This is it! This is the moment you have all been waiting for. The start of the World Championship Tournament! Sorry about some parts, I'm not going to lie this chapter was rushed just a bit. This chapter was also heavily based off the Pokemon Anime episode 'Round One Begin'. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and I will try to update as quickly as I can.
Chapter 37
And So…It Begins
"Victory Road was crawling with Pokémon!" Mal exclaimed as the group was resting near the Victory Road and under a group of trees. "Everyone got a new Pokémon." She held the shiny new Pokeball that contained her new Pokémon.
Jason smiled at the comment. He and Kelly were sitting against a tree together. Jason had captured four new Pokémon and Kelly had captured two. Akira was still near them with her newly evolved Glaceon. Brian and Maria were sitting next to each other. Maria had captured a new Pokémon and Brian had captured five new Pokémon.
"Fourteen new Pokémon between all of us." Brian said. "Not too bad for a day's work."
"Too bad the day isn't over." Maria said. "You guys do realize we wasted a day in Victory Road and that we have to get to the Indigo Plateau and register for the tournament by sundown, right?"
"We know, but we're so tired." Kelly said and cuddled up against Jason.
Jason smiled. It was true. They were all tired. They had to sleep in the Victory Road, the Pokémon left them alone. But every time someone woke up and saw a Pokémon they wanted, they would chase after it and the pursuing battle would be loud and everyone would wake up.
"She is right." Jason said. "We should get going. The League is only a few miles away."
"Can't we just rest a little longer?" Kelly said, her eyes still closed.
"You can rest all you want after we register." Jason whispered.
"The earlier we get there, the more time we have to rest." Mal added.
That was motivation enough for the whole group to get up and continue on.
…
The Indigo Plateau stood in front of them. The huge tower seeming to reach up into the sky, past the clouds, grazing the atmosphere. Jason stared up in awe. The tower's shadow was casted over the group.
"Let's get in and register." Kelly said, pulling Jason with her as the group headed in through the Plateau's huge, double, sliding doors.
Inside the Plateau was even more glorious. Everything looked so futuristic. It took Jason's breath away. In the main reception area, there were a few receptionists behind desk, most were helping people, but the group found an open one. The receptionist was a young woman in her twenties with brown hair and blue eyes.
"Yes? May I help you?" She asked as the whole group approached her desk.
"Yes, we are here to register for the World Championship Tournament." Akira said as she leaned up against the counter.
"All…of you?" The receptionist asked as she looked over the group.
"No." Brian spoke up. "Just four of us."
"Okay, well I need to see your badges and your trainer cards."
"Akira, you go first." Kelly said.
Akira nodded. She reached into her back and pulled out her trainer card as well as that big red badge.
"So you passed the Pokémon League Admission Exam." The receptionist smiled. "That's impressive."
"Thank you." Akira nodded as she handed the receptionist her Trainer Card.
The receptionist took it and inserted it into a slot on a nearby desktop computer. After a few moments of typing, the card ejected from the computer and the receptionist handed it back to Akira.
"There you go Miss Hoshiko." The receptionist handed Akira her trainer card. "You are now registered in the World Tournament. The opening ceremony is at seven a.m... Get there early. You will find out your first opponent tomorrow."
"Thank you." Akira smiled and backed away from the desk so the others could register.
The process was repeated for the others, and then it was Jason's turn.
"Jason Malone." The receptionist said as she took his trainer card. "You wouldn't happen to be related to Rose Malone would you?"
"Uhh, yes I am." Jason replied. "She was my mother."
"Oh!" The receptionist smiled. "I guess being a trainer runs in the family." She put his trainer card into the computer slot. "I was a bit fan of your mother's when she was Champion. She had some great battles." Jason's trainer card was handed back to him "I'll be watching you closely. Good luck out there."
"Thank you." Jason smiled.
He turned away from the desk and headed over to the others, who were standing near an exit that said 'This way to the Pokémon League Village.'
