The first day of the festival was fun and it ended with fireworks being released in different colours and shapes of Pokemon. It was a fun night and the second day of the festival saw more tourists and trainers mingling in with the local crowd. Molly and Max were taking part in a Junior Pokemon contest and battle competitions and were being encouraged to take part by the older teenagers. Ash and Ruby even encouraged them saying they had been training with Champion level Pokemon so they were more then ready. Ash pointed out they even tackled a Legendary Pokemon quest and walked away alive. No other non - trainer could honestly boast about doing that more than once, so they should trust themselves more. The two looked more determined to take part in the Junior contest and battle. Rudy and Misty, it seems have gotten over the manipulative actions of their friend and forgiven her provided, she never did it again.
Ash smiled as he sat with his Pokemon, 'All in all this is a fun festival and the best part there has been no trouble.'
Lucario, -Look Meema, Max has gone to the semi finals.-
Ash, "So, he has. Oh! It looks like he is going up agains Roxanne's students."
May, "Roxanne? Do you think she is here?"
Misty, "She is the Rustboro city Gym leader, right?"
Ash, "Yup, and she teaches kids to battle and how to care for their Pokemon."
Melody, "Is it that Lady sitting over there? She is waving this way."
Ash looked in that direction, "Yep, that's her. She must have come here on a break and to show support to her students. Oh dear!"
May, "That's Tommy, Max has a beef with him because of what he said."
Ash felt his eyebrows go up, "Max? A beef? What did this kid say?"
May mumbled looking at her lap, "Nothing new just the usual for us."
Rudy sighed, "May, kiddo nobody has the right to be an asshole to others, not without consequences. What happened kid?"
May muttered, "You know! That thing about us being gym kids and therefore nepo babies and other stuff like that."
Ash stared blankly, "And the fact that the winner of a conference is acting as a guide for Max did not help matters either, did it? I am sorry, May."
May looked up at that shaking her head, "It is not your fault, Ash. It was actually very kind of you to help my brother. Not to forget, you did not know who he was back then. Max told us about you, you know? He was so happy to meet someone who treated him like a normal kid, still does."
Ash looked at where Max was, "Still, it would not be easy to deal with those judgemental stares. The best thing to do would be to show them how much he has grown and understood himself, his Pokemon and he is not some pushover."
Misty scowled, "Besides, so what if we are Gym babies? We have to train and study just like everyone else out there. We did not just get strong by lazying around either."
Ash pat Ralts who was enjoying the battle, "We really cannot control how others think, only prove to ourselves we are right."
Ralts, -Meema, I want to battle too.-
Ash smiled, "After a few months baby, your body is still to young to handle powered moves like that one."
Diance, "Di diance."
Misty smiled, "Dewgong is having a baby too."
Rudy, "Oh! You look excited."
Misty, "Well, she coupled with Golduck so we are kind of excited to see who will join us."
Rudy grinned, "I understand the feeling. Are you expecting a Psyduck or a Seel?"
Misty, "I am happy with either one as long as they are healthy."
Serena stood up, "Max won!"
May cheered as well, "That's my baby brother. Woo hoo!"
Max waved on hearing his sister's voice and Breloom stood between him and the reporters, looks like Breloom really did not like reporters. Ash could not blame the fighter considering every time they were recognised in a City, they kept getting followed. Max was placating the fighter who was overprotective and Lucario and Ruby's Sceptile looked very smug. Ash was a little scared of asking exactly what the fighting and grass type has been training the other grass slash fighter type. Ruby's Sceptile tapped Ash's shoulder asking him to follow him and the dark haired teen followed the older teen. A night ago Ruby had requested Cheryl's surprise appearance at the festival and Ash had agreed. His Eevee, Abra, Phanphy and Wigglytuff were ready to perform as well, Diance wanted to stay closer to her new baby sister and opted out. Ash pat her head gently and got ready to perform the closing piece.
Melody, "Wait! Ash?"
Lucario, -Ruby requested help from him.-
Chloe, "Ah! Cool!"
Gou, "Hmm! The rewarding ceremony is going to be interesting."
Molly, "Looks like I made it in time. I saw Ash on the way."
Misty, "Shouldn't you be down there too?"
Molly, "Yeah, the final performances are to be held before the final battle."
Serena, "You will do great Molly, do not fret!"
Melody, "Yeah, we are cheering for you."
Chloe, "Show them who's boss!"
Molly laughed nodding and then heading to the field below where she and her Pokemon would be taking part in the last leg of the Junior contest performance. May smiled feeling very nostalgic remembering her first time taking part in Junior contests. She lost some and she won some and had a lot of fun while doing it. The finals were on and Molly was up first going against another Junior contestant from Hoenn region. They cheered as Mudkip used her moves to attack and defend from her opponent while dancing around and having fun. Max was loudly cheering for her as she and Mudkip danced around their opponent's attacks. They were following Ash's old advice, power moves were useless if they missed. It worked like a charm as the opponent got tired and Mudkip used the chance to knock the Swablu out.
