Episode 319: The Hoenn Grand Festival Part 1
The ship bound for Slateport City has sailed for several days, so Kairi and May has done some training to sharpen their skills. Sora and Brendan also trained for the Hoenn Pokemon League to prepare for it. Their friends have lend a hand with their training. They took their breaks as they often spent some time by the pool. Wes is wearing black swimming trunks as Rui is wearing a red bikini with a matching sarong, doing some sunbathing. Rei wore a white and cyan one-piece swimsuit, sipping some Pinap Juice. Roxas wore a pair of shite swimming trunks as Xion wore a black bikini with pink hearts. Kris had her hands on some karaoke, singing a song for her boyfriend.
"Here it is. Slateport City," Rei said.
"Feels good to be on the mainland again after our island hopping," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"it's funny, isn't it? This is the city where Kairi and May first partipated in a Pokémon Contest," Sora said.
"It's funny where the place where it all started is where it's gonna end," Ash said.
"Yeah, but we're here early, so we still have another week to get ready for the Grand Festival," May said.
"I agree. We still have some time to kill, so we might as well make the most of the time we've got," Ethan said.
"Not a bad idea, Ethan. You can never be too prepared," Terra said.
"Pika," Thor said.
"I just hope Heartless, Nobodies, or Unversed don't show up and ruin everything," Ventus said.
"Chu," Sparky said.
"Don't jinx it, Ven," Karen said.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"Ven's right, Karen. Not only do we have to prepare for the Hoenn Pokemon League and Grand Festival, but we also have to keep our eyes peeled for the Heartless, Unversed, and Nobodies, just in case they show up," Roxas said.
"And Vanitas, too. Remember, even though Organization XIII is destroyed, we Keyblade wielders must be vigilante at all times, so don't let your guard down, even for a moment," Rei reminded her apprentices.
"Yes, Master," Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, and May said in unison.
A week later, the Hoenn Grand Festival was officially underway. Kairi went to register and presented the clerk her Coordinators card.
"Here you go," Kairi said.
"Okay, let's have a look here," the clerk said. The computer shows Kairi along with Angel and all of her other Pokémon beneath. "Welcome, Kairi from Pallet Town. I'll need to see your Contest Ribbons too." Kairi took out all her ribbons and the clerk scans each one of them. Her ribbons shows up. "Okay, Kairi, everything's in order. Let me just give you a guidebook to take with you. It has maps of the stadiums, contest rules, even where the resturants are located." Kairi takes the guidebook and her card.
"Great. And thank you," Kairi said.
Kairi and Angel stepped out as May has finished her registration as well.
"So you made it in, too huh?" May asked.
"Sure have. Just wanna say, I'm going to wish you luck, May," Kairi said.
"Thank you, Kairi. Just so we're on the same page, I don't plan on going easy on you," May said.
"I wouldn't want you to," Kairi said.
Both Coordinators shook hands, sealing the deal.
After the registrations were completed, the group headed for the dorms they would be staying for the duration of the Grand Festival. It was an amazing sight to be seen.
"Is this a dorm building?" Ash asked.
"It looks more like a hotel," Max said.
"Not too shabby," Michael said.
"You expect any less? Pokémon Coordinators are given these dorm rooms for the duration of the Grand Festival, and that includes guests, too," Lisia said.
"Seems rather nice. Isn't that right, Aster?" Zinnia asked.
"Whismur," Aster said.
Just then, a pair of hands go over Kairi's eyes.
"Guess who?" A familiar male voice playfully asked. Kairi was filled with happiness as she turned to see her father. Mirei is pushing a baby stroller with Seth in it and has a plush Pikachu toy with him.
"Dad! Mom! And Seth too!" Kairi greeted her family.
"Surprise!" Yuta said.
"Hello Sora," Mirei said, giving her daughter's boyfriend a hug.
"Hi there, Mirei," Sora greeted.
"I'm so happy that you could come here," Kairi said.
"We wouldn't miss this for the world," Yuta said. He spotted Roxas and Xion with the group. "Xion, Roxas! Is that you?"
"Hi, dad," Xion greeted.
"Dad?" Zinnia asked.
"Hello. She's Kairi's Nobody, remember?" Ventus asked.
"Oh, right," Zinnia said, feeling silly that she forgot that fact.
"How are you even here? The last time I saw you, you were coming back to Kairi," Yuta said.
