"speaking"
"Thinking"
On with the story
After all Coordinators have performed in the first round, everyone awaits the result of who will move on to the next round
"talk about a cloud of suspense" Ken said as he sees every coordinator in the room, looking intently to the tv, while some were praying "I guess even in Contests, everyone wants to win"
"yeah, this is by far the tensest part of being in one" Nozomi said before Marian appeared on screen
"Sorry to have kept you all waiting!" Marian called. "And so, after a lenghty discussion, the 16 Coordinators moving on to the exciting second stage are now to be revealed!"
The screen changes as 16 cards appeared as they all shuffles around before revealing the 16 coordinators who will be moving to the second round
Ken watched the cards as they flipped to show the Coordinator's face and he saw him in one of the cards
"I'm in?" Ken asked surprise before getting a slap to the back by Nozomi
"you sure are!" Nozomi said before she saw her own face in the card and grins
After the first round of the performance and was chosen to appear on the second round
Everyone headed in for the night as the next round is held tomorrow
Ken was at his hotel room as he was in a video call with Shirona
"I watched the contest! That was some amazing performance!" Shirona said with a smile
"thanks" Ken replied "it took me a whole night to get Alakazam and Poliwrath to perform well today but it all paid off"
"you amaze me every time, Ken" Shirona said "if you ever have the time, come to Celestic Town's Pokemon Contest, they're going to be held in 2 weeks or so"
"ok, I'll be there" Ken said with a smile
"wear that tuxedo again, Ken. And lose the mask" Karashina appeared on screen, behind Shirona as she surprised them both "and this time proposed to her if you can!"
"Grandmother!" Shirona screamed as she chased after her grandmother who ran away
"see ya later, Ken!" Karashina said as she runs from her granddaughter who was blushing hard
"hahaha….alright" Ken replied with an awkward smile and laugh as he hanged up the call, knowing that it's going to be a while before Shirona calls again
Ken decided to dial Fuji's number as the Poketch rings a few times before Fuji appeared on screen
"hello, Ken! I've watched the Contest! As expected of you to pull of an amazing performance!" Fuji said as Ken nodded with a smile
"thanks, Fuji-san but it was thanks to Poliwrath and Alakazam that we made it to the next round" Ken said
"what are you talking about, Ken? Poliwrath and Alakazam couldn't pull off the performance without you, you are their Trainer therefore it is important for you to be there for them" Fuji told Ken
"I guess so" Ken said before looking to the moon in the sky as it was at its full form "this world sure is filled with so many things that I've never seen before"
"Ken?" Fuji speak out as Ken looks to the moon before looking back to Fuji
"ah, sorry, I was just thinking what else is still out there? The many adventures that I've not go through" Ken said
""never be a Slowpoke in adventures", right?" Fuji said as Ken chuckles in response
"yeah, I've only been into a small part of the world, there must be still hundreds of Pokemons I've never seen before and thousands of battles out there" Ken said
"I see, your grandfather was never the type to stay in spot, after all" Fuji said as Ken smiled
"well, good night, Fuji-san, got a big round tomorrow" Ken said as Fuji nodded
"good night, Ken, and good luck. Everyone is rooting for you" Fuji said as Ken nodded back before hanging up the call
Ken then looks to the moon one last time before heading in to rest for the night
The next day of the Mikuri Cup came as it was time for the battle performance
Ken was up against his first opponent as he had Golurk and Hitmonchan out of the field
"Thunder Punch and Dynamic Punch! Let's go!" Ken shouted as Hitmonchan and Golurk jumps towards their Opponents' Pokemon and sends their combo Punch attack straight at them
The two opponent Pokemon was sent flying to the air before crashing to the field, knocked out
"Battle out!" Marian exclaimed as the judges had x marks on their judging panel, indicating that the battle was over "the winner is Ken!"
Golurk and Hitmonchan raised their fists as Ken pumped up his fist to the win
"amazing and powerful performance by Ken yet again!" Marian exclaimed as everyone cheered for the trainer "he moves on to the semifinals!"
