Part LIV: Contest in the Sun

Misty had to admit, the Chrysanthemum Contest Hall was different to what she was used to seeing in Kanto. Rather than be a building in the heart of the city or town where the Contest was being held, it was right on the beach, literally it was on a concrete island that jutted onto the beach. As such the Contest Hall was overlooking the ocean so they could enjoy the beach after they were done.

In addition, it had a semi open roof something that wasn't common especially for a Contest Hall, especially one that wasn't a well-known. The semi open roof was different and Misty wasn't sure what factor it would play but she was excited to see what it was like to compete in a Contest Hall like this one.

Ash and Misty had arrived on the island the day before and stayed on the ship using its training facilities in preparation for today's Contest. Then, this morning, they had had a large breakfast and headed to the Contest Hall to register early before heading to the waiting room as their random appeal number was generated. As the Contest drew near Misty was getting excited at the chance to win her 4th ribbon while Ash was just as calm as always, ready for whatever happened.

Registration had just closed and they're slot numbers had been given with Misty going 5th and Ash 8th of the 22 registered coordinators competing in the Contest, a higher than average number of coordinators especially with only 8 spots available in the battle round. Neither Misty nor Ash were worried though, they'd been here enough to know how it worked and their appeals were ready. Now it was just a matter of waiting for their turn and watching the other coordinators to see how well they did. Something that was about to be interrupted.

"Misty, Ash, you're here!" An excited feminine voice called out getting their attention with a waving hand drawing their gaze to a bubbly brunette in a dark pink shirt who had called out to them. "I was hoping you would."

"Emily." Misty said with a smile at her, for lack of a better term, mentee and newest friend on the circuit this year. "I'm glad to see you too, it's been a while since the HopHopHop Town Contest."

The excited rookie coordinator from Mt. Moon walked over to them as a few coordinators gave them curious glances that turned to glares when they saw Misty standing there, some of them noticing her presence for the first time. Her reputation preceded her and after her win in the Wallace Cup she was the clear favorite for the Ribbon Cup this year.

Add Ash to the mix, the only person to beat her this year, and the competition for the Chrysanthemum Ribbon just got a lot harder for the other coordinators. Interestingly a few also glared at Emily as she approached them without any sign of fear or intimidation at approaching and talking to one of the best coordinators on the circuit.

"Yeah I decided to come out for the Chrysanthemum Contest as soon as I heard that it was a double battle Contest." Emily said as she reached them and bowed to Misty, a bow Misty reciprocated but not as low. "I was already out on the islands for the Wisteria Town Contest and I need practice at double battles if I am going to reach the Grand Festival so this Contest made sense. Plus I have a few new Pokémon to try out here."

"That's great, what are they?" Misty asked curiously while Ash listened, he knew Emily but other than their one battle he weren't as close as Misty was to her so he decided to let the girls talk on their own. "The new Pokémon that is. We can talk about your other Contests in a moment.

"You'll have to wait and see to find out." Emily said with a mischievous little grin at her. "After watching you and Ash in the Wallace Cup I realized that there is a benefit to having a few tricks up your sleeve."

"True though the one to ask about that is Ash, not me." Misty said with a laugh deciding to let Emily have her surprise, it would be interesting to see how much she'd grown over the last few months. "His Porygon2 was a real shock of the Cup and he used it to perfection."

"That it was, I'd never seen one before watching the cup." Emily said with a nod. "You will have to tell me about how Ash got it one day but first I want to talk about the Wallace Cup itself. You were amazing in it!"

"Oh thanks." Misty said smiling at the complement, normally she would be embarrassed but the Wallace Cup was her Contest, she could be a little narcissistic about it. "It was a lot of fun, it's my favorite Contest so I had to enter it even if it meant a side trip to Hoenn to do so."

"Of course it's your favorite, you won it for a third time in a row." Emily said. "Your final with May was the best of all of them so far. It's as if you two are fated to meet in that final every year."

"You saw the other two?" Misty asked, she had a feeling she knew that Emily had but she couldn't quite remember, the bubbly girl was hard to follow at times. "I'm not surprised, their aired globally I believe, I'm just surprised you remember them."

"Yeah the first Wallace Cup you won was the first Contest I really enjoyed watching." Emily said. "It's what made me want to try my hand at coordinating and this year has made me fall in love with them. Once my parents told me to follow my own dreams and not focus on helping them at the cost of what I wanted to do, I decided on this path and all the prize money I earn that I don't need is sent back to help them."

"I remember you telling me that." Misty said with a nod. "That is good to hear that you are helping them out through your passion. I'm sure they appreciate it."

"Yeah it feels nice to give back to them and make their lives a little easier." Emily said with a fond smile on her face. "But yeah, watching that first Wallace Cup was what got me into Contests and from there it was just waiting until the time was right to set off on my own journey. I watched you in the Sinnoh Grand Festival, that was when I next saw you compete, and realized you were one of the best in it even if you barely lost in the final. Then you won the next Wallace Cup and should have won it all in Johto but alas you didn't."

"Yeah that one was tough." Misty admitted with a chuckle. "But it was worth it in the end so I'm not too sad about it now. I may have lost the Ribbon Cup by a point in Johto but I gained Ash as a boyfriend when he comforted me and whole new region to compete in. I love competing so this year has been great."

"True and it gave me the chance to meet you and learn from you in my first ever Contest." Emily said. "Something I am very grateful for."

"Well you have shown me that you have grown a lot so I am looking forward to seeing how much better you've gotten in this Contest." Misty said with a smile at her friend. "Speaking of which, have you won any more Contests since HopHopHop Town? You had one ribbon back then I recall."

"Yes, 2 in fact." Emily said pulling out her Ribbon Case and opening it to show Misty two more ribbons in it. "I've been in 5 since HopHopHop Town, I know it's a lot but I actually ran into two of them accidentally so I entered them. I've now won 3 of 10, most recently the one out in Wisteria Town on Potpourri Island, so I'm almost there."

"Well we are now even in that regard as the Wallace Cup was my third." Misty said showing her own Ribbons off. "It should have been the fourth but Ash decided to upset me in HopHopHop Town."

"Yeah that was a real shock." Emily agreed. "I couldn't believe you lost and to Ash and not one of the other favorites like Nando or Kenny."

"As I said, you never know who will win on the day." Misty said with a shrug. "And that day was Ash's to win. Of course Dratini evolving during the final had a large role in it, as well as earning me an official warning for swearing. Ash has more than proved himself though, he beat Zoey in the Wallace Cup showing the world that it wasn't a fluke that he beat me, as well as how to use a Porygon2 to surprise an opponent."

"Oh so you did get in trouble for your swearing, I figured." Emily said and Misty nodded. "It was a little surprising to hear it but given how intense that final was it doesn't surprise me."

"Yeah I will be automatically disqualified from a Contest if I swear again so I had to bite my tongue in the Wallace Cup when May's Glaceon used its ability for that reason." Misty said with a laugh. "But I can manage, it was just a mix of shock and my own stupidity at forgetting how normal type attacks don't work on ghost types back in HopHopHop Town. I was able to adapt and use that to my advantage in the Wallace Cup when I faced Ash again."

"True and one you repaid him in kind in the Wallace Cup." Emily said. "That win over Ash in the semis, I've never seen you battle like that in all the battles I've seen you engage in. What caused the change in style?"

"Ash." Misty said simply. "Battling him meant that I had to change up how I fought to avoid losing again. First I had to try and predict who he would use. That was a lot easier than you would expect seeing as I knew Ash would use a new Pokémon that he'd caught on our journey this year. Seeing as he'd already used 2 of the 3 he'd caught I knew that it had to be Gengar. After that, it was just a matter of thinking about the battle the way Ash would and not a coordinator. I had seen how he had taken the battle to Zoey so I did that to him."

"I see." Emily said clearly thinking on it. "I remember my own battle with Ash and how he held control the entire time, good to know in case we meet again. I presume he's in the Contest as well."

"Yes he is." Misty said looking around to see that Ash had given them space to talk while he got into the zone and was now discussing something with Pikachu about his appeal. "He's using 3 of his Pokémon that are usually kept back at Professor Oak's ranch, catches from past journeys, this time around."

"Has he decided to become a coordinator then?" Emily asked confusion in her voice. "I thought he only did the HopHopHop Town Contest for practice and the Wallace Cup because you two had flown out for it so why not compete in it."

"No Ash is still a regular trainer and has no desired to try to qualify for the Grand Festival." Misty said shaking her head. "But he wants to practice with all his available Pokémon for the Indigo Conference that he's entering again this year and because we haven't heard back from the Viridian Gym Leader, at least 5 of his Pokémon won't get that chance. To compensate, he's entering them into this and the Gardenia Town Contest to get them some practice. Plus Ash is a challenge for anyone to face, even me, so it makes us all better to have to face him."

