Chapter 18
Contest Debut

Veranturf's Contest Hall was quite small.  In fact, there was only one contest platform, which was switched-out accordingly.  On the day Andrew and Julia were there, the contest was a "Cool" contest.
"So what do we have to do?" Andrew wondered.
"We have to sign up for the Contest, and then it goes from there," Julia replied.
"How does it work?"
Julia grabbed a small pamphlet, explaining the contests, and handed it to Andrew.
"That'll tell you everything you need to know."
As Andrew read the pamphlet, Julia walked over to the counter and talked to the lady.
"Would you like to enter in the Cool Contest today?" the lady asked.
"Yes," Julia responded.  "Both of us."  Julia turned around to see if Andrew had any objections.  He nodded "yes," indicating that he was ready.
"Which Pokémon will you be entering?"  Julia thought for a moment, and then entered in Swellow.  "And you, sir?" the Contest  woman asked of Andrew.
He put down the pamphlet.  "Well…I think Grovyle may be the best choice for a Cool Contest."  He entered in Grovyle.
"Okay.  Miss…Julia, you are contestant number 3, and…Andrew, you are number 4.  If you will, follow me."
They followed her to the contest arena.  They were placed in line with two other people, a young kid and an older woman.  The Contest Receptionist woman left, and the contest commenced.
"Thank you all for coming," the white-haired judge begun.  "Our first entry is Josh and his Scyther.  Entry number two is Wanda and her Vigoroth.  Entry number three is Julia's Swellow, and, finally, Andrew and his Grovyle as the fourth entry.  Are you all ready?  Let's get this Cool Contest rolling!"
The Judge's assistant walked up with a microphone.  "Now the audience will vote on their favorite Pokémon!  If you would, press one of the buttons in front of you to vote for one of the Pokémon."  She continued, "While the votes are being tallied, we'll move onto the Appeals Round!  In this round, your Pokémon must perform moves to impress the Judge.  The better the move, the better the appeal!  We're also looking for good combo moves.  There will be five appeals.  Without further ado, let the featured Pokémon appeal!"
For the first set of appeals, Josh's Scyther used Cut, which did all right.  Wanda's Vigoroth used Howl, which didn't do as well as Scyther's Cut.  Julia's Swellow, however, used Agility, greatly impressing the Judge. Julia was moved to first place.  Andrew told his Grovyle to use Leaf Blade, which put him in second-behind his sister.
Swellow opened up the second round with Aerial Ace-a combo move-pushing her further in the lead.  Andrew's Grovyle used Bullet Seed, but the Grass Pokémon didn't stand out too much.  Vigoroth used Cross Chop, bringing it up to second place.  Josh's Scyther finished the round with Fury Cutter, but it stayed in fourth.
The third round started with a Double Team from Swellow, making it impervious from other attacks.  Vigoroth used Dynamic Punch, but it didn't effect Swellow because of her Double Team.  Grovyle used Razor Leaf, moving it back up to second, and Scyther settled for a measly Agility-still in fourth.
The fourth round featured a Quick Attack from Swellow (another combo), putting her far ahead of the other Pokémon.  Vigoroth retaliated with Fury Swipes, but it failed to stand out.  Grovyle used Leaf Blade, putting it back in second place.  Unfortunately, Andrew's Pokémon was vying for second, not first.  Poor Scyther struggled to use Agility, still keeping it in fourth place.
Finally, the final round started with Swellow's Double-Team; just to make sure  she didn't lose any points.  Grovyle finished his appeals with Vine Whip, but Vigoroth, once again, stole second place with Hyper Beam-taking away points from Andrew's Grass Pokémon.  Scyther did another Cut, leaving it eons behind the rest of the group.
"Well, that was a marvelous round of appeals!" the Judge's assistant said.  "We have tallied the votes up, and in first place was Josh's Scyther!  In second was Andrew's Grovyle, third was Julia's Swellow, and last was Wanda's Vigoroth.  Now we get to announce the winners!"
She handed the microphone to the Judge.  "In last place is Wanda's Vigoroth!  Barely ahead-only by pure voter's choice-is Josh's Scyther!  In second place-following only by his sister-is Andrew and his Grovyle!  Of course, Julia won with her Swellow.  Congratulations!"  Julia stepped up to the front of the contest hall to accept her red ribbon.
Andrew couldn't believe it.  My Pokémon are stronger, they are trained better…why didn't Grovyle win?  What makes Julia so much better than I am!? he thought.
Julia stepped back down, and she and her brother left the contest hall.
"I can't believe I won," Julia said, jubilantly.  "I mean, this is my first contest ever!"
Andrew scowled at her, but she didn't notice.  "Yeah…I can't believe you won, either…congrats," he said aloud.  Under his breath, he cursed her.  He really couldn't believe she won.  I am SO much better than she is.  "Can we get back to fighting gym leaders now, and not participating in these damn contests?"
"We only did one," Julia protested.
One too many, Andrew thought.  "Well, I suppose we can go back to Fortree, then."
"I suppose…" Julia said, though she didn't really want to go back already.
Andrew let out his Tropius, and he and his sister hopped on.  They flew back to Fortree, and went to the Gym.  There was a kid standing in front of it.  Andrew and Julia went to walk in when he stopped them.
"Hey!  Wait up!" the kid said.
"Why?" Andrew asked.
"I'm waiting to get into the gym right now.  You'll have to wait behind me…unless you would like to fight for this position."
"Bring it on," said Andrew.