HGSS: Johto Saga
Season 2, Opening: Born to be a Winner
Part 11
Luck of the Lyra-sh
"Okay, Lyra! The key to perfecting a combination is timing and relevance! You must hit the combo on time and make it matter. Okay, here's an example of key element strategy! Roselia and Combusken, come on out!" May sends out her flower pokemon and a large orange and red chicken-type pokemon.
"Okay, you two. Roselia, hop into the air and use Petal Dance around you!" Roselia jumps into the air and releases a tornado of pink petals swirling around it. "Now, combusken, use Fire Spin around it!" Combusken releases a spinning vortex of fire and it connects to the petals. The burn around it and Roselia is seen inside.
"Now, Roselia, finish it up with Magical Leaf!" Roselia turns up-side down and spins quickly. It releases sharp green wisps that slice the fire apart. Roselia is left with an air of orange flare around.
"Whoa! That was...was...so awesome May!" Lyra said, her eyes gleaming.
May recalls Combusken and Roselia. "Thanks. You see, the timing was key so that Roselia could keep control of the petals while Fire Spin was coming. Another part was the timing of Roselia's Magical Leaf. It was relevant to use moves that one had an advantage over in normal battle because it makes it more splendid of an appeal. Let's see you try a combo!" May explained.
Lyra sends out Marill and Chikorita.
"Perfect! You could use a grass and water move combo!" May cheered.
Lyra nodded. "Marill jump and use Water Gun straight on the ground!" Marill shoots off the ground and releases a tall jet of water that hits the ground hard. "Chikorita, now use Razor Leaf!" Chikorita releases the blade of grass, and the hack the water flow apart. When Marill comes down, it is showered with sparkles.
"That was near perfect! Your timing could have been better, but that was amazing. Good job for a first time combo! With a little practice, you'll be doing much more. The contest is later today, so you need to be ready for it," May instructed. Lyra nodded and went to training.
Later that day...
Lyra enters the Pokemon Center.
"Hello, Nurse Joy. I heard something about...ball capsules?" Lyra asks.
"Ah yes! Hello. Ball Capsules allow your pokemon to be revealed in style and grace! Would you like a ball capsule and seals?" Nurse Joy asks cheerfully.
"Yes, please!"
Nurse Joy hands her a case full of transparent capsules the size of regular pokeball and a pouch of sticker-looking items.
Lyra sits in a chair and takes a capsule out. She places Marill's pokeball in it and places a seal that looked like a bubble on the front of it. She dashed outside.
"Go, Marill!" She threw the pokeball and it opened. Marill was released within a flurry of gleaming bubbles. Marill landed on the bubbles, which formed as a cluster on the ground and joyously danced around.
"Those are cool!" She recalled Marill and fit Chikorita's ball into another capsule. Ethan and Brandon appear at her side just in time to watch her.
She sticks a seal that looks like a dark purple violet. "Go, Chikorita!" Chickorita was released in a shower of spinning, fuchsia colored flowers dancing around her.
"Cool!" Ethan expresses.
Brandon nods in agreement.
Later...
A woman in a black skirt and blue shirt steps on stage. She has on purple boots and is holding a microphone in her hand. Three spotlights point to her.
"Hello everyone!" The lights scatter and the whole room is illuminated. "Welcome to the Goldenrod Contest! Can't you hear the call of nature? The rustling and calm noises of pokemon? Of course you can, because here in Goldenrod, peace is insured! I am your wonderful announcer, Jillian, so let's get right down to it. Competing in today's contest are thirty bright young individuals ready for their moment to claim a ribbon and further themselves to the Grand Festival! Without further ado, I present to you: our lovely panel of judges! The contest supervisor, Mr. Contesta..."
She points to a man with black hair with gray streaks in it, in a red tuxedo with a pink corsage tucked into it and a black undershirt. "Hello, everyone, nice to be here as always!"
"...Mr. Sukizo..." Jillian continued.
"Marvelous!" Said a man with thinning hair in a gray tuxedo.
"...and finally...our very own: Nurse Joy!"
"Happy to be here everyone!" She called out.
"Now, let's get to it with our first contestant! In the first round, they will compete with beautiful appeals to try and make it to the next round: the battle round! Let's go! Our first contestant is: Natalie!"
A girl rushed out from backstage. She had on a black jacket with a baby blue undershirt, black shorts and high-top shoes.
"Take 'em by storm; go, Butterfree!" Her ball capsule released a wave of purple smoke, revealing a butterfly pokemon.
"Okay..." she did a small spin, "let's go! Use Silver Wind across the stage!"
Butterfree released a vibrant blast of silvery, glittering wind across the edge of the stage.
"Now use Confusion and throw it onto yourself!" Butterfree took control of the glittery wind and tucked it into a large ball. It then dropped it over itself, doing a small dance. The Silver Wind made Butterfree glow extremely bright, making it seem to shimmer like water in the bright sun that peaked in through the open roof.
"Wow! Amazing!" Jillian shouted.
After everyone had stopped clapping, Mr. Contesta nodded. "A wonderful performance!"
"Most marvelous!" Mr. Sukizo cheered.
"A wonderful sight to see, and a vibrant choice of moves!" Nurse Joy expressed.
Later...
"Now, at #29, here is a debut entrant, Jim!"
Backstage, Lyra was fixing her hair to hang down.
"Guh, I can't go out there like this, and I'm next after that guy!" She pointed to her clothes. May burst into the room.
"Lyra, I made this dress for you!" She held out a red dress, lined on the edges with purple lace. It was very thin, so it wasn't flashy or hanging way out like a ball gown.
"Wow! It's perfect..." she embraced May. "Thank you!"
She quickly put it on, tying a red choker to her neck.
"Okay, I'm gone!" Lyra rushed out of the room, as Jim entered, almost sobbing. Lyra made note that he was actually happy he had done well.
She burst onto stage, her brown hair flowing behind her.
"Okay, go..." she tripped over the dress the hung just a tad bit too low. "Ow...okay, go, Marill!"
Marill was sent out, yellow stars flying all around her. "Okay, now, use Water Gun around you while using Rollout!" Marill tucked itself over and started spinning. It released a douse of water spray everywhere, coating the people in the front row of the crowd with a refreshing blast of water, making Marill shine.
"Hm, that was a very good move, for a beginner!" Mr. Contesta said happily.
"Marvelous!" Mr. Sukizo said.
"Yes, it was actually refreshing in a way!" Nurse Joy smiled.
Backstage, the results were on their way.
"These are the 8 finalists!" Jillian said on-screen.
Jim's face came on as number 4, and the Natalie girl as number 6. The final person...
...was...
Lyra caught her breath as her face was not shown on the screen.
