Nacrene city was bustling in the early morning, the street cafes crowded with retirees and trainers alike enjoying the warm spring sun. Adriano made his way through the commotion quietly, trying to keep his head down. Lenora was one of the few gym leaders he had stayed on relatively peaceful terms with, but she was a pain to keep up with. Adriano knew that if she heard he was back in town he’d get dragged down for a long lecture for making her worry about him. ‘Maybe when Edward beats Cilan and comes out here, I’ll tag along for the gym battle. At least that way she won’t be entirely focused on me…’

Checking his pokedex, Adriano looked over the trade information one last time. Technically, you weren’t legally able to sell Pokemon outright without a permit from the region’s ranger corps, but there were more than a few ways around this. The method Adriano was planning on using hinged on the accompanying item Pokemon carried when traded. While he couldn’t sell the Miltank for the market ¥12000 outright, he could trade for a Lillipup that was holding an expensive star shard that he could then flip at the item shop for ¥9800. Taking a bit of a hit on the price but avoiding any questions as to how he obtained such a rare Pokemon.

Spotting the client sitting at a patio table for two, Adriano walked up. Past the scrutinizing eyes of the waiter, he sat down in the opposite seat. The overweight man startled slightly before calming down, pushing his dark sunglasses back up to his eyes. The sun shined off of the expensive gold buttons and cufflinks decorating his dark suit.

“You must be the seller then. My name is Maximus. Can I offer you something to drink?”

Adriano shook his head.

“No, thank you. Let’s get this deal over with.”

“Very well.”

Thumbing a pokeball, Maximus sent out a young Lillipup, clearly freshly caught, then withdrew a small case from inside his suit and placed it on the table. Adriano leaned over, noting the telltale red sparkle of a star shard, and nodded.

“Looks good.”

“Then let’s trade.”

Maximus attached the star shard to a small necklace and placed it around Lillipup's neck before recalling it. Adriano pulled out Miltank’s pokeball and touched the balls together, initiating a trade. Confirming the item and Pokemon were correct, he finalized the trade and watched as the balls shone with a red glow before clicking, signifying a change of owner. Satisfied with the switch, Adriano minimized the pokeball now containing Lillipup and stored it in his bag before standing up.

“It was a pleasure doing business with you.”

Maximus nodded.

“And you as well. If you catch any more rare Pokemon, please contact me.”

Adriano hesitated, thumbing the shaking pokeball containing Zoura in his pocket. Noticing his indecision, Maximus added.

“In fact, there is another Pokemon I am looking for. If you managed to catch it, I would reward you handsomely.”

Sitting back down, Adriano listened closely.

“Located between Striaton and Nacrene there is a place known as the Wellspring Cave. According to my sources, a large number of Pokemon have been relocated there from Hoenn as part of a new capture challenge organized collaboratively between Juniper and Birch. These Pokemon primarily consist of the Geodude, Nosepass, Aron, and Zubat evolutionary line. However, it is also rumored that there is a small group of Mudkip placed at the bottom of the cave as a prize for the first few trainers to make it that deep.”

Maximus stared down over the top of his glasses at Adriano.

“And finally, among this small group of Mudkip there is one who is a mutant.”

“A mutant?”

Maximus shrugged.

“They’re not very well known or researched, but rarely two Pokemon of different species mate and manage to produce an egg. The resulting child will take after one parent, usually the mother, visually. From the father, however, they inherit a portion of their typing and move sets. This particular Mudkip’s father was a Hariyama, and as such will evolve to be a monstrously powerful Marshtomp with access to many unique fighting type moves.”

With a sigh, he continued.

“However, I have no way to access this fine specimen. The Pokelabs are keeping the cave sealed shut while they prepare the competition and if there is one group you never want to cross it is the professors. So that’s where you come in. Whether you act as a middleman or get the job done yourself, in two weeks time when the cave opens I want that Mudkip. What do you say?”

Adriano mulled over the information. He hadn’t spent much time in Wellspring Cave on his travels, since it had only been filled with common low-level Pokemon. After catching a Roggenrola and Woobat to fill out his pokedex he hadn’t given the cave a second thought. It would probably be a good idea for Edward to join the competition regardless, since he desperately needed to fill out his roster. A Geodude or Aron would turn into a powerful helper down the line. ‘And besides,’ he thought to himself, ‘I always wanted a Crobat.’

Decision made, Adriano gave his response.

“Okay. I’ll accept this job.”

“Good!”

Maximus clapped his hands and rose to leave.

“I await your success.”

Adriano watched the large man walk away, blinking in surprise as one or two people from the patio peeled off to walk behind him. ‘I guess it’s no surprise that he travels with bodyguards.’

Stretching, Adriano stood as well and prepared to leave. If he wanted Edward to be ready for this challenge, he would first have to defeat Cilan.

‘Oh yes.’

Adriano’s mouth stretched into a sadistic grin.

‘I’m going to train him properly this time.’