Beyond the Adventure - A Pokémon Story

Chapter 12: A Whole New World pt4

                Darius quickly throws a hand over Jess’ mouth and her string of obscenities gets muffled out.  Jess pries at Darius’ hand and rips it off.  “What’s the big idea?!” she shouts, pushing him away.

                Theo steps up to her and smiles like a stupid fool.  He takes her hand, which she tries to pull away.  Theo raises her hand and turns to the crowd.  “Just look at this woman,” he says.  “Those hard cold eyes, those rigid facial features, that pirate outfit; it all practically screams Toughness Champion.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Of course you do.  I am never wrong.  Let’s go, sweetheart!”

                “Sweetheart?!” Jess shouts.  “Just who do you think you are, you pretentious-ass mother…”

                Darius slaps another hand over Jess’ mouth.  “Shh!” he hushes her.

                “Oh my, so brash!” Theos says.  “I love it!  I have no doubt in my mind you would win the Toughness contest here!  You could be swimming in prizes!”

                Jess furrows her brow.  The word “prize” seems to have gotten her attention.  “What kind of contest?” she asks.

                “Why, Pokémon Contests, of course!” Theo says dramatically, using his hand to gesture toward the building behind him.  “The most fabulous event in Hoenn!”  He leans into her, causing Jess to frown and lean away.  “You DO have a Pokémon, right?”  Jess nods.  “And I bet it is a tough one!  Let’s get you into a Toughness Contest!”

                Jess grumbles.  “Fine, but they come with me!” she says, pointing at Darius and me.

                “Wait, what?” I say.

                “Hmm…”  Theo walks around us, looking us up and down.  After a long agonizing minute of this showmanship, he puts his hands on his hips, closes his eyes, and turns his head away.  “Fine,” he says, waving his hand in the air, “but I will not sponsor sissy Kalos kids in a Toughness Contest.  I have my reputation to think of.”

                “Hey, I’m not from Kalos,” I object.

                “Come, darling!” Theo says pompously.  “Let’s get you ready!”  He grabs Jess’ hand and pulls her behind him toward the contest building.

                “Hey, I can walk myself!” she says, trying to pull her hand free as she gets dragged along.  Darius and I look at each other, shrug, and follow.

                The interior of the building is vast.  The lobby is spacious and busy with fans waiting for the various contests to start.  Some Pokémon and fans are wearing costumes.  The receptionists stand at the counters to various theatres where I presume the contests are held.  There are five theatres in all, each with a sign above them labeled “Cool”, “Beauty”, “Smart”, “Tough”, and “Cute”.  Judging by what Theo kept rambling about, I guess we will be going into the Tough theatre.

                Theo leads us to a side room with a sign that reads “Staging”.  He throws the door open and announces his presence.  “I have returned!” he calls out.

                All the female staff inside come swooning toward him.  They ramble and murmur and squeal.  One hands him a teacup and the other starts feeding him Grepa berries.  He snaps his fingers and the staff members spread out, each taking their appropriate places.  He looks Jess over, looking her up and down.  He walks around her once, then stops and leans into her face.  He then leans back and holds his hands out in a frame.  Finally, he nods.  “You are magnificent!  Simply marvelous!” he says loudly.  “Perfection incarnate!  No need for a change of outfit!”