Episode 248: A Fan With A Plan
A few hours later, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Lisia had arrived in Rubello Town. Upon arriving, they have learned that there is going to be a Pokémon Contest taking place in a week and a half. They looked at a poster with a Bulbasaur and Blastoise on it and R1 at the bottom.
"A Pokémon Contest right here in Rubello Town. And it's going on in a week in a half," Sora said.
"Wow, I guess I never knew," Lisia said. She turned to Kairi. "You gonna enter it, Kairi?"
"Well, I do need to earn two more ribbons to enter the Grand Festival. And who knows? Maybe, we might end up running into someone we know," Kairi said.
"Yeah. Maybe," Sora said. He noticed the R1 on the bottom of the poster. "R1? What's that mean?" Lisia laughed.
"Well, I wouldn't be surprised you wouldn't know. R1 states that only a Pokémon Coordinator who has won one or more Ribbons are permitted to participate in the contest. And since Kairi won three so far, she's more than qualified to enter it," Lisia said.
"That's good to know. We should check out the Pokémon Center and have our Pokémon rested up. Also, after that, we can have some practice; me for my Gym battle and you for your Contest. And I know you're going to win it, Kairi," Sora said.
"Sora, you're just saying that because you're my boyfriend," Kairi said.
"And what kind of boyfriend would that make me if I didn't support you one hundred percent?" Sora playfully asked. Kairi giggled since she already knew the answer.
They headed off for the Pokémon Center, unaware of Spoink still following them. Spoink. May and Max had arrived a little while later as the youngest sibling noticed the poster.
"Look at that, May. It's a poster for a Pokémon Contest. So cool," Max said.
"I kinda forgot there was one here in town," May said.
"Looks like it's taking place in a week and a half," Max said. He turned to his sister. "Are you going to enter the contest, aren't you?"
"Of course I am. I just need know where to sign up," May said. She looked at the poster and notices R1 at the bottom. "R1? What's that supposed to mean?" May figured it was such a good question. May and her brother started to make their way down to the Pokémon Center.
Over to Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Lisia, they entered the Pokémon Center to have their Pokémon checked up. Spoink had caught up with them, but hid in the bushes before May or Max saw him.
"Well, look who's here," Lisia said.
"Sora, Kairi, Lisia. Good to see you," May greeted.
"Right back you, May," Kairi said.
"I'm going to guess that you're going to enter the Pokémon Contest here in Rubello Town too?" Sora asked.
"I am. Is Kairi going to enter it too?" May asked.
"I am. I had a feeling we were gonna end up in the same Contest at some point," Kairi said.
"Me too," May said. She turned to Lisia. "Since you're here, Lisia, I wanted to ask you something."
"You have only to ask," Lisia said.
"Well, the thing is this. Max and I saw a poster for the upcoming contest and we were wondering if you know what R1 means," May said.
"That would be one ribbon. And since you won a couple of ribbins, that woulld mean that you qualify just like Kairi here," Lisia said.
"That takes a huge load off my mind," May said.
"It's a rule the Grand Festival sets up. I would know since I participated in it," Lisia said.
"That's right, you did," May said.
"And here I thought you say that you never heard of the Grand Festival before," a familair voice spoke from behind. Kairi and May instantly recognized the green haired Coordinator in front of them.
"Drew?" Kairi and May asked. They turned to each other.
"Wait a minute! Yu know Drew, Kairi?" May asked.
"I met him back at the Pokémon Contest bgack in Slateport City. How do you know him?" Kairi asked. May sighs
"Don't ask," May deadpanned.
"I wasn't expecting to see you both at the same time. Looks like both my rivals have arrived to witness my greatness," Drew said.
"Save it for the contest, Drew. You didn't forget that I beat you in the Slateport Conest didn't you?", Also, you lost the one in Fallarbor Town to Nancy, don't you remember? Kairi asked.
"You only won those because I was careless against you and her. I won't be so easy for you to beat this time. The same for May," Drew said.
"You didn't forget that you lost to me also, Drew?" Sora asked, walking up.
"Well, if it isn't it Kairi's boyfriend. I'm not surprised to see you here," Drew said. He noticed Lisia with them. "Lisia? What are you doing here? Entering the contest?"
"Just making an appearence," Lisia said.
"Anyway, May, how many ribbons did you win so far?" Drew asked.
