Chapter 576: Two Solid Punches!

Facts proved it.

Uraral wasn't merely boasting.

Compared to the Mikoli Cup period, the ferocious aura around Sharpedo was even thicker.

That also made the visual impact of its move combinations stronger; the audience went from confusion to being utterly absorbed in under thirty seconds.

"The performance has even more punch than last time!"

Brock's words drew unanimous agreement from the crowd.

Another high score was born.

All Baimu pulled his gaze back and looked down at the shiny Gengar beside him, who was equally focused; the moment it sensed his gaze it raised its head at once, returning a brilliant crescent-moon smile.

This fellow had come to the prep room with Hu Pa earlier.

And after a certain overexcited face-hugger was forcibly dragged away by Mei Mei Yali, it had decided to stay behind and watch the rest of the performances with him.

"Mm…"

He somehow felt this fellow was a little different somehow.

Although in the past, whenever he locked eyes with it, the shiny Gengar would grin ear to ear like this too, yet beneath that seemingly cheerful smile there was always a careful, cautious flavor.

As if afraid of angering him and bringing harm upon itself.

All Baimu knew perfectly well this was Jarvis's doing—the latter had used fear as a leash to control Pokémon, so the shiny Gengar still unconsciously felt dread toward a new trainer.

However.

The shiny Gengar, which had still been in that state not long ago, had suddenly become a little… strange?

Maybe it was the look in its eyes, maybe its movements.

There was less subconscious distance, and a touch of an indescribable closeness; for a fleeting instant it reminded him of the Aggron from the Aron days.

Back then they had depended on each other in a harsh environment; the big monster always stuck close by his side, alert to every danger, and occasionally looked up at him like a puppy.

Its gaze was extremely similar to the shiny Gengar's right now.

Mawile's performance?

The only thing that could have stimulated it enough to change in such a short time should be that.

He'd ask Porygon2 tonight.

It had been getting pretty close to the shiny Gengar lately.

"Heh-heh."

All Baimu patted the shiny Gengar, whose grin was barely distinguishable from a silly smile.

This fellow's skull wasn't as round as a Blissey's; the short, thick spines on its back, just like an Aggron's, ran all the way up to the back of its head, giving it an afro-like appearance.

"96 points! Amazing!"

"It's tied with Hikari!"

"Conveying will… conveying will… how do you convey will?"

The surrounding chatter pulled All Baimu's attention back to the TV, where the large number 96 was clearly visible.

So far, fewer than ten people had scored above ninety, and only four—himself, Miss Liuqi, Hikari, and Uraral—had broken 95.

Even though some contestants felt the first round didn't decide the final result.

Many in their hearts had already sorted the contestants into tiers based on the first-round scores.

Online, probability rankings for first, second, and even third place had already been drawn up.

All Baimu, with his dazzling record of five-for-five in Contest battles since debut, indisputably sat at the top.

The competition continued.

On the other hand.

Thanks to the tournament committee's deliberate promotion, he, Mawile, and the performance titled "The Most Beautiful Sword Dance" had climbed into the top twenty of the global PokéBlog trending chart and the top five of the Hoenn trending chart.

Porygon2 had watched this whole online marketing campaign from start to finish.

What struck it as odd was that certain other online forces, which usually loved hyping up trainers, were showing no signs of fanning the flames this time.

Holding back for something big?

True, the trainer hadn't yet truly claimed the title of top Coordinator; pushing promotion now, in the trainer's words, amounted to—"popping champagne at halftime."

It began looking forward to the day after tomorrow's PokéBlog.

Inside the prep room.

When the last contestant finished his performance, All Baimu and the others headed to the stage one after another.

After the first round of the Grand Festival's main competition ended, all contestants had to appear before the audience, and the list of advancers would be announced.

Quite a few people felt this way of announcing was a bit "cruel."

But the League Conference had the same kind of segment, so the Grand Festival had carried it over.

The venue.

As everyone took the stage in turn, applause surged like a tsunami, wave after wave; and when a few of the high scorers appeared, it erupted into thunderous cheers that made the ground tremble.

Boom! Boom!

Colorful fireworks burst in the sky above.

Vivian stood among the crowd and announced loudly: "Sorry to keep you waiting, friends! After a full day of performances, we will now reveal the results of the first round of judging!

"So among these sixty-four powerful, dazzling Coordinators, the ones advancing to the second round—Contest Battles—are—"

She pointed at the big screen.

In an instant.

Countless boxes spun into view, one bust shot after another appearing before everyone's eyes.

All Baimu was conspicuously in the first slot of the second row, with Hikari above him.

Wow!

Excited screams erupted from the audience in waves.

