Cyclone Effect [Pokemon Anime]

Every time I'm like "Oh I'll write a bunch of chapters and get stuff done so my updates aren't so sparse" I get SICK -

Well, regardless of that bad luck, please enjoy this chapter. It's more...slapstick and silly than usual, but that might be because I've been watching a lot of shonen anime lately. I'll try and get back into my usual writing style with the other stuff, hopefully? Just wanted to do something fun and chill.

---

It’s after a while of talking with Gary, Ash, and Wally, that Clemont remembers something from a while ago.

“…Hey, hold on, I need to get something from our room!” He says, standing up and moving before anyone could stop him.

His dad had given him a box and said something about sharing it with a close friend when the time came. And, with those Z-Rings off the table…maybe that time was now?

Grabbing it, he quickly brings it down. He can hear something that sounds like shaking glass inside, so he’s…perhaps more careful than usual.

Clemont may be one of the greatest geniuses in Kalos’ history…but he’s also one of the most destructive. Easily, actually.

When Clemont sits back down, Ash, Gary, and Wally are all looking at him with some mixture of expectation, surprise, and confusion. Wally and Ash at least look genuinely curious.

Gary looks more like Clemont is trying to steal his thunder, but it’s not his fault, really! Boys just love a good mystery, and Clemont has an actual mystery box!

…That he doesn’t know the contents of.

But, well, it was something his dad gave him. And his dad…didn’t do a lot for him, admittedly. Sending him to Kanto was…one of the first nice things his dad did for him that wasn’t giving him even more expectations. So!

Hopefully it isn’t something awful.

“My dad said to open this box when I met a real friend who I could really trust,” Clemont says, looking down at his lap. “I’m…uh, still…new to this whole friend thing. But I think…I think Ash is a friend I’m going to have for a long time. So…”

Determined to stop his own preamble, he swiftly opens the box, revealing two spheres inside. They have completely clear glass (or crystal) tops paired with a black, almost opalescent bottom, and a shimmering scale inside - making for a glittering sight that is briefly breathtaking.

That moment swiftly passes as Clemont is then promptly shoved to the ground by Gary as the soon-to-be pokemon professor begins fawning over the objects inside.

“Tera Orbs?! Real, honest to god Tera Orbs?!” Gary says, voice full of desire. “Oh my lord they’re authentic, these were actually created by Professor Sada directly…!”

Ash and Wally can only sweatdrop as they see Clemont slowly begin to rise from the floor from behind Gary, much like a Sharpedo. His glasses glint brightly within the light of the room, his hands coming up…!

“MUON!”

• Only to be smacked back down by Gary’s Hatterene.

“My glasses…”

Gary then turns to Wally and Ash, adjusting his pink glasses as he holds one up. “These are Tera Orbs! A semi-recent invention by Professor Sada of the Paldea Region, using unique resources from the Paldea Region’s Area Zero. Normally, they’re exclusive to government and league trainers, with some exceptions…How did you get these?!” He asks, looking at Clemont on the ground.

“My dad…?” Clemont offers, as he repositions himself carefully behind Gary.

“...Huh. Ask him next time you see him!” Gary says, tossing the orb up and down a few times to get a feeling for its heft. “These let pokemon perform Terastalization - which empowers their typing, or changes it to something else entirely. We don’t know exactly how or why it works - or what determines it. But it’s pretty fascinating stuff -”

Gary is interrupted as Clemont suddenly jumps him, throwing both of his arms around Gary’s neck and strangling him briefly to grab the Tera Orb back from his hands.

“WONDERFUL, NOW GIVE IT BACK!”

…

“So…who is Professor Sada?” Wally asks quietly, rolling over a Tera Orb in his hands next to Ash.

Gary winces, scratching at one of the bandages Nurse Joy had applied to him after…discouraging…his and Clemont’s fight. “Professor Sada is one of the two Pokemon Professors in the Paldea region, alongside Professor Turo. They both pioneered research into Tera Energy, which is what causes the Terastal Phenomenon that Tera Orbs use. We…don’t really know a lot about it, like I said. Or why some pokemon change types, and others get their type strengthened instead .”

The other Tera Orb is being played with by Redd, who is rolling around and balancing on it.

Clemont is filled with much anxiety watching it, even as he rubs his bruised shoulder.

“I don’t actually know what Professor Turo is working on right now, but I heard Professor Sada has been going around the different regions and doing research. She was in…Johto, last I checked?” Gary shrugs. “It’ll be interesting to see what they work on next - they’ve always caused some massive paradigm shifts when they publish their work.”

He does snort a bit, though.

“Too bad they’re both famous for loving weird magazines.” Gary says with a snicker. “It’s always a joke that they have their nose in Occulture more than they do in any books or research.”

Clemont, vaguely, recalls that Occulture is a magazine about strange, occult events and unnatural or unique pokemon sightings. Most of it is rubbish - though Clemont was surprised to hear that a majority of their articles on the Holon Region were right.

“Hah, sounds pretty crazy!” Ash says, picking up the Tera Orb from Redd. “So, Clemont, what are you gonna do with two of these babies?”

Clemont blinks, staring at Ash. “...One of them is for you. Because you’re my friend! My friend who I trust and want to keep spending time with for the foreseeable future!”

…Did he say that out loud?

