Part CXXXII: Baptism By Fire
Ash grinned despite the early hour as he and his friends made their way to the start area for the first of the many events that were being held at the Fire Festival. At last, it was time to start, and Ash would be in the first event of the day. Thank Arceus they got here 2 days early or else they may have missed it.
Two days ago, the quartet had arrived in the village where the Fire Festival was being held to find it bursting with activity as the villagers got ready for another Festival and they learned what to expect during it. The village had been hosting this for decades to honor the many fire types of the world as its founder had been a fire type specialist who's Pokémon had helped establish the village and people came from all over for it. After so many Festivals it was well run and very informative for the newcomers when they asked about it.
The Festival itself was a whole day affair with the events occurring from Misty to dusk so that no moment of sun was wasted. Unlike what they were expecting, the Festival was not going to include any actually battles between Pokémon. Rather the events were more competitions for different kinds of fire types to show off the vast range the type had to offer the world.
Since its inception, the Festival always began with the Misty race as the first rays of sun hit the village. This was a special event for dual fire and flying types or those who could fly but didn't possess the latter type however it was recommended that smaller Pokémon, especially avians, be used as it was a set course that favored small, nimble and agile flyers. In addition, Charizards were actually banned from the event as there was a special category for them later in the day.
That didn't matter to Ash as he had Fletchinder to start out and he'd be perfect for the event while Charizard would enter the first event after breakfast that was for Pokémon like him. This also allowed Ash to focus on one event per Pokémon so both had a chance to win their events without having to compete with each other.
The flying race was a special course tweaked and honed over the years to really test a Pokémon's abilities in the air. The Pokémon would fly from the starting point outside of the village on the northern end, through a dense copse of trees, over a plain to a set of cliffs, hug the cliffs over the water below as they flew south, and come back through a mountain pass at the southern end of the cliffs that missed the trees. Lastly, they'd circle the village once before flying over it to the finish line.
To make sure that they did follow the course, there were special floating rings that the Pokémon had to fly through, and all competing Pokémon wore an electronic tag on part of their body to record it on a special machine. Failure to do so meant added time to their final time which could cost them the race when it was over. It was all very official, and Ash couldn't wait for it.
As it was a set race course, it was recommended that trainers wishing to enter it come the day before to learn how it was set up and practice on it as it was open for that the day before. Ash did just that, using the drone cameras that were set up throughout to watch as Fletchinder learned the course and then they spent the evening planning for the race itself. That was why they were glad they arrived early as they may have missed this event due to its time and the practice the day before.
The flying race was always the start, and it was followed by the opening of the main Festival grounds in the main square before the second event that would occur in a few hours. The center of the village would be filled the stalls selling with special hot food, breeders who specialized in fire types offering their services or advice, and other specialty stores providing wares for fire types were for people to check out and get help with.
They would be open all day and be part of the festival but Ash and his friends, along with Max and Bonnie who had arrived with Owen the day after them due to Owen having business back in the fighting tournament town, would be mainly focused on the events that they were all entering. Only Owen was going to focus on the stalls as he didn't have a fire type, but they'd all check them out, especially the food ones, throughout the course of the day.
A little after the typical breakfast hour the next event in the center of the village would start and it would be the event to really start the day. As such, it was the event that was specially for the fire type starter Pokémon.
They didn't know what the event would entail but as all four of Ash's group had fire type starters either on them, or in Misty's case a call away at the time they heard of the event, they were all going to enter it as it was the one event they could all do together. Bonnie would be joining them with her Fennekin so it would be the most populous event for them, and they were all looking forward to it.
After that the next event was scheduled for just after lunch. That event was a special foraging and retrieval event for bipedal fire types so Max was going to be in that with his Simisear while they all went to watch and support Max. May was eligible for it with Blaziken, but she was not going to enter it to let it be just Max. It was another event they didn't know the precise details on though.
Then there was the fourth event of the day at the height of the afternoon and that was the one that Bonnie was looking forward to the most. It was the event for the esoteric fire types. The criteria for this one was that only fire types with strange type combinations, especially unique ones, or unusual body types that didn't fit typical mammalian appearances would be in it.
Naturally Bonnie saw it as perfect opportunity for her Litwick and his very unique body to shine. Alas, after meeting two Alolan Marowaks now, Ash confirmed that the typing Litwick had wasn't unique to that Pokémon's evolutionary line.
Misty could actually enter that event wit Pyroar if she wanted as her fire and normal typing was unique to her evolutionary line, but Misty had decided against it to let Bonnie be the center of attention in the event with an actually unique looking Pokémon and because of the final event of the day, the Best in Show event. This was the event that concluded the Festival in the hour before dusk and featured a show off of grooming and excellence with fire types that were quadrupedal.
That was the only requirement though naturally the Pokémon that did best historically were the canine and feline Pokémon but in the past equine Pokémon, well a Rapidash that had entered some 11 years ago, had won it and there had been some surprises apparently like a Tepig one year who won both the Best in Show and starter event, and a Torkoal that had won it three years over 20 years ago. This was the event Misty was preparing for with Vulpix and Pyroar and Bonnie was helping her with it though she too would be in with Fennekin.
Yes, they were all looking forward to it but first was the race that they had all gathered for. This one was basically an event solely for Fletchinders and Talonflames as they were the main avian fire and flying types, but they weren't the only ones competing today. At least one kid was there with a Rotom in Heat Form and as it had the Levitate ability it was allowed however they'd heard a rumor the day before that there was going to be a debut on the course this year.
"Well, if it isn't May and Serena, I didn't expect to see you two here." A voice called out from behind them, and they all turned to it. "And little Bonnie too, I think you've grown up a bit since last year, you might be able to fly now with us."
Ash and all his friends turned to see the speaker and saw a strangely dressed woman approaching them. She wore a one-piece specialty suit that was white with black arms, light blue shoes and legs to above the knees before being topped with black and then the white body. There was also a black collar and line down her center splitting her breasts and ending at her crotch. The odd thing was that there was fabric connecting the sleeves to the sides creating wings of light blue.
She accessorized her outfit with white gloves and a light blue helmet with a black visor raised that covered her long red hair though allowed for a tuft at her forehead, a long pony tail out the back, and a pair of strands that framed her face. It was a strange get up only added to by the Pokémon perched on her out stretched left arm.
On her arm was a strong looking Talonflame. The large, red and gray bird Pokémon was Fletchinder's final form and was perched there clearly ready for the race though it instantly noticed Ash's Fletchinder on his shoulder and dismissed him as a threat. Fletchinder took that as a personal insult and vowed to at least beat this thing in the coming race.
"Moria?" May asked surprised as the woman approached. "What are you doing here? The Kalos Canyon is all the way to the south."
"Wait you know her?" Ash asked now confused in a rare moment where it was May and not Ash who knew the random person approaching them.
"Yeah this is Moria, one of the flying instructors at that place by the Canyon that teaches people to glide in the wind currents that blow through it and teaches people how to have sky battles." May said. "We met last year when we were passing through the Canyon to get to Shalour and stopped for lessons as it sounded fun. Then I called in Beautifly as its my only flying type, and we had a sky battle though I lost it."
"I was too small and young back then to learn to fly though." Bonnie said but she sounded happy. "I'm bigger now but Diantha was filming there when we passed through so I couldn't try it when we were last there."
"She's still there as the filming is taking longer than expected so the place is shut down, but we are being compensated for lost revenue." Moria said. "And as I am on an unintentional break, I felt like coming to this Festival to see how Talonflame did out of the Canyon and ride some of the costal currents with him afterwards. I see one of you has a Fletchinder."
"Yup, name's Ash Ketchum and we're here to win this." Ash said as Fletchinder cawed in agreement, but Talonflame just ignored him, and Ash held his hand out to Moria. "Shame about the sky battles though, May and Serena told us about them when we were near the Canyon, but we couldn't partake this time around. They would have been fun though."
"Well, we're going to beat you here and in a sky battle when you're next at the Canyon as you seem like someone who likes a good battle just like me." Moria said taking Ash's hand and shaking it. "Glad to have a rival for this, it will make it more fun. Talonflame and I have been meaning to do this for years, ever since we learned of it back when he was a Fletchinder, but usually we're too busy to come up. Thanks to Diantha though we have the time to do so this year."
"Yeah I can't wait." Ash said. "Fletchinder was scorching it on the practice runs yesterday so we are ready."
"As are we." Moria said. "So, I look forward to the challenge, but all this is in our Pokémon's wings."
"True." Ash said. "But as most are Fletchinders and Talonflames training and experience will carry the day between them rather than species, and that is where we will win."
"The currents of the canyon are worse, so we have the strength over the others which is why I know we will win." Moria said getting into it with a grin as Talonflame just nodded. "I enjoy a good race though so I can't wait."
"Excuse me, this is the start for the race thing, right?" A new voice asked, and they turned to see the newcomer, and all were startled by her as she approached as for once none of them knew who she was. "I've never been to Kalos before and only stumbled upon this festival yesterday, but I have a Pokémon that qualifies for it and, well, I could use a break from my main work to focus on myself, so I figured why not give this a shot even though I've never done something like this before."
The woman approaching them looked to be a bit older than Ash and his friends, likely closer to someone like Lucy's age if he had to guess. She was also getting a lot of looks and comments from people, but it was their group she'd chosen to come to as they were the most enthusiastic bunch so likely the best to help her. She was an attractive woman who stood a little above average height wise and dressed in an outfit that Ash had never seen before.
She wore a simple short sleeved blouse-like shirt with light lilac sleeves and stripe on her upper chest, then a white stripe around her bust, a blue one, another light lilac, and lastly a blue one before a light lilac hem and blue ruffles and a high blue collar that fell over her short blue skirt. On the top she had a strange feather like pin over her left breast that was orange, and which matched her knee-high orange socks and orange sneakers.
She accessorized it all with light blue visor with a lilac trim that held back her waist length ice blue hair though she had a large cowlick in the center and wore a single white glove on her left hand that looked different to the single glove Owen wore on his right. She also had a cute beauty make just below her left eye that seemed to add to her. She was definitely the type of woman Brock would have gone for until he actually found a woman as crazy for him as he was for her.
Then there were the Pokémon with newcomer. She had two, and both were clearly flying types. Next to her on the ground was a large bird that came up to her waist with a white chest, black wing, tail, and underbelly with a red part where the tail met its body, blue legs and eyes, and yellow markings on its neck. However, that was nothing compared to the massive bill it had that started black at the front then red, orange, light orange, and finally yellow as it reached it's face.
It was clearly a standard normal and flying type that all regions seemed to have at least one of and wasn't the one she was entering. No, the one she was likely entering was perched on its head.
That bird was smaller with bright red feathers with black tops on its tail and before it, and black things on its wings. It also had a white loop that looked like earrings on the sides of its neck and a slightly down curved beak. None of them could recognize either of the Pokémon before them so they turned to the only one of them from Galar.
