EPISODE 28: A Tip or Two!*

My sudden encounter with the champion of Sinnoh made my timid nature come out from my back. I couldn't move right in front of her, even if Logan was there. My mind was trying to force my mouth to speak as respectful as possible. I even do not know how to address her. Champion? Miss? Madam? My mind is like a cat on a hot tin roof.

"I saw you watching our battle with Logan. Is here your friend?" and the question got tougher. Now I completely have no idea on how to address Logan. How should it be?

"We're acquaintances." phew, he decided to answer the question. I thought if I was to say that his feelings would be pierced, luckily he thought the same of me.

"Acquaintances? Well, alright, believable." chuckled the champion.

"So, Luna? Why were you watching? I saw you with a notepad, may I see it?" another question being asked. If I refused that wouldn't be respectful, if I give it up then I'll be forever embarrassed. Well, after a moment of thinking, I gave up my notepad to the champion. She took a peek and was impressed with my penmanship. It was neat, properly, and the texts are all straight, not slanted. I write without margins.

"These? These techniques? You call them formulas in battle?" Cynthia skimmed through my notepad, seeing all my recorded data of Pokemon battling.

"I never knew you were great at drawing." she praised after seeing the image I drew. It was a replica of Logan's match with Flannery.

"Battling skills are not obtained from a book, from a notepad, through reading nor writing. They are gathered from experience, trials, and errors. By the way things seem, you are eager of learning something. May I be of help?" Cynthia offered as she handed me back my notepad.

"W-well... well..." I was starting to stutter.

"Spill it. There's no need to be frightened, Team Rocket, Elite Operative Luna Evergreen." and there my bones shivered as I turned speechless. All of our jaws dropped as the secret is finally revealed. Meanwhile, I stand over here, wondering how Cynthia knew not just me but my organization.

"Don't be surprised. You hid your uniform but not that chip which surprisingly says under the ownership of Team Rocket." Cynthia's eyes rolled to the microchip in my nape.

"Hehe."

"Team Rocket? Isn't that the organization from Kanto who was misguided by a mafia leader?" Lucas asked.

"Mafia leader? Call Giovanni whatever you want, he's no longer our boss." I replied back.

"So, what is Team Rocket doing here?" Cynthia asked, giving me another hard time to think of an excuse.

"Vacation. A one year vacation." hearing my words, Logan facepalmed himself.

"Seriously? You're so lucky. When I was studying in school, vacation was only three months." Dawn was impressed. They seem to believe my words but Cynthia looked like she was doubting it but didn't want to ask further.

"Well, as long as you're not causing trouble then I can help you. What do you need?" Cynthia offered again.

"Um... I- I have a Shelgon-"

"Let me guess? Shelgon's speed is low?" Cynthia intervened my words, completing them for me.

"Y-yes and she doesn't seem to improve no matter how hard we train. She keeps on trying, she keeps on forcing herself to train no matter how tired she is."

"You have a determined and passionate Shelgon, you should be lucky. Speed, stamina, the most important part of a Pokemon's statistics. Low speed results in low execution of attack. Low speed results in the foe having an advantage of hitting your Pokemon first and a low speed disables a Pokemon's opportunity to dodge.

Shelgon can learn one flying-type move, a fast one known as Aerial Ace. Have you heard about that move, Luna?"

"Yes. Someone recommended it to me but Shelgon can't quite learn the move."

"Hmm, perhaps it lacks experience... I have the perfect idea!" Lucas buzzed in the conversation.

"An idea? Spill it!" Dawn said.

"Why not have a tag battle? I'll side with Dawn and Logan will side you." suggested, the enthusiastic trainer. He also added, "In this way, I get to prepare for my gym battle against Gardenia. I'd say it's a win-win for the both of us."

"Pokemon battling is one way to train. Lucas is right, why not have a tag battle? It has also been a while since I last observed a tag battle." Cynthia concurred.

"You up for it Luna?" Logan gazed at my eyes. He is a strong trainer and I didn't want to embarrass him in front of two newbies. I don't want to be the reason for his failure.

"Come on, win or lose, it's fine." Logan encouraged as I finally said yes.

"A tag battle it is! A full six on six, each trainer may use three Pokemon each. The battle ends when either tags no longer has any Pokemon to battle with. I will be honored to be your referee. Oh, and by the way." Cynthia took out a remote controller from her pocket. She pressed a blue button which made the battlefield shake. The four of us stepped out for a moment as the battlefield sank to the depths, replaced with another one but this one it was cold, brittle, it was an ice battlefield.

This will help Shelgon for sure, or better if she evolves by the end of this battle. I don't want to be a nitwick who will solely depend on Logan and his skills. I'm sweating despite the battle has not started yet. Of course, we are utmost determined to impress the champion who will be observing our match. We dearly hope she will think of this as a worthy battle to watch, one that she would always remember.

It's true what people say about her. Cynthia is always willing to help trainers who are in need of help regardless of where they belong to. It's time to put the pedal to the medal!