"speaking"
"Thinking"
On with the story
Ken was at Snowpoint city as it was the location of the Pokemon Grand Festival
Many Coordinators came to the snowing city as they were participating in the festival to become a Top Coordinator
Ken was at the receptionist as he was signing in for the contest but was getting many stares from other Coordinators and fans
"why does it have to be like this?" Ken thought as he gave his registration paper to the receptionist and was given a room key
He then leaves the contest hall and heads towards the hotel where he would be staying for three days of the festival
Ken reached the hotel as he was at the elevator waiting for the lift to come down
1 minute of waiting, the elevator door opened and Ken went in
He pressed his floor number and closed the door but a hand slipped in
"just in time!" someone exclaimed as the elevator door slides opened and Nozomi appeared
"Nozomi?!" Ken exclaimed in surprise to see the Top Coordinator again
"Ken!? Long time no see!" Nozomi said as she entered in the elevator lift with him
Reaching the designated floor level, the elevator door opens as Ken and Nozomi steps out
"so you were invited to be one of the judges of the grand festival huh?" Ken said as Nozomi nodded
"yeah, surprised me too" Nozomi said as they started walking down the hall
"but what surprises me more is what you've been doing" Nozomi said elbowing Ken's side "using Attract on Shirona-san. what a lucky Aipom you are"
"about that…" Ken said before he explained it to her
"man, to think that someone took the picture of you and Shirona-san together, can cause this much of an uproar all around Sinnoh" Nozomi said after hearing Ken's story of how it had happened
"yeah" Ken said a bit depressed "reporters keep chasing after me all around…I can't even camp out in the forest"
"yikes" Nozomi said before they reached Ken's room
"ok then, my room is just down the corner. See you later, Ken" Nozomi said as Ken nodded before getting into his room
Entering his hotel room, Ken dropped down his bag and sat down to his bed before laying down
"man….it's going to be very hard to train with those reporters out there" Ken said as he knew that the Grand Festival will have many reporters coming
Ken let out a long sigh before he got a call on his Poketch
He looks to the caller as it was Fuji
Picking up the call, the video screen appeared with Fuji in it
"hello, Fuji-san" Ken greeted Fuji
"hello as well, Ken" Fuji said with a smile "my boy, you've sure made some big news in Sinnoh"
"oh god, even the news reached to Kanto too?" Ken asked as he sighed while rubbing his forehead in annoyance
"you could say that it flew as fast as Latios and Latias" Fuji said as Ken sighed again
After a call with Fuji, Ken had gone out to get something to eat but it was too hard trying to eat when everyone was staring at him
Ken sweatdropped as he was trying to take a sip from his cup of tea but many Shirona's men fans were gazing at him with hating daggering glares while his fangirls were looking at him with pure jealously and sadness
"please someone save me" Ken thought as he couldn't get them off of him, unless he went back to his room
"Ken of Lavender Town!" someone shouted out Ken's name as Ken turns to see a giant hulk of a man who was wearing a t-shirt with Shirona's face that had hearts all around it and had a head band that said "LOVE SHIRONA!", looks down upon Ken as he had a furious look "I challenge you to a battle!"
"w-what?" Ken asked
"I am Dango! The captain of the Shirona love club! And I challenge you to a battle!" the hulking man exclaimed while taking out a Pokeball and pointed it at him "if I win, you must never show your face or be near Shirona-sama!"
"huh?" Ken said with a confused look
"Shirona-sama doesn't deserve to be with a weak man like you! She is perfect and amazing champion! You were only lucky in defeating her and won a draw!" Dango exclaimed "you tarnished her! Shirona-sama is the perfect champion! Her love for Ice Cream! Her love for her family! And her love for her pokemon! She is truly a Goddess!"
"talk about a major stalker!" Ken thought
"now! Battle me!" Dango exclaimed as Ken sighs in response
"fine" Ken said as he stands up from his seat "if that will give me some peace in eating my meal"
"hahahaha! I will defeat you and prove to Shirona-sama that i! Dango! Is the strongest man worthy for her!" the man laughed
A few moments later
Dango looks in shock and horror as his Gabite was defeated by Ken's Staraptor who had just evolved in battle
"satisfied?" Ken asked while raising an eyebrow
"I'm not done!" Dango shouted as he threw out five pokeballs as Rhyperior, Golem, Steelix, Hariyama, and Machamp appeared on the field
Ken sighs as he called back Staraptor before calling out Golurk
"take them down!" Dango shouted as his Pokemon charged at Golurk
"Dynamic Punch" Ken said as Golurk pulled back its right fist before sending a powerful Dynamic Punch at the charging Pokemon and sent them flying to their trainer
"waaaa!" Dango screamed like a little girl as he tried to run away but got squashed in a pile of his defeated Pokemon
Ken sighed before looking to the crowds of Shirona's fan
"anyone else?" Ken asked before seeing the fans running away while carrying their captain and his defeated Pokemon
"we're sorry for disturbing your meal!" they screamed as they run away
Ken sighs as he called back Golurk before going back to the restaurant to finish his meal
after having his meal, Ken went to an open training ground where there were some Coordinators training their Pokemon for the contest tomorrow
Ken arrived at the open field and he finds Nozomi helping a Coordinator training with her Glameow
"hey Ken" Nozomi called out seeing the man coming "you plan to train?"
