Episode 275: The Hoenn Grand Festival Part 1
Upon arriving in Slateport City, Kairi still had some weeks to prepare so she still had time to prepare. Kairi had exchanged Furret, Claydol, Weepinbell, Shellder, and Flaaffy for Hoppip, Tentacool, Seel, Oddidh, and Slugma. With each passing day, Kairi's Pokémon had evolved. Kairi's newly evolved Skiploom is purple while the flower stayed yellow. Kairi had exchanged her entire team for Beautifly, Gardevoir, Togetic, Plusle and Minun.
Unknown to anyone, Wario and Waluigi had ended up in the same boat again and then got on a different boat, bound for the Kanto region. They were hoping to find some valuables there.
Finally, it was gettling close to the opening ceremonies of the Hoenn Grand Festival. All of Kairi's hard work and sacrifice was finally gonna pay off. Kairi went to register and presented the clerk her Coordinators card.
"Here you go," Kairi said.
"Okay, let's have a look here," the clerk said. The computer shows Kairi along with Angel, Togetic, Beautifly, Gardevoir, Plusle, and Minun on hand and all of her other Pokémon beneath. "Welcome, Kairi from Pallet Town. I'll need to see your Contest Ribbons too." Kairi took out all her ribbons and the clerk scans each one of them. Her ribbons shows up. "Okay, Kairi, everything's in order. Let me just give you a guidebook to take with you. It has maps of the stadiums, contest rules, even where the resturants are located." Kairi takes the guidebook and her card.
"Great. And thank you," Kairi said.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, and Team Choatix headed for the dorms they would be staying for the duration of the Grand Festival.
"Wow, it loks more a hotel," Charmy said.
"It sure does," Espio said. Just then, he turned to see someone sneak behind Kairi. Sora places his hand on the chameleon's shoulder and shakes his head. A pair of hands covers Kairi's eyes.
"Guess who?" A familiar male voice playfully asked. Kairi was filled with ahppiness as she turned to see her father.
"Dad! Mom! Grandma!" Kairi greeted her family. Ventus, Terra, and Aqua were with them as well along with the two Pichu. They tackled their adopted big brother.
"Good to see you, dear," Kairi's grandmother said.
"Hello Sora," Mirei said, giving her daughter's boyfriend a hug.
"Hi there, Mirei," Sora greeted.
"I'm so happy that you could come here," Kairi said.
"We wouldn't miss this for the world," Yuta said. Kairi's parents looked over to Pikachu. "Those little guys sure missed you, Pikachu."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said. The Pichu looked at Angel as she was smiling at them. They looked at Pikachu.
"Who is she?" - Pichu subtitle. Pikachu got up and introduced them to Angel.
"Guys, this is Angel. She's a very special friend. Angel, these are the Pichu I was telling you about." - Pikachu subtitle. Angel affectionately nuzzles the Pichu.
"Oh, they are just so adorable! I love them to pieces!" - Angel subtitle. Meowth was nervous about seeing them when Terra and Aqua noticed him.
"Hey, you're that Meowth from Team Rocket, aren't you?!" Terra exclaimed.
"Just what is this mangy crook doing here? Causing some trouble as usual?" Aqua asked, glaring at him.
"Wait a minute. I'm not the same I was back then," Meowth said.
"He's with us. I know it's ard to believe, but he's changed," Sora said.
"He's telling the truth. Jessie and James aren't here. They're dead actually," Kairi said. Kairi's parents remembered how their first meeting with them wasn't pleasent, but at least one of them changed his ways. Terra and Aqua just couldn't forgive the things he did.
"No way," Terra said. Meowth nodded to confirm it. Sora turned to his cousin.
"So, how's my cousin doing? You got a little bit taller since the last time," Sora said. Ventus grinned.
"I grew some inches since the last time," Ventus said. He looked at the three Mobians in their trenchcoats. "Who are they?"
"About that," Sora said. Everyone went up to the room they were staying in Vector, Charmy, and Espio all took off their disguises to show themselves. They were all shocked to see what they looked like, but the couple exlpained that they're lost from their home and they promised to help out anyway they can to send them back. "And that's about it."
"I have to say, you sure know how to pick your friends," Yuta said.
"I'll say," Mirei said.
"We met them when we were on Mirage Island. I was judging the Pacifidlog Pokémon Contest," Sora said.
"It was when a friend was comepeting in it. Ven, Terra, Aqua, you've met her," Kairi said.
