Et Tu, Unova? Chapter Thirteen, a pokémon fanfic

Chapter 13

Nimbasa City is not the largest of the Unova region, but it certainly has no lack of activities for visitors. During the Battle Club's tournament, Ash, Jessie, and Shauntal spent some time in the massive sports complex in the north of the city. Now, despite the upcoming Pokémon Contest and gym battle they face, Jessie has insisted that they spend their time at the amusement park in the south of the city. Ash and Pikachu go for the adrenaline rush of the rollercoasters at the old gym while Jessie rides some of the tamer rides, seemingly finding the one designed by the Eyerly Company most interesting. Shauntal observes the two from the shadows, avoiding any further distractions from fans. A couple days pass and the time for the contest arrives.

In the Pokémon Musical Hall coordinators gather. Before the start of the contest, Hilda has made sure they all get to see a musical. Jessilina remembers when she came here to register and was told the special "theme" for the appeals round. She watches the musical with that theme in mind. At the start of the contest, Fabian appears on stage.

"Hello and welcome to the Pokémon Musical Hall in the dazzling Nimbasa City. Since its founding two years ago, this building has been host to some of the most wonderful shows in the Unova region, courtesy of entrepreneurial prodigy Hilda. While there isn't a musical for you to watch today, that fact still hasn't changed. Today the Musical Hall is the site of the Nimbasa City Pokémon Contest. Here, coordinators will demonstrate the finest qualities of their Pokémon through showcase-style appeals and battles that are nothing less than art. While doing so, they'll be evaluated by the best names in the business."

A spotlight opens over Jenna Young. "Jenna Young is the foremost connaisseuse in the region and has been examining bonds between trainers and Pokémon on live television for decades. Her show is single handedly responsible for a 10% annual increase in trainers studying to be connoisseurs. She knows Pokémon and given her program's continued dominance, definitely knows how to put on a show."

To Jenna's right, a spotlight shines on a man in a diamond-studded suit. "Today, while Nurse Joy continues to provide unmatched service at the Pokémon Center, we are joined by the most popular man in Nimbasa City's history. Since taking office thirty years ago, Mayor Fields has rejuvenated the boardwalk, brought two major sports teams to the city, overseen renovations to turn a simple train station into a battle extravaganza, and begun construction on a unique shopping experience. Simply put, he is the man behind the razzle dazzle and will be a welcome voice on today's panel."

"And last, but certainly not least, we have the young woman responsible for the building we're sitting in today. At age fourteen she revolutionized Unova's entertainment industry with Pokémon Musicals. At age fifteen she partnered with Mr. Gold to make PokéStar Studios an interactive experience. And this year she's brought Pokémon Contests to Unova. Nobody does entertainment like Hilda does!" The last spotlight opens onto Hilda, who receives a standing ovation.

"Given our location, today we've asked our coordinators to feature the playful side of Pokémon in their appeals round performances. So without further delay, let's get busy!"

The television screen flashes on to the image of local superstar, Nancy.

"Hi Pokémon Fans, today I'm bringing you the rundown of the absolutely fantabulous Nimbasa City Pokémon Contest. In Unova's most entertaining city, we knew we'd be in for one special show, but these coordinators brought something extra when asked to showcase their Pokémon's playfulness. So here's a rundown of the top eight appeals!"

Ursula & Vullaby| Vullaby exits its Poké Ball over a vortex of wind that gently lowers the flightless bird to the stage floor. Ursula throws a handful of berries into the air which are caught by phantom chains from Vullaby's Embargo. A Tailwind blows behind Vullaby, propelling her up one of the chains. Once on the top, she nabs the berry with Pluck. With the Tailwind still at her back, she hops from one chain to the next, Plucking each berry from their grasp. Her bone-clad tail wiggles behind her as she moves, making the whole performance seem like an elaborate game. Jenna Young is enamored by Ursula's methods for counteracting Vullaby's inability to fly. Mayor Fields loved the transition from the spooky Embargo to playful dance. Hilda praises Ursula's ability to show off her Pokémon in unconventional ways.

Jessilina & Frillish| Frillish's entry is marked by a ring of lightning bolts that continue to bounce along the ground. The pink Pokémon shoots out a Bubble attack as her trainer leaps into the air. A Psychic holds the bubbles in place, allowing Jessilina to bounce off them as she approaches Frillish. Frillish sends the bubbles bouncing alongside the lightning bolts and catches Jessilina with Constrict. She then lifts alternate tentacles and begins to spin around in the air, raising and lowering groups of tentacles as she does. Mayor Fields is thrilled by the homage to the Eyerly Rotator at the amusement park. Jenna Young marvels at the trust between trainer and Pokémon. Hilda thinks that Jessilina's signature style was absolutely perfect for this show.

