Author's Notes
This is going to be a two shot, giving time for both characters' POVs. I hope you all enjoy it. Yes, Mondo is a canon character.
Imposter
1
Duplica
The lights were dimmed. Duplica stood backstage, her posture straight, ready for the performance to begin. Just a quick peek through the curtain wouldn't hurt. As Duplica saw what was outside, she drew her breath in surprise. The auditorium was packed. She looked again and grinned, unable to find one empty seat from her estimation. Perhaps it really was sold out, a huge venue like this.
This was what she'd been promised, yet she could still hardly believe it was happening in front of her. The company she was currently working for had made many promises they couldn't keep, so she'd hadn't dared to get her hopes up. Yet here she was, in Castelia City in Unova, in front of the kind of crowd she'd always dreamed of.
The announcer began, and Duplica maintained attention despite her high excitement. Even if this hadn't been the context she'd dreamed of, she'd still try her best. At home in Imite House, even with the tiniest of audiences, she'd always given everything to that one performance.
She'd do the same here, even if this particular stunt hadn't been her idea specifically. That was part of having a boss, rather than working out of her own place. But far from feeling artistically slighted, Duplica knew this was a good idea.
"And now, without a second more delay, let me present the champion of Unova, Alder!"
Before the announcer had even finished the introduction, Duplica had dashed out onto stage. Once in sight, she began to walk slowly like she'd observed Alder doing before in various videos. She waved, perfectly imitating his greeting of the crowd, as well as his cool, collected smile.
Walking toward the announcer, Duplica observed the closest audience members. She could see a bit of confusion on their faces. They could tell something was off about their champion, but most weren't quite sure what yet. Duplica smirked, grabbing the microphone. "Thanks," she said in an affected deep voice. Sure she wasn't the perfect copy, but she could fool plenty of people.
At least for now, that was. As Duplica spoke center stage, someone else came out from the side. "Well, well, what's this?" he asked.
It was the real Alder, a little bit late. There was murmuring and even a few shouts of excitement from the audience. Duplica spoke into the microphone, still standing up straight and imitating Alder's confident air. "I'm Alder, Unova's current champion," she said.
"Is that right?" Alder said, a bemused grin appearing on his face.
"Yes. Are you here for my battle?" Duplica asked. Hearing the audience's shouts and laughs, she figured this was the right time. "Go, Bouffalant!" Duplica threw out a smoke bomb along with Mini-Dit's pokeball. As the smoke cleared, the audience could see a small bouffalant, the image of which was blown up on the monitor for anyone who wasn't close enough to make it out.
Duplica enjoyed the audience's reaction the comments of how cute her pokemon was, but still stayed on task. She focused her attention on Alder. "If you're not my opponent, I'll have to ask you to clear the stage.
Alder scratched his head, though he still grinned. "Alright then. I guess I have no choice but to face my own tiny clone."
The audience cheered as Alder walked closer to center stage. He shook hands with Duplica before they both stepped back. At that point, Duplica did pause for a second to look around, enjoying that everyone's eyes were on her even more than the champion. They enjoyed her imitations and were on the edge of their seat for what would happen next.
"Go, Volcarona!" Alder shouted. "Quiver dance."
Alder's volcarona performed the power increasing move. Duplica had hoped he'd send out his bouffalant for the double effect, but had been prepared for any of his choices, really. No matter what he'd done, her next move would have been the same. "Return!" Duplica shouted, taking Mini-Dit back. Next, she took out the pokeball for her newest ditto. "Go, Volcarona!"
If this were her own performance, Duplica may have added a smoke effect or flashed the lights in order to distract from the fact her pokemon was a ditto in a battle like this, but that fact was important for her job, so no such theatrics were used. Her new ditto, Dittank, just appeared from its pokeball. As usual, it transformed instantly, without Duplica having to give the order, into the pokemon opposite it.
Luckily, the quick transformation impressed the audience enough. "I see where this is going now," the true Alder commented.
"Is that so? Don't underestimate a champion!" Duplica said, waving a finger in the air.
"That's good advice. Volcarona, quiver dance!"
"Volcarona, Overheat!" Duplica ordered right after Alder had given his own command.
Dittank became surrounded with fire before sending it out in all directions. Duplica held onto her wig. Given Alder's weird hair style, this was enough to send it flying. Alder's volcarona flinched as the attack hit, though it still finished its weird dance.
"It's pretty powerful for a ditto," Alder admitted.
