Gavin's expression scrunches in discomfort at the sound.

He doesn't command his Pokemon with words. He whistles first, then clicks his tongue. Rookidee lands on a rock jutting out of the sand and scrapes its CLAWS against it to HONE them.

Another click sees Riolu dash forward with a swipe of its METAL CLAWS aimed at the Pancham.

Metal claws swipe harmlessly against the force of Pancham's attack, successfully deflecting Riolu's attack. She lands unharmed with a frustrated growl, shaking out her fur.

A quick click of Gavin's tongue sees her COPY the SHADOW SNEAK from Honedge, vanishing into a wisp of shadow and reappearing next to the spectral blade to deliver her surprise attack.

Rookidee quarks as the Honedge slashes against its steel feathers; the blade doesn't pierce but shadows get beneath its plumage to inflict pain. It looks as if it wants to lunge for the blade with reckless abandon but a click of its masters tongue sees the corvid reluctantly continue to HONE its CLAWS against the rock.

As Pancham sets up for its vital throw, Rookidee PLUCKS at the little bear's fur with freshly sharpened talons. Riolu follows suit, COPYING the attack of its ally and swiping with its paw before it's tossed away.

She lands on her paws, hurt but not out of the fight, and growls before assuming a defensive stance.

Gavin snaps his fingers as if realizing something.

"You're one of them Avatars, aren't you? That's where I've seen ya before."

"They've got bloody merchandise of ya."

He'd found it hilarious when he was browsing the various stalls set up to hawk merch for the tournaments. He can't imagine what it must like to have one's avatar status hailed as heroic. He'd been branded a criminal with his own.

Which was his own fault, but.

Rookidee squawks in pain as teeth crunch painfully around her wing; she lashes out with the other to punish the other's POWER TRIP.

Riolu takes the hit from the blade and strikes back with REVERSAL.

Gavin chuckles. "Not one for the limelight, then?"

He could relate. He liked a certain kind of attention but not this sort of spotlight.

His lip quirks as a dark-type attack is used; a sharp click of his tongue sees Riolu COPYCAT the NIGHT SLASH and level it toward the Honedge who'd attacked its avian ally. Comet punches batter the little jackal but she perseveres.

Seeing its friend weakening, Rookidee flaps back and attempts to TAUNT the Pancham toward her.

His grimace appears sympathetic.

He's been under the effects of that compromised privacy on the Rocket submarine of late, though it's more centered around his sex life than anything. He wouldn't have cared if people would stop asking about it.

Honedge falls with a horrific screech and both of Gavin's Pokemon wince beneath its aural assault. Staggered, Riolu falls to the barrage of comet punches, an attempt to throw up a QUICK GUARD shattered by the bear's tenacity.

Rookidee flutters forward with an indignant caw, once again PLUCKING at tufts of fur.