The morning sun streamed through the windows of Ashley's cruise suite, illuminating the ridiculous amount of food spread out before her and her team. The cruise had truly outdone itself—golden stacks of fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit arranged in an intricate pattern, eggs cooked in every imaginable style, and an assortment of fresh-baked pastries that had Ashley raising an eyebrow at the sheer excess. And that was just her breakfast.

The Pantheon had their own meals, each dish custom-tailored to their needs. Neptune's was the largest portion, a spread of specially prepared kelp and nutrient-dense fish, while Chione's dish was a delicate mixture of frozen berries and shaved ice. Vulcan's meal was warm and slightly spicy, Mercury and Venus each had high-energy kibble, and Proserpina's was packed with vitamins meant for Grass-types. Apollo, the newest big boy on the team, was coiled comfortably, looking quite pleased with his upgraded dragon-sized meal.

Ashley sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, still in her oversized pajamas, hair an absolute mess, and completely unbothered by the grandeur of the suite. With a yawn, she reached for a croissant while watching her Pokémon interact.

Apollo, for his part, was basking in the attention. Venus, ever the queen, was carefully inspecting the scales of the newly evolved Dragonair, while Mercury excitedly yipped and pounced at Apollo's long, sleek tail like it was the best new toy in the world. Proserpina swayed side to side, practically humming in delight as she sniffed Apollo's wings.

Ashley shook her head with a chuckle, breaking off a piece of her pancake and popping it into her mouth. "You're all way too fascinated with him. He just grew longer and shinier."

Apollo lifted his head dramatically at that, flicking his tail with an air of faux offense.

"Oh, sorry, did I insult the mighty Dragonair?" Ashley teased, snickering. "Should I start calling you Lord Apollo now? Or, wait, maybe The Magnificent Apollo, Ruler of the Skies and Annoyer of Trainers Everywhere."

Mercury yipped in approval, and Venus, ever dignified, nodded as if considering it seriously. Apollo, however, rolled his eyes and flicked his tail, knocking over Ashley's juice glass in retaliation.

"Oi!" Ashley yelped, scrambling to grab napkins before the spill could get worse. "You did that on purpose!"

Apollo let out a smooth, melodious hum, which definitely sounded like smug satisfaction.

The laughter died down when Ashley caught movement out of the corner of her eye—Mars was sitting near the back, his arms crossed, poking at his food with disinterest.

Ashley frowned, setting down her plate and crawling over to him. "Hey, bud," she said softly, ruffling the fire-lizard's head. "You okay?"

Mars huffed and refused to meet her eyes, his tail flame flickering in irritation. Ashley knew exactly what this was about.

"Still mad about the tournament?" she asked, already knowing the answer. Mars huffed again, his claws tapping against the plate in a slow, sulking rhythm. The rest of the team was celebrating, but he had barely touched his food.

Ashley sighed and leaned against him, resting her chin on his shoulder. "I get it," she said, nudging him gently. "You wanted to be out there. Kicking ass. Showing off." Mars' claws clenched slightly. "But you also turn green when you're on a ship for too long," Ashley reminded him, a teasing lilt in her voice.

That got a twitch out of him. A tiny grunt. His worst secret—Mars, the fiercest, most battle-hungry member of the Pantheon, had sea sickness. Not just any sea sickness, severe sea sickness. It was fine when he was on Neptune's back—Lapras' movement was smooth, and he could handle that. But the cruise ship? Too much motion. Too much swaying.

Ashley grinned, nudging him again. "We both know you wouldn't have made it past one battle before you started looking like a poisoned Spinda."

Mars growled lowly, not wanting to admit she was right, but Ashley caught the slight upturn of his mouth.

"I promise you'll get your shot next time, alright?" she continued, giving him a scratch under his chin—the one spot he would never admit he liked. "You'll get to torch someone properly." Mars grumbled but finally picked up a piece of steak and eating it. Victory. Ashley smiled, stretching her arms as she stood up. "Alright, everyone! Eat up, 'cause once we're done, we've got some serious conversations to have."

Mercury barked excitedly, while Venus elegantly flicked her tail as if acknowledging an order. Vulcan wagged his own tail eagerly, clearly ready for more action. Apollo, despite just evolving, let out a pleased hum, probably just happy to be included. Neptune lazily splashed some water from his food dish, making it very clear he would not be training. Ashley rolled her eyes but let him be—Lapras deserved to rest after obliterating that tournament.

