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Contests were unfamiliar to Artie. After all, Galar didn't make much of them. They had their hands busy with Gigantamax and publicized pokemon tournaments, with their own inter-family medieval-style politics. His mother would have been scandalized by it, his father disappointed.

[break][break] But Artie?

[break][break] There was a reason that he had come to Hoenn, and it wasn't just to make his family's blood boil at his rebellion. No, it was to try something new, something exciting, something different.

[break][break] And what was more thrilling than being in the center of a spotlight?

[break][break] The blond joined in the congratulatory claps of the other contestants as they took their turns upon center stage. Artie would not have lied. It was impressive: the stark-naked form of @/kazimir had drawn quite the set of eyes as he'd come swinging out of the trees, the melodic voice of a beautiful siren and her Rillaboom, and the quiet elegance of @/rowan and his Serperior brought it's own type of elegance as well.

[break][break] But Artie was never the type to cower at the sight of competition. He knew how to make an entrance as well.

[break][break] Music rolled in from the speakers as the blond made his appearance, stepping up to the stage. At first, it seemed as though he had come barren - no pokemon was at his side, save for the Honedge that was always strapped to his side. Sunlight peaked in from the high tree-tops as he stepped to center stage, smiling blithly at the judges. In one hand, he held a mic. "Swinging apes and slithering snakes are all good and well," he started, voice clear and confident as it echoed through the area. "But is there anything more beautiful, more delightful, more full of life than the flora and vegetation around us?" With that, he turned on his heel, and splayed his palm out.

[break][break] It was Persephone's time to shine. The Petilil, which had been disguised along with the rest of the vegetation, sprung out of her hiding place. She jumped out from the dirt, spinning into the air as she did so, spilling a collection of LEECH SEED around her. She continued to run, on her adorable, small stubby feet and tiny hands outstretched, as she sprinted past both Artie and the judges, tiny seeds spilling and implanting themselves into the soft earth.

[break][break] A light glow surrounded the pokemon as her SUNNY DAY started and her ability Chlorophyll was triggered. The seeds that had been planted into the ground broke their shell and began to form as tiny saplings around her. "Around us, as I'm sure you all know, each and every one of the plants breathe with life. Can't you feel the energy pulse all around us?" As Artie said pulse, a small glow grew in front of the Petilil in the shape of a sphere as she formed an ENERGY BALL. It spun and spun, growing bigger and bigger, before she tossed it directly into the air, into the bright blue sky. It crashed through the high tree tops, spinning and spinning, until the Petilil released her Sunny Day in a beam of glorious light, shattering the Energy Ball. Sparkles fell from the sky and onto the ground below, just as the saplings broke form and bloomed into beautiful white and orange flowers.

[break][break] All this time, the glow around Persephone never ceased. In fact, it seemed to only grow with intensity, and as the sparkles fell around her form, her image shone with the intensity of the sun streaming through the jungle's treetops. Her form morphed and shifted before the Petilil EVOLVED, her newly-formed flower matching those around her.

[break][break] She bowed, and Artie bowed in turn.

[break][break] "She is Persephone, goddess of spring and growth, and I am Arthur Finnian Vanderbilt, heir to the Circhester throne." He smiled as he stood up straight again, eyes twinkling. "It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintances. "

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Perhaps if either Remiel Calcifet or Sabine Calcifet had been there to reign him in, the blond might have noticed how off-kilter his words were. Perhaps he might have realized that his assumption was just that — an assumption at best, a lie at worst.

[break][break] As it is, however, the trailed off words of Razz Kingsman are deaf to the boy's ears as he braces a hand on the hilt of his Honedge. His smile is blithe, unaware of the mistake he has made, and almost obscenely confident, as if Stormy Silph had returned his words.

[break][break] There are few things that are known to stop Arthur Finnian Vanderbilt, and neither of the rangers' words seem like enough.

[break][break] "The guard at the entrance didn't seem to mind," he said, head tilted to the side. Though, the "guard" that Artie was mentioning was probably not a guard at all, but a conveniently placed Ranger cadet who was perhaps too easily swayed by gold coin. Not that any of it had mattered to Artie. He had followed the trail of lightning bugs to the particularly quiet area of the forest, and maybe it was because he had walked along the path with such confidence, no one had bothered to stop him. Or perhaps, he was just lucky.

[break][break] He crosses the space between he and the other two in a few strides. "Arthur Finnian Vanderbilt but call me Artie," he says, handing them a glossy Galarian ID. It shimmers with the royal emblem. A pause, and then his brow furrows in apology. "Oh dear, was I interrupting your date?"

[break][break] A shame. They were both pretty cute.

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