"She and Roxas now have their own bodies. Ash and Axel made it possible for us," Kairi said.
"Is that so?" Yuta asked.
"Whatever the case, Xion is welcome to be with the family," Mirei said. She looked right at her son and she giggled. "And it looks like Seth agrees with me." He happily reaches for Xion, happy to see her again. Xion rubs his head.
"Hi, Seth. It's nice to see you again," Xion said.
"So that's Seth, huh? He's such a cutie," May cooed.
"Wait, I don't see grandma. Shouldn't she be here?" Kairi asked.
"We'ee orry, Kairi, but grandma had something to take care of. She said it was important. But she said she'll watch you on TV," Yuta said.
"Anyway, are these your new friends, Kairi?" Mirei asked.
"Yes, mom. Meet Brendan May, Lisia, Zinnia, Wes, Rui, Michael, and May's little brother Max. Brendan May, Lisia, Zinnia, Wes, Rui, Michael, Max, this is my mom, Mirei, and my dad, Yuta," Kairi introduced.
"Ah, so you're the new kids, huh? Kairi told us about you," Yuta said.
"We're pleased to meet you," Mirei said.
"Same to you," Lisia said.
Another pair of hands covers May's eyes.
"Guess who?" A familiar feminine voice playfully said. May turned to see her mom.
"No way!" May happily exclaimed.
"Mom!" Max also exclaimed.
"I thought you'd be surprised to see me," Caroline said.
"I've been missing you so much, mom!" Max said, hugging his mother.
"Max," Caroline said, hugging her son back.
"Did you come to watch me compete?" May asked.
"I sure did. I couldn't miss this. I couldn't miss my daughter compete in the Grand Festival. Miss Sakura, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Ethan, Kris, Leaf, Lyra, Brendan, it's good to see all of you, too. You're all looking well," Caroline said.
"Hello again, Caroline," Lisia said.
"I made sure your daughter is well, Caroline," Rei said.
"I don't see dad. Shouldn't he be here, too?" May asked.
"No. I'm sorry, May, but dad was too busy as the Gym to come," Caroline said. May was disappointed to hear her father wasn't coming.
"Okay," May said, understanding.
"But don't worry. He'll be watching you on TV, and I can promise you that he won't miss a single thing," Caroline said. May smiled.
"Thanks, mom," May said.
"And it looks like your group has gotten a tad bigger since I last saw you," Caroline said.
"Right. The tall guy here is Terra. The girl with the blue hair is Aqua, and the little kid is Sora's cousin, Ventus, and this girl here is Karen, Sora's twin sister. This is Wes and his girlfriend Rui and this is Michael, they all come from the Orre region, and this girl is Zinnia, and this is her Whismur, Aster," May introduced.
"And these are my parents," Kairi said.
"Hello. I'm Mirei and this is my husband, Yuta," Mirei introduced.
"Pleased to meet you," Caroline said. She eyed the baby in the stroller. "Oh, and who is this little one?"
"This is Seth. He's the latest addition to out family," Mirei said.
"Oh, he's so adorable. He reminds me of Max when he was that small," Caroline cooed, making Max blush.
Just then, Wally spotted the group and smiled.
"May, Brendan, Sora, Kairi, everyone!" Wally called out as he ran towards the group.
"Wally!" Brendan and May said.
"It's good to see you, Wally," Caroline said.
"Another friend of yours?" Mirei asked.
"Yeah. This is Wally," Kairi said.
"You came to cheer for me and Kairi?" May asked.
"Of course. I thought I'd come to cheer for you two since you're my friends," Wally said.
Everyone stepped in and witnessed the room and the view of the ocean that was offered to them.
"Look at that. Such an amazing view," Naminé said.
"Azu, Azu," Azurill chirped.
"So fill us in. What exactly happened?" Yuta asked.
"And where is Axel?" Mirei asked.
The group all frowned at the mention of Axel's name, remembering the sacrifice he made to help them. Roxas especially frowned and Xion placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Axel's not with us," Roxas said.
"He faded away into nothing," May said.
"Faded away?" Caroline asked.
"It's like this. It all started shortly after the Pokémon Contest in Pacifidlog Town," Kairi said.
