AUTHOR'S NOTE: Greetings, readers! Here is chapter 36 of the continuing adventures of Tristan, Hillary, and Pikachu as they continue their journey through the Hoenn region. Once again, Grace will be in this chapter. It's got some similar twists to the Pokémon: Advanced Challenge episode: "Come What May!" As always, please feel free to read and review responsibly at your leisure.
TEASER: It's time for the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest, with Hillary's second Contest Ribbon on the line! But she's in for some serious competition with her new rival Grace and her old nemesis Taz, the latter of whom is entering the Contest in disguise!
Chapter 36: FALLARBOR BACK!
Tristan, Pikachu, and Togepi were all watching anxiously from the audience. They were excited for the Fallarbor Contest to begin.
(Music Cue: Opening Title 1999-2001 (full version))
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and out stepped a familiar woman wearing a pink dress, carrying a microphone as she went. It was Vivian. "Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you all to the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest!" she announced as a spotlight shone on her. "I'm your master of ceremonies, Vivian Meridian, and I'm looking forward to what this Contest has to offer!"
The audience cheered and applauded with excitement.
"Please give a warm welcome to our contestants as they make their way to the stage! And...here they are!"
Hillary, Grace, and several other Coordinators walked onto the stage as the audience cheered excitedly.
"Go, Hillary!" shouted Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi cheered with him.
Hillary turned to Grace and said, "Well, this is it. Let's give it our best out there and may the best Coordinator win."
"My thoughts exactly, Hillary," agreed Grace.
And together, they both shook hands.
"And now, I'd like to turn your attention to our established and hard-working judges!" continued Vivian as she turned everyone's attention to them at their podiums. "First off, the head judge and head of the Contest Committee, Raoul Contesta!"
"It's a pleasure to be here," smiled Mr. Contesta.
"Next, here's the President of the Pokémon Fan Club, Mr. Sukizo!"
"Hi!" added Mr. Sukizo. "You're all so remarkable!"
"And finally, Fallarbor Town's very own Nurse Joy!"
"I thank you all for this sweet invitation," finished Nurse Joy.
The judges all stood up as the audience took a standing ovation.
"And as you all know, the Coordinator who can successfully showcase their Pokémon the best will receive this: the fabulous Fallarbor Ribbon!" continued Vivian. "So, with no further ado, let the Second-Chance Fallarbor Pokémon Contest...begin!"
The audience roared with excitement.
With the introductions finally over, Hillary excitedly prepares for her opportunity to compete in the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest. Of course, she has to deal with some stiff competition in the form of Grace, her soon-to-be opponent. Will Hillary and Squirtle be able to show what they can do and earn the coveted Fallarbor Ribbon? Stay tuned and find out!
(Music Cue: Kanto Title Card)
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest has officially begun," announced Vivian as she faced the audience. "And so far, we've seen fantastic performances from all our first-round contestants!"
(Music Cue: Hoenn Wild Pokémon Battle (as heard in "A Ruin With a View"))
"Medicham, use High Jump Kick!" instructed Grace.
Medicham jumped up and used its knee to show its power, then gave a kick to the very air.
"Now, follow it up with Psychic!"
Medicham glowed in a blue aura and landed safely and gracefully back onto the stage as the audience cheered and applauded.
The judges gave out their scores as follows: Nurse Joy 9.5; Mr. Sukizo 9.6; and Mr. Contesta 9.4.
Altogether, the score came to 28.5.
Grace was pleased, and so was the audience.
Even Tristan couldn't help feeling good about Grace's performance. "That Medicham seems well-trained," remarked Tristan. "Hillary's gonna have her work cut out for her.
Pikachu and Togepi agreed nervously.
One by one, all the Coordinators took their turn showcasing their Pokémon's techniques.
But Hillary, having seen Grace and the other Coordinators' performances on a nearby screen, was feeling a little nervous backstage; she started to shake uncontrollably and held Squirtle in her arms so tightly that Squirtle cried out in pain. She gasped when she heard Squirtle's loud cries. "Oh! Sorry, Squirtle."
Squirtle, sensing Hillary's nervousness, unleashed a barrage of gentle bubbles that tapped her in the face.
Focusing on the bubbles, Hillary managed to take a few deep breaths, concentrating more and more each time. It was like blowing gentle bubbles back home in New Bark Town in the past.
The bubbles popped slowly, one by one until there were none left.