"It's a champion's pokemon after all," Duplica said with a shrug.
"I see. Volcarona, overheat!" Alder shouted.
"Volcarona, overheat!" Duplica ordered.
Now things got really hot in the arena. Duplica had to admit that weird dance had given Alder's pokemon more power, while Dittank's waned after having done the taxing attack once. But if little Dittank could just hang on...
"Alright!" Duplica shouted despite herself. Dittank had survived the attack. "Volcarona, let's move! Hyper beam!" She'd always liked that attack. The flashy appearance of it often pleased crowds.
"Oh? Well, you as well, Volcarona," Alder ordered.
The cheers were loud as both pokemon performed the attack at once, hitting each other simultaneously. Duplica sighed as Dittank floated to the ground in a faint, transforming back to its true form. Sure, she'd fantasized about beating the champion as the champion, but in reality, the champion was the champion, after all. In any case, the crowd had been captivated by the battle.
Opening her eyes, Duplica walked forward. "I admit my loss," she said, still attempting to imitate Alder's voice. Putting her hand forward, she shook his again.
"Let's hear it for Champion Alder! As well as our very own ditto champion, Duplica!" the announcer shouted.
With the introduction of her true self, Duplica leaned her head forward. First it was a bow, then she allowed her large wig to fall off, at same time taking off her version of Alder's poncho-thing and revealing the company's t-shirt underneath. Now, Duplica could truly appreciate her audience. She turned around and waved, grinning at her adoring public.
As Duplica enjoyed the spotlight, the announcer continued. "This exhibition battle is brought to you by Ditto Innovations. Come see our selection of powerful ditto at our conference next week! The ditto champion will be giving lessons personally! What do you think of our champion's ditto, Champion Alder?"
"Ah, well, this wasn't what I had been expecting today," Alder commented as the audience laughed. "I will have to admit to Miss Ditto Master that she has an impressive pokemon."
"Thank you," Duplica said humbly. She was honestly pleased with how the battle had gone. Despite losing, she was still a bit like the star. Well, Unova was used to their champion, but not so much to the champion's imitation. When the event was finally over and Duplica left, she had several fans come up to her. They asked to see her ditto, and for her autograph, and to hear her Alder voice again.
Duplica happily complied with all requests. She then answered various questions about the ditto, since it seemed everyone wanted one after seeing her act, as well as how powerful Dittank was.
Her employers might be happy to hear that. A while ago, Duplica would have been as well. However, she'd come to see that not everyone was cut out to be a ditto trainer. Not that she would judge them based on their training prowess, but even with the new abilities, so many trainers decided that ditto were weak and abandoned them.
Eventually, the crowd thinned out. Duplica decided to stay and help with clean up. She even put back on her costume and had her picture taken with the champion. As everyone cleared out, Duplica sat at the edge of the stage, relaxing her posture as the work day appeared over.
"Excuse me? Miss Duplica?"
Duplica looked up. Among the few people left in the stadium, a teenage boy had approached her. "Yes?" Duplica asked.
The boy balled his hands in fists before grinning and shouting, "You were so amazing up there! I can't believe the mastery I saw! Truly, you deserve the title of ditto champion!"
"Ah," Duplica said. She tried to stay humble, but honestly loved how he was fawning over her right then. "Well, it's not like it's a title. I think it's just something my company thought up today, since I was fighting a real champion and all."
"Well, it should be a title. And then, there would be no one to challenge you. You'd outshine all of the rest of the ditto trainers, a light in the sky would could admire yet not quite touch."
"Thanks," Duplica said. Her new fanboy was quite over the top, but amusing with his flattery.
"So, Miss Duplica, you must tell me, will you be putting on a show at the ditto conference?"
"Well, probably. They have to get there money's worth out of me," Duplica said.
"Excellent!" Duplica's new fanboy exclaimed, raising his fist up happily. "I know your regular shows aren't just battles. I've heard they're truly entertaining! I look forward to it!"
"Um, well, you know the rule about attending the conference, right?" Duplica asked awkwardly. She didn't want to prevent anyone that wanted to from being able to see her show, but she'd fought for that rule.
"Yes, yes, of course. I'm also a ditto trainer! I've come all the way from Kanto to be here," the boy explained.
"Oh?" Duplica said with some interest. "I'm from Kanto too."
"I know that, of course! I came to admire you while I was there. To think I could meet Miss Duplica in person today. I'm actually speaking with Miss Duplica myself, right now!"
