Hi everyone, sorry for the delay, but here's the next chapter. It's time to get ready for the contest.
Chapter 11: Preparing for the Future
Chloe was in her room, very busy. It might seem like she was doing some schoolwork because of the amount of paper on her desk. But it was something much more difficult for her than a simple school assignment; it was the search for the best outfit for her debut in the recently announced Pokémon contest next month.
"No, no, no, this one won't look good on me either," Chloe exclaimed in frustration, crumpling the sketch she had just finished and throwing it in the trash, along with a pile of other sketches that didn't convince her.
Chloe was growing increasingly desperate. She couldn't find an outfit that suited her, and she hadn't even begun to create a contest routine with her Eevee. The contest was only a month away, and the pressure was mounting.
After deciding to participate in the Pokémon contest coming to her city, Chloe dedicated almost all her free time to preparing for her debut. She didn't have the experience of a real contest, but she had the motivation to give her best and achieve victory.
She spent days reading magazines and articles where top coordinators showcased their talents and beauty. She knew she didn't have the physical appearance or beauty to stand out during the contest, but she could by creating a routine and practicing Eevee's moves—something May had recommended to her the day they met.
"Why is this so hard?" she muttered to herself, glancing over at Eevee, who was watching her with curious eyes from the bed. "We need something spectacular, something that will make us stand out."
She picked up a new sheet of paper and started sketching again, but her mind kept wandering to the routine they needed to perfect. Chloe had always been good at drawing, but choreography was another story. She needed moves that would not only showcase Eevee's abilities but also align with the outfit she would finally choose.
Eevee leapt off the bed and trotted over to her, nuzzling her hand. Chloe smiled weakly and stroked Eevee's fur. "We can do this, right? We just need to find the right inspiration."
Eevee barked in agreement, its eyes sparkling with determination. Chloe felt a surge of confidence.
Chloe spent hours watching videos of contests where May and Dawn participated. She noticed how the skills of their Pokémon complemented their coordination and experience, making it look easy. However, to Chloe, it seemed incredibly difficult to come up with something impactful and talented.
"How do they make it look so effortless?" Chloe wondered aloud, her eyes fixed on the screen. She saw May's Beautifly gliding gracefully through the air, its moves perfectly synchronized with May's commands. Then there was Dawn, whose Piplup executed flawless spins and jumps that left the audience in awe.
Chloe sighed, feeling a pang of self-doubt. "I don't know if I can ever be that good," she admitted to Eevee, who was sitting beside her, watching the videos with equal interest.
Eevee chirped reassuringly and nuzzled her arm. Chloe smiled slightly, grateful for her partner's support. "You're right, Eevee. We can't give up."
Determined to improve, Chloe began taking notes on the techniques and strategies used by May and Dawn. She paid close attention to how they combined beauty and power in their performances, making each move look both elegant and strong.
"Maybe if we break it down into smaller steps, it won't be as overwhelming," Chloe thought. She started planning their routine piece by piece, focusing on one move at a time.
Chloe decided to take a walk with Eevee to clear her mind and think of more ideas. The fresh air and change of scenery might help spark some inspiration. As they wandered through the city, Chloe's thoughts drifted to the advice May had given her when she visited.
"Remember, Chloe," May had said with a warm smile, "the most important thing in a contest is to show the bond you have with your Pokémon. If you trust each other and have fun, the audience and judges will see that."
Chloe pondered May's words as she strolled down the busy streets. She watched people going about their day, some walking their own Pokémon, others chatting with friends.
Eevee trotted happily beside her, occasionally stopping to sniff at interesting scents or greet passersby. Seeing Eevee so cheerful made Chloe smile. She realized that she had been so focused on perfecting their routine that she might have forgotten the joy and fun of it all.
They passed by a park, and Chloe decided to take a break on a bench. As she sat down, she noticed a group of children playing with their Pokémon nearby.
