Part CLXXVII: Opening Ceremony
"Woah." Ash said as he entered the battlefield level of the Lumiose Stadium where both the Grand Festival and the Lumiose Conference's later battles, the ones that were full battles, would take place and got his first look at where he hoped to win the Lumiose Conference. "This is unreal."
Misty, May, and Serena all had to nod in agreement as they looked around the interior of the stadium. Naturally Misty hadn't been here before but neither had Serena or May as they were either away or at home during the last Lumiose Conference, so this was a first for all of them to see. It was certainly a stadium unlike any they'd been in before.
As with most Conference stadiums, it was an open-air venue, which thus added to the Grand Festival as most Grand Festivals were in indoor stadiums with Kanto as an exception to that, but that was where the normalness of it ended. The stadium itself was a hexagonal structure with stands all around the interior but for one end where the massive scoreboard was and of course there were tiers to the stands and luxury boxes as well. All that was grand but to Ash, it was the battlefield itself that got him.
The battlefield was in the middle of the stadium as it should be, but it was on a circular platform with open area around it so that the only way onto the platform was a set of walkways for the trainers to use, walkways that were currently closed off. However, around it was another hexagonal pattern for people to walk on which was where they were, and it was such that the points were in the flats of the hexagonal stadium and the flats in the points. Thus, the lower-level seats followed the internal hexagon while the upper tier the external one.
Ash could see down and saw the bowls below it and realized that this was what was used to change terrains making it even more high tech than any stadium he had been in before. He definitely couldn't wait to compete in it.
That would come in time though, and only if he made it to the full battles as there were 4 smaller, recently built, stadiums surrounding the main one, though the main one was on an island all its own, for the early battles as the number of entrants was too many for the main stadium alone just like previous Conferences Ash that had been in. All that just motivated him to make it to that stage and battle here.
Course before that was the Grand Festival which was being held here as well and just in this stadium as there weren't enough to need additional venues. That was what they were here for today, the opening ceremony of the Kalos Grand Festival. It was a week after they'd arrived in Lumiose City and after a fun week of catching up with a few people, battles, and training, they were ready for this as they walked around the hexagon inside the stadium to find a spot to chat and wait to see the other coordinators who they knew would be in the Grand Festival.
In an hour or so the Grand Festival would be formally opened by Mr. Contesta, though they were still confused as to whether or not there were multiple Contestas but logically there had to be like with Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny. During the opening presentation there would be a full explanation for how the Grand Festival would work.
After that, Misty and May would join Robert and Yuma, apparently the 5th Top Coordinator wasn't present as he was a special presenter or something for the Johto Grand Festival this year, for the exhibition of Top Coordinators to cap off the opening ceremony. That was really going to get people hyped when it happened as they'd get a chance to see Top Coordinators in action.
Until then they had decided to mill around inside the stadium though all coordinators in the Grand Festival or trying to reach it for the Wildcard were expected to be inside the stadium for the ceremony. They'd already seen Jessilina around though she was currently signing autographs and taking pictures outside for some reason.
Along with her, there were vendors, breeders, groomers, stalls, and a whole smorgasbord of activities outside for attendees to enjoy. The whole thing was open to the public, many of whom had come for the Grand Festival were outside enjoying the festivities.
That was where Max, Owen, and Bonnie were at the moment. None of them were coordinators so weren't going to be at the ceremony but were at the activities as Owen really wanted to attend the various breeder booths, Bonnie had apparently found a grooming competition to take part in, and Max was just enjoying himself with what was on offer. That was fine to Ash and the girls as they were here for the ceremony and to catch up with the various friends they had made who were expected to be here that they would start seeing soon.
"Hello Serena." A voice said as soon as Ash was wondering who the first friend they'd run into and as it was right behind Serena it was clear who it would be. "Long time no see, huh?"
"Miette!" Serena yelped as she jumped and turned to face her friend and rival who always managed to sneak up on her though at least she didn't try to grab her arm or shoulders, this time.
"That's me." Miette said with a smile, her Slurpuff out and by her side, before she and Serena shared a traditional Kalos greeting and adding. "As always good to see you again and rejoin the rest of the pack so that all of us currently in Kalos are present."
"That's Miette for you." Misty said smiling at her rival who was one of the most direct she'd ever dealt with but not in a negative way, Miette was just a confident and self-assured woman who understood herself well. "You staying for the Conference afterwards?"
"Depends." Miette said as she approached Misty and pulled her in for a hug, kissing her on each cheek Kalos style that Misty still wasn't sure how to deal with but did her best to reciprocate, and holding her for a moment in the embrace. "Do you have one of those cute outfits for me as well? I've heard that the others have them, including Serena, I want one as well."
"I was going to make you one as soon as I knew you'd be there to support Ash." Misty whispered back and she meant it, she even had a color already picked out to welcome Miette into their cheer section. "Navy blue work? You're a blue but Dawn has the royal blue, so I need to go darker for you as I like it when we all wear different colors or shades. Looks better that way."
"Works for me, blue is always my best color." Miette said smiling as they broke apart. "I'll give you my measurements for it after the Grand Festival, how's that sound?"
"Sounds good." Misty said smiling back, she was still friends with Miette and wanted Ash to have a full support team for this the entire time, so she was more than happy to make one for Miette and at least this time she'd have accurate measurements right off the bat. "But I'm currently looking forward to watching all of you in the Grand Festival first. As I know so many, I'm going to be neutral unless you face her though as Serena has traveled with me and helped so much in Showcases if it comes down to it I'll support her."
"Yes I can't wait to show off there." Miette said the competitiveness coming out in her voice and grin as she turned to look at Serena. "You'd better make it through the Wildcard, Serena."
"I intend to, don't worry." Serena said with a nod. "No matter how many get through, I'll be one of them. We have unfinished business Miette; I can't let something as simple as a Wildcard round stop me from settling our score."
"I expect it will be 10 of us maximum." A new voice said, and they all turned to find Shauna and Tierno approaching them though Trevor wasn't with them for some reason. "And I will be one of them as well, so don't you falter Serena. It's not just Miette counting on you or who wants to settle a score, don't forget I'm in this as well."
"How could I not Shauna." Serena said with a smile at her friend. "We both have to be make it and then battle if the rounds fall that way. After…"
"Serena!" Tierno said his eyes hearts as he danced forward and fell to a knee in front of her before anyone else could talk, and interrupting Serena in the process. "You are as lovely as ever; I know you will make it through."
"Um, thanks Tierno." Serena said while Misty and May sighed at the sight.
"Hey Tierno." Ash said completely oblivious to what was going on but that was to be expected from Ash. "You're in both the Grand Festival and the Lumiose Conference, you must be busy."
"Don't you know it Ash but I'm ready for it all, been ready all year for the Lumiose Conference and the Grand Festival is just the final test for me for it." Tierno said as he turned to Ash and broke out into a dance that ended with him doing a one hand handstand. "And I've got something special for the Conference this year. I really hope we meet there so I can show it off."