"Well, sort of," Duplica said. "It's great to meet a fan, and a fellow ditto trainer at that. Did you want an autograph or something?"
"That would be wonderful!" Duplica's fan gushed, going into his bag, and then paused a moment. "Well, actually, there is something else. It might be too much for me to ask, but then again maybe a benevolent person like Miss Duplica would consider my request."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Well... You and I both traveled so far. And I really wanted to attend your lesson on ditto training. Can't you allow me in, Miss Duplica?"
"Well, as long as you're buying one of the special dittos, you get in the class," Duplica paused. "You're not buying one?"
"No!" The boy shook his head. "It would be wonderful to have another ditto, but the travel expenses were too much. Now they refuse me the opportunity to hear your wisdom."
Duplica sighed. The lessons were supposed to be for the trainers with the dittos with the special ability. Having them start the experience with reasonable expectations. Giving them some pointers for how to not just battle but appreciate their new pokemon. A lot would not be relevant to this guy without his own ditto with the special ability.
"Please, Miss Duplica. Consider it. Won't you?"
Duplica looked at the boy's wide, hopeful eyes, then grinned and looked away. There would be some of it that would be helpful to him as ditto trainer for sure. Maybe he wouldn't care about the parts that weren't. "I can't help it... Okay. I'll make sure you can come to my personal lesson," Duplica promised with a wink.
"Really? Oh, thank you!"
"No problem. What's your name anyway?"
"Haven't I said before? I'm Mondo," the boy introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you then, Mondo," Duplica said with a smile.
"Likewise! You can't even imagine the honor," Mondo gushed.
She'd worked hard to get here, Duplica considered as she entered the building where the ditto conference was being held. She considered she might be selling out before, but no, she'd done her best to find the greatest solution for everyone. Sure, things were great for her too, but they'd also be great for the ditto.
Much better than they were at Imite House, that was for sure. In order to prevent the ditto from being poached, Duplica had brought them all to her house of entertainment. Except she'd not had time to concentrate on her show, not with ditto everywhere. She couldn't train them all on her own, either. Taking care of them alone took up so much time, as well as drained her money. Finding good trainers for all of them was next to impossible!
That was when she'd made a deal with the devil, so to speak. She'd never thought she'd do it, but it hadn't really turned out to be that bad. The company that had caught the ditto nearby Imite House, just for the purposes of selling had approached her. Things weren't going so well for them either, even with plenty of ditto to sell. They couldn't tell the pokemon with the unique ability from the others, leading to unhappy customers. And even the ones that by chance did get a ditto with this ability were often unhappy with the purchase, not sure how to make the best use of a pokemon with ditto's vast potential.
People were going to want these special ditto anyway, Duplica reasoned. She knew how to pick out the ones with the special ability. She also was talented at battling with ditto, even if battling wasn't her ultimate goal, rather entertaining in the spotlight. She could pick out the ditto, set some rules for selling them, help make a program to train the new trainers so to speak, and get to stand in the spotlight the entire time, all while earning back the money spent taking care of all of those ditto. Things turned out nicely for everyone.
And now, here at this ditto conference, Duplica knew that all those present were already seasoned ditto trainers. That was something she'd thought was important, though the higher ups thought it was silly. No, Duplica had insisted. Those who already had and loved their ditto were much more likely to keep a new one than those that just thought the new ability would be a defeat-proof trick. Just look at herself, who had three. These trainers would know a lot about ditto training already, including that being able to copy the opponent wasn't a magical ticket to win every battle, even with this new ability. That would help prevent ditto from being traded to trainer after trainer, or worse, just being abandoned.
Despite the hesitance of the company to accept the rule, once they had they'd decided it was a brilliant idea. Exclusivity increased the want for the special ditto. Duplica took a while to chat with various trainers in attendance. Some had been training a ditto for years, others had been doing so for months in order to earn the right to be there. Almost all were purchasing one of the special ditto that day, if they didn't already have one. Someone like Mondo was an anomaly.
"Miss Duplica!"
Duplica heard the call from behind her, almost just as she'd thought of the guy. She turned around and saw him approaching her. "Hi Mondo! Are you enjoying the conference?"
Mondo caught his breath, apparently having just ran from across the room. "Y-Yes. I found the lecture this morning fascinating!"
"Good. My lesson starts before we distribute the ditto."
"Alright! Do you mind if I ask you some questions? I mean, if you have some free time?" Mondo asked.
"Yeah. I don't mind," Duplica agreed.
