Well, it's been awhile, but I'm back. I like how you guys have been suggesting ideas for Australian Pokémon. By all means, keep them coming. Also, something I should probably bring to your attention: how about the shadowy creature that saved Ash, Serena, and Vernon in Chapter Four? Well, that was a legendary Pokémon. I can't tell you about him yet, but he's coming soon enough.
At long last, our friends have arrived in Corwald Town, the site of Ash's first Gym Battle in the Ralia region!
"Alright! We made!" Ash ran out in front of his friends. "Badge number one, here I come!"
"Now, hold up a second, Ash," said Vernon, suddenly walking up beside him. "I like that enthusiasm, but there's something we should do first."
"What's that?" said Ash.
"Remember that director I was telling you about?" Vernon said. "He's not going to be in town for much longer, you know. This might be my only chance to speak to him."
"It's true," said RotomDex, bringing up a news article about the event. "It says here that he is looking for actors who can give him inspiration for a new superhero movie."
"So you wanna be that actor, huh?" said Serena.
"You bet!" said Vernon. "I intend to blow his socks off."
"Okay, then let's go," said Ash. "Where is this director?"
"He is at the Corwald Studio," said RotomDex, "which is about thirteen meters away from our current location."
"Then let's go!" said Vernon.
"Horrific, simply horrific!" declared a man sitting in the director's chair. As he stood up, he continued, "Who in their right mind would want to witness people dancing with a Chatot to fight crime!"
"But I was using Chatot to mimic sounds."
"Not enough. Good day!"
The other man carrying a Chatot on his shoulder walked away dejectedly, and passed through a room of other acting applicants. Just as he opened the door, Vernon, Ash, Serena, Pikachu, and RotomDex walked through, as the other man pushed past them.
"Man, that director is tough," he said.
As the group made their way into the studio, they saw the waiting room, which was decked out with small chairs, each containing another applicant nervously tapping their feet, awaiting their audition.
"So, what exactly is your plan, Vernon?" said Serena.
"Just wait and see," Vernon said mysteriously. "But I need Floattery's help. Come on out!" He whipped out his Poké Ball, and out of it exploded Floattery.
"Ladies and germs," said Vernon from the dressing room, "I give you Toxicity!" He burst out the door, wearing an extravagant outfit consisting of pointy, purple sunglasses, spikes designed to resemble poisonous barbs on his shoulders, and Floattery emerged from behind to show off a cape.
"So what do you guys think?" said Vernon.
"It's you, Vernon," Ash joked. "Over-the-top, and hard to miss."
"Ha, ha," said Vernon. "You best not joke about Toxicity. He and his sidekick the Blob, we cleanse the world of crime.
Floattery suddenly started buzzing in annoyance. "Yes, sidekick," said Vernon. "As long as I'm the trainer, your the sidekick." Vernon turned back to Ash and Serena before posing dramatically. "And I even have a dark and crippling backstory. It started on a dark and stormy night-"
"Yeah, you know what," said Serena, "maybe we'll wait for the movie to find that out. No spoilers, please."
"Suit yourself," said Vernon. "I better go sign up."
He and Floattery approached the head desk, but all of a sudden, another man appeared in front of him. The man was dressed as a shadowy guy that you'd find in an alleyway, and was followed by a Zoroark.
"Outta my way, cosplayer," he said. "The real superstar is coming through."
"Excuse me, buddy!" said Vernon. "Who do you think you are?"
"I'm Kowalski, only the rising star of the century!" said the man. "Certainly have a better chance than you it that idiotic costume!"
"Excuse me!" said Vernon.
"That's enough, gentlemen!" said the lady behind the desk. "Just sign up and settle this with the director."
The two men wrote their names down on the list, and Kowalski looked over to say, "Don't take the rejection too hard. Only the real stars remain in the end."
"Zoro!" said the Zoroark.
Who's that Pokémon?
It absorbs rays of sunlight and shoots it off as energy. The attack is capable of blowing away a mountain.
Some time later, the director's assistant emerged from the door. "Is there a Vernon and a Kowalski in here?" she said.
"Hmm?" said Vernon.
"The director's time in this studio is running low," the assistant said, "so that's why he wants the two of you to audition at the same time."
"Very well," said Kowalski, standing up. "Let's do this."
"Don't worry about a thing, Vernon!" said Ash.
"We know you're going to do fine," said Serena.
"So do I," Vernon said confidently. However, as Vernon walked away, Floattery got in his way.
"What is it?" said Vernon.
Floattery pointed downwards to point at Vernon's armpits which were sweating, and how his hands were shaking. "What? You think I'm nervous?" said Vernon. "You're crazy, I've never felt better." He continued to walk forward, but Floattery looked unconvinced until it followed its trainer.
However, upon the roof, Team Rocket was looking down in the building with X-ray goggles, spotting the many superhero wannabes in the room, seeing all their Pokémon partners.
"I don't know about you guys," said Meowth, "but a room full of Pokémon who were trained to battle like superhero sidekicks sound awfully useful to me!"
"You said it, Meowth!" said Jessie. "Are you in, James?" However, she noticed that their blue-haired friend was looking all over the studio for some reason. "Hello? Earth to James!"