They told Caroline and Kairi's parents about Axel's sacrifice and about their fight against Organization XIII. They told them about how Wes and Rui played a role in helping them since they were in the realm of darkness for the past five years, and how they didn't age in the realm of darkness. And they told them about how they learned about Roxas and Xion being Sora and Kairi's Nobodies, and about Ansem the Wise's plan to ruin the artificial Kingdom Hearts the Organization was creating. Roxas and Xion filled them in about the final battle against Xemnas and how the bodies they are now inhabiting are replica vessels that Vexen had created when he created the Elemental Bosses.
"And that's about it," Roxas finished.
"So Organization XIII is gone," Mirei said.
"Hard to believe that the man you thought was Ansem was really a Heartless and his Nobody was the Organization's leader, and an apprenticed to the real Ansem before he double-crossed him," Yuta said.
"That means they're gone for good, doesn't it?" Wally asked.
"Hopefully," Wes said.
"Since we saw the room, we should step out and have a look around," Rui suggested.
"That's not a bad idea. We might end up seeing someone else we know," Brendan said.
"You go ahead. I got someplace I need to be," Lisia said.
"You sure, Lisia?" May asked.
"I'm sure. I don't want people to think that I'm showing favoritism since I sponsored you two," Lisia said.
"We understand, Lisia. And we're both grateful for it," Kairi said. Lisia smiled.
"But I will wish you both the best of luck," Lisia said, stepping out of the room.
A little later, the group stepped out of the room and to the festivities taking place. Among the crowd, Tai's team of the DigiDestined have arrived to Slateport City and they approached them.
"Ketchum!" Tai called out, getting the attention of the group.
"Tai!" Sora called back.
"Tai?" Roxas asked.
"Good of you to make it here," Davis said. He exclaimed when he saw Roxas. "No way! I'm seeing things!" The rest of the DigiDestined saw him, too.
"Can it be?" Joe asked.
"It is! It's Roxas!" Izzy said.
"And it's Xion, too!" Yolei said.
"Are they ones you told me about, Davis?" Amy asked.
"Yeah. They are," Davis said.
"Wait, you know them, Roxas?" Sora asked.
"It's a long story," Roxas said.
"Are they friends of yours, May?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah, mom. Meet Tai and Kari Kamiya, Matt Ishida, TK Takaishi, Sora Takenouchi, Izzy Izumi, Mimi Tachikawa, Joe Kido, Davis Motomiya, Ken Ichijouji, Yolei Inoue, Cody Hida, and Amy. Her, I'm not familiar with. Guys, this is my mom," May introduced.
"My name's Meiko Mochizuki, and this is my Meowth, little Mei," Meiko introduced.
"Meowth," Little Mei said.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Cody said, bowing his head in respect,
"Nice to meet you," Caroline said.
"I didn't think we bump into you Meiko," Sora said.
"Neither did I until I met Tai and the others here," Meiko said.
"Meowth," Little Mei said.
"Sora!" Another voice called out. They turned to see it belonged to Takato. He and the rest of the Digimon Tamers have arrived along with them.
"More friends?" Caroline asked.
"Yeah. That's Takato Matsuki, Henry and Suzie Wong, Rika Nonaka, Jeri Katou, Kazu Shioda, Kenta Kitagawa, and Ryo Akiyama. The Charmeleon with him is Guil," May introduced.
"Nice to meet you," Takato said.
"Charmeleon," Guil said.
And that's when Takuya and his team have arrieved.
"Hey, you guys! How did I figure you'd be here?" Takuya asked.
"Takuya. Hey!" Sora said.
"Meet Takuya Kanabara, Koji Minamoto, JP Shibiyama, Zoe Orimoto, Tommy Himi, and Koichi Kimura," May introduced.
"Nice to meet you," Tommy said.
"Munchlax," Munchlax said.
"Mime," Mime Jr said.
"Hey, Sora!" Another familiar voice called out. They saw Yugi and his friends. The voice belonged to Joey.
"Yugi!" Sora said.
"It's been a while," Yugi said.
"Sure has," Sora said.
"And these would be?" Caroline asked.
"Meet Yugi Muto, Téa Gardner, Joey and Serenity Wheeler, Tristan Taylor, Mai Valentine, Bakura Ryou, and Duke Devlin," May introduced.
"Glad you guys could make it to the party," Ash said.
"We heard Kairi and May were competing, so we thought we'd drop in," Mai said.
"But who are they?" Tristan asked, gesturing to the new additions to the group.
