Ash successfully gathered the three Hoenn starters, and he sent his Grovyle back to Professor Oak's lab so it could get used to its new body. Two days later, the Pokémon Contest in Slateport City officially began. Unfortunately, Jessie missed the registration deadline and could not compete.
The Contest Hall
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for waiting! The hallmark of the Hoenn region, the Pokémon Contest—the Slateport City Contest—is now about to begin!" The host, a woman with curly hair, announced.
Clap, clap, clap! The audience erupted in cheers!
Following the procedure, she introduced the judges: Mr. Contesta, Mr. Sukizo, and Nurse Joy. After explaining the rules, she introduced herself: "I am Vivian, your master of ceremonies for this competition. It's a pleasure to meet you all." The cheers grew even louder!
The Waiting Area
May sat on a bench, trembling with nerves as she waited to go on stage.
"May... May..." Ash called out a few times, but she didn't respond.
"May!" Ash walked over and patted her on the shoulder.
"Huh?! What is it, Ash?" May finally snapped out of it.
"Calm down, May! You have Beautifly with you! You're not battling alone! Believe in yourself!" Ash encouraged her.
At that moment, Beautifly landed on May's head. When May felt its presence, she said, "Beautifly..."
"If the Trainer is too nervous, their Pokémon will get nervous too, so don't be so anxious! May, you've practiced so much for this day, haven't you? Stay calm, and it will go smoothly! Don't let your hard work be for nothing!" Ash said, looking at May.
May looked at Ash, her eyes fixed on his for a moment. She took a deep breath, and with newfound courage, she gave a firm nod. "You're right. I can do this!" She watched Ash's back as he walked away, thinking to herself, Thank you, Ash.
"Alright, the first review is based on appeal! Here, Coordinators and their Pokémon will show off the beauty and expression of the moves they've worked so hard to practice together." With Vivian's announcement, the Contest officially began!
The competitors began taking the stage one by one.
"Next up, contestant number 24, Drew!"
Drew stepped onto the stage and sent out a Roselia. For its entrance, it used Petal Dance to scatter pink petals all over the stage, making it feel like everyone was in a sea of flowers. Then, it combined Stun Spore with Magical Leaf, making the leaves glow and mesmerizing the entire audience. To finish, it hid itself with Petal Dance and then used Magical Leaf to shatter the petals, revealing Roselia's silhouette with shining green leaves.
Drew's performance received high marks from the judges, earning him a score of 29.4, the highest so far.
In the waiting area, Drew and May crossed paths, and his condescending remarks completely eliminated May's nervousness.
"Next up is contestant number 34, Ash!"
"Go, Ash!" "Pika-pi~"
Ash stepped onto the stage. "I choose you, Noctowl!"
Noctowl flew in a circle and landed gracefully on Ash's arm.
"Wow! What a beautiful Noctowl!" Just its golden body alone was a huge bonus.
"Let's go, Noctowl! Feather Dance, now Psychic!"
Feathers began to float around Noctowl. With Psychic, they swirled and formed giant, magnificent wings on either side of Noctowl.
"Whoa!" The audience was in awe of the giant-winged Noctowl!
"Noctowl, it's time to end this! Feather Hurricane, then Air Slash!"
The feathers on both wings started swirling around Noctowl. It then slashed out a series of blue shockwaves, scattering the feathers and slowly revealing Noctowl at the center.
"Wow! That was amazing, Ash!" May applauded in the waiting room.
Drew also watched Ash's performance with a serious expression.
With high praise from the judges, Ash's final score was 29.8 points, immediately taking the lead from Drew.
"Next up is contestant number 38, Robert!"
A handsome blonde man appeared, using a Milotic. Under the effect of Safeguard, Milotic radiated a green aura, and with its inherent beauty, it captivated everyone's attention!
As expected, Milotic had a natural advantage, making Ash envious.
His final score was 29.8, tying with Ash for first place!
"And now, please welcome our final contestant, May!"
"Go, May! Believe in yourself!" Ash encouraged.
May gathered her courage and walked onto the stage. As a ten-year-old girl, she was still a little shy in front of such a large crowd. Not everyone has a social butterfly personality like Ash.
Vivian seemed to notice May's nervousness and said, "May is competing in a Pokémon Contest for the first time! Alright, then, let's see her Pokémon's brilliant debut performance!"
"Go, big sister! Don't be afraid!" "Pika-pi" "Chic"
Thinking of Ash's words, May cleared her head, took a deep breath, and threw her Poké Ball. "Beautifly, on stage!"
"Oh-wooo~" Beautifly flapped its magnificent wings, and countless particles of powder fluttered down, making its wings shine and giving off a natural charm.
Its entrance alone was enough to captivate the audience.
May then took a pink disc from her bag and threw it at Beautifly, shouting, "String Shot!"
"Oh-wooo~" Beautifly gently flapped its beautiful wings and released white strings that hit the disc like a whip, sending it back to May.
May and Beautifly tossed the disc back and forth, showcasing their perfect teamwork. May was now in her element.
May then gave the disc one last spin and threw it, shouting, "Now, Beautifly, use Gust!"
Beautifly rapidly flapped its beautiful wings, creating a powerful whirlwind that made the disc spin in the air before it quickly flew back. May sprinted forward, leaped up, and caught the disc in a perfect landing!
"It's time to end this, Beautifly! A graceful finish with a spinning Silver Wind!"
When Beautifly heard May's words, it fluttered its elegant wings and released a Silver Wind. Beautifly spun within it, creating a beautiful "Dance of the Silver Wind."
Although the middle of her performance was a bit conventional, the beginning and end were outstanding. And without any mistakes, May's final score was 27.9 points.
As expected, she had secured her place in the next round!
Unlike the original story where May only passed the first round thanks to a combination of plot armor and her rookie status, this May had the skills to back up her performance with Ash's help.
"That was a great performance! You're definitely moving on to the second round!" Ash said to May as she left the stage.
"Really?! That's great!" (´∇`?) May said happily.
At that moment, Drew placed a red rose in front of May. "That was a good performance. I underestimated you."
"Is this for me? Thank you," May said, taking the rose.
"It's not for you. It's for your Beautifly. As for you, the Coordinator, I still think you have a lot to learn," Drew said disdainfully.
"You...! " As the two bickered, the list of contestants for the second round was released!
Sure enough, Ash, May, Drew, and Robert were all on the list, successfully advancing!
"Yay! We made it!" May cheered.
To be continued...