James happened to be looking around to see the other auditioners practicing, and found himself awfully entranced by the way they planted themselves into these new and exciting roles.
"James!" said Jessie.
James looked over to his friends, and said, "Oh, sure, let's do it!"
Jessie and Meowth nodded, and walked off the roof, but James let Choaking out of its Pokéball, and said, "The world of acting sounds like a thrill ride, doesn't it! What if we were crime-fighting partners."
"Choaking!" Choaking said disapprovingly.
"Yeah, you're right!' said James. "The criminal life is the one for me! But still…"
Vernon, Floattery, Kowalski, and Zoroark entered the camera room, and witnessed the intimidation of the director.
"Nice to be here, Mister…" said Vernon.
"Cameron," said the director. "Now time is something I don't have. Get over their and tell me about your characters. And please, do not let me intimidate you in any way." As he said this, he straightened his posture, looking enormous.
"Okay," said Vernon, as he and Floattery walked to their place. "Well, I'm Toxicity, and this is my sidekick, the Blob! We meet after a near death experience in the woods, after the Blob lost its family, and I lost the rest of my Pokémon, and we found we make a good-"
"That's enough!" said Cameron, before pointing at Kowalski. "You're on!"
"I am Reverie! My partner, Zoroark, and I conjure up incredible illusions to fool the criminal underworld and bring them into a trap."
"I see," said Cameron. "Why don't the two of you show me your moves?"
"Okay, Floattery," said Vernon, "you know what to do!"
Floattery nodded and began spraying an Acid attack around the room by spinning like a top and sticking its tentacles upward. Zoroark transformed itself into a harmless looking Wooper, before unleashing a mighty Flamethrower in the air.
"Hmm," said Cameron. "You are both excellent choices. I know how to narrow it down." He grinned. "Fight each other!"
"What?" said Vernon and Kowalski simultaneously.
"I want to know who the tougher superhero is!" said Cameron. "I give you sixty seconds, dazzle me."
The two trainers shrugged and turned to face each other. "Floattery, use Acid," said Vernon.
Floattery began spraying Acid everywhere, but Kowalski said, "Make use of your illusions, Zoroark."
The Zoroark changed into a large Druddigon, and quickly used it's claw to swat Floattery away.
"Now use Torment!" said Kowalski. Zoroark changed back into its normal self and then put its hand to its hand, wagged it, and stuck out its tongue. Vernon growled, knowing that Floattery couldn't use Acid twice in a row.
"Use Night Slash!" Zoroark's claws glowed black and it made its way towards Floattery.
"Acid Armor!" Floattery's body turned into liquid, causing Zoroark's claws to pass through it. "Now use Headbutt!" Floattery then bashed itself into Zoroark's body, causing it to tumble backwards.
"Use Acid!"
"Use Night Daze!"
Floattery began spraying acid white Zoroark created a forcefield around itself before making it explode around the room. The result was both Pokémon being blasted backwards.
"Okay, I've seen enough," said Cameron. "You all can head back into the waiting room now."
It's Gigalith!
Vernon and Floattery felt themselves getting anxious as they awaited Cameron's final decision. Eventually, the door swung open, Cameron came out, and he said, "Everyone, I've made my decision! I have selected… Mr. Kowalski's idea!"
"Yes!" Kowalski threw his hands up in the air, as he and his Pokémon celebrated.
"Vernon looked shocked, and when Cameron saw this, he said, "Hey, your idea was great, it just wasn't what I was looking for."
"No, that's okay," said Vernon.
"Are you okay, Vernon?" said Ash.
"I'm fine," Vernon mumbled. "It's just, I've been out of work for so long, and acting has always my passion. What if no one ever wants to hire me again? What if, I'm left to be a has-been?" Floattery took notice of its trainer's sour mood, and placed a tentacle on his shoulder.
Suddenly, there was a huge burst in the entrance. Everyone turned their heads to see some familiar faces coming in.
"Prepare for trouble, your act is so stale!" said Jessie. However, there was pause, and Jessie noticed that James was absent.
"Uh, I said, 'Prepare for trouble, your act is so stale!'" said Jessie.
"One minute!" said James from afar. He and Choaking appeared wearing wacky, yellow-and-green costumes, and James declared, "We are The Rocket Duo! The greatest supervillains of all time!"
"Choa-kiiiiiiing!" Choaking announced hammily.
"These guys again?" said Vernon. "Quick, guys, hide!" Ash, Serena, Pikachu, RotomDex, and Floattery nodded, and ducked behind a bunch of chairs.
"Seriously?" said Jessie. "You know what, we're doing the motto without you. Prepare for trouble, your act is so stale!"
"And make it double, we'll spin you our own tale!" declared Meowth.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"And Meowth!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Give it up, or we'll send you packing! That's right!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Quake in fear, fools!" said James, "for you are all no match for the strength of The Rocket Duo!"
"Look, if you're done playing dress up, we could use some help nabbing the superhero Pokémon here!" said Meowth.
"What do you think I'm doing?" said James. "Choaking, use Smog!"
