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Preußen

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http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/picture.php?albumid=1503&pictureid=14677

It's an image, so into image tags...

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Preußen

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a gives you a sex change. :(
<@Nina_Windia> ...Lol
<Smiley> lol

Don't ask
 

cascade88

Every morning.
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<b><a href="http://cascade388.deviantart.com/journal/29527865/">About Skin Requests + Etc.</a></b>

<a href="http://gpxplus.net/ZwLlAwpmZj" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.gpxplus.net/42/6/ZwLlAwpmZj/image.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://gpxplus.net/ZwH4ZmVjZt" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.gpxplus.net/41/82/ZwH4ZmVjZt/image.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://gpxplus.net/Awp1ZwLl" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.gpxplus.net/10/201/Awp1ZwLl/image.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://gpxplus.net/AwNjAGZ4" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.gpxplus.net/9/152/AwNjAGZ4/image.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://gpxplus.net/ZwLjAwR1" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.gpxplus.net/4/42/ZwLjAwR1/image.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://gpxplus.net/ZwL2ZGZlAt" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.gpxplus.net/42/145/ZwL2ZGZlAt/image.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>
-cσuld чσu вє α dσll + clíck them? ♥

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Vasili

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Aladar

Guess Who's Watching...
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Chapter 8:

Spotlight​





Once again, darkness was all he could comprehend. He didn’t realize it at first but the memories soon returned, like glimpses of some long-forgotten movie. The memories of a prison so dark and an ocean so cold and empty that the most gruesome torture paled in comparison. Because loneliness hurt him the most.



Despite knowing all too well that he could neither scream nor fight back, the ethereal being tried to move, desperate to experience the slightest physical feeling. Nothing. Once again he could just drift in the lightless void all alone. He was nothing more than a mere thought of existence floating forever in the quietness of the abyss.



And yet there was something more, something bugging his sense, if he even had them still. There was some kind of light in the farthest, most faraway corner of his peripheral vision. But every time the wraith of a person tried look at it, it moved along with him and fleeted to its distant spot. It was like futile, like trying to catch the warm light of the sun, but he still tried again and again.



With each try the darkness seemed to diminish, to pale and his vision started to recognize the different shades of black around him. And with each dark shade that faded away a barely recognizable whisper appeared. His anxiousness grew and with zealot, the specter threw himself wildly at the dancing light. Flicker after flicker, he got closer and closer until the light was just before him. The shade flung forward hoping for answers and life and what he though was his fingers were inches away… when the flickering sphere erupted blindingly with a vicious roar…




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“HEY, VIV, I MADE HIM MY SPECIAL TRIPLE-DECKER POTATO SANDWICH. NOW HE’LL SURELY WAKE UP!”



The teen’s shout resonated from the white tiles in the small sun-bathed room. The shout was immediately followed a rather loud “Ow” as the unfortunate cook got his head smacked up by the last person in the room- a blonde girl with long spiky pigtails.



“Shut up, you idiot! You’re gonna wake up the whole Center!” Viviane whispered with righteous fury but suddenly fell silent. On the bed next to the two trainers, Kale had finally opened his eyes. Muttering something incomprehensible about explosions, he stood up shakily and looked around while rubbing his eyes.



“Déjà vu, huh? I shouldn’t make visiting hospitals after meeting every time after I meet one of those “commander” goofs a habit.” the weak attempt for a joke hung in the air as Kale coughed dryly and cringed while holding his torso.



Viviane threw a worried look at Kale and then glanced meaningfully to Jed. Someone had to inform the Nurse after all and the girl didn’t feel like it now. Besides, the older boy still struck her like a lunatic by the way he acted and especially by the way he acted around Rebecca. And fawning over her hollow-headed rival didn’t rank high in her friendship list. Jed returned her look and his face straightened. Viv hopefully thought he was going to act normal for a change and comply…



“See? I told ‘ya my triple-decker sandwich would wake him up.” the girl just continued staring blankly at him. Jed just shrugged and without a care in the world, took a bite from the sandwich in his hand. It had did its job after all- Kale was awake now so why let an awesome potato-filled wonder go to waste? Viviane had turned a new shade of red- strange, he didn’t remember that one when she had flipped before. It was kind of like a ruby, no- crimson? Or was it called scarlet?



