Chapter 148: Dawn vs. Zoey

Words : 1196 Updated : Oct 8th, 2025

"Misdreavus, take the stage!" Zoey's choice for this round was Misdreavus. She had decided to showcase different Pokémon for her first and second performances. "Misdreavus, use Double Team within the mist!" The Capsule Seal attached to Misdreavus's Poké Ball released a swirling mist as the Ghost-type appeared. Taking full advantage of the fog, Misdreavus swiftly executed Double Team, creating multiple illusions of itself. Then, with a dazzling flash, it followed up with Confuse Ray, the glowing orbs weaving eerily through the fog, adding an ethereal touch to the display. Finally, Zoey commanded Misdreavus to wrap up with a well-rehearsed move—Thunder Wave. The golden electrical waves crackled through the mist, illuminating Misdreavus's illusions in a mesmerizing spectacle. With three distinct techniques, Misdreavus delivered a captivating performance, earning unanimous praise from the judges. Dawn's Turn Backstage in the waiting room, Dawn watched Zoey's performance on the large screen. A tight knot of nerves twisted in her stomach. Zoey... She really is strong. No wonder she already has a Ribbon. But she shook her head and clenched her fists. No! I can do this! Dawn, you've got this! Go for it! You're the best! Contestants took the stage one after another, each trying to outshine the others with their dazzling routines. Meanwhile, in the audience, Anabel turned to Ash with a worried expression. "Ash, I wonder how Dawn is feeling right now... It's her first contest, so she must be really nervous." Ash nodded, his eyes fixed on the stage. "She's definitely nervous. That's just how it is the first few times. She'll get used to it after more contests. It's part of the process. But that Zoey girl you just met—her Misdreavus's Thunder Wave was strong, and her performance style fits the judges' preferences really well. She's probably a top contender for the win. Dawn still has a lot to learn. I just hope she doesn't get too discouraged if things don't go her way." "Pika pika, Pikachu!" "Huh? Pikachu, are you saying this is just like when May entered her first contest?" "Pika!" Pikachu nodded. Finally, it was Dawn's turn! "You got this, Dawn! Go!" Taking a deep breath, Dawn stepped forward as the curtain rose. Ash, Anabel, Zoey—who had returned to the waiting room—and her mother, Johanna, watching from home, all had their eyes locked on her. So nervous... For a moment, doubt crept in. But she shook it off. "Piplup, take the stage with style!" Dawn had attached a Bubble Seal to Piplup's Poké Ball. As the small blue penguin emerged, shimmering bubbles floated around it, reflecting the stage lights beautifully. "Pip-piplup!" Piplup swayed its tiny body cutely, and Dawn began her commands. "Piplup, use Bubble Beam! Mix your bubbles with the ones from the Capsule Seal!" "Pipluuup!" Piplup released a stream of bubbles that intertwined with the existing ones. The contrast between the Capsule Seal's crystal-clear bubbles and Piplup's deeper blue ones created a mesmerizing effect, making the display even more enchanting. "Great! Now, use Peck—focus all your power into your beak!" "Pipluuup!" Piplup's beak elongated, glowing with energy as it leaped into the air. Then— Pop! Pop! Pop! It pecked at the bubbles, bursting them one by one in a stunning chain reaction! "Whoa! Everyone, look at that! Piplup's beak extended—this is a sign of precise control! What an impressive display!" As the bubbles burst, tiny water droplets sparkled in the air, showering down and making Piplup's feathers glisten beautifully. "A unique performance—very impressive." "Oh my, I love it!" "The scattered water droplets highlight Piplup's charm even more, making its color stand out. A wonderful presentation!" The judges showered Dawn with praise. Applause erupted across the venue, waves of cheers rolling through the audience. "Thank you, Miss Dawn and Piplup, for that delightful performance! Now, let's welcome our next contestant—" ..... Once all the performances were completed, tension filled the air. The judges now had to select the top eight Coordinators who would advance to the next round—the battle performances! "Dun-dun-duuun! Everyone, look at the screen! These are the eight contestants who made it to the next round! And now, let's see how the battle matchups will be decided—random selection by the computer!" Dawn held her breath as the names appeared on the big screen. She made it! Zoey did too! And then— Dawn's opponent was... Zoey! Her heart skipped a beat. "I'm so nervous... But Zoey looks so calm, so confident. I still have so much to learn... But no worries! I'll do my best, catch up to everyone, and then surpass them!" Battle Round Begins! The second round kicked off! Dawn chose her newly caught Buneary, while Zoey sent out her Glameow. "Dawn, even though we're friends, I won't go easy on you! Glameow, use Shadow Claw!" "Of course not! Buneary, jump and use Ice Beam!" Since Buneary was a Normal-type, Shadow Claw wouldn't affect it. Dawn's logic was sound. But Zoey was a seasoned competitor, with far more experience in making moves look stunning in battle performances. The moment Shadow Claw and Ice Beam clashed, the icy attack tried to freeze over the spectral claw—but Shadow Claw tore right through the forming ice, shattering it into glittering shards that rained down beautifully around Glameow. The judges awarded points to Zoey for style. Meanwhile, Dawn's score dropped! "So amazing... I didn't know it could work like that..." But she wasn't giving up. "Buneary, you're still in the air—use Bounce into a Jump Kick!" "Bun!" Dawn had planned this from the start! Jump Kick, a Fighting-type move, landed cleanly on Glameow, causing Zoey's score to drop more than Dawn's had. The judges noted that Dawn's move not only dealt damage but also effectively showcased Buneary's natural jumping ability—highlighting its charm. "Not bad, Dawn! But I won't let you have another free hit! Glameow, charge in—Shadow Claw again!" "You're using it again? Buneary, freeze the ground with Ice Beam!" A thin layer of ice coated the stage! "Now's our chance! Buneary, go for another Jump Kick!" Dawn's eyes lit up as Glameow slipped slightly on the ice. Another hit—Zoey's score dropped further! But— "Glameow, use Shadow Claw on the ice!" Zoey's quick thinking allowed Glameow to shatter the ice beneath its paws, creating a cascade of tiny ice shards. The unexpected debris disrupted Buneary's landing—sending it crashing down instead! Dawn's points dropped again! "Glameow, use your tail to jump—Steel Tail, now!" "Meow!" "Buneary, grab Glameow's tail with your ears!" The crowd was on the edge of their seats. Both Zoey and Dawn commanded their Pokémon with precision, making full use of their unique abilities. Whether it was Glameow's elegant agility or Buneary's incredible jumps, both Pokémon shone in their own way. The clock ticked down. Neither side had secured a decisive lead. Then— Time ran out! -------------- T/N: Access 40 Chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals

Chapter 148: Dawn vs. Zoey

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