Show-Off: Chapter 35 posted 22/11
Hey everyone. I've been rabbiting on about it for quite some time, and here is the first chapter of my new fic, Show-Off. It's a lighthearted contest fic, about a guy called Milo whose about 20 years of age. It's set in Johto - my favourite reigon - and I hope you enjoy reading it. Currently I am embroiled in exams so I won't be posting a new chapter for a few weeks, but please let me know what you think of the first chapter.
Show-Off
-I-
Departing Pua Samoa
It was beginning to turn into a beautiful day. In the middle of the Whirl Ocean, separating Cianwood City from the rest of the Johto reigon, the sea sparkled like an array of the most beautiful jewels. Birds rode the salty air currents and whooshed through the skies as soft, mallowy clouds stretched from each other and formed again. Cianwood, situated on an island of the same name, was a quiet yet active city, with a large community feel as opposed to cities like Ecruteak and Goldenrod. The Gym Leader, Chuck, was a formidable opponent, specialising in fighting Pokemon. However, while people flocked to the island for an official Johto Gym Badge, many were appalled to learn the dojo was empty.
Instead, located high in the mountain range overlooking the flat city, Chuck was sitting among some of his fighting Pokemon. A letter was clutched firmly in his hand, wrinkled from being folded and opened time and time again. Chuck looked to see his Poliwrath waiting for an instruction.
“Keep up what you’re doing,” groaned the tired looking man. His once neat beard wilder and unruly, Chuck seemed to be taking less and less care of his appearance. The colour and personality from his normally warm face seemed to have been wiped off. Poliwrath went back to smashing boulders.
A figure appeared at the summit of the mountain range.
“Get off your arse, Chuck.”
Chuck whipped around.
“Milo!” he exclaimed. The young man smiled with warmth and enthusiasm as he stared at the Gym Leader. Milo was wearing combat trousers and a casual shirt; his black hair was styled intricately and he looked alert and ready.
“How did you get up here without a mark?” Chuck asked keenly, noticing the steep incline and Milo’s well-kept appearance.
“My friend helped me out,” Milo noted, as a Medicham, legs crossed in meditation, rose up the summit with her arms by her side. The area she inhabited rippled around her - a result of using her psychic powers. The Medicham slowly lowered herself until she was standing next to her trainer.
“Lazy boy,” Chuck scoffed. “You have a fighting Pokemon and you are turning her into a simplistic mind-reader . Where are her kicks, or her punches?”
“Medicham is good with brains and brawls,” Milo reminded the man. “Like me.”
At the latter comment, Chuck chuckled.
“Still cocky…” he murmured. “When will I ever get that out of you?”
“We Mitchelson’s are a cocky bunch,” Milo said. “It’s in our blood.”
“You got that right,” grumbled Chuck, taking his seat on a flat rock. Milo looked at him and frowned.
“So come on,” he said. “I’ve been looking all over for you in Cianwood and nobody knows where you are. Tell me what you’re doing up on this bloody rock.”
“Hmph,” Chuck grumbled. “Training.”
“Sophie says she hasn’t seen you come home for three days,” Milo said. “How important is this training, if you’re not even running the Gym?”
“Hmph,” Chuck said again, a snarl on his ravaged face as he thrust a letter into Milo’s hands. Milo scanned the piece of paper as Chuck reminded himself of the words he had read so many times.
“They’ve taken your position away?” Milo asked as he read. “No!”
“Part of aLeague Reclassification,” muttered the fighter, distraught at the formality of the cold words.
“What’s happening?” Milo said, having put the paper down.
“You’ve finished reading?” asked Chuck.
“Fast reader,” Milo murmured.
“I didn’t get given the details, but I spoke to Clair and she has told me that the element-themed Gyms are being overhauled in favour of strategy-based ones,” explained Chuck. “They are establishing ten Gyms across Johto, but trainers only need to conquer eight to enter the league.”
“Right,” Milo said.
“Clear is in charge of Attack,” Chuck started. “And areas of speciality will include other stats like speed or evasion. The idea is by getting eight you are adequately equipped to enter a league. People can tailor a team to take on fighting Pokemon these days. Then they tailor a team to take on steel types in Olivine. Then the same for Ecruteak and so on, and before you know it, they know sod all. But asking them to experience different aspects of battle is more important.”
“So you said there are more Gyms,” Milo recalled. “Where else are they being put?”
“I’ve no idea,” replied Chuck. “But Azalea’s Gym has been flagging for some time. If you ask me, they’ll take that and put it somewhere else.”
Milo, having competed in the Johto league last year, recalled his travels to Azalea Town in the south. It was a small, welcoming town, very pleasant and hospitable. But the Gym was small and the leader rather weak.
“Is everyone losing their jobs?” Milo enquired.
“I don’t know,” Chuck replied. “I doubt they’ll replace everybody, especially since some people have connections. But word is that Eusine is taking my position.”
“What!?” Milo asked bleakly. “That scientist guy? What’s his speciality?”
“I don’t know,” came the reply again. Milo wondered if Chuck might know more if he didn’t spend his time sitting on a rock.
“I can’t believe they took your position,” Milo said quietly. “What are you going to do?”
Chuck said nothing.
“When I was looking for you...I spoke to Sophie,”Milo said.
The man let out a big sigh. “I just can’t face anyone, not even Soph. That Gym was my pride and joy. I loved it.”
“Look,” Milo said absently. “I’ll speak to my Dad about this…see if he can get you your job back. Until then, take as much time as you need to get over this. It’s a shock. Just let the people that care about you help you heal.”
“Yea,” Chuck said.
“If you’re still here tomorrow, I’ll be pissed off,” Milo said, smirking. “And don’t think I won’t check.”
He gripped a Pokeball and walked along the ridge. Milo stared across the vast ocean, able to see Olivine Port in the distance. Far from Olivine and Cianwood, however, was a lush, verdant island that Milo called home. He hurled the Pokeball forward as a fantastic beast emerged from the light.
“Medicham,” Milo called to his Pokemon, as a Flygon emerged from the Pokeball. “Teleport home - see if we can beat you”
Medicham gave a doleful nod as Milo clambered onto his large draconian Pokemon. Chuck stayed silent as Milo pointed into the air; Flygon gave a powerful flap of his wings and boosted up into the sky; Medicham caused the air to ripple as she teleported away, and Chuck was bowled off his rock by the intense surge of wind blasting from Flygon’s ascent. Sand whipped up and lay across the range as the boy disappeared over the horizon.
*
Life was blissful on the island of Pua Samoa, just off from Cianwood. It was home to the Mitchelson family, and their wealthy estate. There were acres and acres of lush tropical greens, beautiful sandy beaches, and a team of workers who looked after and maintained the natural beauty of this place. The huge, white house, regal-looking and divine, was well known around the Johto Region, and the family was commonly seen at large parties across the continent with Johto’s upper-class social circle.
Milo landed in the large garden, staggering off slightly as Flygon touched down. While he found flying uncomfortable, the coolness factor paid off. As he looked around, he could see Medicham lazily waving her hand in recognition as she lounged in the sun.
“Dammit ,” Milo grumbled. “Looks like we lost, Flygon.”
Flygon sighed; his trainer knew nothing of space and physics. The Pokemon flapped up again and took off around the island; there was a sandy alcove two miles away where Flygon liked to relax; the heat was less intense and the cool winds were luxurious. Milo unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it to the ground as he wandered into the house. Medicham casually flicked her finger, banishing the shirt to the wash room upstairs .
“I’m home!” yelled Milo.
“Afternoon, Mr Mitchelson,” said Andrew, one of the men who worked for them. “How are you today?”
“Yea, not bad,” Milo murmured. The marble entrance to the house looked stunning; pillars of the same, creamy marble supported the high ceiling, where two staircases wound up to the upper floors together. There were large portraits, some of Pokemon, adorning the walls. A lady was tending to a large floral display, acknowledging Milo as she went.
“Andrew, have you seen Mum?” Milo asked.
“Mrs Mitchelson is currently at the pool, as is Miss Mitchelson,” Andrew noted. Milo nodded and walked through the large archway going through into the kitchen. The mood was different here; dark mahogany and granite worktops crafted a sensual theme as Milo bypassed the large dining room table and headed left to the outside pool.
The cracked paving wound towards the pool, where Milo’s Mum, Meredith, sat in a bikini and soaked up the rays of the sun. The pool looked tempting in the heat, with cerulean water shimmering like the ocean itself. There was a large table and chair set carved from stone here, and a barbeque pit for when the family were entertaining. Meredith had not noticed her son, for she was on the phone.
“Hey,” Milo muttered. “Mum.”
“Hm? Oh! Milo. Hello,” Meredith said lazily, taking her shades off and batting her eyelids. “Gosh, it really is bright with these off! Are you ok?”
“Fine,” Milo said. His mother had the same jet black hair, but hers, it seemed, had been styled this morning. Frizzy and curled, she resembled a darker Marilyn Monroe as she sat playfully on a lounger, sipping an elaborate cocktail from a glass. She spoke again.
“Mia, honey, how are you getting along?”
Milo turned and saw his sister, older by only a year, leave the house and come over to her mother. She had with her a little Vulpix, who looked startled by the large body of water. Vulpix carefully walked around her trainer, thus creating a gap between her and the pool.
“Not bad,” Mia said, running a hand through her long, caramel hair. She had the same facial structure as her mother, and the same slim physique; Mia, however, had bold brown eyes, unlike the blue of her mother. “Did you get on the panel for Goldenrod?”
“No I did not,” Meredith said curtly. “They want last year’s Grand Coordinator to be on the panel. Apparently less and less people remember who I am.”
Milo resisted the urge to laugh at his mother’s statement; as winner of the Grand Festival twelve years ago, Meredith had done a few low-profile jobs in the coordinating circuit, and talked about little else. The notion that someone didn’t know who she was amused Milo. Meredith was currently having a biography written for her by her P.A, Carlo.
“Oh, Mia honey, The Fire Stone was delivered,” Meredith noted to her daughter, pointing to a package on the table.
“Thanks,” Mia said, walking over. Milo watched as his mother’s Luvdisc leapt from the swimming pool, spinning as she spouted an intricate jet of water all around. Mia watched, disinterested, as she opened the package and took out the amber coloured stone. For Meredith, nothing was too good for her daughter, and she had ordered a heart-shaped stone to be delivered. Beaming, Mia held the stone and bent down to her Vulpix, holding it close. Vulpix’s beautiful eyes looked briefly at the fiery core of the stone, before the energy was drained from within and Vulpix began to glow softly.
Remembering not to use the pool until Luvdisc got out, Milo was not particularly interested in watching his sister’s Pokemon evolve; as the shape began to grow and long, elegant tails sprouted from the end, the energy from within the stone was fading. Milo had used a stone before to evolve his Exeggcute into an Exeggutor and was not impressed by the feat anymore. When the light died down, Meredith lifted her sunglasses and looked at the taller, more athletic fox - Ninetales.
“Congratulations honey,” Meredith said to her daughter. “Your Ninetales is beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Mia said, grinning as she stroked her Pokemon. “Do you like her, Milo?”
“I’ve seen better Ninetales,” Milo said indifferently.
“Oh shut up,” Mia snapped. “Just because you’ve competed in a league you think you’re so better than me.”
“I am better than you, sis,” Milo retorted. “I came 2nd in the Johto League. What have you done recently?”
“Erm I’ve just won a contest in Olivine City thanks,” Mia scoffed.
“Contests? Oh please,” Milo said.
“Mia honey, when would you like Andrew to take you to Goldenrod City?” Meredith asked, amid the heated argument.
“You’re going to Goldenrod?” Milo asked.
“Yes I am,” Mia said. “Mom and I are flying there from Olivine. We’re going to see the sights, I’m going to take part in the contest, we might catch a broadway show…”
“Oh,” Milo said. “How long will you be gone?”
“A week,” Meredith said. “Your father has ordered a security team to look after the place while we are away.”
“What about me? I’m going to be here,” Milo reminded her.
“Milo, the estate is gigantic. You cannot look after the entire place on your own, especially since you’ve been going out so often.”
“I suppose,” Milo muttered. “Listen, I meant to ask. When is Dad back from Saffron City?”
“He is there on business; I suspect another week or so, around the time we get back,” Meredith said. “Why?”
“I spoke to Chuck today,” Milo answered.
“Who?” Mia asked, recalling her Ninetales and tossing the lifeless fire stone away.
“The Gym Leader of Cianwood City,” Milo replied. “Well, ex-Gym Leader. There’s being some overhaul done.”
“Oh yes, your father mentioned that,” Meredith said lazily, before turning to her daughter. “Now Mia honey, I’ve just got a message from Julia, my friend from Goldenrod. Did I tell you about my friend from Goldenrod?”
“Wait, what did Dad say?” Milo asked.
“No, I don’t know who Julia is,” Mia replied.
“Well she says she is hosting a ball at the Goldenrod Casino on the 17th…if you want, we can get tickets for it. I could take you shopping for a new dress?”
“Sounds good to me!” Mia grinned, beaming with excitement.
“Hang on, Mum, listen to me,” Milo interrupted. “I need help with Chuck. What does Dad know about it?”
“I like the sort of patterned ones they have in Goldenrod,” Mia noted. “Remember when we went at Christmas? But also the block colours are still in…”
“I have a gorgeous one from a boutique in Blackthorn,” Meredith said. “The fashion in Blackthorn is a cut above some of the other stuff here. Milo, are you ok?”
“Yes,” I want to know what’s going on with this Gym Leader overhaul thing,” he said angrily. “Chuck mentored me for years - he’s a good friend! And if Dad can help me out…”
“Milo nobody cares about some scabby guy in some crappy Gym! Me and Mom are talking dresses, so if you’re not coming with us, buzz off,” said Mia. Milo took a look at his sister and narrowed his eyes, walking away from the pool and back through the house, furious at the lack of attention.
*
“Hello. Vivienne Northwood speaking.”
“Hi, erm, it’s Milo Mitchelson. Is my dad there?”
“Who is your dad?” came the curt response.
“Er well…Michael Mitchelson. He owns the company. The guy who pays you.”
“One second.”
Milo sat in the living room as Medicham did some basic routine yoga, despite Milo’s suspicion she was using telekinesis to cheat somewhat. Hanging on the phone, Milo knew no other way to contact his father, who was constantly on business somewhere else. His company did a handful of things Milo was never really sure of, but what he did know was that it provided the family with the lifestyle they enjoyed. Michael Mitchelson was in Saffron currently trying to take over Silph Co, making it a division of his own company Mitchelson Enterprises.
“Hello Milo? Vivienne again. Sorry we can’t reach your father right now.”
“Oh,” Milo muttered.
“He’s in a very busy meeting, I suggest you try again later,” she explained.
“When does his meeting finish?” Milo asked.
“I have no idea,” Vivienne replied.
“Good god Vivienne, what the hell are you getting paid for?” Milo asked wildly, questioning the girl’s usefulness.
“I answer the phones. Goodbye.”
With ringing proving to be no good, Milo slumped back in the sofa, feeling dejected by his mother and sister and abandoned by his father. It had always been this way; Milo took after his dad, while Mia took after her mom. But with Dad being away, Milo was stuck with the two coordinators, who were obsessed with this trip to Goldenrod.
Milo could see Mia outside with her Ninetales, practicing fire attacks and ghostly apparitions. Mia generally got taken all around for the contests; she didn’t travel herself. As a result, she seemed to have a lot of free time. Feeling ignored after trying to help Chuck, Milo wondered what he could do. Since he came home from the Johto League he had done little else but and spar with his old mentor, or host parties at the estate.
“Hey, Mia,” Milo called, as he walked out into the garden. Mia turned around. “You seen my Rhydon anywhere?”
“Look at you. Your Pokemon don’t even like to hang around you!” she laughed.
“They chill out when they’re not pummeling opponents,” Milo replied back. “Like you. Remember when Flygon annihilated your Swellow?”
Mia sniffed. “Vaguely. Battling for contests is so different though. You wouldn’t understand.”
“You still need to beat your opponent, like I have done to you before,” rasped the boy. Mia narrowed her eyes and turned away, although she continued to speak to her brother as flames shot from her Pokemon’s mouth.
“What I love, little brother, is our relationship,” said Mia. “You always put yourself on this pedestal far above me - ‘oh, I competed in the Johto league’, ‘I won badges’, and yet when you look at it, really, nobody actually cares, do they? Dad’s too busy to listen, Mum is busy putting her efforts into my career and I am far too bitter towards you to even think of helping you out. So next time you want to try and get one over me and brag about your conquests, just remember that nobody actually cares, Milo.”
Shocked at his sisters outburst, Milo swallowed. His sister, despite being narrow-minded and vain, had a very valid point. Nobody in his family turned up for his qualifier matches; his mum was presenting at the Grand Festival and thus Mia tagged along, leaving Milo battling to a crowd of strangers. While he had grown up independently, there was an aching feeling of loss. A need for approval burning inside Milo as he struggled to overcome this startling revelation.
“Medicham,” barked Milo. In a flash, Medicham teleported to her trainer’s side. Mia saw this and her Ninetales stalked forwards softly, her caramel eyes staring at the foe.
“Oh we’re playing it this way, are we?” Mia asked, a hand on her hip. Milo nodded. “Ninetales, go for a flamethrower.”
Ninetales nodded and opened her jaws, blasting a streak of roaring flames through the air. They whooshed straight towards Medicham, who merely flicked her finger up into the air. The mass of scarlet and gold flames bolted up and soared into the sky where they burst into showering embers. Mia looked dumbfounded as Medicham looked around, bored.
“Ninetales, quick attack, go!” Mia yelled. As the creature leapt across the garden, a streak of light burst behind her. “Now go into fire spin and leap!”
In a flash, Ninetales leapt high into the air and twisted her neck, releasing a snaking rope of fire around her into a temporary ring. Bolting through the ring, she landed on the ground and continued her attack at Medicham. Milo looked at the stylistic, aesthetic quality of Mia’s battles - pointless.
Medicham leapt up into the air and avoided Ninetales, landing in the centre of the temporary arena. Ninetales turned and unleashed a series of shimmering, golden stars; they tore through the air and span wildly, but Medicham held a hand out and the stars began to slow down. They travelled with less speed, spinning slower and slower, until they were frozen in mid-air, hanging like decorations between the elegant fox and the astute psychic Pokemon.
“Punch.”
Milo’s command was empty and lifeless, because the technique was used so often. Medicham used her PSI to move the stars, encasing them around her fist like a glove. She leapt forward and punched Ninetales in the face, causing the stars to shatter and the foe to stagger back across the arena.
“Iron tail!” Mia cried. Ninetales’s beautiful, wispy tails shimmered silver, before she whipped around and struck Medicham hard. She was hurtled back, but stopped in mid-air, floating and recuperating from the attack. She held a hand out and gripped Ninetales, throwing her across the arena and into the ground.
“Now use a shadow ball, Medicham,” Milo said. Feet firmly on the ground again, Medicham held her hands apart and focused a she charged up an orb of collected, ghostly energy. Wisps of shadowy darkness coiled inside the orb’s membrane like smoke as it increased in size.
“Ninetales destroy that attack with swift!” Mia yelled, noticing that Medicham was unable to focus her telekinesis while making the shadow ball. Ninetales nodded and blasted the stars like gunfire. Milo saw this and had to act fast.
“Chuck the shadow ball into the air!” he ordered. Medicham held her hands up and blasted it into the sky as the stars tore into her torso. She staggered back, wincing in pain as the sharp edges cut like glass, all the while the shadow ball spinning up higher and higher. “Now, get it back! Ice punch!”
Medicham used her psychic prowess to boost herself up into the air - rather like a powered jump. Soaring up after the shadow ball she created delicate crystals of ice around her palm, gently moving towards the shadow ball and decreasing the temperature around her. Due to the lack of aggression in the punch, the shadow ball was not destroyed. Instead, the coldness surrounding it caused the weak membrane to glaze over with a shimmering frost; sparkles from within made the attack look like a grim Christmas decoration.
“Use Jump Kick to send the attack into Ninetales!” Milo yelled. In a split second Medicham swung her foot into the partially-frozen shadow ball; it swept down towards Ninetales, smashing into her body and causing a rupturing mass of swirling shadow and frosted diamond. Mia watched in shock as the shadow ball burst into life, swathes of dark energy curling high into the sky among chunks of ice. After Medicham landed, Ninetales got to her feet, but did not hear an order from Mia.
“How did you do that?” Mia asked.
“Do what?” Milo said.
“That attack…you froze the shadow ball, and it released when it…that was amazing,” she murmured, more to herself than her brother. She took another glance at Milo and frowned.
“It did look pretty impressive,” Milo said, smirking. Medicham cleared her throat, reminding Milo it was her that performed the combo. Mia stormed through the garden, Ninetales hurriedly following. “Hey, Mia! Where are you going?”
“Shut up!”
“Wait a minute,” Milo said to himself. Mia was amazed at the science and beauty of the attack…did she see it as an appeal, similar to a contest? Was she shocked at the precision and execution of the attack, perhaps?
Milo and Medicham wandered across the garden when Milo was stopped by one of the gardeners, June. She was a sweet lady in her late thirties who had a small apartment on the island, as did many of the people the family employed. She was tending to a hedge with two Paras, who were slicing and snipping here and there.
“That was an interesting technique,” June remarked.
“It really pissed off Mia, huh?”
“That was the first time she’s seen you enter her territory,” June explained.
“I didn’t do anything,” Milo replied. “Mia was going to destroy the shadow ball…”
“…so you planned ahead, made sure you could keep the attack by getting it out the way of the oncoming attack,” June finished. “Rather like coordinating an appeal.”
“Hmm,” Milo muttered.
“Point being, Mia knows you’re a better battler than her. But the one thing she enjoys is that you have no interest or strength in contests. From that battle, you’ve certainly scared her, Milo,” said June in her warm voice. Milo thought about this momentarily and smiled.
*
“Oh Milo!”
Milo could barely breathe. His mother flung her arms around him and constricted him with what must be love. Over Meredith’s shoulder, Mia sulked in the doorway.
“I’m so proud of you!” Meredith cried.
“Well, I’ve always wanted to try contests,” Milo lied. “But because you’ve been helping Mia out so much, I felt overshadowed.”
Mia’s choke of disgust was drowned out by Meredith’s euphoric cries.
“You should have said! Oh Milo…Milo Milo Milo! I’m so proud - another coordinator in the family! I know you’ve always been a battler, and your father always enjoyed watching you battle…but I always thought it was a bit too barbaric. Contests are sophisticated.”
“I’m so glad to be from such a prestigious background,” Milo said. “I feel lucky.”
“Oh you are. You should really get training right away! There’s a contest in Olivine City this week…I’ll get Andrew to take you there in the boat tomorrow.”
“But Mum,” Mia grunted. “We’re going to Goldenrod!”
“I can’t go there now!” Meredith said. “I’ll tell Julia to give the tickets to the Ball to someone else. If Milo’s away then I’ll look after the estate. Mia, I’ve still booked you to fly to Goldenrod from Olivine.”
“But I wanted to go with you! Dress shopping! Glamour!” Mia cried incredulously.
“Mia, your brother is starting out in the contest circuit. I need to keep an eye on him!” Meredith explained, as if this was obvious. “And you can still compete in the contest there.”
“He doesn’t want to do contests! He’s doing this to piss me off!” Mia cried. “MILO!”
“Mia, you’ve inspired me,” Milo replied in a sickly-sweet voice. “I want to be as good as you”
“Oh this is just beautiful!” Meredith sobbed. Milo grinned at Mia as she stormed out of the room, while Meredith beamed at her son like never before.
For the duration of the day, Meredith was planning everything; she showed him a flyer for a contest in Olivine City and explained that it was a P2 contest - this meant that you used two Pokemon, one in the appeal round and one in the battle stages.
“You appeal once, then the top four trainers battle down to two, then those two battle to determine the winner!” she said. “Remember the battles need to be conducted with style and vision.”
Milo briefly wondered how he could battle without vision, but understood the vanity and ego involved in contests. Seeing an intense light in his mother was something he had never seen before. She was brimming with enthusiasm. Milo looked at the flyer for the contest and wondered which Pokemon he would use. Meredith saw his expression and, strangely, seemed to know what he was thinking.
“Milo honey, before you decide who to use, I think you need to repopulate your team,” she explained. “Your Pokemon aren’t suited for contests at all.”
“What do you mean?” Milo asked. “Medicham was good before.”
“Well, yes, I did hear something from June about Medicham, maybe you can use her,” Meredith said. “But Kingler, Flygon, Rhydon…they’re hardcore battlers. They aren’t well groomed to do well in visual appeal stages, and they have no concept of style. Trying to rehabilitate them would be far too tough.”
“So what do I do?” Milo asked. “You want me to catch and raise a new team?”
“Eventually, it would be best,” Meredith said. She plucked something from a small bag she had with her. It was a Pokeball. “But until you have the basics, take this.”
Milo looked as his mother put the ball in his hand. He clasped his fingers around the smooth sphere, noticing it was very warm.
“Ruby will look after you,” Meredith said softly.
“Your Arcanine?” Milo asked, bewildered. Meredith nodded. “Mum, she’s one of your best!”
“She’ll help you find your feet,” Meredith replied. “Come on. We have a lot to sort out.”
*
The next morning, Milo had a small suitcase with him, for he was going to be staying in Olivine City for the week. He was standing at a small jetty on one of the Island’s beaches with Mia, who had her arms folded and looked furious. Andrew was loading her much larger suitcase onto the small boat; the family had a few, for Milo’s father was a keen sailor, but this small one was often used for brief trips to the mainland and back.
Mia held her Snubbull tightly as Milo recalled Medicham and Arcanine. Furious that her brother had such an experienced Pokemon, Mia demanded the same from Meredith, but she calmly explained that Mia needed no such help.
“See you when you finish up in Olivine,” Meredith said sweetly, embracing Milo tightly.
“Maybe with a victory under my belt?” Milo chuckled, making his mother laugh. Mia narrowed her eyes.
“HA!” she said wildly. “Come on. We need to go like…now.”
“Have fun in Goldenrod sweetheart!” Meredith said to Mia.
“Whatever,” muttered Mia, walking onto the boat. Milo gave his mother another quick hug and got on the boat as Meredith said goodbye to Andrew, who got behind the wheel and started the engine up. Mia sat on the deck and watched as they slowly slipped away from the jetty, turning to her brother.
“She gave you Ruby?” she spat.
“Favouritism,” Milo grinned. Mia hit him across the chest.
“You bastard,” she spat. “Hogging the limelight! You don’t even want to do contests.”
“It will be fun,” Milo said.
“You’re not even that good!” she snapped.
“So why did you storm off?” Milo retorted. “You didn’t like the fact I’m coming after you.”
“You think you could beat me in a contest?” Mia asked. “AS IF! You are such a phony. You’re going to start this, it’s going to blow up in your face, and you’re going to look like a massive LOSER!”
“We’ll see,” Milo replied, watching the island Pua Samoa get smaller and smaller as the boat sailed across the vast ocean towards Olivine City. Milo was unsure exactly how everything was going to pan out, especially since there was some truth in his sister’s words .
Last edited by Chris 2.1; 22nd November 2012 at 06:36 PM.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off
Very nicely written. I kept me interested from start to end, bravo. Johto is also my favorite region, so it'll be fun to see how you'll implant contests. I'm heavily wondering about Milo's future team, what his dads job is and if there's more to it. Also, I have a feeling we'll see his sister again for some major showdown near the end of the fic, or in the middle.
Keep up the good work.
Re: Show-Off
Ah! Seriously, twice I've written a reply and it was wiped when it didn't load!
-
A promising beginning.
Medicham is my favourite character. Little quirks like sending Milo's shirt to the washroom show her loyalty and affection for Milo. Nicely done.
Mia is a right spoilt little madam. She seemed so cold with her Vulpix, evolving her almost uncaringly. Just so she could have another nice thing to go with her lavish lifestyle.
Meredith sounds slightly batty, will she be entering any contests?
Milo's interest in the Contests seemed rushed - he performed a fancy attack and suddenly decided he wanted attention by entering the Contests. It seemed like an epiphany of sorts in one life-changing moment. More of a build-up to his interest (both to spite Mia, and to gain attention) would've been better, IMHO. The Milo we met talking to Chuck doesn't really seem like the person that would enter a Contest at all - not to mind care about a parent's attention.
Also, no need for people to 'grunt', 'moan' or 'mutter'. Using 'said' more helps keep the flow of reading at a maximum. The way a character says something should be apparent from the context 99% of the time. I know when you're writing it's almost a sin to be repetitive, but using 'said' is the exception.
Looking forward to Chapter 2!
Damien.
Re: Show-Off
Cheers for the feedback. Milo's interest is supposed to be sudden and sort of badly planned. It was Mia's reaction that drove Milo to compete; he wants to show her that he can do what she does, and in theory, if he can get a ribbon, he'll be making his point. This rush into the coordinating circuit also means that Milo will just as easily be questioning his decision.
I guess I thought it would be good having someone start something like this and doing it for the wrong reasons. After all, when did spite motivate anyone? Thanks for the comment though - it's good to know how you read it.
Medicham's also a favourite of mine; Milo and her are kinda like a married couple. She picks up the slack and he's the lazy husband! We'll see a lot more of Meredith and Mia, but Meredith is retired from the coordinating circuit.
Also the Gym Rehaul thing is sort of subplot that runs underneath the fic. It's not a central theme, but with each city we'll meet the Leaders and learn more about what's going on. Michael's dad is also quite central to it. Similarly, since Milo has been through Johto already, when he competed in the league; there's a lot to learn about him through his past excursion across the reigion, and we'll see glimpses of that.
MLG: Hey! Thanks for reading. Milo's team is a cool one, I admit. His old team included Flygon, Rhydon, Kingler, Electabuzz and Exeggutor, but he has Ruby the Arcanine for a while, and catches some really interesting members. Milo's father....he's a businessman. CEO of an important enterprise, and Milo really looks up to him. We'll see him in the future. We'll also get a feel for how Mia is doing, and Milo will run into her as they both strive for contests.
Thanks for the replies guys.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off
Ha. I don't see anything odd about Milo's motivation at all. So childish, so funny. For some reason I couldn't find a definite age for Milo in there, but he and his sister seem really juvenile. Their relationship is not something I've personally experienced, but if I had to, I would guess that they're at - that - age, but perhaps they're slightly older, I dunno.
I'm not sure how I feel about Milo's mother. She kind of annoys me, and I don't think giving him Ruby to start was a good idea, but I guess she just wants him to succeed, which is also understandable. I have to disagree with her though. Flygon can totally have finesse.
Re: Show-Off
I planned for Milo to be about 20. He isn't a kid, he's been training for a few years, and he's quite independant on the outside, but craves attention like a child. Mia is 21/22, slightly older. Since both have had such a shielded childhood, they have immature streaks.
Milo doesn't keep Ruby too long; she's just used as a bit of help to start with. Yea, Meredith
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off
Yeah, from his experiences in the leagues and stuff it would be odd if Milo wasn't at least 20. I guess I can buy that explanation, the family is really rich right? And Meredith seems to want to do/provide everything for her kids that she possibly can, which, considering their status, is a whole damn lot.
I don't have a problem with each individual having their little childish quirks, many of us crave attention once in a while and do some other not-so-adult things. Hell, I still keep my red cotton T-Rex and realistic toy crocodile on my bed... Maybe I'm basing this too much off my own personal experience with my brother, but the sibling relationship really still seems to me like it was meant for a slightly younger pair. I don't remember this kind of relationship except when we were in puberty. It's not really a criticism of the characters, more of just random thoughts of how I felt while reading.