Unfortunately his train of thoughts was derailed by a sudden loud slap.



“Idiot, go tell Nurse Joy Kale’s awake now!” sighing, the blonde added “Why do you have to be so immature? Grow up already!”



Jed scowled at the loss of his favorite food, which he had accidently thrown through the open window, and walked away without bothering to hurry up. Sheesh, didn’t Viviane realize that so much negative emotions could attract the Werepsyduck? The boy decided to have a little talk with her on the topic later and waved her off before exiting:



“Relax, Viv. Enjoy the sunny weather. Hey, I think I met a guy called Sunny Weather once? Or was it Snarky Feather?” musing over the particularly unimportant subject, Jed finally left the room while scratching his beanie-covered head.



Viviane stomped the floor and bit her lip resisting the urge to shout. Did this guy exist just for the sole purpose to annoy her? Must he be so, so… the girl just couldn’t find a word that properly described the natural disaster that was Jed and so she returned to the matter at hand. Kale, despite was she thought at first, was apparently the stupid kind with the dumb hero vibe after all. He was now leaning back on the puffy pillows and trying to resist the urge to laugh. Still he nearly died back there so she could at least not be overly blunt.



Kale, despite his lungs feeling like a chimney, was barely resisting to urge to laugh out loud. Seriously, they had to include those two in the laugh treatment program. Viviane and Jed were one unique comedy duo. Now, keeping the blonde from tearing the boy to shreds- that was going to be the hard part. Suddenly, the trainer was taken aback by the sudden spark of concern in Viviane’s piercing blue eyes as she looked at him. Seeing her portray even the smallest kind of gentleness still seemed alien to him. Only once before he had seen that look- in their tag battle against Rebecca and Ric…



“OW! What was that for?” Kale cried out, in shock of the sudden slap. When did she went ballistic for Pete’s sake?



“That’s for running of playing hero! Do you know how dangerous it is? You went off running towards two known criminals! That’s even more idiotic than Jed’s behavior? You could’ve died! What are you, suicidal or something?”



Kale just blinked rapidly and tried to digest the information. For his entire knack for strategies, he sure had a thick head, Viviane thought. Then the boy’s eyes suddenly grew and his voice was once again barely a whisper as Kale spoke:



“Where’s Blace?”



The blonde was taken aback- she didn’t expect him to ask so soon. Nervously biting her lip, she answered.



“He’s kept under constant supervision. I don’t know what exactly happened but he was badly damaged. And slap me if I know why or how, but he was burned! A Fire type- that burned? That’s ridicu…”



She never finished because Kale had suddenly jumped off of the bed and sprinted towards the door. Jed had just opened it and was about to enter with Joy. Kale flew by just as the teen was about to take a bite from his recently whipped up potato sandwich but unfortunately, it ended up flying down the corridor. Kale just continued to sprint towards the Pokémon ward and didn’t even hear Jed shouting “NOT THE SANDWICH, NOT THE SANDWICH”.



Splash!



The younger boy’s foot had just lifted from the accidently splattered pieces of bread and potato and Jed was kneeling next to his ruined snack, shrieking on top of his lungs.



“MY PRECIOUSSSSSS!”



Joy and Vivi just ran past him in chase of Kale. A second afterwards Chatot appeared in a white flash.



“Yay! At least he wasn’t wearing a hospital gown! Saves him the humiliation. Yay!”



Jed had nothing left to do than follow Chatot after he flew of after the others as well.



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“Is he going to be alright?” the boy’s innocent question was hung in the air as Joy tried to catch a breath. They were standing just outside the recovery room and Kale was nearly glued to the enormous glass window. On the other side was Blace- the little fire monkey had numerous wires all around his body. The constant beeping of the machines next to his bed was audible only to the Chansey inside that tended to him.