Hillary, having calmed down, held Squirtle in her arms and gently embraced it. "Thanks, Squirtle. I needed that. Now, are you ready to have a good show?"
Squirtle gave a happy nod as Hillary recalled it back into its Poké Ball.
It was then that Hillary got a great idea. She quickly thought of what to do and prepared to take the stage.
(Music Cue: Kanto Gym Leader Battle (as heard in "One Trick Phony!"))
"And now, it's time to meet our next contestant," announced Vivian. "Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Contestant #29: Hillary from New Bark Town!"
The audience cheered and applauded as Hillary came to the stage. She seemed much more relaxed than the last Contest she was in.
"Let's go, Hillary! All right!" cheered Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi agreed enthusiastically as they cheered for her.
"Squirtle, it's...showtime!" shouted Hillary as she threw her Poké Ball.
Squirtle emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Hillary's Squirtle makes its entrance, and it's raring to go," continued Vivian.
"Start with Bubble!" instructed Hillary.
Squirtle twirled around and around, and unleashed a gentle stream of bubbles from its mouth that floated over toward the audience, who seemed very impressed.
"Wow, what a sight!" announced Vivian. "Squirtle's bubbles are filling the entire hall. Talk about happy times on Memory Lane."
Even Tristan couldn't help smiling and began to choke up. "This brings back wonderful memories," he said emotionally. "I always enjoyed blowing gentle bubbles back in New Bark Town."
"Now, Squirtle, Rapid Spin!" commanded Hillary.
Squirtle withdrew its limbs and head into its shell and began to spin around and around, popping the bubbles as it did so.
And with each bubble that popped, the sparkles grew more and more beautiful; they had just enough beauty to keep Squirtle visible throughout its performance.
"Gorgeous," remarked Vivian. "Those sparkles demonstrate how polished this whole performance is."
"Okay, Squirtle, finish up!" ordered Hillary.
Squirtle limbs and head emerged, and Squirtle gently and neatly landed back on its feet right in front of Hillary to the cheers and applause of the audience.
"That was awesome," smiled Tristan. "Way to go, sis."
Pikachu and Togepi gasped in awe as the sparkles continued to flow through the Contest Hall.
"And with that performance completed, let's see what the judges have to say about it," announced Vivian.
The three judges, Nurse Joy, Mr. Sukizo, and Mr. Contesta, each gave Hillary a 9.9, for a total of 29.7.
"Twenty-nine-point-seven! That's the highest score we've seen so far in this Second-Chance Contest!"
Grace, who had been watching backstage, was just as pleased. "That's the way, Hillary."
Meanwhile, not too far away, Taz was fuming about Hillary's latest performance and readied another fiendish plan. He'd enter the Contest in disguise and win a Ribbon. "Keep smiling, goily-goil, 'cause when I get finished with you, that Ribbon and your Pokémon will be mine." And he got ready to perform.
"You were great, Hillary," commended Tristan backstage a few minutes later.
"Thanks. I was getting nervous until Squirtle helped me calm down using Bubble."
"Bubble?"
"Remember how we used to blow bubbles together? The nostalgia helped give me an idea of how to make it work. And Rapid Spin helped make the bubbles sparkle beautifully. We had a great time performing together because of it."
"It shows."
Pikachu and Togepi agreed.
"And now, our final contestant," announced Vivian. "He's rumored to be the toughest Coordinators around. Please give it up for Contestant #30: Tazma!"
(Music Cue: Biker Gang (Rock 'n Roll theme)
Tristan was confused about the new entrant as the audience cheered and applauded on the TV monitor. "Tazma? Who's Tazma?" he wondered.
The disguised Taz emerged onto the stage and tossed a Poké Ball into the air.
Magmar emerged from the white light that shot out of it.
"Okay, Magmar, let's turn up the heat with Flamethrower," instructed Taz.
Magmar shot a powerful stream of fire from its mouth upward toward the ceiling.
Little embers shot down from the top of Magmar's flame.
"Now, use Fire Punch!"
Magmar made fiery fists and punched out the little embers falling from Magmar's flame.
"This is extraordinary!" remarked Vivian. "Magmar is putting out its own fire with Fire Punch without missing a beat."
Tristan, Hillary, and Grace were all watching the action on the TV monitor just backstage.
"That Magmar sure seems pretty tough, especially when it controls those flames so masterfully," remarked Grace.
"Indeed," agreed Hillary. "It's turning up the heat, all right."