On an unrelated note, I can't seem to read your previous post completely for some reason. It gets cut off at "Yea, Meredith".
Re: Show-Off
I agree, normal people should have overcome bitter rivalries. Maybe it's to do with the overwhelming vanity in the Mitchelson family. Anyway that post got cut off, I'm unsure why; what I was going to say was that Meredith is quite irritating, self-centered (see her frustration at not being asked to judge the Grand Festival, despite her victory 12 years ago) and materialistic. Anyway the next chapter shows Milo and Mia arriving at Olivine Port, and Mia heading off to the airport to fly to Goldenrod. Milo prepares for the upcoming contest, and meets his mother's stylist. It's a buildup to the Olivine Contest, which is Chapter 3.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off
I'm sorry about my earlier comments, reading them back they seemed slightly cold and blunt. I did put a little more heart into them first and second time around, only they were deleted!
Interestingly, your description of Medicham is identical to what I had written in one of my earlier....ahem....'drafts'. I described Medicham as long a long-suffering wife accustomed, but not approving, of everything Milo does. It came across pretty well I must say.
Good luck with the exams, and looking forward to how the tory progresses. As Milo's been around Johto before, it'll put a nice twist on the story, as opposed to him starting off anew. There be history in them there towns and cities!
Damien.
Re: Show-Off
I was amused by the fact that Milo seemed to actually think he could beat someone to a destination when said someone was teleporting there but he wasn't. X3
And while I personally do not enjoy being ignored and talked over in a conversation the way that Mia and Meredith were just completely shutting Milo out, I still couldn't help but find it funny, especially since they were shutting him out in favor of talking about frelling dresses. XD
Oh, and I really enjoyed the interactions between Milo and Mia. XD Entertaining stuff, there. ^^
Highlights
That line made me laugh. XD“Get off your arse, Chuck.”
Heh, quite possibly so, I reckon. X3“I don’t know,” came the reply again. Milo wondered if Chuck might know more if he didn’t spend his time sitting on a rock.
Dammit, now I want a Medicham around the house to keep things tidy. X3Medicham casually flicked her finger, banishing the shirt to the wash room upstairs .
Again, I thought that part was funny. XD“Now Mia honey, I’ve just got a message from Julia, my friend from Goldenrod. Did I tell you about my friend from Goldenrod?”
“Wait, what did Dad say?” Milo asked.
“No, I don’t know who Julia is,” Mia replied.
“Well she says she is hosting a ball at the Goldenrod Casino on the 17th…if you want, we can get tickets for it. I could take you shopping for a new dress?”
“Sounds good to me!” Mia grinned, beaming with excitement.
“Hang on, Mum, listen to me,” Milo interrupted. “I need help with Chuck. What does Dad know about it?”
“I like the sort of patterned ones they have in Goldenrod,” Mia noted. “Remember when we went at Christmas? But also the block colours are still in…”
“I have a gorgeous one from a boutique in Blackthorn,” Meredith said. “The fashion in Blackthorn is a cut above some of the other stuff here. Milo, are you ok?”
“Yes,” I want to know what’s going on with this Gym Leader overhaul thing,” he said angrily. “Chuck mentored me for years - he’s a good friend! And if Dad can help me out…”
“Milo nobody cares about some scabby guy in some crappy Gym! Me and Mom are talking dresses, so if you’re not coming with us, buzz off,” said Mia. Milo took a look at his sister and narrowed his eyes, walking away from the pool and back through the house, furious at the lack of attention.
XD Tsk, tsk, Medicham. X3Milo sat in the living room as Medicham did some basic routine yoga, despite Milo’s suspicion she was using telekinesis to cheat somewhat.
Nice visuals there. ^^Medicham leapt up into the air and avoided Ninetales, landing in the centre of the temporary arena. Ninetales turned and unleashed a series of shimmering, golden stars; they tore through the air and span wildly, but Medicham held a hand out and the stars began to slow down. They travelled with less speed, spinning slower and slower, until they were frozen in mid-air, hanging like decorations between the elegant fox and the astute psychic Pokemon.
Cool move. ^^Milo’s command was empty and lifeless, because the technique was used so often. Medicham used her PSI to move the stars, encasing them around her fist like a glove. She leapt forward and punched Ninetales in the face, causing the stars to shatter and the foe to stagger back across the arena.
And there's some more great visuals. ^^Medicham used her psychic prowess to boost herself up into the air - rather like a powered jump. Soaring up after the shadow ball she created delicate crystals of ice around her palm, gently moving towards the shadow ball and decreasing the temperature around her. Due to the lack of aggression in the punch, the shadow ball was not destroyed. Instead, the coldness surrounding it caused the weak membrane to glaze over with a shimmering frost; sparkles from within made the attack look like a grim Christmas decoration.
That was a nice start to something I think I'm really going to enjoy reading throughout its course. Congrats on the launching of a new fic, and I look forward to the next chapter! ^^
Re: Show-Off
I didn't realise it had been so long. I've been really busy with University but here is Chapter Two. This chapter begins a new trend in chapter names. See if you can work out what it is. I like having some kind of quirk to chapter titles, like how TPMLs chapters were named after members of ASB.
Chapter 3 is almost completed. 2 and 3 spend time building up the premise of the fic more; by Chapter 4, we'll be fully equipped for the road ahead.
Show-Off
-II-
Arnold Palmer
“Hello?”
“It’s Milo,” came the voice. Milo held the phone to his ear with his finger in the other, as the boat was whipping across the ocean and it was very loud.
“Oh, it’s you,” Chuck grumbled.
“Why the bad attitude?” asked Milo.
“I don’t have a bad attitude,” came the coarse reply.
“Yes you do!” Milo said. “You sound grumpy. Are you still on that bloody cliff top?”
“No I am not,” Chuck replied. “I’m in Cianwood.”
“Good,” Milo replied. “That’s why I was ringing you. To make sure you went home.”
“You know I’m twenty years older than you,” Chuck said. “You shouldn’t be parenting me.”
“Then stop acting like a child,” Milo said. Medicham raised her eyebrows.
“I’m in the doghouse with Sophie, if you must know,” Chuck replied. “She’s cross that I didn’t talk to her when I got upset about the Gym thing.”
“All good relationships are based on communication,” Milo said with pride.
“Did you speak to your father?” Chuck asked.
“Can’t get through to him,” Milo replied. “I have been trying.”
“Thank you,” Chuck said. “Olivine Gym was still under reconstruction when I tried ringing them, but I spoke around to see if I could find out anything else about the Reclassification. Not many people are happy Claire kept her job at Blackthorn.”
“Connections,” Milo said. “She’s an influential person.”
“The whole thing is being very hushed up,” Chuck said. “Changes are happening almost overnight.”
“Gym Leaders have big followers,” Milo said, recalling the time he travelled through Goldenrod on his league journey. There he discovered a society for fans of Pokemon battles, where many residents had a strange obsession with some of the Gym Leaders.
“Apparently I don’t,” Chuck moaned.
“Oh for Christ’s sake Chuck, stop being so miserable,” Milo snapped. “Look, we’re nearly at Olivine Port now. I have to go.”
“What are you doing in Olivine?” Chuck asked. Milo paused for a moment. He hadn’t thought what to tell people about his participation in the Olivine Contest. As his mouth hung open, he flatly hung up, feeling as if his heart was lodged somewhere in his throat.
Milo was brought back to reality at the sound of his sister chuckling to herself. She lay on a lounger, drinking bottled water in her bikini as some of her Pokemon similarly relaxed. Snubbul lay curled at her feet, while Togetic flew around dodging Chinchou’s jets of water.
“Something funny?” Milo asked.
“You haven’t even got the nerve to tell people what you’re up to!” she cried. “You hate to admit the truth. Chuck will disown you if he learns his prize student is starting to do contests. And don’t even get me started on Dad.”
“Piss off,” Milo snapped. Mia raised her eyebrows.
“Did I touch a nerve?” she said, giggling again. Milo turned and walked along the boat, ordering Medicham to follow.
“I think you should use your telekinesis to fling Weepinbell off the boat,” Milo joked, watching from afar at Mia’s flytrap Pokemon. It hung lazily off the guide rail of the boat, soaking up sun with its big eyes drooped. “It would be so funny.”
Medicham gave him a sour look, snapping her fingers and bolting her trainer’s mouth shut in an instant. Milo massaged his jaw as it sprang back open.
“I bit my tongue,” he said, seeing a shadow of a smile on Medicham’s face. “So how you feeling about this impending contest? I’ll be using you in the battle rounds, so you need to make sure your skills are honed.”
Medicham nodded. She objected to Milo’s request of using her powers to pull Mia’s hair or levitating her lounger, so Milo went to see Andrew, who was steering the boat with his Nosepass. The large blocky Pokemon’s nose helped him keep on course by detecting North.
“You couldn’t just use a compass?” Milo rasped.
“Milo,” Andrew said. “Don’t be such a killjoy.”
They whizzed over the waves, noticing birds flying high in the dreamy sky. Milo noticed Andrew, in a pair of white chinos and a striped t-shirt, looked slightly nautical as he steered the ship. The navy blazer did not help. Milo’s lips curled into a smile but, without looking, Andrew spoke up.
“Laugh all you want, Amy chose these out for me,” Andrew explained calmly.
“Oh yea, the hot fiancée,” Milo replied. “How is she?”
“She’s very well,” Andrew replied. After proposing to his childhood sweetheart, Andrew had planned on handing in his resignation to Meredith. Not enjoying the idea of losing Andrew, Meredith had a house constructed on the other side of the island, giving it to the couple as an impending wedding present. Andrew did so many things around the estate, it would be very odd without him. Milo loved trying to wind up the calm, peaceful man, but hated that he could never incur any rage in the man.
“So Amy likes dressing you up as a gay sailor, huh?” Milo smirked.
“Well she prefers un-dressing me really,” came the reply.
“Oh shut up,” Milo snapped, turning and leaving the room. “That’s a horrible mental image!”
“I win,” Andrew chuckled.
Slowly the boat slid into the luxurious dock of Olivine, and Milo, unable to withstand the company of his sister or Andrew, eagerly ran to the railings to have a look at the city. The Port was a mile or so away from the main city, but the seaside hub could be visible from Olivine Port.
As they docked at the Port, Milo could smell a strong, salty scent mixed with sandy grains. Walking off onto the dock, he saw market stalls set up, some selling foods, some selling Pokemon. A man was boasting high quality Goldeen eggs, whacking a fan against the wall to get attention as the myriad of speckled eggs lay at the bottom of a vast tank. Another stall was selling clothes made from fine Ariados silk. Milo, Andrew and Mia walked through the port.
“God this place smells,” Mia said. “When is my taxi taking me to the airport?”
“I’ll book one now,” Andrew said calmly, getting his phone out. There was an airstrip four miles from the Port, which was only a short walk from the main city. Milo was more interested in the attractions of the Port, and walked over to a man holding a stall with a large Cloyster by the side.
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Milo asked.
“Fancy winning a prize, son?” the man behind the stall asked. He had a big belly, and an odd smell of fried food.
“I’m 20 - don‘t call me son,” Milo rasped. “But what’s the prize? And how do I get it?”
“It’s the Macho Brace,” the man said jovially, pulling out a curious-looking object. It was a training item, with a coil in the centre and two grip-pads either side. The man demonstrated its use, applying pressure to the pads. “Helps train Pokemon up. Makes them stronger, faster.”
“Do I really want one of those?” Milo said to himself. “I suppose I could sell it. Anyway what do I have to do?”
The man looked upset at Milo’s comment, but pointed to his Cloyster, whose shell was firmly shut.
“All you need to do is open this Cloyster’s shell.”
“Cloyster have tough shells,” Milo noted, wishing he had his Kingler with him - crabhammer would surely crack the thing open like a nut. “Can I use a Pokemon?”
“Well of course you can son, I wouldn’t expect you to open it without,” the man chuckled. Milo turned to Medicham, who had a hand on her hip, staring at the challenge with disbelief.
“I’ll try,” Milo said. Medicham cracked her knuckles and walked forward, while Mia watched on with Andrew, interested.
“Excellent! Whenever you’re ready then,” the man said.
“Medicham use psychic to prise the shell open,” Milo ordered.
Medicham nodded and focused her mind, trying to focus precisely on the crack where the two halves of the shell met. Straining, Medicham shook slightly as the shell stayed firmly shut. The space around the psychic Pokemon rippled; a side-effect of the psychic powers. Medicham was making no progress on the bivalve Pokemon, and after a few more minutes, stopped trying, gasping slightly.
“What!?” Milo gasped. “Medicham, again. Focus.”
Hands held out, Medicham was parting them and exerting a great deal of force trying to pull open the shell. Sweat dribbled down her forehead in thick beads as the large salesman observed gleefully. Eventually, Medicham collapsed onto her knees.
“Aww that’s too bad,” the man said, walking forward. “That’s £10 please.”
“Damn you,” Milo said, getting his wallet out and handing the man the note. “It’s a con!”
“People have won in the past, I assure you,” the man said warmly, slipping the note in his pocket.
“I want to try,” Mia said suddenly, stepping forward.
“What are you going to do Mi, dance in front of it?” Milo scoffed, humiliated by his lack of victory over the man’s stall. Mia walked past, pulling a Pokeball from her bag.
“Ok then,” said the man behind the stall, eager for more money. “Same rules darling. Open the shell1”
The man nodded and Mia released her Pokemon. Chinchou emerged in a burst of light, giving a cry as it’s bulbs fizzed with sparks.
“Chinch, use a water gun on the part where the shells meet,” Mia ordered. Milo rolled his eyes as the little blue fish spouted a rather delicate looking jet of water. It hit the shell but splashback ensued; the shell was too tough. Mia looked nonplussed.
“Pay the man,” Milo told his sister.
“I’m not finished,” she said firmly, looking at the puddles of water around Cloyster. “Chinch, use a thunder wave.”
Nodding, the Pokemon brimmed with light and tendrils of lightening buzzed from it’s bulbs. They zapped around the ground, conducting through the water in the puddles. The water around Cloyster’s base soon erupted in electricity, shocking Cloyster and causing the Pokemon’s shell to pop open in pain, revealing the round, fleshy face of the mysterious Pokemon. Unhappy, Cloyster’s face contorted and it narrowed its eyes, pointing its external spikes at Chinchou and blasting a barrage of sharp needles through the air.
“Watch out!” the man yelled.
“Medicham!” Milo shouted, sensing danger. With a flick of her hands, Medicham caused the onslaught of spikes to stop in mid-air, before using her other hand to move them in a cluster, pegging them into the ground, forming a ‘M’ in the sandy earth.
“Well done Missy!” the man said happily. “Sorry about the spike cannon - Cloyster can get temperamental!”
“That’s fine,” Mia said sweetly, walking over. “May I have the Macho Brace?”
“Yes you may,” said the man, handing it over. Milo watched unhappily as Mia collected the item and stashed it into her large tote bag, smiling at the man and winking at Cloyster.
“Impressed?” she asked Milo, as they walked on through the port.
“I am, sort of,” Milo muttered. Mia recalled Chinchou. Medicham looked embarrassed. Milo wanted to explore the rest of the Port, but was also aware he needed to sign up to the contest as soon as possible. He explained this to Andrew, who was going to wait with Mia for her taxi to the airport, while Milo opted to walk into the town.
“I guess I’ll see you around,” Milo said.
“Take care Milo,” Andrew replied, shaking his hand. “I’ll be here to pick you up in a few days.”
“Thanks,” Milo replied. He turned to Mia. “Good luck in Goldenrod.”
She smiled wryly.
“Good luck in Olivine,” she said. Milo tried going in for a hug as Mia attempted to shake his hand; the two awkwardly collided and quickly retreated - Mitchelson’s were not renowned for their emotional availability. Andrew looked slightly amused as the siblings parted; Milo took his suitcase and left the Port and on to the short walk leading to Olivine.
“Ok. Emotional Backage - gone,” Milo said, making a pretend list as he walked up the dusty track. Medicham said nothing - she was the silent type, but easily the best member of Milo’s team. The weather was beautiful today, and a t-shirt was all that was needed in the heat. Milo had a pair of cargo shorts on and some old trainers, and after a few minutes of walking along the quiet, slightly bumpy path, decided he would introduce Medicham to his temporary team member.
“Ruby!” Milo said, opening the Pokeball. In a flash, Arcanine emerged; she stood almost level with Milo’s shoulders, her fur wild but glossy and well conditioned. Big pointed teeth glimmering and as white as marble, her dark eyes glistened with warmth as she nudged her new trainer affectionately.
“Ruby, Medicham, you guys have already met,” Milo stated, as the two shared the same house for some time. “But you’re team-mates for a while, so I thought it would be good for you to socialise a bit.”
Medicham gave a nod. Ruby nodded. The two shared an awkward moment, where Milo stood between them wondering how they could get on. A psychic karate monkey and a prima-donna hound. Probably not a lot of common ground there.
“Right,” he said briskly. “Err you are now acquainted. Both of you return to your balls.”
Getting the two Pokeballs out, Milo pointed them at his two and recalled them into their confinements. It only felt right to return them both; Ruby might feel offended that she was recalled while Medicham was not. Milo had run into diplomatic problems with his Pokemon before, recalling his Exeggutor and Rhydon’s tense relationship.
As it was a nice day, throughout his walk Milo ran into a couple of people on their way to the Port. He saw a few Zigzagoon scurrying along the path too - they were picking up berries and twigs before scurrying back to their homes. Birds flew in the sky, notably Wingull, but as Milo observed the wild Pokemon, he was thinking of Pokemon he could catch for his new team. It felt odd thinking of what types to catch when he had excellent type coverage from his League team - it was like having an affair. What would Electabuzz think about him catching a new electric type? Or Kingler and a new water Pokemon?
Not shortly after this strange thought, Milo arrived in Olivine City Centre. It was an active, jovial place, with sunshine beaming from the smiles of the locals. Like the Port, there were a few stalls and market places, as well as a Battle Tower right in the middle of the town. It rose above the white houses, casting shadows upon the immediately neighbouring buildings. Milo eyed the tower keenly, before remembering his team was not quite equipped for battling up seven floors of increasingly difficult trainers. He walked through the town, shortly arriving at the building, which was roughly the size of a Pokemon Gym. It was rectangular with a large banner across the front - ‘OLIVINE CONTEST - 2 DAYS TIME’.
Inside, Milo found the reception. There was an area like a Pokemon Center next to the registration desk. People sat on soft, squishy chairs in the lobby area as footage on a plasma screen showed the latest Olivine Contest. Looking up, Milo saw that it was the contest his sister had just won a few weeks back, and watched some of the footage of his sister’s Togetic unleashing a blistering wind down towards the enemy Bellossom.
“Hello!” came a sudden cry. Milo leapt out his skin as a perky-looking woman stood calmly at the desk. She looked to be the same age as Meredith.
“Hi.” Milo murmured.
“You‘d be here to register, I assume?” she said in an increasingly-fast voice. “I mean…everyone’s doing it. I even had to miss my lunch break. Made a sandwich at home, but it’ll be no good now - cream cheese will soak into the bread.”
“Yea, I want to register for the Olivine Contest,” Milo said. The woman unscrewed a bottle of pills and emptied a handful into her mouth.
“Very well! Is this your first contest?” she asked. Her eyes were huge, round and made her look like an insomniac owl.
“It is, yea,” Milo said, before a set of forms were smacked down on the table.
“If you could sign all of these please,” she said. She sounded energetic…yet oddly exhausted. “It’s a lot to do, but very important. If you haven’t a pen I can lend you one - although it is blue ink, which isn’t permitted. I’ll see if Barbera has a pen.”
“Ok…” Milo muttered, as the lady skirted around the office. He pulled out a pen of his own and began to write.
Never before had Milo filled out such a bunch of random forms. Initially asking for name, date of birth, and common questions such as hometown, he began coming to more obscure and irrelevant ones. He was asked for his blood type, left-or-right-handedness, hair length and even abstract ideas like his ‘definition of love’, Milo called into question numerous times just how important these questions were for him to enter contests. All the while ‘Sheila’, as the lady’s badge proclaimed, was standing rigidly, smiling as her neck twitched. She was whispering to herself.
About three quarters of an hour later, his hand aching with numbness and his mind fuzzy with boredom, Milo got onto the final page of the application form and used his left hand to knead the muscles in his right, easing the pain.
Eventually, the second-to-last question ‘What Question Would You Most Like To Be Asked’, and the last question ‘What Is The Answer To The Question You Would Most Like To Be Asked?’ were complete, and Milo slammed the pen onto the counter as he gathered all of his papers and stacked them neatly together.
“That,” he said rudely. “Was the biggest waste of time ever.”
“Thank you!” beamed the lady, knocking back more energy pills.
“Why did you need to know what I ate for breakfast?” Milo asked.
“Oh! Haha, you noticed,” cried the lady. “Well you know forms. So vague. I never liked breakfast. Lunch didn’t agree with me either. I do like food in the evenings mind.”
“Is there anything else?” Milo asked as Sheila took the papers away.
“I’m a snacker,” she admitted. “My husband, Sheldon, calls me a grazer! Like a cow. We do laugh. You have to, really, in this economic crisis.”
“Crisis?” Milo asked.
“The recession!” she cried. “Credit crunch! Jobs going, banks collapsing. Janice from Admin was laid off last week. Couldn’t afford to keep her! It is sad.”
“Credit crunch?” Milo asked. “Sounds like a breakfast cereal.”
“I can’t believe you haven’t heard it,” Sheila said, awe-struck. “Next you’ll tell me you’ve never heard a song by Kenny Loggins!”
“…who?” Milo said.
“Well now I know you’re lying,” she scoffed. Milo opened his wallet and brought out a silver card.
“This,” he said. “Gets me anything I want.”
It was a credit card his parents gave him at eighteen. It contained a vast fortune that both Milo and his sister were able to access with no questions ask. Sheila raised her eyebrows and let out a throaty gulp.
“Anyway, we need to take a quick picture for your Contest Pass - CLICK! Sorry, I didn’t give you any warning. But you look lovely. Not too lovely, because boy’s don’t look lovely, they look handsome. So you look handsome! Here is your laminated Contest Pass, allowing you to enter any of the contests mentioned in this booklet.”
The lady handed Milo a chunky booklet with official contest rules. Milo took it, as well as various pamphlets for new coordinators, and a keychain, which he doubted he would ever use. Slipping the contest pass into his wallet, he towed his suitcase out of the hall and went to check into the Hotel he would be staying in for the week.
The city was not massive, but was filled with things to see and do. It had a very neighbourly atmosphere, unlike the particularly stuck up Blackthorn City. Along the way, loud voices rang out across the town and Milo looked to see a woman yelling at a man who was on a phone. The woman looked high maintenance, reminding Milo of his sister, eyeing the man with disgust. Her captivating, blonde hair sat in thick, bounteous curls.
“Thees ees not good enough!” she cried in a French accent.
“I’m sorry Miss Gourmante,” the man replied shakily.
“I ought to teech you a lezzun!” she bellowed, gripping a Pokeball with two hands, holding it forward like a powerful weapon.
“Is everything ok here?” Milo asked, looking for a window to intervene. The woman sniffed, barely looking at Milo.
“Everyting izz fine, thank you,” she said. “My manager wuzz seemply telling me he has not got me booked into the Imperial Hotel in Olivine! Azz eef I would go anywhere else?”
“I’ve got a room there,” Milo noted.
“You see! Thees boy has got a room but I cannot? I am Gina Gourmante!”
“I’m trying to get it sorted, Gina,” the man sobbed.
“You can come into my room,” Milo said, smirking. Gina frowned.
“Excuse me??”
“I said, you can share my bed with me,” he told her. “I won’t mind…”
She whacked Milo with her large, lumpy bag.
“’Ow dare you! Dirty weasel!”
“Fine, fine,” Milo stammered, dodging another swing. He turned to the man, who was on the phone.
“Buddy you’d better be getting a good pay check,” he muttered, heading to the hotel.
*
Luckily Milo’s faith in his mother had paid off; Meredith booked him a fantastic suite at the most luxurious hotel in town. The room was spacious, with a large double bed and a computer with a lavish desk. When exploring the bathroom, Milo found a large round bath sunken into the floor, big enough for two, and a pyramid of fresh, flurry towels by the sink. After changing into a deep blue polo shirt, and sliding his flip-flops on, Milo went back into the heart of Olivine to do some training.
Meredith had explained that Ruby had a few appeals at her disposal; techniques, tricks and showcases she had used in previous contests, so Milo was inclined to stick with one of those until he could construct one of his own.
In the end, Milo arrived at a quiet spot just outside the city. He released Medicham and Arcanine, watching as the two Pokemon materialised from the duel bursts of light. Arcanine nodded at Medicham, who looked sourly back.
“Ok Ruby,” Milo said. “I want you to try your Chariots of Fire appeal. Can you do that for me?”
With a gruff nod, Arcanine ran gracefully along the plains. Her speed accelerated in seconds, until a silvery blaze tore behind her. This was her extreme-speed. Ruby sped along the plans and, as if on cue, began spouting flames from her jaws. Due to her speed, the flames split as they left her mouth and trailed behind her like banners, creating streaks of fire that cloaked the huge canine. Turning sharply to the left, Ruby kept on going, looking more like a sports car as her blurred form burned brightly. Suddenly, she released a swift attack; the golden stars span wildly before trailing behind Arcanine and skidding along the fiery trails. Now, Ruby was a blazing streak, with golden stars searing in her wake. She leapt high into the air, performed a somersault, which gathered the flame into a large ball, and launched the fireball into the earth, where it flumped upon impact, and dancing embers leapt across the earth.
“Holy christ!” Milo gasped, as Ruby landed delicately among the embers. “That was amazing!”
Arcanine did the closest thing to a coy smile, looking bashful at the remark. Milo was amazed his mother was even able to come up with something so clever, so complex…Medicham also made a great deal of effort to mask how impressed she was.
“Cool Arcanine,” came a voice. Milo turned to see a burly looking man watching Milo. He had a Tauros at his side, wearing a suede jacket with a fluffy collar. He had a shaved head.
“Nice cow,” Milo replied back.
“Oh, well th- this isn’t a cow you ignorant bastard!” the man yelled. “This is a Tauros. Bloody hard to catch, bloody hard to train.”
“Where did you catch it?” Milo enquired.
“North of Olivine,” he said. “Took me months to find one.”
“You sound like you have a lot of free time,” Milo muttered.
“My wife even left me…” the man whispered to himself.
“I’m not surprised, you’re boring me already,” Milo said rudely. He chuckled at his remark, angering the man.
“Let’s fight then you rude little prick,” the man snapped, pointing at the space between the two of them. “Tauros!”
“Medicham,” Milo said, but the opponent spoke up.
“No, no, I want to battle your Arcanine,” he said. Milo shrugged, asking Medicham to step back as Arcanine walked forward. “Good! Tauros, go for a take down!”
Tauros tucked its head in and sped along the plains. Milo watched this and planned an evasive response. It was going very fast.
“Extreme speed!”
Nodding, Arcanine accelerated into the sky, leaping up with a boosted jump. Tauros turned sharply to avoid colliding, staggering slightly. The man growled ferociously as he ordered another attack, Arcanine burst into flame, spinning wildly and shooting down like a meteor. Tackling into the brown Pokemon from above, Arcanine then unleashed a flamethrower to plough into Tauros and hurtle him across the arena.
Milo nodded, pleased.
“Headbutt!” bellowed the man, his Tauros moaning in agony. The beast tucked his head down and charged again, but Arcanine leapt out of the way and blasted a stream of fire to Tauros’ side. Struck, Tauros was thrown sideways, its fine fur scorched.
“Arcanine, go for a fire spin,” Milo said, as his Pokemon unleashed a spiralling vortex of twisting fire. It snaked along the plains, pulling in weeds and debris, keeping a nervous Tauros at bay. The opponent saw this and pulled a disgusting face.
“Pursuit!” he said. Tauros, after a brief moment staring intently at the swirling fire, leapt around the vortex, speeding along towards Arcanine. Arcanine leapt to avoid the attack, but as she did so, Tauros’ horns glowed brightly and the beast leapt after, tackling Arcanine and hurtling her to the ground. She let out a long, saddened cry as her limp body rolled along the dusty earth. Milo could see blood drawn from two puncture wounds. Tauros landed and used his hooves to stomp hard onto Arcanine’s chest; the dog roared in agony and in retaliation spewed molten flames from her jaws.
Narrowly avoiding the attack, Tauros leapt to the side and pawed the ground, ready to charge. Arcanine stood up, looking surprisingly delicate, but spat up a blistering fireball at Tauros, who was struck just as he began to charge. Staggering back, Tauros lost his footing, and Milo knew now was the time to go in for the win.
“Iron tail!”
Leaping up, Arcanine let her tail shimmer with metallic sheen and whipped it around, smashing Tauros in the jaw and knocking him out. Landing gracefully on her feet, Arcanine nodded to Milo, as the trainer yelled profanities at his fallen Pokemon.
“TAUROS!” he cried.
“Too easy,” Milo said, flicking his hand casually. “Do you realise how much potential Tauros have as Pokemon? That thing was just a dodgem car, charging all over the place.”
“We roughed up your doggy good and proper,” the man said grimly, recalling his Tauros.
“But you didn’t knock her out,” Milo sniped. “All talk. Pathetic.”
And with that, he recalled Ruby and made his way back to the city.
*
“RUBY!”
Milo sat awkwardly at a video phone, Medicham and Arcanine by his side. Meredith was on the other end, looked horrified.
“WHAT HAPPENED?”
“What do you mean?” Milo asked quizzically. Arcanine’s fur was a little bit dirty, and she looked a bit scratched…but she had been in a battle. Milo wasn’t quite sure what was distressing his mother.
“SHE’S A MESS! MY BEAUTIFUL RUBY!”
Ruby looked ashamed. Milo raised an eyebrow.
“Milo, why did you battle with her? She’s my star appeal Pokemon!” Meredith cried.
“What do you mean why did I battle? You lent her to me!” Milo snapped.
“So you could use her for appealing,” Meredith said. “And JUST appealing! Not battling…you have Medicham for that…”
“How is she going to get stronger?” Milo asked.
“She IS strong,” Meredith said. “Milo, I lent her to you as an appeal Pokemon. In contests, your Pokemon are judged on their appearance, their looks, their style…Ruby needs to be at her best. Her fur needs to be nourished and bouncy, her teeth need to sparkle, and she can’t be bleeding and scabbed!”
“Ok, I’m sorry!” Milo said, noticing the wounds from Tauros charging at the hound.
“The idea is, that when you get new Pokemon, you’ll have Pokemon used solely for battles and some for appeals. In some cases you can cross this boundary, but certainly not with a Pokemon like Arcanine,” Meredith explained. Milo gave a heaving sigh. “Go into town and find a Salon called Noize. It’s where I always go when I’m in Olivine to get my Pokemon groomed.”
“Ok,” Milo said.
“They’ll make Ruby look gorgeous. Say hi to Paulo for me!” Meredith cooed, before hanging the phone up. Milo sighed.
“Sorry Ruby,” he said to the dog. She looked slightly cross with him, but Medicham simply shrugged, failing to see the problem. After recalling Arcanine, Milo walked through the city, passing the Battle Tower again and aching to pick up his League team and take on the trainers.
“…but no, let’s go to a sodding salon,” Milo grumbled, looking to Medicham for support. She seemed nonplussed.
On the way, they passed the Olivine Gym. It was an interesting, square building two storeys high. It looked no different from when Milo was here in his league year, flirting with Jasmine as he pummelled her big brash steel Pokemon.