Once breakfast was over, she heard a knock from the door, she stood up and opened it. She found Eva and Gary waiting for her, the two of them were wearing their pajamas too. All three of them were on the same floor, how they did not cross paths before the tournament was a miracle.

Ashley grinned as she shut the door behind Eva and Gary, shaking her head in amusement at their pajama-clad appearances. "Didn't even bother changing, huh?"

Gary scoffed, crossing his arms. "Why should I? You're still in pajamas too."

Eva giggled as she plopped onto the floor beside Ashley's team, adjusting the sleeves of her oversized sleep shirt. "It's way too early for real clothes."

Ashley smirked but didn't argue. Instead, she turned her attention to the Pokémon joining them. Gary's Wartortle followed him in, looking as smug as his trainer, while Eva's Ivysaur trotted beside her, sniffing at Proserpina before giving an approving nod—one Grass-type acknowledging another. Ashley chuckled at the unspoken exchange before Mars stepped forward, looking between them all with a considering stare.

"You realize something?" Ashley mused, tilting her head. "We each have one of the Kanto starters… and they're all in their second stage."

The realization hit all three of them at the same time. Eva giggled, covering her mouth as her Ivysaur puffed out his chest proudly. Wartortle folded his arms in a stance that screamed of course I'm the coolest one here, and Mars? Mars just smirked and flicked his tail flame, clearly satisfied by the irony.

"That's… actually kind of awesome," Eva admitted. "Like fate or something."

Gary, however, wasn't paying attention. His gaze was locked onto Apollo, who had coiled elegantly near the window, his blue scales gleaming in the morning sunlight. Gary's eyes narrowed in curiosity before he turned back to Ashley. "Did you call my Gramps about him?" he asked, nodding toward the Dragonair.

Ashley leaned back on her hands and snorted. "Obviously. I spent most of last night talking to him on my PokéNav. He nearly had a heart attack when I told him Apollo evolved."

Gary rolled his eyes, but there was something softer behind the exasperation. "Figures. He probably went into full professor mode."

"Oh, he did." Ashley smirked. "You should've seen it, Gary. He had his glasses all the way down his nose, muttering under his breath about genetic markers and optimal conditions for Dratini evolution. It was full-blown 'Oak Research Mode.'"

Gary clicked his tongue but didn't deny it. "Yeah, sounds about right."

Ashley studied him for a second, watching the way his fingers tapped absently against his knee. Gary didn't realize it, but he loved talking about Pokémon studies—he just never let himself admit it. She'd always thought it was a waste, seeing him struggle under the weight of living in his grandfather's shadow. She didn't say it aloud, but she knew that, deep down, Gary belonged in research. Maybe one day, he'd figure it out for himself.

Eva, sensing the shift in conversation, turned to Ashley expectantly. "So, are we really in time?"

Ashley blinked before snapping back to reality. "Oh! Yeah, you are." She straightened up, rolling her shoulders before looking toward the Pokémon at the center of this moment.

She turned to Vulcan first, then to Venus, and her voice softened. "Winning the tournament got us something really special. We got a Fire Stone, a Water Stone, and a Thunder Stone."

Venus's ears twitched in intrigue, while Vulcan's tail wagged slightly.

Ashley then turned to Mercury, who had been watching the conversation intently. "Merc, I've got a Thunder Stone for you too," she assured him. "But I'll save it for when you're ready, okay? No rush."

Mercury yipped and nudged her leg, his tail wagging slightly. He was still young, but Ashley already knew—his time would come when he was ready to take it.

She then turned to Chione, who sat primly at her side, her white fur glistening in the morning light. "And you, Chione, I promise I'll find you an Ice Stone. But that's way down the line. You and Mercury are still the newest members of the Pantheon. You've both got time before you evolve."

Chione blinked up at her, tilting her head in an almost regal nod, as if accepting her trainer's words like a queen granting permission.

Finally, Ashley took a deep breath and turned back to Vulcan and Venus, who were practically vibrating in excitement. "Alright, guys," she said, the weight of the moment settling over her. "Are you ready?"

Vulcan let out an excited bark, his tail wagging a mile a minute. Venus, ever the elegant one, simply lifted her head with a soft, determined chime.

Eva beamed. "Oh, this is so exciting! I've never actually seen a Pokémon evolve using a stone in person!"

Gary, however, crossed his arms and smirked. "Yeah, yeah, just get on with it, Ketchum. Let's see what these two are made of."

Ashley grinned. Oh, they were about to find out.

