Celeste's eyes widened at Reso. The judges ruled a knockout, and Obsidian ruled the contest in Celeste's favor. She slowly upturned her lips until she had a massive grin on her face, and she ran onto the field, tackling her exhausted Gallade in a tight Ursaring Hug.
"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU YOU WERE SO WONDERFUL!" She said, clutching the gallade tight and rubbing her face on his neck. Reso gave a tired smile and hugged his trainer back, thoroughly pleased that he was able to make her so happy. Celeste soon released Reso and reached for her pokeballs on her belt, pulling out two and tossing them up.
"Vulpina, Nuna, you guys come out too! Ming-ming, come here!" She called. Nuna was the first to materialize as she stood in front of Celeste, watching as an exhausted Vulpina took shape and collapsed. Nuna reached down and picked up the Zorua, holding her out to Celeste who took the tired little fox into her arms while Ming-ming trotted over in pride.
"You did so excellently Vulpina. Your Leer and Ice Fang really helped give us this win. I`m so proud, thank you." She said, hugging the Zorua. Vulpina cooed and licked Celeste's cheek, a white glow overtaking her. Celeste gasped as she watched Vulpina be overtaken by this light, and Ming-ming watched in mild fascination.
"She's evolving." Said the stunky as Vulpina grew. Celeste had to put down the evolving pokemon as Vulpina's legs grew, sharp claws growing out of the better-formed paws. Vulpina's bouncy head fur became a long and wild mane and her tail disappeared. When the glow faded, a large black, gray and red pokemon stood up tall, staring Celeste eye to eye. Celeste was shocked as she stared into the stern, yet kind blue eyes of the pokemon, and she quickly took out her pokedex.
"Zoroark, the Illusion Fox Pokemon, and the evolved form of Zorua. Zoroark prefer to live in groups of like-minded individuals and build strong bonds with their families. They protect themselves and their families through the use of powerful illusions." The pokedex said. Celeste put the pokedex away and looked at the Zoroark closely again, her lips turning into another smile.
"Vulpina?" She said after awhile. The Zoroark smirked and approached Celeste, lifting up her arms and bringing Celeste into a close embrace. Celeste's eyes watered as she hugged her pokemon back, burying her face in Vulpina's soft mane.
"This is so wonderful! I`m happy for you Vulpina! I guess this means you don't get to ride on my head anymore though, huh?" She asked. Vulpina smirked as she pulled back from Celeste, grabbing her sides. Celeste narrowed her eyes at the pokemon's actions and a sense of dread overtook her.
"Vulpina, what are you do---AHHH!!!!" She screamed as Vulpina threw her upwards. The Zoroark then leapt after Celeste and allowed the coordinator the attach herself to her mane, flying towards the ground and landing on all fours while Celeste shook on Vulpina's back, clutching the mane like a lifeline.
"Zoroark." Said Vulpina while Ming-ming rolled in laughter.
"She said you get to ride on hers instead now." Said the cackling stunky. Celeste continued to shiver as she released her grip on Vulpina's fur.
"Please don't do that again. PLEASE for the love of Arceus, NEVER do that again." She whimpered. Vulpina only snickered while Ming-ming continued to laugh, Nuna snickering with the Zoroark while Reso stood there confused. The rest of the audience laughed while Obsidian danced towards the foursome, Mr. Contesta not far behind.
"Well that is quite the celebration you've got going on there." Obsidian giggled. Mr. Contesta chuckled as he approached Vulpina, who bowed down so that Celeste could be closer to him.
"Congratulations on your third contest win. Here is your prize, the Breezena Ribbon." He said, opening the ribbon case to reveal the minty green ribbon. Celeste smiled as she reached for the ribbon, pulling it from the fabric and smiling down at it. She then looked at all of her pokemon and smiled, holding the ribbon up.
"The Breezena ribbon is ours guys, and it's all thanks to you!" She cried, her pokemon howling in jubilation along with their trainer. Obsidian walked to Vulpina and held out a TM case to Celeste.
"You win this too, this teaches Steel Wing." Obsidian said. Celeste looked down and stared for a moment before she turned to Zherra, who had made her declaration to become Celeste's rival. The coordinator gave her a cocky grin before turning back to Obsidian, shaking her head.
"I got what I wanted. Give that TM to Zherra, she gave me and my pokemon one of the best matches ever, and Vulpina evolved because of her. If anyone deserves that TM, it's my new rival." She said. Obsidian smiled at Celeste's decision and walked over to Zherra, handing her the TM case. Celeste looked at Zherra with a determined look and nodded at her.
"Challenge accepted. I can't wait to fight you again Zherra. Don't you dare lose to anyone else you got it?" She said, adding a teasing tone to her voice as she recalled Reso and Nuna. Ming-ming leapt onto Vulpina and climbed until she sat on Celeste's head while the Zoroark began to leave, and Celeste sighed in exasperation.
"What? With Vulpina evolved, SOMEONE has to keep your head warm." Chided the stunky. Celeste could only laugh and shake her head as the trio left to rejoin their friends, Ra-ra waiting outside to take them back to Lesa, Sawyer and Yuki.
Ribbon Obtained:
Celeste:
Breezena Ribbon:
TM Obtained:
Zherra:
TMG2 47, Steel Wing