"True, I certainly want to face him again to make up for that loss in HopHopHop Town." Emily said with a grin at the thought. "I've got new Pokémon and have started to find my own style for battles that really works so he would be a good test for me, as would you but I want to face you in the finals."

"As do I." Misty said with a grin of her own. "It would be a real test of how good you've become and how well you command 2 Pokémon this time around."

"I'm better for sure." Emily said with a nod. "So what Pokémon are you using? Can you tell me."

"I'm going with my first ever capture back in Sinnoh for my appeal." Misty said cryptically. "But the battles will remain a secret until I get to them. As you pointed out it is best to be a surprise for everyone rather than giving them a chance to predict the first battle."

"Well I hope I can at least see your new Espeon in person even if it is after the Contest." Emily said. "I was mesmerized by it when you used it in the Wallace Cup against Ash's Gengar. I've never seen one in that could, it's beautiful. I take it that your Eevee evolved."

"She did, in a practice battle with my mom's Umbreon of all Pokémon while we were getting ready for the Wallace Cup at May's house." Misty said as the crowd cheered indicating that the Contest had begun, neither girl needing to hear the rules from Lilian they knew by heart at this point. "And yes she's a beauty, the advantage of having a shiny Pokémon, and her fur is amazing. I have to maintain it but it's worth it and she loves it."

"I really want to find an Eevee." Emily admitted. "They're so cute and one of its evolutions is just my style but it's hard to do that in Kanto as no one here really knows how that evolution works."

"Really, which one?" Misty asked curious at what Eevee evolution Emily would want. "I mean you first have to find an Eevee and that's not easy. I got unbelievably lucky when mine smacked me in the face and then let me catch her after protecting her but they're rare."

"She's also shiny and female so ultra-rare." Emily pointed out. "As for me, I would love to get a Sylveon one day but they seem to not exist outside of Kalos as I've only seen them in pictures but they're super cute."

"Sylveon." Misty mused recalling the name. "May mentioned it when we were in Hoenn and my Eevee evolved, that was when I first heard it. May has a Glaceon so she knows Eevees well and as she's in Kalos now so she's seen one. It's a pink and white normal type if I recall correctly."

"That is correct so just the kind I like." Emily said happily. "Though I have taken your advice from before. I've branched out a bit but you will see them soon. My appeal is 9th so I be using one of them then while the other is in my battle team. Afterwards I can explain how I got them. You are staying in the area for a bit right? I'd like to learn more from you if possible and I'm around the next 2 days."

"I am staying here for a few days." Misty confirmed. "Ash and I are on a nice cruise to Cinnabar Island where his 7th full battle with a gym leader is set to take place and the cruise stops off at 2 Contest so it has everything we could need. I'd suggest you join us if you want."

"Sounds fun but alas I can't." Emily said sadly shaking her head. "I really want to but I'm heading back to the mainland the day after tomorrow. One of the friends I've made on my own journey invited me to her estate and I want to go there because she has some exotic wild Pokémon that were bred there that I really want to meet. Plus I want to focus on qualifying for the Grand Festival and no offense but it is easier for me to win ribbons when I don't have to go through the Prodigy of Sinnoh to get them. That way we can meet in the Grand Festival."

"I can be beaten though." Misty reminded Emily. "And I really don't like that nickname but it seems to be here to stay."

"I think it works for you; you should embrace it." Emily said. "Plus it gives you this air of invincibility that messes with other heads whenever they have to face you and they don't know you like I do. The other favorites won't feel that as they're used to it but regular coordinators do."

"Yes well it can't be helped anyway." Misty grumbled. "But whatever, shame you can't join us but I understand why not. I look forward to seeing you in the Grand Festival, I know you will make it."

"As do I you." Emily said as Ash rejoined them having finished his discussion with Pikachu. "That will be my best chance to beat you."

"Sorry to interrupt but Misty, it's almost time for your appeal." Ash said as he reached them before nodding at Emily. "Hello Emily, nice to see you again."

"Ash, I look forward to hopefully facing you and redeeming myself." Emily said with a nod back at him. "Good luck Misty."

"Thanks." Misty said before giving Ash a quick, chaste, kiss. "Love you."

"Love you too." Ash said with a smile on his face. "Now go out there and wow them."

"Oh they have no idea what is coming." Misty said as she left leaving Ash and Emily with Piplup to watch here appeal, her starter was about to be amazed by her appeal.

As she walked to her waiting spot she began to get in the zone. She knew what she wanted to do with her appeal and her and Buneary had worked on it so they were ready for it. It was time to show off once again as she pushed for her 4th Kanto Ribbon.


"It is time for our next coordinator and she's one that you will all know well so you're in for a real treat." Lilian said into her mic as the coordinator before Misty finished getting his feedback and left the stage. "She's the one of the four clear favorites for the Ribbon Cup this year, a coordinator with few equals who do not already own the title of Top Coordinator and the only one with one loss this year. You know her as the recent winner of the Wallace Cup for an unheard of third straight year and the Prodigy of Sinnoh. All the way from Twinleaf Town, it's Misty!"

Misty smiled as she walked out to the thunderous cheers of the crowd at her introduction, they were louder than she had expected but she embraced it. She had come to terms with her status this year and was going to enjoy it as best she could. She had a reputation to live up to and she was about to do just that.

"Buneary, spotlight!" Misty yelled throwing her ball high into the air and feeling a little disappointed at the lack of a seal but that wasn't a Kanto thing.

The Rabbit Pokémon burst out with a cry of her name before she somersaulted in the air and landed in front of Misty bouncing lightly on her feet. She hadn't had a chance to show off in a long time, this was actually her first Contest of the year, so when Misty had told her that she would be the appeal Pokémon in this Contest she was ecstatic. It was time to remind all, both her new friends among Misty's Pokémon and the Contest world as a whole, just how good she was and why she was one of Misty's most appealing Pokémon.

"Start this off with Ice Beam!" Misty said pointing out to the stage. "Form a large block of ice in the center of the stage."

"Bun, Buneary." Buneary said as she opened her mouth and blasted out the ice type attack.

It took a lot of energy and power, both showing her strength and skill well, to form the larger, flawless, block of ice. It was 10 feet tall at least and as perfect as she could make it that was ready for carving.

After her appeal in the Johto Grand Festival, the last time she was use, Buneary had gotten good at creating large blocks of ice and sculpting them with her other moves. It showed off both her range of attacks that she could use as a normal type and her precision to create masterpieces of ice. The last time it had been her beloved Pikachu, this time it was a tribute to one for her other friends who deserved it even if she preferred carving Pikachu.

"Alright Buneary you know what to do." Misty said as the block of ice began cooling the stadium, slightly negating the sun coming through the open roof. "Carve it with Thunderbolt, Dizzy Punch and Bounce. Create the winner of the Wallace Cup!"

"Buneary." Buneary said happily as she began her work by sending out the Thunderbolt from her mouth.

It took a few minutes, just the right amount of time she had in the appeal, to make it but Buneary had the practice in doing it. They had practiced this for the past week and she knew exactly how to make her sculpture.

She started with Thunderbolt to carve the shape of the sculpture, sending chips of ice everywhere, while making sure the outline was just right and everything was in place. Then she shifted to her ears for the Dizzy Punch as she quickly leapt all over the ice beating it into the final shape she needed and adding the finer details. She finished it off with Bounce, using her feet to, well, bounce all over the sculpture as she perfected it into the masterpiece that it would be.

With a final bounce, Buneary leap up, adding in a few flips for show, and landed on the statute's head with her arms wide to complete her art. With it done she stood tall and proud atop it as the crowd gasped at the sight.

Standing before them was a detailed, near perfect, recreation of Misty's Piplup standing tall and proud in the center of the stage for all to see. His head was high, his eyes closed, and a flipper pounding his chest in victory as he basked in the adoration of the now cheering crowd once again. It was the exact pose that he'd used after his win over Glaceon in the Wallace Cup, well as whenever he felt pride which was often for Piplup.

Misty had wanted to honor her starter this way for everything he'd done for her and put up with over the year so as soon as she had decided to go with Buneary as her appeal Pokémon she knew that this was going to be her appeal. Of course this would only fuel Piplup's colossal ego but it was worth it, he deserved this moment of honor.

With the appeal done, Misty and Buneary curtsied in unison before Buneary jumped off Piplup's head and into Misty's waiting arms with a cry of joy. Misty cuddled her second Pokémon close before turning to the judges and Lilian to await their words.

"My what an appeal but then again it is just what we have come to expect from the Prodigy of Sinnoh." Lilian said marveling at the giant ice Piplup before them. "And that ice is just what we need on a hot day like today. Do our judges agree?"