Seeing the excitement of the children playing with their first Pokémon made Chloe imagine what her life would have been like if she had decided to start her Pokémon journey like many other kids her age, instead of continuing her studies to pursue a technical or research career like her father. Having had several adventures with Goh and Ash had pushed her to seek something new, and now the idea of participating in a Pokémon contest gave her goosebumps.
She went back to thinking about how to find inspiration for the Pokémon contest routine. Ideas swirled in her mind, but nothing seemed quite right. She was deep in thought when suddenly, she noticed a commotion in the park. People were gathering and heading toward the fields where a Pokémon battle was taking place.
Curious, Chloe and Eevee followed the crowd. As they approached, she saw two trainers locked in an intense battle and obviously one was Ash Ketchum.
She quickly deduced that the boy from Pallet Town was in one of his battles to improve his ranking in the Pokémon World Tournament. This reminded her of the time she watched his battle alongside Lucario and Sirfetch'd, but now he was fighting with his best partner, Pikachu. As Chloe watched, she could see that look he always had—full of tenacity and confidence. No matter the opponent or the challenge, he always seemed confident that he would win. Sometimes that attitude stressed her out, but there were times when his bravery inspired admiration and confidence in her.
As Chloe watched the battle unfold, she couldn't help but be drawn in by the intensity and skill on display. The boy from Pallet Town, Ash, commanded Pikachu with precision and confidence.
"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Ash shouted, his voice clear and strong.
Pikachu darted across the field with lightning speed, striking the opponent's Pokémon before it had a chance to react. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Chloe felt a rush of excitement.
Eevee looked up at Chloe, sensing her renewed enthusiasm. "Eevee!"
Ash's opponent was down to their last Pokémon, and the tension in the air was palpable. Chloe watched closely, captivated by the unfolding battle.
"Pikachu, let's finish this! Use Iron Tail and Electro Ball!" Ash commanded, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Pikachu's tail glowed a bright metallic silver as it leaped into the air, spinning to build momentum. In perfect synchronization, Pikachu charged up an Electro Ball, the electric sphere crackling with energy. With a swift, powerful motion, Pikachu struck the Electro Ball with its Iron Tail, sending the electrified attack hurtling toward the opponent's Pokémon.
The combination move was executed flawlessly, and the opponent's Pokémon had no chance to dodge. The impact was explosive, sending shockwaves through the battlefield. When the dust settled, the opponent's Pokémon was unable to continue.
"Pikachu, we did it!" Ash cheered, running to embrace his partner. Pikachu jumped into Ash's arms, and the crowd erupted into applause and cheers.
Chloe felt a surge of inspiration. She turned to Eevee, her eyes bright with excitement. "Did you see that, Eevee? That's the kind of synergy we need. Ash and Pikachu were amazing!"
Eevee nodded eagerly, its eyes reflecting the same excitement and determination.
As the crowd began to disperse, Chloe approached Ash to greet him and congratulate him on his swift victory. He was surprised to see that she had witnessed his battle.
"Hey, Ash! That was an incredible battle," Chloe said with a smile. "You and Pikachu were amazing out there!"
Ash turned and grinned when he saw Chloe. "Thanks, Chloe! I'm glad you could see it. We've been working really hard."
Pikachu nodded enthusiastically, "Pika-Pika!"
"I could tell," Chloe replied. "Your synergy with Pikachu is incredible. It's really inspiring to watch." Ash scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed by the praise. "Well, we've been through a lot together. It's all about trusting each other and giving it our all."
Ash asked her what she was doing there. She told him about her decision to enter the Pokémon contest. He was happy to hear that her meeting with May had inspired her to try something new.
"Yeah, but I have some issues to decide which costume or routine should I choose" She confessed that she was having trouble preparing for the contest because she had no experience.
"That's awesome, Chloe!" Ash said with a wide smile. "I'm really glad to hear that May inspired you. Contests are a lot of fun and a great way to show off your bond with Eevee."
"Thanks, Ash," Chloe replied, feeling a bit more at ease. "But honestly, I'm struggling. I've been practicing, but without any experience, it's hard to know if I'm on the right track."