At that Tierno pointed and showed that he was wearing a dark blue band on his calf. Set into the band, in a special holder, was a glowing stone that by this point they all knew well thanks to Ash and May owning one as well.
"You got a Key Stone Tierno." Ash said excited by the sight. "So, you have a Mega Stone then?"
"Yup but I'll be keeping that a secret until the Conference." Tierno said with a nod as he flipped onto his feet. "Last year Trevor showed up with a Key and Mega Stone for his Charizard and though he lost to the eventual winner in the first round, he still showed how useful they are, so I spent this year searching for both as I did Contests. When I got my 5th ribbon right after the Wallace Cup I devoted myself to finding it and in the end I found a Key Stone. The Mega Stone was a gift from Sycamore the other day, he had what I needed and gave it to me so long as he can study the Mega Evolution at some point."
"That's so cool." Ash said excited to learn who it was for and hopefully face Tierno and that Pokémon in the Lumiose Conference. "Well now I really want to face you. I've faced a few Mega Pokémon this year and they're always great battles."
"Agreed." Tierno said. "I lost in the Conference to a Mega Pokémon last year so now that I can counter it with my own I will be on the same footing as my opponent. From what I hear you have something that mimics Mega Evolution but is completely different despite having a Key Stone."
"I have a few Mega Stones but none of the Pokémon I caught this year, or the two I brought to Kalos for the year, have one so I won't use it." Ash said. "I am only using Pokémon either caught this year or brought to Kalos, which is usually just Pikachu but as I got my Riolu right after the last Indigo Conference I decided that he should come as well to get experience with me. It was worth it as he's now a Lucario, but I don't have his Mega Stone yet."
"That is a clever way of doing things." Tierno said thinking on what Ash had said. "If I don't win it all this year then I'm going to go traveling to broaden my own knowledge after two years in my home region. I am considering going to Kanto next year actually and really growing as a trainer and dancer so I'm only going to bring my starter and my newest which just hatched. I can't wait to debut it in the Grand Festival."
"It's a great way to train and recenter yourself after a year as you can start afresh and really improve your own skills." Ash said. "I highly advise that with only a few Pokémon, but it seems you already got that planned. If possible, you should travel with friends as well. I find that that always helps make things better.
"Speaking of friends." May added. "Where is Trevor? Shouldn't he be with you?"
"Trevor isn't in the Grand Festival; he did some Contests for fun like the Wallace Cup and to prepare for the Lumiose Conference in lieu of gym battles but he didn't get any ribbons, so he decided not to come into the stadium." Tierno said. "I wasn't planning on doing more than a couple but after being able to get past the appeals I began to win ribbons as I'm not bad at this style of battling, so I went for it. Trevor is around, he's outside taking pictures of Pokémon for people and his own collection."
"That is so Trevor." Serena said with a smile. "Good for him, I hope he does better in the Lumiose Conference this year."
"We all do, it was tough to watch him be the first to lose in it last year." Shauna said. "And that Tierno goes far in both but of course I'm here to win this myself."
"As am I." Miette said. "And after my recent win over Serena I have the confidence for it."
"And I have the motivation to settle this with both of you." Serena said. "So, we'd all better advance to battles where we can really decide this."
"I too wish to face you again Serena my darling." Tierno said. "We faced off before in the Wallace Cup and I lost, I must redeem myself in your eyes."
"It's ok Tierno." Serena said. "You are always fine to me, don't worry."
"Fine as in a good trainer, don't read into that." Shauna said grabbing Tierno's ear before he could make a comment or try and fail to woe Serena. "And good, we're all motivated but of course we have to deal with the true talents first."
"What, like me?" Yet another new voice said though it was a little nervous and they all looked to behind Shauna to see Emily and Adam approaching them. "Sorry, couldn't resist an opening like that. I'll say, this is different to the Kanto Grand Reception thing last year, at least I don't have to dress up."
"They thought about doing that." May said. "And initially planned thanks to that performer mix and mingle event but in the end they decided instead of some stuffy coordinator and dates only event, they wanted to make it into a whole opening ceremony for the first Grand Festival in Kalos's history. That way they could throw all these activities and open it to everyone though I'm sure that they will bring the formal thing in time though."
"Well so long as it's not while I'm here, I'm still not comfortable with the whole dressing up to compete let alone for some formal event." Emily said. "But I can put it aside for the Grand Festival, I am a favorite this time like Misty was last year though unlike her I'm not the top favorite. Still, I can really feel the pressure of it."
"No, we know who that is." Misty said as they all instinctively looked around but couldn't see her or her handler at the moment but that was just for the moment they knew they'd see that pair in time as it always happened at events like this. "And as annoying as she is, she is talented."
"True but she should be held in check now." Emily said.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"You didn't hear?" Emily asked and they responded to her with a mix of confused looks or shakes of the head. "She got a formal warning like Misty did last year only hers came after the Wallace Cup and was for behavior unbecoming of a Coordinator and not cursing during a live Contest. She's got to behave herself lest she get disqualified."
"I think I did hear that but didn't really pay attention to it." May said. "We had the Master Class coming up so had to focus on preparing Misty for that and after that everything kinda slipped my mind until now."
"Oh yeah, Misty was in it." Shauna said turning to the Sinnoh redhead. "You were great by the way."
"Yeah we all voted for you." Tierno said. "All the way through."
"You would have threatened to make it in our year so I'm glad you didn't because I could fully support you this year." Miette said. "All 3 of you were as good as Serena, Shauna, and myself were so it was good to watch and naturally I supported my pack leader the entire time."
"Thank you." Misty said with a smile at her friends. "It was a lot of fun, and I did better than I expected. I would have liked to face Aria to test myself against, but the vote wasn't for me."
"You were so mature when you lost though." Emily said. "Reminded me of last year when you were there for Mollie after the semifinal. I had Adam, my new friend at the time but she needed you after her loss."
"Mollie did well but in the end Kenny bested her, though I expect to see her as the first Top Coordinator of the Unovan Grand Festival, so she'll have her moment soon." Misty said with a smile. "Kayleigh needed it during the Master Class when she failed to get to the tiara freestyle, so I helped her. I had the right attitude and experience for it."
"One that has helped me prepare for the Grand Festival." Serena said. "I want to win it of course but I know that if I don't I will be fine because I've got the right mentality for what is to come."
"Yeah because you will be crushed beneath my superior shoe like the insect that you are as I take the first Kalos Ribbon Cup to show who's mentor is better." A new, familiar, voice said joining them and it was the one they really didn't want to join. "I may have my free speech and righteous judgement calls muzzled by the ignorant Committee, but I'll still emerge victorious and this time I won't have some cheating asshole of a trainer standing in my way. Unlike my unfair loss in the Wallace Cup so that the script writers of it could give Serena the damned Misty Ribbon, I'll with the Ribbon Cup fair and square."
