[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/191210/5976ef7d254b448d8a2cd6777902d99c.png[/img]

[color=#FBB917][b]MENTIONS:[/b][/color] [color=666362]None at the moment.[/color][/center]
[color=#666362]Jubilife blazed with light. Music throbbed through the night as people bustled up and down the streets, huddling on street corners and store fonts as they chattered and bickered in excitement. Different scents-- cooked meats, cotton candies, desserts, and miniature firecrackers that children split on the curb, among other things-- mingled together in the air. And in the middle of it all loomed the Jubilife City Stadium illuminated in the brightest lights in all the city.  The festivities drew in people from all corners of Sinnoh, and with them came their Pokemon. Jubilife City was at its fullest in a year. Why shouldn't it be? It was the eve of the Gym Challenge. Most, if not all, of the elite trainers of the regions were here, even the champion himself. Just about everyone wanted to get a good look at the twenty fresh heads that were to present themselves as challengers to the elite themselves.

Arthur could hear the music and cheering, even from inside the stadium's lobby. There were some people about, probably other trainers, but he didn't pay them any mind. He rested on one of the plush couches, his eyes focused on the television screens hanging from the ceiling. A woman was on the screen, going on and on about the celebrations in Jubilife and how the ceremony was going to begin soon. Her eyes were bright with excitement, her features carefully painted with bright-colored make-up. 

[b]"Everyone is eagerly awaiting the presentation of this year's Gym Challengers! Rumor has it that it's the largest group we've had in half a decade and there are quite a few which might threaten Shiro's title. Then again, we had some pretty strong competitors last year and none of them even made it to the Champion's Cup! There's no telling what's going to happen this time!"[/b]

[color=FBB917][i]Huh.[/i][/color] No telling what would happen this time? There were twenty trainers. As far as he could tell, they were all roughly the same age. And if nineteen couldn't make it to the Champion's Cup, then [i]he[/i] would be the only one there to take Shiro's place. There was no other way. Arthur was going to win the Champion's Cup and return home as a Champion. 

Chittering from somewhere above him caught his attention. Nero fluttered a few feet above his head, having taken a short lap around the lobby. His eyes were bright with excitement, his fur a little ruffled from the excursion. Had he found other Pokemon to play with for a bit? Arthur honestly didn't notice. His mind had been wandering ever since he set foot in Jubilife. There was just so much going on, it was overwhelming. Much different than how it was back at home. Nero let out a little purr of happiness as he settled on Arthur's lap and tucked his small wings into his body. Arthur reached out a hand, stroking the small creature's head with a delicate pair of fingers. [color=FBB917][b]"Did you have fun, Nero?"[/b][/color] he asked him, to which the Noibat chirped in response. [color=FBB917][b]"Good. Soon, you'll be a big, strong Noivern and you'll be able to fly for much longer,"[/b][/color] and then, he added in a lower voice than usual, [color=FBB917][b]"hopefully before we get to Snowpoint."[/b][/color]

Snowpoint. That's all he had to fear. That was going to be his most difficult challenge. Not only would Nero struggle, but he would be fighting his own mother. The person that taught him most of everything that he currently knew. One might even claim the way their Pokemon fought were almost exact copies of one another. Arthur found himself staring into space, his brow furrowed darkly. No, he wasn't going to doubt himself. It was too early to do that. [color=FBB917][b]"You want a berry? Here,"[/b][/color] Arthur asked Nero as he pulled a Pecha Berry from his bag. He handed it to the small Dragon-type as the creature's tiny claws latched onto it and brought it close to his mouth. Arthur just hoped that he could bring himself to have some peace before the ceremony started. 
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