//------------------------------//
// Practice Makes Perfect 
// Story: Pokemon Turquoise 
// by foxmaster 
//------------------------------//

As Rarity was discussing the basics of how a Contest works with Turquoise Twilight and Applejack decided to do some training of their own.

“ You girls have fun with your contest training me and Applejack will be training for my rematch,” Twilight said before she and Applejack left.

“ We should probably find somewhere private to train since I don't want anyone to steal my act and I’m sure you feel the same way Turquoise,” Rarity said.

“ I sure do,” Turquoise said before she and Rarity left to find somewhere secluded and away from the eyes of others. Rarity looked at her Pokenav and noticed there were some old ruins just outside of Pewter City and figured that would be the perfect place to train since no one would be there to see them. After reaching the Old Ruins Rarity pulled out a Pokeball concealed in a blue capsule with a heart sticker on it. “ What’s with the capsule with the sticker on it?

“ This my dear Turquoise is called a Ball Capsule. We coordinators use these to add a bit of pizazz to our Pokemon’s entrance and these stickers are called seals. Each seal creates a different effect. Allow me to demonstrate. Go Delcatty. As soon as Rarity’s Pokeball popped open a big purple heart came out and a cat-like pokemon slashed the heart and landed gracefully as many smaller purple hearts rained down above it.

“ That was the most amazing entrance I ever saw,” Turquoise said before pulling out her Pokedex.

“ Delcatty. The Prim Pokemon. It is highly popular among female Trainers for its sublime fur. It does not keep a nest,” The Pokedex said.

“ Now as we discussed back at the pokemon center contests have two rounds. An appeal stage where you show off your pokemon’s skills and performances and a battle stage where the object is to use your combination attacks to lower your opponent’s points while still exhibiting your pokemon’s charm,” Rarity explained before having Turquoise call her pokemon out. “ Let’s start with Espeon what attacks does she know so far?”

“ Confusion, Swift, Quick Attack, and Sand Attack,” Turquoise pointed out.

“ Try combining swift with confusion. You’re going to love what happens,” Rarity instructed.

“ Ok, Espeon use Swift. Espeon unleashed its swift attack like she was told to. “ Now use Confusion on Swift. Espeon used its confusion to stop the swift in mid-air.

“ See, now your Espeon has complete control over the stars created from swift. Let’s try something simple like creating some hoops for Espeon to leap through. Turquoise did as instructed and after seeing how things were going came up with the big finish herself.

“ Now finish up with Quick Attack through the rings. Espeon leaped through the rings with its quick attack causing them to explode after passing through each one and covering Espeon in sparkles.

“ Now that was a good finish. You should most certainly use that as your act for the first round,” Rarity said, pleased with Turquoise’s progress. “ Now let’s work with your Vulpix. As they were about to get to Vulpix’s turn a smoke bomb suddenly went off and as soon as the smoke cleared both Turquoise and Rarity’s pokemon were in a net attached to a Poochyena shaped hot air balloon. “ What is that and why does it have our pokemon in a net?”

“ hahaha we meet again Dorkette,” A familiar female voice said.

“ Not you freaks again,” Turquoise said.

“ You know these ruffians?” Rarity asked.

“ Sadly yes. They call themselves Team Supernova and their goal is to steal all the pokemon in the world no matter who they belong to. I had the displeasure of running into them on Route 1 where they tried to steal my Vulpix,” Turquoise explained.

“ Rising from the Earth and into the Final Frontier,” Isabelle said before Chris picked up from where she left off.

“ More powerful than a cosmic storm and much more Severe,” Chris said before Isabelle picked up again.

“ To Command all the pokemon in the Universe is what we seek,” Isabelle said before Chris picked up.

“ Our resolve is ever strong and not at all weak,” Chris finished.

“ Isabelle,” The woman said.

“ Chris,” The man said.

“ Team Supernova explodes with all our might,” Isabelle said before Chris finished the motto.

“ Give up now or you're in for a fight,” Chris said before he and Isabelle posed like there was an explosion behind them.

“ You freaks won't get away with this. Bulbasaur use Razor Leaf. Bulbasaur used his Razor Leaf to try and break the net but no such luck.

“ Did you honestly think that would work. That’s a steel net which cannot be cut by your puny Bulbasaur. As Team Supernova was laughing they failed to hear the sound of a familiar country accent.

“ Yamper use Thunderbolt,” The voice said as a corgi-like creature ran like crazy and cackled with electricity before unleashing it and sending the balloon falling to the ground with all the pokemon safe.

“ Applejack, Twilight how did you find us?” Rarity asked.

“ Nurse Joy said she heard you two were coming here to practice in private so we came. Good Girl Yamper,” Applejack said as she petted her Yamper which made it look happy.

“ Yam Yam,” Yamper said while wagging her tail which cued Turquoise to pull out her Pokedex.

“ Yamper. The Puppy Pokemon. This gluttonous Pokémon only assists people with their work because it wants treats. As it runs, it crackles with electricity,” The Pokedex said.

“ You'll pay for that cowgirl. Go Poochyena,” Isabelle said as Poochyena came out ready for battle.

“ Poochy,” Poochyena said.

“ You too Houndour,” Chris said as Houndour also came out ready for battle. 

“ Dour,” Houndour said.

“ Allow us to handle this Turquoise. Delcatty use Blizzard. Delcatty unleashed a mighty blizzard that not only froze Poochyena and Houndour but Isabelle and Chris too.

