"Ah, dawn has broken, the venue is open, and the stands are packed!" The simple opening words rang through the venue, soon rising into an impassioned announcement. "The moving, enchanting Pokémon Contest Grand Festival semifinals! These semifinals will also be fought as double battles with two Pokémon. How will our contestants use dazzling performances and battles to whittle down their opponents' points within the time limit?! Now, for today's first match, we have Lusana on that side and May on this side! Who will advance to the final stage? The time limit is five minutes. Begin!"
"Ninetales, Yanmega, Ready Go!" Lusana tossed her Poké Balls with both hands, releasing countless multicolored hearts that spiraled through the air. Ribbonlike strands of light coiled down among them, then burst apart as Ninetales and Yanmega appeared onstage.
"Delcatty, Wartortle, take the stage!" As Lusana threw her Poké Balls, May hurled hers high into the air. They opened, releasing countless colorful bubbles that streamed out like ribbons. After settling onto the stage, they scattered in every direction, revealing Delcatty and Wartortle in their midst.
"Go, Yanmega! Ancient Power!" Lusana had been rivals with the other three semifinalists for two years. Though she could not claim to know everything about them, she knew them well enough to realize that she was the weakest of the four. But competitions came down to strength and a certain amount of luck, so she had never given up on winning the championship. Now, facing May, Lusana brought herself into peak condition and issued the first command.
Yanmega was a partner Lusana had caught in the Johto Region. After two years together, their coordination had reached an exceptionally high level. The instant her command ended, Yanmega beat its wings and rose to a height where it could shine brightest. Light