It seemed like all of Alola had gathered for the first contest in the region. Professor Burnet got a special seat up front and centre, accompanied by Munchlax along with Ash's Pokémon. Lycanroc curled up at her feet, appearing as docile as a Furfrou, while Rowlet perched on the professor's shoulder, dozing off. Incineroar growled at anyone who got too close to Professor Burnet, whose belly now caused her to take up the adjacent seats. Melmetal spun Munchlax around in excitement; berries slipped out of Munchlax's fur where the always-hungry Pokémon had been storing them. They were leftovers from when the students had made Poképuffs, Poffins, and Pokébloc, experimenting with all three performance-enhancing foods and seeing which ones their Pokémon liked best. The makeshift contest hall – the outdoor battlefield decorated with banners and streamers hung from the trees, along with giant replicas of various contest ribbons, including the beautiful white-and-aqua ribbon from the most recent Wallace Cup – carried a tasty aroma. Mallow's family had whipped up various snacks and sauces that they were giving away to promote their café. Spectators picked up a plate packed with goodies along with a brochure and coupons. It was unlike any Pokémon contest that Serena had participated in during her journey in Hoenn. This was Alola!
Professor Kukui was the master of ceremonies. He had dressed up for the occasion. He wore a vividly-coloured wrestling mask and matching cape. There were whispers of the Masked Royal, and young children jostled to get his autograph before the contest began.
When the sun was at its highest point and Lana's family was walking around the audience offering iced drinks, Professor Kukui held up a fist to grab everyone's attention. His fingers formed a sign of victory, and Serena vaguely remembered seeing a Pokémon Champion doing that pose on TV.
"Welcome to Alola's first Pokémon contest! I'm Professor—uh, I mean, the Masked Royal, and I'll be your probably-not-so-humble host for today's events! But first, allow me to introduce our panel of esteemed judges! First, we have a Top Coordinator, winner of the Hoenn Grand Festival and the biggest Wallace Cup since its inauguration—May!"
May was wearing the stunning ruby gown from the Grand Festival. She waved in response to the rapturous applause. On the table, Litten curled up comfortably, an ear twitching from the audience's exuberance.
"Then, we have a former Top Coordinator who performed brilliantly in the Wallace Cup and Sinnoh Grand Festival – she's still an active coordinator, so keep an eye out for her comeback – Dawn!"
Dawn beamed, her smile as white as her pearl-adorned dress. Piplup, Rowlet, and Grimer stood tall with pride, Grimer's Alolan colours particularly vivid for the occasion.
"Finally, we have a guest for today! Please give a warm and welcoming round of applause for up-and-coming Pokémon musical coordinator, Kiara!"
Kiara's black-and-white dress had even more ruffles and lace than usual. Like royalty, her Meowth had her own seat; the Pokémon's blue-grey whiskers curled upward in delight, looking forward to the performances.
"We'll begin with an appeals round. Coordinators can use up to three Pokémon for a spectacular performance that will dazzle the audience!"
The Alolan trainers had come a long way in the short time that Serena, May, and Dawn had mentored them. Mallow fumbled with her Pokéball at first but got into the groove of things when the blossoms seal on the Pokéball accentuated Tsareena's natural aroma. Sophocles put on a radiant display of lightning with Togedemaru and Vikavolt, whose electric type moves charged each other up. Lana had mastered the technique that Serena and Dawn used against Kiawe in their triple battle; Sandy used Quick Attack to ride Primarina's Disarming Voice. And Kiawe coordinated a spectacular fire show that made use of Marowak's fire spinner, Charizard's flight, and Turtonator's spiky back. Finally, it was Serena's turn.
"Go, Salandit! I choose you!"
Salandit slithered upon her entrance, her graceful movement captivating the audience. Someone exclaimed, "It's a different colour!" He had a differently-coloured Psyduck himself, and was foaming at the mouth from fanatic excitement.
Salandit got shy. Serena crouched down to reassure her newest Pokémon. "It's okay to feel nervous, Salandit. But remember, you're performing to help make people happy. So let's have fun, okay?"
Salandit was more determined now. "Let's set the stage with Sweet Scent!"
When Serena had first met Salandit on Fifth Island, she wouldn't have expected the salamander Pokémon to know a move often reserved for grass types. But Pokémon were full of surprises.