Tristan began to get suspicious. There's something familiar about that Magmar, he thought. I don't trust it one bit.
"Now, finish it up with Fire Blast!" ordered Taz.
Magmar shot a five-pointed flame from its mouth in the air and held it up to the cheers and applause of the audience.
"A five-point finish from Tazma and Magmar," announced Vivian. "Now let's see what the judges have to say about that performance."
Nurse Joy, Mr. Sukizo, and Mr. Contesta each gave out nine points each for a total of 27.
"Twenty-seven points!" announced Vivian. "A good solid score."
"And why didn't I get a perfect score?" fumed Taz.
"That concludes our performance round," continued Vivian. "And now, these four talented Coordinators will be moving on to the Battle Stage. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for these four!"
(Music Cue: Ash's Decision to Fight (Ash Appears))
Hillary, Grace, and the disguised Taz all had their pictures on the board, along with another unnamed Coordinator.
"Yay, I made it!" smiled Hillary.
"Congratulations, Hillary," replied Tristan. "And you, too, Grace."
Hillary and Grace looked at each other.
"I hope to see you in the finals, Grace," said Hillary. "You'll give me a good battle, won't you?"
"You can count on it," answered Grace, "but don't think I'll make it easy for you."
Taz, who had just snuck back off the stage, smirked at Hillary and Grace a short distance away. "Little do you know I'll be the winner of today's Contest." And he started preparing for the next phase of his plan.
"Before we begin the Battle Stage, let's reveal who will be facing whom!" announced Vivian as the Coordinators' pictures on the board.
Grace was paired up against the unnamed Coordinator while Hillary was set to battle against the disguised Taz.
"Good luck, Hillary," said Grace. "I hope you make it to the finals."
"Same to you, Grace," replied Hillary. "May the best Coordinator win."
And the two shook hands as they prepared for their battles.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Round 2 of the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest!" announced Vivian. "Each Coordinator will have five minutes to successfully reduce their opponent's points while showcasing their Pokémon's grace and power."
Grace and her Medicham had an easy win against the unnamed Coordinator and a Makuhita, and advanced to the final stage.
It was now Hillary's turn to face off against the disguised Taz.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the second battle for Stage One is about to get underway!" announced Vivian. "Hillary, the young Coordinator, will be facing off against a confident Tazma. Each Coordinator will have five minutes on the clock. Let the battle begin!"
The timer started counting down.
"Go, Squirtle, it's...showtime!" shouted Hillary as she threw her Poké Ball.
"Magmar, let's boin 'em to a crisp!" yelled Taz as he threw his.
(Music Cue: Regirock, Regice, & Registeel Battle (full version))
Squirtle and Magmar emerged from the white lights that shot out of the balls.
"A Water-type going up against a Fire-type," smiled Tristan. "Hillary should have a lock on this one."
Pikachu and Togepi seemed to agree.
Squirtle and Magmar, sensing each other's true intentions, glared at each other, each determined to see the other face defeat.
Little did Hillary know that Tazma was really her old nemesis, Taz, but she started to become suspicious. Something's off with that Tazma, she thought. Whatever Squirtle and Magmar are glaring at each other about, I doubt it's good.
"I'll go foist, if you don't mind," smirked Taz, "'cause I know I'm gonna win! Magmar, use Fire Punch!"
Magmar made two fiery firsts and proceeded to attack Squirtle with them.
"Magmar starts out with a sizzling Fire Punch," remarked Vivian.
"Squirtle, counterattack with your Water Gun!" ordered Hillary.
Squirtle unleashed a powerful stream of water from its mouth at Magmar.
"Dodge it, then strike," instructed Taz.
Magmar narrowly dodged Squirtle's Water Gun and struck Squirtle with its Fire Punch, much to its surprise.
"Magmar dodges Squirtle's Water Gun and gets in the first hit, causing Hillary to lose points," announced Vivian.
And indeed, it did, for Hillary's point meter dropped a little.
"That Magmar is one fast and powerful Pokémon," said Tristan nervously. "Hillary had better come up with something fast."
Pikachu and Togepi cheered loudly for her.
"Hang in there, Squirtle! use Bubble attack!" ordered Hillary.
Squirtle unleashed a stream of bubbles from its mouth, which all enveloped Magmar in them.
"What's this?!" gasped Taz.
"Would you look at that!" remarked Vivian. "Squirtle's Bubble attack has completely enveloped Magmar and put out its fire!"