Ash thought for a moment, then his face lit up. "Hey, why don't I help you out? I may not be a coordinator, but I've seen a lot of contests, and I know a thing or two about battling and training."
Chloe raised an eyebrow, doubtful. "Do you really know much about contests? I thought you were more into battles."
Ash chuckled. "I can see why you'd think that. But I actually helped May prepare for her first routines, and I traveled with her and Dawn while they formed their paths as coordinators. I picked up a lot along the way."
Chloe's eyes widened with surprise and gratitude. "Really? Well, I guess can we try. I am out of ideas anyway".
"Don't worry, I have some tricks I can teach you, smarty. I need to get something first, but meet me at the other park in half an hour. I won't take long," Ash said before leaving, leaving her alone. She felt that things could either go very well or perhaps very badly.
"Well, Eevee, it looks like we've got some more help coming our way," Chloe said, trying to sound optimistic. "Let's hope Ash's tricks can really make a difference."
Eevee chirped in agreement, its tail wagging.
Chloe took a deep breath and decided to head to the other park a bit early. She thought it might help to get some extra practice in before Ash arrived. When she got there, she found a quiet spot under a large tree.
She sat on a bench waiting for Ash, who still hadn't arrived. Minutes passed and he was still nowhere to be seen. Gradually, she began to get frustrated and think that Ash had stood her up.
"That boy, as brave as he is, he's just as unpunctual. How irritating!" she muttered to herself, growing increasingly impatient.
Just as Chloe was about to give up and leave, she saw a familiar figure running towards her. It was Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder, waving apologetically.
"Sorry I'm late, Chloe!" Ash called out as he approached, slightly out of breath. "I got held up with something, but I'm here now!"
Chloe crossed her arms and sighed. "You really know how to keep a girl waiting, Ash. I was starting to think you'd forgotten."
"Don't be upset, smarty. It's something that will help you. Look," Ash explained as he pulled out something from his backpack. It was a blue capsule, something Chloe had never seen before.
"What is that?" Chloe asked with curiosity.
"This is a Poké Ball capsule. It's an accessory you can use during your Pokémon presentation to add special effects when you release your Pokémon. To make it work, you need to attach these seals," Ash explained, showing her a collection of stickers with various shapes and effects.
"I've never seen this accessory before. Where did you get it?" Chloe asked, noticing that it was a special item for contests.
"During my travels in Sinnoh, Dawn lent me one of these capsules for my participation in the Wallace Cup," Ash told her, recalling the time he participated in a contest with his Buizel.
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. "I can't believe you participated in a contest, Ash. I always thought you were more into battles."
Ash chuckled, a nostalgic smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, I know it's not what I usually do, but it was a lot of fun. Dawn really wanted me to join her in the Wallace Cup, and I thought, why not give it a try?"
He continued, "It was an amazing experience. Buizel and I had to adapt to a whole new style of performance. I remember how nervous I was, but once we started, it felt incredible. We created an new combination of attacks and it really helped us stand out."
Chloe listened intently, her curiosity piqued. "And how did it go?"
Ash's smile grew even wider. "We didn't win, but we made it to the Top 8. It was such a great experience to see how different strategies work in contests. Plus, the audience loved our performance, and that's what really mattered."
"It's hard to believe, Ash. It seems very convenient," she said, trying to sound confident. "Oh, you don't believe me? Look at this," Ash replied while searching for proof on his Rotom Phone. After a few minutes, he found what he was looking for.
"See for yourself, smarty," Ash said, showing her the Rotom Phone. It was playing a video of a contest with a water Pokémon theme. Chloe listened as the announcer introduced the next contestant, who was none other than Ash. Chloe was amazed to see that he was telling the truth. She had to admit, Ash looked handsome in the formal gray suit, though she would never say that out loud.
"Wow, you weren't kidding," Chloe exclaimed as she watched the recording. "I told you. Now watch how I release Buizel using a capsule," Ash said before showing how he released Buizel from its Poké Ball, which unleashed a series of small sparks from its body. That simple yet grand detail left a great impression on the judges and excited the audience.
