The atmosphere inside the Castelia Contest Hall was electric as the final performances concluded. As the Talent Round continued, Mira found herself unable to focus on the remaining competitors. The tension in her chest made it impossible to sit still and watch. Instead, she took a step back from the contest floor, finding a quiet corner with Snivy at her side.
She pulled out her notebook, flipping through pages filled with strategies, move combinations, and past contest notes. Her hands trembled slightly as she traced over the handwritten plans she and Snivy had prepared.
Snivy, sensing her nerves, nudged her arm lightly with her tail. Mira looked down, meeting her partner's steady gaze.
"We planned for this," she murmured, forcing a small smile. "We went over every possible routine, every transition. We practiced Grassy Glide until it was seamless, and Vine Whip's timing is sharper than ever."
Snivy gave a confident smirk, standing tall. Seeing her Pokémon's unwavering determination settled something inside Mira. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension ease slightly. The sounds of the contest continued in the background, the cheers and announcer's voice distant, but Mira focused only on Snivy and the notes in her hands.
"Alright," she said, voice steadier now. "Let's go over our transitions one more time, just to keep our minds busy. No matter what happens, we gave it our all."
With that, she and Snivy reviewed their plan, the movement of turning pages and quiet discussion giving Mira something to ground herself in. It wasn't until the final round wrapped up and the last competitor left the stage that she finally looked up, her heartbeat steady once more.
Now, it was time to see the results.
The Talent Round had tested each Pokémon's ability to captivate and impress, and now, with all scores tallied, it was time for the award ceremony.
Mira stood in the waiting area, Snivy at her side, her heart still racing from their performance. The leaderboard overhead displayed the final standings:
Sneasel – Intro: 14/15 | Talent: 13/15 | Total: 27/30
Snivy – Intro: 13/15 | Talent: 14/15 | Total: 27/30
Ninetales – Intro: 13/15 | Talent: 13/15 | Total: 26/30
Kirlia – Intro: 12/15 | Talent: 13/15 | Total: 25/30
Helioptile – Intro: 11/15 | Talent: 13/15 | Total: 24/30
Buizel – Intro: 10/15 | Talent: 12/15 | Total: 22/30
Mira exhaled slowly. A tie for first place.
She glanced down at Snivy, who stood poised, tail flicking with quiet confidence. They had given it their all, and now it was up to the judges to determine who would take home the ribbon.
Eliza, standing close by, nudged Mira gently. "You're doing that thing again—staring like you're trying to will the results into existence."
Mira blinked, tearing her gaze away from the scoreboard. "I just... I can't believe how close it is."
Eliza smirked. "Well, whether we win or not, Snivy just proved she's a powerhouse. But if it helps, I'm already planning how to tease you if you don't win."
Mira huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. "Thanks for the support, I guess?"
Eliza grinned. "Anytime."
The announcer's voice rang out through the Contest Hall speakers, drawing the attention of the audience and participants alike.
"What an incredible display of skill and artistry in today's Cool Appeal Normal Rank Contest! Each Coordinator and their Pokémon have showcased stunning performances, but now it is time to recognize our top competitors."
The stage lights dimmed, and the spotlights shifted to the front of the stage, where a large pedestal stood. In front of it, a small display screen glowed, showing the Cool Appeal Normal Rank symbol—a stylized 'C' with a single silver star beneath it, representing the first level of contest achievement. Atop the pedestal, the Cool Appeal Normal Rank Ribbon rested—a deep blue ribbon with silver accents shaped like a swirling gust of wind, gleaming under the lights.
"Before we present the ribbon, let's take a moment to recognize our top three finalists!"
Mira inhaled sharply as her name flashed across the screens, right next to Sneasel and Ninetales. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their excitement filling the hall.
Each of the three finalists stepped forward, their Pokémon beside them.
The Sneasel's trainer, a confident-looking boy with sharp eyes, smirked slightly, offering a nod in Mira's direction. His Sneasel stood tall and proud, arms crossed, its cool demeanor fitting perfectly within the Cool Appeal category.
