Chapter 571: The Celebration Begins

A bunch of Pokémon?

All Baimu's mind was the first to flash with the image of a pink-haired girl with twin tails.

Right after that, he also recalled that there was another person in the Liarus City area who also had Plusle and Minun—

Sho.

One of the protagonists of the movie "Visitor from the Sky."

He formed a bond with a Deoxys that came from beyond the sky, and together with Ash, resolved the rampaging Block Bot incident, going from being afraid of Pokémon to being able to get close to them.

"Where did you two come from?"

He pinched Minun's ear.

"Minun~"

The giggling Minun felt a bit ticklish, shook its head and crackled with static electricity; the numbing sensation startled All Baimu into quickly pulling his hand back.

"Plusle!"

Seeing this, the Plusle beside it excitedly poked its head over, wearing a face that said "My turn, my turn!"

All Baimu pinched it too.

Zzt!

Fine threads of electricity danced through the air.

The two rabbit-like Pokémon immediately began dancing and laughing joyfully, then hopped onto his knees and touched the positive and negative tips of their tails together.

Bzzzz—

Amid a sharp crack, a bolt of bright yellow electricity suddenly shot up, like a celestial maiden scattering flowers.

"Pluslelelele—"

"Minunununu—"

The two Plusle and Minun, amusing themselves, were overjoyed.

All Baimu, however, raised his phone with lingering fear. Luckily he had lifted it in time and hadn't been touched by the wild electricity—otherwise he'd have had to pray that its build quality was up to snuff.

One must know that in the homes of many Electric-type Pokémon trainers, electronic devices are considered short-term consumables.

"Ah! Where did these Plusle and Minun come from?"

Miss Liuqi and Dawn finally noticed the two adorable "uninvited guests." The former gave an auntie-like smile, while the latter froze for a moment and looked around.

"Ursula is here too?"

Plusle and Minun had once been her psychological shadow, and Ursula had even used them in an attempt to break her composure.

But Dawn, as the female version of Ash, was best at breaking through her own limits in battle, so even though her afro became the butt of countless audience jokes, she still fought alongside her partners to defeat Ursula and the Plusle and Minun.

At this moment.

A light-blue-haired boy rushed in from outside in a small jog, his face full of apology and panic.

"Sorry! I'm really sorry! Excuse me, are Plusle and Minun here?"

"Minun!"

"Plusle!"

Seeing their trainer, the Plusle and Minun immediately pounced into his arms in high spirits. Then the staff member who had led the way earlier came in, apologizing as he led the boy away.

Apparently Plusle and Minun had crawled here through the ventilation ducts from the library on the floor above.

A must-pass route for small Pokémon?

All Baimu wore a strange expression and asked loudly, "Are you Sho?"

"Y-you know me?"

Sho, with one foot already out the door, turned his head in confusion.

"I know your father one-sidedly, so I have a vague impression of you as well," he explained with a smile.

Hearing this, Sho assumed he was an admirer of his father and couldn't help but bow in a fluster. "I see, I'm so sorry for disturbing you this time."

Clearly the boy didn't want Plusle and Minun's reckless behavior to give All Baimu a bad impression of his father.

"It's fine."

All Baimu watched him leave.

Miss Liuqi and Dawn asked curiously in turn, "That boy's father?"

"Who is that child?"

"His name is Sho. His father is Professor Lund, one of the managers of Liarus City," he explained softly.

All Baimu's view of Sho was rather peculiar, because the latter had once developed a fear of Pokémon after facing a panicked, fleeing herd of Walrein and Sealeo…

Logically speaking.

On one hand, he marveled at Sho's luck—Simba's father fell into a stampeding herd of animals and was immediately trampled to death, yet Sho curled up behind a rock with nothing to shield him, and somehow came out completely unscathed.

On the other hand, he didn't quite understand why the psychological trauma inflicted on this guy by Walrein and Sealeo made him fear all Pokémon.

The Walrein went berserk, so fear them—fine.

What does that have to do with Pikachu and other Pokémon?

If Pokémon feared humans because of poachers, that would still hold water—after all, most humans look extremely similar to one another. But Walrein and Pikachu…

Although they're both classified as Pokémon, they're completely different kinds of beings!

It's like being knocked down by a pack of dogs as a child and then fearing cats and mice along with them.

One can only say that many people in the Pokémon world fundamentally believe there are only two kinds of living beings in this world—

Humans and Pokémon.

But now Sho's Pokémon phobia has already healed, and Plusle and Minun have become his Pokémon partners.

"Poor Lillie might still have to wait another half a year or even a full year."

All Baimu thought of Lillie, who was far away in the Alola region and also had Pokémon phobia.