"I'll have you know that I won two right here," May said, showing her rival her ribbons. Drew just scoffs.
"I won four," Drew gloated.
Just then, a group of women all crowded the green-haired Coordinator.
"It' him! It's him! It's Drew!" The women all shouted. They all showed him the Drew merchandise.
"I never thought Drew was that big a hit," Kairi whispered to her boyfriend.
"If his head got any bigger, I would feel sorry for whoever designs his hats," Sora joked. She giggled along with Pikachu and Angel. One of the women with long red hair tied in a side ponytail holds up a photo of Drew and his Roselia.
"Drew, I have thought myself as a talent scout for a a talent of yours," the woman said. Have a look! I have every photo of every Contest you have entered in!"
"Wow. I'm honored," Drew said.
"So, I was wondering if you would give me an autograph, please?" The woman pleaded.
"No, I don't do that," Drew said, doing a hair flip.
"How cool, he actually, turned her down!" The woman said. Not too far, a woman with short violet hair and cyan eyes watched the group. She wore a creamcolored long-sleeved shirt with salmon pants, white shoes, an orange cloth on her waist and a ribbon as a necklace. She approaches the group.
"Excuse me," the woman called to them. "Aren't you Sora Ketchum the Pokémon League Champion of Kanto and Johto?" Not only that, but also Kairi, Lisia, and Norman's daughter of the Petalburg City Gym?"
"That'll be us," Sora said.
"Then. it's true! Wow!" The woman exclaimed with joy. She turned to the other women. "Hey girls! I got Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and May here! The champion of Kanto and Johto, the Coordinator who won the Poké Maiden Tournament, Wallace's niece and Norman's daughter May and Lisia!" The women started to crowd them and Drew scoffs as he walked away.
"I have Sora and Kairi mechandise right here!" One of the women said, holding out some the merchandise of Sora and Kairi. The same can be said of the mechandise of Norman and Lisia.
"Say Sora, is it true that you're going to enter the Hoenn Pokémon League? If so, then how many Gym Badges have you won?" The woman who approached the group asked.
"To answer your question, I have earned five Gym Badges and I just need to win three more," Sora said. He said in his thoughts, "And I thought Discord was a huge fan in Equestria. That draco-whatever he is would get along with them."
"Is it true that you and Kairi are a couple?" The woman with green hair asked.
"We are. We've been a couple for a long time," Kairi confirmed.
"I knew it!" The green-haired woman exclaimed.
"We've been shipping you for a long time! And your kiss is the background photo on my phone!" The woman with the red air said, holding out her smartphone of Sora and Kairi kissing, making them blush arlarmingly.
"SoKai Forever!" The women exclaimed happily.
"SoKai?" May asked.
"No idea what's that's supposed to mean," Sora said. But yes, it's true, we're a couple and frankly I don't care who knows it," Sora said, getting rid of his blush.
"But we're not going to kiss each other just or kicks," Kairi added.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel added.
The women were moved by how openly Sora is with his relationship with Kairi, but disappointed they don't get to witness a kiss between the happy couple. They also bombarded some questions to May, Max, and Lisia about their realtions to Gym Leaders, like why Wallace resigned as a Gym Leader. Lisia was honest when she told them she didn't know.
"Kairi, May, are any of you entering the Rubello Pokémon Contest?" The purple haired woman asked.
"Yes we are," May answered.
"Why?" Kairi asked. The women were ecstatic to hear their response.
"I knew it! It's an honor to be in the same contest as Kairi and May!" The purple haired woman exclaimed.
"We're rooting for you all the way!" The woman with the red-orange hair said.
"Go get 'em, Savannah!" The woman with the red hair added. The women started to do their little cheer.
"MFP gals, let's cheer! MFP slides no fear! We fight, win, dig right in! MFP rides right HERE!" The women all finished their cheer.
"What's MFP?" Sora asked.
"That would be Mothers For Pokémon," Savannah answered.
"Kairi, I have a feeling your mom would fit right in," Sora said.
"We've formed a group of wives and mothers who love Pokémon, Pokémon battles, and Pokémon Contests," the woman with the green hair said.
"We started out sitting in the audience," the woman with the red-orange hair said. "But after a while, we started entering contests and going into Pokémon battles."
"Still, the only one who won a ribboin was Savannah, and she has become the MFP's pride and joy," the woman with the long red hair said.
