I was given a booth on the balcony due to my contribution to the auction. As I sat waiting for the auction to begin, I looked over some of the other people seated on balconies. I couldn’t recognize most of the people, but I did spot Courtney, the fire type trainer, from the battle arena. She was sitting beside a stern man with a black suit.

“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Saffron Pre-Season Auction!” Came the female announcer’s voice, as she strolled onto the stage seductively.

The lights dimmed, highlighting the stage. “Without further ado, let’s get started!” She said as the curtains were opened revealing two dratini who she began regaling with praise.

They were both males from the Blackthorn Clan and despite the adulations poured upon them from the announcer, they were clearly not the best of their dratini which they reserved for clan members. That’s not to say these pokemon weren’t capable of greatness, resulting in final bids of around $2 million.

And on it went. More and more rare or talented pokemon went up for auction. It was grueling to watch, since I wanted all of them and it brought up the memories of when I found out I could only bond to six pokemon. I was devastated, and still am sometimes. But that just means I need to make the six bonds count.

The next pokemon brought me out of my funk, it was time for the auction of the son of Sabrina’s alakazam. We all had touch screens assigned to us which we could use to bid for the auction. When the bidding for abra started I waited until there was a lull at $1.7 million and raised the bid by the minimum amount of $100 000. Almost instantly, I was outbid. Nervously, I continued to increase the bid as the other buyer did the same.

When we crossed $3 million I began to pray to Arceus. The bids kept coming, but finally at a bid of $3.7 million I was able to secure the purchase.

Phew. I was sweating so much since I was nervous. Now I can just relax and see how much the crystal onix will sell for.

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More pokemon were brought out and sold. One thing that caught my eye was Courtney seemed to be arguing with the man in her booth during the auction of a particularly large numel. She seemed to have won the argument and the numel judging by the bidding afterward.

Finally, the crystal onix was brought out to the stunned crowd. The spotlights made her dazzle and gleam. This wasn’t just a small colour change variant, it was unique. The announcer gave out information from their tests, including the weakness to fire and neutrality to water. Though I think mostly people would want her for her looks.

The bidding started out fierce and didn’t let up. There were multiple interested bidders until $7 million, at which point two bidders duked it out until one won with a bid of $8.3 million.

I was ecstatic, thinking it would go up to $6 million at best.

Soon, after some more variant pokemon were bid on, the auction for pokemon ended for a lunch break until the item auction. I quickly made my way to the auction’s showcase area, where the pokemon were brought back to. First I went to the crystal onix, to make sure the buyer was suitable.

It turns out the buyer was an employee of Steven Stone’s, who bought the onix under his instruction. This guaranteed the crystal onix would receive the best care affordable, so I bade her farewell and the exchange was concluded.

Afterwards, I made my way to Sabrina’s abra, finding the same employee who seemed to be conducting the exchanges. She told me that Sabrina approved online after looking at my Trainer ID and information, so I was able to get abra registered to me without difficulty and accepted his pokeball.

I hurried to a private room so I could meet abra. I took out his pokeball, which had a pink bottom and purple top, and released him.

“Abra.” He said stoically.

“Hello, I’m Orick Ortiz. Is it alright if I let out my team?” I ask to which he nods, prompting me to release them. He seems a little in awe of my pokemon that are larger than most of their species.

“This is Drako, and this is Hellenbore.” I say, pointing them out.

“Zard.” “Saur!” They say, introducing themselves to abra.

“I bought you from the auction but that doesn’t take away your choice, do you want to join our team and go on a journey with us to get stronger?” I ask him.

“Abra.” He says. I can pick up a sense of acceptance and then a picture of Sabrina flashes in my mind. Through my bond with Drako and Hellen, I am able to understand that he accepts Sabrina's judgement and is willing to bond with me. Apparently, since Sabrina approved the purchase she approved our bond.

I’m happy that he is accepting of our bond, but hope that we become a bit friendlier before we perform a Blood Bond. Before we can talk more, an announcement comes saying the item auction will begin in five minutes.

“Alright team, I have around $4 million and I’m hoping to get some good items for all of you. We’ll talk right after.” I recall the team and make my way to my booth.

Maybe if I get a good item for abra he’ll soften up?