The stadium buzzed with activity did not compare to the bustle downstairs in the waiting room. Nurse joy scurried to and fro in the pokecenter section. Her hat nearly tipping off as she attended to all types, no Pokemon left in less than pristine conduction.
Groups of people spaced themselves in the lounge. Most trainers flexed, showing off their best Pokemon. Others chatted with acquaintances, friends, and rivals. While a few devoted time to making berry treats and giving pep talks of encouragement to their Pokemon team mates.
Ava quietly stood in the center of the room arms folded across her chest with the group watching the overhead screen displaying the first match. She looked to spot Madam Rayel in the stands. No such luck, the hundreds of different faces made sighting her mentor on screen impossible.
Matt from violet city took his spot. There was a roar overhead. She wasn't sure what to think, overalls? Those still existed? And that Mohawk, it was clear Matt was trying to come across as tough, in her mind he stood as more of a poser.
The crowd had been loud but it was nothing compared to now when Matt's opponent stepped into the spotlight. The noise no longer confined to upstairs filled the entire room causing many Pokemon to seek reassurance that the building wasn't collapsing.
Drake from Goldenrod flashed on the screen. Goldenrod huh, everyone loves a hometown hero. She thought, poor Matt, he must have felt the crowd shift too because he felt the need to boast about his teacher.
"Drake's so cool isn't he?" Awed a slightly taller girl to her right. Her hair in pigtails wearing a cowgirl getup. Pink western hat included.
Ava took in his appearance, nothing materially impressive stood out, but the confidence he wore so openly was commendable. "If by cool you mean confident," she remarked
"Are you blind?" The blonde girl quipped "Look at him. Mmmm yummy."
Either the girl was trying to make a friend by connecting or had boys on the brain all the time. The first Ava could sympathize with. The second, caused her to be less sympathetic more irritated.
"He could use a hair brush." Was all Ava choose to comment on the matter. Her mother would have skewered her if she went for the shabby yet stylish look.
That was an understatement her mother would have skewered her if a single strand of her long black hair ostracized itself from the rest. "Impressions are everything" words her mother probably chanted to her as a baby instead of the usual lullaby. Ava now kept her hair in a ponytail. Less hassle.
The blonde girl gave her a look before walking off to find some one else to fan girl with. "For her sake" Ava thought "I hope she doesn't battle him, what an embarrassment that would be on live TV."
With Miss Cowgirl gone she could now focus all her attention back on the match. Totodile vs Pidgey. Three consecutive attacks from Pidgey, and Totodile suffering without much of an order from its trainer. Was Drake incompetent? No surely not, he had to know what he was doing to only enter with one Pokemon. Ah there it is. Rage. But to do such a move and to take so much damage in the beginning match with two more Pokemon to contend with. Very Risky.
Ava watched as he downed the next two Pokemon easily. Biting her lower lip, not appreciating how quickly the match had ended.
"This guy doesn't battle like a beginner, he battles like a pro."I wonder where he learned." She pondered as she turned around heading toward a seat to meditate. "Doesn't matter" she chastised, "if he thinks this tournament will be a cake walk, he's in for a rude awakening."