Writing May's Fanfiction Challenge (Results)
- Thread starter Athena
- Start date
Due to overwhelming popularity, we've extended the number of sign-ups to 15! That means we have two spots left, so if you're thinking of joining, you'll want to move fast!
The theme of the story is "A new Pokémon Trainer starting out on their journey." How you choose to interpret that and write it is up to you.
The short story for this contest needs to be self-contained. Part of what this means is that everything that you need to know to understand the story needs to be within the story itself (and within the word limit), no separate references or theories or connections to other stories. Of course, if you want to write up a Pokémon theory of yours, you're certainly welcome to do so and post it as its own thread, but it would have absolutely no bearing on your entry for this contest.
The theme of the story is "A new Pokémon Trainer starting out on their journey." How you choose to interpret that and write it is up to you.
The short story for this contest needs to be self-contained. Part of what this means is that everything that you need to know to understand the story needs to be within the story itself (and within the word limit), no separate references or theories or connections to other stories. Of course, if you want to write up a Pokémon theory of yours, you're certainly welcome to do so and post it as its own thread, but it would have absolutely no bearing on your entry for this contest.
I would like to sign up 
I would also like to apply- if there are any spots left.
I have practised writing before, it's been a while since I've done any proper writing, however. I do not use Spell Check, if I don't know how to spell something, I leave it. Partially as, being Australian, some things are right and I can't tell thanks to spell check using American spellings.
I have practised writing before, it's been a while since I've done any proper writing, however. I do not use Spell Check, if I don't know how to spell something, I leave it. Partially as, being Australian, some things are right and I can't tell thanks to spell check using American spellings.
I would also like to apply- if there are any spots left.
I have practised writing before, it's been a while since I've done any proper writing, however. I do not use Spell Check, if I don't know how to spell something, I leave it. Partially as, being Australian, some things are right and I can't tell thanks to spell check using American spellings.
Yes, there is indeed one spot left, so you're our last contestant.
If you have a problem with the spell check of your chosen writing medium defaulting to American spellings, I would suggest downloading additional dictionaries for your chosen region. For example, if you use Firefox they offer language pack downloads for 6 different English-language options, including Australian English. Microsoft Office offers an even larger variety, and there are other programs that offer various language pack options as well.
Obviously, you can still choose not to spell check if you wish, and I can't stop you, but I can warn you that poor spelling and grammar can count against your final score.
Here is my story, enjoy
Pokemon vs. Titans
2000 years-ago, there lived huge, humanoid creatures called “Titans”. They appeared from out of no where and started to eat people. Humanity was almost driven to extinction because of the titans. The survivors build three colossal walls, Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sina. Humanity lived in peace for 100 years until the colossal made a hole in wall. Eventually, Humanity found the origins of the titans and managed to defeat them all.
Thousands of years later, pokemon came to the world through a virus that caused several animals to evolve into pokemon. The pokemon had far more intelligence than a titan (titan having the iq of a toddler). The pokemon were about the size of a normal, human-being (4.8ft - 6.0ft). Some were smaller and some were bigger than humans. Humans and Pokemon lived in peace, some are kept as pets, others are kept for battles, some to help other too. until one day…
An evil pokemon named “Hoopa” has the power to open portals. Its portals can spread as much as 1 mile long. People are terrified because Hoopa (Unbound) is bring the titans back. but before we jump into the terrible crisis, lets go back a month. There is a trainer named “Trenton” about to start his very own pokemon adventure, as he rushes to Professor Patrees in the Creton region. He is given the chance to pick one starter, Tepig, Oshawott, and Snivy. He picks randomly and receives Tepig, the fire type pokemon.
On his journey, He encounters a Ralts, He sends out his tepig and tells it to use ember. As he weakens the pokemon he throws a pokeball at it as fast as he could and he caught it. As he travels, he battles several trainers and his Tepig evolves into Pignite and Ralts evolves into a Gallade. But one day, he sees an enormous pokemon named “Hoopa” that is using its rings to transport titans to the land of Creton. as several people running for their lives, He sees both pokemon and humans getting devoured. A titan sees him and grabs him, just before the titan was able to eat him, his gallade jumps up and uses its blade-like arms to defeat the titan (Aiming for the nape of the neck).He runs up to his Gallade, hugging it as hard as he could, thanking him greatfully. As Hoopa flies away, Trenton screams telling him to “get back here!”. As Hoppa flies away, the portal closes, but there are still thousands of titans in the city of Newtron.
Several months later, Trenton has a team of 5, Aegislash, Gallade, Blaziken, Emboar, and Skarmory. He is the only man on earth to fight the titans. His Emboar kills 11 titans per day. Skarmory kills 20 titans per day. Blaziken kills 14 per day. Aegislash kills 24 per day. Gallade kills 30 titans per day. The titans eat people and pokemon, but one day, he faces a titan with human intelligence. As trenton hops on his Rapidash, chasing the Intelligent titan, the titan kills his Rapidash and grab Trent. His Gallade jumps up trying to save him, But the intelligent titan kills his Gallade. As he finds another Rapidash, He runs away as fast as possible in tears.
Several years later, the titans are dieing down with only several thousands left. For revenge, he starts to build a weapon, a weapon that would easily kill several titans at a time. He called his weapon the “Colossal”. He searches for his parts and then starts to work on the Colossal. 7 months later his weapon is complete, he releases all of his pokemon in tears again.
He sets off on his new-found Rapidash, loads up his weapon and FIRE. He killed 100 titans from the blast,. He does this over and over again until all titans are wiped out. The titans might be gone but 19-year old Trent is still after Hoopa. He searches for months around the world to find Hoopa but it is no where to be scene. 1 year later, Hoopa appears again but just before it could open up another portal, Trent comes up from behind and fires the Colossal at full power. Hoopa died from the blast and Trent celebrated in honor of all of his loved ones and friends who were eaten by titans.
As the years go by, Trent decides to bury his Gallade in a sacred coffin. As he sets off to find a perfect spot, he buries the coffin somewhere no one normally goes to. he buries the coffin and walks away in tears. He attends several funerals for his friends and family. Trent knows that his pokemon could easily take down any average titan. As time goes by, he eventually reunites with all of his pokemon and starts to raise money for his Gallade’s funeral.
