AG115: Difference between revisions

Finally in [[Pacifidlog Town]], May enthusiastically prepares for the upcoming [[Pokémon Contest]]. Though she already has four [[Ribbon]]s, she needs one more to enter the [[Hoenn Grand Festival]]. Because the Pacifidlog Contest is chronologically the last Pokémon Contest to be held before the [[Grand Festival]], May must win this Contest Ribbon to be eligible to enter the competition. With that as motivation, May and {{cat|May's Pokémon|her Pokémon}} start working on their performance moves. Just then, {{TP|May|Skitty}} chases after an Aipom, May runs into fellow {{pkmn|Coordinator}} {{OBP|Joshua|Coordinator}}.

Meanwhile, {{Ash}} is motivated by all of May's hard work to start training for the [[Hoenn League]] [[Pokémon League Conference|Championship]], itself not far off. He calls out {{AP|Snorunt}} to work on {{m|Ice Beam}}, which proves difficult for the playful Pokémon at first. Snorunt has soon mastered the force behind the technique but has no control over it. Nearby, {{TRT}} loses no time in making an attempt on Pikachu (an impromptu spring from nearby bushes), which is cut short as a rogue Ice Bean freezes them solid. Snorunt looses several more unaimed beams, causing chaos with nearby Trainers.

Elsewhere, May and Joshua had become acquainted. Joshua, a Pacifidlog Town resident, has entered the Pokémon Contest and is apparently a local favorite. However, as May and Joshua chat, [[Erica]], Joshua's girlfriend and yet another Coordinator, wrongly concludes that May is after Joshua romantically. As Erica watches and fumes from a distance, May reveals that she has not yet chosen a Pokémon for the Contest. As Joshua comments that she should consider her Skitty, Joshua comments that her Skitty "is so cute," which finally compels Erica to show herself. As Erica puts forth several accusations against May, she explains her master plan to go to the Contest finals with Joshua (which somehow involves them winning the Contest together) and reveals her Pokémon, {{p|Jynx}}. Eventually, Ash, Brock, and Max find May, and the trio of Coordinators go to register at the Contest together.

On the way, Team Rocket has apparently regrouped and launches a balloon-born assault on the party -- however, [[May's Combusken]] quickly dismisses the balloon with a {{m|Sky Uppercut}} and Joshua's {{p|Houndoom}} rebukes Team Rocket's ragtag offensive. The addition of Skitty's {{m|Assist}} and Jynx's {{m|Hyper Beam}} send Team Rocket blasting off. May and Erica begin arguing over the battle, but Joshua points out that if they keep fighting, they will miss the registration deadline. May and Erica agree to resolve their argument on stage. Meanwhile, Team Rocket has landed and Jessie and Meowth enter the Contest in the persona of "The Jester". Ash resolves to keep training with Snorunt outside of the Contest Hall, leaving Brock and Max to root for May.

The Pacifidlog Contest begins as [[Vivian Meridian]] introduces the [[Contest Judge]]s: [[Raoul Contesta]] from the [[Pokémon Activities Committee]], [[Mr. Sukizo]] from the [[Pokémon Fan Club]], and the [[Nurse Joy]] from the local [[Pokémon Center]]. She [[Contest announcer|announces]] the start of the [[Appeal|Appeals Round]] as Jessie ("The Jester") and Meowth take the stage. The performance consists of Meowth using {{m|Fury Swipes}} to carve out ice sculptures of {{an|Giovanni}} and {{TP|Giovanni|Persian}}, the latter which he then reshapes into a Meowth. On his turn, Joshua commands his Houndoom to [[Contest combination|combine]] {{m|Shadow Ball}} and {{m|Swift}} for sensational effect. Erica's Jynx combines {{m|Blizzard}} and {{m|Psychic}} while May combines an {{m|Assist}}-spawned {{m|Razor Leaf}}, a Blizzard, and {{m|Double Slap}} to shower the hall in sparkling crystal. All four Coordinators advance to the [[Contest Battle|Battle Round]]. May is assigned to fight Joshua, and Erica squares off against Jessie.