Judging by Gary and Wally looking at him…he definitely did.

He could feel the red climbing up his cheeks already, as he hid his face…

But Ash didn’t comment on it. He simply laughed. “Thanks, Clemont. I…I definitely appreciate that! Let’s do our best together!”

There’s a comfortable silence between the two of them, until Wally speaks up.

“By the way, Gary, would you like to join us when we go fishing tomorrow morning?”

Gary’s face wrinkles as if smelling rotten. “What, and go outside?! Ugh, ew, gross, no! I had enough of roughing it outdoors on my journey, thank you very much! I’m not leaving my air conditioned lab space for another two years if I can help it!”

“...Roughing it?” Ash says, blinking, “Gary…you took a car. You drove the whole way, that barely counts.”

“I STILL ABSOLUTELY DECLINE!”

 

It turns out that fishing is nowhere near as easy as Misty said it would be. Or as easy as Clemont’s colleague Siebold always said it was.

But then again, that man was a professional chef who outstripped almost every other cook in the region. So he was some sort of weird, enlightened man in a way that Clemont couldn’t exactly match at his age.

(Siebold was also maybe his cousin or his uncle or something, but the man was always oddly distant to Clemont in a way that spoke of a lot of unspoken drama.)

But that’s not what he’s here to think about.

Instead, he needs to think about fishing.

There is, supposedly, a thrill to fishing that one cannot replicate with machinery or video games or anything of that sort. Clemont thinks the person who said that should actually try fishing. He’s been staring at his neon yellow rod for what felt like hours.

Nearby, he can hear Wally and Ash chatting to each other as they comfortably fish on the banks of the river that cuts through Viridian City and goes off towards Route 22 and Victory Road.

Or at least, that’s what Ash was talking about.

“Viridian City actually has a pretty convenient placement in terms of its location,” He’s saying excitedly, even as he keeps his line perfectly still and yet ready. “While you can do any gym in the region in any order, there’s a ‘suggested order’ in terms of seating.”

“Seating…?” Wally asks, as he adjusts the slack on his line.

Ash smiles, because he’s talking about his favourite thing in the world - battling. “Well, every gym leader has multiple teams and members that they swap around - but in terms of general skill, some are just…better. That’s the seating order, which you’re generally suggested to follow.”

Wally thinks for a moment, before perking up. “Oh, Clemont said…he was the fourth chair in Kalos…?”

“Really -?!” Ash squeals, as he turns suddenly towards Clemont - almost yanking his line in with him. “Clemont, you were the fourth chair?! The fifth best gym leader in Kalos is a big deal!”

He laughs it off awkwardly, picking his line up out of the water just to find it’s still untouched. “Well…not exactly a big deal. I mean…everyone else was pretty great, and Korrina’s new still and is only just finding her balance -”

“Clemont.” Ash says, very serious. “You were the youngest gym leader Kalos has ever had on record. I think that having the fourth chair in spite of that is amazing. You are amazing.”

And Clemont has to actively fight to keep his face from turning red, thank you very much.

“You…you were saying about Kanto’s seating, Ash?” He says instead, to get the heat off of himself.

“Oh, right,” Ash says, easily distracted. “Well, the thing is - Sakaki, the Gym Leader here, is the first chair in Kanto’s gym leaders. So it’s kinda expected that you face him last on your way towards Victory Road and the Indigo Conference. Of course, that’s assuming he’s here…”

Clemont blinks. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, well - Sakaki has the worst attendance record in Kanto when it comes to accepting challenges. He apparently has full League approval for his leaves of absence - the official statement is that he’s a family man.” Ash then shrugs. “But I can’t really say for sure - I’ve never met the guy.”

“...Wait, um, then who does the challenges when he isn’t…?” Wally asks, face scrunched up softly.

“Agatha, a retired member of the Elite Four, actually does it.” Ash says, picking up steam for a different subject matter. “She’s an old rival of Professor Oak, and specializes in Ghost pokemon. She and Sakaki apparently are at similar skill levels, so it’s not that different?”

He adjusts the slack on his line again.

“Well, she’s sort of retired? I don’t actually know that situation - but there’s been a big change in the Elite Four for the shared Kanto-Johto League, and right now it’s pretty shaky?. But currently the list of the six Elite Four who are kinda active are Lorelei, Will, Bruno, Koga, Agatha, Karen, and Lance.” Ash stops for a moment, and corrects himself. “But Lance is also the Champion?”

“...Wow.”

Because that’s a lot.

Clemont thinks for a moment, before responding - “Our Champion is just an actress…”

“And Hoenn’s Champion is gay,” Wally says, not a moment sooner.

“...” Clemont is silent.

Ash, however - “...Which one?”

Wally’s expression becomes haunted. “Both.”

Ash and Clemont both snort, coughing and laughing at the same time.

…

Unfortunately, fishing is not nearly as easy as they thought it would be. And, since Misty had ditched them after getting them set up when Redd sent a stray Thunder towards her Cyclizar, they didn’t have anyone to really help them out.

Or, well.

Ash and Clemont didn’t have anyone to help them out.

“Good job, Maru! You’re already getting the hang of a Water Gun!”

Wally, on the other hand, had already caught a Marill and was excitedly running through attack drills with it on the side.

