The Fuchsia City Contest Hall buzzed with anticipation. A vast audience filled the venue, eager for the spectacle to begin. Among them were familiar faces: Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Max, alongside a surprisingly observant Harley, eyes peeled for any sign of Miror B. The stage, a grand platform of oak, was festooned with vibrant pink and blue streamers, illuminated by a kaleidoscope of spotlights. A colossal wooden ribbon, a symbolic promise of victory, dominated the decorations.
“Let’s hope he shows,” Ash murmured, his gaze sweeping the crowd. “Harley, are you holding up?”
“I’ll breathe easy once this contest is done,” Harley responded, his focus unwavering.
Meanwhile, backstage, the Contest Coordinators prepared. May, however, wrestled with lingering anxiety. Those attacks were too close! If I hadn’t recalled my Pokémon in time…
“Harley…” May began, her voice laced with worry.
“Don’t fret, May,” Janine reassured her, a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’ll find Miror B. and ensure he faces justice.” Janine’s attempt at reassurance was abruptly cut short by the entrance of a peculiar figure. A towering man in a striking blue suit and platform shoes entered, his Poké Ball-shaped afro bouncing with each step. Two men trailed behind him, one carrying a boombox. Janine scrutinized him, Harley’s description echoing in her mind. “Big head…sunglasses?”
Just then, a voice boomed through the hall. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Lilian’s voice resonated through the microphone, “Welcome to Fuchsia City’s inaugural Pokémon Contest!” The spotlight snapped to Lilian, radiant in denim shorts and a shirt. “I’m your host, Lilian! And now, let’s introduce our esteemed panel of judges!”
The spotlight shifted to a table where three figures sat, scoreboards poised before them. “First, Mr. Contesta, Director of the Pokémon Contest Committee!” A distinguished man with graying hair and a red suit was illuminated. “Delighted to be here for Fuchsia City’s debut!” he announced.
“Next, Mr. Sukizo, Chairman of the Pokémon Fan Club!” The spotlight found a shorter man with brown hair and a blue suit. “Equally thrilled to be part of this event!” he chimed in.
“And finally,” Lilian announced, “Fuchsia City’s very own Nurse Joy!” The spotlight settled on Nurse Joy. “Welcome, everyone! Coordinators, best of luck, and give it your all!”
“I always do my best for you, Nurse Joy!!” Brock bellowed from the audience, brandishing a handmade sign declaring “I ♥ Nurse Joy!” Nurse Joy, however, remained oblivious to his ardent display.
“Let the Contest begin with the Appeal Round!” Lilian declared. “Contestants will showcase dazzling displays of Pokémon moves to impress our judges. The top four will advance to the Contest Battles! And now, for our first contestant, Fuchsia City’s own Gym Leader, Janine!”
A wave of excited cheers erupted from the audience. “What?!” Janine exclaimed, startled, “Already?! But… I…”
“Go get ‘em, Janine!” May encouraged, “I’ll keep an eye out for Miror B.”
“Thanks, May.” Janine hurried onto the stage, greeted by a roar of local support.
“Impressive fanbase,” Ash observed.
“What do you expect?” Harley quipped, “Mostly teenage boys.” As if on cue, Brock hastily replaced Nurse Joy’s name on his sign with Janine’s.
Janine, composed, raised her mask and released a Poké Ball. “Vileplume, let’s go!” A flash of white light materialized into a Vileplume, its large red flower petals prominent.
“Janine has chosen Vileplume, a Poison-type, reminiscent of her father’s style. Koga would be proud,” Lilian commented.
“Speaking of Koga, where is he?” Ash wondered.
Brock consulted his guidebook. “Koga’s been promoted to Elite Four in Johto!”
“Wow! That’s amazing!” Ash grinned. “Pika-chu!” Pikachu chirped in agreement.
Janine began her performance. “Vileplume, Moonlight!” Vileplume closed its eyes, bathed in a soft, white glow. “Vileplume starts with a beautiful Moonlight,” Lilian narrated. “But what’s next?”
“Stun Spore, then Petal Dance!” Janine commanded. Vileplume unleashed a cloud of orange pollen and a flurry of cherry blossoms, both illuminated by the Moonlight. The blossoms gracefully sliced through the Stun Spore, resembling a captivating dance.
“Incredible!” Lilian exclaimed, her voice slightly muffled by a gas mask. “Moonlight enhances Vileplume’s Petal Dance, the blossoms dancing through the Stun Spore! Good thing for the mask! Judges, your scores?”
Mr. Contesta held up a 9.8. “Truly impressive.”
Mr. Sukizo followed with a 9.7. “Remarkable preparation!”
Nurse Joy awarded a perfect 10. The total: “29.5 points! Astonishing! A Gym Leader’s caliber, folks! Huge applause for Janine!”
The audience erupted as Janine embraced Vileplume. “We were amazing! Even with practice, I didn’t expect this!” Vileplume nuzzled Janine in response.
May watched from backstage, beaming. “Janine is awesome! I’m so ready now!”
Ash smiled, while Max observed May with knowing amusement. May was contestant number 7 out of 28. A Starmie had previously scored 28.0 with Bubblebeam. A Murkrow earned 23.0 with Night Shade. A Sudowoodo unfortunately tripped its trainer with Low Kick, resulting in a 15.8. “Ouch,” Lilian had winced. “Hope that knee’s alright. Next up, contestant number 7, May from Petalburg City!”
