"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the stage of this year's Wallace Cup!"
The host's booming voice echoed as the camera panned to the packed audience stands, erupting in thunderous applause and cheers.
"I-I'm so nervous!" The yellow-haired girl with a ponytail clenched her small fists, unable to contain herself.
Green, resting her chin on her hand while sipping soda through a straw, glanced at Yellow. "You're not even competing. Why are you nervous?"
"But I can't help feeling nervous for the contestants!"
Yellow scribbled the word "person" on her palm and dramatically pretended to eat it.
Jasmine, knees pressed together with a Magnemite cradled in her arms, smiled gently. "Right now, it's the opening ceremony—the judges' entrance segment."
"The actual competition won't start for a while yet."
"Miss Jasmine knows so much!" Yellow's eyes sparkled as she looked at Jasmine.
"N-Not really~" Jasmine blushed faintly, murmuring, "I just... kept up with the events..."
Green scanned the surroundings, her gaze landing on the sea of white "Wallace-style caps" everywhere.
"If only I'd gotten here first... o(╥﹏╥)o" Green lamented internally.
Suddenly, the cheers in the arena surged as the host announced:
"Next, let us welcome the founder of this event—Hoenn Champion, Mr. Wallace!"
Spotlights converged on the central pool of the stage.
In an instant, Milotic leaped from the water, its scales refracting dazzling light.
Mist sprayed into the air, forming a rainbow as crystalline droplets fell like diamonds.
The breathtaking spectacle left the audience holding their breath.
"Fuu~!"
The next moment, towering waves crashed together, sending a geyser of water skyward.
Beneath the beauty of this move lay terrifying Water-type power.
Then, from behind the geyser, emerged a green-haired man in white attire, pressing a hand to his chest with a graceful bow.
The arena's cheers reached a deafening peak.
Following Wallace's entrance, a balding middle-aged man in a suit walked out from the judges' tunnel—utterly ordinary.
The applause from the audience noticeably weakened, tinged with disappointment.
"That's Mr. Contesta, chairman of the Contest Judging Committee," Jasmine explained softly while clapping. "He attends glamorous contests across all regions."
"He looks... so plain," Green yawned behind her hand. "When does Natsume-sensei come on?"
"He already went to the judges' tunnel."
Jasmine smiled. "I imagine he'll make his entrance as a Coordinator too."
Yellow and Green froze simultaneously.
Natsume-sensei had been roped into judging by Ruby...
Did he even know about the unspoken rule that judges had to make a flashy entrance?
While his fame alone would earn applause, a lackluster debut might draw criticism from the audience.
The group members tensed, their eyes locked on the judges' tunnel.
But the next judge didn't emerge from it.
"Look up there!" someone in the audience shouted.
Heads tilted back to see a shadow drifting above the arena—a purple Drifblim spinning its ribbons, stirring a dazzling mystical wind.
Glittering particles scattered from its rotation, leaving the crowd mesmerized.
Jasmine whispered in recognition, "That strategy... it's just like Natsume-sensei's."
Before Drifblim's performance concluded, it descended gracefully into a thick mist.
Then, Fantina emerged from the fog, her long violet gown swaying as she raised her hand in a confident, elegant curtsy.
The stands erupted.
"Miss Fantina! I'm your biggest fan!"
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town! Battle me later!!"
Jasmine and the others turned toward the voice in surprise.
"Ash is here too?"
"Guess he couldn't find us and just sat there by himself."
Ash's shouting earned him glares from nearby spectators, making him scratch his head sheepishly.
Yellow, still curious, asked, "How did that black mist work earlier?"
"I-I saw an explanation on TV," Jasmine said quietly. "Miss Fantina was waiting below the stage the whole time... Drifblim just distracted everyone."
"But that spinning move was gorgeous!" Green remarked.
Yellow: "Come to think of it... doesn't Natsume-sensei know that move too?"
Just as the audience remained captivated by Fantina's grand entrance—
All the stage lights abruptly cut out.
Ash tensed: "Did Team Rocket show up?!"
Meanwhile, the Team Rocket trio peered through binoculars, grumbling, "Where's the Executive? Shouldn't he be out by now?"
"There! That must be him, meow!"
In the darkened arena, a brilliant spotlight suddenly blazed to life—so intense it seemed like a miniature sun, commanding everyone's attention.
Tap. Tap.
The entire arena fell silent as all eyes fixed on that radiant glow.
Anticipation peaked—until a tall, poised young man stepped into view. The light soared upward like fireworks, exploding into a breathtaking display.
Dazzling Gleam!!
A visual effect favored by Coordinators, executed to perfection by Natsume-sensei.
Wallace folded his hands, his gaze tinged with admiration.