Ashley knelt down, placing the Fire Stone before Vulcan with both care and excitement. The Growlithe sniffed at it curiously, his ears twitching as the stone pulsed with warmth. He looked up at Ashley, as if silently asking if this was really happening.

Ashley smiled. "Whenever you're ready, buddy."

Vulcan hesitated only for a second longer before stepping forward. The moment his paw made contact with the Fire Stone, it glowed a brilliant orange, the light wrapping around his entire body in a warm, fiery embrace. The intensity of the glow made everyone instinctively squint, and Ashley could feel the heat radiating from where she knelt.

Then, as the light pulsed outward, Vulcan's form expanded. His small frame lengthened, his legs stretched taller, and his fur thickened into a magnificent mane. His tail, once a small fluffy curl, became a sweeping, elegant plume, swaying gently behind him even before the light fully faded.

When the glow finally dimmed, standing before them wasn't a small Growlithe anymore—but a massive Arcanine.

Ashley barely had time to react before Vulcan let out a deep, exhilarated bark, his body trembling with excitement. And then—

"Vulcan, no!—"

Too late. The newly evolved Arcanine lunged toward her, intending to give her the same affectionate licks he always had as a Growlithe. But instead of a cute, puppy-sized lick—

WHAM!

Ashley let out an oof as she was promptly tackled to the ground, her back landing against the soft carpet. Vulcan hovered over her, his tail wagging like crazy, eyes sparkling with joy as he finally licked her cheek—his tongue now comically oversized compared to before.

Eva gasped, hands over her mouth, before bursting into laughter. Gary? He was dying, doubled over as he wheezed. "Oh man—Ketchum down! I repeat—Ketchum down!"

Ashley groaned but couldn't stop laughing either, reaching up to pat Vulcan's fluffy mane. "Vulcan—bud, I love you, but you weigh a ton now!" She ran her fingers through his fur, pausing mid-motion before gasping. "Oh, my Arceus, you're so soft!"

Eva immediately dropped to her knees beside them, running her hands through Vulcan's fur as well. "Oh wow! He's like a walking cloud of warmth! I might be a Grass Specialist, but I want one!"

Gary, trying to keep his cool but failing, crouched down and gave Vulcan's side a pat, eyebrows raising. "Yeah, okay, I'll admit it—this is quality fur. Ketchum, I'm almost jealous. You must have taken good care of Vulcan's fur while he was a Growlithe."

Vulcan let out a happy woof, clearly pleased with all the attention, his large tail swishing behind him. Ashley finally sat up—barely, since her newly evolved Arcanine still loomed over her—and grinned as she ruffled his thick mane.

"Yeah," she said, laughing as she scratched behind his ears. "Best evolution ever."

Once Vulcan had finally calmed down—meaning, after several more minutes of tail wagging, affectionate headbutts, and Ashley firmly instructing him not to pounce on her again—she dusted herself off and turned toward Venus. The female Eevee had been sitting patiently the entire time, watching Vulcan's evolution with her usual regal poise, her fluffy tail curled neatly around her paws.

Ashley knelt down, reaching for the light blue scarf Venus always wore. "Alright, princess, let's take this off first," she said softly, carefully untying the scarf and removing the pearl. "Wouldn't want it to rip when you—" Ashley paused, giving her a knowing look. "Dramatically grow two feet taller."

Venus huffed, clearly unimpressed by Ashley's teasing, but she allowed her trainer to fold the scarf neatly and place it in her bag. Then, Ashley reached into the same bag and pulled out the Water Stone, its surface gleaming with an almost liquid shimmer.

She set it down before Venus. "Whenever you're ready."

Unlike Vulcan, who had taken his time before touching his Fire Stone, Venus was decisive. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and placed her paw on the stone.

The transformation was instant.

A radiant blue glow engulfed her body, the light pulsing in gentle waves, almost like rippling water. Venus's small frame began to shift and elongate, her fur melting away into a sleek, smooth body. Her large, fluffy tail dissolved into a flowing, fin-like structure. The warmth of her fur faded, replaced by a distinct coolness that Ashley could feel even from where she sat.

Then, the glow dimmed, revealing Venus's new form.

She was no longer the fluffy, dainty Eevee—now, she was an elegant Vaporeon, her new form shimmering under the room's light. Her soft, round ears had transformed into fin-like crests, and her neck was now adorned with a delicate, translucent frill. Her deep brown eyes had shifted into a striking ocean blue.

