Part XCI: Kalos's Contest Rules
"Alright Serena, I think we should go over the rules once more so that you know what to expect tomorrow." May said as they all sat down in the dinning area of the Odyssey Village Pokémon Center. "This is the first Contest of the season and first official Contest in the history of Kalos, so it is important to remember what the rules of it are."
"Of course." Serena said with a nod. "I understand and I do want to be fully ready for this Contest so I can do as well as possible in it."
It was almost a week after Ash's win over Viola in Santalune City and they'd arrived in Odyssey Village that day for the Contest the next day. After Misty and Serena's battle, they'd spent a few more days in Santalune so that Serena could perfect her poffins, perfect her appeal, and get her Pokémon ready for the battles with May and Misty. Then they'd made the trip to the village that had been selected to host the first Contest of the season.
Fortunately, the Village was on the way to Lumiose City, if a bit of detour, so it worked out well for their plans as they would head back to the central city of Kalos after the Contest for Ash's gym battle with Clemont in about a week or so depending on how things went along the way. However, that was yet to come. First, they had to make sure that Serena was fully ready and prepared for her Contest debut and that meant going over the rules with her.
"Well to start with there's a rule you have to follow before the Contest starts." Misty said remembering the rule well as it was one, she agreed wholeheartedly with. "And that is that you need to be dressed up to even enter the Contest."
"Oh, don't worry about that." Serena said with a smile. "May and I went shopping a few days ago in Santalune when you two were having a date day and I got a really cute formal dress for this. Like you Misty, I love dressing up for things, it was part of why I liked doing Performances because I got to show off my fashion skills as well, so this isn't a problem for me."
"Good, it does feel more like a Contest this way." Misty said. "It's one rule I am really glad that Kalos is following."
"To you it might but not to me." May said shaking her head. "Remember, I started in Hoenn and Kanto. The only region that dresses up for normal Contests before the expansion was Sinnoh. Johto implemented a formal aspect to their Grand Festival a few years back and the Wallace Cup requires it due to its importance but that is it. Kalos and Galar are actually the first two regions to require it for normal Contests though Alola has some weird uniform rule and Galar's requirements so specific as to what you have to wear that the Contests provide it for you."
"True it is not a requirement in Sinnoh, but it is a tradition that few ignore, and it just feels right to me." Misty replied. "It was what I grew up with, so I am biased even if I do enjoy it. I felt so underdressed when I was in Johto and Kanto, especially when won in the latter."
"To each their own I guess." May said with a shrug. "I did enjoy the dressing up aspect in Sinnoh as it was different, but it was a little too much hence why I usually went for variants on the maiden outfit I used."
"And I love it, so I'm with Misty on this one as it feels normal to me." Serena said. "Anyway, I am ready for that part and I understand the appeals even if I don't like not being part of it, it's the other requirements I am a little confused on. That is unique to Kalos and feels a little much."
"Right the Pokémon requirement." May said. "All regions have it, and it varies from region to region. The standard is to have two registered with one designated for the appeals and one for the battles. That is what Kanto and Johto do it unless they have double appeals or battles. Hoenn is a little more varied but usually you're only allowed to use one Pokémon throughout. Sinnoh allows you to mix it up in each round. Kalos has gone with an odd and rather specific change. You have to register four Pokémon for the Contest."
"Yeah, I was surprised at that." Serena said. "That was why I went home rather than stay for the Indigo Conference. My mom had a Rhyhorn that didn't want to race but rather loved to battle so I returned to see if I could bond with it. I did so she gave it to me as my fourth, though I caught Scatterbug a few days later but I won't use it until it evolves into Vivillon as it isn't useful until then."
"Why do they require four though?" Ash asked confused. "That's an odd requirement. Rarely do you see anything require four Pokémon. The only time I recall it being required was at the Snowpoint Gym as those are Candice's rules."
"It's for variety and unpredictability." May explained. "The Committee's subcommittee in charge of creating the rules for Kalos's Contests felt that it would be a different change from what other regions did. You specifically register one Pokémon for the appeals."
"Which will be Pancham." Serena interrupted surprising Ash as he expected Sylveon. "We've been working on our appeal all week."
