The air in the backstage waiting area was thick enough to cut with a spoon. Some Coordinators were frantically brushing their Pokémon's fur for the tenth time, while others were whispering mantras to themselves. I took a deep breath, adjusting the sleeves of my blue formal gown—a piece of clothing that felt a little too fancy for someone who usually spent his days trekking through muddy forests.
"You ready, buddy?" I whispered, looking down at Togepi. He was vibrating with excitement, his tiny hands clutching the edge of his shell.
"Togepi-priii! (Ready, Mommy!)"
I smiled, though the "Mommy" thing still made me twitch slightly. "Let's go. It's our time to shine."
The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, calling my name. I stepped out from behind the heavy velvet curtain, and for a second, the sheer scale of the Hearthome Contest Hall took my breath away. Thousands of eyes were on me, and the spotlights were so bright they turned the stage into a field of pure white.
I didn't let the nerves settle. I reached for the Poké Ball on my belt—the one equipped with a custom Heart Seal.
"Togepi! A charming entrance!"
I tossed the Poké Ball with a high, spinning arc. As it clicked open in mid-air, the Capsule effect triggered. A burst of brilliant white light erupted, accompanied by hundreds of shimmering pink hearts that fluttered down toward the stage like falling cherry blossoms.
Among the swirling hearts, Togepi appeared, his arms spread wide as he descended.
"Togepi-pri-pri! (Everyone, look at me! Look at me!)"
As he touched the ground, a faint, warm glow emanated from his body, catching the pink light of the hearts. It was a perfect opening. The audience, which had been buzzing with chatter, fell into a stunned silence for a heartbeat before a collective "Aww!" swept through the stadium.
"He's already got them," I thought, a grin spreading across my face. "Excellent, Togepi! Now, show them your Charm!"
Togepi didn't need to be told twice. He began to sway rhythmically from left to right, his little feet tapping the stage. He tilted his head, put a finger to his cheek, and gave the crowd a wink that was so pure it felt like a physical force.
"Oh my goodness!" one woman in the front row squealed, clutching her chest. "He's too precious!"
"So cute!" another shouted.
The Charm move wasn't just a stat-reducer here; it was a psychological weapon. Combined with Togepi's naturally endearing appearance, the move radiated an aura of innocence that made it impossible to look away.
"And what a start!" Marian, the host, shouted into her microphone, her voice full of genuine delight. "Contestant Julian has made a stunning opening! As soon as Togepi appeared, he seized the hearts of the audience, and that Charm is absolutely infectious! I can practically see the hearts in the judges' eyes! What could possibly come next?"
"Let's keep the rhythm, Togepi! Use Metronome!"
"Pri-pri-pri! (Wave!)"
Togepi raised his stubby finger and began the signature wagging motion. But this wasn't the clumsy practice from the hotel room. His entire body swayed in perfect sync with his finger, bouncing left and right like a little clockwork toy. He looked lively, energetic, and completely at home under the spotlights.
"Oh! Togepi has started Metronome!" Marian narrated, leaning over the stage edge. "Look at that footwork! His bouncing makes him look even more adorable as the energy builds. As we all know, Metronome is the ultimate gamble—the move it produces is entirely unpredictable. This is a bold move for a Performance Stage! Julian is putting his faith in Togepi's luck!"
The blue light on Togepi's finger grew brighter and brighter until it pulsed with a soft, oceanic hum. Then, with a sudden flash, the light didn't explode or strike out. Instead, it dissolved into a shimmering, golden mist.
Suddenly, a refreshing, heavenly fragrance began to waft from the stage. It wasn't the smell of flowers or perfume; it was something deeper, something that reminded you of warm blankets, sunny afternoons, and the feeling of being safe.
"This is... Aromatherapy!" Marian gasped, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "I've experienced many Aromatherapy moves in my time, usually from Grass-type Pokémon, but this is different. There's no scent of grass or herbs here. This is a unique, pure fragrance—like a special perfume crafted from pure happiness. If I could buy this in a bottle, I'd be broke within an hour!"
