After Pelipper took the stage, it immediately used Mist.
Then, like a butterfly dancing among flowers, it flew gracefully back and forth through the air.
As it moved, the drifting white mist gathered together under its control, gradually forming a giant heart shape.
Once the heart was complete, Pelipper soared high into the sky.
The next moment, it folded its wings and dove downward like a razor-sharp spear.
Its body shot straight through the center of the mist heart.
A perfect reenactment of the phrase:
"An arrow through the heart."
Or perhaps more accurately—
"That one really hit right in the feels."
It was undeniably a clever performance.
The audience responded enthusiastically, and when the votes were counted, Pelipper received an impressive 4,953 votes.
Compared to many of the Pokémon that relied purely on cuteness, it was an exceptionally strong result.
Unfortunately, strong wasn't enough.
Compared to Ash.
Compared to Clarissa.
Compared to Misty.
It still fell just short.
The moment the final performance concluded, the lights throughout the arena shifted.
Spotlights gathered atop the diving platform.
Daisy, Violet, and Lily stepped forward once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"We are the guides of love and dreams, the witnesses of beauty and brilliance, the Cerulean Gym Sisters— Daisy, Violet, and Lily!"
Their excited voices echoed throughout the stadium.
"After two full days of intense competition..."
"After countless breathtaking Pokémon and unforgettable performances..."
"The Cerulean City Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Competition has finally reached its conclusion!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"This year's competition welcomed a total of 646 contestants."
"In the First Round Elimination Stage, only those who surpassed the 80% approval line advanced, eliminating over eighty percent of all participants and leaving only 120 contestants."
"In the Second Round Advancement Stage, contestants were divided into groups of three, competing directly for a single advancement spot. In the end, only forty contestants moved forward."
"In the Third Round Semifinals, all contestants competed together, and the Top Ten by total votes advanced to the finals."
"And now..."
"The Fourth Round Grand Finals has officially concluded!"
"Like the semifinals, all finalists competed together, with rankings determined solely by vote totals."
"The top three contestants will receive the championship honors."
"All ten finalists have now completed their performances."
"So next..."
"Let's reveal the final rankings of the Grand Finals!"
The sisters raised their microphones dramatically.
"Five thousand audience judges!"
"Ten finalists backstage!"
"And everyone watching from home!"
"Are you ready?!"
The crowd immediately roared back.
"WE'RE READY!!"
The response shook the entire venue.
"Very good!"
"Then after a short commercial break we'll return with the results—"
Daisy suddenly paused before breaking into laughter.
"Just kidding!"
The audience burst out laughing as well.
Then the sisters continued.
"The ten finalists who fought their way through the competition and reached the Grand Finals achieved the following results—"
First Place — Ash & Lumina: 5,000 votes
Second Place — Clarissa & Valor: 4,998 votes
Third Place — Misty & Marill: 4,995 votes
Fourth Place — Tony & Pelipper: 4,953 votes
Fifth Place...
Sixth Place...
The rankings continued until all ten finalists had been announced.
Finally, Daisy stepped forward and raised her voice.
"According to the competition rules..."
"The contestant ranked first is crowned Champion."
"The contestant ranked second is awarded Runner-Up."
"The contestant ranked third receives Third Place honors."
"Therefore—"
"The Champion of the Cerulean Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Competition is..."
"ASH and MILOTIC!"
"The Runner-Up is..."
"CLARISSA and MAGIKARP!"
"And Third Place goes to..."
"MISTY and MARILL!"
The stadium exploded.
"ASH!! ASH!!"
"CLARISSA!! CLARISSA!!"
"MISTY!! MISTY!!"
"MILOTIC!! MILOTIC!!"
"MAGIKARP!! MAGIKARP!!"
"MARILL!! MARILL!!"
Thunderous cheers filled every corner of the arena.
Flowers and applause always belonged to the victors.
Although Daisy, Violet, and Lily had thanked all contestants for their wonderful performances, the audience's enthusiasm was focused entirely on the winners.
Not a single chant rose for the remaining finalists.
Perhaps the audience still remembered some of their performances.
Perhaps they could still vaguely recall Pelipper's heart-piercing dive or the dazzling displays of the other contestants.
But those memories would fade.
As time passed, people would gradually forget them.
Eventually, only the top three would remain in memory.
And even among those three, the memories would continue to narrow.
Years from now, when people talked about the Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Competition held in Cerulean City, most would probably remember only one story.
The story of Ash.
The story of his Shiny Feebas.
The story of the Pokémon that captivated audiences with elegant makeup throughout the early rounds.
The story of the Feebas that shocked everyone by appearing bare-faced in the Grand Finals.
The story of the Pokémon that then evolved into Milotic right before the eyes of five thousand spectators.
It was the kind of moment that would become legend among Pokémon professionals.
A story that would be retold for years.
A memory that simply refused to fade.
Soon, Lily's voice rang out once more.
"Alright!"
"Now let's invite our three winners to the stage for the awards ceremony!"
"The Champion will receive:"
"A Crystal Champion Trophy!"
"One Water Stone!"
"And a cash prize of 50,000 Pokédollars!"
"The Runner-Up will receive:"
"Three months' worth of Water-Type Pokémon food vouchers!"
"And a cash prize of 30,000 Pokédollars!"
"The Third Place winner will receive:"
"One month's worth of Water-Type Pokémon food vouchers!"
"And a cash prize of 20,000 Pokédollars!"
The audience erupted once again.
"ASH!! ASH!!"
"ASH!! ASH!!"
"CLARISSA!! CLARISSA!!"
"CLARISSA!! CLARISSA!!"
"MILOTIC!! MILOTIC!!"
"MAGIKARP!! MAGIKARP!!"
"MARILL!! MARILL!!"
Under the deafening cheers of the crowd, Ash stepped forward alongside Milotic.
Beside him, Clarissa carefully carried the small glass fish tank containing Valor.
And on the other side, Misty proudly walked forward with Marill at her side.
Together, the three friends ascended the award stage.
For this year's Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Competition, the entire podium belonged to their group alone.
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals