The boat arrived in Slateport City and Aqua made a run for the beach.

“I love these beachside towns,” Aqua said.

“Whoa slow down aqua, remember why we came here,” Turquoise said.

“We know but that is not today, is it?” Aqua asked.

“It’s tomorrow but I still need to register,” Turquoise said.

“Any idea who you're entering with?” Fluttershy asked

“Well since Rolland will most likely be using his Ceruledge I need something that can stand a fair chance,” Turquoise said.

“Meaning? “Aqua asked.

“Ceruledge is a fire and ghost type so most of my team does not stand a chance especially since we don’t know what moves it knows,” Turquoise said.

“Why not use some of the Pokémon you caught on your previous journeys?” Aqua asked.

“Because that will go against the rules I set for myself for this journey,” Turquoise said.

“You see aqua, Turquoise is trying to get stronger using only what she catches here in Hoenn and other than Espeon and Sprigatito she can’t use any other Pokémon from home, this was a challenge suggested by Bruno of the elite Four,” Fluttershy explained.

“I don’t get it but I'm not going to argue,” Aqua said.

“Anyway, my best option is Oshawott,” Turquoise said.

“Are you sure Oshawott can do this?” Fluttershy asked.

“That’s why we are training first,” Turquoise said before calling out Oshawott. “Ok Oshawott its time for some contest training, are you ready? Oshawott nodded in agreement. Turquoise decided to try doing something simple since Oshawott’s moves were not good enough for anything flashy when it comes to appeals. They trained for a good hour and then went to the contest hall to register for the contest. Sometime later Turquoise was all set. Suddenly Rolland walked in and noticed them.

“Well, well, well, looks like you made it here after all,” Rolland said.

“Of course I would, “Turquoise said in a tsundere kind of way.

“Well, I hope you're ready to lose,” Rolland said.

“Nothing is decided yet,” Turquoise said. After Rolland registered the two of them decided to save the rest of the smack talk for the contest and just left. The girls decided to spend the rest of the day exploring the city and were currently at the museum.

“That’s quite the nautical collection,” Turquoise said, referring to the ocean exhibit. The day continued and soon it ended.

The next day Turquoise was now backstage waiting for the contest to begin along with the other coordinators. Soon Vivian appeared on the tv in the waiting area which meant it was almost time to start.

“Welcome everyone to today’s contest held here in the always beautiful Slateport City. I am your host Vivian and now let's introduce the panel of judges, first up from the Pokemon activities Committee Mr.Contesta,” Vivian said before shifting everyone's focus to the man in question.

“It's a pleasure to be here,” Mr. Contesta said.

“Next up is the head of the Pokemon Fan Club Mr. Sukizo,” Vivian said.

“Remarkable as always,” Sukizo said.

“And finally, Slateport City’s own Nurse Joy,” Vivian said while pointing to Nurse Joy.

“Can’t wait to see what our coordinators have in store for us today,” Nurse Joy said.

“And now let the contest begin,” Vivian said. Each coordinator went up one by one scoring decent points until it was Rolland’s turn. “And now for our next contestant, all the way from Hammerlocke in the Galar Region give it up for Rolland. Rolland walked into the arena looking composed before pulling out his Pokeball.

“Ceruledge, cometh forth,” Rolland said as he threw his Pokeball which popped open and unleashed a bunch of blue flames that were then sliced by Ceruledge as it made its entrance and landed on the stage perfectly. “Ceruledge, start us off with Will-O-Wisp. Ceruledge created some blue fireballs that were now floating around it. “Now use Flame Charge and jump. Ceruledge was now cloaked in Blue fire as it leaped high and came back down in the center of its own Will-O-Wisp which created a wave of blue flames that surrounded Ceruledge. The judges gave their scores which were 9.8, 9.7, and 9.8.

“And Rolland landed a score of 29.3 thus putting him in the lead,” Vivian said since the average was around 24.3. Some more coordinators went up until it was Turquoise’s turn. “And now for our next coordinator, give it up for Turquoise. Turquoise walked in ready to go like always.

“Oshawott let’s dazzle them,” Turquoise said as she threw her pokeball which popped open and unleashed a bunch of blue bubbles with Oshawott in the center of them.

