Today it was time for Ember and Dawn to start practicing for the Jubilife Pokémon contest. Ember decided to use her Shantae (female Aipom) for this contest. Truth is her female Aipom really liked Pokémon contests and when Ember had to think about what Pokémon to use her female Aipom wanted to take part.

"Hey Dawn before you start practicing you better see what moves your Piplup and Burmy know," Brock advised, "once you see what moves your Pokémon it's easier to start practicing then."

So Dawn got out her Pokédex to check out her Piplup and Burmy. Piplup knew Pound, Growl, Bubble, Water Sport, Peck, Bide and Bubblebeam. Burmy was female and she knew Protect, Bug Bite, Tackle, Hidden Power and String Shot.

"That's pretty good for your first three Pokémon, Dawn." Brock complimented.

Dawn was happy with the results too.

Now it was time for practice. Shantae knew Scratch, Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Tickle, Fury Swipes, Swift, Focus Punch, Bounce, Water Pulse, Shadow Claw, Attract, Double Team and the egg move Double Slap.
Ember's male Aipom (Luffy) knew the same moves too.

"Okay Shantae, ready to practice for your first Pokémon contest?" Ember asked.

"Aipom!" Shantae cheered; she was more than ready.

As for Dawn, she had decided to use Piplup for the appeal round and Burmy for the battle round. Right now Dawn had a practice with Piplup. She decided for the appeal round Piplup should spin around using bubble beam; that would create a large ring of bubbles and a lot of sparkles when the bubbles burst. Unfortunately, while trying it out, Piplup got dizzy with spinning and the bubbles went out of control. Dawn and Piplup tried again, but Piplup got dizzy again and the bubbles went everywhere too. Things weren't going well for Dawn at the moment.

Ember saw everything and spoke up, "The best thing to do Dawn, is to have Piplup practice spinning without getting dizzy first, and then start practicing the moves." She advised.

"Ember is right Dawn," Brock agreed, "Remember, figure skaters and dancers start practicing the spinning without getting dizzy first before practicing the tricks."

"You're right." Dawn admitted.

So Dawn decided to have Piplup practice his spinning. But poor Piplup ended up dizzy in the end; poor Piplup was having trouble on his first day of contest training.

Dawn and Piplup were still having trouble with spinning without getting dizzy.

"Oh dear," Dawn said, "Maybe Piplup and I should try something else for the Pokémon contest."

Piplup felt down because he was failing a lot. Just then Triton (Ember's Piplup) started to speak.

"What's up with Triton, Ember?" Dawn asked.

"Triton says that he will have a workout with your Piplup, Dawn," Ember translated, "as my Piplup is a bit stronger than yours he'll help out your Piplup a bit."

"Piplup pip piplup!" Piplup agreed to the idea.

"But Ember, since your Piplup is stronger than mine; it'll be too rough for my Piplup." Dawn protested, worriedly.

"Dawn, training with tougher Pokémon helps a weak Pokémon grow up," Alain stated, "and since Ember's, Brock's and my Pokémon are strong, they'll be a good example for your Pokémon."

"Ember and Alain are right, Dawn," Brock agreed, "just like how journeying with us will make you stronger."

Dawn still didn't feel sure about this, but she could easily tell that Piplup was eager to train.

"Okay," Dawn agreed and looked at Triton, "Triton, don't go too hard on Piplup," She turned to Piplup, "Piplup, make sure to do what Triton tells you to do."

"Piplup!" Piplup promised.

The two Piplups' went off to train together somewhere. Dawn was still uneasy about this, but everyone told her that everything would be okay.


By now Dawn's Piplup got a good work out with Triton, having a swimming race in the pond, attacking rocks with Bubble Beam and Pound, and Dawn's Piplup also practiced his spinning without getting dizzy. Thanks to the exercise Dawn's Piplup perfected the routine spinning while doing Bubble Beam.

"You were right Ember," Dawn smiled, "having Piplup train with your Piplup did make him stronger and confident."

"Told you Dawn," Ember smiled back, "My Pokémon will be happy to train any Pokémon you catch on this journey."


So with a successful day of training, Dawn felt ready now for her first Pokémon contest.


Pokémon Caught:

Shiny Piplup (Triton)(M)

Budew (Hana)(F)

Shinx (Raji)(M)

Shiny Buneary (Usagi)(F)

Starly (Sora)(F)

Burmy (Plant Cloak)(Liko)(M)

Shiny Ariados (Arachne)(F)

Turtwig (Silas)(M)