“Oh, yes. Yes, he is going to be fine.” Joy finally answered “He was in nearly critical condition. There were signs of a rather… brutal battle all over his body. What exactly happened there?”



Kale just sighed and took a deep breath before retelling the events that took part in the Jubilife TV station and filling the blanks Jed and Viviane’s version had left. The nurse just nodded before explaining.



“Well, you probably know that your Chimchar’s ability is Blaze. The usual effect is a vital boost of his natural fire powers and resilience while severely injured or in dangerous situation. The thing is, sometimes, when Blaze is triggered in a situation when the Pokémon feels extreme fear or… hate, it works differently. The boost is still there, sometimes even stronger, but the Fire type loses the ability to think, to discern friend from foe. This state is unnatural, it hurts him and thus he forces pain upon himself, burns his own body unconsciously because of being unable to let go all that rage.”



Kale just continued staring through the glass and didn’t bother to wipe his watering eyes. Joy hesitated before continuing.



“But I must warn you… after the initial activation, this kind of abilities become easier to use and more frequent. But after a first activation of this proportions your Chimchar may be… overcome by the feelings once again and end up hurting himself even more. I warn you, Blaze is maybe the best weapon in your arsenal but you must not use it again. Ever.”



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“She should’ve let me stay.”



“No, Kale, she was right. You have to breathe fresh air. And besides, moping in the waiting room wouldn’t have helped Blace.”



Viviane let her words sink in as the group walked down one of the alleys in the Jubilife City Park. Nurse Joy had made them go outside and try to relax while the Chimchar recovered.



“Hey, guys? How did you get us out actually?” Kale suddenly asked. Viviane swiftly explained, trying to forget about what she had felt when Kale was left alone with that maniac.



“Well, Jed managed to push me out of the way and get out himself,” the blonde paused uncertainly here. Glancing at the goofy teen next to her, who was now counting the various Bug types in the air, she realized that Jed of all people had kept his cool back then. He was the one that saved them from certain death… he was the one that was the hero and pushed her out of the way. Viviane decided that she would at least cut him some slack. A little.



“We were very scared ‘cause there was no way we could get in to save you,” the girl continued “and then we heard the shouts and shrieks and the fire started to engulf the building. Then Jed suddenly screamed “we can’t get in on time” and ran to somewhere,” Vivi paused again, remembering the fear and anger she felt at the thought that Jed had left her alone. She knew now that he would have never left his friends now but back then… things seemed different. “He got back with Steven soon after.”



“Steven?!” Kale suddenly interrupted, unable to comprehend how that shy, spying girl-magnet could have helped. The boy was surprised at the negative things he thought about the boy… until he remembered that said coordinator had beaten him in his own game.



“Yeah, Stevie-boy,” Jed suddenly joined the conversation. He cringed at the memory of asking his rival for the redhead’s love to help but continued the story nonetheless. “Y’see, he has a Kirlia. The teleporting Psychic types, remember? He and Rebecca had headed to the Centre like five minutes before so I caught up with them and dragged Steven to the station. His Kirlia got you and Blace out in no time. I overheard him discussing the health of his Pokémon with Nurse Joy while I prepared myself a sandwich,” Jed exclaimed in answer to Kale’s unasked question.



“Kay, we split up here,” Viviane suddenly announced. Kale couldn’t help but fear what was the problem this time:



“Now what, Viv? What did we say, do or think to anger you? Again?” the boy sighed with annoyance.



The blonde threw him a look that screamed “how can you be so stupid”:



“The contest, genius, remember? It starts at 7 o’clock sharp and it’s 4 in the afternoon now. I have to hit the shops for a dress and get ready. Hollowhead’s far ahead of me already. You boys take our things to Kale’s parent’s flat and clean it if needed. Then go buy some groceries ‘cause I doubt there’s edible food since now one lives there now. Meet me at the contest backstage at 6:40. Oh, and boys, don’t bother buying meet, I’m vegetarian.”



