1.Ash's Story (Part 2: Johto)

Chapter 4: First Ribbon

Morning found us walking out of Route 29 with three new partners and a tired group. Sentret moved beside Lillie and Togepi, rising onto its tail whenever the grass rustled. Heracross wandered between us and the roadside trees, checking every trunk for sap.

Shiny Hoothoot traveled through the branches above us instead of riding on my shoulder. The bird kept pace with small turns of its head, while Pikachu stayed in his usual place against my neck and watched the road ahead.

Pikachu glanced from Sentret to Heracross and then up toward Hoothoot. "We added three partners in one day. I hope today is quieter."

"I hope so too," I murmured. "At least nobody is trapped inside a tank right now."

Lillie immediately looked at me while holding Togepi close. "Do not say things like that before breakfast."

Togepi stirred in her arms and gave a sleepy chirp. "I do not want another loud machine anywhere near me."

"No loud machines," Lillie promised, adjusting Togepi against her chest.

East walked near the front, quieter than usual after the shiny Hoothoot capture. He did not look angry, but his eyes kept following the branches as if he were still studying the turns Hoothoot had made the night before.

Reisa noticed too. "You are still thinking about Hoothoot."

East folded his map. "I wanted to catch it. I did not, so I am trying to remember what I missed."

Ethan glanced over at him. "That sounds more like you."

Kris opened her notebook. "You predicted most of its flight path correctly."

East looked at the notebook. "Please do not turn last night into a report about me."

Kris smiled. "I was writing about Hoothoot."

"That is better," East said.

The road widened ahead, and rooftops appeared beyond the trees. Colorful banners fluttered between lampposts, each painted with ribbons, stars, and silhouettes of Pokémon mid-performance. After the quiet forest, the town looked almost too bright.

Reisa stopped when she saw the largest poster hanging near the entrance.

"Flornando City Contest," she read.

The word changed her expression immediately. She did not rush forward or shout, but her attention sharpened as if someone had started a song only she had been waiting to hear.

Lillie smiled. "This is the Contest from the poster we saw in New Bark."

Reisa nodded, already looking past the gate toward the buildings. "A real Johto Contest."

Ethan stared at the poster. "So it is a battle with costumes?"

Kris frowned thoughtfully. "Or a move demonstration with judges?"

"Both are incomplete," Lillie said. "Contests use moves and battles, but the judges also care about control, timing, appearance, and how well the Pokémon's strengths are shown."

Pikachu leaned down beside my ear. "So everyone still wants the attacks to look impressive."

I laughed. "That is part of it."

Kanto had taught me battle pressure, badges, captures, and what it felt like to stand across from the Elite Four. Contests were different. I had watched Mom, Wallace, and Serena enough to know that winning depended on more than landing the strongest hit.

I had also promised myself I would not treat Contests as somebody else's road.

"I am entering," I said.