"You mean, May? We figured she would get here too," Terra said.
"No surprise with us," Aqua said.
"When does the Grand Festival offically start?" Ventus asked.
"Soon. Just be patient," Aqua said.
"Just how are these contests set up?" Kairi's grandmother asked.
"Well, according to the guidebook, the Grand Festival always runs on the classic match format. It's divided into Preliminary matches and Main Competetion Matches. To answer Ven's question, it starts tomorrow. So, 247 Coordinators will compete im the Preliminary matches. And only 64 of them will advance to the Competition matches," Sora said as he read the guidebook.
"Only 64 out of 247?" Vector asked.
"Wow, those are pretty lousy odds," Charmy said.
"But, it's nothing Kairi can't handle, right?" Kairi asked.
"Of course not. My little girl's the best there is," Yuta said.
"Dad," Kairi giggled a little.
Team Chaotix decided to stay behind since they don't want to risk being seen. The group stepped out. They all saw all sorts of trainers with their Pokémon.
"Wow, look at them all!" Ventus said.
"Looks like everyone wants to win it," Terra said. May and Max walk down and they notice Sora and Kairi along with Terra, Ventus, and Aqua. Their mom are with them as well.
"Hey!" May called out. They all turned to May, Max, and their mom.
"May!" Kairi greeted. She ran up to her friend and rival. "I knew we would bump into you."
"Me too," May said.
"Hey! Ven!" Max shouted.
"Hey Max!" Ventus said. They high-fived seeing each other again. "How have you been?"
"Got to see some new places and meet some cool Pokémon!" Max said.
"Terra, Aqua. Nice seeing you again," May said.
"You too, May," Aqua said.
"We figured you would make it in to the Grand Festival," Terra said.
"Are these friends of yours?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah, mom. This guy here is Terra. The girl is Aqua, and the little kid is Sora's cousin, Ventus," May introduced.
"Mom, dad, grandma, meet May and her brother Max. And that's their mom, Caroline. May, Max, Caroline, meet my parents and my grandma," Kairi introduced.
"It's nie to meet you," Yuta said.
"You too," May said.
"I must say, it's good to be meeting Kairi's parents and grandmother," Caroline said.
"Same for us, Caroline," Mirei said.
"It's always good to see parents come to support their kids," Yuta said.
"Speaking of parents, where's Norman? Thought he would be here too," Sora said.
"Norman is far too busy at the Gym to attend, but he says he's going to be watching on TV, rooting for May," Caroline said.
Just then, Lillie came along with Snowy, Elio, and Selene to root for May.
"Lillie!" Sora, Kairi, Ven, Terra, and Aqua all said.
"Hello everyone!" Lillie greeted with a smile.
"Oh no! Not here too!" Meowth said with dismay. She froze in place when she saw Meowth with them.
"What is he doing here?!" Lillie exclaimed.
"It's not what you think!" Meowth said, hiding behind Kairi.
"Is that the talking Meowth you told us about?" Selene asked.
"That's him. There's no mistaking it!" Lillie said.
"So, you and your Team Rocket buddies are up to your usual tricks, aren't you?" Elio asked.
"Cool it, guys, he's with us," Sora said. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's true."
"You sure it's not a trick?" Lillie asked.
"Trust me, it's not," Sora said. Lillie was skeptical about this, but she had to give hima chance, even though he didn't really deserve it. Just then, Brendan and Wally had shown up. "Brendan! Wally!" Sora waved at the two boys.
"Hey Sora!" Brendan greeted.
"I figured I bump into here again," Wally said as he spotted Caroline with them. "Hi Caroline. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Hello Wally," Caroline greeted. "And it's good to see you again, Brendan."
"You too," Brendan said.
"So glad you can make it," May said. Brendan blushes a bit.
"You too, May," Brendan said.
A series of introductions went on. Wally was shocked to hear a talking Meowth, but he was amazed at the same time. Just then, Drew and his Roselia had come along. They saw the group. May turned to see her rival.
"Drew!" May said. She went up to her rival. "I bet you're surprised to see me here. You didn't think I'd make it."
"I got to admit, I had my doubts," Drew said.
"You also have to admit even though you never given me credit for it, I'm every bit as good a trainer as you are," May said. Drew flips his hair.
"Just saying it doesn't make is so," Drew said.
"You never know. You'd be surprised," a familiar voice spoke. They turned to see Riku, Naminé, Eevee, and Azurill coming towards them.
"Riku," May said.
