“Jonas, you were incredible,” Adelaide chattered, her excited energy bubbling through her whole body. “I take back what I said before, about you not being any good at battling.”

Jonas responded with a weak smile. He didn’t feel like he was good at battling, and he certainly didn’t feel like he was incredible.

“She’s right, Jonas. I haven’t had that much fun battling in a long time. Your pokémon…” Ferris paused, a thoughtful expression on his face. “No, not just your pokémon. You too. You were wonderful. I’d give you the badge on that alone if I could, but rules are rules. Still, maybe this will help lessen the blow,” he smiled, handing Jonas his prize money.

“Thank you, Ferris. And thank you for the battle.” The lobby of the gym was quiet, hammers and forges gone silent for the moment, and Jonas could hear his voice quivering. He cleared his throat, unsure if it was emotion or exhaustion.

Ferris nodded, his smile growing wider. “Battles like that are why I got into this line of work. I have to admit, you kind of remind me of my kid brother when he first started battling.”

Jonas stiffened at the mention of Victor, glancing to his side at Adelaide. She stared at the floor, a hint of a smile on her face. Ferris continued, not noticing the change in Jonas. “He’s a fantastic pokémon trainer, and I think you will be too. Of course, Victor’s a little full of himself…” Ferris trailed off. “Maybe that wasn’t the best comparison. Anyway, if you’re planning to challenge more gyms, I’d recommend heading west, to Aster. Jasper is an old friend, and an excellent trainer. I’m sure he could teach you a thing or two.”

Jonas nodded, returning Ferris’s smile, genuinely this time. He’s nothing like his brother, he thought as Ferris yet again extended his hand for Jonas to shake.

“Take care, Jonas. I’m looking forward to battling you again.”

Jonas and Adelaide wordlessly left the gym, heading toward the pokémon center. As they walked, Jonas considered Ferris’s advice about challenging the gym in Aster. But what if I lose to him too?

“Hey, Adelaide…” Jonas sighed. “Do you really think I can do this?”

“Do what?” Adelaide stopped walking, turning to face Jonas.

“I just mean… all of this. The gym challenge, the Pokéball Run. The whole reason I came here was to help my family. But I haven’t even won a single battle. There are lots of really strong trainers out there, and I’m just…”

“Just starting, Jonas!” Adelaide interrupted, her voice loud. “And you already battled Ferris Sterling! That isn’t any small feat.” She softened before continuing, “You just have a lot of work to do. But you were really impressive out there. So were Flint and Dash. So let’s get them healed up and then get you out of this mood.” Before Jonas could respond, Adelaide grabbed his hand in hers, and started toward the pokémon center with her usual enthusiasm, Jonas struggling to keep his feet under him.

Jonas, still tired from his gym battle, was breathing heavily by the time the red domed top of the building came into view. They stopped below a Pokéball Run flyer plastered on the side of a small café, the faded blue paper peeling in one corner.

“Alright. You go get your team taken care of. And when you come back, I want you to meet Bisou.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“I can’t wait to meet him,” he said, turning to enter the pokémon center.

Adelaide responded with a mischievous smile of her own. “Good. I hope you like clowns.”

***

Jonas emerged from the pokémon center to a peal of laughter. A group of children were gathered in a huddle nearby, and Jonas could hear Adelaide over the children's giggles, her tone light and cheerful. Even her accent seemed less noticeable as she chided in a playful tone.

“Now, Bisou. That isn’t very nice.”

Joining the throng of children, Jonas’s eyes widened at the sight of Adelaide. Her dress flowed around her as she spun to make eye contact with each of the children, red and yellow ribbons trailing her in a whirlwind of color. She grinned when she saw Jonas, her cheeks flushing red to match the makeup that had been applied to the tip of her nose.

In the center of the ring was a small white pokémon waving one of Adelaide’s yellow scarves. The pokémon had a large red nose, and what looked like a crooked black hat perched atop of its head. Jonas cheered along with the children as Adelaide chased the pokémon around the circle they had formed. It peeped with laughter, sticking out its tongue when she came close, and taking another scarf at the very moment she reclaimed the first one. The children erupted with laughter at this, and Jonas smiled warmly as Adelaide and Bisou began juggling the scarves between one another.

“Okay, Bisou. Baton pass!” Adelaide instructed, and Bisou peeped again, shaking out one of the scarves. Jonas watched transfixed as the scarves vanished replaced by a baton. Bisou tossed the baton to Adelaide, catching the next scarf and repeating the process until, at last, all of the scarves had been replaced with batons, the short rods soaring through the air in a blur of red and white. Their pace grew faster, and just as Jonas began to lose track of the batons, Adelaide caught them all, giving a slight bow.

“Alright! Now show them your teeter dance!” Adelaide giggled. Pulling her hand from her pocket, she launched a fistful of confetti, tiny shreds of red and yellow paper raining down on Bisou as he spun about, cooing a few notes to himself. Swaying in time to music only he knew, Bisou teetered about the circle, and Jonas found himself entranced, following the pokémon’s movements with his head. The dance lasted only a short time, and as Bisou completed a particularly elegant turn, he stopped, planting both feet firmly on the sidewalk, swaying dizzily. He bowed at the same time Adelaide curtsied, and the children erupted into cheers and applause. Jonas found himself grinning and clapping along.

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. One more round of applause for the amazing Bisou!” Adelaide smiled, basking in the attention as the children cheered louder, Bisou bowing repeatedly.

Finally, as the children dispersed, Adelaide smoothed her dress, removing scarves she had tied on to her wrists and neck, and stuffing them back into her bag. Bisou hopped across the sidewalk, waving to children and eyeing the confetti suspiciously.

“Well, what did you think?” Adelaide’s eyes searched Jonas’s face for approval as she wiped the makeup from her nose with a scarf, before adding it to the ones already in her bag.

“That was wonderful Adelaide! Why would you be embarrassed by your act?”

“Oh, that?” Adelaide’s accent returned to her voice almost immediately once the children were far enough away to not hear her. “That wasn’t even my act. Well, not exactly. Bisou wanted to perform, so we just threw that together for the kids. I told you, he’s dramatic.”

Bisou chirped defiantly at Adelaide’s comment, his face scrunching into a scowl. Adelaide laughed at this, and Jonas was caught off guard by the pleasantness of the sound. Bisou squeaked again, louder, and crossed his arms, turning his back on Adelaide with a stomp.

“Calm down, prima donna,” Adelaide taunted. Reaching down, she effortlessly lifted Bisou, ending his tantrum. “I’m only teasing.” The pokémon nuzzled close to Adelaid’s chest and closed his eyes.

Jonas reached into his pack for Flint’s ball, and started to suggest introducing the two, but was interrupted by a woman’s voice.

“My goodness! Is that Mime Jr. black and white? Wherever has it been to get that coloration?”

“My… makeup bag,” Adelaide responded hesitantly as she and Jonas turned to see a tall woman striding toward them.

The woman smiled as she approached, “Jonas! You made it!”

“Nice to see you again, Professor Aspen.”