"Do you think that's it?"
I nodded. "Yep. See how scared he looks?"
Ben peered through the leaves of the bushes we were hiding behind. "Oh, right."
"Are there any others?" Hari asked in a loud stage whisper. "I don't see any."
I glanced at him, figuring it was useless to tell him to keep his voice down. "I hope not. Should we go with stealth, or force?"
Ben breathed out a soft laugh. "Probably stealth would be best. We can always resort to force if we need to."
"But the guy's standing right next to him," Hari said, a little quieter this time. "We could distract him, and then send someone in to grab the Lillipup."
"It would take time," Ben said.
"I don't feel patient now." I glanced back at the Snivy clinging to my shoulder, and then to the Oshawott standing beside me. "And these guys should be taught a lesson. Stealing a little girl's Pokémon means they deserve a good but-kicking, don't you think?"
Hari grinned and nodded, as did the Oshawott, named Mamoru (though I usually just call him Mo).
Ben gave a wry smile and shook his head. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me."
"You ready, Tsuki? For your first real battle against a bad guy?"
Tsuki, my Snivy, nodded.
"And Mo?" Oshawott stood at attention. "When we start the fight, you run around and get the Lillipup, okay? Bring him to Ben and Hari."
"So there's no point in us staying hidden, I'm guessing," Ben said.
"None at all."
Ben smirked. "Okay. Then go get him, Cara."
"Gladly."
I stood up, as did Ben and Hari behind me. I walked through a gap in the bushes, and the sound of rustling leaves made the man turn towards me. He was wearing some strange white uniform with black leggings, and gray boots, gloves, and cap. There was some sort of symbol printed on the chest of the outfit. Looking at it made me think of the uniforms I'd seen in pictures, of Teams Magma, and Galactic. It gave me a bad feeling.
"What do you want?" he demanded as I approached, Tsuki and Mamoru at my heels.
"Let that Lilliup go," I demanded, gesturing to the frightened Pokémon. Lillipup stood trembling behind the heels of the man. A Watchog was standing nearby making sure the Lillipup didn't escape.
"That's exactly what I'm doing," the man said, crossing his arms. "I'm letting this Lillipup go. It won't have to be tied to humans anymore."
I stared at him. "No. You stole it from a little girl. Give it back. She's heartbroken."
"People keep Pokémon against the Pokémon's will," the man insisted. "The best thing is to release the Pokémon."
"I don't see a liberator. I see a thief. If you don't give that Lillipup back, we'll just take him."
"Hah! As if you could."
"Well, then stop me. Tsuki, go on."
My Snivy sprang out to face our opponent, eager for her first real battle.
The man scowled and sent out his Watchog.
Tsuki charged forward with Tackle. Watchog did the same, and the two collided. Tsuki tumbled backwards and rolled onto her feet. Watchog dashed forward again. Tsuki used Vine Whip, but her attack didn't stop Watchog, who crashed into her again, knocking her off of her feet. Once again Watchog charged, this time using Bite.
"Come on, Tsuki," I muttered under my breath. My eyes flicked to the side as Mamoru dashed behind the battle and stopped beside Lillipup.
Tsuki lashed out with Vine Whip, making Watchog release her. As Watchog shied away from the vines, Tsuki tackled him in the stomach, making him double over. Watchog kicked out, knocking Tsuki away. And as the two faced each other, Watchog used Hypnosis.
"No!" I hissed as Tsuki's eyes drooped and she sank to the ground, fast asleep.
The man looked very pleased with himself as I returned Tsuki to her Pokéball. I'd been stupid to send her out against a Watchog. It was obviously a higher level than her. But she'd been eager to take part in the battle, and I wanted to see how she did.
I pulled out my next Pokéball.
"Battles are usually more fun when the odds are even," I pressed the button on the Pokeball, making it expand. "But I'm done playing around. Polaris!"
I threw out the Pokéball, and from the red light, a Ponyta appeared.
The man laughed. "You think Ponyta are strong? Go, Watchog! Crunch!"
Watchog charged. Polaris spun around, facing away from her opponent. She kicked out with her hind feet and sent the Watchog flying. He landed in a heap at his trainer's feet.
"Gah! Watchog!" he cried, returning his Pokémon. He glared at me. "I don't care if you won. I don't have to give the Lillipup ba-" he broke off as his eyes locked on something behind me. I glanced backwards to see Ben and Hari. Lillipup and Mamoru were standing next to them, watching the battle.
The man glanced around behind him, as if Lillipup might still be hiding back there somewhere.
"Let's go, guys," I said, turning away and picking up Lillipup.
"You-you get back here!" the man exclaimed. I heard him take a couple steps towards us.
Make him go away, Polaris, I said irritably, using telepathy.
With pleasure, Polaris replied. She sent out a small spurt of flame. The man let out a frightened yelp and fell back. Ben, Hari, Mamoru and I walked away, and Polaris trotted to catch up.