"About that," Sora said.
They told them about Roxas and Xion being Sora and Kairi's Nobodies, and they defeated Organization XIII, and Axel's sacrifice. The other DigiDestined were amazed by this piece of development as were Yugi and his group.
"And that's about it," Roxas said.
"At least you're on our side now, Roxas," Téa said.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Roxas said.
"Likewise, Roxas. You deserve it after everything you went through," Yugi said.
"Yeah, you do. You made the right call splitting from those Organization goons," Joey said.
Just then, Drew and his Roselia had come along. They saw the group. May turned to see her rival.
"Drew!" May said. She went up to her rival. "I bet you're surprised to see me here. You didn't think I'd make it."
"I got to admit, I had my doubts," Drew said.
"You also have to admit even though you never given me credit for it, I'm every bit as good a Trainer as you are," May said. Drew flips his hair.
"Just saying it doesn't make is so," Drew said.
"You never know. You'd be surprised," Brendan said in her defense. "When you live long enough, you'll see everything. Like with the Zell."
"Who's Zell?" Yuta asked.
"That's a very long story," Rei said.
"I'm sure," Mirei said.
"May, Sora, Kairi, is that you?" A familiar voice called out. They all turned to see Harley running towards them. "I thought I saw some familiar faces!"
"Harley," Sora and Kairi deadanned.
"Oh no, not this clown again," Karen deadpanned.
"I thought I'd never catch up with you," Harley said.
"You know this guy?" Kazu asked.
"Yeah, we saw him on boat to Purika Town for a Contest," Sora said.
"What do you think?" Takuya asked.
"I don't like him," Yolei said.
"I don't either," Rika said.
"You're right not to like him," Sora said.
Ventus silently chuckled to himself when he switched tapes on Harley and ended up hearing Big Earl's karaoke tape instead.
"Seeing you here can only mean that you won your Contest Ribbon, is that right, Kairi?" Harley asked.
"That's right. I had to fight hard to get my fifth ribbon," Kairi said.
"I don't doubt it," Harley said. He noticed Roxas and Xion with them. "I don't think I ever met you before."
"You wouldn't have anyway. I'm Roxas," Roxas introduced.
"And I'm Xion," Xion introduced. Harley was surprised by how Xion looked and sounded like Kairi.
"Xion? For a moment, I thought I was seeing double," Harley said.
"Join the club, we got jackets," Sora, Karen, and Roxas said in unison. Harley just chuckled and silently gave a face that says "You little smartalec".
"That's so funny," Harley said. He took out his Rotom Phone. "Do you don't mind if I take your picture, do you? Just for laughs."
"I don't see any harm in that," Roxas said. Harley then took a picture of Roxas and Xion.
"Got what I need. See ya later!" Harley took his leave.
"What a weirdo," Max said.
"You sure got that right," Yolei said.
"I do know what grown-ups mean by not talking to strangers. And they don't come much stranger than that guy," Ventus said. Drew took his leave to prepare for the Grand Festival.
"Harley, talks so much, I don't know whether to believe him," May said.
"You shouldn't, May. Don't forget what he tried to do back in Purika Town" Brendan said.
"You're probably right. I shouldn't trust a thing he says," May said.
Harley made sure he was too far for anyone to hear him.
"In all honesty I was hoping run into her again, but she will be sorry they ran into me again. Not even a Keyblade will stop me from getting my revenge," Harley spat.
Later, the Grand Festival has begun with the preliminary round. Kairi and May lined up with the other competitors of the Grand Festival as Sora, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, Wes, Rui, Michael, Kairi's family, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Max, Caroline, Wally, Yugi, his friends, the DigiDestined, and the Pokémon watched.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Slateport City where the Grand Festival is about to begin! excitement is in the air as some of the world's most talented Pokémon Coordinators are about to give it their all in the quest for their dreams. To get here, each of these high-level trainers has had to win five ribbons in competitions all over the Hoenn region. And now, they stand on the Appeal Stage awaiting the Preliminary Round. Striking that perfect balance between power and display is they key to victory here. Pokémon entrances, attack executions and every aspect right up to the big finish must be done with maximum grace and power. Coordinators will also be judged on how smoothly they interact with their Pokémon. Out of the staring pool of 247 contestants, only the best 64 Coordinators will make it through the main competition round on the arena center stage. The only thing we know for certain is that for some, they'll be triumph and for some, they'll only be heartbreak," Vivian announced.