Clemont was vexed but also thought it was cute. Wally had a really, really nice smile, and his laugh was a sweet thing. He wanted to keep eating, and eating, and eating that sweet sound until he got himself sick.

…But that! That is a thing he is not going to look at any deeper!

Instead, he’s going to keep thinking about plans and ideas for a fishing machine, because while he may not have parts or tools or energy to make one, he sure has spite. Spite that increases in ferocity as he checks his line once more to find nothing!

And more than Clemont has spite, Ash has perseverance.

Because while Clemont was trying not to think about Wally, Ash was wrestling violently with his fishing pole that had apparently gotten caught on something - though Clemont couldn’t be sure it was a pokemon or a particularly sturdy rock.

Clemont is thus rather surprised when the (potential) rock gets the memo that it’s being caught, and pulls back on Ash’s line, dragging the boy down the incline and into the water. Redd ignites his body with electricity, leaping in after his trainer!

“I’VE GOT YOU NOW!”

“PURA-RA!!!”

He can only watch mystified and awed as the somewhat quiet boy he’d met the other day starts to wrestle something in the water with almost bestial ferocity. Clemont could swear he can see the electric blue sparks from last night dancing over Ash’s skin again as he does so, as water sprays up and out and around in big splashes (though it’s probably just Redd). Whatever he’s wrestling is a ferocious beast.

…So Clemont gets up, and takes his fishing elsewhere. He likes Ash a lot, but he isn’t going to catch anything with all of that going on next to him.

…

Or, well, he isn’t going to catch anything at all. Because no matter how long he’s stuck in this part of the river, with this stupid Super Rod, and with Ninnu trying to give him a helping hand.

Clemont gives his line another check, and finds yet again there’s nothing on the hook.

He flops hard onto his back, as his partner nuzzles into his side.

“Minu…”

“Yeah, I know…I’m getting worked up over nothing…” Clemont sighs, because normally he’d work all this anxiety and stress into a machine. And even if that machine didn’t work or exploded, the explosion would at least be cathartic and he’d have less of those feelings in his head. But he couldn’t quite bring himself to do it.

“Ah…I just give up, this isn’t gonna happen…”

“Well, not with that attitude…” A voice comes from behind him, making Clemont bolt up with a start as he turns to see who it is.

A boy dressed in green and black fishing gear, with a black hat on his head. He has pale blond, almost green, hair. And floating around him is…

Clemont takes his (new) pokedex out and checks it.

“Castform, the Weather Pokemon. Its water-like cells transform like clouds to match the weather. Ability: Forecast. Type: Normal. Current Forme: Normal.”

Clemont blinks, not quite recognizing the term. “Formes…?”

“Query - Formes?” The pokedex seemingly asks itself, which startles Clemont - and the other person, who was waiting politely. “Answer - Formes are the different shapes pokemon take on to gain new abilities, stats, or types. Permanent Forme changes include regional variants and shiny pokemon.”

“...Huh.” Clemont nods with a smile. “Thanks, Dexter.”

Both the other boy and his pokemon stare at Clemont and Dexter with a bit of a daze, before the boy speaks up. “...So, uhm. Do you want any help with the fishing, or are you just going to stare at Castform…?”

“Oh, uh, sorry!” Clemont says, laughing awkwardly and adjusting his glasses. “I love new stuff like this. I got this from Professor Oak, and I’ve been trying to catch a new pokemon while I’m here…”

One that would, you know, actually be an electric type. Which…

Chinchou is local, right?

“Well, if you want to do it right, you’ll need a lot of patience. Here, let me show you…” The boy said, getting on his knees next to Clemont.

He couldn’t help but notice, as the boy went to work, that he had a very handsome and symmetrical face. The kind that would be amazing for TV, with a little beauty mark near his lip. His palms were calloused lightly, but his nails were well manicured.

And his clothes actually hugged his body nicely -

Oh no he’s saying things.

“...and that’s how it works.” He says with a soft smile, before looking back at Clemont. “Need me to go over it again?”

“...Kind of. Yeah. Please?” Clemont responds with an awkward laugh. “...Oh, I’m Clemont, by the way. From Kalos.”

“Curtis. I’m from Unova, and I’m on vacation. Or, well…break from work, I guess.” Curtis elaborates in turn.

The two of them keep talking, as they set up Clemont’s line again.

…and are interrupted, briefly, by Ash reappearing with a pokeball in hand, soaked from head to toe. Nearby is Redd, equally soaked but incredibly proud.

“Clem! I got the pokemon I was going for!” He shouts excitedly, jumping up and down - Redd mimicking him down by his feet. “It’s a water type, I think!”

Clemont laughs, adjusting his glasses. “Probably a good guess if it’s from the river, Ash! But you should ask Dexter. He’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

Ash perks up - having forgotten that Dexter could do that. He had mostly talked to the pokedex so far, it seemed. “Thanks for the idea, Clem! I’ll be training with Wally, meanwhile!”

And then he ran off to do just that, swiftly followed by Redd. He was a bit single minded sometimes, but Clemont really didn’t mind. He kind of appreciated it, actually. He always knew what Ash wanted.

“...He seems pretty excitable.” Curtis says, as Ash leaves. “A friend of yours?”

“...Yeah!” Clemont responds, with a smile as he pets Ninnu’s head. “My very first one, I think. Now, uhm, you said it was about patience, right?”