They all turned again, seriously these edges weren't great for large groups, and looked at the speaker. It was who they all expected and had been hoping not to run into but then again after Kenny the year before at the Grand Reception and Amelia before the Master Class this was to be expected at such a gathering. Brianna, the top favorite for the Ribbon Cup and the biggest antagonist to them this year, was standing there, hands on her hips, a smirk on her face and her eyes dancing with malice and madness.
It was clear that she'd become even more unhinged than before, which was saying a lot as she hadn't been entirely sane since she reappeared this year, but at least she was somewhat more controlled though that was likely due to the warning she had received. Well, that and the presence of the man who enabled her to be like this standing just behind and to the side.
Drew was present, that was to be expected as he was Brianna's mentor in many things and who had played a large roll in brining out the monster within Brianna, just as she in turn brought out his full monster. However, this was the first time since Ash had defeated Kenny that any of them had actually been in close proximity to Drew. Brianna had been the main force all year, excluding the one battle with Kenny, but now both were present once again.
May felt herself start to shake as she glared at Drew, her fists balled at her sides as she tried to be as strong as she could be. Her recent chat with Sabrina had helped but still, being in his presence reminded her of the past and all that he had put her through back then. At least that was until she felt it.
As she'd been shaking, both Misty and Serena had come to flank her, and each girl took one of her hands in theirs to comfort her and give her strength. May looked to both of them who were glaring at Brianna and Drew but lent her strength as well. Together they could do this they wouldn't let these people get to them and whatever happens, they'd win in the end. With their aid, May was able to calm down and stop shaking so much.
"I beat you fair and square, evolution is allowed in Contest battles so long as it is natural which means that Noibat evolving was within the rules." Ash said calmly as he looked at Brianna and Drew. "You know that as well as I do. Then I lost to Serena fairly in the final. She bested me with her style and timing to land that one hit KO move. She more than earned the Misty Ribbon."
"Tch." Brianna tisked, the hate clear in her eyes. "That's just a pathetic excuse to justify beating someone better than you and you know it."
"It's in the rules honey." Miette said stepping forward, she could tell something was up with May so decided to help protect her from this little brat. "It's clearly states that friendship and experience-based evolution, that is to say evolution that doesn't need an external item, are permissible at any time in a Contest while item-based ones are allowed in the appeals though I've never heard of that happening. Anyone who wants to be a coordinator should have read them and last I checked, you were the most accomplished and experienced coordinator on the circuit so if some performer from a region not known for Contests can read them why haven't you?"
"Yeah, my Eevee evolved into a Sylveon in a final against Jessilina." Emily said helpfully. "It can happen at any time."
"So did my Rhyhorn into a Rhydon." Serena said. "You've just got to use that advantage when it presents itself. Ash did and you weren't skilled enough to counter it apparently."
"And if you had watched the Sinnoh Grand Festival that I was in you would have seen Ursula use two evolutionary stones to evolve her Eevees in her appeal." Misty said simply. "That I'm surprised about, she was only slightly less bratty than you are while being just as delusional in her rivalry reasons. Still, she proved it when she bested me in the Johto Grand Festival final but in hindsight losing that was the best thing for me."
"I don't need condescension from some fake coordinators, a cheat, and a heartbreaker like you Misty." Brianna spat. "I know that that was cheating and that's enough for me. It won't happen this time around, this time I will crush all of you."
"Yes, you will." Drew said with a small smile. "This will prove that I am the best as my student wins the Kalos Grand Festival over the likes of you but there are a few of you we really want to defeat to show how much better than you we are. The Kalos lot, you fake coordinators polluting our noble art to further your sexist crap here aren't worth our time for the most part, neither is that trainer nor that breeder you guys know who are also polluting this event. Only one of you phonies is worth out valuable time and only because she's tied to a traitor."
"I've told you before and I'll tell you again, Drew." May said forcing the words out as she looked at him, her friends holding her hands to comfort her but after Sabrina she had the strength to speak to him despite what he did because she was the real strong one here and she drew on that strength now. "I never betrayed you; I was simply better that day just as I was in Kanto when you finally had the balls to acknowledge me as a rival but when I gave your pathetic ass a chance as my boyfriend you never saw me as more than a hot piece of ass to bolster your exceptionally fragile masculinity. You were the traitor that day and no amount of delusional garbage will change that."
"Johto was mine, that was when I was going to win it all until you betrayed me when you beat me in that semifinal." Drew spat back his composure starting to crack. "I finally beat that narcissist Solidad who had the audacity to compete after becoming a Top Coordinator, it was my year at last and then you used my kindness and love for you to stab me in the back in the worst way and when it mattered the most. All I did was what was right and paid you back for what you did. If I wasn't going to win then neither were you, fair is fair in my book."
"Wow, you are one deluded asshole." Miette said her eyes wide as she experienced this dude for the first time, no wonder Brianna was messed up if this was her idol though her gut told her that Brianna was about as much to blame for this as Drew was. "And seriously, that's not how you treat a partner dude."
"Oh, like some sexist brat like yourself could understand." Drew said sneering down at Miette. "All you performers who dare sully the purity of Contests aren't worth my time so shut it. The only one of you who even gets a passing glance is Serena and that's because she's May's protégé so she's going down at the hands of my protégé to prove I am truly best."
"Yeah so you'd better make it to the final, that's where I really want to beat you." Brianna said thrusting her finger at Serena before Miette could respond. "We were denied that at the Wallace Cup and while I'll crush you whenever, the final is the best place to prove how amazing Drew is. I will claim the first Kalos Ribbon Cup by standing on you and that cheat Emily, the only coordinator in the Grand Festival with the audacity to beat me this year."
"I didn't cheat." Emily said. "I beat you fair and square in Laverre."
"Yeah she didn't, she just used what you guys did and had help." Adam said pulling out a well-worn notebook and flipping to a page. "I've studied all the Top Coordinator candidates this year to help Emily and you're too predictable, especially against a type specialist."
"Huh?" Brianna asked blinking at the odd Hoenn boy. "That's really creepy. I thought that you were weird but you're one messed up dude."
"I knew you'd see Emily as an actual challenge and counter her with a type advantage." Adam said clearly not hearing what Brianna had said. "You'd already shown that you could win with a disadvantage in that Geosenge Contest using your Flygon on her Clefable so now you'd just go for the outright win in Laverre as that was what you'd done in all Contests since then and continued to show later in the Wallace Cup further proving my hypothesis. That meant that you'd use a poison or steel type in a rematch with Emily but based on the Pokémon you'd shown this year you only had the former, so I told Emily to use her Klefki in expectation of your Roselia."
"She's very good at handling the poison weakness I have." Emily said. "Being a steel type and what not. I have come to embrace my affinity for fairy types, especially after learning under Valerie this last month while we were up in Laverre again before returning to Lumiose City, so I know to be prepared for my weaknesses."
"Also, I do know, my crush is out of reach to me so don't think I'm something I'm not just because of your strange view on our Showcases." Miette said finally getting her response in, she was not going to let what Drew had said to her slide. "Yeah, they don't allow men, it's not ideal and is discriminatory I'll admit, but so what? You don't have a right to tell us how to do things in our region just as I don't have a right to tell you how to do things in Kanto or Hoenn."
