Part LXVII: The Grand Reception
Ash and Misty walked into the large ballroom and marveled at the sight that greeted them. It was, well it was a classic ballroom in a special building on the Plateau that was used for stuff like this. The dark wood floors were polished so that they shone, the white curtains on the large windows pulled back showing the night sky and even a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling with several smaller ones elsewhere in the room.
At one end of ball room were tables covered with white tablecloths, am electric candle on each, and some faux greenery. Some were about chest high to stand at while others had chairs. A large bar was on one side, though there was no alcohol at it apparently not their either Ash or Misty would drink any, and waiters carrying trays of hors d'oeuvres made their way around the room. A small stage was on the far wall with a mic in the center likely for later.
The young couple took it all in as they walked through the mingling area and headed to grab some soda from the bar and find a standing table, Misty's arm through Ash's the entire time. Their plan was simple, get drinks, find an empty table, and look for their friends. They just had to navigate the room first.
The room wasn't packed but it was comfortably full of coordinators, past, present and Top, and their guests talking, trading stories, drinking and eating as they mingled though most who recognized Misty gave her no more than a nod as they knew who she was. All were dressed up for the occasion but it was a formal due so they kinda had to be. That was the part that Misty loved the most as to her this was what coordinators should wear so she was fully in her element.
Misty was wearing a full length dark blue ball gown she'd found while exploring the Plateau and looking for something like it. It fell to just above her ankles and was sleeveless with a noticeable V but that didn't show any cleavage in spite of her big bust. It did show her silver locket that always hung around her neck well. She'd capped it off with a gray sash around her waist, a small blue and gray clutch that had her essentials and Poke Balls as the Pokémon had to be away or in their room for this, and low heeled, matching, blue shoes.
The only other accessories she had on were a small gray bracelet on her right wrist that had her Ability Symbol firmly secured in it, an item she had gotten while shopping on the Plateau as she couldn't use her other holder for an event like this, and her fancy hair clip. Misty had done her hair as a loose wave down her back while pinning her bangs to the back of her head the way she had done for the Johto Grand Festival while using her Pikachu clip for it that her mom had sent in advance of her arrival tomorrow for the appeals.
Misty knew she looked good and loved how she felt finally dressing up for a coordinator related event again. It was just a shame that Ash had insisted on actually buying the outfit he had found. It was technically a formal outfit, at least the store clerk had sworn it was, but it was clearly dated and Misty didn't get it but it had caught Ash's eye right away and she wasn't going to stop him. Plus the hat was part of the look and he could wear it inside so he wasn't going to get anything else.
Ash was wearing what could best be described as, well, a medieval outfit. He wore a blue vest tunic thing with yellow stitching at the top and a some sorta flap thing in a V pattern that fell to just above his knees as part of the tunic. All this was over a long-sleeved gray shirt and matching pants. The last kinda normal parts were the brown belt with a belt pouch for his stuff on his hip and the blue boots with yellow laces and a brown fold over the top. The rest, well Misty wasn't sure why Ash needed them but he insisted that they completed it.
He wore a pair of blue gloves that came up to just below his elbows with an odd yellow design on the outside of them with a fake crystal on the back of the hands. He also wore a wide brimmed dark green hat that was raised on part of the brim and had a blue band around the center with an odd yellow symbol in the center of it. All that would have been fine but did he really need the damned matching green, high collared cape that fell to calves and had a zigzag cut at the bottom.
That was not to mention the cane he'd found. Apparently it was also part of the outfit but Misty still didn't know why he had to carry the long wooden cane with a giant fake crystal in it but she guessed it was just part of dating Ash. He had found something formal he liked and was sticking with it so Misty had to go with it if she wanted to see her man all dressed up like this.
Ash had assured her that it was a Kanto style and that he'd chosen it because he'd worn it once before while in the region so Misty trusted Ash and his odd choice in style. It was at least formal and given how she'd seen people like Nando dress it wouldn't be too out of place though at least Nando made his style look more modern. It was also the only thing he'd agreed to when they'd gone to the store the day before so she was stuck with it.
It was the eve of the Grand Festival at last. They were at what was being called the Grand Reception that was held before it. After spending a month training on the Plateau, and 3 weeks reaching it, Misty was going to enjoy the night to the fullest. It would be a good break before the Grand Festival in the morning plus it was a last chance to see friends and rivals before they began to compete, while hopefully avoiding Kenny. It was something that Misty had been looking forward to. She was just scanning the room for friends when…
"Misty, Ash, there you are!" A very familiar and excited voice almost yelled to them and Misty grinned turning with Ash to see May waving frantically as she walked over to them, a girl next to her but Misty was too focused on her friend to notice the other girl. "You look great, both of you."
"So do you May." Misty said with a smile as she hugged May when she reached her before looking over her. "I see another variation on your Wallace Cup outfit."
"What can I say, I loved exotic princess maiden style of it and the colors work well." May said giving Misty a twirl to show off. "And that gown looks great on you. really elegant and mature showing the woman you've grown into since we met."
"Damn right, I wanted something a little less youthful for this as it is a reception." Misty said as she looked at May's outfit. "I'll save the more frilly stuff for Contests."
May was indeed in her Wallace Cup outfit only it was once again done in a different color scheme. This time she'd gone with a blood red top that managed to highlight her assets without any cleavage and matching belt with the accents being silver this time and not gold. Her skirt was a jet black that worked well for her and fell to the ground. Her veil was a light red this time while the band was silver with a large, fake, sapphire set in it. The only real difference was that the choker she word didn't have a heart in it but rather her Key Stone.
