"It's now time for round two!" Melissa announced after a short intermission between rounds. "In this round, there will be four battles between each of the finalists. The winner from each battle will move on until one winner remains, and they will receive the Viridian Contest Ribbon! The winner of the battle will not necessarily be the one who makes their opponent faint first, but who can do it in the most appealing manner."
The scoreboard changed again, this time randomly pairing up the Coordinators in a bracket. Taylor's first battle was against Justin Freeman, a dark skinned boy with glasses who was the only one to get a higher score than her with his Meowth. That was just great.
"Our first battle for today is between Adam Salas of Celadon City and Morgan Damon, joining us all the way from Sunnyshore City in Sinnoh!" Morgan seemed pleasant enough during her appeal―or from what I remembered of it. She was dressed in clothing that could rival Veronica's, but she didn't carry herself nearly as high.
I sat up for this battle, as did Nico. We both obviously wanted Adam to be successful. Who wouldn't? The guy deserved a medal for putting up with Veronica as a companion and for claiming her as his 'best friend.'
"Maybe he'll end up knocking Veronica out?" Nico whispered.
"We can only hope," I replied, seeing Veronica was battling Charles Barrow and would battle Adam if they both won.
Adam and Morgan stepped to the center of the stage and shook hands amicably. "Good luck!" they said at the same time before going to opposite sides of the stage. Adam sent out his Phanpy, who had performed very well, against Morgan's Piplup, who seemed to be lacking throughout the Contest, but still managed to advance to the next round.
"All right, Piplup, start off with Water Gun!" Morgan commanded.
Piplup chirped and fired the attack directly at the Ground-type. Adam smirked Not in a malicious way, but knowingly. "Phanpy, use Harden, then Rollout!" The small elephant's body glowed brightly once, then pulled his body into a tight ball and began rolling around the stage, his speed exponentially increasing with every lap, narrowly missing every spray of water.
"Nice move," Morgan complimented.
"Thanks!"
"Now, Piplup, try Pound!" Piplup ran as fast as it could toward Adam's still-tolling Phanpy.
"All right, Phanpy, stop!" Phanpy stopped in mid spin, but remained in a ball. Piplup took the opportunity and hit him as hard as it could with its stubby arm. The blow ended up doing more damage to Piplup than to Phanpy. Piplup cried and reeled backwards. "Now, use Headbutt!"
"Phan!" Phanpy trumpeted as it went back on all fours and charged towards the Water-type. The hit landed square on its chest. Piplup flew through the air, then landed at Morgan's feet.
"Piplup!" she cried, kneeling down to her Pokemon. Piplup was definitely knocked out.
"Piplup is unable to battle!" Melissa announced. "Adam is moving on to the next round!" On the scoreboard, Morgan's picture faded, and Adam's moved up to the next spot on the bracket.
Ever the gentlemen, he rushed over to Morgan and told her, "Good job. There's always next time." They both smiled at each other as she returned the Piplup to its ball.
"Thanks. Hopefully I'll see you next time."
The rest of the battles went by uneventfully. Veronica wiped the floor with Charlie, Shannon cleaned out Aaron Crowley, and even Taylor beat Justin fairly easily, considering his appeals were the best. The next round of battles went by fairly quickly, also. When Adam and Veronica faced each other, he seemed hesitant, but she was willing to cut his throat for the Ribbon.
"Olivia, use Stun Spore!"
"Try to dodge, Phanpy!" Adam's attempts didn't work. The yellow pollen coated Phanpy and he effectively ceased movement. "Come on, try to use Tackle!" Phanpy gave an honest effort to move, but the paralysis was too severe.
"Finish with Absorb!" The Oddish complied and did a large amount of damage to what little health Phanpy retained.
"That's going to be super effective, poor guy," Nico muttered.
"Phanpy is unable to battle!" Melissa sang. "Veronica Bucksworth will be moving on to the final battle! I'm sorry, Adam, but your Contest experience ends here."
He returned Phanpy with a smile and waved goodbye to a loud audience applause as his picture turned to black and Veronica's moved up one more level
Tyndal saw the obvious disdain on mine and Nico's faces. "I take it you guys didn't like her?"