He eventually saves up enough money to start a funeral and plans the date at June 7th, 2085, exactly a month from now. As he prepares for the funeral, He sets the place at where he buried Gallade, a dark, abandoned park. Now, the time has come for the funeral as Trent goes up and says his speech, “My beloved Gallade, you saved my life multiple times and you will forever beloved- Trent gets interrupted as he see’s a cofagrigus raise from the ground, exactly where Gallade was buried. A cofagrigus rises from the ground!
2000 years-ago, there lived huge, humanoid creatures called “Titans”. They appeared from out of no where and started to eat people. Humanity was almost driven to extinction because of the titans. The survivors build three colossal walls, Wall Maria, Wall Rose, and Wall Sina. Humanity lived in peace for 100 years until the colossal made a hole in wall. Eventually, Humanity found the origins of the titans and managed to defeat them all.
Thousands of years later, pokemon came to the world through a virus that caused several animals to evolve into pokemon. The pokemon had far more intelligence than a titan (titan having the iq of a toddler). The pokemon were about the size of a normal, human-being (4.8ft - 6.0ft). Some were smaller and some were bigger than humans. Humans and Pokemon lived in peace, some are kept as pets, others are kept for battles, some to help other too. until one day…
An evil pokemon named “Hoopa” has the power to open portals. Its portals can spread as much as 1 mile long. People are terrified because Hoopa (Unbound) is bring the titans back. but before we jump into the terrible crisis, lets go back a month. There is a trainer named “Trenton” about to start his very own pokemon adventure, as he rushes to Professor Patrees in the Creton region. He is given the chance to pick one starter, Tepig, Oshawott, and Snivy. He picks randomly and receives Tepig, the fire type pokemon.
On his journey, He encounters a Ralts, He sends out his tepig and tells it to use ember. As he weakens the pokemon he throws a pokeball at it as fast as he could and he caught it. As he travels, he battles several trainers and his Tepig evolves into Pignite and Ralts evolves into a Gallade. But one day, he sees an enormous pokemon named “Hoopa” that is using its rings to transport titans to the land of Creton. as several people running for their lives, He sees both pokemon and humans getting devoured. A titan sees him and grabs him, just before the titan was able to eat him, his gallade jumps up and uses its blade-like arms to defeat the titan (Aiming for the nape of the neck).He runs up to his Gallade, hugging it as hard as he could, thanking him greatfully. As Hoopa flies away, Trenton screams telling him to “get back here!”. As Hoppa flies away, the portal closes, but there are still thousands of titans in the city of Newtron.
Several months later, Trenton has a team of 5, Aegislash, Gallade, Blaziken, Emboar, and Skarmory. He is the only man on earth to fight the titans. His Emboar kills 11 titans per day. Skarmory kills 20 titans per day. Blaziken kills 14 per day. Aegislash kills 24 per day. Gallade kills 30 titans per day. The titans eat people and pokemon, but one day, he faces a titan with human intelligence. As trenton hops on his Rapidash, chasing the Intelligent titan, the titan kills his Rapidash and grab Trent. His Gallade jumps up trying to save him, But the intelligent titan kills his Gallade. As he finds another Rapidash, He runs away as fast as possible in tears.
Several years later, the titans are dieing down with only several thousands left. For revenge, he starts to build a weapon, a weapon that would easily kill several titans at a time. He called his weapon the “Colossal”. He searches for his parts and then starts to work on the Colossal. 7 months later his weapon is complete, he releases all of his pokemon in tears again.
He sets off on his new-found Rapidash, loads up his weapon and FIRE. He killed 100 titans from the blast,. He does this over and over again until all titans are wiped out. The titans might be gone but 19-year old Trent is still after Hoopa. He searches for months around the world to find Hoopa but it is no where to be scene. 1 year later, Hoopa appears again but just before it could open up another portal, Trent comes up from behind and fires the Colossal at full power. Hoopa died from the blast and Trent celebrated in honor of all of his loved ones and friends who were eaten by titans.
As the years go by, Trent decides to bury his Gallade in a sacred coffin. As he sets off to find a perfect spot, he buries the coffin somewhere no one normally goes to. he buries the coffin and walks away in tears. He attends several funerals for his friends and family. Trent knows that his pokemon could easily take down any average titan. As time goes by, he eventually reunites with all of his pokemon and starts to raise money for his Gallade’s funeral.
He eventually saves up enough money to start a funeral and plans the date at June 7th, 2085, exactly a month from now. As he prepares for the funeral, He sets the place at where he buried Gallade, a dark, abandoned park. Now, the time has come for the funeral as Trent goes up and says his speech, “My beloved Gallade, you saved my life multiple times and you will forever beloved- Trent gets interrupted as he see’s a cofagrigus raise from the ground, exactly where Gallade was buried. A cofagrigus rises from the ground!
PMJ
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This has been an adventure. I have never struggled so hard to get a story under 1200 words in my life.
When I read the prompt, I knew what I wanted to write about. I wanted to put a little twist on the idea of a new trainer starting out and use an established character to base my story around - Commander Jupiter of Team Galactic.
During Platinum's postgame, the player encounters Mars, Jupiter, and Charon at Stark Mountain. After defeating the two ladies, they decide to quit Team Galactic to do their own thing. Mars resolves to find Cyrus, and Jupiter is left to her own devices. I decided to write their departure from Team Galactic from Jupiter's point of view since I haven't really explored her character outside of Athena's story. I got maybe 90% done with that draft before I realized that not only was the story dialogue-heavy (it was still cool because I used the dialogue from the game), but it wasn't really focusing on Jupiter the way I'd like. So I scrapped it and started again.
The second draft--the one you're finna read--is still told from Jupiter's point of view, but she is recounting the story of how she got to where she is. I would love to have elaborated more on her relationship with Mars, but I had to do a lot of cutting to make this even squeak by the 1200-word limit (first draft was almost 1700). If you read a sentence and it seems like there should be more there than there is, that's because there probably used to be. It can't be helped, however.
According to the word count tool Athena gave me, this entry should be 1,198 words. I wasn't kidding about just barely squeaking by. It doesn't have a title, but it doesn't really need one. Enjoy!
