"What?" you say. "What is this idiot doing writing a serious story when the Hassles series beckons?" Sadly, nobody seems to care about big meals anymore! I'm probably going to take the Hassles Of Big Dinners off, give it a quickie rewrite, and possibly put it back up. Anyway, I decided to take a break from humor and writethe serious story I promised. I don't own Pokémon or any of its characters, though owning Pikachu is my secret dream. The six OCs belong to the owners letting me borrow them. Enjoy! hands out snacks and drinks
1: THE Tournament
It was a giant sign that you couldn't possibly miss. In big, bold letters, accentuated by the clashing colors making up the background, it gleefully screamed its message to passersby. "It's here! The annual Trainer Trails Competition has returned for another action-packed year! Come and duke it out with your star Pokémon for a chance to win the grand prize--$1000 and the title of Trainer Trailblazer! Sign up in Summit City up ahead."
"Doesn't it look awesome!" Ash exclaimed. "I've just gotta enter!"
"Pika pi!" Pikachu agreed.
Misty looked at the sign. "It does look cool," she admitted.
"Hmm," was Brock's input.
Ash turned and raced down the road. 'C'mon, guys!" he yelled. "We gotta see this!"
"Ash, wait!" Misty called as she and Brock came running after him. They were barely able to catch up to him before they reached Summit City. The place was crawling with people, as all cities are.
Ash looked around. "I wonder where you sign up for the competition?"
"Maybe there." Brock pointed up ahead at a large, five-story building. On the front was a sign which read "TRAINER TRAILS."
"Yeah, that might be it," Misty agreed. They weaved through the crowds and made their way to the building.
Inside, there were a lot of people milling around, sitting in chairs, talking and laughing and sharing battle stories. They all looked like trainers. Through the crowd, Ash spotted was looked like a sign-up desk. He made his way to it. "Is this where you sign up for the Trainer Trails competition?"
The woman looked up and nodded. "It sure is. Will you be entering?"
Ash nodded.
"Name?"
"Ash Ketchum."
The woman typed something into the computer off to her side. "All right then. Will you be using your Pikachu for the competition?"
"I can't use all my Pokémon?" Ash asked.
The woman shook her head. "Only one Pokémon per trainer. You pick your strongest, or your favorite, to use."
"Oh. Well then, yes, I'm usin' Pikachu," Ash said.
The woman typed away. She then handed him a card the size of a credit card with a string looped through a hole punched in the top. It said #61. "That's your number. You can join the crowd until the announcement."
"Okay," Ash said, looking down at his card before putting it on. It still said #61. He ambled off to the side while Misty stepped up to the counter and relayed her information. She was going to use her Corsola.
"Next?" the woman said after Misty had received her card.
To Ash's surprise, Brock stepped up and registered. He was going to use Onix. The woman handed him his card and then smiled down at something behind her desk Ash couldn't see. "You three please join the crowd and wait for the announcement."
"You're entering the competition too, Brock?" Ash asked.
Brock shrugged. "Why not? It ought to be good training for all of us. And besides..." his face turned romance red, (Note from Life: and romance red is a COPYRIGHTED color!) "I saw some pretty girls in the crowd!"
Ash and Misty sighed.
"Hey Ash! Over here!"
Ash turned and nearly passed out when he saw who it was. "Gary?!" he sputtered, barely able to keep his balance.
Gary walked up to him. The card around his neck said #17. "Yep, that's my name. What're you doing here, Ashie Boy?" He did a double take when he saw Ash's #61. "Oh, so you entered the contest, eh?"
"I sure did," Ash said. "I see you did too."
"That's right," Gary said. "Of course, I'll wipe the floor with you if we end up battling. Arcanine and I are unstoppable!"
"We'll see," Ash said.
"May I have your attention, please." The woman at the sign-up desk was speaking through a microphone. "Attention! Attention! You two boys in the corner--turn and face the desk! Thank you. Now. All of the slots have been filled for the Trainer Trails Competition. It's almost time to begin. But before we do, I'm going to explain the rules to you."
Ash listened closely. He wanted to hear this.
"First, let me tell you exactly what this competition will entail. As you can see behind the desk, there are 64 doors on the back wall, each one numbered. When you hear the Pokéball sound, you will go to the door that has the same number on your ID card and take one of the paths before you. You will navigate a short maze before coming to a stadium. One other competitor will have a path which leads to the stadium you are in. You will have a no time limit, one-on-one Pokémon battle with the Pokémon you signed up. The battle, like always, will be over when one Pokémon is declared by the referee unable to battle.
"The winner will receive on-the-spot healing for their Pokémon by our hi-tech Pokémon Autocenters. They will then choose one of the three paths leading them deeper into the building and to another battle stadium. The loser will receive the same treatment for their Pokémon, but will be eliminated from the competition and brought back out to the main room."
Ash could feel himself getting excited. The buzz of excitement was all around and inside the crowd of trainers.
"As the competition progresses, there will be different styles of battling instigated. You'll all see what I mean. Now, if you will, everyone please go to the door with the number that matches yours," the woman said.
The trainers moved as a group towards the doors. Ash found Door 61 and stood in front of it. On his left, Misty and Brock stood in front of their doors. On his right, a girl with curly brown hair and blue eyes wearing pink and black was eagerly toying with a miniaturized Pokéball.
"Ready, trainers," the woman said.
Ash turned around and put his hand on the doorknob.
"Get set...enter the maze!"
The sound of a Pokéball opening came through the speakers. All 64 doors were flung open, and 64 trainers dashed into the maze.
Life: All done!
Leien: -disappointed- the story's over?
Life: Oh no, not the story, the chapter!
Kelly: It just ought to be the story...
Life: So, tell us if the story should stay or go! And remember, folks: more reviews equals quicker responses! We want to hear from you!
