Chapter 26: The Saffron Con, Dazzling Performances!

The night passed quietly, and the golden hues of dawn began to filter through the windows of the Pokémon Center. As the first rays of sunlight lit up the hallways, Misty and May tiptoed toward Ash's room, determined to wake him up early for their morning run. The night before, they had been adamant that Ash join them for some early training to improve his stamina. True to his laid-back nature, Ash had only agreed if they woke him up themselves. Misty pushed the door open, and May followed close behind. As they entered the room, everything seemed peaceful—until Misty yanked back the covers. "Ahhh!" Misty and May screamed in unison, startling Ash awake. "Pika? Pikachu?" Pikachu, curled up at the foot of the bed, leapt up in alarm, sparks flying from his cheeks as he scanned the room for danger. Ash sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on? Did something happen?" His voice was still heavy with sleep. It took a moment for Misty and May to realize what had shocked them: Ash wasn't wearing a shirt. His toned upper body, a result of his constant training and travels, was on full display. "Oh wow... When did Ash get so... fit?" Both Misty and May thought at the same time, their faces turning a deep shade of crimson. They suddenly found it impossible to look directly at him. "What are you two yelling about so early?" Ash asked, his voice still drowsy, clearly oblivious to the situation. "N-nothing! Get up already, lazy bones! We have to go!" Misty stammered, turning away quickly. "Yeah! And maybe put on a shirt!" May added, her voice high-pitched as she tried to maintain her composure. Ash smirked as he stood up and stretched. "Hey, if you two feel guilty about barging in, maybe I should get something in return. Fair's fair, right?" he teased, winking playfully. "No way! Don't even think about it!" they shouted together, their faces turning even redder. Despite the awkward start, the morning run was refreshing, though Misty and May spent most of it avoiding eye contact with Ash. Pikachu, happily perched on Ash's shoulder, seemed to enjoy the energy, sparking occasional bursts of laughter from the trio. By the afternoon, the highly anticipated Saffron Contest was underway. The elegant Saffron Hall bustled with energy as Coordinators and spectators gathered for the event. The stage shimmered with vibrant lights, and the host, Lilian, stepped forward to address the excited crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Saffron Contest! Today's competition promises thrilling performances and dazzling displays of Pokémon talent. Are you ready?" Lilian's enthusiastic voice drew cheers from the audience. Ash, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu had taken their seats near the front, ready to cheer May on. "And now, let's welcome our first contestant to the stage. Here we go!" The first to perform was Harley, who strode onto the stage with his signature smirk. "May, I'll show you just how much better I am!" he thought bitterly. Harley sent out his Cacturne, the dark and eerie Grass/Dark-type Pokémon. With dramatic flair, he commanded, "Cacturne, use Cotton Spore! Follow it up with Needle Arm!" Cacturne released a flurry of glowing Cotton Spores that floated gently in the air, creating an ominous yet mesmerizing atmosphere. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Cacturne used Needle Arm to strike the spores, causing them to burst into shimmering particles that cascaded like fireworks. The audience erupted into applause, impressed by Harley's coordination and precision. Ash leaned forward. "He's good, but May's got this. I know it." As more Coordinators took the stage, each displayed their unique talents. Some thrilled the audience with breathtaking combinations, while others faltered under the pressure. May, watching from backstage, clutched her Squirtle tightly. "It's okay, Squirtle," May whispered, sensing her partner's nervousness. "You're not up until the second round. For now, it's just me and Combusken. We've practiced for this. We've got this!" "Squirtle!" Squirtle nodded, its resolve bolstered by May's confidence. Finally, Lilian announced the last contestant of the first round. "And now, our final performer—please welcome May!" The crowd erupted into cheers as May took the stage, her heart pounding. She glanced at Ash and the others, who were cheering her on enthusiastically. Taking a deep breath, she gave a confident smile and began her performance. "Combusken, let's show them what we've got! Use Fire Spin!" May called out. Combusken released a controlled spiral of flames, creating a fiery vortex that swirled dramatically around the stage. May took off her red bandana and tossed it into the spinning flames, where it hovered without burning. The crowd gasped, captivated by the precision and elegance of the move. "Now, Combusken, jump through the Fire Spin and use Sky Uppercut!" Combusken leapt gracefully through the flames, its claws glowing as it delivered an upward punch. The impact folded the bandana into a neat hat-like shape, and with a final flick, Combusken sent it flying toward May. May caught the bandana mid-air, placing it back on her head with a flourish as she struck a confident pose. The audience erupted into applause, their cheers echoing through the hall. "Incredible! What a display of coordination and creativity! Let's hear it for May!" Lilian exclaimed. Back in the crowd, Ash jumped up, pumping his fist in the air. "That was amazing, May! You're going to crush this contest!" "She's come such a long way," Brock said, smiling proudly. "May's really growing as a Coordinator, isn't she?" Misty added, her admiration clear. May's unique performance captivated the audience, and her friends applauded with pride and excitement. She had truly given her best, and the crowd's cheers left her beaming. -------------- T/N: Access 30 Chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals (Replace '@' with 'a')