"Amazing, Misty really showed off multiple ranges that a Buneary has in that appeal." Mr., Contesta said with a nod of his head. "Both the versatility of a normal type with 4 different types represented in those moves, as well as Buneary showing how it uses all parts of its body when using moves, including its notable ears, to create this work with just its moves. An appeal to remember for sure."

"Yes, remarkable." Sukizo said with a wide smile on his face.

"Buneary is just adorable." The Chrysanthemum Town Nurse Joy said looking at Buneary who smiled back, she knew she was cute and loved being reminded of it. "She really showed her cuteness in that appeal and captured the cuteness of a Piplup as well. While I've never seen Misty before, I know that she has a Piplup so this sculpture makes sense."

"Well there you have it, our best appeal so far but it is early so expect to see many more great appeals today." Lilian said as Misty bowed to the judges before leaving still holding Buneary as she left. "Can we get some help to melt this after you get your pictures, we do have a Contest to continue."

Misty just smiled as she left the stage to return to the waiting room. Ash was up soon and then it was Emily's turn right after him, Misty couldn't wait to see their appeals. She knew she'd advance with that one and hopefully the others would as well but she had faith that they would. The Chrysanthemum Contest had gotten off to a great start, it was time to watch it continue.


Ash waited patiently in the wings for his appeal to start. The coordinator before him had managed to cause some minor damage to the stage so Ash was waiting for it to be fixed. The Contest Committee was quick with this kinda thing which was good because Ash wasn't sure that his appeal would avoid it. In fact Ash knew that he was about to cause even more damage than the girl before him.

He'd congratulated Misty on her great appeal after she had returned. It had been really impressive but he had known it would be. Naturally Piplup had loved it and was making sure anyone looking knew that it was him being recreated much to Ash's amusement. Emily too had been amazed but seeing as she idolized Misty, Ash wasn't surprised that she loved it.

"Alright everything is fixed and it is time for our next coordinator." Lilian said bringing Ash back to the task at hand as he got into the zone for it. "Well coordinator isn't the right word because he doesn't consider himself one despite a win in the HopHopHop Town Contest and a semifinal appearance in the Wallace Cup in which he had to beat a Top Coordinator to reach. He's unpredictable and unorthodox, from Pallet Town here in Kanto, give it up for the Upset of Kanto, Ash!"

Ash walked out to the cheering crowd. He didn't like the nickname as he wasn't a coordinator, he was just here for the fun, the thrill of competition and practice with his Pokémon. Still, it was nice to have a cheering crowd and helped him get into the right mindset he needed for the Indigo Conference where the crowds would be bigger and louder. Getting into position Ash pulled out his Poke Ball and heard the surprised gasp from Lilian at the camo pattern on it.

"Tauros, I choose you." Ash said throwing the Safari Ball into the air.

The ball burst open and one of his 30 Wild Bull Pokémon burst forth and landed with a snort in front of him. With a heard of 30, Ash wasn't entirely sure which one this one was but according to Professor Oak, this Tauros was the leader of the herd and the one he'd used both out in the Orange Islands and against Anabel when he faced her during his Battle Frontier Challenge. Ash trusted his mentor on this and it was good to know that he'd always used the same one.

Now Ash was going to really test himself by trying to use a Tauros in an appeal, a setting one wasn't often seen in. It would really help them bond for when he recalled Tauros for the Indigo Conference, when he felt that he needed Tauros.

"That's an interesting choice." Lilian said surprised at Ash's Pokémon. "Then again, Ash has already shown that he bucks the trend in the past so why stop now am I right?"

"Alright Tauros let's start this out with a Double Team." Ash ordered. "Form a circle around the middle of the stage."

Tauros reared and galloped a few paces forward before activating his Double Team. A second later several phantom Tauros shot out of the original and formed a ring around the center of the stage, all snorting and stamping in a slight time delay as they waited for Ash's next command.

"Now Horn Attack." Ash called out. "The follow it up with a Take Down."

Tauros again snorted before he lunged forward with his head, the copies mimicking him in a wave, as he showed off he sharp powerful horns to the crowd, clearly visible with all the copies. That had been the point of the Double Team, to highlight Horn Attack for all to see.

Then Tauros bellowed and whipped himself with his tails, the copies mimicking it again a split second later, before he charged forward at full speed, his head lowered. All of the copies did the same charging for the center from multiple angles at slightly different times causing the crowd to gasp in surprise at it until they all met in the center and vanished. The one exception was the actual Tauros who continued the attack until he reached the other end of the stage before stopping and turning to face Ash.

"Great now finish this." Ash called out. "Fissure."

Tauros reared again before slamming his front hooves down onto the stage as hard as he could. Instantly a large crack appeared in the center of the stage that proceeded until it reach the area right in front of Ash in a jagged line that then dropped a portion of the stage a little lower with a crunch and a cloud of dirt. Ash smiled a little sheepishly at that, it was a destructive as he thought it would be but it was the last move that Tauros knew so he had to show it off.

With the appeal over Ash bowed to the judges as Tauros galloped around the fissure to come and nuzzle with Ash, proud that he'd done his role in this odd thing his trainer had asked him to do. Ash affectionately rubbed his Pokémon's head as he waited for Lilian to begin the post appeal review.

"Well that was something else." Lilian said recovering as a crew instantly began fixing the stage. "I don't think we've ever seen a Tauros used like that, I can't even remember the last time I saw one not used in an appeal, but then again this is Ash, this is to be expected. What do our judges think of it though?"

"Certainly different but that is what helps standout if done right, like this appeal was." Mr. Contesta said approvingly. "Ash really showed off Tauros's power and range with that appeal and the mimicking of a standard herd of them worked really well and to finish it with a move usually used as a one hit KO in battle was unique."

"Yes, remarkable." Sukizo said helpfully.

"Tauros showed its raw strength in that appeal." Nurse Joy said with a small nod of her head. "It is clearly a well raised and loved Pokémon."

Ash smiled and bowed at the judges one more time before returning Tauros and walking out of the stage. It would be a moment before it was fixed so he had time to get back to Misty and watch Emily's appeal with her, the latter waiting nervously in the wings as he passed the rookie coordinator.

"Good luck, Misty will be rooting for you, as will I." Ash said with a smile as he passed the girl. "We have faith in you."

"Thanks Ash." Emily said confidently and he nodded as he passed her, she would certainly put on a good show that he was excited to watch.

Ash quickened his pace to get back to Misty, he wanted to be with her to watch her protégé's appeal. He just hoped that he had done enough to advance. He really wanted to try his battle combos out and going with Tauros in the appeals had been a risk but he felt that it had paid off, especially seeing how good Fissure had looked as he was planning on using that move in the Indigo Conference. All this was still on his mind when he reached the waiting room and Misty helped alleviate his worries.

"That was good Ash." Misty said supportively as Ash reached her, putting an arm around her without even thinking and pulling her close. "Just as I expected from you."

"It was?" Ash asked as he looked at Misty. "It felt alright but I am not the best judge of these things as you know."

"You showed off Tauros, an uncommon appeal Pokémon, well and in a way that wasn't expected which will stand out." Misty said. "We will have to watch the rest closely but I think you are in at the moment."

"Good then let's watch because Emily is up." Ash said looking up at the TV, Misty following his gaze to see the stage fully repaired and Lilian on the mic.

"Well we are all patched up, hopefully our next coordinator won't be as destructive but she's not known for that." Lilian said into her mic. "It's time for one of the best rookies on the circuit this year who seems to get better and better with each Contest she enters. With 3 ribbons to her name so far, including a recent win in the Wisteria Town Contest, and well on the way to the Grand Festival and a potential Rookie of the Year award, from Mt. Moon on the mainland, give it up for Emily."

Misty and Ash watched as Emily walked out to the cheering crowd with a slight wave to them. She had a set, determined look on her face and Misty had to give it to the girl, she really did look confident as she took her position and removed a Poke Ball from her waist. It was time to see one of Emily's new Pokémon.

"Azumarill, fairy lights!" Emily said as she threw the Poke Ball high into the air.

"So she caught an Azumarill or a Marill that has since evolved." Misty said thoughtfully as the blue and white, water type Pokémon burst out of the ball. "She has begun to branch out, that is an interesting choice but a good one for an appeal. It's cuteness factor is pretty high though Marill's is higher."

"It is and I'm glad Dragonair is in his ball and not being used today." Ash said. "He's not exactly fond of that Pokémon remember."

"Oh yeah he had to deal with one bullying him when we found him." Misty remembered. "And it's one of those odd Pokémon that shrugs off dragon type attacks now. I almost forgot about that."

"Well this one at least looks decent." Ash said as he studied Emily's Azumarill. "Let's see what she does with it."

"Azumarill, Aqua Ring." Emily said and Misty focused fully on her friend's appeal.

Instantly Azumarill covered itself in a veil of water that sparkled and shone. Its fur seemed to gleam and dazzle in the lights and the water and Misty realized why it looked so good. Emily had been taking Misty's poffin lessons to heart and made Azumarill something that had to be tailored to its type as it helped bring out its coat. Something that was magnified by the Aqua Ring. It looked great and would get Emily plenty of points in the appeal.

"Bubble Beam." Emily ordered. "Spread it out but make it slow."

They watched as Azumarill opened its mouth and sent out the Bubble Beam attack. Bubbles filled the stage but didn't seem stream across the stage as expected. The attack was slower than Misty remembered it being as Azumarill showed control to keep the bubbles on the stage and visible to all. It was a good display of an offensive move being restrained for an appeal.

"Now destroy them with Bounce." Emily said with a clear grin on her face. "Don't touch the ground as you do it."

Azumarill shook its tail before it leapt into the air and onto the bubbles it had created. It proceeded to literally bounce over the surface of the bubbles destroying several with each move sending sparkles of water in the air that only added to the look created by its earlier Aqua Ring and showed off a smiling and happy Azumarill as it bounced all over the stage working from the outside in destroying the bubbles.

Then it reached the last batch and bounced higher than before, flipping to clear as the last of the bubbles dissipated. Misty could tell that this was done so that Azumarill could be clear of any bubbles before it landed in the center of the stage.

Misty had to give it to Emily, it was a great appeal that showed off Azumarill's fur and cuteness to near perfection while also not going overboard. She'd clearly come a long way since Misty had fist seen Emily appeal back in Saffron City and the younger girl wasn't done yet.

"Finish this with Charm." Emily said sounding happy at the appeal. "Show the judges how adorable you are."

Azumarill turned to the judges and directed the Charm attack right at them. The move highlighted the Pokémon's cuteness as it gazed adorably at the judges to finish its appeal. With that both Azumarill and Emily bowed to the judges before it bounded back to her clearly pleased with itself.

"What a display, Emily keeps getting showing how much she's improving as the appeals go on." Lilian said with praise in her voice. "Do our judges agree?"

"A wonderful appeal showing off the cuteness of Azumarill while also showing us how much control it has over its moves." Mr. Contesta said with a small nod of approval. "A good mix for an appeal with a Pokémon like Azumarill."

"Yes, remarkable." Sukizo said, helpful as always.

"Azumarill is just a darling." Nurse Joy gushed. "And that Charm really melts the heart. A well cared for Pokémon for sure, you can tell by the way its fur gleamed in that appeal."

Emily nodded at the judges, returned Azumarill and left. Misty had to admit, it was a good appeal, better than Ash's but Azumarill was a better choice than Tauros. She was certain that Emily would advance from that which made Misty happy. If Emily's appeals had improved that much then she couldn't wait to see what the other girl's battles would look like.

Time would tell as there were still plenty of appeals to go but Misty intended to break it down with Emily when she returned to let her know that the appeal was a good one. There was still a lot more to watch but Misty was excited. The Chrysanthemum Contest was going well and she knew it would keep getting better as the day went on.


"And the following 8 coordinators have advanced to the battle round." Lilian said as the 8 pictures appeared on the screen at the same time. "Congratulations to them and all our amazing coordinators today."

Misty felt Ash hold her a little tighter as the pictures appeared while Emily bounced with nervous energy on Misty's other side. Emily had returned a during the next appeal and was pleased with herself; Misty could tell. That got better after Misty praised her for her appeal because she deserved it but naturally the rookie was nervous about advancing. She needn't have worried, none of did.

Misty easily saw hers and Emily's pictures next to each other on the top row with Ash's being the last on the bottom row though as the pictures were random that didn't mean a thing. They had all advanced which was good. Already the room was clearing of the coordinators who hadn't made the cut with some upset, some angry, and some just happy to have competed in the Contest. Soon only the 8 remaining coordinators were left.

"Alright and now it's time for the random bracket." Lilian said as the imaged flipped over, shuffled and fell to the bottom of the screen, a bracket forming above them. "This is who is facing who in the battle round so will the first two make their ways to the wings as we will begin the battles in 10."

The bracket flipped over and Misty heard Emily gasp from next to here and for good reason. The very first pair up was Emily and Ash in a rematch of their semifinal in HopHopHop Town. Misty kept watching and saw her own picture appeared in the last pair at the other end of the bracket, accompanied by a curse from another coordinator who had been drawn against her. She would have a little time both watch and then talk to the winner of the first match.

"Well we should get going." Emily said to Ash and Misty. "I'll give you two a moment though."

"Thanks." Misty said as Emily left them to take her position in one of the two wings. "Well you made it and now are facing Emily again."

"I did and I am." Ash said with a grin. "This will be fun; she already seems better based off that appeal so let's see if her battles are better as well. I'm just glad to have at least one battle with these two today, they need it."

"Well I can't wait to watch and of course support you babe." Misty said before giving Ash a chaste kiss for luck. "Now go out there and have fun. Love you."

"Love you too." Ash said with a goofy grin before he too left and Misty turned back to the screen, this was going to be a good battle and she wasn't going to miss a second of it.

Ash quickly walked to the starting point to going over his plan for how to deal with Emily. Already she had shown improvement in her appeal and at least one new Pokémon so he had to be ready for at least one new Pokémon from her. He also had to be prepared for her style to have changed so he had to be ready for anything.

As for himself, Ash was using an odd combo for the battle but he also had to expect that Emily would know enough, through watching Misty, to realize that he was unpredictable when it came to his choices. This was just the challenge he wanted to have and he was hoping Emily would be better than last time. Ash always liked watching people improve over time, especially when they battled again, now it was Emily's turn to do so.

Moments later he was in position and waiting for Lilian's usual over hyping of competitors in the wings. He had the two Pokémon ready; they'd been practicing since the start of the cruise and they were in sync with both each other and himself so Ash trusted them in the battle. He was just glad that the stage was large enough and the roof was open, he would need a lot of three-dimensional space for this battle.

"Alright folks it is finally time for the battle round to begin as we work our way to crowning a winner today." Lilian said as the crowd began to cheer. "As a reminder, each battle is a 5-minute round and a coordinator wins by either having more points remaining when the time runs out or knocks out the other coordinator's Pokémon within that time limit for a Battle Off. The one difference from normal Contests is that coordinators will be using 2 Pokémon and not one just as they would in the Grand Festival."

The crowd cheered as Ash went over his opening attack strategy one more time. No battle survived first contact but he had multiple plans to work with just in case his opening salvo went wrong, he just wasn't sure which Pokémon he'd be facing. Once he knew he that he could plan accordingly.

"Alright then let's get this started and what a match we have." Lilian said as Ash and Emily walked out of their sides to the cheers of the crowd as Lilian gestured to Emily's side first. "This is a rematch of the semifinals in the now infamous HopHopHop Town Contest a while back. On this side, seeking revenge for that match, one of the rising rookie stars in Kanto this year, from Mt. Moon, it's Emily."

The crowd cheered as Ash met Emily's gaze and saw determination in her brown eyes as a battle focus fell over the girl. She was here to win and make up for her loss last time. It was just the look Ash wanted to see, it meant that this was going to be a good match until the very end.

"And on the other side we have the surprise winner of that HopHopHop Town Contest." Lilian said sweeping her arm to Ash. "He's only lost one battle he's been in this season and every single battle he's had has ended in a Battle Off showing that he's not a typical coordinator, or not one at all as he likes to remind me. From Pallet Town here in Kanto, it's the Upset of Kanto himself, Ash!"

Ash just nodded as he pulled out his two Poke Balls, Emily mirroring his actions. As this was the first battle there was no need for talk because it was time to start the battle round. Ash was ready, his opponent was ready, the rematch was on and they had 5 minutes to win it.

"Begin!" Lilian yelled.

"Snorlax, 'Unfezant, I choose you!" Ash said throwing one ball high and the other long is a coordinated move that had taken hours to perfect as there were gasps of surprise from the crowd, it wasn't a combo that was expected.

"Clefable, Mawile, fairy lights." Emily said sending her own balls out in a more graceful move.

Ash's balls burst open first. Unfezant let out a battle caw as she soared high into the air to ensure that she had air superiority for the battle. Her biggest assets in this was her speed and maneuverability so she needed to be high to employ them. Meanwhile Snorlax bellowed as he landed in front of Ash with enough force to shake the stage, standing tall, awake and ready to battle again. Unfezant came down to hover next to Snorlax in preparation for battle.

Emily's balls burst open a split second later to reveal her Pokémon. The first Ash was certain had once been Emily's Clefairy but she had found a Moon Stone since then and evolved it. Standing next to it was Emily's other new Pokémon, the steel type Deceiver Pokémon Mawile, Ash had met one of its kind before but he'd never seen it battle.

