IX.

The next morning, Theo woke just before dawn. His three Pokemon were asleep, but Vulcan woke as Theo sat up.

"Hi buddy," Theo whispered. "Thanks for your help last night."

Vulcan yawned, but his lips curled into a little smile. He rubbed his purple, glossy head against Theo's bare chest.

"Do you want to do devotions this morning?" Theo asked. "It's a little weird, but we should take it seriously, out of respect." Vulcan nodded. Theo thought how lucky he was. He knew of people whose first Pokemon had disobeyed their trainers, sensing their lack of experience, but all three of his were willing to work with him.

Theo and Vulcan were first in the courtyard. He washed his hands ritually in the fountain and took his place while the other sages assembled around him. Jin nodded at him approvingly before beginning the devotion. The sages and their Pokemon hummed, heads thrown back. Vulcan tried to join them, but his voice was baby-like and quavering.

"Music's not your strong suit, huh?" Theo whispered to Vulcan when the devotion was over. He went to recall the Cyndaquil, but Vulcan shook his head and followed the line of sages to the water's edge. He watched as the Bellsprout took root by the water. Vulcan glanced up at Theo, pulled in one steadying breath, and then resolutely followed the Grass Pokemon. He put his front paws in the water, letting out one single whimper as his feet hit the river, but then he stood like steel for the second part of the devotion.

If his Fire Pokemon could handle the water, Theo could too. He stripped and slid in again, trying to imitate the sages' effortlessness. In the middle of the river, he tried to find stillness in the current. This, he thought, was a crucial part of being a great trainer: maintaining calm despite the chaos around him. The morning was colder than the day before. The river was still uncomfortable. But, as he had promised himself, he had done better than the day before.

"Battling begins later, after noon," Jin told him. "Would the young master like to see the gardens?"

"Sure," Theo said, shelving his disappointment. He wanted to battle now.

"Sage Troy will take you," Jin said, gesturing toward another bald man.

Troy led Theo to the back of the Tower, where a vast clearing was broken into several plots. It was spring, so nothing was planted. Several sages walked the dirt with their Bellsprout beside them. They were making strange noises, but Theo wasn't sure if it was the Pokemon or the men.

"It is too early to plant," Troy said. "But our Bellsprout help us prepare for the coming season. Here, I will show you." Theo and Vulcan followed Troy and his Bellsprout to the far end of the clearing. Troy's Bellsprout looked elderly, taller but bent and withered the way an old plant might become. When its root-like feet hit the soil, however, it seemed to gain energy, and suddenly it was moving rapidly. At the end of the field, the Bellsprout stopped and looked to Troy.

"Ingrain," Troy said. The Bellsprout planted its feet into the soil and stood straight up, stretching to its full length and flaring its leaf-like arms outward.

"Bellsprout do not normally learn this move," Troy said. "We breed ours here in the Tower with this specific skill." He cleared his throat. "Now, Growth."

The Bellsprout's coloring grew more vivid, as if it were pulling strength from the nature around it.

"But what is it doing?" Theo asked.

"It is returning nutrients to the soil," Troy said. "We humans deplete much when we grow our foods. The Bellsprout help to restore what was lost, so that we can grow more. In this way, they are partners to us, and we are both partners to the world."

The Bellsprout was humming louder now. Theo watched, amazed, as it appeared to grow taller. Across the field, the other sages were doing the same, their Bellsprout all rooted to the soil.

"They lose their roots when they become Weepinbell," Troy said. "This is why our Bellsprout do not evolve. If they did, we would not be able to tend the fields as well as we do."

"This must take a long time," Theo said, staring out over the vast garden.

"It does," Troy said. "But the effort is worth it. We are able to feed many in Violet City this way."

"You grow the food for the city?"

"Not all of it," Troy said. "But much."

There was not much for Theo to do without a Bellsprout of his own, but he watched for hours as the Bellsprout moved across the field, turning the soil over and restoring its nutrients. In his heart he felt a new, profound gratitude toward these strange plant creatures.

When they returned for lunch, Jin approached him.

"The young master may proceed to the basement for training, if he wishes," the sage said. "Sage Nico will be down there." Theo did not hesitate. Thanking the lead sage, he went immediately to the Tower's lowest floor.

Nico was standing on a large square battlefield. It rested atop a dirt floor, with the stem of the Tower in its center. Around the field were wooden benches where a handful of sages sat, ready to spectate.

