The morning of the Team Appeal arrived with a breathless kind of anticipation. The Contest Hall buzzed with energy, its grand lobby already packed with Junior Coordinators and their Pokémon. Mira stood, Contest Pass in hand, adjusting the soft, light green scarf she'd chosen to match her team's planned routine. She wore a sleeveless pale cream tunic with a layered, petal-shaped hem over moss-green leggings and soft, calf-high boots with ribbon ties. Her look was graceful, nature-inspired, and easy to move in.
Scout sat at her feet, tail wagging rhythmically, a small moss-colored band tied loosely around his front leg with a tiny silver leaf charm dangling from it. His fur had been lightly brushed and misted to bring out its natural sheen. Petilil nestled on Mira's shoulder, her small leaves shimmering in the sunlight pouring through the high glass ceiling, and a tiny cluster of pale yellow silk flowers was pinned near her leafy cap, adding just a touch of delicate flair.
Today, Mira wouldn't just be watching from the sidelines—she would be on stage with them. Her chest fluttered with nerves.
The announcer's voice echoed from the overhead speakers: "All Junior Bracket contestants for the Team Appeal, please proceed to Waiting Room A for check-in and final prep."
Mira's breath caught for a moment. This was it - the main stage. Not one of the smaller stages used for the Individual Appeal rounds, like Snivy's performance last week. No, this was the real deal: bright lights, a massive crowd, and judges in full view. It felt bigger, more official, like stepping onto a world she had only dreamed about. Her nerves fluttered, but the excitement burned even stronger.
Mira took a steadying breath and nodded to her team. "Let's do this."
Inside the waiting room, several other Junior Coordinators were already preparing. Some reviewed last-minute notes, while others were stretching or practicing cues with their Pokémon. Mira found a quiet corner and knelt to check over her supplies—scarves, petal pouches, ribbon ties, and a small spray bottle of shimmer mist. She also double-checked the small ribbons tied neatly in her bag for after the performance—one lavender for Scout and a pale green for Petilil, ready to be fastened in celebration if things went well.
Petilil and Scout each took a moment to stretch, their movements echoing the excitement in the air. Sewaddle, though not performing, peeked out from Mira's bag with quiet curiosity, watching the flurry of activity. She chirped quietly when she spotted another Coordinator's Swablu fly past, her eyes filled with wonder.
An assistant Coordinator entered and called names for the first round. There were ten in total competing in today's Junior Bracket - Team Appeal, each bringing their own flair and style to the stage. Mira wasn't among the first set, she had drawn the fourth slot, a mid-show position. Good. Enough time for one more mental run-through.
The Performance Stage was the first trial—where Coordinators and their Pokémon would perform a choreographed routine, showcasing their style, synchronization, and skill. A panel of three judges had already taken their seats in the grand theater: a member of the Unova Contest Committee in a sharp navy suit, the Castelia branch's Nurse Joy with a warm but professional smile, and a flamboyantly dressed representative of the Pokémon Fan Club, wearing a pinstriped scarf and oversized glasses. The main stage itself was a wide, elevated platform with shifting light panels and a mist generator waiting in standby, all poised to enhance the performances.
Only the top-scoring teams from this stage would proceed to the final round: the Battle Stage.
A flat screen monitor on the wall displayed live footage from the main stage, allowing Mira and the others to watch the performances unfold. From the speakers tucked in the corners of the room, the voices of the commentators could be faintly heard, offering excited insights and occasional praise or critique for each act. The rising pitch in their voices often preceded bursts of applause, giving the waiting Coordinators a pulse of the crowd's energy. When the crowd went wild after a particularly elegant twirl or synchronized combo, the sound bled through the wall just enough to raise the tension in the room.
The host's voice kicked off the event with bright enthusiasm as the stage lights came to life. "Welcome one and all to the Castelia Contest Hall's Junior Bracket Team Appeal! Ten incredible teams will take the stage today, showing off their style, harmony, and creativity in hopes of earning a spot in the final Battle Stage! Let's give a warm round of applause to our first performer!"
The first contestant, a boy in a crimson vest, performed alongside a Fletchling and a Mareep. Their routine was bright and energetic, full of aerial spins and dazzling electric sparks that danced in rhythm with the Fletchling's wingbeats. The timing between the Pokémon was tight, and their finale—a coordinated sky jump that triggered a shimmer of static confetti—drew a lively cheer from the audience. The judges smiled politely, though their pens moved frequently, jotting down quick observations.
Next came a girl with a Gothita and a Sprigatito. Their routine leaned into theatrical storytelling—a dreamlike piece framed as a night under the stars. Gothita moved like a ballerina in shadow, while Sprigatito conjured sparkles of grass-type energy in looping arcs around her partner. Mira admired how well their timing was, even though some of the transitions looked a little uncertain. Nurse Joy tilted her head thoughtfully, while the Fan Club representative jotted something quickly with a wide grin.
The third Coordinator paired a Shinx and a Pichu. Their performance embraced softness and light—cloud imagery projected through Mist, followed by Flashes that illuminated the stage like miniature spotlights. Shinx and Pichu darted through the glowing fog and leapt through makeshift rings of light like a spark-charged gymnast. A small cheer went up from the audience when they struck their final pose.
Mira felt her stomach flutter. She'd be next. Her slot as number four was approaching fast. Her pulse thumped in her ears, but her hands were steady.
She glanced at her teammates. "Just like we practiced. Stay in rhythm. Trust each other."
Scout gave a short bark, puffing out his chest. Petilil chimed in with a bright chirp, her leaves quivering in anticipation.
Mira took a breath and let her eyes close for a moment. She pictured the routine again—the shifting movements, the interplay of light and shadow, the flow of their moves like a forest wind. The way she would step across the stage, hands lifting like branches, while her Pokémon moved around her like wind and life and wild grace.
Mira stood just offstage, listening as the previous contestant finished their routine to a burst of applause.
The host's voice rang out brightly through the arena, echoed from the speakers above: "What an enchanting performance from Elias and his Pichu and Shinx! Truly a dance of light and clouds! Let's see what our judges thought."
The scores appeared on the screen overhead:
Contest Committee Judge: 7.5
Nurse Joy: 8
Fan Club Representative: 8.2
Total: 23.7/30
"A solid performance!" one commentator chimed. "Those Mist visuals were stunning, but I think they missed a bit of emotional cohesion in the second half."
Mira quickly glanced at the earlier scores. The first pair, Fletchling and Mareep, had received a 22.1, praised for their energy but noted for slight imbalance in landing. The second act, Gothita and Sprigatito, had earned a more dramatic 24.0, with judges praising their theme but noting transitions needed polish.