Kairi lined up with the other competitors of the Grand Festival as Sora, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, Wes, Rui, Michael, Kairi's family, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Max, Caroline, Wally, Yugi, his friends, and the DigiDestined watch the performances. Lisia watches from a different spot.
"Roselia! Use Petal Dance!" Drew ordered. Roselia uses Petal Dance as it sprinkled all over the stage while doing a twirl. That earned Drew a 95. It was now Harley's turn.
"Come on now, Cacturne, and do it for Harley!" Harley called out as his Cacturne comes on out. "Bullet Seed! Go!" Cacturne fires Bullet Seed into the ground and makes a small smoke cloud as Cacturne does a stance. "Oh, good job, my loyal Cacturne," Harley said. That earned Harley an 84. It was now May's turn.
"Up next is May from Petalburg City! It looks like May has full confidence in her skills. Let's see how well May does," Vivian said. May took out Beautifly's Pokéball.
"Take the stage! beautifly!" May called out as Beautifly comes on out. "Use Silver Wind!" Beautifly fires Silver Wind right up to the sun, creating sparkles.
"Beautiful. She pulled it off," Caroline said. It earned May a solid 88 points.
"Eighty-eight points?! How could she beat me?" Harley asked in his thoughts. It was now Kairi's turn.
"Go for it, Kairi!" May said.
"Thanks a lot, May. I plan to do it!" Kairi said, giving May a high-five.
"And now, it's time to present Kairi from Pallet Town! I wonder what kind of show does she plan to show us?" Vivian asked as Kairi and Angel entered the stage.
"Angel! Go!" Kairi called out. Angel jumps on stage, "Start up with Swift, then follow with Iron Tail!" Angel fires Swift and then jumped into the air and pelts the stars with her Iron Tail, creating golden sparkles. Everyone becomes captivated by the sparkles.
"Kairi's Eevee start things off with a Swift followed by an Iron Tail! It is absolutely breathtaking!" Vivian announced.
"That's my girl!" Yuta said.
"Way to go, Kairi!" Aqua said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Wrap it up with Quick Attack!" Kairi ordered. Angel darts through the sparkles down on the stage. Everyone looked at Angel with so much captivation. That earned Kairi a 97.
"And Kairi takes the crowd by storm with that Quick Attack finish! It is astounding!" Vivian announced.
"Wow, she's even better than I thought she was. No wonder she won those ribbons. I guess it's not going to be as easy as I thought," Harley said in his thoughts.
After the preliminary round, Kairi and May had rejoined everyone as smiles filled their faces.
"Good job, Kairi," Naminé said.
"Thanks a lot," Kairi said.
"We're all happy for you!" Kris said.
"Thank you, Kris," Kairi said.
"I know you'll be a shoe-in, Kairi," Leaf said.
"It should be about time for the final 64 Coordinators to be announced," Riku said.
"Right," Sora said. Vivian appears on the screen to present the final 64.
"So that concludes our competition in the Preliminary Rounds on the Appeal Stage. Now, the contestants must wait and watch to find out if their score will be good enough to send them through the finals," Vivian announced. "The computer has gone through all of the scores and here they are, the final 64!"
The computer displays the final 64 contestants having Kairi at second place and Drew at third.
"Yes!" Sora and Yuta cheered as they high-fived.
"You made it in, Kairi!" Naminé cheered.
"Azurill, Azurill!" Azurill chirped.
"Knew you would get in!" May said.
"Thanks a lot, May," Kairi said.
"And it looks like Drew made it, too. Third place," Max said.
"May had to make it in after that display she pulled off," Brendan said.
"But I don't see her anywhere," Max said. Pikachu saw May on the screen.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"There she is!" Wally said.
"And Harley made it in, too," May said.
"And that's 64 Coordinators," Riku said, "Only one of you is going home with that Ribbon Cup. Just give it everything you've got and you'll do fine."
"I don't think May and Kairi are going to need luck, Riku. They're both gonna do fine," Yuta said.
"All the same, give it your best, the both of you," Rei said.
"Yes, Master," Kairi and May said in unison.
The Grand Festival has begun, Kairi, May, Drew, and Harley are in the competition of their lives. Which ones will emerge on top and which one will be pushed out? We shall wait and see in the next chapter.