Ash took a moment to look at the light brown, bipedal Pokémon with a massive head mouth thing in the shape of an oversized black leaf attached to Mawile's head. Mawile would be a problem for sure, Ash hadn't faced one before but he knew it to be a tricky Pokémon because of its large mouth. It was thanks to that maw that made it one of the more versatile steel types out there.

"So you have some new or evolved Pokémon." Ash commented as he adapted his opening attack plan to the new information he had. "Interesting."

"And you have an odd combo that few expected, a real challenge." Emily said with respect in her voice. "This will be fun but I was expecting that the moment I was drawn against you."

"Then you're in for a lot of it." Ash said with a grin as he launched his opening attack. "Unfezant, Clefable is female so you don't have to worry about triggering its ability, hit it with Aerial Ace, Snorlax, Body Slam on Mawile."

"Switch." Emily yelled clearly trying compensate for Ash using a female Pokémon on Clefairy. "Mawile, take the Aerial Ace, you can't avoid it, but activate Iron Head to try and mitigate it somehow. Clefable, Sing."

"Keep on course." Ash said as the Emily's Pokémon switched places to take the other's attack. "Don't deviate just because they've changed."

"Clefable abort." Emily said her eyes wide as Ash didn't stop his attack, something he presumed she'd have thought he would do, just as Clefable began to sing. "Snorlax will reach you before you can get the attack off and its weight will add to that attack."

Clefable dove out of the way just in time. A second later Snorlax landed right where she had been with enough force to shake the stage and wobble Emily and her Pokémon. That force did have one side effect that wasn't foreseen but Ash liked it anyway. It shook Mawile enough to throw off its attention just as Unfezant reached it and slammed into it with a full speed Aerial Ace that sent it flying with a wail as Unfezant soared up and away with a caw of triumph.

"Clefable, Meteor Mash." Emily ordered as Snorlax began to get up, a crack on the stage from where he'd landed. "Mawile, ignore Unfezant and hit Snorlax with an Iron Head."

"Intercept Mawile with a Quick Attack Unfezant." Ash ordered knowing that with Snorlax's bulk it wouldn't be able to avoid the but Ash could counter it with Unfezant's speed and cause Mawile some damage in the process. "Snorlax, absorb that blow and hit back with Ice Punch."

It all happened really quickly. Mawile's maw became as hard as steel as it was flipped around and brought to bear while Clefable's hand glowed with steel type power as she charged at Snorlax. Both Pokémon closed in on Snorlax as the Sleeping Pokémon slowly got up from his miss. Unfezant dove in as fast as she could to help out her teammate as she activated her Quick Attack and increased her speed. The results were rather spectacular.

Unfezant's speed was greater than Mawile's and she dove in and slammed into Mawile's maw taking the hit for her friend but dealing a good bit damage at the same time. However, the potential secondary effect of Iron Head triggered and Unfezant cawed as she inadvertently, and visibly flinched. It was something that Emily noticed and prepared to exploit.

"Your foe can't defend for a second so now is your chance Mawile." Emily yelled. "Thunder Fang on Unfezant!"

"Mawile!" Mawile yelled as it leapt, turned and opened its maw, the razor-sharp teeth there sparking with electricity.

Unfezant was still feeling the effects of the flinch and shaking her head when Mawile's jaws clamped down on her body as hard as they could. She bellowed in pain as the electricity coursed through her body with the success of the super effective move. Mawile shook her for a moment before throwing her down to the ground where she rolled away before slowly getting up and glaring at the weird thing before her. It was going to go down for that and she knew her trainer would unleash her on it for that indignation.

Meanwhile Clefable had managed to land her Meteor Mash to Snorlax's stomach. Snorlax roared in pain but thanks to his weight and fat he was barely moved. Instead Snorlax rocked back with the move, encased his fist in ice and punched Clefable as hard as he could in the face as he fell forward. The normal type was blasted back with a wail before she rolled away and slowly began to get to her feet. Ash wasn't going to let Clefable recover.

"Headbutt." Ash ordered. "Strike Clefable before she can react."

Snorlax bellowed before he launched himself at a slightly groggy Clefable. She didn't have much of a chance before Snorlax rammed into her headfirst and sent her flying back again. She landed hard but amazed Ash when she slowly got to her feet again, she was a lot sturdier then she looked.

However that wasn't the annoying thing. No that was reserved for Snorlax's eyes turning to hearts causing Ash to groan as Clefable's Cute Charm activated and infatuated Snorlax. At least he knew that Snorlax was definitely male but still. it wasn't good sign.

"Alright that's what I'm talking about." Emily said with a grin at Clefable's ability activating. "Good job Clefable now hit Snorlax with Sing. Mawile, keep Unfezant busy with Play Rough so that Clefable can put Snorlax to sleep."

"Play Rough?" Ash asked confuse as Clefable began to sing as loud as she could. "What move it that?"

"A normal type one that Mawile recently learned, at least according to my pokedex." Emily said as Mawile launched itself at Unfezant. "It comes in handy at times."

"Unfezant dodge that and counter with Wing Attack." Ash called out. "Snorlax, you can still use moves if you try hard enough so use Protect to defend against Sing."

Alas Ash was 50/50 for success with his orders. Unfezant was able to get herself high into the air and avoid Mawile's attack, which looked a little like it was trying to rough house with Unfezant which explained the attacks name, before she arced away and came down behind and sent Mawile flying forward to land in a heap near Ash as her glowing wings struck the steel type in the back.

Alas Snorlax did nothing thanks to being infatuated. The notes hit him full in the face and a second later Snorlax fell back with a crash and began to snore loudly having been put to sleep, which in fairness was the Pokémon's natural state. Ash really had to teach Snorlax Sleep Talk, that would be really helpful.

"Yes at last I landed that." Emily said with a cheer. "We have the battle now. Mawile, distract Unfezant with Icy Wind, Clefable, it's time. Wake-up Slap."

"Unfezant, Aerial Ace on Clefable." Ash ordered ignoring Mawile to protect Snorlax and hopefully knock Clefable out in the process. "Don't let it hit Snorlax."

Unfezant cawed as she turned and sped at the pink Pokémon that had just leapt up onto Snorlax's belly and was making its way down to slap the Pokémon across the face, its right-hand glowing with fighting type power. It wasn't going to hurt Snorlax if Unfezant could help it though, she wasn't the fastest, in her own opinion, of Ash's birds for no reason. She was so focused on Clefable that she didn't notice Mawile getting up behind her, opening its maw and sending out a blast of cold wind that followed behind the speeding flying type.

Clefable had just raised her glowing had to slap Snorlax, a grin of triumph on her face when Unfezant slammed onto her side, hard, sending her sailing away to bounce off the ground and roll to the side of the nearby podiums where the judges were. Unfezant cawed in triumph as she flapped her wings over her partner protecting him until he woke up to help her beat these two annoying Pokémon. At least that had been the plan until she turned and took the trailing Icy Wind right to the face.

The second direct hit from a super effective attack was just too much for Unfezant to handle. The wind blasted her back with a cry before she slammed into the grown and rolled away and crashed into the judges' podiums, her eyes swirls as she law at their base. She was out of the fight.

Somehow, despite taking 3 direct attacks, none of which had been super effective, Clefable was still holding out. She was clearly battered and injured but she got up and limped over to Snorlax. She was not going to fail her trainer it seemed.

"That's it Clefable, Wake-up Slap and this time you can't be stopped." Emily said and Ash knew it was true, the only way to avoid the attack now was if Snorlax woke up and that didn't look likely.

That proved to be true as Clefable reached Snorlax and raised her glowing hand. She didn't have the energy to jump up so she just slapped him on the top of his head as hard as she could. The attack was already powered up because of Snorlax being asleep but it was also a fighting type move making it super effective against a normal type like Snorlax. It wasn't strong enough to move Snorlax much, he slid a few inches at most, but it did a lot of damage and Snorlax roared as he woke up in pain.

However he was up and that was what Ash needed. So long as Snorlax didn't fall asleep, or get infatuated again, Ash could still fight for a Battle Off and win this. Clefable had at least one hit left to take, as did Mawile, if Ash had to guess while Snorlax could probably take two more unless they were power or fighting type moves. He still had this. At least he thought he did until the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the round.

"And that is time." Lilian said excitedly surprising Ash and Snorlax that it was suddenly over. "Let's see who won that great battle, the first time Ash has ended a battle without it being a Battle Off this year."

Ash looked up at the scoreboard to see what he was expecting to see. Losing Unfezant had been the deathblow for him as his points were now barely a sliver left, all those hits and having a Pokémon feint adding up to decimate his points. By contrast Emily had just less than a quarter left, not much but enough to show a clear win as the crowd cheered.

