Chapter 1: The Grand Festival Arrives!


We find ourselves in Slateport City, where a special event is going to taken place starting today. "I can't believe it..we're actually here!" Cried a certain brown haired girl wearing red as she along with her friends were gazing at the stadium before them.

"The Grand Festival, I just know this is gonna rock," said a boy with black hair with a red hat on his head. "You think you're ready, May?" He asks the bandana wearing coordinator.

"I hope so Ash. I've been waiting for this day for a long time." May smiles.

"Congrats May, you've earned this." Came the voice of an older young man with brown spiky hair and closed eyes. That was Brock.

"I'll say, you're gonna wipe the floor with the competition," came the voice of a glasses wearing young boy, who happened to be May's little brother, Max.

The Grand Festival, It is the goal of every Pokémon Coordinator. The competition marks the end of a region's Pokémon Contest circuit, and gives rise to a new Top Coordinator. This year, would be May's first time competing.

It's basically the Pokémon League Competition, but only for Pokémon Coordinators. Access to enter it, instead of 8 Gym badges, Coordinators must collect 5 Contest Ribbons from selected towns located around the whole region.

Ash and May had traveled all over Hoenn and both had managed to obtain the necessary badges/ ribbons necessary for them to compete in their respective tournaments.

The Hoenn League wasn't for another month and a half, so they decided to go to May's designated stop first.

Entering the Contest Hall, May heads to thr front desk, she signs her Pokémon and all five of her Ribbons in order.

May's Pokémon: Combusken, Beautifly, Skitty, Bulbasaur and Munchlax

Ribbons of the following: Fallarbor, Verdanturf, Lilycove, Purika and Pacifidlog.

"Alright everything seems to be in place. Let me just give you your guidebook. It contains all of the rules of the competition, maps of the stadium, and restaurant locations." The receptionist said giving her a guidebook.

"Thank you so much." May said taking it.

"You'll be staying in the Dorms." She instructs.

But to their surprise what they considered dorm rooms were basically hotel-level suites.

"Wow, they know how to treat their guests," Max said blown away.

"I know, it's awesome." May said before both felt hands over their eyes.

"Guess who!" A familiar voice said in their eyes, making both siblings gasp happily as they turn around to see a young woman with strawberry blond hair. "Mom!!"

"I thought you might be surprised to see me." Caroline smiles.

"I missed you so much mom." Max said hugging her.

"Did you come all the way here to see me compete?" May asks.

"Of course I did. I wouldn't miss this for the world. And it's great to see you boys as well." Caroline said looking at Ash and Brock.

"Good to see you too," they smiled.

"Hey where's dad?" May asks not seeing her father, the Petalburg Gym Leader, Norman.

"I'm sorry honey, but your dad is too busy at the gym to come," Caroline apologized, making May disheartened. "But don't worry, he'll watching on TV and I promise he won't miss a single thing."

Making their way up to the room, they saw it had an amazing view of the ocean and plenty of room.

"Wow May they really roll out the red carpet for you guys." Ash whistles.

"By the way May, alot of letters were delivered to us back home and were made out to you," Caroline places a bunch of letters on the bed in front of her.

Taking a look at most of them, May and the others recognized a few names they're familiar with.

"Hey these are letters from all of the coordinators you faced and met May," Brock said looking at one of them.

"Yeah, guess they're wishing you the best of luck in the festival," Max said.

"It's good to see you've made so many friends." Caroline smiles.

"I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous. I'm gonna be competing in that huge stadium in front of a giant crowd." May said.

"Here's a little advice. Focus on your Pokemon not the audience." Ash said.

"Ash is right, don't let all of this pressure get to you May," Caroline said.

"Thanks guys." May smiles.

"Speaking of how are the matches set up?" Caroline asks.

"The guidebook is pretty simple. It starts with preliminary matches and ends with competition matches. Tomorrow 247 coordinators will compete but only 64 will advance." Brock explains.

"O-only 64?" Ash said in disbelief.

"Oh yeah, it's definetly like a Pokémon Legaue, weeding out the weak ones," Max said.

"It never hurts to do some last minute training." Brock suggests.

May agrees to it, knowing she needed to think of new strategies if she wishes to bring home the gold.