"We're all registered?" Kelly asked as Jason walked next to her and put his arm around her.
He nodded.
"So what do we do now? Another hotel? Another Pokémon Center?" Jason asked.
"This must obviously be your first tournament." Brian said. "So I'll give you the facts. All participants in this tournament get free housing in a suburb at the Pokémon League Village and also get free food at all the restaurants in Pokémon Village."
"Free housing and free food!" Jason exclaimed. "R-Really!"
"Yes." Brian nodded and smiled. "You're gonna love it."
Kelly giggled a bit.
"I guess we get a house with four rooms?" Akira said.
"Make it five rooms."
The others turned and looked in the direction of the exits. Everlynn was standing there, smiling at them.
"Hey guys!" She waved.
"Everlynn!" Akira exclaimed and ran over to her.
Everyone else quickly ran over to them while Jason and Kelly slowly walked over. Everyone said their hellos and Everlynn was smiling until she laid eyes on Jason and Kelly.
"Jason." Everlynn nodded.
"Hey Everlynn." Jason smiled an awkward smiled. "Long time no see."
"Yeah….maybe not long enough." She said then looked at Kelly. "Kelly…"
"Hey Everlynn." Kelly smiled nervously.
"Was getting a little worried that you weren't going to make it. I'm glad you made it."
"Really?" Kelly's face lit up with surprise.
"Of course." Everlynn smirked. "I would love the opportunity to eliminate you from this tournament."
It took Kelly a moment to register what Everlynn had said. She frowned when she realized what Everlynn had said. Everlynn just smirked at her.
"Be careful what you wish for." Kelly glared.
The two girls glared at each other.
"Hey girls, there is no need for-" Jason was interrupted.
"Shut up Jason." Everlynn said.
"Okay…" Jason backed off.
The two girls glared at each other for a minute longer until Maria broke it up.
"Listen! Both of you! Now is not the time!" She said. "Save it for the tournament."
"I'll be looking forward to beating you." Everlynn said and walked away from Kelly.
Kelly said nothing and went over to Jason. The group started moving again, heading for Pokémon Village.
…
Pokémon Village was a huge town. Several residential areas all over the place complete with its own Pokémon Center. The shopping district was filled with stores and restaurants. People were everywhere.
"We need to hurry up and find a place to stay." Akira said. "It's almost nighttime and we need to be up early."
The sky was already dark as the sun slowly set.
"I didn't tell you guys, but I already rented out a house for us to use." Everlynn said. "Six bedrooms, plenty of room."
"Six bedrooms, sounds good." Akira nodded. "Enough for everybody."
At this point the whole group didn't really care; they were tired and just wanted to rest. Everlynn saw the exhausted looks on their faces.
"Uhhh, I'll show you guys where the house is." She said and started to lead them.
…
The night was quiet and restless for Jason. He laid in the king sized bed, with Kelly next to him and his arm around her. She was sound asleep, but he was wide awake. He was unable to sleep, thinking about the tournament. He first match was in the morning. He would be battling in front of thousands of people and not to mention the millions who would be watching at home. He could fell the butterflies in his stomach. His nervousness built with each passing moment that he thought about it. It was a miracle he got to sleep in the first place.
…
"I can't believe this is about to happen." Kelly said.
"I-I know…" Jason said. "We finally made it here."
All the trainers that would be partaking in the tournament were now inside the stadium waiting to be called out into the field. Kelly grabbed Jason's hand and held it tightly as they wanted for all the trainers to be called out. The crowd of trainers was huge. Luxio stood next to Jason while Pikachu rode on Kelly's shoulder. Brian, Akira, and Everlynn were also among the trainers, but Jason and Kelly had gotten separated from them. The crowd of trainers started to move towards the exit to the field.
"Well, here we go." Jason said.
They held each other's hand tightly as they started to walk forward.
