Chapter 50: A Royal Performance
"Let's get things started with our first coordinator… Nikki!" As the curtain opened Nikki ran onto the stage, a Poké Ball in each hand. The crowd erupted as she made her entrance.
"Look at that. Nikki's up first," Ash commented. He, Zoey, Pikachu and Buneary were sitting in the front row. Pikachu once again had his fans in his hands while Buneary had pompoms, both eager to cheer her on.
"Persian! Ninetails! The stage is yours!" She tossed the two Poké Balls. Moments later they opened, releasing a flurry of stars. The stars swirled all over the stage, almost completely blocking it from view. Seconds later the stars dissipated, finally revealing Ninetails and Persian.
"Okay, Persian, start off with Power Gem!" Nikki called. The Classy Cat Pokémon quickly formed the Rock-type attack.
"Get ready, Ninetails!" Nikki said.
"(Right!)" the Fox Pokémon complied. She crouched down into a battle stance, ready for whatever came next.
"Do it, Persian!" Persian fired his Power Gem right at Ninetails, much to the surprise of the audience.
"Nikki's Persian just launched a super effective attack at his own partner! What in the world is going on here?!" Christy gasped. Ash, Zoey, Pikachu and Buneary, however, knew just what Nikki had planned. Rather than dodge the incoming attack Ninetails simply caught it with one of her tails.
"That's great, Ninetails!" Nikki praised. "Now, let her have some more, Persian!" The Classy Cat Pokémon fired off more Power Gems. Soon Ninetails had one Power Gem for each of her nine tails.
"Now toss them back!" Nikki instructed. With a casual flick of her tails Ninetails sent the Power Gems back at Persian.
"Night Slash!" Nikki said. Persian's claws took on a dark glow as he slashed at each Power Gem, causing each orb to shatter into shimmering dust particles.
"Amazing! Now that's what I call teamwork!" Christy said.
"And now for the finale," Nikki mused. "Fire another Power Gem into the air!" Persian turned his gaze skyward and fired a Power Gem into the air.
"Now hit it with Fire Spin, Ninetails!" Nikki instructed. As the Power Gem rose into the sky Ninetails took aim and hit it with a Fire Spin. The flames engulfed the Power Gem, creating a swirling ball of flames high above the stage.
"Now use your Iron Tail to launch Persian!" Nikki shouted. Persian jumped at Ninetails just as the Fox Pokémon was preparing her Iron Tail. As soon as her attack was fully charged the Classy Cat Pokémon landed.
"(Going up!)" Ninetails commented as she sent him up into the air. Persian ascended quickly and soon found himself high above the flaming Power Gem.
"Now hit that ball of fire with Slash!" Nikki shouted. Persian dove down towards the attack and, using the momentum from his fall, destroyed the ball of fire with a powerful Slash. The exploded fireball sent glowing embers falling down towards the stage, signaling the end of Nikki's performance. She and her Pokémon bowed to the audience right before they erupted in thunderous applause.
"That was unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable!" Christy shouted.
"The teamwork between Ninetails and Persian was picture perfect," Nurse Joy commented.
"Truly remarkable," Mr. Sukizo added.
"I must say the other coordinators have a lot of work to do if they want to outdo that opening performance," Mr. Contesta praised.
"And there you have it, folks! Now let's keep the excitement going with our next performer…"
Back in the waiting room Nikki's excitement over her performance was yet to wear off. She knew she had to put on the performance of her life, but in her opinion it went better than she could have ever imagined.
"Oh wow. The audience loved us out there," Nikki said. Likewise Ninetails and Persian were also amazed by how well they had performed.
"(I never expected that kind of reaction. It's quite… exhilarating,)" Persian commented.
"(I can't remember the last time I felt an adrenaline rush like that,)" Ninetails said.
"(Nikki!)" The coordinator turned around just in time to catch Buneary as she dove into her chest. Ash, Pikachu and Zoey were right behind her, each one with a smile on their face.
"So, how do you think we did?" Nikki wondered.
"That was one of the best opening performances I've ever seen," Ash praised. "You really set the bar high."
"(Ninetails and Persian looked like they've done this their entire lives. If I didn't already know there was no way I'd believe this was their first time,)" Pikachu added.
