Scene 26: Top Coordinators
Shelly Arc
Ever since witnessing Fantina and the others at the Chrysanthemum Contest Hall, Shelly and Nick have dreamed about becoming Top Coordinators. The Contest Circuit was in high-gear, and the two of them were sure to catch every performance on the television. They watched out of admiration as well as for an educational purpose. And after watching the performances, they would go out back and practice the moves!
They learned everything about the Contests' origins in the Hoenn Region and how everything was even more flashy in the Sinnoh Region. There was a similar type of "Showcase" in a far away Region known as Kalos, but the nearest to their little island, was the Contest Circuit in the Kanto Region. They knew about all the big-name Coordinators: Fantina, Wallace, Kari, Richard, Izzy, Celina; even some of the up-and-coming Trainers of the year like Shanna and Brad. Even their parents enjoyed watching the shows, impressed by the beautiful way the Trainers commanded their Pokémon moves.
Shelly would beg her parents to visit the Contest Hall just to watch people Train and to admire the displays in the lobby. After the appearance of the Contest Hall in Chrysanthemum Town several stores popped up for Contest Merchandise. At these shops you could purchase mock-contest ribbons, matching Costumes and accessories for Trainers and Pokémon, and even Pokéball Capsules to compete with. They taught themselves about the different styles of contest: Coolness, Cuteness, Beauty, and Cleverness. For the first time, Shelly actually enjoyed visiting the local library in order to do research on the subject.
Back home Shelly practiced her dance moves with Munchlax and spent the next year perfecting her Pokéblock Recipes. Nick figured out how to put on a flashy performance by including impressive feats of stage magic. They trained together almost every day.
Cleo and Axel are a bit surprised with how determined their daughter is to achieve this newfound dream; after all, Shelly's never been determined to do, well, anything…
One night, after another day of rehearsing together, Shelly is sitting on their balcony. Nick comes in from brushing his teeth. He steps out into the cold autumn chill where his sister is. She doesn't even notice his arrival. Nick clears his throat, "Hey, Sis, what are you doing out here?"
Shelly's eyes are distant. You can see the lights of the Contest Hall from their balcony. Shelly finally speaks, "Someday I'm going to perform on that stage." Nick looks up into his sister's eyes. They're sparkling in the dim light of the full moon. He sees her smile. Shelly clenches her fist, "And I'm going to win… I'm going to become a Top Coordinator- just you wait..!" Nick is taken by his sister. He's never seen her show such passion before. He steps forward.
"Me too!" She turns to see him. Nick gives her a fierce smile, "I'm going to become a Top Coordinator, too! That's my dream!" She nods at him. Together they turn to look at the Contest Hall in the distance. They stand together, thinking of the day they could finally take to the stage and chase after their dreams…