StevenZ12 : 2020 Update: Well I am in a roll this week. 3 chapter revisited :) This would start my fourth. I am doing well and I hope y'all do as well. Hopefully i can keep this pace rolling for a while! Without further ado...
Previously on Nuevo : Our Silver haired Heroine, Snow Whiteshade had to go through a very difficult time, coping with her terrible loss at the hand of the Cow-boy enthousiast, Ricardo. She was down, engulfed in a darkness she was ill equipped to face alone. Thankfully enough, she wasn't alone. Andre was able to get her back on her feet. Both seems to be closer now. It also seemed that some eerie clouds are gathering on Nuevo, but what could they be..and what would that imply? Nobody knows for sure...
Chapter 12 : Contest debut in Jade Forest!
The night had been good for Snow. She had a killer day with Andre, who she liked more and more every passing moment it would seem, and she was able to practice some more combinations with her pokemon after the supper. The memory of her happily dancing under the moonlight had also lifted an amazing amount of pressure out of her shoulders. She felt positively beaming. While she did have some sort of apprehension at her debut, her mood was far from where she was yesterday. She basically could feel her whole being quivering with exitement. It seemed Contests were going to be dedicated to revered Pokemon in the region, the circuit showcasing Nuevo's intricate history and architecture and servering as some spiritual successor of the cult that were once held in the very temples they were going to use as a Contest hall. The white haired teen smiled; today was her day, as they said. The eager teen walked to the common area and released her Pokemon...well aside of Vixen who was already out of her Pokeball.
"Come on, Vixen, Pint, Flora ! Today's a big day for us ! We will make our name known to the whole nuevo population ! She eagerly shouted her contagious enthousiasm shaking her Pokemon awake.
"Are you kidding Snow ? It's super early...I'm excited too...but couldn't I had gotten one more hour?" The floral bird pokemon chirped in her own pokemon language. The poor bird pokemon just had woken up from a very pleasent dream where she had evolved all the way to a Florresum. Needless to say that the tropical bird pokemon was a little groggy as she stretched her leafy wings.
The golden Vulpix seemed to fare much better. The fox lazily stretched her tail and then her limbs like a cat would. "Well it seems uncouth to me to be flustered at a time like this. A proper lady must know how to look distinguished on all occasions..." She growled, raising her snout and tail in a very huffing manner.
Alpint seemed to be relatively unaffected by the rough awakening, as he simplet let out a trumpet of groggyness and hugged Snow with his trunk, making her know that he was happy to see her.
Snow laughed at her grass type's affection. "I am happy to see you as well my friend" She greeted the elefant Pokemon. The rest of her party came to her encounter and slammed themselves at the Silvery White haired teen, making her laugh merrily.
Snow's team seemed to be in high spirits. That was promising for the rest of the day for sure. The white haired teen went toward the Pokemon Center counter. She was waiting on a very important package, as per her request. She had left that message late, but she knew that somehow she could receive what she had asked for the following day. That day was today.
"Your package has been delivered, Miss Nightshade." The Nurse Joy kindly informed the maiden. "Your mother also sent this letter along the way." She added, handing Snow a blue little package with card in it.
"Thank you Nurse Joy" The Teen thanked the middle aged woman.
Upon sitting back in her room, she slowly opened the package and the letter, with all of her pokemon cuddling her, trying to see what their dear trainer had received by Lumiose Express.
"Awww man...I cannot read any of what's written..." trumpeted Alpint, making every brain cell work in order to decipher the human writing on the paper.
"Please be quiet, Pinty ! We will know what is this letter is about!" Gently shushed the Vulpix, smaking the Tree pokemon with her tail.
Snow somehow felt like her Pokemon wanted to hear her read the letter. She motionned them to hush and unwrapped the letter. With a deep breath, she started reading.
From : Allegria Nightshade
To : My Darling Silver ray of Hope, Snow Nightshade
My Dear Daughter, I write you to tell you that I am still alive and well. Kuvira as helped me getting a little better in health. I can now leave the house and walk outside, my white Angel. I hope that you are enjoying your time in this region, but please be careful. You're very beautiful and Angelic, the people might have their eyes set on you. Develop kinship with others and see the World. My sweet daugther of hope, shine through the sky and illuminate lives. Be the light that illuminate the darkest Sky. Remember these words. I love you tenderely, my silver ray of Hope.
PS : I have sent you the outfit you wanted...Good luck on this new path you have chosen for yourself.
Allegria.
The letter was short, but it conveyed such powerful feelings that the Snow couldn't help but to shed a tear. The teen then kept the dress she had received and gasped at the sheer simpleness and beauty of the Dress.
"Waw...this dress is amazing" Vulpix growled softly in admiration."How many soul will you steal with it on? I wonder." The pokemon added in her language of growls and purrs, showing the arriving teen and his friend Sven with one of her tails, snickering.
The mention of Andre made the girl blush redder than a ripe tamato berry. More than that though was the fact that she wanted to keep the dress and accessories a surprise to him and Sven. Thus the very flustered girl ran at the speed of sound out of the area in order to put her dress in a big, opaque bag for transport and immediately reported back to the counter she was very few monents ago, looking her innocent, cute self as if nothing happened at all, making the Fire fox pokemon and her pokemon teammates sweatdrop a smidgeon.
