Episode 474: The Iccirus Contest Round 1
After parting with Rydia, Sora started training for his Gym battle. Pikachu, Pignite, Pawniard, Elygem, Simisear, and Darumaka. During the training, Pawniard and Elgyem both evolved. Kairi was practicing for her Contest performance.
"You'll be amazing, Kairi. Just like always," Sora said.
"And I know you'll be by my side, Sora," Kairi said.
"Just as I know you'll be at mine," Sora said. Kairi smiled as she gave her boyfriend a deserved kiss on the cheek.
After a few hours of training, Jaden, Syrus, Alexis, Bastion, Hassleberry, and Blair joined Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, and the Pokémon for the meal, which is chili verde. Jaden was eating like there was no tomorrow.
"This tastes great!" Jaden said.
"Merci, Jaden. Plenty to go around," Cilan said.
"I'll eat to that," Jaden said, taking another bite.
"And since it's a triple performance, that would mean you would have to use three of yours. Which three do you plan on using?" Terra asked.
"I think I'm going to use Angel, Sawsbuck, and Swanna on the first round. The second round, I'll decide later," Kairi said.
"And since it'll be a triple performance, the rules of the Unova Grand Festival states that it will be triple battles. I am looking forward in seeing what you have planned," Bastion said.
"Does that mean you'll be hanging with us for a while?" Iris asked.
"Seems that way," Syrus said.
"And it'll be loads of fun watching the two of you go at it," Jaden said.
"That's just Jaden's way of getting to know the competition," Alexis said.
"Why do I feel that he and Davis are going to get along so well?" Sora asked in his thoughts.
"It'll be so exciting since it'll be the first time that I will be seeing a Pokémon Contest ever," Karen said.
"You mean you never seen an actual Contest before?" Blair asked.
"No. I only heard about them. There were people who were formally Coordinators until they moved here in Unova," Karen said.
After eating their filling meal, the group started to head off to Iccirus City. Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair are joined by Jaden, Syrus, Alexis, Hassleberry, Bastion, and Blair as they made their journey. To get to Iccirus City, they had to make their way through a path that is said to be home to Vannilite, Vannilish, and Vanniluxe, as well to Mienfoo and Mienshao, and several other Pokémon that are said to live on mountains.
As they ventured through the path, the group came across a lone Mienfoo. It was running for reason. It was revealed that Mienfoo was running from a couple of Jellicent, one being male and the other being female. Mienfoo tried to fight back by using Aura Sphere on them, but it does nothing to them.
"Is that a Mienfoo?" Ventus asked.
"And he's fighting against two Jellicent," Kairi said.
"And that was Aura Sphere. It didn't damage those Jellicent because they're both Ghost Type Pokémon," Bastion said.
"Both of you use Confuse Ray!" A man's voice called out. The voice belonged to a Pokémon Hunter with an eyepatch on his right eye. He wore a black sleeveless shirt under a tannish vest, magenta shoes, and black shoes. The Jellicent fires six golden orbs of energy at the opponent. When the orbs reach Mienfoo, they surround him and latch onto his body, completely enveloping him. The orbs then glow gold brightly and explode, confusing Mienfoo. "Got you now!"
"Hey!" Sora called out. The man turned to see the group glaring right at him. "What do you think you're doing?"
"You kids get lost! That Mienfoo is worth a lot of money, and I plan on bagging it!" The hunter said.
"Who do you think you are poaching a Pokémon?" Karen asked.
"The name's Rizzo, and it's my job. I plan on catching his Mienfoo and sell it to the highest bidder!" Rizzo said.
"Like hell, we'll let you get away with this!" Sora said.
"I'm with him. Pokémon are not to be caught and sold for money," Kairi said. "Just the thought of a Pokémon being sold for money is just plain disgusting."
"Is that so? And how do you plan on stopping me?" Rizzo asked.
"By taking you down!" Kairi said, taking out two Pokéballs and threw them. "Sawsbuck and Lilligant! Go!" Both her Grass Types came on out.
