Part CXX: Trying to Catch Up
"Looks like it will be stiff competition today Serena." A soft, very familiar voice, whispered into Serena's ear. "Better bring your A game."
"Miette!" Serena almost screeched as she leapt up, turned, and almost fell when her low heels landed on the ground at the voice, but Miette had anticipated this and grabbed Serena's forearm before she could fall.
"You really can't handle my entrances can you." Miette said with a grin as she helped Serena to her feet but didn't embrace her because they were both made up for the Contest, so she didn't want to ruin their outfits. "Good thing I caught you or else that nice dress would have been ruffled."
"You really enjoy sneaking up on me." Serena said as Miette let go of her but still smiling at her friend all the same. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"Nah, that would be no fun." Miette said with chuckle. "If you weren't here who'd I compete with on everything? I've already lost to Misty where it matters, and May isn't into the same things as me."
"True." Serena said. "But we all lost to Misty even if we didn't get that chance to begin with."
"Well, there is still one more thing on that front." Miette said before lowering her voice and whispering in Serena's ear as she did when she was being conspiratorial with her friend. "If you don't tell Ash how you feel before the next time I see you guys, I will tell him how I feel and why I battled Misty. Consider that our other competition for the moment."
All Serena could do was let out a little eep and back away from a grinning Miette her face flushing red. This was not what she needed now, right before a Contest but this was Miette so Serena should have come to expect it from her friend and rival.
With a deep breath, Serena steadied herself and studied the other girl. Miette, like everyone else, was dressed up for the Coumarine Contest as required by Kalos's rules. Serena hadn't expected to see Miette here, but she shouldn't be surprised either. They were rivals and on the Contest circuit together, so it was bound to happen and knowing Miette she wouldn't say anything until she could sneak up on Serena and surprise her.
Miette had opted for a dark blue sleeveless dress that worked great with her hair and accented with a light green hem, belt, and shoulder straps that gave it a slightly sea-like look. Her hair was held back with the larger, light blue, headband that Miette used in Showcases though the ribbons on the sides were light green this time. She finished the look with a set of bracelets on her wrists and blue, low heeled, shoes. Oddly, Miette wasn't wearing gloves which were usually a common occurrence in fancy Kalos fashion these days.
Serena for her part had opted to pay tribute to Coumarine City and had bought a forest green dress for the occasion the other day which was in contrast to her usual preferred colors of red, white, and pink. It had slight ruffles in the skirt part and short sleeves but no secondary color to it. She accented it with a white belt, gloves, shoes and a white headband with a green fake flower in it on the left side.
It was the day of the Coumarine Contest, the last of the three things Serena and her friends had come to Coumarine City for, and just before the Pledging Festival that was the day after tomorrow. Serena had been preparing for it all week while also helping Ash and Misty with their own things as best she could. Ash had won his gym battle while Misty had come third in the Showcase which wasn't bad for her debut. Now it was Serena's turn to try and win.
"The green is new." Miette noted looking over Serena's dress. "Not really you but it still works. You were born to dress up Serena."
"Misty suggested I mix it up a bit." Serena said with a smile at Miette's words. "And when it comes to dressing up for Contests she is the expert on it."
"Right, she's from Sinnoh isn't she." Miette said recalling Misty's Contest nickname. "They dress up there too if I recall."
"They started the tradition actually, Kalos just pounced on it as it fits with our style, so she suggested I try a different color for the occasion." Serena said. "So, I'm doing it for Coumarine, but I will likely go back to pink for the next Contest as it may be the one in Laverre and pink is their thing there."
"That's good advice." Miette said. "Though I will stick with blue, it works well for me."
"That it does, you always rock that color Miette." Serena had to admit, Miette was like Misty in that sense, her exotic hair color worked great with a matching dress. "Did you catch the Showcase?"
"Alas no, I wanted to see our pack leader's debut, but I was held up training one of my newer Pokémon so that it was ready for the Contest." Miette said slightly confusing Serena. "I only arrived yesterday and I'm heading out tomorrow to head east so I can't stay for the Festival."
"Pack leader?" Serena asked as she put it all together. "You mean Misty, right?"
"Who else." Miette said with a shrug. "She is the dominant female as she got the man we all like."
"I see." Serena said deciding to just let Miette do her own thing with that and not question it. "Well, she did alright, 3rd in the freestyle in her debut so she can get through a theme round fine."
"I expected as much." Miette said. "She's a coordinator not a performer, it is a harder adjustment that way then it is for us I feel as you add to a freestyle if you are making the change Misty is while we subtract for the appeals in Contests."
"That it is." Serena said suddenly remembering something that Shauna had said to her in Lagoon Town when they'd chatted there. "Miette, you have a ribbon now, right?"
"I do." Miette said with a grin. "Don't you?"
"Alas after you but I have one now." Serena said grinning back as she matched Miette's challenge. "Won the Lagoon Town Showcase over Shauna, she's the one who told me you had a ribbon."
"Oh yeah Shauna, I beat her in a final to get my first ribbon which was nice as I could never beat her in a Showcase." Miette said. "She's good but too focused on the appeals so I was able to outperform her in the final battle."
"We are all trying to get something out of Contests and that's Shauna's focus." Serena said. "Just one ribbon then?"
"So far." Miette said. "But I intend to beat you in this Contest for my second."
"Not if I beat you for my second." Serena said grinning. "Looks like we're on the same footing here and trying to catch up with the others this year."
"That we are." Miette said with a nod. "I heard that all 3 of the big favorites this year already have 3 ribbons each which means all are now in the wildcard round at least."
"I've heard that to." Serena said recalling what she'd seen when she'd checked the Contest blogs that morning to try and find out who was going to be in the Coumarine Contest, but she didn't get much beyond the standard news of the circuit as a whole. "But all 3 are veterans with deep Grand Festival runs so…"
Serena didn't get a chance to finish her sentence because at that moment there was a sudden hubbub in the waiting room causing her and Miette to look towards it. A woman had just walked in, a strangely dressed woman at that, and she was now the center of attention for good reason.
The woman wore a dress that didn't look like it was for her age but someone younger. It was an orange thing with an old school and not Kalos style body that came down to the woman's calves and had two pockets in the front, a rare but handy addition for a dress. She wore a yellow belt with an oversized bow on the back and a long white sleeve shirt under the dress though no gloves. At her throat was a large black ribbon tied in a loose bow. She topped it off with, of all things, orange boots and large, lensless, glasses that Serena had no idea how they stayed on.
Then there was her hair. It was tied in a set of pigtails on either side with yellow ribbons a shade lighter than her belt. However, that wasn't the most striking feature of her hair. No that was reserved for the deep magenta color it had, a color only one coordinator was known to have, and she was one of the well-known coordinators on the circuit this year.
"That's Jessilina." Serena said her eyes wide as she watched the woman enter and make a bit of a scene with her arrival. "She's one of the Big 3 this year and the second to reach 3 ribbons after Emily I believe."
"Wait really." Miette said looking at the strange woman. "I've heard of her, but I didn't realize that was her style. All I knew was her name and standing as one of the legit favorites this year."
"It's unique to her it seems." Serena said. "And she has the affected air of innocence to her look that for some reason works for her."
"What do you know about her?" Miette asked as they looked at the woman who was now being talked about by all present though no one approached her.
"A fair bit actually." Serena said. "She's from Sinnoh apparently, though her hometown isn't known, and she hasn't revealed it, and that she came out of retirement to compete in Kalos this year."
"Really?" Miette asked before it hit her. "Wait, if she's from Sinnoh then you heard about her from Misty I take it."
"Who do you think beat her in her Grand Festival semifinal." Serena said surprising Miette. "Misty faced her several times in Sinnoh as they were rookies on the circuit together and from what I heard they were pretty evenly matched most of the time, though Misty often won their matchups. That said, Jessilina did beat Misty once."
"Wait what?" Miette said her eyes wide. "She beat Misty?"
"Yup." Serena said. "Misty told us the story. In fact, it was her last regular Contest loss before Ash beat her in Kanto almost 2 years later and the last time Misty failed to reach a final in any Contest, be it regular or a Grand Festival. Jessilina had a Carnivine that easily beat Misty's Mamoswine using its agility and flexibility against Mamoswine, as well as Mamoswine's inexperience as it was apparently his first Contest."
"Oh." Miette said her eyes wide. "So, she's got the credentials of a favorite for sure if she's beaten a coordinator like Misty."
