The next morning was a largely uneventful time, with breakfast being the usual affair with only the addition of idly watching as the pair of workers from the day before returned to seal a new window in the kitchen wall. After breakfast, though, I was feeling both excited and impatient. I knew that the kids were coming again, and I admit that I wanted to convince Mable to let me and my friend Pidgey have a spar in front of the kids so I could try and show off a bit. A few of them had expressed interest in me last time they were here despite the teacher's cautionary warnings about the difficulties of raising a Ditto. I wanted to try and get an idea of if any of them seemed like they might be a good match for me to make my trainer partner.
"Mable! Hey, Mable!" 'Ditto! 'To-Ditto!' I grabbed her attention as she was starting to leave the backyard counter where everyone gathered to eat, and she turned toward me with an inquisitive expression.
"Hm? What is it, Ditto?" I raised my hands and made a repeated jabbing punch motion with my nubby arms, clearly expressing an intent to fight, then pointed out at the section of yard where the bird Pokémon were assembled. Note to self, actually sit down and convince Mable to teach me how to write at some point, as pantomiming everything is growing more and more bothersome. I didn't want to just start writing without at least putting on a show of learning how to write from someone, since I felt like that would help make me stand out less if anyone started wondering how I could do that.
Still, back to the matter at hand, Mable paused for a moment to consider my actions, "You want to go and battle with your Pidgey friend some more today, hm? You know the kids are coming over? Oh, of course you do, otherwise you wouldn't bother asking me and you'd already be over there getting into trouble. I think we might be able to arrange something..." I pumped my tiny fists in excitement, which was quickly quashed underneath Mable's raised finger as she continued, "But! It needs to be an educational experience for the children, and not just you showboating in front of them!"
While I was trying to figure out how to make a battle seem educational, Mable flashed a broad smile at me. "Normally we would save this until right before the kids wrap up their trainer school days as a treat, but there's no harm doing this a little early! You're going to do practice battles with the kids, then. Hey everyone, don't wander off just yet!" Her voice raised as she looked around at the gathered swarm of Pokémon that were finishing up their meals. "Later today, we're going to organize a mock tournament for the kids, and that means those of you who like to battle should make sure you hang around at the back door of the house when the kids get here! The kids will be allowed to mingle and try and see which of you all they get along with, so they can practice their trainer commands. But anyone who wants to fight has to be willing to follow commands! Many of you are going to grow into battling roles, so it wont hurt you to try and get used to it now."
Not exactly what I had in mind, but getting paired up with a trainer for a series of battles in a row in this playful youngster-cup environment wouldn't be a bad idea. Mable was right in the fact that I was more inclined to trust my own judgement than listen to the commands of someone who might not know what I'm capable of, or might overestimate what I could do and put me in a dangerous spot. When it came down to it, though, that was sort of a Pokémon's role. And part of the trainer's role was to bond with a Pokémon and know that sometimes their Pokémon is going to know better how to handle a situation, and let it.
I was actually looking forward to seeing how this all worked out! I only really had a vague impression of two of the kids that had really stood out to me due to their diligence in answering questions last time, but even if they weren't interested in battling with me, I was sure I could find someone who would pick me today. I'd be annoyed if I went out of my way to suggest battling and then wound up being one of the Pokémon who had to sit out and watch from the sidelines!
A small flurry of activity kicked off at the announcement, as Mable decided that she was going to break out an additional stash of berries to be given to the Pokémon after each battle. My eyes were drawn to the plump yellow fruit, a lemony scent drifting over toward me that made my mouth water. I wasn't the only one, as the brat of the Azurill twins was having to be coaxed away from the fruit on the counter as well. "No, you can't have any now! These are for after battles! If you want one so badly, you can convince a trainer to battle with you later!" Mable gently chided the dejected Azurill as they pouted and hid behind their large, spherical tail.
Pansage had grabbed a series of small flags and was slowly roaming along and planting one in the ground at roughly even intervals, steadily forming a rectangular boundary that I assumed would be the battling field. This was gonna be good. Now I just had to wait for the kids to show up.
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We had everything set up well before the kids arrival, considering we all had our breakfast at the break of dawn. The wait felt like every minute was an hour, as excited as I felt, and some of the other Pokémon were displaying a similar restlessness. The ones that looked the most interested in the battling arrangement were the Azurill pair, a scattering of three Aron, a single one of the Bidoof gang who was displaying a surprising amount of energy for the normally lazy lot as he trotted around, a lone Dwebble, two Fletchling, a small horde of Caterpie and Bunnelby mingling together in play, Pansage, my Pidgey sparring partner, two Lotad, and a Geodude I hadn't actually ever seen before. Must have blended in with the rocky terrain in the back corner of the pasture, I suppose.
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Overall, we had a pretty healthy spread of Pokémon to participate, and everyone had at least some matchup that would put them either at an advantage or disadvantage, from what I could see at first glance. No matter who the kids picked, there wasn't anyone who stood out above the rest as a real clear threat. Just as I was getting to the breaking point of boredom driving me crazy, I heard the chime of the doorbell come from the house. "They're here! Alright, remember, best behavior as always, everyone." Mable reminded as she moved into the house, letting the group through to the backyard.
