In total, there were about 24 contestants for the appeals round. One half of them were all rookie coordinators, the other half consisted of genuine experts, which included some famous ones as well, such as May Maple, who resides in Petalburg City. She, by chance, performed in the first part of the round as well, with her Blaziken.

"Wow, she's so amazing…" Yugo said, after having seen the Blaziken use a good Mega Kick on a flying disc, sending it out of the air.

"Because she did this more often, of course" Grégorie commented, "so brace yourself, in case you'll face an expert coordinator, like I will."

"And here's the second contestant to be in this appeals round" the announcer said, "all the way from Alola, sending you nothing but big waves… Sheldon!"

The boy named Sheldon looked like an aspiring coordinator, and the final move he did with his Shellder left the whole contest field glittering in miniature water drops.

Wow, it's like magic! Pulsar gasped. That Sheldon and his Shellder sure are a good pair!

"Aren't they?" Grégorie said. "Just wait until you see me and Jason do something identical to that…!" Jason, her Tympole, smirked in response.

"Next up is one of our absolute top coordinators!" the announcer said, "having moved from Kanto to Hoenn recently for the sake of being in love with one of our later contestants - everyone knows her - it's Solidad!"

The group of six applauded, as they surely approved of Solidad and her amazing techniques she used during every single contest.


Many rounds later, it was up to one of the six-some. And I guess you would've guessed it already… it was Berry.

"Alright, Pulsar" the dark blonde said, as she and her Rotom went onto the field, "we've practised for about dozens of times now, and now, it's our real time to shine. Are you ready?"

For sure, Pulsar said, so let's do it!

They started with a Discharge, which, soon enough, was shattered by a Confuse Ray, as electronical glitter floated all around the field. Next up, a combination of Discharge and Astonish was used, now with an effect that resembled fireworks, with electric sparks all going up, and then slowly floating back down.

In the audience, Berry's siblings, aunt and uncle watched in sheer excitement, as they cheered on her and admired her interesting first choice of move combinations.

Berry was awarded with two B's and one B+ by the judges and announcer. She stuck her thumb up to them, and walked back to the hallway, where many others were waiting.

"Wow" one of the many other contestants said to Berry, "for a rookie, those move combinations sure were amazing… do you and your Rotom know each other for a longer time?" It was Lisia, one of the most famous contestants from Hoenn.

"Pulsar and I have known each other for nearly two months" Berry said. "I found it in an alley, and it was all alone, and my promise was to become one of the best coordinators once I've got my first Pokémon… now here's my first step, I guess."

"I must say, you two have built up a very good bond ever since. Please, keep that up!" Lisia patted Berry's shoulder, and walked towards the door, as she would be one of the next ones soon.

"Berry, that was amazing!" Jeff said, as soon as the dark blonde sat down. "You can manage those electric moves so well, even for a first-timer like you!"

Berry just blushed and chuckled in response, and watched Pearl, a contestant from Johto, demonstrate some amazing psychic move combinations with her Spoink, on the big display screen.

The rest of the remaining contestants later, the big screen was about to show the 12 people that successfully passed the appeals round.

"Please…" Berry pleaded. "I wanna pass this round right this instant…"

"I hope I wasn't too bad…" Grégorie said, being fairly nervous.

"You all weren't half as bad either" one of the other contestants commented, "for a bunch of newbies." It was Harley, a slightly arrogant contestant from Slateport City who liked dressing up as a Cacturne.

"Not half as bad?!" Kate snapped. "Newbies?! Listen, you Iop brains. I did my absolute best to let Grim break rocks and shatter them in cute, microscopically tiny smithereens, and this is what I get?!" She took one large step forward and wanted to glare at Harley, but Berry put a stop to that.

"Why, thanks, sire!" she said to Harley, as sarcastically as possible. "You and your twin were just half as good." She winked, and next up, started whispering to her Rotom. "Pulsar, you should give that potted plant man a hug. Of course he didn't do well…"

Harley just stood there, still befuddled from Berry's comment, as Pulsar came extremely close to him.

Yeah, young man! the small plasma Pokémon squeaked. You were amazing, may I offer you a hug?

"What are you planning, Berry?" Colin and Kate asked.

"Nothing special…" Berry said, with a faux innocent look on her face.

Meanwhile, Pulsar had made Harley speechless, and shocked him with a hug, giggling afterwards. A few people who knew Harley well laughed at the situation.

"He'd always been like that" May said to Berry, "even during my time of my first few contests. What you just did was very well thought up by you!"

Berry just giggled in response, as Colin, Grégorie, Jeff, Kate and Yugo applauded for her.

"Look!" Jeff said, as he pointed at the screen, "the results!"

The screen showed the six-some, as well as six out of the twelve experts, namely May, Harley, Drew, Solidad, Chaz, and Lisia.

"Next week" the announcer commented, "all of these contestants will get to know their opponents. Until then, see ya!"

"Amazing!" the six-some cheered. "We're through!"

"But next week, you all will have it really tough against us" Drew said to them, "so please brace yourselves."

"We sure will" Colin said, putting both his thumbs up.


In the evening, Berry and her five new acquaintances all had Chap, Alice and Henry's planned surprise dinner at her home.

"You were absolutely amazing" Heart commented. "We did very well while practising, right?

Berry nodded. "In the final round, I'd like some music, too. At least… if I'll make it there."

"I'm sure you'll make it there, sis" Pik said, "for that, I shall make you another special dress."

"But first" Jeff said, "we'll have to wait until next week, then, we'll know who our opponents are." This made all of the others at the table laugh, as it sounded too logical to be answered otherwise.