Chapter 10
Pokemon Catwalk
"I can't believe you got us lost," Callista complained as she and Ruby stopped walking and looked around trying to find their way.
As our heros ventured to the next city, the duo accidentally wandered away from route 30 and found themselves lost in a strangle looking forest.
"I didn't get us lost," Ruby argued, "You did."
"You have the map!"
"You have one too!"
"How are we ever going to ever get to Violet City if we don't know where we are going and we keep getting lost?" Callista yelled. "The next city should be around here somewhere."
All their shouting ended up attracting company as a young man appeared from the trees. He was about eighteen years old or so, a little heavy, but his long t-shirt and levis covered his weight very well. He had short blue hair and hazel eyes behind his thin glasses. He was carrying a large bag on his left shoulder filled with fruit and berries. He decided to interupt to see if he could help with anything.
"Excuse me," the man said, "Are you two okay?"
Callista answered first, "Not really. We are lost and my friend here didn't look to see where we needed to be going. We wandered away from route 30 and we can't find our way back."
"What do you mean me!" Ruby argued. "It was you!"
The man didn't like the arguing very much and thought it was very childish. "Where are you trying to get to? Maybe I can help you."
"We are trying to get to Florando City." Callista answered as she and Ruby stopped arguing.
The man smiled. "Then you're not lost." The man stepped over to them. "It may not look like it, but you are still on route 30 and Florando is just ahead. About another 20 minute walk towards the north." The man pointed to show them the way. "I am headed that way myself. I can take you all there if you want that is where I live."
"That's great!" Callista answered as she and Ruby didn't feel like arguing anymore.
"Thank you," Ruby replied as she shift her backpack to her other shoulder.
"Sure no problem," the man said. "How about we get ourselves introduced first. My name is Joey."
"I am Callista and this is Ruby," Callista answered.
Joey glanced at the pokeballs around Callista's waist. "So you two are pokemon trainers I presume?"
"Uh, yes sir," Ruby replied.
"So then do you mind doing me a favor before I do mine?" Joey asked as he put his right hand behind his back.
"What?"
"I want a pokemon battle!" Joey announced as he pulled out a green pokeball. "Who wants to step up to the challange?"
Ruby wasn't expecting him to want to battle so her hesitation make this a perfect opportinity for Callista to accept first.
"I will," Callista answered as she got ready to battle and pulled out a pokeball.
They spread out to give the battle some more room.
"How's a one on one sound to you?" Joey asked.
"That's fine by me!" Callista answered.
"I'll go first," Joey tossed the pokeball into the air. "I choose you!"
A cute pink sheep looking pokemon appeared.
"What is that?" Callista pulled her pokedex out of her pocket and pointed it at the pokemon
Pokedex: "Flaaffy, the wool pokemon. Its fluffy fleece easily stores electricity. Its rubbery hide keeps it from being electrocuted."
"An electric pokemon huh," Callista grabbed a pokeball. "Then I choose you, Chikorita!"
Callista tossed the pokeball and Chikorita appeared ready for battle.
"Awe what a cute pokemon!" Joey complimented. "But it's cuteness won't stop us! Flaaffy use your thundershock attack!"
"Flaaaaaffffy!" Flaaffy charged up its electricity.
"Get ready," Callista whispered to her Chikorita as it nodded in response.
Flaaffy released its electricity towards Chikorita and becuase Chikorita was prepared it was able to dodge out of the way of the attack.
"Flaaffy use your head butt attack!"
"Chikorita stop it with your vinewhip!"
As Flaaffy charged at Chikorita, Chikorita stretched out its vinewhip, wrapped it around Flaaffy's waist and stopped the sheep in its tracks.
With Flaaffy still in Chikorita's vines Callista ordered another attack, "Now toss it!"
Chikorita tossed the Flaaffy into the air.
"Flaaffy!" Joey called for his pokemon as he saw his pokemon land hard onto the ground. "Are you okay Flaaffy?"
Flaaffy struggled to its feet, but then nodded in agreement.
"Great!" Joey shouted, "Now use your speed star!"
"Counter it with your razor leaf attack!" Callista ordered.
The two pokemon launched their attacks at the same time and at the same time they struck each other. Chikorita's razor leaf attack was a bit stronger and completely demolished Flaaffy's stars.
"Wow," Joey said. "Your Chikorita is quite powerful."
"Your Flaaffy is not too bad either," Callista called back.
Joey looked down at his Flaaffy. "We are going to have to try something different in order to win this Flaaffy."
Flaaffy nodded and started to charged up its electricity.
"Get ready for another electic attack Chikorita!" Callista said to prepare her pokemon.
Once Flaaffy charged up enough electricity Joey ordered his attack. "Go Flaaffy use your thunder punch!"
This attack Callista wasn't expecting so all she could do was to call for her pokemon to try to dodge. Flaaffy threw back its paw and charged at Chikorita.
"Chikorita get out of the way," Callista cried out, but unfortunetly it was too late. Flaaffy struck Chikorita in the face with a powerful thunderpunch attack and was tossed to the ground.
Chikorita attempted to get back up onto her feet.
"Come on Chikorita you can do it!" Callista coached her pokemon until Chikorita was back on its feet and was ready to continue with the battle. "Yes! Now use your razor leaf!"
Chikorita swung its large leaf around and released several razor leaves toward the Flaaffy. Flaaffy managed to dodge the attack.
"Flaaffy thundershock!"
Flaaffy released another thundershock toward Chikorita which Chikorita easily dodged.
"Flaaffy try another headbutt!"
"Chikorita grab it again with your vinewhip!"
Flaaffy charged at Chikorita as Chikorita stretched out its vinewhip, but this time Flaaffy managed to dodge the vinewhips and hit Chikorita with a strong headbutt. Chikorita was thrown to the side, but it was able to keep its balance as it dug its paws into the ground stopping it from being thrown any further. Without an order from Callista, Chikorita charged at Flaaffy and hit it right back with a powerful take down attack. This time Flaaffy was thrown to the side, but it was unable to keep its balance and landed on its stomach.
"Now use your sleep powder!" Callista called out as Chikorita galloped closer to the Flaaffy and then before the pokemon could get up off the ground Chikorita released a large cloud of its sleep powder covering the Flaaffy.
Flaaffy attempted to get up so it could dodge the attack, but with all the attacks Joey had it do Flaaffy was too tired to get up and was unable to resist the sleep powder. Within seconds, Flaaffy was sound asleep. The battle was over and Callista was, once again, victorious.
"Great job Chikorita," Callista jumped up into the air and cheered.
Joey called his pokemon back. "Flaaffy return."
As Callista called her Chikorita back for a well deserved rest, Joey walked back over to Callista.
"Wow that was an awesome battle," Joey complimented as he started to lead Callista and Ruby throught the forest.
"Yeah, I just battled a gym leader from Cherrygrove City," Callista bragged as she pulled out the badge from her pocket and showed it to Joey, "and I won a Poison badge."
"That's cool," Joey said as she saw the badge. "No wonder you won."
Callista smiled. She really didn't think she was that good, but the badge must be proof that she was a decent trainer. She decided to change the subject due to her modisty.
"So what were you doing all the way out here anyway Joey?"
"I was collecting some berries from the trees around here so I can prepare my pokemon for the contest," Joey replied.
Callista was a little curious. "What contest?"
"The Pokemon Beauty and talent contest for the Pokemon Exhibition," Joey answered.
"Pokemon Exhibition?" Ruby asked as she got into the conversation.
"Yeah, Florando is famous for its Pokemon Exhibition," Joey explained. "During the summer time we hold the talent compition at a giant outdoor stadium. During the springtime, we hold the Beauty Compition in a indoor studio. That's where trainers gather from all over Johto and show off their breeding styles and techniques to try to win breeder of the year!"
"What kind of pokemon can be entered?" Callista was getting even more interested.
"Any types," Joey replied, "There are different catagories for the different types of pokemon. "Flying, Grass, Fire, Water, and Steel just to name a few. If you think one of your pokemon could win then you can sign it up."
"That sounds interesting," Callista nudged Ruby, "What do you say? Want to try it?"
"Sure, " Ruby replied, she already knew which of her pokemon she wanted to enter.
"Cool," Joey said. "You girls can come with me to sign up and then after everyone is done with that the contest will start."
As Joey and the girls walked away towards Florando, two figures appeared from the bushes behind them.
"Did you hear that?" Pat emerged from the forest.
Garret followed, "Yes I did."
"If we can get our hands on all those talented pokemon we would be able to give them to the boss to show him it was a smart choice to hire us." Pat said.
"Or we use them to make tons of money for ourselves," Garret replied.
"Money that we can use to upgrade our plans so we can catch that Quilava."
"Money money money," Garret laughed. "I vote for money!"
"So many choices," Pat said, "The first is deciding on a new plan."
Garret sighed, "Hopefully, it will be better than our net trap."