"Don't look at me?" Owen said with a shrug. "I've never seen either of those Pokémon before and as an aspiring breeder I pride myself on knowing all Pokémon considered to be native to Galar. Those two aren't as far as I know and given you lot don't know…"
"That means that they must be Alolan Pokémon." Max deduced finishing the sentence for his friend. "And you must be from Alola Miss…"
"Kahili." The woman said with a smile her periwinkle blue eyes twinkling at how nice these people were being. "And good guess, I am Alolan. I'm actually a professional PokeGolf player out there but I've been on a losing skid lately so I came to Kalos to clear my head and regain my confidence when found out about this Festival while I was in Laverre, and I couldn't resist giving my Oricorio a go at it as she's currently in Baile Style which means her primary type is fire."
Before anyone could ask what that meant, and they all wanted to as there was a lot of questions they all had from what she'd just said to them, Bonnie acted. Here was another beautiful woman and this one was exotic because she was Alolan and a professional in something Bonnie had never heard about. She was perfect for Clemont.
"You're a keeper!" Bonnie declared as she fell to a knee and took Kahili's ungloved right hand in hers. "Please marry my brother, he needs a cute and smart woman to look after and…"
"Nope come on we're going to the spectator stand and staying there." Max said as he grabbed Bonnie's good ear, the other still had a bandage from the Laverre Incident and dragged her away as Kahili looked at the scene in utter confusion. "This is why you're banned from setting foot within a 10-mile radius of Laverre City, try not to get banned from here as well."
"Huh so that's how she does it." Misty noted as the scene unfolded before her. "And that is the ear drag technique."
"Dawn created and perfected it." May said. "And Max adapted it when we met her as it was better than just trying to drag Brock away though both have ceded to Croagunk and anyway Brock has a fiancée now. How is still beyond me and I was there when he first met Lucy and I still don't get it."
"All of us are still trying to process that though Lucy is cool and she's still the only one to beat my Spiritomb." Misty said before turning back to the startled woman. "I am sorry about that; I don't know Bonnie well but that is normal for her."
"She means well she just doesn't understand yet that she shouldn't do it." Serena said with a smile. "Anyway, I'm Serena and I'm one of the few from Kalos here along with Bonnie and Moria."
"I'm Moria." Moria said raising her free hand to show which one she was. "And it looks like you are racing with us, great. I've never seen an Oricorio before though, she's a real beauty."
"Though what did you mean by Baile Style?" May asked as she study the bird instantly drawn to it. "Is it like Castform, that's a species native to my home region of Hoenn that can change form and type with the weather. I'm May by the way."
"Misty." Misty said helpfully.
"Ash." Ash said. "And one of your rivals as me and Fletchinder are in the race to win it."
"Fletchinder." Fletchinder cawed in agreement at that.
"Owen and I'm the only one who doesn't have a fire type but as I breeder I want to learn more about how to properly care for as many different kinds of fire type as possible." Owen said. "What is the other Pokémon? You seem to like flying types seeing as you have two that are clearly close to you."
"You could say so, I only have flying types, but my passion is PokeGolf." Kahili said recovering and glad they were all so friendly and therefore happy to answer any questions that they might have for her. "This is Touchey, my Toucannon and constant partner. I guess you could say he is the Alolan version of Talonflame here in Kalos or whatever it is in other regions. Though unlike Talonflame he's a normal and flying type."
"Ah that would be Staraptor in my home region of Sinnoh." Misty said. "That's also a normal and flying type though I think Fletchinder and Talonflame are unique in not being normal types though Fletchling, the first form is before changing to fire, so I don't know."
"Probably Swellow for Hoenn though we are a little different there." May said. "It's only a single evolution rather than two like most other regions."
"Pidgeot in Kanto for me though I have the other two mentioned as well as the Unovan one which is Unfezant and the likely Johto one which is Noctowl." Ash said. "Johto is like Hoenn in being two stages not three, but the rest are three stages."
"It's Corviknight, a flying and steel type out in Galar where I'm from." Owen said surprising the others with the typing of the Galarian one.
"Wait Galar has a Pokémon that is flying primary?" Ash asked turning to Owen briefly.
"Yeah, our three-stage bird Pokémon is that." Owen said sounding confused. "The first two are pure flying types, the only of that typing that I know of, and the last is flying primary and steel secondary. Why?"
"The egg I won in the Fighting Tournament was a Noibat." Ash said. "So now I have a flying and dragon type that is primary flying but in all my years and travels I've never come across a Pokémon who's primary type is flying, it's always been secondary. There's one that I believe I've encountered that is a pure flying type, a legendary out in Unova, but that was it."
"Huh that is interesting." Owen said. "It's certainly not common but it is strange that someone with your travel experience hasn't seen more than two primary or pure flying types. Must be a rare phenomenon in the world but beyond my skills to answer for sure."
"Wow, you lot have bene all over." Kahili said getting their attention again. "And are from all over it seems. This is the first time I've ever left Alola."
"Most of us have been to at best one other region." Serena said. "Only Ash, Misty, May and Max have been to more than one other than their home."
"It's 6 for Ash and me, 5 for May and 3 for Max, right?" Misty said looking at May. "Though I will say in my case my time in Hoenn was brief and one location there."
"I think so, yes." May said with a nod as she thought on Max's various travels with and without her. "But we've been distracted, I want to know more about Oricorio."
"Yes, and you are right though I don't know what a Castform is." Kahili said with as smile as she stroked her Oricorio's head, and she nuzzled Kahili's hand affectionately. "Oricorio here can change her type by drinking the nectar of certain Alolan flowers."
"Fascinating." Owen said sounding just as interested as May was in the Pokémon. "So, it is the nectar that is the determination, I've never heard of that before and it has to be unique to Oricorio as a species. I know that Castform is weather determinative with normal as default, water in rain, fire in sun, and ice in snow but this is different."
"That sums up Castform well actually." May said a little surprised before she remembered that Max was traveling with Owen and would have almost certainly told his friend about one of Hoenn's more unique native Pokémon. "But what about Oricorio, what are her changes?"
"Oh, they are more impressive in my opinion and there are 4 one for each of the Alolan islands, or so we say." Kahili said excitedly. "The other styles as we call them are Pom-Pom which is electric and flying, all are secondary flying actually though that type doesn't change, Pa'u which is psychic and flying and lastly Sensu which is ghost and flying. Mine likes the Baile style best which is the fire one and hence why I'm here. I'm only staying for this event though as it's the only one relevant to me and then it's back on the road as I take a break from my profession."
"Makes sense." Ash said. "And I wish you luck on getting back into it."
"Thank you." Kahili said with a smile. "I too am hoping a break from Alola will help me find myself again and that I'll win again when I return."
"Will the competitors and their Pokémon please come to the start line." An announcer said interrupting their chat as he called for all those who were competing to him. "We will begin in 5 minutes, so we need to give out the tags so that we can make sure the Pokémon hit the loops. Will the spectators go to the designated section."
Well, that was official and so they all exchanged farewells as Ash, Moria, and Kahili made their way to the starting area to register and get their tags while the rest went to the spectator area where Max already was with Bonnie who was banned from leaving lest she start proposing to random women on Clemont's behalf again. They would remain there and watch a screen with several cameras showing the race as a whole, who was where using a trainer icon, and various locations throughout the race course. It was all quite official and looked good.
As for the three in it, they reported in and got their tags with the announcer and marshal of the race ecstatic at Oricorio's arrival having been unsure if Kahili was going to enter after she showed up the night before apparently. This was going to be good, and the trainers all knew it as they tagged their Pokémon and made their way to the start line.
"Right, it is time to start the Fire Festival with the annual Fire Flying Race." The announcer said to the gathered crowd of competitors, Pokémon and spectators. "As Misty has broken we begin with the birds, and a Heat Rotom. The Pokémon have all recorded practice laps the day before so they know the route and what they have to do but I will go over it again for the spectators."
The announcer paused here, and Ash realized that it was to see if there were any questions. There weren't so he continued with his explanation of the event.
"The Pokémon will start here." The announcer said gesturing to a white line on the ground. "They will then go through the trees hitting the 3 loops there, across the plain and the two loops there, over the cliff and south along the coast, again 3 more loops, before coming back through the mountain pass and the 4 loops there. After that it is the 5 loops around the village and then a race above it in a directly line to the finish line here. The first Pokémon to get any part of its body across this line wins."
At this the announcer unveiled a gold trophy that would be given to the winner along with two smaller ones of silver and bronze for the runner up and third place. It showed a Talonflame and a Fletchinder, the two avian fire and flying types native to Kalos, flying through a burning ring on a base that looked like a map of Kalos. In addition, the winner would be named an honorary citizen of the village and the Pokémon pictured for the village's Hall of Champions.
"And this year we have a special debut." The announcer said excitedly. "For the first time ever, we have a Oricorio in its fire type Baile Style. This Alola native Pokémon species, and as far as we know it can only be found in that region, has never been in our race before but we are honored to have one this year under the command of famous PokeGolf pro Kahili so we can't wait to see how it will do."
This got a cheer from some of the crowd, the locals mainly, who were eager to see a newcomer to the race and one that wasn't the usual Fletchinder or Talonflame with the occasional Heat Rotom thrown in for good measure every few years. This time there would be a new Pokémon and already many were going to support it.
"That is all I have which means it's time." The announcer said as a horn blared. "Begin!"
At that the birds and Heat Rotom took off from their trainers and shot towards the nearby trees as their trainers yelled encouragements at them. Ash was ready for this, and he knew that Fletchinder would do him proud, as did Fletchinder as the Pokémon reached the trees, and the race really began.
As soon as they were in the trees Fletchinder was in his element. He'd grown up in a forest and spent his time as a Fletchling flying through the forest as fast as possible to get food and improve his flying in general. That was how he'd taken the food from Ash that got his attention and led to Ash challenging and catching him. Since then, under Ash's tutelage he'd evolved and gotten faster and with Charizard's aid he'd reached a new level in terms of speed and maneuverability. Add in his smaller stature and he was quickly in the lead.
The forest was where Fletchinder knew he'd get the best chance to open up a lead that he'd have to hold from then on and he quickly secured the lead over that Talonflame he was determined to beat as well as the several others of his kind or his evolution. He hit all 3 of the loops in the forest he was supposed to hit with ease and burst out of the forest in first place by a comfortable margin over the one bird that wasn't his species and that Talonflame.
The plain would be the spot where the larger, stronger, Talonflames would get to catch up, so he pushed fast over the grass to hit the first loop as his chosen rival Talonflame emerged and quickly overtook the Oricorio to take second place behind him. Fletchinder didn't care though, he'd keep the lead and win this. He knew it as he hit the second loop having lost only a bit of his lead.
From there it was to the cliffs ahead of him and a left turn to be over the water heading south while over the water. Here the winds were a lot stronger and unpredictable so he just had to ride them and correct as best he could while hitting the loops, something Ash had drilled into him as being important in this race, so he was going to do that. Thankfully, he'd done some flying over the water before and thanks to flying with Charizard and his larger size Fletchinder understood how this part worked as well.
