Chapter 127: The Embryonic Form of the Contest Competition
The weather was bright and sunny, almost as if the heavens themselves had decided to bless the beauty pageant. There was no wind, no rain—just a clear, perfect day. However, Ash felt a little out of place.
To be honest, Ash wasn't thrilled about attending this beauty pageant. He found it boring, but he couldn't resist the enthusiasm of Misty and Brock. Begrudgingly, he joined them after breakfast and headed to the beach early in the morning.
The event was held on the beach, with no shade to provide relief from the glaring sun. Ash couldn't help but grumble internally about how exhausting the heat was bound to be.
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The Beauty Pageant Setup
When they arrived at the beach, it was only eight o'clock. The pageant was scheduled to start at nine, but the area was already bustling. A large stage had been set up, and a few workers were busy adjusting the equipment.
In front of the stage was a sectioned-off seating area for the audience, with a capacity of two to three hundred people. Security guards ensured that only ticket holders could enter.
Brock returned after inquiring about the arrangements, looking a bit dejected. "The tickets are sold out!" he informed Ash and Misty with disappointment.
"I told you this whole beauty pageant thing was pointless," Ash sighed. With no option to sit, they had no choice but to stand outside the venue. Even Pikachu seemed to share Ash's disinterest, letting out a quiet sigh.
"No matter what, I'm staying!" Brock declared, reigniting his enthusiasm. "I have to see all the beautiful ladies!" Neither the sun nor the lack of seating could dampen his spirits.
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The Event Begins
By nine o'clock, the beach had transformed into a sea of people. The crowd pressed closer to the stage, eager for the pageant to start. Ash felt increasingly frustrated and considered leaving, but Misty clung to his sleeve, refusing to let him go.
As the crowd surged forward, Ash did his best to shield Misty from being jostled, keeping her close. Meanwhile, Brock had disappeared into the throng, carried away by the tide of people.
Soon, the pageant began. Ash, despite his lack of enthusiasm, found himself curious about the structure of such an event. He remained in place, quietly observing while continuing to protect Misty.
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Judges and Contestants
The host introduced the judges as they stepped onto the stage. Among them was Nurse Joy, whom Ash recognized as the one from the Rampur Pokémon Center. The other two judges appeared to be local celebrities, judging by the crowd's cheers.
The competition started with 32 contestants, and Ash was surprised to discover that it wasn't just a beauty contest for people but also for their Pokémon.
"So this is like a precursor to the Pokémon Contests," Ash muttered to himself, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
The first contestant, a stunning woman with long black hair, danced gracefully alongside her Pokémon. Her white swimsuit contrasted beautifully with her pale, flawless skin, drawing gasps of admiration from the audience. Misty watched with sparkling eyes, captivated by the performance.
"It's beautiful! She's amazing!" Misty exclaimed, her excitement evident.
Ash remained focused on keeping the crowd at bay, occasionally glancing at the stage. The performances were timed to last around five minutes each, followed by the judges' scoring. Doing some quick calculations, Ash realized the preliminary round would last the entire morning.
By noon, the preliminary round ended, narrowing the contestants down to 16. The judges announced a break, allowing both the participants and the audience time to rest. The semi-finals were scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM.
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Lunch Break
Ash and Misty found a small café near the beach to grab lunch, but Brock was still nowhere to be found. Misty didn't seem too concerned, assuming he had found a way to enjoy himself.
During their meal, Misty couldn't stop gushing about the contestants and their performances, occasionally sneaking glances at Ash to gauge his reaction. However, Ash was too preoccupied with his food to pay much attention, giving only minimal responses.
His lack of interest left Misty feeling oddly satisfied, though she didn't let it show.
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The Finals
The beauty pageant resumed in the afternoon with the semi-finals. After another round of eliminations, eight contestants advanced to the finals.
Before the final round began, the host explained the updated rules: the contestants would now need to showcase not only their own beauty but also the charm of their Pokémon. Creativity was encouraged, and they could even use moves to enhance their presentations.
Ash perked up at this explanation. "This is just like the Pokémon Contests!" he exclaimed, surprising Misty.
"Pokémon Contests?" Misty asked, tilting her head in confusion.
Ash nodded and began explaining. "Pokémon Contests are competitions where Trainers and their Pokémon work together to showcase beauty, grace, and creativity. It's different from regular battles. The first round focuses on performances, and the second round involves Contest Battles, where the goal isn't to defeat your opponent but to display the most visually appealing combinations of moves."
Misty listened with interest but didn't seem particularly drawn to the concept. What caught her attention, however, was Ash's knowledge of such events.
"How do you know so much about this?" she asked suspiciously.
Ash hesitated, then quickly replied, "Professor Oak told me about it." He hoped the mention of the famous professor would end her questioning.
Misty seemed satisfied with his answer and turned her attention back to the stage.
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A Glimpse of the Future
The final round of the competition featured dazzling displays of coordination between Trainers and their Pokémon. The creative use of moves, combined with synchronized performances, left the audience in awe.
Ash found himself intrigued, not by the beauty pageant itself, but by the potential for similar competitions in the future. "It seems like Kanto is testing the waters for introducing Pokémon Contests," he mused aloud.
Misty nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. If this event is successful, they might start hosting official Contests to attract more Trainers to the region."
By 5:30 PM, the competition concluded. The top three winners were announced, each receiving loud cheers and applause. Ash, despite his initial disinterest, couldn't help but feel inspired by some of the unique move combinations he had seen during the demonstrations.
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Reflections
As the crowd began to disperse, Ash, Misty, and Pikachu prepared to leave. Brock, who had somehow reappeared with an armful of souvenirs, joined them with a sheepish grin.
While Ash wasn't thrilled about the day's events, he couldn't deny that he had gained some valuable insights. Misty, on the other hand, seemed pleased with the experience, and even Pikachu looked content.
As they walked back to their lodging, the group chatted about their plans for the next day. With the beauty pageant behind them, it was time to refocus on their journey—and the challenges that awaited them.
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