Trillo rammed into the area near the lock with one more Aqua Jet. The thick lock popped off with a CLANG, taking big chunks of its side of the cage with it.

[i]"Free!"[/i] Trillo declared.

Then a rush of cloudy water gushed out of the broken cage, taking the Pokemon with it. The surge sent him tumbling across the ground a couple times until he came to rest on his shelled back. The Kabuto blinked for a second and then futilely waggled his claws through the air.

[i]"Uh, less free."[/i]

Barley never moved, didn't dare to make a sound in the cover of smoke. It seemed one of the trainers left the fight for some reason, while the other wasted time calling forth a different Pokemon. Did... did they think he ran away? Barley was almost insulted by the thought... he may be many things, but he wasn't that much of a coward. Usually.

The ringmaster took a second to consider his options. As much as he wanted to show all these trainers why they messed with the wrong man, it may be better to cut his losses this time.

Barley recalled Weezing and kept out Mr. Mime.

"Stay close," he whispered to the psychic type as he quietly moved toward Lileep's cage. "Safeguard."

Mr. Mime nodded silently, in his element. With the faintest glow he could manage, he set up the protecting move. Ringmaster Barley reached the terrified Lileep's cage and pulled a keyring out of an inside pocket in his flamboyant jacket.