Part CLVII: Welcome Wallace

"Ash, Misty, over here!" An excited, familiar voice called out to them causing them to turn towards it. "You've finally arrived."

They smiled as they saw who was calling to them. It had been several months since Ash's party in Kanto which was the last time they'd seen Dawn, so it wasn't as long as in the past when Ash had gone a few years without seeing her, but it was still a long time since he'd last seen his oldest friend. That's why he was happy that she was coming to Kalos to watch the Wallace Cup and Misty was more than fine with it given how much better her relationship with Dawn had become since their first rather dramatic, violent and strange meeting in Cerulean City almost 2 years ago now.

It was the eve of the Wallace Cup and Ash, Misty, and Bonnie had just arrived in time for the special reception that was being held to welcome Wallace to Kalos. Their little side adventure along the way had caused them to be delayed, a delay that had allowed May and Serena to come ahead of them and sort a few things out, and thus they'd only arrived in Snowbelle City an hour or so ago.

The first thing they'd done had been to register for the Cup, well Ash and Bonnie had been able to as Misty couldn't compete due to being a Top Coordinator, as that had been the most important thing to sort out. After that they dropped their stuff off at the hotel for competitors and friends, Ash and Misty had their own room while Bonnie was going to be sharing with Serena and May moved to share with Dawn, and then come here to the stadium that would actually host the Wallace Cup.

It was a special, all purpose, state of the art and high-tech stadium that had been built the moment that Snowbelle was announced as the host city for the next Wallace Cup shortly after the expansion plans were confirmed. It had been close but thankfully there had been just enough time for the stadium to be finished before the start of the Cup.

It had been anticipated by both the International Contest Committee and Wallace himself that Kalos would be the fastest to adapt and embrace Contests due to their Showcase pedigree and its established fan base. As such they had agreed to grant Kalos the first Wallace Cup in an expansion region before assessing the other three to determine where the next one would be held.

That assessment had been completed by the midpoint of the year and already the next region had been decided upon, followed shortly by the bidding for the location city. The location would be announced at the end of the Cup as was becoming a tradition though already plenty of oddsmakers had been taking bets one where the next one would be.

As for why Snowbelle was chosen as the Kalos host, it was a simple matter of them having the best bid. A few other cities had bid for it, mainly Laverre, Anistar, Couriway, and Shalour while Lumiose had been banned from bidding as it was to host the Grand Festival, but in the end it was Snowbelle that got the honor to host the first Wallace Cup in an expansion region.

The reason why Snowbelle was given it was due to their plan to build a specialty stadium that could be quickly reconfigured and used for Showcases, Performances, battle tournaments, and other events that the others hadn't put forward. As a backup in case Snowbelle didn't finish the stadium on time Coumarine had been granted the right to host should Snowbelle fail but they didn't.

Hence that was why they were here in the city of everlasting winter as Snowbelle was sometimes called and it hadn't taken Ash and Misty long to learn why it had that nickname. For whatever reason, the city was covered in snow and ice year-round making them have to bundle up as they neared it and slowing them down by a day which was part of why they'd only just arrived. It was clear why this was a city with an ice type gym but that was for later as right now they had to focus on the Wallace Cup.

Clemont had not stayed with them, however. He'd said his goodbyes to them when they reached the edge of the city and circumvented it to get to Lumiose faster as it was easier to go around the south of it rather than through the snowy landmass that was Snowbelle, but he had promised that he'd stop off at a Pokémon Center and watch them all in the Cup there before finishing the trip back to Lumiose City. They understood why he had to go back though he had let Ash and Greninja keep their wristbands so that more data there could be collected on the change that he'd assess when they next saw him.

All that had been several hours ago and now they were finally here in the large, indoor, stadium on the central area that had a retractable black flooring over it hiding the battlefield for tomorrow to see their friends and be enjoy this little event. Dawn had arrived before any of them having come from Lumiose the day after she landed in Kalos and had met up with May and Serena when they arrived, properly getting to know the latter in the process and knowing instantly that she was one of them. They'd been the advance party welcoming the others to the city as they arrived.