"Why not Sylveon?" Ash asked. "She would be perfect for appeals. She looks amazing and has beautiful moves, so she'd really stand out in an appeal. Isn't that what you're supposed to do in them?"
"True she is but I feel like she might be needed in battle." Serena said. "I want my three strongest, Rhyhorn, Sylveon and Braixen, in the battle rounds so that leaves the appeal to Pancham. He knows how to look good and we've been practicing so he'll do amazing in them, I know it. This is my first Contest, so I want to do well and that means the strongest in battle. I'll mix it up in future and use Sylveon in the appeals as well but for now this feels like my best option."
"Then go with it." Ash said convinced by Serena's logic and causing her to blush a little reflexively at his though he didn't notice it. "You know your Pokémon best so do what you feel is right for them."
"Thanks Ash." Serena mumbled while Misty suppressed her irritation knowing that Serena couldn't control it and that they were good.
"Ash is right." May said moving the conversation along lest Ash densely say something worse to set off Serena's feelings and Misty's jealousy. "And we won't question your decisions, but we will debrief your performance to help you improve. Anyway, the other three can only be used once each so once you use one in the quarters you can't use it in the semis if you win that battle."
"That is an interesting way of doing it." Ash said thinking on it from a tactical standpoint the way he always did for battles. "It does ensure that each battle has a healthy Pokémon with an element of unpredictability as you can't use a previous battle to strategize for the next one, but it does mean more work for Nurse Joy."
"Speaking of Nurse Joy." Misty said. "How are the Kalos Nurse Joys going to judge these Contests? They're the most reliable judge as they're the judge that changes from location to location but the Nurse Joys here are different to the ones back home, something that is still a little odd to me after being used to the ones in Sinnoh, Johto and Kanto. Are they ready for this?"
"Oh yes they are more than ready." May said with a nod. "They were all trained last year."
"How?" Misty asked her eyes wide at May's statement that all were trained but deciding to focus on the how part. "I'm new to this and still getting used to how to judge when I have to, but I don't see how the Nurse Joys here were trained if it was just 4 Top Coordinators promoting Contests last year."
"Well, there was a lot more than just us 4 helping promote Contests last year." May said. "They've been planning this for a while so there were plenty of people here already helping us get the word out. As for the Nurse Joys in particular, they were trained by older, retired Joys from the 4 other regions who came over for the year to train their counterparts in the 100 or so locations that there will be a Contest. They paired the regions based on size and experience, so Kanto sent Joys to Unova, Johto to Alola, Hoenn to Kalos and Sinnoh to Galar for it."
"Ah I see that makes sense." Misty said understanding now. "They'll be ready then. Trust a Nurse Joy to be efficient in anything she does."
"That's the hope." May said. "This Contest will be the first test and it has Mr. Contesta and Sukizo as well so a proper judging panel rather than using one or two of the Top Coordinators here. They wanted the traditional judges for the first one before we started helping out when they need it. We will be on set up and clean up though to make things run smoothly."
"Ok I'm just going to ask." Ash said as something that had always been bugging him hit him again. "Are there multiple Contestas and Sukizos the way there are multiple Joys, Jennys and, in Unova, Don Georges? I have seen those in all the regions that I've seen Contests in and now they're doing this one as well, but they can't have the time, can they?"
"Honestly, I've never asked." May said furrowing her brow as she thought on what Ash had said. "But now that you mention it, it does make sense that there would be multiple ones otherwise it wouldn't be humanly possible for there to be only one given how many Contests there are and how many regions now have Contests. I mean all the MCs are sisters so it would be logical for them to be part of the same families just like the Joys and Jennys. It's a good question but it won't affect this judging though so let's not dwell on it."
"Agreed, I don't think my brain can handle it." Misty said her brain already hurting from the implications of what Ash had asked. "We can find out another time. Anyway, that covers the rules for the Contests being held her in Kalos. What else do you want to know Serena? I can't help much as I was only added after Kanto and am still learning what is needed of me, but May will know."
"Well just a quick confirmation first that isn't relevant for tomorrow's Contest but for future ones." Serena said. "You two will both recuse yourselves when I compete, right? You can't be allowed to judge my Contests. That would be seen as unfair to the others and make me a big target."