"You know each other?" Drew asked.
"Yeah," May said.
"Hey Riku!" Sora greeted. Riku turned to see Sora, Kairi, her family, Lillie, Ven, Terra, Aqua, Brendan, Max, Wally, Elio, and Selene there.
"Hey guys," Riku said. He smiled. "Not surprising that you came all this way, Kairi."
"Thanks Riku," Kairi said. He turned to Wally.
"Wally, was it? I think you might have improved," Riku said.
"Thanks," Wally said. "I evolved my Kirlia into a Gallade, so I'm rearing for a rematch if you're interested."
"Later," Riku said.
"May, Sora, Kairi, Riku, is that you?" A familiar voice called out. They all turned to see Harley running towards them. "I thought I saw some familiar faces!"
"Harley," Sora and Kairi deadanned.
"I thought I'd never catch up with you," Harley said.
"You know this guy?" Elio asked.
"Yeah, we saw him on boat to Purika Town for a Contest," Sora said.
"I also know him. I got into a battle with him and I beat him," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
"No surpises here," Sora said.
"So, May, how are you? Are you doing good?" Harley asked.
"Um, I'm doing fine," May said, feeling nervous.
"Good, good, good! Glad to hear it," Harley said. "You may not know this, but I'm entering the Grand Festival too. And I thought I would check out the competition and my eyes did not decieve me and I saw you, Kairi, and Sora-boy here. And if memory serves, I heard he's entering the Hoenn Pokémon League just after the Grand Festival is over and done with, is that right?"
"Yeah. Iearned my eighth Gym Badge. Thanks for asking," Sora said. Ventus got wide-eyed.
"You won your eighth Badge, Sora?! Lemme see! Lemme see!" Ventus said.
"Ven! Don't pester Sora in front of strangers!" Aqua scolded. Harley looked at the trio.
"I don't remember meeting them," Harley said.
"You wouldn't have anyway. This kid is my cousin. Ventus. The guy there is Terra, and the girl is Aqua," Sora introduced.
"Your cousin? No! I thought he was your little brother since you two look so much alike," Harley said.
"You're not the first to say that, and you won't be the last," Lillie spoke up. "I should introduce myself, My name is Lillie."
"Nice to meet you, Lillie," Harley said. He looked at the Alolan Vuplpix next to her. "If I didn't know any better, that's an Alolan Vulpix. May I presume that you're from Alola?"
"That's right. And so are Elio and Selene here. The three of us are all research fellows. Riku is an old classmate in the Pokémon School," Lillie said. Harley turned to Riku and he had a small hint of disgust that he lost to him.
"Anyway, before I forget why I came by, I just wanted to personally apologize to May for what I did back at the Purika Contest. I should have known that you knew all too well about Surskit," Harley said.
"Well, she should have, because I taught her that when we were little," Brendan said.
"And who are you?" Harley asked.
"The name's Brendan. I came here to support May in the Grand Festival," Brendan said. Sora could tell Max told Brendan about Harley and could also tell Brendan has a huge dislike for him since then.
"And the whole shower thing, what was that about?" May asked.
"To be honest, I don't have the slightest idea. I don't even how that tape ended up in my possession in the first place," Harley said. "But you don't mind if I get a picture of the each of you. Just for fun." Harley took out his camera and took a picture of Sora, Kairi, Riku, Brendan, Wally, Lillie, Elio, and Selene. "Got what I need. See ya later!" Harley took his leave.
"What a weirdo," Max said.
"I do know what grownups mean by not talking to strangers. And they don't come much stranger than that," Ventus said. Drew took his leave to prepare for the Grand Festival.
"Harley, talks so much, I don't know whether to believe him," May said.
"You shouldn't, May. I got a glimpse of his true colors from the moment he batttled you in Purika Town," Sora said.
"You're probably right. I shouldn't trust a thing he says," May said.
Harley made sure he was too far for anyone to hear him.
"May, I was expecting, but that silver-haired pest just made it even sweeter. I'll deal with May first. Those two will be sorry they ran into me again. Nothing they do will stop me from getting my revenge," Harley spat.
Over in Kanto, Jessie and James had gotten themselves settled as James was watering a Pokémon that greatly resembles a Venus fly trap. Its circular eyes have small pupils, and it has spiky teeth. Its stem is yellow with green spots, with red and green vines beneath with the appearance of tentacles. It can hang from tree branches using these vines. It has two arms resembling leaves with three leafy 'fingers' each.