Andre for his part had gotten a great night of sleep, one of the best he ever had here in Nuevo. He really enjoyed his travelling so far. Maybe it was because of the great , luxiuriant flora and fauna of the region, the fact that he was finally travelling after years of training and loving akwardness or the fact that he was travelling with an annoying yet lovable jokester and a amazingly cute girl that simply could take his breath away whenever she wanted... Maybe it was all three. Nonetheless, he was very eager to see how she would perform today.
"Hey Sven ! Good Awakening ! Did you had a great dance with Cresselia ?" He greeted his friend...who quite honestly gaped at what he had heard.
The whole crew couldn't believe what they had just heard. The man had barely been with them and he was already picking up some of his way of talking. The aguade then looked at Gilla in a very foreboding manner and the lizard like pokemon just nodded. He was the bait. Flora and Peppit had bursted into laughs while Dessoula and Alpint just wing/Trunk slapped themselves in aggravation. After some time, Sven recovered his usage of words and prounonced very slowly "Yes I did. I sailed sweetly in my dreams watching her Lunar Dance." Making the whole crew laugh even louder.
"Wait, what's happening ?" Asked the clueless teenager who grabbed his Aguade, who nuzzled him. "Is it something I said ?" The raven haired teen added, his poor face riddled with questions. Snow was now openly laughing her ass off. She couldn't believe that we would say something so weird then not even remember it. "Yes you did Andre." She wheezed between two laughs, without breathing. At her counter, Nurse joy simply shaked her head, smiling sweetly at the scene. It was nice to have some animation in this pokemon center. Once everybody calmed down, they sat witht their pokemon and discussed about the day and the contest to come.
"Anyway !" Andre started, his face arboring some pink thinges around the cheeks. "How do you feel about today? He inquired, eating his fifth pancake of the morning.
"How can you even Engulf all of this...do you want to Growth ?" Sven asked the teen, a sweetdrop making his way down the back of his head.
"Euuh I work out ?" Andre replied, bulking his muscle a little, making Sven roll his eyes and slighly distracting Snow from her first meal.
"Show off..." She muttered, but the blush present on her face gave her away as kinda enjoying the view she had. Then she remembered the question that had been asked before the err...enjoyable display of muscles. " I feel super great, I gotta thank you a lot for helping me out Andre, you're a great friend you know." She merrily declared, side hugging the teen, her face in the crook of his neck, the contact making his internal temperature rise slowly. Letting go of him she said "I was able to perfect and Squeeze in another routine to give you guys a surprise." She announced, pumping her fist up in the air.
"That's sounds great Snow-white, but you sure you don't want to give us spoilers ?" Sven asked , eager to know more, only to be 6 tail slapped by Vulpix. "Didn't you just hear her ! She said she would give no spoilers." The vixen replied rather harshly to Sven who didn't take it very well.
"Why you...I'm outta to give you a very grave beatdown." He threatened
"Sure Peasent, as if you could even touch me..." She taunted the man.
It worked. Sven started chasing the vixen pokemon around the center while the latter was blatantly taunting him, parading lavishly in front of him or having his rear lit up with little flames.
Snow sweat dropped at her friend's antics and turned to face Andre again. The teen was finishing his absolute carnage of food. Stopping once in a while to drink some water or wipe his mouth. The teen lost herself in the comtemplation of Andre. His vitality was nice to see and he looked sooo adorable like that, even when he stopped himself to clean up. The held the urge of running her hands in that unruly black hair and instead opted with a little tap on the forehead when he raised up for air and water again.
"What is it ?" Andre asked, looking in her silver crystal irises and almost going under. Same old, same old.
"I was just wondering if you'll cheer me on today, i'm a little nervous." She faintly whispered, going bright pink and looking away.
She then felt a pair of warm fingers on her forearm, gripping her gently. She looked up and saw andre's eyes. She almost immediately relaxed and smiled. The teenager's stare conveyed total confidence. Snow was sure now, he totally believed in her. Her train of thoughts was proven right when Andre replied;
"Don't you worry Snow, I know first hand how hard you have practiced for this. It won't be easy today but i know you can make it through. You already have so much talent so don't seel yoursel short. Whoever you see there have nothing on you. I'll totally cheer you one and that crazed growlithe over there too will." He announced then joked, pointing at Sven that was still trying to catch the vulpix, only to be taken to a stop by Chansey's Psychic attack, Nurse joy having grown weary of their chases around the center. This was still a hospital/Hotel, some protocol had to be respected here.
The white haired girl couldn't help but hugging him that time. "You're the best Andre." She whispered softly in his ear. "I'll take your breath away on stage" She teasingly added, making Andre's ears to redden as his cheeks grew pinkish.
"I'll be sure to watch that !" Andre stuttered, his head full of Snow images.
The rest of the breakfast went rather smootly and fast after that. They quickly ate their meals and groomed their pokemon, Snow taking some extra time to prepare and reassure her pokemons that everything would be fine and that they would be great in the pokemon contest. Then they went their way to find the Jade city's sanctuary... They arrived and it was huge.