He was able, barely at times, to fly with and not fight the winds as he hit the first two loops before Talonflame even reached this section but alas this was where Talonflame's canyon training and stronger body would come in handy as he knew how to handle winds. The other birds and the Heat Rotom didn't, and they began to fall back at this stage as the two leaders set themselves apart from the rest of the field with their training and skill.
The crowd back in the stands were loving the race as Talonflame closed on the surprise leading Fletchinder who was still leading when it hit the last loop and banked into the mountain pass, but the lead had shrunk somewhat as Talonflame's size and strength had closed the gap to only one loop behind. Plus, now this would be where the Talonflame really excelled as it was a rudimentary canyon.
Back in the race Fletchinder didn't now this as he used the wind to pick up speed and fly through the loops of the mountain pass but his rival, who by now had to admit that this particular Fletchinder was better then it looked, closed in. Talonflame knew how to fly in canyons though, so a mountain pass was nothing for him and by the third of the four loops he had reached Fletchinder.
All Fletchinder could do was caw in frustration as Talonflame blew past him to take the lead as they flew through the last mountain pass loop and into the area to the south of the village. From there they would fly through the 5 loops in a circle of the village as the villagers woke up to their annual Festival and cheered the two leaders who greeted them with caws as the race neared its end.
Fletchinder was frustrated and flying at his top speed as he stuck in it with Talonflame, using its slipstream to manage it but he knew that he didn't have the power to overtake it as they flew through the third of the five loops. However, Fletchinder wasn't going to let Ash down, he wasn't going to let his team down and above all else he wasn't going to let himself down by losing this race.
That was why as they hit the fifth and final loop and banked for the straight shot above town to the finish line Fletchinder let out a loud caw and triggered it. It was time, he knew it, he was ready, and this would be the moment he reached his full potential.
With the birds' position Ash could see them and he gasped, as did everyone watching, as Fletchinder suddenly turned bright white as he flew and began to change. The change itself wasn't much, Fletchinder just got bigger, his head sleeker, his talons larger and more pronounced, and his tail larger. It was only as the light faded that the change was now seen in his plumage.
Now Talonflame's head, upper back and lower half of his wings were reddish orange, the tips and upper half of his wings black, as was his tail though the center two parts had yellow stripes on them. The rest of his body was gray with red splotches and his talons were now yellow with black tips. Ash's new Talonflame just let out a caw and kicked it up a notch.
His evolution was the perfect time as he shot forward and thanks to his slipstreaming he had more energy, so he rolled over his rival Talonflame and past him just before he crossed the finish line in first place less than half a body length ahead. At that the crowd roared as a shocked Talonflame and Moria looked at Ash's newly evolved Talonflame who cawed in pride at his victory and flew around the area before coming down to land on Ash's outstretched arm just as Moria's did with her arm.
As he landed the first batch of stragglers appeared led by Kahili's Oricorio and flew in the circle around the village showing how big the gap between the first two and the rest of the Pokémon was. Still, It didn't take them long though to finish the circuit and then shoot for the finish line. It was close but Oricorio, unbeknownst to all by her trainer Kahili, was known as the Dancing Pokémon and she showed that off with a graceful dance around the other Pokémon to reach the finish line just ahead of the pack and claim third place.
As the other Pokémon past the line, they circled and flew back to their trainers for words of condolence, treats, and rest. As they did this Moria came up to Ash and held out her free hand.
"Well done Ash, looks like you won this one." Moria said and Ash shook her hand as her Talonflame bobbed his head in acknowledgement at Ash's. "And an evolution to win, I'm surprised."
"It's actually the third time a flying type of mine has evolved to win a flying event I've been in." Ash admitted. "Both my Tailow and Staravia evolved to win PokeRinger competitions in Hoenn and Sinnoh respectively. I wasn't expecting it but I'm not complaining."
"Talonflame." Talonflame cawed in agreement with Ash.
"Well come on back to the Canyon when you have time, and our Champion isn't filming there." Moria said with a grin. "We can have a Sky Battle with our Talonflames and see who's is stronger in an actual battle."
"I'd like that." Ash said with a smile. "I'm always game for a new kind of battle and that sounds just the kinda thing I like to try."
"Would the three top finishers please come forward." The announcer said and Ash and Moria did that to find Kahili with her Pokémon next to her already waiting looking a bit surprised that she was third.
"You two were something else." Kahili said as they arrived. "What happened there?"
"Training and experience, that's what separates Pokémon of the same species and ours clearly had it." Moria said. "My Talonflame has been trained in the Kalos Canyon to the south, so he knows how to handle winds and is stronger than most Talonflames because of that. The cliffs and mountain pass were where he was going to shine where others wouldn't."
"And my Fletchinder, well Talonflame now, grew up in a forest and honed its skills there when it was a Fletchling." Ash said. "Before I caught it and trained it more. Add in some lessons from my Charizard and Hawlucha when I caught the latter and it's really fast and knows how to handle wind better than most thanks to Hawlucha. We knew the trees were our key and opened the lead at the start and then holding it from there. After that it was the battle with Talonflame that pushed both to be so far ahead."
"Oh, you have a Hawlucha as well." Kahili said with a smile. "Mine's back in Alola but I have one, it's a great species."
"It is." Ash said. "Mine's currently in Lumiose City resting after the Kalos Fighting Type Tournament we were in where he placed in the top 8 while my Lucario won it all."
"Sounds fun, maybe I'll check it out some other year as these competitions are pretty fun." Kahili said. "I'm surprised with third though. It may not be a win but as I was doing this for fun coming in third is really good."
"And for that you get this." The announcer said as he approached with some other villagers who were serving as marshals and presented her with the small, bronze version of the main trophy before he raised his voice. "In third place we have Oricorio and its trainer Kahili from Alola."
The crowd cheered at this mainly because of the surprise debut of the Pokémon as a marshal handed the trophy to a shocked Kahili and another placed a special, bronze color, ribbon made for avian Pokémon on Oricorio's puffed out chest.
"In second, a native to our region making her debut it is Moria and her Talonflame from the Kalos Canyon." The announcer said as Moria was handed a slightly larger, silver version of the trophy. "We hope to see you again."
"After that loss, count on it." Moria said with a grin. "We want to win this now that we've tasted what it's like."
"Talonflame." Talonflame said as a silver ribbon was placed on his chest.
"And in first, this years winner with a thrilling race and an evolution at the end, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town out in Kanto and his newly evolved Talonflame." The announcer said as Ash was presented with his large gold trophy and Talonflame his own gold ribbon that he couldn't wait to show off to the other birds he'd heard about back in Kanto as this was a special competition win, so they'd have to respect him right off the bat. "And of course, as the winner of one of our events today, Ash and Talonflame now an honorary citizen of our village."
The last thing given was a certificate that proclaimed Ash and Talonflame honorary citizens of the village. It was the third such one he'd gotten in his life, and like the other two thanks to a flying type Pokémon, and he couldn't wait to add it and the trophy to the others back home in Pallet Town.
"And with that, the Fire Festival is now open!" The announcer said as a bell rang out from the village and the stalls of food, item venders, breeders, and groomers opened. "Our next event is in 2 hours will be the Starter Showoff."
With that the announcer left and all of Ash's friends came up to surround him, Moria and Kahili now that the presentation was over. Misty wanted to kiss Ash, but it was public, his arms were full with the trophy, and she didn't want to deal with the inevitable fight between Machamp and Malamar right here, it was too early and crowded for that. Still, they all congratulated Ash.
"That was some race." May said. "I knew you'd win it though; you always find a way Ash."
"And an evolution to win was basically guaranteed knowing you." Max said. "I remember Tailow evolving in that PokeRinger contest."
"And Staravia did that against Paul to win the Sinnoh one you entered." Misty recalled. "So, this is normal for Ash."
"I guess I'm just glad I won." Ash said hefting the trophy. "I'm going to have to send this home and the certificate though to add it to the collection."
"Yes I will use this as motivation to win this next year." Moria said holding her own silver trophy up. "Right Talonflame."
"Talon." Her Talonflame said with a nod, he wasn't going to lose a race like this again.
"I'm just surprised I managed to come third." Kahili said looking at her own trophy. "But it's cool, I'll take it home and add it to my PokeGolf trophies. It will really stand out amongst them."
"Are you staying for breakfast at least?" Owen asked. "There are some questions about Alola I'd like to ask you of that's ok. We missed the Fair they had here, so I'd like to know some more about your home region."
"We can stay for breakfast but then we should get going." Kahili said looking at her Pokémon who nodded both more than willing to stay for food. "We don't have a reason to stay here, and I want to see as much of Kalos while I'm in the region, but I can get some food and look for stuff for Oricorio as she is a fire type."
"I second breakfast." Ash said as his stomach roared in agreement, and they all laughed at that even the two women who'd only just met Ash. "I am hungry."
It was defiantly time for breakfast and from there the Fire Festival would really kick off. They couldn't wait to see what was in store for them over the course of the day.
"May, Serena, Bonnie, is that you?" A new, male, voice said as they made their way over to the main square for the Starter Showoff, the second event of the day. "I didn't expect you lot to be here."
"Trevor?" Serena said turning at the familiar voice. "You're here? Wait, you have a Charizard, of course you'd be here if you knew of this Festival."
Ash and Misty joined May and Bonnie in turning to see the latest arrival who knew them. This time it was a boy about Serena's age with bright orange hair in a spectacular sphere cut on his head that left only his gray eyes, nose, and mouth visible and it didn't reach his shoulders.
Trevor wore a simple white short sleeved collared shirt under a forest green vest that had a strange dark green Poke Ball style pocket on the left breast, black slacks and light green shoes. He accessorized it with a green and black camera on a cord around his neck though the button looked like it was sparkling for some reason. On closer inspection Ash saw that it was a Key Stone, which meant that Trevor had to have a Mega Stone.
It was almost time for the Starter Showoff which was taking place in the village square that was ringed with stalls and spectators waiting for the event to start. Those with fire type starters were already gathering so Ash, Misty, May, Serena, and Bonnie were already there while Max and Owen sat on stools at a breeder's stall that specialized in fire types to watch the event and support their friends in it. Talonflame was on Max's head as he was an event winner so allowed to be out for later events as he'd be honored during the closing ceremony after dusk fell.
After the race Ash and Misty had gone back to the Pokémon Center alone so that Ash could arrange to have his trophy and certificate sent home and so that they could enjoy a private, Malamar approved, moment after his win. Then they all regrouped and had breakfast from various stalls selling fire themed, and usually heavily spiced, foods for them that both Ash and May went too hot on and needed milk to calm their burning mouths.
It was a good and fun time and they learned more about Moria and Kahili during it before the pair left together as Kahili was heading south as well so Moria would help her get to Coumarine City at least while telling the Alolan more about Kalos. Neither had other fire types or reasons to stay though they did get things for avian and dual fire and flying types on their way out.