"Much better," Pat winked, she was already thinking up a plan.
"Let's get started," Garret said as the two of them raced after their enemies and to Florando City.
It took no more than twenty minutes for Callista and the others to make it to Florando. Callista's first stop was the pokemon center to check on Growlithe.
"Good day Nurse Joy, " Callista said when she walked into the center and saw the nurse's familar, smiling face.
"Hello!" Ruby said as she immedietely went to the cafeteria for food with Joey.
"Hello there," Nurse Joy answered. "What can I do for you?"
"I have a pokemon that is still healing from a serious condition. Could you check on it for me?"
"Of course, " Nurse Joy answered as Callista handed the pokeball to her.
"The Nurse in Cherrygrove City told me to tell you that Growlithe's records are on file in the data computer," Callista added.
"Thank you that will really help me out," Nurse Joy replied, "Do you have any other pokemon that you need for me to look at?"
Callista remembered her battle she had not to long ago. "Actually yes," Callista grabbed Chikorita's pokeball. "This one too."
"No problem," Nurse Joy said as she took the pokeball from Callista. "I'll call you when your pokemon are done."
Nurse Joy turned and talked into the treatment room to began healing Callista's pokemon.
"Call!" Nurse Joy's words suddenly sparked a thought into Callista's head. "Call...I should call Professor Elm!"
Callista searched the area and found a video phone over by the entrance of the cafeteria. Callista sat down in front and dialed Elm's number.
The phone rang several times until finally Elm's assistant picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is Professor Elm in?" Callista asked.
"He just went on an assignment," the young male assistant answered. "He should be back by the end of the day."
"Okay, I'll call him then," Callista replied. "Thanks bye bye."
Callista hung up and then decided to make one more phone call. She decided to call her mother. She must be very worried by now since Callista hadn't talked to her since she left on her journey. Callista dialed the number and waited for someone to pick up. The line was busy.
"I guess I'll call her later too," Callista was a little depressed, but then she felt better when she saw Ruby appear.
"Come on," Ruby waved for Callista to join them. "Lunch is ready!"
After a huge lunch Callista was able to get her Growlithe and Chikorita back.
"Here you go Callista," Nurse Joy said as she handed Callista her two pokeballs. "Chikorita is at perfect health and Growlithe should be ready to battle very soon. It healing very nicely and that record of it injuries really helped. I wouldn't be surprised if it was able to battle tomorrow or the next day. Wait until you check with the next center until you send it out to battle."
"Will do," Callista smiled. "Thank you very much."
After Callista and the trio left the center they headed towards the Florando Stadium. The city was a lot bigger than the girls thought. They passed tons of pokemon salons and lots of clothing stores. There seemed to be a lot that was offered in this city and they might have to check it all out before they leave.
"Wow," Callista exclaimed as they emerged from the high buildings and saw a big green building ahead of them. It was only one story tall but very wide with beautiful blue stained glass windows and exhibition advertisements all over.
"That is our pokemon studio," Joey explained as they continued to walk toward it.
As they drew closer Callista and Ruby began to see lines and lines of pokemon trainers at the front doors.
"Everyone is rushing to register their pokemon so they all have time to prep," Joey explained as they took their own place in line. "The more time they have to prep the better prepared their pokemon will be."
"Well," Callista said, "We better hurry!"
Finally, after twenty minutes of waiting it was the girls turn to register. Ruby chose her Vulpix for the fire catagory, Callista chose her Chikorita for the grass catagory and Joey chose his Azumarril for the water catagory. They each got their own numbers and their place in the competition.
The place was extremely packed with the trio went inside the studio. It looked quite some time for them to find a small empty spot to let out their pokemon and prep.
"Come on out Azumarril," Joey pointed the pokeball towards the floor and released his pokemon.
With Azumarril already called out the girl decided to release their pokemon too.
"Come on out Chikorita!"
"You too Vuplix!"
"I'm glad we are all iin different catagories," Callista smiled as she looked at Ruby's Vulpix. "Your Vulpix is gorgious I doubt no pokemon can beat that!"
"Thank you," Ruby said. "I know my pal Vulpix is going to take a place. I just know it!"
"Vullll pix!" Vulpix said hello to Chikorita as Chikorita said hello back. "Chika chikari."
"You two seem very eager to compeate," Joey complimented.
The conversation ended as they heard an announcement on the loud speaker. "Attention all trainers. Please listen up for your number and when it is called then report immediately to the center stage."
The girls continued to get their pokemon ready as they waited to be called.
"Callista! Ruby!" A familar voice came up from behind the duo. The girls spun around only to see Emily standing there with a large grin of her face. Right beside her was her Pidgeot. "I just knew I would find you two."
"Hey," Ruby said, "What are you doing here?"
"I was on my way to New Bark Town, hoping to catch up with you, when I saw a flyer for this exhibition I just couldn't pass it up! And obviously you two couldn't either."
The speaker announced a number in the background. "Number F5!"
"F5? What are we doing playing bingo?" Ruby asked as she turned to Joey.
"F for Fire Catagory and 5 is the number of the registered pokemon," Joey answered as he brushed his Azumarril.
"Oh," Ruby glanced at her number. It was number 20 and she had a little while left to go.
"Anyway back to you," Callista said as she turned towards Emily again. "Why were you looking for us?"
Emily replied, "I saw how you two battled together and I thought maybe we could just travel together. I don't get along with most trainers and I hate traveling alone. You two were the first girls I easily got along with." Emily winked.
"We are glad you found us," Ruby said. "Welcome to the group!"
Callista nodded in response. She really liked Emily and was also glad she came looking for them. "The more the merrier!" Callista finally replied.
The group of trainers started to brush and clean their pokemon getting them prepared for the show.
In the meantime, Garret was sneaking around the building trying to find an easy way to get in. When he figured it to be impossible he dashed back to Pat who was waiting for him a block away.
"Well?" Pat asked as she saw Garret approach.
"All the registration is over and all the doors and windows are shut tight," Garret panted for breath as he leaned up against a nearby wall of an old building.
"There is got to be some way to get in there," Pat said as she started to pace. "I wanted a sneak attack, but we might have to do things the Team Rocket way!"
"You mean force our way in and fight our way to the pokemon?" Garret asked.
"Exactly."
"But there are a lot of pokemon in there," Garret asked, "We don't have strong enough pokemon to battle them all."
"Then we'll just have to capture them before they can attack!"
"We don't have the machinery to do so with a force attack," Garret argued, "Why don't we dig a hole underneath and steal the pokemon by pretending to be judges."
"What kind of riducules plan is that!" Pat said as she continued to pace. After a few seconds she replied, "Hey, I have an idea! What if we sneak into the building by using an underground tunnel, steal some disguises, and swipe the pokemon by pretending to be judges."
Not realizing that Pat said the same exact thing he jumped up at the idea and replied, "That's a terrific idea. We would hardly need much and it is sure to work!"
"Now this is what we are going to do," Pat began as the two of them huddled together and discussed the new plan.
Ruby stared at her Vuplix, who just sat there and napped. "Why did they start with the fire catagory?"
"What's the matter?" Callista asked. "Getting a little nervous?"
"A bit," Ruby said as she continued to stare at her Vulpix. "It looks so beautiful!"
The speaker announced a number in the background. "Number F19!"
"It's getting closer," Callista said as she looked over at Ruby who seemed very nervous.
"I know I know!" Ruby replied as she tapped her foot repeatively on the floor.
A group of trainers with their pokemon talked about the exbitition as they walked down one of the studio's back hallways. They all had their water pokemon right beside them. There was a Squirtle, Poliwag, Politoed, Totodile, Psyduck and many others.
"This is going to get so great!" One said.
"Yeah," A girl trainer said as she held her Poliwag in her arms.
Suddenly two strangers appeared infront of them. One male with blond hair and one female with short brown hair and hazel eyes. Both of them wearing blue suits with the word JUDGE on a small white sticker on each of their top right shoulders. They were Team Rocket in disguise.
"Hello fellow trainers," the female said. "Are you guys ready for the competition?"
"Sure are!" The girl trainer replied as she took a good look at the two strangers. "Who are you guys?"
Both Pat and Garret sung the answer together. "We are the before contest prejudge judges."
"Now if you step this way and drop your pokemon off with us," Pat said as she opened one of the nearby doors a crack, "we can thoroghly inspect your pokemon and tell you what you need to do to make your pokemon winners."
The trainers nodded. They liked the sound of this idea so they began to line up and let their pokemon enter the room. Garret made sure that the inside of the room was not visible to the trainers so he held the door open just enough to let the pokemon go through. Once the pokemon was inside the trainers went to Pat who gave them time tickets.
"Just show up at this exact time to pick up your pokemon." Pat said as she continued to hand out the tickets.
