Chapter 72 - Macaroni Vegetable Soup Time and Battle

The aromas of the boiling soup mixed with vegetables, macaroni, and a complex blend of herbs and spices had filled the area with hungry people who wanted the first bowl of it hot. As the residents mixed and stirred the stockpots with care and consistency, the tables are now prepared for the masses; bowls, small plates, and utensils are neatly placed alongside folded napkins. Everyone is now lining up in the dining tents to get a bowl of hot soup, often as excited as the others. The other residents are giving Pokémon their special food. The tables and chairs are getting more and more filled up. And as the others are lining up, Rico is patiently getting his bowl, small plate, spoon, fork, and glass, and started getting the macaroni vegetable soup. The flow of the hot soup, macaroni, and chopped vegetables like bell peppers and carrots produced a consistent sound and texture as they were poured into the ceramic bowl. After that, Rico get some lemonade with ice in his glass. He then brought it in a tray and went to the table where his friends are waiting for him. And as he is about to sit down and enjoy his delicious meal, Rico suddenly remember his promise to his parents, and decided to excuse himself. He then went to a secluded spot, get his phone from one of his flapped front jacket pockets, and start dialing his home number, which is his mother's number. Back at home, Rosario was sweeping the floor in the living room when her phone rang. She then responded by putting her broomstick aside and pick it up while wiping her hand on her apron, responding with a greeting, "Hi, Rico, how are you? How's your time in Komati?"

"Hi, mom, I am fine," Rico replied back positively. Then in an embarrassed state, "And sorry about not calling you this morning. You see, I forgot about it and I was too busy in this festival in the valleys. Sorry." Hearing and understanding him, Rosario was not upset, but instead positive, replying, "That's okay, honey, Campillo made a phone call to me, assuring me your safety." This causes Rico to be surprised, and Rico then snapped and responded back normally, "Oh, okay, mom, thanks. By the way, how's dad?"

"Oh, he's okay as usual," replied his mother back.

"I see," Rico responded back calmly. "Well, thanks for that and...I gonna go now. It's lunch time so...I'll call you tonight. Bye." He and Rosario then ended their conversation. After that, Rico sighed in catching his breath, thinking, "It's okay now." Then, suddenly, a green-haired, tall Pokémon Trainer, dressed in a white collared, long sleeve, buttoned polo, a shadow grey necktie, toping it off with a lighter grey coat with a brown leather belt, a black and grey pants, and dark brown leather boots, approached the young Kawayan boy, and asked him, "What are you doing there?"This startles Rico a lot, and upon turning around, he was surprised at his height and appearance.

"Whoa! Who are you?"

"Hi, I'm Edward," that Trainer, named Edward, responded positively with coolness, "I'm the champion of this region." The word 'champion' caused Rico to be even more surprised, thinking, "What?" He then snapped out and apologized with an happy and embarrassed face, saying that he had called his mother and needed a secluded spot away from the crowdy place.

"That's okay, kid," replied the champion back happily. He then turned and went back to his table, with Rico catching him up. Upon arriving at his table, Rico settled in and apologized to everyone in the table for the excuse, before finally enjoying his delicious and hot meal. As the others slurped their soups and eat their breads, Juan and Cecilia asked Rico, "Hey Rico."

"Yes?" Rico responded back.

"Do you ever meet Edward?" Cecilia asked him a question.

"Yeah? You mean that green-haired guy?" replied Rico back. Cecilia then nodded to say yes, and Juan pointed his finger towards Edward, who was having a chat with some fellow residents of the valley district.

"Yes, he's the current champion of this region," Cecilia explained brightly and positively, "and do you know that he have been a champion for more than 10 years, and no one could beat him and his Pokémon?" Blinking his eyes a few times while staring at her, Rico responded back with, "Wow, he's quite strong and smart."

Later, when the others are done eating and left the big tent, Jon and Cecilia went to Rico and Juan, asking them for a Pokémon battle. Remembering the promise and had kept it, Rico and Juan accepted it. So, at the fields, they had a Pokémon battle. It's siblings versus friends. Their Pokémon are Riolu, Dewott, Shinx, and Stufful. Upon seeing the latter two Pokémon, Rico was amazed at their appearance and cuteness.

"Wow, those two Pokémon are so cute."

He then pulled out his Pokédex and point it towards Shinx; his Pokédex then responded, "Shinx, the Flash Pokémon. An Electric-type. All of its fur dazzles if danger is sensed. It flees while the foe is momentarily blinded."

"Wow, so cool," Rico commented upon hearing that. He then changed the focus of his Pokédex towards Stufful; his Pokédex then responded, "Stufful, the Flailing Pokémon. A Normal and Fighting-type. Despite its adorable appearance, when it gets angry and flails about its arms and legs could knock a pro wrestler sprawling."

"What the...?" Rico responded with a surprised face. "That was strong." He then put his Pokédex back in his pants pocket and focused back on the battle with a serious face.

"Me and my brother will beat you!" Cecilia declared in cool determination. "We are the S and S battlers here!" Their nickname came from the first letter of their Pokémon.

"Then try us!" Juan responded back in a bit of coolness as he teamed up with Rico. Near the trees with a bench next to them, Trevor and Edward are watching them battle while Emerson and her sister are busy. Their long clothes protect them from the mild, cool winds. Trevor then commented, "You know, Rico had been my friend for long time. He is an ordinary boy from Kawayan City." His Pyroar then responded with seriousness as it stand beside Trevor.

"Yeah, you're right," Edward agreed with him in positive coolness.

Then, as the clouds unblock the sun, the battle had began.

"Alright, Shinx, use Spark!" Cecilia commanded Shinx with cool seriousness. Shinx then used Spark, throwing an electrically charged tackle towards Riolu.

"Quickly! Block it with your scalpchop Juan commanded Dewott quickly. Dewott then responded by blocking the Spark with its scalpchop, defecting it from targeting Riolu and sending it to the ground.

"Wow, that was awesome," Cecilia commented in surprise upon seeing Dewott's ability to respond.

"Stufful, use Quick Attack!" Jon commanded Stufful seriously. Stufful then used Quick Attack, charging towards Oshawott in a fast pace.

"Riolu, use Karate Chop and intercept it!" Rico quickly commanded Riolu. Riolu then jumped high and used Karate Chop, attacking Stufful with a sharp chop, striking it with power. As Riolu landed back to the ground in mild and good action, Stufful weakened from pain, but managed to get up quickly.

"Woah that Pokémon was still good," Rico commented Stufful's strength.

"Quickly, Stufful, strike Riolu with Brutal Swing!" Jon commanded Stufful quickly. Stufful then used Brutal Swing, swinging its body around violently to inflict damage, striking Riolu with the same amount of power as Riolu's Karate Chop. Riolu was then blasted back a few meters away due to Stufful's power in using Brutal Swing, weakening it to the ground without hitting a tree.

"Oh no! Riolu, are you okay?" Rico quickly asked it in fast alert. Riolu then responded with pain as it struggled to get up.

"This is not good for him," Trevor commented seriously as his arms are crossed. Will Rico and Juan, or Rico alone, win this hard battle against the children of one of the oldest generations of the residents of the valleys?