Last time on Pokemon EX: Kevin and his friends finally reached Cerulean City. Their first stop was the Cerulean City Gym. Amanda wished to go to the Pokemon Center to train for her upcoming Pokemon Contest. Meanwhile, Kevin and Mike compete against Misty, a tough Water Pokemon trainer, how ever with effort both boys manage to win their second badges. Now our story continues in Cerulean City as the Cerulean City Pokemon Contest is just hours away!
Chapter Twelve: A Clefairy Tale of Victory!
The morning sun rose over Cerulean City. The bright sunrays just pierced across the city as if to say 'Good morning to you all.' At the Pokemon Center, Kevin, a Pokemon Trainer from Pallet Town awoke from his slumber. A night's rest was still revelant in his eyes as he slugishly made his way to the bathroom. After doing his buisness and brushing his teeth, he splashed water into his face to wake himself up. Finally he was awake when he walked out of the bathroom to change back into his normal clothes. Ready as he'll ever be, left the room and made his way to the Pokemon Center Cafeteria. He grabbed a plate and loaded it with Pancakes and Sausages. He found and empty table and sat. He began eating as if he hadn't eaten in days. Shortly after he began to pig out on his breakfast, Mike walked into the Cafeteria as well. The boy too grabbed a plate and stacked it high with Pancakes. Mike saw Kevin already stuffing his face and sat down at the table opposite of him. As the two stuffed their face in silence, Kevin noticed something was odd, Amanda hadn't come for breakfast yet. Of all the Pokemon Center's they have eaten at, Amanda was usually the first to be here in the cafeteria, however she ate like a normal human being and not a freakin' barbarion like Mike and Kevin are used to eating.
"Have you seen Amanda around?" asked Kevin.
Mike looked up with a mouth full of Pancake and shook his head no.
"That's unlike her, she's usually here before us," Kevin continued. "Even her last Pokemon Contest she was here eating first."
Mike swallowed his food. "You're right, maybe you should go see if she's even awake?"
Kevin looked at Mike as he was freakin' crazy. "Why me? Why can't you do it?"
"Can't you see I'm stuffing my face?" replied Mike with a question.
"Yeah and so am I!" Kevin shot back.
"You're the one that's in love with..." Mike never finished his sentence as Kevin's fist slammed into his face, knocking him to the floor. "Ouch."
Kevin stormed off into the lobby and into the sleeping quarters. Kevin reached Amanda's room and knocked on the door loudly.
"Amanda, you awake?" he yelled through the door. Silence. Kevin knocked again. "You okay?"
Still no response. Kevin accidently jiggled the door handle a bit and the door opened revealing the room was empty. The bed on the left side of the room was made and Amanda's belongings were no where in sight.
"Did she leave without us?" asked Kevin to himself.
He walked back to the cafeteria where Mike finally picked himself back up off the floor and was eating again albeit slowly since his jaw was now hurting from the sucker punch Kevin gave him just moments earlier.
"She still asleep?" Mike asked, forgetting about the sucker punch.
"No, her room is empty. She left without us," replied Kevin.
"Where do you think she is?" asked Mike.
"Hell if I know," replied Kevin.
"Very good Clefairy, that should win us the Appeal round!" yelled an excited girl.
"Clefairy!" the pink Pokemon responded.
"Oh my gosh, is that a Clefairy!" exclaimed another female. "It is! I can't believe you have one!"
"Yeah, I managed to capture her in Mount Moon," replied the Clefairy's trainer.
"That's not fair, I went through Mount Moon and I didn't see anything kind of Pokemon other than nasty Zubat!" pouted the other girl.
"My name's Amanda and this is my Clefairy, what's yours?" asked Amanda.
"The name's Jazmine, where are you from?" asked Jazmine.
"Pallet Town, you?" replied Amanda.
"I'm from right here in Cerulean City," replied Jazmine. "I couldn't make it to the Pokemon Contest in Pewter, but I can sure make it to the one here in my home town."
"Well, well, well, I see some of my competition," butted in a male's voice.
"Benjamin!" said Amanda.
"Hey girl, nice to see you again. I figured I would find you here," said Benjamin.