“Those were the days, huh,” he muttered. “Remember Jasmine’s Steelix? Went down like a sock puppet.”
Medicham ignored this; in the match in question, she was benched in favour of Milo’s Rhydon, and had never been particularly happy about it. Milo wondered if Jasmine was still running the Gym and if not, what she was doing with herself.
Soon they came to the salon Meredith reccomended; it was large, with big glass windows at the front and the word ‘Noize’ splashed across the top in elaborate letters. Milo pushed the door open.
It was glitzy and garish inside; there was a large relaxing area with seats and magazines for people to read. Doors led off to rooms beyond this, the antechamber. A reception desk had an irritated boy behind it. He had shaggy blonde hair and flicked through a book of appointments.
“Hey,” Milo said, walking over. “I’ve brought my Arcanine to be groomed. I’m competing in the Olivine Contest.”
“Okay,” the boy replied. He looked about eighteen. A fruity-looking man waltzed out of one of the rooms, shutting the door carefully. He had a goatee beard and wore glitzy, plum denim jeans and a bright t-shirt, sashaying his hips as he walked.
“OH what a horrendous Persian that woman has. Horrible! Did you go out and buy my salad?”
“Not yet,” the boy named Jake muttered back.
“Jake it is time for lunch, and I need a three-bean salad to keep me going for the rest of the day! Oh my life is tiresome,” moaned the man. He paused, noticing Milo was here, taking him in.
“And what can I do for you?” he asked, giving a sickly smirk.
“I was wondering if…erm, Paulo, could groom my Arcanine,” Milo said. This man must be Paulo, for he recoiled in disgust.
“I am far too busy for that,” he explained. “I am just uuber busy right now. Jake, why did you tell the client he could see me?”
“I didn’t,” Jake stressed. “I was about to check your schedule when you came over.”
“You can’t fit me in at all?” Milo asked, puzzled. “My Mom said you’d be able to tend to Ruby before I competed…”
“Ruby?” Paulo asked, bewildered. “Are you by any chance Meredith’s son?”
“Milo,” he replied casually. Paulo looked gob smacked.
“I had no idea you were a coordinator!” he cried.
“Oh yea,” Milo reaffirmed. “Big time.”
“Well you certainly got the good looks from your parents, am I right Jake?” Paulo said.
“I dunno,” Jake muttered. “I spose.”
“Thanks for that Jake,” Milo said emptily.
“Meredith is a BEAUTY, I always said she could be a model,” Paulo boasted. “And I met your father once, too. Like a Greek god he was.”
“If he knew you said that he’d probably buy out your salon and then shut it down,” Milo said, noting his father’s intense dislike for sugar-coated compliments.
“Charming,” Paulo said. “But we’ll have to fit darling Ruby in today...we just have to! Jake, cancel the Teddiursa that’s due in now - scheduling conflicts. What needs done to the cutie?”
“I battled with her…and she looks a bit tatty,” Milo said quietly, feeling a bit ashamed. He released the Pokemon, who sparkled as she burst from the ball. Paulo gave a gasp of joy and even the receptionist, Jake, looked intrigued. Paulo clicked his tongue as he examined Ruby.
“Yes, yes, we’ll recondition the roots and nourish the fur,” Paulo murmured. “Polish the fangs…oh this is all routine, it won’t take long.”
“Thanks,” Milo replied.
“Meredith always comes in to say hello when she is in the area,” Paulo said proudly. “And of course, it is a delight to work on her team of beautiful Pokemon!”
Milo laughed nervously. Paulo swanned off to one of the rooms, where he was going to make Ruby look fantastic again. Milo took a seat as Jake got up and rang the lady who was expecting her Teddiursa to get groomed.
On the table, Milo scanned the magazine covers, trying to find something to read. There were glossy and clearly marketed towards girls - ‘this season’s latest trends’, ‘French Film star in Sex Scandal’ and ‘New: Six Fruits That Kill’. Uninterested, Milo waited until Jake was off the phone before speaking.
“Yes, yes I know my parents did a bad job raising me,” Jake moaned to the lady on the phone. “But we can fit Teddy in tomorrow morning…that’s all we have. I said I’m sorry! Ok. Bye.”
He let out a long sigh. Milo cleared his throat.
“Tough day?”
“Paulo’s just difficult to work with,” Jake explained.
“Are you the Mecretary?” Milo asked, receiving a frown.
“The what?”
“Man-secretary,” Milo replied.
“No, I work the desk, but I’m a trainee stylist,” answered Jake.
“So Paulo is helping you learn the trade by being shutting out of his style room?” Milo asked. Jake looked embarrassed, which made Milo laugh. “Anyway, have you got any good magazines? Like Zoo, FHM, GQ…”
“Er…we don’t have those magazines, no,” muttered Jake.
“What do you read?” Milo asked. He paused for a minute.
“I read that stuff,” Jake said, pointing to the table. “Attitude, Outcast…”
“Really?” Milo asked. “But those are…Oh.”
“Yea,” Jake said.
“…you’re -”
“ - yea.”
“So you don’t -”
“- no…I’m homos-”
“-right, right,” Milo stammered, his eyes quickly scanning ‘Good Housekeeping’. He should have expected it, really, with the career choice, and the whole salon thing, but nevertheless, Milo felt slightly uncomfortable. The next few moments passed in thick silence, Milo feeling like something of an obnoxious idiot, until he looked up to see Jake smirking.
“So,” Jake said eventually. “You’re coordinating.”
“Yea,” Milo said, latching onto the conversation quickly. “Only just started actually.”
“Olivine’s contest is a nice one,” Jake said. “I watched the last one, which your sister Mia won.”
“Oh yea,” Milo said.
“She’s very talented,” Jake said. “Did some pretty amazing stuff.”
“I heard,” Milo replied. “Do you coordinate?”
“Not really,” Jake replied. “I watch though. I’ve heard there’s a big one in Goldenrod.”
Milo continued to make small talk with Jake while Ruby was being groomed. Milo was feeling quite confident about the upcoming contest, as Ruby’s appeal was amazing and Medicham was a good battler. Milo wondered how Chuck was, and more so, if Mia was in Goldenrod yet.
Across the road, a woman sat on a bench. A Magnemite was buzzing by the door of the salon, and it seemed to be transmitting something to the woman’s phone. She gave an ugly smirk as she looked at her screen, only stopping when Milo’s eyes barely scanned her location. Delving into her bag, she slipped on a pair of big sunglasses to cover her hazel eyes.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
________________________________________________
Re: Show-Off
There was a nosepass in that chapter! Awesome.
Sheila was hilarious. XD What got the biggest laugh out of me was when she whipped out that bottle of pills for the first time. X3
And that last paragraph was pretty intriguing. I wonder who that woman was... well, I do have a little bit of a theory as to who she is. At any rate, I reckon that whoever she is, we've not seen the last of her...
Highlights
Milo's comment amused me a bit (mostly because of the image it put in my mind X3)--and then Medicham's response amused me even more. XD“I think you should use your telekinesis to fling Weepinbell off the boat,” Milo joked, watching from afar at Mia’s flytrap Pokemon. It hung lazily off the guide rail of the boat, soaking up sun with its big eyes drooped. “It would be so funny.”
Medicham gave him a sour look, snapping her fingers and bolting her trainer’s mouth shut in an instant. Milo massaged his jaw as it sprang back open.
XD And for some reason, it's the "I win" that amuses me the most there. X3“Well she prefers un-dressing me really,” came the reply.
“Oh shut up,” Milo snapped, turning and leaving the room. “That’s a horrible mental image!”
“I win,” Andrew chuckled.
I think that might just be my new favorite description of a medicham. X3Medicham gave a nod. Ruby nodded. The two shared an awkward moment, where Milo stood between them wondering how they could get on. A psychic karate monkey and a prima-donna hound. Probably not a lot of common ground there.
Again, I thought Sheila was very funny--especially when she brought out those pills there. XD“Hello!” came a sudden cry. Milo leapt out his skin as a perky-looking woman stood calmly at the desk. She looked to be the same age as Meredith.
“Hi.” Milo murmured.
“You‘d be here to register, I assume?” she said in an increasingly-fast voice. “I mean…everyone’s doing it. I even had to miss my lunch break. Made a sandwich at home, but it’ll be no good now - cream cheese will soak into the bread.”
“Yea, I want to register for the Olivine Contest,” Milo said. The woman unscrewed a bottle of pills and emptied a handful into her mouth.
I suspect that my answers would be "Would you like to stop answering questions?" and "Yes", respectively. XPEventually, the second-to-last question ‘What Question Would You Most Like To Be Asked’, and the last question ‘What Is The Answer To The Question You Would Most Like To Be Asked?’
XDD I love her response there.“That,” he said rudely. “Was the biggest waste of time ever.”
“Thank you!” beamed the lady, knocking back more energy pills.
XD“I’ve got a room there,” Milo noted.
“You see! Thees boy has got a room but I cannot? I am Gina Gourmante!”
“I’m trying to get it sorted, Gina,” the man sobbed.
“You can come into my room,” Milo said, smirking. Gina frowned.
“Excuse me??”
“I said, you can share my bed with me,” he told her. “I won’t mind…”
She whacked Milo with her large, lumpy bag.
Cool. ^^With a gruff nod, Arcanine ran gracefully along the plains. Her speed accelerated in seconds, until a silvery blaze tore behind her. This was her extreme-speed. Ruby sped along the plans and, as if on cue, began spouting flames from her jaws. Due to her speed, the flames split as they left her mouth and trailed behind her like banners, creating streaks of fire that cloaked the huge canine. Turning sharply to the left, Ruby kept on going, looking more like a sports car as her blurred form burned brightly. Suddenly, she released a swift attack; the golden stars span wildly before trailing behind Arcanine and skidding along the fiery trails. Now, Ruby was a blazing streak, with golden stars searing in her wake. She leapt high into the air, performed a somersault, which gathered the flame into a large ball, and launched the fireball into the earth, where it flumped upon impact, and dancing embers leapt across the earth.
XDDMilo turned to see a burly looking man watching Milo. He had a Tauros at his side, wearing a suede jacket with a fluffy collar. He had a shaved head.
“Nice cow,” Milo replied back.
“Oh, well th- this isn’t a cow you ignorant bastard!” the man yelled.
XD Holy crap, that was rude. X3“You sound like you have a lot of free time,” Milo muttered.
“My wife even left me…” the man whispered to himself.
“I’m not surprised, you’re boring me already,” Milo said rudely.
I'll be back to read the next chapter! ^^
Re: Show-Off
The chapter, and the fic in general, create a really nostalgic atmosphere for me. <3 Johto. The battle felt weird to me in this chapter, but it was a nice way of getting Ruby groomed and showing us the whole salon-aspect of the fic.
I'm interested in how Mia is progressing, and how long it'll take for Milo to get a new pokemon. Also, I'm wondering if he'll ever dump Arcanine.
The descriptions are built up very nice IMO, I can picture Olivine perfectly, combining the miniature version we have seen in GSC and supplemented with your descriptions. Cool.
Keep up the good work!
Re: Show-Off
Sike: Hey! Sheila's a bit mental, a throwback to Nurse Smiles maybe? XD Sheila is a bit less loopy mind. We see her a little more during the Olivine chapters, as well as Jake the stylist and the snobby french girl. What I am attempting to do here is really characterise the places by featuring a small roster of characters in these places. I think it works. I'm also working hard to characterise the cities. Blackthorn is an expensive, upmarket city for the wealthy. Olivine is a friendly seaside port. Violet is a lush, verdant educated place. They all have landmarks from the games and attributes I've taken from real cities. Wait until you see Ecruteak's Smokey Rooms
The lady watching Milo is someone from his past, but we won't learn straight away what her agenda is. Next chapter does shed some light, though.
MLG: Hey man. We'll hear about Mia here and there. Maybe she'll enter the same contest as Milo somewhere down the line? Ruby doesn't stay on the team for the duration of the fic, and Milo begins expanding his team very soon. It creates a very interesting problem which is a core part of the fic.
Next chapter Milo enters the Olivine Contest but the odds could be drastically lowered before he even starts. French model Gina Gourmante enters the contest and her looks prove only to be a ruse for her dynamic talent. And Milo uses his manipulative side to get exactly what he wants.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
________________________________________________
Re: Show-Off
Hm! I wonder who the woman with the Magnemite is. A previous rival of Mia or Meredith perhaps? She seems to know who Milo is, and seems to be targeting him. I guess we'll see soon. [EDIT]: Oh, you said in your last post that she's someone from Milo's past.
“Err you are now acquainted. Both of you return to your balls.” - I found that sentence particularly funny. I like how Milo and his Medicham feel so awkward with this whole contest thing. His motive for entering is a bit off, for one. It was hilarious to see how Mia outsmarted him in that competition with the Cloyster. I was also amused when Milo and Medicham didn't understand what a horrific thing they did by letting a contest champion battle.
Milo seems to piss everyone off without a good reasonI find him rather annoying. Especially how he takes money for granted, he's so sheltered. It would be nice to see him cut off from his credit card and facing money difficulties. His talk with Sheila just revealed his total ignorance to the economic crisis. Has Milo ever earned money by himself? Does he understand what it's like?
Miss Gourmante reminds me of Fleur DeLacour (spelling?) from Harry Potter.
Andrew cracks me up. ^_^ Hilarious how he managed to defeat Milo in the word fight. Oh, also, I like how Medicham is always watching out for Milo and punishing him when he misbehaves.
I'm very interested to see what kinds of choices Milo makes for his appeal team. He's so concerned about how his battle pokémon will react to new additions. And like Milo and Medichan reacted to Meredith's horror, I'm sure the rest of his team might not understand that there needs to be a separation between contest and battle pokémon. Milo might be totally justified in his concern about new rivalries that might erupt and such.
Just curious, do you think at this time that Show Off will become a monster of a fic with tons of content like TPML or will it be kept manageably sizeable? Do you have some sort of plan for the progression of the fic already, or are you writing it as you go? I know you mentioned your plans about the fic somewhere, but they might have changed since then, so I thought I'd ask. I can see this ending as a short and sweet piece, but there's also room for a lot of expansion. The subject of the fic has not been explored a whole lot, so I'm interested to see how it turns out.I remember when I played RuSa the introduction of contests interested me a bit.
Last edited by Lune the Guardian; 8th March 2009 at 02:05 PM.
~ Lune ~
Re: Show-Off
Hey Karin! I thought there was a big clue regarding who this lady was. Anyone we know in Olivine who owns a Magnemite?
Milo has never earned a penny. He is taxied around with people like Andrew being employed purely so that the children (and even the parents, really) don't need to think. Almost like Harry Potter. Those books have so many references to Harry being slightly ignorant (but not obnoxious) financially.
Yea Gina is like Fleur. Very pretty, very wealthy. Gina has one big difference we learn in Ch3. Also notice the double G in the character's name - although naturally this one doesn't carry alliteration.
I like Andrew. He's a good blend of third party, parent and big brother for Milo. Mia treats him as more of a lackey, but Milo seems to enjoy Andrew's company. Maybe all his wealth makes him lonely.
Milo doesn't initially pick his team carefully, but as you will gather from the next paragraph, it's been well plotted out. While he does try to incorporate the appeal/battle divide, Milo's is more fluid than Mia's, who is very strict. Her Snubbul is a battler. Togetic is a battler. Chinchou, and Weepinbell, however, solely appeal.
Your last question intrigues me. I began writing Show-Off in December, and had those two chapters done before christmas. I have planned the fic almost entirely, with a basic skeleton anyway. I estimate around 30 chapters. TPML has endless scope, really. I daresay it could have gone on longer.
I've planned so much; team developments, characterising the cities and even how long is spent in each one, subplots etc all. The fic takes a lot of turns, from truly bizzarre comedy elements to surprisingly dark action. I know a lot of the cast who appear. The one thing I don't quite now is the tone of the finale. That will come with time.
Medicham is such a big sister/mother figure. There's some cool background between Milo and Medicham's relationship. There had to be, right?
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
________________________________________________
Re: Show-Off
OK, I've caught up!
Andrew seems like an interesting character. Sheila was very weird and her questionnaire was funny.
Milo seems rather stereotypical, but he's the 'hero' of the story, so maybe he will evolve as the story progresses. The guys at the salon, on the other hand, probably don't hold such hope.
On the other hand, it's interesting to see how you've added depth to the pokemon world by introducing more reallistic elements into it. If you can manage to add some depth to the characters as well, I'm sure you'll be able to write a great fic.
The awkward moment between Ruby and Medicham was funny, and I liked the description of the Chariots of Fire.
One little detail: I think you meant "Open the shell!" rather than "Open the shell1".
I'll make sure to read the next chapter.
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Re: Show-Off
Thanks for the feedback Lady V. I'll make sure to take a look at your fic, what is it called? But as you rightly pointed out, Milo fills a stereotype, but we'll see beyond that quite a lot. His history with Medicham is very touching. A lot gets explained in the later half of the fic, but it's not what you'd expect.
Anyway at the moment I am writing Chapter 5. I have 3 and 4 completed but need to proofread 3 before it gets put up. I expect it to get done in a few days, with any luck!
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
________________________________________________
Re: Show-Off
Show-Off
-III-
Crocodile Cooler
It was the night before the Olivine Contest, and Milo was contently sitting in the coolest bar in Olivine City - Starboard Sixty. Filled with nautical décor, given a slightly modern, hip twist, it was where a lot of the cool people spent their time, and even Jasmine had sometimes been spotted here.
This was where Milo was in his last hours before bed - he found the hotel a bit bare and lifeless, and despite the price Meredith was paying for him to stay there, he only went there to sleep. He had explored Olivine during the days and had been sending both Ruby and Medicham to Noize, the salon his mother recommended. However when they tried giving Medicham a facial, the wily monkey unleashed a telekinetic blast and fled. It took Milo the remainder of that afternoon to track her down, and while Jake had found it amusing, Paulo was furious.
The Arcanine, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed the lavish attention, and Ruby spent each day receiving treatment from Paulo to keep herself nourished and beautiful. Milo and Medicham would spend this time training, focusing on their battle skills for the approaching contest. He gave his two Pokemon a pep talk regarding the next day, and had to recall the Pokemon into their balls, as Pokemon were not permitted to be out in bars.
“Can I join you?”
Milo looked up to see a girl standing by the bar, not far from him. She was slim, with wavy caramel hair and a silk dress. She had a colourful drink adorned with fruits and ice, sipping it. Milo smiled and indicated for her to come over, furrowing his brow.
“Do I know you?” he asked, taken in by her warm eyes.
“I don’t think so, no,” the girl said, setting herself in a seat and resting her drink. “My name is Eva. I recently took over my sister’s Gym here.”
“That’s it,” Milo said, scanning her with his eyes. “You look a lot like Jasmine.”
“Oh, thank you,” Eva said, smiling. “Well Jas took up coordinating full time. She didn’t like juggling the two, and the Gym Reclassification gave her the chance to move on.”
“I’m pleased for her,” Milo said warmly, vaguely recalling the Gym Leader‘s passion for contests.
“So what brings you to Olivine, erm…”
“Milo,” replied the boy. She gave a curt nod. “I’m competing in the contest tomorrow.”
“Oh cool,” replied Eva. “I’m going to be there because Jas is judging it. Giving support, you know. I never really enjoyed contests.”
“Hmm,” Milo murmured. He didn’t want to admit to this pretty young girl that he, too, loathed the immaculation and precision of contests. Now he had to act the part, as if he were a proper coordinator. “So what theme is the Olivine Gym under the Reclassification?”
“It’s the Defence Gym,” Eva said proudly.
“And what sort of Pokemon do you use?” Milo asked, keen to know more about the transformation. Eva smiled.
“I can’t divulge that information,” she laughed. Milo smirked. “You might raise an army to defeat my team. I train a lot of Pokemon that all specialise in high defence.”
“I like a challenge,” Milo replied.
“Come to the Gym then,” replied Eva, toying with Milo as she slurped her drink. While Milo would loved to have demolished this girl’s team with his league favourites, he knew that the combined efforts of Medicham and Ruby would not be enough - especially after Ruby’s ‘emergency grooming’ following the casual match with Tauros. Milo soaked in the silence momentarily, and hastily changed the conversation.
“What are you drinking?”
“It’s a Crocodile Cooler,” replied the girl, showing the bright drink to Milo. “Try it.”
“I’ll stick to beer,” Milo said, making a beeline for his pint. Eva gave a fake shudder.
“Beer? Urgh. Horrible drink.”
“You hate beer?” Milo asked, pulling a face.
“Well yes…“ Eva said. She saw Milo’s expression and drew a sharp breath. “But you needn’t pull that face! I can’t believe you hate cocktails. Olivine has got the coolest drinking spots in Johto!”
“There’s a tavern in Cianwood I’m a bit more fond of,” Milo said, looking around the inside of Starboard Sixty. He saw a Moose Head wearing a snorkel and rolled his eyes. “It’s much less gimmicky.”
“Do you cheer up after a few beers?” asked Eva, causing Milo to start laughing.
“I’m plenty cheery,” he said, in a mock-argument tone. “And I promise by the end of the night I will have you chugging beer like a pro.”
“And who says I’m staying here all night?” asked Eva coyly. Milo raised his glass.
“Well I certainly am,” he said. “Isn’t that enough?”
Eva smiled.
*
Some hours later and Milo awoke with a start. Blinking to adjust to the sudden bursts of sunlight piercing the windows, he found that he was not in fact in his hotel. The walls were lilac, the room unfamiliar. A sharp stabbing sensation in his temples told him he had drunk too much. Smacking his lips together and swallowing, the taste of beer and hops echoed in his throat. The new Gym Leader of Olivine City lay next to him, fast asleep. Spying his clothes in a pile on the floor, Milo had a sudden thought.
The Contest.
It was today! Milo cursed as he peeled the covers back and slipped out of bed, making sure not to wake Eva. He grabbed a Pokeball and rolled it across the floor. It opened quietly, and Medicham materialised. Taking a quick look around the room, she rolled her eyes, perhaps knowing the drill here, and held a hand up as Milo, clad only in boxer shorts, rose a few feet from the air. With her other hand, Medicham flicked the two socks from the floor and guided them onto Milo’s feet. Next, her hand raked across the room as the discarded t-shirt rose, diving over to Milo and sliding over his head. As his arms wriggled into the sleeves, Medicham directed the jeans onto his legs and lowered him back to the ground.
There was a noise; looking to the bed, Milo saw Eva turn in her sleep. Hastily doing up his zip, Milo made sure he had Arcanine and Medicham’s Pokeballs, and held Medicham’s shoulder.
“Quickly,” he said. “Teleport to the Contest Hall.”
“Morning,” came a groggy moan from Eva, who opened her eyes and looked up. Medicham placed her hand on top of Milo’s, and in a mere second the two were whisked away from the house. Eva rubbed her eyes, wondering if she had just imagined a boy disappearing from her bedroom.
Meanwhile, in the town centre, Milo popped into existence and stumbled forward. He fell into the wall of a narrow alleyway as Medicham crossed her arms, rolling her eyes.
“Don’t give me that look,” Milo rasped, dusting himself off and walking onto the open street. The walk to the Contest Hall was short; Medicham evidently knew where to take him. Wondering if he would see Eva today (she mentioned Jasmine was judging, and wanted to show support), Milo felt that his brief fumble the night before could seriously affect his chances in the contest. Nevertheless, he walked into the Contest Hall, opening the doors and feeling the cool breeze from the air-con blast down his neck. He approached the desk, seeing the wide-eyed, alert lady standing there rigidly. She had the telephone clasped tightly in her hand, pressing it to her ear.
“Sheldon I told you I needed you to tape ‘How Clean is Your House’. This week’s episode is filmed in Ecruteak city, that’s near us! I want to see what the houses are like in Ecruteak, since you won’t take me there for a day trip!”
“Erm, excuse me?” Milo said, aware he was running late as he recalled Medicham. “I’m here to participate in the Contest.”
“ONE MINUTE,” she mouthed, holding up a long, spindly finger. “Sheldon I am close to breaking point…well I would ask Vicky but she was let go last week. I told you this. Credit crunch, isn’t it! Well we can still go to the expensive supermarket. Just when its busy, so people can see us there. Anyway Delia and Gordon need their cereal and don’t skimp on the grapefruit quarters!”
Slamming the phone down, she blew the hair from her face and blinked rapidly.
“Hello,” she replied in a sudden, warm tone.
“Yes, hi, I’m here to compete in the contest.”
“You are?” she asked.
“Yes,” Milo said crisply.
“OK!” the lady yelled jovially, swiping Milo’s card into the computer and bringing up his file. “Right Milo! You are entrant number 08. The Lounge is just around the back - that’s where the coordinators are all relaxing before they are called on.”
“Ok,” Milo said. His Pokemon were scanned and appeared to be healthy and in fine condition. The lady thanked Milo and wished him good luck, before tending to someone else. Milo walked through the gathering crowds and went through a door for coordinators only. Inside, there were a group of people tending to their Pokemon, brushing them, hanging out with them, or mingling with each other as a large screen showed the introduction to the judges for the contest.
Milo could see the beautiful French girl Gina arguing with her dogsbody as someone was doing her hair. She slipped into a casual conversation with a reporter during this time.
“Yess, thees contest wil be my tuffest yet,” she proclaimed.
“And how do you find contests compared to the catwalk?” asked the reporter.
“Jusst as demanding!” she cried. Milo, realising she was a model, was further infatuated by her beauty.
“I know EXACTLY what you’re thinking,” said a girl next to Milo. She was an overweight, round girl, but with a warm-looking face and slightly worried eyes. “Gina Gourmante, the most amazing model in Johto…HERE. She makes me look hideous.”
“Don’t blame her,” Milo said indifferently, noticing the smell of wet dog.
“My name is Nanette,” the girl said, holding out a hand. Milo scanned her before turning his attention back to the screen. “This is my second contest.”
“My first,” Milo murmured.
“Only your first? But you seem so calm,” the girl replied. “I’m really worried. Gina Gourmante makes everyone else look so rubbish. I wish I’d worn a different top.”
“Your Pokemon gets judged, not you,” Milo reminded her.
“Oh you’re right, but it still worries me so much. I got so lost on the way here…”
Tuning out the girl’s moaning, Milo looked on the screen and saw number 3 already being called out - a boy who sent out a Manectric. He began commanding it to leap and dive across the arena as it emitted flashes of golden sparks. The appeal was interesting, to say the least, ending in Manectric discharging a bolt of blue lightning from his cone-like head.
The screen showed the judges giving their scores. The first judge, the mayor of Olivine, gave the appeal 6.8, citing it as illuminating and exciting. The next judge awarded the boy with a 7.0. Milo watched as the third judge was revealed to be Jasmine, the ex Gym Leader and sister of Milo’s drunken conquest the previous night.
“That was a very nice appeal, James,” Jasmine said kindly. “You know I love electric types deep down. You showed off Manectric’s speed and electric attacks very well. I’m giving you an 8.0”
James’s score was counted up and displayed as 21.8 out of a possible 30. He left the stage, as the MC had a quick chat with Jasmine and they discussed her new contest career. Jasmine explained that her younger sister, and new leader of the Gym, Eva, was now accepting challenges at the new Defence Gym. Next came a coordinator who was using an Oddish, leaving Milo rather disinterested.
“What number are you?” asked a man. Milo looked to see a handsome man in his thirties, wearing a navy suit and white shirt.
“Eight,” Milo replied.
“Ah. Twelve here,” he replied, sitting down next to Milo.
“I was one of the last to enter,” Milo said. “I don’t get why I’m earlier than you.”
“There was someone else who was number eight,” the man muttered, thinking for a minute. “He left before the contest started though. I guess they’d rather fill his spot than tack you on at the end. I’m Charlie.”
“Milo,” he replied, shaking the man’s hand. “You do this often?”
“Contests?” Charlie asked. “Not over here. I’m from Kanto, but I’m in Olivine on business. I’m trying to win a ribbon for my little girl.”
“No chance,” Milo replied. “That thing is mine.”
Charlie gave a patronising laugh and polished a Pokeball. The Oddish trained fled the stage in tears after her Pokemon began exhibiting a rather odd smell, receiving a terrible score. The next trainer to really intrigue Milo was a cute young girl who ran onto the stage and released her Pokemon - a pink Koffing. Smirking at the ugly Pokemon, Milo was shocked when the trainer ordered a sweet scent, causing coils of thick, bubblegum-blue powder to waft from the Pokemon’s pores. They swirled like candyfloss into dream-like shapes, before the Koffing then used a Charm attack to blast bright, pink hearts through the sugary-scent.
“Check that out,” Milo said, to nobody in particular. “How did she get her Koffing to learn those moves?”
“That’s what coordinators do,” Charlie told Milo. “It might not be the best appeal, but everyone’s going to be talking about the Pink Koffing.”
It turned out that the judges highly applauded the girl’s inventive appeal, and she came away with a total score of 22.2. Milo looked to see number seven being called up - looks like he was going up next. It also looked as if number seven was Gina, as she got up, swept past everyone and made her way to the stage, gripping a Pokeball readily. Ignoring Charlie, Milo looked at the screen.
“We are very honoured to have with us this afternoon Miss Gina Gourmante, appealing as coordinator number seven!” cried the MC. She was an athletic looking girl with lots of pep. Gina stepped out to a deafening round of applause from the crowd - some people even had banners and flags with her name and picture on. Milo was shocked.
“Zeel, I choos you!” she cried, hurling the ball high into the air and releasing her big, furry Seel. It landed on the ground and clapped its fins happily, getting a great reaction from the audience. “Beegin! Aqua Jet!”
Nodding, Seel was propelled high into the air by a torpedo-like jet of water. It sent him like a bottle rocket into the air, where he flipped and somersaulted for the crowd.
“Now, ice shard!”
Nodding, the Pokemon arched down and blasted a jet of thick icy chips straight to the ground. The jagged shards all stuck, in a circular pattern, into the floor as Seel landed in the centre. Gina ordered Seel to then use aurora beam, and the Pokemon, as it blasted the bright, rainbow beam of icy moisture, span around so as to direct the light into the various iced stones surrounding it. To finish the appeal, as the icy shards glowed with powerful aura, Seel blasted a delicate jet of water directly up, in the vain of a fountain.
Rapturous applause broke out as Milo watched, impressed, and the buzz around the lounge area grew. Gina stood with Seel as she heard her scores.
“Fantastic appeal from you Gina,” said the Mayor. “9.0.”
Gina nodded politely as the second judge gave his score - 9.0. Gina smiled happily as Jasmine surveyed her for a minute.
“I loved it,” she said, grinning and giving her a 9.5, resulting in 27.5. Gina gave a beaming smile as Seel waved to the audience. Milo got up and walked behind the stage, waiting for his name to be called out as Gina recalled Seel and strode calmly off the stage.
“That was good,” Milo said weakly, as Gina passed.
“I know,” she replied, not even looking at him as she went. Shocked, Milo heard his name and number called out and strode purposefully onto the stage. Straight away he scanned all the faces of the audience and, being used to stadiums where he couldn’t make out any faces at all, was slightly shaken by the surge of people looking at him.
Sweaty fingers clasped around his Pokeball and Milo cleared his throat.
“Ruby!” he yelled, hurling it forward. “Take to the stage!”
In a burst of bright light, Ruby landed on the arena, placing her paws down on the ground. Instantly, Milo zoned in on a particular audience member - Eva. She sat near the front, looking irritated. Milo cleared his throat and commenced the battle.
“Er…go for an extreme speed!” Milo called. Nodding, Ruby bolted through the air in a silvery streak. “Unleash fire!”