That said, not all of the people they knew were going to be in it had arrived yet. Ash and Misty knew that Tierno and Trevor wouldn't get in until much later tonight and would thus be unable to make it as they'd still have to check in and register. In addition, Brock had apologized for being unable to make it, but he and Lucy had a romantic dinner planned so they'd meet up tomorrow though they'd been around for a day or two to see Dawn who still struggled to understand how Lucy had fallen for Brock. Likewise, Lyra and Khoury weren't present for similar reasons, it was a good time for a date night after all.

The rest of their group from Pierre's party were going to be here however though they hadn't seen them yet. Emily and Adam were also supposed to be around, but Emily had sent Misty a message that morning telling her that they'd be a little late as Adam had a rematch against Wulfric for his 6th gym badge before the gym closed during the Wallace Cup and subsequent special Wallace Showcase.

Thankfully, Brianna and Drew were giving this event a wide berth. With so many, as they would call them, villains present they didn't want to deal with it and were relaxing in the accommodations in the hotel as Brianna prepared for the Cup, not that any of them minded. None of them had seen Brianna since the Laverre Contest, which was a blessing because apparently she was getting even more unhinged by the day. That wasn't good though her talent hadn't suffered in the slightest and she was still considered the top of the Big 3 favorites on the year.

The last of the favorites, Jessilina, was present for the event and they'd seen her in her homely outfit with a periwinkle haired man who was either her manager or husband, someone that homely wouldn't have a romantic partner with her unless it was a husband, and a small bag boy when they'd arrived. However, she was currently giving an interview with Jillian that was being run on a local Kalos station about how much she loved the snow and was looking forward to some clean air after the Contest while promoting her latest homemaking product that she had been paid to endorse.

Lastly, they'd seen that on the list of registered competitors was Amelia, a potential rival for Misty in the Master Class and the winner of the snap Couriway Contest. It seemed that she'd come here to practice for it and get some Contest experience in the process but none of them saw the purple clad, raven-haired beauty in the area so assumed that she was resting for the Cup tomorrow.

That was exactly what she was doing though they also didn't know that part of it was her desire to not be near people like Serena, Miette, and Shauna unless she absolutely had to and had a chance to beat them at the same time. They'd learn soon enough however just what Amelia's current mentality was.

However, for now it was just them, their friends, and several other competitors, Contest enthusiasts, and locals who'd come to the small event as it was free and open to the public. Thankfully, Dawn had been keeping an eye open for them and found them as they arrived, waving them over wearing her original outfit though she'd likely checked her winter gear at the cloak room by the entrance like they'd done as it would be too hot to wear that stuff in here. With her was May and Serena as they'd all come together.

"Hey Dawn." Ash said with a smile as he neared his longtime friend who handed Azumarill to May to hold so that she could pull Ash into a tight hug while Bonnie slipped away seeing Max and Owen in the crowd and going over to catch up with her traveling companions for the year before they all regrouped at some point thus leaving Ash and Misty to their reunion. "Good to see you again."

"You too Ash." Dawn said doing her best to keep her emotions in check, she'd been through a lot of therapy to help her with her anger and jealousy issues but actually being held in Ash's arms always brought out her deep love for him though this time at least she broke away before the hug became awkwardly long. "You will have to tell me all about your year over the course of the next two weeks or so. I'm staying for your gym battle with Wulfric and to watch Misty's Showcase, so I expect the full story."

"And you'll get it." Ash said with a smile. "It's been a bit of a wild year though pretty tame by my usual standards."

"So, I've heard." Dawn said as she turned to Misty and pulled her rival in for a hug, one that Misty returned warmly showing how far their relationship had progressed. "And I've heard all about the three pieces of crap who let love turn to hate and rage because it wasn't true, pure, love that can withstand that. Are you ok Misty? I recall how bad Kenny was at that one party he was at, as well as during the Grand Festival when you put him in his place, and I doubt he was better this time around."

"He was worse, but Ash also put him in his place and then some in a display of dominance the likes of which you and me could only dream of." Misty said as they broke apart though Dawn kept her hands on Misty's shoulders to make sure the smaller girl was ok, purely platonic of course that shit was well in the past and Dawn had made her amends for all that. "Thanks for asking, it means a lot that you are making sure we're ok after all that."