"Good thinking! Grass Type Pokémon are good match-ups against Water Type Pokémon like those two Jellicent! And on top of that, Sawsbuck is a Normal Type, so Ghost Type moves has zero effect!" Meowth said.
"So, it's a battle you want, girlie? Then, that's what you're going to have!" Rizzo said. Mienfoo looked right at Kairi.
"Don't worry, Mienfoo. I'll protect you," Kairi said.
"Shouldn't make promises you can't keep. Jellicent! Use Confuse Ray!" Both Jellicent forms five yellow orbs and sends them right at both of Kairi's Pokémon.
"Sawsbuck, Lilligant! Dodge them!" Kairi called out. Sawsbuck and Lilligant dodged the Jellicent's Confuse Ray. "Sawsbuck! Use Horn Leech! Lilligant! Energy Ball!" Sawsbuck came charging right at the male Jellicent as Lilligant forms Energy Ball and sends it right at the female.
"Double Hydro Pump!" Rizzo ordered. Both Jellicent fires Hydro Pump right at their opponents' moves, blocking them. "Now use Hex on Lilligant!" Both Jellicent uses Hex on Lilligant. She fell right on her back. "Hex again!" The Jellicent both unleashed Hex right at the flowering Pokémon.
"Sawsbuck! In front of Lilligant!" Kairi called out. Sawsbuck got in front of Lilligant and protected her from the attack. It does nothing to Sawsbuck due to her being a Normal Type.
"Way to go, Kairi!" Aqua cheered.
"Pika, Pika!" Eclair added.
"Sawsbuck! Use Feint Attack!" Kairi ordered. Sawsbuck vanishes for a moment before she lands a hit onto the female Jellicent.
"Good show! A Dark Type move is super-effective on Ghost Type Pokémon," Bastion said.
"Indeed. Kairi is dishing out the ingredients for this marvelous recipe," Cilan agreed.
"Lilligant! Use Petal Blizzard!" Kairi ordered. Lilligant unleashed a flurry of flower petals and they head right towards both Jellicent. The petals hits them both. "Now use Solar Blade!" Lilligant began to charge up her leafy arms to prepare to use Solar Blade.
"What's Lilligant doing?" Syrus asked.
"Lilligant is using Solar Blade," Cilan said.
"Never heard of it," Syrus said.
"Solar Blade works the same way as Solar Beam," Terra said. "The user builds up energy of sunlight, and then unleashes it like it was Leaf Blade."
"Jellicent! Confuse Ray on Sawsbuck!" Rizzo ordered. The male Jellicent uses Confuse Ray on Sawsbuck, confusing her. "Both of you, use Double Hydro Pump!" The Jellicent unleashed Hydro Pump, washing Sawsbuck in the mix.
"Sawsbuck!" Kairi cried.
"Hydro Pump again!" Rizzo ordered. The Jellicent unleashed their Hydro Pump right at the flowering Pokémon.
"Lilligant!" Kairi called out. Lilligant dodged it at the last minute before the combined water attack could hit her. Lilligant gave both Jellicent a slash of Solar Blade. "That was wonderful, Lilligant!"
"You're really pissing me off there, missy!" Rizzo barked. "Jellicent! Double Hydro Pump!" The Jellicent unleashed Hydro Pump right at Kairi's two Pokémon, and they get put in a cage.
"Sawsbuck! Lilligant!" Kairi gasped. Rizzo laughed.
"I got myself a Sawsbuck and a Lilligant! I can go for the big bucks with those two; along with that Mienfoo," Rizzo said. Sora was about to step in when a man's voice spoke.
"You give human beings a bad name," the voice said. Before everyone could wonder who it was, a man and a Beartic appeared. He is a muscular man with blue eyes and teal hair. He wore a blue mask around his eyes, with a "tail" with a purple ribbon. He also wore a blue mantle with white hexagonal features, which covers his left arm and torso. He also wore black pants and azure shoes.
"And who the hell are you?" Rizzo asked.
