Chapter 17: Viki's Ambitions! Rex's Morning Preparations!

"Viki…do you…" J.C. tried to talk sense to the girl, but to no avail, the young girl wouldn't stop! 'I am a Martial Arts expert, one of the Top Five Strongest Fighting Pokemon Trainers in Kanto, and yet I can't even keep this girl under control.'

Viki, having a firm grip on J.C.'s arm, continued to pull him along as she searched for the Contest Hall! They may not be at their original destination in Fallarbor Town, but this stop at Verdanturf Town will prove to be a blessing in disguise! "Since we're here, we might as well, right?"

"Yeah, but why don't we just go to the Pokemon Center and rest first?"

"So what? We can do that later!" Viki squeals in excitement! "I can't wait!"

"Viki, it has been a long day and some rest would do you good!" J.C. stated as he had a point. They sun was already going down as Nightfall was not too far away.

"Screw resting! I wanna sign up!" Viki exclaimed, going against J.C.'s suggestion completely as the ebony-haired boy sighed.

'She really is Rex's sister…' Speaking of whom, he probably had to deal with this very-hyper girl everyday. Him and Racquel both had to go through with this and he felt a bit sorry for them, especially Rex, who from what Viki had mentioned, had a few stress issues. Maybe Rex should just miss out the Hoenn League! Then again, it'll probably just reward him with a punch to the face.

After what appeared to be a five-mile walk, they made it to a fairly large red building with a Pokeball insignia on top of the door. This was the Pokemon Contest Hall, where not only would there be a contest. But also where you were to sign up to be a Pokemon Coordinator by obtaining a contest pass.

"There it is, let's go!" Viki cheers as she rushes towards the door. Luckily for J.C., Viki had eventually let go of him due to her excitement.

"Viki wait!" J.C. called out, but the girl continued her advancement to the door. However, much to her disappointment…

"Great…it's closed." Viki looked down.

"Well…wait until tomorrow!" J.C. suggested, who was now just behind her. "I mean, it's good to at least get some rest, y'know?"

Dejected, Viki sighed. "Okay…"

"Good!" J.C. placed a hand on Viki's shoulder. "Let's head for the Pokemon Center! I'm starvin'!"

"You're always hungry!" Viki pouted as the two began to head for the Pokemon Center. What they did not see was that a duo of girls watching them from the bushes…

…

Back in Lavaridge Town, Rex slipped under the covers of a simple-sized bed. It may have not been like his larger bed back home in Goldenrod, but these were the best that the Pokemon Center had to offer. Besides, it was better than nothing. He could be sleeping outside on the ground in the grueling rain like he nearly did at Rock Tunnel in Kanto.

As Rex lay back in bed, his thoughts went immediately to his Gym Battle with Flannery tomorrow. With the 3+ Month deadline in full effect, he knew that he needed to make sure that his strategies went without error. He already knew that she has her two Slugma, her Camerupt, Torkoal, and Houndoom to use at her disposal. With the latter being a Shadow Pokemon. Therefore, he had three Pokemon in mind! Edge and Shellshock, of course! And Lash. True that his Rhydon was very energetic…maybe too energetic, and sometimes could be a chore to control, but he was just as strong! He knows that he can't just rely on Horn Drill in this battle. True, it wasn't as much of a hit or miss as it was in Crush's case, but his upbeat attitude might make him a bit careless. Speaking of carelessness, he wondered if Flannery even knew that she had a Shadow Pokemon.

Which lead Rex to a very important question: Who'd be crazier: Aurora for giving Flannery a Shadow Pokemon, or Flannery for wanting to use said Shadow Pokemon. He quickly discarded the thought. Aurora couldn't be that foolish, could she? But then again, she was willing to let Flannery use the Shadow Pokemon to prove a point about Fire Types vs. Ice Types. It was pretty obvious what type Flannery used. The flame insignia on her midriff was a dead giveaway. Speaking of shirts, Rex made a mental note to not be around Flannery, or Aurora for that matter when they're in their swimsuits from now on, unless they were wearing them under their shirts, of course. If he didn't know any better, he'd say that they were probably doing all of this on purpose to psyche him out! To confuse him by using his hormones against him! Nevertheless, no matter what would happen, he would have a lot on his plate tomorrow…

"Badge number two, here I come…" Rex mused as he closed his eyes. A few moments later, he was sound asleep.

…

In Verdanturf Town, J.C. and Viki were seated at a table as they enjoyed their dinner. Nothing much but a meal with baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and white rice! One thing the two could always count on was the fact that the Pokemon Center could provide great food for traveling trainers and Coordinators. Of course, one might be cautious about all of this being for free, but then again that was what taxes were for!