"I knew I'd see you adventually too," replied Amanda. "You ready to lose to me today?"
"We'll see," replied Benjamin with a smile. "I gotta catch you later, I got some last minute training to do."
"See ya," said Amanda as she watched Benjamin walk away.
"Who's that?" asked Jazmine.
"My rival, Benjamin," answered Amanda. "I lost to him in the final round of the Pewter City Pokemon Contest, I'm determined to beat him today if I have to face off with him.
"Well I'll see you at the contest, I got some last minute training to do too, catch you later," said Jazmine as she walked off.
"Bye," waved Amanda. 'A new friend and an old rival, this is going to be a good Pokemon Contest!'
Amanda sat on a bench near the Pokemon Center to collect her thoughts. It wasn't long lived as her friends came from the Pokemon Center.
"Well there you are," Kevin said.
"Huh?" Amanda looked up. "Oh, hey guys, you finally up?"
"We've been up, we even ate, but you were no where to be found," said Mike.
"Yeah, I got up early, ate and came out to train before the Pokemon Contest and I think I got my Appeal round down," said Amanda.
"It should be a good one," Kevin said.
It was noon and the Pokemon Contest was to start in an hour. Amanda got up and motioned the boys to come since it was time to go. They walked for at least three blocks until they came up to an arena specially built to hold the annual Pokemon Contests. The stadium was decorated with streamers and balloons inside and outside. They entered the building and bid farewell to Amanda as she walked into the Pokemon Coordinator locker room to await their turns when the contest began. Kevin and Mike made their way to the stands and found the closest seat the could find to the stage.
"Hopefully she'll win," said Kevin.
Mike chuckled, "I doubt it, she stunk so bad last," again he couldn't finish his sentence as Kevin clobbered him again sending him flying to the floor below.
"What an ass," Kevin said to himself.
The clock hit one o'clock, it was time for the Pokemon Contest to begin. The lights in the arena dimmed as a woman wearing blue jeans and a tan sleeveless shirt walked up onto the stage with a mircophone in her hand.
"Welcome ladies and gentleman, boys and girls to the Cerulean City Pokemon Contest!," the woman began. "My name's Lillian and you might know me from the Pewter City Pokemon Contest since I announced their as well. I am the announcer for all Pokemon Contests in the Kanto Region. Now let's meet today's judges: First off, we have the head of the Pokemon Fan Club, Mr. Contesta!"
The spotlight shined on a middle-aged man with greying hair and was wearing a black and white tuxedo, "Hello there, great to be here!"
"Next we have the head of the Pokemon Contests, Mr. Sukizo!" announced Lillian.
The spotlight shined on a shorter, little older man who was bald and wearing a white tuxedo, "Hello everyone!"
"Finally, our last judge is Cerulean City's very own Nurse Joy!"
"I'm so honored to be here for another contest," replied Joy to the audience.
"Now that all the judges have been announced, let's get the appeals rolling," said Lillian.
One after one, Coordinator's from all over the nation and world showed off on their appeals. Finally, after about eight Coordinator's, one was announced they all knew.
"Next up we have Benjamin from Saffron City," announced Lillian.
"Benjamin's here too?" questioned Mike. "It's all over for Amanda,"
Mike just needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. Kevin clobbers Mike on the top of the head.
Benjamin walked onto the stage and threw his Pokeball, "Venomoth, go!"
The green moth Pokemon was released and began flying around in circles as it spred its poison powder. As the powder circled as Venomoth twirled, it sparkled in the spotlights.
"What an excellent display of elegance from a poison type!" cheered Lillian.
"Venomoth, use Psychic!" Benjamin commanded. Venomoth's eyes lit up and started controlling the Poison Powder that was already floating in the air. With the use of the Psychic attack, Venemoth began making shapes with the Poison Powder.
"Wow, that's pretty cool," Kevin said.
"It could be better," Mike replied.
Kevin just glared at Mike, 'Always so negative!'
"Finish it off with a Quick Attack!" yelled Benjamin. Venomoth than raced through the powder, causing it to trail behind Venomoth turning Venomoth into a living comet.