“I wonder what Turquoise has planned for this one?” Aqua asked. Suddenly Turquoise pulled out some pink frisbees and tossed them one by one.

“Oshawott use water gun. Oshawott unleashed his water gun and managed to nail each frisbee before lining them up for the next part. “Now use razor shell. Oshawott formed his razor shell before boomeranging it and having it slice through the frisbees that were in a perfect line. Once Oshawott caught his scalchop the judges gave their scores which were 9.1, 9,9, and 8.7.

“And that amazing performance scores Turquoise a 27.7,” Vivian said. As soon as Turquoise returned backstage Rolland was not so impressed with what he saw.

“You really think that humdrum performance will get you to the next round?” Rolland asked, not impressed.

“I know that is not my best but we shall see what the judges say,” Turquoise said. Soon Vivian appeared on screen.

“And now after careful deliberation, here are the eight coordinators moving on to the next round,” Vivian said before the eight profiles were revealed with Rolland in first and Turquoise in third. The pics were shuffled, and the battle round began. Rolland and Turquoise were dominating their matches until it was down to just the two of them. “And now we made it to the final match, on my left is Rolland and on my right is Turquoise, five minutes on the clock, go.

“Cerluedge, cometh forth,” Rolland said as he sent out Ceruledge who looked ready to slice things up.

“Oshawott, let’s dazzle them,” Turquoise said as she called out Oshawott who looked quite poised.

“Cerluedge use flame charge. Cerluedge charged at Oshawott cloaked in fire which did not faze him or Turquoise.

“Jump and use water gun from above. Oshawott leaped high which impressed the audience before unleashing water gun from above which nailed Cerluedge for a lot of damage but not enough to beat it.

“And that just cost Rolland some points,” Vivian said as Rolland’s points went down.

Rolland: 80%

“Cerluedge use Night Shade. Cerluedge fired beams of dark energy at Oshawott while he was still airborne which resulted in some damage that sent him plummeting back down.

“And now Turquoise is the one losing points,” Vivian said as Turquoise’s points went down.

Turquoise: 75%

“Oshawott use razor shell. Oshawott formed his water blade which Rolland was expecting.

“Cerluedge use Shadow Claw. Cerluedge formed his own blade by not only extending one of its sword-like arms but also covering it in shadowy energy. This next exchange of moves looked like a sword fight that caused both moves to cancel each other out and end with both sides losing points at the four-minute mark.

Rolland: 65%

Turquoise: 60%

Oshawott was feeling tired, and Rolland was ready to take advantage of that opening.

“Cerluedge use shadow claw again. Cerluedge charged at Oshawott with the same shadow sword as before.

“Oshawott use detect. Oshawott was able to dodge the attack which cost Rolland some points.

Rolland: 55%

“I need to end this soon before Oshawott runs out of steam, but how?” Turquoise asked herself before she remembered something that might save her. “That’s it.

“Well kid I will admit you put up a good fight but now it looks like your Oshawott is tired so why don’t you yield, “Rolland said as the clock reached the three-minute mark.

“Not yet, we won’t give up until the end,” Turquoise said.

“Suit yourself, Cerluedge use Shadow Claw and end this. Cerluedge charged at Oshawott with it’s shadow claw.

“Ok Oshawott let’s bet everyone on one last move, use water gun while spinning. Oshawott caught on to what Turquoise was thinking and did just that. The water began to form moving waves that sent Cerluedge bouncing off of them and causing damage with each hit.

“What is that? “Aqua asked.

“It’s a counter shield,” Fluttershy said before explaining it. “It’s a contest move that uses the energy from the attack as both defense and offense and in this case it’s Turquoise’s ace in the hole.

“And that barrage of blows just cost Rolland a truckload of points,” Vivian said as Rolland’s points went down dramatically.

Rolland: 20%

Once the water died down Cerluedge was still standing for a few moments but then its flames went out and it fell forward which was a clear indication of fainting. The judges hit their buzzers which meant Cerluedge was unable to battle. As for Oshawott he was still standing but was breathing heavily.

“And with that the winner of the Slateport Ribbon is Turquoise,” Vivian said as Turquoise’s picture appeared on the Jumbotron.