In front of the main building was a huge, rectangular basin containing crystal clear water. This pool of some sort reflected the light of the sun, giving it a rather enchanting glow. Various berry plants that were free to pick flourished there and there, and the sheer vegetation and strenght of the plants made the whole entrance and garden look like some sort of paradise on earth. At the other side of the leafy corridor, there was a huge outside court, where coordinators were already making some last touches to their presentation. Snow had decided against that, as she didn't want to reveal the tricks she would be using during the pokemon showcase. The court itself included a little pool for the comfort of water pokemon, a grassy area with trees and benches for trainers and pokemon, but also some wals covered in a language akin to unowns, but completely different. As Andre noted, it seemed that writing like these would appear to and fro around the gardens and the walls. It gave the whole place a very special sort of feeling, as if there were something there that they didn't know.
Still it didn't stop them to be marvelled at the sight if the beautiful paintings on the walls and scribbed hieroglyhic like caracters on the wall.
"This place is really beautiful." Andre commented, passing his hands on the hieroglyphes.
"Indeed it is. This used to be a temple. Actually, this is still is one somewhat. Treat this place with respect." Sven seriously informed the teens, joining his hands and closing his eyes in reveration.
Snow nodded at this. "I feel very strange guys, this place is special...mystic even" She said, making both boys to turn around , facing her.
Sven impertibly frowned. " What do you feel exactly Snow ?" He asked. He might had been on something concerning Snow, as he reminded the dreadful warning of his Champion.
Snow didn't notice his expression so she went to answer as if nothing was going on at all. "I feel like i am in a lushious forest. It's a envigorating feeling...I just feel right at home here, somehow..." She explained, starting to skip to get out all that extra energy that would surely transform into stress later.
Sven seemed satisfied with that answer and his seriousness vanished. "Well hopefully you just sweep them all munja's !" He wished, forcefully patting the gracile teen on the back, nearly making her stumble around.
The trio made it in front of the gate entrance of the sactuary, and they quite frankly staring in awe at the sheer, rustic beauty of the sanctuary. The front entrance had 6 pillar and a 7th one had a strange pokemon life figure that represented by a plant like figure who had leaves like hair flowing down her back , somewhat looking just like a cape of some sort. The face was bland with two, jade like blue eyes. A dress of leaves completed the appearance of the creature, who also had a small black hole in her pillar was envelopped in sunlight ahd had many foliage climbing along his lenght. Many white lotuses where also growing along the pillar, a very rare feat knowing that white lotuses needed a body of water to grow. The glow of the 7th pillar was illuminating the whole entrance and truly inspired a big reverency in the heart of the three teenagers. Snow also slightly felt enclined to the pokemon that was represented there.
"Sven, who is that pokemon ?" she asked upon looking up.
Sven sighed and looked up as well. "This pokemon is known to be the pokemon that protect de forests of Nuevo. The Timberline pokemon Patama. The native people of Nuevo sometimes perpetuate her cult here in the sanctuary. This Pokemon is said to be the one protecting the Land and forest of this region. It's kind of a maternal diety. More lore says that she preside over the cycle of life itself. Patama is kind of the patron Diety of the green district, since there are so many forests here. If her pillar glows, it means that she must be around. This is why I said to always remain somewhat reverand around here. Those Pokemon are very real and their duties are very actual...'' The teen explained softly, gazing at the glowing pillar.
Not that long afterward, they made it to the counter in the sanctuary, where Snow got her contest pass and her poffin case. The girl then was invited to go to to the dressing room while the boys waited for them in the Lobby.
"Well, seems that the candice will take her time dressing up. Maybe it'll be a special something for a special someone ?" Sven joked, looking intently at Andre, who remained clueless about the insinuation...for about 10 seconds, before finally reacting. "Wha...who ?" He mumbled. This made the whole crew, meaning Sven, Gilla, Aguade and Peppit who had been let out for the occasion, faceplant in a rather ungraceful thud.
"You're saying..." Started Aguade in his language.
"That this Slowpoke substitute here..." Chirped the grass pokemon in his own tongue.
"Didn't get the obvious Sleep Talk ?" Finished Sven, making Andre understand that they were indeed talking about him.
Gilla didn't even bother talking. He just shook his head in aggravation and shifted to a more comfortable position on Sven's shoulder.
The ackward moment took some time to pass, enough to see the arrival of a rather unpleasent loudmouth within the Sanctuary's victiny.
"El Rojo, stop here boy. You know on what ground we are walking." He shouted, siging up for the pokemon contest, his Somberado being true to his name and lurking behind him like some sort of shadow guardian.
Andre's features immediately darkened upon seeing him. He remembered all the trouble he had made to Star and he still resented him for it. The fucker had come before him...time to enact his warning. Well, he would have if Sven's hand hadn't come down like a vicegrip on his shoulder, firmly holding him into place.
"Calm down Growmeo. This is Snow's place to put him where he belongs. Do not let your emotions control you this time." The older teen instructed with a low voice that didn't leave any place to argument. Somehow it made Andre react as if supreme authority had spoken to him. "Yes sir" He muttered, falling back.
The trainer didn't cast them a glance as he went to the waiting area, but his whole being radiated a polluting confidence and fullness that almost made Andre sick. Saying that he hated that atmosphere was the understatement of the year. But Sven had the idea that soon enough, Ricardo's presence would be the last thing on his mind. Despite being several year older than the both of them, he had to admit that Snow already was pretty cute. He wondered how she would look once dressed up.
