The copper stain that had fell over the mountain range swayed in the afternoon breeze, gently lifting what golden leaves had fallen from the branches onto the ground below. They swirled together in a dance, pulling at some of the twigs and flower petals, passing by those who moved quickly through the brisk autumn air. In the distance, one could hear the sound of the crunching from newly broken boots, an echo of wind chimes from the porches and the creaking sound from the cars on the Battle Lift above. 

The entire picturesque scenery of Syrma Town was something to be admired and the natives to the residence nestled between the large peaks were proud of their heritage. It was too often that winter came quickly, throwing the reddish-brown colors to the wind so that a blanket of pure white could lay over the town.

"Would you please all gather around here for an announcement?"

In the middle of the sleepy town, a sing-song voice rang out through the heart of the Gym, echoing off of the walls and speakers to the trainers stationed in different sections. 

"We're going to be having a visitor this afternoon, so please be on your best behavior," Charlotte spoke up, stationed on a platform nearing the back of the establishment. She was dressed up for the occasion, neatly curled hair falling over her right shoulder as she gestured to her surroundings. "Please resume your normal training activities and welcome any challenger that may come along."

A stir of excited chatter sounded throughout the trainers, but it faded the moment that the electric-type Leader had dismissed them. Her amber hues followed them back to their appointed places before it landed on the piece of paper folded under her arm. Written in neat calligraphy with a smooth signature at the bottom, it was a letter indicating that her Gym was going to be having one of the Elites visit for routine inspection.

She'd managed to evade the last one due to unforeseen circumstances, but she wasn't the least bit nervous that she was technically at a disadvantage. The only thing she had to wonder was who was going to be sent to the mountain range in order to score her on her performance. As winter usually dominated a good majority of the months, it was difficult to leave this place to join up with other Leaders and Elites. She hadn't meant many other colleagues, so she couldn't help but be a bit anxious.

"Lux!"

As if sensing her slight uneasiness, something nudged at her shoulder and Charlotte turned her attention to her Luxray, Xavier, who had been glued to her side for most of the morning. He tilted his head before gently pushing against her again, doing his best to calm and encourage his loving trainer.

Effie stepped daintily up toward the biggest, prettiest building on the beach. The Sinclair Summer house was just as big and ornate as Effie had remembered it. The Merian Islands were sometimes the hotspots for big parties and rich big-wigs, but the Sinclairs had the unique luxury of owning almost an entire island just for themselves. And now, Effie got to enjoy it without having to worry about slack-jawed degenerates bothering her left and right over battles. No, this trip was about relaxing in the sun, swimming in the ocean and drinking exotic cocktails made by the wonderfully skilled Jacques. He practically lived on this island on the off-chance that a Sinclair would stop by for a little vacation. Well, today was that day.~

Effie smirked and adjusted her wide-brimmed hat as her wedges clicked on the ground. Who walked on sand when they didn't have to, right? Getting all these little grains in the straps did NOT suit Vivillon Wang. Ugh. Her family had bought up their own personal boardwalk for a REASON. If only there were some hot bodied young men for her to look at while sunbathing- otherwise, this could prove to be a pretty dull heatwave. Oh, well; at least the building had air-conditioning. 

In the distance, Effie could make out a gangly, pale man looking quite uncomfortable leaning against a palm tree. Of COURSE he would be here. The bumbling disgrace just couldn't make himself scarce, could he? But with a grim smile, Effie abandoned the thoughts about rippling abs and tight butts- torturing her big brother was almost too delicious to pass up. In a sick way she had never really addressed, Effie felt an uncomfortable amount of glee tormenting others. Seeing them squirm just did something tingly to her. This looked like the perfect opportunity to get some jollies in. She started walking toward him slowly, like a Seviper preying on a Buneary.

"Your poke'mon are all healed up Arion," the Nurse Joy of Sargas City said with a bright smile.  "We hope to see you again~" she added with a little bow from her and the Chansey behind her.

"Thanks so much," Arion said, taking the poke'balls from the tray in front of him and placed them onto the corresponding belt clip.  As the boy turned, the Poke'mon Center's announcement board caught his eye.  Brightly colored flyers littered every corner of the cork board and several trainers were huddle around it.  "Odd..."

"I can't wait for the pageant later today!" a female trainer said, the Skitty in her arms mewling in agreement.  "We get the best pageant entries every year.  I'm getting so intimidated by some of the talent we've been getting."

"I know..." chimed in a boy followed by a Mightyena.  "I got smoked last year and Kipcha usually does so well in the beauty contest," he said, petting the wolf poke'mon's head.  

Arion approached the trainers, tilting his head slightly.  "Are poke'mon pageants that much of a big thing?"

"Of course!  They're one of the best events of this city!  We draw in so many people from all over the Acirema Region and it's so wonderful to see how the trainers glam up their poke'mon.  The pageant is a weekend event, actually.  I think they're starting with the Cuteness and Toughness categories later today.  If you don't know much about them, you should go check it out~" the girl suggested.

Parties. Crowds. Mingling. These were a few of Logan's least favorite things. And yet, there he was, plopped right down in the middle of one of the League's "Exclusive" parties. Yes, apparently anyone who was anyone on Acirema's radar would be there, and yet Logan was hard pressed to find a single person he knew so far. Not Tova, not Go, not even that burly Gastly-ston lookalike. Logan sighed and swirled his champagne in distress. Here he was, dressed up to the nines in a crisp white suit, perfectly fitted, rose accented cufflinks and tie, wine colored dress shirt, even a vest, and yet he was totally out of his element. There were no Pokemon to distract him and no people he knew to help him relax. Tilting back his head a little bit, Logan stared at the chandelier in the center of the huge room. It glittered beautifully, reflecting light in every direction, like a huge carved diamond.