"Follow it up with Rapid Spin!" commanded Hillary.
Squirtle withdrew its head and limbs and proceeded to spin faster and faster toward the bubbles, popping every single one of them, making them sparkle, while at the same time, scoring a direct hit on Magmar.
"Hillary quickly counterattacks with a combination of Bubble and Rapid Spin!" announced Vivian. "Magmar's certainly getting taken for a ride!"
Taz's point meter dropped more than Hillary's did.
"That's the way, Hillary!" commended Tristan. "Keep it up!"
Pikachu and Togepi cheered excitedly in agreement.
"Come on, Magmar, don't let that little pipsqueak beat you!" barked Taz. "Use Flamethrower!"
Magmar got back onto its feet and unleashed a powerful stream of fire from its mouth at Squirtle.
"Squirtle, douse it with your Water Gun!" shouted Hillary.
Squirtle unleashed a powerful stream of water from its mouth directly at Magmar's Flamethrower.
Both attacks collided, but sure enough, Squirtle's Water Gun was able to push through and score a direct hit on Magmar.
"And Magmar gets put out again with Water Gun," remarked Vivian as Taz's point meter dropped even more.
"What a combination!" smiled Nurse Joy.
"Yes, remarkable!" put in Mr. Sukizo.
"Hillary and Squirtle are certainly working well together," finished Mr. Contesta.
Taz seethed in anger. "How dare you! Magmar, use your strongest Fire Blast!"
Magmar unleashed a big five-pointed flame from its mouth and proceeded to finish Squirtle off with it.
"Will Fire Blast finish the job for Tazma?" wondered Vivian.
"Dodge it, Squirtle, and use Water Gun!" commanded Hillary.
Squirtle's nimble little body allowed it to duck under Magmar's Fire Blast.
Taz was alarmed. "Uh-oh!"
Uh-oh, indeed, for Squirtle unleashed another stream of water from its mouth, this time at close range, and scored such a huge direct hit on Magmar, that it was sent flying right into Taz, causing him to fall flat on his back.
As a result, Taz's point meter dropped all the way down to zero.
"Tazma and Magmar lost all their points!" announced Vivian. "Hillary and Squirtle will now proceed over to the final stage."
"Yeah, Squirtle, we did it!" commended Hillary.
Squirtle leaped up for joy to celebrate its victory.
Taz was able to muster enough strength to push Magmar off of him and stand back up. He was furious at losing to Hillary. "All right, you! I didn't want to do this, but now, I have no choice!" And he threw off his disguise, revealing his true identity.
(Music Cue: Kanto Trainer Battle (as heard in "For Cryin' Out Loud!"))
"Hello, losers!"
Tristan gasped, for he knew who it was. "It's Taz again!" he exclaimed.
Pikachu and Togepi were most alarmed.
"I should've known it was you!" added Hillary.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for me to claim my prize: your Pokémon!" smirked Taz. "Magmar, use your Smokescreen attack!"
Magmar unleashed a thick, black cloud of smoke from its mouth, which began to cover the entire Contest Hall.
The audience screamed in terror as they covered their faces from the approaching smoke.
"This is dangerous!" gasped Tristan. "If we don't do something, the audience could be hurt!"
"Quick, Squirtle, use your Water Gun attack to wash Magmar's Smokescreen away!" shouted Hillary.
Squirtle quickly spun around and around, unleashing a powerful stream of water from its mouth, washing away Magmar's Smokescreen before any of it could envelop the audience.
"So you wanna play hardball, do you?!" growled Taz. "Fine with me. Magmar, hit 'em with Fire Punch!"
Magmar proceeded to make a fiery fist and prepared to charge for Hillary and Squirtle.
"Can you give a Thunder attack?" whispered Tristan to Pikachu.
Pikachu gave a hard nod, leaped off of Tristan's shoulder, and unleashed a powerful yellow bolt of electricity at Taz and Magmar, scoring a direct hit on them, causing an explosion that sent them crashing through the ceiling before they had a chance to attack Hillary and Squirtle.
"No fair! We won't forget this!" screamed Taz as he and Magmar disappeared into the sky.
DING!
"Uh, pardon that little interruption," smiled Vivian, who was confused about the whole ordeal, and used a towel to wipe off the sweat from her brow. "But thanks to some quick thinking from Hillary and Squirtle, we can go right back to them, as they proceed to the final stage."
The audience cheered and applauded as Hillary and Squirtle smiled.
