The city was large with tall cities, perhaps taller than Saffron's even, and most of them had bright streams hanging down or across to other buildings. The street was crowded with excited trainers but most impressive was the pokemon. There was a Nidoran balancing another one with just their noses touching, a team of Machop had formed a wheel and rolled around, a Kanga jumped around doing forward and backwards flips, and many other fine acts. Above the street, Spearow darted about in formation and many Pidgey played a ball game in the sky.
"Brock," Misty said as she looked around, "These acts are wonderful but where is their trainer? I mean, they didn't learn to do these things by themselves, did they?"
Brock thumbed through the book, "It says that the Sakura Finals brings trainers from all over the Kanto region and that it's a festival. It doesn't say anything about the trainers, though."
"The trainers are elsewhere in the city," a voice answered from the crowd. Brock turned to see a young man, a head taller than Brock and very full framed, in black sweats and a grey vest. The man nodded, "Trainers from all over the Kanto region let their pokemon roam here. There are no wild pokemon for miles and everyone here is a trainer so pokemon stealing is harshly punished. Have you heard of the Indigo League?"
"Yeah," Ash answered, "My name is Ash Ketchum and I was a finalist there a few years ago. I'm going to be a pokemon master. And this is Pikachu."
"I'm Misty and I want to be the best water pokemon trainer in the world."
"My name is Brock and I'm a pokemon breeder."
The man nodded, "Sounds like you're into pokemon. Many call me Ruz, glad to meet you. Some of the finalists will have demonstrations later this afternoon at the Bubbling Squirtle, can you come?"
"You mean like those?" Ash asked, pointing to a wandering Machamp juggling a Growlithe, a Vulpix, and a Jigglypuff.
"Naw," Ruz grinned, "Those are just street performers, the battling pokemon are really amazing."
"We'd love to, right guys?" Misty chirped. Ash and Brock nodded as Ruz waved good-bye and disappeared into the crowd.
"Did you notice anything strange about him?" Brock asked a few moments later.
Ash shook his head and Misty piped up, "Like what?"
"I wasn't sure but I thought he was glowing," Brock answered, "Must just be me. Hey, that grill smells delicious, lets go."
"Look at the twerps," Meowth growled from a nearby rooftop, "Going to that Charmeleon Grill. That should be us there."
"Let them eat their fill," Jesse answered, "because they don't suspect that today is the day we snatch that Pikachu."
"Yes, just imagine the luscious treats we'll buy then," James squealed, "So what's the plan?"
"Use your Wheezing to create a smokescreen," Jesse explained, "I'll get Pikachu in this electric proof box and Meowth will fly us away."
"Forget your endeavors today and be happy in the life you have." Team Rocket turned and saw a figure in a green cloak. It bowed to them and ran to the edge of the building top. It turned, "You aren't powerful enough to stay in this game, bow out know." It jumped over the edge and Team Rocket rushed to look over the edge.
"Its gone," Meowth gasp as he looked down four stories at the street below and no scrap of green in sight.
"Was it a ghost?" James chattered.
"Don't be silly," Jesse explained calmly, "there is a simple explanation for that." Meowth and James leaned forward to hear the answer. "Well, um, this roof is haunted. Lets get out of here."
