Perhaps there were simply more contestants this time, or perhaps the quality was just higher than usual.
Eight coordinators successfully advanced to the second round.
For Kashiwagi, this meant fighting one extra battle compared to the Rustboro Contest—and with more battles came more unpredictability.
On the massive stadium screen, the eight portraits began to spin, shuffling into a randomized tournament bracket to determine the matchups and the order of play.
Dawn became uncharacteristically serious. She clutched Piplup tight, her eyes glued to the screen.
Even Piplup stopped trying to sneak glances at Mawile for once; clearly, he knew that the Contest Ribbon was far more important than his crush right now.
This was their dream—hers, Piplup's, and all their other Pokémon partners. No room for slacking off, and no room for compromise.
Beep.
The shuffling stopped. The order was set.
Dawn didn't draw Kashiwagi. In fact, they were on opposite sides of the bracket.
If they were to face each other, it wouldn't be until the final match!
Meanwhile, the trainer with the Milotic was positioned to be Kashiwagi's potential opponent for the semi-finals.
Dawn was up first.
"Looks like I'm heading out first."
She set Piplup down and straightened her dress, looking at Kashiwagi with a confident smile.
"Let's meet in the finals! In all our practice sessions lately, we've never actually fought until the timer hit zero, have we?"
"Pip-lup-lup!" Piplup's eyes were burning with competitive fire.
"I'll be looking forward to it," Kashiwagi replied with a relaxed grin.
Seeing her raise her right hand, he hesitated for a second before realization dawned, and he gave her a firm high-five.
"See you in the finals!"
Smack!
The high-five was a silent oath—a pact of friendship and rivalry.
"See you there!" Dawn said, marching down the player tunnel with purpose.
...
...
Their "pre-determined winners" attitude didn't sit well with the other coordinators in the waiting room.
A few sent annoyed glares Kashiwagi's way, but the moment he turned his gaze toward them, they immediately looked away, pretending to be very busy with their shoes.
Yikes! Why does this guy look so intimidating?!
Kashiwagi didn't care. He let the "aura" he'd developed back in Pyrite Town flare out a bit to keep the peace, then pulled out his phone to check his messages.
Lisia had been blowing up his inbox.
She was clearly watching his performance in real-time. Even though he hadn't told her his schedule, she always managed to track down his match info.
Amidst a flurry of encouragement and stickers, Lisia shared some big news: she had successfully reconciled with her talent agency.
They were now going to fully support her participation in Contests.
They didn't terminate her contract?
It seemed strange, but Kashiwagi figured it was her choice to stay. More importantly, Lisia was back on the circuit.
This meant they were officially rivals now, and they might even cross paths in a future tournament.
Kashiwagi texted back: [Congrats! I'm looking forward to our "Teacher vs. Student" showdown!]
Buzz buzz.
The reply was instant.
[Ooh! Is the student challenging the master already? This teacher isn't going to lose to you! Looking forward to it!]
She followed up with several stickers of an Altaria wearing a "Guts" headband, looking ready to take on the world.
Kashiwagi sent back a laughing Lairon sticker and turned his attention to the screen.
Dawn's match had begun.
Her opponent was using a Beautifly, a staple of the Contest world known for its grace.
However, Dawn had chosen Pachirisu, the star of her first round.
Electric vs. Bug/Flying.
In a one-on-one, type advantages are a massive asset—especially when one of the Pokémon has the raw power of a young Gym Leader's ace.
Under Dawn and Pachirisu's seasoned lead, they tore through the match.
They didn't even lose a quarter of their points before the timer ran out, securing a definitive victory.
Pachirisu had coated itself in electricity, turning every single one of Beautifly's attacks into harmless, beautiful fireworks.
Kashiwagi smiled, recognizing the technique.
Dawn had learned that from Ursula's Plusle and Minun. Their specialty was using sparks to transform enemy moves into pyrotechnic displays.
Everyone's a copycat, he thought playfully. He couldn't judge—he was the biggest copycat of all, constantly asking for advice and learning from the memories provided by the Simulator.
Soon, a victorious Dawn exited the stage, and the second match flew by. It was time for Kashiwagi to make his move.
"Good luck out there!" Dawn waved to him as they crossed paths in the tunnel.
...
...
"Time's up!"
"The second match is over! We have our next semi-finalist!"
Vivian's voice boomed through the speakers. She then gestured to both tunnels. "Now, for our third match! Please welcome Mr. Kashiwagi and Ms. Iroha!"
The stadium erupted. The crowd had been waiting for this.
Kashiwagi and his opponent took their places, facing each other across the stage.
"The time limit is five minutes!"
Vivian raised her hand.
"Round One, Match Three... BEGIN!"
Ding!
The countdown started. Both trainers hurled their Poké Balls forward.
Pop! Pop!
Countless ethereal feathers drifted through the air as a clear, melodic cry rang out.
Emerging from a burst of white light, an Altaria spun gracefully, its wings like soft summer clouds.
"Altaria~"
On the other side, a dark, heavy mist clung to the floor.
A pitch-black young dragon let out a guttural howl, tearing through the fog to reveal its small but sturdy frame.
"Deino!"
The judges' eyes lit up. A Pokémon's physical condition and grooming are crucial for a Coordinator.
Just like with Mawile, the luster of Deino's fur and its confident posture spoke volumes about Kashiwagi's skill as a Breeder.
It wasn't that the Altaria was poorly raised—it was just that Deino's "presence" was so striking it was impossible to ignore.
"Disarming Voice!" Iroha struck first.
Altaria began to sing a captivating melody, and dozens of pink hearts materialized, fluttering toward Deino.
The beautiful tune had the audience and judges swaying in their seats.
"A stunning opening!" Vivian shouted. "Altaria is playing perfectly to its strengths—"
"Deino!"
Before she could finish, Deino counter-attacked under Kashiwagi's command.
It lunged forward, weaving through the hearts with surprising agility. It let out a savage, terrifying roar, and from the shadow beneath it, a horrifying Scary Face manifested!
"Al—?!"
Altaria was caught off guard, the sudden fright breaking its pitch-perfect high note!
Instantly, the point gauges beneath their portraits on the big screen shifted. Altaria's bar took a much heavier hit.
Kashiwagi smirked. He wouldn't have been bold enough to bring Deino out if he didn't have a plan.
"Dragon Pulse!"