…
The crowd roared as the trainers made it out onto to the field. Jason looked up at the crowd. The stands were filled with people. Jason felt the butterflies returning to his stomach and he gripped Kelly's hand tighter.
"You okay?" She looked over at him.
He looked back at her and nodded, but was really nervous. All the trainers were standing on the battlefield looking towards the direction of a stage. The crowd in the stands were cheering loudly. There were also several camera men recording everything that was going on. There was a man walking on the stage. He looked to be about fifty and was wearing a very nice formal suit. He walked to the middle of the stage with a microphone in his hands. Jason thought that the man looked familiar.
"Hello! And welcome all to the first ever World Championship Tournament!" The man said. "My name is Edward Teache; I am the advisor to the World Champion."
Edward Teache. Jason recognized that last name. Teache was Maria's last name.
"Mister Walter wanted to be here today to wish all of you the best of luck, but he had a prior arrangement to attend to. He will, however, be watching over all the battles. So do your best to impress. The tournament will be going for the next week and will consist of eight rounds. All the battles will be televised as well as the interviews that follow them. The winner of the tournament will receive a million dollar cash prize as well as an opportunity to battle the World Champion for a chance to become World Champion. Good luck to all of you young trainers. Thank you for your attention." Edward took one last look at all the trainers and then walked off the stage.
The crowd started cheering as Edward walked out the stage. The trainers on the field started talking amongst themselves.
"All trainers are to report to the reception area so that they can be assigned a first round match." A voice said over the loud speakers.
The group of trainers started heading back into the stadium. Jason was still a bit worried. Everything would be televised. So if he messed up the whole world would see. No pressure.
…
"You nervous?" Kelly asked Jason as they were waiting in line to find out who their opponents will be.
"A little." Jason lied as he looked up at her and faked a smile.
He was really nervous. He was constantly shaking and fidgeting with his hands.
"It'll be fine." Kelly smiled. "I'm sure you'll do fine."
"I hope." He mumbled.
Soon it was Jason's turn to find out who he would be facing.
"Name please." The receptionist said with a smile.
It was a different receptionist this time. She was a shorter woman in her early twenties with long red hair and brown eyes.
"Jason Malone." Jason said.
"Jason Malone." The receptionist repeated and started to type on a computer. "You wouldn't happen to be related to Rose Malone would you?" She asked as she typed.
"Uhhh, yes I would be." Jason replied. "She was my mother."
"Oh!" The woman was surprised. "I was a big fan of your mother back when she was champion. Maybe I'll have to keep an eye on your battles." The woman flashed a smile at Jason.
Jason blushed a bit. Kelly glared at the other woman.
"Okay. Let me explain the rules a bit. In the first four rounds you will be battle a trainer from every region, not including the region that you are from. The battles will take place on a different field; Water, Grass, Rock, and Ice. You will on be allowed to use three Pokémon." The receptionist said. "You first opponent will be…." The screen behind the woman flashed on and a picture of Jason along with the picture of another girl. She looked to be the same age as Jason. She had long brown hair and deep light blue eyes. "Cassidy Stronghold from the Neoterra Region and you will be battling her on the Water field. Be there by eleven and good luck. I'll be watching your battles closely."
"Thank you." Jason smiled
…
After Kelly had found out who she would be battling and after a good luck kiss, her and Jason split up to go prepare for their matches. Jason now sat in a Pokémon Center lobby near the Water field stadium. He hand his five Pokeballs lying on the table. Luxio sat in the chair next to him. He had sent the new Pokémon he had caught to his father in Johto.
"Now let's see." Jason mumbled to himself. "I can use Luxio and Vaporeon, but who else should I use?"
"Jason!" Two voices cried out happily.
Jason looked up from the table in surprise to see his two younger siblings, Amy and Jeremy, running up to him. He stood up just as they neared him and they hugged him.
"Hey guys!" He hugged them back. "I haven't seen you guys in forever."
