Pokémon Contest 2k15

[Audrey Pnevma]

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[Audrey Pnevma]

Seated Audrey glared at the meek man standing before her as he told her the news of Iona’s latest Top Coordinator. He fidgeted restlessly as a look of irritation marred her face and her first tensed under her lip.

He was telling her that she was no longer “THE” Top Coordinator, but “A” Top Coordinator, and that she now shared the stage with the pristine Serenity Bellerose.

Audrey curtly waved the man away once he finished and he darted from the room. 

Figures. It was only a matter of time. She could see the headlines now “The Beauty and the Beast!” and a million awful puns about things new and old.

With a sigh she stood and stretched, “I guess I’ll just have to remind everyone why I'm the best.”

[Audrey Pnevma]

The press had dispersed and Audrey began to complete her registration at the counter in peace. While she filled out the form, her contest routine spun through her head on repeat as she meticulous checked it for faults. If she was going to secure her position as the best she’d have to be flawless and completely outshine Serenity, which in an appearance based event would take some finesse.

Serenity stopped the world in its tracks; she was both beautiful and sexy, all around physically flawless, and even Audrey with all her logic couldn’t dispute that. Physically Audrey was pretty, but beautiful wasn’t a word often used in describing her. "Cute" was probably the closest synonym and Audrey had come to resent it, for the way she saw it cute was childish and beauty was sophisticated. As for sexy, another powerful word in femininity, it fell nowhere near her descriptors and she resented that too.

However, weighing even more heavily against her, was her new reputation as a Rocket. Audrey hadn't yet ousted herself to the nation, but even the rumor of it was doubtlessly going to make it difficult to appear "flawless." And of course, Serenity only received praise for the events surrounding Mnt Cherry's eruption. But what had Song even done? Audrey certainly didn’t know. She couldn’t recall seeing her golden locks on the mountain top and this ate at her more than anything—Audrey had risked her life, as well as her team’s and, what, Serenity broke a nail? She certainly deserved more for her actions and she was going to get it.

Audrey couldn’t help but smirk as she handed in the completed form. Celebrity had a knack for ruining lives and it was only a matter of time before Serenity's faults would be drug up from the deep.

[Serenity Bellerose]

A warm smile slowly curved against Serenity's rosy-pink lips as she stared back at alluring reflection in her compact mirror. Her limousine driver had recently arrived in front of the massive Contest Hall and the newly ranked Top Coordinator wanted to make sure that her appearance was absolutely flawless in her eyes before making her grand entrance and greeting her faithful fans with her warm presence. It was a bit overwhelming at first to see some of her fans crowding around the luxurious vehicle while screaming and chanting her performing name, The Stunning Serenity. Believe it or not, it was quite the humbling experience for her. The gorgeous blonde often appeared overly confident at times about a lot of stuff, such as her beauty and talents. However, she still knew that she wouldn't be the person that she is today, if it wasn't for her amazing fans supporting her career. The road towards becoming a Top Coordinator wasn't an easy route at all. She started off a little rough around the edges at first. There were times were she felt like she truly wanted to give up, but instead of giving up she continued to fight through all of her obstacles and she later ended up reaching her true goal in life. 

Closing her compact mirror down and shoving it into her designer bag, Serenity waited patiently for her driver to come around to open her door. "This is it, my first performance as a Top Coordinator." She shook in her soft tone before inhaling and exhaling a bit. Despite her high confident, she couldn't help, but to feel a little nervous at this moment. The driver carefully opened the door and extended his hand out to help her out of the car. "Thanks, Mr. Maxwell." She thanked him graciously before turning her attention towards her loving fan. "Hello everyone, It's so nice to see your lovely faces again! I do hope that I will be able to give you all the show that you all have been waiting to see for some time now. I would like to thank you all for coming out to support me today, it truly means a lot to me. Also, always remember to always chase after your own dreams and never let anyone or anything stop you from pursuing those dreams!" She spoke to her fans while flashing them all with an alluring smile and elegant hand wave. 