"The only one of the 3 to beat a known Top Coordinator even if it was their rookie year at the time." Serena said with a nod. "Jessilina also reached the semifinals of the Sinnoh Grand Festival and lost to Misty in it. Apparently she retired from Contests after that and disappeared from public life but announced that she was returning with the expansion to Kalos do that she could compete here in the inaugural season. Her comeback as she calls it."
"What's her style?" Miette asked.
"According to Misty, it's unpredictable." Serena said causing Miette to look perplexed. "Yeah I don't get it as well, so I had Misty elaborate more. Jessilina was known for being unorthodox, experimental, and very eccentric back in Sinnoh. A high-risk high-reward approach apparently. She failed in appeals a fair few times but when they worked they really worked. Her battling is also erratic, but she seems to have gotten it all under control now."
"That or the competition is less." Miette said. "Kalos doesn't have many with extensive experience, so she'll have an advantage there, especially if she's gone far in a Grand Festival."
"True it does give her an edge." Serena said. "She's won three of her four Contests so far with her only loss to Brianna according to her record. That was nearby I think and Brianna's third ribbon think."
"Brianna." Miette said. "She's the one who's the overall favorite right? The one without a loss yet and the only one with a Grand Festival finals appearance if I recall."
"Correct." Serena said darkly. "And there are other things about her as well that aren't pleasant but from an objective standpoint, Brianna is the best on the circuit. She has a finals appearance in a Grand Festival, her third Grand Festival which also makes her the only one with multiple Grand Festival appearances, so she's legit in terms of skill. I faced her myself in the Geosenge Contest semifinal and she beat me easily, but she also had added motivation to beat me."
"Added motivation?" Miette asked.
"Her mentor is an asshole named Drew." Serena said her tone worsening. "May's ex-boyfriend."
"Oh."
"Yeah and he didn't take the breakup well and is now hellbent on revenge." Serena continued. "He's on some mission to crush May through Brianna and me because of our ties to them as they are our mentors. We ran into them and some guy in love with Misty called Kenny who didn't understand that she is with Ash, I'd met him once before in fact when I went with May to watch the Kanto Grand Festival, outside Geosenge and that is what led to this weird proxy war."
"That sounds really complicated." Miette said trying to wrap her head around everything. "And not pleasant at all."
"It is and you don't want to get mixed up in this, trust me." Serena said. "If you do run into Brianna, don't tell her you know me and certainly don't reveal your crush on Ash to her or Drew. That might make you a target as you have a tie to him, and they'd use that. They've already marked Emily as well as she's the closest thing to a protégé that Misty has. However, Emily is the third favorite and can hold her own against Brianna. Right now, we can't."
"I'll keep that in mind, but I will always defend my friends." Miette said seriously. "And that includes you Serena. I won't back down if it comes to it but I won't seek out confrontation either."
"Th, thank you." Serena said looking at Miette stunned. "You don't have to."
"I know and I promise I won't start things unlike with Misty, that was different for obvious reasons." Miette said. "But I will end things."
"That does sound like you." Serena said with a chuckle. "One thing I've always admired about you Miette is your self-assurance and confidence."
"It's my most endearing trait." Miette said with a grin before remembering Serena had mentioned a third person. "Wait, what about this Kenny dude? Is he still around?"
"Oh, he's in Alola now." Serena said. "He decided to challenge Ash to a full battle as some macho shit or something like that despite being a coordinator and the loser had to leave Kalos for a year."
"That's really stupid." Miette said. "Ash would have wiped the floor with him, and I've never seen Ash battle and I know that."
"Oh, and then some." Serena said with a smile at the memory. "It was a clean sweep; Ash didn't lose a single Pokémon in that battle. It did get a little destructive at the end though."
"Wait, was that battle held in Geosenge?" Miette asked.
"Yeah, a few days after the Contest." Serena confirmed. "I take it you've heard of the ending at least."
"So that's what happened." Miette said. "I was in Geosenge a couple weeks ago and there were cracks on the walls and Nurse Joy got really jumpy whenever anyone wanted to battle out back for some reason."
"Well, when a Mega Charizard sends a Mega Alakazam to the ground with a Seismic Toss that is sped up by Dragon Tail, the results are not pretty." Serena said with a wince. "For everyone but Mega Charizard that is. He was fine."
"Come again." Miette said her eyes wide as she tried and failed to comprehend what that might look like. "That's what happened?"
"Yup." Serena said with a nod. "The impact destroyed the battlefield, and the shockwave shattered all the windows in the back of the Pokémon Center and sent us into it. Well, those of us watching at least as Ash, Kenny and the ref were fine, they had nice stone walls to stop them."
"Through broken glass?" Miette asked her eyes wide.
"Yeah, that was painful." Serena said with a shudder at the memory. "Most pain I've ever been in in fact."
"So that explains the bandages Misty had when we battled." Miette said recalling the wrapping on Misty's forearm and leg she'd seen but didn't ask about as it would have been rude. "I was wondering why she had them."
"All three of us girls had them, Misty's were the only ones visible, mine and May's were under out clothes." Serena said. "Ash was lucky he had a wall to stop him, I had a glass strewn floor to slow me down before the front door stopped me."
"What happened to you?" Miette asked concerned.
"Slid across a Pokémon Center on my back that was covered in broken glass." Serena said with a shrug. "Must've hit my head as I don't remember it. One minute Ash is telling us to get down, next I come to with Nurse Joy resetting my should, my back on fire, and a trail of blood on the floor from where I landed to where I stopped."
"Huh?" Miette asked unable to fully understand what happened other than that it must have hurt like hell.
"I dislocated my shoulder when I hit the front door." Serena said reflexively rubbing it even if it was no longer in pain. "Nurse Joy set it for me and then began digging the glass out of my back and sterilizing the wounds. I had to have my entire upper body bandaged for about a month, May and Misty had to help change my dressings every day, and now have a fair few scars on my back from it."
"Damn I'm sorry about that." Miette said.
"It's ok." Serena said. "It's not like Ash expected that to happen and besides, seeing him destroy Kenny and avenge my loss to Brianna in the Contest was totally worth it. Now we don't have to worry about Kenny so that is good. Brianna, well she has an advantage, but we won't let her win."
Miette was about to say something about that when the screen in the room flickered to life and the whole room fell into a hush. Jillian stood there in front of the judges, which included the two normal ones in Mr. Contesta and Sukizo, smiling to the cameras.
"Welcome to the Coumarine Contest." Jillian began. "Today…"
Serena zoned out of the intro she'd heard enough times to know what was being said as she got into the zone for the coming Contest. She was going to do her best to win this one despite a favorite being here, and Miette as well. Misty hadn't won the other day; Serena couldn't let the others down and not win herself. Of course, it would be tough, and she noticed Jessilina leave as she Jillian was speaking which meant one thing, the woman from Sinnoh was going to be going first.
The bar would be set high, but Serena smiled as she though about her appeal. She would know what she needed to do to advance thanks to Jessilina, and she fully intended to do it. It was time to win her second Contest.
Jessie stood in the wings waiting for her introduction and another chance to bask in the adoration of her many fans. Going first would help a lot, she just had to wait for Jillian to quit hogging her spotlight.
James and Meowth weren't too happy with the lack of success they were having on their main mission, but they would have to live with it. The cameras and people loved both Jessilee and Jessilina and Jessie wasn't going to pass that up, not for a million years. Plus, they were actually making money for once thanks to her, and that was after she reinvested some in herself, so they could prepare something big for when the time came.
At least that had been the excuse that Jessie had given them to get them off her back for focusing so much time recently on her other careers. It had all started shortly after running into the twerpettes in Cyllage and since then Jessie had been on a role of success that they'd never known before, baring one annoying setback.
It had started with a Contest shortly after leaving Cyllage where Jessie had secured her second ribbon in her second Contest of the year and solidified Jessilina's status as one of the favorites in the process. She'd furthered her status in that regard a few weeks later, and right after her last run in with the twerps, with a third ribbon to earn qualification for the wildcard weekend event nice and early with the bare minimum of Contest appearances.
The only thing that had annoyed Jessie about that was that she was the second coordinator that year to do so behind a Kanto girl called Emily who'd earned her third ribbon a few days before her. Jessie hadn't yet met or faced the girl who was considered her equal and compared to her a lot as both of them had lost in their debut Grand Festivals to Misty and both in the semifinals, but she knew that she was better. That was because Jessie had won her 3 ribbons in 3 Contests, not 4 like Emily.