“We did it, Oshawott, “Turquoise said while hugging Oshawott happily. Rolland approached Cerluedge before helping it up.

“You thought valiantly today my friend, now rest,” Rolland said as he recalled Cerluedge. “Turquoise, keep sharpening that sword of yours because when next we cross swords, I will triumph. Soon everyone gathered for the award ceremony.

“And now Mr. contesta will award turquoise with the Slateport Ribbon,” Vivian said as Mr. contesta approached Turquoise.

“Keep coming up with ways to impress us, “Contesta said as he handed turquoise the ribbon.

“Ty and I will,” Turquoise said. Soon the girls were back at the Pokemon Center waiting for Oshawott to heal. While they were waiting, Aqua had something she wanted to ask Turquoise.

“Hey Turquoise, about that move you used to beat Rolland, think you can teach it to me and Mudkip?” Aqua asked.

“You mean the counter shield? Sure, I don’t see why not,” Turquoise said.

“You don’t mind teaching me your technique?” Aqua asked.

“It’s not really my technique, it was something invented by a famous trainer back home in Kanto,” Turquoise said.

“And it’s widely used by many coordinators, “Fluttershy added.

“So, let’s go out back and get started, “Turquoise said. They were now on the battlefield behind the pokemon center.

“Don’t we need to wait for Oshawott first?” Aqua asked.

“The counter shield is not a water-type move, it can be done with any kind of attack, for example,” Turquoise said before calling out Sprigatito. “Sprigatito use Magical Leaf while Spinning. Sprigatito did just that which created a counter shield made of many leaves dancing around like cherry blossoms on a spring breeze. “And the best part is how this technique packs quite a punch if the opponent is weak against whatever type the move is.

“Ok now it’s our turn, Mudkip use water gun while spinning. Mudkip tried to copy what Sprigatito did but was not pulling it off right.

“Its ok practice is an important part of learning new moves and techniques, you’re not going to always land it on the first try,” Turquoise said.

“Then we will not give up,” Aqua said. Aqua and Mudkip kept at it until it was time for dinner.

The next day the girls were all packed and ready to continue on the road to their next stop.

“Next stop, Mauville City,” Turquoise said.

“I can’t wait to see what kind of pokemon and places we see next,” Aqua said.

“Me too,” Fluttershy said.

“Come on, let's get going already,” Turquoise said, feeling quite excited.

“We’re coming Turquoise,” Fluttershy said as she and Aqua ran after her.

Meanwhile on the beach of Slateport City, Isabelle and Chris were sunbathing and not giving a darn about the mission.

“Come on yose twos, the twerpettes are leaving,” Meowth said.

“Five more minutes,” Isabelle said before Meowth used his fury swipes on the two of them which hurt more than usual as indicated by their now red skin.

“Owch, that really hurt you know, “Chris said before he noticed that he and Isabelle were sunburnt.

“No wonder those fury swipes hurt more than usual,” Isabelle said.

“Get some aloe and let's get moving before the Twerpettes get too far,” Meowth said as all three of them ran. What awaits are heroes next. Stay tuned. As the journey continues.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note

Turquoise's team
Espeon ♀ LV: 61 Moves: Psychic/ Swift/ Morning Sun/ Psybeam
Sprigatito♀ LV:13 Moves: scratch/ Hone Claws/Magical leaf/Bite
Grovyle♂ LV:18 Moves: Mega Drain/Detect/leafage/Quick Attack
Oshawott♂ LV:18 Moves: Razor Shell/Detect/Water Gun/Focus Energy

Aqua's team
Mudkip ♀ LV:6 Moves: Tackle/ growl/ water gun/Rock smash
Zigzagoon ♂ Lv:5 Moves: Tackle/ growl/ sand attack

Fluttershy's Team
Cinderace ♂ LV: 45 Moves: Flame Charge/ Pyro Ball/ Headbutt/ Double Kick
Ursaring ♂ LV:30 Moves: Hammer Arm/ Focus Blast/Slash/ Metal Claw

Rolland's team
Cerluedge ♂ LV:25 moves: shadow claw/ will-o-wisp/ flame charge/ night shade

Turquoise: Badges:2 Ribbons:2

sorry for the wait. even if it takes a while for everyone to reach this point. I still hope you enjoy this chapter.