AN: Sorry! I've been super busy with school and obligations. Cut small talk to move on!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon!

Episode 9: Best in Show!

Korina was confident going out to her battle. Chikorita was a strong battler and she trained with the others. She got passed the hardest part and now she just had to fight. She heard her name and she went out to the stage. She looked around and felt calmer than before. She saw Zane and Naomi in the seats with Piplup cheering. He worked hard and she couldn't let him down.

"Alexis has taken down Jack to move onto the final stage. Now the question is who will be joining her? Will it be Danica or Korina? With 5 minutes on the clock let's find out!" Gaeln announced.

Both trainers held their Pokémon in their hands preparing to start.

"Farfetch'd front and center!" Danica called.

"Chikorita show tine!" Korina said.

"Farfetch'd is a flying type right?" Naomi asked Zane.

"Yeah so that may bring a challenge." Zane answered. Zane believed in Chikorita's abilities despite the grass type's hate for her.

"I'll start off with Razor Leaf!" Korina commanded.

"Knock it down with Air Cutter!" Danica retaliated.

"Gr...Chikorita move in with Tackle and using Razor Leaf!" Danica said to try and confuse her or at least provide cover fire.

"Mirror move!" Danica said copying Razor Leaf to take out the opposing one.

"Now Tackle!" Korina said seeing her chance and that Danica took the bait.

"Far!" the Wild Duck cried getting slammed by the grass type.

"Nice combo!" Zane cheered for her friend.

"It was?" Naomi asked.

Zane nodded, before she replied with, "Yep, with two oncoming attacks Danica could only worry about one as with more experience one can deal with two."

That was the way Zane saw the combo which was close to what Korina was going for.

"Now for our combo Farfetch'd! Use Swift then Poison Jab!" Danica commanded. Farfetch'd swept his stick in the air and released the attack. He then flew up as his stick glowed purple and sent off the stars with the jab. Chikorita cried out in surprise.

"Wow! I think we'll call it Poison Swift!" Gaeln said into her microphone.

"Push off and deflect with Vine Whip!" Korina said hoping to try and avoid the attack.

"Air Cutter!"
The blue slashes of wind released from Farfetch'd's wings and slammed Chikorita. She fell to the ground and winced at the damage taken. She slowly tried to get up.

"That backfired..." Naomi said sadly feeling sorry for Chikorita.

"Yeah well she missed the combo so that helped." Zane said being positive.

"Piplup Piplup!" Piplup yelled. Korina needed to hear him.

"Farfetch'd Poison Jab!" Danica said as Chikorita was trying to get up.

"Grab it with Vine whip and knock it away! Now Grass Whistle!" Korina said seeing a chance to react even though Chikorita was weakened.

"Gust!" Danica said. The gust of wind moved Chikorita so she never had a chance to launch her sleeping move.

"Creative! It's a whistle in the wind!

"Razor Leaf!"

"How about a new one? Swift and launch it off with Gust!" Danica said. She often thought of combo that were nearly impossible to dodge.

"Far! Fetch'd!"

"Try and dodge it!" Korina said knowing the only she could do was try.

"Chika!" As she thought it was pointless as Farfetch'd just redirected the attack wherever she went.

"It seems pointless to try and dodge a gusting swift!" Gaeln announced.

"Where does she come up with these?" Naomi asked about Gaeln's saying. It kept an audience updated, but they could clearly see with their own eyes.

Zane shrugged her shoulders and answered, "No idea...must be MC thing."

They turned their heads back to the battle to see Chikorita get slammed by another attack and fall to the stage floor. Danica and her Pokémon watched as the grass type attempted to rise. Chikorita got to her feet, but fell back to the floor and fainted.

"Looks like it is game over folks as Chikorita is unable to battle! So that means Danica is moving on to the finals!" Gaeln announced.

Korina smiled to herself that she was happy with her performance and went to her Pokémon. She kneeled down and placed a hand on her back. Chikorita was clearly upset about that she had lost the battle. Piplup had done such a great job during the appeals round she felt she needed to do the same. She grass type felt a gentle touch and turned to see her trainer.

"Thank you Chikorita. We'll win next time." Korina said with a smile.

"Chika!" She answered her trainer feeling a little better about the events that just occurred.

People clapped for the coordinators and stood. Piplup looked upset that Korina lost, but he saw how hard they worked. He was proud of her and Chikorita. He promised himself never time he would win.

"Poor Korina…" Naomi said

"But she did really well, come on," Zane said starting to leave the stands to find their friend.

Korina went to the dressing room straight after in order to get changed out her contest wear which was black legging and purple dress with black crossing straps. She also took her shoes which like a ballerina's that were black and didn't make her feet point. She took down her hair and let it fall down her back and sides of her face. It didn't look like she was effected by the lost, but it was beginning to set in. The more she thought about it made it seem like she was going to cry, but at the same time she wasn't. She knew she had a lot to learn and this happens to everyone. Chikorita sat quietly not wanting to bother her trainer. They were feeling the same.

"Nice job. For a minute I thought I was going to lose." A voice said interrupting her thoughts.

"Huh?" Korina said turning to see Danica. "Really?"

Danica nodded and smiled. "Yeah, keep training and the next one is yours. You just need more experience."

Korina beamed and answered, "Thanks! Good luck!"

She needed to hear that from someone else that wasn't her or her friends. Danica then left for her next battle as her friends came through the door.

"Korina! Good job! I'm sorry you didn't win." Naomi said coming to her.

"Next time for sure. You did great too Chikorita." Zane said to her friend and her Pokémon.

"Chika!" the Pokémon snapped turning her head away in defiance showing she still didn't like Zane.

"Still hung up on that..." Zane whispered. She'd get to Chikorita soon enough.

"Piplup! Piplup pip!" the water type said as he pounded on his chest than hers to show her he was proud.

"Thanks buddy," Korina said hugging her started.

Perhaps friends were also great to have besides an outsider. They always cheered her up when she felt down. They told what she needed to hear.

"Thanks Zane and you're right, I'll win next time!

All three trainers went out to watch the finals. It was between Alexis and Danica. It was Farfetch'd and Krabby. Danica seemed to ahead of her too. She was experienced and Korina wanted to live up to her the next time the battled. Next time she would win.

"20 Seconds!"

"Bubble Beam!" Alexis commanded.

"Swift!"

"Metal Claw!"

"Air Cutter!"

"No!"

"Time's up and the winner of the Violet City Ribbon is Danica!" Gaeln announced.

Korina would work hard. She had two of her biggest fans on her side to help her train. She'd get stronger and she'd have to learn outside the box. As they walked back to the center that night they decided to have their own time. Naomi wanted to go shopping, Zane wanted to train a little before her battle, while Korina wanted to be alone. They respected her wishes as she promised not to sulk. She wanted to have time to think. She'd be fine. Tomorrow would start a new contest.

AN: Episode 9 my friends! Sorry I haven't updating, super busy. I'll update more since I'm on break so don't worry! See you next episode and please Review!