When I read the prompt, I knew what I wanted to write about. I wanted to put a little twist on the idea of a new trainer starting out and use an established character to base my story around - Commander Jupiter of Team Galactic.
During Platinum's postgame, the player encounters Mars, Jupiter, and Charon at Stark Mountain. After defeating the two ladies, they decide to quit Team Galactic to do their own thing. Mars resolves to find Cyrus, and Jupiter is left to her own devices. I decided to write their departure from Team Galactic from Jupiter's point of view since I haven't really explored her character outside of Athena's story. I got maybe 90% done with that draft before I realized that not only was the story dialogue-heavy (it was still cool because I used the dialogue from the game), but it wasn't really focusing on Jupiter the way I'd like. So I scrapped it and started again.
The second draft--the one you're finna read--is still told from Jupiter's point of view, but she is recounting the story of how she got to where she is. I would love to have elaborated more on her relationship with Mars, but I had to do a lot of cutting to make this even squeak by the 1200-word limit (first draft was almost 1700). If you read a sentence and it seems like there should be more there than there is, that's because there probably used to be. It can't be helped, however.
According to the word count tool Athena gave me, this entry should be 1,198 words. I wasn't kidding about just barely squeaking by. It doesn't have a title, but it doesn't really need one. Enjoy!
I'll never forget the day I left Team Galactic. Sure, life at the top was good, but it wasn't until I left that I realized everything I missed out on.
I joined to get revenge for my dad. I mean, don't get me wrong, he was garbage. He lied, stole, cheated, and used me like a tool, but ever since Ma died, he was all I had. He did odd jobs for Team Galactic, but one time a deal went south and he wound up dead. After that, the only family I had was the Stunky that my dad gave me for my tenth birthday. It wasn't really a birthday present so much as a means to start making me useful to him, but I was still glad to have someone to call a friend. For the next year or so, I lived on the streets of Eterna City, doing petty crimes in order to get by. Eventually, I caught Galactic's eye, and they offered me membership.
In retrospect, I don't regret taking the path I took to Commander. I lied whenever it was convenient, threw my fellow teammates under the bus whenever it would benefit me, and slept with more than a few guys to get what I wanted, and what I wanted--needed--was a promotion. And it worked; just six months in, and bam, I'm Commander Jupiter. If becoming one of the top-ranked members of Team Galactic was this easy, Cyrus was as good as dead.
Or so I thought. My senior partner and fellow commander, Saturn, never let me get anywhere near Cyrus. No matter what I tried, every plan I had to kill Cyrus backfired. It wasn't all bad, though. During my failed attempts, I was living the good life. I had a home, power, money, and respect. Or maybe it was more fear than respect. I was definitely feared. So I thought, why ruin a good thing? I had money, a place to stay, and my pick of any man I wanted for my bed. I decided to put my plans to kill Cyrus on hold and just enjoy the life I had now.
And then she showed up.
It was about three years ago. Cyrus called a meeting, and Saturn and I walked into his office to see this cute redhead who looked like she was another one of Cyrus's barely-legal escorts. Cyrus introduced her as Mars, a talented young trainer from Hearthome and our newest commander. Saturn and I didn't understand why he felt we needed another commander. We both kinda figured it was because Cyrus thought she was hot, and to his credit, she was. But hotness can only get you so far, and I was determined to show this newbie just how inferior she really was. I challenged her to a battle, right there in Cyrus's office. She accepted, and held her own pretty well, but I still won.
Cyrus was pissed. He said I had a lot to learn about trusting his judgment and showing my partners the respect they are owed. I told him respect is earned and not owed, and spit in his face. Saturn tackled me, his Toxicroak out and battle ready before we even hit the ground. Cyrus called him off, and said that for my insubordination I would be demoted. I would keep my commander status, but now Mars outranked me, too. To make matters worse, Cyrus switched Mars's and Saturn's assignments, which meant that Mars was now my new senior partner.
The first few weeks were hell. Cyrus deliberately planned missions where Mars and I would have to work together, and he never hesitated to remind me who outranked who. On our first major job, we were sent to stake out Eterna City as a possibility for a new hideout. Mars took me aside and told me that even though she outranked me officially, she would defer to my years of experience and submit to any order I gave her. I thought she was testing me to see if I would start bossing her around so she'd rat me out. But she didn't. True to her word, when things got heated, she followed my orders to the letter and didn't even flinch when I countermanded one of her own.
Over the next couple years, things softened a lot between us. Mars was all business when she needed to be, but whenever we had some down time, she would try to learn more about me, and told me her life story whether I wanted to hear it or not. She told me her real name--Shirley--and asked me to tell her mine. Lisa, I told her, the name sounding foreign on my lips. It had been ages since anyone called me that. She said there's no reason why friends should have to use code names when they're in private, and I remember I laughed because I thought the idea of her being my friend was absurd. And then it hit me. I didn't really have any friends here. Skuntank was the closest thing I had to one. She was the only creature I could trust completely.
Eventually, Shirley did earn my trust, and we became friends. For one night, during the siege at Spear Pillar, we were more than friends. It wasn't something we planned, but it changed the way I felt about both her and Team Galactic. Killing Cyrus wasn't even on my radar anymore. I was looking forward to a life in Team Galactic with Shirley, but she wanted to leave them forever; witnessing Giratina grab Cyrus and pull him to another world made her realize that she was in over her head. She just needed to find the right time to leave.
We found it at Stark Mountain. We both were thrashed by some trainer, who agreed to let us go in exchange for our Galactic-given Pokemon and the remnants of Team Galactic. Saturn was arrested a short time later, and that was the end of our time as criminals. We decided to travel to Unova since it was far away, and no one would really know who we were. I tried to tell Shirley about how I really felt about her, but the words never came. I think she figured it out, though. She held my hand on the plane there, and when it came time to part ways at Mistralton City, our hug lingered for a little bit too long.
I decided that it was now or never. I took her hands, looked her in the eyes, and confessed everything. She told me that she reciprocated my feelings, and I asked her if she would come with me on my journey - wherever it might take me. She agreed, and we decided to start by challenging gyms. As it turned out, Mistralton City had one and, after we both won, we were on our way.
I sighed happily as we left the city to Route 7. I felt like a new person. I had found new purpose in life, and a beautiful woman to share it with. Our life--our journey--had only just begun.