Out in the back of the hotel tons of trainers and their Pokemon were training for the festival.


"Come on out everyone!" May said calling out Combusken, Skitty, Bulbasaur, Munchlax and Beautifly.

"May, you've gotten quite the collection." Caroline says impressed and then looks to her daughter's Beautifly. "I think I like this one the most."

Chuckling, all of them knew why.

"I'm gonna go do some training myself." Ash said taking out a Pokeball. "Come on out Snorunt!"

Out came a black-colored Pokémon wearing a yellow triangular cloack. "Snorunt!" It chortles once being released.

"Alright, let's try and work on that Ice Beam of yours," Ash said.

"Snorunt!" However when Snorunt tried to use Ice Beam it got too out of control scaring everyone.

"Hit the deck!" Ash yells as they dodged it. However, Ash ended up getting frozen where he stood.

"Oh boy, guess Ash is gonna be up to his neck trying to master that move.." Max sweatdropped.

"I think Ash might need some help. Both with Ice Beam and getting feeling back in his body." Brock sweatdropped.

"Ali, Flamethrower!" A new voice cried out in the air. From the sky came an Altaria which breathed out a stream of flames, which melted the ice, freeing Ash.

Gasping for air, Ash shivers free from the ice.

"Oh thank goodness." Ash said.

"Are you okay?" Turning around they saw a teenage girl with green hair petting her Altaria. "You looked like you needed a hand."

Once seeing her, Brock was smitten as always. "Oh what perfect timing!" He quickly grabbed her hand and bend on one knee. "You must be a gift from the heavens to free my friend from his icy cold prison, and must be here to warm the lonesome that is my icy cold heart!"

Moving in, Max pulls his ear making Brock cringe in pain.

"Your heart isn't frozen it's your brain that's frozen solid." Max said.

"T-thanks..at this rate, how will I get it right before the Hoenn League?" Ash said, knowing he was in trouble.

"Sno.." Snorunt frowns.

"Wait are you not in the Grand Festival?" She asks.

"No I'm here to cheer my friend on. She is though." Ash said pointing to May.

"That Altaria of yours is impressive." May said.

"Thanks, his name's Ali. I've had him since he was a Swablu." The girl said. "I came here with my Uncle, but then we saw that crazy icy blast."

"That's sweet that your family came here to support you." Caroline said.

"I'll say. I'm a little nervous to be competing with him watching. He loves contests." She said.

"Oh you're a competing coordinator too?" May asks.

"Uh-huh," the girl said before introducing herself. "My name is Lisia, soon to be Top Coordinator!" She struck a pose with Ali.

"Whoa guess we might have some competition." May said impressed by that.

They all decided to walk and talk with Lisia. "So this is your first Grand Festival too huh? Guess the two of us are alike abit." Lisia giggled.

"Small world." May chuckles.

"So Lisia where is this Uncle of yours?" Ash asks.

"He's around. He said he had to take care of a few things before the Festival started." Lisia said.

"What, is he part of the Contest committee?" Max asks.

However, instead of answering, Lisia just giggled. "Oh, something like that."

"That's pretty cool. I hope we can meet him." Brock said.

"Oh you will sooner or later." Lisia smiles.

While walking pass the crowd of people, May saw someone from not that far from them, a familiar green haired coordinator with a Roselia by their side. "Hey, Drew!" She called out to get his attention.

"Well, what would you know? You really made it," the boy in question said acknowledging her.

"Hey you didn't think I wasn't good enough, well here I am," May boasts.

"Well I did have my doubts about you," the boy flipped his hair with a smug look on his face. "But I think you're still think you're all talk and no bite."

"Why you." May growls.

"Don't let him mess with you May. It's pretty clear he's just hiding how nervous he is by trying to make you feel bad." Lisia points out.

Drew turns to face Lisia, and slightly widen his eyes in surprise at the sight of her. "W-wait a minute. I'm sorry, but do I know you?"

"No, I don't believe I've met you before," Lisia said raising an eyebrow.

"Hmm.. It's just that I think I've seen your face somewhere before." Drew answers before shaking his head. "Oh never mind. Must've been someone else. Sorry about that."