That was an hour before the next event, so they had the time to wander and learn more before the event started. The village had been holding this Festival for years, so it was well run, and the events had been added over the years to accommodate all kinds of fire types. It was an interesting Festival and Ash had been to plenty in his time so he was really looking forward to enjoying all of it and the starter event was one he couldn't wait for.
Of course, it wouldn't be complete without meeting yet another new or old face depending on who you were. This time it was this Trevor kid, so it was time to learn more about him.
"I wasn't going to miss this for the world." Trevor said with a smile. "I heard about it last year and participated in it with my Charmander at the time though we didn't do well. Still, I got some great pictures of fire types and I wanted to try again with my Charizard and get even more pictures. I even snagged one of an Oricorio and a Toucannon I saw as I was arriving. Those are Alolan Pokémon so almost unheard of here. I can't wait to add those pictures to my album."
"Oh yeah, we ran into Kahili, their trainer, at the first event." May said. "And learned about Oricorio there, it's a really cool and unique Pokémon."
"That it is." Trevor agreed before noticing Ash and Misty. "Oh sorry, hi, I'm Trevor, you must be May and Serena's new friends."
"Old with May." Ash said holding out his hand for Trevor to shake. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town out in Kanto. I met May and her brother Max several years ago when I went to Hoenn, and she was just starting out as a trainer. We traveled together during my year there and then spent a year in Kanto before going our separate ways but as I'm challenging the Kalos gyms this year and she's helping the Contest Circuit we are traveling together again. I met Serena many years ago but don't really remember her beyond her hat, but we met again at the Kanto Grand Festival last year."
"And I'm Misty from Twinleaf Town out in Sinnoh." Misty said shaking Trevor's hand next. "I met Ash there same way as he met May on my first day as a trainer and we traveled Sinnoh together for a year before separating for a year and then regrouping in Johto, starting to date, and traveling Kanto last year."
"Oh, you're Ash and Misty." Trevor said and suddenly May went bright red. "May raved about you two a lot last year, mainly Ash though. It was a lot and Shauna was really interested in it for some reason."
"Really." Misty said looking at May.
"It was all good things of course." May said before quickly shifting the conversation from her gushing over her crush to Trevor and his friends and back to who Trevor actually was. "Anyway, Trevor here is best friends with Shauna and Tierno who we all met at Professor Sycamore's Summer Camp and had some adventures with over the year both all of them as a trio and alone at times. He's an aspiring Pokémon photographer and trainer."
"Correct, I was in the Lumiose Conference last year but was beaten in the first round by some kid called Sawyer and his Mega Sceptile." Trevor said with a sigh. "But I am reentering this year after a year of training, as is Tierno, so we are going to do better."
"Then that makes us rivals." Ash said with a grin. "I have 5 badges already and will be going for my 6th in Laverre soon. I'm going to win the Lumiose Conference this year."
"I look forward to seeing you in it." Trevor said with a grin of his own. "I hope you're as good as you say you are though, the Lumiose Conference will be a tough one this year."
"Ash was a split second from winning the Indigo Conference last year in Kanto." May said. "It came down to the final move in that match and which Pokémon could last longer and alas his didn't, so I think he's motivated."
"Yup I'm going for it all this year." Ash said with determination. "This time I won't lose."
"Well, you won't be the only former runner up then." Trevor said surprising them. "Last year's runner up is entering again to try and win, as are the runner ups from at least two other regional Conferences in the past according to Tierno who's met them, but I can't say for sure."
"Then more competition to do my best." Ash said now more eager than ever to win it all. "I'll show them all that I'm the best here this year."
"Also, it's expanded, the Conference that is." Trevor said. "Last year it was 64 trainers, this year it will be 256, the size that the other big ones are. I think the main reason is that we're still the only one that allows Mega Evolution, so a lot of people are coming here to try and get Key and Mega Stones and to compete on our Conference. I've heard they've even decided to start the full battles in the last 16 and not the semis like before."
"That's even better." Ash said. "I've always been in big Conferences with the full battles starting at the quarters at the latest. It's how it should be I think. Anything less might feel cheap to me."
"Agreed." Trevor said. "A Conference should be large, and we are the largest region by population so we should be like the others."
"Trainers, please release your starters and approach." The announcer for this event said interrupting their conversation. "We will begin in 10 minutes."
"Looks like it's time." Trevor said backing up. "I need some space."
"We all do." Ash said as he did the same, as did Misty, May, and Serena while Bonnie just let out her Fennekin and picked it up before moving. "Charizard, come on out."
"Typhlosion, you to." Misty said opening her Poke Ball that she'd had sent from Kanto for this event.
"Blaziken." May added.
"Braixen." Serena said.
"Charizard." Trevor called out last.
A moment later the fully evolved fire type starters from Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, along with the second stage Kalos starter, appeared before their trainers. Instantly the Charizards were locking eyes as they sized each other up and Typhlosion stood on his hind legs to roar his own general challenge next to Misty glad to be out and by her side again. That was also when Ash noticed a metal bracer on Trevor's Charizard's tail and saw the Mega Stone set in it.
"Oh, your Charizard has a Mega Stone." Ash said looking at it and recognizing it. "And it's the same as mine's."
To demonstrate his Charizard raised his arm to show the leather gauntlet there with his own Mega Stone in it. It looked like this other Charizard had the same boost he did but there was no way that it was as strong as he was.
"Yeah I got it just before the Conference last year." Trevor said holding up his camera to show the button on it confirming to Ash that it was a Key Stone. "And I had the Key Stone specially fitted to my camera though now I can't take pictures until I recall Charizard. I Mega Evolved him right at the start bus still lost not just Charizard, but all 3 of my Pokémon to that Mega Sceptile though."
"Well, I lost to a normal Sceptile in the finals of the Indigo Conference, that was the decider, and we couldn't Mega Evolve then." Ash said. "So, I know your pain."
"Fitting that we'd be in this together then." Trevor said looking around and seeing Typhlosion which caused his eyes to go wide. "Woah, that's a Typhlosion, they're rare out here in Kalos. Usually we only see Kanto, Hoenn, and our own Kalos starters. Me, Shauna, and Tierno were lucky to get the Kanto choice when we went to see Professor Sycamore last year, but I've not seen any of the Johto ones before."
"Thanks." Misty said with a smile as she patted Typhlosion's back. "Though I didn't get him as my starter. My starter is Piplup."
"Piplup." Piplup said helpfully from Misty's head where he was currently chilling.
"Ah so that's the Sinnoh water starter, I'll have to get a picture later as he looks really good." Trevor said which caused Piplup to stand on Misty's head and pose. "And photogenic it seems."
"Great, this will just fuel the black hole that is his ego." Misty said with a sigh. "Just don't go overboard, it's hard enough dealing with Piplup when his ego hasn't been stroked, he can be quite insufferable when it has been."
"Piplup." Piplup said not sure what his human was on about, he was always perfect. "Pip, Piplup."
"But how did a Sinnoh trainer get a Johto starter?" Trevor asked. "Did you catch Typhlosion or one of its earlier forms in Johto?"
"No, I actually won him as an egg at a Johto Fair we ran into in Sinnoh." Misty said. "Had a battle with my new friend Lyra between her Chikorita and my Piplup which we won so I got the egg. Over the next few years, he fully evolved."
"Looks like he's the only one here." May said looking around and noting that all stages of Kanto, Hoenn, and Kalos starters were present, but Typhlosion was the only Johto one and none from the other regions were present it seemed. "In fact, it looks like it's just four regions represented."
"That's pretty normal actually." Trevor said as they made their way to the starting area. "This Festival is known in Kalos but unlike that Fighting Type Tournament to the south it's not as well known internationally. You'd think those with Monfernos, Infernapes, Tepigs, and Emboars would enter but they don't often do while the Alolan and Galarian starters have never shown here according to the announcers. Not sure about Johto but…"
"Oh, my we do have a treat today." The announcer for this event said cutting them off as the trainers gathered around him to learn what the rules would be. "It's been 7 years since we saw a Johto fire type starter, but I see a Typhlosion present. Excellent. This is a real treat for us to enjoy."
"Ok 7 years." Trevor said.
"Anyway, time to explain what will happen in this event." The announcer said. "As we change it up a little every year. This year we have a two-stage competition for you. First all will step forward with their Pokémon, say their name, where they're from, how they got their Pokémon, and then show off a fire type move for our judges to evaluate."
At this the announcer pointed to a panel of 5 judges that included the local Nurse Joy and a few citizens who nodded at them from a table a safe distance away. It was basically an appeal it seemed.
"While this may sound a bit like a Contest appeal and in a way it is but rather than move or do anything all we ask is that the Pokémon show off the move alone." The announcer clarified for the trainers. "Our judges with then evaluate them and the highest scoring move for each regional starter, that is the category we are breaking you into this year, will advance to the final round. I do know that this does mean that the Typhlosion will advance but that is still good as we haven't had one of them in over a decade, the last Johto fire starter was a Cyndaquil."
Well, that narrowed it down a bit and gave a new dimension to the event as it was in categories by region to start with though that did make a lot of sense when the competitors thought about it. It did mean that Bonnie and Serena were pitted against each other, as were Ash and Trevor together while May had to just excel with Blaziken.
"After that the 4 finalists, as we have 4 regions present, will gather for a flame off." The announcer said. "That is an endurance event where they will see how long and intense they can maintain a fire type move for. However, Mega Evolution is banned due to only two fire type starters being capable of it. Understood?"
The crowd again nodded at that. It was pretty straightforward and was designed to show off the power and skill of the Pokémon and their primary type while also keeping it as fair as possibly by removing Mega Evolution from the competition. It was going to be tough, but fun at the same time.
"Alright well then let's start with the Fennekins present as they are our fire type starter." The judge said pointing to Bonnie. "Miss, if you will please step forward, introduce yourself and your Fennekin and then show off your move."
"Right." Bonnie said still holding Fennekin and walking forward not nervous about going first before she put Fennekin down and stepped back to be behind him so that he could shine. "I'm Bonnie from Lumiose City here in Kalos and this is my starter Fennekin. Fennekin, Ember."
"Fennekin." Fennekin said with a smile before he opened his mouth and sent out the fire type move into the air for all to see as the Starter Showdown began.
The weak fire type attack, a staple of a starter in the first stage, looked good and hot causing the judges to murmur amongst themselves and make notes but they didn't say anything aloud. Bonnie just curtsied while Fennekin bowed before she picked him up and left. She wasn't expecting much, not with all the more evolved Pokémon, but she was here to have as much fun as possible and the big event for her was the 4th one where her Litwick could really shine.
After Bonnie 4 more Fennekins went with two using Ember, one using Flame Charge, and the last a Fire Spin. Then it came time for the Braixens to go and Serene was the last of the 3 to do so. She was following a pair of Flamethrowers so knew that she had to stand out.
"Hello." Serena said as she and Braixen walked to the starting point and smiled at the judges not nervous at all after all her Showcase and Contest experience. "I'm Serena from Vaniville Town here in Kalos and this is my starter Braixen. Braixen, Fire Blast."