"I have to agree with them," Zoey said. "All the work you did preparing for the Contest really paid off out there on the stage." Nikki was happy with the praise she was receiving, but there was still one opinion left.
"What about you, Buneary? Did you like it?" she asked.
"(You bet! You guys were amazing!)" the Rabbit Pokémon exclaimed. Hearing everyone's words of praise made Nikki feel even more confident about her chances in the Contest.
"Thanks, everyone," she said.
"Don't thank us. It was you and your Pokémon that did all the work," Ash told her.
"You're right," Nikki agreed. "Ninetails, Persian, thank you."
"(Don't thank us yet. We still have to win the Contest,)" Persian advised.
"I wouldn't worry about that. I doubt if there's anyone competing that could come close to what you three did out there earlier," Ash stated. At that moment Christy began her introduction of the final coordinator.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our last coordinator is a very special one! She's come a long way to be here with us today, so help me give a warm Kamillia Town welcome to Her Royal Highness, Princess Susanna!" Everyone was surprised to see the princess walk onto the stage, none more than Ash and Nikki.
"I didn't know she'd be here," Ash said.
"Wait. You know her?" Zoey asked.
"Ash and I met her a few times already, but when we last saw her she said she was heading home," Nikki explained. "I wonder what made her change her mind." While she and Ash pondered Princess Susanna's reason for participating in the contest the princess was preparing to send out her two Pokémon.
"Glameow. Shuppet. I require your assistance," she said. Her Poké Balls opened moments later. From one came a large star and from the other a ribbon of darkness. The star floated down to the ground, the ribbon wrapping around it moments later. Seconds later they both burst into sparkles, revealing Princess Susanna's two Pokémon.
"So she has a Shuppet as well," Ash commented. Nikki had her Pokécomm in her hand and was looking up information on the Ghost type Pokémon.
Name: Shuppet
Species: The Puppet Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It feeds on the dark emotions of sadness and hatred, which make it grow steadily stronger.
"I wonder what they have in mind for their performance?" Zoey said. Ash, Nikki and everyone else was wondering the same thing as they waited for Princess Susanna to make her first move.
"Night Shade, Shuppet," she requested.
"(At once.)" The Puppet Pokémon created a Night shade in the air above them, but what surprised everyone was the fact that the Night Shade spread across the entire ceiling of the Contest Hall.
"Please use Swift, Glameow," Princess Susanna said.
"(Yes,)" the Catty Pokémon agreed. With a swish of her tail she sent a flurry of stars up towards Shuppet's Night Shade.
"Now use Psychic to take control of Glameow's Swift," the princess instructed. Moments later Shuppet's eyes took on a blue glow. The glow quickly spread to Glameow's Swift, and soon he had complete control over his ally's attack.
"Incredible! Despite needing to maintain the massive Night Shade covering the ceiling Shuppet still managed to use Psychic to take control of Glameow's Swift!" Christy commented. Everyone was impressed with the Puppet Pokémon's skill.
"Now, Shuppet, please form the constellations we gaze upon from our home," the princess requested. Shuppet further displayed his skill by perfectly forming various constellations in the air. With the Night Shade as a makeshift backdrop it was almost as if the princess and her Pokémon had brought a part of the nighttime sky into the Contest Hall with them. The crowd even got a chance to participate as they were challenged to name the different constellations. By the end of her performance it was clear that Princess Susanna had to be considered as one of the favorites to win.
"Wow. She's good," Zoey commented.
"Yeah," Ash agreed. Nikki remained silent, her eyes never leaving the television screen. While Princess Susanna and her Pokémon were acknowledging the crowd Nikki was wondering how, or even if, she could defeat the talented princess should they face each other in the Contest.
A short while later Princess Susanna walked into the waiting room. The other coordinators watched her from a distance, many of them with shocked looks on their faces. It wasn't long, though, before she was joined by Dante and Lando.
"A masterful performance, Your Highness," Dante praised.
"Indeed. Your advancement to the next round is all but assured," Lando added.
"I hope you are right," Princess Susanna replied. "It would be a shame if Glameow and Shuppet's efforts were for naught."
