It's a pity that each round of a large celebration has opponents randomly selected at the end of the round, otherwise one could roughly guess who their final opponent might be.
"Dear student, don't become complacent just because you're good at battles, whether you face me or anyone else."
Liuqia's voice echoed in his ear.
Baimu turned his head, looking at her full of burning fighting spirit, clearly coming to taunt him, replied with a smile: "Teacher Liuu, is this your first time knowing me?"
"Your smugness won't last long!"
Liuqia huffed as she threw back another harsh line.
Upon hearing, Xiaoguang also came to join the fun, "Hmph! Hmph! Hmph! This time I have no problems! Both of you will be my defeated opponents! Be prepared!"
She had lost to Baimu at the Kaina Conference and to Liuqia at the Mikoli Club, truly making her an "underdog."
"I'm waiting."
Baimu slightly raised his right hand.
"It's a promise!"
Xiaoguang, without hesitation, slapped it with a bit of force reminiscent of retaliation.
Clap!
Liuqia's eyes lit up, she also raised her right hand, "Xiaoguang~"
"Liuqia!"
The clapping sound between the two girls was particularly crisp.
They then looked towards Wula La, who seemed to want to say something to Baimu from a distance, the latter noticed their gaze and awkwardly turned his head pretending not to see.
However, Liuqia and Xiaoguang would not allow her to escape.
"Wula La~"
"Wula La!"
Wula La attempted to flee.
Wula La failed to escape.
The second day of the splendid large celebration—
With the lively atmosphere, the first examination of the official competition ended.
——
First day of the splendid battle.
Everyone arrived at the venue full of energy.
Baimu once again entrusted the altered-color Gengar to Mei Yali to watch over it, allowing it to enjoy the splendid battles as an audience.
Last night, Porygon II confirmed through a night chat that the change in this guy indeed stemmed from Mawile's performance.
However, what left the most impression wasn't Mawile, the performer, but Baimu on the stage edge as director and collaborator.
Reason?
The altered-color Gengar couldn't give an exact answer itself.
It merely felt an inner vibration at every sight contact, every silent understanding between Baimu and Mawile.
Porygon II believed the altered-color Gengar was envious... no, longing for this special relationship—a mental bridge between humans and Pokémon.
Baimu didn't dare to assume Porygon II's thought was right, so he decided to let it watch again in the audience seat, wagering it might get an exact answer itself.
"Leave it to Hoopa with confidence!"
Hoopa saluted seriously, always believing it was the one truly watching over the altered-color Gengar.
Mei Yali was clearly just watching on the sidelines.
"Alright, it's up to Hoopa too."
Baimu smiled and patted its head.
In the prep room.
Most participants who advanced to the second examination had arrived, each adjusting their state.
Compared to the scores given by judges for splendid performances, the uncertainty of splendid battles, where defeating the opponent grants victory, is even higher—this is a major reason why many participants, despite respecting Baimu's perfect score, still harbor hopes of winning.
'Welcome to the Hoenn Region, Pokémon splendid large celebration tournament!'
Vivian appeared lively on the TV.
'Today we are conducting the second splendid battle examination, the rules are double battles! Within the limited five-minute timeframe, elegantly using various techniques to reduce the opponent's score, or defeating them in one go, the ultimate winner will receive—'
She pointed at the golden trophy on the high platform at the field's edge, shouting:
'The honor symbol gifted by the tournament! The ribbon trophy!'
Cheers!
Audience seats erupted with noise.
'Without further ado, let's invite the first group of competitors for the splendid battle!'
As Vivian's words fell, the two contestants' portraits appeared on the large screen, a circular score bar was at the bottom, and the five-minute countdown in the center drew attention.
Ding!
With a brief prompt sound, the two coordinator trainers who had long stood on the stage released their Pokémon.
'Go on!'
'Everyone, do your best!'
The excellent audio equipment clearly transmitted the participants' commands into the ears of all audiences.
"It's started."
Baimu scanned the surroundings, clearly sensing the atmosphere change.