Venus took an experimental step forward, her body gliding effortlessly, her movements smoother than they had ever been. But Ashley could tell—there was hesitation in the way Venus held herself. The way her legs trembled slightly, how she flexed her paws against the carpet as if testing them.

Ashley immediately reached out, placing a hand on Venus's head. "Hey, easy there," she murmured, rubbing gently between her fins. "I know it feels weird, but you'll get used to it."

Venus let out a quiet, unfamiliar sound—something between a purr and a soft chime. Ashley's eyes widened slightly at how cold she felt. Eevee fur had been warm and soft, but this? Venus's skin was smooth, almost slippery, and icy to the touch. Not quite as frigid as Neptune's shell or Chione's snowy coat, but still shockingly cool compared to what she'd been just moments ago.

Gary let out a low whistle. "Whoa. That's… different." He crouched down, holding out a hand cautiously. Venus tilted her head at him before pressing her nose against his fingers. The second she made contact, Gary flinched. "Yeah, that's definitely new. She's cold as Distortion World."

Eva giggled, reaching out to feel Venus's frill. "She's so smooth! And her fins are soft!"

Ashley smiled, scratching behind Venus's newly evolved ears. "Takes some getting used to, huh?"

Venus blinked at her before taking a few more steps, flexing her long tail behind her. Ashley could see her slowly adjusting to the way her body moved differently now—how her limbs responded with fluid grace rather than the light-footed agility of an Eevee. She was no longer built for dashing around on land; she was built for gliding through water.

"Guess you're really ready for that Wallace-inspired performance now, huh?" Ashley teased, grinning at her. Venus let out a more confident chime, her tail flicking playfully. Ashley beamed. "Alright, then. Welcome to the next stage, Vaporeon."

Eva picked up her PokéNav, tapping through a few messages before her eyes brightened. "Oh! Nate just texted—he's already at one of the training rooms in the cruise's gym. He booked it so Apollo could get used to his new size, and now Vulcan and Venus can do the same." She looked up at Ashley with a small grin. "He really went all out for you."

Ashley blinked before smiling, touched by the gesture. Nate might've been her opponent in the finals, but he was still a good guy. "That's really thoughtful of him. Tell him we'll be there soon."

Eva nodded and quickly sent back a reply while Gary stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Welp, I better go get changed. Wouldn't want to show up to a training session in pajamas. As hilarious as that would be."

Eva giggled. "Speak for yourself—I totally would."

Ashley snorted as they both turned to leave, waving her off. "Go on, go on, I'll meet you guys there."

With that, Ashley turned back to her Pokémon, recalling them one by one. When she got to Vulcan, wo was still enjoying his new bulk, he gave one last excited huff before vanishing into his Poké Ball. Venus flicked her newly finned tail before disappearing into hers as well. Ashley let out a deep breath once the room was quiet again, rolling her shoulders before heading to get dressed.

She went with her usual outfit—her comfortable pink skirt, a white shirt, and her black vest. She laced up her pink sneakers, then grabbed her white-and-pink Poké Ball hat, hesitating for a moment before deciding to leave her hair loose today. Her bag was slung over her shoulder in a practiced motion as she stepped out of her room.

Now she just had to wait on those two slowpokes.

Leaning against the hallway wall, Ashley checked her PokéNav, scrolling through some of the photos she'd taken the last few days. She didn't have long to admire them before Gary and Eva finally emerged from their rooms.

"All right, all right, we're ready," Gary said, adjusting his jacket. "Let's go before Nate thinks we bailed."

Ashley pushed off the wall and fell into step beside them. The three of them walked toward the cruise gym, but Ashley was very pointedly ignoring all the looks being sent her way. She could feel them—curious, impressed, envious, the whole mix—but she was not dealing with it. Not this early in the day.

Of course, Eva and Gary noticed immediately.

"You're famous now," Eva teased, nudging her lightly.

"Better start practicing your autograph," Gary added, smirking. "Maybe they'll even put your face on the next batch of PokéDollars."

Ashley groaned, pulling her hat lower over her face. "I hate you both."

They laughed as they finally reached the gym, pushing through the doors and into the private training section. Ashley let out a relieved breath as soon as they stepped inside—it was quiet, private, and most importantly, not filled with people staring at her.

Nate was already there, leaning against a training dummy with his arms crossed. The moment he saw them, he straightened up with a grin. "Took you long enough."

Ashley smirked back. "Blame these two. They took an eternity to get ready! And then they wouldn't stop talking about my newfound celebrity status."

Gary scoffed. "Oh, like we're the problem."