"Princess!" The princess turned towards the voice that called out to her. A smile appeared on her face once she saw Ash and Nikki approaching her with Zoey following close behind them.
"It is wonderful to see you again, my friends," she said.
"It's great to see you again as well, Princess," Nikki replied. "Although, I thought you were on your way home now."
"So did I. What changed your mind?" Ash wondered.
"After our last meeting I had a strong desire to participate in a Pokémon Contest before returning home, and I find it fortunate that I chose to compete in one you were competing in as well," Princess Susanna explained. "I must say your performance was most excellent, Nikki."
"Thank you. Your performance was just as good if you ask me," Nikki praised.
"I have to agree. The two of you are head and shoulders above the rest of the competition," Zoey said.
"I thank you for your praise," Princess Susanna said. "I do not believe we have had the pleasure of meeting."
"We haven't. My name is Zoey. I'm a coordinator from the Sinnoh region," Zoey said.
"A coordinator, you say. Then why are you not competing?" the princess wondered.
"I was invited here as an instructor," Zoey answered.
"An instructor? Are your skill truly that impressive?" the princess asked.
"They are," Ash stated. "She's the Sinnoh region's top coordinator." Hearing that made Princess Susanna's eyes light up.
"I was unaware that you were a top coordinator. I would simply love to see one of your performances for myself," she stated.
"It would be an honor to perform for you, Your Highness," Zoey replied.
"Okay, everyone! We have the results!" Christy announced. Everyone turned their attention to her as she revealed the names of the four coordinators who would be moving on.
"Our first coordinator is… Nikki!" Upon hearing her name called first Nikki allowed herself a brief moment of celebration.
"I knew you'd make it," Ash said.
"As did I," Princess Susanna added.
"Our second coordinator is… Princess Susanna!" Once again there was a brief moment of celebration as Princess Susanna was also announced as an advancing coordinator.
"Your advancement was a certainty, Your Highness," Dante commented.
"I am happy that I advanced," the princess said. "However…" She paused and turned towards Nikki, a look of confidence on her face.
"Though we are friends until the Contest reaches its conclusion we are rivals," she continued. "Though I respect you, know that I do not intend to lose."
"Nor do I," Nikki reciprocated with an equally confident look.
"If they managed to face each other it'll be a match no one will ever forget," Ash commented.
"I would much like to see such a confrontation," Lando said.
"As would I," Dante agreed.
"Something tells me we're going to get to see that before the Contest is over," Zoey stated.
"Okay, everyone! Are you ready for the final round?!" Both Nikki and Princess Susanna had made short work of their first opponents and now found themselves about to face off against each other for the Kamillia Town Contest ribbon. Ash, Zoey, Pikachu and Buneary were back in the stands, this time joined by Dante and Lando.
"Who will earn today's Contest ribbon?! Will it be Nikki, or Princess Susanna?!" As Christy spoke both Nikki and the princess looked across the stage at each other, each one with thoughts going through their heads over what was about to take place.
"Though this is important to you, Nikki, I do not intend to let you prevail over me. I shall do all I can to claim victory," Princess Susanna thought.
"I've come so close time after time. I can't fail again. I have to win… even if it means I have to defeat royalty to do it," Nikki mused.
"Let's put 5 minutes on the clock… and begin!"
"Glameow. Shuppet. I require your assistance."
"Persian! Ninetails! The stage is yours!" The four Poké Balls flew through the air and burst open, revealing their occupants moments later.
"You may begin with Swift, Glameow," Princess Susanna instructed. With a flick of her tail Glameow sent a volley of stars towards Persian and Ninetails.
"Block that with Iron Tail!" Nikki called. Ninetails curled her tails in front of her and Persian and powered up an Iron Tail. Glameow's Swift struck the makeshift Steel-type barrier, causing Princess Susanna to lose some of her points.
"Now strike back with Power Gem!" Nikki said. Persian sprang from behind Ninetails and quickly fired off a Power Gem.
"Now start powering up, Ninetails!" Nikki shouted.
"(Right!)" she complied. While Persian engaged their opponents the Fox Pokémon spread her tails behind her and started gathering energy for an attack.