The audience was enchanted. People were leaning back in their seats, eyes closed, wearing blissful smiles. Togepi stood in the center of the golden mist, looking like a little angel.
"It wasn't the offensive move I expected," I thought, "but this is even better for the Appeal." I raised my hand, signaling the finale. "Let's finish this with a bang, Togepi! Give everyone a Sweet Kiss!"
"Togepi-pri-pri~ (Okay, Mommy! Watch this!)"
Togepi blew a kiss toward the sky. A massive, glowing pink lip-print condensed above his head, vibrating with Fairy-type energy. Then, with a playful "Pri!", Togepi jumped and tapped the bottom of the giant print.
POP!
The large lip-print burst into thousands of tiny, sparkling pink kisses that rained down over the entire audience.
In a normal battle, this move would cause Confusion. But here, with the mood set by Aromatherapy and Charm, it was pure magic. As the tiny kisses touched the audience members, their adoration for Togepi reached a fever pitch.
"I need to hug it! Now!" "Togepi, look over here! Big sister loves you!" "Move aside! That kiss was for me!"
The stadium erupted in cheers as Togepi and I took a deep bow, the golden mist still swirling around our ankles.
"Even as the performance ends, the scent lingers," Marian said, her voice sounding a bit dazed as she stepped back onto the center stage. "I can still see Togepi's adorable smile in the mist. What an incredible show! But now, let's see what the judges have to say about Julian and Togepi's performance!"
She turned to the table where the four judges sat.
Mr. Contesta, the head judge, cleared his throat. "Togepi's performance was, in a word, masterful. He successfully captured everyone's attention from the very first second. The use of Metronome to produce Aromatherapy was a gamble that paid off beautifully. As Marian noted, the scent was unlike anything I've encountered—it brought a profound sense of comfort to the venue. Usually, I look for technical prowess, but the way Togepi displayed his inherent cuteness as a form of art was truly excellent."
Mr. Sukizo, the Fan Club President, didn't even wait for his turn. He just leaned into his mic, his eyes twinkling. "That cute Togepi... it's very remarkable! I like it!"
Nurse Joy was next, her expression soft and motherly. "I agree with Mr. Contesta. The scent of that Aromatherapy was something special. Generally, the scent of that move is influenced by a Pokémon's upbringing and its current mood. Through that fragrance, I could feel the deep bond between the Trainer and Togepi. It is said that a Togepi's shell is filled with happiness, and I believe we truly smelled the happiness from within. This Togepi has the power to heal hearts with a single smile."
Finally, all eyes turned to the special guest judge. Fantina leaned forward, a playful smirk on her face as she looked at me.
"Oh~!" she exclaimed, her French accent thick and melodic. "Togepi's performance was truly a beautiful dance of the soul! You began by captivating the audience with the 'entrance'—using Attract in a way that felt like a red carpet opening. Then, using Charm to highlight Togepi's natural spirit... it was magnifique! Even the Metronome showed the Coordinator's confidence. You did not know what would happen, yet you trusted your partner!"
She gestured toward the stage. "That Aromatherapy was as if the happiness inside Togepi's egg was shared with all of us. And the ending! That Sweet Kiss... you stripped away the confusion effect and replaced it with pure attraction. It proves that Togepi has incredible control over his energy. You showcased the elegance of a Contest perfectly by centering the entire show around Togepi's unique charm. Very well done!"
I felt a massive weight lift off my shoulders. "Thank you very much!" I called out, picking up Togepi.
"It seems our four judges were deeply impressed!" Marian announced to the cheering crowd. "A high score for Julian! But the show must go on! Let's welcome our second contestant to the stage!"
As I walked back into the darkness of the wings, Togepi snuggled into my arms, exhausted but happy. We had survived the first round. But I knew the battle round would be a completely different story.