On stage, the contestants who had advanced wore smiles, while those who had been eliminated showed all manner of expressions—disappointment, sadness, and the like.

Vivian continued, "Then next, we will reshuffle the order of these sixteen contestants to determine the matchups for the second round—Gorgeous Battles!"

The frames on the screen spun again, faces flashing back and forth, finally freezing after several seconds.

"Group Three, huh…"

All Baimu glanced at his first-round opponent—

A male Coordinator he didn't recognize.

Meanwhile, Xiaoguang and the others had run into acquaintances they'd met before.

Too bad the opponents for each round of the Grand Festival were randomly selected at the end of that round; otherwise, he could roughly guess who his final opponent would be.

"Dear student, don't let your guard down just because you're good at battling—whether you face me or someone else."

Miss Liuqi's voice sounded beside his ear.

All Baimu turned his head, looked at her—eyes blazing with fighting spirit, clearly coming over to provoke him with words—and replied with a smile, "Teacher Liu, is this your first time meeting me?"

"Your time showing off won't last long!"

Miss Liuqi huffed and tossed out another harsh line.

Hearing this, Xiaoguang also came over to join the fun. "Hmph hmph hmph! This time I'll definitely be fine! You'll both be defeated by me! Be prepared!"

She had lost to All Baimu at the Kaina Conference and lost to Miss Liuqi at the Mi Mi Ke Li Cup—truly a bona fide "loser."

"I'll be waiting."

All Baimu slightly raised his right hand.

"It's a promise!"

Xiaoguang slapped her hand onto his without hesitation, using a bit of force as if out of spite.

Slap!

Miss Liuqi's eyes lit up, and she raised her right hand as well. "Xiaoguang~"

"Miss Liuqi!"

The clap of the two girls' hands was especially crisp.

They looked at Ulala not far away, who seemed to want to say something to All Baimu. The latter, sensing their gazes, awkwardly turned her head away and pretended she hadn't seen them.

But how could Miss Liuqi and Xiaoguang possibly let her off?

"Ulala~"

"Ulala!"

Ulala tried to run away.

Ulala failed to escape.

The second day of the Gorgeous Grand Festival—

The first round of the main competition ended amid this lively atmosphere.

——

Gorgeous Battle, Day One.

Everyone arrived at the venue full of energy.

All Baimu once again entrusted his Shiny Gengar to Mei Mei Yali's care, letting it watch the Gorgeous Battles from the audience.

Last night, Porygon-Z confirmed through Night Talk that this fellow's change was indeed triggered by Mawile's performance.

However, what left a deep impression on the latter was not Mawile the performer, but All Baimu, who stood at the edge of the stage as the director and partner.

The reason?

The Shiny Gengar itself couldn't give an accurate answer.

It was simply that every eye contact between All Baimu and Mawile, every silent moment of understanding, made its heart stir.

Porygon-Z believed the Shiny Gengar was envious… no, longing for this special kind of relationship—a bridge of hearts built between human and Pokémon.

All Baimu didn't dare to assume outright that Porygon-Z's thoughts were correct, so he decided to let it watch more from the audience—perhaps it could find an accurate answer on its own.

"Leave it to Hu Pa!"

Hu Pa saluted with a solemn face, always believing that it was the one truly looking after the Shiny Gengar.

Mei Mei Yali was clearly just watching from the side.

"Alright, then I'll leave it to Hu Pa too."

All Baimu smiled and patted its head.

In the preparation room.

Most of the contestants who had advanced to the second round had already arrived, each adjusting their condition.

Compared to the Gorgeous Performance judged by scores, the Gorgeous Battle—where defeating your opponent meant victory—was far more uncertain. This was a major reason why many contestants, even while in awe of the perfect-scoring All Baimu, still held hopes for victory.

Welcome to the Hoenn region, the Pokémon Gorgeous Grand Festival!

Vivian on the TV was bursting with energy.

Today's event is the second round—Gorgeous Battles! The format is Doubles! Within the five-minute time limit, beautifully use various moves to whittle down your opponent's score, or defeat them in one fell swoop. The ultimate victor will receive—

She pointed at the golden trophy on the high platform at the edge of the field and shouted:

The honor bestowed by the tournament! The Ribbon Trophy!

Ooh!

Waves of heckling rose from the audience.

Well then, without further ado, please welcome the contestants of the first group for the Gorgeous Battle!

As Vivian's voice fell, the giant silver screen displayed half-body portraits of the two, with a disc-shaped score bar below, and a five-minute countdown in the middle catching every eye.

Ding!

Accompanying the short prompt tone, the two Coordinator Trainers who had already taken the stage each released their Pokémon.

Go!

Everyone, do your best!