Ken went to the waiting room where he got the paparazzi on him
"crap!" Ken ran away as the paparazzi chased after him
He ran around the contest area before he was pulled to the corner by Nozomi
"Nozomi?" Ken said before Nozomi shushed him
Nozomi took a peek as the paparazzi were looking around for Ken before running off to search for him
"the coast is clear" Nozomi said as she and Ken got out of the corner
"thanks for the save" Ken said "those reporters keep popping out like Buneary in mating season"
"it's fine and congrats on winning your first ever Pokemon Contest Battle" Nozomi congratulated Ken as he smiled in response
"thanks" Ken replied before the two heads off to see the matchup for the semi final
After a 30-minute break, the matchups for the semifinals have been decided
The cards were being shuffled as it will show the remaining contestants on who will be against who
Ken and Nozomi watched the screen as the cards were shuffled before the cards paired up and revealed the matchups as Ken was up against Nozomi
The two looks in surprise before looking to each other
"I guess we're going to battle, huh?" Ken said as Nozomi nodded
"wouldn't have it any other way" Nozomi replied as the two had fiery auras battling against each other
After the first and second round of the semifinals, it was time for the third match as it was Ken vs Nozomi
"we now reached to the third match of the contest! Ken of Lavender Town vs Nozomi of Snowpoint city!" Marian announced on the mic as both coordinators took their spot at their side of the battlefield
"to a good battle" Ken said as Nozomi nodded before taking out her Pokeballs with Ken doing the same
"Glameow! Leafeon! Ready! Go!" Nozomi threw out the Pokeballs as Leafeon and Glameow appeared in a bubble before it bursts
"Golurk! Hitmonchan! Let's bring the house down!" Ken shouted as he threw out both Pokeballs as Golurk appeared in a dark haze while Hitmonchan appeared out in fire
"both contestants pokemon appeared in true performance! Let us see who will be the winner! The time starts now!" Marian announced as the timer started ticking
"Glameow! Shadow Claw! Leafeon! Back her up with Magical Leaf!" Nozomi shouted as Leafeon let out a cry before a storm of glowing leaves were sent flying towards Glameow
Glameow's paw was covered in shadow as it forms a black claw before the feline pokemon rides in the storm of the Magical Leaf and flied towards Golurk and Hitmonchan
"Golurk! Catch Glameow! Hitmonchan! Jump on Golurk's back and send a Mach Punch at Leafeon!" Ken shouted as Golurk raises both of its hand and caught Glameow as her attack failed
Then Hitmonchan use Golurk's back as a jump pedal before punching its Mach Punch and send it flying towards Leafeon, hitting the target head on
Leafeaon let out a cry of pain as it was sent skidding back
Golurk grabs a hold of Glameow and swings the feline Pokemon around before throwing her towards Leafeon, crashing them with each other
"Glameow! Leafeon!" Nozomi shouted as both of her Pokemon got back up
"Golurk use Trick Room!" Ken ordered out as Golurk nodded before its eyes glowed purple. The battle field was covered in the Trick Room before it disappeared. "Hitmonchan! Time to ride!"
Hitmonchan nodded before riding on Golurk's back as the Automaton Pokemon flew up before rocketing towards Glameow and Leafeon at high speed
"looks like we have ourselves here, folks. A good friendship between Golurk and Hitmonchan! Look at how the two work together so well!" Marian commented
"Glameow! Shadow Ball! Leafeon! Energy Ball! Now!" Nozomi ordered out as both Pokemon charged spheres of energy before firing them at Golurk
"up now!" Ken shouted as Golurk halts its flight midair before rocketing to the ceiling as both the Energy Ball and the Shadow Ball missed
"amazing performance by Golurk, rocketing up, making the attacks miss their targets!" Marian commented again "what an amazing battle we're seeing here folks!"
"Golurk! Hitmonchan! Flying Twin Dynamic Punch!" Ken shouted as it surprised everyone
"Flying Twin Dynamic Punch!?" Nozomi exclaimed in surprise
Hitmonchan jumps off Golurk's back as its right fist glowed in energy, the Punching Pokemon then landed in Golurk's palm before the Automaton Pokemon threw Hitmonchan at Glameow and Leafeon, then Golurk followed by rocketing itself as well
"Glameow! Ice Beam! Leafeon! Solar Beam! Quick!" Nozomi exclaimed as both Pokemon tried to launch their move but it was too late
Hitmonchan punched the ground bellow at high speed as this caused the ground to break and crack and sends Glameow and Leafeon flying up before Golurk appeared in front of them with its Dynamic Punch readied
"no way!" Nozomi exclaimed in shock as Golurk sends its Dynamic Punch at the two Pokemon, and sent them crashing to the ground
A minor dust cloud filled the field before it settled down and revealed Glameow and Leafeon, knocked out
"it's a Battle out!" Marian exclaimed on the mic as the crowds cheered for Ken's victory "the winner is Ken!"
Nozomi looks surprise to her defeat before she sighs with a smile
"you did amazing, you two" Ken said as Golurk and Hitmonchan nodded before doing a thumbs up
"congrats on winning, Ken. You're really strong" Nozomi said with Leafeon and Glameow beside her
"thanks" Ken said before kneeling down in front of Leafeon and Glameow "sorry if Golurk and Hitmonchan hits you guys to hard". Ken apologizes to Nozomi's Pokemon as so did Hitmonchan and Golurk
To their reply, Leafeon and Glameow just smiled
"thank you" Ken said with a smile before standing back up as the crowds were cheering for him as they started chanting his name
"looks like you got more fans, now" Nozomi said as Ken laughed a bit in embarrassment
After winning against Nozomi, Ken moved to the finals as he was up against his last opponent in the finals
Ken was up against an opponent who was using a Nidoking and Nidoqueen, and for Ken, they were a great pair combo
"Ice Beam! Let's go!" his opponent commanded the two Pokemons as they charged up their energy into a blue sphere before firing the Ice Beam
"Golurk charge through! Hitmonchan! Behind Golurk!" Ken shouted as Hitmonchan jumps behind Golurk while the automaton Pokemon raises its fist and go hit by the Ice Beam
"unbelievable action by Ken! Facing the Hyper Beam head on!? What a crazy tactic!" Marian announced as his points were decreased in the process
"charge right through!" Ken shouted as Golurk charged against the Ice beam as Hitmonchan sticks behind him
Nidoking and Nidoqueen continued using their Hyper Beam before their energy got depleted
Golurk breaks through their Hyper Beam before Hitmonchan came jumping to Golurk's shoulder as the Punching Pokemon jumped high up with a ball of blue energy in its palm
"Aura Sphere!" Ken shouted out as Hitmonchan fired the Focus Blast at Nidoqueen and Nidoking and caused a big dust explosion to blew out
The dust explosion clouded the field before it settled down and revealed both Nidoking and Nidoqueen are knocked out on the field
"it's a battle out!" Marian announced "we now have our Mikuri Cup winner! Ken!"
