Continuing on the road to Olivine City Turquoise and Fluttershy arrive in a small town called Mocha Town where Turquoise’s next Contest was.
“I’m excited about this contest,” Turquoise said while working on her capsules.
“Are you sure you're ready for this?” Fluttershy asked.
“I should be now that everyone has gotten stronger,” Turquoise said. As soon as she finished with her ball capsules it was time to go to the Contest Hall to register. As soon as she was registered it was time for some last-minute training. Turquoise started with Umbreon using his dark pulse. As soon as they finished a girl with long flowing pink hair who looked similar to Fluttershy but was wearing a lavender dress with pink chiffon and lace looked impressed.
“That was like literally the best move I ever saw,” The girl said in a valley girl-like accent.
“Thank you,” Turquoise said before introducing herself. “I’m Turquoise.
“Lily Lace it's like a pleasure to meet you,” Lily said.
“Are you in the contest too?” Fluttershy asked.
“I am,” Lily said.
“How many ribbons do you have?” Turquoise asked.
“Two, how about you?” Lily asked.
“I also have two,” Turquoise said. Before their conversation could continue Selina also arrived which meant she was entering as well.
“Long time no see Turquoise,” Selena said.
“Hi Selina,” Turquoise said.
“I’m guessing you're entering this contest too?” Selena asked.
“I am,” Turquoise said.
“How many Ribbons do you have?”Selena asked.
“Two so far,” Turquoise said while showing her.
“Lucky you, I only have one so far,” Selena said before continuing. “But anyway I need to register good luck in the contest. As soon as Selena left Turquoise figured it was time to head backstage and get ready. Lily had the same thought since the contest would be starting in fifteen minutes. As soon as everyone was backstage it was time to begin. Julian appeared on screen for the opening of the contest.
“Welcome everyone to today’s contest here in Mocha Town. I am your always energetic MC Julian and here are the judges,” Julian said before shifting everyone’s focus to the judges. “First up from the Pokemon activities Committee Mr.Contesta.
“A pleasure as always,” Contesta said.
“Next up the head of the Pokemon Fan Club Mr. Sukizo,” Julian said.
“Remarkable,” Sukizo said.
“And finally Mocha Town’s own Nurse Joy.
“I can’t wait to see what these coordinators have planned for us today,” Nurse Joy said while smiling.
“And as a special treat for all of you, this contest will be a double performance which involves the use of two pokemon,” Julian said which made Turquoise nervous since this was something she wasn't prepared for.
“Are you feeling alright Turquoise?” Selena asked.
“I’m fine just surprised since I wasn't expecting to do a double performance when I have been more focused on individual combos,” Turquoise said.
“Well you're going to have to adapt on the fly since we are now bound by the very rails we set for ourselves,” Selena said.
“And now without further ado let the contest begin,” Julian said. Each coordinator went on one by one until it was now Turquoise’s turn. “And now our next contestant from Pallet Town is Turquoise. Turquoise walked out ready to go.
“Meganium and Vespiquen let's dazzle them,” Turquoise said as she threw her two pokeballs which popped open, and unleashed pink and yellow flower petals which rained around both Meganium and Vespiquen as they appeared. “Meganium use Petal Dance and Vespiquen use Power Gem while spinning. Vespiquen unleashed her Power Gem which now had some rotation which added to the speed and momentum of Petal dance. “Now use Magical Leaf Meganium. Meganium used Magical Leaf to finish the combination off by making all the petals and leaves fall with some sparkles added by the power gem.
“Now that looked appealing what do you say, judges?” Julian asked.
“Truly a unique performance,” Contesta said.
“Remarkable,” Sukizo said.
“I will admit it did look very dazzling,” Nurse Joy said. Turquoise suddenly got the sense the judges did not like her performance that much based on their commentary. As soon as she returned backstage Selina was waiting for her.
“That was a very good performance you came up with on the fly,” Selena said.
“I’m not sure the judges thought so,” Turquoise said.
“What makes you think that?” Selena asked.
“Because they did not have a lot to say regarding how good it was,” Turquoise said.
“You should not get too hung up on words because you never know what they might think,” Selena said before she was called to take her turn.
“And now here comes our last contestant Selena,” Julian said as Selena took the stage.
