Disclaimer: Still don't own pokemon. time skips over the adoption of Ares off another p-arpg participant... to the rising stars contest prompt event
Trainer Kanade brought her three pokemon, Mucai the Tropius, Baku the Munna and her new adopted Tyrogue, Ares to the first local Rising Stars practice competition. She was participating at the Cerulean City branch location and the competition took place on the beach. A stage was set up in front of the water and several trainers and their pokemon bustled around the registration lines.
Ares crossed his arms and shook his head. Kanade had thought the night before he'd be interested in taking part but he apparently wanted no part of this. She pointed to a Machamp practicing Mach Punch, all four fists flying furiously. "You'd look cool, like he does." Ares blanched on seeing the Machamp. Nope, wrong move, Kanade. "Wanna sit it out?"
He nodded and retreated into his pokeball. Kanade sighed. So much for trying to make Ares feel included with this. Baku, her Munna, tugged at exposed sock, as she always did when she wanted attention. Baku kept looking at the Cleffas and Shinxes that were being paraded past. "You wanna go say hi?" Baku shook her head no. The Munna hid behind Kanade's leg, shivering. Mucai reached down and nuzzled his friend. She sat up and looked pleadingly at her trainer. "Are you scared too?" The Munna nodded with tears in her eyes. "You don't have to if you don't want to." A heavy sigh escaped Baku. The pudgy pokemon disappeared in a red beam of light as she too took off for the comforts of her pokeball.
Kanade then turned to Mucai, knowing how close he and Baku were. "You can sit it out too if you want." Mucai shook his head and puffed out his chest. He had trained hard for this and was ready to put all that practice to work. "You sure, buddy? No need to push yourself." He glared at his trainer. No, he was doing this. He worked hard for it, and that was rare for him.
"Okay then let's get registered and get in line." Trainer Kanade walked up to the counter where she was give two numbers, one with a sticky back to affix to Mucai and one for herself. "78. Sounds lucky to me." Mucai nodded and warbled in agreement. They took their place behind a Meowth and were followed by a Skarmory. The line was somber with no bustling and jostling, like around the registration table. The judges sat and watched each entrant compete using different moves and poses. Some pokemon were really awesome, Kanade had to admit, but not as cool as Mucai. Not to her, at least.
At last it was their turn. Mucai walked up to the stage with a heavy swagger. He strutted powerfully, with his frond-like wings extended. Then he stood on his hindlegs, gazing down imperiously as they had practiced. He waited for his trainer's commands. "Mucai use Leer!"
The Tropius's eyes glinted with an angry flash, a look that threw off many pokemon they practiced it against. He could be scary at times, and that got other pokemon to lower their defenses. But this was a beauty contest, and Kanade wanted to show off how Cool Mucai could look. "Mucai, fly up and use your Gust attack!" He hovered skyward, and flapped rapidly, his wings a blur. White sand from the beach was kicked up so hard it looked like a blizzard. Very good work Mucai. Just one more.
They hadn't practiced this for the beauty contest but Mucai was quick on his feet. He could improvise. "While you're up there, give me a Solar Beam!" He blinked in confusion at first, but quickly recovered glowing as he took in the sunlight. After a bit, gleaming a brilliant gold, he turned his head and blast a powerful beam of energy across the water. It even reflected against the surface of the sea.
Such a cool and powerful pokemon. I don't care if you bring home a ribbon or not. You won in my eyes, Mucai.