"How?" Brendan asked in shock. "How could you have not called us for this?!"
"It kind of just happened." Ash admitted. "Besides it's no big deal, I caught Sneasel no problem."
"I'm hurt that you got to work with Erika and still didn't invite us." Wally said.
"Guys, I did most of it on my own." Ash said. "And I still don't know where Lucario ran off to."
"So what, now you're just going to go compete in contests with Sneasel?" Brendan asked.
"I don't know, maybe." Ash said. "Not this one, but maybe." Ash added. "Depends on what Sneasel wants."
"So who are you using? Did you figure out an appeal?" Wally asked excitedly.
"You'll know at the same time as everyone else, and yes I did." Ash said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get ready."
At the contest hall, Brendan and Wally were surprised to see Ash's mom there, trying to get a ticket.
"Mrs. Ketchum, what are you doing here?" Wally asked.
"Oh I was visiting a friend and when I found out Ash would be competing in today's contest I figured I'd stay to see it." Delia said. "Though I can't figure out how to get a ticket, Ash did it last time."
"Back in Hoenn you needed a contest pass just to view a contest, those aren't needed here in Kanto." Brendan explained. "Come on let's see if we can find some seats."
At the stage
"Hello everyone!" Lillian called out. "Welcome to the Celadon City contest, I'm your MC Lillian Meridian and let's hear some noise!"
The crowd erupted into cheers from the opening.
"Okay so for those of you who don't know, the rules are simple. Every coordinator will compete in an appeal round showing off the best their Pokémon has to offer, and then our judges will vote on the appeal, and the top eight trainers will move on to the battle rounds!" Lillian said. "Now with that out of the way, let's meet our judges! Celadon City's very own Nurse Joy. Also we have Lady Merida, the owner of Celadon Heights! Finally we have a representative from the Celadon City gym Rose!"
"Wow Erika isn't a judge. I wonder what happened?" Brendan wondered out loud.
"She didn't say she had anything going on today, and even seemed interested in Ash's performance." Delia said.
Ash's appeal
"Alright, Milotic take the stage!" Ash called out.
Milotic spun out of her Pokeball, shimmering sparkles falling from her scales.
"Milotic use Ice Beam!"
Milotic created a series of ever increasing in height pillars, leading to a slope at the top.
"Alright Milotic, use Water Pulse to launch yourself up!" Ash called, launching a Pokeblock into the air.
Milotic flicked her tail, launching her into the air, grabbing the Pokeblock and landing on the first pillar. Rose watched from the judges station in amazement, Ash was using the speckled Pokeblocks they had made for an appeal! She hadn't realized the full uses of them before. As Milotic made her the way finally to the top pillar. She posed proudly.
"Now use Attract!" Ash called out.
Milotic shimmered high above the stadium, completing Ash's appeal, earning him a 26.8.
Back in the waiting area, Ash watched as Coordinator after Coordinator took to the stage, giving an appeal. The last competitor was not one he had expected though.
"And now our final appeal of the contest. Please welcome, Lady Erika!" Lillian called out.
Erika walked to the center stage, both arms folded in her kimono before one came out holding a Pokeball.
"Gloom use Sweet Scent!" Erika called out.
Gloom landed on stage, sending off a pleasant aroma to the crowd and judges.
"Now use Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, and Stun Spore!" Erika commanded.
Gloom spun rapidly, rising into the air as a rainbow of spores fluttered around the arena, earning Erika a 28.9.
"You gotta admit, she's good." Brendan said to Wally.
Ash knew his score was high enough to get into the top eight, it was just a matter of if he'd be fighting Erika first round or not. As the trainers were listed, it showed him and the gym leader on opposite sides of the bracket. Good he had time before he might have to challenge her.
Round 1
"Come on out Medicham!"
"Swablu! Take the stage!" Ash called out.
"Medicham use Focus Punch!"
"Swablu use Peck!"
Swablu dove forward, striking Medicham, causing the fighting type to lose its focus.
"Medicham use Thunder Punch!"
"Swablu use Dragon Pulse!"
Swablu released a burst of energy at Medicham who dove right to though it, striking the small bird.
"Medicham use Ice Punch!"
"Swablu use Peck!"
Swablu spun out of the way of the ice punch, jabbing its beak at Medicham before continuing to move.