"You see, the first impression of your Pokémon is crucial in the judges' scoring. Plus, you can base your routine on the effect and moves you choose. Even someone like me managed to pass the first elimination round without many problems," Ash shared his experience at the Wallace Cup.
"Wow, I didn't think you knew so much about this. Traveling with Dawn and May taught you quite a bit," Chloe said, impressed.
"A bit. Watching them so often made me learn about contests and how to incorporate some of those skills into my battle style," Ash continued explaining. Though he didn't realize it, he was really impressing Chloe. The boy's experience and confidence were qualities she was beginning to appreciate more and more.
"I think it's time you try it. Use the capsule and stickers and show me your creativity," Ash said, handing her the accessories he brought. Chloe took the capsule and picked the first stickers she saw, not really considering if they would go well together.
"Alright, here we go," Chloe exclaimed as she released Eevee from its Poké Ball. Upon release, a more colorful trail of light than usual appeared, but the effects she chose clashed and didn't blend well. "What happened?"
"You didn't pick the right stickers. When applying your stickers, the quantity and the types you combine matter, as well as the type of Pokémon you're using. You can't just stick them on randomly," Ash corrected Chloe, removing the stickers she had placed on the Poké Ball.
"Why didn't you tell me that in the first place?" Chloe replied, somewhat annoyed. "Because you didn't ask, and then you say I'm the clueless one," he responded, teasing her.
After a few failed attempts and some bickering between them, Chloe managed to make the correct combination of stickers. Being a Normal-type Pokémon, the combination of heart and ribbon stickers was perfect for Eevee, who performed a pirouette before landing on the ground.
"It finally looks amazing," Chloe exclaimed excitedly, seeing that she had succeeded with Eevee. "What do you think?" Chloe asked Ash, thrilled, but he didn't respond. Turning around, she saw Ash sitting on the bench, almost snoring.
"Ash!" Chloe shouted loudly enough to wake him up. "Huh, what, what?" he responded sleepily. "Typical of you. Weren't you supposed to be helping me?" Chloe scolded him, hands on her hips. "Hey, it's not my fault you took so long to get it right," Ash defended himself.
"Whatever. Now that you have the entrance, show me your routine," Ash said, moving on to the next step. However, there was a problem. "Well, it's just that... we don't have anything yet."
This made Ash and Pikachu fall to the ground in embarrassment. "I told you I needed help with that, remember? I still can't develop it well," Chloe said, somewhat embarrassed.
Ash quickly got back on his feet, brushing off the embarrassment. "Alright, no problem. We'll figure it out together. Let's start by combining some of Eevee's attacks. I have a few ideas that might work well."
Chloe nodded, though she still looked a bit unsure. "Okay, but I'm not confident I can pull it off."
Ash placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You can do it, Chloe. I believe in you. Eevee's got some great moves, and with a little creativity, we can make something really special."
With Ash's encouragement, Chloe felt a bit more at ease. "Alright, let's give it a try."
They moved to an open area of the park to practice. Ash started by explaining a simple combination. "Let's try using Swift and then following it up with Double Team. The idea is to create a dazzling effect with the stars from Swift, then make it look like there are multiple Eevees performing."
Chloe nodded, understanding the concept. "Alright, Eevee, use Swift and then Double Team!"
Eevee focused and launched a flurry of stars into the air, which sparkled brightly. Immediately after, it split into multiple copies using Double Team. The result was a beautiful display of twinkling stars surrounding several Eevees.
"That looks amazing!" Chloe exclaimed, feeling a surge of excitement.
Ash grinned. "See? I told you it would be great. Now, let's add another layer. How about using Quick Attack to move through the stars, making it look even more dynamic?"
Chloe took a deep breath and gave the command. "Eevee, use Quick Attack through the stars!"
Eevee zipped through the stars at high speed, leaving trails of light behind it. The combination of the stars, multiple Eevees, and the swift movements created a mesmerizing effect.