"As your superior I have all the right to do so when it comes to Contests." Drew said. "But at least you know the pain of loss so you should understand but clearly you don't so zip it and let the actual coordinators talk."
"Yeah, you aren't even worth my attention." Brianna said giving Miette a shooing gesture that just got Miette more pissed and then restrained by Shauna from doing anything unladylike in that moment. "You got lucky to get 5 ribbons as a Kalos native but you're nothing to me. I'll crush you if I face you, but Serena and Emily are the ones are destined to lose to me and it will show what we all know to be true, that Drew is much better than May in every way, and I guess Misty, but I don't care about her other than that she broke May's heart which is nice."
"Kenny is our ally and we promised him this even though he got carried away with his own petty grudge against an inferior male and had to leave." Drew said calmly. "So, we'll beat May and Misty's proxies and you'll lift the Ribbon Cup my dear."
"And then can we be together my love." Brianna said turning to him with love in her eyes.
"Not yet, once the world is less prejudiced against a relationship like ours despite how pure and wholes it is." Drew said softly patting her on the head in what came off to everyone but Brianna as a patronizing gesture. "Only then can we finally be together without judgement or false accusations against me."
"Fine, I'll wait for the ignorant masses to learn." Brianna said. "You're the only one who's approval I care about Drew darling."
"Good, now let us leave before the scum here can falsely accuse you of losing your cool and trigger that Tauros shit warning the weaklings on the Committee gave you for speaking the truth." Drew said giving them a cold glance. "That was low of you May, clearly you can't win without tricks but what should I expect from the likes of you."
"Keep lying to yourself, you're a master at that." May said. "Brianna earned that warning all on her own merit. None of us reported that, she was directly warned by the Committee for her actions in the Wallace Cup."
"The only liar here is you." Drew said. "And soon they will all be exposed when we win it all."
"Yeah so watch out, I'm coming for you, and you will be my stepping stones on the path of my destiny." Brianna said with a malicious grin that would strike fear in even the worst ghost type before she and Drew turned to leave, passing Lyra and Khoury who had finally made it into the stadium and located their friends without so much as a glance, but Brianna did have a parting word for them as she left. "You are beneath me, so get used to seeing a true Top Coordinator in front of you as you fail to catch up."
"Well, she's as pleasant as ever." Khoury said when they had gone and he and Lyra, holding hands as always, reached them. "So that's the mastermind behind her, real piece of work isn't he?"
"He's a fragile little man overcompensating for a lot, and I mean little in many ways, there's no way it's not micro." Miette said as Shauna finally released her before they all grouped up and May let out a sigh of relief as they all comforted her. "Don't think of him May, he's not worth your time and like the rest of us you know what a real man is. Well, at least I do because I'm like you in that regard."
"Th, thanks." May said with a smile as she recovered from the encounter. "All of you be it for your defense, support, or not rising to them, that means a lot."
"Yeah that guy really is something else, I can totally see where that little brat gets it from." Lyra said. "And you know him Dane?"
"Not directly, that was only our second time with him, but he knows Ash and May." Misty said as Lyra continued to prove that she had no clue what Misty's name actually was. "And of course he knows that Brianna likes him and has never liked May, so he's used that to his advantage."
"Alone those two are nothing." May said. "Drew would be just some fragile man child licking his well-earned wounds and deluding himself that he wasn't in the wrong for what he did while Brianna would just be some crazed stalker of his that saw threats from any girl Drew so much as looked at. Their chance meeting again created a perfect storm for this. Without one, the other wouldn't be bad. Add in Kenny and they were really annoying, but we dealt with that one easily."
"He was a fool to challenge Ash to a full battle with the loser leaving Kalos." Misty said. "Even if it hurt us in the end when Ash went overboard a little, Ash still humiliated him."
"It wasn't too hard; he had no idea how to battle like a trainer." Ash said. "And the others, well…"
"Any win will be meaningless; we must remember that." Serena said. "That is how we prevent them from getting to us."
"What do you mean?" Shauna asked, she'd not gotten involved other than to restrain Miette from probably slugging Brianna in the face but had been there for support.
"It's simply really." Serena said. "They claim to want to show off that they're the best, but we already know that they are to begin with. All they're doing is punching down on those weaker than them so any win they get is meaningless."
"Huh?" Lyra asked. "I'm not involved in this and Khoury here never faced any of them, we only crossed paths with that little brat in the Wallace Cup and that was it."
"Basically, they're not going to come out of this on top regardless of what happens." Serena said. "A friend of mine helped us see it for what it is a while back. All they are are two angry, vengeful, messed up people taking it out in a way that gives them the greatest chance of winning because they know that if they met me on my home turf, Showcases, and not theirs, Contests, then they'd lose and lose badly. No one is under any doubts that Brianna is the top favorite this year like Misty was in Kanto last year."
"They aren't?" Lyra asked.
"No because she's got the pedigree and talent." Serena said. "The expansion regions are fertile ground for coordinators to go to show off, get experience, and win it all earlier than they might in one of the traditional regions. For that reason, there are few of the true top tier talents that have come to them so far because of the level of competition here isn't what it is in the four old regions. In all honesty, there's at most three coordinators across all four expansion regions with the potential to win it all in one of the non-expansion regions."
"True." Emily said simply and coming from her it carried more weight. "I came here because it would be fun, and I knew I'd do well in the expansion region plus Misty had recommended I travel to get more life experiences. Adam wanted to come here as well so it worked out."
"Didn't you make a semifinal in your first Grand Festival appearance?" Shauna asked looking at the brunette. "You're one of the Big 3 here."
"So did Jessilina in her one appearance where Misty was a debut finalist." Emily said. "But in all honestly, I got lucky to make it as far as I did, I was the worst in the semifinals and should have been defeated earlier. It was mainly the whole fairy emergence that got me that far as I didn't know Granbull had become a fairy type, I thought he was a normal type like he'd always been, so when Nando's Lopunny landed a fighting type attack on him, that should have been the end of him. Losing a Pokémon in a double battle is a death nail for your points if you can't take one of theirs as well."
"All true." May said with a nod. "Happened in my quarterfinal with Drew in Kanto when we had our first Grand Festival rematch. I knocked out his Flygon while he knocked out my Squirtle leaving it as Combusken verses Absol which I won in the end. That was my first win over him, but I was comfortably beaten by Solidad in the semifinals after which I had a small funk before realizing I needed to do my own thing to finish growing."
"Exactly, the loss of a Pokémon in a double battle is hard to overcome unless you even it out." Emily said. "So, I got lucky because the new fairy type is resistant not weak to fighting like normal types are, so I was able to use that to turn the tables and land a devastating counter on Nando even if I didn't know why Granbull was still able to fight at the time. That is what got me the upset win and a semifinal berth but as we all saw I was no match for Misty there. Only Mollie had beaten her that year, well of those in the Grand Festival, so it was clear Misty would go all the way to the final."