I can't wait to see what happens next.
I joined to get revenge for my dad. I mean, don't get me wrong, he was garbage. He lied, stole, cheated, and used me like a tool, but ever since Ma died, he was all I had. He did odd jobs for Team Galactic, but one time a deal went south and he wound up dead. After that, the only family I had was the Stunky that my dad gave me for my tenth birthday. It wasn't really a birthday present so much as a means to start making me useful to him, but I was still glad to have someone to call a friend. For the next year or so, I lived on the streets of Eterna City, doing petty crimes in order to get by. Eventually, I caught Galactic's eye, and they offered me membership.
In retrospect, I don't regret taking the path I took to Commander. I lied whenever it was convenient, threw my fellow teammates under the bus whenever it would benefit me, and slept with more than a few guys to get what I wanted, and what I wanted--needed--was a promotion. And it worked; just six months in, and bam, I'm Commander Jupiter. If becoming one of the top-ranked members of Team Galactic was this easy, Cyrus was as good as dead.
Or so I thought. My senior partner and fellow commander, Saturn, never let me get anywhere near Cyrus. No matter what I tried, every plan I had to kill Cyrus backfired. It wasn't all bad, though. During my failed attempts, I was living the good life. I had a home, power, money, and respect. Or maybe it was more fear than respect. I was definitely feared. So I thought, why ruin a good thing? I had money, a place to stay, and my pick of any man I wanted for my bed. I decided to put my plans to kill Cyrus on hold and just enjoy the life I had now.
And then she showed up.
It was about three years ago. Cyrus called a meeting, and Saturn and I walked into his office to see this cute redhead who looked like she was another one of Cyrus's barely-legal escorts. Cyrus introduced her as Mars, a talented young trainer from Hearthome and our newest commander. Saturn and I didn't understand why he felt we needed another commander. We both kinda figured it was because Cyrus thought she was hot, and to his credit, she was. But hotness can only get you so far, and I was determined to show this newbie just how inferior she really was. I challenged her to a battle, right there in Cyrus's office. She accepted, and held her own pretty well, but I still won.
Cyrus was pissed. He said I had a lot to learn about trusting his judgment and showing my partners the respect they are owed. I told him respect is earned and not owed, and spit in his face. Saturn tackled me, his Toxicroak out and battle ready before we even hit the ground. Cyrus called him off, and said that for my insubordination I would be demoted. I would keep my commander status, but now Mars outranked me, too. To make matters worse, Cyrus switched Mars's and Saturn's assignments, which meant that Mars was now my new senior partner.
The first few weeks were hell. Cyrus deliberately planned missions where Mars and I would have to work together, and he never hesitated to remind me who outranked who. On our first major job, we were sent to stake out Eterna City as a possibility for a new hideout. Mars took me aside and told me that even though she outranked me officially, she would defer to my years of experience and submit to any order I gave her. I thought she was testing me to see if I would start bossing her around so she'd rat me out. But she didn't. True to her word, when things got heated, she followed my orders to the letter and didn't even flinch when I countermanded one of her own.
Over the next couple years, things softened a lot between us. Mars was all business when she needed to be, but whenever we had some down time, she would try to learn more about me, and told me her life story whether I wanted to hear it or not. She told me her real name--Shirley--and asked me to tell her mine. Lisa, I told her, the name sounding foreign on my lips. It had been ages since anyone called me that. She said there's no reason why friends should have to use code names when they're in private, and I remember I laughed because I thought the idea of her being my friend was absurd. And then it hit me. I didn't really have any friends here. Skuntank was the closest thing I had to one. She was the only creature I could trust completely.
Eventually, Shirley did earn my trust, and we became friends. For one night, during the siege at Spear Pillar, we were more than friends. It wasn't something we planned, but it changed the way I felt about both her and Team Galactic. Killing Cyrus wasn't even on my radar anymore. I was looking forward to a life in Team Galactic with Shirley, but she wanted to leave them forever; witnessing Giratina grab Cyrus and pull him to another world made her realize that she was in over her head. She just needed to find the right time to leave.
We found it at Stark Mountain. We both were thrashed by some trainer, who agreed to let us go in exchange for our Galactic-given Pokemon and the remnants of Team Galactic. Saturn was arrested a short time later, and that was the end of our time as criminals. We decided to travel to Unova since it was far away, and no one would really know who we were. I tried to tell Shirley about how I really felt about her, but the words never came. I think she figured it out, though. She held my hand on the plane there, and when it came time to part ways at Mistralton City, our hug lingered for a little bit too long.
I decided that it was now or never. I took her hands, looked her in the eyes, and confessed everything. She told me that she reciprocated my feelings, and I asked her if she would come with me on my journey - wherever it might take me. She agreed, and we decided to start by challenging gyms. As it turned out, Mistralton City had one and, after we both won, we were on our way.
I sighed happily as we left the city to Route 7. I felt like a new person. I had found new purpose in life, and a beautiful woman to share it with. Our life--our journey--had only just begun.
I can't wait to see what happens next.
Aw, I really want to read your entry but I have to wait until after the competition deadline- the basis sounds absolutely amazing!
I know what you mean about the word count, mine seems to be overly heavy on the character rather than the Pokemon thing, with the Pokemon only appearing at the end... The word limit really makes it challenging!
I know what you mean about the word count, mine seems to be overly heavy on the character rather than the Pokemon thing, with the Pokemon only appearing at the end... The word limit really makes it challenging!
@TheFearsomeFroakie, @houndoomandgloom, @Green778, @pokemonkosh, @NoviceOfPokemon, @Sleepy, @Vom, @ShinyFennekin, @EarthboundFanatic, @PKPokemon, @Dicie, @bpalmer357, @MoonyslisTheMapMaker
Hello entrants! This is your official 5 day reminder to get your stories submitted. The deadline for entries is this coming Monday, June 1st. No late entries will be accepted. Please make sure to post your story in this thread once it's complete. I'm looking forward to reading all of your entries!
Hello entrants! This is your official 5 day reminder to get your stories submitted. The deadline for entries is this coming Monday, June 1st. No late entries will be accepted. Please make sure to post your story in this thread once it's complete. I'm looking forward to reading all of your entries!
