[POV: Omniscient (Location: The Poke Palace)]
The battle floor gleamed under the chandelier light as the place screamed luxury. Elegant and refined diners were tuned in watching the fight on their tables, just drinking some wine to entertain themselves.
On one end was a boy with striking blue hair and eyes, wearing a black tuxedo.
Towards the other side was a girl who was a few years older with luscious burnt sienna-coloured hair, brown eyes and wearing a school uniform. She exuded an proud but toned down aura which clearly interested the audience.
But she wasn't the main attraction.
"Mankey [Night Slash] on the ground." The boy shouts as the rolling Graveler makes its way forward.
"Key!" The pig monkey replies quickly producing dark purple blades.
*Crash!*
Two craters were now made.
The incoming Graveler kept on spinning as it suddenly made no progress forward on the dips that it went over. Unfortunately, the rock Pokemon was spinning so ferociously, that it would be dangerous to attack.
"Not a bad idea."
"What's his record right now?"
"55-43, which is pretty good compared to old battle servers"
A multitude of the audience started to speak as this occurred.
On one of the higher floors that looked down on the battlefield was a familiar face.
Dante Nightcrest, the owner of this high-end establishment and someone opposite of him. The man was wearing a huge white cowboy hat, which had a yellow stripe with a teal gem.
"They aren't too bad... That kid down, is he the new gem you picked up?" The man questions in a gruff voice, looking at the battle with mild interest.
Dante who was looking at the man never felt so disgusted.
"Not too bad... Giselle was it, I recognised her from last year's Indigo Conference. She got top 16, not bad but not comparable to MY server." Dante practically growls out which makes the guy inwardly sigh.
"Cool down partner, it wasn't meant to be an insult. Just considering them for the Junior Cup."
He took all matters to his talents a little too seriously.
Proof of this was his butler, Colt, who was a former employee who reached the Ace Rank. Further than this eight of his past battle servers who became Ace Trainers are still working with the man.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say he had an eye for trainers.
Dante who heard this calmed down but still pouted as if his entire lineage was insulted. Sunny was a talent who he personally found! How could some spoilt girl possibly compare given the same amount of time?
The gruff man who was usually hot-headed, had no place being himself here.
It was time to talk business.
All to restore Driftveil City.
"Ignoring them, let's talk about..."
...
"Mankey has fainted. Send out your next Pokemon!" A referee shouts.
Sunny who sent the poor guy back to the box pulled out his Ace's Pokeball.
*Phsszzsst*
"Kip!" The little mud fish growled out ready.
Sunny who was looking coolly, remembered the Graveler had one [Defense Curl] active. Thankfully Mankey got in a [Close Combat] to weaken the guy a little.
"Start!"
"[Water Gun] now Mudkip!"
"Graveler [Rollout]!"
The rock Pokemon starting to breathe a bit heavily, got back into rolling which unfortunately didn't save it.
Mudkip who was now extremely trained with its aim and power, didn't give any time to spare.
*Whoosh*
Without pause, a gush of water was already in front.
The rock Pokemon was helpless to dodge the equivalent of a water bullet. The spinning barely got any momentum and couldn't deflect much of the damage. This happened another four more times till eventually, the poor Pokemon was sent flying.
*Crash!*
Sunny who saw this just pulled out his notebook and wrote down some notes. He had stars in his eyes realising the move might be evolving itself.
Unfortunately, though, the level difference really made it difficult to win.
------
[Mudkip Notes]
- Water Gun is way more compressed and powerful, might be close to [Hydro Pump]
------
Speaking of evolution, a few seconds later a bright light took the stage as all eyes were now in front. Watching the spectacle of evolution.
And for the first time in Sunny's life.
The metamorphosis took just over ten seconds as the bright flash of light quickly vanished and in that spot was a Mashtomp.
'A bit ugly.' Giselle thought seeing the guy.
But on the other side, Sunny felt elated at his starter finally evolving and showing the progress they have made these past two months of training. All that blood sweat and soreness weren't for nothing as a new form emerged.
It was an amazing sight which left some of the audience in awe.
Not everybody cared about Pokemon and has seen a mid-fight evolution.
Giselle keeping silent, sent out her ace.
"Maro!"
A Marowak which in the anime was still a Cubone.
Putting his notepad away it was time for the climax.
"[Ice Beam] Marowak." Giselle shouts with a determined look.
Sunny who heard this had his eyes widen, not expecting a move on a Pokemon like this. Marowak pulling his head back, had ice energy gather up to its mouth. It took a few seconds before the move could manifest and successfully be pulled off.
This was all the time that the mudfish needed though.
"[Rock Throw] Marshtomp, then [Barrier]!"
The audience if they weren't watching before, were now as a powerful beam of ice was launched. A beam of ice was slowly rising from the ground, freezing the floor on the way toward its enemy.
*Crack!*
A bit of the regenerating floor was broken as it was hurled straight at Marowak.
Giselle who saw this frowned.
*Shing!*
The rock getting hit by the beam froze as it acted like a shield for Marshtomp. While this occurred the mudfish already got a [Barrier] finished as its physical defense was increased.
"Close the distance and use [Bone Rush]!" Giselle sassily shouts.
Marowak gaining a glint in its eyes, had its signature club glow a brown hue as it looked like a double-sided lightsaber.