"Ash, I see you've gone with that outfit again." May said giving Ash a hug that may have been a shade too long but was still not inappropriate. "Still looks good on you by the way. I'm impressed you found one."
"So you have seen this, er, outfit before?" Misty asked confused. "Cos I've never seen anything like it though I must say something about it is slightly familiar."
"Yup, Ash wore it to an event we went to at Cameran Palace when we were traveling Kanto together." May confirmed with a nod. "I'm surprised it exists out of that area."
"Which adventure was this?" Misty asked with a raised eyebrow at Ash. "And did you almost die in it?"
"The one where I, er, almost sacrificed myself in the Tree of Beginning." Ash said sheepishly. "So, um, yes I almost died."
"Oh that one." Misty said with a nod recalling the story that Ash had finally given her in great detail a few months back though clearly he had left out one thing. "You didn't mention you wore this getup during it."
"Only during a festival tournament and the ball afterwards where I couldn't have fun because I had won the tournament and had to sit as the guest of honor." Ash said as Misty laughed at the idea of Ash at a ball, not that she didn't want to take him to one someday so that she could dance the night away with him. "Though I did wear real gloves at the end but yeah they have all the Kanto styles here so as soon as I saw this I had to wear it."
"It's a nice blast from the past." May said with a smile as her friend, who Misty only just looked at now and could see that her clear blue eyes had been lingering on Ash with recognition and something more in them, cleared her through a little. "Oh I'm so sorry, I was caught up for a moment. Ash, Misty, this is…"
"Serena." The honey blonde girl with a turquoise beaded headband topped with a pink bow in her short hair said extending a white gloved hand first to Misty and then Ash to shake as they introduced themselves back. "I'm May's friend from Kalos and her plus one to this little event."
Misty looked at Serena, as she looked again at Ash with a look that Misty knew all too well but decided that this wasn't the time or place for anything like that. Instead she examined the Kalos girl's rather impressive outfit. She wore a strapless pink dress that billowed out at the waist with no ruffles and that was just the base of it.
In the center of her chest was a large red bowtie and white cuffs around her upper arms that matched her white gloves with pink ribbons on them. Over her dress she wore a red skirt thing with a black waistband and black edging including on a cut up her right side. She topped it off with black leggings, red shoes and a large, ornate gold key with a pink jeweled heart in the center of it and wings on the side of it. It was a familiar looking key only larger than what Misty had once seen near the start of their journey.
Overall Serena looked like she knew her fashion, clearly loved it, and knew how to look good in it. Misty recalled what May had said about the girl in Hoenn and that they were friends so Misty would do her best to be friends with her as well, even if she did press herself a little closer to Ash before speaking to remind her who Ash belonged to. If they ever met again after the Grand Festival Misty would have to find time to sit Serena down for a chat but only when the time was right. At the moment it was time to just make a new friend.
"So Serena." Misty said to the new girl. "You're here to watch the Grand Festival then?"
"I am, Misty right?" Serena said confirming her name and Misty just, normally it would be odd but after meeting Lyra and that girl's insistence on always calling her Dane, Misty was more than ok with clarification. "Back in Kalos I'm a Pokémon Performer right now and a pretty decent one at that."
"Decent?" May asked looking at her incredulously. "Serena, you won the Master Class and got to challenge Aria for the title of Kalos Queen."
"Yeah but I lost rather spectacularly." Serena admitted with a slight blush. "And injured myself in the process. There is a lot more for me to learn so I've decided to become a coordinator next year and compete on the inaugural Kalos Contest circuit to help increase my understanding of Pokémon in more ways than one. I want to be Kalos Queen one day but I am still a fair bit from that goal but coordinating with help. When May said she was coming to Kanto to support you in the Grand Festival, and that she had a plus one to this, naturally I said yes so I could watch it."
"That's great." Ash said and Misty saw Serena blush deeper as he spoke to her. "You will learn a lot during this and the Indigo Conference if you are staying for that as well."
"I alas can't stay to watch you in that." Serena said sadly shaking her head clearly upset at that. "I wanted to but the new rules in Kalos for Contests require coordinators to have 4 Pokémon and I only have 3 right now so I am heading home after this so that I can bond with one of my mom's Rhyhorns that doesn't like to race so I can use it in Contests. It will take a little time so I need to head home right after the Grand Festival."
"Oh well a shame but I understand." Ash said and he did as it was a legit reason for someone to go home. "What Pokémon do you have? I'd love to see them. I'm always down to meet new Pokémon and seeing May's Kalos Pokémon when she came to Hoenn got me curious as to others native to the region."
"I, er, have a Braixen, Pancham, and Sylveon." Serena said blushing deeper than the red in her dress and Misty would be upset if she didn't know that Ash was just being Ash and had no idea that this girl was already crushing on him hard.
"We've heard of Sylveon, I'd love to see it while you are here if that's ok." Misty said butting in partially to save Serena from getting more embarrassed and partially to end her blushing like a schoolgirl at Misty's boyfriend as it was a little uncomfortable to watch. "I have an Espeon but neither of us have seen the normal type evolution of Eevee. We didn't even know it had one until May told us about it"
"Oh she's beautiful." Serena said looking at Misty and smiling her blush gone as she talked excitedly about her Pokémon. "She evolved during a battle at some ball thing May and I, along with Clemont and Bonnie who aren't here as they have to stay in Lumiose City right now, were at that is held for Performers every year. It was a special battle held there because performances don't have battles and Eevee evolved during to help us, me and May that is, win. I've seen an Espeon before, one of the girls at my last rookie showcase had on, it's a beautiful lilac color."