"Braixen." Braixen said with a nod as she aimed her stick in the air and sent out the attack.
The 5 point start of fire shot out of her stick and burned bright and hot as it soared into the sky for all to see. It was impressive and Serena smiled at how it stood out for all to see, and the judges clearly seemed to like it as they conferred heavily after the move ended.
Serena had a good feeling about her move and was going to go all out as it was her only event with Braixen today so she was going to win it if she could. Her only hurdle to the final was the one Delphox present.
However, the girl who had the Delphox was an arrogant one and she seemed to think that just because she had the final stage of Fennekin that she'd advance, at least that's how Serena saw her as the girl strolled out with her Pokémon. That was shown when her Delphox used Sunny Day for some reason and while it brightened the light it wasn't as impressive as Serena thought it would be though of course everything hinged on the judges' opinions of the moves.
After the Kalos starters the announcer then turned to the Hoenn ones seeming to leave Kanto for last as they were the second highest present and started with the two Torchic trainers. The first used Ember while the second used Fire Spin both looking good but not too impressive. They were followed by the one Combustkin trainer who went with a Blaze Kick that while unique didn't show much off fire it seemed. Then it came to the pair of Blazikens, and May was first.
"Hello, my name is May and I'm from Petalburg City out in Hoenn." May said as she and Blaziken took their spots though she didn't give any more than that as to do so might come off as arrogant or above the other competitors which she wasn't. "And this is Blaziken who is my starter. Blaziken, Overheat."
"Blaziken." Blaziken said with a nod as he began to glow red.
Then, as soon as the charge was done, he unleashed the powerful fire type attack from his mouth at maximum power as it was the first time he was using it in the competition. It looked good and the judges were definitely talking amongst themselves at the sight, as was the crowd, while May and Blaziken bowed and returned to their starting point for the next Blaziken to go.
The second Blaziken went with a more typical Flamethrower that looked good but not as impressive as May's Overheat. The trainer didn't seem to mind though as he returned, and the announcer moved on excitedly to Misty and her Typhlosion.
"Well, I know I've already been singled out because of Typhlosion but I am Misty and I'm from Twinleaf Town in Sinnoh." Misty said causing a bigger stir than usual as she was the first trainer present to not be from the region her starter was from as she walked out after putting Piplup down to watch with the others. "And yes, my starter is not Typhlosion but rather my Piplup. I got Typhlosion as an egg at a Johto Fair in my home region. Anyway, Typhlosion, Eruption."
Misty and Typhlosion knew that they'd advance based on the rules but that didn't mean that they couldn't still show off and prove they were worthy of advancing. Typhlosion unleashed his fire in an explosive fury at maximum power for all to see thanks to not taking any damage. Typhlosion had learned the move while they were in Johto together and Misty had used it to advance to her 5th battle round as she was going for that final ribbon and the rare 5 and 0 record that she secured in the end. It looked just as good now as it did back then.
"Impressive." The announcer said as Misty and Typhlosion bowed before returning to the others. "Even without needing to be you showed great sportsmanship by still going all out, thank you. Now we move onto the last region, the Kanto Pokémon and start with the one Charmander here."
With that the single Charmander came out and showed off an impressive Ember, but it was still just an Ember. Its trainer, a young girl who was from Kalos and seemed thrilled to have a Kanto starter, was clearly just happy to be there and didn't mind that it wasn't too impressive. This was followed by three Charmeleons one with the expected Flamethrower, one with Fire Fang and the last with Flame Burst all trying to show off because of the two Charizards still to go. However, they were next, and Trevor was the first one called.
"Hello again, I was here last year with my starter Charmander but as you can see he's now a Charizard." Trevor said with a smile at the judges. "And I'm from Lumiose City here in Kalos. Charizard, Heat Wave."
Trevor's Charizard roared as he opened his mouth and unleashed a wave of hot breath that the judges could easily feel. It was a clever move to use a fire type attack that didn't actually involve any fire and would stand out as the judges chatted about it. Of course, it would have to contend with Ash's own more experienced Charizard and he wasn't one to back down from a challenge. He had his reputation to uphold after all.
"Thank you Trevor and now we move onto our last Charizard." The announcer said and Ash and his Charizard stepped forward, Charizard exuding his powerful sense of confidence and strength from his years of experience.
"Hi, I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town out in Kanto and this is my Charizard, he's not my starter though that would be my Pikachu." Ash said as Pikachu waved from where he was with the others watching and supporting his friend and teammate. "Charizard, Flamethrower."
Charizard grinned at that order as he tilted his head back, opened his mouth and roared loudly before he unleashed his favorite and best attack. Years of training and experience made his Flamethrower a thing to reckon with just like Pikachu's Thunderbolt. It blasted out high, strong, and immensely hot for all to feel and Charizard kept it up longer than any other Flamethrower had lasted that day. Only when he was done did he close his mouth and look at the stunned judges.
"That was unlike any we've seen before." The announcer admitted as Ash and Charizard bowed and went back to the others. "We already know that Typhlosion will advance but what of the other regions? Judges, it's in your court?"
It took a moment for the judges to confer and go over notes some of them made but after a few minutes they were ready. They all nodded, and Nurse Joy stood up with a paper in her hands to announce the finalist.
"After conferring and based on a multitude of factors such as move type, heat, impressiveness, and power, we've decided on the following four finalists." Nurse Joy said loudly for all the square to hear. "From the Kanto region, Ash's Charizard. From the Johto region, Misty's Typhlosion. From the Hoenn region, May's Blaziken. Lastly, from our own Kalos region, Serena's Braixen."
It was the last one that caused a surprise to some. Most were likely expecting the Delphox to advance after the fully evolved ones from Kanto and Hoenn did, its trainer definitely was, and she was shocked before she stormed off while the others congratulated a slightly stunned Serena before they too headed off to watch the final.
Bonnie and Trevor went to join Max and Owen, taking Piplup and Pikachu with them, as the four finalists were left. It was Ash and his companions and now they would compete against each other at once for the first time for the chance to win this event.
"Right now, we are onto the final." The announcer said looking at the 4 finalists. "And here we are testing the endurance of a move. Each Pokémon will use a fire type move at the same time, preferably the same move, and keep it up until they can't anymore. The last one standing wins, then second, third, and lastly fourth based on when they stop their move. Now, ideally we'd use the classic Flamethrower move, do all your Pokémon know it?"
"Yes." Ash, Misty and Serena said.
"No." May said a second later surprising them all and Blaziken nodded in agreement at that. "He used to know it but not anymore."
"What ranged fire moves does he know?" The announcer asked May. "We know of Overheat but the nature of that move would put you at a disadvantage I feel."
"Fire Spin, that's the other fire type ranged move he knows." May said and again Blaziken nodded. "He can do that move if you'd like."
"That works and there isn't anything better so do your best." The announcer said with a nod before getting clear of the line of four Pokémon. "Very well, on my mark. Begin."
"Flamethrower." Ash, Misty, and Serena all ordered.
"Fire Spin." May said at the same time and all 4 Pokémon unleashed their fire type attacks simultaneously.
Three sets of Flamethrowers were unleashed from Charizard and Typhlosion's mouths and Braixen's stick while Blaziken unleashed the vortex of fire that was Fire Spin. It was going to be close for sure and none knew who'd be the first to fall but when it came it was a bit of a surprise to everyone watching.
The first to end was Typhlosion. He couldn't keep the fire up and closed his mouth to end the move and fell to all fours. Misty didn't hesitate to be by his side and comfort him with soothing words and a special poffin while stroking his head as he'd done really well to last this long.
A second later Blaziken too dropped out. The nature of Fire Spin put him at a disadvantage, and he ended it soon afterwards having pushed himself to not come last at least. It was a shame and May congratulated him on doing well in the event and didn't blame him at all. That just left Ash and Serena and their Pokémon.
Braixen didn't have to look to know that she was the weaker of the two remaining. She had an advantage in using her stick not her mouth, but she knew that Charizard and how good he was. He was her human's desired mate's best Pokémon according to Pikachu. There wasn't much of a chance that Braixen could beat him, but she was going to give it her all to win.
"I know you can do it Braixen." Serena called out. "I have faith in you."
That was it, that love that Braixen knew her human had for her was what she needed to tip the scales in her favor. She'd been on the cusp of this for a while and now she knew that it was time to trigger it. She'd heard that Fletchinder had done the same earlier so now it was her turn. With a bark and never ending her Flamethrower, Braixen activated the change for the second and final time in her life and glowed bright white for all to see.
Before everyone's eyes Braixen began to change, the sudden evolution causing gasps and stopping Charizard's Flamethrower as well as he too was shocked by what was happening. Braixen grew taller, the fur on her body became sleeker, longer and covered her legs and arms now as more also erupted from her ears and her tail became narrower. Then the color faded and Delphox stood before them.
She was just like others of her kind. Standing almost 5 feet tall, she had yellow fur on her upper face, ears, tail, neck and in a vest like pattern on her chest while the lower half of her face and a steak on her chest was white. The rest was dark red on her arms and legs though an orangey red three peaked design was on her thighs and her ear hair was the same color. The entire time she was evolving and even now she kept her Flamethrower up until she realized she was the last one standing and ended it before turning to her shocked human with a grin on her face.
"Braixen, I mean Delphox, you evolved again!" Serena said before she happily leapt forward and hugged her starter. "I can't believe it."
"Delphox." Delphox said hugging Serena back as the crowd recovered and cheered. "Del, Delphox."
Charizard just looked at Delphox who broke apart from Serena and met his gaze. He simply nodded at her, and his eyes said it all. You won this time because of that evolution but you won't beat me again. Face me in battle and prove yourself. Delphox had to nod back, she knew her win today was aided by the evolution and she'd have to prove it to Charizard, but she intended to as soon as she got the chance.
"Well, that was a surprise just like the evolution in the Fire Flying Race to start the Festival." The announcer said recovering from what happened and approaching them with the judges and the hardware. "And that means that our winner is Delphox."
At this the crowd cheered as Misty recalled Typhlosion and retreated to join the others so that the top three could have their moment and get their trophies. This time the trophy was of a burning flame erupting from a base that looked like a map of Kalos. As with before there were three, a large gold one, a smaller silver one, and the smallest one made of bronze. Each came with a standard medal on a red ribbon for the Pokémon and a certificate of honorary citizenship for Serena and Delphox.
"First up our valiant third place finisher, May and Blaziken." The announcer said to the cheering crowd as one of the judges gave may the trophy and put the bronze medal on Blaziken who bowed his head for it accepting the medal with a quiet grace. "Well done, that was impressive despite the disadvantage."
"Thank you." May said with a nod.
"Next our runner up, Ash and Charizard." The announcer said as Ash was handed his second trophy of the day, a silver one this time, and Charizard graciously accepted his silver medal. "That was well fought and likely would have won had it not been for the evolution, but it is the unexpected that we look forward to in these events. We hope to see you two again next year."