"So beautiful!" announced Lillian, now let's see what our judges think!"
"That was very entertaining," said Mr. Contesta.
"It was remarkable," said Mr. Sukizo.
"It was the most remarkable show any Pokemon has put on for us here," said Nurse Joy.
"And there you have it, the judges say and Benjamin will make it to the next round!" said Lillian. "Next up we have Jazmine from right here in Cerulean City."
Amanda sat anxiously as she watched Jazmine reveal her Pokemon of Meowth, using Coin Toss and a ball of yarn to appeal. She was nervous about losing, seeing Benjamin and his Venomoth again really brought back the memories of the horrible defeat back in Pewter City. Benjamin walked up to her and noticed she was so spaced out, he poked her shoulder and she screamed as she was frightened back into reality.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize how deep in thought you were," said Benjamin trying not to laugh.
"It's okay, I'm just doubting my abilities again," said Amanda.
"Hey, you'll do great," Benjamin said trying to reassure her. "There are plenty of Pokemon Contests, way more than how many ribbons you need to get into the Kanto Grand Festival."
"Really?" asked Amanda. "How many ribbons do you need?"
"Here in Kanto, you need five," replied Benjamin. "And there's about like eight to ten Pokemon Contests that take place before the actual Grand Festival."
"Thank you Benjamin, for cheering me up," said Amanda.
"No problem," said Benjamin. "We'll I got to make a phone call, I'll see you later."
"'K, bye," Amanda said turning her attention back at the TV screen.
"With the judges say, Jazmine makes it to the next round."
"Next up we have Amanda from Pallet Town!" announced Lillian.
"Alright!" cheered Kevin.
"Go get 'em!" cheered Mike.
Amanda walked onto the stage and threw her Pokeball, "Clefairy, you're up!"
The pink Pokemon was revealed to the audience. Amanda could hear the audience cheering loudly and heard the oh's and aw's from the crowd admiring the rare Pokemon. Amanda prayed that this appeal would work wonders and threw four rings into the air.
"Metronome!" ordered Amanda. Clefairy began moving her hands in a windshield wiper movement fashion and began chanting her name. After a few seconds her hands lit up and Metronome had worked, the attack, a Psychic attack. Clefairy's eyes lit up and began controlling the four rings in the air, moving them all around, making them dance. Clefairy did something even Amanda didn't think about doing, she jumped through each ring as she brought them to her with the use of that Psychic. Clefairy lined the rings up on top of the other in the air and she jumped and twirled through all four at once causing the crowd to cheer and scream with amusement, something Amanda didn't get too much of back in Pewter City which made her happy.
"That was too real to be true!" cheered Lillian. "But let us hear what the judges have to say!"
"Seeing a Coordinator with a Clefairy really caught me off guard, but it's elegance and preformance was simply so impressive," said Mr. Contesta.
"Magnificent, simply remarkable," said Mr. Sukizo.
"I just can't believe my eyes," said Nurse Joy.
"There you have it folks, the judges say and Amanda will be heading for the next round. That's it for our appeal round, will be taking a short intermission and then we'll let the battles begin!" announced Lillian.
Amanda returned to the locker room, she was so excited that her appeal had got her great remarks from the judges and placed her in the second round. This was definately a way better start than the Pewter City Pokemon Contest. She just hope she could get through the next two rounds, it was all up to Beedrill and Squirtle.
"You did great out there," said a female voice.
"Oh, hey, uh yeah so did you Jazmine," said Amanda. "That was real cute of what you did with your Meowth."
"You think so?" asked Jazmine.
"I know so," replied Amanda smiling.
"I want to ask you something," said Jazmine shyly.
"Go ahead," said Amanda, urging Jazmine to go on.
"I was wondering if you wanted to travel with me, so we can go all around Kanto competing in Pokemon Contests," said Jazmine.
Amanda smiled but the bad news was to come, "I'm sorry Jazmine, I'm already traveling with a couple of friends."
"Oh, I didn't know," Jazmine said, he head hanging down.
"It's okay, besides I don't think two Coordinator's should be traveling together anyway, it could cause friction down the line," said Amanda.