Once all of the water pokemon were inside, Garret and Pat both slipped into the room using a side door. When they were in they found their large cage of imprisoned pokemon sitting inside. Since the door was not open enough the unsuspecting pokemon didn't know they were walking into a trap until it was too late. Also there was a large contraption the size of a small car sitting inside the room with a while sheet over it.
Garret walked over to the sheet and put his hand on it. "This sure was a lot of money, but it should be worth the price if it helps us get out of here with the pokemon."
He returned to Pat's side who was over by the caged pokemon.
"We still have room for more pokemon," Pat sneered as they both looked over their prize.
"The next competition after the fire one is the grass so there should be trainers heading down here soon," Garret said, "We could steal those too."
Team Rocket laughed as they left the room, still in their disguises, switched into another room and waited for more trainers to walk by.
By this time Ruby's number had been called and she was standing next to the stage waiting for her turn. At the moment a young male trainer and his Charmeleon was up.
"and this is a very powerful looking Charmeleon....," the announcer said as the Charmeleon walked up and down a long stretch of stage so all the judges could take a good look at the pokemon from every angle. "Obviously this trainer has spent numerous hours building up its muscles."
The Charmeleon stepped off stage and the stage attendent picked up Vulpix and placed it on the stage.
"Next up," the announcer continued, "is entry number F20, a beautiful little Vulpix."
At first Vulpix was a little nervous about all the bright lights and hundred of people staring at it, but it quickly shook off that fear and began walking down the stage. It wanted to make its trainer proud.
"This cute little fox pokemon weights 24lbs. and is 2' 2" tall. This is a very large Vulpix and has been raised very well. The shiny fur coat and the gorgous flowing tails gives its remarkable breeding history away." The announcer said as Vulpix made a little turn and wagged its six tails around.
When it got closer to the judges Vulpix stopped, looked at them and with a few bats of its eyes and a little tilt of its head it made an adorable pose that made both the judges and the audience sigh in awe. Vulpix then returned to Ruby and leaped into her arms.
"You were great! I am so proud of you." Ruby said as she hugged her Vulpix. That was exactly what Vulpix wanted to hear.
Back over to the table where Callista, Emily and Joey waited for their turns Callista clapped and cheered for her friend. "Wow, that was awesome!"
Suddenly Callista saw a large group of trainers walking past them and away from the stage along with several grass type pokemon.
"Hey," Callista called after them. "Where are you going?"
A young male trainer turned and answered her. "We heard there are some judges in the back rooms telling trainers how their pokemon can win."
Another boy trainer continued, "So we are all taking our grass pokemon there before the grass competition starts."
Joey nudged Callista, "You should take your Chikorita."
Callista looked at her Chikorita as Chikorita looked up to her. "I think my Chikorita is perfect the way it is. I know my Chikorita will win."
"Come on now," Joey insisted. "What harm could it do?"
Ruby appeared on the scene with her Vulpix in her arms. "Hey guys whats going on?"
Emily answered her, "Joey is trying to convince Callista to take her pokemon to some prejudging thing in the back of the studio."
Ruby didn't like this idea. "I don't know that sounds too good to be true."
"Yeah I know," Callista said.
Joey shrugged, "It's up to you. I really think it would help."
Joey kept going on about it so finally Callista gave in just to keep him quiet.
With Chikorita in her arms she ran after the group of grass trainers. They were already in line when Callista finally caught up with them.
As Pat lead the unsuspecting pokemon into their trap she noticed Callista running up into the line.
She grinned and thought to herself, "I knew we would get something good out of this."
Callista stepped into line with her Chikorita in her. "I guess this is it. I really don't know why I let them talk me into this."
It didn't take long for Callista to make it to the front of the line. Pat tried really hard to diguise her voice so she wouldn't be recognized.
"Well now," Pat said, very high pitched. "Isn't that a cute lil' pokemon if I do say so myself." Pat reached out to take Chikorita from Callista's arms.
Callista pulled away. "First I want to ask you, how long this is going to take?"
"All of our pokemon here we examine so they can become winners. And winners take time so it'd be a little while. That's why we have these tickets so you don't have to wait here for us to finish you can just come back when we are all done."
"But if I'm not here then how will I know how to make my Chikorita a winner?" Callista was sensing something very suspicious about this woman.
Pat was losing her pacience as she snatched Chikorita from Callista.
"Hey!" Callista called out.
"We want only what is best for you and your pokemon," Pat said as she began to walk toward the door.
Chikorita didn't like this lady so it began to wiggle and squirm.
"Quiet down lil' one," Pat growled. "You'll only make it harder for yourself."
Chikorita swung its leaf around and accidentally wacked the judging hat from Pat's head. Callista quickly recognized who it was.
"Hey you're not a Judge!" Callista cried out.
"Garret!" Pat called out as Garret appeared with a small cage. "Looks like we need a separate cage for this Chikorita. It doesn't seem to play well with others."
"Chikorita!" Callista called out as she watched Pat shove her pokemon into the tiny cage.
"I wonder what is going on with Callista?" Joey wondered as he spoke out loud to the others.
"Maybe that judging takes a long time," Emily said.
"Help! My pokemon is gone!" A young trainer ran by Ruby, Emily and Joey. This trainer looked very familar to them.
"What's the matter?" Ruby called after him as he turned to her.
"My pokemon! I left my pokemon with some judges and when I went to the room the door was locked tight," the boy cried. "And its not just me. It other trainers too." He said as he pointed to groups of trainers huddling together trying to figure out what happened to their pokemon.
"Are you sure you got the right room?" Emily asked as the girls got more interested in what was going on.
"Yes," he cried, "but they are not there now!"
Ruby turned to Emily. "What if that is the same place where Callista was taking Chikorita?"
"Chikorita could be in trouble. We have to find them!" Emily said as she and Ruby called their pokemon back into their pokeballs and dashed off towards the back of the studio.
Listening to all this, Joey decided it was his fault that he talked Callista into going. "Come on Azumarril, they might need help."
Joey jogged after the girls as fast and his legs could carry him with Azumarril following behind.
Callista didn't know what to do. Two against one did not seem to work out. "Give me back my pokemon!"
"Not a chance! This one, like all the other pokemon, is ours now," Pat sneered as she placed her hat back on her head. "We are taking these pokemon and this time there is nothing you can do about it."
"Callista!" A familar voice called from behind.
Callista spun around only to see her friends Ruby and Emily appear on the scene.
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked.
"What is going on here?" Emily asked as the three girls turned to the two fake judges.
"What is going on? Allow us to get you, prepared for trouble!" Pat said.
"And make it double!" Garret said.
"To conquer the world and its habitation."
"To restart our forces and its new generation."
"To announce the team to all the masters."
"To build our team and cause disasters."
"Pat." Pat ripped off her outfit and revealed her Team Rocket uniform.
"Garret." Garret also ripped off his outfit and revealed his uniform.
"Team Rocket takes over with all of its might."
"Surrender your pokemon now or prepare to fight."
"Team Rocket!" Emily and Ruby shouted as they recognized the familar faces.
Pat jumped up and down. "Yes, we finally finished the motto!"
Garret grinned, "And I'm sure it will be the same for catching these pokemon."
Callista saw her little Chikorita crying in its cage.
"What are you guys doing here?" Callista shouted. "And what are you going to do with my Chikorita?"
"We are here for all the pretty pokemon," Pat answered. "We will sell these pokemon for big bucks and then use that money to strengthen out teams power."
"Well you're not taking my Chikorita," Callista shouted as she stepped forward.
"Chikori," Chikorita whined as it watched its trainer trying to fight for it.
"Give back my Chikorita!" Callista shouted as she dashed towards the team.
"Not one more step you little brat," Garret tossed a pokeball, "Go Croconaw!"
Croconaw appeared from its pokeball. "Croc croc naw"
Callista stopped and jumped at the sight of the big pokemon infront of her.
"Can't you see that we have won," Pat said. "These pokemon belong to us now." Pat quickly changed the tone of her voice. "However, if you really want all these precious pokemon all you have to do is give us your Quilava."
Callista looked at Ruby and Ruby looked back at Callista and then at Team Rocket. "You'll never get my Quilava!"
Callista grabbed a pokeball. "Looks like we are going to have a battle!"
"Go Croconaw use your bite attack!" Garret ordered as Croconaw attacked.
"Pikachu I choose you!" Callista called her pokemon out as Pikachu appeared from its pokeball. "Thundershock attack!"
Pikachu charged up its electricity and released it into the Croconaw just as the Croconaw approached.
Croconaw was hurt by the attack and the electricity did a lot of damage, but once Pikachu stopped the attack the Croconaw was still ready to continue the battle.
"Ha!" Garret laughed. "Is that all that little rat can do?"
Callista glared at Garret. She didn't like him calling her Pikachu a rat. "Rat? Who's the rat? You're the ones stealing other people's pokemon. Pikachu finish it with your thunder attack!"
Pikachu charged up the attack and released it in Croconaw. Croconaw screamed in pain as the attack raced through its body. When the attack stopped the Croconaw fainted to the ground.