Ken nodded as he takes out two Pokeballs and called out Staraptor and Aggron
"Staraptor, and Aggron. Am I going to see an air performance or something?" Nozomi asked
"you'll see" Ken said as he began training
The next day came as the Grand Festival began
Ken was at the Coordinator's waiting room as Marian, the MC began the festival with the introduction of the judges
"wow, ain't she something" Ken said as he sees Nozomi being a judge in one of the arena halls on the tv as the judging will be done in three halls
"we shall now begin the Grand Festival!" Marian announced as the crowds cheered
"well then" Ken said as he adjusted his hat and pulled down his gloves "let's do this"
The crowds cheered and clapped their hands for the Coordinators as everyone performed with such ingenuity
"now! Presenting from the blue hall corner! The hot topic of Sinnoh and the man of greatness! Here's….Coordinator Ken!" Marian announced as Ken appeared on stage
"Staraptor! Aggron! Let's do this!" Ken shouted as he called out his team to the stage
The two Pokemon popped out of their Pokeballs as sparkling stars flied out everywhere
"Staraptor! Aerial Ace! Aggron! Flash Cannon!" Ken ordered out
Staraptor flew up as the bird Pokemon flies around the area in high speed
Aggron charged up its Luster Cannon before firing it at Staraptor
The Flash Cannon became a silver coat upon Staraptor as the bird Pokemon soared in the air before spreading its silver wings to the crowds as they all wowed
"amazing! Aggron's Flash Cannon has coated Staraptor in a beautiful silver coat that is shining like a Shiny Steelix!" Marian announced as the crowds cheered
"Staraptor! Brave Bird! Aggron! Ice Beam! Let's go!" Ken shouted as Staraptor swoops down before being enveloped in blue flames while Aggron charged up a sky-blue colored energy ball before firing the ice beam at Staraptor
The Ice Beam hits as it encased Staraptor in a sculpture of itself but with the Brave bird shining in it
"that move!" Nozomi exclaimed with a smile as Staraptor flies up before the Ice sculpture shattered and cause a rain of glowing ice, falling down upon the stage
"what an incredible surprise from Ken! This is by far the most amazing performance we have ever seen!" Marian announced as she admired the falling glowing ice
"amazing performance!" the judge Nurse Joy said with a smile
"great skill, Ken!" Nozomi said as she did a thumbs up to him
Ken did a thumbs up in return before he and his Pokemon bowed in goodbye to the crowds
After his performance, Ken went to the waiting room where he finds a group of fans there
"oh crap" Ken said as he was about to make a getaway but found out that he was cornered on both sides
"it's Ken-sama!" "you were amazing!" "I'm sure Shirona-sama would be so happy!"
