Authors Note: It's finally here, the first contest. I know it took a bit, but I wanted some story to happen before we dove into it.

"So, how're you feeling?" Brendan asked.

"Nervous, I've never done anything quite like this before." Ash admitted.

"Take your own advice and relax." Brendan said. "By the way, I got you something. A way of saying thanks for all the training you've given me."

"You didn't have to do that, besides I didn't do much." Ash said.

"No, I'm being serious, yesterday's victory wouldn't have been possible without you." Brendan said, pulling out a box. "Plus, you really can't go on stage looking like that, no offense, you look like a bum."

Ash looked down at himself, he had on the same outfit he'd worn since day one of his journey. It was his lucky jacket and hat too, what could be better?

"You're going up on stage, and while this is about making your Pokemon look good, there's no rule saying you can't look good either." Brendan said. "Just try it on, and if you hate it, then no big deal."

"Okay, I'll be back." Ash relented, taking the box.

A bit later Ash returned, now wearing a white collared shirt with sleeves that stopped just before his elbows, the cuffs were accentuated with golden cuff links, and stuck out a bit, while the collar was popped, just barely showing a black t shirt under it. Over the collared shirt was an open black vest that matched the new pants Ash had on. Finishing the look was a pair of shiny black shoes, and a black fedora.

"So how do you feel?" Brendan asked.

"Like I belong on a runway." Ash said with a twinge of annoyance.

"Perfect." Brendan said. "Trust me, this will be great, it looks amazing on you."

"How'd you know my sizes anyway?" Ash asked.

"Oh, I've been making my own clothes since I was eight, its a hobby of mine." Brendan said.

"Okay then, how did I not know that." Ash said.

"Now come on, you have a contest to win!" Brendan encouraged.

"You're right, we've got this." Ash said.

"Congratulations Mr. Ketchum, you are entry number 48, you made it just in time." A girl said, filling out his information. "You'll be notified by a staff member when it's time for you to head on stage."

"Thank you." Ash said.

"I'll be cheering for you from the stands." Brendan said, heading to the viewing entrance.

"We've got this Pikachu." Ash said, as the two walked into the performers area.

"Well, I'm surprised to see you made it in time." Drew said, walking up.

"Oh, hey Drew." Ash said. "Good luck today."

"Just remember, right now we're rivals." Drew reminded.

"Oh, I won't forget." Ash said.

Ash watched on the screen as coordinator after coordinator went on and performed with their Pokemon. The blonde haired trainer named Robert that helped Ash register went on with a Pokemon called Milotic, scoring an amazing 28.7 points. Out of 30. A while later Drew had gone on with his Roselia, earning themselves as 27.3, while it wasn't as good, Ash had been keeping track, and they had the two highest scores.

"Okay, just have to remember to breath." Ash said to himself. "You can do this. You have to do this."

"Ashton, you're up next." An employee said.

"Thanks." Ash said standing up. "Alright PIkachu lets do this."

"Pika." Pikachu said.

"Up next all the way from Pallet Town, we have Ashton Ketchum!" Vivian Meridian, the announcer for the contest said.

"Come on Ash!" Brendan cheered.

"Mud Mudkip!" Mudkip cheered from Brendan's lap.

"Alright Pikachu use Thunder!" Ash called out.

Pikachu rose his tail in the air, as sparks flew off of it, generating a storm cloud above the electric type.

"Now use Agility!"

Pikachu began picking up speed, dashing across the battlefield before taking leap after leap, spinning at certain points, and even using his own electricity to knock himself backwards. Finally Pikachu came to a haunt next to Ash as the storm clouds formed into Pikachu's own face before dispurcing with a flurry of sparks.

A roar of cheers came from the crowd, as Ash waited for his results.

"Remarkable." Mr. Contesta, one of the judges said, giving Ash a 7.9.

"It's clear that the two of you share a strong bond." The Nurse Joy judge said, giving Ash a 8.4.

"I have seen many trainers and their Pokemon come onto this stage, each with their own energy, but what you two did was not only new, it was also shocking." Mr. Sukizo of the Pokemon Fan Club said, before giving Ash a 9.3.