Apparently this wasn't read correctly. I'm not in this.
@TheFearsomeFroakie, @houndoomandgloom, @Green778, @pokemonkosh, @NoviceOfPokemon, @Sleepy, @Vom, @ShinyFennekin, @EarthboundFanatic, @PKPokemon, @Dicie, @bpalmer357, @MoonyslisTheMapMaker
Last call for entries! Monday, June 1st is the last day to submit your card. No entries will be accepted after Midnight PDT on the 1st (approximately 23 hours from the time of this post). Shortly after, I will post up the form for fan voting and we hope to have all judging completed by Friday.
Once again, those I've tagged are still missing their entries. Good luck finishing up!
Last call for entries! Monday, June 1st is the last day to submit your card. No entries will be accepted after Midnight PDT on the 1st (approximately 23 hours from the time of this post). Shortly after, I will post up the form for fan voting and we hope to have all judging completed by Friday.
Once again, those I've tagged are still missing their entries. Good luck finishing up!
Damnit, I started but got a writers block... ;-; Can I post what I got? It's not enough words, I know... It's only 852 words.
Ok, here's my submission. It's far from good, but I did have fun writing it, I had a real challenge getting it down to under 1,200 words... I'm really looking forward to reading everyone else's!
I tried to build it around how the character, who isn't well off defies expectations due to this random chance coming up to allow him to meet his first Pokemon, which, like him, is often regarded as being somewhat useless aside from being a HM Slave. I wanted to develop the character a bit more... But the accursed word count, haha!
Anyway, thanks for letting me join this competition, I enjoyed it all the same, and while my entry isn't any good, I wish everyone else the best of luck in this competition!
“Oh, you did NOT just do that you little-“
I grab for something in my anger, anything, thrusting my hand into the mud of the lakebank and grabbing what felt like an oddly circular rock. Lobbing it at the buck-toothed beast, I was more than slightly surprised when the mud-coloured rock split open and engulfed the Pokémon, and even more surprised when it stopped wobbling.
My mind suddenly ground to a halt as I realised what had just happened.
Was that... A Pokéball?! I gawped. My hand was still tensed as though it was still holding the object. I glanced down at my hand, then back at the ball of mud in front of me.
Without thinking I scramble towards the mystery object that I had just tossed in my peak of anger, grabbing it. It felt like a Pokéball- heavy, cold, metallic and plastic at the same time. No. I needed more confirmation. I clutch it in my hands like some kind of golden prize and rush to the lake, dunking it in the crystal water, the mud flaking away to reveal the distinct red and white pattern. My eyes feel as though they’re about to burst from my skull.
“I... I did not just...”
I fall backwards into the mud. What are the odds?! Not only for me to grab the nearest handy object that just so happened to be a Pokéball, but also to be in the right place at the right time for a Bidoof, which are almost always hidden away in their nests, to dart out of the thicket to steal my peanut butter sandwich which I just so happened to bring with me for the lunch I was just so happening to eat on that very lakebank after I had applied to a job as a waiter at the Seven Stars Restaurant- let alone the ball worked in the first place. Heck, my notorious temper and tendency to chuck things at things also kinda factored into this.
...
Maybe I should give you a bit of information about me, and why this is such a big deal. The name’s google. google Shone. I failed my GCSEs. Ok, I got kicked out of college for low attendance. And I can’t get a job for love nor money (I’ve tried both). But now I have a Bidoof.
And that sounded way cooler in my head.
Hey, it may not be the best Pokémon, but it’s a start. I guess it matches me. Impulsive, a bit chubby, a bit forgetful and dopey at times but it’s all-around lovable.
After all, I’ve been dreaming about becoming trainer forever- dreams of defeating the Champion, of becoming someone my family can be proud of for as long as I remember. My dad upped and left when I was five, never to be heard of again, and my mom has been living off the benefits in our high-rise in Veilstone not moving from her armchair ever since, playing videogames and doing little else. If I were to surpass the champion... My mother and I would never have to worry about money again.
Inside this ball is a Bidoof. It’s not renowned to be a powerful Pokémon, but a Pokémon all the same. It takes one Pokémon to be a trainer. I know it will be tough, but now I have this Pokémon... I can catch more. Build a team. Beat the gyms. And one day... The champion.
I feel a pain in my chest. At first I thought it was my emotions welling up to breaking point. I then realise it is in fact the huge basketball size bruise the rodent had left when it had tackled me to steal my sandwich. I collapse backwards, winded by the sudden influx of pain, hand still clutching the ball in the air like some sort of sacred object.
Inside this ball is a Bibarel. I can recall the day it evolved; just as I exited Mt Coronet as I completed my long trek to Oreburgh. I glance at it, the ball looks just like it did on that first day, scuffed, scratched, imperfect- a reflection of myself.
My opponent coolly eyes me, flicking her blonde bangs from her face in a collected manner. I inhale sharply- the Garchomp in front of me glares at the ball. I throw it, and in a blaze of white light appears the unlikely hero of my team.
I can sense my opponent stifle a snigger as she sees my last Pokémon. She’d already swept the ragged team members I had left with her Garchomp, my Steelix I found as an Onix deep in the mines of Oreburgh, the Heracross that viciously attacked me when I tried to tuck into a jar of honey, the Driftblim that smacked into my face as I stepped out the door of a Valley Windoworks, the Skuntank whose tail I stepped on and left me smelling of rotten Persim Berries for two weeks, the Snover which I stumbled into while we were lost in the thick snow of Route 217... All unlikely meetings, stemming from this one impossible encounter with a Bidoof that fateful day.
“Earthquake!”
The Garchomp has the glint of victory in its eye as it slams the earth, the room shaking, the ground beneath my Pokémon cracking. The ceiling shudders and cracks from above us, dust settling. I glance at the monitor, praying as I see my Pokémon’s HP rapidly descend. The Garchomp is at half HP. It can’t end like this, surely? My opponent smiles, thinking it over. I watch the HP bar descend... And then stop. 4 HP.
My partners’ eyes and my eyes meet for a brief second, and in that second we can hear each other’s thoughts, our desires, hopes, dreams transmitted like electricity leaping between us. I glance up with fresh determination.
