Just as Kashiwagi had suspected, that Nosepass possessed the rare Sand Force ability.
If given the chance, Roxanne likely would have set up a Sandstorm to maximize its combat potential. Unfortunately for her, Mawile didn't give her that opportunity. Nosepass had been taken out in a single encounter.
"Mawile's explosive power is astonishing. Her mastery over Magnet Rise is nothing short of perfection," Roxanne remarked as she handed the Stone Badge to Kashiwagi. "Congratulations! You've truly earned this badge!"
"Thank you!" Kashiwagi took it and admired it for a moment.
Unlike the Balance Badge from the Petalburg Gym—which looked like a mix of a dumbbell and the patterns on Rayquaza—the Stone Badge resembled two staggered, triangular rocks. He recalled that in games prior to the fourth generation, badges could boost a Pokémon's stats. He wondered if that applied here... Probably not, he figured.
Roxanne was still marveling at Mawile's burst speed. That ghostly lunge had clearly left a deep impression on her. In reality, Mawile's "Explosive Rocket Strike" was highly dependent on the environment. The rocky terrain of the Rustboro Gym provided perfect springboards for her movement; it would have been a waste not to use them.
Suddenly, Roxanne asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"
"Uh, I'm sorry, but I'll be preparing for the Pokémon Contest tomorrow," Kashiwagi replied. Though he didn't know what she had in mind, he had to decline.
Roxanne looked disappointed. "I was hoping to invite you as a guest assistant for a lecture on Pokémon physical variations. But if you're challenging the Contest, then I understand."
"I'm truly sorry."
"It's no problem. If anything, I was imposing on you. I wish you the best of luck in the Contest!" Roxanne bowed slightly. Kashiwagi returned the gesture before heading back to the lobby.
He took a few minutes to appreciate Roxanne's collection. As a stone lover, her museum was comprehensive. She had everything from Kabuto and Omanyte fossils from Kanto to the Dracovish and Arctozolt fossils from Galar. He wondered if she actually owned the living Pokémon versions... Maybe all of them?
Kashiwagi felt a flicker of curiosity about the ecological park where Roxanne raised her Pokémon, but the thought passed quickly. Mawile was already impatient to start practicing Contest techniques.
-----
Back at the hotel after a quick stop at the Pokémon Center, Kashiwagi confirmed that his battling duo were uninjured. He sent Steelix back to the PC system and focused on calming the excited Mawile.
"Easy now. We haven't even finalized our theme yet, and then there's the matter of costumes."
The Pokémon Contest didn't strictly require grand, expensive formal wear, but to ensure the performance was aesthetically pleasing, many trainers donned outfits or makeup to stand out. Think May's "Princess of Hoenn" look or Dawn's various dresses.
Kashiwagi had no intention of dressing up in anything garish, but a proper suit for a formal event was a necessity.
"Maw-wile~"
Mawile stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, preening. The Soothe Bell behind her head let out a crisp, pleasant chime, making her nod with satisfaction. Perfect as I am! No extra accessories needed!
"You might be perfect, but I'm not. You expect me to go out there in my travel gear? I don't mind, but people might look at us funny". Kashiwagi poked her forehead.
Mawile covered her bangs and pouted at him.
"Alright, come with me to buy some clothes. Or would you rather stay here and watch videos while I go alone?"
"Maw-wile!" I'm coming!
She had to keep an eye on him. If Kashiwagi picked out something weird, it would be a disaster. He was usually reliable, but you never knew. She shuddered, remembering some of the ridiculous outfits she'd seen in the Contest tapes.
Half an hour later, they returned. Kashiwagi's face still twitched with "wallet-pain".
"The word 'high-end' is terrifying. Five hundred thousand for a single outfit!"
Suits in the Pokémon world had tiers, and the price gap between mass-market and designer brands was massive. Wanting something quality, he'd gone to a custom tailor. The total for the suits and leather shoes was enough to make him want to cry. He had almost walked out to find a cheaper shop, but Mawile had stopped him.
Since she seemed to love the look of the place, he'd bitten the bullet and bought two sets—one for the stage and one for backup.
----------
"Theme! Even if we don't get the Ribbon this time, we need to make a splash!" Kashiwagi said seriously. Mawile nodded with equal gravity.
The core element of the first appeal is: How do you showcase your Pokémon's brilliance?
Mawile's brilliance...
----
Appearance: Her soft fur, large expressive eyes, and delicate cries made her naturally cute. Lisia's praise proved her "visual" score would be top-tier.
Personality: She was a pampered "young lady," but her manners were impeccable. She already knew how to bow and greet people with grace.
Talents: Eating a whole cake in one day? No... Her explosive power was a plus, and her Magnet Rise flight was rare. Then there was dancing. To learn Swords Dance, Mawile had learned various strange dance routines under Kashiwagi's guidance.
----
"How about... a 'Flying Sword Dance'?"
"Maw?" She didn't quite follow.
"Actually, I don't know how to fence, and I can't exactly commission a custom sword right now..." Kashiwagi sighed, shelving that high-potential idea for later.
Spinning was a safer, more reliable bet. If they could make the scene grand enough, they'd pass the first round easily.
"What if we use Fairy Wind and Magnet Rise as the core?" Kashiwagi showed Mawile a video he'd filmed of her using Fairy Wind. "We soften those wind blades into a warm breeze, combine it with the flight from Magnet Rise and the glow of Fire Fang, and you perform a spinning dance. We'll call it: The Bewitching Fire Dance. What do you think?"
"Maw... wile?" Mawile hesitated, struggling to visualize the combination in her head.