"Look this is a big tournament. Have a little respect for those competing. May has just as much right to be here as you do." Lisia said.

"Where have you been my whole journey?" May smiles liking her new friend more and more

That's when Drew flashed a rose in front of his rival's surprised face. "Hmm, well you are right about 1 thing; least I could do is congratulate you for making it to the tournament."

"Oh. Thank you." May said taking it.

"You better hold onto that because I'm planning on walking away with the trophy." Drew said.

"Well when I win. I'll give you this back as your consolation prize." May counters.

"Ah this Drew you described to me is a pretty interesting young man Max," Caroline said.

"He's been one of May's rivals since she started." Max said.

"May, is that you?!" Everyone heard the cry of another voice coming this way. Speaking of rivals...

May turns to see a guy with purple hair, wearing green clothing. "H-Harley?!" She exclaimed.

"Oh I just knew you'd make it too." Harley smiles running over.

"Back up Harley." Ash said as he and Max moved in.

"Not another step." Max said.

"Ash, Max I'm surprised. I thought we were all friends." Harley said worried.

"What kind of friend would use sneaky and underhanded tricks against another?" Max glares.

"Yeah, don't think we've forgotten what you've tried to do back in Purika City," Ash said eyes sharpening.

"I know and I truly apologize. May I can never ask for your forgiveness but I want you to know since our match I've changed and I hope we can be on better terms." Harley said bowing his head in apology.

"Uh you've really have changed your ways, right?" May asks abit sceptical

"Cross my heart, and hope to fry! It'll never happen again, coordinator's honor!" Harley crossed his finger over his heart.

"Well Harley I suppose that I can give you one more chance." May said.

"Oh May, you are the best." Harley smiles

"Another person you're all familiar with?" Lisia asks Brock.

"Yeah, but not a friendly one. The first time we met Harley used lies and cheap tricks to try and beat May." Brock explains.

Lisia's eyes narrowed, looking at the cactus cosplayer from top to bottom, already getting a bunch of bad vibes coming off of him. "I see.."

Meanwhile Ash and Max were thinking the same. "Ash, I suggest we keep an eye on him, just in case."

"Agreed." Ash nodded.

"So new girl I'm gonna go on a leaf and guess you will also be competing." Harley said looking at her and pausing just like Drew. "Wait did we battle before? I feel like we've met."

"Like I told Drew, I don't think we've met," Lisia answers. "But, you can call me Lisia."

"Wow May you have some interesting friends." Harley said.

"Well I wouldn't call Drew a friend." May said.

"Well if he wasn't why did he give you a rose?" Harley asks.

"Because that's his thing?" Max assumes.

"Oh pish-posh, there's bound to be more to that," Harley said before he looked at the rose, the two in front of him and made a big connection. "Ah, must be young love in the air, is it now?" He said, making May's face flush.

"W-what?! No, that's not true!" She stuttered, covering her red face.

"Hmm funny I never thought he was your type." Harley said.

"Wait you think I have a type?" May pauses.

"Oh nevermind. I better be on my way. Lots to do so little time to do." Harley said leaving.

"Well I'm outta here, let's go Roselia," Drew said taking his leave too.

"Harley, he just keeps me guessing." May said.

"Good I don't trust him. Hey Pikachu, Snorunt what do you say we go see if he's legit?" Ash asks.

"Pika/Sno." Both Pokemon nod.

"Don't be gone too long Ash." Brock said.

Ash nods and heads after Harley in secretive.

Walking down the path, Harley turns right in a fork in a road heading towards the festival.

Slowly, Ash followed after but when he arrived at the fork Pikachu and Snorunt heard a noise coming from the left side.

"Sno? Snorunt." Snowrunt said heading towards it.

"Hey Snorunt? Where are you going?" Ash said following after him.

At the end of the path, Snorunt arrived at a small lake.

"Sno.." It whispered looking on at the water, before noticing a sound of dropped water, but there was no rain in the area...could there be something in there?

"Snorunt what are you--" Before Ash could finish a beautiful Milotic shot out of the water looking stunning and powerful as the sunlight cascaded off it. "Whoa, that's the most amazing Pokemon I've ever seen."

"Well I'm sure Milotic would be flattered to hear that." A male voice said startling him.

Turning around Ash saw a man with green hair and a stylish green and white outfit sitting against a rock.

"Is that Milotic yours?" Ash asks.

"Why yes it is," the man said as the Milotic swam next to the man. "And who might you be, young traveler? A coordinator?"

"Who me? No, sorry. I'm a trainer. My name's Ash. And this is my friends Pikachu and Snorunt." He said as the Pokémon cried out to greet themselves.

"Hmm I must you say these two are excellent condition. You've clearly raised them well." He said.

"Thanks so uh are you a Coordinator?" Ash asks.

"Yes and no. I competed in the Grand Festival a while ago, I'm just here to watch like you." He said.

They saw Snorunt slowly walk over to to Milotic. "Sno?" It tilts its head. Milotic looks to the little coat wearing Pokémon and it softly smiles, lowering down to nuzzle Snorunt's head.

"Snow!" Snorunt smiled widely as a little blush appears on its face.

"Well it appears Milotic likes your Pokemon too." He chuckles.

"Snorunt's very friendly. Before we came here we were trying to do some training ourselves." Ash admits.

"Really? How did it go?" He asks sitting up.

"We're uh...having a little trouble with controlling Ice Beam." Ash said.

"Ice Beam huh? Milotic would you mind showing Snowrunt how you use Ice Beam?" The man calls out.

"Milo!!" Aiming towards a part of the lake, A white ball forms in front of Milotic's mouth. It then releases multiple white beams with light blue outlines, freezing most of the lake.

"Snow." Snowrunt gasps.

"That was a really powerful Ice Beam." Ash said blown away.

"Ice Beam is a very powerful attack Ash. It takes strong power both physical and mental to pull off." The man said.

"Well we're strong, and we've got power to back it up," Ash said confident he can pull it off.

"Now you need the mental part." The man said getting up. "It's not enough to just create an attack, you have to visualize it too."

"Visualize?" Ash asks.

"You've seen Ice Beam's in the past correct?" The man asks, making Ash nod. "Well I want you to picture all of the Pokémon you've seen use the attack before and imagine how they keep the concentration flowing throughout the blast."

Pausing, Ash and Snowrunt looked at each other.

"Let's give it a try Snorunt." Ash said.

"Sno!" Snorunt nodded.

Looking to the lake, Snorunt narrowed his eyes.

"Snowrunt Ice Beam!" Ash yells.

"Snow!" Charging up, Snorunt fired Ice Beam and while it seemed more in control as it reached halfway through the lake the attack stopped.

"Dangit. I thought we had it." Ash groans.

"Snow." Snorunt frowns.

"It's not perfect but I would definitely consider that progress." The man said.

Ash raised his head and said, "Well we just gotta keep trying, Ice Beam again!" Snorunt fired the icy blast again in another part of the lake, only to get the same result.

"Again!"

Swimming towards him, Milotic looks at its trainer.

"Lo?" It asks.

"We have time, besides it's nice being around people who don't know who we are." He whispers that last part.


Meanwhile back with the others..

"Now Beautifly, start to climb through circles!" May said to her butterfly Pokémon. Beautifly flew above them, flying in straight circles, as glitter rains down on them.

"So beautiful, it's breathtaking." Caroline smiles.

"Not bad May." Lisia whistles impressed.

"That special Grand Festival Meal I made for Beautifly must be working." Brock smiles proudly.

"Time for Silver Wind, Beautifly!" Beautifly unleashed Silver Wind in a circular path down to May, before May signalled it to stop the attack. "That was great Beautifly," she said as Beautifily lands on her head.

"What an amazing display that was!" Harley squeals returning over.

"Oh Harley." May said not expecting to see him so soon.

"May, I've never seen a Silver Wind like that before, it's astounding! Brings a tear to my eye to see someone truly show the art of coordinating." Harley said.

"Wow you really think so?" May asked.

Narrowing his eyes, Max looked around for any sign of Ash but didn't see him.

"Hey May, might I make a small suggestion? Why not use Silver Wind all the way through the preliminaries and competition matches?" Harley suggests. "Just think how cool you'll look with just that single attack."

May looked unsure about it. "I don't know..what would happen if we have to battle if you already know what attack I'm going to use?"

"Plus it's not showing off your Pokemon." Lisia said stepping in. "By only using one attack you're not using your Pokemon to its full potential."

"You're just trying to confuse her, because you're jealous! She's our competition May, why should you listen to her?" Harley said trying to ignore her.

"Same could be said about you." Lisia replies.

Now May didn't knew who to listen to. Should she take Lisia's advice and use an array of attacks or Harley's suggestion of blowing away the judges with just Silver Wind?

"Well since we both seem to have different ideas why don't we get a third opinion from an experienced trainer." Harley suggests.

"Like who?" Lisia asks.

"None other than Norman the Petalburg Gym Leader." Harley declares showing them a flyer.

"Huh?" All of May's group said in confusion.

"But I thought you said dad was back home with the gym?" Max asks his mother.

"He should be," Caroline said baffled by that announcement. How was Norman here, and how did he get here.

"The flyer says dad's here?" May read it, which Harley heard.

"Dad?" He asked before he looked at May and Max in amusement. "Say what?! You mean THE Norman is your father?!" He points.

"That's right," May said, still bewildered. It says that Norman's "Pokémon Counseling" is scheduled right about now near the festival.


Making their way to the booths they're surprised to see Norman standing near a woman with long hair as he was examining a trainer's Illumise.

"Now this is a very nice Illumise, but with MY training, it could definitely be a much better Pokémon," Norman says.

"So that means you'll take this Pokémon in for training?' The woman asks.

"I sure will," Norman nodded.

"Wait Mom I thought you said dad was back at the gym." May said.

"He is, I know my husband and he would never talk to trainers like that." Caroline narrows her eyes.


On the other side of the festival, Ash and the mysterious man were walking down the path.

"Thanks for all the help today." Ash said.

"My pleasure, sorry I had to cut it short but I promised a family member I would see her after she checked in." He said.

"Oh really? They're in the Grand Festival to compete?" Ash asked intrigued.

"Yes, and she's worked really hard and I'm proud of her progress. She's made me proud to be her uncle," the man smiled.

"I'm here cheering for my best friend. She worked really hard to get in." Ash said.

"Well then we better not keep them waiting." He smiles.

Making their way to the booth, May's group approached Norman first.

"Hey!" Norman along with his secretary turned May looking to them, and flinched at the sight of her scowl. "I don't know what came over you to try and impersonate my father, so I suggest you drop this whole act now!"

"Uh Young Lady don't you take that tone with me." The so-called Norman scolds.

May's scowl grew more deeper, "You're not the boss of me, you imposter! Beautifly, Silver Wind!"

"Beautifly." Beautifly flapped its winds, making a strong gust of wind which blew away the tent as well as the imposters's disguises, revealing their true identity as a man and woman wearing a white uniform with a red "R" on the front with a walking and talking Meowth.

"Team Rocket!"

"Not you 3 criminals again!"

"Our cover's been blown!" Meowth said as we now see tons of Pokemon in cages.

"That's my Espeon in that cage!"

"And my Zigzagoon!"

"What kind of training is this?" The trainers ask when Ash and the mysterious man showed up.

"Oh my what's this?" He gasps.

"Team Rocket! They're gonna steal all the Pokemon!" Ash gasps.

"Not if I have anything to say about." The man glares.

"We need to split!" Jessie said as Meowth clicks a remote and they began flying away.

"Milotic Ice Beam!" From behind Milotic blasts the propellers making them unable to fly away.

Team Rocket hung onto the pole for dear life as they plummet to the ground, while the cages filled with Pokémon were falling as well.

"Beautifly, Silver Wind!" May said.

"Ali, Cotton Guard!" Lisia said.

Using Silver Wind Beautifly redirects all the cages towards Ali's giant cotton balls to cushion their landings.

"Hey guys!" Ash said as he and the man ran over to help.

"Ash, there you are." May said.

"Uncle Wallace, you're here," Lisia says.

"Wallace? So that's your name huh?" Ash asks when the crowd around him gasps.

"I knew it! I knew I saw that face before!" Harley points.

"I don't believe it. It's really him." Drew said surprised.