Viviane was gone in a flash and after a whole minute, Jed was the first one to speak.



“No meat? But what about us?”



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“Give me the hairbrush!”



“WheredidIputmytiewheredidIputmytie?!”



“Magmar? Magmar? WHERE’S MAGMAR’S POKE BALL?!”



“Sandstorm, then Dragonbreath. Or was it the other way around?”



Shouts and exclamations echoed in the crowded backstage room as coordinators and Pokémon alike ran around rehearsing moves and making desperate last-minute preparations. Kale and Jed, who had just entered the room, felt out of place among the dressed-up coordinating crowd. The two boys hastily looked around but their female companion was no where to be seen. Just as they were getting desperate a familiar voice caught their attention:



“I’m glad you’re not injured, Kale.”



Upon closer inspection the duo indentified the speaker as Steven. He was now sporting a buttoned-up formal long coat with frills at the edges of his sleeves. The right side was blue but the other black- his pants followed the same theme but with reversed colors. The black blue-rimmed mask covering his eyes didn’t help recognizing either.



“Oh, hi, Steven. Didn’t recognize you at first. Look, thanks for getting us out back at the sta…” Kale’s try at thanking the coordinator was interrupted by loud squeak as someone glomped Steven.



“Oh, am I glad to see you, Steven! I like your outfit. It’s so mysterious,” Rebecca purred before continuing “And nice touch with the mask. You did it so only I could recognize you, right? That’s so sweet of you!” the girl’s cooing drowned Steven’s whisper. Something that sounded suspiciously like “I don’t like being the centre of attention.”



Rebecca finally let go of her fellow coordinator and faced the two other boys with a superior expression.



“And where’s Blondierella? Sniffing around and trying to snag my Steven?” she snickered and flicked her waist-long ruby red hair. The evening dress with the color of cherry blossoms she was wearing complimented her hair. There was a golden tiger printed on the expensive-looking fabric and Kale noticed Rebecca was taking full use of the dress’ side-slit. An action undoubtedly directed at Steven. Not that Jed realized it.



Kale closed his friend’s hanging mouth rather harshly and was about to bark some answer at Rebecca when Viviane’s mocking sing-song voice interrupted him.



“Don’t worry, Hollowhead. I can’t snag something from you if you do not have it.”



Just then the blonde came into view- her contest attire bore a resemblance to her usual daily clothes. The black gold-rimmed top left her shoulders bare, its straps hanging loosely around her hands where the long black detached sleeves ended. The sleeves themselves doubled as fingerless gloves, Kale concluded tracing her slim hands. The place of her miniskirt was taken by a similar, albeit longer one, black with layers of spiky yellow frills. The hazel eyes unconsciously found themselves treading lower and following the black socks that seemed to start just an inch or two below the skirt down.



“It’s okay, Viv. He’s just enthralled by your appearance.” Jed’s booming voice brought Kale back into reality and the boy realized he had once again zoned out while studying Viviane’s figure. The realization that this time it was not just because of some Jolteon hit Kale along with Jed’s crushing back-pat. And as if just to increase his humiliation, Viviane smirked:



“I asked how I looked, trainer boy. Checking me out again?” the sweet poison in her voice promised lots of pain later on. And man, did she punch like a Hitmonchan…



Just then the monitors turned on and Marion, the auburn-haired MC took the stage.



“Hello and welcome, dear guests, to our annual Jubilife City contest!” she announced from beneath the spotlight “We are gathered here to witness the beauty and magnificence of coordinating in the fourth contest of this year’s circuit. Both seasoned competitors and beginning coordinators will shine tonight so, without further ado, let the show begin!”



The spotlight shifted to the entry just behind the arena and a running figure soon came into view. Everyone of the little group of acquaintances and rivals watching from the backstage gasped. The tuxedo-clad person with greasy slicked-back blonde hair was eagerly familiar.