"May and Serena informed me of the battle, everything that surrounded it, and showed me their scars." Dawn said. "I take it you were as unfortunate as they were."

"A small price to pay to be rid of him and that battle was something else, especially the ending, though only Ash can do it justice in the retelling as he was the one who conducted it perfectly." Misty said holding her left arm up and pulling back the half sleeve just enough for Dawn to see the scar there though not all of it, she'd show it fully off later. "The other one is on my thigh, but I'd take them again in a heartbeat for what that battle gave us. It wasn't just for me; it was for all of us because that's just who Ash is. The other two will fall in time, maybe not this year as Brianna is the strongest coordinator but it's also not a fair fight in that regard so we're prepared for the worst there."

"Well, if you need me you know I'm here and ready to go to bat for all of you if any of that lot threaten our group." Dawn said with a smile. "We all share a unique bond in many ways. I may have just met Serena properly for the first time this week, we met in Kanto but it was brief, and she was more there to learn about the Grand Festival than anything else, but she's like the rest of us. A threat against her is one against all and we look after our own."

"Serena is the fifth, we had our chat and closure early on in the year." Misty said with a grin. "And you'll meet the sixth tonight I'm sure, she's a little bit of a firecracker as well, most direct rival I've had since you. She I actually had to properly dominate though it was more her testing me as the alpha but thanks to how we met I was easily able to handle a direct rival maturely and civilly."

"I've heard that there was another, I look forward to meeting this Miette while I'm here." Dawn said with a smile. "I'll be there for her as well though I may need to remind her that in the chasing pack I am the leader. I am the one who prepared you to handle her so it's only fitting that she understand the first rival of yours."

"Oh, I'm sure she'd understand the need for that." Misty said. "Miette sees all this in her own way that is kinda refreshing with how blunt and open it is."

"Good thing I've got a little boost now just in case." Dawn said finally taking her arms off Misty's as she knew her friend was ok and turning her head slightly before flicking her hair tie thing. "My sisters may be annoying, shallow, vain, and dump their gym responsibilities on me which I don't mind, but they are great and do love me. Lily won this in a beauty pageant out in Hoenn a few months back but had no need for it so gave it to me as I did."

Misty just blinked at what Dawn had flicked. On the end of the hair tie, no doubt in a holder that wouldn't break, was a Key Stone. Misty couldn't deny that she was insanely jealous at that. She didn't have one yet and now Dawn, along with Ash, May and if he was to be believed Brock, all had one. She swore she'd get one too one day.

"Well, you beat me to that." Misty admitted causing Dawn to grin. "Do you have a Mega Stone though?"

"I didn't." Dawn began her grin getting bigger. "Until I came to Kalos that is."

"How did you manage that?" Misty asked stunned and now definitely jealous of Dawn being able to Mega Evolve one of her Pokémon.

"When I landed I went to see Professor Sycamore before hitting the road while Sabrina got settled in the city after the flight." Dawn said. "Mainly to see if I couldn't find a Froakie there to bond with like May did with Squirtle and Ash with Oshawott but alas none were on hand. However, he saw my Key Stone and we got to chatting and when I mentioned what Pokémon I had he was surprised by one of them but said that if I could Mega Evolve him then I could have his Mega Stone. We had to go to the Lumiose Gym, Clemont was out but his father and the robot there allowed us in, as that was the only place large enough for the test and I proved I could do it, so I got the Mega Stone for my baby."

"So that's what happened to it." May said joining in after catching up with Ash about what they'd missed when they'd continued on the road to Snowbelle while the others went off to their side adventure, Dawn would get the full story in time but she wanted it all from the start so she could wait for it. "I was wondering where it went in the wake of the incident. I know what Alain did with his stuff, but no one explained what happened to the other ones that were taken as evidence."

"What do you mean?" Ash asked confused.

"Lysander had a Key and Mega Stone that he used during the incident last year." May explained. "The Key Stone was lost with him, but the two Pokémon he used at the start of the incident weren't on him when he fell into that void thing, so they were recovered in the aftermath. His Gyarados, a shiny one by the way, was the Pokémon with the Mega Stone. It's the only Pokémon I know Dawn has that can Mega Evolve so she has to have it now."