"I believe I'm going to have to ask you 3 to leave," Wallace says turning his attention to Team Rocket. "The grounds are for the hard working coordinators who made exceptional growth to make the Festival, not for petty criminals."

"We don't have to take orders from some drama school dropout." Jessie said.

"Yeah I mean seriously what kind of dumb outfit is that?" Meowth mocks.

Wallace wasn't fazed by their insults, he just brushed it off with a smile. "You may insult my me and my wardrobe all you like, however I cannot say either of yours is even worth a glance."

"Ooh burn." Lisia giggles.

"Why you! We're not gonna take that! Seviper go!" Jessie said.

"You too Cacnea!" James said calling out his Pokemon but ended up getting hugged. "Get him not me!"

"Milotic show them your beauty with Dragon Dance!" Wallace said as Milotic glows red.

Rushing forward Milotic dodges all their attacks with elegance and grace.

And the crowd was in total awe. "Wow, that Milotic is beaurful," May said. "And he's your uncle?"

"Yep, my Uncle Wallace is the best there is." Lisia smiles.

"Now for the big finale! Waterfall!" Letting out a powerful screech a powerful mountain of water came raining down on Team Rocket flattening them under the pressure.

"Meowth! My fur's all soaked!" Meowth hissed.

"I can't move!" James screams.

Looking up they saw Miltoic riding the water down towards.

"Iron Tail!" Slamming the glowing tail down on the machine it explodes sending Team Rocket flying into the sky.

"That fluorescent flop ruined my perfect plan!" Jessie whined. "And now it's gonna take me hours to get this hair back in its normal style!"

"I think I got water in my ears." James whines.

"And everywhere else." Meowth whines.

"Team Rocket's blasting off again!!" They screamed off in the distance.

"Well hopefully that's the last we see of them for a while." Wallace said.

"Where have you been Uncle? I was looking all over for you?" Lisia asks.

"Sorry, I wanted a little alone time with Milotic but then we ended up helping Ash for a while." Wallace said gesturing to him.

"Your uncle was a big help on teaching my Snorunt how to properly use its Ice Beam," Ash said.

"What? Aw man some people get all the luck." Harley whines.

"What are you whinging about now?" Ash asks.

"Ash, do you not know who you're talking to?" Drew raises an eyebrow. "He's the Grand Festival's special guest. A Top-Level Coordinator and the Champion of the Hoenn region."

"HE'S WHAT?!" Ash, May, Brock and Max all exclaimed at the same time.

"Wow I bet you enjoyed that." Lisia giggles.

"It's nice meeting a person who doesn't just want an autograph." Wallace chuckles.

Ash was slack jaw in awe. All of this time, he was talking to the Hoenn League Champ and didn't realized it. Not to mention, they were talking to his niece nonetheless!


Soon it was time for the Grand Festival, and the stands were packed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome one and all to Slateport City, where our Grand Festival is about to begin!" A ginger haired woman wearing a dress said. "My name is Vivian, and I'll be here announcing this spectacular event. Coordinators far and near have done their absolute best to collect the 5 ribbons needed to participate, and now here we at the Appeal Stage. Striking the perfect balance between power and display is the key to victory here: Pokémon entrances, attack executions and every aspect right up the big finish must be God was maximum great in power. Coordinators will also be judged by their relationship with their Pokémon. Out of the 247 contestants here, only the best 64 will move on to the main competition round on the arena's special stage."

First up was Robert and his Milotic. Needless to say, he blew everyone away with a score of 98 right off the bat.

As multiple coordinators showed their moves scores high and low appeared on screen but it was still anyone's game.

"Next up we have Lisia!" Vivian said as she stepped out.

In the stands Wallace was watching her with a smile on his face. "Dazzle them." He smiles.

"Showtime! Let's go Puka!" Throwing a Pokeball into the air a Pikachu in a blue dress appeared.

"Pikachu!" It spun in the air once released and did a curtsy bow.

"Pika?" Pikachu looked interested.

"Aw, that Pikachu looks adorable in that dress," Caroline said in awe.

"Yeah but it sure doesn't look practical." Max said.

"I don't know. Looks can be deceiving." Brock said.

"Puka, Icicle Spear!" Lisia said as Puka fired multiple sharp icicles into the air that scatted all over the arena.