“The first contest tonight is Jubilife City’s own Rico! “ Marion announced again “He, along with the other contestants, is going to be evaluated by our honorable jury- Mr. Contesta, Mr. Sukizo and Jubilife’s own Nurse Joy. This is Rico’s debut, to let’s hear you cheering him on!”



The audience erupted into clapping despite the occasional snicker at the coordinator’s hairdo. Rico didn’t seem to notice and he swiftly threw up the capsule Poke ball in his hand.



“It’s fightin’ time, Kricketune!”



A ring of flames burst around the sphere and a white light surrounded by levitating music notes appeared into the center. With a flash, Kricketune appeared and scattered the music notes that started soaring around the ring of flames. The red mustache-bearing Pokémon struck a kung-fu-like pose and his black cape-like wings twitched in anticipation.



“Let’s start the show with your Fury Cutter attack!” Rico giddily ordered.



The Cricket Pokémon took the order to heart and as his red scythe-like forearms glowed he started to slash around. Kricketune spun and hopped in a pattern that somewhat resembled kung-fu routine. Embers were scattered around when he swiped the ring of fire and notes burst into sparks when he struck them. Everything seemed fine and the crowd watched with interest. Rico decided to proceed now that he had the needed attention.



“Oh yeah! Like in the kung-fu movies! Kricketune, prepare the stage with X-Scissor!”



The red cricket-like Pokémon jumped as high as he could and after a roll mid-air swiftly crisscrossed his scythes. Their glow changed to purple and a glowing “X” shot forwards, crashing into the ground and scattering the ring of flames. Kricketune landed surely on his stubby legs with only the music notes left circling around him.



“Let’s finish it! Hit it!



The Bug type positioned his scythes in a manner well-know to everyone. But just as the crowd prepared for the soothing music, the Pokémon rubbed his forearms together… and the eerie shrieks that erupted nearly burst the audience’s eardrums.



The bluish-white ripples in the air were clearly visible as the sound waves resonated in the hall. The music notes hovering around became jagged in a comical fashion as soon as the Screech reached them. After what seemed hours of torture, the Bug type finally stopped and bowed down with a pleased expression. Rico followed suit hesitantly. It took around a minute for Marion to be able to comment.



“Wow! What a… unique performance, dear guests! Certainly a breath-taking appeal. Let’s hear what our judges have to say!” A rather dizzy Contesta was the first to answer.



“What an innovative way to debut! This boy knew what we would all expect and surprised us with something new and fresh.”



“Remarkable!” Sukizo added with a stoned expression.



“This Kricketune is certainly well-raised. Look how happy he is to perform.”



“Well, you heard the judges. Now on with the next contestant…”



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“What an appeal was that?! Risking with such a move in your debut! Pretty dumb, really.” Viviane scolded her fellow blond, sitting on one of the sofas in the backstage room. Rico twitched nervously and glanced down to the happy Kricketune in his arms.



“He-he, y’know… it was kinda not supposed to happen. Kricketune has some minor…issues with the move Sing. We rehearsed again and again and it always ended up a Screech. I thought it would work tonight. In a dramatic fashion and like in the movies y’know.” his Pokémon frowned in shame.



Viviane and Kale looked dumb folded and Jed was currently munching on another potato-related food while watching the appeals with gusto. Only Steven tried to cheer his fellow coordinator up…



“Well…the effects were nice.”



…until Rebecca voiced her opinion.



“A Kricketune who can’t even sing. Pathetic.” She briefly glanced at the monitors before chirping “Gotta go, sweeties. I have a date with fame now.”



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“And now, let’s hear you applaud… Rebecca!”



Marion’s voice had just stopped echoing around when the redhead walked into the spotlight with a steady walk. All bridled up, of course. The coordinator took a steady deep breath and enjoyed the feel of everyone’s eyes following her every movement. With a kiss good luck, she threw her capsuled poke ball high into the air.



“It’s show time, Pachirisu!”



Along with the usual white flash, numerous pink foam bubbles burst from the sphere. One very ecstatic Pachirisu landed in the centre and soon she was spinning round and round like a top.



