"No sign of Liam yet," Shiranui said to himself, waiting for his Pokémon to heal in the Evergrande City Pokémon Centre. He busied himself with reading a guide for how the Grand Festival worked.
Liam bolted into the Center, nearly tripping but recovering. He dove behind a plant and peered though it out the front door. A stampede of people charged right past the center, close enough to activate the automatic door. Once they all passed, Liam gave a sigh of relief. He came out and found Shiranui. "Got your fifth ribbon?" he asked.
Shiranui showed Liam the Pacifidlog Ribbon he had won. "I certainly did," he answered, feeling amused that Liam was being mobbed, "Same thing happened to me both on the way to and from Pacifidlog Town."
At the Contest Hall, Liam got in line to register. He presented: his contest pass, the five ribbons, and his Pokédex. He was fully registered in the festival. He was informed that the morning after the festival concluded, registration would begin for the League tournament. Liam noted that detail and began to put the final touches on his appeal in his mind.
"Well, it's time to get ready for the appeals." Liam said. "I'm going to go work on my appeal." Liam said. He told his friend bye and went to a secluded away to practice, by having Sherlock teleport him to Mt. Moon.
Liam returned the night before the contest. He had also ha the foresight to reserve a room at the Pokémon Center for Shiranui and himself before heading to Mt. Moon. He checked into the room and was relaxing on the bed.
Shiranui returned to Evergrande City and when he put his Pokémon in for healing, Nurse Joy told him that Liam booked a room for the duo. Shiranui checked in and saw Liam on the bed. "Thanks for booking this room, Liam," he said.
"Not a problem man." Liam said. He heard a tapping on the window. When he turned around there was a Delibird. Liam opened the window and the Pokémon jumped inside. He set some boxes down "Deli deli!" It chirped as it handed Liam a clipboard and pen. Liam signed for the packages and returned the clipboard and pen. "Deli deli!" The Delibird chimed again before jumping out the window and flying off. Both packages had an accompanying note, one was to him and the other to Shiranui. He realized his was in his mother's handwriting. He read the note that came with his packages. They were gifts for making them to the festival, and she used Ekurteak's Joy as a middleman to tell Shiranui's family, which led Liam to believe that two of the four were for Shiranui.
"It's some gifts." Liam said. "My mom sent me some gifts, and had her sister in your town tell your parents about making the Grand Festival. They might be for you." Liam opened the bigger box and found it was a tuxedo. It was fortunate, as Liam felt that he needed dressier clothes for the grand Festival. He went to open the other box. It was filled with Pokéblocks for Liam's Pokémon to snack on.
Shiranui opened his gifts and one of his boxes contained some Pokéblocks as well. The other box had a traditional ninja outfit that was different to others that Shiranui had owned. "I don't believe this!" he exclaimed, "I've risen in rank!"
Liam was trying to figure out what specific events they have dealt with that would qualify for this. Liam figured the gathering of the eight badges and five ribbons could count as determination, and the work done sneaking into Magma's and Aqua's bases could work for stealth.