"Mine's a little different." Misty said with a grin as Ash nodded and may chuckled. "You will see her in the Grand Festival though. Perhaps one day we can battle our various evolutions of Eevee one day. May, you in as well?"
"Hell yes, a chance for Glaceon to beat your Espeon, I can't pass that up." May said with eagerly. "He needs a win over one of your Pokémon and what better way than to beat your fancy Espeon."
"Different?" Serena asked confused, she knew Misty had one as May had said but she'd missed seeing Misty use it in the Wallace Cup so she didn't understand. "How is your Espeon different?"
"You'll see." Misty said avoiding the question. "As for the others, I don't think Ash or I have heard of them but I'm guessing one is your starter or an evolved form of it."
"Yes Braixen is the evolved form of Fennekin the fire type starter." Serena confirmed with a nod. "She evolved in a double battle with Aria actually. Pancham is a fighting type that looks like a small panda and hasn't evolved yet as I think he requires something special to evolve, or just doesn't want to evolve at all."
"I see, we've heard of Fennekin and know that Delphox its last stage." Ash said remembering that Anabel had recently told them about the Pokémon and that Sabrina had said she had a Delphox. "So Braixen is the middle stage then, good to know. Now I really want to see them while you are here."
"I'll make sure to show you both my Pokémon when we have a moment and I'd like to see some of yours as well." Serena said with a smile. "I'm sure we will all be hanging out a bit as May is good friends with all of us."
"Count on it." Ash said and Misty just nodded. "We have a few other friends around to support Misty so the more the merrier I say."
Misty could tell that Serena was a nice and sweet girl who was not making a move on Ash or doing anything so she would get to know her and trust May's judgement in friends. That didn't mean that Misty wouldn't have a mature chat with the girl and out of tradition at this point battle her when the moment was right, if they met again of course.
Serena smiled and blushed a little again at Ash's words. Misty just looked at May with a small, knowing, smile and May nodded slightly. She knew that Serena had it bad for Ash as well but the Kalos girl clearly knew of Misty and was being respectful.
For Serena however, it was still hard to control her feelings around Ash. The moment she'd seen pictures of him from May she'd known that he was the boy who had helped her when her mother had shipped her off to Kanto for that summer camp and who she'd fallen for even back then. Watching him in the parts of the Wallace Cup she watched as she supported May only confirmed it. When she told May about her crush her friend did make it clear that he had a girlfriend called Misty who Serena couldn't deny was an attractive girl that clearly loved Ash.
She'd seen Misty beat May in the Wallace Cup final, the only full match she watched as she was busy helping Clemont with something during the Wallace Cup so until the final only saw clips but now meeting her in person was different. She felt the pain at knowing that she never really had a chance with Ash but was still glad that he'd found love with someone who was head over heels for him.
May had confided in her after returning from Hoenn that she also loved Ash but knew Misty was right for him despite the pain of loss. Meeting Misty in person, it was clear May was right and Serena wanted to get to know the Sinnoh girl as best she could.
Still that didn't mean that her feelings for Ash, thundering back like a charging Rhyhorn the moment she'd seen him, which admittedly was part of the reason why she had agreed to accompany May to this event, weren't there. She knew she was blushing whenever he complemented her and she could feel the discomfort coming off Misty. She would have to one day talk with the other girl and make it clear that while she liked Ash, she knew he was hers and she would never mess with that. Regardless, she wanted to let Ash know that they'd met.
"Do, do you remember me Ash?" Serena said after a paused looking at Ash.
"May said we met at Professor Oak's summer camp several years ago when I helped you out." Ash said recalling what May had said to them in Hoenn. "But I'm sorry, I remember the camp well but not you. It was so much fun that there is so much to remember from it."
"Oh." Serena said crestfallen as Misty felt sorry for the girl at Ash's clear density but Serena had an idea and pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Ash. "What about this? Do you remember that you used it to wrap my knee when I hurt it and said it was a good luck charm before helping me out of the woods. When May said I'd meet you at this I knew I had to give it to you."
"Oh you're the girl in the straw hat." Ash said as he remembered the handkerchief and took it while Misty realized that that must have been Serena's event, something rather tame compared to the others but given the age and location it did make sense. "Now I remember you, that was an interesting day."
"It was once you arrived." Serena said blushing again. "At least you remember me now even if it was just my nice hat."
"Well looks like we have a real power players discussion here." A slightly nervous voice said from the side interrupting them and making some of them chuckle as a familiar girl approached them. "I was expecting Misty but it's good to see you too May, I'm glad you're not held up like Yuma was so I can ask you how my mentor is doing."
"Hey Mollie, I was wondering where you were." Misty said as she offered her hand to the younger Kanto girl who had beaten her. "Good to see you again."
"You too Misty, your back ok?" Mollie asked with a little embarrassment in her voice as she shook Misty's hand. "I'm still sorry for that by the way."
"It's fine now Mollie and I'd do it again for my Pokémon in a heartbeat." Misty said dismissively. "It was painful for a while but nothing a few pain killers and a hot spring on Cinnabar Island couldn't fix. The loss hurt more but I bounced back in Cremini Town."
