The morning of the contest had finally arrived. The Castelia Contest Hall buzzed with excitement as Coordinators and spectators filled the venue, the air thick with anticipation. Large banners hung from the ceiling, displaying past winners and upcoming rounds. Mira adjusted her Contest Pass as she stepped through the main entrance, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. Today, she and Snivy would take their first real step into the world of Pokémon Contests.
Eliza walked beside her, equally energized, her Glameow perched gracefully on her shoulder. "You ready for this? I'm just here to support and gather data for later—my round isn't until 1 PM, so I get to watch and take notes."
Mira took a deep breath, then nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They made their way toward the contest prep area, where large screens displayed the schedule for the day. Mira spotted her name among the list of competitors in the Cool Appeal – Normal Rank category. A quick glance at the leaderboard revealed the current standings. At the top sat a Sneasel with an impressive 14/15, its fast and sharp execution earning high praise from the judges. Further down, a Helioptile held a solid 11/15, balancing agility and flair but lacking a final impact. Mira swallowed—Snivy would need to perform at her absolute best to break into the top rankings. Her slot was set for mid-morning—enough time to mentally prepare, but not so much that she would overthink it.
Nearby, Coordinators whispered about their strategies while others stretched, preparing for the intense performances ahead. The energy in the hall was infectious, making Mira's fingers tingle with anticipation.
Mira and Eliza entered the contest preparation room, where Coordinators gathered with their Pokémon, making last-minute adjustments and discussing routines. Nearby, a Buizel and its trainer were fine-tuning their act, the Water-type expertly shaping spinning orbs of water in midair. Mira watched for a moment, impressed by how Buizel balanced control and flair—a performance that could be hard to beat if executed well. The space was filled with the sounds of Pokémon cries, blow-dryers smoothing fur, and Coordinators going through their final strategies. Several assistants moved between trainers, ensuring everything was running on time.
Mira found a quiet corner and released Snivy. The Grass-type Pokémon stretched, shaking off any stiffness from the morning. Her sharp eyes met Mira's, confidence radiating from her small frame. Around them, other Pokémon were also preparing—A ninetals practiced its fire control, while a Kirlia performed graceful pirouettes.
"Alright, Snivy," Mira said, crouching beside her. "We've practiced, refined, and visualized this routine. Now, we just have to execute it." Snivy gave a determined nod, her tail flicking behind her.
A Contest Hall assistant approached. "Mira Rosemary? Your turn is in ten minutes. Please head toward the waiting area."
Mira swallowed her nerves and nodded. "Got it."
As they left, Eliza gave her a thumbs-up. "Give them a performance to remember."
Mira stood just behind the contest stage curtain, peeking out at the massive audience. The judges' panel sat elevated at the front, consisting of a Contest Official, the Castelia City Nurse Joy, and a representative from the Pokémon Fan Club. The announcer hyped up the crowd, building anticipation for the next contestant.
Mira listened closely as the judges discussed the previous contestant—a Buizel whose water manipulation had been fluid and stylish, but whose final move had lacked a bit of impact. The final score flashed overhead: 10/15
"And next up in the Cool Appeal – Normal Rank division, we have Mira Rosemary and her Snivy!"
Taking one last steadying breath, Mira walked to the trainer's designated spot beside the stage, giving Snivy the space to take center stage alone. The Cool Appeal category was all about precision and controlled confidence, and now it was Snivy's moment to shine.
The moment she reached the performance spot, everything else faded. It was just her, Snivy, and the judges.
"Begin your Introduction Stage!" the announcer called.
Mira clasped her hands together, standing at the sidelines as Snivy stepped forward with practiced grace. Everything had to be prepared in advance, and Snivy would have to rely on her training and instinct for any adjustments on the spot.
Snivy stepped forward, eyes gleaming as she fixed an intense Leer upon the audience. A ripple of energy passed through the air, an unmistakable signal of confidence and control.
"A strong opener," the Contest Official noted, nodding slightly.
With Agility, Snivy darted across the stage, weaving smoothly, each motion sharp and intentional. She moved like a streak of green light, her form never faltering. As she pivoted, she maintained absolute control, her movements fluid and seamless.
