Emilia smiled as Ashley noticed her from across the ballroom. The young teenager was scanning the crowd nervously, holding a small purse to her chest. When she noticed Emilia she smiled, darting over to her and Lindon.
“Ashley,” Emilia said as the young girl ran over, though she had a bit of trouble in her new heels, “You look beautiful!”
Adorable was the more accurate word in her mind, but Ashley was at the age where ‘adorable’ started to feel almost like an insult. Ashley was wearing a light pink, frilly dress, with matching heels and clutch. The dress was beautifully made, though a bit childish, and made the young teenager look sweet and charming.
“Thank you,” Ashley blushed, her face matching the dress nicely, “I just wish I was as pretty as you.”
“You’re prettier,” Lindon said without hesitation, giving Ashley a big thumbs up. He was in a tux of his own, though he clearly had a bit of trouble with the bow tie, as it hung in a loose knot around his neck.
Emilia gave him a glance. She didn’t expect him to be so bold.
Ashley blushed further, “Th-Thanks.”
Lindon nodded seriously, “No problem.”
Ah. Not bold. Not yet interested.
“So what do you think?” Emilia said, taking Ashley by the arm before Lindon could blunder his good impression, and leading her farther into the ballroom, “Is this everything you were hoping for?”
Ashley nodded enthusiastically, “It’s amazing. I didn’t expect them to do so much.”
Emilia smiled again. The ballroom was completely overhauled for the party. Silver and blue flowers lined the walls, releasing a subtle scent. Tables covered in perfectly white tablecloths dotted the perimeter of the ballroom and staff filtered in and out of the room, bringing food and drinks. The ballroom floor was clear, open and available for dancing. At the far end of the dance floor were rows of display cases, bathed in bright light.
The cases proudly displayed the prizes for the tournament winners. Rows of evolutionary stones lay in velvet among one case. Another had various items displayed on little stands. Scarves, glasses, rings and bands, even more stones - all shining behind protective glass.
Most impressive, however, was the final case. A single pedestal with a small purple and red ball resting on a satin pillow. The Master Ball. Her Master Ball.
There were groups of trainers gathered around it, taking pictures and ogling her Master Ball. The sight was strange, not because everyone was interested in the rare item, but because everyone was dressed extremely well while doing it. It reminded her of her prom.
She also spotted among the group of onlookers the signature green of Mr Maple’s employees. They were loitering, not interacting with anyone - even each other - and watching the display cases closely.
Almost as intriguing as the display cases for the tournament were the display cases lined up across from them. They were covered in cloth, but mirrored the setup of the display cases opposite them. Very few people knew what were in those display cases - they were the prizes for the betting tournament, and had yet to be revealed.
“It is nice,” Emilia admitted as she led Ashley over to a familiar figure. Emilia tapped her on the back, careful not to be too invasive. The woman was wearing a scandalous, open backed, violet dress, so dark it was almost black. It clashed wonderfully with the mess of red hair on the woman’s head. She turned around, her look of surprise turning into a welcoming smile.
“Emilia,” Sasha Firesong said in a warm tone, “I was hoping you’d be here.”
“Sasha,” Emilia greeted as Ashley gaped and Lindon stared. Looked like the kid wasn’t completely uninterested. The front of Sasha’s dress was almost as revealing as the back, “it’s good to see you again.”
“You’re not with tall, dark, and moody, today, I see,” Sasha commented with a smile, noting Cashe’s absence, “You’ve replaced him with Ashley Werner and,” Sasha frowned, “Your son?”
Emilia laughed and Ashley sputtered, “Sasha, this is Lindon Stroute. He is a traveling companion and volunteered to escort me since Cashe is going to be a little late this evening. And this is Ashley Werner. I am escorting her and helping her get the feel for this sort of thing.” Emilia spun a finger in the air, indicating the party in general.
“Pleased to meet you, Lindon,” Sasha said, breaking Lindon out of his stupor to shake his hand. Lindon blushed furiously, but managed not to embarrass himself and shook her hand. “And you, Ashley,” Sasha turned to face Ashley, giving her a big smile, “I hope Emilia doesn’t mind me saying so, but I was cheering for you in your battle. Kubfu is so cute! I just couldn’t cheer for anyone else.”
“Thanks,” Ashley squeaked.
“Can I ask-” Sasha frowned at the sound of a scream and shattering glass, turning around.