In the changing room, it seemed that Snow had little problems to deal with on her own. She didn't properly realise it before, psyched as she was, that she had a bad case of Bed hair. Static electricity making her hair go fro and go and fighiting to remain nice and straight, like she was normally. It was a bit annoying since those even required one to look her absolute best.
"Awwww whatever should I do...seriously" Snow groaned, looking around frantically at hairdo magazines that were available in the dressing room.
She just wanted to look perfect for the contest, why was she having such an hard time figuring out what to do with that rebellious hair of hers.
Her Vulpix had tried many things, from straightening her hair using her heated tails to gently nuzzle her trainer in affection, in order to soother her and help her focus, but nothing did. She kept messing her hair more and actually started panicking, especially now that she only had 15 minutes left before having to report to the waiting lobby.
"Please Snow, you gotta calm down...just keep your hair all out like usual.." The vixen proposed to her partner, who got her message despite it being reduced to growls and purrs in the outside world.
"Yeah ! You already look pretty and that dress will take everyone's breath away..." Chirped the grass type starter, fluttering behind her in an attempt to put a white lotus flower in her hair.
Snow smiled. She had grasped the soothing messages from her pokemon. "I know my friends, i am just not sure...if i'll be pretty enough and good enough...and to be honest i don't want you guys to be hurt that badly like against that...guy. I love you all too much to putyou guys through that again." She admitted, getting a little teary eyed at the remembrance of Somberado's vicious combo...
"You know, your kindness toward your pokemon is touching. But I am sure that these pokemon here are willing to lay their soul for you already. Do not be afraid, because they are not afraid, my dear." A gentle voice said. The white haired teenager slowly turned behind her and saw the Kalos Queen herself, Serena Ketchum, smiling tenderly at her.
…...
…Snow is Processing...
*Ping*
"OMG!YOU'RE THE KAL..." The teen started, surexcited by the presence of her idol. The gentle woman simply put her hand over her mouth, making her stop completely. "Settle down young girl. I can feel your admiration toward me through your smile. Beside, i cannot really be seen showing favoritism isn't it. Although...as long as I am not caught, i'm fair game." She secretely winked, making the cheeks of the white haired teen grow pinkish. "She's so beautiful...but i think that this little mischievious side isn't all hers." she thought. As soon as she thought that, Serena piped in. "Well, I have a hotblooded knucklehead man for a husband. From time to time it shows that he rubbed off on me.'' Serena explained, laughing softly in amusement.
Snow stared in Shock. "Ho...how did you?..." She trailed. The Kalos Queen had many talents already. Could she also be psychic?
The honey haired lady simply winked again. "That's a secret. Beside, just settle down in front of the mirror. I'll help you with your hair." She offered. The heavenly happy teen, abeit still a little desesperate, agreed without any hesitation. The Kalos Queen then started on her hair, straightening it in an instant with the expert use of an portable hair ironer. S
"My my, i never had to style hair that smooth, it's really nice to touch." She praised the teen, who blushed again. " How do you take care of them so well ? can't help but ask" The champion inquired, adding the finishing touches to her hair creation.
"To be honest, Mrs. Serena, I do not know. I wash them once every day using a natural shampoo called Florresum's Garden. And that's it. It stays relatively smooth even when I don't wash it with Shampoo" She admited. She had to hand it to Serena, she was pretty smooth with her hair and it took all of her willpower not to sigh in contentment. That too didn't work as she slowly worked some Knot out of her back, helping her relax.
"Don't you get all hidy with me haha, especially for your first contest, you need to be relaxed. I know this stress comes from somebody who has practiced a lot and looks afraid of failing. But let me tell you. Even if you do fail this time, there is always next time. It makes you feel frustrated..but in the end it can be a spring to greatness." She explained, radiating a wisdom that illuminated the whole dressing room. Understanding what she implied, Snow looked the beautiful Queen in the eye, trying to find the "i am kidding glint"...which she didn't find.
"You're telling me that you failed your first performance ?" She dared ask the question.
Serena let out a little laugh "Indeed I did and boy it was bad. I did horrible that day. I had cut a ribbon far too large for my Fennekin to walk to and because of that, she tripped. I lost all my points, in front of everyone watching and in front of my crush at the time..,which ended up becoming my boyfriend then husband. Talk about triple embarrasing..." She added, her Delphox getting out of her pokeball to punctuate the matter of fact.
"No way..." Snow trailed, still a little lost in disbelief.
"However I took the whole performance gig much more seriously and my effort payed off. Now I am 23 year old, and I am married and still the Kalos Queen after 4 years. You may not end up as high up as I am, but if you work hard, you may be Nuevo's Queen. Just be yourself and believe in your pokemon and have lots of fun. A pokemon contest and a performance emphasize the same thing in different formats. They show off the bond between the pokemon and the trainer and how well they can work together. Never lose sight of this, and i garantee that you will do well in today's and all your subsequent contests. Now put on your dress, so i can see the final result." She said, winking at her. Snow had to say that she liked that little tick of hers, it was as if they were long lost sisters or something.
A Few moments later...