"Excellent speed and precision!" Nurse Joy commented.
Then, Leaf Blade—Snivy's tail glowed with intense green energy as she executed a crisp, decisive slash. She paused briefly, letting the energy linger in the air before transitioning seamlessly. The glow shimmered under the stage lights, making her movements a dazzling spectacle that held everyone's attention.
"She knows how to work the moment," the Pokémon Fan Club representative murmured appreciatively.
For the finale, Vine Whip lashed out, striking the glowing Leaf Blade mid-air. The energy shattered into sparkling fragments, scattering under the stage lights like falling stars. Snivy landed in a perfect stance, her tail flicking in finality. The crowd gasped before breaking into cheers.
"That was impressive," the Contest Official murmured, scribbling down notes.
As the last spark faded, the judges took down their notes, their expressions showing signs of clear approval.
Mira let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Snivy had executed everything they practiced without hesitation, adjusting her timing and movements naturally on stage. The moment the last spark of Leaf Blade faded, the judges took down their notes, and the announcer spoke up.
"An incredible display of precision and control from Snivy!" the announcer declared. "Let's see how the judges score this performance!"
The screens above flashed as the combined appeal score appeared.
Contest Official: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Nurse Joy: ★★★★★(5/5)
Fan Club Representative: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Total: 13/15
A solid score. Not perfect, but strong for a first performance.
Snivy flicked her tail, looking pleased with herself. The audience continued to cheer as her score was announced, and a few Coordinators in the waiting area exchanged murmurs about her clean execution.
As Mira glanced at the leaderboard, she saw that Snivy's 13/15 score had placed her in second place, just behind the Sneasel's 14/15. The realization sent a thrill through her—Snivy had not only delivered a great performance but was now a real contender for victory. However, she knew the competition wasn't over yet. The next contestant, a Ninetales, stepped onto the stage, its flowing tails gleaming under the lights. Mira tensed slightly—Fire-types often had a natural elegance and drama that appealed to audiences, making them strong competitors in the Cool Appeal category.
The announcer's voice rang out. "And with that, Mira Rosemary and Snivy have completed their Introduction Stage! They will advance to the Talent Round shortly—stay tuned!"
As Snivy trotted back to Mira's side, she gave her trainer a confident glance. Mira knelt slightly, offering a proud smile. "You nailed it out there." She had taken the first step into the world of Contests, and it had gone better than she could have hoped.
Now, she just had to bring everything together for the Talent Round. But first, she watched as Ninetales began its act, its movements deliberate and hypnotic. The Fire-type Pokémon exuded an almost regal presence, each flick of its tails controlled and intentional. A sweeping Inferno move illuminated the stage, creating an elegant interplay of fire and shadow.
The audience gasped as Ninetales executed a spinning Fire Spin, the embers forming a glowing spiral around its body before dispersing into shimmering sparks. The judges exchanged glances, clearly impressed.
When the performance ended, the leaderboard updated, revealing Ninetales had also scored 13/15, tying with Snivy. Mira tensed—Snivy still held onto second place, but just barely. She glanced back at the stage as the next contestant, a Kirlia, gracefully stepped forward. The Psychic-type Pokémon moved with practiced elegance, spinning seamlessly into an intricate routine of Teleport and Dazzling Gleam, creating an almost illusionary effect. The crowd murmured in appreciation as Kirlia's performance reached its peak, ending with a perfectly timed pirouette surrounded by shimmering light.
When the scores appeared on the leaderboard, Kirlia earned 12/15—a strong showing, but not enough to surpass Snivy and Ninetales. Mira exhaled, tension still thrumming in her chest. Snivy was still in second place, but the margin was razor-thin.
She turned to Snivy, who was standing tall, her expression unwavering. "We're almost there," Mira said, crouching beside her Pokémon. "We've got a solid score, but we're not in the clear yet. We need to bring everything we have to the Talent Round."
Petilil, Scout, and Sewaddle stirred in their Poké Balls, having watched the performance unfold from within. The Talent Round was next, and Snivy was ready to shine once more.