July 15, Monday.
Slateport City's Grand Festival had formed a complex of buildings resembling a Pokémon League Tournament venue in the west of the city, centered on a red, five-pointed main stage.
With five sectional stages plus the central main stage, its scale was every bit on par with a regional Pokémon League Tournament.
At that moment, countless Coordinators with dreams in their hearts had gathered here with the Pokémon partners they took pride in.
They would pass through the preliminary stage, the main competition stage, and Pokémon Contest Battles, undergoing round after round of selection. In the end, only one person would take home the Ribbon Cup and join the ranks of the top Coordinators.
On Slateport City's beach, a strikingly handsome young man strolled through the bustling crowd with Eevee in his arms.
The Coordinators who had arrived earlier had finished registering and were already warming up with their partners in the open spaces on the beach.
"It really is bustling here." Young Master Mao couldn't help clicking his tongue.
As the premier Pokémon Contest event, it had a dazzling array of stalls lining the main street all the way to the competition venue.
"Hmm, judging by this scale..." Young Master Mao instinctively took out his Team Rocket badge and pressed it.
Whoosh! Three dark figures suddenly darted out from the side, executed smooth forward somersaults through the air, and landed on one knee. "Executive!"
Gary's mouth twitched. I knew it.
Ash, stalls, a Pokémon Contest-all the key factors were here. These three were bound to be around.
"What are you planning this time?" Gary put his hands on his hips.
"Hehe. We're planning to sell fake Pokéblocks, meow..." Meowth immediately piped up.
Gary frowned. "Selling fakes isn't something I encourage."
"Well, the thing is, even Seviper got