"You're being way too kind," Savannah said, blushing. "Me winning that contest was just beginner's luck."
"We should throw a party in honor of Sora, Kairi, May, Max, and Lisia," the woman with the green hair suggested.
"I love that idea," the woman with the red-orange hair said.
They all left the Pokémon Center after picking up their Pokémon since they wanted to see them. Spoink comes out of hiding a follows them to where they were going. The MFP members went into a restaurant they regularly met at. The staff members weren't surprised that they would be there. Sora, Kairi, and Lisia signed all their autographs for the MFP members.
"You know, it's a real privilege to be in the same contest as you two and Drew," Savannah said.
"Thanks," Kairi said.
"We followed your career ever since the Poké Maiden Tournament. We did the same thing with Sora back at in the Indigo Plateau and Johto Pokémon Leagues," the woman with the green hair said.
"We even saw him at the PokéBrawl, the Whirl Cup, and the Pokémon Flute Cup. And the way Kairi had taken the stage in the contests were fantastically splendid!" The woman with the red-orange hair said.
"But let's not count out May. She raised her Skitty and Beautifly well," the woman with the green hair said.
"We haven't missed a contest in years," the woman with the red-orange hair said.
"We never even missed a special performance you have done, Lisia. I was moved by your appearance in Verdanturf Town," the woman with the red hair said.
"We've seen every contest that you ave ever entered in," the woman with the red hair said. Sora leaned over to Max.
"That right there is your future," Sora said.
"How did you endure it?" Max asked.
"I have my own way. I didn't just train for battles, but I also trained how to avoid a crowd of fan girls. And that might happen to you one day," Sora said. Max was about to speak when Sora stepped in. "Don't you say that it's not gonna happen. It'll happen. I know from experience." It was obvious that he remembers the time he was chased around the Goldenrod Galleria by a swarm of girls of his fan club.
"So, May, Kairi, what Pokémon do you plan on entering in the contest?" The woman with the green hair asked.
"I haven't really decided yet," May said. She turned to Kairi. "How about you, Kairi?"
"I haven't decided yet either. I was thinking of going with my own Roselia since she evolved from a Budew. Then again, I also have my Milotic and Beautifly, so I'll have to exchange some of the Pokémon I have with me for them," Kairi said.
"Just say the word, Kairi. I was going to make a switch on my team anyway. I can thinking of having Electrike, Charjabug, and Aron over in a snap," Sora said.
"Great!" Kairi said. He hands his girlfriend his Pokédex and she exchanged Spinda and Skitty over for Beautifly and Milotic. She hands it back Sora and exchanged Grovyle, Combusken, Marshtomp and Sableye for Charjabug, Aron, Electrike, and Poochyena.
With lunch over and done with, they stepped out of the resturant with the rest of the MFP members taking their leave.
"See you later, Savannah," the woman with the green hair said.
"We'll be sure to root for you in the contest," the woman with the red hair said.
"Now we'll pick up everything on your list," the woman with the red-orange hair said.
"Buh-bye!" The MFP members said, taking their leave.
"Bye everyone. Thanks for the help," Savannah said.
"What list are they talking about?" Max said. asked.
"You know how it is for everyone. A mother's work is never done," Savannah said.
"What kind of work do have to get done?" Sora asked.
"Remember that all of the members of the MFP are also mothers. There's so much to do. Groceries to be bought, kids to be picked up from scholl, housework to be done. It's a never-ending job," Savannah explained.
"Gotcha," Sora said. He turned to Kairi. "I just can't help but think what your mom is up to, Kairi."
"Probably out with your mom or maybe at Professor Oak's lab, feeding our other Pokémon," Kairi said.
"Yeah," Sora had to admit, he hadn't spoken to his mother much since taking off in the Hoenn region. He had to admit he missed his mom since he and Kairi had left. Over to the local park, Savannah had let out her two Pokémon, a Flareon and a Lairon.
"I want you to meet my Pokémon, Lairon and Flareon," Savannah introduced.
"Hard to believe this is what Aron will evolve into. You don't seem to mind that I let him out to meet your Lairon, do you?" Sora asked. Savannah smiled.
"Not at all, Sora," Savannah said. "I did want to see your other Pokémon if you don't mind," Savannah said. Sora and Kairi took out their Pokéballs and tosses them up to let out their other Pokémon. Taillow, Poochyena, Aron, Charjabug, and Electrike, Stufful, Milotic, Beautifly, Swablu, and Roselia were all let out. Aron has eyed Lairon and went up to his evolved form.