"Send that attack back with your Iron Tail, Glameow," Princess Susanna ordered. In a move similar to the one Zoey employed during her practice battles with Nikki her Glameow used Iron Tail to transform her tail into a makeshift steel spring that bounced Persian's Power Gem right back at him.
"Use your Iron Tail to send it back at them!" Nikki countered. Persian charged his own Iron Tail and used it to knock the Power Gem right back towards Princess Susanna's Pokémon.
"Take hold of that attack with your Psychic, Shuppet," the princess instructed. Shuppet's eyes took on a bluish hue. Shortly after that the Power Gem also glowed blue as the Puppet Pokémon stopped the attack right in front of himself and Glameow.
"Gotcha!" Nikki mused. "Fire!" By this time Ninetails had gathered enough energy. She quickly fired her Solarbeam, striking the Power Gem and causing it to explode. The blast not only knocked Princess Susanna's Pokémon off balance but it also took off a good amount of points, putting Nikki solidly in the lead.
"That's the same tactic she used on you while she was practicing," Ash commented.
"And it looks like it work just as well now as it did then," Zoey added.
"And a strong opening sequence leaves Nikki with the advantage!" Christy commented. "Can Princess Susanna recover?" While many wondered if she could Dante and Lando were confident she would.
"Though Nikki's strategy is sound she will need to do much more to defeat Her Highness," Dante declared.
"Is she really that good?" Zoey wondered.
"She is the finest in our kingdom. There has yet to be a challenger than can match her skill," Lando boasted.
"(Nikki's good to. I know she can win,)" Buneary said.
"We shall see if you are correct," Dante replied. On the stage both Glameow and Shuppet had recovered and were awaiting further instructions.
"That was a fine opening move on your part, Nikki," Princess Susanna praised. "However, it is now my turn." Nikki, Persian and Ninetails all prepared for her countermove.
"Use Swift," she said. Once again Glameow sent out a volley of stars towards Nikki's Pokémon.
That didn't work earlier, and it's not going to work now," Nikki declared. With that in mind Ninetails got ready to counter it just as eh had earlier. Unfortunately the princess had anticipated this.
"Use Psychic, Shuppet," she ordered. Right before the attack reached its target Shuppet used his Psychic to take control of it.
"What's she planning?" Nikki wondered. She soon got her answer when Shuppet used his Psychic to make the Swift swirl around Persian and Ninetails. The two Pokémon looked back and forth, both wondering when and from where the attack would come. Suddenly, a few of the stars shot forward, catching the two of them by surprise. As they were being pelted by the stars Nikki's points began to fall.
"Use Swift again," the princess said. Glameow added even more stars to the attack, increasing the number of projectiles Shuppet had at his disposal.
"I'm afraid this Contest will soon reach its conclusion," Lando said.
"What makes you say that?" Ash wondered.
"The strategy Her Highness has employed is one that has yet to be defeated," Lando explained.
"He is correct. Many have tried, but none have found a way to defeat this strategy," Dante said.
"(Nikki can do it! I know she can!)" Buneary declared.
"She may try, but I assure you she cannot win," Lando argued.
"No. Buneary's right. Nikki can beat that strategy," Zoey said.
"She can? How?" Ash asked.
"All she needs to do is use the right attack," Zoey said. "I just hope she realizes that in time." As they continued to watch Nikki's points were starting to drop to a worrisome level. She had already fallen below Princess Susanna's total, and if she didn't counter soon her points would soon run out.
"I'm afraid I must insist that you surrender," the princess advised. "No one has been able to counter this strategy, and I do not wish to continue to harm your Pokémon unnecessarily." At this point Nikki was beginning to wonder if she still had a chance at victory. With Shuppet controlling the Swift attack that was swirling around Persian and Ninetails there was no way for Nikki to launch any kind of counterattack.
"If only there was some way for me to take out that Swift attack," she said. It was at that moment she recalled a certain memory…
"Move it, guys! Hurry!" Nikki shouted. Her cries, however, were unheeded. With both her Pokémon still in a daze it appeared as though Team Rocket had the upper hand, but Vulpix would have none of it.
"(I've got you covered!)" she barked. Right before the Flamethrower hit she spewed forth a Fire Spin, encasing both Buneary and Shinx inside. Magcargo's Flamethrower hit the Fire Spin and was easily repelled, but what surprised everyone was the fact that once Vulpix's Fire Spin died down no damage had been caused to either Buneary or Shinx.