My opponent’s face doesn’t change. The problem with this world? People categorise Pokémon and people, thinking that they are forever set on a predetermined path. Even if I fall here, I know I’ve gone beyond the expectations of everyone. I won against gyms. I beat the Elite 4. And now I’m battling the champion. That’s far better than most trainers could ever do. But I don’ intend to be satisfied yet. Not until I beat her.
I feel a pain in my chest. It’s like that day, only this time, it’s different. I feel elated, because I know that I can win.
Like everyone else, the champion has assumed wrong. I breathe in deeply, calm myself, and issue my command.
“Ice Beam.”
I grab for something in my anger, anything, thrusting my hand into the mud of the lakebank and grabbing what felt like an oddly circular rock. Lobbing it at the buck-toothed beast, I was more than slightly surprised when the mud-coloured rock split open and engulfed the Pokémon, and even more surprised when it stopped wobbling.
My mind suddenly ground to a halt as I realised what had just happened.
Was that... A Pokéball?! I gawped. My hand was still tensed as though it was still holding the object. I glanced down at my hand, then back at the ball of mud in front of me.
Without thinking I scramble towards the mystery object that I had just tossed in my peak of anger, grabbing it. It felt like a Pokéball- heavy, cold, metallic and plastic at the same time. No. I needed more confirmation. I clutch it in my hands like some kind of golden prize and rush to the lake, dunking it in the crystal water, the mud flaking away to reveal the distinct red and white pattern. My eyes feel as though they’re about to burst from my skull.
“I... I did not just...”
I fall backwards into the mud. What are the odds?! Not only for me to grab the nearest handy object that just so happened to be a Pokéball, but also to be in the right place at the right time for a Bidoof, which are almost always hidden away in their nests, to dart out of the thicket to steal my peanut butter sandwich which I just so happened to bring with me for the lunch I was just so happening to eat on that very lakebank after I had applied to a job as a waiter at the Seven Stars Restaurant- let alone the ball worked in the first place. Heck, my notorious temper and tendency to chuck things at things also kinda factored into this.
...
Maybe I should give you a bit of information about me, and why this is such a big deal. The name’s google. google Shone. I failed my GCSEs. Ok, I got kicked out of college for low attendance. And I can’t get a job for love nor money (I’ve tried both). But now I have a Bidoof.
And that sounded way cooler in my head.
Hey, it may not be the best Pokémon, but it’s a start. I guess it matches me. Impulsive, a bit chubby, a bit forgetful and dopey at times but it’s all-around lovable.
After all, I’ve been dreaming about becoming trainer forever- dreams of defeating the Champion, of becoming someone my family can be proud of for as long as I remember. My dad upped and left when I was five, never to be heard of again, and my mom has been living off the benefits in our high-rise in Veilstone not moving from her armchair ever since, playing videogames and doing little else. If I were to surpass the champion... My mother and I would never have to worry about money again.
Inside this ball is a Bidoof. It’s not renowned to be a powerful Pokémon, but a Pokémon all the same. It takes one Pokémon to be a trainer. I know it will be tough, but now I have this Pokémon... I can catch more. Build a team. Beat the gyms. And one day... The champion.
I feel a pain in my chest. At first I thought it was my emotions welling up to breaking point. I then realise it is in fact the huge basketball size bruise the rodent had left when it had tackled me to steal my sandwich. I collapse backwards, winded by the sudden influx of pain, hand still clutching the ball in the air like some sort of sacred object.
Inside this ball is a Bibarel. I can recall the day it evolved; just as I exited Mt Coronet as I completed my long trek to Oreburgh. I glance at it, the ball looks just like it did on that first day, scuffed, scratched, imperfect- a reflection of myself.
My opponent coolly eyes me, flicking her blonde bangs from her face in a collected manner. I inhale sharply- the Garchomp in front of me glares at the ball. I throw it, and in a blaze of white light appears the unlikely hero of my team.
I can sense my opponent stifle a snigger as she sees my last Pokémon. She’d already swept the ragged team members I had left with her Garchomp, my Steelix I found as an Onix deep in the mines of Oreburgh, the Heracross that viciously attacked me when I tried to tuck into a jar of honey, the Driftblim that smacked into my face as I stepped out the door of a Valley Windoworks, the Skuntank whose tail I stepped on and left me smelling of rotten Persim Berries for two weeks, the Snover which I stumbled into while we were lost in the thick snow of Route 217... All unlikely meetings, stemming from this one impossible encounter with a Bidoof that fateful day.
“Earthquake!”
The Garchomp has the glint of victory in its eye as it slams the earth, the room shaking, the ground beneath my Pokémon cracking. The ceiling shudders and cracks from above us, dust settling. I glance at the monitor, praying as I see my Pokémon’s HP rapidly descend. The Garchomp is at half HP. It can’t end like this, surely? My opponent smiles, thinking it over. I watch the HP bar descend... And then stop. 4 HP.
My partners’ eyes and my eyes meet for a brief second, and in that second we can hear each other’s thoughts, our desires, hopes, dreams transmitted like electricity leaping between us. I glance up with fresh determination.
My opponent’s face doesn’t change. The problem with this world? People categorise Pokémon and people, thinking that they are forever set on a predetermined path. Even if I fall here, I know I’ve gone beyond the expectations of everyone. I won against gyms. I beat the Elite 4. And now I’m battling the champion. That’s far better than most trainers could ever do. But I don’ intend to be satisfied yet. Not until I beat her.
I feel a pain in my chest. It’s like that day, only this time, it’s different. I feel elated, because I know that I can win.
Like everyone else, the champion has assumed wrong. I breathe in deeply, calm myself, and issue my command.
“Ice Beam.”
I tried to build it around how the character, who isn't well off defies expectations due to this random chance coming up to allow him to meet his first Pokemon, which, like him, is often regarded as being somewhat useless aside from being a HM Slave. I wanted to develop the character a bit more... But the accursed word count, haha!
Anyway, thanks for letting me join this competition, I enjoyed it all the same, and while my entry isn't any good, I wish everyone else the best of luck in this competition!