"I watch that Contest, that Spiritomb of yours is freaky." Mollie said a shudder. "So what are we all talking about?"
"I was just introducing Ash and Misty to my friend from Kalos." May said. "And we were catching up on a few past adventures as we all know Ash in some sense."
"Oh sorry, my manner aren't great are they." Mollie said with a slight blush before sticking her hand out to Serena. "I'm Mollie, one of the coordinators competing this year. I remember May from when we met once, and that Yuma has been working with her this year. It's nice to meet you…"
"Serena." Serena said shaking Mollie's hand.
As Mollie exchanged pleasantries with May and Serena Misty took a moment to look over her friend and rival as Mollie, like everyone else, wore formal clothes. It was as innocent as Misty expected from someone like Mollie. She wore a short sleeved green dress with a puffy sleeves and a frilly wide skirt that was accented with pink bows and small pink bands. She had matching pink shoes on as well. The only thing the same was her hair style which clearly Mollie wasn't going to change that.
"Yeah I don't really dress up so this was the closest to what I like to wear and Yuma thought it would be good when she sent it to me from Kalos the other day." Mollie said as she noticed Misty looking. "I can't pull it off like you Misty, that gown looks amazing."
"I'm used to this though." Misty pointed out smiling as she showed off her look. "Sinnoh Contests expect you to dress up so it's still a little weird for me to not dress up for them. This feels natural to me but I get how it can be uncomfortable for someone not used to it."
"Well you look great, all of you do." Mollie said as she looked at them all. "Though I'm not sure about that look Ash, the medieval fair is still a few weeks out I think?"
This got a few laughs all around, including Ash who chuckled as Mollie wasn't wrong with the dated piece he wore. When they were done Mollie turned to May, she was glad the Hoenn girl was here so she could ask about Yuma.
"Yuma will be here tomorrow, right?" Mollie asked a little worry in her voice. "She said she'd make it in time but I haven't heard from her yet."
"Yes she will be, she and Robert had an exhibition to do in Geosenge Town out in the far west of the region the other day." May said. "So she didn't get back to Lumiose City until today to get the first flight to Kanto. She will get in later tonight. I was already there because my friend Clemont is the Gym Leader there and as the Kalos Conference is being held in Lumiose City this year he had to be back for it so I was able to fly out yesterday with Serena."
"Yeah she said she was running a little late, that explains it." Mollie said with a sigh of relief. "It will be nice to see her again and let her know how well I have done in Kanto. She'll be supporting me in the Grand Festival before returning to Kalos."
"We only meet up at the larger gatherings when all four Top Coordinators there have to be present but she talks about you all the time." May said smiling at Mollie as she told her about Yuma knowing the older woman would want her to. "She's really proud of you and how well you've done this year by the way. One of the four along with Misty, that's an impressive achievement in its own right let alone the fact that you're the only one to beat the other 3 this year. She's taught you well."
"Yeah that was one hell of a battle." Mollie said. "The one with Misty that is. Really did feel like the culmination of my years under Yuma when I won that 5th ribbon."
"Tell me about it." Misty said with a nod. "Been a long time since I really had a battle like that. Ursula won by a point so that could have gone either way and Ash won because of an evolution that led to a Battle Off. That one you had the match in the end without a doubt. I won't lose again though."
"So you say." Mollie taunted a little. "As May pointed out, I'm the only one here who has beaten all 3 other favorites."
"An impressive achievement." May agreed. "This is the first year they're doing a big four thing and they have 4 excellent coordinators in terms of talent for it, though only 3 in personality. Misty, well we all know how good she is."
"Three straight Wallace Cups over you." Misty reminded May helpfully. "But as Mollie proved, I can be beaten."
"True but you've also made the finals the last 2 times you've been in a Grand Festival." May said. "The only other person who's reached a final is Nando who did so in Hoenn last year. Kenny may be good but he was only top 8 in Hoenn last year."
"He never said that." Misty said interested at that piece of news. "Well he's not as good as he thinks he is then, good to know."
"Over inflated male ego who can't handle losing to a woman, especially one he likes and wants on his arm to show." May said as Misty nodded. "Sounds like someone I know but we won't go there. Tonight is for fun, not remembering that a few people aren't good."
"That it is." Misty agreed as she began to look around. "I wonder where…"
"Ok how do you guys wear this stuff to compete in." A slightly indignant voice said turning all of them to a young brunette around Mollie's age walking over to them. "It's way too fancy to be walking in, let alone battling in. I've never worn anything this fancy before."
"Emily?" Misty asked her eyes wide as she looked at her friend who had found them. "There you are, glad you qualified."
The girl from Mt. Moon was awkwardly rubbing the back of her head her eyes wide and looking really uncomfortable in her outfit. She was wearing a sleeveless light pink dress with a dark pink straps over her upper arms and medium pink siding with a dark pink frill running down either side of her chest. The skirt was light pink and ruffly but not overly so. She had complete it with black tights and red low heeled showed that had ankle straps. To accessorize she had a small necklace of pearls on and a black bow in the left side of her hair with a white flower in the bow.
"You look great Emily." Misty said with a smile at her. "The look suits you."
"I've never had to dress up before." The girl said a little embarrassed. "My friend out east let me borrow all of this for the reception when I told her about it. It feels weird to wear, I can't imagine fighting in it."
"Tell me about it." Mollie agreed. "This is my first formal dress and it does feel odd to wear. I heard Kalos is following Sinnoh's example and will require formal wear in Contests next year."
"That they are and Galar is doing something as well but a little different while Alola has an informal costume for Contests." May said before she looked at the new arrival remembering what Misty had told her of the girl and offering her hand to Emily. "So you're Emily, Misty told me about you when we met up in Hoenn a couple months back. I'm May, I used to travel with Ash and am good friends with Misty when she's not beating me in the Wallace Cup that is."
"You know that's where I'm dominant." Misty said with a sly grin that only May understood as Emily instinctively shook hands with May. "That Contest is mine."
"That you are." May agreed with a laugh as she let go of Emily's hand.
Misty watched in amusement as Emily suddenly realized the group she had just walked up to. Likely she'd come to say hi to Misty and tell her about her last 2 ribbons, new Pokémon and complain about the dress. Now the younger girl's eyes were wide in shock as Misty watched her take in not only her by Mollie and May's presences as well. The girl was a rookie who had been awed by Misty and now she was somehow talking with not just Misty but one of the other favorites, and someone who'd bested Misty, in Mollie as well as a Top Coordinator in May.
"Y, yes that's me." Emily said still looking around at the group. "It's an honor to meet a Top Coordinator like you May. I watched the Sinnoh Grand Festival last year; you were amazing in that final."
"Thank you, it was about time but all my hard work paid off as will yours one day." May said with a smile. "Anyone who has Misty teaching them must have talent. Whatever happens, don't give up. Same goes for you Mollie. It took me 4 years to win a Grand Festival but I persevered until the end."
"Er." Was all Emily could say while Mollie just nodded in agreement.
"Good to see you again Emily." Mollie said also offering her hand which Emily automatically took once she'd processed what May had said to her. "And not on the business end of my Arcanine's Fire Blast this time."
"That was not a fun final." Emily said with a chuckle as she seemed to recover and noticed Serena there. "So, which region did you win?"
"Huh, oh I'm not a coordinator, not yet anyway." Serena said as she too shook with Emily. "I'm a Pokémon Performer from Kalos, though I did place top in the Master Class there. I'm Serena and I believe May is to me what Misty is to you, a coordinator mentor though I am older than her."
"Oh then you have a really good one." Emily said. "Kalos huh, I may end up there next year, if things go well."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Misty asked curiously and noticed Emily's rosy cheeks darken slightly at that. "Why are you thinking of heading to Kalos?"
"I, er, may have someone in mind as to who to travel with and he wants to go to Kalos next year." Emily said quietly. "I ran into him the other day and we've been talking a lot since then, well he has as once you get him started on Pokémon it's hard to get him to shut up but I find it cute, I mean interesting, yes it is interesting. Anyway he wants to head to Kalos after the Indigo Conference and I'm going to ask to join him after the Grand Festival is over."
"Really, do tell." Misty said with a grin at her friend. "How'd you meet? What's he like?
All that."
"Did he have his Pokémon fry your bike?" May added causing Misty to laugh and Ash to look embarrassed glad Pikachu was in their room with ketchup and not here as he'd likely make trouble for them. "Or you, or both?"
"No I saved him actually." Emily said waving her hands in front of her frantically at suggestions May was giving. "He was just wandering around the Plateau mumbling to himself and scribbling in a notebook when he tripped over his feet and almost face planted near the main stadium. I was walking past him at that moment and grabbed the top of his backpack and just managed to stop him."
"You had the strength?" Serena asked confused looking over the odd newcomer who had to be one of the coordinators in the Grand Festival. "No offense but you don't look like you could."
"My parents run a constructions business that I used to help them with." Emily said with a shrug clearly not offended at all. "I'm stronger then I look plus he's a little scrawny so he wasn't too heavy. He had to help himself up though, I just prevented injury, and then he clammed up seeing me."
"Well anyone would after being saved, it is a bit of a shock." Misty said. "At least it wasn't from falling off a really high tower."
"Or drowning in a Sea Temple." May added.
"I only almost died one of those times." Ash said defensively. "I think."
"Probably both, we were in the middle of a battle between two deities Ash." Misty pointed out. "Sorry, old inside stories from years past. Go on Emily. Why him?"
"Well I saw his notebook when I picked it up and it had a rather detailed profile of Nando complete with a drawing of him." Emily said. "Which confused me because it was all handwritten so I asked him about it."
"A fair question." Misty said with a nod. "At least it wasn't me or Mollie."
"Oh he has profiles on both of you as well." Emily said helpfully. "And Kenny in fact. He admitted, after a lot of embarrassed stuttering, that he's a bit of a Pokémon fanatic of sorts. He's been traveling for a few years and making notes about all the good trainers he meets or watches in Conferences. This is the first time he's done it for coordinators so he has profiles on all the favorites and a few dark horses but not me as he didn't recognize me."
"I see." Misty said a little disturbed but she'd heard of fanatics before and they were harmless for the most part and she would trust Emily's judgement in this. "Go on, I take it you learned a bit about him if you've been chatting for a while."
"Yeah turns out he's from Hoenn." Emily said.
"Really, where?" May asked curiously.
"A place called Dewford Town." Emily said. "Not sure where that is though as I've never been to Hoenn but its apparently pretty remote."
"It's a small island in the southwest of the region so yeah pretty remote." Ash said remembering it well. "There are some caves there and one of the Hoenn League gyms is on it. The gym leader there, a fighting specialist called Brawly, was the only one I lost to when I was in Hoenn. I won my rematch but yeah I made the mistake of trying to bullrush it and lost."