"Hopefully." Ash said as Charizard roared, he was going to win this thing next year if he could and show off, as well as beat that Delphox in battle to show her he was still the best here. "If we can we'll be back for this."
"And lastly, our winner Serena and her new Delphox." The announcer said with a smile as the gather crowed roared at the win from one of Kalos's starters that evolved during the final to win it and gave Serena her trophy along with the gold medal for Delphox. "Well done on winning this year's Starter Showdown and being welcomed as honorary citizens of the village. A cheer for the best fire type starter this year, Delphox and her trainer Serena."
Again, the crowd cheered as Serena held her trophy high and Delphox waived her stick smiling at her success. They'd won their only event and she'd evolved. It had been a good day and Serena was looking forward to the rest of it but first she had to call her mother and tell her the good news.
"Right, we will now break from events for an hour." The announcer said to the crowd. "All stalls are of course still open so do check them out to learn more about fire types, get things for your fire types, and of course enjoy the special food that our village is known for. The next event will take place at the berry grove to the south east of the village and is for bipedal fire type Pokémon. It will begin right after lunch."
With that the announcer and judges left. Ash and May, along with their Pokémon, congratulated Serena and Delphox on their win before they headed off to join their friends and make plans for what they were going to do until Max's event in an hour's time. After a roar from Ash's stomach food was decided to be the first thing to do.
It was just after lunch and the gang was gathered in the spectator area by the berry grove, a large grove of trees at the edge of a meadow and encircled by a stone wall that were bursting with berries that the town cultivated specially for the Festival. Max and Simisear were in the competitors' area awaiting the rules of the third event while everyone watched from the other side of the stone wall in special bleachers built for the Festival.
The lunch break had been good, and they'd all done their own things. May had helped Max prepare while they had some sibling time together. Ash and Misty went off to have lunch alone as a sorta date that no one was going to disturb. Serena had gone to the Pokémon Center to call her mother and tell her the news while Bonnie got to know Delphox and helped groom her and Fennekin while also preparing Litwick for his upcoming event. Lastly Trevor, who was staying for the rest of the day, had spent the time showing Owen all his pictures as they discussed various Pokémon that Trevor had seen.
However, now it was time for the competition and Max was eager to join some of the others in winning his event. So far Ash and Serena had already won so this was his turn to win one. All they knew about this event though was that it was a foraging event for bipedal fire types, so it was going to be interesting for sure.
Along with Max's Simisear, the only of her kind present, he saw her first stage Pansear in the crowd of Pokémon with their trainers. There were also other bipedal Pokémon present that were found in Kalos like a Heatmor and the other two Braixens from early, along with one of the Charmeleons, same with the Combusken. However, in addition to them there was a Magmar and a Magby from a pair of locals though how they'd gotten the Magmar at least was anyone's guess, the Magby easier if the Magmar was female, and they knew how to breed her.
All that didn't matter to Max though as he and Simisear were preparing for the event. With her ape-like biology and size she was by far the best Pokémon for this, and Max knew he had a good shot he just needed to know what the rules were so that he could make an appropriate plan to win this event.
"Alright looks like we are all here and registered." The announcer for this event said as a series of marshals come up and used special, not toxic, white spray paint to set places and circles for the trainers that they then directed the trainer to stand on with his or her Pokémon in the circle. "Now this event is pretty straightforward. Trainers are to not leave their spot. Their Pokémon are to go into the grove and gather the berries that are there as best they can. They can't use moves or fight each other or else they will be disqualified, understood."
At this the trainers all nodded and some even explained it to their Pokémon to make it clear what the rules were. It was a sensible rule that made a lot of sense and they all readily agreed to it. Max was starting to see how this was going to go and he was now eager for it to start.
"Now the berries in the grove have been specially cultivated for this event and are of various kinds." The announcer continued. "But there is one, I won't say which, that there is only one of and that will be important for this event. We use the berries gathered for the feast tonight where we celebrate the winners and all fire types, so this event helps us prepare for that as well as giving the bipedal fire type Pokémon a chance to shine."
The announcer paused to let his words sink in. Max was surprised by how much was going into this event and how it was all tied to the Festival, but it made sense as if it was a gathering event then it made sense to use the berries when they were done rather than waste them.
"Now onto the scoring and this one is slightly different from the other events." The announcer said. "In this event there are three ways to win and no prizes for second or third place. The first is for the Pokémon that gathers the most berries, the second is for the Pokémon that gathers the ripest berry, and the third is for the Pokémon who gathers the rarest berry of which there is only one of as I mentioned a momenta ago. As such, there is a chance that three may win, and we have a trophy for each category, or one can win all three or it can be two and one. Tie breaks are determined by overall ripeness. Regardless, all winners will become honorary citizens."
"How will we know which is ripest?" The Heatmor trainer called out. "That is a subjective category so there has to be some way to determine it fairly."
"There is one way that can be used, and has been when available in the past, that I will now ask for help on." The announcer said as he raised his voice. "Does anyone here have a Noibat?"
Ash who had been listening to the announcer suddenly raised his hand at that as his friends all looked at him. He did have a Noibat and as it was a recent hatchling and his newest Pokémon it was on him.
"I do." Ash called out. "And it's in my current rotation so I have it here now."
"There." The announcer said pointing to Ash. "When this event is over, that trainer will come out with his Noibat and that Noibat will be the judge of what berry is the ripest and be the one to determine any tiebreaks for number of berries gathered should there be one. Noibats use their soundwaves to determine the ripeness of fruit and they only eat the best. Whichever berry Noibat choses and eats is the winner for ripest. Thank you kid."
Ash just nodded a bit surprised that he and Noibat were now part of this event but more than willing to contribute and help out. He'd have to explain everything closely to Noibat though when the time came to make sure that it knew what it had to do.
"Are there anymore questions?" The announcer asked and the trainers in the competition shook their heads. "Alright on my mark your Pokémon have half an hour to gather as many berries as possible. Begin!"
"Alright Simisear, let's go for quantity over quality." Max said as several Pokémon rushed to the grove while others stayed and listened to their trainers. "Then we have the best chance of winning both the quantity and quality awards."
Simisear nodded her head as she headed off to the trees. This was her event; she was from the trees, and she knew berries well thanks to her ability. She was going to win this for Max.
Simisear hurried into the grove and leapt into the trees. She knew she had one advantage over most of the Pokémon other than that Pansear she'd seen, she could climb the trees with ease and grace to get the higher berries. She was also bigger than Pansear so while it could get higher due to its lighter weight, she could carry more and proceeded to do so, taking as many as she could carry before hurrying back to Max and dropping them off in front of him.
For the next 25 minutes, the amount of time remaining, Simisear continued this focusing on solely on the quantity as she kept it up and began to really grow the pile in front of Max of many berries of all kinds. No other Pokémon was able to get as many as she could, though some of the larger or more agile ones did well, but she knew she was the clear winner when a horn went off to alert them to the end of the event.
"Would the trainers and their Pokémon please lay out all the fruit in their circles so that the marshals can accurately count them." The announcer said and Max and Simisear proceeded to do just that. "And can the Noibat trainer come to me while this is going on."
Ash did, getting up and heading to the announcer while the trainers and their Pokémon worked, and marshals began counting once a Pokémon was done laying its berries out. The first winner was easily the trainer who found the rarest berry that was revealed to be a Starf Berry, a kind of berry that Ash had never heard of. Apparently it was a super hard green berry with a 5-pointed star at the end that had red, blue, green, and two yellow points that was notably rare.
The winner was the Heatmor trainer who'd apparently focused on it and was awarded the berry as part of his prize. He also got a trophy that was a large replica of a Razz Berry gold and a certificate to show his and Heatmor's honorary citizenship in the village while his Heatmor also received a special ribbon for winning.
The next winner was the most fruit and that was easy. It was clearly Max and Simisear who'd gathered more than 20 more berries than the next place finisher. Simisear looked thrilled at her success as she received her ribbon with pride and Max was awarded a trophy that was a large pile of assorted berries in gold on a circular base along with his own certificate of citizenship proclaiming him and Simisear honorary citizens of the village. That just left the last trophy, ripest fruit.
"If you could please let out your Noibat, Ash was it?" The announcer asked clearly knowing Ash's name from the last two events that he'd competed in. "And I'll explain what we need from it."
"Right." Ash said with a nod as he pulled out a Poke Ball and opened it so that his new Noibat could appear flapping in front of him confused at being let out but happy at the same time. "Noibat, I need you for a special task. Can you do it?"
"Noibat noi." Noibat said with a nod not sure what was going on but more than happy to help his human out and hoping it had something to do with all the fruit he was seeing before him. "Noibat."
"This man will tell you what he needs." Ash said pointing to the announcer. "Listen to him and do your best, ok."
"Noibat noi." Noibat said understanding what Ash wanted. "Noibat."
"Alright here's what we need." The announcer said to them. "Ash, can you get your Noibat to scan all the fruit and then eat only the ripest? Whichever berry Noibat chooses to eat will be determined to be the winner."
"Well, Noibat, how about that?" Ash asked Noibat. "I want you to use your sound waves to scan all the berries present but only eat the one that you deem to be the ripest. That means scanning all of them, can you do that?"
"Noibat noi Noibat." Noibat said with a nod, he could do that, and with a flap he took off to check the fruit he saw before him.
It took a while and Noibat had to rest at times as he was still a fresh hatchling who wasn't used to flying, but he used his soundwaves to scan all the fruit, noting which were acceptable to him and rating them but doing as asked and scanning all. He would anyway as his species only accepted the ripest so he would make sure all were checked to know which was going to be the best to eat.
It took a good 10 minutes but in the end he'd scanned them all before he flew up, flapped around a bit, and then landed in the circle before the Magby trainer and took one of the berries that was there and happily ate it. It was by far the ripest and the best he'd had to date.
"Well, there's your winner." The announcer said as the shocked Magby trainer received a trophy just like the one the Heatmor trainer got, along with the standard certificate of honorary citizenship despite being a local, and Magby got a ribbon while Ash picked up a happy Noibat and returned to his friends. "And that concludes the third event and for the first time in 3 years we have 3 winners to honor from it tonight. The marshals will now collect the food and bring it to the main hall to begin the preparations for the feast tonight. The next event will occur in 2 hours' time in the main square."
With that the marshals began to carefully gather the berries and the trainers left. Max and Simisear went to congratulate the other winners, and exchange a few words, before they headed back to show off their awards and chat with their friends about the event. Things were going well and now they had some time for a break before Bonnie's main event happened that afternoon.
The fourth event was going to be the smallest and simplest of the day, even simpler than the gathering event, and a bit of a warm up for the final event of the day. The trainers with Pokémon classified as esoteric or unique in the world of fire types, be it due to body shape, appearance, biology, or typing, were gathered in the center of the village where the Starter Showoff was held as the crowd gathered at the still open stores or sat on benches to watch the event.