“Ladies and Gentlemen this is it! Oh my! Oh my! We’re experiencing one of the greatest battles of Pokémon history! The Pokémon League Champion Zeus has overwhelmed the Challenger Logan! Both trainers have one Pokémon left! The crowd is excited for the outcome of this epic battle…”
The stadium’s atmosphere was astonishing. It was loud and everything he could hear was the clamor of the crowd and their applauding. He felt his heart racing so fast and pumping like crazy. This was it! The final destination of his journey, the battle against the Champion, but something was missing, something that made him chose all the wrong moves and be at the disadvantage.
“Groaaah!!!” Charizard roared to intimidate his opponent. It breathed in a high pace, exhausted from battling. The fire on the end of its tangerine tail was burning hotter and hotter. Then it turned its long neck and faced its trainer. Logan realised how his dragon looked at him, with its cerulean blue eyes, and understood its feelings. Charizard feared battling more.
“Let’s go Pyrrhus! What are you waiting?” Logan shouted at his dragon, but the Flame Pokémon didn’t respond. “Fight BACK Pyrrhus!” He continued, making his opponent to break his silence: “Do you understand what you’re doing Logan? You’ll never defeat me with this! You are not who you used to be. You are nothing like my brother!”
“I’m not a kid anymore, “Zeus”. This is MY day. I will finally achieve MY dream,” Logan told him.
“So this your dream? You didn’t become a trainer to win me!” His brother said angrily. “Remember what’s the most important thing to you!”
“The most important thing,” this phrase echoed inside the challenger’s mind. He couldn’t help himself but get lost in his thoughts and travel back to when everything started…
“You were on TV big bro! They broadcasted your battle with the Champion! You… you did it! You are the best, like no one ever was!” Logan told him. “You really are the “Zeus” of Pokémon!”
“Come on, this day isn’t about me. This is your day right? I’m here for you, like I promised,” Liam told him with a smile.
“Either way, we’re blessed to have you back even for that short amount of time. So what are you guys been waiting for? Chose your Pokémon already!” Their mother told them. Liam then saw her moist eyes. Along with his brother they approached her and hugged her tight. After sharing their family moment the two of them left the house to pick Logan’s starter. Their destination was none other than the Laboratory of Professor Platanus. Finally, for Logan, his brother was back from his long and successful journey. He looked up to his brother. Liam was strong, brave, friendly and a hard working person. Just the perfect example for him. And today was special day. This day Logan turned fifteen and according to the tradition, he was old enough to get his first Pokémon and begin his own adventure. An adventure full of action, places, people, mystery, romance and above all new Pokémon to meet. Although the lab was at least half an hour away, they spend their time talking. The one described his journey and the other life in hometown. After a while they reached the place. Built alongside nature the lab was a two-story building. Its color was bright yellow, and the roof comprised many red clay tiles. It also had quite a lot of windows there and there.
“Hello guys! I’ve been waiting for you!” Professor Platanus said. He was waiting them at the front door. Platanus was a middle-aged man, wearing his typical white robe and beige jeans. He had a small beard too.
“Liam! Congratulations! When I gave you your first Pokémon, I didn’t believe you could make it this far. I’m jubilant to know I was wrong. And there we have Logan. Your mother told me a lot about you. Come inside,” the Professor told them. They entered the building. Incredible machinery and the wild Pokémon caught Logan’s eye. Platanus showed them his room. They got in and saw a large table with three Pokémon on it. They were playing by shooting fire, bubbles or even leaves at each other.
“Nooo! Who let you out?” Platanus said worrying for the troubles they could cause. He tried to put them inside their poke-balls.
“It’s all right Professor! I can choose my starter this way,” Logan told him. “So this Squirtle, the tiny turtle Pokémon. Poseidon’s basic stage right?”
“Right!” Liam responded.
“This must be Bulbasaur, the seed Pokémon and the orange guy over here is the lizard Pokémon Charmander. Okay! I’ve decided!” Logan said.
“So soon?” Liam asked his younger brother.
“Yup. I’m going for Charmander.”
“Why not Bulbasaur? You would have the type advantage over Poseidon…” Liam asked again.
“Battling you isn’t the most important thing brother. Look at Charmander. Do you see the fire of its tail? This light will be the one that will guide me through my journey and hard battles, because my journey means everything. That’s why I’m a bit jealous of you. You’ve done so many things. You met many Pokémon and people; you’ve visited new cities, discovered legends and more. And I want to do that too. And I have a hunch that Charmander is the only partner I need.”
“Would you like to give your Charmander a nickname?” Platanus asked.
“I have just the right one,” Logan said with a smile.
“Pyrrhus! I apologise for shouting at you earlier… You are the light that leads my way. Please guide me one more time to victory!” Charizard looked at him again. Logan was a different person. He saw the fire in his trainer’s eyes. It made him roar again and burst fire everywhere. His words made Pyrrhus inspired.
“He remembered. Phew! I didn’t want to win this way. Poseidon are you ready?” Liam asked.
“Tooooise!” Poseidon cried and started shooting water around with his cannons.
“Seismic Toss!” -- “Hydro Pump!” The two trainers ordered their partner Pokémon. Logan, having remembered the meaning of his adventure, continued his battle against his brother, the “Zeus” of Pokémon, Liam, enjoying every moment.
The stadium’s atmosphere was astonishing. It was loud and everything he could hear was the clamor of the crowd and their applauding. He felt his heart racing so fast and pumping like crazy. This was it! The final destination of his journey, the battle against the Champion, but something was missing, something that made him chose all the wrong moves and be at the disadvantage.
“Groaaah!!!” Charizard roared to intimidate his opponent. It breathed in a high pace, exhausted from battling. The fire on the end of its tangerine tail was burning hotter and hotter. Then it turned its long neck and faced its trainer. Logan realised how his dragon looked at him, with its cerulean blue eyes, and understood its feelings. Charizard feared battling more.
“Let’s go Pyrrhus! What are you waiting?” Logan shouted at his dragon, but the Flame Pokémon didn’t respond. “Fight BACK Pyrrhus!” He continued, making his opponent to break his silence: “Do you understand what you’re doing Logan? You’ll never defeat me with this! You are not who you used to be. You are nothing like my brother!”
“I’m not a kid anymore, “Zeus”. This is MY day. I will finally achieve MY dream,” Logan told him.