Snow looked at her in the mirror, yet couldn't reconize the amazing beauty that showed in the reflection. "There is no way it's me. Is your Delphox playing mind games in the background" Snow inquired, staring disbeliefly at the mirror.
"Do I look like i am doing anything, young vixen ?" the magic fox pokemon replied telepatically, smiling at Snow's face.
The teen was way too stunned by her appeareance to actually register the fact that Delphox just had talked to her telepatically.
Alpi, Flora and Vixen also were staring at Snow, stunned by her beauty. They were also speechless.
"My, my, I knew I had made a good job, but the way your hair match your dress is...out of this world." Serena gushed, quickly snapping a picture for posterity.
Snow turned to her, tears in her eyes. "Mrs Serena...I cannot thank you enough. What did I do to deserve such kindness from you...I swear Champion Ash is sooo Lucky to have you." She asked then praised, her heart litterally exploding of gratitude.
The Kalos queen blushed at the mention of her Husband. Yes even after 2 years of marriage with him, she still was madly in love with the man, almost if her crush had stayed for all this time.
"Well he also taugh me a lot." Serena trailed...before watching Snow looking at a corner of the room, her eyes kind of glossed, a grin plastered on her face, and more importantly, a huge blush in her face. Serena reconized that look in an instant, having gotten the exact same look when she was her age, thinking about a certain someone...
"Sooo, who's the object of that daydream young girl ?" She inquired, looking at Snow like she was saying "you got busted!"
The white haired teen immediately grew bright red at that. She knew she'd had been spotted. "It's a boy that is travelling with me. He's called Andre. He's good looking, cute, caring, cuddly and really funny at times. He loves pokemon a lot and is really supportive. He helped me ever since I was on that plane to Nuevo with him until now and he's just so..." She babbled on and on and on and on. Serena couldn't blame her enthousiasm, herself have been crazy about Ash from the time she was a kid...and having talked about Ash for seemingly hours and hours to her mom and her fletchling.
"Well I can see that you like him alright." She laughed, the same mischivious grin plastered on her face. "Have you ever confessed to him yet ?" She asked, eager to know more.
"Well not really...I am not quite sure he even see me in this way. I don't want to ruin our frienship. I am glad that he seems kind of dense though..." She admitted, still completely red in the face. Serena smiled. She knew where she was coming from, having had to deal with Ash's denseness for close to a decade. Boys be like that sometimes. Serena then received a small pop up on her Holo Caster. It was time for her to go. Turning to Snow, she uttered her parting words; "Never give up on your crush ! It might take them time to realize their own feelings and evenmore to realize your feelings, but never give up and you'll be able to pull through." Serena instructed, talking with first hand experience.
It had taken two regions for Ash to notice her feelings and around 6 month to separate his tender feelings for her from the close kinship between him and the other pokegirls. "I must go toward the judging area. I bid you good luck in everything Snow Nightshade." She said as she walked toward the door. Snow nodded but still used the time to ask one last question.
The said Snow raised an eyebrow in surprise. "How did you know my last name ? And how did you know how to make my hair match perfectly my dress like that ? She inquired while the Kalos Queen was leaving her dressing room. To this question, the honey haired lady stopped and winked. "That dress, I was the one who designed it and your mom and mine know each other pretty well, so she kinda asked me to make you a dress without putting my brand on it around a year ago. I am happy that it suits you pretty well and you understand that you'll have to keeps this a secret right ?" She explained, offering her mischievious smile one last time before vanishing from the doorstep.
Snow clutched the side of her dress. "I will. I promise" She muttered, her cheeks bright pink.
The white haired teen turned to her pokemon, whose eyes seemed to be filled to the max with happiness and anticipation. "Alright ! Let make their eyes blind with our brightness !" she shouted, soon accompanied by the shouts of her pokemon. To this, she ran straight to the Lobby.
****Back at the Lobby****
Andre was slightly frowning. Snow hadn't come back yet from the dressing room and had to report to the lobby in a minute. "Where is she..." He impatiently groaned, his foot tapping the ground with a set rhytm. Peppit and Aquade seemed to share his lack of patience.
"Don't worry Ponyta, she most likely went straight to the Lobby, and you know we cannot follow her there." Sven quelled the eager raven haired teen. "Don't you worry, I have the feeling that Milotics will be jealous of her when she'll be on stage." He prophetized, his broad smile not however making it through the half dense teen, who decided to simply nod in confirmation before putting his hands in his pockets.
"Shall we go to the stands then Sven ?" Andre asked.
"To the Standoff we rise like magnets my friend !" Answered Sven.
….."right" was Andre only reply...
The sanctuary was itself a place to behold. Despite it being a very ancient temple, some amenagement had been made. Four big golem like pokemon stood on each of the four sections of the sanctuairy's arena. The light moss covering the sanctuary's Arena section provided for deceptively comfortable seating area. The area was very large and the roof was open allowing a natural light that seemed to enchance the solemn and mystic atmosphere by quite a few degrees. The whole place was really acoustic, which mean that it was almost unnecesary for the announcers and judges to actualy carry a micro. But it seemed they did nonetheless. The color of the stone was slightly emerald, which in turn made the whole sanctuary feel vibrant with life. A bronze statue of the guardian of this temple, Patama, troned behind the judge's area and a lot of foliage created some sort of barrier around the Arena. Also thousand years old trees had some branches over the top of the sanctuary, which created a rather pleasent dusk.