Only the latter's case was more severe, not fully healing until the middle-to-late parts of the Sun & Moon anime, but Lillie's Pokémon phobia stemmed from Zorua's irresponsible hypnosis, which created a psychological shadow in her for the purpose of erasing memories.

If one had to solve it, it would be much simpler than Xiao Chao's case.

Night.

The tournament office held a competitor banquet.

Almost all Coordinators who had qualified to participate were present.

Some came to observe their opponents, some for social networking, others to gather information; the bright hall was packed with over two hundred Coordinators and Pokémon.

Amid the coming and going of people, All Baimu was full of wonder.

"So many people earn five Ribbons every year…"

Although the Contest had developed to the point where almost every slightly larger town had a branch venue, and the Hoenn region under the anime's setting had far more towns than just the few in the games.

Still, this number could only be called exaggerated.

However.

These two hundred-plus people would be whittled down to just sixty-four in the preliminaries' Appeal Performances, and the only one who could ultimately earn the title of Top Coordinator was the winner.

One could say it was quite brutal…

The Trainers' League Conference was a step above even this!

All Baimu couldn't help but shudder all over at the thought that even the Pokémon anime world, supposedly a utopia, was this competitive.

The end of the banquet.

A person who appeared to be a high-ranking member of the tournament office stood on the high platform and announced the main tournament's format with a face full of smiles.

"Solo Performance, Double Battles."

That is, the first examination was a single Pokémon's performance, while the Contest Battles expanded to two.

God knows which genius proposed it — under the pretext of raising the prestige of Top Coordinator, the tournament side didn't announce the main tournament's two formats until the eve of the competition.

The preliminaries' rules before that hadn't changed.

"Milotic and Blissey's plans have fallen through."

All Baimu shook his head helplessly; the two had been working hard to accompany Mawile's performance, and their usual group practice hadn't been lacking either, all for the sake of appearing in the Double Performance.

Who would have thought that in the end it was still Mawile's solo show.

He took out a Poké Ball and gently spun it on his fingertip. "I'll have to count on you again this time."

——

Bang! Bang!

Fireworks exploded overhead.

A familiar symphony rang through the entire venue.

Host Vivian held the microphone and said loudly: "You've waited long enough! Friends in the audience! Welcome to the supreme stage of Coordinators — the Hoenn Grand Festival, watched by all!"

"The contestants who have earned five Ribbons this edition number 203 in total. They will put on the most brilliant matches for the audience with their proudest Pokémon! On this stage full of charm, even a single instant of brilliance can become the decisive key!"

"From the Pokémon's entrance to the use of each move, to how to end the performance beautifully, and even the tacit understanding between Pokémon and Coordinator — all will be included in the judges' scope!"

"The ultimate winner will receive the title of Top Coordinator and the Grand Festival Trophy!"

Wah!

Cheers surged like a tide!

The Battle Tower's spectator stands, which could seat forty thousand, were now filled with audience members and Pokémon, all watching the prepared stage below with anticipation, waiting for the brilliant performances to be presented.

"Then, please allow me to introduce the strict yet elegant judges of this Grand Festival!"

Vivian raised her right hand high.

A few people extremely familiar to Hoenn region viewers made their appearance.

"Tournament Office Deputy Director Mr. Patstein!"

A grey-haired old man waved with a smile.

"Pokémon Fan Club's Mr. Yanase!"

A refreshingly handsome guy flipped his bangs with full charm.

"Lavaridge Town Pokémon Center's Nurse Joy!"

A pink-haired nurse waved gently.

"And our special guest — from the Johto region, Gym Leader Mi Ke Li!"

When the beautiful girl with short light-brown hair made her entrance, the entire venue erupted!

In the preparation room.

All Baimu's brow rose as he watched the big screen.

In the Diamond & Pearl and Diamond & Pearl remade games, Mi Ke Li was indeed an NPC who participated in Contests, but he hadn't expected the anime to carry over this role as well.

She seemed to have also made a cameo in the anime Diamond & Pearl?

"Mi Ke Li! I never expected to see her here again!" Dawn's voice was mixed with joy and surprise.

He turned and asked: "You've traveled through Johto?"

"Mm! But the first time we met was in Sinnoh, when Mi Ke Li was still learning Contest battle techniques."

Dawn, who had changed into a pure-white long dress, nodded, then awkwardly scratched her cheek. "As for Johto… I only got second place in the end."

Ah…

Indeed, when she ran off to Unova for a cameo, she had mentioned going to Johto to participate in the Wallace Cup; who would have thought she'd taken part in Contests as well?

But like May, she failed to win for two consecutive editions.

After this edition, it would be the third.