Of course, she'd failed to check and see who that loss had been to because at the time it had been insignificant to Jessie. That had come back to bite Jessie in her fine ass when she faced Brianna, the overall favorite of the year, in a final the week before and lost.
Not only had she lost, Brianna had been ruthless on a level Jessie couldn't help but respect and had she not matched Brianna's Trevenant with her Gourgeist, Brianna would have won by Battle Off. A fresh-looking scar on the girl's face only added to Brianna's air of menace as she beat Jessie for her own third ribbon in as many Contests.
That meant that Jessie would have to compete in the Coumarine Contest to get her fourth ribbon and take the lead in ribbon totals. She hadn't wanted to do so; while she'd wanted to secure her fourth long before the Wallace Cup so she could focus on capitalizing on Jessilina's image as she 'prepared' for the Wallace Cup to be her 5th ribbon she had another plan that was ruined by Brianna.
That fourth ribbon would have allowed her to compete in the Coumarine Showcase as Jessilee and secure her 3rd Princess Key early. Then she could do the same with Jessilee's image and that one made more money due to her mature sex appeal.
While Jessie could have competed in both like she did in Ambrette Town she opted not to. The twerps may be impressively oblivious to her disguises, others might not be and if Jessilee and Jessilina both kept winning in the same places, and both had similar names and Pokémon with the same hair color despite different personalities, then someone might make the connection. As such, she was no longer competing in both events whenever they were in the same town or city.
That was why Jessilina hadn't appeared in the Lagoon Town Contest despite being a lock to win it, Jessilee had won her second Princess Key in the Showcase instead, putting her one away from the Master Class. Now it was Jessilina's turn to be one away from the big competition by winning the Coumarine Contest.
If she succeeded then Jessie would take a little break from competing to appease James and Meowth while they plan a new heist and she focused on milking her images for all they were worth. Her third Contest had cost them their shot at the Shalour Gym's Lucarios and Mega Stones because they had to hurry to Lagoon Town for the Showcase there rather than attack the gym. Of course, in that time Jessie's personas wouldn't be quiet. They were stars and favorites, just as Jessie had always wanted. There was no way she wasn't going to enjoy it.
In fact, she already was milking them for all they were worth thanks to the two different personas she'd perfected for them. First there was Jessilee; the beautiful, mysterious, slightly exotic, sexy, fashion icon currently sweeping the Showcase Circuit. She was a model who was an inspiration to young girls who aspired to be like her and women who saw her success and wanted it for themselves. Jessie played the role perfectly and loved all the attention that came from it.
Naturally, it wasn't enough and Jessilina got Jessie the rest she needed as Jessilina's personality filled the niche that Jessilee's did not. Jessie had toned down some of Jessilee's more eccentric and quirky parts from back in Sinnoh to come off as the hometown, rustic girl from a small town who you wanted to bring home to meet the parents. She was pure, sweet, confident, and borderline innocent in her attitude to things and was a darling because of that. Her brief retirement and return as a more rounded girl only added to Jessilina's appeal.
Jessilina appealed to those who Jessilee did not and vice versa. It was perfect for Jessie. She had full control over the media through her two personalities and was loving it. In the Showcase arena she was unmatched, though she'd learned that the Sinnoh twerpette was now a performer and if that circuit found out about Misty's past she might be a threat. However, that was one that Jessie could deal with. It was the Contest circuit where her fame was threatened.
The threat wasn't from Brianna. Something had snapped in that girl it seemed and while she was the favorite she had no desire to be a media darling. No, the threat came from Emily and Serena, the latter of whom just so happened to be the reigning Master Class winner who'd lost to Aria and was now the Kalos twerpette to boot so she had the whole home region thing going for her. Emily threatened Jessie's image because that girl had a sweet schoolgirl charm that cut into Jessilina's demographic while Serena was the Kalos darling and thus a general threat.
Of course, Jessie's luck had ensured that Serena was in this Contest with her. She'd noticed the latest edition to the twerpette collection, and likely that oblivious Ash's unintentional harem that he seemed to have developed for some inexplicable reason, the moment she'd walked in.
Serena was talking to a blue haired girl that had been one of the ones who'd stopped her, James, and Meowth when they stole that food so she was a borderline twerpette as well for interfering in Team Rocket business. It looked like Jessie would have to deal with them here as well.
She didn't mind though. Jessie knew she was better than them and would show it both with her appeal and then in the battles. She'd face them if she had to and if she did she'd talk to them while in character but only then. For now, she had bigger things to focus on, like putting on a show worthy of a favorite.
"Alright folks, it's time to finally start the Coumarine Contest." Jillian said bringing Jessie's attention back to the task at hand with a grin as it was now time for her to take her rightful place in the spotlight. "First up we have one of the fan favorites, as well as an actual favorite, on the year to start us off. She's already gotten 3 ribbons making her one of 3 coordinators to reach the wildcard so far, the second of them in fact, so give it up for the adorable Maiden of Sinnoh, Jessilina!"
Jessie wasn't a fan of that nickname, she wasn't a maiden after all, but it worked with her image, so she let it stand and ignored it as she walked out of the wings and smiled to the crowd, waving coyly as she did and getting even more cheers for it. She was on stage; she was going to milk it and then blow everyone's minds with her appeal.
"Gourgeist, come on out and dazzle!" Jessie said as she reached her starting spot, pulled out Gourgeist's Poke Ball, and tossed it in one smooth motion. "Start by going high and using Seed Bomb, send it all over the stage!"
"Gourgeist." Gourgeist almost sang as she flew up to float high above the stage and right in the middle of it before she opened her mouth and spewed out the attack as she spun in place.
The Seed Bombs flew in a perfectly timed spin that sent them off in a wave and never two in the same spot, so it really worked. Each bomb went off when it hit the ground causing a small explosion that gave off a nice rhythm. All the while Gourgeist was dazzling from her spot.
"That's it, now Shadow Ball." Jessie commanded. "Slowly and into the air around you."
"Gourgeist." Gourgeist sang as she understood her trainer's command.
Never breaking her spin or timing, Gourgeist seamlessly switched from sending out Seed Bombs to sending out Shadow Balls from her mouth. Not only did the transition come off as smooth and elegant but it also highlighted her two types by going from grass to ghost type moves. The only difference was that the Shadow Balls were deliberately slow so that they seemed to hang in the air as they fell.
"Destroy them with Leach Seed." Jessie said. "But maintain your speed."
Again, Gourgeist sang her name as she transitioned moves for the second time, this time going back to a grass type move. Her timing and rhythm never changed though as she spat out each seed at each Shadow Ball, hitting them as she moved thanks to the heavier attack gaining more speed as she used it, starting with the first one that was near the ground when it happened. The result was a series of small explosions that showed off finesse and power while leading all the way back to near Gourgeist for the grand finale.
"And to finish." Jessie said as the trail returned to Gourgeist but before it did. "Seed Bomb, only one and aim it high, then hit it with Dark Pulse."
Gourgeist simply followed her orders and training to the letter. She finished her Leach Seed, tilted her head back and fired a Seed Bomb directly up as high as she could all while still spinning. Then, once it reached its apex, she fired her Dark Pulse at it and struck it causing it to explode in a massive explosion. The explosion was well above her, and the light highlighted her as she smiled and held out her arm things, still rotating at the same speed as all eyes were now drawn to her.
It was only after the explosion faded that Gourgeist finished her spin, dizzy but pushing through it, as she faced the judges just as Jessie had planned. The pair then curtsied to the judges as the crowd exploded in support for the appeal.
"Wow, what an appeal but then again that is what we've come to expect from Jessilina." Jillian said as Jessie finished basking in the praise of her fans and awaited her feedback from another perfect appeal in her mind. "Do the judges agree?"
"Gourgeist really showed off its two types and how well they can fuse together in moves." Mr. Contesta said with a nod. "And the use of its floating added to spectacle and the skill that Gourgeist displayed in maintaining its rotation the entire time."
"Yes, simply remarkable." Sukizo said helpfully.
"Gourgeist was so adorable there just like its trainer." Nurse Joy said with her usual smile. "And its one of the super-sized ones which just added to everything."
Jessie just curtsied again as Gourgeist did her own approximation of one before she returned her and left. Jessie was smiling normally and holding in her smirk as she left the stage. She knew she'd advanced with that. That would show the twerps present who the real queen of Contests was. That ribbon was as good as hers.
"Damn, she's good." Serena said as her and Miette stared almost slack jawed at the appeal. "One of the best I've seen all year by far."
"Yeah and the way it was so fluid, there was a hint of freestyle in that appeal." Miette said. "No wonder she's a favorite. Both her and that Gourgeist love the spotlight and it really helps them shine."
"Add in her homebody image and I can see why Jessilina is a fan favorite, especially compared to someone like Brianna." Serena said. "And she is the only one who actively enjoys the attention which helps endear her to the public. She'll be a challenge."
"True but at least we know the standard to reach." Miette said. "That is a clear advancement appeal."
Serena just nodded as the second appeal of the day began. As expected, Jessilina had set the bar high and now it was up to them to reach it. Serena fully intended on doing that when it was her turn, and she was the next of them up.
She had to wait for a bit as 7 more coordinators went up, but none were nearly as good as Jessilina and only one of the 7 had what Serena would call an advancement level appeal. When the 8th ended, Serena turned and left the waiting room to take her place as she was after the coordinator about to go.
All through her walk and as she stood waiting she was thinking on her appeal. She was taking a bit of a risk with this one. She wasn't using one of her more appeal orientated Pokémon, and by using it in the appeals Serena couldn't use the Pokémon in the battles, but she'd promised this Pokémon an appeal and this felt right for it. She knew who she'd use in the battles because of it, or at least she had a vague plan but that would come later and be in part dependent on who she faced in the battles. She had to focus on her appeal first.
Serena had practiced it all week and knew that it was as good as it could be. If any of her Pokémon could pull this off it was the one she was going with so she was confident that she could do it. So long as it went at least almost as well as in practice Serena was pretty sure that she'd advance. It just had to go well and that was always unpredictable.
"Thank you judges for those kind words." Jillian said snapping Serena back to the appeal at hand as the coordinator passed her without looking at her and she got into the zone for her appeal. "Next up is one of the many Kalos girls who are established performers showing the Contest scene that they can bring to the circuit. Of all of them, the next one up is the best performer of the lot and is coming off her first ribbon in the Lagoon Town Contest. Give it up for the Kalos Princess, Serena."
Serena sighed at the nickname and intro as it looked like they were here to stay before she smiled and walked out, waving slightly as she did as it was expected of her. She didn't really focus much on that though as she pulled out her Poke Ball and took her place for her appeal.
"Braixen, let's go!" Serena said throwing out her starter and waiting for Braixen to materialize before her before giving the fire type her first command. "Start us off with a Fire Blast."
"Braixen." Braixen said happily as she twirled her stick, pointed it and fired off her attack.
The 5-pointed star of Fire Blast shot out across the stage burning bright as it did. It was at usual speed which would make the next stage tough, but Serena knew that her Pokémon could do it.
"Psybeam." Serena commanded. "Aim for the middle."
"Braixen." Braixen said as she continued to point her stick and fired off the peculiar beam of psychic power as hard as she could from the tip of it.
The beam shot across the battlefield and towards the Fire Blast. The aim was on target, though the star was a little past the middle when it was hit right in the center and blew up. The psychic attack destroyed the center of the fire attack and ended it in a sparkling display that went along each point in unison from the center until all the fire was gone.
"Now continuous Flamethrower." Serena said. "And show off your routine Braixen."
"Braixen." Braixen said as she ran forward, her stick behind her as the flames shot out of it.
The idea for this part of the appeal came from Misty when Serena had asked her and May if there was a way to put on a show with a move that could linger as it would show off Braixen's Showcase training. That was something that could really help Serena if she could get it done. May hadn't been much help but Misty had been.
The Sinnoh native had explained that in a Contest in a place called Celestic Town, she had had her Buneary make an ice creation with her Ice Beam to use and show off. She had ended it with a Dizzy Punch with Buneary's ears that skated over the ice but that had almost backfired when Buneary slipped. Misty had rushed to catch Buneary to cover it and finish the appeal.
Serena didn't have to worry about that though. She knew that what Braixen was doing wouldn't cause a problem like that. That was because she was using her performance experience to show off her moves in an appeal, the blending of what Serena knew with what May and Misty had taught her about appeals.
Braixen just ran around with the fire all over the stage barking happily as she twirled her stick expertly while it was still sending out the attack and dance around, over, and under the flames that she produced. The dance moves had been taught by Sylveon as she was the true dancer of the group, but Braixen knew it as well and leapt all over the place. The only thing she made sure to do was to always avoid the fire obscuring her and to rather use its burning light to highlight her shining coat that Serena had made sure was perfect for today.
"Finish this." Serena said knowing that Braixen would know what to do.
Braixen just yipped and leapt high over the flames, spinning and twirling as her attack ended and the fire died down before she landed in a crouch in the center of the stage. Then she reignited her stick with Flamethrower and arc it over her head creating an arch of fire for all to see and her at the center shinning brightly as she finished the arc, put out her stick, twirled it in her paw, and sheathed it in her tail, facing the judges the entire time.
As the flames ended, Serena turned to the judges and curtsied with Braixen matching her as best she could without her clothes on. That signaled the end of the appeal and the crowd burst into cheers for them. Serena just smiled as she awaited their feedback.
"That is just what we've come to expect from a performer turned coordinator, a free-flowing appeal that shows Kalos's unique style when it comes to displaying a Pokémon's moves while also highlighting traditional elements of an appeal." Jillian said in her usual enthusiastic tone. "But do the judges concur with my assessment?"
"Braixen has clearly been well trained and showed that off with its flames." Mr. Contesta said with a nod. "There is a strong bond between trainer and Pokémon here. The addition of a psychic attack, the type Braixen would gain upon evolution, was a nice touch that complemented the appeal nicely."
"Yes, remarkable." Sukizo said and Serena now understood why May and Misty said he was the most unpredictable judge; he always said the same thing with the same expression every single time.
"Braixen looked so cute, and her fur is amazing." Nurse Joy said. "Serena really knows how to take care of her and Braixen pays her back by giving her all just as it should be between a trainer and her Pokémon."
Serena smiled, curtsied again, returned Braixen, turned and left. She had to get back in time to watch Miette's appeal. Her rival was going not right after her but the one after that, so Serena needed to get back in time to watch it and see what Miette could do.
She had a feeling she'd done enough but she'd never know until the end of the appeals if she had indeed managed to produce a strong appeal. She just hoped that it had been so, and that Miette was as good, she wanted them both to advance. That would really make this Contest really interesting.
Miette stood calmly in the wings waiting for her appeal. Sure, she was a little nervous about it, who wouldn't be, but she was confident in her routine and so was her Pokémon. The only annoying thing was that she hadn't been able to see Serena's appeal to compare hers to. However, that didn't matter, she'd still outdo her rival and make up some ground on her in their ongoing rivalry. She'd start with her appeal.
"Thank you for your feedback." Jillian said as the coordinator left before her left and Miette prepared for her appeal. "Up next is another one of the performers who have decided to compete as coordinators this year to show us how we Kalos gals do things. She's already competed in the Master Class for performers and won one ribbon as a coordinator, now she is seeking her second one. Give it up for one of the most confident girls in Kalos, Miette."
Miette just smiled as she walked out, Poke Ball in hand already, and ready to show off. The crowd cheered for her, and she waved a little to them as she reached her spot. It was time to show the world, Serena, Misty, and most importantly Ash who she knew was watching what she was made of.
"Slurpuff, time to perform." Miette said throwing out her Poke Ball. "Start us off with Fairy Wind."
"Slurpuff." Slurpuff said happily as she sent out the pink mist from her mouth and used it to cover the stage almost as soon as she had appeared before her trainer.
The offensive mist attack filled the stage in front of Slurpuff as she smiled at it. It was thick and pink but would start to dissipate. Miette had no plans for that happening, however.
"Now Slurpuff, Cotton Spore." Miette said. "Make sure the mist stays where it is."
Slurpuff just nodded as she opened her mouth and sent out the cotton like substance that would slow down an opponent. However, in this case the cotton hit the mist and they clumped together creating cloud of pink covered cotton things that where floating out over the battlefield where the mist had been.
"Now control it with Psychic." Miette said.
Slurpuff's eyes suddenly glowed blue. A second latter the cloud of Fairy Cotton as Miette had decided to call it froze in midair, surrounded by a blue light. This was just what Miette had planned.