"Correct, Sycamore gave it to me once I proved my bond with Gyarados was strong enough to Mega Evolve him." Dawn said smiling. "As you said, the Mega Stone was taken as evidence but released to Sycamore once they closed the investigation so he had it on him and was waiting to find someone who could use it. I was the one who was lucky enough to receive it and haven't looked back."

"Well, I for one want to face your Mega Gyarados then." Ash said with a grin.

"Same." Misty admitted. "Togekiss could do with a round three against your Gyarados."

"In time we will have some battles as Gyarados, and I also need to get better with his Mega Evolution." Dawn said. "But of course I'll face you two, I still have to beat Misty and her Togekiss after all, and this is a way to manage it."

"Well soon I'll be in a reverse situation to what you were in before you came to Kalos." Misty said. "I should be getting a Mega Stone for my Banette in a few weeks. Sycamore knows where it is but believes a Banette and its trainer are needed to retrieve it and has asked me to do the honors seeing as I have one of the few Banettes in all of Kalos and my bond with my Banette should be strong enough for Mega Evolution. I'll be retrieving it once we are done with the Master Class and on the way back to Lumiose City for the Grand Festival and Lumiose Conference."

"Sycamore did say something about that." Dawn said causing Misty to look surprised, so Dawn elaborated on it. "I saw your Pokémon there Misty, they aren't hard to miss given your rather unique collection, so I asked about them and he told me that you were storing a few there and that you were helping him with the Banettite. Seriously, your Spiritomb is really freaky even if I've seen it up close a few times."

"He really is something else, isn't he." Misty said with a smile at her most surprising Pokémon. "He's really helped me this year as well."

"That he has, I watched you're showcase with him, and you completely stunned Kalos." A voice said from behind Misty causing her to yelp in surprise and turn to see Miette standing there grinning at her.

"Miette!" Misty almost shrieked very similar to how Serena would around her. "Usually, you reserve this arrival for Serena."

"I got her this morning so I couldn't get her again so soon." Miette said with a grin while Serena groaned but didn't object to the statement. "I arrived last night but didn't see her until this morning though I had to run some errands. Good to see you again too Misty."

With that Miette pulled Misty into a hug and kissing her on each cheek that Misty finally managed to reciprocate though she was still unfamiliar with the Kalos greeting that she didn't even do with Serena who was the local she knew best. Dawn just smirked at the exchange, so this was the Miette she'd heard about. She instantly liked the girl's style and her boldness, if not for her past actions and culture she'd do that with Misty as well, but of the losers Dawn was still their leader and she could already tell that Miette was one of them.

Dawn had always had a bit of a sixth sense to sniff out another girl who'd fallen for Ash. It was all thanks to that chick out in the Orange Islands, Melody if Dawn remembered correctly, though she'd not actually had a thing for Ash, but she'd been the one who'd forced Dawn to learn to find her potential rivals for Ash's love though in the end she'd lost to one she'd never had a chance to see coming.

Since then the only one who'd ever snuck past her was May, until Ash's first big party that was. Miette however, she was clear as day probably second only to that Macy girl in terms of how bold and open she was about her crush. Of course, bold and open still didn't breach the legendary density of Ash Ketchum but what else was new.

"Hey Miette, good to see you again." Ash said with a smile.

"You too Ash." Miette said her heart picking up a bit and butterflies in her stomach from the smile he gave her even if she knew it was platonic and suppressing the urge to greet him like she'd greeted Misty as that would be inappropriate even if Ash wouldn't understand why as Miette still didn't have the nerve to confess to him despite her openness about her crush to her rivals. "And who is the dark haired girl with you? I don't think we've met but part of me feels a kinship with her."

"Dawn." Dawn said holding out her hand to Miette. "Cerulean City Gym Leader, world renowned beauty, Ash's first female traveling companion and his oldest friend, and the leader of those of us who've failed to beat Misty. That is the kinship we have and like you I can identify one of us from a mile away."

"I'll be the judge of that part as we have to prove ourselves to each other one day, but I respect your style." Miette said taking Dawn's hand and shaking it. "I'm Miette, also a renowned beauty, performer who was a Master Class finalist, and this year a coordinator here to compete in the Wallace Cup. I was Misty's 6th fight, but she showed me what was in her locket and named the gym and its leader who she got it from so it's nice to put a pretty face to her first."

