Chapter 29 - A Buggy Contest!? - Part 1

Intro-kun: We are back to another episode of Harr- I mean, System in Pokemon World! Our young Zane is treated on this fine day to a screech from the depths of Hell!

Misty: Hey! What did you say!?

Intro-kun: Nothing too important! Now let us begin!

The loudest scream that encompassed the world sounded in Vermillion city by a single girl with red hair. I covered my ears shouting, "What's wrong!?" Misty pointed fearfully at a crowd of people saying, "Bu- bugs! There so many bugs! Get them away from me!"

I looked at the crowd to see that practically everyone had a bug pokemon outside. Curious, I walked over and asked one of the people, "Hey, what is up with all the bug pokemon trainers?" The girl with a Pinsir looked at me and smiled saying, "Today they are holding a bug pokemon competition! All the bug pokemon trainers in the city are invited to participate. You must be new to the city. A month ago. Sir Julius made the announcement of the competition for his son's 10th birthday."

I smiled and said, "Oh a competition!?" The system also smiled finding another quest.

-Quest Discovered!

-Win the Bug Competition!

-Rewards: 5k Points / 25k Poke Dollars! / Silver Powder

My eyes shone as if I was staring at a diamond slightly creeping the girl. She looked in a random direction before saying, "I will be over there!" She rushed away. I laughed and said, "This is just perfect! I just have to win this Bug competition and I will have myself a nice item and a ton of points! The flying pokemon race was somewhat hard, but it was only worth 1k points. I wonder why so many for this one?"

Shaking my head. I rushed to Misty and grabbed her hand shouting, "We are joining the bug contest!" Misty face paled as she screamed, "Noooooo!" I still pulled her to the registration and signed myself up. Misty refused a bit too much for me to sign her up and the person at the registration table refused to put her name even when I said I would lend her one.

How sad! I wanted her to overcome her bug pokemon phobia! Oh well! Better luck next time! Misty somehow disappeared from my side and was in the standby area. She shouted, "I will be cheering for you!" I shouted back, "It hasn't even started! We still have an hour from what they said!"

She waved her hand with an 'ignorant' smiling expression, "Don't worry! I can stay here!" I facepalmed shaking my head. I guess it's a good time as never to check out the course and the competition then."

I walked to the course area to see what exactly I will be facing. Honestly, I was not afraid since I was confident in my Butterfree and Beedrill.

Somewhere else

A small boy with expensive clothes said, "So you three will help me! I promised my father that I will not lose so I won't take any chances! Once I win, I will give you half of the prize! Deal!?" Meowth nodded while rubbing his paws together before saying, "I hear ya loud and clear! You and your buddy Paras are guaranteed to win with us on your side hehe. We took the liberty of designing some of the challenges just for you!"

Jessie smiled 'sweetly' and said, "Of course you will win! I will be cheering for you!" Internally she was thinking about what she would use the money for. She was thinking of eating something delicious or something to make herself look better.

Meowth had the thought of eating some nice fish and James was honestly just thinking of something to eat that can fill him up. He smiled and said, "We got your back! I personally have a lot of experience in controlling machines! With me on your side, no one will advance beyond the first course!"

The kid nodded and said, "You better be as good as you say or else I won't pay you a dime!" The trio nodded in a 'want to please' manner. The kid walked away with his head held high.

Kid POV

"Don't worry Paras. I know you can win this." Paras let out a happy sound, "Paras!" It clapped but of its claws together showing that it was ready to win. The kid laughed happily and said, "I know Paras! I'm also excited! We will win this and then no one will be able to call us slow again!"

Paras nodded. The kid sighed remembering the days when he tried to become a pokemon trainer with his Paras. He tried fighting different trainers, but there was something in common in each match. All of his opponents were faster than his Paras! His Paras was always defeated because of its slow movement.

Now that his rich father was throwing him a competition for his Paras and him. He wanted to win no matter what. He clenched his fist and said, "Dad! I will show them all how Paras and I are the fastest!"

Team Rocket POV

Jessie smiled as she said, "Come on James! Hurry up! The competition will begin soon. How much is it for this?" James said annoyed, "I'm doing my best! Reading all these manuals isn't easy! You can't have perfection without knowing everything!"

Meowth nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah! We just took this gig for the money! Fortunately, it is about something we are good at! Cheating! We will ruin all those poor trainers' day while also causing a few accidents. We will then swoop in and steal their pokemon!"

Jessie came back eating an ice cream cone saying, "Yeah whatever. Just tell me what buttons to push." James noticing the ice cream asked, "Hey Jessie, where is my ice cream cone?" Jessie threw the rest of the ice cream into her mouth and swallowed saying cheerfully, "Oh that, I ate it."

James sighed and said, "But Jessie! You said you were going to bring me one too!" Jessie said, "Be glad I even brought it." James realizing that the ice cream she just threw in her mouth was his. He could not help but let out a sigh and hold his stomach that grumbled.

He said, "I hope the kid pays us soon." Jessie laughed and said, "With our help, there is no way that snot nose brat can lose! Now hurry up! The competition will start soon!"