"Now show off your training." Miette commanded. "Separate the Fairy Cotton into five parts and raise it up."
Slurpuff didn't say anything as she focused on what she had to do. Her and Meowstic had practiced this so that she knew what to do. It took a lot of concentration and effort, but she pulled the fairy cotton apart and into 5 rough balls of the stuff before Slurpuff lifted it higher into the air for all to see. It all still floated there and held by the Psychic which was just what Miette needed to finish her appeal.
"Play Rough." Miette said with a grin. "Play in the cotton."
Slurpuff ended the move and knew she needed to act quickly as she activated her other attack that was the same as her still relatively new type. She leapt forward with a spin and landed on the first cotton clump. From there she leapt from clump to clump playing with them using her move, destroying the balls before they hit the ground in the process. However, this simply caused them to dissipate into the air and fade prettily away rather than blow them so as to not block Slurpuff from view.
The Meringue Pokémon just flipped one last time and landed in the center of the stage as the last of the first two attacks faded. She smiled there, facing the judges as she and Miette curtsied to show that their appeal was over. That reminded the crowd that it was done, and they erupted in cheers for Miette and Slurpuff.
"Another impressive showing of what is becoming known as the Kalos style of appeals, the blend of the free flow of freestyles with the way an appeal works for just the Pokémon and not the pairing with the trainer that a freestyle requires." Jillian said. "Judges, your thought?"
"Slurpuff showed off an interesting way to combine moves that linger in the air very well." Mr. Contesta said with a small nod of his head. "And then the added control of Psychic to put on an appeal that was unique."
"Yes, remarkable." Sukizo said with a wide smile.
"Slurpuff looked so cute." Nurse Joy said happily. "And I liked both the use of a fairy type move with one of the newly classified fairy types while showing off the versatility her old normal type had."
Miette and Slurpuff just curtsied again before she recalled her Pokémon, turned, and left the stage. She was certain she'd done enough to advance but she wouldn't know for a bit as there were 22 coordinators today so plenty more still to show off their appeals. That meant the nerve-wracking wait was on.
"And that is it for the appeals." Jillian said as the final appeal's feedback ended, and the coordinator left the stage. "Give our judges a moment to tabulate their votes and we will get back to you with those who have advanced to the battle rounds."
Serena and Miette were still nervous as they watched the screen and waited. Both felt that they'd done enough to advance, and Serena had said as much to Miette when her friend had returned after her appeal. She'd been impressed by Miette's appeal and the way she used her moves in it to show Slurpuff off had been impressive. Miette had thanked her and asked about Serena's which she'd described as best she could as Miette had missed it unfortunately.
After that all they could do was wait and watch. In Serena's estimation, hers and Miette's were about equal which meant that they should advance together as she only felt that two, including Jessilina's, were better than theirs. Of course, it was all in the hands of the judges and their subjective views on it so that is what it would come down to.
"And we have the 8 who will advance." Jillian said bringing all eyes back to the screen. "But first we want to thank all who appealed today and hope to see you again soon. Now, without further ado, here are the 8 who have advanced."
The screen shifted to a neutral page with 8 coordinator cards face up. Serena instantly saw Jessilina's in the second slot of the first row and then Miette's in the fourth. Hers was the third in the second row so she breathed a sigh of relief at that. She and Miette had advanced.
"And now for the random bracket." Jillian's voice said as the cards flipped over, shuffled, and fell to the bottom of the screen before a bracket formed over them. "Good luck, the battles begin in half an hour."
The cards flipped over and instantly Serena and Miette were looking at them intently. The first one they noticed was Jessilina's in the first slot, well that and a curse from the coordinator drawn against her, but they didn't see their pictures in the second one. Miette's was in the third match and Serena's the fourth which meant…
"Win your match Serena." Miette said simply once Serena had found her own picture. "I want to face you in the semis."
"I fully intend to." Serena said with a grin. "But that means you have to win as well."
"Nothing will stop me." Miette said grinning back at her. "The chance to battle you again like at the ball is one I can't miss. This time you won't get a lucky evolution to win though."
"No, I won't." Serena agreed. "This time it will be pure skill that wins it."
"That it will be." Miette said. "And then we will likely face Jessilina I bet."
"I'm pretty sure if we win our first battles and then face each other, the winner will have to face one of the 3 favorites." Serena said looking over to Jessilina who was now joined by a man who was likely her boyfriend or husband or maybe her mentor and a short bloke that seemed to be a friend of hers as well. "She's too good to avoid I feel. Based on what I've seen and heard, only one of the other favorites can reliably beat her. Such is the nature of favorites though and as I've been told; they can be beaten."
"Won't Ash come and see us." Miette said as she watched Jessilina's crew talking to her and trying to not sound too hopeful, her crush had only grown since losing to Misty even if she accepted that it would be unrequited as he clearly loved Misty. "And wish us luck."
"Ash, May and Misty probably won't." Serena said stressing the other two girls' names more than Ash's. "They did the first time, but it caused a bit of a scene and given my connection to not one but two Top Coordinators I don't want to flaunt that while here. As such, they tend to stay in their seats during this period."
"True I can see that." Miette said with a sigh. "Oh well, then I guess we wait until the battles start and see them afterwards."
"That we do." Serena said. "And mentally prepare because I am so going to beat you Miette like I usually do."
"Not this time Serena." Miette said with a grin. "This time I will win."
The girls laughed and exchanged some more banter for the rest of the time as they got ready for the battles. The first one up was Jessilina, and she was going to be worth watching as there wasn't a consensus on her style or what kinda Pokémon she'd use. Her Gourgeist had been a surprise as it was usually used in battles, so Serena was eager to see what else she'd use.
Jessie for her part just spent the break chatting with James and Meowth about her plans for the battles and what they'd do once she won. They would have to stay here for the Pledging Festival as it was close, and they'd use the Jessilina persona for it to add to her homely image. After that though, they'd just need to find a Showcase for Jessilee and then they could go back to their main mission for the boss as they waited for the Wallace Cup where Jessie would win her 5th and final ribbon.
Their talk was ended early though by the bell that indicated it was ten minutes before the resumption of the Contest. James and Meowth left for their seats while Jessie just swept out of the room and to her starting spot confident and ready to win. She had this Contest in the bag and she knew it.
That much was clear from her first match. Jessie was up against a local coordinator who was too intimidated by her to be a real threat. He put up a decent fight, but his Diggersby was a mismatch for her Frillish in both types and skill. Jessie didn't go for the Battle Off though, Jessilina was too sweet to do that and focused more on style in the battle as she easily won on points by the end to advance to the semis.
Serena had to admit, Jessilina had shown a lot of skill in her first battle, as well as grace in not going for a Battle Off despite being able to, and that made her a little nervous, but she did have to first focus on her own task. That was made more important when Miette and her Clauncher, a Pokémon Serena hadn't seen her rival use before, easily progress to the next rough after taking down a Graveller with an unintended battle off thanks to Miette's type advantage. Serena now had motivation to advance.
However, her own quarterfinal was not as easy. Serena had opted for Pancham in her match to avoid risking him against Miette and her likely choice of Meowstic against Serena. However, her opponent was using a Staravia which also had a type advantage on her. What followed was a tense back and forth battle that Serena barely won and only because she managed to use a combo of Dark Pulse to force Staravia low and hit it with the follow up, and super effective, Stone Edge to remove enough points from her opponent to win that way.
Still, she'd advanced and was ready to face Miette. She couldn't see Miette before however as she had to stay in her wing and wait for the first semifinal to finish before they could face each other. After that she'd know who the first finalist would be and then face her rival in battle.
It was no surprise to her, or anyone, that the first finalist was Jessilina. The Sinnoh woman breezed circles around her opponent's Shuckle with her Yanmega in a way that showed she had experience against that Pokémon and that type disadvantages didn't matter to her in a Contest battle. It made her a seriously dangerous finalist, but first Serena had to get through Miette if she wanted to face Jessilina.
"And now for our second semifinal." Jillian said as Miette and Serena walked out to the cheering crowd. "An all Kalos affair between two performers that you know well by now. It's the confident Miette verses the Kalos Princess Serena."
"Here we are Serena, just as I knew we'd be." Miette said with a grin thankful for the straightforward intro and ready to give battle to her rival. "It wouldn't be fun to not reach the final through you."
"It was fate Miette." Serena said with a grin of her own as she pulled out a Poke Ball with the Pokémon she'd selected for this battle, a risky one as it was one who she'd not used in a battle yet, but it was the best she had against who she expected Miette would use against her. "Let's do this, it's been too long since we settled things this way."
"First time really as that last battle doesn't really count." Miette said pulling out her own Poke Ball. "And I can't wait."
"Neither can I." Serena said. "So may the best woman win."
"That is just what we like to hear, a good healthy rivalry between home region girls." Jillian interrupted happily. "So, begin!"
"Meowstic, time to perform." Miette said throwing out her Poke Ball confirming Serena's suspicions.
"Vivillon, let's go." Serena said throwing out her own ball wishing her own Meowstic was able to battle but she was watching with the others to understand the whole Contest system before she made her debut, plus Vivillon was the best to counter a psychic type like Meowstic.
"Meowstic, Psyshock." Miette ordered.
"Dodge it and counter with Acrobatics." Serena said as the battle began.
Meowstic struck first with the odd psychic wave he sent out at Vivillon. Vivillon however had the time to active Acrobatics and shoot towards Meowstic while evading the wave of psychic power that had been sent at it. However, in doing so it had to alter its course which made the speedy flying type move a shade off course and thus gave Miette the time to counter as Vivillon righted itself for the attack.
"Disarming voice." Miette said knowing the attack would hit and bring Serena back to even with her after her miss cost her points.
"Push through it Vivillon." Serena ordered. "I know you can do it."
Meowstic opened his mouth and let out a cry that did emotional damage to Vivillon and took away some of Serena's points putting Miette in the lead after Serena took it to begin with thanks to her opening dodge. Serena had the last say though as Vivillon pushed through it and slammed into Meowstic hard sending him staggering back a pace, but Miette was already ready.
"Sucker Punch." Miette ordered. "Put some distance between you two then activate Psychic on yourself to fly. Let's see if Serena can match that when we take away her aerial advantage."
Before Serena or Vivillon could react, not that they could given the nature of Sucker Punch, Meowstic charged forward and hit Vivillon with priority dark type attack he knew. Vivillon wailed as it was flipped back and away from Meowstic. Meowstic then closed his eyes, unfurled his ears, and the eyes on them glowed blue before his whole body matched them and he took flight with his own psychic.
Serena had to admit, it was an interesting use of the move, but it meant that Miette couldn't do much while it was active. She could dodge and that was it, but dodging was a valid strategy to take away your opponent's points in a Contest battle. It was how Jessilina had won her semifinal battle with her Yanmega despite a type disadvantage. That meant that Miette wanted an aerial battle, well Serena could give it to her.
She had a plan for Miette. She knew her friend well and knew that she'd likely opt for Meowstic against her as it was one of her better ones when matched up with Serena's Pokémon and Miette was confident enough to use a Pokémon like that against Serena rather than thinking about Serena's team.
Serena had taken a risk in countering it with Vivillon as her bug and flying type wasn't a typical battler for her, but it was the best Pokémon she had against a psychic type. Pancham had a dark type move but his pure fighting type was too much of a disadvantage against Miette's Meowstic, especially with a move like Disarming Voice. That and Serena had an ace she was waiting to play with Vivillon at the right moment, but it would only work once so she had to wait.
Miette however had not just chosen Meowstic because he was her best to battle Serena. While it did mean that her fourth Pokémon would have to face Jessilina if she won, that one was probably strong enough to handle the Sinnoh woman, Meowstic gave her the best chance against Serena.
That was because Miette had studied Serena's team and knew that if she could eliminate Pancham from the equation, she'd leave Serena with Braixen and Rhyhorn as her best battlers. Serena had surprised her by using Braixen in the appeal thus eliminating her from being in the battles so that left Rhyhorn as Serena's best battler. However, Miette had a feeling that with Jessilina in the competition Serena wouldn't use Rhyhorn in the semis but save it for the final. That just left Pancham as a real threat against her, especially after using Slurpuff in the appeals.
As such, Miette had opted for Meowstic because his psychic type countered Pancham's fighting. She'd assumed that Serena would know this and not use Pancham against her. This was confirmed when Pancham was used in the quarterfinals meaning that it would be Sylveon or Vivillon in the semis, well them or a new one but that was something Miette couldn't plan for.
As such, Miette had expected Sylveon though as she wasn't sure Serena had used Vivillon in a battle before. She'd surprised Miette with that choice and the bug type could cause a problem if it knew one of its own type's attacks, but Miette could counter that with Meowstic as she was doing now.
"Meowstic." Miette said. "This has become a battle in the air so keep your sense sharp and dodge everything Vivillon tries. Evasion will win this for us as we slowly whittle down Serena's points."
"Vivillon, I know you are the better flyer." Serena said and noticing that her and Miette were neck and neck in points which meant that the dodging would be key as she didn't want to reveal her ace just yet. "Powder and make sure that it sticks."
"What is that for?" Miette asked confused as she thought about how Powder worked. "I don't have a fire type attack."
Serena just grinned as Vivillon understood and shot off at Meowstic. Miette didn't pay any heed to it though as Meowstic sensed the coming attack and reacted accordingly. What followed was a series of dodges, ducks, weaves, and evasions as for a good 2 minutes Vivillon and Meowstic chased each other around the air above the battlefield.
Vivillon knew that it had to be careful and cautious in its actions. Its ability increased its accuracy but in this situation that was only a small boost given how mobile his opponent was in the air. Vivillon had to prepare and strike at the right moment.
It took a few attempts, Vivillon did miss the first two times and Serena lost points to give Miette a lead in the battle but that was to be expected. On the third attempt, however, Vivillon faked releasing the powder causing Meowstic to dodge and then Vivillon actually released it to coat Meowstic in the strange move. As soon as Serena saw it she struck.
"Sunny Day!" Serena commanded.
"What are you play…" Miette began as suddenly a harsh sunlight appeared above the stage and what Serena was planning finally happened.
Just as she had done in the Geosenge Contest with Vivillon's appeal, Serena self-triggered Powder's combustion effect. She knew that Miette's Meowstic didn't know a fire type move so she instead went for the combo. She just had to strike at the right moment, and she had it when Miette decided to make this about evasion rather than standard battle. As soon as the Powder landed, Serena knew that she had a big advantage.
The moment the Sunny Day happened the Powder on Meowstic ignited and blew up hurtling him straight to the ground with a wail of pain and a trail of smoke. Miette's points fell significantly as Meowstic slammed into the battlefield hard. Miette was shocked, she had seen footage of Serena using that combo before, but she didn't think it would work when on a Pokémon the same way it had in an appeal. Apparently it did and Serena had changed the battle with it. Well, Miette was quick, and she adapted instantly.
"Disarming Voice to disorientate it." Miette ordered. "And then into Psychic. Ground that Vivillon, show Serena she doesn't have a monopoly on combos in this battle."
Meowstic opened his mouth while still on the ground and let out the cry of emotional damage. Vivillon had no way of avoiding it and shuddered in pain from the move as it flew, temporarily disorientated by the fairy type attack.
In that moment of distraction, Meowstic ended the move early and got up, unfurling his ears and glowing blue. A second later, just as Vivillon was recovering, it was engulfed in blue light. With a flick of his head, Meowstic downed Vivillon hard, slamming it into the stage as hard as he could in revenge for what it had done to him.
"Sucker Punch." Miette said finishing her combo attack.
"Now." Serena said as the Psychic ended and Meowstic shot forward. "As soon as you can, Bug Buzz and keep it up!"
The Sucker Punch would land first, that was unavoidable. Meowstic slammed into Vivillon hard and sent it reeling, and Serena's points dipping below Miette's again as her combo ended. However, Vivillon steadied itself while still in the air and suddenly its wings began to vibrate hard with the latest move it had learned.
"Disarming Voice!" Miette said as the super effective bug type attack hit Meowstic and brough him to a knee from the pain of the move. "Push through it, I know you can."
"Keep it up Vivillon." Serena said as Meowstic gritted his teeth and opened his mouth to unleash the attack.
What followed was a standoff as Vivillon kept beating its wings and doing damage to Meowstic from Bug Buzz while Meowstic kept up the Disarming Voice through it while still on a knee and looking at Vivillon as he inflicted damage as well. All this time both Serena and Miette were intensely glaring at each other across the battlefield as their points ticked down at roughly the same time and pace. It was so intense that they both almost missed the sudden sound a bell going off.
