| Pokemon Conclave
Part 37: Super Duper Wooper © 1999-2001 Willow McCall This was it. After training for six weeks, obtaining her last badge, and spending almost all day yesterday filling out forms and getting registered (as well as getting in some last minute training), Aoife was in the Pallet Town gym tournament. The competition took place in the new gym. It was a fairly nondescript building so far, as they hadn’t decided yet what element type the gym would govern. That was up to the gym leader. Aoife sat in the stands with Petra, Ferio, Sora, Ruari, and Misty, watching the matches, sizing up Aoife’s competition. “Aif, you’re shaking,” Petra observed. “You sure you’re all right? You’ve been looking kind of—“ “I’m fine,” Aoife said quickly. “Just nervous, is all. And of course, wouldn’t you be?” “I wouldn’t know,” Petra said, turning back to watch the match. “I didn’t have to compete to become the gym leader. All I had to do was beat the existing leader—my dad—in a match.” “Yeah,” Aoife gulped. “I have to fight all those people…there are 64 competitors, you know.” “Yep,” Ferio said. “32 winners will come out of that bout and fight each other, and then the remaining 16 will battle, then the eight winners of those battles, then the final four, then it all comes down to two contestants. The winner will be the first leader of the Pallet Town Gym.” “I know that,” Aoife said. “I’ve only heard that explanation a thousand times from the judges and stuff.” She scratched Chu-Chu—who had been sitting on her lap throughout the match—behind the ears. “We’re gonna win, aren’t we, Chu-Chu? We’re going to win all five matches.” “Six,” Sora corrected. “SIX matches? Why didn’t anyone tell me that? That’s one whole extra match I have to go through to become the gym leader! Arrgh, if I had only known…” Ferio rolled her eyes. *** The day before… “Um, excuse me, sir?” Aoife said to a man with spiky hair and a cape. “Where do I register for the gym tournament?” “That desk over there,” the man said, pointing to a receptionist’s desk in the lobby of the gym. “Thanks,” Aoife said. She turned to go, but stopped and turned back to the man. “Wait, sir, I—sir?” But he was gone. As Aoife and her friends made their way to the desk, Aoife said, “I swear I’ve seen that guy before.” “That guy you were just talking to?” Ruari said. “Of COURSE you’ve seen him before! Unless you’re _completely_ sheltered, that is.” “Why, who is he?” Aoife asked, confused. “That was only Koga, of the Elite 4!” Ferio said. “You know, no one important or any—“ “The Elite freakin’ Four?” Aoife repeated. “You mean I just asked a member of the Elite Four for DIRECTIONS? And I didn’t even realize it? Man, how stupid can you get?” “Very, apparently,” Ferio said. Sora elbowed her cousin. “Hmm. I guess he’s a judge.” “You’re kidding,” Aoife said. “They have important people like Koga judging gym competitions?” “Guess so,” Petra said. “Not for really small cities, of course—the lower-ranking League officials handle those. But Pallet Town is a relatively important city, and you know it’s only going to get bigger once the gym is built.” “Wow,” Aoife said, starting to shake with nervousness. “And a member of the Elite 4 is going to be watching my match! Wait till Dad hears about this!” “Hey, Petra!” a voice called. Petra turned around to see her father waving at her through the crowd. “Speaking of dads…” Petra said, waving back. “No WAY!” Ruari said, standing on tiptoes so she could see. “Your dad’s here? Oh, please introduce me to him, Petra, pleeeease?” “Of course,” Petra said, making her way through the crowds with Ruari clutching her hand. “He’ll want to meet the girl I always write to him about.” “You write about me in your letters to your parents?” Ruari said, looking as if she was about to explode. “I’m so flattered!” “Yeah, yeah,” Petra said, feeling uncomfortably like the celebrities’ daughter as she approached her parents. Brock and Susie delightedly greeted their daughter. “Long time no see, huh?” Brock said. He noticed Ruari standing by. “Petra, do you know this lovely young lady?” “Dad, Mom, this