"I'll always hold that spot dear to Misty and in a way be close to her heart at all times." Dawn said as they ended their shake. "Always good to meet another like us who's at least civil."

"I hear you and I aren't exactly that." Miette said as the others watched the exchange, the girls knowing exactly what was going on while Ash and Pikachu were totally lost by it but watching anyway. "At least you ensured that Misty understood how to deal with someone like me. She wasn't surprised at all when I had my little chat with her."

"I'm a whole different level to the rest of you though there will be one who might rival me if Misty ever properly meets her." Dawn said. "Once she put me in my place, and rightfully so, well Misty can handle any though as far as I know only the one I just mentioned remains. There may be a second but that one is a little more confusing for a few reasons and even less likely to be encountered."

"Yes, yes this is all well and good, but can we retract the claws and stop circling each other ladies." Misty said. "We can sort out your places afterwards and I am sure that May and Serena would love to join in."

"Gotta listen to the alpha." Miette said while both May and Serena shook their heads not wanting to be part of this at all as they already knew and accepted their places. "We'll talk more after the Cup and see if you deserve the rank of first of us."

"It will be my pleasure to put an upstart in her place." Dawn said. "Been a while since I had the chance to do so and as I can't with Misty you'll do Miette."

"Good thing we're not like that." May whispered to Serena. "Though in a battle I'd put my money on Dawn."

"Personality differences." Serena whispered back. "It's clear how different those two are from us and you and I aren't really the same as at least you had the courage to confess. It's amazing how many different types fell though."

"You haven't met Angie and Anabel." May said. "They're tomboys, especially Angie, so it's an eclectic mix that he appeals to."

"What's an eclectic mix?" A new voice added causing them to turn to it to see Shauna approaching them as Ash just gave up even trying to figure out what the girls were all talking about. "Hey guys, sorry to barge in just saw you all here so though I'd swing on by and hang out."

"Shauna." Serena said with a smile greeting her friend the traditional Kalos way. "When did you get in?"

"This afternoon." Shauna admitted. "Checked into the hotel, registered for the Wallace Cup, and then took a nap to be refreshed for this. Now what is eclectic?"

"You're a friend of Serena's?" Dawn asked turning to face the brunette who she'd never met before and instantly knowing that she wasn't a potential rival. "Along with May, Misty, and Miette I presume."

"That would be correct though I have only met Misty twice before today." Shauna said holding her hand out to Dawn. "I'm Shauna, a performer and if you know Serena and Miette then I'm the third of the finalists from last year's Master Class that Serena won before facing Aria for the title of Kalos Queen. Like them I'm trying my hand at being a coordinator to broaden my knowledge of Pokémon and improve."

"Ah I was wondering if the third was here." Dawn said taking her hand. "I'm Dawn, Cerulean City Gym Leader and old friend of Ash's. We traveled Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto together."

"I see." Shauna said with a smile as she let go of Dawn's hand. "So is it safe to presume you're like Serena then."

"Shauna!" Serena screeched.

"As well as like May and Miette though I'm the original one." Dawn said sadly. "The first who lost, probably the first to love, though maybe not the first to fall if the tales I've heard are true."

"So, eclectic means the others." Shauna said getting it now. "I never realized there was that many."

"I don't think any of us did until one won out in the end and suddenly the rivals emerged." Dawn said. "But let's move on from such sad topics."

"Yes let's." Misty said looking to May and changing the topic. "Is Max going to come over to great us?"

"I think so." May said looking over to her brother to see that his group had been joined by Adam and Emily who must have just arrived and found them in the crowd. "And if not, well it is a big sister's duty to annoy her brother. Hey Max, come say hello to your darling sister."

Max turned to look and saw May waving them over and sighed. He was going to go and see her once his group was finished catching up, but she'd preempted him as always. He'd get her back in time, but he figured he may as well head over. At least May had good timing as he noticed that Bonnie had suddenly seen a slightly older woman, likely foreign, and attractive coordinator, standing on her own and was about to move.

"Nope, no making a scene here Bonnie." Max said grabbing her ear and dragging her over to the others while Owen, Adam, and Emily followed with the latter two looking confused at what was going on. "Behave yourself."