"You did well against me." Misty said with a smile. "Held out to the end for the first time all year, I was impressed."
"Th, thank you." Emily said clearly pleased with the praise from the coordinator they all knew she looked up to the most. "I've used all that I learned from Misty, supplemented by my own growth and Adam's tutelage to establish myself this year but a one-time semifinalist wouldn't be a favorite in most regions."
"That is true." May said. "To some extent at least as there is still the competition level those regions breed due to how long Contests have been there. Of course, the are exceptions such ask Mollie who established herself as a favorite with no Grand Festival appearances and Kenny was at best a quarterfinalist, but only other strong coordinators could beat him, so he became a favorite last year. It's not common to have a two-time finalist like Misty on a circuit and Nando had a semifinal and a final under his belt."
"Mollie earned her status through years of hard work to prepare for her first true year as a coordinator." Emily said. "And she entered the Grand Festival with wins over Kenny, Nando, and Misty. Hell, her win over Misty was her only matchup with the top favorite and she won it. Add in that she's a hometown girl and she was going to be a favorite in the eyes of the hardcore Kanto fans."
"I agree, Mollie is talented." Misty said. "As has been mentioned, she'll win it all in Unova this year and I look forward to a rematch one day with her when we are both Top Coordinators."
"Ok I get that." Lyra said as she finally understood everything as best she could given her limited understanding of the Contest scene. "But what does this have to do with Brianna?"
"She's the only coordinator on the circuit with more than one Grand Festival appearance." Serena said. "She has 3 appearances with each improving on the last."
"Oh." Lyra said. "So, like how Ash and Brendan had multiple Conference appearances with progressively better results."
"Well, I regressed in Unova as I only made the quarterfinals there after a semifinal appearance in Sinnoh." Ash admitted. "But yes in general that is the case."
"That is a good analogy though for Brianna her progression was smoother." May added. "In her debut in Kanto she made it to the quarterfinals, which is enough to establish talent for the future as I made the quarters in my debut in Hoenn, then she was a semifinalist in Hoenn a year later which is where she reunited with Drew."
"That started all this in the long run." Serena said. "But they had to separate for a year where Brianna made it to the Johto finals and Drew won the Sinnoh Grand Festival the year after May. So, as you can see, Brianna progressively got better by a round similar to May actually. Misty's three straight finals appearances, winning the last one, is an anomaly."
"Therefore, Brianna is the only coordinator present with a Grand Festival finals appearance." May said bringing them back on topic before they could get too distracted. "That gives her serious credibility and her dominating wins with only two losses, one in a match that negated one of her types against Emily and the other against Ash who is not a coordinator but a talented trainer and had an evolution in the match, have solidified her status. Emily and Jessilina, as the only others to have had deep Grand Festival runs, round out the Big 3 but they are clearly a level below Brianna. Course, as Emily and myself have proven, upsets can happen."
"Plus, with 3 they can hype up us locals as gunning for that final spot in the top four." Miette said. "Tierno and I have qualified with 5 ribbons, Serena is the Wallace Cup winner and a Master Class winner as well as the only one to best a Big 3 that isn't Ash or another Big 3, and Shauna is a finalist in the Master Class. All of us have the potential to make the semifinals and cause an upset so they get the local talent as well."
"Exactly." Serena said. "So, you see, Brianna is clearly the best in the Grand Festival therefore a win for her will just look like the overall favorite winning over lesser competition. There's no one who can be seen as a true challenge to her unlike even last year in Kanto where Mollie's unbeaten record against Misty, the overall favorite, added a potential upset angle there isn't one going in for Brianna. Here, Brianna has beaten all the favorites along with me at least so any win for her means nothing. For us, it's clear we aren't coordinators, at least in my case, or we're less experienced so a win for us over her is an upset and a loss expected."
"As such, despite their claims, they get nothing meaningful from this as they are already expected to win." May said. "And we lose nothing by losing to a clearly stronger and more experienced opponent. It's this mentality, helped along by an older, wiser, friend of ours that has helped us really prepare for this."
"And for the future as well but that isn't something we need concern ourselves about now." Serena said as Miette realized who they were talking about, that woman really was helpful for sure. "So, let's have fun, good competition, and ignore some whiny brat and a fragile man who can't handle a strong woman seeing through him and kicking his worthless ass to the curb."
"I get it now." Lyra said with a smile as she fully understood it. "But my darling Khoury will win it all, not any of you."
"Thank you dear." Khoury said with a smile at Lyra. "I'll admit, I started all this to be a better breeder but with the likes of Yuma showing you can be both, admittedly she became a breeder after becoming a Top Coordinator, I am inspired to win it all myself. So, I look forward to facing you ladies, and Tierno of course, in the Grand Festival."
"And then the Lumiose Conference where I will be." Lyra said grinning. "I lost in the Indigo semifinals to Ash last year so I can't lose again. Ash, Tierno, and er, whatever your name is with the green hair as I know you're a trainer as well, I'll be coming for all of you this year."
"Me too." Ash said grinning not noticing Adam blanch at Lyra's words. "Let's give it our all."
"Yeah this is going to be fun, and I can show off all I've learned since last year." Tierno said. "So…"
Before Tierno could say anymore there was a bell sound, and a series of fireworks went off getting all their attention and they turned to the battlefield where Jillian and Mr. Contesta had suddenly appeared. At this, May let go of Serena's hand that she was still holding but not Misty's that she was also still holding. Rather she squeezed it to get Misty's attention and Misty turned to meet May's eye, realizing what they had to do as well and nodded.
"It's about to start." Misty said to everyone. "So, May and I need to head to the battlefield. See you after the exhibition."
"Yeah time for our brief moment to show off." May said finally letting go of Misty's hand as well. "Enjoy it all because we're going to really enjoy the Grand Festival that you're taking part in."
With that, Misty and May headed out to one of the paths to the battlefield, Misty giving Ash a chaste kiss as she left, and they all turned to look at the battlefield. Everyone in the stadium, about 200 people it seemed, were looking and the jumbotron showed the people on the battlefield as well as Yuma and Robert waiting to walk down the other pathway to the battlefield with the second one still vacant awaiting for May and Misty.
In addition, all that was about to happen was being shown live on screens on the outside of the stadium as well. That way, those who were outside like Max and Bonnie could watch the opening ceremony as well.
"Welcome everyone!" Jillian said excitedly once May and Misty were finally in place for when they had to walk to the battlefield. "Are you ready!"
At this there was a cheer from both inside and outside the stadium. A long year of hard work had culminated in this moment, the start of the first every Grand Festival in Kalos. Who wasn't excited for that?
"Great!" Jillian said smiling into the microphone she was holding. "And so, to do the honors of explaining what is to come and then open the inaugural Kalos Grand Festival where we will see some of the talented Top Coordinators who've helped these last two years show off for all of you, I present to you the head of the Kalos Contest Committee and the head judge for the Grand Festival; Mr. Contesta!"