"We welcome you to the battlefield, young master," Nico said. While Theo could not say Nico sounded excited, this was the most emotion he had heard in any of the sages. "Shall we begin?"

"Yes, please," Theo said eagerly.

"I would ask that we begin with your Cyndaquil," Nico said. "He has a type advantage. We would give you whatever edge possible, so you will not be discouraged." He smiled playfully.

Theo laughed. Was Nico mocking him? That was the closest thing to humor he had heard since he had entered the Tower.

"Go, Trawa," Nico said, and his Bellsprout emerged from its Pokeball.

"Come on out, Vulcan," he said, and released his Cyndaquil. "Is it all right to use Fire attacks down here?"

"We have extinguishers, young master," Nico said. "We are not total fools."

"All right then, if you say so," Theo said. "Ember!"

Vulcan launched forward and sprayed a little fireball at the Bellsprout. It should have been a direct hit, but the Bellsprout bent its pliable stem and avoided it.

"Growth," Nico said calmly. The Bellsprout tilted its head back. Just like the Bellsprout in the garden, its coloring grew richer: the green of its leaves deepened, while its yellow head grew more vibrant.

"Now, attack with your leaves," Nico said, and the Bellsprout launched at Vulcan, slashing its leaves like blades. Vulcan shrieked at the first contact. It shouldn't have hurt him much, given that he was a Fire Pokemon, but the Bellsprout was relentless, landing blow after blow.

"Duck under it!" Theo shouted, but Vulcan couldn't move fast enough. He cried out as his opponent slashed at him again. He simply ducked his head and took the attacks on his back.

"Retreat, Trawa," Nico said, and the Bellsprout moved back. "You have the right instinct, Master Theo." He gestured to Vulcan, who crawled toward him. "Find calm as you did at the river. Do not give in to pain. Listen to your master, and try to dodge." Nico raised his eyebrows, and Vulcan nodded at him. "Shall we go again?"

They returned to opposite sides of the battlefield and resumed. Trawa slashed its leaves like swords. It landed the initial blows, and Vulcan cried out.

"Stay calm," Theo said, and he heard Vulcan take a deep breath. This time, Trawa slashed low, as if anticipating that Vulcan would duck, but instead the Cyndaquil jumped, clearing the Bellsprout's head and dodging its attack.

"Good," Nico said. Trawa kept slashing, but now Vulcan dove underneath. They kept at it that way, Vulcan leaping and ducking. An occasional blow landed, but Vulcan was moving too quickly for the Bellsprout to make much contact.

"Excellent!" Nico called. "Now try a counter attack."

"Quick attack," Theo said. Vulcan bent his head and dove at the Bellsprout, but it bent and dodged him.

"Smokescreen!" Theo called. Vulcan released a thick cloud of smoke, and both Pokemon were lost in it.

"Ah, crafty. Be on guard, Trawa!" Nico shouted from behind the cloud.

Theo waited. He knew the smoke would dissipate in a moment. He had to use it while he had the upper hand.

"Now, Ember!" he said. Inside the cloud, a fireball roared to life. He heard the Bellsprout cry out. Vulcan dove out of the cloud and spun.

"Quick attack, now!" Theo said, trying to press his advantage. The smoke cleared just enough that Vulcan could see the Bellsprout. This time the attack landed, and the Grass Pokemon flew, smashing to the ground before its trainer.

"Well done, well done," Nico said. "You learned that quickly." From beneath his robe, he pulled out two Potions and gave one to each Pokemon. Once they were refreshed, Nico looked at Theo.

"Shall we keep practicing?"

"Let's do it," Theo said, and the two Pokemon resumed. Trawa used its slashing attacks, and Vulcan practiced dodging. Not only was he ducking and jumping, but at Theo's direction, he was now spinning in the air and landing in unexpected places. Moving so unpredictably, he was able to land attacks from the side and from behind. Theo directed him at first, but the Cyndaquil had a knack for this style of battling. After a little while, he was able to decide for himself, landing hits without anything but encouragement from Theo.

"The young master's Pokemon has the hang of it. Let's try this at range, now," Nico said. "Vine Whip!"

This time, the Bellsprout did not attack with its leaves. Instead, it shot a vine at Vulcan like a rope, striking him with a loud crack. Vulcan yelped, but he steadied himself quickly.

