"Hello, and welcome to the Slateport City Pokemon Contest. Will you be entering today?" An attendant asked.

"Yeah, I'll be entering with my Surskit." Ash said, holding out a Pokeball. He had decided to take Brendan and Briney's advice and not repeat the appeal round, but he hadn't done much work on Surskit's. Hopefully it will be enough.

"Okay, feel free to head on back." The attendant said.

"Hey, I remember you, you're the one that won the free meal at the surf shack." A girl's voice said. "I didn't know you were a coordinator."

Ash turned around, seeing the girl in red that Brendan had defeated with Aron.

"Yeah, hi. I'm Ashton by the way." Ash said extending his hand. "Are you also competing in the contest?"

"Of course, and I'm May." May said.

"You wouldn't happen to be related to Norman of Petalburg? Would you?" Ash asked.

"Oh, umm." May paused.

"I figured it was a long shot, he said. He had a daughter starting her journey with your name, I mean what are the chances of that happening." Ash laughed it off. "Well hey, best of luck today."

Ash entered the waiting area to see Drew and Robert were already there, patiently waiting.

"Drew, hey." Ash said, walking up to the trainer he had now considered a friend.

"Ashton, good to see you finally made it." Drew said.

"I see Robert is being friendly." Ash commented.

"Just when your around." Drew commented. "I think his attitude has gotten worse since he found out you had no prior training."

"What can I say, when it comes to battle, Pikachu and I are unstoppable." Ash joked.

Ash watched as Robert and his Claydol went on, displaying a powerful combination of Psychic and Ancient Power, earning them a nice 27.3. It wasn't long after that Ash himself was called out for his turn.

"Alright Surskit, I choose you!" Ash called out.

Surskit came skimming out on the arena.

"Use Bubble with Bubblebeam!"

The two attacks combined, releasing a spiral of bubbles that was growing quickly.

"Okay Surskit, you can stop it." Ash said quietly.

The spiraling bubbles grew larger and larger, growing quickly out of control.

"Surskit return!" Ash said, shielding himself from the bubbles.

"Well, I must say your appeal shows great potential, but lacks discipline." Mr. Sukizo said.

"A coordinator must have confidence in their Pokemon, along with their strategy. When it went off, your confidence fell." Mr. Contesa said.

"I could tell that Surskit trusted you, and wanted to prove itself to you, I would recommend working on that in the future." Nurse Joy said.

In the end Ash got less than ten points total.

Ash walked back into the locker room, his head held high.

"Hey, they can't all be winners." Drew said, patting Ash on the back. "She on the other hand…"

Ash looked up on screen as May and her Beautifly performed beautifully, giving them a high ranking score.

"Hey, best of luck, you should be up soon." Ash said. "I'm going to head to the stands though, there's already too many people higher scoring than me."

"You're actually welcome to stay back here until the end. No one makes you leave as long as you have competed." Drew pointed out.

Ash recognized three of the final four trainers. Being Robert and Claydol, Drew and Roselia, May and Toselia, and another coordinator, Reagan and her Whismur.

Drew vs May

"Roselia use Petal Dance!"

"Beautifly use Gust!"

Roselia's petals shot through the air, while some were moved by Beautifly's attack, most made it through, striking Beautifly out of the air.

"Roselia use Stun Spore!"

"Beautifly use Silver Wind!"

A yellowish puff came from one of Roselia's roses covering Beautifly as its movements became less fluid.

"Roselia use Solar Beam!"

"Beautifly use Gust!"

Roselia spun with the roaring winds, as it gathered energy.

"Beautifly use Tackle!"

"Roselia use Solar Beam!"

Before either Pokemon could move, the buzzer rang, giving the end of the match. Ash watched as the screen shifted to show Drew's photo with Roselia on the side.

Many of the remaining coordinators had left during Robert's match against Reagan, while they were far from alone, Ash and May were among the few still in the waiting area now. Word had spread of Robert's skill level, and most had decided it was pointless to watch a match that they knew the outcome of.

Drew vs Robert

"Roselia use Magical Leaf!"

"Claydol use Psychic!"

The leaves stopped in midair, turning direction, and repointing at Roselia, shooting at their own user.

"Roselia use Stun Spore!"

"Claydol use Ancient Power!"

Stones spun around Claydol, stopping the powder from even reaching it.

"Claydol use Psychic!"

"Roselia use Petal Dance!"

A psychic blast shot through the petals and struck Roselia, sending the grass type flying backwards.

"Claydol use Psychic!"

"Roselia use Magical Leaf!"

Having been stunned by the previous attack, Roselia was in no condition to dodge the next one as Claydol continued attacking.

A buzzer rang as Drew's points reached zero, giving Robert his win.

"Hey, you did great Drew." Ash commented as Drew walked back. "And now we both have a goal. Get strong enough to beat Robert before the Grand Festival." Ash said. Robert now had his five ribbons, taking him out of the race, he was already in.