Ash clapped his hands. "That was fantastic, Chloe! You're really getting the hang of this."
Chloe beamed, feeling more confident. "Thanks, Ash. I couldn't have done it without your help."
Ash nodded. "You're doing great. Just remember, the key is to make each move flow into the next. Keep practicing, and you'll get even better."
They continued practicing, trying different combinations and refining their routine.
After practicing the attack combination for a while, Ash helped Chloe prepare for the next round. "Alright, smarty, this combination will help you pass the first round, but what's next is different," Ash explained.
"Yes, I know the second part of the contest is a battle round, Ash," she responded, aware of the different rounds in a contest.
"Of course but knowing it and being prepared for it are two different things," Ash replied seriously, ready to teach her firsthand how to fight.
"It's time to battle, Pikachu," Ash exclaimed, ready to combat.
"Hey, but this isn't one of your battles," she shouted nervously, realizing she would be facing Ash.
"If you want to win that contest, you need experience and to know how to direct Eevee, and you won't learn that from books, smarty," Ash said, determined to help her gain practical experience.
Chloe took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Alright, if this is what it takes, I'm ready. Eevee, let's do this!"
Eevee jumped forward, ready to face Pikachu. Ash nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit! Now, let's see what you've got. Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu's cheeks sparked before releasing a powerful bolt of electricity. "Eevee, use Quick Attack to dodge and get close!" Chloe commanded. Eevee moved swiftly, dodging the Thunderbolt and closing the distance between them and Pikachu.
"Not so fast, Pikachu, use Electro Web and trap Eevee," Ash commanded his Pokémon. Pikachu charged its attack, but unlike in regular battles, it used its tail to mold the electric web into a lasso in Eevee's path.
"But what is he doing?" Chloe exclaimed, surprised by the move. It wasn't what she was used to seeing in battles. Without Chloe ordering Eevee to continue its attack, it stopped and got caught in the electric lasso.
"Remember, this is a contest battle. You're supposed to use moves in different ways to impress the judges or surprise your opponent, so they miss their attacks," Ash explained.
Chloe took a deep breath, realizing she needed to adapt quickly. "Alright, Eevee, let's turn this around! Use Swift to break free!" Eevee launched a flurry of stars, disrupting the electric lasso and freeing itself.
Ash smiled. "Good thinking, Chloe. Now, let's see how you handle this. Pikachu, use Iron Tail, but make it flashy!"
Pikachu's tail glowed metallic, and it spun gracefully, aiming for Eevee. Chloe focused on keeping the performance aspect in mind. "Eevee, use Double Team and dodge with style!"
Eevee created multiple copies of itself, each one elegantly moving out of the way of Pikachu's Iron Tail. The crowd, even though imaginary, would have been impressed by the display.
Ash nodded approvingly. "You're getting the hang of it. Now, Pikachu, let's wrap this up with a combination. Use Thunderbolt and spin!"
Pikachu began spinning, releasing a Thunderbolt that created a dazzling spiral of electricity. Chloe knew she had to think quickly to counter it with style. "Eevee, use Quick Attack and weave through the Thunderbolt!"
Eevee dashed forward, weaving through the spiral of electricity with grace. The combination of speed and elegance created a stunning visual effect.
Ash called a halt to the battle. "Great job, Chloe. You're really starting to understand how to combine power and presentation. That's what contest battles are all about."
Chloe smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks, Ash. This is a lot harder than it looks, but I think Eevee and I are getting better."
"It's very important to always stay one step ahead of your opponent. The goal isn't to defeat your opponent's Pokémon, but to showcase Eevee's beauty and skills to win the battle," Ash explained the way to win battles in a Pokémon contest.
After finishing their battle, the two of them took a break. Chloe had made significant progress in her preparation for the contest; now she just needed to keep practicing to perfect her routine and have a successful debut.
"I guess you're feeling more relaxed now, huh?" Ash asked, looking at the sky.
"Yeah, I really am. I think I needed some direction to create my routine. Now I feel like I could win," Chloe confessed, feeling very satisfied with her progress.