Cheryl's voice rang out, "The winner is Molly! Let's give her a loud round of applause everyone."
The audience were shocked by her sudden appearance but soon burst into loud cheers and the announcer introduced Cheryl as the person who would give the reward. Molly's eyes were twinkling as she accepted the Junior ribbon which was smaller than the regular contest ribbon and a certificate. They stood together for a short photo session with Molly smiling brightly at Ash in disguise while Cheryl winked playfully at her. As Molly left to join her friwnds the reporters asked if she was a big fan of Cheryl to which Molly answered a big yes then ran to her seat between Rudy and Gou. The teen and the Gym leader both waved the reporters away saying they could have a press conference later, if they really needed answers. That meant not ever, just because Molly's parents were not here, it did not mean she would be pushed around by others.
Cheryl clapped her dainty hands, "Now, let's move to the next battle, shall we? The Junior Battle conferernce."
The audience cheered again as Cheryl smiled brightly, her light blue eyes shinning on the screen as she twirled in her black and yellow lolita dress to sit next to Ruby. Ruby was watching her amused by the dramatics while behind them Enerald was also in disguise, except, she was dressed as a guard. Emerald was also amused by how easily, Cheryl, had caught everyone's attention allowing her and Ruby to catch up. Most would see the Champion talk with a gusrd but the three of them knew better. Serena though was watching Cheryl with interested eyes, she did not want to admit but she was starting to devlop an interest in lolita outtfits. She did not say it but she definitely blamed Ash for making her grow a thing for those poofy, tight yet flowing dresses. Rudy blinked and looked at Misty who snickered as she nodded at where Ash had left and at Cheryl. The teens eyes gleamed in amusement as they turned their attention return to the junior battlers on the field.
The announcer announced the final two battlers Max from Hoenn going up against Crystal from Sinnoh for the cup of Junior battlers. Crystal and Max did the customary greeting and respect before getting ready for a three on three battle as required. Crystal called for Spheal as her first Pokemo while Max called for Mareep and the two started the battle with Spheal putting up a good fight before getting hit by a thunder kocking them out. Crystal returned Spheal and then called for Luxio and the fight carried on with Mareep getting knocked out this time because of a well placed double kick at her head. Max returned Mareep and called on Houndour making it a battle between canine Pokemon. Cheryl watched the battle with interest, Luxio was one of her favourite Pokemon in the past life. Just like she thought Luxio was truly a Pokemon who could rival Lucario in stubbornness and loyalty.
It was down to Rosarade and Breloom now, a fight two grass types. Rosarade eyed his opponent with curiosity, the fighting slash grass type looked strong and seemed like the stubborn type. Crystal had called for an attack and the fight began with both Pokemon not holding back their strengths. Everyone was excited by the battle between two grass types with different secondary and was looking forward to the result. The Princess was in the Royal suit but soon joined Ruby in the special guest group. ruby introduced the guard as his most trusted security and Cheryl as a trusted friend. The Princess was delighted to meet more people and sat beside them as they commented on the battle. Princess Sara was honestly happy with how the festival was turning out this year especially after the mess last year and let out a breath of relief watching her people cheer.
Ruby hummed, "Max is doing really well. Molly was very confident too."
Cheryl nodded, "Yes... I am however, more worried about what our Pokemon were teaching his Pokemon though."
Sara, "Ah? Is that normal?"
Guard, "That bad?"
Cheryl, "Yes, it is very normal and I would not say bad... More like something that might come bite us in the back in the future sort of thing."
Guard, "Oh! Hey look Max's Breloom won against Crystal's Roserade. That was pretty cool attack move there."
Sara nodded, "Time for you to give the prize again, Lady Cheryl."
Cheryl curtsied, "Of course, my Princess. I shall get to it."
Sara giggled as the red haired trainer sashayed under Ruby's quiet mutterings of she was enjoying the dramatiics a little too much. On the battlefield, the announcer was announcing the winner and Cheryl was presenting the prize. Princess Sara laughed as she left following the red head, because she neede to give a finishing speech as well. The announcer announced Princess Sara's presence and she gave a heartfelt speech thanking everyone for attending the Mirage Kingdom festival. She then turned to the young battlers and contestants thanking and praising them for the amazing performance and battles. Then she announced Cheryl the new darling of Hoenn was going to perform the ending act for the festival. Cheryl walked in confidently with her Pokemon and started to stomp and clap then started to sing a very catchy song that had everyone clapping as well.
Lucario, 'We will Rock you, by The Queens. Nice coice, Meema. Very catchy and obviously hard to resist.'
Ralts, 'Big brother Lucario."
Lucario, 'Yes, Ralts?'
Ralts, 'I want to be able to sing and fight just like Meema.'
Lucario, 'You can little one, you can.'
Serena cheered, "I did not know Cheryl wrote another song."
Gou, "She is always writing something maybe it just clicked and came out?"
Misty, "Who care?"
Rudy, "The music is awesome!"