Pre Game Nerves by WyldClaw

Plot: First animeverse one shot of 2024. I got this idea while thinking of my own Special Olympics basketball season. I own zilch but my OCs. ". " Are regular talking, italics are thoughts and () is translated Pokémon speech.

XxX

It was late at night in Pallet City but four-and-a-half-year-old Derek Waterflower-Ketchum - wearing a simple fuzzy Pokemoball patterned pajama set- couldn't seem to get a good night's sleep. He sighed briefly. He tried reading one of his books and even counted Mareeps in his head but nothing worked- his stomach felt tied in a huge knot and he kept waking up a lot. He groaned as he propped himself up onto the bed, yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"Why can't I get to sleep?" He couldn't figure out why he couldn't sleep or had the tight knot in his stomach. He shivered as he clutched his red shirt-wearing Winner the Teddiursa Pokedoll. "Wh-why can't I sleep Winnie? The doll said nothing.

In the glow of his nightlight he could just make out the outline of his tee ball softball uniform and cap neatly folded over his squishy beanbag chair nearby for his first game the next day. Just looking at it made his heart pound and his body tremble. . He felt the knot in his stomach tighten as he remembered some of his teammates' taunts as they echoed in his head:

" Looser!"

"Dork!"

"Klutz!"

"you'd better not fail on the first game. "

He shook his head to get rid of the voices. He knew he wasn't the greatest player but because of who his parents were -everyone expected him to be great. Their taunts in his head made it worse. -. It wasn't his fault he wasn't the greatest athlete. Tears came out out of his eyes. I d-dunno if I can do this. "I'm… not ready. I c-can't… "

.

A few minutes later he heard footsteps then a knock at the door and his dad's voice. "Hey, champ? Are you okay?"

" Y-y-yeah..." the black haired boy wiped his eyes on his light colored pajama top. .

" Can Storm and I come in?"

"'Kay."

The door opened and his tall dad- wearing an oversized grey tee shirt and black sweats came in followed by a small female Pikachu. He turned on the light and sat down on the bed next to his son as Storm jumped up onto the bed next to Derek. (What's the matter Derek?) She asked as the little boy scratched her ears. (I heard you from the other room.)

"Couldn't sleep. Tummy tightened an' –an' – I look-ded at my shirt an' uniform an-'"

His dad and Storm looked at each other. "You're nervous about your game. " Ash said as he wiped his son's tears from his face.

"What nervbus?"

(It's when you have a feeling anxiety or anticipation or worry about something that you're not sure of.) Storm explained.

"Is that why my tummy is knotted an'd i can't sleep?"

His dad nodded. "That's right. You don't know what to expect in your game so your mind kept you awake. You're also full of anticipation."

"What anty-pay-shun?"

Ash smiled at his son's pronunciation. "Close. An-tis-sip-pay-tion." he enunciated. " It means you're excited but also worried. . Don't worry-you'll do fine – just try your best. It's all about having dun."

That makes sense. The knot in his stomach vanished. "Have you eber been nerbus or full of antypation Daddy?"

He laughed. "More times than I can count. I felt it all the time before and during any Gym battles, before league competitions and those are just a few examples. Remember how worried Mommy was when Rosie, Storm and I were getting the Salveyo Weed for you recently ?"

The little boy nodded. "Mommy was very scared and worried."

(I don't blame her. If Aki, Taran, Zapp or Thora had been in your place I'd have been acting just like her.) Storm shivered then added, (we were worried we wouldn't get it to you in time but we did.) She looked up at her trainer.

"Sometimes being worried is a good thing. Mommy says I worry her so much at times she is surprised she hasn't ripped her hair out. " he lowered his voice. "Wanna know a secret?"

"What Daddy?"

"I was really nervous when you were born."

His green eyes went big. "Really? Whys? "

"I… wasn't so sure how I'd do as a dad. I… never had a dad growing up- just Grams and I. I was so worried I'd be a bad dad. "

"Best daddy eber. But… it's not just because I'm nerbus. I … I heard some of the bullies' words in my head. "He bit his lip." Th-they c-called me wimp and a loser. "

"Didn't Coach Casey see this?"

The boy wiped his runny nose on his sleeve and shook his head. "she th-think Donnie, Cary, B-Bryce and Tami are the best cause they score lotsa run. "

Ash frowned at this. "I'll have to talk to her. I swear her obsession with baseball and perfection makes her forget that you're just little kids."

"They were so mean to me daddy. I…still dunno if I'm ready for the game."

(You can't let them get to you Derek. They just want a reaction or for you to quit. I know from experience -) Storm whispered as if ashamed.

"How so?" he asked the Pikachu. He knew she didn't really like to fight unless she had to- she had this strange disease with a weird name made her unable to use electricity that much-only in itsy spurts. His dad and his Pikachu had worked patiently with her to modify some attacks.

(I had a bad time with bullies that hurt me badly. I was beaten up and threatened by this herd of Pikachus I lived with. The leader Chu exiled me but I tried hard to hide my pain from them- it wasn't easy.)

"I'm Sorwy Storm."

(thanks. You just have to remember you're just kids so it's meant for fun."

"like I said champ, just try your best. Pretend its practice."

(it's not about if you win or lose it's how you play the game.) Storm put in. (we'll be there watching and rooting for you: your parents, Pika, me…)

"Aki an' Taran an' Mr. Oak, Grams an' Sami an' Sunset too?"

"Well, maybe not Sunset and Aki and Taran. But definitely Sami, Grams and Ryan. I don't know If Gary- I mean Mr. Oak can take off from work. if you win we'll celebrate after. And even uf you don't win we'll still celebrate afterwards."

"Th-thanks D-daddy. I -" the little boy yawned and rubbed his eyes with tiredness . " I feel much b-better now."

"Let's get you to bed. There's No need to have Coach Casey have my head." Ash tenderly tucked his son into bed. Within minutes the little boy had fallen asleep.

The End