Of course, all the stands were placed so every spectator would have the full view of the arena below. A soft breeze was created by all this stones and trees, which gave the place a very refreshing atmosphere, considering how hot it was normally in Jade City. Hid from view by her powers, a certain pokemon was watching intently what was happening within this sacred temple. She was very interested to see all of these trainer compete.
Finally, the contest started. A woman, wearing a Green summer gown and a dress in a darker tone of the same color, possessing a green jade bracelet then made her way to the center of the Arena. Somehow, the wind shifted, making everyone silent, and the beams of light created by the dusky trees upstairs all converged to her. She looked very beautiful as well, to most man in the audience at least.
"I bid you good noon. Everyone. My name is Luanita. I will be your master of ceremony for the inauguration of the Patama festival Pokemon contest. Briefly, I will invocate the good forturne of the guardian of Nuevo's forest : Patama. I wish you all to have a thought for the blessing of the forest as I sing. I also would require you all to remain silent, as i takes the utmost precision for me to perform this dance." She softly explained, taking her stance. A very soft music started playing, and it was then seen that a smal group of musicians had taken place, all clad in the same jade like ponchos. The singer started singing.
🎵- Pokemon Conquest : Grass battle theme -
The forest, the stream,
The mountain in our realm
Who flourishes thoughout our jade region
We call upon thee,
The one who em-
Bodies the great emerald gem
we humbly call upon marvelous watch
Please accept, our gracious offering of peace
Symbolizing the bond between humains and all pokemon
The flower, great nat-ture that encompass all of life
The codex meaning the knowledge of humans
To you Pa-tama we reach out
Grant us in this moment, our wish
Protect , veil, upon this merry fine festivity
May the voice of the forest guide us during that time
We call upon you our dear Guardian...
The dancer during the song had fluttered form a corner to another corner of the battle field, putting flowers and lotuses around the stadium. Oftne , these white lotuses were made in a whitened codex paper, to symbolize the bond between human (the paper), the pokemon ( The scripture on the codex) and the nature, the 100% natural hand made codex taken from the Jade trees. At every end of sentences the lotuses dissapeared, as if they were never there. The captivating duet song and dance had effectively captivated the audience into a state of mystic trance. Well it wasn't a litteral trance, but nobody in the stands ever ushered a word during the whole performance, as the music filled up to their very soul. At the end of the performance, a very peculiar occurency took place. The eyes of the patama statue glew blue, and extra foliage started to grow around the statue. A musical, yet eerie chant emanated from the statue. From that moment, the statue slowly glowed green, and remained their. Luanita then came in front of the statue, and gently layed a lotus flower crown in a tablet in front of the statue. The said crown then lifted itself to the head of the statue and a much warmer cry was heard. Smiling broadly, the priestess slowly turned toward the crowd and bowed.
"The great spirit of the forest has approven our stay in her sanctuary ! The Jade city pokemon contest may now begin !" She happily announced, making the whole crowd go wild in exitement.
At this moment, the announcer made her way to the center of the stage, bowing to Luanita, who left with her musicians.
Making herself really at home, the announcer took one big inspiration and started getting the crow rowdy
"Are you all ready for this premiere ?!" She asked once more.
"YEAAHHHHHHHH !" The crowd answered.
Liliana smiled, she loved when she could get the crowd with her. And she wasted no time getting the whole show under way.
"My name is Liliana, and i'll be the announcer for today's Pokemon Contest ! Today we have 16 contestant that have comme from everywhere in the green district of Nuevo and even beyond to participate. But first let me present you the judges for today's contest. Are you eager to meet them ?!" She exclaimed, her form busting with enthousiasm. The crowd answered with huge enthousiasm, the whole sanctum vibrating with the conjoined voices of the crowd.
After a rather theatrical gesture from Liliana, a huge puff of jade green smoke exploded, revealing four judges.
"The first judge is our guest of honor, she came all the way from the distant Kalos region to join our contest series grand opening. She's the radiant queen of the popular Pokemon Showcase series, a true human definition of elegance and beauty. Also a former Grand festival runner up. Let us hear it for Serena Ketchum Folks !
"Yeaahh !"
"Serena look at us this way !"
"You're beyond beautiful !"
Various flattering comment could be heard from the crowd, making the Kalos Queen inwardly blush. She always had decided to be true to herself in any situation and disliked the etiquette saying that champions or in her case Queens should have a cold, calm and collected facade. Once again, it didn't help that her husband was an Aura clad knucklehead that defied very often that "etiquette".
That out of the way, the said blush now softly peered outward, making her look a tad cuter than usual. The crowd giving her more energy, she waved at them as if she just had won the grand festival, unable to contain herself. Then finally remembering that she would be judging and not competing, she started her speech : "Hiya everybody, I hope that you are all doing great ! I welcome you to today's pokemon contest ! It's a pleasure to be here. I know all of you must have worked very hard on your combination and accessories so let's make it know that in Nuevo, all of you can get give the best Show! I'll be judging, but remember that beside who I am, it's all on you. Remember that you are here to showcase your bond with your pokemon, and not only to appear as flashy as possible. Have fun everybody !" She said, making the crowd go at shouting even harder. It was almost crazy how she was popular, that Kalos Queen.
