Chapter 22:

Tournament in the Park

As the group approached the entrance of The National Park of Johto a poster caught Nathan's eye.

"Oh boy! A Pokemon catching tournament! Let's enter!"

"It's a bug tournament!?" Kathy was a bit hesitant.

She turned to Phillip.

"I don't know if I want a bug Pokemon."

"Don't you like psychic and grass Pokemon?"

Kathy looked up.

"Well… yeah."

Phillip shrugged.

"You might catch a Venonat."

"Oh my gosh! That would be so cool! Let's join Phillip!"

Nathan chimed in as both of them got in Phillip's face begging him.

"Please, please, please! Let's join!"

Phillip backed up. There weren't any bug Pokemon that Phillip wanted, but he could see how excited Kathy and Nathan were.

"You two can go for it. I'll watch from the stands."

He looked at Kathy.

"You need someone to look after the egg anyway, right?"

Kathy looked at the ground at ran her toe through the dirt.

"Yeah… okay."

Phillip felt a huge shove in the back almost knocking him down. When Phillip turned around he saw a teenage boy wearing baggy black pants, black sneakers, and a loose-fitting gray t-shirt. Phillip's face burned red with anger.

"Not you again!"

Griffin stood there put his hands on his hips and stuck his nose in the air.

"I see you're still carrying around dead weight." He said looking at Nathan.

His eyes looked over to Kathy.

"Oh, and you have a new stick girlfriend with stringy hair."

He laughed out loud.

"I guess losers do stick together!"

Phillip looked at Kathy who was blushing and looking at the ground, almost crying. Phillip lost his composure. He stood up tall and used both hands to shove Griffin. Griffin fell flat on his back. He popped up and flexed as if he was going to fight Phillip. They were both leaning in, fists clenched and arms flexed. The gate manager along with a pretty woman with bright orange hair in a firmly pressed dress approached them. The woman shouted.

"Now if you guys don't stop now, I will ban you from competing in my contest!"

Phillip bit his lip as he looked back at Nathan.

"Fine…"

He straightened up. Took a deep breath, and stepped back.

"My apologies ma'am. I don't want any trouble."

Griffin stood up straight and put his hands back on his hips and stuck his nose up again.

"You better back down coward."

Phillip closed his eyes. Took a deep breath and crossed his arms. Griffin walked past Phillip, shoulder bumping him.

A few seconds of silence passed. Phillip's demeanor softened and the orange haired woman spoke again.

"Thank you for standing down. My name is Virginia, and I run this tournament once a month. The rules are simple. You go through the park looking for as many bug Pokemon as possible. You may bring one of your Pokemon with you and you will get 20 Pokemon balls that will only work on bugs. The bugs will be judged by weight. If there is a tie with the heaviest weight of a Pokemon the two trainers must compete in a Pokemon battle with their newly caught bugs. The winner becomes this month's champion. You may keep whatever Pokemon you catch here today."

"That sounds so cool!" Nathan shouted. "Are you in Kathy?"

She felt a little squeamish. She looked at Phillip, and then back at Nathan.

"No. I think I'll sit this one out."

Phillip was still annoyed. He couldn't think of a single bug Pokemon he wanted. Nathan looked at him anticipating his answer.

"I'm good. You enjoy Nathan."

Just then Nathan stood tall and belted out as he ran off leaving Kathy and Phillip behind him.

"Your loss!"

Nathan ran in, paid his fee and collected his Pokeballs. Phillip and Kathy found a spot in the viewing room. It was crowded with parents, reporters and people who loved the park and loved bug Pokemon. Kathy looked over to Phillip as she clutched the egg close to her chest.

Nathan waited at the starting line when a small girl, maybe a year younger than him approached had apretty pink hat with a flower and a Butterfree and Paras pin on it. She had two pigtail braids peeking from under the hat. She was extremely giddy and Nathan suspected this might be her first competition. She looked over at Nathan and fired a huge smile at him.

"Are you ready for this?" She shrieked.

"I'm so excited!"

"Is this your first time?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah! My mom told me I couldn't compete until I turned nine and I my birthday was two weeks ago. I've been waiting for this for a year. I love bug Pokemon!"

Nathan laughed.

"I can tell."

She stuck her hand out.

"My name is Chelsea."

"Hi Chelsea, I'm Nathan."

As they finished shaking hands a gun went off and a sweet powder filled the air around them covering all the trees within a mile radius. Chelsea and Nathan both ran north into tall grass and woods. After a couple of minutes they both found a Yanma grazing on a bush. Nathan and Chelsea were sneaking up on it. It was silent. Just as they both were about to attack Chelsea beat Nathan to the punch.