"Now use Poison Gas!"
This was a more typical move for a poison type like Salandit to know. Poison Gas reacted with Sweet Scent to create bursts in the air.
"For our finale, use Venom Drench!"
Venom Drench was particularly effective after Poison Gas. It brought out Salandit's best qualities, coating her white body with a sheen of poison that made her sparkle.
Professor Kukui—the Masked Royal, Serena corrected herself—was practically jumping with excitement like the children in the audience who looked up to Pokémon trainers and coordinators. "Thank you for all your wonderful performances! Now, our judges will choose two finalists to participate in a one-on-one contest battle! Remember, the goal of contest battles isn't necessarily to knock out your opponent, though if you're able to, that will snatch up an immediate victory. But coordinators' first goal is to show off their Pokémon! With the battle round explained, what do our judges think?"
May clapped excitedly, startling Litten off the table. "Kiawe's fire display was amazing! Turtonator's strength was amazing. Charizard's flying type moves were amazing. And Marowak was the star of the show—they were all amazing!"
Serena smiled wryly. The two of them are practically best friends, with May's 'amazing' and Kiawe's 'awesome'.
Dawn nodded. "Yes, and to coordinate a performance for three Pokémon takes showcase skills virtually on Aria's level. I'd also add that while everyone today has demonstrated the natural beauty of their Pokémon, I especially liked how Serena brought out the very best in Salandit's poison typing. She's come a long way as both a coordinator and a trainer."
Professor Kukui beamed at Serena, pride in his eyes. "May and Dawn have chosen Kiawe and Serena as the finalists! What does our final judge think? Kiara?"
Kiara appeared slightly baffled. "Sure."
The crowd cheered as the two finalists took centre stage; Mallow cheered loudest of all, and Lana clapped politely, while Sophocles crossed his arms and pouted, though he gave Serena a thumb's up when he saw her looking.
Kiawe gave Serena a Z-ring with the Firium Z inside. "Serena, if you feel up to it, I'd like for you to use this during our battle. You may be more experienced than me in performances, but I've been a trial captain for a while, so don't hold back!"
Serena was shocked at her rival's generosity. "Thank you, Kiawe—but what about you?"
He grinned and showed her his own Z-crystal. "I returned to Fifth Island on my own. I wanted to patch things up with Agat, especially if he becomes an official island captain someday. In return, he gave me the Ghostium Z. Get ready for a Never-Ending Nightmare!"
The Masked Royal was running on the spot. "We have five minutes on the clock! Battle—begin!"
"Delphox, I choose you!"
"Go, Marowak!"
Both Pokémon emerged in bursting flames. Firelight dazzled the stage as they battled, neither Pokémon relenting. Marowak's fire spinner threatened to trip up Delphox, who leaped over it, her fur skirt flaring like a flower.
Kiawe looked at Serena. "Are you ready?"
Serena nodded.
Kiawe grinned. "I call upon the shadows of Alola to power up Shadow Bone."
"And I call upon the fires of Alola's passion to power up Fire Blast."
"Marowak, use Never-Ending Nightmare!"
"Delphox, use Inferno Overdrive!"
Firelight and shadows swept toward each other...
Later on in the evening, Serena went to the communication hub in the Pokécenter, which was open all day for trainers to contact people in other regions. For the first time in her journey, Serena called Ash. She hadn't seen him since leaving Kalos, and she burst into tears. Pikachu cried out in concern. Ash's eyes widened.
"Serena! Are you okay? What's wrong?"
Serena shook her head. "Nothing's wrong."
Ash smiled kindly at her. "I was waiting for you to call. How are you?"
There was so much to tell him. She wanted him to see Delphox. And to know about Team Esteem and her battles against them. He could assure her that she did the right thing, and even give advice on how to catch their leader and stop their ploys. Maybe he even knew the exec trainer named Bucky and share pointers on how to defeat his powerful Claydol. She also wanted to introduce him to Popplio and Salandit, and tell him about her adventure in Alola and how she knew he was a League Champion and congratulate him—
No. That wasn't how this conversation was supposed to go. Serena wanted to reunite with Ash as his equal.
She was filled with new determination. "I'm just getting started."