"Yeah, I guess you're right, I didn't think about that."
"Oh look, they're pairing off who is going to battle who."
Amanda and Jazmine waited to see their faces. Shortly after watching they did, however they were going to face each other.
"You mean I have to fight you?" asked Jazmine.
"It looks like it," replied Amanda.
"Man, I hope it didn't come to that," said Jazmine.
"Well, let's just promise to do our best," said Amanda.
"Ok, I promise!" Jazmine said.
"Now we're back and now we're entering the battle portion of this contest. The rules are simply, there will be one on one battles that will last five minutes or until one opponet's points run out. When time runs out, the one with the most points left will be deemed the winner, so now let's get this show on the road!" announced Lillian. "First up we have Amanda up against Jazmine, let's see how they do.
"Beedrill, hit the stage!" Amanda called throwing her Pokeball. It opened up and released her bee Pokemon.
"Jigglypuff, you're up!" Jazmine called throwing her Pokeball. It opened and revealed a small, chubby Pokemon.
"A Jigglypuff, eh?" Amanda questioned.
"Jigglypuff, Double Slap!" called out Jazmine. Jigglypuff woddled over to the Beedrill, but before Jigglypuff could start slapping the bee Pokemon, Beedrill flew up to dodge it which costed Jazmine a few points.
"Beedrill, Twin Needle!" ordered Amanda. Beedrill flew up behind Jigglypuff and stung the Pokemon with both arm stingers costing Jazmine a few more points.
"Jigglypuff, use Tackle!" commanded Jazmine. Jigglypuff ran up to Beedrill to make contact but Beedrill flew up out of the way again costing Jazmine a few more points.
"Beedrill, use Tackle!" Amanda ordered. Beedrill flew right into Jigglypuff, knocking her off her feet and making her tumble over to Jazmine's feet which costed Jazmine even more points.
Jigglypuff just layed there and wasn't moving but before Jazmine could say something to motivate her Pokemon to get up, a buzzer sounded and Lillian came to the stage.
"Jigglypuff has been deemed unable to battle, so the winner is Beedrill and the victory goes to Amanda," the announcer said.
Jazmine got out her Pokeball and returned her Jigglypuff. "You did great," she then walked over to Amanda and shook her hand. "You beat me fair and square, congradulations."
"Thank you," said Amanda with a smile.
The two walked off the stage and waited as the other battle took place. Soon it was over and Benjamin was going on to the final round to face Amanda once.
"Good job Amanda!" Kevin yelled from the stands!
"Alright folks, this is the final contest battle with Amanda going head to head with Benjamin. These two have been our strongest opponents throughout this entire Pokemon Contest, now we get to see who is the strongest!" cheered Lillian. "Let the final contest battle begin!"
"Growlithe, you're up!" Benjamin called. He threw his Pokeball which revealed a medium sized red and black long-furred dog.
"Growl!"
"Wow, a Growlithe!" yelled Mike from the stands.
"Squirtle, hit the stage!" Amanda called. She threw her Pokeball which released her blue turtle Pokemon.
"Squirtle, Squirt!"
"Growlithe use Take Down!" called out Benjamin. Growlithe began charging at the tiny turtle Pokemon. Amanda just stood there waiting.
'Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it, now!' "Squirtle, Rapid Spin!"
Squirtle slipped inside his shell and began spinning, the two attacks collided but Squirtle's Rapid Spin came out on top, sending the Growlithe spinning across the floor back onto Benjamin's side of the battle arena shedding some points off of him.
"Growlithe, use Fire Spin!" commanded Benjamin. Growlithe opened his mouth and let out a thin line of fire which quickly wrapped around Squirtle and trapped the turtle inside a vortex of spinning fire. "Take Down!"
With Squirtle being trapped inside the Fire Spin, points were slowly being shaved off of Amanda, just then Growlithe jumped into the fire and slammed Squirtle into the wall behind Amanda, shaving off even more points. Half of Amanda's points were gone, and she only shaved off a sliver of Benjamin's. Squirtle got back up and returned to the battle arena, however memories of her nasty defeat in Pewter City crept up on her again causing her to choke a bit.