The excellent sound equipment allowed the Trainers' commands to reach every spectator's ears clearly.

"It's starting."

Baimu looked around, clearly sensing the change in atmosphere.

The outcome of this grand festival symbolized an entire year's effort of every Coordinator Trainer present — how could they not be nervous? How much strength each opponent would reveal was a crucial factor in determining whether they could achieve final victory.

A mere five minutes.

Everyone present watched with utmost seriousness.

And when the winners of the first two rounds among the four Trainers were decided in turn, it was Baimu's turn to take the stage.

"Mm…"

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the crowd striking various cheering poses, then looked down at the Piplup hopping and flapping its little wings, and said: "You'll see Mawile — remember not to get distracted."

Yesterday, after returning from the performance without seeing the Mawile it had been longing for, he had been pestered by Piplup for a long time.

"Pip?"

The little penguin tilted its head in confusion.

And Baimu had already turned and walked into the Trainers' tunnel.

A moment later.

He appeared on the television, basking in the cheers of countless viewers, facing his opponent head-on.

"Pip…"

Piplup hopped onto Bai Guang's shoulder, its big round black eyes fixed unblinkingly on the TV screen.

It still remembered that reminder.

—

On the battle stage.

Both Trainers took their respective positions.

Vivian's voice echoed across the field.

"Second Review, First Round, Third Match! Begin!"

Ding!

A crisp prompt tone.

The countdown on the giant screen began to tick.

Baimu and his opponent exchanged a glance, and in unison hurled their Poké Balls forward!

Bang bang!

Countless pink petals spiraled down through the pink light toward the ground, with white light radiating from the center to form the outlines of Mawile and Blissey.

Once the pink light faded.

Mawile and Blissey appeared together.

"Kyudon~"

"Happy!"

The latter rubbed its fists together, a rare hint of fighting spirit showing in its eyes.

After waiting a full two days, it was finally its turn to take the stage!

It had to perform its support duties beautifully! Brilliantly!

Blissey steeled its resolve, gazing into the distance at the Delcatty and Audino emerging from the bouncing hearts, as its Trainer's voice rang out from behind.

"Mega Evolve!"

"Happy!?"

It turned its head in astonishment, just in time to see Mawile enveloped in colored light, its appearance changing at tremendous speed.

Mega Evolution in the very first round?

Isn't that a waste of resources—

"Psycho Cut stepping stone! Power-Up Punch!"

Baimu's command made Blissey immediately forget the jumble of thoughts in its head; blue light welled up in its eyes as it constructed a pale blue strange wave of light on the front-left.

"Kyudon~"

The Mega-Evolved Mawile leaped up sharply, stepping onto the wave of light.

The next second.

Boom!

Only a deep, muffled thud was heard.

Mega Mawile vanished abruptly from where it stood; a thin black shadow, barely visible to the naked eye, swept across the field from one end to the other, charging straight at the opposing Delcatty and Audino!

The opponent's vision blurred, panic surging in his heart, and he instinctively shouted hastily:

"Ch-Charm—"

"Mii~"

Audino's light brown eyes tracked that black line, trying to catch its landing point so it could unleash a move on it.

However.

"Meow-ow!"

Delcatty's somewhat shrill cry rang out sharply.

The Long-Eared Rabbit spun its head in shock, just in time to see its companion flying backward like an arrow loosed from a bow, and the Mega Loudred that had taken its place in a punching stance, looking over with an utterly indifferent expression.

"Mee!

It let out a terrified cry.

So fast!

How could it be this fast!?

The Long-Eared Rabbit's mind went blank; the moment it recalled that it had to follow its trainer's orders and counterattack, it found its body completely unable to move.

And Mega Loudred threw a fist wreathed in brown-red aura at it.

Peng!

That dull thud was the last sound it heard.

Whatever came after, the Long-Eared Rabbit had no idea at all — it had long since been forced into a baby-like slumber, and the next thing it saw upon opening its eyes was a Chansey nurse.

What happened?

Nothing much.

In just ten seconds — or even less — Mega Loudred, with Chansey's 【Psychic】 support, had wiped out every opponent with two 【Power-Up Punches】. That's all.

Switching to the audience's perspective.

Even simpler: first Loudred Mega Evolved, then with a "peng" Mega Loudred vanished from sight, and with another "peng" Delcatty went flying.

The Long-Eared Rabbit tried to dodge but was restrained by Psychic, then with yet another "peng"—

It flew off too.

Neither of those two Pokémon managed to get back up.

A long whistle declared the match completely over.

"……"

The audience was still looking forward to All Baimu's brilliant performance, while the opponents were racking their brains for how to defeat such a powerful enemy.

But.

The match was already over.

So… utterly without warning.