Herself almost taken in by the young star, Liliana almost forgot that there were three other judges to present. " Thanks for these encouraging words, it's an Honor to have you here Serena !" She thanked the queen, who sat down in her seat. "Next ! We have our district representant from the World Contesting Association. !" She announced. The crowd reacted of course, but with less enthousiasm than before. Mr. Contesta didn't seem to mind however...
A man seemingly on her late 40's stood up with the warm smile of experience on his face. "Greetings everyone, I hope that you are doing well and that you are as happy as I am to be here today. I am happy to be here at the inauguration of this pokemon contest. I truly wish every single one of you to enjoy yourself, and wish the best of luck to all our contestant today. I have to inform you that the Nuevo pokemon contest will run a little differently than in other regions, but I will let our gracious announcer the pleasure to do so. May the jade forest smile upon all of you." The man finished before sitting down as well. " Thank you mr Contesta. Next up we have our local nurse Joy, Eliana !" the annoucer declared with another of her theatrical gestures. The kind pink haired woman and stood up, before slightly bowing toward the crowd. " It's a pleasure to meet you all. I expect great thinks from our contestant and great things from the crowd. Let's get fired up for this contest shall we !" She invited the crowd, which cheered in kind. It pleased her immensely to see that the crowd was really into it already. This had a lot of promise.
"Our last judge is none other than Gloria ! She's one of the two Jade city's gym leader along with her twin brother forrest. They are the childrens of the former Eterna gym leader Gardenia and the Member of the Elite four, James Ricket. Forrest is currently away but Gloria graciously accepted our invitation. Let's hear it for the Jade princess ! Gloria Ricket !" Liliana announced. The crowd, seemingly more encline to cheer the girls than the boys, made a thunderous noise when said Gym leader Stood up. She had taken her mother's slender yet curveous feature, with the same dark orange hair. However a blue strand of her was visible in front of her face, which came obviously from her father. Talking about father's feature, she also sported the same emerald colored eyes as he. She was wearing a light blue dress which had orange curved line patterns near the bottom of the dress, at around mid leg height. A jade necklace and bracelet orned her feature. She was simply yet very nicely dressed and it showed by the whistles coming from the teenage gent in the crowd.
"Hey everyone, I Hope that you're fired up ! Cuz I am. I want to see things dazzle and i want to see some coordinator and Pokemon FUN and some fired up crowd ! Y'all with me !" She spunkly teen shouted as the crowd went wild once more and that made the other judges sweatdrop just a little bit.
"Well she certainly has taken after her mother !" The Kalos Queen thought in amusement."
Liliana smiled " And here we have all our judges for today's pokemon contest present. Let's heeeeeeaar it one more time for all of them !" She shouted, soon accompanied by the rest of the crowd. They were all making it clear that they were fired up as well. In the stands, both Andre and Sven commentated on the dances and the judges.
"Well it seems that Snowy will have quite the difficult judge to please for her debut."The teen started, his Gilla siting in his lap, looking intently at the Arena.
Due to the restricted place, Andre could only hold his Aguade outside. "Yes man, i have to say, these judges does look Good. Sure Serena is a stunner, but that Gloria girl isn't bad looking by any means." He noted, Itzalt hearing this resisted the urge to facepalm. "I honestly never thought that these pokemon contest would be so popular here in Nuevo." he added, scratching the blue starter pokemon's chin. Their attention was diverted back on Lilian since it seemed that she was about to make an announcement.
"Lady and gentleman, as our gracious Kalos Queen had hinted earlier, the Nuevo Pokemon Contest circuit will run a little differently than their Kanto, Sinnog and Kalos counterpart. There will be three round of Judging. The first round is called, the Catwalk !" She started the explaination as the crowd cheered when an holographic cat walk appeared our of nowher, powered by psychic pokemon that were hidden from view. "The catwalk is meant to showcase a pokemon's elegance matching a theme. The judges will then eliminate a set number of person afterward. The contestant that will have showed a great sense of art and elegance will move on to the Scene. This part test the trainer's creativity and the pokemon's ability to execute their set routine. Just like the first round judging in Kanto, Jotho, Hoenn and Sinooh. The very last round will be the battle rounds, which will show how much their grace and elegance , as well as their power can be used in a battle situation. Because a pokemon need to know how to defend itself isn't it !?" She joked, making the crowd laugh with her.
"Now that we have made things clear, let us begin with the presentation of our first contestant..." Lilian annouced, her voice almost completely covered by the crowd's chants.
***In the Lobby***
The white haired teen was a nervous wreck. She had figured out the showcase and battle part of the pokemon contest, but never the Catwalk part. She didn't know how to react nor what would she do. Her pokemon did try to help her calm down, but it didn't really help her at all. A litttle more and she would start pacing around the lobby.
Ricardo had remarked Snow from the moment she had entered in the room. And he couldn't take his eyes of her. She was stunning, no gorgeous, no radiant...the word simply lacked to actually describe how incredible she looked in the middle of all these people, who here however still well dressed. His somberado saw this and struck him on his head, chattering angrily at his lack of focus.. "I know Cortés, I need to focus on the contest. But it's hard with her around.. " he admitted... unable to stop staring. The outlaw pokemon had dragged his trainer out of the room.
