Lionel followed the flow of people toward the registration desk, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding contestants, finding that most of those participating in this Pokémon Contest were local Trainers from Mauville City.
Since it was Mauville City's home field, many people were holding Electric-type Pokémon in their arms.
Some Trainers held round little Pichu, whose pink cheeks were sparking with Static;
Other Trainers were quietly directing their Elekid to warm up their joints, the little fellows' fists popping and crackling, clearly well-prepared.
Fragmented discussions could be heard from the crowd from time to time, and the name mentioned most often was a girl named Ludes.
"I heard Ludes is bringing a Blitzle to the competition today. Her 'Thunderous Steps' performance is amazing!"
A boy wearing a hat said excitedly.
"Yeah, she performs at Mauville Park every weekend. I saw it once; the Blitzle's Thunder Shock flickered along with the rhythm, it was like dancing lightning!"
The girl next to him nodded repeatedly.
"She's definitely getting one of the Ribbons this time, and she might even take first place. After all, she's playing on her home turf—"
Lionel listened to these discussions, understanding in his heart that she was likely a formidable rival in this Contest.
He calmly adjusted his livestream camera, aiming it at a girl not far away who was grooming a Blitzle's mane, and said softly, "It seems we've encountered a strong opponent. Everyone, look over there, that's Ludes and her Blitzle."
In the frame, Ludes was wearing a bright yellow short skirt with silver-threaded lightning patterns embroidered along the hem, her neat ponytail swaying slightly with her movements.
She was gently stroking the Blitzle's black-and-white mane, and wherever her fingertips passed, the mane actually stood up slightly as if electric current were flowing through it.
That Blitzle had a sturdy build and long limbs, with Quick Attack vaguely flowing between the black stripes on its forehead.
Hearing the surrounding discussions, it tossed its head proudly, and a small cluster of blue electric sparks puffed from its nostrils with a soft "sizzle," drawing a cheer from the nearby fans.
[This Blitzle looks so energetic!]
[Ludes? That name sounds familiar, I think I've seen her perform at other Pokémon Contests!]
[Host, be careful! If so many people are talking about her, her strength must be extraordinary!]
[Blitzle? I wonder what skills it will perform, I'm looking forward to it!]
Lionel smiled and turned the camera back to himself: "It's more interesting to have opponents, isn't it? That's the only way to stimulate each other's potential."
At the backstage registration area, after the staff verified Lionel's identity information, they handed him a number plate, "No. 127."
"The First Appeals will proceed in numerical order. Your waiting area is over here, please wait for your number to be called."
The staff member pointed to a seating area not far away.
Lionel thanked them and went over to sit down, where many contestants were already seated.
Some were repeatedly checking their Poké Balls, others were practicing their directing movements in front of a mirror; the air was filled with an atmosphere that was both tense and exciting.
Just then, a crisp voice sounded from behind him: "You must be Lionel, right?"
Lionel turned around; it was Ludes.
She had walked over at some point, her Blitzle following quietly at her feet, curiously sizing up Lionel.
"I've seen the footage of your Pokémon Contest in Rustboro City; your Feebas's performance was very impressive."
Ludes's smile carried a hint of confidence, and she paused, her tone gaining a touch of home-field pride: "However, this is Mauville City, my home turf. You'd better be careful in the upcoming competition."
"Likewise."
Lionel responded politely: "I'm also looking forward to your 'Thunderous Steps' performance."
Ludes arched an eyebrow, said no more, and turned back to her seat.
Before leaving, the Blitzle also tossed its head at Lionel, as if greeting him, yet also as if challenging him.
Not long after, a burst of warm applause came from the arena, followed by cheerful guitar music.
Lionel walked to the backstage entrance to look out and saw over a dozen Plusle and Minun hopping onto the field.
They were wearing miniature lightning-shaped vests, their round bodies swaying left and right to the rhythm of the music.
Plusle and Minun were paired up, cheerfully spinning and jumping in the center of the field, their pink and blue figures intertwining.
They would bump into each other from time to time, and every contact would burst forth with fine blue electric current.
The current wove into a flowing net of light, then dispersed with their dance steps, turning into a sky full of light points that exploded on the field like festive fireworks.
"Wow! So beautiful!"