Elesa & Flaaffy| Flaaffy bursts out amid a cloud of metallic confetti. Its woolen fur puffs up to obscene proportions with a use of Cotton Guard and then shines from within when Charge follows it. Flaaffy dazzles the audience when it begins to fly using Magnet Rise. It then uses its supercharged fur to create a supersized Electro Ball, which it stands on top of. Flaaffy rolls around on the ball of electricity, using static to pick up the confetti as it does. Eventually, Magnet Rise wears off and Flaaffy falls through the Electro Ball, only to bounce back to its feet completely unharmed thanks to its fluffy cotton-like wool. Hilda is in awe of the power demonstrated by the non-native Pokémon. Mayor Fields thought the whole performance, particularly the bounce at the end, was adorable. Jenna Young appreciates that even through a very flashy performance, the attention always stayed on Flaaffy.

Burgundy & Stoutland| Stoutland's Poké Ball uses Seals to release a cloud of glittering dust alongside the Pokémon. Stoutland begins its show by Digging holes all over the stage. As it pops out of the last one, it has glitter stuck in its fur, so it washes off with a Rain Dance. The soaking fur covers Stoutland's eyes as Burgundy throws a Poké Doll into one of the holes. Stoutland pinpoints which one with Odor Sleuth and retrieves the doll. It lays at its trainer's feet, the doll squeaking as it's chewed on. Jenna Young thinks this was a perfect showcase of Stoutland's essential nature and history alongside humans. Hilda thinks that Burgundy really brought out the adorableness of a Pokémon that could definitely Intimidate others. Mayor Fields loves the multiple intentions behind each move.

Alonna & Litwick| Smoke accompanies Litwick's entry to the stage, which a Smog augments to blot out the lights on stage so Litwick's flame is the only thing visible. Litwick uses Ember without a command followed by its trainer calling the move's name. Litwick repeats Ember and then uses Will-o'-Wisp, while Alonna repeats back the sequence. Litwick adds Energy Ball in the next go as Alonna calls on the audience to join in on the memory game. Litwick performs a chain of various combinations of the three attacks until the smoke clears and Alonna congratulates the audience on keeping up with the game of Simon. Mayor Fields says he had a great time playing along with Litwick. Jenna Young thinks the focus could have been more on Litwick itself than its moves, but that the moves chosen did at least represent the Pokémon well. Hilda loves that Alonna got the audience involved too.

Brianna & Pansear| Brianna forgoes a Poké Ball Seal to have Pansear come onstage and monkey around with Work Up. It then duplicates itself with Double Team and makes a ring of Pansears on stage. One of them releases a Flame Burst and the various copies spin around and play a game of volleyball by batting it back and forth with Fire Punch. Mayor Fields comments on the practice taken to make sure that the rotating doubles always stopped in a position for the real Pansear to volley the flames. Hilda enjoys the show, but didn't see any of Brianna's personality in it. Jenna Young disagrees with Hilda and says the focus on Pansear is what makes the appeal great.

Rando & Maractus| Colorful ribbons encircle Maractus as it exits its Poké Ball. A Pin Missile attaches the ribbons to the wall in the shape of a target. Cotton Spore fills in the gaps between ribbons for a complete picture. Maractus fires off single Pin Missiles one after another to make a ring just inside the bullseye. It then Bounces up and lands, hitting dead center on the target with Poison Jab. Jenna Young praises Maractus's aim but thinks the appeal was more about the target than the Pokémon. Hilda thinks the appeal would have been better if Pin Missile weren't used to create the target as well as hit it, but still appreciates the showmanship involved as is. Mayor Fields loves that Rando ended the appeal with a dramatic flourish.

Kim & Drilbur| Drilbur emerges among a burst of flower petals and immediately coats the back wall with a sticky Sludge Bomb. A Rapid Spin gets the petals back into the air and onto the wall. Drilbur next uses Stealth Rock and once again scatters the results with Rapid Spin. A Sand Attack/Rapid Spin combination completes the spin art mural and Drilbur takes a bow. Hilda loves the mural but thinks the appeal was more artsy than playful. Mayor Fields enjoys the show but wishes the petals could have been incorporated immediately rather than left to sit on the ground uselessly for a while. Jenna Young thinks that the only part of the appeal that was really about Drilbur was the use of Rapid Spin.

Once the appeals round has ended, it's time for the battles, which start with a couple of routs. Elesa's Zebstrika makes quick work of Alonna's Elgyem using style as well as the gym leader's strength. Kim makes up for any shortcomings in her borderline appeal when her Samurott vastly outperforms Rando's Audino.

