Love in the Time of Teamwork

Chapter 4: A Competition

Because I'm incapable of creating anything without having a sinister plot behind it. Okay...that's not totally true, but it is for my action stories. Here's hoping you'll enjoy it anyway. Time for chapter 4!

Chapter 4

A Competition

It was such a spectacle. Fireworks were exploding in the air, creating dizzying arrays of Pokémon shapes in all colors. Balloons were flying high from the stands like a multi-colored wave that washed over the stadium. The roar of the anticipating crowd echoed from down below as cheerleaders on the field did routines with their dancing Pokémon. They might as well have been performers, for all she cared.

The whole thing was just a little sickening.

"The Kalos Team Tournament, huh?" the girl spat through her teeth. She clicked her heel against the stone surface she was sitting on, unnoticed by all the world. "What a disgrace...such a blight on a rich history. It's like they don't even respect the past anymore..."

She sighed, running a hand through her dark hair as she stared wistfully up at the sky. A firework exploded near her, visible even in the bright blue sky. It was the shape of a Whismur, lilac coloring and all. The girl grit her teeth, her hands clasping violently on her brown traveling cloak, and she looked away from the horrific sight, eyes landing on the castle. It was so close...but so far...

Wind whistled above the stands as the crowd roared even louder, causing the girl's clothes to blow upwards a little. Sighing once more to herself, she turned her body and hung her legs off the side of the stone, looking down into the stadium while the cheerleaders were clearing off. It was amazing how she was sitting in plain sight on top of the stadium but no one even saw her.

"It's almost that time folks!" called the commentator from his box and the girl's eyes narrowed. Everything was finally about to begin. "We're all set for that tournament of bonds, trainers and Pokémon: the Kalos Team Tournament, and I can promise you that this one will be a tournament to remember!"

"That's for sure," the girl mumbled to herself. She leaned forward, resting her elbow on her knee as her hand propped her head up. "I think this year will be plenty fun. Let's see what kind of trainers we get." The crowd roared in approval once more, the excitement reaching its peak and the girl's smirk faded into a frown. "Don't worry...we'll meet again soon, Aster."

X X X

"Wow, I can't believe how packed it is out there!" Serena commented, having just run back in from where they would be able to watch the tournament when not competing. Bonnie was already out there with Dedenne and Squishy, hyped up by the excitement pervading the stadium.

"It's really no surprise," Brock said with a chuckle. "Not only are all the teams that didn't make the cut out there, but so are the citizens of the city and spectators from all over the region."

"Like I said, it's almost as big as the League," Clemont reminded her. Serena gave no response, feeling as though it would be pointless to do so. Instead, she just fixed her hat and adjusted the ribbon on her chest. She hadn't had much time this morning after sleeping late. They hadn't gotten to sleep until around three after returning to their reattached hotel room. Ash was near one of the beds in their waiting room as he adjusted his gloves. Pikachu hopped onto his shoulder, just as excited as his trainer for what was about to take place.

"This is so awesome," he said under his breath. A smile bubbled up on Serena's face, which really wasn't that hard when Ash was around, unless he was needlessly risking his life (which seemed to happen every other week now that she came to think of it). A static burst came from the TV in their room and displayed a scene of the currently empty stadium.