The crowds roared as they cheered and applauded Ken for his victory
Ken waved to his fan before Golurk carried Ken up to its shoulder and waved with him as Hitmonchan did the same too
Nozomi was at the viewer stand as she clapped her hands for Ken, the winner of the Mikuri Cup
Ken, Hitmonchan, and Golurk were now the winner of Hearthome city's Mikuri Cup as they won it
"magnifique performance! You and your Pokemon have an incredible bond and such a beautiful friendship!" Melissa said as she gave Ken the Violet Ribbon in his victory "I shall be waiting in my Gym for your challenge"
"thank you" Ken thanked her before taking the Ribbon and showed it to the crowd as they applauded him
"thank you everyone for coming to the Mikuri Cup! Have a nice day!" Marian announced as the competition was now over
After the Mikuri Cup was over, everyone was going home as so was Nozomi
"thanks for getting me into the Mikuri Cup, Nozomi" Ken thanked her as he shook her hand "never thought that entering a Pokemon Contest was so much fun"
"glad to hear it" Nozomi said with her Glameow beside her "and if you ever want to enter the Grand Festival, just get five ribbons and you are in"
"I think Gym Battles suit me more but if I'm interested, I think I might collect some ribbons to enter the festival" Ken replied as Nozomi nodded
"well then, see ya around" Nozomi said as she waved Ken goodbye
"yeah, see you again!" Ken waved her goodbye as well
Ken smiled before he looks to the setting sun off in the horizon
"Ken-kun?" someone called out as Ken turns and sees Mikuri standing behind him
"Mikuri?" Ken said as he turns towards the Mikuri Cup's organizer
"I congratulate you on your victory, Ken. Your performance was at the utmost beautiful performance that I've ever even seen!" Mikuri said in praise to Ken
"thanks, that's a lot coming from a Top Coordinator" Ken replied
"yes, do you plan to come to the Grand Festival? I predict that you would be able to create an even more magnifique performance even more!" Mikuri said
"plan to, but I need to get four more ribbons for it" Ken replied as he opened his ribbon case, and the only ribbon he had right now is the Violet Ribbon, he had just won
"never fear" Mikuri said before he reached into his pocket and takes out two ribbons "take them"
"eh? You're ribbons? I can't" Ken said before Mikuri holds Ken's hand and place the two ribbons on it
"it is fine, I've seen many Coordinator's performance but your Performance is the only first performance in my whole life to have ever touched my heart!" Mikuri said as he place a hand to his chest "please, Ken. Accept them and join the Grand Festival"
Ken looks to the two ribbons before to Mikuri as he smiles and nodded
Mikuri nodded back with a smile as Ken place the two ribbons into the ribbon case
"I'll be cheering on for you in the festival and in the League, good luck my friend" Mikuri said as Ken nodded
After parting ways with Mikuri, Ken was at his inn as the Trainer was resting for the night
"what a day" Ken said as he rolled his shoulder around before sitting down on his bed
Ken looks to the table as his Poketch was ringing
He picks it up and sees that he got a call from Shirona
Ken picked up the call as a video image of Karashina appeared rather than Shirona
"Karashina-san?" Ken asked surprised in seeing the head scientist
"sorry for disturbing you, Ken. But I need a quick word with you" Karashina said as she looks to her side and leaned closer
"what is it?" Ken asked
"the truth is, Shirona's birthday is coming in one week, and I need you to go on a date with her" Karashina said as Ken's face went red
"w-what?!" Ken nearly shouted before he closed his mouth so that he didn't bother his neighbors
"I know that it's a lot to ask but I really need you to get my Granddaughter out on a date, that girl needs some time with a man and you are by far the best choice" Karashina explained
"but why me? Why not Oba? Or even Goyo? They're her friends, right?" Ken said
"this is why you, young ones are always so dense" Karashina said with a sigh "please take her on a date, I beg of you"
Ken hummed a bit as he rubs his chin in thinking before sighing as he nods to her
"appreciate it, Ken" Karashina replied with a smile
"Grandmother?" Shirona's voice was heard as the sound of a door being opened from bellow was heard next
"gotta go, remember Ken, in one week" Karashina said as Ken nodded before the call was hanged up
Ken place back his Poketch on the table as he rested down on his bed and then started looking at the ceiling
"a date, huh?" Ken said before turning off the lights and went to sleep for the night
That's a wrap!
Bye bye