"That is what you're gonna evolve into, Aron. You guys are practically family," Sora said. Aron kept looking at his evolved form.
"Looks like you raised your Aron right," Savannah said. She looked right at his other Pokémon. "The same can be said about your other Pokémon, Sora." She looked right at Kairi's Pokémon. She was astounded by how cute and beautiful they all looked.
"Thanks Savannah," Kairi said.
"Judging how they look, I could say the same thing," Sora said. Poochyena tackles Sora onto the ground and bark happily. "Again with the tackles, Poochyena." Sora chuckled as the hyena-like Pokémon licked his face. He gets back up and takes the Thunder Stone out from his backpack. He looked right at his Charjabug. "So, Charjabug, you ready to evolve into a Vikavolt?" Charjabug just looked right at his trainer and Poochyena tackles Sora again, making him drop the Thunder Stone and lands right on Charjabug. Pikachu and Angel were lucky that the stone hit them since they knew what would happen if it did. Charjabug started to evolve and clamped his newly formed mandibles after evolving. "You looked ready alright." The newly evolved Vikavolt takes flight and let's out a Thunderbolt. Sora knew Vikavolt had to learn it after evolving. Vikavolt makes a landing. "Along with Pikachu, Aron, and Electrike, you're going to enter your first Gym battle."
"That's good to know which Pokémon you're going to be using for your Gym battle, Sora. I can't decide which one I'm going to use in the first round of the contest," Savannah said. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, Lisia, May, and Max all looked at her.
"First round?" Sora asked curiously.
"Oh, that's right, you don't know. You can use two Pokémon in this contest. One for the first round and one to battle in the second round. It's another rule set by the Grand Festival," Lisia explained.
"The Grand Festival sure has a lot of rules," Max said.
"They sure do, but the problem is I haven't decided to use which Pokémon to use for the first round," Savannah said.
"We're kinda in the same boat, huh?" Kairi asked. She thought of which of hers she was going to go with. She looked at May and she knew she has a Beautifly and she thought of Drew and knew he has a Roselia. Rather than risking to copy them, she decided to go with Milotic in the first round since she's a good choice to choose from and Stufful because she's good at battling. "I made up my mind. I'm going to use Milotic in the first round and Stufful in the second round."
"Milotic and Stufful?" May asked.
"I get it. Milotic will be able to wow the crowd and Stufful can hold her own in battle. I would know because I've seen it in action," Sora said. May was still having trouble on which of her Pokémon to go with. Spoink continues to watch them from his hiding place.
"I guess Pokémon Contests are a lot more complicated than I originally thought," May said to herself.
Later in the local marketplace, Savannah led them through to reach her house when Kairi had noticed how perfect some tomatoes looked.
"Huh?" Kairi asked as she went to the cart. Savannah had noticed as did, Sora, Pikachu, Angel, May, Max, and Lisia. "You never see tomatoes this perfect in this time of year." She takes one in her hand. "These would be great for salads."
"I never thought you had an eye for vegetables, Kairi," Savannah said.
"Well, that's one of the things my grandma taught me when I was little. The key for a good salad is to look at how fresh and perfect certain vegetables look," Kairi said.
"She isn't just a great Corrdinator, but she's also an ace when it came to cooking. She got that gift from her mom and grandma," Sora said, "Anything she makes always wins me over." Savannah smiled.
"Wow Kairi. Sounds to me that you'll make a good wife someday. And not only that, also a good mother," Savannah said. Kairi could only blush when she said it. She eyes a big turnip.
"This turnip looks good enough for soup," Kairi said. She was abouot to grab it when a girl with a darker shade of purple grabs it instead.
"I'll take this," the girl said.
"Sandra?" Savannah asked.
"Mom?" Sandra asked.
"Sandra, what are you doing here?" Savannah asked.
"I got hom from scholl and saw you weren't there. I figured you were out with your MFP buddies. So, I thought I head out and do a little food shopping, just like a good girl, would do for mom," Sandra said.
The owner walked out from the back with a smile on his face.
"Well, that's great Looks like you got yourself a great daughter, ma'am," the owner said.
"Thanks sir," Sandra. See mom? Not bad for a kid," Sandra beamed. Savannah chuckled nervously.
