Chapter 29
Setijin crouched down besides the disoriented Medicham, wobbling as he tried to balance
on his stumpy feet, waiting for the contest to begin. To his right sat an Abra, its facial
expression suggesting that it was asleep. To his left stood a Drowzee and a Cacnea, their
trainers brushing the dust and excess muck of their skin before the contest began.
Medicham burped uncomfortable as it rested on hand on its swelling stomach.
"This is just absurd," Setijin grumbled to himself. "Who would have thought that
something as stupid as this would happen?" The contest lady stepped up on stage, her
microphone clasped in her hand, and her clipboard slotted under her arm.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the S.S.Aqua very own 'Smartness' Contest!"
Steven and Drake rested in their seats, staring at the meeting rooms ceiling as they leant
back in their chairs, feet resting on the tables.
"You see, it is relaxing!" commented Drake.
"I must admit, it does have a very 'lazy' feel to it," Steven replied. He struggled his right
arm forward, outstretching his fingers towards his coffee mug.
"That's a downside though…" Drake continued. "Take up the life of the loafer, and
drinks on tables become a thing of the past.
"I don't care how comfortable that position is, I need my coffee!" Steven exclaimed,
springing forwards, swiping the mug up in his hand. He took three large gulps, Drake
nudging his head downwards to watch.
"You'll be back soon. I can guarantee it!"
"I am only slightly in need of relaxation," Steven began, interrupted by Arc entering the
room, with a luggage holder in his hands.
"I'm going to head off to Kanto now," he explained.
"What? Why so early?" Steven asked. Arc dropped the bag to the floor and adjusted his
jacket.
"I feel it'd be a good idea if I went a little ahead of the others…"
"Any reason why?"
"Not really…I just feel it'll make things easier for me."
"I don't follow your logic, but if you feel that's the best way of doing things, go for it."
"Could you tell the others?"
"Sure," Steven finished. "I'll be down in a minute to help you with your stuff…how are
you getting there?"
"I'll catch a boat from Lilycove," Arc replied, heaving his luggage up again. "See you in
a minute then?"
"Sure…I'll just finish up here."
"Ok, cool. I'll be downstairs." Arc turned an exited the room, Steven massaging his
stubbly chin, before pacing back over to the table, resting his hands on its polished
wooden face.
"Odd…" Steven pondered.
"How so?" Drake inquired
"Nothing really…just trying to work out why he bothered to bring his stuff all the way up
here?"
"His luggage? Who knows? The boys probably just going crazy or something."
"Going crazy? Why do you say that?"
"I don't know! It's just something to say…handy when you start worrying' about the boy
bringing hand luggage up for show and tell. Just relax! As soon as you get back here, you
are getting another lesson in 'C-rology'!"
"'C-rology'?"
"Chair reclinoligy. I'm thinking of making into a business."
"Whatever…anyway, aren't you coming down to see him off?"
"Busy studying C-rology."
"Chair reclinoligy; right. Well, suit yourself, I'll be back in a few." Steven responded,
leaving the room, letting the large double doors slam shut behind him. Drake slumped
even further down into his chair, edging his hat down over his eyes, crossing his hands on
his stomach, sighing satisfactorily.
"I'll be rich!" he grunted, before dropping off to sleep.
The four contest pokémon stood side by side; Medicham, Drowzee and Cacnea awaiting
Abra's first appeal. The tiny psychic pokémon squeaked sweetly before disappearing in a
blur and flurry of white sparks. The crowd applauded enthusiastically as the remaining
contestants looked around for Abra, Medicham stepping up to make his appeal.
"Remember Medicham, calm your mind…concentrate," Setijin whispered
unconvincingly. Medicham waddled into the spotlight, still holding his stomach. He
stared up at the judge, struggling as he tightened his focus, the cloud clapping his efforts
as he made way for Drowzee. Setijin encouraged his partner, his sudden spurt of
confidence diminishing at the sight of Medicham's now pale face.
"Chaaam."
