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// Grand Challenge In The Bloom Arena 
// Story: Pokémon Turquoise Johto Adventures 
// by foxmaster 
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A few weeks went by since the girls reached Candina Island and over the course of that time they hung out. The grand festival was tomorrow but today was special because Turquoise’s mom came to watch her in person. She pulled out a neatly wrapped box and told her to open it. After opening it Turquoise pulled out what looked like a lavender gown with a ribbon of a darker shade of purple tied around the hemline. It also had matching gloves and pumps as well as a choker with an amethyst on it.

“Mom I love it,” Turquoise said.

“I’m very glad you do, I made it for the grand festival, I used Espeon as my inspiration for it,” Mom said. After putting her new outfit in her bag the girls were about to head back to the hotel when they ran into the girl who beat Kyle, only this time she was wearing a black dress with a matching lace shrug.

“I assume you girls are my competition,” the girl said in a sarcastic way as if she was not impressed.

“We are, and who are you?” Selena asked.

“I’m Esmeralda from Alfornada,” Esmeralda said.

“I’m sorry but where?” Turquoise asked.

“Alfornada, it's in the Paldea region,” Esmeralda said feeling somewhat annoyed that Turquoise and the others did not know this. Suddenly Turquoise’s Sprigatito came up to Esmeralda as if she smelled something coming off of her. “Who’s Sprigatito is this?

“She is mine,” Turquoise said before picking her up and holding her in her arms.

“Well she is cute she is nothing compared to my partner,” Esmeralda said before gracefully calling out the same anthropomorphic cat that beat Kyle’s Dusknoir.

“What Pokemon is that?” Turquoise asked before pulling out her Pokedex.

“Meowscarada, the magician Pokemon and the final evolved form of Sprigatito, With skillful misdirection, it rigs foes with pollen-packed flower bombs. Meowscarada sets off the bombs before its foes realize what's going on,” The Pokedex said. Sprigatito looked at Turquoise pleading to let her compete in the grand festival.

“Maybe for the next one but you are not ready for this one,” Turquoise said to Sprigatito who while disappointed at first understood what Turquoise meant since she had zero battle experience. Turquoise and Fluttershy decided to head to the Pokemon Center so Turquoise could change her lineup. As soon as they got their Turquoise wasted no time in calling Professor Oak.

“Good to see you again Turquoise and well done on making it to the Grand Festival,” Professor Oak said.

“Thank you, professor,” Turquoise said before getting to her reason for calling. “I’m going against some tough competition so I’m going to need my Altaria and Milotic.

“Both good choices but since your party is full who are you sending over?” Professor Oak asked.


“ My Hunchkrow and Garchomp,” Turquoise said.

“Very well I shall go get them,” Professor Oak said. A few minutes later the exchange was complete. “Hunchkrow and Garchomp arrived on my end.

“And Altaria and Milotic arrived on my end,” Turquoise said. After hanging up Turquoise joined the others and then went to the venue to register. Turquoise was up first and after having her ribbons scanned she was all set.

“All right Turquoise you are all set,” The Receptionist said. The others registered as well and now it was time to wait until tomorrow.





The next day the girls all gathered in front of the Bloom Arena.

“Hope all of you are excited,” Selena said.

“You know I am,” Turquoise said.

“So am I,” Emma said.

“Good luck girls,” Fluttershy said before leaving.

“Wait Fluttershy I have a small favor to ask of you,” Turquoise said.

“Sure Turquoise what is it?” Fluttershy asked.

“Would you mind looking after Sprigatito for me, I want her to observe,” Turquoise said.

“Sure I don’t mind,” Fluttershy said before Turquoise gave Sprigatito to her. Fluttershy proceeded to the stands while the girls went backstage to change. Turquoise started with the dress which had a built-in pannier skirt which gave it some inflation. Next came the gloves and choker and finally she styled her hair into a twirled ponytail.

“Wow Turquoise you almost look like a princess in that,” Emma said.

“Thanks, Emma and I must say your outfit is cute as well,” Turquoise said referring to her light green dress that looked like a flower in bloom.

“You both look nice,” Selena said before all three of them shifted their attention to the monitor where Julian was making her announcement.

