The morning after Eliza's departure, Castelia City greeted Mira with a fresh ocean breeze and the distant sound of Wingull. Sunlight reflected off the glistening glass towers and danced across the cobbled streets as Mira adjusted the strap of her satchel and stepped out of the Pokémon Center, the familiar weight of her Contest Pass comforting against her chest. With the ribbon from Snivy's performance safely tucked away and the Team Appeal just days away, Mira's focus shifted to the next challenge—one that would demand more than grace and clever routines. She would be on stage too this time, side by side with her Pokémon.
Unlike the Individual Appeal, where each Pokémon performed solo, the Team Appeal demanded harmony between Trainer and Pokémon—flawless timing, dynamic choreography, and above all, emotional synchronicity. Mira would need to rehearse every movement alongside Scout and Petilil, learning to command the stage without overshadowing her partners.
Each day brought a new kind of practice, a new rhythm. Mira started with warm-ups in the courtyard outside the Contest Hall, stretching alongside her team as the city stirred to life. Birds chirped overhead, and sometimes fellow Coordinators offered friendly waves as they passed by. Inside the rehearsal studios, she and her Pokémon worked tirelessly—fine-tuning spacing, balance, and energy.
On the first day, Mira took a moment to scan her team with the Pokédex to better plan their routines.
She started with Petilil:
Absorb (Master), Sleep Powder (Expert), Mega Drain (Expert), Petal Blizzard (Specialist), Synthesis (Specialist), Growth (Proficient), Sunny Day (Proficient), Leaf Blade (Beginner)
Then she scanned Scout:
Tackle (Expert), Leer (Expert), Bite (Master), Slash (Proficient), Shadow Claw (Proficient)
"Alright," Mira murmured, jotting notes in her notebook. "We've got power, grace, and some real potential for combos." In the private rehearsal rooms of the Contest Hall, Mira choreographed sequences with Scout's speed and Petilil's graceful movements. They worked on weaving together moves like Bite and Sleep Powder, Mega Drain and Shadow Claw, and even tried syncing Growth and Leer to create dramatic shifts in energy and focus. At first, the moves clashed—Petilil's rhythm too slow, Scout's bursts too wild—but with time, they began to flow, like threads tightening into a braid.
To improve their flow, Mira also practiced stepping into the performance space with them, coordinating arm movements to match their moves. She added spins during Petilil's Petal Blizzard and crouched low during Scout's surging leaps. Occasionally, she used scarves to trail behind her motions, extending their visual impact. Their performances began to feel like dances—sharp, expressive, and layered.
In the evenings, Mira made time for something equally important, getting to know Sewaddle. The tiny Bug-type had been quiet but curious, often watching the others from a distance. Mira took her for walks in the flower-lined parks of Castelia, encouraging her to explore textures, scents, and city sounds. They visited a rooftop garden one evening where Mira laid out her sketchbook and gently described the petals they gathered.
At first, Sewaddle was hesitant. But by the third visit, she playfully tangled herself in a vine, then shyly offered Mira a leaf. Mira praised her gently, letting her know she didn't need to perform or impress anyone—just be herself.
One afternoon, as they sat beneath a tree, Mira offered, "Would you like a name?"
Sewaddle blinked at her, tilting her leaf-capped head. After a moment, she trilled softly and nestled into Mira's lap.
"I'll take that as a yes," Mira whispered, smiling.
She paused, brushing Sewaddle's silky leaf. "We'll wait until the right one fits."
Later that week, Mira tried weaving small flower garlands for her team to wear, Sewaddle helped arrange petals by size. Petilil was delighted, while Snivy simply inspected the finished product with a quiet smirk. Scout was just mildly confused.
One afternoon in the middle of the week, Mira carved out a moment to call her parents. Sitting on a bench outside the Contest Hall with Scout napping at her feet, she opened her PokéGear and dialed home.
Her mom answered first, face appearing on the screen with a smile. "Mira! You look bright. How's Castelia treating you?"
"Busy! But good busy," Mira replied. "Snivy won her ribbon in the Cool Appeal, and now I'm prepping for the Team Appeal with Scout and Petilil. I've been learning how to move with them on stage. It's... harder than it looks."
Her dad leaned into view. "We're so proud of you, sweetheart. Sounds like you're really giving it your all."
Mira beamed. "Thanks. I wanted to call before things got too hectic. And I may need to ask Mom for some advice about keeping flower crowns on during battle."
Her mom laughed. "Ah, finally using the old florist tricks, huh? I'll send you the braided vine thread recipe we used for outdoor weddings. It'll hold."
They talked a little longer, sharing updates and gentle encouragement. When the call ended, Mira felt lighter.
Elsewhere in the week, an important conversation happened under the soft glow of dusk. Mira sat in the courtyard with Scout and Snivy, both alert and attentive.
"I've been thinking," Mira said, arms wrapped around her knees. "We've come a long way since Striaton… and the contests are only going to get tougher. I've picked up the things we'll need, so whenever you're ready—be it now or a few days from now—we can do it right. I want you both to know that if you're ready to evolve, I'll support it. But I also understand if you want to wait—stay as you are a little longer. Physically, you're both ready. Mentally… that's your call."
They didn't answer right away. They had known for a week that this conversation would come—this was just the moment to decide if they wanted to evolve now or wait a few more days. Snivy's eyes gleamed with determination but carried no urgency. Scout yawned quietly, then nudged Mira's knee as if to say, Not yet.
Mira smiled and leaned back, watching the first stars peek through the twilight. Some decisions take time.
The next morning, Mira decided it was time to test their progress in a real setting. After breakfast, she headed to a nearby training plaza where local trainers often gathered to spar. With a hopeful tone in her voice, she asked a pair of Coordinators-in-training if they'd be willing to battle.
They agreed with enthusiasm.
Mira chose Scout and Petilil for a one-on-one style training session, carefully planning one strategic switch mid-battle to reflect the rules of the Junior Bracket, where only two Pokémon were allowed and only a single switch permitted. She had to think carefully about when to transition between them to showcase both strength and style, while still obeying the competition's structure. Mira wanted to make sure both were equally prepared to take the spotlight.
In the first battle, Mira opened with Petilil against a lively Growlithe. Growlithe launched a steady Ember attack, but Petilil responded with a graceful twirl and cast Sleep Powder, the sparkling spores drifting across the battlefield like glittering mist. Mira kept her cool, calling for Mega Drain to sap energy with elegance, sunlight catching in the green glow. When Growlithe shook off the spores and began to charge with Flame Wheel, Mira made her one allowed switch.
Scout sprang in, landing lightly and countering with a sharp Bite that clashed mid-charge. Growlithe switched out as well, replaced by a sprightly Pidove. The Flying-type swept across the sky and struck with a speedy Quick Attack, but Scout circled with a spin and responded with a Slash that caught the edge of Pidove's wing, sending feathers fluttering like stage confetti. The battle lasted until the timer buzzed. No knockouts—just performance, rhythm, and style. The opposing trainer grinned and offered Mira a nod of praise.
After a brief break, Mira faced her second opponent: a steady, floating Drifloon. She opened with Scout once more, saving her one switch in case of trouble. Drifloon's ghostly form danced through the air, opening with a Confuse Ray that sparkled eerily in the sunlight. Scout hesitated, but Mira's firm command steadied him—he charged forward with a confident Shadow Claw, slicing the lingering light with flair.
After a few rounds of exchanges, the opposing trainer swapped Drifloon for Espurr, a curious Psychic-type with watchful eyes. Mira held her ground, choosing not to switch. Scout, still unhurt and alert, dodged Espurr's Confusion and countered with a tight spin into Slash, creating a striking arc of movement.
Mira stepped into his rhythm again, mirroring his slashes with graceful arm sweeps, directing the visual flow of the battle like a stage act. As time expired, the crowd watching from the plaza clapped and murmured among themselves, clearly impressed by the synchronization between Mira and her team.
Mira gave a short bow with her partners at her side. Petilil bounced lightly, vines fluttering, while Scout trotted in a small circle before wagging his tail proudly and looking up at her with shining eyes.
"Good," Mira whispered to them, cheeks flushed with excitement. "We're almost ready."
By the end of the week—just one day before the Team Appeal competition on Friday at 3 PM—something had changed. Their choreography was tighter. Their bond was stronger. And though Sewaddle hadn't chosen a name yet, she now followed Mira with quiet trust, occasionally helping gather petals or mimicking Mira's movements. Sometimes, she even tugged gently on Mira's pants leg when she thought something could look prettier.