"Someone who swears to protect this mountain and the Pokémon who live on it from those who wishes to desecrate it. To poach a Pokémon from the wild is one thing, but to take someone else's Pokémon obviously raised with love and care is unforgivable. For that, you must be punished for your sins," the man said. He turned to the Beartic next to him. "Ready to go, Beartic?"
"Beartic!" The Beartic answered.
"So, what do we do?" Syrus asked.
"It looks like we'll have to leave it to him," Terra said.
Cilan looked right at him with awe.
"It's him! It's really him!" Cilan exclaimed happily. The rest of the group turned to him.
"Okay, you lost me," Hassleberry said.
"That's Brycen, the world famous martial arts movie star!" Cilan said. "He stared in the blockbuster movies known as 'Enter the Beartic', along with 'The Way of the Beartic' and 'Fist of Ice'! I have seen Enter the Beartic at least 25 times!"
"You must be a huge fan," Jaden said.
"You bet I am, Jaden!" Cilan said. "And that Beartic is his partner! That's the same Beartic that has been in 'Enter the Beartic' when Brycen came to an island ran by an evil organization, and by the end, he and Beartic went from enemies to friends and allies!"
"I'm sure that's great and all, Cilan, but there's still the matter of my girlfriend's Pokémon to be saved!" Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu added.
"Right," Cilan said.
"Double Hydro Pump!" Rizzo ordered. The Jellicent fires Hydro Pumo right at the polar bear Pokémon.
"Use Brine!" Brycen ordered. Beartic unleashed Brine, cutting through the Double Hydro Pump.
"How?! That was twice as strong!" Rizzo exclaimed.
"Use Ice Punch!" Brycen ordered. Beartic came at the Jellicent with Ice Punch.
"Use Hex!" Rizzo ordered. The Jellicent unleashed Hex onto Beartic, but it quickly overpowered the two floating Pokémon.
"Whoa, that's a powerful Ice Punch," Ventus said.
"Double Confuse Ray!" Rizzo ordered. The Jellicent unleashed Confuse Ray right towards Beartic, but dodged from left to right. Beartic jumped over its two opponents.
"Beartic! Use Ice Punch!" Brycen ordered. Beartic lands Ice Punch into the Jellicent, and sent them rolling towards the cage. They struck the cage, allowing Sawsbuck and Lilligant to escape.
"No, my catch!" Rizzo exclaimed as he growled. "You're going to pay for that! Jellicent! Double Hydro Pump!" The Jellicent fired another Hydro Pump right at the polar bear Pokémon, making it jump over them again.
"Finish this with Ice Punch!" Brycen ordered. Beartic gave the two floating Pokémon another Ice Punch, sending them and Rizzo into his own cage.
"Just like in the finale," Cilan said.
A little later, Officer Jenny arrived and apprehended Rizzo and his Jellicent.
"Thank you for your help, Brycen. We had an increase of Pokémon hunters lately," Officer Jenny said.
"It is my duty to protect this mountain from those like him," Brycen said. Officer Jenny drove off with the hunter as he gave a scowl at the Gym Leader.
"Thank you for getting my Pokémon back," Kairi said.
"It is my pleasure," Brycen said. "The way you battled is very impressive." He looked right at Mienfoo. "And you have done a good job in protecting this one." He pets Mienfoo on the head. Mienfoo looked right at Kairi and saw how hard she worked to protect him.
"Mienfoo, Mien, Mien, Mienfoo, foo," Mienfoo said.
"What's Mienfoo saying?" Karen asked.
"Mienfoo is saying he is impressed by Kairi's skills, and he wants to roll with her," Meowth translated.
"Mienfoo, foo, Mienfoo, Mienfoo," Mienfoo said.