is my girlfriend Ruari,” Petra said. Ruari shook their hands with her own trembling hand, grinning like an idiot. “Hi, er, n-nice to meet you.” “And this is Aoife—you’ve already met her—and Sora, and Ferio,” Petra said, introducing the rest of the group. As Petra and Ruari chatted with Petra’s parents, Sora poked Aoife’s arm. “Aoife, shouldn’t we go register you now?” “Oh, right,” Aoife said. The three made their way back to the receptionist’s desk through the crowd of judges, potential competitors, and family and friends of the competitors. At the desk sat a very pretty young receptionist, who smiled at Aoife and said, “Yes, may I help you?” “Good thing Petra isn’t here,” was the general consensus of everyone’s thoughts. “Yes,” Aoife said. “I’d like to register for the gym tournament.” Sora and Ferio watched Aoife go through the registration process, filling out the forms and signing herself up for the competition all by herself. “She looks like a little adult, filling out all those papers by herself,” Sora marveled. “She has gotten a lot more mature since she started,” Ferio admitted. “Thank you, ma’am,” Aoife said, handing her papers back to the receptionist. After the receptionist ran through the rules and Things Competitors Should Know, they entered the crowd again and found Petra and Ruari. Ruari’s face resembled the hue of a cherry at this point…a cherry with a huge grin. “I can’t believe I’ve just met the man I’ve had a crush on ever since I first saw him on TV!” Ruari squealed. Petra looked slightly less enthusiastic. “He’s one of the judges,” Petra said. “It’s a panel of seven judges, comprised of gym leaders, League officials, and other successful trainers.” “I know, the receptionist told me,” Aoife said. “It’s your dad, Koga, my aunt Violet from Cerulean City Gym, Duplica—that’s Aidan’s mom—and two other people I hadn’t heard of.” “And Brock,” Ruari felt compelled to remind her. “I said that already.” “I know, but he deserves to be mentioned twice.” Aoife facefaulted. “Man, Ruari, what is your obsession with…geez.” Petra was starting to get annoyed. “Let’s go,” she said, dropping Ruari’s hand and pushing through the crowds. “Maybe Aoife needs to train a little more before the competition tomorrow.” But they didn’t leave right away, for Aoife ran into—literally—another obstacle in the gym’s lobby: Fawn Oak and her henchmen. “Aoife?” Fawn said, looking positively gobsmacked to see Aoife in the Pallet Gym. “What are you doing here? Is one of your little friends competing?” “We’re already gym leaders,” Ruari said, fixing Fawn with a steely gaze (she still hadn’t forgiven her for her bigoted remark, and it was unlikely that she ever would). “Why would we need to enter this competition?” Fawn looked disdainfully at Ruari but Ruari could tell that she was slightly intimidated. “True enough. So what are you doing here, Aoife? If you came to watch the competition, you’re early—it doesn’t start till tomorrow.” “Nope,” Aoife said, giving Fawn a self-satisfied smile. “I just got registered. I’m competing.” For a minute Fawn tried to repress it, but the laugh came out anyway. Half the occupants of the lobby turned to look at her, the redheaded girl laughing hysterically, almost rolling on the floor. It took her a moment to regain her composure, but she managed somehow. “You?” Fawn said, once the laughter was gone. “In the Pallet Gym Tournament? Riiiiight. Tell me another.” “I’m telling the truth!” Aoife said. “See?” She held up the number that all the contestants were given, so that the judges could identify them. “And since we last saw each other at that tacky congratulatory party, I got my last badge too.” She proudly showcased her Earth Badge, pinned to the inside of her shirt along with her other ten badges. “I have so many badges I’m going to have to get a new shirt to put them on. Hey, Fawn, where’s your number? I don’t see it…” “I actually haven’t gotten mine yet,” Fawn said, indignant spots of color showing in her cheeks. “I was just going to do that now, actually.” She marched up to the desk, her henchmen pushing roughly