Emilia turned her head in the same direction. People were scrambling away from the display cases, stumbling into others and making as much room as possible to avoid whatever was going on behind them. Glass clattered to the floor and more people stumbled out of the way, giving Emilia a clear view of what was happening.
Mr Maple stood by the shattered display case. His hand was bleeding from breaking the glass, in it he gripped her Master Ball. He wore a brilliant emerald suit and was grinning from ear to ear as the trainers scampered away from him.
His employees rushed the crowd, forming a perimeter around the grinning man. One after another, they drew pokeballs from their jackets and tossed them into the air. People screamed as the pokemon emerged among them. A pokeball bounced near Emilia and she instinctively reached behind her back for her own pokemon.
She found nothing. Of course. She was in a dress at a ball, like everyone else. Who brought their pokemon to an event like this?
The ball beside her cracked open and in a flash of light a Bronzor formed. It almost resembled an aggressive steel snowflake. The little pokemon pushed against her, forcing her back and away from the display cases. Despite the pokemon’s diminutive size, its strength was undeniable. She was shoved back like a child, helpless against the pokemon.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Ashley yelped as Emilia was tossed carelessly into her and Sasha stumbled, tripping over them, her dress somehow staying in one piece as she got caught in its folds. Sasha fell on Emilia’s leg, her hip colliding painfully with Emilia’s thigh and sending a sharp spike of pressure through her limb. Emilia managed to keep her feet, even in her heels, but she could already feel a deep bruise forming on her leg.
A pair of Mr Maple’s employees filled the space in front of her as shouting rose through the ballroom. Emilia saw similar situations rising up around her. A Flittle, tiny and looking like a floating piece of cloth folded over itself until it resembled a ball was headbutting a group of guests into submission. It would have been humorous if not for the guests’ screams of fear and pain.
A Girafarig reared on its hind legs, kicking the air and stomping towards another group of people. An Indeedee erected a psychic barrier, forcing a swath of people back. Several Spoink bounced around the room, herding groups of people together and away from the commotion.
Emilia glared at the employee standing behind the Bronzor. No, not an employee. A Grunt. He was a Grunt. A Grunt for a new Team.
She narrowed her eyes at the man, taking in as much detail as she could. He was young and rather plain, perhaps eighteen years old. His head was shaved down to a short buzz and his face was expressionless as he watched the crowd of people. He wore a green suit and pants and had a pair of pokeballs on his belt. The lapel of his suit was emblazoned with a stylized, five-pointed star. At the center of the star was an eye, equally stylized and gazing out at the viewer of the symbol.
“What in the name of Giratina do you think you are doing?” A shout rose up from across the room and Emilia spun around to see a pair of sailors and their two Machoke stomping across the dance floor. The Machoke shoved people aside, just as careless as the new Team’s pokemon had been in their initial assault.
The sailors forced themselves through the crowd, ignoring the hostile pokemon around them, their Machoke dealing with them easily. One Machoke grabbed a Spoink in midair, tossing at the others and sending them all crashing into the floor like a bowling ball striking a set of bouncing pins. The other slapped the Flittle out of the air, not even using a move to take it out of commission.
Mr Maple eyed the pair as they stopped at the edge of the crowd, perhaps twenty yards away from him, “I am taking what is rightfully mine,” he answered simply.
More people had noticed the commotion now, filtering away from the far side of the ballroom and forcing the already packed crowd even closer. Whispers and shouts rose up from the crowd as more and more people realized what was happening. A few of the previously terrified people even cheered as the Machoke took out the hostile pokemon.
Maple preened under the attention, standing straighter and grinning like a king among his subjects.
“Put down the pokeball and step away from the prizes,” one sailor said, stepping forward with his Machoke, “We don’t want anyone to get hurt or nothin’.”
“Arceus forbid,” Maple said, rolling his eyes. He reached down to his belt with his free hand, plucking a pokeball from it.
“Take care of this.” Maple said, tossing his pokeball forward. Emilia was immediately thankful she did not have her pokemon with her.
A Gardevoir emerged from the ball in a flash of light. It stood tall, just under six feet, and did not look out of place at the event, the pokemon’s body being strangely shaped, making it look like it wore a white, flowing dress. Its arms and hair were green, and a red, fin-like horn extended from its chest and back.
The sailors' faces turned shocked at the open display of hostility from Mr Maple. One took a second step forward, “Machoke, Submission!”