"Icicle Spear?" Ash gasped. "I didn't knew Pikachu could learn Ice Attacks."

"Now Volt Tackle!" Surrounding herself with electricity Puka ran towards each icicle and as she did she traced a pattern.

"Oh my goodness. Can we get an air visual please?" Vivian asks as on screen they saw it traced to reveal Puka's smiling face made out glowing yellow lines.

The crowd it was the most cutest thing they saw. "A mix of ice and electric attacks? Now isn't that genius and adorable?"

Lisia's score was a 97, that's one point off from Robert.

"Wow Lisia is amazing." Brock said in awe.

"Yeah..." Ash said speechless. "If we could learn those attacks."

Volt Tackle, Pikachu would be an unstoppable force to reckon with if he could master that.

Next up was Drew.

"Roselia Petal Dance!" Drew said calling out his go to Pokemon.

"Rose!" Roselia said creating a beautiful storm of petals that flew around the arena.

After a round of applause, Drew's score was a 95.

Then it was Harley's turn. "Come on out Cacturne, do this for Harley!" He threw out his signature Pokémon. "Bullet Seed!"

Firing a quick barrage of glowing seeds, Harley got a score of 84.

"Harley may be a jerk but he certainly has skills." Max admits.

Now it was May's turn. "And now coming up to the stage is May from Petalburg City!"

"Good luck May." Harley said as she walked out.

"Thanks Harley." May said.

"Remember what I told you about Silver Wind." Harley said.

"You got it," May smiled, but didn't noticed Harley's evil grin.

'No way she'll get more points than me now.' Harley thought.

"Beautifly take the stage!" May said calling it out.

"Beautifly!"

"Now Silver Wind!"

Using Silver Wind, Beautifly sends it towards the sun which creates shiny sparkles falling to the ground.

"Yes. She did it perfectly." Max smiled.

"She's gonna get tons of points for that." Ash said.

On the scoreboard May earned an 88.

"What? How could she do better than me?" Harley growls.

His little trick, failed and was sent right back into his face.

He was about to turn away when he noticed Drew and Lisia glaring at him.

"Hey you guys. I knew you both would do great. Seriously, I know for a fact you two will advance." Harley said pretending to be nice.

"Yeah, right." Drew's eyes narrowed.

"I hope you make it to the next round. So I can see the look on your face when you lose." Lisia glares.

Harley looked startled by that comment, but before he could retort the two walked away, making him give them his own glare.


Soon it was time to announce the 64 trainers.

Meeting up with her friends and mom, May held her breath as faces appeared on screen.

"Look there's Lisia." Ash points.

"So she's gotten second it seems," Caroline said as they then saw Drew's face.

"And Drew got 3rd," Brock adds.

May was scoping around the screen, but couldn't find her face. "PikaPika!" Pikachu's shout gotten her attention as he points to the lower brackets.

There was May's face in the 48th spot! "May, you made it!" Max cheered.

"And so did Harley." Brock said revealing he was in the 50s.

"And now before our top 64 compete will now have a word of encouragement from our special guest." Vivian said as Wallace stepped on stage.

"To all you Coordinators who passed I wish you the best of luck and to all of you who didn't. I want to say, failure is nothing to be ashamed of. I guarantee by the end of this festival whether you win or you lose. All of you will learn from this experience and become better from it. Trust your judgment and most importantly trust your Pokemon. And let's make this a Grand Festival we'll never forget." Wallace declares inspiring all the coordinators and a few trainers including Ash.

"He has such a way with words," Caroline smiled at his wisdom.

"He sure does, now I'm more pumped up for this," May smiled.

"Me too." Ash smiles.

The Grand Festival had only just begun and already things were heating up. Now that May was in the top 64. She was gonna have her work cut out for her, especially with all the competition.

Next Time: Debunking the Trickster!


I hope you guys love the first chapter reboot.
I've decided to change things up and start with the Hoenn Grand Festival and make my way up until I've reached the Battle Frontier.
Did you liked my inclusion of Lisia and Wallace?
To see what Lisia looks like, take a look at Shining-Blazar0730, "Tribulations Profile: Lisia Mikuri (Blank Period) on Deviantart.