Speaking of which, the female characters who travel with Ash always have terrible luck — not a single one of them manages to place at the end, they basically all lose to their rivals.

Is this some kind of special law?

On the television.

Vivian announces the festival officially begins.

The grand festival is divided into three segments — the Preliminary Performance, the Main Competition First Review (Performance), and the Main Competition Second Review (Battle).

In the Preliminary Performance, Pokémon are only allowed to use one move.

But just as Vivian said, from the moment the ball is thrown to the end of the performance, everything is the judges' scoring standard — one move isn't actually that short.

If you get filtered out because of a single move's flaw, who knows how unwilling you'd feel.

"Have you decided which Pokémon to send out?"

Ulala had appeared beside him at some unknown point.

She, who had always worn curled twin-tails, had let her hair down this time — shoulder-length pink waves paired with a pale-pink short skirt, giving off a proper little-lady air.

"Of course, for a situation where one move decides the outcome, it's the most suitable one to send." All Baimu shook the Poké Ball in his hand. "If I'm not mistaken, you chose Jigglypuff?"

Ulala lifted her skirt and spun a circle, smiling: "Could you tell?"

"You deliberately picked a skirt to match your Pokémon — how could I not tell?"

He shrugged.

Most Coordinators, for the sake of visual beauty, deliberately pick outfits in the same color as the Pokémon they send out, striving to achieve a dual synchronization of appearance and spirit with their Pokémon.

Someone like him, eternally in a black suit, is the rare exception.

Miss Liuqi quietly tugged his sleeve, whispering: "It's not too late to get a new suit tailored — at least you could wear it at tomorrow's official competition."

"The Magma Suit is fine, no need to change."

All Baimu had zero interest in any other outfit.

While the two were chatting.

Coach Ge Man suddenly crowded over. He, wearing a pale-blue suit, stood with his hands on his hips brimming with confidence, and said to Miss Liuqi: "Miss Liuqi! Do you still remember me? As your rival, this tournament's championship is mine for the taking!"

"Then how about a different tie? That deep-red tie, you'll get tired of it after wearing it so long, right?"

Miss Liuqi acted as if she hadn't heard and kept talking.

As a Grand Festival idol who constantly keeps her professional persona in mind, her behavior struck Xiaoguang and Ulala as a little unbelievable.

All Baimu glanced at Coach Ge Man, then looked at Miss Liuqi, and said: "A thing like a tie, whether you change it or not, it's all the same, right?"

"It's totally different~ ties are very important~"

"Hey! Miss Liuqi!"

"Hmm?"

"Of course there is! Next time I'll pick one out for you."

"Did you hear what I said, Miss Liuqi?"

"That wouldn't be quite proper — Mi Ke Li-san and Adam-sensei would get jealous."

"They don't even like ties, they won't get jealous… Oh, looks like it's almost my turn, I'm going to get ready~ Everyone, cheer for me~"

Miss Liuqi smiled and waved her hand, walking toward the contestant corridor.

Only Coach Ge Man, ignored the entire time, was left trembling with rage all over, surrounded by All Baimu and the others wearing strange expressions.

"D-Disgrace of the highest order!"

"Why would Miss Liuqi ignore him?"

Xiaoguang quietly asked All Baimu.

"How would I know… maybe his attitude was too bad and he offended Miss Liuqi?" He shook his head. In the game's setting, Miss Liuqi never liked paying Coach Ge Man any attention.

Naturally carried over into the anime, then?

Probably some behavior of his offended Miss Liuqi. From spending time together these past days, it wasn't hard to tell this girl was by no means an unreasonable person.

When facing the public as an idol versus in private, there was certainly some gap, but it wasn't nearly big enough to make her a completely different person.

The only difference was whether she put sparkles in her speech or not.

"Focus on preparing for the match."

All Baimu glanced at the order sheet.

Since the Preliminary only allowed one move, even though there were well over two hundred participants, the matches proceeded at an extremely swift pace.

With his name drawn early, his turn to appear came quickly.

Passing through the contestant corridor.

In the open-air venue's stage.

Countless pairs of eyes stared at the man slowly walking out.

Immediately after.

The cheers pierced through the clouds!

All Baimu's fame, accumulated all this time, transformed at this moment into nearly the entire venue chanting his name.

"All Baimu! All Baimu! All Baimu!"

Countless people shouted his name at the top of their lungs. Members of the Mawile fan club rose in rows, holding high banners covered with various phrases and giant headshots of him and his Pokémon, waving them frantically.

Just like his personal concert.

"Hiss—"

All Baimu took a deep breath, drew out his Poké Ball, and hurled it forward!

"It's your turn to perform!"