And I'm back. I know it's been a long time since I posted anything, but things have been kinda hectic around here. I have multiple health issues that needed my attention. Then I moved into a new house, and when I did I lost my flash drive that had all my files on it. Thankfully I recently found it, so I can get back to doing what I love. Now I can't promise regular uploads, but I will try to upload as often as possible. And now, on with the story.
Chapter 57: Contest Double Team
"Hey, I can see a town up ahead." After being on the road for a while it was quite refreshing to see some civilization coming into view.
"That's Lanistar City," Nikki said, checking the map on her Pokécomm. "And according to this there's a Pokémon Contest being held there soon."
"Sound like the perfect time to get your second ribbon," Ash commented.
"That it does," Nikki agreed. With the group in agreement they headed into town so Nikki could register for the Pokémon Contest.
"Hello, Lanistar City! Get ready to have your minds blown by some amazing coordinators and their Pokémon!" The crowd erupted into cheers as they prepared for the start of the Pokémon Contest. Meanwhile, Nikki was psyching herself up for her performance.
"Okay, time to win ribbon number 2," she said.
"Well I don't see that happening." Nikki looked around to see who had said that. She soon spotted a red-haired girl not much older than she was.
"What do you mean by that?" Nikki asked.
"What I mean is you won't be winning that ribbon because I am," the girl replied with a smirk. "That ribbon is as good as mine."
"I think I have just as good a shot as you do," Nikki retorted. The girl just laughed at Nikki's comment.
"Oh please. You don't have a chance at beating me. You should just give up now and save yourself the embarrassment," she suggested.
"No way," Nikki said.
"Then prepare to lose." With that the girl walked away, leaving Nikki alone to wonder just who she was.
"Something tells me she's going to be tough to beat. I'll have to keep my eye on her," she mused.
"Okay, Lanistar City! Let's have a big welcome for Nikki!" The crowd erupted as Nikki stepped out onto the stage. A smile adorned her face as she prepared to call on her two Pokémon.
"Swablu! Persian! The stage is yours!" she shouted, tossing her Poké Balls. Persian appeared as struck a pose. Swablu then floated down and landed gracefully on his head.
"Let's start with Featherdance!" Nikki called. Swablu flew up and scattered her Featherdance all around, creating a glittering scene overhead.
"Now, Persian, you use Power Gem!" Persian aimed up towards the Featherdance and launched a Power Gem, the sparkling orb of Rock-type energy hurtling towards Swablu.
"Okay, Swablu! Use Dragon Pulse!" Swablu opened her mouth a fired off a multi-colored beam of Dragon energy at the incoming Power Gem. The two attacks collided and exploded in a shower of glitter, adding to the glitter from Swablu's Featherdance. Once this was done Nikki and her Pokémon took a bow.
"Oh my! What a display," Mr. Contesta commented.
"Indeed. Quite remarkable," Mr. Sukizo added.
"It's almost like Nikki and her Pokémon brought a starry night sky right into the stage," Lanistar City's Nurse Joy said.
"Well, that was certainly an outstanding performance! Now, let's move on to our next coordinator!"
Backstage Nikki was busy praising her Pokémon for their performance when Ash and Pikachu approached them.
"That was awesome, Nikki," Ash praised.
"(You had them on the edges of their seats,)" Pikachu added.
"Thanks, you two," Nikki replied. "I just hope it was good enough to get us through to the next round."
"It was, trust me," Ash assured.
"And now for our final coordinator. Let's welcome Amalia!" As soon as the coordinator walked onto the stage Nikki turned her full attention to the television screen. Ash quickly took note of this.
"You interested in her?" he inquired.
"Let's just say we got acquainted before the Contest started," Nikki informed him. "Now let's see what she can do." Amalia stood confidently on stage, a Poké Ball in each hand.
"Aipom! Scyther! Show your brilliance!" She hurled her Poké Balls into the air, calling on her two Pokémon.
"Scyther, start off with Double Team!" she commanded. In an instant a dozen Scyther filled the stage.
"Now Aipom, use Swift!" The dozen Scyther formed a circle and put one of their scythes in the center. Then Aipom jumped onto the scythes and let the Scyther launch her into the air. One she was high enough she swung her tail, sending glowing stars towards the ground.
"Now finish up with Slash!" Amalia instructed. As soon as the Swift attack was close enough Scyther ended his Double Team and slashed upwards, shattering the Swift attack and creating a stunning display of sparkles. As Amalia and her Pokémon basked in the cheers of the crowd Nikki looked on with a frown on her face.
"I hate to admit it but that was pretty impressive," she said.
"I still think you'll beat her," Ash told her. Moments later Amalia walked in and immediately approached Nikki.
"Impressed? You should be," she bragged.
"You were good, but I'm still going to win," Nikki stated. Amalia just laughed.
"Oh please, I doubt if you'll even make it to the next round," she declared.
"Why you…" Before things could escalate Christy appeared, ready to announce who had advanced.
"Alright, let's find out who is moving on!" she said. "Our first coordinator moving on is… Amalia!"
"Hmph, naturally," Amalia stated.
"Next is… Nikki!" As soon as they were announced for the next round the two of them stared at each other.
"Well, looks like you made it. But don't think that means you're going to win," Amalia said.