As she took a bite from the fork filled with rice, Viki thought about her Pokemon, most noticeably Vivi. After swallowing the contents, which were in her mouth, she chirped. "Hey J.C.!"

"Yeah?" He replied while taking a bite out of a drumstick.

"Did you know that Feebas is actually one of the most popular Pokemon in Hoenn?"

"Not really…" He replied, resulting in the girl cringing after seeing the chewed food in his mouth.

"Next time, just shake your head or nod!" She suggested, turning her head away from his mouth.

J.C. swallowed the food that was in his mouth as he then apologized. "Sorry…"

"Anyway, they're so popular in Hoenn mainly because they're so hard to find! In fact the only place where they can be found is in a lake somewhere between Mauville City and Fortree City! So basically, the Salesman thought that he was swindling me, but in truth he was actually doing me a favor! Shiny or not, I still got a rare Pokemon from him." She chirped. "I'd like to rub it in on Rei's face next time we see her! Speaking of whom, are you gonna let her know how you feel?"

J.C. stared at the girl blankly. "I just told you about how I feel about Rei McKnight, and already you're starting to get on my nerves?"

"Hey, I can't help being a hopeless romantic!" She explained. "Besides, that's just how I roll…"

"Now you're starting to sound like Rex!"

"Hey, I am his sister!" Viki teased as she flicked a small grain of rice off a spoon onto him.

J.C. dodged it. "Oh so you're throwing food now?" He was met with a second salvo of rice landing on his face.

"What are you going to do about it?" Viki taunted as she then felt her legs tightened in a grapevine hold, courtesy of J.C.'s legs. "Hey!"

"Now what?" He snickered as the two continued their little play fight. Gaining more than a bit of attention from those who happened to be around them.

…

It was now midnight at the Pokemon Center, as everyone appeared to be asleep in the rooms available for traveling trainers stopping for the night. As well as the ill and treated Pokemon, who were in their respective rooms and beds! It was a silent night at the center, with everyone was asleep. Everyone except for a few…

"So is she the one?" A female's voice asked in the shadows. It had a bit of innocence and naivety. "I mean, we've been trailing her ever since she got here!"

"From what we've been informed, she's has to be one!" Another female voice informed. Unlike the first, it was feisty and had a bit of attitude. "Should we trash her now?"

"You're really excited about this, aren't you?"

"When it comes to making weak-ass little girls like her cry, I just can't control myself!" She said, almost in a giddy manner. "So can we trash her? Please?"

"You are so impatient it's pathetic…" A new voice scolded, a female voice that sounds more calm and collective, and hinting a bit of intelligence. "Good strikes take time, but what would you know about that?"

"I know…but I just wanna blow off some steam!" She whined.

"You can be patient a bit longer, can you Bouton?" She sighed, "Bulles, you're already registered for the contest in Lilycove, right?"

"Yeah!" The first voice confirmed with a chirp in her voice.

"From what we've heard about her, she's looking to jump-start her career as a Pokemon Coordinator. Well girls, we're going to make this contest one that she will never forget…"

"Right…but Fleur, why are we doing this again?"

"Oh lord…" Fleur rolled her eyes. "Do I have to tell you, again? Someone's paying us good money to really mess her up!"

"Plus, we just don't like her!" Bouton added snidely!

"Speak for yourself!" Bulles retorted.

"Whatever! It's just that I just can't stand girls like her! Always believing that everyday is a good day, always having something to smile about! Never having to deal with any hardships in her life!" Bouton let out a scoff. "It makes me sick!"

"I don't care how you feel about her personally, but a job is a job, and we must make sure it's done!" Fleur stated. "Are you in or are you not?"

"You know that I'm in!" Bouton let out an evil smile.

"How about you, Bulles?" Fleur asked, only to be met with silence. "Hello? Earth to Bulles!"

"…I'm in…" She finally responded, with a hint of reluctance in her voice.

"Good…" Fleur nodded. "By the time this is all over, little Viki Connelly will wish that she was never born!"

…

Morning arrived the next day as from the bottom bunk in the rooms of the Pokemon Center Viki woke up. Excited about the day, she quickly ran out from the room as she was on her way to the registration booth.

"Viki!"

The loud voice of J.C. called out as Viki continued towards her destination!

"Viki, hold on!"

She turned back, "What's wrong J.C.?"