Drowzee took center stage, waving his hands in front of him almost rhythmically,
hypnotically entrancing the judge. Stepping down to let Cacnea appeal, the crowd
cheered excitedly, and the judge teetering in his chair, coming around from the affect of
the attack. Cacnea hopped up, shivering with nervousness from the other pokémon's
appeals. It's audience watched expectantly as it cowered, small tears growing in its eyes,
cringing as it left the stage, its trainer rushing over to comfort it. The group waited for the
judge's orders, waiting as he pointes towards Drowzee. With this, the large yellow
pokémon glamorously flicked its snout, bounding forwards to make its next appeal.
"Ok Drowzee, use focus energy!" his trainer ordered, the Drowzee groaning as shards of
yellow tinted light flickered around it. Although the judge appeared to enjoy the appeal,
the crowd's excitement fell, not approving too emphatically of Drowzee's technique. The
light in the center of the stage shimmered as Abra reappeared in a splash of light,
dazzling Drowzee into looking away, loosing its composure. Abra remained still, looking
around as if disoriented before teleporting away once more. The judge shook his head in
disappointment at the repeated appeal, Cacnea taking the stage next.
"Pin missile!" called his trainer, the small cactus pokémon erupting in waves and waves
of tiny white needles, littering the arena, wedging themselves into walls, floors and
pokémon. As the uninjured crowd members applauded, Medicham struggled on stage,
still clasping his belly in discomfort.
"Medicham, use high jump kick!" Setijin instructed, Medicham hopping lightly off the
ground, before tumbling backwards. Picking himself up for a second attempt, it listened
angrily as the other pokémon fell backwards themselves in hysterics. With this, he
shuddered, before stepping violently onto the wooden floor, shattering the plank beneath
him. Wrenching a splintered shard from its resting place, Medicham lugged the debris as
a projectile, guiding it directly into the side of Drowzee's head. The elephant like
pokémon tumbled onto its side, Medicham fuming as Setijin leapt into the air, cheering.
The judge jotted down some more notes, before calling Abra to order. Medicham, now
steaming with rage seemed to be rid of his sickness, readying himself for his next appeal.
Setijin gave him the thumbs up, Medicham smiling sinisterly as he raised his right arm,
enveloping his hand in purple energy.
"And 3 points down for Abra's teleportation…okay, can I have Drowzee up next
please?" asked the judge, the trainer guiding his pokémon back on stage. As Drowzee
braced himself for a third appeal, Medicham shuffled at the base of the stage, flicking his
purple aura away, gently steering it into Drowzee's back. The result, similar to a tap on
the shoulder caused Drowzee to swivel around in confusion.
"No, use Psybeam!" his trainer cried frantically, Drowzee still examining the area around
him. The judge dismissed him in frustration, Medicham hopping on stage.
"Medicham, use bulk up!" called Setijin, Medicham flexing his spindly muscles for the
crowd. Retiring from the spotlight once again, he grinned smugly patting Drowzee in a
demeaning sense on the head before taking his place, watching Cacnea's 'Ingrain' appeal.
"Ok Medicham, this time, use Ice Punch, okay?" Setijin instructed, Medicham nodding
willingly. He climbed on stage first, fisting the air, leaving a trail of winter cold behind
him, followed by applause and approval from the judge. Drowzee appeared next, quickly
unleashing a 'psychic' attack, tripping Medicham as he left the stage. Waddling past the
floored fighting pokémon as he awaited the final appeal, his chuckled, Medicham bolting
to his feet furiously. Abra teleported yet again, Cacnea still wedged in place due to
ingrain. Finally, the judge ordered the final appeal, Drowzee rushing in first.
"Drowzee!" it bellowed, the force of its voice knocking Medicham backwards, stumbling
over its puffed up legs, dusting himself off before fighting back with a small shot of
psychic energy, slapping Drowzee around the face. As Abra teleported back into the
arena, Drowzee reared itself up for a body slam, the tiny pokémon promptly disappearing
again. Medicham charge around the outside of the stage, Drowzee flopping heavily to the
floor, rolling itself back up as Medicham prepared another blast of mental energy. The
two squared up either side of the helpless Cacnea, rooted to the floor, Medicham
struggling to concentrate as Drowzee whipped up a small cyclone of purple mind mist.