"Correct we will recuse any Contest you are in." May said with a nod. "As we are traveling with you, unless special circumstances are granted by the Committee and I can't imagine anything that would be considered as such, we are banned from judging a Contest you are registered for."
"It does mean that if there is a Contest that one or both of us have to judge due to a lack of available judges you will have to withdraw if registered." Misty said. "I read that in the rules regarding conflicts of interest as most of the Top Coordinators in the expansion regions have students competing in the same region. Usually, priority is given to the coordinator and the judge is banned but if the judge must judge to make the Contest official the coordinator withdraws."
"I understand and accept that." Serena said. "It is annoying, and we will do our best to avoid it but traveling with two judges will mean that we will be at Contests were you have to judge, and I can't compete. I won't be selfish and if needed I will withdraw so the Contest can go on."
"That is the right and respectful thing to do." May said proud of how mature Serena was being about this. "Furthermore, Misty will recuse herself if Emily is in a Contest as she has mentored her in the past. I have only met her once so at the moment I can judge her Contests as the conflict isn't considered serious enough but if I get to know her more, I will recuse myself as well."
"Also, a friend of mine called Khoury is here as well and competing in Contests but I think I can be impartial with him." Misty said. "I don't know him as well and have never mentored or competed against him so it should be fine."
"Ok good, I want to make sure no one complains and caused me problems." Serena said with a sigh of relief. "I will respect the rules on this."
"As will we." May said. "Is there anything else that you want to know right now?"
"The only other thing I want to go over is the Grand Festival requirements as I know they're different due to this year being an expansion year." Serena said. "It's early to know but it will help me plan my Contests down the stretch I think as we will be juggling a lot with Contests, Ash's gym battles, judging, and maybe Showcases if Misty or May want to enter those. As such it would be good to know what I need to do to reach the Grand Festival."
"I'll pass, they're not my thing." May said shaking her head. "I tried a Showcase last year and it just wasn't fun. I like battles too much to really enjoy a Showcase."
"I want to see one but I'm not sure about competing in them." Misty added. "But that's for later as we have a Contest to focus on and seeing as Serena is actually a coordinator this year we stay on topic. A recap on the requirements is good idea as I know May explained them once, but I am a little confused as well."
"Oh, it is confusing alright." May said. "It took months to determine how to do it fairly as they want a good Grand Festival but with only 100 Contests that theoretically could mean only 20 participants and that's assuming that all ribbon winners win 5 ribbons which is seldom the case. Naturally, that's not enough, so they came up with two compromises. A one-time hybrid entry allowance to boost numbers and a wild card event round out the Grand Festival."
"The hybrid one." Misty said recalling May had described it to her and Ash when they were in Hoenn for the Wallace Cup. "That is where you can use up to two ribbons from another region to enter the Grand Festival without needing 5 Kalos ribbons, right?"
"Correct though it is more specific and can only be used by a coordinator once during the 5-year expansion period when these special rules are in place." May said. "I think it's best to start with the wildcard qualification as that is the easiest to explain, is actually relevant to Serena as she doesn't qualify for the hybrid allowance and helps explain how the hybrid approach works."
"Then by all means, explain it." Serena said. "I was so focused on the Showcases last year that I didn't pay much attention to any of this. It was your department back then not mine."
"That is understandable, and that effort paid off because you reached the Master Class, won it, and faced Aria in the end." May said. "Basically, the wildcard qualification is a special appeal qualification for the Grand Festival. Coordinators who have won 3 or 4 Kalos ribbons qualify for the wildcard event. It's not the Grand Festival but takes place the weekend prior and is hosted in the same place. You get two appeals; you use the same Pokémon, and each appeal is one move, and you can't repeat a move. The combined score is your final score."
"So similar to the Kanto appeals only I'm limited to on move per attempt and I can't change Pokémon." Serena said understanding what it was. "Puts a lot of pressure on the coordinator but with what is on the line that is more than understandable."
"Correct and Kanto is actually where they got the idea from." May said. "The number who advance will depend on the number already in the Grand Festival so it will change as the years go on but once you qualify for the wildcard event you qualify for any future ones as well."