"Thank you Jillian." Mr. Contesta said raising his own microphone to his mouth and stepping forward to speak to all of Kalos in this moment. "And thank you to all of you who's support, effort, and hard work has helped make this Grand Festival a possibility. When the Contest Committee decided to launch a mass expansion to 4 new regions a few years ago we knew that it was a big undertaking but thanks to everyone we're here and the first of those Grand Festivals, the Kalos one, is now set to begin."
With that Mr. Contesta paused as the crowd applauded and cheered. It was clearly part of some speech he'd prepared for this, but it certainly worked to set the mood and get everyone ready for what was to come.
"Now, before I officially declare this Grand Festival open I must first explain how it will work because as with all Grand Festivals this is going to have its own rules and rules that differ from normal Contest rules in Kalos." Mr. Contesta said as the crowd died down. "Usually this isn't necessary but as this is the inaugural Kalos Grand Festival and there are some differences in the expansion regions this is a necessity. The first, and biggest, of those differences is the event that takes place tomorrow that many of you have no doubt been wondering about; the Wildcard Qualification event."
This certainly peaked both Serena and Shauna's attention as they were eager to hear how it would go down. They knew some of it, but this was Kalos, there was bound to be some extra eccentricities to the rules that hadn't been revealed yet and most importantly they'd learn how many would qualify for it.
"The Wildcard is in effect in all 4 expansion regions though it will be slightly different in each one so as to distinguish between them and will exist each year for the 5-year expansion period." Mr. Contesta continued. "It was created, along with the one-time hybrid qualification allowance for coordinators with two ribbons from another region and three in an expansion region, because we want as many to qualify for the Grand Festivals in the early years but there has to be some challenge to a lower than 5 ribbon qualification threshold. That challenge became the Wildcard."
This made sense to everyone present. Those in the Wildcard had only had 3 or in some cases 4 ribbons, not the required 5 that you usually needed to qualify for the Grand Festival so there had to be some handicap for this.
"Even with the stellar work of our Top Coordinators and all the Nurse Joys in Kalos, we can only hold at most 300 Contests in a season and that's with an average of one every day so that limits how many we can have in the Grand Festival in the early years." Mr. Contesta said after a pause. "As such, the Wildcard became the one-time allowance for coordinators with 3 or 4 Kalos ribbons, but you can only use it once to qualify for the Grand Festival."
That did cause a murmur from some in the crowd, though their little group was listening intently to Mr. Contesta and didn't say anything. Mr. Contesta himself paid the chatter no heed as he continued with his explanation.
"The reason for this is that in subsequent years we expect you to earn the final ribbons needed to automatically qualify for the Grand Festival." Mr. Contesta said. "The Committee has long held that you don't need to get all 5 regional ribbons in one Contest Season, nor do you need to get them again after competing in a Grand Festival. This way we can always have a large number of coordinators adding to the competition but that is not possible in the expansion regions hence the Wildcard. The Wildcard allows those who have shown the potential to qualify for it in the future hence why you get a onetime chance now. Don't take this opportunity lightly."
This time Mr. Contesta did pause for a moment to let his words sink in. It all made sense to Serena and Shauna who were in the Wildcard. They were being given a chance to qualify for the Grand Festival and potentially become Top Coordinators without the need for 5 Kalos ribbons so they shouldn't sneer at this and use it once so that if they fail, be it in the Wildcard or the Grand Festival itself, they can get the required ribbons for an automatic berth in the future.
"Good, I can see that those of you in it understand what is expected of you." Mr. Contesta said after a moment. "And now onto the rules of the Wildcard before we reveal the number of slots available via it."
This was big as it was what they'd all been waiting for, so no one spoke as they listened to Mr. Contesta's words. At last, the precise rules of the Wildcard would be known.
"The rules are simple." Mr. Contesta explained. "Each coordinator who has secured the requirements to be in the Wildcard and chosen to partake in it will select one of their Pokémon, register it as their Wildcard Pokémon with the Committee and then perform two, one move appeals in the order in which they qualified for the Wildcard. That is to say that we will go through the list once where you perform a single move and give you a score based on that move and then you go again in the same order with a different move and record that score. Those scores are then added together for the final score."
"As expected." Serena said to Shauna while the crowd murmured or tried to figure it out. "That's what they did last year in Kanto if I recall, albeit it was a one move appeal and then a full one, with the cumulative scores known and the top 16 advancing."
"True but I bet there's a catch." Shauna said. "There always is."
"However." Mr. Contesta said silencing any chatter as he was about to prove Shauna right. "To balance out the fact that you will be qualifying without 5 ribbons, those who qualify via the Wildcard cannot use the Wildcard Pokémon in the Grand Festival. You will be limited to 5 Pokémon that you will register during the day off between the Wildcard and the Grand Festival Appeal Round. Those who have qualified with 5 ribbons or who have exercised the one-time hybrid allowance will register a full team of 6 Pokémon. You qualified with less ribbons, so it is only fair that you have less Pokémon to choose from in the Grand Festival, that's the logic behind this rule."
"So that's the catch." Shauna said as people began to murmur at that. "Seems fair enough to me."
"We have less ribbons so having less Pokémon makes sense." Serena agreed. "And I already know who I'm using so it's not that big of a handicap to me. She was always going to be my Wildcard Pokémon and I still haven't gotten her to like battles. This doesn't change a thing."
"I need to decide but I know who I won't use." Shauna said. "But first we need to actually reach that cutoff point to qualify for the Grand Festival."
"Well, it looks like we'll learn how many spots are available now." Serena said as Mr. Contesta began to speak again, and the crowd fell silent to listen to the next part of the explanation.
"There are 27 coordinators who have secured the necessary ribbons to qualify for the Wildcard." Mr. Contesta continued. "And 42 who have secured qualification directly for the Grand Festival, 30 via 5 Kalos Ribbons and 12 via the hybrid approach who have elected to use their one-time allowance for this Grand Festival. All of this is thanks to the hard word and dedication of our judges this year ensuring that we had a total of 273 Contests this year, well above our target for Kalos. As such, we've decided that there will be a total of 50 spots in the Grand Festival. Therefore, the top 8 from the Wildcard will qualify for the Grand Festival."
That took a moment for everyone to process. First off was the sheer number of Contests that had been had. That was almost one a day over the course of 10 months but as Serena thought about it, the first Contest out in Odyssey Village had been about 10 months ago or so, she'd lost a track of time a bit, and with many snap Contests and hard work from the Committee it made sense. The schedule had been packed but so long as at least two of the potential judges were present with a Nurse Joy then a Contest could take place wherever the was a sufficient venue for one.
Still, it was a lot and caused some murmurs as people tried to figure it out. In the end most just accepted that it was doable though likely there were a few other MCs in addition to Jillian, it was known that Pierre had hosted several Contests that year himself, and with the Showcases as part of it then it could be done. Best not to think too hard on it and leave it as that as Serena and Shauna turned their focus on the 8 spots available for the Grand Festival.
