Bah, I had some time on my hands so here is Chapter 12!
Chapter 12: Sandstone City! Amanda's First Contest!
After a grueling night in the dark forest, Mike and friends have finally entered Sandstone City. Several trainers litter the area practicing with their Pokemon. "I better get practicing too!" Amanda said as she entered. "I think I'll train for the smart contest!" She added in and threw a Pokeball letting out Ralts. She then threw her other two revealing Skitty and Mudkip. "You guys can watch, see what contest training is like for when you enter!" She grinned. The two Pokemon nodded. "Well Amanda, me and Jeff are going to head into town for something to eat." Mike said. Amanda nodded and headed into the field with the other trainers.
"Look at all the Pokemon!" Amanda said as a Houndour leapt up and grabbed a Frisbee. "Ralts, let's work on a routine!' She smiled. Ralts put its hand on its head, signaling it was ready. Amanda pulled out her pompoms from her backpack. She then grabbed the two batons. She used these a lot in her cheerleading squad, and she knew they would come in handy for contests. She threw the batons into the air and had Ralts keep them afloat with confusion. Skitty and Mudkip happily played in the field.
Mike and Jeff entered the city to find hordes of pedestrians in anticipation for the upcoming event. Flyers littered the area and small mobile stores were set up. "Never knew contests where such big events." Jeff muttered. The two reached the diner to find a large commotion inside. The chef was chasing something, but Mike and Jeff couldn't make it out. Jeff opened the door and a black Pokemon darted out. "Get back here you thief!" The cook yelled. Jeff turned as it darted down the road. "Poochyena; the bite Pokemon. At first site, Poochyena takes a bite out of anything that moves. This Pokemon chases after prey until the victim becomes exhausted. However, it may turn tail if the prey strikes back." The Pokedex muttered. "A dark type!" Jeff yelled. "Got to go, be back later!" Jeff said and took off down the road after the Pokemon.
Mike was now alone in a street full of people. The diner retreated back into his shop. Mike sat down at an outdoor table and waited for the waitress to come. "Need some company?" A young girl about 16 asked. Mike looked up. She had a weird helmet-like hat on and she looked kind of like a tomboy. "The name's Caitlin!" She smirked. "Saw your friend walk off and thought I could be of company." She laughed. Mike nodded and she sat down across from him. "You a contestee?" Mike asked. "Makin' up words now aren't we?" She grinned. "Nah, I'm just here to watch. I'm actually a trainer that gets a kick out of viewing contests as I pass by. You a "contestee"?" She grinned. She was obviously poking fun at him. "No, my friend is. She's currently training with all the others. "That thing that ran off was a she?" Caitlin asked appalled. "I think so, but no, that's my other friend. He likes dark types as you can see." Mike laughed.
"Ah, a "contestee" and a "darkie"! So what does that make you, a "dineree"?" She laughed. "Nah, I'm a trainer." Mike replied. "A trainer? Well then we have to have a little match then don't we. Sorry, but it's my rule. Challenge every trainer you meet!" She grinned. "Sure, doesn't look like we'll be getting service anytime soon anyways." Mike laughed. Caitlin stood up and he quickly followed her.
Ralts was now getting the hang of Amanda's routine. She did her cheer act as it balanced the batons. "This is perfect; you're really getting the hang of it!" Amanda grinned. "Yeah, for a beginner!" She heard someone say. Amanda turned to see a tall boy with long blonde hair. A Kadabra was at his feet. "So you're entering the smart contest I see?" You think you can beat me?" He grinned. He smirked and threw dozens of spoons into the air. Kadabra was quickly in action. It caught every spoon with its mind and bent them with kinesis. "Wow, you're good!" Amanda grinned. "Of course, I've won every smart contest I've competed in!" He laughed. "The name's Alan." "Amanda!" Amanda replied. "I'd hate to admit it girl, but you don’t seem much of a threat to me. No one here does." He replied.
He then turned his attention to the other trainers. "That girl's Starmie's figure is all off. That Meditite couldn't win if it was Einstein! And don't even get me started on the Spoink!' He grinned. "And you, well you're a beginner. I can tell because you scream it." He said looking at Ralts. "We'll just see when the contest time comes!" Amanda smirked. Alan nodded and he and Kadabra headed off. Amanda and Ralts began to practice some more. Skitty and Mudkip continued to play.
Team Steam finally exited the forest, battered and bruised. "Nice idea Clyde!" Bonnie moaned. "How did I know ghosts like rundown houses?" He replied. Bonnie passed by the many trainers and their Pokemon. "They look so strong, but I'm just not in the mood to steal!" She complained. Clyde nodded and they continued into the city.
"Electrike, dodge!" Mike yelled. The Pokemon shot out of the way as the Jigglypuff rolled towards it. "Another rollouter. I just faced one in Burgundy City!" Mike laughed. "Jigglypuff, use take down!" Caitlin yelled. The Pokemon opened up from its roll and smashed into Electrike, punching it hard. After some time, it flew back in recoil. "Electrike, use spark!" Mike yelled as the Pokemon landed. Electrike let off the attack and it smashed into the puffy Pokemon. A little dazed, Jigglypuff began to stumble. "Now use tackle!" Mike yelled. Electrike raced toward Jigglypuff, but it floated away at the last second. "Double slap!" Caitlin commanded. Jigglypuff came down hard and smacked away at Electrike. It finally managed to back away. "Quick attack!" Mike yelled. Electrike slammed into Jigglypuff, blowing it back and out. "Return!" Caitlin said as she recalled it.