"It's not that we don't like her…" Nico began.
"We hate her," I interrupted.
The next battle would be very emotional for all of us. Shannon versus Taylor. None of us cheered too loud for one over the other, for fear of offending somebody. In retrospect, Nico and I probably could have gotten away with a couple "Come on, Taylor!"s, but we didn't chance it, and Tyndal did the same.
When Taylor and Shannon took the stage, I noticed Taylor had undressed and was back in her normal traveling clothes. She looked much more comfortable now. Whatever helps, you might as well do it. Shannon had also pulled her carefully styled black locks back into a messy ponytail, a sign that Tyndal informed us to mean that she meant business.
Before Melissa could even announce their names, the battle had already begun. "Cleffa, use Blizzard!" A Cleffa knowing Blizzard? Shannon must be some Coordinator… The icy winds whipped around the stage, freezing the judges and the people in the first couple rows. I saw Blaire pull out a scarf and a hat she bought specifically for her trip to Snowpoint City. At least she was prepared.
Taylor thought on her feet, like always. "Squirtle, use Withdraw!" Squirtle tucked itself into its shell to deflect the snow. "Now… Let's try Water Gun, right through the snow!" That raised a couple eyebrows, including my own. Squirtle barely poked her head out of her shell and fired a small jet of water through the chilled air. In midair, the water turned to ice and came crashing down on the small, pink Normal-type. Shards of ice glittered over the stage after the impact.
"That was so cool!" Blaire exclaimed. "Get it? Cool? Ice?"
"Yes, dear," Mr. Contesta said calmly, albeit slightly annoyed, "we get it."
"Shake it off, Cleffa!" Shannon encouraged. Cleffa feebly stood up, looking more determined than ever, but severely weakened. "Good job! Use Sing!" Immediately, everybody in the audience, including Melissa, the judges, and Taylor and Shannon themselves closed their ears.
"Squirtle, cover your ears, quick!" Cleffa's soft voice filled the stadium with its alluring and hypnotic song. Even with my ears firmly covered, just the slightest sound me drowsy. Squirtle hadn't moved fast enough and was significantly incapacitated.
Taylor gritted her teeth in thought. Suddenly, her eyes brightened as she got an idea. "Squirtle, use Tackle to push Cleffa off the stage!" Squirtle moved sluggishly to complete the task. Cleffa was in a completely different state, ignoring the whole rest of the world as she sang center stage, a prima donna in training.
"Cleffa, move out of the way!" Shannon ordered. Cleffa ignored the order, too busy enjoying the spotlight. With her last few movements, Squirtle forcibly knocked Cleffa off the stage, making her faint from the impact. Right when she hit the floor, Squirtle fell sound asleep on the stage
"Both Squirtle and Cleffa are unable to battle! Looks like we'll have to go to the judges to decide the winner."
The three judges deliberated for a short while as Taylor and Shannon both returned their exhausted Pokemon. Mr. Contesta stood from his seat. "It was a very tough decision, and both of you young ladies carried yourselves very well throughout the competition." He paused to smile at both the Coordinators. "Shannon, you are obviously a very strong Coordinator and Trainer. However, Taylor, with your quick thinking and inventive battle techniques, we declare this battle a victory in your favor."
"Yay! Go Tay!" Blaire cheered, receiving a couple glares from Melissa and some audience members.
"Thank you," Taylor said humbly to the judges. She shook Shannon's hand, but Shannon turned the motion into a brief hug. "Great battle. You're really good."
"Thanks, hun," she replied. "You're not too shabby yourself."
"Sorry, bro," I said to Tyndal.
He shook his head. "You don't have to apologize to me. She won fair and square. Shannon might need some consoling, though. Probably in the form of ice cream."
Nico laughed. "She certainly knows how to cope."