The Ninetales' trainer, an elegant girl in a flowing outfit, smiled warmly as she accepted her own randomly assigned prize from the Fan Club, giving her a small look of curiosity before tucking it away. Her Ninetales, tails swaying in unison, radiated grace as it held its head high.
And then there was Mira and Snivy. Snivy stood with a quiet composure, a stark contrast to the bold presence of Sneasel and the poised elegance of Ninetales.
The judges stood from their panel, exchanging glances as murmurs spread through the audience. Some spectators whispered excitedly, exchanging guesses on who would win, while others sat on the edge of their seats, waiting for the verdict. The Contest Official took the microphone, and the hall fell into an expectant hush.
"This was one of the closest competitions we've seen in recent Cool Appeal history. Both Sneasel and Snivy finished with a total score of 27/30, a testament to their trainers' dedication and skill. However, when considering the final impression left by both performances…"
Mira held her breath.
"The winner of the Cool Appeal Normal Rank Contest is…"
A pause stretched the moment, tension crackling in the air.
"Mira Rosemary and Snivy!"
Mira's heart skipped a beat before the sound of cheering and applause crashed into her like a wave. She barely registered the moment before Snivy smirked triumphantly, flicking her tail as she turned to face the audience with poised confidence.
Stepping forward, Mira accepted the Cool Appeal Ribbon, the deep blue fabric shimmering under the stage lights. Along with the ribbon, she was also handed a gift card for Battle Company, a prize awarded to first-place winners, allowing them to stock up on useful training equipment and items. She gently pinned it to her Contest Pass, the realization of their first real contest victory settling in.
The Sneasel trainer, while visibly disappointed, accepted a mystery prize from the Pokémon Fan Club, a tradition for second and third place winners. He then turned to Mira with a respectful nod, acknowledging the narrow win. "You and Snivy really owned that stage," he admitted. "I'll be aiming for a rematch."
Mira grinned. "I'll be ready."
Snivy, mirroring Mira's excitement, gave a subtle flick of her tail, as if channeling the emotions radiating from her trainer. Mira felt the familiar warmth of connection between them, a quiet but undeniable sense of shared accomplishment.
As the final applause rang out, Mira looked at Snivy, pride swelling in her chest. They had done it. Their first contest, their first ribbon. And this… was only the beginning.
After the ceremony, Mira rushed backstage, where Eliza was waiting with open arms.
"I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!" Eliza exclaimed, practically tackling Mira into a hug. Mira stumbled back a step, laughing breathlessly as she tried to steady herself, the sudden rush of joy overwhelming her for a moment.
Mira laughed, still a little dazed from the whole experience. "I can't believe it… Snivy actually won."
Eliza pulled back, grinning. "Believe it! You two were incredible out there. And now you've got your first ribbon to prove it."
Snivy, standing beside Mira, let out a pleased huff. Petilil, Scout, and Sewaddle, now released from their Poké Balls, gathered around Snivy, chirping and barking in excitement.
Mira held up the Cool Appeal Ribbon, turning it over in her hands. It was proof of their hard work, of Snivy's skill, and of what they could accomplish together.
This was just the first step—and she couldn't wait for what came next.
"Alright," Eliza said, hands on her hips. "So, are we celebrating with food first, or are you going to post about it on PokéChirp first?"
Mira chuckled. "Both. Definitely both."
She pulled out her C-Gear and snapped a photo of Snivy standing proudly in the center, holding the Cool Appeal Ribbon in her vines, while Petilil, Scout, and Sewaddle surrounded her, celebrating. The caption read:
@MiraRosemary: 'Our first contest, our first ribbon! Snivy gave it her all today—couldn't be prouder! #FirstWin #CoolAppealChampion'
Mira hit post, then grinned at Eliza. "Alright, now let's go find something to eat!" She checked the time on her C-Gear. 11:30 AM. That gave them plenty of time to grab a meal and relax before they had to return for Eliza's round at 1 PM.