“ Talk about giving the cold shoulder,” Chris said.

“ Now Yamper use thunderbolt again,” Applejack said as Yamper unleashed another Thunderbolt that sent Team Supernova flying.

“ I hope we never see those creeps again. But anyway how did your rematch go Twilight?” Turquoise asked.

“ I won. Thanks to that little trick you did with Vine Whip I was able to adapt that strategy into my Charmander’s Flamethrower,” Twilight said.

“ So does that mean you girls will be heading off now?” Turquoise asked.

“ Afraid so the contest in Cerulean City is next week and we simply cannot waste any more time. But before we go I want to give you something,” Rarity said before handing Turquoise a red and orange stone with a flame pattern on it. “ That is called a Fire Stone. It allows certain species of pokemon to evolve upon contact. It’s for when Vulpix decides she wants to evolve. Turquoise put the stone in her backpack to the relief of her Vulpix.

“ Let’s work on making you stronger first Vulpix then we will think about evolution,” Turquoise said. After returning to Pewter City Turquoise bid farewell to her friends and decided to continue training on her own. As she was training an older looking woman with long light pink hair wearing a collared orange long sleeve shirt with a burgundy skirt, knee-high socks, and boots noticed and came by to see.

“ Young lady that was fantastic the way you and your Espeon are in perfect sync,” The woman said.

“ Thanks, we just came up with that,” Turquoise said.

“ By any chance are you a coordinator?” The Woman asked.

“ I am,” Turquoise said.

“ Then let’s go to my place. We have some things to discuss. The woman showed Turquoise to her home and invited her inside. Turquoise noticed a bunch of ribbons and a trophy all on top of a bookcase but what was most noticeable was a picture of her in a red dress with three other well-dressed people. “ I see you’re admiring my Ribbons and the Kanto Grand Festival Ribbon Cup.

“ You won the Grand Festival?” Turquoise asked.

“ Sure did and the girl and two gentlemen in that picture with me were three of my closest friends and rivals but where are my manners? I'm Solidad,” Solidad said.

“ I’m Turquoise,” Turquoise said.

“ Tell me Turquoise are you a new trainer?” Solidad asked.

“ Sure am,” Turquoise said.

“ Well allow me to share some advice with you. In a Contest Battle don't just focus on how Dazzling your combinations are you also need to try and dodge your opponent’s moves and use them to your advantage,” Solidad explained.

“ Thanks, I will,” Turquoise said.

“ If you head past the ruins and go through Mt.Moon Cerulean City should be on the other side,” Solidad said before Turquoise left. As soon as Turquoise reached the ruins she noticed another trainer poking around before she was spotted.

“ I see I'm not the only one interested in these ruins,” The trainer said.

“ I'm not here for the ruins, I'm just passing through to get to Mt.Moon and then to Cerulean City,” Turquoise said.

“ For the Contest or Gym Battle?” The trainer asked.

“ Both actually,” Turquoise replied.

“ then you must be pretty good if you managed to beat Forrest the Gym Leader. My name is June and I'm an archaeologist from Jhoto,” June said.

“ Nice to meet you. I'm Turquoise,” Turquoise said.

“ Well Turquoise do you mind if we battle? I want to see what you're made of,” June asked.

“ Sure I can always use the practice,” Turquoise said.

“ Allow me to start us off. Go Skarmory,” June said as she threw a Pokeball that unleashed a metal bird that took flight before landing on the ground.

“ Skar,” Skarmory said, which cued Turquoise to use her Pokedex.

“ Skarmory. The Armor Bird Pokemon. Its body is draped in steel armor. It looks heavy, but it can fly at speeds of up to 185 miles an hour,” The Pokedex said.

“ So it's a Steel-Type in that case. Go Vulpix. As soon as Vulpix entered the Battle the sun’s rays intensified.

“ Skarmory, let's start by using Air Cutter. Skarmory sent blades of compressed air flying towards Vulpix.

“ Vulpix use Ember. Vulpix fired her ember attack which caused the blades to collide and cover the field in smoke.

“ Now use Peck. Skarmory charged at Vulpix and managed to land a powerful hit on Vulpix. As soon as Vulpix got back up she unleashed a flame that quickly made contact with Skarmory and nailed it for a ton of damage. “ Looks like your Vulpix just learned Incinerate,” Even though Skarmory took a ton of damage it was still able to battle.

“ How is your Skarmory still standing? Turquoise asked with shock.

“ It’s thanks to his ability Sturdy which allows him to endure a one-hit KO,” June explained. “ Now let's end this with Fury Attack. Skarmory kept hitting Vulpix with hit after hit until Turquoise reacted.

“ Vulpix use Quick attack from close range. Vulpix managed to land a successful close range Quick Attack that managed to knock Skarmory out.

“ Skarmory return,” June said. “ You were amazing out there. As for your Vulpix, it looks pretty strong.

“ Thanks, I've been training with it for a while now,” Turquoise said.

“ Do you plan on having it evolve into Ninetails at some point?” June asked.

“ I plan on doing so when the time is right,” Turquoise said. Just as they were talking June’s Pokegear went off prompting her to answer it.

“ This is June,” June said.

“ June you must return to Jhoto now. we just discovered some new ruins near Olivine City,” The guy on the other end said.

“ I will be there as quick as I can,” June said before hanging up. “ Sorry Turquoise but I must be going now. Good luck in Cerulean City. June ran back to Pewter City while Turquoise continued her way to Mt.Moon.