Eva giggled. "She's just in denial."

Nate chuckled, shaking his head before gesturing to the open space. "Alright, let's get to it. You've got three Pokémon who need to adjust to their new forms, and we've got this whole space to ourselves. Let's see what they've got."

Ashley nodded, already reaching for her Poké Balls. "Let's do this."

As soon as the Poké Balls hit the ground, flashes of white light illuminated the training room, and in seconds, Ashley's newly evolved Pokémon stood before them. Vulcan stretched out his massive Arcanine frame, shaking his thick mane before sitting back on his haunches, tail wagging lazily behind him. Venus, now a sleek Vaporeon, flexed her fins and took a cautious step forward, still adjusting to the way her new body moved. Apollo, towering in his Dragonair form, coiled in the air, his long body undulating smoothly as he tested his newfound grace.

Nate let out a low whistle. "You really didn't waste a second using those stones, huh?" He folded his arms and smirked. "First your Dratini turns into a freaking Dragonair in the middle of a battle, and now you've got a Vaporeon and an Arcanine. You just had to show off, huh?"

Ashley grinned as she patted Vulcan's side, the fire-type practically vibrating with excitement. "Hey, I had the stones, might as well put 'em to good use. Venus was more than eager for sure."

Nate nodded but then tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Wait, hold on—Venus? I thought your Eevee was Mercury? The one you used in the tournament was male."

Ashley chuckled, crossing her arms. "Yeah. That's because I do have two Eevees. Mercury's actually a hatchling from one of Dad's Pokémon, while Venus is a catch from the Safari Zone. Mercury the one you saw in the tournament. He's still new to the team, so I'm holding off on evolving him for now. He's already set on becoming a Jolteon, but I want to make sure he's got enough experience before I give him the Thunder Stone."

Nate whistled again, shaking his head with a look of disbelief. "Man, you're just hoarding potential, aren't you? Two Eevees, a freaking Dragonair, a Lapras—it's like you're building a team specifically to flex on all of Kanto."

Gary snorted. "She already is flexing. She just doesn't realize it."

Ashley groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "I hate all of you."

Eva giggled, giving Venus an affectionate pat on the head. "Well, flexing or not, it's impressive. Venus looks gorgeous."

Ashley glanced at her newly evolved water-type, watching as Venus cautiously stepped forward, her movements still a little unsteady. "I think she will be thrown off by the whole 'suddenly being a water-type' thing for a while. She was a normal-type, and now boom—she can breathe underwater."

Venus flicked her tail and let out a soft chitter, as if agreeing.

Gary smirked. "Yeah, well, at least she didn't immediately tackle you like a certain oversized puppy."

Ashley shot a glare at Vulcan, who, in response, gave the most innocent look possible, tongue hanging slightly out of his mouth. Ashley sighed, pressing a palm to his mane. "Yeah, yeah. You know you're lucky you're so soft."

Vulcan let out a pleased rumble, clearly taking that as a compliment.

Nate clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough chit-chat. You've got three Pokémon that need to get used to their new size and power, so let's put them through their paces."

Ashley grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Now that is a plan I can get behind."

The private training room quickly turned into an organized chaos of movement, commands, and excited Pokémon energy. Ashley, Nate, Eva, and Gary each took their spots, calling out encouragement and guidance as they worked together to help Vulcan, Apollo, and Venus adjust to their newly evolved forms.

Vulcan, being the most physically imposing of the three, was the first to test his strength and speed. Nate took the lead, standing at the far end of the room while calling out commands. "Alright, big guy! Let's see how much faster you are now!"

Vulcan didn't even hesitate. His paws slammed against the ground with powerful force, and in an instant, he became a blur, streaking across the room like a bolt of fire. Ashley barely had time to blink before Vulcan skidded to a stop in front of Nate, kicking up a gust of wind that ruffled everyone's hair. Nate let out an impressed whistle. "Okay, that was ridiculously fast."

Gary, standing with Wartortle at the side, smirked. "Guess he's not a hyperactive little puppy anymore."

Ashley grinned, but before she could respond, Vulcan let out a deep, excited bark and spun around, immediately sprinting back toward her. "Oh no—" Ashley had exactly one second to realize what was about to happen before the massive Arcanine barreled into her at full force, knocking her flat on her back.

Gary and Eva burst out laughing again as Ashley groaned dramatically from where she lay, Vulcan standing proudly over her with his tongue lolling out, tail wagging like he hadn't just tackled her with the force of a small truck. "Vulcan," she wheezed, pushing herself up on her elbows, "I already told you; you cannot do that anymore. You weigh like a Tauros now!"