"I guess so," Savannah said. She turned to the group. "This is Sandra, my daughter. And sweetie, this is Sora and his girlfriend Kairi, May and her brother Max, and this is Lisia. And that's Sora's Pikachu and Kairi's Eevee Angel."
"Hey Sandra," Sora greeted.
"Pikachu," Pikachu also greeted.
"Eevee," Angel also greeted.
"Hi Sandra," May, Max, and Lisia greeted.
"Hi everyone. It's nice to meet you," Sandra said.
"May and Kairi are going to be contestants in the upcoming Rubello Contest," Savannah told her daughter. She then gets all giddy. "And guess what. Sora is a Pokémon League Champion, Kairi is the Coordinator who wo the Poké Maiden Tournament and LIsia is a Contest Idol. Also, May and Max are Norman's kids. Isn't that exciting?" Sandra didn't hre her mother's enthusiasm.
"Yeah mom, mind blowing," Sandra said, uninterested. She looked at the group. "Sorry guys. Mom can get a tad carried away with this kind of stuff."
"I didn't get too carried away," Savannah defended.
"I don;t know. I've seen you and your MFP friends in action, you know," Sandra said. Savannah frowns as Sora, Kairi, May, and Max chuckled nervously.
"Your mom has been helpful. he's been helping me and Kairi prepare for this contest," May said.
"See?" Savannah asked.
"Well, that's good," Sandra said. She eyes Pikachu and Angel. "Sora, Kairi, you don't mind if I hold Pikachu and Angel, do you?"
"I don't see why not," Sora said.
"It should be okay," Kaiir said. Pikachu and Angel went to Sandra and she holds them both in her arms.
"The both of you are ever so cute," Sandra cooed. She looks right the Eevee. "The ribbon you're wearing just makes you even cuter, Angel."
"Eevee," Angel said.
"You know what, I want to be a trainer too. And travel around with my own Pokémon," Sandra said.
"Good for you," Lisia said.
"Traveling is a good experience to have," Sora said.
"My mom went on a journey a real long time ago. I know it's really hard to believe," Sandra said. Savannah chuckled nervously.
"Well, that was many years ago, before I met Sandra's daddy," Savannah said, nervously.
"Mom, do you think we can invite them over for dinner?" Sandra whispered. Savannah liked her daughter's idea.
"What a great idea," Savannah said. "I hope you don't mind joining us for dinner, do you?"
"Not at all," Kairi said. "I'll even help you in the kitchen."
"You've got a deal," Savannah and her daughter said.
The group went with the mother and daughter to their house and Savannah was even more amazed by how well Kairi had cooked. Her Lairon and Flareon loved the Pokémon food that she made for them. They shred some stories about their past experiences, leaving out certain elements.
Later that night, Sora and Kairi decided to get some training done; Sora for his Gym battle and Kairi for her Contest. Sora had Pikachu spare with Aron while Vikavolt spared with Taillow, and Poochyena spared with Electrike.
"Okay Vikavolt! Use Electro Weband Taillow! Use Quick Attack to dodge!" Sora ordered. Vikavolt fires Thunderbolt while Taillow avoids it with his speed. "That's great! Pikachu, you use Iron Tail and Aron, you use Iron Head! Go!" Pikachu and Aron clashes into each other with their Steel Type attacks. "Great! Electrike, you use Thunder Fang and Poochyena, you use Bite!" Both Pokémon came at each other with their biting attacks and both had landed a hit onto each other. Over to Kairi, she practices with the two Pokémon se had chosen.
"Okay Milotic! Use Dragon Dance followed by Breaking Swipe!" Kairi ordered. Milotic uses her Dragon Dance first and Kairi saw how beautiflly she moved. Milotic then uses her Breaking Swipe and she was very elegant when she used it. "That's great! Stufful! You use Mega Punch and followed by Mega Kick!" Stufful uses her two attacks and they were coming along nicely.
Over to Sora and his Pokémon, Poochyena and Electrike were going at it.
"That's it, guys! Keep it up!" Sora said. They gave everything they had and then they both started to evolve right at the same time. "WHOA!" Pikachu, Aron, Vikavolt, and Taillow stopped training and they saw their friends evolving. "Electrike, Poochyena. You're evolving." Electrike had now evolved into a Manectric while Poochyena is now a Mightyena. "Wow, you both evolved right at the same time!" the newly evolved Mightyena and Manectric gave off a loud howl. Kairi had stopped her training when she heard the howling Pokémon. She went to her boyfriend and saw them.