"So like with Anabel." Misty said surprising May with that knowledge.
"Yup." Ash said with a nod. "Brawly is an odd fighting specialist because he as a relaxed, go with the flow style that is different from most specialists in the type as they tend to me more about precision and power."
"Fighting types, yes that is the type this guy I met specializes in." Emily said with a nod. "So that makes sense if he's from Dewford Town. He's training to become a fighting type master I think."
"You know a lot about him." Misty said raising an eyebrow.
"I think he hasn't had many friends before me." Emily admitted though her cheeks did darken as she spoke. "So he's very talkative and loves telling me of his journeys. He spent a year in Hoenn, a year in Unova and now a year in Kanto learning all he can from both experts and his own experiences while also following the Conferences. He wants to go to Kalos next so I'll try and join him if I can as I would like to see that region."
"If he was in Unova last year then he may have seen me in the Vertress Conference there." Ash said idly. "Then again many would have as it is a League Conference."
"Well if you reached the full battles he no doubt studied you a lot." Emily said. "That's what he does with trainers at the Conferences. Coordinators it was what he could research so when I told him I knew Misty and had faced Mollie this year, well that was an in to talk with him some more."
"I was top 8 in Unova so I reached the full battles there." Ash said. "I guess he'll recognize me at the Conference but that's for later. Tonight is for coordinators; we trainers will get our moment in time."
"That it is Ash." A man with a quiet, almost song-like, voice said as he approached them. "And I must say, it is good to see another man who can wear a cape my friend. Great outfit Ash."
"Nando, a pleasure to see you." Ash said with a small bow of his head at the taller, older, man who competed in both Contests and gym battles who bowed back. "A shame we haven't met this year."
"It is as I would have loved to face Misty in a Contest or spar with you again." Nando said with a bow to Misty and another to Mollie, his outfit a slightly more formal version of his usual bard getup complete with his trusty harp under one arm. " Mollie, we've danced a few times this year and proven to be even between us but I have not faced Misty. You're the top one out there, or so they say."
"So they say." Misty said with a grin at her fellow Sinnoh native. "We'll know soon who the real top soon when the Grand Festival ends and it could be none of us."
"That we will." Nando agreed. "I look forward to the competition and facing you two, as well as the other fine women here, I am assuming you are all in the Grand Festival. Ash, you and I will have our dance in the Indigo Conference if we are drawn together that is."
"Looking forward to it." Ash said smiling at Nando. "Glad you made it to that as well."
"The winds were favorable to me this year even if they never blew in your and Misty's direction." Nando said with a light string of his harp. "I once again qualified for both the Grand Festival and the Indigo Conference."
"Well you won't be facing me." May said shaking her head. "I'm already a Top Coordinator so I'm not competing. I was top 4 when I competed in the Kanto Grand Festival a few years back but that's it."
"And I'm not even from this area of the world." Serena said helpfully as she bowed a little to Nando. "I'm May's friend Serena from Kalos here to watch and learn for next year when I compete there."
"My apologies ladies." Nando said with a bow of his head to them. "I have seen you before May, a few times in fact as I do watch the Wallace Cups, so it is a pleasure to meet you in person as I feel we haven't truly met yet despite both knowing Ash. Serena, there is much to learn from the Grand Festival, you will have an advantage in Kalos next year because of it."
"I hope so." Serena said with a smile.
"You are a coordinator in this, though." Nando said with a bow at Emily. "I am Nando, I do not believe out paths have crossed yet."
"They haven't but I'm Emily, one of the rookies this year." Emily said bowing as she clearly had no idea how to curtsy and sounding nervous at yet another top tier coordinator showing up. "I got my 5th ribbon in one of the last Contests of the year and am looking forward to my first Grand Festival."
"You cannot beat your first." Nando said with a fond smile of remembrance. "I was top 4 in Sinnoh in my first, the same one where Misty was runner-up."
"I'm aware." Emily said. "I am well versed with all 4 favorites."
"Then you'll know the next Top Coordinator when you see him." A snide voice said and instantly Misty stiffened, this was what she had been dreading all night and hoping to avoid but Arceus had decided she wouldn't avoid it. "It's that right, Dee Dee."
"Hello Kenny, I knew we'd run into each other here." Misty said turning to see her old childhood friend walking up to their group that now contained all 4 favorites, a Top Coordinator, a highly ranked Pokémon Performer, Ash, and a rookie who looked startled at the sheer amount of talent around her. "I see you haven't learned from the last time we talked."
"And I see your still with this Kanto bastard." Kenny said simply.
Misty had to put a hand on Ash's chest to stop him from taking a step towards Kenny. Kenny just grinned like a cocky ass at them as Misty glared at her childhood friend. He was clearly here to get into their heads and maybe try to make a move on her and she wasn't going to let either happen.
Kenny was wearing his usual formal outfit she'd seen him in in Sinnoh. An off green suit with yellow trim, epaulets and cuffs and yellow stripes on the bands that ended way too early showing his knee-high white socks. The jacked was a shade too short and only fell to his ribs as part of the style and he wore a simply white shirt and tie with the look. The only color was a red sash around his waist.
"Yes I am still with Ash." Misty said making sure his arm was clearly around her as she spoke. "I love him remember."
"Face it Kenny, you lost this." Ash said simply his anger at Kenny's insult there but controlled for the moment but deciding to offer an olive branch. "There's no shame in admitting defeat and moving on. You can still be our friend."