"But she looked perfect for Clemont." Bonnie complained before an idea came to her and she shut up and grinned, she'd ensure that Clemont was helped out soon enough.

"Sorry for that." Max said as they reached the others. "I hope she wasn't too much of a burden on you while we were away."

"Clemont has her well in hand after last year and it was fun to have both of them together once again." May said. "And don't try with Dawn, she's not available."

"Oh, I know, I've heard all the stories from Misty." Bonnie said meeting the dark haired girl for the first time and now that she had a name she knew exactly who she was. "You're the one who's Gyarados was tossed into a ceiling."

"I see our battle is still lore." Dawn said looking at Misty who just shrugged.

"What can I say." Misty said. "It's not everyday someone does what I did."

"It's not exactly easy." Dawn said. "But fitting given all that went down that day."

"It really was." Misty said. "Anyway, this is Bonnie, Dawn."

"A pleasure to finally meet you." Dawn said holding her hand out which Bonnie took and shook. "I've heard a bit about you from May and Serena this week, I hope we can get to know each other more as well. I'll admit, I've never met a girl who acts like Brock did and not for herself but for her brother. It's different for sure."

"I'd like that and I'm just a baby sister doing her duty for her big brother." Bonnie said seeing the Azumarill in May's arms and knowing that it wasn't hers. "Is that Azumarill yours?"

"It is." Dawn said with a smile. "A gift as an egg from a friend after I had to release my Togetic, bred from his Marill if I had to guess."

"Can I groom it?" Bonnie asked. "It looks so cute."

"Azumarill?" Dawn asked as she took her Pokémon back. "How about it? Do you want to be pampered a bit? I've heard that Bonnie here is an excellent groomer."

"I'm really good." Bonnie said with a nod. "Even won a presentation competition recently."

"Dedenne." Dedenne said from her bag in confirmation.

"Azu." Azumarill said with a nod.

"Alright but take care and keep your Dedenne away." Dawn said handing Azumarill. "It may not have a water type yet but, well, you know how they are with electric types."

"Of course, I'll be gentle." Bonnie said taking Azumarill carefully and heading off to do her work in a corner while Pikachu and Piplup leapt off their owners to follow as both wanted a touch up from the girl.

"I guess Bonnie's grooming services are in high demand." Ash said.

"She's really improved this year; I've already taught her all I know about Pokémon care, and she's taken it to a new level, but I lack her talents in the grooming department for sure." Owen said. "And I'm Owen by the way in case any of you forgot or haven't met me."

"I haven't." Dawn said holding her hand out to the newcomer. "Dawn, Cerulean City Gym Leader."

"Owen, Galarian breeder from Ballonlea and companion to Max and Bonnie." Owen said taking her hand to shake. "And I have to ask, Azumarill isn't a water type? I thought it was. I'll admit I don't really see any where I'm from, but as an aspiring breeder I know all about baby Pokémon as they require special breeding techniques. That said I just assumed that Azumarill was a water type which added a fairy type after the change just as its evolutions did."

"Oh, it added the fairy type but for some reason its primary type is normal not water." Dawn said noting the surprise in Owen's face. "Yeah I know it doesn't look it and it's the only baby Pokémon I know of that doesn't have the same type as the Pokémon it evolves into which is odd."

"Good to know and shows that I still have plenty to learn about all the Pokémon in the world." Owen said. "That is why I left Galar after all."

"We all have plenty to learn." Ash said. "I'm always learning more things."

"Anyone who travels with Ash kinda has to." Misty said and all those who had done so nodded in agreement at that. "Anyway, Emily, Adam, what about you guys? It's been a while since we've seen you."

"It has Misty, but it's been good." Emily said her voice only sounding a little nervous around so many notable people. "I got a new Pokémon which I'm hoping to debut in the Wallace Cup and have been training hard for it as I want this to be my 5th ribbon. Many of us do so it makes the Cup even more competitive than before."

"And I've been really getting my badges." Adam said. "Got my 6th today against Wulfric so I'm excited for what is to come. We're heading to Anistar after this for my battle with Olympia and then ending in Laverre where I'll get my 8th and qualify for the Lumiose Conference while Emily trains with Valerie for the Grand Festival."