"That honor belongs to me."
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Nikki challenged.
"I hope you make it to the finals. That way I can show you the difference between the two of us," Amalia told her.
"I'll be there, you can count on that," Nikki assured her. The two stared at each other for a bit longer before Amalia was called for her first match.
"You know, I really don't like her," Nikki stated.
"Don't let her get under your skin," Ash advised.
"Oh I'm not," Nikki declared. "In fact, I think I've got just the battle strategy to beat her."
"You do? What is it?" Ash inquired. Nikki just smiled at him.
"You'll see," she promised.
Both Amalia and Nikki won their first round matches and were preparing to face off against each other in the final round. The crowd roared with excitement as the two coordinators took the stage.
"Alright, Lanistar City! Time to find out who will win the Lanistar City Contest!" Christy shouted. The crown got even louder as they anticipated the start of the battle.
"Ready to lose?" Amalia asked.
"Are you?" Nikki responded. After a brief stare down the two of them took their places on opposite ends of the stage.
"Let's have five minutes on the clock," Christy announced. "And… begin!"
"Aipom! Scyther! Show your brilliance!" Amalia said, sending out her two Pokémon.
"Chatot! Ninetails! The stage is yours!" Nikki shouted, doing the same.
"Use your Slash, Scyther!" Amalia called. Scyther began spinning as his scythes began glowing. He then sprung towards Chatot and Ninetails.
"Double Team!" Nikki instructed. Chatot landed on Ninetails' head and used his Double Team. Because he was sitting on Ninetails she was included in his move and soon there were a dozen copies of them surrounding Amalia's Pokémon. Because of this Scyther didn't know which one to strike and abruptly stopped his attack.
"Now use Chatter!" Nikki called.
"Use Flamethrower!" Chatot squawked.
"What the?! Chatot doesn't know Flamethrower," Amalia commented. Before she could ponder this further the Ninetails copies all launched a Flamethrower, engulfing Scyther and Aipom in flames and taking a chunk out of Amalia's points.
"Wait a minute! You didn't give your Ninetails a command!" Amalia protested.
"I know," Nikki replied. "Now, use Aerial Ace!" Chatot flew up and then seemingly vanished into thin air.
"Where'd he go?!" Amalia wondered. Her question was soon answered when Chatot appeared and struck Aipom from behind with his Flying-type attack, causing Amalia's points to fall even further.
"I've got to turn this around. Use Swift!" Aipom swung her tail and sent a volley of stars towards Chatot and Ninetails.
"Chatter!" Nikki called.
"Use Iron Tail," Chatot squawked.
"Again?!" Amalia complained. Right before the Swift attack could land Ninetails curled her tails around herself and Chatot and used her Iron Tail, creating a makeshift shield between them and the attack.
""Oh my. Such a heated battle," Mr. Contesta commented.
"Remarkable," Mr. Sukizo added.
"I'm on the edge of my seat in anticipation," Nurse Joy said. In the stands Ash was beginning to understand what Nikki's strategy was.
"I think I get it," he said.
"(Get what?)" Pikachu inquired.
"Nikki's using Chatot as a second trainer. She gives him commends and whenever she has him use Chatter he gives Ninetails commands. That way Amalia won't know what's coming next," he explained. Back on the stage Amalia was beginning to lose her composure.
"I can't believe I'm losing to her!" she growled. "Scyther, Double Team and then Slash!" Scyther created multiple clones of himself and then dashed towards Ninetails, intent on landing a blow with his scythes.
"Use Chatter!" Nikki called.
"Iron Tail," Chatot said. Ninetails once again used her Iron Tail attack to create a shield between herself and Scyther. The Mantis Pokémon's attack bounced off Ninetails' shield harmlessly.
"Oh, come on!" Amalia griped. Before another attack could be called the horn went off, signaling the end of the battle.
"Alright! Let's see how the points look," Christy said. Looking up there was no doubt on anyone's mind who had come out the victor.
"And with an overwhelming advantage in points the winner is Nikki!" The crowd cheered as Nikki celebrated with her Pokémon.
"We won, you guys!" Nikki cheered.
"(There was never any doubt in my mind,)" Ninetails stated.
"So, did you enjoy your first Contest, Chatot?" Nikki asked.
"It was fun," Chatot answered. Suddenly hearing footsteps Nikki looked up to see Amalia had recalled her Pokémon and had approached her.
"You may have won this time, but don't get used to it. I plan on winning then next time we met," she stated. With that she left, leaving Nikki to continue to bask in the cheers of the crowd.
"Congratulations, Nikki," Mr. Contesta said as he presented Nikki with the Lanistar City Contest ribbon. Nikki accepted it, a huge smile on her face and her Pokémon by her side.
"Thank you," she replied. The crowd applauded her as she held up the ribbon for all to see.
"That's two ribbons down, three to go," she mused. "I can't let up now." Ash was looking on from the crowd, proud of what Nikki had accomplished.
"She's doing great," he commented.
"(That just means we've got to step our game up,)" Pikachu stated.
"That we will, little buddy. That we will," Ash assured him.
Nikki has won her second ribbon and taken on step closer to the Grand Festival. But with a new, less-than-friendly rival to deal with now how will her journey progress from here? Will she possibly run into Amalia again? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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