“Ninetails and Cyndaquil take the stage,” Selena said as she threw her pokeballs which unleashed a bunch of snowflakes and embers of orange flames before turning into Alolan Ninetails and Cyndaquil. “Ninetails use Ice Beam on the stage while spinning and Cyndaquil leap high into the air. Ninetails unleashed her Ice Beam onto the stage which created a huge spiral that Cyndaquil landed on top of. “Now use flame wheel on the ice. Cyndaquil unleashed its Flamewheel which began digging a groove into the spiral before Ninetails used her tails to fling Cyndaquil back to the top where it slid back down along the groove like it was on a slide.
“It looks like Cyndaquil is having a blast on that spiral ice slide,” Julian said before the judges weighed in on it.
“A truly fun and exciting way to demonstrate the power of fire and ice.
“Very remarkable,” Sukizo said.
“Watching pokemon having fun is what we like to see,” Nurse Joy asked. As soon as Selena returned backstage Turquoise was looking nervous.
“Are you still hung up on what the judges said?” Selena asked.
“What if I don’t make the cut?” Turquoise asked.
“Maybe you will so stop feeling nervous it's not like you,” Selena said. Before the conversation could continue Julian appeared on the screen.
“Sorry for the wait and now, here are the eight coordinators moving on to round two,” Julian said before seven pictures which had Selena in third place and the eigh one took a bit longer to show. Turquoise was hoping it was her only to be let down when it was Lily instead. Turquoise looked depressed and left to change since it was obvious she was finished. As soon as she changed and exited backstage she saw Fluttershy in the lobby.
“I’m sorry you didn't make it but I liked your performance,” Fluttershy said trying to cheer Turquoise up.
“Let's head back to the pokemon center and get ready to go,” Turquoise said in a depressed tone.
“Can we at least see the second round first?” Fluttershy asked.
“Fine,” Turquoise said before following Fluttershy to the stands. The battle round went by fast with Lily and Selena dominating. Selena was making quick work of lily and her two pokemon which were Swellow and Altaria while her Alolan Raichu and Emolga were still fresh.
“Now end this with Shockwave Emolga and Raichu use Thunderbolt. Both attacks managed to finish off Lily’s pokemon in a very flashy way which gave Selena the win. After the award ceremony, Selena ran to find Turquoise feeling concerned for her. Luckily Turquoise and Fluttershy haven't left the contest hall yet.
“There you are I been looking for you,” Selena said.
“Did you come to gloat?” Turquoise asked.
“Of course not, that is not who I am anymore,” Selena said before continuing. “I wanted to see how you are doing.
“Not very good, I mean I finally managed to get out of the rut just to fail,” Turquoise said in an upset tone.
“Listen that combo you did was a definite improvement from what I saw last time we met and was very deserving of moving on to the next round,” Selena said.
“Then why didn't it?” Turquoise asked.
“Because Lily did something better but listen we all end up in a rut from time to time, heck this was my fourth contest so far and I finally managed to get my second ribbon,” Selena said hoping Turquoise would feel better.
“What are you getting at?” Turquoise asked.
“What I mean is I also failed and this was also my chance to bounce back,” Selena said. “But anyway I can guess you're entering the Johto League as well right?
“I am,” Turquoise said.
“And if you are here right now you two must be off to Olivine City next am I right?” Selena asked.
“We are,” Fluttershy said.
“Then you should see Jasmine maybe she can inspire you,” Selena suggested.
“Is she that good?” Fluttershy asked.
“Aside from being the Olivine City Gym Leader she also won last year’s Sinnoh Grand Festival,” Selena said.
“I remember her and your right she is pretty strong,” Turquoise said remembering the tag team tournament from her last journey.
“Now no more feeling sad ok? I can’t have my rival give up on me,” Selena said.
“Your right I can’t give up,” Turquoise said.
“Good, Because the next time we meet I want to face you in the final match since you are the only one who gets me excited,” Selena said with Lily showing up offended.
“Like are you telling me I was not good enough for you?” Lily asked.
“No you were very good but Turquoise is my rival,” Selena said.
“I like don’t get it she didn't even make the cut for the second round,” Lily said.
“Considering you just met I would not expect you to understand,” Selena said. Lily left while the girls returned to the pokemon center for the day.
The next day Turquoise and Fluttershy were prepared to set off but not before Selena stopped them for a moment.
“How are you feeling today Turquoise?” Selena asked.
“A bit better,” Turquoise said.
“Good, Before you two go I have some advice I must share,” Selena said before continuing. “Don’t take every loss like it's the end of the world do what I do and learn from it.
“You know what I will,” Turquoise said.
“I hope to face you again real soon,” Selena said before leaving in the opposite direction. As for Turquoise and Fluttershy, they continued on the road to Olivine City. What will they run into next? Find out as the journey continues.
To Be Continued