Curtis nods. “Yes. That’s the most important part, really…”

…

Clemont did in fact manage to catch a pokemon on his line, in the end. Though he didn’t end up keeping it - a Wooper with a strange color, according to Dexter. The pokedex was undetermined as to which type of Forme was the cause, and seemed vexed by it.

“So, Clem, why didn’t you keep it?” Ash asked, carrying his new catch with him towards the colosseum. Which was crazy, considering the size of the slumbering Slowpoke Ash had caught. “I mean, if he’s anything like Duude here, it could have been great!”

Clemont thought about it for a moment, before shrugging. “...I dunno. It just…felt wrong to catch it. It’s…I’ve always been an electric specialist, you know? So…anything else…”

It would have felt wrong, he thinks. A bit too soon to say goodbye to his well loved specialty.

“Don’t worry about it, Clemont.” Wally says, squeezing him on the shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll find something that works for you. You can do anything, with how smart you are.”

Whoops, now his face is red again.

“Now, I should run ahead to the venue…” The green haired boy continues. “I need to prepare. Please cheer me on!”

Clemont and Ash both nod, and wave at the boy as he leaves to prepare for the Showcase - both of them already having decided to go and support him.

…Meanwhile, unseen behind them both…

“...Wooper?” A little head pops out of the water, watching in confusion as the boy who caught him on his line walked away.

What a silly person. You caught the pokemon when you reeled them in! His new friend must have forgotten to do so. That was okay, though! Wooper knew he could just remind his new, big, silly friend how to catch him!

Hobbling out of the water, he began his slow, waddling walk towards Clemont.

“Big friend! Please wait! You forgot to catch your small friend!” He calls, waddling after him…before falling face first in the grass.

A few moments pass.

…

And he stands up again, beginning his journey of friendship once more!

“Big friend! Big frieeeeend!”

---

Y'know, I didn't think I'd still be in Viridian City 5 chapters after leaving Pallet Town, but I just keep having ideas here, man.

Introducing Curtis, my favourite niche pokemon character of all time. He'll only be around sometimes, but I wanted to include him. This chapter also introduces Ash's new Slowpoke, Duude, and the Wooper Clemont didn't catch.

Wooper is not aware, and does not care if that's how Clemont sees it. His big friend will catch him in the future. Sometime.

Next up is Wally's showcase, which Ill probably divide into some smaller chapters for ease, and then finally move on to Viridian Forest. Here's hoping we make it to Brock before September!

 

At the Viridian City performance hall, Clemont and Ash had finally gotten seated - luckily together. It would have been awful to be separated, both for the obvious reasons and also because Clemont might just detonate if he had to be in a huge crowd by himself.

“...So, uh, Clem?” Ash asks, “What is a Showcase?”

Clemont blinks, before realizing he and Wally hadn’t really explained it well. “If you’ve ever heard of a Pokemon Contest like in Hoenn, it’s like that. But the intentions are different…sort of.”

How do you even explain this kind of thing?

“…It’s like this - you have two rounds. A themed round, and then a freestyle performance round.” He explains as best he can. “The themed rounds are focused on using your talents and adaptability to entertain the audience, and then your freestyle round is about working with and performing alongside your pokemon so they can bring out your best qualities. Or…something to that extent.”

He had never watched a lot of them, just caught them out the corner of his eyes and ears while Bonnie was having a blast watching them.

Ash hums, though, as if he follows. “Good on Wally, then. I know whatever they have as the themed round is going to be a piece of cake for him.”

“Traditionally they’re a surprise that you can’t plan ahead,” Clemont adds, “But he would have had an hour or two to prepare for it. I’m sure he’ll do great.”

And even if he bombs the performance… Wally’s so cute he might just get past on pure charisma.

However, soon the lights dim as the showcase begins…

…But there’s nobody on the stage.

At first, the crowd is confused, until a voice calls out from the rafters.

“Welcome, one and all, to one of the very first Pokemon Showcase Spectaculars to grace the shores of the beautiful Kanto region!” A boy’s voice cuts through the shadows of the contest hall, before spotlights come onto him - revealing a boy in black and green, with blond hair dyed green at the edges.

He kicks off from his spot in the rafter, and goes into a freefall - only to descend gracefully in a long arc, trailing glitter and light behind him as he does so. His foot was caught in a barely visible cable, letting him go slowly towards the ground. Trailing behind him in that same arc is…

A Castform, but not in one of its standard formes. Instead, it was pink, clad up in glittery clouds in a tight spiral.

“Today, the lovely Princes have come to Showcase the beauty of themselves and their pokemon! Today’s theme, which they will use to demonstrate their creativity and performance prowess, is the Fairy Type fresh from Kalos, just like the Showcases themselves!” He looks at his Castform, excitement and passion in his eyes as the duo curve and arc through the air. “Give them a show, partner! Weather Ball!”

“Wa-lu!” His pokemon responds, drawing up the winds and atmosphere within the contest hall - full of passion and joy, mystical fairy energy coalescing into a physical form.

It’s launched, high into the air, where it explodes and scatters glittering pink light and a pleasing scent all across the contest hall. Just in time as the cable ends and the boy and his pokemon land firmly on center stage.