As the light show faded and normal lighting returned—
Snap! Snap! Snap!
Every spotlight zeroed in on the impossibly handsome Trainer, making him shine like a star.
"Holy crap, how is he this good-looking?!"
"I admit it—Natsume-sensei's slightly more handsome than me!"
"Wait, hasn't Natsume-sensei's partner Pokémon appeared yet?"
Just as cheers began, the audience noticed Natsume-sensei raising a hand, his coat fluttering dramatically.
The show wasn't over!
The light dimmed again, replaced by a hazy purple mist that swirled across the stage.
The dreamlike scene left the audience breathless.
Then, like a graceful fairy, the snow-white Sylveon leaped effortlessly from Natsume's waist—no Poké Ball burst, no flashy summoning.
It simply appeared beside him, as if they'd been partners for years, needing no announcement.
"Sylveon... a Pokémon said to evolve only when an Eevee shares an unbreakable bond with its Trainer..."
Wallace murmured, a faint smile forming.
Unconsciously, he felt a newfound respect for Natsume.
This wasn't a Trainer obsessed with power or ambition.
This was someone who trusted his Pokémon—just as Ruby had accepted the Feebas named "MIMI," just as Milotic "MIMI" had never abandoned Ruby after evolving.
The arena remained hushed—not from the shock of a dazzling performance, but from something deeper.
"Perhaps," Wallace mused softly, "this could become... a new school of Coordinating."
On the screens, Sylveon's pristine ribbons gently draped over Natsume's palm.
Hand in ribbon, Natsume walked to center stage.
His fingertips glowed with blue "Aura of Ripple" energy, shaping into fluttering butterflies that dissolved into sparkling dust.
The performance ended.
A bow.
Silence lingered, the audience still spellbound.
Then—
Clap!
Ash, ever impulsive, started applauding. The group members joined in.
The arena exploded with applause, lasting far longer than usual.
Fantina studied Natsume on stage, arms crossed, lips curving.
"What a... fascinating man."
Natsume's performance hadn't just won over the crowd—it had earned the judges' approval too.
Mr. Contesta leaned toward Wallace. "What do you think of Natsume-sensei's performance today?"
"Just based on this," Wallace admitted freely, "I've been completely outdone."
"There's still the exhibition match between judges later."
Mr. Contesta glanced between Natsume and Fantina, nodding.
"These two are rare Top Coordinators..."
"With them demonstrating, this year's contest standards will reach new heights!"
Wallace agreed.
Following the ceremony's schedule, the lavender-haired Lucian—representing the Sinnoh League—stepped up to officially declare the Wallace Cup open.
The host took over enthusiastically: "Now, let's welcome two of this year's judges—"
"Mr. Natsume and Miss Fantina, for an absolutely spectacular exhibition match!!"
Cheers erupted anew. Even Jasmine, still moved by the earlier performance, cupped her hands and mustered her courage:
"Go, Natsume-sensei!!"
Natsume, who'd just taken his seat at the judges' panel and exchanged nods with Wallace, froze.
There's an exhibition match?!
Ruby never mentioned this part!
With the tight schedule, Wallace hadn't gotten a chance to brief Natsume-sensei earlier.
Now, he only offered an approving look.
Natsume's heart sank.
I knew that judge's paycheck wouldn't come easy!
"After you, Mr. Natsume."
Fantina, in her violet gown, extended a gloved hand with elegant grace.
Natsume, also in formal wear, offered his left hand in a gentlemanly gesture, escorting her to the battle stage.
Under the spotlights, they took positions on opposite ends as the crowd's excitement peaked.
"Even in a Contest Battle," Fantina smiled, "I won't hold back."
Natsume closed his eyes, recalling the techniques from [Flawless Commands Lv4].
In Contest Battles, points determined victory—using unimpressive moves meant deductions.
Even knocking out the opponent wouldn't guarantee a win if the execution lacked flair.
'What a hassle...'
Natsume sighed inwardly but kept his expression calm. "Ladies first."
"Then, my first Pokémon—"
Fantina spun gracefully, her gown flaring as she tossed a Poké Ball:
"Drifblim, take the stage!"
The same Drifblim from earlier summoned eerie winds once more.
As a Ghost-type Gym Leader, Fantina's signature Drifblim blended Contest strategies with battle tactics seamlessly—a formidable combination.
Though just an exhibition, Moe-Moe! might be watching...
If I lose, she'll think I went easy on purpose...
"Sylveon."
Natsume said quietly, "Make it quick..."
If I win fast enough, the judges won't have time to dock points for lack of flair!
"Sylveon! (▼皿▼#)"
Sylveon landed lightly, eyes blazing with determination!