Garret called his pokemon back. "No you will not win again!"
Pat reached into her pocket and pulled out a small black remote with a large red button in the middle. "We will have these pokemon!" She said as she pressed the button.
Suddenly there was a large explosion coming from the same room that Team Rocket used to steal the pokemon. "Time to make our escape." Pat grabbed the little cage with Chikorita and followed Garret into the room. "Bye bye!"
Callista raced after them, but before she could get to the door Pat slammed and locked it behind her. Callista tried to yank the door open, but with no luck she stopped and pounded her fists on the door.
"Give me back my pokemon!" Callista shouted.
Joey finally showed up huffing and puffing. "Where are they?" He asked between breaths.
Ruby pointed to Callista still pounding on the door shouting at Team Rocket. "Come back here! Let me in!"
Joey called out to Callista, "Callista move let me get that door down!"
At first everyone thought he was going to try to break the door down himself, but he quickly turned to his Azumarril.
"Azumarril, use your take down and knock that door down," Joey ordered.
Azumarril flatted its long ears behind its head and then charged at the door. With a loud, crash the water pokemon broke a hole through the wood. That wasn't exactly what Joey had expected, but at least they would be able to see what Team Rocket was doing. Azumarril was still inside the room as Callista raced up and stuck her head in. She looked around and saw pieces of broken ceiling and wood all over the floor of the room along with a thin white sheet that was lying on the floor. Callista then looked up and saw Team Rocket above her, escaping through a large hole that they made through the ceiling of the studio using a very small, cheap little helicopter. It was so small it was barely able to lift the huge cage of pokemon that it had on a rope underneath. Chikorita was thrown with the other pokemon and it looked down at its trainer and gave out a worried yelp. "Chika chikari!"
Team Rocket saw Callista watching them and they both smiled and waved. "Bye bye now!"
Callista pulled her head out and began running back to the indoor studio. "Come on we can't let them escape. The group dashed through the worried crowds of trainers and raced out of the studio doors with little Pikachu following behind. Emily grabbed a pokeball. "I can stop them. Pidgeot go!"
Pidgeot appeared from its pokeball.
"Pidgeot bring them down with your wing attack," Emily ordered as Pidgeots wings begin to glow. Garret grabbed a pokeball and released his Ariados at the door of the helicopter. He opened the door and called out his order, "Ariados use your poison sting attack!"
Ariados released several barbs of its poison sting straight towards Pidgeot. Pidgeot was flying so fast it didn't have time to dodge as the poison sting struck the flying pokemon in the chest. Pidgeot winced and fell to the ground.
"Pidgeot return," Emily called it back once it was close enough to the ground. "Let me try something else." Emily pulled out another pokeball. "I choose you!"
A large silver bird with red wings appeared from its pokeball.
"What is that?" Callista pointed her pokedex at the bird.
Pokedex: "Skarmory the Armor Bird pokemon. This pokemon is strong against most attacks using its steel-like skin to protect itself."
"Cool," Callista said as she put her pokebex away and turned to her Pikachu. "Let's help them out."
"Pika pika," Pikachu nodded as it jumped onto Skarmory's smooth back.
Emily lead the charge. "Go Skarmory use your steel wing attack!"
Skarmory bolted into the air and charged up its attack.
Team Rocket looked down and saw that they were in trouble.
"Ariados poison sting attack!" Garret ordered as Ariados released its attack toward Skarmory.
Skarmory didn't even attempt to dodge as the attack bounce right off of its steel-like skin. Skarmory drew closer and then used its attack to slice the rope that was holding the cage of pokemon.
"Our pokemon!" Pat shouted as the cage began to fall to the ground. Joey took action and grabbed another one of his pokeballs.
"Venusaur, go!" A large green toad like pokemon appeared from its pokeball. Joey called out his order. "Use your vine whip and catch that cage!"
Venusaur stretched out its vine whip and managed to catch the cage before it hit the ground.
"That's great," Joey said. "Now place them on the ground."
Venusaur nodded and then the pokemon were safe on the ground.
"Now use your razor leaf and get them out of there," Joey commanded.
Venusaur shot out several razor leaves and cut through all the thin bars on the metal cage.
"Wow, your Venusaur is strong," Ruby said as she was amazed at its power.
"Yup!" Joey just smiled.
Emily and Callista remembered Team Rocket as they both looked back up into the sky. Skarmory was flying around the helicopter with Pikachu still on its back.
"I think its time to get rid of these clown," Emily hinted as Callista nodded.
"Pikachu finish them off with your thunder attack!" Callista ordered as Pikachu began to charge up another attack.
Garret attempted to stop them with his Ariados. "Poison sting!"
Again the attack bounce right off of the Skarmory.
"Go Pikachu, attack now!"
Pikachu released a huge thunder attack straight into the little helicopter. With all the electricity flowing though the instruments the helicopter exploded and shot Pat and Garret into the air.
"Beaten again!" Pat whined as they both flew towards the sky.
"At least we were able to finish the motto," Garret said.
"Some day we will get that Quilava and all their other pokemon too," Pat growled.
"But for now we're," Garret said.
"Blasting off again!" The Team shouted as they disappeared into the sky.
Skarmory flew back down to the ground and Pikachu leaped off of its back and into Callista's waiting arms.
"Great job Pikachu," Callista said as she hugged her pokemon.
Pikachu gently licked her face and smiled. "Pika pi."
Emily called her pokemon back. "Thank you Skarmory. Return." Skarmory returned to its pokeball.
With all the pokemon safe all they had to do now was to return them to all the trainers. It took quuite sometime to do so and to get the contest back in action.
After Chikorita, Azumarril, Pidgeot and the rest of the contestants strutted their stuff on the runway it was time for the award ceramony.
The head judge walked up on stage at the end of the runway and with all the trainers gathered around spoke into the microphone. Once a winner was announced, depending on the place, the trainers got to claim their prize at a small white table over by the stage. Joey Ryan won a certificate for a free jar of pokemon berries as a runner up winner. The Judge was already done with a few catagories when he got up to the Flying Catagory.
The judge was now at the third prize winner. "Third prize is Spearow, Trainer Eric Watson."
There was a big round of applause.
"Second place winner is Pidgeot, Trainer Emily Sky."
There was a big round of applause. Callista and Ruby were extremely happy and clapped as hard as they could. Emily went over to the award table and recieved an envelope with S.S Aqua tickets.
"And first place for the flying catagory is Fearow, Trainer Billy Bob. Next is our Grass Catagory," the Judge announced as he opened up a green envelope. "Our runner up is Oddish, Trainer Rick Boss."
There was a big round of applause.
"Third place is Skiploom, Trainer Grace Gardener."
There was a big round of applause.
"Second place is Chikorita, Trainer Callista Gavrilla."
Callista jumped up for joy and hugged her Chikorita. She bolted over to the table and recieved an Everstone necklace as her prize. She placed it around Chikorita's neck. "That looks beautiful on you."
"Chika chika."
The Judge was still calling out winners when Callista went back to the group.
"First place is Meganium, Trainer Thomas Mathews."
There was a big round of applause.
"Next is our Fire Catagory," The Judge said as he opened up a red envelope. "Our runner up is Magby, Trainer Anthony Hiker."
There was a big round of applause.
"Third place is Cyndaquil, Trainer Alice Brandt."
There was another big round of applause for her.
"And second place is Houndour, Trainer Elliot Randall."
Ruby crossed her fingers as did the other girls. "And the winner for the Fire Catagory is..................Vuplix, Trainer Ruby Phire."
Ruby leaped up for joy and hugged her Vulpix. "You won Vulpix. I am so proud of you!"
"Vul vul," Vulpix cried out.
Ruby dashed over to the table and collected her prize. A very valuable Fire Stone was award to her for her first place win in the fire catagory.
Finally, the contest was drawing to an end when the Judge awarded all the other trainers, who didn't place, a small comemerative Florendo Expedition T-shirt with the studio's logo on the front.
Once the contest was over Ruby, Emily and Joey all waited outside of the Pokemon Center and waited for Callista to come out.
"Well?" Ruby asked. "What did he say?"
Callista sighed as she stepped out of the center, "The Professor still wasn't there. I guess I'll try at the next town. It's getting late and we should get going if we want to hit route 31 by dark."
Everyone looked at the sky and saw the sun was beginning to lower.
"It was really nice meeting you," Callista said to Joey as she shook his hand. "Thank you we had a lot of fun here."
"No problem," Joey replied. "It was really nice meeting all of you. Have a safe trip to the next town."
"We will!" Ruby and Emily replied together.
After Callista, Ruby and Emily all said goodbye to Joey Ryan, the trio now had to head north towards the next town and the next stop on their long journey though Johto.
Gavrilla: means Heroine in Hebrew. Callista isn't Hebrew, I just thought it sounded pretty and the meaning fits Callista's character.