"There are a few Contests in the area so if I don't win then I'll go for one of them which means a few more days here if that is the case." Emily added. "So, we've got everything planned through the end of the year."

"Just so long as you aren't pressed for time." May said. "In the past I know that I've been pressed as in both Hoenn and Kanto my 5th ribbon came in the last Contest of the year."

"We shouldn't be." Adam said. "I've got two-part dark types; they'll be my main Pokémon in Anistar so that should be a quick gym battle. Psychic is the best of the now 3 fighting type weaknesses for me to counter while fairy is still the worst as I've yet to get one of the few Pokémon to counter it though I have the moves to do so. I'm also entering the Wallace Cup for practice."

"A good thing, I've done that before and am doing that again." Ash said.

"Exactly why I'm doing it." Adam said. "It's…"

However, before anyone could hear what Adam had to say there the sound of a mic being turned on which annoyed everyone and caused them to turn to see a stage raising from the ground on the one side of the area that didn't have stands but a giant screen on the wall instead. It was the part of the setup for where the judges would sit, along with where the bracket and points bars in the battle rounds would be displayed.

To add to the effect, smoke billowed out as the stage was raised but as it cleared it revealed Jillian had made her way to it and standing there next to a tall man. The man had turquoise hair and matching eyes though the hair was mostly hidden by a white beret wearing a turquoise and white shirt with a wide, popped, white collar, purple pants, white shoes, and a green cape. Off to the side were Mr. Contesta and Sukizo as well though they seemed to be here more due to their official capacity than to give any announcements.

Those who knew him knew that the man who'd just arrived was Wallace though the squeals from a gaggle of girls in white berets that were present confirmed that. His fangirls were here in force it seemed and were willing to travel as far as Kalos to observe him.

"Hello all and thank you for coming to this little reception we are throwing for Wallace." Jillian said to the gathered attendees as she held out her arm to the man next to her just in case anyone didn't know who he was. "So, give a warm Kalos welcome to a man of many talents. Sometimes he's a Gym Leader, sometimes he's the Champion of Hoenn though currently he doesn't hold the title, and he's also a Top Coordinator, one of only 3 people to have been Gym Leaders while holding the title of Top Coordinator. He's so passionate about Contests that he created his own special one who's ribbon is valid in any region, including the expansion ones. From Sootopolis City in the Hoenn region, it's Wallace."

"Thank you Jillian and thank you Kalos and Snowbelle City for making me feel so welcome on my first visit to the Kalos region." Wallace said with a smile as the gathered people cheered and applauded for him. "This is all a bit much but I am grateful for such a warm welcome so I will keep this brief before I mix and mingle with all of you."

That got some gasps from the crowd and swoons from the girls in his fan club. It was a good idea though as it showed how approachable he was, and he was a great poster boy for Contests so ingratiating himself with the people here would help a lot in the continued furtherance of Contest acceptance and popularity in Kalos.

"Most of you will already know how the Wallace Cup will work this year but I will give a brief summery just in case." Wallace said. "As always it will be an appeal followed by a single battle elimination battle round though the one difference is that the battle round will have 16 and not 8 participants like in the other Contests in Kalos just as the Grand Festival here will have."

That was understandable and the gathered crowd knew it. The Wallace Cup always attracted enough coordinators and non-coordinators who wanted to have fun or train at it to justify having 16 advance. Given its status as the most prestigious regular Contest it was also fitting that it would be the only one with more than 8 advancing and a good practice for those aiming to reach a Grand Festival.

"However, as I do like to integrate a rule or two from the local region hosting, this year there will be a Pokémon requirement in the Wallace Cup." Wallace continued. "As Kalos requires a different Pokémon for each round meaning that you have to register 4 to compete in a normal Contest, so too with the Wallace Cup therefore 5 Pokémon are required for all entrants. That said, Mega Evolution is still banned from being used even in the Wallace Cup. The committee is still evaluating it and will decide after the Grand Festivals if it will be allowed in Contests starting next year."

This got some murmurings from those who seemed to not know but most understood and accept it. It was a tradition that each Wallace Cup had a one-off rule or two that would honor the specific rules of that region with some, like the dressing up requirement tradition in Sinnoh, becoming staples of the Cup.

