The anticipation in the Contest Hall had reached new heights as the first half of the competition wrapped up. The Introduction Stage had given the audience a taste of what each Pokémon could do but now came the real challenge—the Talent Round. This was where Coordinators proved not just their Pokémon's skill, but their ability to craft an unforgettable performance.
Mira stood in the backstage waiting area, her fingers curled slightly against her Contest Pass. The distant sound of applause echoed from the stage, signaling the end of the previous contestant's routine. She stole a glance at the monitor showing the performance—an impressive display from the Buizel that had just finished a powerful Aqua Jet finale. The audience's enthusiastic reaction sent a small wave of nerves through her stomach. The excitement still thrummed in her veins from Snivy's strong debut. The scoreboard screens overhead displayed the rankings so far, with her 13/15 score plaicing her in the high middle. She had done well, but she would need something spectacular to truly stand out.
Snivy stood beside her, calm and composed, though her tail flicked slightly - a subtle indicator that she was absorbing the energy of the moment. Mira watched as Snivy adjusted her stance, straightening just a little, as if already preparing to walk onto the stage.
Wanting to keep the energy high, Mira quickly retrieved Petilil, Scout, and Sewaddle's Poké Balls, releasing them so they could share the moment. The three Pokémon blinked as they adjusted to their surroundings, but their expressions quickly turned to excitement as they took in the bustling contest environment.
"You all saw Snivy's intro, right?" Mira asked, grinning as she crouched beside them.
Petilil chirped enthusiastically, floting up and down, while Scout let out an eager bark, tail wagging wildly. Even Sewaddle, gave a small approving chitter, watching Snivy with newfound admiration.
Mira chuckled. "See, Snivy? They all believe in you. And I do too. No matter what happens out there, we know you've got this."
Snivy gave a final flick of her tail, glancing at her teammates with a smirk before returning her focus to the stage. The energy surrounding them felt lighter now, filled with camaraderie and excitement.
Around them, other Coordinators whispered final instructions to their Pokémon before heading to the stage. Some adjusted their Pokémon's fur for the perfect shine, while others murmured encouragement before stepping onto the stage.
Eliza, a few feet away, was stretching her arms as Glameow elegantly swished her tail. "Now comes the real test," Eliza said, turning to Mira with an encouraging grin. "Well, for you at least. Our round isn't until the afternoon, so I get to sit back and enjoy the show for now."
Mira nodded, taking a breath. "Snivy's ready. We've trained for this."
A Contest Hall assistant approached. "Mira Rosemary, you're up next. Please head to the staging area."
Mira gave Snivy a final glance. "This is your moment. Let's show them what you can do."
Petilil floated up and down excitedly, while Scout barked in encouragement. Even Sewaddle gave a determined chitter, her tiny body leaning forward as if to push Snivy ahead with her support. Mira smiled at them before reaching for their Poké Balls. "Alright, you three—cheering section time is over. I need to return you to your Poké Balls before we go out there." With a final nod of encouragement, she recalled them, tucking the Poké Balls securely at her side as she turned her full focus to Snivy.
Snivy gave a confident flick of her tail, glancing at her teammates before stepping forward onto the stage, her composure unshaken.
The lights dimmed slightly as Mira took her place at the side of the stage, Snivy stepping forward alone to the center. The announcer's voice rang out over the speaker system.
"Next up in the Cool Appeal – Normal Rank Talent Round, we have Mira Rosemary and Snivy! After an introductory performance showcasing Snivy's precision and commanding presence, she left an impression of controlled elegance and quiet confidence. Let's see how she builds on that in this round!"
A roar of applause filled the Contest Hall as Snivy closed her eyes for a moment, then lifted her head with poise. The energy in the room shifted—the way she carried herself was different now. Mira could tell that Snivy was stepping fully into the performance mindset.
Snivy started by summoning Grassy Terrain, a soft emerald glow rippling across the stage as enchanted grass bloomed like a waking dream beneath her feet. The effect transported the audience into a mystical realm, where nature itself seemed to stir at her command. The glow shimmered with an ethereal radiance under the stage's lighting, casting a mesmerizing glow over the performance.
Then, she moved into Grass Knot—the blades of grass twisting and weaving as though imbued with ancient magic, curling into elaborate spirals and delicate loops as if Snivy were a woodland enchantress bending nature to her will. Gasps rippled through the audience as they watched the patterns form, seemingly with a life of their own. A few murmurs of admiration could be heard from the spectators closest to the stage, and one child in the front row clapped their hands excitedly. Some spectators leaned forward in their seats, entranced by the weaving greenery.
Now came the centerpiece. With a flick of her tail, Snivy released Petal Blizzard, a cascade of glowing petals swirling in a rhythmic, otherworldly dance. The petals shimmered like enchanted embers, twisting and twirling in mesmerizing patterns. As they spiraled around her, Snivy glided effortlessly, her movements so smooth and controlled that she seemed to hover weightlessly, an elegant specter within the floral storm.
"That transition was beautiful," Nurse Joy commented, a small smile on her lips. "It has a flow that feels almost hypnotic."
Then came the finishing touch. As the petals began their descent, Snivy summoned her vines with a graceful flourish—and then, with pinpoint accuracy, Leaf Blade cleaved through the air, its energy crackling like lightning through the floral storm. The petals, caught in the force of the motion, erupted outward in a dazzling burst, cascading like a celestial waterfall of vibrant pink and emerald, as if the stage itself had been painted by magic. The final shimmer of energy made it appear as if Snivy had momentarily drawn the power of nature itself to her side.
As the final petal landed, Snivy stood tall and unwavering, her tail flicking once in confident punctuation. A perfect ending pose.
The audience erupted into thunderous applause. Some even rose from their seats, the spectacle having left a lasting impact.
Mira released a breath, her heart racing. The performance had gone exactly as planned, with Snivy executing every transition flawlessly.
The judges shared a few quiet words before the Contest Official spoke. "An excellent display of environmental control and fluid movement. Snivy's precision is impressive, and the way she transitioned between techniques was well thought out."
"Very elegant," Nurse Joy agreed. "It had a natural flow, and the final move really tied everything together beautifully. The way she combined Petal Blizzard with her movement made it feel like an artistic performance rather than just a display of power."
The Pokémon Fan Club representative leaned forward. "A bit more intensity in the Leaf Blade could have added extra flair, but overall, this was a strong and visually captivating performance. Snivy exuded confidence, and the way she seamlessly blended Grassy Glide with Petal Blizzard created an enchanting, almost otherworldly effect—like she was gliding through a dream. The fluidity of her movements kept the audience entranced from start to finish." The audience was fully captivated, with some still whispering in awe at the spectacle they had just witnessed.
The screen above flashed with the scores:
Contest Official: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Nurse Joy: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Fan Club Representative: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Total: 14/15
Mira exhaled, nodding to herself. The moment before the numbers appeared had felt agonizingly long, her heart hammering in her chest. But now, with the scores lighting up the screen, she finally allowed herself to breathe.
Snivy turned, flicking her tail as she walked back toward Mira, who bent down with a proud smile. "You were amazing out there. That was exactly what we worked for."
Snivy smirked in return, eyes shining with satisfaction.
"And with that, Mira Rosemary and Snivy have completed their Talent Round! Let's hear it for them!" the announcer called as the audience cheered.
As Mira and Snivy stepped off the stage, she felt a wave of relief and accomplishment wash over her. She glanced up at the scoreboard again—Snivy's score had placed them firmly in the top three. A mix of excitement and disbelief swelled in her chest. They had not only proven themselves, but now had a real chance at taking home a ribbon.