When the festivities began the following day, the announcer was bright and chipper.
"Good morning everyone! Today we begin with the Whirl Cup Semi-Finals!" He paused for applause. "This year's Semi-Finals has some great trainers and we are sure in for a treat. In our first match today, we have an up and coming trainer. He placed second in last year's Indigo League Cup, Liam Coleman!" The crowd erupted in applause. The MC then continued: "He will be facing someone that our older fans might recognize, Jack Coleman, who is young Liam's own father!" he once again held for applause. "Jack is most known for his win in Saffron City's P-1 Grand Prix seven years ago with a Breloom. He has done well for himself in the Whirl Cup, but can he make it to the finals?
In the second Semi-Final match, we have the winner of last year's Indigo League, Shiranui Tsukiko!" There was another burst of applause, accompanied with cheers and cries of 'I love you' The MC then continued. "His opponent will be the legendary Contest Master Wallace!" The cheers for Wallace were almost deafening. "In the Semi-Finals, each trainer is permitted two Pokemon, while they can use three in the final. So, without further ado, let the first Semifinal match begin!" Liam and his father took their corners as the arena opened up to show the pool.
"Go Poliwrath!" Jack called.
"Sharpedo! You're up!" Liam called. Both Pokemon emerged. The MC's commented as they did on Prelim battles that this giant Sharpedo was rumored to be a big danger to ships coming into Olivine City, and it is a good thing that someone has caught it.
"_Poliwrath, the Tadpole Pokemon. Poliwrath's highly developed, brawny muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. It is so tirelessly strong, this Pokémon can swim back and forth across the ocean without effort._"
"Sharpedo, Agility!" Liam called. The shark began to pick of speed.
"Mind Reader." Jack called. Liam knew that his dad was planning a big move next turn if he wanted to guarantee a hit.
"Sharpedo, Dive!" The giant shark pokemon went under the water. Jack just smiled. "Ice Punch the pool!" Poliwrath unleashed a flurry of frigid punches into the water freezing it solid, and Sharpedo underneath.
"Now, Focus Blast!" Jack called. Poliwrath fired the attack into the ice where he correctly predicted the shark to be. This blew a chunk of ice holding the Pokemon in it out.
"Now Scald!" Jack called. The frozen Pokemon was thawed, but left with no water to move into and left next to immobile. "Now finish the Sharpedo with Submission!" Jack ordered. As the Poliwrath closed in, Liam got an idea. "Zen headbutt!" The Pokemon changed its willpower into its head and slammed it into the opponent as they grew closer.
"Hypnosis!" Jack called. The move failed however.
"Bulldoze!" Liam's quick think shattered the though the layer of ice that was on the pool, allowing access to the waters once more.
"Now, Seismic Toss!" Jack called. Poliwrath grabbed its opponent, wincing at the pain caused by Rough Skin. Poliwrath managed to toss the Sharpedo into the air. "Shake free and use Night Slash straight down!" Liam called. Sharpedo managed to get free of the grip and fired the attack. The attack missed Poliwrath, and The MC mentioned that with it missing its target, it surely spelled defeat for Sharpedo. Liam smirked. Poliwrath was not the target. The attack hit the stadium before the falling Pokemon did. The Night slash caused a part in the waters, taking away Poliwrath's cushioning as it fell into the pool. Enough to knock it out, but not enough for serious injury. Poliwrath was recalled and swapped for Golduck. Godlike took damage from Rough Skin, but finished Sharpedo with Aqua Jet. Liam sent Totodile out in its place.
"Totodile, Scary Face!" Liam called.
"Confusion!" Jack replied. Totodile tried to look imtimidating, and was smacked with psychic energy.
"Crunch!" Liam called. Totodile chomped down hard on its opponent's arm.
"Signal Beam!" Jack called. The blast on energy hit Totodile on the hit, making him release his grip.
"Shadow Claw!" Liam called.
"Power up Punch the water!" Jack called. Godlike slammed the attack into the water making it shoot up and fall down. it then evaded the attack.
"So, Golduck has swift swim, an unusual ability for it to have." Liam said aloud. Totodile used Water Pledge and managed to get a lucky hit on Golduck.
"Psychic!" Jack called. Golduck threw the Totodile into the wall, knocking it dizzy for a moment, but he shook it off. Totodile evolved into Croconaw and used Superpower, winning the battle. The remaining chunks of ice were fished out and the pool was refilled before the next battle began.