Maybe those devotions do work, after all, Theo thought. Vulcan was hurting, but he had learned to maintain control.

The Cyndaquil seemed eager to prove himself. Trawa swung vines at him across the field. Vulcan was tired, but he continued to avoid them, leaping around them as if they were jump ropes. He used the pillar to his advantage, hiding behind it to avoid a strike, then rapidly climbing it and leaping to attack from above.

"Wrap," Nico said. As the Cyndaquil made contact, Trawa wrapped its entire stem around Vulcan, holding him in place with a squeeze.

"That's different," Theo muttered. Vulcan whimpered in pain, unable to break free, but Theo saw that his mouth was level with the Bellsprout's head.

"Stay calm, Vulcan," Theo said, keeping his tone level. He did not want his Pokemon to panic. "Now, light the fire on your back."

Vulcan growled and released his plume of flame. Trawa flinched at the attack, slipping its grip just enough that Vulcan could break free.

"Quick thinking," Nico said.

"Finish it," Theo said. Vulcan shot one more Ember, and Trawa fell. Vulcan stood on the wooden floor, panting.

The sages who were watching clapped. One even let out a small cheer. Theo waved theatrically to them, and they laughed.

They're allowed to have a little fun here, I guess, Theo thought.

"Return, Trawa," Nico said. He nodded at Theo. "Well done, Master Theo, and you, Master Vulcan."

"Thank you, Nico," Theo said. He bent down to his Pokemon. "Nice work, Vulcan." He stroked the Cyndaquil's back as Vulcan nuzzled his ankle.

"The young master already knows the most important lesson," Nico said.

"What's that?"

Nico smiled. "To love. In victory or in defeat, to love."

Not a hard lesson, Theo thought, embracing his Cyndaquil.

"Can we keep going?" Theo asked eagerly. "I have more Pokemon who can train."

Nico laughed. "Alas, young master, I have only one. Give my Trawa a break. We can try again tomorrow." Nico eyed him sideways. "Do not expect it to be so easy without a type advantage."

X.

Mags was wrapped in vines, held in place by Nico's Bellsprout. If the Steel Pokemon had a match, it had met it here. While Trawa's slashing leaves and vines did little damage to Mags, Mags' electric shocks returned just as little, and it could hardly get close enough to Tackle before the vines ensnared it.

"Steady," Theo said. "Don't panic." Theo kept his tone calm, but he himself was panicking. This was the first time Mags had met a challenge. It had drawn him to a stalemate.

The Bellsprout lifted Mags with its vines and slammed the Steel type to the ground. Mags shrieked, a strangely electronic cry of pain. The Bellsprout repeated the maneuver, but Mags was unable to break free.

Theo lifted his Pokeball, prepared to call Mags back in defeat, but Nico held up a hand.

"Not yet," he said. "Think creatively. There is a way to get out of this."

But what? Trawa slammed Mags to the ground again. Theo could see nothing, not when those vines bound his Pokemon like cables.

That might work.

"Mags, Thunder Shock through the vines!" Theo said. Rather than target the Bellsprout directly, Mags sent electricity through the vines that bound him. The current traveled down the branches and zapped the Bellsprout's entire body. It did not do much damage, but it was enough to make Trawa flinch and release. Mags was free.

"Now Tackle, quick!" Mags did not hesitate, hurling its steely body directly at Trawa. The Bellsprout was still off its guard and did not have time to bend away from the attack. It went flying back to Nico.

"There it is," Nico said, smiling at Theo. "The young master has a brain, after all."

They recalled their Pokemon. Theo had been training here every day for over a week, and he had begun to value what Sprout Tower offered. The contrast between the calm of morning devotions and the increasing intensity of his battles with Nico was striking, but somehow one benefitted the other. Theo was learning to carry calm into battle, not getting flustered by sudden changes in condition or unexpected maneuvers. So were his Pokemon. Vulcan had mastered dodging and leaping, learning to best the Bellsprout easily even without a Fire move. Nico responded with more advanced tactics, but Vulcan adapted.

Once, Nico commanded Sleep Powder, and the Cyndaquil, who moments before had been alive with energy, was out cold on the battlefield floor. Theo had learned that all he could do was wait. He stayed still while Trawa beat at the sleeping Pokemon with leaves and vines, trying to get in as much damage as he could before Vulcan awoke. When the Cyndaquil finally did wake, the fire on his back roared to life, and he attacked with an Ember more ferocious than Theo had ever seen.