"And now, ladies and gentlemen," Melissa announced, her voice an octave lower, trying to heighten the drama, "we will move on to the final match of the Viridian Pokemon Contest between Veronica Bucksworth and Taylor Murdock." Taylor remained on the stage and waved coyly while Veronica walked on stage with an elaborate curtsy. "We've seen both of these young women fight fiercely for this position, and I don't think anyone will disagree when I say they definitely deserve to be here."
The crowd must have agreed, because I'm pretty sure my hearing was partially impaired from their cheering as Taylor and Veronica took their positions on opposite sides of the stage. Veronica looked like she always did―superior, condescending, and arrogant, but this time with an added edge of desire. Taylor's determination never faded, and even though she had done very well in this Contest, her head hadn't grown any bigger. I was very proud to call her my sister.
"This battle will determine the winner who will receive the Viridian Ribbon, having one fifth of what is necessary to enter the Kanto Grand Festival at the Indigo Plateau," Melissa explained as Taylor and Veronica sent out their Pokemon. Olivia looked ready for anything. After all, she hadn't taken any blows the entire Contest. Squirtle, on the other hand, still seemed a little drowsy and had several bumps and bruises, but I knew Taylor would use every bit of Squirtle's energy to its best potential. This battle would be interesting, to say the least.
"Rough," Tyndal commented. "Water-type against a Grass-type that is still at perfect health? Hopefully she can pull a Buneary out of a hat."
"Knowing Taylor, she will," Nico answered.
"Judges, are you ready?" Melissa asked. All three nodded. "Audience?" They roared. "Coordinators?"
Taylor simply shook her head yes while Veronica loudly stated, "Yes, I am!"
"Then let's get this battle underway!" Melissa gracefully jumped off the stage to watch the battle from beside the judges' table.
Veronica didn't waste any time. "Olivia, be a dear and use Sweet Scent?" Just like during her appeal, the Oddish whipped up a dainty pink cloud of a pleasant aroma that rose high into the air, then dropped right onto Squirtle.
"That might be good for Taylor," Nico whispered.
"How?" Squirtle began wobbling on her feet with a goofy smile on her face as the scent relaxed her muscles and made her much more lethargic.
"She already used that move, so the judges might be bored of it. As long as Taylor keeps it original, even if Squirtle faints, she can still win."
I'm no Contest expert, but that seemed like good enough logic for me. "Squirtle, just stay standing!" Squirtle gave her Coordinator a desperate look. I could see Taylor mouth, 'Trust me,' and Squirtle obeyed.
"You're just going to stand there?" Veronica scoffed. "Hm. No matter. Olivia, Razor Leaf!"
Taylor smirked as her plan came together. "I was hoping you'd do that. Squirtle, use Withdraw, then spin when the leaves are coming!" Before Veronica could call off the attack, Olivia had already launched the razor-edged foliage at Squirtle. Like Taylor ordered, Squirtle retreated into her shell and began to spin violently, yet daintily, if that's even possible. When the leaves hit the hard shell, they bounced back, redirected squarely at Olivia.
"Olivia, dodge!" The Oddish was too slow and was bombarded with her own attack. Though it didn't do much damage, there were significant marks on her small blue body.
Nico smiled widely. "Like I said. Veronica will keep reusing appeals, and Taylor will keep it original."
"Looks like your sis has this in the bag!" Tyndal interjected.
"I sure hope so!"
Veronica breathed in deeply. "It's not over yet! Olivia, jump up and use Pound on one of the boards on the stage!" Everyone's faces looked puzzled. Taylor's brow furrowed as she tried to predict Veronica's move. Oddish cried loudly as her small body leaped up high, then came back down with great force on the wooden stage.
Veronica let out a victorious giggle as her plan came to fruition. One of the boards cracked and came loose, cleanly sweeping upwards. Squirtle, unfortunately, was on the other end of the board and was sent flying through the air. "Squiiiiiiiiirt!"
"That Oddish is on steroids or something!" I exclaimed, not able to control my mouth at that moment. Several eyes turned to glare at me, including Veronica's. I slunk back into my seat.