"Do you realize what you're wearing?" He asked as Viki looked down. She was wearing her teddy bear pajamas, with matching teddy bear slippers. With this reminder in mind, she quickly ran back inside, as J.C. just went in after her. "Must be that time of the month." He sighed. He had learned a lot about Viki from Rex. After all, who knew her better than her own brother? Well there was Racquel, her sister, but he only saw her on rare occasions. One of those things was when it came to PMS, Viki Connelly was not like regular girls, who otherwise would be very…er…moody. Instead, Viki was very clumsy as well as being prone to making even the most trivial mistakes. Just watch out for the occasional stepped toes…

J.C. stood out the door to the room Viki was in. "So this is the big day, huh?" He tried to start a conversation, but no answer came. After about a minute of waiting, he sighed. "Viki, are you okay?" He asked concerned. "Come on Viki, it wasn't that bad!"

"I was in my PJ's!" Viki cried behind the door between her sobs.

"Hey, lots of people make mistakes! Hey, it could've been worse! You could've gone outside without your PJ's!"

"Now you're mocking me!"

"No I'm not!" He insisted. "Come on Viki, aren't you supposed to be registering for your first Pokemon Contest? Isn't this the day where you're supposed to jump start your career as a Pokemon Coordinator?" At that sound, the sound of a door unlocking could be heard. "That's right…"

The door opened, revealing Viki to now be fully dressed. "You could've told me before I went outside and embarrassed myself!"

"I was trying to tell you!" J.C. placed a hand on Viki's shoulder. "Now c'mon! Let's get some breakfast!"

Viki nodded, "That sounds nice."

…

Morning has also arrived in Lavaridge Town, as Rex was already dressed as he was back outside on the trail that was between Mt. Chimney and Lavaridge. Apparently, it was Training Day as the three Pokemon that were designated to battle today; Edge, Shellshock and Lash, were already out of their Pokeballs. However, Drego, Crush, and Fury were out of their Pokeballs as well. To Rex, Drego was his last line of defense, and Crush has battled against his share of Fire Pokemon. And Fury? Rex had a feeling that Flannery might use her new Houndoom, so if she was going to be using a Shadow Pokemon, Rex would too! Despite the obvious advantage, or lack thereof, Rex saw how Fury held his own against Charex! But to be careful, Rex was still cautious.

"Okay guys, we know that Flannery's going to be using Fire Types in the upcoming Gym Battle. And we know some of the Pokemon she has: Slugma, Macargo, Camurupt, Torkal, and a Houndoom. From looking at the line up, it is we who have the Speed Advantage, but where she lacks in speed, she may make up in strength and power!"

"Edge, Shellshock, and Lash? You three have the advantage over Fire Pokemon being Water and Rock Types. But out of the three, Shellshock is the fastest."

"War! (Hmph!)" The Wartortle snorted, feeling a bit of superiority to his newly evolved rival. Apparently there's one thing that he'll always have over Edge!

"I looked up on the stats of Torkoal, and I'm not gonna lie to ya! It's pretty strong, and Torkoal's defense isn't exactly laughable either. Nevertheless, that's the biggest challenge we'll have. Smokescreen's obviously out as its White Smoke special ability keeps its senses sharp. So basically, here's the plan: Lash, you take on Torkoal!"

"Rhy! (Right!)" The Rhydon grunted, with a hint of excitement.

"Edge, you'll take on Camurupt!"

"War? (What?)" Shellshock protested as it then complained to his trainer. "Wartortle Wartortle Wartortle? (But why can't I take on Camurupt?)"

Rex noted the Wartortle's unhappiness with the announcement. "I'm sorry Shellshock, but Camurupt has a high attack, but low defense! The best way to take out a low defense Pokemon is with a High Attack Pokemon! And Edge's got the attack power we need to win!"

Shellshock just crossed his arms as he pouted. That damned Croconaw has beaten him again! Well…that damned Feraligatr technically. It used to be that Croconaw that always showed him up! And before that, it was that damned 'Dile! Now he'd have to work twice as hard to one up him, now that he's evolved!

"You guys need to realize that game plans are subject to change, meaning that you need to prepare for any tough situation!" Rex informed.

With their answers, the Pokemon acknowledged Rex's pep talk. From the look on each of their faces, they were ready to win Hoenn Badge number 2! While their opponents were formidable and very powerful, time was their greatest enemy! The team had three months and two weeks to prepare for the Hoenn League and only one badge has been won. That was why there was absolutely undeniably no room for error, especially not at this point…

Rex held up the six pokeballs! Three in one hand, three in the other, as the red beam fired onto his Pokeball, returning them into their respective resting places! After his Pokemon were safely secured in their pokeballs, Rex placed the said balls back onto his belt. "It's payback time…" He muttered. Case in point, Flannery Moore was going down, and when the battle was over, her Pokemon would have crashed and burned…

Two things are about to happen: Viki is about to have her first contest, as Rex is preparing to go for his second badge! But what are the three girls up to and why are they targeting Viki? Will Rex win his second badge or will history repeats itself and at the hands of Flannery, he will crash and burn! R&R people!