This is the idea that I was going to use in the last chapter, before I changed my mind and wrote that. So, with the extra few days that I gave myself to write this, you'd be forgiven if you thought I put any planning into this chapter. But, because I'm nothing if not consistently stupid and unprepared, that didn't happen. Which means this one will be messy, as usual. Anyway, I'll stop bashing myself and get on with the story.
Chapter 71:
Maximum Effort
Max is quick to spot Brendan in the crowd as they all head back to their regular schedules. "Thanks for that," he tells him. "You really saved our necks back there." Brendan waves him off. "I was just doing my duty as Champion," he replies. "Besides, I feel like I owe you one after I kidnapped you." Max waves that off too. "Hey don't worry about it," he replies. "Considering all the stuff we've been through, I'd say you probably did us a favour." Brendan laughs at that. "If that's the case, maybe I can bring you back there," he replies. Max shakes his head vigorously. "No, no, that's quite alright," he says. Brendan shrugs. "Suit yourself," he replies. He looks around a bit at the town, and the wake of the small battle that just occurred. "Well, you'll have to excuse me for a bit Max," he says. "I've got a phone call I need to make." He begins walking away from him and pulls his phone out, before turning back to look at him. "Oh, and don't worry Max, I'll still come and see your contest tomorrow. I've got the time." Then, he walks off, putting his phone to his ear as he does."
Max joins his friends in the pokémon centre, and they go inside to get their pokémon healed. As they wait for them, they talk about what had just gone down. "Wow, your champion is pretty cool," Tierno comments. "The way he managed to rally the people of this town to help him was quite impressive." "Hey, Alain was able to rally almost the entire region of Kalos against Team Terra last year," Bonnie points out. "So, don't go underselling him." Tierno laughs. "That's not what I'm doing, don't worry," he replies. "I know that Alain has a way to sway crowds. I'm just saying that it's impressive that Brendan was able to rally an entire town so quickly, that's all." Bonnie nods in agreement at that. Max can't help but grin with pride for his friend. "That's Brendan for you," he says. "He knows how to convince people to do something he believes is right." If Tierno and Shauna noticed the way he phrased that, they didn't comment on it. Instead, Tierno stood up and went to fetch his pokémon. So, Max got up to do the same.
The whole of Lilycove is buzzing the next morning, as it's finally time for the Lilycove contest. Word must've quickly spread that Champion Brendan is here to watch it, because there seems to be a larger crowd waiting outside the Contest Hall for tickets than normal. The sight makes Max a bit nervous, which Bonnie notices. "Are you ok?" she asks him. Max nods his head. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replies. "Just a bit nervous looking at the size of this crowd." Bonnie agrees with that. "I'm just glad Shauna and I got our tickets yesterday," she comments. "Otherwise we'd never get in there." Max nods again. "Now I wish that I had more time to develop my plan with Flygon," he says. "I shouldn't have changed it." Bonnie rubs his back at this. "Hey, you said it yourself that you were completely stuck with that plan," she says. "With this one, you actually have a proper plan for it, right?" Max nods again. "So, I'd say this one will work a lot better than your other plan." Max smiles at this and hugs her. "Thanks Bonnie," he says. Bonnie blushes but returns the hug. "Anytime," she replies.
With that pep talk over, Max heads inside the stadium. Tierno is already in there, having already presented his contest pass. Max hugs Bonnie again, she wishes him luck, then the pair separate. Bonnie joins the throngs of people heading into the stands, while Max joins Tierno and the other contestants heading backstage. Bonnie is jostled around as she moves through the crowd, trying to find Shauna. Eventually, she spots her sitting beside Brendan near the front row, and makes a dash to get to the seat next to her. "Made it," she says as she sits down next to Shauna. Shauna laughs at this. "Just in time," she agrees. "I'd say there's a few people here who are disappointed they didn't get that seat." Bonnie turns around to see some people eyeing the spot she's sitting with slight envy. This makes her laugh a bit. If she was feeling cheekier, she may have stuck her tongue out, but the show starts before she can decide if she will of not.
One of the judges steps up onto the stage and thanks the audience for coming. He adds that he wasn't sure if this contest would be going ahead or not, because of the commotion with Team Terra. However, thanks to the actions of Champion Brendan Birch, Lilycove was saved, and the contest can go ahead. People cheer at this, and both Shauna and Bonnie make Brendan stand up to accept the applause. When that has died down, the judge continues, announcing the first contestant to the stage. Who turns out to be someone that Bonnie doesn't know. She watches them, and they're quite good, but she's mostly waiting for Tierno and Max's performances.
After two contestants have come and gone, Max finally steps onto the stage. Bonnie cheers for him as he releases his Flygon. At Max's command, Flygon unleashes a big sandstorm. The audience isn't able to see much, but what they can see is impressive. Max has managed to recreate a fireworks show inside the room. Using Flygon's various bright moves, he's able to make flashes and bangs appear through the sand, while making sure it doesn't leave the stage. Eventually, the flashes stop, and the Sandstorm is whipped up again. Flygon removes it and makes it swirl around her, almost like the rings surrounding a planet. Then, with a triumphant bellow, she releases the storm, and adds dragon breath to it, creating glittery sand that falls on the audience. People cheer and clap for this show, as Max bows, returns Flygon, then heads off stage.
Another two performances pass from people Bonnie doesn't know. Then, Tierno steps on stage, accompanied by his Ludicolo. Seeing this thing makes Bonnie worried for Max's chances if he has to face Tierno in the battle round. But, she doesn't dwell on that for too long, because Tierno's performance begins. He and Ludicolo begin to dance around together. While they do, Ludicolo alternates between shooting off water spouts and vines and other plants. Suddenly, Ludicolo causes a massive plant to erupt from the stage, lifting the two of them into the air. Then, it uses Rain Dance, followed by Sunny Day, which creates a rainbow on stage. Ludicolo makes a vine, and it and Tierno slide down it, making it look like they're sliding down the rainbow. Once they reach the ground, Ludicolo removes the plant and it and Tierno bow, while the audience goes wild.
After another two performances that Bonnie doesn't care too much about, the Appeals round comes to an end. The judges come on stage and announce that Max and Tierno are through to the Battle round, along with two others. The battle round isn't that interesting for the most part. Tierno and Max face off against the other two contestants. Max wins his, but Tierno loses. Then, Max and the girl who beat Tierno face off. It's a close battle, as the girl is using a Gyarados, but luckily, Max is able to stall long enough for the 5 minute timer to go off. He had a few more flashy points than her, which made him the winner. Bonnie cheers louder than everyone else in the room as Max is granted the Lilycove badge. He waves down at her from the stage, then exits. Bonnie leaves the auditorium quickly too, hoping to congratulate him on his win, especially with such a last minute plan.
Sorry for how short this chapter was, and for how long it took to get out. Writer's Block is a BITCH! I kid you not, that took nearly a week to write. And here I thought Contests would be easier to write than Performances. Spoiler alert, no they are fucking not. Anyway, because of the delay in this chapter's release, I shall be writing another one tomorrow. Hopefully anyway, because I just got the Rivendell Lego set, and will be probably spending all day today and tomorrow building it. But here's hoping I can get it done. See you then.