"I'll never be your friend." Kenny spat at Ash his composure broken for a moment. "You stole my girl."
"Misty's not your girl but welcome to challenge me if you want." Ash said coolly. "Name the time and place. I'll take you on in a full battle. Just remember to bring your best though because I'm sure as shit going to as well."
"Maybe after I become a Top Coordinator in a week's time I'll take you on." Kenny said full of bravado but Misty knew he'd never actually faced or even seen Ash battle because if he had he'd not be so flippant at Ash's challenge. "Unlike you, I'll actually win my competition. I'll show Misty what a real man is made of."
"Oh it is on." Ash growled before Misty began pushing him back as best she could. "I will crush you. Bring it bitch and I will wipe the floor with your Pokémon before you even realize what has happened."
"Tough words but I expect no less from some inbred Kanto hick." Kenny taunted back at him. "Being here this year has made realize how backwards Kanto is."
"Big words when I have everything you want and will never get." Ash said back as Misty managed to push him back with some help from Nando who now had a hand on Ash's shoulder. "And I got it by just being me with no expectations."
"I'll get what is mine." Kenny said getting angry. "It's what's meant to be."
"No you won't." May said stepping forward and folding her arms across her chest as she put herself between Kenny and Ash. "Now back off, we were have a good time catching up and making new friends before you came along."
"Yeah I'm from Kanto as well and I don't like your attitude to my region or your bully style." Mollie said stepping forward and standing next to May. "I beat you before Kenny, I'll do it again if we meet in the Grand Festival."
"You're a dick." Serena said simply taking a position on May's other side. "I don't even know you and I can clearly see that."
"Three bitches ain't got nothing on me." Kenny scoffed at them before flicking his head at May. "I know the brunette, you and that really angry, tomboy girl stopped me from taking what was mine at the start of the year. The blond I don't know but anyone who associates with Ash is clearly a moron. As for you Mollie, I crushed you the first time and you got lucky the second time we faced off. I'll show you true power if we face off this time."
"Ash relax, he's not worth it." Misty whispered as she tried to hold him back as Emily came over to help her out not sure where she was needed. "You are much better than him and you know. Remember, you're the one I love with all my heart and that's all that matters."
"Listen to Misty, Ash." Nando said kindly keeping his hand on Ash's shoulder. "You are better than this, I know that. Kenny's been like this all year and getting worse as he let his anger grow, be the bigger man that you are. You will get that battle when the time is right but that is not now."
"I know." Ash said as took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. "When that time comes, I'm not holding back."
"Yeah that's it Ash, hide behind women like the coward you are." Kenny taunted clearly feeling emboldened by the situation. "You got nothing on me."
"That's it." Misty said finally getting fed up with Kenny's taunts and knowing she was rising to it. "Emily, Nando, make sure that Ash doesn't do anything stupid. May, Mollie, Serena, you make sure that I don't do anything stupid."
"Huh?" Ash asked in confusion as Misty turned and pushed her way between May and Mollie and got into Kenny's smirking face.
"Feisty tonight are we Dee Dee." Kenny said with a grin at her that Misty didn't like. "I don't mind that so long as you learn your place when I beat you and come to your senses."
"The only person who's going to be beaten will be you." Misty growled as she glared at Kenny. "You have never beaten me and I will not let that start now. If we battle I will show you just how good I've become. You will piss yourself when you face my Pokémon, that I promise you."
"Come on Misty, as you said he's not worth it, trust me men like that aren't worth our precious time." May said grabbing Misty's upper arms and gently pulling her back. "They don't even deserve to be called men."
Kenny was about to say something, likely something spiteful, when Mollie and Serena stepped up again and in front of Misty blocking him. It was time to end this and get Kenny to leave them alone for the rest of the night.
"Back off." Serena said glaring at the arrogant man she didn't know but didn't like standing in front of her. "We are having a good time and I'm making new friends, don't ruin this for any of them."
"If you want to settle this Kenny then let's settle this out on battlefield." Mollie added. "You and I know that we are all going to make it to the battle stage, short of a complete mess up like you had in Sinnoh if I recall correctly. I did watch that Grand Festival and you didn't advance past the appeals in that, right?"
"Fine, you lot aren't worth it." Kenny growled before turning and stalking off as they all relaxed as he called out while leaving. "I'll see you on the battlefield, then you will all see how good I am."
"What a…" Serena began turning to the others.
"Prick?" May asked.
"Douche?" Mollie suggested helpfully.
"Ass." Misty spat still in May's grip.
"How about all of the above." Serena said. "What's his problem?"
"Unlike some people, he cannot accept that he lost his crush to another." Misty said as May finally let her go only then did they realize she had a Poke Ball in her hand which Misty had to quietly put away as she realized it was Spiritomb's before she continued. "He fancies me and never really accepted that I didn't feel the same way about him. Add in me falling for and now dating Ash, who he doesn't like because I chose Ash over him back in Sinnoh, and Kenny's let his anger and hate for Ash take control of him. I had hoped we could still be friends but that might be a pipe dream after that little display he put on."
"You tried, gave him the chance and he didn't take it." May said as Ash, Nando and Emily joined them now that Kenny was gone. "He's not worth it and if you face him in the Grand Festival you will beat him, we all know that."
"Not if I have anything to say about it because if I face him before you I'm taking him down." Mollie said forcefully, her timidness all but gone as she spoke though she was shaking slightly. "I've beaten him before and I will do it again if we are matched up in a few days."