"You know, it's kinda like a regular Contest in a way." Shauna said as it hit her. "Most Contests that I've been in this year have had 20 to 30 coordinators in them and 8 spots after the appeal. Only the Wallace Cup was different and that's because it's the most famous Contest that isn't a Grand Festival. Things really worked out for this."
"Huh when you put it like that it does make sense." Serena said as she thought on it. "Probably 8 was the magic number that they wanted as a reflection of Contests, and it all fell into place to have 50 total. Still, that's less than most Grand Festivals."
"While this is less than most Grand Festivals." Mr. Contesta continued as if reading Serena's mind. "Remember that this is the first one and those who have the 5 ribbons are automatically eligible for all future Kalos Grand Festivals while those in it via the hybrid allowance or competing in the Wildcard need at most 2 more to secure permanent qualification so in time this will grow to the higher numbers we see in Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kanto, and Johto."
Everyone could that in the coming years the numbers would increase. Only one would claim the title of Top Coordinator, 49 would go away and either get the needed qualifications for another crack at it, wait for the next Grand Festival or go elsewhere as more new coordinators come in. Thus, by the end of the expansion period the Kalos Grand Festival should be able to attract at least 100 coordinators per year. There was one thing that concerned Serena about the small number, however, but that concern was immediately assuaged.
"Before you get concerned, know that this doesn't dilute the winners of the early Grand Festivals." Mr. Contesta said addressing the concern that Serena at least had. "You still have to work hard to get through the rounds and think tactically due to the rules that will be in effect through the expansion time period that are designed to counterbalance the limited number of coordinators in the Grand Festival."
"So, they're even making it so that there's more to factor in." Serena said as it shifted to the actual Grand Festival. "I was worried about that but looks like they've thought of everything."
"Makes sense when you think about it." Miette said. "What are the others? 200 at least from what I've heard, in the old regions that is."
"About that." Serena said recalling the Kanto Grand Festival. "Give or take but I'd say that it's around 200 coordinators. At least it was around that number in Kanto last year."
"Precisely so they need to make us do more and have limiting factors to balance that." Miette said. "Think of it as increasing the competitive level just like a large number of coordinators to compete against would."
"It all makes perfect sense to me." Khoury said. "If they follow tradition in most of the other regions, 16 will advance to the battles and 16 out of 50 is a higher percentage chance than 16 out of 200. Even for a region like Hoenn that has 32 advance from what I've heard they still have more than 200 competing for those spots thus making it more competitive. Therefore, if you add other factors it can really affect what is going on."
"So, what will these factors be?" Shauna asked as Mr. Contesta prepared to speak again. "I guess we'll learn what they are now."
Serena just nodded at that as she began to think. They were really making it complex to challenge those in it, so she had to be ready for anything.
"And so, I will now explain the rules for the Grand Festival itself." Mr. Contesta said. "In 3 days' time we will have the appeals for the 50 coordinators in the Grand Festival. The appeals for the Kalos Grand Festival will be a two-round appeal like seen in Kanto and like in Sinnoh you will use two different Pokémon but that is where the similarities end."
That was confusing to most, even Ash who'd seen those Grand Festivals and had to wrack his brain on how they worked. Kanto was a two-round appeal with a one move appeal and then a fuller one while Sinnoh was a two Pokémon appeal with the top 32 advancing like in Hoenn. How was Kalos going to do it?
"Under the rules established for the Kalos Grand Festival, you have to use different Pokémon in each of the appeals and there will be no cut off, all 50 coordinators will go twice." Mr. Contesta said as the crowd quieted down. "In addition, the first appeal is limited to two moves while the second is a four-move appeal. You must use two and then four moves and they must be different in each round. That is to say you use two different moves and then four different moves but if the two Pokémon you select know the same move that is allowed. This is the challenge posed to you so think wisely because you also have to factor in the limiting factor for the battles should you advance."
Ash's brain was hurting from trying to figure this out while those who were actually going were listening intently though even they would have to go over the rules one more time at least before the Grand Festival began. It was a true challenge because you had to choose a Pokémon who could show off with two moves, then a Pokémon that actually knew the max four moves a Pokémon at any time could know and that worked as an appeal. This was definitely going to challenge those in the Grand Festival and there was still more challenges to come.
"That additional factor is that the two Pokémon that you use in the appeal cannot be used in the first battle of the battle round." Mr. Contesta said as he began to explain the additional factors that the coordinators would have to think about as they progressed through the Grand Festival. "16 will advance to the Battle Rounds, which will not follow a bracket but be randomized the entire way through, and it the 16 with the highest cumulative scores."
That alone got some more murmurs from the crowd as they processed it. The 16 coordinators advancing made sense when there was only 50 to begin with though many assumed that after the expansion period the number would increase to 32 as the number of coordinators competing increased. It was the scoring that got their attention and which Mr. Contesta addressed next as he continued his rules explanation.
"For those wondering, yes we will display the scores and rankings throughout the appeals." Mr. Contesta confirmed before getting back to the limiting factor he'd mentioned. "However, those who have advanced they will have less Pokémon to choose from and that is the limiting factor we've put in to increase the competitiveness of the Grand Festival. Remember, you register 6 Pokémon only for the Grand Festival or 5 for the 8 Wildcards and so you can chose between 4 or 3 respectively for the first battle and remember that these are double battles."
"Oh, that's interesting." Khoury said as he filed away that knowledge and began to decide who to use when for it, especially as he wanted his best two available for key battles. "It's kinda like the normal Kalos rules but as they don't allow for double battles it's not too hard but now things are complicated."
"Double battles are likely used to separate the Grand Festival from the other Contests and thus add more intrigue as most of us haven't really done double battles." Shauna said thinking on it. "And in a normal Contest we have to preregister our 4 Pokémon for it and then chose between them as we progress with the one used ineligible from then on. The Wallace Cup increased it to 5 but that was the only change."
"Yeah but with double battles you can't do that for four rounds." Serena said. "So, this is a way to continue the changing of Pokémon through the rounds and if that's the case…"
"This limitation only applies for the first battle after the appeals." Mr. Contesta said confirming that but then he continued to elaborate on it. "The 8 who advance to the quarterfinals can use the two appeal Pokémon they use in that battle if they want, but they can't use the two from the first battle round. This will continue for the winners so the semifinalists can't use their quarterfinal Pokémon and the finalists can't use their semifinal Pokémon."
So it was as Serena had thought it would be. In all honesty it made a lot of sense as it kept the core difference in Kalos, the Pokémon requirement and use of different Pokémon through the rounds, while upping it to double battles and factoring in a full team or 5 for the Wildcards. It was going to make choosing the Pokémon you used in the battles, especially if you had a deep run, a real tactical challenge especially when you added in the random draws and knowledge of the other coordinators. They'd really gone all out for the Kalos Grand Festival.