Flames were released from her jaws, and they trailed behind her, cloaking her form, making her look like a scarlet and red blur. On Milo’s command, Ruby blasted out golden stars that trailed behind her as she ran around the arena. The judges looked impressed, and following on with the appeal, Ruby leapt high into the air and span around wildly, whisking the flames into a huge ball and sending them back down to the arena, where they whooshed outwards in a tremendous display. Landing deftly, Ruby faced the crowd as they applauded keenly.
“A wonderful performance,” Jasmine noted. “Arcanine worked seamlessly with her flames and the whole thing worked well. I give you a 9.0.”
“Thanks,” Milo said. Jasmine didn’t seem to recognize him, but, thinking about it, she will have battled countless trainers in the last year. The second judge, whom Milo didn’t know, spoke.
“An enjoyable appeal, yes,” he said stiffly. “7.8.”
Milo thought that seemed a bit low, due to his comments. He said nothing.
“Good coordination between yourself and Arcanine,” said the Mayor of Olivine. “I liked the style of the appeal. I’m giving you a 9.0.”
That made a total score of 25.8. The audience applauded as Milo walked off the stage, basking in the shadowy backstage area, free from all the people staring and anticipating. Concerned that wasn’t high enough to progress, Milo was oddly miserable, sitting down as Arcanine placed her head on his lap.
“You did great,” he said quietly, stroking her fur. She closed her eyes dreamily. “Mum would be proud.”
Ruby nodded. Milo saw Gina tending to an impressive-looking Ampharos. The girl with the pink Koffing was looking at the ribbons in her case - she had two others. The man named Charlie eventually went up to appeal, using a Solrock. The large, eerie Pokemon glowed with a faint, sparkling light as it spewed and manipulated snakes of flame like mythical dragons. He got a good score, higher than Milo’s. Throughout the appeal stage, Milo was deep in thought. His sister, and even his mother before her, competed in these tirelessly. It was exciting seeing what people were doing, but ultimately, Milo hated standing around.
“Cheer up,” came a voice. Milo looked up to see Jake, the boy from the salon, standing by the door.
“Why does everyone think I’m grumpy,” Milo said, albeit in a frustrated, grumpy tone. “Are you competing?”
“No, I got the day off to see the contest,” Jake said. “Paolo is doing my head in. Hey, Ruby was really good, Milo.”
“How did you get back here?” the boy asked..
“I said I was the personal groomer of a contest Pokemon,” the boy joked. “You ok?”
“Yea, just bored,” Milo sighed. “It’s weird not seeing you sweeping the floor or being behind that desk.”
“I can live without that salon,” Jake said. “I love watching contests. I heard Gina Gourmante is here, too?”
“Yup,” Milo said, pointing to the girl as she shone her Ampharos’s jewel on its tail. Jake let out a squeal as Milo, bored, fumbled around with Medicham’s Pokeball. On the stage, a boy did an inventive appeal with a Spinarak, using its string to accurately depict the Battle of Hastings.
“She’s so amazing,” gushed Jake. The Spinarak kid left the stage and the scores were all put together. The top four were placed up with the pictures from their contest pass, and those four would face off in battles to decide the best coordinator.
“Oooh, it’s announcement time!” Jake said, gripping Milo’s arm. Milo shook him off.
Looking, he saw Charlie, Gina and the Koffing trainer’s pictures appear, as well as the terrible picture of his own face.
“You got through!” Jake yelled.
“I saw,” Milo grumbled, not appreciating the boy’s loudness. The pictures were paired up, showing Milo had to battle Charlie if he wanted to advance to the finals. Milo exchanged a look with the cocky, suited man, who smirked. There was a brief interval while the stage was cleared for the next rounds; Milo and Jake took two minutes to go outside and get a bit of fresh air, this being an ideal opportunity for people to have a cigarette or go to the toilet.
“How do you feel about facing that guy?” Jake asked, leaning against the wall.
“Fine,” Milo said. “He seems to be all talk. His appeal was quite good though.”
Jake murmured a response, looking at his phone. He looked slightly cross, deleting something and putting his phone back in his pocket.
“So you got any advice?” Milo asked. “I know I have to be stylish and stuff in this battle.”
“Combo’s are good,” Jake said. “Just don’t treat it like a Gym Battle.”
“Ok,” said Milo. Medicham was battling, and she was good for the job. Milo wanted to work on her elemental punches, and reminded himself that he should do that the next day. He spent a few more minutes taking in gulps of fresh air, before Jake left to take his seat and the interval drew to a close.
“Look who it is!” came a voice. Milo turned to see a cold-looking Eva storming over.
“Hey you,” Milo said cheekily. She narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t be all sweet you creep,” Eva snapped.
“What’s wrong with you?” Milo asked, keeping an innocent façade while knowing full well what was bothering the Gym Leader.
“You just disappeared this morning!” Eva yelled.
“I had to get to the contest - I’m competing,” Milo explained. “Got my semi-final match in a second.”
“Do you have any idea how cheap I feel?” the girl said, looking hurt. You couldn’t even say goodbye and leave. No, no, you have to fucking TELEPORT out my room!”
“I’m really sorry,” Milo replied. Eva shook her head.
“I was so stupid to stay out all night,” she muttered. “If I told Jas about this, you’d have got nothing more than 1.0 in that appeal, you do know that?”
“So why didn’t you tell her,” Milo asked, staring the girl in the eyes. Eva hesitated.
“Because…I like you,” she said suddenly. “You’re a…nice guy. I don’t want to be so cruel.”
“Look, I left without a word this morning, that wasn’t right,” Milo admitted.. “Eva, I‘m sorry for the way that made you feel.”
The girl‘s narrowed eyes softened slightly.
“I’m planning on winning this contest, so I really do need to go. But if you come into Starboard Sixty tonight, there’ll be a Crocodile Cooler waiting for you.”
Smiling, Eva assured Milo she would be in the area, and explained that she wanted to see her sister judging, and due to a Gym challenge would have to duck out early. Wishing him good luck, she walked off, waving softly.. Milo bode her farewell and went backstage again, where he saw that his battle against Charlie was first.
“Milo?” came a voice. A PR-type lady addressed Milo, consulting his name on a list. “If you could make your way onto the arena please?”
“Yea, yea,” Milo said, walking past the other coordinators.
“Good luck!” came the voice of Nanette, the overweight girl.
“Thanks,” Milo murmured.
“I can’t believe you got a better score than me,” rasped a well-spoken boy.
“Deal with it,” snapped Milo, as he walked onto the stage to a rapturous applause. The MC for the contest introduced Milo, who stood on one side of the arena, which was a simple painted area for them to battle, with the usual markings around the perimeter and split across the middle. Charlie walked out onto the stage, too, receiving similar levels of admiration from the crowd. His suit looked so smart, and he seemed so relaxed as he waved to someone in the stands and straightened his tie, standing opposite Milo.
“Coordinators, please pay attention to the following rules, from the Johto Contest Guidelines,” the MC said sternly. “The match will last five minutes. It is a singles match, requiring a different Pokemon than one used in the first round. You must battle your opponent with style and grace, displaying the natural characters of your Pokemon while attacking your opponent. An Appeal Gauge, on the scoreboard, displays each Pokemon’s appeal. Being struck by particularly effective contest combos, or attacks lacking in accuracy or grace will result in a loss of points. The winner is the coordinator whose Pokemon has the highest Appeal Gauge of the two or, if a Pokemon is knocked out, the surviving Pokemon is the winner. Do you both understand the rules?”
“Yes,” said Milo, hearing Charlie say the same. The MC raised her hands.
“BEGIN!”
Milo gripped Medicham’s Pokeball and plucked it from his belt. In a quick motion he hurled it across the arena, noting Charlie did the same. In a bright flash of light Medicham emerged onto the arena, and a subsequent picture of her appeared on the screen. Milo caught the ball as Charlie’s Pokemon, a Charmeleon, roared loudly.
“Charmeleon, ember shower!” called Charlie. As the flame on its tail burned brighter, Charmeleon span around wildly, causing a flaming streak to circle around him. The tail burning higher and higher, rogue embers began bursting from the flame and tearing across the arena due to the sheer speed at which the fire-type was spinning. Looking at the foe, who resembled a meteor shower, Medicham held her hands out and used her telekinesis to try and stop the onslaught. The surge was too much, however, and she lost her focus, causing her to lose points on the Appeal Gauge.
“Damnit!” Milo cried. “Get in there with a thunder punch!”
Medicham nodded and sped along the arena, fist held out as it buzzed with frenzied voltage. As Charmeleon stopped spinning, he gripped his tail and swung the flame-end like a dangerous mace. Before he could strike though, Medicham slugged him across the face with the electrified punch. Reeling from the pain, jaw twitching, Charmeleon growled.
Milo noticed that Charmeleon, despite being hit by such a strong attack, didn’t lose much on his gauge, probably due to the battle-orientated nature of the assault. Recalling his battle with his sister at home, Milo remembered the defining moment when Medicham made a combo using shadow ball, and thought attacks of this nature would work much better.
“Ok Medicham, levitate using telekinesis,” Milo ordered. By projecting a force down upon the ground, psychic Pokemon such as Medicham were able to force themselves up into the air. The crowd looked impressed by Medicham, levitating effortlessly. “Now go in for a high jump kick!”
Speeding along the arena like superwoman, Medicham’s command over her psychic powers were impressive. Charmeleon flexed his claws as Medicham got nearer, but Milo had other plans.
“Now, lower your telekinesis. High Jump kick off the ground!”
Medicham leapt from her flying-pose, feet pressing into the ground and launching herself high up into the air, where she did a somersault on the ascent. In mid-air, Medicham flung a Shadow Ball out from her palms; the initially small orb got bigger as it sped down, guided by gravity, crackling with shadows as it exploded over Charmeleon’s head.
“Yes!” Milo yelled, as Medicham teleported back to her side of the arena. Charmeleon staggered, losing a lot from his Appeal Gauge.
“Charmeleon, Flare Blitz!” yelled Charlie. Charmeleon nodded and dived forward, bursting into flame and skidding along the arena like he was on a skating rink. Flames trailing behind him, the burning figure extended his fiery claws and sped towards Medicham. Milo watched the fire and smiled.
“Psychic to manipulate the flame. Then send Charmeleon back.”
With one hand held up, Medicham directed the flames surrounding Charmeleon to whip up into the air, curling into a scorching orb of flame burning like a miniature sun. Charmeleon leapt at Milo’s Pokemon, who used her other hand to launch the Pokemon back through the air, where he landed on his back with a thud. Wielding the large fireball, Medicham hurled it forward, where it exploded around Charmeleon and, due to the complexity of the attack, caused Charmeleon to lose a lot more points.
“Keep it up!” Milo told his Pokemon, who nodded. The timer was ticking now, and there wasn’t long left, but Milo was enjoying the mischievous, strategic element of battle.
Charlie ordered a flamethrower; the jet of fire shot into Medicham, who was caught off guard. She shook the damage off, conjuring up another thunder punch and racing through the air. Charmeleon leapt forward with a slash, the two Pokemon clashing in the middle of the arena, with claws raking Medicham’s face as she slugged Charmeleon in the stomach. Rolling back, the Pokemon leapt up. Medicham rose to her feet and stared at the foe.
“Go in for another slash!” Charlie ordered. Charmeleon leapt at Medicham, but with a lazy flick of her hand the Pokemon was hoisted up into the air by his tail, hovering in the middle of the arena. Milo and Medicham glared at the dangling Charmeleon as seconds trickled away.
“Use psychic to manipulate his flame,” Milo said firmly. Medicham twisted her wrist and clenched her fingers; squeezing the air she caused Charmeleon’s flame to burn brighter and brighter, coiling it around the suspended lizard as it hung like a burning chandelier. The crowd watched on, impressed, as Charmeleon was made to become the centrepiece for the arena.
“Swift!” Milo ordered. A flurry of golden stars sped through the air, spiralling around the large cone of fire and grazing at Charmeleon from within. Applause rang out as Charmeleon’s meter continued to drop, and the timer finally reached zero.
“TIME!” cried the MC, raising her hands. Medicham dropped Charmeleon on cue, where he smashed into the ground, limbs splayed.. “That was a fantastic battle guys, let’s see what the judges have to say!”
“An intense match,” the Mayor told Milo and Charlie. “Milo, you and Medicham battled with purpose, and aptly displayed the qualities of your Pokemon. From the start you led the match and never gave in. Well done.”
“Yes, well done Milo,” the man in the middle said - Milo had no clue who he was, but lapped up the complements. “Charlie, while Charmeleon got the lower score, you still demonstrated a great deal of control and precision over his fire attacks.”
“Thank you,” mumbled Charlie, looking diminished at his loss. Jasmine took a deep breath.
“Well I thought Milo played dirty,” she said, to a shock reaction from the audience. “Telekinesis was used over and over; you didn’t explore Medicham’s fighting attacks as much as you could have. You simply tossed Charmeleon around very effortlessly.”
“What a load of shit!” Milo called. The MC raised her voice.
“Now, now, we’ve heard what the judges have to say,” she said cautiously. “But we all know the match comes down to the highest score! With the higher Appeal Gauge, Milo Mitchelson goes onto the finals! Congratulations!”
Milo gave a gasp, smiling broadly as it sank in. He knew he had gotten through when the match was halted, but hearing it said, and seeing the crowd cheer wildly made everything seem so real. Intense excitement rushed through his body, in his blood…and Milo left the stage with Medicham.
In the relaxation room, many of the coordinators stayed to watch the finals, and applauded Milo as he entered. As the stage was being cleared, Milo saw highlights being shown on the big screen, and was impressed at the visual displays he created with Medicham.
“We did a good job,” he assured his Pokemon, who nodded as she sat down; a nurse came along and sprayed Medicham with a healing spray, tending to cuts and the like while she recovered.
“I can see why Mom and Mi like these things,” Milo said. “It was so funny when you just manipulated the flames from Flare Blitz and hurled them into Charmeleon.
Charlie came over to where Milo sat.
“Good luck in the finals,” he said warmly.
“Thanks man,” Milo replied, shaking Charlie’s hand. “I liked your Charmeleon.”
“Thanks,” Charlie replied.
“I guess I might see you in another contest somewhere,” Milo muttered, but Charlie held his hand up to silence him.
“I’m flying to Celadon city tomorrow morning, so I won’t be in anymore Johto contests,” he explained. Milo nodded.
“Well when you see your little girl, and she asks where her ribbon is,” Milo said. “Tell her I have it.”
Shocked by Milo’s cockiness, Charlie said his goodbyes and left the Contest Hall. Not long after Milo was relaxing, he was ushered back onto the stage for the finals match, where he learned he would be facing successful model Gina Gourmante.
“Good work,” said Jake, who had appeared backstage again. “That was amazing!”
“I know,” Milo said, smirking.
“I liked it when you used psychic to manipulate Charmeleon’s flames,” he said. “That was clever.”
“Thanks, thanks,” said Milo, enjoying the praise from the stylist.
“I’ll see you after the contest!” Jake cried.
*
Standing on his side of the battle area, Milo looked at Gina Gourmante as she strode over, brushing her blonde hair from her eyes. The French model had undergone a costume change since the appeal stage, now wearing an ocean blue dress with a set of shocking pink pearls. Her shoes matched her pearls, and she had a whopping ring on her finger.
“Please welcome the challengers onto the arena!” called the MC. The crowd were cheering and applauding, some waving large banners of support for Gina. She gave a fickle wave to the fans, smiling. Milo’s eyes locked onto hers, anticipating a smile, but she ignored him.
“The rules are as standard. You must each select a Pokemon. You must battle for five minutes and, if a winner is not decided in that time, the highest appeal gauge will decide the winner. Good luck, both of you.”
A timer popped on the large plasma screen.
“BEGIN!”
“Medicham go,” Milo said, unleashing his monkey. She leapt out the ball as white light expanded from the clasp; readying herself for the match, she observed Gina kiss her Pokeball’s top and spin it through the air. From the similar flash of light, a large, yellow Pokemon emerged. It had a glowin orb atop its tail and two large, cone shaped ears. This was Ampharos.
“Medicham use shadow ball,” came the first command. Hands held close, Medicham pulled fizzing tendrils of shadow from the atmosphere, melding them into a flesh-like lump of swirling colour. Ampharos was just standing there as sparks danced along her fine fur. The sparks simply generated and clashed amongst one another, leaving Ampharos open.
Medicham pulled one hand away and, with the other, hurled the ball through the air. At that precise moment, Ampharos’s tail glowed with an intense white; bursts of brilliantly pure light were emitted from her tail, and as Ampharos ran left and right sporadically, the shadow ball flittered off into the wall.
“A clever use of charge and flash to really expand on the illumination!” gasped the MC. Medicham was staggering with confusion, bright lights popping up in her line of vision. As she rubbed her sore eyes, Ampharos leapt out of nowhere and swung a flaming punch into Medicham’s jaw.
“Hey!” Milo snapped, his Pokemon rolling along the ground. “Medicham, use mind reader.”
Nodding, she closed her eyes and felt for presence around her. Using her mind, she was causing the air around her to ripple and tweak with applied pressure. Ampharos clenched her fists as she unleashed a spearing bolt of lightening through the air. As it sped along, nearing Medicham, her sudden alertness allowed her to leap to the side and roll, turning to see the bolt char the ground. Ampharos lost points on his appeal gauge.
“Now use psychic,” ordered Milo. Holding her hand forward, Medicham grasped Ampharos in place. She began levitating him off the ground carefully, applying more force when she writhed and struggled. Gina watched calmly as her Pokemon rose higher into the air.
Medicham’s eyes were narrowed as she stared coldly at the hapless Ampharos. Milo’s muscles were tensed as he eagerly watched Ampharos’s Appeal Gauge slide further and further down - being unable to counter the attack was costing him points.
“Amphy!” Gina cried. “Shock wave!”
Sparks fizzed and buzzed along Ampharos’s golden fur as they jumped along the Pokemon’s body. A sudden burst of lightening exploded off his fur and swept out across the arena in a dangerously wide radius. Milo knew shock wave was an attack that rarely missed, and that, despite being physically imprisoned, Ampharos could expel attacks easily. The attack smashed into Medicham and hurtled her across the arena as Ampharos fell from the grip, taking damage but finally being free from the telekinetic grip. Medicham began to get up, looking at Milo and wondering what to do next. They didn’t need to think long, for Gina was giving out the next command.
“Ampharos use flash and iron tail!”
Charging across the arena, Ampharos swung his tail around as a bright light shone from it. Medicham shielded her eyes slightly, but when the light became too intense she closed her eyes and simply waited, using her mind reader ability to predict where the opponent was going to strike. Due to flash failing to disorient Medicham, the appeal gauge slithered down. Medicham was unable to accurately perceive where Ampharos was, and the long, shimmering tail thwacked her in the face. Blood burst from her mouth but she did not utter a sound, refusing to let her opponent indulge in her pain. She swung a karate chop around but Ampharos blocked it.
Milo’s eyes scanned the big screen; he was doing ok. Medicham’s bar was slightly higher than Ampharos’s.
“Levitate,” he ordered, recalling the technique he used against Charlie. Hands expelling telekinetic energy against the ground, Medicham rose up about a foot off the air, narrowly (and, it should be said, accidentally) missing a thunderbolt aimed by Ampharos.
“Now, go in for a high jump kick!” Milo yelled, watching his Pokemon speed through the air. Ampharos screwed his tiny black eyes up and clenched his fists, expelling another burst of lightening. Medicham dropped her psychic prowess, using her feet to pounce off the ground as she dropped and launching high into the air.
“Shadow Ball!”
Hands crackling wildly, Medicham moulded together a shadow ball and hurled the fizzing orb down at Ampharos. In quick retaliation, the Pokemon swung her tail around and smashed apart the shadow ball, causing escaped strips of darkness to squirm back into the air.
There wasn’t much time left. Ampharos raced forward with a fire punch, but Medicham swung under the punch and chopped the large yellow Pokemon across the neck. As the foe fell backwards Medicham flicked her hand up; Ampharos rose into the air slowly. Medicham then forced her palm down, causing the Pokemon to smash into the ground.
“Brutal!” Gina scoffed. “Amphy, thunder!”
Medicham lifted Ampharos up again, as the Pokemon began charging up energy. Slamming the opponent into the ground again, Medicham watched as the sparks dancing on Ampharos’s body began jumping and fizzling, rising up from her body like a gigantic bolt of lightening. Milo saw this.
“Use one hand to hold Ampharos down,” he urged.
Hand aching with the intense concentration, Medicham focused hard as the huge, cataclysmic electric entity surged through the air.
“Use your other hand to repel the attack!” shouted Milo. Eyes jerking up, Medicham held her hand out, applying telekinesis to halt the oncoming attack. The bolt froze, the occasional rogue spark leaping into the air or peeling away from the gigantic attack. Time trickled down as Ampharos lay there under Medicham’s hold.
But Medicham was struggling. Sweat slid down her forehead as her eyes flickered from the exhausted Ampharos, pinned down, to the large swarm of sparks mere feet from her face. Holding both off, and diverting her psychic powers was consuming her. She began gasping and exhaling large gulps of air.
Milo knew that he was asking too much. Medicham was clearly strained from the dual attention.
“Focus entirely on keeping the thunder away,” he commanded. Nodding, Medicham flicked her wrist and left Ampharos unhindered on the floor. She brought her other hand up to grasp the oncoming lightening, furrowing her brow slightly. With a heave, the thunder attack was launched up into the rafters, where it burst into a riot of vigilante sparks. They zoomed across the ceiling like illuminated meteors, raining down on the arena blissfully. Medicham closed her eyes with satisfaction as she suddenly felt a heavy plough to the back of her head.
Collapsing to the ground, Medicham only felt the effects of the focus punch, distracted completely by redirecting the intimidating thunder attack. Ampharos was exhausted, watching the psychic Pokemon lay motionless on the ground.
“Medicham?” Milo said. The MC was watching intently, a flag-bearing hand twitching in anticipation. Rolling over, Milo’s star Pokemon shook her head.
“MEDICHAM HAS BEEN DEFEATED!” the MC yelled, as applause broke out and Gina feigned surprise. Ampharos jumped up and down as Milo walked over to Medicham. Gina appeared on the large plasma screen, applauding, bowing, blowing kisses and hugging her Ampharos tightly. Milo, without saying a word, recalled Medicham and turned to walk off the stage.
He hadn’t even noticed Ampharos preparing for a focus punch. The move was notorious for its long preparation time, and it was usually a risky move. Gina had fooled Milo into concentrating on the large thunder attack. As he walked past the curtain and backstage, he knew that a similar result would have occurred had he focused on keeping Ampharos pinned down; the thunder attack would have struck, and he would have felt just as low.
Irritatingly, he was beating Ampharos on the Appeal Gauge. Knowing that a knock out had defeated him, as opposed to intricate contest technique, was very frustrating. Milo was good at battlers. He should have won.
Oddly, applause rang out as Milo entered the chill out area. Some of the previous competitors had stayed to watch the final, and seemed to congratulate Milo on his good fight. He had never been so touched by complete strangers before.
*
The sun began to dip with a tangerine glow as Milo stood outside the contest hall. Medicham was being taken care of on the Pokemon Center inside, while Ruby was in her ball. For the first time in months, Milo craved a cigarette, and wondered if he could find a Newsagents or Off License nearby. Milo saw the door to the hall fly open and Gina Gourmante stormed out, her spineless agent behind her.
“Fuck me,” she snapped, in a brittle, London accent. “I hate the press.”
“Your public profile is looking fantastic,” the man said. “Now then…you’re scheduled to perform at the Glammerpuss Show in Goldenrod. All the rising stars are going to be there. It should be great publicity.”
“Hang on,” Milo said, nearby. The man leapt out of his skin. “You’re faking the whole French thing?”
“Shut the hell up!” Gina snapped. “It’s my…”
“Persona,” the agent cooed.
“My persona,” Gina said. “Is that ok by you?”
“Well you’re still at least a 7/10 regardless of what you sound like,” Milo mused. “Even though the cockney accent is like nails on a chalkboard.”
“Fuck off,” she said.
“I take it ‘Gourmante’ isn’t your surname, then,” Milo sniggered.
“Can you leave my client alone please?” the agent said fussily. “Gina, we need to get back to the hotel room. You have an early flight in the morning.”
Gina scowled, flicking her half-smoked cigarette into the air. As she stormed off, Milo eyed the cigarette, noticing it rise off the ground with a curious aura. The air rippled around it and it floated towards Milo’s mouth. Turning, he saw Medicham walking out the doors of the Contest Hall. Milo parted his lips and allowed the cigarette in.
“I thought you didn’t like me smoking?” he joked. Medicham shrugged, giving her eyes a lazy roll. “How you doing anyway?”
Medicham nodded.
“You were fucking great,” he said happily.
“I agree!” came a familiar voice. Jake the hairdresser sauntered over happily, beaming at the pair. “Milo, I’m sorry you lost.”
“Technically Medicham lost,” Milo replied. Medicham frowned, perhaps contemplating whether to jam the burning cigarette down her trainer’s throat.
“Gina was amazing though,” Jake gushed. “So beautiful. So typically French, so pure.”
“Yea,” Milo said, deciding to keep Gina’s secret for now. “Very French.”
“Where’s next for Milo Mitchelson then?” Jake asked. Milo stopped for a minute. He entered the Olivine Contest to win a ribbon and prove to Mia how simplistic this entire thing was. The question was very good, indeed.
“I…don’t know,” he said.
“You don’t know what to do?” Jake asked.
“Well…no,” Milo muttered.
“Another contest?” suggested the boy.
“Makes sense,” Milo said slowly, more to himself than to anyone else. “I can try and get a ribbon in Ecruteak. They have a contest hall.”
“You’re a really good coordinator,” Jake told him. “That was your first contest, and you grasped things so well.”
“I did do pretty well…” Milo said.
“Why stop at getting one ribbon?” Jake asked.
“Because I find this social practice deeply self-centred and slightly stale,” Milo pointed out.
“But you’re good at it!”
“I’m good at a lot of things,” Milo pointed out.
“But someone as dynamic as you could really shake things up. Don’t you want to beat your sister at her own game anyway?”
“Hmm,” Milo said.
“And she’ll be entering more advanced contests. Some require ribbons as pre-requisites. Go on.”
“Let’s just get Ecruteak under my belt first,” Milo mumbled, stubbing the cigarette out. “What you on with now, anyway?”
“Job hunting?” Jake suggested. Milo looked at him quizzically. “I skipped work to see the contest. Paulo fired me on the spot.”
“Unlucky!” Milo laughed. Jake turned slightly red.
“There isn’t much work going at the moment,” he said. “What with the credit crunch.”
“God, not you as well,” Milo replied. “Well look, I’m off to Ecruteak City. Ruby’s going to need a bit of care and attention in preparation for the next contest, so why don’t you come along?”
“But I have no income,” Jake said. “No money.”
“I have endless amounts,” Milo pointed out. “Money won’t be an issue. Even in the Credit Crush.”
“Well,” Jake said. “It would be good experience as a stylist…”
“I’ll be catching more Pokemon, you can…expand your horizons and help them, too.” Milo said, thinking he could save hundreds on salon fees with Jake around.
“Ok then,” Jake said. “You’ve got yourself a deal!”
“Cool,” Milo replied. “Pack your bags, I’ll see you at the gates of the city at lunchtime tomorrow.”
Jake went in one direction to his flat, preparing to leave Olivine for Ecruteak City. Milo walked in the other direction, Medicham walking alongside. He forgot how good people were so easy to manipulate.
*
As Milo hurried back to his hotel room, Eva sat in Starboard Sixty with a Crocodile Cooler half-drained. Nibbling on the wedge of watermelon served with the refreshing, citrus drink, she sighed, staring around the quiet bar. Pulling out her cell phone, she dialled a number, her finger skating around the rim of her glass.
“Hello?” came the voice.
“Jasmine, it’s me,” Eva said. “He didn’t turn up.”
“Oh Eva,” Jasmine cooed softly. “Honey…I’m sorry.”
“You warned me,” the girl said. “You said Milo Mitchelson breaks hearts.”
“I gave him the benefit of the doubt,” Jasmine explained. “When I saw him in the salon, and I overheard he was coordinating, I assumed he had turned over a new leaf.”
“Nope,” Eva mumbled. “I really liked him, Jas. He was so funny, so charismatic…”
“You don’t need to tell me,” Jasmine sighed. “Over a year ago he came striding into my Gym and swept me right off my feet.”
“Will you come and meet me?” Eva asked.
“Of course I will,” Jasmine replied. “Dry your tears. Forget about Milo, because he will have forgotten about you.”
Eva nodded, hanging the phone up and blinking back her tears. Maybe Milo would remember her.
*
Next Chapter
Milo catches a controversial Pokemon. And a bunch of free-thinking radicalist hippies threaten the peaceful MooMoo farm when Milo and Jake go on a guided tour.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
________________________________________________
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 3 posted!
I liked the flirting; and the waking up in her bed thing. Although its very movie-like-cliché, it seemed so very realistic. The notice of beer and other alcoholic-beverages helped adding to the sense of a pokemon world that's actually not quite different from ours, but only with pokemon. I don't know if that made sense.
The contest itself was nicely written. I like battles a lot, in fiction aswell, but here I liked the appeal part more than the battle. I'm keen on seeing some new pokemon to take the spotlight, but next chapter will grant me that wish I see
Jack looks like an interesting fellow, and I'm glad he joined up. It was also really un-expecting for Jack to accompany Milo on his quest, and that's a good thing. In most fics you can see from miles away when someone is going to join the 'possé'.
Poor Eva, I'm wondering how that will work out.
Very nice work, I like this fic better than TPML now, no shit.
Keep it up!
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 3 posted!
And that chapter had a koffing.A pink one, no less, which is a fairly amusing image. X3 AND it had sweet scent, which puts the phrase "koffing air freshener" in my mind. X3 So yeah, quite the interesting little koffing there. ^^
I thought the interactions between Milo and Eva were quite well done. ^^ I enjoyed that aspect of the chapter.
Another aspect I definitely enjoyed were the battles. ^^ I found the Medicham vs. Charmeleon match to be an entertaining, high-energy match, and the Medicham vs. Ampharos match featured some rather interesting tactics on Gina's part.
Other highlights:
XDD Medicham = awesome.However when they tried giving Medicham a facial, the wily monkey unleashed a telekinetic blast and fled.
I liked the use of "echoed" there.Smacking his lips together and swallowing, the taste of beer and hops echoed in his throat.
X3“Why does everyone think I’m grumpy,” Milo said, albeit in a frustrated, grumpy tone.
XDD I love that line.“Milo, I’m sorry you lost.”
“Technically Medicham lost,” Milo replied. Medicham frowned, perhaps contemplating whether to jam the burning cigarette down her trainer’s throat.
Looking forward to the next chapter! ^^
Chapter 4
Here we are. The next chappie. Sorry for the delay I've been a bit busy. Just writing up Chapter 6 now. Please let me know what you think guys.
Show-Off
-IV-
Blue Lagoon
Medicham heard a sudden buzzing noise before she was hurtled out of her Pokeball at lightning speed. Materialising in a dark room, she noticed the alarm setting on her Pokeball. Milo lay fast asleep in the plush bed of his hotel room. She rolled her eyes and tapped the Pokeball to stop the alarm. Looking around, the psychic Pokemon’s hands scanned the area, and old socks, clothes, mobile phone chargers and notepads rose into the air slowly. Concentrating hard, the suitcase popped open, and she began coordinating everything into the case, folding some items of clothing and placing them into the case calmly. Medicham left a pair of board shorts, a t-shirt and a hooded top folded at the bedside, as well as Milo’s flip flops, which he liked to wear in the warm weather.
