After finding out that this year’s Unova League will be taking place in Vertress City, Ash can’t wait! Our heroes say goodbye to Cynthia and Jervis and off they go, planning to stop by the Village of Dragons on the way so Iris can visit her hometown.
During a break for lunch, Iris and Emolga have an unpleasant encounter with a group of three well-dressed and snooty girls, who throw around some insults about their appearance and then flounce away laughing. Iris is furious at their arrogance, and heads into town to find out who the mean girls were and where to find them. It seems the three are part of the Flower Garden Troupe, a group of female performers and their Pokémon. That means no guys allowed in their headquarters—and no male Pokémon, either!
But Iris is determined to get in and get even, and she manages to talk Ash and Cilan into coming with her, even when that means all three of them getting decked out in fancy dresses, jewelry, and makeup. Pansage has to wear a pink bow—and even Pikachu’s tail gets a disguise!
Once inside, our disguised heroes ask if they can watch the troupe rehearse, and the leader Moira agrees. She offers them some pointers on style and poise, and then presents them with a series of challenges. First, our heroes’ Pokémon will have to cross a balance beam to demonstrate their sense of grace. When that proves too easy, the stakes are raised: it’s a balance beam battle, and this time there’s a mud pit underneath! Finally, it’s time for the Beauty Battlefield, where Iris finally gets her revenge, defeating Moira and one of her minions and knocking them into the mud. A beautiful victory!