After she had finished saying her encouraging words, she posed for a few pictures and obtained a beautiful bouquet of flowers from one of her fans disappearing into the Contest Hall. Her high heels tapping against the hardened floor as she rushed towards the registration counter. Once she made it to the counter, she did not waste anytime feeling out the application. In fact, she was so distracted by the paperwork that she didn't even notice Audrey standing not too far away from her. At least, not until she had managed to complete the form. Her sparkling golden eyes had finally met with Audrey's darker orbs and she immediately started to feel a little bit of tension between the two of them. Audrey had been on the top of the contest world alone for quite sometime, but now she had to share that stage with Serenity and the young blonde wasn't too sure how her fellow Top Coordinator felt about it. Audrey was one a huge role model for her before she even earned her own title as a Top Coordinator. Unfortunately, a bit of that respect that Serenity had towards Audrey started to fade away once Audrey became one of the faces for Team Rocket. She did not fully understand why Audrey used her high social status to help out Team Rocket. Although other may not have been aware, Serenity spend a great bit of her time fighting against Team Rocket during the takeover and she even ended up losing one of her treasured Pokemon in comeback. 

Running her fingers through her golden hair, Serenity flashed Audrey a warm smile. "Hello, Ms. Pnevma. I must admit that I wasn't expecting to bump into you so soon." She admitted, giggling a bit. "Still... I supposed that this would be idea meeting place for us to meet up with each other, huh?" She continued to speak a little more before toying with the bouquet of flowers resting in her hands. "Anyway, how have you been lately?" She asked curiously, turning her attention away from the pretty flowers and focusing her eyes onto Audrey again. 

[Audrey Pnevma]

Her smirk faltered some at the sound of high heels and followed by a female’s voice. Audrey wasn’t overly familiar with the Song’s tone, but honestly who else could it be?

Audrey’s musings faltered slightly as well when she turned to face the "Stunning Serenity." There was some unwritten and twisted evolutionary law that stated a woman would always feel inferior to another if they’re more attractive and despite all her confidence, Audrey hadn’t yet to broken free of it. However, her distain didn’t mar her face. Perhaps it was the time she’d spent in the public’s eye or her time with Team Rocket, but her exterior had grown cold. Sure, the occasional smile or look of irritation would still cross her brow, but for the most part Audrey's expressions were vacant.

With an apathetic smile she greeted Serenity and listened to her ramble. The contrast between the two was painfully obvious as Song, already dressed for the event, continued with the trivial. But what was that? Nervous giggling and fidgeting? Perhaps. The blonde seemed to stammer and fuss with her bouquet in her presence. But was it due to her skill as a coordinator or her affiliation with the Rockets?

"If you don’t cut the stems and get those in water soon they’re not going to live very long." Audrey said and, fully realizing how ominous the advice was, stepped from the conversation to return to her room before Serenity could respond.

[Kitsumaru]

Azami watched as the paparazzi impatiently waiting outside the contest hall after oogling after Serenity. Azami rolled her bright aquamarine eyes in annoyance from behind her ornate Spritzee masquerade mask. Her hair, just as pink as the Spritzee feathers on the mask, was tied up tightly at the top of her head. She had a sleek, dark pink dress that clung tightly to her lanky body and she was carrying a pair of matching stilettos in her right hand. Her little Klefki was floating patiently at her side as she impatiently checked her watch.

"Late again," she said as she tapped her foot vigorously on the pavement. "I even wore heels and what do I get? A real pain in the-" Azami stopped as she felt a shift in the air around her. She looked up and saw a Crobat flick by her in a rush as a purple haired man appeared aside her. He looked at her with a puzzled look and asked, "Are you here for the contest as well?" Azami's face instantly turned red as she let out a grunt of rage and shouted, "OF COURSE I AM! YOU'RE LATE. YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO MEET ME HERE HALF AN HOUR AGO!!!" The purple haired boy, now looking rather fearful said to her, "Are you sure? I don't remember being told. I thought Kitsumaru and I were going without you. Did I not tell you?" Azami scoffed and whipped her head away from Venn.