"And that is time." Jillian said and both girls looked at her in surprise as their Pokémon finished their attacks and fell to the ground exhausted, injured, but still able to battle should it be a tie. "What a battle there and it came down to the wire, but the winner is…"
Serena and Miette suddenly realized that the timer had ended, and the winner would be decided on points. In unison they snapped their attention to the jumbotron where their pictures and points bars were. Both bars were almost depleted but one of them had a sliver more than the other that was just about visible with the naked eye.
"…Serena!" Jillian said and the crowd erupted as if it had been a final.
"Meowstic, return." Miette said smiling despite the loss and looking at the ball in her hand. "You did really well my friend. That was really close, it could have gone either way I feel. Don't feel bad, next time she's ours."
"Take a rest Vivillon, you did better than I could have ever asked for in that battle." Serena said to her recently recalled Pokémon before putting the ball away and looking up to Miette. "You're right Miette, that battle came down to objective standards I feel. It was really intense all the way to the end just as I would expect from you."
"Which is effectively a draw in my book." Miette said with a grin. "Next time I will make sure my victory is decisive and that the battle is even more intense than this one."
"As will I." Serena said grinning back at her friend.
"Win this Serena." Miette seriously before bowing slightly in respect to her friend and rival. "Win this Contest. I want to make sure that like with the Master Class, I lost to the best person present."
"I will Miette." Serena said and meaning it, she was going to give it her all in the final, she had to against someone like Jessilina.
"Thank you." Miette said with a smile. "I'll be cheering for you with Ash, don't worry, I won't say anything."
Serena couldn't help but blush and stutter slightly as Miette smirked, turned and left. She had had the last word which was what she wanted. She was going to support Serena and hoped that she would win this Contest. It was going to be tough, but Miette had faith in her friend as she walked past Jessilina and headed to join Ash, May, and Misty in supporting Serena.
Jessilina just watched the girl leave and ignored her. She was here to win, and she was going to have to beat the twerpette to do so. Well, she could do that with ease and would show it now. She just had to keep playing Jessilina to perfection as she had always done, not that a twerpette would notice. With that in mind, she plastered an innocent smile on her face and walked out to meet her opponent and win her 4th ribbon.
Serena wouldn't lie, she was nervous as the homely, innocent looking woman strolled out of her side and calmly walked to her starting space with the poise of a veteran coordinator who'd been here many times before. Serena had already faced and lost to Emily and Brianna. Now it was time to face the third of the so called Big 3 this year. This time though, Serena didn't plan on losing. That is way she met Jessilina's gaze with a firm one of her own to show that she wasn't afraid.
"Jessilina, a pleasure to finally meet you." Serena said with a respectful bow of her head. "I have faced the other two favorites but not you yet."
"So, you know the standard that you are facing then." Jessilina said in a voice that was a little girlish for a woman of her age, but Serena could see how it played into her home girl image. "I will make sure to do as well as the others who I am being compared to this year."
"And I will do my best to win." Serena said.
"Yes, I expect the Master Class winner to do so." Jessilina said surprising Serena. "Don't be surprised sweetie, it's in your introductions but even then, I'd know about your past accomplishments. I am keyed into the media so that my fans have easy access to me, I know all about the other fan favorites and the local girl who is a highly acclaimed performer is one of them."
"I see, well I know of your skill as well." Serena said ready to drop her own surprise on Jessilina. "The Sinnoh semifinalist who shocked the world when she retired after the Grand Festival but came out of retirement for Kalos. You're comeback tour as you like to call it when you do interviews about it. It's an honor to face someone of your pedigree but I have learned from the woman who beat you in that Grand Festival, so I know how you battle."
"I heard that you had two twer… Top Coordinators as friends and mentors." Jessilina said preventing herself from saying twerpette just in time not that one of them would notice her near slip of the tongue. "And one is helping that Emily girl while Brianna has her own Top Coordinator mentor as well from what I've heard. Unlike you though, I don't have that and will win without them."
"Easy there ladies, save this intensity for the final." Jillian said interrupting them with a playful tone in her voice and bringing their attention back to the final at hand. "But this rivalry is the kinda thing we like to see as we gear up for the Coumarine Contest final."
At this the spectators cheered and called out support for the finalists. Serena saw Jillian grin and knew that the MC had the crowd right where she wanted them. Now all that the woman had to do was whip them into a frenzy and Serena knew how good Jillian was at that.
"So, let's introduce our finalists." Jillian said sweeping her arm to Serena's side. "First off, it's the underdog and local girl. You know her as the Master Class winner and the Kalos Princess, from Vaniville Town, it's Serena!"
At this the crowd cheered and Serena smiled but that was it. She was in the zone and ready for this match, so she had to focus on that first and not play to the crowd the way she had a feeling Jessilina would. That was why she pulled out her Poke Ball and prepared for the final.
"Facing her and seeking to become the first coordinator this year with 4 ribbons to her name." Jillian said sweeping her arm to the Jessilina's side. "We have one of the Big 3 this year. As Serena herself noted, this woman has come out of retirement to compete in Kalos and has shown her pedigree already with three stellar victories already under her belt. Give it up for the Maiden of Sinnoh, Jessilina."
Again, the crowd burst into cheers but where Serena had been reserved, Jessilina glowed in the adoration and blew kisses to the crowd before she set herself, grinned at Serena, and pulled out her own Poke Ball clearly ready for the battle despite her antics. The final was now on, and Serena knew not to underestimate Jessilina. It would take her all to win it, but she fully intended to do so.
"Begin!" Jillian said and the timer started.
"Seviper, come out and win." Jessie said throwing out her Poke Ball.
"Rhyhorn, let's go." Serena said tossing her own Poke Ball as the final of the Coumarine Contest began.
"Start us off with Bite." Jessie said gritting her teeth at the type mismatch she found herself in, Rhyhorn already had the edge in this battle, but she wouldn't let that stop her as her tactics would still win this one for her in the end.
"Charge at it and hit it with Drill Run." Serena said as Seviper slithered toward Rhyhorn, its fangs glowing with dark type power.
Rhyhorn roared and charged his opponent ready to meet it head on. This time he had the matchup on his opponent, and he fully intended to use it. Serena knew it as well and felt her confidence build at the matchup. As Misty had pointed out, types play a big role and in this matchup Serena had it. That should balance her skill level against Jessilina, at least she hoped it would.
Rhyhorn noticed none of this as he leapt the last bit towards Seviper, his body rotating around his horn as he did just as Seviper's jaws opened wide. What happened next was interesting. Rhyhorn slammed into Seviper's open mouth with the super effective attack causing a lot of damage but at the same time Seviper used its fang at impart the Bite onto Rhyhorn doing normal amounts of damage and taking a good portion of Serena's points though not as much as Jessie lost. Still, the older woman had a counter ready.
"Use your body Seviper." Jessie called out as the Pokémon collided. "Poison Tail."
The move wasn't going to be very effective at all but that wasn't the point. The point was to inflict the hit to take Serena's points and hopefully poison Rhyhorn in the process and give Jessie a leveler in this battle. It was also to look good and Seviper did just that as he twisted his limber body, his tail glowing purple, and slashed it across Rhyhorn's face as Seviper was thrown away.
Rhyhorn roared but more in indignation than pain from the minimally effective attack that took a small amount of points from Serena as Seviper hit the ground and rolled away from him. However, he then shuddered, and a thin purple line appeared under his eyes to show that he had been poisoned. That was what Jessie had been going for and it gave her an edge so long as she prolonged this battle.
"Push through it Rhyhorn and use Take Down." Serena said encouragingly.
"Dodge and use Wrap." Jessie countered. "You have the mobility and flexibility Seviper. Use it the way only you can."
Rhyhorn charged, lowering his head as he picked up speed heading for Seviper as Seviper slithered to an upright position. With his speed from former training to be a racer, he could close the gap faster than Seviper was expecting. However, it wasn't fast enough as Seviper leapt out of the way at the last minute to avoid the attack.
The Spikes Pokémon was able to skid to a stop as he turned and grit his teeth through another wave of poison but by then Seviper was on him. Seviper wrapped its body around Rhyhorn's and squeezed as hard as he could.
It wasn't that effective, but it still did some damage and in this position Rhyhorn couldn't move to attack it. Seviper had even wrapped itself around Rhyhorn's mouth though that hadn't been deliberate, that had been more due to not being able to go around its midriff at the time of his attack. This inadvertent consequence had given Jessie the advantage that she wasn't going to squander.