“I am Christoph, a performer and idol from Unova! It will be my pleasure to announce, attend, and present at these lovely Prince Showcases!” He smiles and poses, holding his arms out to the crowd with a wink. “Now, some of you may be disappointed that my partner and opposite Nancy will not be presenting these lovely men to you all, but we thought we’d give all the ladies and men who come to see the handsome boys and beautiful women an extra treat!”

There’s a bit of laughter in the crowd, before he continues.

“But that’s enough about me! Today, our contestants will be demonstrating the Fairy Type, both in their freestyle performance, but also in today’s opening themed performance!” Christoph throws his arm to the side, producing a key from his sleeve. “The Prince who performed the best will be voted on by you, the audience, and receive the Fairy Key!”

Somehow, watching this, Clemont was absolutely spellbound. Captivated by the style and charisma. The absolute passion rolling off of the announcer - Christoph. His cheeks were flushed, and his breathing was fast…

Ignoring Clemont’s situation, because of course he wouldn’t notice one person in a crowd like this, Christoph raises his hand.

“Now, today’s themed performance, focused on the themes of the Fairy Type’s elegant mystique, graceful mischief, and refined chivalry…” He pauses for effect, “Shall be pokemon styling! Using the provided costume and clothing pieces, our Princes will have to style their pokemon in a way that matches and compliments their own personal aesthetics!”

…Which sounds like a fashion show, to Clemont. And normally he wouldn’t be bothered, or even care. But…the point of this sort of thing was to appeal to the audience as much as possible. So…He’d have to stay strong not to turn into a puddle of blushing mess on the floor.

“Now, let’s meet our contestants for our first round! We’ll go through these in groups of three, and we’ll see nine Princes come down to three for the freestyle performance!” Christoph finishes. “So, please, be ready to give all of our performers a hand - and keep your eyes peeled for your favourite! Keep your biases at bay as best you can, alright? I’ll know if you start throwing votes my way, after all!” He adds, with a wink.

And, with that introduction done, Christoph begins to introduce the contestants for the first round.

Starting boldly, and very loudly, is a boy from Sinnoh, performing with his team in a rock-like ensemble. Clemont doesn’t catch his name at first, but he does catch the massive, powerful Empoleon he boldly parades around with, as he and his team do air guitar to show off their brightly colored outfits. He completely outshines the local’s simple and understated ensemble with his Absol and Kadabra, and the poor foreign boy with a Lycanroc and Mincinno looks like he could barely color match anything together and basically washed out.

It’s really not a surprise that the first boy, apparently named Barry, goes up ahead. Clemont was taken by his energy, throwing himself into the performance. Though, if he were to do it…

…If he were to do it, what? What would he do?

That thought persists to the next round, as the next set comes on.

A boy named Keo from Alola, fielding a Roserade and a Jangmo-o while doing some sort of circus themed performance, alongside a local trainer named Angelo with his Abra and Slowpoke attempting a sleek ‘cyberpunk’ look. They were then followed by a boy named Wade from Johto, who had a Beedrill and Butterfree that did a spinning ribbon look.

Keo went the extra mile, doing tricks with flowers and birds on short notice alongside his pokemon to put on a quick magician’s performance - easily stealing the win away from Wade and Angelo as he uses the theme literally. If not a bit aggressively.

“...We could do something better than that, Ninnu.” Clemont says to his new starter as he looks down at the Minun - who likewise looks mystified by the proceedings. “A good electrician’s outfit, some gears and some overalls, and we could set up a full circuit of electricity together…”

His Minun seems to agree. “Minu!”

But that thought is quickly pushed away as the third and final set comes on stage - which has Wally in it. And the knowledge that Wally was coming on next didn’t do a single damn thing to actually prepare him for the boy’s appearance.

Stepping onto the runway wearing a white and green suit, a red bowtie around his neck. The entire ensemble was styled to resemble the petals of a flower, and he had slicked his normally fluffy hair back slightly. It revealed Wally’s face, painted with a confident smile. Almost a smirk, really, as he walked across the runway with his Kirlia and a little Cyndaquil at his side, both with matching ties and flowers to match.

“Shirou, Tsuru, show your own style!” He says, voice firm and burning hot with energy as he throws his hand forward. “Mystical Fire, and Ember!”

Tsuru responds first, twirling and conjuring rose colored fire that spirals out from him, lingering and spreading out slowly. “Tsu!”

“Rashi!” His Cyndaquil, Shirou, responds soon after, as he spits out small black-red sparks straight up.

The two attacks mingle, Mystical Fire catching the Ember sparks in their movements, like leaves in the wind, and drawing the audience’s attention up and away…

Until the sound of metal being unsheathed fills the air, and Wally wrenches attention back to him as he sunders the flames with a flash of a dull rapier. The metal flashes with the light of the flames, and reflects Wally’s face.

It’s really no surprise that Wally progresses on to the next round alongside Barry and Keo, at that point.

“...I’m in so much trouble, Ash…” Is all Clemont can say as he puts his head in his hands. Without quite understanding why, Ash pats him on the back with comfort anyway. He’s a good friend like that.

---

I'm really happy with this chapter. I'm sort of getting into a better rhythm and pacing, I think? Or at least I hope. I'm EXTREMELY happy with Christoph's intro, especially.