Snow had managed to calm down, remembering the instruction of the Kalos Queen. She knew she could do great things, as long as she was confindent in herself and her Pokemon. The white haired trainer then picked up Vixen in her arms and hugged her, without a single word spoken. However, the fire fox pokemon knew that her trainer needed comfort, and she undestandingly wrapped her 6 tails around her shoulders, exchange her warmth with her. After their hug, a new determination was burning in Snow's eyes.
"I'll make it all the way to the battle round , let us do this Vixen !" She said, pumping her first upward. As she finished her sentence, she was called to go on stage.
"I am coming" She said, as she slowly made it to the arena. "Just wait until you see me Andre ! I'll show you what i am made off" She softly muttered with a maddening red blush on her face.
***Back in the Stands***
"So far how do you enjoy the appeals Andre ?" Sven inquired, as he was eating some popcorn that he had brough prior the event.
"Well i have to say that they were nice. The theme of the forest seemed to have been respected...except for that one guy who kept playing rifts with his guitar...it didn't seem well received by the judges." The raven haired teen answered, subtibly snatching pop-corn from Sven.
"That guy with the was just trying hard though hahaha" Sven added, earining a laugh from both Gilla and Aguade, who had witness the grass knot fail and the rather ungraceful fall of the barrier pokemon.
The announcer actually announced Snow's entrance but the teenager completely missed it, due to being distracted by Sven's small talk, to which he actually participated with enthousiasm. However as the Older teen cast a glance toward the stage, he couldn't help to gape at what he saw.
"What happened down there Sven...You look like Giratina stole your soul." Andre joked at Sven's odd face.
The answer from Sven was immediate: "Look down buddy, and look well. Gengar might come right there and then to steal your soul..."
"Oh boy you little malamar, what could be so gre...woah" He started...then shut his mouth in awe. Snow just had made eye contact with him and smiled , which transformed his belly into putty in an instant.
"Well what's happening Growmeo...Litten got your tongue ?" He joked. The teenager was completely out of it though. His eyes were fixated on Snow. The girl was walking down the catwalk with her vulpix. The teenager had covered her tail with a thin emerald glitter powder and a jade orb that acted as a necklace. Every now and again she would to heat up her tails, giving her tail a dazzling display of red and emerald light. She always kept that walking regal air about her. The girl herself looked extremely hot though. Her with hair had been combed to the perfection level and some blue strand of hair rendered her even cuter in Andre's eyes. She also sported a light blue little scarf. Her dress was very simple, yet beautiful and elegant. All white with blue patterns. She was simply beautiful and Andre became entranced in an instant.
The dress also sported golden streams near each side of the blue streams. Her grace, her sheer beauty, were hypnotic and the teen couldn't help but mutter a sentence that would haunt him for the rest of his days.
"Snow...you are the cutest girl i never seen," he blankly stared as his cheeks took on a pink tingue.
The performance went on very smootly as when they quitted the Catwalk, they were met with a thunderous applause. The teenage girl was almost moved to tears because their first part of the contest had went so smoothly.
"We did it Vixen, they loved it!" She exitedly murmured to her fire starter, who lifted her tail and huffed in a very lady like fashion.
Liliane clapped as well. "This was Snow's Nightshade's first catwalk ! Let's see what the judges has to say about that !" the announcers said, handing her mic to the judges.
Serena felt like she had to respond to that question directly : "From the beginning to the end of the sidewalk, they maintened a great compsure. The jade glitter and the orb complemented themselves well and beside all that she truly showed that the bond with a pokemon is far more important than everything else. She went with simplicity yet they brilliantly perfomed. Kudos to you Snow. She congratulated the white haired girl who looked to the ground...embarassed. She didn't feel like she deserved that much praise. Snow left the catwalk happy and deeply relieved. She had survived her catwalk. She closed her eyes and softly breathed a sigh of relief. She then briefly had a thought for Andre, whose eyes she had met while starting her catwalk. It had helped her to know that he was watching and his dumbfounded expression had been enough to make a lot of the tension she felt vanish. She simply walked down the path with utmost confidence and it payed off.
Andre still couldn't wrap his head about what he had just witnessed. It was almost impossible in his eyes. Such beauty, such grace, such ease she displayed, as if she had done that all of her life... and How she looked too. It was only when he rummaged those thoughts that he realised that his heartbeat had risen considerably. Andre was puzzled..this reaction was much more different than what he felt normally for the White haired teen. Andre knew it for sure...that girl was messing with his head big time.
Once he had gained the control back of his emotions, the raven haired teen merely smiled. ''Good Job Iztaca, you really did take everyone's breath away.'' he muttered. His small words seemed to be shared by many in the crowds...
Snow Nightshade had gathered a lot of attention on herself already...The crowd would look out for her in the following rounds...
To be Continued...
StevenZ12: 2020 Update. Finally at the part I really enjoyed writing back then :) I hope this iteration feels a little better. Snow has passed the catwalk, now the first and second stage are left... will she be able to keep her composure until the battle part at least? Will she even reach it? Nobody knows. But stay tuned folk.