"We missed you so much!" Amy said.
"Yeah big bro!" Jeremy said. "It's been pretty boring without you around."
"Sorry guys, you know the reason I left." Jason said.
"That they do." Jason's father said as he approached them.
"Hey dad." Jason smiled.
"Shinx you evolved!" Amy and Jeremy stopped hugging Jason and went over to Luxio and started petting her.
"What are you doing here dad?" Jason asked.
"What? You'd think I'd miss my son competing in his first tournament?" His father asked.
"But what about Alice's funeral?"
"The funeral was put on hold for a while. I had to come see you battle."
"Thank you." Jason said. "I'm glad to have you here."
After a few moments of talking, Jason's father was now helping him plan out which Pokémon to use in the battle while Jeremy and Amy played with Luxio.
"I'm going to use Luxio and Vaporeon for sure." Jason said. "But I don't know who else to use. I want to use a Pokémon that will have an advantage in the water."
"Why not use Dratini?" Jason's father suggested.
"Dratini? Isn't it still a baby?" Jason asked.
"It's actually a really good battler and a lot of energy." Jason's father let Dratini out of its Pokeball.
"Tini!" The Pokémon smiled when it saw Jason.
It slithered over to him, up his arm and nuzzled him on the side of his head. Jason smiled and gently took the small serpent Pokémon into his arms.
"Alright, I'll use him." Jason nodded.
"Which Pokémon are you going to give back to me?" He father asked as he handed Jason Dratini's Pokeball.
"Well…." Jason said. "….I'll leave Charmeleon with you for a bit. He could use a good rest."
Jason handed his father Charmeleon's Pokeball.
"Alright, so the three I will use will be…Dratini first and then Luxio and Vaporeon for back up."
"Sounds like the perfect team." His father said.
"Thanks." Jason replied. "I need to get to the Water field. I have ten minutes to get ready."
"Alright. We'll be in the stands cheering you on." His father said.
Jason nodded. Luxio jumped away from Jeremy and Amy and went over to him.
"Good luck!" Jeremy and Amy shouted to Jason and Luxio as they left the Center.
…
Jason could feel the stadium shaking from the cheers of the crowd. Jason was more nervous now. A lot was expected of him since he was a former Champion's son. What if he couldn't live up to the expectations?
"W-We're up next Luxio." Jason's voice was shaky.
Luxio looked up at him in worry.
"Jason!" A voice called out.
Jason turned around to see Kelly running up to him. She hugged him tightly when she neared him.
"You'll do fine." She said. "It's just like any other battle."
Jason looked and her and nodded, still a little nervous.
"I'll be up in the stands cheering for you." She said.
Jason said nothing, he just nodded again. Kelly gave him a good luck kiss.
"You'll do fine. You'll beat her and advance to the second round." She said.
"O-Okay." Jason smiled this time. "I'll beat her."
"Okay." Kelly smiled.
She quickly kissed him.
"You're up. Go get em tiger." She smiled.
Jason's smile grew and he turned back to the field entrance and he and Luxio started to head out.
…The crowd roared in anticipation as the green platform that Jason and Shinx stood on was raised up. Jason looked at the other side of the battlefield. His opponent was raised up on a red platform that was similar to the one he was standing on. Men with cameras were walking along the sides of the battlefield trying to get shots of both the trainers. The battlefield, itself, was just one big pool with a few floating platforms on it.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the fourth battle on the Water field." An announcer said over to loud speakers throughout the stadium. "This matchup is between new comer Jason Malone of the Kanto Region and Cassidy Stronghold of the Neoterra Region. Jason Malone is the son of former Kanto Champion, Rose Malone, who was champion for almost ten years. This is Jason's first tournament and being the son of a former champion, a lot is expected of him. Cassidy has participated in Tournaments before, placing second in the Neoterra League and also second in the Sinnoh League. She has experience which is something that Jason lacks. Will experience win the day? Or will beginner's luck be enough to push Jason to victory? Let's find out!"
