"This Machoke has been well-trained and shows excellent physical condition," commented one of the breeders seated next to John, nodding approvingly.
"Agreed, its physique is balanced and strong," added another. "It's clear that Riley and Machoke have a solid partnership."
The third judge chimed in, noting the pair's confident presence on stage. John smirked slightly. Although Adam had tricked him into this public appearance, he couldn't help but respect his brother's professionalism. Despite being put on the spot, Adam was giving his full attention, observing carefully without jumping to conclusions.
"Machoke, keep flexing!" Riley called out enthusiastically.
"This has a bit of the 'Beauty Contest' flair," John commented with a chuckle. The Beauty Contest's focus was to showcase each Pokémon's unique charm, whether through graceful moves, powerful displays, or even playful antics. Machoke and Riley had certainly chosen the "strong and rugged" approach, which, while different, was entertaining.
On stage, Riley's nerves gradually faded as he and Machoke posed in unison. The audience watched, captivated by their performance, applauding warmly as they finished.
"Amazing job," John thought, smiling as Riley and Machoke stood side-by-side, waiting for the judges' scores.
The first breeder held up a board displaying a "9."
The next two judges followed suit, each holding up "8" for their scores. In the Beauty Contest's ten-point scoring system, two eights and a nine were solid scores, especially for a performance that relied on physical displays rather than traditional "beauty."
John glanced at Adam, who waited for his reaction. Knowing his score carried weight, John decided to be constructive. Holding up his own board with an "8," he explained, "You've captured the spirit of a Beauty Contest by showing off Machoke's strength, and that's commendable. Machoke's physique is a big part of its appeal, and you've highlighted that well."
Riley beamed, clearly thrilled to hear praise from John.
"But," John continued, "when you're performing, the moves matter too. Bodybuilding is great for Machoke, but it can get repetitive. Adding a few more moves, or even gymnastic elements, might bring the performance to the next level."
Riley looked star-struck as he nodded eagerly. "Thank you, John! I'll definitely work on that with Machoke!"
Adam raised his own board with an "8," bringing Riley's score to a respectable 41. The audience applauded, and whispers of admiration spread through the crowd.
"Did you hear John's advice? He's so insightful!"
"John's right—adding some gymnastic moves would really make Machoke shine!"
"Genius! And using Machoke for gymnastics? That would be incredible!"
The host reappeared on stage as Riley moved to the waiting area. "Alright, everyone, now it's your turn to vote! Each contestant receives additional points based on their ranking in the audience vote, with up to 10 extra points up for grabs!"
Once the audience cast their votes, Riley left the stage, and the host announced the next performer. "Up next is Contestant No. 2, Yuna from Tassel City. She'll also be performing on the main stage!"
John looked toward the end of the aisle, and out walked a young woman with chestnut-colored hair in a stylish bob that framed her delicate features. She wore a pale pink dress that reached her knees, and at her side trotted a surprisingly familiar Pokémon.
"Wait… is that a dressed-up Pikachu?" John blinked in surprise.
Indeed, Yuna's companion was a Pikachu dressed in a pink skirt that matched her own, complete with a bow tied around its ears and chest. According to game settings, costume Pikachu could learn exclusive moves based on their outfits. John took a closer look, noting the Pikachu's outfit matched the "Idol Pikachu" style.
"If I'm right, it should know the move Draining Kiss," he thought, recalling that Idol Pikachu could learn Fairy-type moves, something quite rare in the game so far.
Beside him, Adam noticed his surprise and leaned in. "Is something wrong? Is Pikachu not allowed to wear clothes?"
"No, no," John replied, shaking his head with a grin. "It's just a nice surprise."
Adam looked a bit puzzled but turned his attention back to the stage. Yuna was already starting her performance.
"Pikachu, dance!" she called out, her voice steady and confident. Compared to Riley, she didn't seem nervous at all, and she directed her Pikachu with a bright smile.
"Pika-pika!" Pikachu chirped, shuffling side to side with its tiny paws raised, performing an adorable little dance.
"Is that… Butterfly Dance?" John's eyebrows rose in amazement. This Pikachu was using Butterfly Dance (Quiver dance), a move that typically boosted special stats and wasn't in Pikachu's standard moveset. Clearly, Yuna's Pikachu had remarkable potential.
With each dance move, Pikachu's speed and agility seemed to improve, its tiny frame exuding more energy and charm. The audience was mesmerized, and Yuna's poise added to the display. She stood by with a warm smile, her gentle guidance making it clear how well she'd trained Pikachu.
John couldn't help but chuckle. "This is leagues above the muscle flexing from before," he thought, amused. Pikachu had danced through Butterfly Dance several times now, significantly boosting its performance stats.
Finally, Yuna nodded to her Pokémon. "Alright, Pikachu, finish with a Draining Kiss!"
"Pika-pika~" Pikachu chimed, blowing an affectionate kiss towards the audience, charming them with the playful Fairy-type move.
The crowd erupted in cheers, captivated by the idol-like Pikachu and its enchanting finale.
"That was so cute!"
"I can't take it! Pikachu's just too adorable!"
"I'm buying a Pikachu, no question!"
John couldn't help but stifle a laugh. He knew the fans would be even more charmed if they realized the truth: this Pikachu was male, a "master of disguise" wearing a cute pink outfit. Its tail gave it away, the straight edge signaling it was a male Pokémon.
As the performance ended, Pikachu struck one final pose with a wink, adding the perfect closing touch. The audience roared with excitement, their enthusiasm clear.
Once Yuna and her Pikachu took a bow, John prepared his score. He was impressed and knew that Pikachu's costume and skills added an extra layer of creativity.
A/N: Thanks for reading, donate some power stones for extra chapters.
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Enjoy ✌️.