"First, she has to prove that she's got the right stuff," Meowth translated. Both Kairi and Mienfoo stood in opposite sides. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Solosis!" Kairi called out. Solosis came out of her Pokéball, ready to go. Mienfoo starts things off by unleashing Aura Sphere right at the cell Pokémon. "Use Protect!" Solosis blocks with Protect. "Now, use Psybeam!" Solosis fires Psybeam right at the martial arts Pokémon. Mienfoo dodged and came on down with his knee in front. "He's coming at Solosis with Jump Kick! And there's a good chance of him missing! Dodge!" Solosis dodges as Mienfoo has taken some damage. "Now, use Psychic!" Solosis uses Psychic on Mienfoo and sends him flying. Mienfoo wasn't going to go down that easily, so he uses a nearby wall to bounce off. Hearing the commotion, a Vanilite came around and witnessed a battle taking place. Mienfoo unleashed Aura Sphere right at Solosis. It came too fast for Solosis to block it. "Solosis! Use Future Sight!" Solosis unleashed psychic energy as a wormhole opens up.
"With Future Sight in play, it's only a matter of time before it strikes," Jaden said.
Mienfoo came right at Solosis with Double Slap, but misses. Mienfoo kept on coming right at her, but Solosis kept on dodging. It kept up until the wormhole opened up and unleashed Future Sight, landing a heavy hit onto Mienfoo. The martial arts Pokémon got on his feet and looked directly at Kairi and smiled as he nodded. He got on his knees and sat in a seiza. It was clear to him that Kairi is worthy of being his trainer. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it. Mienfoo flows inside as the Pokéball struck Mienfoo and flows inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Kairi's Pokémon Box goes off asking her if she wants to keep Mienfoo with her. She chose to keep Mienfoo in exchange for Gothorita. After that, Solosis started to evolve and became a Duosion.
"That was a sweet catch, Kairi," Jaden said.
"That's what I was thinking," Sora said.
"Thanks," Kairi said.
"With that kind of skill, you'll do great for your Contest," Syrus said.
"I take it that you're a Pokémon Coordinator, right?" Brycen asked.
"That's right," Kairi said.
"I'll have you know that I'll be one of the judges of the Iccirus City Pokémon Contest. I'll be looking forward in seeing you perform," Brycen said.
Meanwhile in Celadon City, an obese young man is walking down the street as he enters a diner. His build and face made him similar to a koala's. He was a seat as he made his order. Another man sat in a chair backed up to him.
"Don't turn around," the man instructed. "You know what this is about, don't you?"
"Team Shadow, right? Those guys has been loads of trouble since the start," the young man said.
"How right are, Chumley. We got word that Golbez, one of their biggest members were seen on Twist Mountain by one of our own," the man said.
"Why are you telling this to me? Shouldn't Cecil be in on it, because he is his brother," Chumley pointed out.
"The chief thought it'll be too personal for him," the man said. "Besides, we got word that Sora kid and his friends were in the area as well."
"The Pokémon League Champion of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh? Why are they so obsessed with him?" Chumley asked.
"I don't know," the man said. "But we do know that they responded quickly to Team Shadow faster than any one of us."
A waitress came to the table Chumley is sitting at.
"Your grilled cheese, sir," the waitress said.
"Thanks," Chumley said.
They waited for the waitress to take her leave just so they could talk some more.
"The reason to talk isn't because of Unova," the man said. "Anything on your end?"
"Nothing so far, and that's lischus," Chumley said. "But it's also anti-lischus because they're being too quiet; for right now."
"It's only a matter of time before they show up again," the man said. "Until then, Huffington, keep your eyes open."
"On it," Chumley said, taking a bite of his grilled cheese sandwich.
Back at the path to Iccirus City, the group made a stop for Kairi to practice. She figured Mienfoo would be perfect for the second round along with Duosion, and Lilligant. Cilan volunteered to her opponent since he has Pansage, Ferroseed, and Amoonguss to help out.
"Mienfoo! Aura Sphere! Duosion! Psybeam! Lilligant! Petal Blizzard!" Kairi ordered. Her three Pokémon all unleashed their attacks right at Cilan's three Pokémon.