"Thank you to everyone who participated. Now if you would please wait, while the judges tally their votes." Vivian said.

Ash sat back down in the locker room taking a huge sigh of relief.

"Appeal rounds are always the hard part." Drew said, holding out a bottle of water.

"I thought you said we were rivals?" Ash asked.

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we have to be on bad terms." Drew said. "You've got skill, you turned around that appeal pretty quickly from how you had it the other day."

"Thanks to your advice." Ash said with a smirk.

"Still, good work out there, and good luck making it into the next round." Drew said before walking back off.

Ash watched on baited breath as both Robert and Drew went onto the second round, and finally, his photo showed up.

"We did it Pikachu!" Ash exclaimed excitedly.

Ash was paired up against a trainer he hadn't personally met for the first battle round, but he wasn't too worried.

"Welcome to the first match of the battle round!" Vivian announced. "For this of you just tuning in, our competitors are Ashton of Pallet Town, and Melody of Veilstone City. With five minutes on the clock, let the match begin!"

"Pikachu use Quick Attack!"

"Yanma use Double Team!"

The Yanma suddenly became blurry, before separating into four different Yanma.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

"Yanma use Shadow Ball!"

PIkachu was able to take out one Yanma before being launched into the air by the attack, Ash's points went down drastically as a result of it.

"Pikachu use Thunder!"

"Yanma use Sonicboom!"

"Dodge it with Quick Attack!"

Electricity brewed above the match as Pikachu outspend Yanma's attack.

"Pikachu, just like we practiced!" Ash called out.

As lightning rained down, Pikachu hooked his tail around the bolt, trailing it behind him.

"Now release it!"

Pikachu stopped, sending the gathered electiricty forward, decimating the three remaining Yanma, and reducing their points to zero.

Back in the locker room

Ash watched Drew's match against Robert unfold, both were amazing coordinators, and even with the type advantage, Drew and Roselia were struggling to keep up against that Milotic.

"And Roselia has been knocked out." Vivian announced.

"Looks like we're fighting Robert next round." Ash said, realizing this wouldn't be easy.

At the final round

"Remember folks, whoever wins this match will be going home with this." Vivian said, holding up a ribbon with blue ties. "The Rustburo City Ribbon. Now trainers begin!"

"PIkachu use Agility!"

"Milotic use Whirlpool!"

Water spun out from Milotic's tail, chasing after the small electric type. Ash had been prepared for that, remembering Robert opening with it against Drew, so as long as Pikachu kept moving, he'd be fine.

"Pikachu keep moving but build up for a Thunderbolt!"

"Milotic use Dragon Dance!"

Milotic's body seemed to vibrate, but their concentration afterwards seemed much more dangerous.

"Now Pikachu!"

Pikachu leapt into the air over Milotic, sending a blast of electricity crashing down on the water type.

"Milotic use Ice Beam!"

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"

The two attacks met halfway, pushing back and forth against one another.

"Pikachu, given it all you've got!"

"Milotic keep going!"

Shards of ice and sparks of electricity shot out in either direction. Both attacks began to weaken as their streams fluctuated, the moving back and forth becoming far more sporadic and out of control.

"Come on Pikachu, end this!" Ash shouted.

Pikachu's greater battling experience won out in the end, blasting through Milotic's attack and zapping the water type as the timer rang.

"And with that, the winner of the Rustboro City contest is… Ashton!" Vivian said excitedly.

"Hey, great work out there Robert." Ash said, holding out his hand.

"Save it. You have made a powerful enemy today Ashton, next time we face, you will not be so lucky." Robert said.

"Way to go Ashton!" Brendan cheered from the stands.

Authors note

So obviously Ash now has a new look for this story. Why did I have Brendan create it? The answer is because a version of him can. In the Pokemon Adventures Manga, Brendan or Ruby is the coordinator and not only made all of his outfits, he made several of Mays/Sapphires too, I just thought it would be a fun quirk to carry over.