Jason sighed. Great things were expected of him. The huge screen on the stadium flashed on. It showed a picture of Jason on one side and Cassidy on the other side with three blank slots underneath their pictures. Jason took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Begin!" The referee shouted.
Jason drew a Pokeball.
"Dratini! Come on out!" He said.
"Tini! Tini!" Dratini cheered as he landed on one of the floating platforms.
Cassidy smirked. She didn't seem worried at all. She drew a Pokeball.
"Go Roserade!" She said.
The Pokeball opened and out came a small green Pokémon with rose bouquets for hands.
"Cassidy is starting with Roserade while Jason is starting with Dratini." The announcer said.
"Let's make short work of this." Cassidy said. "Roserade use Energy Ball."
Roserade formed a huge green orb of energy and launched it forward.
"Dratini, dive under the water!" Jason ordered.
Dratini moved quickly and dove into the pool.
"Gotcha." Cassidy smirked. "Roserade! Use Extrasensory to create a whirlpool!"
Roserade's eyes started to glow a bright purple. A small whirlpool was formed were Dratini had dove into the water.
"Tini!" Dratini cried out as it was sucked into the whirlpool.
Dratini was spun around and around. It was starting to get dizzy. Cassidy smirked a Dratini was spun around and around. Jason gritted his teeth together. He needed to think fast.
"Dratini use Aqua Jet!" Jason ordered.
Dratini suddenly shot forward through the water, escaping the whirlpool and shooting out of the water. Dratini landed on the same platform as Roserade.
"Roserade use Poison Jab!" Cassidy ordered, suddenly nervous.
"Dratini use agility to dodge!" Jason ordered.
Roserade's bouquet arms turned a sickly purple color as it moved toward Dratini. Dratini moved so fast that is disappeared and then reappeared behind Roserade.
"Dratini use Dragon Pulse!"
"Tiiiini!" Dratini cried as it shot out a huge blue beam that struck Roserade hard and knocked it into the water.
"Roserade!" Cassidy cried out as the Pokémon sank below the water.
A few seconds passed and Roserade resurface, but it had fainted. The crowd started to go wild.
"Roserade is unable to battle!" the referee said.
Jason was just as surprised as anyone that Dratini had defeated the Roserade.
"Tini! Tini!" Dratini cried happily, and then it started to grow.
"Wait a minute folks, something is happening." The announcer said.
Dratini's body grew longer, its 'ears' grew bigger and turned wing shaped, a pearl grew just below its chin, and a small white horn grew on its head. The Pokémon make a calming cry as it appeared.
"Wow! Dratini evolved into Dragonair!" The announcer said.
Jason could not believe it. He stared at his new Pokémon with his mouth wide open. Dragonair floated up in the air and went over to him. The Pokémon still nuzzled him. Jason could help but smile. Cassidy called back her Roserade.
"Not too bad." She said, loud enough for Jason to hear. "You got a lucky break Malone, but too bad your luck has run out."
She called out another Pokémon. This time it was a Milotic. The Pokémon shown beautifully in the sunlight. Dragonair descended back onto the field. It dove into the water. Milotic was also in the water.
"Milotic use Twister!" Cassidy said with a smirk.
Milotic eyes glowed blue and a giant water twister started forming in the pool.
"Dragonair use Hyper Beam!" Jason ordered.
A huge orange beam formed and then fired out of Dragonair and hit Milotic. The attack went through the Twister attack and struck Milotic head on. Milotic was K. after one it.
Jason couldn't believe it again. What power his Dragonair displayed. Its power surpassed its level. The crowd cheered. They were loving every minute of this battle. Jason had calmed and relaxed.
"Yes!" Jason cried happily. "Two down. One to go."
The cameramen were getting plenty of footage shots of Dratini, The confident Jason, and the extremely worried Cassidy.