“Welcome everyone to this year's grand festival help right here on Candina Island, I am your always humble host Julian,” Julian said while doing her signature spin. “250 coordinators worked very hard to get here but only one will be walking away with this year’s festival Cup. Julian did her spin before directing everyone’s attention to a big gold trophy with a bunch of ribbon decals on it. “And now let's introduce the judges, First up from the Pokemon Activities Committee Mr.Contesta.

“A pleasure to be here on this fine day,” Contesta said.

“Next up the head of the Pokemon Fan Club Mr. Sukizo,” Julian said.

“Remarkable,” Sukizo said.

“Next up is Candina’s Resort’s Own Nurse Joy,” Julian said.

“I can’t wait to see the fruits of all these coordinators' hard work,” Nurse Joy said.

“And now for our special judge introducing Johto's number one Coordinator/Idol, Give it up for Marina,” Julian said as the focus shifts to a woman with light blue hair wearing a pink idol dress.

“I hope everyone has as much fun as I am,” Marina said which really got the audience pumped.

“Now allow me to explain how the appeals stage will be conducted, “Julians said before continuing. “There will be two appeal rounds and how the first will be conducted with each coordinator using one Pokemon and you are free to use up to four moves for your combinations, and lastly only the top 64 coordinators will move on to the second appeal stage where they will be using two pokemon for a double performance with as many moves as they desire and out of those 64 only the top 32 will make it to the battle stage which just like with any grand festival will be double battles. And with all that out of the way let the Grand Festival begin. Many skilled coordinators performed one by one until it was now time for the mystery rival to take the stage. “And now for our next coordinator all the way from Paldea it's Esmeralda. Esmeralda walked onto the stage wearing a princess-style gown with some roses sewn into it before pulling out her Pokeball.

“Meowscarada Rrrrazle them,” Esmeralda said before throwing her Pokeball upward which caused it to pop open and unleash a bunch of pink flower petals with Meowscarada in the center of them. Meowscarada gracefully landed while the petals rained down behind it. “Meowscarada let's start things off with Flower Trick. Meowscarada tossed four unbloomed bouquets into the air before Esmeralda quickly changed the next move. “Now use Dark Pulse. Meowscarada quickly spammed dark pulse which bound the bouquets with dark rings which caused the crowd and the judges to wait eagerly to see what was next. “Now for the finale use bullet Seed. Meowscarada unleashed Bullet Seed on the bouquets which caused them to slowly bloom before both Meowscarada and Esmeralda snapped their fingers which caused them to explode creating some very dazzling fireworks and raining flowers while they both did an elegant pose. “Olé

“Now that is quite the performance let's hear what the judges have to say,” Julian said.

“The timing between those moves and the showmanship behind them was truly a spectacular sight to behold,” Contesta said.

“Extremely Remarkable,” Sukizo said.

“It was like watching a master magician at work and not to mention quite captivating,” Nurse Joy said.

“It had a lot of flare I will admit and I saw no flaws in their teamwork or technique as if those two had been polishing their skills for quite some time,” Marina said. Turquoise, Selena, and Emma were in shock at how amazing Esmeralda and Meowscarada’s performance was.

“That was a perfect one-hundred maybe even a two-hundred,” Turquoise said.

“Your right there is no way we could top that,” Selena said.

“Are we going to lose right off the bat? “Emma asked.

“Now hold on Emma she may have locked the top spot but all three of us still have a chance to make it to the second round,” Turquoise said.

“She is right as long as we make the top 64 our grand festival will continue, “Selena said. As soon as she said that Esmeralda came back looking quite pleased with herself.

“Top that,” Esmeralda said. It was now Selena’s turn and she was determined to try and top Esmeralda.

“And now for our next coordinator, It’s Selena,” Julian said as Selena took her position.

“Typhlosion take the stage,” Selena said before throwing her Pokeball which popped open and unleashed some orange flames that combined into a big flame that a big creme and blue bipedal creature with a flame coming from its back burst out and landed on the stage. Turquoise pulled out her Pokedex to look it up.

“Typhlosion, the volcano Pokemon and the evolved form of Quilava, It attacks using blasts of fire. It creates heat shimmers with intense fire to hide itself,” The Pokedex said.