"Bug Bite Caterpie!"

Caterpie leapt into the air and landed on top of the Yanma, sucking it's life. They both fell to the ground. As soon as it landed on the ground they could hear Griffin's voice.

"Good job!"

A ball flew through the air. The ball nailed the Yanma and sent Chelsea's Caterpie rolling on the ground away from it. Nathan balled up his fists and yelled at Griffin.

"Hey! That was Chelsea's Pokemon!"

Griffin walked over and picked up his Pokeball.

"Guess it's mine now."

Chelsea's face dropped to the ground. Nathan rubbed her back.

"It's okay. That was a really great attack. He's just a bully."

Meanwhile in the viewing room Kathy was standing next to Phillip as she heard him mutter something under his breath and exhale deeply. She could see his face turning red.

"Are you okay Phillip?"

Phillip bit his lip as he watched Griffin steal Chelsea's Yanma. Back in the park Nathan and Chelsea stayed together encouraging one another as they proceeded eastward. They stumbled across a Weedle in some tall grass.

"Ember attack Cyndaquil!"

The fire burned the Weedle and destroyed all the grass around it. Nathan threw a Pokeball. Griffin ran in front of the Pokeballto block it, and kicked the Weedle.

"Hey! Stop cheating!" Nathan shouted.

Griffin turned around and crossed his arms with a huge grin on his face.

"I'm not breaking any rules. Besides you losers don't stand a chance anyway!"

In the viewing room Kathy looked to her left and couldn't see Phillip. She started to shout for him when an announcement came over the intercom.

"THERE HAS BEEN A LATE ENTRY."

The cameras panned to the new entry when Kathy saw Phillip running towards Nathan and Chelsea. After a couple of minutes of searching Chelsea and Nathan stumbled on a Paras near a tree. Just as Griffin was running towards Nathan and Chelsea he was cut off by Tyrogue and Phillip.

"You've been messing around long enough Griffin." Phillip shouted.

He and Tyrogue were flexing when Griffin and Machop squared up against them.

"You can't battle me you idiot!" Griffin shouted.

"Nothing in the rules says that we can't. Isn't that what you been saying to Nathan?"

Griffin growled.

"Fine you're on pipsqueak!"

"Pipsqueak? You're like an inch taller than me."

Griffin growled.

"Let's go Machop."

Machop got ready to attack.

"Focus energy attack Tyrogue!"

Tyrogue closed his eyes as energy started flwoing around him.

"Low kick Machop!"

Tyrogue's eyes opened as he jumped over the attack.

"Low sweep attack Machop!"

Machop spun from one kick into another in the opposite direction.

"Fake out attack Tyrogue!"

Tyrogue stepped back to avoid the sweep attack and spun into a high roundhouse kick. Machop moved out of the way and began a punching motion. Before he could strike Tyrogue disappeared and reappeared in the air with a flying punch to Machop's right cheek. The punch connected. Machop's legs got wobbly as he fell to his knee.

"Bullet punch attack Tyrogue!"

While Machop was down Tyrogue shot at him like he was fired out of a cannon. A flurry of punches continued to hit Machop. Machop fell to the ground. He got up very slowly. Machop was breathing heavy.

Phillip felt a little bad. He remembered when Griffin first got Machop. They were so excited to train together. Griffin really seemed to love Pokemon then.

The following holiday Phillip's dad was supposed to be home to celebrate with him, but had to cancel due to his Pokemon travels. It was the first time his dad had missed the holiday. It happened a few months after his birthday when his dad had to miss his birthday because of his Pokemon travels and he received Tyrogue. Phillip began to resent his father then.

The following week Griffin and Phillip were supposed to leave together to start their journey. Phillip backed out and decided to work with Professor Elm instead. A few months later when Griffin came home to visit his mom he was different. The two of them didn't say a word to each other. When they finally did say something a few months later they were words filled with vitriol. Griffin's because he felt betrayed, Phillip's because he was angry at his dad. Their rivalry started then.

Machop began to get back at up. Phillip looked up and could see a look of concern on Griffin's face. Maybe he did still love Pokemon Phillip thought.

"Step back Tyrogue." Phillip said solemnly.

Griffin glared at Phillip.

"You are not better than me! Machop! Knock off attack!"