"Squirtle!" Taylor cried as the tiny turtle Pokemon flew through the air. "Uh… Aim Water Gun as hard as you can at the ground, hurry!" A powerful blast of water from Squirtle's mouth kept her from hitting the ground. The spray of water swept across the stage, drenching Olivia and knocking her into the now gaping hole in the stage, before allowing Squirtle to land safely.
"Olivia!" Veronica called out. Olivia struggled to jump out of the hole, but was sufficiently stuck between the ground and the stage.
"Dish! Oddish! Odd!" she whined, relentlessly wriggling to break free.
Taylor took the golden opportunity. "Squirtle! Tackle!" Squirtle's energy was depleted almost to zero at this point―which would make going to sleep tonight much easier―but gave her last bit of strength to the finishing move.
Olivia took the force of the Tackle attack head on―literally. She was knocked loose from underneath the stage, but flew into the wall, then collapsed in a defeated pile on the ground. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that she had fainted. Melissa trotted over to the Pokemon and examined her closely.
"Oddish is unable to battle! But before we call the Contest to a close, let's go to our judges to decide a winner."
The three judges whispered among themselves for a short while, but it felt like an eternity. Mr. Contesta cleared his throat and stood when they had reached a decision. "As previously stated, both of you are very capable and talented Coordinators. However, one must come out on top. Veronica, the sheer power your Pokemon possesses outshines any of the others in attendance. You also have very beautiful and appealing moves. A few moves, that is, and after a few rounds, they get extremely boring. And Taylor, your resourcefulness has saved you now multiple times. However, your moves have lacked a degree of grace and refinement."
He took a deep breath before giving the final words on the Contest. "We have collectively decided to name…" Everyone inhaled sharply. Taylor bit her lip while Veronica continued to smile knowingly, already having won in her head. "Taylor Murdock of Vermillion City as the winner of the Viridian Pokemon Contest, and present her with this Ribbon showing her accomplishment!"
The crowd roared louder than ever, myself, Nico, and even Tyndal included. "Whoo! Go Tay! I knew you could do it!" Taylor incredulously walked forward to the judges' table. Her jaw hit her chest as Mr. Contesta presented her with a brilliant green ribbon.
"You've earned it, Miss." He gave a slight bow as Taylor gladly took her first ribbon, but not after thanking everyone loudly and profusely.
Blaire was beside herself and jumped over the table to give Taylor a huge hug. "Oh, my little sister! I'm so proud of you!"
"She's really affectionate, isn't she?" Tyndal observed.
"Wait till you meet her in person."
After the contest ended, most of the contestants and their friends and families who came to support them were gathered in the lobby. Taylor, Blaire, Nico, and myself were in a corner all by ourselves as Blaire gushed over Taylor's first win. Taylor, while still absolutely ecstatic―more about defeating Veronica than actually winning―Blaire was coming close to ruining the mood.
"And the way you deflected her Razor Leaf? Oh, that was fantastic! I'd hate to be the one that has to pay to fix the stage, though. But who cares! You won! We have to call Mom and Dad right away! They'll be so proud! I'm so proud! And I swear I wasn't a biased judge! You really won! Like, for real!"
"Blaire, I think you can calm it down a bit," I suggested with urgency.
"Oh, yeah, sorry about that."
"We're still really glad for you, Taylor," I continued. "I know I don't say this a lot, but you did really good and I'm really proud of you."
"Aw," she sighed emphatically, "I love you, too, bubba! But next time, victory better be for you when you get the Pewter City Gym Badge. And Nico too, of course."
"Thanks, Taylor." Nico blushed slightly. I know I've said this a million time before, but Arceus, he was cute…
"You're going to Pewter City next? Tell Brock I said hi!" Blaire exclaimed. "Wow, it's been forever since we've caught up…"
I sighed. "Is there anyone in any Pokemon League that you don't know?"
Blaire thought for a moment. "Nope, I pretty much know everyone. There are a couple people that I'm not quite fond of, though."
"Who?" Taylor asked. Blaire didn't dislike a lot of people. Up until now, I didn't think she disliked anyone.
