Ash and Serena were now back at the corral, with the latter greeting the former's Pokémon. Ash had also made sure that his new Pokémon got scarfs like the others. Fearow's was light grey and sky blue, Rhyhorn's was brown and tan, and Ralts' was fuchsia and pink. Serena was curious about this, and went to her crush to ask about it.

Serena: Hey Ash, I never told you this before, but why are your pokemon now wearing scarfs?

Ash: Two reasons, one is to show our bond for each other, and two, to make sure none of my Pokémon get mixed up

Serena: Oh, that makes sense

Goh was now training his three Dustox to take hits more, and this involved Cinderace launching Pyro Balls at them to endure. Naturally, these were rather damaging to the bug Pokémon, and they were quickly wiped out.

Goh: Maybe we should use more light attacks, wouldn't you agree Cinderace?

Cinderace: I would indeed

Cinderace proceeded to use Ember as a more suitable attack for endurance testing, which proved to be more suited for this type of activity.

Goh: Alright, Drizzile, now's your turn, you will throw Water Pulses at Geodude

Drizzile did nothing, he just responded by laying down, leaving Goh rather annoyed.

Goh: Drizzile, I'm not joking, you need to train if you want to get stronger

Again, Drizzile didn't listen, it's as if he listened to him, and chose to ignore him.

Goh: I've had enough of this, Darmanitan, use Overheat

Darmanitan then launched intense flame at the lazy lizard, and burned his behind to a fine crisp.

Drizzile: Hey, what was that for?!

Darmanitan: Goh warned you, so I had to do what I had to do

Drizzile: Why I oughta

Goh: Listen to me Drizzile, I am not going to tolerate your behavior, we're supposed to be a team, and a team sticks together

Cinderace: He's right, there's a reason why we have to stick together, we do better as a team

Drizzile looked down at the floor, and made a rather guilty look on his face.

Drizzile: You're right, I'm sorry

Goh: It's alright, we will start from the ground up

As Drizzile began to train for real, Ash began to examine the progress of the Pokémon under his command. Infernape had just perfected Thunderpunch, as well as Squirtle, Snivy, and even Donphan.

Ash: Ok, so let's begin with some more powerful moves, Greninja I want you to learn Hydro Pump, Glalie, you will learn Blizzard, and Sceptile, you will learn Dragon Pulse

All: Understood

They took the TRs, and began to learn how to perform the moves.

Ash: So far, so good

Serena: Hey Ash, check this out

She showed him a paper about how Pokémon contests were now beginning to take place in Kanto. These are special contests that involve double battles, and requires a pair to work in tandem.

Chloe: Wow, that looks pretty interesting

Serena: I plan on doing contests myself, what about you Ash?

Ash was about to reply, but then his Ralts looked up to him smiling at the though of doing contests.

Ash: Sure, I always want to know how to do contests

Serena: Great, let's sign up

Scene cut

Serena and Ash had just gotten their contest passes, and Serena had presented him with his own costume. It mainly consisted of a blue undershirt, silver vest, and black pants.

Ash: Wow, snazzy

Serena: I'm glad you like it, so what Pokémon will you plan on using?

Ash: Well, I'm considering Snivy, she's actually a ballet dancer

Serena: She is? me too! I have been taking ballet lessons since I was a kid

Ash: I see, you think we can see a performance someday?

Serena: Of course!

Chloe: Ok guys, we can discuss trivial things later, right now you gotta practice for the contest

Ash: Oh um, right, come on Serena

Serena shot Chloe a glare that meant 'Thanks for ruining the moment', causing Chloe to shudder.

Scene cut

Mr. Contesta: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, for we are now hosting the first ever double contest in Kanto

Serena, who was now in her showcase dress, and Ash were in the lounge, waiting for their chance to begin their appeal.

Serena: So, you have done contests before?

Ash: Yep

Serena: That's good, means I'm paired up with someone who has experience

Ash: Well it was mainly a side thing

Announcer: Next up is Ash Ketchum and Serena Yvonne

Ash: Welp, that's our cue

The duo entered the stadium, and they prepared their appeal.

Serena: Mudkip, light up

Ash: Snivy, firestar

Both starters appeared, and they were both covered in glowing leaves and water bubbles as they emerged. Snivy was wearing a cute little tutu with a leaf patch on the bodice, and Mudkip was wearing something that would make him look like a superhero.

Ash: Snivy, use Energy Ball

Snivy complied, and fired a green ball of energy into the air.

Serena: Mudkip, use Water Gun

Mudkip then shot a stream of water into the Energy Ball, which then fused into the ball, giving it an aquamarine color.

'OOOOHHHHH'

Ash: Now, use Leaf Blade

Snivy's palmate tail glowed, and she slashed the ball, releasing water droplets, and green sparkles.

Mr Contesta: Why that is the definition of simple yet effective, what do you think?

Suziko: Simply spectacular

Nurse Joy: I've never seen something like that before

Ash and Serena smiled at each other as they received positive reviews about their appeal. They head back to the waiting room where they waited for the matches to get organized.

Serena: That HAS to give us a pass

Ash: Don't worry, I'm sure it did

True to his words, they ended up getting into the second part of the contest, much to their delight. They went trough a couple of battles that were rather unremarkable, so that's why I didn't talk about them here. However, things got really interesting at the finals.

Ash and Serena were now facing off with a pair of girls with rather confident looks on their faces. They also seemed to be quite powerful, as they had both a Vigoroth and a Driftblim.

Serena: Wow, I'm starting to think we won't get those ribbons

Ash: Don't worry Serena, I have a plan

Announcer: Begin!

Morrisa: Vigoroth, let's start with a Bulk Up

Analia: Driftblim, begin with Stockpile

Both of their pokemon obeyed, and buff their respective stats.

Announcer: Both Vigoroth and Driftblim begin with raising their stats, how will Snivy and Mudkip fair against this?

Ash: Snivy, use Growth into Attract

Serena, who was starting to catch on to Ash's plan, smirked and ordered.

Serena: Mudkip, use Rock Tomb to make a barrier around you and Snivy

The axolotl did what he was told, and the two pokemon were now shielded by a ring of boulders.

Announcer: Snivy and Mudkip have appeared to set up a fort, what will Vigoroth and Driftblim do?

Morrisa: Vigoroth, Slash through those rocks

The hyperactive sloth tore his way through the barrier, but at the cost of Morissa's and Analia's points. Analia noticed this and glared at Morrisa, who gave her a look that said 'What do you have?'.

Analia: Drifblim, fly above them

Driftblim was now just above Snivy and Mudkip, easily able to attack them at this height. However, Snivy unleased a wave of hearts that caused the blimp Pokémon to become infatuated. Now that they had them right where they want them, Ash and Serena decided to finish it.

Ash: Snivy, Leaf Storm

Serena: Muskip, Mud Bomb

Both of the Pokémon performed the powerful attacks, which hit their opponents dead on, knocking them out.

Announcer: Driftblim and Vigoroth are both unable to battle, Snivy and Mudkip win, which means the match goes to Ash and Serena

Both the trainers jumped for joy as their pokemon danced happily around them.

Scene cut

Ash and Serena were now at the ceremony, where they received their ribbons, and placed them in their new ribbon cases. They proceed to head back to the Pallet Town, where they would continue their training.