"Well done." Ash called out with a grin at the surprised Emily who was just staring wide eyed at her victory on the screen. "Misty will be proud of you for that battle."

"Th, thanks." Emily said as she recovered and looked at Ash as her Pokémon joined her in celebration. "That was intense, I've never fought like that before."

"It was a good battle." Ash said as he returned his Pokémon and looked at their balls. "You two did well out there today, she's really improved so you don't have anything to be ashamed off in losing. You showed off your skills well, we just didn't have it in the end but we know what to work on for the Indigo Conference."

"What was the deciding factor?" Emily called out to him and Ash looked up to see her returning her balls to her waist having congratulated her Pokémon at the same time Ash did. "What did I do that gave me the win that is. Misty has always praised your skills in battle and how you analyze them so what happened that helped me."

Ash thought on the question and the battle for a moment. What had been the moment where the tables had turned and Emily had the edge on him in that match. It was a close battle for the most part but Ash knew pretty quickly what the moment was that had allowed Emily to pull away.

"When Clefable's Cute Charm activated." Ash said simply. "Abilities like that are random when they activate and that one in particular only works on the opposite gender, that was why I was trying to use Unfezant from the start against Clefable because I know she's also female. Switching them was a good decision but the moment that changed the balance was when Snorlax was infatuated and you could land that Sing attack."

"Did you know that Snorlax was male?" Emily asked.

"No but it was safer to not risk it unless absolutely necessary but your decision to avoid Unphezant and Clefable forced me to deal with it." Ash explained. "It also forced me to use Unfezant to prevent the Wake-Up Slap and opened her up for Mawile's Icy Wind. You're Mawile is well trained and has a great range of moves, that helped a lot as well. Had it not been timed it may have been different however."

"Ah I see, thank you." Emily said with a nod gratitude. "It was an honor to face you again."

"As I you." Ash said bowing slightly to Emily. "Your Clefable is really sturdy, you've raised her really well. Misty's right, you have a lot of potential as a coordinator. I look forward to seeing your next match against her, good luck and make it to the final so you can face her. I will go and watch from the stands, head back and talk to Misty, she no doubt wants to talk to you after that win."

Ash then turned and left to hurry and find a seat in the area reserved for coordinators who had been knocked out but wishing to stay and watch, Pikachu hopping up onto his shoulder as he left as the little guy had insisted on watching him from the sidelines. He wanted to go and talk to Misty but she needed to focus on winning the Contest and after his loss, she'd want to talk to Emily who had to be her protégé by now after that battle. Ash hoped both his girlfriend and her friend made it to the final, it was going to be a good one of it happened.


Misty had to admit, she was impressed with Emily's battle with Ash. Ash wasn't using a normal or predictable Pokémon combination, as she would expect from Ash, but Emily had adapted well to it and flown with the battle rather than let Ash dictate the terms. It was impressive for sure and Emily's new Mawile, a Pokémon she had to scan as she'd never seen one before, had a lot of talent. Misty was looking forward to discussing it with her friend when she returned to the waiting room.

Ash, being Ash, was gracious in defeat and had even helped out Emily when she asked for a post-match analysis on what she'd done right. It was so Ash to do that. Course it also meant that Ash probably wouldn't lose to Emily again but that was beside the point. He'd lost today and that was what had mattered and he was now going to support Misty from the stands. Good, she wanted to chat with Emily alone.

"Well done." Misty said as Emily returned and rejoined her just before the second quarterfinal began, the younger girl still a little surprised from her win. "You beat Ash, no small feat even in a Contest battle where the goals are different to just knocking out the other Pokémon."

"Yeah I was surprised I won for sure." Emily said smiling as it all set in. "But I remembered what you said to me after I lost in HopHopHop Town, I shouldn't fight on Ash's terms but my own. That's why I switched their positions at the start to force him to change targets as he knew that Clefable's ability wouldn't work on that Unfezant. It worked."

"That it did." Misty agreed. "Ash remembered both Clefable's gender and her ability so he used Unfezant to counter it as he knows her gender though Unfezant is species with a gender difference according to Ash so anyone can tell from a glance. However, you forced him to address Clefable with Snorlax and then kept Unfezant busy with Mawile until near the end and forced Ash to give you an opening. Impressive. Your style seems to have changed a bit since we last met. It's more combative than I remember."

"Yeah I realized that as evasive and graceful as I can be, just as a Contest battle should, it isn't everything in a battle." Emily said. "So I began incorporating more aggressive styles I have been picking up over the last few months into my battling to compensate for my own lack of experience in that. I also decided that because I usually favor normal types I would utilize the wide range of moves that they can learn to complement my style."

"That is a good idea when using a normal type though I don't think Mawile is a normal type." Misty said. "I'll admit I haven't seen one before but that doesn't look like a normal type to me."

"It's not, it's a steel type." Emily said surprising Misty, she would have thought it was a dark type Pokémon at first glance. "I've been having problems facing steel and poison types for a while now for some reason, those type attacks cause more damage than they should to my Pokémon. I first noticed it with poison because of Ash's Gengar but others have shown me that it's also steel type moves that are a bane for me."

"That is odd." Misty said her brows furrowing. "Keep an eye on it, something odd has been happening with several Pokémon over the last few months and I'm not sure but any data will be welcomed by the Pokémon Professors."

"I'll keep an eye on it and update you at the Grand Festival." Emily said with a nod. "But it has forced me to adapt and catch different Pokémon to what I usually prefer. So when a I came across a curious Mawile who liked my Poffins, that you helped teach me to make, I learned that it was a steel type and asked it to join me, which it did. It's immune to poison type moves and its steel type allows me to get used to dealing with that type as well."

"I see that is pretty clever." Misty said impressed at Emily's thinking. "And lucky to find the Mawile, I don't think they're native to Kanto."

"It was and they're not, they're native to Hoenn." Emily said. "It was shortly after my 9th Contest when I caught it so this is its debut for me as I used Clefable and Azumarill last time."

"Well it looks good." Misty praised. "Plenty of power and range and I think there's more to grow with it. I look forward to facing it if you make it to the finals. Speaking of the other two you mentioned, what happened with them? I take it Clefable is Clefairy's evolved form but how and when did you evolve it? What about Azumarill? Did you catch it as is or get a Marill and evolve it?"

"Lot of questions Misty." Emily said with a small chuckle at Misty's intrigue. "But fair and I like being able to tell my story to you of all people. Clefairy evolved when I went home after HopHopHop Town, dad called me on the way to tell me he found a Moon Stone while working and asked if I wanted to offer it to Clefairy. I did and she took it almost at once and evolved. As for Azumarill, I found it as is. It was clearly a Pokémon that loved to look good so I spent a few days getting to know it and showing it I knew what I was doing with Clefable and Granbull before it agreed to join me, after I beat it in battle first."

"Sounds like you are doing well with your Pokémon." Misty said as the Xs of a Battle Off sounded indicating that the second quarterfinal match was over. "I will enjoy our battle later, I expect to see you in the finals, but we will have to discuss this after the Contest. I have a few battles to win."

"Good luck, I'll be rooting for you." Emily said. "I want to face you in the final so don't lose Misty."

"Let's get there first." Misty said with a grin as she left fully intending to honor her words.

Misty knew going in that there were few coordinators present who could challenge her in the Chrysanthemum Town Contest but she wasn't going to be overconfident and lose because she overlooked an opponent, not again. She was going to take the quarters seriously and in the end she needed to do so. Her opponent was clearly intimidate by her and had decided to try and overwhelm her with sheer power in an attempt to go for a battle off, shame he'd not realized who Misty would be using.

The guy had gone with a Feraligatr and Honchkrow, two fully evolved and strong Pokémon that could easily win against some of Misty's Pokémon but she had her own fully evolved due in Mamoswine and Espeon ready to go for the battle. It was a tough battle but Misty secured a Battle Off in the 4th minute when she landed an Ice Shard on Honchrow to take it out followed by a Psybeam that confused Feraligator enough for Mamoswine to hit it with a Take Down for the win.

After that Misty returned to sidelines to watch Emily's semifinal from the wings as she waited for hers to start. It was different from her earlier match with Ash. Emily's opponent had a Charmeleon, a Pokémon that could be a problem for Mawile due to its fire typing, and a Fraxure revealing himself to be from Unova, the first trainer from that region that Misty had seen in Kanto who wasn't known to her.

It was a close match to the end but in the last 20 seconds something odd happened that surprised Misty and everyone watching. Emily used Clefable to occupy Charmeleon long enough for Mawile to land a Rough Play on an injured Fraxure. The normal type move, that looked like Mawile was, well, playing rough with Fraxure, should have done something but not more than average against it. Instead, Fraxure roared in pain and fainted as soon as it was done thus giving Emily the win on points and advancing her to the finals.