Before entering, each trainer had to present their Pokémon to a marshal to determine if they qualified for the event, a preliminary round of sorts. Bonnie easily got it with Litwick as while his typing wasn't unique he was still a unique Pokémon given the fact that he was a sentient burning candle and allowed to enter happily riding on Bonnie's head.
The other trainers came and went with some being accepted and some surprisingly rejected. The biggest surprise was a Houndoom and Houndour trainer who was entered in the upcoming Best in Show at the end of the day but was trying to enter this as well due to his Pokémon's evolutionary line's unique dark and fire typing, or so he claimed. It turned out that the typing wasn't unique to the line as the final stage of the Alolan fire type starter adding a dark type upon evolution.
Most of the rest were accepted however and soon Bonnie was standing there smiling with Litwick as the other trainers gathered and feeling good that no other Litwicks or evolutions of him were present which gave her a boost in the event Bonnie felt. With her were a smattering of unique fire types though that Bonnie got a chance to look at.
There were some that she'd expected in the shape of a few Litleos and three Pyroars, two females and a male, with various trainers. Those were expected as they were a native Kalos species with a unique fire and normal typing, but Misty had opted not to enter hers due to the fact that it was a relatively common species in Kalos, and she wanted to wait for the final event with hers.
Other than Litleos and Pyroars though, there were a few other exotic ones. Two trainers had Slugmas with one of them having the evolved Magcargo as well so that trainer was showing off the flaming snail Pokémon. There was also a Torkoal showing a tortoise fire type but the one that Bonnie was most worried about was the return of the Heat Rotom from earlier. That Pokémon had debuted in the flying event that morning though came last and was back hovering in front of its trainer.
The Heat Rotom was Bonnie's biggest challenger she felt. It was a rare Pokémon but about as rare as Litwick was in Kalos, maybe a bit rarer, and Bonnie had seen one before the year before. She, Clemont, May, and Serena had ended up in an old hotel and a Rotom there took them back in time to save it in an odd mission but one that May said was probably normal for Ash given his strange adventures in the past.
That was how Bonnie knew of Rotom and it's uniqueness. The only known electric and ghost type that she'd heard off, it had the ability, likely due to its typing, to interface with electrical machines and take them over.
As a result, it would change its secondary typing when it did so losing its ghost type and gaining a type associated with what the machine did. So, if it was a fridge it became Frost Rotom, and the ghost became an ice type. If it was a fan then it became Fan Rotom which changed its secondary type to flying. With a lawnmower it became Mow Rotom and grass. Washing machine became Wash Rotom and water. Lastly and what the current Rotom was in was a microwave that led it to becoming a Heat Rotom that was electric and fire type.
At breakfast, while breaking down the first event, Ash and Misty shared their own experience with a Rotom in Sinnoh, the region the Pokémon was classified as being from, so they knew of it as well having had an adventure with it at an old chateau there. As they talked, Owen revealed that Rotom, along with its Heat and Mow forms, held unique typings for those making it not only the only electric/ghost type but also the only electric/fire and electric/grass at various times when possessing certain appliances. That was going to make it a tough challenger.
"Well thank you for all coming and showing us that fire types don't just have to be pure or standard type combinations or even have to look like animals to be a fire type." The announcer for this even said as the group gathered. "This is a simple event where our judges will look and determine which is the most unique based on a variety of factors such as type, appearance, biology, and other things they determine. This is to remind us all that fire types come in all shapes and sizes and have a rich diversity in the world."
The announcer stepped back, and the judges stepped forward. This was a simple task as they announced each Pokémon, why it was unique, and other factors about it that they liked. When it came to Bonnie and Litwick, who puffed himself up as much as possible, they talked about the traditional ghost nature of it which set it apart from an Alolan Marowak that had the same combination. They also raved about the unique appearance and biology that it had thanks to its ghost type but how it's fire type burned bright and was as much a part of it as its ghost type.
Bonnie felt good about that and knew that she had a good shot. Of course, the Heat Rotom got an equally good assessment for its appearance and how it was the only fire and electric type known in the world. None of the others got as good remarks from the judges as they went back to confer so Bonnie was sure that it was between Litwick and Heat Rotom for first place.
What happened next was a bit of a surprise as the judges took a good 10 minutes to chat about the Pokémon and come to a winner. There seemed to be a heated debate between them but in the end they had a vote and one Pokémon won 3 to 2. With that they all nodded and returned with 4 note cards for the announcer.
"Alright the judges are back, and they have the results for me as well as what they were looking for this year in our esoteric fire type event." The announcer said looking at the first card. "They have determined the winner and other medalists based on a number of factors including rarity, number present, body type, physiology, and typing when compared to the broader range of fire types. As such they have prepared a rational for their decision."
The announcer paused as he moved to the next card he had and to build suspense it seemed. At the moment Bonnie was really nervous as she waited to hear if she and Litwick had come in the top three of the event.
"As always we will go in reverse order from third to first." The announcer said when he was ready. "In third place due to being the only one of its kind present, its unique biology that it and its evolutionary line hold as being of invertebrate base, and it's contrasting typing, the third-place ribbon goes to Magcargo."
The Magcargo trainer was a bit surprised but he and his Magcargo came forward to accept the prize, the same kind of trophy that May and Blaziken had gotten showing a flame on a map of Kalos in bronze. Magcargo also got a special ribbon that was placed on it's rock shell before it and its trainer returned to the line of trainers in this event.
"Now onto the runner up and the big debate that the judges had to decide the winner." The announcer said. "However, the deciding factors were unique typing verses natural state of the Pokémon. In the end the latter won out and as such the runner up is Heat Rotom due to it being not a natural fire type but becoming one when it has taken over a microwave. In all other situations it's either its base electric and ghost type or an electric and whatever type the machine it is possessing is closest related to."
The trainer with the Heat Rotom seemed to accept it as he came forward and accepted his silver trophy while his Pokémon got a ribbon for coming in second. It made sense though as it was only a fire type under specific circumstances so it would be like giving it to a Pokémon that only became a fire type when Mega Evolved or a Castform that was only a fire type in bright sunlight the first-place award when that is not it's every day type.
"And therefore, the winner is the one that doesn't have any animal biology to it and is naturally a fire type all the time, Litwick." The announcer said causing Bonnie to gasp and Litwick to grin at that as they came forward to collect their awards. "While the fire and ghost typing is not unique to the Litwick evolutionary line, the only other one that we know of is the Alolan Marowak which can only evolve there so it is still pretty unique and of all fire types Litwick and its evolved forms are the only ones that we know of without any animal base to its biology with the exception of Castform when it is in Sunny Form."
Bonnie didn't really care about the reason; she'd won and gotten the same trophy as Serena that she held high above her head while Litwick proudly showed off his gold ribbon to anyone who was looking at him. Bonnie also got a certificate of honorary citizenship for her and Litwick making them the 4th pair in their crew to get it with Misty a good shot at getting the last one in the final event. Only May hadn't won and didn't have a shot but she didn't seem to mind.
"We will now take another break before our final event that will occur an hour before sundown." The announcer said. "And that will be followed by the feast honoring our winning Pokémon and all fire types that they will represent in our village for the next year."
Bonnie wasn't sure how long the break was going to be, but she didn't mind as she hurried off to regroup with her friends. She was going to use the time to call Clemont and show off her new trophy that she was sending home to dad to display proudly and then get ready for the final event with Fennekin as it was a special Best in Show kind of event for all quadrupedal fire types. They didn't know how it was going to go down, but Bonnie and Misty were ready for it.
"Alright gathered Fire Festival goers it is time for the final event of the day, the traditional Best in Show event." The announcer for the last event said to the gathered crowd in the main square. "And as usual this is going to be a good one."
It was time for the last event of the day, so all the stalls were closed, and everyone was on benches around the center of the village as the trainers who were entering were gathered at one end of it, ready for the event. It was always the closing event with trainers showing off their quadrupedal fire types for judges though the actual way the winner was decided changed each year and wasn't announced until the event itself.
In the past there had been obstacle races, heat challenges, speed tests, and other ways to determine a Best in Show. One thing was always true though, the Pokémon had to look good during it. As such the trainers had been preparing for this during the time between events which both Misty and Bonnie had been doing while the others waited and enjoyed the last of the stalls before they closed.
After the event would come the feast were the winners were honored at a high table and all fire types were allowed out to partake in the food made from the berries gathered earlier and other delicacies prepared for it by the villagers. The night would be capped with a fireworks display as the village concluded another Fire Festival but before then they had to crown the Best in Show.
"In the past we've had many great Pokémon win this and not just the typical feline and canine ones but others showing just how varied fire types are." The announcer continued to the crowd. "And this year we are thrilled to announce another wide variety of Pokémon who will be competing in the event. For this year's show though we are going to do this a little different. Each competitor will be introduced with their Pokémon and then they will run a lap before their Pokémon comes to the judges to be assessed by them. This year we are looking at how well-groomed and presented the Pokémon is along with how much they stand out from the crowd."
Well, that was different and seemed like an interesting way of determining a winner. Misty and Bonnie knew that this was a good chance for them to really shine with their Pokémon and couldn't wait to show the judges what they had.
The judges themselves, another panel of 5, were in the center of the square waiting for the event to start. Before them was a waist high table for the judges to assess the Pokémon should they be on the smaller side. This was going to be good, and Misty knew that she had an advantage going in. After all, a Kantonian Vulpix was a rare Pokémon out in Kalos.
"Alright let us begin with the winner of the last event." The announcer said gesturing to the gathered competitors and their Pokémon. "Presenting Bonnie and her Fennekin!"
Bonnie just smiled as she jogged out at Fennekin's pace and ran around the square for the crowd who cheered her and praised Fennekin as he trotted around the village square with his head held high. When Bonnie was done she headed to the center of the square for the evaluation of her Pokémon and helped Fennekin onto the table where he sat patiently awaiting his assessment.
"Hmm, yes this one has been well groomed." One of the judges said inspecting Fennekin but not touching him as the other judges gathered around to see Fennekin from all angles. "You have a lot of talent miss and can really bring out the beauty of your Pokémon."
"Thank you." Bonnie said with a smile.
"And there is a sheen to the fur that I haven't seen before." Another judge noted. "In some part it looks like you feed it a Poke Puff that is designed for fire types, likely a Tamato Berry blend to increase fire power as that Ember you showed earlier looked good but there's more to this, isn't there?"
"There is, I also use Poke Bloc sir." Bonnie said helpfully. "I traveled with a Top Coordinator from Hoenn last year before becoming old enough to have my own Pokémon and she taught me how to make it for her Pokémon and the Dedenne I was to get when I came of age. Then this year, my breeder friend helped me refine the process for each of my Pokémon based on type and gender while my other friend, who's the younger brother to the Top Coordinator I mentioned, helped with his own knowledge of Poke Bloc. Fennekin is male by the way."
"Fascinating." A third judge said as she looked over Fennekin. "That is impressive, and it has worked well for him. Few take the time to factor gender into the equation, especially with a species without a gender difference and as such you need to use Attract or the Cute Charm ability for a ghost types, but it adds that little bit extra that can bring out a Pokémon's max abilities."