"Choa-king!" said Choaking, as it spewed black smog all over the room. Once it had cleared, everyone was shocked to see that James had somehow nabbed all the auditioners' Pokémon in a thick net.
"How do you like me now?" said James.
Jessie and Meowth were honestly shocked and impressed. "Uh, great," said Jessie. "Then let's go." Thus, Team Rocket ran out the door.
"No!" yelled all the auditioners.
"You jerks!" yelled out Kowalski. "You stole my Zoroark!"
"Guys, we gotta do something!" said Serena as the group got out of hiding.
Vernon looked after Team Rocket with a steely gaze. "Actually, guys," he said, "Toxicity will handle this. C'mon, Floattery!"
Floattery nodded, and followed its trainer out the door, while their friends just looked at them confused.
"What do think?" said James. "I bet I could find outfits for all of you!"
"Absolutely not!" said Jessie.
"I hope you're not really going to steal those Pokémon," said a voice. Team Rocket turned their heads to see a shadowy man and his Pokémon.
"What's it to ya, punk!" said Meowth. "We're Team Rocket, it's what we do!"
"And stopping punks like you is what I do!" The man emerged. It was actually Vernon in disguise, but his Toxicity uniform was now all black. "Name's Toxicity. So, you wanna do this the easy way, or the hard way?"
"Erm, you don't know who you're messing with, pal!" said James. "You don't wanna mess with The Rocket Duo! Choaking, use Smog!"
"Choa-king!" Choaking emitted some more smog, but Vernon calmly said, "Floattery, use Thundershock."
Floattery's tentacles lit up and it discharged some electricity, with electrocuted the entire cloud of Smog, and Team Rocket within it. This caused their net of Pokémon to be thrown in the air, and to dangle from a branch.
"How did he do that!" said James.
"You dopes!" said Meowth! "That's no superhero! That's-"
But his words were cut off when Floattery wrapped its tentacles around Team Rocket with Wrap, and Vernon emotionlessly walked forward.
"You underestimated me," he said. "That was a mistake. Use Acid!"
"Floattery!" said Floattery, as it spewed Acid from its tentacles, causing Team Rocket to shoot up in the air.
"That guy is way to brooding to be a superhero," complained Jessie.
"I regret nothing!" said James. "Choaking and I were the best team!"
"Choaking!"
"We're blasting off again!"
"Vernon, you did it!" said Ash, running up to his friend.
"But where did you get that costume?" Serena had to ask.
"My Toxicity costume is reversible," said Vernon, opening the top of his shirt to reveal the purple side. "I wanted to know if Toxicity could be dark and brooding."
Meanwhile, the auditioners ran over to the net, hoping to get their Pokémon back. Vernon noticed this, and said, "Floattery, use Acid!"
Floattery sprayed its purple liquids at the tree branch, causing the net to fall down, and all the Pokémon to jump onto their respective trainers.
Zoroark leapt onto Kowalski, but the two fell backwards in a puddle of mud. "Aw, sick!" said Kowalski, as he and his Pokémon wiped themselves off.
"Hey, Kowalski," said an approaching Vernon. "You're welcome to thank me anytime."
Kowalski rolled his eyes as he sat up. "Well, I'm grateful that you saved Zoroark, but I still say that you're only second rate." He and his Pokémon walked away to clean themselves up.
"Mr. Vernon," said an approaching Cameron, "I still don't think your superhero is cut out for my talents, but your acting skills are impressive. You completely pulled the wool over the eyes of those crooks. I can't give you the starring role in my movie now, but I can give you this."
He handed Vernon a small sheet of paper, which read "Recommendation Slip", and had his signature on it.
"I don't understand?" said Vernon.
"The biggest director in all of Ralia, Mr. Robert Kennedy, he's holding a contest to find a crew for his biggest movie ever. That's why he's asking lesser directors like me to hand out Recommendation Slips like this one to sign and give people a recommendation to apply. You get three signatures from directors on that thing, you'll be allowed to audition."
"Me? Audition for a Robert Kennedy movie!?" said Vernon. "This is the greatest thing ever!"
Cameron smiled. "Well, I'm sure you can pull it off. If you'll excuse me, I'm late for dinner."
Vernon looked over the paper in his hands as Ash and Serena walked up to him. "Robert Kennedy? Who is that?" asked Ash.
"Only the most important director in the world!" said Vernon. Glancing back at the slip, he added, "Though I wonder if I'm good enough to get a part."
"Are you kidding? Did you see that performance of yours?" said Ash. "If anyone can get a part in that movie, it's you!"
"Exactly!" said Serena. "You just need to have some confidence."
Vernon beamed. "Yes, you're right!" He made a pose and pointed into the air. "After all, I am Toxicity, only the greatest hero to ever live! Clearly, the world simply wasn't ready for me!"
"Maybe that's a little too much confidence," Serena sweatdropped.
Well, looks like Vernon's dream may have to wait, but as long as he never loses hope, I'm sure he'll come to soar! Anything's possible, as the journey continues!
Sorry this chapter took so long, but at least now I'm sure you all know Vernon a little better. As always, review and follow!