The fans screamed as Ken backed away before noticing that it was neither Shirona's fans nor his as this group of fans were wearing shirts that had a picture of him and Shirona together in a red heart
"eh?" Ken looks in surprise as to know that there was a fan club that loves seeing him and Shirona together
"please give us an autograph!" they all screamed as they crowded Ken
"h-help!" Ken screamed out
The next round of the Grand Festival soon began as Ken got into the second round with ease
Ken was walking back to his hotel room but the Coordinator's clothes were all ripped apart and his eyes look red as he got held in the corner with the crazy fans who shot many photos with him and were hogging him around like he was some doll
"I finally…get to go back…." Ken said before he stumbled upon a rock
"ah" Ken stumbled forward before he was caught by someone
"thanks" Ken said as he looks to who had caught him and it was none other than Shirona herself
"Shiro-!?" Ken was about to exclaim her name but Shirona shushed him before helping him go to his hotel room
They reached Ken's room as Shirona helps Ken get in before closing the door
"why are you here?" Ken asked in surprise
"to cheer you on, of course" Shirona said "when I heard that the Grand Festival is being held in Snowpoint city, I packed up and went here to cheer for you"
"thanks for coming but aren't you worried that the crazy fans might chase after us when we're out?" Ken asked
"I got that covered" Shirona said as she held up a blue blazer in her hand
Two minutes later, Shirona appeared with a new look as she wears the blue blazer and a long white skirt with her blonde hair in a pony tail and she was wearing rounded glasses that makes her look somehow ridiculous a bit
"how do I look?" Shirona asked Ken who was trying to hold in his laughter
"g-g-good" Ken said pinching his sides to stop himself from laughing
"thanks" Shirona thanked him before the two chatted a bit more in Ken's room
After chatting with Shirona, Ken and she went out to grab a meal for the night
Ken wore a disguise like Shirona as he wears a black long sleeve shirt, and brown jeans, he had put gel on his hair as he undergoes a combed back hair style with the addition of him wearing the same glasses as Shirona
The two were at a local café, near the Grand Festival hall as they had some tea and some cake tarts
"so you're saying that your friend, Kia is the one who spread this rumor?" Ken said as Shirona nodded with a sigh
"thanks to her, I've got reporters coming at me nonstop," Shirona said with another sigh
"no kidding" Ken said taking a bite of his cake tart "and there's a new fan club who likes seeing us together, they call them the Kerona love club."
"what?" Shirona said in confusion and surprise
"they literally love seeing us paired up" Ken said sighing "they keep on flashing cameras and cameras, I swear, my eyes are going to go blind as a Zubat"
"i-I see" Shirona said with a bit of a blush
"well, we don't need to worry about them" Ken said with a smile "not while wearing these disguises, I mean"
"well, I guess" Shirona said taking a bite of her cake tart "but I don't mind if it's you though" she muttered out in a small voice
"hmm? You said something?" Ken asked as he thought he heard her say something
"n-nothing!" Shirona said as Ken looks to her and shrugged before taking another bite of his cake tart
The next day came as it was the Pokemon Tag battle round where Ken and the other Coordinators were matched up against each other
"Drapion! Golurk! Dynamic Cross Punch!" Ken shouted as Drapion crossed its pincers and fired its Cross Poison while Golurk charged forth as the Automaton Pokemon punched its Dynamic Punch at the Cross Poison and created a combo attack
"what the hell is that!?" Ken's Opponent exclaimed as his Luxray and Chansey got hit by the combo move and got knocked out
"Battle out!" Marian announced, "with an astounding combo attack, Ken had swooped into the semifinals!"
The crowds cheered as Golurk and Drapion won the match
"that's good! Ken!" Shirona cheered while in her disguise as she cheered on for the man
Ken waved to the crowds as so did Golurk and Drapion
Getting into the semifinals, Ken was at the waiting room where he watched his next matchup
He was up against a Coordinator who made it to the top four in last year's Grand Festival
"last year's top four" Ken said as he stands up from his seat before going out to get ready
Shirona watch the first match as one Coordinator used an amazing combo of Cubone and Marowak to execute an astounding attack combination that took out the other Coordinator's pokemon
"everyone here is strong" Shirona said before seeing the beginning of the second match as it was Ken's match
"now! Presenting last year's festival top four, Kaya from Veilstone city vs Ken from Lavender Town!" Marian announced as the two appeared upon the stage
"good luck, Ken" Shirona said
Ken looks to his opponent as Coordinator Kaya called out an Aggron and an Alakazam to the field
"type advantage against Golurk and Drapion, huh?" Ken thought before taking out his Pokeballs "let's do this!"
Ken called out Golurk and Drapion as the two readied themselves against their opponent
"let the match begin!" Marian announced out
"Golurk charge! Drapion follow!" Ken shouted as Golurk charged towards their opponent with Drapion following behind
"Aggron! Ice Beam! Alakazam! Psychic!" Coordinator Kaya exclaimed as Aggron fired its Ice Beam before Alakazam uses its Psychic and bends the Ice Beam around and hits Drapion
Drapion let out a cry of pain before Alakazam lifted up its spoons and causes Drapion to levitate before flying towards Golurk
Golurk was sent crashing down with Drapion as this caused Ken's point to be decreased
"what a counter from Kaya! Golurk and Drapion are tumbling upon each other!" Marian announced as the crowds wowed to see the battle
"to think that they would have a counter combo move against Golurk and Drapion" Ken said while gritting his teeth "Golurk! Shadow Punch! Drapion! follow it up with Poison Sting!"