"Pansage! Use Rock Tomb! Amoonguss! Use Sludge Bomb! And Ferroseed! Use Metal Claw!" Cilan ordered. All of Cilan's Pokémon launched their attacks and they managed to block Mienfoo, Duosion, and Lilligant's attacks.
"Good block, Cilan," Kairi said.
"You have my thanks, Kairi," Cilan said. "Shall we continue?"
"We should. Lilligant! Energy Ball!" Kairi ordered. Lilligant formed Energy Ball in the palm of her leaves and sends them down. "Now, Mienfoo! Use Aura Sphere! Duosion! Use Psybeam!" Mienfoo and Duosion unleashed their attacks and they combined into a huge stream of power. It came out so beautifully. Vanillite had been following them since the battle with Mienfoo, and it was very interested and curious about Kairi for some reason.
The group had finally made it down to Iccirus City. The Contest was just two days away.
"When will you head down to the Gym, Sora?" Alexis asked.
"Right after Kairi's Contest," Sora said. "There's a good chance that the Gym Leader will be there. And heading to the Gym now will be too obvious since the Gym Leader has most likely stepped out anyway."
"You think we might bump into someone like Beatrice here? She was determined to beat Kairi," Ventus said.
"Yeah, but there's also that guy Hector," Sora said. "He seems okay. The same for Hilda and Rosa."
"Someone say my name?" A familiar voice spoke. It turns out to be Rosa who spoke up. "I just saw you and decided to come and say hi."
"Hey Rosa. You competing in the Contest, too?" Kairi asked.
"Yes," Rosa answered. "I have the three Pokémon that I'll be using." She sees the additional people with the group. She recognized one of them. "Hey, I know you. You were in the Clubsplosion."
"I don't think I saw you before," Hassleberry said.
"I was sitting in the stands," Rosa said. "And who are they?"
"Right, you haven't met them. This is Jaden, Alexis, Syrus, Bastion, and Blair. Hassleberry, I'm sure you already know about," Sora said.
"I have to say, it's nice to see a friendly face around here," Kairi said. "Just wanted to wish you luck for the Contest."
"Same to you," Rosa said. "Don't expect me to pull my punches when we face off in the second round."
"I won't," Kairi said.
The two girls shook hands, promising each other a good battle. Just then, they hear what sounds like a guitar playing, and someone singing.
Chilling with my Pokéball with a guitar!Yeah!The group followed the sound coming from a young man with dark brown hair is arranged sporadically in a fashion similar to that ofAlexis, with a large portion trailing the upper part of the nape of his neck. He turned and saw the group.
"Hey, sissy!" The young man greeted.
"Atticus?" Alexis asked.
"No way," Jaden said.
"Nice song," Syrus added.
"Who is he calling a sissy?" Meowth asked.
"Me. He's my brother," Alexis said.
"I knew that," Meowth said as Pikachu smacked him.
"Jaden, Sy, Hassleberry, Blair, and Bastion. No surprise you would show up," Atticus said. He saw the group with his sister. "Who're they? Fans of yours?"
"Only you would think that! This is Sora Ketchum, the Pokémon League Champion of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. And this is Kairi, his girlfriend. This is his sister Karen, and his cousin Ventus."
"I go by Ven," Ventus said.
"Also, this is Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, and Rosa," Alexis added. She turned to Sora and his friends. "Guys, this is Atticus, he's my brother."
"Nice to meet you," Sora said.
"Likewise," Atticus said. "If you're so famous, then how come you haven't been showing up on talk shows?" Sora did an anime-style fall.
"Seriously?! That's what's been on your mind?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"I have been wondering about that as well," Cilan said.
"Not you too, Cilan!" Sora said.
"Anyway, what brings you here?" Alexis asked her brother.
"Just came here to compete in the Iccirus City Pokémon Contest. So far, I won four Contest Ribbons, this will be my fifth one," Atticus said.
"You won four Ribbons already?" Kairi asked. "I'm still down to three!"
"Eevee," Angel said.
"So am I," Rosa said. "I'll have to turn up my level!"