"Alright Swablu use Heal Bell!" Ash called out.
Swablu sang a song as some of its damage went away and it's flight became steadier.
"Medicham use High Jump Kick!"
"Swablu dodge it!"
Swablu dove out of the way as Medicham came crashing down and into the ground, depleting it's points to zero.
"Alright Swablu!" Wally cheered.
Round 2
"Come on out Vulpix!"
"Swablu start strong with a Dragon Pulse!"
"Vulpix counter with Flamethrower!"
Swablu flew onto the battlefield, firing off an attack that was snuffed out by the Vulpix's flames.
"Vulpix use Shadow Ball!"
"Counter with Mirror Move!"
A black shadowy orb shot at Swablu, only for it to be bounced right back at the Vulpix, knocking it off of its feet.
"Now use Peck!" Ash called out.
Swablu was starting to get into a rut hum with Ash, allowing it to keep Vulpix in a constant state of trying to readjust until the fire type was defeated.
"Yeah! Come on Ash!" Brendan whooped.
Round 3
"Alright Erika, I don't plan to lose. You're on the stage against me now." Ash said.
"Confident in yourself." Erika said. "I guess not everything changes."
"Swablu take the stage!" Ash called out.
"Sunflora it's time to shine!" Erika said calmly.
"Swablu use Peck!"
"Sunflora use Sunny Day!"
The clouds above the open air arena parted, as the sun shone down brightly on the stage.
"Swablu use Dragon Pulse!"
"Sunflora use Solar Beam!"
Swablu released a burst of energy only for it to be engulfed in Sunflora's attack.
"Is it just me, or was that Solar Beam a bit too powerful?" Wally asked.
"Yeah, something is boosting its power, and I don't mean Sunny Day." Brendan said, opening his Pokédex.
'Sunflora, the Sun Pokemon, a pure grass type. It gets energy from pure sunlight and is know for its habit of moving in pursuit of it. Known abilities, Chlorophyll and Solar Power.'
"Shiftry has Chlorophyll right?" Wally asked.
"Yeah, but that makes them faster, not more powerful." Brendan said. "Solar Power, looks like it increases the power of attacks classified as special when in direct sunlight."
"And with Solar Beam firing constantly, Ash needs to find a counter fast." Wally said.
"Come on Ash." Delia said, holding Pikachu close.
"Swablu use Peck and Mirror Move!"
"Sunflora use Solar Beam!"
A swarm of Swablu raced forward as Sunflora's attack swept through a chunk of them.
"Sunflora keep it up!"
"Swablu dodge it!"
Swablu dove down and then back up, barely avoiding the Solar Beam as Ash was losing a large amount of points and the timer was counting down.
"Swablu use Dragon Pulse!"
"Sunflora use Solar Beam!"
Swablu rose into the air, but instead of a burst of blue energy, a red wave shot from its beak, slicing through the Solar Beam and knocking Sunflora off of its feet.
"What was that?" Wally asked.
"Not sure but Swablu learned it in the Knick of time." Brendan said in shock.
"Heat Wave! Awesome!" Ash exclaimed. "Let's do that again!"
"Sunflora dodge it!"
In that moment the battle had turned from Ash playing defense to Erika's offense, now with Ash on the offensive with Erika running away.
Sunflora tried its best to dodge the attack, only for it to fall flat on its face. When Sunflora didn't get back up, a buzzer went off.
"Wait what?" Ash asked in shock.
"Solar Power is a great ability, but it drains the user of its health in sunlight." Erika explained.
"Congratulations Ash, in recognition of winning the Celadon Contest, we present you with this, the Celadon Ribbon." Lillian said.
"Alright, we just got our third ribbon!" Ash cheered.
"Blu Blu!" Swablu cheered along with their trainer.
Ash's Current Team and their moves
Pikachu: Thunderbolt - Quick Attack - Shock Wave - Iron Tail
Grovyle: Double Team - Leaf Blade - Dig - X Scissor
Milotic: Attract - Dragon Breath - Water Pulse - Ice Beam
Swablu: Peck - Mirror Move - Dragon Pulse - Heat Wave
Quilava: Flamethrower - Lava Plume - Hidden Power - Brick Break
Sneasel: Ice Shard