"How many do you think will advance?" Serena asked.
"Well, the committee really wants at least 64 in the Grand Festival but that might be a tough ask." May said recalling the goals she'd heard of. "We won't know until the number eligible for the wildcard event is known, but it is guaranteed to be more than 32 as they want 16 in the battle rounds."
"Makes sense so I need at least 3 ribbons to get to the wildcard." Serena said thinking. "That I am sure I can do by the end of the year. You said that I'm not eligible for the hybrid approach but what is it?"
"A way to boost the number of coordinators with experience in the early Grand Festivals." May said. "As you are a rookie this season you haven't gotten any other ribbons and as such can't use it, though if things go really bad and you only win 2 ribbons you can use it in another expansion region next year. They hybrid approach allows coordinators who win 3 Kalos ribbons to automatically qualify for the Grand Festival providing they have two ribbons from another region. There are of course a few caveats to this rule."
"And they are?" Misty asked curiously, she really needed to brush up on it when she had a moment, but May could explain it now for her. "I take it that one has to do with past Grand Festivals."
"That it does, and it is why your friend Emily isn't eligible for it." May said. "There aren't many currently registered in Kalos who have Grand Festival experience. Of them only one or two have multiple Grand Festival appearances but those who have qualified for a Grand Festival in one of the four regions with Contests are considered good enough to earn 5 ribbons in an expansion region and expected to qualify normally or via the wildcard. Those who do earn 5 Kalos ribbons will be seen as favorites going in and showcased in the material for the Grand Festival."
"So, like the top four that were promoted before the Kanto Grand Festival." Serena said remembering how the program she got for the event when they arrived just the day of the Grand Reception had full page profiles on Misty, Nando, Mollie, and Kenny to show that they were the best that year. "The Committee will promote the top as the ones to beat and to draw more people to the Grand Festival."
"Correct though they do intend to have a top four again, but those coordinators aren't known yet." May said. "It works well for fans and the blogs love to focus on the best coordinators that year. Right now, it's more speculation based on the coordinators who aren't rookies and have impressive records like Emily and Jessilina who are likely early favorites due to their top 4 Grand Festival performances. After 10 or so Contests we'll have a sense of who the really good ones are and by the time a quarter are done the top 4 should have emerged."
"Makes sense, that was kinda what it was like in Kanto." Misty said recalling how she'd learned of her status as one of the four favorites after about 15 Contests had occurred throughout the region though her prior record had made her a favorite from the start apparently. "And both Emily and Jessilina have reached semifinals before so they know how to get to the Grand Festival and excel in one adding to why they are pre-season favorites. What are the other caveats?"
"There are two more, the first being that the two ribbons that can get you into the Grand Festival with only 3 Kalos ribbons have to come from the same region." May said. "This is the same in the other expansion regions and is aimed at second- or third-year coordinators who got a couple ribbons in their home regions but couldn't go the distance and now have an easier chance at a Grand Festival appearance. That way there is more competition with experience adding to the level of skill at the Grand Festival."
"That's a pretty enticing offer." Misty said nodding. "There are numerous coordinators who are good and win a couple of ribbons but good isn't good enough to cut it in the main regions. You need to be great 5 times and that's a tough ask and I know from personal experience how a few really bad performances can make you quit as I almost did just that. This way they get a chance in an expansion region where it may be easier and only need 3 ribbons so less stress. I take it the second caveat you mentioned addresses the future."
"It does." May said with a nod. "This hybrid exception works once total, not per region but once during the 5 years. Once you've used it you can't use it again here or in another expansion region during the expansion period. If you wish to compete in the Grand Festival again, providing you didn't win it as Top Coordinators are banned from competing in an expansion region during the expansion for fairness reasons, you will have to win 2 more Kalos ribbons the nest year."
"You don't need to win all 5 in one year?" Serena asked confused. "I thought you had to in order to qualify."