I don't really have a lot to say, except, uhm, please enjoy?

Oh, also, Keo is my friend's OC from a pokemon roleplay. I wanted a character of the day for this, and he offered, so there he is. Don't worry much about it. I'll post his art if anyone wants to see it.

 

After moving on from the themed performance round, Barry, Keo, and Wally then needed to complete the freestyle appeal round.

“During the freestyle round, they need to do some kind of performance to impress the crowd with their pokemon,” Clemont explains during the intermission while scratching Ninnu behind the ears. “Then when they’re done, we’ll be asked to vote for the winner by lighting our sticks in their colors!”

“...And their colors are?” Ash asks, having completely forgotten already.

Clemont…admittedly has to double check. “Oh, um..I think Wally is pink, Barry is blue, and Keo is purple.”

Ash blinks, eyes narrowing a bit. “...But isn’t Wally’s hair green…?”

Clemont shrugs in response.

Before the two can continue talking, though, the lights dim, and music begins to play throughout the hall.

The stage is then lit up by spotlights, as Barry appears - dressed in white and blue, small yellow details on his costume as he holds up two pokeballs. “Alright! I’m done, done, DONE waiting for the show to start!” He yells, grinning, before tossing the two balls into the air!

“Teller, Staller, take it up a notch!”

Emerging from their balls in scattering blue and white lights, a massive Empoleon and a lithe Staravia settle upon the stage. Teller, the Empoleon, is broad and strong, with gleaming, glistening smooth feathers and plumage. Staller, meanwhile, is equally well groomed but makes agile loops through the air.

Barry raises one arm, pointing up into the air. “Teller, let’s show them the beauty of pure power! We aren’t gonna wait for anything less! Hydro Cannon!”

There are soft gasps in the crowd as Barry declares such a powerful move, before Teller takes a stance and unleashes the attack straight upwards. It creates a towering pillar of shimmering, spiraling water that pulses with white and blue and scatters rainbow spray against the stage lights. As it reaches the ceiling of the hall, the water falls, becoming a rain that hits the stage in thick sheets of fine droplets.

Excitedly, Barry starts to run and slide around in the water - intentionally slipping and skipping around in it, scattering as much water spray as he can. “That’s it! Now, now, now - let’s cut to the chase! Staller, let’s throw it around with Tailwind!”

The Staravia makes a call of response, before unleashing powerful winds that blow through and around the pillar of water, scattering rain and spraying it further in more colorful splashes.

It also seems to send Barry slipping, skating, and sliding around in the water, but that didn’t seem actually planned.

Now that Clemont thought about it…

“...Ne, Clem?” Ash speaks up from beside him. “Isn’t it getting…y’know. Hard to see?”

Clemont nods. “Yeah, it looks like his team is using full power…and now it’s just kind of a hazy hurricane on stage.” Which is cool to watch, but it’s not exactly pretty, and nor does it actually show off Barry’s unique style or attitude.

Except his love of pure power and speed, apparently.

“That’s pretty cool though!” Ash says with a smile. “If it’s about showing off your pokemon, that’s gotta be impressive for everyone!”

Clemont thinks for a moment, before shaking his head. “Not really. The point of a Showcase is that you want to use your pokemon to accentuate you and your good sides. Barry’s…basically just a plastic bag in a rainstorm up there.”

Which may have been putting it generously.

-

Coming on soon after Barry was Keo, a boy from Alola dressed up as a stage magician. But with his arms bare, because that was apparently the style?

Clemont certainly didn’t mind the sight.

Keo smiles at the crowd, before taking out his own pokemon. “Alright, everyone - it’s time for you to meet tonight’s lovely assistants!” He calls, before tossing them into the air to release the duo in beams of light. “Roseanne, Melody, it’s showtime!”

A small Roselia and a stocky, strong Noivern appear, the Roselia posing primly and the Noivern letting out a call that shakes the air of the auditorium.

“That’s my girl.” Keo says, patting the Noivern on her snout, receiving pleased purrs in response. “Now, for our trick of choice! Melody, take off! Roseanne, give us a nice backdrop for a good flight - Petal Dance!”

Roseanne coos, before beginning to spin round and round, leaving a trail of petals in her wake that scatter up high into the air, and drift slowly down. The front side of them are shiny, but the pack of each petal is matte, giving a shimmering effect.

The petals then scatter further, as Melody takes off and creates a whoomf-crack of displaced air. Her looping flight path keeps the petals created by her fellow ‘assistant’ aloft, as Keo takes out a bouquet of flowers.

Holding one out, a perfect rose, he tosses it into the air!

“Melody, Flamethrower!”

The Noivern keens, then dives - breaking her flight path with a smooth transition, shedding height for speed as she opens her mouth and produces rose colored flames. The flames nearly overtake her, as they catch the rose in their path just in time for her to dive through it.

The ashes and embers of the rose scatter in her wake, joining with the falling cherry petals from Roseanne’s work as Melody rises up into the air again, just in time for Keo to take another flower from the bouquet.

And another, and another, as Melody quickly burns through each of the flowers, leaving Keo with only the cloth wrapping that the bouquet came with.

“Now for the finale!”

Keo takes the last bit of cloth, and throws it over to Rosanne, who produces one more burst of Petal Dance that sends it high into the air.