As she surveyed the room, Medicham was about to fling the curtains open, before calmly walking over and using the pulley system to part the curtains and bring in the light. There was no need to use her telekinesis all the time. Trying to recall her dream, which had been disturbing to say the least, she noticed her trainer still asleep.
She often felt guilty using physical force to wake Milo up. A memory of Violet City flashed before Medicham‘s eyes, when she used her telekinesis to levitate the boy into the air mid-sleep. The result was that he wet the bed, something that the two of them were never allowed to refer to again. Admittedly, the fact that it was bound to secrecy made it even more juicy.
With a flick of her hand both windows were flung open, and fresh air wafted into the musty room. Birds chirped and the familiar chatter of people from the street below could be heard. This should wake him up, the Pokemon thought, deciding to go for a little wander in the hotel. She walked to the door, opening it and walking out onto the seemingly deserted corridor.
Medicham stopped almost instantly. A low murmur could be heard nearby. It sounded like a machine of sorts. There was nobody here, however. In an instant, Medicham looked up to see a Magnemite buzzing softly as it floated above the door. Eyes widening, she leapt back as Magnemite swept down to attack.
It crackled with a mild bolt of lightning, something Medicham managed to deflect easily, directing it into the door. Magnemite raced forward, but Medicham employed her telekinesis to thrust Magnemite into the wall, where it clattered and dropped to the floor. Getting in a readied pose, Medicham prepared for a retaliation, only to find the little magnetic unit was letting off a slightly faulty beeping noise. She nodded to herself and turned to walk down the corridor.
“What’s going on?” came Milo’s voice. Medicham turned to see her trainer walking out the room in a pair of pyjama bottoms. “You ok?”
Medicham clicked her fingers, causing the Magnemite to float over. Milo looked at it and muttered to himself.
“Jasmine.”
He turned and went back into the hotel room, emerging a few moments later with his hooded top on, board shorts and his flip flops, pulling the average sized suitcase with him.
“Thanks for packing,” said Milo quietly. His hoody had the Cianwood gym badge on the chest, and his name across the back. Medicham simply nodded as Milo examined the Magnemite, its unit fitting perfectly in his palm.
“Now who do we know who has a few of these, huh?”
Medicham narrowed her eyes at the unconscious magnet, clearly not fond of it.
“Come on.”
*
The streets of Olivine burst with vigour as Milo paced past shops, stalls and other buildings. Medicham did her best to keep up, but she was not as athletic as Milo. She used telekinesis to drag the suitcases behind her. It trundled along and bumped over stones as it gave off an eerie sheen.
Soon, Milo arrived at the large, square Gym and recalled the last time he entered, when he was competing in the Johto League. Of course, back then he was taken from city to city by his family’s staff. Sometimes in lavish cars, or perhaps he would get a private carriage on the Magnet Train. As Medicham caught up to him by sneakily teleporting to his side, Milo stared at the large letters above the door.
‘THE JOHTO LEAGUE DEFENCE GYM’
Milo remembered Jasmine and her huge Steelix - it was gigantic, vicious and spiked, the polar opposite of the pure, young beauty that was the former Gym Leader. Medicham had not done well against Steelix, and Milo had ended up relying on his recently acquired Rhydon to take on the beast. Following Medicham’s loss, Milo had gone to revisit Chuck, his mentor, to help focus her fighting attacks.
Now, however, Jasmine had stepped down, and it was the pretty, wily Eva that was in charge. Still clutching the Magnemite in his palm, Milo pointed to the large, steel doors and Medicham flung them open with a psychic attack. Milo stood silhouetted as light from the sunny day burst into the Gym.
The Gym was simple, with a few levels of tiered seats around the arena. A few people were watching as a battle took place on the arena. Milo walked up to the stand and took a seat, Medicham following behind with the awkward suitcase. He saw Eva on one side of the arena, a Forretress standing before her. The opponent, who Milo recognized from the Olivine Contest, had a Ponyta out, who was tearing across the arena at blinding speeds. This trainer was the boy who had a Manectric in the contest; Milo was unsure of his name.
Ponyta’s mouth opened and a whooshing jet of flame tore towards the large shell Pokemon. As it neared, Forretress began spinning frantically, its deep reds and silvers becoming a blur. The flames were whipped up around Forretress like a tornado, but the frantic spinning repelled them and unleashed them across the arena. A jet scorched the ceiling. Ponyta was struck, and Eva dived to the left.
“Come on Phillip!” Eva cried. “I can’t give you this badge if you don’t try to overcome my defences!”
“Ponyta bounce!” said the trainer, Phillip. Ponyta leapt high into the air, giving a loud cry as it soared back down with its hooves out, ready to crush Forretress.
“Double Edge,” came the reply. Leaping up, Forretress span and smashed into Ponyta’s frail body, sending the Pokemon collapsing to the ground in a tangled heap of legs. Forretress leapt back as Phillip recalled his Ponyta.
“Thanks for the battle,” Phillip said.
“You need to work on your approach. You need to learn how tap into a defensive Pokemon. Forretress has a huge weakness to fire attacks, I agree, but with its impressive defence, you won’t leave a scratch.”
Phillip left the Gym. Trainers got up and also left, some discussing the battle they had just witnessed. One slightly geeky boy was explaining that he would use his Gyarados. Milo saw Eva head to a staircase leading to a top-box overlooking the battlefield. Milo remembered this served as the office, at least when Jasmine was in charge. He ran back down the steps, Medicham sighing and following her trainer, using her telekinesis to levitate the suitcase and bring it with them.
Eva sat at her desk and was typing up a report on the match she had just participated in. These were sent to the Johto League Regulations Committee so that they could accurately monitor the progress of the Gyms. In the room was her computer, a small device used to heal her Pokemon, and a few photos and posters. Big, floor-length windows looked out onto the arena below.
With a whoosh, Milo appeared in the study, his Medicham and suitcase alongside him. Eva span around in her chair.
“You!” she cried. Milo threw the Magnemite to the ground with a clatter.
“I don’t know where your sister is,” Milo said. “So I’ll ask you to pass this on. Stop sending Pokmon to spy on me. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t like being stood up. Again,” Eva replied. “Where were you last night?”
Milo recalled his promise of a drink with the Gym Leader.
“I forgot,” he said, brushing the remark away.
“You forgot,” Eva replied coldly. She reached for a Pokeball, but in a split second was pinned against the wall by Medicham.
“Why is Jasmine spying on me?” Milo asked.
“You’d have to pin her up against the wall if you wanted to know that,” Eva told him. Milo furrowed his brow, and clicked his fingers. Medicham clenched her fingers slightly and Eva began to gasp for air; she was suffocating.
“Try again,” he said, clicking again. Medicham relinquished her hold on Eva’s windpipe and she gave a lurching gasp, like a swimmer coming up for air.
“Jasmine saw you in Olivine. She wanted to know what you were doing,” Eva said.
“She can always ask me,” Milo pointed out.
“You really hurt her feelings when you broke up with her all that time ago,” Eva said. “Jasmine didn’t want to approach you. Then she saw you at the salon, and wondered what was going on. She’s just been trying to find out why you’re doing contests.”
Milo nodded. Jasmine, while shy, had a very curious, nosy side to her.
“Medicham, stop.”
Medicham stood back and dropped her arms. Eva fell to the floor and gave a small sob as her ankle twisted. Milo put his hand on Medicham’s shoulder.
“Jasmine can find me herself,” he said. “Maybe then I’ll tell her.”
And one moment later, he disappeared.
*
As lunchtime approached, Milo knew he was to meet Jake and make his way to Ecruteak City in order to try and win the ribbon there. First, though, he had to go back to the Port, because Andrew would be waiting to take him back to Pua Samoa.
“What’s wrong with you?” Milo asked his Pokemon. She shrugged, levitating alongside him with her arms folded. Milo was reduced to carrying the suitcase himself, noticing for the first time how heavy it was.
“Well there must be something wrong. You wouldn’t teleport me to the Port, which means I’ll be late meeting Andrew, which means I’ll be late meeting Jake.”
Milo sighed.
“You didn’t like me using you as a weapon against Eva, did you.”
While he would receive silence whether his statement was true or not, Milo sensed something in Medicham that told him he had hit the nail on the head. He had physically restrained and even choked Eva through his own frustration and anger, but had utilised Medicham to do so. She would follow his orders to the word, always, but it did not mean she was comfortable doing it.
“I got a bit angry, I admit,” Milo said, staring up at the cloudless sky. “Wouldn’t be the first time, right?”
Medicham didn’t seem particularly impressed.
“I need you to be cool about this,” he insisted. “Please, Medi. You’re good at balancing out my irrationality. I don’t want you to think I see you as a blunt weapon to manipulate and utilise as I see fit.”
He suddenly felt a stinging sensation in his temple. Looking across, Medicham gave a dark smile.
“Get back in your ball,” he snapped, whipping it out and recalling the Pokemon. Medicham turned into red plasma and was scooped inside the ball, where Milo could let her calm down. He stopped momentarily, gave a deep sigh, and carried on.
The walk wasn’t long, but the bright sun pulsating in the carefree sky did not lift Milo’s mood. In his heart it was a stormy night, and his relationship with Medicham was like a delicate little tugboat being thrown across dangerous, salty waves. Eventually he got to the Port, and sat on the edge of the dock, watching as the impressive boat pulled in.
“Hey Milo!” Andrew yelled, as he got off the boat.
“Hi,” Milo said.
“You okay?” asked the man.
“I can’t find any part of your appearance to take the piss out of,” Milo said. He sounded sad.
“I’m sorry to hear it,” Andrew said mockingly. He had a crisp white oxford shirt on, sand coloured chinos and loafers.
“I lost the contest,” Milo said.
“Damn,” Andrew said.
“I lost to this gorgeous model,” Milo lamented. “Gina Gourmante.”
“Every cloud…” mused Andrew.
“Yea, something like that,” Milo said. “Listen, Andrew. I’m going off to Ecruteak City. There’s a contest there in a few days, I want to enter it. See if I can get a ribbon.”
“Oh,” he said. “Really?”
“Yea,” Milo said. “I’m pretty good at this contest stuff.”
“So is your big sister,” Andrew said. “Mia won the contest in Goldenrod.”
“Bitch,” Milo grumbled.
“So how long will you be gone?” Andrew asked. He sounded saddened by the announcement.
“I tell you what,” Milo said. “I’ll call you when I’m ready to come home.”
Andrew didn’t say anything at first. He nodded awkwardly.
“Yea. Ok.”
He grabbed the suitcase from Milo.
“I’ll…I’ll take this back…get Julie to wash your clothes, and I’ll get you a hotel booked in Ecruteak. When I get back to the island I’ll courier some clothes to your hotel. Give you less to carry, you know.”
“Thanks Andrew,” Milo said. Andrew released a Machop, who eagerly carried the suitcase onto the boat.
“I brought a crate of beer on the boat,” Andrew said. “Thought we could catch up, you know, on the way home.”
“Shame,” Milo said. “Well Andrew, I guess I’ll be in touch soon.”
Andrew held a hand out for Milo to shake. He eyed it suspiciously, raising his eyebrows and walking off.
“I’m not graduating, Andrew. Later!”
“Right,” Andrew said, watching the boy go. He subconsciously rubbed his engagement ring as he watched the youngest member of the family go, saddened by the boy’s announcement. He could get quite lonely at work, and really enjoyed Milo’s company. Walking back onto the boat, he got back to work.
*.
Medicham and Milo were very close, and had been together for quite some time. Their dynamic worked really well, with very little needing to be said to achieve harmony. After meeting Jake at the gates to Olivine City, and embarking on the journey to Ecruteak City, Milo would have paid any amount of money in the world to be on speaking terms with his monkey again.
“So then I left home because Mum and Dad were like…properly homophobic,” he explained, showing surprising strength as he lugged along a gigantic suitcase, bursting with clothes and styling products. “And moved to Olivine, because it’s really nice. And I had this awesome little flat with this guy called Kye but then he left me. So I took on the stylists job to help pay the bills.”
“Fascinating,” Milo said. They were on the sunny, breezy route towards Ecruteak City. Encountering a slight incline, they saw the MooMoo farm sitting comfortably at the top of the hill. East of the farm was a lush, forest route leading right to Ecruteak. Given the glorious weather, the walk was very enjoyable.
Milo had never been to the farm, but it was a big tourist attraction. His father once tried to buy them out but was unsuccessful. They had a small gift shop, did tours of the farms and even had an adopt-a-Miltank service where you could sponsor different cows, presumably before they were brutally slaughtered and delivered across the continent as meat.
“So who are you using for your next contest?” Jake inquired. Milo pointed ahead to a small blue Totodile scampering among a muddy, marsh-like area with long reeds.
“Him.”
Grabbing a Pokeball he prepared to send out Medicham, but as he hurled the ball forward, it simply landed in the mud and lay there. Medicham was refusing to come out her ball. Shoulders sagging and eyes rolling, Milo figured he would have to use Ruby, despite the muddy conditions.
“Ruby!” he called, releasing her in a flash.
“Why won’t Medicham come out?” Jake asked. “Is she sad that she lost the contest?”
“No,” Milo said, not really wanting to talk about it. “Ruby, go for a quick attack on that Totodile.”
Barking, she raced through the reeds and smashed into the little Pokemon, who flew backwards and toppled over. It was at this point that Milo noticed the unusual skin tone of the little alligator; it was a more electric blue, with its ridges down its back a royal blue colour, when usually they were known to be red. Milo had read of Pokemon’s diets and environments influencing their appearance - it was down to chemicals or nutrients of some sort.
Totodile leapt at Ruby and chomped on her hair, ripping out some of her beautifully groomed tufts. Eyes wide in horror, Arcanine gave a long howl. Totodile, chewing on the hair, looked somewhat worried.
“Bollocks!” Milo snapped. Meredith would not be happy.
Ruby growled and snarled at the Totodile, who seemed to enjoy the taste of fur as he wolfed it down. Sparks began crackling across Arcanine’s big, curved teeth, surprising Milo. As her jaws became engulfed in lightening, she raced forward and snapped wildly, shocking the little Totodile into submission.
“RUBY!” Milo shouted. “He’s down!”
He reached in his pocket for a Pokeball, but had them all in his luggage, which would be on its way to Pua Samoa now. Cursing, Milo turned to Jake.
“Got any spare Pokeballs?”
“Sure!” he said happily. Ruby was racing around angrily, distraught at her appearance, occasionally shooting off rabid jets of flame. Jake opened his bag and pulled out a silver and gold glittery Pokeball. Milo looked at it.
“Any hetrosexual ones?”
“Nope,” Jake replied, his lips curling into a smile. Left with no choice (for he was really intrigued by this rare Totodile), Milo took the ball and hurled it at the defeated alligator. It knocked the creature on the skull, bursting open and pulling him inside with a glittery flash. The ball fell into the muddy earth and wobbled only momentarily. A released ping let Milo know the Pokemon was his.
“Brilliant,” Milo said triumphantly, racing over to pick the ball up. It was slightly muddy, but it covered up the garish pattern. He felt slightly sick wondering what Chuck would make of this new capture.
“Well done!” Jake said.
“As soon as I can get this Pokeball changed, I’m doing it,” Milo told Jake. He also shot Ruby’s Pokeball at her, pulling her inside and making sure she didn’t destroy the area with anger. “You think you can sort out Ruby?”
“I’m sure we’ll sort something out,” Jake said optimistically, as they carried on up the walk to the farm. Milo released the little Totodile in a bright, glitterbally flash. He looked slightly worse for wear, but Jake had an antiseptic potion he sprayed on the Pokemon’s wounds.
“Hey dude,” Milo said. “I’m your new trainer. My name’s Milo.”
Totodile stared at him, wide-eyed. Giving him a closer look, he was aquamarine, with a cream stripe on his belly. He looked quite young. Milo had never seen a Totodile like this before, and was looking forward to bonding with the little guy. However, he was slightly worried that the Pokemon’s family would arrive on the scene and chew his leg off, so he quickly recalled him back into the ball and decided he would bond later.
“So do you think I should battle with him, or appeal with him?” Milo asked Jake. Jake swept back his messy blonde hair and shrugged.
“That’s your call,” Jake said.
“I suppose if Medicham doesn’t cheer the hell up then I’ll use him to battle,” Milo said sadly, missing the company of his friend.
“You know, I could talk to her if she’s down,” Jake said. “When I came out, my friend Steve said he wouldn’t be my friend anymore, and I’ve never spoke to him since. I know what it’s like to be sad.”
Milo ignored the comment, thinking Medicham would probably break the stylist’s neck if he tried connecting with her. She clearly felt overworked with her constant use of psychic in Milo’s day to day life. Maybe giving her a break would be good? Milo never even asked if she enjoyed the contest idea, and wondered how she felt about this sudden shift.
“Little Totodile might not do well in the battle portion of a contest. Not yet, anyway,” Jake thought. “He could face some big foes.”
“Yea,” Milo said, finally agreeing with him on something. “Arcanine tore him up pretty badly.”
“But then if you appealed with him, you’d lose points…” Jake thought.
“What?” Milo asked.
“They mark you on everything. He could lose out in the visual category.”
“Why would he lose out visually?” asked Milo. Jake warily chose his words, looking sheepish at bringing this up.
“Well…his unusual colour,” came the reply. “He doesn’t look like a normal Totodile.”
“What about in Olivine? The girl with the pink Koffing?” Milo said, remembering how Charlie the businessman was quite enthralled with the Koffing at the contest.
“Well yea, that Koffing was really girly and cute. Your Totodile’s just a…sort of weird messed up colour,” Jake said.
“You know, I don’t like the way you’re talking about my Pokemon,” Milo retorted.
“I’m telling you what anyone who knows anything about contests would tell you,” Jake pointed out. “You just don’t like hearing what you don’t want to. Go back to that marsh and look for normal Totodile.”
“Fuck right off,” Milo snapped. “He’s a great little guy. I’m not ditching him because he doesn’t suit you aesthetically.”
“You asked me along to help keep your Pokemon looking good and because I know a thing or two about the contest circuit,” Jake said back. “Well guess what - this is one of the things I know. That Totodile will not make a good appeal Pokemon. It just won’t.”
“I’m using him, that’s final,” Milo said loudly. He turned and carried on walking, causing Jake to storm along after him.
“Why are you so stubborn?!”
*
The rest of the walk was awkward. Milo didn’t want the sneering stylist to say anything else on the Totodile matter, but his insistence on using him would also irritate Jake. Wondering if he could ditch the eighteen year old once they reached Ecruteak, Milo reminded himself it was a pretty small city, and it would be tough. He could always sneak off in the middle of the night…but the mere thought sent a sudden vicious squirming down to his insides, something he was sure had nothing to do with his hunger.
As the afternoon drew on, and clouds curled across the carefree sky, the temperature dropped slightly. The two boys reached MooMoo farm in silence. There was a big wooden archway greeting them, with ‘Welcome!’ carved into it. Walking through the archway, they found themselves staring at a number of paddocks and fresh, verdant fields. Breathing in the crisp air was deliciously satisfying, and a slight breeze rustled the grass as a multitude of Miltank grazed in the various fields. There was a big building ahead, looking to be the visitors centre, with sheds, paddocks and paths leading around the various parts of the compound.
“Oh wow!” Jake said, marvelling the scene. “Let’s go on the tour!”
It seemed the beauty of the farm eased the tension, for Milo couldn’t even ignore Jake as he walked to the entrance.
“Go on then,” Milo muttered. They walked inside, finding a reception desk and stacks of brochures and pamphlets in a display rack. There was also a Pokemon healing machine and a little children’s play area with a small desk, crayons and a play house.
Milo went to the healing machine and placed his three Pokeballs in the device. It had nine slots in 3x3 rows, and when you placed the ball into the slot, a plastic dome was pulled over the top and locked into place. Milo pressed ‘start’ and light glowed from beneath the Pokeballs. The healing machines essentially used catalysed aromatherapy techniques to soothe the Pokemon inside, aiding their recovery and revitalising them. Any serious injuries needed the attention of a Pokemon centre. Silph Co, the global corporation, made headlines many years ago after trying to manufacture their own brand of Pokemon Healing machines. The result was that many species of Pokemon (specifically Normal types, known to have a much weaker immune system) developed forms of cancer.
“Shit, I didn’t think to ask,” Milo said. “Did any of your Pokemon need healing?”
“No, mine are fine,” Jake said.
“Cool,” Milo said.
“Sorry,” Jake blurted. “For being harsh about Totodile.”
“Thanks,” Milo said.
“I was only trying to offer my advice,” Jake added.
“It’s cool, let’s draw a line under it,” Milo said. He nodded to Jake, who nodded back before smirking widely. Milo’s healing machine pinged and the domes popped open, allowing him to get the Pokeballs out.
“Totodile’s ball looks great,” Jake joked. Milo took the glittery ball and scowled at his companion. Milo released his three Pokemon, with Medicham finally emerging after her little strop. Ruby looked angrily at Totodile, who rubbed his belly mockingly. Medicham looked shocked at the new team member, slightly saddened that she did not know about it.
“Totodile, this is Medicham and Ruby,” he said. “Guys, this is the new kid on the team.”
Ruby did not look happy, eyeing the tuft of hair missing from her mane. Medicham had her arms crossed in defiance. Deciding that she needed to simmer longer, and that Arcanine needed consoling, Milo quickly recalled the two and kept Totodile out.
“Ok,” he said to Jake. “Let’s go on this tour.”
The two approached the desk, where a girl stood in an unflattering Miltank outfit.
“Good Moo-rning!” she said happily.
“It’s 13:45,” Milo pointed out. The girl, who had a slight overbite and a hapless expression, was perhaps only Jake’s age.
“I didn’t get given any ‘moo’ puns that apply to the afternoon,” she explained shyly. “How can I help you?”
“We wanted to take the tour of the farm?” Jake enquired.
“Oh right!” the girl said. “Ok. There’s a tour that has just started. If you want to pop on through those doors, you can tag along.”
“Great, thanks,” Milo said, scooping Totodile up in his arm.
“Is there any udder queries you have?” said the girl, smiling. Milo looked disgusted at her enthusiasm.
“Yes. How do you get through the day?” he quipped.
“The money from my job helps keep my Mom on life support,” the girl explained.
“Milo!” Jake hissed.
“Oh god,” Milo moaned.
“I’m so sorry,” Jake gushed. “You’re so brave!”
“Yea…life sucks for you,” Milo muttered, before being hassled through the doors. The girl watched them go, seemingly unaware of how awkward she had made the situation. Staring blankly ahead, for potential customers, she suddenly remembered something.
“Oh shoot. I forgot to charge them entry!”
“Milo that was so sad!” Jake cried, as they entered a room with a number of people sitting down watching a presentation. A particularly boring, bespectacled man was going through a slide show of the farm’s history. His surprisingly glamorous wife stood next to him, smiling.
“…and in 1984 we secured the farm from inbred hicks and sent them packing. And ever since then we have been raising Miltank here to produce the best milk in Johto. It even gets shipped out to Kanto now, in the form of yoghurts, cream and even cheese. MooMoo farm has excelled as a fantastic corporation based from a single, milky dream, without the need for any city fatcats taking us over!”
There was a murmur of laughter. Milo realised the man was referring to his father, and was somewhat irked.
“Now, if you’d like to follow my wife Janice and I, we will show you around the paddock,” the guide said, putting his cue cards down and leading the group outside. Milo and Jake followed, bringing up the rear. Back outside, the temperature really had dropped; Milo’s toes felt cold in his flip flops. They walked to a paddock where a number of small, white Miltank calves scampered around.
“When the Miltank are born they are pure white,” Janice pointed out. “Then after four months they begin developing the ‘hood’ - that’s the black pattern around the face and ears. See Magda at reception if you’re interested in sponsoring one of our calves!”
“Now in this field here is the prize cow - Old Betsy,” said the tour guide, Jeff. He adjusted his spectacles and smoothed out his tie as he showed the group a particularly pasty looking, overweight cow lying on the ground. Her eyes drooped half-shut, she looked thoroughly bored. A fly buzzed around, but Old Betsy’s tail didn’t even have the strength to swat the irritation away.
“Jesus look at the size of her!” Milo called out.
“How long do Miltank live for?” Jake asked.
“All questions will be answered at the end of the tour,” Jeff said firmly.
“Just answer the sodding question,” Milo told him. Jeff ignored the remark.
“The pigment in the Miltank’s skin fades the older they get,” Janice explained. “Old Betsy here is quite pale. Usually after two years the skin gets really pink. You can tell how primed a Miltank is by the tone of her hide.”
“This is also the spot where I proposed to Janice, twenty eight years ago last week!” Jeff boasted. There was a general level of applause from the tedium-filled group.
“Actually…it’s rather funny. He did propose here, but I turned him down,” Janice said, slapping her thigh. “I thought he was a bit of a dud really!”
“But then I proposed again,” Jeff reminded Janice. She turned to the girls in the group.
“…and I still said no,” she said. She found the tragic tale oddly enjoyable. “In the end, I was feeling a bit old and unloved, and Jeff was still single. He was making good money on the business so I thought…well, why not!”
“Happily married,” Jeff sighed.
“Just as long as I’m still on the deeds!” Janice reminded her husband. “Shall we check out the milking room?”
On the way, they passed a particularly large, empty field.
“Excuse me?” Jake enquired. “Why is that field empty?”
“All questions will be answered at the end of the tour,” Jeff droned.
“Janice?” Milo asked the middle-aged lady. She turned around. “I’d love to know the answer to the question…”
He raised his eyebrows and Janice giggled.
“Oh you cheeky boy,” she simpered. “Well our prize Tauros was kept there. I called him Alexi, after my Russian millionaire boyfriend. He was stolen about a week ago, unfortunately.”
“The Tauros, not her millionaire boyfriend!” Jeff said.
“No, I left him to start a life on a farm with Jeff,” Janice mumbled.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Milo said. Janice eyed him and giggled again.
“You flirt!” Jake hissed.
“Hey, that sex-starved woman wouldn’t have answered your question otherwise,” Milo replied. Janice, now leading the group, kept turning around and giving Milo a curious glance. Jake burst out laughing as Totodile looked around keenly at the Miltank.
Soon they came to a large room filled with aisles and aisles of Miltank. They were hooked up to machines that milked them. The group filled the room as Jeff asked if anybody would like to have the machine demonstrated on them. One man seemed oddly enthusiastic. At the back of the group, Milo and Jake could see very little, and the smell of dirty straw was not particularly inviting.
“This machine was developed to provide the maximum comfort when yielding milk,” Jeff said. Milo was beginning to find the entire concept of milk completely boring, if it had not already been boring before. The mildly-interested group watched as the milk was siphoned from the udders of a Miltank.
“Good pink tone,” Milo mused. “Must be a ripe age.”
He paused.
“God I’m actually taking this stuff in.”
They walked on through the milking room. As they did, however, there was a sudden burst of light, and all the lights inside the milking room went off. Sparks danced to the ground. The machines stopped abruptly, causing the Miltank to moo loudly in protest.
“What’s going on?” Jeff asked wildly. “Janice, emergency backup!”
“What happened to the lights?” Jake wondered.
“ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED AFTER THE TOUR!” screamed Jeff. “Janice! Emergency back up!”
“There will be no need for that,” came a mysterious voice. A man near Milo spoke up. He smelled of sweat and dirt and looked, from what Milo could see, to be wearing a jacket made of leaves. “Mr Jeff Steak. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Who are you?” Jeff asked.
“I am Peaceful Smith,” the man said. “Chairman of FOP - Friends Of Pokemon. We don’t like the way you handle your Miltank here.”
He hurled a Pokeball forward and released a Gloom. The round, wilted weed let off a horrific stench, one that served the only positive purpose of disguising Peaceful Smith’s dubious odour. Next to Milo, Jake looked horrified, but Milo was not intimidated by these hippies.
“Moonbeam,” the hippie called to his Pokemon. “Stun Spore.”
“Duck out of here,” Milo said, grabbing Jake’s collar and pulling them through the crowd of panicking onlookers. As they tried to get away from the Gloom, it began unleashing a thick, sticky pollen that clung to people around. It stuck to clothes, caught in the back of throats and caused those exposed to collapse in agony, paralysing them. Milo and Jake snuck behind a bulky Miltank and watched as numerous hippies burst in through the doors, getting to work and removing the milking devices from the Miltank.
“Oh my god!” Jake moaned. “I’m going to die crouching next to a cow rectum.”
“Shut up,” Milo snapped. “They’re hippies, they don’t murder people.”
“Is that everyone?” Peaceful Smith asked.
“No,” came the voice. “I counted 21 people on the tour. There are only 19 here.”
“Where’s the kid with the Totodile?” a hippie cried out. “There was a blue Totodile.”
“Nice work catching a distinguishing Pokemon Milo,” Jake snapped.
“Piss off, it was the only Pokemon out of its ball during the tour. It was distinguishable anyway,” he retorted.
“Search the compound,” said Peaceful Smith.
“Run!” Milo yelled, sprinting across the milking room. Seeing him flee, Jake ran after him, and the hippies gave chase, one releasing a Bulbasaur and the other a Yanma.
“Bulbasaur use vine whip!” cried the lady. She had scraggly brown hair, smudged with dirt and mud. She wore a distressed army jacket and torn stockings, with a black mini skirt over the top. If she bathed, she may have been quite pretty. Jake was tripped up by the little creature’s thick creeper-like vines, and fell to the ground.
“Milo!” he cried.
“Fucking hell,” Milo grumbled, turning around. He let Totodile jump forward. “Keep them away with a water gun!”
Nodding, Totodile blasted a jet of water through the air. It splashed into Bulbasaur, the sheer force keeping him at bay. Yanma swept overhead, however, flapping her wings and blasting a sonicboom down. The shockwave smashed into Totodile and hurled him back.
“Wingull!” Jake yelled, grabbing a Pokeball. A petite seagull swept from the shimmering light and swerved in the air, speeding along and tackling Yanma out the sky. Totodile leapt out of the way of a razor leaf attack and shot another water gun, this time hitting one of the hippies and causing her to stagger back.
“Yanma use bug buzz!” ordered a hippie. Wings glowing, they were flapped at an incredible speed and a huge shockwave was generated. Totodile aimed a water gun at the ground and, in blasting it down, propelled himself high into the air backwards. He soared away from the attack, the frequency of which caused the windows of the milking room to simply shatter. Totodile landed a few feet away, turning suddenly and slashing Bulbasaur across the bulb.
“Wingull go for another aerial ace!” Jake ordered. Cawing, Wingull pulled out of the sky and bolted for Bulbasaur, using his sharp beak to drive herself into the Pokemon. Bulbasaur could take no more and was promptly recalled, causing Wingull and Totodile to reunite with their trainers, and for the trainers to run to the other end of the large room.
The shockwaves generated by Yanma had destroyed most of the windows, but they were quite high up, so leaping from them was not a good idea. The bolted door at the end of the warehouse, however, was slightly weathered now. On Milo’s command, the aquamarine Totodile head butted the door, sending it right off its hinges.
“Let’s go!” Milo yelled.
“What about the rest of the group?” Jake asked.
“We’ll call the police or something,” Milo said, as they ran outside. They found themselves behind one of the paddocks, and leapt over the fence to avoid being caught. Soon, the two hippies were hot on their heels.
“Kakuna use string shot!” came a cry. Milo felt a thick string snag his ankle and he staggered briefly. In a flash, Wingull soared down and severed the string, before turning and speeding towards the Kakuna, clutched in the hippie’s arms.
