Episode 1: Let's Try to Control Our Excitement!


"Hi, you guys!" Nikki smiled as she knelt down to meet the Fennekin, the Espeon, and the Pikachu that bounded through the Pokemon door. "Any news from Mom at all?" she asked as her father came in with the mail.

"We talked a little last night, after you went to bed." Nikki's father replied. "Your mom's been busy in the run up to Lumiose Fashion Week--she says that Divine Coordinator Serena will even be there to help promote the Contest brands."

"Really?" Nikki gasped. I've always wanted to meet the Divine Coordinators--and Ash! What would I call that entry?

Nikki's father nodded. "She told me to tell you that one of the brands you follow, Prism Stardust, will be represented in Lumiose. The other that she knows for sure is Notte Royal."

"Nice." Nikki smiled back. "Will you ask Mom to get Serena's autograph for me?" she asked as she opened one of the kitchen cabinets.

"I can't promise anything, but it never hurts to ask." Nikki's father replied.

He turned his attention to the mail. "Electric bill...cable bill...you may have won 10 billion credits..."

"Anything for me in all that?" Nikki asked as she set down three full bowls of Pokechow before her Pokemon and filled a bowl with Twinkles.

A letter in elegant silver stationary got his attention. "Letter for you, Nikki--an invitation to the Pewter Conference. Rumor is Brock is going to be a guest judge this year."

Nikki almost dropped the box of Twinkles in surprise. "Honest? Our own Gym Leader and resident renaissance man, adding Contest judge to his already impressive resume?"

"You bet!" Nikki's father smiled. "So if you're leaving on a Contest adventure, there's no better place to get your first win than right here at home."

"As soon as I finish breakfast and get dressed, I'll head out right away!" Nikki replied as she dug into her waiting cereal.

[Nikki must be excited today if she didn't even want to put the milk on her cereal.] the Pikachu mused as she watched her master eat from one corner of the kitchen.

The ruby on the Espeon's forehead glowed, allowing her to read and analyze her master's thoughts. Nikki is excited about Brock judging a contest--which usually means he may work his storytelling art before the contest.

She surprised Nikki by levitating the milk over her cereal bowl. You forgot the milk in your excitement--that's what makes Twinkles...well, twinkle.

"Oh, thanks, Zelda." Nikki giggled as the milk poured onto her cereal, making the drab beige star pieces glitter with colorful sprinkles.

"You may consider shopping for a new costume or three too." Nikki's father added as he set down a large catalogue on the table. "Finish your breakfast, and you can look through this year's Costume Catalogue in book form or online."

"Okay!" Nikki replied.

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After emerging from her closet in a green shirt, black pants, and a deeper green vest, Nikki told her PokeNav "Call Karina."

She tossed her pajamas in the laundry hamper as the PokeNav flashed DIALING... before an image of a reddish brown haired girl with a plant-like humanoid Pokemon appeared on the screen. "Hello?"

"Hi, Karina--it's Nikki." Nikki began. "I'm sure you've heard the news Brock is guest judging the Pewter City Conference, right?"

"I did--the press release said he was going to do an extra special storytelling show to inspire us coordinators the day before." Karina replied. "Which means we need to decide on our costumes now."

"I'm using the costume I got in the mail from Starlight Harmony a few days ago--Sapphire Quetzal." Nikki replied. 'You know, the Articuno inspired one?"

"Yeah..." Karina replied. "I'm using Pearl Rose for mine--it would go with Relia perfectly."

"Then again, Blossom Beat's always been your preferred brand." Nikki smiled. "It suits a lovely Pokemon like Roselia well."

[Why, thank you.] the plant Pokemon smiled.

"I'm sure you'll do well this time too." Karina smiled. "Even the Divine Coordinators all had to start somewhere..."

"Just the fact I came really close to the Grand Festival last year moved me up from Rookie to Promising Coordinator." Nikki remembered. "That's got to count for something."

"It does." Karina replied. "Remember that like trainers, we're not out to see who has the most ribbons--the Divine Coordinators are that good because they are very skilled with their appeals, and know how to appeal well. They know how to work with their team to win, and how to bounce back if they lose."

Nikki nodded. "May Alder, of Houen...Dawn Solberg, of Shinou...Serena Lacroix, of Kalos. They all had their fair share of triumph and troubles on their way to the top."

"Maybe Brock's special show will feature some true tales about the Divine Coordinators." Karina mused. "But since he's been on vacation in Alola, he may also share some tales from there."

"Every time he features a tale from Alola on 'Live from the Fireside', he's always in an Alolan shirt with palm trim." Nikki smiled as she invited the mouse creature to join her on the bed. "It might be fun to see if there's a Contest scene there--or start one!"

"Here's some motivation for you..." Karina suggested. "If you make it to the Grand Festival this year, treat yourself to an Alolan vacation--you, your dad, and maybe your mom when she returns from Kalos.

A thought occurred to her. "Do you miss your mom at all?"

Nikki nodded. "Yes...I do miss her a lot. But this is why we have Vocachat--so I can talk to her even when she's halfway around the world.

An idea occurred to her. "Say...both of my previous journeys I went on my own. Would you want to go with me this time.

"Why not?" Karina grinned. "Like Brock always says, a journey is always better with friends! That, and we could get some entertaining vlog entries out of the trip."

Nikki smiled. "It's decided! We're going on a Contest journey together!"

To Be Continued...