"Hey, what about me and Pikachu?" Tristan was a little offended, but he didn't let that bother him for long. "Never mind. Hillary and Squirtle deserved their victory against Taz anyway. Let's cheer them on in their battle with Grace, okay, guys?"
Pikachu and Togepi eagerly agreed.
Just backstage, Grace saw everything on the TV monitor. "Well, Hillary, you and Tristan were great in thwarting Taz's plans, but now it's my turn to shine."
(Music Cue: Team Aqua & Magma Grunt Battle (full version))
"Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached the final stage!" announced Vivian. "The finalists are Hillary and Grace, who are looking for victory today in the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest. Let's hear it for those two young ladies!"
The audience roared with excitement as Tristan, Pikachu, and Togepi watched.
"And as the Coordinators take their places on the stage, the final battle will now begin!"
The clock started ticking down from five minutes.
"Squirtle, it's...showtime!" shouted Hillary as she threw her Poké Ball.
"Medicham, I choose you!" called Grace as she threw hers.
Squirtle and Medicham emerged from the white lights that shot out of them and faced each other on the battlefield.
"This is it, Squirtle," said Hillary. "Let's show them what we can do."
Squirtle nodded in agreement.
"Squirtle, Water Gun attack!" commanded Hillary.
Squirtle unleashed a powerful stream of water from its mouth at Medicham.
"Medicham, Meditate!" instructed Grace.
Medicham closed its eyes and floated up, just narrowly avoiding Squirtle's Water Gun.
"Medicham's Meditate causes Water Gun to miss its mark," announced Vivian as Hillary's point meter began dropping a little.
"Now, use Ice Punch!" ordered Grace.
Medicham made an icy fist and struck Squirtle with it, causing Hillary's point meter to drop even more.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Tristan. "Grace really means business! Hillary had better stay focused because Grace is one tough Coordinator."
Pikachu and Togepi cheered loudly for Hillary.
Squirtle slid backward on its belly and managed to get back on its feet.
"Hang in there, Squirtle!" encouraged Hillary. "Use Bubble, now!"
Squirtle unleashed a stream of little bubbles from its mouth at Medicham.
"Send that Bubble attack right back with Psychic!" instructed Grace.
Medicham glowed, and aimed its Psychic attack toward Squirtle's Bubble attack and sent those bubbles right back at Squirtle.
"Medicham sends Squirtle's Bubble attack right back at it," announced Vivian. "Can anything be done to stop it?"
I know! thought Hillary. I'll use Squirtle's Rapid Spin to counterattack! "Rapid, Spin, Squirtle, let's go!" she shouted aloud.
Squirtle withdrew its head and limbs into its shell and spun around and around, not only protecting itself from the bubbles, but also popping them and making sparkles along the way towards Medicham.
"Let her rip, Squirtle!"
And Squirtle did, for its Rapid Spin scored a direct hit on a surprised Medicham, sending it flying.
"What a comeback!" remarked Vivian. "With Squirtle face to face with its own attack, it found a way to work around it and strike Medicham!"
Sure enough, Grace's point meter began to drop.
"Follow it up with Water Gun!" commanded Hillary.
Squirtle unleashed a powerful blast of water at a surprised Medicham, scoring another direct hit.
"And Squirtle keeps the pressure on with a very wet Water Gun attack!" announced Vivian as Grace's point meter dropped even more.
"Wow, what a nice way to showcase power and beauty!" remarked Nurse Joy.
"Yes, and remarkable, too!" agreed Mr. Sukizo.
"It seems like Hillary and Squirtle have gotten much better than they were just a few minutes ago," finished Mr. Contesta.
"There's no way I'll let you win that easily," grunted Grace. "Medicham, send it flying with Psychic!"
Medicham glowed in a blue aura, causing Squritle to as well, causing it to be lifted up off the ground.
"This is bad!" gasped Tristan.
Pikachu and Togepi shouted encouragingly for Squirtle to hang on.
Medicham telekinetically thrust Squirtle high into the air.
Then when Squirtle reached its highest point, gravity started to take over and forced it into a freefall.
"Quick, Squirtle, aim your Water Gun attack right at the ground, now!" shouted Hillary.
Squirtle quickly straightened itself out and aimed its Water Gun on the stage, causing it to nullify the damage it would've taken.
"Look at this!" exclaimed Vivian. "Squirtle used Water Gun to limit the amount of points to lose!"
Sure enough, Hillary's point meter dropped a smidge, but not enough to make a huge difference.