The results of this large celebration symbolize all coordination trainers' whole year's effort, there's no way not to be nervous, how much strength each opponent showcases will hugely impact whether they can achieve the ultimate victory.
Just five short minutes.
Everyone present was watching with utmost concentration.
And after two rounds where four participants respectively settled the wins and losses, it was Baimu's turn to appear.
"Hmm..."
He turned around, his gaze touching the people making various cheering gestures, looked down at Piplup flapping its little wings while jumping, and said: "You'll see Mawile. Remember not to lose focus."
After the performance yesterday, because he didn't see the Mawile he eagerly desired, he was pestered by Piplup for quite a while.
"Pip?"
The little penguin tilted its head in confusion.
And Baimu had already turned around to walk into the participant aisle.
A moment later.
He appeared on television, soaking in the cheers of thousands of spectators, facing his opponent directly.
"Piplup..."
Piplup jumped onto Xiaoguang's shoulder, its big, shiny eyes glued to the television screen.
It still remembered that reminder.
——
On the battle stage.
Both contestants took their positions.
Vivian's voice echoed across the field.
"Round two, first round, third match! Begin!"
Ding!
A crisp notification sound.
The countdown on the large screen began to move.
Baimu and his opponent exchanged a glance and simultaneously threw their Pokeballs forward!
Bang bang!
Countless pink petals spiraled down to the ground amidst a glow, forming the outlines of Mawile and Blissey with white light in the center.
As the glow faded.
Mawile and Blissey appeared together.
"Chido~"
"Happy!"
The latter rubbed its fists eagerly, with a rare hint of combat desire in its eyes.
After waiting a full two days, it finally got its turn to perform!
It was determined to perform its supporting role beautifully and brilliantly!
Blissey made up its mind, looking towards the Delcatty and Lopunny peeking from the hearts, as the voice of the Trainer rang from behind.
"Super Evolution!"
"Happy!?"
It turned its head in astonishment, only to see Mawile enveloped in a rainbow light, its appearance rapidly changing.
Using Super Evolution in the first round?
Isn't this like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut—
"Strong Mental Will platform! Enhanced Fist!"
Baimu's command made Blissey immediately forget all distractions, its eyes shining blue as it constructed a light blue strange wave in front on the left.
"Chido~"
The Mega Mawile, having completed its Super Evolution, leaped up, stepping onto the wave.
The next second.
Boom!
Only a dull thud was heard.
Mega Mawile suddenly vanished from its original spot, a barely noticeable black line sweeping from one end of the field to the other, charging straight for Delcatty and Lopunny!
The opponent saw a blur in front of their eyes, panicking, instinctively shouting:
"Coquettish—"
"Meow~"
Lopunny's light brown eyes pursued that black line, trying to pinpoint the landing spot to launch its technique.
However.
"Meow!"
Delcatty's slightly shrill cry suddenly echoed.
Lopunny turned its head in astonishment, just in time to see its companion flying out like an arrow, with Mega Mawile, replacing its position in a punch stance, looking over indifferently.
"Me!!"
It let out a horrified cry.
So fast!
Why so fast!?
Lopunny's mind went blank, just recalling it had to counterattack according to the Trainer's command, only to find its body completely immobile.
And Mega Mawile swung its fist enveloped in reddish-brown streams towards it.
Boom!
This was the last sound it heard.
As for what happened next, Lopunny was completely unaware, having passively entered a sleep-like state, seeing Nurse Blissey upon reopening its eyes.
What happened?
Not much.
In merely ten seconds or even less, Mega Mawile, with the assistance of Blissey's [Strong Mental Will], used two [Enhanced Fist] techniques to defeat all opponents.
From the audience's perspective.
It was much simpler; first, Mawile performed a Super Evolution, then with a streak, Mega Mawile disappeared, and with a thud, Delcatty flew out.
Lopunny tried to dodge but was immobilized by Strong Mental Will, then with another thud.
It too flew out.
Neither Pokémon could stand back up.
The long whistle announced the match completely over.
"..."
The audience still anticipated Baimu's spectacular performance, the opponent pondering how to defeat such a formidable enemy.
However.
The match was already over.
So... unexpectedly.