"Sora, Poochyena and Electrike evolved, didn't they?" Kairi asked.
"Right at the same time," Sora said,
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said, going up to Pikachu. She tackles him to the ground and nuzzles him affectionately. He nuzzles her back. Sora and Kairi smiled as the Pokémon in love reminds them a lot of themselves.
"I think we did enough for tonight. I don't want to overwork my Pokémon," Kairi said.
"Yeah, me too. We'll pick up tomorrow," Sora said, calling back his five other Pokémon as Kairi had called back Milotic and Stufful. Just when they were about to head inside, they heard a familiar voice.
"Go! Masquerain!" Drew called out. The couple went to investigate and they saw drew with a new Pokémon. It is a light-blue Pokémon that has no legs. Instead it has two pairs of rombus-shaped wings on its body. Its head has the shape of a teardrop. Its face is pink, it has big black eyes and small eyebrows. On each side of its head, there is an antenna, which is meant to look like an angry eye. The antennae are white with pink along the lower rim. White lines along the rim resemble eyelashes, while a large, dark pink dot in the middle represents the pupil or iris. "Good Masquerain! Climb up with a Quick Attack!" Masquerain climbs with a Quick Attack. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned Drew's Pokémon.
Masquerain, the Eyeball Pokémon
The evolved form of Surskit
Type: Bug/Flying
Masquerain's antennas have eyelike patterns that usually give it an angry look. If the "eyes" are droopy and appear sad, it is said to be a sign that a heavy rainfall is on its way.
"Better than any weatherman," Sora said, putting his Pokédex away.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Masquerain! Use Bubble!" Drew ordered. Masquerain fires Bubble all around while spinning around. The bubbles sparkled along with the stars in the sky. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel were astounded by the bubbles all around.
"Whoa," Sora said.
"Excuse me! If you're studying my moves, then you should come closer," Drew said.
"We were just passing by and we just caught a glimpse of your handy work," Sora said.
"I take it that he's your newest Pokémon," Kairi pointed out.
"If you're talking about my Masquerain, then you would be right. I was looking for a Pokémon with style and grace, good endurance, and crowd appeal. I was looking for a long time, I wanted the perfect contest winning Pokémon and wth Masquerain I have it," Drew said. "And now winning this contest should be a sinch. I bet you were impressed by our little preview."
"We were," Kairi replied. "A good spin at the end."
"Thanks, you've got excellent taste," Drew said. He notices the Eevee with her. "Looks like you got yourself a new Pokémon yourself, Kairi."
"I did. Got her not long after the Fallarbor Contest. Angel has been with us ever since," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"So Kairi, which one of your Pokémon do you plan on using for the contest?" Drew asked. Kairi waved her finger.
"Ah-ah-ah. Not until the contest starts, Drew said. Drew turned to Sora.
"How about you, Sora?" Drew asked.
"No comment, Drew," Sora stated.
"Pikachu," said. Drew just did a hair flip.
"Thought it would be too easy," Drew said.
"And don't think it'll be easy with Kairi. She beat you the last time you and her faced off and she whipped you good," Sora said. Kairi takes Sora by the arm.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said. "Now let's get some rest."
"I'm with you, Kairi," Sora said.
The couple went back to the Pokémon Center along with Pikachu and Angel as Drew just smirked.
In the next few days, Kairi had practiced with Milotic and Stufful for the contest.
"Okay Stufful! Mega Puncha and then Mega Kick!" Kairi ordered. Stufful gave a tree a good punch, making some leaves fall off. Stufful follows with a Mega Kick, ending up with the same results. "That's it, Stufful! Way to go!" Stufful then started to evolve much to Kairi's surprise. Stufful had evolved into a Bewear and swings her arms around. "No way! You evolved into a Bewear!" The newly evolved Bewear gave Kairi a bear hug, making her laugh. "You're still a cutie even after you evolved." Bewear beamed at her trainer's kind compliment. Kairi heard a commotion coming from not too far away, so she, Angel, and Bewear went to see what was going on when she saw Savannah and May doing some training. May had her Bulbasaur out while Savannah had her Flareon and Lairon out.
"Lairon! Metal Claw!" Savannah ordered. Lairon comes at Bulbasaur with Metal Claw.
