Ash and his group were heading toward Rustboro City when they made a stop at the city's Town Hall. As they strolled along, they noticed many Trainers and Pokémon practicing—not for battle, but for something else.
"Huh? What are they all doing?" May asked, puzzled. "It doesn't look like regular training."
"There's a Pokémon Contest about to start," Ash explained. "They're probably getting ready for it!"
"Seriously? A Contest, here?" May's eyes lit up in surprise. She had just learned about Contests not long ago—and now she was face-to-face with the real thing.
"How about we stay and watch the competition?" May asked eagerly.
"No problem!" Ash was the first to agree, knowing this was the moment that would spark May's dream of becoming a Top Coordinator.
"I'm in!" Brock added.
"Me too!" Max chimed in.
"Yay! Let's go!!" May cheered, her energy sky-high. ٩(´◒`)۶
Just then, a beautiful butterfly Pokémon fluttered onto May's face.
"Ah~ What is it!?" May flailed a bit, startled.
"It's a Beautifly, May!" Ash said with a chuckle.
Soon, Beautifly's Trainer and her boyfriend rushed over to apologize. Meanwhile, Ash, with Pikachu by his side, headed straight to the Contest registration area.
"Hello! I'd like to register for the Pokémon Contest," Ash said.
"Of course. Please show your Contest Pass," the staff replied.
"It's my first time entering. Can you help me get one?"
"Certainly. Please insert your Pokédex into the slot."
Ash did so, and after a moment of processing, the staff handed him a Contest Pass.
"All set! Here's your pass. Good luck!"
Just then, May arrived, having been encouraged by a woman named Janet. Behind her were Brock, Max, and a man named Chaz.
"Hi, I'd like to enter the Contest too!" May said, stepping forward.
"I'm very sorry," the staff said politely. "We've just closed registration. The participant list was finalized moments ago."
"W-What!? No way!" May's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I finally made up my mind! I should've come earlier with Ash…" (⋟﹏⋞)
"It's alright, May," Brock comforted her. "You just decided to try this on a whim—you haven't even practiced. Watch and learn first."
He turned to Ash. "Still, I didn't expect you to join a Contest!"
"Why not?" Ash smiled. "Contests are a great way to improve battle style. Even the Hoenn Champion Wallace is a Top Coordinator—it shows that Contests have a lot to offer."
"Makes sense!" Brock nodded.
They headed to the Contest Hall. Since May couldn't compete, she volunteered to assist Janet during the performance round. Originally, she wanted to help Ash, but he gently declined, saying his style didn't need an assistant. So, she settled for learning from Janet instead.
The Rustboro Pokémon Contest began.
"Thank you for waiting! Let's kick off the preliminary performance round!" the host announced.
The first contestant summoned a Jynx that twirled beautifully mid-air, dazzling the crowd—especially May.
Janet explained from the sidelines, "The prelims judge the Pokémon's appearance, the elegance of its moves, growth, and the coordination with its Trainer. All that adds up to the final score."
The Contest went on. Chaz appeared, performing with his Venomoth. With its precise movements and control of props, he earned a solid 29.5 points.
Janet took the stage next with her Beautifly. May tossed a frisbee as part of the performance. Beautifly used String Shot to shatter the disc and finished with Hidden Power, creating a glittering display. Perfect score: 30 points.
Then came "Jessibella," a.k.a. Jessie of Team Rocket, who performed under a fake name. As expected, her erratic commands and chaotic style led to disqualification.
"Next up—the final contestant: Ash Ketchum!"
"Let's go, Eevee!""Eevee~" It flipped out of its Poké Ball and landed gracefully.
"Five Shadow Balls, in different directions!"
Eevee fired them high into the air.
"Now, Agility and Swift! Intertwine them!"
Golden stars wrapped around the hovering Shadow Balls in a beautiful orbit.
"Finish it—Crystallize Outbreak!"
Eevee leapt to the center of the Shadow Balls and detonated them in sequence. Purple and golden light filled the stage. Eevee landed perfectly amidst the glowing sparkles.
Applause exploded from the audience.
"Amazing…" May's mouth hung open.
"Did Ash even practice for this?" she asked, stunned.
"Have you ever seen Ash practice anything other than battling?" Max shrugged.
"He just whispered a few instructions to Eevee before the show," Brock added. "I didn't expect this level of coordination… Ash has really matured since coming to Hoenn."
Janet and Chaz watched Ash closely, both sensing that he was not a contestant to take lightly.
Ash, Janet, and Chaz were among the top three who advanced. All three breezed through their next matchups and reached the semi-finals.
"Everyone advanced! But… now Ash has to face Chaz," May said, conflicted.
"There's only one Ribbon. Might as well face him now," Ash replied calmly. "Let's do this, Chaz."
"You got it!"
Semi-Final Battle: Ash vs. Chaz
"Go, Eevee!"
"Venomoth, use Stun Spore! "
A cloud of powder surged toward Eevee.
"Dodge with Dig!"
Eevee disappeared underground. Ash's score dipped slightly from avoiding instead of countering.
"Venomoth, scan the area! Use Psybeam once it appears!"
"Eevee—Crystallize Outbreak!"
Eevee emerged directly beneath Venomoth and released its signature move.
"What?! Below!?" Chaz cried. "Not fair—normal people attack from the front!"
It was too late. The explosion hit point-blank. Half of Chaz's score vanished.
"Quick Attack, then Double Kick!"
BAM! Venomoth was knocked out.
"Venomoth is unable to battle! Eevee wins—Ash advances to the final!"
"Congrats, Ash!" Chaz said, smiling as he recalled his Pokémon.
"Thanks!"
Final Match: Ash vs. Janet
"And now, the Rustboro Contest Final! It's Ash Ketchum vs. Janet! The battle lasts five minutes—begin!"
"Go, Beautifly!"
"Let's do this, Eevee!"
"Beautifly, Hidden Power!"
The white aura sparkled as it flew, both beautiful and dangerous. Ash's score dipped as it approached.
"Eevee, Crystallize Outbreak!"
The crystal blast countered the move, causing both scores to drop slightly as their attacks lit up the stage in a brilliant explosion of colors.
"Beautifly, use Hurricane! "
"Eevee, Dig!"
The hurricane whirled overhead—missed!
"Iron Tail!"
Eevee burst from the ground, tail glowing silver. It struck Beautifly hard.
"Finish it—Swift!"
Beautifly was hit midair and spiraled down.
Battle Over—Winner: Ash Ketchum!
"Beautifly, return. You did great," Janet said warmly, then approached Ash. "Congratulations. You were incredible!"
"Thank you!"
"And now, the winner of the Rustboro Pokémon Contest—Ash Ketchum! Please come forward to receive your Ribbon Badge!"
"Congratulations. Here's your Ribbon Badge. And since this is your first, here's a badge case too."
"Thank you! Alright—I've got the Rustboro Ribbon Badge!""Eevee~!"
[Ding~ Obtained Rustboro City Ribbon Badge. Reward: 1000 Points]
"I'm so jealous!" May sparkled with admiration. "Okay, that's it—I'm definitely going to enter the next Contest!" ⁂((✪⥎✪))⁂
To be continued...