"That just might work," she mused. With time, and her points, quickly running out Nikki hoped Ninetails would be able to pull it off.
"Ninetails, use Fire Spin to shield yourself and Persian!" Nikki called. Ninetails recalled using this tactic while she was still a Vulpix and, while she had difficulty with it at first, she had perfected the tactic in the end, giving her confidence that it would work again.
"(Stay close to me, Persian,)" she said. The Classy Cat Pokémon nodded and stood as close to her as possible. Once he was in close enough she spewed forth her Fire Spin. Everyone looked on with bated breath as the swirling column of fire encased the two of them.
"This is a risky strategy by Nikki here! I wonder if it'll work!" Christy commented. As everyone watched the Swift attack began to glow red from the heat of Ninetails's Fire Spin. Soon the attack began to break apart as the stars shattered. Within seconds Glameow's Swift had been completely destroyed.
"Inconceivable! None have been able to best that tactic!" Dante gasped.
"(I told you Nikki could do it,)" Buneary boasted.
"But what about Persian and Ninetails?" Zoey wondered. True the Fire Spin had taken care of the Swift attack, but it would have been all for nothing if Nikki's Pokémon took any kind of damage from their own attack.
"Flamethrower!" Nikki suddenly shouted. Before Princess Susanna's Pokémon could react a Flamethrower erupted from within the Fire Spin, striking Glameow.
"Night Slash!" Nikki continued. While Shuppet was recovering from the shock of seeing Glameow struck down Persian burst forth from the Fire Spin and slashed at the Puppet Pokémon with his dark glowing claws. The Fire Spin died down shortly after that, revealing a completely unharmed Ninetails.
"They're okay," Ash said.
"Not only that, but it looks like the battle's shifted back in Nikki's favor," Zoey pointed out. The surprise attacks not only left Princess Susanna's Pokémon dazed but it also took a huge chunk out of her points.
"Alright, Nikki! Bring it home!" Ash cheered.
"Use Power Gem!" Nikki called. Persian once again fired his Power Gem, this time launching the Rock type attack into the air.
"Now hit it with a Fire Spin!" Nikki instructed. While the Power Gem was still in the air Ninetails used her Fire Spin to wrap it in flames.
"Now launch Persian with your Iron Tail!" she continued. As they did in their appeal Ninetails powered up an Iron Tail and used it to send Persian high into the air.
"Now spike that flaming Power Gem with your Iron Tail!" Nikki shouted. Persian powered up his own Iron Tail. He then flipped in the air and slammed it down on top of the flaming Power Gem, sending the flaming orb hurtling down towards the ground.
"Oh no!" Princess Susanna cried. She could only watch as the combination attack crashed down into her Pokémon, sending them sprawling across the stage.
"Great job, you two!" Nikki praised. "Now, let's…" Before Nikki could finish issuing her instructions a buzzer went off inside the Contest Hall, indicating that five minutes had passed.
"Time's up!" Christy announced. "Now, let's see who won this intense final round!" All eyes immediately went to the points screen, and by the slimmest of margins…
"The winner of the Kamillia Town Pokémon Contest is… Nikki!" The crowd erupted in cheer and applause as soon as Christy announced the winner. Naturally the loudest cheers came from Ash, Pikachu and Buneary.
"Alright! She won!" Ash shouted.
"(Way to go, Nikki!)" Pikachu praised.
"(I knew she'd win!)" Buneary declared. Dante and Lando, on the other hand, had been left nearly speechless.
"I cannot believe it. Her Highness… was defeated," Lando said.
"I did not believe such a feat was possible," Dante admitted. As the crowd cheered her victory Nikki stood there in silence, a stunned look on her face.
"I… I won? I… really won?" she said. It wasn't until she felt Ninetails nudge her hand with her nose that the realization that she won her first Contest fully sunk in.
"I did it! I won my first Contest!" she shouted. Still overwhelmed by the sensation of victory she fell to her knees and hugged Persian and Ninetails.
"I couldn't have done it without you two," she said, tears in her eyes. "I couldn't ask for better Pokémon."