"Speak of the devil!" Kitsumaru emerged from a crowd, freeing himself from the grip of a man equipped with an obnoxiously large camera. "HELP" he muttered. Venn sprang into action in coordination with Azami and the two gripped him by the arms and rushed him into the Contest Hall. "ARE YOU CRAZY?! I TOLD YOU TO KEEP A LOW PROFILE!" Azami screamed. Kitsumaru laughed nervously and said, "But this mask looks ridiculous," he said as he looked down at a goofy Swirlix mask. "Ugh. Since when are you so concerned about how you look?!" Azami muttered. Venn pulled a Duskull mask over his face and said with a slight laugh, "Heh, so that's what these are for. Oops." Azami groaned as she pulled a clipboard out of her bag and stared intently at Kitsumaru. "Tonight is a special event for you and for these contest folks. Keep a low profile or those Top Coordinators might skin you alive for disrupting their event..." Her gaze rolled across the room to one of the Coordinators, Audrey, as she walked out of sight. She then whipped her gaze to Serenity and then gasped slightly.

"OKAY. That is Serenity Bellerose. Be on your best behavior and-- VENN PAY ATTENTION THAT MEANS YOU TOO." Venn's gaze quickly snapped back to Azami and he grinned nervously once more, this time with his pal Oddish in his arms. Kitsumaru grinned at the sight of the little purple Pokemon and then looked up at Serenity. "Should I...er...say hi?" His heart began to beat faster and he felt his ear turn a bright scarlet. Why was he so nervous? He wasn't normally like this. Was this part of Serenity's charm? It would explain how she rose to stardom so quickly. Azami patted Kitsumaru on the back, startling him. She said to him in a quiet tone, "I wouldn't worry. Serenity is, from what I've heard, rather nice. You can always say hi later. I'm sure she's busy with handling the contest. Just keep a low profile, please. I wonder where Audrey has gone off to? I've been hearing some pretty nasty rumors lately..."

Kitsumaru had nearly forgotten. Audrey, being one of the top coordinators, was supposed to be somewhere in the contest hall... Unfortunately he hadn't gotten to stay in touch with her much since the fall of the Rockets. He had been so busy he didn't even think to call her or check in on her. Guilt began to build up in the pit of his stomach...

[Akika Miroku]

“I want to hear a clear answer, not just see another small nod.”

The voice echoed in the child’s head repeatedly as she mentally winced, leaning up against the wall she placed herself against once arriving to the contest building. She hated wearing the outfit he chose out for her, where laces and sleeves covered the bruises that lined along her arms and torso. Ones on her legs were covered with long socks that came up to her knees, the hem of her dress covering just up to where the white cloth began. She took out the ridiculously large bow that her father placed on her head before she even arrived; she hated it. Akika didn’t want to be here. 

The child couldn’t remember exactly how long it had been since the last time she was allowed in the crowd of other trainers other than rockets members. The situation itself made her nervous, unable to bring herself to join the group of chattering people, some she believed she recognized, barely. Her hues traveled to glance to Audrey in silence as she watched her, not saying a single word. 

She wasn’t to speak out of turn; she learnt that the hard way. Yes sir, no sir, clear answers were to come from her mouth when asked a question, otherwise, she wasn’t to talk. As she lowered her chin slightly, her bangs covered her eyes, which she slowly just closed in the same silence.

”Pii…” Sparkle whimpered beside her, having plopped himself down beside her legs, leaning up against the same wall. Akika didn’t respond to the soft whimper that she had been hearing all too often these past months, simply staying in that same dark silence herself.

She couldn’t mess up… She had to do this perfectly, as father told her to do so. Though she wasn’t quite sure where he was at the moment (Was he even in the same building? Perhaps so), Akika gave a small nervous gulp as she was reminded of what she had been told of doing before she had entered the building herself. It was either perfection or failure, there was no in between. Her hand grazed along her small waist pouch where her pokeballs were kept, absentmindedly reminding herself of the team she brought along. Maybe if she was lucky, she would have time to even, perhaps, enjoy the contest, first…?

