The morning air in Floaroma Town was so thick with the scent of honey and blossoms that it felt like walking through a giant, invisible perfume bottle. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, painting the town in soft pinks and golds, as I made my way toward the massive white dome of the Contest Hall.
I was dressed in my usual blue tracksuit, though I had pinned a small, silver Fairy-type emblem to my collar for good luck. Sylveon walked beside me, her ribbons swaying rhythmically, while Togepi rode in his favorite spot—tucked into the hood of my jacket—and Floette hovered just above my shoulder, humming a little tune.
As we approached the competitor's entrance, the area was already buzzing. It was a sea of fancy outfits, glitter, and Pokémon being groomed to within an inch of their lives. I saw a girl brushing a Roselia with a gold-plated brush and a guy practicing a dramatic pose with a Hariyama.
"Check out the competition, Sylveon," I whispered.
I took a slow walk around the perimeter, using my researcher's eye to gauge the power levels. The quality here was definitely a step up from the Jubilife City Contest. Back then, most people were just throwing moves and hoping for the best. Here, I could see genuine coordination. However, my internal "Power Radar" told me that most of these Pokémon were still hovering around the high-novice level. Only a few pushed into the official "Trainer Class."
"Still, let's not get cocky," I muttered, stroking Sylveon's ears. "One slip on a glitter-covered stage and it's game over."
Just as I was about to head inside to check my entry number, I felt a firm tap on my shoulder.
"Well, if it isn't the Fairy Doctor! Long time no see, Julian."
I spun around to see a familiar face. It was Aoko, the energetic girl I'd battled during my very first Contest in Jubilife. She was wearing a sparkling blue dress that looked like it was woven from sea foam.
"Aoko! Good to see you," I smiled. "I didn't expect to run into you all the way out here. How's the ribbon hunt going?"
"Great! I've actually picked up a second ribbon since we last met," she said, puffing out her chest with pride. "We've been training non-stop. Speaking of which, you remember my partner, don't you?"
She stepped aside, and a Pokémon waddled out from behind her. It wasn't the small, round Piplup I remembered. It was larger, with a sharp, regal beak and a proud, crown-like crest on its head.
"A Prinplup! Congratulations, Aoko. He looks strong," I said, genuinely impressed.
"He evolved during a really tough match last month," Aoko explained, squatting down to pat the penguin's head. "We almost lost, but Prinplup pushed through. Now, we're faster, stronger, and much more elegant. I'm guessing you're here for your second ribbon too?"
"Guilty as charged," I said. "I took a bit of a break to visit Kanto, but we're back in the game now."
Ding-dong~
The intercom crackled to life, echoing across the flower-lined streets.
"The Floaroma Town Pokémon Contest is about to begin! All registered Coordinators, please report to the backstage preparation area immediately!"
"That's our cue," I said, looking at Aoko.
"Don't you dare lose before the finals, Julian!" Aoko clapped her hands together, her eyes sparking with competitive fire. "I'm looking for a rematch to settle the score from Jubilife!"
"I'll see you on the stage," I replied with a wink.
The Grand Opening
The interior of the Contest Hall was breathtaking. The stage was surrounded by literal walls of blooming flowers, and the ceiling was a glass dome that allowed the morning sun to illuminate the arena. The crowd was a roar of excitement, thousands of people waving glow-sticks and banners.
"To all our guests, thank you for waiting!"
The host, a tall woman named Marian with a flair for the dramatic, stepped into the spotlight.
"In every corner of Sinnoh, our Contests bring out the dazzling light within our Pokémon! Today, in the heart of the garden, we crown a new champion. Welcome to the Floaroma Town Pokémon Contest!"
The crowd went wild.
"Let's introduce the three experts who will decide our fate today! First, the man who knows everything about the stage, Mr. Contesta, Director of the Contest Affairs Bureau!"
Mr. Contesta walked out in a sharp red suit, nodding solemnly. "I look forward to seeing the bond between Trainer and Pokémon expressed through art."
"Next, the president of the Pokémon Fan Club, Mr. Sukizo!"
A jolly man with squinty eyes trotted out. "Floaroma Town... I like it!"
"And finally, the heart of our community, Nurse Joy!"
The pink-haired nurse waved kindly to the crowd. "I can't wait to see all the healthy, happy Pokémon perform today!"
Backstage, I leaned against a crate, watching the monitors. "Same old introductions," I whispered to Floette. "At least Sukizo is consistent."
"And now!" Marian shouted, pointing to the stage entrance. "Let the first round—the Performance Stage—begin! Contestant number one, please take the floor!"
Aoko stepped out, looking every bit the professional. She walked to the center of the stage, the light reflecting off her blue dress.
"Prinplup, the stage is yours!" she cried, tossing a Poké Ball with a custom Ice-Crystal seal.
With a pop, Prinplup emerged in a shower of glittering frost. The penguin didn't wait; its wings glowed with a brilliant silvery light—Metal Claw. It spun in a circle, shattering the surrounding ice crystals into a million tiny diamonds that shimmered as they fell.
"What a start!" Marian exclaimed. "The refraction is beautiful!"
"Now, Prinplup! Bubble, then Icy Wind!"
Prinplup exhaled a stream of translucent bubbles that floated lazily toward the ceiling. Then, with a sharp breath, it released a freezing gale. The Icy Wind didn't pop the bubbles; it froze them solid, turning them into floating, crystalline spheres that hung in the air like ornaments.
"Catch them! Whirlpool!"
Prinplup pointed its beak upward. A massive spiral of blue water erupted from the stage, swirling into a vertical vortex. The frozen bubbles were swept into the current, spinning rapidly within the water like glowing marbles.
"Finish it with Icy Wind once more!"
The bird blasted the whirlpool with another freezing gust. The entire spiral of water turned into a solid, towering ice sculpture, trapping the bubbles inside where they caught the stage lights and reflected them in every direction, turning the hall into a giant kaleidoscope.
"One more! Metal Claw!"
Prinplup leapt high into the air, its wing glowing silver. It struck the top of the ice sculpture. CRACK! The ice split perfectly into four jagged petals, blossoming like a frozen flower, and Prinplup landed gracefully in the center, striking a pose.
The applause was deafening.
"A flawless opening performance!" Marian shouted over the cheering crowd. "Two ribbons worth of experience on full display! Judges, your scores!"
Backstage, I felt a bead of sweat on my forehead. Aoko hadn't just gotten stronger; she'd gotten smarter. Her flow was seamless.
"Alright, Sylveon," I said, looking down at my partner. She was watching the screen with a determined look, her ribbons twitching in anticipation. "The bar has been set. It's time to show them that flowers aren't the only thing that can bloom in this town."
Sylveon looked up at me and gave a sharp, confident nod. "Fly-ah!"
I checked my number. I was contestant number seven. We had a few minutes left to polish the plan. It was time to give the "Garden of Sinnoh" something they'd never forget.
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Forgive me for this past blunders. Hope u enjoy the chapter after renewing editing.