"You like that, Carnivine? Is that good?" James asked the fly trap Pokémon.
"Carnivine," the Carnivine said, taking a bite onto James's head.
"Is it me or does Carnivine like to chomp on your head just like Victreebel does?" Jessie asked.
"He's been doing that ever since I was little. Carnivine and I used to have all sorts of fun together," James said.
"Vine," Carnivine said, smiling.
"You're lucky that you have a friend from childhood. Not like me," Jessie said. James knew what his fiance meant.
"Right, you never had someone to call a friend. But, it's in the past. And we can make a bright future without Team Rocket," James said. Jessie smiled and nodded.
"You're right, James. We can. Also, it's been a while since we heard from Genghis and Kahnnie," Jessie said.
"They'll do their part to let us know," James said. Just then, a ringing is heard. Jessie and James answer their communicators.
"Jessie and James here," Jessie said.
"This is Kahnnie. Letting you that there's going to be an operation over in the Cerulean City Gym. All of the Gym Leader's Pokémon had been targeted," Kahnnie said.
"Roger that," James said. Carnivine gave him a puppy-dog look. "You wanna come along, Carnivine?"
"Vine," Carnivine said.
"If that's what you want, then you're welcome to come along," James said. James said goodbye to his grandparents as they got ready to depart. "I'm sorry to leave you again, Nanny and PawPaw. But, we have a mission to complete."
"Don't worry about none. We're just proud of the choice you've made," PawPaw said.
"Just be careful out there. And be sure to let us know as soon as you set up a date for your wedding," Nanny said.
"We will," James said.
With that said, Team Anti-Rocket blasts off to put a stop to Team Rocket's plans.
Back at Slateport City, Kairi and May put their heart into some practice. Kairi decided to go with her Togetic in the preliminaries. May decides to go with her Beautifly.
Back in Alola, Illima, Mallow, Kiawe, Lana, Sophocles, Acerola, Mina, and Hapu all watch on TV as the Grand Festival was getting started.
In an unknown location on Alola, the Mane seven, Spike, Dingodile, Hunter, Bianca, Shiela, Sgt. Byrd, Bentley, Agent 9, the Kongs, Time Man and Oil Man were doing some channel surfing.
"So, which channel is it going to be?" Hunter asked.
"We've been looking for one ever since we turned it on," Chunky Kong said.
"We could at least one," Rainbow Dash said. She found something that caught her eye. It was a coverage of a Pokémon battle going on in a wrestling ring. "Now we're talking!" It was a Poliwrath and a Machamp going at it. The Poliwrath has Machamp in a headlock.
"And Poliwrath has Machamp in a tight headlock! How is it going to get out of this one?!" The announcer asked. Machamp manages to gain some footing and breaks out of Poliwrath's grip. Machamp gives Poliwrath a feirsome throw out out the ring. "And Machamp gives Poliwrath a devastating Vital Throw!" Machamp lands a powerful punch onto Poliwrath and knocking it out. "And Machamp finishes up with a powerful Dynamic Punch! This match is over! Machamp is the winner!" The crowd goes wild.
"That was awesome! Tell me that was awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"Crickey, that had to hurt," Dindodile said.
"I'll say. I mean, ouch," Hunter said.
"What channel did we just hit?" Tiny Kong asked.
"I don't know, but there should be a coverage on something called the Grand Festival soon," Twilight said.
"Ohh, must be some kind of party," Pinkie Pie said.
"It would be worth looking into," Sunset Shimmer said. The channel is changed into the Grand Festival.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Slateport City where the Grand Festival is about to begin! excitement is in the air as some of the world's most talented Pokémon Coordinators are about to give it their all in the quest for their dreams. To get here, each of these high-level trainers has had to win five ribbons in competitions all over the Hoenn region. And now, they stand on the Appeal Stage awaiting the Preliminary Round. Striking that perfect balance between power and display is they key to victory here. Pokémon entrances, attack executions and every aspect right up to the big finish must be done with maximum grace and power. Coordinators will also be jusged on how smoothly they interact with their Pokémon. Out of the staring pool of 247 contestants, only the best 64 Coordinators will make it through the main competition round on the arena center stage. The only thing we know for certain is that for some, they'll be triumph and for soe, they'll only be heartbreak," Vivian announced.
Kairi lined up with the other competitors of the Grand Festival as Sora, Riku, Naminé, Eevee, Azurill, Kairi's family, Angel, the Pichu, Meowth, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Lillie, Elio, Selene, Brendan, Max, Caroline, and Wally watch the performances.