Pokemon Catwalk
"I can't believe you got us lost," Callista complained as she and Ruby stopped walking and looked around trying to find their way.
As our heros ventured to the next city, the duo accidentally wandered away from route 30 and found themselves lost in a strangle looking forest.
"I didn't get us lost," Ruby argued, "You did."
"You have the map!"
"You have one too!"
"How are we ever going to ever get to Violet City if we don't know where we are going and we keep getting lost?" Callista yelled. "The next city should be around here somewhere."
All their shouting ended up attracting company as a young man appeared from the trees. He was about eighteen years old or so, a little heavy, but his long t-shirt and levis covered his weight very well. He had short blue hair and hazel eyes behind his thin glasses. He was carrying a large bag on his left shoulder filled with fruit and berries. He decided to interupt to see if he could help with anything.
"Excuse me," the man said, "Are you two okay?"
Callista answered first, "Not really. We are lost and my friend here didn't look to see where we needed to be going. We wandered away from route 30 and we can't find our way back."
"What do you mean me!" Ruby argued. "It was you!"
The man didn't like the arguing very much and thought it was very childish. "Where are you trying to get to? Maybe I can help you."
"We are trying to get to Florando City." Callista answered as she and Ruby stopped arguing.
The man smiled. "Then you're not lost." The man stepped over to them. "It may not look like it, but you are still on route 30 and Florando is just ahead. About another 20 minute walk towards the north." The man pointed to show them the way. "I am headed that way myself. I can take you all there if you want that is where I live."
"That's great!" Callista answered as she and Ruby didn't feel like arguing anymore.
"Thank you," Ruby replied as she shift her backpack to her other shoulder.
"Sure no problem," the man said. "How about we get ourselves introduced first. My name is Joey."
"I am Callista and this is Ruby," Callista answered.
Joey glanced at the pokeballs around Callista's waist. "So you two are pokemon trainers I presume?"
"Uh, yes sir," Ruby replied.
"So then do you mind doing me a favor before I do mine?" Joey asked as he put his right hand behind his back.
"What?"
"I want a pokemon battle!" Joey announced as he pulled out a green pokeball. "Who wants to step up to the challange?"
Ruby wasn't expecting him to want to battle so her hesitation make this a perfect opportinity for Callista to accept first.
"I will," Callista answered as she got ready to battle and pulled out a pokeball.
They spread out to give the battle some more room.
"How's a one on one sound to you?" Joey asked.
"That's fine by me!" Callista answered.
"I'll go first," Joey tossed the pokeball into the air. "I choose you!"
A cute pink sheep looking pokemon appeared.
"What is that?" Callista pulled her pokedex out of her pocket and pointed it at the pokemon
Pokedex: "Flaaffy, the wool pokemon. Its fluffy fleece easily stores electricity. Its rubbery hide keeps it from being electrocuted."
"An electric pokemon huh," Callista grabbed a pokeball. "Then I choose you, Chikorita!"
Callista tossed the pokeball and Chikorita appeared ready for battle.
"Awe what a cute pokemon!" Joey complimented. "But it's cuteness won't stop us! Flaaffy use your thundershock attack!"
"Flaaaaaffffy!" Flaaffy charged up its electricity.
"Get ready," Callista whispered to her Chikorita as it nodded in response.
Flaaffy released its electricity towards Chikorita and becuase Chikorita was prepared it was able to dodge out of the way of the attack.
"Flaaffy use your head butt attack!"
"Chikorita stop it with your vinewhip!"
As Flaaffy charged at Chikorita, Chikorita stretched out its vinewhip, wrapped it around Flaaffy's waist and stopped the sheep in its tracks.
With Flaaffy still in Chikorita's vines Callista ordered another attack, "Now toss it!"
Chikorita tossed the Flaaffy into the air.
"Flaaffy!" Joey called for his pokemon as he saw his pokemon land hard onto the ground. "Are you okay Flaaffy?"
Flaaffy struggled to its feet, but then nodded in agreement.
"Great!" Joey shouted, "Now use your speed star!"
"Counter it with your razor leaf attack!" Callista ordered.
The two pokemon launched their attacks at the same time and at the same time they struck each other. Chikorita's razor leaf attack was a bit stronger and completely demolished Flaaffy's stars.
"Wow," Joey said. "Your Chikorita is quite powerful."
"Your Flaaffy is not too bad either," Callista called back.
Joey looked down at his Flaaffy. "We are going to have to try something different in order to win this Flaaffy."
Flaaffy nodded and started to charged up its electricity.
"Get ready for another electic attack Chikorita!" Callista said to prepare her pokemon.
Once Flaaffy charged up enough electricity Joey ordered his attack. "Go Flaaffy use your thunder punch!"
This attack Callista wasn't expecting so all she could do was to call for her pokemon to try to dodge. Flaaffy threw back its paw and charged at Chikorita.
"Chikorita get out of the way," Callista cried out, but unfortunetly it was too late. Flaaffy struck Chikorita in the face with a powerful thunderpunch attack and was tossed to the ground.
Chikorita attempted to get back up onto her feet.
"Come on Chikorita you can do it!" Callista coached her pokemon until Chikorita was back on its feet and was ready to continue with the battle. "Yes! Now use your razor leaf!"
Chikorita swung its large leaf around and released several razor leaves toward the Flaaffy. Flaaffy managed to dodge the attack.
"Flaaffy thundershock!"
Flaaffy released another thundershock toward Chikorita which Chikorita easily dodged.
"Flaaffy try another headbutt!"
"Chikorita grab it again with your vinewhip!"
Flaaffy charged at Chikorita as Chikorita stretched out its vinewhip, but this time Flaaffy managed to dodge the vinewhips and hit Chikorita with a strong headbutt. Chikorita was thrown to the side, but it was able to keep its balance as it dug its paws into the ground stopping it from being thrown any further. Without an order from Callista, Chikorita charged at Flaaffy and hit it right back with a powerful take down attack. This time Flaaffy was thrown to the side, but it was unable to keep its balance and landed on its stomach.
"Now use your sleep powder!" Callista called out as Chikorita galloped closer to the Flaaffy and then before the pokemon could get up off the ground Chikorita released a large cloud of its sleep powder covering the Flaaffy.
Flaaffy attempted to get up so it could dodge the attack, but with all the attacks Joey had it do Flaaffy was too tired to get up and was unable to resist the sleep powder. Within seconds, Flaaffy was sound asleep. The battle was over and Callista was, once again, victorious.
"Great job Chikorita," Callista jumped up into the air and cheered.
Joey called his pokemon back. "Flaaffy return."
As Callista called her Chikorita back for a well deserved rest, Joey walked back over to Callista.
"Wow that was an awesome battle," Joey complimented as he started to lead Callista and Ruby throught the forest.
"Yeah, I just battled a gym leader from Cherrygrove City," Callista bragged as she pulled out the badge from her pocket and showed it to Joey, "and I won a Poison badge."
"That's cool," Joey said as she saw the badge. "No wonder you won."
Callista smiled. She really didn't think she was that good, but the badge must be proof that she was a decent trainer. She decided to change the subject due to her modisty.
"So what were you doing all the way out here anyway Joey?"
"I was collecting some berries from the trees around here so I can prepare my pokemon for the contest," Joey replied.
Callista was a little curious. "What contest?"
"The Pokemon Beauty and talent contest for the Pokemon Exhibition," Joey answered.
"Pokemon Exhibition?" Ruby asked as she got into the conversation.
"Yeah, Florando is famous for its Pokemon Exhibition," Joey explained. "During the summer time we hold the talent compition at a giant outdoor stadium. During the springtime, we hold the Beauty Compition in a indoor studio. That's where trainers gather from all over Johto and show off their breeding styles and techniques to try to win breeder of the year!"
"What kind of pokemon can be entered?" Callista was getting even more interested.
"Any types," Joey replied, "There are different catagories for the different types of pokemon. "Flying, Grass, Fire, Water, and Steel just to name a few. If you think one of your pokemon could win then you can sign it up."
"That sounds interesting," Callista nudged Ruby, "What do you say? Want to try it?"
"Sure, " Ruby replied, she already knew which of her pokemon she wanted to enter.
"Cool," Joey said. "You girls can come with me to sign up and then after everyone is done with that the contest will start."
As Joey and the girls walked away towards Florando, two figures appeared from the bushes behind them.
"Did you hear that?" Pat emerged from the forest.
Garret followed, "Yes I did."
"If we can get our hands on all those talented pokemon we would be able to give them to the boss to show him it was a smart choice to hire us." Pat said.
"Or we use them to make tons of money for ourselves," Garret replied.
"Money that we can use to upgrade our plans so we can catch that Quilava."
"Money money money," Garret laughed. "I vote for money!"
"So many choices," Pat said, "The first is deciding on a new plan."
Garret sighed, "Hopefully, it will be better than our net trap."
