--Author notes:
•The characters from this story aren't mine (except for Binastry and Lenny), while the story is!
•This story takes place in the Johto region (even though Pokémon contests weren't common yet, it was, in my opinion, the best way to introduce the story).
In a town named Tiloshi, in the Johto region, there was a competition of Pokémon skill in duos, in which Jessie and James, in disguise, were participating.
The first challenge involved demonstrating the abilities of two of their Pokémon. Jessie and James chose Meowth and Victreebel, respectively. For the presentation, the Pokémon, following the instructions of their trainers, made a double noodle soup, Meowth with its claws and Victreebel with its razor leaves.
At that moment, they were waiting for the evaluation of the five judges, who started to taste the noodle soups.
"This soup is wonderful!" Said one of the judges when he finished tasting it.
"I have never seen pasta so well prepared and so delicious!" Said another judge.
At that moment, the judges were already writing the notes on papers.
When they showed the assessments, Jessie and James were both surprised and excited by the results. They received three 10's and two 9's.
"From the ratings the judges gave, this duo of competitors got the highest score so far." Said a presenter. "Therefore, it is with great joy that I say that they have passed the first challenge!"
Everyone in the building, including all the competitors, started cheering and cheering as they walked out of the stadium.
After leaving the it, Jessie and James started talking.
"Do you believe that?! We got the best results from the first round!" Said James, euphoric.
"If we can win the first challenge, we can win all the others!" Said Jessie.
At that moment, they heard someone speaking into a microphone.
"The next contestants to run the challenge will be Ash and Misty!" Said the voice.
"So they're in the competition." Said Jessie.
"What are we going to do about it?" James asked in a worried tone.
After a few seconds, Jessie responded.
"I have an idea." She said. "Let's disrupt their demo so they don't have a chance to be ranked!"
James was a little distressed by her speech.
"Please don't do it this time. I always wanted to win a competition like this without cheating and this could be an opportunity for my wish to come true." He said.
"But why not win the easy way? In my opinion, victory must be achieved no matter the means." She said.
"But a victory achieved anyway is not a deserved victory; it is simply a glory without merit." He replied.
"I..." She started to say, when she was interrupted by James.
"Please don't cheat. Do it for us and for me." He said.
After a few moments, Jessie answered.
"I see… This time, we won't cheat. But only this time!" She said.
"Thank you very much." he said, relaxed.
•••••••••••
At that moment, Ash and Misty were on stage, getting ready for the start of the performance.
After a few seconds, they heard someone's voice speaking through the microphone, the same voice they had heard for some time:
"Let the presentation begin!"
"Chikorita, I choose you!" Ash said.
"Chiko!" Said Chikorita as she got out of her Poké Ball.
"Starmie, I choose you!" Said Misty, throwing the Poké Ball that contained the Pokémon, which immediately came out of it.
"Can these Pokémon impress the judges? Let's find out!" Said the voice of the presenter.
During Ash and Misty's performance, their Pokémon demonstrated their physical abilities both individually and together.
"Come on!" Ash said.
"We have a chance!" Said Misty.
His Pokémon continued the show.
At the end, the presenter's voice resounded through the amphitheater:
"But what a sensational demonstration these trainers made! Let the judges' evaluation begin!"
After a few seconds, the judges began to pronounce themselves:
"These youngsters really have the skills to become excellent trainers." Said one of the judges
"Not many trainers have that much skill!" Said another judge.
At that moment, the judges were already writing the notes on papers.
When they showed the reviews, Ash and Misty were thrilled with the results. They received two 10's and three 9's.
"But how spectacular! These youngsters got the second highest score of this competition!" Said the presenter. "With that, they managed to get past the first challenge!"
Everyone in the amphitheater started cheering them on as they walked out.
"We managed to win the first challenge!" Ash exclaimed.
"On top of that, with great results!" Said Misty.
At that moment, two people approached them. They appeared to be the contestants who got the best results from the first challenge.
"Your performances at the amphitheater were excellent!" Said the red haired person.
"Congratulations on the results!" Said the blue haired person.
"You also deserve congratulations." Ash said. "After all, you got the best results from the first stage of the competition!"
"Do you mind telling us your names?" Misty asked.
"Of course not!" Said the red haired person. "My name is Jessalia."
"And mine is Jamon" Said the blue haired person.
"Nice to meet you." Said Misty.
"It's our pleasure!" exclaimed Jamon.
"Good luck in the competition." Ash said.
"May the best duo win!" Said Jessalia.
"Pika-Pika!" Said Pikachu.
Jessalia and Jamon started to walk away.
When they were out of sight, Ash and Misty started talking to each other again:
"These two competitors must be really good." Said Misty.
"That means they will make for a great challenge!" Ash exclaimed.
•••••••••••
As they walked away from the boys, Jessie and James were already opening their mouths to speak when they heard a voice speaking through the microphone:
"The first pairs to face each other in the competition will be Ash and Misty versus Jessalia and Jamon! They will face each other in five minutes, so prepare yourselves, spectators and competitors!"
"How are we going to beat them?" asked James. "They have already managed to defeat us several times in the last few weeks!"
"It is important to have confidence in yourself and also ability." Jessie replied. "Also, we need to work as a team if we want to win."
"Right." Said James. "Since we are going to be competing together, we need to have an idea of which Pokémon we are going to choose in battle, so that we don't get caught off guard with our choices."
"I was thinking of choosing the Wobbuffet in the competition, as it can withstand various attacks from its enemies, as well as being able to send them back." Said Jessie.
"I believe he is not a good option." Said James, a little distressed. "Although Wobbuffet can withstand various attacks, it doesn't attack and ends up being very predictable in terms of its moves. Probably the twerps would find a way to defeat him by taking advantage of these weaknesses."
"Look here, don't interfere with my choice of..." Jessie retorted, in an angry tone, followed by hesitation. "You're right; Wobbuffet really won't be a good choice. Which means I'll have to pick Arbok for the fight."
"Although he is more vulnerable than Wobbuffet, Arbok is much more unpredictable and can attack without having to wait to be attacked." Said James.
"Now, about the Pokémon you plan to choose…" Jessie pondered. "Which do you think is the best option?"
"I still haven't made up my mind." he replied. "Weezing is an option because of its agility and smokescreen attack, but if the twerps choose a Flying-type Pokémon, Weezing might not be a good choice. Victreebel is also an option because of its diversity of attacks, although its agility is not very good."
"At the time of battle, you decide which is the best choice." Said Jessie. "No matter the outcome of the confrontation, at least we can say that we tried to win."
After the conversation, they leaned against a wall, waiting for the moment of competition between the pairs.
•••••••••••
Two spectators, one male and one female, both dressed in black clothes, were talking to each other in low voices.
"In a few minutes, the battle between the duos will begin." Said the man. "This will be a perfect opportunity for us to execute our plan."
"Patience." Said the woman. "We need to wait for the right moment to move forward."