Golurk pulled back its right fist before punching it and sends its Shadow Punch flying before Drapion fired its Poison Sting
"Aggron! Alakazam! Protect!" Kaya announced as a green barrier appeared in around Aggron and Alakazam as it deflected the attack "now use Psybeam and Flash Cannon!"
Aggron and Alakazam instantly fired their attacks as it hits Golurk and Drapion hard
The two let out cries of pain as they came crashing down
"another counter yet again! Not one of Ken's Pokemon is even doing any damage!" Marian announced as Ken's point got decreased again while his opponent was still at full
Shirona watched the match as she was worried for Ken
"think, Ken. I know you can make a comeback from this!" Shirona looks to Ken who looks to the battle before smirking "that's it, Ken! Show everyone what you're made of!"
"This is worth the shot," Ken said "Drapion! make a large hole with Dig and Golurk jump into that hole!"
Drapion crashed its pincers at the ground as the Ogre Scorpion Pokemon made a large hole on the ground before Drapion and Golurk jumped into the hole
"Aggron! Alakazam! Be ready!" Kaya told her Pokemons as they were looking around the ground for any signs of their opponent
As they keep on looking around, Golurk and Drapion came exploding out of the ground, in front and behind Aggron and Alakazam
"Cross Poison and Shadow Punch! Let's go!" Ken shouted as Drapion fired its Cross Poison while Golurk punched its Shadow Punch
The two attacks hit Alakazam and Aggron hard as the two let out cries of pain
"what a comeback from Ken! Using Dig to hide from the opponent's view only to burst out by between, such clever tactics!" Marian commented as Kaya's Points got decreased a lot from the move
"Aggron! Alakazam!" Kaya exclaimed as the two Pokemon struggled to get up
"Let's finish this!" Ken shouted as he punched out his fist "Dynamic Cross Punch!"
Drapion fired its Cross Poison before Golurk charged towards the attack with the Dynamic Punch and send it at their opponent
Alakazam and Aggron cried out in pain as they were sent crashing down on the field
"Aggron! Alakazam!" Coordinator Kaya exclaimed only to sigh in disappointment as to see her Pokemon defeated
"it's a Battle out! Ken is moving onto the finals!" Marian announced as the crowds instantly cheered for him and so did Shirona
"good job, you two" Ken said as Golurk and Drapion nodded to him
Winning the match, Ken walked towards the waiting room where he finds Shirona waiting for him
"that was a great match, Ken" Shirona said in compliment to his victory
"thanks, couldn't have done it without Golurk and Drapion" Ken said before hearing his name being called out by the PE as it was time for the finals
"looks like it's time for the finals" Ken said as Shirona nodded
"good luck, Ken. I know you will win" she wished him good luck as Ken gave her a thumbs up and nodded
The finals began as it was Ken against a Coordinator from Hoenn who had a Blazisken and an Infernape out of the field, against Golurk and Drapion
"it's the finals and both sides are heated up!" Marian announced
"Blazisken! Infernape! Overheat!" Ken's opponent shouted out as the two Fire Type let out a torrent of flames at Golurk and Drapion
"Golurk! Charge through! Drapion! Dig!" Ken shouted as Golurk punched its fists together before charging through the Overheat while Drapion digs underground
Golurk pushed through before the flames died down
"Darkest Lariat! Now!" Ken shouted as Golurk spins around before sending powerful black energy covered punches at Blazisken and Infernape, causing them to fly up in the air
"Drapion!" Ken exclaimed as Drapion appeared bellow Blazisken and Infernape for the two Fire Type were falling towards the Ogre Scorpion Pokemon "Hyper Beam! Now!"
Drapion pulled back its head before firing its Hyper Beam at them
Blazisken and Infernape cried out in pain before they were blasted away from the Hyper Beam and was sent crashing down on the field, knocked out
"and we have our Grand Festival winner!" Marian announced as everyone cheered for Ken's victory "it's Ken of Lavender Town!"
Ken smiles as he waved his hands around to the crowds as confetti rains down upon him and his Pokemon
Ken stepped forward as Nozomi presented Ken with the Grand Festival ribbon
"congrats, Ken. That was some great performance and a great battle" Nozomi told Ken as she holds a Trophy
"thanks, Nozomi" Ken replied as he takes the Trophy and lifts it up towards the crowds as they all cheered for him
"with this, the Grand Festival has come to an end! We wish everyone a great day! And see you all next year!" Marian announced
Winning the Grand Festival, Ken was showered with many congrats by his fans
"you were so amazing, Ken-sama!" "you're so dazzling!" "what amazing performance!"