"Wonderful! Can you tell me about the special ditto?" Mondo asked.
"You mean you don't know?" Duplica asked in surprise.
"I know just a little," Mondo admitted.
"Alright, then I guess I'll have to tell you. The whole of Ditto Innovations is based on getting pokemon with this special ability, you know! We call them imposter ditto."
"Right, right, I've heard of that," Mondo said. "But are they really as powerful as they say? I like my ditto, but it can't last long in most battles."
"They are," Duplica said seriously. "Well, I'd say the power of the imposter ditto is dependant totally on the power of the pokemon it's copying. So you'd better have it transform into a good one."
"Normally, that's not the case?" Mondo inquired.
"No. Normally the power of a ditto is the same, no matter what it transforms into. My first ditto is pretty strong, only because it's high level. Still, it's the same strength no matter what it transforms into. But my new ditto with the ability, my lovely Dittank, that one is only has as much power as the pokemon it copies. It's entirely dependant on them."
"Amazing," Mondo gushed. "Are you sure it's true though?"
"Well, you saw the proof when I battled Champion Alder yesterday. Could any normal ditto last that long against it?"
"Isn't it just because of your own ability as a trainer, Miss Duplica?" Mondo asked.
"Not at all," Duplica promised. "I wouldn't let Ditto Innovations use my name for a scam, you know."
"Of course not!" Mondo gushed. "Can I see all the special ditto though? Please? I want to see if mine is really different from them."
"Is that right?" Duplica said. Those with a really discerning eye, like her, could tell from just looking which ditto were the imposter ditto. "Well, I guess we can take a peek. You can help take care of them if you want. I think it's just about time for their lunch."
"You'd really let me? Alright! Thank you, Miss Duplica! Let's go, now! I want to see all of the ditto!"
With him cheering like that, Duplica felt she had to hurry up. Besides, if she dawdled too long with him making a fuss like that, others may show up and want to see. Then they'd be crowding the ditto too much. Well, the others would get their own imposter ditto soon enough. Mondo wouldn't be able to do that, so giving him special treatment she felt was justified in a way.
Duplica and Mondo traveled down the hall. Duplica had a special pass, but didn't need to use it, since everyone already knew who she was. "This guy's going to help out a little, okay?" was all she said to the person outside the door before entering into the room reserved for the ditto.
"Duplica!" the guy hired as a ditto handler cried upon her entering. "Thank goodness you're here!"
Duplica smiled but stopped herself from laughing, seeing the ditto spread out over the floor, a few attaching themselves to the wall - or even the handler to avoid the crowds. "Alright, guys," Duplica began. "I know it's rough now, but some of you are going to your new homes before the end of the day. Then the rest of you will have a lot more space. Sound good?"
"Ditto," various pokemon whined. They all piled on top of each other to get attention from Duplica. "Alright, Mondo. I'll get the spray bottles and the pool, you help this guy with the food."
"The pool?" Mondo repeated. He followed the handler, partly because he was pushed by the various ditto in the room. About half followed Duplica, and the other half followed him.
Still observing the ditto, Mondo was handed a large paper bag. "No, don't!" the handler warned as he was about to open it. "We have to put it in the box." Mondo soon realized why he had been warned so carefully. As he and the handler poured the food into the large box in the middle of the room, the ditto jumped into bag. Luckily they were poured into the box themselves, before various other ditto jumped in to get some food.
Hearing a scraping sound, Mondo looked up and saw Duplica dragging a shallow pool nearby the feeding box. Ditto were already swimming inside it, then jumped from the pool to the feeding box, and vice-versa.
Duplica handed Mondo a spray bottle. "Ditto often like to find a damp place to take a nap. There's no place like that on the road for so many of them, so we give them a nice spray when they're done eating."
"I see. How thoughtful of you, Miss Duplica!" Mondo exclaimed. He recalled his own ditto liked to hang out in the showers. It often caused a ruckus while doing so, especially if it had chosen the women's showers which Mondo couldn't immediately run into himself. Now those actions made a little more sense.
"How did you ever manage all of this yourself?" the handler asked, rubbing his eyes as he sprayed various ditto. "I couldn't get any of this done without your help!"
"Well, you've got it, so don't worry about it now," Duplica said.
"Did you used to take care of the ditto on your own?" Mondo asked.
"They used to live at my house before I let Ditto Innovations have them. Caring for them the right away was one of my conditions."