“Typhlosion use Gyro Ball, Typhlosion began spinning around in place which made it look like a blue and cream blur. “Now use flamethrower. Typhlosion unleashed Flamethrower while still spinning which created a cyclone of fire. “Now use Aerial Ace. Typhlosion flew up the cyclone before rising above it. “Now wrap this up with Flame charge. Typlosion came at the cyclone while cloaked in a fire of its own which resulted in the cyclone being absorbed before creating a huge explosion and a rain of glistening embers to rain down.

“Now that power,” Julian said before turning over to the judges.

“Truly a great way to show off a fire-type,” Contesta said.

“Remarkable,” Sukizo said.

“I can feel their hot passion from right here,” Nurse Joy said.

“A most brilliant way to show off a big Pokemon like Typhlosion,” Marina said. Selena returned backstage with Emma and Turquoise still reeling from her performance.

“That was quite amazing,” Turquoise said.

“I could feel it from right here,” Emma said.

“Well Turquoise your up next so give it your all,” Selena said.

“Right I won’t let Esmeralda show me up,” Turquosie said before walking to the stage.

“And now our next coordinator all the way from Pallet Town it’s Turquoise,” Julian said as Turquoise took the stage. Turquoise out her Pokeball and did a twirl while tossing it.

“Espeon let’s dazzle them,” Turquoise said as her Pokeball popped open and unleashed a bunch of stars with Espeon somersaulting through them before landing elegantly. “Let's start with Swift. Espeon unleashed swift while spinning which created a tornado. “Now Jump and use Morning Sun. Espeon leaped very high while using Morning Sun to give the swift tornado an extra shine. “Now use Psychic on the swift. Espeon used her Psychic to take control of the swift and this time used it to form stepping stars that burst each time Espeon leaped from one to another each giving off a different scale like with a piano. As soon as Espeon reached the ground the sparkles rained down around her.

“Another truly great performance,” Julian said before shifting over to the judges.

“A good spin on an old classic and quite daring,” Contesta said.

“Very remarkable,” Sukizo said.

“I can tell that was the result of a strong bond and much practice,” Nurse Joy said.

“As an idol, I can sense the joy Espeon was having from that swift piano and how well the trainer and Pokemon were in sync,” Marina said. Turquoise returned backstage and saw how her Performance went with her rivals.

“When did you learn to do that?” Selena asked.

“Just now, Esmeralda challenged us so I upped my game,” Turquoise said. Many other coordinators went up one by one and now it was finally Emma’s turn.

“And now our last Coordinator from the Kalos Region, its Emma,” Julian said hyping the crowd for the finale of day one. Emma worked up her courage and pulled out her Pokeball.

“Swanna Showtime,” Emma said as she tossed her Pokeball up and caused it to pop open and unleash a bunch of blue bubbles with a swan-like bird in the center of them. Turquoise once again pulled out her Pokedex for it.

“Swanna, The White Bird Pokemon, Despite their elegant appearance, they can flap their wings strongly and fly for thousands of miles,” The Pokedex said.

“Swanna start with Bubble beam. Swanna pointed Bubble beam Upwards which created a beam of bubbles going up. “Now Ice beam. Swanna fired an Ice beam at the bubbles which caused them to stay in place. “Now finish with steel wing,” Swanna used steel wing to burst the bubbles and cover itself in a sparkling coat that made its feathers shine.

“Now that is a good way to end it,” Julian said before shifting over to the judges one last time.

“An excellent way to show off Swanna’s elegance and grace,” Contesta said.

“Very remarkable,” Sukizu said.

“It was like watching an ugly Duckett become a graceful Swanna,” Nurse Joy said.

“That was a great way to wrap up the first round, “Marina said. Emma returned backstage full of confidence.

“Was I good?” Emma asked.

“You did great now let's wait and see where we stand,” Turquoise said. Sometime later Julian appeared on the monitor.

“Sorry for the wait but now after careful deliberation here are the 64 coordinators moving on to the second stage of the appeals round,” Julian said as the profiles appeared on the jumbotron with Esmeralda in first, Turquoise in third, Selena in fifth, and Emma in sixth.

“All right we all made it,” Turquoise said excitedly.

“We did but so did Esmeralda so we still have a tough road ahead,” Selena said.

“We know but at least all three of us are moving on,” Emma said. And so the first day of the grand festival ended with all three girls advancing to the second round. What will the second day hold for our heroes, find out as the journey continues.

TO BE CONTINUED