"Impressive, but that was just a warm up! Time for my strongest Pokemon!" Caitlin grinned. "Go Skarmory!" She said throwing the Pokeball. It opened and the metal bird towered over Electrike. Meanwhile, Jeff was searching the city for the little lost Poochyena. "I know you didn't get far little guy!" Jeff muttered as he searched street after street. He finally connected sight with it on the other side of the street. It was happily eating the sausage links it stole. He stepped into the street to go after it, but was suddenly surrounded by a marching band. "What the hell?" He said. The band played on and soon Jeff saw a gigantic Dragonite float heading straight towards him. He ducked back into the sidewalk. "What a time for a parade!" He yelled. He chucked a rock at the Dragonite float, puncturing a hole into it. "Crap!" He said and ran into the alley as it began to deflate.
Amanda was now at the contest hall. She handed the woman her official Contest Card and was told the smart contest started at 4 PM, which was about 2 hours away. "They said they'd be here to watch me!" She said to herself. She then headed for her dressing room. "Skarmory, use drill peck!" Caitlin roared. Electrike was being butchered, and it was now unable to avoid the attack. "Great job Electrike, take a good rest!" Mike said recalling it. "One more Pokemon left for you!" Caitlin grinned. Mike thought. "Taillow can't hurt Skarmory, so Torchic would be a great bet!" He said and threw the Pokeball. The Pokemon formed, but something was rather odd about it. It didn't stop glowing and it seemed to be growing…
Jeff peaked out of the alleyway to find the parade staff hauling away the remains of the once beautiful balloon. The Poochyena was nowhere to be found, but he wasn't about to give up. He casually strolled out into the street. A woman spotted him. "That’s the guy who wrecked the float!" She screamed. Jeff stopped whistling and waved bye as he shot off down the road. The parade staff gave chase.
Torchic was no longer Torchic. Mike was now staring at a fully evolved Combusken! "You evolved?" He said in shock. "Combusken; the young fowl Pokemon. Combusken toughens up its legs and thighs by running through fields and mountains. This Pokemon's legs possess both speed and power, enabling it to dole out ten kicks in one second." The Pokedex muttered. "That victory over Dusclops must have done it!" Mike said excitedly. "Wow, your Torchic evolved, can we get this battle over with?" Caitlin asked sarcastically. "Hey, this is an exciting moment for me! My first Pokemon to evolve!" Mike yelled back. "You ready to kick some Skarmory butt?" Mike asked. Combusken nodded and leapt up.
"Combusken, use double kick!" Mike yelled. The Pokemon began firing kick after kick, but Skarmory did well to dodge a few. Some hit, but only for minor damage. "Skarmory, use drill peck again!" Caitlin ordered. The bird backed away and drilled into Combusken, flinging it back and dealing a lot of damage. "Combusken, use focus energy!" Mike yelled. The Pokemon stopped and closed its eyes. "Now Skarmory, attack it with steel wing whilst it's still!" Caitlin roared. The Pokemon flew down towards Combusken with its wings glowing, but Combusken leapt away. "Ember!" Mike yelled. Combusken launched the flames, each striking Skarmory hard. It fell down, but wasn't out. "Metal sound!" Caitlin yelled.
Skarmory let out a large crushing ring that struck Combusken. Mike held his ears and winced in pain. "Ha, metal sound murders Combusken's special defense!" She yelled over the bone crushing noise. "Steel wing while it's hurting!" She then commanded. Skarmory smashed into Combusken with its wing flinging it back. Combusken weakly got up. "Again!" She yelled. Skarmory turned and headed straight back to Combusken. "Use quick attack!" Mike yelled. The Pokemon dodged Skarmory and smashed into it, only to be flung back. "Bulk up!" Mike yelled. Combusken glowed and its attack and defense rose. "Not going to do you any good! Skarmory, use swift!" Caitlin laughed. The stars smashed into Combusken and it flew back. "Combusken, get up!" Mike yelled. The Pokemon slowly got up and glared at Skarmory. They were both exhausted.
"Skarmory, use steel wing!" Caitlin commanded. Skarmory flew at Combusken. "Flamethrower!" Mike yelled. Combusken dodged and let off the flaming stream. It struck Skarmory hard and it fell. "While it's down, use double kick!" Mike yelled. Combusken beat Skarmory with its feet, and then fell back. Skarmory was down and it was not getting up. "Return!" Caitlin said in disbelief. As soon as Skarmory was recalled, Combusken collapsed. "Take a rest buddy!" Mike said recalling it. "Great battle!" Caitlin smiled. Mike gave her a thumbs up. "Amanda is probably waiting for me at the contest hall, I have to go!" He then said. Caitlin nodded and followed him down the road.
Mike made it just in time. A boy with blonde hair was showing off his Kadabra. Little did he know that this was Amanda's biggest competitor. Jeff was nowhere in sight. Alan flung dozens of spoons in the air. Each was caught with a psychic and bent with kinesis. He then did a summersault and was flung into the air by Kadabra. Kadabra began to juggle the spoons and its trainer, impressing the judges and making the audience go wild. Alan then finished by landing on his feet and having Kadabra teleport onto his head. The crowd applauded and Alan bowed. The judges gave him a score of 9.0, 9.3, and an 8.9; giving him a total score of 27.2/30. He stepped off stage and gave Amanda a nice smirk. It was now her turn. She was very nervous, but she then saw Mike in the stands. "He made it!" She smiled and stepped out into the ring with Ralts at her side…
Next Chapter- Chapter 13: Beginner's Luck or a Harsh Defeat? The final Outcome!
Does Amanda have what it takes to win her first contest? And can Jeff find the Poochyena? Find out in the next chapter!