Mondo nodded, helping spray each ditto. Once they were done, the ditto seemed very content, each finding a place near the edge of room or under furniture to sleep. Duplica prodded one off a chair and sat down, wanting to take a quick breather before her performance.
Mondo sat next to her. "So, Miss Duplica, tell me, are these all the special ditto - the imposter ditto?" he asked.
"Yes, since those are the ones that most people are interested in buying, those are the only kind we brought along," Duplica explained.
"I see. But I can't tell, how are they different from regular ditto?" Mondo asked.
"Well," Duplica began, standing up. "Not many people can tell! Maybe you can, since you also train a ditto. Have you had it long?"
"It was the first pokemon assigned to me when I started my job. I hadn't had others before," Mondo said.
Duplica grinned. People tended to value their first pokemon the most. That plus the fact that Mondo was here in the first place led her to believe he was a dedicated ditto trainer. "Well, ditto was my first pokemon too. This was way before the imposter ditto started showing up. It's just a regular ditto. Let's see if you can notice the difference. Go, Ditto!"
Duplica threw the pokeball for her first ditto friend out. As it appeared, another came out to greet it. "Ditto?" the two pokemon said to each other curiously.
"See how my ditto is kind of like a deflated balloon with a little creature inside and the others are all like blobs of clay?" Duplica said.
Mondo was silent, carefully observing Duplica's pokemon as well as the various ditto around him. His brow furrowed and his mouth opened, looking from one to the other. Eventually, he spoke up. "They all look exactly the same to me!" he admitted.
Duplica sighed. "I guess it can't be helped. If you spent as much time around the ditto as me, then you'd figure it out, I bet."
"You really care for the ditto, don't you?" Mondo asked.
Duplica nodded. "My goal is to be an entertainer... But I can't let my pals down." She paused. She should remember that goal, and not be so selfish just because this whole thing was allowing her to get better known as an performer. "I'm going to find a place for all of them," Duplica declared. She paused, thinking of how difficult it had been to find trainers for the ditto before. And that was when she was giving the pokemon away.
Why couldn't she give one away now? Mondo seemed to be a trainer that knew how to care for ditto. Besides, they had more than they could handle. Maybe it was the company's goal to make money, but Duplica wanted to help her pokemon friends. "Hey, Mondo, did you want another ditto?" she asked.
"I've been thinking about how wonderful it would be just recently," Mondo said.
"Well, maybe I can work something out. For a discount... Or less," Duplica suggested.
"Would you really?" Mondo said, clenching his fists in excitement as his eyes lit up.
"Well, um, don't get your hopes up too much," Duplica began, feeling guilty having said something before she could promise it. "I mean, I think you would be a good choice to train one, but I don't get my way all the time."
"To think Miss Duplica would have such regard for me. I have no doubts at all that I'll get my chance!" Mondo said.
Duplica giggled. Well, she'd warned him. "Like I said, even if it's a good idea, I can't guarantee it," she said again.
"No, no, I'm positive everything will work out. You will find homes for all these ditto, Miss Duplica," Mondo assured.
Who couldn't like such an optimistic person, Duplica thought to herself as she carefully stepped around all the ditto toward the door. "Well, I'd better go get ready."
"Wait!" Mondo called. "If I might get my own, I should learn the difference between the special ditto and a regular ditto in battle. My tauros practices against my ditto all the time."
"Hey," Duplica began, turning around. "Mondo, don't-"
Before she could stop him, Mondo had already thrown out the pokeball, releasing Tauros into the middle of the room. Right away, various ditto opened their eyes, each popping into the shape of the newcomer pokemon. "What is this?" Mondo asked as he saw the tauros appearing around him.
"Send it back!" Duplica said as there began to be less and less space in the room from the increased size of the ditto imitating the tauros.
Mondo returned his pokemon, but more and more ditto kept transforming as they saw the pokemon around them. "Everyone, please, I don't think I could battle all of you," Mondo said apologetically.
"It's not that," Duplica began. "Imposter ditto can't help but jump the gun with their transformation a lot of the time," she explained as she was pressed against the wall, unable to reach the door or the place the pokeballs were kept. "Hey, you know we have to return them all to their pokeballs now, right?" she said to the handler.
"I know, I know," the handler said, tears in his eyes as he took pokeball after pokeball from the safe, returning one at a time. "I can't do it fast enough!" he whined.
Duplica crawled over the tauros-shaped ditto to help him. Mondo eventually made it over too. The three of them returned pokemon after pokemon as quickly as they could. They sat exhausted as it was over, leaning against the wall as most of the furniture in the room was either displaced or destroyed. "Well, thanks," Duplica said to no one in particular in her moment of rest.