"Blaze," Nico said after the battle. They were sipping tea in the Tower's modest kitchen. "Your Cyndaquil's ability. When his energy is low, his Fire attacks grow in strength."

"That's good to know," Theo said.

"Young master, you intend to challenge the Gym, yes?" Nico said.

"In a couple weeks."

"Your Cyndaquil is formidable, as is your Magnemite. That one in particular will be strong against the Flying Gym," Nico said. "But your battle will be three against three. I wonder why you have not pitted your last Pokemon against me."

Theo reddened. He had thought of using Allegra, but he imagined her enduring whips and slashes, wailing and unable to do anything but use random moves.

"My Togepi only knows one attack, Metronome," Theo said. "I don't know what good training will do for her."

"Ah, Metronome. The fickle friend," Nico laughed. "But one does not train merely to attack. One trains to learn to respond. I cannot imagine that your Togepi will only know one move forever. She is not a Magikarp, after all. She may pick up something useful here."

The next day, Theo released Allegra.

"I'm going to have you try," he said, kneeling down to face her. "It might hurt, but we need to practice, okay?"

"Pree-pree," Allegra chirped. She tried to look confident, but Theo could see nervousness in her eyes.

"It's going to be okay," he said. Across from him, Nico was already waiting with Trawa.

"Go ahead," Theo said, nudging Allegra forward. She toddled toward the Bellsprout.

"Vine Whip," Nico said, and Trawa lashed out. The vine struck Allegra on the head like a heavy rope, and she cried out in pain. She did not have Vulcan's dexterity, and her legs could not move fast enough. She took blow after blow to the head, yelping at each one but unable to get away.

"Master Theo, remember to use your advantages," Nico said.

"What are my advantages here?" Theo asked. Allegra couldn't pause for a moment to try a Metronome.

"Your Pokemon is round, like an egg," Nico said. "How would you move an egg across a wooden floor?" He gestured down at the battlefield.

"Allegra," Theo said. "Try to roll away!" She looked at him with a wild expression in her eyes, but she leapt forward, chirping. As she hit the floor, she pulled her arms and legs into her shell and landed on her stomach. The vines kept coming, but she rotated her whole body and rolled away from them.

"Good," Nico said. "Now faster, Trawa!" The Bellsprout whipped its vines faster and harder.

"Keep moving!" Theo said. Allegra rolled faster, the vines just missing her as she rolled across the floor. She was screaming. Theo hoped it was with exhilaration, not fear. Trawa continued its assault, but Allegra was too quick, rolling in circles around her opponent. Finally, Trawa retracted its vines, panting.

"Now, Metronome!" Theo said. Allegra stood up, waved her arms in Trawa's direction, and waited. A spout of water engulfed Allegra, and she lunged forward at the Bellsprout, who took the attack with a bemused expression on its face.

"I think that was an Aqua Jet," Nico said, chuckling. "Not the best move against a Grass Pokemon, but the shock value is undeniable."

They kept practicing Allegra's roll. As she tired, it grew easier for Trawa to make contact, but once the impact of the initial bout had faded, Allegra took the hits more readily. Her Metronome attempts yielded almost nothing, however: she hurled useless rocks or lunged at the Bellsprout with poisonous fangs. She grew so frustrated that instead of rolling away, she rolled directly into her opponent, almost like a high velocity Tackle that flattened her plant opponent. Theo cheered, and Allegra rolled to him, chirping for a hug.

"That works," Nico said when they were done. "Damage is damage."

Theo was exhilarated that night at dinner. He was really doing it. All three of his Pokemon were taking on a seasoned trainer, and two of them were succeeding. The third, at least, could roll out of the way.

That night, he joined the sages in the evening devotion. They bent forward with their Pokemon, pulling their arms together and closing themselves in, as a flower does in the evening. All three of Theo's Pokemon sat before him, quietly engaging in the ritual. He might not be a sage when he finally left this Tower, but Theo was finding it valuable to begin and end each day seeking peace.

He was preparing for bed when there was a gentle knock at his door.

"Master Theo," Jin said, poking his head into the room. "I wanted you to know, we have another traveler staying with us this evening. He will be in the room beside you."