Vulcan let out a huff, nudging his snout into her cheek in apology. Ashley sighed but patted his mane. "Yeah, yeah, you're forgiven. But seriously, we need to work on your control."

Meanwhile, Apollo was in his own little world, coiling and uncoiling his long, elegant body in the air. He flicked his tail, testing how it moved now that he was no longer the compact little Dratini he used to be. Eva was beside him, arms crossed, observing with fascination. "How's he handling it?" She gestured to Apollo's long, serpentine body.

Ashley dusted herself off and turned toward her Dragonair, watching as he awkwardly twisted midair, his movements still clumsy compared to how fluid they should be. "I think he's still figuring out his balance," she said. "He used to be able to wrap around me like a scarf, but now he's too big for that. He needs to learn how to maneuver himself better."

Gary rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe have him do some aerial drills? Like, weaving between obstacles or doing quick turns. He's got power, but if he can't move properly, he's not gonna be able to use it."

Ashley nodded. "Good idea." She turned to Apollo, who was currently trying to loop himself into a perfect coil and fail miserably. "Alright, buddy, time to practice precision flying. Let's have you weave through those training dummies."

Apollo perked up at the challenge, letting out a determined trill before shooting forward. At first, he was a bit wobbly, his long tail nearly knocking over the dummies as he tried to swerve around them, but after a few tries, he started getting the hang of it.

But while Vulcan and Apollo were making solid progress, Ashley's real concern was Venus. Unlike the others, who had only grown in size or refined their strengths, Venus had undergone a complete elemental change. She wasn't a Normal-type anymore—she was now fully Water-type.

And she was struggling.

Venus was pacing in tight circles, ears flicking back in frustration. Every time Ashley tried to get her to use a Water-type move, Venus hesitated, as if she wasn't sure how. It was one thing to learn a new move, but this was instinct. A Normal-type Pokémon didn't have the natural feel for water that a Water-type did, and Ashley could tell that Venus was completely lost.

Ashley crouched beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her sleek, smooth back. "It's okay, Venus. This is all new, I get it." Venus let out a small chirrup, looking up at Ashley with uncertainty. "We just need to take this slow. You don't have to get it all right away."

Venus flicked her tail, obviously still uncomfortable, and Ashley knew she had to try a different approach. "Hey," she said, standing up and stepping back, "why don't we start simple? Let's try just summoning a tiny bit of water. Nothing big, just a little Water Gun. Don't think about it too much—just feel it."

Venus hesitated, her head dipping low. Ashley could almost see the gears turning in her head. Then, slowly, Venus opened her mouth, and—a small, pathetic drizzle of water dribbled out.

There was silence.

Gary, standing at the side, coughed. "Uh... well, that's... a start?"

Ashley snorted, trying to stifle her laugh. Venus let out an annoyed chirp, shaking her head as if embarrassed.

"Hey, don't be like that," Ashley said, patting Venus again. "Let's give it another try."

Venus blinked up at her, still uncertain but willing to try again. They kept at it for a while longer, pushing through the awkwardness of adjustment. Venus, despite her initial struggles, refused to give up, Ashley could already see improvement. Apollo and Vulcan had been taking turns getting used to their evolved forms as well, testing their new range of movement and power. Apollo was still adjusting to the way his elongated body moved in the air, occasionally misjudging his own speed and nearly crashing into the floor more than once. Vulcan, on the other hand, was relishing his new strength, sprinting across the training area with an impressive display of speed, but stopping was another matter entirely.

After a particularly enthusiastic sprint that resulted in Vulcan skidding to a halt mere inches from crashing into Ashley, she decided they'd done enough for now. "Alright, alright, break time before someone ends up going through a wall," she announced, raising her hands in surrender. Venus paddled to her trainer, looking up at Ashley expectantly. Ashley knelt down, patting her head with a smile.

"Hey, don't worry," she said, patting Venus again. "It's your first attempt. I'd be more worried if you suddenly mastered it on your first try."

Venus still looked unconvinced, her large eyes filled with uncertainty. Ashley sighed, kneeling beside her again. "Listen, evolving into a Water-type isn't just about learning moves. It's about feeling the element. You used to be a land Pokémon, but now? Water is your home. You just have to learn to trust it."

Venus blinked up at her, still hesitant, but there was a quiet determination in her gaze. Ashley gave her one last reassuring scratch behind the ear before standing up. "We'll get there. For now, let's rest."