"Same." Emily said helpfully. "I may not have much of a chance against him but I will do my best if it comes to it."
"Thank you, all of you." Misty said with a smile as she calmed down and Ash put an arm around her pulling her close while she just snuggled into him, she needed this after being rattled by Kenny. "But my gut tells me that this won't end until I am the one to face and beat Kenny, not that I wouldn't love watching him get beaten by you guys."
"And after that there's still the matter of me facing him." Ash said. "And I will take him down hard."
"Well yeah we all know that." Misty said and May and Nando nodded in agreement. "You verses Kenny in a full battle that isn't conducted under Contest battle rules, he has no hope against you. You could use your least experienced Pokémon and still win. Against your best team, whatever that is, he can't win."
"I don't have a best team per se, I'd just tailor my team to what I know of Kenny." Ash said. "To maximize my victory while trying to not lose any of my own Pokémon. No testing, no challenging myself with type disadvantages, none of that. I will put together the best team to beat him but that will come in time. You are right, this is the Grand Festival which is your turf not mine. You get the honor of beating him this time."
"Oh I will, I won't lose to a negative rival again." Misty said with pure determination in her voice. "This time…"
They were cut off by the tapping of a mic making a loud sound and they all turned to the small stage at the far end of the room. On it stood Lilian in a shimmering light blue and white ballgown with matching gloves beaming at them. It looked like the part of the night where the Master of Ceremonies for the Kanto Contest circuit spoke to them about the impending Grand Festival.
"Coordinators, guests, friends, welcome to the first ever Kanto Grand Reception." Lilian said happily into the mic. "Are you having fun?"
There was a cheer from the crowd and Misty had to agree with them. Despite Kenny being, well, a jerk, she was in deed having fun today and chatting with her friends and making at least one new one. It was just what the reception was meant for and just what she'd hoped to get from it. Minus interacting with Kenny of course.
"Good, this is a new tradition that the Contest Committee is putting into place for all four circuits this year." Lilian continued. "Think of it as a dry run for next year when the circuit expands to the Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar regions. We will be improving it based on your suggestions for next year. Of course that is not the only new thing this year."
Lilian paused for dramatic effect. She was still an MC and give her a crowd and a mic and she could whip it into a frenzy in seconds.
"There are a few new rules that some of you may or may not be aware of." Lilian continued when she was ready to do so. "While they are out there, many of you may not have read them as for the most part the format is still the same as previous years but there is one key change to the system. All scores will be displayed after each appeal, both for the two appeals and the combined score, so that you can keep track of whether you will advance."
There were a lot of murmurings at this from the gathered attendees. Misty had never heard of a Grand Festival doing something like this before. It certainly made things a little more interesting and nerve wracking as you could actively track your progress and chances of advancing. She wasn't sure if it would stick but there had to be a reason for doing it this way. One that Lilian was about to announce.
"This isn't the main change but part of it." Lilian said once everyone had had a chance to process her first announcement. "As many of you know, this year the Committee, along with the fans who have the final say in the voting, has identified who they believe to be the best 4 coordinators on the circuit this year. This has been done in all regions and of course is no guarantee of victory but it gives a benchmark for all to reach, and a target on the backs of the best. As many of you know, and have lost to, the best 4 this year are Misty, Kenny, Nando and Mollie."
At this there were again a series of murmurings and glances around for them as people looked for the 4 named coordinators. Kenny was now a fair bit away from them just smirking and enjoying the attention that was being directed his way. Misty, and she could tell Mollie was feeling the same way, was uncomfortable as people saw her and realized that 3 of the favorites were all in one group together. Only Nando was impassive but he was normally like that.
"I see they are all here good." Lilian said with a smile as she too found them in the crowd. "Because it was this idea to rank the best 4 on the circuit that prompted the committee to try something new in the battle stage and it plays into why they have decided to have the scores posted. This is because the top 4 scoring coordinators in the appeals, and it may not be the 4 I have mentioned, based on scores after both appeals are put together, will not be put in the random shuffle for matches when we get to the battle stage."
This caused more talking than the last few announcements combined. Misty vaguely recalled this when she read the rules but it was clear that a few hadn't realized that this was going to happen this year. It was interesting for sure and it meant that anyone could achieve it, not just the four favorites.
"Instead." Lilian said loudly getting their attention again. "They will be slotted, randomly, into 4 specific slots in the bracket so that they can't face each other until the semifinal at the earliest. Of course, they can be beaten at any stage and this year has been rife with upsets so anything can happen. This way though, we get a little excitement while providing incentive to all coordinators to bring their best in the appeals to earn those coveted spots."
Again Lilian paused and beamed at them as the crowd murmured and digested the new information. It certainly did incentivize the coordinators to try their best in the appeals to have a potentially easier though as Misty knew, the battles weren't going to be easy."
"That is all I have though." Lilian said in closing. "Go back to enjoying the reception and I will see you all tomorrow morning for the opening ceremony and the first appeals of the Kanto Grand Festival."
With that Lilian put the mic down and walked off the stage to mingle with the crowd and answer questions from curious coordinators or their guests. There was a silence in their group as they parsed what Lilian had said. It was going to be interesting tomorrow but Misty knew Lilian was right, that was tomorrow. Tonight was for them and they intended to celebrate to the fullest.
Misty was going to have fun tonight because come tomorrow it would all be serious as she and her friends became rivals competing for the Ribbon Cup. At last, the Grand Festival was upon them and this time Misty was going to win it. She knew it.