"I'm really sorry-" Mondo began.
"It's fine," Duplica said, getting back her energy as she pushed herself to her feet. "I've got to start my performance in just an hour or so. Let's go!"
"I really wish I could see it," Mondo said.
"It starts right before my lesson, you know. In fact, it's the opening act, you could say." Duplica said.
"How kind of you to invite me, Miss Duplica. Really, I've already learned so much," Mondo said with a smile. As they walked down the hall, Duplica happily smiled back.
Duplica stood on the side of the stage, looking out at her audience before the lights had dimmed. She was dressed up as a ditto, and Ditto would try to imitate her. That would be something funny to start with. Duplica really had missed these kind of fun shows. Planning them and performing them used to take up a lot of her time, not that it was bad to be involved in various activities. What she was doing right now also helped others.
Duplica peeked out again into the audience, enraptured with the talk of how the imposter ditto had been discovered, though they'd all likely heard the story before. They were all happy to get one, Duplica realized. Her gaze fell on Mondo, who looked even more excited than the rest of them, his fists clenched with a wide smile on his face as he looked at the stage and then all around the room. He would probably be just as enthusiastic without the possibility of getting his own, Duplica considered. What a fun guy.
Duplica shifted her attention and stared out onto the stage. She half-listened to the story and half thought of her plans for her performance. As the time grew closer to it, Duplica opened her bag, so that she could release ditto to get ready too. Searching for the right pokeball, Duplica heard a large thud. After that, the light shut off, and she could see nothing.
"Just a few moments, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer said, raising his voice since the electricity had cut completely off, also rendering the microphone useless.
Duplica threw aside her ditto costume, fumbling through the dark and onto the stage. "What's going on?" she asked.
"We're not sure... This is really inconvenient, isn't it?" the president of Ditto Innovations said with a sigh.
"That's for sure. Should I help?"
"No, stay here. Maybe it's just a temporary problem. You should be ready to get on stage."
"Alright," Duplica agreed tentatively. She moved to the side. Eventually, all the doors to the room were opened, and daylight leaked in from the windows in the outside hall. The future imposter ditto trainers murmured among each other. Duplica could see they were getting impatient. Duplica folded her arms, pretty impatient herself. Well, before then, she'd been thinking of getting Ditto ready. Now that she could see again, Duplica opened her bag, looking for the needed pokeball.
It wasn't there. Duplica rummaged around, eventually pouring out her bag. Out came her various costume supplies, make-up, props, and Mini-Dit's pokeball. She couldn't see Ditto's pokeball at all, or even Dittank's. Panicking, Duplica reached into the pockets of her bag, still not finding her two missing pokemon.
"They're gone!" the handler exclaimed on the stage, as if reading Duplica's mind. Duplica looked up at him sharply. He was crying as he spoke to the president. "Every last ditto is gone. I just left when the power went off, and now..."
"Did the ditto leave too?" Duplica asked, jumping into the discussion.
"No. I left them in their pokeballs after that incident."
"So all the pokeballs are gone?" Duplica said. As the man nodded, she realized what was happening. Her ditto were gone, as were the ditto the company was going to sell. This wasn't just an accident. Someone had stolen them. Who would have been close enough to her to do so, as well as known where the ditto were being kept?
Duplica's eyes fell to where Mondo had been sitting. Of course, he wasn't there. Duplica grabbed her last remaining pokeball, then hurried into the hall.
She couldn't know exactly where he had gone, but logic would dictate he was on his way out. Duplica ran as fast as she could through the various halls of the convention hall and toward the main entrance. She looked down from the balcony into the room with the exit. It was absent of staff, apparently dealing with the power outage. However, Duplica saw one familiar figure. Mondo walked to the outside doors with a large backpack on.
"Wait!" Duplica shouted as she ran toward the stairs.
"Where is it?" Mondo asked himself as Duplica descended. "Ah! There it is!" he said cheerfully, grabbing something from his backpack and throwing it toward Duplica's face.
Duplica put up her hands, but the item just landed in front of her, releasing a large amount of smoke. Duplica waved her hands as she tried to get through it and to the thief. Once she did, the smoke started to clear, and all Duplica could see was the large, empty main hall. She charged through the doors and into the outside, but there was still nothing, no one around.
Duplica let out a shout of frustration, her face contorting in pain. She'd been duped.