World Competition - Season 1

Chapter 10

Alain had just escaped from being roped into a dance with Mairin. He wasn't much of a dancer, and wasn't really in the mood for such things, despite the rest of the festival brimming with joyful citizens, celebrating the eradication. It was especially cheerful as all the remains of the creatures had been ridden of just in time to wrap up 2019 and prepare for the new decade.

He looked over to find any other recognizable faces.

There was Sawyer, Tierno and Trevor, huddled up in a little group. The green-haired and ginger-haired boy were comparing notebooks while the other watched with fascination.

'Probably still trying to work on stuff for their animals', Alain thought as he rolled his eyes over to the next group.

Clemont, Bonnie and Ash were sitting huddled quite close on a bench. Bonnie seemed to be having fun despite having to let go of Dedenne. Ash was helplessly beaming with excitement, constantly ranting to his friend how he couldn't wait. Alain figured he was simply relieved the future he'd been working towards was finally achieved, although it required somewhat of a sacrifice.

"Excited to be onstage?", Clemont asked the boy, getting his attention.

Alain couldn't help but overhear their conversation as he was close by. Not that he didn't want to.

"W-What?", Ash stammered.

"You know. Being the performer you are. I bet you and all the other Socialites can't wait to make your special announcement"

"Oh, yeah, right! Yeah, I'm excited! Third time's the charm, and I'm gonna try and make sure the mob at this festival isn't as vicious as the last two"

The static of a microphone alerted him to stagger off of his seat and sprint towards the stage before getting a shrug and shaking head from the siblings regarding his clumsiness.

The sun was beginning to set and practically the whole festival was exhausted from singing and dancing the day away. Ash brought himself to the microphone, the other Socialites at the back cheering him on since they were too tired to go themselves, and drew the attention.

"Alright, time for our announcement!", he panted, trying to catch his breath, "Since the eradication of Pokemon, those who are still living in the Regions, or what we call 'Pokelites', haven't been very happy since the career choices they were trying to build all went out the window. So, Socialites from all around the world have agreed on a new idea: the World Competition"

Excited murmurs from among the audience and thumbs up from his friends encouraged him to continue.

"We, the Socialites, will challenge the idea that these individuals can have talents without their Pokemon. This competition will include different kinds of skills to see if these Pokelites really, desperately need their Pokemon, like they make it out to be. It will go on until they can prove to the majority of us that Pokemon should come back, which would be impossible, since basically everyone knows at this point how dangerous Pokemon are. This competition won't actually change any rules or decisions, it's only to prove to the Pokelites that they need to stop protesting and just give in and start a new life with the rest of the world. Especially because we need them to evacuate their homes so we can destroy the Pokemon Regions and leave their history behind us"

The crowd cheered wildly, whistling and applauding the famous group onstage. Even those like Clemont and Alain, who admitted they were also having a hard time leaving Pokemon behind, joined the cheer as they knew they'd eventually be strong enough to lead a new life as well.

Finally, Pokemon were long gone and supernatural causes as a whole were erased from existence. For Ash, it only came with the price of his supernatural abilities, nothing else, including his status. Sure, he didn't have all those powers anymore. Or he thought he did.

But the aura covertly seeping through his fingers said otherwise.