against Aoife as they left. “See you in the loser’s circle, Aoife.” “She REALLY makes me mad, you know that?” Aoife said, stomping out of the lobby. “You psyched her out, though,” Sora said. “I could tell she felt obviously inferior when you showed her your number and your badges.” “You think so?” Aoife said. “Oh, definitely,” Ruari agreed. But other things were on her mind. She looked over at Petra, who hadn’t acknowledged her existence since she had let go of her hand. “What’s up with her?” (Who's that Pokemon? It's Wooper!) “Round 1,” the loudspeaker announced. Aoife stood on the platform across from her first challenge, a man in his 20s named Sander. The announcer’s voice resonated around her, and she looked to where her mother and friends were sitting in the stands for comfort. “Aoife Ketchum vs. Sander Johnson,” the announcer continued. “Each contestant will use up to 6 Pokemon. Recalling of Pokemon is allowed, as is the use of potions and other items, rare candy excepted.” As the League tradition dictated, Aoife and Sander stepped off of their respective podiums and walked into the middle of the arena to shake hands. “Good luck, kid,” Sander said, smiling at Aoife. Aoife wished him the same but still resented him for calling her “kid”. “Mental note,” she thought as she walked back to her own platform. “Never trust anyone who sounds like they have two last names…_especially_ not if they call me kid. I thought the Pokemon League was about mutual respect?” “Ready?” the referee on the sidelines said. “Begin!” “Wartortle, I choose you!” Sander said, throwing out his first Pokeball. “Simple,” Aoife thought. “Chu-Chu, go!” “Pika!” Chu-Chu said, trying to exude confidence as it hopped out into the arena. Aoife heard some “Aww, how cute,” sentiments from the audience. “Wartortle,” Sander said, “Tackle attack!” “Tortle!” Wartortle said. It jumped into the air and ducked into its shell in midair, preparing to tackle Chu-Chu. “Pi!” Chu-Chu cried, as the shell flew towards her. She ducked, and Wartortle flew over her head, crashing into Aoife’s platform. Aoife jumped back in surprise as the projectile turtle hit the platform. “Ouch, that’d hurt.” But still she showed no sympathy in her fighting style as Chu-Chu turned towards the platform to face Wartortle. “Chu-Chu, thunderbolt!” “Piiii!” Chu-Chu cried, shocking the Wartortle—and, by a stroke of poor planning, also shocking Aoife on the platform. “Yaaaaaah!” Aoife yelled. “N-not me!” “Chaa,” Chu-Chu said. “Are you all right, young lady?” asked a Nurse Faith, who the League kept on standby in case of any emergency. “Yeah…yeah, I’m fine,” Aoife said, standing up and leaning on the railing. “At least she didn’t call me kid.” “Return, Wartortle,” Sander said, switching Pokeballs. “Go, Dewgong!” The Pokemon Sander threw out was, by Aoife’s observation, a paradox. It was a seal, but it was very elegant looking, although any elegance it had was negated when it opened its mouth. “Duuuuu-gongongon!” it said, in a strange, falsetto, accented voice. “Weird,” Aoife murmured. “Return, Chu-Chu!” Chu-Chu hopped back onto the platform and patted Aoife’s foot apologetically. “Pika, pikacha.” “That’s okay, Chu-Chu,” Aoife replied. “I know you didn’t mean to shock me. But that’s not why I’m recalling you.” She held up another Pokeball and threw it into the arena. “Go, Pele!” Aoife’s Magby (which she had gotten back from Bill just in time) came out of its Pokeball. “Pele, Fire Blast!” “Maaaagby!” Pele cried, sending out a blast of fire that burned Dewgong badly. “Dewgong, return!” Sander said. His next two Pokemon (a Seel and a Piloswine) were eliminated in much the same way, by Aoife’s firebrand Pokemon, and then his Staryu was zapped out of commission by Chu-Chu. “He’s on his last Pokemon, and he hasn’t even made a scratch on mine!” Aoife thought, already getting overconfident. “I’m a shoo-in!” “Go, Wooper!” Sander said, throwing his last usable Pokeball into the arena. Sander’s last Pokemon was also met with a lot of “aww, how cute!” from the audience. It was a small blue creature with no arms, a flipper like