Vanessa’s arm’s were crossed and standing straight with an arched brow and squinting eyes. Franklin sank into her eyes, and she gave him a thumbs up.

Franklin retreated to the arena and readied his next ball.

Franklin stood alone in the tunnel. The crowd muffled, awaiting the announcers call.

Franklin stared at the given Pokeballs. Remembered Vulpix unconscious in his arms rushing towards the Pokemon Center. Daisy’s and Tyler’s face of excitement as the final eight was about to begin. Vanessa.

Franklin remembered the premier ball left by his mother. The industrial paint chips left when they moved into his childhood home. The only two things Franklin has left if her.

“Next up, our last final eight match of the day, trainer 0023 Michael the earth tamer!”

The muffled crowd broke their silence for their hometown hero. 

The cold broke across Franklin’s skin. The call came like a shivering gust across Franklin’s cheek. 

The crowd apprarend lukewarm in their showing. Michael’s eyes were intense as he gripped his tournament Pokemon waiting for the battle to begin.

Franklin found his father’s eyes in the crowd and he gave him a unowing nod.

“Trainer ready. Begin!”

The sun peeked over the stadium as hopefuls and fanatics rushed to their seats.

“Frank!”

Franklin unmasked the crowd, slashing his arms behind and forward. Martin stood alone at the entrance. Martin’s eyes were hard and never moved away from Franklin.

Daisy and Tyler stood behind as Franklin approached Martin,

“Dad?”

“Frank, we need to go home.”

Franklin shook as people continued to enter the stadium.

“Martin, we can’t leave. I’m, I’m so close. Vulpix nee”

“Frank. We need to go home. A man approached me.”

Franklin saw the old man flash before his eyes behind Martin, entering the stadium. He watched his father hold in everything, unable to convey further.

“He can take our home away, Frank.”

Daisy gripped Franklin’s arm gently as he began to lose his footing. Walking away slowly towards the entrance, hearing the voices of his friends and his father, yet, couldn’t make out the words.