"Bite." Jessie said excitedly. "And keep it up until Rhyhorn is down or the time runs out and we win this."
"Rhyhorn, throw it off." Serena said desperately as she poured her love and support for her Pokémon into her words. "I know you can do it."
Rhyhorn let out a muffled grunt as he struggled but couldn't break the Wrap that every now and then constricted adding a small bit of damage along with the poisoning. At the same time Seviper reared up its head and opened its jaws so that its fangs were glowing with dark type power again. It then sank them into the skin between some of Rhyhorn's plates, once, twice, thrice, as it held Rhyhorn there and took off health while Serena lost a lot of her points.
He knew it was bad, despite his advantages here Rhyhorn felt himself getting weaker as everything he was being hit with began to add up. There was no way he could break free and the Seviper had him where it wanted him. He would pass out and soon if he didn't do something.
Then he heard Serena's encouragement and love for him, and he realized that there was something he could do to break free. True, it was a little early, but he felt it was time and he'd learn something new after he did it that he felt that would give him the edge. Without hesitation, Rhyhorn initiated the change within him and glowed bright white in the middle of the final.
"I don't believe it." Jillian said as Serena and Jessie, along with the judges, all stared in slack-jawed shock at the glowing Pokémon. "It's evolving. This is of course perfectly legal under the Contest rules so long as the evolution isn't trigger by a stone or item as other than that evolution can't be reliably predicted but it hasn't happened since the HopHopHop Town final in Kanto last year when a Dratini evolved into a Dragonair."
Serena had a feeling that she knew who had been in that final but ignored it as she watched as Rhyhorn reared up onto his hind legs, his body growing, plates of armor forming into the main body and a long tail sprouting. His strength increased and as his forelegs changed into arms he thrust them out to the side and threw a shocked Seviper off him as his horn elongated a bit and his head shifted to his new form.
Then, almost as soon as it had begun, the evolution ended to reveal a Pokémon on his hind legs with a lighter gray than Rhyhorn except for his now exposed belly that was cream colored, and a same-colored conical horn on his nose. He wasn't armored anymore but smoother with plates on his back. With a roar, Rhydon finished evolving and stamped the ground impatiently while looking to Serena.
"You have a new move?" Serena asked her Pokémon recovering first from the sudden change and Rhydon nodded at her words. "I have no idea what it is but go ahead and use it."
Rhydon grinned and bellowed as he raised his foot, looking at the now recovering Seviper the entire time, and brought it down hard. Suddenly the entire battlefield began shaking as Rhydon unleashed his Earthquake. No one was ready and Serena, Jessie, and Jillian all fell over while Sukizo fell out of his seat from the violently shaking battlefield.
However, Seviper faired worse as the super effective attack coursed through him and he writhed in pain where he was, thrashing and bouncing on the shaking ground the entire time. Then it was over and Seviper slowly tried to look up showing that it was still in it. Serena saw this from the floor and using the full surprise of what had just happened yelled out her final order.
"Thunder!"
Rhydon roared as he formed the ball of lighting on the tip of his horn and then shot it up into the sky. It arched upwards for a moment before it came crashing down right where Seviper was.
All Seviper could do was look at the familiar sight of electricity coming towards him and whimper before the Thunder slammed into his side. Seviper briefly wailed before going silent and spasming under the electricity until it ended. When it did, Seviper was lying on its side, smoking, charred, and with swirls for eyes having been pushed well past his limit by the final attack.
Suddenly two Xs sounded and appeared on the now slightly cracked podiums. Serena was confused for a moment until a second later the third X sounded as Sukizo got to his seat as Serena was still on the ground and hadn't seen what had happened to the judges.
The Xs meant that it was over. Serena had won. It also wasn't a moment to soon as the poison stuck again and all the damage Rhydon had taken finally pushed him passed his limit and he groaned before collapsing forward out cold with swirls for eyes.
"Well, that was, different." Jillian said slowly getting to her feet and dusting herself off. "Both Pokémon have fainted, but Seviper clearly passed out first and the Battle Off called before Rhydon fainted. That means that the winner of the Coumarine Contest, in the first true upset of the year and with a minute to spare, is Serena!"
The crowd finally recovered from the wild final and began cheering it. Serena slowly got to her feet and saw that Jessilina was doing so as well. She was certain that she looked just as rumpled as her opponent did but ignored that as she recalled Rhydon and looked at the Poke Ball.
"Rhydon, I am speechless at what you did there." Serena said smiling broadly at it. "You evolved to throw Seviper off and learned Earthquake in the process. Without any of that we wouldn't have won, I know that. I can't believe it. Thank you, we will properly celebrate once you are all healed up, I promise."
Serena collapsed the ball and put it away as she looked up to see that Jessilina was murmuring to Seviper in its ball. Knowing what to do next, Serena walked out and towards the center of the battlefield. As she was walking she saw Jessilina look up and a flash of anger crossed the older woman's eyes that didn't fit with her image but given the upset loss it made sense. However, it was gone before Serena could think more on it and Jessilina was smiling as she too walked out.
Jessie was in fact furious at the twerpette for pulling the usual twerpy Taurus shit that they almost always did to win. She couldn't show it for more than a second though as she plastered the usual façade she'd cultivated for Jessilina onto her face and walked out to meet the twerpette and show her good sport at her shocking defeat.
"Well done Serena." Jessie said smiling and forcing herself to not clench her teeth as she reached Serena and held out her hand first to salvage something from the moment. "That was some match there."
"That it was." Serena said smiling back and taking Jessilina's hand to shake it, surprised to notice that her nails were perfectly manicured which seemed a little at odds with her appearance but it was a Contest so it was understandable that Jessilina would want to look her best, Serena could respect that. "You are really good, definitely the better of us right now. You had me with Seviper despite the disadvantage you had. I only won because of what Rhydon did."
"Sometimes that is how it is." Jessie said letting go of Serena's hand and giving her a small shrug at the outcome. "Today was your day thanks to a little luck. Next time we meet, you won't get so lucky. You will need skill to beat me again."
"I intend to be that good by then." Serena said smiling at the challenge from one of the 3 favorites this year and a new rival for her on the Contest circuit. "And I look forward to seeing you at the Grand Festival."
"And I you." Jessilina said. "But I must be off, Seviper needs a rest, as do the others I used today, and my manager will get upset if I linger too long when it isn't my moment of triumph."
"Of course, until next time." Serena said as Jessilina turned and left.
Jessie kept her head held high and walked off the battlefield as the crowd cheered her good nature and she waved a thanks to her supports as she left the stage. She may have lost but she'd milk this for all it was worth and would get that 4th ribbon soon enough.
She was just pissed she lost to a twerpette. She had to get better so that it wouldn't happen again. She also had to take her rage out on something. Thankfully, James and Meowth had just been volunteered for that job whether they wanted it or not. She'd be back but for now she needed to vent and get as far away from those accursed twerps as possible.
Meanwhile Sabrina turned to find Mr. Contesta waiting for her with a tray in his hand. In the tray was a green ribbon with a brown border in the Kalos ribbon style that would be used for all ribbons awarded in the region with the exception of the Aqua Ribbon when the Wallace Cup happened. In the center was a golden tree as the seal to represent Coumarine City.
"Serena, that was certainly a final to remember and the most memorable one of the year." Mr. Contesta said as he held up the tray for her to take the ribbon. "Congratulations on your second ribbon, one more to qualify for the wildcard so I hope to see you in a Contest again soon. For now, celebrate this for you have won the Coumarine Contest."
"Alright." Serena said picking up the ribbon and doing her victory pose for the crowd though she wished she could have Rhydon with her for it but he was out cold and in need of healing, so she had to settle for doing it alone. "I won the Coumarine Ribbon."
The crowd erupted in cheers for her as Serena lowered her hand and looked at her second ribbon in her palm smiling at it. She had done it, she'd won another Contest and not just that, she'd beaten a favorite in the process, even if everything had to go right for her to win.
This win would increase the pressure and the target on her back despite the win being all Rhydon's doing in the end and not hers but for the moment she didn't care. She had won and that was what mattered. She'd celebrate with the others, but this moment was hers and she embraced it as she held her ribbon.
They had three things to do when they came to Coumarine City and had won two of them. The Pledging Festival was in a few days and Serena fully intended to treat all her Pokémon at it, they deserved it. For now, though, she basked in her moment and looked forward to what was to come next on their journey.