The fans all crowded him as Ken had nowhere to go
"ah, please let me through!" Ken tried to get out but the fangirls were crowding him into a tight spot with no place to run
"somebody! Help!" Ken shouted out before a Garchomp flew in and grabs Ken's shoulders
"you're…" Ken said as he knew the Garchomp
Garchomp let out a growl before landing to a nearby corner behind the festival hall where the fangirls came running pass to find Ken
"thanks, Garchomp" Ken thanked the Dragon Pokemon who growled with a nod
"that was a close call wasn't it, Ken?" a voice spoke as Shirona appeared
"thanks for the save, I wouldn't know what would happen to me if those fangirls keep hogging me around like a Pichu in a kids daycare" Ken said as Shirona calls back Garchomp to its Pokeball
"I guess you can say "I Weedle you out"?" Shirona said as this caused the two to let out a little laugh
After the save from the fangirls, Ken and Shirona went to the Pokemon Center as Nurse Joy check on Ken's Pokemon's health
"I'll get them healed up in no time" Nurse Joy said as she takes away the tray that had Ken's Pokeball in it
"thank you, Nurse Joy" Ken said
While waiting for Ken's Pokemon to heal, Ken decided to call Fuji the video Phone
After dialing the man's number, he waited for the call to be picked up, and in matter of seconds, Fuji appeared on the screen with Cubone
"hello Ken! I've watched it! That was some great contest battle you just did!" Fuji said with a smile while Cubone let out a few squeals with a smile
"thanks, Fuji-san. And you too, Cubone" Ken thanked them in reply before moving to the side to let Shirona in on the conversation
"Fuji-san, meet the Sinnoh League Champion, Shirona" Ken introduced her to Fuji
"hello, Mr. Fuji. It's a pleasure to meet you" Shirona greeted her with a smile "and to you too, Cubone"
"ah, the Champion, it's a pleasure to meet you as well" Fuji replied nodding with Cubone doing the same as well
They chatted on the video phone as Fuji shared on of how Ken was in the past back in Lavander Town
"you may not believe it but Ken here used to have lots of fans back here" Fuji said
"hey, Fuji-san, don't tell her that" Ken said begging Fuji to not tell Shirona of his bad-boy past
"why not? "The Gangster, Ken of Lavender Town" you were pretty famous in other towns, remember?" Fuji said with a small laugh "many feared you and admired you at the same time"
"really now?" Shirona said with a slight giggle to Ken who was blushing in embarrassment
"anyway, now that I won the Grand Festival, I'm heading to the Sinnoh League next and after that…" Ken said before looking to Shirona "the Champion League"
"I'll be waiting on you, Ken. You'd better win the Sinnoh League" Shirona said as Ken nodded
A fiery aura of fire enveloped the two as their rivalry against each other sparks a fiery battle in the future
"hohohoho, you two are surely a perfect match for each other" Fuji said with a chuckle
"what!?" Ken and Shirona exclaimed at the same time
"please take care of Ken for me, Shirona. The young man may look confident but deep inside he's still the same boy of Lavender Town" Fuji said as he bowed a bit
"what are you talking about!?" Ken exclaimed "that's enough! I'm hanging up!"
"and remember to invite me to your wedding, you two" Fuji teased as this made Ken's and Shirona's face blush harder
"FUJI-SAN!" Ken exclaimed before he pressed the call end button while huffing in embarrassment
Ken stared at the black screen before looking to Shirona who was looking away to hide her blush
"um…." Ken mumbled out "wanna get some ice cream?" he proposed as Shirona nodded in reply
The two heads outside after Ken retrieved his Pokemon from Nurse Joy
They went to a café where they ordered some ice cream
Ken and Shirona ate their ice cream in silence as their conversation with Fuji made them feel awkward with each other
"this is way too awkward! What is this situation?!" Ken thought as he couldn't even look at Shirona who was still blushing
"please say something, Ken!" Shirona thought as she licked her ice cream
"um" "um" the two said at the same time before looking way in embarrassment
"so, uh…" Ken spoke out "I'm going to the League and uh…..you'll be there, right?"
Shirona nodded in reply as she licks her ice cream
"yeah…uhm…ok" Ken said while licking his ice cream a bit embarrassed in the awkward conversation
"good luck, Ken" Shirona muttered out but it was loud enough for Ken to hear "I'll be cheering on for you"
"uhm….thanks" Ken replied blushing a bit
The two continued eating their ice cream together in silence as the moon of the night was at its fullest
That's a wrap!
Bye bye