“Wingull go for twister!” Jake cried. Flapping his wings furiously, Wingull sent a sweeping gust to whip up into a frenzied tornado. Bowled back by the attack, the hippies kept their distance, Yanma trying to flap around the attack but getting swept up in it instead.
“Let’s go,” Milo said, tearing off again. The twister scared the foul-smelling activists, giving Milo and Jake time to run through the field towards the visitors centre. Wingull navigated the skies, sometimes doing a u-turn and shooting a bubble beam at the hippies. Totodile was once again tucked under Milo’s arm like a rugby ball.
“I can see the entrance!” Jake gasped, clutching his side. As they got nearer, however, a bulky man burst from the doors, a Marowak leaping ahead of him. Judging by his distressed clothing and bad skin, he seemed to be with the hippies.
“Shit!” Milo said. Marowak hurled its club through the air, where it smashed Jake across the back of the head. “Totodile go for a water gun.”
Totodile nodded, excited at the battle against the curious looking foe. He blasted a jet of water at the Marowak, who leapt to the side and hurled his bone again. Without warning, Totodile leapt along the grass and leapt through the air, catching the bone in his big jaws. Giving a satisfied crunch, the bone shattered. And Totodile looked to Milo happily.
“Nice work, I think,” Milo muttered. The Marowak charged and struck Totodile, who flew back from the heavy tackle.
“Wingull attack from the sky!” Jake said, clutching his head. Wingull fired off a bubble beam but it wasn’t well trained, for the attack had poor accuracy and only a few of the bubbles hit the creature on its thick skull. Looking up irritably, Marowak cried obscenities, giving Totodile the chance to fire a water gun point-blank.
“This Marowak’s strong,” Milo noted.
“Why thank you,” the hippie said.
“Ironic that you’re saving these Miltank because they are exploited,” Milo said. “Your Marowak is fighting on your behalf.”
“Hippies are ok with irony,” the man replied. Marowak punched Totodile in the jaw, causing the little alligator to run back to Milo.
“Hey, hey,” Milo said, picking him up. “It’s ok. Jake, can you take on that Marowak?”
“Wingull isn’t doing very well,” Jake said, his Pokemon firing off a jet of water that missed.
“Fuck this,” Milo said, looking around the fields. “Oy Wingull!”
From the skies, the little gull heard Milo’s cry and looked down.
“Dive bomb!”
Wingull pulled its wings in and swept through the sky , a look of determination on its face. Jake watched as Milo commanded his Pokemon. It smashed into Marowak, who tumbled back as the bird flapped back into the air, looking like it took some damage from the blow. As Marowak fell to the floor, Milo, with Totodile under his arm, made a run across the field, east of the entrance.
“Where are you going!” Jake cried, giving chase. They sprinted across a large field, leaping over fences and spying a vibrant cluster of trees on a ridge at the end of the farm.
“HEY!” the hippie said, his Marowak getting back up. He got out a radio and pressed it to his mouth.
“Peaceful we’ve got two lads breaching the perimeter.”
“I’ll send Marcel and Pru,” came the crackly response.
“They can’t have sealed off the entire perimeter,” Milo said, as they slowed down slightly. He could see the van being loaded with Miltank in the distance. Wingull was returned to his Pokeball, Jake feeling he was a bit hurt. Milo hoped he didn’t encounter any more hippies; with Totodile exhausted, Medicham angry and Ruby being particularly high maintenance. Milo didn’t want to fight fire with forest, envisioning it going horribly wrong.
Soon Milo and Jake arrived by the trees. It provided a nice shelter for them. There was a fence going around the perimeter of the farm; beyond that, a steep ridge led to a dense forest, and although it would be a bit of a longer walk, they could walk to Ecruteak from here.
“Ok,” Milo said, scanning the area. “No hippies.”
He gripped the fence and was about to leap over away from the farm, briefly wondering how the rest of the tour group were doing. Suddenly a screech filled the skies, and Milo covered his ears in agony. A huge blue bat flew through the air, crinkled wings beating fast as it eyed the two up with its large fangs. Two hippies ran over, a Mightyena alongside.
“STOP WHERE YOU ARE!” one cried.
“Why?” Milo asked.
“Milo shut up!” Jake muttered.
“You need to stay here until the operation is complete,” the hippie said. He was quite thin and frail looking, unlike his Golbat, who looked ready to burst. The Golbat stood on the fence, the big wings folding around Milo’s shoulders like an ominous cape.
“Peaceful I’ve got the escapees,” explained the other hippie down his radio.
“Keep them there until we’ve finished,” came the reply. Milo was holding Medicham’s Pokeball in his pocket, clenching it tightly and thinking hard to himself. She could dispel these idiots in no time, but she was still simmering in her ball.
Medicham, Milo thought, hoping she would hear him. I know you hate me for utilising you like a weapon. I get it. But you made a promise to protect me at whatever cost, and you need to honour that promise. Please.
There was a quiver that ran up Milo’s hand and he knew Medicham heard him. Pulling his hand out his pocket he hurled the ball forward, and Medicham leapt out from the capsule. Landing in front of the hippies she held her hands out and projected a telekinetic blast, throwing the activists into the thick trees.
“Yes!” Milo said. Golbat hissed but Medicham held a hand out and peeled the bat from Milo’s shoulders. It gave a screech and broke Medicham’s concentration, allowing it to flap through the air and speed down to attack. Medicham fired a telekinetic blast and struck the bat in the eyes, causing it to veer off.
“Mightyena get it,” came the snarl from an injured hippie. The dog leapt at Medicham, who was hit and thrown to the ground. Her palm burst into flame and her fingers clenched into a fist, before she swung it and slugged Mightyena with the powerful fire punch. Scalded, Mightyena took a step back, giving Medicham the chance to hold both her hands forward, wrists together as she fired off a focus blast.
The glowing white energy sped from Medicham’s hands and struck Mightyena. The dog gave a long, painful yell as it was defeated. The hippies looked on, bewildered, as Milo and Jake leapt over the fence and fled the compound.
“You were amazing!” Milo said, as Medicham leapt over the fence herself. She did not look at him, instead walking along quietly.
“Medicham it’s so great that you got over your loss,” Jake gushed. Medicham used her telekinesis to yank the boy’s hair before turning to Milo.
“Will would be proud of you,” Milo said.
And Medicham nodded in agreement. There was a moment between the trainer and Pokemon where they understood each other more than ever before. Jake watched, wondering who the aforementioned person was, but knew, despite having only just begun travelling with Milo, that some things were best not brought up.
Next Chapter
Milo and Jake arrive in Ecruteak City, where Milo wishes to enter the next contest. While Milo begins testing his Totodile's strength he learns that a friend has suffered at the hands of the League Reclassification. A night at Ecruteak's secret nightclub goes awry when Milo's plight against the league creates five beautiful enemies.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off - Chapter 4 posted!
Cool chapter. Again, I must congratulate you on the realistic aspect of this fic. It feels - and reads - very easy, without losing its charm.
I want to see more about Totodile as a character, that would be cooL. Can't wait for feraligatr.
The Jack-Milo relationship is in its baby shoes, so that makes me speculating on their bond a high possibility. Jack is a pretty open guy, but I think he has more to him that he lets people see. Maybe even hidden battle-skills.
The weird hippie thing just appeared out of nowhere and I didn't really get it, but perhaps it'll be explained later in the fic.
Keep up the good work, to bad you have a busy life.
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 4 posted!
I'm liking Milo less and less and less. I've already known that he's a bastard that sees people as stepping stones for his goals, but the way that he treated Medicham, the one living thing that shares the closest bond with him, makes it all the more disgusting. His "apology", if it could be called that, doesn't even seem sincere. I wouldn't dislike him half so much if he at least treated his Medicham properly. I have to admit, I have a soft spot for arrogant bastard characters (see Albel from Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, Asch from Tales of the Abyss, or Kuchiki Byakuya from Bleach, for example). Milo is something else though. I dislike him for the same reason that I dislike Sasuke from Naruto. You can maybe get away with being an asshole to random strangers, but if you can't even be nice to the people who are close to you, you're beyond despicable. But then again, he can't help himself, he's just an utter bastard without realizing or caring
I was also confused about the hippy thing. Maybe we'll find out more about it later.
The Totodile - Ruby thing was funny. I can just imagine Ruby huffing and that cheeky Totodile teasing her. I'd definitely like to see more of the Totodile's character. I'm confused a little, though - does Milo still carry his other league pokémon with him? Or are Medicham, Ruby, and the new Totodile the only pokémon on his person? Because he had a thought about crushing Eva's team with his league pokémon, but then in the hippy attack it seemed like he needed Medicham and there was nobody else.
Also, this has been bugging me since reading TPML - the word is spelled "lightning". "Lightening" means causing illumination or whitening. "Lightning" is an electrical discharge.
I apologize for not keeping up to date sooner but I've had my share of... issues for the past month and was finally able to catch up.
Last edited by Lune the Guardian; 27th April 2009 at 01:52 AM.
~ Lune ~
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 4 posted!
Hey guys! Thanks for reading.
MLG: The hippie thing was really random - it came out of nowhere during the content of the fic. I wanted to try and bring about some form of panic, uncertainty and maybe randomness. But I do plan on having them return in the fic, a sort of Pokemon PETA if you will. By then we can maybe explain who they are a bit more.
Jake (its pronounced with a long [a], like the word cake) is someone raised on totally different morales to Milo, so they have a cool dynamic. Milo is a bit hostile, but he does bond with the stylist.
Lune: Someone really doesn't like Milo :p
I get it. These four chapters have failed to make him likeable. Obviously I'm a bit more clued up on his past and aspects of his personality that he hasn't exhibited, so all I'll say is think about the Milo/Medi dynamic. That 'promise' Milo reffered to is important.
When I was planning the fic I knew that a particular point in the story would be perfect to explain Medicham's past, but it's not for some time. But key parts of the story - including a bit more about this Will character - will be explained.
As for the lightening/lightning thing - my bad >< I did edit a couple of instances but must have missed a few. Sorry!
The team; Milo's league team all just hang out on Pua Samoa - in Ch1 Flygon was mentioned to have roosted in a little secluded part of the island. So Milo's current team (Medicham Arcanine Totodile) is all he has. My sig has his current team. Incidentally, Milo does get one of his league team members from home in Chapter 5, but only briefly.
Oh and in a pretty....redemptive scene in an upcoming chapter, you will see Milo cry. So maybe there is hope!
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off - Chapter 4 posted!
Oh, that's a good point, I remember being puzzled by the "promise" and wondering if Will was perhaps Medicham's previous trainer, or something. Now I am even more interested ^_^ You have a really deep degree of advance planning for your characters' backstories!
I also forgot to mention - The "moo" joke woman was annoying. XD Oh, and I love how cheeky Totodile is. The part where he just snaps Marowak's bone in half made me physically clap my hands. (Okay, yes, I'm weird.
~ Lune ~
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 4 posted!
There was a nice amount of unexpected stuff this time around. ^^ While there were things prior to this chapter to suggest that Jasmine might have at least some degree of further involvement in the story, her magnemite still managed to take me by surprise with its appearance--I think there was just something in the way that it made its entrance that did a lot towards letting it successfully surprise me.
Maybe it was the fact that that scene started off with her doing perfectly ordinary things (well, there was telekinesis involved, but that's still ordinary enough for a medicham), packing, working to try and wake Milo up, relatively routine stuff... and then there's the surprise of this magnemite.
I also liked the bit of suspense there right before the magnemite appeared, when Medicham realized something was there but just what that something was had not yet been revealed. ^^
Speaking of Medicham, the interactions between her and Milo are becoming all the more interesting. What Milo's had her do to Eva made for quite an intense and memorable moment, and the aftermath of that on the relationship between the two was something I found interesting.
Something else I found interesting: the stuff about miltank and how their markings come in with time.
The hippies brought another unexpected twist to the chapter, as well as a nice amount of action. If we've not seen the last of them, I'm interested to see what kind of things they'll do next time...
Other highlights:
XD Oh dear.She often felt guilty using physical force to wake Milo up. A memory of Violet City flashed before Medicham‘s eyes, when she used her telekinesis to levitate the boy into the air mid-sleep. The result was that he wet the bed, something that the two of them were never allowed to refer to again.
XD Milo's response amuses me; it just does.“I’m pretty good at this contest stuff.”
“So is your big sister,” Andrew said. “Mia won the contest in Goldenrod.”
“Bitch,” Milo grumbled.
DAMN. o____o“Is there any udder queries you have?” said the girl, smiling. Milo looked disgusted at her enthusiasm.
“Yes. How do you get through the day?” he quipped.
“The money from my job helps keep my Mom on life support,” the girl explained.
That amused me, too. X3“Good pink tone,” Milo mused. “Must be a ripe age.”
He paused.
“God I’m actually taking this stuff in.”
XDDDD Him and his apparent dedication to procedure...“What happened to the lights?” Jake wondered.
“ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED AFTER THE TOUR!” screamed Jeff.
XDHe hurled a Pokeball forward and released a Gloom. The round, wilted weed let off a horrific stench, one that served the only positive purpose of disguising Peaceful Smith’s dubious odour.
Oh God. I am going to be remembering that quote for a while. XDD;“Oh my god!” Jake moaned. “I’m going to die crouching next to a cow rectum.”
I like that last line. XD“Bulbasaur use vine whip!” cried the lady. She had scraggly brown hair, smudged with dirt and mud. She wore a distressed army jacket and torn stockings, with a black mini skirt over the top. If she bathed, she may have been quite pretty.
Nice work once again, and I'll be sure to read what's next, too. ^^
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 4 posted!
Nice Fic Chris, And it's cool that Milo cought a Shinny Totodile, and the Charlie in this fic can go to hell, or get killed by his Charmeleon riping out his Spline, and his Solrock ripping his brain out off his nose with Psychic. that well teach him not to wear a Damn Tuxedo!
Also what's so gay about a gold and silver Pokéball?
However that not to say I don't like this fic, also I liked that Ponyta a shame it lost to a bug thought...
~Charles Legend
Last edited by Charles Legend; 2nd May 2009 at 01:36 AM.
ASB VS Seeker Profile
“If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.” ― Albert Einstein
"The computer world is like an intellectual Wild West, in which you can shoot anyone you wish with your ideas, if you're willing to risk the consequences." --from Hackers & Painters: Big Ideas from the Computer Age, by Paul Graham
"To build a story world, the author must be part artist, part engineer, and sometimes part mad scientist.." --from Fundamentals of world building by Jessie Verino
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” - Hippocrates
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 4 posted!
Charles: the Pokeball is covered in sequins like a disco ball, and shimmers when the Pokemon is released. It certainly isn't to Milo's taste. You have to understand he's incredibly narrow minded and rude, hence his prejudice against a lot of things.
Sike: Hey! Yea at this stage of the fic, where the ball has well and truly begun to roll, I thought it was vital we had a lot of focus on Milo and Medicham as a person and Pokemon. Medicham is perhaps the one person Milo cares about more than himself, and we'll see more of that. But what's also interesting to note is that Medicham, despite being quite haughty and sour, has no objection to the majority of the things she does. She knows her role in Milo's life, and it is only a few things that she is uncomfortable with.
The FOP will return in various portions of the fic, trying to protect Pokemon and fight against an alledged higher power.
Next chapter's a good 'un. We'll see Milo's oddly self righteous side, Ecruteak City's BIG secret and a slightly warped take on the Kimono Girls.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
Here we go, Chapter 5. Six has just been completed and I'm starting Chapter Seven. This [5] is possibly my favourite chapter to date, so I'm excited to see what people think.
Show-Off
-V-
Black Russian
As the sheer excitement of the raid on Moomoo farm began to wear off, Milo found himself submerged in the muggy atmosphere as he walked the verdant road to Ecruteak City. Jake walked alongside, his Wingull soaring high in the sky. The little bird was so happy, carefree and excited. Perhaps when Jake worked in the salon, he never got to let his Pokemon exercise much.
With Medicham, Ruby and Totodile in their Pokeballs, Milo began planning the upcoming contest in Ecruteak. Who would appeal? Who would battle? Arcanine looked slightly worse for wear after Totodile ripped out clumps of her mane; the large canine was a fantastic appeal Pokemon, but already Milo felt burdened by her increasing demands for perfection. Medicham needed no styling or attention. Totodile seemed fine (although Jake pointed out that the energetic little alligator needed a hydrogenating moisturiser applied to his dry skin), yet Ruby needed a lot of work. Unfortunately, until he got the hang of making appeals, he really needed her.
“Totodile,” Milo said, prodding the button and opening the clasp on the Pokeball. The little alligator burst from the glittery Pokeball in a shimmer of light. “How you feeling?”
Totodile got on all fours and began running in circles wildly.
“I’m going to train the guy up,” Milo told Jake. “See what attacks he knows.”
“Good idea,” Jake mused. The two were currently of vastly differing opinions regarding Totodile’s role on Milo’s team, but the issue simply was not mentioned. Milo expected Jake to gloat if Totodile didn’t do well in his appeal. Similarly, if he got an exceptional score, Milo would remind the stylist at every opportunity.
There was a rustling in the grass ahead. Totodile flinched.
“When that thing emerges,” Milo said. “Shoot a water gun. Ok?”
Totodile nodded as the grass was slashed apart and a Farfetch’d leapt onto the path. A precise jet of water smashed into its small body and it staggered back, quacking irritably. Wielding its leek like a sword, the duck-like Pokemon paced around Totodile, making the occasional swipe.
“Keep your distance,” Milo said. Totodile turned to nod, understanding the order, but was instantly whacked over the head by the duck, who flapped back elegantly and re-established its pose.
“No worries, no worries,” Milo muttered. Totodile saw Farfetch’d leap forward again and blasted a water gun at the ground, propelling himself high into the air. Seeing this, Farfetch’d crouched before flapping up into the sky, but Totodile soared back down and shot a water gun, striking Farfetch’d and knocking it out of the sky.
“Nice work!” Milo cried. Flapping up, Farfetch’d swept across the grass at Totodile. The alligator leapt back once, twice, and on the third dived forward, sinking his teeth into the succulent duck. As he landed, Tododile shook his head wildly, causing the limp figure to look like a mere blur.
“Calm down…” Milo said tentatively. “Let go, Toto…”
Totodile hurled the duck across the field with all his might. The limp figure thwacked into a tree and fell to the ground. Jake ran over to check it was ok as Totodile panted heavily. The duck was knocked out cold, the leak mushed and useless.
“Hey, Milo…” Jake said, beckoning him over. “Farfetch’d’s wound is frozen.”
“Frozen?” Milo asked, going to observe. Sure enough, where Totodile’s jaws pierced the Pokemon’s flesh, there was a distinct, frosted glaze over the blood. “Totodile must know Ice Fang.”
“I guess,” Jake mused. “What should we do with Daffy over here?”
“Leave him,” Milo muttered. “Hey Totodile, good work there. You’ve got a real set of jaws on you.”
Totodile nodded. Milo saw his sharp fags sparkling with ice, more proof that he had used ice fang previously. If he was able to produce ice through his gums and into his teeth, Milo came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t be too hard teaching him how to use ice beam.
“Ok,” Milo said, getting his new Pokemon’s attention. “Let’s find another Pokemon to battle.”
They kept their eyes peeled as they walked. The sun was dipping into the backdrop now, and evening was settling in. Milo wasn’t keen on staying overnight, seeing as the Guard House was visible in the distance. As they walked, Milo was slightly unnerved as he saw a Mightyena drag the poor Farfetch’d away into the night.
Soon they came across a small bush full of plump, red berries. Wingull landed and Jake picked a few for him to eat, until a striking hiss rang out and Wingull flapped back in fear. A Raticate stalked out onto the path.
“Headbutt it,” Milo said calmly. Totodile charged and smashed into the hairy Pokemon, who retaliated with a vicious raking of her claws. The claws slashed across Totodile’s face, who winced in pain and staggered back. With every attempt to evade, Totodile was met with more scratches.
“Wingull go and help out,” Jake said.
“No,” Milo snapped, holding a hand out in front of Jake. “Totodile needs to get out of this himself. Come on pal! Water gun to the eyes.”
Raticate swiped another bony claw before being struck by a jet of water. Forced back, she was unable to see properly, allowing Totodile to head butt her once more. Milo wasn’t keen for Totodile to bite this Pokemon, as she was surely carrying some disease. He didn’t fancy losing the Ecruteak contest to parasites.
“Ok Totodile,” Milo said to his Pokemon. “You know your ice fang move you used against Farfetch’d? I want you to try that again, but instead of chomping your jaws down, hold your neck out. Try and project the ice outwards.”
Totodile nodded. He held his neck out and screwed his eyes in concentration, manipulating the icy crystals currently coating his jaws. Opening his mouth, a collective gasp of ice floated out, melting in the warm evening air. Totodile stared ahead, looking slightly cross. By this time, Raticate leapt forward, face contorted in an angry, twisted mess.
Milo saw this and in a flash, Medicham emerged, pinning Raticate against a tree.
“I thought you said Totodile needs to get out of this himself?” Jake asked, arms crossed. Milo shrugged.
“Medicham keep him in place. Totodile, take a deep breath and try again.”
Raticate thrashed around as she was held against her will. Medicham pointed her finger at the rat while looking at her new team member, Totodile. She gazed with odd affection for the young Pokemon, who bore his jaws and concentrated hard. Milo saw, from the sidelines, that Totodile’s sharp teeth glazed with frosted ice, and as he focused, this materialised in a small orb just an inch from his front jaws.
“Good,” said Milo, speaking quietly. “Now unleash…”
As the little frosted orb grew, Totodile opened his eyes and gave a cry. A beam of ice shot from the orb and sped through the air, striking Raticate in the stomach. She gave an irritated screech as Totodile jumped for joy. It was a weak ice beam, but Milo was so proud.
“Excellent!” he yelled, noticing his water Pokemon was somewhat tired. “Medicham, take over and finish this thing off. Hidden Power.”
Medicham held her palm up as a flashing orb began to grow. Only somewhat larger than a tennis ball, it flashed blue, red, yellow, purple; an assortment of shades blurring among each other. It finally blended with a shimmering silver sheen - the steel type. Medicham casually grabbed the ball from the air and, almost mirroring the way her trainer hurled a Pokeball, threw the orb at Raticate, where it exploded and caused the creature to flee.
Milo winked at his closest friend, who winked back. Milo scooped Totodile up in his arms and gave him a high five.
“You’re pretty fucking good, aren’t you!” he cried happily.
“He’s a quick learner,” Jake noted.
“I don’t know if he could win me a battle round, though,” Milo mused. “Maybe I’ll stick with Ruby and Medicham for this contest.”
He hated the idea, to be honest, but decided to help Totodile train along the path. While the evening turned to night, the route they walked on burst into life with little lamps set a few meters apart. They hung from the fir trees and some were set into the earth, creating an illuminating path to Ecruteak City.
“Ever been to Ecruteak?” Milo asked Jake, as Totodile squirted jets of water at the occasional Zubat. They screeched and shot away in fear.
“No,” Jake mumbled. “I’ve been raised in Olivine. We used to holiday to Cherrygrove every two years.”
Milo kept his opinion to himself. Cherrygrove city was beautiful, but boring. His father treated the family to holidays on The Seafoam Islands, where they had a second home.
Soon enough, they approached the two storey cabin that was the Guard House. The Guard House was essentially the security perimeter for each city. A cluster of policemen were operating on the ground floor, ready to take questions or address any problems. Upstairs had a number of squishy chairs and tourist brochures. There was also a number of lookout points, allowing visitors to peer across the historical city.
“Evening,” Milo said to the guard. He had a sudden flashback to ignoring this very man as he left Ecruteak City during his last journey. That was a good year ago, so seeing the guard still here was a surprise. Evidently the career ladder was a short one.
“Good evening gentlemen,” the guard said. Inside, they headed upstairs, Milo catching the eye of a particularly attractive policewoman who was behind the desk. They only spent half an hour sitting down, relaxing, looking at the amazing Tin Tower through the binoculars and getting a drink from the vending machine.
“Ecruteak City,” Milo mused, looking through the binoculars. He could see the Gym, standing proud, and remembered meeting the Gym Leader, Morty.
“That Morty’s pretty cute, I’ve heard,” Jake said, flicking through a magazine.
“That’s what all the girls say,” muttered Milo.
Shortly, they carried on downstairs. Totodile seemed to have a thirst for lemonade, slurping down a can and then practicing his ice fang on the aluminium. They bid goodbye to the guards and walked through the doors to Ecruteak City.
Before them lay a sleepy city consisting mainly of single-storey houses. They were traditional, Japanese style buildings with small porches supported by slender wooden beams. Many houses had fenced gardens bursting with colourful flowers. In the distance the impressive Tin Tower was visible, breaking through the foliage surrounding the outskirts of the city. A sign was hammered into the earth;
Ecruteak City - A blissful city where the past meets the present
“How quaint!” Jake cried.
“Our hotel is the Oakwood Reserve,” Milo said. “I think it’s just past the Pokemoncenter.”
Ecruteak was more scattered than Olivine, which seemed quite ordered and neat. Milo passed a man tending to his garden with his Butterfree, who was pollinating the flowers. Behind him, a Wooper was spraying jets of water over the lush garden. Milo could see the Gym in the distance, and wondered if Morty was still the Leader there. With the League Reclassification, he wasn’t so sure. Keen to unearth more about the plan, Milo thought asking around would be best.
The Pokemoncenter looked refreshing and homely, with a red and white Pokeball pattern woven into the thatched roof. The impressive yellow door had a Pokeball-shaped handle, which Milo twisted and walked into.
Jake instantly looked smitten at a male nurse working at the desk. He handed over two Pokeballs eagerly, while Milo picked up a local map and gave it a quick scan. Sure enough, Oakwood Reserve was less than a two minute walk from here.
“Milo?” came a familiar voice. Milo turned to see an old friend standing in the doorway.
“Morty!” Milo exclaimed, as the young man walked over, arms open in welcoming embrace. In no time Milo was engulfed by Morty’s warm hug; his hands glided across Milo’s back inquisitively.
“Oh Milo, it’s so good to see you,” said Morty. “I can feel your positive energy.”
“…you can?” Milo asked.
“Yes, it’s very powerful,” Morty noted, stepping back from the hug. “I haven’t seen you for some time.”
“It sure has been a while,” Milo said. “You…ok?”
“Never better,” he replied. “What brings you to Ecruteak?”
“Well, I’m -”
“I wish you could heal ME!” Jake squealed to the nurse. He smiled nervously before tending to a girl and her Corsola.
“Listen,” Morty said hastily, unimpressed at Jake. “I’ve just been getting my Pokemon healed…but what are you doing tonight?”
Milo thought for a moment.
“We’ve had a pretty crazy day,” he said, remembering the fiasco at Moomoo farm and the walk right though the evening. Was it really just this morning that he left Olivine City?
“Well I know the perfect end,” Morty said. “You remember the Burnt Tower?”
“That’s where I first met you,” Milo reminded him.
“Be there tonight. 11pm,” Morty said. “Have a nosey around.”
“Why?” Milo asked.
“Just do it,” Morty told him. “And if you bump into anyone…tell them I sent you.”
Morty walked off, giving a flick of his hand as he went. Milo stood, confused, as he began to try and process what his friend was suggesting. The Burnt Tower was the nickname given to the Bronze Tower, a once glorious building twinned with the Tin Tower. The Bronze Tower was torched to the ground, with the arsonists remaining anonymous and the tourism industry putting the cause down to a magnificent legendary Pokemon. Why did Morty expect Milo to go there? As Milo stood, confused, Jake built up a rapport with the handsome nurse behind the counter.
“Sooo,” he said, elbows propped on the desk as his head lay in his hands. “Busy day?”
“Not really,” the nurse admitted. “Ecruteak never demands too much of anyone.”
“Well if you’re bored, you can heal these guys,” Milo muttered, handing over Medicham and Ruby’s Pokeballs. He quickly recalled Totodile and handed the glittery Pokeball to the nurse, who raised an eyebrow as he took it.
“Nice Pokeball,” he said.
“Bite me,” Milo snapped.
“Don’t be so mean,” Jake hissed, as the nurse planted the Pokeballs into the healing machine. “He’s cute!”
“Jakey Jakey Jakey,” Milo sighed. “You need to learn to treat them mean. Keeps them keen.”
“It does?” he asked curiously.
“Well it does with women,” Milo said. “Naturally I’ve never tried it on men. But it’s all just simple psychology…so try it.”
The nurse returned with Jake’s Pokeballs. He took the tray.
“Your shirt is really…shit,” Jake said.
“God, I know,” the nurse said. He smirked. “These disposable scrubs are all we get here. What with all the Pokemon, you never know what you might get on them.”
“Oh,” Jake replied. “Well. You smell.”
Milo took a step back from Jake’s dire attempts to treat someone mean.
“Hmm,” the nurse said, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
“We’ll work on it,” Milo suggested. He was given his Pokeballs back and tucked them onto his belt.
“Milo, I‘ve registered your Totodile onto your Trainer Database,” the nurse explained.
“Thanks,” Milo said. “Come on, let’s get to the hotel.”
As they exited the Pokemon centre, they noticed the night setting in. Up in the indigo sky, stars burned brightly. Milo took a deep breath and smelled fresh grass, and an almost herby scent. He couldn’t shake Morty’s invitation from his mind as he walked through the city to their hotel which was, like most buildings in the area, single storey. Carved into a wooden sign was the name; ‘Oakwood Reserve’, with five stars etched beneath it.
“Five star?” Jake asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Why expect anything less?” Milo said, casually walking inside. Jake looked excited as he followed, still lugging his hefty suitcase packed with supplies. Inside, the hotel reception carried a cabin-like theme, with wooden walls and a sleek mahogany desk. Tables and chairs in the waiting area were carved out of logs and there was a framed picture showing the Lake of Rage.
“Welcome,” said a woman.
“I’ve got a room booked under the name Mitchelson,” Milo said.
“Oh yes, Milo?” the lady asked, typing into a database. “We’ve been expecting you. A package came for you, which we’ve just sent to your room. I’ve got your key here.”
“Thanks,” Milo said, taking the slender key. Andrew worked fast.
“Room 08,” she told him, directing him left down the corridor. “Enjoy your stay!”
Milo led the way down the hall and made his way into the room. While there was a cosy, yet luxurious décor, and a large TV on the wall, Milo was slightly alarmed at the double bed. Thinking back to when Andrew ordered the room, Milo had not mentioned he was with a companion.
“Double bed?” Jake said, arriving behind Milo. “What have you got planned mate?”
“Fuck off,” Milo snapped, storming down the corridor.
After flashing a copious amount of money, a slew of insults sent to the receptionist and a steaming potion of expletives and wild gesticulation, Milo and Jake arrived in room number 01. It had two bedrooms either side of a luxurious living area, with plush sofas and a study area. Milo unpacked his clothes that Andrew had sent, before heading for a shower.
*
Whereas Ruby the Arcanine’s cream-coloured tufts were once elaborate, bushy and wild, she now paced around the hotel room with a slightly more trimmed look. Given an overall more feminine appearance, her mane was more sleek and streamlined, while the tufts on her legs were much shorter. As for her big, fluffy tail, it was shimmering with a glossed conditioner Jake had applied. Milo looked, awe-struck, as Ruby paced the room looking more girly, her canine features looking more pronounced.
“Nice work Jake,” Milo said. Totodile was playing in the large bathtub while Medicham practiced her yoga on the bed.
“Thanks!” Jake said. Ruby nuzzled him affectionately. “How was your shower?”
“Wet,” Milo said dryly. “So what do you think to this Burnt Tower thing tonight?”
“Sounds a bit weird,” Jake said.