“Get ready…go!” Rebecca shouted just as her Pokémon reached the peak of rotation. Numerous electric currents shot up and swirled around as the EleSquirrel Pokémon spun on her fluffy tail. Upon contact with the neon blue thunder beams the pinkish bubbles exploded in a dazzling array of sparks and water droplets.



The audience “ooh”-ed and “wow”-ed and Rebecca proceeded with a smirk.



“Let’s show our love to the audience, Pachi! Sweet Kiss!”



The Electric type slowed down but kept enough speed to blow air kisses in all directions. Numerous bright red hearts hovered in the air, bathing in what was left of the sparkly particles of the previous combination.



“Swift!”



The command was obeyed immediately and surprisingly steadily, Pachirisu halted to a stop. Taking a deep breath, the pink squirrel-like Pokémon exhaled a stream of bright rotating stars. The neon yellow stars shot straight up and upon reaching a certain height, they fell down like a spring rain. The golden star fall met with the hovering hearts mid-air and exploded like fireworks in various cherry colors.



“Let’s wrap it up! Spark, full throttle!”



The Electric type was more than happy to oblige. With all the inherent energy of her species, Pachirisu immediately darted forward. More and more blue sparks covered her body as she circled around her trainer again and again. The air, which was full of sparkly particles, swirled along with the stream of blue lightning.



“Now!”



Pachirisu suddenly broke the circle and shot towards one of the columns at the entry. She bounced off the moment she made contact and leapt high above Rebecca. The stream of lighting followed her and just as it had reached the little squirrel, Pachirisu squeaked happily before scattering the electricity in the air. The audience roared in approval as soon as Pachirisu landed on her trainer’s extended hand.



“What an appeal! And only in her second contest! I wonder how would the judges rate this dazzling performance?” Marion pondered with the usual attitude of a MC.



“Well, Marion, I especially liked how she built up her performance gradually and used the lasting effects of her previous combinations.” Contesta commented with his usual professional tone.



“Very remarkable!” Sukizo seemed to consider the appeal worthy of two whole words…



“I see that this Pachirisu is very well cared for. And her species hyperactive cuteness was able to shine in this appeal.” Joy summed up.



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“Good luck, Mr. Mystery. I hope I have not intimidated you with my appeal,” the slight purr of the girl’s words echoed in the dim corridor connecting the backstage and the arena. Rebecca had just met with Steven on her way back, while his was heading towards the field. “After all, we are rivals from now on.” the redhead bathed her long eyelashes one last time before walking off.



Steven didn’t even bother answering- the girl seemed dead set on bugging him. But for all the annoyance and humiliation she was, Rebecca was one tough coordinator, Steven gave her that. There was a slight tinge in his stomach but the black-haired boy continued on nonetheless. The light at the end of the tunnel was getting closer and closer and Steven could hear Marion’s introduction. It was his turn to prove himself…



“Ghastly, we’re on!”



The ball which was thrown as soon as Steven stepped on the stage opened with the biggest burst for the evening. Smoke covered the whole stage and the audience tensed in anticipation. Some of the ones that had leaned forwards pulled back with a yelp as two neon purple eyes appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the smoke cloud. An ethereal silhouette appeared soon after the glowing orbs.



“Psychic!”



With a ghostly cry the Pokémon inside the smoke got covered in a multicolored glow for a second… before the glow burst outwards and the smoke was washed away and the air was illuminated with all the colors of the rainbow. Ghastly chuckled mischievously and bridled up in front of the audience. He had no time for showing off however, because another command followed soon after. The Ghost type exploded in numerous copies of himself which scattered and started circling the contest hall. The audience watched in awe as the gas orbs flew around and raced with the spotlights, managing to stay in the shadows with only their glowing eyes indicating where they were.



“Will-o-Wisp followed up by Psychic!”