[Audrey Pnevma]

Ready for the event Audrey exited her dressing room. She’d chosen a regal floor length black lace and sequined gown for her debut. The dress was a rich ebony with sheer accents, reveling her soft skin tone. It clung tightly to her chest and waist, but transitioned to a loose tool at her hip and swayed freely about her legs. Audrey left her hair down and it drifted about her much like the base of her gown. Her make-up was subtle, only a soft smokey-eye, but in direct contrast her nails were painted a sharp metallic silver. She wore no jewelry and simple black heels…

Her ensemble was carefully planed. The dress would bolster the gossip surrounding her, but the firing of her publicist (who suggested she wear white or another pure color for the contest) implied she had nothing to hide and mocked the utter notion of it. Why remain neutral? Not a living soul had any substantial proof on the matter, well other than her subordinates, and her refusal to deny or confirm the public’s suspicions was only increasing the team’s infamy–which is something they greatly needed. Aside from that, admitting to her station would definitely destroy her relationships with those who still believed she was innocent (valuable ties with Elite 4 members, gym leaders, and others) and likely land her in prison, while denying it would cause chaos among those who did follow her and ignite a power struggle among the team's top operatives.

–

Audrey continued down the hall until a small and vaguely familiar form appeared; Akika Miroku, Alix Taylor’s charge. The young girl leaned against the wall, distant from the proceedings. The lobby had filled as more trainers and coordinators arrived. Serenity still stood in the hall, but she'd been joined by Kistumaru and his troupe. Audrey wondered if Alix was also in the room, as she and Akika were nearly inseparable… She hadn’t seen the disheveled brunette since Mount Cherry fell…

"Akika," Audrey greeted her softly, but with authority, and waited for the girl to respond before continuing.

[Kitsumaru]

As time passed, the three trainers began to grow impatient waiting for the Contest to begin. Azami had gone to the ladies room and Venn had left the contest hall completely after receiving a call about "official league business". Neither Azami nor Kitsumaru knew what this meant but with Venn's eccentricities being a normal occurrence they accepted his excuse, though it was likely his best attempt at leaving due to the large number of people that would be attending the contest. Now alone, Kitsumaru began to wander, scanning the immediate area for familiar faces. He noticed Audrey, now in the presence of a young girl with a Pikachu. Kitsumaru barely recognized Akika Miroku standing there with her Pikachu. A soft smile made its way onto Kitsumaru as he remembered her back when Pikachu was still a Pichu.

With a bit of hesitation, Kitsumaru strode forward in the direction of Audrey and Akika. He didn't know what to say. He tried believing Audrey was innocent and not at all a supporter of Team Rocket but in the back of his mind there was scepticism. What if she was playing him? What if it was all some elaborate scheme? What if those lunatics were right about her? Kitsumaru gripped back on to logic and as he neared the two gave a sheepish smile. "It has been a while..."

[Audrey Pnevma]

"It has been awhile..."

Audrey didn't need to turn around to know who'd spoken to her. The voice was a familiar one and oddly haunting as he sounded just like his older brother.

Ratholos went out in a blaze of glory, as only he could, atop Mount Cherry fighting Team Rocket and their beasts. She used to wonder if Rath had died at the Boss's hand, but had never had the courage ask. It was better to live in ignorance than stand knowingly alongside her old flame's murderer and now she told herself that the Boss had and justified endeding his.

Shaking her head clear she turned to face the younger Amane. Not only did he sound like his brother, but he looked like him too. Same lengthy build and coloring, only Kitsumaru's hair curled and twisted in an unruly mop where Rathalos's fell fine and straight.

"You–look well, Kitsu." It was a dumb thing to say, but it was all that came to mind. Having lost family members herself she knew how empty the traditional 'I'm sorry' sounded–whether they were sincere or not.

She had no sense of where she and Kitsumaru stood and butterfree whirled in her stomach. A crowd no longer phased her, but her family and friends ... Did he believe the rumors of her rise to power? Did he believe she instigated the attack on the Island? Did he see a correlation between her and his brother's demise? Audrey had no way of knowing so she continued on like the friends they were.

"I don't think anyone expected to see you. Are you competing? Please tell me you are, I need some competition." She proceeded, slipping into friendly rhetoric, egar to slight Serenity.