"Much better," Pat winked, she was already thinking up a plan.
"Let's get started," Garret said as the two of them raced after their enemies and to Florando City.
It took no more than twenty minutes for Callista and the others to make it to Florando. Callista's first stop was the pokemon center to check on Growlithe.
"Good day Nurse Joy, " Callista said when she walked into the center and saw the nurse's familar, smiling face.
"Hello!" Ruby said as she immedietely went to the cafeteria for food with Joey.
"Hello there," Nurse Joy answered. "What can I do for you?"
"I have a pokemon that is still healing from a serious condition. Could you check on it for me?"
"Of course, " Nurse Joy answered as Callista handed the pokeball to her.
"The Nurse in Cherrygrove City told me to tell you that Growlithe's records are on file in the data computer," Callista added.
"Thank you that will really help me out," Nurse Joy replied, "Do you have any other pokemon that you need for me to look at?"
Callista remembered her battle she had not to long ago. "Actually yes," Callista grabbed Chikorita's pokeball. "This one too."
"No problem," Nurse Joy said as she took the pokeball from Callista. "I'll call you when your pokemon are done."
Nurse Joy turned and talked into the treatment room to began healing Callista's pokemon.
"Call!" Nurse Joy's words suddenly sparked a thought into Callista's head. "Call...I should call Professor Elm!"
Callista searched the area and found a video phone over by the entrance of the cafeteria. Callista sat down in front and dialed Elm's number.
The phone rang several times until finally Elm's assistant picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is Professor Elm in?" Callista asked.
"He just went on an assignment," the young male assistant answered. "He should be back by the end of the day."
"Okay, I'll call him then," Callista replied. "Thanks bye bye."
Callista hung up and then decided to make one more phone call. She decided to call her mother. She must be very worried by now since Callista hadn't talked to her since she left on her journey. Callista dialed the number and waited for someone to pick up. The line was busy.
"I guess I'll call her later too," Callista was a little depressed, but then she felt better when she saw Ruby appear.
"Come on," Ruby waved for Callista to join them. "Lunch is ready!"
After a huge lunch Callista was able to get her Growlithe and Chikorita back.
"Here you go Callista," Nurse Joy said as she handed Callista her two pokeballs. "Chikorita is at perfect health and Growlithe should be ready to battle very soon. It healing very nicely and that record of it injuries really helped. I wouldn't be surprised if it was able to battle tomorrow or the next day. Wait until you check with the next center until you send it out to battle."
"Will do," Callista smiled. "Thank you very much."
After Callista and the trio left the center they headed towards the Florando Stadium. The city was a lot bigger than the girls thought. They passed tons of pokemon salons and lots of clothing stores. There seemed to be a lot that was offered in this city and they might have to check it all out before they leave.
"Wow," Callista exclaimed as they emerged from the high buildings and saw a big green building ahead of them. It was only one story tall but very wide with beautiful blue stained glass windows and exhibition advertisements all over.
"That is our pokemon studio," Joey explained as they continued to walk toward it.
As they drew closer Callista and Ruby began to see lines and lines of pokemon trainers at the front doors.
"Everyone is rushing to register their pokemon so they all have time to prep," Joey explained as they took their own place in line. "The more time they have to prep the better prepared their pokemon will be."
"Well," Callista said, "We better hurry!"
Finally, after twenty minutes of waiting it was the girls turn to register. Ruby chose her Vulpix for the fire catagory, Callista chose her Chikorita for the grass catagory and Joey chose his Azumarril for the water catagory. They each got their own numbers and their place in the competition.
The place was extremely packed with the trio went inside the studio. It looked quite some time for them to find a small empty spot to let out their pokemon and prep.
"Come on out Azumarril," Joey pointed the pokeball towards the floor and released his pokemon.
With Azumarril already called out the girl decided to release their pokemon too.
"Come on out Chikorita!"
"You too Vuplix!"
"I'm glad we are all iin different catagories," Callista smiled as she looked at Ruby's Vulpix. "Your Vulpix is gorgious I doubt no pokemon can beat that!"
"Thank you," Ruby said. "I know my pal Vulpix is going to take a place. I just know it!"
"Vullll pix!" Vulpix said hello to Chikorita as Chikorita said hello back. "Chika chikari."
"You two seem very eager to compeate," Joey complimented.
The conversation ended as they heard an announcement on the loud speaker. "Attention all trainers. Please listen up for your number and when it is called then report immediately to the center stage."
The girls continued to get their pokemon ready as they waited to be called.
"Callista! Ruby!" A familar voice came up from behind the duo. The girls spun around only to see Emily standing there with a large grin of her face. Right beside her was her Pidgeot. "I just knew I would find you two."
"Hey," Ruby said, "What are you doing here?"
"I was on my way to New Bark Town, hoping to catch up with you, when I saw a flyer for this exhibition I just couldn't pass it up! And obviously you two couldn't either."
The speaker announced a number in the background. "Number F5!"
"F5? What are we doing playing bingo?" Ruby asked as she turned to Joey.
"F for Fire Catagory and 5 is the number of the registered pokemon," Joey answered as he brushed his Azumarril.
"Oh," Ruby glanced at her number. It was number 20 and she had a little while left to go.
"Anyway back to you," Callista said as she turned towards Emily again. "Why were you looking for us?"
Emily replied, "I saw how you two battled together and I thought maybe we could just travel together. I don't get along with most trainers and I hate traveling alone. You two were the first girls I easily got along with." Emily winked.
"We are glad you found us," Ruby said. "Welcome to the group!"
Callista nodded in response. She really liked Emily and was also glad she came looking for them. "The more the merrier!" Callista finally replied.
The group of trainers started to brush and clean their pokemon getting them prepared for the show.
In the meantime, Garret was sneaking around the building trying to find an easy way to get in. When he figured it to be impossible he dashed back to Pat who was waiting for him a block away.
"Well?" Pat asked as she saw Garret approach.
"All the registration is over and all the doors and windows are shut tight," Garret panted for breath as he leaned up against a nearby wall of an old building.
"There is got to be some way to get in there," Pat said as she started to pace. "I wanted a sneak attack, but we might have to do things the Team Rocket way!"
"You mean force our way in and fight our way to the pokemon?" Garret asked.
"Exactly."
"But there are a lot of pokemon in there," Garret asked, "We don't have strong enough pokemon to battle them all."
"Then we'll just have to capture them before they can attack!"
"We don't have the machinery to do so with a force attack," Garret argued, "Why don't we dig a hole underneath and steal the pokemon by pretending to be judges."
"What kind of riducules plan is that!" Pat said as she continued to pace. After a few seconds she replied, "Hey, I have an idea! What if we sneak into the building by using an underground tunnel, steal some disguises, and swipe the pokemon by pretending to be judges."
Not realizing that Pat said the same exact thing he jumped up at the idea and replied, "That's a terrific idea. We would hardly need much and it is sure to work!"
"Now this is what we are going to do," Pat began as the two of them huddled together and discussed the new plan.
Ruby stared at her Vuplix, who just sat there and napped. "Why did they start with the fire catagory?"
"What's the matter?" Callista asked. "Getting a little nervous?"
"A bit," Ruby said as she continued to stare at her Vulpix. "It looks so beautiful!"
The speaker announced a number in the background. "Number F19!"
"It's getting closer," Callista said as she looked over at Ruby who seemed very nervous.
"I know I know!" Ruby replied as she tapped her foot repeatively on the floor.
A group of trainers with their pokemon talked about the exbitition as they walked down one of the studio's back hallways. They all had their water pokemon right beside them. There was a Squirtle, Poliwag, Politoed, Totodile, Psyduck and many others.
"This is going to get so great!" One said.
"Yeah," A girl trainer said as she held her Poliwag in her arms.
Suddenly two strangers appeared infront of them. One male with blond hair and one female with short brown hair and hazel eyes. Both of them wearing blue suits with the word JUDGE on a small white sticker on each of their top right shoulders. They were Team Rocket in disguise.
"Hello fellow trainers," the female said. "Are you guys ready for the competition?"
"Sure are!" The girl trainer replied as she took a good look at the two strangers. "Who are you guys?"
Both Pat and Garret sung the answer together. "We are the before contest prejudge judges."
"Now if you step this way and drop your pokemon off with us," Pat said as she opened one of the nearby doors a crack, "we can thoroghly inspect your pokemon and tell you what you need to do to make your pokemon winners."
The trainers nodded. They liked the sound of this idea so they began to line up and let their pokemon enter the room. Garret made sure that the inside of the room was not visible to the trainers so he held the door open just enough to let the pokemon go through. Once the pokemon was inside the trainers went to Pat who gave them time tickets.
"Just show up at this exact time to pick up your pokemon." Pat said as she continued to hand out the tickets.
