DP176: Difference between revisions

The next day, the semifinals have officially started and it's Zoey versus Nando first. Zoey sends out her {{p|Mismagius}} and {{p|Leafeon}} while Nando calls out his {{TP|Nando|Kricketune}} and new {{DL|Nando|Lopunny}}. Mismagius and Leafeon come out in a shower of [[Seal|Star Seals]] while Kricketune and Lopunny are released in a shower of [[Seal|Song Seals]]. Unfazed, Zoey tells Leafeon to use {{m|Energy Ball}} and Mismagius to use {{m|Shock Wave}}. The Shock Wave fuses with the Energy Ball to create an electrifying meteorite, and the [[Contest combination|combination]] costs Nando some early points. Nando has Lopunny use {{m|Jump Kick}} to knock Zoey's combination away while Kricketune uses {{m|Bug Buzz}} to immobilize Leafeon. Lopunny meanwhile dances around and wraps the streamers created by Bug Buzz around itself to create an elegant effect and also take away a portion of Zoey's points. Suddenly, the Energy fusion Ball that Lopunny had kicked away returns, shooting straight down. Kricketune then blasts away the fusion ball to create a shower of rainbow sparks, which is used to further emphasize Lopunny's elegance, again costing Zoey points. Recovering, Zoey orders Leafeon and Mismagius use {{m|Double Team}}, surrounding Nando's pair in alternating duplicates. The two Pokémon alternate between each other with their Double Teams as they surround Nando's Pokémon. Nando is amazed by the stunning contrast of the double Double Team. He orders Lopunny use {{m|Blizzard}}, but he ends up losing points as the light from the disappearing doubles only makes Leafeon and Mismagius shine all the more.

Angered, Nando tells Kricketune to use {{m|Sing}}, which causes Zoey to lose some points. However, Zoey had been expecting Sing and tells Mismagius to use {{m|Lucky Chant}}; a move that prevents [[critical hit]]s. The gems on Mismagius's body glows as Mismagius soars into the air. Purple tendrils then appear out of the gems and knock away the music notes created by Sing and Nando loses points as a result. Leafeon follows on with a {{m|Leaf Blade}}, slashing through Lopunny's counter {{m|Focus Blast}}, and landing a hit on its opponent. Kricketune tries an {{m|X-Scissor}} against Leafeon, but Mismagius diswades it with a {{m|Psywave}}. Startled, Nando has Lopunny leap in and carry Kricketune out of the harms way. Zoey tells Leafeon to use Leaf Blade again to take up the X-Scissor. Kricketune and Leafeon then collide several times with neither of them giving an inch, with both sides still at a tie even at the thirty second mark.  

Nando orders Kricketune use {{m|Silver Wind}} while Lopunny uses Blizzard by spinning around Kricketune. The Blizzard and the Silver Wind combine to form snowflakes that float gently down to the ground while Lopunny continues to show off its elegant dance moves. Zoey has Leafeon use {{m|Aerial Ace}} while Mismagius unleashes a Psywave. The resulting combination gives Leafeon beautiful bluish-white wings, and the leaf on Leafeon's head glows white in preparation for a blade attack. Nando prepares his counter by having Lopunny intercept Leafeon. However, Mismagius intercepts with a Shock Wave. Lopunny's kick collides with Mismagius's shield of thunder and an explosion occurs that knocks both Pokémon back. Kricketune then uses X-Scissor to counter Leafeon's fusion. The two collide and orange sparks fly off. The orange sparks cause Leafeon's psychic wings to disappear while neither Kricketune nor Leafeon budge. The power level reaches its max and an explosion occurs that leaves the stadium dark as bright sparkles fall to the ground. The lights are returned as Zoey and Nando grin at each other. Time is up, and with the most points remaining Zoey wins the round and will be advancing to the finals. Nando congratulates Zoey on her win and wishes her good luck in the finals. Absolutely stunned by the beautiful performance, Fantina appears out of the blue and raises both Nando and Zoey's arms up in victory.

Next up is Dawn against Jessilina. Dawn runs down the halls to enter the stadium but stops when she sees Zoey returning. Both grin at each other and Dawn tells Zoey to wait for her at the finals. While Jessilina blows heart-filled kisses to the crowd, Dawn takes a deep breath and tells herself that she just needs to believe in her Pokémon. [[Johanna]] anxiously watches from the [[television]] as battle starts and Dawn sends out her {{TP|Dawn|Buneary}} and her {{TP|Dawn|Cyndaquil}} in a shower of Star Seals. Jessilina meanwhile selects {{TP|Jessie|Seviper}} and Carnivine. They enter using their unique "Rocket Start" before Buneary counters with {{m|Dizzy Punch}} and Cyndaquil with {{m|SmokeScreen}}. Next, Buneary spins around as she uses {{m|Ice Beam}} to freeze Seviper solid and Cyndaquil knocks Carnivine over with a {{m|Flame Wheel}}. Cyndaquil then uses {{m|Swift}} while Buneary uses {{m|Bounce}} to spin around the golden stars. Carnivine retaliates with {{m|Vine Whip}} while Seviper prepares to lash Buneary with its signature {{m|Poison Tail}}. However, Buneary jumps out of the way and, as a result, Seviper gets hit with the Swift attack. Carnivine then tries to get Buneary once more with Vine Whip but Buneary again bounces out of the way and sends Carnivine crashing into Seviper. Seviper quickly recovers and traps Cyndaquil in its {{m|Wrap}} attack while Cyndaquil's Swift collides with Carnivine. Dawn then uses another combination of Ice Beam and Swift while Jessilina counters with Seviper's {{m|Haze}} and Carnivine's {{m|Bullet Seed}}. The battle soon ends as the time is called. Dawn is shown to lead by a huge amount of points, thus earning herself a place in the finals. Meanwhile, Jessilina realizes that her dreams of stardom and fame have been destroyed and approaches Dawn angrily. Everyone else is confused while James and Meowth are well-are of Jessie's temper tantrums. However, Jessilina wasn't looking to pick a fight with Dawn. Instead, she pinches both of Dawn's cheeks and tells her to win the Grand Festival or else. She then walks off while Dawn thanks her.

The following day arrives, and Marian welcomes everyone to the much anticipated finals match. Lit by bright spotlights, Zoey and Dawn stare at each other intently as the five minute countdown begins.