The cloud ebbed forward, sweeping across the floor, Medicham bracing himself for the
impending impact.
As the attack shot forward, it whipped itself beneath Cacnea, lifting and dragging the
helpless cactus towards Drowzee's target, its roots halting it no more than a foot away
from Medicham's face. Medicham peered up, beaming from the result of Drowzee's
onslaught, dragging the Cacnea back further, Drowzee continuing to force his blast
forwards, the Dark grass pokémon stretching further and further.
"Neeeeeeeaaaaaaaaargh!" it cried, Medicham calling Drowzee, letting go of Cacnea and
raising his hands, as if to concede the battle. With this, Drowzee ceased his efforts,
waving back. The two smiled, Drowzee's victory short-lived as the now elasticized
cactus came hurtling back, pins inflamed, slamming heavily directly into Drowzee's face.
Collapsing to the floor, Drowzee seemed to deflate its pent up gasses, Cacnea
withdrawing is roots and removing itself from the psychic pokémon's face. The crowd
cheered along with the Judge and Setijin as Medicham hopped down from the stage
victoriously, waving his tattered green scarf in the air.
"You did it Medicham!" Setijin congratulated, embracing his Medicham. Leaning
forwards, Medicham reached into Setijin's back pocket, removing a handful of cash
notes, crumpling them into his hand. The two separated, both smiling for different
reasons, the judge confirming the results of the contest, Setijin guiding Medicham by the
hand.
"And the winner of this 'Smartness' Contest is Medicham, and his trainer Setijin!" the
woman announced, Setijin taking a hold of his small medal. They turned to hand
Medicham his, looking around in surprise as Medicham shot through the crowd and
towards the bar in the corner of the deck, waving the wad of cash from Setijin's pocket in
the air.
"Excuse me," Setijin apologized, grabbing Medicham's ribbon and leaping over the
banisters of the arena, charging after his partner, watching in desperation as the fighting
pokémon proceeded to drink another glass of chocolate milkshake.
Setijin crouched down besides the disoriented Medicham, wobbling as he tried to balance
on his stumpy feet, waiting for the contest to begin. To his right sat an Abra, its facial
expression suggesting that it was asleep. To his left stood a Drowzee and a Cacnea, their
trainers brushing the dust and excess muck of their skin before the contest began.
Medicham burped uncomfortable as it rested on hand on its swelling stomach.
"This is just absurd," Setijin grumbled to himself. "Who would have thought that
something as stupid as this would happen?" The contest lady stepped up on stage, her
microphone clasped in her hand, and her clipboard slotted under her arm.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the S.S.Aqua very own 'Smartness' Contest!"
Steven and Drake rested in their seats, staring at the meeting rooms ceiling as they leant
back in their chairs, feet resting on the tables.
"You see, it is relaxing!" commented Drake.
"I must admit, it does have a very 'lazy' feel to it," Steven replied. He struggled his right
arm forward, outstretching his fingers towards his coffee mug.
"That's a downside though…" Drake continued. "Take up the life of the loafer, and
drinks on tables become a thing of the past.
"I don't care how comfortable that position is, I need my coffee!" Steven exclaimed,
springing forwards, swiping the mug up in his hand. He took three large gulps, Drake
nudging his head downwards to watch.
"You'll be back soon. I can guarantee it!"
"I am only slightly in need of relaxation," Steven began, interrupted by Arc entering the
room, with a luggage holder in his hands.
"I'm going to head off to Kanto now," he explained.
"What? Why so early?" Steven asked. Arc dropped the bag to the floor and adjusted his
jacket.
"I feel it'd be a good idea if I went a little ahead of the others…"
"Any reason why?"
"Not really…I just feel it'll make things easier for me."
"I don't follow your logic, but if you feel that's the best way of doing things, go for it."
"Could you tell the others?"
"Sure," Steven finished. "I'll be down in a minute to help you with your stuff…how are
you getting there?"
"I'll catch a boat from Lilycove," Arc replied, heaving his luggage up again. "See you in
a minute then?"
