Yes; one that goes deeper than flesh. The mysticism of sympathy.

[Ted jerks his head at Tony's taunt, only to find Stunfisk quicker in exacting retribution. Experience is a hard teacher.

While Ted's confident pokemon rarely, if ever, mean serious injury to their owners, he rushes to Tony's aid anyway. He'll simultaneously try to calm a no doubt protective Noibat, not wishing to ignite the same conflict all over again.]

"Tony! Are you all right? Silly question, but you know what I mean." [He'll have to get him an entire rubber suit at this rate. One he's sure of Tony's health, he'll get down to the root of the problem.]

"You see how readily pokemon respond to challenges of their might. Choose your words carefully, all right? Let's talk a little less, and think a little more."

[He does just that, attempting to enact a thoughtful silence. It doesn't take long for him to find a very probable answer. He just needs one more piece to complete the puzzle.]

"Answer as honestly as you can. The broadcast you made minutes ago--was that your first interaction with them? Your pokemon, I mean."