Chapter 1; Tournament of Heroes

"Just because they used things like explosives doesn't make it okay for us to act like that when we battle them," Jack said, following them back toward the pokemon center, Bolt perched happily onot his shoulder. "If you sink down to their level, then you've already given up. Besides, they didn't use their explosive on people or pokemon...just on the arena. They could have hurt people if they wanted to, but they just wanted to stop the battling. What they did wasn't right, but if you had started swinging your bat at them, it just would've made things worse...especially if we run into them again," Jack said. He had a feeling that was highly likely. "No, we handled that the best way we could've. We showed theme that they can't break the bond between us and our pokemon by force, and we stopped them," he grinned, scratching Bolt behind the ears, "and I'm glad you didn't use your bat to attack them."

With that he quickened his pace, catching up to Dave. "Hey Dave, that Porygon of yours was pretty impressive. I've never seen one in person before," he said, trying to strike up conversation.

"So...I was wondering. When you told those Team Plasma guys 'we're the best around'...were you talking about just you and Hal, or all of us?," Jack asked, looking back at Azrael and Luke. "'Cause I think we all did pretty great out there. We worked pretty well as a team, don't you think?," he asked.

Jack frowned a little. "Well, it was our first time battling together...and my first time ever in a team battle like that," Jack said. "But I thought we worked pretty well as a team. Maybe you were just too busy to notice. I mean, there was the part where Bolt ran over and got behind the one attacking Gawain, and then when Gawain rushed over to lend Hal a helping hand...," he says, rattling off the occurrences of the battle, "...and then when Aethon swooped in to attack the other one attacking Hal. Y'know, now that I think of it, it did kind-of naturally play to our strengths. I mean, Porygon like Hal are resilient, so him holding up so many of the enemies gave Bolt and Gawain time to handle the other two, and come over to help...," he said thoughtfully.

"So, see? We really did work as a team, even if we didn't mean to. And I think that's pretty cool, especially in our first battle together," he said with a smirk.

"I guess you could say we make a natural team," he said happily with a grin.  "Wouldn't you agree?"

"That's a pretty hypocritical thing to say," Jack said with a sigh, "and I don't think you believe it, either. If it weren't for all of us, working together, Team Plasma would've won. Even you and your Porygon couldn't have beaten all four of them by yourself."

"As for all that other stuff...that's pretty basic," Jack said with a grin, casually brushing aside Dave's 'invaluable wisdom'. "I think there was an old saying...Pride Cometh Before the Fall...yeah, that sounds right. Just about everyone knows that it's overconfidence that makes you most vulnerable...," he paused.

"...like thinking you don't need a team to back you up from time to time...," he said with a grin, slowing his pace to let Dave gain some distance, and matching his pace with Luke.

"Hey," he said, pulling up next to the other boy. Hopefully someone wants to celebrate our big win... "We sure showed them, huh?," he said, offering Luke a fist-bump. "And Bolt and Gawain worked pretty well together out there, too."

The Team Plasma members took their chance when the group was arguing over ideologies and left, clearing out of town before anyone else came across them.

As the group talked on the way to the Pokemon center, their Pokemon calming down from the fight, the drone that had been watching them lazily drifted off in a different direction and disappeared from view. As they came around the final bend before the Center a few people with cameras and notepads were standing around the entrance and called out to the group when they came into view

"Excuse me! But we saw your battle with Team Plasma and would like to have a word with you!" The man who spoke up was wearing a finely tailored suit, eyes hidden behind dark glasses, and a slightly wolfish grin was plastered on his face "I just have to get an interview with the Heroes of the Tournament of Heroes!"

Bolt stays on Jacks shoulder, not running off to check out the new person like normal, while Gawain slowly moves behind Lukes legs and Aetheon cawed in the general direction of the crowd, seemingly unhappy with the attention.

Jack starts at the group of reporters, clearly not expecting them.

"A word? Heroes of the Tournament of Heroes? That's kind of a mouthful," he said, shyly scratching the back of his head. "But, uh, sure. I'd be happy to answer some questions...but I don't really think I'm a hero," he said, still scratching the back of his head. "I just did what any Trainer would've done."