"What an extraordinary case of beginner's luck!" The announcer exclaimed. "Jason is on his way to victory! Unless Miss Stronghold can stage an incredible comeback."
Cassidy looked extremely nervous. She drew her last Pokeball.
"Go! Gyarados!"
A giant blue serpent like Pokémon appeared. It roared angrily.
"A G-Gyarados!" Jason exclaimed.
"That's right." Cassidy smirked. "Gyarados! Use Ice Fang!"
Gyarados started swimming towards Dragonair, the water in the pool overflowing. Dragonair flew up as Gyarados neared it, avoiding the attack completely.
"What's the matter? Scared?" Cassidy taunted.
"Not on your life." Jason replied. "Dragonair! Use Dragon Breath."
"Gyarados Ice Beam!"
The two attacks shot forward and collided, cancelling each other out. Dragonair quickly moved up to Gyarados and knocked it back with its tail. Gyarados bit Dragonair, gripping it tightly. Dragonair cried out in pain.
"Gotcha." Jason smirked. "Dragonair use Thunderbolt!"
Cassidy's eyes went wide when she heard Jason's order. Dragonair opened its eyes wide and launched a full powered electric attack, shocking the Gyarados. The stadium turned a bright yellow as the electric attack conducted along the water. The attack dissipated and the Gyarados slumped into the water, fainted.
"Gyarados is unable to battle." The referee said. "Victory goes to Jason Malone!"
The crowd's cheering intensified.
"What a finish!" The Announcer said. "Newcomer Jason Malone has won his first match without once changing Pokémon!"
Jason was in shock.
"I-I did it…" He said.
"Lux! Luxio!" Luxio cried happily.
Dragonair flew through the air and landed near Jason. The Pokémon wrapped its long, snake like body around its trainer, hugging him. Jason hugged his Pokémon back.
"You did it Dragonair!" Jason said happily.
Dragonair cried happily. The platform that Jason was on descended back down to ground level. Before Jason could even step off, he was mobbed by reporters and cameramen.
"Mister Malone!" One reporter said. "How does it feel to have one your first league match flawlessly?"
"Well…" Jason replied. "It was because of my Pokémon that I won this one so perfectly." He petted Dragonair and the Pokémon smiled.
"Jason!" Another reported asked. "You are the son the former champion Rose Malone, are you nervous about living up to expectations that people have placed on your shoulders?"
"A little." Jason said. "But I think me and my Pokémon have more than proven we can not only live up to the expectations, but also surpassed them."
"That you did."
"Mister Malone!" Anther reporter asked. "Is there anybody you are dedicating your matches to?"
Jason paused to think for a moment.
"Yes. I plan on winning this tournament in honor of the late Rose Malone and my cousin Alice Malone." Jason looked directly into the camera. "I'll win for both of you. I promise that."
Jason, Luxio, and Dragonair were pushing past the crowd, heading back into the stadium.
…
Two figures watched Jason walk past them as he entered back into the stadium.
"Why didn't you go tell him?" One of the figures asked the other after Jason had walked off out of sight.
"Because, Matt….didn't you hear?" The other figure said. "He was dedicating all his victories to me. Maybe I should just pretend to be dead a little longer."
"Alice…." Matt said. "If you think it's the right thing to do. You sure your uncle won't tell him?"
"I'm sure." Alice replied. "If I'm inspiring him, then it's best he doesn't know that I'm alive."
"What about the others?"
"None of them can know. We'll have to keep it a big secret."
Like I said in an earlier chapter, If you haven't read Pokemon The Neoterra Journey recently then you will be a little lost. If you have no idea how Alice has come back to life, then I highly recommend that you go and read The Neoterra Journey. So for the rest of the World Tournament, I will be focusing mainly on Jason's matches. Other matches will be mentioned or parts of it will be written, but Jason's matches will be my main focus. Thank you for reading. It is greatly appreciated!