Theo stood and went to the door. Jin pulled it open. There, wearing the Tower's customary black robe and sandals, was an auburn-haired young man around Theo's age.

"Oh no," Theo said.

"You!" Luca said.

XI.

At the fountain the next morning, Theo stood at the opposite end of the line of sages from Luca. He tried to seek the morning's peace, but his head was all turmoil. This was the thief who had stolen a Pokemon from Professor Elm. Should he try to call the police? Should he tell the other sages? He had tried to tell Jin the night before, but the sage had only nodded.

"Did Master Theo enter the Tower with an unblemished history?" Jin had asked placidly.

"What?"

"I mean, have you never done anything wrong?"

"Well, no, of course I have," Theo said. "But this is different. I've never stolen…"

"Master Luca has done nothing to offend our order yet," Jin said. "Until he does, we shall welcome him."

Jin led the sages in humming. All three of Theo's Pokemon joined in. Luca's Totodile, crouched before his trainer, sounded a croaky note. But then Theo heard Luca snicker. It lasted only a moment, but the sound was unmistakable. The Totodile went silent. When the devotion was over, Theo locked eyes with Jin, but the sage betrayed nothing on his face.

At the river, the Totodile tried to line up beside Theo's three Pokemon.

"Kraken," Luca said sharply. "Over there." He gestured to the other end of the line. The Totodile looked sadly at Theo's Pokemon and moved away.

Luca stared at them all as they entered the water. He waited, his arms across his chest, but he made no motion to join them. Theo tried again to grasp a sense of calm, but he felt uneasy with the young man watching them, hostility all over his face. Finally, Luca rolled his eyes, recalled his Totodile, and walked back to the Tower without them.

"I want to battle," Luca said to Jin when the sages returned from the river.

"We do not allow battles on the first day," Jin said. "The young master may join in other activities until tomorrow."

Luca sniffed and walked away.

"I told you," Theo murmured.

"We will allow him time," Jin said. His tone was still calm, but Theo sensed an edge to it.

Theo engaged in one more session of battling, but this time, it was against Jin. Rather than fight a Bellsprout, Jin sent out his HootHoot.

"It will benefit the young master to fight a Flying type, given his upcoming battle," Jin said.

"Go, Mags!" Theo said, flinging his Pokeball. The Magnemite stared down its opponent.

"Hypnosis," Jin said.

"Close your eye and use Metal Sound," Theo said.

The metallic shrieking outmatched the Hypnosis, and with Mags' eye closed, the sleeping spell had no effect.

"Smart," Jin murmured. "Peck its eye!"

The HootHoot lunged for Mags.

"Thunder Shock!"

It was a direct hit, and the HootHoot crumpled.

"Too easy," Jin said. "The young master will have a formidable weapon against the Gym."

Theo smiled. He was starting to believe that it was true, that he could really do it. When he climbed the stairs from the basement, Luca was waiting at the top, glaring at him.

XII.

The next day, Theo sat on a wooden bench outside the battlefield with the spectator sages. Rather than fight Nico, he watched as Luca took him on.

Luca released Kraken the Totodile. The blue Pokemon stared down Trawa the Bellsprout.

"Rage," Luca said. Kraken's skin seemed to ripple, and he flared out his teeth. Then he lunged at Trawa, striking the plant with his claws.

"Poison Powder," Nico said, and the Bellsprout released a cloud of purple dust. Kraken gasped and shuddered.

"Shake it off, and use Rage again," Luca said. Kraken swiped again, and this time the blow was stronger. But then he gasped again and made a choking sound.

"The poison is taking its course," Nico said. "Vine Whip."

Theo watched as Trawa released its whip. Kraken was shuddering from the poison, and he didn't attempt to dodge. Theo couldn't help himself.

"Watch out!" he shouted.

"Mind your own business!" Luca yelled back. Kraken, meanwhile, took a vine to the head with a crack so loud that Theo winced. The Totodile cried out, turned, and ran back to Luca.

"I've told you a thousand times," Luca said. "You do not leave a battle until I tell you to." He kicked the Totodile back into battle, and the Pokemon cried even louder than it had when Trawa attacked.

"Trawa, back," Nico said.

"What are you doing?" Luca said hotly. "The battle isn't over!"

"The battle is over," Nico said, and this time Theo heard a definite note of anger. "We do not abuse Pokemon in this Tower."

"I'm making him fight. I'm making him tough."