He reaches out towards it, and gives one last command to his flying pokemon - “Catch it!”

Melody does not respond, but instead increases her speed as she moves into a spiralling dive, cutting through the air like a missile before diving for the cloth. She barely skims the bottom of the stage, before curling around to return to Keo - presenting the unharmed cloth to her trainer, who takes it carefully with a smile.

…Needless to say, there are quite a few cheers going up from the audience as the performer waves with a smile, before taking a bow.

“...Compared to Barry, it’s almost no contest…” Clemont mutters, going over the entire performance. “It wasn’t just a matter of power, it was a matter of control and movement. And while it was outlining his pokemon’s own talents…he was at the center of it, calling out commands perfectly. It’s…really impressive.”

He couldn’t blame the man for having a confident smile as he left the stage.

…To be frank, he’d smile like that too if he had those arms.

-

Finally, the time comes for Wally to take the stage.

Stepping in front of the crowd, Wally maintained much of his costume from the previous round, the rapier at his hip. And, summoned up from their pokeballs, his pokemon are much the same as well. Shirou the Cyndaquil and Tsuru the Kirlia take the stage, making their respective calls.

“Alright, Tsuru! Shirou! Let’s ride on!” Wally calls, unsheathing his rapier and holding it aloft. “Shirou, use Flame Wheel!”

The determined Cyndaquil nods, before rolling up into a ball, flames building up on his back before he takes off, spinning rapidly and leaving a small trail of embers as he moves quickly around Wally.

“Now, Tsuru!” He continues, “Use Confusion!”

The Kirlia spins, his entire body glowing, before picking up the spinning, rolling ball of flame that was Shirou and helping him get into the air.

“Energy Ball! Then, fling it towards me!”

With practiced ease, Tsuru wraps the flaming Cyndaquil in a shell of grass type energy, which catches flame and begins to produce a golden flame that leaves sparks of light in its tracks. Then, with a spin, he flings the ball at his trainer!

With confident ease, Wally swipes out with his rapier - knocking the pokemon-attack hybrid back towards Tsuru, who then flings it back towards Wally with a twirl and a pose.

Back and forth, rapidly picking up speed, light beginning to build around Shirou as the tension builds.

Wally never missing a ‘hit’, Tsuru easily catching it, even as it gets faster and faster. A tenuous balance, a rising momentum, until -

“Now!”

Wally ‘strikes’ upwards, as Tsuru focuses and sends Shirou high into the air!

“Let’s see a shining finish!” Wally calls up to his partner, “Use Sunny Day!”

At the apex of his launch upwards, the ball of light burning around Shirou explodes - and is then scattered in all directions across the stage as beams of sunlight scatter from him, right at the center of the sunlight.

It’s breathtaking, but…

Shirou then begins to fall, and Wally yelps as he runs forward and has to catch his partner, completely breaking character.

But no one really sees it, too focused on the light burning in the rafters, before it goes out.

Clemont doesn’t know how well Wally did, but he knows for sure that even if everyone else was cheering - he and Ash surely must have cheered the loudest.

---

So, chap's up late! I had to take a break in the middle of writing it for vacation - since all my friends basically held a gun at my head and told me no working or writing. Thus, this took a bit for me to get back into the swing of things.

Next time, we'll wrap up the contest, and get going on towards the next town!

...HOPEFULLY. God I hope.

Please enjoy!

 

“Now then!” Christoph calls, dropping onto stage again - after the contest staff had cleaned up after the performances at least. “Now that our three hopeful Princes have completed their performances, let’s get voting underway!”

He then gestures, and his Castform comes from off stage, carrying a keyring with three keys upon it.

“For those of you who are new to this brand new method of performance, Showcase winners are decided by the audience!” He opens his arms to the crowd. “Using those Glow Casters each of you have, you’ll change it to the color of the Prince you wish to win. Then the votes will be counted, and their Key will become the first Fairy Key!”

Christoph claps, and Barry, Wally, and Keo are all welcomed onto the stage. He then delivers their keys to them.

“For those who wish to see Barry win, your color will be a lovely Blue for our Prince of Blue Spades!” He says, as Barry holds the key aloft - its handle carved into a spade. “For Wally, your color is a glimmering Pink for the Prince of Pink Hearts! And Keo, a striking Violet for the Prince of Violet Eagles!”

Likewise, Wally and Keo lift up their own keys for the crowd.

“Now, get your votes in! Show us which of these Princes is your favourite! Three, two, one -!”

Ash, Clemont, and the entire crowd cast their votes - changing the color of their casters to match. From the duo’s casters came pink, for support of Wally, and many blues came out, too. But the light that outshone the entire spectrum…

“The key that’s lit up is Keo’s! The winner taking home the Fairy Key tonight is Keo Nalu, the Prince of Violet Eagles!” Christoph declares, to the cheers and appreciation of the crowd.

…

There was an interruption at that point, involving the Team Rocket duo from the night before breaking through the ceiling to steal the performer’s pokemon, or something of that nature.

But then it turned out Agatha of the Elite Four (and a whole lot of other things, because she’s a Kanto league official and that’s always messy) was in the crowd, and made exceedingly short work of them.

Clemont wasn’t sure they even got through their motto before Agatha’s Gengar sent them flying.