"Roselia! Use Petal Dance!" Drew ordered. Roselia uses Petal Dance as it sprinkled all over the stage while doing a twirl. That earned Drew a 95. It was now Harley's turn.
"Come on now, Cacturne, and do it for Harley!" Harley called out as his Cacturne comes on out. "Bullet Seed! Go!" Cacturne fires Bullet Seed into the ground and makes a small smoke cloud as Cacturne does a stance. "Oh, good job, my loyal Cacturne," Harley said. That earned Harley am 84. It was now May's turn.
"Up next is May from Petalburg City! It looks like May has full confidence in her skills. Let's see how well May does," Vivian said. May took out Beautifly's Pokéball.
"Take the stage! beautifly!" May called out as Beautifly comes on out. "Use Silver Wind!" Beautifly fires Silver Wind right up to the sun, creating sparkles.
"Beautiful. She pulled it off," Caroline said. It earned May a solid 88 points.
"Eighty-eight points?! How could she beat me?" Harley asked in his thoughts. It was now Kairi's turn.
"Go for it, Kairi!" May said.
"Thanks a lot, May. I plan to do it!" Kairi said, giving May a high-five.
"And now, it's time to present Kairi from Pallet Town! I wonder what kind of show does she plan to show us?" Vivian asked as Kairi took out her Pokéball.
"Go! Togetic!" She threw her Pokéball into the air as Togetic makes his entrance. "Start up with Swift, then follow with Fairy Wind!" Togetic fires Swift and then follows with a pink sparking wind take the stars.
"Kairi's Togetic start things off with a Swift followed by a Fairy Wind! It is absolutely breathtaking!" Vivian announced.
"That's my girl!" Yuta said.
"Way to go, Kairi!" Aqua said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Anngel added.
"Pichu!" The Pichu also added.
"Wrap it up with Aerial Ace!" Kairi ordered. Togetic darts through the Swift and Fairy Wind combination and it sparkles down on the stage. That earned Kairi a 97.
"And Kairi takes the crowd by storm with that Aerial Ace finish! It is astounding!" Vivian announced.
"Wow, she's even better than I thought she was. No wonder she won those ribbons. I guess it's not going to be as easy as I thought," Harley said in his thoughts.
Over in Cerulean City, Cassidy and Butch came in as the Gym's repairmen. Daisy led them down to the aquarium to see all the Water Type Pokémon are occupying.
"I hope it's nothing too serious to make you come on down here," Daisy said.
"We take great passion in our work," Cassidy said.
"So, please, let us have a handle on it," Butch added.
"Cool. Just let me know if there's anything I can help out with," Daisy said. She leaves the aquarium, leaving Cassidy and Butch alone with the Pokémon. Misty had just returned from the Pokémon Center. "Hey, Misty, you're just in time."
"What do you mean, Daisy? In time for what?" Misty asked.
"I mean, those repairmen you hired had just got here and they'll have it done in no time," Daisy said.
"But the repairmen said they won't be here until tomorrow," Misty said. Daisy just looked at her quite dumbfounded.
"You made the order this morning!" Daisy said.
"Yeah, but they told me that they're going to arrive tommorow," Misty said. "Are you sure it's them?"
"Sure, I'm sure. I'll take you to them if you don't believe me," Daisy said. She led her younger sister to see all their Pokémon in cages. "Right here!" She saw them in the cages. "Hey! What is this?!" Cassidy and Butch winced when they came back.
"Shit! Torracat's out of the bag!" Cassidy exclaimed.
"Those aren't repairmen! Those are members of Team Rocket!" Misty said. Cassidy and Butch removed their disguises.
"You've got that right, little girl!" Cassidy said.
"We weren't expecting you to catch on to us so soon!" Butch added.
"You're not gonna get away with it!" Misty said.
"And how doe you plan to stop us?" Cassidy asked. Suddenly, the lights go out as a flash of light had appeared. A shadowy figure fires Bullet Seed from behind and knocks them out. The sound of the cages openeing filled the darkened room. The lights comes back on to see the Pokémon out of their cages. "No!"
"This can't be happening!" Butch exclaimed. All of the Water Type Pokémon fired their water attacks and sends them flying out of through the ceiling.
"Foiled again!" Cassidy cried.
"It was such a perfect plan," Butch said.