In the next battle, Jessilina prepares to once again battle a vengeance-seeking Burgundy. Burgundy sends out her Sawsbuck while Jessilina uses Joltik. Sawsbuck starts off with a Nature Power, which transforms into Tri Attack, sending beams of tricolored light at Joltik. Joltik uses Agility and its small size to its advantage and avoids the beams to strike back with Bug Bite. Even at close range, Sawsbuck's Double Kick can't make contact with Joltik, so it leaps backwards and uses Grasswhistle, hoping to lull Joltik to sleep. Joltik Screeches to counteract the effects of Grasswhistle and after staying awake, it then scuttles in for another Bug Bite. Deciding to bypass accuracy altogether, Burgundy calls for a Feint Attack which strikes and sends Joltik flying into the air. Jessilina commands Joltik to use Screech at the ground, which controls Joltik's flight as the powerful sound waves exert more force than gravity does on such a small Pokémon, leading it to land among Sawsbuck's leaves. A Discharge highlights Joltik's position to the audience and deals damage to Sawsbuck. When another Bug Bite is used, Sawsbuck starts flailing around and bashing its antlers into the walls, trying to dislodge Joltik. The tiny Bug-type hangs on though and strikes back with the occasional Discharge. Before Burgundy can change strategies, the judges end the match: Sawsbuck's freakout has dropped Burgundy's points to zero and decided the match.

In the last of the first round battles, Ursula's Gabite faces Brianna's Lilligant, who starts things off with a Stun Spore. A Sandstorm from Gabite creates a cyclone of multicolored powders that can't reach either Pokémon, dropping Brianna's points for a failed strategy. Lilligant breaks apart the cyclone with Petal Dance, but Gabite Incinerates the contents as well as the new attack before charging in with a Dragon Rush. Lilligant uses Teeter Dance to confuse Gabite, but a Sandstorm interrupts the dance and sends Lilligant spinning further and faster than it wanted to. One last Incinerate knocks Lilligant out and wins the battle for Ursula.

In the second round of battles, Samurott stands no chance against a gym leader with type advantage and Elesa moves on to the finals. When Jessilina faces Ursula, Gabite's Sandstorm hinders Joltik's movements enough that Gabite has an easy time ending the battle with Incinerate. Ursula goes into the finals with confidence, her Ground- and Dragon-type a nightmare for an Electric-type to face. But Elesa shows why she's a gym leader and implements novel strategies to stay in the match. When Gabite attempts to Dig, an innovative use of Zebstrika's Pursuit does not allow it to get underground. Zebstrika simply leaps over any use of Sandstorm. And in the end, Stomp finishes off Gabite and wins Elesa her hometown's ribbon, which she adds alongside the other two in her ribbon case.

Upon returning to the Pokémon Center alongside Jessie and Shauntal, Ash is informed that he's received a letter. Inside, N asks Ash to forgive his quick departure from the earlier tournament and invites Ash to join him on Nimbasa's famed Ferris Wheel the next day. The letter includes two tickets, which Ash pockets, knowing that he wants to actually talk with N.

Meanwhile, Jessie rages in frustration that she lost to Ursula again and that Ursula couldn't pull off a win against Elesa. She insists on the Twerp training to beat Elesa that night and also insists on helping him. By the end of the night, Ash seems to have a workable strategy for Elesa's Zebstrika at the very least.

Before the meeting the next day, however, Shauntal decides to introduce Ash to some friends of hers. As Jessie waits upstairs in the train station, Ash and Shauntal descend to the Battle Subway, where a set of twins awaits them. Shauntal introduces them as Ingo and Emmet, the Subway Bosses. The two explain that the Battle Subway is a system in which trainers fight multiple battles as the car moves towards its destination with the hope of reaching and defeating the boss before arrival.

Ash only has time for a quick runthrough, so the train he and Shauntal board will just make a loop around the station. Roggenrola, Servine, and Pikachu get a workout defeating the trainers in the cars, but the train stops before Ash can challenge Ingo or Emmet. He's welcomed back to try again after his gym battle, and heads off the train, running towards the amusement park to arrive on time for his ticket. He doesn't notice the door snapping shut behind him or the train starting to move with Shauntal, Ingo, and Emmet still inside.

Author's Note: I have this tendency to dive into things a bit obsessively and then burn out on them for a bit. I may have done that with writing this story as the next chapter I have to write is giving me a lot of issues despite being a fun one. My motivation tends to come back with the appropriate real-life prompting, so I expect to be writing again in a few weeks when I'm inevitably disappointed by how they handle the current plotline in the Gen 8 anime or if not, once the next Gen 9 news comes out and I'm either excited or angry. Until then, I'll release one of my backlog chapters every couple weeks, which might also kickstart some writing in my brain. This chapter is a fairly simple contest chapter, though for real amusement park junkies, there was a teensy bit of foreshadowing of Jessie's appeal. The guest contest judge may be familiar to those who read the earlier drafts of this story (before he got replaced by Hilda).