Still, he and Ash were going to meet up with Wally outside to congratulate him on a job well done before leaving the city. And even if he didn’t win, he still got into finals - which deserved praise all on its own.

(Some part of Clemont, something rolling and seething, something waking from slumber and yet full of ambition, says he could do better.)

“You did amazing, Wally!” Ash says first, running up to the green haired boy and pulling him into a tight hug. “I’m so sad we can’t travel together! Are you sure you can’t come with us?!”

Wally flushes, but rubs Ash’s back in the hug. “I…I appreciate it. But…Brendan and I promised we’d travel together. And…well, you and him are going…going to face each other in the league. I know it. So…”

Ah. The unspoken rule of traveling with your own rivals.

Don’t.

Clemont sighs, and pats Ash on the back before pulling him off of Wally. “Wally will be fine. And…we’ll definitely see him in the future. So, chin up.”

“Fine. But…” Ash pouts. “We haven’t even seen Brendan. What if he doesn’t show up?”

“Well -” Clemont starts, only to be interrupted.

“WALLY!”

By who is, presumably, Brendan.

The boy runs up and tackles Wally into a hug, lifting the frail trainer into the air. In comparison to Wally, Brendan is an athletic and somewhat muscular boy with darkly tanned skin, wearing a white hat that almost could be confused for hair and clothes good for exercise. In a few moments, he’s followed by a big salamander pokemon that’s panting heavily - presumably from trying to keep up with his trainer.

Dexter quickly, and discreetly, deploys. “Marshtomp, the Mud Fish Pokemon,” He whispers, too excited by a new pokemon to be quiet. “The evolved form of Mudkip. Its body is covered in a sticky film that lets it live on land, and its sturdy legs help keep its footing secure.”

Clemont ignores him because now really polite.

“I’m so, so sorry I missed your first Showcase!” Brendan cries, real tears pouring down his face. “My flight was late and then I got lost and I ended up at the League Gate instead, and I can’t figure out how I can make it up to you! I’ll run laps around the Sky Pillar if that’s what it takes to make you smile!”

“Ah,” Clemont, Ash, and their partners all think in unison, “He’s stupid.”

Wally laughs, shaking his head as he waits for Brendan to put him back down. “Don’t worry. I…I didn’t win anyway, so it was more like…an audition?” He says it almost like a question. “So…you haven’t missed my first real performance yet. That’ll be when I win, and you’re there, and we celebrate. That’s the first one that matters.”

“WALLYYY!” Brendan cries again, holding his friend. He then suddenly turns over to Clemont and Ash. “Thank you so much for taking care of Wally while I was gone! I worry about him a lot, and, just - we’re not supposed to be here, so I was so worried, but -!”

“Uh…you’re not supposed to be here?” Ash asks, concern in his voice. He worries more than Clemont really expected him to.

Wally sheepishly nods. “Yeah…Um, technically, we’re supposed to be in Johto. My parents wanted me to enjoy the country air, and have a relaxing, low key journey around Johto’s cleaner, more traditional cities, but…”

He looks up at both Clemont and Ash, eyes filled with that same fiery determination as before.

“But I want to take on the Showcase Circuit. I want to see Kanto, and…” Wally takes a deep breath. “I went to see Professor Elm, and…even though I got Shirou there…I decided I wanted more. So…”

“So Wally called his best friend, that’s me,” Brendan interjects, throwing his arm around Wally’s shoulders, “And I flew over as fast as I could to meet up with him here! And I’ll be doing my gym challenge through here, while keeping Wally safe and happy!”

Clemont looks over at Ash, who looks emotional at the story. While he doesn’t blame his friend…

It feels a little familiar.

Ash then smiles. “Well…I’ll be rooting for you guys. For us, we gotta start going on our own journey right now. Viridian Forest isn’t getting less creepy as the day goes on, after all!”

Wally nods, “We’ll be seeing you. Brendan probably wants to shop around and check things out, before we go elsewhere. So we might catch up or go around, but we’ll definitely see each other again!”

“And if we don’t…” Brendan grins at Ash, “We’ll just have to meet in the Pokemon League and show what we missed!”

Ash and Brendan give each other a fist bump.

Clemont, instead, walks over to Wally - planning on giving him a handshake.

But then Wally pulls the blond into a hug.

“Thanks for helping me last night, and today. You made this a lot easier than it could have been, Clemont,” Wally says, voice quiet. “I’ll try and keep in touch, okay?”

Clemont swallows and nods, throat too tight to respond well enough. It was a good thing they exchanged numbers earlier.

The two pairs then split, with Wally and Brendan heading back into town, and Ash and Clemont making their way to Viridian Forest, and on to Pewter City.

…And behind that duo…

A little Wooper continues to hobble on.

“Big friend!!!! You walk too fast!!!!!!!!”

---

So this chapter was originally a lot bigger...before I realized all of it was unnecessary filler, and didn't really do anything.

Thus I cut it down to this, just to get it out in time. I like it, though. Brendan is here as a big dummy, and while Wally didn't win, he's still one of my favourites.

...By the way, I heavily debated on having Wally join Ash and Clemont. However, I decided against it eventually, because his role as a future rival would make that...awkward.

Eventually I'll have a third party member join. Probably. Just have to figure out who...

Now, next time, VIRIDIAN FOREST! Finally!