Once all of the water pokemon were inside, Garret and Pat both slipped into the room using a side door. When they were in they found their large cage of imprisoned pokemon sitting inside. Since the door was not open enough the unsuspecting pokemon didn't know they were walking into a trap until it was too late. Also there was a large contraption the size of a small car sitting inside the room with a while sheet over it.
Garret walked over to the sheet and put his hand on it. "This sure was a lot of money, but it should be worth the price if it helps us get out of here with the pokemon."
He returned to Pat's side who was over by the caged pokemon.
"We still have room for more pokemon," Pat sneered as they both looked over their prize.
"The next competition after the fire one is the grass so there should be trainers heading down here soon," Garret said, "We could steal those too."
Team Rocket laughed as they left the room, still in their disguises, switched into another room and waited for more trainers to walk by.
By this time Ruby's number had been called and she was standing next to the stage waiting for her turn. At the moment a young male trainer and his Charmeleon was up.
"and this is a very powerful looking Charmeleon....," the announcer said as the Charmeleon walked up and down a long stretch of stage so all the judges could take a good look at the pokemon from every angle. "Obviously this trainer has spent numerous hours building up its muscles."
The Charmeleon stepped off stage and the stage attendent picked up Vulpix and placed it on the stage.
"Next up," the announcer continued, "is entry number F20, a beautiful little Vulpix."
At first Vulpix was a little nervous about all the bright lights and hundred of people staring at it, but it quickly shook off that fear and began walking down the stage. It wanted to make its trainer proud.
"This cute little fox pokemon weights 24lbs. and is 2' 2" tall. This is a very large Vulpix and has been raised very well. The shiny fur coat and the gorgous flowing tails gives its remarkable breeding history away." The announcer said as Vulpix made a little turn and wagged its six tails around.
When it got closer to the judges Vulpix stopped, looked at them and with a few bats of its eyes and a little tilt of its head it made an adorable pose that made both the judges and the audience sigh in awe. Vulpix then returned to Ruby and leaped into her arms.
"You were great! I am so proud of you." Ruby said as she hugged her Vulpix. That was exactly what Vulpix wanted to hear.
Back over to the table where Callista, Emily and Joey waited for their turns Callista clapped and cheered for her friend. "Wow, that was awesome!"
Suddenly Callista saw a large group of trainers walking past them and away from the stage along with several grass type pokemon.
"Hey," Callista called after them. "Where are you going?"
A young male trainer turned and answered her. "We heard there are some judges in the back rooms telling trainers how their pokemon can win."
Another boy trainer continued, "So we are all taking our grass pokemon there before the grass competition starts."
Joey nudged Callista, "You should take your Chikorita."
Callista looked at her Chikorita as Chikorita looked up to her. "I think my Chikorita is perfect the way it is. I know my Chikorita will win."
"Come on now," Joey insisted. "What harm could it do?"
Ruby appeared on the scene with her Vulpix in her arms. "Hey guys whats going on?"
Emily answered her, "Joey is trying to convince Callista to take her pokemon to some prejudging thing in the back of the studio."
Ruby didn't like this idea. "I don't know that sounds too good to be true."
"Yeah I know," Callista said.
Joey shrugged, "It's up to you. I really think it would help."
Joey kept going on about it so finally Callista gave in just to keep him quiet.
With Chikorita in her arms she ran after the group of grass trainers. They were already in line when Callista finally caught up with them.
As Pat lead the unsuspecting pokemon into their trap she noticed Callista running up into the line.
She grinned and thought to herself, "I knew we would get something good out of this."
Callista stepped into line with her Chikorita in her. "I guess this is it. I really don't know why I let them talk me into this."
It didn't take long for Callista to make it to the front of the line. Pat tried really hard to diguise her voice so she wouldn't be recognized.
"Well now," Pat said, very high pitched. "Isn't that a cute lil' pokemon if I do say so myself." Pat reached out to take Chikorita from Callista's arms.
Callista pulled away. "First I want to ask you, how long this is going to take?"
"All of our pokemon here we examine so they can become winners. And winners take time so it'd be a little while. That's why we have these tickets so you don't have to wait here for us to finish you can just come back when we are all done."
"But if I'm not here then how will I know how to make my Chikorita a winner?" Callista was sensing something very suspicious about this woman.
Pat was losing her pacience as she snatched Chikorita from Callista.
"Hey!" Callista called out.
"We want only what is best for you and your pokemon," Pat said as she began to walk toward the door.
Chikorita didn't like this lady so it began to wiggle and squirm.
"Quiet down lil' one," Pat growled. "You'll only make it harder for yourself."
Chikorita swung its leaf around and accidentally wacked the judging hat from Pat's head. Callista quickly recognized who it was.
"Hey you're not a Judge!" Callista cried out.
"Garret!" Pat called out as Garret appeared with a small cage. "Looks like we need a separate cage for this Chikorita. It doesn't seem to play well with others."
"Chikorita!" Callista called out as she watched Pat shove her pokemon into the tiny cage.
"I wonder what is going on with Callista?" Joey wondered as he spoke out loud to the others.
"Maybe that judging takes a long time," Emily said.
"Help! My pokemon is gone!" A young trainer ran by Ruby, Emily and Joey. This trainer looked very familar to them.
"What's the matter?" Ruby called after him as he turned to her.
"My pokemon! I left my pokemon with some judges and when I went to the room the door was locked tight," the boy cried. "And its not just me. It other trainers too." He said as he pointed to groups of trainers huddling together trying to figure out what happened to their pokemon.
"Are you sure you got the right room?" Emily asked as the girls got more interested in what was going on.
"Yes," he cried, "but they are not there now!"
Ruby turned to Emily. "What if that is the same place where Callista was taking Chikorita?"
"Chikorita could be in trouble. We have to find them!" Emily said as she and Ruby called their pokemon back into their pokeballs and dashed off towards the back of the studio.
Listening to all this, Joey decided it was his fault that he talked Callista into going. "Come on Azumarril, they might need help."
Joey jogged after the girls as fast and his legs could carry him with Azumarril following behind.
Callista didn't know what to do. Two against one did not seem to work out. "Give me back my pokemon!"
"Not a chance! This one, like all the other pokemon, is ours now," Pat sneered as she placed her hat back on her head. "We are taking these pokemon and this time there is nothing you can do about it."
"Callista!" A familar voice called from behind.
Callista spun around only to see her friends Ruby and Emily appear on the scene.
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked.
"What is going on here?" Emily asked as the three girls turned to the two fake judges.
"What is going on? Allow us to get you, prepared for trouble!" Pat said.
"And make it double!" Garret said.
"To conquer the world and its habitation."
"To restart our forces and its new generation."
"To announce the team to all the masters."
"To build our team and cause disasters."
"Pat." Pat ripped off her outfit and revealed her Team Rocket uniform.
"Garret." Garret also ripped off his outfit and revealed his uniform.
"Team Rocket takes over with all of its might."
"Surrender your pokemon now or prepare to fight."
"Team Rocket!" Emily and Ruby shouted as they recognized the familar faces.
Pat jumped up and down. "Yes, we finally finished the motto!"
Garret grinned, "And I'm sure it will be the same for catching these pokemon."
Callista saw her little Chikorita crying in its cage.
"What are you guys doing here?" Callista shouted. "And what are you going to do with my Chikorita?"
"We are here for all the pretty pokemon," Pat answered. "We will sell these pokemon for big bucks and then use that money to strengthen out teams power."
"Well you're not taking my Chikorita," Callista shouted as she stepped forward.
"Chikori," Chikorita whined as it watched its trainer trying to fight for it.
"Give back my Chikorita!" Callista shouted as she dashed towards the team.
"Not one more step you little brat," Garret tossed a pokeball, "Go Croconaw!"
Croconaw appeared from its pokeball. "Croc croc naw"
Callista stopped and jumped at the sight of the big pokemon infront of her.
"Can't you see that we have won," Pat said. "These pokemon belong to us now." Pat quickly changed the tone of her voice. "However, if you really want all these precious pokemon all you have to do is give us your Quilava."
Callista looked at Ruby and Ruby looked back at Callista and then at Team Rocket. "You'll never get my Quilava!"
Callista grabbed a pokeball. "Looks like we are going to have a battle!"
"Go Croconaw use your bite attack!" Garret ordered as Croconaw attacked.
"Pikachu I choose you!" Callista called her pokemon out as Pikachu appeared from its pokeball. "Thundershock attack!"
Pikachu charged up its electricity and released it into the Croconaw just as the Croconaw approached.
Croconaw was hurt by the attack and the electricity did a lot of damage, but once Pikachu stopped the attack the Croconaw was still ready to continue the battle.
"Ha!" Garret laughed. "Is that all that little rat can do?"
Callista glared at Garret. She didn't like him calling her Pikachu a rat. "Rat? Who's the rat? You're the ones stealing other people's pokemon. Pikachu finish it with your thunder attack!"
Pikachu charged up the attack and released it in Croconaw. Croconaw screamed in pain as the attack raced through its body. When the attack stopped the Croconaw fainted to the ground.