“But it’s Morty…” Milo said to himself. “Morty’s cool.”
“You know him pretty well?” Jake asked.
“Sure, I met him when I came here in the Johto League,” Milo recalled. “Got on pretty well, you know.”
“Well maybe we should check it out,” Jake said.
“Sure,” Milo said, noticing the time. He changed into a crisp, oxblood shirt, while Jake slipped a cardigan over a bright t-shirt. Recalling his Pokemon, Milo headed out into the streets of Ecruteak, wondering what Morty had in store for him.
It took a good ten minutes for them to make their way across town; despite the wonderful day’s sunshine, the evening was cool; gasps of wind bit at Milo’s fingers as he made his way through town. Even at this hour, water Pokemon were watering plants avidly.
They soon approached the base of the Burnt Tower. A number of signs were put up prohibiting people from exploring the interior. Through a small, forest clearing they came to the entrance. Milo took a good look at the tower, barely one storey high in its charred, destroyed state. Singed a dull black, its beauty was tarnished.
“Mofrty wants you to come here?” Jake asked, frowning.
“It’s pretty cool inside,” Milo said, recalling how he used to train in here. He walked forwards, past the entrance and into an old, bare room. There was a number of floorboards missing and some Zubat roosting from the rafters. There was a chill as wind whistled through the tears in the walls.
Milo led the way proudly, enjoying the long, groaning creak the floorboards made as his feet pressed into the floor beneath him. Jake seemed slightly afraid. There was a grand staircase before them, which would normally lead to the upper floors of the once magnificent tower. Now it simply led into the breezy sky, its rafters long gone. Milo explored the room as a Gastly phased through the walls.
“Morty expected me to explore,” Milo said thoughtfully. “But this is all there is?”
“Milo!” Jake said. Milo walked over to Jake, who was examining a gaping hole in the floor. Boards had been prised up and the surrounding area was splintered. Beneath them was a dimly lit corridor running beneath the tower.
“Cool,” Milo said, finding the size of the hole more than willing to accept his lean frame. Bending down, he began lowering himself down when Jake spoke up.
“What if there’s a murderer down there?” he asked.
“What if there’s not?” Milo said, dropping down the hole in the ground. Jake heard a thump and winced. He peered over the edge to see Milo dusting himself off below.
“You coming?” he asked Jake.
“I think I might go back to the hotel,” Jake said, turning around. As he did so, he suddenly felt his arms clamp to his sides. In no time he was hurtled back along the room and delicately pulled down the hole to the corridor below. Medicham put her hands back down to her side and smiled at Milo, who watched Jake amusedly.
“Wrong answer Jakey.”
Milo turned and made his way down the narrow corridor. There was the occasional sharp turn and steep decline, with their footsteps sounding heavy and dull.
“I wonder what this is…I feel like one of the Secret Seven,” Jake whispered.
“Firstly, unless this corridor leads to a library, stop whispering,” Milo snapped. “Second, I can‘t believe you read The Secret Seven. Lame!”
“Shut up,” Jake muttered.
The corridor took a sharp turn to the left, and the two (after Medicham was recalled) walked on curiously. Milo began to hear something. He could feel something pulsating beneath him as his hands felt the cold stone walls.
“Can you feel that?” Milo asked Jake. Jake nodded behind him.
Another sharp corner. Turning, they walked on, seeing a slightly longer corridor ahead. A solid door stood before them, windowless and mysterious. A muscled man was standing in front of it, wearing a black suit. He did not look particularly impressed as he folded his arms.
Milo kept his eyes locked on the man as they neared, but it was Jake who spoke up first.
“Hey,” he said airily.
“What are you doing here,” the man asked.
“Morty sent us,” Milo explained. The man surveyed Milo before giving a brief nod, stepping to the side. Milo walked to the door, his hand grasping the handle and twisting it as he entered the room beyond this, the bizarre passageway.
A wave of deep, raw bass hit his ears as he looked out over a miniature ocean of people dancing beneath him. Walking to a rail only a meter or so in front of him, Milo understood the vibrations before. There was a nightclub underneath the Burnt Tower.
“Brilliant!” Milo said, noticing to his left and right there were spiralling staircases to the dance floor below. The small, square dance floor had a raised podium in the middle, where a DJ span tunes. It was a heavy mix of accelerated dance and wild, electro music fizzing through the club. The people threw their bodies around independently; one girl swung her hips as she closed her eyes, a wide, relaxed grin spreading across her face as she was taken in by music.
The venue was quite small, but there was a bar around the other side of the room. Milo and Jake made their way around the balcony area, Milo eyeing up the girls in the room. As they got to the bar, they saw Morty, drinking a dark drink.
“MILO!” he called. Milo smirked as he made a beeline for his old friend.
“Mate!” he cried, grabbing his hand. “What the fuck is this!”
“This is The Smoky Rooms,” Morty explained with a low purr. “My little side-project.”
“Don’t you run the Gym?” Jake asked. “How do you have the time?”
“I was fired from the Gym last year for excessive drug use,” Morty said. Milo made an odd noise. “When I returned to Ecruteak, I was told there were plans underway to shift the Gym Leaders around a bit, so I wasn’t allowed to just come back to the Gym. I found Ecruteak so discouraging. There are a few pubs, but no music scene. So I got my friend Shaw to help launch this thing.”
“It’s so cool,” Milo said, noticing the DJ wave a hand at Morty from the dance floor. He assumed this was Morty’s accomplice, Shaw.
“Yea, it’s the Ecruteak hotspot,” Morty noted. He got the attention of a sultry barwoman, who slinked over and made two more drinks. “Thanks cutie.”
The girl smirked and walked to serve another customer. Morty gave Milo and Jake their drinks, which were the same as his own. It was a deep brown coloured drink in a highball glass, with big cubes of ice floating like bergs.
“What is this?” Milo asked.
“A Black Russian,” Morty said. “Vodka and coffee liqueur. Try it.”
Milo pressed the glass to his lips and took a quick sip; the ice prevented him from draining the contents. A hot, burning taste filled the back of his throat, while a bitter coffee sting sat on his tongue. Placing his drink down, Milo swallowed and shook his head quickly.
“God, it’s strong,” he groaned.
“Yea,” Jake said tentatively, trying to stir it with a straw, hoping to perhaps slur the flavours.
“Dude I thought you just got out of rehab,” Milo said. “Why are you drinking these?”
“I was in rehab for drug use,” Morty said. “You know me, Milo. I’m a social drinker. That’s okay.”
“You were a social coke-head too, from what I recall,” Milo said.
“Don’t get all righteous on me,” Morty muttered.
“I’m not,” Milo said. “I’m not mate.”
He patted Morty on the shoulder.
“It’s great to see you again man.”
“Sure is,” Morty said. He was wearing a white t-shirt with violet and black lightening bolts shooting across it. UV lights across the room made his top look bright and illuminating. He had a loose pair of jeans on and white trainers.
“So are you going to reapply for ownership of the Gym?” Milo asked.
“I am,” Morty replied, draining the contents of his drink and setting the glass down. “But they have a woman from the Elites looking after it. She’s been looking after it for about seven months, so she’s made a good impression around here.”
“Oh,” Milo said.
“And since the Johto League officials sent her in the first place, naturally they don’t object to her staying permanently,” Morty replied bitterly.
“What themed Gym is it?” Milo asked.
“The Stamina Gym,” Morty said. “Involves healing, draining, that sort of thing.”
“Which Elites member is running it?” Jake asked keenly. Morty must not have heard, for he did not answer. Instead, he leant back to the bar and ordered another drink. He seemed to pull a few strings here, perhaps due to him spearheading the entire club night. Milo felt the strong, coffee cocktail stir in his stomach, like a dragon having a troubled sleep.
“Hey I’ve just seen Rochelle,” he said happily. “One of the Eevee sisters.”
“The Eevee sisters?” Jake asked. “They’re here?!”
“Who?” Milo asked.
“They’re these five super hot sisters in Ecruteak City that each train an Eeveelution,” Jake said. “They’re HUGE. Like, everyone loves them. They sometimes tour Johto with these shows, where they sing a few songs (they have amazing vocal ranges) and a few dance routines, and they battle each other.”
“The girls are a huge attraction for Ecruteak City,” Morty explained. “They work out of the theatre in town. You should catch one of their shows sometime.”
“Yea!” Jake said, looking to Milo for confirmation of this idea.
“Whatever,” Milo shrugged. He stopped his blasé attitude when he looked over at the far most staircase. Five girls were walking up the spiral steps to the bar, smiling to onlookers as they made their presence known. Each was dressed in a bold colour; yellow, blue, red, pink and charcoal. Milo was captivated as he looked at the girls, all perhaps the age of his sister. Two at the back giggled, while the girl in the red dress tapped something into her sleek, expensive phone. They approached the bar.
“Can I have a vodka cherry coke?” asked one girl, dressed in her strapless golden dress. She was chatting to her sister, who was wearing a shorter-cut dress in a bold blue.
“I so want to go and say hi,” Jake gushed, fanning himself with his hands.
“Why are you so worked up?” Milo asked. “It’s not like they turn you on.”
Jake scowled at Milo’s comment.
“Hello Morty,” came a voice. Morty looked to see the girl in the charcoal dress walk over, sipping what looked to be a Black Russian.
“Rochelle,” Morty said warmly, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Glad you could make it.”
“Morty this night is great,” she said, turning to look at all the people beneath them. Milo saw, for the first time, that Rochelle’s dark dress had a golden floral print; only visible when she caught the light. It was beautiful, if not eerie. Milo wondered what his sister would make of these five gorgeous women and their dress sense.
“Even better for you being here,” Morty replied, whispering something in her ear.
“Let’s get some more drinks in,” Milo muttered, ordering two more Black Russians. He hated the sharp taste of the drink, but loved how quickly he became inebriated beneath its bitter power. Feeling slightly chewed out by Morty as he shared a moment with Rochelle, Milo and Jake walked on through the club, heading down the stairs and to the dance floor. Milo couldn’t take his eyes off the other girls, up on the balcony sipping their drinks.
Like a heartbeat the music pumped rapidly and filled Milo with life. Despite the gorgeous Eevee sisters being in the club, Milo didn’t chase them. Jake kept disappearing to try and get a picture with them on his phone, but Milo danced and danced. The dance floor was small, and the crowd sizeable, but the feeling of being at one with the other people in the room, while dancing, thinking and feeling independently captivated Milo as he drank more, and more, and more.
Soon Milo was staggering down an off-shooting corridor, palms pressing against the walls as he struggled to stand up.
A scream filled his ears.
“MILO!”
The warm scorch of a passionate kiss filled his senses…
*
Almost as if the music was slowing down very quickly, Milo felt a thud. It was less diverse and interesting than the music Shaw was playing. Moments later, he realised it was his pulse throbbing, sending agony into his head.
It was the morning.
He had a hangover.
“Oh fuck,” he groaned, sliding out of his bed. Leaving the enclosed warmth of his thick duvet, Milo felt a chill down his back. Eyes adjusting to the muggy darkness, he grabbed a pair of joggers from his suitcase and slid them on. He slipped on a black vest and smacked his lips, feeling the bitter taste of a Black Russian. Ambling out of his bedroom, he went into the main area of his suite.
Standing at the kettle, making a cup of tea, was one of the Eevee sisters, looking slightly dishevelled. She had on the shocking pink dress she wore the previous night, but her hair was wild and mane-like.
“Morning,” Milo muttered, having no recollection of chatting to the girl, bringing her back or even sleeping with her.
“Hey you,” the girl said warmly, rubbing Milo’s shoulder. “Brew?”
“Sure,” Milo croaked, as the girl poured him a cup of tea. “Thanks.”
“Good night?” she asked.
“Yea, yea,” Milo said, thinking. He remembered drinking shots with Jake…they lined five each across the bar and raced them. What was this girl’s name?
“Me too,” the girl giggled. She wasn’t Rochelle; that was the girl Morty was chatting to. Milo’s face, contorted with concentration, made him look like he was constipated. Was it Frankie?
“Morning!” came a cry. Jake walked into the flat from his bedroom, looking fresh and perky.
“Here he is!” the girl said. “Possibly the best dancer I have ever met!”
“Oh Molly, you’re flattering,” Jake said warmly. Molly! Her name was Molly!
“Dancing?” Milo mumbled.
“We had a dance-off,” Jake reminded him. Milo nodded, vaguely remembering his friend throwing some truly horrific shapes on the dance floor.
“Why are you so happy,” Milo asked sourly. Jake poured himself a glass of water and drank it quickly.
“I never get hangovers,” Jake boasted.
“Jake I want to know your secret!” Molly said. “I feel rough as hell here, but we’re performing all afternoon.”
“Oh!” Jake said. “Of course! We were really keen to come to your show today.”
“Well, after seeing you dance like a robot, I think you guys deserve a couple of tickets,” Molly said, delving into her bag. She pulled out two tickets and handed them to Jake.
“You keep tickets to your shows on you wherever you go?” Milo asked sceptically.
“I’m good publicity,” she winked, pulling a floral Pokeball from her bag. She released her Espeon, who gave a soft purr as she materialised in a whirling cloud of rose petals. “Espeon, teleport me to my place.”
Espeon’s forked tail wrapped around Molly’s wrist like a watchstrap. The two ends met and curled together as her red gem throbbed suddenly.
“Come to my dressing room after the show,” she whispered, as she was whisked away and left the room. Jake stood open mouthed as Milo took a generous swig of tea.
“The tickets say the show starts at two,” Jake noted. “Do you want to get changed, maybe train your Totodile up for the contest?”
Milo surveyed his mug.
“Did I sleep with that Molly girl?” he asked. Jake smirked.
“You kissed her. But she passed out on the settee when we got in,” he explained.
“Oh,” Milo replied. “I don’t remember much.”
“You were hammered,” Jake noted. “But Molly seems to like you. Maybe you can get her beyond the settee next time.”
“I’m only going to be in Ecruteak for a few days,” Milo muttered. “There’s no point getting attached.”
“Do you ever get attached?” Jake asked, smirking. Milo set his mug down and went for a shower.
“I did once,” he muttered solemnly.
*
Still feeling sore and battered from his night of binge drinking, Milo was in town, Totodile, Medicham and Ruby all out of their Pokeballs. By a large water feature of a Suicune, Milo trained his new Totodile while also helping Medicham hone her elemental punches and her non-telepathic reflexes.
“That is Medicham’s single greatest strength and weakness,” Chuck used to tell him. “She is strong mentally and physically. Make sure she stays strong in both disciplines.”
Truth was, she was more proficient with her psychic attacks. In short, she was lazy. Totodile was leaping at Medicham with ice fang from all angles, and she was required to evade without levitating or teleporting.
Milo found the jets of water bursting from Suicune’s mouth relaxing as he sat in the calm day. Here in Ecruteak it was not as warm as Pua Samoa or Olivine City. After some brief evasion training, Milo stopped the session and got a different Pokeball from his belt; it was black on the top, with ‘M’ engraved on the front in gold. Medicham looked intrigued.
Hurling the ball into the air, it burst open and, with shimmering gold flakes, Milo’s Kingler emerged on the field. Jake watched on, grooming Ruby’s finer, shorter hair, as Medicham eyed her old team mate.
“Totodile!” Milo cried. “This is my Kingler. He’s here today to help you hone your ice attacks.”
Kingler gave a crooning gurgle as foam frothed from his mouth. Totodile leapt out of the fountain and shook water from his scales. Kingler stood a few metres away as Milo ordered an ice beam.
Concentrating, Totodile focused as he created the icy crystals within his mouth. Manipulating the ice into a small frosted orb, he fired a pearly-white beam through the air, which Kingler easily blocked using his large claw.
“Kingler,” Milo said. “Ice beam.”
Holding the large pincer forward, Kingler whipped up a large, weighty ball of ice and fired off a thick, shimmering beam through the air. It hit the Suicune statue and covered the carved stone with a glazed sheen. Jake clapped loudly as Kingler scuttled around eagerly.
“See how fast that was?” Milo said. “The more used to using this attack you get, the easer it will be to execute.”
Totodile nodded eagerly.
“Ok we’re going to approach this in three steps,” he explained. “Create. Form. Release. Create the ice in your mouth. Form it into the round pearl that the beam expands from. The wider your jaw, the more space in your oral cavity for the orb to grow. Then you release it. We’re not concerned on accuracy right now. We’re working on power. Right?”
Totodile nodded.
“Medicham keep on standby in case any attacks fly off anywhere.”
Medicham nodded as Milo clapped his hands loudly.
“Create!”
Totodile nodded and clenched his jaw, forming the ice.
“Form!”
Hurriedly, Totodile shaped the orb and felt it waver between his large, sharp teeth.
“Release!”
Stumbling slightly, Totodile rushed into things, the small orb bursting from his control and melting in the air. Kingler shot a few bubbles in the air as Jake sighed at Totodile’s efforts.
“No worries,” Milo muttered.
They kept it up for a little while, focusing on sculpting and unleashing the attack at maximum potential. Totodile was getting better as the day progressed, no longer faulting or needing cues from Milo. Sitting next to Medicham, Milo watched, almost able to peer into Totodile’s mind as he saw the varying states of concentration. There was the slight look of constipation as Totodile manipulated the ice crystals in his mouth, shifting to the sheepish look as he made sure to manipulate the ice into a pearl shape. Then there was the reckless look in his face as he fired off the beam, where it retained its temperature despite the humidity outside.
As the afternoon rolled around, Jake reminded them that they were to watch the show. Wishing he could simply train Totodile up, especially since he was making some progress, Milo begrudgingly recalled his team, including Kingler, and walked through the town to the theatre.
“Looking forward to seeing Molly?” Jake said. “Hey, I just noticed, you guys both have a name beginning with ‘M’.”
“Funny how that works,” Milo said dryly, having a vivid memory of being lost on the way to the toilets last night and Molly’s odd enthusiasm to look at Milo’s phone. What a confusing night.
Shortly they came to the grand, traditional looking theatre. Milo was impressed with it’s large columns supporting the roof, and walked up the steps with Jake. The inside was decorated with deep red and gold, looking splendid. They gave their tickets to a girl at an admissions counter and made their way inside, taking a seat and waiting for the show to begin.
“So did you get your picture with any of the girls?” Milo asked, remembering Jake’s persistence.
“I think so,” Jake said. “I took them on your phone though. Here, pass it over.”
“Please,” Milo said, handing the phone over. Jake scrolled through the pictures of the previous night, chuckling at the odd faces he pulled with Milo, whose eyes were drooping in inebriated defeat. Finally, Jake found a picture of himself posing with Una, the girl in the bold, blue dress. She had a white lily in her cropped black hair.
“Una was really nice,” Jake said, scrolling left. “Oh my god!”
His cry alerted several people taking their seats in the theatre.
“What?“ Milo asked. He snatched the phone off Jake, who was appalled at what he saw. Looking at the picture, Milo saw a shot of Molly at the sink’s of the girl’s toilets, snorting a line of cocaine through a rolled up note. Suddenly, Milo remembered Molly’s persistence at seeing his phone for the entire night, and it began to make sense.
“I got lost going to the toilets,” Milo murmured. “Walked in the girls by accident.”
He thought slowly.
“She screamed my name…told me to get out…”
“And you thought you’d take a picture?” Jake asked.
“It was funny,” Milo said. “Or it must have been at the time.”
“This is bad,” Jake said, staring at the picture as if he were in a trance.
“That’s why she came back with us last night,” Milo said. “But she passed out before she could get my phone. Shit. It all makes sense!”
“You’ve got one of the deadliest photos ever!” Jake said. “Put your phone away!”
As Milo came to his epiphany, the lights dimmed as the curtains were pulled apart. Standing on the stage were the five girls. There was Morty’s friend Rochelle with her Umbreon at her side, Frankie, the girl with flaring red hair, standing proudly with her Flareon; a girl Jake pointed out to be Vanessa, who was with a particularly spiky-looking Jolteon, Una, who stood with a Vaporeon, and last but not least Molly, Espeon at her side, smiling at the crowd.
“Welcome to Ecruteak City!” cried Frankie.
Milo made eye contact with Molly, who stared coldly back.
“She knows,” Milo hissed to Jake. “She knows!”
Next Chapter - Milo's efforts to avoid the Eevee sisters cause him to run into the current Gym Leader of Ecruteak City, who has no intention of moving from her position. As plans on the League Reclassification come to light, Milo reflects on his time training for the Johto League, and how a near-death expirience caused him to bond with Morty.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
I really like the general atmosphere of the fic, it feels so natural. But I've probably said this a hundred times. It's true, that's why I like it.
I don't know why, but I just seem to like this perticuliar scentence.As they walked, Milo was slightly unnerved as he saw a Mightyena drag the poor Farfetch’d away into the night.
Lol at Morty getting fired for excessive drug-use. The midnight-club was a very cool and original idea. It's so damn realistic. I love it! The use of real-life elements in my candy-coated vision of Johto is orgasmic.
Also, Milo's badass attitude seems to get him all the nice girls. A shame this is only fanfic. If it's autobiographic in some way: stud.
I adore background stories and history, it's kinda like a fetish. So it's cool to see that next chapter will do some reminiscene about his League challenges.
Lol at dance-stars on coke. Meh, it happens. Can't blame them, I'd do it myself.
Kingler <3
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
At first, I thought Morty was gay but druggie makes more sense
Another good chapter as always. Will Milo show his compassion in spurts or is it going to be a continual process?
T_M_L
My ASB Team:
Nightshade, Orion, Drake, Apollo, Shino, Ares, Arya, Isis, Ace, Arbiter, Nero, Haplo, Coren, and Marit
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
TML: Hey! Thanks for reading. Milo's compassion does build up. Having him go from kind hearted to a dick every other chapter would not work in his favor. In Chapter Six Milo shows a lot of concern and care for someone, but helps them in a somewhat twisted way. There is a huge turning point in the fic, where Milo begins to be a better person.
MLG: Hey! I'm very pleased you like the feel and atmosphere of the fic. That's very encouraging as a writer, so I thank you. I'm doing my best to really characterise places and people to provide the best expirience for readers. All the cities are slightly done-over, and I'm also trying to include characters from the games. Also, with Heart Gold and Soul Silver coming out, it's quite suiting really
Hmm well you have to remember Molly only went with Milo to try and get rid of this incriminating photo...and Gina Gourmante didn't seem very keen XD. He also has a lot of pride, really. We'll see his ex-girlfriend in an upcoming chapter. What a story...
Yea next chapter Milo begins to remember his time spent in Ecruteak during the league training, when he was collecting badges. It's another messed up layer to Milo's psyche :p. And I can confirm that a character from TPML will feature in an upcoming chapter!! Any thoughts on who it might be?
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
Luna? As far as contest concern that is.
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
Whoa, that chapter was pretty awesome. I love that little Totodile ^_^ Great little guy, and it's cool how Milo was teaching him Ice Beam. I also liked the Raticate disease comment.
I'm somewhat worried about Milo, that bastard. That's one heavy photo he's got on his phone. Rich though he is, it's kind of scary to have a celebrity after him. What if they send people to dispose of him? Like, even if he promises to delete the photo, bad stuff could happen. Hm. Medicham is great, but will she alone be enough protection?
I don't know who the TPML featured person could be, but Karin died, so I'd think it would be more likely to be River or someone like that for a contest appeal person? Or it might not necessarily be a contest person. It could be a battler like TML that Milo might have met on his travels. Or maybe even Chris himself - he kind of disappeared at the end, didn't he? Wonder where he ended up.
~ Lune ~
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
I vote for me.
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
MLG: Luna would certainly make sense. As I recall MLG is in a TPML based in the States, so I doubt we would see him. But then in the continuity, Show-Off could be based years and years after TPML, so it could literally be anyone. Grey might be out of jail, heck even Callisto could have evaded the authorities under her new alias.
Karin: I think Totodile's fitting well on the team. Initially, the Ch4 thing where Jake critiscised his colour was because I was going to make him albino or perhaps suffering some pigment disorder. I really wanted to look at how superficial contests were and how Milo understood Totodile's lack of control over his looks, but in the end it got changed to him being shiny since, really, isn't that the equivelant? We'll see different reactions to his colour.
Milo is definitely in hot water with this incriminating picture. Naturally Jake thinks he should get rid of it, but Milo has plans for it. I don't think the girls will resort to killing Milo, since any associating with it would be as damaging as the photo itself. I think they'll want the phone, but as we'll learn, Milo ain't giving it up.
Speaking of which, Goldenrod has a bit of a criminal underworld-sub storyline that fits in with what you're thinking of. That's VERY exciting. Bloodshed and all that. As for the TPML character....Chris is an interesting suggestion. Might he find solace in sleepy Johto? This person features promimently in the chapter they are in.
After Kingler's brief cameo in Ch5, I think we might see more of Milo's old team for the odd job. We do see some in flashbacks. I was also thinking about a brief break during part of the fic. There is a part coming up, not for a while yet but a point where a break for a few months might work quite well. I won't reveal too much but I feel it splits the fic into two distinct volumes. I'll see how I feel nearer the time.
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
________________________________________________
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 5 posted!
One thing that I particularly liked in this chapter was that things were addressed in it that I don't seem to recall ever having seen addressed in Pokémon fanfiction before, such as the possibility of knocked-out wild pokémon being taken advantage of by predators and the possibility of contracting diseases from wild pokémon. I'm kind of surprised that I haven't seen such things touched upon before (or that I haven't seen such things more often, if the reality is that I actually have seem them addressed in one or more fics before but simply forgot when and which) since they really do seem to make a good deal of sense.
The nightclub under the Burnt Tower was certainly a surprise. And I'm quite amused by the trouble Milo's gotten himself into in having that compromising picture of Molly. X3 I'm definitely interested in seeing what all comes about as a result of that.
Other highlights:
Amusing image there, due not only to farfetch'd bopping Totodile over the head but also due to what said farfetch'd did afterward. XD“Keep your distance,” Milo said. Totodile turned to nod, understanding the order, but was instantly whacked over the head by the duck, who flapped back elegantly and re-established its pose.
Interesting description of the hidden power technique there.“Excellent!” he yelled, noticing his water Pokemon was somewhat tired. “Medicham, take over and finish this thing off. Hidden Power.”
Medicham held her palm up as a flashing orb began to grow. Only somewhat larger than a tennis ball, it flashed blue, red, yellow, purple; an assortment of shades blurring among each other. It finally blended with a shimmering silver sheen - the steel type.
Milo's response made me laugh. XDHe quickly recalled Totodile and handed the glittery Pokeball to the nurse, who raised an eyebrow as he took it.
“Nice Pokeball,” he said.
“Bite me,” Milo snapped.
This section made me laugh, too--especially the "you smell" part. XD“Jakey Jakey Jakey,” Milo sighed. “You need to learn to treat them mean. Keeps them keen.”
“It does?” he asked curiously.
“Well it does with women,” Milo said. “Naturally I’ve never tried it on men. But it’s all just simple psychology…so try it.”
The nurse returned with Jake’s Pokeballs. He took the tray.
“Your shirt is really…shit,” Jake said.
“God, I know,” the nurse said. He smirked. “These disposable scrubs are all we get here. What with all the Pokemon, you never know what you might get on them.”
“Oh,” Jake replied. “Well. You smell.”
Another amusing moment. XD“You coming?” he asked Jake.
“I think I might go back to the hotel,” Jake said, turning around. As he did so, he suddenly felt his arms clamp to his sides. In no time he was hurtled back along the room and delicately pulled down the hole to the corridor below. Medicham put her hands back down to her side and smiled at Milo, who watched Jake amusedly.
“Wrong answer Jakey.”
Once again, Milo provided an amusing response. XD“Dude I thought you just got out of rehab,” Milo said. “Why are you drinking these?”
“I was in rehab for drug use,” Morty said. “You know me, Milo. I’m a social drinker. That’s okay.”
“You were a social coke-head too, from what I recall,” Milo said.
Congrats on another boss chapter, and I'll be sure to read the next! ^^
Re: Show-Off - Chapter 6 posted!
Posting this one in quite quick sucession. Chapter Seven has just been completed and I managed to do it very quickly. Nevertheless it's a very exciting chapter. This one is more of a bridge, so I felt it could go up quick quickly. It is a great build up to the next chapter.
But I advise you to watch out for Chapter Seven. Its hella good
Show-Off
-VI-
Satan's Whiskers
It was very cold in here, the scorched remains of the Bronze Tower. As his footsteps caused creaks to cry throughout the dark, withered room, Milo paced around precariously. He moved slowly, eyes adjusting to the dark, peering into every corner. From here, the sky was visible; stars littered the sky like discarded gems, winking at those beneath.
As he wandered, his feet left imprints in the dusty floorboards. With each foot lifting off the ground, dust was pulled up with it, fluttering back to the ground in silence.
“This is perfect,” Milo whispered, gripping a Pokeball on his belt. Throwing the ball into the air, a bright flash of light expelled shadow as his Medicham formed from the light. Throwing a furtive look at her trainer, she adopted a pose and studied the room, like her trainer before her.
“Let’s get to work,” Milo said softly. His Pokemon gave a decisive nod, but stopped suddenly. She furrowed her brow and looked around, seeming cautious. Milo knew she had highly superior senses, so judged from her movements that she could sense something as she crept along the room. Milo followed her as she rose off the ground telepathically, silently swooping into a room just off the main entrance.
Before them was a body hanging limply from a thick rope, tied to a beam running across the ceiling.
“Oh my god,” Milo gasped. “Psycho cut.”
Medicham pressed one finger to her temple as her free hand arched back. Glowing energy enveloped her fingers as she swiped her hand across horizontally, sending a blade of energy slicing through the rope keeping the man up. Instantly she then held both hands out and slowly brought the no longer suspended figure to the ground.
“Is he breathing?” Milo asked, rushing over. He swept the man’s messy blonde hair from his face. Medicham closed her eyes, her hand hovering over the man’s chest. She began manipulating his lungs with her mind, telekinesis mimicking the breathing movements. Milo stood over the body and watched in the dark, awestruck at his Pokemon.
With a lurching gasp, the man sat up, taking in thick, hearty gulps of air. His eyes looked heavily bloodshot. He looked around.
“D-Did it work?” he asked.
“No,” Milo replied coldly. “What the fuck were you thinking?”
“Hey,” he said. “You don’t know me. Life’s not worth living anymore!”
“How can you even say that!” shouted Milo. His roaring voice caused a flock of bats to sweep out the rafters and into the night sky. Even Medicham watched cautiously. Standing over the man, who still sat, Milo looked furious at the victim.
“It’s true!” he wailed.
“You cannot do any more with live than ‘live it’,” Milo explained. “And all you can live through is your life.”
“You don’t know that,” he stammered.
“How can you watch the sun rise and be greedy enough to want more?” Milo snapped. “How can you stare into the eyes of a loved one and not marvel at the art behind their design? Have you ever been lost in someone’s eyes before?”
Almost as if on cue, the man gazed into the vibrant green eyes staring right at him.
“You’re pathetic,” Milo said. “Who are you?”
“My name is Morty,” he replied, getting to his feet.
*
Jake was applauding wildly after the Eevee sisters did their matinee performance. Standing with their Pokemon, the five looked slightly of breath, having performed complex routines with each other, demonstrating their strength through battles and generally entertaining the crowd. Milo avoided Molly’s piercing glare from the stage.
“That was AMAZING,” Jake said, turning to Milo for confirmation of the impressive feat they watched.
“We should head off,” Milo whispered, as the audience dispersed and the lights came on.
“Just delete the picture!” Jake hissed. Milo clicked his tongue and got out his seat. They inched out their seats and walked up the aisle to the exit, Milo noticing the girls leave the stage and rush behind the curtain.