"So cute, I love it!"
Cheers rose from the audience one after another, and even from the judges' table came a rare chuckle from Director Contest.
[This opening performance is just too cute! Plusle and Minun are so adorable!]
[The way Plusle and Minun bump their heads together is so cute, I'm getting goosebumps!]
[Mauville City really is a paradise for Electric-type Pokémon; even the opening act is so characteristic!]
The livestream audience watched with great interest, the comments scrolling rapidly.
After the opening performance ended, the Plusle and Minun bowed slightly in thanks, drawing more screams from the audience.
At that moment, the lights around the arena suddenly went out, leaving only a single spotlight focused on one side of the stage.
A crisp and energetic voice rang out: "Thank you to Plusle and Minun for their wonderful performance!
Next, let's welcome today's host with the warmest applause—me, Vivian!"
With those words, a girl with neat short hair walked onto the stage. Her fair skin and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye made her smile look a bit more playful.
She was wearing a bright yellow tank top printed with a wide-eyed, tongue-poking Pikachu.
The adorable Pikachu pattern with its big eyes formed an interesting contrast with her tall and graceful figure, making her look full of vitality.
"Wow, the atmosphere here is truly intense!"
Vivian raised the microphone and looked around with a smile, the Pikachu on her tank top seemingly moving along with her waving arms. "So, before the competition begins, let's once again welcome the arrival of our three heavyweight judges!"
The spotlights lit up in turn, illuminating the judges' table: "The first one is Director Contest from the Pokémon Association! He has an ultimate pursuit for the aesthetics and technicality of Pokémon skills; please welcome him with applause!
The second one is Chairman Sukizo from the Pokémon Fan Club! As a permanent judge of Pokémon Contests, he has witnessed the growth of countless Pokémon. Welcome, Chairman Sukizo!
The third one is our exclusive Nurse Joy from Mauville City! Although all Nurse Joys have similar faces, their styles each have their own unique characteristics!"
The camera turned to the final judge. This Nurse Joy was wearing a white nurse uniform adorned with lightning patterns, the hem swaying gently in the breeze as if electric current were flowing through it.
She had a small Voltorb hair ornament in her hair, and even the edges of the Red Cross badge on her chest were plated with a pale blue halo, carrying a faint Quick Attack effect.
Compared to the gentle and quiet Nurse Joy judge in Rustboro City, her temperament was more capable and bright, her clothing carrying the unique vitality of Electric-type Pokémon, perfectly fitting the style of Mauville City.
[Wow! Nurse Joy actually has different styles of uniforms! This lightning decoration fits Mauville City so well!]
[Contest and Chairman Sukizo have appeared again; they really are the pillars of Pokémon Contests!]
[The host is so cute! I want that Pikachu tank top too! Link please!]
[Mauville City's Nurse Joy looks so energetic, full of vitality just like a Pikachu!]
"Director Contest, Chairman Sukizo, Nurse Joy, welcome to all three of you!"
Lilian bowed deeply once more: "Friends familiar with Pokémon Contests know that Director Contest and Chairman Sukizo are our old acquaintances; you can see them at almost every important event.
Of course, if multiple competitions are held simultaneously, senior members from other Pokémon Fan Clubs will also serve as judges.
But most of the time, these two are our most trusted reviewers!"
She paused, then changed her tone to something more playful: "And while the Nurse Joys look the same, you can immediately tell which city they're from just by looking at their outfits and temperament.
Just like our Nurse Joy here in Mauville City—doesn't she radiate a charm that's absolutely full of electricity?"
A wave of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience, and Mauville City's Nurse Joy also waved with a smile, the Voltorb decoration on her head emitting a faint, playful glow.
Lilian raised the microphone, her voice suddenly rising with provocative passion: "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, Trainers from afar, and local friends!
Now, in Mauville City, a city full of power and vitality, the Pokémon Contest belonging to Trainers and Pokémon is about to officially begin!"
"First up is the First Appeals—the Performance Stage!
All contestants, please get ready. Our competition starts now!"
As her voice fell, the audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, even the air seeming to boil along with them.
"First, please welcome Contestant No. 1, Toby from Mauville City, and his partner—Elekid!"
Host Lilian's voice spread through the arena via the sound system.