Machoke charged across the dance floor, but as he did, Gardevoir raised a hand. Machoke froze, trembling in place. It screamed. It shrieked with such volume and such force that Emilia felt it in her bones, the pressure of it causing her to stagger. The Machoke’s pain was cut mercifully short as it collapsed on the ground in a heap.
“Winner, Trainer Max.” Mr Maple said, his tone bored, “The crowd goes wild.” He peered out at his audience, smirking at their stunned expressions. The gathered Grunts laughed at the non-joke. It was the cold, empty laughter of bullies staring down at their victims.
“Psychic,” Ashley whispered to herself. Emilia glanced at her. Her eyes were wide with shock and her gaze was unfocused. The words coming from her mouth looked automatic, a reflexive response from years of training.
Emilia’s heart pounded in her chest at the sight of ‘battle’. There was no way she could fight a final stage evolution with her Omanyte and Charmeleon. This thing would crush her like it did the Machoke.
“Good girl, Gardevoir,” Maple said. Gardevoir gave him a small nod, acknowledging the praise.
“You can’t do that to Charlie’s pokemon!” The second sailor shouted, recovering from the shock of the quick battle. He was red in the face and jutted his finger out at Maple’s Gardevoir, “Get in there Machoke, use Bullet Punch!”
Machoke almost flew across the dance floor, steely energy gathering around its fist as it struck. But again, Gardevoir raised a hand. This time a shimmering barrier appeared in front of it. Machoke’s fist collided with the barrier, leaving Gardevoir unharmed.
“Protect,” murmured Ashley, her eyes locked onto the ongoing battle.
Machoke bounced off the barrier, forced back several steps by the collision. Without visible instruction from Mr Maple, Gardevoir raised a hand again. The air warped around Machoke and it was tossed to the side, landing in a pile on top of the first Machoke.
“Extrasensory,” Ashley said.
“Move, move!” Several people yelped in surprise as someone shouted and pushed their way through the gathered crowd. A man emerged from it, wearing a slightly ruffled tux.
“Max! What are you doing?” He demanded. Emilia had seen him before, met him even, but she couldn’t remember his name. He was one of the many people who made themselves known to her over the course of the tournament.
“Director Li,” Maple smiled. Ah. The tournament director. Of course, “I am glad you made it. I wouldn’t want you to miss the fun.”
“Emilia, what’s going on?” Sasha said, finally recovering from her shock, “What is Mr Maple doing?”
“Stealing my Master Ball,” Emilia said, growling in frustration. She felt someone take her arm. Ashley. Sasha’s question had snapped her out of her daze and she was scared, eyes wide and watery. Emilia wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close for comfort. She glanced down at Lindon to make sure he was alright, but he had disappeared.
That brat! Did he leave on his own, or was he taken? Was he hurt from the initial clash? She hadn’t noticed. The beginnings of panic started to take hold in her, her breath growing short, her throat tight.
“Fun?” Li shouted, pulling a pokeball from his pocket, “You think this is fun? Stand down now, Max. I won’t say it again.”
He raised the pokeball in his hand and the entire ship shook. Plates rattled and entire tables shifted across the floor of the ballroom. Emilia only managed to keep her feet in her heels by holding onto Ashley and Sasha. Others weren’t as lucky. She saw scores of people fall where they stood, hitting the ground hard and continuing to shake as the boat rumbled. Petals rained from the flowers on the walls, blue and silver spots twirling to the ground. Even a few pokemon stumbled, the shaking was so bad. It felt like the ship would come apart around them.
“I’m afraid you have more serious problems to worry about than battling me,” Maple smirked across the open space at Director Li when the ship finally stopped rumbling.
“What are you talking about,” Director Li demanded, “What are you planning, Max?”
“Simply put, I have a sinking feeling that you are in a bit over your head.” Maple made a show of checking his watch, “Any moment now.”
A beat passed. Then another. Maple looked up from his watch and glanced around the room as nothing happened. Several of his Grunts shared looks with each other, clearly confused about what was going on, or rather, what wasn’t.
“Well, that’s embarrassing,” Maple frowned, looking around the room at the expectant gazes. A crash came from the far end of the ballroom and his eyes focused on it, narrowing in disapproval, “Gardevoir, we’re leaving. Use Teleport.”
Gardevoir nodded at her trainer. She raised her hands and the air around Maple, his Grunts and each of their pokemon began to shake with subtle vibrations. The room hummed for a moment and stopped. They were gone.
*****