"Growlithe, use Fire Blast!" ordered Benjamin. Growlithe stood his ground and launched a fire blast that took the form of some kind of voodoo doll. Squirtle just stared at the human-shaped fire attack coming straight at him. He didn't know what to do as his trainer didn't give out any commands.
'Amanda? What the heck are you doing?' Benjamin just watched.
Amanda smirked, 'Gotcha!'
"Squirtle, Rapid Spin!" Amanda ordered. Squirtle retreated inside his shell and began to spin through the air. The fire attack hit Squritle, but he spinned right through the flames causing Benjamin to lose the points. "Now finish it with Hydro Pump!"
Still spinning, gushing wave of water came out each and every opening in Squirtle's shell. Each blast of water was more powerful than the last and each hit Growlithe dead on.
"Growlithe!" yelled Benjamin. Since Growlithe's weakness is water, he could not withstand the blasts of water to his face and fainted. A few seconds passed then the buzzer sounded off.
"Well it looks like we have a winner, the judges have deemed Growlithe unable to battle, so the winner is Squirtle. The winner of the Cerulean City Pokemon Contest is Amanda!" Lillian Cheered.
A member of the event staffed walked up onto the stage and brought Lillian a small square glass case, opened it up and took out a blue and yellow ribbon with a gold star attatched to it, "I awared you the Cerulean City Ribbon."
Amanda accepted the ribbon, she had never been more happier in her life than she was right now. She finally won her very first Pokemon Contest against her very own rival Benjamin. A great feeling washed over her as the excitement of her first victory grew along with her smile. Benjamin smiled, returned his poor Growlithe and walked up to Amanda.
"Congradulations Amanda," Benjamin said. "You finally won your first Pokemon Contest by beating me."
Amanda smiled, "I sure did."
Amanda and Benjamin shook hands and Benjamin began to walk off the stage.
"Hey Benjamin!" called out Amanda. Benjamin turned around. "Told ya you would lose."
Benjamin shook his head and laughed and walked off the stage.
Mike and Kevin watched the whole act take place, then Mike had an evil thought.
"Looks like that Benjamin guy is making the moves on your woman," he said.
Kevin looked at him with no expression on his face. "You're an idiot," was all he said and walked to the isle and walked out of the arena area.
Mike just stared off not believing Kevin didn't fall for his little joke. He snapped out of it and went after Kevin.
The evening came as the Pokemon Contest Arena began to clear out, Kevin and Mike waited outside as Amanda, Benjamin and Jazmine came up to them.
"Nice win today Amanda," Kevin said.
"Yeah, congrats," added Mike.
"Thanks guys," said Amanda.
"So are these your friends you travel with?" asked Jazmine.
Amanda smiled, "Yep, they sure are."
Jazmine got close to Amanda's ears, "You're lying! Those are boys!"
"I'm not lying, we're all from Pallet Town," Amanda whispered back.
"You're pulling my chain," Jazmine continued.
"I had to save their butts from a flock of Spearow," whispered Amanda.
Jazmine giggled. The boys, they were just confused at what was going on.
"Alright Amanda, well I'm heading home to get ready to go to my next Pokemon Contest, I hope to see you again at the next one," said Jazmine.
"I hope so too," Amanda said. The two girls hugged for a brief moment and Jazmine hurried off home.
"I got to go too, see ya at the next contest," said Benjamin who began walking off.
"Later," replied Amanda waving goodbye.
As Benjamin walked off into the distance, Amanda took out her newly aquired ribbon and smiled happily. This was the proudest day of her life. Now she was ready to compete in the next Pokemon Contest, wherever that might be so she can earn her second ribbon.
"It's getting late, I think we should go ahead and stay one more night at the Pokemon Center," said Kevin.
Mike and Amanda agreed and returned back to the Cerulean City Pokemon Center where they'd spend the night one last time before continuing on their journey, wherever that might take them.
Now that Amanda finally won her very first Pokemon Contest ribbon, she is now determined more than ever to keep improving and hopefully win that second ribbon. What adventures lie in wait for our young heroes? Find out on the next chapter of Pokemon EX!
Title Pun: A Fairy Tale of Victory