"Thank you." Bonnie said smiling.
"Well keep up the good work." The fourth judge said. "You have skill at grooming and raising Pokémon miss, don't let it go to waste. You're young but this is a good potential career for you if you get the proper training."
"I won't." Bonnie said happily as she took Fennekin off the table and they left to go to the assessed area while the other trainers went. "Thank you."
After Bonnie there was a gap before Misty so both girls took the time to see the competition that they were up against. It looked stiff with various Pokémon that were being showed off in the event.
One trainer had a pack of 3 Litleos and a female Pyroar to command them. Another, the one denied earlier in the unique competition, had a Houndour and a Houndoom that really showed off their types and the horns on the latter well. Another had a Flareon that pranced well showing some Contest or Showcase training as it showed off its fur. There were even a few more Fennekins and the Torkoal trainer from earlier as well who looked good though due to speed the Torkoal and its trainer were going last.
In the middle of all this was Misty's turn and she was more that ready for it. She was going to show off both her four-legged fire types and see how well the crowd and judges liked them.
"Next up it is Misty from Twinleaf Town in Sinnoh and just like in the Starter Showdown she has a real treat for us this year." The announcer said as Misty ran out with Pyroar on one side and Vulpix on the other. "For the first time in 18 years we have a Kantonian Vulpix present at the Festival. This Pokémon is rare in Kalos, and Misty's might just be the only one present in the entire region so take it in as we might not see another one for a decade or longer."
Misty just smiled to the crowd who cheered and gushed over her Pokémon as both took it all in. This wasn't so much Pyroar's scene though she understood what her human did, and the Contest battles sounded amazing to her, but Vulpix really took it in. He'd never gotten to show off in a Contest and his one appearance in a Showcase had been good, but he wanted to do more for and with Misty. He wanted to show off his looks. Well, there was one more thing he wanted but he hadn't found what he needed yet.
Soon Misty finished her circuit and headed to the center of the square for her judging. She had to help Vulpix onto the table where he sat patiently as he waited to be fawned over while Pyroar stood next to it waiting while the judges came in for a close look. Naturally it was Vulpix who got all the attention.
"Wow she's amazing." One judge said looking at Vulpix who turned his nose up at the judge and looked away with his eyes closed for thinking he was a girl. "So sleek and well groomed, the tails really stand out on her, but they are the big selling point of a Vulpix."
"Um, actually Vulpix is a boy, and I don't think he likes being misgendered." Misty corrected surprising the judges. "Yeah found that out from a friend shortly after he hatched."
"Really." A second judge said his eyes wide while the first judge profusely apologized to Vulpix who accepted it. "Our records indicate that only one in every four Vulpixes are male. That is rare and lucky. Over 85% of Pyroars are female so your female Pyroar is expected though and I believe that is the only species with that ratio where it's the females in the majority not the males."
"If you want rare you should see my female shiny Espeon as that's a species with only 12% females, or my Spiritomb as he's one of only 3 known in the world." Misty said with a smile. "But neither are fire types, so they aren't here with me right now."
The judges just blinked at that no doubt wondering who the hell she was to have such rare Pokémon. Well, that or they were confused by what a Spiritomb was which was to be expected as few outside of Sinnoh really knew of the species.
"Anyway, there is a special gloss to these two that we haven't seen before." A third judge said returning to Vulpix and Pyroar. "Earlier we had a girl who used Poke Bloc, but this is different."
"Wait, the announcer said you are from Sinnoh." The fourth judge said looking at Misty. "Do you perchance use poffins when you are caring for your Pokémon?"
"Yes I do, always have and while I occasionally use Poke Bloc, or Poke Puffs now that I am in Kalos I always prefer poffins." Misty said. "I have my own special recipe for each of my Pokémon based on physiology, typing, and gender when I know it. Vulpix's poffins are tailored for a pure fire type Pokémon with a canine and male physiology while Pyroar's uses my mother's feline one as a base as that's the best for feline Pokémon, but I've tweaked it for a Pokémon that is a dual fire and normal type that is female to perfect it. It brings out the best in them I found."
"Fascinating." The first judge said again as the fifth, Nurse Joy, just made notes on it all. "Both are amazing, you should be proud of your work. You could be a great coordinator or performer with Pokémon like these if you tried I feel."
"Oh, I'm already a Top Coordinator, I won the most recent Kanto Grand Festival using two ghost types in fact." Misty said with a smile. "And I am a performer in spare time this year when not helping the Contest Circuit and supporting my boyfriend as he takes on gyms or my other friend as she competes in Contests."
That stunned the judges and Misty took that as her dismissal as she helped Vulpix off the table and headed to the area where the competitors were still gathered. She felt she'd done well and was ready to see if she'd won with either of her Pokémon.
After Misty there were a few more trainers that showed off, culminating in the Torkoal before the judges conferred for a few moments, though not as long as they did for the event before, and then handed several sheets of paper to the announcer. It looked like it was time for the results.
"Alright folks, this is it." The announcer said to the crowd that quieted down to listen to him. "We have our top three. This year the judges were looking for distinguished and different presentation of the Pokémon that showed in how it was groomed and cared for along with impressiveness of the Pokémon itself. Various factors played into this, and it was a tough vote for most but in the end a winner has been chosen. So, in third place, in a large part to the use of specially tailored Poke Bloc despite being from Kalos, we have Fennekin and his trainer Bonnie."
Bonnie was surprised at that, but Misty patted her back and sent the little girl forward with her Fennekin to get the ribbon for her Pokémon and a small bronze trophy in the standard fire on a map of Kalos fashion that had been used for two of the other events and seemed to be the traditional trophy awarded to people who won or placed in the events at the Fire Festival. Bonnie was amazed that she'd won a second trophy and couldn't wait to tell her dad and brother all about it and show the trophies off but later, she wanted to know who won.
"In second place, it's the Houndoom." The judge said and the Houndoom and its trainer stepped forward for the silver trophy, the Houndour following to support its teammate. "For a great use of Johto techniques along with a special polish for the horns and other gray parts that our judges have never seen before."
Misty just clapped with the rest as she waited nervously. With the second and third places announced she knew that she wasn't going to win with one of her Pokémon but hopefully the other won though which it would be she didn't know even if she had a good feeling which of her two Pokémon did better.
"And the winner, well I think it's no surprise when you show up as a Top Coordinator with a rare fire type that really shines due to a Sinnoh technique that is not common outside of that region." The announcer said and everyone knew at once. "By a unanimous vote, the Best in Show this year is Vulpix and his trainer Misty."
All Misty could do was smile and step forward with Vulpix as the crowd cheered for them, Pyroar roaring her own approval as well joining them to support her friend and teammate. It was what Misty had hoped for and winning like this really helped boost her confidence for future times she'd have to show off as she helped Vulpix up and onto the table so he could get his ribbon as she was presented with her gold trophy and certificate of honorary citizenship for her and Vulpix.
"In addition, we have an extra gift for Misty." The announcer said and Nurse Joy approached with a red velvet cushion in her hands and on it was a peculiar stone that looked like it had a flame burst inside it causing it to glow slightly in the fading light of the sunset. "Every year the winner of the Best in Show gets a special prize tailored for the winning Pokémon. This year we've decided to give you a Fire Stone Misty. It's needed to…"
The announcer didn't get to finish before Vulpix yipped in joy upon seeing the very item he'd been seeking and leaping off the table at the cushion. Before anyone could stop him he grabbed it in his mouth as he cleared the cushion and landed on the ground with it looking up at a shocked Misty and smiling. He'd been ready for this for a while and now he could at last do it as the energy in the Stone triggered what he needed it to triggers as it, and Vulpix, turned bright white before the whole crowd while the sun slowly set on the horizon.
Almost at once Vulpix began to change. He got bigger, the hair on his head merged into a large swept back style and the fur on his chest became more pronounced while his facial features elongated and became more lupine then they already were. However, the biggest change was his tails getting much bigger, bushier, and more numerous now numbering 9 rather than the 6 he had as a Vulpix.
A second later the light faded to reveal a gorgeous, well handsome as Ninetales was a guy, Pokémon sitting before Misty smiling at her, the Fire Stone gone now that it had been used up in the evolution. He was almost all light yellow with bright red eyes and orange tips to his tail as he barked at finally evolving for Misty.
"Ninetales?" Misty asked recalling the name for Vulpix's evolved form as she held out a hand that he instinctively nuzzled so that she could stroke the soft hair on his neck knowing that she'd have to be extra careful with the tails now. "You're just as magnificent as I recall Blaine's to be when I first saw your species, before I even saw a Vulpix in fact. I can't believe you evolved as soon as you saw a Fire Stone. You must have been ready for a while, I'm sorry for not knowing sooner."
Ninetales just barked forgiving Misty as she didn't know because he wanted to surprise her when he found a Fire Stone. Now he was evolved, bigger and stronger and ready to help her win and get stronger herself. The day had started with an evolution at the end of the first event and now it had ended with one to conclude the final one.
"Well, that was a surprise." The announcer said recovering from what had happened as many others were still in shock at the sudden evolution. "Folks we all had a rare treat to cap the day off by seeing a Vulpix evolve into a Ninetales, a fire type this village hasn't had the privilege of seeing on over a quarter of a century. Now let us feast as we celebrate our champions of the day and praise all fire types for another year to come."
The crowd cheered as the set up began. All but the event winners were expected to help, the winners and their Pokémon were taken to the village hall for pictures to be added to their collection of winning Pokémon. Trophies were to be sent home, ribbons, and in the case of the starters medals, worn by winning Pokémon as they showed off and of course food to be eaten.
Soon night was upon them, and they were all gathered again in the center of the village. A high table was set up with the mayor, the various announcers and judges, Nurse Joy, and the winners and their Pokémon to be seen by all at one end Everyone else was on long tables perpendicular to the high table while Pokémon played and showed off all around them.
With almost all the gang at the table only May, Trevor and Owen were on the tables, but they didn't mind as the food was served and everyone began to eat the delicious dishes. Ash, Misty, Max, and Bonnie were all on the high table being congratulated as their Pokémon ate with or next to them while they all enjoyed the end of the festival.
"And so concludes another Fire Festival." The mayor said speaking for the first time as he rose to address the crowd of villagers, trainers, breeders, sellers, and Pokémon. "On behalf of the whole village I congratulate our winners and thank all of you for participating in the events and stalls as we celebrate and honor the majestic fire types of the world. And now we close as we always do with fireworks."
At that a huge cacophony of fireworks were set off above the square and the crowd cheered as the sky was light up. Misty couldn't resist snuggling up to Ash as they watched enjoying the moment together.
It had been a long and fun day and the ending was just as good as the beginning. Their side adventures were now at a close and their main ones were to continue soon as they split with Max and his crew and headed to Laverre as the journey to the Lumiose Conference, the Grand Festival, and possible the Master Class continued in earnest. Little did they know that they still had one more adventure to have before they reached the city of fairies.