"The young master does not understand that his friend has limits."

"He's not my friend, he's my Pokemon," Luca said, his voice rising.

"The battle is over, young master," Nico said.

"Oh, you need more time to get naked and swim in the river?" Luca said, sneering. He recalled his Totodile. "I need stronger Pokemon."

"The young master needs to treat the Pokemon he has with more care," Nico said.

"Whatever," Luca sneered. "I'm going to the Pokemon Center." He swept up the stairs.

He did not return the whole day. Theo helped prepare dinner, ate, and cleaned up with the sages. They were outwardly calm, but Theo sensed that they were all anticipating Luca's return. As he sat up sipping tea with Nico and Jin, he wondered what they would do with Luca if he returned.

"Master Theo, you should go to the Gym tomorrow evening and watch the battle," Nico said. "You have learned much here, but you will see the leader's style more clearly."

"What is the leader like?" Theo asked.

"Falkner? He is young," Jin said. "Brash. Talented, but inexperienced."

"Like Luca," Theo said.

"Not quite like that," Nico said quietly. He sipped his tea. "Falkner is tough, but he does not harm his Pokemon. His father taught him that much, at least."

"His father?"

"His father owned the Gym before him," Jin said. "Falkner inherited it a few years ago. It was quite a scandal in town. There were some who thought he did not merit the honor."

Theo thought back to his conversation with Professor Elm. It seemed that merit was a question all over Johto.

Luca still had not returned when Theo went upstairs to bed. Outside his room, the Gastly floated aimlessly, laughing its throaty laugh.

"Excuse me," Theo said, jumping over the threshold into his room. The Gastly glanced down at the Cleanse Tag in the doorway. It rolled its eyes and stuck out its tongue at Theo. Theo laughed.

"Good night," he said and closed the door behind him.

Theo undressed and folded his robes, placing them on the table beside his bed. He bent down to do his evening devotion when he heard a thump. He stood up, listening. In the hallway, there was a growl and another thump. Theo flung his door open.

Luca was there, with Kraken before him, posturing as if for battle. The Totodile sprayed a jet of water at the Gastly.

"What are you doing?" Theo said, but Luca didn't answer. He pulled a Pokeball from his pocket and hurled it at the Ghost Pokemon. The ball hit the floor and rocked once, twice, a third time.

It was still.

"You caught that thing?" Theo asked.

"I told you earlier, I need stronger Pokemon," Luca said, recalling Kraken and picking up his Gastly's Pokeball. "I heard this one was bugging you, so that's a start." He looked Theo up and down.

"You're stealing that Gastly out of the Tower," Theo said.

"It was a wild Pokemon. It's not stealing," Luca said. Technically, he was right. A Pokemon was fair game to be caught, according to international law, as long as another trainer did not already possess it. The Gastly lived in the Tower, but since none of the sages had caught it, anyone else could. Still, Theo felt there was something wrong about moving it from its home.

"Yeah, I guess stealing one Pokemon was enough for you," Theo said.

"Easy for you to say," Luca said. "You got handed a Cyndaquil. Did you even pay for it?"

"I earned it," Theo said through gritted teeth. Did Luca know how sensitive that topic was for Theo? How could he? "I'm not the one who got himself on the banned list for a starter Pokemon."

Luca's eyes flared. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know more than you think. I know who your dad is. I know you're just like him."

Luca lunged at Theo and pushed him against the wall.

"Never say anything like that again," Luca hissed. "I am nothing like that man."

"You're a thief, just like he was," Theo said.

"What about you?" Luca said. "I know who your dad was. Some lousy egg smuggler who worked for my dad to make some money and then blew it all at Team Rocket's casinos. What makes you so special, chump?"

"That isn't true," Theo said.

"Oh no? People just give out Magnemite eggs from Sinnoh in your neighborhood?" Luca backed up, his upper lip curled in disgust. "Enjoy your time at this freak show." He turned and left the Tower.

XIII.

The next week, Theo kept up the same routine of devotions, helping around the Tower, and training. He was rattled by what Luca had said to him, though. Had his own father worked for Team Rocket? He couldn't imagine it, but he had been desperate in his last few years. Did his mother know? Should he ask her? All these questions ran through his head.

He didn't have time to think about this. He had a goal, and, luckily, he had a distraction. In the evening, he put his normal clothes back on and headed to the Gym.