"You're in the Contest, too? Looks like it might not be as easy as I thought," Atticus said. "But that depends on what of performance you'll put up." He gave a striking pose. "I doubt it'll be even close to dazzling as mine!"
"We'll see about that," Rosa said.
For the next couple of days, Kairi has been practicing for the Iccirus Contest. On the day of the Contest, Kairi has gotten into her Contest dress. Sora, Karen, Pikachu, and Blossom had come to wish her luck as Kairi came walking down the hall. Karen was awestruck by her beauty.
"Kairi! Wow, you're very beautiful! You look more like a princess than I thought!" Karen said.
"My exact reaction," Sora said, making Kairi blush.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said. She turned to her boyfriend's sister. "I hope you'll have fun watching it."
"I will," Karen said.
"I would like to say good luck, not that you'll need it," Sora said.
"I didn't get to where I am now by relying on good luck," Kairi said. She took Sora in her arms. "But this helped me out a lot." She gave Sora a kiss on the lips, and he kissed her back. Karen and Blossom both blushed as they watched the couple kiss. Pikachu and Angel shared a kiss as well. Blossom smiled warmly seeing her brother with a Pokémon he loves.
Sora, Karen, Pikachu, and Blossom returned to the group where they took their seats as Diane came to the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, children, and Pokémon everywhere, we are glad to present to you all one of the greatest spectacles in all of Unova; the wonderful Iccirus City Pokémon Contest!" Diane announced, making the crowd all cheer. "Before we begin, it is my obligation to introduce our panel of judges! The head of the Contest Committee is Mr. Nathaniel Basil!" Diane announced.
"A pleasure as always!" Mr. Basil said.
"You know and love her as Miss Unova, Miss Juliana Minerva!" Diane announced.
"Nothing could be more lovelier than this glorious day!" Juliana said.
"And finally, we know him as the star of the blockbuster hit motion picture Enter the Beartic, and Iccirus City's Gym Leader, Brycen!" Diane announced as Brycen bowed his head in respect.
"I am looking forward in seeing a promising Pokémon Contest from these talented Pokémon Coordinators," Brycen said.
"And in case you forgot who I am, I'm Diane, your MC! Now, let's begin with our first Contestant!" Diane announced.
The Contest went on as Coordinators had three of their Pokémon go on at once. Among them is a Druddigon, a Darmanitan, and a Golurk doing a three-man basketball game. Another performance has a Cubone and two Marowak, in both forms performing a juggling act, but a lot more difficult. A Litwick, a Lampent, and a Chandelure gave off a ghostly fire show. It was eventually Kairi's turn. Unknown to anyone, the Vannilite from before was watching from the very start. It was watching the Contest closely.
"Kairi's up next," Blair said.
"Gotta see what she's got," Alexis said.
"And now, joining us now is the Top Coordinator who made it big in the Hoenn and Sinnoh Grand Festivals, we give you the Princess of Heart, Kairi!" Diane announced as Kairi came out with her Pokéballs in Ball Capsules with pink Heart Seals.
"Go! Angel, Swanna, and Sawsbuck!" Kairi called out. Angel, Swanna, and Sawsbuck all came out with hearts raining down. The crowd were all awestruck. "Angel! Begin with Swift!" Angel unleashed Swift, making it go all around.
"Eevee makes a good start with its Swift!" Diane announced.
"Swanna! Ice Beam!" Kairi ordered. Swanna fired Ice Beam right at the stars, making them turn light blue as the ice itself.
"Look at that," Blair said with awe.
"I didn't know you can do that with Swift," Syrus said.
"Now, Sawsbuck! Energy Ball!" Kairi ordered. Sawsbuck unleashed Energy Ball and it goes in the center, making the Ice Swift circle around the ball of energy.
"Oh my goodness, ladies and gentlemen, have you ever seen anything so beautiful?!" Diane asked.
"Look at that," Hassleberry said.
"It's magnificent," Karen said.
"I wonder what Kairi has planned for the big finale," Aqua said.