Sunny seeing the charging Pokemon, had his starter spam [Water Gun].
The first two were barely dodged as they nicked Marowak. As the Pokemon finally closed the distance a point-blank [Water Gun] hit the bone keeper Pokemon but to no one's surprise, he persisted.
Breaking free the Pokemon roars out as he slams the bone at Marshtomps chest.
Giselle who saw this finally after some nervousness gained a confident smirk.
"It's over, once [Bone Rush] lands. The momentum leads to more hits and more power." She explains in the middle of Marshtomp getting hit with a two-piece.
*Slam!* *Crash!*
Sunny who saw his Pokemon land near his feet, looked at the ceiling in resignation.
[POV: Sunny Haruto]
'Being a battle server really knows how to humble you... I could have used [Protect] but that would just delay the loss.' I inwardly thought seeing Giselle looming over with a very wide smirk.
She looked elated at her win.
Her Marowak tanked multiple full-powered [Water Gun] from Marshtomp...
*Phsszzsst*
Returning Marshtomp, we head back to her table where her parents were sitting.
"Sir, Madam, according to the rules your meal is now free. I appreciate the challenge we hope to see you again." I recite doing a bow.
The mother who saw this gave a warm smile and put her hand towards her mouth.
"Oh dear it's alright, Giselle after seeing a new battle server was here nagged us to come!" She says without any remorse. "Here's a tip for your future journey!"
Seeing some cash being put into the bill presenter which was a small folio, I bowed even more as Giselle who was next to me grumbled. With how expensive this place was, one table could probably cover for four other tables.
So it wasn't really too much of an issue.
Although my record feels pretty bad with how many free meals were given out...
Not wanting to face a woman's wrath I make my way out as the money the kind auntie gave me at least brought me less stress.
Yes in this restaurant it was known the battle server was usually saving up for their journey. There was a big announcement when I was hired and many people from rich backgrounds came here for me specifically.
Obviously, with the higher-class people battling, there's bound to be more difficult battles. With this place not having a level limit like the battle club, some fights were straight up a horror jump scare.
Like I'm sorry sir my Mudkip can't handle that Dragonite you've raised since you were 10.
On top of most customers being connected to Dante in some way, it's like a charity.
'Hey who am I to complain, money is money.'
After my shift, the tip that the auntie gave to me was in my hands.
$500 straight fucking dollars.
Hard cash.
The temptation to smell the money almost got me but I went to deposit it immediately at the Pokemon Center.
If I could give her a hug I would, but that wouldn't be appropriate in front of her husband...
In these two months so far I've earned $14,112 and an extra $9,623 including the recent tip. This is a good haul for someone who's about to probably spend it all on Pokeblocks anyway.
All those kinds aunties, I'll never forget you!
Wait I still have two more months of this.8
Heading back home though, I've already requested a break as I had a plane flight the next day. I could let Marshtomp get used to his form by battling some trainers near the venue anyway which is all right.
'Hoenn here I come!'
...
[Two Week Time-Skip (Location: Ever Grande City)]
"Be back before dawn, enjoy! Marshtomp protect him alright." Sue says strictly at the end making me give her a thumbs up.
The mudfish swiftly agrees knowing the bastard will get some extra food from her.
'Bruh.'
With my father next to her, everything was alright as I had something to do.
There was a week left until the start of the Ever Grande Conference and just yesterday we watched Tyson the future winner. He was the flame bearer, runner, or holder?
Anyway, I was currently in the lobby just looking around.
"Alright, guys today I'm going to train!" An oddly nostalgic, energetic voice could be heard.
My heart started to beat faster as my head basically whips around to look.
A boy and his Pikachu.
With his three companions.
It was him.
Ash Ketchum with his signature Pikachu on his shoulder. In front of him was May, Max and Brock who looked to have just finished getting ready to head out. They all looked happy with constant chatter.
Before I knew it, they were already off.
Marshtomp who watched this got curious but didn't intend to question it.
Feeling the tug on my side, I regain myself.
...
[A Couple Minutes Later]
Just outside the Pokemon centre near the coast was Ash and his friends just hanging out. They were in a grassy area with a few huge boulders that protruded from the ground.
On top of one of these boulders was Brock, May and Max just happily watching Ash.
He was currently stretching with his entire team.
The more I think about it, the anime didn't really show a good job of what Ash usually does for training. Unless it was for a specific move that they needed to learn or it was just pure endurance training.
'I should note this down.' I thought to myself just a bit away.
This was pure stalker behaviour...
But with my heart now calmed with a few deep breaths, I wasn't planning on staying away for that long. Making my way forward the rustling grass didn't gain the attention of anyone there.
Seeing this I calmly walk towards the boulder.
"Hey... Sorry if this is sudden."
May who was the closest was surprised but not alarmed. Max squinted his eyes and looked at me curiously, with Brock just giving me a polite smile.
"Oh hi there. Where did you come from?" May said as her body started to relax from the shock.
"I was at the reception earlier, when I saw you guys heading this way I thought this was where the training grounds were." Hearing my words the rest nod not thinking about it too much.
Even with my blatant lie, these guys got fooled by Team Rocket for a year straight.
How could my lie not work?
Everybody's attention is now on me, I look towards the man himself with a big smile.
—————
[A/N: Authors thoughts will always have MC's money. Unless I forget or he doesn't spend anything]