The one thing that really got Ash was the Mega Evolution ban. That was understandable, no Contest had yet to allow it, but it also caused him a conundrum given what Greninja could do and how it was similar to Mega Evolution though not quite it at the same time. He'd have to ponder it later though as Wallace was about to resume speaking.

"In addition, Ball Seals are not to be used." Wallace said over the murmurings. "That is a Sinnoh affectation that hasn't transitioned to Kalos, or really any other region, so after experimenting with it for the last few Cups we've decided to end the use of them, at least for the Cups in the expansion regions. That said, dressing up will be required as that too is a Kalos rule. Those are the only rules I have for you but there is one more thing to announce though many already know it."

This time Wallace paused more for dramatic affect than anything else. Basically, everyone here knew what the announcement was and were just waiting for Wallace to confirm it.

"Two days after the Wallace Cup this venue will be turned into a Showcase Theater for the first Wallace Showcase." Wallace announced. "It will be a one-off Showcase with a special Princess Key, the Aqua Key, and it will be an official Showcase so the key will count towards the Master Class. I hope to see many ladies there as well. This is to honor the Kalos traditional competition and thank the region for hosting the Wallace Cup. Should it be a success then it will be revived the next time Kalos hosts the Wallace Cup."

At this the fangirls seemed very interested. Misty could understand that though as they loved Wallace so the idea of a female specific competition with his name on it would appeal to them. However, she was going for that Aqua Key herself and she fully intended to win it. Misty wouldn't get the Aqua Ribbon this time around but that Aqua Key was hers.

"That is all I have so please enjoy the evening and I look forward to seeing many of you and your Pokémon in the Wallace Cup tomorrow." Wallace said before he turned and left the stage, nodding at Mr. Contesta and Sukizo as he did, and the other men seemed to follow him but waited to the side as he headed into the crowd.

"You heard the man." Jillian said excitedly. "This is the time to meet Wallace and get to know him a bit and have some fun because tomorrow the Wallace Cup will make you all rivals."

With that Jillian herself left the stage and it began to descend back into the ground, but Ash and his group weren't watching that. No, they were more intrigued by the fact that Wallace made a direct beeline for them, the people parting for him all too nervous to be the first to talk to him and noticing that he had a set destination in mind.

"Misty, I was hoping that you would be able to make this as it saves me having to find you in the hotel later." Wallace said with a smile and a bow of his head to Misty as he arrived. "I knew you were planning on being here for it as you are one of the Top Coordinators helping this year, congratulations on that by the way I knew you would win one day and that final in Kanto was spectacular last year. Those ghost types, no one saw it coming and to actually have a Spiritomb, let alone use one the way you did was unbelievable. I'm sure your Ribbon Cup victory will become Contest lore in the years to come."

"Thank you." Misty said a little taken aback by how direct Wallace was being.

"Anyway, I am sorry to be rude and take you from your friends but there is something that I must discuss with you in private." Wallace said. "Well with Mr. Contesta present as well. Please, if you will follow me. Afterwards you can return to your friends."

"Um ok." Misty said nervously looking around, but Ash just smiled at her while May nodded so Misty assumed that it was ok. "Lead the way."

"Thank you." Wallace said. "And sorry again, I'll return her and chat to all of you in a moment, but this cannot wait."

With that Wallace led Misty away while the others watched. They weren't sure what that was all about, but it was clearly important, so they left Misty to it and resumed chatting as they discussed their adventures, Dawn got to know the ones she didn't know a bit more and had a good time at the event.

A few minutes later Misty returned alone, Wallace was instantly mobbed by people the moment they were done so he couldn't join her, looking shellshocked by whatever had been discussed with her. However, nothing any of them said could get anything out of her as Misty just said they'd have to wait for tomorrow to learn and only said that she'd be getting up early to help set up but that May wasn't needed.

It was all confusing, but Ash trusted Misty so deferred to her, and they moved on from it wondering what it might be. One thing was for certain though, the Wallace Cup was going to be something else this year and they all couldn't wait for it to start. Tonight, was going to be fun but starting tomorrow many would be rivals as the Wallace Cup at last began.