"It looks like we might find out," Meowth said.
"Angel! Use Iron Tail on the Energy Ball!" Kairi ordered. Angel jumped and gracefully shattered the ball of energy, making it erupt in a dazzling explosion. The stars scatter everywhere. "Now, use Megahorn, Sawsbuck!" Sawsbuck ran across the battlefield and the stars all sparkle as they hit Sawsbuck's antlers. "Swanna! Aerial Ace!" The swan-like Pokémon flew with Aerial Ace in an elegant grace as the sparkles follows her. Once it was finished, Kairi and her three Pokémon all took a bow. Vanillite was awestruck by the display Angel, Swanna, Nd Sawsbuck had displayed.
"And what a magnificent finish!" Diane announced.
"The use of Swift, Ice Beam, and Energy Ball was very creative," Mr. Basil said.
"The Ice Beam on Swift gave it a winter feeling. I simply loved it," Miss Juliana said.
"The way her Pokémon has executed their moves was well done!" Brycen said.
"That was sweet," Jaden said.
"And with a stunt like the one she just pulled off, then she'll make it to the top four!" Ventus said.
"That's saying it, Venny!" Meowth said.
The Contest went on with a few more contestants, right up to Rosa. Rosa wore an outfit similar to the one Maria wore, but it was crimson. She had a Cottonee, a Woobat, and a Munna make a dazzling finish.
"And Rosa dazzles us with a grand finish!" Diane announced as Rosa took her leave of the stage. "And finally, we have the last, and certainly not least! Let's give a warm welcome to Atticus!" The lights go dim as Atticus comes flying in with strings attached to him.
A band of young women are awestruck as they were waiting for Atticus. Atticus swooped down their way and blew a kiss, making them swoon. He lands on stage as he took out his three Pokéballs in Star Seals; all being multicolored stars.
"Showtime, Liepard, Mothim, and Roserade. They emerged from their Pokéballs as the stars were continually changing colors. "Let's start this with Hidden Power!" Liepard, Mothim, and Roserade forms orbs of power around themselves and unleashed all around. "Liepard! Use Slash! Roserade! Magical Leaf! Mothim! Silver Wind!" Liepard slashed through one orb as Mothim and Roserade has cut through the orbs, making them sparkle.
"Simply devine!" Diane announced.
"Well done on such a spectacular performance!" Mr. Basil said.
"Agreed! One of the best I have ever seen!" Juliana added.
"Words cannot describe the performance that I have witnessed," Brycen said.
"And that concludes the first round of the Iccirus City Pokémon Contest! We will take a brief recess to hear the judges' decisions on which of our four finalists will be moving on!" Diane announced.
Back stage, Kairi, Rosa, and Atticus meet with each other.
"Gotta say, the performances you gave off were something else," Atticus said.
"Right back at you," Rosa said. She turned to Kairi with a smile. "Kairi, if we end up facing each other in the first battle, just know it'll be a thrill."
"I'll feel the same way, Rosa," Kairi said.
"And we're back! Now we will see which of our four Coordinators will be facing off in the second round! It'll be a triple battle as same for the Grand Festival! Now, we shall see who will be advancing!" The four finalists are revealed to be Kairi, Rosa, Atticus, and a female Coordinator. "Now, we're going to shuffle them and see who'll be moving on!" The computer shuffles the Coordinators to see who'll be facing who. The computer shows it'll be Rosa and the female Coordinator in the first battle while Kairi will be facing Atticus. Kairi was surprised by the results.
"It looks like it's you and me in the next round," Atticus said.
"It sure does," Kairi agreed.
"Listen, just because you're friends with my sister, doesn't mean I'll be holding back, so watch out," Atticus said.
"I won't hold back either," Kairi said.
Now that Kairi has made it to the second round, it's only a matter of time before Kairi will be facing against Alexis's older brother. Can she win her fourth Contest Ribbon and be one step closer to the Unova Grand Festival? We'll have to wait and see in the next chapter.