"Block it with Vine Whip!" May ordered. Bulbasaur blocks Metal Claw with Vine Whip and Savannah was very moved by her block.
"Wow! I love Vine Whip!" Savannah said.
"Um, thanks," May said, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Okay Flareon! Flamethrower!" Savannah ordered. Flareon fired Flamethrower right the seed Pokémon.
"Bulbasaur! Block it with Razor Leaf!" May ordered. Bulbasaur blocked with Razor Leaf. Kairi was impressed by May's resolve. She watched as the practice battle went on.
Over to Sora, Pikachu, Max, and Lisia, they went somewhere where Sora could train when they spotted Sandra in the marketplace once again. Pikachu ran up to Sandra and she beams when she picked him up.
"Hey Sandra. Out on shopping again?" Sora asked.
"Someone has to since my mom has been busy getting ready for the Rubello Pokémon Contest. And it's only the second contest that she had ever entered," Sandra said.
"You mean your mom won that ribbon from the first and only contest she has ever entered in?" Max asked.
"It is. What are you up to?" Sandra asked.
"Just going to do some training. You're welcome to watch if you want, Sandra," Sora offered. Sandra smiled.
"That'll be great!" Sandra said. She followed them right into the park. They found a good spot to train for his battle in Fortree City and he let out Aron, Vikavolt, and Manectric. He accessed his Pokédex and he exchanged Mightyena for Beldum. He let's out Taillow and Beldum for the training.
Over to May and Savannah, they both took a break from their practice battle.
"Thanks for the practice, May. I have to tell you, I never had so much fun even if it's not an official battle," Savannah said.
"You too, Savannah. The way you battled is a sign of how you won your ribbon," May said.
"She's right. You're going to do just fine, the both of you," Kairi said. She Angel, Milotic, and Bewear approached them. May and Savannah were surprised to see a new Pokémon with her.
"Is that Stufful?!" May exclaimed.
"It was. Now, this is her evolved form Bewear. Say hello, Bewear," Kairi said. Bewear gave a loud squeak upon greeting. "She evolved just a little while ago."
"I gotta say, Kairi, I have never seen a Bewear before. She's very cute despite being a brutal Pokémon," Savannah said.
"That's what I thought at first when I saw Illima's Bewear, but she's pretty tamed," Kairi said.
"I know I'm going to have a real hard time battling Bewear," May said, nervously. She wasn't nervous about the contest, she was nervous about how stronger her Pokémon had become. She knew she was strong as a Stufful before.
Back to Sora, Pikachu, Max, Lisia, and Sandra, Sora's Pokémon had made some tremendous progress and in doing so, Aron had started to evolve.
"Pi?!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Wow! Aron's evolving!" Max said with joy. Aron had now evolved into a Lairon.
"Yes! Lairon!" Sora said.
"Wow, it's just like the one my mom has. Course her Lairon is much stronger," Sandra said.
"I don't doubt it. But Lairon will prove his mettle against Winona," Sora said. Just then, Spoink bounces towards Sora and right in front of Lairon. "What the? Spoink?"
"So cool! A Spoink!" Max said. Lisia took a look at the pig-like Pokémon.
"Wait a minute. I think we know this Spoink," Lisia said.
"You do?" Sandra asked. Sora then realized it when he looked at him.
"You're not that same Spoink back at the lake, are you?" Sora asked. Spoink nodded. "Did you follow us here for the last several days?" Spoink nodded.
"How do you know this Spoink?" Sandra asked.
"Spoink had his pearl swallowed up by a huge Whiscash. My Marshtomp beat it and got it to cough it up. I had no idea Spoink was right behind us until now," Sora said.
"I think Spoink wants to be your Pokémon," Lisia guessed. Spoink nodded. He smiled.
"We'll see about that. But before we get to that, would you like to watch Kairi in the contest, Spoink. It's going to be fun to watch," Sora said. Spoink beamed having to be invited and nodded.
A few more days came and went, it was now the day of the contest. Kairi stuck with her plan to go with Milotic and Bewear as May had chosen Beautifly for the first round and Savannah had chosen Flareon for the first round and Lairon for the second round. This contest could be harder than Kairi could have imagined, but it wasn't going to stop her. May shared her ambition as did Savannah and Drew. Only one of them was going to walk away with the ribbon. Stay tuned to see who will it be.