Fraxure had taken damage earlier so it wasn't entirely unexpected but Misty had a strange feeling that there was something more going on but didn't have the time to question it. Emily was in the final and Misty had to now reach it and reach it. Naturally she did.

Her semifinal opponent was one of the tougher ones she'd faced this year. He already had 2 ribbons to his name and was leading the circuit with Battle Off wins with 11. He wasn't a typical coordinator as eschewed grace for brute force to secure the win. No style, just pure power, and he had gone with a Rhyhorn and Electabuzz for that purpose.

Misty had not liked her opponent's style because it was a mockery of Contests and had made it clear from the start. At least Ash had grace in his battles and wasn't actively looking to be a coordinator but the experience. He didn't know how Contest Battles really worked so she could understand his use of the Battle Off but someone who only won by it and was going for the Grand Festival just rubbed Misty the wrong way. Fortunately, brute strength in a Contest battle, especially one against a coordinator like Misty, was seldom a winning strategy.

Misty quickly changed her strategy and went full evasion even with Mamoswine out there. He may be her tank but he was also her Pokémon and well trained. Mamoswine was lighter on his feet then he looked and stunned the crowd and her opponent as he gracefully dodged Rhyhorn with an elegance few other Mamoswine could match while Espeon ran Electabuzz ragged with a hit and run style against the electric type.

In the end her opponent's Pokémon were exhausted when time ran out and Misty still had more that 75% of her points left while he had less than 25%. She'd made it to the final and would face Emily once more just as she had hoped after Emily had beaten Ash.

Now Misty was waiting in the wings to walk out when Lilian to officially announce the start of the final. Emily was in the wings opposite her, the only person standing between Misty and her 4th ribbon of the year. It was time to see for herself how good Emily had become since their first match all those months ago in Cerulean City as they prepared to face off for the Chrysanthemum Ribbon.

"Alright folks it's time." Lilian said to the cheering crowd as last bit of damage from Misty's semifinal was cleaned up, Mamoswine may be graceful at times but he couldn't really mitigate the damage he could inflict on a battlefield. "It's time for the final of the Chrysanthemum Town Contest so will our finalists please take their places."

Misty walked out to the cheers and met Emily's surprisingly intense gaze as they made their way to their starting places. Both were favorites with the crowd for different reasons. Misty for her skill and demeanor and Emily for her rookie and home region status. It was going to be a good final; Misty could feel it.

"Ready Emily." Misty called out as she took her position, her Poke Balls in her hands. "We meet here again, though I think your better now then you were last time."

"I hope so, I have a loss against you to avenge." Emily taunted back. "I got your boyfriend back earlier, now it's your turn."

"Then bring it and show me how you've grown over the last few months." Misty said with a grin. "Let's officially make this rivalry today."

"You took the words from my mouth." Emily said removing her own Poke Balls at last. "It is an honor to be considered your rival Misty, I hope to prove that today."

"Ladies settle down." Lilian joked as she got their attention. "That's enough for now, save the intensity for the battlefield. Folks what you are hearing is the budding rivalry between these two coordinators, one a seasoned veteran and favorite for the Ribbon Cup this year, the other an up and coming rookie looking to add a major upset to her growing resume."

At that the crowd gave a cheer in anticipation of the battle. Lilian let them cheer to help build up the final before continuing with her intro for the final.

"To add to this, this is a rematch of the Cerulean Contest final." Lilian said. "That was the very first Contest of the season where Emily made a statement by making it all the way to the final and Misty showed us she hadn't lost a step after her loss in the Johto Grand Festival with a dominating win in that Contest. This will be different though am I right?"

The crowd cheered at that and Lilian smiled as the crowd got going. Misty just waited, Lilian, like her sisters, was a master at hyping up a crowd and she just had to go with it. That hype was about to continue with her introductions of the finalists.

"So let's meet the finalists." Lilian said as the crowd began to get even louder and gestured to Misty. "And we start with the heavyweight of the Contest and the circuit itself this year. She's one of the four favorites for the Kanto Ribbon Cup a two-time Grand Festival runner up and most recently a three-time winner of the Wallace Cup. You know her as the Prodigy of Sinnoh, competing in her 14th straight Contest Final and seeking her 4th ribbon of the season, from Twinleaf Town in Sinnoh, it's Misty."

The crowd went wild at Misty's usual over hyped intro. While Misty knew that all but the prodigy part was technically true, it was still a bit much to her but Misty had to live with it so she may as well go with it. She was here to win and she would show it on the battlefield.

"And looking to dethrone her and claim her own 4th ribbon of the Kanto circuit." Lilian said sweeping her arm to Emily's side of the battlefield. "The rookie who has grown more than anyone else on the circuit this year. She's a home region girl hailing from the Mt. Moon area. Give it up for Emily."

The crowd cheered showing their support for the Kanto girl. It was to be expected and Misty smiled at Emily whose already rosy cheeks became even redder as she blushed at the praise from Lilian. Misty knew that it could be hard to deal with right now but in time Emily would get used to it. Emily was a skilled coordinator who would go far, Misty knew it.

"Begin!" Lilian declared and the timer for the final began to count down.

"Mamoswine, Espeon, spotlight!" Misty yelled throwing her Poke Balls high into the air with a flourish.

"Clefable, Mawile, fairy lights!" Emily responded going with a lower and farther throw for her Pokémon, the Chrysanthemum Town final had begun.

"Clefable, show them what we prepared just in case we had to face that Mamoswine again and hit it with Flamethrower." Emily said. "Mawile, focus on Espeon and use Iron Head."

"Impressive." Misty muttered as Clefable belched a stream of fire at Mamoswine while Mawile hardened its maw and charged at Espeon. "Mamoswine dodge by intercepting Mawile with Take Down. Espeon, Quick Attack on Clefable but avoid that Flamethrower. We worked on this so I know that you two can do it."

Misty grinned as her two Pokémon reacted instantly. After evaluating her Pokémon and their moves, Misty realized that both had a charging, close quarters move in their repertoire that Misty could use in certain situations. Add in the speed of Quick Attack and they could pull off a crossover move if necessary.

It took a few goes, and a couple of accidental Take Downs hitting Espeon, but they'd gotten the timing down and now they would need to show it off. it also ensured that Espeon, who was female, faced off against Clefable negating her ability to infatuate opponents. It was the reverse of what Emily had done to Ash earlier. Emily had used a good move then so Misty was going to intimidate it.

Espeon shot off as a green blur making sure that she was in front of the lumbering Mamoswine while also avoiding the gout of flames shooting their way towards where Mamoswine had been. She easily made it and avoided the weird mouth thing she was initially facing, its speed not nearly fast enough to correct to get near her.

Espeon zipped right to where she needed to be and slammed into Clefable just as it stopped sending the flames that had now missed Mamoswine. Clefable was sent flying with a wail and Misty pressed her advantage.

"Psybeam." Misty ordered to Espeon.

"Dodge it and counter with another Flamethrower." Emily said as Espeon sent out the peculiar beam at Clefable. "This time aim for that Espeon."

Clefable leapt to the side, barely avoiding the Psybeam, rolled and as she was getting up sent out a powerful blast of flames from her mouth as she was still on one knee. Espeon didn't have time to dodge and took the attack it to the side, singing her beautiful fur and sending her crashing to the ground as Clefable was able to get up and create some breathing room. That wasn't the only battle going on though.

As that had been happening, a stampeding Mamoswine had slammed into Mawile from the side before it could figure out what had happened to its initial opponent. The force of more than half a ton of hairy ice and ground type Pokémon slamming into it at full speed sent a startled Mawile flying to the side with a cry of pain. Mamoswine's momentum was still bearing down on it as it hit and rolled along the stage and Misty wasn't going to waste that opportunity either.

"Ice Fang." Misty yelled at Mamoswine. "Strike Mawile while its down."

"Dodge it by using your maw and get on its back." Emily yelled at Mawile as Mamoswine's tusks thickened with the ice type attack. "Then attack with Play Rough."

Mawile spun so that it was on its back and then opened its maw to the fullest as Mamoswine neared it, using it as a hinge to launch itself into the air in an impressive move. Mawile flipped and landed on Mamoswine's back as Mamoswine swept where it had just been with his tusks.

It then attacked, playing roughly as best it could while hanging onto the back of the Twin Tusk Pokémon. Mamoswine bellowed in pain as points ticked down keeping the girls roughly tied but Misty already had a plan for how to change that.

"Espeon knock Mawile off with Shadow Ball and then charge at it." Misty said. "Mamoswine, Ice Shard at Clefable, break it up and send it around Espeon to protect her from an attack from behind."

"Mawile get off Mamoswine." Emily yelled at her steel type. "Clefable, destroy those shards with Flamethrower and then start to Sing as soon as you can."