"Argh!" grunted Grace. "We almost had it there!"
"Let's finish this up with Water Gun, Squirtle!" commanded Hillary. "And this time, give it every ounce of energy you've got!"
(Music Cue: Advance Adventure (Orchestra & Guitar (full version as heard in "A Different Kind of Misty")))
Squirtle took a deep breath and unleashed another powerful blast of water from its mouth at Medicham, only this one was at maximum velocity.
"Oh, no, you don't! Medicham, aim your Ice Punch at the ground!" ordered Grace.
Medicham made an icy fist and pummeled the stage with Ice Punch, making ice pillars. Then with one final Ice Punch, it managed to create a big ice pillar.
"Medicham unleashes Ice Punch to create giant pillars of ice in an attempt to send Squirtle's Water Gun right back at it!" announced Vivian.
But the result was a little different than either Grace or Medicham expected, for even though Squirtle's Water Gun bounced off of each ice pillar, it somehow bounced its way back and struck Medicham full-force.
"Uh-oh! It looks like Medicham's ice pillar strategy has backfired in a big way."
"Oh, no, Medicham!" cried Grace.
"This is Hillary's big chance!" smiled Tristan.
Pikachu and Hillary stood up and cheered loudly for Hillary and Squirtle.
"We've got it now, Squirtle! Finish it up with Tackle!" shouted Hillary.
Squirtle charged at Medicham full-body style and rammed into Medicham so hard that it was sent flying and fell hard on the ground flat on its back.
Medicham had a dazed expression in its eyes; it had been knocked out.
All three judges showed red "X's" on their podiums; it was, indeed, Battle Off for Medicham.
"Wow! Medicham is unable to battle!" announced Vivian. "And with that, Hillary and Squirtle pull off the big win right here in Fallarbor Town!"
The audience roared with excitement.
"Yeah, Hillary did it!" smiled Tristan as he, Pikachu, and Togepi embraced one another.
"Squirtle, way to go!" cheered Hillary as she and Squirtle ran to each other and embraced. "You were awesome, Squirtle. You're the best."
Squirtle gave a happy reply.
Grace walked over to Medicham and helped it stand up. "You were great, too, Medicham."
Medicham gave a happy reply.
Hillary walked over to Grace and Medicham. "Is your Medicham okay?"
"Oh, yeah, it'll be fine," replied Grace. "It just needs a good rest. I never expected the ice pillar strategy to backfire the way it did. Last time we used it, we were able to repel Drew's Roselia and its SolarBeam attack."
"Wow, that was a great strategy. I guess we caught some lucky breaks there."
Grace made a silly face and gave a hearty laugh. Then she said, "Skill plays an important part of any battle, too, you know. Try to have a little more confidence in yourself and in your Pokémon. If you do that, I know you'll continue to achieve even greater heights, including at the Grand Festival."
"Thanks, Grace. We'll do our best to remember that."
Squirtle nodded in agreement.
A few minutes later, Vivian gave her closing speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me now as we present Hillary with the gorgeous Fallarbor Ribbon in honor of her great victory here in the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest!"
The audience roared with excitement as Mr. Contesta handed the Ribbon to her.
"Congratulations," smiled Mr. Contesta.
"Thank you very much, sir," replied Hillary as she accepted the Ribbon. Then she raised her new Ribbon in the air and proudly proclaimed, "All right! The Fallarbor Ribbon is all ours!"
Squirtle leaped up and struck a victory pose with her.
"That concludes this Second-Chance Pokémon Contest!" announced Vivian. "We'll be back here next year, so until then, take care and see you soon!"
"Congratulations, sis," said Tristan as he and Hillary stood outside the Contest Hall later that evening.
"Thanks, big bro," replied Hillary. "I wasn't sure what was gonna happen when Medicham used Ice Punch to make those ice pillars. I was just lucky that that strategy backfired on it. But I know that I need to keep working to hone all of my Contest skills, and I'll keep working along with my Pokémon so we can get stronger together."
(Music Cue: To Be Continued (sample))
"That's the spirit, sis! I'm getting psyched, too...for my next Badge!"
Pikachu eagerly agreed.
And so, Hillary and Squirtle come out on top in the Fallarbor Town Second-Chance Pokémon Contest and earn their second Ribbon. Will Tristan taste sweet victory at his next Gym Battle? Time will surely tell as their journey continues!
TO BE CONTINUED...