1st POV – Zane

I smiled seeing all the easy machines they had set up. The only thing I found confusing was the end. There were weights just lying around. I shook my head and said, "Forgetful people. They forgot to bag up their equipment. Oh well, I'm sure they will get it out of the way before the competition."

I returned to talk to Misty while internally debating which pokemon I will use. In the end, I decided to use Butterfree since its psychic ability will be perfect to win this competition. An obstacle course is nothing compared to psychics after all.

I also took the time to get myself a rule book on the competition and found that it was quite lacking. It states the most simple of rules that any competition would have, but nothing that could prevent someone with a cunning mind from getting around all the fickle parts.

For now, I will stick to finishing the obstacle course fair and square since that is what is most fun. 5 minutes before the match I noticed a large figure that was familiar. I grinned and shouted while waving, "Hey Surge! You're here too!?"

Surge noticing me smiled and walked towards me saying, "Ah, if it isn't my little friend. I thought you already left." I shrugged and said, "I was debating on leaving or not, but I really wanted to train a bit more. Our match showed me that I haven't trained my pokemon enough."

Surge laughed and said, "You kidding me? I can't imagine how your pokemon lack training considering how well they did, but I will take your word for it." Misty smiled and said teasingly, "He gets into it too! One time he fell asleep while running t-" I covered her mouth and said, "Ignore her."

Surge laughed and advised, "It is good that you train so hard, but you need to learn how to balance training and enjoying your time." Misty nodded and said, "That is true. That reminds me, haven't you been training since the moment we met? Not only your pokemon but you are always training alongside them."

I smiled and said, "It is important for a trainer to get involved when training his pokemon but more importantly the competition is about to begin! So, what are you doing here Surge? Could you possibly be competing? I don't think that is likely though."

Surge shook his head and said, "No, I came here as a favor for an old friend that helped me evolve my Raichu. It was a long time ago though." I nodded and said, "It's good to have friends. I better get to the starting line."

Just at this moment, a voice sounded, "Competitors can you please head to the starting the line." Misty said, "We will be cheering for you!" Surge nodded and said, "Give it your best!" I grinned and said, "I wouldn't give anything less no matter what."

Arriving at the starting line I noticed a few eyes land on me. I glanced over to see a blue haired man and a crimson haired woman that clearly stood out more than needed. I sighed thinking that things became much more complicated seeing their attire. They were 'staff' in the competition.

I threw out Butterfree and said, "Butterfree! We are about to compete! Are you ready to give it your all!?" Butterfree nodded saying with determination, "Free!~" I grinned and said, "Great! We will teach these other trainers what an incredible pokemon you are!"

A trainer beside me said, "My Weedle won't lose to you!" I smiled and said, "You're on then!" A few sparks flew between us before we focused on ourselves. That was until a bratty voice sounded, "Paras! Let's teach all these losers that you are the fastest bug pokemon!"

The Paras rubbed its claws together and said happily, "Paras, Paras." I looked at a kid with expensive clothes. A few things clicked in my mind and I had a guess of who this kid was. I decided to ignore him as other trainers grew angry at his taunts.

A girl walked in front of us into the center of the competitors and said, "Are you ready!?" I stretched slightly as the trainers gripped their fists. Butterfree landed on my head. I smiled and said, "Butterfree, get ready for a tricky competition." Butterfree was confused but nodded.

The girl seeing everyone was 'ready' said, "On your marks! Get set! Go!" I sprinted with a surprising amount of speed leaving a dust trail with Butterfree keeping up with me. Surge jaw dropped as he said, "Wha- How can he run so fast!?" Misty laughed awkwardly and said, "I think him trying to race me on my bike finally paid off. I have to go all out just to stay ahead of him after all." Surge looked on as if he was witnessing a monster in the making.

The other trainers were not too well off as their Pokemon had to slow down to keep up with their pace or the trainer had to slow down to keep up with their pokemon like a certain kid with a Paras. The other trainers' egos all took a hit as some cursed at the black horse of the competition. None of them expected a new entry that could move at such a shocking speed.

The rich kid kept his calm as he said slightly worriedly, "Those three better keep their end of the deal or else." It took only 3 minutes for me to arrive at the first obstacle. I smiled and said, "Ring toss? Easy! The rule book said that both trainer and Pokemon have to land 5 rings onto the metal poles."

In front of me, there was a round board with multiple poles protruding from it. It resembled one of those archery target boards, but much more with a studier frame of metal. I grabbed 3 rings and said, "Butterfree let's do this! Go use Psychic and land your rings!"

Butterfree roared, "Free!" Its eyes glowered as its rings rose into the air. I looked at the board and threw my rings.

POV – Team rocket

Nearby, the trio g.r.o.a.n.e.d as Jessie said, "He got here so fast! We haven't even had time to set out trap yet!" James said, "Don't worry Jessie I got this! Meowth learned how to use the next machine, and we are rigging the last obstacle before he gets there too!"

Jessie smiled and said, "Good! We can't let him win! Once he loses we will swoop in and steal his Dratini! Then it will love me and not him!" James sighed at his misfortunate of having her as his partner before grinning and saying, "Ring Toss Board 3000! Activate!"

Cliff-Kun: Will Zane be able to overcome the obstacles to come? Will that kid with the Paras win!? Find out next time in System in Pokemon World!