The same dozen kids moved through with excitement plain on their faces, all of the group wearing shorts and t-shirts with a Roselia and the Santalune Trainer School logo on them, lighting up all the more when they saw that so many of the Pokémon had gathered near the back of the house. They chattered among themselves about what might be going on, and I spotted Mable having a quick word with the elderly teacher, Mister Patel. After he nodded in agreement to whatever she said, she clapped her hands to get the kids' attention,
"Alright kids! Seeing as you all are going to be heading off on your journeys in the near future, and since some of the Pokémon on the pasture have expressed an interest in battling, we're going to have a little surprise tournament. You're going to pick a Pokémon partner and we'll take turns sparring with one another! Don't worry, this isn't going to be an elimination tournament or anything. Even if you lose, you'll get to keep practicing your battling! The only thing the winner gets is bragging rights, so don't stress about whether you win or lose!"
At that announcement, Mister Patel knocked his cane against the dirt with a soft thump, interjecting. "Come now, Mable, that's not going to get the spirit of competition going! You should always strive to win, even when you're just practicing! Tell you what, since this is all happening without much planning, I'll throw out a little bonus to the kids. Whoever manages to get the most wins during today's training battles will get a Pokéball from me, alright?" He laughed as Mable glared at him for undoing her attempt at taking pressure off the children, while they all lit up at the idea of having a prize to win. "If there's a tie, then those in the lead will face off with each other until we have one clear winner!"
Sighing, Mable waved the kids off toward the group, "Alright kids, go and see which Pokémon you want to pair up with. And remember, no fighting with each other if you pick the same one! There are more than enough Pokémon to go around, even if some of you might not get your very first pick. We might even keep doing these practice battles now and again going forward, so you'll have other chances to battle with different Pokémon over your next few visits."
The group scattered, and it was clear that I was one of the first picks of the group. A pair of kids came toward me and Pidgey, since we had been sitting next to each other and chatting during the wait, while the other first-pick contenders seemed to be the sturdy physical battler group from the rocky area and the adorable Azurill twins. The Bunnelby had a few interested parties, and only one very traditional bug-catcher-looking boy was sitting down with a group of Caterpie staring at him with rapt attention. At least he had his pick of the lot, unobstructed. Good luck, bug-kid. You're gonna need it with this group.
"Hey Ditto, do you wanna be my partner?" A young girl was the first one to ask me, crouching down to reach a hand toward me. I started to reach up and shake the offered hand, only to jump up with a start when the bulky-looking, taller boy all but pushed her over to stop her from shaking my hand.
"No fair Annabelle, I was about to ask Ditto, you just happened to be in the front of the line when we walked in!" I frowned at his behavior, and immediately dismissed any chance I had of teaming up with this bully. If that was how he acted toward his fellow students, how was he going to treat any Pokémon he wound up catching as he grew up? I slid myself between him and the girl as she stood up and dusted off her knees, glaring at the boy. He peered down at me with an expectant grin, as if I was lining up in front of him to be his partner, but I stretched myself upward and wagged a finger at him in a chastising motion, "Don't you dare act up like that on my watch!" 'Dit-Ditto 'to Ditto!'
My voice was clearly loud and drew attention from the teacher, and Mister Patel barked a sharp "We said no fighting! Do you want to sit out of the battling today, Johnathan?" with the sort of sharpness I'd expect from a drill instructor, more than a kindly old teacher.
"No, Mister Patel!" The boy replied immediately in a knee-jerk reaction, and the old man nodded.
"Good. Then find another Pokémon. I'd say Ditto made it pretty clear he'd rather battle with Annabelle today."
Johnathan turned to the next nearest Pokémon, my flight-trainer and sparring partner, Pidgey. "You're pretty big for a Pidgey, you're probably pretty strong, right? Fight with me and we'll show that Ditto who's boss!" He offered, and despite my warning glance, she nodded and seemed to puff up at being praised, agreeing to battle with the boy. My eyes narrowed, and I hoped that his teacher's warning was enough to curb his wild side. At least wanting to teach the boy a lesson would just be one more reason to best my battle-buddy later on.
"Thanks, Ditto! You were quick to jump up and look out for me. I hope that means you want to battle with me, right?" Annabelle crouched down again, extending her hand in a repeat of the friendly gesture that had been interrupted. I nodded decisively, and stuck out my nubby hand to shake hers. She seemed like a nice girl, and I had a feeling she had her own quarrel with that boy if he treated her like that on a regular basis. He seemed like the schoolyard bully type, after all. "Absolutely! We'll win the most for sure!" 'Ditto! Dit-Dit-Ditto!' I thumped my other arm off my chest in a 'leave it to me' gesture, and she grinned brightly. "Alright then! You're my partner for the day, then! Let's do our best!"
She seemed like such a sweet girl. Don't worry, Annabelle, I'm gonna win you a Pokéball today!