A boy wearing a gray tracksuit walked quickly onto the stage, his palms sweating from nerves, yet he still tried to force a smile, saying into the microphone: "Hello everyone, I'm Toby. Next, please enjoy Elekid's 'Quick Attack Dazzle Dance'!"
He threw the Poké Ball, and with a flash of white light, Elekid landed steadily.
The little guy looked even more lively than when Lionel had seen it backstage earlier, the electric organs on its head flashing with excited light, as if it had a belly full of energy to unleash.
"Elekid, use Quick Attack combined with Thunder Shock!"
Toby commanded loudly.
Elekid's body blurred, turning into a white afterimage that quickly shuttled across the field, leaving faint electric current trails wherever it passed, as if outlining flowing lines on the ground with blue light.
Immediately after, it came to a sudden halt, crossing its arms as fine blue Quick Attack burst out around it, like it was wearing a layer of shining armor, even making the surrounding air feel slightly tingly.
The current swung with its running movements, drawing irregular arcs of light in the air, sometimes like leaping musical notes, other times like blooming sparks.
Although the movements weren't particularly smooth—it even almost slipped while turning because it was going too fast, staggering for a moment before steadying itself—
Fortunately, there were no major mistakes, and it completed the performance fluently.
At the judges' table, Chairman Sukizo was the first to nod, his tone gentle: "Hmm, not bad, I quite like it. Although the control of the skills is a bit green, there's soul in it. You can see the Trainer put thought into designing the movements."
Director Contest stroked his chin, writing something on his clipboard: "The proficiency with Quick Attack isn't quite enough, and the transitions were a bit stiff, but the idea is good. Well done."
Mauville City's Nurse Joy added with a smile, her voice full of encouragement: "Elekid is very energetic, and its coordination with Toby is very tacit. Despite the small slip-up, that passion is the most precious thing. Keep it up!"
Ultimately, the three judges unanimously gave a rating of "7.5 points."
Toby excitedly took Elekid's hand, bowed, and left the stage.
The next few contestants took the stage one after another, each with a different style:
Contestant No. 2 brought a Magnemite and performed an acrobatics show using magnetism to control metal rings.
The Magnemite hovered in the center of the field, its two circular magnetic arms moving flexibly to precisely make rings of different sizes rotate and overlap around it.
From a single-layered circle to double-layered rings, and finally interlocking layer by layer to form a shining metal flower—it was very creative.
Contestant No. 5's Voltorb demonstrated releasing electric current while spinning at high speed, forming a constantly expanding electric ring.
It was like a non-stop spinning top, the current around it spreading outward as the rotation speed increased. The electric ring grew from the size of a fist to half a person's height, blue electric arcs dancing on the ring, a dazzling sight.
Midway through, because the rotation was too fast, the Voltorb almost lost control and rolled off the edge of the field, but fortunately, it adjusted its rotation direction in time and spun back right at the boundary line.
This thrilling recovery save won cheers from many in the audience, and even Lilian joked with a smile: "That turned the performance into an adventure, but it was wonderful!"
A young girl, Contestant No. 21, brought a Pichu and performed using the Static on its cheeks to ignite special Fluorescent Paper.
She first let the Pichu rub its fluffy cheeks against the Fluorescent Paper until the surface had absorbed enough Static, then the Pichu held the Fluorescent Paper in both paws.
The young girl blew gently toward the Fluorescent Paper.
Small flames "poof-ed" into life, dancing on the Pichu's paws.
Pichu acted as if it were playing with fireworks, swinging its hands back and forth while also shaking its head to act cute for everyone.
It was so cute that a chorus of "so adorable" rose from the audience.
Lionel watched every performance carefully, occasionally looking down to jot down key points in his phone's memo app:
Magnemite's magnetic control could be used as a reference; perhaps Beldum could do a similar performance with magnetism in the future—
Voltorb's rotating current has a great visual impact; I wonder if Feebas could borrow this idea for Aqua Ring.
Lionel wouldn't look down on anyone. Some contestants might lack the strength to properly execute their ideas for certain skills.
Lionel would record these creative ideas to see if they could be useful for his own Pokémon. These fragmented bits of inspiration, when gathered together, would add new inspiration to his own Pokémon Contest performances.