"Hi, Theo, right?" said Kyle, the attendant who took his ticket. "You're due to battle next week."

"You have a good memory," Theo said.

"Watching tonight?"

"Yeah, just to get a sense of what I'm in for."

"Well, this is Tier Two, so it'll be a little more intense than what your battle will be like," Kyle said. He ripped Theo's ticket and handed him back the stub. "Sit anywhere that's open."

The stadium was a massive oval, ringed by bleachers. There was a tall glass partition to protect the spectators from the battle. It went nearly to the ceiling; Theo reasoned that the battle might go that high against a Flying Pokemon. The battlefield itself was simple dirt, with white lines marking the edges.

The stands were a third full, so there was plenty of room. He took a seat in the middle. Too far back and he wouldn't be able to see much, but too close and it might be the same. He took an empty seat. Beside him was a young man close to his age, with a Rattata sitting primly in his lap. He had a backward cap and a sunburned nose.

"Hey, we met before," Theo said. "On the road."

"That's right," Joey said, extending his hand. "You had the weird Cyndaquil."

"I did indeed," Theo said, smiling. He released Vulcan so he could greet Joey. "Hi, Rooster." He scratched the Rattata behind his ear.

"I just graduated school, so my mom gave me some money to come here for a few days and watch some battles," Joey said. "Wish they were a higher Tier, but I'll take it. What are you doing here?"

"I've been here for almost two weeks," Theo said. "I have a match once Tier One starts."

"A match? No way!" Joey said. "I've got to hang around for that. You're going for badges?"

"Yeah," Theo said. "I'm going to try."

"Brave," Joey said. He looked down at Vulcan and winked.

"You could do it, too," Theo said.

"Nah, I'm not so sure," Joey said. "You saw. Rooster's not much of a fighter. I'd hate to see him get killed out there." The Rattata purred.

The lights in the stadium dimmed.

"Ladies, gentlemen, people and Pokemon of all ages, welcome to Violet City's Tier Two battle!" An announcer was speaking from a box opposite Joey and Theo. "Tonight, our leader Falkner -" A cheer went up from the crowd at the mention of their local leader. "- will take on challenger Meredith of Ecruteak City!" Two huge screens at either end of the stadium came to life. One showed a picture of Falkner. As the sages had said, he was not much older than Theo, with dark brown hair and a sharp expression. The challenger, Meredith, was older, with blond hair and glasses. Beside their pictures, three empty squares appeared.

"They'll show their Pokemon there, once they start," Joey said.

"Are you ready to meet tonight's battlers?" The announcer said.

The crowd roared.

"I can't hear you! I said, are you ready to meet tonight's battlers?"

The crowd roared even louder. On Theo's lap, Vulcan joined in.

"Let's welcome Meredith!" The announcer said, and on one end of the stadium the challenger emerged. There were polite cheers from the crowd, but there was also booing. In the seats a few rows back, a drunk man jeered.

"And let's welcome our hometown boy, Falkner!" On the opposite end of the stadium, Falkner emerged. He held both hands up and waved to the crowd, which cheered adoringly. The two challengers met in the middle of the field and shook hands. A referee watched them and gave directions Theo could not hear. They both nodded and returned to opposite sides.

"When I count down from three, both opponents will release their first Pokemon," the announcer said. "Three, two, one, release!"

From Falkner's Pokeball emerged a strange, two-headed bird. Theo held up his Pokedex.

Doduo, the machine read.

"They have Pokemon set aside for each Tier," Joey explained. "The League judges what Tier each one should be in. You won't fight this one."

On the opposite side, Meredith released a blue, round, mouse-like Pokemon.

"A Marill," Theo said. "My friend Lyra has one of those."

"Begin the battle!" the announcer roared, and the two Pokemon charged for each other.

Later, Theo returned to the Tower. The battle had not been particularly fierce. Falkner had outmaneuvered Meredith and beaten her with just two of his Pokemon. As Theo watched, he saw places that she had made mistakes. He imagined Nico pausing her, asking her what advantage she might hold. Walking home, Vulcan had a sudden burst of energy, running in circles around him. Theo understood, because he felt it too. He was excited. He wanted to fight.

"What did the young master think?" Jin said. He had been sitting up, waiting for Theo.

"I think," Theo said slowly. "I think I might have a shot."

Jin smiled. "We have no doubt."