"No though usually the coordinator who wins the Grand Festival has done that." May said shaking her head. "It's not easy to get 5 in a year as there are a lot of coordinators and only a limited number of Contests per year so many take two or more years to get them. As such there is no time limit on the 5 ribbons and once you win 5 in a region you are always eligible for that region's Grand Festival similar to how Conferences and gym badges work."
"May's right I've even met a coordinator who was going for a 5th ribbon many years after her 4th." Misty said. "Though she was the only one who I've met who's tried that."
"Who?" Serena asked curiously.
"It was actually my mother's toughest rival." Misty said surprising Serena. "She was also the only person my mom has never beaten. Lila won 4 ribbons when she was my age and competing against my mom but she suddenly before winning her 5th to pursue her dream of becoming a Pokémon Stylist. 20 years later she came out of retirement the same time I was in the Celestic Town Contest, which is her home town, to confirm she made the right choice and test herself against me. If she won the Contest, then she would qualify for the Grand Festival."
"I take it that she didn't win." Serena said. "You didn't say she actually succeeded in reaching the Grand Festival."
"Nope." Misty said with a grin. "My mom couldn't beat her, but I did in our one matchup. In fact, I used a similar Double Team/physical attack combo against her that you used against me in our battle only I had to deal with Ambipom being infatuated at the time. It worked though and I got my third ribbon in that final. It felt good to achieve something my mother couldn't. As far as I know Lila retired again after it as her loss to me helped confirm that she made the right choice all those years ago."
"I remember that final." Ash said, it was one that always stuck in his mind because of what happened in it. "It's where I figured out how to counter Fantina's use of Hypnosis in battle by seeing how you used Ambipom against Lila's Delcatty."
"Oh yeah that's where you developed your counter shield technique." Misty said remembering that it was that Contest that had helped Ash beat the extravagant and wayward Hearthome Gym Leader. "Usually, you are the one inspiring me, I was so happy that I inspired you."
"Well, you always inspire me." Ash said causing Misty to blush bright red at his compliment.
"Anyway, getting back to the actual topic before you two devolve into adorable cuteness." May said with a cough and ignoring the stab of pain in her chest from the exchange as she wished Ash would talk about her like that. "While the hybrid exception can only work once and only in one expansion region, it is a fair compromise for those who can get 5 ribbons just not right away and have come from another region to compete here."
"I can see that." Serena said. "So, the three ways to the Grand Festival are three ribbons and advancing through the wildcard event, the hybrid allowance for those who are eligible, or just winning 5 Kalos ribbons and showing that you are one of the best that year. Ok, I will go for the latter, but I will focus on getting at least 3 first to ensure a chance at qualifying. The timing of when I get the 3rd ribbon will determine which route I take."
"That's a good idea." Misty said. "If you end up with the former you can focus hard on the moves you want to perfect for the wildcard event so that you nail it."
"That's what I was thinking." Serena said with a nod. "And what about the Grand Festival itself? What is that format?"
"Doubles all the way." May said. "It will be a double appeal, the only time it will be done in Kalos, and your score is out of 200. The top 16 advance to the battle stage which are double battles. All Grand Festivals use double battles so that is tradition though only Johto and Sinnoh do double appeals and Kalos is the only one of the four expansion regions to do it. I think Alola is the first region to use a three-round appeal, but I can't recall. The reason for reserving the double appeal for the Grand Festival is so that it is an extra test for coordinators."
"Well, that is a hurdle to address nearer the time." Serena said. "For now, I think I need to go over my appeal one last time, groom Pancham, and get ready for my first Contest."
"I'll help with the appeal." May said as they got up. "Leave these two to have the rest of the day to themselves while I make sure you're ready for your debut."
"Thank you." Misty said with a smile at the other girls. "And good luck Serena, we'll be in the crowd supporting you. Well unless Emily shows then I have to be neutral if you two face off against each other."
"Understandable." Serena said. "And thank you. I will do my best tomorrow."
With that Serena and May left leaving Ash and Misty alone. There wasn't much to do until after the Contest, so they decided to get up and see the village. Normally the village was known for its Rhyhorn racing track but with the Contest in town that was out of the question so Ash would have to wait a while before he could see one of those. However, they could find a romantic spot, and enjoy the rest of the day because tomorrow the Kalos Contest Season began.