"Sure…I'll just finish up here."
"Ok, cool. I'll be downstairs." Arc turned an exited the room, Steven massaging his
stubbly chin, before pacing back over to the table, resting his hands on its polished
wooden face.
"Odd…" Steven pondered.
"How so?" Drake inquired
"Nothing really…just trying to work out why he bothered to bring his stuff all the way up
here?"
"His luggage? Who knows? The boys probably just going crazy or something."
"Going crazy? Why do you say that?"
"I don't know! It's just something to say…handy when you start worrying' about the boy
bringing hand luggage up for show and tell. Just relax! As soon as you get back here, you
are getting another lesson in 'C-rology'!"
"'C-rology'?"
"Chair reclinoligy. I'm thinking of making into a business."
"Whatever…anyway, aren't you coming down to see him off?"
"Busy studying C-rology."
"Chair reclinoligy; right. Well, suit yourself, I'll be back in a few." Steven responded,
leaving the room, letting the large double doors slam shut behind him. Drake slumped
even further down into his chair, edging his hat down over his eyes, crossing his hands on
his stomach, sighing satisfactorily.
"I'll be rich!" he grunted, before dropping off to sleep.
The four contest pokémon stood side by side; Medicham, Drowzee and Cacnea awaiting
Abra's first appeal. The tiny psychic pokémon squeaked sweetly before disappearing in a
blur and flurry of white sparks. The crowd applauded enthusiastically as the remaining
contestants looked around for Abra, Medicham stepping up to make his appeal.
"Remember Medicham, calm your mind…concentrate," Setijin whispered
unconvincingly. Medicham waddled into the spotlight, still holding his stomach. He
stared up at the judge, struggling as he tightened his focus, the cloud clapping his efforts
as he made way for Drowzee. Setijin encouraged his partner, his sudden spurt of
confidence diminishing at the sight of Medicham's now pale face.
"Chaaam."
Drowzee took center stage, waving his hands in front of him almost rhythmically,
hypnotically entrancing the judge. Stepping down to let Cacnea appeal, the crowd
cheered excitedly, and the judge teetering in his chair, coming around from the affect of
the attack. Cacnea hopped up, shivering with nervousness from the other pokémon's
appeals. It's audience watched expectantly as it cowered, small tears growing in its eyes,
cringing as it left the stage, its trainer rushing over to comfort it. The group waited for the
judge's orders, waiting as he pointes towards Drowzee. With this, the large yellow
pokémon glamorously flicked its snout, bounding forwards to make its next appeal.
"Ok Drowzee, use focus energy!" his trainer ordered, the Drowzee groaning as shards of
yellow tinted light flickered around it. Although the judge appeared to enjoy the appeal,
the crowd's excitement fell, not approving too emphatically of Drowzee's technique. The
light in the center of the stage shimmered as Abra reappeared in a splash of light,
dazzling Drowzee into looking away, loosing its composure. Abra remained still, looking
around as if disoriented before teleporting away once more. The judge shook his head in
disappointment at the repeated appeal, Cacnea taking the stage next.
"Pin missile!" called his trainer, the small cactus pokémon erupting in waves and waves
of tiny white needles, littering the arena, wedging themselves into walls, floors and
pokémon. As the uninjured crowd members applauded, Medicham struggled on stage,
still clasping his belly in discomfort.
"Medicham, use high jump kick!" Setijin instructed, Medicham hopping lightly off the
ground, before tumbling backwards. Picking himself up for a second attempt, it listened
angrily as the other pokémon fell backwards themselves in hysterics. With this, he
shuddered, before stepping violently onto the wooden floor, shattering the plank beneath
him. Wrenching a splintered shard from its resting place, Medicham lugged the debris as
a projectile, guiding it directly into the side of Drowzee's head. The elephant like
pokémon tumbled onto its side, Medicham fuming as Setijin leapt into the air, cheering.
The judge jotted down some more notes, before calling Abra to order. Medicham, now
steaming with rage seemed to be rid of his sickness, readying himself for his next appeal.