"Hey, did you ever win a contest during your travels?" Chloe asked.
"Well, I participated in a few when I traveled with May and Dawn. But they were never really my forte. Although you could say I did win one," Ash confessed as he took something out of his jacket.
Chloe was surprised to see that Ash had a ribbon, or rather, half a ribbon. "That's a contest ribbon, but why is it broken?" Chloe asked, very curious to hear the story.
"Well, this is the Terracotta Ribbon. I won it along with May on the day we finished our adventure. In the end, we tied, and we agreed that we should both keep it. So we cut it in half and kept it to always remember each other," Ash explained, sharing the story of one of his most cherished possessions.
Chloe was truly surprised by Ash's knowledge. The day she met him, she didn't think much of him; he seemed like a noisy and annoying boy. But this past month, she had seen the side that Goh admired so much—how Ash was a mentor and a great friend.
"Hey... really, thank you. I know sometimes we argue, and I know I can be rude to you, but I honestly appreciate your help," Chloe confessed, a bit embarrassed but also with sweetness. Ash smiled and looked at her with that confident yet warm gaze of his. "You don't have to thank me. You know I'll support you in whatever you do, and I'll be there when you succeed."
Chloe felt a warmth in her chest at Ash's words. "That means a lot, Ash. Eevee and I are going to give it our all."
Ash nodded with a grin. "I know you will. Just remember everything we've practiced. You've got the skills, and Eevee has the talent. Together, you two will be amazing."
As they finished up their session, the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the park. Chloe looked at Eevee, who seemed equally determined and ready for the challenge ahead.
"Well, I think there's just one thing left to prepare," Chloe said with a relaxed sigh, her earlier anxiety melting away.
"What's that?" Ash asked, curiosity piqued.
"The outfit I'll be wearing for the contest. I still haven't found the right one," Chloe admitted, a hint of frustration in her voice.
Ash chuckled, scratching his head. "Well, I'm no fashion expert. In fact, that's what most of the girls I know have told me."
Chloe smiled at his self-deprecating humor. "Well, what are you waiting for? I don't think you've ever styled your hair in your life," she teased, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief.
"Hey, my style is unique to me!" Ash retorted, adjusting his cap with mock indignation. The two of them laughed together, the air between them light and easy. Chloe felt a warm flush of color on her cheeks, and Ash's face was slightly pink as well.
"Seriously though," Ash said, his tone becoming more thoughtful, "the outfit you choose should be something you feel really comfortable in. It should reflect who you are and make you feel confident. When you find the right one, you'll just know. That's what my friends have told me."
Chloe's expression softened, appreciating the sincerity in Ash's advice. "You know, I never thought of it that way. I've been so focused on trying to impress the judges that I forgot to think about how I should feel."
Ash nodded encouragingly. "Exactly. The judges can see when you're confident and comfortable. It makes a huge difference."
Chloe glanced at the sky, deep in thought. "I think you're right. Maybe I've been overthinking it. I'll go through my designs again and see if I can find something that feels right."
Ash gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure you'll find something perfect. And no matter what you choose, I know you'll rock it. You've got the talent and the drive."
Chloe's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thanks, Ash. Your support means a lot to me. And... well, I have to admit, it's nice to have someone to talk to about all this."
Ash stood up to leave, but before he did, he looked her in the eyes and said, "It's been a pleasure, smarty-pants. I really believe you'll do well. Just do what always impresses everyone."
"What's that?" Chloe asked. He looked into her eyes and, with a tone of sweetness in his voice, said, "Smile." Without another word, he walked off toward the lab, leaving Chloe behind. It had become quite common for him to leave her speechless and with butterflies in her stomach.
"I'm going to do it. Everyone will see. I'm going to impress everyone," Chloe said to herself with a confidence she hadn't felt before.
Sorry for the delay with this chapter; I've been traveling and very busy with work these past few weeks. But we're almost at the contest, where Chloe will have to face the reality of competitions. Keep commenting and giving me ideas!