"We're blasting off again!" Cassidy and Butch shouted as they went flying.
Misty and her sister were quite confused by what just happened.
"Okay, just what was that?" Daisy asked.
"I don't know, but whoever it was, they just saved our Pokémon from Team Rocket," Misty said. She did wonder who helped them out like that. But, she decided not to dwell on it too much.
Outside the Gym, Jessie and James rush out and they hide in the shadows of the alleys.
"So glad it was Cassidy and Butch again," Jessie said.
"It was so worth it! Right about now, they'll be at a dissary," James said.
Back in Team Rocket HQ, Team Rocket was suffering more loss as police had arrested them with all their latest operations foiled. On top of that, some Team Rocket members were exposed and arrested. A young woman with blonde hair and wearing a dark red cap with a white front. Matori went up to her.
"Domino! What happened?!" Matori exclaimed.
"Cops got wise to me. I spent months getting inside and it goes flush. Don't get how they found out!" Domino exclaimed.
"We'll have our shot next time. Until then, rejoin the others and await further orders," Matori said.
"Yes ma'am," Domino said.
Matori suspects something is up. She thought of making a report to Giovanni. Speaking of which, Giovanni had recieved a blue and green gem, making it four Chaos Emralds in his possession. Matori knocks on the door.
"Come in!" Giovanni barked. His trusty secretary enters his office. "Matori. Come in. I trust you have something to report."
"Yes. Domino, also known as the Black Tulip has failed her assignment. The police have caught on to her ploy," Matori reported.
"How unfortuante," Giovanni said. Matori was surprised to hear he wasn't surprised by this bit of news.
"Sir, I have heard rumors among the grunts that there is a possible leak in our organization. Is that true? If it is, then I must know this right away," Matori said. Giovanni turned to his secretary and sighed.
"Yes, there is a leak in our ranks. No surprise to hear it could spread so fast," Giovanni said. Matori gasped in shock.
"You knew and said nothing?" Matori asked.
"I did so to make the traitor or traitors think they feel safe. Now, it has gone south. I want you to look into this silently. Do not let anyone know you are on to them. Treat everyone as a suspect. Understood?" Giovanni asked.
"Yes sir," Matori said.
"Good. That will be all," Giovanni said. Matori took her leave as Giovanni looked at the gems on his desk. "With three more emeralds, those failures will mean nothing." The four Chaos Emeralds began to glow in a darker shade than usual as they slowly corrupt his mind more so.
Back in Slateport City, Kairi had rejoined everyone as smiles filled their faces.
"Good job, Kairi," Naminé said.
"Thanks a lot," Kairi said.
"We are so very proud of you, dear," Kairi's grandmother said.
"Thank you, grandma," Kairi said.
"I know you'll be a shoe-in, Kairi," Lillie said.
"It should be about time for the final 64 Coordinators to be announced," Riku said.
"Right," Sora said. Vivian appears on the screen to present the final 64.
"So that concludes our competition in the Preliminary Rounds on the Appeal Stage. Now, the contestants must wait and watch to find out if their score will be good enough to send them through the finals," Vivian announced. "The computer has gone through all of the scores and here they are, the final 64!"
The computer displays the final 64 contestants having Kairi at second place and Drew at third.
"Yes!" Sora and Yuta cheered as they high-fived.
"You made it in, Kairi!" Naminé cheered.
"Azurill, Azurill!" Azurill chirped.
"Knew you would get in!" May said.
"Thanks a lot, May," Kairi said.
"And it looks like Drew made it too. Third place," Max said.
"May had to make it in after that display she pulled off," Brendan said.
"But I don't see her anywhere," Max said. Pikachu saw May on the screen.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"There she is!" Wally said.
"And Harley made it in too," May said.
"And that's 64 Coordinators," Riku said, "Only one of you is going home with that Ribbon Cup. Just give it everything you've got and you'll do fine."
"I don't think May and Kairi are going to need luck, Riku. They're both gonna do fine," Yuta said.
"Wait until Vector and the other two hears this!" Sora said. That left Riku confused.
"Wait, who's Vector?" Riku asked.
"Long story," Sora said.
Team Choatix were watching on TV as they saw the Preliminaries go on. They figured Kairi was gonna make it in. Espio hadn't forgotten about Harley. He knew he had inpure intentions.
The Grand Festival has begun, Kairi, May, Drew, and Harley are in the copetition of their lives. Which ones will emerge on top and which one will be pushed out? We shall wait and see in the next chapter.