A chance encounter

"Ding~ dong~"

On the way to Hearthome City, Bai Shi suddenly heard the sweet notes of a harp.

"Who has the leisure to play music out in the wilderness?"

Brimming with curiosity, Bai Shi immediately followed the sound.

He came upon an unusual man wearing a green sun hat and a green cloak, holding a Harp in both hands.

The man leaned against a tree, playing his Harp with a look of utter bliss.

A Roselia stood beside him, listening intently.

This was the source of the music Bai Shi had heard.

"Wow, it really is you..."

Recognition dawned on Bai Shi as he looked at the man before him.

If he remembered correctly, the man was named Nando and enjoyed being a wandering minstrel.

He was currently collecting both Pokémon Contest ribbons and Gym Badges.

In the anime, he had been a rival to both Ash and Dawn.

What Bai Shi remembered most vividly was his match against Ash at the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Nando had lost to Ash, getting knocked out in the first round.

His ace Pokémon had been a Kricketune, hadn't it?

At that thought, Bai Shi nearly laughed out loud.

Even a Kricketune gets to be an ace these days.

Can it handle that role? No way! It just doesn't have what it takes!

Kricketune is miles away from being ace material.

Even with one more Evolution, it still might not have this ability.

With Kricketune as his ace, no wonder Nando lost to Zoey, then Ash, until there was no one left to lose to.

"Your gaze makes me rather uncomfortable. Is there something you wish to say?"

Perhaps sensing someone's ill intent, Nando stopped playing and addressed Bai Shi in an even tone.

Bai Shi was looking at him much the way he himself looked at noisy Pokémon that constantly made a racket.

Although he had no idea what Bai Shi was thinking.

He was certain there was something impolite behind that look.

"Uh... well..."

Caught by Scratch red-handed, Bai Shi stiffened, his eyes darting away guiltily.

After all, standing off to the side and secretly making fun of someone was hardly something to be proud of.

"You look like a Pokémon Trainer. Would you be interested in a battle?"

After a good deal of stammering, Bai Shi finally came up with a plausible excuse.

"A battle? I would be delighted!"

Nando could tell at a glance that Bai Shi was lying.

Still, it didn't matter. A battle would give him the perfect opportunity to teach the young man some manners.

After discussing it, they agreed on a one-on-one match.

"Play a splendid melody, Kricketune!"

Nando sent a red-and-black, cricket-like Pokémon onto the field.

Kricketune had only recently completed its Evolution.

With its strength after Evolution, Kricketune should have been more than capable of handling this ill-mannered Pokémon Trainer.

"Oh, you really did send out Kricketune... In that case, I won't hold back."

"Go, Zangoose!"

Bai Shi's eyes lit up at the sight of Kricketune. He instantly felt much more confident about his chances.

So he sent out Zangoose.

He hoped it could defeat its opponent and claim its first victory since joining him.

"Kricketune, use Sing!"

Nando gently plucked the Harp in his arms as he gracefully issued his command.

An exquisite melody flowed from Kricketune's mouth.

Any Pokémon enveloped by the song would fall asleep.

"Not a chance! Zangoose, use Agility!"

Seeing this, Bai Shi hurriedly called out to Zangoose.

Zangoose crouched low, then pushed off with all four limbs and raced away, putting distance between itself and its opponent.

That kept it beyond the reach of Kricketune's song.

"Zangoose, use Crush Claw!"

At Bai Shi's command, Zangoose swiftly counterattacked.

With the speed boost from Agility, it charged right up to Kricketune.

It raised its gleaming claws and slashed viciously at its opponent.

"Kricketune, use X-Scissor!"

Unfazed, Nando ordered Kricketune to meet the attack.

Kricketune raised its scythe-like arms in front of itself to intercept the charging Zangoose.

Bam!

Their arms collided, locking them in a raw contest of strength.

Only after several seconds did they break apart and retreat.

Kricketune fared worse, stumbling back several meters.

Clearly, it had come off worse in the exchange with Zangoose and taken a considerable hit.

"Now this is getting interesting! Kricketune, use Fury Cutter!"

Rather than alarmed, Nando sounded delighted as he gave his command.

Only evenly matched opponents could perform a truly moving duet.

An eerie red light flashed as Kricketune swung its arms, slashing at Zangoose in turn.

"Zangoose, use Fury Cutter too!"

Refusing to be outdone, Bai Shi had Zangoose use the same move.

Zangoose extended its claws and swung furiously, its strikes crossing Kricketune's arms.

Countless afterimages of their limbs lingered in the air.

Their relentless attacks continued, neither willing to stop first and yield to the other.

"Now this is a true battle! Kricketune, use Slash!"

A spark of fervor flashed in Nando's eyes. His opinion of Bai Shi had changed dramatically.

He had only ever felt this kind of excitement while battling Ash.

It was an entirely different experience from a Pokémon Contest.

In return, he was willing to forgive Bai Shi's earlier rudeness.

Then he would give it his all and battle his opponent's Pokémon to his heart's content.

Kricketune abruptly pulled back, putting distance between itself and Zangoose again.

It concentrated all its remaining strength into one arm and slashed hard at Zangoose.

"Zangoose, use Slash too!"

Swept up in the intensity of the battle, Bai Shi unconsciously clenched his fists and shouted to Zangoose.

His opponent was stronger than he had expected. He would have to give this everything he had.

Zangoose grinned fiercely, raised its arm, and met the attack without hesitation.

Bam!

Their arms collided again with a dull thud.

A few seconds later, both Pokémon toppled backward at the same time, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Zangoose!" "Kricketune!"

Bai Shi and Nando cried out at the sight.

For a time, neither of the fallen Pokémon could get back up.

"Come on, Zangoose! The battle isn't over yet! Don't give up!"

Seeing this, Bai Shi began shouting encouragement to his Pokémon.

"Zan~" (I'm not going to lose!)

Encouraged by Bai Shi, Zangoose gritted its teeth, braced one hand against the ground, and shakily pushed itself upright.

Kricketune, however, remained motionless on the ground.

In the end, Zangoose eked out a victory, defeating Nando's Kricketune through sheer willpower and a refusal to give up.

"Battling you was truly wonderful."

After the match, Nando spoke to Bai Shi with a smile.

He had completely forgotten Bai Shi's earlier rudeness.

"I'm glad I had the chance to battle you, too."

All his earlier disdain gone, Bai Shi answered Nando earnestly.

With that, the tension between them melted away.