Today was Cleffa’s big day. She spun circles around Volo’s feet, singing and dancing from excitement. He smiled tenderly at her, lifting her up and into his hands. 

It was time to register.

He certainly did not look the part. Most of the other entrants to the Little Cup were very peppy, nicely dressed and cutesy, each matching the behavior of their Pokémon. Volo was the tallest person in line, looming like a shadow. His skin was pale, eyes hooded with dark circles, shocking against such white skin. He looked sickly; the large, dark jacket he wore was tattered, and its heavy hood obscured the sides of his face. His long, blond bangs covered one of his eyes, unruly hair tied back into a bun.

Still, Cleffa looked upon him as though he were the most gentle of guardians. He tickled her a little, whispering to Cleffa softly.

“Okay, Twinklestar, let’s show them what we’ve got!” 

The other guests at registration couldn’t help but stare when his thick black boots crunched against the polished floor. The smiling staff paled when his rough voice barely answered their questions, his sharp intensity unmatched.

“Can you… sign this?” A blonde receptionist looked at him with confusion, handing him a clipboard.

He set Cleffa onto the table that was covered in ribbons and streamers, moving the shiny helium balloons out of the way so he could quickly fill out his information before turning away as fast as possible.

He scooped up his Cleffa, nuzzling against her when she reached out for a hug.

“Sir!” They called out to him but he had vanished, eager to head in closer to the arena. 

☆。*。☆。

★。＼｜／。★

The Little Cup arena looked more like a playground, with soft pastel, plush tiles and a variety of equipment that also doubled as toys. Giant stuffies of substitutes lined the stadium. A sizable crowd watched from behind pink gates, perched in the bleachers along with their Pokémon. The entire festival was being recorded and broadcast out to all the regions of the world.

Volo watched the other contestants closely, studying their choices of moves, thinking the vast majority had no clue what they were doing. The Little Cup was an underrated avenue for competitive engagement. Mastery in training was required of all participants. 

Volo had bred this Cleffa himself, raising her from since she was born to be the very best she could be. He loved her dearly. She was proud of herself, eager to show Volo how well her training with Volo’s other Pokémon had paid off. Volo had used his prized Togekiss to instruct her on her quest to become the second Little Cup champion on Volo’s team.

It was finally Volo’s time to shine. His name was called by the excited announcer, a long line of lights in the floor shining against the frilly and fluffy landscape. Volo followed them to his side of the arena. His opponent would be called soon.

Cleffa and Volo wagged their fingers in unison, the cameras capturing the culmination of their most important element of training—mastery of Metronome. Cleffa jumped to do it in time with Volo, singing happily when he laughed with affection for her.

“In the left corner, we have Volo! This eccentric character is finally out of retirement! You may remember him from six years ago when his Togepi was crowned champion of the Little Cup League!” 

Volo was not as gentle to the audience, looking up as though exhausted as soon as a camera came too close to his face. He made no effort to disguise the disgust on his features.

“Volo is here today with his hopeful Cleffa, Twinklestar!” Cleffa puffed out her cheeks and tried to look really tough. “Give it up for Twinklestar, everyone!”

The audience cheered. Cleffa kept trying to look really buff, but she couldn’t help but blush at all the attention.

When the cameras turned to the right corner, tall bright yellow plastic doors bursting open, Volo smiled again at Cleffa, giving her a thumbs up.

“You got this, honey!” He beamed with warmth, proud of her regardless of the outcome.

Cleffa dragged her foot against the ground, blushing, looking up at him with pleading eyes as she swayed back and forth.

With great fanfare, Volo’s opponent emerged, encouraging the audience by fanning his arms, waving like he were a friendly royal king.

“Hellooooo Sinnoh~!”

Who else could it be but Leon, the undefeated Galar champion. He struck his signature pose for the cameras, his partner Charmander running around his feet, eager to look as cool and talented as it felt Leon did. Leon’s heavy cape was covered in logos and emblems, and it rippled in the breeze while he held the pose.

Volo rolled his eyes at all the pageantry, thinking it was so over the top. Cleffa gasped, putting her paws to her lips, looking back and forth at Volo and Leon in a way that meant: Can you believe this!?

Volo gave her a reassuring look before he returned to apathy at being addressed by his opponent, his new rival, Leon.

“Volo’s opponent needs no introduction, folks! You know him, you love him—in the right corner is Galar’s beloved champion, Leon! He’s here today with his feisty Charmander, Charcoal!” Charmander wagged its tail, its flame burning brighter while it tried to frighten Cleffa with its teeth. “Will he claim the crown of the Little Cup!?”

Leon flashed a smile at Volo but it quickly sank away from his features when he locked on to Volo’s frighteningly fierce eyes.

“Uh… Nice to meet you?” Leon’s eyebrows furrowed. He laughed at this strange character and the Cleffa that had gone back to putting on quite the performance of how tough she was, stomping her feet into the ground like she were mimicking a Gigantamax Charizard.

Volo didn’t acknowledge him, staring off into the bleachers as though they contained something far more interesting.

Leon shrugged, shaking his head. He bent down to give his Charmander a high five before the countdown began.

“Good luck, Volo!” Leon adjusted his cap, beaming his handsome smile despite Volo’s coldness.

Volo sneered.

“Ready?” The announcer called, both Pokémon taking fighting stances. “Go!”

It was on. Cleffa leapt forwards, ready to meet the tough Charmander head on. Charmander was a little shocked by her bravery, missing her with the embers that burst from his maw.

Cleffa used her Baby-Doll Eyes move to send Charmander’s defenses plummeting. Charmander watched her with a new affection, charmed right away by her determination. The audience laughed when Cleffa hit him with a quick Pound, restoring him to his senses.

Volo called out commands, guiding Cleffa—although she didn’t need much guidance at all. She was ready for this, prepared for this from the day that she’d been given her name, Twinklestar.

Leon called for his Charmander. “Scratch, Charcoal!”

Charmander nodded, rushing towards Cleffa, smoke fuming from his nostrils.

“Twinklestar!” Volo called, warning her. “It’s time to use our special move!”

Cleffa beamed. She was excited to show off her powers to everyone.

Charmander bounded towards her, his heavy footsteps shaking her where she stood. Still, she did it carefully, wagging her finger back and forth to cast Meterome. 

“Wow! Metronome!” The announcer was as shocked as the audience. “I wonder what move will emerge from this risky choice!”

Volo grinned. Leon winced, instructing Charmander to move back but he was determined on landing his Scratch.

Cleffa began to glow, harnessing the magical powers within her. She chirped and the move came to her. 

Bubble Beam!

The crowd cheered as tiny little Cleffa wielded an ideal move, the one with a perfect type advantage. Twinkling bubbles glittered as they rushed to cover Charmander.

It was just a few moments and then Charmander's knees buckled, sending him collapsing to the ground as he fainted, tongue lolling out of his muzzle. 

“And there you have it! Cleffa wins this round, folks!” The announcer called it. Volo cheered the loudest of everyone.

Cleffa rushed back to his arms, jumping into the air. He twirled her around, his arms fully extended. Confetti burst from the ceiling.

“You did it, Twinklestar!” Volo praised her. “I knew you could! Let’s keep it up for round two!”

Twinklestar had never been so happy in all her life.