The only Ghastly that had stayed in one place, the original, conjured twin rings of blue fire balls around him. His eyes changed their glow to blue and soon the fire balls were engulfed in a psychic aura. Numerous of them shot outward and encircled the fading images of the Double Team the way they did the original. Now the audience could see the pattern of movement and the Gas Pokémon looked like a sun surrounded by its circling fiery blue planets.



“Ghaaast…” the tired sigh reached only Steven’s ears but the boy cringed nonetheless. He knew this combo always took its toll on Ghastly but the coordinator knew that it was their time. Steven had decided that this contest was going to be theirs- no matter the difficulties. Still, he knew his partner couldn’t keep on much more.



“Okay, Ghastly! Let’s finish it. Give it all you’ve got!”



The Pokémon swiftly obeyed, dreaming for the good rest after the appeal. Just a little more… He let one more eerie shriek and the fire rings fused together and the numerous planets turned into a dozen Ghastly made of fire. They all bolted towards the original and seemingly smashed into him as one. The blazing figure of a mighty ghost formed of the blue flames and roared before dispersing with a blast.



The Ghost type dizzily hovered into Steven hands and the teen didn’t even hear the judges’ comments as he thanked his faithful partner for his work.



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“Do you think we did the right thing by switching to contests, Jolteon?” the uncharacteristically uncertain voice’s words hanged in the still air of the corridor. The dim light of the “Tunnel of Fame”, as she had heard the more experienced coordinators call it, seemed to be specifically designed for moments like that. Moments when the contestant only wanted to sit still for a second and think before walking into the blinding spotlight and being engulfed by the roar of the audience.



Viviane was doing just that and one could barely recognize her voice as she leant back and talked to the poke ball in her hand.



“I’m sure you did. A trainer has to follow the path he feels is the right one. Gramps used to say that a lot.” the cheerful voice took the girl aback and she swiftly turned to face the speaker. No matter who it was, whoever was sneaking behind her in a moment of weakness like that deserved a good pounding.



“Settle down, Viv. Being pessimistic won’t help ‘ya.”

The blonde was slightly shocked to see her two companions- Kale leaning on the wall across her and Jed munching French fries next to him- and just settled to grunting:



“What do you two want?”



“What do we want? You serious?” Kale pushed back his glasses and laughed wholeheartedly “We’re here to cheer you up of course.”



The sincere response seemed alien to Viviane.



“I’m used to working alone.”



“Then get used to being backed up,” the black-haired boy retorted “ ‘cause we’re going to be up there in the audience, cheering for you. That’s what friends are for, right?”



“The more the merrier as I always say.” Jed chirped between bites.



“Everybody says that, Jed.” the other boy ridiculed.



“But I’m saying it now.”



“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you alwa… HEY!”



Both boys yelped and held their heads in pain. As she had watched them bicker over something so small and funny, Viviane couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. To her utter shock, she realized she was thinking how silly were [I[her[/I] boys. It seemed those traveling circus performers were growing on her after all. And that was pretty upsetting for a usual lone wolf like her. So the blonde settled for just slightly bonking their heads and teased with a giggle:



“Come on, you big babies. I barely touched you.”



“At least you’re laughing now,” the older boy commented.



“Yeah, it seems your little speech worked after all.” Viviane snickered before heading towards the arena. She could hear Marion’s umpteenth intro speech. She was up now and her heart skipped a beat as she headed towards the light at the end of the corridor.



“Hey, Viv?”



The blonde turned on her heels, both irritated and thankful for the intrusion, and raised her eyebrow.



“When you’re up there on the stage,” Kale paused uncertainly before continuing “remember that only two things exist at that moment. You and your Pokémon. Just keep that in mind and… do your best.”



Hazel eyes met blue as the boy finished uncertainly and headed back after Jed without even waiting for an answer. Viviane stood there for a second and her gaze lingered on the place where Kale was just moments before. Nodding confidently more to herself than to anyone else, Viviane broke into a sprint and bolted towards the arena entry. Marion had just called out her name and this time, this time it was her time to shine.



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“Time to shine, Jolteon!”