The mans grin widens as Dave attempts to sidestep the conversation "Ahhh, the audience will love you with an attitude like that, never change kid. Except get used to answering questions, you're about to be a star. All of you are, actually" Upon hearing Jacks comment he chuckled "No kid, that's not something 'any Trainer' would do. Most people cowered in fear when Team Plasma said they were back. The trainers didn't have it in them to stand up, you all did"

He gestured towards the Pokemon Center "Come with me, I think we should have a little chat about just what you signed when you entered this little tournament"

Azrael nodded cheerfully, "Yep, there was a close call, but they were just a bit too slow to catch Aethon." He grinned indulgently at his Pokemon, and was about to pick up his conversation with Jack when an immaculately dressed corporate fellow stepped forward. What's this guy want? As soon as he thought it, his question was answered, and he had difficulty withholding his laughter at the awkward and gratuitous appellation - a struggle that was greatly compounded by Grumpy's characteristically brusque, yet highly amusing, response.

Taking a deep breath as he reached out to soothe Aethon's agitation, Azrael put on his best smile, and reached out his hand, "Nice to meet you, sir. I'm Azrael Himlen, and this is Aethon. Do you know if anyone at the main stage was hurt? We saw the smoke, but Team Plasma intercepted us shortly after we left the Pokemon Center." As he talked his best game for the cameras, Azrael eyed the man carefully. Maybe Honchkrow? Dark suit, dark glasses, and - he glanced at the surrounding reporters - he certainly seems to have gathered his own flock of Murkrow. A fragment of a frown momentarily rippled across Azrael's face as he thought. But that smile...

He refocused on the man's words as he slickly circumvented Dave's hasty exit, and congratulated them for actually fighting back against Team Plasma. Hmm, and where were you I wonder? Watching safely from behind that drone until you could swoop in and collect the 'spoils'? Azrael blinked. Oh, of course. Mandibuzz, the bone vulture Pokemon. Carefully replacing the game face he'd allowed to slide, he reluctantly followed the man towards the Pokemon center and the legal catch he'd implied with as much enthusiasm as he could fake.

Glancing at Grumpy on the way, he quirked a more sarcastic smile, and with a tinge of added awe he quietly asked, "Really? How far have you traveled? You must've been all over Hoenn, of course. Have you seen Kanto or Johto? What did you think of Kalos? You must have loved Lumiose City." He faked a tiny gasp, "Have you sailed between the Orange Islands and faced the Orange League?" With an almost dreamy bit of earnestness, he added, "I hear the weather out there is glorious for sky and sea alike."

Luke gives a small nod of appreciation to Jack, sighs resignedly and follows behind the others, hoodie still on. Before he starts moving though, he pets Gawain, seeking comfort in his friend.

The suited man shakes his head and laughs a little at Dave "Kid, it isn't that simple, but I'll explain when we have a bit more privacy"

Gawain nuzzles Luke's hand looking up at him with cheerful eyes, attempting to let his friend and partner know that things would be OK. Aetheon seemed to calm down a bit as Azrael soothed him, the bird resting on his shoulder now. Bolt noticed what Jack was trying to do and ran up and rummaged in Jacks bag for a moment before moving between Azrael and Dave and held up a little cookie, breaking it in half and offering a piece to each of them.

When the group enters the room the man led them to, the only furnishings seem to be a table and five chairs, one of them set opposite the rest. The man sits in the far chair, reclining back and speaking through the same smile "Sorry about the room, we set it up real quick just for this talk after we saw your battle."

"See, not many people stood up to Plasma when they attacked, they were afraid because of their reputation. So it didn't matter that they didn't have strong Pokemon, they didn't expect to use them. This was a fear tactic, and it worked for the most part. But you four" He shook his head "Four kids standing up against a terrorist attack, one of them standing cold and analytical, another spouting off stories about the Dragon and the Hero that this very tournament represents. One willing to jump in and fight with his Pokemon against all common sense, and one who's partner would obviously do anything to protect him" A loud and grating laugh escaped his lungs

"See, The big grand prize of this whole thing was going to be staring in a documentary, chronicling the journey of a rising star on their path to the Championship. But I have a better idea. It's gonna follow all four of you. See, I'm sure we'd get all kinds of viewers with just one of you, but with all four? It's bound to be a hit!"

The grin slipped from his lips and he took on a more serious look "Of course, you'll all end up heavily compensated for this, with a regular paycheck being deposited into your account, more money coming with the more viewers you draw in. Who knows what other opportunities will arise for you based on this, you know how people treat stars" He raises an eyebrow

"Of course, we already have your express written permission to be filmed from when you entered into the Tournament, but I still figured I should explain this to you all and see how you really felt about it before we started filming"