The group migrated toward the far side of the training area, settling against the walls as their Pokémon dug into well-earned snacks. Nate's Sandslash had joined Gary's Wartortle, Eva's Ivysaur, and Ashley's Apollo, Venus, and Vulcan on the floor, happily munching on PokéPuffs. Meanwhile, the trainers grabbed drinks and sank onto the ground, finally relaxing after hours of training.

Eva stretched her legs out in front of her, rolling her shoulders as she took a long sip from her juice. "Honestly, I still can't believe I managed to get third place," she said, grinning at her Ivysaur, who was happily munching away on a PokePuff. "I mean, I knew my team was strong, but seeing all the strategies in this tournament? I was sweating."

Ashley snorted, swirling her straw absentmindedly in her cup. "Are you kidding? You gave me a serious run for my money back there. That Tangrowth was a menace. And let's not forget how your Exeggcute wiped out Chione. That battle could've gone either way."

Gary, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed, smirked. "Yeah, yeah, but we all know that Ash was gonna win. She's been steamrolling her way through this journey." He nudged her playfully with his foot. "Seriously, if you don't make it to the Indigo League finals, I'll be personally disappointed."

Ashley rolled her eyes but smiled. "No pressure, huh?"

Nate groaned loudly, rubbing his face with both hands before letting them drop to his lap. "Ugh, you might have had a solid goal in mind with this tournament, but now I have to figure out what to do with this stupid amount of money." He gestured vaguely to his bag, where his runner-up prize sat. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I love prize money, but this is more than I've ever had at one time. I don't even know what to do with it."

Ashley tilted her head, glancing at him. "Have you thought about investing in some good TMs? They gave you a voucher for a free TM with that money. I mean, you specialize in Rock and Ground-types, right? There are a ton of good coverage moves you could teach them."

Gary nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you could go for something like Rock Slide or Earth Power—heck, maybe even Stone Edge if you want that raw power."

Eva tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Or if you want some real flexibility, maybe something unexpected? A lot of Rock-types can learn moves like Thunder Punch or Fire Punch, depending on the Pokémon."

Nate made a face. "Thunder Punch? With what hands?" He gestured to his Sandslash, who looked up momentarily from his PokePuff before turning his attention back to it. "These claws? They're made for digging, not punching."

Ashley grinned. "I mean, hey, if you catch a Rhyperior down the line, then Thunder Punch might not sound so crazy."

Nate hummed in thought, looking at his voucher like it held the mysteries of the universe. "I do like the idea of Earth Power, though," he admitted. "A good special attack option could throw people off since everyone expects Rock and Ground-types to just smash things."

Gary nodded approvingly. "Solid choice."

Ashley took another sip of her juice before glancing at Eva. "So, what about you? Any big plans with your prize money?"

Eva shrugged but looked satisfied. "Honestly? I think I'm gonna invest it in training supplies. Maybe buy a few better healing items, get some vitamins for my team, that kind of thing. And, of course…" She smirked, eyes twinkling mischievously. "I will be ordering a custom kimono from that tailor I told you about."

Ashley gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "You're living my dream! You still have to pass me the contact."

Eva laughed. "I will do it later today, promise."

"That tailor is in Celadon City, right?" Nate asked. "I still have not gotten the Rainbow Badge, any pointers? I need to make sure my team is ready for Celadon Gym. Erika isn't gonna make things easy for me."

Gary scoffed. "No kidding. Her Gym wrecked me. Three times."

Ashley and Eva turned to stare at him. "Three times?" Ashley repeated, trying not to laugh.

Gary groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Yeah, yeah, go ahead, laugh it up. Those status moves are brutal."

Ashley patted him on the shoulder. "It's okay, Gary. We all have our embarrassing battles." She grinned cheekily. "Like how you totally chickened out of entering this tournament."

Gary sputtered. "I did not chicken out! I strategically saved my energy!"

Nate chuckled. "Sure, man. Keep telling yourself that."

Ashley stretched, finishing the last of her juice and setting it aside. "Well, if nothing else, today was a huge success. Vulcan, Venus, and Apollo are getting used to their new forms, we got a ton of good training in, and someone has some very important TM decisions to make."

Nate sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine, I'll pick Earth Power. But only because you guys won't stop bullying me."

