Chapter III—Contest Showdown!
"And now, let us see the performance of May from Petalburg City!" the MC declared in a distinct voice.
May stumbled a little as she got up. But as she stepped onto the stage, all her fears disappeared. This was just another contest, she told herself. Everything would be all right…
"Go Combusken! Fire Spin!" What came out could not be seen; all was seen was a burst of flame, travelling in spirals. "Now jump through the spiral and use Sky Uppercut!" What was seen next was a blinding flash, followed by a shower of fiery rain. A chicken like Pokémon landed sturdily on his feet, sinking into a bow.
"29.5! That's a hard score to beat!" announced the MC. May was relieved. She had done pretty well. "Next up, we have Drew from La Rousse City!"
Distinct cheers from Drew's fans could be heard. May said nothing; she just watched him quietly. He strode onto the stage, looking as confident as ever. "Go Absol! Use Shadow Ball, then Fire Blast!"
A black and white Pokémon sprang out from the pokeball, and launched a huge ball then many smaller red ones which formed a circle around the bigger one. "Faint Attack, then Razor Wind!" Absol disappeared from view, then a shining horn appeared, followed by a gust of wind that seemed to slice through the air, breaking up the fireball and shadow-like ball formation to what seemed like beautiful fireworks. When everything disappeared, Absol reappeared, landing in a cool pose.
"29.8! An almost perfect score!" Roaring cheers erupted again. Drew was soon out of sight. Will those irritating fans ever stop cheering? I'd better find May.
"Great appeal," came a voice. May was standing behind him.
"Thanks." He flipped his hair coolly again. "Listen, you'd better get into the finals, I'd want to beat you."
May scowled. She saw her name appear, and soon found out that she would be fighting against someone called Bernice, and Drew against some weird guy who calls himself YY. She watched Drew get ready for the battle, and stopped him before he went onto the stage. Drew stared at her.
"Well…good luck." May could feel herself blushing. Drew smiled.
"Same to you," he said before disappearing.
"Now, let the battle commence!" the MC said.
"Go Absol!"
"Go Altaria!"
"Absol, Shadow Ball!" a dark ball appeared and shot at Altaria.
"Dodge!" Altaria swerved, but the Shadow Ball was too fast for her. It hit one side of its soft, cottony wings, and left it whimpering in pain.
"Altaria, Dragonbreath!" a greenish spurt of fire aimed directly for Absol.
Drew flicked his hair. "Counter with Razor Wind." He seemed bored by this.
The gust of wind literally sliced the Dragonbreath, causing it to divert sideways.
"Now Faint Attack and Slash." Drew seemed to be in no hurry at all.
Absol disappeared. Altaria looked around, confused. Without warning, gleaming claws stretched out from nowhere, causing a long slash mark on Altaria's neck. Altaria could not take it anymore. It keeled over and fainted.
"Drew is the winner! Congratulations on getting into the finals!" More catcalling from the fans. Drew really wanted Flygon to use Sandstorm so he could escape from this, but he didn't.
"Next up, we have May and Bernice!"
May stepped up. "Go Combusken!" She could see Max cheering her on and smiled at him.
"Go Clefairy!"
"Combusken, Double Kick and Flamethrower!"
A stream of fire obscured Combusken from view. The next moment, fiery kicks landed on the unsuspecting Clefairy.
"Oh no! Pound!"
A weak tackle aimed for Combusken.
"Use Sky Uppercut to deflect!"
Combusken simply extended his claws and gave an upward slash on the down coming Clefairy. When Clefairy landed on the ground again, it had been knocked out.
"May wins! Congratulations!" Max was cheering wildly. "Next up, the final battle between May and Drew!"
May gave Combusken a grateful hug, whispering, "Go Combusken … you've beat Drew once…do it again…"
Drew strode up, Absol by his side, and a rose in his hand.
"Let the battle begin!"
He flicked his hair and threw the rose. "Use faint Attack, then Razor Wind!"
"Combusken, Fire Spin into the air!"
The Fire Spin dropped down to form a fire rain, spattering on Absol an forcing it to reappear, horn aglow.
"Sky Uppercut!"
Just then, Absol released the Razor Wind. The two attacks collided, and Combusken fell back, panting.
May commanded, "Flamethrower!" just when Drew called out "Shadow Ball!"
The two attacks once again met in mid air, exploding to form thick smoke. However, when the smoke parted, the darkness did not go away. Something had just crashed into the contest hall.
A purple gem like crystal.
It suddenly morphed—into a creature with long tentacle-like arms and an evil looking face. Its body was red and turquoise all over, and on its chest, the purple gem was embedded in. Everyone barely glimpsed it when it swept past, bringing darkness everywhere. They could hear screaming of young children, and then the darkness finally passed, as suddenly as it had come. Only that something was not right. May was staring at something in horror.
"What's wrong?" asked Drew.
It took May several moments before she replied in a weak tone.
"Max—Max's gone!"
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A/N: just in case you're wondering, the opponents are, or were, my real rivals. so i do not own them, and i do not WANT to own them. i made them quite lousy i know, just to like, expel my hatred. the lousier the character, the more i hate him/her. so yeah i think you know who i hate more...(i mean compare a Clefairy to an Altaria...)