Machop stepped back and threw his entire body into Tyrogue in a move filled with anger and contempt. Phillip was surprised. Tyrogue stepped back, a little weary from the attack. Phillip took a breath. He was about to try a new combination he had never done before. He didn't know if it would work or not.

"We been working on this Tyrogue. Rapid spin Mach punch!"

He didn't know if a double move was even possible, but now was as good a time as any to try it. Tyrogue jumped up. He began to spin towards Machop. His left fist connected with Machop. Then his right fist, and his left backfist. He jumped back. He landed. He pulled his right-hand back garnering energy and momentum. In a lightning quick motion he flew at Machop. His right fist connected. Machop bounced off the ground towards Griffin. Phillip's jaw dropped. He didn't want to hurt Machop.

Griffin closed his eyes as they began to fill up with tears. He ran towards Machop. He clutched him and squeezed him in a powerful hug. His forehead rested on Machop's forehead.

"I'm sorry buddy. I let my anger get the best of me."

Machop looked up and began crying too. They wiped each other's tears. Griffin looked up at Phillip.

"That was a great move, Phillip."

Griffin stood up and recalled Machop. Phillip recalled Tyrogue. Griffin shoved his hands in his pockets and smirked.

"Maybe you're not as weak as I thought you were."

Phillip slouched a little bit in a relaxed pose.

"Maybe you're not as heartless as I thought you were."

Griffin and Phillip looked at the ground and smiled.

"I'll get you next time Phillip. Next time we meet my Pokemon will be stronger and faster. You better be ready, and you better stay out of my way."

Before Phillip could respond Griffin took off in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, in a nearby shrub, Nathan had Cyndaquil fire an Ember attack that weakened Paras. He threw the tournament bug Pokeball. Chelsea was holding her breath. If Nathan failed he said he would let her try to catch Paras. Paras after a couple of seconds Paras decided to stay in the Pokeball. Nathan caught a Paras. He was excited. Chelsea had mixed feelings. On one hand she was happy for her new friend. On the other hand Paras was one of her favorites and she really wanted it.

"Congratulations Nathan!"

"Thanks Chelsea! It's your turn now!"

Together they searched and searched for another Paras for Chelsea. Time ran out and she was unable to catch anything. Chelsea held back her tears. She was mad at Griffin, he cost her a Pokemon. She was happy to celebrate Nathan. He was very kind and encouraging to her.

The results came in and Nathan's Paras won the competition. He was awarded with a Sun stone. It was necessary to evolve certain Grass Pokemon. Chelsea, Phillip and Kathy approached him after the award ceremony.

"Great job Phillip! You earned it!" Chelsea said, happy for her new friend.

Nathan looked at her. He knew how much she loved Paras. He looked at the Pokeball, and then back at Chelsea.

"Thank you, Chelsea. You've been a great partner through all of this. Here you go."

"What? No. I couldn't"

"You would have caught that Yanma and probably won if not for that jerk Griffin."

Phillip started to say something. He sucked it back in and decided to hold his tongue. They were justified in their frustration towards him. Nathan stuck his hand out with the Pokeball in it.

"Paras is yours Chelsea. I know you will love it better than I could."

Chelsea began to cry. She tackled Nathan and gave him a huge hug.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Nathan was grossed out and pushed her away.

"But I'm keeping the Sun stone."

Chelsea thanked Phillip and Nathan before she went back home. As the three trainers exited the national park a guard approached them and spoke to Nathan.

"Hey, I saw what you did for that little girl. That was really selfless of you."

Phillip slapped Nathan's back.

"It really was. You surprised me."

The guard laughed as Nathan was rubbing his back and continued on.

"I was wondering if you could make a delivery for me."

The three of them gathered around.

"Sure thing. What's up?" Nathan asked.

The guard handed a small, red rectangular box to Nathan.

"My brother works at the radio tower. I was wondering if you could deliver this to him. I'm sure he'll reward you if you do."

Nathan and Kathy looked at Phillip, as if waiting for him to confirm whether they can do it or not. Phillip paused, wondering why they were looking at him. He realized they wanted him to decide.

"It's a little out of the way, but sure we can do that for you sir."

Kathy released a sigh of relief. Phillip looked at her confused. The guard continued.

"Thank you so much. You guys are real life savers."

The three of them exited the park. They had to take a long detour to get back on route to the radio tower. Nathan was staring at the Sun stone.

"I can't wait to see what I can use this on!"

Kathy was naming all the different grass Pokemon Nathan could use the Sun stone on. Phillip kept his eyes forward as he began to see the shadow of the radio tower in the distance.

To be continued…