tail, and two grayish antlers on its head. “Wooper!” it squeaked. “Oh, cute!” Ruari cried, watching from the sidelines. “I’ve always wanted a Wooper…” Aoife returned Pele, then sent out Chu-Chu to take care of this water-type. “I’m gonna regret this, ‘cause Wooper is awfully cute, but…Chu-Chu, Thundershock!” One shock from Chu-Chu and Wooper was taken care of quickly, its eyes turning into little X’s. “Even when it’s fainted, it’s still cute,” Ruari said. “Aoife is the winner!” the announcer yelled. Again Aoife and Sander shook hands. “Good job, young lady,” Sander said. “You really show a lot of promise, you know that?” “Thank you,” Aoife said. “He didn’t call me kid…” *** Aoife’s second round match was against a woman named Livia, who used mostly fire, water, and plant types. She had Wartortle, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Bayleef, Typhlosion, and Totodile. For Aoife it was all a matter of getting a type advantage, the rest was fairly easy. Her third round competitor, Suzana, had the toughest Pokemon. She had a Muk, Arcanine, Gastly, Kadabra, Crobat, and Scyther. Aoife had put her Abra up against Suzana’s Arcanine, and good job she did—Abra evolved. “Abra! Use your—huh?” Abra had started glowing, and it stood up and opened its eyes, which looked eerie and menacing. “Is it doing an attack?” Aoife said. “But I didn’t tell it to attack yet…” But Abra began to change shape, growing whiskers and forming a spoon in one hand. “Ka-DAB-ra!” it bellowed, upon finishing its transformation. “All RIGHT!” Aoife whooped. “I have a Kadabra! Go me! Use Psybeam, Kadabra!” Aoife’s new Kadabra took out Arcanine, Scyther, and Suzana’s Kadabra, but not Crobat or Gastly—Aoife recognized the type disadvantage Kadabra had and wisely recalled it. Thus Aoife advanced into the final eight, then the final four, where she faced a trainer from Johto named Brian. He was a tough, burly man who had come all the way from Cianwood City to compete in this tournament. Aoife found out from him later that he had always wanted to live in Kanto, and becoming a gym leader there would be a good way to make a living. But Aoife beat his mostly fighting-type team with Kadabra and Shellder. Now she was one of the last two competitors; it was all down to her and one other person. She went to heal her Pokemon, as she had done in between every match whether she had needed to or not, then returned to the gym. “Good luck!” Misty had said. “We’re all rooting for you, honey. Do your best!” “I will,” Aoife had promised. Now she waited behind the platform, ready to ascend its steps when they announced her name. “The final two contestants in the Pallet Gym Tournament,” the announcer said dramatically. “We have, from our very own Pallet Town, the twelve-year-old Aoife Ketchum!” Wild applause greeted Aoife as she stepped onto the platform with Chu-Chu, including that of her friends and her mother. “I only wish Aidan could be here to see this,” Aoife thought wistfully. “He’d be so proud…” “The other finalist is another hometown favorite,” said the announcer, as Aoife watched an Espeon spring onto the platform across from her, followed by a familiar shape. “Great-granddaughter of the world-famous researcher Samuel Oak, this is the twelve-year-old—“ “FAWN OAK?” Aoife cried, in unison with the announcer as her archenemy Fawn stepped onto the platform, smirking at Aoife. The two rivals walked into the middle of the arena to shake hands. As they clasped hands, Fawn said, “Well, looks like we finally get to battle each other. Let’s see who’s better, hmm?” But she was cut off mid-sentence when the ceiling fell in. Author's notes Cliffhanger! Aaaaaahh! So Fawn has an Espeon...hey, that rhymes! Espeon are cool. And you can tell also that I have a slight bias toward Wooper. ^-^ Ruari does too...pay attention to her and Petra in this episode, that's important. Hehe, she REALLY has a crush on Petra's dad...Too bad Aidan wasn't here, eh? Yeah, I still miss the "pale little ghost boy". But I'm not going to talk about this episode anymore, I'll let you all go read the last part now. back |