Gary smirked. "It's for your own good." Gary then turned towards his childhood friend, with a frown on his face. "You won't escape me today, I want answers, Ashy. I still can't believe you—Miss 'I'm-Gonna-Crush-Every-Gym'—are also a Coordinator." He looked Ashley up and down like she had suddenly transformed into a completely different person. "Seriously, when did this happen?"

Ashley smirked as she leaned back against Vulcan's side, her newly evolved Arcanine had moved to curl up beside her, his tail occasionally wagging against the floor. "Oh, come on, Gary. You say that like you don't know me. I've always had style." She flipped her hair dramatically for emphasis. "Besides, Contests are fun—a totally different type of battle that requires just as much strategy as Gym Battles. Plus, it gives my team a chance to show off their skills in a way that's not just about knocking out the other Pokémon."

Gary snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Next thing I know, you'll be telling me you're also training to be a Ranger or something."

Ashley grinned. "No, but now that you mention it—"

"No!" Gary cut her off, throwing his hands up. "You're already doing too much!"

Nate chuckled, flipping through one of the cruise pamphlets he had grabbed earlier. "Actually," he interrupted, pointing at a section of the brochure, "if you really want to see Ashley in full Coordinator mode, we might get the chance sooner than expected." He turned the pamphlet around so everyone could see. "Looks like the cruise is making a stop in Chrysanthemum Island, and they're selling tickets for a Pokémon Contest happening there."

Ashley sat up so fast she nearly knocked Venus, who had been lazily lounging across her lap, onto the floor. "WHAT?!" She scrambled forward, snatching the pamphlet from Nate's hands and scanning it with wide, excited eyes. "No way! A Double Performance Contest?" Her head snapped up, her expression already shifting into determination. "I have to enter this!"

Eva laughed at her reaction. "Wow, you didn't even hesitate."

Ashley waved the pamphlet in the air. "Of course I didn't! This is perfect practice for the Grand Festival!" She turned to the others with an eager grin. "Okay, help me brainstorm. I need to come up with a performance and decide which Pokémon I'm using."

Gary sighed, rubbing his temple. "We've lost her," he muttered. "She's gone full Contest mode."

Eva nudged him with a smirk. "Come on, you can't tell me you're not a little curious."

Gary grumbled something under his breath but didn't outright refuse to participate. Ashley took that as a win. Ashley grinned. "Okay, okay! Let's think about this logically. Since it's a Double Performance, I need two Pokémon that complement each other, both visually and in battle synergy."

Nate leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Well, you could go classic fire and water—Vulcan and Venus would make a crazy cool visual contrast."

Ashley hummed, considering it. "True, but they just evolved. I want to give them more time to get used to their size before we try something flashy."

Eva tapped her chin. "How about something with movement? Like Apollo and Chione? Dragonair and Alolan Vulpix could make a really elegant team."

Ashley's eyes lit up. "Ooh! That's a solid idea."

Gary rolled his eyes. "Or you could just use Mars and punch your way through."

Ashley gave him a deadpan look. "Gary. This is a Contest. Not a Gym Battle. Also, I promised my starter no more contests."

Gary smirked. "You say that, but you are competing."

She ignored him and focused back on her choices. "Okay, let's narrow it down. I think I want one elegant Pokémon and one that adds a dramatic effect. Maybe Chione with someone strong and eye-catching…"

Nate snapped his fingers. "How about Apollo and Proserpina? A Dragonair and a Vileplume? Apollo has natural grace, and Proserpina's movements are bold and flashy."

Ashley blinked, then gasped. "Oh, my Arceus, that's perfect! Apollo's fluid motions with Proserpina's powerful techniques—yes! That's would be a good duo!"

Gary sat back with his arms behind his head. "And this is where things get chaotic."

Ashley grinned. "Nah, it's where things get fun."

As their Pokémon finished their snacks and kept lazing around, the four trainers continued brainstorming, as they sat comfortably against the wall, relaxing, joking, and just be trainers—friends—sharing a rare, well-earned break.


Ashley Ketchum's Team:

Mars - Charmeleon

Vulcan - Arcanine

Neptune - Lapras

Proserpina - Vileplume

Venus - Vaporeon

Apollo - Dragonair

Mercury - Male Eevee

Chione - Alola Vulpix

Gary Oak's Team:

Wartortle

Nidorina

Nidorino

Scyther

Kadabra

Kingler - Krabby

Doduo

Golem

Eva's Pokemon Team:

Ivysaur

Tangrowth

Exeggcute

Parasect

Nate's Pokemon Team:

Dugtrio

Sandslash

Graveler