They filtered out to a warm afternoon in Ecruteak. Many people were amazed at the displays the girls showed - Milo thought it was almost contest-like, and wondered if any of the girls would be competing. Children begged their parents for printed t-shirts featuring the different eeveelutions, and one girl also began crying when her father refused to buy her an Eevee.
“I’d love an Eevee,” Jake mused, hearing the conversation. “They’re so cute.”
“Meh,” Milo grumbled. “They’re very expensive.”
“Did you like the show?” asked his companion.
“Not really,” Milo replied. Jake’s eagerness ebbed away slightly.
“Thanks for going with me,” he said.
“No problem,” Milo replied.
“I still think you should delete the picture,” Jake muttered. “It’s so…incriminating.”
“That’s exactly why I’m keeping it,” Milo said. “I can use this potential scandal against the Johto League bigwigs. Make sure they reinstate Chuck as Gym Leader. Maybe help Morty out, too.”
“That’s what this is about?” Jake asked, as they walked through the city.
“This is huge,” Milo told him. “My mentor Chuck lost his job, that bimbo Eva is looking after Olivine and there are rumours Azalea Gym is being shut down completely. I’m not letting them do this.”
“What about the Ecruteak Contest?” Jake asked.
“Fuck that, I’ve been interested in this Gym thing for like, a day longer,” Milo said. In his mind, however, he remembered meeting Chuck only hours before leaving Pua Samoa.
“Have you even decided who you’re going to appeal with?” said Jake.
“Totodile,” Milo replied.
“What are you going to do for Totodile’s appeal?”
“Jake!” Milo snapped. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I’m just trying to help.”
“I’m on top of it,” Milo said. They carried on walking through town, Milo planning on training his newest team member some more. At that point, however, a lithe Flareon wandered the path in front of them, sauntering along as the wind ruffled its fluffy collar.
Milo looked to see that, blocking off a street was a Jolteon, sparks brimming across its ultra-fine needles. It’s dark eyes narrowed at Milo, who could see Flareon sitting calmly ahead. The pattering of paws alerted him to a Vaporeon to his right, and before he could assume what was to come, behind him an Espeon and Umbreon stood next to one another. Milo gripped Medicham’s Pokeball, expecting to need her.
“Don’t you dare release that Pokemon Milo Mitchelson,” came Molly’s familiar voice. The five girls stood around their Pokemon, enclosing Milo and Jake.
“Molly!” Milo said, in a mock-cheery accent. “Great show.”
“Shut up,” said Frankie, next to her Flareon.
“Ok I lied!” Milo replied. “Your show was lame.”
“We only got you there so we could corner you after the show,” Frankie replied.
“I’m hardly cornered,” Milo said. “I’m…penta-gone, if anything.”
He chuckled at his own remark.
“Espeon, frisk him,” Molly said. “Get his phone.”
Espeon did not nod or purr; she simply caused her jewel to glow brightly. However, no sooner had she started then the jewel dimmed, and her trainer looked down, confused. Milo felt a throb in his Pokeball and knew what had happened.
“Espeon!” Molly said. “Psychic!”
“It won’t work,” Milo replied. “Medicham is emitting an ESP force field which is blocking Espeon’s abilities from reaching us.”
Opening the Pokeball, he let his prize Pokemon form from the shimmering light. Medicham stared at Espeon coldly.
“Jolteon go for a quick attack!” cried Vanessa. In a blistering streak, the Pokemon raced across towards Milo and Medicham. Medicham turned and whipped her hand up, hurtling Jolteon through the air. The creature landed on its paws and hissed, blasting a volley of sharp pins from its coat. They arced through the air, but Medicham twisted her wrist, narrowing her eyes and sending the pins whooshing up into the sky.
“Girls power up,” Frankie said firmly. “Flareon, flare up!”
Flareon took in a deep breath, her ruffled fur puffing out.
“Jolteon use charge,” Vanessa said. Her Pokemon throbbed with power as lightening coursed through her needle-sharp pins.
“Umbreon charge a shadow ball,” Rochelle ordered. As Umbreon’s rings glowed gold, a ball of twisted umbra coiled into an orb. Una ordered her Vaporen to get ready as Espeon stood calmly.
“Milo hand over the phone,” Frankie said, as the five Pokemon prepared to attack. “Or we will let loose.”
“You five sirens seem so concerned about your image,” Milo said calmly. “Yet here you are ready to court-martial me in the middle of the street. Do your worst.”
Frankie raised her eyebrows, her sisters looking to the eldest sister for some sort of direction. She sniffed.
“FIRE!”
It was instantly chaotic. Fire water and lightening shot at the boy, while a beam of bright psychic energy and a dark orb of shadows followed suit. Medicham placed a hand on Milo’s shoulder and another on Jake’s, thinking hard and whisking the two boys away with her. The attacks all collided where Milo once stood, the girls watching with satisfaction.
Milo felt himself fall to his knees; an aching sting seared in his leg as he looked around the dimly lit room he was in. Jake was getting to his feet, Medicham looking around the room.
“Thanks Medi,” Milo said, standing and looking around. This was Morty’s old office - Medicham obviously wanted to teleport them away from the girls, and this place must have been in her mind recently. Milo flicked a light on; it was dark here, for the office was beneath the gym and had no windows. It looked neater than usual.
“Where are we?” Jake asked.
“Morty’s office,” Milo replied. “Hey, the computer’s on.”
He walked over to the desk and swung the chair around, plonking himself in the seat and making himself comfortable.
“What are you doing?” Jake asked.
“I’ll see if there’s any information on the League Reclassification,” Milo said, clicking in documents and looking on the computer. He could see, on the task bar, that the outlook programme was already open; perfect. Milo had a look.
“Maybe I can find out just what’s going on,” Milo mused.
Re: Moving To Ecruteak
Dear sis,
Hope you managed to get to Ecruteak OK. Everyone at home misses you, and Cacturne has grown loads. We will have to visit you once the Gym is up and running
Love,
Sidney
Milo scrolled through a few of these emails until he found a message marked with an exclamation mark. It read ‘IMPORTANT - OCEAN GYM IS NOW OPEN’.
“Ocean Gym?” Milo muttered.
TO THE GYM LEADERS OF THE JOHTO LEAGUE,
The closure of Azalea Gym has been finished, and the gym is now being refurbished as the Azalea Contest Hall. To make up the numbers, a Gym has been opened in the Whirl Ocean under the name The Ocean Gym. There are no chartered boats to the island, so it will require a definite element of skill to reach the island. We have secured the Kanto Gym Leader Misty Waterflower for the Gym, which tests applicants ability to fight on and under the water.
Please ensure that you are up to date with the (ever changing) fluctuations of the Reclassification. To new leaders, we hope you can settle in among the chaos.
Best,
The Board of Trustees
“This is mental,” Milo said, rifling through more paperwork.
“So they’re just redoing the Gyms?” Jake asked.
“Pretty much,” Milo said. “It seems so unnecessary though. I think they want to overhaul most the single-type Gyms in most regions. Johto is a small area, so they‘re ok with testing everything. It’s their litmus test.”
“It sucks that people are out of jobs,” Jake said. “Like if Azalea Gym is shut down, the leader won’t have anything to do.”
“And Chuck,” Milo said. Just then, he found an email sent by ‘Mitchelson Enterprises’ - his father’s company. Eager to see just how direct his father’s involvement was, Milo began scrolling down the page to click on the email.
“What the hell is going on here?” came a sharp voice. Milo span around in his chair to find a slim woman standing in the doorway, a Houndoom at her side. The dog was big, with curved horns and sharp teeth. It had external ‘ribs’ formed from excess bone along its back, and a pointed tail.
“Shit!” Jake wailed.
“Who are you?” asked the woman. She had big, silver hair that cascaded down her back, and she was in a tight, black dress with matching heels.
“Medicham get us out of here,” Milo said hurriedly, as Houndoom sent a jet of flame searing through the air. It smashed into Medicham, who was caught off guard, and she fell back awkwardly.
“You will do no such thing,” she replied. “My name is Karen, and I’m the Leader of this Gym.”
At this point, a Haunter emerged from the walls, placing its cold, thin hands on Medicham’s shoulders. She looked at the captor sadly, as his hands throbbed with a red energy. Milo recognised this as an Imprison attack - if Haunter had psychic abilities, then he was making sure Medicham could not use hers.
“Why are you here,” Karen said stiffly.
“I wanted information on the Reclassification,” Milo replied. Jake stayed silent, trembling softly.
“If it took sneaking into my office for you to access this information,” Karen said. “Surely you must realise this information is not for you?”
“I need to know the big picture,” Milo explained. “Medicham go for a thunder punch!”
Medicham nodded, clenching her fists and causing sparks to crackle among her fingers. She leapt across the room and slugged Houndoom in the jaw. He retaliated by chomping down on Medicham’s wrist, causing her to give a scream of pain. Milo flinched at the cry his Pokemon released; it was oddly human.
“Houndoom,” Karen said sharply. She clicked her fingers and Houndoom hurled Medicham into the corner, where she collapsed, defeated.
“Medicham!” Milo cried.
“Recall your Pokemon. She is hurt,” Karen said. Milo whipped out Medicham’s Pokeball and shot the beam at his companion, which enveloped her and drew her inside the sanctuary of her ball. Milo put the ball away.
“I don’t know who you are,” Karen continued. “But I do not expect to see you in this Gym again, for whatever purpose. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” Milo said. He walked past Karen and up the staircase out of the office, Jake rushing along beside him. The large, purple Haunter followed them ominously, keeping an eye on them. Karen watched, somewhat puzzled but more irritated than anything.
*
Totodile was leaping about happily in the Pokemoncenter, having just had a bath. Medicham’s bite wound was being tended to by the same nurse Jake had his eye on previously. Ruby sat next to Milo as he called his mother from one of the video phones.
“Hi honey!” Meredith beamed. She had her hair in curlers, and an Asian woman seemed to be giving her a manicure. A Sunflora was dancing in the background. “Yao-Lin, not so rough, my fingers are delicate! How is everything going?”
“Not bad th-
“Did Ruby get a haircut?” Meredith asked suddenly, her face pressed against the screen nosily. Ruby paraded around in the background, stretching her front paws in front of her and staring dramatically at the ceiling.
“Yea, my friend Jake -
“Jake from Noise? The receptionist? He’s with you?” Meredith asked.
“Yea, he’s keeping an eye on my Pokemon. He trimmed Ruby,” Milo explained.
“Well I don’t let anybody trim Ruby’s glorious mane,” Meredith sniffed. “But he seems to have done a good job.”
“He’d be glad to hear that,” Milo smirked, as Jake eyed the nurse greedily.
“So Andrew tells me you are competing in the Ecruteak contest?” Meredith asked.
“Yea, it’s coming up soon,” Milo said.
“What appeal are you using?” she asked. Milo clicked his fingers and Totodile scampered into the picture, clambering on Milo’s shoulders. “Oooooooh! Hello!”
“This is my Totodile.” Milo said. “I caught him the other day.”
“But he’s such an unusual colour!” Meredith exclaimed. “A pure embodiment of the ocean!”
“Err…exactly,” Milo said.
“What is the appeal like?” Meredith asked. “Oh he’s so cute Milo, I can’t take my eyes off him!”
“We’re…” Milo began, not even sure what he was going to do for the appeal round himself.
“ - you need to show his cuteness. It’s paramount,” Meredith said.
“I will,” Milo said.
“Mia is staying in Goldenrod for a while,” Meredith explained. “She’s been offered some modelling work for GoldenRebel magazine - oh she’s going to be a star!”
“Good for her,” Milo said. “Listen, I’m going to hand Kingler back over. Totodile’s grasped ice beam quite well, we can work on it without the big guy.”
“Oh ok honey,” Meredith replied. “Now how do I start the transfer?”
“Push ‘Start’.”
“Right, start. Which one is that?”
“It’s big, green, has a few letters on it,” Milo explained.
“What letters?”
“Umm S…T…A…R…and another T.”
“Oh! I found it, yay,” Meredith replied. “Ok now it says ‘awaiting Pokeball dock’.”
Milo placed the ball on the base of the chute and pressed start. It flashed white and disappeared. Moments later Meredith cried in horror as the ball burst open and Kingler scuttled around the living room. Sunflora ran wildly, the big crab’s pincers clicking as it chased the sunflower.
“HEY!” Meredith cried, spinning around and sending Yao-Lin tumbling to the floor. “Leave poor Emerald alone!”
“I’ll just sign out,” Milo muttered, ending the call as Sunflora screamed in protest. He span around from his chair.
“Hey,” he said to Totodile. “I know exactly what we’re going to do for your appeal.”
Totodile smiled. He was chewing a piece of cable. Milo was unsure where this cable came from, but the thick rubber casing seemed to provide endless enjoyment for the little alligator. Milo wondered if he was teething; developing bigger teeth in the back of his mouth perhaps.
“How is Medicham?” Milo asked, walking over to the desk. Totodile was under his arm, rugby-ball style, the cable drooping from his mouth.
“I’ll check,” Jake said. “DANIEL! OY! How’s Medicham?”
“She’s recovering,” the nurse replied, walking over. “Come pick her up tonight.”
“Ok,” Milo said. “Jake we’re going to sort this appeal out. You coming?”
“Ehh…” Jake sighed, turning to the handsome nurse. “Hmm…fine. Ok.”
He looked at Daniel.
“Hopefully one of my Pokemon gets hurt and you can…you know, help it.”
“Hopefully?” Daniel asked.
“Ignore him,” Milo said, dragging Jake out the Pokemoncenter.
*
Half an hour later, after a trip to a local toy store, Milo stood in a small field north of the city, near the gates to the fantastic Tin Tower. Totodile was leaping about happily while Ruby was being groomed by Jake. Jake had his Wingull out its ball as well as a little Pichu, whom Milo had never met before. The small mouse squealed happily and hopped around the grassy clearing.
Milo and Totodile were practicing their appeal, which Milo had decided would involve aspects of Totodile’s accuracy. He withdrew three orange balls, hurling one into the air and commanding Totodile to keep it in the air by firing a water gun directly up. Like a living fountain, Totodile blasted the frothy jet of water, which kept the ball bobbing atop.
“Okay,” Milo said. “We’re going to throw another ball up. Fire a jet of water to keep it in the air, but keep your eye on the other ball.”
Throwing it up, Milo watched as Totodile carefully monitored the trajectory. He dived to the left and fired a jet of water through the air, where it knocked the falling ball and caused it to spin in the air. Now the first ball was close to the ground, so Totodile scampered along and blasted another jet to fire the ball up in the other direction.
“Good going!” Milo said happily, as the cute little Pokemon ran around. Milo threw the third ball but, in trying to keep it up, Totodile felt the other two balls hit him across the head. He staggered sideways as the third ball fell to the ground.
They stopped for a few minutes, with Milo trying to help point out various problems with the appeal. They kept on practicing, with Jake suggesting ways to improve the appeal. Milo stared at the impressive tower behind them, remembering the last time he was there.
*
Thunder rumbled across the sky. Grey clouds curled among each other, cloaking Ecruteak City beneath bleak misery. Milo ran through a forest clearing, rain lashing against his back, hood drawn up on his waterproof jacket. The entrance to the ornate tower loomed into view, the multi-storeys looking imperial and commanding against the white flashes of the lightening.
“MORTY!” Milo yelled, hammering the door. “LET ME IN!”
His fists pounded against the door, but nobody replied.
“ITS FUCKING FREEZING! OPEN UP!”
But still there was nothing. Worried Morty was suspended from one of the rafters, Milo grabbed a Pokeball and hurled it up into the sky, where it burst open and released his Flygon.
“Take me to the top floor,” Milo said. Flygon nodded and allowed his trainer to clamber aboard. Hands around the dragon’s neck, Milo clutched his Pokemon as he gave a powerful flap of his wings and took off into the sky. Milo screwed his eyes shut against the blistering wind, Flygon sweeping around the huge tower in elegant spirals.
They arrived at the top in no time. Milo leapt off his Pokemon and touched down on the balcony he was on. There were open windows that he was easily able to slip into, so he recalled Flygon and took a deep breath. He landed and had a look around the interior of the Tin Tower; the wind howled something fierce inside.
“Morty?” Milo asked, walking around the perimeter of the large beam in the centre of the tower. “Mate? You in here?”
“…Milo!”
The voice came from a room downstairs. Milo ran to the staircase and leapt down them frantically, bursting into a chamber off from the main room. Inside was Morty, sitting on a large cushion and smiling greedily. A needle lay on the floor between the two boys.
“What the fuck?” Milo said. “I thought you might be dead. Why didn’t you answer the door?”
“Effort,” groaned the Gym Leader. “I am so….content right now.”
“What have you been doing,” Milo said, eyeing the needle. “Heroin?”
“Yea,” Morty muttered. He looked irritable; his skin tinged with grey and his eyes seeming heavy in his head. He was drowning in his baggy jumper, fingertips clenching his cuffs.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Milo snapped. “Do you know how dangerous this stuff is?”
“I’m fine,” Morty replied.
“You look like shit,” Milo said rudely. “I thought you were coming off it.”
“Me too,” came the reply.
“Where are you getting it?” Milo asked.
“I know a guy,” replied Morty.
“You’re a fucking joke,” Milo said, turning to leave. “I’m sick of trying to be here for you. I’ve been in Ecruteak for weeks trying to look after you. And you’re just destroying yourself.”
“It makes me feel better,” Morty replied.
“Better than what?” Milo asked.
“Than suicidal,” Morty said. Milo looked at his friend curiously. “Makes me calm, collected. I don’t want to feel like I used to. Scared,. Miserable…”
“Okay, okay,” Milo said cautiously. “It’s fine.”
“Stay with me Milo,” Morty said, withdrawing a sleek silver case. He withdrew another needle. Milo eyed it nervously, but sat down on a squishy cushion and stared out at the stormy skies.
The next day, Milo and Andrew were in an upmarket Ecruteak café. Andrew was driving Milo around Johto, where he was competing in the Gyms. He eyed the young boy carefully as he pressed a cappuccino to his lips.
“You haven’t touched your food,” Andrew noted shortly after putting his scalding drink down. “You ok?”
“Morty’s using again,” Milo muttered. “I spent all night with him.”
Andrew sighed.
“He’s not going to change, Milo.”
“He could,” Milo pointed out. “He should! Killing himself on an overdose is no better than hanging himself.”
“Look,” Andrew said calmly. “If you want to get to Olivine City and get the rest of your Gym Badges, then you need to move soon. We have been here for three weeks, and time is not in our favour.”
“But Morty needs me,” Milo replied.
“He was killing himself before you came along,” Andrew said. “He’s just going about it differently.”
Milo looked slightly disturbed by the comment, but knew Andrew was trying to help him see sense.
“I’m going inside to pay the bill. I’ll be back in a minute.”
As he got up and walked inside the chic glass café, Milo stared across the sleepy city. He could see the Gym in the distance, feeling sick by the whole thing. Poison shooting inside his veins…was it really justified if it quelled Morty’s suicidal streak? Milo got out his phone and dialled a number, making sure Andrew was busy in the queue.
“Hello?” came a voice.
“I’ve got a story for you,” Milo said, eyes scanning the area. “A scandal.”
“I’m listening…”
“Photographic proof that Mortimer LaRoux has been dealing with Class-A substances.”
*
After their training, Milo had been challenged to a battle by a trainer who had come to prepare for his rematch at the Gym. His name was Liam, and he stood opposite Milo on a makeshift arena. After it was obvious that Jake knew nothing about reffing a match, he was instead sitting on the sidelines glumly, his Pichu on his shoulder.
“Two Pokemon each,” Liam said. He had short, fine hair, looking around Milo’s age.
“Fine,” Milo replied coolly, thinking he would need to use Ruby, since Medicham was still being treated for her wounds.
“Girafarig go!” Liam cried, throwing the ball into the air. From the bright flash of light emerged a slender creature with four legs, resembling a foal in appearance. She had little antenna-style horns and big eyes, with her sleek golden fur becoming a murky brown further down her body. Milo was intrigued at the markings on the creature’s tail, resembling a manic face.
“Totodile!” Milo said. He suddenly saw the round tail turn around, and the face gave a cheeky grin. It was creepy. Totodile scampered forward, and Milo was glad he did not need to release the creature from the disgusting Pokeball.
“Girafarig go for a head butt!” Liam ordered. Galloping across the arena, Girafarig tucked her head down.
“Evade!”
Totodile blasted a jet of water into the ground and was propelled up amid splashes of sparkling water. In the air, Totodile charged up an orb of frosty ice in his mouth, and Milo watched happily as a perfect ice beam blasted down and struck Girafarig in the side. Totodile landed on the soft earth and cried out in excitement as Girafarig staggered to the side.
“Psybeam!” Liam said. Girafarig opened her mouth and a beam of bright, flashing energy pulsated out. It smashed into Totodile without fail; Milo was impressed at its accuracy. Totodile staggered back, blinking wildly as bright lights took over his field of vision.
“Get it together!” Milo said.
“Now go in for iron tail!” ordered Liam. Girafarig sped along the arena and pounced up into the air, creating a metallic sheen that engulfed her back half. She whipped around and her tail whacked Totodile across the jaw; he gave a yell and flew back, rolling along to Milo’s feet.
“You ok?” Milo asked. As he got up, Totodile seemed to have suffered a few bruises but he wasn’t as confused as previously. Looking, he saw Girafarig charging right towards him. “Evasion won’t work, we haven’t the time. Ice beam!”
Totodile narrowed his eyes, getting into the fight as he blasted another beam of cold ice through the air. Girafarig leapt to avoid it, but it struck her front legs, causing her to tumble down and crash into the ground.
“Get up!” Liam cried. “Girafarig!”
She wearily got to her feet, encased in ice, and looked back at her trainer with worry.
“Stay where you are. Use psychic on Totodile!” Liam said. Nodding, Girafarig’s eyed glowed powerfully, but Milo had enough experience with psychic Pokemon to know how to deal with them.
“Her other senses are weak,” Milo noted. “Make as much noise as you can!”
Totodile gave off an almighty screech, causing Milo, Jake, Liam, Girafarig and even little Pichu to yell out in protest. The noise was piercing, relentless; Milo had his hands pressed firmly against his ears, but watched as Girafarig thrashed around wildly. When a psychic Pokemon employed their sixth sense, they became much more sensitive to other senses. With Girafarig writhing on the ground, Totodile fired off a jet of water and struck her in the face.
“Shadow ball!” Liam yelled. Within moments, Girafarig created a fleshy orb of swirling shadows. It was launched through the air at Totodile, who leapt forward at the attack.
“What are you doing?” Milo asked. Totodile’s claws brimmed with energy as he span around, slashing apart the oncoming attack. Dancing among slivers of whispering shadows, Totodile looked incredible, spinning as the attack dissipated.
“He’s a bit out of control,” Jake noted.
Totodile landed as Girafarig charged once more. Firing a water gun at the ground, Totodile flipped out of the way. Girafarig knelt down before bouncing high into the air after the foe, swinging her tail around in an attempt to strike Totodile. Opening his big jaws, the alligator span around and released a big jet of water, which struck Girafarig and ploughed her into a tree.
“Totodile!” Milo exclaimed, his Pokemon landing to the ground. They looked at Girafarig, who Liam had to help pull from the splintered remains of the tree.
“That was impressive,” Jake mused.
“Good work man,” Milo said.
“Return,” Liam said to his Girafarig. “That’s a good Totodile there.”
“He’s not bad,” chuckled Milo.
“Right. Weezing, get out!” Liam said. The ball opened and released the large round Pokemon. Milo was reminded of the girl in the Olivine Contest who had a pink Koffing. This big purple creature had swirls of gas coming from little lumps all over its body. It had big fangs and gave off a horrible smell.
“Let’s sort this out,” Milo said. “Water gun!”
The jet of water narrowly missed Weezing who, on Liam’s command, swept to the left. He blasted a thick mouthful of dark sludge down at Totodile, who leapt out of the way into a forward roll.
“Cover the arena in sludge!” Liam cried. “Limit its movement.”
“What about the environment?” Jake asked in horror.
“Fuck the environment,” Liam said, as Weezing hovered around spitting huge wads of gunk.
“Totodile launch into the air with water gun, then go for an ice beam!” Milo shouted. Totodile blasted the water into the ground, propelling himself up. As he flew up, however, Weezing flew forward with a head butt, smashing the poor Pokemon and causing him to fall back to the ground. As he fell, Totodile fired an ice beam and managed to strike the curious, smaller head attached to Weezing.
“Hey,” Milo said to Totodile, who looked somewhat upset. “You’ve done enough. Good work pal.”
He got out the disco-ball style Pokeball and shot the beam at Totodile, recalling the little alligator in a flash of glittery light. Liam raised his eyebrows, but Milo ignored him, sending Ruby out her Pokeball instantly.
“You ready to fight?” Milo asked her. She looked indifferent, but Milo reminded himself that it wasn’t her choice. “Strike it with a swift attack.”
Barking loudly, Ruby commanded a fleet of sweeping golden stars to hurtle up and tear through the air at Weezing. The big purple Pokemon dodged left and right, but every single star struck its target. While Weezing was grunting at the irritable stars, Milo gave the next order.
“Go in for a Flare Blitz. Now!”
As fire burst from her feet, Ruby sped along the arena. Weezing blasted a sludgy mess down, but the Arcanine’s quick feet let her dodge and leap high, tackling Weezing. Landing amid the gloop, Ruby looked around precariously, keen to remain beautiful.
“Weezing use a double edge!” Liam said. The fire from Ruby’s assault had melted away the mini-Weezing, causing the curious species to levitate slightly higher. Spinning wildly, he slammed hard into Ruby, causing her to fall in all the horrible sludge surrounding them. At this, Ruby gave a long howl of shame, shooting off a jet of fire that struck the foe.
“Now get out there and use a flame wheel!” Milo shouted. Ruby pulled herself off the ground, looking sadly at the slick substance in her mane. She turned her nose, walking over to Jake and leaving the battle.
“What’s going on?” Liam asked.
“Ruby get back here!” Milo cried. Ruby sat down and closed her eyes, huffing.
“Dude your Pokemon quit. I win,” Liam replied.
“No you don’t!” Milo argued. “We were beating you.”
“But your Pokemon left the arena. Mine is still healthy and obedient,” Liam pointed out. “I win.”
“Fucks sake Ruby!” Milo snapped. Ruby opened her jaws and, fearing flame would erupt from her flame sac, Milo spasmed to the right slightly. “Fine. You win.”
He handed Liam a few notes and told him to go. Liam nodded, recalling Weezing and leaving. Jake dutifully had Wingull use a combination of gust and water gun to try and clean the area of the poisonous gunk, with Milo eventually lending Totodile to help. He sat down on a bench and glared angrily at Ruby, who seemed indifferent.
*
Meanwhile, in an elegant house in the outskirts of the city, Molly sat awkwardly with her Espeon. They had a map of Ecruteak City spread out across the desk. Rochelle returned with Umbreon.
“No sign of him at the Pokemoncenter,” she explained.
“Una is standing guard at his hotel, too, but he isn’t there,” Frankie said.
“This is a complete disaster!” Molly moaned. “Everything we worked towards is going down the gutter!”
Her phone, set out on the table, vibrated suddenly as the ringtone played out. Not recognising the number displayed on the screen, Molly picked it up with trepidation, accepting the call and pressing the device to her ear.
“…hello?”
“Milo Mitchelson is competing in the Ecruteak Contest,” said the voice. “So he will be in the city for at least another 24 hours.”
“How do you know this?” Molly asked.
“He signed up,” came the response.
“Why are you telling me this?” Molly said.
“Because you want to find him, don’t you?” said the stranger.
“I do…” Molly mumbled.
“Then you have the advantage of knowing where he will be tomorrow.”
“Who is this?” Molly asked.
“Just someone with similar interests,” said the person. “I will be in touch soon.”
Hanging up the phone, Jasmine tied back her hair and slipped her phone into her purse. She caught a glimpse of Milo and Jake as they walked back through the town, so she slipped down an alleyway unnoticed, ready for her next move.
Next Chapter
Milo faces a difficult time in the Ecruteak Contest as some of the best talent comes together trying to claim the ribbon. While he fights his way through the ranks, the Eevee sisters plan their final assault on Milo, no holds barred...
Show-Off
Contest fic
*Chapter 37 up*
Posted September 22nd, 2013
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Re: Show-Off - Chapter 6 posted!
The Morty scenes were certainly interesting. One moment in those scenes that really stood out for me was when Milo found him hanging there, particularly due to the way that that moment was presented in the text--quite an attention grabbing image there. o.o
And fwee, there was a weezing in that chapter. ^^
Other highlights:
Somehow I just I couldn't help but be amused by Morty asking if it worked (read: asking if he was dead) there. XDWith a lurching gasp, the man sat up, taking in thick, hearty gulps of air. His eyes looked heavily bloodshot. He looked around.
“D-Did it work?” he asked.
It's not very often that I can say that I find eeveelutions at all ominous, but this is one such opportunity where I can. When they surrounded Milo and Jake there, there was a definite sense of "oh crap" about that moment. Nicely done. ^^They carried on walking through town, Milo planning on training his newest team member some more. At that point, however, a lithe Flareon wandered the path in front of them, sauntering along as the wind ruffled its fluffy collar.
Milo looked to see that, blocking off a street was a Jolteon, sparks brimming across its ultra-fine needles. It’s dark eyes narrowed at Milo, who could see Flareon sitting calmly ahead. The pattering of paws alerted him to a Vaporeon to his right, and before he could assume what was to come, behind him an Espeon and Umbreon stood next to one another.
XD A classic "busted" moment right there.“What the hell is going on here?” came a sharp voice. Milo span around in his chair to find a slim woman standing in the doorway, a Houndoom at her side. The dog was big, with curved horns and sharp teeth. It had external ‘ribs’ formed from excess bone along its back, and a pointed tail.
“Shit!” Jake wailed.
*snickers* X3“Good for her,” Milo said. “Listen, I’m going to hand Kingler back over. Totodile’s grasped ice beam quite well, we can work on it without the big guy.”
“Oh ok honey,” Meredith replied. “Now how do I start the transfer?”
“Push ‘Start’.”
“Right, start. Which one is that?”
“It’s big, green, has a few letters on it,” Milo explained.
“What letters?”
“Umm S…T…A…R…and another T.”
*can't help but laugh at what's happening to Emerald there* XDMilo placed the ball on the base of the chute and pressed start. It flashed white and disappeared. Moments later Meredith cried in horror as the ball burst open and Kingler scuttled around the living room. Sunflora ran wildly, the big crab’s pincers clicking as it chased the sunflower.
“HEY!” Meredith cried, spinning around and sending Yao-Lin tumbling to the floor. “Leave poor Emerald alone!”
XD“Ehh…” Jake sighed, turning to the handsome nurse. “Hmm…fine. Ok.”
He looked at Daniel.
“Hopefully one of my Pokemon gets hurt and you can…you know, help it.”
“Hopefully?” Daniel asked.
“Ignore him,” Milo said, dragging Jake out the Pokemoncenter.
XD Awesome.“Totodile!” Milo said. He suddenly saw the round tail turn around, and the face gave a cheeky grin. It was creepy.
XD Yeah, upsetting something that can breathe fire is... risky, put mildly. X3“Fucks sake Ruby!” Milo snapped. Ruby opened her jaws and, fearing flame would erupt from her flame sac, Milo spasmed to the right slightly.
Nice work once again, and I look forward to more--the matter of the eevee sisters' "final assault on Milo" that's on the horizon certainly intrigues me... o.o
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