Chapter 2 – The Sootopolitan
"Graceful, Milotic! Now, break through using Aqua Pulse."
The breathtakingly beautiful Pokémon shattered the misty, frost-shimmering Aqua Rings around it, creating a glittering rain of water and ice around it. Having spiraled upwards for the finale, it now gracefully flew down back to the water's surface in the middle of the star-like rain.
Wallace smiled at his beloved Pokémon. About a month ago, he had agreed to host the 50th annual Contest Spectacular in Lilycove City, and had been training with Milotic daily not to lose touch. He couldn't very well host a Contest Spectacular without Milotic and him being in spectacularly good shape, he thought. He waved for Milotic to come to the shore and walked towards it, taking out a bag of PokéPuffs.
"You were fantastic, darling. Considering we're leaving for Lilycove in a few weeks, I'd say we're on the edge of perfection, don't you think?"
Milotic gave up a soft cry in response, thanking its trainer for the encouragement while having some PokéPuffs. Wallace gently stroked her neck while she ate. Milotic had been with him since the very beginning, his first Pokémon, and had remained his most faithful companion throughout the years.
"I think that's enough for today." He stated, and Milotic let out a soft, content cry in response. "Come; let's head back to the gym. Who knows, we might even have challengers today."
Floating in the air beside its trainer, Milotic and Wallace headed for the Pokémon Gym. Entering through the double doors, they gazed upon the magnificence of the water gym. The waterfalls, the floors of ice, and on the top of giant tree the whole structure was built on, the Gym Leader's battlefield in front of the grand waterfall. Wallace had loved the gym from the moment he saw it, but had added his own personal touch to it. For instance, he had had the ice platforms lightened to ease the weight on the tree.
Wallace was about to head over to the Gym Leader's quarters when he was stopped by the Gym Guide, Wayne, who came up to him carrying a shimmering pink envelope.
"Mr. Wallace, this arrived only moments ago for you. Contest Spectacular business, I assume." He said, handing the letter to Wallace.
"Thank you, Wayne, I shall read it immediately. Have some lunch, it's near midday."
"Oh, I'll go home for lunch today, my wife is cooking. If a challenger drops by while I'm gone, I'm sure one of the trainers can handle it."
"Of course, that's no problem. Enjoy your meal." Wallace flashed him a smile before heading for the Gym Leader's quarters for some lunch himself. While walking, he opened the letter and read it.
Dear Mr. Wallace,
The 50th annual Contest Spectacular is just beyond the door, and we are honored that you have agreed to host the event. We send this letter to inform you that you will host the Contest together with Miss Althea, who has agreed to once again join us to help and create the grandest contest in history.
Miss Althea will join us in a month, just like you, and the organizers got the idea that it would be absolutely brilliant if the two of you could start both the whole Contest Spectacular and the finale with co-numbers. Of course, you will have very limited time to practice together, so we understand if this is too much to ask. Miss Althea has already responded that she believes it possible, so it is now up to You, Mr. Wallace.
As said, it would be a great honor and a most spectacular way to open the Contest and the Finale with. We await your reply.
Respectfully
the Contest Spectacular Board
"Well, well, well…" Wallace murmured to himself, a smirk playing on his lips. "The rosebud is going to blossom again, it seems."
His feet had by now taken him to the Gym Leader's quarters by themselves. Instead of having lunch immediately he went over to a bookshelf and started scanning through it, looking for a very specific… There! He picked a book out of the shelf and scanned through the pages until he found what he was looking for. The page greeted him with a photo of a green-haired woman with sparkling green eyes, and beside her a radiant Roserade, elegantly holding its cape.
The smirk found its way back to Wallace's lips as he looked at the picture. He imagined she was still as stunning as ever. They hadn't seen each other in years, but she had been on his mind… quite a lot, actually. It was no secret they had been wrapped around each other's' fingers for years, yet they had never been a couple, which the surrounding world found very strange. Looking back, Wallace himself thought it a bit strange, but they had never gotten it on. Years and years they spent in rivalry, friendship and open flirting, but no relationship…
Leaving the book open on the table, Wallace finally proceeded to make some lunch, thinking about the task at hand. Of course, he would respond that a couple of co-numbers was possible, as he would gladly spend time with his rosebud some more. It would be foolish of him to say no. After lunch, he would write his response to the Contest Spectacular Board.
These events had just turned a whole lot more interesting… and exciting.