Setijin gave him the thumbs up, Medicham smiling sinisterly as he raised his right arm,
enveloping his hand in purple energy.
"And 3 points down for Abra's teleportation…okay, can I have Drowzee up next
please?" asked the judge, the trainer guiding his pokémon back on stage. As Drowzee
braced himself for a third appeal, Medicham shuffled at the base of the stage, flicking his
purple aura away, gently steering it into Drowzee's back. The result, similar to a tap on
the shoulder caused Drowzee to swivel around in confusion.
"No, use Psybeam!" his trainer cried frantically, Drowzee still examining the area around
him. The judge dismissed him in frustration, Medicham hopping on stage.
"Medicham, use bulk up!" called Setijin, Medicham flexing his spindly muscles for the
crowd. Retiring from the spotlight once again, he grinned smugly patting Drowzee in a
demeaning sense on the head before taking his place, watching Cacnea's 'Ingrain' appeal.
"Ok Medicham, this time, use Ice Punch, okay?" Setijin instructed, Medicham nodding
willingly. He climbed on stage first, fisting the air, leaving a trail of winter cold behind
him, followed by applause and approval from the judge. Drowzee appeared next, quickly
unleashing a 'psychic' attack, tripping Medicham as he left the stage. Waddling past the
floored fighting pokémon as he awaited the final appeal, his chuckled, Medicham bolting
to his feet furiously. Abra teleported yet again, Cacnea still wedged in place due to
ingrain. Finally, the judge ordered the final appeal, Drowzee rushing in first.
"Drowzee!" it bellowed, the force of its voice knocking Medicham backwards, stumbling
over its puffed up legs, dusting himself off before fighting back with a small shot of
psychic energy, slapping Drowzee around the face. As Abra teleported back into the
arena, Drowzee reared itself up for a body slam, the tiny pokémon promptly disappearing
again. Medicham charge around the outside of the stage, Drowzee flopping heavily to the
floor, rolling itself back up as Medicham prepared another blast of mental energy. The
two squared up either side of the helpless Cacnea, rooted to the floor, Medicham
struggling to concentrate as Drowzee whipped up a small cyclone of purple mind mist.
The cloud ebbed forward, sweeping across the floor, Medicham bracing himself for the
impending impact.
As the attack shot forward, it whipped itself beneath Cacnea, lifting and dragging the
helpless cactus towards Drowzee's target, its roots halting it no more than a foot away
from Medicham's face. Medicham peered up, beaming from the result of Drowzee's
onslaught, dragging the Cacnea back further, Drowzee continuing to force his blast
forwards, the Dark grass pokémon stretching further and further.
"Neeeeeeeaaaaaaaaargh!" it cried, Medicham calling Drowzee, letting go of Cacnea and
raising his hands, as if to concede the battle. With this, Drowzee ceased his efforts,
waving back. The two smiled, Drowzee's victory short-lived as the now elasticized
cactus came hurtling back, pins inflamed, slamming heavily directly into Drowzee's face.
Collapsing to the floor, Drowzee seemed to deflate its pent up gasses, Cacnea
withdrawing is roots and removing itself from the psychic pokémon's face. The crowd
cheered along with the Judge and Setijin as Medicham hopped down from the stage
victoriously, waving his tattered green scarf in the air.
"You did it Medicham!" Setijin congratulated, embracing his Medicham. Leaning
forwards, Medicham reached into Setijin's back pocket, removing a handful of cash
notes, crumpling them into his hand. The two separated, both smiling for different
reasons, the judge confirming the results of the contest, Setijin guiding Medicham by the
hand.
"And the winner of this 'Smartness' Contest is Medicham, and his trainer Setijin!" the
woman announced, Setijin taking a hold of his small medal. They turned to hand
Medicham his, looking around in surprise as Medicham shot through the crowd and
towards the bar in the corner of the deck, waving the wad of cash from Setijin's pocket in
the air.
"Excuse me," Setijin apologized, grabbing Medicham's ribbon and leaping over the
banisters of the arena, charging after his partner, watching in desperation as the fighting
pokémon proceeded to drink another glass of chocolate milkshake.