On the opening day of the Pokémon Contest Grand Festival, May is surprised to find that her mother has come to offer moral support. May is reunited with rivals as well, including Harley, who—despite his history of cheating against May—swears he has turned over a new leaf, and in fact seems eager to help May in any way he can. Despite May’s initial doubts, Harley quickly gains May’s ear with constant flattery. Not heeding anyone else around her, May begins to adopt the contest strategy that Harley lays out for her, even when this flies in the face of lessons May has learned in previous contests.