Espeon opened her mouth, aimed and shot off a perfect Shadow Ball right at the Pokémon trying to what looked like ride her friend while attacking him. Then she charged after it knowing that the Shadow Ball would hit.

Mawile had heard its trainer and turned to leap off but it didn't have the time to avoid it before the ball of ghost type power slammed into the side of its face. The force of that attack blasted Mawile from Mamoswine's back and to the ground, hard.

As this was happening, Mamoswine had already formed the ball of ice between his tusks and then broken it up with said tusks. He followed that up by sending the shards of ice right at Clefable as Espeon was running at him. It took control and precision not to hit his friend but he had both of those in spades and the ice flew past Espeon without hitting her, the ice making her green fur look great as it passed, before she was clear of the attack.

Clefable's eyes were wide at the move but she had enough sense to belch out more flames to intercept the incoming shards of ice. It was a valiant effort but she wasn't as well versed with the move yet and after two uses already and taking a hit she couldn't produce as much as she would have liked. As a result she managed to melt the first wave of ice but the second slammed into her and sent her reeling back and rolling away, before she could use Sing.

"Now Espeon, use Mamoswine's tusks to get onto his back and hold on for dear life." Misty yelled. "Time to end this. Mamoswine, as soon as Espeon is in the air use Earthquake!"

"Clefable Sing!" Emily countered. "Mawile, Icy Wind and aim it at Espeon while she's in midair."

It would come down to timing for this one, timing that Misty had drilled into her Pokémon for just such a combo move. This was her finishing move and with a steel type like Mawile in the battle, the powerful, area affecting, Earthquake attack would be super effective. It was just a matter of not hurting Espeon in the process but that was why they'd developed the combo, to prevent it. Fortunately, it went off as practiced.

Mamoswine lowered his tusks to the ground so that Espeon could leap into the curve of one of them without worrying about the sharp point. Then, as soon as she was there, Mamoswine reared up, throwing Espeon high into the air, the Sun Pokémon flipping as she was thrown, as he activated his Earthquake attack and slammed down onto the ground with all his considerable power, shaking the stage so much that the entire building shook as he bellowed and cracks appeared at his feet.

Espeon was still in the air as this was happening, completely free of the attack's effect as Clefable and Mawile rattled in their places from it. Espeon flipped and spun gracefully before landing tall and proud on Mamoswine's broad back, mewling her challenge to the world atop her friend. It was an impressive sight that had everyone's jaws on the floor but that wasn't the only thing going on.

Mamoswine had just used a move after all and a powerful one from a fully evolved Pokémon at that. Both Clefable and Mawile had been rattled and injured by it where they lay on the ground as neither had been able to get up before Mamoswine executed his attack. Between 3 attack, each being a different level of effectiveness from minimal to super in that order, Mawile was at its limit and didn't even get up after the Earthquake, it just law there on the battlefield with swirls for eyes and out of the fight.

Clefable, however, surprised Misty as it grumbled and slowly got to her feet, a look of pure rage on her cute face that was at odds with her overall appearance. Misty had to give it Emily, she'd really raised Clefable well, she was a lot hardier than it looked though Clefable did look like she was on her last legs.

"Sing, full power!" Emily ordered, it was the best attack she could use and Misty knew it. "Put them both to sleep."

"Espeon, this is crazy but try to stop that Sing with Attract." Misty said to Espeon as she channeled her inner Ash and went with an out of the box idea. "Mamoswine, Ice Shard one more time, Clefable can't take much more."

Espeon gave Clefable a seductive wink and a series of hearts shot out as Mamoswine formed the ball between his tusks and began to shatter it for his attack. The hearts intercepted the notes and the two status affecting attacks proceeded to cancel each other out with a symphony of musical sounds and pink sparkles. It was through those sparkles that the shards of ice shot out and slammed home.

Clefable had been unable to move, she was at the end of her power and she knew it, the Sing had been the last of her strength to perform. It was designed to try and get a rest bite before she could attack her sleeping foes several times and get back into it the fight. Unfortunately it had been blocked and she just accepted her fate, closed her eyes as the ice hit her and gave into to unconsciousness as her body was thrown to the side, coming to a stop near where Unfezant had fainted earlier that day with swirls for eyes.

Instantly 3 Xs went off and the battle, and by extension the Contest ended. Misty breathed a sigh of relief as the crowd began to cheer for her victory and the battle they'd just witnessed. Emily had shown her a few surprises and pushed her at times but in the end Misty's power and experience had taken her to the victory with just over a minute to spare.

"And there we have it." Lilian said as the steamers went off to official end the Contest. "Misty has won by Battle Off and claimed the Chrysanthemum Ribbon, her 4th ribbon of the season. She is now one ribbon away from qualifying for the Grand Festival."

Mamoswine and Espeon, still on the former's back, charged at Misty to celebrate with her while Emily returned and thanked her Pokémon for a great battle. Misty's eyes went wide and she waved her arms frantically to try and stop over 600 pounds of muscle slamming into her at full speed, again.

Thankfully Mamoswine stopped 10 feet from her realizing he was about to flatten his trainer. That didn't stop Espeon from leaping off his back with a happy mewl, though that may have been because of Mamoswine's sudden halt, as she lunged to celebrate their win with her beloved trainer.

"Not again." Misty groaned before Espeon headbutted her in the face and knocked her flat, licking her affectionately as Misty patted her singed fur, something she would sort out as soon as possible. "I know girl, we won and you two were amazing in that. We will celebrate tonight for sure."

Misty slowly extracted herself from under Espeon and then went to Mamoswine to give him a loving pat on his snout, promising his own extra-large portion of Poffins later. Then she let Buneary out to join in and walked around them to face Emily who hadn't left yet and was holding back chuckles at the sight of Misty having already recalled and thanked her own Pokémon.

Misty knew that her hat was askew and her hair almost certainly a mess but for once she didn't care as she walked out to the center of the battlefield. Mamoswine, Espeon and Buneary, the last one riding on Espeon's back, walked behind her as she made her way, smiling, to the center of the battlefield.

Emily seemed to realize and walked out still smiling so she wasn't too upset with her loss. Once they reached the center, Misty extended her hand to her fellow finalist and friend the way she'd done in every final so far except Saffron when the guy she'd beaten had left early and shook Emily's hand as a sign of sportsmanship.

"Well done, you've clearly improved since last time we faced off." Misty said as they shook. "Though Mamoswine still has Clefable's number it seems."

"Yeah I think she really wants to beat him now." Emily said with a laugh. "And I'm still not at your level but I will be. Next time, I will at least avoid a Battle Off for sure."

"I don't doubt it." Misty said as the ended their handshake. "You were great and surprised me a few times. Mawile's grace is incredible, it will be a talented Contest Pokémon for sure, and Clefable is sturdier than I expected. She took a lot of damage that battle before finally going down."

"Mawile and I have been working hard on that move so thanks." Emily replied. "And Clefable can take a lot, she's my starter so she's been training with me for ages so her health is higher than average. Next time, we will have a better plan to deal with Mamoswine."

"You had a good one this time, especially with that fire type move in your arsenal, you just a few bad breaks." Misty said. "I look forward to our next meeting, hopefully it will be in the Grand Festival and late at that."

"You know it will." Emily said with a grin. "When we next meet, it will be on the Plateau getting ready for to compete in the Grand Festival together."

"I'll see you there." Misty said. "Though I still expect to see you on the beach tomorrow to discuss this and the future a little while we relax."

"I'll be there." Emily promised. "Now go get your ribbon Misty, I'll see you tomorrow."

With that Emily turned and left the stage, likely to head to the Pokémon Center to get her Pokémon all healed up as soon as possible. Misty turned to find Mr. Contest patiently waiting for her with a small tray in his hands, in the tray, on a velvet pad, was an off green ribbon with a white border. The ribbon had two strands hanging down like all ribbons tended to have and two more to either side of the gold seal in the center to complete it.

"Congratulations Misty." Mr. Contesta said with a slight bow of his head. "The Chrysanthemum Ribbon is yours, your 4th one this year so you are only one away from the Grand Festival. I look forward to seeing you there but for now enjoy your ribbon."

"Thank you." Misty said with a grateful smile at the praise from the head of the Contest Committee before she picked up the ribbon and struck her victory pose for the crowd to cheer to. "Alright, I just won the Chrysanthemum Ribbon.

Her Pokémon all leapt up in celebration behind her, Mamoswine shaking the stage when he landed, as the crowd continued to cheer for her, Ash loudest of all. Misty smiled at him in particular as she held her 4th ribbon close to her chest and enjoyed the moment.

She had one more to win to qualify for her 3rd Grand Festival in 3 years, a Grand Festival that she would win this time, and she had one more Contest to compete in on her cruise with Ash. Everything was falling into place. Now it was time to celebrate because Misty had just won the Chrysanthemum Town Contest.