The red-and-white sphere flew high into the air and burst with a greenish-white flash. The yellow fox-like Pokémon that appeared from inside was surrounded by green lightning bolts. She landed gracefully on the floor and upon her trainer’s command, the lightning bolts were quickly absorbed in her spiky collar. The audience watched with peeked interest as the lion-like mane changed color and turned to a different shade of green with every electrical crackle. The regal fox proudly looked around as stray streams of lightning illuminated her slender body.



“Let’s keep it up! Hidden Power!”



The Electric type purred in agreement and her body suddenly glowed with a yellowish light. The new glow complimented the various shades of green of the collar and the Pokémon seemed like a Legendary out of the pages of some ancient tome. Dozens upon dozens of white-greenish bubbles surrounded Jolteon out of nowhere and as they sped up, the bubbles circled around the whole stage in different patterns.



“Let’s add a twist to it, shall we?”



Just a second after Viviane’s hint the Hidden Power changed pattern and several current of bubbles left the main formation, crashing with each other high in the air. The audience was enamored and Viviane quickly took the opportunity.



“Pin Missile! It’s time for the fireworks, Jolteon!”



The Lightning Pokémon growled approvingly and her collar glowed even brighter before numerous bolt-shaped missiles shot upwards from it. The missiles glowed neon green with the color of the previously absorbed electric and exploded like real fire works when they collided with the bubbles of the Hidden Power. Happy by the multi-colored spectacle she had managed to create, the girl issued the last move with a smile.



“Let’s end it with a blast, Jolteon! Charge Beam!”



The yellow fox jumped as high as she could and with a menacing growl electricity covered her whole body. Soon the yell lightning covered her whole and the only thing the audience could see was the golden silhouette in mid-air, bright as a miniature sun. Thunder beams shot out and swirled around the figure before Jolteon, with one last roar, released all the gathered energy and bathed the whole arena in light.



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Hello again, Sinnoh! We’re back here at Jubilife’s Contest Hall to learn who are the eight lucky contestants who get the chance to fight for the prestigious Jubilifie Ribbon!” the whole backstage room was mute as the contestants followed Marion’s every move on the various screens. The judges evaluated all the appeals professionally and have finally decided who’s worthy of proceeding to round two. And so, without further ado, the eight coordinators who advance to the battle rounds are…”



Everyone’s heart skipped a beat as eight empty slots appeared on the monitor and the pictures of the numerous participants were shuffled. After what seemed hours, the first slot was finally permanently filled with a “ding”.



“…Charles!” the Magmar kid from before punched the air and whooped.



“…Steven!” the group’s shy acquaintance sighed in relief and thanked his ghostly partner once again.



“…Caitlin!” the hairbrush girl started jumping up and down.



“…Rebecca!” the redhead flicked her long hair and stuck her tongue at Viviane.



“…Viviane!” the blonde smiled confidently and stuck her tongue at her rival as well.



“…Mortimer!” the nervous poke ball guy seemed on the verge of collapsing.



“…Jonathan!” a plump kid on the far side of the room grinned.



Aaaand…. Rico!”



The last announcement left the little group of friends and rivals speechless. Even the two witty girls seemed too dumbstruck to comment. Luckily, Chatot popped out out of nowhere to voice the mutual opinion.



“Yay! I’ve heard of “so bad it’s good”, but that’s just ridiculous. Yay!”



Just then Rico, who had been sobbing in a corner up until then, jumped up and swirled around with his equally happy Kricketune in a victory dance. He was forced to stop however, because Marion spoke again.



“Now that we know the eight lucky contestants, it’s time for a short break while they prepare for the next round. Stay tuned, Sinnoh, because things are just picking up. The next stage is the contest battles. The clouds are gathering and I sense it’s going to get hot here tonight when the storm strikes. We’re in for fierce confrontations as the rivals clash tonight. Stay tuned!”



TBC

I'm not kidding... the last thing I copy/pasted was the latest chap of my fic from Word.
 
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