"Sabrina from Saffron Gym is kind of weird, and not in the good way. Fantina in Hearthome City in Sinnoh and I competed against each other in a Contest once, and she was sorta rude. Oh! Falkner over in Johto called me 'peppy' once. I mean seriously! Me? Peppy? I don't see it."
"Yep, that's a real mystery."
"Oh! That reminds me." Blaire started digging through her bag and produced three small cases, just like the one Adam had earlier. "Mom and Dad wanted me to give these to you guys as presents after you all got your first Ribbons and Badges. I figured I'd just give them all to you now."
"Wow! Thanks so much, Blaire!" Taylor took hers swiftly and opened it. Hers was ocean blue, and the inside was lined with sky blue velvet with five neat little pockets to place her Ribbons. She placed the green Viridian Ribbon in and admired it from afar. "Wow, that looks so cool!"
I took a forest green case, this one with eight places adjusted to the specific shape of each of the eight Badges of Kanto. That left a fiery red one remaining in Blaire's hands.
"Who's that one for?" Nico asked.
"You, silly!" Blaire forcefully gave him the case.
"Really? I―I don't think I can take it, I'm sorry. It just wouldn't feel right."
"Come on, Nico!" I playfully jabbed him in the ribs. "You can't refuse a gift."
"Exactly!" Blaire agreed. "Don't worry about it. If you're going to be traveling with these two for a while, you need to do it right."
"I guess you're right. Thanks, Blaire. Thanks to your parents, too, guys."
"No problem!" Blaire's Poketch went off with several beeps. She glanced at it then frowned. "Professor Oak needs me back at the lab ASAP. I guess I'll see you guys later!" Just as quick as she could talk, Blaire had said goodbye and given goodbye hugs and kisses to all three of us and was out the door.
"Hey, what's up, guys?" Tyndal's voice sounded from behind us. Tyndal and Shannon both stood there.
"Oh, hey, man! Taylor, this is Tyndal," I quickly introduced.
"Great to meet you finally. This is my companion, Shannon, but I think you already know each other."
Shannon laughed. "Yeah, we might have met once before."
Taylor smiled amicably. "Yeah, I think we did, too. But in all seriousness, you did really great."
"Not as great as you," Shannon replied. "You're the one with the Ribbon."
"I guess that's true."
"Anyway, we just wanted to say bye before we left," Tyndal explained.
"And say congratulations," Shannon added.
Taylor thanked her, then asked, "So where are you guys going next?"
"We're going back to Cinnabar Island for a little bit," Tyndal answered. "The Contest scene over there is a lot less tough than over here, and Blaine's Gym is Fire-typed, so that'll give me and my Octillery a good, easy springboard into the Gyms."
"That sounds like a good plan," I said. "We're going to Pewter, so hopefully we'll see each other again?"
"Yeah, for sure!" Tyndal agreed excitedly.
"Maybe even at the Indigo Plateau?" Shannon added with a shrug.
"We'll be there," Taylor responded.
"Well, see you then!" We waved goodbye to our new friends as they left the Contest Hall for Cinnabar Island.
"It's nice to see you made a friend who wasn't a complete jerk," Taylor commented.
"You know, I really am, too."
Nico, who had been relatively silent, spoke up. "Guys, it's starting to get late. Do we want to go to the Pokemon Center or try to make it to Pewter?"
"Pewter's gotta be at least a day away," Taylor said. "I don't want to get halfway into the Viridian Forest then have to camp outside."
"She's right," Nico said after checking the map. "Terran?"
"I guess the Pokemon Center it is."
"You're kidding me!"
"This is not happening!"
"How could they do that?"
When we had walked out of the Contest Hall, nighttime had already settled down hard. Even though the Contest started at noon, it took up a lot of time, plus all the meeting and congratulating afterwards. Right as we got to the door to the Pokemon Center, Nurse Joy placed a sign on the door reading, 'NO VACANCY.'
"Well," I said in exasperation, "looks like camping out is going to be our choice for the night."
Taylor got her first Contest Ribbon! :D Yay! Just four more! This is the last chapter I have of everything that's pre-written, so expect updates coming much slower from now on. Until next time, please review!