“So this your dream? You didn’t become a trainer to win me!” His brother said angrily. “Remember what’s the most important thing to you!”
“The most important thing,” this phrase echoed inside the challenger’s mind. He couldn’t help himself but get lost in his thoughts and travel back to when everything started…
____________________________________________________________________________
He opened his eyes and felt the sunrays warming his whole body. It was morning and the new sun had risen in the blue sky. When he realized he had woken up, he quickly kicked his sheets, got out of his bed and looked outside the window. “He’s here!” the young boy screamed, unable to hide his excitement. He ran straight downstairs and reached the living room and saw a man with his mother. “Liam!” the boy shouted with joy, while running at him, and without holding back he jumped and hugged him. “Hey Logan! It’s been a while bro!” Liam said.
“You were on TV big bro! They broadcasted your battle with the Champion! You… you did it! You are the best, like no one ever was!” Logan told him. “You really are the “Zeus” of Pokémon!”
“Come on, this day isn’t about me. This is your day right? I’m here for you, like I promised,” Liam told him with a smile.
“Either way, we’re blessed to have you back even for that short amount of time. So what are you guys been waiting for? Chose your Pokémon already!” Their mother told them. Liam then saw her moist eyes. Along with his brother they approached her and hugged her tight. After sharing their family moment the two of them left the house to pick Logan’s starter. Their destination was none other than the Laboratory of Professor Platanus. Finally, for Logan, his brother was back from his long and successful journey. He looked up to his brother. Liam was strong, brave, friendly and a hard working person. Just the perfect example for him. And today was special day. This day Logan turned fifteen and according to the tradition, he was old enough to get his first Pokémon and begin his own adventure. An adventure full of action, places, people, mystery, romance and above all new Pokémon to meet. Although the lab was at least half an hour away, they spend their time talking. The one described his journey and the other life in hometown. After a while they reached the place. Built alongside nature the lab was a two-story building. Its color was bright yellow, and the roof comprised many red clay tiles. It also had quite a lot of windows there and there.
“Hello guys! I’ve been waiting for you!” Professor Platanus said. He was waiting them at the front door. Platanus was a middle-aged man, wearing his typical white robe and beige jeans. He had a small beard too.
“Liam! Congratulations! When I gave you your first Pokémon, I didn’t believe you could make it this far. I’m jubilant to know I was wrong. And there we have Logan. Your mother told me a lot about you. Come inside,” the Professor told them. They entered the building. Incredible machinery and the wild Pokémon caught Logan’s eye. Platanus showed them his room. They got in and saw a large table with three Pokémon on it. They were playing by shooting fire, bubbles or even leaves at each other.
“Nooo! Who let you out?” Platanus said worrying for the troubles they could cause. He tried to put them inside their poke-balls.
“It’s all right Professor! I can choose my starter this way,” Logan told him. “So this Squirtle, the tiny turtle Pokémon. Poseidon’s basic stage right?”
“Right!” Liam responded.
“This must be Bulbasaur, the seed Pokémon and the orange guy over here is the lizard Pokémon Charmander. Okay! I’ve decided!” Logan said.
“So soon?” Liam asked his younger brother.
“Yup. I’m going for Charmander.”
“Why not Bulbasaur? You would have the type advantage over Poseidon…” Liam asked again.
“Battling you isn’t the most important thing brother. Look at Charmander. Do you see the fire of its tail? This light will be the one that will guide me through my journey and hard battles, because my journey means everything. That’s why I’m a bit jealous of you. You’ve done so many things. You met many Pokémon and people; you’ve visited new cities, discovered legends and more. And I want to do that too. And I have a hunch that Charmander is the only partner I need.”
“Would you like to give your Charmander a nickname?” Platanus asked.
“I have just the right one,” Logan said with a smile.
____________________________________________________________________________
“The most important thing is… my journey! I focused on beating my brother that I forgot to enjoy our battle. I forgot to enjoy my journey and I lost myself.” Logan thought. “Thank you brother, for everything,” he murmured and broadened his smile.
“Pyrrhus! I apologise for shouting at you earlier… You are the light that leads my way. Please guide me one more time to victory!” Charizard looked at him again. Logan was a different person. He saw the fire in his trainer’s eyes. It made him roar again and burst fire everywhere. His words made Pyrrhus inspired.
“He remembered. Phew! I didn’t want to win this way. Poseidon are you ready?” Liam asked.
“Tooooise!” Poseidon cried and started shooting water around with his cannons.
“Seismic Toss!” -- “Hydro Pump!” The two trainers ordered their partner Pokémon. Logan, having remembered the meaning of his adventure, continued his battle against his brother, the “Zeus” of Pokémon, Liam, enjoying every moment.
“As you set out for Ithaka
hope the voyage is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.”
(C.P. Cavafy – Ithaka)
hope the voyage is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.”
(C.P. Cavafy – Ithaka)
Hey there! I know my story has some flaws, but I've tried hard to make it as much enjoyable, unique and innovative as possible. I hope everyone that will read it, will enjoy it as well
Again, thank you for allowing me to participate in this contest and I hope I won'tdisappoint. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one Some name clarifications:
"Zeus of Pokemon" = Meaning the very best, like Zeus was the most powerful Greek god.
"Poseidon" = Zeus must have a Pokemon with a great nickname so Blastoise should be named after another Greek god. And Poseidon was the god of the seas and tides.
"Pyrrhus" = This might seem irrelevant but it isn't! Pyrrhus means "the one who has the colour of the fire" Charizard fits perfectly that spot.
"Liam-Logan" = I thought these names sounded good and weren't too common and boring.
"Platanus" = Every Pokemon professor is named after a plant and Sycamore's original name was professor Platane so I thought it's a nice name for him.
"Poseidon" = Zeus must have a Pokemon with a great nickname so Blastoise should be named after another Greek god. And Poseidon was the god of the seas and tides.
"Pyrrhus" = This might seem irrelevant but it isn't! Pyrrhus means "the one who has the colour of the fire" Charizard fits perfectly that spot.
"Liam-Logan" = I thought these names sounded good and weren't too common and boring.
"Platanus" = Every Pokemon professor is named after a plant and Sycamore's original name was professor Platane so I thought it's a nice name for him.
Last edited:
Can't finish with writers block. ;-;