"(And we couldn't ask for a better coordinator,)" Persian reciprocated. While they celebrated Princess Susanna was consoling her defeated Pokémon.
"(Forgive us, Your Highness. We failed you,)" Shuppet apologized.
"(Our efforts were not good enough,)" Glameow admitted. They waited to see how she would respond. Both expected her to be disappointed in them.
"Look at me." Both Pokémon were surprised by the tone of her voice. When they looked up at her rather than a look of disappointment they saw her smiling at them.
"Do not be disappointed in your efforts, for I am not. You two have made me very proud," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.
"(Truly?)" Glameow asked.
"Truly," the princess said. "Though we may have been defeated I can think of no one else more deserving of this victory than Nikki. As she said this she looked towards Nikki, who was still celebrating with her Pokémon.
"Congratulations… my friend," she whispered.
Minutes after the final battle reached its conclusion the Contest stage was prepared for the ribbon presentation. As Nikki stood on the winner's pedestal she couldn't remember the last time she was this excited.
"This is it. My first ribbon," she mused. Her Pokémon stood on the pedestal with her, Ninetails to her left and Persian to her right. Both of them were beaming with pride over what they just accomplished.
"And now, presenting the Kamillia Town Contest ribbon is our special guest, Sinnoh's top coordinator, Zoey!" Wearing her white coordinator outfit Zoey approached Nikki. She stopped in front of her, a huge smile on her face.
"I knew you'd win," Zoey admitted.
"It was thanks to your help," Nikki replied. Zoey handed her the ribbon. The gold pendant had a rose engraved in the center while the ribbon was orange with a white border. Nikki held it down so Ninetails and Persian could see it.
"Look, guys. Our first ribbon," she said.
"(First of many,)" Persian stated.
"(We're finally on the road to the Grand Festival,)" Ninetails said.
"Don't let up now. Remember, you still have four more to go," Zoey advised.
"Right," Nikki agreed. Now that she had been presented her ribbon Nikki looked to the crowd and waved, earning a round of thunderous applause.
Later in the day Ash, Nikki, Zoey, Princess Susanna, Dante and Lando were gathered in front of the Contest Hall. With the Contest now over their time together was drawing to a close.
"It's a shame we cannot spend more time together. I do enjoy your company, Nikki," the princess said.
"I know what you mean," Nikki agreed.
"I wish I could have gotten to know you better, Your Highness," Zoey admitted.
"Perhaps you could visit our kingdom one day, Zoey," Princess Susanna offered.
"I would be honored," Zoey replied.
"It is time to depart, Your Highness," Dante announced.
"Indeed," she agreed. She boarded her carriage while Dante and Lando sat in the driver's perch on front. With a call to the Rapidash the carriage departed.
"Farewell. Until our paths cross again," Princess Susanna said.
"Farewell," Nikki replied. They waved to each other until the carriage disappeared from view, leaving Ash, Nikki and Zoey standing in front of the Contest Hall.
"I should be hitting the road myself," Zoey announced.
"Where will you be heading?" Ash asked.
"I was thinking about stopping off in Pinegrove Town to visit your mother," Zoey told him.
"My mom?" Nikki wondered.
"Sure. I may be a top coordinator but I'm always looking to learn something new. Maybe your mother can help me with that," Zoey explained. "I'll make sure to tell her you're doing great, by the way."
"That should help ease her mind some," Nikki admitted.
"Yeah," Zoey agreed. "Well, take care. I expect to see you in the Grand Festival."
"I'll be there," Nikki promised.
"Good luck to you too, Ash," Zoey added.
"Thanks. You too," Ash replied. With those words Zoey began her trek towards Pinegrove Town.
"So, you want to head out too?" Ash asked.
"If it's okay with you I'd like to wait until tomorrow to leave," Nikki said.
"Sure. That's fine with me," Ash agreed. The two trainers and their Pokémon headed towards the Pokémon Center. As they walked Nikki couldn't help but glance at the ribbon in her ribbon case.
"Finally… I'm finally on my way," she mused. One down, four to go.
After a hard fought Contest battle Nikki has finally earned her first ribbon. With this first hurdle out of the way what will come next for her and Ash? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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