Garret called his pokemon back. "No you will not win again!"
Pat reached into her pocket and pulled out a small black remote with a large red button in the middle. "We will have these pokemon!" She said as she pressed the button.
Suddenly there was a large explosion coming from the same room that Team Rocket used to steal the pokemon. "Time to make our escape." Pat grabbed the little cage with Chikorita and followed Garret into the room. "Bye bye!"
Callista raced after them, but before she could get to the door Pat slammed and locked it behind her. Callista tried to yank the door open, but with no luck she stopped and pounded her fists on the door.
"Give me back my pokemon!" Callista shouted.
Joey finally showed up huffing and puffing. "Where are they?" He asked between breaths.
Ruby pointed to Callista still pounding on the door shouting at Team Rocket. "Come back here! Let me in!"
Joey called out to Callista, "Callista move let me get that door down!"
At first everyone thought he was going to try to break the door down himself, but he quickly turned to his Azumarril.
"Azumarril, use your take down and knock that door down," Joey ordered.
Azumarril flatted its long ears behind its head and then charged at the door. With a loud, crash the water pokemon broke a hole through the wood. That wasn't exactly what Joey had expected, but at least they would be able to see what Team Rocket was doing. Azumarril was still inside the room as Callista raced up and stuck her head in. She looked around and saw pieces of broken ceiling and wood all over the floor of the room along with a thin white sheet that was lying on the floor. Callista then looked up and saw Team Rocket above her, escaping through a large hole that they made through the ceiling of the studio using a very small, cheap little helicopter. It was so small it was barely able to lift the huge cage of pokemon that it had on a rope underneath. Chikorita was thrown with the other pokemon and it looked down at its trainer and gave out a worried yelp. "Chika chikari!"
Team Rocket saw Callista watching them and they both smiled and waved. "Bye bye now!"
Callista pulled her head out and began running back to the indoor studio. "Come on we can't let them escape. The group dashed through the worried crowds of trainers and raced out of the studio doors with little Pikachu following behind. Emily grabbed a pokeball. "I can stop them. Pidgeot go!"
Pidgeot appeared from its pokeball.
"Pidgeot bring them down with your wing attack," Emily ordered as Pidgeots wings begin to glow. Garret grabbed a pokeball and released his Ariados at the door of the helicopter. He opened the door and called out his order, "Ariados use your poison sting attack!"
Ariados released several barbs of its poison sting straight towards Pidgeot. Pidgeot was flying so fast it didn't have time to dodge as the poison sting struck the flying pokemon in the chest. Pidgeot winced and fell to the ground.
"Pidgeot return," Emily called it back once it was close enough to the ground. "Let me try something else." Emily pulled out another pokeball. "I choose you!"
A large silver bird with red wings appeared from its pokeball.
"What is that?" Callista pointed her pokedex at the bird.
Pokedex: "Skarmory the Armor Bird pokemon. This pokemon is strong against most attacks using its steel-like skin to protect itself."
"Cool," Callista said as she put her pokebex away and turned to her Pikachu. "Let's help them out."
"Pika pika," Pikachu nodded as it jumped onto Skarmory's smooth back.
Emily lead the charge. "Go Skarmory use your steel wing attack!"
Skarmory bolted into the air and charged up its attack.
Team Rocket looked down and saw that they were in trouble.
"Ariados poison sting attack!" Garret ordered as Ariados released its attack toward Skarmory.
Skarmory didn't even attempt to dodge as the attack bounce right off of its steel-like skin. Skarmory drew closer and then used its attack to slice the rope that was holding the cage of pokemon.
"Our pokemon!" Pat shouted as the cage began to fall to the ground. Joey took action and grabbed another one of his pokeballs.
"Venusaur, go!" A large green toad like pokemon appeared from its pokeball. Joey called out his order. "Use your vine whip and catch that cage!"
Venusaur stretched out its vine whip and managed to catch the cage before it hit the ground.
"That's great," Joey said. "Now place them on the ground."
Venusaur nodded and then the pokemon were safe on the ground.
"Now use your razor leaf and get them out of there," Joey commanded.
Venusaur shot out several razor leaves and cut through all the thin bars on the metal cage.
"Wow, your Venusaur is strong," Ruby said as she was amazed at its power.
"Yup!" Joey just smiled.
Emily and Callista remembered Team Rocket as they both looked back up into the sky. Skarmory was flying around the helicopter with Pikachu still on its back.
"I think its time to get rid of these clown," Emily hinted as Callista nodded.
"Pikachu finish them off with your thunder attack!" Callista ordered as Pikachu began to charge up another attack.
Garret attempted to stop them with his Ariados. "Poison sting!"
Again the attack bounce right off of the Skarmory.
"Go Pikachu, attack now!"
Pikachu released a huge thunder attack straight into the little helicopter. With all the electricity flowing though the instruments the helicopter exploded and shot Pat and Garret into the air.
"Beaten again!" Pat whined as they both flew towards the sky.
"At least we were able to finish the motto," Garret said.
"Some day we will get that Quilava and all their other pokemon too," Pat growled.
"But for now we're," Garret said.
"Blasting off again!" The Team shouted as they disappeared into the sky.
Skarmory flew back down to the ground and Pikachu leaped off of its back and into Callista's waiting arms.
"Great job Pikachu," Callista said as she hugged her pokemon.
Pikachu gently licked her face and smiled. "Pika pi."
Emily called her pokemon back. "Thank you Skarmory. Return." Skarmory returned to its pokeball.
With all the pokemon safe all they had to do now was to return them to all the trainers. It took quuite sometime to do so and to get the contest back in action.
After Chikorita, Azumarril, Pidgeot and the rest of the contestants strutted their stuff on the runway it was time for the award ceramony.
The head judge walked up on stage at the end of the runway and with all the trainers gathered around spoke into the microphone. Once a winner was announced, depending on the place, the trainers got to claim their prize at a small white table over by the stage. Joey Ryan won a certificate for a free jar of pokemon berries as a runner up winner. The Judge was already done with a few catagories when he got up to the Flying Catagory.
The judge was now at the third prize winner. "Third prize is Spearow, Trainer Eric Watson."
There was a big round of applause.
"Second place winner is Pidgeot, Trainer Emily Sky."
There was a big round of applause. Callista and Ruby were extremely happy and clapped as hard as they could. Emily went over to the award table and recieved an envelope with S.S Aqua tickets.
"And first place for the flying catagory is Fearow, Trainer Billy Bob. Next is our Grass Catagory," the Judge announced as he opened up a green envelope. "Our runner up is Oddish, Trainer Rick Boss."
There was a big round of applause.
"Third place is Skiploom, Trainer Grace Gardener."
There was a big round of applause.
"Second place is Chikorita, Trainer Callista Gavrilla."
Callista jumped up for joy and hugged her Chikorita. She bolted over to the table and recieved an Everstone necklace as her prize. She placed it around Chikorita's neck. "That looks beautiful on you."
"Chika chika."
The Judge was still calling out winners when Callista went back to the group.
"First place is Meganium, Trainer Thomas Mathews."
There was a big round of applause.
"Next is our Fire Catagory," The Judge said as he opened up a red envelope. "Our runner up is Magby, Trainer Anthony Hiker."
There was a big round of applause.
"Third place is Cyndaquil, Trainer Alice Brandt."
There was another big round of applause for her.
"And second place is Houndour, Trainer Elliot Randall."
Ruby crossed her fingers as did the other girls. "And the winner for the Fire Catagory is..................Vuplix, Trainer Ruby Phire."
Ruby leaped up for joy and hugged her Vulpix. "You won Vulpix. I am so proud of you!"
"Vul vul," Vulpix cried out.
Ruby dashed over to the table and collected her prize. A very valuable Fire Stone was award to her for her first place win in the fire catagory.
Finally, the contest was drawing to an end when the Judge awarded all the other trainers, who didn't place, a small comemerative Florendo Expedition T-shirt with the studio's logo on the front.
Once the contest was over Ruby, Emily and Joey all waited outside of the Pokemon Center and waited for Callista to come out.
"Well?" Ruby asked. "What did he say?"
Callista sighed as she stepped out of the center, "The Professor still wasn't there. I guess I'll try at the next town. It's getting late and we should get going if we want to hit route 31 by dark."
Everyone looked at the sky and saw the sun was beginning to lower.
"It was really nice meeting you," Callista said to Joey as she shook his hand. "Thank you we had a lot of fun here."
"No problem," Joey replied. "It was really nice meeting all of you. Have a safe trip to the next town."
"We will!" Ruby and Emily replied together.
After Callista, Ruby and Emily all said goodbye to Joey Ryan, the trio now had to head north towards the next town and the next stop on their long journey though Johto.
Gavrilla: means Heroine in Hebrew. Callista isn't Hebrew, I just thought it sounded pretty and the meaning fits Callista's character.