"This is all done to add additional competitive tactics to the Grand Festival as we have less coordinators in it than normal." Mr. Contesta said after another pause. "When the expansion period is over the rules will be reevaluated based on the projected numbers in future Grand Festivals, but we do expect to keep the limiting factor in Kalos as a uniqueness to this region."
That made a lot of sense for all of them as they thought on it, well the ones who it would apply to did as Ash and Lyra had both just given up on trying to understand it as it didn't apply to them though they did note that Adam was making notes on it despite not being a coordinator, but Ash just assumed that it was for Emily, so she understood it fully. As for himself and Lyra, they'd figure it out during the Grand Festival they decided.
"That is all I have about the rules though I will be around for any questions over the next few days for those who are still confused." Mr. Contesta said as everyone digested the rules he'd laid out now that he was done with explaining them. "And so, with the explanation over, I declare the inaugural Kalos Grand Festival and the first of the four in the expansion regions officially open!"
At that there was a boom as more fireworks were set off above the stadium and everyone cheered and applauded the official opening of the Kalos Grand Festival. It was going to be a fun event for all be they spectators or coordinators with a lot of intrigue thanks to the rules so everyone couldn't wait for it to begin. Plus, to hype it up, it was time for the exhibition of Top Coordinators.
"Thank you Mr. Contesta for fully explaining how this will work, I know that I for one can't wait to see how it will go." Jillian said taking over the mic as Mr. Contesta left the stage and gesturing to the paths to get May, Misty, Robert and Yuma to walk out to the battlefield. "And to whet our appetites for the coming Grand Festival, four of the five Top Coordinators who have helped make this possible, alas the last one can't be here for the Grand Festival despite all the work he put in as he's hosting the Johto Grand Festival this year, will display the skill required to become Top Coordinators. Soon one of you will join their ranks so pay close attention to what it takes to win a Grand Festival."
By the time Jillian was done all four Top Coordinators had reached the stage and stood in a line with Robert and Yuma on one side and Misty and May on the other with Jillian in the middle. This was the display that many wanted to see as it would give people a sense of what to expect from them.
"They will now show off a two-move appeal with a Pokémon before engaging in a pair of Contest battles for your enjoyment." Jillian said. "But first I shall introduce them and their Pokémon in order of when they became Top Coordinators. To add to it, all will use one of the Pokémon that they used to win their Ribbon Cups and I mean that literally as they will be using a Pokémon that they used to win their respective finals."
That made sense as it lent an element of seniority to it all and allowed people to see the kinds of Pokémon that had won finals for their coordinators to get a sense of the talent required to win a Ribbon Cup. That was when it hit her as Serena remembered Misty's win from the year before and it all fell into place why this was being done and why Misty had been asked to use a specific Pokémon today.
"First up, from Gardenia Town in the Kanto region and winner of the Kanto Grand Festival 6 years ago give it up for the Gardener of Kanto, Yuma!" Jillian said as she gestured to Yuma who stepped forward, bowed to the crowd, and pulled out a Poke Ball. "And her agile Parasect. Also, it should be noted that she's the only Top Coordinator here who actually won the Grand Festival in her home region."
Even Ash hadn't known what Yuma would use, she was the only one of the Top Coordinators who had never shown a Pokémon to him before, not that they'd had many interactions and the few they had had were many years ago, so he'd been expecting anything. The Parasect that burst from her ball was clearly a strong and well cared Pokémon that clicked its tough looking claws as it burst and showed off some seriously agile scurrying for a few seconds before it stopped and stood in front of Yuma.
The biggest surprise to all of them though was that Yuma was the only one to win her own region's Grand Festival. Ash had known that May and obviously Misty hadn't won in Hoenn and Sinnoh respectively, but he was surprised that Robert wasn't from Hoenn. Admittedly, he'd had one interaction with the man back when he helped out Snorunt during a Team Rocket incident during the Hoenn Grand Festival, it helped Snorunt evolve into Glalie in the end, but he'd forgotten where the man actually came from. Now he'd learn again.
"Next up, from Silver Rock Isle in the Johto Region and the winner of the Hoenn Grand Festival 5 years ago, give it up for the Gentleman of Johto, Robert!" Jillian said keeping her arm to the side where Robert was with Yuma, and he stepped forward to pull out his Poke Ball and toss it into the air with a single, smooth, graceful motion. "And his tough Claydol."
The Claydol was a Pokémon that Ash remembered, he'd used it alongside a Milotic to win the Grand Festival over Drew and it was one of the Pokémon that Team Rocket had been after. As with back then, Robert's Claydol looked strong as it burst from its Poke Ball and hovered before him, its head spinning as its many eyes took in the crowd around it.
"Third, from Petalburg City in the Hoenn region and the winner of the Sinnoh Grand Festival 2 years ago, give it up for the Princess of Hoenn, May!" Jillian said moving her arm to May and Misty's side and May stepped forward, gave a small bow before pulling out a Poke Ball and tossing it into the air like the others. "And her strong Blaziken."
Ash realized he'd never actually asked May about her Sinnoh win other than that she'd been the favorite for it and decided he had to rectify that afterwards as Blaziken burst from his Poke Ball, flipped and landed in a fighting stance before May. It made sense that she'd use her strongest in the final, but he should probably learn more about her time in Sinnoh. That would come later though as now it was Misty's turn and those who knew her knew exactly what Pokémon she'd be using.
"Lastly, from Twinleaf Town in the Sinnoh region and the winner of last year's Kanto Grand Festival so she's the new Top Coordinator here and the three-time champion of the Wallace Cup who's name now graces that coveted ribbon, give it up for the Prodigy of Sinnoh, Misty!" Jillian said gesturing to Misty who stepped forward, gave a proper curtsy to the Kalos crowd, and tossed her Poke Ball into the air as the others had done. "And one of the rarest Pokémon you'll see in any setting, her frightening Spiritomb. I should add that this is the only Spiritomb to ever be used in a Contest let alone a Grand Festival where it delivered the winning hit for Misty last year."
The ball burst open and as expected Misty's Spiritomb appeared before her, floating and getting the gasps that he always got because, well, few even knew that there was a Pokémon called Spiritomb let alone seen one. Misty had changed that since she used him to win her Ribbon Cup, as well as in a Showcase this year, and now she'd show him off again. It made sense though, if you really wanted to hype up the Grand Festival, having Pokémon that had won it in the past was great but adding in Spiritomb really sold it as it got everyone's attention.
"Aren't they amazing!" Jillian said to the cheering crowd who were now really into the coming exhibition. "Yuma, if you will."
"Of course." Yuma said holding out her arm. "Parasect, use…"
With that the exhibition began and Ash and his friend settled in to watch it, especially May and Misty's displays, and really get ready for the upcoming Kalos Grand Festival. The opening ceremony had been fun even with the brief moment of dealing with Brianna and Drew, and now they were all hyped for the Grand Festival. That began in a day's time when Serena and Shauna went for one of the 8 Wildcard spots. Both were excited and motivated as the Kalos Grand Festival officially commenced.
